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Community | News | Per spective

December 5, 2008

TheRoanokeStar.com

Legislative Program Meets Reality Roanoke City Schools may face state budget cuts

Talent Search P3– Val and Suzi Sivkov have opened Metropolished, a new talent agency in Roanoke.

Stephanie Koehler

Delegate William Fralin, Delegate Onzlee Ware, and State Senator John Edwards were not optimistic on Monday when they responded to the Roanoke City School Board regarding their concerns about reduced funding to schools. School Board member Todd Putney asked that divisions be permitted to apply for waivers from the Standards of Accreditation (SOA) and the Standards of Quality (SOQ) that are impacted by funding cuts.

River’s Edge flood wall weakness discussed

School Board Chairman, David Car- ing raises for teachers, saying that this son said that, “[Roanoke City Schools] reflects directly on teacher morale and are looking at the state to grant us great “if you underpay people you will loose flexibility in meeting the Stanthem.� dards of Quality. In particular, There was support for the Roanoke City if we are going to get our state incentive to tie retaining stufunding slashed, then it seems dents’ driving privileges to to us that rather than having acceptable progress towards to continue meeting all of the rigid state graduation. “There needs to be some SOQs, the state should grant us flexibility teeth behind this in order to help the with respect to the some of them so that school system increase the graduation we can use our limited money wisely.� rate,� said Putney. Fralin said he would Carson has been an outspoken critic of take Carson up on his offer to come to the Standards of Learning in the past as Richmond to lobby for this bill. an unfunded mandate. “We also continue to struggle with getPutney stressed as a priority, fund- ting our test scores,� said Putney, adding

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Photo by Valerie Garner

John Edwards talks about budget shortfalls.

> CONTINUED P2: Education

[Race for Rescue Mission]

Rescue Mission’s “Drumstick  Dashâ€? continues to grow by leaps and bounds

Life Lessons P6–New columnist Stephanie Koehler discovers new perspectives on human behavior and friendships. Photo by Valerie Garner

Col. Jefferson Ryscavage explains issues with Roanoke’s flood wall on Monday The US Army Corps of Engineers has warned that Flood Wall 298, along Wiley Drive across from the River’s Edge complex, must be strengthened as part of the Roanoke River Flood Damage River’s Edge R e du c t i on Project. In a morning briefing Monday, Roanoke City Council listened as Col. Jefferson Ryscavage, Commander of the Wilmington District and Greg Griffith, District engineer, explained what needs to be done to ad-

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Hoops Tipoff P7– High school basketball tips off in the valley as Cave Spring defeats Lord Botetourt, 63-57

]

> CONTINUED P3: River’s Edge

Photo by Mary Ellen Apgar

Smiling ROTC volunteers were on hand to point the way.

W

hen does 4,500 plus 227 plus 200 equal 150,000? When you’re tallying up the numbers for the Roanoke Rescue Mission’s 2008 Drumstick Dash. Some 5,000 runners, walkers, volunteers and pets enjoyed the 3.1 mile trek (5K) through the streets of downtown Roanoke on Thanksgiving Day, raising $150,000 to

help the Rescue Mission provide daily food, shelter and recovery programs to those in need. Sponsorships represented $90,000 of the total raised, with title sponsor, Stellar One contributing $15,000. Sponsorships are > CONTINUED P2: Drumstick Dash

Wishneff to face charges by appointed prosecutor

Former Roanoke City Councilman Brian Wishneff has been under investigation regarding the now infamous “Joe Smith� full-page political ads placed in The Roanoke Times and The Roanoke Star-Sentinel. Wishneff lost his reelection bid to Councilman Court Rosen by only 114 votes in May 2008. The two misdemeanor charges stem from Virginia election laws that require disclosure within 12 days of general election contributions for an amount of $500 or more. The second charge is for not disclosing the contribution at all. The full-page ads were substantially in excess of $500. To have been charged with a felony would have required proof that Wishneff “intentionally� made false statements when disclosing his contributions. “Citizens for Sensible Decisions,� a group that evolved from the registered PAC “Citizens for Sensible Stadium Decisions� that formed in support of keeping Victory Stadium, is said to have funded the ads. > CONTINUED P3: Wishneff

Read Mountain Preserve becomes county’s largest park

Stuart Mease

Lifestyle Fair P10– Stuart Mease wants you to spread the word about the upcoming Roanoke Career and Lifestyle Fair

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Looming over the sprawling suburb known as Bonsack, Roanoke County cut the ribbon on Read Mountain Preserve recently. The park features 250 donated acres, 154 from developer Fralin & Waldron, with another 90 coming from a private landowner.  The centerpiece of the new tract is the 1.9-mile trail up the mountainside to Buzzard’s Rock, an outcropping that provides views of the Roanoke Regional Airport and the valley floor. On the first Sunday after the park was dedicated a gravel parking lot was jammed with several dozen cars. Hikers of all ages filled the somewhat narrow trail, which is a moderate-tosomewhat strenuous climb. Much of the 1.9-mile path (3.8 miles roundtrip) to the 2,350 Buzzard’s Rock is in the woods, but there are several points along the way to

Photo by Gene Marrano

Volunteer trail builders join Roanoke County officials for the ribbon cutting. glimpse views of the Bonsack area or of downtown Roanoke’s skyline.  The trailhead is located off Crumpacker

Drive in Bonsack, accessed from Rt. 460 off Hunting Ridge Road. Volunteers built the trail,

which includes rock steps in various locations. Additional trails are planned for the future, some following old Ci-

vilian Conservation Corps paths built decades ago. More parking areas may be in the works as well.  Members of the Read Mountain Alliance and Pathfinders for Greenways were on hand for last Thursday’s ribbon cutting as well. “Without their efforts the park would have not become a reality,� said Janet Scheid, Roanoke County Greenway Planner. The “passive recreation park,� is now the largest in the county. Read Mountain stretches from Botetourt County through Bonsack and on towards Roanoke City. Plans call for the preserve to be linked to the Tinker Creek Greenway. When complete, the trail makes its way through the city, past Hollins University and on to Carvin’s Cove. By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/5/08

TheRoanokeStar.com

> Drumstick Dash From page 1

Photo by Mary Ellen Apgar

Runners and walkers from all over the valley span Franklin Road "Deep and Wide" at the start of the 3rd Annual Drumstick Dash. available from $500 and up. In its third year, participation numbers for the Drumstick Dash has far exceeded any other local run/walk event in Roanoke’s recent history. “Our big goal is 10,000 participants by 2010,â€? said Lee Clark, the Rescue Mission’s Director of Development and Administration. Clark gives credit to the committed volunteers for planning and implementing the event, but he goes right to “the topâ€? when asked how he attributes the phenomenal success. “God worked through literally hundreds of volunteers and a

very small but dedicated development team at the Rescue Mission,â€? he said. Creative promotion also helped entice people to sign up. The Mission utilized the usual media outlets like local TV, radio stations and newspapers, but also included things like inserts in Water Authority bills and a training clinic at Fleet Feet Sports. Kevin Spencer, aka “DASHâ€? the turkey, gained a lot of attention for the event as he made numerous appearances decked out in full turkey costume. “Lots of very positive word of mouth [also helped] from folks who’d participated the last two years. Their positive experience

and encouragement to their friends and family to participate is really helping to bring in new people each year,â€? Clark said. â€œWe welcome input from those who were part of the Dash for any of the last three years. We really do listen and take suggestions to heart to continue to make this event the best in the area,â€? he added.  More information and Drumstick Dash results can be found at http://www.rescuemission.net/core. html. By Pam Rickard pam@theroanokestar.com

> Education From page 1

that it disrupts school operations and goal setting processes when SOL tests taken in May are received in late October. Putney asked the legislators to “raise the bar on this effort ‌ ,-'. we are making very, very serious decisions about our schools. 23 :(;.-< If we don’t have the data ‌ it’s borderline irresponsible of us to move forward without it.â€? Fralin noted that it is not

just a matter of running the tests through a machine. There are tests that need to be graded by hand for special needs kids. Roanoke City School Administrator Rita Bishop, in a plea to maintain RCPS funding, said “safety withstanding, roads will wait, kids won’t.� Bishop said that the school system is making significant progress but we have some

children that come from “dif- priority for the City. “To use ficult circumstances.â€? practical good common sense Edwards said that the state ‌ if [other] projects need to “will be facing the worst be delayed then do it!â€? budget shortfall in our hisFralin expects to see protory,â€? with a shortfall that now grams eliminated, like the spestands at $3.2 billion. Edwards cial Drug Courts, and urged said that this might be the first advocating for major projects year in his memory “that edu- like passenger rail service as a cation may actually have to group. He is piggybacking on be cut.â€? He emphasized that an Edwards bill for statewide they are trying to make sure rail service with one of his own cuts do not affect educational that would create the regional services. Edwards quoted the rail authority to help make it unimproved national average happen. Fralin is also onboard graduation rate of 70% saying, with the Hotel Roanoke ex“we as a society have not made pansion plan and touted it progress‌ we need to do bet- as one of the most successful Photo by Valerie Garner ter.â€? Roanoke City’s graduation projects that the city had unAnita Price, Sherman Lee, Mayor David Bowers and Gwen rate has been less than 60% in dertaken recently. Mason listen Monday as Senator John Edwards and House recent years. By Valerie Garner Representatives William Fralin and Onzlee Ware discuss fundI don’t see enough parent participation,â€? added Onzlee info@theroanokestar.com ing challenges faced by Roanoke City public schools. Ware. “We let [parents] off the hook too much. You can throw money at it ‌ but it’s Open Roanoke City asking for a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exempgot to start in the home.â€? Ware Christmas asked Council to make sure tion: the City wants governing bodies to be able to discuss, in closed meetings, the granting Day the initiatives put forth are a of economic development incentives for projects that have already been announced publicly. According to the City Attorney, William Hackworth, this is the second year for this exemption request. The IMD incentive negotiations over the Ivy Market Walgreen’s played out publicly at the last Council meeting and stands as an example of the kind of exemption targeted for closed meetings. Senator John Edwards said it was unlikely that this exemption request would bypass scrutiny by the Freedom of Information Advisory Board. When contacted by email, Megan Rhyne, Director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government (VCOG) stated that, “The city already has leeway to discuss incentives before the announcement by virtue of 2.2-3711(A)(5). By granting an exemption for post-decision talks about incentives, the public would be completely closed out of the process. The public has an interest in knowing whether the cost of the incentives are worth the benefits of having the business locate there. Incentives will ultimately impact the individual and business taxpayers in the area. If a business has already agreed to come (prompting the announcement), and now it's somehow getting cold feet because the city isn't subsequently 4097 Electric Road (Near Tanglewood Mall) • 540 772 7462 ponying up enough incentives, citizens might want to know that, so they can weigh in on whether it is a good idea for the business to come to town or not after all.â€?

