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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel May 20 - 26, 2011

[Entertainment]

VDOT Public Hearing Brings Few Complaints Lucky Garvin

Final Farewell P4– Lucky Garvin must say goodbye to an old friend and says that the depth of our grief is a reflection of our ability to love.

Virginia Department of Transportation Commissioner Gregory Whirley said that f u n d i n g Photo by Valerie Garner for the six– State Senator year trans- Roscoe Reynolds p or t ation of Henry Co. and plan totaled Mayor Bowers. $10.4 billion. Virginia highways will get $8.1 billion while rail and public transportation get the rest at $2.3 billion.

There was standing room only at Virginia’s Department of Transportation Transportation Salem branch Thursday evening. Speakers hailed from Lynchburg, Bristol, Harrisonburg, Blacksburg, Danville, Martinsville and Roanoke.

All 22 speakers advocated for projects in their localities with several speakers advocating for bus service to Lynchburg to catch the Amtrak train.

A nine-person panel of representatives from Staunton, Bristol, Lynchburg and Salem listened to each speaker. Richard Caywood

[

The Best Biscuits P9– A Southern Living food critic wanders into Roanoke and discovers the best biscuits in the world at The Roanoker.

(We all knew it already of course . . . )

NewsRoanoke.com

Community | News | Per spective

Cleaveland Leaves After One Term

Rolling On The River

Bill Cleaveland Botetourt County’s first term Republican Delegate Bill Cleaveland, who represents Roanoke County and part of Roanoke City, will not seek reelection this year. He won election two years ago with 62% of the vote and a challenge from then Roanoke City Council member Gwen Mason.

With a heavy workload as an attorney and family care demands, he says he is Politics not able to give the time to his constituents that they deserve. His hard work at the 2011 session of the General Assembly resulted in a successful bill to allow Roanoke City Schools to open prior to Labor Day. At a legislative meeting with Roanoke City council and the school board in November 2010 Cleaveland said he had a workaround for RCPS that he would take to the 2011 session of the

]

> CONTINUED P3:VDOT

[

Photo by Gene Marrano

The Courtyard Hounds capped off two days of music at the Down by the River Festival.

D

own By The River felt more like Down IN The River at times, with rain and damp weather, but those that braved the elements and came out for one or both days of the concert last weekend got their money’s worth. A smallish crowd – maybe 1500 or so - last Friday night saw headliner Amos Lee display his versatility

on stage, backed by a large ensemble. Before that, Jay Farrar, with just one accompanist on guitar, impressed as well.

A somewhat larger crowd turned out on Saturday for an all-day affair that included local musicians The Pace Brothers, as well as the Music Lab tent, featuring youth bands.

]

> CONTINUED P2: Cleaveland

> CONTINUED P2: Concert

Epic Battle Between Greeks and Trojans Visitor’s Bureau Meeting Reenacted at North Cross School Features Acting Royalty Walking the Talk P6– Former State GOP Chairman and Conservative Commentator Kate Obenshain fires up a crowd in Roanoke with her views on national politics.

Arts Toast P10– The 26th annual Perry F. Kendig Awards recognized local artists and supporters last week during a lively reception at the Taubman Museum of Art.

“Getting cold feet” before a performance took on new meaning this past Tuesday for the fifth graders at North Cross School who took part in a reenactment of the story of “The Iliad.” The morning event, which included the famous dual between Achilles and Hector, and of course a Trojan Horse, was held outdoors on the football field. None of the “soldiers” or “gods” appeared to be nervous, but the cool morning and wet grass from the repeated soaking rains of late had many pairs of Photo by Cheryl Hodges bare and barely-sandaled feet looking a bit chilly to say the Charlie Eggleston (L) portrays Achilles locked in a battle with least.

Hector, played by Joseph Quinn.

The excitement was in the air, that is much anticipated by the as the students, outfitted like done to “bring history alive.”

“It gets everybody involved, ” fifth grade students especially. ancient Greek and Trojan solsays Lamas.

“The parents make According to parent Donna diers, prepared to engage in an authentic-looking shields, Batzel, “My son Adam has epic battle. Parents, staff and the spears, and swords.

(The kids looked forward to this day all rest of the student body were on paint them.)

The art teacher year. In fact, he attended a difhand to cheer them on as shield helps us make helmets.

The ferent school last year, and this and sword clashed in dramatic students themselves read an was a big thing that he excitedly fashion, with the help of the abridged version of “The Iliad” talked about before he even arbooming narration from choearlier in the year, rived here as a new student … I ral director and muso they are very know it will definitely be one of sic teacher Andrew Education familiar with the his all-time favorite childhood Miller. story. ” This year, memories.”

Behind the effort one parent, Martin Pruitt, conHer son Adam Batzel may is fifth grade History and Lanstructed a Trojan horse large have managed to sum up the guage Arts teacher Victor Laenough for many of the Greek experience more succinctly: mas, who has incorporated the Soldiers to hide in as they infil“I really liked it! It was a thrill reenactment of famous battles trated the Trojan army and deto actually fight in school--we from ancient history in the Sofeated them. cial Studies fifth grade curricuThe reenactment is the cul- > CONTINUED lum for many years. All of this is mination of a year-long effort P3: Epic

[

]

The annual meeting of the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, a sold out affair at Hotel Roanoke last week, was no doubt bolstered by its very special keynote speaker: actress Jane Seymour, of Somewhere in Time, Dr. Quinn - Medicine Woman and “Bond Girl” (Live and Let Die) fame. Seymour, just back from the Royal Wedding in England, which she covered for Photo by Gene Marrano Entertainment Tonight, spent about a month in the area last Actress Jane Seymour (left) fall, filming the movie “Lake and Lake Effects Producer Effects” at Smith Mountain Sara Elizabeth Timmins.

Lake. statewide, with $33 million in RVCVB incoming president tax revenue and 2700 jobs.

Bart Wilner, the president of Lake Effects employed a Entre Computer Center and number of people from the an investor in Lake Effects, in- Smith Mountain Lake and troduced Seymour and then Roanoke areas; in addition conducted a conversation with to supplying a volunteer base her on stage. “Tourism is big and a wealth of donated items, business [and] very something Seyimportant for this mour noted during Tourism community,” noted her remarks. “I had Wilner, who has never heard of Roabecome friends with Seymour noke – I know that’s awful,” she and is listed as an executive also admitted. producer for Lake Effects.

Offered the Lake Effects role, “Tourism and films are the busy actor, artist, writer and uniquely linked to economic jewelry designer (her Open development,” said Landon Hearts collection) worked Howard, the new executive di- around other projects to join rector for the Bureau. In 2009, said Howard, the film industry provided more than $346 > CONTINUED million in economic impact P2: Bureau

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> River

Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 5/20/11 - 5/26/11

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From page 1

The Courtyard Hounds – two thirds of the Dixie Chicks – took the stage last after a set by crowd-pleaser Neko Case. The Hounds, working on a second album during their hiatus from the Dixie Chicks, displayed many of the harmonies and impressive musical talents that have made the Chicks a top-selling country group.

In addition to a large tent and the stage at the former site of Victory Stadium, there were food and beer vendors and a number of booths selling other goods. Also on hand was Kerry Hurley and the Blue Ridge Blues Society. Hurley, a former restaurateur who founded the Blues Society, was promoting his own Blues Bash & BBQ Festival (July 16, Elmwood Park) and something called Spring Fling, this Friday (May 20) at a venue known as The Sanctuary (1217 Maple Ave.) “The Spring Fling goes to support our ‘Blues in the School’ program, where we go to the schools and play blues for the kids,” said Hurley. “We teach them about the roots

of popular music and they love it.” Hurley even does a Power Point presentation on the birth of the blues. The Sanctuary, an old church, has been converted into a music venue. Hurley said the Kirk Avenue Music Hall people have put on some shows there.

“Its got a really neat feel to it, it’s a cool place,” said Hurley. This Friday’s 7pm show ($10 at the door) features The Nouveaux Honkies with special guest Jesse Ray Carter.

As for the Blues Bash in July, Hurley said the lineup (Clarence Bluesman Turner, Tommy Castro Band, Albert Castiglia) is in place.

“It’s going to be fantastic,” he promises. Hurley calls Castro a “Delbert McClinton protégé;” Castiglia used to play with Chicago bluesman Junior Wells.

The only real downer about Down By The River had to be the wet weather (it rained hard at times on Saturday), which held down the walk-up traffic that Ed Walker and Gary Jackson (Kirk Avenue Music Hall, which produced the event) were counting

> Cleaveland General Assembly. Cleaveland was new to the legislature but said he thought that he could engineer a way to usher in a bill that would add an exemption fitting Roanoke City only.

The naysayers kept telling him they had tried without success in previous sessions and the tourism lobby was just too strong.

He bucked heavy hitter Democrat Senator Dick Saslaw who was solidly funded by the tourism lobby.

on. “I feel sorry for the people that put on this concert,” said one vendor as she packed up a tent full of unsold merchandise.

Hurley, who understands full well the perils of putting on outdoor shows, said he felt for the promoters as well. “But Ed Walker is such a special person that he was sitting up there in that tent having a good time, smiling, grooving to the music, not letting it get to him. There’s absolutely nothing you can do – it’s the weather. There should be 5000 people out here right now and I wish there were. But we’re making the best of it.”

That’s the attitude those on hand seemed to take – and they were rewarded with two days of solid music, during the second year of what many can only hope continues to be an annual event – the Down By The River concert series.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

From page 1

Cleaveland even lobbied Governor Bob McDonnell who wanted $3.6 million of additional funding to promote tourism in the state. He didn’t give up though. His argument was convincing and the Governor signed Cleaveland’s bill.

Delegate Greg Habeeb of Salem said that, “Bill always put people before politics.”

Governor Bob McDonnell called him “a force for good as a leader in the Roanoke community and in his time representing

the 17th District of the House of Delegates in the Virginia General Assembly. As he departs the House of Delegates, the role he played in the passage of important transportation, public safety and education legislation will continue to be felt throughout the Commonwealth for years to come.”

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

Chris Head Seeks to Fill 17th HOD Seat

Business owner Chris Head announced his candidacy Wednesday for the Republican nomination in the 17th District of the House of Delegates. He seeks to replace Delegate Bill Cleaveland who is retiring after one term in the legislature. The 17th House of Delegates district encompasses Roanoke County and parts of Roanoke City and Botetourt County.

“Delegate Cleaveland has served this district well, and his presence in the legislature will be missed,” Head said.

Head, 48, operates Home Instead Senior Care along with his wife Betsy. Home Instead has locations in Lynchburg and Roanoke. “In the past 10 years, we’ve been able to create almost 350 jobs here at Home Instead, but in that time I have learned how cumbersome and ridiculous some of the regulatory barriers are that limit the ability to create those jobs,” Head said. “ His campaign will focus on smaller government, lower taxes, controlling runaway spending and more local control of government.

“Government agencies are

not spending their money. They are spending our money, and it’s time we put a stop to it,” Head said. “If we reign in government spending and reduce the redundancy that exists among state agencies, we might just be able to balance the budget and reduce taxes at the same time.”

His top priority in the legislature is job creation. “We have companies that leave here for greener pastures. It is vitally important that we make sure that these pastures are the greener ones and remove any governmental obstacles that would keep them away,” said Head.

