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[Winter Weather]

City Council Welcomes New RVCVB Director

“What Goes Up ...”

Roanoke City Council greeted the new executive director of the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at its meeting on Monday Feb. 1. Landon Howard comes from Mobile, Alabama to replace David Kohljede, who retired last month. Howard also spent 15 years at a similar visitor’s bureau in Chattanooga, TN, which has undergone a downtown renaissance of its own over the past few decades.

“We’re so excited about being here,” Howard told council members. He worked in marketing for both bureaus. He called this area “the most beautiful part of America.” Howard also said he was a big believer in co-op efforts; in Mobile he worked with other Gulf Coast city destination spots on joint projects. “We believe in regionalism,” said Howard.

Councilman Rupert Cutler liked that approach, saying, “I’ve always hoped that we do more in the way of regional promotion.” Howard said, “the number one goal of an agency like the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is to create jobs.”

Greenways: Another portion of the Roanoke River Greenway is closer to being built – a segment that would stretch to the Memorial Avenue Bridge – as it will go out to bid later this month. That’s according to Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham, who will leave office in March. City Council passed an ordinance that

Coming Home

P3– Anne Compton returns to Roanoke as the keynote speaker for the “History is Served” museum fund-raiser.

Photo by Broaddus Fitzpatrick

Lessons In Avatar

P5– St. John’s Rector Barkley Thompson draws some insightful theological reflections from the #1 hit movie.

Incredible Journey P6– Matthew McDaniel passes through Roanoke on his way to NY to raise awareness of persecution in Thailand.

Best In Show P9– Animal Lovers use art to support the SPCA’s fund-raiser that kicks off this week downtown.

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Roanokers enjoyed (and/or suffered through depending on your view) another winter storm this past week (over 10 inches in most places) followed by an additional day/night long mix on Tuesday that kept schools closed and businesses struggling to keep their sidewalks and parking lots cleared. As of press time another strong system was expected to dump even more snow across the region on Friday and Saturday. But many children and adults know exactly what to do with all the fluffy white stuff. The classic sleigh riding hills around Roanoke have come to life this week as a variety of sledding implements have been employed to see who can make the best run. Above, Max Revercomb (son of Jim and Denise) accepts a dare at the top of Stanley Avenue that results in . . . well, see for yourself on our back page.

Suffice to say, not all snow jumps end exactly as planned.

> CONTINUED P2: Council

Local Economic Outlook Brings Cautious Optimism

You don’t have to be a TV talking head or an economist to know that nationwide jobs have been harder to come by over the past few years. The same holds true for the Roanoke region. Historically the area has been slower to enter a recessionary period and has not been subject to the wild boom and bust swings seen elsewhere. There are no casinos here, nor are there automobile manufacturing plants and subdivision after subdivision of vacant homes, built on spec, hoping that “They Will Come” if you build them.

Nevertheless, the Roanoke Valley has lost jobs, albeit at a slower pace than the national average. In 2008 unemploy-

ment rates in Roanoke went up for the hasn’t been all that good.

On the local real estate front, Housfirst time in four years, according to a report prepared for the non-profit Council ingPredictor.com forecasted an average of Community Services. The Roanoke housing value dip of 12.8% for 2009, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) while noting that things were worse showed an unemployment rate in late in other parts of the Commonwealth. summer ’09 of about two points below Foreclosures have not reached epidemic proportions in the valley, as the national average of just noted by some realtors, due under ten percent.

Business again in part to the fact that High-end grocer Ukrop’s Roanoke seems to avoid the moved out last fall, Freight Car America suspended railcar produc- extreme highs and lows.

There are bright spots however, as tion in downtown Roanoke and Daleville-based Jtekt will close its automo- Roanoke moves forward, looking to tive parts manufacturing plant in 2010 become a high tech, bio-medical center -- idling more than 200 -- so the news in Southwestern Virginia. The Virginia

[

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Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute constitutes a partnership between the state’s largest research university, and the region’s largest employer.

Biomedical and clinical research are its focus, with spin offs and related businesses projected to materialize in the area. The 40 million dollar-plus investment includes a medical school, slated to open for its first class in the fall of 2010.

More than 40 research groups could occupy the complex on South Jefferson, > CONTINUED P2: Economy

Miss Bonnie’s Cheese Spreads Are a Hit

Kiwanians gathered for a 90th anniversary celebration last week.

Roanoke’s Kiwanis Club Celebrates 90 Years

The Kiwanis Club of Roanoke is celebrating 90 years of service to the community.

Kiwanis first started in Detroit in 1915; the Roanoke club (number 182) was chartered January 29, 1920, five years after the original one. Past President John Montgomery explains, “So, 182 clubs in five years works out to about every 10 days, a new club starting. They had some forward-thinking organizers who went around the country, met with some business people in Roanoke. There was an interest here and two months after the initial meeting, the club chartered.”

The Roanoke Club is among ten in its division, which stretches to Lynchburg, Martinsville and Danville. It is the oldest of the ten, although the Lynchburg club was chartered the same week in 1920; “we have a friendly rivalry with Lynchburg,” says Montgomery.

Roanoke Kiwanis members have a three-fold purpose. “Serving the children of the world is our motto. But the Roanoke club is also very concerned with assisting the aging and the environment,” says Montgomery. Several leaders of Roanoke’s club are interested in the > CONTINUED P2: Kiwanis

Looking for somewho love the cheeses thing easy, quick and and the recipes,” redelicious to serve for marked Ron Adleman, Superbowl Sunday?

Bonnie’s husband.

You may not need to The story of Miss look far. Enter Miss Bonnie’s Gourmet Bonnie’s Gourmet Cheese Spreads began Cheese Spreads. because “I wasn’t satisBeginningthisFriday, fied with the choices ofthe newly introduced fered in the food stores classic cheddar cheese and I began crafting my spread will be available own cheese spreads. for sale at 11 Kroger My friends and famstores in the Roanoke ily members encourValley. Kroger introaged me to market my duced Miss Bonnie’s cheese spreads and I pimento cheese and Miss Bonnie with samples of decided to give it a try,” jalapeno pepper cheese her new product. said Bonnie Adleman. spreads to the area last The home based summer. “It’s a great product line and start-up business began in a 600 squarewe’re proud to carry it,” enthused Cheese ft. space on the second floor of their Category Manager Tonya Morris. garage in Midlothian, Virginia. Miss On Saturday and Sunday, Kroger cus- Bonnie’s pimento cheese spread was intomers will have the opportunity to sam- troduced the day before Thanksgiving ple Miss Bonnie’s Olive Salad 2006 in a Kroger store in the recipe, made with her Cheese Richmond area. The AdleNew Product Spread and Gambino’s Olive mans had decided to make Salad from noon until 6:00 enough cheese spread for ten p.m.

(10) cases with one dozen jars in each “Gambino’s found that sales of their ol- case. “Almost all ten cases sold that day ive salad products increased as a result of and Store Manager Milton Foster told me Miss Bonnie’s recipe. We’re piggy backing late that afternoon that I had the best first on Gambino’s and vice versa. It’s a win- day sales of any > CONTINUED win for both as well as for the customers vendor he ever P3: Miss Bonnie

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Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 2/5/10 - 2/11/10

> Council Early on Friday, we are likely to see the precipitation move in as some snow, before changing to a wintry mix of freezing rain, rain, and sleet fairly quickly. By Friday night, we are likely to see that wintry mix change back to snow before ending Saturday afternoon or evening. Ice accumulations may range between .25-.50”, with some isolated higher amounts along the Blue Ridge.

Snow accumulations will range between 3-9”. Friday and Saturday our highs will be in the low-to-mid 30s. By Sunday, we should see skies clearing slowly with temperatures in the middle 30s, so it will stay quite cold.

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will ensure the Army Corps of Engineers access to property along the Roanoke River as they work on the ongoing flood control project and the adjacent greenway. When finished, the greenway and Roanoke River, complete with new bench cuts, will be turned over to the city, which owns the property.

Snow Removal: Burcham praised the work that 50+ city employees did after a foot of snow fell on Roanoke last weekend. All of the major roads and most of the residential streets were cleared by Monday, if not

> Economy

NewsRoanoke.com

night in firehouses when they could not get home during the most recent storm,” according to Burcham. The city worked “day in, day out, 24 hours a day” to make streets passable as soon as possible. Burcham also noted that the two recent snowstorms has forced the city to dip into its contingency fund for overtime and road clearing materials.”

Burcham also praised the work done by Roanoke City police in locating the body of young Aveion Lewis, found in a landfill, calling it a “very challenging case.” Mayor David

Bowers said Council was “saddened” by that death and by that of Morgan Harrington, the Virginia Tech student whose body was found last week in Charlottesville. Councilman Dr. David Trinkle knows Harrington’s father from his work at Carilion.

There will be a memorial mass for Morgan Harrington this Friday, February 5 at 3:30 p.m., at St. Andrews Catholic Church.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

From page 1 nancial downturn. I believe they’ll be the ones that turn us around. That diversity is really a strength.”

In late 2009 Waugh said Chamber members were offering her “mixed reviews” of where things were headed. “A lot were seeing some signs of improvement. I’ve talked to other people that were [just] holding their own.” Some local companies are having to look out of town for contracts and “be a little more creative” in order to stay afloat during a sluggish economy. “Business concerns always include a push for less regulation,” says Waugh.

Other factors continue to help draw people here: quality of life assets like the obvious outdoor amenities are “probably at the top of the list, even though that’s more difficult to quantify.”

A quality of life to-do list on the Chamber’s website (RoanokeChamber.org) includes renovations to the downtown Farmer’s Market, the historic City Market building and Center in the Square, a cultural hub, not to mention a new amphitheater proposed for Elmwood Park. “It’s not going to all happen overnight,” notes Waugh of the tens of millions required to make it all happen.

The relatively low cost of living and shorter commute times weigh in Roanoke’s favor, although Waugh and other business leaders have advocated for passenger rail service as a way to increase the valley’s connectivity to places like Washington and Richmond.

Waugh says the Roanoke area is poised to

> Kiwanis environment, “so we’re involved in planting trees, picking up trash,” adds Montgomery, also publisher of Play By Play magazine. One of the group’s main focuses over the next three years is the growing greenway system and will include providing educational signs for the Lick Run Greenway.

Serving children is the primary focus nationally for Kiwanis. Locally there are several Kiwanis programs to help children in elementary and middle schools. “We also have two sets of awards for high school aged youth,” notes Montgomery. “We give about $10,000 of academic scholarships each spring. We also present Career and Technical Awards to Roanoke City and Roanoke County high school students who are oriented in

From page 1

sooner. Residential areas were “obviously more challenging,” said Burcham, since some parked their cars in the streets, impeding the progress of plows.

