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January 15 - 21, 2010

NewsRoanoke.com

[Inauguration]

Board of Supervisors Vote Ends with Surprising Result

On Parade in Richmond

The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors held their organizational meeting on Tuesday at the Roanoke County Administration Building on Electric Road.

A roll call was then made with all five County News Supervisors present – Charlotte Moore (D) of the Cave Spring district, Joe “Butch” Church (I) of Catawba, current chairman Michael Altizer (R) of Vinton, Richard Flora (R) of Hollins and newly elected Ed Elswick (R) of the Windsor Hills district.

Things heated up quickly as elections were immediately held for the positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman. Altizer nominated Flora and Moore nominated Church for Chairman.

The surprise came when the votes were cast. As expected, Church received “yes” votes from himself and Moore while Flora received “yes” votes from himself and Altizer.

Ed Elswick voted “yes” for Church and “no” for Flora, casting the deciding vote for Butch Church to become the new Chairman of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors.

The only nomination for Vice Chairman was Elswick, who was nominated by Church.

Elswick received five “yes” votes.

John W. Robinson

City Skiing?

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P4– Johnny Robinson writes about a time when the City of Roanoke actually had its own Rope-Tow.

In Memory

P7– Legendary Lord Botetourt Basketball Coach and County Supervisor Don Meredith passes away at age 69.

Volunteer Award

P8– Barry Henderson receives the F. Wiley Hubbell Award for over 25 years of outstanding volunteer service to the United Way.

Parallel World

P9– Artist Fiona Ross has created a world of labyrinths at her Hollins art exhibit: “Walking the Parallels to Terminus.”

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T

he Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will be front and center at the Governor’s Inaugural Parade on Saturday, Jan. 16 in Richmond.

Governor-elect Bob McDonnell invited the Highty-Tighties, the corps Regimental Band, and the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Color Guard to march in the parade. In addition, 20 cadets volunteered to serve as VIP escorts on Saturday during the parade and swearing-in ceremony.

The Highty-Tighties have marched in many presidential and gubernatorial > CONTINUED P2: VA Tech

]

> CONTINUED P2: Board

Goodlatte Works to Eliminate Controversial Visa Lottery Washington, DC: Today Congressman Lamar Smith, Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, and Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Vice-Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, sent a letter to the Chairman of the committee, Congressman John Conyers, urging the committee to consider legislation eliminating the annual visa lottery. Each year there is a national immigration ‘lottery’ by which 50,000 aliens may become legal permanent residents of the U.S. To participate in the program, a person has to come from a country that does not send many immigrants to the United States.

State sponsors of terrorism are not excluded from this program.

Recent events have made it clear that nent resident based on pure luck,” Rep. the U.S. needs to be more closely scru- Goodlatte said. “Usually, immigrant tinizing individuals entering the U.S. visas are issued to foreign nationals who Amazingly, included in the visa lottery have an existing connection with a famare countries the U.S. considers to be state ily member lawfully residing in the Unitsponsors of terror -- Iran, Sudan, Cuba, ed States or with a U.S. employer. These and Syria -- and 13 of the 14 nations that types of relationships help to ensure that are coming under the Transportation Se- immigrants entering the country have a curity Administration’s crack stake in our nation’s contindown on airport security, ued success, and have needed 6th District including Nigeria, where the skills to contribute to our naterrorist who attempted to tion’s economy. However, blow up a flight over Detroit on Christ- under the visa lottery program, visas are mas Day was from. awarded to immigrants at random with“The visa lottery program poses a na- out meeting such criteria.” tional security threat. Under the pro“The visa lottery is a dangerous game gram, each successful applicant is chosen with our national security. America alat random and given the status of perma- ready has the most generous immigra-

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tion policy in the world, admitting over one million legal immigrants each year.

But under the current lottery system, up to 50,000 randomly selected alien applicants win visas each year, many from countries with a significant terrorist presence. We should end this dangerous game for the sake of our national security” said Rep. Smith.

In 2007, the GAO issued a report that said that the visa lottery “is vulnerable to fraudulent activity committed by and against applicants…” The same report said that “widespread use of fake documents, such as birth certificates, mar> CONTINUED P2: Goodlatte

Bestpitch Looks For Return to City Council

Photo submitted

Pastor Jeff Ell holds up fresh limes in the beautiful setting of Costa Rica.

Trip to Costa Rica Spurs Pastor to Write “Ruth Uncensored” Back in 2007 Pastor Jeff Ell received a gift of sorts from his congregation at Grace Covenant Church Roanoke -- a 90 day sabbatical, 60 of which were spent in Costa Rica. The time was given to the beloved Pastor so he and his wife Deneen could get away from their regular duties, minister in a different place, and enjoy a period of rest and respite from the life of full time ministry they had devoted themselves to for the preceding 21 years. Ell says he had grown a bit weary and is grateful to his congregation for being so “gracious with this gift of time; it was wonderful.”

It turns out in addition to providing rest, the time in Costa Rica sparked a new passion which eventually resulted in Ell becoming a published author. The finished product, “Ruth Uncensored” came out in October 2009 and is currently being promoted locally with hopes of it circulating even further in the future.

“Ruth Uncensored” focuses on the Book of Ruth in the Bible; Ell’s approach is contemporary with a style that is at once humble and yet insistent > CONTINUED on conveying the real, raw story of the pain that Ruth faced, P3: Jeff Ell and that people living today often face. Ell’s desire is that both

Former Roanoke and wants the city to City Councilman Bill get on with it. “We Bestpitch, whose supwere talking about that port for the demolition ten years ago. I’m reof Victory Stadium ally concerned that a helped hasten his denumber of things have parture after one term taken as long as they in 2004, is ready to give have.” Bestpitch said it another go. Bestpitch the city must “find the kicked off his camright balance,” between paign for one of three taking on too much Democratic ticket slots Bill Bestpitch debt and spending on with a rally at the Jefprojects for the future. ferson Center over the weekend, saying A 40% rise in general fund expendi“I enjoyed the time that I was on council tures since 2000 is a major concern to before.”