He supports conservative, faith based, family oriented values and will defend the constitution. “If the people send me to Richmond, I promise that I will hold fast to those values and will stand strong … I love this valley, and I have a vested interest in looking out for all of it,” said Head.

Head lives in Botetourt County with his wife and their three children, Tori, Abby and Michael. He is a deacon at Bonsack Baptist Church and volunteers in his church and community. He

> Bureau

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the cast. “This was a character I had not played,” said Seymour, who portrayed a Southern family matriarch. She joked about shedding her native English accent and learning to speak like a Southwest Virginian. “I had a lot of fun with that.”

Seymour also called the film’s young producer, Sara Elizabeth Timmins, “absolutely remarkable. She was able to pull rabbits out of all kinds of hats. She is quite extraordinary.” Timmins visualized the project several

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years ago and raised the money for Lake Effects, which also features Jeff Fahey, Ben Savage and Richard Moll (Bull from Night Court). Her parents live at Smith Mountain Lake; she moved back to the area after working as an actress and producer in Los Angeles.

Timmins said the project “probably would not have happened had not [Wilner] got involved.” She was originally pointed in his direction due to the many connections Wilner had – then he turned out to be a major investor. “Bart was responsible for introducing me to a lot of the people that made [Lake Effects] possible. Roanoke [connections] helped make it happen.”

The film will be screened for distributors in June (in Hollywood) and Timmins hopes for a fall release. “We’ve already had offers on the table.” The thirtysomething Timmins has several other ideas in the hopper. She also had a small cameo in Lake Effects, portraying a bartender.

“Producing takes up a lot of time, I don’t think I could have handled much more.”

Chris Head addresses supporters during the last primary. is also a member of the National Rifle Association. He is pro-life vowing to protect the unborn.

Head came in second in a five-way primary race to replace retiring William Fralin in 2009 with Cleaveland winning the nomination.

In a call to attorney Josh Johnson he said that he has no plans to run for the seat. Johnson came in third in the 2009 primary.

Attorney Melvin Williams and Mike Wray were other contenders in 2009. Wray said he was

From page 1 Timmins said support from the local community - a free condo for Seymour, shots from donated helicopters and planes, food, etc. “was almost overwhelming. It took a small film and [turned it] into something much greater. The money that we did have was able to go up on the screen. You can see the love and spirit [in the movie]. It was really a special project. This wouldn’t happen if I was anywhere else.”

Seymour saluted Roanoke Symphony Orchestra musical director David Wiley from the stage. Wiley composed music for Lake Effects and played a snippet at the Bureau meeting with a small ensemble from the RSO. “That was really quite something,” said Seymour, who also took a turn on Dancing with the Stars recently.

Seymour praised the “sense of community” she felt from people in the Smith Mountain LakeRoanoke Valley area, noting the many who donated time and goods to make the small budget movie work. “[There is] very much something that’s happening in this part of the world.”

weighing his options for a possible candidacy indicating it might not be for the HOD. In an email Brian Lang Roanoke County Democratic Chair said, “No Democratic challenger has stepped forward yet.” Don Caldwell Roanoke City Democratic Chair said, “At this point, nobody, officially or unofficially, has contacted me about running for this seat.”

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

Also handed out were several awards: Penny Lloyd (Roanoke County) was named Tourism Ambassador; the Roanoke Regional Partnership earned the Golden Star Award for promoting growth in the tourism industry through its outdoor branding campaign. The President’s Tourism Excellence Award for lifetime achievement went to Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism executive director Pete Haislip, who plans to retire next spring.

“I’m just so thrilled to finally have had the opportunity to know what a Roanoke is,” said Seymour to chuckles from the audience. Drawing those who don’t know about the region is the major goal for the Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau as well. Seymour was also presented with a “Key to the Roanoke Valley” by Roanoke Mayor David Bowers, Roanoke County supervisor’s Chairman Butch Church and other dignitaries before she left the stage for a book signing session.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

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Fishburn Park Teacher Named > VDOT Teacher of the Year

Fishburn Park Elementary Focus School for Environmental Science teacher Jean Hitchins has been named the 2011 Roanoke City Public Schools Teacher of the Year.

She received a $1,000 check from nTelos during a banquet held Tuesday night at the Jefferson Center. Hitchins teaches primary grade students with severe disabilities such as cerebral palsy, cortical blindness, and seizure disorders at Fishburn Park.

Fishburn Park Principal Judy Lackey says, “We are honored and excited to have Jean Hitchins selected as the RCPS Teacher of the Year. On

represented the Salem branch.

Dana Martin, who serves as Southwest Virginia’s representative on the Transportation Board, said, “he had to admit that it is a little bit more of a pleasure [to serve] right now then it has been in recent years … we’re all in that same boat together.”

An additional $2.6 billion has been added by the General Assembly at Governor Bob McDonnell’s urging partly by issuing $1.1 billion in controversial GARVEE bonds. GARVEE bonds allow states to borrow against future federal entitlements through bond issues to speed up work on highways.

Teacher of the year Jean Hitchins with her husband and Judy Democratic Party of Virginia Lackey the principal of Hurt Park. chair, Brian Moran, called GARa daily basis, Hitchins brings for enriching the lives of her VEE bonds “a gamble against with her a passion for teach- primary children with very federal highway dollars that are not guaranteed to exist in the ing and a sincere dedication special needs.” future; this plan would lead to a dangerous explosion in public IOU’s.”

There were no complaints from Democrat State Senator Roscoe Reynolds of Henry County. He was the first speaker at the podium Thursday evening. The second speaker was Roanoke City’s Mayor David Bowers.

Sen. Reynolds told the panel that, “I am more grateful than I can say to administrators of the area I represent and their quick response when citizens express concerns.” Reynolds copatroned the governor’s transportation funding package in the 2011 session.

“It is absolutely essential to the people I represent that improvements to I-58 be completed … please do all that you can The luncheon at the Museum of Transportation featured pink tablecloths – and plenty of vintage autos as a backdrop.

Roanoke Garden Club Hosts Statewide Conference

The Roanoke Valley Garden Club hosted the ninetyfirst Annual Meeting of the Garden Club of Virginia at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center May 10 – 12.

The Garden Club of Virginia (GCV) has 47 member clubs across the Commonwealth.

Its mission is to restore historic gardens and landscapes, conserve Virginia’s natural resources, inspire a love of gardening and provide education for club members and the general public.

The Garden Club of Virginia has been responsible for restoring historic gardens

Conference attendees Kathy Lamb and Julie MacKinlay enjoy the luncheon.

The

androom

throughout the Commonwealth. Locally, the restoration projects include the grounds at Fincastle Presbyterian Church and the Beale Gardens at Hollins University. The annual event rotates throughout the state.

“This meeting hasn’t been in Roanoke for well over twenty years and won’t return for another twenty plus years,” said Denise Revercomb of the Roanoke Valley Garden Club.

There were 140 members registered for the conference. While in town, visitors had a chance to visit the O. Winston Link and Taubman museums. The Roanoke Valley Garden Club also hosted

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a luncheon in the vintage auto gallery at the Virginia Museum of Transportation on May 11.

“The auto gallery looked amazing,” said Denise Revercomb, coordinator for the Roanoke Valley Garden Club event. “We had 130 ladies seated for lunch. Bev [Fitzpatrick, VMT executive director] says they have never had pink tablecloths in the gallery and he loved the look.”

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

to move that along,” said Reynolds. He asked that construction begin prior to the scheduled July 2012 date. “This is a part of Virginia that is suffering very significantly,” said Reynolds. He explained how Carroll County, Patrick County and Henry County needed the economic boost that I-58 improvements would bring his economically depressed district.

He also asked that construction of I-73 begin as soon as possible, especially the stretch closest to the North Carolina border.

Mayor Bowers hit hard right off the bat saying, “If you want economic development, Roanoke will give you economic development.” He called attention to the Valley View Interchange project that is expected to increase the opportunity for economic development. Bowers detailed how Roanoke City built the initial part of the interchange with its own money. The result of which was an economic boon to Valley View Mall.

Completion of the interchange will open up 100 acres, with the potential for $100 million dollars of new development.

Funds for the Elm Avenue/ Interstate 581 project were appropriated from the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The schedule called for qualifications to be submitted February with Requests for Proposals going out in May. Award for the project is expected September 14, 2011.

According to the Request for Qualifications, the project cost is estimated at $17.6 million.

Adding previously allocated funds will make the final total closer to $20 million.

The Valley View interchange is still in its infancy. VDOT has yet to put out a request for engineering services but that should come soon. The estimated project cost is $69 million with engineering cost bringing it just short of $71 million.

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

From page 1

have a cool teacher!”

Transporting the entire school from 2011 to the time when the Greeks and the Trojans fought for glory and the most beautiful woman in all of Greece, Helen of Troy, was “such a treat for the students,” according to Patricia Eggleston, whose son Charlie played Achilles.

She calls Lamas a “dedicated and passionate teacher” with a vision, adding that “The excitement that surrounds this event

is evident in the faces of the students, parents, and community.”

After the event, Lamas said, “I thought it went really well today.

The rain paused for a couple of hours for us.”

Lamas appears to be setting the bar higher with each project. “We do a reenactment every year, each covering a different civilization or battle or event in ancient history. Last year was a battle between a Roman legion

and a Macedonian phalanx.

That one had a catapult in it.”

Once the action-packed display had concluded, Lamas was quickly brought back to present day life in a fifth grade classroom: “All I can say is that afterward, my kids asked if they could sword fight during recess.”

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Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 5/20/11 - 5/26/11

NewsRoanoke.com

A Final Epitaph For Our Dear Rock

O

ur nine-year-old Dobermann, Rock, muscular guardian. He gave us affection and prolay on the screen porch one afternoon tection; we returned the gift. Now afraid of no two weeks ago. A car came up the man, he nevertheless feared thunder and would driveway, and he, as always, barked warning. Had come to us for reassurance. he known who was in the car and why, he might All in all, it proved a very satisfactory arrangehave barked more menacingly. It was our vet, ment. Yet, he remained a somber dog until his come to free Rock from his disease. end. He often lay with his paws crossed Dobermann’s were a breed developed looking professorial and grave. He rarely

by German tax-collector Herman Dobarked, except at cars in the driveway. At bermann. He walked some pretty mean night, he and the pack would put my Sastreets, but after he developed his breed, brina to bed, and after she was asleep, they and had four of them accompany him on remained in the bedroom; he padded back his rounds, he was never again robbed. out to the kitchen to sleep by my chair and Six years ago, we got a call from the wait for me. Arriving home, I would hear Lucky Garvin SPCA about an abused three-year old click, click, click as he came across hardmale Dobie. He was seventy pounds; wood floors, and feel his head against my twenty pounds off-weight for his size. His hind- leg. My hand on his ear in a gentle caress was all quarter atrophy and peculiar callouses spoke of the reward he needed. All his life, my boy asked his life caged on a concrete slab. You could put a little, but gave much. The kitchen is mighty empty bone or toy in front of him, he would sniff it, then these days. But, there were funny times too. The look up at us as if to ask, “What’s this?” When our pack would bark at something; even those who other dogs tried to engage him in play, he thought don’t know why would join in, and tear around they were attacking him. He was too weak to hoist the house trying to figure out just what all the exhis leg to do his business, and would only do that citement’s about. business on concrete. And… he was terrified of To provide exercise, Sabrina would run the me. It took me over a week to plant the suggestion dogs up and down our 2/10ths mile hill; six times. that maybe ol’ Garvin ain’t such a bad guy.

