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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel Community | News | Per spective

January 30, 2009

TheRoanokeStar.com

Cultural organizations step in to fill the MMT void

Ice hot Hokies P8– The Virginia Tech hockey team goes to 13-5 and a #11 ranking after knocking off UVA 4-0.

Need vs.

Greed

P10– Christopher Jamison says that greed goes way beyond the business world and gives four steps to stop it.

It was a shock to some in the local arts community when Mill Mountain Theatre announced last week that it would shut down. A heavy debt load was given as the main culprit that doomed the professional equity theater. Dwindling ticket sales and loss of sponsorship money was also a factor, according to board members.

Now other cultural organizations are offering support to MMT ticket holders who have been told that they will not get their money back. For example, the Roanoke Symphony Or-

Belt tightening ahead for Roanoke County school administration

Celebrated Author P11– Local author, Rex Bowman, signs copies of his book, Blue Ridge Chronicles, at the new Jackson Park Library.

> CONTINUED P2: County Notes

[

the offer.

RSO Marketing director Rodney Overstreet said the orchestra feels Mill Mountain’s pain. �At a time when its not a surprise to hear about companies and organizations having trouble, many of us

]

tion) Gamut Theatre Company (GAMUT), an amateur live theatre troupe in Roanoke staging performances at Jefferson Center, will offer Mill Mountain Theatre season ticket holders discounted tickets to its productions

– the student rate of 8 dollars instead of the adult price of12 – for the rest of the 2009 season.

The Company’s artistic director, Miriam Frazier, said, “the troupe’s goal is to produce ensemble pieces that are under-performed in this area - sort of an alternative to other local theater groups.�

She envisions GAMUT as the “Theatre B� space that was never fully real> CONTINUED P2: MMT

[Public Works]

Councilman’s response receives mixed reviews

Leed Certified Fire-EMS Station No. 5 gets underway

Declining tax revenues and an expected loss of state m o n e y means that Roanoke County will have to Vinton supervirun leaner sor Mike Altizer: in the fore- a glass half-full seeable fu- kind of guy. ture. That was the sentiment expressed during a recent joint meeting of the school board and the board of supervisors, along with other officials and staff members from both groups.

Schools Budget County Notes Director Penny Hodge said 2008-2009 fiscal year numbers will be based on an enrollment of 14,600. “We think we will just barely meet that‌,â€? she said, but warned that in future years declining enrollment num-

[

chestra will honor unused tickets for were [still] shocked and devastated any one RSO Masterworks or Pops se- by the news. We just saw [the ticket ries event. Mill Mountain patrons may exchange] as an opportunity to step use the ticket exchange one time this up to the plate and help out. We’re all season, which ends on June in this together to some ex8. Complimentary MMT tent,� Overstreet said. (see Local Theatre tickets are not included in rso.com for more informa-

]

Councilman Alvin Nash received accolades and criticism over the issue of money owed the city by Blue Ridge Housing Development Corp.

Photo by Valerie Garner

City Manager Darlene Burcham (far left) joins neighborhood activists and members of Roanoke City Council Mayor David Bowers, David Trinkle and Vice Mayor Sherman Lea in breaking ground for Roanoke’s newest Fire-EMS station.

T

en shovels broke ground last Thursday, at the intersection of Melrose and 20th street for the LEED certified Fire-EMS Station No. 5.

The station will be the 2nd largest FireEMS station in the city and will be headquarters for the North Battalion. The building will also have a community room available to neighborhood organizations.

The new Fire-EMS station will be called

“Number 5� according to Darlene Burcham, Roanoke City Manager, replacing one of two fire stations that were closed in the area. Burcham also noted that the project came in under budget, allowing for an additional bay.

Chief David Hoback revealed the head> CONTINUED P2: Fire Station

With much of its cash flow dependent on the sale of housing developed for lower income clients – sales that have slowed to a crawl in light of the current real estate, employment and credit crunch – the Blue Ridge Housing Development Corp. is experiencing some tough times.

Cindy Hebblethwaite, CFO and a nine-year staff member for the Blue Ridge Housing Development, Corp. is one of three employees continuing to work part-time without pay until things turn around.

Roanoke City Councilman Alvin Nash, the now-former Director of the BRHD, and his > CONTINUED P3: Nash

Pedicab offers Roanokers new way to get around

Best on Bass P11– Composer-singerbassist, Esperanza Spalding woos the music world at only 24 years of age.

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Rides in “Pedicabs� are all the rage in big cities like New York and Boston.

Now Roanoke will soon be counted among the places that offer them. Ron McCorkle, an officer of Sharebike, has purchased a Pedicab, which can best be described as a rickshaw with a pedaling “driver� in front. The vehicle is made out of fiberglass, and shock absorbers provide a smooth, comfortable ride.

McCorkle said he has been considering the service for a while and decided that it was the perfect compliment to Sharebike, which allows Roanokers to borrow bicycles at no charge. At this point the artist/musician known as “DJ Dickie� to many is the only experienced Pedicab full-time driver. Eight others will be trained as Pedicab prepares for its “grand expansion� during at the St Patrick’s Day parade in Roanoke on March 14th. The service has been offered on a limited basis downtown in recent months.

Drivers will lease Pedicab by signing up for times and days via Google on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each independent driver sets his or her own rate.

Dickie has concluded that for him, the most effective means of compensation is through tips only, such as when shuttling people between restaurants on weekends.

Photo by River Laker

Valerie Garner (left) with Reanna McCorkle and Ron McCorkle in the driver’s seat. “Pedicab is not income driven,� not- and events, as it has done on a limited ed McCorkle. basis recently.

However, any guided, narrated tours Pedicab is completely non-profit. All conducted by Pedicab will have a set proceeds generated from leasing and fee. All tour rides will come with nar- advertising will be placed in a mainteration - unless a bit of “snuggling pri- nance fund for improvements and the vacy� is requested. eventual purchase of anothTouring the greenways er Pedicab. One improveTransportation via Pedicab is expected to ment would be an “electric be a popular service and it assist� for uphill climbing. will operate during downtown festivals This would allow for expansion into

[

]

some of Roanoke’s more hilly neighborhoods. McCorkle has his sights set on Roanoke County, Vinton, and Salem.

James Rosar, owner of the CYCLOWARD repair service, located in the City Market building, will function as McCorkle’s “pit crew.� Rosar, also involved with Sharebike, will provide any maintenance needed to keep Pedicab on the go.

McCorkle plans to market souvenirs like shirts, hats and cups with the Pedicab logo. Advertising on the cab’s body is expected to be a significant part of income. They plan to have drivers on the road at all times and will be advertise the service through AAA. Tourism will also be a factor, for instance, transproting visitors over from Hotel Roanoke via Pedicab. Plans include Sunday tours that will allow for stops and picture taking. There are also plans in the works for food delivery service from the Market building on weekdays.

McCorkle made it clear that Pedicab is community driven, meant to “build relationships between groups and individuals.� New York City may have its horse-drawn carriages in and around Central Park; Roanoke will have its Pedicabs.

By Valerie Garner

Valerie.Garner@cox.net

Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/30/09

TheRoanokeStar.com

> County Notes From page 1

bers will mean less state money.

Current budget projections for the next fiscal year overall project a seven million dollar loss of revenue for the school system.

Meanwhile, Roanoke County Budget Director Diane Hyatt said at last week’s joint meeting that a three million dollar revenue shortfall is likely. “We’ve pinpointed areas [to save money],� said Hyatt.

Those areas include delaying some capital projects, moving retirement benefits around, postponing a new patrol district earmarked for the county, delayed salary increases and a freeze on hiring.

Some capital projects remain “committed to,� said

Hyatt - including extra staffing at the Clearbrook Fire/ EMS station when Roanoke City pulls out of a joint agreement this summer, a new Fire/EMS station in north county and additional costs for the new regional jail.

Bedford County may scale back its participation at the Roland E. Cook alternative school in Vinton, which could leave Roanoke County scrambling to keep the facility open for middle and high school students that have had difficulties fitting in elsewhere. Vinton District school board representative Mike Stovall would like to see that happen: “there’s some great success stories there,� said Stovall.

Stovall also said that despite the economic crunch

> MMT

renovation/expansion projects remain on schedule for William Byrd High School and four elementary schools in the county: Mt. Pleasant, Green Valley, Cave Spring and Mason’s Cove, which may be replaced instead of renovated due to its age and condition. “The big key is bond money,� said Stovall, looking ahead to the fall bond sales.

Some classrooms may become more crowded due to higher student-teacher ratios as the school system offers another early retirement incentive. The school board is expected to come back with another round of cuts to discuss by February 5.

Hollins supervisor Richard Flora noted a “26 million dollar swing,� since the budget

went from a $14 million surplus last year to a projected 12 million dollar deficit this year. He added that the mutual goal for both Roanoke County Schools and the local government administration was not to lay people off. “We don’t need 3,000 people nervous about their jobs,� he said.

Vinton District supervisor Mike Altizer preferred to look at the bright side, even hoping that some federal stimulus money would “trickle down,â€? to be used for a variety of capital school projects on the drawing board. “I still think things are going to get better,â€? Altizer said. “I still believe the glass is half full ‌we have to send that message to our people.â€?

> Fire Station

From page 1

From page 1

ized at Mill Mountain’s Waldron Stage.

While Frazier said it was “very sad for us� to see Mill Mountain close its doors she feels this is a good time to think about whether or not the valley can support a year round, professional equity theater company. “I think it would be very hard to establish and keep a professional theater running in this area – at this point in time. [Since the arts] are not a necessity,� said Frazier. “I think Mill Mountain is a victim of the economy to some

degree.�

Next up for GAMUT is a play called “Art,� scheduled for the first two weekends in March (4-6 and 11-13). Patrick Kelly is the play’s director.

A three-person production, the play portrays the tensions that arise between friends. “Essentially, the dissolution of a long term set of friendships ‌ over the value and propriety of purchasing an abstract piece of art,â€? said Kelly, who is also an attorney. “People so caught up in ideas they lose any sense of the things that they previously had valued. It throws a lot of ideas around,â€? he added. “GAMUT wanted to do something to try and fill in that gap,â€? said Frazier about Roanoke has a Saltwater Fish Store! the discounted ticket offer • Large selection and the loss of Mill Mountain • Live corals • Aquariums & equipment - at least for now. “There is • Delivery & set-up still vibrant theater in town,â€? • Maintenance for home or business she notes. For more details Architect’s rendering of the new Fire-EMS station.

540-580-7755 1428 Roanoke Road (Across from Lord Botetourt High School) contact the Jefferson Center box office (jeffcenter.org), or quarters would house two ambulances, a battalion chief, and an investigative team. call 540-224-8032.

Mayor David Bowers recognized the new station as evidence of the city’s commitment to providing the northwest area of the

By Gene Marrano city with schools, fire-EMS, and parks services. gmarrano@cox.net According to Brenda Landes of Cole and Russell Architects, T-F 3-7 pm, Sat 12-6 pm, Sun 1-5 the station is scheduled to be completed by June 2010. The architectural firm, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, will open an office in Roanoke. Mark Shoemaker, Government Group Di&''()*+(,-'. rector for Cole and Russell, said a lease for a downtown office is /0''123 expected to be signed in the coming days.

Stop In Food Stores...Fast, friendly and Convenient Estelle McCadden, President of the Melrose-Rugby Neigh!"#$% borhood Forum (and citizen of the year), and Clarice Walker, President of Loudon-Melrose Neighborhood organization, said 3.69 1.79 they were both, “glad to see something positive� in their neigh3.49 Pet Milk borhoods.

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Send your articles, story ideas and pictures to: info@theroanokestar.com

Choices.

Just like the comfort of your best friend, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comforting to know that Oakeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s provides choices. No matter where in the Roanoke Valley you live, each of our five chapels is available to you for visitation and services. If you prefer the assistance of a particular Oakeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funeral director, we are happy to assist you at whichever chapel you prefer. If you prefer cremation or a traditional service, we provide options. Honoring your wishes with comfort and compassion is what is most important to us. Contact an Oakeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chapel of your choice and let us know how we can serve you.

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the increased traffic, in limbo. Improvements outlined for Buck Mountain Road as it approaches U.S. 220 may have to be removed from the six-year VDOT plan due to lack of funds, but Covey said Wal-Mart would still be responsible for changes needed at the intersection, such as additional turning lanes and another access road to the store.

Cave Spring supervisor Charlotte Moore said she would like to see all roadwork needed and the WalMart store, if built, â&#x20AC;&#x153;[completed] at the same time.â&#x20AC;?

