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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel November 19 - 25, 2010

NewsRoanoke.com

Community | News | Per spective

Fate of Taubman Up in the Air After spending a year wrapping his arms around the problem of how to keep the Taubman Museum of Art afloat, Executive Director David Micklenberg and Board of Trustee President Paul France greeted an overflow crowd in the spacious atrium of the museum last Thursday. Taubman Museum members were invited to the town hall meeting - an exercise that Micklenberg vowed would be repeated within the next six months.

Unexpected Blessing JCHS Cuts P7– Mary Jo Shannon receives an unexpected call after writing a column about her childhood for the Roanoke Star-Sentinel.

P11– The North Cross Volleyball team repeats as VISAA Division III State Champions by knocking off cross-town rival Roanoke Catholic.

Antique

Roadshow P16– Ken Farmer of “Antique Roadshow” fame appraises a variety of items at The Park-Oak Grove Retirement Community.

Mike Keeler

Thanksgiving

Perspective P6– Mike Keeler reminds us that as Americans we enjoy a standard of living that is far higher than most of the world.

[

It’s really not new but has been a work in progress, with students and faculty making the move over time. With the project now complete, the Jefferson College of Health Sciences saw fit to hold a ribbon cutting last week. The migration to the renovated Carilion Community Hospital has included many updates -- rooms and labs that once Healthcare housed patients are now offices and classrooms.

Jefferson College of Health Sciences President Dr. N.L. Bishop called the new campus “the culmination of nearly a decade of visioning.” He lauded Carilion CEO Dr. Ed Murphy for putting together a strategic team that set the wheels in motion. Part of the process included moving most of the services at Community Hospital over to Roanoke Memorial, although an Urgent Care center and a physical therapy wing remains.

“Since 2006,” said Bishop, “the college slowly began occupying space at Community.” More than 1000 students and faculty now are based at what he termed “state of the art classrooms and labs … with breathtaking views.”

Murphy said the Carilion > CONTINUED P2: Ribbon

]

nual operating budget that Micklenburg has trimmed from almost $4 million to around $2.6 million. Over the past two years the number of full time employees at the Taubman has been whittled down from more than 50 to less than two dozen.

“In retrospect, building a $45 million > CONTINUED P2:Taubman

[Thanksgiving]

Deyerle Plan Overruled

An Unseen Thread

Ribbon on New Campus

[

State Champs

Artists, executives from other cul- that the Taubman’s board had “carried us tural institutions, Roanoke Mayor David through a very difficult time. It’s no seBowers and City Manager Chris Morrill cret that this has been a very difficult and were also in the audience. The trying year financially.” city provided $6 million of the “The sluggish economy Museum original $66 million price tag has affected all arts organifor the museum, with the rezations in Roanoke, added mainder coming from mostly private France, “not just the Taubman, which funds. has retired most of its construction ($66 “[This is] an opportunity to have a di- million) debt.” alogue,” said France, who acknowledged The issue now is maintaining an an-

Photo by Valerie Garner

Councilman Ray Ferris

]

At Monday evening’s Roanoke City council meeting, fifteen speakers signed up either in support or opposition to rezoning an APCO encumbered parcel of land. The 2.2 acres sits behind LewisGale Medical Center off of 419 at the intersection of Keagy Road and Crestmoor Drive.

This part of Keagy Road is used as a cut City Govt. through from 419 to Apperson Drive and sits on the boundary with Salem City. It is mostly a grassy field where at dawn or dusk deer graze, oblivious to humans and traffic.

A large section of the parcel has an APCO power line easement that requires it to remain vacant.

In 2007 Frederick “Chip” Thomas, Jr. of Balzer and Associ-

[

Photo by Fred First

S

tar-Sentinel columnist Fred First captured this intriguing picture of a maple leaf suspended in air that sweetly reminds us of the simple (yet complex) mystery and beauty that is all around us in creation. As perhaps the only “com-

mercially uninterrupted” major holiday that remains, Thanksgiving offers us a wonderful time to give thanks for such beauty and to share it with family and friends. May yours be filled (visibly and invisibly!) with the blessings of both.

]

> CONTINUED P2: Deyerle

DePaul Services and Others Promote Adoption Through Heart Gallery Through the end of December, visitors to the Roanoke Civic Center’s special events center will pass by the “Heart Gallery” – a wall filled with pictures of older children from southwestern Virginia that are waiting to be adopted.

These are children who have been removed from the biological parents and have often been in foster homes for years, sometimes in multiple locations.

The Heart Gallery also features descriptions of the children and other vital information. William, for example, “has a bright imagination and bubbly personality that is guaranteed to make anyone smile.” He also likes sports, according to his lengthy description. The Heart Gallery is a joint effort by DePaul, a southwest Virginia nonprofit agency based in Roanoke, Lutheran Family Services, the Virginia Department of Social Services and the Roanoke County Department of Social Services.

Samantha Burnette, the “Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiter,” for DePaul Family Services, works with a caseload of children awaiting adoption, looking

Photo by Gene Marrano

The Heart Gallery features photos and descriptions of older children looking for permanent homes. to find them permanent homes. Al- Burnette and DePaul, which has offices though many want newborn babies or throughout that part of the state. very small children, Burnette “It’s pretty much a colNon-profit says older children need lovlaboration … we all work toing homes as well. Local Degether,” said Burnette of the partments of Social Services throughout agencies involved, from removing chilsouthwestern Virginia refer children to dren from an unsafe home to placing

[

]

them with another permanent family.

“The common goal is getting these kids adopted from the foster care system.”

On each photo description in the Heart Gallery there are contact numbers for the social workers overseeing that child, should someone want to inquire about adoption. The process of adopting may be easier than some believe, according to Burnette. “I just think there is a lack of awareness in our community, which the Heart Gallery is [hoping to address].”

Potential parents must first meet certain criteria, go through background checks and have their home inspected.

“It’s about the matching process as well,” said Burnette, and … making a good fit.

The hardest part is getting through that home study process.”

Those pictured in the Heart Gallery are older than the very young children many seek to adopt – averaging about ten years old, according to Burnette.

“We are looking for families that are go> CONTINUED P2: Heart

Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/19/10 - 11/25/10

> Taubman There is a chance for some spotty showers west of the Roanoke Valley. A larger, more powerful high pressure system will dominate our weather from Friday through Monday, allowing for mainly sunny skies each day.

Temperatures will top out in the mid-toupper 50s on Friday, but by the weekend into early next week, we should climb between 59-64.

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museum and earmarking the other $20 million raised for an endowment that could have funded operations, might have been a better idea before a recession,” said Micklenberg, “but that’s not the reality facing the Taubman.”

The earlier operating plan projected “an unrealistic financial model,” according to Micklenberg, with an excessive focus on constructing and paying for the controversial building, while too little was allocated for the programs and exhibits there. As for the outside building design, which still rubs some the wrong way: “Let’s get over it.”

France said of Micklenberg that, “I don’t really think he knew what was waiting for him.” The new executive director has worked “tirelessly,” to build better bridges to other arts organizations and artists, as well as local schools and the community at large, according to France, who talked about a need “for a change of focus.”

“Look for more transparency,” said France, a term Micklenburg echoed after he took over at the podium. “The New Direction” was the title posted on a projection screen. There

is no role model elsewhere for how the Taubman should operate according to Micklenberg, “[only] the community in which you live. Don’t look at how art museums operate in other cities,” he noted.

Admissions to the museum have trended downward since its opening, and the number of paying visitors “died,” when the city shut down the streets around the market building for the early stages of the renovation project there.

More than 200,000 have paid their way into the Taubman since its November 2008 opening, but paid attendance this year to date is around 17,000.

“It’s still one of the best-attended museums in the south,” said Micklenberg, who wants the Taubman to be thought of more as “an arts center” for the community. He noted that an installation piece by Floyd artist Charlie Brouwer would go up in the atrium soon.

Micklenberg fielded questions from the audience and answered several that are frequently asked, such as: why is there no art from the collection on the first floor of the Taubman? That’s because the first

Beyond Your Expectations

David Micklenberg floor lies in the flood plain and the museum’s insurance would be “canceled” said Micklenberg, Micklenberg also announced the hiring of a half dozen local adjunct curators, who will overlook specific shows and provide a better link to the community; he talked about podcasts available at the front counter soon that will provide an audio tour of the museum’s collection and the lowering of the admission price in the near future. He also wants to grow the current membership numbers from 2800 to 6000, and challenged the Roanoke Valley at large to become partners.

“What are you going to do?” he asked an audience member who questioned the museum’s funding sources. Expanded corporate fundraising efforts are a

must as well.

Micklenberg acknowledged that communications with the public “needs to be better” and within the next few months a person will be hired to focus on that role, as well as new personnel in development and membership. The museum website will soon be updated to make it more accessible and interactive.

Local artist John Wilson, who volunteers at the Taubman, felt a year ago that Micklenberg “[was] a good person to be in this job. Now I know he is the right person. He’s got the experience necessary to turn this museum from a perceived elitist organization to a community organization.” Wilson would also like to see more people become members of the museum as one way of getting involved.

“The future is a little bit unknown,” admitted Micklenberg, “but we get to make the future together … the need for this museum is preeminent.”

(Look for this week’s feature article on David Micklenberg in our Arts & Culture section page 15.)

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

From page 1

Powell, an Army veteran, is also the college Student Senate chair.

“To say that this is a definite upgrade is an understatement,” he said during brief remarks. “We are very grateful for an opportunity to learn in this remodeled building.”

Ryan Brush is a student in the biomedical sciences program at the school, which now focuses on bachelor’s degrees in nursing and other health care fields.

He was also a student at the old JCHS building right down the block, which did not logistically offer the chance for much interaction between students in different programs. “The [new] space is really nice – it allows for mingling,” said Brush. “It’s much brighter and you have these amazing views of the valley.”

Brush commended the faculty for “making the best of it,” at the old campus, which is also owned by Carilion Clinic. “It

> Deyerle ates applied to build four small rental homes. The Planning Commission and neighbors rejected that project. Thomas now requests that the 2.2 acres be rezoned from residential to mixed use to accommodate a medical office complex.

The Planning Commission on a 1-4 vote rejected rezoning the parcel, finding it inconsistent with the Greater Deyerle Neighborhood Plan. The neighborhood also voted in opposition to the rezoning. Neighborhood President Braxton Naff objected to the project saying, “there is already an excessive amount of underused office space along Electric Road.” He added that

NewsRoanoke.com

From page 1

> Ribbon Clinic system was not just a hospital, saying “we are an academic health center.” The goal of Jefferson College he added was to “bring bright, talented health care professionals … to the community.” Murphy liked the idea of a “vibrant, academic health center,” with smart students “asking hard questions.”

It’s all about “an environment of service to the community,” he added just before the ribbon was cut, with administrators, faculty and students doing the honors. “This is another step along the way [for Carilion], an important one,” said Murphy, but “not the last.”

There are 13 undergraduate and three graduate programs at the school, with 130 on the faculty staff according to one school official. Students come from as far away as Alaska and California and getting accepted is a competitive process.

First year student Cornelius

Photo by Gene Marrano

Carilion CEO Ed Murphy (far left) and JCHS President N.L. Bishop (center) participate in the ribbon cutting. was kind of dim and clustered.

It’s just great to be over here,” said Brush, who wants to go on to medical school after graduation.

Scott Hill, Dean of Student Affairs, was one of those leading tours of the new campus after the ribbon cutting. “It’s a tremendous increase in our laboratory [space]. They’ve been purpose-built for students. “We [also] left some of the equip-

ment in place so it still has the feel of a hospital.”

Hill, a four-year employee of the school, appreciates the move: “it’s a [more] positive attitude with a more modern setting. I think it’s a great draw for students looking to come here.

We’re very happy.”

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

From page 1

the neighborhood would prefer that the entrance at Crestmoor Drive be closed.

The first speaker, Lee Wilhelm of Belle Aire Circle said that, “to think that the best use for property does not change over time is unrealistic … the property in question is isolated from the surrounding neighborhoods by large power transmission towers and wires.” He thought that this impediment made residential housing economically unfeasible. He supported the use of the property for medical office complex, as did most of the other residents of Belle Aire Circle.

Bob Caudle, former president of the Greater Deyerle Neighborhood, said he and six neighbors had spent 60 hours preparing their council approved neighborhood plan. Caudle, a member of the Roanoke Neighborhood Advocates reminded council that commercial use of

the property was not in their plan. He asked council to “live up to the word that we have developed between the neighborhood and the city … if you approve this project to me it’s like giving us a pink slip and saying we don’t need you.”

