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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel Merry Christmas!

Dec. 25, 2009 - Jan. 3, 2010

NewsRoanoke.com

[Winter Wonderland]

Fully Invested P2– Roanoke County’s new Supervisors and School Board members are formally installed by the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court.

Jon Kaufman

Tim Brrrrrr P4– Jon Kaufman comes up with another great excuse to miss the annual Star-Sentinel Christmas party.

Hokie Mobile P8– VA Tech officials are forced to name two winners in the first ever “Crazy for the Hokiemobiles” contest.

Perfect Flowers P11–Roanoke resident Matilda Bradshaw comes home with first place from the national show in Washington DC.

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Photo by Paul Calvert

Pedestrians make their way past the Roanoke City Christmas tree Friday Night just outside the Market building as a major winter storm settles in on the valley.

The Big One Finally Hits . . . hard winter weather also brought significant chalRoanoke Valley residents, and especially chillenges for many - including drivers who became dren, will long remember the “Great Christmas stuck, those who packed into area homeless shelters Snow of 2009” that broke an almost 14 year lull and shop owners and merchants in the midst of tryin “real snowfalls” for the region. The snow being to salvage whatever they can from a very diffigan to fall consistently and hard beginning on cult year. But life began to swing back to normal on Friday afternoon around 2 p.m. and by evening Monday as city crews made headway clearing the had fulfilled the National Weather Service’s streets and Roanokers continued to help one anothpredication of providing near white-out condier through whatever challenges lay ahead - weather tions. By Saturday morning there was well over related or otherwise. a foot of snow on the ground and at 3 p.m. there was almost 18” in Roanoke with some surA very Merry Christmas to you from all of us at rounding localities receiving as much as 22” of Photo by Jenny Garnett the Roanoke Star-Sentinel! the heavenly white stuff. Normal life came to a Elmwood Park’s first ever igloo takes shape. standstill as busy holiday schedules had to be put on hold and people slowed down to spend “real time” with family and > See P6 for pictures of the record breaking snow friends - something most would agree we could all use more of . . . But the

New City Manager Brings Optimism, Easy-Going Style To Roanoke As search executive Colin Baenziger’s words floated through the frigid air Monday, Roanoke learned who the much-anticipated new city manager will be as of March 1, 2010. Christopher Paul Morrill is leaving his position as an Assistant City Manager from Savannah, Georgia (population 143,000) to come to Roanoke. The ever smiling 47year-old Morrill was flanked by his wife Kimberly and his two sons, David and Declan, who are in kindergarten and 7th grade. The boys were excited about seeing snow for the first time and dismayed that they had to leave at 1:00 for an eight-hour drive back to Savannah.

Morrill and his family barely made it off the Municipal building’s fourth-floor elevator before being surrounded by media and followed into the Mayor’s office where they posed for pictures with their two patient boys. The talkative, outgoing youngsters almost stole the show as Council member Gwen Mason attempted to appease the younger of the two with candy on the dais.

Chosen from a pool of 104 applicants, Morrill’s starting salary will be $170,000 a year; the city will also pay for all moving expenses as well as trips to Roanoke to find suitable housing. Council member Gwen Mason indicated that it is unlikely that there will be any overlap with the exiting city manager, Darlene Burcham. Morrill already seemed to have a grasp of many of the city’s issues and had apparently interviewed Roanoke officials as much as they had interviewed him. Burcham sat quietly in Council Chambers as she listened to the praise heaped on her successor.

His credentials include a Bachelor of Arts degree from Holy Cross and a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina. Morrill was Assistant

Photo by Valerie Garner

New City Manager Chris Morrill shares a joke with David Bowers shortly after being introduced on Monday.

City Manager in Savannah for eight years where he also served as Senior Municipal Finance Advisor and Budget Director.

Morrill said that there was no compelling reason to leave his position in Savannah but that he felt he could make a difference and help Roanoke become “not just a better city but a better community.” He added that Roanoke was only one of a few cities that he has ever seriously considered. He

“Click and Clack” of the Music World Live in the Roanoke Valley

Tucked barely a block from Main Street in Salem is a well-kept, nondescript little building that houses a specialized instrument repair service – something that may be a dying art.

Valley Repair Service is owned and run by two master craftsmen, Glenn Schwizer and Tom Fisher, who partnered to form the business back in 1984, a decision that has been good for them and for musicians in southwest Virginia.

Valley Repair’s gray vinyl exterior gives no hint of the array and sheer volume of instruments and instrument parts hung from floor to ceiling within. It is a visual cornucopia of all things musical. To the uneducated eye, both men’s work areas appear to be randomly filled with hundreds of tools, parts and miscellaneous items accumulated from years of repair work, yet they are actually well-organized fast workers.

Ironically, before they met, both attended the same trade school, Eastern School of Musical Instrument Repair

> CONTINUED P3: Morrill

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Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/25/09 - 1/3/10

NewsRoanoke.com

County of Roanoke Holds Investiture Ceremony Partly cloudy skies will return for Wednesday only to be followed by clouds increasing Christmas Eve. At this point, the timing of the approaching storm has been pushed back, which means showers and freezing rain will likely start in the early morning hours of our Christmas Day. Throughout the afternoon expect most of the precipitation to be falling as rain and tapering off early Saturday morning. A concern as this rain falls and the snow melts will be flooding in areas that usually result in high waters when rain comes through.

The weekend, for most of us, looks to be filled with a decent amount of sunshine and highs in the upper 30s and low 40s.

This past Friday found the Roanoke County Courthouse full of people who were there not for a trial, but for a special ceremony -- the 2009 Investiture Ceremony for the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors and the School Board.

Presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance opened the solemn event in Courtroom number four. Chaplain Brian Clingenpeel led the invocation and the welcome was given by The Honorable James R. Swanson, 23rd Judicial Circuit of Virginia and Joseph P. McNamara, Vice Chairman of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors.

The four judges of the 23rd Judicial Circuit of Virginia – Judges Swanson, Charles Dorsey, Robert Doherty and Clifford Weckstein, conducted the Administration of the Oath of Office. Judith Stokes, Roanoke County General Registrar, gave the Presentation of Certificates

of Election.

The newly elected members of Roanoke County School Board are C. Drew Barrineau, Jerry Canada and Michael Stovall. They were given their oath by Judge Dorsey, with their hands on the Bible and their families by their side.

The newly elected members of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors are Ed Elswick, Michael Altizer and Richard Flora. Judge Doherty administered the oath.

Michael Stovall said that he “would continue to work hard for the teachers and students,” as he has in the past. He said “the County school system is one of the best” and he intends to keep it that way, with a high retention rate, high marks and a boost in teacher salaries.

Mike Altizer remarked that the “County is in good shape today because of planning ahead in years past,” and it is not suf-

Michael Altizer is sworn in as his wife Barbara stands by his side. Registrar Judith Stokes and Judge Charles Dorsey stand in the background. fering from a dollar shortage like so many other counties. He observed that as long as they “have a vision for the future and put money away in anticipation of tough economic times, we will be all right.”

A reception was held after the ceremony in the Law Library for the new members, families and guests.

By Carla Bream info@newsroanoke.com

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in Union NJ, which is no longer in existence. The school was run by Fred Kirschner (now deceased) who was the only person to write an encyclopedia of the trade. It was THE repair school devoted to the craft. Learning the instrument repair trade at Eastern was no small endeavor; it took about a year and a half full-time, 5 days a week to complete the 2,500 required hours.

The training is worth it; according to Schwizer, “there really has never been an instrument that we could not repair – rarely is an instrument unsalvagable.” That is why they have kept so many old instruments—for the parts—in case they need to do custom work. Fisher said, “if we have all the pieces, we can fix it, and usually even when we don’t.” Schwizer adds that they have “done work for a lot of pros over the years.”

Forming their own business was a logical step considering that individually both men had already earned the trust of many area musicians and band leaders who would likely be funneling business their way. Still, with young families and future college educations to fund, it was also a step in faith. Fisher points out that along the way, and even in the current economic downturn, business has been good, and he gives credit to God, a comment he says he has shared but “no one has put in print yet.” Fisher says “One of the neatest things is that all of it

comes from the Lord and He has provided in a different way all the time -- just when one source of business disappeared, another would come along to take its place.” They in turn, enjoy helping others through their work.

One of their more memorable clients was a little girl in middle school band who had a kind of disabling arthritis and wanted to play clarinet.

Schwizer and Fisher had her hold the instrument so they could see exactly how her hands could grip it and completely changed it to fit her exactly. There was no charge other than a request for her “to remember us when she gets to Carnegie Hall.”

In addition to filling a unique niche with the business, Schwizer and Fisher have an inimitable and enviable working relationship with band directors and the many customers and students that come through the door.

Still a Yankee’s fan, Schwizer hails from Long Island, NY, a fact that is evident as soon as he speaks; his New York accent is clearly prominent although he has lived in this area for years. His raucous but warm laughter echoes frequently throughout the building; the banter between he and the quieter Fisher (a former Navy man from Pennsylvania) has earned them the nickname “Click and Clack” of the music world by their customers. It is entertaining just to sit and listen to them as they work.

In fact, sit and visit is exactly what many do. Long-time customers and friends, including Salem High School’s retired

Photo by Cheryl Hodges

Glenn Schwizer (left) and Tom Fisher of Valley Repair Service band director Dennis Reasor, have spent many a lunch hour parked in a chair brown-bagging it along with Fisher and Schwizer. Fisher recounts that “one of the neatest things is people who are friends who come in just to talk—many of whom are musicians—people we’ve been doing work for, for years.” One of those is Dave McKee, Virginia Tech’s marching band director who says “it is always fun to sit in their presence.”

McKee, who has been at Tech since 1984, has nothing but high praises for Schwizer and Fisher. He said “If there are others who provide their level of service, I’m not aware of it; what they provide is great service all the time.” They are “class acts, great guys, terrific professionals who provide invaluable service to us. We have lots of repairs here; they are craftsmen of the highest order who literally keep us on the field.”

As most band parents are aware, students aren’t always the greatest stewards of their instruments. Some of the

more amusing items that the two have found hiding in sousaphones include dead mice, 16 ounce soda bottles, a bra, and some years ago, a flask in a college student’s sousaphone. The men have completely overhauled all of Virginia Tech’s sousaphones.

