Welcome to Just Outside DC — the only local newsletter that’s spicier than the last wing on Hot Ones™️ 🐔 

THE BIG IDEA

Almost one-hundred Virginia water systems tested positive for toxic forever chemicals.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently reported that drinking water sources serving over 89 million people across the U.S. have tested positive for toxic forever chemicals referred to as PFAS.

This number includes 91 public water systems in Virginia.

In Northern Virginia, drinking water sources in Hamilton, Round Hill, and Dale City tested above the proposed limit.

New EPA rules will eventually require bringing PFAS levels down to near zero, because these chemicals don't break down, and are linked to cancer and other health issues.

These new regulations are the first national limits on PFAS in drinking water.

Bulletin Board 📌 

Reader Restaurant Recommendation: One of our readers, Jacki, recommends you guys check out Ciao Osteria in Centreville.

If you want us to give you, your town, and your favorite NoVA restaurant a shout out in the newsletter, just use this fancy little form :) 

QUICK HITS 

• Check out this rap video from 15 years ago about living in Arlington (lol).

• Alexandria was named the second best city in the U.S for the class of ‘24 to jump start their careers. 

• The Virginia Gateway shopping center in Gainesville was sold to FRT for $215M. 

• The 2024 NoVA Ice Cream War is on. You can check out the bracket and vote for your favorite local shop here.

• George Mason University received $1M from Google to launch Cybersecurity Clinic.

LIVE EVENT LOWDOWN

• Music on Mill | Occoquan’s free summer concert series continues this Saturday with a performance by Hand Painted Swinger.

• Summer on the Plaza | Tysons Corner’s summer event series is back with a ping-pong tournament as well as a concert.

• Movies Under the Moon | Van Dyck Park is doing an outdoor screening of Pixar’s Elemental on Friday evening.

• Friday Night Live | the DC area’s best summer concert series continues on with a performance by Screaming Mönkeys.

• Rodger Daltrey from The Who is performing at Wolf Trap tonight.

• Columbia Pike Blues Fest | the 27th annual event is back on Saturday for another year of “Arlington’s Best Block Party”.

• Army Birthday Festival | this family-friendly event with food and outdoor activities celebrates the 249th birthday of the Army on Saturday.

• Major League Pickleball | the world’s top pickleball players are battling it out this weekend for the first time ever in DC.

• Sully Antique Car Show | the family-friendly display and contest of old-school cars will happen on Sunday in Chantilly.

• Del Ray Artisans is hosting a life-drawing session to practice gesture next Tuesday.

• McLean Symphony and Reston Community Orchestra are doing a tribute to their late director Dingwall Fleary at Capital One Hall on Sunday. 

• DC Startup Week Happy Hour | the summer happy hour series kicks off tonight. Mingle with founders, investors, and key players in our local startup ecosystem. 

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