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December 4 - December 10, 2009

NewsRoanoke.com

[Southwest Virginia Ballet]

Dispatch Merger Closer to Reality for County, Vinton

‘Tis the Season . . .

Walking Tall

P3– Life size Dinosaurs are on their way to Roanoke just ask the students from Roanoke Catholic.

Vinton and County officials confer on the merger of their emergency communication 911 centers.

Photo by Mike Lawson

Lucky Garvin

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P5– Lucky Garvin’s back-up security system is far more effective than his electronic one.

Knights vs Vikings P7– Two Roanoke Valley teams go head to head for the right to advance to the State Championship.

Book Master P7– New York Times #1 Best Selling Author David Baldacci signs books in Roanoke and talks about his latest thriller.

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Dancers (L to R) Kate Oborn, Abigail Bagliani, Courtney Hood, Shannon Toole, Maria Jessee, Bria Gepitulan and Sarah Francisco are all smiles as they wrap up a scene in a recent performance of The Nutcracker by the Southwest Virginia Ballet. The cast of 150 performers represents 19 different dance studios and 53 elementary, middle, and high schools across the region. These young dancers join Southwest Virginia Ballet’s corp of 46 company dancers and a number of adult performers. This year will mark SVB’s 13th performance of The Nutcracker. For more information on upcoming Nutcracker performances and a complete listing of Roanoke Valley Holiday events including: cookie recipes, a holiday television schedule, gift making guide, special church service listing and more - check out the Star-Sentinel Holiday Guide inserted in this issue. Merry Christmas All!

Drumstick Dash a Record Breaker

Gobble, gobble. Stomp, all ran the 5K. “We think stomp. The 4th annual Drumthe [Roanoke] Rescue Misstick Dash roared through sion is the best thing we have the streets of downtown Roaseen anywhere. We are very, noke on Thanksgiving Day to very impressed. This city has raise money for the Roanoke done a wonderful job.”

Rescue Mission. The official Just before the race got “Turkey” of the race, Kevin underway Lee Clark (DirecSpencer, encouraged the 7,582 tor of Development for the runners and walkers in the 5K Rescue Mission) said, “We race to “eat more chicken.” The are so grateful and so thankturnout was a 40% increase ful.” The Dash was expected over last year’s total number to raise about $170,000, acof racers, indicating the race’s cording to Clark. Runners popularity has soared. came from 32 different states The annual event raises to raise money for the 40money for the Roanoke Rescue 50 parents and kids housed Photo by Alice Shook Mission, to feed, clothe, house in the family shelter, as well The Drumstick Dash attracted a record crowd of over 7,000 and counsel the homeless, and as for homeless single people to downtown Roanoke, providing participants a great prelude families in need. All anyone and the in-house drug / alcoto their Thanksgiving feast – all for a good cause. has to do is show up and ask hol programs. servings of cranberry sauce and hunfor assistance. The Drumstick In addition to the families Dash helps fund the Rescue Mission and dreds of pies and cakes consumed at the and groups that ran or walked together, the emergency shelter. The Mission of- mission on Thanksgiving Day. The run- there were some serious runners. The fers 398 beds, that are available 365 days ners definitely “moved their feet so oth- top three women finishers were Kaleigh ers could eat,” -- the official slogan for the Wood from Burlington with a time of a year.

This year’s Drumstick Dash, along with race.

19:32; Nicole Solana from ChristiansThe Drumstick Dash also brings fami- burg, running in 19:38, and Lucika Grone previous fundraisers, helped provide the 93 turkeys, 52 hams, 350 lbs. of mashed lies together for the holidays. Barbara from Roanoke came in at 19:44. Barrett potatoes, 20 commercial pans of stuffing, and John Tate came from Washington 35 gallons of corn, 40 gallons of gravy, D.C. to spend Thanksgiving with their > CONTINUED 1,500 rolls, 155 lbs. of green beans, 1,500 children, Leslie, Sarah and Stewart, who P2: Dash

Harrison Museum Honors Dabney; Prepares to Move The Harrison Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) formally announced its move to Center in the Square at a final event held on Tuesday evening. The Board of Directors invited all of the Museum’s supporters and friends to join them in the final event to be held at the historic Harrison School.

A sizable crowd was on hand to enjoy refreshments and a silent auction before and after the special program.

“The move to Center in the Square has been in the works for several years” stated Sereina Paynter, Board President. “The time has finally ar-

rived for us to say goodbye to the notable facility that was the birth of our Museum. Harrison has experienced twenty-four noteworthy years at our Harrison Avenue landmark. This moment is a sad and joyous occasion for all. Some smiles will be viewed through the tears as we leave one facility to join another,” said Paynter.

The relocation represents the first stage of HMAACs long anticipated move to Center in the Square. The move will enable the Museum to be more actively involved in the > CONTINUED P2: Harrison

Photo by Stuart Revercomb

William Dabney (right) and Cecil Curtis exchange thoughts just before Tuesday’s presentation.

A joint Town Council / Board of Supervisors meeting on the feasibility study regarding the merger of Roanoke County and Town of Vinton Emergency Communication 911 Centers was held earlier this week at the Roanoke County Administration Building.

During a work session held in July, staff from both government offices presented results gathered from a preliminary investigation of the proposal that identified the potential benefits and pitfalls of a merger of the communication centers. It was decided by council members and supervisors in attendance to proceed with the merger study.

A steering committee was broken into subcommittees comprised of both Town and County personnel, charged > CONTINUED P2: Merger

Regional YMCA Membership Agreement Announced

Representatives of three regional YMCA organizations have announced a new reciprocal membership agreement, which will allow members of one association full use of the facilities and programs of the others.

Participating YMCA organizations include the Bedford Area Family YMCA and its branches; the Franklin County Family YMCA and its branches; and the YMCA of Roanoke Valley and its branches. The branches include Y facilities in Bedford City, Moneta, West Lake at Smith Mountain Lake, Rocky Mount, downtown Roanoke, Salem, and Gainsboro in northwest Roanoke.

At a gathering of YMCA staff and volunteer officials at the Kirk Family YMCA in downtown Roanoke, Cal Johnson, Executive Director of the YMCA of Roanoke Valley, noted that the three associations represent over 40,000 members and YMCA program participants, and have combined annual operating budgets of over ten million dol> CONTINUED P2: YMCA

Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/4/09-12/10/09

NewsRoanoke.com

Roanoke Restaurants Gear Up For Smoking Ban

High pressure should move in briefly on Friday, allowing for mostly sunny skies. It will be cooler with highs in the upper 40s. Another weak piece of energy may move in on Saturday, bringing perhaps a little taste of winter weather. We could see a rain/snow mix, with perhaps more snow in the mountains, and more rain towards the Piedmont.

It will be a COLD day with temperatures only reaching the upper 30s under mostly cloudy skies. Skies will again turn mainly sunny on Sunday and Monday, with temperatures moderating a bit…we should top out in the mid-to-upper 40s both days.

Virginia law banned smoking in restaurants and bars beginning on December 1st.

It will require all restaurants to prohibit smoking; however, there are changes businesses can make to allow smoking. Restaurants must have a separate room with a separate ventilation system. Smoking in outdoor patios will also be allowed.

Some local restaurants are gearing up for the ban. Inside Awful Arthur’s at Towers Mall, customers packed the back room to watch Sunday football. That room is also the newly-designated smoking area.

“When they [law makers] came out said that we’re going to have a smoking ban, we were really interested in trying to keep both groups of people. So we pretty much instantly decided we wanted to have a way to block off that section,” said Assistant Manager Travis Sorrells. As you walk out of the room, a “No Smoking” sign near the glass door lets customers know not to light up in the front room.

“It’s almost 90 times better up front than what we had before,” said Sorrells, referring to the changes that have cut down on the smoke for the restaurant’s non-smokers.

> Harrison

It’s a law Corned Beef and Company is also preparing to handle. The pool room will also be the smoking room with a separate ventilation system. “This room is going to have these doors, be a more accessible door, a little easier to swing open and out instead of the big heavy doors we have now. And the other side, we’re going to have doors placed right underneath our fire doors here,” pointed out Manager Jamie Amos.

It’s good news for Larry Frost, also a smoker. “It’s a great idea. Pool shooting is the home of the smoker anyway, cigars and what have

you,” he said.

Both restaurants say there’s a big demand from their customers for a smoking room.

With other restaurants going completely smoke-free, Amos said they figured Corned Beef could offer customers something other restaurants couldn’t.

Frost agrees with the ban.

“Second hand smoke is a bear.

People think, I think, cigarettes stink, cigars stink, but I love to smoke cigars,” he said.

(From media partner WSLS)

From page 1

evolution of the Center in the Square renovations.

A second historic moment was also celebrated. In its last public event, the museum honored Mr. William G. Dabney, a local hometown hero. Mr. Dabney was recently recognized by President Obama and French President Sarcozy in Paris for his bravery as a very young soldier participating in the D-Day Invasion. Mr. Dabney received the Key to the City from Vice Mayor Sherman Lee and was recognized by other leaders from his

hometown in celebrating his past heroism and service to his county as well as to his community.

The soft spoken Dabney accepted the award and seemed genuinely humbled by its presentation. He spoke of his memories of storming and holding the beaches at Normandy while wrestling a barrage balloon ashore as part of a team specially trained to handle the large derrigibles that actually had bombs tethered to them to bring down strafing German aircraft. William Dabney’s son Vinnie in-

troduced his father and played portions of a recent History Channel documentary that featured his father recounting what it was like to serve in WWII as an African American soldier.

