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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel Community | News | Per spective
4/4/08
TheRoanokeStar.com
Nash, council pass each other’s test Selling Theatre P8– John Bryant didn’t quite know where or what Mill Mountain Theatre was starting out, but now he’s a pitch man for the stage.
Singing Day P9– Amondre Johnson joined his William Fleming teammate, Marcus Bratton, by signing to play for UVA Wise next year..
Alvin Nash said he wasn’t trying to pass anyone’s litmus test during the interview for a place on Roanoke City Council. In fact, he said, council had to pass his test. He said if appointed, he wanted it to be unanimous. Council passed his test Monday with a 5-0 vote and Nash was sworn in Tuesday. “Everybody on council, I trust them, I felt like I can work with them, but from them I wanted 100 percent acceptance,” Nash said. “To hear a unanimous decision with my name was a great thing. I got their support, which I truly appreciate.”
P9– Senior pitcher Daniel Motes pitched a shutout for the Vikings against Liberty High School. Northside took the game 10-0.
Spiritual Garden P5– What does your spiritual garden look like today? Read Ruth Graham’s walk in the spiritual world of Spring.
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BBQ on the house with Memphis victory There’s a reason for everyone in the Valley to root for the Memphis Tigers this week, at least everyone who’s not vegetarian. Henry Caldwell of Jeff Robinson Henry’s Memphis BBQ said that if the Tigers win the national championship, he’s going to give away barbecue sandwiches for free. The Memphis native and Tiger alumn said his two stores will give away one b ar b e qu e Good Eats s andwich per person of April 8 between 4 p.m. and 5 p,m, if the school can claim their first national title in basketball. “It’s our way of saying thanks to our current customers and welcoming in new ones,” Caldwell
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Northside Pillages
He said being sworn in as a Roanoke nate but it happened and created this situCity Council member was an emotion- ation and void so I dusted off my thoughts al experience. “I was as nervous being about council.” sworn in as I was when council Nash said he’s withholding was making the vote,” Nash said judgment on several key issues, City Council Nash said he’d considered runincluding possible Mill Mounning in the general election, but tain development, downtown put those thoughts away after pondering parking and a new amphitheater, until he’s the money and time required for a cam- up-to-date on council’s private briefings. paign. He said that all changed when it He did, however, say he was concerned was announced council would have to ap- about the way the city handled Counpoint someone to a seat. tryside Golf Course and was in favor of “The situation with Dowe happened,” keeping it as a municipal golf course. Nash said. “It was unexpected, unfortu“Council has some serious issues and
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I feel that what I bring to the table ... is a balance of how you handle problems, common sense,” Nash said. He said affordable housing is a big concern of his as a new council member. “Affordable housing not only means low-income housing,” Nash said, “but whatever an individual’s income is we should be able to accommodate that.” He said he also wanted to see Roanoke’s > CONTINUED P3: Nash
[Ahh, the weather]
‘Ties’ opens this weekend
A sure sign of Spring . . .
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]
> CONTINUED P3: BBQ
The Southwest Virginia Ballet will give several unique performances this weekend (Sat. night, Sunday matinee) of a new work that relates to Roanoke’s railroad history: “Ties” is an original contemporary ballet created by their artistic director, Pedro Szalay. It is a work inspired by Ballet Roanoke’s connection to the railroad and is being put on as a collaboration with O. Winston Link Museum. “This is a concept I’ve had for a long time in my head,” said Szalay, whose family comes from Hungary, where traveling by train is a way of life. The O. Winston Link Museum, local artists and a music score originally crafted for the museum are all in the mix. Szalay designed “two real trains” that will appear on stage with his dancers, with the help of Hill Studios in Roanoke. Pictures of trains from the Link Museum archives will also be projected. Szalay recalls his family leaving Hungary by train, and his journey from New York City to Richmond by train. He worked
Photo by Bill Turner
T
he on again off again weather may have some people and flowers confused, but Spring is clearly here as evidenced by the sight and sounds of wood and metal striking leather and umpires barking calls. Sandlot and high school baseball teams from around the valley took to the fields over the last week with varying
results. Northside cruised to an easy 10-0 win against Liberty High School, while Patrick Henry fell to Franklin County 7-1. In the above picture, the dirt flies as Patrick Henry second baseman Rob Floyd expertly applies a tag for the out as a Franklin County base runner attempts to steal second base
]
> CONTINUED P2: Ties
James Bray treks to Antarctica to study climate change James Bray was selected by his company to travel to Antarctica for a 14 day environmental expedition to help bring awareness to the current environmental crisis (according to most scientists) facing the polar regions today. The Roanoke resident and General Manager at Akzo Nobel, the world’s largest paint and coatings company, was chosen based on his exceptional leadership within the company and his deep commitment to help preserve our planet’s natural resources. The 12 Akzo Nobel employees that embarked on the Antarctica journey were part of a greater environmental initiative organized by Robert Swan called the Leadership on The Edge Program. This expedition is primarily researched-based. Of course the arctic region was chosen because of the well documented and highly publicized melting of the ice caps that many scientists believe is due to man-made pollution. Akzo Nobel, like all companies, is ultimately looking out for its own business interests in order to create sustainability for its future. Their website indicates that it can, and should, combine environmental protection practices, and business growth within it’s company’s long-term business
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their leadership, so that they could begin a new, more environmentally friendly approach within each of their departments here at home and throughout their worldwide empire. “People make up corporations and Akzo’s goal is to change the way people look at conservation, for the good of the planet,” said Bray. It’s a progressive move that’s catching on around the world with other large corporations. Is the corporate world, including Akzo Nobel, really concerned about the environment? Or are these environmental expeditions just a way to eventually increase profits by exploiting a popular issue among consumers? On Akzo Nobel’s website the slogan for the expedition reads “Leadership, Sustainability, Inspiration, and Adventure.” But Photo courtesy James Bray James Bray off the coast of Antarctica in March. He was chosen by his employer on that same site they make it very clear that their mission is to “endeavor to deliver Akzo Nobel due to his commitment to help preserve natural resources. whatever our customers require, wherplan. It’s a move that several large corpora- is melting up there. During one of our first ever and whenever they need it.” Additiontions have taken, at least in part because it briefings an iceberg about 10 stories high ally, according to information on the EPA creates a good image. and two football fields long fell off website Akzo Nobel released over 25,000 But Bray described his experia ridge and nearly disintegrated Adventure ence as almost out of body-like. before our eyes. It was as if a bomb “It’s something I will never forget. exploded,” said Bray. This was the > CONTINUED We witnessed first hand how much the ice kind of experience Akzo Nobel hoped for P3: Bray
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TheRoanokeStar.com
T
> Community News Briefs Bart’s Tailoring Quality Alterations on Quality Clothes 59 Years of Experience
“Song of the Mountains� returns to Blue Ridge PBS for a third season, beginning April 5
The 12 new episodes will air Saturday nights starting with performances by The Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show and Ted Jones & the Tarheel Boys. “Song of the Mountains� showcases the best talents in bluegrass and old-time country music from the heart of the region where it all began. Performances are held at the beautifully restored Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Va., once known as the finest showplace in Southwest Virginia. Visit blueridgepbs.org for information about performances and times.
Cox launches new HD channels
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Cox Communications has added six more HD channels to its Roanoke-area lineup. Cinemax HD, Starz HD, CNN HD, A&E HD, the History Channel HD, and Versus HD are now available. The seventh, MASN HD, will officially launch April 28 on Channel 723, bringing the high-definition lineup to a total of 32 unique HD channels. The channel additions represent Cox Roanoke’s ongoing commitment to providing its customers with a very competitive and reliable array of services and entertainment. While there’s much more to come, Cox ensures that its high-definition lineup is composed of high-quality, view-
> Ties
er-desired programming, rather than alternative fillers as can be found in many of our competitors’ listings. Viewers are advised that some channel numbers will switch to accommodate the new highdefinition offerings. For more information and the latest Cox channel
Karl receives barbershopper of the year award
jim Karl received the “Barbershopper of the Year� award shortly before the chorus singing the National Anthem before a Virginia Tech basketball game. This award is presented annually by the Virginia Gentlemen Barbershop Harmony Chorus to a member who has provided quality leadership and service to the chorus. Jim Karl is highly deserving of this annual award. He has been a member of the chorus for 16 years, switching back and forth on two occasions between singing lead and baritone. Jim has held several offices in the Virginia Gentlemen over the years. He has been Vice-President of Membership and Development and Vice-President of programming. He published the chorus’ newsletter for several years and was show chairman for the 2004 annual show. Most recently Jim has been President of the chorus for the past 3 years and he currently holds the office of Chorus Manager. Jim has been a versatile mem-
ber of the chorus over his 16 years. Last year, when the actor hired to play the part of Harold Hill in the chorus’ tribute to “50 years of the Music Man�, bowed out a week before our show. Jim stepped in at the last minute and gave an outstanding performance. Jim sings lead in the chorus’ numerous quartet requests for birthdays and other celebrations. Jim Karl is highly deserving of this award and a true “Virginia Gentleman�.
Roanoke Awaiting More Information from EPA Regarding New Air Quality Standards
With a recent announcement by the EPA that the national 8-hour ozone standard has been reduced, air quality professionals in the Roanoke region await more information from the federal agency before determining how the change will affect local improvement efforts. Acting under an Ozone Early Action Compact/Early Action Plan for the past three years, local governments, citizens, and the private sector have undertaken strategies that have brought Roanoke’s 8-hour ozone measure to 76 parts per billion (ppb), well beneath the EPA’s previous standard of 80 ppb. This reflects an improvement from a 3-year average of 87 ppb in the late 1990s. New standards announced on March 13th set the requirement at 75 ppb, just beneath the region’s current performance. The EPA has yet to say which time period will be used to de-
termine a region’s compliance with the new standard and any regulatory action that may stem from noncompliance. The EPA generally uses a three-year period when examining a region’s air quality, as was done with the previous Ozone Early Action Plan. It is likely that any period the EPA sets will at least include the summer of 2008, making air quality performance this year a key component in whether or not the region will come into compliance with the new standard. Actions that citizens can take immediately include: carpool, bike, walk or take transit to work refrain from mowing during the day refrain from filling up vehicles until after 5:00 pm The Ozone Early Action plan can be found at the Regional Commission’s website at HYPERLINK “http://www.rvarc. org/work/eap.pdf �www.rvarc. org/work/eap.pdf and more air quality strategies can be found at HYPERLINK “http://www.ridesolutions.org/�www.ridesolutions. org/airquality. Ground-level ozone is the main ingredient in smog and is formed by the reaction of sunlight with gasoline fumes, vehicle and industrial emissions, and solvent vapors, among others. Its formation is most likely in hot, dry weather. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality calls Air Quality Action Days any time the Air Quality Index (AQI) indicates unhealthy levels of ozone, with classifications ranging from Green, little to no health risk, to Purple, very unhealthy.
From page 1
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in Richmond before coming to the Southwest Virginia Ballet two years ago. “We feel the connection [to railroads]. That’s why we call it Ties.� There is some “drama� in the play says Szalay (pronounced So-lie), including the depiction of a worker’s death as railroad lines were built across the state. “It’s a great history and
an education for the dancers too.� Southwest Virginia Ballet students come from all over the valley. He is encouraging his ballet students to check out the O. Winston Link Museum before or after they dance in Ties. With video games, Ipods and other gadgets getting in the way Szalay believes it’s gotten harder and harder to encourage children to study their roots. He knows all about young children, teaching part time at Fishburn Elementary as part of the Minds in Motion program. Students from North South west P.O. RoaCross, Faith Christian, Virg B Roan ox 3275 inia Ball et , VA noke Catholic and otherokeschools 2401 5 were scheduled to watch a special Reliv e rail road ith “ histo performance on Thowursday TIES before ry �. Au f all dien ages ces the 7pm show onwithSaturday will b and e thri this lled lively colla (at the 3pm matineefilmon , mu Sunday ge o sic, a f This nd d unpre anceauJefferson Center) for general . cide coll nte
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am Satu rda Sund y, April 5 ay, A , pril 6 2008 | 7:00 , 200 p.m. 8 | 3:00 p.m.