Both men are thankful for the number of friendships they have made through their business. Fisher speaks for both when he comments that while they have enjoyed their work and the expertise they can offer, the “people are more important than anything else.”

Although they have no current plans to retire, they know the day is coming when they will need to address that issue. It is gratifying to know that they have already earned a place of respect in the hearts of so many; as one local band director told them, “I would hope someday to have the [good] reputation you guys have.”

By Cheryl Hodges cvhodges@aol.com

Tree Stewards Needed in Roanoke

12.31.2009

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Roanoke Parks and Recreation is looking for "Volunteers for the community forest" to participate in a Tree Steward program, designed to train volunteers to care for trees and teach others about the urban forest. The program is free of charge and will be held at the Virginia Western Community College Natural Science Center on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. beginning on Jan. 11, 2010.

The program will last through the end of March. The deadline to register is Jan. 4, 2010.

Volunteer Tree Stewards prune trees, conduct tree inventories, plan Arbor Day events, and educate homeowners. The course begins with 30 hours of combined classroom and hands-on training.

An additional 30 hours of volunteer work will be required to complete the program. 20 hours of community service is suggested per year thereafter.

If you have a passion for trees and think you might be interested in volunteering, contact Urban Forestry Planner Helen Smythers at 853-5225.

NewsRoanoke.com

Let Your Christmas Spirit Shine Into the New Year January Volunteer Needs American Cancer Society Discovery Shop is in need of volunteers to sort and price donations, sales floor assistance, and a volunteer to assist with planning special events/sales. Flexible daytime hours.

Delany Court Civic League would like volunteers to look over thier computers and install virus protection (XP).

LOA is looking for volunteers to deliver meals to homebound seniors for the Meals on Wheels program. Contact Michele Daley at mdaley@loaa.org or 345-0451.

O. Winston Link Museum needs volunteers to work in admissions and the Museum Shop. Contact Leah Gardner at 982-5465 or education@linkmuseum.org.

Refugee & Immigration Services would like volunteers for front desk reception, ESL tutors (materials and training provided), and medical transportation. Contact Marybeth Pizzino at 342-7561 ormarybethp22@ris-roa.org.

Rescue Mission needs volunteer lunch servers, furniture assemblers, and volunteers for the monthly "Bless My Sole" foot washing ministry. Contact Leslie Littlefield at 777-7651 or leslie@rescuemission.net.

Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission is seeking a Regional Planning Library Volunteer with library experience to develop catalog system for approx. 3000 volumes; and Computer Graphics - Planning Visualization Volunteer to prepare computer graphics elements for Regional Bicycle Plan Update. Perfect for computer savvy volunteers with eye for detail and interest in computer graphics.

Contact Mark McCaskill at 343-4417 or mmccaskill@rvarc.org.

Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue needs administrative volunteers, horse groomers, and facility cleaners.

Ronald McDonald House needs volunteers to cook meals for guests (approximately 35 -40) each night.

Salem VA Medical Center needs volunteers on the pallative care unit and home-based primary care (both non-clinical) and for the volunteer transportation network.

Salvation Army would like volunteers for the Community Center: tutors, exercise coordinator, craft instructors. Contact Robin Sligh at 343-5335 or robin.sligh@uss.salvationarmy.org.

Science Museum of Western Virginia needs volunteer science interpreters to provide science content and lead groups through exhibits Tuesdays - Thursdays.

Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank needs individuals and groups to sort, inspect and box donated food and other items. Monday - Friday 9AM - Noon, 1PM - 4PM. Contact Harry Van Guilder at 342-3011 x42 or hvanguilder@swvafoodbank.org.

TAP needs volunteers to work with GED students in math and writing. Volunteers are also needed to assist with income tax preparation January 19 - April 15. Training provided in January.

West End Center would like volunteers to assist students with completing homework and strengthening math and literacy skills.

If you are interested in any of the volunteer needs listed above, or looking for something different, please contact Volunteer Roanoke Valley (540-985-0131x500).

January Donation Needs

American Cancer Society Discovery Shop 345-2572 · Trash bags · Office supplies · Shopping bags Brian Center in Fincastle 339-5155 · Stereo system for dining room · Personal care items (soap, shampoo, lotions, etc.)

Friendship Health & Rehab 265-2169 · Bottled soda/lemonade · Animal/angel figurines · Costume jewelry Joseph C. Thomas Center at Richfield 380-1566 · Soap, shower gels · Crossword and word search books · Tissues Local Office on Aging - Meals on Wheels 345-0451 · Quart sized zip-lock bags Presbyterian Community Center 982-2911 · Pantry items - stew, tuna, rice, soups, canned veggies · Fresh produce · Bed mattress and box springs Refugee & Immigration Services 342-7561 · Toiletry items · Pots and pans · Blankets!

Rescue Mission 777-7651

· Pain relievers (Tylenol/Ibuprofen) and cough drops · Feminine supplies (tampons/maxi pads) · Diapers Roanoke Area Ministries 345-9786 · Canned fruit, vegetables, salmon/tuna, dried beans, · Monetary donations · Office supplies - copy paper, stamps, #10 envelopes Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue 721-1910 · Fruits and vegetables · Canned corn, carrots, and applesauce · Oatmeal and corn oil Ronald McDonald House 857-0770 · Disinfectant spray/wipes · Individually wrapped snacks, cookies, granola bars · Countrytime lemonade mix Salvation Army 343-5335 · School supplies · Juice boxes/snacks · Exercise equipment Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank 342-3011 · Non-perishable food items · Financial donations TRUST House 344-4691 · Canned soups and chili · Quilts and blankets

> Morrill

12/25/09 - 1/3/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3

Code Enforcement Workshop Answers Tough Questions Assistant Manager for Community Development, Brian Townsend, preached to the choir at Saturday morning’s Code Enforcement 101 workshop for city residents. The room was filled with representatives from just about every neighborhood organization in the city.

Building maintenance, zoning, and nuisance codes provide for a healthy, safe and clean environment for all citizens. “The goal is compliance and not punishment,” said Townsend. “It’s all about behavior modification.” He explained the concept of “communal impact” stating that “one poorly maintained property affects all home property values.”

There are 13 full-time code enforcement team members including Dan Webb, the Codes Compliance Coordinator. The city is divided into code enforcement zones and assigned to the various code team members.

Webb said their work is increasing and agreed with Townsend that behavior modification is essential to reducing costs to the city. They’d “rather see a decline in the need for code enforcement personnel,” said Webb. Repeat violations for the same property must go through the long and arduous process of discovery, inspection, citation, appeals, followup inspection, contract work and court.

The State gave cities some relief in 2003, requiring only one notification for weeds and trash abatement. The Dillon rule keeps cities from overreaching their power. This can be frustrating for cities like Roanoke with older structures. Roanoke County has primarily newer structures and has no need for a building maintenance code.

The city also polices over 2,500 rental units throughout its jurisdiction. Contacting out-of-town landlords is very

Codes Compliance Coordinator Dan Webb

time consuming.

Zoning Administrator Nancy Snodgrass explained that zoning code controls property use, structure height and setback. Snodgrass said, “Virginia is an extremely strong property rights state.” In some cases court appeals can reach all the way to the Supreme Court where the state favors the property owner.

Abandoned vehicles, garbage, and debris that is a danger to the health and safety of residents all were popular topics with the neighborhood participants. What is one person’s trash can be another person’s artistic expression. Graffiti on privately owned property with consent is protected by the first amendment.

Codes Compliance Team Leader Barry Stacy took participants through a visual exercise, asking them “is this a code violation or not?” It wasn’t easy determining what is and is not a weed. A property owner who ignores weed and trash notifications can be charged as much as $280 when the city hires a contractor to correct the violation. If it goes unpaid the city can place a lien on the property.

By Valerie Garner Valerie.Garner@cox.net

From page 1

enjoys the mountains and his wife’s family is nearby.

Morrill is said to have a collaborative, teamwork style, with a record of guiding and empowering his staff. He does not micromanage but stands ready to take control in a crisis.

His sense of humor was evident on Monday as he smiled and joked with the Mayor, media and his family. He said he strives for a pleasant work environment. Elected officials from Savannah noted his strong leadership in these hard economic times.

Morrill said that he has developed an approach he refers to as “Budgeting for Outcomes” that allocates funding to those services that are a priority to the residents instead of focusing on cuts in each department. Morrill envisions keeping a strong understanding of the big picture while relying on a competent staff to carry out the details.

Financial planning is professed to be one of his greatest strengths. His approach to finance has provided a new way of measuring the performance of an organization. It compares the outcome of one city with other cities across America. Funding is provided to those services that have had clear outcomes of meeting priorities.

Morrill recounted an experience he had with a public park project that received resistance from residents who had not been involved early on in the project. He said it taught him a valuable lesson.

“Do not assume the community members will see and embrace the vision of a project if you do not spend the time educating them.”

Challenges Morrill identified that face Roanoke’s New

City Manager: •Encouraging economic development that is a good fit with the community.

•Working with the school board to improve the City’s schools.

•Finding ways to help the poor climb out of poverty.

•Working with the community to improve the neighborhoods.

•Addressing code enforcement issues.

Morrill said that studying these and other city issues would be first on his “to do” list as he enters the position -- followed closely by learning Roanoke’s history and neighborhoods. Last but not least he said he will assess the city’s financial position for fiscal year 2011.

“A city manager must be

out in the community and transparent to earn the trust of the community - and when things are wrong, one must acknowledge that,” said Morrill. Savannah has a program similar to Roanoke’s “Leadership College,” which is an eight-week course designed to educate residents on each department’s function.

It is reported that Morrill has a good relationship with the media and has worked with both television and print.

He said that he understands the important role media plays. On Monday he seemed refreshingly straightforward with his answers.

Councilman Rupert Cutler, who is on the Personnel Committee with Council member Gwen Mason said, “His combination of budget expertise,

being a people person and working in a minority community” ranked Morrill at the top right off the list. Cutler, who flew to Savannah with Councilman Court Rosen, said that Savannah officials offered them “a money-back guarantee – we’ll take him back in a heartbeat.”

Mayor Bowers added, “people in Roanoke are going to be very enthusiastic… he is bright, eager and has a record of being very creative with city government challenges.”

By Valerie Garner Valerie.Garner@cox.net

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Perspective

Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/25/09 - 1/3/10

T

here are all kinds of power: Physical, as in the NFL; parental, although that frequently seems impotent; financial, for most of us a whole lot less than two years ago; or political, where the balance is always tenuous. In government, that’s a good thing, for the most part. Think of any nation in which all the power rests in a single person and you have named a system that ultimately fails, usually catastrophically.