Many of the speakers came from other parts of the city to support the project, claiming the need for tax base and jobs.

E-mails were read from Deyerle residents in favor of the project who were out of town.

Councilman Ray Ferris has lived in the Greater Deyerle neighborhood for 26 years and is a member of the association.

Ferris reassured Caudle that “we appreciate the service that you have provided to the neighborhood association.” Ferris added the need to recognize that “neighborhood plans are not static. There comes a point and time when you have to decide whether a piece of land is

going to remain empty … that is not the highest and best use of that property.”

Ferris then added, “we’re not going to sacrifice the neighbors for tax dollars … that is not what this is about.” Ferris noted that there were over 1500 households in the Deyerle neighborhood and the organization’s vote of 17 opposed to 7 in favor didn’t represent the totality of the neighborhood. He recognized that the parcel was either going to be developed for rental housing or a medical office complex. In the best interest of the neighborhood he believed the medical complex design was esthetically more favorable.

The other members of council agreed with Ferris and the vote was unanimously in favor of rezoning the parcel to accommodate the medical office complex.

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

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NewsRoanoke.com

> Heart ing to open their hearts to older children,” said Burnette; “these children have been in foster homes for years.” In fact she focuses all of her attention at DePaul on recruiting older children for the adoption process.

All have been removed from their parents at some point for abuse, neglect or other reasons “where they were not safe.” Birth families are often given a chance to correct situations that led to a child’s removal, but in some cases reconciliation is not possible.

Many have been in multiple foster home placements, Burnette added – changing schools, friends and living environments. “Permanency is key for these kids,” she notes. DePaul Com-

munity Resources, based on Hollins Road, administers adoption and foster care programs, as well as a program for developmentally delayed adults that includes housing. It also offers mentoring and counseling, with offices stretching from Charlottesville to Abingdon.

The Heart Gallery at the Special Events Center is all about “increasing the awareness, to try and get more adoptive families interested. That’s our main goal,” said Burnette. “There are kids right in our back yard that need homes. You don’t have to go to other extremes to adopt.”

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Roanoke County Receives Outstanding EMS Agency Award Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department has received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding EMS Agency. The annual Governor’s EMS Awards were presented at the EMS Symposium ceremony held in Norfolk, Virginia last weekend.

The Governor’s EMS Awards were established as a formal recognition of outstanding contributions to EMS across the Commonwealth. In June the Department was selected as the Regional Outstanding EMS Agency and was then forwarded to compete at the state level.

The State EMS Awards Selection Committee reviewed the first place winners in each of the 11 Regional EMS Councils’ competition and winners selected at the state level were forwarded with the Committee’s recommendations to the Governor for final approval. The winners in the ten categories were then announced at the annu-

Annual Fundraiser Helps Local Social Agencies Succeed

From page 1

Roanoke County EMS officials at last week’s award ceremony. al EMS Symposium conference ceremony in Norfolk.

The department was selected because it "exemplifies outstanding professionalism and service to the citizens and visitors of Roanoke County; provides a high level of patient care that is evident by innovative training, community awareness, preventive health programs, public relations efforts and participation in local, regional and

statewide EMS systems."

During the 2009 calendar year the department dedicated a new station in North Roanoke County to enhance fire and rescue services across the county. They also upgraded their Emergency Radio System to allow the County to maintain interoperability with other local agencies.

Kimberly Burrows works full time for DePaul Family Services as the marketing director, but she was also the co-chair of this past weekend’s Stocked Market, a Junior League of Roanoke Valley fundraiser that Burrows said was expected to attract 10,000 or more to the Roanoke Civic Center. Vendors came from as far away as California. Many use the Stocked Market as the kickoff to their holiday season shopping.

The Junior League, 83 years old in Roanoke, has put on the Stocked Market for 22 years – the last three in Roanoke after a run at the Salem Civic Center.

“The money that we’ve raised …will be used for community grants that we give out,” said Burrows. Vendor fees, ticket sales and corporate sponsorships of the Stocked Market help fill the coffers.

The money dispersed from proceeds includes larger project development grants, supporting three organizations this year: DePaul Community Resources, CHIP and the Roanoke Adolescent Health partnership.

Smaller grants are used for after school programs. The grants doled out also come with donated volunteer time by Junior League members.

Another grant this year is funding parenting classes for parents that have had their children removed by social service agencies. (See the Heart Gallery story elsewhere in this issue.)

“To [possibly] get their children back, they have to go through these parenting classes,” noted Burrows.

An organization focused on

Photo by Gene Marrano

The Stocked Market was a very busy place last weekend. woman of all ages, Burrows said the mission “is to promote volunteerism, enhance the leadership [skills] of women and improve our community.” Those shopping at the Stocked Market may not have been thinking about the fundraising aspect as they scurried to and fro looking for gifts and other items

for themselves, but the annual bazaar is a major component of the Junior League’s revenue stream.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

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Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/19/10 - 11/25/10

Grandin Village Holiday Children’s Parade Coming

Mitchell Thomas of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Preschool marches as a little Native American in last year’s parade.

The Grandin Village Business Association is sponsoring the Annual Grandin Village Holiday Children’s Parade, Saturday November 20th at 11 am. The parade starts at Christ Lutheran Church (2011 Brandon Ave) on the corner of Grandin Road & Brandon Avenue and proceeds through Historic Grandin Village, ending at Mick-or-Mack (1312 Winborne St.). Held the Saturday before Thanksgiving each year, this is a neighborhood favorite and includes Santa on a Fire Engine and much more.

No registration is required to participate and children of all ages are welcome. If you’d

AECOM Technology Corporation has announced that the Carilion Riverside Clinic has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.

This state-of-the-art, 210,000-square-foot, multi-specialty outpatient clinic is sited on a prominent corner of the Riverside Center campus and is part of a revitalized gateway that links downtown Roanoke with neighborhoods to the south and west of the city.

The project regenerates a disused industrial brownfield and upgrades existing roads and utilities in the area and utilizes an oncampus parking deck and public transportation on the 33-acre site.

Following the campus master plan development guidelines, the Clinic’s brick and glass façade reflects the architectural character of the Riverside Center and complements the architecture of nearby Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

The team incorporated numerous sustainable design features into the building including energy recovery wheels that help to “pre-treat” outside air, using excess heat or cold from the exhaust air to reduce the new energy needed to maintain a pleasant indoor environment. The pedestrian-friendly main entrance features open patient drop-off areas as well as convenient access to parking; community bus and trolley stops as well as bicycle and pedestrian trails along the Roanoke River.

Innovative solutions to the challenging site conditions contributed to the project’s LEED certification credits. Since Riverside Center lies near the Roanoke River and below the 100-year flood elevation, the team designed the clinic to minimize the impact of potential flood waters. Its ground level spaces were elevated out of the 10-year flood plain and designed to be easily cleaned and quickly placed back in use. The ground level of the building is primarily used for parking with preference given to fuel efficient vehicles. The elevated first level occupied spaces in the five-level building are located two feet above the 100-year flood elevation.

The clinic is capped by an 11,500-square-foot green roof, one of the largest in the Roanoke Valley. Planted with hardy, heat-tolerant vegetation, the green roof plants and growth medium absorb falling rain, reduce storm water runoff resulting in less stress on storm

NewsRoanoke.com

A full moon rises over the new Riverside Clinic building. drain systems and further ease heat island effect at the site. By planting vegetation which is more tolerant of drought and installing high efficiency plumbing fixtures within the building, the clinic is able to drastically reduce its water use and contribute to a more sustainable built environment. Trees, grass and other vegetation have been re-introduced to revive the landscape and enhance future development.

As the lead design firm and architect / engineer of record, AECOM was a consultant to Skanska Building USA as part of a design-build delivery team. The Carilion Design Group worked closely with the design and construction team providing interior space planning and other design services

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like to enter a float, come to the parking lot of Christ Lutheran Church between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. As this is a children’s parade, only small floats will be allowed (wagons, etc). No motorized vehicles, please. Scout groups, dance groups and baton twirlers are encouraged to participate as well. If music is needed for this type of group, then a motorized vehicle will be allowed for that purpose.

Boy Scout Troop 8 will be collecting canned goods for charity With the downturn in economy the last so please bring a donation. couple years, it comes as no surprise that area ministries like RAM (Roanoke Area For more information, contact Ministries) are preparing for a larger than Susan Stump at (540) 777-1790 normal turnout for Thanksgiving. Shelter Manager Tim Williams estimates that they Voted “Best Overall Dining Experience” have had anywhere from a 20 to 30 percent increase in meals served this past year, and

by Roanoker Magazine expects that to hold for the Thanksgiving meal.

RAM serves a hot lunch, including on Thanksgiving Day, from noon to 1 p.m.

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volunteers “helps a lot. We are a small staff and we are expecting a big crowd.” He adds that he expects to see a lot of kids – with schools out, they will see “more families with kids come through.”

First organized by a group of local churches in 1971, RAM is a day shelter for the homeless, a place to turn to for emergency financial assistance and a hot meal.

RAM collects hats, coats, gloves and socks each winter to distribute to the people without such necessities and assists individuals looking for permanent employment and with day-labor jobs.

Volunteers work alongside staff members in the kitchen, shelter, administrative offices and financial aid office when needed.

Volunteers keep also keep the pantry organized, make food deliveries and help with special events – all of which goes on seven days a week, 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition to volunteering or sending in

RAM House is located on Campbell Ave. donations, Williams has a message for those that want to help out for Thanksgiving: “Bring turkeys – right now we will take as many turkeys as we can get our hands on.”

RAM House is located at 824 Campbell Avenue, SW. For more information phone (540) 343-3753 or visit their website at www. roanokeareaministries.org

By Cheryl Hodges cheryl@newsroanoke.com

Roanoke Students Named as Marching Virginian Members Roanokers Nora Vitello, Kaley Thacker, Jared Hamm, Elliot George and Nicholas Socky have all been named as members of Virginia Tech's "Marching Virginian's." To be considered for membership the marching band students must audition one week before the beginning of classes each fall.

Nora Vitello is a graduate student majoring in curriculum and instruction in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and is a a graduate assistant. Kaley Thacker is a senior majoring in psychology in the College of Science who plays the flag and also has the honor of being a section leader. Jared Hamm is a sophomore majoring in general engineering in the College of Engineering who plays the trumpet. Elliot George, a freshman majoring in university studies, plays the tenor sax and Nicholas Socky is a freshman from Roanoke majoring in general engineering in the College of Engineering who plays the tuba

Commonly known as The Spirit of Tech, Virginia Tech's marching band is in its 37th year.

Under the direction of David McKee and Tony Marinello, the band will present highlights from two of the greatest Broadway shows of all time, "Dirty Dancing" and "West Side Story," as well as the music of Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, and other artists during the 2010 season.

The band has performed for hundreds of nationally televised football games and parades.

They also performed at Virginia Tech's recent bowl games, including 2009 Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta as well as the 2008 and 2009 FedEx Orange Bowl games in South Florida.

The Marching Virginians volunteer their time and spirit to support the community as well.

Recent activities include building a house with Community Housing Partners in honor of Ryan "Stack" Clark.

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Perspective

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To Twitter or Not to Twitter . . . That’s the Question

W

hen I first learned we have a telephone in every to use the phone, room and one in the pocket.

