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Tech Unveils Major Art Center March 26, 27, and 28, 2010 Salem Civic Center

Home Show!

P4 The 40th Annual Roanoke Home Show / Expo is this weekend - check out our special section on pages 4 through 6.

Do Your Part

P7– Stephanie Koehler says that no matter where you stand politically, you must participate in the process.

Plans for Virginia Tech’s new 130,000-square-foot, $89 million Center for the Arts were approved by the university’s board of visitors Monday, setting into motion the construction of the facility that will help redefine downtown Blacksburg and shape the performing and visual arts environment throughout the region.

“As a university, we must strive to educate the whole person — to prepare students for life at work as well as for life beyond work,” said Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger. “The study of the arts helps us achieve this goal, and our new Center for the Arts will be our new home for the fine and performing arts that will enrich the lives of our students, and the entire university community as well, for generations to come.”

The Center for the Arts complex will include both new and renovated facilities located at the intersection of North Main Street and Alumni Mall. The facility’s design was led by the globally renowned architectural firm, Snøhetta, winner of the

international competition to create a museum pavilion at the World Trade Center site in New York City. Other high-profile projects taken on by the firm include the National Opera House in Oslo, Norway; the Alexandria Library in Egypt; and the Norwegian Embassy in Berlin.

“Its location — at the main entrance to campus near the center of the Town of Blacksburg -- symbolizes our commitment to the arts and its importance to the university and to our broader community,” noted Ruth Waalkes, executive director for the Center for the Arts.

“The center, the cornerstone of the university’s broader arts initiative, will allow us to leverage the strengths of existing arts programming and explore new relationships between the arts and technology,” said Senior Fellow for Resource Development Minnis Ridenour, whose office over> CONTINUED sees the broader arts initiative on behalf of the Office of the President.” In doing so, P2:Art Center

Roanoke Regional Airport Ignores Environmental Debacle

Thank Your Doctor!

P9– National Doctor’s Day is Tuesday the 30th - Have you sent your card yet?

On Exhibit

P13– Newcomer Brian Counihan receives rave reviews for his “Paraphernalia for the Passage “ exhibit at Olin Hall.

Excuses from Roanoke [airport property].”

Regional Airport ProjJohnson responded, “it’s ects and Environmental already down here.”

Coordinator, Alex Plaza, Roanoke Regional Airdid not fly with Roanoke port Authority cleared City’s Civil Engineer Joall vegetation from the seph Johnson-Koroma runway 6 RPZ (Runway Monday morning. When Protection Zone). Sedipressured to answer why ment eventually flows the Roanoke Regional into Lick Run creek that Airport Authority exleads to the Roanoke pected to not be held to River. The whole area the same erosion and along Frontage road besediment control stantween Peters Creek and dards as any other conHershberger is in a flood tractor, Plaza had no anzone. swer.

The location is just There was no permit down from the old Johnobtained as Plaza inPhoto by Valerie Garner l son and Johnson buildsisted that “there was no Severe Erosion is widespread on Airport property. ing now partly occupied land disturbance.” Plaza

by ADMMicro.

Plaza did not agree with Johnsonfurther explained that The local DEQ (Devegetation was left on the banks of Koroma that the debris washed down partment of Environmental Quality) the creek bed and seeding took place from airport property to the low Erosion and Sediment Control, Deafter the clear cutting by the contrac- bridge at what was once the 3rd tee of partment of Conservation and Recretor in the summer of 2009. The veg- Countryside golf course along Front- ation in Clarksetation subsequently died, along with age road. He argued that “this [debris] ville received a > CONTINUED does not all come from that up there complaint in De- P2:Airport the initial seeding.

Elvis the Calculus Dog Helps Teach Math

Many dogs love to run after a pup. But when I first got him, a ball when someone throws it. I took him to my favorite beach But how many pet owners real- and I threw it in the water (Lake ize their dogs are actually solv- Michigan) and I think probably ing a mathematical equation on within the first couple throws I the fly? noticed that he was doing the Elvis the Calculus dog and same pattern that I show on the his owner, Hope College pro- board every time I teach calcufessor Dr. Tim Pennings, travel lus. I call it a Tarzan-Jane probthe country demonstrating this lem where one of them is in the principle -- and this week they quicksand and the other one’s stopped at Roanoke College and got to run down the bank and the University of Virginia. across the river to get to their Pennings adopted Elvis when partner before they sink. And the Welch Corgi was just a year Elvis was doing exactly the same old. Pennings says the “eureka” pattern.”

400-0990 Photo by Beverly Amsler moment happened early on He says getting to the ball in subscribe@theroanokestar.com in their relationship. “He had Dr. Tim Pennings and Elvis take a break between classes at PO Box 8338 Roanoke,VA 24014 been chasing balls since he was > CONTINUED Roanoke College.

P2: Elvis

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Would Roanoke City residents and those in surrounding localities be willing to pay a 2% higher meal tax for the next two years, if the funds generated from meals in the city are targeted for Roanoke’s school system? The answer is a resounding “Yes,” according to several Education hu n d r e d people who gathered last Saturday for a rally at the foot of the Martin Luther King Jr. bridge.

Members of City Council, Roanoke City Schools Superintendent Rita Bishop, educators, parents and students were on hand to show their support for more funding of schools. Governor Bob McDonnell and the General Assembly received their share of jabs for $250 million of cuts that wound up in the final state budget.

Patrick Henry art teacher Bettina Gregory asked the crowd to be vocal, “loud and clear so the Governor can hear you in Richmond.” Gregory said McDonnell needs to “keep the promise… schools must be fully funded to meet the needs of our urban students.”

Roanoke Central Council PTA President Peggy Owens was busy handing out buttons,

[

A rendering of the as yet fully named “Center for the Arts” that is scheduled for completion the summer of 2013.

Stephanie Koehler

Roanokers Rally for Schools

]

> CONTINUED P2: Rally

6th District Republican Candidates Square Off

Trixie Averill and Danny Goad

The Roanoke Tea Party and the 2nd Tuesday Constitution Group sponsored a joint debate between the two candidates for the 6th Congressional District Chairperson of the Republican Party. About 60 people attended the event, held at the Holiday Inn Tanglewood last Wednesday night.

Before Politics the debate, spokesmen from each group told the audience that they would remain neutral and not support either the Democrats or the Republicans; rather they support those candidates that are loyal to the Constitution, regardless of party affiliation.

Candidates Trixie Averill and Danny Goad each read their opening statements and then took questions. Averill has been involved with Republican politics for over 30 years and is a

[

> CONTINUED P3: 6th District

]

Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/26/10 - 4/1/10

> Art Center There will be better chances for rain Thursday night into the midday hours of Friday, before the showers end and we begin to see a little more sun. It will be cooler day on Friday with temperatures only reaching the upper 50’s.

Mostly sunny skies are in the forecast for Saturday, but it will stay cool with highs again in the upper 50’s. We will likely turn cooler still on Sunday, with temperatures dropping into the middle 50’s. We may begin the day dry on Sunday, but by afternoon scattered showers will likely move in under mostly cloudy skies.

we will increase the visibility of the arts on campus and reinforce the university’s regional and national reputation as a catalyst in community arts education.

The Center for the Arts will be comprised of three major areas — the performance hall, several visual arts galleries, and the Center for Creative Technologies in the Arts. The performance hall will seat 1,300 people and will have the flexibility to present theatre, music, and dance performances.

The visual arts galleries will incorporate display space for traditional visual art as well as interactive and digital forms and

> Airport cember 2009. Dan Repella, a field worker and Compliance Specialist at the New River Watershed Office in Christiansburg, was contacted.

After a visual inspection, Repella directed the complaint to the Army Corp of Engineers, who then sent the complaint to Roanoke City.

There is a gray area over

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From page 1

will exhibit both temporarily donated and university-owned artwork. The space will also be suitable for interactive and distancelearning activities and will further facilitate collaborations with the recently opened Taubman Museum of Art to include exhibitions and educational outreach opportunities.

The Center for Creative Technologies in the Arts will be housed in new space as well as renovated space in Schultz Hall. The center, a technological incubator, laboratory, and studio setting, to be used to explore the many intersections of art, education, and

technology, will enhance public education at the primary, secondary, undergraduate, and graduate education levels. The center will include the Collaborative Performance Lab that will provide a venue for exploration for the visual and performance arts using the latest interactive technology.

Construction of the facility will begin this fall and is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2013.

By Mark Owczarski Info@ewsRoanoke.com

From page 1

jurisdiction since the airport property is federally owned.

Federal money purchased the land when the ROA expanded in the 1980’s. Federal money also continues to be designated for noise abatement for homes affected by the noise contour expansion.

Plaza reluctantly heeded Johnson’s insistence to bar-

> Elvis Innovative hands-on summer day camps offer a fun-filled exploration into science for students in pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. Camp Hotline 540.857.4381

ricade the erosion until the land was stabilized. Plaza said there would be additional hydroseeding for the spring growing season. Two previous attempts at seeding have failed to grow even minimal grass.

Plaza said he would have the debris cleared and the erosion control barrier in place

in a couple of weeks. Johnson made it clear that “he would come back to check.”

“There will be more trees cut,” according to Plaza.

By Valerie Garner Valerie.Garner@cox.net

From page 1

a hurry is intuitive to dogs. “[Beginning with] his great ancestors… the one that was best at getting to the carcass first, was the one that was most likely to eat and survive, and pass on their genes to surviving generations and it goes all the way down to Elvis.”

He says the main point in his talk is that finding the optimal solution to a problem is frequently seen in nature, “whether it be bees with a beehive, or spiders making a web, or the leaves of a tree, or light going through a prism, or all sorts of different situations.”

“For people who teach calculus and are always trying to find a nice example to kind of show their students, this is where you see calculus in real life; this would be a great example of it.”

His students see Elvis’ natural ability to do calculus when he chases the ball. “And when I walk around campus, some of them will sometimes say, ‘Oh, that dog knows calculus better than I do’ or ‘He’s smarter than I am.’”

Pennings says they start their talk by confirming Elvis wants to

> Rally

get to the ball as quickly as possible. “And so I throw the ball down the hallway, then he runs after it and he shows how eager he is to get the ball.” With his part of the presentation done, the 10-year-old Elvis sits in the corner and waits for his owner to finish.

A couple of French mathematicians performed the same experiment with their black Lab and got the same result. They wrote a paper which Pennings and Roanoke College mathematics professor Dr. Roland Minton followed up on with their joint paper, “Do Dogs Know Bifurcations?” The Pennings/Minton paper won the 2008 George Polya Award for mathematical exposition.

Elvis and Pennings have been traveling together talking to campuses for about eight years. He says kids love to pet Elvis during their stops and people of all ages come to hear their talk.

By Beverly Amsler info@newsroanoke.com

From page 1

placards and having petitions signed before the rally. “This whole end of the state is getting short changed by Richmond,” she said.

“The meals tax increase will help but won’t fix the problem entirely,” added Owen.

Many parents “don’t truly understand” the problem--including more crowded classrooms if teachers are laid off. Owens was pleased to see supporters from surrounding localities at the rally.

