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Community | News | Perspective
July 31 - August 6, 2009
TheRoanokeStar.com
[County Events]
Foam and Spirits Fly High Sudanese Miracle
P5– Mary Jo Shannon describes the miracle that is the journey of Roanoke’s “Lost Boys” from Sudan.
Foodies Delight
P6– Downtown Roanoke is becoming known for its fine dining as two more bistros arrive on the scene.
Adult Kicks
P7– 24 teams in 3 divisions are competing n Roanoke City’s Adult Kick-Ball League this summer.
Amazing Artist P11–Eddie Maxwell adds one more title to a long list of monikers achieved over 84 years.
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FTC Issues Challenge to Carilion Acquisitions The Federal Trade Commission issued an administrative complaint last week challenging Carilion Clinic’s 2008 acquisition of two outpatient Healthcare clinics in Roanoke. Prior to the acquisition, the Center for Advanced Imaging (CAI) and the Center for Surgical Excellence (CSE) had reputations for offering high-quality care and convenient services at prices much lower than Carilion’s. The complaint alleges that Carilion’s acquisition of these outpatient centers eliminated this vital competition in violation of federal antitrust laws, and will lead to higher health care costs and reduced incentives to maintain and improve service and quality of care for patients in the Roanoke area. The complaint seeks divestiture of these centers and related assets necessary to restore the competition eliminated by the acquisition. “Competition among health care providers can help contain costs and improve quality of care,” said Bureau of Competi-
[
Photo by David Perry
“Fireman’s foam” fills the air during Roanoke County’s “Touch a Truck” event last weekend at Green Hill Park in Salem. A variety of trucks and vehicles (over 130) were on display and the weather matched the exuberant mood of the youngsters.The gentle breeze that lifted the fireman’s foam heavenward was an added bonus as well.
“Touch a Truck” Event Attracts Thousands to Green Hill Park Horns, sirens, and the the spotlight on the big rumble of diesel engines haulers. drew 4,000 people to “ To u c h - a - t r u c k ” Roanoke County Parks, events are popular Recreation and Touraround the state, with ism’s inaugural “Touch similar events being a Truck” at Green Hill held in Virginia Beach, Park near Salem on SatHenrico County, and urday. Fairfax County. Schultz More than 130 vehisaid she came up with cles of all kinds were on the idea for the first hand to be touched, sat one in Roanoke Counin, or climbed on, rangty, “but no one really ing from a giant yellow comes up with an idea dump truck to fire enby themselves.” While gines, humvees and contrucks made up the struction equipment. majority of the vehicles Photo by David Perryl Adding to the fun were Nathan Redd and son Nathan, 4, both of Hillsville, pose atop a bulldozer. on display, “It’s wheels, hay rides, a petting zoo, wings, and water,” said crafts, a balloon sculpSchultz. Carilion’s Lifeville, 4, said his favorite was “the tor, food vendors, and a giant vat of Kenworth, because it’s loud,” while guard 10 made an appearance, and “fireman’s foam.” 8-year-old Ray Gardner of Salem photographers were on hand to take “It’s awesome!” said Sharona Rich- said his favorites were “that one and free portraits of children seated in ardson of Roanoke, who had just that one,” pointing to two big rigs the cockpit of a jet plane. finished riding high up in a cherry parked side-by-side. Fort Lewis Volunteer Fire Departpicker basket with sons Michael,10, Event organizer Wendy Schultz ment provided both the soap and the and David, 6. “There are a lot of said the event grew out of a previous water. They filled a fenced-in area unique sounds.” special event, Summer Blast, which with non-toxic soap bubbles generBoth Richardson boys said their featured 10 to 15 vehicles among ated from a blower on the back of a favorite trucks at the festival were its attractions. But the trucks overthe SWAT truck and, of course, the whelmed that event and the decision > CONTINUED cherry picker. Nathan Redd of Hills- was made to create an event that put P3: Truck
Lick Run Greenway to Become “Outdoor Classroom” The rain that poured down on a recent Friday morning only served to make the Lick Run greenway foliage greener, as the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke presented a check to Roanoke City parks and greenways planner Donnie Underwood, City Manager Darlene Burcham and Mayor David Bowers. The $10,000 grant will be used for signs, mileposts, teacher’s guides and other additions that will enhance the educational benefits of the greenway system. J. Andree
Brooks, president of the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke, believes the greenway is especially valuable to kids living in the city, since “city kids” are often limited in their exposure to nature. “The focus of our projects is working with seniors, working with parks and rec. and our environment, and working with children in need, particularly in education,” Brooks said. “This project, with the greenways, combines all of that.” > CONTINUED P3: Lick Run
Photo by Caitlin Coakley
Roanoke mayor David Bowers (with check) and other Kiwanians join city officials to announce the club’s grant.
]
> CONTINUED P2: Carilion
Turner Announces Candidacy for House
Carter Turner
Candidate Will Challenge Griffith in 8th District
Radford Professor Carter Turner announced his candidacy for the Virginia House of Delegates 8th District seat at the Roanoke County Courthouse in Salem Monday. Turner was introduced by Ginny Weisz, a Radford House Race nursing professor who recently withdrew her candidacy, citing pressing concerns elsewhere. Under state election law, the Democrats could nominate another qualified candidate to take her place. Like his Republican opponent, incumbent Morgan Griffith, Turner has deep ties to the Salem community and was recently involved in the effort to block an asphalt plant from being built with 500 feet of a school in Glenvar. The 8th District includes all 10 Salem
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> CONTINUED P3: Turner
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Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 7/31/09 - 8/6/09
TheRoanokeStar.com
“Ciclovia” to Turn City Streets into Urban Park Saturday If Andrea Garland has her way, this Saturday (Aug. 1) the streets of Roanoke will be filled with bikers, walkers, runners and others just playing, during the valley’s first "Ciclovia." The event will last from 9am to 1pm, covering portions of Jefferson, Franklin, Church, and Market. “Anything [participants] can possibly do in an open space,” said Garland. Those not on bikes can take free fitness classes from the YMCA. Despite the name, Garland stresses that Ciclovia is not strictly for the Spandex crowd. “We want to make sure people know it’s a family event. We want people to bring their kids with tricycles.” Ciclovia (CeeCloh-vee-yah) will turn downtown Roanoke “into an urban park, basically,” said Garland,
a native of Bogotá, Columbia, where Ciclovia events are a regular occurrence. “That’s why I’m using the name. It takes place in other cities in the United States but they have different names.” Several organizations “in tune” with the message of Ciclovia will be on hand Saturday to make information available, said Garland. Originally slated for National Biking Month in May, it took longer than expected to secure all of the permits needed to shut down city streets. The Roanoke chapter of Bike Walk Virginia is staging Ciclovia. Garland, a transportation engineer by trade, would like to see the car-less area grow for future Ciclovias, but said, “we’re starting small,” with the first one this weekend.
Bikers will be able to try out their wheels on city streets this Saturday.
In Bogotá, said Garland, “this event happens every Sunday of the year. There’s hundreds of streets [closed] to traffic. It’s a huge event [and] fully sponsored by the city.” She hopes to see Roanoke
“step in” to help with future Ciclovias. “Think of it as a big block party,” suggests Garland. Visit bikewalkvirginia.org for more information.
Business Association Adopts Williamson Road for Quarterly Cleanups
The Williamson Road Area Business Association (WRABA) recently adopted the portion of Williamson Road from Orange Avenue to the City / County Line and will be doing cleanings quarterly. WRABA members and businesses, the Williamson Road Lions Club and members of Air Lee Court Neighborhood Watch Association joined together on July 18th to make this section of Williamson Road a cleaner place to work and live. Adopting a street in the City of Roanoke is a two year commitment requiring four cleanings a year and the volunteers to do the job correctly. The next scheduled cleaning for the WRABA volunteers is October 3, 2009. They will meet at 9:00 AM at the WRABA Office located at 4804 Williamson Road. Please call Wendy Jones, Executive Director for details or to sign up to participate at (540) 362-3293.
EWELERS Goldsmith J
New Kid on the Block
> Carilion
tion Director Richard Feinstein. “The elimination of competition between Carilion and CAI 43 years of Fine Jewelry Expertise - A Tradition in Roanoke for 25 years and CSE will result in higher health care costs at a time when such costs already cause serious &''()*+(,-'. /0''123 hardship for consumfinancial ers in the Roanoke area and Stop In Food Stores...Fast, friendly and Convenient throughout the country.” Stop In Food Stores...Fast, friendly and Convenient!"#$% Carilion spokesman Eric Earnhart had this e-mail re2.99 Pet Milk sponse to the charge: “We are currently reviewing the FTC 2.99 Oscar Mayer Jumbo Hot Dog, complaint and preparing our Frito Lay Chips and 32 oz. Pet fountain drink response. We are concerned Nature’s Milk that the complaint appears to be Own informaGallons based on inaccurate Bread tion. The Center for Advanced 2 for Imaging and Center for Surgical $7.00 Excellence will continue to operate normally. There have been Dozen eggs Coke noand changes in the Centers’ pricPack of !"#$%&$'()*+,-./-'0(1 12 packs es since their purchase last year, Oscar Mayer and no changes are planned. We (Next door to Tinnell’s Foods)
2203 Cry stal Spring Ave. 985-3700
Grocery Store Prices Without Grocery Store Prices Without the Grocery Store Lines! the Grocery Store Lines! 4*56(786(986(:(;.-<
3.69
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bacon
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From page 1
will remain focused on our mission to develop an integrated system that improves patient care and reduces health care costs.” According to the FTC complaint, Carilion’s $20 million acquisition of CAI and CSE reduced the number of outpatient imaging and surgical services providers in the Roanoke area from three to two, and eliminated competition that benefited patients, employers, and health plans. Because of the acquisition, Carilion now only faces competition for outpatient imaging and surgical services from only one other provider, HCALewis Gale, the other major hospital system in the Roanoke area. The FTC complaint alleges that, “Carilion’s acquisition of lower-cost providers CAI and CSE will result in higher health care costs for these services, with out-of-pocket costs for many patients likely increasing nearly 900 percent for some treatments. Also, higher prices for outpatient imaging and surgical services will lead to higher premiums and the risk of reduced coverage for needed services.” The Citizens Coalition for Responsible Healthcare was formed last year by Roanoke Valley residents to focus on the issue of affordable health care. The focus of their concern was aimed toward Carilion practices. Attorney Ken King (Chairman, President) talked then about a mission “to assure accessible, affordable, high quality healthcare for all citizens.” At the time, King noted that the group had received media attention elsewhere – from newspapers in London and New York, as part of an examination of Carilion’s role in the region. The Wall Street Journal ran a front page article accusing the Healthcare giant of using its leverage to monopolize a previously competitive marketplace and then charging inordinate rates for medical procedures. The article charged that Carilion’s business practices were “why insurance rates in Roanoke have gone from being the cheapest in the state, to the most expensive.” Carilion spokesperson Eric Earnhart said Tuesday, “the FTC issue will not affect our ability to move forward with the Clinic. The imaging center and surgery center in question represent about 1/2 of 1% of our business.” The issue is likely to quiet down and then return again in force next March when the FTC hearings are set to begin. By Gene Marrano
TheRoanokeStar.com
> Truck
From page 1
pickup. The “fireman’s foam” drew large crowds of children who waded neck-deep in the white fluff. To rinse off, the kids played under a mist of water spraying from the end of an extended fire engine’s ladder. “It’s a pretty good hit,” said Fort Lewis Chief Woody Henderson as he worked the fan that blew the bubbles. Gusts of wind blew clumps of the bubbles high into the air and across the festival grounds, silhouetting them against a bright blue sky. Schultz said she organized the event with just one other person, her assistant Denise Pully, who Schultz said recruited 70 of the vehicles by herself. The National Association of Women in Construction provided six volunteers for the event, while the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association also pitched in. “We couldn’t believe all the positive comments,” said Schultz. By Dave Perry
> Lick Run
From page 1
City councilman Rupert Cutler, who had been helping to coordinate efforts between the Kiwanis Club and the city, emphasized his hope that the greenways will help children become involved in the environment. “This is a project that will save our children from ‘nature deficit disorder,’” Cutler said, borrowing a phrase from Richard Louv’s 2005 book “Last Child in the Woods”. Cutler said the book was an inspiration for this project. In addition to being a valuable educational tool, the greenways also benefit senior citizens in the Roanoke area by giving them a place to exercise. Kiwanians will also be donating their own “sweat equity,” doing work in the park, picking up trash and installing the signs. The project is part of a celebration of the Kiwanis Club’s 90th anniversary celebration. It will continue for two years and involve two more greenways, which have yet to be selected. 2009 marks 89 years of service by the Kiwanis Club in Roanoke. Roanoke mayor David Bowers also spoke, thanking the Kiwanis Club for their donation, while musing on the old nickname for Roanoke, the “Magic City.” The environment along the Lick Run greenway, Bowers said, is indeed magical. “It’s magical when we can look out and see the beautiful blue sky and the birds singing and flying through the air, it’s magical likewise when we have some thunder and rain and it brings out the green in this beautiful, lush valley,” Bowers said. Bowers, who is a Kiwanis member, also praised the club for the “magic” they do around Roanoke. Burcham took the opportunity to remind attendees of the city’s commitment to the development of the greenway system - regardless of the current economic state, and to thank the Kiwanis Club for “believing in our environment.” By Caitlin Coakly
Possible Merger Between Roanoke County and Vinton 911 Dispatch Elaine Carver of Roanoke County and Chris Lawrence, Vinton Town Manager, presented a proposed merger of the two locality’s 911 centers at an informational meeting that included Vinton Town Council and the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Tuesday. “This could provide opportunities for cost savings, improved efficiency and better service for the citizens,” said Cave Spring supervisor Charlotte Moore. A steering committee and several staff subcommittees were formed to gather information. The groups included representatives from police, fire and rescue, public works, human resource and technology departments. Vinton Town Council and the Board of Supervisors voted to continue to research the concept, with the hope that work will be completed and ready for presentation by September. After that, work sessions will be held to discuss the research and meetings scheduled for public comment.
