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Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ December 22-28, 2016 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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December 22-28, 2016 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com

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Fairfax StationClifton & Lorton

Fairfax StationClifton & Lorton

Christmas in ActionHoliday Events, Page 6

Sheriff’s Deputy ClearedIn Fatal ShootingNews, Page 3

‘He Wasn’t Perfect,But He Was Close’

News, Page 2

‘He Wasn’t Perfect,But He Was Close’

Page 8

Jamie and DonnaNetschert were partof the CliftonCandlelight HomesTour in December2013. Dr. Netschertdied of cancer, Nov.29, at age 66. Holiday

Events

Holiday

EventsPage 6

2 ❖ Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ December 22-28, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

See Saint, Page 6

See Memories, Page 9

News

By Bonnie Hobbs

The Connection

Jamie Netschert may nothave been at his celebra-tion-of-life party in per-

son, but he was certainly therein spirit. On Saturday after-noon, Dec. 17, more than 300people gathered in a huge tentin his yard to remember him,share both fond and funnymemories of his life and takecomfort in the fact that he’dbeen a part of theirs.

“This town and his commu-nity where he practiced hadsuch love for him, and he lovedthem back,” said his sister, JulieNetschert. “His dying wish wasto have a celebration with allthe people he loved so well.”

But, she said, “I had no ideajust how brilliant he was, be-cause the measure of brillianceis the number of people whoselives he affected. He connectedwith so many people in such aprofound way. He was my littlebrother, so his death tears meup because I always thoughthe’d be taking care of me. Hewas just an extraordinary per-son.”

Clifton’s Steve Botts knewJamie Netschert for 30 years.They were friends and neigh-bors, played Thursday nightand Sunday evening pickupbasketball games in town andplayed on the same FairfaxCounty softball and basketballteams. “He was also the vet forour dogs,” said Botts. “I wasaway on travel when our dogdied, and Jamie even came overto the house and buried him. He

was that kind of guy, as well asbeing sharp, literate and well-read.”

Bill Fritz was also a three-de-cade, Clifton friend who playedsoftball and basketball withNetschert. Calling him a “gentlegiant,” he described Netschertas a “friendly, nice, laid-backguy, intelligent, giving and pro-fessional. He took care of all oursix dogs over the years. Whenwe got our new puppy, he tookone look at her and said, ‘You’regoing to have your hands fullwith this one,’ and he wasright.”

Netschert and Clifton’s RickDygve were friends for 35years. “Caroline and ouryounger daughter were in pre-school together, and our wiveswould get together,” saidDygve. “Jamie and I would talkabout sports and play basket-ball, one-on-one. Our familiesalso vacationed together.”

“He was like a brother to me,”continued Dygve. “I’d see himthree or four times a week. Ishared laughs with Jamie andcried with him when we putaway a dog. He was very car-ing and grew attached to thedogs; he was a great vet. Hewas also someone you enjoyedbeing with; he was a lot of funand just a good man.”

ON THE BASKETBALLCOURT, said Dygve, Netschert’snickname was “The Saint.”That’s because, during a countyleague game, the referee calledthe ball out of bounds on the

By Bonnie Hobbs

The Connection

Mention JamieNetschert topeople in Clifton,Centreville or

Chantilly, and they’ll either knowhim as a longtime friend and neigh-bor or their trusted veterinarian –or in many cases, both. He and hisfamily lived in the Town of Cliftonfor more than three decades, andhe owned the Clifton-CentrevilleAnimal Clinic in Centreville since1984.

So when Netschert died of can-cer, Nov. 29, at age 66, the loss hitthe community hard. But no onemisses him more than Donna, hiswife of 40 years. and their onlychild, daughter Caroline. As ahusband and father, said Donna,“He wasn’t perfect, but he wasclose. And he was always agentleman.”

The couple met at a party inOakton in August 1975 whenJamie was 25. After graduatingfrom Weber State University inUtah with a master’s in zoology,he moved back to Virginia. He’dbeen working at a Reston labwhile applying to veterinaryschool and was leaving Oct. 1 forEngland where he’d just beenaccepted to CambridgeUniversity’s Department of Vet-erinary Medicine.

“I spotted him across the roomand he caught my eye,” said Donna. “I was fasci-nated with this tall guy with the big, blue eyes. Westarted talking and hit it off right away; we had a lotin common. Later, he said, ‘I’ll call you,’ and he did,the next day.”

The following day, they each announced to theirparents that they’d found the person they wanted tomarry. “We were head-over-heels in love,” saidDonna. “By Christmas, we were engaged, and then Ijoined him in Cambridge.”

Part of Netschert’s appeal, she said, was that hewas so attentive and really listened when she spoke.“He saw and acknowledged me,” said Donna. “Hewas present and I could feel it. And I think that waspart of his success, also, as a vet and as a friend. Hewas an introvert, but he just had a special way abouthim. He also had a great sense of humor and loved agood joke.”

Describing him as knowledgeable and well-read,she said he could hold his own on any subject. “Andthrough the animals, people would often pour theirhearts out to him, and he listened and made themfeel better,” she said. “He saw his clients as people

with feelings about their ani-mals. He hurt with themwhen their animals died,and he even attended theirburials, when asked.”

Netschert also loved livingin Clifton. Standing 6 feet,7 inches, he played pickupbasketball games with hisbuddies in the town park.“He also served hot dogs andchili with the CliftonGentleman’s Club on CliftonDay,” said Caroline. “And ourhome was a must-stop, Hal-loween destination with theinfamous talking spider ofChestnut Street, operated bymy dad and friends.”

Calling him a “renaissanceman,” she said he brewed

his own beer, practiced amateur meteorology andgrew flowers and vegetables. “He was also fond ofhistory and cooking for his family,” said Caroline.“Science was his religion and he believed in the good-ness of humanity. He was a diehard Democrat andadvocate of equality, and he had a natural ability tomake everyone he met feel special.”

NETSCHERT even participated in Clifton theaterproductions and enjoyed singing karaoke and danc-ing to Motown music. A lifelong baseball fan, herooted for the Washington Nationals. And he waspassionate about photographing birds.

“His art talent came out in his photography,” saidhis wife. “He planned our vacations around wherethe birds were. We’ve been to every rain forest in theworld, and Jamie especially loved birding in NewZealand – every day, he saw a new bird.”

But in April 2014, Netschert was diagnosed withmucosal melanoma, an aggressive form of cancer.“After having a tumor removed, he got the news at

Hundreds gather to celebrate him.

