Your daily dose of good news from Fairfax County with Steve Rhode. Today: Falls Church leads the way with 70% organics program participation, IKEA confirms Chantilly location, Army veteran Tony Kovacic runs massive golf therapy program for fellow veterans, and Cox Farms offers pumpkin catapult disposal.

Links: Falls Church Organics Disposal Program: https://www.arlnow.com/2025/11/04/most-falls-church-homes-opting-into-new-organics-disposal-program/

IKEA Coming to Chantilly: https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2025/11/hej-chantilly-ikea-to-replace-dulles-expo-center/

Tony Kovacic - PGA HOPE Program Director: https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/people_and_places/people-and-places---week-of-october-24-2025/article_3fd9ea12-8138-453d-9533-da2f61cc5925.html

Pumpkin Disposal Options: https://www.ffxnow.com/2025/11/04/morning-notes-for-november-4-2025/

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A quick, friendly update from Steve about the recent email list cleaning and how to make sure you stay connected with your daily dose of good news from Fairfax County.

Your daily dose of good news from Fairfax County with Steve Rhode.

Join the email list at TapYourNews.com https://TapYourNews.com

Got a good news story? Use the contact form at TapYourNews.com

Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com https://TrueCrimeUnheard.com

Start your Monday with some genuine good news! Falls Church High girls' cross country just won their first-ever district title (some running through injuries!), Reston got a new food hall where you can sample five different menus under one roof, Latin American empanadas are coming to North Point Village Center, and Centreville football delivered a last-second touchdown to win their district showdown. That's the Fairfax County energy we love.

Stories in this episode:

• https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/falls-church-girls-cross-country-captures-first-district-title/article_20e5f87d-3f11-4093-877c-b208c70ffacb.html
• https://theburn.com/2025/10/30/wonder-food-hall-in-reston-is-open-for-business/
• https://theburn.com/2025/10/30/empanadas-de-mendoza-opening-new-shop-in-reston/
• https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/centreville-survives-concorde-powerhouses-takes-firm-aim-at-district-title/article_b90310f1-6d2f-489f-8d10-328b8504ffbf.html

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Your Wednesday just got better. A Fairfax County cat came home after being missing for fifteen years (microchips work, people!), a local dad is now renovating the elementary school he once attended as a kid, River-Sea Chocolates opened a new shop in Reston so you don't have to drive to Chantilly anymore, and the Meridian Mustangs field hockey team won their third overtime game in seven days to advance to the regional finals.

This is what you miss when you just check the regular news. Good stuff's happening.

Stories in this episode:

• https://wtop.com/local/2025/10/but-the-cat-came-back-missing-for-more-than-15-years-a-lost-cat-returns/
• https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2025/10/fairfax-co-dad-overseeing-renovation-of-elementary-school-he-once-attended/
• https://www.ffxnow.com/2025/10/29/river-sea-chocolates-unveils-new-retail-shop-at-reston-location/
• https://www.fcnp.com/2025/10/29/cardiac-stangs-do-it-again-rally-past-james-monroe-to-advance-to-regional-finals/

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Got a good news story? Use the contact form at TapYourNews.com - I read every message.

McLean's Chesterbrook Shopping Center is finishing up a multi-million dollar makeover and welcoming Sweetgreen on November 11th, a new Party Mania store is filling that long-vacant rug shop on Columbia Pike, and Pakistani street food is making its Virginia debut near Dulles with Karahi Boys at Nokes Plaza. Three signs that Fairfax County's business scene keeps growing.

Stories in this episode:

• https://www.ffxnow.com/2025/10/28/chesterbrook-shopping-center-sweetgreen-opening-renovations-celebration/
• https://www.arlnow.com/2025/10/28/party-mania-supply-store-coming-to-former-rug-shop-on-columbia-pike/
• https://theburn.com/2025/10/28/signs-of-progress-at-karahi-boys-restaurant-in-loudoun-1/

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Got a good news story? Use the contact form at TapYourNews.com—I read every message.

Great way to start your Monday! Four Fairfax County restaurants just made the top 10 in Northern Virginia (2941 reclaimed #1!), Falls Church is investing in both the nation's 250th birthday celebrations AND Vietnamese-American community outreach, and Meridian High gave their seniors the perfect Friday night lights send-off with a dominant 56-14 win.

Starting your day with good news isn't just nice — it actually sets the tone for everything that follows. That's why we do this.

Stories in this episode:

• https://www.ffxnow.com/2025/10/27/four-fairfax-county-restaurants-ranked-among-10-best-in-northern-virginia/
• https://www.arlnow.com/2025/10/27/falls-church-surplus-funds-could-help-mark-nations-250th-birthday-and-extend-vietnamese-outreach/
• https://www.fcnp.com/2025/10/27/meridian-football-gets-right-in-dominant-senior-night-win-over-warren-county/

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After four years of community advocacy, residents celebrate new pedestrian safety beacons on Edsall Road that make crossing to the neighborhood pool and park much safer. Plus, local Northern Virginia artists see their work featured on a new gallery wall at Springfield Town Center. Your daily dose of good news from Fairfax County with Steve Rhode.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Pedestrian beacon on Edsall Road: https://www.ffxnow.com/2025/10/24/residents-welcome-long-awaited-pedestrian-beacon-on-edsall-road/
• Art exhibition at Springfield Town Center: https://www.ffxnow.com/2025/10/24/exhibition-featuring-local-artists-now-on-display-at-springfield-town-center/

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And if you want even more good news, check out Good Morning Good News: International Edition for positive stories from around the world!

South Lakes High girls are winning in their first season of flag football, a Bailey's Crossroads couple returned to thank the rescue crew that saved Ben's life five months ago, and a new Reston boutique is showcasing Iranian-American artists and artisans. Your daily dose of good news from Fairfax County with Steve Rhode.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• South Lakes Girls Flag Football Building Foundation: https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/south-lakes-girls-flag-football-builds-a-foundation-this-year/article_423ae8ef-9119-426a-90ef-c1f015041f4f.html
• Resuscitation Reunion at Fire Station: https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/resuscitation-reunion-is-cathartic/article_4d625c0c-f317-4285-8557-01c570f2dfe3.html
• Ovissi Boutique - Iranian-American Art in Reston: https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/iranian-american-art-on-display-at-new-reston-boutique/article_17ced782-2a29-4a92-a8b3-436a4e753978.html

Join the email list at TapYourNews.com (https://TapYourNews.com) to get notified when new episodes drop.

Got a good news story to share? Need a friend who gets it? Use the contact form at TapYourNews.com - Steve reads every message.

Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com (https://TrueCrimeUnheard.com)