Parkway Christian Expands Campus Parkway Christian Academy (PCA) is expanding its campus with a 14,400 sq. ft. building for its upper school. PCA is doubling each grade level from K-7th grade and is adding enrichment classes to its offerings. The school will add 15 new teachers for the new school year, including Dr. Paul Peak, who will develop Parkway Christian Academy’s School of Fine Arts. Dr. Peak is a graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory of Music (BM), The University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (MM), and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (DMA). The School of Fine Arts will offer classes in instrumental music and voice. A school band and orchestra will be developed. Other disciplines of the fine arts are planned for the future. Meanwhile, work continues to complete the multi-million dollar expansion of Parkway Christian Academy, the first affiliate school of RENEWANATION. RENEWANATION is a new, non-profit organization whose mission is to build tuition-free, Christian school systems across the USA. “We are excited to be a partner with Parkway Christian Academy and look forward to the day when we will be able to declare the school our first tuition free school. We also look forward to partnering with other Christian schools in the Roanoke Valley so that we can reach our 10-year goal of building the first tuition free, Christian school system in America,” said Jeff Keaton, Founder and Chairman of RENEWANATION.
7/31/09 - 8/6/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3
> Turner
From page 1
precincts and 20 Roanoke County precincts. (Turner was formally nominated at a Democratic caucus Tuesday night.) Turner was born in Culpeper and moved to Salem with his family at age seven. He graduated in 1987 from Salem High School, where he was a member of the 1986 Regional Championship football team and co-captain of the tennis team. After graduating from Virginia Tech with a B.A. in History, he earned an M.A. from the Iliff School of Theology and a Ph.D. in Religious and Theological Studies from the University of Denver. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Radford University. An avid sports photographer, Carter is a regular contributor to the Salem Times Register. Turner states on his website: “the best solutions to problems are achieved when people on opposing sides of issues are willing to work together for the common good. When leaders take positions based upon partisanship rather than principles, they leave their constituents behind.” Turner cited Griffith’s efforts in helping to turn away $125 million in federal stimulus money and said if elected he would “support a second effort to release the stimulus money, putting common sense leadership above petty politics.” Griffith is also the House of Delegates majority leader, and an attorney by trade. Approximately 60 supporters turned out for Turner’s announcement, including Weisz, Cabell Brand, State Senator John Edwards, Roanoke County Sheriff Gerald Holt, Clerk Steve McGraw, Cave Spring Supervisor Charlotte Moore, Roanoke City Councilman Rupert Cutler and Roanoke County Democratic Supervisor candidates Sarah Goodman, Patrick Patterson and Charlene Waybright. By Gene Marrano
Tomorrow Starts Today. Now’s a good time to develop a long-term financial plan. Let Morgan Stanley Smith Barney help you get started. Come for a complimentary consultation to: > Evaluate your families’ needs and goals > Review your portfolio > Explore your retirement plans > Prioritize your charitable giving The Meridian Group at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
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New Facilities are on the way at Parkway Christian.
Future capital expansion plans for PCA include a new gymnasium and cafeteria.
For more information, visit www.parkwaychristianacademy.org or www. renewanation.org.
Unless you are otherwise advised in writing, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney is acting as a broker-dealer and not as an investment advisor. ©2009 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
It’s my reward. Sam Bickford Roanoke, Virginia Volunteering at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital is my way of helping people out. It’s such a rewarding experience to guide patients and families to the right location when they feel lost or comfort those who are nervous before a procedure. People count on Carilion for a lot of reasons, like the great medical care and technology. They count on me and other Carilion volunteers for support and a helping hand. To read more about Sam’s story, or to share your own, visit www.CountOnCarilion.org.
Perspective
Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 7/31/09 - 8/6/09
Between A Rock and A Tree
M
y dad was a hardcase - no doubt. Build a garage, dig a sewage line, what ever it was, he never hired it out; he did it himself. If he didn’t know how to do it, he learned, then did it. Another thing about him: he was the most determined man I’ve ever met, before or since. If I’d ever doubted it, it was confirmed the day he determined to cut down a huge, old tree. It was an over-hung Red Oak that set mid-way up a steep hill; nowhere could you could stand on that hill that one foot wasn’t lower than the other. That oak, a doughty old warrior standing leafless and alone on the hill, had taken on years and lightening once too often and had gradually died in these repeated conflicts. At its base, the diameter didn’t miss three feet by enough to argue over. Dad elected to fell it uphill. The ‘why’ is now lost to memory, the inflexibility behind his decision, never in doubt. Early morning he began. I watched him off and on from a ‘safe’ zone he had described. He got some boards stuck into the ground so he’d have a level place to chop and to cuss. He began the long process of chopping a deep “V” - or kerf - into the uphill side of the trunk. I watched as he began: confident, well-placed arcs of power sent chunks of wood as broad as his palm flying free. He used a ‘double-bit’ [or two-edged] axe. As he drew the tool back from the tree and cocked it above his shoulder for another swing, he
spun it one hundred ting, Dad would look eighty degrees so up and set his hand that both bits would on the trunk, trying wear equally. The to detect any sign the mist of morning tree was about to go burned off, and still - and which way. Mishe worked steadily, calculation on a big his axe swinging tree could have cost and spinning, hornhim a great deal more locked with that than he wanted to huge tree; Ahab pay. Dad knew, once stabbing at his he saw the tree start Lucky Garvin whale. Periodicaldown, the best thing ly, he’d stop to mop his brow and to do is cut off the saw and run gulp a couple swigs of beer from as fast as he could - in that orthe honey-brown quart bottles der; for sometimes the butt end so popular at the time. of the tree will come after you It might be of interest to note like a demonic presence; and it that Dad didn’t shirk his part in moves quicker than you do. helping to make the “browns” Eventually, balance was slowpopular. This conclusion I ly overcome, and that tree, rereached having personally luctant to go to ground, began a viewed Certificates of Gratitude slow leaning. It seemed to pause, from various distilleries. He set its knees and push back. But judged the difficulty of a task by even from where I stood some the number of quarts consumed distance off, I could feel the finishing it. Having dug a trench cracking through my sneakers. for our water main, a neighbor Mighty fibers, over one hundred asked how long it had taken years in the forming, were overhim. Dad looked off thought- whelmed by their own weight fully. Satisfied his reckoning was as this giant succumbed at last accurate, he nodded. “`Bout to the great shouldering might three quarts, give or take.” of gravity. It dashed itself heavThrough the morning, this ily upon the ground. chop, mop and swig cycle reUphill. peated as I periodically checked I never knew why Dad took on his progress. Shortly after notions like he did or why many noon, the first part of the job of them came stiffened with was done; a large “V” sat deep such insistence. Felling the tree in the trunk. And still the tree downhill would’ve taken half stood strong. the time. But Dad took this noAfter lunch, it was time for tion. That mighty tree would the chain saw. Dad was now bend before he did. And so it shirtless, sweat-banded, and was. dripping-wet. His saw made an Contact Lucky at angry snarl as it chewed through info@theroanokestar.com the heat of afternoon. While cut-
Share Garden Surplus with Those in Need I have a few tomato plants, but no real garden this year. Luckily, my local farm market has a big one and the produce is rolling in now. Last week, I prepared and ate one of the best dinners I’ve had in a while. It consisted of green beans stir fried with garlic, a piece of corn-on-the-cob, some sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, and a grated yellow squash/onion/basil frittata; all of it delicious because it was fresh from their garden to my plate within a day or two. Not only did it taste good, but I know that I got the most nutrients as I could since the food was so fresh. These next few months many of us can take advantage of either our own garden fare or someone else’s bounty. But what happens if you are in the 10% of Virginian’s that fall below the poverty level and can’t afford to purchase fresh produce? What if you rely on your neighborhood food pantry to supply you with food and they mostly carry just canned and packaged food? On the other hand, what if you are a home gardener and have too many vegetables or fruits coming in; you’ve given food away to family and friends and you’ve preserved what you want. What to do with the extra
produce besides letting it rot or throwing it away? My colleague found a website, www.AmpleHarvest.org with a simple solution that helps reduce precious food waste and at the same time helps to reduce hunger right in your own town. AmpleHarvest.org campaign is a grass roots effort, hooking up backyard gardeners with local food pantries which are usually in churches. AmpleHarvest.org enables gardeners to find food pantries within a specified distance of their home and then view the pantries desired day/time for receiving donations. They can harvest their produce and deliver it to the pantry on the same day. If the pantry clients pick up the produce that same day, they will benefit from eating food that is even fresher than what can be purchased at a store. This campaign will only work if food pantries register and if gardeners are aware of this campaign and site. Please pass the word on. To find out more, register a site or find out about a food pantry near you, visit www.AmpleHarvest.org.