I stood on a stool The landline phone will soon and told the operator the num- be a relic as the smart phone ber I wanted; it was only three and PDA (Personal Digital Asdigits. If there was no one I sistant) become totally ubiquiwanted to call, it was always tous. No more white pages in amusing to listen to the neigh- the telephone directory; you bors talk on our four-party can do that online and get a line. Today, swarming satel- map to the house you are calllites connect us instantly with ing; too bad if you have only a anyone in the world. If you dumb phone. want to see pictures Knowing how antiat the same time, you quated we would be if can easily do that with we hadn’t kept up with Skype. There are those burgeoning technolamong us who still find ogy, we have had to programming a VCR a make some decisions challenge, but happily, about social networkthat technology is dising. Texting (comappearing. On what puter spell check instrument we will Hayden Hollingsworth doesn’t think that’s play those charming a word), Facebook, videos of our grandchildren and Twitter are the keys to remains to be seen. All of this true happiness, we are led to brings up an interesting ques- believe. One of the great evotion: Are there technological lutionary leaps for humankind advances which we can choose was the appearance of opposto ignore? able thumbs; that separates I was not reassured when a humans from lower primates. daughter recently told me even I wonder if thumbs will evolve I could learn Tivo. I suppose further and develop a wart on I will have to if I ever want to the side to make texting more record a TV program, which efficient. rarely happens. Learning how When a teacher is plying her to operate a computer was a trade, the students’ dancing task I undertook 25 years ago thumbs are a major distraction and it didn’t seem hard then; as well a great aid to those who I’m glad that I did, otherwise would cheat on a test. There my life today would be entirely probably have been lawsuits different. On the other hand, filed by helicopter parents the concept of expanding so- when their child’s cell phone cial networking is something I was confiscated by the teacher; will continue to resist. clearly, a First Amendment isWhen telephones first came sue. into use, there was probably Facebook and Twitter make conversation about how rela- a quantum leap in communitionships would change. No cation. Horror stories abound more talking over the back where blogs (another nonfence since neighbors were spell check word) have gone within reach by the wall- viral. A university counselor mounted phone. But the world told me she frequently sees moved to a better place be- students who are mightily upcause of the convenience. Now set when a potential employer

looked at their Facebook entry (drunk, nude and/or worse) and the job was not proffered.

Neurophysiologists say, probably with accuracy, the brain does not develop judgment until the mid-twenties; the blogosphere of young adults would seem to confirm that.

Why text when you can talk later? Being held captive might be a good reason and a 911 call will give your GPS position to the authorities. Beyond emergencies, there are few things that can’t wait. The next time you see a group of youngsters eating in a fast food establishment, rest assured many of them will be texting. As they would say, “Like talking is SO yesterday!” I wonder if they are sending messages to others at the table.

Occasionally, one must release the Inner Curmudgeon.

That’s one of the few things that gets stronger with age and it generally gets little notice but to rail against new technologies could be counter-productive.

Refusing to understand them would be a mistake, particularly if you have youngsters in the home. It’s important for parents to know what’s available online and take appropriate measures. Ignore the whole thing and one could lose touch with all that’s happening in the world but the converse is not true. Being connected should not be dependent on external electronic gadgetry.

It is still possible to reach out and touch someone. I’m not talking about smart phones, texting, Facebook, or Twitter.

11/19/10 - 11/25/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

Peacekeeper or Problem Solver?

H

ave you ever felt ex- choices is what they want and or put up with something that hausted as a parent? feel. To maintain the peace is wrong, inappropriate, unEver felt like you with them, we can’t say no, have healthy, deviant, etc…. is to say just can’t put up with anymore them do chores, make them go that it is OK. from your kids? Ok, every- to school, eat vegetables, pick Our response to our chilbody put your hands down. We up after themselves, go to bed, dren’s misbehavior should be all get this way at times and in not hit each other . . . you get confrontation. It is the healthy those moments we often take the idea. If we operate in this resolution of conflict that gives our own time outs. We choose way, they begin to push fur- the opportunity for peace, but to let some things go, ignore ther and harder to pursue more it does not guarantee it. This is certain behaviors and even put wants and desires. The more why in the book of James the up with nonsense that we oth- we work to keep the peace, the word is "perseverance." Rather erwise would never tolerate. more they are convinced that than put up with things, we This is normal and their pursuits are justi- are to work through them. part of being parents. fied. Later in life, any- Rather than being personally We are not perfect, one who says “No” to comfortable, we are to rejoice can’t always be on top them will be considered in the current discomfort beof our game and certo be wrong or unrea- cause it allows us the opportutainly, at times our sonable. nity to mature. When we put children do get the best “Now wait just a min- our comfort aside and allow of us. As long as this ute” you may say. “No our children to then experiis the exception to the parent is going to let ence discomfort (at this point rule, we are fine. The Keith McCurdy a child just run wild.” neither of us are at peace), we problem comes when While that is usually promote growth and maturity. instead of being problem solv- true, we all have battles in which This is how our children learn ers, we too often opt for keep- we give in or just make a deci- to handle the stresses in life and ing the peace. sion to calm everything down. grow to be healthy decision Now I realize that some may We let Johnny watch his show makers and problem solvers. be confused by this notion that just so he would be quiet. SuAsk yourself this question: peacekeeping could be bad. I sie got an extra cookie because Am I more interested in keephad a parent just last week com- we didn’t want to hear her fuss. ing the peace in my home, or ment that “Isn’t the goal to have We made a deal with Billy to let raising healthy kids? Peace at all everybody just get along?” The him stay up late so he wouldn’t costs should never be the goal, answer is no. The goal is not keep coming out of his room. It but peace can be a by-product “keeping the peace“. The goal is is amazing how motivation for of the process. In wartime, the right or healthy resolution a lot of our “peacekeeping” ef- treaties and disarmament only of conflict. In fact, in many cas- forts is really based in our own occur after initial conflict. es, we the parents have to drive personal comfort. Regardless the conflict knowing that it is of what others may say, tolerContact Keith at in the long term best interest ance is no virtue. To tolerate psycyou@msn.com of our children to either suffer through a particular situation or experience a certain consequence. We have to remember that with pain comes much Fresh Homemade Whole Hog Sausage learning.

Why is peacekeeping not the Time to Order goal? To effectively keep the Your peace in a home, a lot has to be ignored.

At best our children Christmas Contact Hayden at are egocentric gimmee majhayden2003@cox.net Ham! chines for much of their time in our homes. The motivation 5437 Franklin Road • 540- 774 -9463 for most of their behavior and

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There will be music by the Salem High Women’s Choir and refreshments.

Come share your memories of your loved one with joy and fellowship from others who care.

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Perspective

Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/19/10 - 11/25/10

A Perspective on Bullies and Kindness

I

t’s almost impossible to me start observing the people follow any news outlet around me. these days and not hear I began carefully watchabout an instance of bullying. ing strangers in the grocery It seems to be happening ev- store, at restaurants, in my erywhere from schoolyards neighborhood and at work. I to front yards and shopping looked at my family, friends – malls to hallways. Psycholo- and even my own behavior – gists are carefully studying to see what I’d find. I listened the cases and evaluating the to the tone of voices as people causes; parents are anxiously spoke to strangers, loved-ones watching – trying to prepare and even their pets. I turned their children; media a more discerning eye is feverishly covering to what people write each story of escaon Facebook, Twitlating violence; and ter, and the comments policy makers are submitted in response defining the boundto news articles. What aries and passing I found was depresslaws. But the thing ing – but it was also that strikes me the enlightening. most – in this flurry Stephanie Koehler My basic evaluaof attention – is the tion is simple. We fact that everyone seems so have become a culture of unshocked that it’s happening. kind people. In fact, I’ll even First of all – I consulted go so far as to say we have my trusty dictionary to find a become a culture of meanprecise definition: spirited people. bully : a blustering browmean: hateful. characterbeating person; ized by malice or petty selfespecially : one habitu- ishness. ally cruel to others who are As I watched the interacweaker tions around me – in person Secondly, I wandered back and on TV – “mean-ness” was into my memory of grade- everywhere. Even worse – it school to recount my own ex- seems celebrated. I watched perience – determining there adults bully sales clerks, wives have always been bullies – so bully husbands, politicians why is it seemingly at critical bully voters, employers bully mass now? There are obvious staff, and organizations bully factors – from cell phones and volunteers. I found myself internet that allow a simple verbally assaulted by a “comunfriendly exchange to esca- munity leader” so he could late into headline news – but avoid an authentic apology – are there really more bullies and just days later by a womthan when I was a kid – or do an wearing the hat of “goodwe just hear more about them will ambassador”. Given the because of the “mass transit state of human interaction of information”? It made me these days – I’m not shocked think – and as usual – it made our children are responding

in-kind. Malice is like a virus – it will spread as long as we offer a host.

I am not suggesting there are no reasons for this behavior – as there are a multitude of reasons from legitimate fear to imagined entitlements. What I am suggesting is -- there’s no excuse for it. Humans are blessed with free will and the benefit of rational thought. It’s time to start taking ownership for the choices we make – and the consequences of our actions.

Being angry is one thing…being mean is another. The children of our society are like the proverbial “canary in the coal mine”. They are the most vulnerable – so they will show the negative affects first. We’d better pay attention. We’d also better recognize that they are learning it from us.

Perhaps we should all take a lesson from the “One Tin Soldier” song we learned when we were young. You know the one – where the Mountain people and the Valley people fight a bloody war to win the anonymous buried treasure -but when the victors arrived to collect their reward, “Peace on Earth was all it said.”

So, as we enter into this “season of giving” – where emptiness is magnified, pressures abound and grace seems in low supply – perhaps the answer is as simple as a commitment to kindness and to act accordingly.

E

The following side effects have been linked to certain recalled defective hip replacement devices manufactured since 2003, by DePuy:

• Fractured hip bone resulting from failure of the hip implant • Loosening of the hip implant • Hip, thigh or groin pain • Swelling or inflammation around the hip implant • Pain when walking, standing or carrying heavy objects

Individuals with the defective DePuy implant may need:

• Hospitalization requiring replacement of the defective implants • Ongoing medical monitoring and testing

If you or someone you know has experienced any of these symptoms or has experienced a recent hip replacement, we may be able to help you, and you may have a claim for a defective product.

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T

NewsRoanoke.com

Woolly Bear Weather?

ver heard of Pyrrharctia isabella, commonly called the Isabella tiger moth? Perhaps you know it better in its larval form: the banded woolly bear. Tiger moths get their names from their bold, contrasting colors much like the stripes of a jungle cat. We have approximately 250 species of tiger moths in North America, of which the Isabella tiger moth (and its larval form, the banded woolly bear) is but one type.

A popular insect in folklore, the woolly bear larva is black at both ends and reddishbrown in the middle. It’s found throughout the United States, Mexico, and southern Canada and produces two generations of caterpillars each year (in May and August). The second generation is the one we usually notice in late Summer or early Fall when the larvae scurry across roads to find sheltered locations to endure the harsh winter months. They survive our winter freezes by producing a cryoprotectant in their tissues, a kind of anti-freeze common in numerous types of insects.

In the Spring, the caterpillars will feed quickly on dandelions, plaintain, and other herbaceous plants and then metamorphose into a moth with white or yellowish wings scattered with black spots. Wingspan is about two inches. With its dramatic colors, it is well-liked among all insect watchers, young and old, in both its larval and adult forms.

In weather-prediction folklore, inherited from Native Americans, if the woolly bear larva has wide black stripes at the ends of its body, then we’re supposed to have severe weathContact Stephanie at er during the coming Winter. Is stephaniekoehler@cox.net this true?

From long ago, we’ve hunted

Hip Replacement?

Product Recall?

for portents and predictors in tire community promulgating the natural world to help us un- myth to advance their revenues. derstand the cosmos. During References to the spineless nathe Medieval Period, scholars ture of insects notwithstanding, employed a now-debunked this seemingly innocent effort “doctrine of signatures” to dis- sounds like some ham-fisted cern God’s intentions in the politician running for Conplant kingdom for human us- gress! age. For instance, if a plant had Since ancient times, we’ve leaves shaped like a searched fruitlessly for heart, then the plant easily recognized patwas examined for its terns in natural phecardiac cures. If the nomena to predict plant was shaped like a weather. Recall the old fetus or showed leaves ditty, “Red at night, sailmelded together, then ors’ delight; red in the it was studied for its morning, sailors take aid for pregnant womwarning.” In fact, the en and broken bones, Farmers’ Almanac is respectively. So might H. Bruce Rinker, PhD full of these so-called the woolly bear be patterns of predichelpful as a predictor for com- tion. In continuous publicaing weather? tion since 1818, the periodical The short answer is emphati- alleges an 80-85% accuracy cally, “No.” Larvae produced rate for its annual forecasts, usin the same clutch of eggs can ing a “top-secret mathematical vary from mostly red to mostly and astronomical formula that brown or even black, invalidat- relies on sunspot activity, tidal ing any actual temperature- action, planetary position, and related trends that may be oth- many other factors.” Of course, erwise evident. Width of the these claims are not corroborusty-colored rings may only rated by independent researchindicate the maturity of the lar- ers or peer-reviewed scientific vae: how near the caterpillars journals. Given the popularity are to full growth before autumn of the Farmers’ Almanac and weather stimulates their search other persistent myths in our for winter shelter. Alas, another culture, including some of the myth debunked by those darn mind-numbing claims in recent scientists! political campaigns, it seems But don’t tell this to the good we’re wired genetically for the folks in Vermilion, Ohio out- fantastic and too-often throw side Cleveland. Each Septem- reality to the four winds. ber or October since 1973, they As a scientist, I’m both fashave celebrated the “Woolly cinated and irritated by the allBear Festival” – claimed to be too-frequent gullibility of our the largest one-day festival in species, especially as we enter the entire state – that includes the second decade of the 21st a parade, costumes, woolly bear century. The next prevailing races, and a quasi-official analy- cultural myth? Who knows? sis of the bear’s prognostications Let’s throw a party, and I’ll confor the coming Winter. Simi- sult my tea leaves. lar festivities now take place in H. Bruce Rinker, Ph.D. Kentucky, North Carolina, and Ecologist, Educator, and Explorer Pennsylvania. Imagine: an enbrinker@northcross.org

If You Think You've Got It Bad, Consider Moving to Zimbabwe

his week the United 872 on Income. Zimbabwe Nations released scores a 428 on Health, a the 2010 Human 521 on Education, and a 12 Development Index (or (as in "twelve") on Income.