“I have both good and difficult memories of that time,” said Dabney in concluding his remarks, “and while I can’t recall everything now, I do remember coming home and I believe I was very happy about that.”

By Stuart Revercomb stuart@newsroanoke.com

> Merger From page 1

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with providing potential solutions to any foreseeable issues and concerns arising from the potential merger.

“This is a great report,” said Vinton Mayor Brad Grose. “I had a lot of questions before receiving this report. Because of the caliber of our staffs, the report answered my questions.

This is good news for our citizens. It is incumbent [on us] to save our citizens tax money when we can. This reflects the great working relationship the Town of Vinton and Roanoke enjoy.”

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The major considerations noted by the committees in order of importance were: citizens, employees, costs, development of policies and proceedings, maintaining the town identity, and the facility. All of the initial and bottom line costs needed to be identified while eliminating redundancies. The desire was to ensure that the culture and “hands on” service for customers would not be compromised if Vinton moved its dispatch center to the county public safety center on Cove Road.

It was noted by the committees that the Roanoke County Communications Center became a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified operation.

Roanoke County dispatchers can also “talk people through” a situation until emergency personnel arrive on the scene -- a service that is currently not offered at the smaller communications center in Vinton.

Additional advantages pointed out were service improvement, more dispatchers on duty, Emergency Medi-

cal Dispatch (EMD) for the Town of Vinton, operational efficiency, grant competitiveness (easier to get grants for merged centers), potential for enhanced services due to the opportunity to pool resources, and cost savings.

Roanoke County Director of Finance Rebecca Owens noted that for Budget Year 2009-10, the Town of Vinton’s budget totaled $496,333 including operational expenses of $118,450. Roanoke County’s budget totaled $2,128.677, including operational expenses of $251,127, equivalent to a combined total (for both budgets) of $2,625,010 including operational expenses of $369,577.

Owens reported that the anticipated proposed budget subsequent to full consolidation would total $2,145,570 including operational expenses of $255,887, with approximately 31 percent in savings for operational expenses.

The study revealed total implementation costs of $344,411 which includes software, hardware, service, and miscellaneous.

Application

for a grant from the 911 Wireless Board would cover most of the costs.

The Steering Committee recommended proceeding with the merger of the two centers. The timetable for being fully operational after the merger would be early fiscal year 2011 pending grant opportunities.

Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chairman Michael Altizer remarked that the study shows “You don’t have to go out and pay someone to do a study. Everybody involved from town staff to county staff did an excellent job – very thorough.”

Both governing bodies are scheduled to meet individually on December 15. If Roanoke County invites the Town of Vinton to merge the communication 911 centers, Vinton will announce its decision on whether to accept or decline the invitation at its next council meeting scheduled for January 5.

By Susan Ayers info@newsroanoke.com

> Dash From page 1

Lehardy, a Hidden Valley High School graduate, was 1st overall at 15:41. David Angell from Blue Ridge wasn’t far behind with 15:50. Tim Smith, a Cave Spring High School alum now running for Richmond, was third at 16:03.

The next run to hit the pavement for a good cause is the 5K Jingle Bell Run & Walk for Arthritis on December 12th in downtown Roa-

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

NewsRoanoke.com

Walking With Dinosaurs – In Roanoke?

The movie Jurassic Park was the first of its kind to create a real-life depiction of dinosaurs. Now, The Creature Production Company, in association with BBC-TV Worldwide, has created a theatrical presentation of dinosaurs that are life-sized and close enough to touch. “Walking with Dinosaurs” will roam at the Roanoke Civic Center January 8-10, 2010.

The dinosaurs are within scale of their true size. CEO of The Creature Production Company, Carmen Pavlovic, said at a preview event last week that “The dinosaurs are life-sized, making the show so immense it could only fit in arenas. It’s a 20 million dollar arena spectacle of unprecedented size and quality, which captivates young and old alike.” The show uses 25 tractor-trailers to haul the dinosaur show around -- a concert will typically use 5-8. It took six years to develop the program in Australia.

The dinosaurs actually have “skin” and moving, blinking

Photo by Alice Shook

Roanoke Catholic students were excited to hear about “Walking with Dinosaurs,” and enjoyed a demonstration of a baby T-Rex. eyes. They also react to the audience, producing even more of a dramatic effect. A baby T-Rex came out during the demonstration to visit with some children from nearby Roanoke Catholic School.

“It is so realistic and wonderful to see the children’s excitement,” said one teacher. Student Sabrina Becker noted, “It was kind of scary at first because they look so real, but then you know they

are not.” The baby T-Rex ensemble, a small mockup of what will be here in January, weighs 100 pounds and was worn by a man. Meanwhile the show’s walking T-Rex is 1.8 tons; the Brachiosaurus is

36 feet tall and 56 feet long.

It can nearly reach the ceiling of the Roanoke Civic Center Coliseum.

Roanoke City Mayor David Bowers, on hand for the media event, said, “Don’t spend all of your money at Christmas; you will want to save [some] for what is coming to the Roanoke Civic Center.”

Sheila Umberger, Roanoke City Library Director, felt the quasi-educational program “will enrich our community.”

She also wanted to remind people that December is dinosaur month at the libraries, with special activities planned throughout the month. The Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville is also hosting a DINO DAY on January 23. Ryan Barber, Director of Marketing for the museum, encouraged the public to plan a stop and visit the real bones of dinosaurs on display there.

A review written in The Christian Science Monitor said “Walking with Dinosaurs” is “precisely what the

nor’s School, home to some of Roanoke’s brightest high school students. He noted that Virginia Western Community College actually has a G.I.S. technology certificate program; “part of this is trying to get some of the [high school] kids…to be aware of that as an option.”

The Governor’s School has offered a G.I.S. class for seven years; Hoffman said it was once unique but noted that many other schools offer a similar program now. “G.I.S. is a tool and these kids need to be aware of it.” In many cases people don’t even recognize that G.I.S. is being used – like the color USA Today weather map. “It’s just going to continue to grow. People are starting to use it in their everyday life.”

Meanwhile Matt Miller explained how Google Earth can hone in on many homes and businesses via satellite pictures. “[We’re here] to expose students and the public in general to Geographic Information Systems, which is a method to use computers to look at geographic

data and analyze [it].”

“The goal” said Miller, “is to take that data, format and present it for public consumption.

Data can come from government agencies or private firms; the goal is to make it a usable file that can be used by Google Map, Google Earth or other outlets.” Miller had walked trails at Green Hill Park in Roanoke County to come up with data points that now show up on Google Map “in pretty good detail.” That type of exercise can be done “in a relatively short period of time,” said Miller, noting that G.I.S. data has been created for the Roanoke River Greenway.

Hikers use that type of information, often accompanied by trail descriptions, when they head into the deep woods. Orienteering competitions that use G.I.S. data have become a popular pastime for some.

G.I.S. Day was observed around the globe – which has gotten smaller again in recent years with the help of that technology, now found in many

> YMCA From page 1

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automobiles or in hand-held devices. Groups from Virginia Western Community College and the Western Virginia Regional Water Authority were also on hand to show how they use G.I.S. to make life easier

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S P EC I A L CO M M I S S I O N E R ’ S AU C T I O N O F R EA L E STAT E 2210 TANNEHILL DRIVE, ROANOKE, VIRGINIA L to R: John Carlin, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Roanoke Valley; Dave Lawton, Executive Director of the Franklin County Family YMCA; (speaking) Cal Johnson, Executive Director of the YMCA of Roanoke Valley; Mary Jo Boone, Executive Director of the Bedford Area Family YMCA; Donna Proctor, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Bedford Area Family YMCA.

lars.

“This agreement will allow us to serve our members and communities as never before,” Johnson said, “making YMCA membership more valuable than ever.”

Dave Lawton, the Executive Director of the Franklin County Family YMCA, stated that a “cooperative and collegial spirit is found among local YMCA’s throughout the country,” and said that the new regional agreement will be “a great benefit to all the participating communities.”

“YMCA’s build strong communities,” added Mary Jo Boone, Executive Director of the Bedford Area Family YMCA, “and this opportunity to work more closely together makes it possible for our local communities to become part of the larger community. Since our members cross county lines to shop and to work and to live and to play, it makes good sense to make all our Y facilities available to them.”

Regional YMCA Membership Information Bedford Area Family YMCA: Founded 1981 Membership 3,100 Program Participants 1,500 School-age Childcare 400 Financial Assistance (last FY) $50,000 Bedford Facility 40,000 sq. ft.

Moneta Facility (temporary) 10,000 sq. ft.

Franklin County Family YMCA: Founded 1995 Membership 6,000

By Alice Shook info@newsroanoke.com

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Governor’s School Shows Off G.I.S. Skills The Roanoke Governor’s School, located on the Patrick Henry campus, celebrated “G.I.S. Day” last week – that’s Geographic Information Systems – with a series of demonstrations on how the directional technology can be used.

Junior Alex Bond was showing visitors how to use the 2010 U.S. Census map, which is based on G.I.S. technology. He was using a mapping software that employs G.I.S. “Here you can actually see where the election results for 2008, for each blue county, voted for Obama. You [can] actually see how many districts in that county voted for Obama.”

Bond talked about something called a “Cardinal number” and much of what he said would go over the heads of many, as he explained how just about “any type of demographic you can think of,” can be analyzed with G.I.S. technology. “You can use it in a bunch of different ways,” noted Bond.

