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Community | News | Per spective

December 26, 2008

Goodlatte Appointed Vice Ranking Member Of House Judiciary Committee

Making Tracks

P2– Delegate William Fralin throws additional support behind passenger rail and the TransDominion Express.

Congressman Bob Goodlatte was elected by the House Republican Conference on the recommendation of the Republican Steering Committee and Judiciary Ranking Member Lamar Smith (TX-R) to serve as the Vice Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee. Congressman Goodlatte has been an active member of the House Judiciary Committee since he was elected to Congress. “I am truly honored to have been chosen to serve in this position of leadership,� said Congressman Goodlatte. “The Judiciary Committee, which has far-reachWashington ing legislative jurisdiction, is one of the most active committees in Congress. In fact, one-third of all legislation introduced in Congress is referred to the Judiciary Committee, and they include a broad range of issues that affect every American.� The scope of the Judiciary Committee includes civil and criminal judicial proceedings, federal courts and judges, as well as issues related to

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Well Written P3– Kurt Rheinheimer finds far more than a career in writing, editing and publishing.

Holiday Hoopla P7– Stars old and new will be on hand at this weekend’s Holiday Hoopla tournament in Salem.

Specified Art P11– The new “Site Specific Art� exhibition at Hollins University Museum begins January 8.

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Turn off the lights ‌ save the planet?

Live nativity welcomes thousands for Christmas

From the news editor

Mark McClain addresses 10th grade biology students at William Byrd.

Photo by Dot Overstreet

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or more than two decades Penn Forest Christian Church in southwest Roanoke County has welcomed thousands of people during the weekend before Christmas for its Live Nativity presentation. Live characters and a menagerie of animals (including camels) from the Natural Bridge Zoo are set up in various scenes around the church complex. Drivers circle the parking lot to view seven scenes, including the angel’s announcement to Mary that she will be the mother of God’s son, Joseph and Mary on their way to Bethlehem, the manger with baby Jesus and the wise men following the star to find the Christ child. More than half the congregation at Penn Forest Christian is involved with the live Nativity every year.

Forest Park Academy Grads Recognized - Walmart Donates $25,000 Seven students were recognized last Thursday as the first graduates of Forest Park Academy at the Hotel Roanoke. Among them was Charneice Davis, 18, who just passed the Algebra SOL test and will graduate from the new “over age� academy as the first semester ends in January. This was only a few weeks after her older brother, Chaz, passed the same test to become the first Forest Park Academy graduate. Chaz gave Charneice the inspiration to give it a shot too. Chaz and Charneice were forced to drop out of school Photo by Valerie Garner after their mother died 10 years ago. Charneice was sure Forest Park students with check from Wal-Mart. she could not pass the Algebra Roanoke City Schools offi- the “Meade Computer� - just SOL with only a week’s prepa- cial Lissy Merenda instructed like “Apple Computer,� said ration but the staff worked the students in social and Meade. with her late into the evenings workplace skills. The students Asha Wright, 17, plans to and now she is on track to are now “well rounded indi- go to Virginia Western Comcomplete all requirements for viduals,“ said Merenda. Donna munity College before transgraduation in January. Dilley’s dance class evidently ferring to King College in Wal-Mart Marketing Man- paid off as the students dem- Tennessee. She has excellent ager Mark Young and Aaron onstrated the merengue on the grades but would have been a Robins, Manager of the 220 hotel’s dance floor. (See related few credits short of graduatWal-Mart Store, presented story on page 2.) ing in June if it were not for Forest Park principal Eric AnTerrance Meade, 17, will the accelerated course work at derson, School Administrator graduate in June and plans to the Academy. Wright said she, Rita Bishop and School Board go to the University “just loves babies,� and has Chairman David of North Carolina plans to be a neonatal nurse. Forest Park Carson with a check to become a comSchool Board member Todd for $25,000. Young puter engineer. Putney, said that “the people said that the check His lofty goal is to invent his would help make [the Acad- very own machine that he will > CONTINUED emy] even bigger and better.� name (with a little humility) P2: Forest Park

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Yes, Diana Christopulos and her companion Mark McClain are unabashed tree huggers, with the Cool Cities Coalition and the Sierra Club being their major missions these days. The couple finished a through-hike of the Appalachian Trail earlier this year and spend much Our Take of their time talking about saving the earth – from actions as “minor� as passing out compact fluorescent light bulbs; those swirling, squiggly bulbs that use about 75 percent less energy than do the regular fluorescents, according to McClain. He explained as much to several classes at William Byrd High School last week, trying along with Christopulos to elicit answers from students that may have been planning

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> CONTINUED P2: Goodlatte

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> CONTINUED P3: Our Take

Kisumu Sister City Committee Honors Chairwoman

Photo by Valerie Garner

Diane D’Orazio, (left) outgoing Chair receives a plaque from Dr. Marylen Harmon.

One of Roanoke’s sister cit- ed Methodist Church last ies, Kisumu, is located just 60 Thursday, the annual Christmiles from Kogelo, the ances- mas potluck dinner was held tral home of President-Elect by the Kisumu Sister City Barack Obama in Kenya. Committee. Diane D’Orazio That’s where his eighty-seven stepped down as Chair of the year old grandmother, Sarah committee after five years of Onyango Obama, lives along service. Betty Kolb and Dr. with other family members. Marylen Harmon will serve They are guarded by Kenyan as co-chairs beginning the police these days, as first of the year. In the matriarch spends another change anSister City most of her day renounced Thursday, ceiving guests. David Lisk has reKisumu is an important signed as Executive Director port on busy Lake Victoria, of Roanoke Valley Sister Citthe world’s second largest ies, Inc. due to poor health. fresh water body on the west- Jack Tompkins who serves ern side of Kenya, a keystone > CONTINUED of East Africa. At South Roanoke Unit- P3: Sister City

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Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/26/08

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> Forest Park From page 1

that don’t interact with these students don’t know how great these kids are - they just don’t get it. People have a tendency to stay at arms-length but these students have a story behind their faces, as well as a high level of motivation.” Putney said a missed opportunity for these children to become productive citizens not only affects the rest of their lives By Valerie Garner but impacts the community as a whole. info@theroanokestar.com

“Poison Ivy” at Forest Park Academy

“At night when you're sleeping poison ivy comes a creeping around.” No, there were no students twitchin’ and itchin’ in Forest Park Academy’s gym recently as 14 students danced to tunes like the song “Poison Ivy,” originally recorded by The Coasters in 1959. (,-'. The Forest Park Academy gym is where 123 Donna Dilley taught what started out as a 6(:(;.-< “ballroom dance“ class but evolved into other dances like the cha-cha and some good ol‘ rock and roll moves. In addition to dance classes, Dilley conducts etiquette-training programs for young people through the National League of Junior Cotillions. These programs help middle and high school students build self-esteem, confidence and character. “Dr. Bishop wanted to build social capital in all activities,” said Forest Park Principal Eric Anderson. Anderson admitted that his own experience in failing the traditional waltz test at a wedding sold him on the need for the dance class. The same 18 students (nine couples) have taken the classes since they started in November.

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A Norfolk Southern locomotive travels the rails through Roanoke on its way to Tidewater. Many Roanokers are hoping that similar engines may soon be hauling passenger cars towards Washington DC and beyond.

TransDominion Express between Roanoke and Washington gets further support from Fralin Photo by Valerie Garner

Instructor Donna Dilley with a student at Forest Park Academy. “If they do their work all week then they can go to dance class,” said Anderson. The excitement was evident during the last 2:00 to 3:30 PM Friday afternoon dance class and was proof of their motivation to “do the work.” The students’ next challenge could be a “Dance with the Stars” competition. Anderson admitted that the first year of Forest Park Academy has been a challenge. Not all students have stuck it out, but as Anderson said to them on orientation day, the “staff is not babysitters … if you don’t want to be here then this is not the school for you.” Anderson said staff is “learning [the program] as they go.” The Outreach Department goes to students’ homes while the Fulfillment Department holds student-planning sessions where students are exposed to all career paths. By Valerie Garner info@theroanokestar.com

Delegate William Fralin (R-Roanoke) announced his support for the Rail Resource Allocation Plan, released last week by the Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). The plan calls for monies dedicated by the General Assembly in the Rail Enhancement Fund to be used to begin upgrades and other requirements for future passenger rail services to Roanoke. While rail service will not be initiated immediately, a phased implementation is proposed to evaluate needs to improve current rail lines and facilities, and begin initial projects to accommodate Amtrak service to Roanoke, with service to Boston, MA in the future. Currently the closest line departure is Lynchburg. Previously Del. Fralin signed a bipartisan letter sent to Governor Kaine in support of the TransDominion Express between Roanoke and Washington, DC, which would include stops in Lynchburg, Charlottesville and Culpeper. The letter expressed a strong commitment to bringing more frequent, accessible and reliable passenger rail service to the US29 corridor. Roanoke has not had passenger rail service for more than thirty years and expanded service between Lynchburg and Washington, DC should include future

access to passenger rail for Roanoke area citizens and business travelers. A January 2008 study by Amtrak, done at the request of the DRPT, stated that Roanoke serves as both a destination city and a major regional transportation center with close proximity to Virginia Tech, and other nearby cities. “An area the size of the Roanoke Valley should certainly have this option available. I am very pleased that the Kaine administration, working with Amtrak and Norfolk Southern, has been able to start the process to ultimately extend passenger rail service to the Roanoke Valley. Roanoke was built on transportation, in particular on the rail, and it should have a passenger rail component to serve its citizens. I am committed to working with my fellow legislators, the administration and Amtrak to ensure Roanoke has access to this vital transportation option in the future,’’ said Delegate Fralin. Delegate Fralin represents the 17th District in the House of Delegates and is a member of the Transportation Committee. The district encompasses parts of the City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, and Botetourt County.