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ences. See jeffcenter.org or svballet. org for more on Ties this weekend. Pedro Szalay’s comments from the svballet.org website: “I
focusing on the relationships of people. The dreamers, laborers, and witnesses who chose to stay in or come to the Big Lick, the Magic City, the Star City, and the Roanoke Valley. Our costume changes will flit through history like the children, parents and grandparents of O. Winston Link’s photographs. Relationships will develop and dissolve throughout the choreography like spirits that rise, suffuse and integrate into the earth that is this Valley. Their spirits grew out of great dreams, cold steely labor, disappointments and victories. Watch the images of the train with its trails of steam and imagine it to be the spirit of the tough gritted people who brought the clanging steel cars to our days and nights.�
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4/4/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3
TheRoanokeStar.com
Land Trust, Easter Seals plan joint conservation Easter Seals Virginia and the Western Virginia Land Trust are working on a joint conservation project to protect nearly two-thirds of a mile of Craig Creek in Craig County. On Saturday, April 19, from 9 am 12 pm, volunteers from the Land Trust and Easter Seals, along with Easter Seals program participants, will plant some 200
trees at Camp Easter Seals, the residential summer camp for children and adults with disabilities located just northeast of New Castle. The trees will be planted along the banks of Craig Creek to help reinforce the stream bank and guard against the severe erosion that can take place during high water events.
Volunteers are needed to help with the tree planting. If youd like to help with this great project, please contact the Land Trust at 985-0000 or dperry@ westernvirginialandtrust.org, or Alex Barge at Virginia Easter Seals in Salem at 777-7325 or abarge@va.easterseals.com. No tree planting experience is necessary, but wear old clothes
Saturday, April 5, 2008 | 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2008 | 3:00 p.m.
and bring work gloves and a shovel if you have them. Staff will try to arrange carpools to and from the Camp from Roanoke and Salem. Additional partners on the project include Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
National Music week celebration at Tanglewood The 85th National Federation Music Club’s National Music Week will be celebrated at Tanglewood Mall, Roanoke, Va. on Tuesday, May 6, 10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. The theme “Music…A Sound Foundation for Life” is being presented by Thursday Morning Music Club. The schedule for the performing musicians is: 10:30 Elma Swain and Agnes
Downie (Piano) 11:00 Simplicity Singers 11:30 Balladeers 12:00 Singing Saints of N. Roanoke Baptist Church 12:30 Caroloa Chorus 1:00 TMMC Chorus 1:30 Bonnie Todenhoft (Piano) 2:15 Home School Chorus 3:15 The Hall Trio (Strings)
4:00 TMMC Junior Clubs 5:15 Southland – Bob Maiden (Country) 6:00 Pantasia 6:45 Our Lady of Nazareth Choir National Music Week occurs each year during the first complete week in May, Sunday through Sunday. This is the 85th year for the observance that began in 1824
RRHA receives HUD grant for services
The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced award of a $350,000 grant to the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) for the expansion of supportive services to public housing residents. The Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) Elderly/Persons with Disabilities Program grant will provide funds over a three year period for expansion of coordination, referral, and service delivery for residents who are elderly or who have disabilities at Melrose Towers and Morningside Manor apartment communities. The grant will also provide funding to continue the resource center with computer
> BBQ said. Caldwell’s career in barbeque began while he was in school in Tennessee. While in college he, his brother and a group of friends began cooking competitively on a team at events around the area like Memphis in May. “We just had a group of guys who all just loved smoking pork and shoulders,” Caldewell said. “While we did take it sourously it was just a heck of a good time.” Caldwell said of his group of friends that were on the team, five or six have actually made a career out of the barbecue business. While the competition and comrade were good, a career in restaurants pulled Caldwell to Roanoke in 1992. His brother continued cooking competitively for 15 to 20 years and is now a judge for those events.
labs and add transportation services for program purposes. “RRHA is very pleased to receive this grant,” said Glenda Edwards, RRHA’s Executive Director. “This funding will allow significant expansion of supportive services to allow residents of public housing who are aging or living with disabilities to achieve improved quality of life and independence.” The Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority was created by the City of Roanoke in 1949 under the provisions of the United States Housing Act of 1937, and operates under the direction of a seven-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Roanoke City Council. RRHA
is an independent, political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia with three primary responsibilities to the citizens of Roanoke: to provide housing and homeownership opportunities and to accomplish neighborhood revitalization; to take a leadership role in providing programs and resources for residents that promote and encourages selfsufficiency, self-esteem and self determination; and, to maintain a leadership role in fostering economic development and job opportunities through redevelopment. RRHA currently owns and manages nearly 1,300 units of public housing and administers approximately 1,500 units of Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
From page 1 Caldwell’s two restaurants have found a following here in the Valley and his website has helped to draw fans from around the country. Caldwell said he recently received a call from a group in Portland, Ore. who ordered barbeque on a monthly basis for tastings. He said they had found the website but couldn’t find a way to order the ribs. Caldwell said he’s in the process of fixing it. Soon, fans of his food will be hard pressed to be more than two days from Henry’s barbeque. He said he’ll have a set up that allows him to ship food via FedEx (another Memphis institution) to anyone across country. He’s also working on bottling his rubs and sauces and bagging his potato chips. The chips will come in flavors like ranch, old bay, hot rub, bbq seasoning and cinna-
> Bray
mon sugar. He’s also working on barbecued popcorn. “We’re just trying to expand on the Henry’s Memphis BBQ brand,” Cadwell said. As good as Memphis is at roundball, the city is a slice of heaven for those who love barbecue. Caldewell said there are more barbecue restaurants in Memphis than all the fast-food restaurants combined. “That’s close to heaven right there,” Caldwell said. “Those are some people who know good flavor and flavor profiles.” But what about feeding the entire valley in the case of a Tiger victory? “We’ll just see who lines up,” Caldwell said, “right?”
By Lawson Koeppel lkoeppel@theroanokestar.com
From page 1
pounds of toxins into the air in 2004, throughout the Roanoke Valley. For more information go to www.epa.gov/tri/. Akzo Nobel is a world-wide corporation that employs thousands of people, and in one country their reputation on this issue has been even worse. In a lawsuit brought forth by the Dutch Ministry in 2004, they publicly accused Akzo Nobel of causing serious pollution problems in their country. The Dutch government claimed they had to clean up 15 polluted sites as a result of Akzo Nobel’s business practices. The total cost of the clean-up was over $34 million dollars according to the ministry. The history of accusations and lawsuits against Akzo Nobel by the Dutch ministry go back all the way to
1954. In retrospect, most large corporations that have a history of producing pollution, have, within the last few years, worked hard to become “environmentally friendly”, at least publicly. Akzo Nobel is no exception. But is an image building P.R. campaign going to be enough to convince consumers they are now leading the environmental fight for our planet? Will Akzo Nobel take real steps to stop polluting our region? James Bray is quick to point out some of their accomplishments: “Akzo Nobel has been environmentally conscious and responsible, and is ranked number one on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. They’ve produced products that have helped conserve the world’s
> Nash
By Michael Beaulieu info@theroanokestar.com
10-22-07
From page 1
population grow to 100,000 because of the benefits, both economic and in the form of aid, which could be derived. Nash was one of 22 people who applied for the position that opened when Alfred Dowe, Jr. stepped down from his seat on council after it was uncovered that he billed the city and state for the same travel charges. He finds it interesting if not ironic that that he will now serve on the
natural resources time after time. One product produced by Akzo, called Selective Removable Coating, removes old built-up paint / coatings on airplanes. This adds up to thousands of pounds taken off the plane, and that saves fuel. Akzo Nobel has also produced a floor coating that will last for 25 years,” said Bray. In defending his company’s track record, Bray cited many more ways they’ve helped in the area of environmental conservation, and invites the public to go to their website’s sustainability report link to see for themselves. To view the report, go to www.akzonobel.com.
top local governing body. “I’ve never trusted government. I’ve been complaining about government for years. I trust people, individuals, but never government . . . I’m an independent thinker and I will maintain that.” Nash served on the Roanoke City School Board from January 2004 to June 2007. By Lawson Koeppel lkoeppel@theroanokestar.com
by Charles Tremaine. Music has been important throughout history. It exerts a leading influence on our everyday lives and has become a powerful means to deepen our worship, express patriotic fervor, and add a joyous atmosphere to happy occasions. You may call President Judy Barger, 563-4782 to learn more about the club.
