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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel August 12 - 18, 2011
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Community | News | Per spective
[Getting Outdoors]
Summer Days Slippin’ Away Fred First
A Wolf Peach?
Photo by Martha Mikkelson
T
he wonderfully lazy and inspiring days of summer-break that form the very best of childhood memories will be ending soon as most children in our area return to school between August 22nd (Roanoke County) and August 29th (Roanoke City). But don’t tell the children that just yet, as a week or two seems like an eternity to them. One glorious summer morning was all Sam Mikkelson (L) and Anthony Sackett (R) needed to conduct a most excellent adventure on a recent scout camping trip to Floyd County.
Exhibit
P16– The famous FDR Library exhibit of depression era photographs goes on display at Roanoke’s O. Winston Link Museum.
The former owner of several regional restaurants and other local businesses was sentenced last Thursday in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Roanoke to a variety of fraud charges. Roland “Spanky” Macher, of Roanoke, previously pled guilty to one count of bankruptcy fraud, one count of willfully evading his taxes Fed. Court and one count of food stamp fraud. In U.S. District Court he was sentenced to 30 months of federal incarceration. “Spanky Macher’s lies have justly landed him in federal prison,” United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy said. “For years, Mr. Macher deceived the bankruptcy court, his creditors, and the Internal Revenue Service by misrepresenting his assets and financial condition. This matter demonstrates our commitment to enforce the integrity of the bankruptcy process, and to hold individuals accountable for unlawful failure to pay their fair share of federal tax.” In the factual basis filed during the entry of his guilty plea, Macher admitted that he misrepresented and concealed material facts both in documents and in testimony regarding his Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which was filed in November of 2000 and discharged in August of 2005.
[
P6– Fred First digs up some amazing history on “a giant berry” that has been both loathed and loved as it has made its way onto the world’s grocery list.
Extraordinary
Macher Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison
Good News From The Healing World
There’s good news from far afield, these days — or even close at hand. Researchers are finding that a “new” purple pill can prevent and heal cancer. This discovery ranks as a gold mine in cancer research. It’s better than gold, in fact, since anyone with cancer knows life is more precious than money. That this anti-cancer jewel might be found in North America’s least-valued waste places, overgrown graveyards and weedy lots, seems therefore potent with irony — more like a fable than news. Yet it’s true: The common, wayside blackberry has been found to prevent or
Old News shrink colon, esophageal, breast, cerviWhy have “we never seen anything cal and lung cancer tumors, according to researchers at Ohio State University and like” the humble blackberry? These brambles are native to nearly the entire the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Moreover, a topical gel of black rasp- North American continent. That blackberries were good for you berry powder can retard the growth of wasn’t news to American Insquamous cell carcinomas in dians. They honored them as mice receiving skin-damagPerspective a divine gift of summer food ing UVB radiation. and brewed the leaves for in“We’ve never seen anything like it!” marveled Anne VanBuskirk, testinal healing. American pioneers followed suit. Civil Ph.D., senior author of that Ohio State War soldiers with dysentery would even study. Which raises a new research question. call blackberry truces, allowing soldiers on both sides to go collect that medicine Why?
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> CONTINUED P2: Macher
by Liza Field from their one mutual pharmacy — the land. Not only were blackberries potent enough to stop (temporarily) America’s internal warfare. They also kept many settlers alive, feeding both their families and the wildlife that would help them survive the winter. Fortunately, this manna for people and wildlife existed wherever settlers moved. Even half a century ago, blackberries grew so prodigiously everyplace, the ex> CONTINUED P2: Healing
Virginia Ranks Fourth on Nation’s Big Tree List
Inspired Voices P17– The Roanoke College Children’s Choir travels to England and sings in the world famous Canterbury Cathedral.
Sarah Reece, Precept Schools of VA, is performing laparoscopic surgery on a watermelon in the operating room.
Remembering
Morgan
P20– Morgan Harrington’s family and friends continue to honor her memory through education and awareness events to help “the next girl.”
LewisGale Hosts Sixth Annual Camp Healthcare LewisGale Medical Center hosted 22 middle school students from local schools this summer for Camp Healthcare 2011. This is the sixth year the event has been held giving students the opportunity to experience various healthcare careers in a way they would never be able to otherwise. The camp was held from August 1 - August 5. “Camp Healthcare is a great program because it gives the students who are interested in a career as a health professional the chance to see what it would be like, hands-on and in the actual environment,” said Jean Moreland, R.N., Emergency Department Education Specialist. “It also > CONTINUED P2: LewisGale exposes them to a variety of different careers
Virginia ranks fourth 660 species. among the states for “Two-thirds of having the most big champion trees are tree species with 76 nafound in institutional tional champion trees, settings — cemeteries, according to Americhurches, universities can Forests’ recently — where they grow released 2011 National large without compeRegister of Big Trees. tition and crowding Many of the state’s from other trees,” said champions are showKirwan, who contincased in “Remarkues doing special projable Trees of Virginia,” ects for Virginia Tech’s authored by Virginia College of Natural ReTech forestry professources and Environsor emeritus Jeff Kirment. wan and Nancy Ross Kirwan’s years reHugo of Richmond, searching trees in Photo by Robert Llewellyn Virginia as part of the with photos by Robert Llewellyn of Charlot- This 121-foot champion state’s Big Tree Protesville. honeylocust stands in front of gram prompted him to Among Virginia’s the Fincastle United Methodist write his book. A dechampions are a honey- Church. cade ago, the Virginia locust in Fincastle (one Urban Forest Council, of 16 trees new to this known as Trees Viryear’s list), a water tupelo in Greensville ginia, turned the state’s big tree registry (the largest of the state’s champion trees), over to him and the College of Natural a Stewartia in Chesapeake (the state’s Resources and Environment. Eric Wisesmallest champ at 15 feet), a hornbeam man, associate professor of urban forestin Berryville, and a round leaf birch in ry in the college, helps oversee the regisSmyth County. The national register lists try with the help > CONTINUED the largest tree in the country from over of undergraduP2:Tree
> Healing
Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 8/12/11 -8/18/11
Sun and clouds are forecast for Thursday and Friday. A few hit or miss storms are in the forecast. Temperatures will reach the mid 80s. Better rain chances arrive for the weekend with temperatures near 85. A few showers and thundershowers are possible Monday with dry conditions expected Tuesday. Temperatures will top out in the low 80s.
Join us for a nice
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From page 1
pression “common as blackberries” referred to anything prevalent and cheap. Today, it’s hard to find a blackberry in many U.S. communities — our manicured urban, suburban, even industrial farming landscapes. They might appear occasionally in a produce aisle, but often sprayed with questionable pesticides — and rarely “cheap.” What happened? How did the common, freely-had, healing blackberry become an obscure, toxin-laden item few Americans can even afford? Internal Health Our conditioning changed, for one thing. Over time, Americans gradually lost any connection between the landscape and our own insides. Over the past century, food, water and health increasingly became things to purchase from elsewhere — not to look for “outdoors.” Few Americans younger than 40 today have ever picked a blackberry, or even an apple, outside the electronics aisle. The American view of reality itself, sociologists say, no longer comes directly from the plants, wildlife or weather that informed our ancestors. Today, weather and world views
get downloaded from news broadcasts, entertainers, politicians and marketers. Our very concept of “landscape” is now shaped by chemical and tractor industries that promote high-maintenance lawns, insecticides and herbicides — not blackberries, wildflowers, trees and wildlife habitat. Political leadership gets informed likewise — not by the world outside the door, but special interests. And many of these, to improve industry profits, promote the view that environmental impoverishment is vital to America’s economic “health.” In July, the House passed a bill “amending” the Clean Water Act to allow industries more freedom to pollute America’s ground and surface water. Energy interests had promoted the bill as essential to the “livelihoods” of Americans. That American “livelihood” is dependent on deadening its waters — that the health of our homeland would depend, in fact, on poisoning the homeland — can only make sense when the feedback loop is cut between inner and outer reality. Good Medicine When organisms quit heeding feedback from their environment, biologists call it
> LewisGale that are all healthcare related. They get the chance to interact with healthcare professionals and ask them questions about what their jobs are like.” Special features this year included ventilating a baby in labor and delivery, performing inner active knee surgery on the computer and doing laparoscopic surgery on a “watermelon belly”. The campers also visited various departments in the hospital including the rehab unit, emergency room, the pathology lab and radiology department. On the final day, the students “graduated”, and had the opportunity to share with
Khal Clary of Cave Spring Middle School, tries out a firehose with EMS personnel.
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their families everything they had learned over the course of the camp. “This is a wonderful opportunity for students who are interested in science and healthcare to get a ‘first hand look’ at the hospital,” said Nancy Boyer, R.N., Director of Surgical Services. “They are introduced to many different types of careers in the healthcare field. Campers have always been surprised at the many different opportunities there are in healthcare.” The event involved more than 12 hospital departments working together, along with outside agencies such as the Salem EMS.
From page 1 Your Hometown Business Directory
ate students and support from trees die, some get displaced by Trees Virginia. land development and some-! The mission of Trees Virginia, times tree hunters simply find a nonprofit organization estab- a larger tree. Aging champs are lished in 1990, is to enhance the part ofHouse this big-tree game beProfessional Cleaning quality of life through steward- cause they reach the end of their ship of the commonwealth’s ur- lives, yielding the crown to big Roanoke Blvd ban and community trees. Trees1618 trees that are younger. ” Virginia promotes an awareness Volunteers Suite Anationwide search of community forests and the for and nominate specific trees Salem, Virginia 24153 value of trees. for the National Register of Big This year Virginia ranks 540-389-5252 Trees, which is updated each fourth in the national register year. Kirwan has worked with www.dustbunniescorp.com • gift certificates available after Florida, Texas, and Ari- Byron Carmean and Gary Wilzona. A total of 751 champion liamson of Tidewater, VA, calltrees across America were rec- ing them “the greatest of all bigognized, 96 new champions tree hunters” for nominating 42 were named, and 108 previous national champions, far ahead champions were dethroned. of the 16 nominated by runner“There are several reasons why up Andy Sawyer of Michigan. trees their champion staCarmean, a retired high TreeloseRemoval • Deadwooding • Gutter Cleaning tus,” explained Wiseman. “Some school teacher, and William-
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Liza Field teaches English and philosophy in the Virginia Governor’s School and Wytheville Community College. The column is distributed by Bay Journal News Service.
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“dysfunction.” When cells continue acting against the good of the whole, doctors call it “cancer.” Healing this breach requires a return to alignment with outer reality. America could use this kind of recovery. Perhaps news of the potent blackberry could help. If this wild tonic simply induced us to step outside again, between the soil and clouds, we might see that life comes not from deadness, but from a living world. If we thought our health, too, came from that world, we might make sure a healthy world were prescribed again: the blackberry, its native ecosystems, drinkable water, fish and wildlife. Such a medical rediscovery might even begin healing America’s oldest civil war— our chronic siege on the life of our own land.
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> Macher
son, a park ranger, have been three years, the university has on the prowl for big trees in Vir- had the rare honor of receiving ginia and North Carolina since Tree Campus USA recognition 1983. Their finds range from a by the Arbor Day Foundation 14-foot-tall winterberry tree to for its dedication to campus forthe state champion water tupelo management and environ! General Homeestry Repairs with a trunk measuring 39 ½ mental stewardship. Wiseman Complete Bathroom Remodeling • Tile feet in circumference. “I really, helped develop theWork university’s Interior/exterior Carpentry • Plumbing really like trees,” said Carmean. Campus Tree Care Plan. Window/door installation Hardwood Flooring “I love the hunt involved in find- • For a list of Virginia’s national ing and identifying them.” champion trees, visit the VirginFor a Free Estimate Call or email James A tree’s size is725-7343 based on a foria Big Tree Database and search jss25@cox.net mula thatLicensed/insured includes the size ofwith its 24toyears show experience only national champs. trunk (measured 4 ½references feet above available the ground), its height, and the For more information go to: average spread of its crown, or americanforests.org/our-pro“The tool I recommendgrams/bigtree most? upper branches. In addition to its leadership regarding the state’s Big Tree Use it toTech call has Mr. Handyman. Program, Virginia also By Lynn Davis enhanced its own tree stewardinfo@newsroanoke.com ship and legacy. For the past
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Specifically, the defendant failed to get approval or disclose the fact that on September 23, 2002 he deeded three rental properties he owned, generating over $135,000 in proceeds. Macher also admitted that he failed to get approval or disclose that in June 2002 he bought two condominiums in Woodlake Village on Hilton Head Island, SC. According to the factual basis, on July 27, 2009 he submitted an application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
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himself and his three children, ages 20, 18 and 14, claiming all three children were members of his household. Macher failed to disclose that his two older children were attending an out of town college. He also reported his monthly income to be $1,000, but failed to disclose his association with Macher Properties or disclose the existence of several bank accounts used to pay his
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8/12/11- 8/18/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3
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Independent County Supervisor Candidate Takes Issue With Opponent’s Claims On May 4 Carter Turner filed as an Independent to run for the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, Catawba District. In an interview at the time Carter said, “at the local level party affiliation gets in the way … it is not to work for party – it is to work for people.” Turner, 41, is an Assistant Professor of the Philosophy of Religious Studies at Radford University. He ran as a Democrat against then Delegate Morgan Griffith in 2009. In a phone call Tuesday, Turner said he never entertained running under a party label. He believes that overly-rigid party affiliations hinder collaboration and problem solving. “We treat our political party loyalties like sports teams – with the only goal “defeating the other party,” he said. Turner vehemently contended that “it is not a game; these are problems that impact peoples’ lives and they need to be solved.” Turner explained the importance of communication and listening to others. “As an Independent, I feel I can better facilitate this kind of environment.” Turner said he believes in a local government that focuses
on core missions like public safety, education, job growth, and health. He’d “take a very diagnostic approach” to the county using data driven facts to prioritize needs. Revitalization of west Roanoke County is one of Turner’s main focus areas. “Glenvar’s equal proximity to downtown Roanoke, that includes VT Carilion Medical School, and Virginia Tech will largely define its future. If the Board of Supervisors continues to view Glenvar as the county’s industrial waste zone, we’ll miss our opportunity to attract the high paying, hightech companies that need to be in Virginia Tech’s and Carilion’s orbit and bring revenue to the county,” he said. Turner spearheaded the asphalt plant fight in Glenvar to prevent it from defining the district as an “industrial waste zone.” “Had the Board rezoned the old Salem Water Treatment Plant to ‘Heavy Industry’ so [the Adams Construction] asphalt plant could be put there, the entire corridor would have quickly followed and 460/11 would have become a tunnel of industry causing further air pol-
Carter Turner lution,” said Turner. He claims that Glenvar school air quality is in the bottom 25th percentile in the nation and the plant would also have reduced the surrounding property values. “The increased industrial pressure coming from the impending intermodal site in Elliston makes it crucial that the county has a clear vision for Glenvar’s future,” he said. He believes keeping heavy industry to the south and away from neighborhoods, schools and retirement communities is paramount. Turner explained that it doesn’t include keeping all heavy industry out of Glenvar entirely. After Adams Construction withdrew their petition for the treatment plant
site, Turner and the Citizens for Positive Growth worked to find what they believed to be a much more suitable location. Turner takes issue with Butch Church’s claim in The Roanoke Star-Sentinel July 22 article [Church Ready To Fight For Fourth Term As Supervisor] that Church “stopped [the asphalt plant] in its tracks.” Turner says that the Citizens for Positive Growth is entirely responsible for galvanizing community support against the plant being located next to the Glenvar schools. Turner’s opponent, incumbent Independent Board of Supervisor Chairman Joe “Butch” Church, voted against the second site. “If Mr. Church couldn’t support that site, can he be expected to support any business development in the community?” asked Turner. Glenvar’s future depends on openness to responsible economic development and “I don’t see that openness with Mr. Church,” said Turner. Community pressure led to English Construction/Adams pulling their petition for the location that was next to the schools. It never came to a
vote and Turner wonders how Church could “stop” something that never came to a vote. The second location for the asphalt plant was already zoned “Heavy Industrial” and was on the south side of Rt. 460/11, leaving room for more suitable commercial endeavors to the North. “This site was a perfect site for an asphalt plant,” said Turner. Turner disputed Church’s claim that he had a role in finding the second location. “When the petition to build on this site came to the Board of Supervisors for a vote, Church voted against it,” he said. “While Mr. Church would like to take credit for protecting
the Glenvar schools, the only thing he can take credit for is attempting to stifle much needed responsible economic development in our community,” concluded Turner. Church and Turner will also face a third candidate in November, Republican David Drake. Board of Supervisor members Church and Ed Elswick both shed the Republican label to become Independents while Charlotte Moore, elected as a Democrat, also shed her party label.
