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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel Community | News | Per spective

September 5, 2008

TheRoanokeStar.com

Council asks for second request for proposal on Market Building

[Carilion Healthcare]

Nonprofit Hospitals Flex Pricing Power, Carilion’s Fees Exceed Those of Competitors Troop Tales P4– John Robinson shares his experiences hiking with Troop II.

At the 2:00 PM Council meeting City Manager, Darlene Burcham, advised Council that the one proposal submitted regarding the Market Building was rejected by the Committee because “it had been found to not be in the best interest of the city.�Ms. Burcham said the City remained committed to renovating the Market Building and was City Council prepared to secure design services for the 1st and 2nd floors and the mezzanine.

The information had not been shared with the submitters prior to her announcement.

Councilwoman, Gwen Mason questioned whether there was any way that staff can work with the group that submitted the proposal asking, “can the marriage be saved?�

Ms. Burcham said it was not in the City’s best interest to attempt any negotiation. She suggested that Council may be interested in a third party to operate the Market Building and that City staff does not have the experience to manage the building. The two options Ms. Burcham presented were to continue with the present design or to start over.

Downtown Roanoke Inc. and Center in the Square is the coalition that submitted and presented the proposal to the city staff. Bill Carder, Executive Director of DRI, was waiting to speak to City Council.

Mr. Carder said his coalition was comprised of 35-40 businesses and used the original market plan as a template and the RFP was their guide. He

[

Stop Sign

Staff Photo

P7– Reader Ray McKee wonders about the meaning behind this unique stop sign.

Carilion Healthcare System unhappily finds itself in the national spotlight as Roanoke moves from having the lowest healthcare cost in the state to the highest. (See further commentary on WSJ article on page 4.)

Since last week’s news story was published on the front page of the Wall Street Journal charging Roanoke’s Carilion Health System with monopolistic behavior under the guise of a non-proďŹ t entity, the emails, blog posts and rumors have been ying. Just like you, we have our own opinions about the issue as well as the information and “counter-informationâ€? being distributed and have wrestled with how best to serve our readers this week. In the end we have decided to reprint both the article and an email distributed by Ed Murphy to Carilion employees and Roanoke leaders the day before its publication. We also encourage readers to read opinions found on both Carilion and the Coalition for Responsible Healthcare’s websites. ( www.carilion.com and www.responsiblehealthcare.org)

I

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n 1989, the U.S. Department of Justice tried but failed to prevent a merger between nonprofit Carilion Health System and this former railroad town’s other hospital.

The merger, it warned in an unsuccessful antitrust lawsuit, would create a monopoly over medical care in the area.

Nearly two decades later, the cost of health care in the Roanoke Valley -- a region in southwestern Virginia with a population of 300,000 -- is soaring. Health-insurance rates in Roanoke have gone from being the lowest in the state to the highest.

That’s partly a reflection of Carilion’s prices. Carilion charges $4,727 for a colonoscopy, four to 10 times what a local endoscopy center charges for the procedure. Carilion bills $1,606 for a neck CT scan, compared with the $675 charged by a local imaging center.

Carilion’s market clout is manifest in other ways. With eight hospitals, 11,000 employees and $1 billion in assets, the tax-exempt hospital system has become one of the dominant players in the Roanoke Valley’s economy. Its dozens of subsidiaries include businesses ranging from athletic clubs to a

venture-capital fund.

The power of nonprofit hospital systems like Carilion over their regional communities has increased in recent years as their incomes have surged. Critics charge this is creating untaxed local health-care monopolies that drive the costs of care higher for patients and businesses. “It’s a one-market town here in terms of health care,� says Sam Lionberger, who owns a local construction firm. “Carilion has the leverage.�

Carilion acknowledges its influence in the local community but says there is nothing untoward about it. The hospital says it doesn’t have a monopoly over the Roanoke Valley health-care market because it faces robust competition from Lewis-Gale Medical Center, a hospital located in nearby Salem, Va., and owned by for-profit chain HCA Inc. Carilion says it charges more for certain procedures because it has to subsidize operations such as an > CONTINUED emergency department P3: Carilion and treatment for the

]

> CONTINUED P2: Market Bldg.

NCS Partners with Fallon Airport Commission’s solution to entrance is “Roundabout�

Park for Third Year

Though there were multiple topics on the agenda at As students across the country head back Tuesday’s noon lunch meetto school in the coming weeks, one thing is ing with the Roanoke Airport certain. The more than 600 children who Commission, most of the participated in North Cross School’s summer time revolved around reconprograms this year will have plenty of exciting figuration of the entrance to stories to share when they return to the classthe airport at Thirlane Road room. and Town Square Boulevard.

P9– Roanoke College “It’s wonderful to see so many students Roanoke Airport Commissnagged the 14th annual sion members present were from across the Roanoke area benefi ting from Cougar Classic hosted by Dr. John Dooley, Vic Stewart, the many wonderful camps we have here each Summer campAverett University.

Granger MacFarlane, “Fuzzy� summer,� said Summer Programs Director ers play in Minnix, and James Turner, Jr., Stephen Belderes. “Our camps give children North Cross Only receiving Chairman. Council member of all ages the opportunity to investigate new Anita Price was absent and promotional copies of interests, develop new hobbies, and meet new gym.

Alvin Nash arrived later. friends.�

Mr. Turner stressed that School officials believe strongly that these programs should be the airport is the gateway to a resource for the entire region that North Roanoke and it needs to be Get it delivered to Cross serves, and should strengthen the easy to use, easily marked, North Cross School’s relationship with the community. and aesthetically pleasing. He your doorstep introduced Tim White with Therefore, programs are available to stuEVERY week for only dents from all schools as well as North Cross students. More than Kimley-Horn and Associates, 60 percent of the record-breaking 600 students who participated Inc., to present their study as $44 a year! sponsored by the Roanoke do not attend North Cross School.

400-0990 Airport Commission. subscribe@theroanokestar.com The presentation included 3 > CONTINUED, P7: North Cross PO Box 8338 Roanoke,VA 24014 options: “No-Build� with only

Top Maroon

The Star-Sentinel?

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]

Photo submitted

An aerial shot with superimposed layout of proposed traffic roundabout at the intersection of Thirlane Road and Town Square Boulevard. signage improvements, Roanoke City’s concept proposed by the Traffic Department which included lane widening and traffic lights, and a third option of a “roundabout“ which was the primary focus of the presentation.

Mr. White began the presentation saying that there had been a 20% increase in Thirlane traffic due to the new > CONTINUED P2: Airport

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> Market Bldg.

> Airport call centers and 87% of traffic exited onto Hershberger Road. The desired effect was to reduce confusion and promote good traffic operation.

The roundabout would be 2 lanes with 5 legs, and with this plan, there would be no queuing impact. Mr. White said, “while the city’s oncept has merits ‌ it does not provide exclusive access to the airportâ€?. Roundabouts reduce speed and delays by 75%, providing a continuous flow even when the electricity goes out.

An added bonus would be that visitors first impression would be a visually attractive landscaped roundabout. A national study by the insurance industry showed a 27% decrease in crashes, a 51% decrease in injuries, and a 29% decrease in property damage with roundabouts.

Vice-Mayor Sherman Lea said that, “it seemed the biggest benefit was safety.� Ms. Burcham, the City Manager, responded saying that accidents in that area have not been an issue.

Mr. White added that trucks have a harder time maneuvering roundabouts but a larger one would be easier to negotiate. According to Mr. White’s study about 1.6% of the traffic at Thirlane is truck related.

Mr. White added that public opinion is usually negative at first, and then turns positive over time. To that Mr. Minnix said, “don’t sell the Virginia drivers short ‌ we’re as smart as the French aren’t we?â€?

Darlene Burcham said we do want to do away with confusion and no one supports the “no build� option. She said that the City does not have the funding available and that they would have to resell the concept to the retailers again.

The Manager of Transportation said roundabouts run from $ 700,000 to $1.5 million and the city was planning for roundabouts at 13th St and Hollins Road, and another at Riverland Road

and Mt. Pleasant at up to $3 million each. He added that it is very difficult to compare the cost of one roundabout to another.

Granger MacFarlane said, “You will be connecting two retail areas ‌ retail will rank it higher when they are asked to pitch in additional money if you relate it to improved traffic and increased sales.â€?

Mr. MacFarlane also wanted to see a crosswalk to the terminal considered. He stated that, “When the [Airport Commission] deed over the land we want to make sure we get something of long standing for it.� Part of the city’s concept requires some land owned by the Airport.

Dr. Dooley said the airport was very important to Virginia Tech and we want to “invest right the first time�. There is an opportunity for a signature investment that makes a statement to first time visitors.

The city manager asked, “what is the commission willing to give toward the project?�

Mr. Turner wanted to know first if they were moving toward a roundabout and to get feedback from the retailers.

Granger Macfarlane asked, “what are you expecting ‌ money or land?â€? To which Ms. Burcham answered “whatever you are willing to put on the table.â€?

The discussion ended after back and forth exchanges over cost sharing, conflicting designs, and hesitation on asking the retailers who had lost interest over the years.

Ms. Burcham was hesitant to go to retailers with a loosely defined project in hand only to hit a wall of retailer skepticism.

said that vendors were a priority and the plan was to make them more secure by bringing in other more diverse vendors to support their business. He also would create a partnership with the Culinary Institute for training them to insure their success.

He said they were going to pay 50% of the costs through the historic and new market tax credits and that they had secured a grant of $243,000 with Congressman Bob Goodlatte’s assistance. They have spent $60,000 on reports and consultants and said they were attempting to secure a $1 million grant from the Department of Agriculture. Carder said that he was there to clear up any misconceptions of how this plan was conceived. He opined later that he was not allowed to give the presentation to Council and he did not know if the coalition would respond to the second RFP. Mayor Bowers said that something has changed and that it was the council. “The people spoke and another council saw the market differently then this council.�

He said, “Comments I hear from citizens is that they really like it. They don’t see us scraping what we have and going with this plan.�

Bowers then stated that he comes at this differently than the previous council and that he thinks we should build on what is already there and make sure the customers and tenants whose livelihoods are there are all happy. Mayor Bowers said he had to respectfully disagree with Mr. Carder and that the tenants there have not been consulted. He wanted the City Manager to see what could be spiffed up inside the building

By Valerie Garner in the next 60 days and come info@theroanokestar.com back with a proposal later and “not some grand idea ‌ let’s meet the needs of what works

for Roanoke.�

Ms. Mason then reacted to the idea that the previous council didn’t show enough concern for present tenants and said, “I don’t appreciate that and I don’t think my colleagues appreciate that either.�

Mr. Lea said, “this is what you see as open debate and discussion ‌ we’d be in the back room at other times.â€? He said he could appreciate this because there is a difference of opinions and all colleagues have the best interest of the city market and we do care about the tenants. He said he heard some new information and “we want to get it rightâ€?.

At the urging of Mayor Bowers, Ms. Burcham said she would like to focus on specific sections of the RFP language for council’s review and feedback. Ms Burcham was not comfortable on what the new RFP would look like.

She elaborated on why staff rejected the response in that they did not feel it gave adequate protection to the existing vendors. She said she would like “protecting vendors� defined in the new RFP or it may again be too narrow.

Mr. Nash liked the idea of the city manager getting back to council “to make sure we know what we are asking for and we know when we get it or not.� Mr. Nash said later that what he saw in the proposal was a total scrap of the current vendors.

The motion to refer it back to the City Manager for a second RFP was seconded by Mr. Nash and passed unanimously.

By Valerie Garner info@theroanokestar.com

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9/5/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3

TheRoanokeStar.com

> Carilion From page 1

uninsured. Edward Murphy, Carilion’s CEO, says the high cost of health care in Roanoke reflects the national increase in such costs, which he says is driven by overutilization of medical services. Carilion is converting to a clinic model, in which doctors are employees of the hospital system and work more closely together to coordinate care, in an effort to cut down on unnecessary tests and procedures, he says.

“Fragmentation is the enemy of quality” and affordable care, Dr. Murphy says.

However, the clinic project has provoked a backlash from a group of local independent doctors, who say it is designed to stifle competition.

Originally set up to serve the poor, nonprofit hospitals account for the majority of U.S. hospitals. They are exempt from taxes and are supposed to channel income they generate back into operations, while providing benefits to their communities. But they have come under fire from patient advocates and members of Congress for stinting on charity care even as they amass large cash hoards, build new facilities and award big paychecks to their executives.

Fueled by large, untaxed investment gains, Carilion’s profits have risen over the past five years, reaching $107 million last year. Over the same period, the total annual compensation of its chief executive, Dr. Murphy, nearly tripled to $2.07 million. His predecessor, Thomas Robertson, received a lump-sum pension from Carilion of $7.4 million in 2003, on top of more than $2 million in previous pension payouts.

