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[Christmas in Downtown]

A Star for a Night Smart Move

Surprising Garland

P5– Bruce Rinker unveils some of the history behind Holiday greenery and some of it’s not so pretty.

Photo by Stuart Revercomb

Four year old Elijah Tegenkamp of Christiansburg is all smiles as he steals the show from comedian Glen Singer (aka El Gleno Grande) at last Friday’s Dickens of a Christmas celebration in Downtown Roanoke. Young Elijah volunteered to help the comedian who soon melted to near tears as the joyfully smiling boy responded to his “set-up” questions with an innocence and trust that would disarm the most desperate Scrooge. “El Gleno” has appeared on “America’s Funniest People” and has performed his show on six continents, but it’s not likely he has met as happy a fellow performer as Elijah. See more pics of last week’s Roanoke Christmas Parade and the Dickens Celebration on page 7.

P9– Northside brings home a state title in a championship game for the ages.

Big Gift

P12– State Farm gets in the holiday spirit by naming Family Service of Roanoke the recipient of a $16K Citizenship Grant.

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> CONTINUED P2: City Manager

The Ugliest, Most Glorious Christmas Tree

State Champs!

If Colin Baenziger, the recruiter hired to find a new city manager had his way, he’d let it be known now who city council picked behind closed doors on Friday. Baenziger Roanoke City lives in Florida where “everything is done in the open.” But in Roanoke the contract with council’s choice for city manager is “in private process.” In an email Monday he said that although Florida is completely transparent, “the candidate pool tends to not be as good when people know their names will be out there.” He indicated that while it has been tough to recruit managers for some cities, Roanoke was not one of them Baenziger had several candidates float to the top as far back as mid-October. One was a young lady from the midwest and another was a younger man from Florida. At that time he said that while there were some local prospects, being from Virginia was not conditional for selection. “Sometimes it’s a good thing to push people out of their comfort zone,” said Baenziger. Besides the $21,750 Baenziger is charging the city for his services, Roanoke taxpayers

[

P4– The Smart Way unveils the first of four new 57 passenger buses that will begin service in January.

H. Bruce Rinker, PhD

New City Manager To Be Named Soon

y wife, Sabrina, looked at the artificial Christmas tree and shuddered. “That thing’s been in my family forever. Why we haven’t thrown it out is beyond me. When I was a kid, I thought it was ugly, and I still think it’s ugly. I’ve despised it for years.” But let me back up. How did we come to be looking at the ugly Christmas tree? Over the last several Christmases, Sabrina and I have felt an emptiness. Not totally empty, just empty in an important place in our hearts--the Christmas place. Too much running, too many gifts for people who already have everything they really need, and

even if they don’t, they can We were told the family go buy it. For us, Christmas had neither tree nor trim was becoming all wrapping, for the Yuletide. Okay. First no present. things first. Sabrina and Sabrina felt we should try my son Ches went out and something different this year. bought lights, ornaments, We should adopt a family for tinsel and such. Later we Christmas. But who? stood in our attic in front of We called the Bradley Free the ugly Christmas tree. Clinic and told them our diSabrina concluded, “Well, lemma. A family was chosen. let’s take it along. If they The mother had captivated don’t want it - and who Lucky Garvin the folks at the clinic; her could blame them - we’ll kids are well-cleaned, welljust find them another.” mannered, and well-churched. This We three loaded the car and drove single mom takes her kids every day to the family’s home. In addition to her after work to the YMCA to be sure the three adolescent kids, the mother was family spends lots of time together. baby-sitting four others. Ches and I

struggled getting the big tree box into the house and down into the sparsely furnished basement where it would be set up. The mother chose a dimly lit corner so the lights, once strung, would cast a more festive effect. The three of us began to assemble the dilapidated tree as the children stood silently by. No surprise. We were strangers who had arrived in a car which probably cost as much as their house. I set the first limb into its hooks. A hesitant voice at my elbow asked, “Can I help?” One of her sons. “Sure! Set the limb right there.” I

> CONTINUED P3: Ugly Tree

An Angel on Grandin

Representatives of Roanoke County’s Parks and Rec Department along with county supervisors and administrators formally dedicate the new Rec Center.

Roanoke County Dedicates Green Ridge Recreation Center Roanoke County held a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony on Tuesday Dec. 15 to celebrate the completion of the County’s new $30 million Green Ridge Recreation Center. Located at the intersection of Valleypointe Parkway and Wood Haven Road, the new Center will provide recreational opportunities, programs for all ages, and meeting space for the community. The state-of-the-art facility is the first recreation center to be constructed in Roanoke County. The County’s only other recreation / community centers are located in renovated schools, including the Brambleton Center in Roanoke and the Craig Center in Vinton. Developed by First Choice Public-Private Partners, LLC, the design of the building was intended to meet the leisure-time, recreation, and exercise needs of persons of all ages, abilities, and incomes. The stately 76,000 square foot building includes a double gymnasium, fitness center, two aerobics rooms, three multi-purpose program rooms, and an indoor aquatics center with an adjoining birthday > CONTINUED P3: Green RIdge

The first time I saw Valley Bank,” said Suthe “Angel of Gransan Stump, a bank exdin Road,” he was ecutive and president in the parking lot of of the Grandin Village the 7-11 on Grandin Business Association. picking up cigarette “We love him as much butts, candy wrappers as he loves us; we’re a and old scratch tickblack and white famets. He was tall, dark ily.” and handsome, but Not too long ago very unassuming in Tarpley chased a robhis boots and winter ber down the street cap with ear flaps. and held him until the His slightly aged, James Tarpley keeps watch over police arrived. He’s bony countenance Grandin Road. ended the careers of a engrossed in street few notorious pursemaintenance fooled me for a minute. snatchers in the area, forced teens off I knew the owners of the 7-11 were the roof of the market, and generally always polite to the homeless and the made sure that peace and order is kept mentally ill. Funny, how easy it is to throughout the neighborhood. judge a book by what you assume is “We’re family,” said Tarpley with its cover. I thought that the African- pride in his brown eyes. “I sort of American man bent over in his clean- watch out for the neighborhood and ing mission was a destitute, homeless the bank, and they work with me too -person cleaning the streets for a bit of just like a family. Why, they’re as close extra cash. to me as my own brothers and sisters.” Boy was I wrong about James Hunter Additional “family members” inTarpley, 77, otherwise known by many clude all those in the Greater Raleigh as the Angel of Grandin Road. Court Civic League and other area resLittle did I know that there is an im- idents like Wade Whitehead, who has maculate park for children (a block known Tarpley for over seven years. down from the Memorial Street Fire “James Tarpley stands for all that is Station) named the James Tarpley good in the world,” said Whitehead. Memorial Park in his honor, and that “He cares about human beings and there are two stars smack dab in front works to ensure their safety and happiof the Grandin Theatre with his name inscribed on them. > CONTINUED “James is an honorary employee at P3: Tarpley

Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/18/09-12/24/09

NewsRoanoke.com

Trinkle Announces Run for Second Term Clouds will thicken through the day on Friday, with some showers forming late. Temperatures will be on the cold side, topping out in the lower 40s. The transition over to wintry weather will likely happen on Friday night and we will continue to deal with some snow, sleet, and rain into Saturday. It will be a cold day with highs only in the middle 30s. The best chance for accumulating snow will be from Roanoke and points west, where a few inches could fall. But, this is by no means carved in stone. Sunday may see some lingering snow showers into the higher elevations with mostly cloudy skies and still cold with temperatures in the mid-toupper 30s.

Trinkle, who is running as a DemoCity Councilman Dave Trinkle decrat, ran as an independent in his first clared his intention to seek a second council bid with fellow running mates term in office this week at Roanoke’s Gwen Mason and Alfred Dowe. Dowe Main Library surrounded by family, resigned from office in disgrace after a friends and supporters. double billing scandal involving state In an email that went out on Saturand city funds. Mason, who recently day the 12th Trinkle stated, “As many ran as a Democrat and was beaten may already know - after much consoundly by Republican Bill Cleaveland sideration - I have decided to go full for the 17th District House of Delforce into a run for a second term on egates seat, has not declared whether Roanoke City Council. It is obviously she will seek another term. not an easy decision but one in which I In closing his remarks Monday, am absolutely committed to. These are Trinkle stated, “I want to continue to difficult times for all of us and the city serve my city and its citizens, and apis no exception. There is also a lot of Photo by Dan Frei ply what I have learned during my first exciting change occurring in the city and in city administration. For these Councilman Trinkle at his announcement on Monday. term to the ongoing challenges ahead. I know how to listen … and will conand many more reasons, I believe consistency and my contributions will be very vital over the next four tinue to listen to the people of Roanoke as we move confidently into the future.” years.”

Goodlatte Introduces Legislation to Protect Private Property Rights Representative Bob Goodlatte introduced the Strengthening the Ownership of Private Property (STOPP) Act with Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) and co-sponsors Representatives Allen Boyd (D-FL), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). This bipartisan legislation, which cuts off all federal economic development aid to state or local governments that abuse their eminent domain power by seizing private property for private development purposes, was introduced in response to the narrow 5-4 U.S. Supreme

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Court decision, Kelo v. City of New London, which gave local governments broad eminent domain power to seize private property from one party and give it to another. The STOPP ACT passed the House of Representatives in the 109th Congress by an overwhelming vote of 376-38. “The appalling Kelo decision struck a serious blow to a core value of our Nation, and has far reaching implications,” said Rep. Goodlatte. “The Court essentially erased any protection of private property as understood by the Founders of our Nation. As the saying goes, ‘A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take away everything you have.’ ” The Supreme Court’s ruling gives local governments broad power to seize property to generate tax revenue. State and local governments can now use eminent domain to take away the property of any individual for nearly any reason, including taking property for the benefit of another individual or corporation. Cities can now bulldoze private citizens’ homes to make way for shopping malls or other development, essentially ensuring that no citizen’s property is

safe. The STOPP Act will prevent governments from taking property from one private party and giving it to another private party. When abuses occur, the STOPP Act will prohibit localities and states from receiving federal economic assistance on all economic development projects, not just those for which abuses occur, for two years for each violation. The legislation is of interest in the Roanoke Valley particularly in relation to the ongoing litigation between the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority and private landowners Jay and Stephanie Burkholder. In November Roanoke Circuit Court Judge William Broadhurst ruled that land belonging to the Burkholder’s was properly condemned and seized by the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority on behalf of the City of Roanoke to later be sold to Carilion Clinic for use in creating its new Riverside Center. Further controversy ensued when Carilion later announced that they never really needed the property as part of their development plans. The Burkholders have stated that they plan to appeal the local court’s decision. However, according to Joshua Baker of

the Waldo and Lyle law firm that has handled the Burkholder suit, the new law, if passed, would not impact the case even if it were retroactively applied as no federal funds were involved. A possible timetable for passage of the bill was not provided by Congressman Goodlatte’s office. In reference to the Bill’s introduction Rep. Goodlatte stated, “I am committed to the principles of private property and limited government. I believe this legislation is necessary to ensure that our homes, farms, businesses, churches, and other private property will not be bulldozed in abusive land grabs that only benefit private individuals and organizations.” While the legislation cracks down hard on private to private transfers where federal funds are involved, it would not prohibit the use of eminent domain for traditional, purely public purposes such as roads, schools and public utility rights of way. The STOPP Act has been referred to the House Committee on Agriculture, on which Congressman Goodlatte serves.