By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com
Stock Market Roller Coaster Has Financial Analysts’ Phones Ringing
Mike Pendleton, CFP with Edward Jones, said his “phone is ringing off the hook” these days. He called it a “culmination of different events.” It was not only concerned clients calling him about their investments, but 75 percent of his calls are coming from clients looking for buying opportunities. “With some courage and patience you can make some good returns,” said Pendleton. Pendleton and other agents from local firms say they remained confident that the debt ceiling would be raised by the August 2 deadline. He said, “because they waited until the last minute and because S&P downgraded our credit and the euro situation with Greece, Italy and possibly Spain coupled with weak economic reports … all that added up to massive fear and a sell-off. He called it a “shoot first and ask questions later” reaction. He predicted continued volatility and market swings until things calm down. That could be weeks or many months. The cable TV pundits and talking heads were blaming congress, the President and the Tea Party. The small investor watched helplessly as 401Ks were slashed as Wall Street didn’t like the $1.5 trillion deal brokered between the Democrats and the Republicans at the last minute. As the political spectacle played out in the media, Americans and Wall Street asked what would be different with a “super committee.” Standard and Poors rating agency took notice and downgraded the United States debt from AAA to AA+. S&P criti-
cized the dysfunction in American politics saying it was the deciding factor. They held little hope that a super committee would come up with the $4 trillion of cuts and/or revenue that the agency expected. It will take at least two years before S&P will consider boosting the U.S. back to a AAA rating. It will take 7 of the 12 committee members to come to a consensus by Thanksgiving. There is a “trigger” if they fail. The trigger would cut half from domestic programs, and half from defense. Medicaid, Social Security, Medicare benefits, food stamps and the Earned Income Tax Credit would be spared from the trigger. Pundits were attacking S&P and saying it wouldn’t hurt anything but our pride. Tensions were high as the Asian markets opened Sunday night. It wasn’t pretty. Dow futures were tanking. It was indeed a perfect storm. On Monday the Dow plunged 634 points, the sixth worst point decline in 112 years and the worse drop since the financial crisis in December 2008. The next day the Dow lost 200 and rose 429 points in the span of an hour. The Federal Reserve held interest rates at .25% or basically zero. There will be no quantitative easing for now. Pendleton thought “they have a [QE3] plan drafted in the wings but may not pull it out for months if need be.” On Wednesday things took a turn for the worse again with the Dow dropping another 520 points. “[The Federal Reserve] is getting low on their book of tricks. Interest rates can’t go below zero
and there is only so much stimulus they can throw into the economy,” said Pendleton. Consumer confidence, spending and policy decisions from the government must be the stimulus. The interest rate will sit at .25% at least until mid-2013. “This was something the Federal Reserve normally doesn’t do,” he said. This will keep borrowing rates and CD rates low, explained Pendleton. “Their intention is to keep money cheap so people will continue to buy cars and houses and add to their businesses.” The Federal Reserve doesn’t have a stellar reputation when it comes to predictions. They predicted growth at 3.4% to 3.9%, but the economy only grew at 1.3% in the second quarter of 2011. Job growth remains depressed and July’s New Orders Index registered 49.2 percent, indicating contraction for the first time since June of 2009. “Corporations are hoarding cash because they don’t know what the local landscape is going to look like – they don’t know if there is going to be another recession – a double-dip,” said Pendleton. The good news is corporations are increasing dividends on their stock with their cash. Pendleton said instead of getting one percent interest on CDs, that investors consider dividend-paying stocks like Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Walmart, AT&T, Verizon and other utilities. “People used
to talk about Alcohol and tobacco being recession-proof investments,” he said. “When times are good people go out drinking and partying – when times are bad they stay home drinking,” said Pendleton with a chuckle. To top it all off, the European Union (EU) is struggling to prop up the debt of several of its 27 countries. Besides Greece, Spain and Portugal now there is Italy, the euro zone’s third-biggest economy. We are a global economy and “the concern there is more import and export related,” said Pendleton. S&P has also threatened further downgrades. Moody’s and Fitch could follow and interest rates on credit cards, mortgages and autos would rise. Pendleton said, “there is always going to be political actions that will affect the stock market.” He asked, “think about it, can you ever remember a time there wasn’t some sort of significant political debate going on … there will always be change … something new to worry about and something new to talk about.” Pendleton explained that coming out of a recession has always been bumpy. Since WWII there has been only one doubledip recession and that was in 1980. He said, “there is no way to guarantee that we are not going to double-dip on this one.” By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com
ARt UndeR tHe OAks Join us, rain or shine, on August 14, 2011, from 2 to 5 pm, for Art Under the Oaks, an art show at Roanoke United Methodist Home, sponsored by the League of Roanoke Artists. enjoy watermelon, lemonade, cookies and children’s games, as well as tours of our beautiful campus and model apartments. to learn more, call (540) 767-6800.
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Perspective
Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 8/12/11 -8/18/11
Time Rolls On . . . And Goodness Comes
F
our years ago, I prepared grew up. It was modern, and for my imminent retire- conveniently located near their ment by doing what I'd schools, and stores, and friends. always done: I panicked. Surely they would want me My financial advisor assured to hold on to it. The truth was me that, with a little downsiz- I couldn't imagine the house ing, I would be able to live on the without them. The truth was, I proceeds from my retirement did not want to imagine them funds. "You don't need to work," without me. he said, looking me squarely in Then there was the dark threat the eye, the way a no-nonsense of idleness. Many people would parent might look at a welcome a buyout dim child. even from a job they'd "Downsize? I asked . loved, when they were . . "How so?" in good health and "Your kids are only 59 years old. grown," he said. "Sell I felt terror in my the house. Buy a conheart. How would I fill do." my time? How would Immediately my I give back, help othmind slammed shut. ers and repay society Houses don't grow on for all that it had given Joe Kennedy trees, I thought. This me? was our home, the Not once did I conplace we moved to seven months sider things that might bring me after Sharon, the wife, mother pleasure: solitary, early morning and peerless captain of our fam- fishing on the James, the Maury ily, died at age 48. It was our and the New rivers; languid offhome. It could be the place that season weeks at a Carolina beach. the kids would return to when I Long car trips to beautiful places was in my dotage, a refuge for us in New England and the West. through the unpredictable years Visits with friends in Texas, Wisahead. It was the worthy succes- consin and L.A., and siblings in sor to the classic old Catawba North Carolina, Pennsylvania Valley Farmhouse where they and D.C. I never consulted with my brother John, who kicked off his retirement with a long trip to the North, with visits to his children and grandchildren, contemporaries he'd worked with and younger folks he had hired. Or my sister Anne, who retiredRestaurant & Lounge with her husband to a Philadelsince 1969 phia suburb and bought a condo in Annapolis, where they keep Come see old boat. Or, again, John, hapfriends or meet their pily living on a golf course, playnew ones ing several rounds a week and active socially, as well as in his church. Steaks Even my father, from whom I inherited my hyperactivity, managainst all odds, to fill the Seafood aged, early years of his retirement, at age 60 (in 1966), with day trips Ribs to mid-Atlantic attractions, cringing, I am sure, as my Uncle Ross tore across landscape in his green Dodge, with my father's sister, Aunt Katherine, keeping asta
B i l l y ’s
up a lively commentary, while my mother dug it all from the back seat. Ross Prevost and my father, John Eugene Kennedy, were ambitious young men who went to work with the U.S. Customs Service in the early 20th century and became friends, and, when Ross married Katherine, brothers-inlaw. Each spent more than 40 years in the customs service. Ross became chief appraiser for the Port of Baltimore, my father the assistant collector. Each, with his wife, supported four children through college and had copious grandchildren. My parents won that bout, with 20 grandchildren, most of whom they did not live long enough to know. As I write this story, I see a fundamental difference in our lives. My parents and my relatives lived through hard times, and prevailed. Their lives were pageants. I had it easier, thought smaller and wound up with a stroke. I oversimplify, of course. My kids are fine people, educated, on track and fun-loving. My daughter hates it when I say they raised themselves. The truth is we raised each other. Maybe that responsibility turned me timid, fearful to be away from them if something bad were to happen. This may sound odd, but I'm fine with that. They're in the big city now. On Sunday, Michael told me by phone how much fun he had playing softball, spearing line drives while playing third base, the "Hot Corner." This evening, Katherine texted me while on her way to Wolf Trap for a concert by Steve Miller, an old rock and roller. They are happy and finding their way beautifully through the world. For me, life could be no better.
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attended a medical con- with the pipe.” ference a while back, John mixed a ‘cocktail’ of and was agreeably sur- Demerol, Phenergan and euprised to hear a younger phy- calyptus. Eucalyptus has since sician speak of ‘bedside man- been disallowed as an injecner,’ and the old ways tion, although you of medicine. can still buy ‘Vicks”; It took me back to same stuff. John gave the ‘grand old men,’ the patient a “…deep as I respectfully reintra-muscular inmember them, who jection.” John never patiently, and despite gave a ‘shot,’ such was my many fumblings, his devotion and his passed on to me the respect for proper art and the practice of medical terminolLucky Garvin medicine: Jim Robinogy, and thus, to his son, Paul Forth, John profession; and I Boyd, who have crossed over, don’t mean by this that John, Graham Stevens and Hayden or my other many mentors, Hollingsworth gratefully, still felt themselves as ‘big-shot among us. These were formi- doctors’; it was more they were dable practitioners who had to sensitive to the privilege of bedo it all; there were far fewer ing part of the sacrament of specialists in those days. Peri- healing. tonsillar abscess? ENT referThis he also taught me; not ral? Nope. GP. They could by word, but by deed. In John’s predict to a certainty if an ab- mind, there was no such thing domen needed surgery [with- as a ‘cheek’; it was a ‘malar emout CT Scan] or if a bone was inence.” I loved it. He gave this broken [without x-rays.] shot, and before the needle had Yet, they were wise to their been removed, not only the limitations. Johnny Boyd patient, but I could smell the taught me that one day when healing scent of eucalyptus; I, a raw, unintentionally homi- soon would come the relief of cidal intern came to report a pain and the delicious drowsisevere case of the flu. He went ness. “When you can’t cure, in, saw the patient, came back you comfort,” was John’s terse and said, “Lucky, we can’t cure summary. This was part of the the flu.” [We still aren’t much lore and science of medicine good at that.] “But when you taught to me by these last-gencan’t cure, you comfort.” I eration practitioners. watched him, half in fear, half Some years back, I visited in admiration of this man. I a Smithsonian Exhibit on the remember his face, his teeth history of flying. Grainy black worn into that pattern peculiar and white films of early atof inveterate pipe-smokers. tempts and efforts to conquer [In those days, it was not at all the air were shown one after amiss to see a patient with a the other; all of them endpipe or cigar in your mouth. In ing in failure. The audience fact, back then, when a patient laughed. Then came the final couldn’t remember my name, clip of a moon-shot successhe would identify me to the fully negotiating a flight far nurse by saying, “He’s the Doc beyond the bounds of Earth.
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Suddenly, the crowds’ snickering stopped as we realized the point of the film: Try and fail, try and fail, try and succeed; from this point, we try and we will learn more, although, yes, not without additional failures. Such is medicine, from the times when healers clad in animal skins bent urgently over their patients, desperately fingering their beads and shaking their rattles trying to make whole a life in peril. How much like the history of flight are the annals of medicine; the passing from the old generation to the next, the best they had learned; ludicrous beliefs lead to those of progressive refinement and insight. I have no doubt that future healers will look back on our efforts. I hope they will suppress the tendency to smirk and to understand that despite early efforts – perhaps laughable - it is in this way, with halting steps, necessary steps, that finally we come to excellence. One day, in the patient working of time, the symbols of our diagnostic competence, CT’s, MRI’s and the like, will sit consigned and forgotten in the dustbin of history beside the incantations, the beads, the potions and the poultices which were once the curative stand-bys of our forebears the ancient healers. It’s easy, in hindsight, to mock their naiveté, but never their devotion to voluntarily participate in a ritual and practice they could but rarely win. But then, as now, the old ones were willing to pass on to the newcomers the best of their wisdom, hardwon after years of contending with illness and injury. Yet, threaded through their counsel was the reality that this is a contest often lost. But even if you cannot cure, you can always care, you can always try. So it is with that humility born of the knowledge that we are not, we cannot be, the final representation of medical art, that we are but one link in a chain that passes beyond sight into the misted past, and impossibly ahead of our time, that I thank these fine men and others, who, undoubtly frustrated by my ineptitude, nevertheless strove to pass on to me the method and the patrimony of medicine with all the thoroughness and patience it had been passed on to them.
R E S TA U R A N T
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Page 5 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 8/12/11 -8/18/11
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Hummingbirds: Pugnacious and My Four Hundred Dollar Soap Carving Bejeweled Sun-Angels W
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aving recently re- in 2007 by Princeton University turned from a two- Press. In size, Peruvian humweek expedition into mers range from miniscule (the the rainforests and mountains short-tailed woodstar, Myrmia of Peru, I have come back once micrura, 6 cm in length) to again impressed by the country’s enormous (the so-called giant awesome diversity of bird spe- hummingbird, Patagona gigas, cies: nearly 2000 species of feath- over 21 cm in length). I’ve seen ered jewels scattered the latter species in across an unparalleled the High Andes, liklandscape approxiening its whirring mately three times wings to the blades the size of California. of a fearsome heliWith 87 of the world’s copter hovering over 104 climate zones, the blossoms of lowPeru encompasses the lying montane plants. world’s driest desert And you gotta love and the second wettest the common names locality on the planet. assigned by orni(The wettest point on H. Bruce Rinker, PhD thologists to these Earth is purported Peruvian hummingto be Mawsynram, India with a birds: sapphirewings, emeralds, yearly average rainfall of 12 me- jewelfronts, topazes, violetears, ters!) The late Ted Parker, the coquettes, brilliants, sunbeams, well-respected American field hillstars, starfrontlets, sunangels, ornithologist who was killed in pufflegs, comets, metaltails, and 1993 in a plane crash in western fairies. Who says that scientists Ecuador, once said, “Peru offers cannot wax poetic when observbird enthusiasts more than any ing the eye-catching beauty of other country in the world. Be- the natural world! ing here is like being a child visitCompare all that richness in ing a huge store filled with new Peru to the species of hummingand fascinating toys.” For bird- bird native to Mexico (58) and watchers, Peru is paradise. to eastern North America (just During the June/July expedi- one – the ruby-throated). Humtion, I observed Andean con- mingbirds illustrate an ecological dors, hoatzins, torrent ducks, principle that applies, generally, and much more. Alas, no cock- to many other groups of organof-the-rock and no harpy eagle isms such as orchids, worms, … this time! For today’s article, beetles, and primates. As one aphowever, I would like to focus proaches the tropics, the number briefly on the hummingbirds of species in each group increases – 120 types known to science. dramatically. Why? Though sciThey occupy 42 pages in my entists have argued for years over copy of a top field-guide called various hypotheses, the reasons Birds of Peru that was published all boil down to two related evo-
lutionary explanations: over long periods of time, lots of jobs to do in the tropics with lots of energy available to do them. Many of my readers may have noticed the pugnacious behaviors of hummers. Feisty, fearless, and raucous, they will often pursue invaders of their territories, including house cats and humans, to chase them off. These very behaviors attracted the full attention of pre-Columbian empires that then honored them in their iconography. In Aztec legend, Huitzilopochtli, represented as a hummingbird, was a god of war, a sun god, and the protector of Tenochtitlan (in modern-day México City) whose fearsome qualities could only be assuaged through human sacrifice. In Inca mythology, the hummingbird was referred to as the “bird of the Sun God” because it sacrificed itself during a terrible worldwide drought, shedding tears that reflected the devastation across Earth to the gods and, thereby, convinced the Heavens to bring back the rain. Thus, we have admired the qualities of hummingbirds for centuries upon centuries. Pugnacious and bejeweled wonders in a diminutive package of feathers. These are the hummingbirds, one of the wonders of the world’s biodiversity for their distinctive ecology and evolution.