Bestpitch. “[Not many] feel like they’ve Now an electronics retail company seen a 40 percent improvement in the manager, Bestpitch wants to see the city services they received from the city over use outside consultants less, relying in- those ten years.” Roanoke City should stead on the expertise and talent of local have been putting more money into repeople when making decisions on major serve accounts “when things were betprojects. “I just can’t believe that we don’t ter.” have anybody in Roanoke that can do Bestpitch is glad to see that local that sort of thing,” notes Bestpitch, a past Democrats have opted for a primary on president of the Old Southwest neigh- March 2, with voters going to their reguborhood association. lar polling places, as opposed “The city seems to have to a mass meeting. “That’s a City Council moved further and further big change for Roanoke – it away from people that have hasn’t happened in a long made serious investments [here]. In my time. It gets the most people involved.” opinion too many of those people …

“Candidates will have to appeal to have been minimized or ignored alto- a broader range of voters while they gether.” campaign” said > CONTINUED Along those lines, he believes the City Bestpitch. City P2: Bestpitch Market building project is long overdue Republicans will

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Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/15/10 - 1/21/10

NewsRoanoke.com

> VA Tech From page 1

High temps will continue to rise through the end of the work week when they’ll likely jump to above normal as the upper 40’s and low 50’s are possible. Clouds will return Friday and Saturday ahead of our next weather maker which looks to arrive Saturday night into Sunday.

This will be a system pushing northeast from the Gulf States, which means it could bring a decent amount of moisture to the area, falling possibly as heavy showers Sunday afternoon.

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inaugural parades during their 117 years.

They have performed in the last four gubernatorial inaugural parades, most recently marching in the governor’s inaugural parade in 2006 in Williamsburg, Va., as well as performing in the “We are One” ceremony during the inaugural festivities for President Barack Obama. “We are proud to represent the corps of cadets and Virginia Tech in Richmond on Saturday and are pleased that Governor-elect McDonnell invited us to participate,” stated band director Maj. George McNeill.

The parade route is along Grace Street between 5th and 9th Streets, and then enters Capital Square following the swearing-in ceremony. Song selections for the parade route are: “The Stars and Stripes Forev-

> Board

er,” “Them Basses,” “Semper Fidelis,” and “Joyce’s 71st New York Regiment March.”

In addition, six members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Color Guard will march in the parade. The color guard performs at 60-70 functions annually at the university and around the commonwealth.

They perform at all Virginia Tech home football games, bowl games, men’s and women’s basketball games, Veterans Day events, at community churches, major conferences, and many alumni functions.

All participating cadets volunteered to come back to campus five days early from winter break to practice and prepare for this event. “We understand the importance of honoring the leaders of the commonwealth and are excited to represent the corps; giv-

ing up a few days of vacation wasn’t an issue for anyone,” remarked Cadet Peter Laclede of Fairfax, Va., a senior double-majoring in political science and history. Laclede is an Emerging Leader Scholarship and Commandant’s Scholarship recipient who is serving as the corps regimental commander for the spring 2010 semester.

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets has been producing military and corporate leaders since the university was founded in 1872. It is one of just two remaining military corps within a large, primarily civilian university.

By Carrie Cox info@newsroanoke.com

From page 1

When Elswick was asked why he voted for someone other than a Republican for Chairman instead of staying within his own party he replied, “People wanted change.

Just wait and look at this board in one year.”

Richard Flora seemed surprised by the vote, since he stated that he thought “this was a done deal way before the election that I would become Chairman. Ed is not a Republican anymore, he is an Independent,” to which Elswick replied, “I am a Republican, I don’t spend recklessly and I don’t raise taxes.” Michael Altizer simply said, “No comment.”

Mike Bailey, Chairman of the Roanoke County Republican Committee, was taken aback by the outcome of the vote as well. He stated that, “we expect the electorate of the Republican Party to vote in support of the values claimed by the Party and not vote just for the Party itself. I am happy to see the two Republican members, Mike Altizer and Richard Flora voted in support of Ed Elswick to help keep our party ideology and values in the forefront of county decisions. They did this even though Ed rejected one of our own for the chairmanship. To me, they expressed character.

If he were not a member of a

Photo by Carla Beam

Joe "Butch" Church (I) on left. New vice chairman, Ed Elswick (R) on right. political party, I could understand his attitude. Based on

what he said to our membership during the elections and subsequently, it seemed logical to have an expectation of his support. Now, I think we should wait and see.”

Roanoke County Board of Supervisors meetings are held on the second Tuesday and the fourth Tuesday of the month at 3:00 p.m. Public hearings where comments are welcome are held at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

They are also broadcast live on RVTV, channel 3 and then rebroadcast on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

By Carla Bream info@newsroanoke.com

> Bestpitch

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nominate their candidates for City Council at a mass meeting on February 17.

The former Army veteran (8 years in the service) said he likes to do his homework and background research when making major decisions, a skill set he would bring back to City Council, if chosen as one of the Democratic candidates and then elected in

November. “I learned a lot - I tried to come to every single City Council meeting prepared.”

Current City Councilman David Trinkle - who ran as an independent four years ago - is also seeking a Democratic slot, as is freelance journalist Valerie Garner and attorney Ray Ferris. Gwen Mason, who came into of-

fice with Trinkle as part of the “For the City” ticket, is not seeking re-election. “We’ve gotten bogged down on too many issues,” said Bestpitch, who feels good about his chances.

“I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

> Goodlatte From page 1

riage certificates, and passports, presented challenges when verifying the identities of applicants and dependents.”