Compiled from Staff reports info@newsroanoke.com

> City Manager From page 1

StudioSchoolDec10ad

12/2/09

10:08 AM

will be paying the new city manager’s moving expenses. If the new manager stays less than a year Baenziger will perform another search for free. If the manager should leave during the second year, he would charge for his expenses only. Councilman Court Rosen said he’d like to see a business executive run the city as opposed to an experienced city manager. It remains to be seen which way council has leaned. If Councilman Rupert Cutler’s claim that an overlap of a week with both the outgoing and incoming manager on the job holds true, it could be sticky. In the opinion of Carol Jacobs, Manager for the City of Stanton, California, any overlap with a departing city manager under involuntary circumstances would be unusual.

Page 1

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Colin Baenziger, owner of Colin Baenziger & Associates. “I have worked in these kinds of situations and it is very awkward,” said Jacobs. She explains that the new city manager needs to be able to establish themselves without the judgments and perceptions of the prior city manager – particularly if the exit of the city manager was not voluntary. “If someone is smart enough to be a city manager, they are smart enough to figure out the poli-

tics of the city fairly quickly,” said Jacobs. Baenziger agreed, saying that he had placed someone in a similar situation. Though it was not an involuntary exit of the city manager it almost resulted in the new city manager resigning before his first week was up. Once it was made clear that the exiting manager was no longer needed, the new city manager was able to establish his own identity. When asked prior to the close of the application period if he thought any of Roanoke’s challenges would be detrimental to finding a suitable city manager, Baenziger responded saying, “City managers are inherently masochists … they think they can fix anything.”

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Southeast Dedicates Community Garden The sleet and frigid rain subsided and the sun appeared just in time to welcome the Roanoke Community Garden Association (RCGA) Sunday afternoon for the dedication of the Southeast community garden. The garden is located on two large city lots owned by Frank Roupas. Twenty gardeners, volunteers and supporters cheered and applauded as a sign designed by local artist Katherine Devine was unveiled. It is now officially the “Frank Roupas Community Garden.” Following the unveiling, community members gave accounts of how the garden impacts family food budgets, connects neighbors and adds beauty to the inner-city neighborhood. Since 2007 the mission of the tax-exempt RCGA has been to create sustainable organic community gardens throughout the

Photo by Braden Ganden

Volunteers and supporters of the new Frank Roupas Community Garden in Southeast Roanoke. Roanoke Valley. Individuals and families adopt one of the approximately 30 garden plots of 300 square feet each. They are free to grow fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers – whatever they desire. A little experimenting keeps it interesting. According to RCGA director

Mark Powell, the Frank Roupas Garden is perhaps the largest garden of its kind in Roanoke since the Victory Gardens of World War II. “Community gardens are springing up all over the city” said Powell. Other community gardens are located in north Roanoke County,

Old Southwest and on Grandin Road in the Raleigh Court neighborhood. The RCGA provides the land, water, tools, storage and composting facilities to gardeners. Educational programs are offered to get new gardeners started on the right foot. The plan in 2010 is to provide after-school and summer programs to the Boys and Girls Club. Powell, a Southeast resident, hopes to provide more amenities in the years to come. Plans are in place to develop more gardens in Southwest City and the Town of Vinton. For more information on community gardens, call Powell at 540-904-3122 or email him at mark@roanokecommunitygarden.org By Valerie Garner Valerie.Garner@cox.net

> Green Ridge From page 1

party room. In addition, one of the Center’s highlights includes a 20,000 square foot outdoor leisure pool with very large slides and a lazy river dubbed “Splash Valley.” The building also has an indoor walking track that offers views of the sweeping vistas of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Roanoke County’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department saw the need for a new multi-use recreation center as demand for recreational opportunities, organized leisure activities, senior and youth programs, and meeting space increased in the County over the past decade. In 2006, Roanoke County surveyed citizens about their recreational needs as

> Tarpley

part of the Parks, Recreation and Tourism master planning process. The County also conducted a number of public meetings to discuss the results of the master planning process with County residents. The “multigen” center concept brings together many of the community’s top-rated recreational needs as identified by the master plan. Members of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors and staff later visited multigen centers in St. Louis, Missouri. County staff also visited several community recreation centers in northern Virginia, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, as well as in Wytheville, Radford, and Christiansburg to learn how nearby recreation centers have been designed and operated before landing

on the current operating model. “Green Ridge Recreation Center exceeds everything we saw during our site visits,” said Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Mike Altizer. The fact that memberships to the new facility have exceeded projections underscores that statement. “People come to Green Ridge Recreation Center and take one look at the facility and our broad-based programs, and they want to be part of it. Our January 1 opening can’t come soon enough,” added Pete Haislip, Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for Roanoke County. By Teresa Hall info@newsroanoke.com

From page 1

ness. He is a role model for all of us, young and old alike.” A few years ago, James visited a yard sale that Whitehead’s family was having. He asked Whitehead’s son to pick out anything he wanted. His son chose a toy that the family was selling and James purchased it for him at full price. “James would not take no for an answer,” Whitehead said. “So there was no hope of canceling the sale. My son proudly took his toy back into the house and played with it as if it was brand new. James has a magic gift to make everyday situations - even including a Saturday morning yard sale new and interesting.” The City of Roanoke and many organizations and businesses within the city have given Mr. Tarpley so many awards, medals, birthday parties, and outstanding achievement honorariums over the years that the local media has effectively lost count. Pictures of him in the local news (beaming in one of his Stetsons) might even outnumber photos of Angelina Jolie in the tabloids. I never imagined that this man who cleans the street could have nearly twenty Davidson’s-brand suits and almost as many shoes as Imelda Marcos lined up in tidy rows in his apartment near the Valley Bank. He admits that shoes and hats are his weakness. Yet, his primary soft spot is for people.

“I love to make people happy,” Tarpley said from his commodious perch just off Grandin. “I’ll do almost anything for anyone; that’s the way my family was, and that’s the way they raised me.” Tarpley’s family dates back to at least the 1700’s in Virginia. He was born in ’32 on a farm just outside of Danville, Virginia. “My grandfather was probably owned by the family of Sonny Tarpley, former Mayor of Salem, Virginia,” Tarpley said. “A lot of people around here recognize the name.” James Tarpley’s family ran a produce farm in the Danville area until the 1980’s, growing everything from string beans to melons. The family inherited 700 acres in Pittsylvania County after the Civil War. The 126-year-old Tarpley Baptist Church still stands in Swansonville, Virginia. “I went to Gretna High School back when it was segregated, then I worked for Trailways before serving in the Korean War,” Tarpley said. “Later I came to Roanoke (about 30 years ago) selling produce. I had also earned a welding license.” Tarpley was one of nine children reared on the farm in a white clapboard house with a wraparound porch. Today he shares photos of the place where neighbors came from far and wide to visit with his father William Holmes Tarpley and his mother - whose name

was, appropriately: Hope Faith Charity Tarpley. “My family drew people from all around, mostly because of my parents’ kindness,” Tarpley said, describing his mother and father as a warm spot in a cold world. Sam Oakey wrote “an ode” to Tarpley for his seventy-seventh birthday, referring to him as an angel. Hundreds of letters have poured in thanking the “Angel of Grandin Road” for his many kindnesses over the years. He’s paid for funerals, arranged weddings, planted flowers for the children in the park, dug out Popsicle sticks from a citizen’s commode after a small child had wreaked havoc, helped clean out flooded basements, picked weeds for small businesses, provided counseling for the lonely and depressed, helped the local police, and given faith to the lost. “I have friends in high places and friends in low places; it makes no difference to me,” Tarpley said. He’s given loans to the wealthy, who sometimes have no cash flow, and he’s given many a free handout to the poor. His friends include mobsters and hookers along with the faithful. “I try to see the humanity in everyone,” Tarpley said. His apartment is a testimony to that philosophy; it’s sort of like a museum displaying not one scrapbook, but many. As I turned the pages, I saw a life

dedicated to others, adorned with praises for the man who listens to the sorrows of so many, and isn’t ashamed to pick up their trash as well.

By Mary Ellen Campagna info@newsroanoke.com

12/18/09-12/24/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3

> Ugly Tree From page 1

turned to the other kids. “Fact is, we could use lots of help.” What followed can only be described as a pandemonium of excitement. “Me!” “Me!” The children grabbed boughs, bulbs, garlands and ran towards the bare tree frame. That’s when my emptiness began to fill. I knelt down and showed them how to spread the branches out to fill in the tree’s appearance. Two little tikes scrambled under the tree and almost reverently arranged the tree-apron. One of them stood, backed off from the tree and said softly, “Man, that’s beautiful!” Sabrina was quiet on the way home. At last she spoke. “He was right, you know. The tree was beautiful. I don’t know, it’s like ... it ... bloomed.” There is an old metaphor which is brought to bear here. Viewed from behind, the most artful tapestry is but a confusion of thread and colors clustered here and there to no identifiable purpose. Yet, from the front, the artist’s intention is made clear. So it is that the disparate strands of unrelated lives are patiently braided by the Master’s hand, and of His wisdom, those strands take on a pattern no human could have foretold. A young mother of three, pressed hard by circumstance, determines that her children will be well-raised. She permits no claim and no excuse as deterrence. Her resolve is noted by folks at the Free Clinic. Sabrina and I, our Christmases slowly drained of color and meaning, call the clinic, and

of these isolated biographies a connection is made. A rock breaks the water and ripples are born. How far will the ripples spread? What will they touch, and to what effect? For the young mother, what future influence? For her children? Who is to say. Therein lies the magic -- and the mystery. Sabrina’s family learned what we were doing; now they want to help. Ches calls a friend later. “It was pretty cool,” he tells him. His friend’s family used to adopt Christmas-families. Because of our story, they’re thinking of doing it again. One thing is certain: for Sabrina and me, this Christmas will be unlike those of the recent past. Finally, what real effect on me? The mother kept saying to us, “Thank you for being a blessing. Thank you for being the blessing.” Well, in fact, she’s probably the one who’s conferring the blessing. Blessings are complex. Perhaps a benefaction passed along increases many fold, thereby given wings. Perhaps a hoarded blessing is reduced by half. As we are given, so we must give that we may enter the heart of living. Thus my gift, is bestowed upon me in the silent wisdom of the ugly Christmas tree. I learn, once again, it is through giving that we receive; it is through helping others that we are helped.