> Goodlatte From page 1

NEW YEAR’S EVE 2009 FEATURING

said Judiciary Committee Ranking bankruptcy, abortion, espionage, terMember Lamar Smith. “During his rorism, civil liberties, constitutional tenure on the Committee, Bob has amendments, gun owners rights, been a leading voice on issues rangimmigration, antitrust laws and iming from national security and impeachment proceedings, just to name migration enforcement to civil liba few. erties and intellectual property. His The Judiciary Committee is wellunwavering commitment to justice suited to many of Congressman and his willingness to reach across Goodlatte’s stated legislative prioriparty lines make him an invaluable ties which include reining in wastemember of the Committee and I ful spending by requiring the government to have a balanced budget, Bob Goodlatte look forward to working with him in this new role next Congress.” reforming the tax code to make it In addition to his new role on the fairer and simpler, protecting private property rights, and ensuring the Internet is House Judiciary Committee, Congressman free from regulatory burdens and combating Goodlatte, who was required to step down as the lead Republican on the House Agriculture spyware. “The scope of the Judiciary Committee Committee because of a three term limit set provides Members who serve there the op- by the House Republican Leadership in 1994, portunity to consider and debate some of the was selected to serve as the Ranking Memmost significant issues of our day. It is an ber on the Subcommittee on Conservation, honor to serve Virginia and our nation in this Credit, Energy and Research. This subcomcapacity and I look forward to my continued mittee has jurisdiction over a wide range of legislative work on the Judiciary Committee issues including water conservation, energy in the coming Congress,” said Goodlatte. production, rural electrification, agricultural “I’m happy to have Congressman Goodlatte credit and agricultural research and educaserve as Vice Ranking Member of the House tion. Judiciary Committee for the 111th Congress,”

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Kurt Rheinheimer finds far more than a career in writing, editing and publishing Kurt Rheinheimer, Editor In Chief of Leisure Publishing, is a man with an impish smile and few words, all softspoken and carefully chosen. But he can write largely like the omniscient, red devil himself. So the adage: “What you see is what you get,� doesn’t quite apply. Rheinheimer, 62, came to Leisure when he was just 38, after spending years as a local social worker dealing with mentally retarded clients. “When I stepped into my position as editor of Leisure I knew I had found the ultimate dream come true, to actually be paid for what I most loved to do, which was and is writing,� Rheinheimer said. The devoted staff of Leisure Publishing and its cerebral editor are responsible for the production of Mountain Homes, Blue Ridge Country, the Virginia is for Lovers Travel Guide, and The Roanoker Magazine-publications with a combined readership that currently goes well into the millions. As Rheinheimer explained it, the job of an editor is always inspiring, never mentally or emotionally depleting. “That’s why I can still go home around five o’clock, eat a little supper and begin writing by about six,� Rheinheimer said, referring mostly to his widely acclaimed short stories. A collection of those stories gathered over a thirty year period entitled “Little Criminals� won him the Spokane Prize for Short Fiction in 2003, and was published in paperback by Eastern Washington University Press. The book intimately the seldom explored lives of everyday people who for various reasons adore baseball almost as much as the writer himself. R.T. Smith, Editor of the Shenandoah Review, describes some of Rheinheimer’s protagonists in Little

Criminals as “living lives of quiet desperation.� They may be doing that, but they’re doing it amid the alluring backdrop of peanuts and cracker jacks, a life-sized stage set with wise-cracker fans and red-faced umpires. Coal-honed diamonds and baseball diamonds are all the same to Rheinheimer, so the reader can feel the itchy tension between that which is terribly sweet, yet edged with a tangy saltiness to the point of burning the tongue - all in the same hand. The author’s themes in this collection and in other stories focus on the ubiquitous, and frequently disgusting American dichotomy between the very rich and the very poor. “My wife Gail and I noticed this alarming disparity between the haves and the have-nots as we headed down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in the summertime, and we saw so much poverty along the way in the small towns along the Pee Dee River,� Rheinheimer said. “So that particular stretch of land became kind of etched in my mind, and was transformed into the setting of the story “‘Shoes.’� “Shoes� is the heartwrenching story of a character who doesn’t understand why his simplest desires in life cannot be met. Both ignorance and indignation rise up in a new voice of murderous rage that ripples in a gentle fever just under the surface of the water. The reader is reticent to look down too deeply, for fear of catching a glimpse of his or her own reflection. Does the writer ever confer with the Muse at midnight? Well, yes and no. “I don’t believe in Muses as much as I believe in discipline and a certain amount of solitude,� Rheinheimer said, “but I do see my stories

Kurt Rheinheimer as rising up from the energy of the land.� If a motto could be coined to describe Rheinheimer’s work it might be: “Geography is destiny.� “I didn’t realize the extreme importance of setting in my work until a reviewer pointed out that all of my stories begin with a brief, but vivid description of the land,� Rheinheimer said. “Once I can see the geography of the place in my mind, the character emerges and takes on a life of his or her own.� Rheinheimer’s characters rise up pure and fresh-faced from the fields, mountains and beaches, but they are not purely produced from his memory. After all, he grew up in Baltimore, Maryland with middle-class advantages that many of his characters have never had. They are primarily hungry people, both psychologically and literally in the sense that the culture has somehow betrayed them. “I suppose that my work does have a quality of the pathetic in it in the sense that it is sometimes nihilistic,� Rheinheimer said, “but I can’t comment on whether that is philosophically postmodern or not.� Rheinheimer’s perceptions come to him like voices from the land itself. Ironically, his own memo-

> Sister City From page 1

as Chairman on the Wonju (South Korea) Committee will be the new director of RVSCI, along with Dr. Robert Roth, President. D’Orazio presented a slide show of a trip to Kisumu in 2007. Mark Young pointed out the Vocational Training Center he helped build while on the trip. D’Orazio noted that the schools were largely empty when they visited and speculated that funding for school operation was not reaching its intended target. Slides revealed young boys

living on the streets and the lack of clean drinking water. A power sharing agreement has quieted the demonstrations that broke out during the January elections but desire for a better life and obstacles in the way have frustrated many Kenyans. “Eighty percent of the businesses were destroyed during the violence,� said D’Orazio. The corrupt government wants to hold on to its power and money while the Kenyan people struggle in poverty. The U.S. State Department

now warns citizens to be on guard when traveling to Kenya. Kisumu has been a Roanoke Sister City for over 30 years. The current focus of the Kisumu Sister City Committee is to build and nurture collaborative relationships that promote education and health care for young people, while finding ways to reach out to strong, resilient Kisumu citizens. By Valerie Garner info@theroanokestar.com

> Our Take From page 1

their Christmas break already. Even if you do not believe that carbon emissions are the main cause of global warming, or if you question global warming itself, as does at least one columnist for this paper, the thought that human beings can help preserve what fossil fuel sources we have left for future generations by recycling and turning off lights when someone leaves a room sounds easy enough. Unless you’ve tried to get teenagers to turn off lights. McClain also spoke to students about the need to harvest sustainable energy sources - the ones that are replenished, like solar and wind. “The way we make and use energy needs to be addressed,â€? said McClain. Who knows, in two to four years, armed with college degrees, some of those kids last week at William Byrd may be designing more efficient collection systems for sustainable energy sources, perhaps inspired by the Salem couple’s presentation. Wind energy, solar and geothermal could replace several hundred coal-fired plants by 2030, said McClain, if everyone climbs aboard the renewable energy bandwagon. Bio-fuels for vehicles, like those made with corn, are just a “stopgapâ€? he added, one that puts pressure on the world’s food supply. McClain pushed the “two percent solution,â€? asking students to reduce their own carbon fuel emissions 2% a year for the next 40 years, by driving less, recycling more, using compact fluorescent bulbs, turning off unneeded lights and other appliances. “Get involved,â€? said McClain, who urged the students to, “embrace a conservation culture.â€? Christopulos said the Cool Cities Coalition “are the people in the valley that say, hey, we need to do these things. We feel like we are part of the solution [and] hope you will be too.â€? The couple said they have reduced their own carbon footprint by 30% over the last two years and offer a worksheet at rvccc.org where others can figure out how much carbon dioxide they are pumping into the air. Their presentation came about at the behest of William Byrd guidance coordinator Patrick Patterson, who said “its good for our kidsâ€? to think about such things. Even for those that haven’t signed on to the global warming theory, if we can use up less fossil fuels, preserving them for future generations, while also developing renewable energy sources that could mean cleaner, healthier air – and more jobs for our children – doesn’t it make sense to move in that direction? Now if can just get our kids to turn off the lights when they leave a room ‌ By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Roanoke Star Week of the

ries of himself as an eight year old boy, infatuated with the Baltimore Orioles, is one of magic and the discovery of super heroes clad in orange and black jerseys. “That was a wonderfully happy time in my life,� he said. Later, Rheinheimer studied English and Communications at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, a place that also reassembled itself as the setting of some of his stories. “I came back East to be nearer to my parents’ home in Baltimore, yet not too close to home, and closer to my grandparents’ home in Radford, Virginia,� Rheinheimer said. “You know how it goes, I drove into Roanoke one day – and that was that.� “There were times within the history of Leisure Publishing, that things might have fallen apart if it weren’t for Kurt and my faithful staff,� Richard Wells said. Wells began publishing The Roanoker Magazine 35 years ago. “I didn’t know I was doing anything extraordinary,� Rheinheimer said. “I just showed up and did my thing. Rheinheimer likes to quote actor and director Woody Allen who said: “Ninety percent of success is showing up!� When asked how many rejections he gets, Rheinheimer replied: “Out of twenty submissions, I get nineteen.� But it only takes one good hit to make a home run.

Stanley Figg grew up in Pulaski, Va. After graduating from high school in 1975, he entered the United States Navy, went to diesel engineering and maintenance school, and served in the Navy from 1976-1979. After being honorably discharged, he moved to Roanoke and went to work for Cumins Atlantic as a diesel mechanic, rising to the level of Service Manager in 2003. Stanley Figg He and the former Patricia Delawder married in 1990 and they have one son, Wesley, who is 14. Stan's main interests are his family and spending time working on old cars with his son. Among his favorite places in the Roanoke Valley are the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mill Mountain, Olive Garden, and Applebee's. He and his family reside in Fincastle. By Jim Bullington Have someone in mind for “Roanoke Star of the Week?� E-mail Jim Bullington: JBullPhoto@hotmail.com

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Community Treasures and Economic Solutions

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like old stuff. From things out information. For someone like with deep personal history like me -- who likes old stuff – it was like a my great grandmother’s desk six year old discovering Disney Land. to things I find in “antique shops” How did I not know about this place? where I can only imagine Do they have these all over their story. From the beauthe country? What a briltiful old majestic homes liant concept in the quest in South Roanoke to the for “green” living. Recycle, wonderful old buildings reuse and “give back” all at downtown. I love to imagthe same time! ine the history. Having Don’t get me wrong, I lived all over the country am very aware of Habi– I find the term “antique” tat for Humanity. In fact, varies drastically. In San one of the most significant Francisco and New York, experiences of my youth it means exquisite pieces Stephanie Koehler was spending a week reminiscent of Victorian building a house for a Europe; in Wyoming it means old very deserving family in Baltimore. saloon bottles and cow bells; and in While I learned the handy skills of Philadelphia it means colonial desks sheet rocking and spackling, it was and pewter bowls – but I have dis- about the giving of a “hand up” to covered something very special in a young family whose spirit and dethe Star City of The South when I vis- termination, never faltered – even in ited the Habitat Store in downtown the face of tragedy and hardship. It Roanoke. A treasure in every sense gave me a whole new perspective. It of the word. changed me for the better. When I first moved to the area and As I wandered through the store, was furnishing my turn of the century marveling at the brand new counhome, friends kept encouraging me tertops and admiring the old doors, to go to the Habitat Store. Frankly, something clicked. I had no idea what they were talking Never before has Habitat for Huabout. So, my curious nature sought manity been more relevant than at

this moment. Long before the current mortgage crisis and long before Extreme Home Make Over became a TV hit, this organization was addressing the housing crisis head on – successfully. Not only are they providing new construction and home rehabilitation for low-income families, but they are empowering these individuals to participate in their own success. Partner families invest over 250 hours of “sweat equity” building their home and the homes of other Habi-

tat families and must demonstrate responsible money management. Imagine how much better the world would be if everyone took such ownership for their lives and the well being of their neighbors. In our area alone – Habitat for Humanity has built 153 houses since 1986. When you consider the average family has 4 members – that is 612 people who are now participating in the social and economic vitality of the region in lieu of being a drain on it. This is how the human spirit is lifted and

communities are revived. So, the next time you are looking for that odd hinge for a door; a replacement light fixture for the dining room; a bookshelf for the office; or just an antique treasure – I encourage you to visit the big green building on Salem Avenue downtown. You may not be spackling and sheet rocking – but you are no less helping to rebuild lives and our community.