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> River’s Edge From page 1

dress wall design weaknesses. The design for the wall, prepared in 2002, has been re-examined in light of lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Weaknesses in design led to the inability of the levees to withstand rapidly rising floodwaters. “Overtopping“ of the levees resulted in earth erosion and levee breach. Griffith reassured City Council that the basic structure of levees like those designed for the Roanoke project have been found to function well. However, Flood Wall 298 has vulnerable locations that need improvement. The Corps’ solution includes armoring the rear of the floodwall with 4” thick concrete pavers. This section would be the first to meet swift moving water. Concrete pavers or rock erosion protection will be used where there is transition from concrete walls to earthen levee. Stone erosion control will be placed at the pedestrian bridge and all earth levees will be reinforced with erosion control matting on both sides. Grass will eventually grow through the matting.

Even with the extra protection a 100-year flood would completely flood the entire Reserve Avenue area. The school maintenance building would be completely under water, said Griffith. “The area is like a bowl,” said Mayor David Bowers, who during his first tenure in office announced the $65 million dollar federally funded flood reduction plan. Griffith agreed and added that the project would provide no protection for downtown. “We believe these design changes are absolutely required to increase the integrity of the project,” said Ryscavage. The Corps is currently negotiating with the contractor, Allegheny Construction, to modify the construction and the project should be completed in the spring of 2009, except for the landscaping. “We owe the citizens of Roanoke a project that is built to last,” Ryscavage told council members. “Katrina and other flood events have shown us ways to build stronger and that’s what we are determined to do.” By Valerie Garner info@theroanokestar.com

> Wishneff From page 1

The apparently unregistered group “Citizens for Sensible Decisions,” could face fines by the State Board of Elections. Even if the ads were placed as “in kind” donations, Virginia law requires full disclosure of the value. Wishneff said in a phone call that his attorney, John Lichtenstein, had instructed him to refer all media inquiries to Lichtenstein. Wishneff will meet with his attorney on Friday. Friday is also the deadline for Wishneff to post a $5000 unsecured bond imposed by Circuit Court Judge Charlie Dorsey. By Valerie Garner info@theroanokestar.com

Dickens of a Christmas: December 5th, 12th, and 19th At the Historic City Farmers Market in downtown Roanoke City: the festival – spanning three consecutive Friday nights in December – includes a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony beginning at 5:30pm on December 5, a Christmas parade on the 12th (6:30pm) and a Pet Costume Contest (6:30) and outdoor holiday movie on the 19th. The theme for this year’s holiday parade is “Holiday Traditions Through the Ages” and will feature costumed groups, floats, specialty acts, and bands along with decorated riders on horseback and in carriages. The pet costume contest on Dec. 19 provides fun and entertainment for all pet lovers and the holiday movie (A Christmas Story, 7:30pm) is always a crowd pleaser. (see downtownroanoke.org/dickens for a complete schedule of activities)

Volunteers Needed for Roanoke County’s Fifth Annual Enchanted Eve Enchanted Eve on December 31 is Roanoke County’s alcohol-free, community inspired, New Year’s Eve celebration, which provides a wide range of alternative possibilities to the traditional New Year’s revelry. The many community-based events reflect activities and entertainment for all ages to enjoy. Children, teens, adults and the young at heart can be sure to find the perfect activity and way to celebrate the evening. The streets of Vinton and various buildings are all used to carry out different venues and activities most of which are held inside and with a cruise ship theme. You will find activities and entertainment galore! Community volunteers play a huge role in helping to facilitate and manage this magnificent event. While there are many businesses and organizations that make invaluable contributions to their efforts, they could not succeed without individual volunteers. The commitment and devotion of volunteers makes Enchanted Eve possible. If you are interested in volunteering for this unique New Year’s Eve event please contact Wendi Schultz at 540-3876078 ext 251 or visit RoanokeCountyParks.com and click on the Enchanted Eve page for information on Volunteers & Sponsorship.

There’s polished… then there is “Metropolished” A husband and wife team who had a taste of Tinseltown and the bright lights elsewhere have started a talent agency here in Roanoke, hoping to unearth and put a polish on those who want to shine. Metropolished (4521 Brambleton Avenue, Suite 105, 772-1152), which opened over the summer, is the brainchild of Val and Suzi Sivkov, who call their business a model, talent and life enhancement center. So far the couple have placed clients in local ads, held a fashion show and put on a photographer’s workshop. Suzi Sivkov was a former teacher in Kentucky and Florida, where she helped to open a private school. “I don’t know where to call home exactly,” said Sivkov, who went to high school in Covington and had immediate family in Roanoke. Val Sivkov grew up in Bulgaria, the son of Greek and Bulgarian parents. He moved to the states at 17, went to college at UCLA, studying film and business. Sivkov got involved in the agency business through a personal relationship, doing the fashion circuit in Paris, Milan, London and New York. He then worked in Los Angeles for 20th Century Fox and another production company, in a variety of roles. “It’s a very competitive [and] a fickle industry,” said Sivkov, who grew weary of that side of the business. The couple met when their roommates were dating, and things got serious after she got back from a sojourn in Luxembourg. “The rest is history,” said Suzi Sivkov, who danced part time for the Lexington Legends minor league baseball team for several years. She moved to LA and thought about trying out for the Laker Girls, but the money wasn’t right and even in her 30’s Sivkov was a bit too old. The couple wants Metropolished to be “accessible to people economically,” said Suzi Sivkov, adding that she “grew up poor.” The couple makes no promises to clients, but wants people to feel like they can reach their “full potential” once they walk through the door, “whatever that might be for that person.” Acting and modeling classes taught mainly by Suzi Sivkov draw on her background in education, dancing, modeling and acting. A handful of middle and high school girls from across the Roanoke Valley were among the first group of clients. The finishing school runs for 8-10 weeks, at $25 per class, with a two month program running around $250. Teens and adults can also pick and choose from classes recommended to them after they audition for the Sivkovs. “We can tailor it to [their] needs,” said Val Sivkov. More extensive acting classes are planned and guest speakers will come in to address the groups. Getting clients ready to tackle bigger markets, if that’s what they want to do, is part of the plan. “We’ve had some amazing people come through the door,” said Suzi Sivkov. Gracie Whiteside is an 8th

The Roanoke Star-Sentinel C o m mu n i t y | N ew s | Pe r s p e c t i ve Publisher | Stuart Revercomb | stuart@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Features Editor | Pam Rickard | pam@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 News Editor | Gene Marrano | gmarrano@cox.net | 400-0990 Production Editor | Stephen Nelson | stephen@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Technical Webmaster | Don Waterfield | webmaster@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Advertising Director | Vickie Henderson | advertising@theroanokestar.com | 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. All real estate advertised herein is subject to national and Virginia fair housing laws and readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Roanoke Star of the Week Meet Dottie Dooley

Photo by Gene Marrano

Val and Suzi Sivkov grader at Hidden Valley Middle School and a Metropolished client. She walked the runway in a fashion show and landed a fashion photo shoot that wound up in a local magazine after working with the couple. “They’re really helping me get started in the modeling industry, because I’m only 13.” Many agencies won’t work with her until she is 15. “By the time I’m 15, I’ll be ready for the things they want me to do [by working with Metropolished].” At 5’10” Whiteside is bound to draw attention anyway. She also plays volleyball for Hidden Valley, where her specialty is blocking the ball. “It definitely does help me,” said Whiteside of her height. Working with Metropolished has been “a great experience. I’ve wanted to get into the modeling business and this has been a perfect opportunity.” Metropolished also works for children that just need to be drawn out of their shells, with social confidence, esteem, poise and style confidence key parts of the curriculum. “We call ourselves a modern day finishing school that provides refining,” said Suzi Sivkov. Val Sivkov promises clients will become “a better person.” It’s difficult perhaps to leave the Roanoke Valley, heading to the big city and bright lights, hoping to become a star, but Metropolished can help. “We try to give people a taste of it,” said Val Sivkov. “We’re a local agency serving local people,” said Suzi Sivkov, “I have a heart for the people in this area.”

Dottie is a life long resident of the Blue Ridge area of Botetourt County. She graduated from Montvale High School and later married Garland Dooley . They have one son, Doug. She went into the real estate business in 1972 and today is a top selling agent with Long and Foster. Her passions are caring for the needy, her grandchildren, music, the Washington Redskins, and her church. She also enjoys golf, a Texas Tavern hotdog, and the Hotel Roanoke.