HDI), a comprehensive ex- And sadly, while almost every country in the amination of the world sees some condition of 169 improvement each countries around year, Zimbabwe's the world based on condition has Health, Education worsened since and Income. Not gaining indepensurprisingly, the dence in 1980.

United States came The country's toin 4th place overall tal HDI (again on (behind only the a scale of 1000) Norwegians, Ausshas fallen from ies and Kiwis).

Mike Keeler 240 in 1980 to Meanwhile, at the 140 in 2010. other end of the spectrum, in another former Compare that with the U.S. English colony, life is very HDI, which is 920. different.

What do those big numHere's the big picture: on bers mean? Well, look at it a scale of 1000, the United this way: in the United States, States scores a 943 on Health, only 8 children out of 1000 an 891 on Education and an will die before age 5; in Zim-

babwe, that number is 96.

American kids go to school for over 12 years; Zimbabweans receive less than 8 years of schooling and only 1% of the population goes to college. Three quarters of all Americans have access to the Internet; only 1 in 10 of Zimbabweans have access to a computer. The average annual income for an American is about $50,000; the average Zimbabwean makes about $200. In the United States, you'll live about 80 years; in Zimbabwe, you probably won't celebrate your 50th birthday.

Just a little data to chew on this holiday season, before slicing the turkey.

Contact Mike at info@theroanokestar.com

THE CHOICE IS CLEAR. Good Buy. After 82 years, Frank L. Moose Jeweler is closing its doors. Stop by and enjoy 40% off on most in-store items. While you’re here, visit our estate collection. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of

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Perspective

11/19/10 - 11/25/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

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Unexpected Bonuses From Writing

I

fect for an excursion, I travelled to Verona, to meet Pat, who had rounded up another friend, Betty Jo Senger Campbell, now living in Staunton.

Would I recognize them? I wondered as I stood outside the RiteAid pharmacy where we were to meet. After all, one would expect a few changes in the 67 years since we last saw each other. No problem! A vehicle with two women pulled up beside me and those 67 years disappeared into thin air as we were together again.

The ride north on route 11 to Pat’s home near Ft. Defiance where I would park my car was a trip down memory lane for me. I crossed Middle River, much smaller than I remembered, and bare without the old mill that once stood there. I passed the little house where I used to live and the Old Stone Presbyterian Church where I attended Sunday School. I also saw the new high school at Ft. Defiance, which replaced Mt. Sidney School, which closed in 1954.

Pat took the Centerville Road to Bridgewater, and although this area was not familiar, I enjoyed the beauty of this rural area in autumn. Maples, hickories and oaks in radiant hues of crimson and gold, Black Angus cattle grazing on the rolling hills – a picturesque scene reminiscent of a time when life moved at a slower pace.

Mary Lee was waiting for us and treated us to lunch, then took us to her retirement cottage for dessert. Our conversation was filled with “Do you remember…” and questions about other friends – who married whom, where they are living and sadly, which ones are no longer with us. Pat surprised us by producing pictures from those years – especially a “School Days” picture of the three of us- -- Pat, Mary Lee and me, our heads forming a triangle that filled the small space.

“We need to make another,” she said. “In the same positions.” After several tries we succeeded.

enjoy writing, so producing a column every other week has been more of a pleasure than a chore. So far my family has not voiced concern when I reveal to the public some of their behaviors, and it has been gratifying to have response from readers, whether by e-mail or comments in person.

In response to one column, I was asked for the recipe for salt-rising bread, which I sent with fear and trepidation, for salt rising bread is quite temperamental! Then a follow-up e-mail indicated the reader had excellent results. Whew!

Mary Jo and best friends in Grammar School.

But the greatest bonus from this job came last week when a column resulted in my re-connecting with childhood friends I had not seen in 67 years.

When I wrote about my first day of school in 1939, I had no idea anyone in Roanoke would be interested in the school at Mt. Sidney, Virginia, a small town in the Shenandoah Valley. Was I ever wrong! A lady in Roanoke clipped the column and sent it to a relative in Mt. Sidney. Copies were distributed at a monthly family breakfast, to see if any of the cousins could remember the writer, whose maiden name was not included in the article. One of the cousins, Don Link, noticed the contact information at the end of the article and e-mailed me.

“What was your maiden name?” he asked. We exchanged several e-mails. He remembered me and was able to give me an update on several classmates about whom I inquired. Our family moved to another part of Augusta County when I was in sixth grade, and I enrolled in another school. In those days there was no e-mail or Facebook, and I had no further contact with my grammar school friends.

Don shared my column with his neighbor, Patricia Botkin Chawkat, who was one of my closest friends. She asked for my phone number and our telephone conversation resulted in plans for a meeting. We decided to have lunch with another of our friends, Mary Lee Wampler Spangler, who lives in the Bridgewater Retirement Center. We three were “best friends” in grammar school.

So last Wednesday, a bright sunny day just per-

The Happy Chef

by Leigh Sackett

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. - Matthew 5:4 A recent reading I had for Sunday school talked about having gratitude for the gifts we are given and expressing that in prayer. It said God does not ask us to be thankful for all things because some things are bad; but God does ask us to be thankful IN ALL things.

Sometimes when you are in the midst of a difficult time your struggle and sadness is such that it is hard to see anything beautiful and good, but it is there. Goodness and God are all around. For me that is how I make it through the hard times, by seeing the small (yet actually big) blessings all around me. When my mother had cancer I of course was never glad for the cancer but I was so thankful for the love of friends and family and the great love of my mother that was expressed in such a time.

I am thankful for the specific moments, like when a friend writes a sweet note or brings you food, but I am mostly grateful for God allowing me to know the depth of such love even if it was through such grief. I try to remember that in a world without suffering there would be no need for compas-

sion and mercy, so this is to be our path and it is how we identify ourselves with Jesus who suffered so greatly out of an unbelievable love for us.

You do learn something in experiencing loss. Harry Potter saw Threstals – strange, scary looking, yet elegant and gentle horse-like creatures - that no one else could see except those who had watched someone they loved die. JK Rowling, the author of Harry Potter, had lost her mother and she was writing from experience.

Through grief - which is essentially a by-product of love, she knew she saw something that others may not see yet; something tragic yet beautiful; something that set her apart and changed her; something that informed her about the depth of love.

As we approach Thanksgiving no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, I hope we can sit down at the table and be thankful for the bountiful blessings we have been given.

It can be hard to see in the midst of sorrow - but often it is when we see the clearest.

Maybe that is why tears wash our eyes clean.

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 eggs 1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 pinch ground cloves 1 pinch ground nutmeg 1/2 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed -Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

-In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Blend in eggs one at a time. Remove 1 cup of batter and spread into bottom of crust; set aside.

-Add pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to the remaining batter and stir gently until well blended. Carefully spread over the batter in the crust.

-Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until center is almost set. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Cover with whipped topping before serving.

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Mary Jo and best childhood friends today.

To complete our day, we visited Don Link, whose response to my column made this reunion possible. He is a history buff, a retired agriculture teacher and a missionary. He and his wife Nancy spent several years teaching in Nigeria as missionaries from the Brethren Church. He hopes one day to start a local museum to preserve the history of this rural area that is rapidly changing.

So with every column I wonder what other connections might evolve. That’s what makes this job so exciting!

Contact Mary Jo Shannon at info@theroanokestar.com

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Perspective

Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/19/10 - 11/25/10

"Accidents of Fate" Seek Out Some More Than Others

N

apoleon Bonaparte once said "There is no such thing as an accident, only fate misnamed."

While I would like to agree with the diminutive emperor that "fate" has been responsible for the laundry list of accidents scattered through my days, the word "stupidity," seems to be a more accurate term.

For example; hitting myself in the face with a tennis racket would hardly be classified as "fate," as would the number of times I unknowingly set myself on fire. No one person could possibly be dealt that kind of destiny, could they?

Over the past twenty years

my body has been the birth- lovely young lady enter the place for many a painful mis- gym causing me to temporarily hap, although I don't consider lose concentration and step on myself to be accident one of my opponent's prone. The first eighfeet) but one moment teen years of my life I was driving the ball were absent of any to the basket and the kind of freak injury, next I was prone on however, the followthe court weeping ing decades would like a small child. more than make up On the courts of for the slow start.

New York they beMy first broken lieve in the old showbone arrived when biz declaration "THE playing a game of SHOW MUST GO Jon Kaufman pick-up basketball ON," as three of my at a local gym. I am teammates grabbed not sure how I actually broke my arms, dragged me off of my ankle (although I do re- the court and picked up a submember seeing a particularly stitute player to fill in. I was touched by their concern. Hopping on my good leg, I found a pay phone and called home for some assistance. Dad was quickly on his way.

J E W E L E R S Situated in a small training room, I awaited my father's arrival. The trainer had provided me with a comfortable wheel chair, a bag of ice taped to my ankle. We chatted for a while as the day grew old, waiting for my Dad to make his appearance. Minutes turned to an hour and still no sign of rescue for me and my throbbing foot. . y ice turned to water. Where wa My r u could my Dad be? o y Have it Just as I was about to lose all dad burst into the train2203 Crystal Spring Avenue | 985-3700 hope, ing room breathing heavily and explained that he had become lost while driving (a common trait for us Kaufman men), Dad wore a look of grave concern. My father had never seen me hurt before and he was visibly upset. Liability papers were signed, Dad manned the back of the wheelchair and we were December 11 – 12 off to the hospital.

Sat. 7pm & Sun. 3 pm Dad was in a bit of a rush and to make matters worse it became immediately clear that he did not have a great deal of experience with wheelchairs.

Roanoke Performing Arts In fact, he ran me and my achTheatre ing foot into every wall, door Box Office: 540.853.5483 and gym patron between us www.roanokeciviccenter.com and the car. Any obstacle that presented itself was bumped or pushed out of our path, each collision accompanied by a high-pitched yelp from me and an apology from my Dad. When we reached the outside of the building, Dad parked me and my wheelchair near the exit and ran off to get the car. In his haste, Pop failed not only to engage the wheelchair's braking system, but to notice that I was poised on a distinct downgrade. As I began to roll

GOLDSMITH From

Concept to Reality

Southwest Virginia Ballet The Nutcracker

Local Crossword

Star-Sentinel Crossword for 11/19/2010

1

2

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4

13

5 14

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17 21

10

29

23 26

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By Don Waterfield

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www.CrosswordWeaver.com

ACROSS 1 Skier's need 5 This Roanoker developed a move called the Gorilla Press Slam and is in the WWF Hall of Fame.

10 Which local business says 'If water runs through it we've got it!'

13 Danger 15 Compact 16 Garden tool 17 Excuse 18 Slightly drunk 19 Estimated time of arrival 20 Fast movers located in Vinton on Parker Lane.

21 Cut of beef 23 ----- home improvement of

25 26 28 31 32 33 34 37

38 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 49

roanoke Baby powder Juggler’s bike Meager Make copy of Constellation Island Foreign Agricultural Service Mulchn---- is a plantation road business providing plants - shrubs topsoil - decorative stone - fertilizers - and more.

Fish tank growth Smear Espy Haze Overly fat Fake Surfboarder Quell Small particle

50 Singer Adams 51 Channel 10 around here.

52 Sum 55 Cause of sickness 56 Whining speech 59 Spooky 61 Also 62 __ Oyl (Popeye's girlfriend) 63 Robber 64 White-tailed sea eagle 65 Vetoes 66 Quickly DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Petty fight Seaweed Colored part of eye Bro. or sis.

