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Community | News | Per spective

March 18 - 24, 2011

Roanoke Economy Stumbles but Does Not Fall During Recession

Habitat Rolls P3– Habitat for Humanity wraps up one big project and prepares to launch another in Roanoke’s Mountain View Neighborhood.

Hayden Hollingsworth

Disaster Response P5– Hayden Hollingsworth measures the impact that the recent tragedy in Japan has on us and says it’s our response that matters most.

One Shot Short P7– The Hidden Valley boy’s basketball team wraps up a phenomenal season just one shot shy of the State title.

The Mighty Orchid

P9– You can learn everything you need to know about orchids from the Blue Ridge Orchid Society.

A new report continues to show a mixed picture for the regional economy, though the Roanoke region seems to have largely escaped the full wrath of the “Great Recession.”

The second annual report on Regional Economic Progress, prepared by the Roanoke Regional Partnership, shows the region’s Gross Metropolitan Product (GMP) declined 0.3 percent between 2008 and 2009 while the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell by 2.6 percent over the same period.

The Roanoke region increased em-

Redistricting Hearing Highlights Problems

A bill to take redistricting out of the hands of politicians died in the General Assembly this past session, but Governor Bob McDonnell set up a blue ribbon committee that is seeking input from the public at a series of hearings.

That bipartisan panel stopped in Roanoke earlier this week, where a Region packed room at Virginia Western gave them an earful.

Among the thoughts expressed: keep the Roanoke Valley intact if possible, don’t split among several Congressional or legislative districts – and stop the politically based gerrymandering, which ten years ago put local Democratic lawmakers Dick Cranwell and Chip Woodrum in the same district.

Looking for “Communities of Interest,” is a goal – keeping localities and natural regions in the same districts when possible. The law mandates

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ployment in the finance, insurance and signs of growth. From no net positive real estate sectors and in medical manu- growth earlier in the decade, the region facturing, research and development, had an annualized growth rate of 0.6 perhigher education and healthcare. Over- cent by 2009. all, these industries added 3,338 jobs at “Like other parts of the nation, we saw a time when overall employa decline in new automobile ment declined. Manufacturregistrations, home sales and Valley News ing, other than medical manretail sales as the recession ufacturing, saw the greatest curtailed consumer confidecline in jobs regionally. dence,” said Beth Doughty, executive diMuch of the data in the report is based rector of the Roanoke Regional Partneron 2009 figures, the worst year of the re- ship. “But this report also shows recovery cession. is starting to take root. The data also supStill, the region’s population showed port what we’ve long believed in that the

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region is somewhat insulated from dramatic shifts in the national economy.”

One example is Roanoke’s position on the Milken Institute’s annual rankings of the 200 largest metro areas in the country. The metro area moved up 21 spots to 105 in the 2010 index, its highest ever.

Factors affecting the region’s improvement include growth in high-tech output and job growth.

One economic sector that’s growing > CONTINUED P2: Economy

City Firefighters Overcome Obstacles

[Fine Arts]

“New” Taubman Makes Its Debut

Roanoke Ladder Truck 13.

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> CONTINUED P2: Hearing

Photo by Gene Marrano

Artist Charlie Brouwer (right, on steps) talks about his newly installed piece. xecutive Director David Micken- fashioned 286 donated or borrowed ladberg, on the job for almost a year ders into the shape of the Roanoke Star. The and a half now, vowed at a Town piece, on display for the next month, takes Hall meeting last November that he would up most of the atrium as visitors walk in to make the Taubman Museum of Art a livelier the Salem Avenue museum. It also starts to place - more of an arts center than a muse- fulfill a Mickenberg promise: more art on um. There was evidence of that last Thursday the ground floor (and in the hallway upnight, when hundreds gathered to listen to stairs), drawing people immediately in to the several artists talk about works in the gal- art experience. leries, hallways and spacious atrium at the Mickenberg called Rise Up Roanoke Taubman. “something extraordinary … a remarkable Installation artist Charlie Brouwer came > CONTINUED P2:Taubman to discuss “Rise Up Roanoke,” in which he

E

The “first due” fire engine can get anywhere within the city in four minutes. The benchmark is to respond to fire calls in four minutes 90 percent of the time When the first due engine is out of service the second due engine can take up to12 minutes to reach the fire. “When the No. 9 station on 24th street was closed we lost an engine company,” explained City News a longtime R o anoke City firefighter who spoke on condition of anonymity.

He said that working fires in 2010 came in at 119 disputing Chief David Hoback’s report of 91 working fires to city council on March 7.

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> CONTINUED P3: Firefighters

Southwest Virginia Ballet Set to Pirouette in Prague

As if the idea of the Southwest Virginia Ballet linking arms with Bubblecake Bake Shop for a fundraiser on Crystal Spring Avenue isn’t charming enough, when the day came for the event featuring Cinderella—in person—dawned, it was all blue sky and sunshine after days of tempestuous weather.

Sparkly crowns, little tutus, and golden star wands made for a real-life fairy tale experience for the little girls that came to meet Cinderella, her Fairy Godmother and a group of SVB dancers who were on hand to make the young visitors feel extra special, as mothers and grandmothers looked on.

The event, organized by Bubblecake’s owner Lisa Lusk, and Pedro Szalay, Artistic Director at SVB, helped raise funds for twelve of the group’s senior dancers who will be travelling to Prague this summer to perform in the Prague Dance Festival.

“We will be sharing our knowledge of dance with people from other countries like India and Japan,” said Szalay. “We will be performing both classical and modern dance.” They are scheduled to put on three performances while there each different pieces.

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SVB Dancers catered to visiting young ballerinas at the Bubblecake Bake Shop.

According to Szalay, “this is the first time these dancers will be going on a trip like this, and the first time for our organization. We will be representing Southwest Virginia and America.”

The young visitors to Bubblecake could buy a handmade crown, tutu, a small cupcake, or even have their hair done. Photographer Dan McDilda was on hand for those that wanted their pic-

ture taken with Cinderella (Bria Gepitulan) and the Fairy Godmother (Molly Cook). Tiny ballerinas as young as one or two toddled around, drawn to the sparkle and extra attention. Young sisters Taylor and Fallon Davis both opted for the gold sparkly wand along with a tutu for their mementos.

For Maureen Noftsinger and her daughter Mary Alex, their presence was

serendipity. Noftsinger said, “We were up at the zoo and wanted to stop by Bubblecake” and came upon the event.

She said they recognized many of the dancers from attending previous performances. Mary Alex was a little shy as she posed for a photo with her new “princess crown.”

Szalay was clearly pleased with the day’s turnout, and passionate about the SVB, saying, “Our organization differs from other dance schools – we work to reinforce dance opportunities professionally. Many of our dancers can go to a professional dance company” when they graduate. One is heading to the National Ballet of Canada, and many SVB dancers either major or minor in dance at college.

The Prague Festival will be an experience of a lifetime for the young dancers and the organization.

The SVB will be performing “Cinderella” at the Roanoke Performing Arts Center on Saturday April 2 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday April 3 at 3:00 p.m.

For tickets, or more information visit svballet.org

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Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/18/11 - 3/24/11

> Taubman

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transformation of museum space. [It’s] the end result of a lot of creativity.” Look for more rotating exhibits and more art in the hallway. “There are amazing transformations in this building,” promised Mickenberg, who spent much of his first year at the Taubman working on the museum’s fiscal crisis.

Brouwer said he seeks to aim for the middle, “not for the edges,” when he assembles installation pieces, wanting his art to be accessible to the masses. “My work is [also] highly conceptual … but I don’t think it’s devoid of ideas either.” The retired Radford University professor said he was “fascinated by people doing ordinary things.” What’s more ordinary than owning a stepladder, he asked.

“A lot of the [Roanoke] community is represented here,” noted Brouwer, as he spoke from the sweeping steps that lead to the Taubman’s second floor galleries. He also thanked Mickenberg for “moving the museum in a new direction.”

Elsewhere, adjunct curators and volunteers described new works appearing in some of the galleries and in the upstairs

hallway. The brightly colored drawings of Hollis Sigler, many created when the late artist was suffering from breast cancer, reflect loneliness and a sense of fatality; most were depicted without people.