Eleventh District Delegate Onzlee Ware said he and other area legislators “painstakingly” tried to fight the budget that was approved. State funding that won’t be coming to Roanoke City may mean additional school closures, the end of certain programs and layoffs of more than 100 personnel.

Ware said that in his native Greensboro he “was one of those at-risk kids,” and decried the cutting of local programs that help keep young people on the right track.

Ware also said that many people would support a tax increase such as the meals tax hike proposed by City Council member Court Rosen, if that money was dedicated to school funding in Roanoke. “I believe that 70 percent of the people or better would say yes.” “Rosen,” said Ware, “understood what we didn’t do in the General Assembly.”

Ware expects the problem to rear its head again in two years without a possible tax increase.

As those at the rally held up signs and cheered, speakers took turns lambasting cuts approved in Richmond. “This is not

acceptable,” said School Board member Courtney Penn. On the other hand, he commended “a City Council that has stepped up and said education is important.” Standing beneath the Martin Luther King Jr. statue, Penn called education “America’s greatest civil right.”

Teaching assistant Leona Miller was on hand with a sign supporting the meals tax increase. “I’m here to support the children.

I don’t think the kids should suffer.” Miller wonders, “What happened to the money” that was saved from Roanoke school closings (Ruffner and Raleigh Court) last year.

“Where did the money go?” Miller was also distressed that a breakfast service might be discontinued, especially for those children who do not have breakfast at home, saying “They will not function without eating.”

Rosen, who expects City Council to debate and vote on his meals tax hike proposal soon, noted that both Roanoke City Schools and the city itself were 20 million dollars in the hole as a result of less state money and declining tax revenues.

The dedicated meals tax revenue would help continue “the progress made over the past two years,” in city schools. Rosen projected that the 2% meals tax increase could raise four million dollars for the school system. “It’s not time to let our schools get knocked back a decade,” he added. All but one of Roanoke’s 25 public schools are now fully accredited.

“There is a consensus of support on City

Attendees with their signs of support at last Saturday’s education rally.

Council for an increase in the meals tax,” said Rupert Cutler, who will not seek reelection in May. He added, “maybe even in the lodging tax. We’ll do everything we have to do to keep the Roanoke City School system intact and looking ahead.” Cutler said City Council would work to keep any layoffs “to a minimum.”

Even one student took a turn at the mike: Lucy Addison 8th grader Esther Umotoni asked, “How can we explore our options without the proper education?” Umotoni also said that elementary school Spanish, CITY school and the Governor’s School “allow us to excel… and reach for the stars.” All three programs could be shut down due to budget cuts.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Roanoker Wins Space Camp Scholarship Jeremy Williams, a 7th grade student at Roanoke Valley Christian Schools, has been chosen from among 250 finalists to receive a full

scholarship to attend Aviation Challenge at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Alabama.

In the awards letter it stated that "students from around

the country and world apply for scholarships to Space Camp/Aviation Challenge each year."

Jeremy Williams

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Page 3 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/26/10 - 4/1/10

> 6th District member of “Americans for Prosperity.” She supports “pro-life, the 2nd amendment, the 10th amendment and limited government,” adding, “ I agree with Ronald Reagan on the 80/20 rule – as long as the candidate does right 80% of the time, we can work on the 20%.”

Goad has been in the Republican Party for 18 years and is the current vice-chairman of the Botetourt Republican Committee. He said “I go door- to-door and listen to concerns and everybody tells me there is a lack of leadership in the party.” He proposes recording the 6th District meetings and making them available on a website for everyone to see. He also wants to enfold the Tea Party and the 2nd Tuesday Constitution group into the Republican Party, since, in his view, “They uphold the same values and principles.”

When asked what they would do if the healthcare bill passes, both candidates agreed the bill is unconstitutional and that Virginia

Debby Grose and Bentley. the weather's beautiful and everybody has different stories. A lot of people are here because they have individual stories that have touched their life. A lot of people are here because it's a great day and they just want to get their dog out."

Among those with survival stories of their own is Debby Grose and Bentley the Chihuahua from Vinton. Grose had breast cancer in November.

"This is one of the few things that the puppies can come to and so I like to get out and support the cause." Her daughter, Mandy, and grand puppy Gus, were there to support her.

NewsRoanoke.com

From page 1 should exempt residents from enforcement. There is an exemption bill currently on the Governor’s desk awaiting his signature.

Regarding their position on the jobs bill, Averill stated that she is not fond of “green” jobs because she feels there is a hidden agenda.

She prefers job creation throughout the state rather than focusing on industry-specific jobs; she cited examples of tourism and filmmaking in the state. Tourism returns five dollars for every dollar spent and filmmaking returns 60 dollars for every dollar spent.

Goad feels that it is not the government’s responsibility to give anyone a job, adding that government should just “get out of the way.”

When asked about term limits, and specifically Bob Goodlatte’s pledge that he would only serve one term, they had differing views.

Goad said that Goodlatte “had a pretty good voting record” but that he should stick to his word and not run for re-election. Averill said “Bob has a terrific voting record; he brings the resolution for

“Paws For a Cure” Precursor to Komen Race

Humans and dogs put their best foot and paw forward Saturday for the first “Paws for a Cure” fundraiser at Reserve Avenue Park in Roanoke. It was a precursor to the Susan G. Komen Greater Roanoke Race for the Cure next month. “Paws” chairwoman Kim Carte says the fundraiser has been done in other areas of the country; "This is the first year Roanoke's had the Race, first year Roanoke's had the Paws.” She was hoping for about 75 dogs and says there were more dogs than she thought there would be. The goal was to raise between $2000 and $5000. Most of that money came from registration fees, while the several vendors at the event donated 25 percent of their proceeds.

Canine and human cancer survivors took an honorary lap around the field, while the rest walked one mile in support of finding a cure for breast cancer.

Rebecca Lopez and her Dachshund, Rocky, are from Daleville. Her daughter signed them up for the walk. "We have a lot of family that are cancer survivors, so it's just a great opportunity to come out and bring the pooches."

Carte agrees. "It's a good time for people to get out and

At 18 months old and only five pounds, Bentley provided emotional support following Grose's surgery. "He is a cuddler.” Because her cancer was caught in the early stages, she had a partial mastectomy and didn't have to undergo radiation or chemotherapy. "And just the healing time, I couldn't do anything and the feeling of defeat that you have…and he was very supportive just to have to cuddle when I was laying on the couch; he was right there with me."

Kara Campbell from Roanoke marked her upcoming one year anniversary as a breast cancer survivor by walking the first lap with her dogs, Major and Winter. She's also on the committee for the Roanoke Race for the Cure. Her mother died from breast cancer, "so I'm going to do everything I can to give back, raise awareness, and help eradicate this disease that's taking our sisters, mothers, daughters, grandmothers."

Major, a Saint Bernard/ Lab mix is a new addition to the family, but Winter, a Maltese, was an invaluable asset in Campbell's recovery. "From the moment I got home from surgery, he stayed by my side." "He literally stayed in bed with me

First Baptist to Hold Passover Demonstration “Messiah the Passover ,” a demonstration showing how Jesus fulfilled the ancient feast of Passover will be held on Sunday, March 28, 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church downtown, 515 Third Street, SW. Messiah the Passover will be conducted by Randall & Luda Ford, of Chosen People Ministries, an over one hundred-year-old mission that was founded in 1894 by Leopold Cohn, a Hungarian rabbi who came to believe that Jesus is the Messiah promised by the Hebrew Scriptures. From humble beginnings in Brooklyn, New York, Chosen People Ministries has grown into a world wide Ministry to “the Jew first and to the Gentile.”

The demonstration begins with the traditional Passover Seder table--complete with all the articles of this important Jewish celebration. The speaker will explain the symbolic meanings of the various items of the Passover feast and highlight their relationship to the Last Supper that Messiah celebrated with the disciples, giving special emphasis on the redemptive significance of the crucifixion.

Messiah the Passover gives the Christian community insight into Jewish traditions so that the Jewish roots of Christianity can be better understood. It is also hoped that the program will help the Jewish and Christian communities understand their common heritage.

This meeting is open to the public, and First Baptist Church anticipates that both the Christian as well as the Jewish community will attend. The church is located at 515 Third Street, SW. For information, please call 224-3300. A love offering will be received.

for two weeks until I recovered."

She says Major survived parvovirus so she feels they have a bond in the fact they're both survivors.

By Beverly Amsler info@newsroanoke.com

a balanced budget every year and gets voted down every time, but he keeps trying. He supports our troops and veterans. You don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. You don’t get rid of the good guys.”

Both candidates agreed that when looking for someone to run for office, that person should be fully vetted. They both feel the ideal candidate should uphold the Republican creed, be a conservative and be willing to keep all of the issues out in the open.

The 6th District Chairperson will be elected at the 6th District GOP Convention to be held on May 22nd in Lynchburg. Anyone interested in attending as a voting delegate should register at their local mass meeting.

By Carla Bream info@newsroanoke.com

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OFFICIAL CALL

MASS MEETING

of Roanoke City Republican Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia As Chairman of the Roanoke City Republican Committee of the Republican Party, and pursuant to the Plan of Organization and as recommended and directed by the Committee, I, Jim DeLong, do hereby issue this call for a Mass Meeting to be held at 215 Church Avenue, S.W., Roanoke City starting at 6:00pm local time on April 7, 2010 for the following purposes: 1.Electing up to 505 Delegates and an equal number of Alternates to the Republican Party of Virginia 6th District Convention to be held at TownsAlumni Center at Liberty University on May 22, 2010 for the purposes of: a) Electing a District Chairman of the Sixth District Republican Committee; b) Electing three regional Vice Chairmen.

2.To elect a unit chairman and members to the unit committee 3.And for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the mass meeting.

MON MAR 29 6 PM

Qualifications for Participation All legal and qualified voters under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, regardless of race, religion, national origin or sex, who are in accord with the principles of the Republican Party and who, if requested, express in open meeting either orally or in writing as may be required, their intent to support all of its nominees for public office in the ensuing election, may participate as members of the Republican Party of Virginia in its mass meetings, party canvasses, conventions or primaries encompassing their respective election districts.

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Filing Requirements The Pre-filing Date for this meeting is Wednesday, March 31, 2010.

Anyone interested in being a delegate to the convention or running for party chairman needs to pre-file by March 31, 2010. Pre-filing can be done by sending an e-mail to chairman@roanokerepublicans.org stating that you would like to be a delegate to the convention, run for Roanoke City Chairman, or both. These declarations should include Name, Address, Phone Number, E-mail address, and voting precinct.

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There will be an optional registration fee of $5.00 to participate in this mass meeting.

Paid for and authorized by the Roanoke Republican Committee, Jim DeLong, Chairman.

Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/26/10 - 4/1/10

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3/26/10 - 4/1/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

NewsRoanoke.com

March 26 - 28

Salem Civic Center

List of Exhibitors at the Spring Home Show

312 - Absolute Insulation LLC C6 - Affordable Interiors & Design, Inc. 415 - Alam Design Group & Family Builders T10 - Alcova Mortgage 413 - All Masonry/J & B Enterprises of Roanoke, LLC 2305 - All Surface Restoration, Inc. T11 - Allied Design Company 1601 - Alouf Custom Builders, Inc. 606 - Alpine Sewing Machine Co. C17 - American Communications 1503-4 - Andersen Windows, Inc. 1704 - Appalachian Log Structures, Inc. 106-8 - Aquarius Pools, Inc. 2004 - Avis & Son Building & Mechanical 815-16 - Aztec Rental Center 1404 - Bartlett Tree Expert Co. 2304 - Bath Fitter 1505 - BB&T C14 - B & C Exterminating OS front - Blackwater Nursery & Landscaping OS front - Blue Ridge Antique Center 2303 - Blue Ridge Homes of Southwest Virginia, Inc. OS side - Blue Ridge Tire Center 1602 - Blue Ridge Wildlife Management, LLC 617, 717 - Blue Stone Block Supermarket, Inc. 2003 - Bohon Construction Co., Inc. 808-9, OS front - Boxley 801-2 - Bug Man Exterminating Co., Inc. 710 - Cabinetry with TLC 1708 - CertaPro Painters loft - Clark & Company T8 - Clean Carpet Solutions 1304 - Clear View Window Tinting 204-5 - Closet Storage Organizers 818-19 - CMC Supply, Inc. OS side - Comfort Homes 1502 - Concrete Restoration & Design, Inc. OS front - Creative Curbs, Inc. 709 - Crowning Touch Senior Moving Services T12 - Crow's Nest

Jennelle’s Paving and Sealcoating Inc

704 - Culligan-Stoner Quality Water 705-6, 807 - Cundiff Heating & A/C, Inc. 1702 - Custom Design Cabinets 320 - Customized Central Vac System & More 814 - Cutco Cutlery 414 - Dan Chitwood Certified Landscape Architect 701 - David James Homes 1903 - Dominion Surface Solutions 1302-3 - EcoWater Systems of Roanoke, Inc. 317 ECS - Mid-Atlantic LLC T9 - Elite Painting of Southwest VA LLC 110 - Evergreen Basement Systems 601-3 - F & S Building Innovations T3 - Fiddlehead Landscape & Garden Design C9 - Fontaine's Hardwood Flooring 314-15 - G & H Appliance 309 - Gay and Neel, Inc. 1603 - General Shale Brick Co. 1101, 1305 - Gi Gi Enterprises 1703 - Glavas Decorative Concrete 513-15 - Green Acres Landscaping 608-9 - GroundScapes 1004 - Gutter Genius 206 - Gwyn & Harmon REALTORS 202-3 - Hall's Garage Doors 306-7 - Havertys Furniture 1204-5 - Health Craft Cooking Show C13 - Helping Hands Construction T6 - High Peak Remodeling 113-14 - Homeplace Kitchen & Bath 402 - HomeTown Bank C5 - Innovative Water Systems T7 - Integrated Fire and Life Safety Solutions LLC T14-15 - Invisible Fencing of Virginia 2405 - J C Penney 2005 - Jamison Design LLC 1905 - Jeff Sowder Incorporated 304-5 - Kinetico Quality Water Systems 2101-2 - Kitchen Craft Int'l 208 - Kitchen Tune-Up

2001-2 - Landscape Enterprise 510 - Landscape Supply, Inc./The Turf Store Parlor C - Lee Hartman & Sons T2 - Leisure Publishing/The Roanoker OS front - Leonard Building and Truck Accessories 2203-5 - Luxury Bath Systems 2404 - M. H. Eades, Inc. T13 - M & M Grounds, Inc. OS front - Magic City Motor Corp.

OS side - Main Street Solar Energy & Home Improvement 313, OS front - Marshall Stone, Inc. 1801-2 - MED INC. 1001-2, OS side - Metwood Building Solutions OS side - Mid-Atlantic Concrete Products, Inc. 1104 - Mid-Atlantic Masonry Heat, Inc. 1201-3 - Miller Roofing, Inc. 716 - Morgan Stanley Smith Barney 2401-3 - Morris Tile Distributors 1803 - Mountain Roofing, Inc. C8 - Mr. Handyman of Greater Roanoke T1 - M-Rock, Inc. 1301 - MT Pro 502 - Mutual of Omaha 2302 - Newman's Custom Cabinets & Woodworks, Inc. T5 - Northeastern Supply 319 - Old Virginia Brick Co., Inc. 1901 Ostrom Electrical Contracting, Inc. 804-5 Outdoor Lighting Perspectives OS front - Outside Heating, Inc. 806 - Overhead Door Co. of Roanoke 201 - Owens Corning Basement Finishing System & SunSuites 2202 - Parker Design Group, Inc. 416-17, 516-17 - Pella Window & Door Co. 605 - Pine Hall Brick 103 - Ply Gem Windows

• List Continued on pg. 6

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Page 6 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/26/10 - 4/1/10

NewsRoanoke.com

List of Exhibitors at Spring Home Show Continued C2 - Potter Construction, LLC 905-6 - Premier Stone Fabrication, Inc. 1902 - Procon Inc. 2101 - Professional Window Treatments SW C7 - R A Home Builders 703, OS front - R. A. Simmons Drilling Co., Inc. 904 - RainSoft distributed by Aqua Clear 411-12, 511-12 - ReBath of SW VA C15-16, OS front - Renewable Engineered Systems L.L.C. 505-6 - Roanoke Co. Cmty. Development/Real Estate 615 - Roanoke Valley HOME C3-4 - Roanoke Valley Siding & Windows, Inc. 1401, 1501 - ROCKFAB Kitchen and Bath 715, OS front - Rorrer Well Drilling, Inc. C11-12 RSG - Landscaping and Lawn Care, Inc. $1500 Tax Credit ends this year!

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Perspective

3/26/10 - 4/1/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

NewsRoanoke.com

A Mountain of Butts and One “What If ”

Today I’m angry. in 2001, for example. Cigarette butt pollution is During my 10-minute drive to work this morn- queen among the loathsome personal habits of ing, I watched no less than three individuals flick humankind. their still-smoking cigarette butts out of their car Hey, Here's an idea . . . What if we made cigawindows – separately, two men and one woman rette butt pollution a capital crime? who carried out their criminal acts with the indifOK. Probably too severe. What if we make cigference of a toad gulping a fly. I got the attention arette butt pollution punishable by a mandatory of one man by honking my truck horn, waving 10-year prison term? my index finger back and forth to shame him for OK. Still probably too severe. What if we eduhis irksome littering. He waved another finger cate and enforce existing laws? Littering, includback at me. ing butt pollution, is already illegal in the State of Years ago, waiting with my father in line at his Virginia. Section 33.3-346 of the Code of Virbank for an outside teller, I observed a lady dis- ginia makes littering or dumping trash a Class 1 card a cigarette butt out of the window of her ve- misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in hicle. This time, I jumped out of the passenger jail and/or a fine up to $2500! Further, Section seat in my Dad’s car, ran over to the lit butt, picked 10.1-1143 of the State’s Forestry Code makes it it up, and then knocked politely on the lady’s win- unlawful to throw “any lighted smoking material” dow. Amazingly, she rolled down the window from a vehicle: a Class 2 misdemeanor violation and asked, “Yes, may I help you?” I answered punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or a fine righteously, brandishing the foul, up to $1000. So those three drivers I smoking butt: “I believe you dropped encountered this morning? Criminals. this.” “Yes, I did. Thank you,” she reNo exaggeration. sponded sheepishly and took back But penalties are deterrents only her litter. Understandably, my father when they’re enforced. Any cursory scolded me for such impulsive, even look around public parking lots – or a dangerous, behavior – no matter my 10-minute drive to work – will show principles and the other person’s inthat littering is still a prevalent habit sensitivities. here in the Commonwealth. Some According to www.treehugger.com people just don’t seem to care. and other websites, the world discards How do we fix this insidious probover 4.5 trillion cigarette butts annulem? Education, for one. “Keep Amerally, creating over 500,000 tons of pol- H. Bruce Rinker, PhD ica Beautiful,” the “Virginia Council lution each year for our streets, beachfor Litter Prevention and Recycling,” es, highways, and streams. If my calculations are and the “Adopt-a-Highway” volunteer program correct, the line of butts laid end-to-end for that are three examples worthy of our continued supmany cigarettes would circle the Earth more than port. Another educational avenue is to encourage 2000 times! Cigarette butts are made of synthetic awareness campaigns in our schools and universipolymer cellulose acetate, the same kind of plastic ties, in our houses of worship, and in our media found in soda bottles and plastic bags. They are outlets. Enforcement, for another. Let’s cheer our NOT made from cotton, wool, or paper. Though state representatives and law enforcement officials they will eventually degrade, at least partially, the for their stances thus far against cigarette butt polprocess of decomposition may take a dozen years, lution, but now let’s push for police vigilance and depending on the environment. Further, the nic- the full exercise of fines and imprisonment where otine contained in 200 leftover cigarette butts is applicable. At times, enforcement IS education. enough to kill a full-sized human being, so imagRemember: polluters are misdemeanor crimiine the cumulative effects on wildlife! And, with- nals and need to be treated as such. They need to in an hour of contact with water, these soggy butts learn to put their butts where they belong: in the can begin to leach nasty carcinogenic chemicals trash. It’s a simple matter of responsible choice. such as cyanide, formaldehyde, and arsenic into No buts about it. the environment. Finally, let’s not forget about the H. Bruce Rinker, Ph.D. incontrovertible link between burning butts and Science Department Chairman costly forest fires – 190 fires in the State of Virginia BRinker@NorthCross.org

The Happy Chef

by Leigh Sackett

Apple Chutney

It won’t be long now until I can eat cheese. Just that statement alone says a lot about how my Lenten exercise in sacrifice has gone - instead of thinking of the Glory of Easter, I am yearning for cheese. I think I mentioned that this is my third year giving up cheese for Lent. The previous years were wonderful spiritual experiences, even though challenging.

This year I have just been bummed out about no cheese and I have taken to behaviors like nibbling on Lays potato chips instead of cheese. I am not trying to be funny here; I am being honest. I am certainly not proud of my bad attitude, I take my faith and that which helps me grow in my faith very seriously. But my “no cheese through Lent” experience this year is not at a complete loss; maybe sometimes we need to drift from God to find out how much we really need Him. This Lent has reminded me of where my focus needs to be and isn’t that just what God asks – For us to REMEMBER. I will, always. Have a Glorious Holy Week and a Magnificent Easter!

This chutney is delicious with an Easter honey baked ham. I found it on Delish.com and they say it is great with roast pork and turkey as well!

2 limes 6 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks 2 naval oranges

Living Up To Expectations

I was recently spent an amazing day in San of human care.

Tomas, Guatemala. Yes, the Caribbean was There is plenty of blame to go around for our spectacularly blue and the sand was soft. The current state of affairs – from corporate corruprum was tasty, the shrimp (or shrimps – as the tion that grows from a sense of entitlement; to locals call it) were huge and the fruit was sweet. bureaucrats who will say and do anything to The rolling, lush green hills reminded me of the protect the status quo (or better yet, their jobs); Blue Ridge Mountains after a rainy season. The to the silent majority of citizens who don’t even whole experience lived up to every expecta- show up to vote. In reality -- nobody seems to tion. be living up to expectations.