Carilion says Dr. Murphy’s compensation is in line with comparable health-care organizations and notes he doesn’t receive car allowances, a spousal allowance or club memberships. It says Mr. Robertson’s pension accrued over a 32year career at Carilion.

Carilion estimates it receives about $50 million a year in tax exemptions. It dispensed $42 million in charity care in 2007 and $30 million in 2006.

After the 1989 merger, Carilion continued to operate Roanoke’s two hospitals separately. It later consolidated the hospital boards and in 2006, transferred most of Roanoke Community Hospital’s staff and services to a renovated and enlarged Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

The moves eliminated any hospital competition in Roanoke proper, enabling Carilion to raise its prices and contributing to a spike in health-insurance rates in the region, one of the least affluent parts of the state, according to local doctors and health-insurance brokers.

Alan Bayse, founder of a local benefits-consulting firm

who has sold health insurance in the area for 30 years, says health-insurance rates in the Roanoke Valley used to be 20% lower than in Richmond, Virginia’s capital, and the lowest in the state. Today, he says, they are the highest in the state and 25% higher than in Richmond, citing rate information from insurer Cigna Corp. Anthem, another health insurer, says its rates are 6% higher in Roanoke than in Richmond.

Mr. Lionberger, whose construction company has about 100 employees, says his healthcare costs have risen 50% over the past three years, hampering his ability to compete with contractors from other parts of the state. “It’s frustrating,” he says.

While Carilion strengthened its power in the hospital market, Roanoke continued to be home to a community of independent doctors numbering in the hundreds.

In 2001, Dr. Murphy took the nonprofit hospital system’s helm. Dr. Murphy, who has a medical degree from Harvard but doesn’t practice medicine, says he was convinced that the cost and quality of care in Healthy Profits

Carilion Clinic’s net income/loss

$125 million 100 75 50 25

0 -25

FY2002 ‘03

‘04

‘05

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Note: Fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2007

Roanoke could be improved if doctors worked in a more centralized system. In June 2006, he announced a seven-year, $100 million plan to transform Carilion into a multispecialty clinic, like the Mayo Clinic.

Carilion began approaching private physician groups, offering to buy their practices and pay their salaries. Some accepted, but others balked.

Some doctors who chose to remain independent say the number of patients referred to them by Carilion physicians plummeted. Carilion controls a large proportion of Roanoke’s referrals because it employs a majority of doctors who make them, such as family practitioners, pediatricians and emergency physicians.

Joseph Alhadeff, an orthopedic surgeon who is a member of a private practice called Roanoke Orthopedic Center, says the number of joint replacements he performed dropped off sharply after he stopped getting such referrals from Carilion doctors, prompting him to plan

to relocate to Pennsylvania.

“I spent seven years building up a practice and watched it evaporate in six months,” he says.

Carilion spokesman Eric Earnhart says the hospital system didn’t engage “in any activity to reduce or divert” referrals from Dr. Alhadeff. Mr. Earnhart adds that Carilion continues to refer numerous cases to Roanoke Orthopedic Center.

Geoffrey Harter, an ear, nose and throat doctor at another Roanoke private practice, Jefferson Surgical Clinic, says Carilion-employed colleagues told him the hospital system asked them not to refer patients to doctors it didn’t employ, calling such referrals “leakage.” Keeping referrals within Carilion is lucrative for the hospital system because it ensures tests and procedures performed on patients take place at Carilion facilities.

Dr. Murphy says Carilion uses the term “leakage” in internal marketing discussions and that he would rather see its doctors refer patients to other Carilion doctors to optimize their care. But he says Carilion doesn’t require its doctors to keep referrals inhouse even though it would be legal to do so.

As tension between Carilion and Roanoke’s independent doctors grew in 2006, a group of 200 doctors formed an organization called the Coalition for Responsible Healthcare to protest the Carilion Clinic plan. The group posted a petition on its Web site and put up billboards around Roanoke that read: “Carilion Clinic. Big Dream. Big Questions.” The local newspaper, the Roanoke Times, covered the controversy in a series of articles written by its health-care reporter, Jeff Sturgeon.

A few months later, in March 2007, the Roanoke Times moved Mr. Sturgeon off the health-care beat after Carilion complained repeatedly about his coverage. Carilion says it communicated its displeasure to the paper’s editors, but never asked that Mr. Sturgeon be reassigned. Carilion withdrew most of its advertising from the paper, but says it did that as part of a reallocation of its ad budget. “Any friction that exists between an organization like us and the media is entirely appropriate,” Mr. Earnhart says.

Mr. Sturgeon, who now covers transportation, declined requests for comment. Carole Tarrant, the Roanoke Times’s editor, said: “We’re covering Carilion like we always have and always will, and have no plans to change how we cover Carilion.” She declined to elaborate.

A large part of the clinic conversion’s costs have involved the construction of a new medical campus around

Roanoke Memorial Hospital that began several years earlier.

The lead contractor building the site is Swedish construction giant Skanska. But one of the project’s biggest beneficiaries has been J.M. Turner & Co., which is owned

by Carilion board member Jay Turner. Carilion says it paid J.M. Turner a total of $14.9 million in direct contracting work from 2004 to 2007.

Dr. Murphy says Carilion’s board authorized “arm’s length work” with J.M. Turner, but adds that “a case could be made that we shouldn’t award work to J.M. Turner to avoid the appearance of impropriety.”

Carilion also paid Skanska, the lead contractor, a total of $120.8 million from 2003 to 2007. Some of that money flowed back to J.M. Turner as subcontracting work, according to Skanska and J.M. Turner. The companies and Carilion declined to say how much.

In an email, Mr. Turner said he recuses himself from all Carilion board decisions that involve his company. He added that his firm passed on much of the $14.9 million in direct contracting work it received from Carilion to other subcontractors.

Mr. Turner isn’t the only Carilion board member with a financial stake in the new medical campus. Another board member, Warner Dalhouse, has invested in a hotel being built on the campus to accommodate patients and their families. HomeTown Bank, a local bank Mr. Dalhouse founded and of which he was until recently chairman, is financing the hotel’s construction. Dr. Murphy and Mr. Turner sit on HomeTown Bank’s board.

Carilion and Mr. Dalhouse say he didn’t make his $130,000 investment in the hotel until after Carilion sold the parcel to Texas developers in early 2006. “I wasn’t dealing with Carilion. I was dealing with the new owners of that land who had paid fair market value for it,” Mr. Dalhouse says.

Carilion says its transformation into a multispecialty clinic will eventually lower local health-care costs. But many patients say they have yet to see relief from Carilion medical bills.

The Roanoke City General District Court devotes one morning a week to cases filed

by Carilion. In its fiscal year ended Sept. 30, Carilion says it sued 9,888 patients, garnished the wages of 5,478 people and placed liens on 3,920 homes.

Carilion says the people it takes to court have the means to pay their bills.

Photo by Stuart Revercomb

Skanska crews continue their work on new Carilion construction projects. Carilion refused to say how much additional spending Skanska has placed with J.M. Turner and Co. In addition to the $14.9 million in direct contracts placed by Carilion.

On a Thursday morning in June, a Carilion representative waited outside a courtroom to intercept the half-dozen patients who had responded to summonses to appear in court. She took them to a side room to work out payment plans. A judge later called out names of close to 100 patients who didn’t show and, oneby-one, entered judgments against them.

One of the patients who came to court, a 32-year-old housewife named Christie Masellis, faced a $12,137.12 bill. She had gastric bypass surgery at a Carilion facility in 2005. After developing complications, she required two more surgeries. She says her insurer covered the first surgery but not the two followups because it changed its coverage policy.

Mrs. Masellis has two children. Her husband, Mark, earns about $49,000 a year working for an auto-parts distributor. Mrs. Masellis says she inquired about qualifying for hospital financial assistance, but the Carilion representative told her she was no longer eligible for charity care because her account was past due. The representative agreed to put her account on hold until Sept. 30 but offered her no discount. The bill included $2,514.82 in interest charges Carilion added to the original debt of $9,622.30.

Carilion’s Mr. Earnhart says Mrs. Masellis had already received more than $15,000 in charity-care discounts. The suit Carilion filed is “for the remainder of the bill,” he says.

Mr. and Mrs. Masellis have

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begun the process of filing for personal bankruptcy. Mr. Masellis says the hospital bill was a big factor in the decision, though the couple has other debts, including a $68,000 mortgage.

When some patients don’t pay their bills, Carilion places liens on their homes. Carilion says it doesn’t track how many liens it has outstanding, but the close to 4,000 it filed in 2007 “is representative of a typical year,” Mr. Earnhart says. Carilion doesn’t foreclose on homes and only collects when properties are sold, he says.

Dr. Murphy says Carilion only sues patients and places liens on their homes if it believes they have the ability to pay. “If you’re asking me if it’s right in a right-and-wrong sense, it’s not,” he says. But Carilion can’t be blamed for the country’s “broken” healthcare system, he says.

By John Carreyrou

Reprinted by permission of The Wall Street Journal, Copyright © 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. License number 2017621162257

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E-mail from Carilion CEO sent prior to Thursday's WSJ article From: Edward Murphy Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 3:42 PM Subject: Wall Street Journal Story As you may recall from my previous e-mail, physicians in opposition to Carilion Clinic have been working with a reporter from the Wall Street Journal. The reporter has written a series of articles about non-profit hospitals. His premise has consistently been that non-profit hospitals have moved from sleepy community charities to large powerful businesses that don't operate in the community's best interest. Based on his writings, the "opposition physicians" have found a sympathetic ear with this reporter.

Over the past couple of months, the reporter has formulated a story and we have responded to all his questions. During this time, we have provided evidence to refute many of the points he wished to include in his story. Regrettably, he seems to find these facts inconvenient and seems intent on pushing forward the story he

wishes to write. He has been unwilling, despite repeated requests, to talk to any physicians who support non-profit hospitals or the development of the Carilion Clinic.

We believe the story is being completed and could appear anytime in the next week, possibly as soon as tomorrow. Below are links to some of his previous work. I just wanted you to know in advance of the publication of this story.

Nonprofit hospitals, once for the poor, strike it rich ht t p : / / w w w. w s b t . c o m / n e w s / consumer/17296354.html How to Write Off a $1.2 Million Hospital Bill (scroll down for LDawson's comments) http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/11/ how-to-write-off-12-million-hospital.html If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.

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Wall Street Journal article propels local healthcare coalition forward

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ased on the number of emails that have crossed my desk this week, the cat is well out of the bag relative to the data that supports the Coalition for Responsible Healthcare’s contention that the 1989 Carilion merger has resulted in Roanoke going from having the lowest healthcare costs in the state to the highest.

Not even normally unflappable Carilion spokesman Eric Earnhart could spin a $4,727 colonoscopy that cost 10 times less at local private facilities into something that looked remotely legitimate.

And Carillion CEO Ed Murphy’s response to the Wall Street Journal’s query about Carilion suing over 4,000 people a year that cannot afford to pay their healthcare bills ("If you're asking me if it's right in a right-andwrong sense, it's not . . . But Carilion can't be blamed for the country's ‘broken’ healthcare system.�), sounds something akin to, “Hey, we’re just taking full advantage of the situation at hand.�

But what difference does it make if they are? Can anything really be done about it, or are the latest efforts

Roanoke Memorial Hospital is one of 8 main facilities in the Carilion Healthcare system. by concerned doctors and citizens simply a passionate yet futile uproar? According to a spokesperson for the Coalition for Responsible Healthcare, their movement is gaining strong momentum and has an achievable goal of stopping Carillion in its tracks when it comes to monopolizing local healthcare and exercising undue influence in the community. He backed up his statement with the following data: “Since the front page Wall Street Journal article came out there have been over 5,000 hits on responsiblehealthcare.org - 110 postings in the blog - 70 comments on

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the WSJ website (the highest for any health article last week) and it was reportedly one of the top 10 emailed news stories of the day in America. Furthermore, the Richmond Times Dispatch has given it full coverage and it is the primary story on hundreds of health care blogs around the country as well as others in Australia and England where the ‘evil of healthcare systems like Carillion’ is being decried. Dozens of volunteers and thousands of dollars in unsolicited donations have come in since its publication.�

The CRH spokesperson (who did not wish to be identified due to fear of professional reprisal against his practice) also announced the formation of the “Citizen Coalition for Responsible Healthcare� that will be launched next Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 7 PM at a “Town Hall meeting� to be held at the Ramada Inn on Franklin Road. The Coalition’s board will reportedly have only one physician and the president will be a non-physician. It will be composed of “small business owners, nurses, insurance brokers and a crosssection of the community.�

According to the spokesperson, the purpose of this meeting “is to raise awareness with local governing bodies, state legislators, the United States Congress and the media, as well as the IRS and Justice Department, about the extreme abuses of this monopoly . . . We want a return to a competitive and fair healthcare market.�

Of all those entities there is one that warrants special attention – the U.S. Justice Department, who’s original ruling in 1989 allowed Carillion to form. According to the Healthcare Coalition, this ruling “created the environment that has led to the skyrocketing healthcare rates and physician exodus that Roanoke citizens now face.�

If the coalition succeeds in rallying concerned Roanokers so that their case is heard, the Justice Department, of course, has the power to end it, as well.