Remembering the Lifeof Jamie Netschert

Dr. JamieNetschert holds afurry patient atthe Clifton-Centreville Ani-mal Clinic.

Photo Courtesy of

Donna Netschert

Dr. Jamie Netschertdies at age 66.

‘He Wasn’t Perfect,but He Was Close’

Photos Courtesy of Donna Netschert

Young and in love: Jamie and Donna Netschert in sum-mer 1975.

Jamie and Donna Netschert ata wedding.


NewsLorton/Fairfax Station/Clifton Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Tim Peterson

The Connection

In a decision released Dec. 16,Commonwealth’s Attorney RayMorrogh cleared Fairfax CountyMaster Deputy Sheriff Patrick

McPartlin of any criminal wrongdoing in thefatal shooting of Yovani Amaya Gomez thattook place Aug. 15 outside Inova FairfaxHospital.

Morrogh’s decision comes after receivingthe results of the Fairfax County Police De-partment criminal investigation on Nov. 15.

McPartlin was one of the sheriff deputiesinvolved in the death of inmate NatashaMcKenna at the the Fairfax County AdultDetention Center. McKenna, a woman witha history of mental illness, died in February2015, a few days after she was restrained,shackled, hooded and shocked with a taserfour times in an attempt to move her to theAlexandria jail. Morrogh decided againstany charges against the deputies, includ-ing McPartlin, in that case as well.

Police had previously released some de-tails of the chain of events leading up toMcPartlin shooting Gomez in August.Morrogh’s report added further informationto the timeline, which included Gomez be-

ing taken in for medical attention for pos-sible dehydration and/or mental healthepisode, and his discharge with no diagno-sis for either. After being escorted to the busstop outside Inova by a security guard, an-other pair of guards responded to a reportof Gomez wielding a weapon.

Gomez hurt one of the guards, Morroghsays, who also requested backup from lawenforcement. MDS McPartlin was one oftwo deputies guarding a prisoner at thehospital and responded to the call for help.

Gomez charged at McPartlin, whoMorrogh says attempted to back up andthen began firing.

MORROGH’S REPORT quotes McPartlinas saying, “... before I shot I think I wastrying to get back but he was too close so Ihad to shoot.”

McPartlin did not remember givingGomez any commands prior to shooting,Morrogh says, though other guards whowere at the scene said the deputy did askGomez to calm down and stop charging andput the apparent weapon down.

Earlier in the day, Gomez first approachedFairfax County Police officer K. Woodwardin his cruiser on Little River Turnpike onwhat was an extremely hot afternoon.

Morrogh said it was clear to Fairfax CountyPolice officer K. Woodward that “Mr. Gomezdid not speak English proficiently.”

Woodward attempted to ask him if hewanted to hurt himself using the GoogleTranslate cell phone app. Woodward hadalso summoned paramedics to check Gomezout physically.

Rescue determined Gomez’s vital signswere within normal ranges, Morrogh re-ports.

But when Gomez appeared to answer inthe affirmative with “Sí,” he did want toharm himself, Woodward asked that he betaken to Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Morrogh says the medics describedGomez as non-combative, mumbling inSpanish and at one time pointing to his headand saying “voices.”

Gomez was examined at the hospital bya physician and Spanish-speaking nurse, thereport continues.

“They advised Officer Woodward that Mr.Gomez denied any mental health issues andfurther said that he did not want to hurthimself,” Morrogh said. “They also told Of-ficer Woodward that Mr. Gomez told themthat he had a stomach ache and didn’t feelwell.”

Gomez’s diagnosis after a physical exami-

nation and mental condition assessmentwas that he was not in distress but suffer-ing from “general weakness,” according toMorrogh’s report.

Old Dominion Security guard Ezra Carterfound Gomez in the lobby after he was dis-charged some time between 8 p.m. and 9p.m. Carter used an interpreter to find thatGomez wanted to be taken to a homelessshelter. The guard then walked Gomez tothe bus stop, Morrogh’s report says.

In the conclusion of his seven-page inves-tigation report, Morrogh reiterates Gomezcharged at McPartlin with what appearedto be a sword but later turned out to be asign post pulled from the ground.

“Reasonably perceiving himself to be inimminent danger of death or great bodilyharm, MDS McPartlin, while retreating, dis-charged his weapon until the threat wasabated,” Morrogh says in the report. “In mylegal opinion, this is a case of justifiablehomicide and no individual is criminallyresponsible for the death of Yovani A.Gomez.”

IN A RESPONSE STATEMENT, SheriffStacey Kincaid said, “Our condolences goto Mr. Gomez’s family. Now thatCommonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morroghhas released his findings that no criminal

Commonwealth’s Attorney: homicide was justified self-defense.

Sheriff’s Deputy Cleared in Fatal Shooting

On Monday, December 19th, the2nd year anniversary of the fed-eral passage of the ABLE Act, Del-

egate Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) joinedABLEnow for a press conference to com-memorate the opening of the first ABLEnowaccount in Virginia. Fittingly, this accountwas opened for Natalie Beck, whose par-ents first came up with the idea for ABLEaccounts several years ago.

“The ABLE Act is proof of the power ofcitizen advocacy,” said Filler-Corn. “Fromthe kitchen table of Catherine and StephenBeck in the 41st District, to PresidentObama’s desk and to Governor McAuliffe’spen, twice, the 2015 bill and the 2016 billboth experienced a long journey. A journeythat Stephen unfortunately was not able tosee come to a close. But Stephen’s legacywill live on through his daughter Natalie,and through these ABLE Accounts and thefamilies that they will help.”

Delegate Filler-Corn introduced andhelped pass the Virginia Achieving a BetterLife Experience (ABLE) Act during the 2015Virginia General Assembly Session. This lawmakes it possible for individuals with dis-abilities and their families to open tax-freesavings accounts to cover important ex-penses such as education and housing.

Other guests that joined Delegate Filler-Corn and the Beck family at the press con-

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41) joinsABLEnow in commemorating the openingof the first ABLEnow account in Virginia.

Power of Citizen Advocacy

Photos contributed

The first ABLEnow account inVirginia was opened for NatalieBeck, whose parents first came upwith the idea for ABLE accountsseveral years ago.

The guests at the press conference commemorating the opening of thefirst ABLEnow account in Virginia.ference included U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-

8), Mary Morris, the CEO of Virginia529College Savings Plan, ABLEnow, MichaelMorris with the ABLE National ResourceCenter and Sara Hart Weir with the ABLE

Alliance for Financial Empowerment.Eligible individuals with disabilities can

now open their own ABLEnow account.