Top level Bony Mouth part American Cancer

Society (abbr.)

9 Vinton dry cleaners on E. Washington Ave. downtown.

10 Not crunchy 11 Motor lodge 12 Terminate 14 Spring flowers 22 Bullfight cheer 24 Halloween mo.

25 It was re-planted in the middle of McClannahan Street where it didn’t belong in the first place 26 __ Major (Big Dipper) 27 Large African river 28 Army Surplus supplier in downtown Roanoke 29 Prune 30 Ethereal 31 Hog's nickname 34 Can inherit this land from Lord 35 Church part 36 Dreamer 38 Famous cookies 39 __ Ranger 40 Channel 15 around here.

42 Our own Mary Jo. 43 Beginning 44 Pod vegetable 45 Sun's name 46 Lessen 47 Previous 48 Tower 49 Islands 51 Fan 52 Opera solo 53 Expires 54 Nimble 57 Boxer Muhammad 58 Half a dozen 60 Extremely high frequency (abbr.)

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

slowly towards the parking lot, panic set in. Sensing my impending doom, I slammed my uninjured hoof down, trying to slow my momentum. Thankfully I gently crashed into a "No Parking" sign, before I broke (literally) into the clear on the open road. Dad loaded me into the car with all the gentleness of an airport baggage handler, as I prayed for a short ride to the hospital.

Reaching the hospital in minutes, an orderly, schooled in the operation of the standard wheelchair (thankfully), carted me into the emergency room. My overwrought father was directed to the waiting room. Following Xrays and the casting process, I was released to the man who delivered me, who was now sleeping in an uncomfortable looking plastic hospital chair.

Struggling with my first ever set of crutches, my Dad looked relieved and happy to see me.

Hobbling through the hospital hallways, I was abruptly stopped by a nurse who explained that hospital policy requires all discharged patients to leave the ER area via a wheelchair. I glanced at my Dad, looked at the nurse, eyeballed a lone wheelchair stationed nearby, and bolted down the hall towards the exit as fast as my crutches could take me.

Reclining on our coach at home, my battered limb propped-up and safe, I remembered the words of Napoleon and thought "Was it fate that landed me in this predicament?

Was this merely a simple accident? Or am I just an absent minded dope who broke his ankle checking out a girl and allowed his nervous, but loving Dad to nearly kill him in a wheelchair?

I'm thinking its number three . . . as fate would have it.

NewsRoanoke.com

The Lendy’s Hot Dog Incident

W

hen I was grow- cious back seat of my granding up, Lendy’s on parents’s Chrysler New Yorker, Franklin Road in watching the curb service girl Roanoke was definitely my fa- bringing us those milkshakes, vorite restaurant. I mean, how was a wonderful sight indeed. could it not be, with the Big Boy However, my most memorastatue out front, and the curb ble time at Lendy’s, and indeed service, and the booths inside, the thing above all others that I with seats covered in bright connect with the restaurant, is red vinyl? I was particularly en- the now infamous hot dog incithralled by the fake food on dis- dent. This happens to be one of play; models of the various spe- my earliest memories as well, as cialties which were affixed to the I was only about three years old walls above the booths. There at the time. were renditions of milkshakes, It’s a Sunday, after church, onion rings and their famous and Lendy’s is busy. In fact, the strawberry pie piled high with place is hopping. My family of whipped cream. And there was five is finally seated in a booth. a model of the “Slim Jim” sand- I’m between my dad and my wich, and of course a fake ver- pregnant mom, across the table sion of their flagship hamburg- from my big brother and sister. er, the Big Boy. Come to think Seated behind us at the adjacent of it there was also a fabrication booth is another party, the only of a chili dog, with one of which I reimitation french fries member is a lady with pleasingly arranged a big, high hairdo and around it. None of a flowery dress –more these models looked about her in a minparticularly real –garute. The tall waitress ishly shiny might be a in white, pencil bebetter description of hind her ear, brings it- but gosh were they our food and soon neat.

I’m holding a mouthLendy’s came along watering Lendy’s hot when I was very dog in both of my John W. Robinson young, hardly out of grubby little hands. infanthood. The restaurant was This dog is a handful, especially along a burgeoning strip of Rt. for me, and is replete with chili, 220, the main road south from mustard and onions. I espeRoanoke. This area in particular cially remember the mustard experienced accelerated growth - the neon bright yellow musin the nineteen sixties and could tard. About ten minutes into the be described as Roanoke’s fron- meal, I’ve eaten a small portion tier at the time, beyond which of the hot dog and I’m looking lay a sparsely settled highway around the busy place, mesmercorridor all the way to Mar- ized. In particular, I am looking tinsville. Around Lendy’s a few up at all of that fascinating fake stately old homes still stood, but food on the walls. I find myself there were also a new Kroger standing up between my parand Pilot gas station. Uncle ents, swaying, still gripping the Tom’s Barbeque had been across fully-dressed hot dog in both the highway from Lendy’s since hands. the early fifties.

I’m sure one of my parents is I liked all the food at the res- about to reel me in at about this taurant, but I especially loved time, but before that can happen Lendy’ root beer milkshakes. something else occurs. I briefly When lucky enough to get lean over the back of the booth’s Contact Jon at one, my brother and I drank bench seat, into the airspace of Jon.Kaufman@sprint.com them very slowly, savoring each the occupied booth behind us, creamy sip. Sitting in the spa- chili dog in the lead. At exactly this moment the hot dog decides to take flight, with the dog itself squirting out of its bun, falling amid mustard, chili, and Isn’t it about TIME you got that clock repaired? onions, down the back of the unsuspecting woman with big hair seated heretofore calmly at Clock Repair her booth.

On all Spring and Weight Driven Wouldn’t you know it, right Antique and Modern Clocks between her bare back and dress –unforgettable in light blue and Free Estimates | Makes House Calls Authorized Service Center for Howard Miller and Ridgeway Clocks yellow floral pattern - go the 9 0 4 -2 2 9 9 | w w w.c l o c k m anc l o c k re p air. co m skinny dog and all the fixin’s.

A scream -more like a primal shriek - escapes the woman’s mouth, and I’m gripped with fear. I squirm and drop down to the floor under the table, shoot out from under it and run as Our Home is Ready for the Holiday Season. ... Is Yours? fast as I can to the nearest refAn Eclectic Mix of Old & New! uge I can think of, the men’s Find the BEST GIFTS and Make your Home rest room. It is there that I comSeasonally Spectacular this Holiday with all Buy The Season has to offer! mence to cower.

Shortly thereafter my dad Antiques, Gifts, Collectables, From all of us at Buy The Season joins me in the bathroom. I’m Furniture & Home Décor - Happy Holidays!

1529 Apperson Drive, Salem • 387-2788 • www.buytheseason.com sobbing uncontrollably, but there is a calm smile on Daddy’s Spring Hours: Mon 10-6 | Tues-Fri 10-7 | Sat 10-6 | Sun 1-6 face –years later I learn he was trying to keep from laughing his head off- and he’s gently consoling me. He puts his big arm around my little body. Everything’s okay, the lady is not mad at me. It was just an accident. No harm done. I calm down and start breathing again.

Today, I don’t remember exC o m mu n i t y | N ew s | Pe r s p e c t i ve actly what happened after that bathroom scene. The calming influence and reassurance of my dad are all I need to remember, Publisher | Stuart Revercomb | stuart@newsroanoke.com all I need to know. The relief Features Editor | Cheryl Hodges | cheryl@newsroanoke.com –indeed the love- I felt was proNews Editor | Gene Marrano | gmarrano@cox.net found.

Production Editor | Leigh Sackett | leigh@newsroanoke.com One thing’s for sure: I keep Technical Webmaster | Don Waterfield | webmaster@newsroanoke.com a tighter grip on my hot dogs Advertising Director | Bill Bratton | advertising@newsroanoke.com these days.

CLOCKMAN C loc l oc kÊRe p a i r Expert

The Roanoke Star-Sentinel 540-400-0990

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

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StellarOne Drumstick Dash Becoming an Annual Favorite

Meals Tax Trend Shows Roanokers Eating Out More

Roanokers got the munchies in September per the Director of Finance Ann Shawver. What was a declining tax revenue at the end of the first two months (July and August combined) may have been a "bottom in the market" as Wall Street pundits like to say.

We are a fickle bunch in the Roanoke Valley - you just never know what we might do and why we do it. What happened in September that increased the meals tax 2.6% over September 2009? (If wasn't me with my freelance writing check I can promise you that!)

The bottom line is that we Runners from last year’s Drumstick Dash make their way have progressed from a deficit down Jefferson Street. to a surplus in expected meals The event seems to be gain- that we can ALL “move our feet tax revenue compared to 2009. ing in momentum and popular- so others can eat!”

Three months into the fiscal year ity. Last year, families from 34 The registration fee for walk- has not only increased the overdifferent states came together to ers is $15 and $30 for runners. make this the largest road race “Well-behaved” dogs on leashes in the region and Roanoke’s and babies in strollers are $10. biggest family reunion.

Par- Registration continues until 8 ticipants include runners and a.m. Thanksgiving Day at the walkers from grandparents to Rescue Mission. On-line regmoms and dads with babies in istration closes at midnight on strollers and dogs on leashes.

Friday, Nov. 19.

At a well attended “SouthOver 65 corporate sponsors, churches and media partners To register or get more infor- ern Tea and Fashion Show” on provide financial support and mation, go to www.rescuemis- Thursday, leadership givers to in-kind donations to make the sion.net or stop by the Rescue United Way of Roanoke Valley StellarOne Drumstick Dash Mission, located at 402 Fourth (and those interested in becompossible. All proceeds from the Street, SE, or call 540-343-7227. ing one) heard inspiring words StellarOne Drumstick Dash from Maria Blet, a key volunbenefit The Rescue Mission.

The Mission is open 24 hours teer in the Miami/Dade and naYour gift really counts because a day--365 days a year. Since its tional United Way, as well as a the Rescue Mission does not origin in 1948, The Rescue Misaccept Federal, State or City sion, a Christian Crisis Inter- vice president at Wells Fargo.

Introduced by Women’s Inifunds. vention Center, has consistently According to the Mission, served all people in need, regard- tiative Chair Tammy Finley of an anticipated $225,000 will be less of race, creed, gender, age or Advance Auto Parts, Blet had the crowd of about 100 women raised from the Dash, proving ethnicity. laughing - but also seriously pondering their future goals, as she reminded them of the many great accomplishments by women in our nation’s history.

She also told them of some nofine furniture. Along the way, table achievements by United employees at the factory share Way women’s leadership groups their perspectives on work, in other regions, which have adcommunity, and survival in a dressed such important issues as country devastated by deindus- reducing teen pregnancy rates trialization and outsourcing. In and raising graduation rates in spite of their misfortune, these their communities.

As United Way of Roanoke people exhibit great pride in Valley focuses on improving the their work and a determination Education, Income and Health to carry on. of our community, the Women’s The documentary, produced Initiative is gearing up to mobiby the "Unheard Voices Project" lize its hundreds of female highin Winston-Salem, N.C., shows level donors (giving $1,000 per the impact of globalization's year and more) and put its pow"race to the bottom" on skilled er behind at least one of these Photo by Matthew Barr workers across America. efforts, TBD. Those women inFormer Hooker Furniture Company employee Toni Jamieson on the last day of production at the Martinsville, VA plant.

Visit www.BlueRidgePBS. terested in participating, as the “With These Hands: The Sto- munities. This is also the story org for more information about group moves forward, should call Linda Webb at 777-4210. ry of an American Furniture about the people who worked “With These Hands.”

It sounds a bit like putting the cart before the horse – getting out for some exercise before the big Thanksgiving meal -- but in our city that is fast becoming a much-anticipated tradition, as this year 10,000 people are anticipated to “move their feet so others can eat” as part of the fifth annual StellarOne Drumstick Dash.

The event, which benefits the Rescue Mission, is held at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. Runners, walkers, babies in strollers, dogs on leashes and volunteers are signing up now to help provide food, shelter, medical care, case management, recovery programs, clothing and more for as many as 360 people in Mission shelters each night.

