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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel Roanoke Star HELOCStrip 7x1.indd 1

3/13/12 1:20:31 PM

April 13 - 19, 2012

[Community News]

Growing The Greenways Nick Thomas

Name Game P4– Nick Thomas discovers that automobiles say a lot about us as well as the manufactures and the cars themselves.

Volunteers work on a two mile trail that will run from Plantation Road to the Tinker Creek Greenway.

A

Cuccinelli Speaks P6– Valerie Garner gives her report after an exclusive interview with VA Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.

Bill Turner

s Roanoke’s greenway system continues to grow in bits and pieces there is help from volunteers on a regular basis, supplying some of the elbow grease there’s no funding to pay for. Some of that help is now coming from students, faculty and staff members at Hollins University, where work is now underway on a two-mile trail that will connect to Carvins Cove near the boat ramp.

From there serious hikers and mountain bikers can gain access to some of the other 40 miles or so of paths at the reservoir.

The new trail taking shape actually begins off Plantation Road on the north side of I-81, on property owned

by Hollins but not actually on campus. Eventually this two-mile trail, which will be a dirt path, will connect to the Tinker Creek Greenway once the link to the Roanoke River Greenway is complete. The Hollins contingent is focusing on the first three-quarters of a mile, which will be about two feet wide on average. A trailhead and parking lot will be built at the Plantation > CONTINUED P2: Greenways

Likely Republican nominee Mitt Romney has opened a six-point lead (46%40%) over President Barack Obama in Virginia, according to The Roanoke College Poll. The two were statistically tied in the College’s February poll. Republican George Allen maintains an 8-point lead (44%-36%) on Democrat Tim Kaine in the likely November matchup for the U.S. Senate seat from Virginia. The margin is unchanged from last month. The Roanoke College Poll interviewed 603

Virginia’s U.S. Senator Mark Warner and former governor and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Tim Kaine took a whirlwind tour of Virginia last week. Warner was backing Kaine as he promoted innovation and education as a means to shape U.S. economic competitiveness.

While in Roanoke Kaine toured the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute and held a roundtable discussion with Warner that included leadership and researchers and innovative companies that have located or formed in Roanoke because of VTC. Kaine as governor in 2008 took credit for the higher education bond package that made record investment in higher education facilities at Virginia’s public universities and community colleges. Kaine, if elected vowed that he would work to increase the accessibility and affordability of higher education as part of building a national talent economy. “[VTC] is like exhibit A of my economic plan,” said Kaine. “It combines growth, it combines talent and it combines balance.”

Kaine praised Warner’s leadership in the “gang of six” balancing spending cuts with spending priorities. “You can’t close [the deficit] just with cuts. If you just cut you will hurt important priorities like research and education and infrastructure. You have to make investments as well.”

Virginia residents between March 24 and released in the next several days.

April 5 and has a margin of error of +4%.

Romney Faces Enthusiasm Gap Screening for registered voters (537) reAlthough Mitt Romney leads Barack duces Allen’s lead to seven points (46%- Obama, he faces a clear “enthusiasm gap” 39%) and Romney’s lead to as compared to the incumfive points (46%-41%). bent, according to poll results.

State Politics Part two of this poll, which Romney supporters are less will examine the perceptions likely to say they are very cerof religious faith, the Presidency, Barack tain they will vote for him (72% vs. 81% Obama, Mitt Romney, and Mormon- among Obama voters), are only half as ism from the perspectives of Evangelical likely to say they are very enthusiastic Christians and the general public, will be about their vote (31% vs. 62%), and are

[

> CONTINUED P2: Kaine/Warner

]

three times as likely to say they are not enthusiastic (22% vs. 7%). Not surprisingly, Obama supporters are more likely to say they would contribute money to the campaign (49% vs. 20% among Romney voters), volunteer for the campaign (43% vs. 20%), informally talk to other people about voting for the candidate (58% vs.

45%), or put up a yard sign or attach a bumper sticker (50% vs. 30%). About > CONTINUED P3: Poll

Debate Will Provide Opportunity To Size Up Mayoral Candidates

P7– Our own Wild Bill Turner covers everything from the Red Sox to the Masters to High School Baseball to the latest in late night gadget commercials.

Dr. Alton Dooley on a recent dig at Carmel Church in Caroline County.

Scientist Turns To Public to Help Fund Excavation P9– The 18 piece VA Tech Corps of Cadets Jazz Ensemble, “The Southern Generals” will heat things up at the first ever ”Jazz on the Upper Quad Event.”

Tim Kaine And Mark Warner Visit Medical School

Romney Opens Lead Over Obama / Kaine Trails Allen in Potential Senate Race

The Wild One

Hokie Jazz

NewsRoanoke.com

Community | News | Per spective

Dr. Alton Dooley, curator of paleontology at the Virginia Museum of Natural History, has spent the majority of his career excavating Virginia’s Carmel Church Quarry in Caroline County and is now seeking public support to continue excavating one of the world’s most important fossil sites before high erosion rates and possible development cause the fossils to be lost forever.

Carmel Church is one of the richest fossil deposits in eastern North America and has yielded a vast diversity of marine fossils from the Miocene era, a time period between 5 million and 23 million years ago. The fossils discovered at the site include a variety of animals, including whales, sharks, fish, turtles, crocodiles, seals and sea cows and more. It is also one of few sites along the Atlantic Coast that has produced land mammals from this time period.

While the rich marine and mammal fossil > CONTINUED P2: Excavation

A one-on-one debate beis not using it as a stepping tween Democratic incumstone to higher office.” bent Mayor David Bowers Since the first of the year, and the Republican challengthat includes the February er businessman Mark Lucas primary race with Sam Rawill give voters the contrast soul, Bowers has raised over they need to either “keep a $70,000 excluding loans to good thing” or “change the himself. Exact numbers will role of mayor.” be reported on April 16 but The debate is Tuesday, Washburn said Bowers has April 17 at 7:00 p.m. with over 140 individual contribDavid Bowers light refreshments at 6:30 utors. Another fundraising p.m. WSLS anchor Jay Warevent was held Wednesday ren will moderate the debate night at the O. Winston at the Claude Moore EduLink Museum. cation Complex on Henry Bowers will use mailers, Street across from the Dumas literature drops, radio and Center. The Roanoke Branch cable TV to make his case of the NAACP is hosting the for why voters should keep debate. the self-proclaimed blue Bowers leads in fundraiscollar mayor for another ing with over $40,000 raised four-year term.

Mark Lucas in the period ending March According to Chris Wal31 according to Joan Washburn, Bowers’ ters, Mark Lucas’ campaign manager campaign manager. This is in no small Lucas has 120 individual contributors part due to a second donation of $25,000 and will have raised over $50,000. The

by Peter Via, a strong conservative Re- Virginia State Board of Elections shows publican. Via’s contributions to Bowers one large contribution of $15,000 from total a hefty $50,000. the Business Leadership Fund PAC. WalAccording to Washburn “Via is very ters said Lucas has happy with David as mayor because of radio spots and is > CONTINUED his love for the city of Roanoke and he campaigning door P2: Debate

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> Greenways

Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 4/13/12- 4/19/12

Sunshine is forecast for Thursday and Friday with temperatures in the low to mid 60s.

Sun and clouds are expected for the weekend. Temperatures will be in the mid 70s on Saturday and near 80 on Sunday.

A slight chance for showers and storms returns Monday with highs in the upper 70s.

Road site as well.

Greenways Coordinator Liz Belcher – who said it took twelve years for Hollins University officials just to agree to the new trail on their property – may not allow the Tinker Creek greenway to be built on school grounds. If that’s the case a portion of that greenway may just become a sidewalk or roadside path.

That’s an issue for the future; in the meantime about 100 people from Hollins were working on the new two-mile trail last week, along with volunteers from the Pathfinders for Greenways group, mostly retirees that help out on a regular basis.

Kerry Edmonds is the Vice President of finance and administration at Hollins; she noted that the school, Roanoke County and the greenways commission had been eyeing this project for some time: “We first started talking about doing something together 15 years ago. In the last 3 or 4 years we’ve been aggressive about identifying where on our property we could locate a greenway.”

Horses will be allowed on the new trail section that runs to Carvins Cove – important because Hollins has a well-respected equestrian program.

The Hollins community outreach pro-

From page 1

gram has won national awards and a student run group called SHARE spends time helping people as well; one residence hall at the school is reserved for those interested in service learning and activities. The growing greenway system in the Roanoke Valley and its very existence now on Hollins property is also a selling point for the school.

The Hollins Outdoor program on campus is geared towards students with a passion for recreational activities. “We think this s just another way to connect those activities with something on our property … and the natural beauty of the Roanoke Valley,” said Edmonds.

Hollins graduate student Rebecca Quirk was one of those manning a rake last Friday.

“I grew up just doing yard work and being outside. I love to hike and it seemed like the perfect combination of the two … to participate. I’m very excited.”