We’ve heard a lot about the balance of power in our country, particularly when one of the governmental branches feels threatened by the others. Within the Executive branch everyone knows the ultimate power lies with the President but if you ever watched “West Wing” you have had a glimpse of the infighting that occurs below that awesome office. In a recent administration, which shall not be named, the real power was “behind the throne,” as the British used to say in the time Cardinal Wolsey. When one argues for a single six-year term for the President the first objection is there would be no recourse to curb his power other than impeachment. As it is now, from the day after inauguration, the administration is jockeying for a second term.

Who’s Got the Power?

The same is true for Congress, parso, since the Constitution which they ticularly the House of Representaprotect has profound effects on our tives. With only a two-year term, by daily lives. Even with all that power, the time the newly elected congressfew of us know much about them; I person can find the way around the would be surprised if 1 person in a capitol building, their power is be100 can name the 9 current Justices, ing challenged by another election. let alone those who have served in Ninety percent of the time, they win. the last half-century.

When they are up for re-election afAll this being said, how is it that ter a decade in office, so many favors the 535 members of Congress have have been granted and so much such a wide distribution of power? money contributed to the incum- Hayden Hollingsworth There are some whose names are bent that life-time tenure is almost household words; they control assured, even if there is ill-gotten what legislation will be presented gain stored in the home freezer. The Senate is and in what fashion. There are others who are a little better off with their six-year stint. Even totally unknown outside and, in some cases sexual dalliance and Playboy centerfolds may even inside, their own districts. I could probnot be enough to dislodge a senator. I have al- ably name a dozen or so Senators and maybe ways suspected the only candidate in the world that many House members. There are a few that could have lost to Senator Robb was Oliver who really have a power that is envied even by North, but that’s old news. the President and we all know them.

The third branch, the Judicial, is another In the run up to the end of this session, one matter: Lifetime appointments for Supreme or two Senators are said to hold the health reCourt Justices and Federal judges. In the re- form issue in their hands. Senators Olympia cent Presidential campaign, more than a little Snow and Joe Lieberman are most prominent. argument was voiced over what type of Justices One can only hope that they will put lobby and the ultimate winner would select, and rightly party interests aside, not holding the process

The Recipe of the Week from The Happy Chef Christmas Cheer Favorite Mulled Cider and Hot Cocoa

Star~Sentinel Crossword Local Crossword 1

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

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By Don Waterfield

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NewsRoanoke.com

hostage to their personal beliefs.

Our Congressman, Bob Goodlatte, has been in Washington a good many more years than the five terms he promised us when first elected. Once you have power, it must be very hard to lay it down and return to the modesty of ordinary life. It surely can be an addicting, powerful intoxicant. Mr. Goodlatte is a good man but, along with many members of Congress who oppose the current bills, little is offered other than platitudes such as, “While we can all agree that our current health care system is flawed; there are many different ideas about how to fix it.” None are forthcoming, but this: “. . . . not put more power in the hands of Washington bureaucrats.”

We hope that those who have positioned themselves at the tipping point, those with power in their pockets, will make the wise choices. If not, it may be helpful to remember the words of Winston Churchill: “Democracy is the worst possible form of government . . . except for all the rest.”

Contact Hayden at jhayden2003@cox.net

If A Tree Falls In the Living Room Can Anyone Hear It?

A

llow me to begin this column with an apology.

On Sunday, December 13th I was to attend the annual holiday soiree for the staff and family members of the Roanoke Star Sentinel. Unable to attend this joyous event last year due to an illness in the family, I was greatly looking forward to sharing some yuletide joy with this terrific group of people.

The previous night Janet had prepared a tray of sumptuous sausage hors d’oeuvres to share and only a brief stop to gas up the car stood between us and the merriment. Or, so we thought.

As the pump meter clicked off dollar after dollar of low grade petroleum, I realized Favorite Hot Cocoa that I had left my Blackberry 1/2 cup granulated sugar at home. Thankfully we were 1/3 cup hot water just a few blocks away and had 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder been gone less than five min4 cups milk utes. When you have three 1/8 teaspoon salt dogs living in your home, 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract however, five minutes is all that is required to change your -Mix cocoa, sugar, water and salt in a saucepan.

Over medium heat, stir constantly until mixture life.

Zooming into our driveway, boils. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.

I parked, left the engine run-Stir in the milk and heat, but do not boil. Rening, and bolted towards the move from heat and add vanilla, blend well and front door of our house. As I serve wiggled the key into the lock I

By Leigh Sackett noticed that the usual welcomleigh@newsroanoke.com ing party of hounds was not there to greet me at the door.

What's more, I could see our rather enormous Christmas tree laying flat on our living room floor. Panic, began to set in. Had our dogs been dis4 5 6 7 8 9 patched by a fallen tree during 12 13 the few minutes we were gone?

I waved for Janet to leave the 16 car and join me.

19 20 In my haste I had briefly forgotten that when I enter our 22 23 24 25 house alone our four-legged 29 family rarely, if ever, rises to trumpet my arrival, however, 32 33 when Janet appears they salute 36 37 her entrance as if Lindbergh had just landed. Sure enough, 39 the second Janet's foot hit the 42 43 44 45 porch; everyone was present

Wow – what an amazing snowfall! I grew up in West Virginia, so it certainly brings back great memories. When I watch my kids play in the snow, I laugh, it is like going back in time. They just roll around in it like dogs! My son does what I once did long ago - he stuffs his face down in the snow like he is looking for something he has buried! The cold snow on his face and neck doesn’t seem to bother him. It is such a great expression of joy and freedom to stuff your face down in the bracing white coldness - like jumping in a cold creek in early spring!

It doesn’t take long for children to figure out the ways of snow, even southern children, who have never seen more than a couple of inches of it. It is the stuff of dreams - so beautifully glorious with the ability to slow time almost completely to a stop. Somehow, for a short moment, we seem to be protected from the cruel and busy world by this soft Holy barrier of blanketed white. Exploration and endless snow adventures (including the high speed down hill variety) become the goal of the day - not work, or errands, or school or the commercial business of the Holiday season.

It is JUST what we need at Christmas - a time to stop and wonder at it all, a time to be joyful.

We are blessed to have this snow but also blessed to be protected from it. For many, who don’t have sufficient refuge, it is not just a burden but frightening and deadly. We should pray for all those people. I don’t allow my kids to forget the awesome power of snow. It is something to behold, much like its Creator – beautiful and gentle yet fierce and powerful. I guess that is the ultimate reason for loving snow, it reminds me of God. Here are two great drink recipes that are a must when it snows and on Christmas – have a Very Merry One! Favorite Mulled Cider -Pour one gallon of apple cider into a large pot on the stove or into a crockpot or slow cooker.

-Add a half cup of brown sugar.

-Place 1 teaspoon of whole cloves, 1 teaspoon of whole allspice, and 3 cinnamon sticks, 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg, zest of one orange & 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom on a square of cheesecloth and tie up. Add to the pot.

-Heat the cider to a boil, stirring regularly. Leave the pot uncovered so that you and your family or guests can enjoy the warm, delicious aroma.

-Once the cider boils, lower the setting to simmer for at least another 30 minutes to allow for thorough infusion of the spices. Stir occasionally.

-Remove the spices from the pot and ladle hot mulled cider into mugs or other glasses designed for hot beverages.

and accounted for. witted, un-athletic The living room canine that sleeps was a complete eighteen hours a day mess.

As usual posses the ability to we had decided to catch and behead purchase the larga bird, much less est tree this side of fell such a substanRockefeller Center, tial spruce? Surely cresting at ten feet there was at least an and bearing the accomplice! width of a Valley Mya, our AmeriMetro bus. Why can Black and Tan Jon Kaufman such a huge tree Coonhound, (an you ask? High ceilavid catcher of ings and the fact that Janet mice and birds) had managed owns every Hallmark orna- to slip away during Roscoe's ment ever manufactured. Add interrogation and was hida few thousand lights and all ing somewhere in the house. that is missing is a live nativity We interpreted Mya's flight scene in the foyer. as a strong sign of guilt and As I sifted through the grilled Roscoe to give up his wreckage, Janet donned her partner. Showing no signs of CSI cap and surveyed the cracking under the pressure crime scene. Discovering a (typical Bassett) Roscoe failed spruce trail leading to our up- to incriminate his cohort, and stairs, the investigation was instead decided to take a nap beginning to take shape. In effectively halting our inquiry. one of our upstairs bedrooms Piecing the puzzle together she uncovered the following Janet concluded that the bird curious clues; two sets of paw must have stealthy entered the prints, a Bluetooth headset house, saw a tree in our living and the headless body of a room and decided to make it small bird. Janet surmised that home. Spotting the intruder, the culprits were still in the Roscoe alerted Mya and the house and reported that the two launched themselves tobird's head was nowhere to wards the tree in pursuit of be found. We rounded up the their winged prey. Naturally, usual suspects. the bird, now a material witShiloh, our blind diabetic ness to the crime, had to be dog, was quickly eliminated eliminated.

Janet guessed from the list of transgres- that the Bluetooth headset sors. Shiloh didn't possess the had been planted as either a weight and strength to topple red herring or a misguided atour indoor Redwood, nor did tempt to implicate me in the he have the sight to snare a malfeasance. bird in flight. Janet's attention Mystery solved! immediately turned to Roscoe, I considered trying to attend a Bassett Hound with a history the Star Sentinel party, but of destruction. Roscoe loves once the clean-up was comwalking under the Christmas plete the hour was getting late. tree, in fact, he creeps slowly I regret not being able to join around the base of the tree as the group again this year, and if he is trying to remain un- would like to wish them and noticed, like a tiger stalking all of our readers a very happy its lunch deep in a thick forest. holiday season!

Certainly such shady behavior would make Roscoe the obContact Jon at ject of some speculation. But Jon.Kaufman@sprint.com we had to ask - does a slow-

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Sale Values

W

Preacher’s Corner

hat’s on sale, this late Similar dismay is being voiced holiday-shopping seaby natives and environmentalists in son?