Contact Stephanie at stephaniekoehler@cox.net

Letting Heaven and Nature Sing To reject the 'world' is not to reject people, society or the creatures of God, but to reject the perverted standards which make men misuse and spoil a good creation. --Thomas Merton

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t's Christmas week, here on the grubby, gritty, mistake-stubbled and holy Earth. While some Christian broadcasters describe the “war on Christmas,” and attacks on Christianity by “the world,” I don't find such wars in my small town, nor up on the nearby mountain, among the wild turkeys, the chickadees in cheerful scrub-pines, the spring cracking cold, musical waters through rock. In fact, I find the story of “incarnation”—God-in-molecules—particularly abundant on this mountain, even if no person is broadcasting a sermon. Like John Muir, I believe the ancient stones here contain scripture. The quiet,

So why have various Christian leaders come down so hard on “Nature” in the past decade? Political-strategistturned-Christian-broadcaster Chuck Colson says environmentalists are “a cult.” They ask people to make sacrifices for the environment. Hence, they practice “human sacrifice.” Televangelist John Hagee encourages Christians to support oil-drilling in ANWR, dismiss endangered species and scorn the “eco-terrorists” who want to preserve wilderness. Recently, my local “Victory FM” radio station has been replaying sermons by the late Jerry Falwell. He explains that water is a divine gift, but God doesn't care about humaninduced droughts. We Christians (being saved, ourselves) are not to try to save the earth, but wait for an evacuation-byrapture, leaving our mess for the Left-Behind folks to fix. “For what will it profit us if

soul-stirring “shhhh” of the stiff oak leaves overhead, the merry wintergreen leaves and red berries below, all exude a sense of “Emmanuel”—or “God with us.” The entire Bible describes God's presence in nature— rivers, mountains, clouds, birds, the tree-of-life from Genesis to Revelations. And so the disparagement of “tree-huggers,” alongside his crusade-for-the-Christmas-tree, waged seasonally by my fellow Virginian Jerry Falwell, used to baffle me. Jesus said, “Ours is a God of the living, not the dead.” So why was it Christian to defend a dead, sawed-off tree, but pagan to defend live trees with roots? As a Christian conservationist, I don't see Christmas as a war between heaven and earth. In The Gospel According to John, “God so loved the world.” Our choirs carol, “Joy to the world....Let Heaven and Nature sing!”

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a post with the National Association of Evangelicals. Once a global-warming “skeptic,” Cizik is now convinced that Christians are called to protect not merely nine months of human life in a womb, but a climate and Earth which make all of life possible. “I'm persuaded that evangelicals can become the activists behind climate change. Because if not us, who?” A growing number of Catholic, Protestant and Jewish leaders are joining in, realizing that if believers say “the earth is the Lord's,” we should not wreck the place. Perhaps this is the real Christmas war—the ancient struggle to honor the spiritual within creatures, instead of exploiting them. Christians, whose leading figure said man could not serve both God and money, are surely appropriate people for demonstrating how to choose life, eternally, over short-lived materialism.

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votes or grassroots we save the whole support, Reed has world and lose our been able to arsouls?” asked a starange client donation ad last year, tions and to call up misquoting Jesus the Falwell Minisas part of Falwell's tries, Pat Robertcampaign against son, James Dobson greenhouse-gas and other Chrisregulation. tian leaders who Why? Speaking Liza Field agree to promote at a Baptist “Stewindustry or political ardship of the Earth” luncheon, in early 2008, Al interests. But many Christian leadGore said that some Christian leaders are “locked into an ers are beginning to quesideological coalition....with tion whether such messages the wealthiest and most pow- originate from prophets or erful who don't want to see profits. Catholic theologian change that's aimed at pro- Father Thomas Berry says that environmentalists, who tecting God's green earth.” Why would these Chris- cry out against business-astians protect worldliness in- usual, are in fact the true prophets of our day. stead of the world? Al Gore is one, says Robert Ralph Reed's work helps explain it. Reed left his Parham of the Baptist Cenchairmanship of the political ter for Ethics. “Prophets are Christian Coalition in 1997 unacceptable because their to start a for-profit consult- truth is inconvenient,” he ing firm, taking his impres- notes of Gore's dismissal by sive Christian database with some Christian leaders. him. Evangelical Richard Cizik So when the interests of provides another prophetic Reed's big-energy, auto, voice—one whose environcommunications, timber and mental slant recently contribpolitical clients have needed uted to calls for him to resign

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C o m mu n i t y | N ew s | Pe r s p e c t i ve Publisher | Stuart Revercomb | stuart@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990

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1 Spied 4 To bar temporarily 8 Male newspaper deliverers 10 Quickness 11 Depend ly13 Crown of the head 14 Extinguished eliverers 16 Terminal abbr. 17 Ironic 18 Circle part 19 Deoxyribonucleic acid (abbr.) 21 Fire remains 22 Pocket 23 ___ come? 24 Cooking measurement 25 Negative To restrain with a bit. 27 (abbr.) acid 28 Greek god of war 30 Juicy 31 Prefix ten 33 Whop ment 34 Female household head 38 Hippy 39 Pacific Standard Time

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News Editor | Gene Marrano | gmarrano@cox.net | 400-0990 DOWN

1 Compass point 2 Spr.. month DOWN 3 Cobweb 4 Satiate 1 Compass point 5 Delivery service 6 Neither's partner Spr.. month 2 3 Cobweb 7 Tinted 8 Pocket bread 4 Satiate 9 Killed 5 Delivery service 10 Password 12 Ruler 6 Neither's partner 13 Role 7 Tinted 15 Family rulers 8 Pocket bread 18 To exclaim in delight. 9 Killed 20 American College of Physicians (abbr.) 10 Password26 Seethe 27 Composer Johann Sebastian 12 Ruler 29 Replace a striker 13 Role 30 Lava 15 Family rulers 32 Snacked 18 To exclaim __delight. Lanka 33 in Type ofofmusic College Physicians (abbr.) 20 American 35 __ A Small World... 36 26 Seethe 37 Social worker?

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12/26/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

Journey East to Cat Ba Island

et’s climb up onto the roof. Maybe they which I so confidently carried at the beginning won’t all follow us.” The decrepit steel- of our visit, is relegated to the depths of my ratty hulled vessel is cleaving the dark waters backpack. Not to worry, however, because we still of Hiaphong Harbor, its diesel engine chugging have our wits about us when it comes to commualong in happy harmony to the cacophony of nication, and I have my notebook and pencil at voices on deck. As usual, Rocky and I are sur- the ready. Plus, we can always employ the timerounded by people, mainly kids. Very curious and honored, “creative gesturing” technique, hopeful very friendly, they press in on all sides, their broad that we don’t accidentally convey something lewd smiles gleaming. They gently touch our hair and and suggestive. clothes. They all talk at once, in a language of When Rocky and I got off the 1950’s-era train which I have absolutely no grasp. These kind kids in Haiphong, I showed my notebook to the first are lovely, but at times they overwhelm us, and pleasant chap I saw. On it I had drawn a picture of this is one of those times. This small freight and a boat and written “CAT BA.” He smiled broadpassenger ferry is designed to carry about 50 pas- ly and pointed that away, and off we ran before sengers, but of course there are about 200 of us the curious crowd engulfed us. At the harbor on board. It’s a bit of a stretch, but we are consid- I showed my boat picture again, and this time I erably taller than our ship mates, so we manage was led by the hand by an ebullient young man to successfully climb up onto the roof to a pier crowded with people, bags of and away from our entourage. Settled rice, and cages of fowl. The scowling in with our lunch of steamed rice lady with stained teeth in the darkened wrapped in banana leaves, we watch ferry office was not having a good day. the bustle of Haiphong fade in our I somehow managed to convey that wake. After a while we enter surreal Rocky and I wanted passage to Cat Halong Bay, part of the South China Ba Island, and she pointed a scraggly Sea noted for its strange and mythical finger at the faded yellow and red boat rock formations. at the end of the ramshackle wooden Rocky, my anesthesiologist buddy, pier. I wrote the symbol for Vietnamand I are in northern Vietnam on a ese money, the Dong, on my pad, and John W. Robinson volunteer teaching gig to the Medishe wrote down an amount which cal Institute of Hanoi. As usual, we was about five times more than we are traveling independently; no host, no guide, expected. Hmmmm. Smiling, I wrote down my no motor coach, no hotel, unless you count our own version of the cost of passage, considerably visit to the ruins of the famed prison, the “Hanoi less, and she responded with a hrrmmph and a Hilton”. It’s a classic adventure, partly because sneer. She crossed out my figure and wrote anothwe can’t speak the language, and very few can er one, only slightly less than her original price. speak ours. Our attempts at Vietnamese, even the We finally emerged from the hut somewhat outmost basic of words or phrases, fall on confused, foxed, but nevertheless clutching what we hoped and amused, ears. The Vietnamese phrasebook, were tickets to the island.