By Lucky Garvin info@newsroanoke.com

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Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/18/09-12/24/09

Roanokers Attend “Code-Red” Healthcare Protest in D.C.

Thousands of people from points all over the United States gathered in Upper Senate Park in Washington, D.C. Tuesday to protest the massive healthcare proposal before Congress. Chants of “Kill the Bill” were heard all the way to the Nation’s Capitol, according to several Senators who could hear the crowd from their offices. Sponsored by Americans For Prosperity, Tea Party Patriots, Catholic Families for America, the Hispanic Leadership Fund and 13 other organizations, the event was dubbed the “Code Red Rally,” with all participants being asked to wear something red. Speakers included Tim Phillips, president of Americans For Prosperity, talk show host Laura Ingraham, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) who said, “60% of healthcare is in government hands now -- the Veterans Administration, Medicare, Medicaid, and it is not working. The government just wants to control our lives.” The primary focus for protestors was the proposed govern-

ment-run healthcare bill, which is projected to cost trillions of dollars, and possibly limit care for the elderly. Bill Saunders of Troutville rode a bus from Roanoke so his voice could be heard. He said, “I have Medicare Advantage and I don’t want to lose it. It is vital to my well-being and that is why I am protesting ‘Obamacare.’” There were three chartered buses that departed from Roanoke to attend the rally. Riders included a Santa Claus, members of the Constitution Party, home schoolers and many others, all wanting to have their say about the bill.

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Cami and Stan Galloway from Bridgewater brought their two home-schooled children with them. Cami said the whole family came because they wanted to make a stand against the healthcare bill and they hoped to persuade their Senators to listen to their constituents and oppose the bill. “We brought the boys because this is an educational and learning experience and it will teach them to stand up for what they believe is right,” she said. Connie Haggard of Staunton represented 20 people who could not attend. “I have never done anything like this before, but I feel I have to take a stand now. We need to turn back to a simpler, moral lifestyle,” she explained. Many in the crowd echoed her sentiments with their homemade signs proclaiming slogans such as “Socialism Isn’t Cool,” “Congress is a Predator” and “Hands Off My Healthcare.” After the rally was over, many people headed over to the Capitol to try and visit their Senators. Both Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb were not in their offices; however they left guest books for people to sign and leave messages. Senator Warner’s chief of staff was available to speak with constituents. Lines went down one hall and then another as hundreds tried to sign the books. Crowd estimates were between 8,000 and 10,000 people. By Carla Bream info@newsroanoke.com

Smart Way Introduces Larger Buses; Expands Popular Service Commuting between the Roanoke and New River valleys is getting smarter. In a big way. The Smart Way has introduced a larger, 57-seat motorcoach manufactured by Motor Coach Industries (MCI) that will replace the current fleet of 32-seat buses traveling between Roanoke, Christiansburg and Blacksburg. The new, 45-foot-long MCI coaches features more space, additional luggage capacity, lumbar seating, overhead luggage bins, wireless Internet access, six 10-inch video monitors and LED lighting. There’s even a wheelchair lift and bike rack. The bus was introduced during special events in Roanoke and Blacksburg this week. Smart Way ridership is up 6.2 percent this year, and officials believe the new buses will help to drive additional demand. Through October, 48,927 commuters have traveled the Smart Way this year alone – an average of 4,892 per month. “The Smart Way has been recognized for providing quality and convenient service that helps to reduce traffic along Interstate 81, saves our riders commuting costs, and contributes to our region’s increasing focus on sustainability,” said Carl Palmer, General Manager of Greater Roanoke Transit, the company operating Valley Metro and Smart Way. “Our new motorcoaches will enhance that service by offering larger coaches with greater capacity for a more comfortable ride to connect the valleys.” Four buses are joining the Smart Way fleet. Each bus costs $490,000, paid for through federal, state and local sources. The new motor coaches begin servicing the

This 57-seat coach is one of four buses replacing the Smart Way’s current fleet, adding capacity between Roanoke and the New River Valley. Valleys on Jan. 4, 2010. “Commuters are seeing the benefits and value of taking the Smart Way to travel between Roanoke and the New River Valley,” said Beverly T. Fitzpatrick Jr., Executive Director of the Virginia Museum of Transportation and chair of the Smart Way Advisory Committee. “This larger bus, with all the latest amenities and technology, reflects our region’s efforts to embrace public transportation.” Officials in both valleys welcomed the Smart Way expansion. “The Smart Way truly is a smart choice to travel between the valleys because it provides a convenient, environmentally friendly transportation solution and it helps to connect two communities that rely on each other,” said Roanoke Mayor David Bowers. “We look forward to seeing the new Smart Way buses in the New River Valley,” added Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordham. “Now, commuters and visitors can ride in style while supporting our region’s efforts for sustainable transportation solutions.” “Virginia Tech is excited

to support the launch of the Smart Way motorcoach,” said Sherwood Wilson, Vice President of Administrative Services for Virginia Tech. “Our students will appreciate the extra room and luggage space when they travel to and from the airport, and our staff, faculty and visitors will enjoy an even better ride to campus.” The Smart Way Bus is the regional public transportation service operated by Valley Metro. It links the Roanoke Valley and the New River Valley for a current fare of only $3 each way. The Smart Way begins service at Campbell Court, with stops at the Hotel Roanoke, the Roanoke Regional Airport, two parkand-ride lots along Interstate 81 at exits 140 and 118A, the Christiansburg K-mart, the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, Main Street in downtown Blacksburg, and the Squires Student Center on the campus of Virginia Tech. Maps, schedules and additional information are available at: www.smartwaybus.com.

    

We dedicate Our first-ever

“Manger Offering” to help fight homelessness in the Roanoke Valley. Offerings taken at all three Christmas Eve services at Second Presbyterian Church will be donated to the Roanoke Valley Interfaith Hospitality Network to benefit services to those facing homelessness. Second Presbyterian welcomes you! Join us on Thursday, December 24, 2009, for any or all of our Christmas Eve Services:

Communion Service (Chapel), 12:00 noon Family Service with Christmas Story (Sanctuary), 5:00 p.m. A Service of Lessons and Carols (Sanctuary) with Communion, 10:00 p.m.

 214 Mountain Avenue, SW (between Mountain and Highland Avenue, from Second to Third Street) Roanoke, VA 24016

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Perspective

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Would You Kiss A Skeptic Under Your Mistletoe?

ometimes being a scientist is like a curse. As a scientist, I’m ever skeptical, filled with doubt even about the most seemingly mundane observations and events in my world. Who, what, where, when, how, and why are some of my favorite words. Contrary phrases (for example, “Curiosity killed the cat” and “ignorance is bliss”) give me the creeps for their inherent presumptions and their not-sosubtle condemnation of the intellectual enterprise. I question everything. For instance, why do merchants place green witches, plump smiling turkeys (how evil is that caricature!), and corpulent Santas together on their shelves in mid-October? I find this type of marketing grotesquely ambiguous and self-serving. I often hear shoppers complain. Why then do merchants insist on this dubious blending of festivals? Doubt follows me like a shadow de rigueur day and night. The profuse symbology of the December holidays is no exception for my blunt skepticism. As a forest ecologist, I’m especially intrigued by the bountiful plant representation of the season. For instance, why do we bring evergreens into our homes? And why do people kiss under a sprig of mistletoe? What’s a yule log? To be sure, I also wonder about Santa Claus as an overweight toy-lover in a red suit; and I wonder how reindeer got inserted into the holiday season; and I wonder about those spooky snowmen (coal eyes, carrot nose, stick arms) that look like something out of a “Stephen King” horror flick. I wonder, too, about the actual birth of Jesus (the Christ in Christmas). For

this column, however, I’d like to concentrate on the profusion of plants during our holiday celebrations. Can we tease away the recent accretions of cultural and spiritual tradition to locate the core message in the season’s celebrations? Let me focus on mistletoe as emblematic of my skepticism. Mistletoes have long fascinated us. Most folks don’t know that mistletoes are plant parasites, numbering 1400 species, that grow in a broad band of habitats throughout the world, especially in the tropics. That species common in the Potomac drainage and elsewhere in Virginia is Phoradendron flavescens, a yellowish-green woody parasite on the trunks and branches of maples, locusts, walnuts, and other deciduous trees; its scientific name literally translates, “yellowish tree thief.” Producing ample nectar and numerous fruit, the world’s mistletoes provide an important food source for birds, mammals, and even invertebrates. The etymology of the word, mistletoe, reflects the plants’ unseen natural history. “Mistel” is an Anglo-Saxon word for “dung,” and “tan,” the word for “twig.” Thus, the word may be translated literally as “dung-on-a-twig,” referring to mistletoe’s seeming sudden appearance after its seeds are deposited in bird droppings on tree branches. So much for spontaneous generation. Lacking roots, remaining green year-round, and bearing fruit during cold winters, these plants were revered by ancient Druids who used the plant during their sacrificial rituals. The ultimate goal for Virgil’s Aeneus was finding the “golden bough,” a euphemism for

A Perspective on Inspiration

12/18/09-12/24/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

think the impact of being inspired is underrated. While I spend a lot of time thinking about what moves me and what moves the hearts and minds of others – I am often faced with a pretty cynical perspective. We are all assaulted with negative news coverage and grumpy drivers, intolerant minds and closed hearts. It’s discouraging. I understand the frustration people feel – and I often feel the same; however, I am convinced if we were more open to the idea of being inspired -- if we allowed the triumphant stories of others to genuinely lift our spirit – we’d all be better off. For me, inspiration happens when I am able to see qualities in other people that make me want to do better and judge less, to simplify my life and value its contents. But most of all, I’m inspired by things that give me the courage to put my life into perspective. I do my best to be open to inspiration. This weekend was no exception. While rugby is certainly not likely to beat out baseball, basketball or football as “America’s Sport” any time soon, most of the world follows it with great fervor and national pride. So, if I were to say I saw an exciting and inspirational film about rugby – I would anticipate the skeptical response. At times, I might even join in the sentiment. However, Clint Eastwood seems to have pulled off the impossible in his latest release, “Invictus” starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela. The story surrounds the journey of the South Africa’s rugby team and their captain during the early months of Nelson Mandela’s presidency

when tensions and maneuvering and expectations were the fight to change at a fevered pitch. public opinion. For While Mandela’s history buffs it gives supporters were a glimpse into a feeling inspired by story that has yet to the new leadership make the textbooks. – many remained But for humans – bitter in the wake of all kinds – it is of apartheid, so the an inspiring tale of idea of a reconciled overcoming prejuSouth Africa still Stephanie Koehler dice – both in our seemed unlikely – own minds and the especially in the hearts of the minds of others. So, whatever it people. is that inspires you – this movie Recognizing the need for is likely to do the trick. unified inspiration, Nelson Contact Stephanie at Mandela joined forces with the stephaniekoehler@cox.net predominantly white rugby team to help unite their country as they made an unlikely bid to win the 1995 World Cup. For sports lovers, the film is filled with exiting rugby matches and team conflicts. For political junkies, it is filled with fascinating studies of political