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Community Briefs Five Roanoke County Schools Earn Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Award

Five schools in Roanoke County have earned the prestigious 2009 Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Award for Educational Excellence. Those schools are: Bent Mountain Elementary, Cave Spring Elementary, Glenvar Elementary, Green Valley Elementary and Hidden Valley High School (repeat winner) To qualify for the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Award for Educational Excellence, schools and school divisions must meet all state and federal achievement benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and achieve Governor Kaineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals for elementary reading; enrollment in Algebra I by grade 8; enrollment in college-level courses; attainment of advanced diplomas; increased attainment of career and industry certifications; and participation, if eligible, in the Virginia Preschool Initiative. Schools and school divisions also earn bonus points for other performance measures, including the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nutrition and Physical Activity Scorecard.

The award is the highest honor under the Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) incentive program created by the Board of Education to advance Governor Kaineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;competence to excellenceâ&#x20AC;? agenda to encourage advanced learning and achievement in the Commonwealthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public schools. Last year, 89 schools received the award, including four schools in Roanoke County.

Carilion and Federal Trade Commission Used in Grant Scam

The BBB serving western Virginia has been receiving calls from consumers regarding unclaimed money they have supposedly received through a grant from the Carilion Foundation.

The caller says he is from the Federal Trade Commission and provides a phone number that goes to an answering machine belonging to the FTC. Consumers are asked to send one percent of the $350,000 in order to receive the grant.

Be advised that these calls are a scam. Neither the FTC nor Carilion are offering money to individuals through a grant. In fact, the Carilion Foundations grants are only available to specially selected non-profit organizations not to individuals.

BBB offers the following information for consumers to take into consideration: If you did not apply for a grant, you did not receive one.

It is a violation of federal law to require payment in order to receive a prize.

Do not give out personal information such as your social seBy Valerie Garner curity number, bank account number, or credit card number in Valerie.Garner@cox.net order to win a sweepstakes.

Call the BBB before you send money or provide personal information. If you receive one of these calls or have any additional questions, contact the BBB at (540)342-3455 or www.vawest. bbb.org.

Grocery Store Prices Without the Grocery Store Lines!

Gallons

Clearbrook Wal-Mart: Roanoke County Community Development Director Arnold Covey says they are still waiting for a traffic impact report on the Super Wal-Mart proposed for the Clearbrook section of Southwest Roanoke County. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of questions,â&#x20AC;? said Covey at a recent Civic League meeting.

The county wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see a complete site plan until a Richmond-based consultant working with VDOT completes that analysis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re] hoping to see things move along,â&#x20AC;? said Covey of the project that has left property owners (with options on their land) and local residents, many of whom fear

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a comfort to know that Oakeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is here for you.

Miss Smith Mountain Lake pageant to be held at William Byrd

On February 28 a new local preliminary for the Miss Virginia Organization will take place at William Byrd High School in Vinton. The Miss Smith Mountain Lake Scholarship Pageant will send three winners on to compete at the Miss Virginia Pageant, held at the Roanoke Civic Center in June. A winner from the Miss (ages 17-24), Outstanding Teen (13-17) and Outstanding Preteen (9-12) will all receive scholarships and become representatives to their new title through community service and appearances.

Also held that night will be the Miss William Byrd High School Pageant, which will also send a young lady to compete at the Outstanding Teen Pageant in June along with the Smith Mountain Lake winners. All young ladies wanting information for competition should contact Executive Director Cindy Stump at 540-427-1129 or by email at misssmlpageant@yahoo.com Please see our website for more information www.misssml.webs.com

FairTax Educational Meeting - Feb. 5

Roanoke Area FairTax will have a 30-minute presentation, "FairTax Websites," followed by 30 minutes of questions, answers, and discussion. This is a good introduction to the various online groups that have sprung up to promote the FairTax. Come learn how you can immerse yourself in the FairTax discussion without leaving your computer.

6:45 p.m. (sharp) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:45 p.m. Edinburgh Square's Community Room, 129 Hershberger Road NW, near Plantation Road, directly across from Star City Skating Center. Information at: RAFT@att.net or www.RoanokeAreaFairTax.com.

1/30/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3

TheRoanokeStar.com

Our Take: What to do about the empty Mill Mountain Theatre space?

From the news editor Center in the Square president Jim Sears has been making noise on his Facebook page about using the soon-to-be dark space at Mill Mountain Theatre for community performances.

Others, like Todd Ristau (chair of the Hollins playwriting program and founder of No Shame Theatre, as well as artistic director at Studio Roanoke, a space on Campbell Ave., scheduled to open this spring) have told Dr. Sears they are interested in exploring that option with him.

Some smaller productions and readings that had been scheduled for Mill Mountain may slide over to Studio Roanoke, which is still several months away from completion.

It’s a big space to fill if you're talking about putting on experimental plays or readings...

MMT’s Trinkle main stage has over 300 seats.

Here's a thought: what about turning the theater into a movie house? Show first run independent/foreign films and big budget movies that need another screen ...and/or maybe second-run films? Many older folks seem to

remember fondly the big old movie houses that used to be downtown. Maybe the Grandin Theatre Foundation folks could run it? Call it Grandin Downtown?

Its another way to draw folks to downtown Roanoke, other than for a night of drinking and carousing... if they ever get their act together at the City Market building some of the vendors could stay open later to serve people after they get out of the movie ... maybe an ice cream shop would pop up, who knows? It’s a thought, anyway.

Asked about the idea of a movie house downtown at Center in the Square, Sears vowed that the MMT would not be dark for long.

He said the theatre soon could be “full of exciting entertainment - if those interested in the performing arts get busy planning and approaching the opportunity with a market study and an in depth business plan [that doesn’t rely] on ongoing contributions.”

Sears added that culture and commerce must be co-mingled. “[The] arts must be approached as one would

a for-profit business. A movie theatre could be in the mix … but so could a children's theatre, music, comedy, and many forms of theatre. The sky is the limit now and the opportunity enormous," He said.

One Mill Mountain staffer said they had all heard “rumors” about the theatre’s financial health (interestingly, it promised to give away $10,000 to a patron in December as part of a promotion with Q99) but many were still shocked when they heard the bad news from board members at a recent meeting.

There was apparently an atmosphere of anger in the room as some questioned why the public wasn’t told earlier about the problem – when a similar situation came to light in West Virginia patrons rallied around a live theater company there and kept it going, according to the staff member, who is now out of a job.

Dwindling corporate support contributed to the demise of MMT; perhaps the fear some cultural organizations voiced before the Taubman Museum started collecting $66 million to build its new home – redirecting funds that might

have gone to Center in the Square or MMT previously – could have been a factor. Mill Mountain Theatre is scheduled to shut down and perhaps declare bankruptcy after the current run of Driving Miss Daisy on the smaller Waldron stage ends next week. (let us know what you think about MMT’s demise and future use of the space; send e-mail to info@theroanokestar. com Dialog on Kirk: Hollins art instructor Ed Dolinger, who is also designing the new bus stops at William Fleming and Patrick Henry High Schools, wants folks to know about gallery exhibitions at his “Dialog” space, at 18 Kirk Avenue downtown. The current exhibit is "9x12": paintings by Alison C. Hall, through Feb 5. “The next exhibit is in conjunction with the second annual Marginal Arts Festival [Feb 19-24] and opens on Friday, February 20, running through March 28,” says Dolinger.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Roanoke Star Week

[Parkway Christian School Ground-breaking]

of the

Pastor Melvin Adams, President of RENEWANATION, leads prayer at last Sunday’s groundbreaking for the new Parkway Christian Academy Educational Facility, with Troy Dixon, Jeff Keaton, Tony Feazell, and Gene Rush. (Inset) Nick Adams, Clarissa Adams, Julianna Keaton, Pastor Jeff Keaton, Michelle Keaton, Sandy Adams, Pastor Melvin Adams, Chris Adams, and Heidi Keaton.

Cynthia Gardner was born and raised in Franklin County.

She moved to Roanoke, Va., in 1967 and was a property manager for Snyder Hunt for four years. She eventually branched out on her own as a property manager and then started Twists and Turns in downtown Roanoke in 1992.

She ships their products all over the world today.

Cynthia’s outside interests include Bethany House, Special Olympics, and anything to do with the downtown Roanoke Cynthia Gardner area.

Cynthia has two sons, Patrick and Anthony, and three grandchildren. Her favorite thing to do is spend time spoiling the grandkids. Favorite places are Frankie Rowlands, Nico’s, Metro, downtown Roanoke, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Cynthia resides in the SW County area of Roanoke..

By Jim Bullington Have someone in mind for “Roanoke Star of the Week?”

E-mail Jim Bullington: JBullPhoto@gmail.com

> Nash From page 1

staff have worked without compensation since last November 7. Nash resigned December 19th and received no vacation pay or any other compensation upon his resignation.

Hebblethwaite has said she thought there was a “headhunting” expedition on Nash because he is a member of city council. The Housing Authority swore off certain types of federal grants once Nash was appointed to the council, hoping to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.

Said Hebblethwaite of the BRHD: “they are a close-knit dedicated staff …Nash is the most honest boss [I have] ever worked for, and a stickler for transparency.”

She also said that the $330,000 reportedly owed by the agency to the city was closer to $250,000. Funds to be returned to the city are not owed until a project is completed, according to Hebblethwaite.

A revolving door of funds flowed smoothly through BRHD via the sale of properties until the economy ground to a halt. Money must be spent before further funds from grants can be received. The predicament that BRHD finds itself in is not due to Nash forgoing federal funding, according to Hebblethwaite: “It did not make a single bit of difference.”

Nash heaped praise on the dedicated staff working as volunteers and confirmed Hebblethwaite’s account, adding, “we have never had much of a profit margin.”

He intends to volunteer and wants to help acquire grants or state funding. “I can still do that,” said Nash, who reiterated “there is no conflict with me being on City Council … I have not benefited in any way. Anyone that says that there is - clearly does not understand. We stopped receiving the federal funding … [and] I’ve made sacrifices.”

Nash said that BRHD has helped 250 firsttime Roanoke homebuyers and added substantially to the city’s tax base. He has not ruled out returning to the agency as director in the future when things turn around.

Frank Baratta, city budget team leader for Roanoke, explained that the bulk of the money owed by the BRHD is from the “Southeast by Design” project. The current documentation has changed over time and Baratta estimated the amount now owed to the city at $258,000.

BRHD’s calculation is $261,000 but has not yet been validated and additional supporting documentation is still pending. Baratta emphasized that he has to protect the city, as they have answer to HUD. The balance of the $330,000 figure includes property that is still in operation and Baratta’s intention in using the larger figure in a letter to BRHD was to give them a general picture of “how extensive the issue is financially.”

Nash said the city may allow the bank inter-

est ($1,500 monthly) as an expense, but not the staff resources needed to maintain the books, the unsold property, and as staff time used in counseling sales prospects. Nash wants to “sit down [with the city] and renegotiate the contract – let’s look at the contract and how it’s written.” He wants to see an adjustment in the allowable expenses but is aware that the city is not open to negotiating. Baratta later made clear that he did not view “sitting down with BRHD” to discuss the issue as a “negotiation.”

Nash indicated he is trying to get another job and move on. Looking to preserve his reputation, he is also hoping to sit down with HUD and “at least review that we [BRHD] have done things the way we should have done them all along – and figure out how to repay it.” Nash is confident that with a big project – and buyers for properties – the agency can work its way out of the financial shortfall.

Nash is irritated by what he deems “inaccurate” publicity; he said the media’s reporting of “what Blue Ridge could owe … is not the truth.”

Nash does not think information should be disseminated prematurely. “There’s no fairness to it … it makes a great headline,” said Nash. He believes that until contracts are “negotiated out” Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemptions should apply.

Nash concluded that FOIA prohibits companies from doing business with the city. As a public entity using taxpayer dollars, cities are subject to full disclosure and transparency by law. Only by specific exemptions of law can a public entity withhold information. Examples of exemptions include bargaining for the sale or disposition of property, personnel and legal matters.

Nash said he has received support from all city council members except one. They are willing to “wait and see” concerning the results of the investigation that Nash himself has called for.

Brenda Hale, President of the Roanoke NAACP chapter, and Bishop Edward Mitchell, President of the local SCLC, were both unhappy with Nash’s appointment to Roanoke City Council from the beginning. Mitchell said that Nash knew from day one he had a conflict of interest and still took the seat. “[Now] he has the audacity to say he did nothing wrong.” By not informing fellow members about money the BRHD owed city council, members “felt like fools,” said Mitchell, when they were contacted by media who got wind of BRHD’s cash flow problems.