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Hiking with Troop II

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ey, lights out!� admonishes one of the older boys when one of the new kids, perhaps longing for the security of daylight, gives in to the temptation to shine his flashlight up the trail ahead.

The price of this brief illumination, besides the scolding, is a setback to our night vision.

Yes, we travel in the shadows, in the moonlight, like the Indians centuries before.

It’s 8:00 PM on a Friday night in the Fall of 1969. There are 27 of us Boy Scouts and leaders, on the Appalachian Trail between Sometimes we erect one as a tarp over us, but Bobletts Gap and Wilson Creek shelter. A often we just huddle under it all in the rain, half moon shines above, through scattered or mass in the trail shelter, if one is nearby. clouds and leafless branches. It looks like rain The canvas tents of the day are way too big is moving in from the west. I know it will be and heavy for backpacking. And we don’t use raining by the time we start setting up camp any kind of pad to sleep on, just the sleeping in an hour or so. Typical Troop II hiking trip bag, the poncho and the cold hard ground. weather.

We know nothing different, so it’s quite comI’m hiking near the rear of our single-file fy, especially when we take the time to pile group, and I hear some commotion up ahead. dead leaves into a sort of mattress under the One of the boy’s old canvas WWII packs has poncho. Some of the leaders, however, carry fallen apart, spilling the contents onto the these modern air mattresses, again Army surpath. Mr. Manlove is quick to show us how to plus, which they huff and puff to inflate, and effect a repair with binders twine, wayward do so several more times during the night, gear is gathered, and onward the line march- since they never seem to hold air for more es. There is occasional murmuring than a few hours at a time. in the ranks; complaints, groans, We’ll hike about twelve miles tolaughter. But mostly it’s quiet, save day to the road crossing where we’ll for the clomp of boots and the be picked up. We don’t often stay out clink clink of cook pots strapped on Saturday night because Dr. Allito packs. Now and then Doc, one son, the minister of our sponsoring of the regular hike leaders, yells church, Raleigh Court Presbyteriout, “Is everybody happy?!!� This an, would rather us not be gone for always draws varied responses.

Sunday morning. That’s the reason It’s the next morning, and I’m for the usual Friday night hike-incarefully maneuvering the aluthe-dark to the campsite routine, minum foil-covered object in and it works out well. Last night John W. Robinson the coals. It’s a baked apple and we met at the church at 5:00, and it’s almost ready. I guess. Who can ever re- as usual the leaders checked over everyone’s ally tell? This typical campfire staple was pack, especially the new boys’. There’s no tellprepared at home; by removing the core of ing what heavy, useless junk they will try to the apple and liberally applying brown sugar. carry, such as clothes for a month, stacks of It’s always good. There’s not as much ready- comic books, full rolls of toilet paper. The latmade instant foods as we’d have years later. ter, by the way, is spectacularly heavy when For breakfast, besides baked apples, we cook soaked with rain. So the leaders help cull biscuit dough on sticks. These are made by this stuff out, in hopes of increasing the boy’s mixing Bisquick with powdered milk and chances of having a successful, at least somespring water, in a stew pot, to produce dough what fun hike. which is usually a sticky mess. A wad of Our hikes always feature campfires. We this is carefully wrapped around the end of gather around them to get dry, to keep warm, a stick and held over the fire and rotated to to cook our food, to laugh and tease each just right or burned black, whichever comes other, and to tell and listen to stories. Uncle first. Dinners often consist of a troop favor- Barney, one of our leaders who is particularly ite: hamburger, potatoes, onions, carrots, and well-loved, is one of our favorite campfire other odds and ends, all wrapped up together story tellers. He solemnly tells us that this in several layers of aluminum foil. These are particular group will never meet again, and baked in the coals of the campfire, invariably of course he is right. As the evening around until one half is well-done and the other half the fire winds down, as the flames retreat into is still raw. Then with a bit of further fina- the glowing coals, Uncle Barney launches gling, unwrapping and rewrapping and more into one of his classic ghost stories. He speaks cooking, the raw part is done just right and is softly and evenly, and as we stare at the glowpronounced super-delicious. ing embers we are drawn more and more into Of course it did rain last night as we set up the progressing story. Even the older boys, our camp, so we all have various degrees of who may have heard the story before, are wet stuff, but it wasn’t a real soaker, so we got completely awash in its spell. Uncle Barney off easy. Except for one boy, who is wring- is almost whispering now, describing the ating out his cotton sleeping bag, the one with tic where the murderous deed has occurred, the pheasant-pattern flannel. It must weigh when all of a sudden he jumps up and yells a ton. Now he and some others are holding at the top of his lungs, “AND HE�S GONNA it up next to the fire. Maybe they can get it GET YOU TOO!!!� down to less than fifty pounds.

Such great memories make the present load Our gear is considerably different than it all the lighter. will be thirty years hence. Lots of it is WWII army surplus, including packs, ponchos, canContact John at vas tents, mess kits, canteens. It’s all metal jwr77@verizon.net and canvas and rubber, and heavy. Typically, we sleep on an army poncho folded over us.

The Roanoke Star-Sentinel C o m mu n i t y | N ew s | Pe r s p e c t i ve Publisher | Stuart Revercomb | stuart@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Advertising Director | Pam Rickard | pam@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Production Editor | Stephen Nelson | stephen@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Technical Webmaster | Don WaterďŹ eld | webmaster@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990

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PersPectiVe

Paper towel preference gene discovered in Roanoke

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ince the adI dutifully held the vent of the roll on the ground.

Human GeIt is not unusual for nome project, the this sort of person to study of DNA has use paper towels as changed our world, napkins, dish dryof course most noers, handkerchiefs, tably and thankmake-shift plates, fully in the medical dog paw cleaners, advances that have and door stops, to Cheryl Hodges resulted from this name just a few. new knowledge.

Money is no obI have, however, long been ject—conservation forgotten; wondering if there hasn’t been just plenty of paper towels!! a concerted effort to cover up So now, I am grown and on some of the discoveries being my own and - you guessed made. Perhaps it’s political cor- it—living with a Recessive PT rectness—I don’t know. There’s (both genes are recessive and just something they’re not tell- therefore the individual is ing us. You won’t read about it quite the opposite of the aforein the headlines or even in re- mentioned). If I ever dreamed search journals, so you heard of getting away from all those it here first: There really is a paper towels, well, I got it. gene for…paper towels.

All you RPT’s out there, Sure, you know this to be fess up. You hate paper towels. true. The paper towel gene is The sound of another one riplikely dominant, something ping from the roll just makes Bounty and Scott are counting you cringe! You hate buying on. That is, if your DNA pair them, seeing them, and uscontains 1 dominant paper ing them. You clean windows towel gene, it will be expressed with a sponge. You dry your by the positive manner in hands on your shorts. You do which you react to paper tow- not ever set one on the counels. If you have the gene, you ter on which to carefully dry are very comfortable around your delicate crystal. No one paper towels. They live on your in your family can use one to kitchen counter - perhaps on pick up the dead wolf spider that giant wooden spool - and in the basement. “Get the dust blend in nicely. You probably pan and brush,” you say! (and use them to do the Windex/ dead wolf spiders don’t brush window routine, to dry your easily.) hands, and to pick up stray pet We all appreciate that you fur balls, for instance. Wiping try to hide your horror when off toilet bowl rims also comes a paper towel is actually beto mind. ing used, but the look on your Without being scientific, I face says it all. So there have would guess that 50% of the been years of discord as I sepopulation has this domi- cretly wished for some paper nant/recessive pair. I’m one of towels but just couldn’t bring those. The other 50% is prob- myself to explain yet again ably split between the other why I bought them. Our 4 two options—all dominant kids haven’t had them around (DPT), or all recessive (RPT). much (though one of them is a Imagine the challenge, then, DPT) and for the most part, I of living with these other two have managed. possibilities. A ghastly propoUntil one day I finally blew. sition, to say the least, as their I told my father-in-law that behaviors are expressed in far is was ALL his fault I had to more notable ways. I have re- live this way. I acted like I was alized in retrospect that I grew kidding, but I wasn’t. I was up with a DPT, which meant HOT. there was more than an easy Things have gotten much relationship with the paper better since then— we have a towels in our house—there sweet deal going. was a real craving! This would Now, for Christmas and my be the person who ALWAYS birthday, the father-in-law dries their hands with a paper brings me those wonderful, towel – never a kitchen towel. huggable, JUMBO 12-packs of Paper towels were on the job paper towels –several of them! all the time; in fact I clearly re- Since they fall under the “gift” member having to follow said category, it really takes the person around with a back-up edge off things. It’s awesome. roll for household chores and If you’ve stopped to think if, being a kid, I happened to about it, you’ve probably alstray too far away, there would ready guessed: we don’t own be the sudden yell of: “Bring any Dixie cups either. me a PAPER TOWEL!” This was always the case - even Contact Cheryl at when he was up on a ladder. cvhodges@aol.com

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

Erstwhile pitch with golf ball was best ever for Salem Redbirds

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arrived in Roanoke in 1983 under unusual circumstances.

Entwined in a clandestine relationship with my recently divorced employer (a harrowing story best left untold), I found myself searching for an opportunity to escape the New York metro area with some urgency.

Presented with an offer to become the Assistant General Manager of the beleaguered Salem Redbirds baseball team at an annual salary rate of $6,250 (plus commission), I packed up my duds and fled South forthwith.

Upon arriving in Salem the culture shock was considerable. Following my first day at work I excitedly called my Mom and informed her that I had seen a real cow on the way back to my apartment.

Remember, cattle are scarce on the south shore of Long Island. My first sales meeting was in downtown Roanoke.

Armed with my fence sign and program advertisement pricing and information, my best friend and boss, General Manager Bob Kitchen provided me with directions to Campbell Avenue, assuring me that I would know I had arrived in downtown when I saw the "big buildings." I was in Vinton before I realized that I had passed right through that section completely.

For four years I toiled at the old Municipal Field an accomplice to some of the worst ball clubs in Carolina League history. My favorite year was not the 1987 championship run of the Salem Buccaneers, but the final season of the Redbirds in 1986.

The team finished a dismal 45-93, fourth in a four team division, however, it was behind the scenes where the 86' Birds were much more interesting.

Mike Bucci, a former Philadelphia Phillies farmhand managed the team, yet never established a residential address in the area. A genial yet frugal man, "Bootch" saved on living expenses by setting up house in a puptent inside of the ballpark.

Our skipper would rise in the morning, mount the riding mower and trim the field as if he was tending to his own lawn. Occasionally, in the case of stormy weather, Bootch would abandon his stadium teepee and sack out in his tiny office or beg for lodging on someone's couch.

1986 was also the year Kelvin Bowles bought the team, brought in Sam Lazzaro, an

experienced basestalemate with one the head and knocked him ball man from upgood toss. None of unconscious. It was a one in state New York to us thought that Jeff a trillion shot that left us all be Vice President could even hit the dumbfounded. Eric scooped of the team and scoreboard with a the dazed creature up with promoted me to golf ball, much less a shovel, and placed him General Manager. a speeding rodent, outside of the park where it Bob and I ran the but we agreed to let quickly regained its faculites club kind of like a and ran up Florida Street. him try. summer camp and Jeff crept towards Few know this, but the Sam's steadying the rat (that had greatest pitch thrown in SaJon Kaufman hand would soon stopped to catch lem that year came, not from carry the franchise a breather), si- a big league prospect, but into the realm of real profes- lently stalking his prey. Like from the hand of a portly PA sional baseball. However, in a bear swatting at a salmon, man with the heart of an ex1986 there lingered a good Jeff wound-up and fired his terminator. It was just that deal of "Redbird-ness," yet to Titleist at its target. As ex- kind of year. be expunged. pected the ball missed the Prior to a home game rat, however, as if by divine Contact Jon at verses the Hagerstown Suns, intervention, the ball then Jon.Kaufman@sprint.com Eric Clark, our groundskee- rebounded off of the outfield per and I noticed one of our wall, struck the rodent on relief pitchers playing with what looked like a cat on the outfield warning track.