In addition, during the 109th Congress the State Department IG testified before Congress that the visa lottery “contains significant risks to national security from hostile intelligence officers, criminals and terrorists attempting to use the program for entry into the U.S. as permanent residents.” Unfortunately, the House Committee on the Judiciary has not held hearings on this subject since Democrats took control of Congress in 2006.

“The nature of the lottery is such that we have no control over

who applies for admission to our nation,” Goodlatte continued.

“This flawed policy is just foolish in the age in which we live. Those in the world who wish us harm can easily engage in this statistical gamble with nothing to lose.”

Congressman Goodlatte introduced the Visa Lottery Elimination Act on May 7, 2009, and it has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, on which Congressman Goodlatte serves as Vice Ranking Member.

By Carrie Meadows info@newsroanoke.com

St. John Lutheran Church To Leave ELCA

St. John Evangelical Lutheran vote was due to the Evangelical is not limited to what is private they shall become one flesh. You Church members have voted Lutheran Church in America or individual but is shaped by shall not lie with a male as with 540 344-1040 540 444-0367 to leave the ELCA, the church’s (ELCA) deciding to allow gay social forces. a woman, it is an abomination 3505B Franklin Rd., SW 1457 W. Main St Roanoke , Va 24014 Salem, VA 24153 national organization, in favor clergy, as long as they were in The statement goes on to (Lev. 18:22). Besides, marriage of joining the LCMC, a more a monogamous, committed re- say “This church also acknowl- is the chief metaphor the Bible conservative denomination. Of lationship. The more conserva- edges that consensus does not uses, from beginning to end, of 540 966-3122 540 563-5318 the 450 votes cast, 350 were in tive Lutheran Congregations in exist concerning how to regard God’s relationship to his people.

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1/15/10 - 1/21/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3

NewsRoanoke.com

> Jeff Ell From page 1

individuals and “the body of Christ will enter into the place of harvest,” or a better way of life, which he believes is best achieved by making ourselves vulnerable like Ruth did.

There was no one incident that sparked the idea for a book, according to Ell; rather he had felt that the Book of Ruth has always spoken to him and he had been “preaching messages out of it since 2002.” He had no idea that going to Costa Rica would prompt him to begin writing. While there, he says, “phrases started popping into my brain concerning Christ being our Redeemer – [just] as Ruth was a foreign born bride” who became cherished by her new husband and he began writing some of it down.

Spending time in Costa Rica was perhaps not a coincidence; it provided the idea for one of the chapters in the book, entitled “Antivenin” in which Ell weaves a metaphor for the way antivenin is produced with the way God provides for the sin of humanity. Once he returned to the US, the project dwindled and lost momentum as he resumed the “normal pace of life and re-engaged with his congregation.”

It wasn’t until a friend inquired about the sabbatical that Ell shared about the unplanned book project that he had begun.

He then sent the chapter entitled “IRAs and 401(k)’s” to that friend who “really loved it.”

While Ell has a lot of passion for his book project, he commented that he was also “filled with tons of self-doubt.” In tune with his penchant for being “real,” he likens his perspective on the fledgling book to the “song a college kid writes after some beer on a Saturday night; does it sound as good in the light of morning – not so much.”

Still, Ell persevered with the project. Regardless of whether it would be published, “I felt I needed to finish it either way.” He took the step of finding an editor, Edie Mourey, who “absolutely” felt it was new and different and had potential. After that, Ell claims, “there was a grace on my life; I wrote every morning for about three months.”

The congregation at his church has been “incredibly gracious and very proud of me,” admits a grateful Ell. “They say they can ‘hear’ me, [in the narrative and that] I write the way I talk.” He claims the book is a little

“edgy, which is reflective of who I am.” Ell believes there is way too much spin in the church about what it means to serve God. He hopes his is a “truthful book, a realitybased” work which will help people to “be prepared – life is a struggle every day.”

Book publishing may not be a thing in the past for Pastor, and now Author Jeff Ell. When asked whether this is something he may attempt again, he admits that “yes, I do have another book in me.” He is already pursuing an idea concerning how people can serve God best. He will be heading to Williamsburg Virginia to research oxen; there is obviously another interesting metaphor in the making.

Pastor Ell’s book “Ruth Uncensored” can be found online at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com, and in stores locally at Barnes & Noble, Family Christian Bookstore and Ram’s Head.

Contact Pastor Ell at jdavidell@hotmail. com

By Cheryl Hodges cheryl@newsroanoke.com

Stovall Named Roanoke County School Board Chairman

The Roanoke County School Board has elected Vinton District representative Mike Stovall as the school board chairman for 2010. Stovall replaces outgoing two-time chairman Drew Barrineau.

Catawba District representative David Wymer was selected to serve his first term as vice-chairman.

Stovall was first elected to the Roanoke County School Board in 1994 and has been re-elected four times, most recently in 2009. He has pre-

viously served twice as board chairman (1997, 2001) and three times as vice-chairman (1995, 2000, 2009).

A former investigator for the Vinton Police Department, Stovall currently owns Alert Driver Training, a driving instruction business. He also volunteers as a coach for the William Byrd baseball team.

"The coming year is going to be one of the most challenging this board has ever seen, and I look forward to meeting that challenge,” Stovall said. "To-

gether this board will work to make the best decisions we can to ensure our students continue to receive a top-quality education," Stovall added.

In addition, the board set the school board meeting dates for 2010. A list of those dates can be found online at: http:// www.rcs.k12.va.us/news/current/SBmeetingdates2010. shtml.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Mike Stovall

Adam Hager Named a Virginia DAR Good Citizens Winner

Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution District VII Good Citizens Chair Lee Hardin Woody and the Margaret Lynn Lewis Chapter are pleased to announce that Adam Hager of Cave Spring High School in Roanoke has been selected as the 2009-2010 District VII DAR Good Citizens Winner. A distinguished panel of judges selected Hager from an outstanding group

of high school seniors from across the region.