Greenways coordinator Liz Belcher always hoped that Hollins University would come around, once all the “legalities” were worked out. She hopes the school will help maintain the trail once it is built and connected to Carvins Cove. Students may come and go but staff members who remain behind “can train the next crowd [of stu-

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Having the education that produces researchers like those at VTC is Kaine’s priority. “We’re slipping in the talent race nationally,” said Kaine. “To get back to number one we have to be willing to invest.”

Kaine supports letting the Bush tax cuts expire and taking tax incentives away from companies like Exxon Mobil.

“They don’t need a taxpayer handout to do well.” Giving money away is no way to reduce the deficit, explained Kaine.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said that Tim Kaine would have a hard time explaining that as governor he raised taxes, tried to send double murderer Jens Soering back to Germany and called a failed transportation special session. Kaine responded saying “Cuccinelli is an attacker – I am a builder promoter and a doer – he can attack all he

> Debate

wants. I’m not worried about it.”

No visit to Roanoke is complete without a trip to the iconic Roanoke Weiner Stand. But before the entourage slipped out of the building there was an opportunity to confront Senator Warner on the report that he was seriously considering running for governor again in 2013. Both Terry McAuliffe and Fairfax Senator Chap Petersen are waiting for Warner’s decision before announcing a run for the Democratic nomination.

A cornered Warner was evasive but never responded “no” when repeatedly pressed.

With a big Cheshire cat grin Warner said, “The most important thing I can do right now is work on this deficit reduction bill. We’ve got a train wreck coming at the end of the year with the expiration of the tax cuts … the best value I can add … (He is interrupted

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From page 1

Mark Warner and Tim Kaine enjoy lunch at the Wiener Stand. asking for a yes or no answer but Warner ignores the question and continues) “I would like nothing more than to say that we got our country’s budget fixed in 2012.” Another attempt for a direct answer was futile.

Meanwhile the Democrats

he could do better when it comes to jobs and growing businesses. Lucas and his wife Wendy own Lucas Therapies and he has started and sold multiple businesses. Lucas proposed an entrepreneurial day in the mayor’s office on the first and third Thursday of every month.

Lucas is mostly campaigning in South and Southwest Roanoke. The Lee-Hi precinct is a bedrock of voter participation. A solid LeeHi and South Roanoke precinct win could put Bowers in jeopardy with low turnout in other precincts.

> Excavation

Call: Don Lilly Agency 540-989-1931

dents],” said Belcher.

The new path on the Hollins property is “stage one” said Belcher; the Tinker Creek greenway may wind up running alongside a creek adjacent but not on the school’s property. “We’ll see how it goes,” said Belcher.

“Very little work,” has been done of the 8 or 9 miles needed to connect the existing Tinker Creek greenway near Fallon Park to the section taking shape at Hollins now, according to Belcher. She foresees a crowded trailhead when the path to Carvins Cove opens, probably this fall.

Hugh Scruggs is one of the Pathfinders for Greenways volunteers and a member of the “midweek crew” of retirees that works on trails around the valley. “It’s always exciting – [and] we do this every week,” said Scruggs, who worked on the Read Mountain trail for a year. He estimated that the Pathfinders group will spend several months on the Hollins project; students may come back again in the fall semester to help finish up.

“Being part of this today is a great thing for our [Hollins] community,” said Kerry Edmonds before she went back to work.

are in a holding pattern while the Republicans are lining up candidates. AG Cuccinelli and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling are already fundraising and campaigning.

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

From page 1

to door.

The forum that was held on March 8 included the three council members and Independent candidate Brian Bushnell. That gave little time for questions between the two mayoral candidates.

Mark Lucas avoided the “ribbon cutting mayor” label and instead talked about being a tool in the city managers arsenal for promoting Roanoke as an entrepreneurial city. Lucas was careful and avoided depicting Bowers’ mayoral style. Instead he mostly affirmed his opponent’s views but thought

variety that the Carmel Church site boasts is uncommon, what separates Carmel Church from

NewsRoanoke.com

any other excavation site is the high density of bones found there, according to Dooley.

“At Carmel Church, whale skeletons are literally lying on top of one another,” said Dooley. “The high bone density is the focus of my research here at the museum. What makes Carmel Church so special that it should have a bone density that is orders of magnitude higher than other localities on the east coast? We hope to answer that question by preserving and documenting the fossils.”

Doing so, however, requires funding that is available from limited resources, which researchers across the nation compete to obtain.

To help fund future excavations and field work at the site, Dooley is looking at crowdfunding as an alternative. Instead of relying mainly on grants from government and private entities, he is now able to provide a simpler way for individuals who wish to help through a new Web site called Petridish, a donation Web site developed by members of the scientific community to help advance science through research and discovery. Scientists apply and have to meet certain criteria in order to have their research projects listed.

“We’ve always relied on public support to carry out the excavations at Carmel Church,” said Dooley. “However, many people have expressed an interest in helping, but have found the scale of our projects daunt-

Lucas has taken the offensive with a statement in his robo calls. Besides explaining how he would promote businesses and jobs in the valley he offered a contrast to the current officeholder he concludes the call with “if you want a mayor who can do more than cut ribbons” elect Mark Lucas.Virginia State Senator John Edwards has thrown his support behind Bowers and Congressman Bob Goodlatte has endorsed Mark Lucas.

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

From page 1 ing. Petridish provides a way for anyone interested in paleontology to be a part of the exciting science going on at Carmel Church.”

Beginning April 9, Dr. Dooley’s upcoming expedition, “Saving fossil whales in Virginia”, is featured on the Petridish Web site at petridish.org. The expedition is scheduled to take place in late summer or early fall of 2012.

Individuals can pledge as little as $1 or as much as $2,000 or more, with each pledge earning individuals rewards based on the amount pledged. Rewards range from recognition on Dr. Dooley’s research blog, to posters, baseball caps, and cast replicas of fossils found at Carmel Church. Pledges of $2,000 or more earn an individual a spot on the excavation team.

“The funding we receive will allow us to fund an excavation team of 5 people for a two week excavation at Carmel Church, including all of our excavation supplies,” said Dooley. “We will also be able to purchase lab supplies, such as adhesives and consolidates to help repair and preserve the bones and casting materials for making replicas of certain specimens for exhibits and educational programs.

We also post daily blog updates about our excavations, and encourage schools and others to follow our progress as we make our discoveries.”

The goal of the campaign is to raise $4,000 over a 60 day period. If the money pledged falls

short of the amount, all pledges will be void. However, Dooley notes that if the pledges exceed the goal, it’s possible enough funding would be available to extend the excavation longer than the two week period.

“While we are seeking funds for at least two weeks, with sufficient funding we can extend the excavation for an additional week or more,” said Dooley.

“Past excavations suggest that we should be able to collect approximately one ton of material over three weeks, representing more than 1000 bones and teeth.”

According to Dooley excavating Carmel Church is becoming extremely important due to the growing uncertainty of its future.

“It is rare for a vertebrate paleontologist to excavate a site with a 100% certainty of recovering fossils,” said Dooley. “Carmel Church is just such a site, giving us a very high data return on investment. However, the site is at risk due to high erosion rates and possible future development. We are attempting to save as many fossils as we can before they’re lost forever.”

To learn more about supporting Dr. Dooley’s expedition, visit www.petridish.org. To learn more about the museum’s scientific research and collections, or to visit Dr. Dooley’s blog, visit www.vmnh.net.

> Poll one-third (36%) of those who are not certain they will vote for their preferred candidate say it is possible they won’t vote. More than half of those who say they may not vote (56%) say they would be more likely to vote if the Republicans nominated someone other than Romney.

Favorable / Unfavorable— Mixed News for Obama Election prognosticators often cite the favorable/unfavorable ratings of candidates as potential harbingers of the election. President Obama’s favorable ratings are poor (41% favorable; 49% unfavorable), but they top those of Mitt Romney (27% favorable; 43% unfavorable). However, Obama’s relatively high unfavorable rating is not a good sign for his candidacy. Governor McDonnell tops the list of elected officials and candidates with a 46 percent favorable rating.

Tim Kaine and George Allen are statistically tied in this category (Kaine: 40% favorable/32% unfavorable; Allen: 38% favorable/28% unfavorable).

Poll results indicate that Virginia residents think that Barack Obama understands them better than Mitt Romney does. Just over half (51%) think Obama understands the needs of people like them very well or fairly well, while only 40 percent say the same about Mitt Romney.

Virginians claim to have given the Presidential election a lot of thought (64%), and even more (67%) say their interest in the campaign is increasing over time.

Allen / Kaine Allen’s lead over Kaine is the same as last month. Allen leads among political Independents (42%-35%), but he trails Kaine among ideological moderates (46%-35%).

Allen benefits from the greater percentage of self-identified Conservatives in Virginia as compared to Liberals. In fact, Kaine does slightly better at getting support from Liberals (78%) than Allen does among Conservatives (71%).

Each gets a strong majority of their partisan brethren, with Allen doing better among Republicans (80%) than Kaine fares among Democrats (76%). Kaine holds relatively narrow leads in Northern Virginia and Tidewater, while Allen has a larger lead in the other regions of the state.