To learn more or to sign up for anABLEnow account today, visit https://www.able-now.com/.

See Deputy, Page 11


Opinion

By Barbara Comstock

U.S. Representative (R-10)

On Dec. 8, I joined witha bipartisan group ofHouse and Senatemembers, and the

Speaker of the House, as theSpeaker signed the 21st CenturyCures Act. It was a joyful occasionas we concluded this year’s sessionwith what I believe is one of the most impor-tant and game-changing pieces of legislationpassed this year. It was signed into law dayslater by the President and supported by morethan 700 research, doctor and patient advo-cacy groups and provides $4.8 billion in newresearch investments to the NationalInstitutes of Health (NIH).

At the ceremony, Tennessee Sena-tor Lamar Alexander recounted thetestimony of Dr. Francis Collins, director of theNIH, who has highlighted the new, excitingcures possible within the next 10 years: an ar-tificial pancreas to help people with diabetes;medicine to limit the effects of Alzheimer’s; avaccine for Zika; a vaccine for HIV; a vaccinefor the flu; the use of regenerative medicineusing our own cells to restore a damaged heart;and non-addictive pain medicines that will helpcurb opioid addiction.

Imagine how different our health care sys-tem could be with these innovations. It is nowonder that Dr. Collins calls NIH the “NationalInstitute of Hope.” In Loudoun County, so manyof us have seen that hope in the inspirationaladvocacy work of families such as Mark andEllyn Miller, who lost their daughter, Gabriella,

to cancer, and Chris and RoyaGiordano, who lost their son,Mathias. The 21st Century Cures Acthonors their efforts with $1.8 bil-lion for cancer research, which willsupport the Cancer Moonshot ini-tiative.

Currently, there are only 500treatments for 10,000 known dis-eases. With the mapping of the hu-man genome and advances over the

past several decades, we have more geneticclues about cancer and other diseases. But westill need to remove barriers to increase re-search collaboration, identify diseases earlierthrough personalized medicine, reform theFDA and modernize clinical trials, and remove

unnecessary regulation for develop-ing new medical apps. This legisla-tion does this and streamlines theentire biomedical ecosystem.

With the 21st Century Cures Act now law,many of NIH’s initiatives will be enhanced —such as the BRAIN Initiative that will help infighting diseases like Alzheimer’s. The bill willalso concentrate funding on NIH’s PrecisionMedicine Initiative that will focus researchdollars on genetic, lifestyle and environmen-tal variations of disease.

The Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfaxis one of the premier cancer centers in our re-gion that can be part of this new era of inno-vation. Last month, they announced a new re-search partnership with the University of Vir-ginia to develop the Global Genomics andBioinformatics Research Institute, located atthe Inova Center for Personalized Health inFairfax.

I joined our private and public advocates atthe announcement where they explained themission: “The institute will recruit research-ers, scientists and investigators who will en-gage in collaborative research focused ongenomics, functional biology, bioinformatics,biologically driven engineering, precisionmedicine, translational research, developmentof targeted therapeutics and commercializationof new discoveries.” This partnership will alsowork to achieve designation by the NationalCancer Institute as a Comprehensive CancerCenter and establish a regional campus of theUVA School of Medicine at Inova. More part-nerships are anticipated, as well as supportfrom my former colleagues in the General As-sembly, led by Speaker Bill Howell. As ToddStottlemyer, CEO of the Inova Center for Per-sonalized Health, said, “This new partnershipwill further expand Inova’s ground-breakingresearch in precision medicine and help us torealize the promise of personalized health.”

While the legislation advances research andmedical breakthroughs and provides for re-forms and investments for faster cures andtreatments, it also incorporates provisions wehad passed to reform our mental health sys-tem and fight against the heroin and the opioidepidemic, which was recently declared a Pub-lic Health Emergency in Virginia.

This is just the beginning of what will be anew chapter in medical innovation. Virginiacan play a critical and lifesaving role in bring-ing faster cures and treatments to patientsplagued with these cruel diseases. We in Con-gress must continue to be partners by seekingthe best policies and investments that allowthis innovation to soar.

Congress Coming Together ToFind and Fund Faster Cures

Commentary

By Phillip Niedzielski-Eichner

I endorse the Connection Newspaper’s re-cent editorial on the progress FairfaxCounty has made implementing the rec-

ommendations of the Ad Hoc Police PracticesReview Commission, on which I had the honorof serving as chairman of the Use of Force Sub-committee. I have had the opportunity to in-teract with many members of the Fairfax Po-lice Department, ranging from commanders toprecinct-level supervisors and officers, all ofwhom I hold in high regard. We have a finepolice department that we are fortunate tohave protecting us day-in and day-out.

While the August 2013 shooting death ofJohn Geer was the catalyst for the commission’sformation, our charge was to assess theDepartment’s performance against nationalbest practices. As we executed against thischarge, we identified both areas for improve-ment and mechanisms we believed wouldstrengthen the public’s trust and confidence inthe department.

Forming a commission is a time-honored toolby public officials to delay action — or avoidit altogether — since there are always signifi-cant barriers to achieving change to deep-rooted organizational practices, traditions andculture. I commend both the Fairfax Board ofSupervisors and the Police Department, par-ticularly its chief and command leadership,with ensuring that the Police Commission’swork is not sitting on the shelf gathering dust.

With my seven-month commission experi-ence and a year’s worth of persistent focus onimplementation alongside a dedicated subsetof fellow commissioners, I can state withoutreservation that both the letter and spirit ofthe commission’s recommendations have beenembraced by Fairfax County.

Fairfax County is well on the way towardapproving and implementing the preponder-ance of the commission’s recommendations. Ofnote in this regard are the following:

❖ The two-pronged approach to independentPolice Department oversight advocated by thecommission and recently approved by the

Board of Supervisors is significant in light ofhistorical resistance to civilian review of po-lice actions.

❖ The changes directed by the dupervisorsand Chief Roessler with regard to the PoliceDepartment’s openness and transparency aresubstantial and have already helped regain thepublic trust lost, in part, because of the dismalhandling of the Geer case.

❖ The county’s investment in Diversion First,which provides treatment rather than jail fornonviolent people with mental illness, andbroad-based police officer training in crisis in-tervention techniques, are already paying divi-dends. Those with mental illness are beingtreated with greater sensitivity to their afflic-tion, easing the potential for unnecessary suf-fering, while also reducing the potential forofficer injuries and the need for the use offorce. Ultimately, this will also help insure amore effective use of tax dollars.