The new adjunct curator of southeast American art, Ray Kass, welcomed visitors to the contemporary gallery. “I’m very happy to be part of the Taubman,” said Kass, who has been looking for museum-worthy art from across the region. “People have been amazingly cooperative,” he noted, “we’ve already attracted a lot of gifts.” Several artists that had made those contributions were on hand.

The adjunct curator of folk art, Brian Sieveking, explained the significance of several pieces now hanging in the upstairs hallway. “A lot of things are going to start appearing up and down this hallway,” said Sieveking. Folk art has lately become more relevant to many he added, after many artists of that ilk felt “estranged” in the 1970’s.

Two of the folk artists on display at the Taubman now have pieces at major museums elsewhere (the Met in New York, the High Museum in Atlanta.) “Folk art is very

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much an official part of the art world [now],” proclaimed Sieveking, hired by Mickenberg as one of the Taubman’s adjunct curators for special projects.

Displays elsewhere in the hallway include local artists that were asked to draw their own maps of Roanoke, which often turned out humorous or politically tinged.

Textile artist Ann Reardon introduced people to the quilt art now on display in the first gallery at the top of the stairs. “I think they are viewed like any type of art,” said Reardon. “We’ve had kind of a struggle to get in to museums,” she admitted during her talk, “[but] you all be the judge of what is art.”

The Taubman welcomed another big crowd after the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Saturday, when youngsters took part in a scavenger hunt, looking for answers in pieces of art. The free admission family day meant the hallways and galleries were busy again; the Wright Kids of “America’s Got Talent,” fame supplied music in the auditorium.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

From page 1

quarter of 2008 to the fourth quarter of 2010 as the recession took hold later in the region than in Virginia. However, sales in the region were up 0.6 percent between the fourth quarter of 2009 and fourth quarter of 2010, against a rise of just 0.1 percent in Virginia, suggesting local retail sales are rebounding from their recessionary lows.

- New car registrations declined 24.6 percent in 2009 as the recession took hold.

- Home sales continued their decline. The number of homes

> Hearing that the population of each district created be roughly equal, which is why the 5th, 6th and 9th Congressional districts are sprawling entities.

State Senator Ralph Smith (R-Botetourt County) and Delegate Onzlee Ware (D11th House District) were on hand, as were a handful of other political operatives and members of the local Tea Party.

6th District Democrat chair Linda Wyatt asked that the 6th Congressional District, which includes Roanoke City, not be so closely aligned with the more rural 9th, which creeps into Salem and Western Roanoke County.

Roanoke is ‘the big city,” noted Wyatt, a former Roanoke City council member, and it is “not comfortable,” being aligned with the 9th district, which should add people from the more rural counties that surround it,” she added.

“We’re just as anxious about this process as anyone else,” noted Ware, who called the Roanoke Valley “special.”

He then added, “I understand we have to add people but I hope it preserves [the character] of the Roanoke Valley.”

Steve Mabry, who ran

NewsRoanoke.com

From page 1

> Economy is the outdoor industry. With increased local awareness and growing national recognition of the region’s outdoor assets, the region’s outfitters, guides, and other miscellaneous outdoor businesses increased employment by 8.3 percent between the third quarter of 2008 and third quarter of 2009. The same industry group declined 1.4 percent at the state level and 2 percent nationally.

The report also found: - Taxable retail sales declined 8.3 percent from the fourth

sold was off 0.7 percent while the median sales price fell 6.5 percent from 2008-09.

- The region has 612 miles of hiking and walking trails, including 3 additional miles of greenways over 2009. Greenway usage increased 29 percent in 2010 and visitation to the region’s state parks rose 12 percent.

- Boat registrations rose 4.3 percent from 2005-2009, compared to 0.9 percent in Virginia.

The Roanoke Regional Partnership markets Alleghany, Bo-

tetourt, Franklin and Roanoke counties, Roanoke, Salem, and Vinton to new and expanding industry.

Since 1983, the Partnership has assisted expansions and locations representing $1.3 billion in new investment and nearly 14,000 direct new jobs in the region.

A copy of the entire report is available at: www.Roanoke.org.

From page 1

Smith’s campaign for the Senate, called the Roanoke Valley a community of interest: “we very strongly want to underscore that. I’m hoping you can keep us together.”

Regarding the state’s House districts, Mabry drew chuckles when he added that, “it would be nice if they had some semblance of rationality.”

Waynard Caldwell of Vinton asked about the counting of prisoners at the regional jail as part of the local census, as did several others.

“We’re now going to have to move a voting precinct [because of that],” noted Caldwell. Members of the panel, chaired by former Virginia Commonwealth University professor Bob Holsworth, said the issue of where prisoners should be counted in the census would require further study.

Roanoke NAACP chapter president Brenda Hale asked that redistricting not “fracture,” the valley. “Roanoke City is a very unique community,” noted Hale, who also asked that there be no “packing” or “stacking” of new legislative districts that dilute minority voters or lessen their impact on the voting process. “We don’t want to fracture anybody,” said Hale; “we hope the governor will

NAACP Chapter President Brenda Hale addresses the panel. listen to you.” out of it. They will be on The panel must report back display in Richmond next to Richmond by early April. week.

The General Assembly will Roanoke College student take up the matter after the Anne Whitesell showed off veto session; their final deci- her school’s entry. Looking sion will then be forwarded for “contiguity and comto the U.S. Department of pactness,” in districts with Justice, which has 60 days to 80,000 residents each across approve the plan. the state, Whitesell admitted Roanoke City resident Bar- that the process was difficult. bara Duerk commented that “You do have to carve things the highly partisan redis- up. It sounds really simple tricting process in the past when you start.” has left many voters feeling One comment perhaps helpless: “They feel like they summed up a common sencan’t make a difference. De- timent in the room. “I think mocracy is not a spectator gerrymandering should be sport.” outlawed,” said one speaker, As part of the redistrict- “it’s a travesty of the demoing process this year groups cratic process.” of students from 15 colleges around the state are putting

By Gene Marrano together their own non-pargmarrano@cox.net tisan maps, leaving politics

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Roanoke Chapter of Habitat for Humanity Prepares for Mountain View Project

Since 1986, Habitat for Humanity has built 167 houses in Roanoke City—save for one in Vinton and one in Roanoke County. In 2002, Habitat opened its “Restore” retail donation store, the money from which goes to funding Habitat’s building projects. Two years after opening its doors for business, Restore moved to its current location, 403 Salem Avenue in downtown Roanoke, where it has more space.

Currently Habitat is completing its three-year project in the Hurt Park area of Roanoke. During this time, working in conjunction with various organizations on several projects—rehabs, limited repairs, and new construction—Habitat has built ten new homes, along with a total rehab of three houses. The result of this effort, explains the deputy director of Habitat’s Roanoke office, Betsy Whitney, has been a major change in the neighborhood. “The city, for the past ten years, has focused its building efforts in certain neighborhoods, and will stay there two to four years in each neighborhood so that you can make a significant contribution and change.”

Habitat’s next project, in the Mountain View neighborhood, will introduce a new aspect to Habitat’s operations: a limited repairs program.

Where Habitat had been solely involved with new construction, it will now undertake seven limited repair projects as part of the Mountain View program.

Additionally, Habitat conducted a physical survey of every house in the area to ascertain what exactly needs to be done for each residence, then held a focus group with city residents to determine what they wanted to see done to improve the neighborhood. Once the Mountain View project has been completed, another survey and focus group will be conducted to determine what changes—both to the houses and the people occupying them—have occurred as a result, yielding what Whitney calls “quantifiable data” as to these changes.

Whitney explains that Habitat became interested in Mountain View because of the efforts of the area’s neighborhood association, which won the “Best Old Neighborhood to Buy an Old House in the State of Virginia” Award. “That is quite an accomplishment, and we’re proud of them. They’re worthy of the award,” said Whitney.

As a rule, Habitat chooses the houses it works on where it has property, and, said Whitney, “it might vary throughout the city.” In the case of Hurt Park, the City asked Habitat to partner with them: “we were more than happy to do so.”

To qualify for a Habitat building project, a family must meet three criteria. The first is need. “The person or the family must show that their current living situation is inadequate,” noted Whitney.