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mistletoes as they age and die. The come to Christianity that tried with burning bush in the Book of Exodus mixed success to refine or eradicate may have been a mistletoe species the practices of Saturnalia, including common on acacias in the Middle the assignment of Christ’s birth on East, the fiery red and yellow flowers 25 December to usurp these bawdy appearing during the summer when practices. Even poor ole’ priggish the shrubby parasite sheds its leaves. Tertullian, a 3rd century church Medieval herbalists also recognized apologist, warned his fellow Christheir roles as medicinal herbs. Even tians against such vile Saturnalian modern pharmaceutical companies practices as using laurel wreaths, are studying the plants’ compounds trees, and other evergreen clippings for cancer curatives. Let me offer a H. Bruce Rinker, PhD as Christmas decorations. Kissing warning here: do not eat any part of under the mistletoe then seems a the plant; depending on concentration, its toxic lingering synthesis of a Druidic cult of sacrifice, leaves and berries can cause gastrointestinal the Nordic celebration of death and resurrecdistress and cardiovascular failure. tion, and Roman licentiousness during one of Other traditions are also wrapped up inti- its major holidays. What a cross cultural mémately with mistletoe. Early Nordic cultures lange for such a little plant! imbued the plant with magical qualities when Similarly, I could demythologize our beloved their god Baldur was killed by another god Christmas trees, wreaths, yule logs, and holly(fighting over a woman, of course) with an ar- and-ivy decorations. They all have dark sides row made from mistletoe wood; kissing under for such a season of light! But I think the core a sprig of mistletoe then became symbolic of message for all these evergreens is a hopeful resuscitation, a celebration of Baldur’s eventual one: we bring the outdoors indoors to remind resurrection. Next we come to the Romans. Of us during the winter solstice that rebirth, recourse, the Romans: are they ever associated newal, and the re-greening of a bleak world are with debauchery? Annually, they celebrated just in front of us. a week-long festival of lawlessness, called the So, if you catch me standing under your sprig Saturnalia, from 17-25 December. In addition of mistletoe, don’t assume that I’m lingering wistto human sacrifice during the festival, ancient fully to catch a kiss. As a self-proclaimed skepRoman communities embraced widespread in- tic, I’m there naturally to examine a remarkable toxication, sexual license, and the consumption botanical species caught up in ancient crossof vulgar-shaped biscuits. Given that at least cultural ties. I’m not there for the kiss. No, resome species of mistletoe possess abortifacient ally. H. Bruce Rinker, Ph.D. qualities, the parasite was long associated by BRinker@NorthCross.org them with uninhibited sexuality. Finally, we

The Recipe of the Week from The Happy Chef Christmas Morning Breakfast

I have always been fascinated with the little Christmas decorations that adorn the inside of a home. I guess I like small pretty things, as most women do. When I was little I would make up stories with the ornaments on the tree. I would lie under the tree and play with these ornaments for hours as if I were playing with my Barbies. I loved my mother’s crèche as well. It was white porcelain; the figures were so elegant looking. When I started my own family my mom bought us our first crèche. She told me she picked this specific one because the faces of the figures were so sweet looking and she thought my children would really like the set. They do--it is a beautiful crèche. Every year I take it out of the box and just like when I was little I take a lot of time deciding where to place each figure. I want it just right. I think of how I have seen it set up in books or at church. I think about the Wisemen coming from the east and always imagine that the shepherds probably stood back at a distance and Mary was hovering close to Jesus and that Joseph was probably at Mary’s side. At some point I stop myself and say, “Ok, it looks fine, stop obsessing it is just a decoration!” This year I did this same ritual, then much later as we were decorating the tree I saw that my daughter had rearranged the crèche. She had put everyone in a circle around Jesus. I smiled and I knew that would be how I would leave it. Assemble this casserole on Christmas Eve. On that busy morn just pop it in the oven and go open some presents while it cooks . . . Merry Christmas to All! 12 ounces low-fat, bulk breakfast, sausage 3 slices white bread, torn into bite-size pieces 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 6 eggs 1 cup low-fat milk 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese -Brown the sausage in a skil-

let over medium heat, stirring to crumble. Remove it from the heat, drain off any fat, and let it cool. -Place the bread in the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish lightly coated with cooking spray. Layer the sausage over the bread, then top it with the Monterey Jack cheese. -In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture

over the contents of the dish, then top with the Cheddar cheese. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. -In the morning, heat the oven to 325º. Remove the plastic wrap from the dish and bake the casserole for 40 to 45 minutes or until cooked through. Makes about 6 servings By Leigh Sackett leigh@newsroanoke.com

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Celebrate the Miracle. Come to St. John’s Episcopal Church this Christmas. St. John’s Episcopal Church is your place to welcome the Christ child this Christmas with beautiful traditional Communion liturgy, an acclaimed choir and a grand and welcoming place to celebrate the mystery of Christ among us. You belong at St. John’s … singles, professionals, empty nesters and families are all welcome here! Three Services on Christmas Eve: 2 p.m. Quiet Service 4 p.m. Family Service with Pageant (Nursery available this service.) 11 p.m. A Midnight Communion Service (Christmas music starts at 10:30 p.m.)

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Perspective

Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/18/09-12/24/09

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Are McDonnell, Other Republicans Committed To Small Government Principles?

was worried about Governor-elect Bob McDonnell’s lack of small government, free market credentials long before election day. Although he had a mostly conservative track record as a state legislator and attorney general, his understanding of our constitutional rights concerned me when he voted to restrict our Second Amendment rights with the one handgun per month law, supported a weak eminent domain reform bill that was written by the very developers who use eminent domain laws to take away our homes and businesses, stated in his college thesis (which he wrote when he was 34 years old) that the U.S. Supreme Court decision to legalize contraception

LD GO

for Americans was taking individual liberty too far gave his legal opinion that the state was allowed to create unelected taxing authorities that could raise taxes for roads (this was later declared unconstitutional by the Virginia Supreme Court), and refused to take a pledge to not raise taxes in a state that ranks as the sixth highest taxed state in the nation, where government waste in the billions of dollars has been identified. Then McDonnell openly ran his campaign for governor as a moderate to get votes from moderates and independents in Northern Virginia and Tidewater. Now that he is denouncing a proposed “conservative principles test” for candidates

who want to run under the Republican label, I fear we have someone in office who is not completely dedicated to smaller government, free markets, and free people. A few members of the Republican National Committee recently proposed a 10-point checklist on issues such as government-run health care, cap and trade, gun rights, illegal immigration, smaller government, lower deficits, and lower taxes. If the checklist is approved, Republican candidates would have to sign on to supporting at least eight out of the 10 principles on the list. Those who do not would not receive endorsements or funding from the national party. The resolution does not say these candidates can’t still be Republicans, it just says they won’t be eligible for national party money or endorsements. McDonnell warned Republicans last week about the danger of creating an ideologi-

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he Advent and Christmas passages in Luke are beautiful, but they are not pretty in the ways that decorated trees with wrapped presents beneath them are; or colorful lights on buildings, festive clothes, and ballads sung by Bing Crosby and Burl Ives, or even Evis Presley and Britney Spears on their best Christmas behavior. All that is fun, mind you, and I participate in holiday cheer with all my secular heart, soul and strength. That’s glitter-pretty though, not beautiful…, not in the way I define true beauty. The Advent and Christmas passages are beautiful in that the rich colors of light and life and hope are set against the dark shading of night and death and fear. We’ve added the glitter to these passages. Wipe them off and see them in their original color and shading. Turn off the colored lights, silence the festive music and go outside and read the Christmas passages in Luke and Matthew by candlelight where fear and hope both flicker on the pages. Enter the world of these passages with fear and trembling. For instance, notice the angel. The angel who first appears to the shepherds is not cute and precious. As with the dirty, scruffy, angel of the movie Michael, he is not that kind of angel. When the angel appears to the shepherds, they are filled with fear because they know that an angel can be as much God’s agent of judgment as a bearer of good news. Even when the shepherds are calmed

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down and learn that the angel actually bears good news, that a Savior is coming into broken lives and a broken world, we still know that this child is born to die. One day, the child will be killed. That will be the cost of saving love. The shadow of the cross is what provides the shading for the Christmas stories. To appreciate all the beauty of Christmas, we are wise not to let the culture’s escapist stories, sentimental songs and tinsel decorations make us filter out the darker tones. For if we forget the dark shading, and enjoy only the light, we will be excluding from Christmas those for whom the angel first came; the lowly and those in need. Silently suffering souls will attend Christmas Eve services, play-acting because they think that the season is not for them, that it is simply a festive holiday about good cheer and the sharing of abundance. Attending churches this Christmas Eve will be the mother whose divorce is near, the still young adult who this past year buried the father who used to carve the turkey for Christmas dinner, the child who will dread the question at school,“What did you get for Christmas?” because the answer will be, “Not much” … or the child whose honest answer would be, “Everything I asked for, except the attention and discipline I need.” By feeling out of sorts, they are made to feel out of place, out of step, out of season, out of it altogether. They would like to get into the spirit of things and be as happy as everyone wants them to

be, but they can’t. And because they can’t, they don't feel free to be honest. They feel pressed to put on the act, decorate their demeanor with colored lights and silver bells. That’s a shame! That’s a shame because this is the biblical word from the Gospel of Luke: Those who know some pain, or loss, or guilt, or regret; who suffer in dry or low places, THIS SEASON'S FOR YOU! This season is uniquely, specifically, for you. It is to barren Elizabeth, the displaced virgin Mary, the lowly shepherds, that the angel comes. And what the angel announces is this: “Fear not! Unto you who are poor, whether in means or in spiritUnto you who are in dry or low placesUnto you who know your need for GodUnto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find the babe, not wrapped in expensive cloths and adorned with jewels, but wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger, born low to meet you where you live so as to finally lead you to the heavens where you can join the fearsome angels in a chorus of praise of God’s judgment… that leads to salvation, joy and lasting peace for all people. George Anderson is the Senior Minister at Second Presbyterian Church.You may contact him at: pastor@spres.org or visit them on the web at www.spres.org

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of an organization of which you are a member, and an organization that you will represent as a candidate and an elected office holder, why should you expect money and an endorsement from that organization? The idea of a principles test in general is long overdue for the Republican Party, which has talked about smaller government, but in the last several years, has only created bigger government. If an organization’s trademark is its set of principles – yet it keeps endorsing people who have no intention of sticking to those principles – it loses its trademark. I commend the committee members at the RNC for at least proposing something to try to get their trademark back. It makes me wonder what those who oppose it are afraid of.

