‘he wasn’t perfect, but he was...

Centre View ❖ December 21-27, 2016 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

25 CENTS Newsstand PriceDECEMBER 21-27, 2016

Centreville ❖ Little Rocky Run

‘He Wasn’t Perfect,But He Was Close’

News, Page 3

‘He Wasn’t Perfect,But He Was Close’

News, Page 3

Vote on German GroceryTo Go to SupervisorsNews, 6

ONC Brings HolidayJoy to FamiliesNews, Page 2

Baking VariationsOf the PastyPeople, Page 15

Inside

Holiday

Entertainment and

Gift Guide

Holiday

Entertainment and

Gift Guide

Inside

Vote on German GroceryTo Go to SupervisorsNews, Page 16

ONC Brings HolidayJoy to FamiliesNews, Page 2

Baking VariationsOf the PastyPeople, Page 15

Dr. Jamie Netschertholds a furry patient atthe Clifton-CentrevilleAnimal Clinic.

Dr. Jamie Netschertholds a furry patient atthe Clifton-CentrevilleAnimal Clinic.

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2 ❖ Centre View ❖ December 21-27, 2016 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

News

ONC Brings Holiday Joy to Families

Melanie Badillo (left) and MelissaRabaglia, of Orthodontics byCrutchfield, sort coats and jacketsaccording to recipient.

From left: Pat Shaw, Kile Casey and KristiDrummond “shop” at the tables of do-nated gifts to fill each family’s toy wishes.

Westfield High sophomore and SGA member MaryAllison adds toys to gift bags in the ONC warehouse.

On Dec. 14-15, OurNeighbor’s Childvolunteers pack-aged new toys and

clothes for more than 800 localfamilies in need.

The “Toy Team” of (from left) Geri Lightburn, KerriePeterson, Cindy Kanode and Sue Harpe stands by somebicycles.

Brenna Lawrence(left) and mom,Kelly Lawrence, holdsome toys ready forpackaging.

Kym Sunday, of Centreville’s Chalet Woodscommunity, picks out stuffed animals for arecipient family.

Vanessa and Stephen Kott and son Ethan, 11,of Centreville’s Heritage Estates community,choose gifts to pack into each family’s bag.

From left: Westfield High sophomores HannahJohnson, Emma Muscar and Caroline Rendercheck off items on a list to make sure eachfamily’s gifts are in their bags.

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News

See Remembering, Page 8

See He Wasn't Perfect, Page 8

By Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

Mention Jamie Netschert topeople in Clifton,Centreville or Chantilly, andthey’ll either know him as a

longtime friend and neighbor or theirtrusted veterinarian — or in many cases,both. He and his family lived in the Townof Clifton for more than three decades, andhe owned the Clifton-Centreville AnimalClinic in Centreville since 1984.

So when Netschert died of cancer, Nov.29, at age 66, the loss hit the communityhard. But no one misses him more thanDonna, his wife of 40 years and their onlychild, daughter Caroline. As a husband andfather, said Donna, “He wasn’t perfect, buthe was close. And he was always a gentle-man.”

The couple met at a party in Oakton inAugust 1975 when Jamie was 25. Aftergraduating from Weber State University inUtah with a master’s in zoology, he movedback to Virginia. He’d been working at aReston lab while applying to veterinaryschool and was leaving Oct. 1 for Englandwhere he’d just been accepted to CambridgeUniversity’s Department of Veterinary Medi-cine.

“I spotted him across the room and he

caught my eye,” said Donna. “I was fasci-nated with this tall guy with the big, blueeyes. We started talking and hit it off rightaway; we had a lot in common. Later, hesaid, ‘I’ll call you,’ and he did, the next day.”

The following day, they each announcedto their parents that they’d found the per-son they wanted to marry. “We were head-

over-heels in love,” said Donna. “By Christ-mas, we were engaged, and then I joinedhim in Cambridge.”

Part of Netschert’s appeal, she said, wasthat he was so attentive and really listenedwhen she spoke. “He saw and acknowl-edged me,” said Donna. “He was presentand I could feel it. And I think that was part

of his success, also, as a vet and as a friend.He was an introvert, but he just had a spe-cial way about him. He also had a greatsense of humor and loved a good joke.”

Describing him as knowledgeable andwell-read, she said he could hold his ownon any subject. “And through the animals,people would often pour their hearts out tohim, and he listened and made them feelbetter,” she said. “He saw his clients aspeople with feelings about their animals.He hurt with them when their animals died,and he even attended their burials, whenasked.”

Netschert also loved living in Clifton.Standing 6 feet, 7 inches, he played pickupbasketball games with his buddies in thetown park. “He also served hot dogs andchili with the Clifton Gentleman’s Club onClifton Day,” said Caroline. “And our homewas a must-stop, Halloween destinationwith the infamous talking spider of Chest-nut Street, operated by my dad and friends.”

Calling him a “renaissance man,” she saidhe brewed his own beer, practiced amateurmeteorology and grew flowers and veg-etables. “He was also fond of history andcooking for his family,” said Caroline. “Sci-ence was his religion and he believed in thegoodness of humanity. He was a diehardDemocrat and advocate of equality, and hehad a natural ability to make everyone hemet feel special.”

Netschert even participated in Clifton the-ater productions and enjoyed singingkaraoke and dancing to Motown music. A

‘He Wasn’t Perfect, But He Was Close’Dr. Jamie Netschertdies at age 66.

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

Photos Courtesy of Donna Netschert

Young and in love: Jamie andDonna Netschert in summer 1975.

Jamie Netschert and daughterCaroline at a family friend’swedding.

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By Bonnie Hobbs

Centre View

Jamie Netschert may not have beenat his celebration-of-life party in per-son, but he was certainly there in

spirit. On Saturday afternoon, Dec. 17, morethan 300 people gathered in a huge tent inhis yard to remember him, share both fondand funny memories of his life and takecomfort in the fact that he’d been a part oftheirs.

“This town and his community where hepracticed had such love for him, and heloved them back,” said his sister, JulieNetschert. “His dying wish was to have acelebration with all the people he loved sowell.” But, she said, “I had no idea just howbrilliant he was, because the measure ofbrilliance is the number of people whoselives he affected. He connected with somany people in such a profound way. Hewas my little brother, so his death tears meup because I always thought he’d be takingcare of me. He was just an extraordinaryperson.”

Clifton’s Steve Botts knew JamieNetschert for 30 years. They were friendsand neighbors, played Thursday night andSunday evening pickup basketball games intown and played on the same Fairfax Countysoftball and basketball teams. “He was alsothe vet for our dogs,” said Botts. “I was awayon travel when our dog died, and Jamieeven came over to the house and buriedhim. He was that kind of guy, as well asbeing sharp, literate and well-read.”

