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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel May 4 - 10, 2012

NewsRoanoke.com

Community | News | Per spective

[Roanoke City Election]

Lucas Falls Just Short in Mayoral Challenge

Democrats Hold City

Everyone felt it was going to be a close race as supporters of Mark Lucas gathered at The Quarter on Salem Avenue on Tuesday after the polls closed..

The mood was jubilant and supporters were feeling good about the turnout in South Roanoke and the Lee-High precincts. As the numbers came dribbling in that had Bowers leading, Campaign Manager Chris Walters Mayor’s Race and volunteer Adam Boitnott scoured the returns on their iPad and iPhones confident that the South Roanoke precincts would overtake Bowers.

They were optimistic that these precincts would heavily support Lucas and make up the deficit. But it wasn’t to be … by 8:00 p.m. the writing was on the wall. Lucas missed the mark by just 349 votes.

For Lucas - a Republican - it was an uphill battle. What kept him from reaching the mark was anyone’s guess. Perhaps if he hadn’t taken off a week to go to Costa Rica or had worked harder in precincts outside his home turf. Roanoke voters are notoriously fickle.

Their reasons for voting for one person or another ran the gambit. There was the “anybody but Bowers” voter – the staunch Republican vote and the “let’s take a chance on some-

Nick Thomas

Horsing Around

[

P4–Nick Thomas has a not so scientific method of picking Kentucky Derby winners . . . and losers.

Photo by Valerie Garner

David Bowers with Margarita Cubas cuts one more ribbon in celebration as he enters his victory party.

Creative Class P9– More than two dozen artists met the public in their home studios at 13 locations in Roanoke last week.

In the end Republican challenger Mark Lucas made it interesting, but he couldn’t overcome the Democratic stronghold that is Roanoke City. Incumbent Mayor David Bowers was returned to City Hall on Tuesday night, besting his GOP opponent 52%-48% (4847 votes to 4478). Going back with Bowers for another term, starting in July, is the entire Democratic City Council ticket that ran with the mayor.

Second term Councilman Court Rosen garnered the most votes overall (7223, good for 32% of the votes cast) and will succeed David Trinkle as Vice Mayor in July. Fellow second-termer Anita Price notched 28% of the vote (6567 votes) and Sherman Lea scored 6359 votes, good for 27%. The lone City Council challenger, Independent Brandon Bushnell, was far back with 3105 votes (13%). > CONTINUED P2: Mayor

]

> CONTINUED P2: Lucas

George Allen Plays it Safe in Republican Primary Debate

Former governor and U.S. senator George Allen had the most to lose with a gaff at Saturday’s primary debate. His challengers for the nomination are Bishop E. W. Jackson, Delegate Bob Marshall and former President of the Richmond Tea Party Jamie Radtke.

Jay Warren, WSLS channel 10 anchor, moderated the debate at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center. The room was not at capacity but enthusiasm was high. Chip Tarbutton and Greg Aldridge, who are spearheading the Jackson cam-

paign, had their nose in a laptop check- Protection Agency and the Department ing the conservative blog “Bearing Drift“ of Energy. for reaction. Aldridge gave a quiet aniAmerica’s comeback is based on “more mated cheer when Jackson hit the right fair, simple and competitive taxes – reatalking points. sonable regulations, producJackson, as a minister tive energy development and State Politics demonstrated the oratory empowering educational opskills that set him apart from portunity,” said George Allen. the other candidates. Though he’d “take He used the word “free” or “freedom” 14 an ax” to the nation’s budget, he left his times in his closing statement alone. red, white and blue ax prop out of sight.

Bob Marshall, a 21-year Virginia delJackson would eliminate the Depart- egate, said he has never voted for either ment of Education, the Environmental a tax increase or for deficit spending.

[

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He is known for introducing bills in the general assembly that would make abortions difficult if not impossible. Most recently his “personhood” bill, that defines an embryo as a person, brought Virginia into the national spotlight. It was postponed until 2013 under intense media scrutiny and capital protests.

Marshall is responsible for the bill that formed the legal basis for Virginia’s challenge to Obamacare. The governor has > CONTINUED P2:Allen

Project Faith Serves Again Sleep Depraved P6– A VA Tech researcher says that a lack of sleep can produce unethical behavior.

Better get your Z’s Chip Donahue in front of the new 2013 Hyundai Sonata that he will enjoy for year.

County Names Golden and Red Apple Award Winners Bill Turner

Wild Alfred?

P8– Sportswriter Bill Turner channels in a Hitchcockian persona in covering the VERY big news in sports.

Students in Chip Donahue’s third grade science and social studies classes don’t just study about the environment, they go out into the environment to experience nature first hand. This is just one of the many efforts Donahue makes each year to provide outstanding instruction to his students.

For these reasons and more, the Roanoke County Public Schools Education Foundation awarded the 2012 Golden Apple Award to Donahue. The Golden Apple Award is the highest education honor presented by the Education Foundation.

Each year, teachers from across Roanoke County Public Schools are nominated by students, parents, co-workers and administrators to receive the highest award presented to a teacher by the Education Foundation. This year, 135 teachers were nominated to receive the award – 26 teachers were named as semi-finalists.

In addition to the Golden Apple Award, the Education Foundation also named three Red Apple winners, one for the elementary school level, one for the middle school level and one for the high school level. > CONTINUED P2:Apple

Since its inception used for tuition assismore than a decade tance programs at the ago, starting out in southwest Roanoke the basement at VirCounty school and ginia Heights Baptist for budget items like Church, Faith Christeacher salaries. tian School has worked At the Roanoke Resto foster the spirit of cue Mission on 4th giving back. Every year Street SE, crews (stustudents grades K-12, dents there were from teachers, administragrades 2-5) helped tors and parents volunclean the living quarteer during the annual ters, wiping down beds “Project Faith” day of and making them up; service, helping local they prepped vegetanon-profits with a little bles for the lunch shift, elbow grease. washed the picket fence This year’s Project outside the building Faith day of service First graders make gleaning and mulched flower took place last Friday, bags for The Society of St. An- beds at the women’s when crews fanned out drews Gleaning Americas Fields. shelter across the way. to the Roanoke Rescue Other students put toMission, the Charity Cottage and Manna gether gift bags that will be given out on Ministries in Vinton and Feeding Amer- Mother’s Day. ica in Salem. The school spent months Ann Grubb, a Faith Christian parent prepping students for this and volunteer, was the crew day – and working with them chief for the Rescue Mission Community to send out letters to friends, service day. “We’ve been here family and businesses seeking several [times] doing differfinancial sponsorships. ent projects,” said Grubb. There were This year the target was to raise so many children involved (the school $160,000 – a goal succeeded and then has about 300 students) that it was necsome. In fact it looks like when all the essary to split > CONTINUED envelopes are in that Project Faith 2012 them up into P2: Faith may net about $200,000, which will be several groups

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Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 5/4/12- 5/10/12

Showers and storms remain possible for the remainder of the work week with high temperatures near 90.

Showers and storms are possible this weekend.

Temperatures will be in the upper 80s on Saturday with low 80s expected Sunday.

Showers and storms are possible along a cold front Monday into Tuesday with temperatures in the upper 70s.

> Democrats

“How about that?” exclaimed Bill Bestpitch, another incumbent not up for election this year, when the final vote tallies were announced at Fork in the City, the eatery owned by Trinkle.

Price, who appeared nervous before the results started coming in, said she was happy that voters “have demonstrated their support and belief in what we are doing. This is a stamp of approval. We have all proven beyond a shadow of doubt that we are moving things in the right direction.”

Price said there wasn’t time for bickering and pettiness now, calling it a “working council.” She felt compelled to run again.

“There are things that I definitely want to see through [to the end].” Development at Countryside and renovations at Elmwood Park are at the top of her to-do list.

Rosen also noted that money for Countryside redevelopment is in the capital budget, with $1.5 million dedicated towards the city-owned property for improvements like greenways. “We’re getting a lot of good things done,” said Rosen, who believes keeping an eye on the cash-strapped budget is priority number one. “Not getting ahead of ourselves – I think that’s first and foremost.”

Rosen said he would not attempt to float another meals tax hike, which he championed two years ago as a way to support the city school system. It sunsets this July after

> Lucas

one else” voter.

Bowers had strong financial support from Republican Peter Via that may have put him over the top. Or it could have been the ground game that was full of volunteers including “Organizing For America” headed by activist Freeda Cathcart.

Voter turnout seemed to give Bowers just enough support. The heavily Democratic

From page 1

raising more than four million dollars: “I’m a firm believer that you don’t tax people just because you can.” The school system has become more efficient in recent years, according to Rosen. “There’s really no need to extend the meals tax… right now.”

Bushnell had made doing just that a major plank of his campaign. Rosen called Bushnell and Lucas, “very nice folks. I enjoyed getting to know them.”