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Perspective

Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/5/08

TheRoanokeStar.com

Reunion offers perspective on Positive change could come from human behavior and friendships public schools facing state budget cuts

S

ome things never change. The truth of this statement was never more apparent than my recent visit at a friend’s 25th year high school reunion. Considering I have spent most of my life recovering from the trauma of high school, the prospect of a reunion hundreds of miles away from my hometown -- where I knew absolutely nobody -- seemed like a great idea. And it was. As an “outsider” I was able to view things from a very different perspective. It was like a case study in human behavior. First, there was the anxiety of the unknown. In a world created before the invention of social networking websites the questions ran wild. What does everyone look like? Am I as successful, good looking, or thin as my classmates? Are my kids as smart as my friends’? Do people remember when I cried during a middle school basketball game? Will people even remember who I am? It started with the pre-reunion get together at the local pub – just to be sure there was no awkward entrance at the actual event -- a sentiment strangely similar to lunch on the first day of school. After all, nobody wants to re-live the feeling of wandering aimlessly through the cafeteria – tray in hand – hoping to stumble upon a friendly face. As I listened to this group of boys – now men -- talk of little league and medical school; parents and

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children; losses and And so it is…. gains, I was struck some things never by the warmth of change. authentic friendWhile my expeship and mutual rerience didn’t bring spect - even after all about any major this time. epiphany – it was Then came the certainly thought reunion – complete provoking. It reinwith 80’s music, forced some basic class photos and Stephanie Koehler lessons of life and yearbooks. I bemade my mother’s lieve I even saw a mannequin “words of wisdom” seem even decked out in a band uniform. wiser. That was a new one. As the Leave the world better than night began people greet- the way you found it. Whether ed each other by reviewing it’s coaching a basketball team, nametags -- a practice some starting a literacy program, of us avoided by simply writ- adopting a child, writing a ing “guess who?” After all, it children’s’ book, caring for the just seemed like another way sick, teaching high school or to be “labeled”. Isn’t that what being a friend. we spend our lives trying to Be kind. What goes around avoid? – really does come around. There was talk of marriages, The people you meet on the divorces, kids and dogs. There way up will almost certainly was anxious smiling, tolerant be the people you need on the nodding and genuine hugs. way down. There were content people, Live with an open heart and miserable people and people accept others. You will never just happy to be alive. There forget the face or the name of were heartwarming stories that person in first grade who meant to foster nostalgia and smiled and offered you a seat there were mean spirited tales next to them. meant to put people in their Don’t judge a book by its place. There was genuine cel- cover. You know the story of ebration of human growth and the “ugly duckling”… success. There was bitter judgBe aware of motivations. ment of those who had “out People are not always a “noble” grown” and “out succeeded” or “sinister” as they appear. their high school label. There There are consequences for were those who ignored un- your actions and there is no known faces and others who statute of limitations for the welcomed “outsiders”. feelings your actions inspire – My favorite part of the eve- both good and bad. ning came as we re-convened As we age and experience at the pub where our evening the ups and downs of life; started. A debrief of sorts. wrinkles appear and hair disSome were struck by how dif- appears; we may lose money ferent people looked and oth- or gain weight; we’re likely ers’ by how much they stayed to veer away from fads and the same. Some were struck adhere to “the classics” – but by the vast amount of infor- fundamentally personalmation people were willing to ity and core behaviors don’t share with virtual strangers. change. No matter how old Others were sad they didn’t you are. Good people surget a chance to tell their whole round themselves with good story. But after hours of min- people. I guess the old adage gling and small talk, one thing is correct…”we really are the remained consistently true: company we keep.” if they walked into a room today and could choose all Contact Stephanie at new friends – they would still stephaniekoehler@cox.net choose the very same ones.

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By Don Waterfield

Hook Tub spread One of Columbus' ships Who was Fort Lewis named for? (2-words) This Roanoker developed a move called the Gorilla Press Slam and is in the WWF Hall of Fame. Shady Wired (2 wds.) Neuter pronoun Fill-in What a secretary does Other __ Fall Been Particle Regarding nature of being U.S. Department of Agriculture Mooch Credit Copper (abbr.) Unsuccessful See Stir fry sauce Trademark symbol Cruel Bowed Pop (plr.) Sacred song Goofed Highway Florida City Little Mermaid's love Writer Bombeck Compass point Rally Street (abbr.)

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ith the state’s finances where to send their children (hence now showing that legislathe name “school choice”), because the tors and Governor Kaine money follows the student rather than are on budget to spend $3.5 billion the school. That means if your child more than the government will take is in an underperforming school, you in this year and next, funding for K-12 can move him to a school you like beteducation – as well as every other part ter – public or private – because you of the budget – is now on the chopping now have the money available to do it. block. These are not vouchers where the While this may seem like a disaster government gives money directly to to many, it’s actually a terrific opporthe parents or private schools. (Some tunity to make a dramatic change in state courts have declared vouchers Brian Gottstein school funding which could produce illegal.) Instead, this is done through a very, very positive outcome for taxtax credits, which means that the parpayers and students alike. ents pay the private school tuition and then take What if we could cut the cost of educating a that same amount off their tax liability (up to child in HALF while maintaining or even im- some limit – perhaps that $4500 per year). This proving the quality of that education? That would way, they’re just getting their own money back; mean even if school funding were cut by say, 10 they’re not getting a check from the government. percent, schools would still have plenty of money Poorer families would also be able to particileft because costs would go down more than bud- pate, even if they don’t pay taxes. I won’t get into get cuts would take away. excruciating detail here, but it would be based on Research compiled by the Virginia Institute for a system where corporations could donate their Public Policy has shown that when you look at per tax credits (at no cost to them), and poorer famipupil spending, a private school education costs lies would receive those as scholarships to the priabout half of a public school education. So, if tax vate schools of their choice. dollars were used to shift some children into priThis is a win-win for everyone. Parents get to vate schools, costs could be cut tremendously. choose the schools that are best for their children. In round numbers, the average cost per pupil The students who remain in the public school sysin Virginia public schools is about $8000 per year. tem benefit by having smaller classes and more The average cost of private schools is about $4500 money per pupil. And the public schools imper year. If there are kids who want to go to pri- prove because of the increased competition (an vate schools, let them go and give them the $4500 extensive study in Sweden showed that test scores to do it. You just saved $3500 for every student in the public schools improved as a result of the you shifted to a private school, and that $3500 is school choice program there). Another benefit of now left in the public school classroom to offset allowing the money to follow the student is that it any budget cuts, so per pupil spending in the pub- makes schools more accountable to their paying lic schools could actually go UP instead of down. customers – parents and students – rather than to You also just cut overcrowding in the classrooms, bureaucrats and politicians. which always seems to be a problem. For several years, school choice bills have died If just 10 percent of public school students in in the Virginia General Assembly. Our legislaVirginia migrated to private schools, taxpayers tors need to realize this year that school choice tax would save hundreds of millions of dollars. If a credits are a way to cut the budget and the cost local school district had a 10 percent reduction in to taxpayers, while improving education for all attendance, it might be able to avoid building a of Virginia’s schoolchildren. Call, mail or e-mail new school, and save millions more. your legislator today. What I am describing is called school choice, and it’s being done very successfully in other Contact Brian at states. Besides saving taxpayers and school sysbgottstein1@yahoo.com tems money, it also gives parents the choice of

Utilities, Land Use and Us: Crystal Creek Part of a Larger Issue

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nder a clear blue late Noitself: Can we have our cake and eat vember sky I stood bootit too? ankle deep in the cold waThose power lines and their clearter of Goose Creek, thankful for the ings are only there because we are respite from a spate of bitter, blushere. The denuded and unnatutery days the week before, and for rally straight-edged gouges that cut this windfall of firewood that now across the contours of our mounstraddled the creek near our home. tains are not pretty but they are reIts bare-pronged roots like the jaw grettably necessary in our time of end of a molar had washed clean history, given consumer electricity since the little oak had first slumped addiction and utility mandates to down the rocky face of the bluff. feed those habits. Fred First An opalescent sheen shimmered A bright room at the flip of a past with the slow flow of the creek as I cut switch comes at a price. Like coal, utility rightinto the thin, straight trunk. I quickly realized of-ways are a cost of doing business that reto my horror that I had just created this slick quire a total of some two billion dollars every with the bar oil from my saw. I would never year just to maintain. However, this is a huhave noticed this environmental "cost of doing man enterprise in transition. business" on dry land, but here was the visible I can imagine a day hopefully not too many effluence of my work, buoyant and rippling decades ahead when the coal under Appaladownstream. chian mountaintops will stay just where it is This unbidden insight led me to recall the and each home or business will generate its meeting just a few days earlier where I heard own electricity with technologies we can only AEP officials claim that petroleum products now imagine. Until then, with rights-of-way (including bar oil) from mechanical clear- issues we are going to have a problem in need ing of their right-of-ways would leave behind of solutions short of a total fix. These will not more dangerous chemical residues than did be problems solved satisfactorily by using a their spraying. A specific herbicide incident bigger chemical or mechanical hammer or by this summer had been the source of commu- more vociferous protests. nity concern culminating in a November 19 Perhaps the most encouraging thing to meeting in Cave Spring. know is that more people within and outside While that claim of relative toxicity of the of the electrical industry are comprehending chosen poisons remains to be known for cer- that working with rather than against nature tain, it is a certainty that by our need for and on this issue makes the most sense. Managexpectation of uninterrupted power, we im- ing corridors to create understory vegetation pact the land and planet to a greater or lesser suited by its growth habit to be both attracdegree in whatever way our utility providers tive and productive while posing no risk to the choose to make sure that power transmission power lines overhead is part of the "right tree lines stay clear and standing in every season. in the right place" program gaining increased And with more than 46,000 miles of distri- attention. bution lines and the cumulative hundreds of Right-of-ways course through wetland, square miles of clearing in them in the eleven- meadow, cove forest and coniferous woods-state region serviced by AEP alone, it was not whatever lies in their path--creating edge efjust Crystal Creek at issue in that Roanoke fects and early successional stages in every meeting. In my rubber boots standing in the conceivable kind of plant and animal comcreek, it dawned on me that this is an issue of munity. Botanists, ecologists, hydrologists, national reach and relevance. wildlife biologists and teachers of every stripe The problem from the utilities point of view are concerned and involved in helping utilities is that their lines must traverse hundreds of like AEP become better stewards of these immiles, taking the shortest distance between minent domains that belong to all of us. the source at power plants and destinations The next linear utility clearing you see on of use at businesses or homes. Those cleared your travels is but a single thread of the larger corridors will necessarily bisect city, farm and tapestry of our dependence on electricity proforest. The energized wires are dangerous and duced for us and carried to us at no small envimust be held well out of harm's way. The lines, ronmental cost. We should not take the work too, are prone to tree damage, and their access our utilities do on our behalf for granted, nor for repair must be maintained. they our collective dedication and concern for Meanwhile you and I will raise all kinds of the common wealth we share together. heck if our service is interrupted, our trees are cut or our water quality or health is placed Contact Fred at potentially at risk. The age old question ask’s fred1st@gmail.com