Burcham said snowstorms last weekend and in December were the only two of significance during her decade as city manager. Without dedicated snow removal equipment “sitting ready,” she noted, Roanoke instead straps a plow blade on as many pieces of equipment as it can and recruits employees with commercial licenses to help out.

“Some city workers slept over-

part of the larger Riverside Centre in what once was essentially a brown field.

Trolley car service from South Jefferson to downtown Roanoke and back, put in place last year, was initiated in large part to capitalize on the expected influx of health care professionals at Riverside and Carilion Roanoke Memorial that may want to eat and shop downtown during lunch hours.

Elsewhere, ADM Micro, occupying part of a building where Johnson & Johnson once made contact lenses (funded in part with Roanoke City incentives) continues to make strides. The NewVa Corridor Technology Council recognized the energy management company, founded by engineers and Virginia Tech alums, as a “Rising Star” in 2009. It employs about 50 and seems poised to capitalize on the “green” movement by offering high-tech systems that can help companies manage their energy use.

Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce president Joyce Waugh, on the job since October 2008, says her organization has lost about 300 members from a high of 1600 in recent years, through mergers and contraction. “The majority of our members are small businesses,” says Waugh, who has worked for the Chamber for almost a decade and spent time lobbying the General Assembly before being named president.

“It really highlights so many of the good things about the region,” adds Waugh about small business. “They’re the underpinning [and] not the ones who got us into this fi-

that direction.”

Montgomery says it’s not just youth that is served. “I think the feeling was in Roanoke, where the median age is older, that there are a lot of people that may be retired that could use assistance. So we’re involved with Meals on Wheels and visiting retirement centers.”

The Kiwanis Club of Roanoke may be most visible in the community for its “Kiwanis Pancake and Auction Day,” scheduled this year for April 24, 2010 at the Roanoke Civic Center. Proceeds from the event are used for a variety of projects.

The club has built and maintained summer camps for children, helped fund the Roanoke Civic Center, sponsored the opening of the American Theater in 1928, and assisted in es-

Photo by Gene Marrano

Members of Roanoke City Council ride the Star Line Trolley on its debut in November 2008.

make a strong comeback when the economy breaks free from neutral and goes into drive again; “we’ve got a very good, strong work ethic and skilled workers.” Some of the indicators she’s seen target 2012 for a complete recovery, but Waugh isn’t convinced.

“I think they’re all guessing. It’s easy to be a prognosticator.”

A fair number of skilled but underemployed workers will be hungry to take on higher paying jobs when they are made available. “All of those things play into why someone would start or grow a business here,” says Waugh. “I think we’ll continue to do all right [with] a few blips along the way.”

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

From page 1 tablishing Clean Valley Day. Montgomery says club members meet weekly for lunch and hear from various speakers.

Virginia’s two U. S. Senators and local politicians have served as speakers in the past.

Last Thursday (January 28th) members held a celebration banquet with former Ambassador to Romania and former Advance Auto CEO Nick Taubman as the keynote speaker.

He’s also a former member of the club. They honored longstanding members, including one who joined in 1946.

Seven Kiwanians (including Montgomery) were presented Hixson awards and 10 members of the “Legion of Honor” were also recognized for levels of membership beyond 25 years.

Montgomery says the Ki-

wanis Club of Roanoke is the area’s largest community service organization and boasts 160 members. The median age is 56, but members range in age from their 20’s to their 90’s.

Men make up about three quarters of the membership.

Montgomery has been a member for 13 years and jokes he’s still a “newbie.” He joined because he liked the purpose of the club. “Helping others is a laudable mission and I wanted to be part of that mission. But also the camaraderie with the other members is an important feature.”

“If you’re interested in helping make the Roanoke Valley a better place to live, it could be the club for you.”

By Beverly Amsler info@newsroanoke.com

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Preside over a Circuit Court for 30-plus years and you probably hear some grim stories, right? But there are bound to be lighter moments, as retired 24th Circuit Court Judge Samuel Johnston found out. He’s put some of them in a new book – Why Judges Wear Robes – and, weather permitting, he may have the Roanoke Bar Association in stitches when he addresses its members at the Shenandoah Club this Saturday Feb. 6 from 12 -2 p.m.

Johnston, who became a

judge at the tender age of 30 in 1977, said, “The courts are a compendium of misery,” for the most part. “This [the book] is something I wanted to do to make people laugh, not cry.

There’s enough sadness and futility.” He sent four men off to be executed and presided over 9,000 divorce cases. “I didn’t want to relate that.”

On his first day in court – without a robe yet – he spent six hours on the bench with his zipper on his pants broken. So he didn’t take a break until late

in the day, embarrassed to leave the bench until his wife could bring him an emergency pair of pants. The incident inspired the title of his book.

Johnston tells a myriad of tales, from an ex-New York lawyer who didn’t quite have Southern jargon figured out, to a man who brought a tire covered in cow manure into the courtroom, and a prisoner who asked for a furlough – because his mother was suffering from prostate cancer. “That was a new one,” recalled Johnston, who checked with a doctor anyway just to make sure women couldn’t get prostate cancer.

Then there was the Lady of the Night who singled out men in the courtroom she had encountered, much to their embarrassment. Several ex-cons have shown up at his book signings with their copy of “Why Judges Wear Robes.” That pleased Johnston who said “I just want [ed] to be known as fair.”

Judge Johnston, who had to leave the courtroom three times during his career with fits of laughter from some of the goings-on, likely will have them rolling in the aisles at the Shenandoah Club this weekend.

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NewsRoanoke.com

> Miss Bonnie had in any of the stores he had managed,” she recalled.

Because the Adlemans didn’t have any cheese spread to restock the store, they postponed Thanksgiving dinner until Friday and on Thanksgiving Day made 12 more cases of cheese spread.

By Christmas, Miss Bonnie’s was in two additional Kroger stores in Richmond.

By the end of 2007, they were able to expand distribution to eight Kroger stores by streamlining production.

Two of these stores were new. One of the two new stores that opened in 2007 was the Midlothian Ivymont Kroger, managed by Ed Southern, who has

From page 1

been in the grocery business for 41 years and manages the largest volume Kroger store in the Mid-Atlantic, having opened three of the new Kroger locations in Richmond during this time.

“I have never, ever, seen a more prolific, customer accepted and demanded, grass roots promoted food item in my entire career,” exclaimed Southern. His was the second Kroger to receive Miss Bonnie’s cheese spread for sale; it was immediately recognized that anyone who tasted this cheese was a fan. “My challenge: get it into the mouths of my customers. Using a demo dome daily made this easy and I watched the product grow to the number one position in

my specialty cheese commodity.”

In September 2007, the Adlemans learned that Miss Bonnie’s Gourmet Pimento Cheese Spread was named the “2007 New Product Success Story of the Year” for Kroger Mid-Atlantic.

The release of their second item, Jalapeno Pepper Cheese Spread “took off just like its predecessor,” said Southern.

“I am so proud of Bonnie. She has become a star in this dim economy and everyone that she comes into contact with loves her. The customers gravitate toward her,” Ron Adleman remarked.

“In November 2009, Miss Bonnie’s Gourmet relocated production from

their garage to a 13,200 square-ft. plant that previously produced smoked fish in Front Royal, Virginia. They are currently using only 25 percent of the plant and there are five acres behind the plant that will allow room for expansion. The business currently has eight full-time employees and as the business expands, additional employees will be hired,” he said.

The product line is presently sold in 56 retail grocery locations in Virginia.

The products contain “zero gluten fillers, no sugar, no trans fats and no carbs.

It’s a blend of naturally aged cheeses – no artificial anything. It contains pure ingredients, is chunky, old fashioned

and “diabetic friendly.”

“National rollout is scheduled to begin in mid-February beginning with the completion of distribution of the products to the remaining Kroger stores in the Mid-Atlantic Division. We appreciate all that Kroger has done to help the little guy,” said Ron Adleman.

For recipes and other information, visit www.missbonnies.com

By Susan Ayers info@newsroanoke.com

Miss Virginia Becomes New Miss America Senator Smith Introduces A local Miss Virginia official just had a feeling about Caressa Cameron, who became Miss America over the weekend.

“At Caressa's send-off party, she sang her competition song "Listen" from Dream Girls and we were all brought to tears,” said Carolyn Williams, public relations director for the Miss Virginia pageant, which is held in Roanoke every June. There’s more: “On the way home, I

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told my husband Don, she will win Talent Preliminaries at Miss America…she did. [Last] Saturday, I told everyone I talked to that she would be the next Miss America. Again, I was right. Caressa will make a great Miss America. She is the entire package.”

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Ann Compton Returns to Her Proving Ground as Keynote Speaker ABC News White House Correspondent Ann Compton will come back on Sunday Feb 7th to where she honed her journalistic skills, as the keynote speaker for "History is Served" at the Hotel Roanoke.

The fourth annual event includes a luncheon, live music and a silent auction; it is a fundraiser for the History Museum of Western Virginia. Compton was a student at Hollins College, now Hollins University, and completed an internship at WDBJ7 in Roanoke.

"It really kind of was a graduate degree in broadcasting and journalism on the streets of Roanoke," said Compton by phone earlier this week. Back then she covered redistricting fights and annexation battles, fires and local government.

After graduation she was the first female reporter hired at WDBJ. "It was a time when women were just beginning to get the good reporting jobs all across the country." She spent three years there, establishing the State Capitol Bureau in Richmond. Compton joined ABC News in Washington and later became the first female and youngest person to cover the White House full time for network TV. She was also the only broadcast reporter on Air Force One along with President George W. Bush on September 11, 2001, as the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks became known.

Compton says the internet has changed media the most

“I am the slowest

The General Assembly passed Virginia's last two year budget just 34 minutes after it was distributed to legislators. Senator Ralph K. Smith (R-Botetourt) has announced that he is introducing legislation that would require the budget be posted online for 72 hours before a vote could be taken.

"Virginians expect their legislators to make informed decisions and that is not possible with just half an hour to review the entire budget. The budget bill is so thick, you can hardly carry it from one room to another in that time," said Smith.

"The goal of SB 5 is to bring the budget discussion out of Capitol Square and into the public square. Taxpayers deserve a little time to review the budget before their legislators commit over 70 billion of their tax dollars to a biennium budget," added Smith.

Smith's legislation, SB 5, was introduced today as part of the Virginia Conservative Caucus' 2010 legislative agenda. The

Virginia Conservative Caucus is a group of General Assembly members committed to encouraging job creation, strengthening families, limiting government, and defending freedom.

"Some legislators fear a 72 hour delay would slow down the budget process. That is the entire point," said Smith.