Alaska, where an international minEverything! On a cash-strapped ing consortium plans to blast a prisplanet in liquidity crisis, bargains tine Bristol Bay headwaters wilderabound. ness into North America’s largest gold Like gold! With many personal mine. stashes getting sold, and a resurgent Then we have my native Appalagold rush around our planet, it’s a chians, storehouses of a blacker gold. deal many investors see as a hedge The idea here is that, for the sake of against the falling dollar. “the” economy, our ancient mounLiza Field Or how about cashmere? Once tains must be blown up to extract considered a luxury, bargain cashcoal as quickly and “cost-effectively” mere sweaters can now be bought by the stack as possible. at Wal-Mart.

The process shears off ecologically rare forElectronics—with their short shelf life—offer est, blows up ridges and dumps tons of rubble more great deals. And don’t forget the energy (called “spoil”) into mountain hollows, permato supply them—another relative bargain! As nently burying ancient, vital creeks.

U.S. climate action remains vague, coal-burnIn 2003, the Bush administration “streaming facilities still send abundant power surging lined” permitting for these operations as a gift to through our grid, for which human dollars pay the coal industry. Now under review by the U.S. only a fraction of the cost.

Army Corps of Engineers, after six years of expeWhat pays for the rest? Well, the same cur- dited destruction, mountaintop removal is still rency—literally—that subsidizes all these bar- presented by the industry as “vital” to America’s gains. economy.

This currency has always underwritten huBut how can an economy dependent on demanity’s survival needs. But it’s paid a higher stroying life be “vital?” Such destruction ranks price for more-recent human conveniences— less as an “economy” than a raid by marauding asphalt shopping plazas, road salts and lawn vandals—whose damage must be paid for by fertilizers, bargain furniture and beefsteaks. whoever is “left behind.”

It pays for sprawl, deforestation, gold -minThis legacy bothers me as a Christian coning, carbon emissions, and the mountaintop- servationist, puzzled by our “faith and values” removal coal-mining currently powering my broadcasters who oppose environmental proteccomputer. It subsidizes the entire free market, tions. Biblically, Jesus is called a bringer of “life.” which many conservatives say cannot afford to And “living water”—considered a sacred gift— address global warming, because human dol- pours abundantly through scriptures. lars have never had to pay its true cost.

So why are many “pro-life” Christian groups What currency does pay the price? Water — hostile, today, to environmental protections? the one currency vital to life on the planet, it’s Political-business strategists like Ralph Reed the one we squander most freely for what is not help to explain it. Before hiring out his services life. to big energy corporations (including the former Like gold. As the mythical King Midas and Enron), Reed was the neoconservative strategist Sir Thomas More observed, gold cannot feed or tapped by Pat Robertson to create the Christian water life. Indeed, in Mongolia, a 20-year gold Coalition, in 1989. rush has depleted water and created famine.

Leaving his post there for private consulting Once a sustainable landscape, Mongolia is work, Reed took his powerful Christian contact becoming a desert. A boom in cashmere de- list with him, and has been using it for a decade mand, created by Chinese factories churning to organize Christian opposition to the environout low-cost sweaters for Western markets, led mental protections his big oil, gas and energy Mongolians to convert low-impact sheep flocks clients oppose. to cashmere goats. These goats are unsustainFortunately, other Christian groups—and able, eating grass by the roots and destroying Jews, Buddhists, Taoists, people of many religrazing lands. gions and none—aren’t sold on these industrialThe global recession then sank cashmere de- ized values, but are insisting on protections for mand, leaving Mongolians stuck with destruc- water, climate, and a living planet they see as a tive herds and scant cash. Now many herders holy gift to revere, not plunder. themselves are ripping up grasslands in a desThis is the conversion our times call for—not perate gold hunt. Giant mining corporations the converting of life into gold, or mountains similarly plunder the land, leaving many riv- into spoil, or religious leaders into false profits— ers dried up, others poisoned with cyanide and but conversion of a system that placed life at the mercury. The former herding economy is now service of the market, to one of higher values, impossible to revive. whose market actually serves life.

“How unfortunate we are that we had gold in our land,” said herder Dechindorj Ganbold.

Liza Field is a hiker and conservationist.

“Without gold, our rivers would flow and life This column is distributed would be normal.”

by BayJournal News Service.

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12/25/09 - 1/3/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

God is Here Among Us . . .

L

et us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place that the Lord has made known to us. Luke 2 Luke’s shepherds react to the visitation of the angels with the quote above. Into their very ordinary lives the angels come making known to them this extraordinary news that a baby is born in Bethlehem who is the Messiah, the Lord. Quite naturally, they decide to go and see for themselves.

Stuff like this doesn’t happen in a shepherd’s life every day.

You and I have heard the news as well. The problem for us is that the news has come once a year, every year, for as long as we have memory. The news has come not from angels but from churches and parents and story books. The news has been garbled by other news of sales at area businesses and the constant companionship of Jinglebell Rock on our car radios. But still, even amid all the competing memories and cultural accessories hanging to the Christmas news like ornaments on our living room trees, if we will allow it, the news comes to us with all the power of that first night.

It comes at church in the form of sermon and hymnody and anthem. It comes through the familiar reading of scriptures we almost know by heart. It comes in the traditions that develop over time in places like this, traditions like giving socks and underwear to needy children, or giving alternative gifts to agencies that serve them, or candles lit at midnight as we sing Silent Night. I sometimes think that the news comes even when we

do none of these wonderful things, or in spite of them, for the news is not dependent upon us, it comes unexpectedly, to people who aren’t looking for it. It is God’s news, after all, not ours; news to all people.

And what is this news? It is that God is here, among us. God is here in a backwater of the Roman Empire, in a stable, born of two peasants, observed by a bunch of curious smelly shepherds.

God is here for people living in Roanoke under any number of circumstances that might lead them to conclude that there is no God. That is the news, that God is here, with a face, and voice, and flesh and blood, and as real as cow dung, and as glorious as angel song. And, my goodness, if God is here, then there is hope for you and me and this old world that seems hell-bent on destroying itself and snuffing out goodness.

That is the news, this thing that the Lord has made known to us! Well then, let us go again to Bethlehem and see for ourselves. Let us find a quiet place, if only inside ourselves, where we can bow before the wonder of the light that shines in the darkness, and is not overcome by it. (John 1) Maybe we will be graced to take a bit of that light, God’s light, into the world. I pray so.

A Most Blessed Christmas to All!

Tupper Garden is the Senior Minister at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church Visit them on the web at rcpres.org

Paying Attention to Shepherds ... and the Homeless

by Pastor Tim Harvey

S

hepherds, why this jubilee? Why these songs of happy cheer?

Come, adore on bended knee, Christ, the Lord, the newborn king.

Gloria in excelsis Deo. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Arthur Cole...Laura Scales...James Davis...

William Dooley...Leonard Sinkler...

One by one, the names were read. At the calling of the names, a bell tolled, and a candle was lighted. ...Penny Lane...Tammy Blankenship...Robyn Hancock...Paul Wade...Bernard Dillard...

The names were not familiar to us. Had we seen a photograph, probably no one in attendance would have recognized a face, except possibly a face we had once avoided, eye contact we did not wish to make. ...Oscar Cheatwood...Eric White...Alfred Brown...Sydney Liggins...John Harvey...

The names were read at the Homeless Persons Memorial Service, held Friday, December 18. About 50 persons not nearly enough gathered to recognize the life and dignity of 26 of our neighbors who died during the past year.

These men and women had chosen to make Roanoke their home, even though they had no place of their own to call homeat least, not in the sense that you and I do. ...Calvin Stump...Paul Switzer...Dana Stith...Susan Robertson...Wayne Heath...

Remember these 26 names the next time you sing the Christmas hymn, Angels, we have heard on high. Think of these 26 homeless men and women, and try to imagine their stories, and

their families. Why? Because of the shepherds in the Christmas story.

You see, shepherds lived on the fringe of Jesus’ society, just as the homeless live on the fringe of our society. Most would not want to be around shepherds; the coarseness of their living made them offensive to polite society. In Jesus’ day, shepherds character was so suspect that they were not allowed to testify in court. They lived on the fringe. Out of sight, out of mind.

And yet on the most holy night of Jesus’ birth, shepherds were the first ones to get the news that a Savior had been born. Not the dignitaries, not the noble men and women. Shepherds, out in the fields, out on the fringe of society. They got the news of the Saviors birth, and they went to Bethlehem to see. They may have been out of our sight and mind, but they were not out of Gods sight and mind.

God saw fit to bring these fringe-living shepherds right in to see His Son. We should think about that this Christmas, and remember the names of 26 homeless men and women who called Roanoke their home, who died in 2009.

We should think about that, and remember many other homeless men and women who continue to call Roanoke home. If God can welcome in those on the fringes of society, so should we. ...Bryce Allison...Alonzo Hodge...Alma Sawyer...David Helms...Lucille Woolfolk...Pete Betuea.

Pastor Tim Harvey with Central Church of the Brethren www.centralbrethren.org

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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/25/09 - 1/3/10

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Sports

12/25/09 - 1/3/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

Patrick Henry Basketball Team Off to Fast Start

The 2008-2009 season was a veritable rollercoaster ride for Jack Esworthy. His Patrick Henry Patriots showed flashes of greatness, which included two regular season victories over Western Valley District foe and VHSL Group AAA runner-up William Fleming, and a three-game winning streak at the end of the season that earned the Patriots a respectable third place finish in the district standings.

But those flashes too often were subdued by Patrick Henry’s maddening inconsistency. The Patriots suffered three-game losing streaks on three separate occasions, and seemed to follow every encouraging win with an equally disconcerting effort. “We just had a really up and down year,� Esworthy said. “We didn’t have a lot of leadership

and we had way too many letdowns.�

The 2009-2010 version of Patriots’ hoops is already off to a much better start. Patrick Henry is off to a 4-1 start, with an impressive win against Kamit Institute (the only loss suffered by the Hawks thus far), and double-digit blowouts over Pulaski, Bassett, and E.C. Glass.

So what’s changed? Esworthy’s answer might seem a little too simplistic. “It’s just another year of maturity for our players,â€? the coach said. “It sounds clichĂŠ, but it’s just the difference between a junior and a senior, and for our guys you can see it on the court, in the classroom, everywhere.â€?

The five seniors that Esworthy starts every game have some talent at their disposal as well – in fact, four different seniors have led the team in scoring

Skating Rink Gets New Owners and a Makeover

A Roanoke County roller rink has changed owners and undergone renovations.