A Habitat house on Salem Avenue goes up.

They must also have a willingness to partner and must be willing to work on their own house. In addition, they must work on the houses of other Habitat families. “We have a minimum of two hundred sweat equity hours in which they must perform before they can move into their own house,” said Whitney.

The third is the ability to pay. “We do have a mortgage payment - they have to prove that they have a steady income, and that they are within 30 to 60 percent of the area’s medium income. We do charge for the houses. The families will get the house with a typical 20 to 30 year mortgage just like anyone else. The key difference is that …they have a zero interest mortgage. Those mortgage payments are used to help fund the next Habitat house.”

Another source of funding for Habitat for Humanity’s projects, the Restore retail and donation store, accepts donations from both individuals and businesses. “Much of it is used, much of it is new, whether it be excess inventory or something of that nature,” said Whitney, “[and] we have a good mix of new and used. Anyone that donates will get a tax receipt for that donation and then we sell it at 30 to 70 percent off its retail value.”

The result, Whitney adds, is a winning situation for everyone. “The donor gets a tax deduction, the purchaser gets a great buy on good merchandize, and then more Habitat houses are built with that money.” A year-round fund raiser for Habitat, Restore has acquired a loyal customer base in the Roanoke Valley.

“Many of them Whitney said, “are do-it-yourselfers, working on their own house. Many of them are landlords seeking great deals to replace things in their apartment buildings. And some people are just treasure hunters. You just get people who want to come in and find the best bargain they can.”

By Melvin E. Matthews, Jr. info@newsroanoke.com

> Firefighters The Roanoke Firefighters Association filled council chamber in 2008 when James Grigsby was fire chief. The dispute was primarily over the proposal to reduce manpower per truck from four to three.

They lost that argument. Having four men per engine is a nationally recognized standard. It’s considered the minimum number needed to safely attack a structure fire.

Chief Hoback gave city council members a Fire Service Report at a briefing on March 7. Hoback’s message was that EMS calls had increased 25 percent in the past five years due to Roanoke’s aging demographic. Fire calls had decreased seven percent over the same period but increased 10 percent in 20092010. More if you go by the firefighter’s figure.

In 2010 the four-minute benchmark for fire calls was met 79 percent of the time. A drop from previous years reported at 86 percent. Arsons have increased a whopping 57 percent.

The 2010 performance standards that went unmet totaled 19. They included bad cell phone calls and bad weather.

What prompted some questioning from council members were the six times the first engine was “out of service” and the second due from another location had to respond. “This was a very busy year,” said Hoback.

Hoback said he was looking into why the engines were out of service. He thought that cutting down on an engine being dispatched on an Advance Life Support (ALS) call would help the department reach the 90 percent benchmark.

“Everything that the [RFFA] said years ago has held true,” said the anonymous firefighter. He disputed that fires had

entire campus. Many generations of North Cross School students to come will benefit from this gift, carrying Beirne Carter's vision and legacy well into the future.”

First year renovations will include installing air-conditioning and a digital web-based control system. New equipment will also be added to the cardio studio and weight rooms along with some noticeable locker room changes.

Second year renovations will include the replacement of the remaining heating and air units; completing the HVAC upgrade and offering higher efficiency with significant energy savings.

The remaining training equipment will be added during the second phase as well. In the third year of the project, the exterior of the Carter Athletic Center will be upgraded with a

new surface to match the existing buildings on campus. The remaining funds will complete the locker room renovations.

The Carter Athletic Center has been in operation for 22 years, and in addition to being the central focus of North Cross School’s athletic program, has served as a community provider for health and fitness opportunities as well as housing the Marlins USS swimming program.

The CAC has one competition and three full-size basketball courts, a six lane pool, two weight rooms, racquetball and squash courts as well as dance and aerobics studios.

The Beirne Carter Foundation is a Virginia-based foundation established in 1986 exclusively for charitable purposes emphasizing health, education, local history, nature, ecology, and youth.

From page 1

decreased. “They have at least stayed the same,” he said.

He explained that they only have two reserve ladder trucks and “there have been multiple occasions in the past couple years where both reserve pieces are being used and the third truck breaks down and we don’t have a reserve.”

There were other instances where a ladder company was responding in pickup trucks.

There are not enough ladder trucks in the city. He said that the quints, multi-purpose engines that replaced ladder trucks, have mechanical problems and there are issues with their weight being on single in lieu of tandem axles.

“We have mandatory and company level training that they didn’t figure in,” he said.

They are out of service when at the regional training center on Kessler Mill Road or downtown for OSHA class. “When a call comes in then the second due has to cover it but if it is out on a call the third due takes the call and there is no way we can get there in four minutes,” he said.

Their equipment is in good shape. We just don’t have enough engine companies and we don’t have enough men.

“The calls are so scattered out now and we are spread so thin,” he said.

Their response time out the door is less than 45 seconds.

He didn’t understand how Hoback captured the 45-60 second reaction time cited in the report. “There is no mechanism in place to measure that,” he said. With the help of a grant onboard computers will more accurately reflect reac-

tion times as long as they don’t forget to hit the button at the door.

He was proud of their record of being able to contain fires to the first floor. The worst type of fire is the “balloon” fire.

This form of construction creates a path for fire to easily travel from floor to floor with no firestops at each floor level.

“Our guys do an excellent job of getting to those fires and containing it to the room. If it starts in your bedroom we hold it right there,” he said.

When the roof blew off of the three-story Sterlingwood apartments last week there were 2 engines, 2 ladder trucks and a heavy tactical truck needed at the scene. Superiors were fretting that there were not enough trucks in service to take care of the rest of the city.

“If we have two working fires almost every piece of equipment is committed. We wouldn’t be able to handle another incident. That’s the stuff we are facing every day.

When we’re out they try to get us to cut corners and get back in service before another call comes and they get caught with their pants down,” said the anonymous firefighter.

“It’s a shame that it may take two big fires at the same time that either kills a fireman or prevents us from being able to get some civilians out before anyone notices. Then everyone will be behind us and back the fireman but now it’s just not that way,” he said.

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

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Beirne Carter Foundation Awards $1.2 Million to North Cross Athletic Center The Carter Athletic Center, located on the campus of North Cross School, has received a generous grant of $1.2 million from the Beirne Carter Foundation. The Foundation President, Rossie Carter Hutcheson, is a 1973 graduate of North Cross.

The three-year renovation project will begin this spring and will include upgrades to the heating and air-conditioning system, new cardiovascular and strength training equipment, renovated locker rooms, and an updated exterior surface.

“It is so gratifying that the generosity of the Carter family in supporting North Cross School continues,” said Headmaster Timothy J. Seeley. “This will serve our students well, in addition to serving the many members of the CAC. The gift will also, when done, beautify the building and enhance our

3/18/11 - 3/24/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3

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Perspective

Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/18/11 - 3/24/11

Japan and Our Reaction

I

recently came across an life-long friend and worst of all, article in Newsweek enti- a child, is a reminder the heart tled, “The Myth of Grace- can stop without warning and fully Growing Old.” The title says a life is ended. Take the emoit all: it is a myth. Sooner or later, tions of those left behind and the springs will wind down, the multiply them by millions and wiring will fail, and all the tires we may get some sense of what will go flat. We hope that will be life in Northern Japan is like this a long time in coming morning. but who knows?

This time last week There are obvious adeverything was going vantages to growing old, along as normal and in gracefully or not. Many virtual blink of an eye, have the chance to see things will never be the children and grandsame for that island nachildren picking up the tion. Americans had a mantle that we didn’t similar experience on know we had dropped. Hayden Hollingsworth 9/11. Three digits that We can look back on claim no distinction of careers that have been success- their own but placed in that orfully concluded. The less time der they changed our concept of spent on regrets and the more the world and we will never be on gratitude for the road down quite the same. which we have walked, the hapThe range of reaction to pier will be the final leg of the such events sweeps across the journey. The counterpoint is breadth of human emotion. that we should not overlook the After the shock begins to dull importance of today. One never then we start to rebuild houses knows when the end will unex- and hopes, lives and dreams. pectedly come One thing that is definitely right The unbelievable disaster in about America is our willingJapan brings, as do all such cata- ness to be part of that effort. I clysms, a sharper focus on the have no data to support it but I here and now. For individuals don’t believe there is another nathe sudden death of a spouse, a tion who can begin to approach

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“ I am the slowest

The Roanoke Star-Sentinel is published weekly by Whisper One Media, Inc. in Roanoke, Va. Subscriptions are available for $44 per year. Send subscriptions to PO Box 8338, Roanoke,VA 24014. We encourage letters from our readers on topics of general interest to the community and responses to our articles and columns. Letters must be signed and have a telephone number for verification. All letters will be verified before publication.The Star-Sentinel reserves the right to deny publication of any letter and edit letters for length, content and style.