Rock was at least as good as the best in speed and Finally, given a healthy diet and lots of exercise, stamina. But then we began to notice he was beour boy began to flesh out into a deep-chested, ginning to lag. But okay, he was nine-years old. A

bit of arthritis. Dobie’s live twelve years or so; that put Rock in upper middle age. Slowing down?

Don’t we all?

Then he began to stumble; his back legs no longer reliable. He began to fall and scissor-step. This was something more than joint problems. Sabrina drove hundreds of miles for the diagnosis. MRI. Three ruptured discs gradually crowding his spinal cord, and robbing him the use of his hind legs.

We tried steroids; he developed pancreatitis. Surgery? The risk of permanent paralysis was twenty percent per disc.

We knew what the outcome would be, but maybe the disease would stabilize. Rock could still get around, although he began to avoid the hardwood floors for the same reason I avoid walking downhill on ice. He still enjoyed his meals, Sabrina’s fingernails rubbing deliciously into his neck would leave him in heavy-lidded contentment; his sleep and long afternoons on the screen porch, sundrenched and warmed by the long beams of late spring sunshine. We bought him a harness to help him rise if he was too weak. If unable, he would lie there and just look at us. Strange to say, this was a very compelling means of communication; no self-pity, no barking; just help me if you would. As best we could tell, there was little, if any, pain.

So our Rock was laid ever so gently to rest, and we remained behind grieving, and it is of grieving

I wish to speak. Perhaps God needed a guarddog at the gates of the Hereafter. If so, HE chose well. I count it a blessing that Rock did not die suddenly, for it gave us several weeks to prepare to say good-bye.

Unless you have lost a dearly loved one, there are no words to describe the suffering; I little suspected how deep pain could run in me, but I have learned. Our feelings of loss are, I think, a reflection of our ability to love, they lie opposite each other on the same continuum; you can only hurt as much as you can love. As I moved through my own grief, I never lost sight that my Sabrina was grieving, too. I am not afraid of pain, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have to pay the tax: distraction, tears, and the ever-present missing of our boy. Of my tears, I am neither afraid nor ashamed; far better to cry than to postpone the process which, sooner or later, must be done.

The best way to end this kind of suffering, paradoxically, is to suffer, to grab the electric fence and hold on, to endure this necessity of grieving which, finally, is the process by which remembrance turns from tears to smiles, from the pain of having lost him, to the joy of having loved him.

Contact Lucky at info@theroanokestar.com

A Man Went Up A Mountain to Preacher’s Corner - From the Older Brother’s Room

by Ed Dunnington Pick Up the Trash fines for dumping, with only minimal effect.

So Super Sherpa has assembled a team which plans to remove 4 tons of junk from the lower mountain, and another ton along the route to the summit. And, unfortunately, part of the task will be gruesome. Over 200 climbers have died on Everest, and many of their bodies remain along the trail in open view, especially in the "death zone" above 25,000 feet. Some of them may be retrieved for cremation or burial, while others will be covered with stone cairns.

In a larger sense, Super Sherpa is doing more than cleaning a mountain, he's purging a bad attitude in the climbing community.

It's not about conquering the mountain. It's about having respect for it. Upon reaching the summit, he said, "If my ascent promotes the cause and helps to protect the mountain, I am always ready to climb."

Contact Mike at info@theroanokestar.com

Local Crossword

Star-Sentinel Crossword for 05/20/2011

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ACROSS Your person Nighttime images Plod Smell Artery Pliers Prima donna Goddess Leash Stink Pass, as time Hi! Depicted American Cancer Society (abbr.)

Area business bath remodeler who provides the right fit, best value, and has an A+ rating with the BBB. 32 Before, poetically 35 Ahoy there __!

37 Thai 1 5 10 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 24 26 27 30

By Don Waterfield

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Anglo-__ Computer picture button Cause of sickness Gimpy Pig pens Ailing Which local city was first explored 64 years after Jamestown?

Attack Assent Dolly Knocks (2 wds.)

The castle in chess Type of flashing light Blasphemes Dry Jewish religious leader Malaria But I do like sleeping in a ----. (from Where the Wild Things Are) Cook's garb Small pipe Go at it alone

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Turfs Blue-pencil Enjoy French money Infamous Nazi concentration camp Fish eggs Goof Dined National capital Husks Lasso Name of the japanese monkey who bolted from the roanoke city zoo.

Merriment Big town Not as much Gains Hole maker Awry Cactuses Unblinking Sailboat need Laud Juliet's boyfriend Foe East northeast Wing Replace a striker Load Musical productions Prying Cowboy show Poet Drains energy Three Stream Water (Sp.) The name of the Tiger at Mill Mountain Zoo Observes with eye Inclined Brassiere Swamp

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

A

Has secured our way to God. Peter’s point is that because we have received this mercy we are empowered and emboldened to express mercy towards others. What that means, is mercy MUST be a mark of Jesus’ people. Mercy then is one of the two wings of the aircraft of orthodoxy. On one side of the plane we have the wing of word ministry and on the other, we have the wing of deed ministry. Mercy is one of the means that God uses to melt hearts. It removes obstacles and impacts the world with the transforming power of the gospel. As a result, we cannot be true to the gospel of Jesus Christ without being committed to proclaiming the hope, the power, the majesty and the reality of the gospel in both WORD and DEED. What does look like? We need to understand that mercy is measured by action. You cannot be merciful just by feeling compassion, regardless how deeply you feel it. Author Tim Lane captured it this way, “Mercy is much more than the pang of sympathy you momentarily feel when you walk by the homeless panhandler on the street [and do nothing] … You may have felt sympathy, but your actions lack mercy. What makes mercy merciful is a heartfelt compassion that results in some kind of action toward the other person. Mercy is not just something you feel; mercy is something you do.” Whose life are you involved in? For whom, outside of your family, would you say that your life is indispensable? Our mercy is compassion but it is so much more than that, it is always loaded.

Our mercy is never “simply mercy.”

Peter is saying that if we know have experienced the redeeming love of Jesus, we must love others.

If we worship Christ, we must show mercy. If we commit our lives to Jesus, we must give our lives to those who need mercy. Are you looking to show mercy, wherever you can and to whom you can, regardless where it leads you? Many times the call to mercy does not lead us to beautiful things or beautiful people, but those bruised and broken by the fall. But friends, if you are in Christ, the great wonder is that God poured out His mercy on YOU first! When Jesus went to that cross, my name was written on those nail-scared hands. Because His mercy is on me, I must look to show that mercy on others. For friends, “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

So, I am learning to grow more comfortable with being a recipient of mercy and a dispenser of it. As one charity case to another, “May the mercy of God be with you.”

Ed Dunnington is the Senior Pastor at Christ the King Presbyterian in Roanoke. Visit them on the web at www.ctkroanoke.org

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e had become climbing at age 12, helping concerned by the mountaineers move their gear amount of junk up and down the mountain, which visitors had left be- and first ascended Everest as hind. The mountain a guide in 1989. Since was becoming more then, he's reached the famous for being a summit almost every dumping ground than summer, and helped for being a nice place many others to do so. to hike. So the man But recently he has regrabbed his coat and alized what happens his gear, and headed when the world loves up the mountain to a place too much.

Mike Keeler do something about Tens of thousands of it. He started cleanpeople have gone up ing up old campsites filled some part of the mountain. with broken tents, alumi- Almost 3000 have made it num cans, and empty cook- to the summit at least once. ing stoves. He's cleaning up But as they did so, they left trails littered with plastic behind tons of equipment. bags. But most importantly, Mount Everest, which the he's picking up dozens and sherpas call Sagarmatha, dozens and dozens of oxy- had achieved a dubious new gen containers. The kind nickname: the world's highyou need to keep your brain est garbage dump. from hemorrhaging at high And the problem was only altitude. getting worse. With global The man's name is Apa warming, much of the snow Sherpa, but most of the that used to cover the trash climbing world knows him as has melted, exposing many "Super Sherpa." This week, old dump sites. More and at the age of 51, he made the more climbers meant the summit of Mount Everest for problem was going to get the 21st time, breaking his worse. The Nepalese govown record. He first started ernment has tried imposing

s a pastor, I am supposed to be a fan of grace, unmerited favor, and I am. There is a synonym to grace that I find I have more difficulty with. That word is mercy. Don’t get me wrong; I am a big fan of the teaching that God is merciful. I’m good with that. What I have a difficult time with is a little statement Peter makes in the New Testament when he states, “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:10) Many of you are far more gospel-centered than me and you love the concept of mercy. For me though, my aversion to mercy comes from a couple different places. On the surface, I am concerned that the concept of mercy will undermine people’s ability to fully embrace the implications of having their lives revolve around Jesus. “Cut them some slack, show some mercy” is often heard when a spouse has been unfaithful or a businessman has been unethical. That is not the time to lead with mercy.

But that’s just the surface. I fear there is a deeper reason for my aversion to mercy. To say that I am someone who needed to be shown mercy means, well that I am a charity case. I hate that.

But this really is the rub. The gospel says all of us are in need of mercy and until we admit that we are cosmic charity cases we will never understand the Christian faith. We will never rest in Christ or grow in grace. We will never have living, saving faith. You may go to church, but you are not a Christian. I have a good friend who is planting a church in Forest, VA and their name is Mercy Presbyterian. It comes from the text above. In unpacking their name here is what the pastor wrote, “The name Mercy was chosen because it communicates both what we have received from God and what we are to reflect to our neighbors. We continue to need God’s mercy and we desire that God’s mercy in Christ might be known through our church.”

I am struck that Peter says we are those who had not received mercy but now we have received mercy. He doesn’t say we received “grace”, which I would be much more comfortable with, but says that Jesus came on a mission to show mercy on those who deserved justice. John Newton, the great hymn writer, captures this in his hymn “Let us love and sing and wonder.”

Let us love and sing and wonder, Let us praise the Savor’s name He has hushed the law’s loud thunder; he has quenched Mt. Sinai’s flame Let us wonder, grace and justice Join, and point to mercy's store; When, through grace, in Christ our trust is, Justice smiles and asks no more: He who wash'd us with his blood

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5/20/11 - 5/26/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

For Those Troubled with Plenitude: The Reign of Quackery in a Modern World

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s some of my readers know, I’m a founding member of The Curiosity Society: a small group of collectors across the country who have “curiosity cabinets” jammed full of well-documented oddities of biological and cultural diversity pulled together during our lifetimes of travel and exploration. (See my column: 23 September 2010.) A recent addition is probably one of the most peculiar items in my collection. It’s a 19th-century artifact called a bloodletter. Specifically, it’s a spring-loaded lancet: a nasty little device that has a disconcerting vampire-like quality to its operation. A sinister medical instrument with a still-shiny metal blade, it has probably “bitten” into the limbs of dozens of ailing patients now long dead. In fact, before I fully understood its spring mechanism, I nearly zapped myself with the lancet’s primed blade as I fiddled curiously with its release button!