This year’s number is up from the 7,500 total participants who took part in the 2009 Drumstick Dash. With demand for services in the Women and Children’s Center up 22%, the StellarOne Drumstick Dash will make a significant difference for the Rescue Mission, where each day, emergency shelter, food, medical care and recovery programs are provided for families in crisis.

The route is located in beautiful downtown Roanoke, ending at the historic Farmer’s Market.

This is the one event and the one day that downtown streets can be closed for an event of this magnitude.

There will be groups of musicians performing all along the route for the enjoyment of the runners and walkers.

Mayor Bowers supports the new trend. all meals tax by .5 percent but the school's portion from the temporary 2 percent meals tax increase is going gangbusters.

Roanoke City Public Schools

share stands officially at $1,110,016. This is $35,834 more then projected for the first three months of fiscal year 2011.

By - Valerie Garner

United Way Women’s Initiative Gets Set to Launch into Action

Story of Hooker Furniture Closure To Be Told

Factory,” will premier at 5 p.m. on Nov. 21. Focusing on the last weeks and days of production, the documentary tells the story of the Martinsville factory that closed in 2007 after 83 years in operation. “‘With These Hands’ is an example of the top-quality documentary programming that people expect to see on Blue Ridge PBS,” said James Baum, station president and CEO. “The story of what happened to the Hooker Furniture plant has been repeated in many com-

11/19/10 - 11/25/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

at the Martinsville factory, who lost their jobs to global competition.”

“With These Hands” follows the last load of kiln-dried wood down the assembly line as it is cut, honed, and assembled into

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Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/19/10 - 11/25/10

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Sports

Hidden Valley, Cave Spring Advance To State AA Semifinals With Wins Tuesday Night

11/19/10 - 11/25/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11

Raiders Repeat as Champs

Southwest County volleyball powerhouses Hidden Valley and Cave Spring both won in state quarterfinal matches Tuesday night and advanced to Friday night's semifinals in Richmond. Hidden Valley peppered Turner Ashby with 52 kills on the way to an easy 3-game sweep 25-11 ; 25-16 ; 25-19.

Cave Spring went on the road and dispatched previously unbeaten Jefferson Forest 3-1. The Titans and Knights remain on a collision course for a potential Saturday night match for the AA state championship at the VCU Siegel Center.

Kaki Comer skies for a return against Catholic. Comer took home Tournament MVP honors.

The 2010 VISAA Div III Champion North Cross Raider Volleyball Team.

Hidden Valley mobs the court Tuesday night after their 3-0 win over Turner Ashby.

Hidden Valley #3 Liz Burke finesses a shot over the Turner Ashby front line as setter #13 Sarah Patterson looks on.

After winning the VISAA D3 state championship last year after a 15 year drought, the North Cross Raiders Volleyball team managed to knock off #1 ranked cross-town rival Roanoke Catholic last Saturday in Charlottesville to repeat as state Titans with Region champions.

IV trophy after The Raiders, led by coach win over Cave Heather Donaho, who was the Spring. setter on the North Cross team that won gold 16 years ago, were skeptical at the beginning of the year. Players said they were hoping to have a good season but having lost four starting seniors they knew there was going to be a lot of work to do to reach the top again.

The Raiders started strong Photos and recap by Bill Turner with a big win over D2 Denbigh Baptist in 5 games but then played several weaker teams that they tended to play down to.

Though their only losses of the season were to bigger schools - Division1 LCA (who lost in the state final match), Division 2 Eastern Mennonite (who lost in their state final match) and to local rival and ultimately championship opponent Roanoke Catholic, the team finished the regular season with a record of 18-4 (2 losses to Eastern Mennonite).

Quarter final play started with a game again Westover Christian, who North Cross had beaten the week before in three games. The Raiders again took the Westover team in three games but in a much more competitive match: 25-21, 25-20, 25North Cross Defensive Lineman Austin Mylott drives hard into 11. The second ranked Raiders were then on to the semi-finals the Navigator front line. at Covenant School in Charlottesville and were matched Send sports pictures, announcements and up against third ranked Grace story ideas to Christian. The Raiders came out info@newsroanoke.com with focus and determination

Raiders Earn Berth in Final

It was all about the North Cross defense last week as the Raiders shut down the Hampton Roads Academy 37-0 to advance to the VISSA Div III State Championship game. The Raiders amassed 520 yards of total offense in rolling over Hampton Roads while holding the Navigators to only 88 rushing yards and 204 in the air. Standout quarterback Thomas Weaver threw for 272 yards and 4 touchdowns and Antoine Martin rushed for 85 yards.

The Raiders will need to harness up and bring their A-Game once more as they travel across the state again to meet #1 ranked and undefeated Norfolk Christian. Kick-off is Friday night at 7 PM at Old Dominion Universities Powatan Field.

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Adrian Guilfoyle makes a point-saving dive for Catholic in the opening game. and put the Grace squad down in threee games as well: 25-15, 25-15, 25-19.

The final step was by far the hardest, a match-up on Saturday against #1 ranked Roanoke Catholic, who the Raiders had lost to in the regular season. The first game of the match was one for the ages with point after hard fought point being contested to the end by the two rivals. As the lead changed back and forth and the teams approached and went past the 25 points mark it became clear that whoever could come out with the win was going to have a great deal of needed confidence and momentum going forward. The Raiders got the extra point they needed on a well placed tip by MVP Kaki Comer and took the game

27-25. From there things went almost all North Cross's way as the deflated Celtics struggled in game 2, losing 25-16, but showed poise and determination before falling 25-20 in the final.

When asked if she thought this team could repeat as champions Heather Donahue replied with no hesitation, "Yes, I did - I knew we had the horses to do it . . ." She then added with a broad smile, "Wow - what a season."

The All State All Tournament Team consisted of: Aidan Guilfoyle - Roanoke Catholic - Mairin Guilfoyle - Roanoke Catholic - Emma Caveness - North Cross, Gussie Revercomb - North Cross, Mary Hrvot - Grace Christian and Sarah Sharpley Broadwater. Tournament MVP - Kaki Comer - North Cross.

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Sports

Page 12 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/19/10 - 11/25/10

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

Parker Walsh Receives a Call-Up Wild Bill’s Fearless Football Forecast by the US U-20 National Team Roanoke Star player Parker Walsh received a call up by the United States U-20 Men's National Team. The U-20 Men's National Team will be competing in the Torneo de las Americas in Kennesaw, Georgia at the end of November. They will be competing against Columbia on November 26th and Mexico on November 28th. The three team tournament will be played at the Kennesaw State Soccer Stadium. The national team will be made up of players currently playing in leagues in seven different countries. Parker is currently playing in Germany for Karlsruhe SC for their reserve team.

He is one of the top American prospects in soccer. Roanoke Star is proud to have such an outstanding player and person to represent the club and community.

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Well, readers, we made it requests by surfers for wavethrough week one of the play- height predictions. And forget offs and one of our area teams it in SF- everyone wants a guess advanced as North Cross on the next earthquake. submerged Hampton Roads Dear Dr. Bill: Do you have Academy 37-0 to advance to any suggestions or remedies the VISAA Division III final for my toenail fungus? (Myrtle/ against Norfolk Christian. Rocky Mount) More about that game later in Answer: No, no Myrtle! You the predictions. Consent your question to gratulations go out to the football column.

Roanoke Catholic, who Your inquiry should made a valiant run into have been directed to the playoffs before fallDr. Pendyke, care of ing to Richmond powthe foot CARE section. erhouse Blessed SacraLord have mercy. ment on the road.

Dear Wild Man: I This leaves us with know you’re not a four Roanoke-area lawyer, but I need Bill Turner teams still standadvice. I took my ing, with all four in action this wife to a game a couple of week. My predictions for last weeks ago. I’d always wanted week were 2-0 in the playoffs, to see what it looked like when but things start getting tougher an extra point sails through the as the cream comes to the top in uprights, so we wandered bethe upcoming matchups. Let’s hind the end zone to get a betfirst get to this week’s mailbag, ter look. The kid shanked the where an extra-point mishap attempt and hit my wife in the gets some much needed atten- behind. Do you think I have tion . . . any recourse? (Bobby/Clifton Dear Wild Bill: With the Forge) football season winding down, Answer: Gosh, Bobby, I’m what’s next for you guys? Do stumped on this one. My sugyou have some kind of awards gestion is to keep an eye on the banquet?(Nancy/Moneta) injury, then call one of those Answer: Well, Nancy, bas- TV numbers like “the hurtline.” ketball is next. But, because Oh, and tell them you mean those games are every night, a business. But stay in the stands prediction column is tough in next time. By the way, how did that sport. For us predictors, the ball make out? our big convention isn’t unDear Wild One: Why don’t til late June when high school you have guest predictors in sports slow down. Rumor has your column? I think I could it we may return to Hawaii or top your record. (Harry/RoaSan Francisco next year. I usu- noke) ally won’t know until I get my Answer: Predictions are best vouchers from the RSS travel left to us professionals. And, department. It’s not all plea- Harry, I don’t doubt that you sure, though. Last time we were can be 85% accurate--as long in Maui I couldn’t even enjoy as you make your predictions my bucket of Coronas under after the games are over. the palms without unending Send your inquires to: info@

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newsroanoke.com Now, let’s look at our four area playoff games for this weekMagna Vista (10-1) visits Salem Stadium to battle the Spartans (7-3) 7:30, Friday. It’s always tough to go against Salem at home, but the Warriors look awfully strong and can score points in a hurry. Last week they had 42 by halftime, so the starters got a breather. Salem has struggled since the loss of Seth Fisher seemed to stagger their confidence. Magna Vista - 28 Salem - 17 The Golden Wave of Grundy (9-2 ) invades Bogle Stadium to take on Cave Spring (7-3) 7:30, Friday. Grundy looks good with the 9-2 mark until you see some of those wins came in places with names like Pilgrims Knob, Lick Creek and Hurley.

No doubt, Grundy will have some big boys - but this is like a choo-choo against a fighter squadron captained by Woodrum, Wright, Cole and Company. Out on the limb I go; no contest here. The big city is too much for Grundy.

Cave Spring - 42 Grundy -7 Defending state champion Northside (9-1) is at Jim Hickam Field to take on the Brookville Bees (10-1) 7:30, Friday. Northside has the experience and the size up-front.

Brookville has scored over 40 points in 7 of its wins this season with an offense that’s explosive. Home field is worth a lot, but the swarming Bees may have too much sting.

This one should be very close.

Brookville - 35 Northside 34 North Cross ( 8-3 ) goes for the VISAA Division III crown on the road against Norfolk Christian Academy (10-1) at ODU’s Powhatan Field in Norfolk - 7:00 Friday. The Raiders are road tested this season with two games in North Carolina and this being their third trip across state to the Eastern shore. Stephen Alexander has the Raiders peaking at the right time and defensive coordinator Shannon Taylor has that side of the ball clicking, as evidenced by the 37-0 pasting of Hampton Roads last week. The new roundabout on Colonial Ave. is in place just in timeProfession for the parade.

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Sports

Moir’s Team Has Something To Prove Wanting to prove that last season was an aberration by returning to the upper echelon of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference is a goal for the Roanoke College men’s basketball team, as they prepare for this weekend’s season opener in the 17th Annual Dick Leftwich V-Foundation Classic.

“We are hungry … [the players] want to return to the top portion of the ODAC, where we belong,” said veteran head coach Paige Moir.

“We didn’t finish well last year. But I’m looking forward

Veteran Maroons coach Page Moir is expecting better things this season. to this year with the talent we have and the new talent coming in.”

The Maroons, who finished 6-20 and 3-13 ODAC last season, were selected to finish eighth in the 2010-11 ODAC Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll. Eastern Mennonite was picked first and Randolph-Macon was second.

The ODAC is coming off a record-breaking year in which the conference had four teams make the NCAA Tournament Round of 16, three in the Final Eight, while two advanced to the NCAA Division III National Quarterfinals.

Players looking to make an impact for the Maroons this season are seniors Matt Crizer (11.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, Alleghany), Melvin Felix (11.4 ppg, Salem) and Corey Poindexter

Senior Corey Poindexter is the point guard.

(6.2 ppg, Pulaski County).

Juniors Logan Singleton (8.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, Hidden Valley), Michael McGeough (4.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, George Washington), Papa Fall (C, South Kent) and sophomore Kwasi Amponsah (4.9 ppg, 2 apg, Garfield).

“I’m looking for our seniors to provide the leadership for our younger players,” said Moir. “Amponsah, who was one of the best freshmen in our league last year, is back for his sophomore season.