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our generosity in helping others.

One can argue how much of the aid reaches those who are in desperate straits; some ends up in the pockets of profiteers, but at least we, as a nation, will try.

We remember The American Red Cross, certainly one of the great humanitarian organizations of history, slipped in public opinion when they raised more money than was needed for disaster relief and allocated it to purposes other than that for which it was donated. Certainly, that should not blunt our support for them in the current crisis. What did we expect . . . that they would send the money back rather than save it for future needs? Many organizations for relief exist. Find one that is trustworthy and use it for the Japanese.

There will be some who take a less active stance. Japan is a long way from where we live. They, unlike Haiti, have administrative and technical skills that will bring them through this. Let them do it themselves, some may say. But the world has become a much smaller place and it is difficult to look at the pictures of the devastation and not be moved by it. It could have been San Francisco and someday, it probably will be.

We can hope that the rest of the world will come to help when we need it.

There is one emotion that has not surfaced yet or, at least I have not heard it. For those who believe when disaster strikes, be it personal or national, manmade or natural, it is divine retribution for some wrong. While everyone is entitled to a personal belief such a view flies in the face of any logic to which a sensible person would subscribe.

We are a part of nature and are subject to natural laws. That we should be exempted from them or that they are used as punishment speaks of a world in which I would not choose to live. I would not presume to understand the Mind of the Universe, but I do not believe It to be capricious or perverse.

As John Donne famously wrote, “Send not to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” Someday that will be true.

Until then we must help those who have heard the death knell and live each day as if it will be our last: One day, we will be right.

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Local Crossword

Contact Hayden at jhayden2003@cox.net

Star-Sentinel Crossword for 03/11/2011

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ACROSS 1 6 11 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 24 25 26 27 30 32 33 34 35 36 38

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8 oz.

The valley the Cherokees say was their 'happy hunting ground' Merit The other half of Jima Free of Manner Goofs Slough Brace oneself Slant Gourmet cook Seven Knotty Leaning

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 23

42 43 44 45 48 49 50 51 52 54 56 60 61 63 64 65 66 67 68 69

Rowing tool Too Boundary Right angle to a ships length Flex Department (abbr.)

Pear type Beg Neither's partner Annoys Alternate spelling of Back Sea neighbor Estimated time of arrival Dwelling Respecting Position Pancake topper Away Espy Painter Richard Regions

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25 27 28 29 31 32 34 35 37 38 39 40 41 43 45 46 47 48 49 51 53 55 56 57 58 59 62

Fancy car Whim Cartoon character Endue Hasten Good grief!

Blowsy Convicted Back talk Earn interest Famous art museum Challenge Sanctioned You got a problem, -----! (from Where the Wild Things Are, two words) Sport's official And so forth Rio de Janeiro Revolutions per minute Jinx Grainery Shellfish Hindu god Cook an egg Tender loving care Wrath Cut Time zone __ of the covenant Nun Baby's sock One's possessions Classify Artist I'm thinking -----. (slogan) City in Nebraska Console Representatives After eight S.A. Indian Gets older What's owed

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

NewsRoanoke.com

Here’s A Little Serving Of Mashed History

T

he Andes were not made for farming. It’s cold and rainy, and the soil is rocky and thin. But when the first humans arrived here, they found a hardy little plant with edible roots, which they called patatas. Thanks to this amazing food source, the Incas were able to establish an empire as early as 1200AD. The Inca lasted until 1533, when they were wiped out by the Spanish. The conquistadors carried off anything of value.

They also grabbed some potatoes for the long sail home. Back in Europe, folks were suspicious of the Indian plant. The roots were hard and tasteless. Some tried eating the leafy parts, and since the plant is a member of the poisonous nightshade family, it caused severe stomach aches and even death. Papas became culinary taboo; they were considered weird and evil; several governments forbade cultivating them.

But then, in 1760, Antoine Augustine Parmentier, a scientist for Louis XV of France,

was captured by the Prussians in a desperate attempt to recovin the Seven Years War. While er, and all of it died. A million in a prison camp, he was served people starved; a million more a steady diet of spuds. emigrated to AmeriWhen he returned to ca. By the next year, Paris, he convinced Black ‘47, Ireland had the King to let him essentially collapsed. have 100 rocky acres to Over the next decades, plant some. The plot almost 5 million more produced so much emigrated. By 1890, food that everyone 2 out of every 5 Irishwas amazed. Parisian born persons lived chefs soon began inoff-island. By 1900, Mike Keeler venting novel ways to there were 20 times cook and serve these more Irish living pommes de terre. Almost over- outside of Ireland than in it. night, potatoes were la mode all A century on, there are 80 over Europe. million people of Irish descent Especially in Ireland. Farm- dispersed around the globe. ers there found the mighty Last week they all celebrated murphy thrived in the tough St. Patrick’s Day with a pint of soil; a single acre could produce Guinness, some corned beef enough food to sustain a family and cabbage, and perhaps a few of 10. It was, surely, a miracle. prata, potatoes. It’s their comWith this incredible bounty, the mon bond. And their tragic population of Ireland doubled heritage. between 1800 and 1840.

They are all a testament to And then. In 1845, folks in the prolific power and epic colIreland noticed the plants were lapse of the Andean patata. turning black and smelling bad.

Contact Mike at Half the harvest was lost. In info@theroanokestar.com 1846, more acres were planted

Preacher’s Corner - The Trinity Tree by Stuart Revercomb "I will lift up my eyes to the mountains, from whence cometh my help . . ." Psalm 121:1 This is one of my favorite scriptures for a couple of reasons: 1) It provides assurance of God’s comfort and help in times of trouble and 2) It speaks of mountains as somehow being part of that. And I just love mountains - good things happen on mountains.

Being a son of both VA and WV, I think I've always had an appreciation of mountains. I remember going to the beach as a child and really loving it, but after a few days I felt this strange need to get on top of something - anything - even on top of our old Ford station wagon to take a look around.

As much as I loved the sand and the waves, by the next Saturday morning I was ready to get back home - where the land was green and fresh and alive with streams and woods and heights from which one could take in the world. I am still that way to this day.

When my son Rob and I were going out to explore the woods and mountain on the land upon which we now live in order to consider making an offer on the property, we immediately journeyed up the

the mountainside and made a remarkable discovery.

There in the center of the ridgeline that makes a swale like a horse saddle across the skyline above the house, was a large outcrop of rock. Just on the backside of this outcrop, about 30 feet before the ridge began to roll back down the other side of the mountain, stood a nice size rock upon which a very tall mature tree appeared to be growing.

And indeed, a closer inspection revealed that it had pretty much done just that - save for a few main roots that it had managed to wrap around and down one side of the beautifully striated boulder upon which it had perched.

Over the years the increasing layers of bark had wrapped themselves around all but one side of the boulder that itself made a perfect seat back at the base of the tree.

As amazing as this was, it wasn't the only unique thing about the tree, for it had, by virtue of being on the rock, grown up at an angle - and about 40 feet off the ground it intersected another tree of an entirely different species.

The two trees, by virtue of the one leaning so fully on the other, had quite literally grown together with a shared bark system that gave them a smooth and uniform skin where they were joined so high above the ground. Both trees then continue from this junction and end in impressive canopies that spread majesti-

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cally above the forest floor.

Rob and I stood beneath the mysterious and uniquely beautiful sight and stared up in wonder.

"Wow," he finally said in quiet understatement. "Have you ever seen anything like that before Dad?' "No," I replied, as my gaze followed the tree up again from the beautiful rock it held in the tight embrace of its roots. "That - Is - Just - Amazing . . ."