But the defining moment of this Let’s consider the last 2 elections particular day in Central America was held in Virginia. In November’s a casual and unexpected conversation general election less than 40% of all with a US Army Colonel named Joe. registered voters showed up to the He and a group of service men and polls and in the recent local primary women were in Santo Tomas to help election – less than 4% of Roanoke train the local military and -- in their City residents turned out. Yet, as I “off ” time – were administering aid follow the news – the clamoring for by providing dental and health clinchange and criticism of our elected ics to the citizens of Guatemala. Joe officials is at an all time high. There was a dentist. is a serious disconnect here.

After a few “incisor” jokes and Stephanie Koehler Everyone seems to have an opinreferences to the movie “The Hangion about how to do things better over” -- we jumped right into the thick of it. We or simply how we are “on the wrong track” – talked about politics, government, leadership, so why are they limiting their voice to cocktail war, social responsibility and the human moti- parties and television rhetoric? Why are we vations that dictate all of them. turning our back on the very process for which Perhaps it was the fact we were in a swimming our forefathers and civil rights leaders gave pool, drinking piña coladas – or perhaps it was their lives? the blonde hair – but he was openly shocked at Active participation in the democratic promy extensively contemplated opinions and was cess is one of the only thing that makes a deappreciative of my candor. I too was shocked mocracy different than other forms of governthat this veteran of our military shared nearly ing. We are complaining that our leaders are all my views on the current state of affairs in not listening – but have neglected to fess up to Washington, Iraq, Afghanistan and Main Street the fact that we are not even speaking. We, as America. citizens, need to start living up to our side of The two hours I spent with these gentlemen the deal.

– sent to provide hope and make lives in this I have thought long and hard about Colonel poverty stricken nation a bit better – were as Joe and his dedicated team of men and women impactful as any I have spent in a long time. I who are serving humanity – and democracy – was refreshed by the intelligence and objective- in Central America…any of whom were headed ness of this officer and his team. I was equally to Iraq and Afghanistan within weeks. They are frustrated by the realization that many of our making great sacrifices to defend the principle “leaders” are not listening to people like us. we claim to hold so dear. They are giving up People who work, vote, pay taxes, care about time with their children, family and the comour communities and the future of our children. forts of home so that we may have the privilege People who don’t expect to ever see a six-figure of a Voice. It seems to me – the least we can “bonus”, but do expect to be able to purchase do, as we enjoy the life and liberty their service individual healthcare coverage at a reasonable ensures – is to live up to a simple expectation price – even if you are a female “of childbear- by taking 15 minutes on election day to put the ing years”. People who give up the comforts of best people in place. home and family to serve our nation – and the Contact Stephanie at world – by fostering the idea that we should instephaniekoehler@cox.net deed be free from tyranny and have the basics

1 jalapeño chile, seeded and minced 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped 1 cup(s) dark seedless raisins 3/4 cup(s) packed dark brown sugar 1/2 cup(s) cider vinegar 2 tablespoon(s) peeed, minced fresh ginger 1/2 teaspoon(s) Salt - From limes, grate 1 teaspoon peel and squeeze 2 tablespoons juice.

- In 4-quart saucepan, heat lime peel, lime juice, and remaining ingredients to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.

-Cook, uncovered, about 20 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.

-Cover and refrigerate chutney until well-chilled, about 6 hours or up to 1 week.

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Please join us... in the Sherwood Memorial Park Amphitheater for the Salem Ministers Association Annual Easter Sunrise Service.

Also, new this year we will present the Easter Melodrama “A Light in the Darkness” on Friday, April 2nd and Saturday, April 3rd at 7pm.

A

s a non-profit cemetery, Sherwood is always looking for ways to enhance our beauty, and contribute to our community. What better way is there to do that than to celebrate and pay tribute to those that serve, or have served, our country?

We are proud to announce our new Veterans Garden, featuring our Veteran Circle and Memorial Walkway. By purchasing a Legacy Stone within the Walkway, you are not only honoring your Veteran - but a portion of the proceeds of each sale will go to the American Legion Legacy Scholarship. This scholarship benefits children of military personel who pass away while on active duty. Our feature is a beautiful bronze ad granite sculpture created by artist Bill Wolfe. It depicts a modern day Hero reaching out to those who have served before him. We hope that it will inspire peace and solace to our whole community. Please come out and reflect anytime. For more information please call (540)389-1677.

Sherwood

Memorial Park

Perspective

Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/26/10 - 4/1/10

The Night The Belt Came Out Ah! Winter in very rural Upstate New York. I was nine years old; my kid brother Denny, three years younger. One problem: my grandmother [Dad’s mom] was visiting. I didn’t like her much; I suspected Dad didn’t either, but there were proprieties to be observed.

My grandmother, head erect and coiffed in the imperial silver of the ruling class, brought to child-rearing the evangelical and behavioral austerity which put one in mind of a Puritan cleric. She felt that children should have fun, but only as a last resort. If we yelled during play, she advised us – based on dubious medical findings – that we would go mute in a month or so and never speak again. If we crossed our eyes in fun, it was her stated belief that our eyes would stay that way, we would be ugly, and no one would ever want to marry us; that we would die alone, in squalor, wherever that is. My grandmother; though not much of a party person, would have been an ideal companion for a witch burning or a meeting of the local Inquisition.

One snowy day, she was walking up the road which led to our house and that evening swore to Dad that Denny and I had thrown snowballs at her.

As God is my witness, I don’t remember doing this, being the respectful, well-mannered child

I was. Looking back, I might Grandma’s face flushed with the have done it if I thought I could thrill of victory. “Go upstairs get away with it. But with only and prepare for a whipping!” the three of us on the road, and When we got upstairs, I startno one else within six miles in ed to unbuckle my blue jeans, any direction, suspects were while Denny started putting on few... two to be precise unless extra shirts and pants. we assume Grandma threw “What are you doing!?” snowballs at herself “Preparing.” and framed us.

“That’s not what "Jack, the children he meant!” threw snowballs at Denny just me today and I want shrugged and kept them punished sestruggling into more verely!" shirts. He always was My father, little the bright one. suspecting the storm Himself closed the he was entering, had door to the bedroom, just arrived home pulled out his belt, from work; he hadn't stared at Denny’s even shaken out of recently acquired Lucky Garvin his overcoat. The corpulence, bent look on his face was near us and whisthat of a man trapped. But he pered hoarsely, "When I start rallied quickly. Dad had always hitting the desk, you guys start been adaptable, but in this in- hollerin!' And don't laugh!" stance ‘dishonest’ proved a betHe larruped the bejeepers out ter word. It was in this way Dad of my desk while my younger fought for soil and air; at any brother and I set up a doleful cost he would climb over van- duet; wailing a harmony which, quished rivals, not join them; we later learned to our general this included rivals with whom satisfaction was clearly audible he shared a blood-line. throughout that large old house.

Now, as a child, I knew Dad T'was a religious experience; always preached there were and Dad was not known for good reasons for plain, honest regular church attendance. dealing. In this situation howevHe went downstairs after er, he evidently concluded there beating my desk; manfully were better reasons against it; concealing [well, almost conand so he seized upon the idea cealing] his remorse. His part of a sham punishment. was played with a frightening He glowered at us while sincerity. Here was a man who

might well never recover; oh, on rare occasions he might smile sadly, and in lighter moments, he might whistle just a few bars of "Asa's Death." But those who knew him best would say that Jack Garvin was never quite the same man after his mother made him beat those wonderful boys with a belt.

Grandmother kept hugging Dad. "What was I thinking!?

All of this for a few snowballs!" she sobbed. He was too broken up to respond. Encore! Encore!

Brother and I raced downstairs after stopping hurriedly in the bathroom to splash a bit of wetness on our cheeks. [Well, when you need tears in a hurry...] We entered the kitchen dabbing convincingly at our eyes, not wanting to miss a moment of his performance. Dad looked over grandmother's convulsing shoulder and arched a monarchal eyebrow at us in warning, invoking silence and complicity.

The upshot of the story is that parental and filial loyalty were simultaneously served and my father split the leather of his brand new belt. A small price to pay, in the minds of Denny and me, for the wear and tear saved on two young bottoms.

Contact Lucky at info@theroanokestar.com

Vegetable Horrors of Childhood and Beyond

The asparagus of childhood appears in Many years later, having escaped the Gumemory like dead green fingers from a lag of Childhood, I found myself the new cold can, and I can clearly see its gray green owner of twenty acres of sunlight and rich squishiness lying there limp and dead on earth. I was enjoying—yes enjoying—cutthe plate. The thought evokes the buttery ting our acre of grass for the first time with burning rubber smell of it and soon I feel the push mower in early spring. There in a the familiar rising tightness moving up my flat area that I assumed was a flower bed, a throat—even now, half a century thin, pale, green and shiny stalk later—and I approach the very had pushed through the leaf litedge of emetic crisis. The sight, ter. Its top was faintly adorned smell, the very thought of asparwith small overlapping artiagus used to make my digestive choke-like leaves on a frail and system go into violent reverse tapering tip. This was asparagus. peristaltic waves and all was lost.

I recognized it from the wanted My parents claimed this was a posters I had seen as a child. vegetable. To my mind, this vile I had learned in my botanizing substance was never anything that this stuff grew wild, and was more than a green poison creeven stalked by those who also ated by children-loathing adults thought many parts of a picnic on the other side of the Iron table were edible. Wild AsparaFred First Curtain. That is where, in those gus was to die for, according to days, the Evil Ones lived. And THEY must some brainwashed and pitiful souls. Here be responsible for this. I hated them, and in my new yard it apparently grew as an act I loathed the mind control they exerted of intention—all the more awful and repugover my parents to make them insist that, nant, I thought as I mowed up and down, to become or to remain amongst the “good coming closer and closer to the dreaded children”, this toxic substance must go in, go plant with each pass. But alas, I was lured to down and stay down. This of course was not it like a tongue to a frozen pump handle in humanly possible, and the enemy thus ex- winter, and I plucked the awful spear from erted a hegemonic form of psychic tyranny the ground. It held me in its chlorophyllic over adult and child alike. Those were ter- trance. I put it in my mouth. What was I dorible times. ing!?

Local Crossword Star~Sentinel Crossword

I ate it and it did not threaten to come back up. It was, in fact, delicious! It was at that moment that I discovered the difference between fresh and embalmed asparagus. Succulent and slightly crunchy, fresh asparagus tasted of summer sun, rich humus and all things green and growing.

Such is the way with knowing there is no middle man between your food’s life in the soil and your first bite of it fresh from the earth. From the time they could browse the garden rows, my children loved fresh green peas (another canned gaggy childhood horror for me) because they could pull Sugar Snaps warm from the trellis and eat them like candy.

So parents, if your vegetable-challenged children hide canned peas in their cheeks or smuggle them to the family dog; if they threaten to bring back the meal’s slightlychewed metal-entombed asparagus back onto their plates (and who can blame them?), just send them browsing to the garden. Produce fresh from the vine may forever change their little minds about those loathsome good-for-you foods that so horrified you and me as hungry but mistrusting children. (You must remember, however, that for some veggies for some people— brussel sprouts or rutabagas, for instance— there may be no redemption, no matter how fresh.)