“Folks voted for stability,” added Rosen, the Vice Mayor-elect, before he introduced Bowers.

Bowers swamped Lucas in precincts that were considered strongholds for the Democrats based on demographics and traditional voting patterns – capturing 158 of 172 votes cast at the Melrose polling place for example – while Lucas held his own elsewhere, coming close or winning in places like Raleigh Court, where he came out on top at four of five precincts.

“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, I guess that’s the message,” said Bowers when asked what the election results meant.

Bowers took a good natured jab at Lucas when he arrived at Fork in the City to give his victory speech, cutting a piece of yellow tape held in front of the door for him. “Tonight we’re going to cut the ribbon on four more years,” said Bowers, tweaking the Lucas campaign, which claimed the Mayor was From page 1 Peters Creek precinct in Northwest pulled in 200 voters in the last hour and a half.

Optimistic faces soon turned somber as Chris Walter announced a loss and Lucas spoke to his supporters. Congressman Bob Goodlatte was there to lend his support.

Lucas was disappointed and said that it was a very tough race. When asked where he would go from here he said, “back to

too focused on ribbon cuttings and other ceremonial activities, and not enough on growing businesses in the city.

Celtic musician Jim Baldwin played the bagpipes as Bowers shook hands and accepted hugs. The mayor, who gave flowers to campaign manager Joan Washburn, his mother Mary and his girlfriend before it was time for the victory speech, started out by chanting “four more years.” He praised Lucas for “running a spirited campaign. He was very competitive. I commend Mark Lucas.”

Bowers talked about “dramatic” changes in the coming years, perhaps a new skyline downtown and the imminent announcement of a new business in the city. “I’m going to do a good job for them… I’m very grateful,” said Bowers, ever the spokesman for his hometown. “This is a great place to live.”

“I’m excited about the next four years,” added Bowers about the newly reelected team of Democrats, “we’ve got a lot to do.”

Editors Note: The third council member reelected, Sherman Lea, also made an appearance at the Fork in the City election night party but arrived after Gene Marrano had completed his interviews.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

work.” He still wants to be involved in job creation and said he had met a lot of great people during his campaign.

He said he didn’t know if he would seek office again in the future.

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Last Thursday evening cuts to the Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Agriculture and Natural Resource component of the budget hit a nerve with 50 of about 70 people who showed up for the budget hearing.

Seventeen out of 21 speakers asked that the $19,000 unfunded VCE agricultural component be restored. Mike Martin VCE District Director said, “Residents do benefit directly in horticultural needs such as lawn care, fertilization, tree management, home landscaping, and home vegetable and flower garden production.” The services are also available to pubic entities said Martin.

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recently signed Marshall’s AntiDetention Act that prevents any Virginia agency from aiding the military in detaining U.S. citizens without trial.

In a humorous moment Warren asked if the Department of Homeland Security was a good idea. To that Jackson responded, “I do have a problem with TSA and the groping that goes on at the airports.” Marshall added that he thought the TSA “was a job’s program for out of work urologists,” which brought a big round of laughter.

Allen dismissed Ronald Reagan’s 18 debt ceiling increases saying, “those were those days and now it’s different.” He advocated for a balanced budget amendment and line item veto ignoring the question regarding his four votes to raise the debt ceiling during his previous reign as a U.S. Senator.

Radtke called Allen out on his votes for earmarks and raising the debt ceiling. She said she would balance the budget in five years by freezing federal spending at current levels.

Tim Kaine held a roundtable

to the continued success and expansion to community gardens. Our organization relies upon the VCE for assistance with design and development of community gardens and the creation of youth gardens.” VCE master gardener volunteers were invaluable, he said.

Rushdat Hale from Niger says she has an 1000 square foot urban farm plot she shares with other immigrants. Hale also supported the benefits of VCE assistance in community gardening.

Another area of concern was Arts funding. Executive Director of the Roanoke Symphony, Beth Pline, asked council to reconsider the 25 percent cut in funding to the Roanoke Arts Commission, asset development for economy and educa-

Mark Powell and Rushdat Hale tion. She told council that, “we are a revenue generator for the city. We collect admissions tax on your behalf. The Roanoke Symphony alone serves over 14,000 discrete individuals per year who attend at least one of our concerts … Cuts to us really do make an impact.” she said.

Pline also emphasized their role in tourism. They need

matching city funds for the half million dollars in grant requests that have been sent out. “We may not be able to accept these grants should we get them.”

Dallas Powell wanted to save the city money by reducing code enforcement and solid waste inspectors. The solution he said, would be to bill the tenant rather than the landlord for things like trash can violations.

Tenants then would be more accountable which would reduce the need for enforcement personnel.

City Council and the administration will consider the requests as they hold a briefing on Monday May 7 at 9:00 a.m. in council chambers.

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

From page 1 on social security in Roanoke on the same day. His solution to keeping social security solvent past 2033 is to raise the social security payroll tax cap.

Jackson said that he “would never want to destroy social security, but if Chile can come up with a system of allowing people to invest their own money and build wealth over the course of their lives ... the United States of America can handle it, too.”

All the candidates at the debate favored raising the retirement age for those born after the 1960s. Radtke said the government “has stolen it from all of us.” Retirees live in fear she said. “We can incentivize people to work beyond their retirement age … They can keep their payroll taxes.”

George Allen blamed the social security crisis on the economy. Besides raising the retirement age he suggested income adjustment. “There are a variety of things that can be done … one thing I will not be for is raising taxes.” He blamed Tim Kaine for the increase in spending and said he “expected Tim

> Apple The Red Apple winners are: Scott Price – special education teacher at Mountain View Elementary, Erica Rosser – 8th grade teacher at William Byrd Middle and Amy Bolen – Spanish teacher at Northside High and Middle The Education Foundation also recognizes a new teacher who has taught in Roanoke County for three years or less. This is called the Green Apple Award. The winner of the 2012 Green Apple Award is Vickie Frost, a kindergarten teacher at Burlington Elementary School.

“We are very proud of all the teachers at Roanoke County Public Schools,” said Edu-

Warren, Allen, Jackson, Marshall, Radtke.

Kaine to demagogue this issue.”

All candidates support the Defense of Marriage Act. All candidates were noncommittal on endorsing Mitt Romney as the Republican nominee for president but said they would support the eventual nominee.

Jackson admitted that Romney was not his first choice.

Allen said later that he’d like to see “states have flexibility in managing Medicaid.” There are many aspects of Paul Ryan’s budget proposal “that are identical or close to the one I’m advocating,” he said.

Both Virginia Senator Ralph Smith and Delegate Greg Habeeb have endorsed George Allen. Senator Smith said he envied Jackson’s speaking ability. He also thought Marshall would contribute positively to the debate.

There are two more Republican primary debates – one is scheduled for May 11 in Virginia Beach and another on May 25 in Falls Church.

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

From page 1 cation Foundation Chairman Lenora Downing. “The Golden Apple Award recognizes the best educator in Roanoke County Public Schools. We were extremely impressed with all our finalists. It was again very difficult to select a winner,” Downing said.

In addition to receiving a check for $3,000, Donahue received an additional award – the use of a brand-new 2012 Hyundai Sonata for one year, courtesy of First Team Auto Mall, with custom license plates that read GR8TCR (Great Teacher).

“The education of our young people is so important, and nothing can be accomplished without our teachers. We want to

show educators in the Roanoke Valley that their efforts are truly appreciated,” said David Dillon, President and General Manager of First Team Auto Mall.

Since its inception in 1991, The Roanoke County Education Foundation has provided more than $780,000 in scholarships to 1143 graduating seniors; more than $190,000 in classroom scholarships to more than 1100 teachers; and more than $278,000 to support travel and educational programs. In all, that’s nearly $1.2 million in support to the teachers and students at Roanoke County Public Schools.

> Faith for Project Faith, sending them in different directions. Teachers explained to their young pupils ahead of time what the Rescue Mission is all about. “Not everybody is as fortunate as we are to have a roof over our heads,” said Grubb, “so that’s what we’re doing today, serving those who don’t.”

Grubb has two children at Faith Christian, both of whom were also involved with Project Faith – as are all students, regardless of age. “We love to do it as a family,” said Grubb, who recruited her mother-in-law when her husband couldn’t make it.

Parent volunteer Maria McKeown, also a Physical Education teacher at Faith Christian, was roaming the halls at the Rescue Mission, snapping pictures for posterity. She has a fifth grader at the school (Jenna).

“It’s wonderful for them to get out into the community and see lifestyles that are different than their own,” said McKeown, “and as Christians we are called to give back. It’s a wonderful way for them to get out and serve. It makes a big impression on a lot of these kids.”