Upon further inspection we discovered that the animal was, in fact, a jumbo sized rat who was gnawing on the end of a stray baseball bat.

Clearly, we had to find some way to capture the rodent, “THE FIFTH ‘C’ - CONFIDENCE” chase him from the premises or sell him a ticket previous to game time.

First, I have to tell you that I am deathly afraid of rats, yet Eric was a former Marine, so I figured that he canceled out my substantial yellow streak.

Joined by Eric's brother Sam, the longtime clubhouse manager, our public address announcer, some bat boys and Dear Geoff, a few others, we ventured I wanted to thank you for all of your help in finding me the perfect engagement towards the outfield and ring. Laura and I got engaged last weekend and she absolutely adores the ring. It looks beautiful. As for most people, it is pretty stressful looking for a ring began the hunt. Our first and you helped to alleviate all of my concerns by exceeding all expectations.

You were a pleasure to work with throughout the process. Thanks again for all strategy was to chase the ofof your help and I will always consider Frank L. Moose for all my future jewelry needs. fending pest out of the gate Sincerely, Nelson Bolling with a show of stampeding man-power. We gave chase driving one three-wheeler, a riding mower (me), and on foot. Stunned, at first, our furry friend scampered towards the right-field exit only to quickly spin around and drive our convoy back towards center-field.

Next, we pursued our quarry with a garden hose forcing the vermin to seek refuge in a drainage grate.

We continued to flood the grate in hopes of drowning our prey, yet he managed to float to field level unharmed, With over 18 years experience in the building industry, shook himself off and headRock Construction provides the expertise necessary to ed for left field. Out of ideas and somewhat tired, we concomplete your project from the ground up. Experience sidered finding the rat a unithe difference unparalleled form and adding him to the service and in-depth knowledge game line-up. of the industry can make.

Finally, our extremely unathletic PA announcer Jeff Contact David Rock to discuss your construction offered a wild solution. Proproject needs ducing a golf ball from his at 540-525-2855. left pocket, Jeff explained that he could throw small objects with extreme accuwww.rockconstructionva.com racy and he could end this

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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 9/5/08

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The myth of global warming? Part 2

here is no doubt that the science shows that climate change is happening," -- Gov. Tim Kaine, proposing last month to develop a regional approach to climate change policy In my previous column, I showed you the agenda of those who predict global warming doom and use it as a scare tactic to get government regulations passed to destroy capitalism and personal freedom. In this column, I’ll help debunk some of the common global warming lies they use to achieve their ends.

More scientists are coming forward to say that global temperature changes have more to do with the sun’s cycles than with anything humans could ever do. There is no bigger radiator of en-

ergy, and therefore no larger determinant of the earth’s temperature, than the sun.

The sun’s radiation fluctuates over time, and scientists have shown that the earth’s heating and cooling cycles fluctuate with it.

For instance, one of the famous global warming “signs” we often hear about is that the frozen country of Greenland is melting (as if this were the first time). Actually, in the 10th century, Vikings settled Greenland because it was lush with green fields where they could raise crops and livestock. About 500 years later, ice and snow dominated the land, and the Vikings left. The warming (again) of Greenland did not start a few decades ago as a result of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from cars and factories, as global warming alarm-

ists would have you believe.

Scientists show us it started around 1850 – long before autos and worldwide industrialization existed.

Science is also showing that CO2 is not causing a warmer earth (as the extremists proclaim), but rather, a warmer earth causes more CO2. This is because when the oceans warm up (because of the sun’s natural fluctuations in radiation), ocean water is not capable of holding as much CO2, and therefore, releases it into the atmosphere – in quantities larger than any human-caused event.

But what about all the global warming evidence presented in Al Gore's film, “An Inconvenient Truth”?

Last year, the British High Court found the movie to be so politically biased and full of inaccuracies, it ruled that

teachers are required to warn students with a disclaimer before showing it in schools.

Here are just a FEW of the falsehoods the court identified in the film (courtesy of The Heartland Institute – www.heartland.org): The film claims global warming is responsible for the retreat of the alpine glacier atop Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro. Scientists have conclusively demonstrated no such link exists.

The film claims global warming threatens to halt the Gulf Stream and initiate a new ice age. The vast majority of scientists who have studied the issue have determined this is implausible.

The film asserts global warming is leading to polar bear deaths by drowning. The only documented drowning deaths occurred due to a freak storm, and polar bear numbers are growing substantially.

The film asserts Greenland is in danger of rapid ice melt that will raise sea levels by 20

Come in early and have breakfast. Doors open at 11:00!

feet or more. The scientific consensus is that any ice melt will be gradual and will take centuries to substantially raise sea levels.

The film asserts the Antarctic ice shelf is melting.

In fact, only a small portion is getting warmer and losing ice mass, while the vast majority of Antarctica is in a prolonged cold spell and is accumulating ice mass.

Gore even admitted in Grist Magazine that, “I believe it is appropriate to have an over-representation of factual presentations on how dangerous [global warming] is.” The problem is, these are not even factual presenta-

Finally, we can’t cover this whole issue in a short column. For more information, you may want to check out the book “The Deniers: The World Renowned Scientists Who Stood Up Against Global Warming Hysteria, Political Persecution, and Fraud.”

Contact Brian at bgottstein1@yahoo.com

Preacher’s Corner

This Saturday!

Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina 12:00 noon

Brian Gottstein

tions. They are outright lies.

Ultimately, protecting the environment is a good thing.

But radicals have taken global warming too far, because they have an agenda far beyond protecting the earth.

Greenpeace’s founder’s assertion that extremists have taken over the environmental movement to promote anti-capitalism and socialism was proof of that (see my previous column). Yet our politicians and others are embracing this agenda, and they are willing to compromise our freedoms and our wallets to do so.

An Olympian’s Perspective

R

yan Hall, who was America’s hopeful in the marathon in 2008 Summer Olympics, is the cover story in the latest issue of “Runner’s World” magazine. I imagine we all recently enjoyed watching the unfolding athletic drama in Beijing. Aside from a very few of the events (tennis and basketball come to mind), most of the athletes labor in relative obscurity for four

long years before testing their abilities in an eye blink of time. No wonder the Bible draws many parallels between sports and spirituality.

Both take great discipline in order to progress, and the work in both arenas is largely done quietly.

Ryan Hall represents a particularly close walk between athletics and faith. By any measure, he’s a young man remarkable in ways we

find so encouraging and appealing—humble, kind, bright, dedicated, committed, and in terms of Christianity, the finest of role models. Ryan Breakfast Specials believes God called him and Sausage Gravy and Biscuit with potatoes gifted him to run. He takes Eggs Benedict with potatoes no credit himself for his sucIrish-American Breakfast - 2 Eggs, sausage, Irish rasher, bacon, potatoes, tomatoes and a biscuit cesses in long distance runEgg Biscuit with cheese, sausage or bacon, with potatoes ning.

BLT with potatoes But the turning point in Irish Mcmuffin - Irish Rasher, Egg & Cheese on English muffin with potatoes his life came at the lowest point in his life. (How many Located at West Village on 419 - 3555-D Electric Road, Roanoke • (540) 904-5466 times have we heard that!

God works in the human heart and mind more often in valleys than on the mountain tops.) He had returned home from a disastrous year at Stanford University.

Friday & Saturday 11 am-10 pm & Sunday 12 pm -7 pm He was sick, depressed, and ready to give up. That’s when it hit him; that’s when his perspective fundamentally changed.

When Ryan was lifted by r the 2008 Roanoke Greek Festival September 12-14, from 11am to 10 pm Friday and Saturday, and 12-7 pm Sunday. Enjoy Greek food, live music, traditional costumes God’s grace from the depths, ng, Greek pottery, jewelry, painting, contests, and children’s events. Portion of proceeds to benefit The Rescue Mission and Center in the Square. The festival he willrealized be that he was not us for the 2008 Roanoke Greek Festival September 12-14, from 11am to 10 pm Friday and Saturday, and 12-7 pm Sunday. Enjoy Greek food, live music, traditional costumes a runner who happened to oly Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Huntington Boulevard, Roanoke, Virginia 24012. For more information, call (540) 362-3601 or visit www.roanokegreekfestival.com dancing, Greek pottery, jewelry, painting, contests, and children’s events. Portion of proceeds to benefit The Rescue Mission and Center in the Square. The festival will be be a Christian but a Chrisy? Get our Greek food to go at our drive-thru window!

Presented by tian who happened to be a at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Huntington Boulevard, Roanoke, Virginia 24012. For more information, call (540) 362-3601 or visit www.roanokegreekfestival.com runner. For Ryan Hall, that hurry? Get our Greek food to go at our drive-thru window!

Presented by made all the difference. He For more information, call (540) 362-3601 or visit www.roanokegreekfestival.com now understood that he ran for God’s glory and pleasure, not to accumulate accolades for himself.

He returned to Stanford, and his running—but more importantly, his whole life— was transformed. Now he’s ready to carry our country’s banner on the marathon route in Beijing. But his every step for 26.2 miles will ultimately be about honoring Christ.

How would such a transformation look in your life?

What if you realized today that you were not a housewife or a salesperson or a teacher or a volunteer who happened to be a person of faith but a person of faith who happened to fill those roles and do those things?

I believe your life and mine would indeed look and feel differently if that change took shape in our lives. Then we would know that the goal of the race of our lives was not personal fame at the finish line but honoring God with each step along the way.

Join us for the 2008 Roanoke Greek Festival

September 12th-14th et reacquainted over a little souvlaki this weekend.

Get reacquainted overCome a little souvlaki this weekend. enjoy...

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church - 30 Huntington Boulevard, Roanoke VA 24012

Greek Food • Live Music • Traditional Costumes & Dancing Greek Pottery • Jewelry • Painting • Contests • Children’s Events

Portion of proceeds to benefit The Rescue Mission and Center in the Square

Get reacquainted over a little souvlaki this weekend.

In a hurry? get our Greek food to go at our drive-thru window! held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Huntington Boulevard, Roanoke, Virginiareceive 24012. For more information, call (540) 362-3601 or visit www.roanokegreekfestival.com Bring this coupon and a FREE DRINK! In a hurry? Get our Greek food to go at our drive-thru window!

Join us for the 2008 Roanoke Greek Festival September 12-14, from 11am to 10 pm Friday and Saturday, and 12-7 pm Sunday. Enjoy Greek food, live music, traditional costumes

and dancing, Greek pottery, jewelry, painting, contests, and children’s events. Portion of proceeds to benefit The Rescue Mission and Center in the Square. The festival will be

Presented by

Good through all days. Can be used inside the Festival or at our drive-thru.

Mark Graham is Senior Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Roanoke. He may be reached at mark@stjohnlutheran.org

9/5/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

TheRoanokeStar.com

Bowers warms to Taubman museum; ambitious first year in store A temporary Certificate of Occupancy in hand, officials with the newly christened Taubman Museum of Art have announced that they will start moving offices to the new building on Salem Avenue in early September. Executive director Georgeanne Bingham talked about the opening day activities on November 8, which includes plenty of music and family-friendly activities. Deputy director of art David Brown also helped lay out the schedule of exhibits for the first year, at what was known as the Art Museum of Western Virginia when it was located at Center in the Square. The Taubman gets a final COO when everything construction-wise is completed and inspected by Roanoke City.

Also present at the recent news conference was Mayor David Bowers, who had been publicly skeptical in the past about the new museum. Along with Roanoke City building commissioner Jeff Shawver, Bowers presented the certifi-

cate of occupancy to museum officials, while David Salzer, a senior vice president for the company building the museum, Balfour Beatty Construction, handed over the keys.

The Taubman has a design that has been compared at times to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa, Spain, but Bowers, who has been to that facility, proclaimed a day later at his law office that he preferred the one in Roanoke.

That’s in large part because the mayor said the interior spaces at the Taubman are more functional than those in Bilboa.

He is coming around: “I was a doubting Thomas, it didn’t strike me right,� said Bowers, who claimed he was never an “outspoken critic� of the museum, designed by architect Randall Stout.

Bowers credits a “very enthusiastic,� Bingham in part for his turnaround: “talking to Georgeanne is like sticking your finger in to an electric plug. She’s just electric.� During a recent private tour Bowers saw the Hokie Stone used

Roanoke Fire-EMS Deploys Hurricane Recovery Team to Louisiana

Roanoke Fire-EMS has been called upon by EMAC once again to deploy a Hurricane Recovery Team to St. Bernard's Parrish, LA. This group of 8 Fire-EMS personnel will serve with the Incident Management Team in Louisiana.