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Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 2/5/10 - 2/11/10

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The Great Hope For Haiti Roscoe the Wonder Hound Scenes of destruction and suffering from the The CDC doctors measured 350 children in two earthquake in Haiti wrench our hearts. They also schools -- private and public. Carol Brash, a team bring back vivid memories of my first visit to that member, measured the circumference of the upill-fated country in 1996. Today the guest house in per arm of each child. I knelt beside the scientific Leogane where my husband and I stayed and the measuring board, made sure heels touched the mountain church where we worshiped are both board, toes were together, eyes looking straight destroyed. I wonder how many of the friendly ahead, and recorded three measurements taken people we met and worked with were crushed be- by the doctor – accurate to the second decimal. I neath the rubble of concrete and my heart aches. learned your knees get blistered when you kneel Harry and I spent ten days as part of the first several hours a day for four days.

Haiti Mission Team from Raleigh Court PresbyFilariasis affects growth and later in life causes terian Church. Mission teams of volunteers go to a disabling disease, elephantiasis. Blood and stool share their skills – surgeons, dentists, ophthalmol- tests indicated if the children were infected with ogists, engineers – and even those like us, who can the parasite. A pill was given each morning at do “grunt work” such as painting or making re- school. In one year they would be measured again pairs. The volunteers usually find they gain more to see if normal growth occurred. Positive results than they give as they observe how the Christian would convince the World Health Organization faith is lived by these joyous people who have so to give a grant to cover daily pills to be each child little. in the schools, preventing the life-long Drivers from the hospital met us disability later in life. We were gratified at the airport in Port-au-Prince and to learn (much later) that the study helped us through customs with our was effective, and the prevention propersonal luggage and our many trunks. gram was continued in Leogane.

Everything we would need for ten days After our stay at Leogane, we prohad to be packed in a carry- on so the ceeded to the mountain village of two trunks each person was allowed Cherident to observe the work of a could be filled with clothing, mediHaitian priest, Père Albert (Father Alcal supplies and toys collected at our bert). Père Albert believed God sent church. Our destination was Leogane, him to this parish to provide schools about 19 miles distant, where we for the children of that mountainous Mary Jo Shannon would spend the first five days at Hosarea. He believed education and faith pital Sainte Croix (Holy Cross). were the hope of Haiti, and his goal That ride we will never forget! Poor roads, heavy was to build a school at each of the churches in his traffic, no traffic lights, no stop signs or officers to parish. Seated on straight-back chairs in the bed direct traffic-- five hours traveling less than twenty of a huge truck, we traveled the rocky mountain miles! As our driver nosed ahead of competing ve- roads, to visit schools constructed by funds from hicles, we confronted first hand the worst of Haiti. churches in the United States.

The streets of Port-au-Prince were littered with At La Revoire we forded the river and visited garbage, flattened plastic drink bottles, and dirty a palm branch shelter attended by 100 children water from a recent flood. Pedestrians – women who could not cross the river on foot to attend the with heavy loads perfectly balanced atop their school there. heads, men pulling heavy loads on homemade Returning to Roanoke, we told our story and carts, hucksters selling fruit drinks and popsicles our church voted to build a school at La Revoire. to hot, weary passengers—wove their way among We also built a church and we believe they were the stalled or slowly moving vehicles. spared, since this area to the south of Haiti on the The first five days we stayed at the hospital Caribbean is farther from the epicenter of the guest house, painting walls there, creating simple earthquake near Leogane. dressing areas for the hospital X-ray department Père Albert passed away in 2005, but his work to provide privacy for women patients, or in my continues by priests who shared his goals and the case assisting doctors from the Center for Dis- beneficence of the Haiti Education Fund. HEF was ease Control (Atlanta) as they collected data for established by Frances Landers from El Dorado, their study of filariasis, a tropical disease caused Arkansas. Frances is a 93-year-old cancer surviby parasites. vor who considered it her“kitchen ministry.” The foundation pays all administrative costs, so donations are used solely for Haiti relief. But Frances Landers is another story.

All these experiences engrave BECOME A FOSTER PARENT Haiti on my heart and I wonder Discover the rewards of becoming a Foster Parent! Open how this country, which faced your heart and your home and help give these children a brighter future. so many disasters, will rebuild and continue its struggle to rise Benchmark is a therapeutic agency, offering 24/7 support, weekly contact with families, and monthly reimbursement above the limitations of poverty per child between $963 - $2428. and ignorance. I still believe faith If you want to make a difference, please call now and education provide hope for for more information.

Haiti.

Meets His Intestinal Match

Last week, Roscoe the Bassett Hound, Roa- Janet and I solemnly waited for some good news. noke's preeminent eating machine, consumed a During the summer, Belle, our eleven-year old foreign object, hurling our pet-centric household Bassett had died suddenly at home, a shock that into a state of emergency. If only Rosco had a bet- none of us were quite over yet. We paced the ter since of what will and WILL NOT fit in his GI small waiting room for what seemed like hours. tract his present disposition would be far lighter When the doctors emerged from the examinaand I would be far heavier in the pocket. tion room they reported finding a round object, Previous columns have documented Roscoe's around the size of a golf ball, inside poor Roscoe's goat-like appetite for non-food items stomach. Surgery would be required such as soap, shampoo bottles and to remove the obstruction. A golf ball? over the counter medications to name We wondered how he could even get a few. Due to his bizarre cravings, the something that size down his throat! humans in our house take extra care A small fortune later, a stinky, brown not to leave any item on the floor that rubber object slightly resembling a Roscoe might consider a meal; this Titilest Pro V1 was removed from the includes everything from a bowling depths of our Roscoe. We now had a ball to a pencil. Despite our best inshelter dog at show dog prices. tentions, Roscoe continues to redefine When we picked Roscoe up from the word "edible." the hospital he had been fitted with a Appearing moderately out of sorts, huge flat collar which the doctors had Jon Kaufman Roscoe showed signs of illness last placed on his head to prevent him week when he walked backwards from licking his stitches. Roscoe aparound the house for most of Friday. Was this peared quite embarrassed by his new headwear moon-walking gait a one-dog tribute to the late which made him look like a giant chrysanthe"King of Pop," or was something really amiss, we mum. Relieved that our boy was now safe, Janet wondered. and I chuckled about Roscoe's new lid during the When Roscoe began to whimper and wobble drive home, as our "Blooming Bassett" lay sleeparound, we carted him directly to the vet, who, de- ing in the back seat. spite putting our hound through exhaustive testRoscoe is now slowly convalescing, and aling could find nothing wrong. She was, however, though our Coonhound Mya is frightened by convinced that something was wrong. When one the collar contraption on Roscoe's head, our little houses a pack of hounds, one needs a top-notch hound family is mostly, fairly, sort of back to nordoctor to look after them and Dr. Linda Jennings mal. This morning I could swear I saw Roscoe in has always gone above and beyond to treat our the kitchen, cautiously measuring a Meaty Bone furry family members. treat before wolfing it down.

When Saturday arrived, Roscoe's belly was tight as a tick. Everyone was worried. Dr. Jennings called the Virginia Tech Animal Hospital Contact Jon at regarding Roscoe and strongly suggested that we Jon.Kaufman@sprint.com load him in the car and cart him to Blacksburg.

As the Tech veterinarians examined Roscoe,

New Orleans: Beyond the Saints

“Oh yeah, Dad, the parking situation is tricky,” We become familiar with the French Quarter our son Adam announces. We end up squeezing and surrounding parts of the city by criss-crosstheir car and ours into a space more suited for one ing it on foot with and without our local guides. vehicle. “And you’ll have to move it within two Strolling, or being jostled about, on Bourbon hours to avoid getting a ticket, maybe up past Es- Street is eye-opening to all but the most jaded of planade in Martingy, where there are a few blocks visitors. Late at night, there’s nothing like it. Difwhere you can park overnight without residence ferent music blaring from each bar, barmen on permits. Then you’ll have to move it somewhere the street hustling potential customers, skimpily else by 7:00 a.m.” clad women doing the same, all manner of tourJuggling cars in the heart of New Orleans’ ists and hardy locals alike. It’s quite a carnival, French Quarter is something to which our son even outside of Mardi Gras. I learn that Bourbon and his wife - newlyweds - are calmly accustomed. Street was named for a prominent French family, They live in a tiny one-room carriage house apart- not for the spirit that, among others, flows freely ment in a courtyard off of Royal Street. there. And I leave it to the more advenIt’s a cool place to live, difficult parking turous to sample “The Hand Grenade, notwithstanding.

New Orleans’ Strongest Drink” My wife and I have just arrived in the Our days in the City ease by, pun city, and it’s the first time for either of intended. It’s January, but we hit espeus. I’m immediately drawn to the charcially pleasant weather. Warm, sunny, acter, charm, and grit of the heart of the spring-like. There’s ice back home, MaBy Mary Jo Shannon city, and I can’t wait to hit the streets rybeth reminds me. We visit the worldinfo@newsroanoke.com and start exploring – on foot. New Orclass zoo. We take in only a small part leans, just to remind you, is one of the of the magnificent WWII Museum, most unique of American cities. The which features an amazing “4-D” history of the place, its geographical movie experience which Tom Hanks John W. Robinson setting and its many-hued populace produced. We take a cruise up the have combined and conspired to rebig river on the “Cajun Queen” with for 2/5/2010 sult in a city like no other in the world. other tourists and convention goers. Narration A quick review of the history of New Orleans goes along with the two-hour cruise. “There’s St 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 goes something like this: The French had been in Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square...The Missisthe area for a few decades but it wasn’t until 1720 sippi is a half mile wide and 200-feet deep here…

14 15 16 that they established a settlement in the loop or Three ocean-going ships pass New Orleans every for 2/5/2010 17 18 19 “crescent” of the Mississippi River there. Over hour…The Battle of New Orleans was the last in 100 miles upstream from the mouth of the big the war of 1812 with England.”

1 220 3 4 5 6 21 7 8 9 10 22 11 12 1323 river –that was certainly news to me- the site of We watch the street performers, note the tarot 14 15 16 24 25 the settlement is still not far enough up the river card readers, and peruse Marie Laveau’s house of 17 18 19 to have much in the way of high ground. This Voodoo. Not a curse, but similar, The Saints “Who 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 20 21 22 23 Find the answers online: mosquito-ridden lowland does, however, back Dat” fever grips the city and we are not immune.

TheRoanokeStar.com 33 34 24 25 up to the large Lake Pontchartrain, and this was By the time we leave the place I’m a big fan.

Have a clue and answer 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 recognized as a valuable alternate water route to Of course, we have to sample the exquisite cui35 36 you’d like to see?