Bloodletting, sometimes called phlebotomy, is one of the world’s oldest medical practices. It began with the Egyptians nearly 3000 years ago, spreading into Greek and Roman culture and then into Medieval Europe before reaching its zenith in the United States and Europe in the 19th century.

Bloodletting was deemed a restorative procedure for cleansing the body of ill-defined impurities and excess fluids. As one 17th text explained, the pro-

cedure had many uses, among them “to lessen the Its influence even brought down a president. abundance of blood [for] those troubled with plen- Bloodletting was the probable cause of death for titude.” What an eccentric, but telling, phrase! Not George Washington. He died in 1799 within 24 until Louis Pasteur discovered microorganisms as hours of the onset of acute laryngitis despite the the causative factor in diseases and Oliver Wendell best efforts of his physicians – who likely drained Holmes declared the lancet a “magician’s wand of nine pints of blood during that period to help cure the dark ages of medicine” was the quest for cures him. Typically, phlebotomists drew off one to four redirected and bloodletting relegated to the status pints from their patients. Was it desperation that of quackery. possessed Washington’s doctors to extract In fact, bloodletting was so potent hisso much fluid in so short a period of time? torically in Western society that a modern For us moderns, it’s almost incomprehenvestige of the practice can still be seen: sible that the cause of death of our foundthe common barbershop pole, an early ing president was bloodletting! symbol of phlebotomy. While being phleYet the annals of history are filled with botomized by barber-surgeons, English our penchant for quackery: bloodletting, patients would squeeze a pole to improve astrology, so-called “creation science,” ditheir blood flow. Subsequently, the poles anetics, occultism, parapsychology, phrewere often stained red with blood. When H. Bruce Rinker, PhD nology, and the like. President Abraham not in use, they were hung as advertiseLincoln, grief-stricken with wife Mary ments outside the doors of the business with a Todd Lincoln, conducted a series of séances in blood-stained tourniquet wrapped around them. The White House to communicate with their dead (Now that could not have been very sanitary!) A eleven-year-old son Willie. A more modern exambrass bowl was placed on top of the early poles to ple is the much-discussed dependency of President symbolize a leech basin, and one on the bottom to Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy on soothsayers represent a blood-collecting dish. Thus, the vestige for state-related decisions. In the face of a personal of a one-time influential pseudoscience lingers on or national crisis, it’s easy for some – even our most countless street corners throughout contemporary venerated leaders – to turn to horoscopes and snake America. oils, especially those quacksalvers with a patina of

New World View: Flying Over the Smoky Mountains

S

he couldn't have known how essential a window seat is for me on my rare air travels. But then again, since the Newark to Seattle leg will be the second longest flight in my limited wanderings, maybe my daughter, who booked these flights, has saved me from the inevitable neck pain that comes when I obsessively watch whatever is to be seen out the nosesmudged porthole windows at whatever altitude we're flying. Even clouds are good. You never know when a sudden opening might reveal a stunning vista of crop circles! I have to look, I have no choice.

But on this future trip, if by luck of the draw, I find myself on the aisle side of the fat lady who could care less about the view, that will just make me more appreciative for those times I pick my own window seats for the education their vistas inevitably provide, the most memorable example being the Charlotte to Saint Louis flight a couple of weeks ago.

It offered the ultimate planewindow learning experience: flying over the Smokies on a clear day in spring.

From 30 thousand feet heading west, the mountain chains that make up the Appalachians are more long than wide. Civilization's encroachment north and south brings a rising tide of roads and structures pushing in among plowed fields and young forests of the valley foothills that green upward to the bare branches of the crests still waiting for spring to reach them. From the altitude of flight, the mountains lose something of the vastness one feels on the ground, enveloped by and looking up from them.

As we travel west of

Asheville, this gentle rise and familiar geography moving fall quickly changes. The reach too soon out of sight below us of wooded landscape broad- might as well have been a hoens to tens of miles, crests logram of the Smokies I had rise higher, and their slopes loved and known well when become more challenging to we lived in Sylva. Could that hold Swiss chalets on the steep have been twenty years ago? mountainsides, though Time, too, has slipped some are determined to by, around or within try to make that work, us, in its ghostly, unand build there, refathomable fashion. gardless. Anything for Springtime fills the the view, largely now of broad coves and unother Swiss chalets. inhabited rich valleys, And finally, below the vast variety of us, there are only forhardwoods showing Fred First est-cloaked mountains, off their yellow-green not quite as far as the eye can early leafery. Pines on westsee, halted In the urban haze ern flanks speak of a history of to the north by the pseudopo- fires. A frail tiara of dark everdia of Knoxville that trail east greens, spruce and fur, crown and west through the Tennes- the highest peaks. They persist see Valley. Filling my porthole as remnants of an ice-age forest view, an impressive Appala- that once spread across much chian expanse flows past us lower elevations this far south, for some minutes, even at 500 back when a colder, glaciermiles an hour— the roadless dominated climate prevailed. wilderness domain (and the Sadly, these cold-adapted reloccasional access roads, all ict forests are destined to disof which I've traversed at one appear forever as valley temtime or another) of the Great peratures warm sooner and Smoky Mountains. rise higher as global climate Newfound Gap, Clingman's heats up, eventually pushing Dome, Cataloochee, LaConte, these mountain conifers (and Cade's Cove, Charlie's Bun- associated amphibians, inverion--all of those once-familiar tebrates and flowering plants) places creep into view, far be- into the history books. low us, the actual territory and As usual, I was giving a runnot the map. The real thing ning travelogue of all this to does not feel real, suspended my magazine-absorbed seatfleetingly in a metal tube above mate, gushing in tones not so much familiar landscape I unlike the ravings of one who had once wandered. The alien- has just encountered in person

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INTRODUCING...

a life-long hero at arm's reach.

How could she not be as heartthumpingly exultant by virtue of this reality show below us— this real earth, these coveted places of the heart, our mountains!

I should know by now. I'm an odd sort, with a love affair for this stunningly-magnificent planet, a passion that to some, maybe most, seems on the lunatic fringe. I guess that's what 40 years of biology-watching, wildflower photographing, pond-water microscope exploring, tree-hugging and the occasional day of quiet solitude over decades in and near nature will do to a perfectly normal brain.

So I'm wondering if the large lady between me and the porthole might be willing to change seats if I look sufficiently pitiful, especially as we descend among the snowcapped volcanic mountains that surround Seattle—and if I promise to keep my highaltitude geology-and-botany fan-boy adulation to myself.

scientific authority, for absolute direction. Yet, as the late Martin Gardner and others aptly pointed out, at any one time or place, the percentage of persons who cannot live without their superstitions is a relatively fixed constant. Only the myths change.

In other words, yesterday the prevailing quackery was bloodletting; tomorrow it will likely be some other bogus belief with its own peculiar lot of charlatans and devotees.

One could argue that ours is an age, perhaps like every other age, “troubled with plenitude.” A plenitude of biological and cultural diversity, of natural resources, of material wealth, and, of course, of competing myths about a vast universe and our role in it. We are part of an enduring search for meaning that is thousands of years old – and still no definite answers despite our best, and our worst, efforts. Yet that search has provided us wonderful insights about the natural world, including the human mind and heart. Perhaps Mohandas Gandhi said it best: “Truth resides in every human heart, and one has to search for it there, and to be guided by truth as one sees it. But no one has a right to coerce others to act according to his own view of truth.”

H. Bruce Rinker, Ph.D. Ecologist, Educator, and Explorer brinker@northcross.org

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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 5/20/11 - 5/26/11

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Conservative Commentator Kate Roanoke College’s Oldest Alumnus, Dr. Charles “Hap” Fisher, Passes Away Obenshain Speaks at Roanoke Luncheon Roanoke College lost its oldest alumnus, Dr. Charles “Hap” Fisher, who was 104 years old when he died at his home in Roanoke. Fisher graduated from Roanoke in 1928 with a B.S. in chemistry and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. at the University of Illinois.

Fisher taught at Harvard for three years and then began a long and successful industrial career. As a research chemist for the federal government, he directed work that led to the development of commercial products including wrinkle-resistant and flameresistant cotton fabrics. When he retired from that post, he returned to Salem and his alma mater in 1972, where he joined the chemistry department as a research professor.

There, he continued laboratory research and writing scientific papers for publication.

Fisher officially retired from the Roanoke College research position in November

Dr. Charles “Hap” Fisher 2006 – on the occasion of his 100th birthday party, held at the College’s Colket Center.

He was the author of more than 200 publications and the holder of 72 patents in the fields of organic and polymer chemistry.

Fisher’s 100th birthday party was covered by local and national media. His last day of work before he officially retired was noted by legendary radio newsman Paul Harvey in his broadcast on November 30, 2006.

Fisher was among a group of centenarians featured in a documentary called “Witness to a Century.” The hourlong piece was produced by

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WCVE PBS in Richmond, the Virginia Historical Society, and others. In the documentary, Fisher and other Virginia residents 100 years old or older recall their experiences with the Roaring ’20s, Prohibition, the Great Depression, the world wars, growing technology, and other significant occurrences in U.S. and world history.

Fisher’s list of honors was quite long. At Roanoke College, he received an honorary doctor of science in 1963 and the Roanoke College Medal in 1996. He was a foundation member of the Nu of Virginia chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at Roanoke College. In 1990, the Charles H. Fisher Lecture Series was established in his honor, bringing chemistry speakers to the College annually. In 2002, the organic chemistry laboratory at Roanoke was named in his honor.

Fisher is survived by a large family, including his wife Betty Florence Snyder Fisher ’46, his sister, Helen Miller ’41 and his brother, Dr. Richard Fisher, a surgeon who was recognized by Roanoke College in 2006 with the Charles R. Brown Award for his outstanding contributions to the quality of life in Salem.

The full obituary is available at: http://www.legacy.com/ obituaries/roanoke/obituary. aspx?n=charlesharoldfisher&pid=1510820 63&fhid=6361

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Frequent Fox News commentator and popular college campus speaker Kate Obenshain was the speaker at a luncheon in Roanoke this past week. The audience, mostly a group of likeminded conservatives, hung on her every word and peppered her with questions at the end.

She thanked people for taking the day off of work to come listen to her, and Obenshain joked she was especially glad that some of her nearby family, who represent the “Hokie side," came to hear the “UVA girl" give her spin on politics Obenshain is a Virginia native who lives in Winchester with her four children. Her brother Mark Obenshain represents the 26th district as a state senator. She is vice president of the Young America's Foundation and is involved with the Reagan Ranch, a group that seeks to inspire young conservative leaders.

She spoke of numerous Fox News experiences when she faced "some of the most liberal people I have ever met." When asked how she handles being attacked for her conservative views, she said that she learned at an early age how to “talk politics” and respect other viewpoints even when it involved a little bit of "yelling and crying."

"Speaking of conservatives," she said, “whenever I am on Geraldo Rivera's show, I feel like he is going to leap across the table and strangle me whenever I start

speaking.”

Obenshain observed that now is the time for passion and conviction in politics. She encountered a man at a rally recently who kept yelling “Obama is a communist.” She approached him afterward and told him that he was going about it the wrong way. She told him to do his research and if he believed what he was saying, to offer proof.

“Don't just yell things because people won't pay attention to you. Be like Ronald Reagan, he never held back, he said exactly what he believed, but he did it with a smile on his face.”