TIES will be presented at The Jefferson Center Tickets: $30 adult | $17 ages 18 and under Call (540) 345-2550 or www.jeffcenter.org
www.depaulfamilyservices.org
Southwest Virginia Ballet P.O. Box 3275 Roanoke, VA 24015
Relive railroad history with “TIES”. Audiences
“Overcoming Challenges & Building Brighter Futures”
of all ages will be thrilled with this lively collage of film, music, and dance. This unprecidented collaboration with the
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O. Winston Link Museum, musician David Austin, and artist Nancy Stark is
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Call us in Roanoke at 540.265.8923 or in Christiansburg at 540.381.1848
Local Crossword Puzzle! Across 1Roanoke's French sister city (7) 4Group of whales (4) 6A point travelling to infinity in only one direction (3) 7Local college in the wrong city? (7) 9a husbandman; a cultivator; or a plowman (6) 10Circles the zoo and has only had one accident (7) 11Those who do crosswords all the time (11) 14Fence of bushes (5) 16French flower (5) 17Cleopatra's slayer (3) 19The month after February (5) 20To separate metal from ore (7) 22It glows inside our city limits (4) 24The fourth month of the year (5) 25A new manner of thinking in order to protect our environment (5) 27It grows into another plant (4) 28Flexible tube (4) 31Tilt (4) 32The rays of the Sun (8) 33The organic process of bearing flowers (8) 34Perennial bulbous herbs having linear or broadly lanceolate leaves and usually a single showy flower (5)
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By Don Waterfield 35To pour or shower down from above (4) 37Latest garden visitor to Roanoke and not always welcome (10) 39Mountain in our city limits (4) 40A horse known for stamina and versatility (7) 41Our late beloved elephant (10) 42Pagoda (6) Down 1Safe haven for teens Downtown (14) 2One of our famous neons (8) 3Manure (10)
5They swam in the basement of the Crystal Spring Building (8) 8Father of the US Navy (5) 12Our mountain range (12) 13A natural reason for Roanoke? (4) 15Library park (7) 16A poetic rhythm which imitates the rhythm of speech (6) 18Narcissus plants having yellow flowers with a trumpet-shaped central crown (8) 21First local flower of Spring (9)
23Animal bed (5) 26An implement used by the batter (8) 29A wind from the east (6) 30Search engine or the act of internet searching (6) 32Lawn rehydrator (9) 36What Virginia is for (6) 37A natural flow of ground water (6) 38Round root (4)
Have a clue and answer you’d like to see? email: puzzles@ theroanokestar.com
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Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 4/4/08
PersPective
Front porch view is first rate
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he coming of spring at our house is not measured by length of day or temperature. It is not the blooming of Coltsfoot (come far too early this year) or pinking of the buds at the tips of trees along Nameless Creek that signals spring to us. The first day of spring has arrived at our house on the afternoon or evening of the first meal of the year on the front porch. This year, it was she--the irresistible force--who insisted: Let's eat outside! And I--the pseudo-immovable object: it's too cool yet, and everything is wet from the rain. But there’s a break in the storm, the air warms suddenly, but more rain is coming. A flannel shirt for the evening is just enough. Before she comes to sit, I stand and listen. Beneath the raucous sound of the creek, spring hums underground. I feel it through my slippers, in the soles of my feet. This month is to June as early morning is to noon: there is not much color or warmth yet in the days or the year. But the sun rises sooner and stays longer, beaming layers of pigment onto the diluted palette of February. The late March breeze carries the earth-sweet scent of warm-
ing soil, tousles the in South Dakota, the spindly spicebush just storm passed over starting to bud along us, crashing it's way the creek. toward the badlands. The pasture grass is For being so very smooth as a putting close and loud, it green painted butterwas but a brief exclascotch, pressed down mation, monotone, by winter, flat as pantwo dimensionalcake batter. Five black -a sheet of sound crows move erratidropped down hard Fred First cally back and forth against prairie flat across the field like ice and open to the hoskaters, leaning forward, arms rizon in every direction. But in tight against their sides, glid- our mountain valley, thunder is ing in the twin choreography of a discourse, declaration and rehunger and curiosity. There is a buttal, ridge beyond ridge. blessed peace in watching this CLAP! And we hold to our panorama from the stage of our warm bowls, listening. Mounown front porch. tain Thunder in stereo, reverIn bowls on our laps, the berating with more than mere steaming casserole (with the percussion: antiphonal thunder chicken we canned ourselves kettle drums answered by two last fall) warms us even while or more pair of tympanis back the winds follow the storm on Lick Ridge, set at fifths. Tonsouth, down beyond the end of al heavy hammers strike steel the pasture, surging like a wave against steel out beyond Copper out across the Blue Ridge, spill- Hill. Sound sent out and back ing down into the piedmont again, modulated, amplified, and beyond. Behind the wave, a and moving away. The pinkneon strobe of pink flashes in the orange cumulus spills down the near-dark. Thunder follows by great escarpment toward Caroand by, the sluggish complaint lina as Goose Creek rises clear of the instant light and heat that and cold, to its own water muspoke it. There: the copper-pen- sic. ny smell of lightning. Appreciative and silent, we And listen: how very Appala- take our empty bowls inside. chian this thunder. Remember: Contact Fred at fred1st@gmail.com
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Old-fashioned learning
have quite a few old things in my house, and many of these relics of time-goneby bring to mind memories of how much life has changed. Most of these ‘old items’ come from old attic finds or friends who are cleaning out basements or attics. I have them around because I love to watch the reactions of visiting children as they discover how things work. Typically they are drawn to them in order to figure them out and see what they are used for and why. This is an invitation into curiosity. Most parents will kindly say, “Don’t touch that.” But I will quickly say, that is why it is there. There isn’t much they can do to hurt it. When children notice the rotary telephone in my hallway, they wonder aloud if it works, and then ask to be shown just how to dial a number, hardly believing that one such machine could have been used in my lifetime. I usually help them call a ‘real person’ to prove that it does work, and they remark, ‘cool’ when they really hear a voice on the other end. On a nearby table, just the right size for a standing four year old, I have a manual typewriter with a black cloth ribbon and keys that pop up with each alphabet key pressed. The return bar moves with bumps and squeaks. The paper moves up
the roller with a knob dren. This may mean that turns. There that our homes are not are so many moving always “show-ready” parts, one can hardly with everything in its believe the cause and place. It may mean effect wonder that that instead of tossing a child experiences. out that old toaster, we Jamming up the keys let our children take as they pile up on one it apart with a screwanother is the only driver and pliers. hazard of this great (After explaining the Diane Kelly machine, and that danger of electricis quickly cleared up when the ity and removing the cord of piled up keys are pulled away course!) It may mean that this from one another. The other summer we pick up something in wonder that dazzles children is someone else’s trash pile to build the clothes line in the back yard. a fort in the backyard. There are I never knew what an old fash- so many great memories to be ioned thing it was until a young made. child of five years asked, ‘What’s No matter what one says, cuthat?” Her daddy quickly re- riosity is satisfied with engaging marked, “That’s so you can hang in the ‘real thing.’ Video games out clothes to dry.” “Oh, why?” is and TV shows, however close to the usual reply. Yes, I still use the reality they claim to be, are only telephone and the clothes line. spectator adventures. The real The typewriter is just for interest adventures come when ones cuto those who are curious. riosity is engaged with action at No matter what the use, all of the keys, clothes blowing in the these time-gone-by items help breeze of a hot day, or the voice to build a sense of adventure on a machine that looks like a and curiosity in children, not relic from the days of the dinoto mention many adults as well. saur compared to modern life. Curiosity is a wonderful attriChildren’s minds are waiting bute for children. When a child to discover the great adventures is invited to wonder about how that await them. This summer, things work and what things can let them explore. Let them build. do, the child is using his/her ca- Let them roam. Let them grow. pacity to learn and grow. Contact Diane at Curiosity is an attribute that dianekelly@gmail.com we must encourage in our chil-
The wonders of a walk through spring
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t’s a special wonder . . . at least for me . . . when the first day arrives and you know that Spring (the capital is intentional) is at hand. To be sure, there may be snow, ice and meteorological grunge still to come, but the calendar says the season is here and when the weather agrees it’s a double delight. Today filled the bill on both counts: Yesterday was the day of record and now the weather caught up with the idea just one day late. I decided that I should take advantage of the happy confluence, so off to find evidence of my favorite time of year I set myself. Too early, by far, for a drive, much less a walk in the surrounding mountains. It will be weeks before they get the message. A quick survey showed little arboreal activity but even so I settled for a walk along the river. By way of background, one needs a little river history. Our local river is not the Rhine but it does have its merits. Years ago it was the repository for industrial waste. Particularly odious was the daily dumping of an upstream tannery. While they may have made excellent leather, the byproducts of offal rendered the river an open sewer. Other industries, in the spirit of community, added their toxic wastes by the ton. Although no one ever mentioned it, in my childhood I suspected our annual polio epidemics, through which we fearfully lived, found their beginnings from those fly-infested waters. Long before the words Aecology@ or Aenvironmental impact@ had ever been strung together in a sentence, the city fathers decided to clean up the river. The process was made simpler by the fact the tannery went out of business. Purification took decades. It was
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aided by the donation of the riverside drive. Whatever faults Wiley Jackson may have had, he deserves remembrance for his generosity in giving the roadway that bears his name. And it all worked. Now the river has parks along the banks and it flows into a semi-pristine lake south of the city with its 600 mile shoreline - a recreational resource that single-handedly transformed the sagging economies of Franklin and Bedford counties. Some day, probably not in my lifetime, there will be a walking/bike trail that runs all the way from Salem to Smith Mountain Lake. Even now there is a greenway that traverses more than six miles. Back to the thought at hand: My celebration of Spring. I eased myself into my walking mode at the upstream end of Wasena Park. Despite the recent bench-cutting to control flood waters, an activity that was loudly opposed by some environmentalists, I was greeted with a pleasant scene. Dozens of hundred-year old oaks remain. Most of the trees that were removed were sycamore and junk growth along the bank. The river water was rushing and clear. The air was warm and the banks were dotted with fishermen (or fisherpersons, to be politically correct). Unhappily, most of them looked as though they were in pursuit of
their supper rather leading the way with than enjoying a her long blond hair sporting event. That swaying and swoopdampened my ebuling with each easy lience somewhat. stride. “They must As I walked along, surely be dancers,” I I saw the river and thought. Their arms its banks had been swung gracefully ravaged by more in counter-cadence than backhoes, excawith their legs, giving vators, and chain them the appearHayden Hollingsworth saws. Flood waance of somehow ters may have had having escaped a purging effect but they also leave gravity. behind the detritus of everything Soon they were out of sight, it has brought from upstream. but returned from the opposite Along the banks and on the is- direction some minutes later. Our lands, trees were laden with junk paths crossed a number of times of various descriptions, and many in the hour that I walked. Toward were laid over with enough plas- the end, the terrier had tired and tic bags, beer carriers, and tires to his owner was carrying him in her weaken my enthusiasm still fur- arms, snuggled against her chest, ther. Maybe I should have waited but the skater still moved as easily for the Science Museum=s wild- and happily as ever. If that terrier flower tour. has ever considered the possibilThen the springtime epiphany ity of an afterlife, I doubt he could which I had been seeking magi- improve on what was happening cally appeared. I heard it before I right at that moment. saw it: A whirring sound from beEven though the river walk hind me that I could not identify. was less than I had hoped for, the Before I could turn to look, they youthful exuberance of those skatsailed by me: Two astoundingly ers left me light-hearted. That=s youthful and lithe young women the best part of spring: The feeling on inline skates. From their grace- that all things will be made new fulness, it was obvious this was not and I can choose to be a part of it. the first time they had done this. One had a Jack Russell terrier on Contact Hayden at a leash who was racing effortlessly jhayden2003@cox.net along beside his owner; the other
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 Editor | Lawson Koeppel | lkoeppel@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Advertising Dir. | Vickie Henderson | advertising@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Technical Webmaster | Don Waterfield | rpgivpgm,r@gmail.com | 400-0990 Star: to lift up that which is right, real and genuine about our community – the people and events that make us who we are – the real spirit of Roanoke that past residents and leaders have worked hard to create, that points us towards the bright and shining future that we all desire for our valley. Sentinel: to guard the truth, with consistent and complete coverage of key local issues that provides balanced reporting and equal editorial opportunity. To fully tell all sides of a story so that readers can make their own informed opinions, and express them to positively impact others and our community. 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 ar ticles 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 adver tised in this newspaper are available on an equal oppor tunity basis.
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4/4/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5
Random violence becoming our biggest threat A
friend of mine was driving along U.S. 460 from West Virginia into Giles County last Friday afternoon when a state trooper whipped past her with his lights flashing. Another followed and then another and another and another and another. Then she saw four state police barreling the other way, back toward West Virginia. Then she noticed a helicopter, and realized, first, that she had seen police cruisers 11 in all -- from both states, in both states. By then, she had long since sent up a prayer that nothing had gone wrong at Virginia Tech. She later learned, of course, that a certain Steve Branscome
require more than of Floyd County altreatment at a hoslegedly had fled in a pital, after which stolen car when he Hughes was resaw Virginia Trooper leased. Richard Hughes as he A subsequent went to serve a warrant news story included at a house in the bora quote to the efder town of Glen Lyn. fect that Branscome Hughes had no gripe didn’t want to go with Branscome, who Joe Kennedy back to jail -- ever. was wanted in several That made a lot of counties for allegedly stealing guns and threatening people, including me, think, “If someone on the phone. But he doesn’t want to go back to Branscome reportedly fired six jail, why doesn’t he stop stealing or seven shots at Hughes after guns and cars and shooting at wrecking the stolen car he was policemen?” Allegedly, of course. driving and fleeing on foot. It also made a lot of people, One bullet struck the officer in the neck, but thankfully, his in- including me, ever more conjury was not serious enough to vinced that life increasingly
Growing a spiritual garden
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pring has arrived in my yard! The daffodils and tulips are up. The grass is turning green. There is a symphony of birds singing as I go out in the morning to get the paper. I love this time of year! And look forward to digging in my yard. I have a beautiful garden in my back yard that I inherited when I bought the house. My office over looks it and I and I am entertained by the chipmunks, squirrels and birds. I am inspired by the natural beauty that comes with the dogwoods, azaleas, rhododendrons, and the perennials like lilies and iris. I also like to plant annuals that will provide color all summer long. Since I travel so much there are only a few days I can devote to the garden and I “go for broke” when I get one of those days. I try to do everything all at once ending up with a sore back and sunburn. But I am so proud of it when it is all planted. (We won’t talk about the on-going need to stay ahead of the weeds and bugs.) Once planted, I look with great satisfaction on my handiwork and design. One year I planted a bunch of impatiens. I knew they would grow and flourish where I planted them and looked forward to seeing them thrive. They are easy flowers and I am the kind of gardener that needs “easy”. But as each day went by I saw them begin to shrink – not grow. They looked pitiful. I watered them but that didn’t seem to help. Oh, it kept them alive but they weren’t growing.