Rescue Mission Kitchen Manager David Hankins was grateful for the help: “It’s very much

5/4/12- 5/10/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3 From page 1

Over 550 volunteers thank their sponsors who donated over $195,000 through Project Faith.. a blessing to have them here, to help us with a lot of things we normally don’t have time to do.”

Hankins said the deep cleaning being done in the cafeteria and elsewhere was much appreciated – as he got ready to serve 300 lunches. Later in the typical day 450-500 dinners will be prepared.

Rescue Mission Volunteer Coordinator Leslie Littlefield said there were about 160 in the Faith Christian group at the shelter last Friday. “We’ve got them all over the place. We are always grateful to have Project Faith here, joining us in the effort to serve others.” Previously the Faith Christian crew helped clean up the Rescue Mission’s Jubilee Acres day camp site in

Catawba.

Headmaster Sam Cox said the 11th year for Project Faith – the third time at the Rescue Mission – was a big success, financially and otherwise. Last year Project Faith raised $174,000 and with more than $190,000 raised so far this year, “We’d like to hit the $200,000 mark,” said Cox. More than $1.5 million has been raised by the annual service effort over the past 11 years.

But Project Faith is about much more than just raising money for the school: “First and foremost we want to serve the community, and [those] who need us to rally around them and help.”

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Marines Hike the Appalachian Trail in Support of Veterans

Warrior Hike is a non-profit fundraising effort whose mission is to help wounded veterans. Marine Captains Mark Silvers 26, of Danville and Sean Goblin, 36 of Rhode Island have recently returned from Afghanistan.

Dan Karnes, President of the Roanoke Valley Veterans Council, brought Silvers and Goblin by the DAV in Salem Friday. Salem is about the halfway point of their 2180-mile Appalachian Trail journey.

Goblin said while in Afghanistan they saw a lot of debilitating injuries at the hospital and they asked themselves “what can we do to help the situation?”

Goblin and Silvers decided that they wanted to make a difference in the lives of wounded veterans. They began their hike in Georgia on March 15 and have raised $9000 so far. They continued their hike on Saturday morning.

They will host 38 separate fundraisers at VFW Posts along the trail in order to purchase adaptive vehicles for veterans who have suffered multiple amputations during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

One hundred percent of the donations will go towards the adaptive vehicles.

Silvers enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2006 and received his commission following graduation from the University of Virginia. He was deployed in

Left to right: Mark Silvers, Dan Karnes and Sean Gobin.

Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010.

After completing the Warrior Hike he plans to pursue a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

Gobin enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1994 as an infantryman and received his commission after graduating from the University of Mississippi in 2001. He served as a platoon commander in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and again in 2005. He also plans to pursue a Masters Degree in Business Administration at UVA. They realized that the service men who lost legs and are in the recovery process can apply to the V-A for a $19,000 grant that goes toward the cost of an adaptive vehicle. It then needs to be fitted to the service veteran’s

needs. “That doesn’t come close to the actual cost of the vehicle - up to $10,000 more is usually needed,” said Gobin.

Their mission is to raise the extra money for those veterans that can’t afford the extra cost.

“They run into a lot of other veterans on the trail,” said Gobin.

“There are a lot of veterans that are hiking the trail and transitioning from military to civilian life.” They hope to recruit other veterans to keep the fundraiser going and make Salem one of their regular stops.

For more information go to their website at www.warriorhike.com and “LIKE” their facebook page.

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

Roanoke Republican Women Earn Gold Award

The Virginia Federation of Republican Women (VFRW) held their 59th annual convention in Williamsburg last weekend. Members of the Roanoke Valley Republican Women (RVRW) attended the three day convention and earned the VFRW’s highest award, the GOLD Achievement Award.

To earn the GOLD award, the local RVRW club had to meet a series of goals throughout the year as well as excel in community service and volunteerism.

The women donated money to local candidates, held fundraisers, donated books to the Barbara Bush Literary Fund, supported our troops overseas, donated supplies to local Roanoke area foster children as well as many other charitable endeavors.

The event was held at the Colonial Williamsburg Lodge and Convention Center, which featured many hospitality suites hosted by local and statewide dignitaries. Speakers included all four Republican candidates vying for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Senator Jim Webb. Former Gov.

RVRW club with Lt. Governor Bill Bolling and his wife Jean Ann. George Allen, Jamie Radtke, Bishop E. W. Jackson and Delegate Bob Marshall all had their turn to state why they would be the best Republican candidate to defeat Webb. The Republican primary will be held June 12th.

Saturday evening’s champagne reception was hosted by George & Susan Allen. The banquet featured RPV Chairman Pat Mullins and Lt. Governor Bill Bolling as keynote speakers, with special guests Jean Ann Bolling and new National Federation of Republican Women

President Rae Chornenky. The RVRW were presented with their achievement award by Bolling and his wife. Elections for new VFRW officer’s was held, with Miki Miller being elected as the new President for a two year term.

The VFRW consists of about 70 local clubs throughout Virginia. They have a total membership of over 2,300 women and approximately 300 attended the convention.

By Carla M. Bream info@newsroanoke.com

Perspective

Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 5/4/12- 5/10/12

Saving “Sam”

A

t least once in my life- I went home in a daze. Why time, I have definitely did I make such a commitfelt the power of God ment? With my busy schedule, working within me. I have no how many times would I fail to doubt of this, for with only my keep it? What if Sam balked at own human ability, this story the thought of more study after could never be told. It happened school and refused to cooperabout 20 years ago when our ate? What if he was incapable of pastor and his wife learning? became foster parI planned to use ents for a bi-racial the method and mafirst grader whom I’ll terials of the Shedd call “Sam” to protect program, which I his identity. had used successSam was the oldfully for many years. est of five children I knew this was the removed from their best method but I mother’s custody due realized that some to neglect that resultchildren with seed in severe burns vere perceptual of the two younger problem require Mary Jo Shannon children. The burn intensive work for victims were sent many months to to the burn center at the Uni- achieve their potential. Would versity of Virginia Hospital; the Sam be one of these? Would I other children were assigned to fail to keep my promise to help a foster parent in a distant part him learn? Furthermore, I had of Roanoke. not discussed this with Harry, This arrangement distressed which I usually do before agreeSam, who could not bear to ing to such a change in our rouleave his school and the only tine. Oh, why had I made such a close friend he had – our pastor’s hasty decision? son. Consequently, Tupper and The following day I met the his wife, Virginia, volunteered school bus and Sam came willto become Sam’s foster parents. ingly with me to my home. I They took him in to be a fourth had set up a study station in my child in their family and every- home office, and after a snack one adjusted well to the change. and some “get-to-know-you” There was, however one ma- conversation we settled down jor problem – how to help Sam to work. Two worries erased – with his homework, for Sam Sam was most cooperative, and was in the “non-reading group” Harry understood and supportin his first grade class. One day, ed my decision. The time flew a week or so into the new situ- by and at 5:00 I drove my little ation, Tupper asked me (know- learner back to his new home in ing I was a retired teacher) how time for supper. he could possibly help Sam with Amazingly, this routine was spelling when he didn’t even repeated daily without conflict know the alphabet. Immediately throughout the fall. I was conmy mouth opened and my reply vinced by his rapid progress truly shocked me. “Let me work that Sam’s difficulties were due with him every day after school to cultural deprivation rather and I’ll help him learn.” than perceptual problems or My offer was accepted, and intellectual deficiency. He was

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eager to learn and rejoiced in each accomplishment. Soon he knew not only the alphabet but the sound each letter produced.

Spelling made sense and he delighted to write his own name in cursive.

When the Christmas break approached, Sam’s teacher spoke to his foster mom about his progress. She felt he was ready to leave the non-reading group and join a reading group. Would it be possible for his tutor to work with him over the holidays and help him complete the material her beginning readers had covered so far?

Both Sam and I agreed. I would change the schedule and we would work early in the morning so that he could have the rest of the day free. I gave him my telephone number. “Just call me after you are up and have had your breakfast,” I said, “and I’ll come to get you.”

The following morning my telephone rang at 7:00 am. “I’m ready!” Sam said enthusiastically. “But I’m afraid I’m not,” I replied. “I’ll come for you at 8:00 o’clock.”

And so we worked every day except for Christmas and New Year’s Day. We finished the reader and the workbook and Sam entered the reading group when school reconvened.

But we didn’t stop the lessons. We continued throughout the year until spring break.

Again the teacher said he was ready to move up to a more advanced group. Could I continue tutoring through spring break and catch him up with the next group? We accepted the challenge, again without complaint from Sam. We accomplished our goal and Sam moved up again. I was amazed. This entire project seemed miraculous.

When summer came, not only had Sam’s reading and writing changed, but his personality had changed also. No longer did he seem submissive but was more confident and competitive. He also said he missed his brothers and their foster mother suggested he join them for the summer. This arrangement met his emotional needs and he asked if he might stay with them permanently. Eventually this lovely lady adopted all the boys.