H. Bruce Rinker, Ph.D. Ecologist, Educator, and Explorer brinker@northcross.org
The Most Important Man That Never Signed
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harles Thomson was fairly recording what was said born in County Lon- and done. (A pretty stressful job, donderry, Ireland, in considering the topic at hand 1729. When he was ten years was the commitment of treason old, his mother died. His father against the most powerful emtook him and his brothers and pire on earth.) On several occaset sail for America. But within sions, brawls broke out between sight of land, his father died, the delegates; Thomson himself leaving the boys orphaned and got into a cane-fight with anpenniless. He was other delegate over the raised by a blacksmith accuracy of the minin Delaware, and then utes that drew blood sent to the Philadelfrom both men. But phia Academy (the through it all, Thompforerunner of UPson's steadiness, acenn). He was a fine curacy and diplomacy student, particularly helped hold them togood at languages, gether. and became a tutor in When the DeclaraLatin. He was one tion of Indepenof America's earlidence was completMike Keeler est and most noteed, 200 broadside worthy revolutionaries. He was copies were quickly printed and friends with Ben Franklin; he distributed. It was read aloud in was a leader of the Sons of Lib- at least 4 places. But on that day, erty; John Adams called him the July 4, 1776, only two Ameri"Sam Adams of Philadelphia." cans officially laid their necks All of which prepared him for on the line. Those earliest copies the role of his life: Secretary of the - known as the Dunlap BroadContinental Congress. When sides - were signed only by John the founding fathers arrived in Hancock, President of the ContiPhiladelphia - hot, grumpy and nental Congress, and attested by squabbling - Charles Thomson Charles Thomson, Secretary. It was their daddy. He was respon- wasn't until a month later that all sible for holding order, and for the founding fathers signed the
larger, official version; Charles Thomson was not one of the signers. For the next 13 years, Charles Thomson was the glue that held Congress together. He designed the Great Seal of the United States. He provided a steady hand during the difficult negotiations over the new Constitution. Once that was approved and adopted, the new government of the United States began. Charles Thomson resigned as Secretary, and the Continental Congress was officially disbanded. In the end, perhaps Charles Thomson's greatest contribution as an American was what he did NOT do. When pressed later in life to write a book and "spill the dirt" on the founding fathers, he refused. He said, "We are wholly indebted to the agency of providence...Let the world admire the supposed wisdom and valor of our great men. Perhaps they may adopt the qualities that have been ascribed to them, and thus good may be done." Amen to that. To Charles Thomson, patriot: Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah. Contact Mike at info@theroanokestar.com
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hen our son Harry was in elementary school, he became interested in soap carving. His first effort was a crude representation of a male figure, saluting. He continued his hobby, and during his year at Frieburg University in Germany, he was thankful he had developed this skill. The parents of the German exchange student whom we had hosted several years before invited him for a visit at Christmas. He purchased a piece of crystal for a gift, and was devastated when he dropped it in the train station. He would not have an opportunity to purchase another gift before boarding Mary Jo’s “priceless” Soap carvings. the train and Herr Schmang would be waiting to dinner -- night after night, after night! I was greet him. He discarded the glittering slivers and surprised how many hours he spent, creating wondered what to do. a man seated on the ground, leaning against a Fortunately, he remembered packing a cake of tree stump. I kept account of them – eight long Ivory soap. He also had his trusty pocketknife, hours. I regretted my request that had cost him and while he rode across Germany, he carved so much of his free time. a swan. The results pleased him – this was the At last he landed me the finished product. Evmost excellent carving he had ever made. With ery detail was carefully carved into that humble pride, he offered it to his hostess, explaining that bar of soap – the bark of the stump, the folds in it was made of soap, and he had carved it him- the man’s clothing, his facial expression… self, especially for her. “Harry,” I said, “I truly did not know what I But Frau Schmang spoke little English, and was asking. Why, at minimum wage, this exquinot understanding the significance of his carv- site carving would cost at least forty dollars!” ing, she placed it in the lavatory for the family’s “Mom,” he replied, “I have news for you – I’m use. He said it was painful to watch it slowly dis- a law clerk now and ‘minimum wage’ is $50.00 appear down the drain. an hour.” I did not see the swan, but all the other carvThat’s why I named this carving “My Four ings are on display in a sectional box frame at Hundred Dollar Soap Carving.” our home. I have kept them through the years, Sometimes it pays not to be careful what you adding to the collection as Harry grew older ask for. and created more sophisticated subjects with inContact Mary Jo Shannon at creased attention to detail. I gave them names: maryjoshannon@ymail.com “Salute!,” “At Bat,” “Banjo Pickin’,” (the banjo eventually broke off), “Take Ten,” “Happy Hour,” and the last one, “My Four Hundred Dollar Soap Carving.” I had not had the opportunity to watch a work in progress, and when Harry asked me what I would like for my birthday, I quickly responded, “I’d like another soap carving and I’d like to watch you as you make it.” Still in law school, he was home for the summer, working for a law firm. I thought he would be pleased I had not suggested something expensive, but something he could make himself. I was a bit shocked at his response. “Mom, you don’t know what you’re asking!” Nevertheless, he bought a RENOVAT We’re justifiably proud of all the home improvement cake of Octagon soap - a long, and remodeling work we’ve done for our customers brown bar of strong soap, which in the Roanoke Valley, Lynchburg and surrounding areas! his grandmother used for stubborn stains on laundry day – I R E N O VAT I O N S don’t know if it’s still on the market. He began to form the ������ figure of a person, working in Virginia’sRenovation Gold Sales Award Winning Window Company! Your Home Specialist the kitchen while I prepared Call Today for a FREE Quote! (540) 966-2808 Or (540) 362-1567
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Local Crossword
Star-Sentinel Crossword for 8/12/2011
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By Don Waterfield Brew Find the answers online: NewsRoanoke.com Drug Have a clue and answer you’d like to see? email: puzzles@newsroanoke.com Boeing Stale Cell stuff Elver Scientist's office Football assoc. Snub Recesses Mist The area's newest and most progressive Jesus teaching Presbyterian Church. Equipped Time zone Stare at Sleeping place Poem Card game Compass point
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8/12/11 -8/18/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 6
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In Praise of the “Wolf Peach”
t is, in fact, a giant berry, leading to lead poisoning and technically a fruit. And it death. The blame was placed has been variously mis- on the food and not the plate it understood, feared, loathed was served on; and there must and praised during its several have been all sorts of speculathousand years on—and off-- tion why the poor experienced the world’s grocery list. no ill effects at all. (They ate off It’s attractiveness alone wooden plates!) compelled the earliest EuroRenaissance botanists perpean explorers to spread its petuated the stories of its poishowy, fleshy fruits around the sonous qualities, even though world from its probthe Aztecs had been able place of origin in happily eating the Peru. fruit for ages. Later, But its permanent the golden berries place in human food were considered an culture has only reaphrodisiac, and cently been assured. known as the “love This oft-maligned apple.” plant has been plagued But at last, our by superstitions and palates have held a bad reputation for sway over our food Fred First some centuries befears, and we have cause of its family resemblance embraced this member of the to unsavory kin. Be careful who nightshade family by the sumyou hang out with. mer bucket-full. We call it by Our plant in question had a title that preserves its Aztec disreputable relatives that were name, the tomatl. once believed by German Italians had welcomed the folklore to be used by witches tomato to their wooden plates to conjure up werewolves. Its early on, and brought it with scientific name, Lycopersicon them to America. And what esculentum, is a latin binomial really secured a place for this that literally means “edible wolf botanical fruit, legally classipeach.” fied later as a vegetable, was Other recognizable relatives its use in making pizza—a nathat bear similar flowers and tional celebratory dish of white fruits were known hallucino- dough, green basil and genergens, remarkable for inducing ous slathering of red tomato the sense of flying. We know sauce, representing the colors the fatal end afflicted by the of the Italian flag. righteous upon women who Worldwide, some 100 milreported such unearthly expe- lion tons of fresh tomatoes riences, when the source was are grown, and we eat about really just something earthy 20 pounds apiece in the US. they had for lunch. Tomato Is second only to its Insult to injury, the juice cousin, the potato, in vegetable of the wolf peach, being acid, consumption. And as it turns caused lead to leach out of pew- out for a change, this popular ter dinnerware used by the rich, component of our diet is actu-
ally not bad for us. Recent dietary findings show fresh tomatoes are the biggest source of dietary lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, whose effectiveness and bioavailability is increased by heating--which is not the case for most other fresh fruits and vegetables. Benefits of tomato consumption still under study include reduced risk of heart disease and some cancers. But the $5 billion worth of factory-farmed tomatoes eaten in America are too often devoid of flavor and low in nutrition, a mere dietary understudy of its Peruvian ancestor. It seems that, in the agribusiness of breeding a tomato whose chief quality is its ability to survive long-distance shipping, tomatoes have, since the 1960s, lost 30% of their Vitamin C and have 62% less calcium— but 14 times as much sodium. And the mealy, rock-hard pink orbs have all the flavor appeal of a lump of styrofoam. Industrial extraction of commercial tomatoes (largely from Florida and California) produces a product whose price may be low, but the mass-produced tomato’s cost is very high. Barry Estabrook’s recent Tomatoland exposes the social, environmental and nutritional cost of strip-mining this highdollar, high-demand fruit. The soil, the people who work the fields and the consumers who have settled for tasteless winter salads are the losers. Meanwhile in a Floyd County summer, the real deal is easy to find in all its forms—hybrid and heirloom, beefsteak and cherry--right from the vine or from a local fresh-market. And on any given August afternoon, a big ol’ slice of wolf peach with a little salt and pepper can make a soul feel like it is flying!
Skateboarding in the Olden Days
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arry and I, both 12, had hiked the path of the old incline railway straight up Mill Mountain, skateboards hanging from our spindly arms. A quick visit to the zoo and then came the real purpose of our trek: skateboarding down the old road. It was basically a jumpon jump-off affair but we loved the adventure. That laminated wood Hobie skateboard which I had just acquired was the very coolest. Barry was using a homemade job of which he was quite proud. We were really getting into skateboarding. The advent of soft urethane wheels a few years later was an extremely exciting development. I mean, we loved skateboarding already, on the old “clay” wheels –not so much the 1920’s steel ones - so one can imagine how ecstatic we were to get our hands on these magic soft rubber “Stokers.” As soon as my mail-order box arrived, I tore open the packaging of the new wheels. On our back porch I carefully installed the wheels and loose ball bearings (sealed cartridge bearings would come out the next year) and tightened the axle nuts. My skateboarding friends followed the introduction of urethane wheels closely, and soon more lawn mowing money was in the mail for wheels with names like Road Rider, O.J., and Weber. Along with the new wheels came new, wide "trucks" –Excalibers, Trackers- and boards made from all kinds of materials. There were beautiful laminated wood ones, flexible fiberglass ones, even aluminum ones. Names of boards like Fibreflex, Santa Cruz, and Logan Earth Ski were highly desired. Our passion for skateboarding skyrocketed and we were soon living and breathing skateboarding 24/7. We skateboarded everywhere - sidewalks, streets you name it. We loved the style - like Easy Rider freedom and surfing and skiing combined. And nobody seemed to mind, thankfully. Except one time on the Blue Ridge Parkway when I received a carefully-written Fred First / Floyd County VA “courtesy ticket” for illegal ridBooks: slowroadhome.com ing. Blog: fragmentsfromfloyd.com About that time (1975) photos from the west coast filtered
Johnny and friends with the latest technology circa 1976. across the country showing guys skateboarding in empty cement swimming pools. That’s right, they’d push off hard from the shallow end, drop into the deepest part and then arc far up the vertical side of the pool. Oh yeah, we have to do that, our crew agreed. When you’re a kid it’s amazing what you can get away with, and I was no exception. There were several pools in the Roanoke Valley in which we trespassed during the off-season. We never considered getting permission; we just climbed over or burrowed under the fences and launched into our pool-riding careers. We’d carefully clean out the leaves and any other debris which had collected in the deep end, and the fun began. In the months of pool riding we got pretty good at it, “carving beautiful lines” across the smooth concrete. Tapping the edge coping with a front wheel was a trick for the mastery of which we persevered. It was an exciting time. We eventually tired of riding in the pools –or they got filled up or we got kicked out (my memory fades here . . .) so we started building wooden ramps instead. Some were small and simple, some were quite another thing altogether. My friends Rocky and Jeff, with essential parental blessing, built a huge, curved, wave-like wall for us to ride. It was over ten feet tall and must have contained enough scavenged two-by-fours and plywood to construct a modest-sized house. The ramp was situated at the bottom of a long steep driveway and one would launch toward it at some point on the hill. This point was determined by one’s skill, brav-
“ I am the slowest
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ery, amount of sense or lack thereof. The objective was to gather speed on the driveway, then smoothly and boldly attack the ramp, riding up it as far as possible and then executing a smart turn and controlled descent. It didn’t always work out that way, and this was all done without helmets, knee pads or any other safety gear beyond our own wits and the love of God. So, even though impressively-scraped body parts were the rule, we somehow avoided serious injury. The boys in my skateboarding gang (no girls, are you kidding? They were too smart for this) finally dispersed to other pursuits like, well, girls for one thing, and time moved on. But I’ll never forget the grin I had on my face, and the elation I felt, when I watched my friend Doug push off from the shallow end of the empty pool we had just entered, and drop into the deep end with great style and grace, not to mention bold commitment. Arms positioned just so, he ascended the far wall, smeared the coping with his front wheels, and descended, weightlessly tracing a flowing arc across the bottom of the pool. It was magical, and I couldn’t wait to try it myself. And maybe I felt a twinge of urgency, a hint of fleeting childhood, with the glimmer of understanding that in the twinkle of an eye, time and life would take me away from here to other places, other things - other equally amazing and unexpected adventures.
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Consequences Need to Matter!
Q
uite often my con- you have a five year old, give versations with them 20-30 minutes. Use an parents focus on egg timer and put it on top consequences. This can be of the door frame. If they a tricky topic. There are so come out early or mess with many different strategies and the timer, start it all over. It techniques out there and most may take two hours for them are focused on controlling to finish the time-out, but a child’s behavior, which of they will know that their train course we really can’t do. Yet has stopped. Yes they will parents are constantly search- fuss and moan and cry… that ing for that perfect solution. means it is working… they The problem is that don’t like it… they most approaches will typically want or how most apto avoid it. For a proaches are used, consequence to be miss the point. We a good one, it has are not attempting to hurt. to control our chil The notion dren’s behavior- we of hurting a child are trying to teach. does not mean Yes consequences physically or perare a form of punmanently. It means Keith McCurdy ishment. But more that for a consethan that we also want our quence to be effective, it has to children to learn from them really mess with their world. so that they may serve both It needs to shut them down. as a deterrent and a tool to The funniest thing about this build respect for authority. is that in my twenty plus years Time-outs are a great of dealing with families, most example of problematic con- parents know how to do this, sequences. For years I have they just don’t. Either they wanted to meet the person are afraid they are being too who suggested the whole no- harsh or they have bought tion of one minute per age of into the whole notion of reathe child. I have this approach soning or being friendly with mentioned to me on almost a their kids. Our parents and daily basis by parents. Most grandparents sure never had of who are tired of giving that issue. They also never dozens of time-outs each day. used time-outs. They messed Let’s just say the whole idea with our worlds and we were is a little silly. If you want to much better behaved and reuse a consequence as a de- spected authority much more terrent and to build respect readily than today’s children. for your authority, think of Here are a few examples. this analogy… If you want Johnny is complainto stop a speeding train, you don’t throw twigs at it as it passes by…. You drop a tree in front of it. There may be pain and anguish on the train, but there will be a clear understanding that it isn’t moving forward anymore. This is how a consequence is to be used. For this reason most time-outs are just ineffective. Ok, maybe a three year old will be effectively disciplined by a three minute time-out, but an eight year old is not affected by an eight minute one. “If I can do what I want and only sit in my room for eight minutes… cool”, as one boy told me recently. Twigs were just bouncing off of his windshield. Can you use timeouts? Sure you can, but understand that they have a very short window of use based on age, and they need to be beefed up. If a parent is bound and determined to use a time-out, here is what I recommend. If
ing about being bored. Today’s parent tries to come up with entertainment for Johnny or talk him into doing one of the many options they have mentioned that they believe he would have fun doing. Yesterday’s parent would say “Clearly you have too much time on your hands. If you can’t find something to do, here is a list of jobs to do around the house.” Sally is fussing and messing with her brother all day. Today’s parent would have a discussion about loving your siblings and tell her she has lost TV for the night if she continues. Yesterday’s parent would say “We don’t treat people like that” and have her go to bed after dinner for the week. Billy hits a little girl in the neighborhood. Today’s parent has a conversation about appropriate and inappropriate physical contact and respecting personal space followed by anger management classes. Yesterday’s parent would drop a tree. A specific strategy or approach is not the key. The key is to make a point very clearly. To do that, consequences need to matter. Take a look at your consequences and see if they really matter. Remember, consequences should not fit the crime… they should be bigger. Contact Keith at psycyou@msn.com
8/12/11 -8/18/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7
The Happy Chef -
I
by Leigh Sackett
Earth Bound Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabobs
have never tired of seafood . . . Until Wed. July 27th. I was at the beach and my daughter and I went out to ride the waves at ten in the morning that had become huge from recent storms. These were the kind of waves that make you laugh nervously and hysterically when you see them coming because you don't know whether they're going to clobber you or not! It was wonderful to share this thrill with my daughter but she didn't want to leave the water for a minute so by noon I was exhausted from battling the monstrous waves. Just as Maddie and I were finally leaving my son came out in the water and he was so excited about riding the waves himself that I just couldn't let him down. So I stayed. I knew from the weather report that this was the day for the big waves so we needed to make the most of it! Finally, around 4 PM a pounding rain drove us off the beach and back to the house. I have never been so completely water logged and physically tired in my life! I had been in the water for about 6 hours straight and felt so salty and soaked that the thought of ingesting anything from the ocean disgusted me, I felt like I had been swallowing seafood all day! So that night we had chicken, it felt so hearty - like being on solid land! The next day I was rested and back in the water with my wave riding partners. I said to Maddie, “it is funny the difference a day can make.” The seas were calm now with little 2 foot waves rolling in around us. A man a few yards away saw us on our boogie
Rain or shine finds the Happy Chef’s kids playing in the surf. boards waiting for something big to form and asked, “Were you out here for the big waves yesterday?” I said, “YES, weren’t they incredible!?” As we all stared intently out to sea, it dawned on me that the only thing we are serious about while at the beach is the waves. I realized how great it is to the leave the world behind for a moment and share in such a joyful – ALL PLAY - purpose with my children. I hope they cherish the memory of all their days at the beach but especially that fine Wednesday in 2011 when the ocean that we adore put on such a powerful show. It was such a great gift for a few "mountain dwellers" - even if it did temporarily cost me my love of seafood! So, meet the day full-on wherever you are and enjoy this great "Land Lover" recipe. A few nights of chicken will make you feel you are back on the hard mountain ground!!
1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup ranch dressing 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon white vinegar 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste 1 tablespoon white sugar skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch cubes -In a medium bowl, stir together the olive oil, ranch dressing, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, salt, lemon juice, white vinegar, pepper, and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes. Place chicken in the bowl, and stir to coat with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. -Preheat the grill for mediumhigh heat. Thread chicken onto skewers and discard marinade. -Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill skewers for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, and the juices run clear.