There is also a gender gap with

4/13/12- 4/19/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3 From page 1 the potential candidates tied among women (39%-39%), but Allen leads among men (50%33%). Allen has a commanding lead among Whites (52%-29%), while he barely registers among African-Americans (Kaine leads 66%-9%). Kaine leads among younger respondents, while Allen does better among older residents. Interestingly, Kaine leads among those with the least and most education (less than high school and post-graduate degree) and those in the lowest and highest income groups (less than $20,000 and more than $100,000). Allen leads among all groups between those extremes.

Views of Virginia and the U.S./ Important Issues Virginians are more pessimistic about the direction of the country and the Commonwealth compared to February’s Roanoke College Poll (71% think the United States is on the wrong track while 23% think the country is headed in the right direction). Predictions for next year are slightly better with 38 percent saying they expect the national economy to improve, while 26 percent think conditions will be worse. Perceptions of the Commonwealth are more optimistic than the country but have declined in a month (45% think Virginia is headed on the wrong direction; 41% think it is on the right track).

Virginians remain focused on the economy. When asked the most important problem facing the country today, the top four issues were the economy in general (34%), unemployment (19%), the budget deficit (7%), and gas prices (6%). All other issues combined comprised only 34% of responses, with none exceeding 5%. Virginians disapprove of the individual mandate portion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act by a 57 percent to 32 percent margin. On a related issue, those who disagree with the Tea Party movement now outnumber supporters by six points (46%-40%), a margin virtually the same as February’s Roanoke College Poll.

Elected Officials’ Approval Ratings President Obama’s and Governor McDonnell’s approval ratings are down slightly, though statistically unchanged (38% in March vs. 42% in February for

Obama, and 56% in March vs.

60% in February for McDonnell). Approval of Congress has dropped into single-digits at 9%, down 2% in a month.

Analysis “While Mitt Romney fares well in the top-line numbers of this poll, looking beneath the surface suggests that his position is somewhat precarious,” said Harry Wilson, director of the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research. “The commitment of his supporters lags significantly behind the commitment of President Obama’s supporters in several areas. While his lead over Obama has widened in a month, his favorable/unfavorable numbers and the fact that Virginians think Obama better understands their needs do not bode well for the likely Republican nominee.”

“The Allen/Kaine race has not changed since the last Roanoke College Poll. It is also interesting that Kaine is actually winning among Virginians with the highest income.”

“The results of this poll indicate a very high level of dissatisfaction on the part of Virginians.

Approval of Obama, McDonnell and Congress are all down slightly, and perceptions of the state and the country have declined as well. Both Presidential candidates have higher unfavorable than favorable ratings. Virginians are a disgruntled group right now.”

Methodology Interviewing for The Roanoke College Poll was conducted

by The Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College in Salem, Va. between March 26 and April 5, 2012. A total of 603 Virginia residents were interviewed. The sample of land lines and cell phones was prepared by Survey Sampling Inc. of Fairfield, Conn. and was created so that all cell phone and residential telephone numbers, including unlisted numbers, had a known chance of inclusion. Cell phones constituted 21 percent of the completed interviews.

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A copy of the questionnaire and all frequencies may be found on the Roanoke College web site.

Freeda Cathcart was a candidate for the House of Delegates last year. um from the core samples into the air and waterways, just 50 miles from Roanoke. Cathcart said there is bipartisan support for continuing the ban on uranium mining. “There’s not the need to put at risk our environment. Radiation lasts for tens of thousands of years.”

State Senator John Edwards (D-Roanoke) helped sponsor a bill that Cathcart championed, one that would require women to receive more information after mammograms about any dense breast tissue that might have been seen during their examination.

Dense breast tissue can conceal cancer but many times women were not getting the full story about its presence, which could indicate the need for more testing. Cathcart was pleased that a bill sailed through the General Assembly and was signed by the governor, one that will require more information to be given to women who have dense breast tissue.

Cathcart also took issue with the ultrasound bill passed, mandating that women in certain stages of pregnancy have an ultrasound and take 24 hours

to think about their decision if considering ending the pregnancy. She is pleased that the more invasive form of ultrasound was taken out of the bill; but worries that poor women without easy access to transportation may have trouble getting to an ultrasound center, or will find the 24 hour waiting period before they can have an abortion a financial and logistical imposition.

She also worries that placing the independent Pesticide Control Board under the auspices of the state Agriculture Department – something McDonnell touted as a way of streamlining– will allow for lesser control of pesticides that are not related to farming. “People use exterminators to come to their house – it’s a different type of [pesticide] industry.”

Cathcart, who took part in several Richmond rallies on issues like the ultrasound bill, said the old pesticide board was funded by chemical manufacturers that paid fees, and was manned by volunteers. “There was no cost to the taxpayer,” she insisted.

The new board provides “more of an opportunity for mistakes to happen and less accountability,” in her estimation.

The General Assembly may still be a calling for Cathcart – or at least making another attempt at wresting the seat away from Chris Head, who replaced the retiring Bill Cleaveland. “I haven’t ruled it out. I really enjoy helping people and however I can best serve the public … that’s where I’ll be.”

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Freeda Cathcart spent part of the late winter and early spring in Richmond, making her position known on several bills that made their way through the General Assembly session. The former Democrat candidate for the 17th House of Delegates district seat last November – she lost to Republican Chris Head – also won’t rule out running again in the future.

In the meantime she’ll be content to home school her boys, act as president of the Grandin Court Neighborhood Association and keep an eye on goings-on in the capitol. The state legislature has not taken any action on uranium mining but the existing ban is still in place.

(Cathcart and some other environmentalists want it upheld.)

But she is concerned about a “working group” Governor Bob McDonnell has set up to explore uranium drilling and mining legislation in the future – should the moratorium be lifted.

Cathcart said the way the Uranium Working Group was set up, it does not require the public to be involved, nor is it subject to the Freedom of Information Act. “Our tax dollars are paying for it,” said Cathcart, who also contends that the working group flies in the face of recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences, which believes “the public should be involved at every step. [The working group] is very dismissive of the public.”

Cathcart doesn’t think there is adequate storage of uranium core samples taken several years ago at a Pittsylvania County site, wondering what would happen if a tornado tore those containers apart and unleashed urani-

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Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 4/13/12- 4/19/12

I

More Tales From the E.R. . . .

’m on duty in the ER. Thir- cars!” he said. They led him out ty inches of fresh snow to the parking lot in front of the on the ground. Police snow vehicle. He looked around are asking that all unessential the lot and said, “So. Where is travel be avoided; and patients it?” are signing in left and right to “You’re standing in front of be seen with chronic it.” complaints: `M’back’s “No. I’m standing in been hurtin’ fer nigh on front of a little sled with thirty year. Thought I’d a motor and the words get it checked out!’ `organ donor’ written I tell you, Virginia all over it.” could be in a nuclear But, rather than confrontation with spend another minute New Jersey, and folks in the ER, he grabbed would be coming to fate by the foreLucky Garvin the ER for suture relock and reluctantly checks! But, stand to climbed aboard, all your philosophy, Gahv, each the while uttering shamelessly day brings its petty dust. Don’t profligate promises to his God take it too seriously. in exchange for getting him ... safely home. A platoon of saints A patient of mine did a speed- could never have achieved all bump. Where was he hurting? the good works Dr. Culpepper He pointed behind him and promised his Maker that day. said, “Right here at the neck of … my head.” [Oh, you know where A patient stopped and stared that is, right near the shoulder at me like I was a urine sample. of your back!]

“Dr. Garvin! What happened?! ...

You’ve gotten so much older!

During the recent blizzard, Did you have a stroke?! [Workroads were all but impassable. ing at a medical facility, I’m sure How to get Dr. Culpepper home someone would have told me.] after his shift? “We got you a “Well, when was the last time snow-mobile and a driver,” said you saw me?” the nurses.

“About five years ago.”

“Oh great!” he said. Then he “Did you expect me to get paused and asked, “What’s a younger?” snow-mobile?” [He was raised“Well, no, but not to look this up in Tallahassee and he don’t old!” get out much.]

She later asked me if I was anReluctant to spill the beans, gry at her for telling me I looked one of them answered, “Well... so old. I said, “No. Happens all uh... you might say it’s like a the time.” small car.”

But then, there are compensa“Oh great! Ah know all about tions: I stepped into the examin-

Hurry! Sale Ends Soon!

ing room. The little six year old girl squealed, “Oh goody. A boy doctor!” Thank you, Ma’am! …

People wonder why I’m burned out: The patient came for a return visit and told me, “I didn’t take those pills you gave me and I’m no better.”

It’s 4 AM. Three patients. One with a cat bite sustained at 6 PM the previous day. Dropped by for a tetanus shot.

5:30 AM: A lady with a knee injury. Three weeks ago. No increase in pain. She just got tired of it.

5:45 AM: The lady has a sinus infection. She was diagnosed one week ago. Took her antibiotics two days. Felt better. Quit them. The infection flared up again. Go figure. So, she came in to be seen. By ambulance.

6 AM: My legs got weak after my heart surgery three years ago.” “And you just now got around to coming in to be seen?” “Yeah.”

6:05 AM: He needed a refill on a medicine a physician had given him in California. Helped him breath. Oxygen tablets. ...