The team consists of: Deputy Chief Ralph Tartaglia, Battalion Chief Jeff Beckner, Battalion Chief Teddy Adkins, Captain Werner Van Damme, Captain Chuck Swecker, 1st Lt. Tim Cady, FF/EMT-I Becky Smith and FF/EMT Jeff Oliver.

The crew departed from the Roanoke Valley Regional FireEMS Training Center on September 1. They will layover in Birmingham, Alabama and will be staying at a Fire Station there. The team will be deployed for approximately 18 days - 4 days

So – what’s it going

of travel and 14 days of working in Louisiana. They were to report to their post by 7am on Wednesday, September 3.

This is the fourth deployment that Roanoke Fire-EMS has been on since 2005. In 2005, three separate teams were deployed to assist Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by Hurricane Gustav. Roanoke Fire-EMS is ready to assist the citizens of St. Bernard's Parrish in any way that we can during this recovery period," says Chief David Hoback.

For more information, contact Tiffany Bradbury at 8535785.

inside the building and the hall that will soon house 19th century art. “It just struck me as a real good design inside. I really do like the inner spaces.

As to the rest of it [like the controversial exterior design], it’s growing on me. I’m warming up to it.� The mayor has no doubt however that the Taubman’s debut this November “will be very exciting for Roanoke.�

Among the exhibits scheduled at the Taubman beginning in November is one on the museum itself, “Constructed and Delivered,� which will run through May 24, 2009. Construction drawings, models and time-lapse films will give visitors an insight into how the building went up. Another exhibition will look at earlier works by architect Randall Stout and “the projects that led up to this building,� said David Brown. “Rethinking Landscape,� also debuts in November; Brown called the photography work of 17 artists to be displayed “a wonderful exhibition

> North Cross From page 1

For the third consecutive year students from local elementary schools participated in the camps at no cost to their families, thanks to $7,600 in scholarship grants from the Edgar A. Thurman Foundation for Children, the Katherine N. Fishburn Foundation Fund and the Foundation for the Roanoke Valley. In the summer of 2006, eight students from Fallon Park Elementary School in Roanoke joined the summer enrichment programs. In 2007, 14 students from Fallon Park and two from Highland Park participated. This year funding for 23 students was received.

The students were selected to attend by their school principal.

North Cross also provides transportation to and from campus each day for these students. Additionally, a Fallon Park Elementary School staff member is hired each summer to assist in providing insight and guidance in the social and educational needs of these children and daily afternoon snacks are provided.

Fallon Park is a partner in the School’s Community Service Program and their presence represented another step in joining the summer programs more closely in order to expand the School’s outreach into the community. North Cross middle and upper school students have been working at Fallon Park Elementary School on each of the School’s six community service days each year, for the past five years. The school is one of over 30 sites North Cross students visit for an entire day.

The camps are hosted annually as part of the School’s mission to serve as a community resource. The program allows participants to choose from a broad range of enrichment programs and sports camps designed to provide students of all ages with safe activities that are interesting, challenging, and fun. These offerings are intended to improve the social, mental, and physical skills of participants and allow them to make new friends, as well as develop new

By Gene Marrano interests and revisit old ones. The School has been hosting these gmarrano@cox.net summer programs for more than 30 years. Programs begin in earBOL 08 ly June and run through the third week of August. Summer camps BOL 08 range in price from $85 – $185, based on the length of the camp and the activity. The camps also range from several day sports clinics, to one-week camps.

For more information visit www.northcross.org/summerprograms.

that takes a look at landscapes past, present and future, and how we’ve impacted that.� An exhibition of Judith Leiber handbags – yes, handbags – is one that he declares “on par� with the Faberge egg collection at the state-run art museum in Richmond. “Earthly delights,� debuts on November 9.

For something not quite so highbrow there’s even an exhibition called “Pins and Needles,� that will focus on designs used by tattoo artists regionally. Educational programs will take place “almost on a daily basis,� said Brown. Local artists will work onsite next year and additional rounds of exhibition are scheduled to open in March and July 2009, as the Taubman Museum of Art tries to keep it fresh – and get patrons to keep coming back. (see taubmanmuseum.org for more information)

Historical Society names Executive Director

2173 Bennington Street at Riverland Road / Rt. 1 6 New Retail Center 2,000 square feet available 2,725sqftsubleaseavailable

Blue Ridge Drive 3.236 acres BOL 08 Build to Suit Wil Subdivide

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Contact Tom Branch or Mike Branch 4552 Franklin Road, S.W., Roanoke, Virginia 24014 Contact To Phone: 540-774-1208 | Fax: 540-774-1359 | Email: bmc@ 4552 Frank Phone: 540

BOL 08 The Historical Socants from across the ciety of Western Vircountry,� says W. TuckContact Tom Branch or Mike Branch ginia (HSWV) has er Lemon, president of 4552 Franklin Road, S.W., Roanoke, Virginia 24014 Phone: 540-774-1208 | Fax: 540-774-1359 | Email: bmc@branchmgt.com Contact Tom B announced that it has the HSWV board of Contact Tom Branch or Mike Branch 4552 R 4552 Franklin Road, S.W., Franklin Roanoke, Vir Contact Tom Branch or Mike Branch named Jeanne M. Boldirectors. “Not only Space Available Phone: 540-774-1208 | Fax: 540-774-135 Phone: 540-774 Branch Management Corp. specializes in unique solutions to meet your 4552 Franklin Road, S.W., Roanoke, Virginia 24014 lendorf as its executive has she amply demBranch Management Corp.Phone: specializes in unique to meet yourbmc@branchmgt.co needs.

540-774-1208 | Fax:solutions 540-774-1359 | Email: Expanding | Downsizing | Ownership | Leasing | Selling director, effective Oconstrated her abilities Expanding | Downsizing | Ownership | Leasing | Selling Branch Management Corp. specializ For more information on these and other properties that we have available, please visit www.branchmgt.com today! tober 6. in the area of museum For more information on these and other properties|that we have available| Expanding Downsizing BranchBranch Management Corp.

Specializes in Bollendorf comes to administration, our Management Corp. specializes in unique solutions please visit www.branchmgt.com today!

Branch Management Corp. specializes in unique solutions to meet your needs. the HSWV from the search committee was For more information on these andi unique solutions to your needs.

Expanding |meet Downsizing | Ownership | Leasing Branch Management Corp. specializes Expanding | Downsizing | Ownership | Leasing | Selling please visit www.

For more information on these and other properties that we Chrysler Museum of New Executive impressed with the For more information on these and other that have available,

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Art in Norfolk, where Director Jeanne energy and vision that

more information on these and oth www.branchmgt.com

For

she served as the his- M. Bollendorf she would bring to the

please visit www.bran

toric houses manager HSWV to enable us to

and was responsible for exhi- grow and reach out further into

bitions and permanent collec- our region,� he adds. Hollins at Palmer Hollins at Palmer Hollins at Palmer Business Center Business Center Business Center 8 802 Kerns Avenue tions, fundraising and operation As executive director, Bol24 acres 24 acres For Sale or Lease F 24 acres Build to Suit Build Hollins to Suit at Palmer 100,000 sq ft of the museum’s visitor center. lendorf will be responsibleBuildforto Suit Will Subdivide Will Subdivide 1 Business Center Will Subdivide Before that, she was the execu- administration and long-range Hollins at Palmer 24 acres Business Center tive director of the D&H Canal planning for the various proBuild to Suit 24 acres Will Subdivide Historical Society and Museum grams of the HSWV, which Build to Suit Will Subdivide in High Falls, N.Y. Bollendorf is include the History Museum to be Stop or No Stopping? of Western Virginia, the O.2173 Bennington2173 Street Bennington Street Alert reader Ray McKee sent in a native of Charlottesville, Va. Buck Mountain Ro at Riverland Road Rt. 116 at/Riverland Road / Rt. 116 She received her Master of Winston Link Museum and 4.45 acres New Retail Center New Retail Center this picture that he took while Contact Tom Branch or Mike Branch Zoned C2 2,000 square feet2,000 available square feet available Arts degree in Landscape Artheir collections, exhibits, pub2,725 sq ft sublease available 4552 Franklin Road, S.W. , Roanoke, Virginia 24014 approaching Airport Road from 2,725 sq ft sublease available lications, and educational proHershberger (West) to visit Val- chaeology from the University 2173 Bennington Street Ph: 540-774-1208 | Fax: 540-774-1359 | Email: bmc@branchmgt.com of Bristol in Bristol, England. grams.

B at Riverland Road / Rt. 116 ley View Mall. McKee wondered 4 New Retail Center 2173 Bennington Street what “our fair traffic engineers� She earned her Bachelor of Arts 2173 Bennington Street Z 2,000 square feet available at Riverland Road / Rt. 116 in Anthropology and Archaeolwere thinking when they deat Riverland Road / Rt. 116 2,725 sq ft sublease available 1354 8th Street Blue Ridge Drive New Retail Center ogy at James Madison UniverNewsquare Retail Center cided to economize by putting Blue Ridge Drive 26,000 sq ft available 3.236 acres 2,000 feet available sity in Harrisonburg, Va. acres Will Subdivide Build to Suit feet3.236 2,000 2,725 square available sq ft sublease available these two competing signs on Build to Suit Will Subdivide “Jeanne was the strongest 2,725 sq ft sublease available Will Subdivide one pole. Sometimes the best overall candidate among the nu

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City Budget Presented by the Director of Finance Ms. Ann Shaver presented the unedited budget for Fiscal Year 2008 following the market discussion. She said the year ended with a good performance considering the economic environment we are in now. There was 6 ½ % real estate growth but sales tax declined by 2%.

Improving the fund balances and eliminating the peaks and valleys would require better management. Ms. Shaver said that the Budget Stabilization Fund was the most important to fund.

Rating agencies analyze the funds when it comes time for bond issuance and she said they look at the fund balances to determine the rating. We have a “AA� rating and their previous reports from Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P advised better fund stabilization.

Council was already late for 4:00 PM interviews with four applicants for three vacancies on the Roanoke Housing Authority Board and had to deny 3 citizens who had signed up for “Hearing of Citizens.�

Old Rocky Mount Road 4.9 acres Great office location

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CONSERVATION CELEBRATION 2008 BeneďŹ ting the Western Virginia Land Trust

Honoring the City of Roanoke

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Sunday, Sept. 14, 4-7 pm George and Louise Kegley’s farm in northeast Roanoke Featuring a catered locally-grown dinner & bluegrass music by Easy Pickins

For tickets or more information, call 985-0000, e-mail dperry@westernvirginialandtrust.org, or visit www.westernvirginialandtrust.org

26

N. Edward Link, Jr., Senior Vice President-Wealth W Build to Suit Blue Ridge Drive Management, has recently been named as one of Will Subdivide 3.236 acres Winner’s Circle Top 50 Wealth Virginia Business’ Build to Suit Advisors.

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O 4 G

sPorts

Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 9/5/08

TheRoanokeStar.com

Who says there’s no hockey in the valley anymore?

Those who miss the game of hockey since the Express and Vipers left town obviously haven’t been to the Roanoke Civic Center the past few years, where Virginia Tech and Radford University play their home club-level hockey games. As Division 2 and Division 3 members (respectively) in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, the two schools play on squads that are not sanctioned as NCAA sports and survive mainly on money raised by the team – there is little funding from the schools. With no ice in Radford or Blacksburg, the Roanoke Civic Center is home.

Radford will host a Division 3 tournament at the Civic Center October 2-4, when nationally ranked University of Richmond will take part in a showcase.

Tech is Faith also aChristian memberSchool’s of the Atlantic Annual Coast Collegiate Hockey League and has drawn crowds asChildren’s large as 5000 or more over the past few Consignment seasons. That happened Salewhen rival UVA, another member of their league, came to town. ThDate: e team has averaged over 2000 Saturday, September 27th per game since it moved to the Civic Center following the Time: demise of the 9 AM - 1Ice PMStation on Thirlane Road, where games used to be played.

Location: Faithoff Christian Schoolwith a Hokies hockey kicks this season game on September 20, a breast cancer benefit 3585 Buck Mountain Road called Pink in the Rink. In fact the sheet of ice down now Turn at theFall Civic CenterItems has been dyed & Winter Into Cash.

a pale shade of pink for possible to lend some the occasion. (The Civic more atmosphere Center has also reinstiand to help with the tuted its public skating Go Hokie cheers. sessions that were on “The Civic Center has hiatus over the summer. stepped up. They’re The first session is Sept. really trying to sup19).