John and Kathy McCleod purchased the Star City Family FunZone on Hershberger Road from Raymond Setchel, who retired over the summer after three decades in the business. The McCleods also own the HoneyTree Early Learning Centers.

Rink Manager Brenda Samson said “HoneyTree ELC wanted to encourage children to have a more active life rather than sit inside and play video games.� She added, “The rink is a natural fit for after school programs and summer activities.�

Renovations began in August; some of the improvements include new black light carpeting, snack bar flooring, new paint, and the installation of security cameras both inside and outside the building. Flat screen TV’s and video equipment have been added along with a new LED sign out front. The parking lot has also been upgraded. The McCleods did not disclose the purchase price or cost of renovations.

The 24,000 sq. ft. facility has a 14,400 square foot wood rotunda floor for indoor

,43

Photo by Jackson Mithrandir

Skaters take to the rink at the refurbished Star City FunZone. roller skating. There’s also a play zone and private party rooms. Looking forward, Samson adds, “we have many ideas, one of which will be to incorporate the Star City Swim Club (located across the street) as a sister company.� Samson hinted that summer birthday party packages could include admission to the nearby pool.

Star City offers public skating Wednesday through Sunday with admission fees ranging from $3.50 to $7 per person depending on the ses-

sion. To ring in the New Year, Star City Skate Center is planning an all-night skate, with balloon drop and party favors at midnight. Advance tickets are $20, $25 at the door. Last year’s event drew more than 800 revelers.

By Susan Geary info@theroanokestar.com

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thus far. Guard / Wing Tyron Smith, who transferred in the offseason from a school in Charlotte, recently poured in 25 points in the Patriots’ win over Bassett. Terrell Wilson, another combo guard, has already signed a letter of intent to play at Glenville State College, a Division II school in West Virginia. Wilson was also a 1st Team AllDistrict performer last season. Point Guard Melvin Henderson also returns, as does combo guard Ronnie Thomas, who Esworthy fondly referred to as “the guy that brings us all together.�

All in all, it seems that the pieces are in place for the Patriots to make a run at the WVD title.

Esworthy agrees. “We do have high expectations, and one of them is to make the state tournament,� he said. “Once you get in, any of the eight teams that qual-

ify has a chance to win it all.�

To get there, the Patriots will have to deal with G.W. Danville, currently ranked #3 in the state

by MaxPreps.com. Patrick Henry will host G.W. Danville for the first of two regular season meetings on January 5th.

But before the Patriots have to spar with the Eagles, or anyone else in the district, Esworthy wants to see a continued change in the team’s mentality. “We want to compete every second, every minute of every practice and every game, and we’ll hope that the scoreboard takes care of itself.�

Note: The Patriots will be competing in the Bulldog Bash Tournament, held at Westfield High School in Chantilly, VA, from December 28-30.

By Matt Reeve Matt@newsroanoke.com

Start Planning Greenbrier Golf Getaway and Support Kids

If you are a last minute shopper or just someone looking for a great gift idea for an avid golfer / fan, a weekly badge for the PGA Tour’s newest event, the Greenbrier Classic, may be your solution. A substantial amount of the ticket sales will go to a good cause – not to mention that the nationally televised event will be held practically in Roanoke’s back yard, only 80 miles away.

The inaugural Greenbrier Classic will be held July 26 – August 1, 2010 on the Greenbrier Resort’s historic links-style Old White golf course and replaces the Buick Open on the FedEx Cup schedule. The Buick Open held its 51st event in 2009 and because of court-supervised restructuring of General Motors, all agreements between Buick and the PGA Tour have been withdrawn. The Greenbrier and The PGA Tour have entered into a six-year agreement through 2015 for the Greenbrier to sponsor and host The Greenbrier Classic as part of the FedEx Cup. Minimal course modifications are underway to enhance the Greenbrier’s first 18-year-old course practice facility and to add new tees.

In keeping with the PGA Tour’s commitment to charities, the new owner of the Greenbrier Resort Jim Justice recently announced The Greenbrier Classic’s Badges for Charity program, said Executive Director of The First Tee of Roanoke Valley Jennifer Blackwood.

Through this program, �The First Tee of Roanoke Valley will sell weekly tournament badges until February 26 subject to availability and 30 percent of the ticket price will stay in Roanoke. Proceeds will be used by The First Tee of Roanoke Valley to provide character education

and golf programming to area children.� Blackwood is “hopeful that there will be a children’s day with a kid’s clinic. If that happens, it will be our intent to participate. We are interested in finding ways that our kids can be involved.�

In addition to having the opportunity to see the world’s top golfers, the event will also include a large concert with a national draw and top PGA golfers, to be announced at a later date. Blackwood noted, “An attendance of 40,000 daily is anticipated at the event. It is a great opportunity to see world class golf.� In addition to badge or ticket holders and the golfers, there will be media with camera crews and entertainer(s) and their families. If attendance goes as expected, the event could fuel tourism revenue in surrounding areas as well.

There are four badge options. • The Grounds Badge provides grounds access to The Greenbrier Classic Monday through Sunday and one ticket to the tournament concert for $147. • The $275 Benefactor Badge provides grounds access to The Greenbrier Classic Monday through Sunday, one ticket to the tournament concert, entrance to the Benefactor Hospitality areas and the ability to purchase upgraded food and beverage items. • Alumni and fans of West Virginia University, Marshall University, Virginia Tech and University of Virginia may choose the Alumni Badge for $495, which includes grounds access to the Greenbrier Classic Monday through Sunday, one ticket to the tournament concert, entrance to the Alumni Hospitality area where food and non-alcoholic beverages will be

provided and alcoholic beverages will be available on an a la carte basis. There will be special guest appearances from these universities’ celebrities and teams. • The Clubhouse Badge for $5,000 includes VIP access to The Greenbrier Classic, entrance to on-course hospitality areas, food and beverage provided in the Clubhouse, two tickets to the tournament concert, one complimentary twonight stay at The Greenbrier to be used between August 15, 2010 and June 30, 2011, to include one round of golf on The Old White Course for two players and $1,000 in special amenity vouchers.

The First Tee of Roanoke Valley in 2009 has served over 2,000 children through programs that the chapter provides in physical education classes at area schools, through partnerships with YMCA Magic Place, and Boys and Girls Club and through programming conducted at the Denmore Road facility.

To support The First Tee of Roanoke Valley, visit www.thefirstteeroanokevalley.org . On the home page, select “Click here to buy tickets.� When you click on the badge level of ticket(s) that you want to purchase, Blackwood suggests going to the Greenbrier Classic website (www.greenbrierclassic.com). On the home page, click the BUY TICKETS tab on the right; Select the badge level you desire to purchase and then select The First Tee of Roanoke Valley (#175) from the list of approved organizations. You may also call The First Tee of Roanoke Valley (540) 563-1833 for additional information.

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Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/25/09 - 1/3/10

NewsRoanoke.com

American Troops Compete for Charity While in Iraq protocol with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing and a Norfolk, Va., native, served as the Air Force CFC representative.

"We noticed there were no combined events with the Army or anyone else," he said.

"We teamed with the 13th (Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)) and the 194th Engineer Brigade and we came together with this alternate Amazing Race event."

The 13th ESC created a crossword puzzle event, testing competitors' knowledge of Army and Air Force history,

Iraq Service members ran a race, played golf blindfolded and choked down the "nastiest" food the chow hall had to offer Dec. 5 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, to raise money for the Combined Federal Campaign Overseas.

Thirteen four member teams participated in the CFC Amazing Race, to compete to have a $300 check donated to the CFC in their name. The CFC supports charitable organizations through philanthropy by federal employees.

Senior Master Sgt. Bryan Shipman, a superintendant of

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said Bergman. The 194th Engineers and the JBB Fire Department hosted department specific challenges, she said.

"It was a lot of work on our part but we enjoyed it and it seems all the participants enjoyed it," she said.

Spc. Martha A. Bolt, a paralegal specialist with the 13th ESC and a Sussex, N.J., native, said the event was fun and helped the service members get a good workout.

Bolt, who was on the Urban Logistickers team, said the hardest part of the event was the eating competition at the Mirage dining facility. She

drew a number and had to eat banana pudding with raisins.

Other numbered items included sardines, refried beans and tuna.

Her teammate, Maj. Erik A. Enyart, a brigade aviation officer with the 13th ESC and a Radcliff, Ky., native, said blind golfing and chow-hall eating were the hardest parts of the event.

Spc. Kimberly N. Dover, a medic with the 248th Area Support Medical Company out of Marietta, Ga., with the 61st Multifunctional Medical Brigade and a Cartersville, Ga., native, won third place with

the Sickcall Rangers and said the food challenge was not her favorite part either.

"I'm just a really picky eater ... and it was gross," she said.

"None of it was really difficult; that was just the nastiest part."

Dover said pushing and pulling water hoses at the fire department was the highlight of the competition.

“The event mirrored a scavenger hunt combined with a 5 km race,” said Dover. “The activities were set up at locations throughout JBB and teams had to accomplish each task before they could head to the final destination, the Morale,

Welfare and Recreation center east,” she said.

"It was fun and it got everybody out here on their Saturday morning, instead of sitting in their [bedroom] doing nothing," she said.

In the end, service members came together and had a blast to support a great cause, which Bergman said was all she could ask for.

"I think it was great," she said.

"I think CFC is very important.

I'm looking forward to perhaps maybe doing another one before we get out of here."

By Sgt. Ryan Twist

Too Many Fans 'Crazy for the Hokiemobiles' to Name Just One Winner The "Crazy for the Hokiemobiles" contest recently announced not one, but two first place winners: Matthew Bolling of Mechanicsville, Va., and Brian Wenk of Richmond, Va., split the top prize of $3,000.

"We had over 20 submissions for the contest," commented Melissa Richards, director of marketing and strategic communications at Virginia Tech. "We did not doubt that Hokie fans are dedicated enough to decorate their vehicles. You can't drive anywhere in Virginia during football season and not see Hokie flags flying on cars. But we were pleasantly surprised with the originality, details, and time put into every Hokiemobile nomination."

Contest submissions were judged on creative and unique use of official Virginia Tech logos and colors; size of the logos used; and overall crazy Hokie appearance of the vehicle.

