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By Amy Ayres, James Finley, and Michele Kettner
Everybody In
Memorial Day brings the start of summer — and for my family, that means heading to local pools and water parks like The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole in Reston, followed by trying out some of NoVA’s best barbecue. And don’t forget the ice cream. We might head to Arlington to try Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream. —Amy Ayres, editor
Birthday Celebrations
Somehow my oldest niece is turning 14 this weekend. And even though the existential dread of feeling old is setting in, I’ve planned a day full of fun in order to retain my title as favorite aunt. An adrenaline-filled trip to Kings Dominion is already on the calendar and after trying out their newest rollercoaster, a stop for a brownie sundae at the Dessert Lounge sounds like the perfect ending to the day. —Michele Kettner, associate digital & research editor
A Much-Needed Drink
In response to the potential end of Roe v. Wade, Michele’s in DC is hosting a cocktail event they’ve dubbed Bartenders Against Bans, which will feature top bartenders from the DMV, including women behind the bar at Allegory and Service Bar, serving their best creations (plus oysters) for $14 a pop. While that already sounds pretty appealing to mixology enthusiasts, the “Against Bans” part comes from the fact that 100 percent of the proceeds go to support Planned Parenthood. Tickets must be booked in advance.—James Finley, senior editor