I pulled the weeds I’ve done the right and tilled the soil. things that would The flower bed seem to promote looked nice but the growth. And yet plants still seemed my spirit seems to continue to withto wither. I don’t er. I was afraid they see any growth. were going to die! I fret and double This went on for a my efforts to do few weeks and I was the “right” things. very disappointed. I talk with my Ruth Graham Not only that but friends about the I was discouraged situation needing that all my hard labor was not help and inspiration. But slowyielding much in the way of the ly it dawns in me that I need a beauty I had looked forward to. boost of “fertilizer”. It has been My expectations were wither- so much self effort. I have been ing along with my flowers. doing what I was “supposed” to In need of inspiration and do – out of a sense of duty not help I visited my local garden out of relationship. center. As I entered my eyes I have not asked God into the spotted a shelf of fertilizer. I process. figured it could only help. I God wants you and me to bought some that was water be in the spiritual gardening soluble and went home and process together – to be in reapplied it to my pitiful flow- lationship with Him. He is not ers right away. I won’t say that as interested in what we do it happened overnight but very but that we just “be”. The key soon I began to see a marked person for this relationship to change in the flowers. They grow and thrive is the person of perked up. They grew. They the Holy Spirit. It is God’s Spirblossomed. They thrived. it that fertilizes – He has all the I began to think about it. The nutrients we need for our spiriBible speaks often of gardens tual growth. He feeds us from and garden images. It all start- the Word of God, He nourishes ed in a garden – the Garden of our relationships with others. Eden. Jesus taught great truths He gives meaning to the efforts by using gardening as an illus- we make in our faith commutration: the branch abiding in nity. In reality, He has done it the vine (John 15), the parable all. We just have to invite Him of the good soil (Matthew 13). into the process. My spirit life is like a garden. What does your spiritual garI tend it carefully by doing all den look like today? Maybe you the “right” things for it to flour- need to stop working so hard ish: I attend church regularly, I and ask God’s Spirit to water pray fervently. I confess sin. I and fertilize your spirit so that read my Bible daily. I am nice you can flourish and grow – to my neighbors and strangers producing wonderful fruit for at Walmart. I tithe faithfully. His glory.
Protecting Our Children First Act reauthorizes NCMEC
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t has become almost com- the House of monplace to turn on the Representatives overwhelmevening news or visit an ingly passed the Protecting online news source and see Our Children Comes First Act, the headlines detailing a ter- which reauthorizes the Narible crime involving a child. tional Center for Missing and While most of us shudder at Exploited Children (NCMEC). the thought of a child being The National Center, which harmed, each year hundreds was started in 1984, is a publicof thousands of children are private partnership that has victims of abuse, worked on more neglect, or viothan 137,000 missRep. Bob Goodlatte lence. ing children cases It is time that with a child recovwe take back our communities ery rate of over 96 percent. Its and strengthen protections for mission includes preventing our children. child abduction and exploitaAs a member of the Congres- tion, finding missing children, sional Missing and Exploited assisting victims and their famChildren’s Caucus, I have long ilies, and operating the national been concerned about the safety CyberTipLine, which has led to of the most vulnerable among the arrest of thousands of onus. The caucus has worked to line predators. build awareness around the isThe Protecting Our Children sue of missing children, and to Comes First Act doubles the create a cohesive voice in Con- amount of funding available gress on the issue so that we for the National Center and might introduce and pass legis- helps ensure they have the neclation that will strengthen law essary resources to continue enforcement, community orga- protecting our nation’s chilnizing and school-based efforts dren. This funding increase to address child abduction. comes at a critical time for the Recently, with my support, National Center for Missing
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and Exploited Children. In just the last ten years, their CyberTipLine, has seen a significant increase from 3,500 reports to more than 110,000. Additionally, the House passed the Securing Adolescents from Exploitation Online Act, also know as the SAFE Act. This important legislation increases the penalties for Internet service providers (ISPs) that host child pornography on their servers. The penalties for ISPs who fail to report child pornography will increase from $50,000 to $150,000 for the first instance and from $150,000 to $300,000 for each additional incident per day that the material is on the Internet. We cannot allow violent criminals to continue to prey on our children. Both the Protecting Our Children Comes First Act and the Securing Adolescents from Exploitation Online Act will increase the necessary resources to keep our children safe. Our children are our most precious assets and we must do everything in our power to stop them from becoming victims of violent predators.
seems to be a matter of chance, and that the greatest hazard that many of us face every day is the random human perpetrating inexplicable harm upon innocent others. Seung-Hui Cho took out 32 people, plus himself, at Virginia Tech almost a year ago, and we still reel at the possibility that something else might happen. Through a variety of alleged actions, one Steve Branscome keeps the law on his tail - he is still loose as I write this - and then compounds his eventual punishment significantly by wounding a law enforcement officer. Drunk drivers, hot-tempered strangers and drug users and
dealers who will stop at nothing to get what they want, do inexpressible harm every day and innocent victims and their families and friends suffer for the rest of their lives. These words can be dismissed as the dour observations of an aging citizen, who could benefit from a prescription for Prozac, but I have two kids in their 20s, and they share my view. The Virginia Tech shootings affected them because they were close to it. But other catastrophes, including the sudden, unexpected death of a friend and fellow graduate, as well as the worrisome illness of another friend, have already made them aware
that life - even and maybe especially for the young - can be severed by unpredictable forces invisible to everyone. All too often, those unpredictable forces are other people. My point? Only that every story worth telling has trouble in it, and every life is a story worth telling. Even, much as I hate to say it, Seung-Hui Cho’s and one Steve Branscome’s. They remind us to live right and pray hard, because we have no control in this world over the thing that constitutes our most odious threat - randomly falling prey to the criminality of others.
Contact Joe at pilarcik2@cox.net
General Assembly legislation update
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hope to give you some additional s the 2008 Session of has been signed by the Governor. House Bill 1489: Foster care information on this important bill the General Assembly comes to a close I want plan; eliminates requirement for in a future column. This bill has to take the opportunity to bring child placed out of his home be passed the House and Senate and you up to date on the actions we filed by public agency. Eliminates is awaiting the Governor’s signahave taken in an attempt to better the requirement that a foster care ture. Commission on Youth: House serve the citizens of the Roanoke plan for a child not placed out of Valley and the Commonwealth his home be filed with the court. Bill 1131: Children’s Ombudsman, Currently, such agen- Office of; created, report. Office of as a whole. It is an honor cies must file a foster the Children’s Ombudsman. Creand privilege to serve you William Fralin care plan with the ates the Office of the Children’s in the House of Delegates. court when placing a Ombudsman to provide ombudsI am blessed to have the opportunity to represent your in- child through an agreement with man services, including investigaterests and concerns. I assure you the child’s parents or guardians tion of complaints, advocacy, and I am doing the best job I can to re- where legal custody remains with the provision of information for the parents or guardians. In these children, parents, and citizens inflect your opinions and wishes. The 2008 General Assembly situations, there is no need for the volved with child-serving agencies. Session has been exciting and very courts to be involved in parental This bill has passed the House and demanding. It is always my great decisions. This bill has passed the Senate and has been signed by the pleasure to have the opportunity House and Senate and is awaiting Governor. Mental Health Reform: House to see and meet with many con- the Governor’s signature. Education: House Bill 259: Bill 1144: Temporary detention stituents from home. I can’t tell you how important your input is Students; transferring out of lo- order; magistrate may consider and how much it means to me that cal school division. Students recommendation of examining you will take time out of your busy transferring out of a local school physician, etc. Involuntary comschedule to write, call, e-mail, or division. Requires a local school mitment hearings; factors to coneven come to Richmond to see me division to obtain written docu- sider. This bill sets the evidentiary on issues which you feel passion- mentation of a student’s transfer standards for hearings to involately about. Citizen participation before making a status classifica- untarily commit an individual for is the greatest part of our legisla- tion of transfer in the school’s in- mental health treatment. This bill formation management system. has passed the House and Senate tive process. During the session I introduced This measure ensures the integ- and has been signed by the Govseveral pieces of legislation that rity of graduation rates and builds ernor. House Bill 1251: Institutions of addressed some of the concerns on my efforts to make sure they that I heard from you in the dis- are measured uniformly across higher education; notification of trict. Below is a list of some of the the state. This bill has passed the mental health treatment. Requires bills that I introduced and their House and Senate and has been the board of visitors or other govsigned by the Governor. erning board of any public inresult. House Bill 1135. Public schools; stitution of higher education to Transportation: House Bill 147: Transportation Plan; to include student’s voluntary expression of a establish policies and procedures regional goals and performance religious viewpoint. Expression of requiring the notification of a parmeasures for highway districts. religious viewpoints in the public ent of a dependent student when Statewide Transportation Plan. schools. Provides that a student’s such student receives mental Requires VDOT to collect and re- voluntary expression of a reli- health treatment at the institution’s port certain statistical information, gious viewpoint on an otherwise student health or counseling censo that regional transportation permissible subject must be not ter and the student is found to be plans will be developed in addi- be discriminated against by local a danger to himself or others. This tion to the current statewide plan. school divisions. This measure bill is incorporated into HB1005, This bill has passed the House and protects our religious liberty and passed the House and Senate and the status is pending at the time of helps teachers define appropriate has been signed by the Governor. expression of religion in schools. I this letter. Foster Care: House Bill 149: Independent living services and independent living arrangements. This bill requires, for children aged 16 years and older that the child’s needs and goals in specified areas are included in the written foster care plan for that child. This reform will make sure that everyone is well informed of these plans. This bill has passed the House and Senate and has been signed by the Governor. House Bill 1141: Foster care; independent living services. Any person who was committed or entrusted to a local board or licensed child-placing agency may choose to discontinue receiving independent living services any time before his 21st birthday. This bill requires the local board or licensed childplacing agency to restore independent living services at the request of that person provided that the person has entered into a written agreement to opt back in less than 60 days after independent living services have been discontinued. Just as we all sometimes need to re-evaluate life decisions, so do foster care children. This bill has passed the House and Senate and has been signed by the Governor. House Bill 1143: Foster care; visitation rights for birth siblings. Grants circuit courts and Fast • Clean • Affordable juvenile and domestic relations & 100% Dust Free district courts the authority to Dust Free Wood Floor grant visitation rights to siblings, Refinishing for Residential, in addition to the natural parents Commercial and Sports and grandparents, of any child Applications. entrusted or committed to foster care. This common sense reform makes sure siblings remain in touch with each other when they Shields Jarrett & Greg McCorkindale have been separated. This bill has (540) 314-5168 • sjarr7@aol.com passed the House and Senate and
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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 4/4/08
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have often heard that the demise of southern hospitality is due to indoor air conditioning. With the introduction of this luxury, we 25 1 lostPMthePage tradition of front porch living. It became more comfortable to be inside in the cool air then to be on the porch where inevitably we saw more of our neighbors and kept in better touch with those many lives going on around us. Fewer homes began being built with front porches and the distance grew between neighbors to the point that we hardly know those that live only houses away. It is an interesting notion that I am sure has some truth, but there is a modern day dilemma related to technological
advancement that is even more dire. No this is not where I rail on computers and technology and describe how they are evil and we should still be reading by candlelight. It is however, where I encourage parents to unplug their children. An unfortunate consequence to the mass use of email, instant messaging and more recently text messaging and the development of electronic entertainment is the decline in our children’s social skills. By social skills I mean the ability that one has to initiate, develop and maintain social interaction and direct communication with another. I am faced daily with children who do not have or do not know how to use
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the basic skills needed like no big deal and to maintain even the electronic commumost basic of convernication and entersations. Most of these tainment is just this children and teenagers generation’s fad, have a common thread but what is missed of being too technois that not only do logically involved. these children sufMost communication fer socially but also is electronic by way of emotionally. Chilemail or text and few dren who are less Keith McCurdy relate having regular socialized often see conversations the old the world as unfair, fashion way…talking. frightening and even confusing. It is pretty sad when a child Much of the time this pushes a would rather text than pick up child even deeper into avoiding the phone and actually talk to socialization and interaction a friend. And much of the en- with others. tertainment that these children More than half of the chilpursue is computer or game dren I see professionally suffer system driven. Often the so- from a lack of healthy socializacial event is getting on line and tion. Yet what has brought them playing Halo or World of War- into my office is some form of craft. To some this may sound emotional distress. Once these
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h yeah, this was a great idea, I muse, while biting my lip. We’re careening through the streets of Hanoi in a cyclo, that pedal-powered three-wheeled taxi ubiquitous to cities in this part of the world. I’m with Scott, a Peace Corps volunteer whom I’ve recently met. Riding across town in the cyclo was not my idea, but I gave in to Scott’s enthusiasm for it. Such a ride is not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure, because in a cyclo one sits up front in a twopassenger seat, the pilot-driver pedaling furiously behind you. It’s as if one is tied to the bow of a ship jutting into the waves, in this case the waves being a myriad of motorbikes, bicycles, and trucks. They are mere inches away. I glance back at our driver and I
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children begin to manage the social world more successfully, that distress dissipates. This ranges from the depressed 10 yr old that does not know how to make friends to the 17 yr old that does not know how to handle conflict with peers. To effectively learn how to handle the real world and real relationships, our children need to operate in the real world and have real relationships. My encouragement is to strike a balance. It is OK for Johnny to play on the computer but limit or balance it with sports, scouts, church, etc. Do not let the computer be a child’s pastime. Encourage your children to have friends over and get involved socially rather than stay relationally detached with email and texting.