Family-friendly port ice hockey here Virginia Tech hockey in the community.� games (fighting is cause Spradlin is hopfor ejection and suspening to top the attension) will set back adults dance record at the $3, with those 12 and September 20 home under free. The Hokies, opener against Lib14-6 last season, lost erty. All of the profits just two seniors from go to the Susan G. last year’s squad and Komen foundation’s have recruited several Greater Roanoke afFaith Christian School’s Annual promising freshmen. filiate. Special jerAll of the players must seys that feature the Children’s be current fullConsignment time VT Hokie Bird emblem Sale students in order to be adorned with pink Photo by Gene Marrano eligible for theDate: hockey will be auctioned off Saturday, September 27th Virginia Tech player fires a shot on goal. team. as a fundraiser. On Head coachTime: Mike the 26th and 27th 9 AM - 1 PM Spradlin calls the game played by the Hokies at Tech has back-to-back home games against Location: Faith Christian SchoolIn North Carolina and Virginia Commonwealth. the club level “highly competitive hockey.� fact Spradlin, a3585 former collegiate player Buck Mountain Road him- “There’s a lot of quality hockey players that self, has been told by fans of former pro teams could play at a Division One level,� said Spradin the valley that they caliber lin before a practice on Tuesday night. With Turn Fallthought & Winterthe Items Into of Cash. play was “equal if notItems better. just 60 NCAA D-1 teams there’s no room for Maternity & Children’s Items Maternity & Children’s Plus it’s a great environment many of them. That’s where schools like Tech (Toys, Clothes, Books, Etc.) Accepted.

(Toys, Clothes, Books, Etc.) Accepted. with the college atmosphere. and Radford come in. In ACHA Division 2, Welcome Consigners Welcome Consigners If youOff come to Wednesday, a game, you’ll where the Hokies play, there are 170 schools Drop Off Begin Wednesday, Sept 24 Drop Begin Sept 24 come back and bring your for example. friends. We want the family Team captain Jimmy Pope, a senior, said the More Details: More Details: atmosphere.� brand of hockey Tech plays “is really competiwww.FAITHCHRISTIAN FAITHCHRISTIAN--SCHOOL.COM www.FAITHCHRISTIAN FAITHCHRISTIAN--SCHOOL.COM SCHOOL.COM SCHOOL.COM Assistant coach Dave MaxThe Northern Virginia native played in or call Anna @ 989-0934 or call Anna @tive.�

989-0934 ey is “excited� about offering the Washington Capitals junior program bea level of entertainment that fore he came to school in Blacksburg. “I’ve Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008 some who miss the Roanoke been [around] hockey my whole life,� said Express “might enjoy more, Pope, whose father is from Michigan. Assis9 am - 1 pm much like aSchool’s collegeAnnual football tant captain Michael Hultberg, a defenseman, Faith Christian School’s Annual Faith Christian program versus a professional likes the big time atmosphere, especially after Location: football program. You’re going a tenuous period when the Ice Station closed Faith Christian School Children’s Children’s 3585 Buck Mountain Road to see guys coming out there down. “The Civic Center came through. We’ve Consignment Sale Consignment Sale with intensity and drive. Our gotten a chance to play a lot of great hockey guys Saturday, are highly motivated.� here. A lot of fans come out.�

Date: Saturday, September 27th Date: September 27th Turn Fall & Winter Items Into Cash.

The team will use the Tech The other assistant captain, senior John FraMaternity &- Children’ s Items Accepted fight 9song pump up the tello, liked the “incredible atmosphere,� two Time: 9 AM 1 PM Time: AM -to1 PM (Toys, Clothes, Books, Etc.) crowds this year and cheer- seasons ago when 5000-plus came out for the Location: Faith Christian School Location: School leaders Faith fromChristian William Byrd UVA game, which drew around 4000 last year.

HighBuck School will be on hand Getting another sheet of ice for practice time 3585 Buck Mountain Road 3585 Mountain Road (the Terriers have the same or- “is more of an issue of bringing in enough Consigners Welcome ange Fall and &maroon when funding to do it. It’s an expensive sport to play.

Turn Fall & Winter Items Into Cash.

Turn Winter colors) Items Into Cash.

We got really lucky that [the Civic Center] came through for us. We’re doing fine with [the ice time] we have.�

Goalie John Allen played hockey in Toronto, Canada, where he grew up after moving from Philadelphia. The industrial design major, a senior, is grateful that he has been able to play competitive hockey while in college. “I knew I still could play. This has been a good opportunity for me.� Allen thinks the 2008-2009 Hokies are the best team he’s been on since arriving four years ago. “I think we really have a good chance to win the ACCHL and maybe doing something more after that. From the looks of it we should be a pretty good team.�

Tech has not advanced past a regional ACHA tourney or to the national championships since first dropping the puck in 1995.

Playing in front of growing crowds that have numbered several thousand or more on a regular basis is new for Allen. “It’s been a pretty exciting time. It seems to be growing in the Roanoke area. We’ll be very entertaining.� The entertainment begins with Pink in the Rink on September 20. Tara Wheeler, the current Miss Virginia – she played hockey at Penn State - will drop the ceremonial first puck on September 20 and perhaps take a shot on net.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Faith Christian School’s Annual

Children’s Consignment Sale

Drop Off Begins Wednesday, Sept. 24

Maternity & Children’s Items (Toys, Clothes, Books, Etc.) Accepted.

Consigners Welcome For More Details goSept to: 24 Drop Off Begin Wednesday,

www.FAITHCHRISTIAN-SCHOOL.COM & Click On The Purple Shirt Or Call Anna @ 989-0934 More Details: www.FAITHCHRISTIAN FAITHCHRISTIAN--SCHOOL.COM SCHOOL.COM or call Anna @ 989-0934

Maternity & Children’s Items (Toys, Clothes, Books, Etc.) Accepted.

Consigners Welcome Drop Off Begin Wednesday, Sept 24

2008-2009 Team Schedule 9/20 9/26 9/27 10/03 10/17 10/18 10/24 10/25 10/31-11/01 11/14 11/15 11/21 11/22 12/05 1/16 1/17 1/23 1/24 1/30-2/1 2/7 2/13 2/14 2/15 2/20-2/22

Liberty UNC VCU @ Liberty @ Maryland D-1 ODU NC State Clemson VA Invitational @ East Carolina @ NC State Duke Georgetown *Game Time 3pm @ Liberty D-1 @ Kentucky @ Kentucky UVA East Carolina Texas Tech Invitational @ Georgetown @ UNC @ Duke Wagner-Neutral Site ACC tournament

Home/Away

All Home Games Are Played At The Roanoke Civic Center All Home Games Start At 7:30pm* Admission Is Only $3 Children Under 12 and VT Students Free VISIT WWW.HOKIEHOCKEY.COM FOR MORE DETAILS

William Byrd Volleyball - building for the future Stump, a 2001 graduate of the Roanoke County school, is the new head coach of the Terriwww.FAITHCHRISTIAN FAITHCHRISTIAN--SCHOOL.COM L.COM SCHOO ers. She is looking to restore the or call Anna @ 989-0934 program to the years when the school won nine straight volleyball district championships. “I look at this year as a building year,� notes Stump. The lady Terriers will be learning from a whole new group of coaches that Stump calls, “a nice young vibrant coaching staff to move forward.� With a small group of returning players and a good group waiting in the wings, Stump believes that her program is about two years away from really being able to compete night end and night out.

The Terriers are a small team and will rely on defense while learning a whole new system.

While understanding that challenges lie ahead, Stump realizes that you need a goal, “We’re going to push for what we can and

The William Byrd Terriers volleyball team will be a team More in transition forDetails: 2008. Amanda

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my hope is that we make it to the first round of the Region.�

Considering the excitement in her voice and the look on her face, you may find it very hard not to believe Stump when she looks to the future with excitement. If determination is any indication, look for the lady Terriers to be spoilers this year and champions in the future.

Byrd opened the season on the road on August 25th at Staunton River and won that match three games to two. Byrd lost the first two games by close scores and then came back to take the next three games and the match. Junior Candace Bandy had 49 assists and her junior teammate Samantha Webster led the way with 26 kills. In their first home contest against Salem two days later, the lady Terriers lost three games to one. Kalyn Molnar had five kills, three aces,

Photo by David Abraham

and seven digs. Freshman Sarah Vipperman had seven aces and two blocks. Byrd returns home on September 4th to take on the Hidden Valley Titans. Highlights during the season include their own tournament on September 6th and senior night on October 14th. District play begins in early October.

By David Abraham info@theroanokestar.com

William Fleming starts strong with win over Northside Wi t h o u t a passing game to count on, the Colonel defenders could key in on the backs.

It took only two minutes Photo by Cathy Abraham for WilNorthside Quarterback Ryan Keith scrambles liam Flemwhile looking for an open receiver in last Friday’s ing to score game. on a one Last Friday night began so yard run by well for the Northside Vikings Deonta Foster. A missed kick football team against William left the score at 7-6 in favor of Fleming. However, by halftime the Vikings as the first quarter the Vikings found themselves came to a close. The second behind in the contest, and it quarter saw Fleming unable was only going to get worse to move the ball and they were as the game progressed. After forced to punt to Northside, a couple of change of posses- only to get the ball back the sions, Northside’s Isaiah Mar- very next play after picking off tin returned a Colonel punt a Viking pass. It took the Colo71 yards for a touchdown and nels eight plays to score on a 26 a 7-0 lead with 7:02 left in the yard pass from Derek Brown first quarter. Unfortunately to AJ Johnson. The point after that was all of the offense was good and Fleming took the Vikings could muster as a 13-7 lead and didn’t look the Fleming defense held the back. After the kick off, The Northside running attach at Vikings were three plays and bay all night long, not allow- out and punted to the Coloing any significant chunks of nels. It took Fleming only six real estate to be gobbled up plays to get in the end zone as by the Viking running backs. Brown hit Shaquan Manning

with a 28 yard strike down the left sideline. As the half ended Coach Robert Senseney’s Colonels held a 20-7 lead.

The only third quarter score came after a Northside kick off and a 10 play drive by Fleming culminating in a 27 yard field goal by Amann Saliou.

The drive was highlighted by another Brown pass, this time for 37 yards to Brian Taylor.

Brown really crushed the Viking faithful in the fourth quarter as he took off for an 84 yard touchdown run with 8:48 left in the game. His run, down the left sideline, left Northside defenders in his wake as he went untouched after passing the line of scrimmage. A late touchdown run of 13 yards by backup quarterback Devin Dean rounded out the scoring making the final score 37-7.

The game was played on the home field of Patrick Henry High School.

Coach Burt Torrence’s team will try to regroup at home against Cave Spring on Friday September 5th. That night will be Jim Hickam night as the field at Northside will be dedicated to the former coach.

By David Abraham info@theroanokestar.com

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

TheRoanokeStar.com

The Recipe of the Week

[North Cross Football]

from The Happy Chef

by Leigh Sackett

Cortney’s Easy And Tender Baby Back Ribs These ribs might be the best ribs I have ever tasted, and they are so simple to make that anyone can do it. Of course my friend, Cortney, is not just anyone. She always makes wonderful meals, her home is always beautiful and her family is always her top priority. Her blessed life with her family is a reflection of these priorities. She makes it all look easy because she keeps it simple and focuses on what is most valuable in life. Of course life is not always simple, we all get knocked down from time to time but sometimes when life is done right it can be just like these ribs, so delicious and easy! I hope you all have many easy and tender baby back rib days! Thanks Cortney!

1 rack of baby back ribs 1 bottle of "Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce" Photo by Bill Turner

North Cross running back Tyler Caveness stiff arms a Knight defender on the way to a big gain. Caveness ran for 106 yards but North Cross fell 17-7 to Blessed Sacrament.

Maroons win Cougar Classic The Roanoke College volleyball team had a big weekend, claiming the 14th Annual Cougar Classic hosted by Averett University. It was the first time in 10 years that head coach Blair Trail got to hoist the championship trophy of the seasonopening tournament. The 4-0 record ties the school-mark for the best start in school-history with the 1979 and 1988 squads.

The Maroons defeated tournament-host Averett, 3-1 and GSAC-power Maryville (TN), 3-2 on Saturday. Today they defeated both Huntingdon (AL) and Greensboro in three sets to claim the title.

Greensboro and Averett were picked 2-3, respectively in the pre-season USA-South Conference Volleyball poll.

Roanoke and Cave Spring

products Caitlyn Largen led the MaLong and Magroons with 14 kills gie Wagner were while senior Marcy selected to the Conner had 12, folCougar Classic lowed by Wagner All-Tournament with 10.

Team with Long The Maroons garnering tournaswept Greensboro, ment MVP hon3-0 for the first time ors. The women ever in the series lost the first set, and are now 3-17 27-25 in the first all-time against the match to Averett Pride. The women before winning the Kate Feldman return to action this next three, 27-25, 25weekend as they host 16 and 25-18. Freshman Kate the Maroon Classic Sept. 5-6.