Bill Fritz was also a three-decade, Cliftonfriend who played softball and basketballwith Netschert. Calling him a “gentle giant,”he described Netschert as a “friendly, nice,laid-back guy, intelligent, giving and pro-fessional. He took care of all our six dogsover the years. When we got our new puppy,he took one look at her and said, ‘You’regoing to have your hands full with this one,’and he was right.”

Netschert and Clifton’s Rick Dygve werefriends for 35 years. “Caroline and ouryounger daughter were in preschool to-gether, and our wives would get together,”said Dygve. “Jamie and I would talk aboutsports and play basketball, one-on-one. Ourfamilies also vacationed together.”

“He was like a brother to me,” continuedDygve. “I’d see him three or four times a

week. I shared laughs with Jamie and criedwith him when we put away a dog. He wasvery caring and grew attached to the dogs;he was a great vet. He was also someoneyou enjoyed being with; he was a lot of funand just a good man.”

On the basketball court, said Dygve,Netschert’s nickname was “The Saint.”That’s because, during a county leaguegame, the referee called the ball out of

bounds on the other team. “But Jamie said,‘No, it was because of me,’” said Dygve.“Everybody wants to leave a skid mark onthe highway of life, but Jamie left one inour hearts. We’re much better off for hav-ing known him.”

Centreville’s Meg Crossett, who lost herdaughter Rachel to cancer at age 6, alsocame Saturday to honor Netschert. “I loved

Remembering the Life of Jamie NetschertHundreds gather tocelebrate him.

More than 300 people attended Jamie Netschert’s celebration-of-lifeparty on Saturday.

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Centre View Editor Steven Mauren

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A Connection Newspaper

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 Prac-

tices Review Commission, on which I had thehonor of serving as chairman of the Use ofForce Subcommittee. I have had the opportu-nity to interact with many members of theFairfax Police Department, ranging from com-manders to precinct-level supervisors and of-ficers, all of whom I hold in high regard. Wehave a fine police department that we are for-tunate to have 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 avoid italtogether — since there are always significantbarriers to achieving change to deep-rootedorganizational practices, traditions and culture.I commend both the Fairfax Board of Supervi-sors and the Police Department, particularlyits chief and command leadership, with ensur-ing that the Police Commission’s work is notsitting 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 theBoard of Supervisors is significant in light ofhistorical resistance to civilian review of po-

lice actions.❖ The changes directed

by the supervisors andChief Roessler with regard

to the Police Department’s openness and trans-parency are substantial and have alreadyhelped regain the public trust lost, in part, be-cause of the dismal handling 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 of force.Ultimately, this will also help insure a moreeffective use of tax dollars.

As important and forward leaning as thesesteps are, I believe the recrafting and rewrit-ing of the Police Department’s Use of Forcepolicy, also known as General Order 540, war-rants particular note. The new Use of Forcepolicy encompasses the commission recom-mendations, which also incorporated use-of-force recommendations made by the indepen-dent Police Executive Research Forum. It givesemphasis to the sanctity of human life, dignityand liberty of all persons as its overarchingvalue or driving theme; and it calls for de-es-calation as the strategy of first resort whenconfronted with a threat rather than the useof deadly force.

Every member of the Fairfax Police Depart-ment, from command leadership to police of-

ficer will receive training under General Or-der 540 by the end of January, 2017. Policeofficer performance will be assessed againstthe standards set in this policy, while recruit-ment and vetting of police officer candidateswill focus on the abilities and temperamentthat comport with the values captured therein.

While the preponderance of our recommen-dations have been approved and are beingimplemented, there are exceptions. For ex-ample, we called for all officers being outfit-ted with body worn cameras, to complementthe dashboard cameras now mounted in eachpatrol vehicle. We believe such cameras willbenefit both the public and the police officer.The supervisors delayed consideration of thisrecommendation for important matters of bud-get and privacy concerns, which I believe willultimately be overcome.

I encourage everyone who is interested toreview the Police Commission recommenda-tions progress report at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/policecommission/progressreport.htm. In summary, you will findthat 178 of the 202 recommendations (88 per-cent) have been approved and are either inprocess of being implemented or have alreadybeen implemented; 15 (7.4 percent) are stillunder review; and 9 (4.5 percent) have beenrejected.

The evidence so far is that the deep-rootedchange of the nature and spirit advocated bythe commission is more achievable now thaneven the most optimistic expected. This noted,I caution that the transformative progress Ihave observed can only be sustained over timewith the continued county and Police Depart-ment leadership commitment, the active in-volvement of the police rank and file officersand most critically continued community par-ticipation, monitoring and oversight.

Phillip Niedzielski-Eichner served as chairman ofthe Use of Force Subcommittee of the Ad Hoc PolicePractices Review Commission, and continues service onthe Implementation Committee.

Fairfax Police Reform Is Well Underway

Commentary

By Barbara Comstock

U.S. Representative (R-10)

On Dec. 8, I joined with a bipartisangroup of House and Senate mem-bers, and the Speaker of the House,

as the Speaker signed the 21st Century CuresAct. It was a joyful occasion as we concludedthis year’s session with what I believe is one ofthe most important and game-changing piecesof legislation passed this year. It was signedinto law days later by the President and sup-ported by more than 700 research, doctor andpatient advocacy groups and provides $4.8billion in new research investments to the Na-tional Institutes of Health (NIH).

At the ceremony, Tennessee Senator LamarAlexander recounted the testimony of Dr.Francis Collins, director of the NIH, who hashighlighted the new, exciting cures possiblewithin the next 10 years: an artificial pancreasto help people with diabetes; medicine to limitthe effects of Alzheimer’s; a vaccine for Zika;a vaccine for HIV; a vaccine for the flu; the useof regenerative medicine using our own cells

to restore a damaged heart; and non-addic-tive pain medicines that will help curb opioidaddiction.

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 inspirational

advocacy work of familiessuch as Mark and EllynMiller, who lost theirdaughter, Gabriella, to

cancer, and Chris and Roya Giordano, who losttheir son, Mathias. The 21st Century Cures Acthonors their efforts with $1.8 billion for can-cer research, which will support the CancerMoonshot initiative.

Currently, there are only 500 treatments for10,000 known diseases. With the mapping ofthe human genome and advances over the pastseveral decades, we have more genetic cluesabout cancer and other diseases. But we stillneed to remove barriers to increase researchcollaboration, identify diseases earlier throughpersonalized medicine, reform the FDA and

modernize clinical trials, and remove unnec-essary regulation for developing new medicalapps. This legislation does this and streamlinesthe entire 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 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.

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.

Coming Together To Find and Fund Faster Cures

Commentary


GoldieGoldie

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The following incidents were reported by the SullyDistrict Polcie Station.