33 34 email: puzzles@ the Gulf of Mexico. A city in this general location sine for which the city is known, and our favorite 37 38 39 40 41 theroanokestar.com would command an unequalled strategic position of such is that cooked for us by our daughter-in35 36 42 43 44 over the entire Mississippi watershed, which of law, and enjoyed in the furniture-free environs of 37 38 39 40 41 course includes the vast heart of the North Amer- the simple little apartment she and our son call 42 43 44 45 46 47 ican continent. home. Especially outstanding is a dish she makes

By Don 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 The place attracted all kinds of scalawags right of shrimp and rice, simple but seasoned just so.

Waterfield 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 off the bat, but it was also the first American city to Made with love. That’s the secret, they tell me.

55 57 58 58 55 56 57 56 have an opera house. New Orleans changed hands Early in the morning on our last day I walk 59 60 61 59 60 61 to the Spanish in 1760, and was ceded back to Na- down Royal Street with Adam as he makes his 62 63 64 poleon and France in 1800. This is when things way to the street car stop on Canal Street, on his 62 63 64 www.CrosswordWeaver.com get interesting. Napoleon had neither the navy way to work. “This is my favorite time of the day www.CrosswordWeaver.com nor the inclination to maintain such a distant col- and my favorite walk in the city,” Adam smilingly ACROSS 47 Kid's cereal brand 21 Incorporeal ony, so he sought to unload it. What the heck he informs me. I am equally affected by the charm of 48 Tropical tree fruit 23 President (abbr.)

Kid's cereal brand ACROSS 47 marking 21 Incorporealthought, if the Americans are interested then he the walk, with the balconies, the ornate ironwork, or formation 1 Bowl 51 Roselike 26 Hoard 5 A note that is played a semitone 55 Baker's 27 Edge stitch Tropical tree fruit 48need 23 President (abbr.) might just get rid of the entire French holdings in the potted plants, the enormous shuttered doors, up from its natural note.

56 Crippling disease 28 Supply 1 Bowl 51 Roselike marking or formation 26 Hoard the new world. This included about half of what is the weathered stucco with missing portions re10 Far away 58 Challenge 30 Large black bird A note that is played a semitone 59 Allow55 Baker's need 5 14 27 Edge stitchtoday the continental United States. President Jef- vealing handmade brick. Not to mention the inS.A. Indian to borrow 31 Broken law

by Homer 15 60 Book 56 upMasculine from its natural note.

32 Armed robbery Crippling disease 28 Supply ferson got wind of this idea and was stunned with triguing sight of denizens of the night headed for 61 Spoken Challenge 38 60 ___ = minute FarStraight awaymark bird 10 16 58 30 Large blackthe colossal nature of the proposal. Quickly, be- home and a bed.

17 Heavenly light 62 Branch of learning 39 Dash S.A. Indian Allow to borrow Broken law 14 18 59 31 fore Napoleon changes his mind –he’d done it beI watch Adam board the St. Charles Street car Voice 63 Doings 40 Bulb flower Parlay Masculine 64 Soaks60 Book by Homer 15 19 41 Black tie outfits 32 Armed robbery fore- Jefferson sets into motion the events which and wave goodbye as the railed carriage heads Heart-shaped 43 It''s not your fault you''re Straight mark 60 ___ = minute 16 20 61 Spoken 38 -----. lead to the Louisiana Purchase. Never mind that to the Garden District. I think about being new(from spies like us) 22 - decorative stone - fertilizers DOWN light Branch of learning Dash 17 Heavenly 62 39 this move was totally illegal in terms of the lack of lyweds, starting their married life off in such a and more.

44 Animal families Voice 18 24 Spanks 63 Doings 40 Bulb flowerCongressional involvement, and the money was unique city, living in an unfurnished hole-in-the1 Saucer 46 Swiped Turkish denizen 2 Within64 Soaks 47 Trio Parlay borrowed from England and the Dutch, since the wall apartment on very little money, but being 19 25 41 Black tie outfits 26 Beehive 3 Blemish 48 Fizz drink fledging United States certainly did not have $15 richly nourished by great enthusiasm for life and Heart-shaped It''s not your fault you''re -----.

20 29 43 Comb 4 Construction worker’s hat 49 Completed million at the time.

But such details are another steadfast love. I’m thankful for the thought, for the - decorative stone fertilizers (from spies like us) 22 33 Wet 5 Dirty DOWN 50 Coin Enmesh 34 6 Loathes 52 Tropical edible root 44 Animal families story. reminder. and more.

35 American Cancer Society (abbr.)

7 Skit 53 Snare The Spanish and French influence on the archiDid I mention that New Orleans was hit by a Spanks 24 36 1 Saucer 46 Swiped Roman numeral seven 8 Gone With the Wind's Mr. Butler 54 Snaky fish tecture, language, and proper names of modern big storm a few years ago? No? Good.

Turkish Trio 25 37 2 Within Soak denizen before you, 9 Permeable 57 Let your attention ---47 Objects Person from northernmost state not beside you. (from warlock) New Orleans is delightful.

During our visit, our 40 10 26 Beehive 3 Blemish 48 Fizz drink 42 Braces oneself 11 Dry sherry Contact John at Comb Construction worker’s hat 29 44 4 49 Completedson and his wife instruct us in the proper pronunDark hair color 12 Opposed jwr77@verizon.net ciation of a multitude of terms of local interest.

Wet 33 45 50 Coin Tigers 13 Stagger5 Dirty

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2/5/10 - 2/11/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

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Parenting Is - Has Always Been - Tough Someone’s to Blame

Preacher’s Corner

Avatar Sets One to Thinking: What Body This?

By The Reverend Barkley Thompson

It was an almost foregone conclusion. There James Cameron sat several Sunday evenings ago, his hair more silver than it was thirteen years ago when he won the Oscar for Titanic, a smug smile on his face as the Golden Globe winner was announced. His film Avatar won Best Picture, and he won the Best Director Award. No one was surprised.

Avatar is the futuristic story of a marine, Jake Sully, whose spine has been shattered in combat. By the film’s opening frame, Jake’s legs have withered, and with them his spirit.

He accepts an assignment to travel through outer space to the world of Pandora, where humans have discovered a wildly valuable mineral deposit underground. The problem is, Pandora happens to be inhabited by humanoid, if primitive and savage, creatures called the Na’vi. In order for the humans to access and mine the mineral deposit, the Na’vi must relocate en masse from their land.

The humans hope to convince the Na’vi to move peacefully, and toward this end human scientists grow the bodies of Na’vi mixed with human DNA in what are essentially giant Petri dishes. Human minds can be linked to these bodies, so that men and women can walk and talk as Na’vi. The crippled marine, Jake Sully, is chosen for this assignment, and the film— between Hollywood action sequences—charts his growing embrace of his Na’vi body, his avatar.

The worldwide box office receipts for Avatar have reached $2 billion. If you haven’t seen Avatar, at this point you’re one of only about twelve people on the planet who’ve skipped it. Critical interpretations of Avatar vary. The most common 10-22-07 suggests that the popularity of the film derives from the soli-

darity the audience gains with the Na’vi against the brutal and unthinking domination of the human beings. It’s a sympathetic reversal of the role European Americans played against Native Americans in our own conflicted, real-world history, the critics say. We find it cathartic to cheer for nature-honoring indigenous people in the movie because in real life we were the ones who drove them off their land and depleted their natural resources with no thought of their intrinsic worth.

If that’s why audiences love Avatar, then I’m all for it. But I’m skeptical. I think there’s another reason audiences flock to this film. The Na’vi are striking figures. Their coloring is a heavenly blue. They are three feet taller than human beings.

Their muscles are lean and fluid.

The command they have over their movements is intuitive, and they are graceful. Though the Na’vi live barely clothed in nature, they don’t look like the images we’ve seen of primitive, earthly humans. Among the Na’vi, no one is slow or unsure of foot. No one is ugly. Even the elderly Na’vi we meet in the movie are godlike in their bearing.

And the film’s main character—Jake the marine—is broken. His frail and brittle body has failed him, and he is given the opportunity to leave it behind in favor of a Na’vi body.

No wonder (this is a spoiler alert) at the movie’s end he chooses to give up his human body altogether and be a Na’vi permanently.

I believe this is what tantalizes filmgoers about Avatar. The movie taps into what may be for many a deeply sublimated desire to escape who and what we are in favor of someone or something different. We are all only too aware of our brokenness. Sometimes it comes in the

form of our strained relationships, sometimes we experience it in our inability to relate to God. But our brokenness is most overtly evident in our bodies. We are not tall, blue, graceful, or immune to the ravages of the world around us. We do stoop, get fat, lose our footing, lack hair where we want it and grow hair where we don’t.

We use our bodies to hurt one another, and then we abuse our bodies in all manner of ways, with all manner of activities and substances, in the attempt to assuage our guilt. Like Jake Sully the marine, we might jump at the chance to give up these brittle shells in favor of the visage of a god.

But we must not forget that God chose to enter into our world and reveal God’s nature by taking on a human body.

Despite what artists’ gauzy renderings of Jesus may suggest, his was doubtless a body with all the same frailties and flaws as mine and yours. Jesus sweated in the sun. His road-weary feet blistered and cracked. On the cross, he broke. You see, rather than inviting us give up our bodies in favor of a god, God took on our bodies in order to express the depth at which they, and therefore we, are loved.

What’s more, God declares now that Jesus has ascended, we are his body on earth. Through us God is revealed. Our hands are the hands of Jesus. Our eyes are the eyes of the savior. Our

gurgling stomachs, sleep-addled Monday morning brains, and high blood pressure make up the body of the Lord.

Paul says we are each a constituent part of the Body of Christ. Each of our bodies is part of the Body, and as such our bodies are not things to shun or seek to change. Of course, they are to be honored and well-tended as we would honor and tend the historical Jesus were he standing in front of us, but that is different from being ashamed of those Godgiven, God-redeemed, and God-loved bumps, lumps, and crooked parts of who we are.

So you see we don’t need wistfully to look to the lithe body of Avatar or anywhere else. We already enjoy the body of God. So celebrate your bodies! Look in the mirror and say to God, with the Psalmist, “It was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!” Uplift the bodies of your brothers and sisters when they are hurting as you would uplift the body of Jesus. And go into the world using your body to make Christ known.

St. John’s is located in downtown Roanoke at Jefferson Street & Elm Avenue. Visit them on the web at www.stjohnsroanoke. org.

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Sunday: Holy Communion 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Christian Education 10 a.m.

Thursday: Holy Communion 9:30 a.m.

Bible Study 10:30 a.m.

366-9416 (at Hershberger, E of Williamson Rd.) www.sttofc.org 4910 Hubert Rd NW Roanoke

T

here hasn’t been a time mented. It does not follow that since the second term we will be patient about assignof Franklin Roosevelt ing blame for the failure to solve that a President has been faced horrendous problems. Instead, with so many critical issues there will be an ever-increasing at once. In 1936, FDR stared witch hunt.