The DAR Good Citizens Program and Scholarship Contest recognizes students who possess qualities of: dependability, which includes truthfulness, loyalty, and punctuality; service, which includes cooperation, courtesy, and consideration of others; leadership, which includes personality, self-control, and

ability to assume responsibility; and patriotism, which includes unselfish interest in family, school, community, and nation --to an outstanding degree. Hager will compete with six other district winners from across the state for a chance to become the Virginia DAR State Good Citizens Representative.

Adam Hager

Housing Authority Names New VP

Vivian "Penny" Southward has been named Vice President of Resident Services for Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA).

In this capacity, Ms. Southward will lead RRHA's development and implementation of a comprehensive network of services designed to support residents in achieving their self-sufficiency goals. She will also manage the resident appeals process and the Section 3 program, which focuses on enhancing contracting opportunities for businesses owned by or employing individuals who have low incomes.

Ms. Southward has over twenty years experience in human services leadership and formerly served as the first public housing coordinator for Jefferson County Housing Authority in Birmingham, Alabama. A graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Ms. Southward earned her Master of Arts in Public and Private Management from Birmingham-Southern College. Ms. Southward is a 2002 graduate of Leadership Alabama and a 1994 graduate of Leadership Birmingham. She has been an active director on numerous nonprofit boards, and was a member of the founding board of the Jefferson County Children's Policy Cooperative.

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Airy, NC/ Snappy Lunch ............45 May 10-13 Atlantic City/ Taj Mahal on Boardwalk 4 Day/$30 Coin..........275 May 12 Lunch at Shatley Springs Inn/Fresco Paintings.......................45 May 12-29 San Francisco, CA & Pacific Northwest/Yellowstone.........2,195 May 14-16 New York City/Springtime/Broadway Play “Wicked”.............850 May 14-16 Washington, DC/Our Nation’s Capital.....................................350 May 17 Billy Graham Library/Stowe Botanical Gardens/Charlotte ......55 May 17 Greenbrier Hotel Bunker Tour/Tour of Hotel ............................90 May 19-23 Springtime in Vermont/Trapp Family Lodge ..........................995 May 20 Broadway Touring Play “Wicked’/Charlotte, NC....................125 May 29-31 Nashville /Music City, USA/Grand Ole Opry/Gen Jackson ....450 Jun 1-3 Atlantic City/Taj Mahal on Boardwalk/3 Day/$25 Coin...........210 Jun 5 Carowinds/Fort Mill, SC .............................................................75 Jun 5 “Annie”/Barter Theatre/Abingdon, VA ......................................65 Jun 6-12 Niagara Falls, Canada/Montreal & Quebec .............................995 Jun 6-12 Branson, MO/America’s Music Show Capital.........................995 Jun 8 Billy Graham Library/Stowe Botanical Gardens, Charlotte .....55 Jun 11-13 Washington, DC/Our Nation’s Capital.....................................350 Jun 12 D-Day Memorial/Smith Mountain Lake Luncheon Cruise........85 Jun 12-23 Great Southwest & California/LAND/FLY/Grand Canyon ...1,695 Jun 14-17 Atlantic City/Taj Mahal on Boardwalk/4 Day/$30 Coin...........275 Jun 14-17 Ohio Amish Country/Longaberger Basket/Walnut Creek......550 Jun 14 Greenbrier Hotel Bunker Tour/Tour of Hotel ............................90 Jun 18-Jul 5 The Great Southwest & California/Grand Canyon ..............1,995 Jun 18-20 Washington, DC/Our Nation’s Capital.....................................350 Jun 18-20 Dollywood/Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge ......................................395 Jun 19-28 Nova Scotia & The Atlantic Provinces of Canada...............1,295 Jun 20-26 Florida’s Walt Disney World/EPCOT/Sea World/Universal....995 Jun 24-26 Daniel O’Donnell/Nashville/Gen Jackson/Grand Ole Opry....595 Jun 26-Jul 10 Alaska & Canada’s Yukon/FLY/LAND/CRUISE ..............3,395 Jun 27-Jul 3 Branson, MO/America’s Music Show Capital.........................995 Jun 27-Jul 3 Niagara Falls, Canada/Montreal & Quebec .............................995 Jul 2 Billy Graham Library/Stowe Botanical Gardens, Charlotte .....55 Jul 2-16 England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales.....................................4,900 Jul 7-9 “Joseph” & “Psalms of David”/Penn Dutch Country ............425 Jul 8-16 Hawaii/Honolulu/Waikiki/FLY/LAND.....................................2,250 Jul 11-Aug 8 Alaska & Canada’s Yukon by Motorcoach ..........................4,395 Jul 12-26 Alaska & Canada’s Yukon /FLY/LAND/CRUISE...................3,395 Jul 14-31 San Francisco, CA & Pacific Northwest/Yellowstone.........2,195 Jul 16-18 Nashville/Music City, USA/Grand Ole Opry/Gen Jackson.....450 Jul 17-24 Summer in New England/Martha’s Vineyard ....................... 1,195 Jul 25-Aug 2 Polar Bear Express/Canada..................................................1,395 Jul 25-Aug 8 Canyonlands/”Our Most Scenic Tour”/ ...............................1,895 Jul 28-Aug 8 Seattle/Northwest/Mt. St. Helens/Yellowstone/FLY/LAND..1,695 Aug 2-3 Annapolis, MD/Naval Academy/Inner Harbor .........................295 Aug 4-6 “Joseph” & “Psalms of David”/Penn Dutch Country ............425 Aug 5-8 Philadelphia, PA & Baltimore, MD...........................................525 Aug 6-8 World’s Longest Yard Sale ......................................................325 Aug 9 Greenbrier Hotel Bunker Tour/Tour of Hotel ............................90 Aug 11-28 San Francisco, CA & Pacific Northwest/Yellowstone.........2,195 Aug 13-15 Renfro Valley & Lexington, Kentucky .....................................375 Aug 14-17 ELVIS/Tupelo, MS & Memphis, TN ..........................................550 Aug 15-21 Niagara Falls, Canada/Montreal & Quebec .............................995 Aug 18-20 “Joseph” & “Psalms of David”/Penn Dutch Country ............425 Aug 21-22 Tangier Island/Lunch at Chesapeake House/Monticello .......260 Aug 25-27 “Joseph” & “Psalms of David”/Penn Dutch Country ............425 Sep 1-3 “Joseph” & “Psalms of David”/Penn Dutch Country ............425 Sep 4 North Carolina Zoo/Asheboro, NC ............................................50 Sep 4-6 Nashville /Music City, USA/Grand Ole Opry/Gen Jackson ....450 Sep 4-6 Atlanta “Pep Boys 500 Sprint Cup” Race/Earnhardt Sec......475 Sep 9 Atlantic City/ Taj Mahal on Boardwalk/4 Day/$30 Coin..........275 Sep 6-9 Carl Hurley/Charlottesville, VA..................................................75 Sep 10-12 Myrtle Beach, SC/Fun & Sun /Oceanfront Rooms .................395 Sep 10-12 Washington, DC/Our Nation’s Capital.....................................350 Sep 11 D-Day Memorial/Smith Mountain Lake Luncheon Cruise........85 Sep 12-18 Niagara Falls, Canada/Montreal & Quebec .............................995 Sep 12-18 Branson, MO/America’s Music Show Capital.........................995 Sep 12-14 Atlantic City/Taj Mahal on Boardwalk/3 Day/$25 Coin...........210 Sep 16-27