Nash said he understands that there are those with opinions that will never change - no matter what explanation is given.

By Valerie Garner Valerie.Garner@cox.net

Recession?

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Perspective

Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/30/09

T

mon good. no oversight, they Currently the have encouraged mood of the counthe financial sector try is afflicted with to continue doing three F words: exactly what caused frustration, fear the problems in the and fractiousness. first place. FrustraWe are frustrattion doesn’t begin ed because we have to describe our gotten ourselves angst. into a huge mess. Hayden Hollingsworth No one Never mind that knows what will we should have known bet- be next. One thing we do ter - but from the federal gov- know is that fear is raising ernment right down to the its head; and that’s a realispersonal credit meltdown, tic emotion. If one had any it is our collective fault. We equity, much of it has evapohave lived in a dream world rated. Jobs are falling off the where we thought if we want- cliff. Healthcare is unafforded it then we should have able to millions. Extremists it. Our governments, fed- abound with an agenda that eral and state, have given us seems insane. Allies around poor leadership. They have the world have their own set thrown good money after bad of problems just as severe as in the first bailout. Having ours. Those are just iceberg

President Obama set a positive tone in his address and did not couch it in easy platitudes. The times ahead are perilous and they will not quickly be improved. The fact that the transition of power took place peacefully is cause for real celebration. How many nations in the world could have mounted such a display of unity, even when there are legitimate disagreements about the courses we must follow?

But how “united” are the states? This is not about political ideologies.

Endless analysis of the blue and red states will continue, as it should. There will always be differences among reasonable people, but it is vital that we be united on one single goal: To work together for the com-

Local Crossword

Star~Sentinel Crossword 01/30/2009

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www.CrosswordWeaver.com

ACROSS 1 4 9 14 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 30 32 33 36 37 40 43 45 49 50 52

TheRoanokeStar.com

The United States—What Does That Mean?

here’s a Chinese proverb, sometimes labeled a curse: May you live in interesting times.

Given the current state of the world it seems the latter description may be more apropos. Not in our lifetime have there been so many areas of chaos. Everyday we are bombarded with more disturbing news with little to bolster our spirits except hopefulness.

At least we now have a new beginning; whether it will be any better than the old remains to be seen. I suspect more people worldwide watched the inauguration than any time in history.

Even with the terrible state of affairs many see a faint light on the horizon. Our hope is that it is a rising, not a setting sun.

1

Parody Ascent Gloats Compass point Churn Skunk-like African animal Dead language Vegetable Austin novel Athletic field Musical production Change Caution Information (abbr.)

Citizen of libya Married woman Warehouse Brim Dame Disks Headquarters of British India Group of conspirators A fox's hole (2 wds.)

Authored Arrive

54 55 56 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 67 69 70 71 73 74 75 78 80 84 85 86 88 89 90 91

Vale Boundary Female poet Dozen Hiss Executive director Shade School group Detail What every child wants WifeÌs partner Inflame with love Sulked Drug To look at.

Licensed practical nurse Food and Agriculture Organization (abbr.)

Long boat Pottery coating Whirring Affirm Fish Cashew Employ Deface Sedan For

92 94 95 97 100 101 102 104 106 107 108 110 112 113 116 118 121 122 125 127 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136

Foods Pressure unit Stake Put out a candle Uneven Deprive Remaining one Word with home or in Female sheep Drops Booze Savor Halloween mo.

For each one Chilled Blood part Teen hero Snuck Equipped Lubricates Careful City in Nebraska Farm Earns Lode yield Several feet Synthetic fiber Present

DOWN 1 To be 2 Search 3 Payback ----! (from predator) 4 Tyrants 5 Tenet 6 Anger 7 Brief 8 Tasteless 9 Gaffe 10 Type of music 11 Dined 12 Boy's friend 13 Slow, shelled animal 14 Naught 15 Blintz 16 Clammy 18 Law officer 21 Push button pad 27 To supply with weapons.

29 Government worker 31 Pen brand 34 Bullfight cheer 35 What nearby Virginia town has a market with a giant red apple on it?

Find the answers online: TheRoanokeStar.com Have a clue and answer you’d like to see? email: puzzles@theroanokestar.com

37 The month after February 38 Bye 39 Demonstrations 40 Any system of principles or beliefs.

41 Dab 42 Stair 44 Colder 46 Jazz 47 Isolated 48 Architect Frank __ Wright 50 Injure 51 Value 53 That man 56 Stage 57 __ Francisco 63 Rascal 64 Tallest mountain nearest to roanoke salem and vinton area and holds the broadcast towers for our television stations.

66 Overspend 68 Refer indirectly 69 Horses 71 One the way (2 wds.)

72 Talk 74 Signal flare 75 Chocolate tree 76 __ -garde 77 Yankee 78 Merits 79 Compass point 80 Single throb 81 Propel 82 Whining speech 83 Smiles 85 Hertz 87 Sap 93 site Obi 96 Spookily 98 Bog 99 Tex-mex dish 101 Sherlock Holme's assistant 103 Fear 105 Physician 107 Farm credit administration (abbr.)

109 "The Real __" 111 Pine 112 Old 113 6th month (Jewish calendar) 114 Read attentively 115 Writer Bombeck 117 Cart for hauling heavy things 118 Mexican money 119 Presence 120 Singing voice 121 The other half of Jima 123 Hearing part 124 Doctoral degree 126 Ml 128 South southwest

By Don Waterfield

I

tips; the list goes on to add to sleepless nights fueled by fear.

Finally, we are fractious, given to irritation and peevish behavior.

Who can blame us, given our troubles?

The whole situation could be characterized as civilization on an icy slope. If each of us sets only personal priorities, we may well all slide into oblivion. Our best hope is that we become truly united. That doesn’t mean that differences will disappear. It does mean that we must work together to live through the hardships that are coming. We must do it without finger pointing or casting blame on others. We must do it with a sense that all this matters more than party affiliations, than our personal comforts.

The United States is a nation but the United States into which we must move is a state of mind and heart. It must have more unity than we have had since we banded together in World War II. This will take no less dedication and self-sacrifice.

The diversity of our country is beyond what anyone would have predicted just a few decades ago. With so many ethnicities vying for a sense of identity, bringing about the unity we must have will be all the more difficult. If we can achieve it we will have set an example for entire world to follow. It can . . . it must start with each of us.

Contact Hayden at jhayden2003@cox.net

Is There an Echo in Here?

t's a universal law of nature those jeans! The fool! So much to that babies learn by observing learn. I said to him, “Kevin, I don't their parents and mimicking think your mother is an old lady. their actions. Bears teach their cubs Granny is an old lady,” knowing to fish salmon out of the stream. that my grandmother wore her age Birds teach their fledglings to leave as a badge of honor and wouldn't the nest and fly. Wolves teach their mind that comment being repeatpups how to hunt with the pack. ed.

And my wife and I seem to be “And Nee Nee,” Kevin said. My teaching our kids to curse like sailmother? He doesn't know when to ors. quit! “No, Kevin, Nee Nee is not David Perry Now, I would not call myself or quite an old lady yet.” I needed my wife particularly foul-mouthed to have a heart-to-heart with this individuals. We're both college-educated and boy before all of the males in the family were come from respectable families with no known in the doghouse, guilty by association. felons or Wall Street investment bankers in the And just today I was changing Kevin's family trees. cloth diaper before naptime. As I pulled his We're not saints, however, and like many pants on, I realized that I had forgotten to put Americans, we've been known to rip off the on the plastic cover that prevents the diaper occasional streak of four-letter words. Like, from leaking, meaning I'd have to undress say, when the sewer line overflows into the and redress him layer and layer a la the little basement, or the Redskins give up (another) brother in A Christmas Story. “Dave, what touchdown. All perfectly justifiable, when you are you, an idiot?” I said aloud to myself. think about it. After all, we’re only human.

“Yes, you are an idiot,” Kevin said with a Back to the Perry Boys. Not only have they giant grin. As if I needed confirmation. I was apparently heard every word we've been saying being rhetorical, son. Rhetorical. Anyway, I (who knew?), but their toddler brains some- hope we can put a stop to all this nonsense how know which ones are the really juicy, for- before we go to see my wife's family at the bidden words, and they have moved them to beach this summer. Not only will Kelly's fathe front of the oral communication line. ther and stepmother, who pride themselves I can't repeat what they say—this is a fam- on their Christian values, look disapprovingily publication, after all—but I can report that ly at their little trash-mouthed grandkids, but their new vocabularies aren't limited to just Kelly's grandmother, who is big on appearthe seven words you can't say on TV. They've ances, will have the proverbial cow if they dealso learned all the curse-word stands-ins, like file her home with their potty talk. “heck,” “shoot,” “darn,” and “Blagojevich.” And Sigh. It's not all bad, though, this sincere not only are they hearing what we say—they're imitation. The other night as I pushed away processing the information and forming opin- from the dinner table, I told my wife that dinions! ner was good, as I always do.

They haven't yet learned discretion, how“Good dinner, baby doll,” I called to her in ever. the kitchen.

For example, the Perry Boys and I were Not missing a beat, Seth, my youngtaking a wagon ride to the park last Saturday. est, looked up and said “Good dinner, baby As we were leaving, Kevin, the oldest, said to doll!” me out of the blue, “Daddy, Mama is an old There’s hope for them yet lady.”

Blagojevich, I said under my breath. He Contact David at may as well tell his mother she looks fat in dave@davidperryonline.com

The Roanoke Star-Sentinel 

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       

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C o m mu n i t y | N ew s | Pe r s p e c t i ve Publisher | Stuart Revercomb | stuart@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Features Editor | Pam Rickard | pam@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 News Editor | Gene Marrano | gmarrano@cox.net | 400-0990 Production Editor | Stephen Nelson | stephen@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Technical Webmaster | Don Waterfield | webmaster@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Advertising Director | Vickie Henderson | advertising@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Star: to lift up that which is right, real and genuine about our community – the people and events that make us who we are – the real spirit of Roanoke that past residents and leaders have worked hard to create, that points us towards the bright and shining future that we all desire for our valley.

Sentinel: to guard the truth, with consistent and complete coverage of key local issues that provides balanced reporting and equal editorial opportunity. To fully tell all sides of a story so that readers can make their own informed opinions, and express them to positively impact others and our community.

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Perspective

1/30/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

TheRoanokeStar.com

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Preacher’s Corner

Sibling Rivalry

ften I am asked this question “sibling rivalry is normal, isn’t it?” Well sure it is, but that does not mean that it is healthy. We are surrounded by many things in our lives that are normal and clearly not healthy; pollution, taxes, disease, rising interest rates, bullying, bad weather, etc.

Just because something is normal or common to our experience does not mean that it should be seen as healthy or acceptable in our lives.

While the examples already mentioned are easily seen as unhealthy or undesirable, it is often more difficult for us to realize how damaging sibling rivalry can be to our families and children if not managed.

One of the earliest examples we have of this difficulty is the history of Cain and Abel. Cain was jealous of his brother because he did not believe that he received the same favor or attention that Abel did. The end result was of course Cain taking Abel’s life. While it is rare for sibling conflict to rise to such a result, the conflicts of Cain and Abel are very common with children today. Here are three things to consider when dealing with sibling rivalry.