Fred Hoffman teaches a G.I.S. elective course at the Gover-

title promises -- 90 minutes of mammoth, life-sized reptiles.

They are scientifically accurate, not to mention technological and creative marvels.

They are just the first wave of immersion ‘edutainment’.”

Tickets prices start at $19.50 and top out at $59.50.

The January 8th show is at 7 p.m. Shows on Saturday the 9th are at 11a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. There are two shows on Sunday the 10th at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. The dinosaurs are so large that there really aren’t any bad seats in the arena.

The youngest age suggested for show attendees is 3.

Program Participants 2,000 School-age Childcare 175 Financial Assistance (last FY) $233,000 Rocky Mount Facility 47,500 sq. ft.

Essig YMCA Youth Center 25,500 sq. ft.

Smith Mountain Lake Facility 28,000 sq. ft.

YMCA of Roanoke Valley: Founded 1883 Membership 16,500 Program Participants 11,500 School-age Childcare 700 Financial Assistance (last FY) $1.25 million Downtown Kirk Facility 70,000 sq. ft.

Salem Facility 54,000 sq. ft.

Gainsboro Facility 7,000 sq. ft.

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

Virginia’s Former State Climatologist at Center of Global Warming Controversy

W

hile many newspapers continue to say leaked e-mails from global warming researchers two weeks ago created nothing but a misunderstanding, Virginia’s former state climatologist is in the middle of this worldwide news story and says the e-mails are very damaging to those promoting the idea of a man-made global warming catastrophe.

The e-mails leaked from one of the world’s leading climate research centers in London seem to indicate that scientists around the world are conspiring to make global warming seem worse than it is. In those e-mails, scientists appear to urge each other to present a "unified" view that global warming is man-made and allegedly advised one another how to manipulate their research data to promote a global warming agenda. They also discussed ways to keep opposing views out of leading scientific journals and refused to let skeptics review their data, which was gathered with public money.

Dr. Pat Michaels is now a senior fellow at the Cato Institute in Washington and is Virginia’s former state climatologist. He is a world-renowned climate expert and a longtime vocal critic of the hysteria surrounding global warming.

The reason he is at the center of this news story is because he is criticized in several of the leaked e-mails and is considered an adversary by the researchers who wrote them.

One scientist even e-mailed that he wanted to beat Michaels up because he was causing problems by questioning global warming data.

Many in the media and the

scientists caught Why wouldn’t it be up in the scandal public information? say the e-mails are Michaels has being taken out of looked through context and that many of the e-mails what they said and told me that about manipulatit appears global ing the research warming researchdata is “not what ers were intenyou think.” Sounds tionally trying to like the guy who make the data fit gets caught by his a predetermined Brian Gottstein wife with another scenario that man woman and says, was responsible “Honey, it’s not what it looks for global warming, and that like.” Sure it isn’t. the researchers indicated they Michaels said, “This is not a were very worried that their smoking gun; this is a mush- global warming models could room cloud.” not explain the earth’s cooling Michaels, however, is not during the last 10 years. your usual global warming Michaels says that the reason skeptic. He is a bit of a global researchers may have given up warming moderate. He be- the purity of science to forlieves the data shows that man ward a global warming agenda contributes to climate change, was simply for the research but in a minor way, and that money. When researchers in the changes are slow and not the field of climatology predict catastrophic over time. He a global warming doomsday, says he is not a skeptic as much people are willing to shovel as he is a “realist.” lots of money in their direcAs a good scientist, he has tion to try to find ways to stop just questioned the research it. The Wall Street Journal data and the sketchy conclu- reported that the Climate Resions drawn from it over the search Unit at the University years. That has gotten him in of East Anglia began to receive trouble with his climate col- millions more in funding from leagues. the United Nations and world Phil Jones, director of the governments when global British Climate Research Unit warming hysteria began to at the University of East An- take root with the public in glia where the e-mails were the 1990’s. leaked, is one of the world's By the way, your American leading climate scientists. He tax dollars via the U.S. Destated in one e-mail that he partment of Energy have prowas worried that fact checkers vided much of the funding for would try to get the center’s that British climate research data using the Freedom of In- facility. Despite claims by the formation Act, and that if he media and the Obama Adhad to turn over his data, he ministration to the contrary, it said, “I think I'll delete the file looks like an investigation into rather than send to anyone. . . . criminal fraud is in order.

We also have a data protection act, which I will hide behind."

Contact Brian at Remember that the data was bgottstein1@yahoo.com gathered using public funds.

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Ancient European region Podium Investor Small fry Layer Atmosphere layer Arching Thai Moray Globe Accede Fencing sword Tranquilize

43 44 45 46 48 49 51 54 56 57 58 60 64 66 68 69 70 71 72 73 74

African antelope Wise man Joint Rook's game Title of respect Wily Hot sauce Vigorously Shiny balloon material Boxer Muhammad Pasta Space between waves Norm Musical repeat Donkey Zeal Middle East dweller School assignment Gritty paper Fewer Cleans a hole

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

DOWN 1 Truant 2 Be gloomy 3 Top quality office solutions on peters creek rd. in roanoke 4 Rare 5 What pepper makes you do 6 Swag 7 Excite 8 Decorative needle case 9 Polka danced 10 Not nice 11 Open 12 Create 13 Soft 21 Optimistic 23 Bard's before 26 Horse noise 28 Fly 29 Whop 30 Asian country 31 Competent 35 Compass point 36 Robust 38 House cat 39 Little Mermaid's love 40 We smooth the wrinkles out ---- specialty.

42 Tableland 46 Faultfinding 47 A natural reason for Roanoke?

50 Movie star Taylor 52 Hair stylist 53 Awaken 54 Birds “thumb” 55 Downtown tobacconist since 1912 56 Get the ----- touch (slogan) 57 Greek god of war 59 Ripped up 61 __ Major (Big Dipper) 62 Weight unit 63 Heavy freight barges 65 Omega 67 Abdominal muscles (abbr.)

By Don Waterfield

NewsRoanoke.com

Water Wealth: Our Blue Gold

W

ill there be enough to go Here are just a few issues that dearound in tomorrow’s mand a new attitude about and relaworld? How to have adtionship with water: equate water for all who need it on the Bottling the Tap ~ Who owns global scale has become as urgent and the water underground? Water is compelling an environmental issue as becoming increasingly “owned” by how to avoid too much atmospheric companies like Nestle who just lost carbon dioxide. But unlike the invisan attempt in Michigan to mine ible, tasteless, odorless greenhouse without restrictions a community’s gas, water touches us tangibly evgroundwater at 400 gallons per minery day. Thirst tells when we there’s ute, paying less than local residents Fred First not enough of it in our bodies and do, then selling it bottled all over the drought shows us the same dependence for our world at thousands of times the water’s value. crops and livestock and forests. In a matter of They’re restricted now to 200 gallons. Per minhours or days without it, our absolute reliance ute. Twenty-four/seven. For years. Search Food on the liquid is not in question. and Water Watch for more.

Even so, it’s hard to fully comprehend the Public versus Private ~ The World Bank and pending water crisis beyond the boundaries of other international financial institutions and our SW Virginia kitchen sinks, wells and wa- governments have been promoting private contersheds. If we’re not thirsty, if our gardens and trol and ownership of developing countries’ woods are green and the creeks are full now, water services. Costs go up for the thirsty poor, where’s the problem? and a small group of shareholders prosper even It lies in the fact that soon there will likely as water-borne diseases remain a chief cause be nine billion cups held under the spigot, even of illness and death worldwide. Consider that as the global water use per person in the devel- those who control the water, control the food; oped world continues to rise. those who own the water and the food, own the Add to this the fact that the volume of ex- people. Market forces alone can’t be the guiding isting potable water for those who need it is principle in allocating water equitably. reduced by contamination with heavy metals, Virtual Water and water footprint ~ The wapharmaceuticals, pesticides and pathogens, ter I’ve required for my morning routine didn’t though there are far too many who must drink all come from our well. The cup of coffee I just whatever they can get in whatever state it’s in. enjoyed took 37 gallons of water from some The World Health Organization estimates that equitorial place to grow, process, package and 1.7 billion people still lack access to clean water ship. The typical hamburger requires more than and 2.3 billion people suffer from water-borne 500 gallons of water. In the same way there are diseases each year. invisible, externalized costs in fossil fuel for eatFresh water melts from the snowpack of ing foods imported from a great distance, there warming mountain glaciers in Nepal to rush is a water cost as well. Somebody somewhere past thirsty millions on its way to the salt seas. pays with their water.

It becomes unreachable by excessive drawAnd When it Falls ~ Philadelphia’s 1.6 billion down of sources underground to water lawns, dollar project may serve as a national model. fill swimming pools or grow biocrops to fuel Instead of sending storm water and municipal our cars. waste down the same often-overwhelmed pipes, The supply diminishes, the demand increas- they’ll store rainfall on green-growing rooftops, es, and waters above and under ground cross and send it to recharge aquifers beneath the city all kinds of high-tension state and national bor- through pervious pavers and in rain gardens. ders. The term “water wars” is more thinkable Scarcity, pollution and misallocation are than ever. problems with solutions. The time to talk our When it comes to this essential “right” re- way through them is now. garded over our short human history as an “all you can eat” entitlement from the commons Contact Fred at like air, it is not easy for us to see it any other fred1st@gmail.com way into the future. And yet, we must.