As one parent told me recently, “I was amazed at what happened when I took away the computer and cell phone for a month, I got my child back. They played, had friends over, went outside and even talked to us more…they had no choice.” Take this challenge: Remove or decrease by half the amount of time that your children spend with electronics for a month. During that time encourage them to get outside, call a friend on the phone and invite them over, set up a movie and pizza night for you child and friends, etc. It will be interesting to see what changes. Contact Keith at psycyou@msn.com
On the Streets of Hanoi
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am somewhat commer leader’s body is preforted by his serene served and displayed in countenance beneath a glass case. I leap from that dark green “Unthe cyclo and gratefully cle Ho” army hat. pay our driver the 200 I’m in VietDong fare, I’ll be walknam for a dental ing back to my guest teaching assignment, house from here, thank and most of my time you. We join several in the country will be hundred school chilspent in this fascidren in line to parade John W. Robinson nating city. Hanoi is into the mausoleum a wild place, and my and past the great senses are stretched daily. leader in his aquarium. “Uncle This old city has a char- Ho is not looking so good these acter wrought by a unique history days,” I remark to Scott. It seems and a resilient people. Cultures that relations with Moscow have mix, and incongruities abound to deteriorated with the fall of the the uninitiated. Hanoi’s cultural iron curtain, and Uncle Ho has ties to Europe, embedded during been missing his yearly touch-up its colonial period, run deep. The and facial in the former Soviet sights and smells of the conical- Union. hatted women selling baskets Later, I visit the Army Muof fresh French croissants every seum, which is a somewhat rammorning always make me smile. shackle collection of stuff, includThe continental influence is fur- ing pieces of captured American ther seen as the wide, tree-lined war equipment. I note crude Engboulevards and parks with stone- lish translations on plaques here lined lakes, the now-decaying and there, the words “American mansions and administrative Imperialists” and “Puppet Govbuildings. ernment” notable. Yes, it feels Some of the old folks still speak a bit weird at times to be in this French, but the young are more communist country, surrounded likely to know a few English by evidence of destruction by words. Often, I am greeted with my homeland. I notice a group a grin and a “Hi you! Where you of school children being led on from?” My response is usually a tour. The guide is pointing to greeted with more grins of joy, a sculpture made from a pile of not of understanding. Communi- American war wreckage, and I cating is, as expected, a challenge, really wonder what she is saying and my Vietnamese phrasebook about it all. I also wonder how is worthless. The tonal nature of these people feel about me. After the language makes reliable pro- all, it’s impossible to hide the fact nunciation quite difficult, even to that I am American. The thing the most ardent of linguists. At is, however, I am always greeted least I can navigate around town by warm smiles and unabashed with my trusty and tattered Ha- graciousness from everyone I noi map. meet, and these school kids are Scott and I arrive unin- no exception. One little darkjured, miraculously I contend, at eyed girl even runs up and gives our destination, the mausoleum me a flower and a smile, and I of Ho Chi Minh, where the for- bow at her graciousness. Later in my stay I visit the broken walls of the “Hanoi Hilton” the famous prison where many Americans were held during the war. It is being torn down to be replaced by a new hotel. There is some irony there, you’ll have to admit. Truly, the way to see Hanoi is on foot, if one can just get used to the method of crossing the streets! The traffic in the city is dominated by bicycles and
motorbikes; it’s literally a flowing river of wheels, fumes and humanity. There seems to be no traffic control of any kind, and to cross the street one must confidently stride out steadfastly into the thick of it and move smoothly to the other side. Done correctly the traffic flows around the pedestrian, who is like a rock in a stream. The citizens of Hanoi don’t even look at the oncoming traffic as they stroll majestically across the boulevards. It’s really quite amazing, and I’m always more than a little relieved to have completed another crossing. There is a disheveled, decaying feel to this old city which is stark and unsettling at times but more often it’s fun and exciting. The streets are lined with tiny, dark shops, but all the commerce seems to happen on the broad sidewalks, where the light is good and the customers flow. Barbers have their portable outfits set up in the shade of the large elms. There are bicycle and motorbike mechanics on every corner, where they squat and patch tires, tune carburetors, and sell gas in odd-sized, reused plastic bottles. Seamstresses crank on their old foot-powered sewing machines, seemingly oblivious to the chaos around them. And in the city’s Old Quarter one experiences not only amazing sights but also exquisite smells –aromas both pleasing and repulsive but always intoxicating- of fish and fowl, spices and leather, burning plastic and fetid decay. And then there are the exacting men who carve the finely-decorated headstones for the dead and dying. Laboriously working with hammer, chisel, and great concentration, these gentle and stoic men create these most durable works of art. Hanoi’s stone carvers embody the essence of what makes this place so fascinating. The city is quickly chang-a ing as the world grows smaller infu so many ways, but one hopes thata the character, energy and passionfe t of Hanoi will endure.
Contact John ate jwr77@verizon.neta t d h w
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Parks, city code and a lack of vision Dear editor, I’ve been following the soap opera of the ground breaking Mill Mountain commercial development controversy and I decided to dig a little further. With just a few clicks on the Roanoke City website, I found some great info to put this whole debate to rest, one city code article and one city clerk document. City Code: “Sec. 24-103. Definition; purpose.(a) The term “park,” as used in this article, shall mean any land, water, right-of-way, or way owned or managed by the city that is designated in the city’s comprehensive plan as a park, or which is administered by the city as such, including, but not limited to, the Carvins Cove Natural Reserve (as defined in section 35-14), and all of the city-owned lands contiguous to and along the Roanoke River, Mill Mountain, and the Fishburn Parkway and Blue Ridge Parkway.(b) The purposes of the city’s parks include enhancing the health, enjoyment, and quality of life of citizens by preserving and protecting open spaces and the natural environment, the native flora and fauna therein, and historic structures and areas; providing for sustainable active and passive recreational facilities and areas for public use; and contributing to the attractiveness of the community with landscaped and ornamented areas, buffers, and open spaces.” Doesn’t city council know their own city code? Where does this section of code mention a hamburger joint? Furthermore, city council needs a refresher of how past council members recognized Mr. J.P. Fishburn’s remarkable tract of land gift - the following makes it pretty clear as to intended use: “In the council for the city of Roanoke,Virginia, The 28th day of April, 1941. No. 6957. A resolution expressing thanks and appreciation to Mr. Junius B. Fishburn for donating to the City of Roanoke a tract of land to be known as “Mill Mountain Park” for use as a public park and recreational purposes. Whereas, Mr. Junius B. Fishburn has recently donated to the City of Roanoke a tract of land containing approximately one hundred acres to be known as “Mill Mountain Park” for use by the public for park and recreational purposes, and Whereas, the “Mill Mountain Park” is the fifth tract of land donated to the City of Roanoke by
Mr. Junius B. Fishhurn to be used for public parks and recreational purposes, the other tracts being known as “Wasena Park”, “South Roanoke Park”,“Lakewood Park”, and “Norwich Community Park”, Whereas it is the consensus of opinion of the Council of the City of Roanoke that the citizens of this City, both of the present generation and of the generations to come, are and will be singularly blessed and benefited by the far vision, the unselfish devotion, and the beneficent generosity of Mr. Junius B. Fishhurn as reflected in his gifts of parks and playgrounds to this City, and Whereas, it is the opinion of the Council of the City of Roanoke that in his gracious thought for the health, the happiness, and the spiritual and aesthetic wholesomeness of the youth and citizenry of Roanoke, Mr. Junius B. Fishburn has endeared himself to the people of this City, and has once more made known to us by living deed the unobtrusive but everlasting truth that, “To live in mankind is far more than to live in a name”. Therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Roanoke, for and in behalf of the citizens of Roanoke, that there be, and there is hereby extended to Mr. Junius B. Fishburn a sincere vote of gratitude and appreciation for his generosity in donating to the City of Roanoke a tract of land to be known as “Mill Mountain Park” for use as a public park and recreational purposes; also for previous donations of the “Wasena Park”, the “South Roanoke Park”, the “Lakewood Park”, the “Norwich Community Park”, and other gifts to the City. I am no tree-hugger, I like to see progress, but not foolish attempts to “be like everyone else”. City Council has spent tons of money “researching” other cities on how they conduct business (with some council members spending more than others) and they have not quite grasped that Roanoke has an asset that most of these other cities wish they had in their inventory - a mountain range that is almost completely untouched by commercial development. Just go up to the Roanoke Star overlook and observe the valley perimeter, what do you see? Young people, families and citizens alike flock to parks for their outdoor experience - that experience is different for each - from taking a hike on a trail, pushing the kids on a swing or just walking up to an overlook to check out the valley view. Folks do not seek eating establishments for any level of outdoor adventure unless you
are hunting for game to feed your family - and Roanoke has plenty of restaurants.Wasn’t Roanoke at one time hailed as the city with the largest restaurant per capita ratio in the nation? Or was it ketchup consumption? With the decrease of open green space from more and more development (both commercial and residential), where will we go recreate if someone like Mr. Fishburn didn’t donate such a magnificent piece of real estate reserved for recreation? No wonder this gang of realtors and developers drool over such “wasted” green space. If City Council gives the green light to this commercial project on public park land, what will stop these individuals and others from sinking their teeth into parks like Carvin’s Cove,Wasena and Fallon Park? City Council cannot ignore the city code, they need to recognize that its there for a reason – for the protection of just such resources when a interim group of short term “stewards” show up with a complete lack of vision. City Council may have a hard time swallowing its own city code, perhaps it just needs a little ketchup.
