Harry Potter Tour, 'Bear' Comes Home, Ice Cream Faves: NoVA Good News

VIRGINIA — This week's good news stories in Northern Virginia include elementary and middle school students enjoying a summer music camp, a family celebrates the return of a beloved lost toy bear, and neighbors share personal stories at a homeless encampment.

Plus, plans to convert a former coal-fired power plant into a mixed-use development wins an award, a woman who fought Virginia's poll tax to be honored with a historical marker, and a popular Harry Potter-themed tour is returning to a local museum for one day.

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

Music Camp Hits The Right Note For Alexandria Student Musicians

Music instructor Jonathan Jones knows students who wish they could stay in music class all day during the school year. While students have to balance a number of classes during the school year, a free program at Alexandria City Public Schools lets music students hone their skills over the summer. For two weeks, ACPS elementary and middle school students attend a music camp at Alexandria City High School led by ACPS music instructors with help from high school students.

Unknown Kind Soul Returns Beloved 'Bear' Lost On Fairfax City Trail

Thanks to an unknown "kind soul," a Fairfax City family is celebrating the return of a beloved lost toy named "Bear." "We were devastated upon realizing Bear had fallen out of the stroller along our 3-mile walk through Daniels Run Park and down Main Street, especially because Bear could certainly not be replaced," Fairfax City resident Hannah Converse told Patch. "It was my rattle lovey given to me when I was born back in 1988."

Woman Who Fought VA Poll Tax In Supreme Court Honored With Marker

The woman who fought Virginia's tax on voters, leading the Supreme Court to find the poll tax unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment in 1966, will be honored with a historical marker. The historical site in the Gum Springs area of Fairfax County honors Annie E. Harper, the woman who fought Virginia's poll tax. While the 24th Amendment banned poll taxes in federal elections, the Supreme Court's decision determined poll taxes in state elections were also not allowed.

Neighbors Meet Neighbors At Homeless Encampment On A Hill In Reston

Advocates for Fairfax County's unhoused population joined local faith leaders and elected officials on a wooded hill in Reston to show their support to the residents of a homeless encampment. It was also an opportunity for the residents to share their personal stories. "We don’t want to just be neighbors, we want to be good neighbors because good neighbors ensure that their neighbors are seen and heard," said Dr. Vernon C. Walton, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna.

Power Plant Redevelopment In Alexandria Earns State Planning Award

Plans to redevelop a former coal power plant into a mixed-use development earned a state-level award for Alexandria. The Red Clay Development of the Year Award is being awarded to the City of Alexandria's Department of Planning and Zoning for the redevelopment of the Potomac River Generating Station in Old Town North. The award, presented by Virginia's chapter of the American Planning Association, "honors a development that exhibits the values of great planning, helping to create a great place in Virginia."

Richmond Highway Nonprofit Seeks To Give 900 Children School Supplies

Even as student are in the middle of their summer break, a Richmond Highway corridor nonprofit is thinking ahead to help students be prepared for school. United Community, a nonprofit helping families in need around the corridor, is hosting a school supply drive. Fairfax County Public Schools start school on Monday, Aug. 21. This year, United Community's school supply drive has a goal of helping 900 children with backpacks and school supplies.

New Businesses

• Container Store Signs Deal To Open Store At Springfield Plaza: Report
• New Cybersecurity Headquarters To Bring 53 Jobs To Loudoun County

Restaurants and Eateries

• Peruvian Restaurant Moves Down Richmond Highway To Mount Vernon
• Themed Cocktail Bar Dreampt Opens At Del Ray Pizzeria
• Cinnaholic Vegan Bakery Set To Open In Stafford In Coming Months
• New Old Havana-Themed Concept To Open At Lena's In Alexandria
• Restaurants Across NoVA Participating In Black Restaurant Week

We All Scream for Ice Cream

• Best Places To Enjoy Ice Cream In Fairfax, As Chosen By Patch Readers
• Best Places To Enjoy Ice Cream In Herndon, As Chosen By Patch Readers
• Best Places To Enjoy Ice Cream In Reston, As Chosen By Patch Readers

Summer of Fun

• Popular Harry Potter Tours Return In Alexandria
• Chillin' on Church Returns With Food Trucks, Fun In Vienna
• Things To Do With Children In Summer 2023 Around Del Ray
• Artist Creates Tote Bag Designs Inspired By Arlington County Fair
• Fairfax County Holding Selfie Contest For Park and Recreation Month

More Good News Stories

• Cedar Lane School Student Chosen For School Board's 2023 Character Award
• George Washington Prize Nominees Offer New Take On America's Founding
• Race To Benefit Falls Church Schools Opens Registration
• Blood Drive Coming To McLean Volunteer Fire Department In Late July
• Sunflower Hidden Disabilities Program Debuts At DC's 2 Airports