GOOD News: Students Salute Crossing Guard, Finding Golden Tickets in Chocolate Bars + Happy Birthday Marine Corps

Start your week off right with some of the upbeat news featured on our Patch sites in DC and Virginia this past week:

• Alexandria’s Longest-Serving Crossing Guard Retires After 49 Years
• The Search Begins: Five Golden Tickets Hid in Merry Old Towne Chocolate Bars
• Burke Marine’s Fidelis Beer Company Aims to Give Back
• Mary Riley Styles Public Library Recognized as a Top Library in the Country
• A Big Field Hockey Win For Fredericksburg Native, Taylor Herold
• Sign Up Now for ‘Snowflake Stampede’ and Preview ‘Bull Run Festival of Lights’
• Woodbridge Native Prepares for North American Fencing Cup
• The Boys Are Back: BalletNova Welcomes Back Former Students for ‘Nutcracker’ Performances
• Arlington to Unveil Historic Marker to Honor County’s First African American-Owned Pharmacy
• Santa Arrives at Pentagon City on Saturday
• Girl Scout Troop 6823 Hosted 4th Annual Costume Swap

PLUS:

• Fairfax County Supervisors to Consider Establishing Resident Curator Program
• Post Office Deliveries to Include Sundays in Parts of Northern Virginia
• Mother’s Ballet Honoring Fallen Marine Opens in Manassas
• Fairfax County Park Authority to Honor America’s Veterans
• Arlington Student Wins National Poster Contest Sponsored by Paralyzed Veterans
• Registration Open for 2014 Alexandria Turkey Trot

PHOTO: Alexandria school crossing guard Charlotte Ross retires after almost 50 years; City of Alexandria photo