Bolling, a Virginia Tech Class of 2006 alumnus, says he transformed his 2001 Pontiac Grand Am from plain silver to the maroon and orange Hokiemobile that it is today because he was inspired years ago by his co-winner Wenk. "When I was a student I used to see his car around campus. I liked it so much that I had to have my own." Bolling even created a dedicated website called Hokierides.com to show off his car.

Wenk says he decorated his car seven years ago on a dare. "I have had season football tickets and have been tailgating with the same group of buddies for 20 years. They bet me that I wouldn't permanently decorate my car," he said. "But I did, and we have had so much fun with it ever since."

George Bristol of Boones Mill, Va., earned

Brian Wenk's winning submission. the second place prize of $1,000. He submitted two antique vehicles, a 1957 Chevy convertible and a 1953 Chevy pickup. Matthew Cole of Manassas, Va., took home the third place prize of $500. His truck is stenciled with Hokie logos from bumper to bumper and carries a miniature Lane stadium in the back.

Pictures of all four winning vehicles are displayed on the contest website: www.crazyforthehokies.unirel.vt.edu/winners.html Virginia Tech's University Bookstore sponsored the prizes. The University Book-

Matthew Bolling’s winning car was imspired by Wenk’s creation.

store, which operates as a non-profit corporation, has generated over $43 million to Virginia Tech for student scholarships and improvements since 1968.

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12/25/09 - 1/3/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

NewsRoanoke.com

Commentary: Putting a Governor on Those Who Govern

Virginian James Buchanan, co-founder of "public-choice economics" – or what he prefers to call the Virginia school of political economy – celebrated his 90th birthday in October. It's a landmark, and a life, well worth celebrating.

Born into a farm family in Tennessee, Professor Buchanan spent most of his illustrious career teaching economics in Virginia. First at the University of Virginia, then at Virginia Tech, and from 1983 until his retirement in 1999 at George Mason University, he worked to revolutionize our understanding of the way government works.

Dr. Buchanan describes his achievements more humbly, insisting that he only put James Madison's understanding of politics into modern terms.

Madison would certainly applaud Buchanan's work, just as the Central Bank of Sweden did in 1986 when it awarded him the Nobel Prize in Economics.

Professor Buchanan's central insight is indeed one that Madison and other founders shared namely, we delude ourselves whenever we forget that men and women in the political arena are simply men and women rather than angels possessing some type of unusual wisdom.

Madison helped to write a constitution designed to keep politicians' powers in check. Informed by his understanding of economics, Dr. Buchanan wrote countless articles and books on why this "Madisonian" project is both so important, but also extremely difficult.

Evidence of the difficulty is close at hand. Just look at the powers Uncle Sam exercises today and compare them with the very limited powers Madison's constitution gave to the national government. The plain fact is that much, perhaps most, of what Washington does today was never intended by Madison and his colleagues to be part of the national government's agenda.

Nowhere, for example, does the Constitution authorize Washington to run a pension scheme (Social Security), to subsidize farmers, to bail out automakers, or to do many of the other things that Washington does today. Yet Washington does these things with little or no hesitation.

Why? Professor Buchanan argues that politicians, being human, are naturally attracted to the power, prestige, and perks of their offices. They want to hold onto those offices for as long as possible. Doing so requires that politicians satisfy the best organized and most vocal interest groups. Unfortunately, it's too rare that the specific political demands of successful interest groups correspond with the general welfare of society.

Sugar farmers are unified in their interest in having higher sugar prices. Their relatively small numbers and the huge benefit to them of higher sugar prices prompt each of them to contribute heavily toward efforts to lobby Congress for programs that artificially raise the price of sugar.

Sugar consumers, in contrast, are very large in number, making it difficult for them to successfully coalesce into an effective political lobby. Also, the benefit to any single sugar consumer of having a lower price of sugar never equals the benefit to any single sugar farmer of having a higher price for sugar. A consumer, who would save $20 a year if Congress stopped interfering in the sugar market, has only weak incentives to lobby against this meddling. However, a sugar farmer, who stands to make several hundred thousand dollars of additional income annually, has powerful incentives to press politicians to continue intervening.

Dr. Buchanan insists that we should always look upon "politics without romance," that we ought never forget that all the

Commentary: Republicans in “Dry Dock�

A “Glossary List Look� at the Republican Party When it’s Not in Power

fine campaign phrases and soaring promises issued by politicians too often disguise the selfish, sometimes sleazy, reality of political activity.

Today, this "Buchanan-esque" understanding of politics is especially important. With both houses of Congress and the White House controlled by the same party, even the natural competition between political parties and between the different branches of government is now lessened. And the crisis atmosphere protracted by a still-struggling economy causes Americans to put aside some of their skepticism of government.

The result is a government far more powerful than it has been in recent years. Persons who shrug their shoulders at this fact should reflect that a government's power to do bad coincidentally rises with its power to do good.

What to do?

Professor Buchanan's answer is that we need constitutional change. What's needed isn't necessarily a new constitution to replace Madison's 1787 document, but some rule changes that would limit government to serving the general interest rather than special interests. For example, stripping Congress of the power to pass legislation aimed solely at benefiting identifiable, specific interest groups would be a good start. Congress would then be more obliged to focus on legislation that benefits Americans generally.

Whether constitutional change is feasible is another question, but no one has done more to make the case for such change than Jim Buchanan.

May he celebrate many more birthdays!

Donald J. Boudreaux is professor of economics at George Mason University, and senior fellow for economic policy and tax reform at the Virginia Institute for Public Policy.

Goodlatte Admonishes Senate for “Partisan Back-Room Deals� in Government Takeover of Health Care

In the dead of night, the Senate from their elected officials. Had morning is that the Senate has voted to advance consideration Democrats reached across the voted for Washington bureauof their government takeover aisle to work with Republicans crats, not their family doctors, to of health care. This crucial vote in a bipartisan fashion to enact make health care decisions for means that Senate Democrats real health care reform, it would their family.� have secured the votes they need not have been necessary to buy In addition to micromanagto pass their health care measure the final votes needed to pass the ing care by Washington, this during a final vote scheduled for Senate bill.� legislation contains $518.5 bilChristmas Eve but at what cost?

The 2,700 page bill that the lion in new taxes. This includes The legislation that is advanc- Senate is set to vote on is defined taxes on medical devices, Mediing out of the Senate represents by a government takeover of our care, and some health insurance the back-room politics that nation’s health care system and plans, all while dramatically cutAmericans deplore. The legisla- will cost the American people ting Medicare for our nation’s setion contains numerous pay-offs $2.5 trillion. The legislation will niors by $470 billion. Instead of for special interests and certain place massive new restrictions improving access to quality care, states represented by Senators on insurance, with the govern- the non-partisan Congressional who were previously undecided ment micromanaging the care Budget Office (CBO) has stated on the bill. These include, but that Americans can receive. that up to 10 million people will are not limited to, federal fund- Much like the plan considered lose their current coverage uning for Medicaid expansion in by the House of Representatives der this legislation.

Nebraska, Vermont, and Loui- that Congressman Goodlatte “While we can all agree that siana and a way for Florida resi- voted against, the Senate plan is our health care system needs dents to be grandfathered out of defined by a Washington take- reform, this legislation is not the Medicare Advantage cuts. over of our health care system true health care reform� said The legislation also contains —one defined by increased fed- Congressman Goodlatte. “I urge $100 million earmark for an un- eral regulations, mandates, and the members of the Senate to named “Health Care Facility" at a myriad of new government reject this legislation so that we a public research university. agencies. can begin work on true health “I would ask Virginia’s two “The overwhelming major- care reform, legislation that will United States Senators how they ity of the folks I have spoken to empower patients with choices, can cast a vote that will force Vir- about health care reform vehe- make high quality coverage ginia taxpayers to foot the bill for mently oppose a government more affordable, and protect these sweetheart deals in other takeover of our health care sys- and preserve the doctor-patient states.� said Goodlatte. “Partisan tem as defined by the Senate relationship.� back-room deals, in the dead of plan� Rep. Goodlatte said. “The DD2585-Show-Roanoke_RS-Aug:Layout 8/11/09 want 10:28toAM Page 1 night are not the kind of change last thing1 Virginians

By Carrie Meadows that Americans have demanded wake up to find on Christmas

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Scuttling . This is when a sea vessel is purposely sunk by her own crew as ordered by the Captain. This may be when the crew’s safety is on the line; when destruction is imminent; or in some cases, when there is a threat of the ship falling into the hands of a nearby enemy. “Captain Palin.� Why have a small number of “moderate�

Republicans tried to “Scuttle� such a promising young conservative leader-figure by pinning on her blame for defeat of the ticket? She threatens their power. In turn, the liberal media also has tried to use this divisiveness as leverage as usual.

Actually Palin has not been scuttled, but she herself has scuttled a starkly unfair news media that had tried to shackle her.

She cited good reasons to resign her governorship: 1) Time and money consuming defense of frivolous and

invalid lawsuits; 2) and to be free to speak out for conservatism more directly with the thousands and thousands of like-minded people. This has resulted in a following of millions.

Away from public office she recently impacted the national health proposals by correctly calling out and effectively rendering the “death squad� (euthansia) provisions to be removed. “Will the Republican Party ever learn its lesson, that sacrificing principles to win elections doesn’t win election?�

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Supply & Resupply. Conservativism in America runs in cycles. Led by Ronald Reagan in the late 1970’s, it solidified and drew on the inherent strength of American people’s core beliefs. Through the Republican Party it carried this into the mid-1990. But beginning roughly with the 1998 elections, most Republican leaders began to depart from Reaganite ideas. This weak resupply line caused its fleet vessels to fall into disrepair due to Political Correctness. Is “Neutrality� what moderate Republicans hope for? And do moderates stand for specific beliefs during any time but in the end?

Retro-fitting.

National and state Republican leaders have begun rebuilding and certainly retrofitting. Those courageous leaders that have adhered to conservative ideas have done well, especially recently against liberals. Furthermore, during and after their 2008 Convention many, many republicans reacted very positively to the selection of Governor Sarah Palin as the running mate for John McCain. One reason conservatism has begun an upswing is because of resistance of citizens to larger governmental control.

Guidance System. Liberals and some “moderate� Republicans have both reacted negatively to Palin because she threatens their power. However most Americans know she is strong of character; focuses on truth and facts; and resonates very directly and soundly --- especially with the vast middle-America. She is a true conservative and this powers her efforts. She is also experienced; “in tune�; and has a clear, informed voice that can speak over the heads of biased and liberal media -just as Reagan did, in humble authority.

