We’re well into the gardening season, and Alexandria has a variety of community gardens for you to check out.
Chinquapin Organic Gardens
Located just off of King Street, this city-run garden offers annual plot rentals to community members. All 173 plots are full this season, but you can sign up using the waitlist.
Holmes Run Community Garden
This 24-plot garden in Holmes Run Park is open to flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Rentals are offered annually, but aspiring gardeners should act fast — there’s frequently a waitlist.
Dale Street Community Garden
Arlandria neighborhood residents living within half a mile of this garden can enjoy a communal space offering educational resources and rent from 42 raised beds of varying sizes.
Meditation in Arlington | 6-7 p.m. | Rock Spring Congressional Church, Arlington | $6+ | Join in a guided meditation with Kadampa Buddhist Teacher Jamie Sonnenberg.
Play All Day VA | 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m. | RCC Hunters Woods, Reston | Free | Celebrate the summer solstice with a full day of fun-filled activities for the whole family.
Saturday, June 21
Honey Bees: A Year in the Life | 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Kingstowne Library, Fairfax | Free | Join local beekeeper Rob McKinney to learn about keeping honey bees.
Sunday, June 22
Firefly Festival | 7-9 p.m. | Fort CF Smith Park, Arlington | Free | Admire the twinkling natural light of fireflies as they light up the park sky — bring a blanket or picnic for the family.
Shilla Bakery and Cafe is now open at 340 Maple Ave. W. in Vienna. The bakery has taken over the spot where Al Nakheel Lebanese Cafe + Market used to be located. If you show that you follow Shilla’s Instagram, you’ll get a free tote and cookie at checkout. (FFXnow)
Environment
Arlington homeowners have until Monday, June 23 to apply for a free native tree or shrub. The nonprofit EcoAction Arlington holds a biannual Tree Planting Program, and they hope to plant 200 trees + 50 shrubs. (ARLnow)
Development
Euguene Simpson Stadium Park is about to get its makeover. Alexandria will break ground on Saturday to revamp the park, and renovations are expected to be completed by August 2026. (ALXnow)
Sports
Annandale is now home to a new pickleball court called Down the Line Sports Center. The facility is now in its soft opening phase and will have its grand opening on Monday, July 7. This center features 12 championship-sized pickleball courts, golf simulators, a gym, a full restaurant + bar, and more. (Northern Virginia Magazine)
Number
37. This is how many acres of the closed landfill site in Lorton are being converted into a solar array. This project, located at 9850 Furnace Rd., is expected to generate energy for 1,000 homes in Fairfax County.
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Asked
Asked
🌱 Which of the following plants is invasive in Virginia?
A. American sycamores B. Sugarberry trees C. Oakleaf hydrangeas D. Japanese honeysuckle
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
See ya later, alligator. After NOVA’s bear fiasco last week, another animal caused some havoc in the area. An alligator was seen at the Budget Host Alexandria motel early Monday morning. Its owner had left it in an enclosure in the parking lot, and it then escaped. 🐊
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