This is not a trope about the down the on-going depression and the scourge of fascism, two President and the government monster problems. His eleven in general. I’m truly grateful we successors to the White House have a two-party system. If you all had their challenges, but they think more parties are a good thing, take a look generally came one at at Italy: more than a time. We managed 60 different governto survive all of them, ments since World although at times War II, some lasting many felt as though less than a week. If Armageddon was at one party was the hand. The occupants only choice, think of 1600 Pennsylvaabout the Nazi Gernia Avenue all had many and Commuone thing in comnism. What troubles mon: When things me the most is went wrong, they were the ones who Hayden Hollingsworth everyone’s willingness to look to took the blame. In someone else to some cases, Nixon and Watergate, for example, the accept responsibility.

The Democrats are just as culblame was more than deserved.

Others took the heat because pable as the Republicans. They that comes with the job descrip- both suffer from the same maltion, even when Congress or ady: If something gets done the credit will not be shared; if there others were the troublemakers.

President Obama inherited a are failures, then it’s the opposicolossal mess when he took of- tion’s fault. Thus, the bipartisanfice and he knew it. There has ship which was supposed to end been no shortage of mentioning has worsened to a point rarely the fact that Iraq, Afghanistan, seen in modern times. If I hear the financial meltdown, the the term “reach across the aisle” recession, unemployment, ter- one more time, my nausea may rorism, and health care, among become overwhelming. It just other things, were inherited hasn’t happened.

While both sides have legitifrom previous administrations.

That being said, the problems mate complaints with the views of the other, neither is looking at still have to be faced.

Now that the bloom is defi- the most fundamental problem: nitely off the democratic rose, How are we going to solve these everyone wants to name names issues? We, as a people, are so and take prisoners. The Presi- quick to blame those in power dent who, if nothing else, has if things aren’t going to suit us. believed that he could tackle all The politicians know this only these troubles with a zeal that too well and will avoid saying would lead to solutions, isn't the anything that might jeopardize only one who’s responsible. It is their hold on their office.

Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylobvious that we are only marginally better off than we were vania recently said one of the on Inauguration day last year. few sensible things I have heard: What is not so apparent is who Doing what is right for those who elected us . . . that’s what is at fault.

It’s human nature, when matters. If it costs you the next things go wrong, to look for election, so be it; at least you will who’s responsible; it is usu- have done what you thought ally someone else. When Brett was best.

There is no such thing as a Favre ended the Vikings’ season last week, there were a couple single best. Until politicians of things he did to which one stop yelling at one another, we could point as the reason the will end up with something that Vikings will be watching the Su- may well be the worst. When perbowl on Feb 7th. There were the fall elections come around, many other players and coaches candidates will be ballyhooing involved in that loss; he didn’t their role in preserving this, that, lose the game single-handedly or the other position. They will although if he retires (yet again) have done what they need to do that final interception will be the to in order to win re-election.

In my view, there will have pass everyone remembers.

Most problems have multiple been a lot more said than done. causes and multiple solutions Term limits, anyone? which tend to increase in complexity the higher the stakes. In our current morass those things Contact Hayden at are especially true. If there were jhayden2003@cox.net clear-cut solutions, they would have long since been imple-

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Has our job as parents gotten tougher than it used to be? Did etc. have all gone on for years and will most likely continue. There our parents have an easier job or did they do a better job? Two is nothing new about temptation, poor choices and bad behavior. statements come to mind when I think of this. “There is nothing At the same time, “Times are changing.” One of the biggest changes new under the sun” and “Times are changing.” I hear both regularly is that the access and availability of these choices and decisions is depending on which group I am talking to and there seems to be much more simplified. We have always had these temptations and yes they are more easily pursued in our lives today. strong support for each.

So parenting has always been tough but is now tougher. The main Could it be that both are correct?

I remember in High School when we heard a classmate was preg- reason for this is that the cultural message our children hear is very different. We face a culture today that squares off against nant. This was never truly confirmed because after the us as parents. For the most part, unhealthy choices were rumor started, she was gone. The assumption was that discouraged when we were younger. Today, these unshe moved away to live with family in another state to healthy or immoral choices and decisions are culturally have and raise the baby. There was no celebration, no encouraged. In fact, in most cases they are pushed as baby showers with friends, and no rumor of a teenage the cultural mainstream and portrayed as expected. We marriage. have to vigorously fight this battle for our kids yet we are Now, I am not suggesting at all that this is the best surrounded by examples of giving in. method of managing a teenage pregnancy. Clearly beHere are a few that I have dealt with recently: The paring in a loving home with involved and loving parents ent who smokes pot with his kids; The mom who gives for support and guidance is a better model. The point is her daughter condoms and tells her to be careful but that the message was clear; teenagers are not to get pregprovides no support for good decisions or virginity; The nant. It was serious business. In contrast, I was appalled Keith McCurdy parents who catch their teenager using drugs and drinkover the weekend when I saw a television commercial ing with friends and send the other kids home without for a new “morning after” pill. The commercial showed young and loving looking couples, with no clear evidence of being notifying their parents. If you think this is the exception to the rule married, and mentioned how wonderful and easy it was to avoid today, it is not. We have to decide that we are going to fight these these mistakes. There slogan is “For when the unexpected happens battles for our kids or the cultural message will overrun them. Parenting is tougher today but the stakes are the same, the welfare of – just one pill.”

Another example from my teenage years is when a friend began our children.

Everybody needs to join the fight. To prepare, ask yourself: Do using drugs. It was tough maintaining the friendship. Due to his behavior, not many wanted to hang around him. The pressure at I have boundaries that reflect my morals and values? Am I either that time was that using drugs was not the thing to do. Yes, there limiting exposure to or equipping my child to handle situations that were kids that used and got drunk with regularity, but it wasn’t the challenge this boundary system? Am I actively giving my child a separate message than culture that matches these morals and values social pastime it seems to be today. It was seen as delinquent.

Now, on a regular basis, teens struggle with fitting in for the exact through what I say, how I live, the decisions I make? Am I seeking opposite reason. I hear regularly how difficult it is to go out and out other surroundings, environments, activities, etc. that also suphave fun when “I am the only one at the party that doesn’t want to port and send a healthy message for my kids? Am I active in what drink or get high.” We have actors, actresses, musicians, etc. who my child does, watches, views on the internet, listens to on their regularly discuss the virtues of pot use and encourage the legaliza- Ipod? Am I supporting and encouraging healthy relationships and tion of such whenever they have an audience. We have magazines setting limits on and discouraging unhealthy ones? Our children and websites solely dedicated to teaching our youth how to grow are worth the fight! and cultivate their own crops.

Contact Keith at With these two anecdotal examples, consider that both statements are true. “There is nothing new under the sun” is very accupsycyou@msn.com rate when considering that drugs, teen pregnancy, binge drinking,

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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 2/5/10 - 2/11/10

X-Country Trek Passes Thru Valley

What would it be like to spend your days traveling along the roadside either riding on horseback or walking with a 60 pound saddle slung over your shoulder – in all types of weather? Matthew McDaniel has spent the last 300+ days doing just that. Perhaps it’s the right combination of genes or the long days spent trekking from town to town, but McDaniel has to be one of the most laid-back crusaders of our time -- his easy smile and openness with strangers make him a perfect ambassador for his cause.

He is in the midst of a cross-country journey on horseback to bring attention to and raise funds for a minority race in Southeast Asia known as the “Akha.” He began in Salem, Oregon, and is en route to Washington D.C. and will ultimately end up in New York City for the annual United Nations conference.

McDaniel’s garb is even better than Indiana Jones’s - because it is so authentic. This leather has seen some better days. With his horse “Hampton” by his side, the pair can hardly go unnoticed. That was the case when he stopped for a rest at the Salem Walmart this past Monday. He was lucky; he found himself in between the snow storms that have plagued the area in recent days. Passer-by Karen Cooper pulled up asking “I just want to know WHY there is a horse in the middle of the Walmart parking lot?

She proceeded to get out of her car to admire Hampton and offer McDaniel some horse feed for free. It turns out strangers offering to help isn’t all that unusual; McDaniel says that people often stop to help him and his family. They started their journey with just $20; yet they hope to raise money and awareness for the Akha Heritage Foundation, as well as simply survive, so any assistance is always appreciated. They had originally secured more funding but the economic downturn changed all that. McDaniel decided that it was still a worthwhile endeavor and so far has been able to make it day to day.

The McDaniel’s, including his wife – who is an Akha, -- and their five small children, spend their days and nights in a custom painted bus that has been their home during the journey. It can’t be missed; the red and blue “Ride for Freedom” and “Akha.org” messages are large and bold along the sides.

Originally a construction worker and painter,

McDaniel went to Thailand to start a trade business in 1991. While there he witnessed the event that sent his life in a completely new direction.

According to McDaniel, “some Thai citizens were coming across a bridge and I saw police officers treating them badly for no apparent reason.”

The citizens were Akha, people who live primarily in Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, China and Vietnam.

They are typically treated as second-class citizens; “the Thai’s look down on them,” says McDaniel.

One of the biggest issues currently affecting the Akha people is the Queen of Thailand’s illegal attempt to take their rice land in the mountains of Thailand. McDaniel says that a law referred to as “Les majeste” prohibits “talk about royalty,” especially negative talk. “They can put you in prison for doing that,” he said He does what he can in spite of this and many obstacles. He filed a protocol letter with the UN alerting them to the situation. There is a lot of red tape and it will take time, but he says that “Thailand will eventually have to respond” to the allegations in the letter. Currently, he and his family cannot return to Thailand; he was deported after living there for 13 years because of his efforts to help the Akha – a reputation that prompted the Thai authorities to call him the “Akha Crusader.”

While the journey hasn’t been easy, McDaniel says he thinks that more attention is being turned toward the plight of the Akha – “that people, including even Thailand, are noticing.” Some of the media have picked up the story; coverage was done by CBS in Los Angeles.

The website, Akha.org has links to all sorts of information, including a frequent update on the journey. For a guy going out into the heartland on a horse, he has mostly been well-received, “except for maybe in Chilhowie, Virginia” he laughs.

There is apparently some explanation about that on the site. With more storms in the forecast, McDaniel is unfazed – this is his life these days.

For the record: for those who may come across a man on horseback who really does look a lot like Indiana Jones, the horse, like most, is partial to a bit of sugar or an apple as well as feed.