“You got the physician’s name?” I asked. “Dr. Somebody.” Well, that’s getting the ball over the plate, eh?

“Nurse,” I said, “look at the roster and see which of our physicians has the first name of `Dr.’” ...

A 39 year old fellow came in with heart pain. No past history of heart trouble. But, he’d been using cocaine. He was playing `the innocent.’ “Oh, is coke bad for you?”

“No, sir,” I said, “It’s one of the four basic food groups.” The other three are: Mellow Yellow, sun-flower seeds and trail mix. …

I went in to see a fellow who happened to be a bilateral leg amputee. He told me he worked as a stand-up comedian. [True.]

Look for Lucky’s books locally and on-line: The Oath of Hippocrates; The Cotillian; A Journey Long Delayed.

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71641

Local Crossword

Star-Sentinel Crossword for /13/2012

1

2

3

4

11

5

6

7

12

14

23

38

27

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21 25

29

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33 35

26

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10

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18 20

22

9

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15

17

8

34

36

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42

www.CrosswordWeaver.com

ACROSS 1 Gauze 4 Posttraumatic stress disorder 8 Female (abr.)

11 IOU part 12 Sailors "hey" 13 Which chill and grille now features Chef Michael Wright?

14 Get at 15 Japanese staple 16 Three 17 Creative products 19 Local heating and air conditioning company that offers 'a breath of fresh air'.

20 Olden 21 Daddy 22 Dickens' "__ of Two Cities" (2 wds.)

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

25 26 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 37 38 40 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

Be incorrect Trail Hit Avail Brink Official Central Standard Time High ranking man- used formerly Molten rock Bro.'s sibling Wanders Dying Singing voice Scat!

Condemn The white tiger cub at Natural Bridge Zoo. Brag Hotel Aurora Which local ice cremory is 'sweet to the taste,

By Don Waterfield

43

smooth on the tongue, and yummy on the tummy'?

52 Female deer DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 13 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 30 31 33 34 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 45

Science channel Vessel Book Type of probation Before fourth Drogue Change color Offensive soccer players Canal Secure End __ down Saloon Before (prefix) Abridged (abbr.)

Equal Poetic inspiration Eastern Standard Time Good grief!

Drink America Direction Kroger's local three letter pharmacy.

Aviators Famous cookies American indian Take down Tub spread Hold it there As previously cited Taboo Departed Short-term memory

NewsRoanoke.com

The Automobile Name Game

D

o you have fond Then there are drivers who memories of your select specific models according first car? I don't. And to his or her profession. the reason can be explained in Can’t you see an astronomer two words: Chevy Chevette. behind the wheel of a MitsubiOkay, you can stop laughing shi Eclipse; an optometrist in now. I know this was a Ford Focus; or a not a vehicle that a pilot taking off in an young, testosteroneIsuzu Ascender? primed male of the And what proc80s could worship tologist could reas it rattled along the sist parking a Ford Interstate powered Probe outside the by an engine that surgery? roared like an elecThe late explorer tric toothbrush.

Sir Edmund HilSo after driving lary would have around unknowfelt right at home Nick Thomas ingly for weeks climbing into a with a “Ram Me” Mercury Mounsign someone had attached to taineer, although he would have the back bumper, I realized it been wary about the Chevy was time to trade up to a vehicle Avalanche. with a name boasting a little And almost certainly the inmore panache ­a Thunderbird. famous Heidi Fleiss would have Car names are important treated her “girls” to a fleet of to automobile manufacturers. Escorts.

They are keenly aware that pubThe animal kingdom has also lic recognition and acceptance been well represented in the auof a name can influence a ve- tomobile name game over the hicle’s commercial success in a years. But not just any animal­ highly competitive industry. often it is one that symbolizes Consider the Jeep Wrangler ­a power, strength or speed. So the great earthy name for a car. But Mercury Cougar, Dodge Ram, the Kia Kickit probably wouldn’t and Ford Taurus worked well inspire much consumer confi- (at least in name). dence.

But there have been sucVehicles are often christened cessful exceptions to muscular with names that intrigue or monikers: the VW Beetle was a arouse our sense of adventure cute, popular car, and justly deand excitement. What bold served its quaint title. driver wouldn’t want to be seen Two animal categories have trekking through the rugged been especially popular: horses wilderness in a Pathfinder, Ex- and birds. In addition to the plorer, Outback, Expedition, or Mustang, Ford rounded up the Navigator? best equine names with Bronco Exotic places also sell cars: and Pinto as well. Wisely, they Dakota, Monte Carlo, Malibu, never produced a Ford Gelding­ Park Avenue, Tahoe, and Yu- probably a little too Freudian kon ­ all exciting destinations for young male drivers. and, presumably, exciting cars.

During the energy conscious A Lincoln Lubbock might never Carter administration, Dodge make it off the showroom floor. created a stable of their own

with the Colt. It was a time of efficiency, when cars were named after little animals, such as the Audi Fox. There were even VW Rabbits multiplying all over the freeways.

Our feathered friends have been well represented with the Jeep Eagle, Ford Falcon, and the Buick Skylark. Even chickens made an appearance in the 30s and 40s with the Bantam.

From the 60s and 70s, Plymouth had the Barracuda and the Roadrunner, which were great looking cars. But the head of Plymouth’s marketing department should have taken a lesson from other companies that produced the Corvette Stingray, Fiat Spider and the Dodge Viper. Now there were some classic cars with names that had bite.

Along these lines, there are a few car names that may not immediately be recognized as animals, such as the Mercury Sable.

A sable might be best described as an elegant weasel. Wisely, the Mercury marketers chose sable over weasel.

And let’s not forget the Chevy Impala, named after a graceful deer-like African mammal.

Well, perhaps graceful on four legs when gliding over the subtropical savannas, not necessarily when rattling along the Interstate on four wheels.

And speaking of rattling, I sometimes wonder about the fate of my old Chevette. I suspect it was melted down and recycled into a faster and more graceful vehicle, such as the one my neighbor currently owns, which just happens to be ...... a John Deere.

Contact Nick Thomas at info@newsroanoke.com

This One’s About the Moon, and the Son

T

he traditional Jew- years, 6 of them are pregnant.

The Book of Exodus tells ish calendar is based on the cycles of the us that the first Passover ocmoon. Each month has 29 or 30 curred under a Full Moon, in days, in which the moon waxes the spring. God told Moses to gather lambs, and through the first half on "the fourteenth of the month, is full day of the month, in the middle of the all the members of month, and wanes the community of until the end of the Israel must slaughmonth. Works pretty ter them at twilight. well, except that after Then they are to take 12 months, only 354 some of the blood days have passed, and put it on the leaving some days Mike Keeler sides and tops of left over in the solar the doorframes of year. If left alone, the months of the year would slip the houses." The blood allowed backwards about 11 days each them to be "passed over" by the year. To deal with this, a 13th wrath of God, when He struck lunar month has to be added in down the firstborn of Egypt, some years - known as "preg- and released Israel from slavnant years" - to push the dates ery. The month in question was back again; out of every 19 Nisan (perhaps in 1441 BC, I work full-time.

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but don't get us started), which is the first full month after the spring equinox. So, for the last 3,453 years, the beginning of Passover has been celebrated on the eve of Nisan 15, under a Full Moon (and the rest of Passover flows accordingly).

The Gospels tell us that the Last Supper also occurred under a Full Moon, in the spring.

Matthew, Mark and Luke all agree - though John does not that the Last Supper was a Passover Seder. If so, it was held on the eve of Nisan 15 (perhaps in 33 AD, but don't get us started), the Crucifixion would have taken place on that date, and the first Easter would have taken place on Nisan 17. However, when the Romans drew up the first "official" Christian calendar in 325 AD, they wanted Easter to always fall on Sunday, AND they didn't want its date to be set in direct relation to the Jewish calendar. So, for the last 1,979 years, Easter Sunday has been celebrated on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the spring equinox (and the rest of the Easter calendar shifts accordingly).

Both holidays move around on our modern solar calendar, but only one also synchronizes with a day of the week.

Passover can begin as early as March 21 or as late as April 20.

Easter can fall between March 21 and April 25.

And so this year - as the moon would have it - Friday April 6, turned out to be doubly divine. Good Friday by day, and Passover by night.

Blood of the lamb indeed.

Contact Mike at info@newsroanoke.com

Perspective

NewsRoanoke.com

The Preacher’s Corner

“Magdalenic Faith” In my Easter sermon, I talked about Mary Magdalene and the faith that brought her to the grave even though she thought her Lord was dead.

This is not the mother of Jesus Mary, but the Mary who John presents at the end of the Gospel as a disciple. Many people might relate to the shaken but vital faith that compelled Mary to come to the grave.

Mary Magdalene is the first person to visit the tomb. But she doesn’t come because she believes Jesus is raised from the dead, despite the fact that Jesus had said he would be several times. Her later shock at finding an open grave and then not recognizing Jesus when she comes upon him shows that she expects to find the grave sealed tight. Jesus is dead, but still she comes. Though crucified and thus discredited in the world’s eyes, Mary comes because, dead or alive, she wants to be near Jesus.