My seniors and Amponsah, are our talented ‘old’ guys on the team.”

Some of the new players who will see significant action this season are Zach Barrett (Soph, F, Hidden Valley), along with freshmen Clay Lacy (G/F, Cave Spring) and Ethan Humphries (G, James River-Buchanan). Lacy and Humphries played on state title-winning teams. “You will see these three young men getting a lot of playing time from day one,” added Moir.

Other team members include Jordan Thacker (So, G, Stuarts Draft), Adam Kessler (Jr, G, Maury), Andrew Daniels (Fr, F, Fairfax), Dylan Berry (Fr, F, Northern Guilford), Danny Schmitt (Sr, F, Patrick Henry-Ashland), Colby Shorter (Fr, F, Rockbridge), Jack Hamilton (Fr, F, St. Stephens/St. Agnes), Joey Leech (Sr, F, Eastern Montgomery) and Terrell Johnson (Sr, C, Riverbend).

As for the Maroons strengths in 2010-11, Moir said, “We have a lot more

depth, we are a little bigger and we’re hungry.” Roanoke College, which lost 82-50 to UVA in a pre-season exhibition, saw some good things among the items they need to work on. “We definitely need to work on our rebounding.

I was pleased, despite a slow start, with our competitiveness. But this game showed that we have to rebound better and get better in the half-court offensively,” noted Moir.

In that exhibition game Virginia outscored Roanoke 22-11 on second chance points and 18-11 in points off turnovers. The Cavaliers out-rebounded Roanoke, 49-25 and shot 50% for the game. “We [also] need to get some early wins, so we can get our confidence going,” said Moir.

Roanoke College will open play in the 17th Annual Dick Leftwich V-Foundation Classic this weekend. The Maroons will play Warren Wilson at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Ferrum at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Roanoke College Women Seeking More Success On Court

Coming off back-to-back 20-win seasons, the Roanoke College women’s basketball team is looking for a threepeat, as they tip-off the 201011 season this weekend at the Randolph-Macon Invitational.

The Maroons, picked second in the 2010-11 ODAC Pre-season Poll behind Washington & Lee, also recently received 13 votes in the D3Hoops.com Pre-Season Top-25 Poll. Roanoke is the only ODAC school mentioned in the first national rankings of the season.

The Maroons were 24-4 in 2009-2010, ending with the program’s 11th NCAA Tournament appearance. Head Coach Susan Dunagan won her second-straight ODAC Coach of the Year award last February while boasting a program-best three FirstTeam All-ODAC selections.

“I feel good about us being picked second,” said Dunagan, entering her 30th year at the helm of the Maroons. “Washington & Lee … returns all of their players this season and they once again will be the team to beat. [They] deserve their No. 1 ranking.”

Despite losing three key components from last year’s team, Roanoke (24-4, 19-1 ODAC) will be returning a solid core of players this season, as they make a run at a conference-best 14th ODAC crown. Looking to make an impact are senior point guard Kendra Porter (7.0 ppg, 43 steals, Dudley), senior center Jordan Gholson (12.4 ppg, 7.0

rpg, 61 blocked shots, Louisa County), junior Nicci Moats (9.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg, Lord Botetourt), senior Kylie Lucas (5.3 ppg, Fort Defiance), senior Rebecca Bays (4.9 ppg, William Byrd), senior Bethany Holland (F, Buffalo Gap).

“These players have been working hard and are stepping up [from] where they left off last year,” added Dunagan.

Others who will see action this season include Sydney Webb (Sr, G, Carroll County), Hannah Davidson (So, G, PuSusan Dunagan is the reigning laski County), Rachel Dellehunt (So, G, Ichabod Crane), Old Dominion Athletic ConferLaurel Hankins (Fr, G, Bland ence Coach of the Year.

County), Gwin Paxton (Fr, be exciting to watch and our G, Cape Hatteras Secondary) fans will see some great teamand Morgan Lazenby (Fr, G, work,” said Dunagan. “It’s goGlenvar). ing to be entertaining.”

As for the team’s strengths, The women tip-off the Dunagan says her Maroons 2010-11 season in Ashland at have “good speed. We will be the Randolph-Macon Invitaable to run more and pound tional this weekend (Nov. 19the ball inside, plus our tough 20) against Ferrum and Mary defense, which has been our Washington, with their first trademark for the last several home game on December 1 at years. We are still a work in the Bast Center against Eastprogress.” ern Mennonite.

The coach noted that as far as any weaknesses, they

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Valley Business

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11/19/10 - 11/25/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 14

Wage-Hour Provisions of Employment Law: Understanding Employees Rights and Employers Responsibilities Headlines about employment law typically involve sexual harassment or racial discrimination lawsuits. For many businesses and employees, the field conjures thoughts of background checks and severance agreements. While these are important components of this diverse area of legal practice, they are not necessarily the subjects which have the greatest societal and economic impact. If importance is measured by pervasiveness and the cost of potential legal exposure, than wage-hour law is the clear winner. While the phrase “wage-hour law” may not be a household term, every employer is required to comply with its technical requirements on a daily basis, and “collective action” – which is a component of employment law -- has resulted in several of the largest judgments awarded in the past decade, including a single suit where the damages totaled more than $187 million.

Wage-hour law is the legal field regulating how wages are paid to employees. While state and even local law affect wage regulations, the Federal Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) is the principal law which affects Virginia employers and employees. The FLSA sets both age limits for certain jobs and minimum standards for the amount and manner in which wages are calculated and paid.

While most employers are careful not to hire underage workers and to pay employees no less than the federally mandated minimum wage, they tend to be less conscientious about ensuring employees are paid the appropriate wage for the hours they actually work.

One area where employers often make mistakes is in classifying workers. Generally speaking, workers fall into one of three categories: independent contractors, exempt workers, and non-

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The local pop-rock group My Radio recently scored a major coup: their song “Yeah Yeah Yeah” was chosen for the soundtrack of a major motion picture, “The Joneses,” which stars Demi Moore and David Duchovny. The song has also been licensed by ESPN as a music bed for sports highlight segments.

Two members of My Radio had other dreams as well: after some construction delays, lead singer/guitarist/keyboard player J.P. Powell and drummer Hunter Thompson have opened a restaurant, Lucky, on Kirk Avenue near Shadowbox Cinema/Kirk Avenue Music Hall. Open for about two weeks, the dining area and bar were packed for hours last Saturday night as Powell (pictured) did his best to greet patrons and have them seated.

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Independent contractors are not employees, and therefore do not fall within the FLSA’s protective scope. However, an employer may not use this classification or title to avoid potential wage-hour liability. Labels do not matter; the economic reality of the parties’ relationship does. The hallmark of an independent contractor is the worker’s control of the manner in which a job is completed.

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Arts & Culture

Page 15 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/19/10 - 11/25/10

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Review

Carrie Underwood "Play On" Tour Dazzles Audience at Roanoke Civic Center

Any doubt about the popularity or singing talent of superstar Carrie Underwood was nowhere in sight Friday night as Underwood's "Play On" tour had the Roanoke Civic Center rocking for 7,821 excited fans.

Underwood was all energy, belting out hit after hit including "Jesus, Take The Wheel , "Cowboy Casanova " and "All-American Girl."

The "Play On" tour was a total theatrical masterpiece, complete with an elaborate backdrop , hydraulic stage that lifted Underwood high above the Civic Center floor, as well as a suspended pickup truck from which she performed in high heels.

Opening acts included Sons of Sylvia from Franklin County and talented country singer Billy Currington.

Photo and Story By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

Photo by Jim Bullington

Maestro David Wiley takes to the piano as one half of “DuoPiano-Fireworks.”

The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra presented the second concert in this year's Masterworks series, "Duo-Piano Fireworks," to a nearly full house at the Jefferson Center's Shaftman Hall.

The guest artist was pianist Norman Krieger, who has performed in Roanoke before and is a good friend of Maestro David Wiley, music director and conductor of the RSO. Wiley, also a world class pianist, was right at home as the dueling pianos entertained the very appreciative audience. Several times it seemed as if Wiley's enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment while playing might cause him to fall off of his stool. One of the songs that was a crowd favorite was Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess."

Wiley, also a composer and arranger, took the original music and set it for two pianos and orchestra. Grant Ellis, Operations Director of the RSO, informed me that one of the pianos is a Steinway Model D 9', played by Krieger, and the other smaller piano is a Baldwin, played by Wiley.

The program offered a variety of music, opening with Brahm's "Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major Op. 83, which filled the first half of the program. Marilyn Coyne, who plays oboe and English horn for the San Francisco Ballet, had many impressive solos during the Brahms.

Kelley Mikkelsen, principal cellist of the RSO, received a standing ovation for her solo work in the Brahms piece.

After intermission the orchestra played Beethoven's "Coriolan Overture Op. 62" followed by the Gershwin / Wiley arrangement of "Porgy & Bess Fantasy for Two Pianos."

Paul Kim, a RSO violinist and former Marine, made his RSO conducting debut leading the orchestra in playing Poulenc's "Concerto for Two Pianos in D minor." His conducting style is "ramrod straight," which is very different from the flamboyant Wiley. Both the audience and orchestra members were very appreciative of Kim's performance and also of the piccolo solos by Julee Hickcox.

In this tight economy, when many orchestras are having to shut down or reduce performances, the RSO obviously is surviving due to the capable leadship of both David Stewart Wiley, Conductor, and Beth Pline, Executive Director.

Bringing in guest artists is expensive but it adds to the quality of the programs. Since many orchestras are struggling and not spending money for guests, it should be a good time for the RSO to be able to get some top names for very affordable fees.

By Jim Bullington info@newsroanoke.com

Roanoke City Thanksgiving Collections Schedule

As City of Roanoke offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 25, and Friday, Nov. 26, for the Thanksgiving holiday, all residents and business owners are being advised of the following changes to their solid waste collectionz schedules for the week of Nov. 22 as follows: • Monday, Nov. 22 Routes -Trash, recycling, and bulk will be collected on schedule.

• Tuesday, Nov 23 Routes Trash, recycling, and buulk will be collected one day early, on Monday.

• Weddnesday, Nov 24 Routes - Trash, recycling, and bulk will be collected on Tues-

day.

• Thursday Nov 25 Routes TTrash, recycling, and bulk will be collected on Wednesday.

No leaves will be collected during this week.

The Central Business District will be worked on schedule all week with the exception of Thanksgiving Day. Regular collection schedules will resume on Monday, Nov. 29.

For more information, call the Citizen Service Center at 8532000, option 1.

NewsRoanoke.com

In Spite of Challenges Taubman Museum Director Sees Brighter Future

David Micklenberg’s career in the museum field began when he was seven years old.

“My mother hooked me up with a photographer professor in the Brooklyn Museum, and I mixed chemicals for him and volunteered my time. I think she wanted me out of the house.

That was a good thing.”

From there, he went on to college and a Master’s Degree in art history at the University of Wisconsin, then served as director of various art museums and institutions before coming to his current position as executive director of the Taubman Art Museum. Despite the current financial challenges confronting the museum, Micklenberg is optimistic about the facility’s future—though the challenges must be surmounted. The key to the latter, in his view, are financial and community-based.

“I think the financial situation for the museum is that there is a lot of difficulty [understanding] about where money’s coming from and how much money has been there in the past - and what’s going to be there in the future. There are also a lot of challenges in terms of expanding the donor base to be much broader-based in the community.”

Micklenberg, who went public with his plan last week, said that, “the future of the museum rests in collaborative programmatic partnerships that produce enough income for the museum for budget relief as well as programmatic excellence, and those are the kinds of relationships that we’re looking for in the future.”

Toward that end, Micklenberg hopes the museum will continue its longstanding partnership with Virginia Tech as well as continue its affiliations with Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke College, Hollins University, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Additionally, the Taubman Museum has recently spent

time sounding out the community to find out what it’s like to have such a facility in Roanoke and what is required to have a truly first-rate museum here— with the result being, in Micklenberg’s words, “that the museum is not only a museum – it’s also an art center. That means the collections and exhibitions in the museum will remain preeminent.

In addition, Micklenberg envisions “a very aggressive program in lectures, concerts, films, symposia, conversations, dialogues … online resources, and a lot of communication and opportunities with the community to participate and to access our artists and ideas.”

Micklenberg continues that this means the museum will have “deep-rooted connections” with higher and K-12 education in both the public and private sectors.