For more information, or to donate to the Akha Heritage Foundation, visit Akha.org

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NewsRoanoke.com

Media Commentator / Minister Tony Campolo Speaks in Roanoke Dr. Tony Campolo braved the recent winter storms to present an energetic, uplifting and challenging set of presentations at Raleigh Court Presbyterian church last week. He worked with the church’s officers and staff as well as members of the congregation in two separate seminars on Saturday and then closed with a sermon on Sunday that was well attended given the area’s icy road conditions.

Campolo is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Eastern University and a media commentator on religious, social and political matters. He has been a guest on a variety of television programs including The Colbert Report, Nightline, Crossfire, Politically Incorrect, The Charlie Rose Show, Larry King Live, CNN News and MSNBC News. He is also a highly sought-after guest on radio stations across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. He previously served for ten years on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Eastern College and Temple University where he earned his Ph.D. Campolo is also the Founder and President of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE) and focused much of his talk on Sunday on their ongoing efforts in Haiti where the group has had a ministry for some time. He told a poignant story of being approached by teenage girls in Port-au-Prince who sought to sell themselves for sex outside of his hotel. Campolo told them they were hired and to report to his room on the 3rd floor. He then went and rented every Disney movie in the hotel and they spent the night watching the movies and ordering pizza and ice cream.

Campolo remarked that while he felt good that he had been able to give them back their childhood for at least one night, he also mourned the fact that such efforts often seem to make so little real difference in changing the world. But he added that in the end we are all called to simply “do what we can” when faced with the trials and brokenness of the world and that, “we must trust the God of creation with the rest.”

The story supported Campolo’s overriding theme in which he used a variety of scriptural references to implore his audience to allow God to

Photo by Dennis Fisher

Tony Campolo addresses people from all over the valley at Raleigh Court Presbyterian.

“live out his Love through us,” by choosing “Love over power” in all circumstances of life. Campolo made the point that the two are mutually exclusive - that Love and power are never found operating together in the same moment - and that God’s way in the world is the way of Love. But Compolo did remind listeners that scripture says, “Christ will return in power” and then added in his fiery style, “that was likely to be something else entirely . . .”

The author of 38 books, Compolo’s latest release covers the theme he presented in Roanoke - “Choose Love Not Power” (Regal) which is scheduled to come out in 2 weeks. Other upcoming publications include: “Connecting Like Jesus” (Jossey-Bass) due out in May 2010, co-authored with Mary Albert Darling and “Stories That Feed Your Soul “(Regal) which will be published in September 2010.

For more information on Dr. Campolo, see www.

TonyCampolo.org.

By Stuart Revercomb stuart@newsroanoke.com

The Happy Chef

by Leigh Sackett

Snowstorm Lamb Kabobs

SNOW, SNOW, SNOW!!! We love it! We have this great big hill a few doors down from our house that is most excellent for sledding. The only problem is that the hill is actually a road. But that problem is not too much of a problem when you have 10-12 inches of snow and your neighborhood seems to be the last place to be plowed in the city of Roanoke. (Are you listening Mr. Jamison?)

Of course there are always people who attempt to drive up this road so we have adults stationed on the hill to throw themselves in front of a sled in case a quick stop and quick move to the side of the road needs to be made. Thank goodness we never had to resort to this plan because these kids were flying at Olympic speed on what quickly became an icy luge track.

Night sledding is our favorite. One night we brought over the fire pit. My neighbor Martha brought marshmallows and the fixings to make s’mores, her husband Steve set up portable flood lights and the Shaver’s brought wine. With all of this and lots of laughter we had an instant impromptu party. On the second night of sledding my neighbor Kate said she had a lamb she needed to cook and that maybe we should upgrade our menu from marshmallows to lamb. This was deemed by all to be a reasonable

By Cheryl Hodges culinary advancement.

But all good things must eventually come to an end; our lovely icy hill could not withstand the cheryl.@newsroanoke.com chemicals and sun on the third day and the plows, to our dismay, found their way up to our neighborhood. (But not without having to endure a solid snowball pelting from the neighborhood boys!)

So we are all worn out and inside resting on this third night but now on the fourth day “no school” has just been declared by the powers that be - so who knows what may happen. The best things in life always seem to do just that - they just happen and fall into place without much planning – snow, a big hill, floodlights, a fire pit and a lamb on the grill - all the ingredients you need for great fun and great memories. Here’s a recipe for the very best Snowstorm Lamb Kabobs!

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1/2 cup lemon juice 2 tablespoons dried oregano 4 teaspoons olive oil 6 garlic cloves, minced 1 pound lean lamb, trimmed of fat and cut into 1 inch cubes 16 cherry tomatoes 1 large green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces large onion, cut into 1-inch wedges

bag; add the lamb. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight, turning occasionally.

-Coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray before starting the grill. Drain and discard marinade. On eight metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternately thread lamb, tomatoes, green pepper and onion.

-Grill kabobs, uncovered, over medium heat for 3 minutes on each side. Baste with reserved marinade. Grill 8-10 minutes longer or until meat reaches desired doneness, turning and basting frequently.

-In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, oregano, oil and garlic. Set aside 1/4 cup for basting; cover and refrigerate.

-Pour the remaining marinade into a large resealable plastic

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Sports

Send sports pictures, announcements and story ideas to info@newsroanoke.com

Hidden Valley Youth Wrestlers Travel the State

Hoops Talent Galore This Weekend Some of the nation’s top high school basketball players will compete this weekend at the Salem Civic Center, provided the Roanoke Valley is mercifully spared from yet another major winter storm, of course.

The Member One Valley Shootout will host several can’t miss games on Saturday, featuring top programs such as Oak Hill Academy, Hargrave Military Academy and Christ School, along with local high schools Patrick Henry and Cave Spring.

“It’s the best lineup we’ve ever had,” said tournament coorganizer Steve Myers. “There will be two top-20 high schools there, and around 30 Division I [recruits] players. It should be a lot of fun.”

Some of the schools who will be competing on Saturday: Oak Hill Academy The Warriors are back and better than ever, once again in the upper echelon of high school programs in the country. Currently 21-2, Oak Hill is ranked #7 in the latest USA Today poll, as well as 7th in the ESPN Rise poll.

The Warriors roster contains several Division I recruits, including guard Doron Lamb (currently considering offers from Arizona, Kentucky, Kansas, and Connecticut, among others), forward Roscoe Smith (Connecticut), guard Juwan Staten (Dayton) and center Baye

Moussa Keita (Syracuse).

In the 2009 Member One Shootout, the Warriors dominated VHSL Group AAA Runner-up William Fleming High School 75-45.

Hargrave Military Academy The Tigers enter the Shootout ranked #1 in the nation for postgraduate (PG) schools in the ESPN Prep 10 poll released in November. Currently 19-0, Hargrave boasts a competitive schedule with wins over Roanoke College and Hampden Sydney. The team has eight Division I recruits, including McDonald’s All-American guard Lorenzo Brown (N.C. State), guard Isaiah Epps (Pittsburgh), forward Dominique Ferguson (Florida International) and forward Shawn Kemp (Auburn), son of the former Seattle SuperSonics star.

Hargrave Military defeated Massanutten 107-82 in the 2009 Member One Shootout.

Christ School (Arden, NC) The Greenies (26-1) will take on Cave Spring in one of the Shootouts more hyped contests.

Currently ranked #14 by ESPN and #17 by USA Today, Christ School has had a tremendous recent run that has featured three straight NCISAA State Championships, helping vault the Greenies onto the national scene. Among their top players are guard Eric Smith (South Carolina), guard Tony Kimbro (considering Kentucky, Louis-

Photo by Bill Turner

Cave Spring's Josh Henderson - headed to Vanderbilt this fall - will be a star attraction at the Shootout. ville, Tennessee, and Ohio State among others) and forward Marshall Plumlee, who is being heavily recruited by Duke, where both of his brothers play.

Below is a full schedule for the Member One Valley Shootout 3:00pm -- Patrick Henry v.

Lake Norman 4:40pm -- Hargrave Military v. Fishburne Military 6:30pm -- Oak Hill Academy v. Miller School (Charlottesville) 8:00pm -- Cave Spring v.

Christ School

By Matt Reeve Matt@newsroanoke.com

Cave Spring Defeats Pulaski County

Knight's senior #3 Justin White runs the offense as Cave Spring pulled away for the easy win.

Recap and photos by Bill Turner

2/5/10 - 2/11/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page7

Hidden Valley Youth wrestlers went to different venues to compete recently. One group attended the VACW Middle & Elementary School State Tournament at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton, VA Jan. 22-24, while another group at the Brookville Bee’s Club Charity Tournament at Brookville High School in Lynchburg.

VACW Middle & Elementary School State Tournament: Kiel Cook, 105 lb. weight division, competed in the (5-6 Grade) Middle School Divi- Zach Early against a Christansburg rival. sion. Kiel defeated by pin, opponents from Christiansburg Zachary Early lost a first faced stiff competition in the and Tidewater round by decision 6-0 and was Middle School division and Grayson Starnes (1st year) eliminated after a loss 6-4 to failed to place. wrestled in the 95-105 lb. (3-4 an opponent from ChristiansBrookville Bee’s Club CharGrade) Elementary School Di- burg. Garrett Laplante (1st ity Tournament: Nate Goad vision. Grayson had a big vic- year) dropped a close decision continues his winning ways tory over a Liberty opponent in the opening round losing in the 92-95 weight class divito propel him into 3rd place. the match in overtime and sion. Nate won the gold medal Mason Dermott wrestled in later was eliminated from the with wins over Halifax 14-3, the (7th-8th Grade) Middle completion.

Perry McClure Fighting Blues School 105 lb. weight class diAfter an opening loss in the Wrestling Club by pin and vision. Mason beat opponents first round, Camen Salone (1st Liberty Christian Academy from Stonewall with a 4-0 and year) regained his composure 15-5. Jordan Duncan, Carter Culpeper Cobras by a 4-0 de- and went 1 and 2 for the day Glenn and Adam Gordon fincision and ended the tourna- by winning his second round ished 4th on the day. ment with a win over another match. Camen would later be Powerhouse wrestler, 3-1 deci- eliminated from the competiBy Gene Marrano sion for a 5th place finish. gmarrano@cox.net tion. Nicholas Helle (1st year)

High School Teams Head into Stretch Run

Assuming mother nature doesn't make the final call once again, several area teams are Cave Spring #24 Clay Lacy battles for positioned near the top of their position in his team’s 59-27 win over districts going into the final two Pulaski County last Friday. The game weeks of the regular season, with post-season play looming. was moved up three hours to beat Patrick Henry, coming off the snow. their first Western Valley District loss to GW Danville, remains in first place at 4-1 in the WVD. The Patriots had a key district matchup Wednesday night at Halifax County (3-1 WVD) to stay in the top spot. In what is expected to be played in front of a packed house Friday night (Feb. 5th) Patrick Henry will host cross-town rival William Fleming in a matchup that never

Thursday night, cross- town Christian School rivals, Roanoke Valley Christian School Eagles and Faith Christian Warriors, squared off in an important VACA district game. The Eagles came out strong showing great intensity and had the best first half effort of their season, scoring 44 points, with Jared Hundley scoring 18 of those 44 points. The third quarter proved to be a different story with the Warriors outscoring the Eagles, 22-7, but the Eagles gathered their composure and finished the game out strong in the fourth quarter, keeping the Warriors from getting within 12 points. RVCS came out with the victory, 66-50, improving their record to 10-5. Every Eagle player scored with Jared Hundley and Nathan Perkinson leading the scoring with 24 points each. Joe Bailey, Daniel Moxley, and Ryan Perry each had 4 points, and Jon Ragan, Chris Nienke, and Phil Watson all added 2.