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cal "purity test" to ciples in a way that weed out moderate appeals not only to candidates. This is conservatives, but to because, as a politimost moderates, as cian, he feels Rewell. publicans can’t win Now, I don’t agree elections unless they with all the elements court independents of the proposed test, by touting moderate (I am a Libertarpolicies during their ian, so I don’t have campaigns. to) but I think it’s a “To the degree darn good idea to Brian Gottstein that we have covhave one. We have enants of limitation which ex- to remember that this is merely clude people, we're going to a proposal by a few members have a hard time attracting in- of the Republican National dependent voters in the future,” Committee. The 10 principles McDonnell told reporters. In- outlined in the document will dependent voters swung 2-1 in likely get amended before the favor of McDonnell over Creigh resolution actually is voted on Deeds in the gubernatorial elec- by the entire committee. Adtion. ditionally, the principles test Instead of courting moder- would not even ask candidates ates with bigger government to agree with all the principles, policy ideas, McDonnell should so if a candidate had a problem take a lesson from colleagues of conscience with up to two of like Ken Cuccinelli, his running them, he would still be eligible mate and Virginia’s attorney for financial support and an general-elect, by framing small endorsement.If you don’t agree government, free market prin- with most of the basic principles

our road who watched us renovate the old place from May to November, an apparent folly to them, and the greatest challenge in our home-owner’s lifetime. “They’ll bail after the first winter.” That’s where the money was. This Thanksgiving marked our tenth anniversary here. I understand their doubts. I had more than a few of my own. But we reckoned that if we were ever going to take on a physical challenge like this and make our home in Floyd County, it should be while we still had the strength of body, determination of will, and a steady income to pull it off. There were a hundred times early on I feared we’d been impulsive and foolish and that the doubters were right. But we’ve been thankful a thousand times over since then that we didn’t wait to do the work it took to make this place a home for us. And of all the places we could have settled, it was right to sink our roots here. Thanksgiving, 1999, we faced an uncertain Y2K ahead. But we had indoor plumbing, new windows all around, and a firm new foundation underneath us. Electricity brightened the rooms for the first time, and stacked out back was all the firewood I’d moved from Walnut Knob. We inherited more quiet here than we’d ever known under a roof, even though the land was bisected by the road. But a mere half dozen cars passed each day. We soon gave up running to the window to see, knowing them by the pitch of their engines or the clatter of their frames when they hit the potholes out by the mailbox. Since ‘99, this place has weathered hurricanes and

drought, blizzard of this place from its and gale. The metal very foundations. roofs of house and Built shortly after the barn have hung tight Civil War by the sons through it all. The of Thomas Boone, its wood stove beside interior floors, walls me is as familiar and and ceilings were predictably needy as made from heart a family pet but our pine, framing from mountain land has full dimension oak grudgingly yielded and it’s siding milled enough wood so from poplar—all Fred First that even the coldfrom the hillsides of natured within these walls is local ridges. usually warm enough. “My grandmother died in The footpaths around the val- this room” said one visitor of ley are so familiar to us after so the room where I sit now at my many morning and afternoon desk. “I remember my daddy walks that we could follow them riding a horse up that old road in the dark, and sometimes do. with two saddlebags of mail for We know their feel and smell Simpsons” said an elderly genin every season. The nuances of tleman who stopped by. “We this lightly-maintained tortu- buried his ashes out by the maous state road just beyond my ple tree”—we learned the fate of window we know well by now, a former resident many seemed more often thankful for it’s slow- to know. That maple holds up road beauty than bitter for its our clothesline now. challenges in wet, cold weather And even while it seems to us and wind. On this forested lane, as if this house has taken some we’re dodging downed hemlock time to become a home, the lonlimbs now, soon, their tower- ger we live on Goose Creek, the ing dead trunks that are already more we come to acknowledge pitched at angles over the steep we are only the latest to make road. our lives here, although we are Dozens—hundreds over the the first (but will not be the last) years, perhaps—once played to enjoy the modern amenities Sunday softball in our pas- inside these walls. ture across the road, we’re told, And so here between two though the ball field was choked family holidays in 2009, a full with planted-then-neglected decade since our first, we’re white pines when we first saw thankful for all the ways this it. Our downwind neighbors place has been home to so suffered a summer of smoke so many—to those former resiwe could once again enjoy the dents we know, those we’ve cleared pasture where we go heard of, and those who stay each night with the dog, who behind as the unknown “good chases the deer only as far as the ghosts” of memory to give this edge of the clearing. place its character and identity. We’d not lived here long before the descendants of the Contact Fred at builders of the house generfred1st@gmail.com ously shared with us the history

12/18/09-12/24/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

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Roanoke Christmas Parade 2009

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Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/18/09-12/24/09

City School Homeless Program Receives Holiday Gifts Roanoke City Public Schools administrators were presented with two community grants for the homeless program on Wednesday at the YWCA Shelter. Freedom First Credit Union presented a $1,000 Community Investment grant to RCPS school administrators for the homeless program. The grant will be used to provide support services to students who have been identified as homeless. Training will also be provided

for school personnel and local shelter staff in working with the unique needs of homeless students. The Foundation of the Roanoke Valley also announced their Philanthropy Project grant of $2,800 for the RCPS homeless program. The money will be used to educate middle and high school students about homelessness. Currently RCPS serves about 400 to 450 homeless students.

Deck the Halls - Just Not with Old Gadgets This holiday season both purchasers and recipients of electronics need to be aware of how to responsibly recycle their old gadgets and give the gift of a healthy planet. Most people want to dispose of their "junk" properly, but don't know where or how. Consumers can find green tips and recycling locations at www.goodrecyclers. com - One stop shopping for finding responsible recyclers and manufacturers takeback programs, except there's no crowds or traffic. The guide includes the "fine print" on how to use the manufacturer recycling programs, that's not al-

ways obvious on their websites. Rapid advances in technology mean that electronic products are becoming obsolete more quickly than ever before. This, coupled with explosive sales around the holiday season, means that more products are being disposed, even if they still work. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that in 2007, the US generated over 3 million tons of e-waste. But only 13.6% of that was collected for recycling. The other 86.4% went to landfills and incinerators, despite the fact that hazardous chemicals in them can leach out of

landfills into groundwater and streams, or that burning the plastics in electronics can emit dioxin. And what about the 13% that is supposedly recycled? Most recycling firms take the low road, exporting instead of recycling. From 50 to 80% of e-waste that is collected for recycling is shipped overseas for dismantling under horrific conditions, poisoning the people, land, air, and water in China, other Asian nations and to Ghana and Nigeria in western Africa. To learn more about toxics in electronics and the problem of e-waste visit www. electronicstakeback.com

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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 including 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.

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Sports

12/18/09-12/24/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

Northside Vikings are State Champions!

The Vikings’ Group AA Division 3 win over Bruton in the state final last weekend delivered Roanoke County’s first football title ever. Northside defeated another county school, Cave Spring, the week before. A blocked field goal by Northside on the final play of the game against Bruton gave head coach Burt Torrence and the school its VHSL championship. Phillip Scott’s 134 yards rushing led the Vikings attack, in a game played at Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium. Northside (12-2) trailed in three playoff games this season but won them all.

Photos by TJ Witten

The Block! Adam Hardister gets a hand on the ball (barely visible in circle above) to win the game for Northside.

Photos by TJ Witten

The Northside Football team and cheerleaders pose with their State Title Trophy.

Northside head coach Burt Torrence was in tears after the game.

Photos by TJ Witten

The Vikings Defense closes in on a Bruton runner.

Photos by TJ Witten

Phillip Scott (#5 with ball) scampers away from a Bruton defender. Roanoke has a Saltwater Fish Store!

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Northside Wins Thriller on Final Play You couldn’t have written a better script for Saturday’s VHSL Group AA Division 3 football championship game at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg. The Northside Vikings became the first Roanoke county school to win a state championship in dramatic fashion, squeaking out a 20-17 victory over Bruton High School from Williamsburg in a game that went right down to the final play. The two unheralded teams – Northside, only two years removed from a 2-8 season, and Bruton, picked by one newspaper to finish near the bottom of their district, fought to a near standstill for 47 minutes, the Vikings clinging to a 20-17 lead. After driving all the way down to the Northside 3-yard line, Bruton (11-3) lined up for a potential game-tying 26 yard field goal, which would send the game into overtime. The Vikings never let it get to that. Sophomore Adam Hardister blocked the attempt, and Northside completed one of the more implausible runs to the state title. “It’s surreal,” Head Coach Burt Torrence said. “It’s still sinking in right now.” Hardister’s effort is yet another in a long list of clutch plays that played a part in propelling the Vikings to the state championship. In the postseason alone, the Vikings came from behind to win three times, including the title game, where Northside

erased a 17-7 third quarter deficit. “It’s a testament to our kids,” Torrence said. “They had to encounter some adversity early on in the season with some injuries on the offensive side of the ball to our skill players. But they stuck together.” The Vikings (12-2) ended the season on a nine game winning streak, fueled in part by a close loss to the Salem Spartans at the end of September. “I would look at that game as

kind of a turning point in our season,” Torrence said. “The kids really felt like they outplayed them, but we couldn’t finish the game. Even though we lost, it gave us confidence that we could play well against anyone, and taught us a lesson in playing a full 48 minutes.” Torrence can also be proud of his team’s dramatic improvement from district also-ran to state champion in only four years. In 2006, the Vikings went 1-9, and followed that up with

a 2-8 campaign in 2007. But the coach says his players never quit. “The players and the staff all had a vision, and kept moving towards it, and they never swayed,” he said. “They knew they had the makings of a special team this season, maybe even a championship team.” By Matt Reeve Matt@newsroanoke.com