We want to see Cat Ba because it’s rumored to be exquisitely beautiful, as well as spectacularly situated in Halong Bay. The communist government is said to be making a tentative attempt to establish a national park there, the first in the country. This “Bay of Dragons” is a magical place, and today is particularly sublime. The sky is thick with a low, gauzy layer of cloud, and the water is glass calm. Vapors of misty fog surround the weirdly-shaped, soaring towers of karst sandstone. We pass fishermen pulling nets into traditional wooden skiffs, fish flopping. We notice women, dressed in colorful scarves and conical hats, in tiny boats, collecting barnacles from the tide line of the stone towers. Strained faces erupt into grins and laughter as our old boat chugs past. From our vantage point on the cabin roof we see a village in the distance, at the head of a protected bay, full of small boats. The crude chart which I have been following indicates that this must be our destination. As we proceed we notice that the boats that pepper the harbor are fishing craft, but more than that they are homes, festooned with undulating laundry and inhabited by families which span several generations. A woman is drying fish, a wizened old man is tending to a baby. Tiny, tar-covered “basket boats” are being rowed to and fro. There are specialized craft moving among the houseboats too. There is a grocery boat full of produce and rice, another one selling baked goods, another adorned with tin pots and hardware for sale. A greasy, blackened barge supplies diesel fuel by the liter, in reused plastic bottles. Secured to the pilings of the town pier, our ferry is quickly freed from its burden, rising in the water as it shakes off its small tide of passengers

Halong Bay- also known as “The Bay of Dragons.”

and freight. The people spill out and disperse into the village. “Welcome to Cat Ba” I murmur as we pause at the end of the pier, surveying the amazing scene. The sky is lifting and a slight breeze is ruffling my hair. In those moments, before new friends discover us and lead us away, I am not exactly sure of what adventures lay before us. At this point I do not know that we will be exploring the jungle paths on a faulty motorbike, or that we’ll be watching the village rat catchers at work, or that we’ll be spending time with monkey poachers. And I don’t know that in the next few days we’ll be slurping steaming bowls of noodle soup in a remote village stilt house, and falling asleep to the exotic strains of a distant “dung bo.” (Single-string instrument played like dulcimer.) No, I don’t know about any of this yet, but I do know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. “Here they come,” Rocky says, with a nod toward the knot of laughing kids running out the pier to greet us. Contact John at jwr77@verizon.net

The Ugly Christmas Tree

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ll Christmas trees are beautiful… Aren’t they? My 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 go buy it. For us, Christmas was becoming all wrapping, no present. Sabrina felt we should try something different this year. We should adopt a family for Christmas. But who? We called the Bradley Free Clinic and told them our dilemma. A family was chosen. The mother had captivated the folks at the clinic: her kids are well-cleaned, well-mannered, and wellchurched. This single mom takes her kids every day after work at the YMCA to be sure the family spends lots of time together. We were told the family had neither tree nor trim for the Yuletide. Okay. First things first. My son Ches and Sabrina went out and bought lights, ornaments, tinsel and such. Later we stood in our attic in front of the ugly Christmas tree. Sabrina concluded, “Well, let’s take it along. If they don’t want it - and who could blame them? - we’ll just find them another.”

We three loaded the car and drove to the family’s home. In addition to her three adolescent kids, the mother was baby-sitting four others. Ches and I struggled 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 white 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 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 bears 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,

Wishing You a Happy Holiday Season

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he holiday season is well under- nel may find themselves far from the comforts way: there are lights on our neigh- of their homes and their families. Whether bors’ window sills, wreaths hanging they are on an aircraft carrier in storm tossed from city street lights, children are lining up seas, keeping the peace amid hostile resisin local shopping centers for a picture with tance, working on our military bases often in Santa, and there are shopping lists for family remote places around the world, their work and friends. This time of year can seem so is difficult, lonely, and often very dangerous. hectic and can quickly pass us by as we rush While they are often under appreciated, and from task to task attempting to pack in so seldom recognized, theirs is a service marked much in a short amount of time. It is often in by humility and deep dedication to preservthis hustle and bustle that the ing the ideals of our nation true meaning of Christmas is that make the very celebration Rep. Bob Goodlatte sometimes forgotten or overof this season possible. looked. It is also important to reThis is a blessed season marked by the member some folks who are too often forgotcompany of family, of youthful anticipation, ten - the wives, husbands, parents, children and the hope of waking up to a wintry white and other relatives of our troops. These famwonderland of snow. It is a season rooted in ily members must carry on while their loved traditions and celebrations of all kinds. It is ones are away on duty, which can be especialdifficult to imagine living in a country where ly hard during the holiday season. you could not freely practice your faith or As we share the holiday season with our where you must celebrate religious holidays families and friends, let us reflect on the great in private in fear of imprisonment or more blessings that God has bestowed upon our nasevere punishment. We are indeed blessed to tion. We should also pause to remember the live in a nation where we can enjoy so many sacrifices of all of those who strive to make freedoms, but these liberties do not come this nation a better place to live - especially without a price. those brave men and women defending our We continue to enjoy these freedoms on freedoms far from home. I wish them, and a daily basis thanks to the brave servicemen all of you, from my family to yours, a joyous and women who guard our country and help Holiday season, a very Merry Christmas and spread democracy around the world. This a Happy New Year. Holiday Season many of our military person-

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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? Sabrina’s family learned what we were doing; they want to help. For the young mother, what future influence? For her children, who is to say? Therein lies the magic and the mystery. Ches calls a friend later. “It was pretty cool.” His friend’s family used to adopt Christmasfamilies. Because of our story, they’re thinking of doing it again. One thing is certain: for Sabrina and I, this Christmas will be unlike those of the recent past. Finally, what 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, bestowed upon me in the silent wisdom of the ugly Christmas tree is this: I learn, once again, it is through giving that we receive; it is through helping others that we are helped.

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Bizarre but true holiday news stories

ince it’s Christmastime, I take a break from politics and present a few bizarre holiday news stories that caught my eye this week. Burger K-ologne Forget the Old Spice cologne as the traditional man-gift for the holidays. Old Spice is supposed to make you smell and feel like a man at sea. Just you and the sailboat, braving the elements and being manly. OS will now be replaced by the latest offering from world-renowned fragrance designer Burger King. Yes, the King has announced a new fragrance for men just in time for Christmas. It’s a body spray called "Flame," and the company describes it as "the scent of seduction with a hint of flame-broiled meat." The Associated Press reports that BK is marketing the $3.99 scent through a web site featuring a photo of the Burger King character reclining fireside and nearly naked. As one who worked for Burger King to help pay my way through college, I can tell you that after each shift, I would immediately run home and shower to get that $3.99 smell off me. Call me crazy, but I thought the smell of flame broiling and french fry grease was pretty unappealing – and far from “seductive.” Now I feel stupid that I washed down the drain the very thing that could have made me an even bigger man on campus with the ladies. Irish government bans Christmas advertising that promotes religion This story is not humorous, but pathetic. While we often complain that commercialism and political correctness in the U.S. are “taking the Christ out of Christmas,” Ireland is taking things a step further and out-

right banning reliand the disciples dingion in Christmas ing on guinea pig. advertising. Rudolph is really Rules by the a girl Broadcasting ComThe gender of Rumission of Ireland dolph and the rest (BCI) have banned of Santa’s reindeer is a Catholic publisher now actually being from advertising pondered by wildreligious gifts on life experts at Texas the radio to attract A&M University. Brian Gottstein Christmas customNo kidding. ers. The BCI says The AP reports that mentioning "Christmas" that a professor of veterinary during on-air advertising could medicine specializing in deer be offensive, the Catholic News says that Santa's reindeer are Agency and Irish Times report- most likely female. The reason: ed. depictions of the reindeer freA spokesperson for the pub- quently show them with antlers. lisher Veritas noted there are In real life, both male and felots of advertisements allowed male reindeer grow antlers, but for alcohol and other things males usually shed them before that could be deemed “more of- Christmas, while females don’t fensive” to people’s sensibilities shed them until spring. than religion. Others argue that Rudolph, The BCI said it was con- Donner, and the team are actucerned by three lines from the ally castrated males. Castrated ad: "Christmas, aren’t we forget- males cycle their antlers at the ting something? Why not give a same time females do, so they gift that means more? So to give would still have them at Christa gift that means more…" Stores mas. are allowed to advertise ChristThe theory of female and casmastime sales all they want, but trated male reindeer works on advertising apparently crosses some level for me. Rudolph was the line when it has a religious always overly timid around the theme. other reindeer, as if he was lackGuinea Pig: It’s what’s for ing testosterone; and it makes (Christmas) dinner sense that Prancer and Vixen Did you cut back on Christ- were given such “girlie” names mas dinner because of hard eco- because… they were actually nomic times? In Peru, one pro- girls. vincial government promoted I guess the gender debate will that guinea pigs could replace continue to rage on. And that’s the traditional Christmas tur- fine – as long as some politikey. cian doesn’t finagle government The rodents are being pro- grant money for the university’s moted as a low-fat alternative research. Recent history shows and a "tasty, economical op- us it’s more than likely to haption," according to the Asso- pen. (Sorry. I couldn’t write a ciated Press. Apparently, it is column without at least a couple not without precedence, as a political comments.) painting of the Last Supper in a cathedral in the ancient Incan Contact Brian at capital of Cuzco shows Christ bgottstein1@yahoo.com

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Cadets from the William Byrd High School Air Force Jr. ROTC program recently took part in the annual drill competition in which different sections, or “Flights,” compete against each other by performing two drill routines. Each flight performed the same standard drill routine which consisted of several marching maneuvers. Cadets were judged on the precision and execution of these maneuvers. Each flight then performed a special drill routine which they

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developed themselves. Some routines consisted mainly of more complicated marching maneuvers, while other routines included rifle sequences. In all, five flights competed in two different categories, first year flights and upper class flights. E Flight, led by Cadet Travis Meador, won the first year category, with a well-executed special routine including a complex marching sequence. A flight, led by Cadet Jonathan Patrick, won the upper class category with a precision special routine involving two high speed rifle sequences. “I’m proud of all our cadets, especially E and A flights,” said AFJROTC Major Jeff Pruitt. “These students have worked very hard in all kinds of weather practicing their drill routines. I congratulate each and every cadet for their dedication and commitment to the program. I'd also like to thank the family, friends, and WBHS faculty for their support,” Major Pruitt added.