She said that the current administration has spent seven trillion dollars in just two years in office. “That pace of spending is unprecedented and cannot be sustained.” She agrees with John Boehner when he says when he says he wants to tie spending in with budget cuts. She says the current proposed “miles tax” is the wrong way to go; “Currently 48 cents of each gallon is for taxes and seven cents of each gallon goes to the oil companies."

Obenshain emphasizes that the GOP has to look to the future because the Democrats have a game plan. “Barack Obama has been on college campuses, one in every twelve days since he was inaugurated. He has a mission to convince young people that socialism is the right and correct way to go. A recent poll showed that an equal number of

Kate Obenshain young people preferred socialism to capitalism. If that does not change, we are done for.”

She finds that college students are all for redistribution until they realize that something will be taken from them and given to another. Then they say it is not fair because they have worked for all they have and don't want it given away. “Young people are susceptible and Obama is indoctrinating them and they just don't get it.”

Obenshain was chairman of the Virginia GOP from 2003 to 2006 and also served as Senator George Allen's chief of staff and as his chief education and health policy advisor while he was Governor. She has been a college campus speaker for the last 18 years, speaking to students on a wide variety of topics including economic policy, national security, education, life, political correctness on campus and the changing role of women in public policy.

By Carla Bream info@newsroanoke.com

Carilion Patient Transportation Celebrates 55 Years of Service

Carilion Clinic Patient Transportation (CCPT) proudly celebrated 55 years of combined air and ground service to southwest Virginia last weekend as part of the Down by the River Music Festival.

This year marks the 30th anniversary for Carilion Clinic air transport and the 25th anniversary for ground transport. A Life-Guard helicopter and ambulances were stationed for public viewing and families had the opportunity to meet the crews and check out their equipment first hand.

Carilion Clinic Life-Guard 10 was the first medical helicopter in the state of Virginia. Since taking flight in 1981, Life-Guard 10 has flown over 20,000 patients. Carilion Clinic added a second helicopter, Life-Guard 11, to its fleet in 2005.

The Life-Guard helicopters transport patients directly from the scene or from an outlying hospital to specialty care centers. In many ways, the helicopters serve as mobile intensive care units containing specialized equipment and an advanced, clinically trained medical flight crew.

Ground transport at Carilion Clinic began in 1986 as Roanoke Memorial Ambulance Transport, with three ambulances and six employees.

Today, CCPT has 40 ambulances and a staff of

The Carilion Patient Transportation event provided fun for all ages.

230 employees with bases in Roanoke, Bedford, Lexington, Rocky Mount, Westlake, Giles, Blacksburg, Radford and Salem. CCPT serves as the primary 9-1-1 service in Radford and support 9-1-1 service for Giles and LexBath Tub? ington. Annually, CCPT ambuFrom Chip Repairs to lances transport 35,000 patients.

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Sports

5/20/11 - 5/26/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

Hidden Valley Downs Pulaski As Wild Bill’s Weekly Sports Roundup River Ridge Title Game Looms Hidden Valley made quick work of Pulaski County last Friday afternoon as the Titans caged the Cougars 10-0 in a game shortened to five innings due to the run differential. Titan hurler Andy Richards picked up the win, allowing no hits, before being relieved by Austin Gregory to start the fifth. Drew Trampe provided the big blast for Hidden Valley with a homer over the center

field wall to ignite a 4-run Titan fourth which staked Hidden Valley to the ten run lead.

Hidden Valley ( 7-1 ) remains one game behind River Ridge leader Cave Spring (8-0 ) with their rematch set for Thursday afternoon at Knight Field. Cave Spring won the first game 4-3 back on May 3rd.

Hidden Valley's Drew Trampe circles the bases after his two-run blast in the Titan fourth.

Titan batter #22 Andy Richards gets set in the box as the Cougar catcher looks to the dugout.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

Roanoke College Advances to NCAA Div. III Quarterfinals with 15-9 Win Over Gettysburg Roanoke College jumped out to a 10-5 halftime lead and made the advantage hold up as the Maroons defeated Gettysburg in the second round of the NCAA Division III men's lacrosse tournament Saturday afternoon at Donald Kerr Stadium.

Roanoke ( 16-3 ) opened a 5-1 lead halfway through the first quarter and kept the Bul-

lets's attack from gaining the lead the rest of the opening half.

Holding the five goal lead to the start the second half, Roanoke got an assist as rain began to fall early in the third, eventually becoming a steady downpour. The Maroon defense never let Gettysburg close the gap the rest of the way.

Roanoke was led in scoring by Joey Coretti's four goals. Mike

Hayden added three scores for the Maroons, while attackman Rich Lachlan and midfielder Drew Bracken scored two goals each. It was Roanoke head coach Bill Pilat's 250th career win. Roanoke advanced to play Stevenson ( 18-2 ) in a quarterfinal match set for Wednesday afternoon in Maryland.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

Maroon midfielder #40 Kyle Smith (in white) races past a Gettysburg defender in Saturday's win. Smith is the lone Roanoke player on the Maroon squad. He was a standout at Patrick Henry.

Roanoke midfielder #45 Mike Hayden weaves his way through a pair of Bullet defensemen. Hayden netted three goals in the win.

The rain man turned havoc place in the Southern Division search shows that tomatoes have on the final week of district base- of the Carolina League for the been around for centuries, with ball and softball races after all of first time since the third week of little problem growing them Tuesday’s games were postponed April. Salem hits the road Friday, from the ground-up. What’s the by the day-long drencher. Ath- May 20th, for a week-long trip key to planting them backwards? letic directors were scrambling to Winston-Salem and Myrtle Likewise, I need help with my toto reschedule games in order to Beach. mato etiquette. If you grow your Basketball campers should tomatoes via the Topsy-Turvy, hopefully get the regular season completed by the end of this take note of two high-profile op- is it appropriate to place them week. Many teams were plan- portunities in June and July. The at the bottom of a tossed salad ning on back-to-back games on Future Knights Basketball Camp or under the patty of a standard will be held June 20-23 at Cave hamburger? Can you help me?

Wednesday and Thursday.

Another shake-up occurred in Spring High School. The camp I’ve also been stumped by a the Wild Bill Baseball Top-3 after is for boys ages 8-13 and is un- recent offering for a ‘sheet’ of Lord Botetourt suffered its sec- der the direction of Cave Spring four $2-dollar bills. The picture ond straight loss. Hidden Valley Head Coach Billy Hicks, who portrays several guards keeping has three state champi- an eye on what appears to be (13-3) now holds down onships while at Cave sheets big enough to wallpaper a the number one spot this Spring. week with tough games bathroom. I’ve got news for you; The Carter Athletic four $2- bills aren’t big enough to left at Salem and Cave Center at North Cross cover the toilet seat. And, how Spring. Cave Spring (11will be the site of the J.J. do you make change for a sheet 7) moves to second on Redick basketball camp of $2-bills when the offer doesn’t the strength of its unJuly 25-27. The former include scissors? I was suspicious defeated record in the Cave Spring and cur- when I saw this offering was River Ridge. Botetourt rent Orlando Magic selected specifically for my zip (15-5) falls to third.

Bill Turner star will direct the code. The price was the clincherDespite the back-toback losses to William Byrd and camp for boys, ages 13-18, and is four $2-bills for $ 48.00. Sorry, Northside, LB has clinched the limited to the first 60 sign-ups. but my math isn’t quite that bad.

Now, we turn to our quarterly Blue Ridge regular season title.

Other pollbusters on the ho- installment of “Can You Help Quotation of the week: “Marrizon include North Cross (15- Me ?” where readers are invited riage is a fine institution ... but, 5), Salem (10-4) and Northside to offer their take on consumer I’m not ready for an institution.” questions that perplex the Wild - Mae West (13-6).

Weather permitting, the best One. Last week’s last date for frost game in the area looks to be set Send your responses to: info@ for Thursday afternoon when brought out the old reliable ads newsroanoke.com Hidden Valley travels to Cave for the Topsy-Turvy, some type

By Bill Turner Spring. The Knights won the first of contraption that grows tomainfo@newsroanoke.com meeting 4-3, and Hidden Valley toes upside down. My best reis hoping to overtake the Knights to force a one-game playoff for the River Ridge title.

Hidden Valley’s focus on this Roanoke Tours, Inc River Ridge showdown was fairly evident in last Friday’s unusual New York City, North Carolina or Tennessee! game of the week, when the TiTAKE YOUR PICK! tans defeated Pulaski County 100. Hidden Valley starting pitcher Sat-Mon, May 28-30, 2011...Memorial Day Weekend in Andy Richards was pulled after New York City. Includes visit to the top of Empire State four innings despite having a Building Observatory. Ferry ride to Statue of Liberty and no-hitter in the works. Hidden Ellis Island. Tour takes you to Central Park, Ground Zero, Valley head coach Jason Taylor Times Square, China Town, South Street Seaport and was obviously getting his pitching rotation and bullpen set for other NYC landmarks. $389 double the Knights.

The Wild Bill Softball Top-3 Sat. June 4, 2011...Catawba Queen Riverboat Cruise on once again gets a change as WilLake Norman and North Carolina Museum of liam Byrd (13-4) returns to the Transportation. Luncheon Cruise on Catawba Queen. Ride #1 spot. Northside (16-3) falls to former Norfolk Western train cars and turntable at second after its loss to Lord Botemuseum in Spencer, NC. $79 tourt Monday that may well cost the Lady Vikings a shot at the Blue Ridge regular season chamSat-Sun, June 11-12, 2011...Star of Knoxville Riverboat pionship. Salem (12-6) rolls into Cruise/Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Visit the Smokies the poll at #3 as the Spartans look and spend the night in Pigeon Forge. The next day, we go to overtake what appeared to be to Knoxville. We go up in the Sunsphere built for the a comfortable Cave Spring lead Worlds Fair. We take a luncheon cruise on the Tennessee in the River Ridge race only two River. $239 double weeks ago.

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Commentary

Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 5/20/11 - 5/26/11

Commentary -Urban Archery is a CostFree Alternative to Expensive Deer Culling Dear City Manager and Honorable Members of Council, I’m writing in response to the FY 2011-2012 Budget. First, I’d like to commend City Staff, Council, and especially City Manager Chris Morrill on his “Budgeting for Outcomes” program. It has been a very transparent process that identifies priorities and encourages accountability and efficiency.

My concern is under “Additional Uses of Excess Debt Funding”, where Council has approved $75,000 for Deer Culling. The City has spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars in past years paying out of state companies to cull deer.

Recent City data indicates that we pay around $165 per deer killed.

I’ve worked with many different neighborhoods around Roanoke and deer-human conflicts are a very common issue. It more severely affects our rural neighborhoods like Greater Deyerle and South Roanoke. There are certain enclaves and pockets within the City that are unaffected by the current culling program because there are no parks or city owned property. The vast majority of private landowners in the City do not allow for-profit companies and their sharpshooters on their property.

However, there is a Cost-Free Solution to help control the deer population called “Urban Archery”. It was created by the VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to assist towns and cities across the Commonwealth with urban deer management issues. Licensed citizens can bow hunt on private property w/ permission during approved hunting seasons. Modern bows are considered extremely safe and can only shoot an arrow short distances. They are accurate to around 40 yards. An arrow shot from a treestand travels downward and into the ground, as opposed to a stray bullet from a silenced high power rifle that can travel over a mile.