We stared at the scene for a minute or so - the woods quiet and true all around us. Finally Rob spoke up again.

"Dad," he said, "I think I have this thing all figured out: You see the tree is us . . . and we are to stand and grow ourselves upon the rock - and the rock, of course is Jesus . . . " I turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow. That was pretty good. He stared upward a moment and then continued.

"Do you see how the tree grows up like that and joins that other tree above that helps hold it up? Well that other tree there . . . That's the Holy Spirit . . . (he had me totally enthralled now) and from there of course we grow . . . Up through the canopy seeking the light above - which is God of course . . ."

In that moment I was exceedingly grateful for the education he receives at Faith Christian School. In fact as far as I was concerned that little bit of theological thinking had just fully justified every dime of his tuition check.

"Rob," I said . . . "That is absolutely beautiful . . . I can't tell you how much that means to me . . . I think we may have just found our new home . . ."

And of course, we had.

Like I said - good things happen on mountains.

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Perspective

3/18/11 - 3/24/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

NewsRoanoke.com

I

“What Type of Parent Am I?”

heard a great quote the and direction. other day: “Having chilThe second type is driven dren may make you a solely by the emotional state of parent, but it doesn’t make you the parent and is known as the good at parenting.” I think most Reactive Parent. This style of people would agree that just parenting is dictated by how having a child doesn’t happy, sad, or angry do much to prepare the individual is. As you for the actual job long as the child keeps of parenting and that this parent happy, all is there are many ways of good. When this pargoing about the job. As ent is angry, the child I relayed this in a conis in trouble. The enversation recently I was gagement of privileges asked by a Mom, “What or consequences is not kind of parent do you Keith McCurdy based on whether the think I am?” Well ... I child is making right or had to think for a minute and wrong choices. In this category, then I described the four most the actual behavior of the child common types of parents I have is secondary to the parent’s emoseen over the years. tional health. Not only does this The first is the Absent Parent. provide a very chaotic environThis parent is uninvolved to ment, it also helps to create a the point of not knowing their young adult who very foolishly child. They are unaware of their feels responsible for the happifriends, activities, academic ness of those around them. performance etc. This parent The third type is the Parent may provide general structure, of Consequence. In this family but is mostly unaware of the there are often very clear rules true nature of their child or and guidelines and there is altheir lives. Another version of ways accountability. The area the absent parent is the spoiler. of weakness is that all parenting This parent takes the friendship is based on whether the child approach and while appearing is following the rules. The beconnected to their child, their lief is that the main function of involvement is mostly depen- parenting is discipline. The padent on providing for the whims rental authority kicks in whenand wants of their children, and ever there is an infraction and they rarely say no. These kids consequences are the backbone have the best brands and always of this home. This is the parseem to have money to spend. ent that views their job as a gate The difficulty is that these par- keeper but often misses the role ents rarely provide boundar- of building their children up ies and accountability. What is or providing opportunities for most often missing is guidance learning through mentoring or

sharing life lessons. If the child isn’t breaking any rules, this parent doesn’t engage in “parenting” activities.

Lastly, we come to the parent known as the Trainer. This is the parent who views their role as a combination of providing rules, affirmation, accountability, encouragement, mentoring, etc. This style of parenting is very active and involved and often sees themselves as a teacher or trainer who is preparing their children in every way to be successful in life. There is a clear authority and developing a friendship with their child is secondary at best to other functions. This parent does however attempt to know their child very well and is quite aware of activities and issues in their child’s life. By being involved in this way and knowing their child, a parent is better able to effectively teach.

After hearing these four descriptions the Mom responded, “I think I am a mix of all four, but need to become more of the trainer.” I think that is where most of us would be. Most families have flavors of all four types present, but to maximize effect, we should all move more towards being more of a teacher or trainer. Take a look at how you deal with your child and see if you can tell what type of parent you are most like.

Contact Keith at psycyou@msn.com

The Happy Chef - Dilly Green Beans (or Okra!)

I spent my Friday and Saturday engrossed in the amazing world of Thomas Jefferson. Our plan was to head to Monticello on Saturday so in preparation I watched a documentary on Jefferson’s life. Knowing something of the history before you go helps you take in what you see and having a glimpse into Jefferson’s world made me appreciate him all the more when I was taking in the splendor of Monticello.

What a rich history and an amazing life story our 3rd president brings to us. I could write volumes about all that inspired me there. My children were enthralled, as well, and to see them pretending that they were a president in the 1800s instead of the latest pop culture icon was enough reward for me - but it did not stop there.

The kitchen at Monticello certainly was a feast. Located underneath Monticello in the area of the house called "the Dependencies," the kitchen was among the best equipped of its time in Virginia. Edith Fossett was the cook at Monticello during the last 16 years of Jefferson’s life and she served meals with a mix of French and Virginia cuisine. (Jefferson spent 5 years in France and his tastes were very

influenced by his time spent there.) Many of the ingredients used for the recipes came from the working plantation at Monticello which contained amazing gardens that were tirelessly kept and tended by the slaves who lived there.

There is a recording that plays in the kitchen that recreates the sounds and voices of the people at work in the kitchen. You can just imagine the all day affair of creating the meals served at Monticello - the bustle of food preparation and the race of delivering the meals up to the house and the pride of his daughter Martha and all who worked on the meals as they were served to the diners.

When we are given an appreciation of such history it reminds us that everything we create is, in the end, meant to be Holy and should be crafted with care, love and honor - for all that we bring to the world is a gift and our history is a glorious part of that gift. So as you work in your humble or grandiose kitchen remember the cooks before you who took such pride in their service and give this little recipe that they used a try.

I just love veggies - dilled and pickled - enjoy!

by Leigh Sackett

Wash, drain and cut into lengths to fill pint jars: 4 lbs young green beans or okra pods Add to each jar: ¼ teaspoon hot red pepper, crushed ½ teaspoon whole mustard seed ½ teaspoon dill seed 1 garlic clove Combine and heat to boiling: 5 cups white vinegar, 4 cups water, ½ cup salt Pour boiling liquid over beans. Fill jars to ½ inch from top. Process in boiling water bath for five minutes.

Remembering Miss Ethel

I

believe that certain people offered to take us to Old Stone she said, built for protection come into our lives at par- Presbyterian Church where she from the Indian raids The town ticular times for particular was a lifetime member. Mother was named for the church that reasons, of which neither they felt my brothers, ages four and was a fort – Ft. Defiance. Tales nor we are aware. We may know one, were too young but since were told of a secret passageway them for only a short time, and I was six and already in school, to allow those sheltered there to then later, looking back, we real- she would be delighted for me escape should the fort be capize the importance the shadow to accept. Thus began my four tured. However, she continued, of their presence had in our de- years of association with this no one had ever discovered velopment. One such person for dedicated Christian lady. such a passageway. I enjoyed me was “Miss Ethel.”

Each Sunday morning she her stories and felt comfortable Miss Ethel came into my life a drove her black 1935 Ford to with her – I thought she enjoyed few months after my sixth birth- our house and picked me up my company also. day. She was our nearest neigh- for the ride to Sunday School After I could read fluently, bor when we lived near Verona and church in Ft. Defiance. On Miss Ethel took me to the during my grammar school Sundays she dressed in her best church library where I became years. Her home, an imposing outfits: in fall and winter, a long- acquainted with the Bobbsey farmhouse where she lived with sleeved black dress, topped by twins and checked out a book her older sister, May, a no-nonsense gray each week until I completed the sat atop a hill on the Harris tweed coat series. She also saved her Chrisopposite side of Lee when the weather de- tian Observers and gave them to Highway from our manded it; in summer me so I could read the stories. house. The two spina light blue silk dress Our family moved the spring ster sisters lived alone with puffy sleeves before my eleventh birthday. there, maintaining the and a wide lace col- My brothers and I began to atfamily farm with the lar. Her rough, hard- tend a Methodist church within help of Albert, their working hands were walking distance of our new farm hand. May was transformed by kid residence. I lost contact with Mary Jo Shannon shorter than her sisgloves, and crowning Miss Ethel, but I remembered ter and reclusive. We her head, was a wide- her as I re-read the stories from were told she used to give piano brimmed hat. Gloves and hat the stack of Christian Observers lessons, but stopped because of were black or white, according I had saved. I gave little thought illness. to the season. to the influence she had on my I remember Miss Ethel as beAs we traveled the few miles life, but looking back with a new ing old, but now I realize she to the church, Miss Ethel in- perspective, I am convinced was most likely in her late fifties. quired about my week at school her touch was sure evidence of She looked older I suppose, not and told me about the church God’s love and grace for me. only because age is perceived – built in 1740 and the oldest differently by young children, Presbyterian church still in use Contact Mary Jo at but also because of her outmod- in Virginia. It was also a fort, info@theroanokestar.com ed wardrobe – mostly gray or blue cotton house-dresses – and the way she wore her ash-blond hair – combed back and coiled at the back of her head, like an old fashioned school-marm.

