Morning Notes

Holiday Gift Guide Highlights Local Artisans — “The Made in Fairfax network aims to be a one-stop shop for maker businesses and those who want to support them…This holiday season (or any time of year, really!) take ‘shop local’ to new heights by directly supporting the makers of these gift-worthy products — created right here in Fairfax County.” [Visit Fairfax]

Solar Panels Installed on Sully Community Center — “We’ve added yet another solar array on a county government building. This latest installation is in Chantilly at the Sully Community Center, which serves as the home of the Sully Senior Center and also provides a broad array of services, programs and activities for individuals of all ages and abilities.” [Fairfax County]

Filipino Chicken Restaurant Nears Opening in Chantilly — “Jollibee plans to open its fried chicken restaurant in Chantilly the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, according to signs posted on the fast food restaurant’s window. Work has been underway on the building at 4406 Chantilly Shopping Center…The site used to be a Burger King.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

McLean’s Mars Inc. Buys British Chocolatier — “McLean-based food giant Mars Inc., Greater Washington’s largest private company, said Thursday it is buying British chocolatier Hotel Chocolat for the equivalent of $662 million. Hotel Chocolat…is the only company in the U.K. that grows its cocoa on its own farm, which is located on the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia.” [Washington Business Journal]

Ledo Pizza Now Open in Lorton — “The new Ledo Pizza at Liberty Market in Lorton opened its doors Oct. 30, making it the first restaurant to open in the small shop building across from Lidl supermarket…On the opposite end of the retail building, Taco Rock has yet to open its doors but likely will be the next restaurant to do so, based on an updated timeline provided by the South County Federation.” [On the MoVe]

Annual Charity Toy Drive Underway — “#FCFRD is participating in the 2023 TOYS FOR TOTS Campaign! TOYS FOR TOTS collects new unwrapped toys and distributes them to less fortunate children. Fairfax County fire stations will be accepting donations until Sunday, December 17.” [FCFRD/Twitter]

Inova Adds Chantilly Urgent Care Clinic — “Fairfax and Chantilly residents seeking quick and easy medical care now have another option thanks to Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care opening a new location last Friday in the Greenbriar Town Center.” Inova and GoHealth now have 13 urgent care centers, including recent additions in Fairfax City and Seven Corners. [Patch]

McLean HS Student Won Softball World Cup — “Sitting in the dugout, looking over the field and beaming with pride, is sophomore Riley Staats. In late October, the young athlete celebrated a big win on the world stage. Staats, along with 15 other girls comprising Team USA, claimed the inaugural WBSC U-15 Women’s Softball World Cup title at Ota Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.” [FCPS]

It’s Friday — Patchy fog will clear up by 9 a.m., followed by partly sunny skies and a high of around 69 degrees. Night will bring a slight chance of showers and mostly cloudy conditions, with a low near 52 degrees. There will be a 20% chance of precipitation. [Weather.gov]