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Stab The name of the Tiger at Mill Mountain Zoo Inform Alien's spaceship Capital of Western Samoa Professional football team Newsman Rather Wood Vile Decrees Poet Turf Volume (abbr.) Name of the japanese monkey who bolted from the roanoke city zoo. Cause of sickness Flutter eyelashes Gourmet hot chocolate flavor (2 wds.) Bog Shade It glows inside our city limits Electroencephalograph (abbr.) Calorie Letter part Diana (god) Cliff Butane Wrath Swearword
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Average (abbr.) Deli order Wing Sticky black substance Cook Arms clasped Island Plus eighty is the total feet in height of the Mill Mountain Star. Express yourself with a custom build storage shed from pine ---- structures. This Roanoker developed a move called the Gorilla Press Slam and is in the WWF Hall of Fame. Flat-bottomed boat Extremely long time periods Order Halo Mountain in our city limits Part of the eye Origination Food and Agriculture Organization (abbr.)
By Don Waterfield Find the answers online: TheRoanokeStar.com Have a clue and answer you’d like to see? email: puzzles@theroanokestar.com
TheRoanokeStar.com
Where is Your Money Going? It is no secret that the American people are facing a very tough economic climate. Families and small businesses are cutting back on expenses. As economic uncertainty continues, many across our nation are looking to the government for leadership during this difficult time. In these challenging economic times it is even more important for government to control spending and enact fiscally responsible solutions that are actually likely to turn our economy around. Unfortunately, instead of supplying real solutions, the Majority in Congress has responded to the call with unprecedented, wasteful spending of taxpayers’ dollars. The stimulus package, which I voted against and which was signed into law back in February, increased the debt by $1 trillion, even though the alternative that I supported would have provided twice as many jobs at half the cost. Let me tell you just some of the things that the American people are getting for all this federal spending… The Florida Department of Transportation will spend $3.4 million in stimulus funds to build an “eco-passage” for turtles and other animals under U.S. Highway 27 in Jackson Lake, Florida. This project will consist of a series
of fences to direct turtles to a 13-foot long tunnel under the highway, helping them to avoid the oncoming traffic. In the state of Wisconsin, 1,256 bridges have been deemed structurally deficient. Despite this fact, $15.8 million in stimulus money will be used to repair 37 bridges that hardly anyone uses. In fact, one bridge carries no more than ten cars a day but will receive over $425,000 for repairs.
[Rep. Bob Goodlatte]
The Town of Union, New York was unexpectedly granted nearly $580,000 in federal funds to be used to combat homelessness in their town. Town Supervisor John Bernardo was quoted as saying, “Union did not request the money and does not currently have homeless programs in place in the town to administer such funds.” Mr. Bernardo indicated that the Town of Union, which is largely a suburban town, doesn’t have a homeless issue. The town of Pawtucket, Rhode Island is spending $550,000 in stimulus money on a skateboard park. Nantucket, Massachusetts will be receiving $2 million in stimulus funding to monitor scallop reproduction and habitats. Montana’s staterun liquor warehouse will re-
ceive $2.2 million in stimulus money to install skylights. Nearly $1.5 million in stimulus funds have been spent so far to produce signs bearing a “recovery emblem” for each project approved under the stimulus legislation. Yale and the University of Connecticut are receiving $850,000 in stimulus money for research “to study how paying attention improves performance of difficult tasks” and Portland, Oregon will spend $1 million in stimulus funds to upgrade 100 bike lockers and build a parking garage that will house 250 bicycles. Sadly these are just a few of the examples of wasteful government spending. They are important to some but not by any means the highest priority needs of our nation. The American people know that we can’t borrow and spend our way back to prosperity. The path to our economic recovery starts with fiscally responsible solutions in Washington. The federal government must follow the example set by our nation’s families – tighten the budget, eliminate wasteful spending, and enact real, cost-effective solutions to turn our economy around. The future of America depends on it.
Preacher’s Corner
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taying until Saturday morning sounded good at first. If we could get away early, we would miss the worst traffic leaving the Outer Banks. Ha. More cars on the road wasn’t the only problem, though. Shortly after we “flew” across the Wright Memorial Bridge to the mainland, our trip was interrupted. We were stopped so long that some people got out of their cars to peer ahead to discover the problem. After 10 minutes, we heard a distant siren. After 20 minutes, we began moving, and eventually passed the terrible auto accident that caused the backup. I cringed. It appeared that a white minivan had pulled into the path of an oncoming car. The sight brought three things quickly to mind. One was an Indigo Girls song called “Watershed”: “Twisted Deb Chappell - dchappel@vt.edu guardrails on the highway/Broken glass on the cement/The ghost of someone’s tragedy/How recklessly my time has been spent….” The second was a mental note to be alert; I didn’t have to hurry home after all. The third comes to me for 07/31/2009 time and again: life is fragile and it can vanish quickly; every day is a gift. 10 11 51 Location In a story in the Christian Testament gospel 52 Palter of Mark, Jesus and his followers had “so many 53 Channel 13 around here. 54 Grow acorns people … coming and going that they did not 55 Drug even have a chance to eat….” Jesus said to his friends, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet DOWN place and get some rest." They got in a boat to 28 29 go to this solitary place, but the crowd tracked 1 Jujitsu 2 Far away them from the shore like paparazzi chasing Mi3 A great sci-fi writer and Roanoke''s own. ley Cyrus. 4 2:1, for example …So much for that place of quiet and rest 5 Turn over and refreshment. 45 46 6 Prejudice Like the crowd interrupted the plans of Je7 Wild ox sus and his friends, most days, we experience 8 Fish basket 9 Rock multiple interruptions. Rarely does a day go 10 Give off the way we plan or hope. Traffic, co-workers, 11 Channel 10 around here. family members, friends, enemies, and our own 19 Association (abbr.) worries and fears and addictions: these inter20 Cologne (Gr.) rupt what could be “smooth” days. A well loved city matriarch. 22 Maybe Jesus could have told the crowd to 23 Spoiled 24 Lode yield wait till morning or at least wait until they swal25 Writing tool lowed a few bites of bread. Instead, “he had
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compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things” (Mark 6:30ff). It’s as if he didn’t find the people and their pull on him to be an interruption. Instead of shoving them away and demanding “me time,” he embraced them and gave them what they sought. Parents will find a definite parallel here. The baby’s cry interrupts an already shortened night’s sleep. The child’s nighttime visits erase any hope of “couple time.” The teenager’s mixture of hormones and tears causes tears of your own. Check synonyms for “interruption” and you’ll find the word “progeny.” Parenting demands that we put our own wants, and sometimes our own needs, aside for the sake of our children. Jesus is our guide, as parents and as humans, because of his sacrificial selflessness. Even when he felt empty, God sustained Jesus with enough energy and goodness and love to give away. As the Christian’s greatest expression of God’s love and mercy, Jesus teaches us here that, no matter how topsy-turvy or fragmented our lives feel, God enters the interruptions and treats us with compassion. When we act like sheep without a shepherd, teetering near steep slopes and rambling toward wolf-infested woods, Jesus does not break for lunch and ignore us. He reaches out to us to treat us with compassion, and to give us the same life-giving sustenance that God has given to him. He never treats us as interruptions. What if we followed his example and never treated anyone else as an interruption? What if we were to welcome each interruption, and God’s presence within, instead of trying to escape it? Would others find sustenance and strength from us, as the crowd did with Jesus?
Donna Hopkins Britt is pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, 608 Campbell Avenue, SW, Roanoke, and can be contacted at pastor@ calvaryroanoke.org.
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The Miracle of Roanoke’s “Lost Boys” of Sudan
ight years ago members of my church, Raleigh Court Presbyterian, noticed tall, lanky young black men walking along Grandin Road. Upon learning they were some of the “Lost Boys of Sudan,” resettled here by the U.S. government, we felt called to assist them in adjusting to life in Roanoke. We began a program to tutor them in English and other skills necessary for the cultural changes they faced. Recently, we decided to record their stories. The Arab government in northern Sudan instituted sharia law in the 1980’s, requiring all Sudanese to become Muslim. Southern tribes, who were Christian or Animists, refused to convert, and the government determined to destroy them, by attacking their rural villages at night, killing men, women and children, and burning their huts. Daniel Akur was about six years old in 1987 when he fled with other young boys. He and his older brother were asleep in their hut when a blast of artillery awakened him. Rushing outside, unable to see in the darkness, he heard his father cry, “Run! Run! Run!” That was the last time he heard his father’s voice. Other boys also were running. Their parents had told them to run toward the east -- get out of the Sudan and into Ethiopia-- if the village was attacked. Day by day Daniel and other boys between the ages of six and twelve prayed for safety as they struggled to stay alive. Sometimes they went for days without food or water. Many boys died of starvation and dehydration. “I sucked liquid from mud and sometimes drank my own urine to keep my throat wet. I fed on bitter leaves and roots for survival,” Daniel wrote later in an autobiographical sketch for an English class at Virginia Western. Lions, leopards and hyenas inhabit the jungle area of South Sudan. At night, terrified of wild animals, Daniel slept in trees. Older boys often carried the little ones when they became too tired. Those who were weakened and lagged behind became easy prey. Next, they faced the dangers of the desert – scorpions, snakes and thirst. Bonded by mutual adversity, they prayed together continuously for God’s protection. After about three months, they reached the border of Ethiopia
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7/31/09 - 8/6/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5
and crossed the Gilo River. Once safely inside Ethiopia, they faced other problems. Diseases such as chicken pox, cholera, malaria and whooping cough ran rampant due to overcrowding. Daniel suffered from malaria and whooping cough and grew thinner and weaker. They were limited to one meal of maize and beans each day. They were instructed to get water from the river and boil it before drinking. The government promised to get health workers as soon as possible, but they were overwhelmed by the numbers of refugees. “I lay along the roadside in dry and dusty air like a log of dry wood with no dreams, just waiting death,” Daniel wrote. “I grew up like abandoned child; no mother, no father and no future, just waiting for my world to end. I don’t know why I survived; maybe it was something God planned.” The boys were registered and January 1 was established as the birthday for each one, since they were unsure of their birthdays. Conditions improved somewhat and schools were established with several hundred students in each outdoor class. Because they did not know if their families survived, they were classified as orphans, and became known as “the Lost Boys of Sudan.” For four years they remained at the Panyido camp in Ethiopia. Then the overthrow of the Ethiopian government forced them to flee again. The new government of Ethiopia allied with Northern Islamic Sudan and came with tanks and helicopters, firing at the children as they prepared to cross the Gilo back into Sudan. There was no time to construct rafts or seek boats as they rushed to escape the tanks and guns of the Ethiopians. Thousands of lives were lost to drowning, crocodiles or shelling by the armed militia. Those who survived continued to run, now chased by the Northern Sudanese army through the southeast region of Sudan, toward Kenya. When the Lost Boys finally crossed the border into Kenya, their number had dwindled to 10,000-12,000 --- only about half of the original number. Once over the border, they became international refugees and the Red Cross provided food and shelter. They remained nine long years in Kakuma, a refugee camp in Kenya. Although conditions at Kakuma Refugee Camp were far from ideal, the boys were able to attend classes where they learned to read
and write Arabic and English. In 2001, the United States government offered to resettle over 3800 of the boys in America.. Daniel’s trip to America was interrupted by the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He was stranded in Amsterdam for four days until the ban on flights landing in New York was lifted. He recalled his dismay when he saw the television images of the planes hitting the twin towers. “I thought, I’ve been running from war since 1987, and now I’m running into a war.” Thanks to Sandra Whitt, the church tutoring project here in Roanoke was successful. Many received GED certificates, and enrolled at Virginia Western, and four recently graduated. Some have already become citizens. The Sudanese Mission group has helped them find jobs, cars and other necessities. A Sudanese Education Fund was established to assist with tuition and help them provide education for relatives still in Sudan. Church members assist by using Kroger Cares cards for their grocery shopping. (Kroger contributes according to the sales made with the cards, which can be reloaded as needed.) The mystery is this: Why, when subjected to unmentionable horrors as young children, and in the worst of circumstances for many years, without parental guidance, have these young men survived without the psychological scars one would expect? They answer for both them and us is simple – it was God.