ROBBERY: 4300 Chantilly Shopping Center.Dec. 6 8:49 p.m. A man entered the Jimmy Johns,pointed a gun at an employee and demandedmoney. The suspect ran out of the store with anundisclosed amount of cash. The employee was notinjured. The suspect was described as black, about5 feet 5 inches tall, with a medium build. He waswearing a dark, hooded sweatshirt, dark pants andshoes; with a mask partially covering his face.

MISSILE INTO OCCUPIED DWELLING:14500 South Hills Court, Nov. 30, around 4 p.m.Residents were inside their home when they hearda loud noise. A few days later the resident found adamaged window and door. Further investigationrevealed that a bullet struck the residence. Therewere no injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

DEC. 16LARCENIES5700 block of Wood Meadow Way, license plate

from vehicleDEC. 15LARCENIES4900 block of Westone Plaza, property from

businessDEC. 13LARCENIES14000 block of Saint Germain Drive, snacks from

businessDEC. 12LARCENIES5000 block of Cool Fountain Lane, purse from

vehicle14100 block of Saint Germain Drive, cell phone

from business5600 block of Stone Road, snacks from businessDEC. 9LARCENIES6000 block of Sunset Ridge Court, medicine

from a home6500 block of Sharps Drive, cellphone and wal-

let from storeDEC. 8

LARCENIES4600 block of Stonecroft Boulevard, cell phone

from business11900 block of Cub Court, jewelry from resi-

dence4400 block of Stonecroft Boulevard, ring from

business5500 block of Sequoia Farms Drive, property

from vehicleDEC. 7LARCENIES 15300 block of Oak Mere Place, earrings from

residenceDEC. 6LARCENIES14200 block of Asher View, property from resi-

dence6000 block of Sunset Ridge Court, medication

from residence6000 block of Union Mill Road, cell phone from

residenceDEC, 2-4LARCENIES14200 block of Centreville Square, merchandise

from business4300 block of Chantilly Shopping Center, mer-

chandise from business6000 block of Havener House Way, purse from

vehicle13900 block of Preacher Chapman Place, wallet

from residence5800 block of Summer Lake Way, property from

residenceDEC. 1LARCENIES14000 block of Sully Field Circle, purse from

vehicleNOV. 30LARCENIES15100 block of Braddock Road, wallet from resi-

denceNOV. 29LARCENIES14800 block of Bolton Road, cash from business

Crime


Holiday Entertainment

Email announcements to [email protected]. Include date,time, location, description and contact forevent: phone, email and/or website. Pho-tos and artwork welcome. Deadline isThursday at noon, at least two weeks be-fore event.

ONGOINGWhite House Ornament Sale.

GFWC Western Fairfax CountyWoman’s Club is selling 2016 WhiteHouse Christmas ornaments. Thisyear’s ornament honors our 31stPresident, Herbert Hoover. Theornament, inspired by a White Housefire on Christmas Eve, 1929, is a firetruck carrying a Christmas tree.Ornaments are $21. Call 703-378-6841 or 703-378- 6216. It is possibleto order previous years’ ornaments.

Art Guild of Clifton Exhibit. 10a.m.-8 p.m. at Clifton Wine Shop,7145 Main St., Clifton. Includes oilpaintings of European settings;doors, windows, and flower shops.Free. Call 703-409-0919 for more.

Carolina Shag Dance. Wednesdays,6:30-10 p.m. at Arlington/FairfaxElks Lodge, 8421 Arlington Blvd.,Fairfax. Free lessons at 7:30 p.m.; nopartners needed; dinner menu at6:45 p.m. Tickets are $8. Visitwww.nvshag.org for more.

Open Rehearsal. Wednesdays, 7:30p.m. at Lord of Life church, 13421Twin Lakes Drive, Centreville. TheFairfax Jubil-Aires barbershop chorusinvites men of all ages who enjoysinging. Free. Visitwww.fairfaxjubilairs.org for more.

Toddlin’ Twos. Tuesdays, 10:30 and11:30 a.m. at the Chantilly Library,4000 Stringfellow Road. Earlyliteracy storytime with songs andactivities included. Age 2 with

caregiver, free. Call 703-502-3883 toreserve a spot.

Storytime for Three to Fives.Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m. at the ChantillyLibrary, 4000 Stringfellow Road.Stories and activities for children age3-5 with caregiver. Free. Call 703-502-3883 to reserve a spot.

English Conversation Group.Thursdays, 7 p.m. at the ChantillyLibrary, 4000 Stringfellow Road.Practice English with a group ofstudents and adults. Free. Call 703-502-3883 to reserve a space.

English Conversation Group.Selected Saturdays, 3 p.m. at theCentreville Regional Library, 14200St. Germain Drive. Practice Englishwith a group of students and adults.Free. Call 703-830-2223 for a list ofdates.

English Conversation Group.Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. at the ChantillyLibrary, 4000 Stringfellow Road.Practice English with a group ofstudents and adults. Free. Call 703-502-3883 to reserve a space.

Plant Clinic. Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. atthe Chantilly Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. A neighborhoodplant clinic with horticultural tips,information, techniques, and advice.Free. Call 703-502-3883 to reserve aspace.

ESL Book Club. Mondays, 7 p.m. atthe Centreville Regional Library,14200 St. Germain Drive. Meet anddiscuss a book chosen by group. Free.Call 703-830-2223 with questionsand to reserve a spot.

ESL Book Club. Every other Saturday,11 a.m. at the Chantilly Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Adults learningEnglish are welcome to meet anddiscuss a book chosen by the group.To find out book title, call 703-502-3883.

Lego Block Party. Every other

Tuesday, 3 p.m. at the ChantillyLibrary, 4000 Stringfellow Road.Legos will be provided for anafternoon of building. Grades 3-6.Free. Call 703-502-3883 to reserve aspot.

Duplo Storytime. Every otherWednesday, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. atthe Chantilly Library, 4000Stringfellow Road. Develop andreinforce early literacy skills forreading success. Ages 1-3 with adult.Free. Call 703-502-3883 to reserve aspot.

Live After Five. Fridays at 5:30 p.m.at The Winery at Bull Run, 15950 LeeHighway. Every Friday night a bandplays on the patio of the winery. Freeto attend. Visitwww.wineryatbullrun.com for a fullschedule.

Singing. 7:30 p.m. at Lord of LifeLutheran Church, 13421 Twin LakesDrive, Clifton. The Fairfax Jubil-Airesrehearse every Wednesday whichincludes training by an award-winning director. Visitwww.fairfaxjubilaires.org for more.

Legos Kids Club. Every otherTuesday, 10:30 a.m. at theCentreville Regional Library, 14200St. Germain Drive. Thousands ofLegos for children to play with. Ages6-12. Free. Call 703-830-2223 toreserve a space.

Starlight Storytime. Every otherWednesday, 7 p.m. at the CentrevilleRegional Library, 14200 St. GermainDrive. Stories under the stars for ages4-8. Wear pajamas and bring stuffedfriends. Free. Call 703-830-2223 toreserve a space.