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Mulchn---- is a plantation road business providing plants - shrubs - topsoil decorative stone - fertilizers and more.

Remembrance gift Boxer Muhammad Which local business says ''If water runs through it we''ve got it!''

Child Only Romance Copy TV lawyer Matlock Methods Musical Daddy Sister for short Herein above Tiny insects Heavy freight barge Clock time Caviar Pot ____ Hills, Calif. city Given Side by side Mixture Teaspoon (abbr.)

Terminal abbr.

Serving of corn Sweet potato Cooking tool Say Frau's husband Fast movers located in Vinton on Parker Lane.

Furniture wood Mesh A well loved city matriarch.

Environmental protection agency (abbr) Stale

By Don Waterfield

Contact Fred at fred1st@gmail.com

NewsRoanoke.com

Preacher’s Corner In What Do You Find Profit?

by Donna Hopkins Britt

The animated Disney film begins with a black screen. In the darkness, one voice says, “Speed. I am speed.” And then the darkness is broken as race cars whiz by. Soon you meet the owner of the voice, Lightning McQueen, the arrogant race car who could be the first rookie to win the Piston Cup. Already having fired several pit crew chiefs, Lightning McQueen's goal is to win, at any cost.

The apostle Paul's goal had been similar: to win the race of righteousness at any cost.

In chapter three of his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul lists his credentials, which, today, might include degrees from Oxford and Harvard, no arrests, and no smoking marijuana. “But,” Paul says, “Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” Credentials, self-righteousness—whatever was in the profit column has been moved over to the loss column because the “surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus” outweighed anything that he used to consider worthwhile. All of that old stuff can be towed to the dump on the Waste Line Express. It's nothing but “rubbish.”

How can Paul say that?

How can nothing matter to him anymore except knowing and following Jesus Christ? How could he give up his power and reputation to help others know about Jesus' power and love? Paul had learned that value is not always where it appears.

Thirty years ago, the farm house built by my greatgrandfather was a wreck.

When my mom inherited it, termites had eaten up through some of the walls.

Former renters, who couldn't afford anything better, had treated it as if it was worthless. Weeds from the yard were growing up the chimney and then back down into the living room. The dining room floor sloped at a grade that would be dangerous for truckers. In one bedroom, it looked like someone would sit in bed on one side of the room drinking beer and then toss the empty cans across the room through the huge hole in the drywall. It would

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be uncouth of me to tell you what we found tossed inside the hole in the ceiling.

Still, through the years, my parents have installed a shower, painted the house inside and out, and replaced drywall, windows, and even porches.

Any appraiser would say it's not worth saving, but there is value in that old house. Besides the memories, including the one where Dad picked up Mom for their first date, it has been a great place for family gatherings. At the farm house, one can rest and read and watch the blue birds and the cows. It has value beyond efficiency, productivity, and money.

Lent demands that the Christian Church face the way we value speed over rest, fear over peace, money over people, reputation over truth, scarcity over abundance, and spiritual death over life. Passion Week beckons us to deeply and honestly re-examine our values.

Back to the animated film, “Cars”: Lightning McQueen learns that Doc, the gruff town mechanic, had won three Piston Cups decades before, and now the cups were in his garage, holding tools or gathering dust. “It's “nothing but an empty cup,” Doc says. Later, as Lightning McQueen is on the verge of winning this year's Piston Cup, he gives up the victory to help his stranded competitor.

When this competitor gasps, “You just gave up the Piston Cup,” Lightning repeats Doc's comment, that “it's nothing but an empty cup.” His values had changed.

In what do you find profit?

A clean house? Efficiency?

Perfection?

Knowledge?

Might we find, if we look, that the things we valued are “nothing but an empty cup”?

Everything else is “loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus [our] Lord.”

Donna Hopkins Britt is pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, 608 Campbell Avenue, SW, Roanoke, web site, calvaryroanoke.org.

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Common signs of a natural gas leak are:

What to do if a pipeline is damaged - call Roanoke Gas Company immediately, and: Do not try to fix or repair the damage Do not cover or hide the damaged line Do not allow unnecessary people in the area Eliminate any source of ignition from the area

If damage results in the escape of natural gas - call Roanoke Gas Company and 911 immediately, and: Do not try to handle or repair the damage Let the broken line ventilate, letting the gas escape into the air Do not cover or hide the broken line Eliminate any source of ignition from the area Do not allow unnecessary people in the area

A gas odor A blowing or hissing sound Dirt being blown or thrown in the air Water being blown or thrown into the air at a pond or creek Fire coming from the ground Dig with C.A.R.E. Brown patches in vegetation near a pipeline right-of-way Call Miss Utility at 811 before you dig A dry spot in a moist field Allow required time for marking Respect the marks Excavate carefully

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NewsRoanoke.com

3/26/10 - 4/1/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

Rio de Janerio - The Marvelous City - Keeps Dr. Johnny’s Eyes Wide Open The dirty, scrawny kids from the favelas sell goods wrapped in cellophane. They tie them onto the ends of sticks about five feet long so they can reach the windows of trucks, and they stand between the lanes of traffic. This is on the freeway in the Galleao section, not a city street known for docile traffic, and the vehicles go from 60 mph to zero and back to 60 in seconds. This section of freeway is known for brief bottlenecks where the traffic may stop completely for 10 seconds or so, therefore affording the niche for the kids to sell snacks and drinks to motorists.

It seems insane, these kids standing inches away from speeding, weaving cars and trucks.

But I catch glimpses of their faces and see into their eyes. The desperation and matter-of-fact desire for survival is obvious, but their grins betray their inward make-the-best-of-it happiness. Looming above the freeway on the steep mountainside is Rocinha, the largest of Rio’s Favelas, or shantytowns. One of many favelas surrounding the city, this one is home to over 100,000 of the city’s poor.

Rio de Janeiro, “Cidade Maravilhosa�--marvelous city in Portuguese--has a way of keeping my eyes wide open. It’s an

An “everyday street shot� taken during last months trip. amazing city, this jewel of Brazil.

Inserting oneself into the grit of the place is not for the faint of heart, for this jewel is rough-cut and edgy.

The crowd rushes to squeeze onto the bus on Rua Blanco. I get into the flow and find myself carried along in the current of colorful and mostly-shabby humanity onto the bus and against the turnstile. I fumble with the money--Reais. I give up and hold a palm-full of various small change and bills to the bus lady, and she smiles and picks the fare from my open hand.

I’m not sure how to recognize

my stop, Cosme Velho, so I employ those seated around me. I write the destination on my tattered notebook and point to it.

The Cariocas--citizens of Rioaround me smile and chatter in rhythmic Portuguese.

At my stop, my new friends vigorously inform me of the fact and clear the way for me to get off. With a wave and a grin I step off the bus and into another crowd. I keep my hand on my valuables pouch in my pocket, as common sense dictates. During my stay, however, I am not bothered by desperate robbers.

In fact, on the contrary, time

and time again I am delighted with the generosity and grace of the Cariocas.

Portuguese, even for the most avid of linguists, is not an easy language to manage. Heck, even spelling it is hard for me. This communication challenge forces reliance on the Brazilians for help, and I need to employ the creative techniques of on-the-fly communication: gestures and doodles and place names written on scraps of paper.

No discussion of Rio is complete without mention of the beautiful women on the beaches, in their "fio dental" --dental floss in Portuguese--bikinis. From Pepino beach in the west, to Flamengo in the north, they are there for the gawking. I should add that there are handsome, muscular men gracing these beaches too, but thankfully they do not wear floss bikinis. By the way, as miniscule as the women’s bikinis are, to go topless here is a definite no-no. That’s for the heathen French.

I lean over the rail overlooking the perfectly-tended field. This is the Maracana, the center of the soccer –futebol--universe. I got to this place, in the Zona Norte part of the city, with multiple assists from friendly citizens. It’s not a game day, but there are al-

ways enthusiastic visitors to the stadium, still one of the largest in the world sixty years after its construction.

The mostly-Brazilian tourists visit the locker rooms and other facilities, including a futebol museum which features more about the sport than most can imagine. Esoteric quotes about the game cover the walls, along with huge photos of Pele and scores of other soccer legends.

I leave the Maracana with the feeling that to Brazilian fans there may be more to life than futebol, but certainly not much more.

The view from the Christo de Redentor statue on the mountain known as the Corcovado is unmatched. Perched 2300 feet above the sea, the 98-foottall Christ was erected in 1922 to commemorate Brazil’s 100th anniversary of its independence from Portugal. Roaming the lookout deck with a few hundred other tourists, locals and foreigners alike, I take in the scene. Below me are the neighborhoods of Santa Teresa, Flamengo, Botafoga, the beaches of Ipanema, Leblon, and Copacobana. As the shadows stretch across the city from the rock formations such as Pao de Acucar and Pedra Dois Irmaos the light

becomes magical, and Rio puts on its most glamorous face.

It’s well after dark. I’m eating street food in the Botafogo section of town. I’ve paused at a vender with a charcoal brazier –the Brazilians love their grilled meat--and he’s selling skewers of fresh prawns. As I pick at the steaming hot, perfectlyseasoned shrimp I share some laughs--in lieu of intelligent conversation--with the cook.

The big bus bumps along north. I’m leaving Rio on an overnight ride into the state of Minas Gerais, land of iron ore mines and banana and coffee plantations. I’m thinking about those hustling, smiling kids from the favelas, I’m thinking about the guy in the somewhat sketchy bus station who chased me down to give me an important paper which I had carelessly dropped. I’m thinking about the delight on the futebol fan’s faces as they look out over the Maracana. I see in my mind’s eye the swaying palms of Ipanema.

Yes, the lights of Rio fade, but the memories of the Cidade Maravilhosa shine on.

Contact John W. Robinson at jwr77@verizon.net

National Doctor's Day When: Always March 30th National Doctor's Day was created to show appreciation to our doctors. Doctors perform vital diagnosis, treatment and care for all of us and our families. When you are well, your doctor keeps you well. When you are sick, there is no other person more important to you than your doctor!

Hallmark suggests that everyone should send their doctors a card of appreciation. (It's no surprise to hear this from Hallmark!) Card companies have specific cards for this event . . .

No surprise here, either!

We suggest you simply tell your doctor(s) that you appreciate all that they do for you and your health. If you don't see your doctor today, make a note to thank him(or her) at your next appointment. You can also send them an Ecard!

Origin of "National Doctor's Day" Doctors' Day observances date back to March 30, 1933. It was started by Eudora Brown Almond of Winder, GA. The day actually marks the anniversary of the first use of gen-

eral anesthesia in surgery. (Perhaps a more memorable anniversary for patients!) The first National Doctor's Day was celebrated in 1991.

On March 30, 1958, the United States House of Representatives adopted a resolution formally commemorating Doctors' Day. In 1990, the U.S. Congress and Senate approved legislation establishing National Doctors Day. The resolution designating March 30 as National Doctors' Day was signed by President George Bush.