A Perspective on Crossroads
spend a lot of time at crossroads. No, not the kind you arrive at in your car – but the kind of crossroads where your life can take a drastic turn in another direction. There have been times when the significance is obvious and other times when I never noticed the changes in landscape. There have been times when I consciously turned left, right or maybe even decided to stay straight. There have been many times that I had no idea I’d changed course until I woke up miles away from where I thought I was headed. I then spend a lot of time wondering how I missed it. Sometimes these crossroads allow us to have great and unexpected experiences. Sometimes they are more akin to a punch in the stomach. In either case – they are usually learning experiences and I find they usually keep us from hitting an even bigger obstacle. I have been blessed with more than my share of such lessons and for that I am deeply grateful. Bruised… but grateful. I have not always lived in one place. In fact I have lived in so many different states, I am beginning to lose track. The reasons for my nomadic tendencies are not particularly important (no, I do not come from a military family) – but the outcomes…the consequences…. seem to become more pronounced as time goes by. To put it in a nutshell – there has been a lot of coming and going; connecting and disconnecting;
and most of all…. there have been great opportunities to gain insight and nuggets of wisdom. I recently visited my former home and friends in the San Francisco Bay Area. Partly running away from my hectic Roa- Stephanie Koehler noke life. Partly reconnecting. Partly evaluating crossroads. We joked about how much our lives had changed and secretly wondered if we’d recognize each other. But as if there was a wrinkle in time – it was as if nothing had ever changed. The Golden Gate Bridge is still red and the Bay is still blue. The fog still rolls in and traffic still stops. We talked about parents and kids; dogs and wrinkles. We talked about happy things; sad things and things that just “are.” But mostly -- we talked about crossroads and lessons. So, I stood in line at the crowded San Francisco airport I made a list of a few things I have learned along the twists and turns I’ve survived. Some are original, and some have been passed down from the ages – but all of them are worth considering: • Trust your hopes not your fears. The
best decisions are made when we consider possibility – not impossibility. • Everyone has had and will have unhappy experiences. The question is: how do we escape life with the least damage possible? • Understand the simple truths in life and recognize they are different for each of us. Once you find those truths – make them the thesis of your life. • Respect other people’s choices. Chances are you don’t have all the data they had to weigh when making their decision. • Be receptive. Pay attention. • Make a contribution. Whether it’s time spent with family or at a food bank; giving money to support a budding musician; or simply picking up a piece of trash. Leave things better and more stable than when you found them. • Know your own faults as well as you know others. Don’t dwell on them – but don’t be fooled into making the same mistakes twice. • Say you are sorry and recognize it needs to mean “I won’t do it again”. •A remark usually hurts in proportion to its truth. •Remember that most of life’s crossroads don’t have signposts. •When in doubt – just keep moving. Contact Stephanie at stephaniekoehler@cox.net
The Recipe of the Week from The Happy Chef
I never make chicken stock! I always go the easy route and use bouillon cubes when I make chicken soup. Well this summer I have changed my ways. For dinners we have done a lot of grilling, therefore there have been numerous chicken bones discarded around here. So I have decided not to simply dispose of these precious remnants anymore! I am using them for one of their great purposes - to make chicken stock that can be used in cooking so many fabulous things, not just soup, mind you. In fact, I am cooking some stock right now and the house smells WONDERFUL! I guess I have never been a stock maker because it takes some planning ahead and life is often a whirlwind and my plans are so often made minute by minute. If you are like me and don’t always have the time to think ahead, then just remember to throw those chicken bones in some Tupperware and put them in the fridge. Then, the next morning when you are pouring that coffee and getting breakfast ready for the kids, throw those bones in a pot with some cold water and the following ingredients. This stock recipe comes from Alton Brown from the Food Network. It is very simple and wonderfully delicious! If you don’t have four pounds of chicken bones (my little family has never been so carnivorous in one setting) then cut the recipe in half and use two pounds of bones. 4 pounds chicken carcasses, including necks and backs 1 large onion, quartered 4 carrots, peeled and cut in 1/2 4 ribs celery, cut in 1/2 1 leek, white part only, cut in 1/2 lengthwise 10 sprigs fresh thyme 10 sprigs fresh parsley with stems 2 bay leaves
by Leigh Sackett
Easy Chicken Stock 8 to 10 peppercorns 2 whole cloves garlic, peeled 2 gallons cold water -Place chicken, vegetables, and herbs and spices in 12-quart stockpot. -Set opened steamer basket directly on ingredients in pot and pour over water. Cook on high heat until you begin to see bubbles break through the surface of the liquid. -Turn heat down to medium low so that stock maintains low, gentle simmer. -Skim the scum from the stock with a spoon or fine mesh strainer every 10 to 15 minutes for the first hour of cooking and twice each hour for the next 2 hours.
-Add hot water as needed to keep bones and vegetables submerged. -Simmer uncovered for 6 to 8 hours. -Strain stock through a fine mesh strainer into another large stockpot or heatproof container discarding the solids. -Cool immediately in large cooler of ice or a sink full of ice water to below 40 degrees. -Place in refrigerator overnight. -Remove solidified fat from surface of liquid and store in container with lid in refrigerator for 2 to 3 days or in freezer for up to 3 months. -Prior to use, bring to boil for 2 minutes. Use as a base for soups and sauces.
MaryJo Shannon info@theroanokestar.com
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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 4/17/09 - 4/23/09
“I feel very good about being at VIRGINIA WESTERN.”
{ Travis } Former Job–Housing Construction New Direction–Water & Waste Water Technology Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Dislocated Workers Program Recipient *
“ I did not do well in high school because I was more into partying. Now that I’m older, school is not as bad as I thought it was going to be. With the housing market and the economy performing poorly, I looked for a short program where I could work in a career quickly. Virginia Western was very supportive of me. When I first started class, I was bewildered by math and felt frustrated. The teacher set up an extra day of tutoring, which allowed me to pick up math easily after that. I feel very good about being at Virginia Western. College isn’t as hard as you think it is.” * A federally funded program administered by local Workforce Investment Boards throughout Virginia. This program helps adults and dislocated workers to achieve employment goals through education support that includes tuition, books, transportation, childcare and other support services.
Fall classes begin August 24 • virginiawestern.edu (540) 857-VWCC • Financial Aid Available
An equal opportunity/affirmative action institution TTY: (800) 855-2880 all users: 711
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Areas First “EarthCraft” Home Makes Debut Daleville Town Center, a Botetourt County development unique to the Roanoke Valley, unveiled a new type of green building to the community last week. County leaders and guests toured the area's first EarthCraft home certified to the company's "gold" standard. EarthCraft is a program that serves as a blueprint for modern green building, one that can reduce utility bills while helping the environment. EarthCraft Virginia, a not-for-profit, provides technical assistance to participating builders. An EarthCraft home, which can be any size or type of house, offers tight construction with virtually no air leaks. Fresh air is circulated into the house via a ventilation system. Parts of the home are literally glued to the foundation to create a complete seal and the insulation is sprayed in so that every crack is filled, said Peter Post, superintendent of Fralin and Waldron, Inc (F&W). F&W is the company responsible for Daleville Town Center, a traditional neighborhood development that touts town-like living, green space and community as its main amenities. Deb Cheslow, regional technical manager of EarthCraft Virginia, tested the home with a blower door and a duct blaster to measure the tightness of the building during the opening. "Build it tight; ventilate it right," she said. The Daleville home is one of only seven in Virginia to receive EarthCraft gold certification. There are 300 EarthCraft homes with any kind of certification in the entire state. "It's a whole new concept for our company," said F&W
The EarthCraft home, the first house in a traditional neighborhood development in Botetourt County, is one of only seven homes in Virginia to receive gold level certification for its green building. It is the first of its
Architect Adam Pullen. Paula Smith of Paula V. Smith Interiors took the green theme as far as she could when it came time to decorate, right down to the paint on the walls. The house is called a "four square" and she used crisp, clean lines to echo the motif many times over. The result is an open, airy living space. This first dwelling will be a model that F&W will use to sell the 300 other homes it hopes to build over the next 10 years in Daleville Town Center. The project encompasses 117 acres and includes a retail area and offices, with a mix of town homes and single-family dwellings. F&W will be the first tenant in the retail area. The company will occupy the space this September; the first residents in the residential area are expected in 2010. "We're taking the lead in introducing this type of master planning in southwestern Virginia and helping to educate people on how compact,
sustainable communities can set the stage for better living," Andy Kelderhouse, President of F&W said in a press release. Daleville Town Center is the first traditional neighborhood development, or TND, in southwestern Virginia. A TND is an effort to create a lasting community, one that is essentially an American town. Successful modern-day prototypes include Seaside and Celebration in Florida. The idea is to integrate home, work, play, shopping and civic life into a compact, walkable neighborhood. The company has created five classic architectural styles for its housing construction. The architecture has been designed to complement Botetourt County's rural setting and its long history. All the homes will be energy efficient and equipped with modern conveniences. "It's time for all of us to look at the way we live, work and play," said Karen Wal-
dron, CEO for F&W. "Everything within one community is a return to a traditional lifestyle that simplifies life and complements the local landscape." Another tenant at Towne Center: Williams Supply, Inc., a lighting supply store, will occupy 1,559 square feet of the new retail area of Daleville Town Center, according to information from Fralin & Waldron, Inc. Williams Supply will have a lighting showroom with a broad assortment of residential lighting. The company, headquartered in Roanoke, is an employeeowned and operated concern with seven locations in the state. Daleville Town Center is located off US 220 across from Orchard Marketplace. The strip mall development will also feature a Food Lion, which is expected to open soon.
