Baby Panda, Getaways, Restaurant Week, Local Heroes: Good News

VIRGINIA — Good news stories in the past week included the birth of a panda at the National Zoo, a chef serves free meals to NoVA families, hospice home care for abandoned dog, Spirit Halloween stores are opening, end-of-summer Virginia getaways for an escape from quarantine, and a $2.7 million lottery winner. Plus, top restaurants for wine, a teen delivers pizzas to thank fire and rescue crews, new Old Navy and Target stores open, drive-in movies are planned in Alexandria, Summer Restaurant Week is under way in the DC area, recognition of local heroes during the pandemic, and more in our roundup of good news stories from DC and northern Virginia Patch sites this week.

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

• A Moment Of 'Pure Joy': National Zoo's Giant Panda Gives Birth
• Stafford Woman Wins $2,777,777 Prize From Virginia Lottery
• Summer Restaurant Week Kicks Off Monday Across DC
• Restaurant Week Kicks Off With National Landing Eateries
• Alexandria Restaurants Join Regional Summer Restaurant Week
• Rainbow Is Sign Of Good Fortune In Alexandria Man's Lottery Win
• Virginia Getaways For End-Of-Summer Quarantine Escape
• 2 VA, DC Restaurants Among Wine Spectator 2020 Winners
• VA Teen Delivers Pizzas To Thank Fairfax County Fire & Rescue
• Mitchell MacNaughton Delivers Meals To Seniors: Arlington Hero
• Keven LeBlanc Volunteers Endless Hours: Herndon Hero
• 6 Local Artists Explain Inspiration For Hemphill Coloring Book Pieces
• Chefs Serve Free Meals To Families: Greater Alexandria Heroes
• Rescue Dog Enjoys Comfort Of Home Hospice Care
• 13-Year-Old Keeps Filling Backpacks In Age Of Coronavirus
• Stone Bridge HS Graduate Wins Prestigious Scholarship To VA Tech
• Leesburg Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference
• Ashburn Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference
• Fairfax City Heroes: Help Recognize Those Making A Difference
• Manassas Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference
• Woodbridge Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference
• Fredericksburg Heroes: Help Recognize Those Making A Difference
• DC Heroes: Help Us Recognize Those Making A Difference
• Herndon Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference
• Reston Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference
• Arlington Heroes: Help Us Recognize Those Making A Difference
• Spirit Halloween To Open In New Tysons Location In 2020
• Spirit Halloween To Occupy Old Safeway In Bailey's Crossroads
• Spirit Halloween To Open 2 Locations In Fredericksburg In 2020
• Spirit Halloween To Occupy Old AC Moore in Manassas
• Spirit Halloween To Occupy Old Kirkland's in Leesburg
• Spirit Halloween Opens 2 New Locations In Ashburn, Sterling
• Public Safety Heroes Drop In On Inova Children's Patients
• Old Navy Comes To Mount Vernon Plaza
• Hank And Mitzi's Italian Kitchen Set To Open In Alexandria
• New Target Store Open For Business In Ballston
• DC's Hospitality Industry Raises $70K To Help Support Immigrants During Pandemic
• Gun Ban On Falls Church Government Property Approved
• Drive-In Movies Coming To Alexandria For Six Weeks
• Alexandria To Recognize 100th Anniversary Of 19th Amendment
• Alexandria Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference
• Del Ray Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference
• Vienna Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference
• Kingstowne Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference
• McLean Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference
• How 1 Local Teacher Works With Big Dreams And Small Contributions
• All Power to All People Public Artwork On Display In DC
• Leesburg Author Reassures Children About Future Beyond Pandemic
• Dog Bar With Off-Leash Park Plans Fall Opening In Alexandria
• 29 Diner Owner Feeds Community During Pandemic: Fairfax City Hero
• Fair City Mall To Celebrate 2nd Annual Park(ing) Day In September
• 'Debbie Cali Is Always Helping Those In Need': Manassas Hero
• Empowering Youth Takes Priority During Pandemic: Woodbridge Hero
• Fredericksburg Partners With UMW On Telling Civil Rights History
• Courtyard Biergarten From Church Hall Opens Wednesday
• Taco Bamba To Open In Ballston With Free Taco Promotion
• 'Dedicated Clinician, Husband, and Father': Arlington Hero
• Business Owner Keeps Staff Paid, Aids Cancer Patients: Patch Hero
• Nikki Pugh 'Is The American Dream': Herndon Hero
• Robert Price Is A 'Selfless, Caring Counselor': Arlington Hero
• Virginia Heroes: Help Patch Recognize Those Making A Difference
• Lidl Plans Store Opening In Lincolnia, Gift Card Giveaways
• Sara Wolcott 'Gives 110 Percent To Her Job': Fredericksburg Hero
• Idris O'Connor 'Has A Heart For People': Dale City Hero

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