She was not a teacher but was well educated and a devout Presbyterian.

When we moved into our little house “down the road” from her home, she promptly visited with a loaf of homemade SERVING THE ROANOKE VALLEY bread to welcome us. As we sat in the living room getting acquainted, she told us about her family. Her parents died several years prior and left the farm to the two sisters. A third sister, Ruth, was a missionary in Brazil and her brother, Gamble, was a Payment Deadline Presbyterian minister in a small Tuesday, april 5, 2011 town (the name of which I do not recall) in Southwest VirPayment Methods: ginia. Upon learning we had no church home, Miss Ethel

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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/18/11 - 3/24/11

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Doesn’t Disappoint One of the largest parades of its kind in the southeast, Roanoke’s 22nd annual Saint Patrick’s Day parade last Saturday made everyone watching or participating seem just a wee bit Irish. Retired Roanoke City police officer Bryan Lawrence, partially paralyzed when attacked on a call several years ago, served as the honorary grand marshal. Lawrence is now a minister in the area.

U.S. Senator Mark Warner and 6th District Congressman Bob Goodlatte walked in the parade down Jefferson and Campbell, as did Mayor David Bowers and other members of Roanoke City Council. There were assorted beauty queens, scout troops and floats depicting everything from those sup-

porting the Fair Tax to “Vikings of the Roanoke Valley.”

World War II veterans, pink poodles, baton twirling troupes, the Star City Roller Girls, the Patrick Henry High School Jr. Air Force ROTC firefighters and vintage cars were also part of the mix on a sunny, blue-sky day.

Parrott Heads of the Blue Ridge boasted one of the biggest and most imaginative floats; there were also lots of Kazim clowns and the “Dancing Dorothys” on hand, promoting an upcoming Wizard of Oz show at the Roanoke Civic Center. The crowd was estimated at more than 10,000; afterwards many stayed for an all-day Celtic Festival also held downtown.

NewsRoanoke.com

Jersey Transplant Helped Get Parade Off The Ground

A retired transplant from New Jersey was a driving force behind Roanoke’s Saint Patrick’s Day parade when it first got off the ground 22 years ago.

Ray Donnelly, who will be 84 next week (he now resides in a nursing home), asked about a St. Patrick’s Day parade and found out there was none. That’s when he went to work, with the help of the late Laban Johnson, a co-host at the time on cable TV’s Cookin’ Cheap program.

“He ran it for six years and when [it became a bigger event] the city took it over,” Photos and Story By says Jean Donnelly, Ray’s Gene Marrano wife. The couple went downtown looking for a parade a year after moving here, “and there was nothing.” Told that people here “didn’t like parades,” the Donnellys perse-

vered, encouraged by Roanoke Mayor David Bowers.

“It was a lot of work getting people [to participate] and it just kept growing,” said Jean Donnelly.

This year’s parade lasted almost two hours and was attended by an estimated 10,000 or more. Ray Donnelly used to travel the world when he ran businesses in New York City; the couple, originally from upstate New York, moved here to be close to family. That fortuitous decision helped the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Roanoke get off the ground more than two decades ago.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

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ahead Members of Troop 1122 donated 3 large boxes of supplies and care package items for military service members recently. In addition, 36 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies were contributed by shoppers at the Troop's Cookie Booth Congratulations to the volunteers and residents of Old South- Sale held at Kroger, Tanglewest for winning the Best Neighborhood Entry Award at this wood. year's 2011 St. Patrick's Day parade held in downtown Roanoke The care packages and on Saturday March 12!

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Troop members: (back row) L-R Harper, Alexis, Samantha, Kayla, Ellie, Katie, Eva, (middle Row) Emma, Emily, Chloe, Delaney, Ainsley, Olivia, Emma, Celine, (seated) Corinne, Emma, Ellie Photo Bonnie McHenry

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Sports

3/18/11 - 3/24/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

Hidden Valley Falls In State Final 58-55 Around the Hardwoods with Wild Bill On Last Second Shot By Potomac Falls

Hidden Valley head coach Troy Wells had the perfect game plan drawn out. Slow down the explosive Potomac Falls offense and keep the game in the 50s.

Everything played out as planned in the VHSL Group AA Division 4 state championship game Saturday night at the VCU Siegel Center in Richmond until Potomac Falls reserve Pete Simoneau hit the shot of his life in the final seconds to give the Pathers their second consecutive title with the 58-55 win.

The shocked Hidden Valley squad, looking to force overtime, could only watch in disbelief, then openly weep after the buzzer sounded.

Hidden Valley knew they had a tough battle on their hands in Potomac Falls, which entered the game 29-1. But, the Titans battled like warriors throughout and Potomac Falls could not deliver the knockout punch early on.

The Titans led 14-13 in the

Titan fans are on their feet as #24 Taylor Walker splits two Panther defenders on his way to the basket late in the fourth quarter.

Hidden Valley junior guard #10 Daniel Rowe puts up a long jumper over Potomac Falls 6'7" forward #50 Gregory Graves. first quarter before Potomac Falls scored the last six points in the opening frame for a 19-14 lead. The Titans fell behind 2717 midway through the second quarter, then cut the Panther advantage to four, 29-25. Again, Potomac Falls rallied late with a 5-1 run to go to the break up 34-26.

The teams battled to a 9-9 stalemate in the third quarter with Hidden Valley getting no closer than six.

But, the Titans continued to stay within striking distance throughout the early stages of the final quarter and, when junior guard Daniel Rowe buried a long jumper from behind the arc with 3:15 to go, Hidden Valley seemed primed to pull off the upset.

Senior Taylor Walker finally got Hidden Valley over the hump with a 3-pointer from behind the arc followed by a

shot off a baseline drive that fell through for a 52-51 Titan lead.

Two subsequent possessions by Potomac Falls each ended with a pair of free throws and a 55-52 Panther lead in the last 30 seconds.

Hidden Valley brought the ball upcourt and hit Walker deep in the right corner for a jumper that found nothing but net and tied the score at 55. After a Titan time-out, the Panthers ran a play to the left side, and as the clock ticked down, Simoneau launched a bomb in front of the Potomac Falls bench. The shot went in like a laser and the buzzer sounded before Hidden Valley could get off any final at-

Hidden Valley senior #2 Riley Worrell races into the front court past Potomac Falls defender Brendon Chesson. tempt. It was Simoneau's only field goal of the game.

Hidden Valley (20-8) was led in scoring by Walker's 19 points, including five 3-pointers. Carter Wright added 16 for the Titans, while Austin Beecher and Daniel Rowe chipped in 11 and 8 respectively.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

Cave Spring Standout Signs With Bluefield College Cave Spring girls soccer player Tori Doyle signed a letter of intent to play soccer for Bluefield College in a ceremony Tuesday afternoon in the school auditorium. Doyle credited the support of her friends and teammates for her success. She indicated the small school environment was the main reason she chose the Rams.

Tori Doyle, flanked by parents Cathrine and Morgan Doyle along with Cave Spring girls soccer coach Whitney Huffman.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

The VHSL state basketball finals came to an end Saturday night with no shortage of drama throughout the day. Hidden Valley closed out the tournament in Saturday's last game as the Titans watched in disbelief as Potomac Falls reserve Pete Simoneau, in the game due to a late-game injury to a starter, buried a last-second bomb to defeat Hidden Valley 58-55.

Congratulations go out to the Titan team, its fans, assistants and head coach Troy Wells.

