Community Corner

Pop-Up Fashion | Rita's Italian Ice | Raising Cane's: NoVA Good News

Good news in NoVA this week includes an eatery makes a top 50 list, 150 animatronics fill spooky display and 12-year-old wins photo contest.

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard celebrated the opening of its new location in the Kingstowne area on Sept. 21.
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard celebrated the opening of its new location in the Kingstowne area on Sept. 21. (Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard)

VIRGINIA — This week's good news stories in Northern Virginia include a local restaurant that made the New York Times' "Restaurant List," a young photographer wins a nature photo contest, and a top local Halloween display with 150 animatronics is already set up.

Plus, PrettyLittleThing is bringing its pop-up shop to Northern Virginia as part of its fall tour, Rita's Italian & Frozen Custard holds a grand opening celebration, and 10 Virginia schools make the National Blue Ribbon Schools list for 2023.

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

Find out what's happening in Arlingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Local Restaurant Makes New York Times 'Restaurant List'

The Falls Church area has its share of acclaimed restaurants, including a new one is gaining national attention. Ellie Bird, a new restaurant at Falls Church's Founders Row development, was listed on the New York Times' "The Restaurant List." The restaurant is owned by Yuan and Carey Tang, who also own the Michelin Star restaurant Rooster & Owl in DC.

Photographer Wins Nature Photo Contest For Youth Magazine

A 12-year-old photographer from Dumfries won The Week Junior magazine's Nature Photo Contest. Karsyn Sterns's photography is featured on the cover of this week's edition of the magazine. The contest included two age groups: 8 to 10 years old and 11 to 14 years old.

Find out what's happening in Arlingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Volunteers Make Difference For Route 1 Nonprofit New Hope Housing

Addressing homelessness is the main goal of New Hope Housing, a nonprofit that runs several homeless shelters in Northern Virginia and other services. But that work wouldn't be possible without the support of volunteers. Volunteers got recognition for their contributions to New Hope Housing last week.

Haunting of Yacht Haven Brings Thrills With 150 Animatronics

About 15 years ago, Wade Woolwine and his wife, Lisa, started a Halloween yard display at their home simply for their love of the holiday. When they lived in Jefferson Manor not far from the Huntington Metro station, one of Northern Virginia's first Spirit Halloween locations opened, and the couple went all in to buy items for their Halloween display.

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