Feldman, a setter from Patrick They play Meredith (6 p.m.) and Henry High School, finished Ferrum (8 p.m.) on Friday. On with 45 assists. "She's a phenom- Saturday, they play Methodist enal setter and will be the best at 10 a.m. and Shenandoah at 4 in the ODAC by the end of her p.m. The Maroons won the incareer," said Brad Moore, sports vitational information director for Roa- last year.

By Gene Marrano noke College. Freshman Kelsey gmarrano@cox.net

Northside takes sting out of Bees in volleyball The Northside lady Vikings volleyball team began their 2008 home schedule by disposing of the Brookville Bees in three games last Thursday at Northside High. Coach Amy Crawford’s Vikings relied on their senior leadership to drop the Bees in straight games 25-7, 25-16, and 25-22. The first two games were not competitive as Crawford used several substitutes early in the second game and cruised to the victory. The third game was a very close contest throughout the game and

was tied at 21 before Northside took the game and the match.

Seniors Samantha Barney and Vannessa Chapman, led the way with seven kills each as many of those came from sets by Stephanie Carr. Senior Libero Molly Deacon chipped in with seven digs to go along with five blocks by Junior Hannah Holladay. The Bees were led by Lindsey Sharman who had seven blocks and five kills and was a force in the middle, especially during the last game.

Coach Ashley Turner’s ladies

were overmatched for most of the match but seemed to come alive during the last game, but it was too late to win a game or take the match.

The Vikings return to action on Thursday September 4th when they travel to Blacksburg.

Their next home game is set for September 9th against Salem when is also Parents Night at Northside.

By David Abraham info@theroanokestar.com

-Cut rack into about 3 chunks, so that it will fit into a pot.

-Fill the pot with water and bring it to a boil.

-Boil for 45 minutes.

-Take ribs out of water and place in a large rectangular baking dish -Smother them with BBQ sauce (I like "Sweet Baby Ray's" brand) -Cover them with tinfoil and refrigerate for several hours.

-Remove from refrigerator and

cook them in the oven on 250°F for 3 hours -Remove the tinfoil from the top, and broil them for 5-10 minutes for a crispy top.

-If you don't want to broil them and the weather is still warm put them on a hot grill for several minutes and grill until top is crispy.

345-7821

Please join us for a complimentary dinner on:

Thursday, September 17, 2008 6:00 pm

Roanoker Restaurant 2522 Colonial Ave SW Roanoke, VA 24015

For more information contact Gina Thorne at 800-582-6066 Space is Limited!

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY

From Something That No One Wants To Talk About!

W i t s h Yo U e k u Ta a m e D ay !

G n O

Whether your Tailgate Party is for 1 or 100, The Roanoker Restaurant has the best ingredients...

Country Ham Biscuits Awesome Fried Chicken All types of Party Trays

(vegetable, cheese, fruit, sandwich, or custom)

Deviled Eggs Slaw, Potato and Macaroni Salad Sandwiches & Paninis Box Lunches

(chicken, biscuits, deviled egg or potato salad & dessert)

Homemade Chili & lots more delicious, AFFORDABLE, and made from scratch!

Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Living Offer*

Two (2) Side by Side Burial Spaces $1715*

This is a Pre-Need Savings* of $1000!

For a limited time and on a pre-need* basis, Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens is offering (2) side by side burial spaces for people that don’t currently own cemetery property.

With this we offer at no additional cost, Child/Grandchild Protection, and much more!

These burial spaces are available on a first come first serve basis and this offer is limited.

Without obligation, CALL (540) 366-9274 or fill out the coupon below and mail to: BRMG-Pre-Need Department 5737 Airport Road Roanoke, VA 24012 Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Pre-Need Department 5737 Airport Road Roanoke, VA 24012 Name______________________________________ Address____________________________________ City___________________State_______Zip_______

Celebrating 67 Years!

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Tue - Sun

Please place your order well in advance so we can schedule it to be fresh from the oven when you arrive.

Phone #____________________________________

344-7746

Colonial Ave. near Towers Shopping Ctr. at I-581 and Wonju

Additional Information On: Above Ground Mausoleum_____ Cremation Alternatives_____

Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 9/5/08

TheRoanokeStar.com

Community Calendar

> Sept. & Nov.

Extras Needed for Cycling Film There is a need for riders and extras.

Film Website: http://www.redcloudproductions.net/ People who are interested in being a part of the movie may confirm with the casting department at casting@maxvo2themovie.com.

The dates for the race scenes are: MTN bike race scene in Lynchburg September 13th and 14th (approximately 30 expert level racers and fans/spectators) MTN bike race scene in Lynchburg September 20th and 21st (Spectators and approximately 30 expert level racers) Road race scene at the Blue Ridge Parkway November 15th and 16th (spectators/fans) Contact

> Sept. 3, 5, 6

Kindred Roots: AfricanAmerican Family History Conference The Roanoke Public Libraries is presenting a conference on African-American Family History. Everyone is welcome and all events are free.Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 7:30 p.m. will be An Evening with Louis Massiah. This event includes The Precious Places Project: a documentary oral history program that brings together a Philadelphia neighborhood.“Shared History” will be presented on Friday, Sept. 5, from 7 to 9 p.m. This documentary film is a “portrait of an unbroken connection of black and white families forged in slavery and three descendants who try to come to terms with the reality of these ties.” On Saturday, Sept. 6, between 8:30 a.m.and 4 p.m.,sessions explore 19th century records of

Garden City Baptist Church A Church with a Loving, Caring and Healing Heart (540) 427-0131 3536 Garden City Blvd Roanoke, VA 24014 Sunday School.......9:45 am Worship Service.....11 am Youth Ministry.........6 pm Weds. Bible Study..6:45 pm Choir Practice.........7:45 pm

Virginia slave births, a guide to becoming a savvy researcher, and mining the gold in Works Progress Administration slave interviews.

Where- Dumas Cultural Center at 108 Henry Street.

For more- contact Laura Wickstead at 853-2073 or by email at laura.wickstead@roanokeva.gov.

> Sept. 5

Fall Resources Festival A Fall Festival for Seniors is scheduled to take place on Friday, September 5, 2008. This event will provide senior citizens with information on various services such as housing, medical, transportation, legal, employment, recreation, and more. Presented by the Department of Parks and Recreation, and Department of Planning building and Development, music and light refreshments will be available.

When- 10 a.m. - 2p.m.

Where- at Mountain View Recreation Center For more- contact Robin MurphyKelso at 853-2679.

> Sept. 6, 20 & Oct. 5 Virginia DeRailers Series The series continues with the final three races in the fall with the MW Windows Mountain Bike Race in Franklin County on September 6th.Assault on Liberty Mountain in Lynchburg on September 20th and the final race the Poor Mountain HillClimb in Roanoke County on October 5th. Camp Roanoke will once again host the championship award ceremony for the entire series. Racers will have plenty of time to train throughout the summer months and come back strong for the finish this fall. There are presently 156 competitors able to qualify for the series if they continue to race this fall. Cash awards totaling $2000 will be awarded to winners at the conclusion of the DeRailer series. Due to course difficulty no one under 14 years of age can participate in the Poor Mountain HillClimb. For information on how to join the series visit the DeRailer website at www.vaderailerseries. com

> Sept. 8

“What is Fair Housing?” Informational Session Monday September 8 Two informational sessions on how the Fair Housing Law affects you, how to

comply with fair housing laws that prohibit discrimination, and how to protect yourself is being offered to the public and housing professionals on Monday, September 8, 2008.

When- The first session will be held 9:00 am 12:00 noon and a repeat session will be held at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Where- Roanoke Higher Education Center, Room 212, at 109 Henry Street. Roanoke, VA. Cost- Free, but space is limited.

For more - please register by contacting Angie Williamson at 8535647

> Sept. 9

Jazz on the Patio We hope you can make the September ‘Live Jazz on the Patio’ event,Tuesday, September 9. The Lenny Marcus Trio,http://lennymarcusmusic.com/, will be playing and its sure to be a good one!

Refreshments will be provided and chairs too, and it’s all free.

Come and relax on the patio as summer draws to a close and enjoy the music, company and food.. When- 6 p.m.

Where- Brody Room Patio, Roanoke Main Library

> Sept. 12-14 2008 Roanoke Greek Festival You are invited to participate in this cultural three day event where Greek food will be served up amidst ethnic costumes, energetic dancing and live music. Greek pottery, jewelry and arts and crafts will fill the fellowship hall. The grounds will be the site of children’s activities, face painting, caricatures and tattoos with Greek mythological themes while the young and young-at-heart can try their hand or feet at grape stomping contests or climb Mt. Olympus! If you feel fortune is shining on you, you may even win a free trip to Greece.

In addition, guided Church tours will explain the unique Byzantine iconography and Church design and highlight the recently completed project of spiritual artwork.

A drive through will be available to take food back to offices or homes. Once again, portions of the proceeds will be going to the Rescue Mission and the Center in the Square along with other charities.

When- Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sun. - Noon - 7 p.m.

Where- Holy Trinity Greek Or-

thodox Church facilities, 30 Huntington Blvd., Roanoke,VA For more- www.roanokegreekfestival.com

> Sept. 14

Don Reid visits First Presbyterian FDon Reid, author of Sunday Morning Memories, Presbyterian Elder and lead singer of the Statler Brothers, will be the guest speaker at First Presbyterian Church in Roanoke. The September 14, 2008 visit is part of “Super Sunday” at the church. This annual event is a time to celebrate the new year in Christian Education.

At 9:30am. Don Reid will speak to our youth and adult Sunday School classes in the fellowship hall, and he will deliver our sermon during our eleven o’clock Worship Service.

> Sept. 14, 15

Community Gardens Harvest Festival You are cordially invited to celebrate the harvests from the Roanoke Community Garden Association’s new community gardens located in various locations around the city by participating in their Community Gardens Harvest Festival. Free meals using vegetables harvested from the gardens will be provided. The event will also hopefully encourage neighbors to support growing food locally while encouraging fellowship within our neighborhoods.

Two events are being planned........ one on Sunday,September 14th @ 6-8pm located at the intersection of 7th st and Highland Ave, SE., and the other event on Monday,September 15th @ 6-8pm located at Grandin Gardens, 1731 Grandin Rd SW.These dates were chosen to coordinate with the full Harvest Moon.These are both free events and open to the public. The events are being catered by two excellent local foods chefs.

For more- contact Ron McCorkle at 540-982-8289

> Sept. 16

Emerging Artist Series Doug andTelishaWilliams are from Martinsville,VA --play “fuel injected folk!”

--recently kicked off shows for Lucinda Willlams “America’s best songwriter” (Time Magazine), --debut album, Rope Around My Heart, is receiving continued success.

Food provided by Blues BBQ Co. Free. All ages and all types invited!When- 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Where- Roanoke Main Library For more- 853-1057

> Sept. 17 Destroyer Leaders Association Former shipmates from USS NORFOLK DL1,USS MITSCHER DL2 / DDG-35,USS JOHN S MCCAIN DL3 / DDG36, USS WILLIS A LEE DL4,and USSWILKINSON DL5 will meet in St. Louis, Missouri, September 17 - 21, 2008 for their 12th annual combined reunion.

Family and friends are welcome to attend.

When- Sept. 17-21 Where- St. Louis, Mo. For more- Destroyer Leader Association, 2311 Idavere Road SW, Roanoke, VA 24015-3903, email: DestroyerLeader1@cox.net Roanoke Valley FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Chapter Meeting The program will feature a presentation and book signing by Karen J. Hall, author of Building the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Blue Ridge Parkway Postcard Series.

We will also discuss the many ways you can help preserve and protect the Parkway, including the FRIENDS annual tree plantings and other ongoing projects.

When- 7:00 p.m.

Where- Roanoke County HQ/419 Library For more - call the FRIENDS office at 540-772-2992

> Sept. 18

Emerging Artist Series Food provided by Marie’s Caribbean Creole Cuisine.

Genesis Chapman, artist.

Matthew John Mortimer, musician Event is free and all folks of all ages and types are 100% invited!

When- 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Where- Roanoke Main Library For more- 853-1057

> Sept. 23

Summit on Greening the City The City is hosting a Community Summit on Greening the City on September 23rd. This event is designed to get citizen feedback in developing a plan of action to get citizens involved in greening their homes and businesses to protect Roanoke’s environment. Dr. Sean McGinnis fromVirginiaTech Green Engineering program will be available to navigate us through this plan of action and talk to citizens regarding how to get involved.

When- 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Where- Roanoke Civic Center old exhibit hall.