A Perspective on Meaningful Giving

I

was recently asked if I was a “glass is half empty” or “glass is half full” kind of person. While I had a well composed answer about being a “realist” who believes that all things are possible – the question has rattled about in my brain ever since.

How do I view the world?

How do those around me view the world? Do I surround myself with people who see limitless potential or people who see only obstacles? Do I take ownership for “filling my own cup” or do I look to the world around me and react?

As the holidays approach in the shadow of our current economic state, it is easy to feel “half empty”. However, as I make my way through the onslaught of holiday advertising messages – there is one consistent message: “It’s the Season of Giving.”

I suppose a “glass is half empty” person would see it as pressure to purchase the latest gadget or toy – but what if we tuned that whole concept upside-down? What if we used “the season of giving” as an opportunity to fill our “cup”

rather than our closschools.

Habitat ets? We all know for Humanity offers that wonderful feelhousing to deserving that comes with ing families who giving of ourselves just need a little to others. Not just boost. The SPCA stuff – but meaningand Angels of Asful giving. The kind sisi are working of giving that lifts hard to make sure the human spirit or our four-legged changes a life. friends don’t beStephanie Koehler I encourage all come casualties of of us -- as individtough economic uals and businesses to look times. The Roanoke Adofor ways to collectively im- lescent Health Partnership pact the community in which (RAHP) is providing affordwe live. If times are tough in able healthcare to the everyour home – perhaps you can growing population of un-ingo serve food at a community sured children. The list is, of center or gather up all those course, much longer and the bottles of shampoo you have need is overwhelming – but collected from every hotel we really can make a differvisit and take them to a shel- ence. ter for women and children in So, as we enter this “season need. of giving” my wish is that we If you have been blessed will all practice random acts with prosperity this year, per- of kindness and generosity. If haps consider writing an ex- so, the chances are we’ll turn tra check to area non-profits our calendars to a new year who are desperately trying seeing the glass as “half full” to do more with far less. The and the world filled with posMusic Lab at Jefferson Cen- sibilities. ter and the Youth Symphony both offer wonderful proContact Stephanie at grams to students from area stephaniekoehler@cox.net

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Perspective

NewsRoanoke.com

What’s So Special About 32?

A

ctress Angelina Jolie may sources are finite, and global climate be 32 years old – or was a change is NOW. It’s time for lasting couple of years ago – and solutions.

RAF squadron leader Jack Blair was How about a look at just one finite 32 when he died in the Netherlands resource issue for us here in Roaduring WWII. The nationally-syndinoke County? Water. In particular, cated Arthur Smith Show ran for 32 water in our toilets. consecutive years on television, inToilets are a leading cause of cluding guests such as Johnny Cash household water leaks. The averand Richard Nixon, before it aired its age toilet (that is, the older 5.5 gallast broadcast in 1982. The answer to H. Bruce Rinker, PhD lon flush toilet) uses 13,000 gallons the ultimate question about life, the of fresh water per year to dispose universe, and everything à la Dougof 165 gallons of body waste: that’s las Adams’ popular book, The Hitchhiker’s 78 gallons of fresh water for every gallon of our Guide to the Galaxy, was not 32, but 42. waste. For this reason, the 1.6-gallon ultra-low But these are not the reasons why the num- flush toilets –despite their occasional fussy naber, 32, is so special. ture – are now required on new constructions The number, 32, is the relative per capita nationwide. consumption rate of the estimated one billion 5.5 gallons per flush. Roanoke County, inpeople who live in developed countries. That cluding the City of Roanoke, has about 300,000 is, relative to the 5.5 billion other people in the residents. Let’s assume that every person flushworld who constitute the developing world. es at least once per day, using the older model.

Their relative per capita consumption rate That’s 1.65 million gallons of water literally gois mostly down to 1! On average, then, each ing down the drain every day, not including American consumes 32 times as much as a per- water for lawns, water for car washes, water son in Albania, Iraq, Syria, or Kenya. for laundry and dishes, and of course water for You can read a rather jarring article about drinking. Add to this the water used by indusall this in a New York Times op-ed piece by try, businesses, municipalities, golf courses, and Dr. Jared Diamond, professor of geography all the accoutrements of lifestyles in developed at the University of California in Los Ange- countries – and our daily demand for fresh wales, at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/ ter as just one of the world’s limited natural reopinion/02diamond.html. sources is GIGANTIC! If India, China, and the whole developing So let’s begin to use some “C” terminology world were suddenly to catch up with our high- such as common sense, conserve, catalyst, and consumption lifestyles in North America, West- change: It’s only common sense to conserve; to ern Europe, Japan, and Australia, it would be as be a catalyst for change; to take a chance that, if the world population ballooned to 72 billion ultimately, this will save us cash, curb our appepeople. And who’s crazy enough to think that tites, and create a community of wise consumthis ole’ world can support 72 billion people? ers. It begins with choice and a sense of perThat’s billion … with a B! B is also the first let- sonal conviction. And that’s COOL in a climate ter for words such as bipolar, biocide, biparti- of global warming! san, breakdown, and Byzantine – words that We simply must reduce that number, 32, to seem to describe various aspects of our current something equitable and sustainable across the global crises, all human-caused crises that have planet: for both developed and developing naour burgeoning population and increasingly tions. We have the health and well-being of our invasive technologies as their ultimate causes. children and grandchildren to consider. What The letter, B, is also the first letter for such kind of world do we wish them to inherit from words as baloney, bluff, boondoggle, bugaboo, our consumptive lifestyles? American essayist and bunk. These words figure notably among Henry David Thoreau offered a practical soluskeptics whose “head in the sand” attitude to- tion: “Simplify, simplify, simplify.” ward issues such as global climate change, acid precipitation, habitat fragmentation, and species extinction are simply exasperating for us H. Bruce Rinker, Ph.D. ecologists and environmental educators. We BRinker@NorthCross.org see the evidence firsthand every day in our professional lives. I, for one, am no longer interested in endless debate about their reality.

Gravity works, living things evolve, natural re-

“I am the slowest

12/4/09-12/10/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

My Four Legged, Four Tiered, Four-Midable Security System

S

ometimes I work odd hours; it's the curse of being an ER doc.

Many wives sleep fitfully, if at all, while their husbands are gone.

But my Sabrina sleeps in undisturbed confidence.

The reason for this lies in our “back-up” security system. It is perhaps best explained by our electronic systems guru who came to the house recently to explain our up-grade.

"No question, uh, you folks have a state of the art, uh system. But your back-up system might be better. Bad guys, heh, heh," he laughed nervously, "Might get in - might ...

But, uh, getting out alive?" He looked anxiously beside Sabrina, "Yeah, getting out alive, I just wouldn't bet on."

He took his leave with evident relief. Sabrina smiled and said to herself, "I wonder if you guys are what he was talking about." Our four Dobermans seated protectively at her feet looked up at her in silence. All but one are SPCA "rescues."

These rescue dogs return the favor.

So, yes, my baby sleeps well at night: 240 pounds of Dobies lie next to her on the bed, and a second tier of 170 pounds on the floor nearby. That's a lot of dog.

I've learned there far end of the house. is a big difference Then Jax and Roc between a watch turned, looked at dog and a guard her, wagged their dog. A '"watch stubby Doberman dog" - usually with tails and escorted the best ears in their mommy back the pack - picks to the bedroom. up any suspicious One night the sesounds, and by a curity system went signal - often a off. [It proved to be Lucky Garvin bark, sometimes a glitch.] The poa snort - alerts them. Our fifth lice, automatically summoned dog, Brandy - a bird dog - is a by our system, arrived at our very accomplished watch dog. front door. They looked down Her bark alerts Roc and Jax, at at the Dobies, smiled, and said, 90 pounds and 115 pounds re- "So, what do you need us for?" spectively; these are the guard Doberman Pinschers, it is dogs. Their devotion to Sabri- said, were the result of carena and me is complete, imme- ful breeding by a 19th century diate, and un-failing. tax-collector named DoberSeveral years ago, I was at man. Forced by his job to colwork one night. Sabrina awoke lect taxes and carry cash in to a noise in the house; it was dangerous neighborhoods, he not a normal noise of the felt it best to have guard-dogs. house. She turned on the light. The result of his cautious geRoc and Jax were standing up netic selection was the Doberin their beds, noses pointed man. There are no recorded toward the sound, hair up on incidents of threats to his their back. health or safety once he was Sabrina started to leave the accompanied by his creations. bedroom to check out the dis- Small wonder. turbance. She felt a soft, insisSo, all the dogs got treats, tent brush against her knee; and from that night to this, Roc and Jax insisted on taking my Sabrina sleeps quite well, the lead--time to return that fa- thank you. vor. Every square inch, includContact Lucky at ing the space beneath every info@theroanokestar.com chair, table and sofa got sniffed out until the trio reached the

”

carpet cleaner in Roanoke.

Article Correction / Addition In a recent story about Consignment stores in Roanoke, we left out “Buy The Season” - a resale & consignment furniture store located at 1529 Apperson Dr. in Salem. In addition to resale, consignment furniture,the store also has a large selection of antiques, gifts, home décor and seasonal merchandise. The store has over 140 vendors in over 21,000 sq. ft. of space. Be sure and include it on your list of consignment shops to visit during the Holiday shopping season.

