Best Dog Parks, New Taco Bamba, $1M Lottery Ticket: NoVA Good News

VIRGINIA — This week's good news stories in Northern Virginia include a 16-year-old mother becoming the first in her family to graduate from high school, Arlington getting ranked as one of the top communities for its dog parks, and the McLean Volunteer Fire Department getting a $13,000 donation in its fundraising campaign to buy a new ambulance.

Plus, volunteers from MGM National Harbor help a food pantry in Fairfax County, Crooked Beat Records reopens in a new location in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood, and a new softball league is coming to Loudoun County.

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

$1 Million Lottery Ticket Bought In Richmond Highway Corridor

A person who recently bought a ticket in Fairfax County's Richmond Highway corridor will become a millionaire.

Volunteers Give Food Pantry Much-Needed TLC In Route 1 Corridor

As use of a Richmond Highway corridor's food pantry increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was in need of a facelift. Volunteers stepped in to help. Volunteers from MGM National Harbor recently helped paint the food pantry at nonprofit United Community's main office. The volunteer work helped United Community at a time when it is renovating and expanding its food pantry.

Arlington's Dog Parks Rank 5th Best In The U.S.: Report

Arlington County ranked as the fifth-best city in the U.S. for its dog parks in 2023, up from its ranking as 14th best a year ago, according to a new report by LawnStarter. Among the key metrics used by LawnStarter, Arlington ranked fourth for the number of top-rated dog parks, eighth for the number of dog parks per 100,000 residents, and 44th for the number of very hot days.

Woman's Club Of McLean Donates $13K To Volunteer Fire Department

The Woman’s Club of McLean presented a check for $13,000 to the McLean Volunteer Fire Department on Monday as part of an effort to help the fire department purchase a new ambulance. The funds were raised during the Woman’s Club “Kitchen and Garden Tour” in April. The check presentation was made at the McLean Volunteer Fire Department at 1455 Laughlin Avenue.

Bryant Grad Earns First High School Diploma In Family As New Mom

At age 7, Anyeli Salguero came to the U.S. from Honduras and knew little English. She was afraid to ask questions because of her accent and not knowing the English language well. Less than a decade later, she is a 16-year-old high school graduate, the first in her family, amid juggling responsibilities as a new mom.

Business Beat

• Taco Bamba's New Shirlington Restaurant To Feature Special Menu, Mural
• Crooked Beat Records Reopens In New Del Ray Location
• Alexandria Fireworks Coincides With Jula's On The Potomac Opening

Celebrations and Festivals

• Columbia Pike Blues Festival Attracts Music Fans, Vendors, Candidates
• Burke Centre Library To Celebrate 15th Anniversary With Music, Food

More Good News Stories

• New Youth Softball League Coming To Loudoun County
• Renovation Plan For Del Ray's Largest Park Approved
• Free And Reduced Price Adoptions Planned At Fairfax Animal Shelter