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Sports

Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/18/09-12/24/09

Titans Start From Scratch

In 2008, Hidden Valley high school had a turnaround to remember, bouncing back from a 2-7 start to win the Region IV Division 4 tournament and advance all the way to the VHSL Group AA state semifinals. That team was defined by experience, with a roster boasting ten seniors. The leadership of those boys was demonstrated no more clearly than in the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response after the loss of Ben Boggs to a broken leg last December. From January on, the Titans went 14-8, upsetting in the process Group AA champion Cave Spring in the River Ridge District Tournament. That team is also no longer in the building. And the one that currently inhabits the gymnasium certainly will not be defined by anything resembling experience, at least not for now. Such is the nature of a complete rebuilding job, a task second-year coach Troy Wells (the father of WDBJ Sports Producer Travis Wells), is eager to undertake. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We lost everything but the kitchen sink,â&#x20AC;? Wells admitted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just something I love about watching a team in mid-November, and seeing

Maroons Wrap Up Solid Soccer Season

The Roanoke College Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Soccer team saw its season come to a disappointing end with a 3-1 loss to the Lynchburg Hornets in the ODAC championship. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the second straight season that Roanoke (13-6-3) has fallen in the ODAC Final â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Maroons lost to Virginia Wesleyan in the title game in 2008, and third consecutive appearance in the championship match overall. At most schools, such a run would be cause for excitement. But at Roanoke, where success is judged by conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances, the title-game defeat left the team feeling dissatisfied. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always disappointed when we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t win the ODAC and go to the NCAA tournament,â&#x20AC;? Head Coach Scott Allison said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having said that, at least we were in the hunt, we just fell a little bit short.â&#x20AC;? Nevertheless, the 2009 campaign was yet another solid performance by the Maroons. It was the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third straight season with 12 or more victories, and second season in a row with 10 or more shutouts. In addition, Roanoke had legitBy Matt Reeve imate cause for complaint when Matt@newsroanoke.com they were left out of the NCAA Tournament field, based on the

he said, chuckling. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can ask my wife, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really sleep all that much during the basketball season. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m usually tossing and turning, trying to concoct different schemes - think of better ways of doing things.â&#x20AC;? The Titans are off to a rough start, having lost their first three games. The coaching staff is still in the process of figuring out a rotation that clicks, and the players are still getting used to each other. The growing pains are expected, and Wells is unwavering. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You just keep selling what you believe in,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At this point, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about how much the kids can absorb. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know much about our team at this point, but I do know this: I like the kids Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got.â&#x20AC;? The Titans played William Byrd on Wednesday evening, and will travel to Lord Botetourt to take on the Cavaliers on Saturday night. After the holidays, the team will plunge into River Ridge District play, which should prove to be treacherous, as the Salem Spartans and Cave Spring Knights look to be contenders for the region and state titles once again.

HV coach Troy Wells what they become by the end of January or early February.â&#x20AC;? If there is anyone that can â&#x20AC;&#x153;coach upâ&#x20AC;? some of the youngsters, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wells. Though only in his second year at Hidden Valley, Wells is in his 40th year of coaching, many down in Martinsville, and boasts an impressive resume: 19 trips to the state tournament, 13 trips to the Final Four, and 8 state titles (three as a head coach, five as an assistant). Even with all that success, this season will admittedly be different for Wells. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not a real patient person,â&#x20AC;?

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

strength of their schedule. The Maroons faced six teams who qualified for the tournament, including Virginia Wesleyan, whom Roanoke defeated twice. However, late losses to Eastern Mennonite (2-1) and Hampton-Sydney (5-1), coupled with earning the #4 seed in the ODAC tournament, may have sealed the Maroonsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had a tough stretch there at the end of the season which really cost us big time,â&#x20AC;? Allison said. The Maroons had six players represented on the All-ODAC Team, including some homegrown talent. Chris Collins, a midfielder who starred at William Byrd, and Cameron Lee, a defender who attended Cave Spring, were both first-team selections. Kayvon Sarmadi (Hidden Valley) was a secondteam selection. Collins, a senior, led the Maroons in scoring with 11 goals to go along with 4 assists, despite battling a back injury for most of the season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chris was a real impact player, he was a tough kid, and had a real nose for the goal,â&#x20AC;? Allison said. Excellence on the pitch is nothing new for Allison. In 24 years as the head coach, Allison has transformed the Maroons into one of the most respected

programs in the Southeast. His 272 career wins ranks second in ODAC history, behind only Rolf Piranian of Washington and Lee. Allison has won eight ODAC championships, earned the ODAC Coach of the Year award six times, and has led the Maroons to the NCAA tournament five times. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It just means Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m getting old,â&#x20AC;? Allison said when asked about the accolades. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But in all honesty, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all a tribute to the players weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had over the years.â&#x20AC;? Looking forward, 2010 should be yet another successful year for the Maroons. Though the team loses 6 players from the roster, history as shown Allison is capable of putting a competitive team on the field year in and year out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You always have to replace the kids youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve lost, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been fortunate enough to keep our ears to the ground and track down good players to come in and play here. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a challenge for the younger guys to step up and win spots and compete.â&#x20AC;? For more information on Roanoke College soccer, visit http://maroons.roanoke.edu, or www.odaconline.com.

Virginia Tech's Erika Hajnal Comes Long Way to Make Big Splash

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Virginia Tech's Erika Hajnal athletic endeavors," observed of Budapest, Hungary, a soph- fisheries and wildlife sciences omore majoring in wildlife sci- associate professor Sarah Karences in the College of Natural panty. "I find her to be a true Resources, has been breaking student-athlete, excelling on women's swimming records 'the field' as well as working since a full athletic scholar- hard in the classroom to preship brought her to campus in pare for a future career." January 2009. Meanwhile, two semesters Excelling in the individual into her transition to a new medley, butterfly, and distance school, a new team, and a new freestyles, Hajnal -- who has country, the budding wildlife represented her native coun- biologist already holds the try in multiple international university's records for 500-, competitions -- has given the 1,000-, and 1,650-yard free and women H2Okies swim team a 400-individual medley (IM), shot in the arm. as well as for the Virginia Tech Hajnal's drive and dedica- War Memorial Pool's 500 and â&#x20AC;&#x153;H2Okieâ&#x20AC;? Swimmer Erika Hajnal tion in the pool extends to her 1,000 free, and 400-IM. 43 academics as well. Her love of She qualified for the Na-$5,honors, she now says she has ! her sights set on breaking Viranimals led her to the wildlife tional Collegiate Association 29part ginia Tech's 200-free and 200/ sciences program in Virginia Championship and was ,!4 team fly records and qualifying for Tech's College of Natural Re- of the 800 free 5relay -"Virginia Tech the next Olympics. sources. that set a new ! Hajnal won the 10K "My dream is to study whales record. Hajnal /& was recently In 2008, 433 in Mexico, a two. , 4 World Cup , / 5 and other marine mammals in named ACC Women's Swim) s $5 vice hour 4!4 and Diving Performer 9! !$open-water event. A few Antarctica." She says she looks 2ming Ser 2 r 9 i e 2 g 4/months Th of the 4!/ forward to taking advanced pin later, she competed 30/ of the Week andpanRookie ded !, in haoppre-Olympic 5 , . open-water " 5 ! x a pair of classes in biology and 2 Year after posting "top- ant S Plays !ACC as E 4mam 10K in Beijing, but missed s ! & h malogy in her junior and se- two finishesH during the n & &/ rc rts rand atio ./first-ever Me cqualifying t r for the Olympics e r / nior years. "Erika is a focused, Championship. The â&#x20AC;˘ . E ) o l on ona10 4!)4/ nsp your"After swimâ&#x20AC;˘ C rby hard-working wildlife student Virginia Tech swim2!4distance s Traseconds. 4 / e 2 to with missing by le for that /0 All-Americanâ&#x20AC;˘ P ming in addition to excelling in her mer to3.03earn ou ellong, p you mp y i ! t S . â&#x20AC;˘ 10 seconds or toish very !2 e ts g 4 p elp frustrating," r 2 s n h r o i n rde en "but 4 k y St men nts shetraexplained, . I'm already n v a o l il in â&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll e home â&#x20AC;˘ B rocer point intme w ve. e u r s training to represent er th yo e. W you it - reserHungary v i â&#x20AC;˘ G air Ap Appo r v i a next wa t you into o Olympics." al d w in hthe â&#x20AC;˘ H octor ion d stayu may Hajnal ise ave tcredits tha her coaches, s d s n fe n an s yo cha er h time â&#x20AC;˘D o f r v r and Braden ne Skinner the ur p atio eed me Ned taf Hol-

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loway, for her record-breaking swimming, and says she values the bond she has with the H2Okies. "We train three or four hours a day together, support each other, and trust each other," she remarked. That closeness, she says, helps her cope with being separated from friends and relatives in Hungary. "My team is my second family now," Hajnal added. The strong bond she has with her coaches and teammates resonates in her swimming and is a large part of why she has become an even better swimmer since she arrived in Blacksburg. "I am stronger, my turns are better, and my finish is my secret weapon, but this is all just a part of my growth," Hajnal explained. Despite the miles that separate her from her loved ones, Hajnal said she feels comfortable with her move to Blacksburg: "The most important thing is that mentally I'm absolutely fine here. I love my wildlife major, I love swimming, I love working with this team and these coaches, and I think I made the best decision of my life by coming to Virginia Tech."

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Letters to Editor Remember the Past and You’ll Preserve the Future Dear editor, The Roanoke City Market building was the pride and joy of Roanoke City in the years of the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Everyone went there to buy meat that the butchers cut up and sold by the pound. There was ground fresh hamburger everyday. Butchers F.P. Murray,Wiggin Brothers, Hannbas and others bought cows, pigs, hogs, lambs and rabbits. There was a small room beside the middle entrance on the Wall Street side where they skinned and split it down the back, cut it in quarters and carried to the butchers. Up stairs there was wrestling, boxing, walk-a-thons, policemen and fireman balls, public dancing, basketball and other events. What a great enjoyment that building has given people. Roanoke officials should leave the windows, doors, and the outside like it is - original. The inside first floor is nice.We should have only local people operating business there and their rent should be as low as possible. No Burger King,Wendy’s, Long John Silver or others. On the other floors simply do repairing or some remodeling if needed and rent it at a fair price to companies or individuals. The building is the heart of Roanoke and it should stay like it is - one of the true beautiful antiques of our city. If you went to New Orleans and told the people to remod-

el the buildings on Bourbon Street they would say you are crazy. That is what I say here. City Council should consult the people here, instead of hiring people out of town to tell us what to do. The Old Timers could tell them a lot. Suttie Economy Roanoke

Global Warming Alarmist: Evil and Wrong Dear editor, A current movie-video by Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney gives Al Gore and his alarmist associates the benefit of the doubt about their intentions and integrity by naming their movie “Not Evil Just Wrong.” But the recent release of thousands of emails from the inner circle of Consensus-Alarmists now makes it clear that they are both Evil and Wrong! Would you buy a used car from two PHD’s that explain their fraudulent work as follows: In a 1999 e-mail exchange about charts showing climate patterns over the last two millenniums, Phil Jones, a longtime climate researcher at the East Anglia Climate Research Unit, said he had used a “trick” employed by another scientist, Michael Mann, to “hide the decline” in temperatures. Dr. Mann, a professor at Penn State, confirmed in an interview that the e-mail message was real. He said the choice of words by his colleague was poor but noted that scientists often used the