Urban Archery has been approved by the General Assembly at the State level since 2002. Since then, it has been successfully utilized by over 35 localities throughout Virginia. The list of those participating includes: Lynchburg, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Danville, Martinsville, Radford, Rocky Mount, Pulaski, Staunton, Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Winchester. Some cities add a few basic regulations like a hunter must be at least 10 feet in the air, or a property must be larger than one acre.

It was recommended by a Roanoke City Task Force Study in 2003 as part of an overall deer management plan, but Council has still not asked

the State to participate in this free program. The regulation that establishes this season is permissive, and the season was made available to every incorporated city and town in Virginia. Therefore, the season is only "open" in those towns, cities, and counties that requested to participate in writing to the DGIF. Further info can be found at: www.dgif. virginia.gov/hunting/urban-archery/ I’m a conservationist and would never want to eradicate wildlife in the City, but game populations need to be kept in check. Too many deer cause damage to vehicles, landscaping, and personal property. Roanoke has become a refuge for unregulated growth and populations have flourished because deer are not hunted here. Excess deer are the reason so many coyotes now make Roanoke City their home.

It is very common to see a herd of eight deer at a time grazing in my back yard. Last April, I woke up with a major pain on my left side. Upon further inspection, there was a large bruise and bull’s eye with a deer tick or black legged tick embedded in my skin. I had to take heavy doses of antibiotics to combat Lyme disease. I also constantly find deer ticks on my dog. The sudden influx of deer ticks in the City is because these ticks feed and breed on deer.

For years, many City residents have unsuccessfully asked Council for the State’s Urban Archery Program and every month more pledge their support. It would be very beneficial to Roanoke City as a cost effective alternative to expensive deer culling and would create a large savings that could be used elsewhere.

In closing, Urban Archery is a classic win-win for the City and its citizens. It provides local governments with a proactive approach for urban deer management. It doesn’t cost a penny, but will provide recreation and food for our residents, as well as help control the deer populations in all areas of the City. The State’s program is now 10 years old and dozens of other towns and cities across VA have already laid the groundwork. How is Roanoke any different than these other localities throughout VA? If you support the Urban Archery program, please respond to this editorial and contact your City Council members via: www.roanokeva.gov/ council/ Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely, Braxton Naff. Roanoke

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NewsRoanoke.com

Commentary - City Tagged With Citizen’s Code Violations

Dear Editor, It appears that the "Citizens Code Violation Committee" is back in force and this year they appear to be fully funded. This committee consists of a group of concerned citizens and was formed in 2010. But as you may remember, in 2010 they were hand writing signs. It appears that they now have professionally printed signs.

The CCV blanketed the city today with code

A Citizen Code Violation sign at the Williamson Road Library. violations. Over 100 violations were found. The city apparently has decided to stop mowing their property and at the same time ramp up their mowing violations on the hard working people of Roanoke.

The city says that they haven't allocated money in their budget to cut their property on a regular basis. It appears that their priorities have been positioned elsewhere. I wonder if the citizens could use that excuse as well. I've got news for you.

Times are tight for everyone these days. At least the city is still maintaining all of the property tax they had since the bubble popped. Property values in Roanoke have dropped by 20% but the tax appraised values haven't dropped accordingly as they should have.

The do as I say but not as I do philosophy is not something that the citizens of Roanoke agree with. The city should be leading by example. They should set the same standards to their own property as they demand from others.

As you know, the fines for mowing your grass or criminal charges given to you by code enforcement for not maintaining your property are quite substantial.

Here's a photo from SE Roanoke. The City property mowing violations were the worst in this area. It appears that the city feels that SE Roanoke is the armpit of the city and they don't have to spend an equal amount of time there as they do in other areas.

No, Those Aren't Planted Areas. That is ALL

grass and weeds. The city hasn't cut any of this SE median property even a single time this year. The CCV says Immediate Action is Required. I would have to agree.

25 years ago the city had a staff of 4 people in the code enforcement office. The population was significantly larger at that time. Today the code enforcement department has a staff of 19. And from what I understand they are up to a quarter of a million dollars in fines each year and planning on more for this year. Plus as usual the city allocated more money to the department in the upcoming yearly budget. Maybe they can squeeze in a few more code enforcers.

I wonder why it was that 25 years ago the code enforcement staff was able to manage such a larger population of people and property and today it takes 19 to do the same job. Too much red tape these days? A desire to continually increase the size of government? A power grab to control the people? I don't know. All I know is I will have to take my hat off to those 4 people back in the day because they were clearly efficient hard working individuals.

We all agree that keeping your property in good condition is a good thing for Roanoke. The city not maintaining its own property while demanding that others do is unethical. They are also lowering the value of surrounding houses near their unmaintained property. And when the neighborhood groups have asked if they can maintain areas

A Citizen Code Violation sign in the S.E. median. such as the medians through SE Roanoke the city firmly said no stating that it was too dangerous due to the traffic.

Lets hope that the city does the right thing and cuts their grass no later than Monday. Thanks to the CCV for spending their hard earned money to make a light hearted message to the city that one should lead by example.

-Dallas Powell

Letter - DRI, Elmwood Park

Dear Editor, Downtown Roanoke, Inc. (DRI) supports the City Manager's efforts to improve and propel Elmwood Park forward.

Elmwood Park needs enhanced

• Divorce • Traffic • Social Security Disability

and expanded performance space to host the current slate of events, community performances and touring acts; it should be enjoyable and used by the community throughout the year; its natural beauty, green space and function as downtown's "green lung" should be nurtured and improved. DRI encourages the

City to begin to invest now in this work so that Elmwood Park will be enjoyed by generations of Roanokers to come.

Sincerely, Sean C. Luther President & CEO. Downtown Roanoke Inc

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Valley Business

Page 9 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 5/20/11 - 5/26/11

NewsRoanoke.com

Roanoker Biscuits Get National Recognition Alternative Dispute Resolution – The Basics

On any given day, the team at The Roanoker Restaurant makes between 1,500 and 2,000 handmade biscuits. But, it only took one biscuit to earn the restaurant national recognition twice in 14 months.

Published last week, Southern Living’s “Off the Eaten Path: Favorite Southern Dives and 150 Recipes That Made Them Famous” features The Roanoker’s biscuit recipe on page 236. As a result of the cookbook publication, The Roanoker biscuits Southern Living features The will also be featured on NBC’s Roanoker’s biscuit recipe.

The Today Show on Friday, May trying to reduce the biscuit rec20th.

“It’s just wonderful,” said Roa- ipe from 500 servings to eight noker owner Butch Craft, with a servings. After all, the restaurant copy of the cookbook in hand. normally serves about 1,500 – “It’s a really neat book and we’re 2,000 biscuits to an average of about 700 customers daily, with very proud.”

Craft was first approached by Sunday numbers even higher. the staff at Southern Living in Some customers order biscuits the fall, when she learned that to go as well.

The recipe is the same one Southern Living had made the that The Roanoker has been foldecision to list the restaurant as lowing to make its biscuits since one of the top fives to eat breakit first opened in 1941 – 70 years fast in Virginia in the March ago.

2010 magazine. She was pleas“The Roanoker biscuits are antly surprised that morning to amazing, ” said Roanoke nahave one of the Southern Living tive Tammy N. Shank. “Even photographers ask her for permy picky six-year-old can’t get mission to take photographs in enough of them.

They are made the restaurant. in the southern tradition – light She was even more surprised and fluffy and not too brown. ” a few months later when the “Many of our customers have Southern Living project editor called to ask if she would eaten here for many years and be willing to share the Restau- know what to expect [with our rant’s 70-year old biscuit recipe biscuits],” said Scott.

When Craft hadn’t heard back and sausage gravy recipe with from the magazine for several them so it could be considered weeks she assumed it just hadn’t for publication in a cookbook. made the cookbook, and was Before she could forward them thrilled to get the call in which along, Craft and Bread maker she learned that the recipe did Sandra Scott spent nearly two indeed make it. Craft received weeks in the Roanoker kitchen

her copy of the cookbook on May 6 and says that the cookbook will be soon be offered on QVC. “It’s such an honor to have been selected as one of only four Virginia restaurants that Southern Living considered,” said Craft.

The cookbook details the journey of Morgan Murphy, the former travel and food editor of Southern Living magazine and one of America’s funniest food critics, as he tours the South in an old Cadillac, grabbing 150 of the best recipes the region has to offer.

Three other southwest Virginia restaurants are also highlighted in the cookbook: Bistro on Main in Lexington, The Pink Cadillac Diner in Natural Bridge, and Mom’s Apple Pie Company in Leesburg.

Copies of the cookbook are available in local book stores and online as well as in The Roanoker gift shop for $19.95, provided they haven’t sold out – again! The store sold all 50 of the first shipment of cookbooks they received in just one day last week. A second shipment of 150 cookbooks will arrive in the coming week.

Locally owned and operated, The Roanoker is located at 2522 Colonial Avenue SW, in Roanoke. The restaurant employs 75 and seats 300 people. Visit them online at TheRoanokerRestaurant.com

By Laura L. Neff-Henderson info@newsroanoke.com

WVTF Public Radio/RADIO IQ Receives Excellence in Journalism Award

Virginia Tech's WVTF Public Radio/RADIO IQ has received a 2010 Sigma Delta Chi Award for excellence in journalism from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). Winners were chosen from over 1,400 entries in categories covering print, radio, television, and online. The awards recognize outstanding work published or broadcast in 2010.

Dating back to 1932, the awards originally honored six individuals for contributions to journalism. The current program began in 1939, when the society granted the first Distinguished Service Awards. The honors later became the Sigma Delta Chi Awards.

Sandy Hausman, reporter/ producer, and Connie Stevens, reporter/anchor, received a Feature Reporting (101+ Market) award for their piece, "Kudzu: Friend, Foe -- or Food?

Awards will be presented in New Orleans during the joint SPJ-Radio Television Digital News Association conference.

WVTF Public Radio is a National Public Radio (NPR) member station, broadcasting news, classical and jazz music, public information and affairs, and other cultural and entertainment programming. The station is a service of Virginia Tech and covers central and southwestern Virginia, plus parts of North Carolina and West Virginia at

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The resolution comes evaluative of civil disputes rather than mereby alternative disly facilitative. In pute resolution either instance, processes (ADR) successful mediarather than by tion depends on traditional judithe parties’ good cial process has faith intentions become increasand efforts to ingly popular in seek a mutually recent years in agreeable resoluresponse to the tion of the disMark E. Feldmann rising costs and/ pute. Generally, or delays of litimediations take gation. In 1962, 5802 or 11.2% place in a private setting and are of all civil cases filed in federal scheduled and concluded within courts were resolved by trial. In a short timeframe.