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Running through amazing Copenhagen

he small pack on my back bounces in a rhythm that compels me onward. Also driving me is the desire to keep up with my nieces and sons as they race up a pedestrian avenue and through Kongens Nytorv, the largest square in the Danish capital. It’s a Sunday afternoon in September, and Copenhagen’s lively old town is crowded with people. The kids quickly cut through the crowd by employing what they laughingly refer to as their “V formation.” We usually we move fast because we can’t help it, but today we are further urged on by the fact that our overnight ferry to Oslo is leaving two hours earlier than we had thought. If we miss that boat it will screw up our plans considerably more than we would prefer, and be- musicians march single-file, snaking around the kiosks, hedges, gardens, sides, this is exciting! It’s another typical motley-crew, and ponds - enthusiastic fans falling multi-generational, family blitz trip: in line behind them. We rode carouScandinavia on a shoestring budget sels which are aged with the joy of deand a thin time line. There are seven cades of caressing hands. We ate cotof us this time, four kids ages 11 to ton candy made from 100-year-old 14, my brother and I, and the old machines. We envisioned native son sage himself, the kids’ grandfather - Hans Christian Andersen strolling under the lights, smiling. the “granddadinator.” We Tivoli Gardens is magical, arrived in Copenhagen fun, and thoroughly Dana day or so ago, on the ish. We found ourselves Stockholm-Malmo train, happily exhausted as we and immediately found made our way back to our ourselves at home in this hotel. fun-loving and absolutely It was almost midnight, delightful city. After pausbut we were obliged to take ing to locate and check one last stop, at the large in to our “this-place-hasstatue of H.C. Andersen, atmosphere” cheap howhere a small crowd is John W. Robinson tel, we’ve been out doing apparently always gathwhat we do best: that is, ered. Local tradition has it that when walking and walking and seeing and one perches on ol’ H.C. ’ s knee for a thinking and breathing it all in. “We photo you go topless. Alas, we saw no can rest when we get back to Virginsuch thing, and the members of our ia”, someone remarks, after I briefly party were too tired and too timid, whine about wanting to sit on a park this time, to join in such frivolity. bench to eat our lunch in lieu of havWe’re still running to catch the ing it on the fly. boat. “Turn right on Nyhavn!” the Last night found us in what many old navigator calls from behind. Nyrefer to as “the world’s grand old havn is the street along the promiamusement park”, Copenhagen’s nent canal in the old city. What was Tivoli Gardens. Since 1843 locals and once a nitty-gritty fish monger’s lane visitors, from the very young to the is now a trendy part of the city full very old, have flocked to the park to of shops and cafes. The canal is home enjoy the rides and bands, the funny to a wide variety of colorful wooden mirrors and the cotton candy, the lights in the 110,000 lanterns, and vessels, and they’re snugly packed in, the fireworks. We delighted in watch- moored rail to rail. Earlier today, such ing and listening to the gaily dressed sea-faring character was the subject

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12/5/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

of many photographs, as I lost myself in wandering from one sweet vantage point to the next. But now we have another boat to catch. Earlier today we ventured into Christiania, the “free city” within Copenhagen. This settlement was founded in 1971 when a group of 700 free-spirited souls established squatter’s rights in an abandoned military barracks. Today, a generation later, this hippie enclave still thrives somewhat independently of the Danish government, and visiting the bohemian community is most intriguing. Christiania is well known for its free use of drugs, especially pot, but it is best characterized by the communal nature of the place. Residents don’t own land or buildings there, and matters of accommodation and everyday concerns are addressed by representative council. Yes, even the hippie enclave needs some kind of governance. We enjoyed exploring the packed dirt paths which wind among the buildings and gardens of Christiania. The open air café, which caters to residents and wayward tourists alike, served us earthy fare, and afterwards we were amused inspecting the wares sold from the ramshackle stalls positioned around the commune’s dirt square. One can buy marijuana and interesting drug paraphernalia, of course, as well as all kinds of handmade hemp products, from smiling “Christianians.” Our favorite Christiania souvenirs, however, are the

stickers, of which we picked a few dersen statue, the lovely free-spirited choice ones such as “I Like The Pope, “Christianians,” and the happy school The Pope Smokes Dope”, and “Free kids climbing on the little mermaid. the Weed”. The kids thought these Even while running, it’s hard to miss were riotously funny, and as we left a great city. Cheers Copenhagen! Christiania, walking by the colorful murals painted on the weathered Contact John at concrete barracks and under the gate jwr77@verizon.net with the sign that proclaims, “YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE E.U.”, we knew we would not soon forget this unique place. “I think we can cut through Kastellet Park to get to the ferry termiRoanoke has a nal!”, someone yells, and we all agree Saltwater Fish Store! on this course of action. The kids get • Large selection ahead of us as we hot-foot it across • Live corals • Aquariums & equipment this castle park, but soon we see them • Delivery & set-up • Maintenance for home or business coming back towards us. “We can’t 540-580-7755 1428 Roanoke Road get through here! The moat, remem(Across from Lord Botetourt High School) ber?” Ah yes, the moat. Not feeling like swimming the greenish-black barrier, we must retrace our steps out of the park and around the moat, passing close to the little mermaid again. A fresh surge of adrenaline sees us off once more. As we gallop T-F 3-7 pm, Sat 12-6 pm, Sun 1-5 along, we all realize that missing the boat may not be a matter of such great import, really, but I am the slowest our quest has now become a carpet cleaner in Roanoke. huge and exciting game which we are keen to win. Everyone has heard of the Little Mermaid statue overlooking the harbor of Copenhagen. Don’t get your hopes up. It’s not all that big of a deal, I will give your but of course we had to see it, carpet the time not to mention clambering &''()*+(,-'. over the rocks to touch/0''123 it. The and attention morning we visited 4*56(786(986(:(;.-< the unasit deserves to suming bronze, the mermaid produce the best looked more like an octopus, results possible. as a horde of school children were climbing all over her. Yes, we made it to the boat 2 rooms and a hall for $75 in time, but just barely. As we 5 rooms and a hall for $155 stood on the deck of the ferry, “Crown of Scandinavia,” I mused about what makes a Furniture cleaning also available! city great and how, of course, it’s the people, the people, the people. We met Copenhagen through the old men in the bands at Tivoli Gardens, &''()*+(,-'. &''()*+(,-'. the squealing little ones eatOpen Christmas Day /0''123 /0''123 ing cotton candy, the topless revelers at the H.C. An-

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Growing up in Petty Country

s a child of the 60s in a debating the color to order, I walked conservative small town in out the door with the salesman just North Carolina, I missed as a Driveaway car carrier pulled up. out on the flower child experiences of At that moment, my heart stopped. big-town living. My non-conforming I swear it did. Even today my fingers years, much to my parents’ chagrin, sweat just recalling that moment. revolved around “hot cars“ and “hot Looking up on the top ramp of the guys.” What did they expect with Richhuge car carrier, I saw it. It seemed ard Petty living just down the road in to be suspended in midair. It was my Level Cross?” If you were not a guy dream car - a butternut yellow 1967 Guest Columnist with a hot car then you wouldn’t get Camaro. Not only was it the right Valerie Garner the time of day from me. I missed out color but it was “loaded.“ It was a on some great guys that way but hey, Super Sport with a 350 cubic inch what did I know then - everything I thought. engine. It had a black vinyl top, red-line tires, a My first car was a 10 year old ‘57 Chevy Be- custom interior, four-on-the-floor, and headlAir coupe purchased for $750. The horror, my lights that opened and closed (a Tim “The-Toolmother must have felt, as her “princess” daugh- Man” Taylor grunt here). ter tinkered with a greasy carburetor, black taped The salesman’s keen eye detected a sure sale to a “mean grill”, and added fender skirts, spinner this visibly-shaken spit-curled platinum blonde hubcaps, and half-moon chrome headlight cov- female. He had already begun to count his comers. My boyfriend at the time inserted “spacers” mission as he had the truck driver stop “my Cain the front springs that made it look like it was maro” exactly at the bottom of the truck ramp. going to rocket to the moon. It rode like it was He cranked it up for me to drive. Now I had on a train track. It driven my boywas literally a “pain friend’s 1960 Imin the neck” as it pala straight drive forced me to strain three-speed onto see over the the-column only a hood while cruisfew times. Amazing into the “Toot ingly, however, the ‘n Tell“ drive-in. four-speed knob All was right with melded with my the world. I was hand and synchroturning boys’ heads nized easily with and that’s all that clutch foot action. mattered. Who’s that cool chick? That can’t be a I took her for a short spin after the salesman said “girl’s” car! it needed to be “prepped“ and I‘d better not push Needless to say after all that tinkering, I had a her too hard. small accident and was forced by parental presAfter a half-hearted price negotiation, we sure to sell the car. I’ll skip over the boring ‘59 settled on $3,600 and I was rewarded with a half black Batmobile Thunderbird and go straight to tank of Sunoco high-test gasoline at 35 cents a the love of my life. Secretly, I must tell you that I gallon. We came to an agreement that they could still dream about my first new car. display their first “hot” Camaro for a few days. In mid-1967 at Lyle’s Chevrolet in High Point, Those few days were agony. I came to get her North Carolina, they knew me well. Mr. Lyle early - I couldn’t wait another minute. There was could expect a parooze of his showroom when- a horde of people encircling my car, touching it, ever I spotted a change in his display. The first putting their fingerprints on it … oh, the inhuCamaro was just being introduced in mid 1967. manity! I planned to order one, but I couldn’t wait for a The salesman reluctantly gave me the keys and happenstance delivery. On my tenth trip to Lyle’s, to the dismay of those who had gathered in ad-

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miration, I drove off the lot changing gears like I had been born with a stick shift in my hand. Arriving back at work, I parked it right at the front door where everyone driving by could see her. I spent the rest of the day immersed in sinful pride, watching people doing break-neck double takes and repeating to myself, “THAT car is mine!” Of course, she didn’t stay “stock” for long . . . but that’s a story for another day.