Believing or doubting, she is taking her stand with Jesus. How can hers be called faith?

Let’s remember what the Gospel of John calls faith. In chapter 15, Jesus tells his disciples that “as he has been loved by his Father, in the same way he has loved them. So, live in my love. Do so by keeping my Father’s commandments, and this is commandment #1: Love one another as I have loved you.”

A heart-broken, grief-stricken, disillusioned, Mary goes to the grave because she loves Jesus.

It is not an intellectual conviction, or certainty, or strong opinion that brings her here. A lot of what she thought she knew and counted on is lost to her right now. Despite the fact that she believes Jesus is dead, and though she is confused as to where God is in all that has happened, she still believes in the God she met in Jesus. God makes no sense right now. But she still believes and still follows. Love brings her.

Can faith be like that? Can we love God even when we wonder if there is a God? Or when we wonder where God is when the evidence seems to say God is nowhere near?

Of course, I am not talking about any kind of God. I am talking about the God Mary came to know in Jesus Christ. I am talking about a good God. There are holocaust moments in history and in life when we wonder if good can stand up to evil; moments when it seems good has been gassed in a chamber and now is in a grave. The world will keep spinning no matter how we treat it or each other, and yet we can’t give up on the God who forbids stealing and murder and commands compassion for the frail and weak; a God before whom there is a real difference between right and wrong, good and evil.

And, I am talking about a love that believes life

by George C. Anderson

has meaning. Sometimes it seems that we make up our meaning and all that we think is meaningful goes with us into the grave. But love of God keeps us believing that life does have meaning, that there is a God that cares that we are here and wants us to live in ways that have purpose and reflect the values of justice and compassion- the values of what we in church call “The Kingdom of God.” That’s Mary’s kind of love. She doesn’t go to the grave because he thinks God has won, or is certain everything will work out. She goes because the Lord she loves is there. Despite what the world did to Jesus or now says about him, she remains committed to him. I think she is even willing to die for what Jesus died for because she knows that what he died for is the only thing worth living for.

I suggest Easter is not just for those who want to celebrate the empty grave, but is also for those who are here because they cannot quit loving the God they doubt and are searching for, want to follow a God they cannot find, are confused about the one in whom they seek meaning, want to be with God even when they don’t expect to be intimate and confuse God for the gardener, and are willing to give their lives to a cause where justice and compassion matter even if sometimes they wonder if they do.

If the Easter news is true, and I believe it is, here’s the wonderful news for those whose faith is in a Magdelenic stage.

You love God? Well God loves you.

Do you want proof that what you hope to be true is true; that God is real, God is good, God loves sinners, life has meaning and justice and compassion matter?

Sorry; love can’t be proven. Love can be known, but only as it is lived.

Do you feel it?

Whether you do or don’t, it doesn’t change anything; God still loves you.

Do you half believe it, still hoping it is true?

Well, that’s your issue and not God’s because this isn’t a tale where Tinkerbelle lives if we wish it hard enough. God’s existence and love don’t depend on your believing hard enough.

If your faith is in a “magdelenic stage,” keep coming to the grave. Keep waiting, watching and praying for those moments when you hear your name and the gardener turns out to be God.

O

4/13/12- 4/19/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

You’re On, Kid

f the wondrously the nation. My palms began to wondering what you thought huge number of sweat. This time, Mr. Screener about Senator Whoozit's plans phobias, the one informed me that I was next to push for a-" "I know where which affects me most in- following the crazy guy call- you're going, and you're right! tensely is public speaking. My ing from Forth Worth whose Those in our political camp fear of being heard by large complaint centered around need to stick together during crowds originated in grade some government conspiracy these tough times, Rooooob", school during oral presenta- to fluoridate orange groves in replied the gifted orator. tions. I'm not sure why that Florida. Would anyone recog- "Thanks for a great call," imis, considering that nize my voice, which parted Mr. Host. "Rooooob I excelled at being sounds like a moose makes a good point." (I wona real ham during with a head cold? der what it was?) show and tell.

Just as I began By this time, of course, I was Now, addressing hearing my blood so wracked with adrenaline a crowd is a pretty pump from within that I could have bench pressed common fear. Most my head, with palms a Buick. The famous talk show of us suffer this anxisweating, and with celebrity prepared to move on ety to some extent, that icy cold feeling to the next caller as I crawled though many of us that only fear can away from the phone feeling overcome much of it bring, Mr. Screener like someone had Hoovered Robert Adcox in college, work, or came back on the the blood sugar out of my envarious social situline to tell me not to docrine system. Consuming ations. Some of us, however, make any noises because I was an entire box of Oreos would can't quite seem to shed that next. not have pushed me closer to particular terror no matter I think I heard myself gulp, homeostatic balance. what measures we take. Like which scared me since he just Psychologists term such an the idea I had for beating my instructed me not to make any attempt to overcome a phobia fear by calling a nationally noises. as "flooding" - as in fully imsyndicated radio talk show in The host, ever the glib, mersing the person in the very order to beef about the issues slick-tongued orator, sud- situation which elicits fear. of the day. One might think denly sounded much louder The idea is that the person will that such an outlet is healthy; and much, much angrier. "We quickly learn that his or her after all, one calls a talk show take a call now from Rooooob fears are unfounded, thereby to vent and to express. Reliev- in Roanoke, Virginia. How extinguishing the phobia. I ing emotional pressure should are you today, Rooooob?", in- missed that day in class. thus lead to better mental toned the most professionalI had to take a call. health. sounding and famous person Or so one might think. on the other end of the call.

Contact Robert Adcox at In my case, calling the show "Uumm..." I began, voice crackrobadcox@hotmail.com meant being placed on hold ing and hands shaking. "I was for twenty plus minutes. From the time I dialed the number I was nervous. Every other minute, the call screener came on line (in an intimidating Need experienced Drywall Mechanics hushed tone) to inform me for project in Blacksburg. that I was now number seven in the queue. Each time he did this, I felt my throat constrict Must have at least 3 years experience. just a little more. Commercials came and went, and the music signaling that the show Call Bo Pruitt 678-414-2659 was back on the air once again EOE/AA/F-M/D-V blasted AM speakers across

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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 4/13/12- 4/19/12

Cuccinelli Speaks to the Issues Virginia Attorney General fair to call them a toothless tiger.

Ken Cuccinelli first saw the They don’t have any manpower printed copy of the Center for for policing and they don’t have Public Integrity corruption re- any legal authority.” port that gave Virginia an “F” There are two ways to look during an interview at this from an inveswith the Roanoke Startigative standpoint, Sentinel two weeks ago. said Cuccinelli. “You He dismissed the grade can either have a low questioning how could threshold for suspiInternal Audit receive cion but you police an “A” but receive an it more vigorously or “F” overall. you have this really He rebuked it calling high standard where the center a George Soyou don’t even look ros organization. “They Ken Cuccinelli essentially until somecan call it what they body basically brings want but they have an agenda,” you a criminal case and drops it he said. “Nonetheless, I think in your lap.” some of the things they point out “I think we are far more the are legitimate areas of concern.” latter,” he said. “I don’t think that As a senator he tried to make is an ideal way to operate. I don’t improvements. “It’s awkward to think it encourages trust by the run for governor and say I’m go- people of Virginia” ing to police [legislators]. They Cuccinelli agreed that “it was need to do it themselves.” a legitimate concern” that there The Open Society Foundation was no law saying a legislator (a George Soros supported foun- couldn’t use money from their dation for liberal causes) is one campaign coffers for personal of 50 donors to the center. This use like paying relatives or going was confirmed in a call to Randy on vacation.

Barrett communications direcCaps on donations: tor for the center. Barrett firmly Virginia has no caps on camstressed that they were “staunch- paign contributions and Cucly nonpartisan.” cinelli is OK with that but if there Transparency: were caps he said the cap should In 2009, prior to his election be very high. “I’d have a real to Attorney General, Cuccinelli problem picking some line to spoke at the annual Virginia Co- reign in first amendment rights.” alition for Open Government in Cuccinelli believed his fundStaunton. “Whoever controls the raising would benefit with caps information has more power,” he because of his large number of said then and repeated again two small donors. “We absolutely weeks ago. dust [the Lt. Governor] in terms The budget could be more of small donors,” he said. transparent but financing an an“It’s just free speech and I’ve tiquated computer system is the been outspent in four races and problem. “I believe that there are I’ve won all four. Would I like people who prefer a muddled, to outspend an opponent some lousy budget information system day? I would. If I’m going to be because less people can under- running against Terry McAuliffe stand it and that smaller number (the expected Democratic guof people are in a stronger posi- bernatorial nominee) the odds tion of control.” are it’s not going to be this race,” Campaign finance as a part he said. of transparency: Judges: With a question regarding the “There is nothing perfect,” State Board of Elections being when it comes to legislative sea “toothless tiger” he said, “it is lection of judges. He believes

judges should have terms and not life appointments. “It gets you the best combination of accountability and insulation that you can have.”