> Sept. 26, 27, 28 & Oct. 3,4,5

Lu MerrittTournament The 2008 Lu Merritt Tournament will celebrate its 30th year at HiddenValley Country Club;

Seniors: September 26, 27 & 28th; Junior & Novice: October 3, 4 & 5th USTA registered players can register online at: http://www.ustava.com/ Novice players, please call Tom Gibbs, Hidden Valley Tennis at 540387-1524 All proceeds benefit Apple Ridge Farm’s academic and outdoor enrichment programs.

> Sept. 27

SinglesTravel Club The Singles Travel Club (couples welcome too!), is sponsoring a bus trip to the matinee of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers at the Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre, Wytheville,VA,.

Where- Passengers can board the bus at the Bonsack Walmart, Route 460,Troutville; and at Hardee’s, 2038 W. Main Street, Salem (Exit 137).

Cost- $72 per person includes: Roundtrip motorcoach transportation, an all inclusive sit down lunch, ticket to matinee of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and a tour host.

For more- call (540) 366-2888.

Kids in the Valley, Adventuring!

Kids In the Valley, Adventuring! takes a field trip to Roanoke’s finest public garden! Walk with us while we learn about the plants, walk through the maze and have a picnic. We will also learn about composting and see red wigglers at work! Come prepared to make a memory with your child(ren). No childcare is provided.

When- 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

WhereFor more- www.kidsadventuring. org.

> Sept. 28

Blue Ridge PBS KidsFest Elmo, Curious George, Arthur, Clifford, Mr. McFeely and friends are coming to the Roanoke Valley for the first annual Blue Ridge PBS KidsFest. Admission is free.

Activities include storytelling, live music, a children’s play zone with a moonwalk and giant inflatable slide, face painting, hands-on educational areas and up-close experiences with animals from the Mill Mountain Zoo.There will also be safety education information for children and their parents about the Internet, dangerous weather and emergency vehicles. Other PBS characters at the KidsFest include Word Girl, Maya and Miguel, and Digit. Bring your camera!

When- 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Where- Salem Civic Center For more- www.blueridgepbs.org Have an item for the calendar? email it to submissions@ theroanokestar.com

Commentary: RCPS Convocation The Way Milk Should Taste!

Homestead Creamery (540) 721-2045 Burnt Chimney, VA • Home Delivery • Local Production • No Artificial Hormones Free ice cream for trying our home delivery service!

Now available at the following locations: The Roanoker 2522 Colonial Ave Roanoke VA 24015

IGA / Super Fresh 1314 Riverland Rd Roanoke VA 24014

Mill Mountain Coffee Tinnels Finer Foods 2205 Crystal Spring Ave 112 Campbell Ave Roanoke VA 24011 Roanoke VA 24014

YMCA – (Jefferson Center) 520 Church Street Roanoke VA 24016

Vinton Post Office 119 South Pollard St Vinton VA 24179

Wildflower Hollins 7770 Williamson Rd Roanoke VA 24020

Public Library – Cave Spring 3131 Electric Rd Roanoke VA 24018 Public Library – Salem 28 E. Main St Salem VA 24153

Ukrops Grocery 2331 Franklin Rd Roanoke VA 24014

New Yorker Deli 2802 Williamson Rd Roanoke VA 24012

The Cave Spring Post Office 4069 Postal Drive Roanoke VA 24018

Natural Food Co-op 1319 Grandin Rd Roanoke VA 24015

Towers Mall 1103 23rd St Roanoke VA 24015

The Raleigh Court Post Office Country Cookin 4325 Brambleton Ave 1733 Grandin Rd Roanoke VA 24015 Roanoke VA 24015

(Weekly delivery to your doorstep is still only $44 a year and you won’t miss a single issue!)

Last week I attended the Roanoke City School System’s convocation, held each year for the administrators, teachers, and support staff to kick off the new school year. I’m glad I did. It was an enlightening and rewarding experience.

If you look at the Roanoke City School system, today you will see a raft of faces, not there a year and a half ago. There is a new Superintendent, who the School Board Chairman hired because that is part of his job description. It was done, if I remember correctly, while there was a call for a committee of hundreds to define what was “wanted” in a Superintendent to meet Roanoke’s alleged “unique” needs. That would have been followed by a national search, for a local candidate, yadda, yadda, again. Well, Rita Bishop had been here for ten years, left and was lured back.

She brought with her Curt Baker, now the Deputy Superintendent. Curt understands there is very little that goes on in the school system that does not involve money. Finance, has been moved from the junior varsity to the first team policy level. The results show.

What stands out is that standards of excellence have been set in every area and are

expected to be met. “We’ve always done it that way” – just isn’t good enough. In fact, that was most of the problem. I do not think it is any longer. In terms of the Peter Principle, I would hazard a guess there are darn few, if any, in the Roanoke City School system who have reached their level of incompetence!

I was particularly impressed – I don’t know how to say this strongly enough - by the high morale of the teachers and support staff attending the convocation. There isn’t any “morale meter” that measures it, like applause meters on the old TV shows. Morale is something you can actually feel when with a unit or organization gathered together and charged with a mission they are about to execute. Trust me, I know about that.

I have no doubt the teachers and support staff know what their “mission” is. They are ready, eager and capable of executing it. They also know – and this is important - that they have the full backing and support of those above them.

In return, the school system has their loyalty, for this is a two way street.

Look at all the key indicators. The changes are dramatic,

all positive and all this has been accomplished in one year (actually a little longer) as the result of outstanding planning, excellent execution, good followup and a clear understanding that excellence is the satisfactory standard of performance.

That’s pretty clear cut and easy to understand. Not surprisingly those who don’t want to play, or can’t, are no longer with us. Their departure is no loss at all.

Give the school system another year and I’ll be looking for a collaborator to write the “classic” management case study on the Roanoke School System as an example of how to do something right.

My hat is off to the Roanoke School Board, the School System administrators and the dedicated, hard working teachers and support staff who are in the trenches every day slugging it out and doing an outstanding job. Folks, you don’t see this kind of success very often and I can’t tell you how good I felt having attended the convocation.

Everyone wins in this kind of situation but the biggest winners of all are the children.

Robert Craig Roanoke

TheRoanokeStar.com

9/5/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11

Martin Clark at Cantos Booksellers Best selling author Martin Clark signs a copy of his new novel, The Legal Limit, during at appearance at Cantos Booksellers in downtown Roanoke recently. Clark is also a Circuit Court judge in Patrick County.

Cantos is a frequent stop for authors on promotion tours. Clark also displayed his previous works, Plain Heathen Mischief and The Many Aspects of Mobile Home Living.

One inspired campus

Photo by Alice Marrano

Classifieds > Estate Sales Cleaning out? Settling an estate? We buy old books, postcards, photos, mags, estate items, etc. Paper Memories 774-1881. > Wanted

Fax: (540) 857-5915 or Email: human.resources@shenlife.com. or visit our website at www.shenlife. com.We are pleased to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Home Repair Technician Part Time

Baseball and other sports cards and items from 1870 to 1975.

Tobacco, Candy and early gum cards especially wanted. (540) 977-5222 Jukeboxes Paying cash for old jukeboxes, Wuritzer, Seeburg, Rockola Or Ami.Any Condition. Need model number on back. Call Larry 540-314-3659 > Great Gas Mileage and Fun, too!

2002 Harley Davidson carbureted Road King for sale. Great condition, many chrome upgrades. Leather saddlebags and Samson pipes. Only 15,000 miles. Perfect for trips around town or cruising on the Parkway. $14,000. Call 353-3500. > Help Wanted After School Program Coordinator Part time elementary coordinator for Presbyterian Community Center after school program. Requirements: combination of education, experience equivalent to bachelor degree in counseling, education, childhood development or related field. Experience working with at-risk children preferred. Resume to: PCC, 1228 Jamison Avenue, Roanoke, 24013 and/or call 540-982-2911 for Tom MacMichael pathways@pccse.org Part-time Dining Room Assistant Are you looking for a part-time position with great hours in a professional work environment? Shenandoah Life has an opportunity for you. We are seeking a high-energy, customer focused, individual to join our Corporate Services staff. This individual will assist the dining room staff with the preparation of food services.

Qualified candidates must have a desire to provide quality customer service and have good communications skills. Candidate must be able to lift up to 25+ lbs and stand for long periods of time. Previous experience with or knowledge of food service is preferred.

Part-time hours: 20-25 hours a week between hours 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. with regular hours of 8:001:00 p.m. Starting salary $10 + 401K benefits.

If customer service is your priority and have a strong work ethic, submit your resume today to: Shenandoah Life Insurance Company,Attn: HR Job # 1030-07, PO Box 12847, Roanoke,VA 24029,

Everything you need.

> Haiku ads For teens and adults, Fun Summer Painting Classes, With retired artist Call Janet Wimmer, 977-1681 or e-mail janet.wimmer@gmail. com Strumming a six string want to improve but need help Lessons are your hope Call Greg @ 540-354-2049

Mr. Handyman of Roanoke seeks qualified person to service residential and commercial customers on a part time basis. Must have valid driver’s license and at least 15 years or more experience in all types of construction. Van furnished. Must supply own tools. Interviews by appt. only. Call 540-977-4444. > Cool Cheap Stuff Cool Cheap Stuff Place your ad in Cool Cheap Stuff, for items costing $150 or less, free!

Ads are published for 1 week. If item doesn’t sell feel free to run it again! Cool Cheap Stuff is available to private individuals who advertise one item costing $150 or less. Cost of item and telephone number must appear in ad copy. First 10 words are free. Additional 10 words are $5.00. Some restrictions apply. Limit 8 Cool, Cheap Stuff ads per month!

Honda Lawnmower HR173 $100.00 540-342-2183 Double Mattress, Boxsprings and Frame Serta Perfect Sleeper $40.00 540-342-2183 World Book Encyclopedias 60’s and 70’s Yearbooks $10.00 540-342-2183 Sleep Sofa – Twin Size Cream Color.

Excellent Condition $150 540-529-9693 Girls Huffy Bike for 5-6 year oldLike new - $10.00 Contact Kimberly: 761-4657 Antique Round Top Wooden Trunk $95.00 540-343-1473.

Antique black child’s rocker $45.00 540-343-1473 L-Shaped Desk With Hutch, Filing Cabinet Good Condition- $40 540-344-3295

Summer-Fall tutor Enriches and reviews skills to keep learning fresh.

Call Emily 725-1464, emilym@ cox.net

Retirement Living | Assisted Living Memory Care | Vacation & Recovery Program Healthcare & Progressive Rehab Program Onsite Pharmacy, Internal Medicine Practice, and Outpatient Therapy Clinic

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Art Lessons private art lessons drawing ,painting and sculpture ages 6 and up call Katherine Devine 427-5919 devinestudios@yahoo.com

You are cordially invited to

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Emily,Vendor 1806, 725-1464, emilym@cox.net I repair the tabs or whole shingles.

You provide material and ladder.

7 dollars per tab.

Robspad@hotmail.com spinet Piano in excellent condition Would you like to play?

Call Peggy@342-2183 or pae-onia@juno.com Real good condition Dot Matrix printer for sale No longer needed Call Crystal @ 989-6138 Self-defense lessons Free for women and children Fun and practical Call 345-7365 For teens and adults, Fun Summer Painting Classes, With retired artist Call Janet Wimmer, 977-1681 or e-mail janet.wimmer@gmail. com

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Telephone number at the end of the listing is excluded from the format requirements. Email info@ theroanokestar.com

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

TheRoanokeStar.com

and motor skills.

Ted Remandaban, patient

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s (IP PAIN pain • Shoulder • Knee pain

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technique, addresses old injuries at the root ofADDRESSES OLD INJURIES AT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM /FTEN EFFECTIVE the problem. Often effective when other treatments have failed, it has brought pain relief and improved performance to many who have WHEN OTHER TREATMENTS HAVE FAILED IT HAS BROUGHT PAIN RELIEF AND suffered for years.

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• Exceptional Dining, 3 Meals Daily • Spacious Apartments with Ample Storage • Fully Equipped Kitchen in Each Apartment • Weekly Housekeeping & Linen Laundry Service • Personalized Care in Your Own Private Apartment • 24 Hour On-Site Wellness Staff • Licensed Nurse on Each Shift • Medication Administration and Monitoring

• Rehabilitation Services Available • Free Scheduled Transportation • Small Pets Welcome • Located in a Quiet Residential Neighborhood within Safe Walking Distance to Shopping • Rental Retirement Community, Financial Flexibility

4920 Woodmar Drive SW • Roanoke, VA 24018 Off Route 419, across from Oak Grove Plaza www.parkoakgrove.com • mbelfiore@parkoakgrove.com

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OUT IF IT MAY BE RIGHT FOR YOU CALL US TODAY

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Additional VA locations:

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