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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/5/08

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Local high schools tackle The Bard this weekend High school students all over the Roanoke Valley took part in a Shakespeare recital competition recently, with the winner from each school advancing to a district meet this Saturday morning (December 6) at Virginia Western Community College. It’s the brainchild of the English Speaking Union of the United States and the National Shakespeare project, designed to foster multicultural understanding via educational and cultural programs. Salem High School English teacher Jane Sandel is coordinator this year for the ESU’s southwest Virginia district competition. The victor as determined by judges on Saturday morning (10am, Whitman Auditorium, open to the public) will advance to the national competition at Lincoln Center in New York next month. “It will be a wonderful experience,� said Sandel. The winner there gets to study William Shake-

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speare abroad on a scholarship that Markos said is about not next summer. “An outstanding dwelling on the past after a loved opportunity,� said Sandel, who one is gone, but moving on. notes that studying Shakespeare “I like the way it rolls off your in high school is “something tongue, just the sound of words,� that has never changed. We start said Markos about his newfound in 9th grade with Romeo and respect for William Shakespeare, Photo by Gene Marrano Juliet.� Discovering The Bard’s author of Hamlet, A Midsumpenchant for structure and tal- Salem student Nehemiah mer Night’s Dream, Macbeth ent that “came naturally to him,� Markos and English teacher and so many other literary mashelps students appreciate English Jane Sandel are part of this terpieces. weekend’s Shakespeare comin general said Sandel. Thirteen high schools in all are She is also sold on the ben- petition at Virginia Western taking part in the ESU district efits of belonging to the English competition this Saturday, “more Speaking Union (esuus.org): than we’ve ever had,� notes San“this organization is really important in that it del. Locally, Hidden Valley, Patrick Henry, Cave promotes the English language,� noted Sandel, Spring, Roanoke County’s Burton Center for Arts adding that 50 or so countries are involved with and Technology, North Cross, William Byrd, Wilthe ESU, along with 73 U.S. chapters. liam Fleming, Roanoke Catholic and Salem are Salem High School junior Nehemiah Markos represented. That’s more than double the number won his school’s event and will now recite a Shake- of schools that participated in 2007. speare sonnet and part of a monologue at Virginia Sandel said members of the public that enjoy Western, trying to make his way to New York. Shakespeare will appreciate Saturday’s free event. “When I heard about this I really jumped on it,� “They will enjoy a delightful [few hours] and said Markos, who recently joined a forensics de- maybe see some of the talent that is here in the bate team and “loves acting.� Shakespeare’s Sonnet Roanoke Valley.� By Gene Marrano 71 is his choice for the competition, a short piece gmarrano@cox.net

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Holiday Roasted Olives

I make this olive recipe for either Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. This year it was Thanksgiving. It is always a hit. It gives a big dinner something a little more exciting than the average relish tray, yet it has that same simple goodness. I love the robust flavor found in popping a few olives in your mouth in the middle of a hearty Holiday meal. The flavors of the different ingredients in this particular olive recipe blend so wonderfully and go very well with a turkey or a ham. Make it for a Holiday party or meal, you won’t be disappointed! 3 cups assorted olives (I have tried Nicoise, cracked green, Picholine, kalamata, This year I found assorted olives in a jar at Fresh Market, I used 3 jars) Âź cup olive oil 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 2 tbs. chopped fresh rosemary 1 tbs. grated lemon rind ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper ½ tsp. fennel seeds, crushed

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Sports

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12/5/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

Midknight Madness Knights off to a good start: rated as a major player by many in the River Ridge District this season, the Cave Spring High School Knights topped Lord Botetourt 63-57 to kick off the boys basketball season earlier this week. 6’10” junior Josh Henderson led the Knights (10-13 last season) with 22 points, while senior guard Greg Mackey added 12.

Front Row (L-R) Managers: James Kasza, Cager Hicks, Dawson Hicks, Drew Jacobsen, Brody Hicks, Shaquille Harris. Second Row:#33 Arin Brenner, #21 Michael Avila, #22 Adam Hager, #20 Greg Mackey, #2 Quentin Dill, #14 Scott Harriman and #3 Justin White. Third Row: Head Coach Billy Hicks, #5 Mark Overstreet, #24 Clay Lacy, #52 Matt Knuppel, #40 Josh Henderson, #44 Taylor Moore, #12 Erik Jacobsen, #31 R.J. Burns, #11 Daniel Neighbors, Asst. Coach Tim Myers, Asst. Coach Bob Hicks(not pictured) Photo by Bill Turner

Front Row (L-R) Manager Micah Green, #31 Tim Rowe, #34 Zach Martin, #20 Zach Barrett, #22 Ben Boggs, #32 Andrew Morris, #24 Chad Earhart, #21 Greg Coots, #23 John Hans, Manager Braden Smith. Second row: Head Coach,Troy Wells, Asst. Coach, Mike Burns, #3 Drayton Reynolds, #12 Scott Lucas, #4 Ian Trampe, #50 Taylor Redmond, #40 Chris Carr, #10 Sam Yim, #30 Taylor Walker and Asst. Coach Kevin Burcham

New season for Titans

Titans welcome new coach, must replace key players: the Hidden Valley boys basketball team is not quite the same one that finished as a state Group AA semifinalist for the second year in a row last season. Post player Logan Singleton is now at Roanoke ColPhotos by Bill Turner lege, while Luke Hancock is at Hargrave Military Academy on his way to George Mason. But Virginia Tech signee Ben Boggs is back at shooting guard for the Titans (28-1 last season) and tough-as-nails Chad Earhart returns with Zach Barrett as starters. The new The cheerleaders were in top form as Cave Spring kicked off its season with the annual Midknight Madness event that coach is Troy Wells, who won three AA titles at Martinsville. He replaces Chris Morris, now athletic director at Hidden Valley. featured both the girls and boys basketball teams.

Photo by Bill Turner

Photos by Bill Turner

Front Row (L-R) Jamal Allen, Gavin Hollingsworth, Davis Frith, Glenn Williams, Holt Bibee and Micajah Lacey. Second Row: Head Coach Joe Lambert, Sid Brown, Tolis Hartman, A.D Banks, Anthony Jackson, asst. Coach Jim Lambert and asst. Coach Tim Bibee. (not pictured: Steve Oiler)

Cave Spring vs. Lord Botetourt Cave Spring defeated Lord Botetourt 63-57 on Monday night to open the 2008-2009 season. Floor leader #20 Greg Mackey (Top) gets instructions from Knight's Head Coach Billy Hicks (left) as Assistant Tim Myers offers a suggestion. Mark Overstreet (At left) cans a free throw Monday night.

North Cross basketball

Raiders look to take that last step: when you finish as Virginia Independent School Division III state runner-up for boys basketball the season before, everyone wants to climb that final rung. In his first go-round as head coach Joe Lambert led the Raiders to a 24-7 record, bolstered in part by an infusion of transfers like Tyler Caveness, Sid Brown and A.D. Banks (19 points per game) Bad news for Raiders opponents this season: most everyone returns this year, including senior point guard and team leader Glenn Williams, fresh off the football team he quarterbacked to a state title.

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Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/5/08

Sports

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

Faith Christian School Girls Basketball Preview

Last year, the Faith Christian Lady Warriors basketball team defined success. The Lady Warriors won the Virginia Association of Christian Athletics’ conference and state championship, and were invited to participate in the prestigious NACA National Tournament. This year, many of the players return with their sights set on another state championship. But much has changed. “This is a very different team,� head coach Pat Wolfe said. “We’re missing quite a lot of talent from last year.� Gone from last year’s roster Photo by Gene Marrano are Rachel Sherman, who now plays at Marymount University, Faith Christian’s championship team was honored after winand Christina Nymeyer, who is ning a state title last season. Rachel Nymeyer (at head of line, playing at Southern Wesleyan of with basketball) returns this season. the NAIA. “I think the girls didn’t quite be playing college ball at the Di- ing their identity as well. “Last year we were an outrealize how much they depend- vision I level. Nymeyer possesses a blend of size, athleticism to-in team, meaning we would ed on Christina and Rachel,� Wolfe said. “They were great and shooting ability that make get the ball inside to Sherman early and get her established players and they’ll be difficult to her very difficult to defend. “We’re going to expect a lot each game. This season with no replace.� out of her, and we’re going to try real size inside, we’ll be more of To help make up for the loss of his star players and the to utilize her skills as much as an outside driving team,� Wolfe said. combined 22 points and 15 re- we can,� Wolfe said. Wolfe also raves about his juAll told, it should be an inbounds they accounted for per nior point guard, Morgan Oliteresting to watch as the Lady game, Wolfe will be looking for the entire team to step up its ver. “Morgan is quick and very Warriors compete for another intelligent, and we’ll be counting state championship. “It will be a level of play on the court. “For sure, that production on her to help us execute our of- fun year to coach and watch the will have to be spread across a fense, as well as for her to score girls progress,� Wolfe said. “As we build through the season, large group,� Wolfe said. “We more than she had to last year.� Wolfe has had to change the we’re gonna be right there. We don’t have the same size and athleticism of last year, and right team’s style of play this season still feel that we can win every now the girls are learning how to suit the team’s strengths. In game we play.� practice, rebounding has been a The Warriors split their first to play a little bit different.� One of the girls that Wolfe will constant theme. “If we don’t do two games this season, falllean on is Christina Nymeyer’s a good job of rebounding, we ing to Roanoke Catholic 37-32 younger sister, Rachel, who ac- will lose games,� he said. Offen- in a game where both Rachel sively, the girls are slowly chang- Nymeyer and Faith Gardner sat cording to Wolfe could one day Office Suite in Charming Old SW out due to injuries, and soundly Near Community Hospital - Visible from Franklin Rd. defeating Parkway Christian Academy 55-14. This weekend they head to Approx. 900 Sq. Ft. Staunton to compete in the Handicap Accessible Grace Tip-Off Tournament, Front and Rear Parking where they will face Grace Additional Space Available for Expansion Christian School, the team they defeated in the VACA state Owners Eager EageOpen - $850/month Christmas Day or Best Offer championship last year.

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Jon Copper (at right) comes off a college football field for the last time in Blacksburg. Copper (Inset) wants a shot at the NFL.