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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/4/09-12/10/09

NewsRoanoke.com

The Patrick Henry Announces the Public Sale of Landmark Hotel Treasures

The Patrick Henry in downtown Roanoke has announced plans to hold a public sale of items from the historic landmark. Originally opened as a hotel in 1925, the building has been sitting idle for several years filled with furniture and antiques. While many of the items are of historical significance and will be used in the renovation, a substantial amount of furniture, fixtures, and equipment will be available to the public at a series of sales with proceeds benefiting Goodwill Industries of the Valleys and Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley. The first sale will take place on Saturday, December 12, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The one day event will feature small mementos such as original room keys, brass wall plaques, signature antiques and a sampling of art deco and traditional furniture. The sale will be held at the Goodwill Jobs Campus located at 2502 Melrose Avenue in Roanoke, Virginia. A larger sale with remaining items will be held in January of 2010 at the Roanoke Civic Center.

County Employees to Receive $500 Bonuses

No Grinch or Scrooge will steal holiday cheer from Roanoke County Public Schools employees this year, at least when it comes to proposed bonuses. According to a joint news release from the County Board of Supervisors and the School Board, the leaders have agreed to give a $500 bonus to each full-time and parttime contracted school em-

Holiday Special with Lenny Marcus Trio ‘Comfort and Joy’ cd release Special appearance from vocalist, Kerry Hurley

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ployee. But they won’t be the only ones. Each full-time and part-time County government employee will also receive the $500 bonus. Money for the bonuses will come from an overfunded medical contingency fund to which both employees and the county have contributed. Many county teachers were not happy about the reduction of an anticipated $750 bonus they had hoped to receive.

The County has scheduled a formal public hearing to vote on the bonuses for December 15th.

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

Sports

12/4/09-12/10/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

Josh Woodrum (#6, middle) threads the needle with a pass.

Cave Spring celebrates their regional crown.

Knights,Vikings In State Semi Battle: After beating Richlands 35-21 last weekend in the Region IV, Division 3 championship game, the Cave Spring Knights earned another home football game this Saturday against their cross town rival Northside (10-2). Knights quarterback Josh Woodrum turned into a runner against Richlands, racking up 209 yards on 29 carries in the absence of running back standout Michael Cole, who may be back this weekend. Woodrum also threw for 142 yards, as the Knights (10-2) scored 28 second half points against the Blue Tornado.

A trio of Knights sack the Richlands quarterback in the backfield.

Photos by TJ Whitten

Josh Woodrum was both a running and throwing star for Cave Spring.

Knights and Vikings to Fight for Spot in State Championship On Saturday afternoon at Bogle Stadium the Cave Spring Knights and Northside Vikings will meet with a trip to the Group AA Division III state football championship on the line. Who would have predicted that match-up three months ago?

Nevertheless, two of the Valley’s surprise teams will face off in a rematch of an ugly 10-7 Cave Spring victory way back in September. “It’s a great feeling to be where we are,” Knights Head Coach Tim Fulton said. “We’re so proud of the kids – it’s been a rough few years for them up until now.”

It’s probably safe to say that the Knights’ success in 2009 has more than made up for any sufferings of years past.

(Before 2009, Cave Spring won only two games in each of the past three seasons.)

By defeating Richlands High School 35-21 last Friday night, Cave Spring secured their first regional title since 2005.

However, what is perhaps more surprising than the team’s turnaround is something Fulton revealed after the game: his players expected this. “This group knew they could be special, and that they could achieve several goals,

and one of them was winning a region title,” he said.

The Knights (10-2) caught Richlands completely offguard with their game plan, which featured a heavy dose of quarterback Josh Woodrum running the football, something the junior quarterback hasn’t done all season.

“It was our plan all along to run Josh as much as possible,” Fulton said. “We knew that would present problems for them because no one’s seen us do that yet this year.”

In previous games, Woodrum, who has been dealing with an injury to his non-

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throwing shoulder for most of the season, was told to stay in the pocket and throw the ball away when necessary to prevent further injury. Now that the shoulder has healed, Woodrum was unleashed, to the tune of just over 200 yards rushing and a touchdown. He also completed 16 passes for over 140 yards and another score.

Cave Spring’s opponent is another unlikely contender.

After knocking off Liberty High School 26-14, the Vikings secured a spot in the state semifinals for the first time in 29 years.

Against the Minutemen, Northside (10-2) followed the

usual script – a dominant running game supplemented by a stout defense. The Vikings racked up over 250 yards on the ground, and held Liberty’s triple-I formation offense to only four first downs.

For the Vikings to advance to the state title game, they will have to continue to dominate the line of scrimmage, something Fulton is concerned about.

“We’ll have to withstand their line,” he said. “They’re just massive.”

Turnovers will also play a big role. The two teams combined for eight in their September 11th contest. But Fulton doesn’t expect such futility

on offense this time around.

“I think both offenses have improved dramatically,” he said. “So much so that I think there will be a lot more stress on both defenses this time around.” Kickoff on Saturday is set for 1:30 p.m. Prediction: Northside 24, Cave Spring 21 Note: Cave Spring running back / linebacker Michael Cole, who missed the Richlands game with back spasms, is scheduled to play on Saturday.

By Matt Reeve Matt@newsroanoke.com

Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/4/09-12/10/09

Sports

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

William Fleming Colonels Ready to Start From Scratch So close, and yet so far. football: Daniels (VCU), HaThat in a nutshell sums up the gins, (Delaware), Stephon Anstate of the basketball program derson (Chowan), Eric Thomas at William Fleming High School (Concord), Shaquan Manning as they head into the 2009-2010 (football – Hampton) and Derek season. Only eight months ago, Brown (football – Charleston). the Colonels took a 24-9 lead When Fleming head coach into the half against King’s Fork Mickey Hardy looks out onto the High School in the VHSL Group court this season, he will see an AAA state boys championship entirely new set of faces. In fact, game, virtually certain of caponly two players from last year’s turing their second state title in roster – senior Arthur Mack and three seasons. But William Flemsophomore Miles Henderson ing collapsed in heartbreaking – are back for another run, and fashion in the second half, falling Fleming head coach Mickey neither saw significant minutes Hardym discusses a call with last season. The rest of the team 49-47 to the Bulldogs.

Despite the loss, last year’s a ref. either played on the junior vargroup was a special bunch. Led sity squad last winter, or transby Troy Daniels and Jamelle Hagins, the Colonels ferred in from another school. went 25-5, winning the Western Valley District Talk about going from one extreme to the other. and featuring a roster of which 6 went on to re- “We’re a young team, that’s for sure,� Hardy said. ceive college scholarships in either basketball or “And when you’re as young as we are, you don’t

really have any expectations for the kids. They’re new to the program and it’s gonna take time.�

Truth be told, even Hardy doesn’t know what kind of team he has yet. The Colonels have only practiced together nine times (as of December 1st), and have yet to play in a game together. Because of that, the first few games of the season will be used by the coaching staff as a way to evaluate the players, set rotations and positions. “We’re hoping to get that all figured out in 3 or 4 games,�

Hardy said.

For now, Fleming will play with a small lineup, featuring 3 guards – Mack, Henderson, and Javonte Brown, a transfer student. Hardy likes all three players, noting that each has the ability to score and can shoot well from the outside. Inside, another transfer, Julian Hicks, will start in the post. Hicks, however, is only 6’5�, and a lack of height in the paint could lead to serious rebounding issues as the season progresses.

It’s a safe bet that the youthful Colonels will struggle early as they learn to play with each

other under Hardy’s system. It is doubtful they will contend for the WVD title, as G.W. Danville, Patrick Henry, and Franklin County each return four starters from a year ago. But Hardy isn’t disheartened. Instead, he’s taking a long-term view of things, hoping that he can take the youngsters on his team and mold them into winners, much like he did Daniels and Hagins. “We’ve just gotta be patient and take the peaks with the valleys. It’s all going to be a part of the learning process,� Hardy said. “There’s gonna be some good and there’s gonna be a lot of bad, and I’m sure there’s gonna be a deer-in-the-headlights look when they come out for their first game. I just told them at the end of the day, it’s still basketball. You still have to play basketball.�

The Colonels season got underway Wednesday at home against Pulaski. William Fleming will take on The Kamit Institute from Washington, D.C. Saturday at Patrick Henry High School.

By Matt Reeve Matt@newsroanoke.com

Senior Golf Tour Winner a Two-Timer

John Hubbard of North Roanoke was the 2009 overall points winner in the Roanoke Valley Senior Golf Tour events. Hubbard, a repeat first place winner from the 2007 season, led the field of 130 players by amassing the highest points total for the nine events and collected a first place gift certificate in the amount of $500, a first place wall plaque and a traveling trophy.  The Senior Tour awarded a total of $2,950 in gift certificates paid out to the top 20 participants. The top 5 awards were as follows: John Hubbard, 1st place, $500; Garry Mundy, 2nd place, $350; Jim Snidow, 3rd place, $300; Andy

Shumate, 4th place, $250; Raymond Barton, 5th place, $200.