PET ADOPTIONSAdopt a Cat or Dog. Fridays, 6:30-

8:30 p.m. at PetSmart, 12971 FairLakes Center, Fairfax. Visit

www.lostdogrescue.org for more.Adopt a Dog. Saturdays, 12-3 p.m. at

Petco, 13053 Lee Jackson Highway.Visit hart90.org for more.

Adopt a Dog. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. atPetco, 13053 Lee Jackson MemorialHwy. Adopt a puppy or dog.Visitaforeverhome.org for more.

Adopt a Dog. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. atPetSmart, 12971 Fair Lakes Center,Fairfax. Adopt a puppy or dog. Visitwww.lostdogrescue.org for more.

FRIDAY/DEC. 16-SUNDAY/JAN. 1WRAP Sober Ride Program. 10

p.m.-6 a.m. each evening as a way tokeep local roads safe from impaireddrivers during this traditionally high-risk, holiday period. Washington-metropolitan area residentscelebrating with alcohol may call thetoll-free SoberRide phone number 1-800-200-TAXI and be afforded a no-cost (up to $ 30 fare), safe wayhome. (AT&T wireless users can dial#WRAP for the same service.)

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 28Celtic Sounds at Sully Historic

Site. 1 and 2 p.m., at Sully HistoricSite, 3650 Historic Sully Way. Enjoyfiddling, percussion and vocals thatblend musical traditions rangingfrom Ireland and Scotland to theAppalachians and Cajun country.703-437-1794 or visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site/

THURSDAY/DEC. 29Sully Historic House Closing for

Fire Safety Testing. All day atSully Historic Site, 3650 HistoricSully Way. Visitors will not bepermitted in the house while the

building’s sprinkler system is tested.During that time, staff will beworking to protect and safely movehistoric items on display to mitigateany damage that may occur duringthe test. 703-437-1794 http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site/.

THROUGH DEC. 31Local Author Gives. Local author K.L.

Kranes book “The Travelers,” is set inthe fictitious Falls City, Virginia,follows Dagny and Marc, 16-year-olds who meet by chance and fall inlove. They are forced to hide theirrelationship from their families orelse face dire consequences. Aportion of the proceeds from booksales through Dec. 31, 2016 will goto charities that promote reading anddiscourse through [email protected], 703-966-2336www.klkranes.com

THROUGH JAN. 8Bull Run Festival of Lights.

Monday-Thursday 5:30-9:30 p.m.;Friday-Sunday and holidays 5:30p.m.-10:00 p.m. at 7700 Bull RunDrive. Admission fees vary. Call 703-631-0550 or [email protected].

WEDNESDAY/JAN. 11Free Singing Lessons. 7:30 p.m. at

Lord of Life Church, 13421TwinLakes Drive. First of five, one-hourlessons, no commitment. World classinstructor. [email protected]. Sponsored byThe Fairfax Jubil-Aires.www.fairfaxjubilaires.org

From now until Jan. 8, take an evening drive through the festival of lights Monday-Thursday, 5:30-9:30 p.m. orFriday-Sunday and holidays 5:30-10 p.m. at 7700 Bull Run Drive.Bull Run Festival of Lights

2016 Holiday Events

UNTIL DEC. 31Holiday Giving Projects. The

Democratic Women of Clifton andNorthern Virginia (DWCNV) kickedoff it’s annual Holiday Giving ProjectsMeeting and chose two organizationsto be the recipients of donations:Britepaths (britepaths.org) andFairfax Firefighters and Friends tothe Rescue(www.ffandfriends2therescue.org).The public is invited to donate tothese two causes and all donations

are tax deductible. Donations toBritepaths, a local nonprofitorganization that provides assistanceto Northern Virginia familiesexperiencing financial hardship, willbe distributed to the families inJanuary. Grocery store gift cards ofany denomination as well as checksfor the organization to purchasecards, should be made out toBritepaths and sent to: DWCNV, P.O.Box 143, Clifton, VA 20124.Donations will be accepted until Dec.31, 2016 for January delivery.

[email protected] NOVA Year-End

Donation. Help with a year-enddonation of $100, $200, $500,$1,000 or more, and make adifference in the lives of the morethan 5,000 homeless men, women,and children living in NorthernVirginia. [email protected],571-283-6300 HomeAid NorthernVirginia, 3684 Centerview Drive,Suite 110B, Chantilly, VA 20151.

THROUGH JAN. 8Bull Run Festival of Lights. 7700

Bull Run Drive. Monday-Thursday5:30-9:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday andholidays 5:30-10 p.m. Admissionfees: Monday-Thursday per car orvan (1-14 people) $15; commericalvan (15-34 people) $25; bus (35people or more) $50. Friday-Sundayand holidays (Dec. 24, 25, 31 andJan. 1) car or van $20; commercialvan $30; bus $55; $25 per car Dec.

24 and Dec. 31. Call 703-631-0550or email [email protected].

DEC. 26 - JAN. 9Recycle Christmas greens. Northern

Virginia Electric Cooperative willaccept evergreen Christmas trees,wreaths, and garland at its technicalcenter at 5399 Wellington BranchRoad, Gainesville, VA 20155, near I-66. 703-392-1580;[email protected]

Calendar


Email announcements to [email protected]. Include date,time, location, description and contact forevent: phone, email and/or website.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least twoweeks before event.

ROTARY CLUBChantilly/Centreville Rotary Club,

11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. every Tuesdayat Eggspectation Restaurant, 5009Westone Plaza, Chantilly. Join themen and women of the Rotary Clubfor their weekly luncheon meetingand meal. Rotary is a service clubactively involved in the community.Email [email protected] join the group as their guest.

FRIDAY/DEC. 16-SUNDAY/JAN. 1WRAP Sober Ride Program. 10

p.m.-6 a.m. each evening as a way tokeep local roads safe from impaireddrivers during this traditionally high-risk, holiday period. Washington-metropolitan area residentscelebrating with alcohol may call thetoll-free SoberRide phone number 1-800-200-TAXI and be afforded a no-cost (up to $ 30 fare), safe wayhome. (AT&T wireless users can dial#WRAP for the same service.)

DEC. 26-JAN. 9Recycle Christmas greens. Northern

Virginia Electric Cooperative willaccept evergreen Christmas trees,wreaths, and garland at its technicalcenter at 5399 Wellington BranchRoad, Gainesville, VA 20155, near I-66. 703-392-1580;[email protected]

TUESDAY/JAN. 17Heroin-Opioid Dependency

Information. 7-9 p.m. at MerrifieldCenter, 8221 Willow Oaks CorporateDrive, Fairfax. The Fairfax-FallsChurch Community Services Board ishosting a public information sessionfor people who know someone whohas opioid or heroin dependency andlearn about a new CSB opioiddependency treatment group thatstarts in February. 703-324-7006.

