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Burke Connection ❖ December 22-28, 2016 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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online at www.connectionnewspapers.comDecember 22-28, 2016

BurkeBurke

Page 8

Holiday

Events

Holiday

EventsPage 6

Gerry Staudte and his wife Barbara Nowak of Burkeare Burke United Methodist members and havecoordinated their congregation’s hypothermiashelter week for the last seven years.

Cold No MoreHoliday Events, Page 6

Cold No MoreHoliday Events, Page 6

Burke CARES Receives ToyDonation from Pack 1346News, Page 9

Burke CARES Receives ToyDonation from Pack 1346News, Page 9

Sheriff’s DeputyCleared in Fatal ShootingNews, Page 3

Sheriff’s DeputyCleared in Fatal ShootingNews, Page 3

2 ❖ Burke Connection ❖ December 22-28, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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News

Dylan J. Fox, a freshman at Lake BraddockSecondary School in Burke, will advance tothe American Bankers Association (ABA)national competition, Lights, Camera, Save!His video, “$ave Your Future!” was selectedby a panel of local experts as the Burke &Herbert Bank preliminary round winner.The winning video combined sound finan-cial advice with compelling imagery to cap-ture the top prize.

The ABA Lights, Camera, Save! video con-test challenged students, aged 13-18, acrossthe nation to submit a 90-second video thatwould inspire other teens to use moneywisely and promote the value of saving. Asa Virginia participating bank, Burke &Herbert Bank was responsible for accept-ing and judging entries across the region.

“At Burke & Herbert Bank, we believe thatbuilding financial literacy is extremely im-portant, especially among young people.This program is a great vehicle to get teensto see the benefits of using money wiselyand saving for the future with messagingcreated by teens for teens,” commentedBurke & Herbert Bank Executive Vice Presi-dent Terry Cole. “We’re delighted with thevariety and quality of the videos we receivedthis year. All the students and schools thatparticipated are to be congratulated fortheir great work.”

The Bank will recognize Dylan’s first placevideo with a $350 gift card. His teacher, LesaThompson, also will be awarded a $50 giftcard for her support and inspiration.

Burke & Herbert Bank’s judging team con-sisted of Patti North, Chair, Alexandria FilmFestival; Mary Kimm, Editor and Publisher,The Connection Newspapers; AmyGranahan, Program Manager, Marketing,Economics and Personal Finance, FairfaxCounty Public Schools; Benjamin Lyon, TVProduction & Photography Teacher, T.C. Wil-liams High School, Alexandria City PublicSchools; and the Bank’s Executive Vice Presi-dent and Marketing Director, Terry Cole.

As the Burke & Herbert Bank preliminaryround winner, Dylan and his video will ad-vance to the national competition. Studentsin the national competition can win $1,000,$2,500 or the grand prize of $5,000, plus ascholarship for an educator from theirschool to attend the Jump$tart NationalEducator Conference. Winners will be an-nounced during America Saves Week inFebruary 2017.

Ryan Henry Potts, a student at WestPotomac Academy was selected as the run-ner-up for his video, “More Sense MeansMore Cents.” He will receive a $100 gift cardfrom Burke & Herbert Bank. His teacher,Birgit Buhleier, will receive a $50 gift cardfor her support. Fahar Minhaj from HayfieldSecondary School will receive a $50 giftcard for the third place finish of his video,“Savings for the Future,” and his teacher,Geoffrey Pietrovito, also will receive a $50gift card.

For more information, visitburkeandherbertbank.com.

Burke Teen Wins Lights, Camera, Save Contest

Burke & Herbert Bank Regional Winner Dylan J. Fox with hisLake Braddock Secondary School Teacher Lesa Thompson andPrincipal Dave Thomas.

Photo contributed

Send notes to the Connection [email protected] or call 703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday. Datedannouncements should be submitted at least twoweeks prior to the event.

Katherine Hough, Fairfax Station, has beenawarded the Boeing Scholarship for outstandingacademic achievement in the Volgenau School ofEngineering at George Mason University.

Vocal musicians from 12 Fairfax Countypublic schools have been named to the VirginiaHonors Choir for 2016. This select choir is openonly to the top 125 singers from around the Com-monwealth of Virginia, and is the highest honor achoir student can attain during his or her highschool career. Thirty-one Fairfax County PublicSchools (FCPS) students were selected for the

School Notes

See School Notes, Page 9


News

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

Burke Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]


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


By Tim Peterson

The Connection

Just before five p.m. on Dec. 14,the Burke United MethodistChurch kitchen is bustling withvolunteers. They’re preparing

soup, snacks and dinner meals for between25 and 30 homeless guests who will spendthe night at the church.