As a Fairfax senator Cuccinelli focused on judges coming up for reappointment. “Not that I was out to get them or anything but I wanted to make sure they were working hard … moving cases through at a reasonable clip and that they were judging consistently and intelligently.”

Judges’ reviews are kept private. “We need to hold judges accountable and if they don’t like people seeing their job reviews then don’t be a judge,” he said.

Elections – President and U.S. Senate: Cuccinelli wouldn’t divulge who he voted for in the Republican primary. He will pull for whoever is the eventual Republican nominee. “I’ve organized several of my fellow attorney generals to gather up all the information on all the lawbreaking the President [Obama] and his administration has done.”

“Virginia’s ballot was embarrassing quite frankly,” said Cuccinelli. “It just points out what a terrible system we have. I watch TV returns and though I love this stuff even I’m getting a little bored, “ he laughed.

He took a swipe at the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, Tim Kaine, saying that as DNC chair he was the Democrats’ attack dog, raised taxes, tried to send the double murderer, Jens Soering, back to Germany. He recounted the abusive driver fee fiasco. “Remember the explosion that caused?” he said.

“That even upset Charlottesville, how does a liberal upset Charlottesville? They think Ho Chi Minh is a right-winger,” he said while laughing. He explained that was intended to be a dig at UVA professors and that Soaring was a former student there.

NewsRoanoke.com

Democratic Challenger In The 6th Congressional District Holds Town Hall

Andy Schmookler is officially the 6th district nominee of the Democratic Party. He will run against either the entrenched incumbent Republican Bob Goodlate or his primary challenger Karen Kwiatkowski. Both Kwiatkowski and Schmookler reside in Shenandoah County.

The political newcomer is in "the truth business" as he told the 25 people gathered at Roanoke’s main library Saturday. He vowed to “always speak the truth.”

His dad once told him that his forthright straight talk was not conducive to his political aspirations.

“You’re a person who says what he means and means what he says – that is not how politics work,” said his dad according to Schmookler.

Many award-winning books later - at age 65 - he says that he has not changed his commitment to the truth. Schmookler believes that “neither liberals nor conservatives have a monopoly on the truth - they only have pieces of the truth.”

The country is facing a very dark set of forces – “a degradation of our birthright as Americans,” he said. The degradation has become so serious to Schmookler that he couldn’t sit by any longer without taking action. He jumped into the political arena because the problem at its core was that the “lie was defeating the truth.”

Schmookler is convinced the only way to restore America and "defeat the lie" is through the political process. His concern is the widening gap of inequality between the wealthy and the middle class.

Schmookler also believes that the industry that is funding climate change denial knows full well what is true about climate change. “Half the people think it’s a hoax,” he said. “We’re like the Titanic moving full speed ahead toward the iceberg of climate change.”

Blaming Planned Parenthood for abortion is another "myth" according to Schmookler. He also says that there are some who attack higher education as “anti-American” for their lack of American history classes when in truth they offer dozens of courses. “[Republicans] are making war on every aspect of American society which opposes them.”

A Tea Party member in an email exchange told Schmookler that liberal Democrats want everybody to be dependent on the government, depriving people from thinking for themselves. "The people buy the lies and the Republicans prosper," he said.

The founding fathers crafted a system that relied on an informed citizenry, explained Schmookler.

“There has never been a time in American history where the lie has been so powerful. The lie is doing so good because the entire body of politics has

By Valerie Garner failed. People are living in a bubble resisting intelinfo@newsroanoke.com lectual thought."

Councilman Bill Bestpitch talks with Andy Schmookler before last week’s town hall.

"Journalism has failed to inform the citizenry by not exposing the truth," he said. "Rather than informing the citizenry with the truth that the world is round and not flat, the media just puts out opposing sides for readers to figure it out for themselves."

He blames the Democratic Party for "the blindness and fear of confrontation that allows the lie to go unchallenged . . . It gives me no pleasure to blame the Democratic Party,” he said.

Schmookler is striving to model what he thinks the Democratic Party should be by "speaking the truth."

"If the lie continues to prosper, democracy falls apart," he said. “It is not enough for people to have access to information if they are being sequestered by propaganda that keeps them from the truth.”

As a candidate Schmookler said he is seeking opportunities to speak to the conservatives in the 6th district. “They are vulnerable,” he said. He wants to convey to conservatives that today’s Republicans are “demonstrably not conservatives.”

He explained that “conservatism is the commitment to the preservation and respect for the norms and morals codes and traditions that are handed down to us.” He hopes to convey to conservatives “how their true values do and do not get served.”

According to Schmookler, "No real patriot would want to hurt America. The Republicans used extortion to keep the Bush era tax cuts on the wealthy from expiring and did so again with the debt ceiling. No real conservative would delegitimize the President of the United States."

"The Republicans are not about policy or finding common ground - they are about power and the fight," he said. Adding that what they are doing “is not the spirit of Christianity.”

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

Kissito Makes Progress On Two Fronts In Africa Roanoke-based Kissito Healthcare International (KHI), which is currently building a hospital in Ethiopia, is also working at another clinic in Uganda – where the quantity of patients seen and the number of surgeries performed can be quite staggering at times. KHI, about five years old, is an offshoot of Kissito Healthcare, which operates eight facilities in the United States, including the Brian Center in Botetourt County.

Roanoker Chris Barth spend several months in Uganda as a

volunteer, working on IT issues, and Kissito Project Manager Clarissa Clarke (Barth’s fiancé) will be there for another month or so, according to KHI Development Director Elizabeth Parsons. “Clarissa is really excited to be over there,” said Parsons.

The rural hospital in Bugobero, in eastern Uganda, serves more than 50,000 patients a year. Recently Kissito surgeon Dr. Edward Sabiiti performed 18 surgeries in one day. On his travels to Africa, Kissito CEO Tom Clarke noted that “with

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just a little bit of money I could make a big impact,” according to Parsons, and thus Kissito International was born.

Clarke made a point to visit rural hospitals and orphanages on a regular basis said Parsons, and soon determined that he wanted to make a permanent impact on the lives of people in places like Ethiopia and Uganda.

Parsons has been to Ethiopia several times as the hospital planned there is being constructed.

Sam Rasoul is a development consultant for KHI, and also the CFO for Kissito. The former Roanoke mayoral candidate and one time congressional hopeful said that the non-profit KHI is working to combat disease and malnutrition in underdeveloped countries. “We’re [also] sponsoring research with partners like Harvard,” said Rasoul, “and we’re trying to increase our footprint.”

The cash flow generated by Kissito’s domestic entities means that sponsors can be assured that all of the money donated for in-

ternational efforts will go toward programs on the ground – a major selling point, said Rasoul.

“People are always wondering – where are my dollars going?

With our program people are specifically sponsoring a doctor, a nurse, a clinic, a hospital.”

KHI trains people from the countries in Africa they serve (which might include the Sudan in the future) to staff the clinics and hospitals. In Uganda they sent nursing students to the PhilDr. Edward Sabiiti (right) performed 18 surgeries in one day. ippines for training.

“It was very eye-opening,” said Parsons of her time in Ethiopia, the scene. The patients seen were you don’t get used to them,” said which is “filled with wonderful, few and far between. Now the Parsons.

The laid back and much slowvibrant people,” that just don’t hospital has seen as many as 483 patients in a single day. er pace of life in Uganda somehave much in the way of mate“It’s really amazing – there’s a times gets in the way, “but we rial possessions.

In Bugobero, Uganda the lot of needs that we’re address- have to work within that system hospital there is actually a pub- ing,” said Parsons, who com- and culture.”

See kissitohealthcareinternalic-private partnership with the mends Ugandan health care Ugandan government – a model workers for doing what they can tional.org for more information that works best, according to with few supplies. Childbirth is or to make a donation.

Parsons. But the facility “literally still a hazardous ordeal in Uganwas falling apart,” and had not da, where 6000 women a year

By Gene Marrano received a drug shipment for six still die while having children. gmarrano@cox.net months before Kissito arrived on “The things you see over there,

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Three Hidden Valley Athletes Sign To Play At College Level

A ceremony in the school library last Wednesday saw three Hidden Valley athletes commit to play their respective sport at the college level.

Hayden Smith will attend Alleghany College in Meadville,Pa. where he will play baseball. A four-year player for Hidden Valley, including two as a member of the varsity squad, Smith follows his father, Scott, who was a pitcher for Alleghany.

Since Alleghany is a Division-3 college that cannot offer athletic scholarships, Smith took advantage of his hard work in the classroom to receive a merit scholarship. He listed the coach, the family history at Alleghany, and other family who live there as his reasons for choosing the school.

Trevor Holdren, a lineman on the Hidden Valley football team for four years, signed with UVA-Wise to continue his football career. He pointed to the great program and facilities in

Seated, left to right- Hayden Smith, Trevor Holdren and Sami Norman are surrounded by family and coaches as they sign to compete at the college level. making his choice. Holdren received a partial athletic scholarship, and had also considered Concord and Bluefield.

Also Wednesday, Hidden Valley swimmer Sami Norman signed with King College in Bristol. She had also considered Lenoir-Rhyne, Ferrum, Hood and Pfeiffer.