TheRoanokeStar.com

The Recipe of the Week from The Happy Chef by Leigh Sackett

Turkey-Artichoke Tartlets We had our Roanoke Star-Sentinel Christmas party last week. As the Happy Chef I had the honor of preparing the food for the party. It was so much fun. I love making food for people and helping to create an inviting atmosphere. It truly is an honor. It wasn’t long ago (prechildren!) that I entertained a lot more than I do now. It’s funny to think back to a day when on a whim we would invite a house full of people over and I would make all this food for them and act like there was nothing to it. I guess our priorities change, we mellow out and we long for a simpler pace of life. Hopefully though, our desire to serve others and help create a sense of joy and warmth for others does not change. We don’t have to cater parties or have friends over every week to show our hospitality towards them. It is something we should extend in all our moments shared with people. I made this recipe for our RSS party. It is the publisher’s favorite. So put it on your New Year’s party menu or just make it for a few friends! 1 15 oz package of refrigerated piecrusts 2 cups diced cooked turkey 2 (61/2 oz) jars marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped 2/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted ¼ cup minced green onions 3 tbs. mayonnaise 3 tbs. sour cream 1 garlic clove, minced ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. ground black pepper ¼ tsp. ground red pepper

-Unfold 1 piecrust, cut with 2 1/2 inch round cutter -Press rounds into miniature muffin pans -Repeat procedure with remaining piecrust -Bake at 425 degrees for 7 minutes or until shells are golden brown -Remove tart shells from pans and cool on wire racks -Meanwhile stir together turkey and next 9 ingredients -Spoon evenly into tart shells -Makes 3 dozen

Poisonous holiday plants Each year, around the holidays, there are emergency cases of pet poisonings. Many plants or decorations around the home can present hazards to pets or children. Let’s start with what is NOT true. Many of us have heard over and over that poinsettias are poisonous. More recent research has proven this to be incorrect. What is true about the plant is that it is a Euphorbia. Euphorbias have a latex or white milky sap, and some individuals can have an adverse reaction to latex saps. So while the poinsettia will not kill your pet or child, some may have an upset stomach or rash, depending upon how much they ate. A more real danger would be in choking on any plant eaten. A plant which has a latex sap is sticky, making the choking hazard more likely. We should keep in mind some basic guidelines when decorating our homes or when visiting others. Dangers are outside in the yard, as well as inside. Don’t let that casual stroll through the garden, where a child may be attracted to unfamiliar bright berries, turn into a scare for all of you, or worse yet, a trip to the emergency room. Teach children not to put leaves, stems, bark, seeds, nuts, or berries in their mouths. Watch your pets, and keep an eye out for hazards. If visiting and keeping your pet in an unfamiliar yard, do some scouting to be sure they cannot reach anything that can present a

hazard. Know the botanical name of your house and yard plants, and don’t be afraid to ask your host if they know whether their plants might be poisonous. Keep poisonous plants well out of reach or out of the house. Children as young as 6 months like to nibble on plant parts. Remember that visitors may not be thinking about hazards to children they visit. Remind them to help you be on the lookout, especially when visiting unfamiliar places together, like public gardens, museums, or parks. Do not assume a plant is not poisonous because birds or wildlife eat it. Store bulbs and seeds out of sight and reach of children and pets. Obviously, placing holiday plants way out of harms way is the prudent thing to do, but there are other, more dangerous plants for us to watch out for: Abrus precatorius (Rosary pea, Jequirity Bean) Extremely toxic, epecially the seed. Aesculus (Buckeye, Horsechestnut) In yards or woods. Especially twigs and nuts. Artemesia (Wormwood, Sage) Evergreen perennial. All parts. Buxus (Boxwood) In arrangements, bonsai, decorations, yards. All parts. Convallaria majalis (Lilyof-the Valley) Found as a forced plant, this time of year. All.

Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) Houseplant, all parts. Hedera (English ivy or varieties of) Houseplant, yards, arrangements. All parts. Hyacinthus (Hyacinth) Paperwhites, and Daffodils. Forced, this time of year. All parts. Monstera, Scindapsus (Pothos), and Philodendron (Many types) Houseplants. All parts. Nerium (Oleander) Arrangements. Shrub in warmer regions. Extremely toxic. Phoradendron (Mistletoe) All parts, especially the berries. Quercus (Oak) Buds and untreated nuts. Rhododendron (Azaleas and Rhododendron) All parts. Robinia pseudocacia (Black Locust) Primarily by ingesting the bark. Sambucus (Elderberry) All parts, especially uncooked berries. Solanum pseudocapsicum (Jerusalem Cherry) Primarily the berries. Taxus (Yew) Foliage, bark, seeds; green or dry. Extremely toxic. Wisteria (Wisteria vine) Seeds and pods. Remember, arrangements and decorations will shed. Check and sweep or water arrangements regularly and don’t let plant parts become an inadvertent choking or poison hazard.

Happy and Safe Holidays to you and yours! Virginia Cooperative Extension Staff

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Sports

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

12/26/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

“Holiday Hoopla” in store for area high schools this weekend !"#$%&'(!"")#&(*+,( Tournament Brackets

Losers Bracket

Winners Bracket

12/26 Patrick Henry 3:00 pm

4:30 pm

7:30 pm

Hidden Valley

12/27

12/27 Salem 6:00 pm

Gar-Field William Fleming

4:30 PM 12/29

7:30 PM 12/29

4:30 pm

Osbourn 3:00 pm 12/27

Photo by Bill Turner

North Cross #10 Glenn Williams scores on a driving layup past a Banner Christian defender.

6:00 pm 12/27 Cave Spring

North Cross takes championship in Raiders Hoops Classic: North Cross had little

7:30 pm

3:00 pm 12/29 problem last weekend against the small Banner Christian School squad in winning its own Raiders Hoops Classic title game, 66-45. A.D. Banks scored 26 points for North Cross against Banner, including one basket by a dunk. He also snared 10 rebounds. Glen Williams added 10 points for the Raiders, Since taking over the Holiwho went to 7-2 on the season after the tourney win. day Hoopla tourney as organizer about a decade ago Cave Spring High School hasn’t won it, but they’ve helped bring a full slate of basketball to the Salem Civic Center over the Christmas holidays. Knights head coach Billy Hicks says this is the last year for the Holiday Hoopla at the Civic Center as mounting expenses will force them to look for a new, smaller home next year, perhaps at Roanoke College. Most of the returning boys teams (including Hidden Valley, William Fleming, Patrick Henry and Salem locally) have been in the Hoopla before; only Brooke Point (Stafford, Va.) is new for the tourney. “Very athPhotos by Bill Turner letic,” is how Hicks describes William Fleming’s Jasmine Hill scores on a Virginia Episcopal Lady Bishop defender in last Brooke Point, the Knights’ first Friday night’s win. Hidden Valley’s Kayla Osborne drives (Right) on a Turner Ashby defender. round opponent. The Titans were trounced by Turner Ashby 62-29. Osborne then had a career-high 31 points in Saturday's OT loss to Fleming.

Brooke Point 6:00 pm 12/29

Hicks figures Fleming should be the “overwhelming favorite” for the Holiday Hoopla, which runs this Friday (Dec. 26, starting at 3pm), Saturday and next Monday. “Salem is playing really well,” he adds. All teams are guaranteed three games. Hidden Valley won an overtime thriller against Fleming last year. Hicks likes the Hoopla in part because it battle-tests his team before River Ridge District play starts. “Every team has at least one college prospect,” he notes of this year’s field. Daily passes are $8 for adults, $6 for students with discounted tournament passes available. As for his own team, off to a 5-2 start, Hicks says it’s too early to tell how good the Knights are; starting guard Greg Mackey is out with a leg fracture,

putting more of the focus on 6’10” big man Josh Henderson. Erik Jacobsen and Adam Hager have stepped up in Mackey’s absence. Four different players have scored 20 points or more in a game, one encouraging sign. “We certainly haven’t played to our potential yet,” says Hicks, who has tried to minimize expectations that Cave Spring would be a state title contender. Much of that optimism was due to Henderson, a junior and the son of a former University of Maryland player - and a major college prospect himself. “We’ve showed some signs of being pretty good, says Hicks. “I’d classify us as being unknown.” By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

William Fleming basketball on a roll

Fleming cruises, Titans fall: The William Fleming Colonels girls basketball team piled up two more wins over the weekend to run their record to 6-0. Fleming took two close games Expectations are high for on the road at Hidden Valley in the Titan Invitational Tournament, winning the finale last Saturthe William Fleming boys’ day 66-61 in overtime. Tashiana Pack led the Colonels with 20 points. Hidden Valley fell to 3-5 on basketball team after a 19-6 the season; the defending AA state champions got 31 points from Kayla Osborne. campaign last season that ended in a 3-point loss to Mountain View High School, in the Group AAA Northwest Regional Tournament. The Colonels have responded with a 6-0 start this season, Scott Weaver has been named the head football coach at Hidden Valley High School, replacing including victories over KerJ.R. Edwards, who elected not to return for a 6th year. Weaver has been the defensive coordinator mit Academy in Washington, and assistant coach (linebackers and running backs) for the Titans since 2006. Weaver previously D.C., and a pair over Pulaski was an assistant coach at Northside High School before joining the Titans and played football at and Radford. Northside. He also teaches physical education at Hidden Valley. Fleming boasts a veteran, if Will Krause has been named the head girls’ soccer coach at Hidden Valley. In 2008, Krause was not experienced roster, with an assistant coach for the girls’ soccer team under Roy Lax (who left for professional reasons) and 11 seniors, including football was the head coach for the Hidden Valley Middle School girls’ soccer team. Krause also coaches standouts Derek Brown and teams for the Roanoke Valley Youth Soccer Club. Shaquan Manning. However, He previously has served as an assistant coach for the Hidden Valley High School boys’ varsity it will be a challenge for the soccer team and as an assistant coach for the Roanoke College boys’ soccer team. Krause teaches team to replace all three startfifth grade at Cave Spring Elementary. “I’m excited to see Scott and Will move into head coach- ing guards from last season. ing positions,” said Hidden Valley Principal Rhonda Stegall. “Both have been excellent assistant “We do have experience in coaches. I know they will do well in leading their respective teams on the field.” terms of age, but many of the

Hidden Valley names new football, soccer coaches

guys haven’t been in the program that long,” Coach Mickey Hardy said. “We lost a lot of scoring and leadership, so one of our keys will be for our players coming off the bench to continue to gain confidence, because we need them in order to improve our depth.” The Colonels feature a talented dual threat in seniors Troy Daniels and Jamelle Hagins, who are both being heavily recruited collegiately. Daniels, for example, has drawn interest from the University of Texas, Marquette, and Cincinnati. “They’re two legitimate Division I caliber players,” Hardy said. “As they go, we go.” Through their early games, the Colonels have used a balanced attack, with four start-

ers averaging double-figures in scoring. “We can play inside and outside, and have spread it around pretty good so far,” Hardy said. Hardy credits the team’s work ethic for the hot start. “The guys have been working really hard in practice, and our leaders have been leading by example in that area. If we can continue to work hard, we’ll be OK.” William Fleming will return to action on Friday when they take on Osbourn High School at the Salem Civic Center, as part of the Holiday Hoopla tournament. They will play additional games on Saturday and Monday.

