Veteran Opens New Business + Food Truck Welcomes 1st Restaurant: MD Good News

MARYLAND — An Air Force veteran opened a holistic tea shop in Maryland, and a falafel food truck welcomed its first brick-and-mortar restaurant. Plus, new ratings graded the state's top hospitals and nursing homes. Other stories covered new flights from BWI Airport, a library fundraiser and a teaching award.

Here are our happiest headlines of the week:

Veteran Opens Holistic Tea Shop In Anne Arundel County, Donates To Charities

A veteran opened a new tea and wellness shop in Anne Arundel County. The holistic store also sells essential oils and donates to charities.

District Falafel Brings Middle Eastern Food To Bethesda

District Falafel opened the doors to its new restaurant in Bethesda, allowing customers to enjoy its delicious Middle Eastern food indoors.

MD's Safest Hospitals: New Ratings Released, 8 Facilities Earn 'A' Grade

Eight Maryland hospitals earned top grades for their safety performance. One facility was sub-par. Here are the latest safety ratings.

Best Nursing Homes In MD: 15 Ranked ‘High Performing’ By U.S. News

A new nursing home ranking named 15 Maryland facilities among the nation's best. Here are the state's top nursing homes from U.S. News.

BWI Airline Launches Flights To 2 Bustling Cities, 1 Beach Getaway

An airline launched flights from BWI Airport to two bustling cities and one beach getaway. This comes as passenger traffic spikes at BWI.

$50K Raised At 18th Annual Harford Co. Public Library Foundation Gala

More than $50,000 was raised at the Harford County Public Library Foundation's 18th annual gala event held recently to benefit patrons.

$27K Prize Awarded To PGCPS Teacher For Job Skills Program

A PGCPS teacher has won $27K for her program that helps HS students with severe cognitive disabilities develop real-world job skills.

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Holiday Events

• 'Christmas In Bel Air' Schedule: Carriage Rides, Parade, Santa Visits, Tree Lighting, Train Garden
• Bethesda's Winter Wonderland To Feature Singing, Live Ice Sculpting
• Mario Lopez To Host Holiday Celebration At Westfield Montgomery
• Bear Square Express Chugs Into Town Offering Holiday Rides Dec. 10

Community

• Local Songwriters Compete For $10K Grand Prize In Bethesda Contest
• Harford Community College Receives State Award As 'Champion Of Manufacturing'
• Cherry Tree Planting Ceremony Comes To Walt Whitman High School

Local Heroes, Student Athletes

• Educator Cristen Culver Quietly Makes Life Better In Bel Air
• Bel Air's Sam Shines In Special Olympics, Riding Horses, Friend To All
• Star Student Athlete: Kensington's Robert Plays Tennis With Kind Heart
• Star Student Athlete: Bel Air's Josh Shines On, Off The Court

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