Bennington Street linebacker looks ahead Northside grad,2173UVA University of Virginia linebacker Jon Buck Mountlostain Roadany at RiverlaCopper nd Road / Rt. 1 6has made his last tackle for the Cavaliers, who chance they had of going to a bowl game by bowing to Virginia Tech 17-14 last Saturday. The Northside High School graduate made lots of tackles for UVA, including 9 in the season finale (four 4.unassisted). Retaseason il Center and finished in the top 20 career-wise for45 actheres CavaCopper led Virginia with 105 tackles onNew the liers. ZonedC2Football 2,000 sqwill uare feetlook available to prepare for a possible shot at the National Now the 6’0’, 230 lb. senior defender League, as a drafted player or as a free agent. “I think that opportunity is there right now. I might give 2,725sqgame. ftsubleaseavailable that a run,� said Copper after the Tech

As for his own college career, Copper said he was “very grateful--God opens doors‌ its been good. It worked out well.â€? Copper also said learning from head coach Al Groh, somewhat embattled after failing to earn a bowl game slot this season, was a blessing. “I don’t know that I would have gotten the opportunities ‌ and the coaching to be able to play like this at other places.â€? Copper did not get to experience a win over archrival Virginia Tech in any of the four years he was at UVA. “I feel like we’ve been a couple of plays away each year we’ve played these guys,â€? he said in the visiting media room at Lane Stadium. “We came up a little By Gene Marrano bit short. It happens.â€? gmarrano@cox.net

Hidden Valley football coach resigns BOL 08 BOL 08

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Hidden Valley head football coach J.R. Edwards has resigned after five seasons with the Titans, citing family reasons. Edwards, who is also an elementary By Matt Reeve school teacher, went 31-23 during his tenure, with a Matt@theroanokestar.com trip to the state semifinals in 2006. Contact Tom Branch or Mike Branch

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12/5/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

TheRoanokeStar.com

Commentary: Black Friday – an honorable and fun tradition for many

The ads come out Thanksgiving Day stuffed inside an atypically high-priced newspaper and whetting the appetite like no turkey or dressing can. The prices appear fantastical; they can't sell stuff that cheaply and make any money. But there it is in full color, jumping from the page and demanding to be consumed. My wife and I pore over the ads while at Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea in downtown Roanoke, sharing them back and forth, calling attention to one deal or another, and narrowing our focus to as few stores as possible. We draw different shapes around the pictures to indicate which items are vital (wants, not needs), the runners-up, and then the hopefuls. The term “Black Friday” is economic in origin - meaning that the Friday after Thanksgiving is the point during the

year that many retail stores can hope to move from the red (where costs are more than sales) to the black (where sales surpass costs for the year). Not to be confused as a racial term or with the historical Black Monday - the beginning of the week after the Wall Street crash of 1929. When I was a boy, the fact that the day after Thanksgiving was the busiest shopping day of the year was more a fact of random trivia than a well-known, self-perpetuating shopping frenzy. With the rise of personal computers, home theaters, and consumer debt, however, Black Friday has grown in strength and influence nationwide. My wife and I have gone shopping on this day in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and now Roanoke, and — though there are slight differences in demographics — the shopping feels largely the same.

Over Thanksgiving dinner, there’s some talk with family about where we’re going, what we intend to buy, and the inevitable “better you than me” playful remarks from family members not so eager to brave claustrophobic conditions for hefty discounts. It occurs to me that I have been wearing my intentions like a badge of honor, declaring that I fully intend to be among the masses come the wee hours of Black Friday. Ironically - and I can criticize myself enough to admit it - I boast about this seeminglymasochistic tradition because, despite it’s popularity and reputation, it is still against the norm. While there are record numbers inside the stores, on the roads to these businesses with the sky still pitch, you would think it was just another early morning…until you get to the parking lot of the store. When people picture Black

Friday shoppers, they conjure images of eager buyers who’ve skipped Thanksgiving to wait, bundled in sleeping bags, from Thursday ‘til Friday morning. In fact, the only people who spend the night outside of places usually enjoy the experience, not necessarily the sale. No one needs a laptop that badly; it's more for sport. We early birds have long gotten the proverbial worm via deals that anyone shopping even a day later would think impossible. Of course, what constitutes early has become relative as stores have opened their doors sooner and sooner, with some stores considering midnight Thanksgiving as technically "the day after Thanksgiving." Such tactics will invariably bring the zealots, but do little more than anger those dedicated shoppers who feel that 5am is early enough to save a few bucks. What Black Friday really

means for people aghast at the idea of paying full price for anything is the one day of the year where more value for your dollar is practically guaranteed, all but eliminating the dreaded buyer’s remorse. This holds especially true when it comes to technology such as computers, electronics, or the like, because while extended warranty offers might use the phrase “protect your investment” everyone knows that if it plugs in, “investment” is hardly the word as its value plummets in a very short span of time. In truth, Black Friday stories of violence, fighting, and backbiting among shoppers are vastly overdone by popular media. The majority of the time, while I wait in line sometimes an hour or more, I make fast friends with those around me. These are people who — like me — have the assurance

that they have scored in some way and are still coasting on caffeine and adrenaline, certainly among the more pleasant and genuinely elated shoppers you’d see all year. For my wife and I, we hit five stores from 430am to 10am, making out with the penultimate sought-after Wii, a slew of Christmas gifts, and a few more stories to tell. After our nap, of course. Darren Todd Roanoke, VA

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Commentary: The Church, money and modern culture

Seeing in the news the mob of people every year on Black Friday rushing into the stores to get that perceived unbeatable deal before anyone else is always disheartening. This is especially true when you see people get into physical fights and trampled to death as they rush into the stores as has recently happened. Perhaps the more morally conscious ones among us see the rush of people as the rush of the greedy. We imagine some Christmas gift recipient being told by the giver of how they had to assault the person in front of them to get the last one. Merry Christmas! However, I must be the only one who wonders just what percentage of those people rushing into Best Buy, Walmart, or Target will be paying for their purchases with credit. Having worked as a mortgage loan officer for a couple of years and seeing the credit of hundreds of people, I’m all too aware of the amount of credit card debt of the average American. And I’m willing to bet that the overwhelming majority of those

Black Friday shoppers used their credit cards or the retailer’s in-store financing. Culture can change drastically in just a few years. As a measurement of change, what we now call credit or financing was called “installment buying” some seventy years ago. That fraise indicates that buying on credit was an exception and not a norm. Installment buying was considered immoral and unwise whereas saving and paying cash was considered responsible. Taking the time to save created time to think and rethink a purchase. Many times this prevented an impulse buy and did great service to the individual or family. The speculative mania of 1929 and the subsequent Great Depression was the cumulative effect of the frantic attempts by people toward a sleight-of-hand achievement of a more abundant life as they foolishly perceived it and installment buying was their means by which to achieve it. I sometimes think I’m the only one who wonders what God thinks of America’s current behavior and what the

Bible says about money, debt, pride, and greed. The Bible has much to say about money and debt beyond tithing. Proverbs 22:7 says, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” But if anyone who has spent any time in church and paid any attention to how business is done, it doesn’t take long for them to figure out how this happened if they are wise enough to notice. Church leadership is often more concerned with money management than they are in God’s Holy Word. Anyone who knows anything about the Bible knows that much of the scriptures will offend all of us at some point. So what the church leaders do is avoid these offensive subjects and fail to convict people of their sins and lead them to real repentance. Instead, sermons and teachings become therapeutic orations about relationships and even go so far as become self-help presentations like the ones that promote Your Best Life Now. A God without commands is worse than no God at all. Or faith without works is dead.

Obviously one of the avoided “controversial” subjects would be personal debt. Now we know the root source of our national debt as well as our personal debt. Since the church has the single most important role and opportunity to guide a culture of people, it is imperative that it teaches people the proper use of money. It should not only teach what the Bible says, it should also lead by example. When it succeeds in this, it secures the economic future of the nation because that conviction transcends into the peoples’ government. If it fails in this, as it currently has, it opens the door for economic mischief among people and government and leads to the bankruptcy of that nation. As goes the church, so goes the nation. Until the church changes its course and begins to have a substantial impact on our culture again, by Word and by example, the Black Friday madness will get worse every year.

Special FairTax Educational Meeting Roanoke Area FairTax will have a 30-minute presentation, “The FairTax Story,” followed by 30 minutes of questions, answers, and discussion. This is a good introduction to what the FairTax is and how it works. Come learn the principles of the FairTax and understand how it would be good for America. Bring a friend or relative! When - 6:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Where - Edinburgh Square’s Community Room, 129 Hershberger Road NW, near Plantation Road, directly across from Star City Skating Center. For more - RAFT@att.net.

> Dec. 5

Kindermusik Open House Kindermusik by Purple Possibilities with Free Preview Classes for Ages Birth - 7 years! Enjoy Face Painting, Crafts, Story Time and Refreshments! Explore Our Fantastic New Studio in Brambleton Baptist Church, 4122 Cresthill Drive! Meet Our Mature, Licensed Kindermusik Educators. BIG Spring Semester Discounts Available @ Open House! When - 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. For more - at www.purplepossibilities.com or call Julie at 540520-1329. Dickens of a Christmas 2008 WACHOVIA PLAZA 5:30 p.m. – Southwest Virginia Ballet 6:15 p.m. – City of Roanoke Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 6:30 p.m. – Miss Mona’s School of Dance CAMPBELL AVE. & MARKET 6-10 p.m. – Strolling St. Nicholas 6-10 p.m. – Carriage Rides 6-10 p.m. – Street Actors (The-

atre students from William Fleming High School) 6-10 p.m. – Pony Rides & Holiday Photos 7-9 p.m. – Photos with Santa 7-9 p.m. – Mark Fuller, Magician 7-10 p.m. – Carolers of Christmas Past 7-10 p.m. – Sally Edelman, Face Painter 7-10 p.m. – David Bear Stuart, Juggler MARKET STREET/CHRUCH AVENUE 7:30 p.m. – Roanoke Ballet Theatre 8:00 p.m. – Yuletide Voices 9:00 p.m. – Local Colors International Choir CAMPBELL AVENUE 6-10 p.m. – Living Nativity Scene – Penn Forest Christian Church SANTA’S WORKSHOP 6-8 p.m. – Taubman Museum of Art KIRK AVENUE Suntrust’s Kids Zone Games, Activities & More

> Dec. 6

Gift of Art Show You can solve some of your holiday gift problems at the “Gift of Art” show and sale to be held on Saturday, December 6. Sponsored by the League of Roanoke Artists, the show will feature original work by its local artist members available at a wide range of prices. When - Noon until 5:00 p.m. Where - Brambleton Center, 3738 Brambleton Avenue, Roanoke. For more-call Mary Buck Bryant at (540)427-3869. The Christmas List Show will feature hand painted gourds, wooden items, homemade items such as fudge, apple butter and soup mixes, ornaments, bracelets of hand rolled clay beads, dog treats, purses,

quilts and quilt racks, yard art, and more. All crafted by local craftsmen and artists.There will be a concession stand selling hot dogs with 50% of proceeds going to St. Francis of Assisi.Admission and parking are free. When - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.. Where - Taylor Masonic Lodge on Texas street in Salem, behind the Salem football stadium 29th Annual Parlor Tour The Old Southwest Historic District will host the 29th Annual Holiday Parlor Tour this weekend. The event will run Saturday, December 6, from 5:00pm 9:00pm and Sunday, December 7, from 1:00pm 5:00pm

> Dec. 13

Speedlight The Bedford & Botetourt County Parks & Recreation is sponsoring a bus trip to the matinee of Miracle on 34th Street at the Barter Theatre, Abingdon,VA, and to Speedway in Lights at the Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol,TN, on Saturday, December 13, 2008. Prior to the matinee at the Barter, the group will enjoy an all inclusive lunch at Abingdon’s Harbor Inn Seafood Restaurant. The price of $89 per person includes: Roundtrip motorcoach transportation, an all inclusive lunch at Harbor Inn Seafood Restaurant, matinee ticket for Miracle on 34th Street at 4-28-08 Barter Theatre, admission to Speedway in Lights and a tour

He’s back - this time as an audiologist!