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8/12/11 -8/18/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 8
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My Charger: Not Just Another Dodge
T
he other day while nabe needed help. That meant going through old I needed help from my friend photographs, I came Louie, who had had extenacross a 1971 Dodge Charger I sive experience rebuilding once owned. The car had origi- engines. In a couple of afternally been owned noons, camshafts by an elderly lady were swapped, an whose penchant for exhaust system was drinking and cruisreplaced, a carbuing inevitably led retor was adjusted, to crumpled fendand an engine was ers. Mechanically, tuned to symphonic however, it was a perfection. This car bargain. Purchased was ready to rock. for seven hundred And rock it did. The dollars, it was moCharger's appeartored across town ance and perforRobert Adcox to the west side of mance were, quite Las Cruces, NM. to simply, visceral. Betake up residence outside of my fore long, that car had earned a apartment. Despite its asym- reputation by scaring away any metry, it was destined for epic Chevy or Ford wandering onto experiences. Plain Street looking for a conThe first order of business was test. "Vroom", said the wouldto head to a nearby junkyard be competitors. "GROWWfor some replacement panels. WWWWW!!", bellowed my Returning home with a fender Dodge in bloodthirsty repointing through the passen- sponse. With no mufflers, it ger's window at other motorists sounded like something exitattracted a lot of unwanted at- ing turn four at Daytona. Study tention -especially when the tip breaks consisted of quick trips of the panel poked some guy in up University Avenue in search the shoulder as I made a slow of enemy autocraft, finding right turn onto Solano Avenue. them, and promptly vacuumStill, I finally had the pieces in ing the headlights out of them place to rebuild my almost-a- at speeds I'm too embarrassed classic. Soon this car was off to to admit to. the body shop for paint, and I As with all man-made things, was off to the Golden Bull for a nothing lasts for forever. In my quarter pounder. case, the Charger lasted about a Looking sharp in "dig-me- year. One night I noticed a miss orange", but still lacking in in the timing. Having pulled performance, my missile wan- into the neighborhood super-
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Remind Me Again, in Whom Do We Trust?
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er, and he built them a golden calf. As a nation, rather than drawing strength from an invisible God, they fashioned a god they could touch and see. That is always the great danger for us, isn’t it—that we as individuals and as a nation will trust in the brief, the fleeting, the temporary, and the short-lived rather than that which is deep and lasting and eternal? Floundering amidst a sea of uncertainty, the temptation is always to cling frantically to anything that looks like a life preserver. It takes faith and courage to find a deeper security, one that can come from God alone. That is why the church teaches us to sing: “O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home! Under the shadow of thy throne, still may we dwell secure; sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.’ As modern translations of Psalm 146:3 remind us, we must be careful about putting our trust in the powerful and influential. The Obamas, the Boehners, the Bachmanns and the Palins will always be limited in what they can do. Fundamentally, our deepest hope will come neither from the latest recommendations of the President’s economic advisors or the ideological certainty of the Tea Party. Ultimately, our deepest security comes not from the stock market, Chinook helicopters, or Standard & Poors, but from the God who created us, the God in whom there is no shadow of turning. During weeks when the stock market drops 700 points, when military helicopters are shot from the sky, when political parties seem incapable of listening to one another, we are invited to hear again the wisdom engraved on things as common as the coins in our pockets: In God We Trust. Gary Robbins is the pastor of Greene Memorial UMC in downtown Roanoke. He can be reached at GaryR@gmumc.org. In observance of the 10th anniversary of 9-11, Greene Memorial will be hosting a special service on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 10:00 in the church sanctuary.
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The Preacher’s Corner - By Gary Robbins
ut your hand down into your pockets, your purse, or your wallet. Take out a penny, a nickel, a dime. And there, engraved on the coins we use every day, is an extraordinary set of words. Growing out of our collective American experience, written by the very people who regulate our businesses, negotiate our international treaties, orchestrate our national security, and oversee our great experiment in self-government are four fundamental words: “In God We Trust.” In God we trust. Those words are always important, but they are decisive in times of national fear and uncertainty. They remind us—as individuals, as communities, and as a nation—that our hope runs deeper than political figures, political parties, or political agendas. They remind us that, first and foremost, our hope lies in God and in the ways of God. Now I know how that sounds. In a religious environment marked by cheap words and tired, dusty slogans, those words can sound like religious escapism. But what if they are not? What if they are an important reminder that our lives, both personal and national, will always be filled with political quakes and financial tremors? What if they are a reminder that storms will always come with their lightning, their gale-force winds, and their terror—but that there is a power that is deeper than the storms? When the Children of Israel were in the wilderness, a long way from anything that looked familiar, dependable, or reassuring, they experienced a crisis of faith. Moses, their leader—the one who in their minds had brought them out of Egypt, led them through the Red Sea, and shepherded them through the desert wastelands—had disappeared amidst the craggy slopes of Mount Sinai. And the longer he was away, the deeper their fear and anxiety. Moses had told them that their only sure basis for strength and confidence was God, but what they were feeling instead was the fear of dark nights, scorching winds, and unforgiving heat. They felt isolated, alone, and vulnerable. Contact Robert at And so they turned to Aaron, Moses’ brothrobadcox@hotmail.com
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market, I began the process of working the backfire out of the engine. Leaning into the engine compartment, I pulled the throttle lever back and revved the engine. Whoops. I had forgotten to replace a broken engine mount. That's bad; while the engine was revving, it was now free to twist just enough to pull the transmission into reverse. That sent the car hurtling at maybe thirty or so across the parking lot. So many things happened in an eternity which lasted perhaps a minute. The car somehow turned itself around and headed for me. I began a sprint that under different circumstances would have guaranteed me a place on that year's olympic team. All you-know-what then began to break loose. It was ugly. A motorist trying to pull into the lot saw the car careening toward him, bulged his eyes like a Warner Brothers character, and reversed his own car back down a side street. A second later, an orange blur shot past him en route to awaiting gas pumps across the street. Chaos ensued. People yelled and ran in every direction. The Charger, at the very last second, turned course once more. Getting stuck in a sandpit at the edge of the lot, where the engine (screaming the scream of death for want of oil) began melting its bearings. When it was over, the Charger was lwhat one might describe as "somewhat largely damaged," having bounced off of every decorative palm tree planted at the end of the lot . Following the event, a deal was made: a friend bought the car, and I bought a one-way ticket to Minnesota. I bought a Dodge, and dodge it I did. Irony haunts me.
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Eat For Education Program Exceeds Goal For Year To be phased out in 2013
Roanoke City’s assistant director of finance, John Bingham said, “There is good news in that the funding for schools from the additional 2% meals tax increase amounted to $4,580,251 for the year. This was $197,109 or 4.5% better than anticipated in the adopted budget of $4,383,142.” The rate was increased from five percent in 2010 to seven percent for fiscal year 2011 and 2012. Roanoke City Public
Schools was reeling from state budget cuts and a downturn in city revenue. To allow RCPS to adjust for the sudden loss of funding a two percent increase
in the meals tax was approved by Roanoke City Council in 2010. The tax will “sunset” beginning in fiscal year 2013. Adjusting for an equal yearly comparison of meals tax revenue, fiscal year 2011 ended with a 2.6 percent increase over fiscal year 2010. By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com
Christmas Jars Project Looking for Candidates Representatives of charities in the Roanoke Valley (pictured left) were recipients of the first Delta Sigma Theta Christmas Jars Project. Twelve year old DeMarco Jackson presented Christmas Jars shirts and Christmas Jars containing $100 donations to charities in the Roanoke Valley. He and his peers Christopher Cole, Aliyah Johnson, Tiana Keeling, and Christian and Taylor Vaughan filled jars dedicated to charities that are close to their hearts and donated them to Sabrina's Place/Annette Lewis, The American Heart Association,/Samantha Arnoldy, The Roanoke Valley SPCA/Kathy Perdue, and Angels of Assisi's/ Deborah Saunders. They also purchased 13 outfits for a girls's orphanage in Haiti through She's International. In preparation for the Christmas Jars 2011/2012 Project, the Sorority is now requesting letters of interest from children ages 11 and 12. Six children will be selected to participate from the applicants based on the following criteria: They will be required to read the book Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright and participate in book discussions and maintain journals. They must have genuine concern for the community, and the environment and mankind. They are to fill their Christmas jars with generous donations that will be presented to the recipients of their choice at the Christmas Jars Program. Participants are to cultivate personal gifts of their talents in the performing and creative arts that will be rendered on the Christmas Jars Program. They must attend a rehearsal required for the success of this production. They will be mentored by members
Members of the Roanoke Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Top row Laurice Hampton, Brandi Fraction, and Tonya Jackson. Second row Donna Lee, DeMarco Jackson and Eulah Price. Bottom row Monica Callaway, President Gloria Manns and Vice President Diane Jones. of the Sorority and the charter members of the Christmas Jars Project. Letters of interest should be sent to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at P.O. Box 6658 Roanoke, 24017. Letters must be postmarked by August 20th, 2011. Applicants will be notified of their application status by August 31st. Upon acceptance all participants and their parents or guardians will meet with the sorority representatives, sign character and schedule contracts, and receive their books and journals. This will be a rewarding experience for the participants as well as their recipients. The Christmas Jars Program is scheduled for December 17th at the Claude Moore Education Complex
8/12/11 -8/18/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9
Godsey Brings “100 Percent” Conservative Outlook to Race for 21st District
Governor Bob McDonnell endorsed Tripp Godsey’s primary opponent but he is not deterred. He says he will be “conservative 100% of the time versus Nutter’s sometimes.” He announced his intention to be the nominee of the Republican Party at a June 2 Roanoke Tea Party meeting. Godsey is intent on defeating State Senator John Edwards (D-21) in November but first must beat the surprise entry to the race Delegate Dave Nutter (R-7) in an August 23 primary. Godsey, 47, owns and operates two Farmers Insurance agency locations. He lives in the Jefferson Hills section of Roanoke City with his wife Melissa and their three children. Though he didn’t bank on a primary opponent when he first announced, he believes the primary will give him an advantage. It will help his name recognition and help to get his message out. He is committed to making an all-out effort to be successful in the primary. He first came to the Roanoke Tea Party’s attention in the summer when President Chip Tarbutton said Godsey answered their call for a candidate willing to challenge Senator Edwards. The Roanoke Tea Party has called Edwards the most liberal member of the Virginia legislature and “not so gently” placed a target on Edwards’ back. Godsey was unanimously endorsed by the Roanoke Tea Party on July 18. President Chip Tarbutton said, “The Roanoke Tea Party is delighted to find such an upstanding citizen with no previous political experience willing to step forward and do something about the current state of our Commonwealth and Nation.” “It couldn’t be more clear [Edwards] is at one end of the political spectrum and I’m at the other,” said Godsey. Government regulation and its effect on business along with
Tripp Godsey the uncertainty of Obamacare fuels his determination. Godsey said he “will protect Virginia citizens from the abuse of the federal government when it acts outside of its constitutional authority.” He tells conservative voters that Nutter is a “sometimes conservative” and that “Nutter voted for the largest tax increase in Virginia history” under Governor Mark Warner. He takes issue with Nutter’s vote mandating 6th grade girls to be given the HPV vaccine though he later voted to repeal it. He said he would fight for personal property rights and against the Board of Education that “without constitutional authority has imposed rules and regulations on Virginia schools that have hurt not helped.” Godsey supports school choice while Nutter supports charter schools.
He says that Nutter voted against individuals’ privacy by voting for surveillance cameras on roadways. He also said Nutter voted against Governor McDonnell’s plan to eliminate funding for public broadcasting. Godsey would have voted against the cameras and for elimination of funding for public broadcasting. On immigration Godsey takes Nutter to task for allowing illegal immigrants out-of-state educational benefits. Godsey subscribes to the “rightful remedy” of states to nullify laws interpreted as unconstitutional. It would take 37 states to declare a federal law null and void. He would defend the 10th amendment and any attempt to end federalism. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s ardent opposition to the federal government and its mandates has been Godsey’s inspiration. He is also in “total agreement” with Governor Bob McDonnell’s plans for school choice. Godsey graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1982 and received a B.A. in public administration at Elon University. Godsey is a lifelong resident of Virginia. By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com
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Reserved seat tickets: $18.00, $23.00 Gold Circle: $28.00 Sunny Seats: $48.00
For tickets, visit the Salem Civic Center Ticket Office, Ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000 Convenience charges apply to all tickets except those purchased at the Salem Civic Center Ticket Office. ALL LISTED INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
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Sports
You've Gotta Compete!!
8/12/11 -8/18/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 10
Area Teams Vie For Title In Bob McLelland Metro Invitational
Those were the words Wednesday from North Cross head football coach Stephen AlRoanoke-area high school golf moved into high gear Wednesday as the opening round of the twoexander as the Raiders prepare day Bob McLelland Metro Invitational toured the Westlake Country Club at Smith Mountain Lake. for the 2011 campaign. North The final round moves to Blue Hills Thursday. Salem captured the first event of the year on Monday Cross opens the season at home with its 3-shot win in the Heritage Invitational at London Downs. Saturday, August 27th against North Carolina Division I power William Fleming's DeCharlotte Latin School. vante Holliday places his ball on the green during Wednesday's Bob McLelland Invitational.
North Cross linemen battle it out during drills on technique and positioning.
Raider head coach Stephen Alexander (in red) goes over a game plan with his players.
Cave Spring's Meagan Board hits her tee shot in Wednesday's first round.
Raider lineman and Division I candidate Paul Smith straps on his helmet as practice gets intense. Salem's Austin Smith rolls his putt at Westlake Country Club Wednesday afternoon.
Movies at Longwood THE BLIND SIDE
North Cross backup QB Max Revercomb gets in some reps during passing drills. .
Saturday Aug 20 at Longwood Park
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Patrick Henry's Joe Davis follows through on his approach By Bill Turner shot at Westlake's 10th hole. info@newsroanoke.com
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8/12/11 -8/18/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11
Red Sox Look For Final Push In Wild Bill’s Weekly Sports Roundup Carolina League Second Half The Salem Red Sox return home tonight (Thursday, Aug. 11th) for a week-long homestand in their quest to make the Carolina League playoffs. The Sox play Kinston in a four-game series through Sunday before Myrtle Beach visits Lewis-Gale Field for a three-game set beginning Monday. After last Monday night's 2-1 win on the road over the Potomac Nationals, the Red Sox were 4 1/2 games behind Winston-Salem with 27 games remaining in the second-half. Myrtle Beach has already securred one playoff spot in the Southern Division by virtue of winning the first-half title.
Red Sox center fielder Peter Hissey gets full extension with the bat as he connects for a Salem hit. By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com
Well, readers, I’m glad to be returning to print Now, for the Wild Bill “value spotlight.” There after a brief break that included a week-long stop are two Monday games left on the Salem Red Sox in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia for the schedule (Aug. 15 & 22). Monday games offer $1 Greenbrier Classic. hot dogs--this can’t be beat. For a ten-spot, a famiIt was another superb showcase that brought ly of three should be able to stuff themselves. And, the PGA TOUR event to new heights. Four-time for you big eaters, a mere $63 offers you a cheap major winner Phil Mickelson and eight-time ma- opportunity to top Joey Chestnut, the guy who jor champ Tom Watson joined the field as atten- noshed down 62 dogs in last month’s Nathan’s Hot dance swelled to over 213,000. Although neither Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island. made the 36-hole cut, both were generous in signIf we have any competitive eaters in the area, ing autographs during their rounds Wednesday be sure to give me a heads-up on the concourse through Friday. as a picture in the RSS will surely be in order to The ever-flamboyant John Daly entertained validate the attempt in a sport that is clearly uneveryone with his outlandish attire that hopefully derrated. will [not!] make its way onto the Roanoke Valley Finally, the nation has spent the last couple fashion scene in the near future. weeks engulfed in a stock market downturn and The three-night concert series once again over- out-of-control national debt. The Wild Bill colwhelmed nearby Lewisburg with Tim McGraw umn wants to assist our readers with a lesson in and Keith Urban on the country music side, along microeconomics that starts in the dollar, rather with the high-energy Black Eyed Peas dazzling than trillion dollar, range: Buying soft drinks. what Greenbrier officials estimated to be 56,000 The new gimmick on the shelf is the 1.25 liter, fans. The Wild One is ready to confirm that the priced at $ 1.19. Interestingly, last week, I readily BEP’s Fergie is more adorable in person than on spotted 2-liters at “Ten for $10.” TV. I’m convinced our nation still knows how to diHigh school football is set for opening night in vide. Somebody else apparently thinks otherwise. two weeks, and the Roanoke Valley looks to have But, also be wary of the buy-4, get 2 free scheme. its share of top-notch squads for 2011. Early pre- I picked up six 2-liters, which meant my adjusted dictions from here point to Northside and Salem unit price was 67 cents. The fast-scan method as local favorites. My preseason darkhorse is Hid- at the checkout was erred by scanning only five. den Valley. Make no doubt about it- several other Therefore, I got one free, but was penalized by not teams look to be strong at this point. We’ll get to having six scanned. As you can see, I’d been better the weekly predictions for our eleven Valley teams served trying to recalculate the national debt. beginning August 25th. Here’s a final thought to put our country’s mess Hats off to all the dedicated players, coaches in perspective. Who was President a billion secand trainers who will fight the brutal August heat onds ago? If you said Jimmy Carter, take a pat on before it all comes together later this month. Their the back. efforts will be the payoff for the fans that turn out Now, who was President a trillion seconds ago? on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons each My history is bad, but I’ll give you a hint-a trillion week until the final December playoffs. seconds was 32,000 years ago. Must have been Yours truly has been tabbed to be a special guest VanBuren. By Bill Turner of what could easily become one of the top sportinfo@newsroanoke.com ing and entertainment destinations on the east coast. Wild Bill will be roaming throughout the Eastmont Tomato Festival this Saturday during the regular price their fourth annual celebration (see related article in today’s edition). I’m prepared to autograph 1 hour tomatoes during what should be, massage according to the organizers, a hior get a larious afternoon. My apparent Rossiter tie-in with the TomatOlympics Call today don’t miss out on this offer! deep tissue was a natural. Check out www. workout for eastmonttomatofestival.com for more info. Must present coupon. Call today for appointment 540-580-1231
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A Red Sox girl atop the dugout, leads the crowd in singing 'Sweet Caroline' in the bottom of the eighth tradiPotomac manager Matthew LeCroy entertains the Red Sox tion at Lewis Gale Field. crowd with an animated protest of a close call at the plate. LeCroy was tossed from the game by the umpiring crew.