That fall Sam enrolled in a new school with a new name. Now he could make a new beginning with many new friends and the security of a happy home life.

I can’t help wondering – was the Lord preparing Sam for some special work? Maybe his purpose was just for him to be an inspiration to others. What Sam needed at each stage of his young life was provided.

It is an awesome and humbling experience to be aware of the living God at work within you.

Contact Mary Jo at maryjoshannon@ymail.com

R E N O VAT I O N S DIRECT

Horsing Around

E

veryone has a method for picking the “Go For Gin” (1994) is what Nixon probably did winner of the Kentucky Derby. Mine every morning he picked up the Washington Post completely ignores form or pedigree, so I during Watergate; “Charismatic” (1999) could wouldn’t go betting the farm on my predictions. describe Barack Obama, but so could “Spend a Take this year’s 138th Derby. Since it falls on Buck” (1985), although “Spend a Trillion Bucks” Cinco de Mayo, this was clearly a sign for me might be more appropriate given the escalating that the colt “El Padrino” (Spanish for godfather) national debt. should win the 1.25 mile sprint around Churchill Take a guess which president could be associDowns. ated with these Derby winners: “Behave Yourself,” For last year’s event, a very moving experience “Foolish Pleasure,” and “Genuine Risk” (1921, was involved in my selection. Just prior to the race, 1975, and 1980, respectively). Let’s just say they I had a colonoscopy and the preceding night had would all fit the Bill. suffered through the indignant “prep” Horse racing was a sport long before that clears out the bowels. shaming disgraced U.S. presidents beSo naturally I selected “Watch Me came popular. Around 4500 BC, when Go” as the 2011 winner.

Ron Paul first ran for president, noBummer. He trotted in eighteenth madic tribesmen of Central Asia first ¬ which, coincidently, just happened domesticated the horse. to be the number of bathroom trips I In the 12th century, English knights made during that night. returned from the Crusades with swift I had better success in 2008 pickArab horses that were bred with Enging “Big Brown” as the winner. This lish horses producing offspring with revelation came from my vision of a greater speed and endurance. Racing large horse with a very active digesthe fastest horses for wagers soon tive system and a stable boy followbecame a popular recreation for the Nick Thomas ing discreetly behind with a hefty aristocracy. shovel.

The Spanish brought the first domesticated Let me stress that gastrointestinal problems horses to America in the early 1500s, and British don’t always factor into my Derby selections; they settlers later introduced horse racing to the contiare based solely on the horse’s name. nent. The first racetrack appearing on Long Island So in 2005, I chose “Giacomo.” The 50-1 shot, in 1665, but it wasn’t until after the Civil War that who fought his way into the lead from the back of organized racing emerged as a widespread sport the field to win, was named after the son of rock in the U.S. star Sting. I didn’t have any special fondness for Today, horses are referenced throughout huSting’s music, but did have a rather unpleasant en- man culture. Even our language reflects their counter with a wasp that spring. prominence in society. “Horse of a different colI imagine other punters use equally poor logic or,” “hold your horses,” and “horsing around” are to pick a winner. One method might be to look for all familiar expressions. And yes, you might even a connection to your profession. cynically apply those terms to the aforementioned For instance, if you were a historian in 1875 Clinton scandal. Certainly, at least for a brief time when the first Kentucky Derby was run, you during his administration, the president “changed couldn’t overlook “Aristides,” who was named af- horses in mid-stream.” ter a statesman from the days of ancient Greece.

I’m not sure if President Clinton made a preAlong these lines, what English teacher wouldn’t diction for this year’s Derby. But if he applied my have been rooting for “Macbeth II” in 1988? method, he’d probably drop a few dollars on “LiaiAnd bankers would surely have expressed in- son” or “I’ll Have Another.” terest in choosing “High Yield” (2000), “Dollar As for the former First Lady, who surely lecBill” (2001), or “Coin Silver” (2005). tured her wayward hubby about his extracurricuThere have even been years where a horse’s lar activities, she might just be partial to “Rousing name could provide presidential scholars with a Sermon.” clue to picking a Derby champ: Contact Nick Thomas at “Omaha” (1935) is the birthplace of Gerald info@newsroanoke.com Ford; George W. Bush was a “Jet Pilot” (1947);

I

Nurse, Musician, Educator Knows Her Food

f you've wondered how God's creation connects with good nutrition, you haven't met Laura Pole.

The oncology nurse and nutritionist turned folk singer and recording artist can even make music about reading the labels on processed food. She can also do a good imitation of Elvis Presley on guitar.

Pole, who lives near Smith Mountain Lake but has been known to Roanoke Valley residents for her several specialties for more than 25 years, was one of four presenters at a recent Saturday conference , "Faith, Hope, Love and Deeds:Interfaith Proaction for Care of Creation." The second annual event of its kind, it attracted about 50 persons from the religion and ecology communities to St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Roanoke.

The meeting, which included several members of the Islamic and East Indian communities as well as representatives of a variety of Christian groups, was supported by several denominational regional bodies, Plowshare Peace Center, a group concerned about spirituality and ecology and individual Baptist, Presbyterian, United Methodist and Disciples of Christ congregations.

Under the broad theme of respecting God's creation, the four speakers focused on corporate responsibility for combatting inhuman practices, understanding today's

complex medical issues, the new speciality of health maintenance within a congregation and Pole's integration of care of the body through sound nutrition.

Participants ate lunch during the session; it provided an example of Pole's teaching as she explained in the closing lecture after the meal.

Prepared by Mary Bommarito of Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church, the food sent many diners back for second helpings of the simple meal of a meatless southern style chili, fresh salad, with "scratch-made" dressing, a fiber-rich muffin and desert of fresh strawberries topped with home-made whipped cream.

Pole, who works as a nutrition educator for an agency based in the Washington area, also spends considerable time using her professional skill as a cancer nurse and her natural gift of singing and playing folk music. Many have met her through Good Samaritan Hospice or have enjoyed her music in a group known as Trifokal .

Food, she told the conference participants, is more than nourishment of the body.

"If you don't take the time to eat right, you'll have to take the time to be sick," she noted.

The enjoyment of food can be enhanced by its smell, taste and appearance, she said, pointing out "there's no good or bad food...It's not a panacea or a demon."

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The best food, Pole told her audience, is whole, fresh and natural. That means it's not refined to get rid of the husk on grain, as has been done for years to make it seem more appealing. Eating an apple with its skin does "keep the doctor away," an old saying had it. A clean baked potato skin provides fiber, and a whole orange is far more nutritious than jello with artificial coloring, she noted.

Is organic food naturally better? Yes, said Pole, if it has been grown without pesticides or chemical additives which are listed on the label but which it takes commitment to read. Even the common and healthful food peanut butter may contain much more than nuts.She views the corn-based fructose, once thought superior to cane sugar, as a major cause of the obesity epidemic, for it's a major ingredient of such products as soft drinks and comercial baked goods.

But a shopper needs to use balance and common sense in buying organic, Pole pointed out. Often organic is more expensive and for that reason rejected by those who most need to better their diets. If purchased, it needs to be carefully rinsed, and, if possible, acquired locally where there's more control over its origin.

Food grown without pesticides tends to have more flavor because the plant can put all its effort into developing without having to fight off a certain weakening that chemicals produce, she said.

Finally, to enjoy food fully, it needs to be eaten at home in Pole's view. A lot of the value of a family being together comes from mealtimes, a factor often missing in fast-paced America today.

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Perspective

5/4/12- 5/10/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

NewsRoanoke.com

O

r maybe not . . . things could happen.

But let’s assume Gov. Romney will make the run. This is a good time to consider the thrash we have just completed with the primaries/caucus shenanigans. We can disregard the fact that the candidates, particularly Gov. Romney, have been on the campaign trail for almost a decade. It’s just since the Iowa caucus on January 3 that we have had to endure (can there be another word for it?) 21 primaries, caucuses, and endless media events masquerading as debates.

What have we learned? Here’s one thing: If you want to run for President, all you need is tens of millions of dollars and an ego to match. Given those two ingredients, we move on to the next stage. It is a foregone conclusion that the present incumbent (in any election year, not just our current occupant) is the Devil Incarnate. Nothing the current administration has done could possibly be anything but destructive to “The American Way of Life,” whatever that platitude might mean.

In order to prove (or refute) this point it becomes necessary to spend mammoth amounts of money. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the 1996 presidential campaign cost

Well, Finally . . . a Nominee!