ELECTRONICS RECYCLINGResidents Can “E-cycle” at the I-66

transfer station. It is free butresidents may be asked to show proofof residency. Personal waste only.The I-66 station is located at 4618West Ox Road, Fairfax and open from8 a.m.-4 p.m. from Monday-Saturdayand from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sundays.Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/recycling/electric-sunday.htm formore.

DONATIONSThe Student Auto Sales Program

operating from Centreville HighSchool works in conjunction with theCVHS automotive technology classesto bring in donated automobiles,boats and motorcycles for students towork on. Some refurbished vehiclesare sold, with 75 percent of theproceeds going back to the auto techprogram. The program is in need ofcars, trucks or motorcycles, which arefully tax deductible, for studenttraining. Contact Lyman Rose at 703-802-5588 or by [email protected] for more.

Cell Phones for Soldiers is acceptingdonations of old cellphones so thattroops can call home. Patrons maydrop off donations at 14215ECentreville Square, Centreville.

SUPPORT GROUPSupport Groups. Jubilee Christian

Center of Fairfax is having its “LivingFree” support groups for the springon Wednesdays, 7:15 p.m. The

support groups are free, and willcover “Stepping into Freedom,”“Concerned Persons Group” (forfamily and friends of addicts), “TheImage of God in You,” and “HandlingLoss and Grief.” There are alsosupport groups on Sundays, 10:10a.m. 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax.For information or to register, call703-383-1170, [email protected] or seewww.jccag.org.

Telephone Support Group forFamily Caregivers of OlderAdults. 7 p.m. every second Tuesdayof the month. This telephone supportgroup is designed to help caregiversof older adults share experiences,gain support and get importantinformation without having to travel.These are one-hour free sessions.Find out more and register atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/ and click onCaregiver Telephone Support Group.

Fair Oaks Parkinson’s SupportGroup for people living withParkinson’s disease, caregivers andfamily, meets on the fourth Saturdaymonthly, 10 a.m.-noon at Sunrise atFair Oaks, 3750 Joseph SiewickDrive, Fairfax. Call 703-378-7221 orvisit www.fairoaksparkinsons.com formore.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDVolunteers Needed as Bird

Counters. Volunteers are needed inthe field and as feeder watchers. Thecount circle includes ManassasNational Battlefield, Bull RunRegional Park, undeveloped areassouth of Dulles Airport, and manyother locations. [email protected]

STEM VOLUNTEERS. The AmericanAssociation for the Advancement of

Science (AAAS) needs scientists,engineers, mathematicians, andphysicians to assist K-12 STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering,Mathematics) teachers in NorthernVirginia during the 2016-17 schoolyear. Details of the collaboration areworked out between the teacher andthe volunteer, and may involvegiving demonstrations, assisting inlab experiments, lecturing on specialtopics, assisting with homework, etc.Hours are flexible, and volunteersattend a one-day training inSeptember before being assigned toschools. To see how volunteers areassisting their teachers, view thevideo clips atwww.seniorscientist.org. Tovolunteer, [email protected].

The Northern Virginia Long TermCare Ombudsman Programneeds volunteer advocates forresidents in nursing homes andassisted living facilities. Contact LisaCallahan at 703-324-5861, TTY 711or [email protected].

Respite Care volunteers give familycaregivers of a frail older adult abreak so they can go shopping,attend a doctor’s appointment or justhave coffee with a friend. Volunteersvisit and oversee the safety of theolder adult for a few hours eachmonth. Support and training areprovided. Contact Kristin Martin at703-324-7577, TTY 711, [email protected].

Fairfax County needs volunteers todrive older adults to medicalappointments and wellnessprograms. For these and othervolunteer opportunities, call 703-324-5406, TTY 711 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/olderadultsand click on Volunteer Solutions.

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St. John’s Episcopal ChurchChristmas Services

Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve• 4:00 PM - Family Service of Lessons and Carols, with Holy Eucharist• 9:30 PM – Christmas Carols by the St. John’s Choir• 10:00 PM – Service of Holy Eucharist

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News

‘He Wasn’t Perfect, But He Was Close’From Page 3

Caroline, Jamie and DonnaNetschert on Thanksgiving 2014.

Jamie and Donna Netschert at awedding.

Jamie Netschert and daughterCaroline in June 2015.

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lifelong baseball fan, he rooted for theWashington Nationals. And he was passion-ate about photographing birds.

“His art talent came out in his photogra-phy,” said his wife. “He planned our vaca-tions around where the birds were. We’vebeen to every rain forest in the world, andJamie especially loved birding in NewZealand — every day, he saw a new bird.”

But in April 2014, Netschert was diag-nosed with mucosal melanoma, an aggres-sive form of cancer. “After having a tumorremoved, he got the news at lunch, overthe phone, and told me, ‘I could be dead byChristmas,’” said Donna. “Then he wentback to work. He had the same cancer asPresident Jimmy Carter, and the doctor toldJamie, if there was anything he wanted todo, 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,” said Donna. “Combined withCyberknife radiation — robotic, targetedradiation 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 foranother year of decent health, but it wasn’tto be.”

Toward the end, tumors had spread

throughout 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 andwas 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 NewZealand, with the biggest camera, photo-graphing birds. Playing basketball, hugging

people, 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.”

From Page 3

Remembering the Life of Jamie NetschertJamie,” she said. “He always supported meand gave me donations for childhood-can-cer research. His death is a tragedy — an-other cancer victim.”

Netschert was also the veterinarian forDiane Reddy’s cats for 25 years. “He alwayshad a smile on his face,” said Reddy, ofChantilly. “He treated my cats systemati-cally, rather than changing too many thingsabout their care — and he was always right.He was well-loved and was a genuine indi-vidual who will certainly be missed. It’s ahuge loss, but we celebrate the fact that wehad the pleasure of knowing him.”

Fairfax’s Penny Moore worked 13 yearsfor Netschert as a veterinary technician. “Hewas wonderful to work for,” she said. “I

started there at age 26, and he and the othervet, Anna Tucker, shaped my life and myworld view about kindness and the way youshould treat people and animals. It’s so sad;we’ve lost a very kind and wonderful per-son.”

Caryn Franca, whose son Nick died ofcancer at age 21, knew Netschert 35 years.“We bonded raising our daughters, andDonna and Jamie and [my husband] Jimand I even vacationed together,” saidFranca. “They turned into family for us.”

She said the Netscherts supported herfamily throughout Nick’s cancer journey, soshe was able to offer Jamie’s family somewisdom as he “crossed over. He had suchan amazing attitude; he didn’t stop living,but lived each day to the fullest.”

“Jamie had the ability to take in every-thing and never judge,” continued Franca.“He was benevolent and accepting of ev-erybody. He wasn’t much for chit-chat, butloved to have conversations about politics,history, the environment, the weather, ani-mals and other things that motivated him.He and Jim had many passionate discus-sions, and we were both with him the dayhe died. He was one of the icons of Clifton;you don’t think of this town without him init.”