The Roanoke Valley Senior Golf Tour is a non-profit organization for seniors, ages 55 and older. Tournaments are held in and around the Roanoke Valley within a 45-mile radius. Nine tournaments are scheduled, once a month from March to November.  The Roanoke Valley Senior Golf Tour (RVSGT) is now accepting applications for the 2010 season. Participants must be 55 years of age or older as of March 23, 2010. The following 9 Golf and Country Clubs have been selected for 2010:

March 23 - Tuesday - Ashley Plantation Country Club; April 20 - Tuesday - Botetourt Country Club; May 18 - Tuesday - Hanging Rock Golf Club; June 15 - Tuesday - Draper Valley Golf Club; July 20 - Tuesday - Westlake Golf & Country Club; August 18 - Wednesday - London Downs Golf Course; September 21 - Tuesday - The Vista Links; October 19 - Tuesday - Blue Hills Golf Club;Â November 9 - Tuesday - Ivy Hill Golf Club. For applications and additional information, please visit rvsgt.org or contact Tommy Firebaugh at (540) 977-4686, fotonut3@cox.netÂ

Photo by Tommy Firebaugh

John Hubbard also grabbed top honors in 2007.

Roanoke Main Library 10 a.m.

Honor

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Each year, we pause to remember and honor our loved ones with an annual Service of Remembrance. We invite all the families Oakey’s has served during the past twelve months to attend one of the Services of Remembrance listed below.

Saturday, December 5, 3:00 p.m. – Vinton Chapel Memorial service to be celebrated at Vinton Chapel

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12/4/09-12/10/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

NewsRoanoke.com

Commentary: Market Renovations May Have Unintended Consequences nor do I personally have a financial interest in the Market District.

I believe it was Will Rogers who said, " I only know what I read in the papers." I have read the papers, but I also have information from conversations with people who will be adversely affected by the renovations. I am not sure anyone in the City of Roanoke (hereafter CITY) or Downtown Roanoke, Incorporated (hereafter DRI) has taken the time to involve those who are subject to harm in the plans or even if there are any plans for construction.

From what I read and hear, the renovations may take up to three years to complete. Presently, the plan is to remove all 11 market spaces and vendors

from West Market Square (adjacent to Center in the Square) in order to place construction cranes in the space. The cranes, I am told, have a safety field at least equal to their height and that likely would require removal of the vendors in East Market Square as well -- another 11 market spaces and vendors. Then, because Center in the Square is seeking tax credits to assist in financing, the exterior must be returned to the same exterior appearance it had when first built, or so I am told. That means removing the exterior bricks and replacing them and removing the current windows and replacing them as well. That would likely require the removal of approximately 10 more market spaces and

vendors along Market Street.

That is a total of maybe 32 vendors to be relocated, while 21 vendors could still set up in the market spaces between Kirk Avenue and Church Avenue.

Not only do the vendors in the Historic Roanoke City Market depend on pedestrian traffic in the Market for customers, so do the other businesses in the Market District.

Perhaps, there is a plan for relocating the vendors, although I haven't read of one or heard of one, and perhaps the construction will start in June or July still leaveing enough time for such a plan to be developed by the CITY or DRI. On the other hand, those vendors who need time to buy seed and fertilizer and other neces-

I am writing as a concerned citizen who loves her country and wants the best for it. As such, I am very interested in the behavior of our government. I’d like to address three issues relating to our local and state governments.

First of all, I recently read of Roanoke City and Roanoke County’s decision to build new main libraries. Is this wise? I do not think so. I am a frequent visitor to both city and county libraries and never have I felt any library I visited was used to capacity. In fact, if the city officials feel that we need new libraries, why did the city choose to close the libraries one extra day a week? A contradictory message is being communicated by our local government. We need to be very fiscally conservative by not starting unnecessary new projects which very often lead to tax raises. Instead, maximize use of the existing facilities.

On the state level, I am very concerned with how Senators Webb and Warner will vote in any healthcare legislation that may be presented to the US Senof cities and towns that use ate. I don’t have all the answers roundabouts, particularly at figured out concerning healthintersections where multiple care but I think it’s immoral streets meet. A couple of comto tax one person to provide a mon sense rules are followed, benefit for another. And I do and are often posted at the speak from experience, having approach to the traffic circle: once been in the income bracket (1) Vehicles in the roundabout where I could have easily milked have the right-of-way; (2) Use the system. If you want health turn signals. insurance, get a second job, sell The roundabout has greatly something, but do it yourself. Of improved traffic flow at the course this has limits (such as in intersection of Colonial Ave. the case of disabled persons) but and Penn Forest Blvd. VDOT, why should perfectly healthy Roanoke City and Roanoke people receive a government County should plan to add handout which they could promore roundabouts at congestvide for themselves? ed intersections.

A very important component Janet Minnix of the healthcare legislation is Roanoke whether our Virginia senators will respect the consciences of

their pro-life constituents. I encourage all readers who care for the rights of the unborn to contact their senators and ask them to honor the consciences of Virginia citizens by voting “NO� for any legislation promoting abortion.

Finally, I’d like to tie both the previously mentioned subjects together by tackling the worst problem in our government: a lack of respect for the taxpayer.

People, if you work in the government, whether it be in the library, at the post office, as a teacher, or in whatever role, the taxpayer is providing you a paycheck. Other people are paying for your livelihood. I’m thankful for many of our public employees and definitely want the services they render; however, I also want public employees to show some gratitude to the taxpayer by showing fiscal restraint.

Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Senators Warner and Webb, listen up: respect the taxpayer and stop regarding them as a bottomless well of funding. We are not your endless piggy-bank.

Commentary: Open Commentary: Letter to Mark Warner Common Sense / Fiscal Responsibility is Needed

Dear Senator Warner, I’m very disappointed in your “response� to my letter. In it I asked you to take a leadership role and join Sensible Citizen Senators in proposals that will really reform health care.

Really bring down costs through private market solutions to help everyone have improved health care, help our economy and our country to preserve the best health treatment and medical research in the world.

Your “response� talked right past my plea and examples of proposals that have been rejected by those in control of healthcare legislation. You mention instead a “cost effective, efficient system, based on data driven medical standards and decreasing the deficit and lowering costs in the long term.�

These are vague, meaningless and non-specific terms. And yet you say “we must be sure competition must remain among providers.� We know you understand business and know this is true and do not support a single payer healthcare system.

States will have difficulty opting out of the current Senate Bill with a public option no matter what they call it. So where will your competition among healthcare providers be then?

Private options and choices will be gone.

So why not join in with common sense solutions and present an alternative bill that can get the votes and backing of a majority of Americans. A bill that can help solve our very serious inadequacies regarding access and affordability. Wouldn’t this be a better choice than no reform at all or having something that will take us backwards in healthcare and down into untold debt that will become an endless burden for our children and grandchildren?

Sincerely, Kathryn A and William E. Hall

Letters to the Editor Fleming Scandal Dear editor, The bar associations and its collaborators, in order to advance their agenda of domination,would like to label complaints about the legal system as fundamentally unjust and as statements that come from a fringe element.

However, it is the legal system itself,controlled by the demagogic legal profession,that is indeed the home of extremism, absolutism and intolerance.

One small example is the unconscionable fee (nearly 150,000 dollars and counting) in legal expenses over the WFHS "SOL" matter.There has yet to be a trial.This is where the real scandal lies.This gouging makes the alleged altering of schedules to manipulate scores look minor and tawdry.

The American republic is being torn apart and democratic institutions are being pushed into extinction.The new repressive theocracy, the legal profession, has converted America's democracy into their thugocracy. Irrespective of who wins or loses, the ruling class will have its mandates and pound of flesh.The people, no longer answered to by its own government, are now reduced to submission.

The fiction of judicial supremacy, often cloaked as "independence" , caters to rogue behavior.This is not compatible in a progressive and merit-based society. It will make jurists into demigods and will turn simple matters into drama.

Harsha Sankar Covington,Virginia

Another Response to Roundabout Dear editor, I read the letter from Stephen A.Toth (Response to Roundabout) and want to add several comments.

I have driven in a number

Sharene N. Duncombe Roanoke

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sary items in order the get the crops in the ground also need to know where or whether a market space will be available for them when the crops are gathered for market.

The bottom line is this: I fear, that the Historic Roanoke City Market, having been in existence for 120 years, having survived wars, drought, and floods, may not be able to survive the inattention of the CITY and DRI and inadequate planning for the future of the Market by both entities. The UNINTEDENDED CONSEQUENCE -- in future years, Roanoke citizens will take relatives and friends for a drive downtown and will turn off Campbell Avenue onto Market Street and tell their guests, "This is where

the Historic Roanoke City Market used to be."

An old expression says, "money talks," but so does the privilege of voting. I have heard, not read, that nothing can be done to stop the upcoming three -- year renovations to Center in the Square and the City Market Building.

Maybe, but if enough people let the Mayor and present City Council members and those who might be elected in next May's council election, know by phone or mail that if they permit the destruction of the Historic Roanoke City Market, they do so at their political peril.

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Well, at least for Norfolk Southern Employees Mike Carter (right) and Pat Dalton (left) as they take turns holding a very industrial version of a large beach umbrella over each other while grinding the leading rails on a track junction in downtown Roanoke. The weather was cold, windy and rainy to start the week and again mid week, and more inclement weather may be on the way with even colder temps ahead.

Friday night's low is forecast in the upper 20's. See the full WSLS 10 Storm Team Forecast on page 2.

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Some time ago, I had an occasion to create a definition for the phrase "UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES." My definition is "the natural result that occurs when insufficient foresight is applied to any proposal, project, or concept and an overabundance of hindsight must be applied to justify or explain the result."

As the risk of being labeled "Prophet of Doom," I am afraid of the natural result that may occur to the Historic Roanoke City Market and others in the Market District if insufficient foresight is applied in the planning for the renovation of the Center in the Square and the City Market Building. confess at the outset that I am not privy to the plans for construction,

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

NewsRoanoke.com

‘Father of the Internet’ - Google Vice President to Speak at Virginia Tech Vinton G. Cerf, the co-designer of TCP/IP protocols and basic architecture of the Internet, will lecture at Virginia Tech on Monday, Dec. 7.