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FRANCE/Paris/Normandy/Omaha Beach/ /Monaco & More........4,600

Sep 21 Billy Graham Library/Stowe Botanical Gardens, Charlotte .....55 Sep 22-Oct 3 Nova Scotia, Canada & New England/Fall Foliage..............1,650 Sep 22-24 “Joseph” & “Psalms of David”/Penn Dutch Country ............425 Sep 24-26 Washington, DC/Our Nation’s Capital.....................................350 Sep 25 Virginia State Fair/Richmond, VA..............................................75 Oct 1-7 New England/Fall Foliage ........................................................995 Oct 2-3 VA Tech vs Boise State/Washington, DC (Ticket not included).150 Oct 2-14 ITALY/Rome/Isle of Capri/Florence/Venice Switzerland.....4,900 Oct 2 Brushy Mountain Apple Festival ...............................................45 Oct 2-3 VA Tech vs Boise State/Washington, DC (Ticket Not Included). 150 Oct 3-9 New England/Fall Foliage ........................................................995 Oct 5, 6, 12, 13, 15 Cass Railroad, Cass, WV.............................................80 Oct 6-7 “Joseph”/Sight & Sound Theater/Penn Dutch Country.........295 Oct 8-14 New England/Fall Foliage ........................................................995 Oct 9-25 The Great Southwest & California/Grand Canyon ..............1,995 Oct 10-16 Branson, MO/America’s Music Show Capital.........................995 Oct 11 Greenbrier Hotel Bunker Tour/Tour of Hotel ............................90 Oct 14-28 Hawaiian Islands/Four Island Tour ......................................3,695 Oct 15-17 Nashville /Music City, USA/Grand Ole Opry/Genl Jackson ...450 Oct 16-17 Maggie Valley, NC/Great Smoky Railroad/Cherokee .............325 Oct 16 Graves Mountain Harvest Festival ............................................70 Oct 18, 19 Shatley Springs Inn Lunch/Fresco Paintings...........................45 Oct 18, 19 Andy Griffith’s Mayberry/Mt. Airy, NC/ Snappy Lunch ............45 Oct 20-21 “Joseph”/Sight & Sound Theater/Penn Dutch Country.........295 Oct 24-26 Atlantic City/ Taj Mahal on Boardwalk/3 Day/$25 Coin..........210 Nov 5-7 Sunshine Tours Family Reunion.............................................450 Nov 13 & 16 Southern Christmas Show/Charlotte, NC .................................50 Nov 13-14 Reading & Lancaster, PA/Factory Outlets..............................175 Nov 14-17 Atlantic City/ Taj Mahal on Boardwalk/4 Day/$40 Coin..........275 Nov 17 & 18 Southern Christmas Show/Charlotte, NC .................................50 Nov 18-21 Biltmore House, Asheville /Smoky Mountain Christmas.......675 Nov 24-27 New York City/Macy’s Parade/Radio City/”Billy Elliot” ......1,095 Nov 26-28 Nashville/Country Christmas/Opryland Hotel ........................795 Nov 26-28 New York/Radio City Christmas Spectacular .........................895 Nov 29-Dec 3 Charleston/Savannah/Christmastime................................795 Nov 30-Dec 2 “Miracle of Christmas”/ Lancaster, PA .............................425 Nov 30 & Dec 14 Grove Park Inn/Asheville/Gingerbread Competition/Lunch.......75

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Perspective

Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/15/10 - 1/21/10

NewsRoanoke.com

New Wardrobe, New Calendar - Old Dog, New Tricks Skiing in Fishburn Park

W

hen April comes, I get another candle on my cake, a ten years ago when I admitted to him that I was 52—and felt anmarker of the passage of time. But more than birth- cient. days, it’s that new four-digit number we get in JanuTo my age peers I offer this bit of encouragement. A recent New ary that emphatically draws my attention with painful precision to York Times piece called “How to Train an Aging Brain” [http:// where I am along my own personal one-way trail of time. is.gd/5LKHC]refutes the once-held notion that older brains lose up Come New Years, the contradictory midnight bell to 40% of their neurons. Further, it supports the conjectolls the dolorous-happy warning celebration that ture that new connections between nerve cells—hence, marks the boundary between the fading memory of stored information—is by no means destined to stop at thousands of days past and the anticipation of an unretirement age and beyond. certain score (or thousands--who knows?) of days Older brains, while they may forget their glasses, are ahead. New Years Day thunders to me of time passing, much more integrative than younger brains, and better birthdays whisper. at “recognizing the central idea, the big picture. If kept in In a few months, I’ll start living off the crumbs from good shape, the brain can continue to build pathways that under my own table called Social Security. After that, help its owner recognize patterns and, as a consequence, if people ask what I do for a living, I will have to look see significance and even solutions much faster than a back to find an answer. I WAS a teacher. I USED TO young person can.”