Until a child is well into adolescence, the primary social and emotional relationship in which children operate, other than with their parents, is with their siblings. Yes they may be very active with friends and involved with sports and other activities, but every day they have to get up, eat, and share the bathroom, etc. with their sibling. This level of intensity is what begins to develop a child’s ability to deal with ongoing social and emotional relationships. The

patterns they learn ability levels the and demonstrate playing field and set the tone for how supports the value they will manage of all of the children relationships the involved. It doesn’t rest of their lives. allow unhealthy Ignoring conflict, conflict to continue physical aggresand demonstrates sion, hurtful words, to all that inapproand the many other priate behavior is sins they commit always inappropriKeith McCurdy against each other ate. while possibly makThe third thing ing a parent’s day less hectic, to consider is a quote I have only hurts a child’s develop- heard from a very wise perment and potentially future son: “How you treat your relationships. brother tells other people how Secondly, it is never equal. they can treat him.” How true I have parents tell me often, this is! When others see how “Oh, they both do it, it is no siblings treat each other it is a big deal.” The notion that be- social message of how they are cause all of the siblings engage to be dealt with. It is often the in the conflict does not mean case that a child who is bulthat it is equal in measure. lied by a sibling is also treated Just as there is no true objec- this way by others. This type tivity, there is no such thing of “permission” is subtle but as equality in sibling conflict. very dangerous. When chilThe issue here is not what they dren learn to stand together do to each other. The differ- as siblings and encourage ent actions in conflict may one another, the friends they very well seem almost if not each have become positive completely equal. The bigger influences as well. I love it issue is what we don’t see, the when my daughter’s friends internalization that each child are excited to see her younger has. I have yet to meet kids brother. This message of acin the same family that view ceptance by his sister’s friends and internalize events in the is very powerful and sends a same way. A child who is shy very clear message about his and lacks self-confidence may value. An interesting side effight and argue just as hard as fect of this process is that othone who is overly-confident ers also learn that if they are and outgoing. After the con- going to be mean or inapproflict, however, one will view it priate to one of the siblings, as just an argument while the they will have to deal with the other may see it as a major rest of them. issue and wonder why their After Cain killed Abel, God sibling hates them. I hear this asked him where his brother regularly in my office. To bal- was and he responded, “I do ance this, we as parents have not know, am I my brother’s to deal with the conflict in a keeper?” What we need to inswift and consistent manner. still in our children is that yes, The immediate intervention we are our brother’s or sister’s protects the one child from keeper.

Contact Keith at the negative internalizations and the consistent accountpsycyou@msn.com

D

Who are your heroes?

o you have any heroes? When this question was posed to me recently, I immediately remembered two of my childhood heroes, Batman and Robin. Reruns of the Batman TV show were a regular part of my daily routine. And as campy as the show was (do you remember POW!,WHAM! and “same bat-time, same bat-channel”?)

Batman provided hours of fun for me and my friends as we recreated the stories in our back yards. Taking turns imitating the heroes and villains, an eight or nine year old Batman and Robin would save our backyard Gotham City from the evil schemes that the Joker, or Riddler, or Penguin brought upon us. What fun it was!

We all know that kids have heroes. It’s to be expected. But the question about heroes is not intended for us to remember our childhood heroes. It’s to help adults think about who their current heroes are. As a pastor, I ask this question so that you will think about those persons who help you follow Jesus. You know who they are.

You might not have thought of them as a “hero,” but I’ll bet there are a few people you look at and say “they are really a Christian. I wish I could be more like them.” Figure out who those people are, and you’ve named your heroes.

One of the reasons we have heroes is that we see in our hero some skill or character trait that we wish to have in ourselves. As a child, I really wanted to have the physical ability and keen insight (and Batmobile!) that Batman used to defeat the evil villains. As an adult, I recognize that while

there are many things I do well, there are areas in my life where I need to grow. My heroes are those persons—and sometimes even fictional characters—who do exceedingly well in those areas. By looking at their life, I find an example to imitate in my own.

Perhaps there are some who would object to having spiritual heroes. After all, aren’t Christians to pattern their lives after Jesus? Of course we are. Jesus instructed his first disciples in how to live in the Kingdom of God, and those instructions are a key component to our living today. But the New Testament also tells us that mature, faithful believers are to be an example for Christian living. In the book of Hebrews, the writer says “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7). As we consider these persons, we might ask the following questions: What challenges have they overcome? How did they avoid temptations which could have led them astray? How did they stand up in the face of injustice? How did they share their faith? How regularly did they pray—what did they ask God, what did they hear in reply? How did they study the Bible, and what lessons did they learn? How did they give and receive forgiveness? On and on the questions can go.

I have found that those persons who can quickly name their heroes are those who have given the most careful thought to their own soul. So who are your heroes? What qualities do they have, and how have they influenced your life?

In the interest of full disclosure, here are a few of mine.

The first hero on my list is my father. For almost his entire career, Dad has been the plant manager for several food processing plants. I am inspired by Dad’s self-discipline, work ethic, and ability to lead a complicated system to a more productive place.

Next is my friend Stan Noffsinger. Most of you don’t know Stan; he is the General Secretary of the Church of the Brethren. Stan is one of the deepest thinkers that I know; he integrates his faith, Biblical reflection, and knowledge of church and world events together in a helpful way as he provides leadership to our denomination.

From the Bible I have long been inspired by Nehemiah.

Nehemiah was called by God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in the fifth century B.C. He overcame much adversity, remained faithful to his call, and got the job done.

Finally, I have one fictional character I consider to be a hero: Andy Taylor. I appreciate how Andy always treated people with respect, especially his deputy and best friend, Barney Fife. It didn’t matter how incompetent Barney was, Andy had the ability to find a way to enable Barney to be seen in the best possible light—especially when Barney had done his worst. True grace in action.

So, who are your heroes?

Pastor Tim Harvey is the pastor at Central Church of the Brethern at 416 Church Ave. Contact him at pastortim@roacoxmail.com

I got the Science Fair Blues

H

ere it is the end of January and the “Parent-Calendar” in my mind which your way to Wal-Mart after dark. They are open 24 hours but every parent of a child now runs primarily on instinct and adrenaline, as opposed to say, rational over 6th grade knows this. thought, is now saying we are late turning in the science project! I am so terWe will never ever do one of those again. ribly sad and aimless because no one at my house has had to do one this year. It is awful; \I have felt guilty this year as many in my cohort were wrestling with the science what a void there has been in our lives without the science project. project debacle. I have friends I have I briefly panicked over it anyway. This is the result of years of behavior-modification, carefully avoided until the deadline was of living through at least a dozen of them by now. There comes the association with the past. What a relief to find most are still I am the slowest season. Halloween means the proposal, hypothesis, plan, whatever they call it, is due. speaking to me!!

This challenge includes a monumental effort by the student to come up with a do-able, I used to wonder if it was just me— carpet cleaner in Roanoke. result-producing exercise which generally proves a theory that will forever impact the if the horrible dread that came over me future and survival of humanity. beginning in late August just knowing Things like, which brand of soda produces the most fizz, or which brand of permathat a science project was coming was Cheryl Hodges nent marker makes the darkest line, or which dog treat tastes the best to dogs, come to an aberration. Even the years when it mind. Sadly, there is none of this going on at our house this year. Oh, how I miss it. I find my mind looked like my kid had the thing under control wandering to potential project ideas in spite of myself! I wonder how to measure the tightness of turned out to be near-disasters with all-nighters the rolled up rhododendron leaf when the temperature drops below freezing. It’s true: their leaves going on. It was surreal to attend the Science Fair I will give your go from flat and oblong to rolled up cigar shapes the next day to see the students dressed up, speakcarpet the time when it’s cold. Does it roll up at exactly 32 degrees F? Does it roll up more tightly as the tempera- ing semi-coherently to the judges quizzing them ture drops? I envision a 14-year-old wrapping a measuring tape around the on their project. How dare they look like they had and attention leaf, then marking it and measuring its original width versus the diameter of the roll. Heady their act together while we parents weakly gave it deserves to stuff, there. I’m betting at least one person out there is going to use this idea; thanks for barely surviving one more round of the produce the best science project desperation in action. science project drama!

Personally, I would love to see a project which measured how long it would take for the typical I recently got my answer concerning whether results possible. high school student to begin going into shock once their cell-phones, computers, I-pods, etc. were other parents are stressed by this compulsory removed from their possession. This may be costly, as it would be prudent to have an EMS crew exercise. I heard of a college kid who got paid a on hand for the procedure. Don’t ask me how I know this. hundred bucks to do the Rube-Goldberg thing for 2 rooms and a hall for $75 Holiday cheer is made even more so with the joyful knowledge that the science project dead- their neighbor’s kid. Now, it’s not substantiated 5 rooms and a hall for $155 line looms. The horror stories abound…turkey dinners ruined, parents foregoing an evening and I’d never tell if it was, but I sure do feel their of eggnog, being relegated to the garage and the drills and saws, to work on the (but of course!) pain. Or is that a tinge of lowly jealousy at their Rube-Goldberg project. (If you don’t know what this is, you are blessed, but google it if you have misguided but bold escape plan?

Furniture cleaning also available! to.) If you, yes, you, The Parent, are not good at 3-D drawing, not good with power tools and glue, Contact Cheryl at and not good with missing several nights sleep, this one is not for you! You will also need to know cvhodges@aol.com

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Williams Carpet Cleaning

The Recipe of the Week from The Happy Chef

by Leigh Sackett

Leigh Fritters I don’t watch football much at all, it isn’t that I don’t like it, it’s just that I have never gotten into it. Football is like gardening, it is something I feel I would enjoy a whole lot but I just have not gotten around to it yet. As for now, I handle the Super Bowl like a pro.

We have a party most every year with a few close friends. Our TV is way too large, so our basement works well for a Super Bowl get together. I am always excited for a good excuse to make the most unhealthy foods on earth and pig out! It’s just once a year, right? So Hurray for team whatever and that other team what’s-it’s-name. I CAN’T WAIT!! This recipe is a Happy Chef Super Bowl original. I created it from my very own mind! (Sometimes dangerous.) The recipe name comes from our publisher – such an original guy!

3-4 chicken breasts ¼ cup olive oil 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro ¼ cup finely chopped onion 5 large Garlic cloves, minced 1 package of Won-Ton wrappers 1 egg white Vegetable oil -Cut chicken into small bite size pieces -Cook chicken in olive oil in a large skillet -Add cilantro, onion, and garlic, cook still onion is soft -Pour mixture into a bowl -Place 1 tsp. of mixture in the middle of won-ton

-Roll up won-ton like a wrap, seal edge with egg white -Repeat until you have used all the mixture -Pour vegetable oil into a large non-stick skillet, oil level should be about 1 inch -Heat oil on med-high until it reaches between 350 – 375 degrees -Place 6 won-ton wraps at a time in oil.

-Turn won-ton after 1 minute or when wonton stars to brown -Brown evenly on both sides -Remove fritter from oil and drain on paper towels.

-You may serve with a variety of sauce such as mustard or duck sauce, try whatever you think will be tasty or eat without sauce (that is what I do.)

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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/30/09

TheRoanokeStar.com

Cee Breeze Provides a Refreshing Respite for Adults Needing Special Care Robert was born in 1935 in Bedford County, Virginia; one of 16 children who were reared on a picturesque, country mountain. His last name is not used to protect his privacy.

“When I was seven I came down with polio. My mother tucked me under a pair of clean, white sheets and I didn’t come out of that bed for two years,” Robert said. “Until one day, my father heard about an African-American doctor in town with some unique talents.”

The man was probably Gullah, according to Robert, because he rubbed a bunch of herbs together and made a medicine out of them.

“He told me to take the medicine,” Robert said, “and then he looked me in the eye and told me I’d be walking again in exactly a week, and I did – in exactly a week.”

Robert’s father lovingly

chiseled him a pair of crutches made from paradise-wood.

“I had to walk a mile to catch the bus to a two room school house,” Robert said.

“I may have had a limp, but I was walking all the way.”

As the years passed, Robert moved into an assisted living facility in the Roanoke area that cares for adults with special needs. He began attending a comprehensive psychosocial program funded in part

by Medicare and Medicaid called Cee-Breeze Personal Care Services.

“I love the program at CeeBreeze,” Robert said, “because they care about people and they provide a lot of activities for us that I think are fun and interesting.”

Cee-Breeze was founded in the mid-1970s by Mrs. Estelle Baker in Franklin, Virginia.

“My mother began her mission as a home for the elderly, however it soon developed

into a haven - not only for hance their daily lives, focuses those with geriatric concerns, on their strengths instead of but those with developmental their weaknesses; and a prodisabilities and mental health gram that offers them hope.” issues; those individuals who Soon after Estelle Baker’s might otherwise have been death in 1999, her son Clarhomeless,” Claudette Baker ence Baker, Sr. took over the Jones said in a phone inter- reins of the company that view from Franklin, Virginia. became Cee-Breeze. He was “Eventually my mother’s mis- already a successful businesssion became Baker’s Home man and is now CEO of the here in Franklin; Cee-Breeze companies with branches in was an offshoot or a subsid- Franklin, Roanoke, Norfolk, iary of Baker’s Home; a family Virginia and Baton Rouge, business.”

Louisiana. His son Clarence Jones, Mrs. Estelle Baker’s Baker, Jr. is the enthusiastic THE ROANOKE NOVEMBER 23-29 daughter, serves as Program COOSUN of the| firm.

