Holiday Light Shows, Happiest Americans, $100K Winner: VA Good News

VIRGINIA — Good news stories recently included dazzling holiday light displays put up by Patch readers; Alexandria and Arlington residents are among the happiest Americans, according to a SmartAsset study; for the last five years a barber and his staff have provided free hair cuts to homeless men and women at a shelter; Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse has arrived in Reston; and more in our roundup of good news stories from Virginia's Patch sites this week.

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

Holiday, Christmas Lights 2022: Guide To Northern Virginia Displays

These displays are worth a visit since residents go all out with handmade decorations, dazzling lights and sometimes synchronized shows. We'll continue to add to this list through Dec. 23. Send your display photos, address, and description of the holiday display to emily.leayman@patch.com.

Alexandria, Arlington On Top Places Where Americans Are Happiest List

Alexandria and Arlington residents are among the happiest Americans, according to a SmartAsset study based on several factors.

Alexandria Man Buys Winning $100K Lottery Ticket At Kingstowne Giant

Augustus Alvarez was still in shock when he claimed his $100,000 prize from the Virginia Lottery. He might buy a new car with his windfall.

Falls Church Barbershop Owner Provides Haircuts To Homeless

Dustin Foley is a barber and owner of The Neighborhood Barbershop in Falls Church. For the past 5 years, he and his team have been visiting two homeless shelters operated by New Hope Housing to provide free quality haircuts to homeless men and women.

And More Good News:

• Nozzo Pazzo Offers Deli Two Doors Down From Pazzo Pomodoro In Vienna
• 2 New Restaurants Join Lineup At The Boro Development In Tysons
• 2022 Vienna Holiday Decorating Contest Nominees Announced
• Fogo de Chão Brings Brazilian Churrasco Cuisine To Reston Town Center
• 2022 Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade Of Lights Winners Named
• Historic Marker Honors Arlingtonians Buried At Cemetery In Halls Hill
• Kings Park Library Book Sale Co-Chairs Named Citizens Of The Month
• Patch Holiday Food Drive Aims To Stem Food Insecurity In Herndon
• Patch Holiday Food Drive Aims To Stem Food Insecurity In Fairfax City
• Patch Holiday Food Drive Aims To Stem Food Insecurity In Reston
• Patch Holiday Food Drive Aims To Stem Food Insecurity In Arlington
• Patch Holiday Food Drive Aims To Tackle Food Insecurity In Vienna
• Patch Holiday Food Drive Aims To Fight Food Insecurity In Mount Vernon
• Patch Holiday Food Drive Aims To Tackle Food Insecurity In Alexandria

Local Hero

• Local Heroes: Michael Daniel Foley Defended America All His Life

Star Student Athletes

• Star Student Athlete: Emma Earned A VCU Scholarship From Field Hockey
• Annandale Star Athlete Worked Hard To Get Healthy, Make Team
• Reston Star Athlete: James Never Lets His Prosthesis Slow Him Down
• Annandale Star Athlete Volunteers For Food Bank, Inspires Peers
• Star Athlete In Alexandria Collects Equipment For People In Need
• Star Student Athlete: Eleanor Is A Great Teammate On And Off The Field
• Matthew Is A Star Student Athlete Who Is Dedicated To His Craft

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