Norman, who has been a member of the Titan swim team for 3 years, and the CCA Marlina for five, said she was at home with the King team and loved the beautiful campus.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

Basketball All-Star Teams Named For Roanoke Metro

The 2012 Roanoke Metro high school basketball all-star teams for girls and boys have been selected by the Kiwanis Clubs of Botetourt, Roanoke

Boys' Coach of the Year, Cave Spring's Billy Hicks.

Wild Bill’s Weekly Sports Roundup

It’s been a trying week for our admit I was getting a chuckle publisher. High school sports is out of Woods beating it all over on hold with the well-deserved the place, cursing and kicking spring break in our midst, so clubs. Interesting how the golf games, athletes and the tank- gurus, prior to the tournament, top clad, good looking, warm were ready to hand Woods the weather fans are notrophy before Arnold where in sight.

Palmer, Jack Nicklaus That means no games and Gary Player hit the to cover and a shortfall ceremonial first shots of pictures. No probThursday morning. lem; we simply move to High school basethe Wild Bill Expanded ball resumes next week Coverage to take up as district play begins more room in print. for most of our area Bill Turner So, read on, and hold teams. The Wild Bill on to your seat.

‘Big-11’ Top-3 holds We have to wait until tonight steady with Northside, Wil(Friday, Apr. 13th) before our liam Byrd and Lord Botetourt own Salem Red Sox open the holding the 1-3 spots. Possible home campaign at Salem Me- pollbreakers include Hidden morial Stadium. The 2012 Red Valley, after their impressive Sox look imposing, so it should run in Rock Hill, SC last weekbe a great year at the ball park. end, Cave Spring with a seniorAdd this year’s line-up of pro- loaded team, and North Cross, motions lined up by GM Todd who’s had some sizzling bats in Stephenson, and Lewis-Gale their VIC openers.

Field will be the place to be for Many of our readers continue family fun throughout the sum- to comment on the Wild Bill mer. product updates, so this week I’ll be in the photo pit in the we take a look at two products Red Sox dugout for many of the in the world of magnets. games, so lean over to say hi to I’m skeptical about the first the Wild One. That is, of course, on our list, the newly promoted except thirsty Thursdays, when late-nite Magic Mesh. This gadI plan to be on the concourse to get is a screen-like two-panel check out all the ....... well, you mesh that is connected by 18 know ..... the opposing team’s magnets. Supposedly, this reoutfield alignment. places opening a door, or even The Masters concluded Sun- sliding a screen door to access day with a great win by Bubba your patio and outdoor BBQ. Watson over South Africa’s The pitch shows people clamLouis Oosthuizen in a riveting oring through this thing with two-hole playoff. I’m convinced nary a flinch, and the magnets Bubba is the PGA TOUR golfer immediately closing the openlooking most like a rock singer, ing with efficiency. To me, the and Louis Oosthuizen now closing sounds like a rattlesnake, holds the record for the most which, living in a wooded area, vowels in the name of a second- concerns me that an actual repplace finisher. tile will take me unawares on We’ve now had fourteen dif- the way to my grill. ferent winners in golf ’s last The other problem I have fourteen majors. That brings with the pitch are the dogs hapme to Tiger Woods. I’ve got to pily running indoors through

the Magic Mesh. What keeps your pets, if distracted, from running outside through the Magic Mesh, never to be seen again?

Hopefully, some of my avid readers who have given this a trial, will offer an opinion.

Next, in the magnet category, was one that took the cake. My wife and I were offered a free meal at a local restaurant last week to hear an informative health care offer. Amazingly, I couldn’t get info ahead of time if this was a Medicare supplement plan or a time-share in Hawaii that would make my cholesterol lower from being around macadamia nuts.

We attended, and this pitch was a lulu. A heal-all magnetic mattress (and other magnetic products) that cured virtually every malady known to mankind. Since I suffered from 80% of the list, I listened intensely.

The crowning blow came when the affable guy asked if we knew how iron reacted to magnets. I, like others, pictured iron shavings jumping around toward a magnet like an Etch-A-Sketch.

He then pointed out that a main component of blood was iron, thus the magnetic mattress would pull the iron in your blood to give you circulation never imagined.

I’m not offering an opinion yet, but since these gadgets seemed ultra-expensive to the naked wallet, I’ll wrap myself in refrigerator magnets first, and hopefully won’t end up in the freezer compartment.

That’s enough magnetic pull for one week. Send your centrifuge to: info@newsroanoke. com

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

Girls All-Star Team (L-R) Jade Lewis, Ryjae Anderson, Tyler Evans, Jessi Strom. (Not pictured - Tay Taylor.)

Girls' coach of the year, Nick Stewart of Glenvar. and Salem.

The girls team consisted of Jade Lewis (Lord Botetourt), Ryjae Anderson (William Fleming), Tyler Evans (Hidden Valley), Jessi Strom (Glenvar) and Tay Taylor (Salem).

Evans was named player of the year.

Nick Stewart, head coach at Glenvar, was named girls'

12/30/11 -1/5/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

Boy' All-Star Team (L-R) Marcus Banks, Dylan Hodson, Amin Abuhawwas. (Not pictured - B.J. Hamlett, Miles Henderson.) coach of the year.

Making the boys' team were Marcus Banks (Patrick Henry), Dylan Hodson (Hidden Valley), Amin Abuhawwas (Cave Spring), B.J. Hamlett (Patrick Henry) and Miles Henderson (William Fleming).

Banks was tabbed the 2012 player of the year.

Cave Spring head coach Billy Hicks was named boys' coach of the year.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

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Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 4/13/12- 4/19/12

Kaine Should Lead by Example

Dear Editor Chairman Kaine has been sending notes to his minions, to pressure Senator Allen to refuse to take any form of PAC Money in the upcoming 2012 Virginia US Senate election.

When Kaine was an ACLU lawyer, then Chair of the Democrat National Committee, did they

not teach him about the value of leadership?

Kaine should first refuse to take all money from Union Bosses. Lead by example, Chairman Kaine.

- Earnestine Dayton, Vinton

Rinker’s Argument Not Complete

Dear Editor, Dr. Rinker has had some refreshing articles in the Sentinnel. I am writing to comment on some of his energy policy plan ideas for our nation from his 3/30 column: Overall, his tone seems to be one of mistrust of some

of the natural resources such as Coal. One of the many natural resources found in America's ground is an abundance of coal.

To look at the long trainloads of coal moving through Roanoke on their way to ports for overseas exportation is an encouraging

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sign in a day when this country runs a trade deficit. While some like Dr. Rinker might consider coal a necessary dirty alternative, I am grateful that many of my relatives have been able to make good livelihoods from its mining.

The attitude Rinker portrays for the future of nuclear energy is confusing. In Part 3 of his energy plan he advocates building 200 to 400 new nuclear plants by 2025, but also favors phasing them all out later in Part 7. First of all, building this many new plants would take a prohibitively long time with the necessary regulations that are in place. (Some of the regulations are actually there to encumber this industry from new development. Nuclear energy has already been proven to be safe and efficient in other countries such as France, Sweden, and Germany. The U.S. Navy's nuclear safety record is still perfect after almost 60 years.)

In Part 4 Dr. Rinker favors shutting down all "carbon admitting stations, including natural gas."

Why should we severely handcuff ourselves this way. We have already slipped as an energy generator in the international scale. I tend to be very skeptical of any plans that give credits to "carbon footprints".

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NewsRoanoke.com

Commentary: The Times They Are A Changing

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal advises that student loan debt is now greater than either total credit card debt and all auto loans.

Additionally, if these loans are not paid within 20 years, the balance due is suddenly forgiven. Is this a part of the ‘nanny’ state? How many of us went to college with the understanding that our education would be underwritten by our fellow taxpayers and would be forgiven if not paid within 20 years?

The article also pointed out that states like Virginia that have right-to-work laws tend to have lower unemployment. Is it ‘fair’ that a worker MUST join a union to work in some states?

The article included a table titled, ‘Banks Get Stronger’, showing that the weakest of the banks on the list is Ally Financial. Do we all understand that Ally was formerly GMAC, a financing arm of the General Motors Corporation? In the bankruptcy and restructuring, GMAC was divested and became Ally Bank. Guess who owns Ally Bank, the poorest performer on the list. Well, 73.8% of Ally is owned by you and me. And all other US taxpayers. This information suggests that the government can’t run a bank any more than it can run the US Postal Service ($3+ Billion loss in the most recent qtr.) or Amtrak ($500+million loss in 2010, $32 subsidy for each ticket sold), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (losses of $150 Billion and growing daily), losses at Solyndra and other enterprises (more than $500 million with billions more in guarantees) and the list goes on

and on. Oh yes, remember that the GM bailout of the unions is still on your ‘receivables’ list (taxpayers) of more than $50 Billion and the OMB just announced that when you read their recent report carefully, you will find that the new healthcare laws and rules of more than 2,000 pages will cost more than $1.76 TRILLION over 10 years, about double the original stated cost by the administration. And that amount does not include government administration costs!