By Anita J. Firebaugh
Downtown Roanoke: A Foodie’s Delight
Special Family Tours Also Available fo ‘09 High Scho r ol Grads
As nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will attest, the Roanoke Valley has always been known for its scenic vistas, spectacular drives and miles of hiking and biking trails. Since the advent of bluegrass, music has been a cornerstone of the region. The recent revitalization of downtown has given those musicians a home at a host of great music venues, from the informal settings of Kirk Avenue Music Hall and Blue 5, to the elegance of the Jefferson Center. The November opening of the Taubman Museum of Art has created a rich environment for artists and art lovers of all ages. In yet another sign of a cultural re-birth, now even “foodies” are talking about Roanoke these days. Gone
Tony Pope’s new restaurant, “Le Bistro” located on Campbell Ave.
ferson Center. Much like it’s counterpart, Fork in the Alley in South Roanoke, the restaurant opened its doors just in time to offer a “local joint” for residents – which in this case includes tenants
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Toll Free 1.866.708.6178
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are the days when dining in the city was limited to a high priced (but very delicious) steak at Frankie Rowlands or 2 am trip to the Texas Tavern. The recent crop of new restaurants popping up alongside those long time favorites are sure to delight every appetite and sensibility - offering everything from regionally grown ingredients to creative culinary delicacies. Among the most recent arrivals is Fork in the City, located just behind the Jef-
of the newly minted – and nearly full -- Cotton Mill Lofts. With outside seating, live music, WiFi and breakfast (offered all day), patrons can enjoy a business meeting or Saturday night date in this comfortable and convenient city bistro. Even Tony Pope, who has long been known for his delicious food but has struggled with finding the right location, sees the exciting trend in downtown dining The recent opening of Tony Pope’s Le Bistro on Campbell
Avenue is allowing diners to discover one of the best kept secrets in town. “He consistently serves tasty, well seasoned food,” says frequent patron Meg Carter. “We love the well rounded, but not overwhelming, menu, paired with a cozy and smart – yet unassuming atmosphere.” A visit to Nora’s (at the art museum) on Thursdays for Wine & Wonder provides an opportunity to enjoy open discussions about one of the museum pieces while sipping on a glass of wine and nibbling on a plate of hummus and pita. Looking for great southern fare? Even your grandmother would approve of the succotash at Blues BBQ. Seafood, you say? Don’t wander past Table 50 without trying the mussels and scallops. Mexican? Alejandro’s has the best fish tacos north of the border. And don’t neglect a happy hour visit to Metro for a plate of half priced sushi. With the natural beauty of the region, exciting new cultural attractions, cool new loft living spaces, a thriving farmers market and more restaurants than you can count – downtown Roanoke just might finally be coming into its own. Bon Appetite!
By Stephanie Koehler
Send sports pictures, announcements and story ideas to info@theroanokestar.com
Sports
4/17/09 - 4/23/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7
Destination Golf Course Launches in Roanoke Valley
Ballyhack Golf Club. will offer plenty of challenges for golfers from Roanoke and beyond.
Ballyhack Golf Club – a brand new, Scottish links style course located in the Mount Pleasant area of Roanoke County – opened its doors last month in hopes of becoming one of the nation’s top golf destinations. As a private destination golf course, Ballyhack hopes to secure approximately 300 memberships over the next few years, only 60 of which will be extended to individuals and businesses in Roanoke. The others will be set aside for corporate executives, business owners, and celebrities from
throughout the country. The 190-acre, par-72 course was constructed by renowned golf architect Lester George. It features a 20,000 square foot green on the 18th hole, as well as other drastic elevation changes, fairways as wide as 150 yards and wispy, “native grass,” reminiscent of a Scottish highland design. “It really is a unique, European design, a links course in the truest sense of the word,” said Jonathan Ireland, Director of Golf Operations and former Head Professional at Roanoke
Photo by Bill Turner
Country Club. When describing the course, Ireland referenced the Aisla Course at Turnberry, site of this past weekend’s British Open, won by Stewart Cink. Besides George, the ownership group at Ballyhack, which provided the bulk of the $13 million needed to finance to course, includes Bill Kulby, the CEO of Landscapes Unlimited, and Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer. Kulby is also an ownership partner in two other prestigious golf courses – Sand Hills Golf
Course in Mullen, Nebraska, which is heralded as the “Best Modern Day Golf Course,” by Golfweek, and Sutton Bay Golf Course, which was awarded “Best New Private Golf Course” by Golf Digest. “The club should be great exposure for the Roanoke area,” Ireland said, noting that major markets such as Charlotte, Richmond, and Washington, D.C. are only hours away. Membership fees will range from $40,000 to $130,000, depending on the type purchased and the member’s location. With the high price tag, members will certainly enjoy their share of perks. For example, traditional teetimes will not be a concern at Ballyhack. “I would say a ‘busy’ day would consist of 2530 rounds,” Ireland said. “More often than not, our members will probably feel like they have the whole course to themselves.” In addition, out-of-town guests will have the option of renting one of 15 4-bedroom cottages located at the club, according to Ireland. For more information, visit www.ballyhackgolfclub.com, or call 540-427-1395. By Matt Reeve
Cave Spring American Finishes Strong in State Little League Tournament The 10-11 year old little league team from Cave Spring American captured theDistrict 12 Championship in Covington, VA. earlier this month. The team went undefeated in tournament play, posting a record of 4-0 againstDistrict 12 teams. The team then traveled to Reston, Va to compete in the state little league tournament where they advanced out of pool of 16 teams into the championship bracket. The team then lost in quarterfinal play, tying for 5th in the state. The picture above shows the team with their state medals.
Players Left to Right: Shane Kinchen, Chase White, Carter Johnson, Lucas Blankenship, Cody Boone,Matthew McVey,Tommy Schmitt, Jake Smiley, Logan Brand,Tyler Hampton. Coaches: Left to Right Manager - Sam Hampton, Coach Bo Blankenship, Coach Tom Schmitt Not pictured: Daniel Hartman
NASCAR Star Drives at Local Track
NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Denny Hamlin fields questions during his recent stop in Radford at the Shelor Motor Mile race track.
What does a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver do on his weekend off? Play golf or take his boat out on the lake? Not Denny Hamlin, the Fed Ex sponsored #11 driver for Joe Gibbs racing; he comes to Shelor Motor Mile in Radford for some short track night racing. Hamlin is an up-and-coming star in the top NASCAR series, which he joined full time in 2006. His first year in Cup he was voted “Rookie of the Year” and qualified to be in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, as he has every year since then. Hailing from Chesterfield, VA, Hamlin turns 28 this fall. He’s amassed four victories in the Cup series, and 9 in the Nationwide series, and reports rooting for Virginia Tech football and the Washington Redskins. Before the start of the race, Hamlin was found underneath his race-car, tweaking the rear end and changing out some gears. Hamlin and his Late Model crew built the car themselves, just for short track racing. Apparently, Hamlin does not mind getting grease under his nails if it makes his car better. He is not allowed to work on his cars at the Gibbs shop because he is “too valuable as a driver.” Hamlin was here at the request of friend Phillip Morris, the points leader at Motor Mile in the Late Model Stock division. Morris is a local favorite and has known Hamlin for two years. Morris finally convinced
Hamlin to come back to the track he last visited in 2004, before he became a NASCAR Nationwide driver. When reminded him that he only won the last one of the three races, Hamlin said, “Yeah, I only won the last one, but I have gotten a lot better since then.” Hamlin was driving the #99 car under Morris’s sponsor, Clarence’s Steakhouse, for the event he won. After setting up his car, Hamlin cleaned up and went up onto the sponsor balcony above the grandstands. As soon as he was spotted, a hat was thrown up for him to sign; then another, then another, then a T-shirt, a coat, a program, and so on. Hamlin obliged everyone who tossed him something and stood on the balcony for over an hour talking to fans and giving away autographs. When it was race time, Hamlin was “all business.” Qualifying fourth for the 150-lap race, as soon as the green flag waved, he challenged for the lead. The race featured some side by side racing with Chad Harris and a few cautions flags were thrown for wrecks. In the end, Hamlin was fifth and Frank Dieny Jr. came out on top. When Dieny was interviewed after the race he said, “Maybe Denny can come back again and race one of my cars.” That depends on what Hamlin has planned for his next weekend By Carla M. Bream off.
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Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 4/17/09 - 4/23/09
Sports
Roanoke Star Player Bound for Tech Kyle Renfro, an upcoming senior at Brookville High School in Lynchburg and a player for the Roanoke Star Soccer Club, has recently decided to commit to Virginia Tech. Renfro has been heavily recruited over the past few months by the incoming goalkeeper coach at Tech and their interest made him feel comfortable about making the commitment now - despite strong interest from other college soccer programs. “Kyle has been a very important part of the Roanoke Star program and will be on the current U18 Roanoke Star Elite team this year, a team that plays at the highest levels of youth soccer in the United States,” said Graham Ma-
clean, Director of Coaching for the Roanoke Star. A 4-year starter on his high school soccer team and the team captain, Renfro was all-district and all-region in soccer this year. “Without a doubt Kyle is one of the best goalkeepers in the Roanoke area, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go on to achieve great things at the college level, where he has the character to be a big success,” said Maclean. “I have every confidence that he will feature prominently in the Tech starting line up before long. Tech is getting a great goalkeeper … who will work hard for everything he gets. ”
Roanoke Country Club Wins City-County Championship
Groh and Beamer to Speak at Roanoke Valley Sports Club University of Virginia Head Football Coach Al Groh will be the opening speaker at the Roanoke Valley Sports Club on Thursday, July 30 at the Hidden Valley Country Club. The social hour (cash bar) begins at 5:45 PM, and the dinner meeting begins at 6:15 PM. Virginia Tech Head Football Coach Frank Beamer will speak to the club on Monday, August 3. This meeting will also be held at the Hidden Valley Country Club. Members pay $20 for each of these. Membership dues are $30 annually and save members $5 at each meeting. Other meetings are $15 for members and $20 for guests. There are 11 meetings scheduled this year. This represents a potential savings of $25. Meetings are usually held on the third Monday of each month (except December) at the Salem Civic Center. For more information, contact: Mac McCadden 397-2119 or John Montgomery 761-6751
Send sports pictures, announcements and story ideas to info@theroanokestar.com
(Above) Nicholas Conte of Hunting Hills readies for the starter's horn. (Left) Stone Gate swimmer Carly Griffith heads to the starting platform.
Surprise, surprise. For the first time in seven years, the Roanoke Valley Aquatic Association seasonending championship did not go to Hunting Hills Country Club. Roanoke Country Club (RCC) wrested the title away after Hunting Hills had won six straight times. The slim 265-point margin of victory came in a meet featuring swimmers from 6 to 65. Hunting Hills, however, retained the regular season points title. RCC swim coach Marcia Barry had been knocking at the door for two years, finishing fourth and third at City-County, which caps off the outdoor private pool swim meet season. Hunting Hills placed 2nd and Forest Hills took 3rd. Hunting Hills, Stonegate, Castle Rock, and Vinton Swimming also won their respective divisions. (see swimrvaa.com for complete City-County results)
Adult Kickball Co-Ed League kicks Off Season We Smooth Out the Wrinkles
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This group definitely is getting a big kick as the Adult Kickball Co-Ed League has started play at River's Edge. Sponsored by Roanoke City Parks and Recreation, the popularity has been overwhelming with 24 teams in 3 divisions competing this summer. Games are held Monday through Thursday evenings at the field adjacent to Carilion Hospital. Kickball has been soaring in popularity nationally and has its own national championship. The sport has its unique set of rules and terminology. Not to be outdone by other sports, the
national champs traditionally drink the 'nectar of the gods' from a crystal kickball. On Monday night the Hammertoes kicked it out against the
Blue Jugs in a match-up among Blue Division squads, with the Hammertoes holding off a late rally by the Blue Jugs for a 3-2 win.