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Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/26/10 - 4/1/10

Sports

Roanoke

Recycling

Week of 3/29: Bottles & Cans

North Cross Picks Up Third Consecutive Roanoke Area Volleyball NRV 15 Shutout With Win Over Holy Cross National Team Having Strong Year North Cross scored in each of the first three innings as they improved to 3-0 (2-0 VIC) with the easy win Monday afternoon. Fuller Clark picked up the victory, holding Holy Cross to 2 hits. North Cross pitching has yet to give up a run this season.

The Roanoke Area Volleyball NRV 15 National Team finished 3rd in an 88-team tournament in Washington DC recently, won a tournament at JMU with an 8-0 record, and finished 9-8 in the Roanoke Shamrock Festival playing other teams that were in the 16's division. So far this season, the team is 53-26. Next Saturday the team will travel to Richmond for a one-day event and then it’s on to Atlanta for the 3-day BigSouth National Qualifier. On April 17-18, the squad will participate in the State Championships, where the winning team advances to the Nationals in Reno, Nevada.

Raider #21 Jayson Lamanca beats the throw as he steals second base in Monday's game.

North Cross starter Fuller Clark deals a fastball in the Raiders win Monday.

Pictured Front Row: Lynsey Barker (HV High), Allison Burton (HV High), Jenny Clark (HV High), Sarah Grey (HV High), Ava Perez (RoanCath), Hanna Podeschi (HV Middle), Morgan Robison (PH) and assistant coach Jessica Bowles. Back Row is assistant coaches Sam Washburn and Audrey Easter, Madison Morris (WB Middle), Caroline Boone (HV High), Lauren Thomas (HV High), Gussie Revercomb (North Cross) and Coach Tom Houser.

Recap and Photos by Bill Turner

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William Byrd Improves to 3-0 With Win Over Cave Spring in Softball

Independent and Assisted Living

William Byrd scored the only run in the top of the first and the Terriers made it stand up in picking up the win Monday at the Cave Spring field. Jessica Mahoney picked up the complete-game win striking out 9. Knight's pitcher Lauren Roach was equally impressive, allowing only two hits.

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Byrd pitcher Jessica Mahoney delivers a pitch in Monday's action.

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Sports

3/26/10 - 4/1/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11

Hidden Valley Boys Tennis Off Fleming Soccer Stuck In Neutral To Strong Start

In Landon Moore’s first season as head coach of the The Hidden Valley boys tennis team is poised to make a run as River Ridge District play is set to begin next week. The William Fleming Boys Soccer program, the team endured a Titans have defeated Northside, Lord Botetourt and Bassett by perfect 9-0 match scores to open the season. brutal season, finishing 0-15Recap and Photos by Bill Turner 1. Now in his sixth season as head coach, Moore has been able to build a solid foundaNick Barker, playing in the #1 position for Hidden Valley, tion at Fleming. Last season serves against Bassett. was another step forward, as the Colonels finished 7-52, advancing to the Western Valley District semifinals before falling to E.C. Glass.

2010 was supposed to be the year that Fleming competed with Patrick Henry for the WVD crown. However, recent events have thrown that goal completely out the window, at least for now.

During the last couple of weeks, the Colonels have had four players deemed ineligible for the upcoming season, for a myriad of reasons ranging from academics to disciplinary measures. The losses are a huge blow to the Colonels, and have turned preseason expectations completely upside-down.

“At this point in the season, we’re trying to do whatever we can to get us through,” Titan Zach Elton playing in the #2 slot against Bassett, returns a serve Tuesday at the Hidden Valley courts.

Moore said. “We’re re-evaluating, re-adjusting on the fly.”

The missing players have forced Moore to play younger, more inexperienced players, who in turn now must take a more patient approach to his suddenly green roster.

“Right now we’re playing guys who would be really nice JV players, but they’re not used to this level, to the speed and physicality,” he said.

Unfortunately, the season won’t stop for the Colonels (1-1) to adjust. And the schedule does the Colonels no favors over the next week, as Fleming is in the midst of a stretch of four games in eight days. The Colonels lost the first game of that stretch, 4-2, to Salem.

Time will tell if Fleming can cope with the sudden changes to its roster. For now, all the team can do is take things one day at a time.

“We’ve just got to keep our heads up and keep working,” Moore said.

By Matt Reeve Matt@newsroanoke.com

St. Thomas of Canterbury

Senior Golf Tour Kicks Off at Ashley Plantation

The Roanoke Valley Senior Golf Tour kicked off it's 2010 season on Tuesday with 117 players battling 35 mile per hour winds and cooler than normal temperatures at Ashley Plantation.

James (Jim) Saul of the Bonsack, VA area, playing in Division 2, was the overall winner with a net score of 67. Other net score winners in Division 2 were: 2nd place - Richard Smith - 68; 3rd place -Ken Voudren - 70; 4th place - Lee Hipp - 71; 5th place - Forrest Hodges - 71; In Division 1, 1st place went to John Hub-

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bard, of North Roanoke County with a net 69; 2nd - Garry Mundy - 70; 3rd - Andy Shumate - 71; 4th - Woody Deans - 71; 5th - Dallas Helems - 72.

Division 3 winners were: 1st place - Jim McDaniel, of the Bonsack, VA area, net 70; 2nd - Ira Clingenpeel - 73; 3rd - Fred Williams - 74; 4th - Robert Fischer - 74; 5th Doug Woundy - 75.

Tour results and further information on the Roanoke Valley Senior Golf Tour can be found at: http://www.rvsgt.org

John Hubbard

Jim McDaniel

Hair Stylists Needed Great Clips Hair Salon

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ESTMINSTER

Westminster Presbyterian Church invites the community to join their Holy Week services: April 1 (Maundy Thursday) at 7:00 p.m.

A service of scripture and hymns focusing on events from the last supper to Christ’s burial.

Good Friday from noon to 3:00 pm The church sanctuary will be open to the public for individual meditation and prayer.

All are welcome to come and go as your schedules permit.

Written materials will be available to assist your meditation.

Easter morning at 7:00 a.m.

Celebrating an Easter sunrise service at Cedar Lawn Memorial Cemetery on Cove Road.

Easter morning at 10:30 a.m.

A joy filled worship service in the church sanctuary.

Anglican Catholic Church

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

Christian Education 10 a.m.

Thursday: Holy Communion 9:30 a.m.

Bible Study 10:30 a.m.

4910 Hubert Rd NW Roanoke

(at Hershberger, E of Williamson Rd.)

366-9416 www.sttofc.org

NOTICE OF A CALL TO THE ROANOKE COUNTY

REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE

MASS MEETING

A MASS MEETING will be held on April 15, 2010, at7:00 pm at the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors’ Boardroom in the County Administration Building at 5204 Bernard Dr, Roanoke, Virginia. Registration starts at 6:00 pm. The MASS MEETING will elect Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the Republican Party of Virginia 6th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Convention to be held in Lynchburg, Virginia on May 22, 2010 at 10:00 am. The purpose of the District Convention is to elect a District Chairman of the Sixth District Republican Committee and to elect three regional Vice-Chairmen for the Sixth District. The MASS MEETING will also elect Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the Republican Party of Virginia 9th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Convention to be held at Fort Chiswell High School, #1 Pioneer Trail, Max Meadows, Virginia, 24360, or its alternative site, starting at 10:00 AM EDT on Saturday, May 22, 2010 The purposes of the District Convention are to elect a District Chairman of the Ninth District Republican Committee; Nominate a Republican Congressional Candidate for the Ninth District; and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the convention.

Candidates for election for Unit Chairman must prefile a written statement of their intent to RCRC, PO Box 20923, Roanoke, Va. 24018 or by physical delivery to 5720 Williamson Rd., Suite 110, Roanoke, Va. 24012. Statement must be received by 6 pm on April 8, 2010. Postmarks do not govern.

Candidates for election as a delegate or alternate delegate to the 6th District Convention or as a delegate or alternate delegate to the 9th District Convention, must prefile a written statement of their intent to RCRC, PO Box 20923, Roanoke, Va. 24018 or by physical delivery to Suite #110, 5720 Williamson Rd., Roanoke, Va. 24012, and accompanied by any fees as noted below (or in person, at the meeting of April 15th).

Statement must be received by 6 pm on April 8, 2010. Postmarks do not govern. For a copy of the Prefiling Form, go to www.roanokerepublicans.com.

Prefiling/Registration Fees Unit Chairman - $ none Prefiling Fee. County Committee member - $10 for new members to be paid at prefiling for the period to July 1, 2010.

Delegate/Alternate Delegate to the 6thDistrict Convention – Voluntary $20 registration fee.

Delegate/Alternate Delegates to the 9th District Convention – Voluntary $5.00 registration fee.

There will be a voluntary registration fee of $5 to participate in this mass meeting.

Please make checks payable to the Roanoke County Republican Committee.

For More Information Mail to Roanoke County Republican Committee, PO Box 20923, Roanoke, VA 24018.

Or email roanokerepublicans@gmail.com. The complete Call to the Roanoke County Republican Committee Mass Meeting can be found at www.rpv.org and at the unit’s website at www.roanokerepublicans.com.

All services will be translated for the deaf.

The 10:30 Easter morning service will be translated into Spanish.

Read more about the church at www.westpca.org.

Westminster is located on Peters Creek Road next to Duncan Acura Car Dealership

Paid for and authorized by the Roanoke County Republican Committee.

Valley Business

Page 12 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/26/10 - 4/1/10

NewsRoanoke.com

SoRo Chill and Grille Cooks Up Unique Menu Counseling Centers Merge

If it’s an authentic contemporary southern meal with “Big Easy” flair that you’re looking for, you may not need to purchase an airline ticket to New Orleans. Step into SoRo Chill & Grille and smell aroma from the Cajun spices that fill the air.

Named after the nearby South Roanoke neighborhood, the new locally owned and operated eatery’s doors were opened last September by owners Angela Drinkard and Ron Revia. They completed extensive renovations to the existing retail space most recently inhabited by a frame shop in Piccadilly Square Shopping Center.

The renovations include a communal table created within the bar that seats 30 people.

“The communal table, often more popular in the northern states, encourages mingling with other diners and most patrons like that. It’s a less formal arrangement than a restaurant area, and bar-type foods as well as the full menu is available to order from,” remarked Drinkard. Flat screens are also

featured in the lounge area.

“The eatery has two fireplaces inside, enjoyed by diners in the winter, and there is outside seating available, which has been popular for lunch with the warmer temperatures,” added Drinkard. While the owners and staff do not consider the separate dining area to be fine dining, patrons may beg to differ because Head Chef and Kitchen Manager Kristy Pilot appears to have the art of food presentation down to a science.

Various bands and musicians provide musical entertainment on a rotating basis on Thursday and Saturday evenings.

Judging by the line of patrons extending to the outside deck last Saturday evening, there is no shortage of business, and those waiting to be seated appeared to be having a festive time and didn’t mind the wait.

The goal and philosophy of the owners is to invest in Southwest Virginia by patronizing local businesses and suppliers for products needed by the business. Each of the owners has

The bar and dining room stay busy on a recent night at SoRo. their own niche. “I am more hands-on and he is more behind the scenes,” said Drinkard.

