I am also thankful to the many new businesses that have opened in our area in 2022! We have held ribbon cuttings for Amazon Fresh and Popeyes in Lorton, Della J’s Delectables and several other new restaurants along the Richmond Highway corridor, and just last week, Ourisman Kia of Alexandria located in Woodlawn. We will also be celebrating the opening of Panera in Lorton (Lorton Market Street) in the coming weeks. We welcome all of these new business owners and encourage you to visit and support our local businesses. In fact, the holiday season is a wonderful time to shop local, give local and celebrate your special occasions locally. Our small businesses certainly appreciate you! To help with ideas and suggestions, Visit Fairfax has produced a Made In Fairfax Holiday Gift Guide https://www.fxva.com/blog/post/made-in-fairfax-holiday-gift-guide/ and a holiday to-do list with 31 Days of Holiday Happiness https://www.fxva.com/holiday-happiness/.
Additionally, the County has compiled a 2022 Holiday Giving Guide https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/2022-holiday-giving-guide of local non-profits you can support during the holiday season, and all year long.
In this time of giving, I hope you will consider giving not just your time, talents and treasures, but most importantly your kindness. At a time when there is much political and social divide, media strife and economic challenges, we can all use an extra smile, a kind word, a small compliment or a big hug. If we each take a little extra time this season to share the warmth, I know it will make a difference.
As the year winds down, Team MVD is hard at work planning our First Day Hike for Jan. 1, 2023. More details to follow soon. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season and a joyous New Year.