His talk, “The Unfinished Internet,� is from 11 a.m. to noon at the Holtzman Alumni Center’s Alumni Assembly Hall. Sponsored by Virginia Tech’s College of Science, the event is free and open to the public, no tickets needed, though space is limited.

Widely known as a "Father of the Internet," Cerf is the co-designer with Robert Kahn of TCP/ IP protocols and the basic architecture of the Internet. In 1997, President Clinton recognized their work with the U.S. National Medal of Technology.

In 2005, Cerf and Kahn received the highest civilian honor bestowed in the United States, the

Presidential Medal of From 1994-2005, Freedom. It recognized Cerf served as senior that their work on the vice president at MCI. software code used to Prior to that, he was vice transmit data across the president of the CorpoInternet put them at the ration for National Reforefront of a digital revsearch Initiatives, and olution that has transfrom 1982-86 he served formed global comas vice president of MCI. merce, communication, During his tenure with and entertainment. the U.S. Department of Cerf is now vice presDefense's Advanced ReVinton G. Cerf ident and chief Internet search Projects Agency evangelist for Google. from 1976-1982, Cerf He is responsible for identifying new enabling played a key role in the development of Internet technologies and applications on the Internet and and Internet-related data packet and security other platforms for the company. technologies.

Access Wins Three Gold Summit Awards for Public Relations Excellence

Access Advertising & Public Relations received three Gold level Summit Awards at the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s Summit Awards Gala held recently. The Summit Awards recognize the best in public relations and communications efforts by professional public relations practitioners in Southwest Virginia. The entries were judged by the California Inland Empire Chapter, and each entry was evaluated in four areas: Research, Planning, Execution and Evaluation.

Access received awards in the following categories on behalf of its clients: ¡ Gold – Issues & Crisis Management, Average Budget - Vir-

ginia Hospitality and Tourism Association – Rallying for I-81 Rest Stops ¡ Gold – Issues & Crisis Management, Modest Budget - Citizens for Positive Growth – Glenvar Asphalt Plant Opposition ¡ Gold – Special Events, Average Budget - Lewis-Gale Medical Center – 100th Anniversary Celebration “We've had tremendous public relations opportunities over the last year. It’s an honor for Access to be recognized in this way by our peers for our successful efforts to communicate issues and milestones of importance to this community,â€? said John Carlin, Senior Vice President of Access Advertising &

Spectrum Design Wins VSBA Distinguished Design Award for Northside High School

Public Relations.

PRSA is the world’s largest association of public relations professionals. The society’s members represent business and industry, counseling firms, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional service firms and nonprofit organizations.

Access Advertising & Public Relations was founded in 1996 and has nearly 400 clients in 12 states, Canada and abroad. The firm has won more than 400 American Advertising Awards, public relations awards and citations, as well as international awards for exhibit design and CASE awards for work with higher education.

The Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) has awarded Spectrum Design the 2009 Distinguished Design Award in the category of Outstanding Renovation for the firm's achievement in redesigning Northside High School in Roanoke. The award was presented at the VSBA’s Exhibition of School Architecture at the Annual Convention in Williamsburg.

In May, Spectrum Design completed a $24 million renovation and expansion to the 40year-old school building that included an 18,500 square-foot addition and the installation of the first geothermal heating and cooling system for a Roanoke school. As part of the new design, the firm added new classrooms and science labs, conference rooms, state-of-the-art career and media centers, a refurbished cafeteria, auditorium, gymnasium and locker rooms, and an outdoor dining court-

Jefferson College Of Health Sciences Names Interim President The Jefferson College of Health Sciences Board of Directors has appointed Dr. Nathaniel L. Bishop to serve as interim president, following the retirement of President Carol Seavor in April, 2010. Bishop, a Carilion Clinic vice president, is also a member of the JCHS board. “This is an exciting time for the College, with health care playing a lead role among the issues of the day, and a new medical school coming into the region. ‘NL’ has the knowledge, background and skills necessary to help us take full advantage of the opportunities available to us, our faculty and students,� said Steve Musselwhite, JCHS Board chairman. “NL has always been a strong advocate for the College, and he truly appreciates the vital role it plays in our community,� said JCHS President, Dr. Carol Seavor. “His many years of experience in health care administration and his skill as a facilitator will serve the college well during this interim period.�

Bishop currently serves as a Carilion Clinic vice president, and is an assistant professor with the Virginia Tech Carilion

School of Medicine and Research Institute, opening in the fall of 2010. He holds an undergraduate degree from Radford University, a master’s degree in education from Virginia Tech and a doctorate degree in ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. In addition to his position on the JCHS Board of Directors, he serves on the Board of Trustees of Ferrum College and is a member Emeritus of the Board of Visitors of the Divinity School of Duke University. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Taubman Museum of Western Virginia and in 2008 was appointed by Governor Tim Kaine to the SW Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission.

Bishop is a past president and current treasurer of the Montgomery County Radford City Floyd County Branch NAACP. He and his wife, Sylvia, reside in Christiansburg where they are members of Asbury United Methodist Church. They have three grown children and four grandchildren. “I am humbled and excited by this honor,� Bishop said. “I have a deep appreciation for the

Cerf has chaired the board of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers since 2000. He has been a Visiting Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory since 1998. He served as founding president of the Internet Society from 1992-1995 and was on its board until 2000.

Cerf is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Association for Computing Machinery, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the International Engineering Consortium, the Computer History Museum, and the National Academy of Engineering.

He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UCLA and more than a dozen honorary degrees.

yard for seniors.

"We are pleased to receive this recognition from the Virginia School Boards Association," said David Bandy AIA, vice president and Director of Design for Spectrum Design. "The Northside High School renovation is a well thought-through design that rearranges the plan to be more functional, student and staff-friendly, as well as a creative environment to stimu-

late young minds. Spectrum Design has been given the great privilege of working on more than 200 educational building projects across the state and this award reinforces our position as a leader in innovative design for Virginia schools."

The project began in 2007 and was completed in three phases to minimize disruptions to students.

Oakey’s Pet Funeral Home & Crematory Opens in Roanoke

At Your Service!

Dr. Nathaniel L. Bishop has been named interim president succeeding Dr. Carol Seavor.

The Roanoke-based Oakey’s Pet Funeral Home & Crematory opened this week to area pet lovers faced with challenging end-of-life decisions for their beloved companions. The facility, located at 5416 Airport Road, is unique to southwestern Virginia and offers pet parents an opportunity to ease the pain of saying goodbye to a companion who has provided friendship, unconditional love College, its history and heritage. and memories to last a lifetime.

We will play a vital role in our “The Oakey’s Family is passionate about their own pets and understand the meaning of the region’s health care in the com- human-companion 2711 Franklin Rd. animal bond,� says Sammy Oakey, President. “Our goal is to treat your pet the Roanoke, VA 24014 ing years, and I look forward to way we would treat any family member we serve, with respect and dignity, and with a level of care working in collaboration with an outstanding staff, faculty and families have come to expect with the Oakey’s name.�

According to the Salon & American Day SpaPet Association, of the 106.4 million households in the US, there are student body.�

45 million dog owners, with over half of those individuals more attached to their pets than to at Bishop’s interim term will exleast one other human being.

Of those households, there are 77 million cat owners. tend up to three years. Bishop The new facility offers a spacious, welcoming environment and furnishes a private room for will retain his title of Carilion Clinic Vice President, though families to have a meaningful farewell. The facility was constructed specifically for the cremation some of his responsibilities will of pets and is separate from Oakey’s human funeral services. All cremations SERVING THE ROANOKE VALLEY are performed onsite be temporarily transferred to in the facility and pet owners receive a certificate of cremation along with the pet’s cremains. !

COUPON COUPON other administrators to allow Oakey’s Pet Funeral Home & Crematory will offer additional services to include private cremahim to focus his attention on tion of pets, traditional burial, customized memorial celebrations, pre-arrangements and aftercare. the administration and needs of More information available at www.oakeypetloss.com Salon &is Day Spa the College.

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Arts & Culture

NewsRoanoke.com

12/4/09-12/10/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11

An Evening with Author David Baldacci

Colorado Quartet to Perform at Squires The Colorado Quartet will perform Saturday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. in the Squires Recital Salon on the campus of Virginia Tech. The concert is a part of the University Chamber Music Series by the Department of Music.

Catapulted onto the scene by back-to-back wins at the Banff International String Quartet and Naumburg competitions, Colorado was the first all-women quartet to attain international stature.

They are also the first female quartet in history to perform the complete Beethoven Quartet cycle in Europe and North America. They have recorded the entire works of Beethoven for String Quartet; the middle and late quartets have been released, and the early quartets are still in the editing pro-

cess.

The quartet will play an all-Beethoven program featuring "Quartet in C Minor, Op. 18 No. 4;" "Quartet in F Major, Op. 135;" and "Quartet in E Minor, Op. 59, No. 2 'Razumovsky.'" The members of the Colorado Quartet are violinists Julie Rosenfeld and Deborah Lydia Redding, violist Marka Gustavsson, and cellist Katie Schlaikjer.

Tickets are $15 general / $10 senior / $5 student and are available at the University Unions and Student Activities Box Office in Squires Student Center. To order tickets, call (540) 231-5615 or visit the box office online (http://www.tickets. vt.edu/).