A
Narrowing down the city council candidates Dear editor, The list of candidates for council in May election can be narrowed
based on the following: first, scratch Court Rosen based on his side stepping of the Mill Mountain issue. Rosen has been an integral part of Valley Forward which has pushed the project beyond the point of reason - not to mention his / their lack of respect and consideration of the Fishburn family. Mr. Rosen’s disingenuous behavior along with his publicly display of rude and abrasive behavior which I and several neighbors had the unfortunate opportunity to observe last December means no vote from me. Then omit Sherman Lea who hasn’t had the integrity to pay the money owed to one of his campaign consultants - not a trait conducive to inspiring public trust. Then there is Ms. Powell who up until a few days before her announcement was to be the campaign manager for
Joseph Lee, who decided against running. What was her motivation? For me the only viable candidates left for council are Valerie Garner, Brian Wishneff and Anita Price. As for Mayor, Bowers is the clear choice. Suzanne Osborne Roanoke
We are not alone.
Answer to authority, not pet groomers Dear editor, My beautiful, intelligent granddaughter had a terrible experience several days ago when she took her dog to a groomer.When she came back for her dog, the groomer had called a county animal control officer, accusing my granddaughter of neglecting her dog. Instead of the groomer asking questions about the dog, she became the judge and jury. The animal control officer should have taken the time to talk to my granddaughter, but instead he took the groomer’s word for it. He told my granddaughter she could go to jail. I suspect if my granddaughter had been a strong, able-bodied man, the animal control officer would not have said that. He should be ashamed of himself talking to a bright young person like that. The dog is over twenty years old. Dogs have medical problems just as most people do when they become old. My granddaughter ended up taking her dog to a vet, who confirmed that it had medical problems, but did not find signs of neglect.
In response to tragedy, let us make our Star brighter! confront the darkness in life and mark a tragedy like that of April 16…with more darkness? Should we not flood the memorializing of that terrible day with light…with lots of bright, healing and comforting light? Should not “The Star City” instead of darkening its signature sign…its brand, also light tiny stars in memory of those who lost lives that day but whose shining lights could not/can never be extinguished! I think back to what the students did on the drill field the night of the shooting and on the nights that followed. They lit candles. They were silently present to each other. Someone broke the silence with an unrehearsed “Amazing Grace” which quickly spread, as tears were shed and dried and as fears were shared. I remember, too, what our valley did at Victory Stadium the night of September 12, 2001 with the great help and blessing of the city, under the leadership of the Roanoke Valley (interfaith) Ministers Conference. We gathered to proclaim the scriptures - Psalm 27, to be exact, “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear”. We prayed our goodbyes to those who died and to life
My granddaughter will earn her Master’s degree in May. Her mother has always taken good care of the dog while she has been away at school.When she told me about this, I told her, “Welcome to the real world. You will always meet people with two-cents of power, no common sense, yet they are working with the public. So many people think they know everything.Watch out for them.” Josephine Hutcheson Roanoke
Ron Glowczynski Roanoke
PreAcher’s corNer
By Joe Lehman ll through the Lenten season, in addition to entering the spirit and “work” of those wonderull, “purposeful” 4O days, I’m also on the watch for that perect jump off point for the Easter homily (sermon). For example, one year in the early 80’s, because of a darker and colder than usual winter, the lilies, daffodils and tulips didn’t bloom until mid May. A homilist can certainly work with that! As of March 18 this year, the Tuesday before Easter, I had nothing. I was stuck. But that changed that evening when I sat down with that morning’s Roanoke Times. On the front page of the Virginia section a tiny article announced what “The Star City” planned to do on April 16th in observance of the first anniversary of the shootings at Virginia Tech; namely, “to leave the mountain’s 88 ft. neon star turned off”. It’s a noble and touching gesture and one we did “beore when the star was briefly extinguished after the terrorst attacks of September 11, 2001.” It’s a noble and touchng gesture but is it the right one? Why would we want to
4/4/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7
as we Americans knew it. We asked God’s blessing on those doing the work of rescue and recovery and all who supported them. We also lit candles… passing the light- scattering the darkness of the night and the darkness in each other’s lives. It’s what people of faith do! It is better to be together than be alone. “It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness” (cf. The Christophers: www.christophers.org). It’s also what we do for those experiencing personal tragedies too: when loved ones die, when sickness rears its ugly head, when marriages get stalled or fall apart and in times when others are hurt, or are betrayed, or experience great disappointments. We confront the darkness with light. We break the silence with and by our presence. Joe Lehman is Pastor of Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church located at 2505 Electric Rd (Rte 419). You can learn more about OLN’s Ministry at www.oln-parish.org
REJUVENA EJUVENATION EJUVENATI ON SPECIALISTS
There’s a wonderful world around us. Full of fascinating places. Interesting people. Amazing cultures. Important challenges. But sadly, our kids are not getting the chance to learn about their world. When surveys show that half of America’s youth cannot locate India or Iraq on a map, then we have to wonder what they do know about their world. That’s why we created MyWonderfulWorld.org. It’s part of a free National Geographic-led campaign to give your kids the power of global knowledge. Go there today and help them succeed tomorrow. Start with our free parent and teacher action kits. And let your kids begin the adventure of a lifetime. It’s a wonderful world. Explore!
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Schools
Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |4/4/08
TheRoanokeStar.com
T
Roanoke County Schools receive awards for budgeting, finance
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Roanoke County Public Schools for their 2006-07 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The CAFR has been judged
by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR. The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 14,000 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. Additionally, the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) has awarded the Meritorious Budget Award to the
Budget and Finance Department of Roanoke County Public Schools for excellence in the preparation and issuance of the 2007-08 annual budget. The Meritorious Budget Award is only conferred to school systems that have met or exceeded the Meritorious Budget Award Program criteria. ASBO is a professional association of about 5,500 members that provides programs and services to promote the highest standards of school business management practices, professional growth and the effective use of educational resources.
PH grad likes ‘selling’ the theater Patrick Henry High School graduate John Bryant has literally grown up at Mill Mountain Theatre, where the Virginia Tech alum (a theater and English major) is now the public and artist relations coordinator. He stage managed a show at MMT while attending City School, the downtown alternative education center for high school students, and then interned a number of times at Mill Mountain. He can fall back on a teaching degree but admits, “I always wanted to work in theater. It really takes a passion.” He’s excited about marketing Mill Mountain now, telling people that “there’s great stuff here.” Underground Roanoke, started in 2003, presents No Shame Theatre, the improvisational series designed for those that aren’t keen on traditional plays - but musicals and Christmas chestnuts are still a big reason many come. Bryant himself keeps his acting chops up with Big Lick Conspiracy, the acting troupe that is all about improvisation. Bryant was once an acting intern at Mill Mountain and also worked in the scene shop, helping the crew build sets. Bryant did plenty of theater work at Patrick Henry before going on to Virginia Tech, even penning a play in high school. He wrote music for that work and
John Bryant still plays guitar. Bryant used to play in a band but with a two year-old at home and wife April (she teaches social studies at Jackson Middle School) he is plenty busy. Believe it or not some people have never heard of Mill Mountain Theatre or, if they have heard about it, believe it is still located up on the mountain itself- which it was until the theater burned down, beginning an odyssey that wound up at Center in the Square. As part of his job, Bryant now arranges the accommodations for actors traveling in from out of town for productions on the Trinkle main stage or in the Waldron space. Bryant (27) attended Raleigh Court Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Middle School and lived in Winston-Salem N.C. for a year before returning home.
“Like every other kid I couldn’t wait to get out of Roanoke,” he said. “I came back and was really excited about getting a job here at Mill Mountain.” Theater is a different type of entertainment for the ‘You Tube’ crowd, but Bryant said those younger people he does convince to try a play – be it a musical, a drama, farce, etc., generally have a good time. “Sometimes you have to put something out there that’s a little crazy,” said Bryant about what inspires people. “I don’t think any marketing or advertising that plays it safe has ever worked…for art in general.” The new art museum on Salem Avenue should help all the cultural organizations downtown said Bryant. “I think the [new] Art Museum will be great for the arts over time.” In the mean time extolling the virtues of Mill Mountain Theatre is his mission: “sell the theatre. I’ve always been excited about telling people what we do.” Coming up at Mill Mountain Theatre: Tales from the Arabian Nights (April 16-27) and the Norfolk Southern Festival of New Works (May 7-18). See more at millmountain.org
By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net
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4/4/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9
Patriots and Cougars split double-header
Photo by Bill Turner
PH Chad Osterhaus motors around third to score first PH run.
Over the weekend, Patrick Henry played host to Charlotte Catholic (Charlotte, North Carolina). The two teams split the double header with PH winning game one behind the pitching of Clayton Metz and Zach Whitaker. The two combined for a 1 hitter. Game two was taken by the Cougars with a final score of 8-6. The Patrick Henry Boys JV team also split the double header on Friday against CCHS. Patrick Henry began district play on April 1 as they traveled to Franklin County. FC has been playing really good baseball of late and showed it with a 7-1 win over PH.
North Cross, Faith Christian sports
North Cross School
Girls Soccer – The Raiders won their second game of the season with a 4-0 win over Miller School. Senior Teri Edwards scored 2 goals, Hallie Martin and Caitlin Verdu each scored one goal and goalkeeper Elizabeth Stoeckle had her second shut-out of the season. North Cross next plays at Northside on April 4. Baseball – Josh Glitz pitched a complete game and struck out 10 batters in the win over Fishburne
Military Academy. Mark Meyer hit a three run homer in the 3rd inning and Bill Henahan had 2 hits and 2 RBI’s in the 7-2 victory. Girls Tennis – Kendall Patterson, Erin Wynd, Stephanie Crawford and Farrell Irons all won their singles matches and the second and third doubles teams won as the Raiders won their first match of the season against Carlisle 6-3. The team plays next at home against Holy Cross on April 2.
Faith Christian
Girls’ Varsity Soccer Schedule: FCS vs. Roanoke Catholic: Tuesday, April 1 @ 5:30 pm FCS @ New Covenant: Thursday, April 3 @ 5:00 pm FCS vs. Timberlake Christian: Friday, April 4 @ 5:30 pm FCS @ Bath County HS: Monday, April 7 @ 5:00 pm FCS @ Christian Heritage: Tuesday, April 8 @ 5:00 pm
Boys’ Varsity Soccer Schedule: FCS @ New Covenant: Thursday, April 3 @ 5:00 pm FCS vs. Timberlake Christian: Friday, April 4 @ 3:45 pm FCS @ Bath County HS: Monday, April 7 @ 7:15 pm FCS @ Christian Heritage: Tuesday, April 8 @ 5:00 pm
Other PH games coming up: Date 4-04 4-05 4-08 4-11
Game Time Opp. 4:30 Bassett 11:00 Glenvar 5:00 @Northside 5:00 EC Glass
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Fleming linebacker going to UVA Wise Amondre Johnson’s grandmother, Mary Smith, knew it was exactly three hours and 11 minutes to Wise from Roanoke. “I don’t like to travel, but I’ll be there,” she said of the trips to see her grandson play football next year for UVA Wise. She and Amondre’s family gathered in William Fleming’s library Tuesday as the Colonel’s standout signed his paperwork to play for the Owls. “It’s a good family and I’ll get a good degree from UVA,” Amondre said. He said he wanted to study History or Political Science when he arrives on campus with the end goal of coaching. He said he’s even asked about staying on after his playing time at Wise. “I want to give back,” Amondre said. “Everybody’s proud of him,” said Amondre’s father, Don Smith, who said he used to study in the same library used for the signing ceremony. This was UVA-Wise Head Coach Bruce Wasem’s second trip to the valley in a month.