AMY MCANARNEY

Correction: Last week we incorrectly reported that Franklin County had won the Big Orange wrestling tournament over powerhouse Grundy when in fact it was Grundy that beat Franklin County by a score of 222 to 205. Our apologies for this error.

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River Ridge as both teams were 6-1 in district play with 3 games remaining. The Knights traveled to Blacksburg Wednesday night hoping to maintain their position in the stretch run.

Cave Spring wraps up its regular season next Wednesday night (Feb. 10th) when it tangles with SW County rival Hidden Valley at the Titan gym.

This Saturday will present an opportunity for high school hoops fans to see quite a lineup of notable teams as the Member One Valley Shootout will take over the Salem Civic Center for four games.

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lacks excitement.

Northside has distanced itself from the rest of the 5-team Blue Ridge District with a perfect 6-0 record. The very talented Vikings only have two district games left on the schedule.

North Cross is still looking strong in a tightly packed VIC Division II race at 4-1 as several teams remain positioned to overtake the top spot. Games lost to snow have been particularly tough on this travel-oriented district. North Cross plays Roanoke Catholic this Friday (2/5) at Roanoke Catholic at 7 p.m.

Cave Spring and Salem may well be on target for a playoff to determine the top-spot in the

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Virginia Residents: Finally, in Virginia, there’s a deduction for 20% of the sales tax paid on certain energy efficient equipment or appliances, up to $500 per year for those who are married filing jointly. Visit an experienced Tax Professional to ensure that you are getting all of the credits and deductions you deserve.

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Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 2/5/10 - 2/11/10

WDBJ7 and Blue Ridge PBS Share Award for “JobQuest”

“JobQuest,” the popular advice and information program for job seekers, has won the Laurence E. Richardson Community Service Award from the Virginia Association of Broadcasters (VAB).

The award, the third within a week for “JobQuest,” was announced Jan. 20 during VAB’s annual legislative reception in Richmond. It recognizes WDBJ7 for its contributions to “JobQuest,” which airs twice a month on Blue Ridge PBS. The public service program has delivered significant benefits to the community during the past year. WDBJ7 President and General Manager Jeffrey Marks said the station would share the award with Blue Ridge PBS. “Giving back to the community is something that our radio and television stations do in their individual markets on a regular basis. The Laurence E. Richardson Award is the perfect way for the Association to annually recognize the one outstanding community service program or activity that really touched a particular communi-

Jeffrey Marks, President and General Manager at WDBJ7 (right), and James Baum, Blue Ridge PBS President and CEO share the Laurence E. Richardson Community Service Award. ty,” said Doug Easter, VAB Executive Director. “We are thrilled that WDBJ7 and Blue Ridge PBS were able to join together to create and launch ‘JobQuest’ and that their program was a success for their region.”

WDBJ7 and Blue Ridge PBS teamed up with other community partners in late 2008, when the economy took a downturn, to create an interactive program that would help people get back

to work.

“We were delighted to work with our public television partner to produce this series,” said Marks. “In a time when job seekers have needed hope, ‘JobQuest’ has done a real public service connecting people to work opportunities.”

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Carilion Labs to Merge with Spectrum Laboratory Network Carilion Labs has entered into an agreement to merge with Greensboro, North Carolina-based Spectrum Laboratory Network to form a major laboratory company offering comprehensive clinical, anatomic pathology and esoteric testing services.

The merger will create a new regional hospital laboratory company, serving 37 hospitals and 14,000 physicians in eight states, with more than 2,600 employees and annual revenues above $300 million. Carilion Clinic will own 33 percent of the new company. Carilion’s President and CEO, Edward G. Murphy, M.D., and two other Carilion appointees will sit on the board. Novant Health, a minority owner in Carilion Labs, will remain an equity owner in the new company and will also hold a seat on the board.

The company will be jointly headquartered in Roanoke and Greensboro, N.C. The pending merger, which was facilitated by Carilion Labs' financial advisor Lazard Middle Market LLC, follows the purchase of Spectrum by Welsh, Carlson, Anderson and Stowe (WCAS), a private equity firm with experience in the health care and laboratory industry.

“A new company that combines the strengths and shared values of Carilion and Spectrum with a focus on hospital laboratory services will significantly improve services to our customers and their patients, and provides a strong platform for further expansion within the region and across the nation,” said Dr. Murphy.

David Weavil, a 30 year veteran of the laboratory industry will serve as the new company’s

Chief Executive Officer.

"We are excited to be partnering with the Carilion Clinic and David Weavil, a long time lab industry executive. We have a proven track record of partnering with not-for-profit health care systems to help them expand their delivery systems and reach within their medical community. Carilion Labs and Spectrum Laboratories each have an excellent reputation with clinicians for providing excellent clinical and anatomic pathology services and we hope to continue to build on that reputation and bring the approach to other communities," said WCAS General Partner Sean M. Traynor.

Following regulatory approval, the merger is expected to close by the end of February, 2010.

NewsRoanoke.com

Historic Gainsboro Filling Station Becomes New Anstey Hodge Offices

The Anstey Hodge Advertising Group has announced that they will be renovating a 1950 Sunoco station in the historic Gainsboro district of Roanoke for its new office. The office is located at 120 Commonwealth Avenue adjacent to The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. A ribbon cutting ceremony and open house was held on Wednesday.

The advertising firm purchased the building in 2009 and completely renovated it – while preserving the original “gas” station features, including the original roll-up garage bay doors.

State and Federal Historic Tax Credits were used to offset the construction costs of the project.

The historic building dates back to the late 1940’s and, in its heyday, was originally a bustling filling and service station, Schneider’s Sunoco, from 1950-1956. For the next thirty years the building was home to OK Rubber Tire Station, followed by a brief period as a car care service in the late 1980’s. The building was most recently known as Howard’s Car Care.

For the past six years, Anstey Hodge Advertising Group was located on the Historic Roanoke City Market.

Founded in 2003 by John Anstey and David Hodge, the Anstey Hodge Advertising Group

John Antsey with daughters Anna and Charlotte, City Manager Darlene Burcham and David Hodge at Wednesday’s ribbon cutting.

won 11 ADDY Awards from the American Advertising Federation in 2009. Some of their clients include: AREVA, Emtech Labs, Hollins University, Koger Air, Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development, and Virginia Baptist Homes.

Morse Named Chairman of Virginia Chamber Of Commerce The Virginia Chamber of Commerce has named Clinton Morse, an attorney and shareholder for LeClairRyan in Roanoke, as Chairman of its Board of Directors. In his new role, Morse will lead the Virginia Chamber’s aggressive advocacy efforts to spur job creation and economic growth in the Commonwealth. He succeeds Dorcas Helfant-Browning, CEO and Managing Partner of Coldwell Banker Professional, Realtors in Virginia Beach.

“Clint adds a wealth of knowledge and experience to the leadership of the Virginia Chamber as we work to renew our state economy,” said Hugh Keogh, president and CEO. “As one of Virginia’s leading labor and employment attorneys, he is a passionate and highly effective proponent of a pro-business environment that will create economic growth and well paying jobs.

Morse was elected at the Chamber’s annual meeting held on January 27 in Richmond.

Whittington Clement, Partner and the Head of the Virginia Government Relations Team for Hunton & Williams in Richmond, was elected First Vice Chair. During the meeting, the Virginia Chamber also released its 2010 Business Agenda which outlines the major concerns and priorities of the business community. Investing in transportation infrastructure, aggressively marketing Virginia’s attractiveness as a business location and tourist destination, and the shortage of technically skilled workers topped the list.

Morse joined the board in 2004 and also served as Chair of the Chamber’s Management Relations Committee. He has since served as First Vice Chair and Vice Chair for Southwest Virginia on the Chamber’s executive committee.

At LeClairRyan, Morse focuses his practice on the representation of unionized companies through collective bargaining negotiations, grievance and arbitrations, and National Labor

Clinton Morse

Relations Board matters for national and international companies with operations across the United States. In addition to labor law, his practice includes a broad range of employment and wage and hour law matters. Founded in 1988, LeClairRyan has offices in Alexandria, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Glen Allen, Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg.

Roanoke Regional Partnership Launches RoanokeOutside.com The Roanoke Regional Partnership has launched RoanokeOutside.com - an interactive resource to learn about and explore the Roanoke region's outdoors. The new site -- the first of its kind dedicated to the Roanoke region -- was developed with hundreds of suggestions from area residents who shared their favorite hiking and biking trails, fishing holes, camping spots, kid activities, gear shops, as well as features they wanted to see on the site. Others employed GPS-equipped phones to map out trails and wrote descriptions of outdoor activities.

RoanokeOutside.com covers the greater Roanoke area that stretches from Douthat State Park to Smith Mountain Lake between the James River and New River. The site includes an event calendar, suggested itineraries, list of guides, gear rentals, maps, photos, videos, message boards, blogs, gear reviews, cabin rentals, classifieds, and other features to help make getting outside easy, educational and sustainable.

"With the help of outdoor enthusiasts from throughout our region, we have dedicated more than a year to develop the lead2711 Franklin ing source of information about all things outsideRd.to properly

leverage the Roanoke region's greatest asset - the outdoors," said Beth Doughty, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership. "Making the outdoors an important part of our region's narrative and economy starts with a dynamic Web site that catalogues our natural resources and makes it easier for people all over the world to learn about and enjoy what we have to offer."

The site was made possible thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Virginia Is for Lovers Marketing Leverage Program.

Just as much of RoanokeOutside.com was developed with the help of the region's residents, the site will continue to be a conduit of connectivity using interactive blogs, discussion groups and social media outreach using Twitter and Facebook.

"The Roanoke region is one of the best spots anywhere for outdoor recreation, and RoanokeOutside.com tells that story in a way we've never been able to do before," said Pete Eshelman, director of outdoor branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership."It provides an interactive platform to continue to share tips and connect with people passionate about the out-

doors or those simply wanting to take the first steps toward getting outside for fun and exercise."