By Matt Reeve Matt@theroanokestar.com

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Sports

Contact Tom Branch or Mike Branch 4552 Franklin Road, S.W., Roanoke, Virginia 24014 Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/26/08 Phone: 540-774-1208 | Fax: 540-774-1359 | Email: bmc@branchmgt.com

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

2008 Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl

Space Available

Mount Union’s “Purple Reign� Branch Management Corp. specializes in uniqueback solutions to meet your needson . track The numbers are certainly Stagg-ering: as in Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, thank you. The Mount Union College Purple Raiders won their 10th Division III NCAA football crown since 1993, making what is almost their annual trip to Salem for the title game. That happened last Saturday, when the Raiders met Wisconsin-Whitewater for the fourth straight year and beat the Warhawks 31-26 in a game that was nationally televised. They’ve now beaten Whitewater in three of four title games, after being upset last year. For those that figure they won’t have the chance to attend a Super Bowl game or the Division I BCS championship game, the annual Stagg Bowl at Salem Stadium is a nice substitute. Half of the attraction may come from the pre-game tailgate parties that dot the parking lot, with hordes of purple-clad fans making their way down from Ohio for the title game. Both Mount Union and the Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks are clad in white and purple so there was plenty of it in the stands, as well as on the field. Despite ice and snow in Wisconsin that may have kept some Whitewater supporters - and the assistant athletic director - at home, plus the national economic woes, Salem Civic Center facilities director Carey Harveycutter said the crowd of 5,300-plus was “ahead of last year.� As for the game, those in attendance got to see Mount Union quarterback Greg Micheli [awarded the Gagliardi Trophy earlier in the week as the D3 Player of the Year] as well as fellow senior Nate Kmic [who set the all-time, all-division NCAA rushing mark this season with over 8,000 yards on

the ground.] The Purple Raiders drew first blood on two long TD passes from Micheli to wide receiver Cecil Shorts III, while the Warhawks bottled up Kmic effectively. A costly tipped pass, interception and runback for a touchdown by Mount Union safety Drew McClain early in the fourth quarter helped keep the Purple Raiders ahead, in a game where they had the ball for nine less minutes than did the Warhawks, who out gained the victors 455 yards to 401. The only numbers that mattered were 3126, the winning margin for Mount Union. [We] never quite got over the hump,� said Whitewater head coach Lance Leipold afterwards, following an awards ceremony where his team had to watch the Purple Raiders receive the trophy. Mount Union set a number of NCAA records during its five game playoff run, including most rushing yards (Kmic, 1,150), most first “10 fingers, 10 rings:� The Purple Raiders celebrate their latest title. downs by a team (133) and most total team yards, 2,774. “This win meant a lot to me,� said an emotional Kmic in the post-game interview. Kehres kept it all in stride, after winning a 10th championship in 23 years at the Alliance, Ohio school. After all a friend of his has coached 23 swim teams to NCAA championships at Kenyon College. “When we talk I’m second fiddle,� he said with a slight grin. Kmic and Micheli are gone, but don’t bet against spotting another sea of purple next December in Salem, as no doubt Mount Union will look to reload once again.

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Contact Tom Branch or Mike Branch 4552 Franklin Road, S.W., Roanoke, Virginia 24014

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Classifieds

Letters In support of Ukrop’s Dear editor, I read last weeks article about Ukrop’s and wanted to tell you what I think about their store: Being from Richmond I am very familiar with the chain. They have a wonderful reputation there and we never shopped anywhere else because of the following story. My sister was a single mom raising three girls. She grocery shopped in the store with them all in tow. One day she got to the check out with a cart full of groceries and realized that she had used the last check in her wallet (this was in the days when debit cards were not nearly as prevalent). They let her take all of her groceries home and just told her to bring the check back with her the next time she was in. Now what other

store do you think would EVER do that? They would put every last grocery back on the shelf, or tell her to go get the check NOW and bring it back in before they would let her leave with them. We have never forgotten their kindness! Susan Mini Roanoke Dear editor, I look forward to each new edition of the Roanoke StarSentinel. I hope that we can keep a business like Ukrop’s in Roanoke.They have an excellent record with their treatment of employees and their involvement in the community. Ukrop’s is an example for other businesses in the Roanoke Valley. Jay Bender Roanoke

Jackson Middle celebrates its accreditation milestone

After being conditionally accredHogan called it a four-year process ited last year, Jackson Middle School that included several near misses. Getbroke out the dancing shoes recently, ting parents more involved helped procelebrating full accreditation status vide extra motivation for their children at an assembly with guests that inat Jackson as well. “It all just came tocluded Roanoke City Superintendent gether so nicely.” All of the elementary Rita Bishop and School Board chairschools that feed the middle school are man David Carson. A school’s state also accredited, said Hogan. “It’s giving accreditation rating reflects overall our kids not only hope, but goals for the achievement in English, history/sofuture.” cial science, mathematics and science. Carson told students to stay in school Schools in which students meet or (“you gotta graduate”) and urged them exceed benchmarks established by the to thank their teachers; “they are the Virginia Board of Education are rated ones that did this with your hard work.” Photo by Gene Marrano as Fully Accredited. Most hands went up when Carson asked Rita Bishop (far left) helps unveil a banner celThat attainment set off the celebrawho planned to attend college after high ebrating Jackson Middle School’s SOL accreditation. tion at southeast Roanoke’s Jackson school. Middle, with principal Stephanie HoFor the second straight year Jackson gan not afraid to shake it up, dancing with the school’s cheerleaders Middle met Average Yearly Progress (AYP) standards, something and mascot, Charger. “We’re back again and in the groove,” pro- Hogan deemed “a huge accomplishment,” and the result of “work, claimed the cheer squad. As for her dancing – and singing – in the work, work…study, study, study all the time. Every child in this gym, Hogan said it’s all part of the job: “they look to me to be that building has embraced the learning process.” positive light. I need to be the one that’s behind them, cheerleadNow said Hogan, an 18-year veteran, more students are taught ing.” individually when it is determined they are falling behind. Her “A long road [and] a very, very exciting day,” Hogan told students, teachers “are constantly looking for different approaches. I can’t say faculty members and guests, before Bishop and company unveiled enough about them.” a banner proclaiming the full accreditation, which came after the After showing off her dance moves, the fifth year principal had school was conditionally accredited last year. “This is the way to go,” words of wisdom for Jackson Middle students: “there’s nothing that said Bishop, “we’re just all really proud of you.” Using tools like the you cannot do as long as you put your mind to it.” Standards of Learning tests, accreditation must be earned again evBy Gene Marrano ery school year. gmarrano@cox.net

Preacher’s Corner

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High school sitter need. Afternoons, on most school days. Nice kids. Age three, six. Call Jeff, 427-1721 New best friend awaits Please adopt and save a life Any pet shelter www.petfinder.com Clawfoot tub for sale Fifty dollars and it’s yours White and in good shape Call 521-8060 Hardwood floor cleaning Beautify your hardwood floors Give us a call now. Steve - 776-9591 Pekingese for sale registered female puppy blond, cute, sweet,loves kids call 400-0702

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Summer-Fall tutor Enriches and reviews skills to keep learning fresh. Call Emily 725-1464 Art Lessons private art lessons drawing ,painting and sculpture ages 6 and up call Katherine Devine 427-5919 Want to learn Chinese? Learn it from a Taiwanese. Call us right away! Call Deborah, 776-3087 Children’s filled aprons, Krayon keepers, crafts, quillows... And ‘has beens’ galore. Emily,Vendor 1806, 725-1464,

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

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hristmas is a gift of the Christian church to the world. Although it has been co-opted by the consumer culture in which we live, its message can make a difference in our world today. Much has been said about the origins of our Christmas holiday. It is no secret that the date of Christmas was not set until the 4th century. It is no secret that one of the main reasons for the setting of the date of Christmas by the church as December 25 was to counter the popular pagan holidays so prevalent at the time involving special rituals and celebrations in Europe to welcome back the sun as longer days approached, the Scandinavian Yuletide feast to welcome the sun’s return, or the Roman festival “Saturnalia” celebrating their god Saturn with garlands of laurel and green trees lit with candles. You know what I say to that? Good for the church! If the culture needed redeeming by the displacement of immoral and misguided revelry through the moral influence of the Christian community then

I am glad the church tried to make it right. Bad news travels so far so fast almost all by itself. Human society is so easily infected by the improper, the immoral, the short-sighted, and the penultimate. Unfortunately we are still living with the inappropriate excesses of these earlier pagan festivals as we all too easily indulge ourselves in the greediness and gluttony so prevalent among us this time of year. It seems the church has not completely succeeded in displacing holiday misguided revelry even today! But that’s the way bad news is. That which is not so good for us so often infects us so easily. But the message of Christmas is that good news spreads far and fast, if you let it. The good news of Christmas doesn’t need any special help to spread itself around. At Christmastime the planet Jupiter is particularly visible in the sky. According to the recent broadcast of the Public Radio program Star Date, if you look right next to the moon at its rising you can just see it. Jupiter has many moons. One of those moons

is called Europa. The interesting thing about Europa is that it is covered with ice and it may well have water underneath its surface. To the extent that the conditions there match the exact conditions of earth millennia ago, this makes Europa about as similar to earth as any other heavenly body. All the conditions are there, it is said, for the formation of life. One of the reasons we know so much about Europa is because of the exploration of the Galileo spacecraft. Launched from the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1989, it brought cameras and detection equipment to this part of our solar system. But there is one more thing that Galileo brought to this part of space—life. It is certain that some form of earthly life, bacteria perhaps, survived the years of radiation bombardment, especially in the internal portions of the craft. Here’s the thing: If even a little bit of that bacteria, if even a little bit of that life, somehow made its way to Jupiter’s moon Europa, the fear is that it could multiply and contaminate that

moon’s entire environment. There was a mathematically small chance that, with the loss of its ability to maneuver upon the depletion of its propellant, Galileo’s path might one day cross Europa’s orbit. To avoid that risk, the spacecraft Galileo’s mission ended five years ago when it was deliberately directed into Jupiter’s shadow and disintegrated in its dense atmosphere. It only takes a little bit of life in the proper environment for it to spread everywhere. How does the song go this time of year? “Oh, we need a little Christmas, right this very minute!” The real spirit of this season can be contagious if we just listen carefully enough and let it spark its spirit in us. Greed, excess, and extravagance are so prevalent among us this time of year and can so easily infect us, but good news spreads far and fast, if you let it. William G. Davidson is the Senior Minister of South Roanoke United Methodist Church. He may be reached at revwgd@ srumc.com

Give them a gift every week of the year with a subscription to the Roanoke Star Sentinel! For only $44 they’ll receive a gift card direct from us and 52 issues delivered weekly to their doorstep! Call or email today!

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Community Calendar > Dec.

New Year’s Holiday Trash Collection in Roanoke City Monday and Tuesday collections will be collected on Monday, Dec. 29. Tuesday and Wednesday collections will be collected on Tuesday, Dec. 30. Thursday collections will be collected on Wednesday, Dec. 31. The Central Business District will be worked on schedule both weeks with exception of Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2008; and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2009. For more information, call 8532000. Winter Break Movie Mania Main Library Auditorium Horton Hears A Who Monday, Dec. 29 10 a.m.

Rated: G TInkerbell Wed., Dec. 31 10 a.m. Rated: G Batman:The Dark Knight Wed., Dec. 31 2 p.m. Rated: PG-13 The Mummy:Tomb of the Dragon Sat., Jan. 3 2 p.m. Rated: PG-13 These screenings are free and open to all ages. Please phone 853-2955 for more information.

> Dec. 31

Enchanted Eve “Enchanted Eve” in Vinton Virginia is Roanoke County’s alcohol free, community inspired, New Year’s Eve celebration, which provides a wide range of alternative possibilities to the

traditional New Year’s revelry. Enchanted Eve buttons are available at many regional button outlets. Advance buttons are: $7 adults, $3 children ages 3-12. Night of: prices increase by $2 each. Those under age 3 are free. Please note that Washington Ave. from Pollard Street to Mountain View Road will be closed to vehicle traffic from 4 PM until 1 AM to allow revelers to enjoy the evening and the many activities planned along this corridor. For more information and complete details or to volunteer please visit www.RoanokeCountyParks.com or call 540-387-6078.