As important and forward leaning as these

Fairfax Police Reform Is Well Underway

See Police Reform, Page 5

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From Page 4

steps are, I believe the recrafting and re-writing of the Police Department’s Use ofForce policy, also known as General Order540, warrants particular note. The new Useof Force policy encompasses the commis-sion recommendations, which also incorpo-rated use-of-force recommendations madeby the independent Police Executive Re-search Forum. It gives emphasis to the sanc-tity of human life, dignity and liberty of allpersons as its overarching value or drivingtheme; and it calls for de-escalation as thestrategy of first resort when confronted witha threat rather than the use of deadly force.

Every member of the Fairfax Police De-partment, from command leadership topolice officer will receive training underGeneral Order 540 by the end of January,2017. Police officer performance will beassessed against the standards set in thispolicy, while recruitment and vetting ofpolice officer candidates will focus on theabilities and temperament that comportwith the values captured therein.

While the preponderance of our recom-mendations have been approved and arebeing implemented, there are exceptions.For example, we called for all officers be-ing outfitted with body worn cameras, tocomplement the dashboard cameras nowmounted in each patrol vehicle. We believesuch cameras will benefit both the public

and the police officer. The supervisors de-layed consideration of this recommendationfor important matters of budget and privacyconcerns, which I believe will ultimately beovercome.

I encourage everyone who is interestedto review the Police Commission recommen-dations progress report at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/policecommission/progressreport.htm. In summary, you willfind that 178 of the 202 recommendations(88 percent) have been approved and areeither in process of being implemented orhave already been implemented; 15 (7.4percent) are still under review; and 9 (4.5percent) have been rejected.

The evidence so far is that the deep-rooted change of the nature and spirit ad-vocated by the commission is more achiev-able now than even the most optimistic ex-pected. This noted, I caution that the trans-formative progress I have observed can onlybe sustained over time with the continuedcounty and Police Department leadershipcommitment, the active involvement of thepolice rank and file officers and most criti-cally continued community participation,monitoring and oversight.

Phillip Niedzielski-Eichner served aschairman of the Use of Force Subcommitteeof the Ad Hoc Police Practices ReviewCommission, and continues service on theImplementation Committee.

Police Reform Underway

News

One week after voting to estab-lish Fairfax County’s first Ci-vilian Review Panel for police,Public Safety Committee

chair supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock)and Board of Supervisors Chairman SharonBulova outlined steps to be taken to fill thenine-member panel, as well as hire an in-dependent police auditor.

Near the conclusion of the Dec. 13 PublicSafety Committee meeting, Cook said a let-ter will be sent to organizations around thecounty by the end of December invitingthem to submit nominees for the reviewpanel. Those groups include minority or-ganizations, disability services, interfaithgroups and others that were part of the Elec-tion Process Improvement Commission.

Each supervisor will also be able to nomi-nate individuals for the panel.

Cook said all nominations should be re-ceived by Jan. 31, 2017. For the next twoweeks those applications will be availableto the supervisors, who will then reviewthem in closed session on Feb. 14.

On Sept. 20, the board created another

oversight entity, the office of the indepen-dent police auditor. Both bodies were rec-ommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Prac-tices Review Commission.

The members of the Civilian Review Panelwill be volunteers, while the IndependentAuditor and staff will be paid Fairfax Countyemployees.

The job posting for auditor has closed,and received many applications, Bulovasaid. Six candidates have been determinedby Fairfax County human resources to ful-fill the requirements of the advertisement,supervisor Penny Gross (D-Mason) said.

Bulova said she’s appointed a screeningcommittee for the auditor applicants, in-cluding Auditor of the Board Jim Shelton,Connection Newspapers publisher and AdHoc Commission member Mary Kimm, AdHoc Commission member Adrian Steel,chair of the commission’s IndependentOversight and Investigations subcommit-tee Jack Johnson, and supervisors Grossand Cook.

— Tim Peterson

Supervisors outline procedures for bringingon police auditor and Civilian Review Panel.

Filling Oversight Positions


From Page 2

other team. “But Jamie said, ‘No, it wasbecause of me,’” said Dygve. “Every-body wants to leave a skid mark onthe highway of life, but Jamie left onein our hearts. We’re much better offfor having known him.”

Centreville’s Meg Crossett, who losther daughter Rachel to cancer at age6, also came Saturday to honorNetschert. “I loved Jamie,” she said.“He always supported me and gave medonations for childhood-cancer re-search. His death is a tragedy – an-other cancer victim.”

Netschert was also the veterinarianfor Diane Reddy’s cats for 25 years.“He always had a smile on his face,”said Reddy, of Chantilly. “He treatedmy cats systematically, rather thanchanging too many things about theircare – and he was always right. Hewas well-loved and was a genuine in-dividual who will certainly be missed.It’s a huge loss, but we celebrate thefact that we had the pleasure of know-ing him.”

Fairfax’s Penny Moore worked 13years for Netschert as a veterinarytechnician. “He was wonderful towork for,” she said. “I started there atage 26, and he and the other vet, AnnaTucker, shaped my life and my worldview about kindness and the way youshould treat people and animals. It’sso sad; we’ve lost a very kind andwonderful person.”

Caryn Franca, whose son Nick diedof cancer at age 21, knew Netschert35 years. “We bonded raising ourdaughters, and Donna and Jamie and[my husband] Jim and I even vaca-tioned together,” said Franca. “Theyturned into family for us.”

She said the Netscherts supportedher family throughout Nick’s cancerjourney, so she was able to offerJamie’s family some wisdom as he“crossed over. He had such an amaz-ing attitude; he didn’t stop living, butlived each day to the fullest.”

“Jamie had the ability to take in ev-erything and never judge,” continuedFranca. “He was benevolent and ac-cepting of everybody. He wasn’t muchfor chit-chat, but loved to have con-versations about politics, history, theenvironment, the weather, animalsand other things that motivated him.He and Jim had many passionate dis-cussions, and we were both with himthe day he died. He was one of theicons of Clifton; you don’t think of thistown without him in it.”

***NETSCHERT’S FAMILY started amemory book, and anyone wishing towrite anything to or about him maydo so at [email protected] the end of the year. Memorialdonations may be made to the Na-tional Audubon Society.