2009, despite a significant inArbitration: Arbitration is a crease in the number of civil case more formal process than medifilings, only 3342 or 1.2% were ation, although typically less forresolved at trial.[1] All types of mal than civil litigation. Again, civil disputes – those involving the parties agree on the selection business, construction, commer- of a single arbitrator or panel of cial, employment and insurance arbitrators. In arbitration, howcontracts and claims for personal ever, the parties authorize the injuries – are now being resolved arbitrator(s) to render a binding through ADR such as mediation decision called an award. Arbior arbitration more often than tration involves a hearing, simitraditional litigation processes. lar to a trial, at which the parties Familiarity with the basics of present evidence, with witnesses ADR has become essential in the appearing for examination and modern world. cross-examination, and arguMediation and arbitration are ment. The arbitrator’s award is less formal, while more confi- usually rendered within a short dential and private, processes time after the hearing which than traditional civil litigation. may be appealed to a court Each requires the agreement of only on limited grounds such as the parties to engage in ADR and fraud, partiality or misconduct on the selection of the neutral or on the part of the arbitrator. Like third-party to serve as mediator mediation, arbitration hearings or arbitrator. Nevertheless, each are usually held in private setoffers a different approach and tings and may be scheduled and procedure. concluded within a shorter time Mediation: Mediation is the frame than traditional civil litigaleast formal ADR process in tion. which a neutral or mediator asRetired judges or attorneys sists the parties in negotiating a with litigation experience or spesettlement of their dispute. It is by agreement typically private, confidential and non-binding unless the parties enter into a settlement as a result of the mediation. Typically, the mediator’s role is facilitative – he or she merely facilitates communication to assist the parties in presenting their respective proposals for settleToÊhelpÊ ment. In some cases, however, at maintainÊ the parties’ request the mediator yourÊqualityÊ offers his or her opinion on their ofÊlifeÊasÊyouÊ respective positions – or be-

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Many types of contracts now include an ADR clause requiring the parties to utilize mediation followed by arbitration, instead of litigation, to resolve any disputes that arise from or relate to the contract. Standard contracts used for architectural, engineering and construction services have included ADR clauses for years. More recently, other business or commercial contracts – such as employment, partnership, loan and joint venture agreements – now include provisions mandating ADR rather than litigation of disputes under the contract.

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Arts & Culture

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5/20/11 - 5/26/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 10

RSO Pops Series Expands As Musical Arts Council Honors Those Who Director Looks To The Future Make An Impact in Roanoke

The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, which announced its 2011-2012 Masterworks series of concerts several weeks ago, has now released its Picnic at the Pops series as well. The expanded series will include four concerts at the Salem Civic Center between October 2011 and March 2012.

The series is known for its casual “picnic” setting with table seating on the floor at the Civic Center. There is actually one more Pops concert this current season: The “RSO Rocks” British Invasion concert on June 4 features some of the best-known pop music to come out of England in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. Tunes from Queen, Pink Floyd and The Who will be part of what Musical Director David Stewart Wiley calls “a fun, high energy evening of music.”

Wiley also said the season comes to a close with things looking good for the RSO: “I’m thrilled with the response of our community and the audience [this past season]. Our Masterworks subscriptions were up again. We sold out the Beethoven’s 9th [concert in March].”

Financially, Wiley said the orchestra is “stable [in] challenging times. We have a business plan and a really great team. I feel like we are all rowing in the same direction as an organization.” The other orchestra Wiley leads, the Long Island (NY) Philharmonic, had to cut its upcoming season back due to budget constraints; in contrast, the RSO is adding dates, including the additional Pops concert. Wiley lost a conducting gig himself when a symphony in New Mexico filed for bankruptcy. “There are issues [with

David Stewart Wiley is looking forward to next season. classical orchestras] all over the country,” he notes.

For 2011-2012, Billy Ocean kicks things off for the Pops series on October 21. Ocean has sold over 30 million records and is perhaps best known for the million-selling No. 1 single “Caribbean Queen,” for which he won a Grammy. “We have people that prefer one or the other,” said Wiley of the Pops and Masterworks series, “but we have really made an effort to increase the diversity and connections with our community.”

The “Holiday Pops Spectacular” on December 9 features soprano Adelaide Muir Trombetta, the Hollins University Choir, the Roanoke College Children’s Choir and the Mill Mountain [handbell] Ringers.

KC & The Sunshine Band join the RSO on March 30, 2012. Harry Wayne Casey – KC -and The Sunshine Band have sold over 100 million records, received nine Grammy nominations, three Grammy Awards and an American Music Award.

KC & The Sunshine Band became the first act to score four No. 1 pop singles in one twelvemonth period. Three of those

singles crossed over to become No. 1 R&B. The last Pops series concert of the 2011-2012 season features the Canadian band Jeans ‘n Classics in the 5th Annual collaboration known as “RSO Rocks.” The RSO and Jeans ‘n Classics, with lead vocalist Michael Shotton, will present “One Vision: The Music of Queen” on June 2, 2012 at 8 p.m.

Other RSO events next season, which has the theme “Art that Entertains,” have Wiley looking ahead with anticipation.

A Masterworks concert in October featuring bluegrass music is demonstrative of a connection to music with local roots.

“We are excited about that,” said Wiley, who is also looking forward to the first Star City International Piano Competition next January. Finalists invited to Roanoke for a “play off ” will be selected from audio selections sent in via mail or e-mail.

“That should be an exciting event for our region. This is a way for us to discover a star of the future,” said Wiley. Hollins University and Jefferson Center are collaborating with the RSO for the competition. Wiley took part in piano competitions himself as a young musician.

Meanwhile the ever-upbeat maestro looks forward to the new season, even as the current one has yet to conclude with the June 4 Picnic at the Pops British Invasion concert. “The community continues to support us and we’re sticking to our plan,” said Wiley, “but we should never take for granted the success we have had. We have to do more to reach out and build new audiences, to take some chances. I think this is our best season yet [coming up]. Our professional musicians are excited as well.”

The 26th annual Perry F. Kendig Awards, held for the first time at the Taubman Museum of Art, recognized a handful of local artists and supporters last week during a reception entitled A Toast to the Arts.

“The significance of the event is the awareness it brings of the excellence in the arts we have here in the valley,” said Rhonda Morgan, executive director for the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge. “It was so evident through the words of the recipients, the comments of the attendees and everyone involved what an impact the arts has on this community in both personal and social ways.”

Arts Council Board President Phil Sparks mentioned the “impact of the arts,” in his opening remarks, before the awards were handed out. Best selling author Sharyn McCrumb, Hollins University theater department chair Ernie Zulia, Shadowbox Community Microcinema coordinator Jason Garnett, Roanoke resident George Kegley, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, the Woods Rogers law firm, artist Nancy Dahlstrom, young professional Douglas Jackson and Roanoke City Schools music teacher Joanne Steele were among those honored.

“Several of the recipients settled in Roanoke because of the unique opportunity it offers to work, share and get involved in the arts in a way which is lost in bigger cities and not afforded in smaller ones,” said Morgan, who assumed the top spot at the Arts Council last winter.

Dahlstrom, a multi-media artist and Hollins professor, said she was “not so interested in road kill and expressing negativity through her work.” The arts, added Dahlstrom, “give people more awareness and a perspective on the world.”

McCrumb, called one of the leaders in detailing regional culture through her books, said she saw herself “as a kind of ambassador for this region.”

Too often, McCrumb observed, the South has been treated as “a kind of theme park,” by others who see it through stereotypes. “The people from the region need to take control of our own story.”

Zulia, who came to Roanoke from Chicago initially to work at Mill Mountain Theatre, said he felt like “the arts community in Roanoke is my family. It’s the kind of community that truly can be connected through the arts.” Zulia appreciates the atmosphere of encouragement he senses among local artists in the Roanoke area.

RSO executive director Beth Pline spoke about the Symphony’s educational programs: “when kids are exposed to classical music … they embrace [it]. They truly enjoy it.” Garnett, who created the Open Projector Night project at the

By Gene Marrano Grandin Theatre before coming to Kirk Avenue gmarrano@cox.net Music Hall to launch Shadowbox, said that now, through digital technology, “anybody can make a movie.” He called it, “the great democratization

Photo by Gene Marrano

Jason Garnett (left, from Shadowbox Microcinema) and Ernie Zulia (Hollins theater department) were among the Kendig recipients. [of film making]. I think we’ve had an impact on the community as a whole.”

Steele, who teaches music at James Madison middle school and at Fishburn Elementary, said young students “don’t always know what’s inside them [creatively]. We all have our niche in the arts community.” Once many children start playing instruments in city schools said Steele, “they realize it’s really fun stuff. It’s really cool to get them into it.”

Many gravitate towards classical music over pop tunes Steele noted, once they begin playing.

“What we’re working towards is a long term goal … beauty and expression, and sharing what they have with other people.” Steele wants to see those young people who learn to play venture out, exposing others to the musical arts.

“I think everyone left with a sense of pride for living here and being part of such an ‘art centered’ region,” added Morgan. “It makes sense to celebrate that which affects and defines us as individuals and as a community and this event is the highlight of what the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge is about.”

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

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ARE YOU READY???

Isn’t It Time???

I had no idea what the Good Lord had in store for us on that fateful day of April 23, 2011 and the days since, when it was decided by our church to carry a cross from the church to the Star atop Mill Mountain. It had been announced by our Curtis Moses several weeks prior, that God had given him a vision for our church - the East Gate Church of the Nazarene, located in NE Roanoke, to do just that.

At first I thought, can I make this trip, with all the recent bouts of plantar fasciitis plaguing my feet? Because of this, I thought I would meet the entourage at the foot of the mountain and walk with them the rest of the way to the Star. I decided at the last minute to do the whole walk, thanks to one of my best friends and comrades and fellow students of God’s word, Bill Moses, who encouraged me to go, as he was going to make the journey. It was his son Curtis, after all, with whom the Lord spoke to make this trip, and he just had to do it for his son!

We began our journey at around 12:20 p.m. on Holy Saturday the 23rd of April. As the group of approximately 30 people (counting those gracious adults who drove vans and cars along with us to provide water and other refreshments along the way) came down off 20th Street NE, we turned and started walking down Orange Avenue toward the Civic Center. People in cars were honking left and right at our signs of “Jesus Loves You” and “He Died for You.” I was truly amazed at the number of people honking their horns and encouraging us on, as each of us alternated in carrying the cross the seven or so miles from the church to the mountaintop. I even said to our Senior Pastor, Shannon Harris, that when the Rapture of the Church does happen, it looks like Roanoke will be a ghost town! We chuckled, but then again I thought, if only that were the case. There are still many out there that don’t know the Lord! One individual yelled across the median as he drove in the opposite lane, heading the opposite direction… “Legalize Marijuana!!”. I thought to myself….yes this poor guy is heading in the wrong direction…. from the truth that God loves him and died for him as well, and he doesn’t even realize that if he doesn’t repent and change his life, he is doomed for hell! For you see, being saved means being saved from hell – whatever theological stance you take on that!

Anyway, we strolled on down 460 and passed by the sign you see pictured below, and I chuckled, saying to myself……. “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Matt. 24:36 NIV. This sign, and replicas thereof, have been placed on billboards not only in America, but around the world. The main promoter of this cause is Rev. Harold Camping who is associated with an organization by the name of Family Radio. Some of you may be familiar with this organization and their cause.