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Page 12 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 8/12/11 -8/18/11
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The Great Wagon Road Encampment Provides Hands-On History A portion of Eastern Montgomery Park bristled with tents, gunfire, and smoke on the first Saturday and Sunday of August as Revolutionary War era costumed men, women and children mingled with 21st century visitors in their shorts and athletic shoes. They were there to mark the significance of the 18th century wagon trail that helped Americans settle Kentucky and the rest of the West. Photo by Gail Lambert Visitors were rewarded with talks by historians, an Great Road Encampment Organizer Henry Bryant and wife opportunity to throw toma- Deborah Bryant at the 18th Century Encampment in Elliston.
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hawks and knives at standing targets, and to shop for 18th century clothing, toys and equipment. An unhurried look at artifacts such as a soldier’s cooking stove, all set up, and smoking was in the offing, as well as the Camp Store with living historian Deborah Bryant in her cap and long dress explaining the merits of knee pants and stockings for growing boys. Black iron stakes for a soldier’s pack were used to build a cooking contraption. Event Organizer Henry Bryant, resplendent in an 18th century style threecornered hat and knee breeches, demonstrated the use of a flintlock musket. It required a number of steps and skills, and when the fiery blast exploded, the visitors had a much better sense of the meaning of the word “shellshock.” Bryant asked for questions; one man wanted to know how many shots a soldier could fire in a minute. “Three or four,” Bryant answered. Spectators seemed taken aback, probably thinking, “Who could endure such noise and fright in the middle of battle?” Victoria Ferguson, wearing the attire of a Monacan Indian, is a descendant of Jacob Persinger, an early Swiss-German settler in the Roanoke Valley as well as the descendent of a Monacan Indian who fought for the Americans at Yorktown. Salemite Sandy Thornton wore a simple shift with buckskin leggings and moccasins in honor of her Cherokee Nation ancestor who traveled West on the Great Road. Featured author and retired Army officer Lee Offing, a Colonial American woodsman look-alike, showed on a map the blundering effort of the British military using American boys to fight in the Caribbean. It was a mistake Offing believes loosened the tight bond between Mother England and the American colonies decades before the Revolutionary War. Historian Mary Kegley from Wytheville, author of “Finding Their Way from the Great Road to the Wilderness Road,” was also a featured speaker. The Encampment was sponsored by Montgomery County Parks and Recreation and Fort Vause Outfitters. Admission was free. Neighboring Rowe Furniture Company donated a sofa for a fundraising raffle. It was the first of what many history buffs and families hope will be an annual event. By Gail Lambert info@newsroanoke.com
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Team of Cyclists “Push America” to Help the Disabled
Photo by Alex Dunner
Volunteers and children at a recent “Push America” gathering. This past Monday, a team of cyclists participating in the “Journey of Hope” arrived in Roanoke as part of a nine-week, 4000-mile cycling event across the country to raise funds and awareness for people with disabilities. The trip began June 8 in Seattle and is about to wrap up Saturday August 13 in Washington DC. The team had a “Friendship Visit” and dinner with the Down Syndrome Association of Roanoke on Monday and on Tuesday enjoyed a dinner and Visit with Easter Seals. Journey of Hope is a program of “Push America,” the national philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, which raises funds and awareness for people with disabilities. The Journey of Hope team consists of men from Pi Kappa Phi chapters across the country. The team has been cycling an average of 75 miles per day, beginning in San Francisco and Seattle and ending in Washington, D.C. on August 13. Simply put, Push America serves people with disabilities. They were founded on the premise that people with disabilities are no different than people without disabilities, and it is the organization’s vision to raise the level of awareness about people with disabilities. Journey of Hope is a vehicle for them to achieve this goal. At stops across the country, the three routes (North, South and TransAmerica—the one stopping in Roanoke) will distribute grants directly to assist organizations in serving people with disabilities. For the team, the real journey is not on a bike, but spending time with the people for whom they are riding. The Journey of Hope team members will spend every afternoon with people with disabilities in many different community events and activities. These men are striving for community inclusion of people with disabilities and are helping to break the barriers of society that keep people of all abilities from living life to the fullest. Axel Holm, Public Relations Crew Member (TransAmerica team) is accompanying the riding team as a support member, and participates in all the social events at each stop. The guys really get to know and spend time with people with disabilities, and gain an understanding of the challenges they face. The crew was having lunch at Corned Beef & Company Tuesday afternoon. Holm said they had been up to Mill Mountain Zoo—the river otters were a big hit—and “drove up next to the Star [in time] to see the city’s sunset.” Holm said “This is the furthest east I have ever been and I am very happy to be here. Roanoke is great.” He reflected on the time he has been spending with people with disabilities all across the country, and the impact it has had on his life, saying it has
changed “the way I handle my everyday life—[I realize] I have no reason to be upset.” Push America was founded in 1977. With the combined efforts of sponsors and individual team members, this year’s Journey of Hope will raise more than $550,000 on behalf of people with disabilities. Visit www.pushamerica.org for more information.
8/12/11 -8/18/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 13
Feeding America SW VA Makes Big Impact
Virginians who have watched the national news lately have likely seen images of scores of gaunt East Africans wandering across the parched land, bearing starving children in their arms. Many may have inwardly sighed with relief that “we don’t have hunger in Virginia.” Jeremy Butterfield, Media and Communications Director of Feeding America Southwest Virginia (formerly Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank), would have to disagree. While we don’t face famines like the one presently in Africa we do have alarming levels of hunger in Virginia. “For 30 years now, Feeding America Southwest Virginia has provided food for hundreds of thousands of hungry and ‘food insecure’ Virginians; more than 144 million pounds of food was distributed last year and lots more will go out this year,” Butterfield said. “Due to the economic situation in the country and high gas prices, the need is growing.” In 1981, the Salem/Abingtonbased organization began as a TAP program spearheaded by Cabell Brand in his basement office on Shenandoah Avenue, according to Butterfield. “Whereas we once were merely part of another nonprofit (TAP), delivering less than half a million pounds of food per year, we are now part of a network of over 200 local food banks distributing over 14 million pounds of food in 26 Virginia counties,” Butterfield said. He explained that the local food bank not only collects food from local manufacturers, retailers, farmers and government sources, but also tracks, safety-checks, takes inventory,
Feeding America Southwest Virginia staff is dedicated to the local hunger fight. and then distributes food re- the hunger problem right here ceived from Feeding America in Southwest Virginia. and other local sources to hun“George Kegley, a member of gry people throughout much of Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church the state. in Roanoke, told me that he “In addition, it’s our job to had noticed a number of wellsecure funding from local cor- dressed people who seem emporations, churches and other barrassed to be leaning on the organizations, as well as indi- church’s food bank lately, but vidual donors,” Butterfield said. they come because they are “Corporations are beginning to hungry,” Butterfield said. “That’s find out that it’s just good busi- because the Supplemental Nuness to show the public and the trition Assistance Program surrounding community that (SNAP)/(Food Stamps) leaves you care about its most vulner- many of the working poor withable members,” he added. out food assistance.” Butterfield lauded the fact Despite the increasing need, that Food Lion, Wal-Mart, Butterfield said he’s grateful to Kroger and other national and see that farmers’ markets are local grocery store chains have now accepting food stamps for pitched in together “in a very fruits and vegetables. non-competitive way” to help “The face of hunger may be those in need by contributing harder to recognize now,” Butboth food and money. Those terfield said, “Sometimes people companies have been joined in suffering from malnutrition are the effort to give by a large host plump because junk food is so of other local businesses such as much cheaper than fruits and ITT, Delta Dental and Colonial vegetables.” Webb Contractors. According to the agency’s loNational giving partners in- cal website, “Feeding America clude movie stars like Jennifer Southwest Virginia delivered Aniston, and many other celeb- 84,065 pounds of food and warities, but according to Butter- ter to its partner agencies after field, over a hundred churches two tornados hit last April in in the Roanoke Valley should the Pulaski/Glade Spring areas. also be credited with being Last year, volunteers donated regular financial and food stuff more than 18,000 hours of contributors, trying to alleviate service time doing everything
from sorting food to management consulting and speaking to groups. “This year Feeding America Southwest Virginia is celebrating our 30th year of working with community partnerships to feed hungry people,” Butterfield said with a broad smile, adding, “Although our ultimate goal is to shut down this agency, that won’t happen until the need disappears. Last year we grew from 10 backpack programs for children to 30 in Virginia, due to markedly increased need.” Backpack programs supply food inconspicuously for children who need it after the school days are over. The national “Feeding America” website states that many American children are receiving “less than 70 % of the nutrients required” for their health and proper growth. That’s probably why Feeding America Southwest Virginia sent home over 19,000 backpacks last year. Butterfield said that area grocers and a large number of businesses like Starbucks and Pizza Hut have partnered with his agency to get safe, consumable food to the doors of those who need it in a program called “Prepared and Perishables.” “This program rescues about 100,000 pounds of food a month,” Butterfield said, “and these are the kinds of ideas that keep Feeding America Southwest Virginia evolving in the right direction. We also want people to remember that September is “Hunger Awareness Month,” so if you think you don’t know anyone in your community who is hungry, please think again.” By Mary Campagna info@newsroanoke.com
Valley Business
Page 14 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 8/12/11 -8/18/11
NewsRoanoke.com
“One Block East” Is New Home Employment Discrimination: The Basics for Center Gallery / Shop The art gallery and gift shop “Art Beyond Center,” formerly located on the ground floor at Center in the Square, has now moved one block east to the old Shenandoah Hotel building, formerly the home of Twists & Turns. The move, necessary because Center in the Square is undergoing a transformation, also spawned a new name for the gift shop – “One Block East.” Woodworker Rick Stump and his wife Debbie will manage One Block East, which features works by local artists and gift items that might attract tourists. Rick Stump said everything, including a business license, should be in place within the
Photo by Gene Marrano
Woodworker Rick Stump will also manage One Block East. next week or so. Multi-media artist Cheryl Dolby, who exhibited at the Center in the Square space, was asked by the Stumps to participate at the new location. “I’d go any place with these guys,” said Dolby, who will show her paintings, and may add sculptures later on. Dolby often exhibits her wares
Photo by Gene Marrano
Artist Cheryl Dolby helps One Block East get ready to open. from the back of a multi-colored, tiled van at the Farmer’s Market. She likes the new space, which is on a busy corner and full of windows, even better than the one at Center in the Square. Dolby also stays busy these days teaching small sculpture classes at her home. (Contact healingwoman. blogspot.com for more information.) Artists will pay a monthly fee in order to exhibit at One Block East and will share the proceeds with the store. Stump isn’t sure if the shop will return to Center in the Square once it reopens after renovations next year. “It depends on whether they have any openings,” said Stump, who has been in conversation with Center president Jim Sears on the matter. The Shenandoah Hotel building, owned by Center in the Square, is on the market as well, with an asking price of more than $2 million, so One Block East’s tenure may be short-lived. It has also been used by Mill Mountain Theatre to house visiting actors, and as a rehearsal space. Stump, whose wife Debbie also works in development for
Roanoke Catholic, has crafted items as large as grandfather clocks for sale at One Block East, which plans to be open during the monthly Art By Night event. He will toil away on new works in one corner of the newly located gallery, and said other member artists can come in to work as well, turning it into a studio of sorts. “When it cools down, hopefully we can have some people outside painting like we used to do at ‘Center,’” said Stump, who may also promote artwork that is linked to exhibits at nearby museums. Across the aisle in the same building, the History Museum of Western Virginia has opened its doors in a temporary space. Stump likes the idea of extra foot traffic, and says “I think we’ll draw some people here.” The History Museum is also using the Shenandoah Hotel to store much of its extensive collection. Stump said One Block East will be ready to go as soon as all of the licensing is in place, possibly by the end of this week. By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net
Many employees and employers misunderstand what constitutes illegal employment discrimination. This common misunderstanding often arises from uncertainty as to the distinction between legal discrimination and illegal discrimination. When an employer decides that they will only interview high school graduates for a certain position; they are discriminating against potential applicants who did not graduate from high school. Depending upon the duties of the particular job, it is unlikely that this minimum job requirement would be viewed as illegal discrimination. Similarly, certain jobs require an employee to hold a specific license. If the license is reasonably related to the particular job, this form of discrimination is also legal. These types of discrimination are permitted because they serve an easily understood and rational relationship to an employer’s legitimate business interest. People have a harder time accepting that an employer can discriminate for wholly personal reasons, even though such discrimination likely is legal. For example, if an employee gets into an argument with his supervisor because of their differing political views, it would not be illegal for the supervisor to fire the employee. While this may be a bad business or personal decision, it is not illegal. The types of discrimination that generally are prohibited by law are types of discrimination based upon an employee’s membership in one of several specifically identified classes. These classes include race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, sex, age, disability, and military service. In most locations, sexual orientation is not protected. When an employer subjects an employee to an adverse
Patrick Kelly employment decision because of the employee’s membership in one of the identified classes, they have illegally discriminated against that employee. Employment discrimination is usually not conspicuous. Determining whether an employer has acted with a prohibited discriminatory intent usually relies upon an examination of subtle clues. Courts typically look to “comparators” in order to determine whether an employer has acted with a prohibited intent. In other words, courts will look to the employer’s treatment of similarly situated applicants and employees to determine whether illegal discrimination has occurred. For example, if an AfricanAmerican employee who is 20 minutes late to work is fired but several white employees who also arrive at work 20 minutes late are only give written reprimands, then the employee who was fired can make out a case of discrimination. At this point in litigation, it would fall to the employer to prove that they had a legitimate non-discriminatory reason for treating these employees differently. Certain policies or procedures which do not appear to be discriminatory on their face but which have a disparate impact upon a protected group may also
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be illegal. If an employer cannot show that there is a legitimate business reason for a restriction, then the policy may be improper. Employers also are required to insure that members of a protected class are not subjected to a hostile work environment or harassment. A common misconception is that harassment must be sexual. That is not correct. It is illegal if it is based on any protected class. However, employment discrimination legislation is not intended to serve as a workplace civility code. This means that minor conflicts, even if motivated by improper prejudices, typically do not constitute illegal discrimination. In order to amount to discrimination, incidents of hostility or harassment must be severe and pervasive, i.e. name calling by a supervisor or sexual coercion. An employer also engages in illegal discrimination when they retaliate against an employee for protecting their or another’s legal rights, provided those rights relate to the employee’s status within a protected class. If an employer retaliates against an employee because they have filed a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, they have engaged in a form of illegal discrimination. An employee does not have to file a formal charge in order to enjoy this protection, however, protection is extended to employees who assist in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation as well as employees who oppose any type of activities that they reasonably believe to constitute illegal discrimination. The employee’s opposition activity must not be insubordinate or unduly disruptive to the employer’s legitimate business interest; although respectful objections to employer’s discriminatory acts are typically protected. Employment discrimination is a complex matter. This summary of the legal landscape merely touches on its most obvious boundaries. Often times, what first looks like illegal discrimination is not, and vice versa. Because of this, it is important for employers to consult with qualified legal counsel when confronted with issues involving potential discrimination. Patrick Kelly is an attorney with Glenn Feldmann Darby & Goodlatte – visit www.gfdg.com to learn more.
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8/12/11 -8/18/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 15
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Roanoke Catholic Grad Named Interim Head of Aerospace / Ocean Engineering Department at Virginia Tech Robert Canfield, professor and assistant department head for academic affairs of Virginia Tech’s Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, assumed the role of interim department head, filling a vacancy left by Chris Hall who departed from Virginia Tech at the end of July to become the mechanical engineering department head at the University of New Mexico. Hall joined Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering in 1997 as an assistant professor of the aerospace and systems engineering program. He has served as the department head since 2006. Hall’s research has focused on the various areas of spacecraft dynamics and control. Throughout his career at Tech,
Hall has continued to work directly with students in designing, building, and testing space payloads, including systems for sounding rockets, high-altitude balloons, and orbital missions. “The stellar reputation of the program is due, in no small part, to the effective leadership of Hall as the head of our department for the last five years. I look forward to working with the most collegial faculty and staff I've encountered, the college of engineering, and the university to continue in this positive direction,” Canfield said. The results of the 2010 survey ranked Virginia Tech’s aerospace and ocean engineering program fourth, tied with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Robert Canfield In 2008, Canfield joined the Virginia Tech aerospace and ocean engineering program as a professor. He is an active member of the program’s structures group, and involved in the Collaborative Center for Multidisciplinary Sciences (CCMS). A graduate of Roanoke Catholic High School, Canfield
graduated from Duke University with a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in mechanical engineering, and was commissioned in the USAF in 1983. He earned his master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford University in 1984, and his doctoral degree in engineering mechanics at Virginia Tech in 1992. Prior to joining the Virginia Tech community, Canfield worked for 24 years in the U.S. Air Force. Canfield began his professional career as a professor of aerospace engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in 1993. Subsequently, in 1996 until 1998, he served as the Chief of Plans and Bud-
get for the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), managing the Air Force’s $300 million investment strategy for basic research. Briefly in 1997, Canfield worked for the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science, Technology and Engineering as the Planning and Resources Manager for the $1.2 billion Air Force science and technology budget. From June 1998 to May 1999, he served as the Director of Policy and Integration for AFOSR. In 2000 he became an associate professor at AFIT and taught there until accepting the position at Virginia Tech in 2008. During this period, Canfield served as the deputy head of aeronautics and astronautics from 2002 until 2004.