When the eatery initially opened, customers had some fun with a “trial” menu, which the owners used to get feedback so they could weed out the dishes that weren’t as popular. Two of the most popular dishes are “Shrimp and Grits” and “Pasta Mardi Gras.” A vegetarian special is featured nightly. For those who aren’t into Cajun, there are more traditional menu items including pasta dishes, seafood,

5 Tax Tips That Could Save You Thousands AMY MCANARNEY

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TAX INSTITUTE AT H&R BLOCK

Each year many taxpayers miss out on thousands of their own hard-earned dollars, simply because they are unaware of the many tax deductions and credits they are legally eligible to receive. Here are some of the recent tax law changes you need to be aware of, courtesy of Amy McAnarney, Executive Director of The Tax Institute at H&R Block.

4472

Capital Assets: Thinking of selling an appreciated capital asset such as stock or a vacation home? You may even want to consider giving the asset to a child or grandchild who is in a lower tax bracket. He or she may be able to sell the property and have all or most of the gain taxed at 0%.

However, be careful of “kiddie tax” rules which may tax some of your child’s income at your rates.

New Vehicles: Did you know that you can deduct the sales tax paid on up

to $49,500 of the purchase price of a new vehicle bought in 2009? This is helpful particularly if you do not itemize and instead take the standard deduction on your tax return. In that case, remember you can add the sales tax to the standard deduction. In order to deduct the sales tax paid on the purchase of a new vehicle, the auto must have been purchased between Feb. 17, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2009.

Business Vehicles: If you own a small business that bought an SUV or other vehicle that weighs over 6,000 pounds in 2009, and it’s used

for business, you may be able to deduct up to $25,000 of the cost this year, plus take a 50% depreciation deduction on the remaining cost of the vehicle. For example, if your new SUV cost $75,000, you may be able to take a tax deduction of $52,000 on your 2009 business return.

New Homebuyers: If you bought a home in 2009 or plan to in 2010, you may get some tax relief. First-time homebuyers can get a tax credit of up to $8,000, and repeat homebuyers may be eligible for a credit

of $6,500. Existing homeowners must have lived in their current home for five of the last eight years to be eligible in 2010 for the $6,500 homebuyer credit.

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

WHERE CAN I FIND THE MOST WELL-TRAINED TAX PROFESSIONALS IN THE COUNTRY?

burgers, clubs and salads. A mixed grill of offerings is available for both lunch and dinner and the Sunday brunch menu is extensive and varied, with all dishes made from scratch.

Drinkard and Regia have worked for and with some of the best restaurateurs in the industry. She started in the restaurant business 15 years ago and loves it. Regia grew up with his grandparents owning a restaurant in Louisiana and he also opened a Copeland’s in New Orleans under the supervision of the late Al Copeland, one of the foremost authorities on Cajun food and restaurants.

“This has always been a dream of ours,” enthused Drinkard.

Located at 3117 Franklin Road, the hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. - midnight; Saturday 10 a.m. – midnight, and Sunday 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

For additional information, visit sorogrille.com.

By Susan Ayers info@newsroanoke.com

Family Service agency of Roanoke is the partner with which Interfaith Counseling Services will merge over the next few weeks. The counseling service, which was known for 35 years as Pastoral Counseling Center of the Roanoke Valley, served clients on a sliding scale basis.

It was “unable to sustain itself financially in the current recession,” its most recent director, the Rev. Melissa Hays-Smith, said several weeks ago.

The center, which has been housed in a wing of Second Presbyterian Church in Old Southwest Roanoke since its beginning in the mid-1970’s, will move from that site. Family Service, a comprehensive agency with a variety of clients, has its headquarters at 360 Campbell Ave. SW, in downtown Roanoke.

Both Family Service and Interfaith Counseling Services are non-profit agencies whose purpose is to strengthen persons who need help with personal relationship issues at any stage of life. Clients are served on a sliding scale determined by what they can afford to pay. It is estimated that the two agencies serve more than 4000 clients annually. Janet Crawford has been the most recent board president of Interfaith Counseling Services, with Whit Ellerman holding a similar position with Family Service. John F. Pendarvis is president and CEO of Family Service.

Earlier, Hays-Smith had said she will work for the merged agency at least during its transition period. She is a vocational deacon in the Episcopal Church as well as a professional counselor.

Interfaith Counseling Services began in 1974 when the Rev. Leo V. Howard, a Presbyterian minister from Texas, came to Roanoke to begin a low-cost agency where clients could secure help for emotional problems with or without a religious emphasis. Those who came for problems related to marriage and family life, substance abuse and spiritual issues paid what they could afford and the rest of the money came from several congregations who had the center in their annual budgets or from occasional grants.

After Howard's retirement and death more than a decade ago several professional counselors --both Christian and Jewish --usually also held other jobs with a church or human service agency. One counselor visited elderly clients in their homes.

A year ago the center changed its name from "Pastoral Counseling" to "Interfaith," to define its broader approach to religion and to show the public that it is not just for ministers. When the announcement of the transition was made several weeks ago, it was noted that, although the center will cease to exist as a separate entity, it will continue to offer the same commitment to good emotional and spiritual health that has characterized it for more than a generation. Its staff also will be available to visit congregations and civic groups to educate about the relationship of good mental and spiritual health.

By Frances Stebbins info@newsroanoke.com

Environmental Tax Incentives Available to City Property Owners The City of Roanoke is now offering two environmental tax incentive programs for property owners. One of these incentives is the tax exemption for use of certified solar energy equipment. This exemption applies to properties where the owner has installed new solar equipment, facilities or devices, as well as to properties that have existing solar equipment, facilities or devices. The exemption is effective for five years, and the amount is calculated by applying the real estate tax rate to the value of the solar components and subtract-

ing that amount from the total real estate tax due on the property. Alternatively, the incentive may be applicable, using a similar formula, if the solar components are taxable as machinery and tools.

The second incentive is the special tax rate on use of certain energy-efficient buildings. This program is designed for buildings that exceed the Virginia Statewide Building Code efficiency standards by 30 percent.

Certification must be made by a qualified professional, and the incentive must be applied for by

the owner of the building. The tax exemption commences on July 1 of the tax year following the date an application is approved, and remains in effect for that tax year and the following four tax years.

Property owners may apply for either of these incentives through the city's Real Estate Valuation office. Additional information and downloadable application forms are available at http:// www.roanokeva.gov/ Or contact the Real Estate Valuation office at 540-853-2771.

The Roanoke Star-Sentinel

H&R Block tax professionals receive more than 50 hours of specialty tax training each year, so they’re up-to-date on the latest tax laws. And each one of our 90,000 tax pros is

C o m mu n i t y | N ew s | Pe r s p e c t i ve

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Publisher | Stuart Revercomb | stuart@newsroanoke.com News Editor | Gene Marrano | gmarrano@cox.net Features Editor | Cheryl Hodges | cheryl@newsroanoke.com Production Editor | Leigh Sackett | leigh@newsroanoke.com Technical Webmaster | Don Waterfield | webmaster@newsroanoke.com Advertising Director | Vickie Henderson | advertising@newsroanoke.com

Get It Right.

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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel is a proud Media Partner with WSLS 10

*The Tax Institute at H&R Block is a leading source of tax expertise focused on individual taxpayers and the tax preparation industry.

Through its staff of enrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys, The Tax Institute provides unbiased research, analysis and interpretation of federal and state tax laws.

o Valley View Station - 4760 Valley View Blvd Roanoke, VA 24012 o Town Square Shopping Center - 1417 Town Square Blvd NW Roanoke, VA 24012 o Sears - 4812 Valley View Blvd NW Roanoke, VA 24012

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.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to national and Virginia fair housing laws and readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

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Arts & Culture

NewsRoanoke.com

Delightful Comedy Ballet “Coppelia” Comes to Fleming’s New Auditorium

William Fleming High School’s brand new state-of-the-art auditorium will be hosting Southwest Virginia Ballet’s presentation of “Coppelia” – a delightful comedy ballet that appeals to audiences of all ages—this weekend, on March 27 and 28, with show times of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. This lighthearted and funny ballet is one that both young people and their parents will love.

It is a story about a beautiful young girl, Swanilda; her fiancé, Franz; the doll-maker, Dr. Coppelius; and the doll, Coppelia. The setting is in a European Village in the late 1800’s. When Franz mistakenly believes the doll (Coppelia) he sees on a balcony is a real lady, and becomes enamored with her, his real-life betrothed Swanilda backs out of the wedding. The ensuing events are delightfully amusing, along with the compelling scenes in which Dr. Coppelius and his amazing wind-up dolls take the stage.

Combining the talents and enthusiasm of SVB’s pre-professional dancers, under the artistic direction of Pedro Szalay, with E.T.A. Abby Bagliani plays the role of “Swanilda.”

Hoffman’s enthralling tale and endearing characters, equals a caboodle of fun for ev- pact I am at a loss of words.” When people ask her “Abigail, why do you dance,” she aneryone and perfect family entertainment.

Abigail Bagliani will be dancing the part of swers, “I cannot explain it, but I will show Swanilda – the lead role in Coppelia. Abby you.” Her testimony is probably best underattends Roanoke Catholic High School stood by seeing her dance, which audiences and dances with Southwest Virginia Ballet, will have the chance to do in the upcoming something she has been dedicated to for “Coppelia.”

Southwest Virginia Ballet will also be promany years. She recently wrote a short essay for a school project which conveys her per- viding a free daytime performance of Copspective on dance and how it has impacted pelia on Friday, March 26, for over 400 area students. Part of SVB’s mission is to make her life.

In the essay Abby addresses the question the performing arts available to people of of why she dances…finding the answer to all ages, from all walks of life; last year they be elusive because dance is so much a part donated over 800 performance tickets to of her life that the answer is both simple and students, teachers, civic organizations and complex. Her love of dance and dedication those who otherwise could not afford to atcomes through as she describes how she tend.

The SVB is recognized nationally for exdances “every day of my life, and thoughts of dance never leave me.” She has missed many cellence in dance instruction and producof the traditional high school events because tions; its alumna are teaching and dancing of dance, and while this is a sacrifice, it is professionally around the world.

Visit www.svballet.org for more informaone she willingly makes.

She concludes by saying that “…dance is tion and for tickets to “Coppelia” which are inexpressible. [It] reveals itself in almost all $8 - $15. aspects of my life, and because of this im-

Art Meets Science at the Athenian Society

How has Roanoke benefitted from a tiny little town in Michigan with a population of 300 in WW II? If you meet Margaret Ann Hoag, it’s easy to tell. She was born in Michigan and had little exposure to Art and Science in her upbringing. Hoag is one of the founding members of “The Athenian Society for the Arts and Sciences.” The Athenian Society is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and there are five original members living today.

Hoag and the current president, Linda Adamo, filled the atrium at Center in the Square with laughter as they told their stories. Hoag is a real spit-fire; it is easy to see how she helped to pioneer this organization that remains under-utilized in our area. The first newsletter from the fledgling organization succinctly states their purpose: “The object of this organization shall be the furthering of the Arts in our community by cultivating opportunities for enrichment and education and by nurturing cooperation with and lending assistance to organizations dedicated to the Arts.”

