Year Of The Rabbit, New Millionaire, Exemplary Honor: NoVA Good News

VIRGINIA — This week's good news stories in Virginia include a McLean school presenting its Award for Exemplary Service during a school assembly honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., a new school opening in Springfield for creative arts students, and local theater companies pulling in dozens of nominations for the Washington Area Theatre Community Honors Awards.

Plus, read about an Occoquan man who couldn't believe he won $1 million in the Virginia Lottery; Burke Lake Park holding a special celebration to mark the Year of the Rabbit; and the grand opening of an affordable housing community near the Huntington Metro.

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

Potomac School Honors Amanda Marshall With Exemplary Service Award

The Potomac School in McLean awarded Amanda Marshall, founder of Fair Chance and co-founder of Families4Families, with its Award for Exemplary Service during a school-wide assembly on Friday. The award was presented to Marshall during a school assembly honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

ColorLove Show Opens At Falls Church Arts, Top Award Winner Named

ColorLove, an all-media show focused on color, opened Saturday and will be on display through Feb. 26 at the Falls Church Arts gallery. The opening featured 75 artists as well as Falls Church Arts members, Mayor P. David Tarter and other guests. At the opening, the Juror’s Choice Award was given to Beth Cartland for her mixed media work titled, "Purple Stairs Carry You Far."

AMP Institute Offers Creative Arts Education Courses In Springfield

AMP Institute, a new school for creative arts students, is opening a location in Springfield, with the first classes starting in late March. The institute aims to help creative people who want to learn and expand their creativity in a shorter time and at a more reasonable cost than the tuition of a four-year college.

$1M VA Lottery Prize Awarded To Occoquan Man In New Year's Raffle

A man from Occoquan won $1 million in the Virginia Lottery's New Year's Millionaire Raffle. The man, Daniel Zarow, bought his winning ticket at the Safeway store in Woodbridge's Merchant Plaza. Zarow was slightly delayed in claiming his prize; he didn't believe he had any real chance of winning.

• Woodbridge Woman Wins $50K In Maryland Lottery

Little Theatre Of Alexandria Snags Most WATCH Award Nominations

When the nominations for the 2022 Washington Area Theatre Community Honors Awards were announced last Sunday, the Little Theatre of Alexandria received the most nominations of the 27 community theater companies participating.

Nominations for Other Local Theater Companies

• Reston Community Players Receives 42 WATCH Award Nominations
• The Arlington Players Receive 14 DC Area Theater Award Nominations
• City Of Fairfax Theatre Company Nominated For 7 WATCH Awards

Seasonal Celebrations

• Burke Lake Park To Mark Year Of The Rabbit At Lunar New Year Event
• Virginia Polar Dip Returning To Lake Anne Plaza For Grand Finale

Awards and Scholarships

• Heart Of Del Ray Nominees Sought For 2023 Business Award
• Business Giving Circle Awards Grants To 3 Groups Empowering Young Women
• CyberSlam 2023: Area High Schoolers Explore Cyber Career Opportunities
• $2K Scholarships Available For Herndon High Student-Athletes
• GMU's Alessandra Luchini Honored By SCHEV With Outstanding Faculty Award

Helping Those In Need

• The Arden, Affordable Housing Community Near Huntington Metro, Opens
• Food, Clothing Packed For At-Risk Students At 7 NoVA Schools
• Lamb Center, Wesley Housing Finalize Purchase Of Hy-Way Motel

A Few More Good News Stories:

• Second Part Of African American Trail To Be Launched In Alexandria
• Mount Vernon Rec Center Renovation Groundbreaking Held
• Arlington's Rosa Mexicano Offering Take Away Kits On Super Bowl Sunday
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe Seeks To Open On Alexandria's King Street
• Heart + Paw In Ballston Now Accepting Walk-In Visits For Urgent Needs
• Almond Milk-Based Vegan Cheese Brand to Expand Tysons Headquarters