“Canfield is an excellent choice to lead the department. He has an exemplary record of academic and technical leadership as well as service. He has overseen significant improvements to the curriculum at a time when our undergraduate programs were at an all-time height in popularity,” Hall said. His fields of expertise are multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO), high altitude long endurance (HALE) sensorcraft, and micro air vehicle (MAV) conceptual design. “Canfield leads an exciting research program in the field of advanced aircraft design, with more than $1 million in research funding to date,” Hall said.
What Should You Do With Your Gas Hog? Hotel Roanoke Completes Renovations Of Garden Courtyard The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center recently completed a $200,000 renovation of their open air Garden Courtyard. Completing another renovation in a progression of renovations since 2008 that has seen updates and improvements of all guest rooms, corridors, public areas and conference center space, event planners and guests are presented the natural world in an urban setting in this newly developed space. The Garden Courtyard features 6,270 sq. feet of multidimensional space, seating for up to 250 guests, a focal point gazebo that is perfect for numerous applications, as well as a designated lounge area surrounded by the beautiful garden plantings and the warmth of a cozy fire. “We are extremely proud of the look and feel that this renovation has added to our historic Hotel, bringing our overall investment to the facility since 2008 to $8.5 million" said Gary Walton, general manager of The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. "This renovation builds upon the hotel's premier status as a destination and meeting facility in southwest Virginia and creates another ideal location for important events; a long standing and honored tradition for our hotel in this city." Previously the underutilized space which once served as the former Crystal Ballroom now features the amenities and attractions that event planners seek for
The newly renovated Hotel Roanoke Garden Courtyard. outdoor events with the luxury of having inclement weather options within The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. “Outdoor venues have a fantastic ambiance and with the summer in full swing and the beautiful evenings of autumn approaching, it’s the ideal time to entertain guests outside in the fresh air,” said Sandra Holt, director of sales and events at the hotel. “Weddings, social events, dinners, evenings on the patio,
food and beverage events, and so much more can all be entertained with this new space. We are very excited to offer this new and improved Garden Courtyard to our guests and customers.” Special packages and entertainment offerings are available. Guests, meeting planners and special events managers are invited to come take a tour of the recently renovated space. To learn more visit www.HotelRoanoke.com.
The economy continues to struggle and gas prices remain high. The cost to fill up the gas tank in an average car is over $60. If that is breaking your budget, there are two things you can do about it. You can either try to improve your gas mileage or replace you car with a fuel efficient one. To improve your cars gas mileage, make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under inflated tires can cost you up to 2 mpg. Then, replace your air filter regularly and put in new spark plugs every 30,000 miles. The smoother your car runs, the better its gas mileage. Remove anything from your car you do not really need. The more weight in your car, the more gas it will use. Also, remove your roof rack when you are not using it and put a bed cover on your pickup truck. This will reduce drag and
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Arts & Culture
NewsRoanoke.com
“Fall into the Arts” Series Debuts FDR Library Photographic Exhibit Recalls Depression Era America
Roanokers are in for a musical treat this fall, with Community School’s “Fall into the Arts Series” which will feature some familiar names bringing their well-known talents to the inaugural benefit performances. For the first performance on September 8, the artists won’t have to travel very far to get here. RSO Maestro David Stewart Wiley, Soprano Leah Marer Wiley and flute virtuoso Julee Hickcox will be performing favorites from hit broadway musicals, beloved Italian opera showpieces and jazzy duos for flute and piano. The show is entitled “From Boheme to Broadway” and will be held at Talmadge Hall on the Hollins Campus. According to Pattie Stratton, Director of Development and Marketing, the impetus for the Series evolved from Community School looking into ways to “put in a keyboard lab.” They got to talking to Maestro Wiley and “once we booked him and realized how great this was going to be … we wanted to do something good for the community and [our school] and make it a yearly event.”
A Community School student tickles the ivory. “The school is working toward adding the Yamaha MIE keyboard lab to our music curriculum. A total of 16 keyboards would allow each child to read, produce, create, and participate in music with the keyboard as a vehicle,” said Stratton. RSO Music Director David Stewart Wiley noted that “Leah, Julee and I are happy to help to make this dream of a piano lab for the students a reality. We hope our community will support this worthy cause by attending the performance.” The second performance
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scheduled for October 26 will feature “The Hudson Trio” which is a New York based group comprised of seasoned and accomplished chamber musicians. The Hudson Trio has an eclectic approach to programming, combining standard works of their repertoire with rarely performed compositions. The Trio will be performing movements by Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven, which will represent the standard repertoire, and possibly include a short piece by Arvo Part (contemporary and accessible) and Petko Stainov (folk-based, Bulgarian). Community School, a small private school in Roanoke County (established in 1971), has always had the arts as a focus. Stratton explains that “art education is central to our philosophy. We seek to teach the whole child by integrating the arts, Spanish and technology throughout the curriculum.” For instance, Stratton says, “While studying Greek Civilization students performed Greek Tragedy in Drama, designed their own Amphorae in Art, and were introduced to Greek choral reading in music.” “We aim to take students from passive recipients to active participants of skill and knowledge, and at the same time give them an understanding of and passion for the arts. We encourage volunteerism, social responsibility and nurture a lifelong love of learning.” Installing a new keyboard lab will help the school achieve their objectives. Stratton added, “Our goal is to make this new Fall Series an annual event— presenting three performing arts programs each fall, [featuring] music, dance, drama, even comedy. “Fall into the Arts” performances will be held Sept. 8 and Oct. 26 (an additional date will be announced for November) at 7 p.m. at Talmadge Hall on the Hollins Campus. For more information or to get tickets, visit www.communityschool.net, www.jeffersoncenter. org or call Community School at 540.563.5036. By Cheryl Hodges cheryl@newsroanoke.com
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Between 1935 and 1943, photographers from the Farm Security Administration (FSA), a New Deal agency, fanned out across America, photographing images of life during the Great Depression. From its original mission of recording rural poverty, the FSA sent photographers to small town and urban areas, documenting life on the home front during World War II. Among those who appeared before FSA cameras were sharecroppers, migrant laborers, miners, schoolchildren, tenement dwellers, churchgoers, factory laborers, small merchants and fair-goers. Beginning August 12 and ending October 31, the works of the FSA’s photographers will be featured in “This Great Nation Will Endure:
Young children gather around a family table in the 1930s. whose works will be featured are Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, Carl Mydans, Gordon Parks, and Ben Shahn. As to what the FSA had in mind when it initially sent out its photographers to record these scenes of Thirties
A depression era photograph captures the depth of poverty. Photographs of the Great America, “it depends on who Depression”—an exhibit at you ask,” says Link Museum the O. Winston Link Mu- director Kimberly Parker. seum in downtown Roanoke. “One idea is that it was to promote Created socialby the ism or Frankthe New lin D. Deal. It Roosevelt was inPresidentended tial Lito put brary and people to Mu s e u m work— in Hyde artists, Park, New writers, York, the photogexhibit is being A family living out of the back of a truck. raphers, authors. pre s e nt ed jointly by the FDR Li- It also was a project to docubrary, the National Archives ment the plight of the counand Records Administra- try and to present that to the tion, and the Link Museum. public eye. So you can call it Among the photographers social documentary, social change - propaganda for just
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documentary purposes.” Some may wonder why an exhibit of Depression-era photographs would be put on public display at a museum that, considering O. Winston Link’s image as a railroad photographer, would seemingly be more about railroads but, Parker said, “We don’t really consider ourselves a railroad museum. We are a museum of Winston Link’s work. He wasn’t just photographing the trains. He was showing history, sociology, art—a time period that was going to be ending. So it was more than just [Norfolk & Western]. His purpose was documentary as well. We regard it as capturing the social time. It is also photography … that photography needs to be shown and seen in this area.” As the FSA exhibit is shown across the nation, the Roosevelt Library rotates it among venues. The Link Museum sent an email query about its availability. “It fit in within our calendar,” says Parker who adds, “We had to, of course, pass some standards to make sure that our gallery’s humidity, temperature [and] security were all up to standards. Once they were met, then the show was ours.” In addition to the approximately 150 mainly blackand-white photographs, the exhibit will feature maps, text panels, Power Point presentations, and audio-visual displays. Visitors will also be able to take home a publication designed and created by the FDR Library and purchase items relevant to the era in the museum gift shop. Opening night August 12 will feature a lecture by University of Miami Professor Eugene Provenzo, who is an expert on Depression-era America. As to whether the Depression has any relevance to present day America, Parker believes that understanding where we’ve come from helps us to understand both where and who we were. “My grandmother was affected by the Depression. I know the frugality that she experienced and that she brought to her life. It’s always good to know where that came from, who we are, what shaped us as a country, what shaped our cultural history. Sometimes we have to work minimum wage in order to pay our bills. It’s a good lesson [about] what people were willing to do in that period.” Admission for museum members is free, non-members are five dollars. For further information call 982-5465 or see linkmuseum.org. By Melvin E. Matthews, Jr. info@newsroanoke.com
Arts & Culture
NewsRoanoke.com
8/12/11 -8/18/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 17
Featured Artist At 2nd Helpings Roanoke Children’s Choir Sings in Centuries Old Canterbury Cathedral Likes Big Sky, Bright Colors
Dramatic skies, all types of flowers, birds—“nature and beauty from God’s creations,” that’s what inspires Roanoke artist Carrie McNutt, whose work is currently on exhibit at the 2nd Helpings Gallery on Williamson Road. McNutt, a Kansas native who has also lived in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, has had works on display for quite a while at 2nd Helpings (which is also a café and thrift store) but she is featuring new works until September 6th, kicked off by a meet-the-artist reception last Saturday. Also in the spotlight is the pottery of Kelly Sisson, a professional potter and the Minister for Spiritual Direction and Studio Arts at the Roanoke Rescue Mission, which runs 2nd Helpings and receives the proceeds. Artists like McNutt split the sale price of their work in the gallery with the Rescue Mission. McNutt has been in Roanoke for about two years, and has displayed works at 2nd Helpings for several months. Many of the oil paintings on display since the show opened last Saturday “have never been exhibited before,” she noted. The 2nd Helpings gallery holds a meet the artist reception on the first Saturday of the month from 2-4 p.m., with free food samples from the 2nd Helpings café and live music. “Winter’s Eve,” a brand new painting that McNutt joked was still “almost wet,” featured the dramatic lighting and clouds she seems to favor. “I’m trying to be a little bolder [these days]” said McNutt, who tended to favor more neutral pastels in the past. Another painting of clouds with sunlight breaking through them
Photo by Gene Marrano
Carrie McNutt favors subjects from nature. evoked tears from a man who saw it at the Center in the Square gallery, according to McNutt. Many of her works are also available as print reproductions at the gallery. Poppies, geraniums, roosters, scenes of downtown Roanoke, McNutt excels with a varied group of subjects. She also painted one of the outdoor café tables at 2nd Helpings, along with a handful of other artists; that eating/reception area will have an official debut next month, when all of the tabletop paintings are completed. McNutt likes the art scene in Roanoke and how local artists “work together.” Her paintings have also moved from the old Center in the Square art gallery (now closed) to the new One Block East shop at the corner of Williamson Road and Campbell Avenue. Kelli Brown is the general manager at 2nd Helpings, where artists that sell a painting, sculpture, handcrafted jewelry, pottery, or other artwork, keep 60% of the proceeds, with the Rescue Mission receiving 40%. “It’s great for them and wonderful for us, and it’s great for the community,” said Brown. For beginning art collectors, “2nd Helpings is also
an ideal gallery,” said Brown. Joy Sylvester-Johnson, executive director for the Roanoke Rescue Mission, said the monthly artists receptions help draw new customers to 2nd Helpings, and bring back regular patrons of the gallery, who come even if they are not familiar with the featured artist. “They want to see what’s new,” said Sylvester-Johnson, who is putting the finishing touches on her second play these days, a Christmas musical that will be produced in conjunction with the Roanoke Children’s Theater group from the Taubman Museum. Sylvester-Johnson said “2nd Helpings is going well after two years, often hitting the goal of $3000 in sales per day.” “I really like this place,” said Carrie McNutt about the 2nd Helpings art gallery, “because all of the profits go to the Rescue Mission. That’s a great cause.” (McNutt also does contract work; contact her at McNuttCarrie@gmail.com).
By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net
Shakespearean Summer Stock Dinner Theater to Feature “Twelfth Night”
A memorable night awaits Roanokers who attend Roanoke County's "Summer Stock Theatre" performance of the Shakespearean play “Twelfth Night” and a traditional Elizabethan meal. The performance will take place outdoors at Camp Roanoke in Salem on Saturday August 20. A true Shakespearean classic, “Twelfth Night” is filled with catchy songs, dozens of colorful characters, hilarious moments and some of Shakespeare’s most beautiful poetry. The show will be performed by "Tailgate Shakespeare." The troupe travels around Virginia offering exceptional Shakespearean performances with no set, minimal props and live music, much as Shakespeare’s original actorswould have done. A traditional Elizabethan meal will also be available that evening. The menu choices are
Chicken Pie or Poached Salmon both with Bread, Compound Sallet (salad), and Rice Pudding. The show plus the catered meal will be available for $17 per person, or $7 for admission only, in which case you may bring your own picnic dinner. Children under five years of age are admitted free. Dinner reservations must be made by Monday August 15; however theater only tickets will also be available at the door. Doors open at 6
Fifty-two singers from the Concert Choir of the Roanoke College Children’s Choir participated in the highly acclaimed International Children’s Choir Festival at Canterbury and London, July 25-August 2. Festival choirs included two Canadian Choirs, the Australian Children’s Choir, and 6 choirs from the United States. Festival Directors were Mr. Henry Leck of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir and Dr. David Flood, Choirmaster of Canterbury Cathedral. Kimberly Ruse Davidson is the director of the Roanoke College Children’s Choir. Following are excerpts from an account from “Choir Dad,” Dr. David Crouse (dad of Juliana Crouse), who shares a glimpse into the recent life changing journey across the pond. Most who contemplate travelling to England picture visiting the cities of Canterbury and London, the Canterbury and Southwark Cathedrals, Leeds and Windsor Castles, getting lost in a hedge maze, eating in an English pub, visiting Buckingham palace, trying to make Royal Guards smile and riding a double-decker bus. But only a select few can do what the Roanoke College Children’s Choir Concert Choir members did. Not only did the “C” Choir travel to England and visit those same places but there they learned the proper techniques to sing beautifully in ancient cathedrals as part of the International Children’s Choir Festival. They were also able to meet new friends from across the world. They rehearsed, laughed and had fun each day with a famous director in Canterbury
The Roanoke College Children’s Choir at Canterbury Cathedral. Cathedral’s Chapter House where every day for hundreds of years, monks sat to read and discuss the Bible and their rule book. They have experienced new methods of singing in massive and expansive buildings with 84 foot high ceilings and new methods of singing in the manner seen only in the centuriesold traditions of a different culture. They used their newfound knowledge and skills to sing “Evensong,” a church service in Canterbury Cathedral that has occurred every day in that same location for over 1400 years – since the year 597. Their final performance was held in Southward Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in London. Davidson said “this is the first international trip” the choir has taken and called it “a fantastic experience!” Because of the expense, they will not repeat the trip next year, “but I’ll hope to schedule this same trip for another group of young singers in about 5 years,” said Davidson. She thought it extremely worthwhile, saying “after the performances in the cathe-
p.m., and the outdoor performance will begin at 7 p.m. So bring your own lawn chairs or blankets and sit back and enjoy great theater and a fabulous night!
drals, we saw many of our teenage singers weeping from the emotion of such a beautiful experience, 300 voices, internationally famous conductors, a professional symphony orchestra and one of the world’s biggest and best organs played by an international competition winner. The music was incredibly artistic and it inspired and moved the children and audience.” Founded in 1987, the Roanoke College Children’s Choir has grown to include over 250 children from throughout the Roanoke Valley and surrounding communities. The choristers, ages 8-18, are chosen through audition and rehearse weekly at Roanoke College. They are divided into three training choirs and a concert choir. For more information visit www.rccc.citymax.com
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8/12/11 -8/18/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 18
NewsRoanoke.com
PTA and Community Support Spruce Up Day at Clearbrook Elementary School Budget shortfalls had limited the resources available for grounds upkeep such as pruning and weeding at Clearbrook Elementary School, so the PTA organized a Grounds Spruce-Up Day this past Saturday. A group of about 20 volunteers from the PTA and the community, including parents, students, teachers, citizens, businesses
and even firefighters from the fire station across the street, came out to assist with weeding, pruning, edging, planting, and mulching. Volunteers brought gardening tools with them including wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, pruners, and even their trucks to help with the project. The bulk of the work focused on the children’s
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Wonder Garden, located at the back of the school. It is a large space that includes walkways and benches for the children, along with mature trees and shrubs to enjoy. Additionally, large flower pots were planted and positioned at the main entrances to brighten them up.