Propulsion System. The power of America has eroded considerably. The reasons are many: A major one was the great need that 80% of us feel in becoming energy independent. Polls continually show very high percentages of citizens finally want to resume utilizing our fantasti-

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Valley Business

Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/25/09 - 1/3/10

Women’s Earnings in Virginia – 2008

United States Virginia

81.7

81.3 80.4

80

81.0

81.1

80.8

80.2

76.3

76.7

74.4

76.9

76.5

Percent

76.3

76.4

74.1

74.2

78.2

77.8

77.9

75

79.9

79.4

78.7

73.8

72.4

70

65

60 1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Chart 1. Women’s earnings as a percent of men’s, full-time wage and salary workers, US and Virginia, 1997-2008 annual averages. wage and salary positions ranged from $510 in Mississippi to $866 in the District of Columbia. (See chart 2.) Within the South region of the country, of which Virginia is 1 of 17 states, only the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware reported wages above the national average for women. The District of Columbia and Maryland, with median wages above $700, had the highest wages

for women in the South.

Across the nation, median weekly earnings for men were lowest in Arkansas at $640. Men in Connecticut earned the highest wage at $1,057. (See chart 3.) In the South, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Georgia reported earnings above the national average for men. With median wages above $900, the District of Columbia and Maryland had the highest wages for men in the South.

The ratio of female-to-male earnings in 2008 varied across the nation, ranging from 68 percent in Wyoming to 92 percent in the District of Columbia. (See table 1.) Within the South region, eight states exceeded the national ratio of 80 percent, while eight other states fell below, and one had a ratio equal to that for the nation. The differences among the states reflect, in part, variation in the occupations and industries found in each state and in the age composition of each state’s labor force. In addition, sampling error for the state estimates is considerably larger than it is for the national data; thus, comparisons of state estimates should be made with caution.

The Board of Directors for the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau (RVCVB) has announced the appointment of Landon Howard as the Executive Director beginning February 1, 2010. Howard will replace retiring Executive Director Dave Kjolhede.

In making this announcement, Susan Short, RVCVB Board President, thanked Kjolhede for his almost 13 years of outstanding, dedicated leadership on behalf of the Bureau and indicated that “Landon Howard possesses and has clearly demonstrated the talent and experiences we sought in our future leader for the Bureau. He is a collaborator and a dynamic, creative leader and we look forward to working alongside of him as we continue to grow our convention and tourism industry in the Roanoke region.”

Since 2001, Howard has served as the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau and former Director of Marketing and Communications for the

For more info on the median weekly earnings of women and men, see Bureau of Labor Statistics Report 1017, “Highlights of Women’s Earnings in 2008,” issued July 2009; copies are available on the Internet atwww.bls.gov/cps/cpswom2008.pdf or by calling the Mid-Atlantic Information Office at (215) 597-3282. Information in this release is also available to sensory impaired individuals. Voice phone: (202) 691- 5200; Federal Relay Service: 1–800–877–8339.

The Virginia Geospatial Extension Program at Virginia Tech will host a workshop for small business owners on how to use geospatial technology to advertise their businesses. The half-day, hands-on program will be offered in Blacksburg on Jan. 8, and repeated in Stuart, Va., on Jan. 22, and in Abingdon, Va., on Feb. 11.

The workshop, “Marketing in a Virtual World,” will show business owners how location and place-based services ­ made possible through the use of GPS devices such as car navigation systems ­ can be used to geographically connect potential consumers with nearby businesses. Participants will also learn how to make use of free, online tools to support their internet marketing efforts. At the conclusion of the workshop, business owners will have registered their businesses with GPS Samantha Burnette is the Wendy's Wonderful Kids recruiter databases and other national at DePaul. business databases.

“We are trying to use global searching for a family that is a match,” she added.

It’s estimated there are 1505 waiting children in Virginia and positioning to inform people, 201 in the Roanoke Region in need of adoptive homes. DePaul especially those traveling on Community Resources serves an area in roughly a two-hour highways, about small businesses that are located in close radius of Roanoke. proximity to the traveler or tourist. Local business owners should consider GPS navigation

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economic crisis and continue to retain employees,” says Retail Alliance President & CEO Susan Milhoan. “We also offer grants that help businesses that are growing and need extra 2711 Franklinso Rd.regardless of support to expand and hire new employees, Roanoke, VA 24014 the circumstances, we try to offer meaningful solutions that not only assist the retailer, but also contribute the overall health of the local economy.”

By purchasing from locally owned businesses, you actually strengthen the community. For every $100 spent at an independent business, $45 is returned directly to the area economy – more than three times the return gained from dollars spent at a national chain.

For more information about the Retail Alliance, its services COUPON and the Buy Local campaign, visit www.retail-alliance.com or call David Brandt with Rubin Communications Group at 757-456-5212.

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devices as virtual roadside billboards. These applications can help to level the playing field for smaller businesses,” said John McGee, Virginia Cooperative Extension geospatial specialist and assistant professor of forest resources and environmental conservation in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources.

The workshop, held in a computer lab, will offer an overview of national trends associated with location-based services and provide participants with step-by-step instructions on how to register their businesses on car-navigation databases, among others.

The workshop will be offered at three locations: Friday, Jan. 8, at the Virginia Tech Microcomputer Lab, 220 Cheatham Hall, in Blacksburg, Va., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 22, at Patrick Henry Community College in Stuart, Va., from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Southwest Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Va., from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

More information and registration for the workshop is available online or contact the Virginia Geospatial Extension Program at (540) 231-2428. Registration is $40 per participant.

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Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee.

“My family and I are excited about our relocation to Virginia’s beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and I look forward to the privilege of working with the community to promote the areas as a vibrant and growing visitor destination,” said Howard.

Prior to Howard’s arrival, Catherine Fox, RVCVB Tourism Director, will serve as interim Executive Director.

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Retail Alliance Initiates “Buy Local” License Plate With Virginia State Senate Transportation Committee Chair Yvonne Miller serving as legislative patron, the Retail Alliance has initiated an effort to create a Buy Local specialty license plate to help promote and support locally owned businesses throughout the Commonwealth.

In order for the General Assembly to approve the measure, the DMV must receive 350 prepaid license plate applications before the General Assembly convenes on Jan. 13, 2010. Applications can be obtained by visiting www.retail-alliance. com and clicking on the link featured on the home page.

Proceeds from the plate’s $25 annual fee will help fund the educational and grant- making operations of the Retail Alliance Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports business training and grants for small, local merchants throughout the Commonwealth.

“The services provided to the small businesses from the Foundation are focused on helping them survive the current

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Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Matches Foster Children with Adoptive Parents

DePaul Community Resources marks the end of its first year in the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program with some significant successes and momentum heading into 2010.

DePaul is one of only three organizations in Virginia chosen to participate in the program, which provides funding for a full time recruiter to focus on finding matches between adoptive parents and foster children with special needs. In its first year the program created 13 matches and one adoption. “This is great progress for children who need our help,” said Program Supervisor Kelly Bennett, who explained that after DePaul creates the match that it takes additional months for the legal system to finalize an adoption.

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids is funded by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Wendy’s founder, Dave Thomas, created the program, in part because he was adopted as a child.

Money is raised by Wendy’s Restaurants, their customers and other partners, then provided to select agencies such as DePaul.

The program has grown nationally from seven to all 50 states.

DePaul receives $65,000 annually to facilitate the program.

“One hundred percent of my focus is learning about the kids, their needs, and finding them the perfect home,” says Samantha Burnette, who was hired in January 2009 as the program’s recruiter. “Once a child is identified as needing an adoptive family I have only 30 days to get to know that child and to start

NewsRoanoke.com

New Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director

In 2008, women who were full-time wage and salary workers in the Commonwealth of Virginia had median weekly earnings of $674, or 78 percent of the $862 median for their male counterparts, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Sheila Watkins, MID-ATLANTIC INFORMATION OFFICE, Philadelphia, Pa. the Bureau’s regional commissioner, noted that the ratio reportedPLSin– 4610 For release: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 Virginia in 2008 was peak ratio of 82 percent in 2002.

Technical Information: (215) below 597-3282the • BLSInfoPhiladelphia@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/ro3 Media Contact: (215) 861-5600 • BLSMediaPhiladelphia@bls.gov Nationwide, women earned $638, or 80 percent of the $798 meWOMEN ’S Enational ARNINGS IN VIRGINIA – 2008of women’s to dian for men in 2008.

At the level, the ratio men’s narrowed 62workers percent inCommonwealth 1979, the first yearhad In 2008, earnings women who has were full-time wage from and salary in the of Virginia median weekly earnings of $674, or 78 percent of the $862 median for their male counterparts, the U.S. for which comparable earnings data are available.

After a gradual Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Sheila Watkins, the Bureau’s regional commissioner, noted that the Virginia in 2008 the was below peak ratioat of 81 82 percent in 2002. rise inratio thereported 1980’sin and 1990’s, ratiothepeaked percent in 2005 and 2006.

For the last three years, the women’s-to-men’s Nationwide, women earned $638, or 80 percent of the $798 median for men in 2008.earnings At the national level, the ratio of women’s to men’s earnings has narrowed from 62 percent in 1979, the first year for ratio in Virginia remained belowAfter national (See chartthe1.) which comparable earnings data are available. a gradual numbers. rise in the 1980s and 1990s, ratio peaked at 81should percent innote 2005 and 2006.

For the last three years, the women’s-to-men’s earnings Readers that the comparisons of earnings in this reportratio in Virginia remained below national numbers. (See chart 1.) Readers should note that the comparisons of earnings reportlevel are on and a broaddo level andcontrol do not control for manyfactors factors that can be significant are on inathis broad not for many that can be in explaining earnings differences. significant in explaining earnings differences.

Chart 2. Women’s median usual weekly earnings of full-time Chart 1. Women’s earnings as a percent of men’s, earnings full-time wageof andwomen salary workers, United States and Nationally, the median weekly in full-time Virginia, 1997-2008 annual averages wage and salary workers, by State, 2008 annual averages.

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12/25/09 - 1/3/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11

Roanoker Takes Top Award in International Flower Arranging Competition

Roanoke College Professor Releases Book About Death Penalty System

South Roanoke resident Matilda proposed me, but I'm not absolutely Bradshaw used to teach the first grade. positive.”