Jan Nash of the Blue Jugs dives to the base to avoid a thrown ball hit.
Hammertoes' starting roller Anthony "Phat" Rickman delivers his famous knuckle-curve.
Hall of Fame Finally Opens Doors in Salem Professional baseball fans have become a jaded lot in recent years, having to deal with strikes, temperamental prima donnas, overpaid players, greedy owners, and steroids. On a beautiful Saturday last weekend, however, one could come to the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame, a homegrown field of dreams, and forget the troubles plaguing professional leagues. Those dreams took root in the mind of a man whose passion for the game in its purest form had few equals. How Posey Oyler’s dream took off itself is the stuff of legend, but when he got hold of the idea for a Hall of Fame honoring the game locally in 1991, he wouldn’t let go. Together with longtime Roanoke Times sportswriter Bob Teitlebaum, and a coalition of partners that grew over the years, Oyler started inducting players, coaches and supporters in 1992. The first banquet to honor the inductees and raise funds for the project was held that year. “We never got together without Posey talking about the
ExpEriEncE thE Joy of Living At thE pArk-oAk grovE Independent Carefree Lifestyle Three Delicious Meals Served Daily Assisted Living Services as Needed Wellness Program 24-Hour Staff Medication Administration and Monitoring Personalized Care in Your Own Apartment
Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame,” remembers Barbara Shelton, one of Posey’s six siblings, all on hand to witness the fulfillment of his dream, even though he himself could not be. Oyler passed away in January 2008; Teitlebaum died last August. Oyler’s work ethic was fullsteam ahead, a quality he admired in amateur players. A longtime American Legion Post 3 coach with six regular season championships under his belt, the local businessman preferred to highlight the sport locally, from Roanoke, Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin and Montgomery and their independent cities. When the doors finally opened Saturday, plaques for all 83 inductees, chosen by a committee and honored at a fundraising banquet each February since 1992, lined the walls of the 1800-square foot facility. Displays of memorabilia documented the game’s glory in the valley, from local high school players, to rec. league coaches and future major leaguers that played for one of the Salem minor league teams. Board members Charlie Hammersley, named president
The local baseball Hall of Fame is finally open.
after Oyler’s death, former William Byrd baseball coach Gary Walthal and others picked up the slack after Oyler’s passing, getting the Hall ready for its opening. Butch Reynolds was on hand to take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, remembering the man he called “a father-figure. He would tell me, ‘Butch, be a good baseball player, but be a better person,’” said Reynolds, who played Legion ball when Oyler was at the helm. “He was a baseball player’s best friend.” Sixth District Congressman Bob Goodlatte was on hand to
deliver an opening speech, in which he remembered Oyler as “always on the move, always calling me. Baseball was very, very deep in his heart.” Ground was broken for the Hall in 2003, but the necessary financial support (more than $300,000) took longer than expected to gather. With help from Salem, Roanoke City, and Roanoke County governments, as well as private financial backers like former Avalanche owner Kelvin Bowles, the Hall now sits just behind the Red Sox front office outside the left field wall at Salem Memorial/Lewis Gale Field. The Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame will be open during Salem Red Sox games and by special appointment for schools, civic groups and Little League teams that want to take a tour. “He’d be tickled to death,” said a smiling Ann Calhoon, who was Oyler’s secretary from 1993 until he passed away. “It’s a good day today.” By Jeff Crooke
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4/17/09 - 4/23/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9
TheRoanokeStar.com
Health Watch
Our Lady of Nazareth
Managing Life with Alzheimers
About 5.3 million people in the U.S. currently have Alzheimer’s Disease, the most common form of dementia. One of the most important events benefiting research, education and other activities that support those with Alzheimer’s, their families and caregivers is the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Memory Walk. It will be held in the Roanoke area Oct. 3, at Hollins University. For more information, visit www.kintera. org, call 434-973-6122 or email lisa.ferrari@alz.org. While national statistics regarding Alzheimer’s and its impacts seem staggering, dealing as individuals with the symptoms and changes of Alzheimer’s can seem overwhelming for those experiencing them and for their family and caregivers. One challenge occurs when our loved ones with Alzheimer’s – or other dementias – begin getting their facts mixed up. They “change history” or use words that don’t make sense to us. Or, they forget our name. Our immediate inclination is to correct them but it’s almost never helpful to do that. Here’s why: first, as much as we love them and want to make them better, we can’t “fix” them. The illness and our loved one are a package deal. We can only “fix” how we deal with our loved one’s illness. The fact is their reality is changing – it’s not the same as ours because of changes to the brain, and those changes will continue. What Mom is perceiving is perceiving is the only reality she has, at least at that moment. What’s especially important to remember is that our loved ones aren’t choosing to have a different reality. Correcting them – even though we mean to be helpful – ultimately damages our relationship with them by eroding trust. When we correct, what we’re communicating is not only that they’re wrong but that their reality is wrong, even though it isn’t under their conscious control. What’s more, it’s
human nature not to trust, even to resent, those who judge us -who don’t, or won’t, accept us. Another reason that correcting our loved ones isn’t helpful is that it leads to power struggles over who’s right and wrong. That leads to pushed buttons, and sometimes acting out – by them and us. These power struggles not only damage trust, they’re frequently about matters that, in the great scheme of things, aren’t that important. The key point here is that trust in us is something our loved one greatly needs: the more trust they have in us, the safer they will feel as we accompany them on their journey through what must be, at least at times, a terrifying world. Learning not to correct doesn’t mean we have to compromise who we are. (And “learning” is used here intentionally – it’s a process.) Instead, we’re asked to be neutral in our responses – our tone of voice and the words we use. Or we can choose not to respond, to just let it slide. (No fair rolling your eyes.) If we feel we have to say something, stating our truth in a neutral way is again the key. For instance, we can say, “Well, I remember that differently.” (Flat tone, no details.) Or, “That looks blue to me” (not the color our loved one perceived). Learning not to correct our loved not only removes the negative, it produces significant benefits. In particular, it leads to shifts in our perspective that help us gain all kinds of new and helpful insights to our loved one, including an understanding of what they’re thinking and feeling, moment to moment. When I removed the “wrong” label from my mother’s biting and pinching, I learned that dressing her in over-the-head and front-close blouses required moving her arms in ways that hurt her shoulders, caused her pain. Because I gained that insight, I was able to create clothing for her that eliminated the arm movements producing the
pain. When she could no longer understand the words spoken to her, I realized that she relied on reading body language to understand others and was frightened when she was approached in certain ways. And that when someone put their face right in front of hers and spoke loudly and slowly, it didn’t help her understand, it scared her. As a result, she would “act out.” It was the only way Mom knew to defend herself from what she perceived as threats or attacks. I also learned that a calm approach, gentleness and a quiet or soothing tone worked wonders. The most valuable thing I learned was to accept her as she was, where she was because I realized she wasn’t able to be with me where I was. After a while she realized that she didn’t have to be someone different from who she was at any moment for me to be okay. Somehow that all got communicated between us – mostly without words -- and it transformed our relationship. She felt safe with me and I felt loved in a way I never had before. It’s powerful stuff. By the way, I never did mind that during the later years of her illness, she called me “Mother”. (And quite often earlier on.) I knew that she knew who I was. Nothing would have substituted for the way her face lit up every time I went to see her. It radiated pure joy, and in a strange way that made everything okay. by Tamasin Roop (Ed. Note: Tamasin Roop accompanied her mother on an 8-plus year journey with Alzheimer’s. This column covers part of one of the ‘Five ways to make life easier on you and your loved one’ – a workshop she will be teaching in the near future. Contact her at tamroop@gmail. com. The Alzheimer’s Association’s local office is the Blue Ridge of Va. Chapter: Phone: 345-7600 Address: 2728 Colonial Ave.)
Catholic Church www.oln-parish.org
Contact us: 540-774-0066
2505 Electric Road, Roanoke VA, 24018
Community Calendar > July 31 & August 1
Roanoke FiddleFest Time:10am-11:30pmPlace: Hollins University, Roanoke, VA Price: $15$20 for Saturday only. Info: Concerts, workshops, roundtable discussion groups, and jam sessions with the pros including Mountain Heart with Tony Rice, Balsam Range, Audie Blaylock & Redline and more.
> August 5
ALS Night at the Ballpark The Salem Red Sox and th e ALS Association are hosting a special night at the ballpark Wednesday, August 5, 7 p.m., to raise money in the fight against Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Tickets are $6 in advance ($1 off regular price). Tickets are good for general admission seating, and only for August 5, or its rain date, if necessary. For more information, email Rick at sniktawrick@cox.net
> August 7
Manif Spaciale The famed Montreal originating space-framed bike event, is happening in downtown Roanoke, Friday, August 7, 4:30 - 6 pm. Any questions? do feel free to ask: http://carlessbrit.tumblr.com/
> August 14
VCE Food Expo The Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, and Roanoke offices of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) have teamed up with many sponsors to host the first “Taste of the Roanoke Valley Food
Classifieds ACURA 2006, TL, 29k mi., Black Pearl WEB ID# RM071229
Crossroads 540-904-1500
ACURA 2006, TL, 38k mi., Black Pearl WEB ID# RM026303
Crossroads 540-904-1500
ACURA 2006, TSX, 35k mi., Black Pearl WEB ID# RP002370
Crossroads 540-904-1500
AUDI 2000, S4, 84k mi., Black WEB ID# RW076924
Crossroads 540-904-1500
BMW 3 Series 2004, ,325it, 74k mi., Blue WEB ID# RMZ15645
Crossroads 540-904-1500
BMW 3 Series 2007, 328i Sedan, 31k mi., Red WEB ID# RPV65265
Crossroads 540-904-1500
BMW 3 series 2007, 335i Coupe, 30k mi., Black WEB ID# RP037042
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BMW 5 Series 2007, Sedan, 34k mi., Black WEB ID# RMU25352
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BMW M3 2006, Convertible, 35k mi., Silver WEB ID# RPK10655
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BMW Z4 2006, 3.0si Roadster, 34k mi., White WEB ID# RPX01099
New Tygart Fler Train Ride - Bus August 15-16, The Bedford County Parks & Recreation is sponsoring a bus trip to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, The American Mountain Theatre and a train ride on the New Tygart Flyer in Elkins, WV, on Saturday-Sunday, August 15-16, 2009.