By Tim Peterson

The Connection

As Shareada Murray of Fairfaxshepherded her four sons Ja’lil,Zion, Angelo and Avery aroundthe Moose Family Center in Lorton,

she could feel Christmas was coming.The Murrays were among 254 families

that would come through the center in thelate afternoon on Dec. 18 to receive Christ-mas packages of donated food, toys and giftcards — all organized by the Lorton Com-munity Action Center (LCAC).

“It means the world, we wouldn’t be ableto get these things without them,” Murraysaid.

The Murrays also make use of the LCACfood pantry and donated Thanksgiving bas-kets. They were able to get a live Christmastree through another local organization.

“This means everything to me,” saidMurray, “that my boys can have a regularChristmas. I don’t know if we’d have as

much otherwise.”In 1999, LCAC executive director Linda

Patterson said they served just 65 familiesin need.

“I think there is more need,” she said,“and more people know about us.”

Many of the LCAC clients who sign up forChristmas packages are not homeless andare working, “but not working enough,”Patterson said.

“If they use their funds to pay rent, utili-ties, keep their families fed,” she continued,“if this is the one thing they can’t afford, ifit fills in the gap, I think that’s awesome.”

Minnie Ponce of Lorton was all smiles asher daughter Mikiala Reyes sat beaming onSanta Claus’ lap in the Moose Center.

“I don’t have much work, I can’t afford alot of presents,” Reyes said. “I come everyyear for this program; we’re so thankful forit. It’s really great for my children.”

Patterson said volunteers from LCAC de-livered packages — each contains at leasttwo gifts per child, one to two boxes of foodper family, two gift cards per teenager andgrocery store gift cards — to an additional168 families earlier in the day on the 18th.And they helped another 18 military fami-lies with food and gifts as well.

In total, Patterson said, they helped morefamilies than with their Thanksgiving bas-

kets program, and beat last year’s Christ-mas baskets. LCAC received around$80,000 in non-cash donations to make itall work.

“I don’t know what it is about the Lortoncommunity,” Patterson said, “but they al-ways seem to come through, they’re alwaysvery generous.”

Patterson said the Friday before the bas-kets pickup, she knew she was short on giftcards for senior citizens they were planningto help. She sent out an email blast to LCACsupporters for help. Immediately, the giftcard problem was remedied.

“We’re really grateful,” Patterson said.“This community always astounds me, it’sheartwarming.”

Jimmy Noone, current Herndon residentbut formerly of Lorton, has been volunteer-ing with LCAC and the Christmas basketsprogram for more than 15 years. On the18th, he helped carry the black trash bagsof presents and food to clients’ cars.

“When the clients see us, they’re shockedby the work we do,” he said. “To see thesmiles on kids’ faces when they see the bagsof gifts, today makes the months of plan-ning and preparation make sense, to see theend results.”

For more information, visitwww.lortonaction.org.

Hebrew School students at Temple B’Nai Shalom in FairfaxStation prepared for Chanukah by building a menorahfrom cans of food.

The students stacked the cans on Tuesday, Dec. 13 in the temple’smain worship hall. All the donated food was then sent to LortonCommunity Action Center, where it will be used to help feed hun-gry people in the community.

“This fun and meaningful project helped the students under-stand that tzedakah (Hebrew for charitable giving) is an impor-tant part of the celebration of Chanukah,” Temple B’nai Shalomexecutive director Lynn Richmond said in a statement. “We en-courage our students and their families to make at least one of theeight nights of Chanukah a night of giving back.”

This year, Chanukah begins Dec. 24 and lasts until Jan. 1, 2017.

—Tim Peterson

‘Saint,’ ‘Giant’Remembered

Temple B’nai Shalom Students BuildCanned Food Menorah

Photo courtesy of Frank Kohn

On Dec. 13, Hebrew School students at Temple B’NaiShalom in Fairfax Station prepared for Chanukah bybuilding a menorah from canned food.

LCAC distributesdonated food andtoys to 525 families.

Christmas in Action

Minnie Ponce of Lorton was all smiles as her daughterMikiala Reyes sat beaming on Santa Claus’ lap in theMoose Family Center. Ponce was picking up a Christmaspackage from the Lorton Community Action Center.

Photos by Tim Peterson/The Connection

Clockwise from top right, Ja’lil, Zion, Angelo andAvery Murray visit with Santa while picking up aChristmas package of donated food and toys from theLorton Community Action Center.

Holiday Events


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Send notes to the Connection atconnectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/ or call 703-778-9416. The deadline is the Friday prior to thenext paper’s publication at noon. Dated announce-ments should be submitted at least two weeks priorto the event.

ONGOINGSpringfield Town Center Toy Drive through

Dec. 24 located at 6500 Springfield Mall,Springfield. Springfield Town Center ispartnering with America’s Adopt A SoldierFoundation to sponsor a Toy Drive to gathernew toys to be donated to children undergoingtreatment at Walter Reed Medical Center.

Please bring new toys to the bin located next toGuest Services, on the Lower Level nearStarbucks to donate and bring joy to a childstruggling with illness during this HolidaySeason.

6500 Springfield Mall, Springfield.

Bob Brown Puppets Holiday Show 10:30 a.m.Old Town Hall, 3999 University Dr, Fairfax. Jointhe City of Fairfax every Monday morning at10:30am for Funday Monday. Funday Mondaywill offer a variety of children’s activities andentertainment in Old Town Hall. Admission:Free. Sponsored by the City of FairfaxCommission on the Arts. 703-385-7858

www.fairfaxva.gov/culturalarts‘Storytime & Craft’ at lucy Activewear Every

Friday in December at 10:30 a.m. lucyActivewear 11899 Grand Commons Avenue,Fairfax. An opportunity to get holiday shoppingdone in peace. lucy Activewear will be hosting‘Storytime & Craft.’ This event is appropriate forages 3-8. Please sign up.

Bull Run Festival of Lights and HolidayVillage Nov. 23 - Jan. 8 7700 Bull Run Dr.Centreville. Every year from Thanksgiving untiljust after New Year’s Day the Bull Run Festivalof Lights will be in session. A 2.5 mile stretchwill be illuminated by holiday light displays. Thefestival happens annually at Bull Run RegionalPark in Centreville, Virginia. Drive the festivalroute from the comfort of your car; turn outyour headlights and just follow the magicalglow. After viewing the lights, bring your familyand friends to the holiday village to enjoy rides,refreshments, and of course, photos with SantaClaus. The cost of driving through the light showis Mon-Thurs, $15 per car ; Fri - Sun & Holidays,$20 per car (vans w/ 15-34 people andmotorcoaches cost extra - visit website fordetails) Want to avoid the crowds? Fridays,Saturdays, and Sundays are our busiest nights.Please take advantage of the Monday throughThursday discounted price and avoid a longwait.