It’s not only about art but people as well: “It’s about being able to communicate with people, being able to understand what people want and their hopes and dreams and aspirations [for] the museum. It’s something that I’ve been able to do at other institutions.”

There are varying opinions about the Taubman two years after the $66 million dollar facility opened, but Micklenberg, who succeeded Georganne Bingham a year ago, believes that, “by and large, I think everybody cares that the museum stays afloat and everybody cares that the museum remains a critical cultural component of Roanoke. So I think that the experiences that I’ve had at other institutions helped me define how that happens here.”

(See related article on last week’s Town Hall meeting.)

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11/19/10 - 11/25/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 16

Nominations Sought for Kendig Awards Ken Farmer of Antiques Road Show

2010 Kendig Recipients: George Cartledge Jr, Robert Bennett and George Cartledge III. The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge is accepting nominations for the 2011 Perry F. Kendig Awards. The annual program honors and celebrates excellence in the arts throughout south-

west Virginia. The deadline to submit is Monday, December 6.

The Perry F. Kendig Awards, named after the late Dr. Kendig, a longtime supporter of the arts and past President of Roanoke

College, have recognized businesses, cultural organizations and individual supporters of the arts for more than 25 years.

Nomination categories include: Business Supporter; Arts & Cultural Organization; Individual Patron of the Arts; Arts Education Supporter; and Young Professional. In addition, awards will also be given to literary, performing and visual artists. Nomination forms are available on-line at www. theartscouncil.org, in The Arts Council’s office in Center in the Square or by contacting Laura Rawlings at 342-5791.

The 2011 Perry F. Kendig Awards are sponsored by The Newbern Family Foundation and will take place at Roanoke College on Tuesday, March 15.

All Smiles at Blueberry Shindig

Photo by Jessica Dodds

A father and son team prepares to dive in to several blueberry pies at the Roanoke Public Library’s “Blueberry Shindig.” Event promoter River Laker arranged for crafts, live music, door prizes, and the pie eating contest for fun-seeking Roanokers to enjoy.

Fame Visits The Park-Oak Grove

“Time flies when you’re having fun” and thankfully for the 100 or more gathered at The Park-Oak Grove this past Tuesday, Ken Farmer, a guest appraiser of “Antiques Roadshow” fame, was having a lot of fun.

The event was scheduled from 2 to 4:30 p.m. but it was pushing 5:30 p.m. when things finally wrapped up. Maybe it was the thrill of potentially discovering that one surprise expensive item, or maybe it was exceptionally good manners, but Farmer did not leave until he had evaluated everyone’s treasures.

Audience members registered in advance for the free event, which followed a similar format to Antiques Roadshow, but with a more laid back atmosphere. Farmer, whose business is based in Radford, worked the crowd with ease, taking all the time needed to graciously give each and every anxious attendee their moment in the spotlight – asking questions while carefully examining the items on display, which were as unique and varied as the group itself.

Farmer’s expertise was evident as he often took the time to interject some history or explain why an item was special.

A wooden chair purchased for $17 at a yard sale was worth a hundred or two … a Japanese robe with rich embroidery all over -- $400 - 500 … a compact with gold accents turned out to have REAL gold accents, delighting its owner who learned it could be valued at $1000.

On their way out, two sisters proudly and gingerly unpacked a tiny antique German doll house which their father had kept. The little red-roofed house looked more like a cabin, but inside were smaller boxes, the “rooms,” each of which were

Photo by Cheryl Hodges

Ken Farmer entertains as well as informs the crowd. filled with tiny metal furniture.

Farmer said he had never seen one so complete – usually all the furniture is missing.

And so the afternoon went, with Farmer dispensing lots of expert advice, appraisals, and interesting tidbits, and if a little stymied, at least pointing out the right direction for an owner to conduct further research.

Vanetta Stockton, Community Relations Coordinator at The Park-Oak Grove, was busy snapping photos and helping things run smoothly, all the while hobnobbing with guests.

Stockton said the main reason for holding the event was to introduce people to their facility, which she considers top-notch.

She may not have anticipated the popularity of the event, which had parking overflowing onto the street.

It seems that while many Roanokers have heard of The Park-Oak Grove, some are not quite sure exactly what or where it is. It is not an outdoor park, but a retirement community nestled in a neighborhood setting just off the beaten path behind SW county’s Oak Grove Plaza. Stockton adds that “it is

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locally owned and operated, which is quite unusual.” Most of the staff have worked there for many years and are close with the residents.

The “appraisal fair” kept most everyone riveted on Farmer’s comments – anticipating treasure seemed to bond everyone in the room. Farmer’s genuine interest was unmistakable; he often said, “How nice” or “that’s neat,” and “has that been in your family for a long time?”

Occasionally, he had to “get real,” as several claimed to have a piece of history – in the case of one lady, something from Marie Antoinette’s desk, or in another, a document from Custer’s battlefield. While Farmer did not discount that it was possible, he says people have to “prove it.”

In the case of the document in question, there would “have to be affidavits verifying it from day one.”

One man brought several interesting pieces of art – a little figurine Farmer delightedly called “ugly but cool,” and a flat plaster piece with a detailed dinosaur on it that he proclaimed “cool as heck – love the way the skin is done - amazing.” He deemed each of them to probably be worth a few hundred a piece. He called the market for such items “very obscure.”

The staff at The Park-Oak Grove felt the event was a big success, and most in attendance left satisfied with the new information on their family heirlooms. One of the last to leave, Emma Hudgins, brought a porcelain Japanese bowl her parents “had gotten while they were with the army of occupation in Japan.” Farmer told her to do further research as the piece is likely quite valuable.

Hudgins was moved as she said, “this has been so nice – it (the bowl) was my mother’s – she’d be so pleased.”

For more information or for an appraisal, contact Ken Farmer at 800-476-5359 or info@kfauctions.com His website is www. kfauctions.com The staff at The Park-Oak Grove, located at 4920 Woodmar Drive SW, can be reached at 540989-9501, or visit www.parkoakgrove.com

By Cheryl Hodges cheryl@newsroanoke.com

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Page 17 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/19/10 - 11/25/10

The Other House For Sale It is surely a bad thing that the greatest offices should be bought. The law which permits this abuse makes wealth of more account than ability, and the whole state becomes avaricious. --- Aristotle, Politics Where was America-theFree, during Election 2010?

I don't mean merely the free market that formed our nation's sole campaign platform.

I mean the actual land of the free—the mountains and farmland, waters and wildlife that undergird any political platform, any market, any human freedom on earth.

It may seem a trivial— and tardy—question by now, as the year dwindles, but Americans will be cleaning up from Election 2010 for a while.

Around my conservative Appalachian town, campaign signs still proliferate among the real estate signs—hard to distinguish if you don't look twice.

“FLIP THIS HOUSE 2010” suggests one, perched between an actual For-Sale sign and one promoting the Tea Party.

“Which house?” You pause by the clapboard home to see a straw man sitting festively in a folding-chair, among some Thanksgiving gourds.

The “FLIP-it” sign depicts a vague rendering of the Capital Building.

For Sale Private, “non-party” investments in Campaign 2010 surpassed $273 million—a record-breaker for America.

Conservative funders far outspent liberals, whose smaller boost came mainly from labor unions.

But neither side expressed much interest in the actual landscape of America—our looming water shortages, coastal dead zones, deforestation and loss of farmland that directly impact “American prosperity.” Absent was any concept of oikos—that Greek word for “house” or “world”—the root of both “ecology” and “economy.”

Only a few Tea Party backed candidates alluded to ecology, promising to set America “free” from environmental protections.

This action would purportedly help the U.S. compete with China, which doesn't hobble short-term economic growth by protecting its environment. Nobody mentioned China's looming ecological deficits—deforestation, flooding, erosion, toxic air and waters.

Rand Paul of Kentucky praised the economic “explosion” of mountaintop-removal, here in the Appalachians, which he preferred to call mountain “enhancement.”

How would blowing up mountains enhance them— or the economy? After all, this mechanized strip-mining has steeply reduced the need for actual miners, denuded millions of hardwood acres, caused needless flooding and permanently buried thousands of Appalachian creeks under rubble.

Paul explained that the fate of these mountains, like all of “free” America, should be decided by whichever private interest can afford the land, the mining rights or timber.

Koch Machine Change Paul succinctly expressed the ideology long promoted by two of his supporters—

probably the biggest individual donors in this year's campaign investments.

David and Charles Koch, heirs of Koch Industries (a $100-billion-per-year conglomerate of timber, mining, pipeline and oil-refining companies), have promoted their private agenda of deregulation as public policy for 30 years.

Annoyed by the environmental regulations that reduce their profit margins, the Kochs have repeatedly expressed and funded one long term goal: elimination of the federal government—EPA, FDA, public lands, financial oversight, in fact every federal activity but the military.

Toward this end, David Koch ran for Vice President on the Libertarian ticket in 1980, against “leftward” opponent Ronald Reagan. After sound defeat, the Koch brothers decided to infiltrate politics through a more likely route: money.

Over the years, they've set up and/or endowed Libertarian think-tanks (Cato Institute, The Federalist Society, The Heritage Foundation), several media outlets, antitax groups, university programs and, more recently, Tea Party strategists and various of the “non-profits” that emerged this year to funnel private money into Election 2010.

Their collective purpose?

To disable and dwarf the federal government “down to the size where we can drown it in a bathtub,” said longtime strategist Grover Norquist (of the Koch-funded Americans for Tax Reform).

Long Term Gains Investing in government

NewsRoanoke.com

Preacher’s Corner

by Liza Field influence in order to disable the government, ironically, has enabled the Kochs to profit from the very system they disparage—e.g., winning hefty energy subsidies, tax breaks and contracts earlier this decade from Karl Rove and the Bush White House whose campaigns the Kochs helped promote.

The Kochs aren't the only private entities buying and benefiting from public influence, of course. When public and private affairs merge, one corporation's investment in public policy means the competition must invest—if they can afford to.

That most of us can't is the reason Republican President Teddy Roosevelt, over a century ago, set out to end this kind of government corruption, limit corporate powers and establish protected public lands, waters and wildlife habitat for America's future.

His conservation actions, judged by today's “conservative,” might be seen as “big government”—socialist and un-American.

Yet it's Americans who profit, today, from those same protected waters, forest, wild species and a land still worth keeping free.

Time to "Buck Up" or . . . Just Another Sinner in a Tree Stand A week ago I was sitting in my deer stand feeling very sorry for myself.

“This stinks.” “I am wasting my time in this stupid place.”

“All the other guys I know have harvested huge bucks but not me.” “I don’t have any great places to hunt.” “I wish I had a good friend to hunt with today.”

“Why can’t I own a sweet piece of land on Bent Mountain and have an ATV like my friend David?”

Whine, Whine. Then all of a sudden it hit me. “Dude, you are a major league ingrate! God has given you the day off. You are in the top of a tree, overlooking one of the most beautiful places in the world. You have time to think and pray and relax. What are you whining about. Stop being so incredibly ungrateful. Why don’t you try giving God thanks for the many, many blessings He has given you. Stop looking through negative glasses.”

In just the snap of a finger my attitude changed. It was almost like negative glasses were ripped off. For the first time in a long while I could see clearly and I could see how good and generous the Lord has been to me. The change of heart felt like my world went from cold, sterile, black and

white to warm vibrant color. I AM one of the most blessed guys I know. And yet, sadly, about all I have done recently is feel sorry for myself and complain and fail to be content with the unbelievable provision God has given to me.

What about you? You may hate hunting (or more aptly tree sitting). That is not the point of this article so don’t get side tracked. Are you a grateful person? Have you learned the “secret of being content?” Maybe it would be a telling exercise not to “self-evaluate’ but to ask your family and close friends to rate you from 1-10 . . . with 1 being the rating of a serious complainer and 10 being the rating of a person who exudes thankfulness.

Ask them to be brutally honest and cite some examples. Maybe you could ask God what he sees in your heart.

How must the Father weep when he gives us His Son and every good thing and all we can do is complain and feel ripped off.

Dr. R. Quigg Lawrence is the Senior Pastor at Church of the Holy Spirit located at 6011 Merriman Road in Roanoke. Visit them on the web at www.coths.org

Liza Field teaches English and philosophy in the Virginia Governor’s School and Wytheville Community College. This column is distributed by Bay Journal News Service.

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Page 18 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/19/10 - 11/25/10

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