Hidden Valley executed a game plan to perfection which gave them the opportunity to fall but one shot short of the victory against a very talented Potomac Falls team.

Likewise, hats off to Hidden Valley manager Ben Ratliff, who was the inspiration of the Titans throughout the season.

Appropriately, Ratliff, who has Down’s Syndrome, went to the free throw line after the final was over and with the Hidden Valley players lining both sides of the lane, proudly swished the shot as cheers rang out and high-fives slapped together throughout the Siegel Center.

Undoubtably, from this writer's standpoint, the best shot of the tournament.

Now to the college ranks where I'm prepared to eat crow whether its baked, fried or broiled. My prediction of VA Tech making the big dance blew up like a cheap microwave Sunday night and I'm fully prepared for some good-natured kidding before I start ranting and offer the last word.

The term "March Madness" has suddenly established its true basis as the NCAA selection committee apparently emerged from an asylum to pick some of the teams that were selected for this year's tournament. I had plenty of other media backing on this one as the criticism is rampant and justified.

Last week I said the guys on the selection committee want us to think they're geniuses. Sorry, I left out the word unqualified.

Also, I noted that hopefully, on the selection show, some clown wouldn't be pointing out the seeds with a baton and accordion accompanist, akin to Lawrence Welk. After watching Committee Chairman Gene Smith ramble on like a kabuki dance, I think an accordion full of bubbles and a wax figure of Welky may have sounded more plausible. You know- a voice saying these seeds are ah-one

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and ah-two. fact that strength of non-conferSheesh. ence foes is the underlying culOld Dominion wasn't sent prit, Weaver offered an excuse. to Albequerque like I predicted "I don't think we need more only fools would do. (quality opponents)."

They saved the New Weaver said.

Mexico trip for HampWho is he kidding? ton University instead, Tech could play in-state located a few miles down opponents like ODU, the road from ODU. George Mason, VCU or Now, for the Tech deRichmond. Instead they bacle. I still think the schedule Longwood, Hokies deserved to be South Carolina Upstate Bill Turner in, which makes more and UNC-Greensboro sense than the committee hav- to impress. ODU coach Blaine ing no idea why they were left Taylor has said that if you listed out. However, I'm giving the the top three college basketball committee the benefit of the teams in Virginia, Tech and doubt - they probably thought UVA wouldn't be among the UAB was the Crimson Tide and three. This year Taylor is right this was the BCS football selec- on target and, the aforementions. tioned four teams are all going As for Tech's response to dancing as a result the hilarity, the theories were By next week we'll sort out intriguing. Seth Greenberg the imposters and the field will thought it might be a conspiracy be trimmed to sixteen. And, but I don't believe in conspiracy I'll break out the leather for theories such as the JFK shoot- the Wild One's spring training or how Bush got elected. ing opener. Do you want to be Frankly, I think anyone with an umpire? Check back to see good judgement should like if you can make the right call the Tech dance team clad in the from the diamond. tight, black outfits thus making the Hokies even better primeMeantime, keep sending your time TV hoops material. inquiries to: info@newsroanoke.

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Commentary

Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/18/11 - 3/24/11

America Needs a Real Energy Policy - Congressman Bob Goodlatte

Energy is vital to every aspect of American life. It is used in our homes, our small businesses and industries. Energy powers computers, appliances, technology and the Internet and fuels transportation and farming.

When energy supplies are tight, families and businesses are severely impacted by the resulting increase in energy costs.

Increased demand for oil here in the U.S. and across the world coupled with the current unrest in the Middle East have resulted in Americans paying an average of nearly $3.45 at the gas pump. Americans haven’t seen gas prices increase this quickly since September of 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast and hopefully we are not headed toward the record highs of the summer of 2008.

Abundant and affordable energy and energy conservation are the keys to a strong economy. For that reason, I support an energy policy that encourages environmentally sound ways to find and use more traditional and alternative sources of energy in our own country.

We must modernize the nation’s energy policy by tapping into more of our massive energy

resources located in the deep seas on the outer-continental shelf (OCS). I support opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, known as ANWR, to energy exploration in an environmentally-sound manner, which could provide an additional one million barrels of oil per day. Additionally, we must open for development the oil shale in the Rocky Mountain states, which may be the largest oil deposits in the world, assuring a reliable domestic source as we transition to alternative sources of energy.

We must diversify our energy supplies with alternative fuels, including renewable energy from our farms and forests but we must do so without the government mandates and subsidies that are today driving the cost of food and animal feed up as we produce more ethanol from corn. We should develop a renewable policy where the government incentivizes the development of new technologies but does not mandate the use of any particular fuel like cornbased ethanol which drives up costs for consumers.

Further, in promoting green energy we should encourage

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A Discussion on Deficits & Debt - Senator John Warner

With all of the current discussion about short-term federal spending resolutions and potential gridlock in Congress, you might think we have lost the opportunity for serious action on our longer-range deficits and debt. I remain convinced that our country is at a critically important moment: we simply must seize this opportunity to get our fiscal house in order for the long term, and since last summer this has been one of my top priorities.

Partnering with my Republican colleague Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, we are working to try to turn the recommendations of the President’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform into legislation.

Our current national debt stands at more than $14 trillion.

If adopted in full, the commission’s recommendations would gradually reduce that debt by $4 trillion over the next ten years.

Unfortunately, the current debate is centered on deep cuts in short-term, discretionary and nonmilitary spending, which only makes-up about 12% of the overall federal budget.

The spending proposal recently adopted by the House of Representatives slashes funding for workforce training programs that are so important to many people across southwest and southside. It targeted federal support for the multi-state, multi-year Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort, and the House Congressman Bob Goodlatte budget makes deep cuts in federal funding to Northern Virginia’s Metro mass transit sysTo contact Congressman Goodlatte visit: www.goodlatte. house.gov.

tem. The simple fact is, drastic and even painful cuts to these individual programs alone will not fix our larger structural budget problems.

That's why Senator Chambliss and I have been working with a growing number of our Senate colleagues to address these fiscal challenges in a more comprehensive and responsible way. We must work together to control government spending, simplify our tax code, and begin to gradually eliminate our deficits. That is the only way we will fix our nation’s balance sheet over the long term.

The deficit commission's recommendations, while far from perfect, represent a courageous first step in tackling our national debt in ways that will make our nation competitive for the 21st century: · The commission laid out a plan to accelerate healthcare savings in Medicare and Medicaid, and it provides a responsible roadmap to strengthen Social Security for the next 75 years.

The commission’s plan protects Social Security, and does not use Social Security funds to balance the budget. · It dramatically simplifies a tax system in serious need of an overhaul. It proposes closing loopholes and phasing out some deductions while lowering overall tax rates for individuals and corporations. · It puts everything on the table, including entitlement programs and defense spending. We believe that this has to be part of the discussion, too.

As you might imagine, vari-

The front-page article by Valerie Garner in last week’s Star Sentinel is an account of the unwillingness or inability of politicians to make decisions.

The new ‘study’ designated for the amphitheater in Elmwood Park is simply another frustrating effort by City Council to squeeze logic out of wornout concepts.

Would an active amphitheater require one lane of Wil-

liamson Road to be used for port-a-potties and/or service trucks? Would parking in the garage across Williamson Road continue to require hundreds of people walking across the street?

Let’s take a look at some past legacies regarding the ‘wise’ use of taxpayer funds.

Victory Stadium has been demolished and the community awaits ……… further indeci-

the production of more nuclear power which provides CO2 emission-free energy. Other countries are far outpacing the U.S. in their commitment to clean nuclear energy. We generate only 20 percent of our energy from this clean technology. Nuclear energy is the most reliable and advanced of any renewable energy technology, and if we are serious about encouraging CO2 free energy use, we must pursue nuclear energy.

Finally, we need to establish an energy trust fund using some of the revenues generated from traditional energy development.

The fund would be administered to support research and loan guarantees that provide Americans with the most energy for the least cost. This would result in development of new sources of energy including renewable energy such as solar, wind, and hydrogen where appropriate.

Our inability to set a national energy policy is affecting all Americans and sucking the lifeblood out of our economy. It is a major long term contributor to the economic instability we are currently experiencing.