239.9 million dollars, the 2008 campaign 883.3 Then we had Ronald Reagan with his ‘tricklemillion, and the 2012 is certain to exceed the one down” theory and supply side economics. George billion dollar mark I haven’t heard anyone say it, H.W. Bush was never more right when he called but what a boost elections are for the economy, it “voodoo economics.” Jim Hightower, a populist particularly the media! Maybe we should have a pundit, hit the nail smartly when he said the idea presidential election every year. was to help the rich and we would all be Once the money gets raised the fairy eating seven course dinners. That haptales begin. Each speech might well begin, pened . . . the rich got much richer and “Once upon a time . . . .” The message of everyone else had their seven course the candidates is that we can have it all and dinner: possum and a six pack. it will not cost us anything. Smaller, less I suppose we will survive the next intrusive government, lower taxes, a balseveral months and on November 6 we anced budget, increased entitlements and will vote. Many will believe the fairy programs, jobs for everyone. “A chicken in tales we have been told, and they will be every pot and a car in every garage,” as the first to become angry when it is Hayden Hollingsworth Herbert Hoover famously said in 1928. obvious that they aren’t true. But it We know how that well worked! Not is true when bad things happen, no to worry about the debt. As Alexander Hamilton one stands up to take the blame. The Democrats (who must be spinning in his grave) proposed, we blame the Republicans (and vice versa), the Presimust have debt in order to be strong; we must be dent blames Congress, the radicals blame the libcredit worthy to be respected. The part he never eral, and the atheists blame the Christian right, envisioned was that government would have no the ice cap blames global warming, and so on. plan to meet its obligations.

But there is one group that has no right to comSlogans: Don’t you just love them? “Guns and plain about anything: Those that don’t vote. butter” we were promised in the 1960s. Too much We will be inundated with manufactured hype of one and not enough of the other was the truth. about the election but we must see through all

The Preacher’s Corner - God and Money

I

don't often play the lottery. My dad fondly referred to it as the "fool's tax" and while I know the proceeds are generally marked for "good causes" such as education etc., the whole thing just seems like such a "let's take advantage of gullible people" process.

But I did play recently. It was one of those weeks when no one had won in forever and the jackpot was something like 8 quadrillion zillion and the allure of receiving a check after taxes for about $300 a month was just so tempting.

My numbers came up 6-1438-52-54 with a 38 as the "Powerball" - whatever that is.

I didn't match a single one - which, statistically, seemed to be well in my favor. After Googling the odds of winning I came across this list of things that are MORE likely to happen to you than winning the lottery: (The odds of winning when I played were 1 in 176 Million!)

Death by Vending Machine - Odds: 1 in 112 million.

Dying in an Airline-Related Terrorist Attack - Odds: 1 in 25 million.

Having Identical Quadruplets - Odds: 1 in 15 million.

Becoming President - Odds: 1 in 10 million.

Dying From Bee, Hornet, or

Wasp Stings - Odds: 1 in 6.1 million.

Dying From Being LeftHanded - Odds: 1 in 4.4 million. (Apparently, a fair number of left-handed people die each year from using righthanded products incorrectly.

Who knew?)

Becoming a Movie Star Odds: 1 in 1,505,000.

Getting Struck by Lightning - Odds: 1 in 1 million.

(In fact, that bolt from the sky may strike you more than 500 times before you hit the jackpot.)

Dying in a Bathtub - Odds: 1 in 840,000. (These odds are not an excuse to stop bathing.)

Dying in an On-the-Job Accident - Odds: 1 in 48,000.

Interestingly, this list of odds were all focused on dying except the categories of "having identical quadruplets," "becoming president," or "becoming a movie star" - all of which are apparently just as bad as death in the author's eyes.

Of course winning the lottery itself can turn out to be a pretty unfortunate occurrence. There are so many stories of how once happy lives have gone totally down the tubes under the pressure and temptation to become more focused on "things" rather than the more simple and

genuine moments that bring lasting joy.

So the question seems to ask itself: Has "progress" in the name of having more and more and more put us in a truly "happier" place?

It seems obvious that America's overwhelming focus on materialism and success as defined by how much one can make or accumulate, has led us to a place of extreme moral / ethical / societal decay.

The bible has lots to say about that. Here's another list I found on Google: "He that trust in riches shall fall but the righteous shall flourish as a branch." Proverbs 11:28 "Riches profit not in the day of wrath but righteousness delivers from this," Proverbs 11:4 "There are those who make themselves rich yet hath nothing. There are those who make themselves poor yet have great riches." Proverbs 13:7 "He that hastens to be rich hath an evil eye and considers not that poverty shall come upon him." Proverbs 28:22 "Better is little with a fear of the Lord than great treasure and the trouble therewith."Proverbs 15:16 "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have

Local Crossword

Star-Sentinel Crossword for 5/4/2012

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ACROSS 1 4 7 10 11 13 14 15 16 17

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Stab Discs Expression Expression of surprise Hang Compass point Great!

Bedspread feather Beats per minute Area academic program that can raise a child's education by a whole grade level and it runs year round.

Diminish Gods Elemental Brain injury side affect Access (2 wds.)

Luau dish Author Poe European sea eagle Block of metal General pacific islands Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (abbr.)

Ashy

40 42 46 48 50 51 52 53 54 55 56

Ribald Nevertheless Precedes an alias Adios Tax agency Relation Review New Jersey's neighbor Bounder Thief’s hideout Aurora

DOWN Mandibles Sailors "hey" Sob Lily shaped Parent Gushes out Undefeated Gross national product (abbr.)

Skirt edge Motionless stance of a hunting dog in pointing game (2 wds.)

12 Epoch 18 By way of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11

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North by east Nigerian capital Japanese dress Volcano Capital of Western Samoa Lake Area propane distributor who teamed up with the American Cancer Society to 'deliver the cure'.

They 'guys in purple' who take care of your lawns and landscapes.

Greek Lyric poem Whichever Additional Struggle "__ and go seek" (game) Brand of sandwich cookie The area's Peabody award winning newscast.

Official canine registry (abbr.)

Killed in action Frost

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

wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief 's." (1Timothy 6:10) A regular student of the Old Testament readings above, Jesus added some perspective to this wisdom and gave us God's expectation so simply: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and

the problems associated with the system. Former Congressman Tom Davis had it right: “Campaigns are fiction; governing is fact.” Of one thing I am sure: name calling is not going to make things better. Listening critically, not accepting hyperbole as fact, holding the candidates to answering the questions they are asked rather than allowing them to meander off to their favorite sound bite, and voting, not for the slickest, the most urbane, or the most powerful, but the one who will truly put the interest of the country before everything else regardless of the political price. Will either be willing to tell the truth knowing it might cost the election?

Unless the electorate will stand up and be counted, unless we are willing to hear the truth, swallow hard, and get on with it, then we will continue down the same path of promises not possible, a result with which we have become much too familiar.

Contact Hayden at jhayden2003@cox.net

by Stuart Revercomb despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

It's OK to want to be financially better off I suppose - everyone dreams of having things at least a little easier.

But our focus should not be on the material things of this world but on the eternal things of God - love, hope, faith - and the abiding joy that is only

found in loving one another as He has loved us.

For it is indeed a short and uncertain life and sooner or later "the odds" catch up with us all. But God's great gift of himself in Jesus has overcome even the worst of them.

In the end, maybe that’s the only thing we can really take to the bank.

Community | News | Perspective 540-400-0990 Publisher | Stuart Revercomb | stuart@newsroanoke.com News Editor | Gene Marrano | gmarrano@cox.net

Senior Writer |Valerie Garner| vgarner7@cox.net Production Editor | Leigh Sackett | leigh@newsroanoke.com Technical Webmaster | Don Waterfield | webmaster@newsroanoke.com Advertising Director | Vickie Henderson | vihenderson@comcast.net

Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 5/4/12- 5/10/12

Research Shows Lack Of Sleep May Produce Unethical Behavior Can lack of sleep make you behave unethically? Researchers think so.

Many studies have looked at the impact of sleep deprivation on workers’ health, safety, and morale, says VT Pamplin College of Business management assistant professor Christopher Barnes, but few have considered its implications for unethical behavior.

“Sleep deprivation may also contribute to unethical conduct in the workplace, which is costly to organizations,” says Barnes, who co-authored a recent study on the subject.

Barnes and three other scholars conducted four studies in different settings and situations to examine the influence of low levels of sleep in decision-making situations involving ethical considerations. “We consistently

Christopher Barnes found that people were more likely to behave unethically when they were short on sleep,” he says.

An important practical implication of their research, he says, is that managers and organizations may play a larger role than previously thought in promoting unethical behavior — through excessive

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work demands, extended work hours, and shifts that result in night work, each of which, other studies show, has diminished employee sleep.

“We are not arguing that managers can or should completely control the sleep and unethical behavior of their subordinates,” Barnes says, “but that managers should recognize that many of their actions may have second-order effects on sleep and thus unethical behavior. Managers who push their employees to work long hours, work late into the night, or work sporadic and unpredictable schedules may be creating situations that foster unethical behavior.”

Barnes is the lead author of “Lack of sleep and unethical conduct,” co-authored with John Schaubroeck and Megan Huth of Michigan State University and Sonia Ghumman of the University of Hawaii and published in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 115 (2011), 169–180.

