2023 Canine Calendar, Music Playlist For The Holidays: NoVA Good News

VIRGINIA — This week's good news stories in Virginia include two explosives-sniffing dogs at Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport getting featured in a 2023 calendar and Arlington Public Library's director releasing her music playlist for the holidays called “Too Cool for Yule 2022.”

Plus, read about Powerball winners in Lorton and Fairfax City; heroes and star athletes from Northern Virginia; and students from Fairfax City honored for their academic achievements in college.

Here are some of this week's good news headlines:

TSA's 2023 Canine Calendar Features Dogs From Reagan National Airport

Two dogs trained to detect explosives at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport are featured in the Transportation Security Administration’s 2023 calendar that honors explosives detection canines from across the country. Messi is a 6-year-old yellow Labrador retriever who works with his handler, Peter, at Reagan National Airport. Messi is featured in the calendar in February. The second dog, Ava, is a 4-year-old German shorthaired pointer and is the featured canine for June. Ava works at Reagan National Airport with her handler, Patricia.

Music Playlist For 2022 Holidays Released By Head Of Arlington Library

Arlington Public Library Director Diane Kresh has a tradition of creating music playlists for the holiday season. The year, Kresh has put together a new holiday playlist to share with the public called “Too Cool for Yule 2022.” Kresh describes putting together mixtapes as an “art” and “like all art, holiday mixtapes tell a story.” The best holiday mixtapes contain an eclectic blend of edgy, whimsical, happy, sad, silly, and sappy songs, she said.

VA Truck Driver Wins $50K Powerball Lottery Prize In Maryland

A Virginia truck driver won a $50,000 portion of the Powerball jackpot in Maryland, lottery officials said Tuesday. The 35-year-old Lorton resident bought the winning ticket on Oct. 22 at a 7-Eleven in Silver Spring. The winner said he and his wife are discussing using the winnings to purchase a new car.

Another Powerball Winner:

• Fairfax City Man Doubles Powerball Prize, Takes Home $100K Check

NoVA Patch Heroes and Star Student Athletes

• Patch Local Hero Mary C. Saunders Provides Service With A Smile
• Star Student Athlete: Paige Plays Varsity Hoops, Excels Academically
• Alexandria Star Student Athlete Thrives In School, Boy Scouts

Santa Rides and Runs

• Santamobile 2022: Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department Schedule
• Santa's Ride Toy Donations Collected Through Vienna Police
• Santa Runs 2022: Vienna Volunteer Fire Department Schedule

A Few More Good News Stories:

• Best Of Braddock Ceremony To Honor Community Award Winners
• Fairfax College Students Recognized For Academic Achievements
• Alexandria Gets Perfect Marks On Municipal Equality Index For 3rd Year
• Older Adult Wellness Center Gets Visit From Fairfax County Supervisor