> Jan. 24

KIVA One Year Anniversary This was the place of our first meeting.We would love to have you stop by for a piece of cake. We are asking our members, and the public, to bring an item for the Southwest Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank, instead of birthday gifts. When - 2 - 4p.m. Where - Mill Mountain Discovery Center For more - www.kidsadventuring.org Have an item for the calendar? email it to submissions@theroanokestar. com

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Valley Business

Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/26/08

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Ukrop’s - a great place to do business Woods Rogers Names Two New Principals - 17 named to “Legal Elite” Woods Rogers has named two of its attorneys, B. Webb King and Nicole Ingle, principals in the firm. King is a member of the litigation section, focusing on bankruptcy and creditors’ rights and litigation matters. He regularly represents creditors, debtors and other interest holders in Chapter 11 cases and creditors in Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 cases. Webb also works on commercial and residential landlord/tenant matters. Webb graduated magna cum laude from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2001. At Richmond, he served as an associate editor of the Law Review, was a Moot Court Board Member and a teaching assistant for a first-year legal skills class. He clerked for Woods Rogers during the summers of 1999 and 2000. Webb received a bachelor’s degree in history, magna cum B. Webb King laude, from Roanoke College in 1998. Ingle specializes in condominiums, leasing and other commercial real estate matters and corporate and business law. Prior to joining Woods Rogers, she was a senior staff attorney for Advance Auto Parts, where she handled commercial real estate purchases, sales and leases as well as contract negotiations and counseling of internal clients. Nicole grew up in Tidewater and attended the University of Virginia, where she received her bachelor’s degree with distinction in 1995. After receiving her law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1998, she was an associate at Murtha Cullina LLP, a law firm with offices in Hartford and Boston. At Murtha Cullina she worked in the firm’s commercial law and real estate department, handling commercial real estate purchases, sales and leases, asset Nicole Ingle acquisitions, commercial loan transactions, development work, business formation and open space donations. Woods Rogers Attorneys Selected in Virginia Business Magazine’s Legal Elite Woods Rogers is honored to announce that 17 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by their peers as Legal Elite in the December 2008 issue of Virginia Business Magazine. Each year, Virginia Business works with the Virginia Bar Association to publish an annual list of the top lawyers in 15 categories as voted on by their peers. Roughly 3,500 lawyers were nominated and only 750 were selected for the list. The following are those Woods Rogers attorneys included in the 2008 Legal Elite: Thomas R. Bagby

Labor/Employment

D. Stan Barnhill

Construction

Nicholas C. Conte

Business Law

John P. Grove, III

Family/Domestic Relations

Nicole F. Ingle

Real Estate/Land Use

Neal Keesee

Intellectual Property

Joshua F.P. Long

Young Lawyer (Under 40)

Heman A. Marshall, III

Health Law

Thomas T. Palmer

Health Law

William B. Poff

Civil Litigation

Alexander I Saunders

Taxes/Estates/Trusts

Christopher Stevens

Civil Litigation

Daniel C. Summerlin, III

Legislative/Regulatory/Admin

Paul R. Thomson, Jr.

Criminal Law

Thomas Winn, III

Labor/Employment

Dudley F. Woody

Labor/Employment

Joshua C. Wykle

Taxes/Estates/Trusts

that there would be a waiting list for those spaces. Recently, I showed Jason, a Ukrop’s manager, my breakfast: scrambled eggs, bacon and a fresh baked biscuit. With a cup of coffee it was $3.95. Do you realize what you have here? It’s better than fast food and it’s often less than fast food prices. Enjoying my breakfast in the dining area, it saddens me to see it so empty. There’s wireless availability. Why aren’t there more business persons enjoying “eating on the cheap?” You see your food prepared in a very clean kitchen, by clean employees at better than fast food prices. Wow! What a place, where businesspersons can meet, discuss and plan their day, hook up their laptops. Have you seen the Bistro there? It gets underway every evening beginning at 5:00 pm and it’s a first in Roanoke. See your dinner prepared by clean chefs frequently changing their gloves. Three entrees with tasty sides. A convenient alternative to cooking or eating out. Friday, their prime rib was taken home in their plastic container and put on good china. This is an alternative that Roanoke needs. Should Ukrop’s fail, it isn’t only upscale grocer that is the loser. Folks who like the niche Ukrop’s fills are the real losers. Roanoke has a world-class facility on Franklin Road, one of a kind. In the summer it’s great to park under the building and return later to my car, not baking in the heat. In inclement weather it’s great to walk in dry. For those who have an aversion to parking garages, there is the street level park-

ing. Traffic? This writer finds the strategic placement of traffic lights coming in and out of Ukrop’s to be safe and convenient. When the opening was delayed employees who had been trained and expected to be paid were sent to work at the Rescue Mission. A woman who volunteers there told me that Ukrop’s trucks pull up very frequently, bringing lots and lots of food. Roanoke, do we want to lose this good Corporate Citizen? Please, visit Ukrop’s, look more closely at their prices - you are in for a real surprise. Ukrop’s is not a threat to other food chains here. Ukrop’s, as well as Fresh Market, complements what existed in Roanoke before they came. Please, let’s give this business the support it needs to stay here. It would indeed be a travesty if a community such as Roanoke rejects this upscale, unique grocery store. That empty building might send a message: don't come to Roanoke with new ideas and concepts; a signal to be careful – if you have other alternatives, you might want to locate somewhere else. Let’s show this firm, which risked it’s capital to come here and introduce a unique shopping experience to our community, that Roanoke is indeed ready for it.

Tom Karrasch was Agency Manager of Prudential’s Southwest Virginia office from 1971 to 1992. He also served six years on the board of Salem/ Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce and was the president in 1980.

Family Preserves Lake Homeplace

Novozymes will build trail to pay back for illegal dumping

United States Western District Attorney Julia Dudley spoke of hawks “soaring overhead… wind whispering through the pines” and other such bucolic thoughts in announcing a settlement last week in the case against Novozymes Biologicals. Novozymes pled guilty to dumping barrels of chemicals in to Mason’s Creek several years ago, an act that caused at least one young swimmer to suffer some physical discomfort. Federal District Judge Samuel Wilson sentenced the biotech firm to three years probation and levied a $275,000 fine in return for the plea agreement. Novozymes pled guilty to one charge of violating the Clean Water Act. “Violations of the Clean Water Act are serious offenses and must be met with serious consequences,” said Dudley, who took over for John Brownlee after he resigned to campaign for the Republican Attorney General nomination. Discarded microbiological products (about 4000 gallons worth) that the company dumped through a drain into Mason’s Creek, a tributary

It’s not grocery shopping. It’s an experience. While it’s not for everyone, Roanoke needs the Ukrop’s option. Valuable Corporate citizen. Contributes to community, including the Roanoke Rescue Mission. Friendly, upbeat employees. Prepared foods. Reasonable prices. Meeting rooms / breakfast, lunches, dinners. Excellent selection. Very reasonably priced. A business principle: find a need and fill it. That’s what Ukrop's has attempted to do here in Roanoke. However, in this writer’s opinion, Ukrop’s is grossly misunderstood. I have had a Ukrop’s Valuable Customer card since early 1990’s, having visited Richmond frequently. During my Ukrop’s shopping, never once has an employee been anything other than sincerely friendly and helpful. Before Ukrop’s located here, a plug-in refrigerator was in my vehicle for each and every trip to Richmond. It would return filled with their prepared foods and items not available anywhere in Roanoke. As a single man, without being able to document this, I feel my food expenditure has decreased since Ukrop’s located here. Why? Because of their excellent prepared foods. No waste. As the former manager of a sales organization, I would have liked to have held more offsite employee meetings, but rental cost was a deterrent. Ukrop’s has such fine meeting rooms and reasonably priced breakfasts and lunches, this facility should be a dream for those businesses feeling the economic crunch. If this were better known among local managers, it would seem to me

of the Roanoke River, also killed about 6000 fish. There were two incidents, in 2004 and 2005. Dudley lauded the efforts of the Blue Ridge Environmental Task Force, which consists of local law enforcement departments and other public service agencies, in helping to make the case against Novozymes. “This case is just one example of their successes,” said Dudley. Novozymes was also ordered to spend $250,000 on a community service project and has chosen to build a walking trail along one segment of the Roanoke River. The company already donated a similar amount several years ago to fund a small part of the Roanoke River greenway in Salem. “The walking trail will promote public health and have a positive impact on the environment,” said Dudley – something that the dumping of outdated and off-spec materials certainly did not. By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Conservation Partners, LLC, and The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation announce the permanent protection of a scenic and historic 64-acre Franklin County farm on Smith Mountain Lake. The Basham/Thurman Family Homeplace on Northridge Road and Indian Creek has been in the same family for over 150 years and, thanks to a conservation easement placed by the three surviving Basham siblings who were raised there, the land will forever contribute to the farmland and forests on the shores of Smith Mountain Lake. The conservation easement permanently prohibits division of the farm, limits future building, protects water quality with 50-foot wooded buffers along all streams and lake frontage, and protects an 1812 log home from destruction. The property has over a halfmile of public road frontage and 1,600 feet of shoreline. Brothers Hulon and Dewey Basham and their sister, Bonnie Jean Perdue, have resisted many offers over the years to sell their homeplace to developers. To them, the property was too special to see developed and they wanted to make sure that their scenic, rural land remained that way forever. With generations-deep roots on the land “we just couldn’t see it cut up like so many other old places around the lake,” says Hulon Basham. The Basham family worked closely with Conservation Partners, LLC, a statewide consulting firm that assists landowners through the complex process of donating conservation easements. Perdue says “We would have been lost without Conservation Partners. They listened to what we wanted to do, helped us through the whole process and kept every-

thing moving along.” David Hurt, an Easement Specialist with Conservation Partners says, “With so much wildlife habitat and farmland lost in recent years it’s getting harder and harder to assure our descendants the joys of a rural way of life and the enjoyment of nature. Whether you hunt, fish, hike, camp, boat, bird watch or just love seeing pretty scenery as you drive along Virginia roads, you ought to support conservation easements. And everyone who appreciates clean water in Smith Mountain Lake should thank the Bashams and the other families like them who are protecting our natural world.” The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation (WBWF), a Halifax County-based non-profit founded by NASCAR driver Ward Burton, accepted the conservation easement donation in late October. WBWF will be responsible for monitoring the property and upholding the easement to protect the land’s many conservation resources. Ward Burton encourages more rural landowners to follow the Basham’s example and points out that the conservation easement helps the Basham family and the general public. “The Bashams still own the land and can continue using it like they always have, but now they know that their wishes will be upheld into the future and the land will never be developed,” Burton says. “The public benefits by knowing that the land will always be there for wildlife habitat, agricultural production, water quality protection and the scenic enjoyment of drivers and boaters.”