Director for the growing “Baker’s Home started with companies. about eight or nine sick, el“I’ve worn many hats, try- derly friends who had ating to see that my mother’s tended Mrs. Baker’s church legacy is carried out,” Jones at one time,” said Tomeka said. “She wanted her family Walloe. “Then because of the to see that people who might need for services like ours of otherwise have fallen through people with special needs, it the cracks or been abandoned grew into what is now a 32 by society, are furnished with bed facility.” a community support system Walloe, 32, is Records Suthat provides services to en- pervisor at the Roanoke office of Cee-Breeze. “Cee-Breeze Personal Care Services, which works closely with Baker’s Home, began focusing on clients with a dual diagnosis.”

Walloe said that the Franklin, Virginia branch of CeeBreeze now has eight clients who live independently, but are monitored closely and supported by staff.

“One of our goals is to mentor clients and provide support, not only to enhance their lives, but to promote increased independence when that is a viable objective for them,” Walloe said.

Today Cee-Breeze PsychoSocial program in Roanoke provides a superior psychosocial day program including an array of services such as: cultural enrichment, anger management and behavior Retirement Living | Assisted Living modification, linkage to other community services, field Memory Care | Vacation & Recovery Program trips, adult literacy tutoring, arts and crafts, music apHealthcare & Progressive Rehab Program preciation, celebrations and

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Ann Dortan, Emizie Abbott and Diane Harper share a moment at Cee-Breeze.

| 9

many other special events for clients who have mental or physical challenges.

“I love the trips to movies and to restaurants like the Red Lobster, or the Golden Corral,” Jack said. Jack is a Cee-Breeze client who has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration Management. “The people here are great and they offer a variety of activities and challenges.”

Jack, who has been with the program a little over a year, said the day program staff always coaxes him to try things that he’s never done before. Clients like Jack also receive one-on-one mentoring by a mental health tech who visits five times a week.

Some clients are taken to doctor’s appointments and selfhelp groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, as well.

“All of our local employees are required to attend a four o’clock meeting at our Elm Avenue office,” Emizie Abbott said. Abbott, a drug prevention specialist, is the Inspirational Director of the Roanoke office and has been with the company since 2004.

“We now have 33 regular clients in the Roanoke psychosocial day program,” Dawn Hunt said. Hunt is Activities Director of the Roanoke program. “Our clients come from several assisted living facili-

ties in the area. We bring in some inspiring speakers from the community; take clients to museums, restaurants and entertainment events, as well as providing social, behavioral and academic support.”

Diane Harper, a mental health tech for the past two years – said she feels like she’s found her niche at CeeBreeze.

“I take pride in knowing that I’m making a difference,” Harper said.

“Offering hope is what CeeBreeze is all about,” said Ann Dorton, the Clinical Supervisor (MSW, LCSW) at CeeBreeze.

Dorton helped Robert, the client from Bedford County, discover his fascinating family tree. She helped him put it together on brown and green construction paper one afternoon as she presented the topic of interest that day.

“You’re an amazing man, Robert!” Dorton said with a hug and a smile.”

“I am?” Robert relied. “Yes, I am,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

By Mary Ellen Campagna info@theroanokestar.com

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Wonju Sister City group and their American hosts pose at the Taubman Museum of Art. A work of art (center) donated by the Vice-Mayor of Wonju hangs in the Taubman board room.

Sister City Korean students tour Taubman Museum

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Students from Wonju, South Korea, one of Roanoke’s “Sister Cities,” are currently touring the valley, visiting area tourist attractions and sitting in on classes at local schools.

The Taubman Museum of Art was one stop on the group’s tour, accompanied by members of the Roanoke’s Sister Cities committee.

Tanya Gray, Taubman’s Methods Educator, and host Joanna Detweiler, narrated a tour for twelve middle-school exchange students last Friday.

“David” (his American name), an English teacher traveling with the students, serves as their interpreter.

He also spoke at the Roanoke City Council meeting on January 22nd.

Dr. Kye Kim is Vice-President of the Wonju Committee and his wife, Moon Kim, is helping chaperone the students. Moon Kim explained that the preference is for students to stay with American families when they visit, so

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they will be fully exposed to local culture and the English language.

Last summer, students from James Madison Middle School traveled to Korea, and on this visit many of those families are hosting the Korean students and their chaperones. There will be another opportunity for Roanoke area students to travel this summer to Wonju for a two-week stay.

Roanoke City provides a Student Scholarship Travel Grant to cover 50% of expenses for those who qualify. Wonju is one of Roanoke’s seven sister cities, and one of two that hosts a student exchange program. The other is SaintLô (Normandy), France.

Sandra Lyle, Chairperson of the Wonju Committee, Jack Tompkins, Director of Roanoke Valley Sister Cities, and Dr. Jennifer Mulligan, a law professor at Virginia Western, are coordinating the program.

During their three-week stay students will also try their hand at pottery (which Mulligan also creates on her Craig County farm), tie-dye T-shirt making, calligraphy - and shopping. This all culminates with a three day trip to Washington D.C. and a tour of museums and monuments.

Moon Kim explained that this was the students’ first time in America and that it has been quite a culture shock for them.

Some were “frozen in awe” when they first arrived, Kim said. This was the third year for the Middle School Student Exchange Program.

Meanwhile, during the Taubman tour, “Helen” was frantically typing into a small laptop device that turned out to be an electronic dictionary. The device translates Korean to English and vice-versa.

Helen said that an electronic dictionary was “a common thing for all students to have” in Wonju. English, considered to be the universal language, is an absolute requirement, added David.

One highlight of the museum tour came as they were escorted to the Taubman boardroom, where a $10,000 Korean work of art hangs. It was brought to America by Wonju Vice-Mayor Koo as a gift during the Taubman grand opening last November.

Tompkins hopes to have art from all seven sister cities displayed on the walls of the boardroom some day. The Korean contingent and their American host families will convene for dinner Saturday at the Korean Baptist Church in Southwest Roanoke County, where they will all eat traditional Korean fare. The group heads home on February 3.

By Valerie Garner Valerie.Garner@cox.net

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

Sports

1/30/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

Patriots Look Ahead to District Meet

Chad Cox has been coaching indoor track at Patrick Henry High School for 10 years - and he’ll tell you there isn’t a more interesting high school sport out there.

“Indoor track is always challenging for several reasons,” Cox said. “For us, it’s interesting because you have your top athletes who are dedicated and committed, and you also have athletes who come out and use track as a means of getting in shape for their spring sports.

Sometimes you find some surprises in there, but it can be hard to juggle.”

This year’s team fits that description well. The Patriots have a huge roster comprised of nearly 70 athletes, but mixed in that group are some very talented individuals. Two in particular, Natalie Woodford and Phillip Mesadieu, have already qualified for the national high school meet in Boston about a month from now.

Woodford is ranked second in Virginia - and third in the nation - in the 500-meter run, and has verbally committed to Virginia Tech on a partial track scholarship. Mesadieu, a shot-putter, is the top-ranked thrower in the state. His best effort of the season, a toss of 53 feet, 11 inches, is nearly a foot longer than the rest of the competition, according to Cox. “Phillip is a really hard worker, and he’s extremely strong,” Cox said. “He’s really separated himself from the other competitors this year.”

Woodford is also a member of the 4 x 400 relay team, which

Photo by Bill Turner

North Cross head coach Joe Lambert likes his team’s work ethic.

Raiders hope to continue their winning ways Photo by Gene Marrano

Chad Cox is the head track coach at Patrick Henry. ran a school record 4:10 to win eral other standouts, includthe event at the Virginia Tech ing Deirdre Caffrey, who is the Invitational last weekend. Also top-ranked runner in the mile competing on the relay team in the Western Valley District, are Alicia Terry, senior Kate with a best time of 5:38 this Norbo (who plays basketball season, and Cy Smith, who is as well) and Caitlin Beck. ranked second in the district “It’s a good group,” Cox said in the pole-vault. of the relay squad. “The excitPatrick Henry will compete ing thing is they can run much in the District Preview meet faster than what they have al- this weekend before competready.” In order to qualify for ing in the District Championthe national meet, the team ship meet on February 7. Both would probably need to fin- meets will be held at Heritage ish under 4:07 in any of their High School in Lynchburg. remaining meets, according to

By Matt Reeve Cox. Matt@theroanokestar.com The Patriots also boast sev-

Area coaches join the fight against cancer

On Saturday, Jan. 31, area coaches will team up with the American Cancer Society for the Suits and Sneakers Coaches vs. Cancer weekend. During the Suits and Sneakers weekend, high school and college coaches nationwide will wear sneakers with their suits to show their support in the fight against cancer.

In the Roanoke Valley, coaches at The Member One Valley Shootout at the Salem Civic Center will wear their sneakers with their suits. The shootout begins at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Nationally ranked Oak Hill Academy and a number of area high school coaches plan to participate in the Suits and Sneakers weekend, including Salem High School, Cave Spring and William Fleming.

Aside from the Member One Shootout, the Patrick Henry High School Boys and Girls teams will also be teaming up in the fight against cancer at their home games this week.

Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Since the program started in 1993, high school coaches and their wives have raised nearly $45 million to help fight cancer.

Expectations couldn’t have been much loftier for the North Cross Raiders boys’ basketball program heading into this season. After all, this was a team that earned a conference championship and an appearance in the VISAA Division III state championship game last year and was returning most of its core for another run.

Not surprisingly then, the Raiders have dominated the competition thus far, to the tune of a 14-4 record, including a 4-2 mark in the Virginia Independent Conference. That leaves North Cross just one game back of first place Carlisle High School (Martinsville). The Raiders have won six of their last seven, but have lost twice to Carlisle, “games we pretty much gave away,” head Coach Joe Lambert said.

The second year coach, and North Cross alum, Lambert attributes much of his team’s success to their preparation – both during the off-season and in practice.

“They prepare the right way,” Lambert said. “During the summer we went to a number of different camps, including the Virginia Tech team camp, and we were able to work on some things and get some confidence going into this season.”

“They work hard in prac-

Photo by Bill Turner

Point guard Glenn Williams is a team leader. tice,” Lambert continued.

“They are really coachable.

And when you learn to prepare the way they have, that’s how you create a championship atmosphere.”

A trio of upperclassmen leads the Raiders. Junior A.D. Banks leads the team in scoring, averaging nearly 17 points per game to go along with 12 rebounds, despite getting extra attention from opposing defenses.

“A.D. is playing great this year, and I fully expected that from him,” Lambert said. “And he’s doing all that while taking a lot of double and triple teams.”

Running the show for the team is senior point guard Glenn Williams, who is aver-

aging 10 points and 7 assists for the Raiders.

“Glenn is a really special kid,” Lambert said. “He’s a great floor general and always very composed.”

Junior Toles Hartman, who Lambert describes as “a really tall, athletic kid who plays within himself,” is another force on offense, averaging nearly 12 points and 10 boards per game.

Banks, Williams and Toles have all stepped up their game to compensate for the loss of sophomore Fuller Clark, who has been out all season with a wrist injury suffered during football season.

“Fuller is a great player, and we’d love to have him back,” Lambert said.

Clark was scheduled to have his cast removed on Wednesday and will consult with doctors before getting back on the court.

The Raiders continue their quest for a second straight VIC championship with two conference games this week – at home against Holy Cross on Friday night, and Covenant High School in Charlottesville on Tuesday, February 3. Tipoff for Friday is set for 7:30pm.

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Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/30/09

Sports

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

Virginia Tech Hockey

Photos by Bill Turner

Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Joe Wormer (Above) brings the puck through the defensive zone. VA Tech captain #10 Jimmy Pope (Left) prepares for a face-off For the first time ever the American Collegiate Hockey Association has ranked Virginia Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s club hockey team. Tech was #11 before last weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tilt with winless UVA. The Hokies ran their record to 13-5 (9-0 in the Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey Association conference) after that game. Approximately 6000 hockey fans turned out to watch the two rivals play last Friday. The game ended in a 4-1 VT win, but it was closer than that - UVA scored first to lead 1-0 early in second period and the game was tied after two periods 1-1.

Maroons are one spot out of poll

(31.9%) in addition to 36 assists. ParThe Roanoke College menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketrish Walker is posting 10.8 points and ball team received 40 votes and is one 3.9 rebounds per game and leads the spot out of the latest D3Hoops.com Top-25 Poll. It ended a streak of three team in steals (35) and second in asweeks in the Top-25, the longest since sists with 42. the 1999-00 season.