540-904-1500
540-904-1500
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CADILLAC STS 2007, 4dr Sdn V6, 45k mi., Black WEB ID# RM0158042
JAGUAR S-TYPE 2006, 40k mi., Seafrost WEB ID# RJN70280
MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS 2006, E320, 42k mi. WEB ID# RM955917
SMART FORTWO 2008, Pure, 11k mi., Light Yellow WEB ID# RP175335
540-904-1500
540-904-1500
540-904-1500
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CHEVROLET CAMARO 2010, SS, 150 mi., Orange Metallic WEB ID# RP113887
JAGUAR XJ SERIES 2006, XJ8 L, 36k mi., Winter Gold WEB ID# RJG49943
MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS 2007, E350, 31k mi., Black WEB ID# RM043722
540-904-1500
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CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2007, 23k mi., Black WEB ID# RP122667
LEXUS ES 350 2008, 13k mi., Moon Shell Mica WEB ID# RM234534
MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS 2008, E350 4Matic, 27k mi., Black WEB ID# RM243387
540-904-1500
540-904-1500
540-904-1500
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CHRYSLER 300 2006, C SRT - 8, 16k mi., Silver WEB ID# RM368573
Crossroads 540-904-1500
DODGE CHALLENGER 2008, SRT-8, 13k mi., Orange WEB ID# RP311894
Crossroads 540-904-1500
Crossroads LEXUS GX 470 2007, 13k mi., Silver WEB ID# RJ130485
Crossroads 540-904-1500
LEXUS IS 250 2008, 13k mi., Blue Metallic WEB ID# RP024863
Crossroads 540-904-1500
Crossroads MINI COOPER S 2005, 27k mi., Silver WEB ID# RPG96495
Crossroads 540-904-1500
MINI COOPER S 2008, SL, 60k mi., Chili Red WEB ID# RPL97213
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Redemption Playgroup A popular Bible-based strategy card game. Bring your own cards or use the group’s. Play against advanced opponents, or just come to learn the game. Ages 8 to 108 welcome. Please call if you have any questions! Family Friendly: Yes Venue: Williamson Road Library Address: 3837 Williamson Rd NW, Roanoke VA Time: Every 3rd Saturday of the month, from 1pm to 4:45pm Free: Yes Contact Name: Brent Paschall Contact Email: redadmin@ redemptionva.com Contact Phone: (540) 354-5376 Website: http:// www.redemptionva.com
400-0990
540-904-1500
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> Every 3rd Saturday
or email advertising@newsroanoke.com
540-904-1500
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Creating a Digital Memory Scrapbook Part 2 Compiling Your Digital Memory Scrapbook Monday, Aug. 17, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, or Monday, Aug. 24, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Computer Lab, Main Library In this session, you will learn how to scan your photographs, choose digital images, sound and video clips, and create a presentation.
To place an ad in the Star Classifieds call
FORD F-150 2008, King Ranch , 20k mi., Burg. WEB ID# RJD58715
LEXUS RX 330 2006, 40k mi., Grey WEB ID# RJ088957
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FORD F-450 2008, 46k mi., Black WEB ID# RJA50695
MERCEDES BENZ GL-CLASS 2007, GL450 4Matic, 29k mi., White WEB ID# RM216473
540-904-1500
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SUBARU LEGACY 2005, 2.5i Limited, 27k mi. WEB ID# RM329215
GMC YUKON DENALI 2008, SUV, 27k mi., Onyx Black WEB ID# RJ157991
MERCEDES BENZ M-CLASS 2005, ML350, 54k mi., Pewter WEB ID# RM510539
540-904-1500
540-904-1500
540-904-1500
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VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE 2006, Convertible, 30k mi., Red WEB ID# RP323009
HONDA ODYSSEY 2004, EX Mini-Van, 82k mi., Silver WEB ID# RJ086964
MERCEDES BENZ M-CLASS 2005, ML350, 20k mi., Pewter WEB ID# RM563360
540-904-1500
540-904-1500
540-904-1500
VOLVO S60 2006, 2.5T, 18k mi., Blue WEB ID# RP323009
HUMMER H2 2008, SUT, 18k mi., Solar Flare WEB ID# RJ02539
MERCEDES BENZ M-CLASS 2006, ML350, 48k mi., Silver WEB ID# RM003620 540-904-1500
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VOLVO S80 2007, V8, 22k mi., Silver WEB ID# RJ428570
JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2007, Overland, 24k mi., Silver WEB ID# RJ561645
NISSAN XTERRA 2002, 4WD V6, 118k mi., Gold WEB ID# RW550309 540-904-1500
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FORD MUSTANG 2007, Shelby GT500, 46k mi., Red WEB ID# RP251725
MAZDA RX8 2008, 14k mi., Silver Metallic WEB ID# RP314369
NISSAN ALTIMA 2003, SL, 60k mi., Light Green WEB ID# RM251945
VOLVO XC70 2007, Base Trim, 62k mi., Gold WEB ID# RM096667
LAND ROVER LR3 2006, SE, 27k mi., Tonga Green WEB ID# RJ411670
PORSCHE CAYENNE 2006, S Tiptronic, 18k mi., Silver WEB ID# RPA5009
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FORD MUSTANG 2008, GT, 0 mi., Black Clearcoat WEB ID#RP100833
MERCEDES BENZ C-CLASS 2003, C240 4Matic, 59k mi., Black WEB ID# RM406204
540-904-1500
540-904-1500
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HONDA CR-V 2007, EX, 6k mi., Borrego Beige WEB ID# RJ075190
MERCEDES BENZ C-CLASS 2006, C230, 40k mi., Pewter WEB ID# RM826713
PORSCHE 911 2006, Carrera 4, 13k mi., Silver WEB ID# RP716661
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INFINITI FX35 2005, AWD, 48k mi., Silver WEB ID# RJ207040
MERCEDES BENZ C-CLASS 2007, C230, 29k mi., Black WEB ID# RM928279
PORSCHE BOXSTER 2000, S, 96k mi., Red Metallic WEB ID# RP663193
540-904-1500
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INFINITI G35 2003, Sedan, 61k mi., Champagne WEB ID# RJ428570
MERCEDES BENZ C-CLASS 2008, C350, 15k mi., Black WEB ID# RM021565
540-904-1500
540-904-1500
540-904-1500
> August 15
SCION TC 2009, Base Trim, 19k mi., White WEB ID# RP280598
540-904-1500
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Join us for A Taste of Culture - Vietnam Friday August 14, at Century Plaza in downtown Roanoke. Enjoy the dance and costume of Vietnam - free cooking and dance lessons, authentic Vietnamese food and more. And come back for two more international celebrations - Taste of Culture events are planned for September 11, China; October 9, Scandinavia. For more information, contact Pearl Fu at Local Colors, pearlfu@aol.com or localcolors.org.
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> August 17
> August 14
MERCEDES BENZ CLS-CLASS 2006, CLS500, 32k mi., Silver WEB ID# RM052441
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BMW X3 Series 2007, 3.0si, 30k mi., Black WEB ID# RJF25607
Expo,” Friday, August 14, 2009, from 2 – 8 pm, at the Greenfield Recreational Park just north of Daleville. Tickets are $2 each (children 12 and under free with paying adult) and can be purchased by calling Botetourt (540-473-8260), Craig (540-8645812), or Roanoke (540-772-7524) VCE offices. Tickets are limited and should be purchased prior to the Food Expo.
INFINITI G37 2008, Journey, 9k mi., Blue WEB ID# RP112965
BMW X3 Series 2004, 2.5i, 64k mi., Silver WEB ID# RJB21601
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Visit the Adirondack Park in upstate New York. During the day we will explore in sea kayaks to remote lakes and rivers while the evening will be spent relaxing in comfort at Saranac Lake. We will also spend time exploring Lake Placid. This small group expedition is designed for adults who enjoy the outdoors and want to do it comfortably. Price includes all activities, lodging, breakfasts, transportation, equipment and leadership. Please register by Aug. 7 by calling 853-1339.
!
Star-Sentinel
carS
New York Adirondacks Sea Kayaking and Touring Trip Sept. 18-26 $1,395
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Crossroads PORSCHE BOXSTER 2006, 17k mi., Yellow WEB ID# RP710955
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INFINITI G35 2003, Sedan, 85k mi., Champagne WEB ID# RJ428570
MERCEDES BENZ C-CLASS 2008, C300 4Matic, 53k mi., Black WEB ID# RM085405
SCION TC 2005, Base Trim, 103k mi. WEB ID# RW039324
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SuvS & TruckS CADILLAC ESCALADE 2006, EXT SUV, 46k mi., White WEB ID# RJ158595
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CHEVROLET SILVERADO1500 2006, 3LT, 33k mi., White WEB ID# RJ141760
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FORD EXCURSION 2005, Limted SUV, 99k mi., Black WEB ID# RWA90751
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FORD EXPEDITION 2006, Eddie Bauer, 37k mi., Blue WEB ID# RJA43230
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LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER 2007, HSE, 18k mi., Java Black WEB ID# RJ239116
Crossroads PORSCHE CAYENNE 2006, S Tiptronic, 60k mi. WEB ID# RPA61041
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LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT
2006, HSE, 28k mi., Black WEB ID# RJ967503
TOYOTA 4RUNNER 2006, SR5, 62k mi., Titanium WEB ID# RJ099687
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Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 4/17/09 - 4/23/09
Carilion Clinic Will Pilot New Payment System
Roanoke County to Maximize Energy Efficiency
The Roanoke County Administration Building off 419 in Southwest County is one of 25 county facilities slated for analysis and renovation by the Trane Company.