Netschert’s family started a memory book,and anyone wishing to write anything to orabout him may do so at [email protected] until the end of the year. Memo-rial donations may be made to the NationalAudubon Society.


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By Marilyn Campbell

The holiday season is bittersweet forJeanne Rorke. The days leading up toChristmas are filled with memories of herparents. Her mother committed suicide

when Rorke was 12, and her father died on Christ-mas Eve eight years ago.

“No one really helped me through the grievingprocess,” said Rorke, recalling her mother’s death.“My family was like, ‘Don’t talk about it.’ … MyChristmases have always been kind of sad … eventhough I put on a happy face for my family.”

Roarke joined about two dozen others at a work-shop on handling grief during the holidays called,“Facing the Empty Chair: Surviving the Holidays af-ter Losing a Loved One” at St. Aidan’s EpiscopalChurch in Alexandria. From thosewho are preparing to celebrate afirst Christmas without a loved oneto those who’ve been grieving fordecades, participants shared expe-riences, supported each other andgained tools for surviving the sea-son while facing the reality of theempty chair in which their lovedone once sat.

“The holidays can be time oflonging for those who’ve lostsomeone,” said Carey Gauzens, alicensed clinical social worker atthe Center for Pastoral Counselingof Virginia in McLean. “The holi-days are a time when you reflecton family, and it’s hard for some-one who’s aware that that personisn’t there.”

At the workshop, Gauzens clari-fied some of the misinformationsurrounding grief, especially dur-ing the holidays. “First and mostimportant, is that normal grievingis really hard for most people. Some people believethe myth that grief lasts only for a few months, butit’s hard to measure your healing because it’s an upand down process, not a smooth, straight line.”

THROUGHOUT the process, and particularly dur-ing the holidays, being able to tap into a source ofstrength other than oneself is a factor that Gauzenunderscores: “It’s important to have a support group,friends, a therapist.”

Finding someone who is also grieving can be par-ticularly helpful. For example, when Beverly Bell’shusband died nine years ago following an extendedillness, she found strength and comfort in a friend-ship with another widow.

“[We] had a wonderful relationship … for severalyears following my husband’s death,” said Bell, whoattended the workshop. “We had a regular lunch dateand also shared a number of holidays. She also dieda couple of years ago, and I realized that I am par-ticularly missing her presence.”

Earlier this year, Bell’s brother died as well. “I foundmyself re-experiencing many of the feelings I hadhad when my husband died, [but feeling] particu-larly helpless to comfort 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 wanted to learnhow to better support others. “I am a member of the

Community of Hope International, a group of laypastoral caregivers whose ministry is to visit thosewho are experiencing sickness, trauma, tragedy orloss of a loved one,” said Caroline McCormack, oneof the participants. “I wanted to have a better un-derstanding of the grieving process, so I might be amore compassionate listener.”

She and Bell learned that process is different foreveryone. “My husband’s death was preceded by along illness. My brother’s death was sudden,” saidBell. “I wondered if something about the timing madea difference in how we experience and cope withgrief. I learned that it really does not.”

“... We all experience grief in different ways and itcan show up at unexpected times and places and sowe need to be gentle with ourselves and find waysthat we can express our grief in ways that feel heal-

ing and safe for us,” added Rever-end Elizabeth Rees, associate rec-tor, St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church.

This is a point Gauzens tried tounderscore: Grieving is an indi-vidual process and there is no one-size-fits-all method for coping.Even people who are grieving forthe same person can experience itdifferently and have differentneeds. “For example, one personmight want to talk about the loss,but others might not,” she said.“It’s important to be sensitive tofamily members who grieve differ-ently and compromise so that eachperson feels emotionally safe.”

Cultivating self-awareness andknowing what is normal to expectwhile one is grieving is important.“Sometimes the symptoms are sointense it makes people feel likethey’re going crazy and frightensthem sometimes,” said Gauzens.“They might cry at the drop of a

hat, get angry or feel unable to control their emo-tions. There could become deeply distracted or con-fused like get lost going someplace they know well.

“Give yourself permission to make careful decisionsabout how you’ll spend your time,” she added. “It’shelpful to discern within yourself what feels right.Decide whether to maintain holiday traditions or dosomething completely different.”

Avoiding all festive, social activities might do moreharm than good, however. “A person who’s grievingmight end up isolating because they won’t go toplaces they once went to with the person they’ve lost,”said Gauzens. Instead, Gauzens suggests planning“something to look forward to after the holiday toreward yourself for getting through the holidays.”

She also stressed the need for self-care, includingexercising, eating healthy and staying hydrated. “It’simportant to minimize your use of mood alteringsubstances like alcohol,” said Gauzens. “It’s tempt-ing to try to numb the pain, but it comes back.”

CHANGING customs can make holidays less pain-ful, says Dr. Linda Gulyn, Ph.D., professor of psy-chology, Marymount University in Arlington. “I liketo break with traditions that are familiar and thatremind us of the loved one we lost,” she said. “Some-times it’s good to shake it up and start a new tradi-tion, so you’re looking forward instead of behindyou.”

Holiday Grief Workshop helpsothers deal with loss.

Photo courtesy of Carey Gauzens

Carey Gauzens of the theCenter for Pastoral Coun-seling of Virginia inMcLean, led a workshop ongrieving during the holi-days at St. Aidan’s Episco-pal Church in Alexandria.


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PUBLIC HEARING FOR TOWN OF CLIFTONPROPOSED CHANGES TO THE TOWN CODE

JANUARY 3, 2017Notice is hereby given that the Town of Clifton TownCouncil will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, January3, 2017 at the Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road,Clifton, VA 20124, at 7:30 P.M, to review and implementproposed changes to the Town Noise Ordinance andother items pertaining to the control of noise in the TownCode Chapter 5. The proposed changes are availablefor review and downloading on the Town’s website atwww.clifton-va.com and a hard copy may be examinedat the Clifton Post Office, 12644 Chapel Road, CliftonVA, 20124. All interested parties are invited to attendand express their views with respect to the proposedchanges to Clifton’s Town Code.

PUBLIC HEARING FOR TOWN OF CLIFTONPROPOSED CHANGES TO THE TOWN CODE

JANUARY 3, 2017Notice is hereby given that the Town of Clifton TownCouncil and the Town of Clifton Planning Commissionwill hold a joint Public Hearing on Tuesday, January 3,2017 at the Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road,Clifton, VA 20124, directly after the Town Council’s pub-lic hearing at 7:30 P.M, to review and implement pro-posed changes to the following: 1) Fee schedule forapplications and other items pertaining to the admini-stration of ARB applications in the Town Code Section9-23 f; and, 2) Regulation of mobile temporary struc-tures Section 9-17 a. The proposed changes are avail-able for review and downloading on the Town’s websiteat www.clifton-va.com and a hard copy may be exam-ined at the Clifton Post Office, 12644 Chapel Road,Clifton VA, 20124. All interested parties are invited toattend and express their views with respect to the pro-posed changes to Clifton’s Town Code.

Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

By KENNETH B. LOURIE

I Have Ca, Ca,Ca, Cancer

Here I am thinking, believing, writing thatI’m Mr. Well-Adjusted cancer patient and all ittook was one conversation in a restaurant theother night at the Connection Christmas partyto prove that I’m not. It was a casual, festiveatmosphere with everybody enjoying foodand drink. I was sitting in a booth with mywife, Dina, my co-worker, David, and hismother Sherry, who I had never met before,who was in-town visiting her sons and plan-ning a drive downtown to see the NationalChristmas Tree. We were all exchanging pleas-antries and getting on quite well when Iremembered that David’s mother is a nurse. Ithought she would be the perfect person toask about my oncology nurse. But to give thequestion some context, I thought I had to tellher I had cancer. And when I did, I couldbarely get the word out. After I stammered Iasked, if there was any professional rea-son/advisory explaining why I haven’t heardback from my long-time (seven years) oncol-ogy nurse who, I had learned four weeks ear-lier at my last infusion when he wasn’t there totend to me, retired early. He didn’t exactlyleave me adrift but a month later, he still has-n’t returned my cellphone message (an emailto his Verizon account bounced back and hehasn’t posted anything current on Facebook).

Obviously he’s entitled. Nevertheless, I’mperplexed. We were buddies. We wereextremely compatible: sports, humor, from theNortheast, same age, Jewish and both spoke alittle Yiddish. Heck, I had even been to hishouse for a Super Bowl party; plus we’vebeen out to lunch a couple of times after myinfusion, met locally for a medical follow up(not exactly a house call but he did come tome), and as I may have written in a previouscolumn, he likely saved my life when Ishowed up at the Infusion Center with an oxy-gen level of 85. (Subsequent to that reading,he went into high gear making the necessaryarrangements to get me transferred to on-siteurgent care and ultimately “ambulanced” toHoly Cross Hospital in Silver Spring where Ispent the next week. Though he didn’t visitme; he later explained that he rarely visitedpatients, he did call to check on me.) Theshort story is: our relationship went beyondpatient-nurse. I wouldn’t say I looked forwardto my infusions, but because of him, I didn’tdread them either.

It’s not as if he has to do anything for meor acknowledge me or even stay in contactwith me. He has his own life; he’s made achange and presumably, his oncology patientsare not part of it. I can understand that. In themedical specialty field, oncology is one of, ifnot the most, emotionally demanding/wrenching: patients with whom you’ve devel-oped a relationship often die. I can imaginehow there’s only so much loss of life one cantake. However, I thought our relationshipwent beyond that, in spite of the challengingdemands that dealing with a “terminal”patient can exact.

Oddly enough, I’m not taking it personally.My feelings are not hurt, really. Until I knowmore of the circumstances surrounding hisretirement (health, family, lifestyle, etc.), I’mnot begrudging him at all. Moreover, he does-n’t owe me an explanation. His retiring is notabout me. It’s about him and because of that,I want to know why he decided to leave andwhether we can still stay in touch. So far, wehaven’t; he hasn’t.

There’s no doubt that he’s been an impor-tant part of my cancer-patient life, and in away, I thought — through my personality andsurvival, important to him also. Perhaps I was,professionally. Personally, I thought so as well.I just haven’t heard any evidence of it in thelast month. Still, I will always be grateful forhis care and concern.

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What a lucky find in a local farm-ers’ market in Chantilly: NyallMeredith of Celtic Pasties, a one-

man operation making and baking severalvariations of the pasty. What is that, youmay wonder. If you have not sampled apasty, you are in for a treat. (Note: A pastyis pronounced to rhyme with “fast-y.”)

These filled and crimped-closed pastries,which resemble large fruit turnovers, arethe traditional British Cornish hand pies,whose origins are unclear but whose popu-larity has now spread from Cornwall, En-

gland to Australia, Mexico, Ja-maica, and the U.S. Tradition doesattribute these savory treats to theCornish coal miners who took

their wrapped-up pasty along for lunchduring the workday. But at least one his-torical site notes that pasties were describedin the 1100s in the legends of King Arthurand a few centuries later in the ballads ofRobin Hood.

Regardless of their true origins, becauseof modern tastes and inventive bakers, thepasty has emerged as one of today’s go-tofoods in some parts of the U.S. After all,what could be more convenient, succulent,and delicious than a hand-held pie filledwith any one of several different flavoredmeats and vegetables?

Although traditionally made from cubedbeef and potatoes, pasty makers today haveopened up their imaginations and refrigera-tors to concoct delicious treats. Just askMeredith, whose pasty options include Beef& Guinness, Cottage Pie Style, ChickenCurry, Chicken & Leeks, Colcannon (mashedpotaotes and cabbage or kale) and Cheese& Onion pasties. For someone who spentmost of his working life in an office, takingon this cooking profession may seem rather

challenging.“I wanted to do

something else,”said Meredith. “Ihad an idea for thepasty business, so Ithought give it a try.I have been doingthis since 2011. Itaught myself.” Ashe added, in the UK,pasties are nowmore popular than

ever in the last 20 years, making this busi-ness choice seem sound. But as Meredithhas discovered, making pasties is very time-consuming, varying from recipe to recipe.“The cheese and onions are very simple,”he said. “The filling is just cheese andchopped onions.”

With his wife as helper who fills the pasty,Meredith said that he has learned ways tospeed up the process, from the first dayswhen he did all prep work by hand. “I nowhave a vegetable chopper, which save me 3or 4 hours a week,” he said.

He has found that his most popular pastyis the cottage-pie style, which consists ofground beef, onion, carrots, mashed pota-toes, tomatoes and cheddar cheese. Thesecond most popular: the mango chicken.

“Practically everything I do someone’sfavorite,” he said. “The demand is now morediffuse.” As he tries to decide whether toopen a store front, Meredith is delightedthat pasties have become so popular in themetro area. As he noted, the pasty store inVienna and his business are the only sellersin the area, and before them, locals had noidea what a pasty was. How delicious wenow can buy some.

For more information contact NyallMeredith and Celtic Pasties, [email protected].

Baking Variations of the Pasty

Nyall Meredith

Food

By Ken Moore

California University of Management and Sciences, with SouthBaylo University, bought a 54,720-

square-foot building in Fair Lakes to oper-ate classes.

“This university wants to, we have a new‘r-word,’ repurpose the vacant building inFair Lakes by moving into it,” said PlanningCommission Chairman and Springfield Dis-trict Commissioner Peter Murphy. “Theywant to get it back active with a good use.”