Sunny FM Bus Riders Give and Receive Nothing will get you into the holiday spirit like Christmas classics on Sunny FM. It has become a holiday tradition to be the first to play Christmas music on the radio and include a holiday bus trip for listeners. On every Sunny bus trip, we try to help a non-profit group. This time, we were fortunate to be able to donate a check to Stu Israel with RAM (Roanoke Area Ministries) for $500 to help their programs. On Saturday, December 5, Sunny FM, along with the Botetourt Parks and Recreation, boarded our motor coach with 58 folks ready for a little Christmas. That morning, we got the first snow of the season – adding to the holiday spirit as we started our journey. Upon arrival in Abingdon, we learned about the town where Daniel Boone camped and how it took the name Wolf Hills because of wolves living in a nearby cave. We visited the Tavern – the town’s oldest building – built in 1779. It was the first Post Office and Civil War Hospital for the area. We also saw the beautiful Martha Washington Inn where as legend has it - to this day - a ghost can be occasionally be heard playing a violin from Room 432. At our next destination, Barter Theatre, our group had a chance to step back in time to the early days of radio and the Theatre’s production of WMKS: Where Music Kills Sorrows by Frank Higgins. Imagine moving the Waltons to Big Stone Gap. It was a taste of reality radio, story-telling, and the singing heartfelt songs. It was truly Lars Hagen a celebration of sacrifice just like Moneta Mary and Joseph. There were also plenty of Christmas memories as WWII

word “trick” to refer to a good way to solve a problem, “and not something secret.” The US Congress and other governments are using the data from these Consensus-Alarmists to impose energy rationing and massive taxes and spending upon the American people. Congress should immediately call hearings into the content of these Emails and demand formal release of all documentation by all the groups upon which our national energy policy is being redirected. Sen. James Inhofe, an Oklahoma Republican, said recently that the leaked correspondence suggested researchers “cooked the science to make this thing look as if the science was settled, when all the time of course we knew it was not,” Instead of going to Copenhagen to participate in the Global Warming Alarmist Convention, Obama should be calling a summit to bring ALL the scientists together to review the real and valid data that clearly belies the Gore-Hypothesis that humans have caused our 250 years of natural global warming that began in 1750, at the end of the little ice age. One degree warming in the last 100 years and no warming in the past 10 years does not represent a global warming crisis that is clearly not man-made. Our energy dependence on our enemies is the crisis and our government has not implemented plans for any change to that dependence.

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The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. took its toll on America back in 1942. The Carroll family was the perfect onstage gift for what was come. Doc, Alma, Cindy, Willy and Arthel, not to mention Audrey, Robert and Johnny Carroll (sort of the Elvis of Big Stone Gap) all had simply incredible voices and could tell a story through their songs. You’ll leave there feeling a little closer to your family. (WMKS: Where Music Kills Sorrows runs through Dec 27.) Next stop: a visit to Virginia Intermont College on Moore Street in Bristol. Across the street from the college is where Moore’s Potato Chips got their start. We stopped at the small liberal arts college – founded in 1884 by a Baptist minister – for a delightful dinner in their dining room. The college is known for their photography and equestrian programs, not to mention friendly staff and students on campus. From there, we couldn’t wait to experience the sights of the 13th season of the Autotrader. com “Speedway in Lights” powered by TVA. If you’re a race fan, when you think of the World’s O Sacred Heart of Jesus, may you be praised and adored, glorified and loved, now and forever, throughout the world, until the end of time. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, help of the helpless, pray for us. Amen

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Fastest Half-Mile – Bristol Motor Speedway – you think of fast cars. That’s not the case during the holiday season. The slower the better, as Thunder Valley becomes one of the nation’s largest holiday celebrations. Along the 4.5 mile drivethrough route there are nearly 2 million lights and more than 200 light displays. It’s like being at the North Pole, with reindeer, elves, and...dinosaurs. One of the most incredible displays was the Sea of Illumination by Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, featuring sharks, fish and other sea creatures. Speedway in Lights also features the Subway Christmas Village where kids can meet Santa, roast marshmallows and enjoy hot chocolate. Proceeds from Speedway in Lights benefit the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, a non-profit group dedicated to distributing funds to the area children’s charities. On this Saturday night, we felt like Kyle Busch taking the checkered flags last season, but in Santa’s motor coach loaded with good little boys and girls. Hope you can join us next year! Happy holidays! (Tickets for Speedway in Lights, open nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., now through Jan 2, are available at the Bristol Motor Speedway gate. $10 for cars, Sunday through Thursday; $12 Friday & Saturday. Activity fans $15 each night and buses $65 each night.) By Larry Dowdy, Sunny Mornin’ Show

Jefferson Surgical Clinic participates in Medicare, Medicare Advantage, & Medicare Secondary Plans: AARP / Medicare Complete Advantra Freedom Advantra Silver/Savings Aetna Medicare American Progressive Anthem Medicare Arcadian Health Plan / Southeast Community Care Cigna Medicare Deseret Secure

Jefferson Surgical Clinic participates in Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans important to you, our patients. For more than 50 years, Jefferson Surgical Clinic has been a part of your Roanoke Valley life, providing the best in specialized medical care for you and your family. If you are considering changing your Medicare plan, be sure YOUR doctors are included among the available network providers. Unless you are changing to the Carilion Plan, your insurance does not change with Jefferson Surgical Clinic. We want to be here for you, no matter which Medicare plan you choose.

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Robert L.A. Keeley, M.D.

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Locally-available plans from which Jefferson Surgical Clinic is excluded: Carilion Clinic Medicare Health Plan

Valley Business

Page 12 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/18/09-12/24/09

Survey Shows Salaries Remain Flat in Roanoke Region

A broad survey of 74 Roanoke Valley companies this fall has found that more than half (44) did not offer salary increases to employees during 2009, and among those who did, increases averaged just 1.3 percent. The compensation survey, conducted by Titan Group, a Virginia-based human resources consulting firm, in cooperation with the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, offers a ray of good news for 2010, with salary increases expected to be 3.1 percent on average. Even so, 32 companies (43%) said they do not have salary increases budgeted for the coming year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Given the state of the economy, these findings are not unexpected, but it is important to quantify them,â&#x20AC;? said Jeff Smith, who manages the Titan Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roanoke office. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This has been a difficult year across the boardÂ [in] manufacturing, retail, and service sector. What is encouraging, however, is the sense of optimism among some companies that they will be able to offer more sizeable salary increases in the year ahead.â&#x20AC;? Over the past seven years, Titan Group has surveyed companies in the Richmond area. The just-released survey of Roanoke companies is Titanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first in the market. The survey covers 114 different job classifications in the region, providing information on base compensation and bonuses and sorting the data by company size (number of employees and revenue) and ownership, i.e. public or privately held.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This kind of data is important to companies so that they can ensure that their employee compensation is in line with the market,â&#x20AC;? Smith said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Generally speaking, firms do not want to be overpaying or underpaying their employees, and comprehensive, localized surveys such as this are the best barometer for determining where a company fits on the compensation spectrum. More importantly, firms want to make sure that their most talented employees are offered competitive salaries since talent is a significant factor for success in most companies. We were particularly pleased to partner with the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce on our inaugural survey in this market and hope to make this an annual or semi-annual event.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our mission at the Roanoke Regional Chamber is to make things better for business. This survey provides area businesses with the kind of resources they need to better operate their businesses and make solid decisions. Helping to facilitate this survey certainly falls within that charge,â&#x20AC;? said Lisa Link, vice president, research and logistics for the chamber. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think these findings will be valuable to members throughout the Roanoke Region. The Chamber credits the assistance of the Roanoke Valley Society of Human Resource Managers for helping to ensure so many completed surveys. We were pleased with the level of participation and the rewarding opportunity of work-

NewsRoanoke.com

State Farm Insurance Donates $16,000 to Family Service of Roanoke

ing with the Titan Group on this significant undertaking.â&#x20AC;? The survey found median salaries among 114 different job classifications ranged from $20,902 for a janitor to $134,156 for a chief executive officer. The median salary for other C-level jobs also approached six figures, including chief financial officer ($99,699) and chief operating officer ($99,408). The salary mid-point for a financial analysis manager was $100,880. The median of other miscellaneous salaries were: Accountant III (minimum of four years experience) - $55,839, Controller - $76,400, Event and Meeting Coordinator - $38,050, Social/ Case Worker - $34,586, Cook - $23,414, Executive Secretary - $39,103, Office Manager - $36,346, Human Resources Manager - $60,678, Recruiter $38,400, Warehouse Supervisor - $39,305, Mechanical Engineer - $56,014, Customer Service Manager - $58,257, Marketing Coordinator - $42,052, Regional Sales Manager - $75,000, Painter - $31,785, Truck Driver (Heavy) - $29,640, Network Administrator - $47,341. The data are based on salaries as of October 1, 2009. Those participating in the survey are provided with a complimentary copy of the findings. The final report is also available for purchase by non-participating companies through the Titan Group. For more information contact Jeff Smith at 540.400.6875 or jeff@ titanhr.com

Family Service of cerns of senior homeownRoanoke Valley has ers who are in need of asbeen selected as the sistance with trash removal, recipient of the State smoke alarms, improved Farm Good Neighbor locks, simple landscapCitizenship grant, an ing, improved lighting, award that will make strengthening or installing it possible to engage hand rails, repairing mailover fifty youth in the boxes and other challenges Roanoke Valley in serthat might compromise the vice / learning projects Left to Right: Robert Teague, Ellis Redford safety of elderly persons. that benefit a growing & Jon Hannah (State Farm), John Pendarvis Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; service learning and vulnerable popu- & Cheri Hartman (FSRV) projects will focus on the lation in our commuremediation of these safety been found to develop such nity -- the elderly. The and quality of life threats $16,000 award will be used to positive skills as goal setting and facing their older neighbors. apply Family Serviceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Teen healthy decision-making. FamThe inter-generational serOutreach Program (TOP) ap- ily Service will study the impact vice projects funded by State proach to positive youth devel- of the Good Neighbor Citizen- Farm will continue throughout opment, tapping into the best ship project on such student the school year, culminating on within selected middle school outcomes as improved school April 24th, Global Youth Serstudents, by giving them the op- attendance, grades and attitudes vice Day, where the goal will be portunity to help others. This toward school and graduation, to engage about 750 volunteers method of engaging youth in the avoidance of problem be- throughout the Roanoke Valservice / helping activities has haviors and increased levels of ley in a wide range of service been found to prevent problem interest in civic responsibility. projects aimed to improve the On behalf of the community health and welfare of our combehaviors. Youth who engage in service and the seniors, the objectives munity. learning opportunities have will be to address safety con-