Book On Bullying Still Rings True Twenty Years Later
With schools set to open locally in the next few weeks the topic of bullying is something that is bound to be on the minds of parents – and students – in many cases. One southwestern Virginia resident who wrote a fictional work about bullying 20 years ago has now re-released that book, which is geared towards the middle school aged children she once taught in Northern Virginia. Sue Coryell’s “Eaglebait” is available locally at Ram’s Head bookstore and Printer’s Ink, and online at most bookselling sites. Focused on a shy 14 year old boy who is often bullied, Eaglebait follows Wardy’s narrative as he is supported by a teacher and his self esteem – a good weapon that can dull a bully’s influence – grows. “Middle school is just prime time for bullies,” said Coryell, who wanted to know how some survived that bullying period while others are overwhelmed by it. On Saturday, August 6, Susan Eaglebait won several awards O’Donnel, a family intervenwhen it was released two decades ago by Harcourt Press, intion specialist at the school, along with Emma Pendleton, cluding one from the New York student at Cave Spring Middle Public Library and another School and daughter to Prin- from the International Reading cipal Pendleton give the Won- Association. Peer influence really takes off der Garden sign a colorful lift. in middle school, said Coryell, Also seen is Firefighter Kurt as children break free someKipley (left) who came over what from the sphere of influwith four other firefighters ence their parents have. “They from the Clearbrook Fire & want to feel like they are part of Rescue Station to help with something [in school],” noted Coryell, “but they’re not sure the project. what it is they want to be a part of.” Sometimes that means falling in with the bullying crowd. “Its really just a tough time for Send pictures,
announcements and story ideas to
info@newsroanoke.com
7815 Williamson Rd. Roanoke Va. 24019 www.communityschool.net 540.563.5036
kids to know who they are,” said Coryell, who taught at the intermediate, middle and high school levels for 30 years. Coryell said the themes espoused in her book hold up well 20 years later, when organizations like the Roanoke County Prevention Council, on a local level, are focusing on the devastating effects of bullying along with other abusive behaviors. There is plenty of documentation that those who felt bullied in school or became outcasts resort to violence at times – as seen at Columbine High School and elsewhere. Coryell feels school counselors, resource [police] officers and teachers can use her book as a tool. Her theory is that “bullies will always be with us. Bullies will be bullies. To have the kid who is being bullied find a way to cope with it [is the best option].” Tell someone you are being bullied and “find something you are really good at. It doesn’t matter what it is, you will gather people around you of like mind.” When that happens, said Coryell, a child is much less prone to bullying since there is strength in numbers. Eaglebait’s main character loves science and is a gifted student, who flunks courses while building a laser in his basement. Becoming good at science lands him a mentor, something she advocates for troubled kids. There’s a twist in the book, which she calls writer’s license, but Wardy “does build self esteem.” What’s really changed over the past 20 years is the advent of
Photo by Gene Marrano
Sue Coryell’s book is “Eaglebait,” a treatise on bullying by a retired teacher. cyber-bullying: nasty text messages, e-mails and Facebook posts that can further damage a child’s self esteem. “The bullies have not changed… Neither has the devastation of being bullied,” said Coryell. “The method that has been added, which is just evil, is cyberbullying. There was no internet when I wrote [Eaglebait]. It is a truly abominable tool for those that wish to bully.” The internet however has also fostered an awareness of bullying that wasn’t there before, as is information on how to tackle it. “I don’t think anybody ever again will say boys will be boys, they’ll just get over it. Just about every state in the union [is fighting it].” Coryell notes that Virginia has gotten high marks for what it has done to combat the problem. “I don’t think bullying is any different, the methods are. I think people know that times have changed.” See www. susancoryellauthor@blogspot. com for more about Sue Coryell and Eaglebait. By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net
Ease Kids Back Into Learning Before Bell Rings
For most kids summer translates into 100 days of sun and fun, with minimal time spent on learning. And that can have a big impact on just how prepared they are to head back to the classroom in fall. With the school year on the horizon, now is a good time to ease kids back into the learning process so that they are ready for schoolwork once that first bell rings. "Summer offers a great time for kids to take a break from daily class work, however it is unrealistic to think that they can get back into the groove without a bit of preparation," said Don Smithmier, an early pioneer in online education and the founder and CEO of Sophia, a free online social teaching and learning site. "There are many ways to re-engage kids academically that are free, entertaining and fun." It's estimated that kids lose up to 40 percent of what they learned the previous year during the summer months, however there are several ways to counteract "summer brain drain" and re-engage kids academically including: Keep it fun - If kids think learning during the summer is just another form of school, they won't want to do it. Today's younger generation has grown up with computers and responds to information that is presented in multimedia formats. There are many online sites that offer a variety of information including Sophia.org, which provides free access to more than 1,000 online tutorials that range from teaching math concepts, grammar and more. Other sites including Ticket to Read, which improves reading skills, and Education City, which provides content about a variety of subjects. Make it rewarding - Encourage your student to spend 10-20 minutes a day learning something new, refreshing their memory or reading, and then reward their efforts with a special activity or outing. For instance, many libraries and bookstores offer incentives for kids who read a certain amount during the summer months. The positive reinforcement will entice them to keep learning and in the process, they will be preparing themselves to get back to the books. Make it active - It's been proven that there's no better way to gain knowledge than by doing something, and there are many tasks that offer academic benefits. For instance, welcome your kids into the kitchen so that they learn about planning meals, shopping and measuring ingredients during the cooking process. Or have a garage sale where they learn about organization, pricing, negotiation and hopefully profits. Even a family game of Monopoly can do a lot to teach kids about money and Scrabble helps build vocabulary. "The best way to motivate kids is to offer educational material in a way that doesn't seem like homework," Smithmier said. "There are many opportunities for parents to engage kids in daily activities that build confidence, teach skills and have an academic benefit." With Sophia, the goal is to surround the traditional classroom with an online classroom where students and parents have access to academic information in an ad-free environment at no cost. Sophia plans to have thousands of math tutorials by the beginning of school this fall, which will make the site the web's richest resource for free, credible math tutorials. For more information, visit Sophia.org.
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Radford Researchers’ Data Leads Tomato Festival Offers Pageant, Contests And “TomatOlympics” to Ancient Burial Site
Radford University professor Rhett Herman and physics major Jared Palmer spent two weeks this summer on a remote beach searching for an ancient burial ground under meters of pea-size gravel. One might picture the pair taking a dip in the ocean or enjoying a frozen treat while wearing their flowered shirts and flip flops. Well . . . Not exactly. “I’ll bet you all didn’t know what all the fashionable physicists are wearing these days,” Herman wrote in a descriptive email to friends back in Virginia. “I’m wearing parka by Alpha Industries, ski gloves by Walmart, turtle neck by Brystie Inc., heavy-duty work pants by Carhartt, and of course no outfit is complete without the shoes. These are by Brahma, and I can walk in them all day!” Rather than the tropics, Palmer and Herman were in Barrow, Alaska, where they searched for lost burials of the Inupiat, the native people of the north slope of Alaska who once lived on Point Barrow, a barrier island. The ground of Point Barrow is eroding, and a team of scientists is searching for the burials before they are lost at sea. Herman went on to describe 40 degree conditions with a 20 mph wind – “soul crushingly cold,” he wrote home. “Our faces are seriously wind burned.” The pain was worth it, however. Data the researchers collected led to discovery of a human so well preserved that details of the burial clothing could be studied. In partnership with the Nuvuk Archaeology Project and its top scientist, Anne Jensen, Palmer and Herman used two ground-penetrating radar (GPR) units to survey the area the team believed to be the site of a cemetery from a lost settlement, hoping to find human remains or other pertinent artifacts. “It turned out that we were at the purported southern extent of this burial area,” Herman said. “They expected to find nothing, but we had to be sure.” Using their geophysical technology, the Radford team found an ancient beach line on which ancient people had built structures. “Now we are hoping to get the National Science Foundation to get the project additional funds to hire a backhoe to dig down to the level where the beach line is so that they can do the recoveries quickly,” Herman said. Large excavation equipment is essential because the beach’s pea-size gravel fills any hole more than about 20 inches deep. “Digging down even 1 meter requires a crater of nearly 5 meters across. Digging down 2 meters requires heavy machinery,” Herman said. “The project team thinks our GPR data will tip the scales at the National Science Foundation Project1 8/3/11 9:48 in AM their favor in their race against
Rhett Herman “on the beach” in sunny Alaska. the rising sea levels.” On Palmer and Herman’s last day of data collecting, they found a large anomaly at an unusual depth. In previously excavated burials, remains would be found at about 2 feet because of the frozen ground where the burials were made. “Jared and I told Dr. Jensen that these extraordinarily strong anomalies were down about 30 centimeters deeper,” Herman said. “It turns out that it’s the deepest burial she’s seen in her 15 years working on this dig.” Jensen posted on her blog (http://networkedblogs.com/ kA2Gk): “The very deep burial turned out to be a person wearing a fur parka and wrapped in hide! You can even see traces of the stitching. We aren’t sure how well preserved the person is (we found a few finger bones and a nail inside the cuff). We decided to take it out “en bloc” and take it back to the lab to excavate in controlled conditions so we can document the garment better, since it is very fragile. We had some plywood brought out and managed to slide it through the gravel under the entire burial and lift the whole thing. This required the digging of a very large hole, which we’ll now need to backfill.” Before 1997, when the first human remains were found at Nuvuk, most anthropologists thought nothing of archaeological interest was left at Point Barrow. In the years since, it has become clear that the Nuvuk site was home to Thule people, ancestors of today’s Inuits, since the 10th century and before that to the Ipiutak
people in the fourth century, according to the Nuvuk Archaeology Project website. Herman hopes the latest data will fuel further geophysical research in the area. The pair will submit an abstract based on their research for the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco in December. Their research poster will include all data collected during their time on the barrier island.
By Ann Brown info@newsroanoke.com
It's the lycopersicon esculentum, the infamous fruit eaten as a vegetable and the third part of the ever-popular BLT sandwich. The notorious red tomato. This Saturday, the tomato will be the center of attention at the fourth annual Eastmont Tomato Festival in Shawsville. And, for tomato lovers, this should prove to be a family-oriented event that you'll not want to miss. With contests, a tomato pageant, music, celebrities and even the TomatOlympics for sportsminded festival goers, the organizers assure me it will be a funfilled day packed with laughter. Add to that, the element of being somewhat off-the-wall. My initial invitation to attend was heaped with some intriguing facts about the festival that in itself, piqued my interest to participate. Consider the following and judge for yourself. The Tomato Pageant will consist of four catagoriesCherry Tomato Baby, for ages 0-3; Tomato Princess (4-39); Tomato Prince (4-39); and the big prize-Heirloom Tomato Queen (age 40+). Due to the fame shouldered by the winner,
the organizers told me the 2010 Queen, Terry Ellen Carter, has adopted the stage name of Juliet Roma. My invitation came from committee member Sandy Birkenmaier. Sadly, Sandy informed me she will miss this year's event; she's allergic to tomatoes. But, my daylong contact will be her husband, Ralph. I'm assured I'll easily be able to locate Ralph among the throng -he'll be wearing a tomato crate. Bob Pilkington, festival MC, head of the TomatOlympics and architect for Balzer and Assc., also contacted me last week. Bob, appropriately, is also known as Tomato Target Man. One of the five events in the olympics has Bob wearing a target while kids throw tomatoes at him, with points awarded for accuracy. He admits this event usually ends in disarray. Other competitions will include a tomato-toting obstacle course and a tomato eating contest he likins to the Nathan's hot-dog eating championship at Coney Island.
For those considering entering, Pilkington notes the Olympic Theme will be played and medals (gold, silver, bronze in each category) will be presented on the podium (no plastic-real metal, Bob points out). Contests for best-tasting, biggest and funniest-looking tomato will take place. And, expect tomato recipes galore from the culinary talented EastMont crowd. The fun starts at 10:00 am and continues through 3:00 pm at the Meadowbrook Center in Shawsville. From Salem, take Rt. 11/460 to downtown Shawsville. Look for the only intersection with turn lanesthe Meadowbrook Center is diagonally across from Dollar General. I'll be there dressed to impress-solid red head-to-toe. The only proper garb for a fullfledged tomato festival. Watch for pictures in next week's edition. By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com
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Remembering Morgan; Hoping to Save Others
It has been a good big beautiful eyes. while since Dan HarSadly, he matterrington lived through of-factly recounts the terrible night his worst fear when when “normal time” he heard his daughstopped for him, his ter was missing. “I wife Gil and their son [immediately] said Alex. ‘Morgan is dead’ – In fact, it has been she would not just almost two years go off somewhere.” since October 17, When details of what 2009 when they happened that night got word that their later came to light, 20 year old daughHarrington said “she Photo by Cheryl Hodges ter Morgan went wasn’t doing anything (L - R) Jamie Waldrop, Arturo Gomez, Laura missing. A lot has that most college age changed since then. Gomez, Dan Harrington, and Heidi Campbell in kids don’t do. There A family’s “forever” front of Paco's Tacos. are some that don’t” . love for a daughter . . he added, referring Arturo Gomez) used to tutor and a sister has propelled them both Morgan and her brother, to drinking in particular. But in new directions, and at a speed and now had an opportunity to the reality is she was dressed like they probably never imagined. contribute in some way to the most kids dress for a Metallica The name “Morgan Har- causes the Harringtons have concert, behaved like so many rington” has become identified chosen to support in memory of her age, and like so many young with the tragedy of her loss, as Morgan; all of the profits from adults, was a bright, intelligent, well as her memory, and her Saturday’s sales at Paco’s were loving person who ended up in family’s and friends’ quest to find donated to those charities. an unthinkable situation. her killer, in an arc from Roanoke Think again: it could be anyIn addition, they had selfto Blacksburg, to Charlottesville, defense trainer Heidi Campbell one. Harrington cites the paraFairfax and back, becoming part from Waynesboro on hand to lyzing statistic that “3000 people of the backdrop of life in south- give free “safety awareness” dem- go missing every day in the US.” west Virginia. onstrations and tips to females, Young people, especially college While there is a sense of shared especially, “to help the next girl,” age kids, “don’t want to think pain and grief in our communi- she said. it could happen to them--but ty, some may have privately it can,” says Harrington. begun to wonder if it is time While many of that number to let this slip a bit more unare not abducted, there is der the collective radar; af“story after story” of “mostter all, what pains the most ly women” who are harmed is that nothing can bring or killed. This is one of the Morgan back. reasons the Harringtons However, just a brief enremain committed to keepcounter with her father Dan ing Morgan’s story before brings into refreshing focus the public. the new purpose of his days Jamie Waldrop, one of Photo by Cheryl Hodges and a feeling of connection Dan Harrington talks to Joan Hanna, the people who has been to that “forever love” that who pulled over when she saw the signs. “supernaturally” placed in won’t go away … a love the Harrington’s lives since She "wanted to find out more about both he and wife Gil seem Morgan went missing, is ofto want others to share with Morgan." ten on hand for events such them. Because of Morgan, Dan spent last Saturday (Gil had other obligations) with some of his fellow “Morgan’s warriors,” putting themselves before the public on her behalf once again, gathering beneath a tent in front of Paco’s Tacos restaurant. Owner Laura Gomez (married to co-owner
Harrington is warm and approachable, easy to talk to, even about this difficult subject. He is also sharp and articulate … and while he speaks, one can’t help but notice how much Morgan’s photos show the resemblance to her dad … but then seeing a picture of mom Gil—there are those
as these, as is Kenny Jarels, self-proclaimed “crazy Hokie,” both of whom were touched by Morgan’s case. They wanted to help out in some way and have been helping ever since. Both were administrators on the online forum that Dan initially opened up in an effort to keep Morgan’s name before the pub-
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lic, knowing that would be the best way to increase the chance of finding her. Now the focus of the case is to find her murderer. Things are not at a standstill; each time they participate at an event there are usually tips and calls. One of the latest efforts which the Harringtons pushed for is “familial DNA testing,” which can determine if someone is a second or third degree relative of the suspect. A hit could point investigators to someone distantly related to the suspect, substantially narrowing the search. Harrington said, “Virginia is only the third state in the country to be doing that.” The results are not yet back in. They would like to see the technology used in other cases that could benefit. Waldrop said it had “been an amazing day” at Paco’s, with a packed house during lunch hour; there were many faces both old and new who were there to enjoy a meal and help donate to the OMNI village, Zambia, Africa – where an educational wing is named in memory of Morgan, and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine scholarship in Morgan’s name. (Dan works there as Associate Dean and Morgan interned there one summer.) Addressing the charities they have chosen, Dan eased back in a folding chair, becoming a bit more thoughtful. He explained that “the fundraisers are NOT the main purpose; the reason we do this is twofold. In murder cases, if you don’t keep things public, people lose interest, then the police can lose interest.” He added, “We keep Morgan’s case out there because a murderer continues to be at large in the Charlottesville area … [we want to] help save the next girl.” He adds that secondly, he and his wife want to address the question of “how do you find meaning in such a loss?” Part of that answer is in the specific charities they chose to assist them in keeping her name from getting too far from the public consciousness, and also link her memory to things they hold dear. They hope that they also might show others how to grieve – “we have been pretty transparent with it; how do people get through tragedy? We have tried to show the public you do somehow have to get on with [your] lives.” Dan and several of his friends sported polo shirts with a unique design stitched above the words “Justice for Morgan.” It a symbol made up of little polka dots, arranged in rows; two on top; four in the middle; one single dot below. Asked what it meant, Dan explained that it is a “family symbol with [corresponding] words. We say it all the time; it’s a sign of love and connection.” He said it means: “I love you; too much; forever, and once more.” He held up fingers to correspond with the numbers as he said it (2-4-1). Dan wanted Gil to elaborate. Later reaching her by phone, Gil said it was a childhood saying that “my sisters and brothers and I used to say when we were little.” It evolved from the young siblings trying to out-do each other with “I love you more” … “I love you forever” … until it became the “2-4-1” that can be “a gesture from across the room to say ‘I love you.’” She added, “After chickening out several times, Alex and I got a thumbnail size tattoo [of the symbol] inside our wrists.” Gil signs off her blog with 2-41, and others on Facebook do the same almost all the time. But the heartfelt saying has taken on so much more meaning since Morgan died. His voice cracking and tears barely discernable for the first time that day, Dan added, “That was the last thing Morgan said to Gil as she left for the concert; she said “2 – 4 – 1 Mom!” It their gift to each other: “forever love.” Detailed information on Morgan’s case, including tip line, reward, Gil’s blog, and charitable donations can be found on www. findmorgan.com By Cheryl Hodges cheryl@newsroanoke.com
Commentary
Page 21 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 8/12/11 -8/18/11
NewsRoanoke.com
Getting Our Fiscal House in Order Commentary - Tea Partiers Need
For months now the Leadership in the Congress and the Administration have been negotiating the amount of money that the federal government is allowed to borrow. Unfortunately, because of continued out-of-control spending, Congress was yet again asked to increase the debt ceiling – not to create new spending, but to pay for what Congress has already obligated. While I believe the federal government must not default on its debt obligations, it is equally important for Congress to enact reforms to limit government spending and balance the budget. To be clear, the skyrocketing national debt is only the symptom of the much larger problem of out-ofcontrol government spending that exceeds revenues. The independent credit rating agencies Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s understand this and threatened to downgrade the United States’ global credit rating if reforms were not put in place to ensure that spending is controlled and the budget is stabilized. For these reasons, I voted against a bill that would have raised the debt ceiling without also enacting these types of reforms. Just days ago the Congress passed, with my support, and the President signed into law, bipartisan legislation which does make significant progress in addressing the underlying spending problem. The Budget Control Act, takes a hard look at all our nation’s spending programs and immediately cuts $917 billion in federal spending in exchange for an increase in the debt ceiling of $900 billion. In addition, a second increase in the debt ceiling will only be allowed if Congress enacts spending cuts and savings of at least the same amount as that second debt ceiling increase. If this second
process fails, the bill sets forth a formula that makes across-the-board spending reductions. The Budget Control Act also sets up a mechanism to ensure that at least $2.1 trillion is saved over the next 10 years. The legislation contains the kinds of spending cuts and institutional reforms we need to take. These are the first steps toward solving our nation’s spending and debt crises, while preventing our nation from defaulting on its debt and not raising taxes. Finally, the Budget Control Act guarantees a vote by both the House and the Senate on a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution by the end of the year. I have fought hard to have this balanced budget amendment provision included in this legislation. This simple requirement that the government not spend more than it takes in is the ultimate reform and would be the most effective way to force the government to live within its means. Once the budget is balanced it would help ensure that we would not need to raise the debt ceiling in the future. Allowing the U.S. to default on its creditors would not only have been immoral, it also would have unleashed drastic economic consequences for the United States and its citizens. While the Budget Control Act is not the ultimate solution to our nation’s spending-driven debt crisis, it did prevent a U.S. default on our obligations while simultaneously enacting significant levels of spending reductions and savings that will take strong steps toward getting the nation’s fiscal house in order.