Finally, consider the following facts regarding entitlements. Life expectancy of US citizens in 1935 when Social Security went into operation, was 59.9 years for men and 63.9 for women. Now, life expectancy for men is 75.7 and for women it is 80.8 years. In 1935, there were 17 workers paying into the system for each retiree and now there are just 3 workers for every recipient, soon it will fall to just 2 workers per recipient. And our legislators of both parties are too gutless to move up the age for benefits qualification by even a year or two. What this reflects is that while we have the best form of government in the world, we are slipping into a government of the lobbyists and pressure groups, by the corrupt elected officials and appointees and for the entitlements that a pandering government can supply. We have lost our way. Let’s start finding our way back at the next national election.

-Dick Baynton, Roanoke

General Assembly Off Track

Dear Editor That delegate Greg Habeeb would write a letter to his constituents congratulating himself and members of the General Assembly over something so politically driven and trivial as 2nd amendment rights is astounding. Given the GA's inability to deal realistically with transportation issues, education, and the gasoline tax should convince any thinking voter that priority for re-election is the driving force behind all floor votes. Sadly, what is best for Virginia seems to be forgotten I suspect that disappointment fails to capture the feelings of many about the recent session.

-J. Hayden Hollingsworth

Obama Does Little For Students

Dear Editor, This week Vice President Biden was in Virginia speaking about making college affordable.

This is quite ironic considering the fact that since President Obama has taken office, the cost of tuition at a four year in-state college has increased 25%. Furthermore, in Virginia the average college student graduates with $23,327 in student loan debt.

For someone who was so concerned with the youth in 2008, he has an interesting way of showing it. Obama’s most recent plan for increasing college affordability has done next to nothing to address the problem; rather, it is simply pandering to get the youth vote. In fact, it is estimated that his proposals would save the average student less than $10 a month.

“If the President wants to help

Community | News | Perspective 540-400-0990 Publisher | Stuart Revercomb | stuart@newsroanoke.com News Editor | Gene Marrano | gmarrano@cox.net Production Editor | Leigh Sackett | leigh@newsroanoke.com Technical Webmaster | Don Waterfield | webmaster@newsroanoke.com Advertising Director | Vickie Henderson | vihenderson@comcast.net

recent college graduates, why are 40% of us forced to move back in with our parents? Why is our unemployment rate still much higher than the national average? Mr. President thanks, but no thanks. We don’t need your handouts. I’d rather elect a President who can fix the economy and reduce the size of government in order to get my generation back in the workforce.”

-Michael Cogar, Chairman - College Republican Federation of Virginia

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Virginia Tech Corps Of Cadets To Host First 'Jazz On The Upper Quad' Event The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will present the first ever "Jazz on the Upper Quad" event on Friday, April 20. The Southern Colonels, the Corps of Cadets 18-piece jazz orchestra, will perform from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in front of Lane Hall. They are one of three ensemble groups of the Highty-Tighties, the corps regimental band. The concert is free and open to all. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged.

The group will play music from the big band swing era, Latin, rock, and standards featuring, on vocals Cadet Emma Riegert of Leonardtown, Md., a sophomore majoring in political science in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences who is a recipient of the Tom Dobyns Memorial Emerging Leader Scholarship and Cadet Tamiko Krish Acuna of Newport News, a freshman majoring in architecture in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies. Both are members of Air Force ROTC.

The Southern Colonels, the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets jazz ensemble.

Skipper, the Corps of Cadets cannon, will be on display with members of Skipper Crew available to answer questions.

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets has produced military, public, and corporate leaders since the university was founded in 1872. It is one of just two military corps within a large public university. The corps

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By Carrie Cox info@newsroanoke.com

Professor Explains Role of Radio Waves in Titanic Tragedy If Guglielmo Marconi had not been so stubbornn, perhaps 1,600 would not have perished when the Titanic sank in the icy Atlantic 100 years ago.

Maybe that's putting too much blame on the man credited with inventing radio, but as a member of a commission examining the cause of the disaster stated, those lost lives "might have been saved if wireless communication had been what it should have been."

A new book by Bill Kovarik, media historian and professor in Radford University's School of Communication, details the role of radio in the Titanic disaster, which led to the Radio Act of 1912 requiring ships at sea to monitor for distress signals 24 hours a day. Kovarik's book, "Revolutions in Communication: Media History from Gutenberg to the Digital Age," is an in-depth social and technological history covering that and numerous other topics.

Published by Continuum International Press, Kovarik's book includes a quick history lesson about how a ship, the Californian, eight miles away tried to warn those on the Titanic through radio communication about lurking icebergs.

However, Kovarik writes, the Titanic's radio operators rudely told the Californian's operators to "keep off " the air so the British passenger liner could receive weak signals from Newfoundland. The Californian's radio operator obliged and retired to his bunk.

Like those on the Californian, radio operators on the Titanic were using Marconi's

was not a scientist, and when he found an effective system based on previous scientific work and his own trial-anderror results, he used the patent system to freeze the technology into place and buttress his commercial monopoly," Kovarick writes.

Fifteen years after the Titanic disaster, Marconi realized his error. He told a gathering of radio engineers in New York, "Everyone followed me in building stations hundreds of times more powerful than would have been necessary had short waves been used."

Kovarik, who presented the topic in March at an Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication symposium, describes in his book an incident after the address in which Marconi expressed his lasting regret.

The professor writes: "In a bitterly poignant moment after the speech, Marconi laid a wreath at a small Battery Park memorial for Jack Phillips, the wireless operator who had gone down with the Titanic, still sending out distress calls to the last."

Bill Kovarik spark system, rapidly becoming obsolete, instead of continual radio-wave transmitters that operated on a variety of frequencies. The newer technology would have allowed Titanic operators to pick up Newfoundland—they were gathering news and stock information to pass along to passengers the next morning—and still receive warning calls from the Californian.

At the time, Kovarik writes, better radio systems were being researched by smaller companies that lacked Marconi's marketing power. "Marconi

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4/13/12- 4/19/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

The Reel Deal: “Wrath of The Titans”

The 2010 remake of “Clash technically-impressive action cent and works especially well of the Titans” was a less than sequences. during the massive special efstellar movie. Though it manWithout a doubt, the special fects shots. aged to gross nearly $500 effects look great, especially There are many problems million at the box some of the crea- that “Wrath of the Titans” office, the movie retures in the movie. stumbles on, but it makes one ceived mostly negaUnfortunately, the fatal mistake: it’s boring. Even tive reviews due to action is in some at a running time of 100 minits thin plot, averways less impres- utes, this movie is a chore to sit age action scenes, sive than the first through. Wrath of the Titans and one of the most movie. There’s de- lacks both edge-of-your-seat infamous 3D construction and mas- action and a reason to invest versions. Of course sive creatures, sure, in the story, and the impressive due to the financial but that’s about it. special effects can only do so success of “Clash of Even the final fight much to hide that. The characthe Titans,” Holagainst Kronos, ters are all dull, the plot is thin, lywood has gone who is literally the dialogue is weak, and the Seth Childers ahead and made bigger than a vol- movie is largely forgettable. the sequel “Wrath of the Ti- cano in size, is very under- Without any reason to care for tans,” which promises to be whelming and anti-climatic. the characters or any reason to bigger and more epic than its As for the 3D, it has prac- care in general about the story, predecessor. While its special tically no comparison with this Titan just falls flat. effects and 3D certainly im- “Clash of the Titans” in terms Rating: 4/10 (Below Averproved this time around, the of quality. Though the brown age) unengaging plot and disap- color palette and sometimes pointing action scenes make shaky camera work doesn’t this an underwhelming sequel make for a perfect 3D experiBy Seth Childers to an underwhelming movie. ence, the overall depth is deinfo@newsroanoke.com It isn’t necessary to see the first movie before going into “Wrath of the Titans,” but even doing so won’t make much of a difference. Compared to the Bath Tub? first movie, which at least put From Chip Repairs to some effort into its story, this Complete Refinshing movie hardly feels like it’s tryRemove Old Tub and Install New Tub ing at all. The entire premise or Walk in Shower of the movie is explained in Complete Bathroom Remodeling the first ten minutes, and evQuality Tub Care erything after that is straightCall Now: 992-2406 or Visit Us at www.qualitytubcare.com forward and surprisingly unengaging. The acting is flat for the most part, with the

exception of Liam Neeson, Wiggle-Waggle...

Ralph Fiennes, and Bill Nighy.

4 months old, in need of a home The worst of the bunch is Sam Shenzi is special in every way.

Worthington, who is painfully Stop in to meet her, she’s got kisses dull and lacks the emotional & tail wags & energy to spare. depth to carry his role.

The character development Adopt a homeless pet was significantly lacking in the and help us share the love. first Clash of the Titans movie, but to its credit there was at 339-WAGS rvspca.org Your unconditional love headquarters least something. Here, there’s almost nothing. All of the human characters lack even the remotest bit of development.

As a result, there is no sense of danger for these characters.

The gods are the most interesting characters of the movie, but even they hardly have anything impressive to work with until the end of the movie. It’s painfully obvious from the get-go that the movie’s focus is solely on expensive and

Ugly

QT C

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Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 4/13/12- 4/19/12

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