National College Sponsors Challenge; Students Learning to Save Lives, Find Jobs

Students in the Master of Business Administration program at the Roanoke Valley Campus recently presented their recommendations to the Roanoke Emergency Medical group (REMS) for operational improvements. The students have been working alongside the organization for several months to assist with budget, membership, and marketing needs. On November 13th, they hosted an event at the campus to share their results with the REMS Board of Directors. REMS representatives were very impressed and expressed appreciation with the marketing and budgetary recommendations by the stu-

Businessmen Bring New Franchise to Roanoke

MBA student presenters are pictured with Dr. Annette ChamLocal Businessmen tional specializes in berlin (left), Department Chair for the MBA Program. Brad Kennedy and restoration projects, a dents. They were especially derful way to increase our exTom Millehan are substantial part of the impressed with the web mar- posure to the young audience ready to help if your business is devoted to home is damaged by cleaning services. The keting advertisements set to we are trying to target. You smoke, fire, water or Rainbow International music. REMS Chief Christo- guys did a great job!" even a spilled punchteam is specially trained pher Dean said, "What a wonbowl. to handle carpet cleanThe two professioning and repair, spot & als with long resumes stain removal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even in the residential concleaning of upholstery struction and hardand draperies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we al Chamber, president and The Roanoke Regional ware industries have can restore your home secretary. Chamber of Commerce, opened the Rainbow Brad Kennedy and Tom Millehan of Rainbow after a flood or a broken New members of the Western Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest International Restora- International. pipe, we can certainly 2010 Board of Directors are: business organization, has tion & Cleaning franhandle spills and other, 2711officers Franklinand Rd.directors Bill Figaro, Grow, Inc.; Ken elected under molding and sill plates. chise of Roanoke. more typical issues,â&#x20AC;? Roanoke, VA 24014Robbins, Randolph, Rockydale Corp.; for 2010. Charles â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe that with our â&#x20AC;&#x153;The equipment from Rainbow said Millehan. Greg Feldman, StellarOne; Southwest Virginia Regioncombined years of experience in International allows us to dry â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tom and Brad are a terrific Todd Leeson, Gentry Locke al President of BB&T, has Salon &Other Dayof-Spa the hardware and home build- your home as quickly as pos- addition of world-class frontRakes & Moore; Sean Luther, been elected chair. ing sectors that this is a natural sible, which keeps damage to a line service for area residents,â&#x20AC;? Downtown Roanoke, Inc.; ficers are: Harold McLeod, minimum and gets people back said Rainbow International fit for us,â&#x20AC;? said Kennedy. Jeff Parkhill, Hughes AssoWachovia Bank, vice-chair; Rainbowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s state-of-the-art in their homes sooner.â&#x20AC;? president David Bethea. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Charles Robbins ciates Architects; and Sarah Kathy Baske Young, Blue The same is true for smoke excited to have them on the equipment is the best available Powell, Advance Auto Parts. Ridge Resources, LLC, pastBrothers Co., vice-chair public when a home is damaged by fire damage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Smoke permeates Rainbow International team SERVING THE ROANOKE VALLEY The Roanoke Regional chair; Steven Anderson, Intepolicy; Joe Miller, E.J. Miller or water. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In either case itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s im- cracks and crevices and leaves and know [they] will do a great Chamber of Commerce was grated Textile Solutions, Inc., ! Construction, vice-chairCOUPON busiCOUPON portant to have professionals on odors behind,â&#x20AC;? said Kennedy. job serving [their] customers. â&#x20AC;? established in 1889 and has apvice-chair membership; Jim ness assistance; Kim Stanley, site as quickly as possible,â&#x20AC;? said â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we can get in there right To learn more about the serLee, JBL Consulting, LLC, vice- Cox, vice-chair-at-large; and proximately 1,300 members in Millehan who noted that water away we can permanently re- vices of Rainbow International, chair of operations treasurSalon &and Day Spa Joyce Waugh, Roanoke Region- 42 localities. damage is progressive as mois- move those odors.â&#x20AC;? visit their website at http://www. er; Kenneth L. Lanford, Lanford Though Rainbow Interna- rainbowinternational.com/ Salon & Day Spa ture wicks up walls and travels elcome

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Arts & Culture

NewsRoanoke.com

General Assembly of Virginia Designates Virginia Rail Heritage Region

Six rail-related museums and historical societies in western Virginia recently announced the Virginia General Assembly's designation of Virginia's Rail Heritage Region. The designation formalizes the group's ongoing cooperative relationships with the goal of attracting more tourists—and more tourist spending—to the region. The primary goal of the partnership is joint promotion of the region's significant rail heritage tourism assets: multiple museums, active rail lines, historic sites, and the activities of the historical societies. By promoting multiple attractions, the partners expect visitors to stay more nights in the region—and spend more while here. According to research by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, visitors to museums in Virginia spend 4.5 nights in Virginia, compared to an average of 3.2 nights by non-museum visitors. Museum visitors also spend more in Virginia: traveling parties that visit museums spend an average of $968, more than double the $449 spent by traveling parties that do not include a museum visit. On the national level, according to research conducted by the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Commerce, fully 40% of all leisure travelers in the U.S. actively engage in cultural and heritage travel, and 24% of U.S. leisure travelers (36 million adults) plan to take a cultural/heritage trip within the next 12 months. As evidence of the national and international draw of the partner organizations: • The O. Winston Link Museum reports New York, Washington, DC, and London as its second, third, and fourth top cities of travel party origin. • 65% of visitors to the Virginia Museum of Transportation

originate from more than 100 miles away, with half from out of state or out of the country. • While the Norfolk & Western Railway operated in only six states, the Norfolk & Western Historical Society has members in 40 states and 16 foreign countries. • The recent excursions hosted by the Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society included passengers from Canada and many states across the US. • The partners have a history of working together: on joint events including fund-raising events, joint ticketing, cross promotion, national advertising, and even the loan or transfer of very significant archives and artifacts such as locomotives. • The designation will enable the partners to work together in more powerful ways. Efforts are already underway: the partners have developed a logo for the region and a rack card, and a web site is under development. In addition, the partners are collaborating on grants that would provide additional funding for live rail web cams in Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Clifton Forge; highway signage; and national advertising of the region. The Region encompasses the following jurisdictions, all of which supported the designation: The cities of Bedford, Covington, Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Salem, the counties of Alleghany, Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell, and Roanoke as well as the towns of Amherst, Buchanan, Clifton Forge, Iron Gate, Troutville, and Vinton. As part of the announcement the partners acknowledged the significant contributions of William Fralin, Jr., Delegate of Virginia, and John Edwards, Senate of Virginia, the chief patrons of the Resolution, as well as the local governments throughout the region.

working technology -- to promote its use of such services. A link to the page can be found at the RSO’s web site at www. rso.com Last fall, the RSO introduced an online audio podcast series called “Inside the Music” in which maestro Wiley explores the classical repertoire from the RSO’s Masterworks Series of concerts.

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The Betty Branch Studio during a recent open house. Every December noted sculptor Betty Branch opens the doors of her downtown studio and gallery on Warehouse Row to art enthusiasts. Also included are works from some of her talented children; this year Sally, Polly and Bonny Branch also exhibited. Sally Branch displayed some of her pastel oil color paintings, many of which were set in Ireland. “It’s a really wonderful opportunity to work together in preparing for the event, and [a chance] to see each other’s work,” said Sally Branch. The studio Open House will also run next week at certain times of the A sculpture on display. day. (Call 344-4994 for details.)

Blue Ridge PBS From Lincoln Center" will broadcast "Dance special celebrates allin America: San American favorites Francisco Ballet's conducted by the orNutcracker" on Dec. chestra's new music 21 at 9 p.m. This endirector, Alan Gilbert, core "Great Perforwith soloist Thomas mances" presentation Hampson and music features dazzling chofrom Gershwin, Coreography and the pland and Broadway. magnificent TchaiThis glamorous evekovsky score. The ning rings in the New San Francisco Ballet Year with Gershwin's makes this beloved A scene from the San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker. beloved "An American ballet its own, resetin Paris," Copland's hosts. ting it during the 1915 Panama The station will then brings "Appalachian Spring Suite" and Pacific International Exhibi- the holiday season and the year "Old American Songs," and setion and introducing dancers to an end with "New York Phil- lections from Broadway musiMaria Kochetkova and Davit harmonic New Year's Eve," air- cals. Alec Baldwin hosts. Visit Karapetyan. Olympic champion ing Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. This "Live www.BlueRidgePBS.org for upfigure skater Kristi Yamaguchi dated schedules.

David Wiley is music director and conductor for the RSO. tra in concert together, and a 37% increase in the number of Symphony-to-the-Max subscribers (all subscription concerts) during the same period. The RSO has further broadened its programming to provide more “entry points” for diverse audiences to find and enjoy quality performances of classical music, which is the heart of its mission. This includes new and unique programs in collaboration with rock musicians and visual performers, as well as corporate leadership training events created and led by music director David Wiley. The NEA study, Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, along with the LAO’s Audience Demographic Research Review, also reveal some encouraging news to the RSO and orchestras across the country. There is a high level of interest in classical music online and through electronic media. The RSO recently launched the web page it calls “RSO 2.0” -- a reference to the “Web 2.0” interactive and net-

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Blue Ridge PBS Offers Festive Holiday Musicals

Roanoke Symphony Counters National Audience Trends

The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, led by music director David Wiley, is enjoying increases in sales and attendance recently despite reports of dwindling audience sizes nationally. The new information, released by the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), combined with an earlier report conducted by the League of American Orchestras (LAO), outlines declines in participation rates for orchestras, other performing arts, and cinema, as well as live sporting events and other activities during the period of 2002 to 2008. According to previous national studies, classical music audience sizes grew over a 20 year period, from 21.8 million in 1982, up to 24.6 million in 2002. In the past 6 years, audience size dropped down to 21.3 million. For the RSO, the past few years have yielded an upturn in sales. With its sights already focused on study recommendations, the RSO is thinking creatively about its role in a culture of changing expectations. During the past few years, the RSO has anticipated and concentrated on practices that show promise in countering the national trends. Exploring ticket pricing, alternate venues, programming, touring, education, new media and social networking services, are all part of the RSO’s strategic plan. Progress indicators now include an astounding 316% increase in subscribers between 2004 and 2008 for its Picnic at the Pops Series, presenting renowned pops artists and symphony orches-

12/18/09-12/24/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 13

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