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Tech Announces Football Helmet Ratings; Two More Added To Five-Star Mark

Virginia Tech has released the results of its 2012 rating for adult football helmets that are designed to assess a helmet's ability to reduce the risk of concussion.

A total of three helmets achieved a "5 star" mark, which is the highest rating awarded by the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings. In addition to the Riddell Revolution Speed, which was the only helmet to receive five stars last year, the Rawlings Quantum Plus and Riddell 360 also earned five stars as the best available helmets.

The process used for evaluating the head protector involves performing 120 impacts on each helmet model at multiple locations and impact energies. To date, the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings for adult football include 15 helmet models that were evaluated using more than 2,000 laboratory tests. The ratings, first introduced in 2011, utilize the STAR Evaluation System to assess helmet performance. The STAR, an acronym for the Summation of Tests for the Analysis of Risk, evaluation system was developed using data collected from over 1.8-million head impacts experienced by football players throughout an eightyear span.

"This is a perfect example of a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded project resulting in translational research. The NIH supported the development of the sensors and data collection that provided the foundation for our rating system.

Specifically, you can see Riddell and Rawlings using this research to develop the very best helmets," said project director Stefan Duma the Harry C. Wyatt Professor of Engineering and department head of the Virginia Tech -- Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences.

A total of five new adult football helmet models by Rawlings, Riddell, and Xenith have been released since the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings were first made available in 2011. The Riddell 360 (5 stars), Rawlings Quantum Plus (5 stars), Rawlings Impulse (4 stars), and Rawlings Quantum (4 stars) were new models that are recommended by the researchers. "We recommend any of the four or five star helmets for players. The specific helmet a player chooses will be dependent on other factors such as a fit and comfort," said Duma. The remaining new helmet model included in the 2012 ratings was the Xenith X2, which earned a three-star rating.

Seven helmets are now rated with four stars in the 2012 Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings™: Schutt ION 4D, Schutt DNA Pro+, Rawlings Impulse, Xenith X1, Riddell Revolution, Rawlings Quantum, and Riddell Revolution IQ. The remaining five football helmet models were rated with three stars or less. The complete ratings are publicly available online so that consumers can make educated decisions when purchasing football helmets.

"The three lowest-rated helmets from last year are now all off the market. It is encouraging to

Testing the various football helmets for their ability to reduce the risk of concussions, left to right: Ray Daniel, Steven Rowson, an assistant professor in the school and Stefan Duma. see this positive shift towards better head protection," said Steven Rowson, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Virginia Tech. Rowson was responsible for the development of the STAR Evaluation System and testing of the helmets.

"Four of the five new helmet models introduced in the last year earned a four- or five-star rating.

This helps demonstrate that a data-driven approach can be utilized to optimize helmet design to reduce concussion risk," he said.

In the future, the researchers will expand the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings to include other sports as well as youth football helmets. To this end, Duma and his team collected the first data set on head impacts experienced by youth football players last year. In the fall of 2012, researchers at Virginia Tech and Wake Forest will expand this data set by instrumenting over 300 youth football players from ages 6 to 18 in what is called the KIDS study (Kinematics of Impact Data Set). "As we learn more about youth head impact exposure, we can begin to develop methods to evaluate youth-specific helmet designs," Duma added.

The Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings are independent of any helmet manufacturer and utilized funding from private donations, the School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, and the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science. Detailed downloadable reports that outline the methodology and resulting data are available.

As noted on the data sheets, any player may sustain a concussion with even the best equipment, Duma said.

For more information on the ratings, go to www.

SBES.vt.edu/nid or contact Stefan Duma by email duma@vt.edu or phone at 540-231-8191.

By Lynn A. Nystrom info@newsroanoke.com

The Reel Deal: “The Titanic 3D”

Few movies have ever reached moviegoers. Many other movies or come close to the success have tried to copy off the sucthat James Cameron’s "Titanic" cess of the tragic romance that achieved when it is the centerpiece of first released in 1997. this movie. While A highly ambitious Titanic is certainly project that was at the flawed in some retime the most expengards, it features sive movie ever made, several exceptional Titanic exceeded qualities in both its everybody’s expecstorytelling and in tations and won 11 its production deAcademy Awards, insigns that co-exist cluding Best Picture, seamlessly without and was the highest one overwhelming grossing movie of the other. Though Seth Childers all time for 12 years. the romance is a Now at the 100th year anni- bit clichéd today, the chemistry versary of the Titanic sinking, we of the two leading actors make have the movie Titanic released up for it, and the focus on the in 3D for the first time. While the separation of the rich and poor movie has its flaws, it’s still a great feels just right for the story. movie that still dazzles today, and Though the romance is wellnow more than ever with the ex- developed, the production detra dimension. signs are the major highlight of The story of the movie Ti- Titanic. The visual effects, costanic should be familiar to many tume design, and art direction

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are truly impeccable in their details, which perfectly re-create the Titanic in all her original glory.

The sinking of the Titanic is also filled with suspense and features a grand cinematic scale unlike anything accomplished in film back in 1997. While the movie has a running time of three hours and the major highlight for most people is the Titanic sinking, the romance still holds up fairly well and never drags on too long or features unnecessary padding.

The grand scale of the production designs is unquestionably good, but the story does have its flaws that do hold the movie back. The villain of the movie in particular is unnecessary, overthe-top, and incredibly out-ofplace in a movie that is otherwise very realistic in its recreation of the Titanic. Another issue is that while James Cameron is a skilled director, he is not a skilled writer, and there are a fair amount of corny lines that range from either being somewhat forced or just silly. Finally, the movie’s somewhat slow pacing and threehour running time might lose the attention of people wanting a faster-paced and more exciting movie.

While Titanic is not quite a masterpiece when compared to the likes of a film like Casablanca, it is a great movie that manages to re-create the event perfectly and also tell a good – if albeit flawed – story. The acting and direction is great, the production designs are superb, and it’s an amazing experience that especially manages to shine on the big screen. The updated 3D is also great, though not as exceptional as Avatar. The added depth makes the Titanic seem closer than ever, and also helps to enhance certain suspenseful moments in the movie.

Seeing Titanic on the big screen is a journey that anybody should take, even for those who have already taken it before.

Rating: 8/10 (Great)

By Seth Childers info@newsroanoke.com

Sports

5/4/12- 5/10/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

Ferguson's Walk-Off Winner Leads Christiansburg Overtakes Knights Hidden Valley In 6-5 Win Over Byrd For 7-4 River Ridge Baseball Win

Chris Ferguson's slow roller with the bases loaded plated Hayes Nelson with the winning run in the bottom of the seventh as Hidden Valley came from behind to defeat William Byrd in non-district baseball Saturday afternoon at Titan Field.

Byrd had led from the outset, scoring twice in the first on a two-run homer by third baseman Timmy Meador, followed by three in the second on a

Byrd starter #24 Scott Spradlin catches a Hidden Valley baserunner leaning as he goes to first on a pickoff attempt.

Stephen Bernys averted further damage with a diving snag, and throw across the diamond that kept the Byrd lead at one heading to the bottom of the inning.

In their half of the seventh, Hidden Valley tied the game at 5 when Jack Moore's double plated Joseph Bolinger, who had reached on a pinch-hit single.

Byrd would load the bases on an intentional walk, before Ferguson's slow roller sent the sliding Nelson across the plate without a throw.

Titan relief pitcher Matt Scribner kept Byrd off the board in the last four innings with an assortment of off-speed pitches to pick up the win.

Hidden Valley improved to 9-3-1 (4-0, River Ridge District). Byrd fell to 8-7 (1-4, Blue Ridge District)

Terrier catcher Jo Stickney waits to apply the tag as Hidden Valley baserunner #10 Chad Frazier tries to score. bases loaded double by catcher Jo Stickney.

Hidden Valley put up fence posts in the first, second, third and sixth to narrow the Terrier advantage to 5-4.

In the Terrier seventh, Byrd looked poised to put the game away when the leadoff batter reached on an infield single.

Sam Harron followed with a sharp single to center, but the lead Byrd runner was thrown out at second on the rare 8-5 putout. Titan third baseman

Christiansburg broke open a 4-4 tie with a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth, as the Blue Demons stayed in second place in the River Ridge standings with the 7-4 win over Cave Spring at Knights Field Friday afternoon.

Reece Kingery, recently back in the Knights lineup after a football-related surgery, led Cave Spring with two hits.

Cave Spring fell to 7-6 (2-2 River Ridge) heading into this week's home matchup with River Ridge frontrunner Hidden Valley.

Hidden Valley baserunner #9 Jack Moore slides under the tag of Terrier third baseman Timmy Meador to reach third safely.