Drew Gaeng (6 ppg) leads the team The Maroons have been in or rein three-point percentage (41.9%), 26 ceived votes in the top-25 for seven three-pointers made and 56 assists. straight weeks this season, which is Aaron Tysonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 62 blocked shots are the longest since nine last season. Rotied for 10th all-time at Roanoke. anoke is 15-3 overall, 7-2 in ODAC, Head Coach Page Moir (347which is second in the latest stand- Page Moir is the 184), in his 20th season at Roanoke, ings. They have the second-highest Maroonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all-time was named DIII News Coach of the scoring offense in the conference be- winning head Month. He is the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all-time hind Emory & Henry, who is ranked winningest coach, in addition to havcoach. nationally in that category. ing the most career wins among active Curtis Peery leads the Maroons ODAC Coaches. He is second all-time with 18.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. His in the conference in ODAC wins (221) and third 1,197 points are 21st on the career scoring list in career wins (347). The 1994 ODAC Coach of at Roanoke. Melvin Felix is second in scoring the Year is tied with Roanoke coaching legend (11 ppg) and is second in free-throw percentage Ed Green in ODAC Tournament wins (23).

(80.5%). He has hit 15 three-pointers this season

50% off joining fee through January.

Photo by Bill Turner

Stars head coach Ed Green (at center) huddles with his team.

VWCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loss to Hargrave Military just part of the learning process Virginia Westernâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball team lost to Hargrave Military Academy 96-69 on Monday - something that was not unexpected - but their head coach expressed optimism earlier that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Starsâ&#x20AC;? would hold their own against a schedule that consists mainly of other community colleges. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a little bit more athletic than we have been the last two years,â&#x20AC;? said Ed Green before the season started in early January.

Two years ago the Virginia Western Stars captured the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s community college basketball championship, but VWCC slipped last year. Without true post players and big forwards, Greenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s squad slipped to 7-15 and was knocked out in the first round of the state tourney.

Green, a long time Roanoke College basketball coach earlier in his career, has learned to live with the reality that many kids going to community college arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really sure what they want to do.

Players may drop out before the second semester begins or donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t show up after the holiday break as promised. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s squad includes players

from Northside, Franklin County and William Fleming, plus two transplants from the Milwaukee area that Green learned of through one of his many contacts.

The Blue Stars have played Hargrave Military (a fifth year prep school) before and are typically overmatched, since the Hargrave roster is always loaded with players committed to NCAA Division One college programs. Former Hidden Valley guard/forward Luke Hancock is a starter for Hargrave and scored 12 points against VWCC on Monday. He is bound for George Mason this fall.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all a learning process and one that Green, who also has experience as a public school teacher, is eager to demonstrate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The big mission I have in working with these kids is trying to get them on the right career path â&#x20AC;Ś and realize that basketball is not the most important thing in life,â&#x20AC;? Green said.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net Photos by Bill Turner

Westernâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Don Edsall (Left) fights for position against a Hargrave opponent Ex-Hidden Valley Titan Luke Hancock (Right) returned to the valley with Hargrave. He had a dunk early in the game at the VWCC gym.

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Commentary: Why The Obama Stimulus Plan Won't Work President Barack Obama and his economic team will soon attempt to convince Congress that spending upwards of $1 trillion tax dollars (more or less) will shorten the recession. A good part of the spending will be on public works and infrastructure projects that aim to create (or save) many millions of jobs. Some of the spending will be in the form of grants to state governments to prevent cutbacks in education and medical services. And a smaller (and laudable) part of the program provides tax relief to some individuals and corporations.

Although some economists supported the bank and auto bailouts and although many more support a major federal stimulus package, this economist holds that both measures are counter-productive.

Both are likely to prolong the economic slump and not shorten it.

This may seem harsh but the ultimate cure for a recession is recession. Economic booms malinvest labor and capital and recessions are necessary to clean out these malinvestments. Declining prices allow consumers to more easily purchase products (homes, autos) in excess supply; inventories are reduced and supply and demand are brought into balance. And declining profits weed out business organizations and managers that have invested poorly during the boom; bankruptcy allows resources to flow to more profitable areas of the economy. A sustainable recovery is now possible.

It should be obvious that random bailouts can short-circuit the recovery process by propping up poorly performing companies and slowing resource reallocation. With tens of billions in lost profits,

General Motors and Chrysler have demonstrated vast inefficiency; yet taxpayer bailouts will preserve their poor management and high-cost union jobs. Worse, other more efficient automobile suppliers will lose sales to Detroit's dinosaurs and may themselves require subsidies. It just never ends.

The case for bailing out spendthrift state governments or for additional infrastructure spending is equally flawed.

Supporters constantly argue that "since consumers won't spend, governments must spend (to create more jobs)." And since it's claimed that there are vast unmet public sector needs, what better time to undertake major road construction or help state governments fund programs such as Medicaid.

Some public policies are wrong in both theory and practice; infrastructure spending and bailing out state governments to shorten recessions are examples. In theory, the money to fund the stimulus will have to come from either massive federal borrowing, substantial tax hikes, or pure money inflation by the Federal Reserve.

But none of this can remotely promote recovery in the private sector of the economy. All it will do is substitute some private/public sector jobs in one part of the economy for other private/public sector jobs in another part of the economy.

Public spending on major infrastructure projects to fight recession is especially problematic. (Think "Big Dig" in Boston.)

Which programs will be undertaken? In which congressional districts? And where will the labor resources come from? Supporters of public works automatically assume that the current increase in unem-

Yorkshire Terrier Puppies For Sale. AKC Reg., shots, wormed, small & adorable, raised in loving home. Call 540-293-3759.

Labrador Retriever Pups - both parents on sight - bred for and hunt upland game turkey and duck. All papers, shots and vet checked - fantastic play and hunting pals - ready to easily train at 7 weeks - available on Jan 28th. Call 540-890-2117 or 343-9200.

> Lost & Found

Found: Dog - Male boxer running alongside Rt. 419 just south of Our Lady of Nazareth church. He is a neutered fawn and white male with a white chest blaze and some graying or white whisker hairs. No collar, but appeared clean and healthy.

Now in possession of Roanoke County Animal control. > Help Wanted

Janitorial Services

Above Average Pay Experience not required, but preferred Background & Drug Testing Required FT & PT M-F, Evening Hours Occasional Weekends Email: janitorialservices@hotmail.com > Prayer

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, may you be praised and adored, glorified and loved, now and

Letter to the Editor forever, throughout the world, until the end of time.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, help of the helpless, pray for us. Amen > Haiku ads Place a haiku ad (5,7,5) for $5 per week Good brick work for you Home improvements and repair Free estimate too!

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Community Calendar > January 01/30/2009 6:00 PM to 01/30/2009 10:00 PM Winterfest Beach Bash Featuring Domino & Coastline 01/30/2009 to 02/01/2009 Kazim Shrine Circus At the Roanoke Civic Center 01/31/2009 to 01/31/2009 Member One Valley Shootout Basketball Tournament Presented by the Salem Kiwanis Club 02/01/2009 4:00 PM to 02/01/2009 Roanoke College Faculty Concert Roanoke College’s Olin Recital Hall. No tickets required.

02/03/2009 7:30 PM to 02/03/2009 One-Act Play: “Show Me the Franklins” Roanoke College’s Antrim Chapel. No tickets required.

02/05/2009 7:30 PM to 02/05/2009 10:00 PM Esperanze Spalding Mesmerizing talent. Irresistible charm. Spellbinding allure.

02/05/2009 7:30 PM to 02/05/2009 Larry the Cable Guy Performance Set With Reno Collier 02/05/2009 10:00 AM to 02/07/2009 “Ramona Quimby” Hollins University Theatre Production 02/06/2009 8:00 PM to 02/06/2009 Author of “The Rope Walk” and “Confinement” Carrie Brown to speak 02/06/2009 9:00 AM to 02/06/2009 10:00 AM Western Virginia Workforce Development Board Meeting Goodwill Industries of the Valleys Corporate Office

Concert Set With Special Guest Conway Twitty 02/06/2009 12:00 PM to 02/06/2009 1:00 PM Virginia Tech Roanoke Center Distinguished Faculty Research Forum The First Interracial Marriage 02/07/2009 10:00 AM to 02/07/2009 4:00 PM 10th Annual Tons of Fun Free Family Fun Day 02/07/2009 10:00 AM to 02/07/2009 4:00 PM Tons of Fun Indoor Carnival 02/07/2009 9:00 AM to 02/07/2009 Salem Police Officers Ball At Salem Civic Center 02/07/2009 10:00 AM to 02/07/2009 4:00 PM 10th Annual Tons of Fun 2009 Free Family Fun for all ages!

02/09/2009 7:30 PM to 02/09/2009 “Hairspray” Coming to Roanoke To the Roanoke Performing Arts Center 02/11/2009 7:30 PM to 02/11/2009 Fowler Lecture: “The Conservative Intellectual Movement” In Roanoke College’s Colket Center Wortmann Ballroom.

02/11/2009 5:30 PM to 02/11/2009 NewVaConnects Board Meeting The Young Professional’s Voice for Action 02/11/2009 7:30 PM to 02/11/2009 “An Evening with Oscar Wilde” Hollins Theatre 02/11/2009 7:00 PM to 02/11/2009 “Pimps Up, Ho’s Down:A Discussion of HipHop and Feminism” Black History Month Event

02/12/2009 7:30 PM to 02/12/2009 10:00 PM Ladysmith Black Mambazo Heavenly Harmonies.Airy a capella. Serene stage presence.

02/13/2009 to 02/13/2009 Darwin Day Roanoke College’s biology department will host a celebration of Darwin’s 200th birthday and the 150th year of the Origins of the Species.

02/13/2009 to 02/14/2009 Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam Set at Roanoke Civic Center 02/13/2009 to 02/15/2009 Star City Canine Agility Trials & Obedience At Salem Civic Center 02/13/2009 to 02/14/2009 Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam At Roanoke Civic Center Coliseum

> Feb. 5

FairTax Educational Meeting Roanoke Area FairTax will have a 30-minute presentation, “FairTax Websites,” followed by 30 minutes of questions, answers, and discussion. This is a good introduction to the various online groups that have sprung up to promote the FairTax. When - 6:45 p.m. (sharp) – 7:45 p.m.

Where - Edinburgh Square’s Community Room, 129 Hershberger Road NW, near Plantation Road, directly across from Star City Skating Center.

For More - RAFT@att.net or www.RoanokeAreaFairTax. com.

> Feb. 14

The last “word” in the prayer debate

“Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free ...” so begins the Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom.

Roanoke City Council will continue with the reinstated custom of having various members of clergy deliver the invocation at regular council meetings.

Invited clergy receive a letter from the city clerk’s office that gives guidance and suggestions on delivering nonsectarian prayer. It reads, in part: “the courts have ruled that such invocations delivered by the clergy must be nonsectarian in nature, and should not be used to advance a particular religion or to disparage another faith or belief, but offer a time of reflection and encouragement.”

In a letter to council members dated January 13th, William Hackworth, Roanoke City Attorney, pointed out that invocations are not actually provided for in city code.

However, Hackworth noted that in 2005 the Virginia General Assembly enacted a provision that stated: “during the time prior to the governing body’s actual call to order Dominick Armentano is a research fel- or convening of business, any low at the Independent Institute in Oak- expressions by members of the land CA. governing body or members of the public shall be held consis-

Classifieds > Puppies for Sale

02/06/2009 7:30 PM to 02/06/2009 George Jones

ployment provides a vast army of workers to fill new jobs. Not so fast.

Unemployed workers with vastly different skill levels are scattered unevenly throughout the economy. It is simply unimaginable that even a tiny percentage of them would have the proper skill requirements or would relocate to the politically determined infrastructure projects. In addition, these projects require extremely long lead times (sometimes many years of permits and planning) and are unlikely to begin soon enough to have any near-term effect.

The experience in the 1930's is instructive. Even though federal government spending increased from $9.8 billion in 1934 to $14.2 billion in 1940, the unemployment rate in 1940 was still a staggering 14.6%. A 45% increase in New Deal spending in six years did not end the Depression.

Contrary to economist Paul Krugman and others, the federal government cannot spend us out of our economic quagmire. The best that the government can do is not make things worse. We don't need more corporate or state bailouts and we don't need vast public works programs costing many hundreds of billions. We do need more prudent private and public spending, lower taxes on income and investment, and a responsible monetary policy from the Federal Reserve. And we still need lower prices and bankruptcies to finally correct the mistakes of the boom.

1/30/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

Give Your Valentine an Arts Experience From the Taubman Museum of Art’s Tattoo Fashion Show, a special free film screening of Casablanca (1942) at The Grandin Theatre or a serenade by a

quartet from the Virginia Gentlemen’s Barbershop Chorus, your Valentine will shower you with love and appreciation. And so will Mother Earth!