Dr. Michael W. Ridenhour now offers house calls for hearing evaluation and hearing aid services. If you or a loved one can’t get out and about easily, Dr. Ridenhour will come to your home and help you with your communication needs. Don’t let yourself become isolated. Call Dr. Ridenhour’s office at 540-345-7821 and to get back into the mainstream of life. Low interest payment plans available.

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Community Calendar

> Dec. 4

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Valley Business

Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/5/08

Roanoke Career and Lifestyle Fair can be a real blessing to individuals and our community Reflecting on the past Thanksgiving weekend, it is always a blessing to host family members, children and grandchildren who visit us from afar. Perhaps this Thanksgiving we are more mindful of our blessings, especially during these shaky economic times. As people reminisce of a simpler life compared to larger metropolitan areas, fantasize about living closer to loved ones, imagine new experiences and professional opportunities, and ponder if a change is needed, then what does Roanoke offer these out-of-towners? Â The City Manager created a vision three years ago to reach out to people home for the holidays that may be unaware of the career and lifestyle opportunities now existing in their hometown. This vision is carried out through the 3rd Annual Roanoke Holiday Career and Lifestyle Fair sponsored by The Renick Group, Express Employment Professionals and WDBJ 7 on Tuesday, December 30 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall ( www.roanokeva.gov/fairs). However, this year, the focus of the event will not only be on natives visiting for the holidays, but it will also be

We must have individuals coman outlet for local job seekers. mitted to lifelong learning. We This year's event will include must encourage and support local employers, educational individuals in business creinstitutions to further skill deation. We must leverage our velopment, entrepreneurial orunique recreational lifestyle as ganizations offering assistance part of our larger economic deto start a business, and cultural velopment strategy. organizations demonstrating  Finally, in order to be effecthe unique work/life balance tive, we need your help to make Roanoke has to offer. this event successful. First,  The number of individuals Stuart Mease if you are a job seeker, then seeking employment in Roanoke via the Roanoke Connect please attend. Second, if you are database (www.roanokeva.gov/connect) an employer, then register for your free has risen sharply in the past few weeks. booth courtesy of our generous sponsors. Pessimists will paint a hopeless picture Third, if you are reading this, then send for job seekers. Optimists will take the it to someone you know locally who can current economic environment and find benefit from this event or tell your outopportunities. Let's be optimistic and op- of-town guest returning in December to portunistic. attend.  Let's not forget the advantages our reBe a blessing to someone else during gion does have such as: affordable hous- this holiday season. Tell them about the ing, low cost of living, access to quality Roanoke Holiday Career and Lifestyle health care, short commute times, nu- Fair on Tuesday, December 30 from 9 merous cultural and outdoor amenities, a.m – 12 noon at the Roanoke Civic Cenand a can-do spirit of persistence, deter- ter Exhibit Hall. Perhaps together we can mination and action. help a special someone who wants to stay  Ultimately, we must have existing em- or return to Roanoke. ployers committed to long-term growth.

Chamber keynote speaker focuses on economy – and Transportation Museum The 119th Annual Membership meeting of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce featured keynote speaker Wick Moorman, the chairman, president and CEO of Northern Southern Corporation, returning to the city where NS was once headquartered. Moorman told a dinner audience on Tuesday night at Hotel Roanoke that the Star City will be remain a strong partner with the freight railroad, now based in Virginia Beach, “for another 100 years.� Moorman said Norfolk Southern’s freight business remained robust through the first nine months this year, before the economic slowdown started to take its toll. Automotive and construction-related freight was down but the coal hauling business stayed strong. Overall however NS has seen “a significant decrease in volumes� over the past few months. “We’ll have to see where [the economy] goes.� Despite whatever happens in the short term, Norfolk Southern “will be OK,� in the long run said Moorman, who succeeded now-retired David Goode. “We’ll be ready [for an economic rebound].� In the Roanoke area NS facilities will continue to see “strong employment and continued investment,� added Moorman. Moorman touched on the future of intermodal freight in the region, talking about the Heartland Corridor project that will improve rail lines from Hampton Roads to Ohio, and the proposed intermodal facility in Elliston, which he termed “a great advantage to the Roanoke Valley.� The Regional Chamber has publicly supported the Elliston

project near I-81, which is opposed by the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors and is now the subject of a lawsuit. “Something like the intermodal terminal [which would take trailers off highways and put them on trains] will make this region that much more attractive,� said Moorman. Upgrades to Norfolk Southern tracks along I-81, what he called the Crescent Corridor, is also needed to make intermodal more competitive with long haul truck freight carriers. Moorman urged Chamber members to contact state and federal legislators – like Congressman Bob Goodlatte, who was present on Tuesday – to push for more infrastructure investment. “That’s what this country needs.� Saving his final thoughts for something a bit different, Moorman urged Chamber members to support an overhaul of the Virginia Museum of Transportation, pledging one million dollars of Norfolk Southern money – if it is matched locally. He estimated that the needed makeover may cost three million or more. “It is not what it should be and could be,� said Moorman, noting that an NS-sponsored study called the financially strapped downtown museum under funded and underutilized, with a valuable collection of steam locomotives and other artifacts that are stored improperly. “That worries me,� said Moorman, adding that Norfolk Southern is also willing to chip in with annual funds for operating expenses once the facility is overhauled.

Baske Young To Chair Roanoke Regional Chamber

The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, Western Virginia’s largest business organization, has elected officers and directors for 2009. Kathy Baske Young, Blue Ridge Resources, LLC, has been elected chair. Other officers are: Joe Miller, E.J. Miller Construction, vice-chair of economic development; Steve Anderson, Integrated Textile, vice-chair of membership; Kenneth Lan-

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ford, Lanford Brothers Co., vice-chair of public policy; Jim Lee, JBL Consulting, LLC, vicechair of operations and treasurer; Charles Robbins, BB&T, chair-elect; Harold McLeod, Kathy Baske Young Wachovia Bank, vice-chair atlarge; Lee Wilhelm, McNeil Chamber of Commerce was Roofing, immediate past-chair; established in 1889 and has apand Joyce Waugh, Roanoke Re- proximately 1,400 members in gional Chamber of Commerce, 42 localities. president and  secretary. The Roanoke Regional

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TheRoanokeStar.com

S&ME opens office in Roanoke

Engineering company S&ME has been completing projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia for more than 35 years and has recently located its newest office in the City of Roanoke. The firm opened its third office in Virginia in October at 5335 Peters Creek Road. The team of three staffing the Roanoke location bring more than 40 years of experience to serve central and western Virginia. Gary Bruce, PE, will manage the Roanoke office. With over 14 years of experience, Gary’s specialties are foundations, QA/QC, special inspections, grading, pavements, blast monitoring, and subsurface investigations. He holds ICC certifications in masonry and concrete testing. Lisa Beckstrom, CWB, CE, is charged with environmental assessments, wetland and stream permitting, wildlife surveys and linear corridor projects. Lisa is a certified wildlife biologist and ecologist with more than 14 years of experience. Licensed geologist Jason Murphy, PG, will lead field exploration and construction materials testing. With more than 15 years of experience, Jason comes to Roanoke from S&ME Charlotte. He has managed field exploration and holds certifications in concrete and earthwork inspection, geotechnical engineering technology, construction materials testing and nuclear gauge use.

Local design firm wins “Davey� award for website design

Inprint, a Roanoke Valley branding and design firm received a Silver Award on October 31, 2008, when the International Academy of the Visual Arts announced the 2008 Davey AwardWinners.With over 4,000 entries from across the US and around the world, the Davey Awards honors the finest creative work from the best small firms, agencies and companies worldwide. The Davey Awards exclusively honor the “Davids of creativity.� David defeated the giant Goliath with a big idea and a little rock – the sort of thing small firms do each year. The annual International Davey Awards honors the achievements of the "Creative Davids" who derive their strength from big ideas, rather than big budgets. The Davey Awards is the leading awards competition specifically for smaller firms, where firms compete with their peers to win the recognition they deserve. A complete list of winners can be found at www.daveyawards.com. Inprint received the award for its web site, which premiered on January 1, 2008. The Flash-based site offers the user a truly interactive experience, even allowing the user to select their own color palette. The site also allows the user to meet the staff, learn the company’s history, view an extensive portfolio of projects and read detailed case studies. Inprint specializes in building strong brand identities for its clients through the application of great design principles and creative thinking. The firm specializes in all facets of print and interactive media including corporate communications, advertising,web site design and more. Inprint was started in 1991 by David Harris and David Mikula and currently serves clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Consultants in Cardiology Accredited

Consultants in Cardiology located in Roanoke, VA was granted accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL). The laboratory is one of the first one thousand echocardiography laboratories in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to be so recognized for its commitment to high quality By Gene Marrano patient care and its provision of quality diagnostic testing. gmarrano@cox.net The ICAEL was established with the support of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the Society of Pediatric EchocarN A P A C H I S I P T I N E T R Y T O O T diography (SOPE) to provide a peer review mechanism to N D H O P L O O encourage and recognize the provision of quality echocarA R D W A L K A A X E E T O N Y S E R A S diographic diagnostic evaluations by a process of voluntary T W O S F D O N A L P A U M T V E accreditation. A non-profit organization, the ICAEL is dediK E Q T I P S O A T S cated to ensuring high quality patient care and to promoting E T B L I M P E W E R H P E O N Y I V health care. P S I I T A N G Participation in the accreditation process is voluntary. AcI L Y E A S T I E S T K A R M C R E W creditation status signifies that the facility has been reviewed E S K I P B A M B I by an independent agency which recognizes the laboratory’s V A T I C A N L A S T commitment to qualify testing for the diagnosis of heart disease. Dr. Jeffrey Todd, President of Consultants in Cardiology stated, “Consultants in Cardiology has been providing exceptional diagnostic testing services for 28 years and it is nice to have our processes and quality reviewed and endorsed by an independent agency�. Consultants in Cardiology also provides nuclear testing which is accredited by Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for the accreditation of nuclear laboratories.

