Puppy Love, Social Media Icon, National Spelling Bee: NoVA Good News

VIRGINIA — This week's good news stories in Virginia include a canine mother of 10 visits Fairfax County's public safety headquarters for a St. Patrick's Day adoption promotion, a Fairfax City woman pursues her dream of being Crowned Miss Africa USA, and a sixth-grader from Loudoun County prepares to compete In the National Spelling Bee.

Plus, a social media star who goes by the handle BLCKSMTH on Instagram will hold a fun-filled residency at the McLean Community Center, a local high school student receives a $70,000 award from the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition, and a bald eagle gets rescued from a Stafford County parking lot.

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

Fairfax Shelter Marks St. Patrick's Day With Weekend Adoption Event

Erin Johnson got more than she bargained for when she volunteered to foster a pregnant dog who'd been picked up by Fairfax County Animal Protection Police in early February. One-year-old Junie give birth to 10 puppies, who have recently been divided into pairs and shared with other fosters, according to Johnson. They'll soon be available for adoption, as will their mother, once she fully recovers from giving birth and is spayed.

• Ides Of Bark Brings Four-Legged Fun To Mount Vernon District

Fairfax City Woman Pursues Dream Of Being Crowned Miss Africa USA

Fairfax City resident Amini Bonane will be pursuing her quest to become the first Congolese woman to be crowned Miss Africa USA. Born in Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bonane and her family abruptly emigrated to the U.S. to escape the ongoing war in Eastern Congo, which has claimed more than 4 million lives since 1998.

Social Media Star To Hold Workshops During Residency At MCC

Michael James Schneider, a writer and artist who lives in Portland, Oregon, and goes by the handle BLCKSMTH on Instagram, will have a weeklong residency at McLean Community Center where he will hold workshops with community groups. During his residency from Monday, March 27 through Saturday, April 1, Schneider will hold conversations with groups, including seniors, teens, families, retirees and veterans.

McLean's Ethan Zhou Places In Top 10 Of Regeneron Science Talent Search

Ethan Zhou, a student at McLean High School, has placed 7th in the national 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search. The competition is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. Zhou received a $70,000 award for studying the theory behind a machine learning model in which the learning program receives training data gradually.

• 36 Fairfax County Teachers Earn Or Renew Certification From NBPTS
• Herndon College Students Earn Academic Honors From Their Schools

Loudoun Sixth-Grader To Compete In National Spelling Bee

A sixth grader from Lunsford Middle School won the Loudoun County Regional Spelling Bee last week. Oviya Amalra will next compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee from May 30 through June 1. Amalra won the regional spelling competition after ten rounds. Her winning word was "elan."

Small Business Honors and Celebrations

• Fairfax City Business Owner Recognized With Customer Loyalty Award
• Harvey's Holding Anniversary To Celebrate 1 Year In Falls Church
• Bollywood Bistro Celebrates Colorful Holi Festival In Old Town Fairfax
• Jeni's In Shirlington Reschedules Grand Opening Ice Cream Celebration

Charitable Contributions

• YMCA Reston Community Gala Returns To Benefit Local Families, Children
• Charitable Efforts A Priority For Vienna's Body Grace Fitness & Yoga
• Spring, Summer Camp Registration Open At Worldgate Athletic Club & Spa
• $273K In Grants, Scholarships, Vouchers Awarded By The Herndon Closet
• Arlington Civitan Flea Market To Kick Off 2023 Season On April 1
• Pennywise Thrift Shop Serves Church Ministry For Over 60 Years

Exploration of Creativity

• Reston Theatre Major Works On Emerson College's 'Mary, Sweet Mary'
• Latin American, Caribbean Festival Coming To McLean Community Center
• Works By 3 Artists Featured By McLean Project For The Arts This Spring
• Next Waterfront Park Art Installation Opening In Late March 2023

Local History

• From Potter's Field To Condos: History Of The Maury School Building
• From Depression Era Movie House To Modern Music Club: Tally Ho Theater

A Few More Good News Stories:

• Injured Eagle Rescued From Wawa Parking Lot In Stafford County
• Alpacas, Vendors Return To River Farm's Spring Garden Market
• Metallica Buys NoVA Pressing Plant With Resurgence Of Vinyl Records
• Restaurant Concept Announced For Waterfront Warehouse In Alexandria
• Del Ray Farmers Market's POP Kids' Club To Return In 2023
• Notable Signs Around Alexandria The Creation Of Del Ray Shop