Nowadays she becomes as giddy as a The competition featured 47 other school girl when talking about her pascompetitors from the US, Canada, and sion -- flower arranging.

Puerto Rico, and judges from around In fact, after taking first place at the the world, many of whom did not speak World Association of Flower ArrangEnglish. She said of her entry, “It had to ers show in Washington, DC in Octoreally sell itself and speak the language ber, she couldn't help but tell the other using flowers.” competitors how she had created her Preparing for competitions usually volcano-themed arrangement. “I get so involves finding new ways to challenge excited to tell everybody about it,” she herself. “The first thing I do is read the said. “I tell all my secrets.” competition's schedule backwards and Bradshaw, 67, has been a member forwards,” said Bradshaw. “I try to find of the Mill Mountain Garden Club for something in the schedule that would more than 30 years. Her first experience be exciting and challenging to me— with flower arranging came as a child, something I haven't done before. when she and her sisters helped their For the Washington, DC, show that mother raise roses for a local florist. challenge was the famous Mauna Loa The girls' job was to pick the Japanese volcano. “A volcano from Hawaii— beetles from the rosebuds. Bradshaw's how many girls from Virginia get to do grandmother was a flower arranger and something like that?” Bradshaw said. passed on her knowledge to her grandShe's created many arrangements daughter. over the years, but says it's easy to pick The Roanoke native and Greensboro Matilda Bradshaw with her Mauna Loa themed a favorite … “The last one is always College graduate has won seven Best flower arrangement and her first place award your baby, and then you're looking for in Show awards and six Most Creative something else.” Previous memorable awards at Garden Club of Virginia from the World Association of Flower Arrangers entries have included one themed for show in Washington, DC in October. events.

Dragon Run, an eastern Virginia tideShe says that John, her husband of 45 water stream, and an arrangement years, is a big part of her success, helping with the structural created for the Beatles' song “Yellow Submarine” made from a design of her arrangements. “I dream up all these wild things,” gourd and nautical rope.

Bradshaw said. A retired engineer with degrees from MIT, John Even with all her success, Bradshaw stays rooted firmly in the is the perfect partner for her creative endeavors. She asks him, ground. “Sometimes it doesn't go your way. I don't win every “Now how do you think we can make such and such work?” time by any means,” she said. “But usually my work is appreciThe opportunity to compete in the Washington, DC show was ated.” a complete surprise for Bradshaw. Procedure requires that poContact David at tential competitors be nominated by someone and then undergo dave@davidperryonline.com a review to make sure they pass muster. “I received an engraved invitation in the mail,” she said. “I have a feeling I know who

Blue Ridge PBS Announces McGlothlin Awards Semi-Finalists

Twenty outstanding teachers from across the Blue Ridge region have been selected as semi-finalist for the 11th annual McGlothlin Awards for Teaching Excellence. These teachers now begin the second phase of the awards program which will culminate April 13, 2010 at Radford University.

In the 10 years since the awards were established by Jennifer Barger the McGlothlin Foundation, the Bristol, Va. philanthropy group has given $540,000 to teachers in the Blue Ridge region. McGlothlin Awards are given annually to exceptional educators from public schools in selected portions of Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky. Two teachers, one from grades K-5 and one from grades 6-12, are awarded $25,000 each, with the stipulation that $10,000 be used for international travel Debbie Williams to broaden the thinking and experience of the winning William Byrd Middle School; teachers. The McGlothlin Debbie Williams-Arthur Awards are among the largest (William Byrd High School) teaching prizes in the U.S. and Sharon Hill (Glenvar “Blue Ridge PBS is enter- Middle School) are all semiing its second decade with finalists in the secondary catthe McGlothlin Awards,” said egory.

James Baum, station Presi“Every year I’m amazed at dent and CEO. “This year’s the skills, creativity and prosemi-finalists are among the fessionalism we find among best teachers in our region teachers across the Blue Ridge and I’m sure they are already PBS region,” said Thomas D. winners in the eyes of their McGlothlin, President of the students and peers.”

McGlothlin Foundation.

Nominees from the RoaYears ago, when Merle noke Valley include: Jennifer Herndon was an elementary Barger, who teaches at Glen- school principal, one of the var Elementary in Roanoke teachers she nominated won County is a semi-finalists in a McGlothlin Award. Now StudioSchoolDec10ad 12/2/09 10:08who AM isPage 1 the elementary category. SteHerndon, the Direcven Sizemore who teaches at tor for Professional Develop-

ment / School Business Partnerships for Lynchburg City Schools, is one of the judges reviewing McGlothlin applications.

“For the last ten years I have had the pleasure of being a judge for this prestigious award,” she said. “This journey has reinforced for me the importance of teachers ‘bringing the world to the classroom’ for students. Tom McGlothlin has truly demonstrated his belief that teachers do make a difference in the lives of children and to the future of our nation.”

Blue Ridge PBS has administered the McGlothlin Awards since 1999. In the next phase of judging, the semi-finalists must submit a standards-based lesson plan with a 20-minute video of themselves teaching the lesson in their classrooms. Judges will evaluate the teachers’ classroom instruction, classroom management, interaction with students, and, if possible, use of instructional technology such as computers, video, or digital cameras.

Six finalists, three each at the elementary school level and secondary school level, will be notified in January 2010.

Further details about the McGlothlin Awards for Teaching Excellence are available online at BlueRidgePBS. org. This web site also has information about other Blue Ridge PBS education services, including instructional broadcasts, extensive online resources, special projects and professional development for teachers.

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Dr. Todd C. Peppers, associate professor of public affairs, has coauthored a newly released book, “The Anatomy of an Execution: The Life and Death of Douglas Christopher Thomas” (Northeastern University Press, 2009). The work is an examination of the modern death penalty system and a juvenile whose actions landed him in that system, ultimately to be executed.

Peppers collaborated with Laura Trevvett Anderson, the former high school teacher of Chris Thomas, who was convicted of murdering his girlfriend’s parents in 1990. At the time of the slayings, Thomas was just 17 years old. The murders took place in Middlesex County, Virginia, and both the trial and Thomas’s execution received extensive media coverage in Virginia. Anderson corresponded with her former pupil while he was on death row and became his spiritual advisor. Anderson ministered to Thomas during his final hours in the death house, witnessed his execution and presided at his funeral.

Peppers describes the book as “the story of the life and death of Chris Thomas … and of Laura Anderson … who found herself unwillingly thrust into the grimmest corners of our criminal justice system.”

Peppers does not dispute Thomas’s guilt; instead, he and Anderson investigate the controversial handling of the legal case. Thomas was one of the last juvenile offenders to be put to death before the Supreme Court ruled that the execution of juveniles constituted cruel and unusual punishment.

Peppers writes that he and

Dr. Todd Peppers and co-author Laura Trevvett Anderson.

Anderson use Thomas’s story as “a case study by which to highlight and explore such questions as the execution of minors, the quality of legal defense provided by court-appointed counsel, the trial and appeals process of capital cases, the prison conditions on death row, the methods of execution and the role of spiritual advisors.”

Death penalty activist Sister Helen Prejean, author of the critically acclaimed “Dead Man Walking,” makes the following observation about this new book by Peppers and Anderson: “Justice Harry Blackmun once said in a capital case the trial is the main event, but “Anatomy of an Execution” shows Chris Thomas’s trial was nothing more than a momentary pause on the way to his execution. It wasn’t only the system and the players in it that let down Chris Thomas, the book also demonstrates that again and again the adults who might have prevented the tragedy of the murders and the execution leave this young boy to grieve alone and find his own way in a world he doesn’t know or understand. I urge you to read this hauntingly personal book.”

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Page 12 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/25/09 - 1/3/10

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Social Media Reinforces Teens Belief that Everybody’s Doing It Roanoke has a Saltwater Fish Store!

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Parents have long believed and research bears out that teenagers are more apt to pursue risky behavior if they believe everybody’s doing it.

Now, in a first-of-its-kind study, a University of Wisconsin-Madison research team found that young adolescents believe depictions of underage drinking on social networking sites such as MySpace or Facebook are real. Seeing dozens of on-line profiles boasting of drinking or sex, says the study’s author, makes risky behavior seem normal among all teens a belief that might influence them to pursue the same activities.

Dr. Megan Moreno, assistant professor of pediatrics at the UW School of

Medicine and Public Health, conducted focus groups involving adolescents, ages 11-18. Her research is published in the October issue of Journal of Adolescent Health.

We now have this first step of hearing teens say, “If we see our peers displaying this behavior on a social-networking website, we believe it is real,” said Moreno.

Previous research studies have illustrated that adolescents are more likely to engage in behaviors such as alcohol use if they believe their peers are doing so.

If you learn that three of your best friends smoke, then you are more than likely to adopt that behavior, she says.

This has been happening for decades.

The concern with social-networking websites is that these behaviors are now published and accessible to a much larger network of adolescents than a teen’s typical peer group.

Focus groups were conducted with adolescents at recreational centers in Seattle while Moreno was serving a fellowship at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Co-investigators included an alcohol counselor and social worker, both with experience with adolescents who use alcohol.

According to Moreno, younger adolescents (those under 16 years old) were especially intrigued by depictions of alcohol use, and were more likely to be-

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lieve what they saw.

“The younger teens were more impressionable and convinced that what they saw was real,” said Moreno. “They would say, Wow, they put that on Facebook? If they saw someone holding a beer can, they believed they must be drinking. If someone said they got drunk, they believed they got drunk.”

Earlier this year, Moreno released another study on social-networking sites that indicated more than half of adolescent MySpace users mentioned risky behavior such as sex, violence, smoking, alcohol consumption or drug abuse on their Web profiles.

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Plan representatives will be available in Roanoke, Rocky Mount and Christiansburg from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Dec. 28 – 30, to answer questions and take applications.

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Carilion Clinic Medicare Health Plan, a health plan with a Medicare contract and an approved Part D sponsor, is available to individuals who are entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled in Medicare Part B who live in the Carilion Clinic Medicare Health Plan’s approved service area: Bedford, Lexington, Radford, Roanoke and Salem, and the counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Montgomery and Roanoke. Those with end-stage renal disease are usually not eligible except in certain circumstances. Benefit limits and restrictions may apply and additional information should be requested before making a decision about your coverage. If you join this plan, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call toll-free 1-800-811-0422, TTY 1-877225-3157, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., seven days a week. A sales person will be present with information and applications.

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