Ristau Found His Calling in Theater

Todd Ristau loves the theater; you can see his eyes light up when he talks about the early days and his vision for “No Shame Theatre.” The talented and well-loved Theater professor is found at home at Hollins University these days.

No Shame Theatre, a stage concept in which anyone can get up and do a five-minute bit of almost any sort, was founded by Todd Ristau and Stan Ruth at the University of Ohio. The first venue was a theater parking lot, in the back of a pick-up truck over twenty years ago. Conjuring something out of a movie, auto headlights acted as stage lights and people gathered around the truck/stage.

“It was a place where theater students and playwrights couldexperiment without being well known actors - and keep working at it until it worked,” said Ristau. “We were eventually invited inside the theater,” he recalled. Ristau brought “No Shame” to the Roanoke Valley in 2003, holding it at

Mill Mountain love the fact that Theatre’s Walmy pretending dron Stage until and creativity that operation inspires people shut down for fito improve their nancial reasons. lives,” said RisFor now “No tau.

Shame” has Jokingly he moved down adds, “although Campbell AvI may not be a enue to StuHollins woman dio Roanoke, going places,[I] the off-off-off love being at Photo by Lisa Brown Broadway exHollins Univerperimental the- Todd Ristau teaches sity, which is dedater space, where theater at Hollins. icated to creative Ristau mooninteractions with lights as artistic students.” director. Hollins alum Kenley Ristau said he also wants Smith owns Studio Roanoke. to encourage more people to Ristau hopes to participate on go to Studio Roanoke, where some level if and when Mill Hollins students among othMountain Theatre returns. ers have staged first readings Ristau was in the sixth grade of their plays. “I want Stuwhen he knew he wanted to dio Roanoke to be a commube an actor. While looking nity theater where people can through a family yearbook he come together under that roof spotted a photo of students regardless of race, age, or genin various costumes. At that der.” very moment, he knew his

By Lisa Brown calling. “I’ve always been reinfo@newsroanoke.com ally invested in pretending; I

New York Times #1 Bestselling author David Baldacci recently came to Roanoke for a talk and book signing at the Tanglewood Barnes & Noble, a stop on his current tour around the country. He was promoting his newest book, “True Blue,” a fictional police mystery set in Virginia and Washington, D.C. Baldacci began his talk by explaining how he conducted research for his new book. He first asked his wife’s permission (which luckily she granted) to accompany the D.C. police as they went out on their rounds. He was armed with only a pen and pad, while the policemen he shadowed had guns and Kevlar vests.

The police work Baldacci disliked the most was searching dark alleys looking for drug dealers. He was afraid of an ambush, but instead he encountered a double murderer’s chained mastiff trying its best to attack him. He shouted to the nearby officer, asking what to do. The officer’s response was “run like …” which he did!

On one occasion, after a suspect was handcuffed on the ground, he asked the man if he would agree to an interview. The suspect recognized him and said, “Hey, I have read all your books.” Baldacci replied, “You are going to have a lot of time in jail to read my new one!”

Baldacci’s long and prolific career has produced 17 consecutive New York Times bestsellers. His books are published in over 40 languages in more than 80 countries, with nearly 90 million copies in print. He and his wife are co-founders of the Wish You Well Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America. He founded the program “Feeding Body and Mind,” (www.feedingbodyandStudioSchoolDec10ad 12/2/09 10:08 AM mind.com) with 12 other authors to help distribute books across America. Baldacci had a large

box placed in the Barnes & Noble store and asked for contributions of books for his program. Books donated locally go to the Rescue Mission and various other local shelters in Roanoke.

One of Baldacci’s series, “Camel Club,” is in the process of being optioned for movie rights. While in London to discuss details of the movie deal, he and his family had the pleasure of touring the new Harry Potter movie set during filming. He wryly observed that his children thought he “was finally cool for about 10 minutes.”

During the question and answer session Baldacci was asked that if he had an opportunity to co-author a book with anyone, who would that be? His choice: either Nelson Demille or John Irving. When asked about his favorite authors -- the people he reads for pleasure – he readily responded, “Sue Grafton, John Grisham and Patricia Cornwell.”

He also talked about his unpublished book, due for release in the spring of 2010. It is entitled “Deliver Us From Evil” and is about 90% finished. Baldacci said he actually does not have an ending yet. He said that ,”so far every ending I have imagined has seemed boring,” so he is going to wait and let the ending occur to him spontaneously. He surmised that it will be based on current events and the present evil that surrounds us.

Baldacci was recently named a Contributing Editor to Parade Magazine; his first article will be about George and Laura Bush. He and his family live in Northern Virginia, and have a vacation home at Smith Mountain Lake.

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By Carla Bream info@newsroanoke.com

BEGIN THE WEEK OF JAN. 4th Discover your inner artist by painting, learning and creating alongside some of the region’s best artists / instructors.

Adults & Children. All levels welcome.

8 Sessions in Watermedia, Figure, Watercolor, Acrylic, Oils, & Independent Study with Lee Penny Baker • Judy Bates Tracy Budd • Vera Dickerson • Michael Farrar • Jane Winders Frank Susan Klein • Robin Poteet • Mark Shepheard

Gift Certificates for Studio School classes make wonderful holiday gifts.

www.thestudioschool.biz 505A S. JEFFERSON ST., DOWNTOWN ROANOKE

540-344-5404

Celtic Woman new 2010 tour kicks off in Roanoke! and Blue Ridge P BS has exclusive tickets!

Mark your calendar for February 9, 10 & 11. Info at BlueRidgePBS.org

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

Give Virginia G.E.M.S. This Holiday Season

The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge is coordinating an eco-friendly arts program called Virginia G.E.M.S. (Give Experiences. Minimize Stuff.) The program encourages the community to consider arts & cultural experiences when giving gifts throughout the year.

Holiday G.E.M.S. features "experience gifts" including local art, tickets to plays or concerts, eco-friendly gifts and special discounts to arts and cultural activities.

Organizations participating include the Jefferson Center, The Jacksonville Center for the Arts, Opera Roanoke, Mill Mountain Zoo and more. Holiday G.E.M.S. also features experiences such as art classes and day sponsorships on WVTF. Some participating organizations have offered a special incentive to shoppers if they take advantage of the Holiday G.E.M.S. program; participants can receive up to 20% off normal ticket prices.

For more information visit www.myvirginiagems.com.

Association of University Women to Offer Scholarships to Local Students

The American Association of University Women Roanoke Valley Branch is again offering scholarships to assist women whose educational goals include college or university study. This year AAUW Roanoke Valley Branch is offering three $1,500 undergraduate scholarships to young women who are impending high school graduates and reside in the Cities of Roanoke or Salem, Counties of Roanoke, Craig or Botetourt, or the Town of Vinton and plan to continue their education at an accredited college or university.

In addition, three $1,500 undergraduate scholarships will be offered to women over 21 who will enter or have returned to college, and one additional scholarship for women is offered, in memory of Lorraine and Hal Jones Jr. This scholarship is intended for women who will be attending an accredited college or university for undergraduate study in 2010-2011 and who also meet the following criteria: 1) have a High school diploma or General Equivalency Di-

ploma (GED); 2) are at least 21 years of age when they began their undergraduate studies; 3) are enrolled or have been accepted in an accredited college/university during the current academic year; 4) reside in the Cities of Roanoke or Salem, Counties of Roanoke, Botetourt or Craig, or the Town of Vinton.

Scholarship applications and information are available on the AAUW Roanoke Valley Branch website as a Word document that can be downloaded and completed on a computer. The website address is: www.aauwofva.org/branches/roanoke.htm .

For more information, contact Charlotte Seth, 2922 Merino Dr. SW, Roanoke, VA 24018-6114, OLDARFIE@aol.com or phone at (540) 774-8742. Deadline for submission is February 15, 2010.

Scholarship recipients will be selected in March. The awards will be presented at the AAUW Roanoke Valley Branch’s Annual Meeting in the spring of 2010.

NewsRoanoke.com

Are you getting all the Medicare healthcare coverage you deserve?

Time is growing short to enroll in a new Medicare plan. Now is the time to check your current benefits, compare them to Carilion Clinic Medicare Health Plan benefits and make the right decision for you.

Now, you have an opportunity to join a new Medicare Advantage plan sponsored by Carilion Clinic. The new plan, Carilion Clinic Medicare Health Plan, provides all of the benefits of original Medicare and additional benefits and services at a cost that is usually less than a Medicare Supplement plan.

Carilion Clinic Medicare Health Plan, a health plan with a Medicare contract and a Medicare approved Part D sponsor, is accepting applications for 2010 enrollment until Dec. 31, 2009. The plan is available to anyone entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled in Medicare Part B who lives in the Carilion Clinic Medicare Health Plan’s approved service area: Bedford, Lexington, Radford, Roanoke and Salem, and the counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Montgomery and Roanoke. Enrollment period restrictions apply and plan costs may vary depending on benefits offered.

Seven Carilion Clinic hospitals, includi ng Carilion Roanoke Memorial, and more than 600 physicians, including 131 non-Ca rilion physicians, will serve the plan.

For more information, call 1-800-811-0422, TTY 1-877-225-3157 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., seven days a week.

n Annual Electiso Period End Dec. 31.

H8050_Ad0913c_Ver4 © 2009 Carilion Clinic Medicare Health Plan (1-1-582)

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