Book Vending Machine | Harry Potter | Old McDonald's: NoVA Good News

VIRGINIA — This week's good news stories in Northern Virginia include a new book vending machine for local students, the Scouting for Food initiative receives honors for supporting area food banks, and an old McDonald's is turning into a new chicken restaurant.

Plus, a family has created a local guide for neurodiverse children, a spooky Harry Potter-themed Halloween display seeks donations for a high school band, and a local resident buys a $1 million winning Powerball ticket.

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

Book Vending Machine Donated By PTA Introduced To Students

A book vending machine was unveiled to students at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School with books for varying reading levels. To get a book from the vending machine, students receive a token for their birthday or as a reward from a teacher.

'We All Help Each Other': Scouting For Food Honored

Every year, youth with Boy Scouts of America will go around Alexandria to put out food collection bags for its Scouting for Food drive. This year, the initiative by Boy Scouts of America’s Colonial District was honored by Alexandria City Council for helping food banks like ALIVE.

Tour De Mount Vernon 2023 Offers Scenic Bike Ride Through District

This year's Tour de Mount Vernon is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21. The bike ride through the Mount Vernon District will start and end at George Washington's Mount Vernon. The event is rain or shine and costs $35 to participate.

Guide For Neurodiverse Kids Created By NoVA Family

For Lee Lynch and her neurodiverse family, planning a fun day out may come with a few bumps in the road. That's why the family teamed up to create visitor guides geared toward children who are neurodiverse.

New Hot Chicken Restaurant Opening At Former McDonald's

A new hot chicken restaurant will bring the heat to a vacant restaurant space formerly occupied by McDonald's in Vienna. The Red Bird franchise serves up chicken with varying levels of spice with options of sandwiches and tenders paired with sides, drinks and desserts.

• Kaizen Tavern Replaced With New Concept

Giving Back

• 5 Nonprofits To Get Behind In The Fredericksburg Area
• 5 Nonprofits To Get Behind In The Leesburg Area

Halloween Fun

• Harry Potter-Themed Haunted House Scares Up Donations For SLHS Band
• Del Ray Halloween Parade 2023: Route, Contest Details
• Healthy, Safe Halloween Fun Planned In Fairfax City

Fall Events

• 'Music Through The Decades' Theme Of 2023 Herndon Homecoming Parade
• Northside Social Painting Earns Artist Top Plein Air Festival Award
• Amazing Deals At Friends of Arlington Public Library's Fall Book Sale

More Good News Stories

• One $1M Powerball Winner In VA As CA Player Grabs $1.76B Jackpot
• DC-Based Framing Company Opening Shop In Old Town Alexandria
• Vienna Restaurant Week Earns Town Economic Development Award
• Meridian High School Makes AP Honor Roll In 2023
• GMU Celebrates Faculty And Staff With Mason Now Kick-Off Event

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