For a complete listing of experiential gifts and art inspired offerings, visit The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge’s Virginia GEMS (Give Experiences. Minimize Stuff.) www.myvirginiagems.com and select Valentine’s Day GEMS. Virginia GEMS is sponsored by AEP, Cox Communications, the Roanoke Times, and WDBJ. For more - contact Krista Engl 540-224-1203 or kengl@ theartscouncil.org

> Feb. 28

Roxie the Cow to visit Valley View Mall Shamrock Farms will be hosting a RockinWith RoxieDance Party from 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. at Valley View Mall to encourage kids and parents to get up and get active. Fitness experts will be on-hand to teach families the hippest dance routines and share tips for staying healthy during the cold winter months. Roxie, the Shamrock Farms famous spokescow, will also be making an appearance, handing out cool giveaways and free samples of Shamrock Farmsmilk in new 12 oz. portable bottles.To complete the party, family-friendly music will be provided by WSLQ-FM and kids are invited to get a rockinmakeover with hairstyling and mock tattoo stations.

Kaine receiving 2 paychecks?

Dear editor, Gov. Kaine just accepted a job to run the DNC and is keeping his job as Governor of Virginia. I presume he is getting 2 paychecks as well. Virginia taxpayers are paying a full-time salary to a part-time Governor.

If Kaine wants to play politics full time, he should resign as Governor. Gov. Kaine should stop stealing from the taxpayers of Virginia.

JB Mixon Roanoke,VA

tent with the individual’s First Amendment right of freedom of speech.”

According to Hackworth, this provision would not prohibit a member of a local council or member of clergy form engaging in whatever type private prayer they wished before commencement of a council meeting. Hackworth recommended that if this option was chosen then it should be off camera and without microphones.

Hackworth’s letter also stated, “One of the wonderful things about our country, of course, is that we are free to debate issues such as this … we are blessed to live in a Commonwealth where religious freedom has been ensured since our earliest days.”

By Valerie Garner Valerie.Garner@cox.net

Central Church of the Brethren 416 Church Ave., SW Roanoke, VA 24016 342-0337 A church in downtown Roanoke for all people in Roanoke Sunday School: 9:45 am Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Wednesday evening dinner, Bible study & youth: 5:30 p.m. pastortim@central.roacoxmail.com

Garden City Baptist Church A Church with a Loving, Caring and Healing Heart (540) 427-0131 3536 Garden City Blvd Roanoke, VA 24014 Sunday School.......9:45 am Worship Service.....11 am Youth Ministry.........6 pm Weds. Bible Study..6:45 pm Choir Practice.........7:45 pm

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> March 14

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Parade Starts at 11:00 a.m.

Downtown Roanoke,VA (Jefferson Street, Campbell Ave. and Williamson Road) HomeTown Bank Celtic Festival: New Festival location!

Parking lot at corner of Williamson Road & Church Avenue 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Have an item for the calendar? email it to submissions@theroanokestar.com

Ellis Redford 362-1070

3029B Peters Creek Rd., Roanoke, VA 24019

Save up to 40%

Valley Business

Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/30/09

TheRoanokeStar.com

Need a job? Help is on the way An Artistic Business Model for When the City of Roanoke created a proactive response to help struggling job seekers (www.roanokeva.gov/jobhelp), we were optimistic our efforts would be welcomed, but wondered how many people we would assist? The results demonstrated a need for more individual and organization support for our job seekers.

More than 1,000 people attended a half-day job fair at the Roanoke Civic Center December 30 – twice as many as last year in half the time. A repeat fair has been scheduled for March 4, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon.

“JobQuest” is a live, one-hour show airing monthly on Blue Ridge Public Television. Debuting January 6, the show resulted in more than 300 calls to members of the Roanoke Valley's Society of Human Resource Management, and nearly 20 pages of chat room conversations with dozens of participants. The next show is scheduled to air February 3, 2009 at 7:00 pm. (see related story) Over the span of two weeks, nearly 100 people registered at www.roanokeva.gov/connect

receiving helpful job ple. Similar weekly information and exmeetings in Richposure to some of mond attract a much our region's top emlarger attendance. ployers.

This is difficult for More than 100 me to comprehend. people had registered A job search can be at www.vastartup. a stressful and lonely org to participate in time. These Monday the Entrepreneur sessions are designed Express Workto provide support, shop being held at hope - and opporStuart Mease Virginia Western tunities. Also, there Community College on Febru- are unwritten and unspoken ary 5, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. rules in the job search process Many job seekers are ex- that are discussed and explained pected to attend the Roanoke by the experts.

Higher Education Center’s open These unprecedented ecohouse on February 5 from 4:00 nomic times require different p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and unique techniques. The While these statistics indicate Monday sessions with employmost programs offered are being ers are designed to help canwell received, there is one sig- didates stand out among the nificant exception. Each Mon- masses and to identify ways to day at 4:00 pm, in Roanoke's improve one's approach. If you Economic Development Office are job searching and are in a rut, (117 Church Ave.), job seekers we invite you to try something are invited to interact with re- new. Visit your Economic Decruiters in order to understand velopment Office (117 Church and learn successful job search Ave.) Monday at 4:00 pm. strategies and techniques. Compared to the hundreds attending Stuart Mease works for the other events, the average atten- Roanoke City Economic Develdance at the “Monday Sessions opment Department with Employers” is just five peo-

How to Stop Being Greedy

Businesses are currently the subject of conflicting popular emotions: we feel anger towards those banks that got us all into the current economic mess and sympathy for those companies that are going bust because of it.

So it’s time to take a hard look at companies’ greed.

To get through this crisis to a better way of doing things, we need to recognize greed. While most of us readily admit to faults in the areas of food and sex, we tend to see greed as a quality in other people rather than in ourselves. We see it in the mega rich with their conspicuous spending, in city executives with their huge bonuses or in corrupt politicians taking bribes. We think that all greedy people are corrupt or rich, probably both, and since we’re neither corrupt nor rich, logically, we are not greedy. By thinking like this, we avoid facing our own greed. We fail to see that greed is not an allor-nothing event; it is a thought that exists on a spectrum from weak to strong but it affects us all to some extent. It is a subtle influence constantly present in all the decisions that everybody makes about material things.

Our communal happiness and our individual happiness depend on our ability to acknowledge and curb our greed.

It comes as a surprise to most people when they discover that greed was a problem for the first Christian monks and nuns. After all, these monks and nuns had purposely chosen to give up all material wealth and, in the case of some of them, very considerable wealth. Yet those who were poor by choice still had to wrestle with thoughts about wanting more, just as those who become rich by choice are often driven by a demonic desire for still more wealth. Greed is a

part of our make up, ed, but the same is not whether we are rich true of money. Once or poor, whether we life’s basic necessities choose a simple life or have been met, the rest whether we pursue a is determined by each life of luxury. person’s description Here are three steps of the good life, their to restrain greed: personal story. Some1. Recognize how one can leave a marit works for you riage partner to have We all have a spona wealthier lifestyle, taneous understand- Abbot Christopher somebody can get ing of how gluttony Jamison into debt in order to and lust work but we keep up with their need guidance to understand neighbors, children can fret greed. Greed is about the attrac- that they don’t have the latest tion of wealth and begins with video game. We have to avoid apparently harmless thoughts: the pitfalls of distorted descrip”what I have at present is not tions of happiness that actually good enough and needs re- lead to frustration. We need to placing.”. Sometimes this is, of describe to ourselves a good course, true: if the bucket has a life that is balanced, long-term hole in it, you need a new buck- and generous, the opposite of et; if the dress is very old, get a the consumer good life that is new one. But, so often, that’s not indulgent, short-term and selfthe case; it’s just that we really centered. fancy the latest iPod or the lat3. Take stock of your life, litest fashion. Fashion is the hard- erally est one to call: we can condemn Once a year in Lent, English our children to misery if we Benedictine monks have the make them wear old-fashioned custom of writing out ”a poverty clothes but we still need to pre- bill.” They write down an invenvent them growing up impul- tory of everything they have for sively buying the hottest new their personal use and hand it thing. If children only deal with to the abbot. It’s a very revealgreed by getting what they want, ing exercise and enables them then they grow up to be miser- to ask: do I need all this? An able adults because even when excellent rule of thumb is this: they’re wealthy, they’ll still want if you haven’t used an item in more. And notice that even our the last twelve months since the language links unhappiness and last poverty bill, then you probavarice: the word miser is the ably don’t need it, so you can root of miserable. Each of us give it away. This is a wonderful needs to recognize and contain way to heighten self-awareness our own greed if we are to live about material possessions, is happy and fulfilled lives. quite liberating, and you may 2. Tell yourself a better story be amazed to discover what you Greed is the product of our don’t need. imagination, not of our bodies.

Abbot Christopher Jamison The attraction of food and sex is is the author of the international different from the attraction of best-seller, ”Finding Sanctuary.” wealth: humans are hard wired You can find out more at http:// to respond physically when food www.findingsanctuary.org/. and sex are attractively present-

Success at the Roanoke Symphony

does not now need donations or other support. The facts suggest otherwise: We have just in December we learned that Mill saw a sudden drop Mountain Theatre in donations from has closed and may previous years. Our declare bankruptcy, endowment, like a significant loss for everyone's investour region. Those of ments, has taken a us who cherish live beating. Anticipatperformance hope ing the economic that MMT can reorchallenges, we reganize with a workDavid Stewart Wiley conducts the RSO. duced staff size, cut able business model, expenses, held prices because we need professional theater of the highest caliber as part of for new subscribers steady, and offered $7 student tickets. With the decline in our endowment the tapestry of the arts in our region.

The news about MMT is prompting me to share and donations slowing, we now face a potensome thoughts in about the Roanoke Symphony tial shortfall. Thus, we need continued support Orchestra (RSO) and our business model. A not- from individuals, businesses, and government. for profit like the RSO demonstrates a successful We cannot and will not diminish the number of business model, for programs, clear vision, and flutes required for a performance, nor diminish the rehearsal time required to achieve the highest people matter, now more than ever.

We need to emphasize why the RSO is impor- standard that audiences have come to expect of a tant to our region, and share our positive history. professional orchestra and chorus.

The RSO is not a financial drain on our region.

At the RSO, we have slowly and steadily grown in the last 12 years from a $750,000 budget to a pro- For every dollar that we receive from local govfessional orchestra with a balanced budget now ernment we return the investment more than just under $2 million. We have expanded our ed- three-fold through admissions taxes paid to the ucation and outreach offerings to the community, city, facility rental fees, plus the business we generdeepened our ties and collaborative ventures with ate for local restaurants, hotels, etc. We live here, other non-profits, seen a remarkable increase in we shop here, we pay taxes here. An investment ticket sales for both our Masterworks and Pops in the symphony is one of the best investments a series, and provide lessons for under-resourced community can make, insuring creative outlets for children. We added exciting new crossover our kids, attracting businesses, young professionevents combining different kinds of music. We als and active retirees. The community of live percollaborate with WVTF public radio and recently formance gives us hope and inspiration in chalinstituted podcasts on the web. We began offer- lenging and insecure times. I like to think of these ing Suzuki violin instruction in partnership with challenging times as an opportunity for us to evallocal schools. We have run a modest surplus the uate what is important, to make the right choices. last few years. Our concerts at Shaftman Hall rou- In so doing, we answer President Obama's call to tinely sell out, and our Pops subscriptions have support causes larger than ourselves, to become jumped by double digits. We have a strong board, full citizens. In contributing to the RSO and the staff, experienced executive and artistic leader- rest of the deserving arts, we support a successful, ship, friendly volunteers, and talented profession- workable artistic and business model that benefits al musicians. We won the award for the best-run our region for generations. Please spread this imsmall business in the nonprofit category from the portant news, and do your part to ensure our collective success through attendance at arts events Chamber of Commerce this last fall.

We have undertaken no capital campaigns, in- and donations. Buy tickets and/or table seats for stead focusing our fundraising efforts on our mis- Rock, Symphony Circus (celebrating 50 years of sion and programs, and growing our endowment. Motown) and our other exciting events this seaI am humbled to serve as Music Director here, for son. This is your Symphony, and we need your we should never take for granted that we have an attendance and support. orchestra for our region that cities with 10 times Wiley serves as Music Director of the Roanoke our population would be proud to have.