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Arts & Culture

TheRoanokeStar.com

12/5/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11

Two very different cultural events on tap this Saturday

The Roanoke College Children’s Choir.

Children’s choir to sing holiday tunes After touring some local schools the Roanoke College Children’s Choir will help ring in the holiday season by appearing at the Holiday Pops concert with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra on December 12 at the Salem Civic Center. Kimberly Davidson has directed the Roanoke College Children’s Choir since its inception, working with local youngsters between 8 and 18. There are three training choirs that will do the school touring and then a top-level concert choir that will perform with the RSO and at the choir’s own Christmas recital on the 14th. “We love Maestro [David] Wiley and we’re one of his biggest fans,” said Davidson of the Roanoke Symphony conductor. “I think maybe he’s one of our biggest fans. We look forward to [the Pops concert] every

year. The RCCC, formed in 1987, will present its annual Christmas concert at Shaftman Performance Hall on December 14 at 4pm. Parents, friends and the community at large are invited to the recital. “[People] are amazed at the beautiful sounds that these children sing with. It really will help you get into the Christmas spirit.” The Roanoke Chamber Brass will join the choir on stage, along with several musicians from the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. In the past year the RCCC performed at the Southern Choral Directors Association convention in Louisville, KY, something Davidson labels “a really big deal. We’ve applied for this [before] and this time hit a home run.” The choir has hit a few of those in the past,

performing at two national Christmas tree lightings at the White House, and being featured at Carnegie Hall in New York. They’ve also been to Hawaii and China on concert tours. Auditions held every May help replenish the pipeline; “those that are motivated, can hold a note and are coachable are good candidates” said Davidson. Choir alumni have gone on to sing professionally and in college, or used the poise they learned with the ensemble in other careers. “I don’t think there could be a better job for me, I love these children. Lots of people say when they hear the Children’s Choir it reminds them of what it will be like in Heaven, with angels singing” said DaBy Gene Marrano vidson. gmarrano@cox.net

New Lenny Marcus album: well-known Roanoke musician Lenny Marcus will debut his new CD “Waterdrops” at the Jefferson Center during a “listening party” this Saturday from 8-10pm in the Recital Hall space. The $15 admission price also gets attendees a copy of Waterdrops, wherein the jazz pianist plays with other well known local musicians, like Dylan Locke on bass, Cyrus Pace on guitar and Blue 5 restaurant owner Kerry Hurley on vocals. Locke is Artistic Director for Jefferson Center, where the listening party will be held. “A lot of great players in southwest Virginia are on this one,” said Marcus, who also plays flute and synthesizers in addition to piano on Waterdrops. (see lennymarcusmusic.com or jeffcenter. org for more information) Wunderkammer at The Water Heater: looking for something a bit different Saturday night? Then Beth Deel invites you to the “Wunderkammer- a Collection of Curiosities”, at The Water Heater, a downtown Roanoke venue she is a partner in. The event begins at 9pm. Deel, who studied dance at Hollins, just returned from a three-month teaching gig at a college in South Korea as a visiting professor. There

she created dance pieces with students. “It’s been a really great interchange of culture, language and dance,” said Deel. Historically, “WunderKammer's (Cabinets of Wonder/Wonder-Ro oms) are collections of objects/ oddities whose categorical boundaries are yet to be defined,” writes Deel on the Water Heater blog. Look for “cured” teddy bears from artist Ralph Eaton, risqué creaturettes from Denise Valente and “power tool race relics” from local sculptor John Wilson. There are also “human artifacts” that came from a 1950’s era medical salesman. “Hopefully the people coming and the people working will be dressed as curiosities themselves,” said Deel, adding that the concept is European. Since its official debut as a venue available for rent earlier this year, Deel (business partners with Wendy Schuyler) said the number of bookings at The Water Heater has steadily increased. “We decided to create a community arts center, sort of nestled in the eclectic neighborhood of Old Southwest. It’s programmed by the communi-

Acclaimed Tenor Comes Home For Spectacular “Holiday Pops”

Roanoke native and internationally acclaimed singer, tenor George Dyer, joins the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra & Chorus in the RSO’s annual Holiday Pops Spectacular. Dyer soared onto the operatic scene in 1996, making his professional debut to rave reviews with the New York City Opera at the Lincoln Center in New York City. He has performed extensively to wide acclaim in prestigious opera houses and concert halls across North America and in many countries throughout the world. Dyer has been a guest soloist with the Mormon Taber- George nacle Choir on numerous occasions, including a 2005 worldwide broadcast to over 63 countries. He is a gifted performer of musical theater. He has enchanted countless audiences in the U.S. and Europe in solo concerts featuring a mix of opera and Broadway favorites. Dyer was named “Best Male Recording Artist” of the year in 2004 by the FCMA (Faith Centered Music Association) and he has released three solo recordings on the Shadow Mountain Label. He filmed two made-for-TV concerts in Jerusalem, made his film debut in 2006 in two Lightstone Studios musicals, and was named Vice President of Lightstone

Grandin

Records in 2007. A devoted family man, George currently lives in Utah with his wife Clarisse and their four children. Selections on this year’s Holiday Pops Spectacular program will include Holiday classics such as “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”, “Santa Claus is Comin’”, “Jingle Bell Rock”, and “O Holy Night” to name a few, all spotlighting Mr. Dyer as soloist with the RSO. The entire program is full of familiar Holiday songs, along with classical selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” Dyer complete with dancers from Southwest Virginia Ballet, as well as selections performed by the Roanoke College Children’s Choir and a Piano Trio. RSO music director David Stewart Wiley conducts the performance. The Holiday concert is part of the RSO’s “Picnic at the Pops” series and takes place December 12, 2008 at the Salem Civic Center. Concert time is 7 p.m. The doors open at 5:30. Tickets are available by calling (540) 343-9127 or by ordering online at rso.com

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ty,” said Deel, who also runs the myscoper.com online calendar with Schuyler. “We are overloaded with events,” said Deel of myscoper. Fledgling bands have rented The Water Heater (hourly rates range from $5-$20), as have dance groups and visual artists. “Each month we are finding the space [about 1500 sq. ft.] is more and more booked.” 50-75 fit comfortably said Deel, hoping that The Water Heater “will provide a really unique service for our community.” Wunderkammer this Saturday will also feature an “aerial silk” dance performance that will take place above people’s heads; music will be supplied from a Brooklyn band called Electric Junkyard Gamelan. Those that have been on the Old Southwest Parlor Tour that day can get in to Wunderkammer for half price -$5 instead of $10. “We decided we would have a parlor full of curiosities,” said Deel. Go to thewaterheater.blogspot. com for more information; The Water Heater is at 813 5th Street in Roanoke.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Page 12 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/5/08

TheRoanokeStar.com

Grandin Village favorite “The Isaacs” set to reopen early December

The Isaacs Restaurant (1910 Memorial Avenue) will be reopening on Friday, December 5. There is still some work left to be done however before they resume serving customers Mediterranean cuisine. “We’re opening with the same great food we had before,” said Ben Ward, a shareholder with Issacs, Inc. The opening will get underway with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Roanoke City Mayor David Bowers, followed by food and refreshments, on December 5th at 3:45pm. Although some additions will be made for the most part the menu remains the same, said Nicole Coleman, Executive Assistant. They’ve been testing recipes for new appetizers,

or “meze.” One addition will be “muhamara spread,” which is roasted red pepper and walnut. Isaac’s Mediterranean tuna steak and spice rub chicken will be back. And of course they’re still serving baklava and falafel. A number of homemade soups will be new and The Issacs have tested Swiss chard and lentil soup. Cocktails will be served from a new bar, which will offer a wider drink selection than beer and wine on the previous menu. “We don’t want to overwhelm our customers with too many changes,” said Coleman. “All the recipes we’ve tried so far have been really good.” The seating capacity has been

increased to 172, from 52 before the renovation, and the restaurant will now take up the entire first floor. “We’ve become really popular,” said Coleman. “We’ve gotten great support from all our patrons. Everybody wanted to get in and have dinner with us.” The Issacs is located in Memorial Hall, built in the 1930’s and where Shopwell Grocery was once located-- among other businesses over the years. More room now means customers will also have a place to wait for a table. Customers have been calling, wanting to know when the Isaacs will be re-opening. They have been closed since September 15. Coleman said custom-

ers say things like, “I’m having falafel withdrawal. When are you opening?’” With food from Greece, Turkey, Lebanon and Israel on the menu, “nobody’s got what we’ve got,” said Ward. With the larger seating area, 19 new employees are being hired. About 100 applicants were considered for the openings. “It shows how this economy is moving now,” said Coleman of the larger number of applicants. “It was an eyeopening experience.” There

will be a week of training for employees before the December 5th re-opening. “Miss Linda” as she is known (Linda Swim) will continue to bake for The Isaacs, creating homemade baklava in addition to other mid-eastern desserts. The restaurant is also in the process of hiring a new chef. The Issacs building now has a brand-new façade, with double-paned glass and dry stack stone. Coleman said it will now be equipped with “proper cool-

ing, heating, fire suppression and it will be ADA compliant.” It’s mostly about the food however and those that know The Issacs anxiously await its grand re-opening. “We want to have great customer service” for the customers,” said Coleman, and “feed them healthy and delicious food. (call The Issacs at 904-5002 for more information)

By Joan Kastner info@theroanokestar.com

Holiday Jazz on the Mezzanine Tuesday, Dec. 9, 6-8 pm Roanoke Main Library Since 1928

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Lenny Marcus Trio performing the works of Vince Giraldi (Charlie Brown’s Christmas), among other jazz classics and originals. information 540-853-1057 free seasonal refreshments

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Merry Christmas from

Roanoke Valley Harley-Davidson! Our Christmas Party is Saturday December 6th. We will be giving out Gift Certificates every hour! We will have goodies for you to taste, so don’t miss out. You must be present to win! Who knows what you might find under your tree this year!

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