The Planning Commission recommendedapproval of the application, and the Boardof Supervisors will hold a public hearingon the application in 2017.

The property is located at the northeastcorner of the intersection of Fair Lakes Park-way and Shoppes Lane/Headquarters Drivewith direct access from Headquarters Drive,according to Planning Commission docu-ments.

Total enrollment could be approximately600 students, but the university plans for

approximately 150 students each morning,afternoon and evening session duringclasses to be held Monday through Satur-day.

Fifty staff members and staff would beemployed, according to staff documents.

“Based on this information, the existingon-site parking of 212 spaces on the sub-ject property would be sufficient to accom-modate the proposed use,” according toCarmen Bishop, of Planning and Zoning.

California University of Management andSciences and South Baylo University soughtto amend a 4.37-acre portion of the sev-enth Final Development Plan associatedwith RZ 82-P-069 to include a college oruniversity as a permitted secondary use forthe existing 54,720-square-foot office build-ing on the subject property.

The site is part of the original 620-acreFair Lakes development which was rezonedto the PDC District in 1984.

California University of Management andSciences has campuses in Anaheim, SanDiego and Northern Virginia.

University Looks to Fair Lakes


News

Ken Moore

Centre View

The Fairfax County Plan-ning Commission rec-ommended approval ofLidl U.S. Operations,

LLC, proposal to amend zoning topermit a 30,000-square-foot gro-cery store and 18,000-square-footmulti-tenant retail building on5.09 acres on the 73-acre ChantillyCrossing Shopping Center at theintersection of Lee Road andChantilly Crossing Lane.

Lidl will “contribute to the de-sign and installation of traffic sig-nal at the intersection of PenrosePlace and Lee Road, a commit-ment to the maintenance and en-hancement of the stormwatermanagement pond, an enhancedpedestrian crossing to the site,”said Sully District Planning Com-missioner Karen Keys-Gamara atthe decision-only hearing onWednesday, Dec. 7.

The German Lidl grocery chainhas also offered to proffer$250,000 for athletic fields andrecreational facilities in Chantilly.

Lidl’s U.S. operations is head-quartered in Arlington; Lidl (pro-

nounced leedle) plans to expandits business in the United Statesand Fairfax County.

Lidl currently operates nearly10,000 stores in 26 countriesthroughout Europe and plans toopen as many as 100 U.S. loca-tions.

The Board of Supervisors isscheduled to make its decision re-garding the application on Jan. 24.

COSTCO PLANMOVES AHEAD

The Planning Commission gaveCostco its approval Wednesday,Dec. 7 to add a service station witheight fueling tanks that can queueup to 60 vehicles at its 13.39-acresite in the Chantilly Crossing Shop-ping Center, 14390 ChantillyCrossing Lane.

After the public hearing in No-vember, Costco “has indicated awillingness to design a signal atthe intersection of Penrose Placeand Lee Road which would facili-tate movement to the site,” saidSully District Commissioner KarenKeys-Gamarra at the decision-onlyhearing last week.

The Board of Supervisors isscheduled to make its decision re-

garding Costo’s application on Jan.24, 2017.

The gas station will only beavailable to Costco members; onlytwo grades of gas will be available,payable only by Costco credit cardor debit.

David Gill, who representedCostco for its application, esti-mates that 2,000 customers willuse the station each day.

County planners recommendedapproval of the application.

“Given its lack of visibility fromthe surrounding public road net-work, its interior position withinthe larger shopping center, and thelimitation on sales, the proposeduse can be expected to primarilyserve existing patrons of theCostco retail warehouse and isexpected to generate only a nomi-nal increase in vehicular trips,”said Joe Gorney, planning staff.

Only one employee will beneeded at the station.

Underground fuel tanks, anabove ground Healy tank for ex-cess gasoline vapors, and a canopywill be needed as part of the spe-cial exception amendment.

Chantilly Crossing ShoppingCenter is on 73 acres south of

Route 50, east of Lee Road andwest of Route 28. The center wasapproved by the Board of Super-visors in the summer of 1996.

The center also has two restau-rants, two extended-day hotels, adrive-through bank, a Costco re-tail warehouse, a Target store, tworetail buildings with multiple ten-ants and an additional service sta-tion with quick-service food store.

LUXURY PAWNSHOP DENIED

Sully District Planning Commis-sioner Karen Keys-Gamarra re-quested denial of Ardavan Badii’sapplication to operate a luxurypawnshop, one that would haveonly dealt with diamonds, gems,jewelry and precious metals.

The Planning Commission votedWednesday, Dec. 7 to deny theapplication 8-0; three commission-ers abstained.

The Board of Supervisors isscheduled to make its decision onJan. 24, 2017.

Keys-Gamarra deferred decisionon the application to last week. “Atfirst glance, it seems like a simpleapplication, but it hasn’t been sosimple,” she said.

Bullion and Diamonds Companyis a 788-square-foot retail store at4086 Airline Parkway in the 50West Shopping Center, just west ofthe Route 50/Route 28 intersec-tion.

“Jewelry is an asset,” said Badii,who has operated his store foreight years in Chantilly. “Occasion-ally, [customers] need some dol-lars but don’t want to give up theirjewelry.”

“It’s really important that wekeep that image of luxury andbeauty,” he said.

But the application doesn’t meetthe comprehensive plan, saidKeys-Gamarra.

“The proposed pawn shop is notan industrial, research and devel-opment, or industrial/flex use. In-stead, it would intensify an exist-ing strip commercial development,a use that is discouraged by theplan,” said Keys-Gamarra. “Eventhough it would be located withina store that’s already in the shop-ping center, the shopping centerwas permitted by-right. As thestaff report states, there are noprior zoning approvals associatedwith the shopping center, whichmeans that no other special excep-tion uses have been approvedthere.”

There are currently eight pawnshops allowed via special excep-tions in Fairfax County, saidMichael Lynskey, planning staffwith the Department of Planningand Zoning. The county permitsup to 12 pawnshops countywide,he said.

“We’re expecting one to twopeople a day, at most. This is some-thing that can help my small busi-ness a lot,” said Badii.

But according to Keys-Gamarra,he couldn’t guarantee that amountof limited business. Because thepawn shop would be the only ex-isting pawn shops for miles, shesaid, “this use would be a magnetfor customers over a large area. Inlight of all of this uncertainty andthe existing parking problemshere, I cannot support adding yetanother use to this alreadystrained parking lot.”

“This shopping center’s parkinglot already suffers from consider-able circulation problems andparking shortages. In my experi-ence, the configuration is uniquelyhazardous because of the manyangles at which cars pull in andout and the pedestrians cuttingacross to get to shops and restau-rants. Add to that the several res-taurants offering delivery servicesand you get a location where con-stant vigilance is required,” saidKeys-Gamarra.

Vote on German Grocery To Go to Supervisors

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