To help spread the word about the site and increase global exposure, the Roanoke Regional Partnership is asking businesses, colleges and other organizations in the region to add a link to www.RoanokeOutside.com from their home pages. "Our new site is an ideal way to show young professionals that the Roanoke region is an ideal place to start and build their careers," Eshelman says. "Having a comprehensive site like ours makes it easy for young professionals to research the region as a place they want to live."

"RoanokeOutside.com also is a great way for employers to showcase the region's assets to employees, potential recruits and other web visitors. A link to RoanokeOutside.com shows that a company, college or other organization cares about the outdoors and its impact on economic development in the region," Eshelman says.

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Arts & Culture

NewsRoanoke.com

Roanoke Children’s Theatre Combines Food and Fun in School Play The fifth graders at Herman L. Horn Elementary recently spent a week having all sorts of fun and learning in the process as The Roanoke Children’s Theatre chose them to participate in their first educational play completed from start to finish at school. The play’s goal: to teach healthy eating and lifestyle choices.

Learning to eat right may seem mundane but the students had an exciting time getting to know “Brock Broccoli,” “Brussels Sprout” (the “yucky one”) and friends as they worked all week preparing for the play entitled “Cooking It!” Half the kids were actors and half were involved in the on-stage cooking demonstrations that complemented the production. Dorothy Shaver, Kroger’s dietitian, led the students in cooking.

To prepare for the big day on Friday, (Jan. 29) all the “specials” classes – music, art, and P.E. -- were dedicated to learning lines, memorizing songs, and knowing where to stand; all the while the kids were being taught lessons on good nutrition. The whole fifth grade class of 75 students was treated to all the attention, while the rest of the school, from pre-K to fourth grade got caught up in the excitement, anticipating the big day.

The collaborative effort was generously supported by Kroger and Lewis-Gale who both see the goal of nutritional education, especially for kids, a worthy one. Nancy May, Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations for HCA, says that “we felt it was a great fit because it supported Lewis-Gale’s mission of making communities healthier.” She adds that they “understand the urgency of reaching children while they’re still forming habits that will affect their health for a lifetime.”

Recent statistics are startling; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the childhood obesity rate has tripled for children aged 6 to 11 over the past 30 years, while obesity-associated annual hospital costs has gone up threefold in the past 20 years. It is hoped that taking this program into the community will help offset those trends.

The project was the brainchild of Roanoke Children’s Theatre’s Mary Best Bova and local musician and nutritionist Laura Pole who, struck by those statistics, conceived the idea to involve kids in a theater project that would teach them important nutritional concepts at the same time.

Shelley Lyons, fundraiser and grant writer for

Photo by Cheryl Hodges

“Cookin It” had its debut at Herman L. Horn Elementary School.

Roanoke Children’s Theatre, said, “It was great to see the audience and their reactions, especially to the song ‘Chef Freda Raps;’ the kids went crazy and loved it.”

According to the school’s principal, Susan Brown, “this is a great opportunity for our students – this is the first time some of our students have been involved in anything like this; the week and the play made a memory for a lifetime for some of these kids.” She adds, “I am amazed at what they [Roanoke Children’s Theatre] did; the day before was chaos but they pulled it together.”

She smiles as she says “I have only one request – Come back next year!”

There is follow-up planned, including healthy tips during the school's morning announcements.

Kroger will be supplying recipe cards to all the students and Dorothy Shaver will be at the next PTA meeting to be available to parents as well as students.

With the support of Kroger and Lewis-Gale, the Roanoke Children’s Theatre will be taking the weeklong program and play to elementary schools throughout the Roanoke Valley in 2010.

Perhaps the most telling testimony came as the props were being packed up and put away when two little boys shyly approached Ms. Shaver saying, “Thank you for coming to cook with us. It was really fun.”

For more information about “Cooking It!” visit www.roanokechildrenstheatre.org.

By Cheryl Hodges cheryl@newsroanoke.com

Animal Lovers Use Art to Support SPCA’s “Best In Show”

Some animals are all the winners natural-born modwill be available els. And what owner for sale during doesn't enjoy taking the opening night pictures of their pet? reception. That's For the fifth year, also something the Roanoke Valley new this year.

SPCA is hosting its Dalhouse says "Best of Show,” a celthe cards will be ebration of animals wrapped in celand art. The event lophane with a is a collaboration paw print ribbon between the SPCA around them. and the downtown "We'll sell them Roanoke Market that night and at Gallery.

SPCA the Taubman and Photo by Gene Marrano the SPCA after President Barbara Dalhouse explains, Anna Wentworth, who combines realism with a touch [Friday]."

"It started because of the abstract, is one of the local artists at the SPCA’s Last year the we were trying to “Best in Show” this year.

SPCA raised find a way of find$12,000 from There are nearly 300 entries “Best in Show.” Hometown ing a new cover each year for the SPCA pet calendar, which is in this year's show, up from 166 Bank is underwriting the costs last year; about 260 of those have of this year's show, and Dalone of our largest fundraisers."

Calling it the "best party in already been judged. Dalhouse house is in hopes of raising even town,” Dalhouse says the event observes, “that's a record num- more money than last year. has grown larger each year and ber of entries.” Some artists, inBy Beverly Amsler this year there will be winners in cluding past winners, wanted to info@newsroanoke.com submit their work but declined eight categories. "Instead of having one [award], it opens up a to have them eligible for awards. lot of different opportunities for Retired Radford University people who are entering their professor and renowned artist art." The categories include: the Charlie Brouwer is this year's DON’T TRIP! Most Mysterious, Most Humor- judge.

For the first time the show ous, Judge's Favorite, a category Carpet Restretching & Repair for children under the age of 12, will be a traveling exhibit. The Steven W. Durrance Floors and Best in Show, which will be opening night reception will used for the cover of the SPCA's be held Friday (February 5th) from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Taub2011 calendar.

The event draws artists from man Museum. Admission is $2 across Virginia and neighbor- for adults and $1 for children ing states who submit their under 12.

The museum is opening all work. "People get very excited its exhibits that night so patrons that they can do something fun Roanoke has a can see more than just the “Best Saltwater Fish Store! and benefit the SPCA, too.” She • Large selection adds, “each entry has to do- in Show” exhibit. The show will • Live corals then move to the Market Gal• Aquariums & equipment nate at least 50 percent of the lery (23 Salem Avenue) for two • Delivery & set-up proceeds from the sale of their • Maintenance for home or business work to the SPCA," which is a weeks, and on to the Shenando540-580-7755 1428 Roanoke Road (Across from Lord Botetourt High School) bonus for everyone involved. ah Club for four weeks. Patrons can purchase artwork at all locaDalhouse is grateful that many artists donate all the proceeds tions. Dalhouse says “the show from their work to the organi- outgrew the Market Gallery, so zation. The entry fee is $20 ($15 that's why it moved to the Taubfor students) and participants man last year.”

A specially designed packreceive a 12" by 12" panel on age of note cards recognizing T-F 3-7 pm, Sat 12-6 pm, Sun 1-5 which to put their artwork.

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2/5/10 - 2/11/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

Marginal Arts Back for Third Year

“Crazy, underrated artists, and loonies” -- That’s part of the description meant in fun found on the website for some of the people involved in Roanoke’s third annual “Marginal Arts Festival,” which takes place this year from February 11-16.

There are exhibits at the Taubman and Eleanor D. Wilson Museums, music at The Water Heater, a funky parade on downtown streets and a silent film scored by live, local bands.

The Roanoke Arts Festival may have fallen prey to a lack of funds and perhaps a lack of vision, but director Brian Counihan said the Marginal Arts Festival, designed to celebrate lesser-known talents, could be a prototype for future events backed by the city.

Counihan, who teaches at Community High School, said last year’s festival “had a lot more visibility,” than the debut year, along with about 3000 attendees.

Counihan says the pop-up photo books made by Collette Fu (Pearl Fu’s daughter) that will debut at the Taubman are indicative of the “marginal” types of art this year’s festival will showcase. “The whole goal is to see if we can exhibit arts that everyone else says Roanoke would never want to see…if we can grow audiences.” He calls Fu’s pop-up books “a very unusual art form.” Her mother, Pearl Fu, is best known as the founder of the Local Colors celebration of

diversity.

Two exhibitions at the Wilson Museum (on the Hollins University campus) will kick off the festival on Feb. 11. One is a photography show featuring images of women in combat. It all ends on the 16th – which is Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday – “an inspiration for the festival’s Brian Counihan directs the look and feel,” said Counihan. Marginal Arts Festival.

There’s also a $10 fundraising noke, will have its debut as well. event that night (the 16th) at Les Epstein’s piece will “show Jefferson Center’s Fitzpatrick the separation of the two differHall. ent communities in Roanoke,” The parade last year was according to Counihan, who “small and energetic;” Couni- hopes to help meld the city’s han expects a much larger diverse demographics with the group this time for the Saturday, opera.

Feb. 13 event. A 7’3” rat built by The Marginal Arts Festival is Ralph Eaton, a veteran of Rose sending out 4,000 brochures, as Bowl floats, will contribute to far away as Blacksburg, with the the Mardi Gras-like atmosphere. aim of becoming more of a reEaton will also direct the pa- gional event. “We certainly hope rade; participants will gather at so,” said Counihan. Most events 10:30 a.m., at Campbell and 2nd are free but there is a charge for Street, and will begin marching several of them. The festival is at noon, down Campbell to Jef- also offering a discount ticket ferson, and on to the Roanoke book.

City public library.

Counihan isn’t looking at The Magic Twig Community, Marginal Arts as a replacement a group of young local musi- for the Roanoke Arts Festival; in cians, will again score a silent fact he would like to see the cityfilm as it plays – the horror mov- funded event return in some ie “Nosferatu” is featured this form. “Then we could bounce time. There’s also music on Feb. off that. [But] it shows a means 11 at Kirk Avenue Music Hall, of operating that I think is usefeaturing Eugene Chadbourne, ful. We like it [the Roanoke Arts who worked with the late Frank Festival] to be more accessible.”

Zappa and more recently with (See marginalarts.com for a Bluegrass musicians. complete schedule.)

An opera in the works, revolving around Lucy Addison,

By Gene Marrano an early black pioneer in Roagmarrano@cox.net

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Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 2/5/10 - 2/11/10

Roanoke Cost of Living Remains Low The Roanoke Region offers the lowest cost of living of the seven Virginia metro areas included in a new cost-of-living index from the Council for Community and Economic Research.

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"This latest survey highlights the Roanoke Region's continued competitiveness as an affordable place to live and run a business," said Beth Doughty, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership.

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