With the significant positive support and ac- Symphony Orchestra and the Long Island Philharcolades the RSO has received, we are now ironi- monic. cally a victim of our own success. Some assume that because the RSO has been doing great it

By David Stewart Wiley

JobQuest is a big hit on local public TV Blue Ridge Public Television Chief Executive Officer James Baum says the Roanoke-based station may have unleashed something much bigger than they realized. The program “JobQuest”,fielded hundreds of calls from job seekers, and welcomed many more to a chat room at blueridgepbs.org during and after its debut last month.

Celebrity guests like Roanoke Mayor David Bowers read want ads on the air, and experienced professionals gave advice on looking for work. “Twitter” and other social networking sites may follow.

The second live edition of JobQuest airs this Tuesday, February 3 at 7:00 pm on BRPTV (Channel 4 locally). From the Tri-Cities in Tennessee to Lexington and over to Amherst, Blue Ridge Public Television covers “a fairly significant area,”

said Baum.

The first segment on JobQuest addressed current economic conditions and the climate for employment. “[That’s] what’s driving all of this right now,” according to Baum.

Media partner WDBJ-7 also supplied the program’s hosts, anchors Jean Jadhon and Keith Humphry.

“They set the stage,” said Baum.

The Virginia Employment Commission is also a partner.

A panel of experts that included Stuart Mease, Economic Development Specialist for the City of Roanoke and a Star-Sentinel columnist, offered advice before guests started reading want ads and callers joined the program. The local chapter of the Society of Human Resource Professionals (SHERM) fielded

At Your Service!

the phone inquiries.

“We took 305 calls [last month],” said Baum about January’s program. Some just wanted to vent “about looking for a job in this kind of climate today.”

The SHERM panel will return this Tuesday night. More jobs will be discussed on the February edition of JobQuest.

On hand this time is a resume expert.

Those who called in ran the gamut, since the jobs listed included both white collar and blue collar “every man’s jobs,” as Baum describes it.

He figured JobQuest would be a fit for Roanoke after launching a similar, successful program at a Pennsylvania station in the ‘90’s – without a “deep recession” to fuel interest. In today’s economic climate Blue Ridge Public Television could have a long term hit on its hands.

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TheRoanokeStar.com

Local Author Celebrates the Tales of Rural Virginia

“Landscape doesn’t become interesting until you put people in it” said Rex Bowman, Floyd County native and long time reporter for the Richmond Times Dispatch. “Let’s face it, people are colorful.”

In a recent appearance at the Jackson Park Library in Southwest Roanoke, Bowman shared some clever excerpts from his book, Blue Ridge Chronicles: A Decade of Dispatches From Southwest Virginia, while entertaining the crowd with selfdeprecating humor and personal history.

When asked if he always wanted to be a writer, Bowman said, “I became a journalist because I couldn’t figure out how to make a living doing anything else.”

With the exception of Dale Earnhart’s funeral in North Carolina, Bowman has spent the last decade capturing the history of the most remote corners in Virginia – the kind of stories that are shared over lemonade on a porch swing or at the dairy barn of a county fair.

As the light streamed through the windows of the new Jackson Park Library, attendees were riveted by stories such as, “How Goose Pimple Got Its Name,” and how the Texas Tavern serves as Roanoke’s own “melting pot”. But the tale (or should I say, tail) that won the crowd over was undoubtedly the obituary of a pig. Not just any pig, but “Oinky Doodle, Patrick County’s most famous junkyard hog, known for his gluttonous love of Tootsie Rolls, CocaCola and peanuts”. The story continues with a veritable who’s who of Virginia politicians who joyfully had their photograph taken with Oinky Doodle – from Senator Roscoe Reynolds to Representative Virgil Good.

Even Governor Mark Warner’s spokeswoman, Ellen Qualls, makes an appearance.

Aside from his anecdotal stories, Bowman is a respectable journalist who has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize twice during his career. One was

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Rex Bowman signs copies of his book at the newly renovated Jackson Park Library. for his coverage while imbed- tion and a Playboy bunny would ded with troops during Opera- deliver the first issue. While the tion Desert Storm. fine print stated geographical “Our vehicle was hit by a limitations, these Floyd County rocket propelled grenade,” he soldiers would have nothing of said. “Luckily nobody was it. So, after some coaxing and hurt”. public exposure, the magazine With obvious respect and decided they’d honor the soladmiration for the troops with dier’s requests -- even if it meant whom he spent 6 weeks, he a trip to Vietnam. said, “sometimes it was hard to Bowman closed his remarks imagine there was a war going by answering the question, on. These kids were on an ad- “How was your reception in venture.” these out of the way communiBowman was clearly glad to ties?” have the privilege of writing 27 “90% good,” he said. “Somestories for his paper about their times reluctant. But mostly, experiences. people are just happy to have The other Pulitzer nomina- someone to talk to.” tion came for recounting the Blue Ridge Chronicles: A De1966 tale of an infantry regiment cade of Dispatches is available at fighting in Vietnam who pooled area bookstores and most ontheir money and sent a letter re- line booksellers. questing a lifetime subscription to Playboy. “Why,” you ask?

Contact Stephanie at Back in those days, $150 would stephaniekoehler@cox.net guarantee a lifetime subscrip-

Mill Mountain’s Educational Programming To Continue Center in the Square will be assume responsibility for certain limited programming once provided by Mill Mountain Theatre – which recently curtailed its season to reinvent itself. The first of these programs under the umbrella of Center in the Square is Mill Mountain Theatre’s Spring 2009 Educational Programming, with classes starting January 26 and continuing through March 27. These classes run for the next nine weeks offering acting, dance,

1/30/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11

and musical theatre to ages K through adults.

“I am pleased and excited to have the support of the Board and Center in the Square to continue the Educational Programming that was in place with Mill Mountain Theatre,” said Ginger Poole, Director of Education for Mill Mountain Theatre. “The parents and students of this community are the future of any and all arts programming and I am happy and grateful to see these classes succeed.”

Students may still sign up this week -- as long as they bring their registration form and payment to the first class.

“I will not turn away a student this session” said Poole.

A detailed Educational Programming class schedule is posted on Mill Mountain Theatre’s website millmountain. org. For questions about these classes please contact Ginger Poole, Director of Education at gpoole@millmountain.org or 540.342.5749.

Esperanza Spalding is an genres.

The result is all one big tasty acoustic upright bass player, “I really dug all of that,” she stew on the “Esperanza” rejazz composer and singer… said. Stevie Wonder, Harry Be- lease and on stage. Spalding and just 24 years old. At 20, lafonte and ‘90’s-era rap were says her group can get “crazy” she was the youngest instruc- also favorites. “I went with the live so those expecting the tor ever at the Berklee College trends …[but] I never got into more mellow grooves found of Music in Massachusetts. Britney Spears.” on some of the CD tracks She will bring her version of When Spalding took up the should be warned. jazz and soul - influenced by acoustic bass her tastes exUpright bassist, vocalist and other music genres - to The tended to jazz, as evidenced composer Esperanza SpaldJefferson Center in Roanoke on the “Esperanza” CD. ing is at the Jefferson Center on Thursday, February 5th.

As for writing, she said, “I in Roanoke with her group on The songs on her debut CD, never plan for a song to sound February 5. Go to jeffcenter.

“Esperanza,” reflect many in- like one specific genre. A org for more information. fluences and the music she groove or a melody will come

By Gene Marrano listened to while growing up. out. I kind of believe in allowgmarrano@cox.net Her mother’s hispanic heritage ing the character of a song to also played a role in shaping reveal itself.” her musical tastes – and her ● Brandon Oaks sponsors Feb. 8 early start on a career. Spald● Woods Rogers PLC sponsors Feb. 9 ing said that in many mexican households, teens are expected to “function as adults” by the time they are 15 or 16 years old. with Jon Nakamatsu, piano Spalding also wrote most & the RSO of the songs on “Esperanza”.

Feb. 8 & 9, 2009 Watching cellist Yo Yo Ma perform on television when she Shaftman Performance Hall 3 p.m. Sunday; 8 p.m. Monday was just four years old whetted her appetite for music and she took violin lessons early on.

Speaking recently from a tour stop in Poland, Spalding ● Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusik said that as a teen she didn’t quite envision something like ● Tchaikovsky Serendae for Strings the career and the rave reviews she has had to date. ● Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23 “I never would have foreseen this,” sheBOL said.

08 BOL 08 She remembers that receiving a music scholarship when $20 to $48 ea., incl. tax.

Students $8. she was 16 allowed her to Internet , add $1/ticket. dream, “on some level … [and now] I’m doing it.”

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Writer’s Conference a big hit at Hollins The second annual Roanoke Regional Writer’s Conference drew more than 150 journalists, poets, novelists, short story writers and editors to the Hollins University campus last weekend.

“This is absolutely where it needs to be,” said Hollins president Nancy Oliver Gray during her opening remarks on Friday night.

The first conference was held last year at the Jefferson Center.

Gray mentioned that Hollins’ creative writing program ranks in the top 20 nationwide, with alumna that includes four Pulitzer Prize winners.

“We believe that in Roanoke the creative class is rising,” added Gray, quick to note that the Hollins Literary Festival takes place March 7, 2009. (see hollins.edu).

Best selling author Sharyn McCrumb and Roanoke Star-Sentinel contributor Liza Field were among the 25 presenters conducting workshops during the day on Saturday.

Another highlight was the presentation of a $1,500 scholarship to April Drummond, a 39-year-old William Fleming High School graduate and mother of seven.

“I have such a passion for writing,” Drummond said from the podium on opening night.

Drummond is currently enrolled at Hollins majoring in theater writing. She’s also an actress and was recently in Hollins’ produc-

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Page 12 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/30/09

TheRoanokeStar.com

Master Haley goes to Washington Barack Obama isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the only new face in D.C. these days: you can add a Patrick Henry High School junior to that list.

Ben Haley left for Washington last week and for the next few months will be a United States Senate page. Haley should have the chance to meet President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Senators and other notables during his stay.

Haley has been taking public speaking and U.S. history classes recently, to prepare him for his sojourn in Washington. He was nominated by U.S. Virginia senior senator Jim Webb for his

page slot but expects to work with most if not all of the Senators, running errands, tracking down documents and so forth.

His parents are â&#x20AC;&#x153;a little scared and nervous â&#x20AC;Ś but really excited for me.â&#x20AC;? An older sister (Jessica) is studying abroad in Cairo, Egypt so they are used to having their kids be far-flung.

Haley even went out and bought some of the books authored by Webb, so he had more background on the man who chose him for the position. He also looked forward to meeting the other pages, who will all be housed in a special dormitory.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope we all get along,â&#x20AC;? he chuckled.

To start the selection process Haley wrote an essay on short order after the first page nominee from PH had to drop out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really wanted to jump on this opportunity,â&#x20AC;? said Haley, who found out that the position was his for the taking during a history class. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was pretty surprised.â&#x20AC;?

Haley had written about Patrick Henry as being â&#x20AC;&#x153;one big community,â&#x20AC;? in his essay, and talked about gaining a voice by getting involved in school activities.

Haley and the other pages will go to school every morning

between 6:15 and 9:45 before heading over to the Senate offices. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be in Washington until June. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a wonderful opportunity to learn the political process,â&#x20AC;? said PH principal Connie Ratcliffe. Patrick Henry had another student in a Senate summer program a few years ago; that spurred Haley, who wants to attend law school at Georgetown. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[How] many 17 year old kids get to go to the State of the Union address?â&#x20AC;? said Ratcliffe.

(He just missed a chance to attend last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inauguration.)

Photo by Gene Marrano â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the opportunity of a life- PH student Ben Haley has gone to Washington as a Senate page. time.â&#x20AC;? Ratcliffe hopes that Haley will supply regular reports on were pretty bipartisan and said works.â&#x20AC;? Haley isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sure politics goings-on at the Capitol. U.S. it was much better to go by is- would be the life for him but his time in D.C. should be an History teacher Nicole Daugh- sues than by party [labels].â&#x20AC;?

Life on The Hill starts this eye-opener, at the inception of a erty was a particular inspiration weekend: â&#x20AC;&#x153;we get to sit in on the new administration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hopefully recently for the junior.

Politics was often a topic of Senate every day â&#x20AC;Ś it should be I can make the best of this opdiscussion at home while Haley pretty exciting,â&#x20AC;? said Ben Haley portunity. Its kind of once in a was growing up: â&#x20AC;&#x153;my parents about the next four months in lifetime.â&#x20AC;?

By Gene Marrano both tried to make sure that Washington as one of 30 pages, â&#x20AC;&#x153;seeing how our government gmarrano@cox.net we were pretty informed. They

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