“Ispirazione Italiana” Inspired by Italy Dec. 17- Jan. 16, Bodzin Art Gallery 8900 Little RiverTurnpike, Fairfax. Watercolors by acclaimed

artist and J member Judy Wengrovitz andspecial guest artist Eliana [email protected], 703-537-3075

Children’s Theatre: “A Magical Christmas”Saturdays through Dec. 22, 1 p.m. WorkhouseArts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton.A children’stheatre performance for the holidays. There’ssomething not right in the town of Believe.Santa hasn’t stopped there for many years; infact he doesn’t even know the place exists! Joy’sgrandfather decides to do something about itand make sure that this year’s Christmas will bethe most magical ever. Appropriate for all ages.Concessions available in lobby before theperformance and at intermission. Cost: $8children, $12 adults. workhousearts.org Cost: $8children, $12 adults.

Senior Line Dancing 1 - 2 p.m. Little RIver GlenSenior Center 4001 Barker Ct, Fairfax. LineDancing is a gentle, social form of aerobicactivity. Studies have shown it aids in wardingoff Alzheimer’s disease. No previous experienceneeded. Cost: $5 per 8 week [email protected] 703-524-3739

Fairfax Rotary Club Meeting. 12:15-1:30 p.m.Mondays. American Legion, 3939 Oak St.,Fairfax. Meetings with luncheon and program.fairfaxrotary.org.

Carolina Shag. Wednesdays. 6:30-10 p.m.Arlington/Fairfax Elks Lodge, 8421 ArlingtonBlvd., Fairfax. Free lessons at 7:30 p.m. Nopartners needed. Dinner menu. $8. Under 21free. nvshag.org.

FUN-Exercise. Thursdays, noon - 12:50 p.m.Grace Presbyterian Church Family Room, 7434Bath St., Springfield. Inova certified exerciseinstructor leads a moderate level exercise classwith music and current events conversation.Muscle, Balance, Strength Training using stretchbands and weights both standing and seatedexercises. Instructor donation is [email protected] or 703-499-6133.

EXERCISE PROGRAM Mondays and Fridays at9:30 a.m. year-round at Lord of Life LutheranChurch, 5114 Twinbrook Rd. Fairfax. Theexercises are for strength, balance andmaintaining limberness. Contact SCFB office at703-426-2824 for more information.

Cafe Ivrit (Hebrew Cafe). Wednesdays. 8:15-9:15 a.m. Jewish Community Center of NorthernVirginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax.Shalom (hello) Did you always want to conversein Hebrew? Join Na’ama each week forconversational Hebrew. You will learn andpractice Hebrew in a fun and interactive waywhile learning more about Israel. Free, howeverwe ask that you try to attend regularly. [email protected].

Smoke Free Bingo (with breaks for smokingfriends). 7 p.m. Every Friday. Fairfax VolunteerFire Department, 4081 University Drive, Fairfax.Free coffee, entertaining callers, $1,000 jackpot.www.fairfaxvd.com. 703-273-3638.

The Fairfax Choral Society will hold auditions on Tuesday Jan. 3 andMonday Jan. 9 both at 7 p.m. and both taking place at Fairfax Presbyte-rian Church 10723 Main Street, Fairfax. Celebrating its 55th anniversary,the Symphonic Chorus, directed by Dr. Douglas Mears, will performHollywood Goes Choral IV with the Washington Symphonic Brass and“Ode to Joy” Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Fairfax SymphonyOrchestra this spring. Weekly rehearsal will be held Mondays from 7:30 -9:50 p.m. FCS also has an award-winning youth program featuring tenensembles at three campuses located in Annandale, Centreville, andVienna for singers ages 5 - 19. Contact the office to schedule an auditionfor one of our youth choruses or our adult Symphonic Chorus 703-642-3277 or [email protected]

Calendar


By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

The holiday season is bittersweetfor Jeanne Rorke. The days lead-ing up to Christmas are filledwith memories of her parents.

Her mother committed suicide when Rorkewas 12, and her father died on ChristmasEve eight years ago.

“No one really helped me through thegrieving process,” said Rorke, recalling hermother’s death. “My family was like, ‘Don’ttalk about it.’ … My Christmases have al-ways been kind of sad … even though I puton a happy face for my family.”

Roarke joined about two dozen others ata workshop on handling grief during theholidays called, “Facing the Empty Chair:Surviving the Holidays after Losing a LovedOne” at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Al-exandria. From those who are preparing tocelebrate a first Christmas without a lovedone to those who’ve been grieving for de-cades, participants shared experiences, sup-ported each other and gained tools for sur-viving the season while facing the realityof the empty chair in which their loved oneonce sat.

“The holidays can be time of longing forthose who’ve lost someone,” said CareyGauzens, a licensed clinical social workerat the Center for Pastoral Counseling of Vir-ginia in McLean. “The holidays are a timewhen you reflect on family, and it’s hardfor someone who’s aware that that personisn’t there.”

At the workshop, Gauzens clarified someof the misinformation surrounding grief,especially during the holidays. “First andmost important, is that normal grieving isreally hard for most people. Some peoplebelieve the myth that grief lasts only for afew months, but it’s hard to measure yourhealing because it’s an up and down pro-cess, not a smooth, straight line.”

Throughout the process, and particularlyduring the holidays, being able to tap intoa source of strength other than oneself is afactor that Gauzen underscores: “It’s impor-tant to have a support group, friends, atherapist.”

Finding someone who is also grieving can

be particularly helpful. For example, whenBeverly Bell’s husband died nine years agofollowing an extended illness, she foundstrength and comfort in a friendship withanother widow.

“[We] had a wonderful relationship … forseveral years following my husband’sdeath,” said Bell, who attended the work-shop. “We had a regular lunch date and alsoshared a number of holidays. She also dieda couple of years ago, and I realized that Iam particularly missing her presence.”

Earlier this year, Bell’s brother died aswell. “I found myself re-experiencing manyof the feelings I had had when my husbanddied, [but feeling] particularly helpless tocomfort my sister-in-law,” she said. “Perhaps[my] presence is the most important thingI can … offer my sister-in-law.”