Cave Spring third baseman Andrew Peterson throws across the diamond to get the out after bringing in a hot shot down the baseline by a Blue Demon hitter.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com Knight's second baseman #2 Austin Epperly looks to bring down the tag on a Christiansburg base stealer.

Salem Sinks Hidden Valley 5-0 in River Ridge softball

Salem scored twice in the first inning and Spartan pitcher Emily Taylor made the advantage stand with a two-hitter, as Salem downed Hidden Valley 5-0 in River Ridge softball at Titan Field.

Amanda Dalton was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate to lead Salem, with Taylor adding 2 hits.

By Bill Turner Hidden Valley's hits came from Savannah info@newsroanoke.com Kramer and Margaret Larson.

Salem remained undefeated in River Ridge play at 4-0; Hidden Valley dropped to 2-1-1.

North Cross Trio Sign To Play Football At The Next Level

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

Salem pitcher Emily Taylor fires from the circle on her way to the 2-hit shutout win.

Three North Cross All-State football standouts signed to play at the college level in a ceremony last Thursday afternoon in the school library.

Josh Murray is joining the University of Richmond as a walk-on for the Spiders' Division-1 program. Likewise, Chris Shelton, a two-way lineman for the Raiders, plans to walk-on at Shepherd University, a Division-2 school in Shepherdstown, WV. Also, Thursday, Paul Ross signed to continue his career at Division-3 Hampden-Sydney College.

The three were key members of the 2011 North Cross VIS state championship team.

By Bill Turner Front row seated (L-R)----Josh Murray, Paul Ross, Chris Shelton info@newsroanoke.com Back row (L-R) North Cross Headmaster Christian Proctor, Raider Head Football Coach Stephen Alexander.

Hidden Valley baserunner #15 Margaret Larson slides safely into second as Salem's Alex Gervais waits for the throw.

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Sports

Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 5/4/12- 5/10/12

Send sports pictures, announcements and story ideas to info@newsroanoke.com

Cave Spring Drops Blue Demons Wild Bill’s Weekly Sports Roundup With 7-0 Win In Boys Soccer Cave Spring found the net twice in the final 7 minutes of the first half, and the Knights powered home 5 more in the second, as Cave Spring overwhelmed winless Christiansburg 7-0 in a River Ridge boys soccer matchup last Friday afternoon at the Knights upper field.

Hunter Hickam got the Cave Spring scoring parade going at the 33-minute mark of the first half, and Will Bradley, Kyle Gunville (2), Saim Mustafa, Matt Ketterer and Trevor Durham followed the lead as the Knights easily pulled away.

Cave Spring improved to 6-3-1 (2-2 River Ridge) with the win.

Cave Spring #17 Matt Blades fires a pass into the offensive zone to help the Knights roll to the 7-0 win.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

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As Alfred Hitchcock would Smart) as the new coach; SMU, say---- “Gooood evening.” Sor- which was supposedly rumored ry, I don’t have a shadowy side- to be looking at Greenberg, profile with my tongue sticking hires Larry Brown; Tech hires out to grace today’s column, but James Johnson as head coach jump on board for this week’s, (Wild Bill Tip#3- if they hadn’t as ole Alfred would say, “bizarre done this, there wouldn’t have story from the Cassell of Blacks- been enough players left to have burg.” a good game of HORSE); basVirginia Tech basketball upheaval takes ketball offered a week away uproar of cancelof twists, turns and ling the spring football strange comments game. from the pundits iin For the record, I’m Hokie Hoopland, many in the James Johnson of whom need to have corner. He saved the their crystal ball confisday for what could have cated for non-perforbeen, taking from a Bill Turner mance.

Hitchcock classic, a It’s been a whirl‘Psycho’ episode that wind, so what better way to of- would have made Cassell Colifer the week in review than with seum look like The Bates Motel. a Wild Bill Bottom-Line Quick Johnson has energy and enTicker. thusiasm. If anyone watched Hokies end the season with a the hilarious Weaver/Gabbard losing record, thus no post-sea- performance, Johnson surely son bid; Tech pundits say Tech brings a ray of hope to the Tech Head Coach Seth Greenberg program. Give him a chance needs to be given another year everyone deserves one. to develop freshman recruits; Now, to the local scene where grumblings indicate some play- there was a big shakeup in ers may bolt due to Greenberg, the Wild Bill ‘Big-11’ baseball as had happened previously; Top-3. With its convincing 5-0 assistant coaches, including win over previously unbeaten James Johnson, leave Hokie- Northside, Lord Botetourt (14land for other programs; Tech 1) takes over the top spot, herepanics, tells Johnson they will tofore occupied by the Vikings match his new salary at Clem- (14-1) since week-one. The son; Johnson says “no”, saying Vikings host the Cavaliers in a leaving had nothing to do with Blue Ridge rematch May 15th. money (Wild Bill Tip #1-read HIdden Valley (9-4-1), debetween the lines on that one); spite a 10-9 loss to Cave Spring Jim Weaver fires Greenberg; Tuesday afternoon, holds on to reported morning incident at third place after their walkoff Blacksburg restaurant in which win over potential pollbuster more than eggs were fried; Tech William Byrd on Saturday. goes on coaching search; Tech In the Wild Bill ‘Big-11’ softpundits have everyone from ball Top-3, Northside (15-1) VCU’s Shaka Smart (Wild Bill firmly stays in the #1 spot, folTip #2- you’ve got to be kid- lowed by William Byrd (13-3) ding) to Dean Smith (probably and Glenvar (11-3). Northside makes more sense than Shaka visits Byrd this Friday, May 4th,

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By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

The NRV 15's National team out of Roanoke competed in the Old Dominion Region Bid tournament held at the Richmond Convention Center April 14 and 15. The team competed in the tournament finals and earned a bid for the Junior Nationals to be held in Columbus, Ohio July 2 -5. Members of the NRV 15's National team are from left, Michelle Kimbel, Emily Steffan, Leah Clayton, Carden Clark, Sarah Downs, Piper Roe, Hannah Shields, Lauren Bunnell Amelia Dalton, Kayla Goumas and Alexandra Arnold. The coaches for the team are head coach Tom Houser and assistant coaches Audrey Easter and Caroline Brown.

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for a key Blue Ridge showdown and ‘Big-11’ supremacy.

Track and Field enthusiasts should flock to the new William Fleming track Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the annual COSMO Track Meet. The 47th event will showcase the area’s top track and field athletes, while returning to its orginal site in 1966.

It’s only two months until the PGA TOUR’s Greenbrier Classic returns to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. To support First Tee Roanoke Valley, weekly badges can be purchased by calling Jennifer Blackwood at First Tee (540-312-5111). Badges, now priced at $189, include daily admission to the tournament, parking, and admission to all of the Greenbrier Concert Series, which in 2012, includes Lionel Ritchie, Rod Stewart, Bon Jovi and Toby Keith. Best deal in sports for the July 2nd8th week.

One quick look at the mailbag, where cancelling the Tech spring game made no matter to one reader.

Dear Wild Bill: Our spring game being called off was nocount. Wait ‘til we break-er-out in the fall. It’ll be a fifty-five gallon drum of ass-whup thrown on somebody. (Junior/ Marion) You got it, Junior. I’m putting my helmet on already.

As, Hitch would say, “see you next week for another intriguing story.”

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Arts & Culture

NewsRoanoke.com

Open Studios Shows Off Roanoke’s Creative Class

There are a lot of very talented artists in the Roanoke Valley, that’s certainly not a shocking revelation. Just one look inside some of the galleries downtown, perhaps during the monthly Art

By Night open house, or at the annual sidewalk art sale in June will provide all the evidence one needs. Patrons of the visual arts and the plain curious had another opportunity to meet local artists this past weekend during the 12th annual Open Studios tour.