- Congressman Bob Goodlatte
The Debt Debate Goes On
As you know, after several months of negotiations, the House and the Senate passed a deal last week to raise the debt limit. Just when you thought the debt limit debate was over, it turns out it is really just getting started. Over the weekend, the credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s downgraded the United States’ long-term credit rating from AAA to AA+. One reason cited by S&P for the downgrade is that the debt limit plan agreed to by Congress and the Administration “falls short.” I voted no for essentially the same reason. This downgrade is another consequence of our nation’s debt problem. The final version of the Budget Control Act signed into law by President Obama requires both houses of Congress to vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment by the end of the year, provides a mechanism to potentially raise the debt limit up to $2.4 trillion, enforces spending caps, and establishes a Joint Select Committee of Congress to develop legislation to further tackle our nation’s debt problem. While I thought we should be looking at more significant spending cuts and a requirement for a balanced budget, and accordingly did not support this final plan, it is a start that has changed the con-
versation in Washington on the debt. It’s no longer whether we should cut spending. Now, it is how do we start making the necessary cuts. As the debt debate moves forward, it will be important to monitor the work of the Joint Select Committee created by this deal. The committee will be made up of 12 members of the House and the Senate – six Republicans and six Democrats. Their job is to come up with a plan that has a goal of reducing the budget deficit by at least $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years. The committee must vote on their plan by November 23 and report legislation to Congress by December 2. The full House and Senate must vote on this legislation by December 23. I will be paying close attention to the work of this committee and the deficit reduction plan they develop and offering suggestions to them for ways we can reduce government spending. If we want strong markets, increased job creation, and a promising future for America, we must continue the spending and debt conversation.
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At recent Board of Supervisors meetings in Roanoke and Montgomery counties members of the Tea Party and others sympathetic to their cause raised the specter of one-government world rule by bringing up ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. Both counties have started or are considering programs that deal with sustainability, whether it’s energy efficiency or better planning for future growth. Apparently that doesn’t sit well with Tea Partiers, who see ICLEI, which originated in Europe, as an attempt by the United Nations to take over the world. ICLEI is not a United Nations campaign, although the original ICLEI meeting, featuring 43 countries and 200 government entities, did convene at U.N. headquarters in New York. (ICLEI by the way is described on its website as “an international association of local governments and their associations that have made a commitment to sustainable development.”) Fear not Tea Party – world domination by the U.N. is not in order. The smaller government movement, associated mainly with right wing Republicans, has been both praised and bashed in recent days for its role in the debt ceiling debate – one that resulted in a lower credit rating when all the shouting was over. One-government rule is not what two local groups that are part of the ICLEI movement – Roanoke County’s RC Clear and Roanoke City’s Clean & Green - are all about. Those citizen groups, aided by local government staffers, are simply brainstorming and looking at ways that local residents and businesses can become more energy efficient. Being
more energy efficient means using less electricity, having a more energy efficient home, relying less on the car or taking fewer trips, recycling more. What does that buy us? Less reliance for one thing on power companies like AEP, which uses coal for most of the energy generation in this region. That means cleaner air – a smaller carbon footprint (same thing with fewer automobile trips) – and less greenhouse gases that trap heat. That’s one facet of sustainable development, as is betterplanned communities, making them more connected and livable, which is what they were discussing in Montgomery County before the Tea Partiers objected to using ICLEI as a template and Supervisors tabled any vote on the issue. Answer me this, Tea Party – what exactly is wrong with wanting better planning, or advocating better energy efficiency? Do we all not rail about the lack of sidewalks in some communities, the lack of mass transit options like trains in Roanoke, or landfills that are near capacity? Even if you do not believe all of the scientific data that points to man having a role in the warming of the planet, if we have the power to reduce our carbon footprint through a little bit of effort, what is possibly wrong with that? Why not teach your children that there is a better way? That even doing something simple as changing from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescents can save on energy costs – and keep those coal-belching power plants from having to work so hard? Tea Party darling Michelle Bachmann tried to have mandates for CFL’s overturned
in Congress recently – doesn’t this presidential hopeful have anything better to focus on? RC Clear, of which I am a member, is about to roll out with the support of the city’s Clean & Green - the Save a Ton campaign, which urges local residents to think of ways they can each reduce carbon emissions by one ton per household. That could mean energy audits pointing out spots in the home where more insulation is needed, biking or walking instead of taking a car trip occasionally, and yes, changing those incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescents. Save a Ton will also roll out to schools, hopefully, so that children can bring home the message about energy efficiency. At the Roanoke County Board of Supervisor meeting, Tea Partiers complained that government funding was being used to support the RC Clear effort. A $50,000 grant was secured, yes, mainly for a marketing campaign that will help Save A Ton roll out this fall. Talk to me, Tea Party, after the federal government stops subsidizing wealthy oil companies and closes tax loopholes for other businesses. I’d much rather see paltry grants go to groups like RC Clear that promote environmental concerns and energy efficiency. The Tea Party and their ilk should stick to what got them started: promoting smaller, less costly government. Espousing conspiracy theories about a United Nations takeover through ICLEI and other “kooky talk” will help keep it as a fringe movement, one which has seen its favorability rating drop in recent weeks. - Gene Marrano Roanoke
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Commentary
Page 22 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 8/12/11 -8/18/11
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Letter - In Support of Uranium Mining In Response To Dr. Bruce Rinker’s Column To the Editor, I want to add my voice to tide of citizens who are willing to publicly support uranium mining in Virginia. I live and work in Pittsylvania County where the uranium mine is to be located and I have been, just like virtually every other employee and business in the area has been, negatively affected by the loss of textile factories, furniture factories, and tobacco farming in southcentral Virginia. And now we are suffering even more from the current economic collapse that began in 2008 and continues today, and, we have been left behind by the rest of the state as it moves on and returns to low unemployment and a grow-
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ing economy while we remain stagnant with high numbers of unemployed workers. When we finally get a chance to turn things around, other areas of the state want to hold us down and tell us we can't utilize the treasure of natural resources that lie in our soil here for the economic benefit of this region as well as the energy security of our state and nation. The $250 million annual economic boost to our area would be a tremendous stimulus to workers and businesses alike. New businesses would open up, current businesses would expand, and local governments would increase their tax coffers while actually being able to hold the line on tax rates. A good portion of
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my friends are both volunteer and paid public safety officers. Rescue squads and fire departments would be able to get better equipment and training and increase their services to the public. Instead of laying off more deputies and policemen, we could hire more officers to protect the public. Instead of firing teachers' aides and cutting school budgets, we could hire more teachers and purchase more teaching supplies and equipment. We could improve recreational facilities for our youth instead of charging a fee for after-school gym or field use. I've looked into it and can tell you that uranium is being safely mined all over the world- and it certainly can be mined safely right here in Virginia! The mining company is locally owned and managed, and those folks are not about to endanger their own loved ones and grandchildren. That's all I need to know on the subject of safety. Pittsylvania County needs this mine, Virginia needs this mine, and it's time to get on with this thing! - Kenneth Hicks, Chatham
A recent column by Dr. Bruce Rinker on June 17-23 attacked our organization, Answers in Genesis, and the future Ark Encounter, a fullsize Noah’s Ark and other attractions in northern Kentucky, south of Cincinnati. First, it’s a pity that a PhD researcher got it so wrong in discussing the Scopes trial. On the contrary, it WAS lawful to teach evolution in the schools of Tennessee before the famed 1925 trial. It is just that the state’s Butler Act did not permit instructors to teach that humans evolved from an ape-like ancestor; the rest of evolution, from molecules to mammals, could be taught with impunity. Dr. Rinker also greatly misrepresented our Ark Encounter project, scheduled to open in 2014. When he wrote that the project will be built using public funds, here is what he conveniently didn’t tell you: the only taxpayer who will help fund the park is the person who actually visits it and pays sales tax. A portion of the sales tax collected might be refunded to the Ark if certain tourist-attendance milestones are reached. In other words, no money is being taken out of the state budget and away from social programs, education, etc. to fund the project—the only taxpayer involved is the one who voluntarily visits the Ark and pays sales tax. Dr. Rinker implies the Ark Encounter could be another “failed maneuver” of Christians in America. If the Ark Encounter falters (although two separate, independent studies indicate that the Ark Encounter should attract about 1.5 million visitors a year), why then should an opponent like
Dr. Rinker be so alarmed? And if the Ark does not reach attendance projections, then it will not receive a rebate of sales taxes. Bottom line: Kentucky taxpayers will not pick up the tab and there is no financial risk to the state. Tourist attractions like the Ark Encounter are seen by the state as economic development projects which stimulate the creation of thousands of jobs and will ultimately add millions of dollars of new money to the state treasury each year, not take away. To one of his other points: he should be aware that the Ark Encounter LLC (which owns the facility) is not a religious organization; it is a forprofit group providing a themed tourist attraction based on biblical history. Our non-profit group will design and operate the attraction for the LLC; the tax rebate goes to the for-profit Ark Encounter LLC, not to us. There is no church-state conflict in another aspect. The state is not compelling anyone to visit the Ark Encounter when it opens. Tourists will come here voluntarily, stay in local hotels, eat in local restaurants, and pay state sales tax, and the state benefits from those taxes (plus payroll taxes collected at the new businesses the attraction will generate) -- and thousands of people will have new jobs. We encourage readers to verify the contents of this letter by going to our website of AnswersInGenesis.org. - Mark Looy is Chief Communications Officer for Answers in Genesis.
Commentary - Like Higher Utility Bills? Thank Obama’s EPA Plenty of people in this part of Virginia are upset about the proposed rate increases by Appalachian Power, and with good reason. As the economy continues to struggle, particularly in our part of the Commonwealth, personal incomes are suffering and family budgets are getting tighter each day. No one wants to pay higher electricity bills, but the public anger is misplaced by blaming the power company. The people’s ire should be directed at the Obama Administration and its Environmental Protection Agency.
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As a candidate for president, Barack Obama infamously said, “they can build coal plants, but it will bankrupt them.” If there were ever a more clear declaration of war on the coal industry, and therefore electricity generation, it has not been reported yet. Appalachian Power generates 95-percent of its electricity from coal-fired plants. The coal industry also supports an estimated three jobs for every job directly associated with coal mining. The economic impact on the health of coal, Appalachian Power, and the people of Virginia should be obvious to most intelligent observers. That, sadly, apparently does not include President Obama’s EPA. The EPA is staffed by a staggering amount of unelected bureaucrats who do the bidding of the administration. And, as you would expect, these paper pushers have figured out how to really work the system. They create regulations like the EPA’s Clean Air Mercury Rules, adopted in 2005, but make them so they don’t go into effect until years later. Much like the signature ObamaCare legislation, the harmful effects will not be felt
until years later, when there will be no opportunity for voters to react to the miscreants who enacted the law. Appalachian Power has been forced to spend billions of dollars to comply with regulations arbitrarily designed by the EPA – regulations not subject to approval of Congress – and must then find some way to offset the enormous costs. There are two significant options: raise prices to consumers of its electricity, and have layoffs in the workforce. At this point, politicians are tempted to grandstand and shake their fists at the “big bad power company” in the hopes of striking a populist chord with voters. In reality, it is the politicians who created the EPA monster and its resulting effects. Bad policy has real world consequences. In this case, an outof-control EPA is trying to make coal so unattractive no one will use it. And the result is higher costs of utility bills to people like you and me. And if they succeed, in the words of President Obama to force coal companies to “go bankrupt,” what will these wise men tell the tens of thousands of Virginians who owe their livelihoods to the industry?
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What will they tell people when they experience rolling blackouts as has happened in California and elsewhere because the coal-fired electricity plants are under siege? Who will the politicians blame then? Coal is abundant, affordable and reliable – and it is responsible for keeping electricity rates relatively low to this point. Federal environmental regulations are responsible for driving them up. Case in point: from 1983 until 2005 Appalachian Power’s rates remained relatively unchanged for 22 years. When the EPA passed their 2005 Clean Air Rules, power companies were forced to spend billions on environmental compliance, and as a consequence, rates rose as well. And that was just phase one of the EPA rules. Phase two doesn’t go into effect until 2015. In fact, every major rate increase since 2005 has been driven primarily by federal environmental mandates. This is just another example of the all-out war on energy undertaken by this administration and its Environmental Protection Agency. This is Barack Obama’s world view: coal is bad, oil is bad, nuclear power is bad. Windmills are desirable. There is a fictional character named Don Quixote who might agree with him. Most Virginians probably would not. - Trixie Averill is the Virginia Director of Americans for Prosperity, a non-profit organization that promotes economic freedom and the free market.
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8/12/11 -8/18/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 23
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Elwood Festival is a Peach
The annual Peach Festival at Elmwood Park last Saturday meant peach cobbler and peach milkshakes – not to mention the funds raised for the Northwest Child Development Center on Melrose Avenue. The center provides toddler, preschool and afterschool care for local residents and transportation when needed. The Peach Festival also featured live music and dance routines. Local and state government funds, as well as private money, keeps the Northwest Child Development Center doors open.
By Gene Marrano • gmarrano@cox.net
Rescue Mission Receives $80,000 Food Donation need regardless of race, creed, gender, age, or ethnicity. The homeless, the hungry, the sick, the addicted, the abused, and the hopeless, have all found a warm welcome at the Rescue Mission. For more information, call 540-343-7227 or visit www.rescuemission.net.
The Rescue Mission received one of its largest food donations in its 63 year history on Tuesday. Star Valley Provisions, a Roanoke foodservice distributor, donated 17 pallets of meat, valued at roughly $80,000. “This is the largest donation I’ve ever picked up,” said Rossie Anders, Food Service Driver for the Rescue Mission. It took four box truck loads to successfully transport the assortment of hot dogs, sausage, ham, chicken, bologna, and turkey, as well as cheeses to the Rescue Mission’s food pantry. “They (Star Valley Provi-
sions) were rotating their inventory and said they wanted to donate all the meat to us because they know our need here is so great.” “We have been extremely low on meat lately and the lines of hungry people have been longer than usual,” said Charity King, Food Service Manager at the Mission. “This donation will last us six months. It really is a huge blessing and an answer to prayer.” The Rescue Mission of Roanoke served over 320,000 meals last year. Since 1948, The Rescue Mission has consistently served all people in
A Brand New Opportunity: Become a Master Food Volunteer
Do you love to cook? Would you like to learn more about nutrition and wellness? Do you enjoy volunteering? Would you like to make a difference in your community? If so, Virginia Cooperative Extension is looking for qualified applicants to become Master Food Volunteers. The thirty hour training will include topics such as basic nutrition, meal planning, cooking techniques, food safety, exercise and healthy lifestyles, and working with diverse audiences. As a Master Food Volunteer, you would be expected to give back at least 30 hours of volunteer time, but the opportunities are varied depending on your preferences. The volunteer goal is to support Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension Educators and Family Nutrition Program personnel with education and outreach in a variety of ways such as: health fairs, food demonstrations, farmers market displays, grocery store displays,
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