Some of the workshop attendees wantedto learn how to better support others. “I ama member of the Community of Hope In-ternational, a group of lay pastoralcaregivers whose ministry is to visit thosewho are experiencing sickness, trauma,tragedy or loss of a loved one,” said Caroline

McCormack, one of the participants. “Iwanted to have a better understanding ofthe grieving process, so I might be a morecompassionate listener.”

She and Bell learned that process is dif-ferent for everyone. “My husband’s deathwas preceded by a long illness. My brother’sdeath was sudden,” said Bell. “I wonderedif something about the timing made a dif-ference in how we experience and cope withgrief. I learned that it really does not.”

“... We all experience grief in differentways and it can show up at unexpectedtimes and places and so we need to begentle with ourselves and find ways thatwe can express our grief in ways that feelhealing and safe for us,” added ReveredElizabeth Rees. Associate Rector, St. Aidan’sEpiscopal Church.

This is a point Gauzens tried to under-score: Grieving is an individual process andthere is no one-size-fits-all method for cop-ing. Even people who are grieving for thesame person can experience it differentlyand have different needs. “For example, oneperson might want to talk about the loss,but others might not,” she said. “It’s impor-tant to be sensitive to family members whogrieve differently and compromise so thateach person feels emotionally safe.”

Cultivating self-awareness and knowingwhat is normal to expect while one is griev-ing is important. “Sometimes the symptomsare so intense it makes people feel likethey’re going crazy and frightens themsometimes,” said Gauzens. “They might cryat the drop of a hat, get angry or feel un-able to control their emotions. There couldbecome deeply distracted or confused likeget lost going someplace they know well.

“Give yourself permission to make care-ful decisions about how you’ll spend yourtime,” she added. “It’s helpful to discernwithin yourself what feels right. Decidewhether to maintain holiday traditions ordo something completely different.”

Avoiding all festive, social activities mightdo more harm than good, however. “A per-son who’s grieving might end up isolatingbecause they won’t go to places they oncewent to with the person they’ve lost,” said

Gauzens.Instead, Gauzens suggests planning

“something to look forward to after theholiday to reward yourself for gettingthrough the holidays.”

She also stressed the need for self-care,including exercising, eating healthy andstaying hydrated. “It’s important to mini-mize your use of mood altering sub-stances like alcohol,” said Gauzens. “It’stempting to try to numb the pain, but itcomes back.”

Changing customs can make holidaysless painful, says Dr. Linda Gulyn, Ph.D.,professor of psychology, Marymount Uni-versity in Arlington. “I like to break withtraditions that are familiar and that remindus of the loved one we lost,” she said.“Sometimes it’s good to shake it up and starta new tradition, so you’re looking forwardinstead of behind you.”

“The days are darker and colder, whichexacerbates any sadness that we might befeeling anyway,” said Gulyn. “Hang in there.It will feel better and you will get throughit. The holidays will go by and we’ll get backinto our routine and productive lives thathelp with healing.

There is a point however, when assistancefrom a mental health professional is a nec-essary, Jerome Short, Ph.D., associate pro-fessor of psychology, George Mason Univer-sity in Fairfax. “People should seek profes-sional help if they have significant distressand difficulty in daily self-care and func-tioning at home or work that has lastedmore than two weeks without improve-ment,” he said. “Common symptoms fordepression are low mood, lack of pleasurein previously enjoyable activities, social iso-lation, and thoughts of hopelessness andhelplessness.”

Workshop helps others deal with loss.Holiday Grief

Photo courtesy of Carey Gauzens

Carey Gauzens of the the Centerfor Pastoral Counseling of Virginiain McLean, led a workshop ongrieving during the holidays at St.Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Alex-andria.

Combating that holiday periodwhich the National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration

says is a “dangerous time to be on theroad due to a high number of drunkdrivers behind the wheel,” a localnonprofit organization will offer freecab rides to would-be drunk driversthroughout the Washington-metro-politan area during the winterholidays.

Washington Regional Alcohol Program(WRAP), operates the annual HolidaySoberRide program between 10 p.m. and6 a.m. each evening between Friday, Dec.16, 2016 and Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017 as away to keep local roads safe from im-paired drivers during this traditionallyhigh-risk, holiday period.

During the evening hours, between Dec.16 and Jan. 1, Washington-metropolitanarea residents celebrating with alcohol

may call the toll-free SoberRide phonenumber 1–800–200–TAXI and be affordeda no-cost (up to $30 fare), safe wayhome.

“Last December, nearly 1,500 (1,456)Greater Washington residents did the rightthing and availed themselves of thislifesaving service rather than possiblydriving home impaired,” said Kurt GregoryErickson, WRAP’s president. “ForSoberRide’s hours of operation during just

last New Year’s Eve, alone, such rider-ship (580) translated into the removalof a would-be drunk driver from ourshared roadways every 49-seconds.”

Since 1993, WRAP’s SoberRideprogram has provided 65,385 free cabrides home to would-be drunk driversin the Greater Washington area.

More information about WRAP’sSoberRide initiative can be found atwww.soberride.com.

Free Holiday Cab Rides Help Prevent Drunk Driving

“The holidays are a timewhen you reflect on family,and it’s hard for someonewho’s aware that thatperson isn’t there.”

— Carey Gauzens, LCSW


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lunch, over the phone, and told me, ‘I couldbe dead by Christmas,’” said Donna. “Thenhe went back to work. He had the samecancer as President Jimmy Carter, and thedoctor told Jamie, if there was anything hewanted to do, to do it.”

Netschert was treated at the LombardiCancer Center at Georgetown UniversityMedical Center, but didn’t have traditionalradiation or chemotherapy. “The quality andlength of his life were improved and ex-tended by new immunotherapies to stimu-late his own, immune system to fight thecancer,” explained Donna. “Combined withCyberknife radiation – robotic, targeted ra-diation just hitting the bad stuff – it wasthe magic bullet for Jamie for two years.”

But, she said, his cancer kept mutatingand, at some point, “It just broke through.They tried new drugs, but they didn’t work,and the side effects were terrible. In the end,his body just wore out. The last couplemonths, we knew the end was coming, butall Jamie wanted to do was get back towork; he’d had to stop working Oct. 15.”

All his life, said Donna, Netschert wasalways planning for their next adventure.“We were looking forward to Christmas andhad a trip booked to Hawaii for the end ofJanuary,” she said. “We were hoping for

another year of decent health, but it wasn’tto be.”