BE a physical therapist. What will I tell them, looking So yes, my future without “a job” will be different than Fred First ahead to 2010? my past. The 2010 calendar won’t be busy with the same While much remains shrouded in the fog of that furoutines. My wardrobe will change. Weekends and quitture, I do know this: my life is richer today than it was twenty years ting time will hold nothing for me--nor vacations, for that matter. ago. Ideas that pique my curiosity and inspired moments in which While some things become physically harder (running uphill afI feel immersed in the community and land where I am blessed to ter the dog, climbing ladders, and buttons) or less of a thrill than live right now far exceed those I recall from the blurred high terrain they once were (winters, large pizzas and birthday cakes) I need not of mid-career. dread being bored and useless at home waiting for my batteries to And here’s the good news: even while my joints and muscles of- drain and my cerebral hard drive to fragment and crash. ten grumble and complain at the simplest request, I have enough Looking at the calendar year ahead, there’s plenty of room and of my senses intact to continue to make me a better human. I have time in it to do meaningful work, to play and learn and grow. After unprecedented knowledge resources at my fingertips; and best of all, I’m just a boy! all, I will not be, when I trip the odometer at 62, be doomed to intelContact Fred at lectual doldrums or decay. fred1st@gmail.com In a sense, I’m “just a boy!” as a spry 90 year old patient told me

The Tyrants at City Hall Don’t Have to Follow the Law

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few weeks ago, a judge ruled that the City of Roanoke could confiscate the property of a viable local business and turn it over to Carilion Health System for its proposed biomedical research park.

Did you know that the judge did this – and the city took the property – despite a law passed in 2007 forbidding this very type of confiscation (taking land from one private property owner and turning it over to another)?

Did you also know that Carilion never offered to buy the property from the owners (Jay and Stephanie Burkholder) directly? Instead, it went to the government to get the land.

Why? Because the city could force the owners to sell the property cheaper than Carilion could buy it on the open market.

Did you know that the city offered to buy the property for much less than market value because the people at City Hall know that most property owners can’t afford to go to court to get a fairer offer? That’s right, property owners have to sue to get a better offer from the government. Many find it costs more to go to court than they

would get from the increased dreds of thousands of dollars sales price, so the government the court case cost the Burkoften gets its lowball price by holders and the taxpayers. default.

Well, not exactly. Just in But let’s get back to how the time for Christmas, the Roacity was able to take this prop- noke City Council voted to erty AFTER Virginia passed take the Burkholders’ propan eminent domain erty anyway, even reform law to stop though there is no these very types of planned public use takings. Although for it. Mayor Dathe General Assemvid Bowers, Gwen bly passed the law Mason, Anita Price, in February 2007, and Rupert Cutler it didn’t take effect made the decision, until July 2. Disreand they also told garding the spirit us where they stand of the law and the when it comes to Brian Gottstein wishes of the peoyour rights versus ple, Roanoke startthe government. ed the confiscation process With three city council seats two days before the law went coming up for election in May, into effect. we cannot elect any more of This is like beating up some- their kind. Every candidate one before making assault running should tell the votillegal. Even after assault be- ers whether he or she is for or comes a crime, the bully is still against the taking of private allowed to beat up the person property to give to another because he started throw- private entity. That one issue ing punches before the law – one that separates Amerchanged. How ridiculous is ica from most dictatorships that reasoning? throughout the world – should Now we hear from Caril- be a litmus test for every canion that it no longer wants didate. the property. Problem solved: But even after election day, The city can give the land back the problem won’t be over. to the Burkholders, and every- The 2007 law Virginia passed one can forget about the hun- to prevent further eminent domain abuses can be overturned by a simple majority of legislators in the General Assembly. As Roanoke’s own Sen. John Edwards said three years ago, if big confiscators such as Roanoke find the law too restrictive, “…we [the General Assembly] can come back and look at it another year and see if tinkering needs M&W Electronics 7637 Williamson Rd. to be done.”

So that politicians like EdOffer expires 1/31/10. Restrictions apply. Call for details. wards couldn’t just weaken

540-366-1010

the law whenever they or the lobbyists who fund them wanted, some state legislators proposed a property rights amendment to Virginia’s constitution last January. A constitutional amendment is much stronger than just a law, because it would require a vote of the people (not just the politicians) to change it.

Surprise, surprise, Edwards voted against the constitutional amendment. And in another shocker, the government of the City of Roanoke lobbied against the amendment, saying it wasn’t necessary to give citizens such strong property rights protections. The city – our servant – even spent your tax dollars to lobby legislators to deny us this right.

These tyrants like Edwards and the city council members must be thrown out of office.

Their rhetoric about sacrificing a few homes or businesses in the name of “progress” and “the greater good” remind me of the same reasons primitive cultures gave for sacrificing victims on the altars of their gods – so that the rest of the tribe would have good crops and good fortune. The few being sacrificed for the many may sound acceptable to some, but when YOU are the next in line to be sacrificed, it doesn’t sound like such a great idea anymore.