The church hosted homeless guests allweek as part of Fairfax County’s hypother-mia prevention shelter program that runsfrom the end of November through March.

During that time, emergency homelessshelters managed by nonprofit organiza-tions and the faith-based community willhave a no turn-away policy. Around 40churches participate in one form or another.

Gerry Staudte and his wife BarbaraNowak of Burke are Burke United Method-ist members and have coordinated theircongregation’s hypothermia shelter weekfor the last seven years.

Staudte said it takes 175 volunteers toeither man shifts or make donations to makethe operation run each year.

“Our hearts go out to these people,” hesaid. “The generosity of the people in thischurch is unbelievable.”

Staudte said the heavy emphasis on mis-sions was the reason he joined the churchin the first place.

“You look around and see people getwarm – there may have been events in theirlives that caused them to become homeless,that wasn’t their fault,” said Staudte. “In thepast four years, there’s not been a singledeath due to hypothermia. The system isworking.”

Last year across Fairfax County, around1,000 different or unique individuals tookadvantage of Fairfax County hypothermiaprevention services, according to AbbyDunner, singles program manager for thecounty’s Office to Prevent and EndHomelessness.

Dunner said the homeless population hascome down over the last eight years, “butthere’s still a long way to go.”

That’s why case management has been acentral part of the hypothermia preventionprogram for the last decade.

The county provides health services, ba-sic medication, rapid rehousing and perma-nent supported housing programs throughrepresentatives who visit one site each weekduring the hypothermia shelter program.

Each shelter site also has a case managerfrom one of four non-profits on hand as afacilitator and counselor.

At Burke United Methodist, the Fairfax-based non-profit FACETS provides a coun-selor-case manager to meet with clients,many of whom come to Burke on a bus orvan from the Lamb Center, a day-time drop-in shelter in Fairfax. At 7 a.m. the nextmorning, most head back.

Other non-profits helping manage hypo-thermia shelters around Fairfax County areCornerstones, New Hope Housing andNorthern Virginia Family Services.

In addition to the case management,guests at BUMC are able to choose fromdonated clothing, hats and gloves, all ofwhich comes from the congregation.

“This prepares our hearts to celebrateChristmas,” said Nowak. “Christ asked usto donate, to reach out to those in need. It’sso cold and this is a need. We’re glad to beable to contribute.”

Those seeking shelter can call FairfaxCounty coordinated services planning at703-222-0880. Anyone who sees or knowsof an individual in need of shelter can callthe Fairfax County Police non-emergencynumber at 703-691-2131 and an officer willbe sent to pick them up and transport to ashelter.

For more information on the FairfaxCounty Hypothermia prevention program,visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/homeless/hy-pothermia-prevention.

Holiday Events

Burke United Methodists hostshypothermia prevention shelter.Cold No More

Just before 5 p.m. on Dec. 14, the Burke United Methodist Churchkitchen is bustling with volunteers. They’re preparing soup, snacks anddinner meals for between 25 and 30 homeless guests who will spend thenight at the church.

Gerry Staudte and his wife Barbara Nowak of Burke are Burke UnitedMethodist members and have coordinated their congregation’s hypoth-ermia shelter week for the last seven years.

In addition to the case management, guests at BUMC are able to choosefrom donated clothing, hats and gloves, all of which comes from thecongregation.

After or during their meal, home-less guests at Burke United Meth-odist Church can watch televisionor movies during their overnightstay.

Between 25 and 30 homelesspeople spend the night at BurkeUnited Methodist Church duringtheir week hosting part of theFairfax County hypothermia pre-vention program.

Photos by Tim Peterson/The Connection


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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 out

your 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.

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

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

grandfather 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].


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


COMMUNITIES OF WORSHIP

Worship Gathering – Sunday 8:45 & 11 AMSunday School 10:10 AM

Sun. Evening – Realtime Worship & Youth 6 PMFamily Night – Wednesday 7:15 PM

Home Life Groups, College/Young AdultMinistries, and Living Free Support Groups

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News

choir, and five students were named asalternates. The choir will perform at theVirginia Music Educators Association(VMEA) convention to be held at theOmni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs,Nov. 17-19. FCPS students named to the2016 Virginia Honors Choir include thefollowing students from our areaschools: Woodson High School:Megan Humes, Caroline Grass, JacobLamb, Lucas Valdes, and Marc Manalotoand Hayfield Secondary School:Jessica Pressley.

Jonathan Whittington, KathrynHerring, Emma Zettlemoyer, ofSpringfield; Bridget Ray andKirsten Chase, of Burke; received$2,000 scholarships from the Scholar-ship for Military Children Program inJuly 2016.