TOWARD THE END, tumors had spreadthroughout his body. The cancer and stresstook their toll on him, and he was frail andtired. “He was leaving me, one day at atime,” said his wife. “And I was sayinggoodbye to him, one day at a time. In thelast couple weeks, when we knew we wererunning out of treatment options, he said,“’I love my life and I love my wife, and Idon’t want to leave.’”

Netschert was able to eat a bit on Thanks-giving and visit with their dinner guests. Buttwo days later, he had trouble standing and

Leaving ‘a Lifetime of Memories’

Jamie Netschert and daughterCaroline at a family friend’swedding.

Photos Courtesy of Donna Netschert

Caroline, Jamie and DonnaNetschert on Thanksgiving 2014.

was rushed to Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. “Iasked him, ‘Do you know what’s happen-ing?’ and he nodded,” said Donna. “And Itold him, ‘You’ve been a great friend and agreat husband and I love you.’”

He was then discharged and returnedhome where, three days later, he died. “Hewas going to sleep and his heart juststopped,” said his wife. “Initially, I was re-lieved he wasn’t suffering anymore. Butnow, I’m completely numb; it still hasn’t hitme, yet.”

Meanwhile, she has a lifetime of memo-ries to comfort her. “I’ll always rememberJamie at Cambridge on his bicycle with abackpack,” said Donna. “And in New

Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection

Jamie and Donna Netschert werepart of the Clifton CandlelightHomes Tour in December 2013.

Zealand, with the biggest camera, photo-graphing birds. Playing basketball, huggingpeople, making beer every Saturday morn-ing, working in his garden and reading theNew York Times on Sundays. He lovedmusic – everything from rock to classical –animals and people. He loved his life anddid not want to die.”

The night of Nov. 29, she wrote onFacebook, “He was a prince among men.There will never be another you.”


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charges are warranted, the Sheriff’s Officewill conduct an administrative investiga-tion.”

Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock)chairs the Board of Supervisors PublicSafety Committee, which has recently votedto establish an office of independent policeauditor to review all use of force cases, aswell as a civilian review panel to look atcomplaints of police misconduct.

Cook’s office declined to comment onMorrogh’s decision.

Cook previously commented that whilethe Sheriff ’s office doesn’t fall under theadministrative purview of the supervisors,they have been invited to present and fieldquestions related to recommendations forpolicy changes from the Ad Hoc Police Prac-tices Review Commission at the PublicSafety Committee Meeting in March 2017.

Board of Supervisors chairman SharonBulova did not respond to a request for com-ment before print time.

Fairfax County Chief of Police Col. EdwinRoessler Jr. said FCPD had been made awareof Morrogh’s decision. “The Sheriff’s Officewas fully cooperative with our detectivesthroughout the process,” Roessler said in astatement.

Author and blogger Pete Earley of Fairfaxwas a member of the Ad Hoc Police Prac-tices Review Commission and that group’smental health subcommittee.

In response to Morrogh’s report, Earleysaid in a statement he was concerned thatit failed to answer basic questions about theencounter “that would reassure Fairfax resi-dents with mental illnesses that they aresafe when seeking help.”

Earley raised a number of issues, includ-ing whether Gomez’s doctor and Spanish-speaking nurse were qualified to diagnosepsychiatric issues; why there is no mentionof Gomez being observed by a psychiatristdespite Inova having a psychiatric unit; the

way in which the nurse questioned Gomezabout his psychiatric condition; and whatabout Gomez’s behavior after being dis-charged prompted the security guard toapproach him.

“Just as we were told in the NatashaMcKenna case, the reason why Mr. Gomezwas fatally shot was entirely his own fault[according to the report],” Earley says.“Blaming an individual with a mental ill-ness is an easy out. Asking tough questionsabout why a man who sought help from thepolice and ended up dead hours later ismuch more difficult and, sadly, this reportappears to have failed to ask and answerthose questions.”

Natasha McKenna, 37, of Alexandria diedin February 2015 after being tased multipletimes by Sheriff’s deputies who were try-ing to restrain her and transport her to theAlexandria jail. McPartlin was among thatgroup of deputies.

McKenna, police said, had a history ofdiagnosed mental illness including schizo-phrenia, bipolar disorder and depression.In McKenna’s case as well, Morrogh madethe decision none of the deputies werecriminally liable.

Cayce Utley is a lead organizer for theorganization Showing Up for Racial Justice(SURJ) Northern Virginia that has demon-strated over the Gomez shooting andMcKenna’s death.

“Commonwealth Attorney Ray Morroghand Police Chief Ed Roessler have made itclear they have no interest in holding StaceyKincaid’s sheriff ’s deputies responsiblewhen they kill people,” Utley said in a state-ment. Natasha McKenna and [YovaniGomez] deserve justice and we will keeppressing Fairfax County until this racist po-licing is stopped. We are tired of watchingthis county celebrate so-called ‘reforms’ thatleave all the power in police hands. It’s timefor Fairfax to be accountable to the peoplewho live and work here.”

Deputy Cleared inFatal Shooting

Send notes to the Connection atconnectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/ or call 703-778-9416. The deadline for submissions is the Fridayprior to publication. Dated announcements should besubmitted at least two weeks prior to the event.

SUNDAY/DEC. 255th Annual Christmas Day Giving Back

Event 1 - 5 p.m. Kilroys Ravensworth ShoppingCenter 5236 Port Royal Road, Springfield.Volunteers needed join us in saying thank you toour veterans and deployed service members fortheir service and sacrifices. We will be packingcare packages and letters to our veterans.www.americasadoptasoldier.org

TUESDAY JAN. 24ESL Classes Begin on January 24 in Fairfax

and CliftonLord of Life Lutheran Church will offer beginning,

intermediate and advanced ESL classes at theirFairfax and Clifton locations. The course willtake place between January 24 and April 6,2017 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7:00

p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Lord of Life LutheranChurch located in Fairfax at 5114 TwinbrookRoad and in Clifton at 13421 Twin Lakes Drive.The registration deadline is Thursday, January19, 2017. There is a registration fee of $15 andthe text book costs $25. For more information,please visit: www.lordoflifeva.org or call (703)323-9500.

ONGOINGReminder Crime Prevention – Please contact

the Fairfax County Police Department at 703-691-2131 (non-emergency) to report ANYsuspicious activity, no matter how small orinsignificant it may seem at the time. It is betterif police reports can be called in while thesuspicious activity is in progress to the extentpossible.

Fairfax County needs volunteers to drive olderadults to medical appointments and wellnessprograms. For these and other volunteeropportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadults andclick on Volunteer Solutions.

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