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Amondre Johnson signs to play for UVA Wise. With him are his mother Shantel Brooks, brother Elijha Brooks, father Don Smith, aunt Sylvia Journette, sister Charnel, step-father David Brooks, sisters Trenice, Brittanie Jones, grandmother Mary Smith and Sean Smalls. Wasem signed Amondre’s classmate Macus Bratton three weeks ago. “We don’t mind coming up here as long as we’re getting this quality,” Wasem said. “They’ve got good athletes and good kids. That’s what you’re looking for.”
He said both Colonels have a chance to compete for playing time their first year on campus. Fleming head coach Robert Senseney said Amondre was, “just an unselfish kid and willing to do anything you ask of him.” He said seeing two of his stu-
dents signed shows the work the staff and students have put into the program. “I think it speaks to our kids ability athletically and academically,” Senseney said. By Lawson Koeppel lkoeppel@theroanokestar.com
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Northside Vikings pillage Liberty Something happened to Liberty High School last Friday evening as they played the Northside High School Vikings baseball team. They ran into hard throwing senior pitcher Daniel Motes. The third year starting pitcher/infielder pitched his team to a 10-0 shutout of the Minutemen while allowing only two singles. Motes struck out five while not walk-
ing a single batter. He retired the side in order in three of the five innings. With the help of his senior catcher, Roger Ingraham, one base runner was erased at second on an attempted steal. It is that combination, along with a junior and senior dominated club, that Coach Ed Culicerto hopes will take his team to the State finals in his sixth year as the head baseball coach.
A Northside Viking slides past Minuteman.
After a week off, due to rain and spring break, Northside managed to score in every inning in the 4 ½ inning contest, jumping off to a 3-0 start in the first inning which was highlighted by a double by Andrew Pound and a two run single by Ingraham. Lead-off batter Aaron Divers reached base in all three of his at-bats with a single, a walk, a hit by pitch along with a stolen base. In all, Northside torched Liberty
pitchers for eight hits, including two by Pound. All the Vikings had a chance to hit in the third inning. With the win, Northside evened its record at 2-2 while Liberty dropped to 2-3. The Vikings are back in action at home on Friday April 4th against Christiansburg at 5:00pm. By David Abrahaml info@theroanokestar.com
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Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 4/4/08
> April 3
Kaleidoscope 2008, Art Sale Benefit A unique opportunity to purchase art created by more than 100 professional artists and area students. Patrons will also again be treated to an exhibition by 4 live artists: Judy Bates, Judith R Damon, Marie Gobble Levine, and Kay Sutherland. These artists will rotate among 4 large canvasses. Following the rotation, the cooperative artistic creations will be auctioned off to benefit the CASA program.The art event Kaleidoscope 2008 will include music, great food by Outback Restaurant, beer, wine and soft drinks. When- 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Where- Fitzpatrick Hall, Jefferson Center For more- 540-853-2407, or www.roanokevalleycasa.org. Thursday Morning Music Club April Meeting The program,“A Voyage East across Europe”, will be a concert with piano and two horns. There is no charge for the program and non-members are welcomed to attend.The musicians are Tracy Cowden, pianist and assistant professor of Piano and Vocal Coach in the Music Department at Virginia Tech,Wallace Easter, principal horn player with the Roanoke Symphony and professor in the Music Department at Virginia Tech, and Abigail Pack,
TheRoanokeStar.com
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second horn player with the Roanoke Symphony and associate professor of horn at James Madison University. When- 10:30 a.m. Where- Thrasher United Methodist Church,Vinton,VA For more- Judy Barger, (540)-563-4782
FairTax Educational Meeting Roanoke Area FairTax will have a 30-minute presentation, “The FairTax: Benefits to Seniors”, followed by 30 minutes of questions, answers, and discussion. 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. (sharp) – 7:45 p.m. Where- Edinburgh Square’s Community Room, 129 Hershberger Road NW, near Plantation Road, directly across from Star City Skating Center. Cost- Free For more- RAFT@att.net, www.RoanokeAreaFairTax.com
> April 4
2008 Employee Talent Show The Roanoke City’s 2008 employee talent show includes 15 acts ranging from belly dancing to stand up comedy, impersonations to singing. City employees will take the stage to compete for cash prizes and the title of 2008 Most Talented City Employee. Tickets are $5 for
adults and $3 for anyone with a student I.D., and are available at the Parks and Recreation Office located at 210 Reserve Ave. S.W When- 7 p.m Where- Roanoke Civic Center Performing Arts Theatre For more- Josh Mabrey, Talent Show Chair, at 853-6827.
> April 5
Annual Big Flea Event This enormous “yard sale” has been held for more than 30 years, and is comprised of clothing and household goods donated to North Cross School by families, friends, and area businesses.All unsold items are donated to local charities at the conclusion of the event. When- 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Where- North Cross School For more- 540-989-6641 ext. 271
> April 5-6
Southwest Virginia Ballet Southwest Virginia Ballet is very proud to participate in an unprecedented collaboration with local museums and artists in their production of TIES. A collage of film, music, and dance, audiences will be delighted as dancers ride the rails of railroad history with a vision of the past, present and future in this highly expressive ballet When- April 5 7p.m. & April 6 3p.m. Where- The Jefferson Center Cost- $30 Adults $17 18 and under
For more- Call (540)345-2550 or www.jeffcenter.org
Guest Speaker Patrick Henry Hughes Patrick Henry Hughes, as featured on ABC’s Extreme Makeover, will speak at Faith Christian Church about his experience. When- Sun. 9:30 & 11 a.m Sat. 6 p.m. Where- Faith Christian Church 226 Red Lane Ext Salem,VA 24153 Cost- Free of Charge For more: (540) 387-3200
> April 7
The Cheating Culture Author David Callahan, whom The New York Times has called “a liberal with a new emphasis on old values,” is the featured speaker of this year’s Conference on Business Ethics on Monday, April 7.The conference, in its 18th year, is organized annually by the Business Leadership Center of the Department of Management in the Pamplin College of Business. The event is free and open to the public, no tickets needed. When-7 p.m. Where- Virginia Tech Burress Auditorium For more- sookhan@vt.edu
> April 8
Roanoke Jaycees Meeting The meeting is open to all people age 21 to 40. Members and those with an interest in the Chapter are encouraged to attend.
Membership meetings are used for announcements and discussion of Chapter events, as well as committee planning sessions. Committees include Community Service, Professional Development, Special Events and Social. When- 6 p.m. Where- Jefferson Center, Suite 300 For more- www.roanokejaycees. com
> April 8 & 9
Reflexology III Class When- 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Where- LifeStream Center Cost- $275 each class (minimum 6 students) Registration Required with a $75 non-refundable deposit due 2 weeks prior to classes For more- www.lifestreamcenter. org
> April 10
Lunch ‘N’ Learn: Personnel Matters Bruce Wood, HR director of Miss Utility, will discuss hiring and keeping good employees. Please bring your lunch; cookies and drinks will be provided. When- Noon - 1 p.m. Where- Roanoke Regional Chamber Boardroom For more- 540-983-0717, ext. 239 Elementary and Middle School Information Session Parents looking at schools for fall
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2008 are invited to an Elementary and Middle School information session at Community School. Parents will visit individual classrooms and meet the teachers. Community school is now accepting applications for fall enrollment. When- 7p.m. Where- Community School For more- 540-5635036
> April 11
Presbyterian Community Church Fundraiser Dancing Under the Stars, An evening of music and dancing in support of the Pathways For Youth programs of the Presbyterian Community Center in Southeast Roanoke. When- 7:30 p.m. Where- Vinton War Memorial For more- www.pccse.org or call (540)982-2911
Hokie Volunteer Day This day of service is designed to allow participants to fulfill their 10 hours of pledged community service for the university’s VT-ENGAGE effort through the planting of Hokie flowers and shrubbery. A pizza luncheon will be served When- 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Where- Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center For more- Alumni who are interested in participating in this event should RSVP by e-mail to Marjorie Musick (mzmusick@vt.edu) or call (703) 771-6881 prior to Wednesday,April 9
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> JobzCafe.com
Jobzcafe is a progressive career destination connecting local companies with a dynamic talent pool. We serve Southwest and Central Virginia including Roanoke, Lynchburg, New River Valley, Martinsville, Danville and Smith Mountain Lake. For Information Contact: 540563-2249 MAKE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN leisurely and weekly LEGITIMATELY WORKING FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME.Applicants must be MATURE-MINDED, above 30 years of age and must be computer literate. For more information send an email to: drr_dean_murray01@yahoo.com Caring Foster & Adoptive Parents Needed Big hearts and happy homes needed for children and teens w/ speChallenges & cial needs. Re- “Overcoming Building Brighter Futures” ceive quality training + casework services + financial support. Non-profit agency will match child or teen with your family. Be a turning point in someone’s life. Training sessions beginning soon. For more information, call the following offices: Whether you are an Roanoke 540-265-8923.