Jane Gibbins-Harding, of Spring-field, was named to the dean’s list atBethany College for spring 2016.

U.S. Air Force Airman Brian A.Zamfino graduated from basic militarytraining at Joint Base San Antonio-

Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. Zamfinois the son of Joanne and Joseph Zamfinoof Springfield. He is a 2015 graduate ofWest Springfield High School.

Thomas Miskimins, of Fairfax,graduated with a master of arts, inSpring 2016 from the University of NewHaven.

Jordan Ecker, of Fairfax, is on thespring 2016 dean’s list at the Universityof Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Caroline Dickson, of Fairfax, is onthe spring 2016 dean’s list at the Univer-sity of Maine-Orono.

Allison Righter Moore, and Sarah AnnHughes Cushing-Spiller, of Springfield,is on the dean’s list at Hollins University,for the 2016 spring semester.

James Butler, a Lake Braddock Sec-ondary School graduate, was inductedinto the Naval Academy Class of 2020on June 30, 2016.

Kyle Austin Walsh, of Fairfax, andAbigail Lynn Lackey, of Springfield,were named to the honors list for the2016 spring 2016 semester at AverettUniversity in Danville.

Katherine Marie Hough , of

Fairfax Station, is on the dean’s list atGeorge Mason University for spring2016.

Anna Kormis, of Springfield, gradu-ated from Emory and Henry College inspring 2016.

Kyle Austin Walsh, of Fairfax,graduated from Averett University inJune 2016. was among the 261 studentsto receive diplomas during AverettUniversity’s May 7 Commencement,

Megan R. Seymour, Megan F.Cummins, Thomas S. Cohen, ofFairfax, Joshua D. Harlowe ,Samantha E. Kinde, Melissa A.Schwartz, of Springfield; Sean C.Baird, of Fairfax Station; graduatedfrom Boston University in spring 2016.

Helene J. Decosse, Alexis J.Fahrney, Jessica M. Ochoa, ofFairfax, are on the dean’s list at BostonUniversity for spring 2016.

Seth Lehman , Thet San , ofFairfax, graduated from Furman Univer-sity in spring 2016.

Luke Hartman, Natalie Heinitz,of Springfield, graduated from Manhat-tan College in spring 2016.

On Dec. 13, members of theCub Scout Pack 1346 donatedtoys to the non-profit organi-zation Burke CARES, that will

then distribute them to children in needaround the Burke Community.

In addition to the annual gift drive, BurkeCARES (Community Action Resources forEmpowerment and Support) also partnerswith St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Churchin Fairfax each year to provide donatedbackpacks and school supplies to between35 and 45 children in Burke.

Linda Cottrell of Burke has served asBurke CARES director for nearly the lastthree years. She said the organization wasfounded in 1996 and incorporated in 1997to serve residents in the community thatwere not part of the Burke Centre Conser-vancy — and who were in need — gain ac-cess to some of the community’s amenities.

Cottrell is one of half a dozen volunteerswho have been reviving Burke CARES afterparticipation in the organization petered off.They’ve kept the most popular programs,which include the toy and backpack drives,as well as subsidizing community poolmemberships for families who spend two

hours volunteering on Earth Day.“We love to see toys we donate go to kids

in need in Burke,” Cottrell said, “to take care

of our own and support, help and build astronger local community.”

Burke CARES sole revenue for operating

comes from donations from the Burke Cen-tre Stingers and Penguins summer leagueswimming teams.

The teams hold a swim-a-thon fundraisereach year that benefits the Leukemia andLymphoma Society as well as Burke CARES.

Rachel Pak is a sophomore at RobinsonSecondary School who sits on the board forBurke CARES. Her father John is also onthe board and recruited her.

Pak said she loves helping and being partof something bigger than herself. Pak is aswimmer herself, competing for theRobinson Swim and Dive team.

“Just knowing that I helped some peoplebe on this team, enjoy something I enjoy,makes me happy.”

Pak is spearheading updating the BurkeCARES website. She said she wants to in-crease the size of the organization, to domore things for the community.

“There are so many things you could do,”Pak said, “this is something in my life I wantto make time for.”

The Burke CARES website is under con-struction but does have additional informa-tion at www.burkecares.org.

—Tim Peterson

Burke CARES Receives Toy Donation from Pack 1346

Photo contributed

On Dec. 13, members of the Cub Scout Pack 1346 donated toys to thenon-profit organization Burke CARES, that will then distribute them tochildren in need around the Burke Community.

From Page 2

School Notes


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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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