VA, DC Good News: Cherry Blossom Festival, 1st Black Woman In NFL

VIRGINIA — Good news stories from the past week include: a Virginia teacher is the first Black woman to work as an NFL official; plans for the 2021 DC Cherry Blossom Festival; Amazon donated $15,000 to Wakefield High School to support racial equality initiatives; diners at this restaurant can buy a blanket to snuggle under; and the Senate passes a coronavirus stimulus bill.

Plus, a list of names for two schools with Confederate or segregationist ties has been assembled; a small business owner helps other businesses survive the tough economy; Bike to Work Day routes and pit stops for 2021 have been laid out; Vice President Kamala Harris visits a NoVA business to talk about the economy; adorable pets need homes; 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:

DC Cherry Blossom Festival: Peak Viewing, Online Gifts, BloomCam

Organizers of the 2021 National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., are forecasting peak bloom of the cherry trees between April 2-5, although the National Park Service is still evaluating whether the area around the Tidal Basin will need to be blocked off to visitors.

• Amazon Attracts Cherry Blossom Festival Events To Arlington
• Cherry Blossom Experiences Planned In Alexandria For 2021

Amazon Donates $15K To Wakefield HS To Support Racial Equality

Amazon donated $15,000 to Wakefield High School in Arlington on Friday to support racial equality initiatives at the school as part of the company's celebration of Black History Month.

Small Business Owner Helps Others Bounce Back From Pandemic

Doug Walton owns the Minuteman Press, an essential printing business in Fredericksburg. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Walton has given back to other businesses in the area through the Bounce Back Fredericksburg community program.

NFL Appoints Virginian Maia Chaka As First Black Female Official

Maia Chaka will make history as the National Football League's first Black female official while also joining an elite group of officials.

Third Coronavirus Stimulus Checks: What To Expect In Virginia

More aid for cash-strapped and pandemic-weary Virginians could be on the way soon as the U.S. Senate on Saturday passed its own version of a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package passed by the House of Representatives earlier.

More Good News Stories:

• Final Names Recommended For T.C. Williams, Maury Elementary
• Blankets Keep Outdoor Diners Warm At Fairfax City Restaurants
• Irish Restaurant Mattie & Eddie’s Coming To Pentagon City
• VP Visits Old Town Alexandria Business To Discuss Economic Relief
• Pet Of The Week: Cesar Is A Laid-Back Boy With Regal Good Looks
• Smart City Challenge Leads To Pilot Projects In Fairfax City
• First Watch Preparing To Open In Bailey's Crossroads
• Garden Club of Fairfax's Home And Garden Tour Planned In McLean
• 'Bike To Work Day' Adds Pit Stops For Arlington Telecommuters
• 'Bike To Work Day' Adds Pit Stops For Reston Telecommuters
• 'Bike To Work Day' Adds Pit Stops For Herndon Telecommuters
• Bike To Work Day' Adds Pit Stops For Fairfax City Telecommuters
• Transportation To Vaccine Appointments Offered In Fairfax
• Fresh Impact Farms Awarded Arlington's First Agriculture Grant
• Amazon Donates $600K, Delivery Services To DC, NoVA Food Banks
• Shoe Drive At Loudoun Sheriff's Office Raises Money For Charity
• Herndon's 'March Into Parks' Offers Guide To Outdoor Enjoyment
• Salamanders Indicate Waterway Health In Prince William County
• Reston Fitness Studio To Reopen Indoor Training Space
• Visa's Data Center In Ashburn To Run On Renewable Energy

• Rescue Me: Ham The Dog Needs A Loving Forever Home
• Adoptable Alexandria Pet: A Shadow To Tag Along With You
• National Grammar Day: Virginia Students Think It's Very Important
• Big Buns Reston Offering Special Grand Opening Bags
• Fairfax County Libraries To Reopen For Indoor Express Services
• Sunrise Senior Living Coming In Spring To Old Town Alexandria

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