Harvard Dreamer, Most Generous, NASA's Johnson: VA, DC Good News

VIRGINIA — Good news stories from the past week include: the creation of two StoryWalks to educate students about the live and achievements of groundbreaking mathematician and NASA scientist Katherine Johnson; the city of Alexandria is ranked one of the best places to be a small business owner; and a DACA "dreamer" is headed to Harvard University.

Plus, here's where Virginia's population boomed in the last decade; which locales have the most generous residents; food insecure people in Fairfax and Prince William counties will get fresh produce thanks to the gardening efforts of students; three emerging business concepts are jumpstarting their success through Tysons Corner Center's first DreamStart competition; adorable pets need homes; and more in our roundup of good news stories from Virginia's Patch sites this week.

StoryWalks Help Students Learn About Fairfax School's Namesake

City of Fairfax students can learn more about NASA scientist Katherine Johnson by taking one of two StoryWalks being offered this month in Old Town and at Fair City Mall.

Alexandria Among Best Places for Small Business Owners In VA

The City of Alexandria ranks high among Virginia localities for the best places for small business owners, according to a new SmartAsset study.

NoVA Locales Top List Of Most Generous Jurisdictions In State

Northern Virginia jurisdictions dominated the rankings of a new study that looked at the most charitable residents in the state.

Lake Braddock Students Garden To Feed Families In Need

Food insecure people in Fairfax and Prince William counties will get fresh produce thanks to the gardening efforts of Lake Braddock Secondary School students.

Northern Virginia Fuels State’s Population Growth: Census

Population growth in the northern part of Virginia outpaced the rest of the state, according to census data released Thursday. The long-awaited census figures, which will be used to redraw the state's legislative boundaries, recorded a population of 8,631,393 Virginians.

DACA 'Dreamer' From Fairfax To Start Fall Semester At Harvard

Even though Umaar Ehsan hasn't raised all the money he needs to pay for graduate school at Harvard University, he plans to be in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for the start of the fall semester.

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

More Good News Stories:

• Tinner Hill Music Festival Returns For 27th Year In Falls Church
• Rescue Me: Kylo Is A Former Stray Who Wants To Meet New Friends
• Rescue Me: Indy The Dog Is A Sweet Senior Lady
• Spotsylvania Arts Festival Returns For Third Year
• Olympic-Themed Restaurant, Bakery Specials Offered In Alexandria
• Virginia Girl Wins National Wind Energy Design Competition
• Wolf Trap, 'Shocktober' Awarded Tourism Grants From Virginia
• Coffee Traditions From Around The World Find Home In NoVA
• 4 Reston College Students Receive Academic Honors
• 2 Herndon College Students Receive Academic Honors
• Alexandria Beautification Commission Presents 2021 Business Award
• Businesses Win Space At Tysons Corner Center Through Competition
• 2021 Hometown Hero Nominations Sought In Vienna
• Chi Mc Korean Fried Chicken Opens In Burke
• Rescue Me: Cora The Cat Is a 'Sweet, Petite Beauty Queen'
• Adoptable Alexandria Pet: August Is An Aptly Named Summer Cat
• Animal Rescue Awarded $5,000 Grant For Work With Senior Dogs

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