to reduce energy consumption and bills. The work with Trane will complement the work that is already in place. In 2007, Roanoke County joined Local Governments for Sustainability, also known as ICLEI. As part of its commitment to ICLEI, the county has set a goal for itself to stop increasing carbon emissions by 2012, and to then reduce the county’s carbon emissions by
3% every year thereafter until 2020, as Milestone 2 of the ICLEI program. Roanoke County has also shown its commitment to the environment through its capital projects. The Western Virginia Regional Jail is LEED certified, and the new fleet service center and multigenerational recreation center (Green Ridge Recreation Center) will also receive certifica-
TheRoanokeStar.com
VDOT Issues Full Time Layoff Notices
Carilion’s three-year conversion from and are accountable for clinical outa traditional, hospital-centric health care comes. As providers, we are best organization to a multi-specialty, patientequipped to develop solutions that centered clinic is entering a new phase. keep patient care and quality at the “We’ve made remarkable progress in center of the discussion.” building the organization and infrastrucSeveral insurance payers including ture necessary to fulfill our promise,” Anthem, CIGNA, United Healthcare said Carilion Clinic president and CEO and Southern Health have expressed Edward G. Murphy, M.D. “We’ve added interest in participating with Carilmore than 200 doctors, a physician leadion Clinic in the ACO pilot and are ership structure and a comprehensive in discussions with Carilion, Brookelectronic medical record. At the same ings, and Dartmouth. time we’ve improved our academic profile Medicare Health Plan: Carilion by developing a new medical school and Clinic has also received conditional research institute with Virginia Tech.” federal approval to operate a MediCarilion is now turning its attention to care Advantage Plan. The new orproblems inherent in the current medi- Carilion CEO Ed Murphy wants to cut overhead costs. ganization, called Carilion Clinic cal payment system, which rewards overMedicare Health Plan, will offer a treatment while providing no incentive variety of plan designs with no or to keep people well. Two new pilot programs aimed and improv- low member premiums, affordable co-payments, prescription ing patient care, efficiency and wellness while lowering costs will drug benefits, and wellness care. begin in 2010. Medicare Advantage Plans are paid a flat monthly fee, which One approach is the Brookings-Dartmouth Model, a nationally- makes it possible for participating doctors to provide wellness and recognized health care model that rewards providers for improv- preventative care. Quality, outcomes and patient satisfaction meaing patient outcomes while lowering cost growth. It will soon be sures will be monitored to ensure patients are happier and healthier pilot tested in Roanoke through a cooperative effort by the Engel- as a result. Enrollment in the Carilion Clinic Medicare Advantage berg Center for Health Care Reform at Brookings, The Dartmouth Plan for 2010 is expected to begin on November 15, 2009. Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, and the Carilion New Medical Center: Carilion Clinic's new state-of-the-art outClinic. The “Accountable Care Organization” (ACO) model en- patient medical complex at Smith Mount Lake held a ribbon cutcourages physicians, hospitals, insurance companies, and the gov- ting Thursday . The facility features a new urgent care center, along ernment to work together to coordinate care, improve quality, and with enhanced imaging services and rotating physician specialreduce costs. ists. The Carilion Clinic Westlake Center is located at 35 Medical “The Brookings-Dartmouth ACO Pilot Project and Carilion Court, Hardy, behind Kroger at Westlake Towne Center. Clinic are on similar paths,” said Murphy, “We understand that rising health care costs are not sustainable and that provider leadership is essential to reforms that reduce costs, improve efficiency,
Roanoke County is in the process of renovating county buildings as part of its overall initiative to improve energy efficiency. The renovations will be funded through utility cost savings. The county also plans to use $300,000 of federal stimulus money to fund additional improvements. Roanoke County selected Trane to perform a detailed study of its facilities, which began last month. After an indepth building analysis, Trane will develop a plan to update the buildings’ comfort, lighting, and water systems while adding a greater level of control to all of its building systems. The renovations will result in significant improvements to 25 county facilities including fire stations, community centers, and libraries. “We’re thrilled to bring the necessary analysis and improvements to these facilities to improve comfort and save money,” said Ross Atherton, Trane’s Solutions leader for Virginia. Reducing energy consumption has been a priority for the county for the past eight years. In 2001, the county implemented a System of Environmental Management using ISO 14001 guidelines - an international standard of environmental operation ¬¬- to research and implement ways
tion. “I am proud of our efforts to reduce energy consumption through the programs and projects we have in place and look forward to making our existing buildings even more energy efficient,” said Clay Goodman, Roanoke County Administrator.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is giving roughly 600 employees a first notice of layoff this week as it works to meet a required reduction of staffing to 7,500 fulltime employees by July 1, 2010. The layoffs are an element of the plan announced last year to reduce the agency by 1,000 fulltime employees and 450 parttime staff as VDOT addresses a $2.6 billion revenue shortfall. Approximately 60 Roanoke area VDOT employees will be affected. "It is very difficult to make these types of decisions that impact our employees, and we do not take them lightly," said David S. Ekern, VDOT commissioner. "However, we have no choice but to alter our staffing based upon major revenue reductions and long-term changes to the transportation industry." No job reductions will be made in area headquarters or emergency response staff. Ekern said VDOT’s primary focus is to “ensure we retain emergency response capability in the commonwealth.” Those affected will be notified through a personal visit from a HR staff member and offered employment counseling services. “We have offered 300 workshops within the department since last fall… [including] resume preparation and a job matching process,” said Ekern in a conference call with reporters Monday. This second of three waves of employee reductions will affect work units across the agency but is concentrated in the functional areas of preliminary engineering and construction. Other large employee groups affected will include VDOT's equipment shops as the agency closes more than half of these facilities due to less equipment needed and improvements in maintenance practices. The agency's first wave of staffing reductions in June reduced 450 part-time positions. The third and final wave of employee reductions needed to reach the agency's staffing target is planned for this winter. These initial layoff notifications do not necessarily mean the end of an employee's career with VDOT. While many employees will receive layoff notices, the agency will use vacancies as placement opportunities for
affected employees. The Department of Human Resource Management has also provided VDOT with greater flexibility in applying substitution as a placement option. This will allow those who wish to leave the agency or retire to exchange places with affected employees in similar positions who are designated for layoff. VDOT estimates that approximately 600 employees will receive initial layoff notifications, but fewer than 300 people will be separated on the designated layoff dates of Sept. 9, or Oct. 24 because a placement for them could not be found. The agency currently employs 8,200 employees. "Our employees are a critical resource to the commonwealth," Ekern said. "We have been holding open vacancies since our staffing reduction targets were set several months ago to serve as placement opportunities for affected employees and to use attrition and retirements to reduce the number of employees impacted. While many individuals will receive notice of layoff next week, opportunities available through placements within the agency and elsewhere in state government will significantly reduce the number of employees who will involuntarily leave VDOT." VDOT recommended in February a series of reductions to address a $2.6 billion revenue shortfall. These include reductions over the next six years of $2 billion to the construction program, $391 million to administrative and support programs including staffing reductions, and $348 million in reductions to the maintenance and operations program such as reductions to ferry services, interstate maintenance, grass cutting and rest areas. Many of the reduction targets were incorporated into the Appropriation Act passed by the General Assembly, requiring that VDOT meet these targets by certain dates. For more information about VDOT's blueprint staffing impacts, visit http://www.ctb.virginia.gov/ resources/2009/
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5/16/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11
TheRoanokeStar.com
Blue Ridge PBS Whitewater Video Makes Big Splash
“Blue Ridge Adventures: Whitewater” has won three broadcasting awards, including a 2008 Virginia Association of Broadcasters (VAB) first place award for Best Documentary. To create the video, the Blue Ridge PBS production team spent a day on the Upper Gauley River in West Virginia, one of the top rated whitewater rivers in the world. The whitewater episode was broadcast in 2008, as a part of the station’s “Blue Ridge Adventures” series. “We believe it was the first time the entire length of the Upper Gauley was filmed in high definition,” said Jim Underwood, producer for the Blue Ridge Adventures series. “With a camera in a specially designed, clear waterproof container lashed to the front of a raft, and other cameras in strategic points along the river, we recorded what it is like to go rafting on Class III, IV, and V
The Blue Ridge PBS production team braved the Upper Gauley River in West Virginia to produce the award-winning “Blue Ridge Adventures: Whitewater.”
rapids. It was an awesome experience and I think we captured that in the video.” The VAB award was presented during a ceremony at Virginia Beach, Va. Earlier in June “Blue Ridge Adventures: Whitewater” won a 2009 Videographer Award of Excellence, in the Travel category. The other winner in this category was a submission from Walt Disney Parks & Resorts in California.
The Videographer Awards, one of the oldest and most respected awards programs in the broadcast industry, is an international competition designed to recognize excellence in video productions, TV commercials/ news/ programs and new media. The Blue Ridge PBS video was also awarded a Bronze Telly. The Telly Awards honor the very best local, regional, and cable television commercials and
programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and work created for the Web. The 29th Annual Telly Awards received over 14,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. This the second consecutive year Blue Ridge PBS has won these three awards, adding to an impressive collection of honors bestowed up the station’s production team. “This award-winning video was among the first produced with our new HD production equipment,” said James Baum, Blue Ridge PBS President and CEO. “We are extremely pleased to be honored with these accolades, and we will continue to offer top-quality local programs with stories and topics that speak directly to our viewers.” The winning video and clips from other Blue Ridge PBS local productions can be seen online at www.BlueRidgePBS.org.
Late in Life, Eddie Maxwell Finds Solace in Painting
Eddie Maxwell discovered painting in his 60’s. “I’m in another world when I paint,” says Maxwell.
Eddie Maxwell has enjoyed the titles of army veteran, retired railroad pensioner, and hair salon owner. He is also the survivor of a severe brain seizure, and now the 84 year-old Elm Manor Homes resident is an artist. Maxwell signed away his Northern Virginia businesses in 1989 when things looked bleak, which is also when he “dropped to his knees and asked God to let him live.” In return, a man who once described himself as having “more women than you could shake a stick at,” also promised that he would start painting. And he has – in vivid oils
and acrylics, with landscapes a specialty, like the mountains of Colorado, where Maxwell was once stationed in the Army. “When I got out of the hospital I just prayed,” he recalled of that life-changing time. Rays of sunlight were evident in many of his works, perhaps offering a promise of hope, during a one-day show at Elm Manor (behind St. John’s Episcopal) last week. Several of Maxwell’s pieces are for sale at the new Second Helping Rescue Mission store on Williamson Road. “I’ve had some luck,” said Maxwell about those who look out for him now.
The manager of the store’s café, Jonathan McGraw, has taken the artist under his wing, after Maxwell wandered in – sockless - to a temporary gallery McGraw was running on Franklin Road. McGraw helped Maxwell move in to Elm Manor, where he paints in his living room/studio, to the sound of easy listening music coming from a digital TV channel. As a young man in Bluefield, West Virginia, Maxwell sang on a television program himself. Maxwell claims that people he didn’t paint often “show up” in his work afterwards, and said that sometimes his hand moves in mysterious ways while hold-
FloydFest a Big Draw in its 8th Year The 8th annual FloydFest featured dozens of bands, a few well-known, like Blues Travelers, but most only familiar to real music aficionados. The thousands who attended FloydFest over the weekend were treated to a musical feast on seven stages, some intimate, some, like the Dreaming Creek main stage, much larger. Organizers expected record, or near record, crowds on Saturday, when headliner Blues Traveler played a late set. Some took catnaps while listening to music, played hackysack or tried their hand at Hula Hoop. Radford native Stephanie Rooker ventured to FloydFest from her home in Brooklyn, NY, to play on the homey Village Stage, set at one end of a tent city. In the past, Rooker camped at FloydFest as a spectator and
The crowds are often as much of an attraction as the bands at Floyd
music lover. Three years ago, she left determined to come back as a performer, and did just that for the first time in 2008 as part of the Emerging Artists series. “The vibe is so playful and
open and loose,” said Rooker, “a special, special vibe.” Rooker, who writes songs with Ben Tyree, covered a Michael Jackson song in tribute, but otherwise belted out mostly jazzy originals. “I love FloydFest…its awesome to play here. Everyone’s happy to be here. There’s such a spirit of being grateful to be here.” Rooker, whose parents created the Roanoke-based Brain Injury Services support organization, is pleased that FloydFest continues to grow in its 8th year. Many who might have never heard her music had the opportunity experience it over the weekend. “I’m happy to be a part of it,” added Rooker, “it’s a great opportunity for artists to expand their fan base.” By Gene Marrano
ing a brush. “Its like someone is doing the painting for me.” The apparitions he swears aren’t painted in were even the subject of a chapter in “The Ghosts of Virginia, VII” by author L.B. Taylor. Elvis Presley “showed up on the dance floor,” on one canvas, said Maxwell. Blind in one eye, with cataracts in the other, Maxwell can still be prolific at times: “I can do a painting in one night,” he said at the Elm Manor showing. He’ll even make up his own colors and favors a vivid orange-pink hue found in several works. “I’m in another world when I paint,” said Maxwell, who gets around with the help of a walker and a scooter when traveling more than short distances. It looks like he spends plenty of time in his cozy studio/living room as well, as easy listening tunes blare in the background. “I don’t try to copy anyone else,” said Maxwell, who nonetheless admires the master Monet. His works are somewhat reminiscent of the French painter - but Eddie Maxwell is a true
Photo by: Pam Rickard
“I Love Virginia Fest” Draws Hundreds to Elmwood Park
Hundreds turned out at Elmwood Park last Friday evening for the inaugural "I Love Virginia Fest," a free community concert that featured a cross-cultural mix of music and entertainment including Latin, hip-hop and praise music, a step team, a dramatic presentation and multi-lingual speakers. The event was sponsored and organized by youth and leaders from the Santiago, Chile, branch of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), an international Christian outreach organization; the student ministry of Church of the Holy Spirit (CHS); and the North Roanoke Baptist Hispanic church plant, Convivencia Familiar Chrisiana.
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Page 12 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 4/17/09 - 4/23/09
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