If developers – or even the government – want someone’s property for a project, let them get it the same way any other private citizen has to: by paying for it in the open market.

Contact Brian at bgottstein1@yahoo.com

The Roanoke Star-Sentinel

The Recipe of the Week

540-400-0990 • NewsRoanoke.com

Last week I ate this almost every day for lunch! Just make one pizza, refrigerate it and get out one slice or two a day to reheat. It has helped me to eat a balanced healthy lunch and it is easy to prepare.

My family and I just got a puppy from the Angels of Assisi’s over the weekend. Our pup is a 10 week old beagle and she is as good as gold (even though her name is Ruby) but I still need all the energy I can muster to keep up with her and all the other joys of life. If you are crazy like me and adopt puppies when you are already pulled in a thousand different directions then I suggest you make some of these pizzas as well! But seriously, like with anything you love – the joy Ruby creates already far outweighs the extra work she creates. If we keep that in mind with all we do and with all of those that we love, I think we can stay both happy and energized. (But don't forget to eat right!)

from the Happy Chef by Leigh Sackett

C o m mu n i t y | N ew s | Pe r s p e c t i ve

Publisher | Stuart Revercomb | stuart@newsroanoke.com News Editor | Gene Marrano | gmarrano@cox.net Features Editor | Cheryl Hodges | cheryl@newsroanoke.com Production Editor | Stephen Nelson | stephen@newsroanoke.com Technical Webmaster | Don Waterfield | webmaster@newsroanoke.com Advertising Director | Vickie Henderson | advertising@newsroanoke.com The Roanoke Star-Sentinel is a proud Media Partner with WSLS 10

The Roanoke Star-Sentinel is published weekly by Whisper One Media, Inc. in Roanoke,Va. Subscriptions are available for $44 per year. Send subscriptions to PO Box 8338, Roanoke,VA 24014. We encourage letters from our readers on topics of general interest to the community and responses to our articles and columns. Letters must be signed and have a telephone number for verification. All letters will be verified before publication.The Star-Sentinel reserves the right to deny publication of any letter and edit letters for length, content and style.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to national and Virginia fair housing laws and readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

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A

s I tighten my grip an enthusiastic bunch. It’s a on the thick rope my festive occasion, in spite of the oversized mittens cold and thickly overcast sky wring cold water. The rope and we laugh at ourselves and continues to run through my at each other as we crash in hands until I squeeze a little slow motion at various points tighter. Then I lurch forward, on the hill. Luckily, the hill is almost getting tugged out of not sufficiently steep for highmy boots. I regain my balance speed wipeouts.

We’ve been at it all day. In and find myself cruising up the snowy slope, as it were. Several fact, we never stop. Along the times on my way up the hill way, however, we pause for the thick rough rope threatens tuna-fish sandwiches, hudto put me asunder, but I stay dling around the smudge-pot with it, determined to hang on coal and wood stove which the city workers have provided. until I reach the top.

Arriving there, I gladly let the The snow melts into our thick, thing go, with a THWACK, cotton hunting pants, bringing before it turns around the big the cold with it. More exciting pulley fashioned from what runs down the hill and before appears to be a wheel of a ‘52 we know it it’s getting dark and the good-natured Ford. Hang on for men running the too long and I might rope tow announce lose a hand or some that it’s time to call fingers. I join my it a day. Thanking dad and my siblings the men for doing a as they prepare to great job at keeping slide down the modthe tow going –it est slope again. has broken down It’s 1966 and my briefly and perifamily and I (but not odically throughout my mom. Are you the day - we head kidding) are skiing for the car with in Fishburn Park.

John W. Robinson armloads of skis Mechanics of Roaand poles. In the noke’s City Parks Department have cobbled to- cold car on the way home we gether a rope tow system on a sit and beam and relive the small hill here, and aficiona- day. In our warm cozy kitchen dos of this new sport –that is I enjoy what comes to be one new to Virginia anyway- are of my favorite parts of skiing, that is peeling off those cold, delighted.

Alpine skiing officially came wet, slimy boots at the end of to Virginia a few years earlier, the day.

Aahhhh. in 1959, when the Homestead, The city sets up the rope tow with its charismatic Austrian Sepp Kober leading the way, several more times in that year opened its ski area. Several and the next –snow was plenyears later came Bryce Moun- tiful in those day s- before the tain Ski Area in the north- plan slips away into Roanoke ern Shenandoah Valley, and history. I guess it was just a through the 1960’s that was the little too complicated to do, extent of skiing possibilities in and actually I’m delightedly the state. Except for, that is, amazed that it was ever carried creative little operations like out at all. A few times it was this one in Fishburn Park, of operated on the substantial hill which I guess there were oth- at the corner of Brambleton and Overland, where Madison ers.

Heading straight down the Middle School stands today, hill is easy, but making my which was particularly good, strap-on skis turn and stop in in spite of the occasional outa controlled manner is quite of-control skier who careened But not a challenge. My big brother onto Brambleton. tries to give me some pointers. to worry, traffic was slow and He’s getting good at this skiing light on those snowy days and thing. After all, he and my dad no driver was ever faced with a just returned from a trip to skier on the hood.

My family went on to be fasVermont, and folks have been skiing at Stowe since the 1930’s. cinated with skiing in the deFurthermore, my brother has cades following the sixties, but no downhill excitement and “real” skis and ski boots.

My sister and I have a more delight has ever quite matched modest set-up consisting of what I felt in those early days old leather hiking boots with of skiing with friends and famwooden slats strapped to ily using scavenged equipment them. The ubiquitous bamboo on that modest little hill with ski poles work fine, but those the cobbled-together rope tow flimsy hiking boots are about in Fishburn Park.

Except, of course, when my as supportive as bedroom slippers when attached to my skis wife and sons and I started the which are, by the way, consid- same crazy process all over erably longer than I am tall. again, sans the Fishburn Park But who cares? This is very rope tow, some twenty years exciting and FUN, and soon I later.