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Arts & Culture

TheRoanokeStar.com

12/26/08 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11

New “Site Specific Art” Exhibition to open at Hollins The Eleanor D. Wilson Museum at Hollins University presents “Taliaferro Logan: Georgianna Waxes,” which will open January 8. The book “Georgianna”, written by the artist’s grandmother, Fay L. Logan, inspires this “site-specific encaustic installation” by nationally known artist Talia Logan. A fictional saga set in the Roanoke Valley during the early part of the 20th century, the book and subsequent exhibition explore a family’s confessional tale of tragedy and redemption that blurs the lines between history and fiction. The Eleanor D. Wilson Museum is the first to premiere this new body of work, and Amy Moorefield, Director of the Museum, curates the exhibition. There will be an opening reception and book signing with the author at 6:00 pm on Thursday, January 8, and a lecture by the artist on Wednesday, January 14 at 10:00 am in the Frances J. Niederer Auditorium. Both events are free and open to the public. Logan, director of the galleries at Roanoke College, received her BFA in Sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts in Richmond and her MFA from School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois, completing post-graduate work in Dresden, Germany. Logan is also friends with Moorefield, who came to Hollins recently, replacing Wyona Lynch-White, who moved on after four years to a position in Massachusetts. Moorefield had been

Amy Moorefield is the new Director at the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum. an assistant curator at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Anderson Gallery. “I was looking for a smaller university experience, to have more of a meaningful impact with the community and the student public,” said Moore, who “dusted off her resume after 14 years,” and landed the position. The Wilson Museum in some ways is a “laboratory” said Moorefield, where Hollins students and faculty members can also see more experimental art in one or more of the three

galleries. The Eleanor D. Wilson Museum at Hollins is five years old, created by an endowment. “[Its] been going strong since,” said Moorefield, who would like to bring prominent national artists to the Wilson, with “significant exhibitions.” She also wants to create “meaningful partnerships,” with other cultural organizations in the Roanoke Valley – like the Taubman Museum of Art. “I believe it takes a village to create a cultural environment here,” said Moorefield, who lauds what she calls Roanoke’s “progressive spirit.” She’ll undertake another partnership by welcoming Talia Logan’s installation, beginning January 8.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Public art moves forward

Public art in the City rate the library's recent of Roanoke continues to oral history project into build momentum with the artwork. The budget the approval by City is $65,000. Council of a Public Art • Market Square WalkAction Plan for 2009. way Enhancements. Last Council voted to adopt year the Roanoke Arts &''()*+(,-'. the plan and accompaCommission worked /0''123 nying budget at its Dec. with students at Virginia 4*56(786(986(:(;.-< 1 meeting. The plan alTech to develop concepts locates $99,000 of the apto add art elements to the proximately $123,000 in interior of the pedestrian new funding in the “Perbridge. The concepts did cent for the Art” fund, not fit within the $10,000 which is comprised of budget at that time. The one percent of the budRAC recommends ingets of certain projects in creasing the allocation the city's capital improveto commission art for ment program. the pedestrian bridge to The proposed projects $35,000. in the 2009 plan build on the accomplishments of 2008, during which the Roanoke By Susan Jennings Arts Commission (RAC), which identifies Roanoke City Public Art Coordinator potential public artworks and initiatives, commissioned a permanent sculpture for &''()*+(,-'. &''()*+(,-'. the Roanoke Civic Center; placed temporary /0''123 /0''123 artworks around the city through "AIR: Art in Roanoke"; and initiated the design of bus !"#$% shelters, which will soon be placed at William !"#$% Fleming and Patrick Henry high schools. The 2009 Public Art Action Plan includes: • Highland Park Bench Project. Two artist-designed and fabricated benches will be placed in Highland Park near the fountain garden area. This is a partnership with Old Southwest Inc., which is allocating $1,000 for the project, bringing the total budget to &''()*+(,-'. $10,000. • Gainsboro Library Project. With the ren/0''123 4*56(786(986(:(;.-< ovations and new addition to the Gainsboro Library there is an opportunity to add artOne dozen Grade A large eggs, and a pack of work to the outdoor area adjacent to GainsOscar Mayer Bacon for $3.49 boro Road. Residents and library patrons will have the opportunity to work with an artist or artist team on deciding the content and possibly participating in the fabrication of the work. An effort will be made to incorpo-

!"#$%

Photo by Jim Bullington

RSO Holiday concert at Jeff Center The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, David Stewart Wiley conductor, along with the Roanoke Symphony Chorus, conducted by John Hugo, performed Handel’s "Messiah Part I" and "Hallelujah Chorus" recently in the Shaftman Performance Hall at the Jefferson Center. Featured soloists were Marcia Jones Thom, Carrie Stevens, Scott Williamson, and David Newman. The RSO also recently performed at the Salem Civic Center, presenting its popular Holiday Pops program.

Family Service mentoring: giving the gift of time As the holidays arrive, many of us travel to be with family and friends to both celebrate and reflect upon the year behind us. Despite the rough economy, I would venture to guess that many of us remain blessed in countless ways. And so we are filled with the desire to give back—to our loved ones, our communities, and those in need. Giving truly is one of life’s greatest joys. Obviously, around Christmas our gifts to each other are usually tangible in nature—clothing, toys, even gift cards. But there is a growing need in Roanoke that requires a different kind of gift, one without monetary value: Time. In the year I have spent living in Roanoke, one of the most rewarding and eye-opening things I’ve done began the day I signed up to be a mentor at Family Service of Roanoke Valley. Since then, I have been spending a few hours every week with a boy who I’ll call Joey. Getting to know Joey and his family has been both wonderful and heartbreaking. Joey comes from a broken family—single mom, two brothers and no father to speak of. His mom works two jobs and is rarely at home to help raise her boys. As a result, Joey has had to face his teenage years with no male influence, and hardly any older role models at all, save for his school teachers. Joey and his family live life devoid of many worldly treasures, but you wouldn’t know it if you met them. They are sweet, respectful, and gentle in every way. It’s a sad story, one we’ve all seen or heard before. But sadder still is the fact that there are many kids in our community like Joey, who share similar stories and need someone who wants to reach out and make a difference in their lives. That is the goal of the mentoring program at Family Service of Roanoke Valley. “The vision [of the program] is achieving healthier, more productive youth who feel valued by their community and who make better decisions,” said Cheri Hartman, Director of Youth Development at Family Service of Roanoke Valley. The stats that support this need are startling: according to Hartman, re-

cent surveys in 2007 show that the use of marijuana is higher in Roanoke City than the national average. Nearly 25% of high school students have had a drink of alcohol in the past 30 days. An astounding 13.7% of 10th and 12th graders actually attempted suicide in the past year; 73% say they don’t feel valued by their communities and only 21% say they have a positive, adult role model in their lives. These kids need someone like you. They need friendship and guidance for what can be a very confusing time in their lives. You don’t have to do or say anything special, nor do you have to be an expert with kids. I’ve found that Joey is grateful simply to have someone who takes an interest in his life; someone to joke around with, take him to the mall or play outside. It would be easy to say that I’ve made a profound difference in Joey’s life, but the truth is he has immensely impacted mine. If you are looking for ways to give back to the Roanoke community, or for a way to get involved, I would strongly encourage you to give just a little bit of your time to a boy or girl like Joey. There are many kids involved with FSRV that need mentors. Hartman laments that, “unfortunately there are not enough mentors to meet the needs of all the youth. The goal of our mentoring program is to have a mentor for each of our youth. It’s disappointing not to be able to connect each child with a mentor of their own.” She also notes that the kids who attend FSRV after school programs ask for mentors. So as you think of ways to give this Christmas, give the gift of your time. It could be the greatest gift you ever give. Note: for more information about the mentoring program at Family Service of Roanoke Valley, or to get involved, please contact Leah Hatcher at (540) 563-5316 ext. 3039, or Sarah Jane Lawrence at (540) 563-5316 ext. 3029. By Matt Reeve Matt@theroanokestar.com

4*56(786(986(:(;.-<

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Homeless children put on Christmas play at the Rescue Mission:

Children everywhere love dressing up and being the star of the show. The children currently living in emergency shelter with their families at the Rescue Mission celebrated Christmas by performing their very own Christmas pageant. In attendance Monday evening were parents, shelter guests and staff of the Mission. The true meaning of Christmas shined from each face as Kiasa Hicks, dressed as an angel read from the Gospel of Luke, while the other children acted out the Christmas story. Pictured, back row, left to right: Terrell Emmons (King Herod), Kirstie Ayers (wise man 1), Dominque Flora (wise man 2), Sean Miller (wise man 3), Kiasa Hicks (angel), middle row, left to right: Paul Ayers (shepherd), Trevon Webb (Joseph), Ivory Davis (Mary), William Chapman (shepherd), front row, left to right: Jalyssa Beasley and Autumn Davis.

Literacy Volunteers of Roanoke Valley announces largest-ever single gift A former teacher who taught students, family and strangers the love of reading has surprised Literacy Volunteers of Roanoke Valley with a check for more than $86,000 – the organization’s largest single gift. Jo Ann S. Jester, who once volunteered for a literacy organization in Anderson, S.C., requested in her will that this contribution be made to Literacy Volunteers to support its efforts to teach adults how to read and write. “We were stunned when we received the check,” said Annette Loschert, executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Roanoke Valley. “But after getting to know more about the life of Mrs. Jester, this generous contribution makes a lot of sense given her love of reading and her infectious enthusiasm to teach others the importance of literacy.” The total donation of $86,328 has been placed in the organization’s Walter P. Dungan Literacy Fund, an endowment to help secure long-term sustainability for Literacy Volunteers of Roanoke Valley. Mrs. Jester’s daughter, Ann Sheehan, says reading was a priority while growing up. “There were always books around the house,” said Sheehan, a local nurse. “Since we were encouraged to have

our own opinions and beliefs, it was important for us to constantly read.” During her teaching career, Mrs. Jester taught in inner-city Alabama and rural upstate New York, always seeking to give children of all backgrounds a second chance to learn how to read. She became a literacy volunteer in South Carolina upon retirement. Three years ago, she moved to Roanoke to be closer to family. And her mission didn’t end when she got to Roanoke – she started a book club at a local retirement community. “My mom loved reading,” says Sheehan. “Everywhere she lived she made friends with the local librarians. And she was always reading a variety of books at any given time. With this donation, my mom will continue to make her mark at Literacy Volunteers for many years to come.” From its office in the downtown Roanoke Public Library, Literacy Volunteers of Roanoke Valley provides free, confidential tutoring to help adults improve their reading, writing and problemsolving skills. The organization offers basic literacy programs as well as programs specifically designed for non-English speakers. To learn more, visit www.lvarv.org.

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