I will continue to support and push for initiatives that encourage exploration, innovation, and conservation and lower energy prices for consumers, ultimately making America stronger.

ous political opponents and special interests already are mobilizing to short-circuit our work on this legislation, which demonstrates why this is such a difficult challenge. It also shows why Washington’s typical political response has always been to kick this can down the road, and push the tough choices to another day: · These choices do not get any easier simply by delaying action.

Every day that we put off these difficult decisions, an average $4 billion is added to the national debt. · Every dollar that we spend simply paying the interest on our nation's staggering debt is disappearing into a fiscal sinkhole. These are resources that cannot be targeted toward creating jobs, expanding the U.S. economy or addressing any of our other shared priorities.

While there are plenty of recommendations in the commission's plan that I would not have chosen, this much is crystal clear to me and the other members of our bipartisan coalition: we simply cannot postpone this difficult discussion any longer.

Senator Mark Warner Warner, a co-founder of Nextel and former Virginia Governor, is a member of the Senate’s Banking, Budget, Commerce and Intelligence committees. He can be reached at www.warner. senate.gov.

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The building formerly occupied by Ukrops stands empty, awaiting a new tenant. This is a tribute to …….. squandered financial incentives?

Explore Park, created in 1985 as a destination, has absorbed considerable funds from several sources and is visited regularly by ……….. wildlife?

The sixty six-million-dollar Taubman Museum of Art has limited parking and is located in a flood zone. The colorful ladder display on a balcony overlooking Williamson Road suggests a rebirth of ………. a continuing debacle?

There are reports that the city’s storm sewer infrastructure requires about $60 million in repairs and upgrades. We don’t hear much about this example of .…….. neglect?

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NewsRoanoke.com

3/18/11 - 3/24/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

Beautiful Flowers Are Signs Of Spring Tech Urban Wildlife Biologist Joins 'Car Talk' The Blue Ridge Orchid Society, which meets on the second Sunday of each month at the Council of Garden Clubs building on Colonial Avenue (except for July and August) welcomes orchid growers at all experience levels. That’s according to retired Blacksburg pediatrician John Ogburn, a member of the Blue Ridge group on hand at a juried orchid show held last weekend at Greenbrier Nurseries on Starkey Road. Orchids are also displayed at each club meeting in what it calls a “mini-show.”

Two other groups from Charlottesville and Raleigh had entries in the competition at Greenbrier Nurseries as well. Members of the Blue Ridge Orchid Society come from as far away as Lynchburg, Gretna, much of southwest Virginia and from West Virginia. Exhibits were judged on overall presentation once they were classified correctly; the flower bloom is primarily what is judged. The American Orchid Society trains judges for these competitions, according to Ogburn. Many growers travel a regional circuit in Virginia and North Carolina, exhibiting their orchids at weekend competitions.

Orchids have blooming seasons in both the spring and fall said Ogburn, and they grow best when potted in a mixture that is mostly tree bark.

“They live on trees [in the wild],” noted Ogburn, who grows his orchids in pots and puts them outside when the weather is warm. “They kind of love their summer vacation outdoors - [but] under shade trees.”

John Ogburn talks orchids to show attendees.

Sunrooms and greenhouses help control the growing environments, “[but] we all kill a bunch [at first] and that’s how we learn what won’t grow,” chuckles Ogburn. One nice feature of orchids: the blooms may last 1-2 months, in a variety of rich colors, many of which were on display at Greenbrier Nurseries.

“Most orchids don’t like temperatures under 50 degrees,” added Ogburn. Coconut husks are another favorite when potting orchids; the mixture

Blue Ridge Orchid Society Show’s first place winner at Greenbrier Nurseries. in any case must be fairly porous. There are also special fertilizers for orchids. Ogburn has “no idea” how many different types of orchids are grown by Society members; he also says there are “tens of thousands” of variations, mostly in the wild – not including all of the engineered hybrids.

The Blue Ridge Orchid Society aims to put on a show every year and a half, taking advantage of the spring and fall blooming seasons in alternate years. Ogburn has much more time to spend now on his orchids since retiring. “I just enjoy growing things. I enjoy the flowers and the challenge of creating an environment for tropical [species].”

He’s always liked to grow plants and flowers outdoors and says the challenge for him was to “bring color indoors in the winter.” Orchids that bloom from the fall through the spring provide him with that outlet.

See blueridgeorchidsocietyva.org for more information on the local orchid group, which meets at 1:30pm on the second Sunday of the month, except for the two midsummer months. Orchid aficionados of all stripes are welcome and classes on subjects like the repotting of orchids (once they outgrow their original container) are offered to members and guests: “we were all novices at one point,” Ogburn points out.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Virginia Museum of Transportation To Host "Wings Over Virginia” Reception and Luncheon The Virginia Museum of Transportation will host a special “Wings Over Virginia” reception and luncheon at the Museum on March 23 featuring Vice Admiral Norbert R. Ryan, Jr., USN-Ret, president of the Military Officers Association of America, and Robert Reed, curator of the Piedmont Aviation Historical Society. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Museum’s new “Wings Over Virginia” aviation gallery which will recognize Virginia's military and civilian aviators.

The Museum previously housed an aviation gallery which was destroyed by an intense storm that blew the roof off the building in 2006. Initial funding from the City of Roanoke and Roanoke County enabled the Museum to renovate the gallery space. Exhibit plans based on extensive public input are moving forward, focusing

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on the inspirational stories of Virginia’s pilots and aviation innovators, particularly those from this region. The gallery will also include exhibits on aviation technology and the science of flight.

“We are excited about the leadership in this community and across Virginia who are helping us form our new aviation gallery,” said Donald F. Moser, who is both a pilot and the Museum’s Deputy Director. “After more than a year of planning, the gallery’s design is beginning to capture the thrill of flight and the amazing stories of Virginia’s pilots. To fly represents a dream shared by so many of our visitors—and by visitors of all ages.”

The reception begins at 11am and the luncheon begins at noon.

Tickets for the luncheon are $40 for a single ticket or $400 for a reserved table of eight. Tickets which include both the lun-

cheon and reception are $250/ Friend (admits up to three people); $500/Patron (admits four); and $1,000/Sponsor (admits up to eight). Seating is limited, and reservations are required by March 21. Buy tickets or make a donation online at www.VMT. org, or by calling Joan Baker Washburn at 540-293-1310.

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As the show's website proclaims, "Her office is open, and she's here to take your questions about the intersection of cars and wildlife." The self-proclaimed "Lackeys of Car Talk Plaza" sign off with "Yours in keeping the bed bugs out of the Buick."

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Kieran Lindsey not only directs the Natural Resources Distance Learning Consortium for Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment, she is now the official wildlife guru for the famed Click and Clack brothers on "Car Talk," one of the most popular shows on National Public Radio.

While hosts Tom and Ray Magliozzi know everything there is to know about cars, when it comes to vehicle interfaces with animals, the questions roll out of their ballpark for her to pick up.

Whether it be bats in the garage, escaped pet Madagascar hissing cockroaches, or deervehicle collisions, Lindsey will pipe in to explain what listeners can do about their animal problems. She is no stranger to callin radio and over the years has answered thousands of questions about living with wildlife.

Before coming to the College of Natural Resources and Environment in 2008, Lindsey earned bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees in wildlife and fisheries sciences from Texas A&M University, headed up a nonprofit wildlife center in Houston, and hosted a weekly radio program, "Wild Things Radio," which aired on public radio in Albuquerque, N.M. Her blog, Next-Door Nature, focuses on the benefits and challenges of interacting with wildlife in urban and suburban settings. In May, she will be a keynote speaker at the International Urban Wildlife Management Conference in Austin, Texas.

These days, in addition to assisting individuals with their career development via an online program designed for working professionals, Lindsey teaches graduate courses in urban wildlife management, humanwildlife conflicts, and human dimensions of natural resource management. Her expertise in urban wildlife, combined with being a longtime fan of "Car Talk," prompted her to approach the show's producer when she recognized the need for an expert to answer the animal questions. "Car Talk" responded by making her its official animalvehicle biologist.

"I look at this role as an opportunity to educate the public about the natural world and to frame answers within an ecological context so people can appreciate what is outside their door," Lindsey said. It is science education in a fun, entertaining way, which is of course how

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