More than two dozen artists Barry Wolfe’s images of Cuba. met the public at 13 locations in portunity for the community with pre-Revolution American Roanoke, at their home studios and keeps a little of the focus vehicles from the 1950’s that or at public venues like Ann on art. It gets my pictures out – Wolfe said were an art form in Trinkle’s Kirk Avenue work- and I have a sale every now and their own way… lots of chrome, ing gallery/studio. There were then.” tail fins and bright colors that painters, sculptors, photograLawson is also a member of became subjects for his camphers and mixed media artists the Markey Gallery co-op in era. “It’s a place I always wanted showing off their work in front downtown Roanoke. As for us- to see,” said Wolfe, who found yards, garages, indoor studios ing nude female models (the a government-licensed travel or bucolic back yards. model for all his works at Open agency that helps get around On Somerset Street in South Studios, Tiffany Robinette, an the ban on travel to Cuba – a Roanoke, sculptor J. Gail Geer artist herself, was on hand as a ban lifted to some extent by the was showing her work Obama administration. and explaining the proThere is no cell phone cess she uses to visitors. service, ATM’s, credit Geer, who learned to cards or WiFi in Cuba sculpt after taking classes – all cash and carry, acat Virginia Western, facording to Wolfe. “We vors the marble-like Kiisi went with eyes wide stone from Africa, which open and I was amazed she said has a sensual feel by the whole place.” to it once it is shaped and Many of the images he polished. “The most fabdisplayed at Open Stuulous finish …it’s a very dios featured weathered difficult stone to get away buildings, some of them from.” adorned in faded pasKiisi stone can be very tels. “The infrastructure brittle to sculpt, but it’s is in disrepair,” he said, worth the effort said Geer, Katherine Devine in her second floor Gran“but we were very well who will head to Italy this din Road studio. received.” summer to work in marWolfe, in fact, was inble. “I’m going to make angels tour guide), Lawson said the fe- terviewed by a BBC crew as he and bears,” noted Geer, who has male form fascinated him. “You strolled the streets in Havana, also taught sculpture classes at can’t just stare, so you have to which he called “the most phoCenter in the Square. She’s tried paint. It’s an interesting chal- tographically-friendly place that other mediums like clay, “but lenge to put it in different per- I’ve ever been.” There’s plenty of my obsession is stone.” spectives.” neighborhood art and scores It became a passion for Geer On Avenham Avenue, pho- of classes for those that want to when she reached her forties. tographer Barry Wolfe was learn the visual or lively arts in She has also appeared at every showing off framed photo- Cuba, according to Wolfe. “They Open Studios since its incep- graphs from a recent trip he and just need some commerce.” tion. “I love that people come On Grandin Road, local artist and art instructor Katherine Devine welcomed visitors to her second floor working studio, which overlooks Grandin.

“It’s beautifully designed for artists,” said Devine, who is less distracted there than she was at her ground floor studio in downtown Roanoke previously.

“It’s a lovely place for people to find and talk to me.”

This was the first year that Devine was part of the annual tour, and she hopes to be asked back: “It brings in people who are not already in my circle of Nervo’s wildly colorful animal creations on Avenham Avenue. friends, [as well as] students and supporters.” That in fact is the from the community to see what his wife Libba took to Havana, whole point of Open Studios. we do. Just knowing that we are Cuba. Wolfe said the country is here is the important part. They full of gracious people in a place

By Gene Marrano need to be aware of us.” gmarrano@cox.net stuck in a time warp – crammed Thomas Lawson’s work was in the back yard at the same home on Somerset, where the greenery provided an elegant backdrop to his paintings, abstract female nudes inspired by the masters like Picasso, Dekooning and Matisse. “Picasso is my main motivator,” said Lawson, who called himself, “a modern artist, just slightly behind the times.” He enjoys the Open Studios concept. “It’s a great op-

5/4/12- 5/10/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

Mill Mountain Ringers To Present Spring Concert

Mill Mountain Ringers, a community handbell ensemble playing five octaves of handbells and three octaves of choir chimes, will present a concert at Windsor Hills Methodist church on Friday, May 18 at 7:30 pm.

Directed by Joseph Kennedy, who has served as a Minister of Music and Organist at several Roanoke churches for the past 33 years, Mill Mountain Ringers is composed entirely of volunteers - all are experienced handbell ringers and some are also directors of music. Kennedy’s two daughters, Sarah and Kathleen, have been part of the MMR, but both will be leaving for college this fall.

Although handbells are typically considered church related instruments which play religious music, the repertoire of Mill Mountain Ringers includes a variety of secular music as well, ranging from classical to hoe downs, waltzes, and music by contemporary composers.

The upcoming concert will be based around dance music and will also include Ashokan Farewell, theme song for the Ken Burns Civil War movie. A free will offering is received at the concerts, which are presented twice each year, but no admission is charged.

Mill Mountain Ringers, Inc. was founded in 2007 by Joe Kennedy and Katherine Shaver, former member of The Raleigh Ringers, a well-known handbell ensemble. The Raleigh Ringers performed at the Jefferson Center in 2006, and their concert created so much interest locally that Kennedy and Shaver organized Mill Mountain Ringers, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) organization.

Their ensemble has a fourfold mission: to attract and rehearse qualified handbell ringers in all aspects of handbell music, to educate others in the community through performances, to promote the art of handbell ringing and to encourage public appreciation of and interest in handbell music.

In addition to their two annual concerts in November and

Mill Mountain Ringers following a performance at Windsor Hills United Methodist.

May, the Ringers also perform for private functions. In 2009, they had the distinct honor of being the only handbell ensemble ever invited to perform with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. They participated in the 2009 and 2011 Holiday Pops Concerts under the direction of Maestro David Stewart Wiley.

They also had the privilege of performing at the Historic Hotel Roanoke for the convention of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and have performed at several local nursing homes.

Currently, Windsor Hills Methodist Church graciously provides a place for concerts, weekly rehearsals, and the use of their handbells. Open rehearsals are held each Monday evening at 7:30 and other ringers and directors are encour-

aged to attend.

The Ringers hope eventually to have corporate sponsorship to enable them to keep afloat and in due course to purchase their own equipment -- bells, tables and a trailer to transport the equipment. Kennedy also dreams of creating a youth choir, which would serve as a feeder group, and hopefully someday train children in handbell ringing. Another direction the choir may take will be combining bells with other instruments, such as flutes, strings, or brass quartets.

He says a number of pieces for such combinations are already in publication.

For more information about the Mill Mountain Ringers, contact Joe Kennedy at 540-9897440.

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Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 5/4/12- 5/10/12

NewsRoanoke.com

SWVB Director Takes His Talents to New Hampshire Southwest Virginia Ballet Artistic Director Pedro Szalay is in the midst of a guest teaching session at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, an opportunity he calls “great exposure” for the Roanoke-based troupe. Of course, Szalay said earlier this week, many still ask, “Where is Roanoke?” He’s teaching high school aged students at St. Paul’s 2-3 hours a day for a three-week period, working on a new piece he choreographed called “Domino.”

The dance centers around romance and the game of dominos, which is played heavily in Cuba, “to relieve the stress [of everyday life],” as Szalay puts it. Domino also features the music of salsa songstress Celia Cruz. Szalay, who is of Hungarian and Venezuelan background, said it could become a piece that Southwest Virginia Ballet (designed for students 18 and under) takes on at some point in the future.

Szalay had previously danced with Lesley Tunstall, now head of the dance department at St. Paul’s School, who invited him to come up as a guest teacher. Tunstall had a school in South Carolina before and has also been with the National Ballet of Canada. “Every department [at St. Paul’s] is amazing,” said Szalay of the New Hampshire boarding school, which has an impressive arts program, with theater, music and dance. Students attend school six days a week.

Tunstall said Szalay has been a friend for 16 years. “He’s been my partner and friend and we both have this love of dance together. He

was the perfect choice for St. Paul’s. He’s been an excellent inspiration to work with.” St. Paul’s has invited dance instructors from heavyweight ballet companies in Chicago and Boston recently, and brings in about two guest choreographers a year, according to Tunstall.

Domino will be presented during St. Paul’s annual spring show.

Being introduced as artistic director of the Southwest Virginia Ballet should only help increase awareness and the reputation for the Roanoke company. SWVB is involved elsewhere as well – costume designer Elizabeth Long is also creating the outfits for Domino.

“It’s very involved,” said Szalay of the plotline for Domino, which features a dozen dancers, including one male. Much of the choreography revolves around the game of dominos and how it is played.

One version of the game called “matador” is featured, as is the relationship between a couple as it goes through different phases. “It’s great to work with it,” said Szalay.

Tunstall said the new work by Szalay “is very fun. They [students] always have a smile on their faces. He’s pushing them to the limit Pedro Szalay with some of his students at St. Paul School. and challenging the dancers. They’re like sponges …just loving it.” theater stage during Festival in the Park. Southwest Virginia Ballet It’s a sentiment that Szalay has probably heard from some of his is also conducting Summer Intensive camps from June 18-22, split Southwest Virginia Ballet students in the past. into several age groups. See the website for more information.

See svballet.org for more on the Roanoke troupe, which will perBy Gene Marrano form at noon on Saturday, May 26, on the Elmwood Park amphigmarrano@cox.net

The Roanoke Star-Sentinel

2012 Personal Property Tax Payment Deadline Thursday, May 31, 2012 Payment Methods: • In Person, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Ave. SW, Room 254 (Cash; check; credit cards, with convenience fee, accepted) • By Drop Box: - Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Ave. SW - Jackson Park Library, 1101 Morningside St. SE - Williamson Road Library, 3837 Williamson Road NW • By Mail, to Treasurer, City of Roanoke, P.O. Box 1451, Roanoke, VA 24007 • By Credit/Debit Card, at 1-800-272-9829 (Jurisdiction Code 1006) • By E-check on the Web, at www.roanokeva.gov/ payments

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