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Cool Cheap Stuff Foster parents give hope Place ●●your ad in Cool Cheap Stuff, Foster parents provide a safe haven individual or a couple, for items costing $150growth or less, free! ● Foster parents nurture and self-esteem with or without children, Ambitious? ● Foster parents teach that If they are worthy to be loved you can become a foster Ads are published for children 1 week. item parent and impact a young communication doesn’tDePaul sellrecognizes feel free run it foster again! the to contribution parents $50,000+. make to the next Great person’s life now, and far skillswith: and neat appearance a must. generationStuff of adults DePaul supports foster parents Cool Cheap is and available to priinto the future. There are ● Friendly and thorough training Quality person only apply. Call a lotneed of children who need vate individuals who advertise one ● 24 hours a day / 7 days a week assistance and guidance you. Please call today. item costing $150 less.withCost of loadsB.J. Greene at 434.549.1105 to sched● Experienced socialor workers small case ● Recreational activitiesnumber must item and telephone ule an interview. support appear● inFinancial ad copy. First 10 words are free. Additional 10Callwords are $5.00. After School Program Coordius in Roanoke at 540.265.8923 or in Christiansburg at 540.381.1848 Some restrictions apply. Limit 8 Cool, nator Cheap Stuff ads per month! Part time position with potential for full time; assist with planning, super> Haiku ads vising and managing all aspects of Presbyterian Community Center’s Oceanfront condo, comprehensive after school program, Sleeps six to eight with comfort; Pathways for Youth. This position is Kids will love the pool. responsible for direct supervision of the middle school group comprising Call Steve at 989-130 about 18-20 youth. Requirements: any combination of education and Art Lessons experience equivalent to a bachelor’s private art lessons degree in human services, counseling, drawing ,painting and sculpture education, childhood development or ages 6 and up related field. Two to three years excall Katherine Devine 427-5919 perience working with at-risk youth devinestudios@yahoo.com preferred. Send resume to: Presbyterian Community Center, 1228 JaWant to learn Chinese? mison Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24013 Learn it from a Taiwanese. and/or call 540-982-2911 and speak Call us right away! to Tom MacMichael (submit via email: pathways@pccse.org.) Call Deborah, 776-3087 Tutor Does your grade school child Need a teacher-tutor to Help them stay on track? Call Emily 725-1464 emilym@cox.net Crafts Homemade crafts and such, Children’s aprons, quillows, gifts. Shop “Buy the Season”. Emily,Vendor 1806, 725-1464, emilym@cox.net
Accountant Representative, Sales Representative, Store Keeper, Clerk and Secretary Requirement (Computer Literate, Along With CV.) for more informarion write us below: Gina Shoes Limited EMail: gina.limited@gmail.com Sales Rep New and Pre-Owned Vehicle sales. High income potential with established dealership with great reputation in the Roanoke Salem Area. Income ranges with current staff from $45000 to over $100000 Pinkerton Chevrolet 540-562-1337
smcdaniel@pinkertonchevy.com News Photographer/Editor (pt) Entry-level position for News Photographer to shoot and edit videotape news stories. Experience with broadcast video cameras and editors desired. Must have valid driver’s license with a good driving record. Two-year technical degree preferred. Background and pre-employment drug screen required. WDBJ7 540-344-7000 mtaylor@ wdbj7.com Technical Writer/Software Trainer Qualtrax, Inc. (subsidiary of CCSInc.) is looking for a Technical Writer/ Software Trainer for its compliance management software product. This position will require strong technical writing skills and the ability to conduct training classes for new employees and customers. The ability to coordinate and conduct online training sessions by use of GoToMeeting is a plus. This position will interact with IT professionals, software developers, and regulatory professionals.The candidate must be able to translate very technical information into a training room environment with students of varying levels of expertise. The position will design and develop user manuals, training programs, and assist with customer implementations. Frequent domestic and international travel required. CCS-Inc. 540-3824234 HYPERLINK “mailto:hr@ccsinc.com” hr@ccs-inc.com Front Desk/Clerical/Customer Service Employee will be required to perform related Clerical and Customer Service duties. Good phone skills are needed along with a drive to succeed. Good computer skills needed. Good sense of organization. The desire to help in any capacity to get the job done. Virginia Printwear 540-904-5678 vaprint@prodigy.net Sales Assistant WDBJTelevision is currently accepting applications for a Sales Assistant. This position requires a well-organized person who is capable of multitasking under tight deadlines. Responsibilities include providing support for sales managers and account executives, creating sales proposals and presentations, tracking sales progress and other general office duties. Ideal candidate must be a quick learner with the ability to positively interact with the sales staff, clients, and station departments. Qualifications include excellent communication skills, strong knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Two-year business administrative degree or equivalent experience desired. Background and pre-employment drug screen required. WDBJ7 540-344-7000 mtaylor@wdbj7.com Senior Computer Engineer Candidates must possess strong leadership skills and outstanding technical skills. Responsibilities include ability to resolve complex technical issues, design computer hardware, design and test computer systems, and impact product roadmap strategy. Expertise required in Microsoft operating systems and applications. Unix experience a plus. Excellent communication and customer service skills, innovative thinking, and the ability to manage competing demands. Position requires a B.S. in Computer Engineering or other engineering discipline with an emphasis on Computer Technology
and at least 3 years of experience in a manufacturing or technology field. Masters degree and technical certifications preferred. CCS-Inc. 540-382-4234 HYPERLINK “mailto:hr@ccs-inc.com” hr@ ccs-inc.com Engineer 1 - Site/Civil Design site plans, utilities, storm water management, erosion and sediment control plans under the close supervision of an experienced engineer. B.S. in Civil Engineering, accredited program. 3 years minimum experience. HSMM 540-857-3100 Electronics Technician Second shift openings available. Must be able to understand AC/DC controls, instrumentation, read schematics, control panel. Electrical equipment experience also required. Experience in an industrial setting required. Excellent pay based on experience! Express Personnel 540-389-8978 Engineer 2 - Fire Protection Design of fire suppression systems. Design of fire alarm systems. Design of stairwell pressurization and smoke control systems. Building and life safety code analysis. Multi-discipline design support and project coordination for fire protection related items. Professional licensure when eligible. B.S. in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. Good oral and written communication skills. Good computer skills. HSMM 540-857-3100 Computer Technicians CCS-Inc. is looking for Full-time and Part-time Computer Technicians. These positions will be responsible for the integration and manufacturing of industrial computer systems. The ideal candidates will have a strong background in troubleshooting computer hardware (including PC’s, laptops, & components), software problems and other related issues. Candidates should also possess excellent verbal/written communication skills. One year certificate from college or technical school; or three to six months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred. CCS-Inc. 540-382-4234 hr@ccs-inc. com Mock Trial Jurors 14 associates needed for mock jury trial. Associates can select the day they work- April 7 or 8. Hours will be approximately 9:00-4:00 and pay will be $8 per hour. Must have professional demeanor. Express Personnel 540-389-8978
Call Center Representative Receives telephone inquires and provides information to subscribers, providers, and group administrators regarding their dental benefits. Resolves claim problems, writes up corrections, and watches for claim adjudication of the adjustment. Returns calls to the providers and subscribers. A minimum of one year prior customer service experience. Delta Dental ofVirginia 800-237-6060, Ext. 3302 HYPERLINK “mailto:jobs@ deltadentalva.com” jobs@deltadentalva.com Accounts Payable Clerk - Short Term Local Roanoke company has 6-12 week assignment for an individual who has at least 2 years of recent accounts payable experience. Must
be familiar with Word and Excel and have good data entry experience. Experience with ADP preferred but not required. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. $10/Hour. This could be evaluation to hire for the right person. Express Personnel 540389-8978 Support Technician Are you looking for an exciting fastpaced job in a dynamic atmosphere which allows you to grow and develop your skills while at the same time helping others in need? Qualtrax, Inc. (subsidiary of CCS-Inc.) is looking for a Support Technician to interact with internal and external customers to help troubleshoot, identify, and resolve software and training issues. Communication may be in the form of phone calls, emails, and GoToAssist meetings. Bachelors Degree in Computer Information Systems or the equivalent of 5 years of experience required. CCS-Inc. 540-382-4234 HYPERLINK “mailto:hr@ccs-inc. com” hr@ccs-inc.com Engineer 1- Mechanical Prepare basic deliverables and products such as presentation materials, calculations, drawings, specifications, cost estimates related to heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. AutoCAD and/or MicroStation drafting experience. B.S. in an accredited engineering program. HSMM 540-857-3100 Part-Time On Call Receptionist Great local company requires a parttime receptionist to work in office on two Saturdays per month from 12:30-6:00, and also to be on-call to cover vacations and/or sick days as needed. No computer skills required, but must be reliable and professional and communicate well. Will train in the evenings prior to first Saturday of work. Rate is $8.50/hour. Long term assignment. Express Personnel 540389-8978 Engineering Technician This person will work with experienced Hardware Engineers to perform complex PCB modifications, review assembly drawings, build test platforms, and assemble products. This person will also be called on to help engineers with their Hardware Acceptance Testing especially environmental tests. In addition this person will be called on periodically to help the Design Verification team perform Systems Acceptance Testing of our products An Associates degree in Electronics, Computer Science, or IT is preferred. * Telecommunications or IT experience a plus. JDSU 240-404-2211 karen.mullikin@jdsu.com Software Developer Position is responsible for the full lifecycle development of all internally developed reports and applications, administration of CRM and ERP systems, and administration of our internal and external facing websites. Ideal candidates will have 3+ years experience developing database driven web applications and reports, XML, ASP, HTML, JavaScript, IIS 5 and IIS 6. Computer Science or related degree preferred; knowledge of Microsoft SharePoint a plus. CCS-Inc. 540-382-4234 HYPERLINK “mailto:hr@ccs-inc.com” hr@ ccs-inc.com Large Press- Short Term Large press 2nd shift helper. Feed flat boxed into press. Work M-F. Need to
be clean cut and have own transportation. Need to be able to get along well with others. Assignment to last at least 2 weeks or longer. Express Personnel 540-389-8978
Underwriting Business Analyst Delta Dental of Virginia is looking for a Underwriting Business Analyst. Perform a variety of tasks relating to support of the Underwriting Department goals and objectives. Perform analysis of dental claims, enrollment, and benefit information to determine costs factors for use in underwriting process. Assist in retrieval and compilation of group specific data to support department’s customer reporting requirements.Assist in preparation of annual revenue and claim forecasts. Four-year college degree in finance, mathematics, economics, or related field. Delta Dental ofVirginia 800-237-6060, Ext. 3302 HYPERLINK “mailto:jobs@ deltadentalva.com” jobs@deltadentalva.com
Customer Service/Tech Support Local company seeking candidates for customer service/tech support. Candidates must have excellent phone etiquette, customer service and tech support experience, HTML and web design skills, experience with dynamic website languages such as PHP and strong organizational and project management skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and a knowledge of Linux also required. Hours are 9-5 M-F and pay will start at $11.00 per hour. Express Personnel 540-389-8978 Computer Design Engineer Position is responsible for understanding customer requirements and designing computer solutions to meet those requirements. Design engineer also manages the evaluation of new products and new components and acts as a pre-sales technical resource to help customers understand their options for industrial computing solutions. Engineer works closely with Purchasing to assist in vendor selection and vendor relationships, qualifies new vendors and new products, and assists Sales and Marketing to design new product offerings based on market research and market demand. CCS-Inc. 540-382-4234 HYPERLINK “mailto:hr@ccs-inc.com” hr@ccsinc.com
Engineer 2 – Traffic Traffic Engineering technical design for the preparation of traffic impact analyses, signal design, traffic modeling, and equipment specification. Oversight of junior engineers in the preparation of the above tasks. Management of projects. Bachelor of Science degree in Civil engineering. 8 years of experience in traffic engineering design with experience working with VDOT and municipal clients. HSMM 540-857-3100
Engineer 2 - Highway Design and preparation of plans for roadway and site/civil projects. Geometric layout and drainage for roadway projects. Bachelor of Science degree in Civil engineering. 8 years of experience in highway design with experience working with VDOT and municipal clients. HSMM 540-857-3100
4/4/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11
TheRoanokeStar.com
Recipe of the Week from The Happy Chef! by Leigh Sackett
Super Spread Sandwich Stars For the next seven weeks I have the privilege of teaching a class of two year olds with my wonderful new friend Ms. Sherrie at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church Preschool. Those children and all the children that I have been fortunate enough to teach are such a blessing in my life. If the truth be told they are the ones teaching me. Getting to know these precious little ones at Raleigh Court has taken me down memory lane to my days of raising two year olds. This recipe was a staple at our house of picky little eaters. Kids of all ages love to make these sandwiches with you and eat them too, AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO PEANUT ALLERGIES IN THE HOUSE!!
1 Red or Golden Delicious apple, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped 1 cup roasted peanuts 1/2 cup honey 1 tbs. lemon juice 1 tsp. ground cinnamon sliced sandwich bread
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-Place chopped apple, peanuts, honey, lemon juice, and cinnamon in food processor -Process 1 to 2 minutes until mixture is smooth -Use knife to spread about 1 tablespoon of peanut mixture on two slices of bread -Stack them together, spread more mixture on side up, top with third slice -Place star shape cookie cutter on top of sandwich, press down firmly -Leave cookie cutter in place, remove excess trimmings (which are yummy too) then remove cookie cutter -Repeat process, makes about 10 sandwiches
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Page 12 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 4/4/08
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