While I do not (and let me repeat DO NOT) agree with this man’s theology on what takes place after the Rapture of the church, I truly believe that God has used this man to show me that this may very well be the date! If you go to their web-site at www.familyradio.com, you will see what I am speaking of – I mean it is pretty obvious! This man believes that we have come through 23 years of tribulation! I am laughing, because we haven’t even seen the tip of the iceberg yet! This world will not see the true wrath of God until after the church is gone! “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV So on down 460 to the Civic Center we went, crossing perhaps the busiest intersection in Roanoke, and proceeded on Williamson Rd through downtown, turning onto Franklin Road and on up to Jefferson Street, turning left at the Anthem Building, and on to Walnut Avenue. The horn honking diminished quite a bit at this point, but it did not quench our spirit to bear the burden of carrying the cross on up to the top of Mill Mountain. The last couple of miles, as most of you know, are the most treacherous, but we were determined to meet our goal. I actually had the honor to carry the cross the last 400 yards or so, by the Mill Mountain Zoo and on up to the summit.

When we arrived, it was exactly at 3:00 p.m., as I looked at the clock on my cell phone. As God would have it, an out of town lady was sitting on a bench seemingly distraught with life and she looked like she had perhaps been weeping. As our worship leader Matt Musser began to play some choruses for our assembly to sing, we praised God for giving us the strength to carry the cross the seven miles as a testimony to His suffering almost 2,000 years ago.

As it turned out the lady seated on the bench was actually married at 3:00 p.m. on April 23rd exactly 23 years ago at exactly the same time that we arrived! Her husband of 23 years had actually left her for another woman and she had come to Roanoke from out of town – possibly to do away with herself after her sentimental time of looking at her wedding album, which she had actually brought with her to grieve over. She was grieving over a man whom she still loved, but yet could do nothing about, as he had been stolen away from her, most likely by Satan who is running so rampant in our society today! She told our worship leader, Matt that this was a sign from God - that God still loves her and she could lay her burden of grief over a destroyed relationship on an altar on that same mountain of which she had such fond memories on that day 23 years ago. She said that this was a sign to reconcile with God and move on with her life and not look back.

I knew God had appointed her to be here at this time for me to see that He had another message for me. You see, God has led me through my entire spiritual walk with the number 23. I know a lot of you have seen the movie “23” of which I highly DO NOT recommend you see, due to its vulgarity and violent and sexually suggestive scenes. This film is about a man obsessed with the number 23. And God has given me an obsession with the number 23 as well. So, recently, I felt led to watch this DVD. It is not rated– but should be rated “R” for obvious reasons. After watching it, it is truly amazing because He does have a message in it for me! God actually showed me some things in this video that will actually help me in my ministry! Isn’t it amazing how God can take something ugly or distasteful and contrary to His holiness and use it for His purposes? You see, I was sanctified with the Holy Spirit of God on June 23, 1979. Shortly after this happened to me, the Holy Spirit told me that coincidences and things that come in pairs would have significance in my life.

We are all unique creations, created in the image of God, and He leads all of His children in different ways. If I were to tell you all the details of my spiritual life from that point on until today concerning how God the Holy Spirit has led me down through these 32 years, through the number 23, it would take volumes for me to share all the details. You would also see that this story I just shared with you is truly an amazing story because of this amazing coincidence….. 23 years on the 23rd ! And the other amazing thing is that I unfortunately missed this encounter with the woman as I was offered a ride back to our church and they had to leave right away and I did have something else important to do that day, so I left. As God would have it, this woman (through the miracle of Face Book, if you want to call it that!) found our worship leader Matt and shared this amazing story.

After making the trip, and after a multitude of other coincidences involving the number 23 since this “cross walk” up until now, (and I can tell you only God could have orchestrated all of these coincidences in my life), I can honestly say that I believe that this date of May 21, 2011 could very well be the day of the Rapture of His Church. Why am I saying this? Without sharing all the details related to mainly what I have just shared only a small portion with you, I thought to myself, isn’t it ironic that the Rapture of the Church is spoken of in the Bible as “the Wedding Feast of Christ and His Church? And let’s not forget about the ‘Royal Wedding’ that took place in London the following week! Are these not all coincidences – things of very similar themes going on simultaneously? Isn’t there a hidden message here for us all? Isn’t there going to be a much more “ROYAL WEDDING” in our future as Christians? I know this may sound a little absurd to some of you out there, but it says it loud and clear to me!

Let me ask you another important question. Don’t you believe it is time for the Lord Jesus Christ to return? Look around people of Roanoke! If you don’t see the wrath of God every time you open up your newspaper, or turn on a T.V. set, or radio, or check your news on line, you are truly blind as to what is really going on in the world today! Earthquakes abound around the world, hurricanes of mass destruction, tsunamis, tornadoes where there have never been tornadoes before, spanning hundreds of miles, reaping destruction in mega proportions resulting in huge numbers of people and property being destroyed, and floods and rains costing billions of dollars. And let’s not forget financial markets being destroyed – which incidentally man brought on himself through greed and frivolous and uncontrolled spending!

But even more of an indicator of His return is the condition of mankind. The Bible says in the last days people will be lovers of themselves, boasting of what they have done, not giving God any credit for what He has done in their lives, to paraphrase it. And, the act of taking God and prayer virtually out of everything and everyplace imaginable is only angering God to the point to where He is about to close the door on the ark – as He did back in the days of Noah. People having so much hate in their heart for their fellow man – even to the extent of obliterating 32 fellow students on a college campus or 13 students and themselves on a high school campus, which when I went to school, getting sent to the office for chewing gum in class, or talking in class, or smoking cigarettes just off of school grounds were the biggest offenses made. Or, the 3,000 plus who were innocently killed in an act of terrorism on American soil….. and on and on.

I mean, what can we expect? I have a friend that recently said, “If God doesn’t begin to pour out His wrath on mankind very soon (hello?), then He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah - not that He owes anyone an apology! He could obliterate us in a heart beat if He wanted to do so - no questions asked – because He is God and He can do whatever He wants!

We have got to remember that God is a Holy God, who requires holiness on our behalf! If you created something and it went awry and the outcome was contrary to what you had desired, you would first want to try to correct it (which He has done through the atonement of Jesus Christ) or totally do away with it – which incidentally, is what He plans to do. All one has to do is read the books of the prophets in the Old and New Testament – mainly in the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah and Revelation to see that!

I believe that most of you would agree with me that the moral decay prevalent in our society today is at an all time high. I mean one cannot even turn on their T.V. without being bombarded with news about sexual scandals amongst our governmental leaders and sexually suggestive advertising, or one cannot drive down the road without seeing very suggestive billboards along the side of the road with women scantily dressed to promote products and services. And even in the church, where we have built monuments for ourselves to enjoy perhaps two or three times a week, while the only thing that the King of Kings had while on this earth was the robe on his back and a pair of sandals on his feet! Do you hear me, church!?!

And heresy and sexual perversion amongst the priests and pastors and congregants abounds as well. The spirit of the Church of Laodicea is very prevalent today also in our churches. The church has become silent in its mission here in America and lacking the power of the Holy Spirit, upon which it was founded. The level of commitment in our churches in America is at an all time low!

And in the American culture, where having the biggest or most decorated and landscaped of homes, (which takes a lot of our time – which could be better spent on helping out our fellow man) seems to be our focus. Or, the biggest boat or vehicle is (or I should say “was” due to the cost of gasoline at $4.00 a gallon and rising) being the focus of our families’ endeavors today. Or, everyone walking around engrossed with what their friends and neighbors are doing on line or in their own little world with their I-Pads or I-Pods and playing games and shutting everyone and everything else out of their minds in a selfish act of hedonism. Hey, I must admit that I myself have fallen victim to this technological “beast” that man has created. In fact, I am not so sure that the “Beast” spoken of in the Book of Revelation isn’t this technological beast we have created!

In closing, let me say that I do not know for sure that May 21st is the day that God will call His church home. I am merely saying that I have seen a lot of signs in my personal walk with God and the leadership of His Holy Spirit for me to say what I have said. Only God in Heaven knows for sure!

My question to you is….ARE YOU READY? Regardless of whether or not it is May 21, 2011, or May 21, 2020 or whatever, if we cannot see that the world is in total chaos and in need of divine help (and very soon) then we are blind! I trust that if you have not trusted in Jesus Christ, whom is the only way to Heaven (like it or not)….then I pray that you will make that commitment, and make it soon….for time is of the essence! You DO NOT want to experience the full force of God’s wrath as is revealed in the Book of Revelation! We have only experienced the tip of the proverbial iceberg concerning what may very well lie just ahead! If you are seeking and would like help to make a commitment to Christ, then by all means, contact me. I can be reached at steveb1123@verizon.net.

Steve Blankenship is a licensed minister and a businessman in the Roanoke Valley.

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Judgment Day sign on Orange Avenue

Page 12 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 5/20/11 - 5/26/11

NewsRoanoke.com

River Festival A Chance To Highlight All Things Greenway And Outdoors Held in conjunction with the Down By The River concert next door, the annual Roanoke River Greenway Festival turned out to be a rather soggy affair last Saturday. Celebrating the valley’s greenways, multi-use trails and bike paths, the event featured booths from Roanoke City Parks & Recreation, RoanokeOut-

doors.com and several local outfitters that cater to outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Rainy weather kept the number of people stopping by down considerably, according to several of those on hand.

Jeremy Holmes, RIDE Solutions Coordinator of Sustainability Programs (Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission) was on hand to promote May as National Bike Month. The Roanoke area kicked off its participation with the Mayor’s Bike Ride several weekends ago.

As part of the Bike Month event, RIDE Solutions has received over 300 pledges to “commute clean” on one or more Fridays in May, resulting in 5,500 miles being taken off the road and 6,500 pounds of greenhouse gases not being emitted into the atmosphere. Commuters can take the pledge throughout the month, promising to use a clean commute mode every Friday – carpool, bus, bike, walk, or telecommute.

The Clean Commute Challenge, according to Ride Solutions, “is one of the air quality initiatives of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission. marks the beginning of Experience Your May the traditional ozone pollution Dream Today! season. Ground level ozone – or smog – is the Roanoke Valley’s most significant air Home Ownership is Easier Than You Think!! quality challenge, and vehicle emissions are a significant conYou Can Be Pre-Approved tributor to this type of air pollution.”

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BonnaRoanoke contest from 101.5 The Music Place to win tickets to the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. (see www.bikeroanoke.com/events) for more information. This is the second year that Ride Solutions has been involved with a Roanoke version of National Bike Month. “Every year we try to get more partnerships [for Bike Month],” noted Holmes. The website also includes a series of safe bike path maps and the locations of bicycle racks around the valley.

This Saturday (May 21) at 10am in Grandin Village a sculptural bike rack will be dedicated in conjunction with the Roanoke Arts Commission. Following that an “Art By Bike” guided bike tour will cruise by some of the public art pieces now on display at various outdoor venues in the city. All are welcome to join the Art By Bike tour.

“People will ride their bikes and learn a little bit about each piece,” said Holmes. “This [event] reinforces the idea that cycling is fun and interesting. We’re all excited about it.” There is also a film festival on May 28 at the Shadowbox (Kirk Avenue Music Hall), featuring biking-related short pieces produced by local amateur filmmakers.

Holmes was philosophical about the rainy weather that held down attendance at I am the slowest the Greenway Festival booths, carpet cleaner in Roanoke. and at other events that took place in Wasena and Smith Parks (Wiley Drive.) “When you are an outside community you have to accept that. The “I will give your weather doesn’t always coopcarpet the time erate.” Several hundred runand attention ners also braved that weather it deserves to to take part in the Gallop for the Greenways 5K run, which produce the best started and ended at the River’s results possible.”

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