Over the course of 30 years, the Society has had 365 members, and they currently have over 80 members. If you have ever visited The Center in the Square you have likely met one of the members of this organization. If your children have ever come home excited about their exposure to art or science, then your family has benefitted from the hard work of the Society. If you are investigating local history, then you are quietly being helped by the hours these women have invested in preservation and presentation.

For an organization that started in the home of Naomi Bowles, where they collected one dollar from everyone present to open their treasury, the Society has come a long way. In the last thirty years they have donated over $20,000 (raised from various hands-on projects) to organizations that educate children and open the doors of experience to young and old alike.

Along the way they have also been enriched and enlightened by attending lectures and going on field trips. In fact, if you hear Hoag’s itinerary you’ll wonder how she was even available to sit for an interview. Attending

one of their meetings is in itself a great exposure to the arts. In addition to learning something new, it is an opportunity to spend time with creative people who express their own artistic side in a variety of ways. Adamo expresses herself through the medium of stained glass.

The Society often obtains videos from The Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. This enables “armchair” access to art that might otherwise be unavailable in Western Virginia. Spending time with the friendly group of women involved in this organization reassures newcomers that it is a safe place to bring your naiveté in this area. There is no doubt that their grace and warmth banishes the “snootiness” that can scare away the uninitiated, and their steadfast commitment to their cause deserves genuine admiration.

To gather more information about meetings and opportunities with The Athenian Society, contact Linda Adamo at 8925616 or jadamos1@cox.net.

By Christine Slade info@newsroanoke.com

3/26/10 - 4/1/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 13

Counihan Exhibit Inspires

The paintings, all of them oil on canvas, capture your attention and then the questions begin to flow. Why is Counihan’s meditative exploration of Michangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” named “Oedipus Reborn” and why does the virile muscularity of Adam give way to the slender figure of an adolescent boy, his right leg marred with wounds? Who is the baby lying across the vestments of God and who is the shadow of a female figure God is embracing with an elongated left arm? The questions generate a search for clues in a gallery full of compelling images.

In “The Tyger,” the triptych’s middle painting may be informed by the poem, “The Tiger” by William Blake, who wonders at the mystery of the Creator: “Did he who made the Lamb make thee?” In the same panel a nude male figure forms a circle with an extra pair of arms and legs and brings to mind Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing of “The Proportions of the Human Figure.” Counihan’s figure has outstretched arms bound to boards, perhaps an allusion to Icarus, the Greek boy who melts his waxed-on wings from flying too close to the sun and falls to his death into the sea.

Other paintings are informed by traditions of the ancient Orient with a warrior and a great dragon in one painting, and costumed women in others. These paintings outside of Western cultural references baffle the viewer afflicted with standard American informational underload.

Brian Counihan has been called “brilliant,” and it would be difficult to argue with that reckoning after seeing his “Par-

Photo by Mill Lambert

“Sorry Route” by Counihan, is inspired by six poems written

by Hollins University Professor of English T.J. Anderson, III. aphernalia for Passages.” Notes and a bio by the artist explain that “Passages” is life’s journey, and “Paraphernalia” the cultural stories and images we use to ward off harm, similar to medals and icons (rabbit’s foot?) for spiritual security in other times and places. Counihan’s presentations of contemporary “phylactics,” or better yet –“spiritual prophylactics” -- give pause as we acknowledge the mysteries of life while fame and fortune, tragedy and catastrophe pick and choose among each generation.

As a newcomer, Brian Counihan is counted as a prize amongst us after a journey that began at birth in the Republic of Ireland, graduation from college, and the winning of Ireland’s first National Portrait competition. The upcoming artist had work being exhibited internationally when he came to New York, the heart of the art world. He met his wife Jeanne there and was off to Chicago where he earned two

more degrees at Northwestern University. Lexington, VA was next, where he directed the Jordan House Center for the Creative Arts and taught studio art at Lynchburg College and Randolph-Macon Woman’s College.

Counihan is now in Roanoke, where he teaches art and humanities at Community High School for Arts & Academics, and is a leading proponent of art education in the community, including the Annual Marginal Arts Festival, which he founded and directs.

Best of all, he’s still a working artist, a passion around which his life revolves, along with his wife and young son.

Don’t miss Brian Counihan’s work at Olin Hall Galleries at Roanoke College on High Street through April 9th. There is no cost for admission. Hours are daily from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

By Gail Lambert info@newsroanoke.com

Heirlooms vs. Just Plain “Stuff ” Just can’t bear to part with certain family heirlooms… even if they are more junk than heirloom? That’s a subject Lexington author Lisa Tracy tackles in her new book, “Objects of Our Affections: Uncovering My Family’s Past, One Chair, Pistol and Pickle Fork at a Time.”

Tracy, who lives in the home her grandfather built, inherited, along with her sister, generations of family heirlooms, some valuable, some just sentimental.

Tracy appears in Roanoke this Saturday at noon, at the Roanoke Main Library branch, to talk about her book. She traveled halfway around the world to answer the question: what do possessions, large and small, mean to people? Much of the Tracy family memorabilia comes from decades of military service.

“One of the things I hope people might do if they read this book is to think about their own objects and their own affections,” said Tracy. “They might get brave and tell their own stories. Pass it on to somebody – don’t let the stories get lost.” Tracy tells the story behind many of the family me-

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mentos she inherited, and suggests others might have stories to tell about what they possess as well.

Tracy and her sister had to decide what to keep and what to put out on the curb for bulk pickup. An old Chippendale sofa, for example, might have had some monetary value, but meant more on sentimental grounds. “That was where my mother would lie and read at night. Or where we would sit [and] do homework.”

Her advice for those in possession of family heirlooms, even those that may not have any monetary value, is that “they may be treasured anyway.” Those towels you bought at Wal-Mart could become a tale by the time you get home.

“To acquire an object is to start a story,” said Tracy. “We are a story-telling animal. We need to tell our stories.”

Leave stories for your children and maybe you don’t need to leave “as much stuff behind,” notes Tracy. “Don’t hang on to everything.” She and her sister wound up auctioning off many of those heirlooms, a process Tracy called liberating in many ways, if somewhat painful.

Those who bought items “were already putting their stories into the stuff,” by the times they hauled it out to their cars.

“In the end,” says Tracy, she and her sister “became even closer to their family tree by going through the whole process of shedding some of those goods.” “Objects of Our Affec-

tions,” from Bantam Books, could be required reading for all those packrats and hoarders out there. Tracy will share some of her stories this Saturday (March 27) at noon, at the Roanoke Main Library on Jefferson Street.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY 540-312-4585

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William Burden Tenor William Burden is one of the most engaging artists of our time.

Heralded internationally for the singular beauty of his voice, he has built a reputation as a musically and dramatically insightful performer.

A veteran of the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, Bavarian State Opera, Glyndebourne and countless other companies and festivals, Mr. Burden appears regularly with the world’s greatest orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

William Burden Sunday, March 28th at 2:30 pm

Southwest Virginia Ballet Pedro Szalay, Artistic Director

Shaftman Performance Hall, Jefferson Center | For tickets, please call 540-982-2742 | www.operaroanoke.org

Page 14 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/26/10 - 4/1/10

“Doggy Bone Hunt” Kicks off Spring at Dog Park

Children and dogs celebrated the first day of spring at Highland Park in Roanoke with an Easter Egg hunt and a Doggy Bone hunt. It's the first Easter for the Roanoke Dog Park at Highland Park and dog park committee spokeswoman Vickie McCormick says, "There's an Easter Egg hunt for kids. A lot of us feel our four-legged children are children as much as the two-legged variety, so we decided to partner with the city; while they're doing the Easter Egg hunt for children, we're doing a dog bone hunt for dogs."

The area was decorated with paw-print covered balloons and dogs were guided into an area of the dog park a few at a time to find bone-shaped treats scattered on the ground. Dogs could have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny and Debbie Cheehy, author of "I Like Dogs" was on hand to sign copies of her book.

The dog park opened last May, and according to McCormick, the response has been tre-

Danielle Watson with Sadie and Oddie. mendous. "There is not a day--a time--that I drive through, even if I don't have my dog, that the park is not in use."

In fact, McCormick says city officials are looking at several locations for creating a second dog park, "including potentially Thrasher Park, where there's I think 27 acres total of park… so there could be a much larger footprint for a dog park over there." She hopes one day there will be a dog park in all four

quadrants of the city.

She says the dog park has seen more use since Six Wags Dog Park closed a few months ago. "So I think the demand and the need and the desire for dog parks is apparent, and I think it'll be easier to get the second and the third and the fourth through." She says the Dog Park at Highland Park is more than just a place where dogs play; "It's a people park."

Roanoke resident Danielle Watson agrees. She says a dog park allows dogs to interact with people as much as with other dogs. She and her husband were there with their two Great Danes, 1 ½-year-old Oddie (pronounced Odie), and 2 ½-year-old Sadie. Watson says they started bringing their dogs to the park a couple times a week after Six Wags closed. "They don't need a lot of exercise, but then again, every dog needs exercise." She'd like to see a dog park built in Walrond Park, near where she lives.

"Being able to walk them over

there not only gives us exercise but it gives them exercise, too."

Watson says a lot of elderly dog owners live near her and might take their dogs to a park closer to home.

The dog park committee is raising money to improve the current location. McCormick says they need funds to replace the sod on the hillside. "We are also selling bricks that will form a patio at the entrance to the dog park." Bricks with a personal engraved message cost $100; the cost is $150 for a brick with an engraved logo. The dog park will be closed from March 29 through mid April to install the sod and brick patio. The committee has more plans for the dog park. "There'll be some pathways that cut through, more landscaping, (and) a kiosk in the center to be a community bulletin board."

Visit roanokedogpark.com for more information or to donate.

By Beverly Amsler info@newsroanoke.com

NewsRoanoke.com

Spring View-Shed Planting Underway

Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway and volunteers planted pine tree seedlings at milepost 104.9, in the Blue Ridge area, last Saturday. These seedlings will grow into trees that will screen homes built near the parkway from motorists. Roanoke-based Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway has planted trees at several spots in the Roanoke Valley where development has encroached on the Parkway’s view shed. See blueridgefriends.org for more information; the organization relies largely on donations to obtain the seedlings. Local school groups, scouts, churches, etc. often turn out volunteers for the twice a year plantings.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Unhappy with last year’s lawn service? No time to do it yourself?

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And time to call is now!

389-2208 Then you need the “Guys in Purple” (800) 540-7215 www.guysinpurple.com from Green Up. And the time to call is now!

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Experience Easter at St. John’s Experience Easter at St. John’s, Roanoke’s downtown Episcopal Church at Jefferson & Elm. You are invited any time, most especially during this Holy Week. Come and make St. John’s your home.

Holy Week, March 28th, April 1st, & 2nd March 28: 8 a.m., 9 a.m.,* 11 a.m.,* and 5 p.m.* Palm Sunday Services April 1: 6 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service* April 2: noon and 6 p.m.* Good Friday Services Easter Sunday, April 4th Sunrise Easter Vigil at 7 a.m.

Easter Services at 9 a.m.,* 11 a.m.,* and 5 p.m.* *The nursery is available during these services.

St. John’s Episcopal Church

Call : (540)343-9341 Surf: www.stjohnsroanoke.org