See you on the hill. am turning and stopping in a semi-acceptable fashion - hillbilly ski equipment and all.

The group of fellow skiers Contact John at sharing the rope tow and the jwr77@verizon.net hill with us is not large - maybe fifteen or twenty - but they're

$1.00 Off One Adult Admission

Perspective

1/15/10 - 1/21/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

NewsRoanoke.com

Of Golfers and Our Global Crisis: Pascal’s Wager Re-visited

Just before the December holiday break, I asked the students in my environmental studies course how many had kept up with the news from the first week of the Copenhagen climate summit: more than 15,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries; 900 people arrested; the tiny nation of Tuvalu nearly shutting down the conference on two occasions in its exasperation; preparations for the arrival of presidents and prime ministers during the second week. Just a blank stare from my senior-level students – my environmental studies students! Then I asked how many knew about the allegations against golfer Tiger Woods. Every single student raised his or her hand.

I was flummoxed.

Already we had discussed the pros and cons of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol with its binding emissions targets. We had discussed carbon sequestering, deforestation, climate change, and even assisted migration for species otherwise facing extinction in their rapidly changing native environments. But no recognition of the Copenhagen summit? As their environmental studies instructor, had I failed

to keep them abreast of this important international gathering in Europe? Had they not heard one scrap of news about the summit? Had we – teachers, parents, religious leaders, politicians, and businesspeople – been overly provincial in the education of young people here in the Valley? After all, we live in a global economy with all sorts of gadgets to ensure those instant international connections. Or … was this just the nature of the adolescent beast to overlook the imperative and be drawn toward the inconsequential?

United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon said of the all-important Copenhagen conference, “We need to step back from narrow national interest and engage in frank and constructive discussion in a spirit of global common cause.”

Twenty colleagues and I just published a book called Gaia in Turmoil (MIT Press, 2010). Its subtitle captures the theme of the volume: “Climate Change, Biodepletion, and Earth Ethics in an Age of Crisis.” In it we state unequivocally that “Industrial nations must have their emissions peak by 2010, and

thereafter begin to decline at has set our planet; but also recan average rate of 4 percent per ommends achievable solutions. year – that is, at a faster rate than What about the naysayers in the global emissions are pres- the international debate about ently increasing.” 2010 is now! climate change? I’ve heard Time is of the essence with the all sorts of claims: coal-fired first few decades of the 21st power stations emit very little century crucial for pollution, Al Gore’s a sustainable retreat award-winning from our depenmovie was a “sci-fi dency on nonrenewhorror film,” the curable, carbon-loaded rent global warming energy resources. “If trend is a “natural” the emissions do not process, researchers begin to decline until have given up the 2020, the decline rate “purity of science” will have to be an alto forward a global most unachievable 8 warming agenda percent per year. “simply for the reThe inevitable H. Bruce Rinker, PhD search money,” and conclusion is that the “global warma meaningful reing hysteria” looks sponse by all nations must be set like “criminal fraud,” and other in motion immediately if there equally madcap assertions. is to be hope of success.” In fact, What if such head-in-the-sand our little book was referenced attitudes are wrong? during the climate debate as one We all lose with multi-genercontributing voice about the is- ational consequences. sue. Thomas Lovejoy, biodiverOn the other hand, what if sity chair for the Heinz Center such attitudes of denunciation in Washington and creator of are correct? What would be the “Nature” television series, gained anyway by the promoasserted it’s a provocative book tion of a more cautious, frugal, “essential for real citizenship” and simplified lifestyle, espethat illuminates the destructive cially among the developed natrajectory on which our species tions of the world? It would be

a re-interpretation of Pascal’s Wager.

In his 17th-century Pensées, the French philosopher Blaise Pascal argued that, if reason cannot be trusted, then it is a better “bet” to believe in God than not to do so. A person should wager as though God exists because living life accordingly has everything to gain and nothing to lose: “If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing.

Wager, then, without hesitation that He is.” The wager assumes conscious decision-making.

Similarly, in our day, is it not a better bet to believe that current global climate change is caused by, or at least accelerated by, selfish human choices with grievous ecological and cultural consequences? If we wager such causes, and their long-term consequences, are the horrible reality of conscious decision-making, and we decide instead on a more prudent approach, then won’t the entire planet benefit from our responsible stewardship?

The naysayers about climate change have never addressed the negative prospects of their speculative wager. What if they are wrong, and yet we have em-

braced their awful skepticism as our modus vivendi throughout the developed world? The multi-generational consequences of their stance are too horrible to contemplate.

Like Nero fiddling while Rome burned, we seem consumed in voyageur-like fashion with the exploits of our sports and film stars: golfing, as it were, while the planet overheats.

Rather than being consumed by guilt for our wayward nature, let’s wager on a successful – and sustainable – strategy for our global economy. An immediate investment in clean energy seems a winning and irrefutable policy for local, state, and federal governments, along with a conscious decision to abandon nonrenewable, carbon-laden resources. National and international “energy and conservation” policies are now in order.

Like it or not, we are part of a global economy with global responsibilities. Let’s stop acting like grumpy, reckless, and ill-informed adolescents who bemoan the adults who regulate our petulance.

By H. Bruce Rinker, Ph.D. brinker@northcross.org

The War Against Al Qaeda Requires Vigilance, Not Complacency

On Christmas Day, Umar Abdulmutallab boarded Northwest Flight 253 bound for Detroit and just before landing, attempted to blow up the plane and the 278 passengers aboard.

Thanks only to the malfunction of an explosive device and the quick thinking of civilian passengers and crew who subdued him, did this latest act of terrorism not tragically result in a massive loss of life.

By all accounts, the fact that Abdulmutallab, a Nigerian with known ties to terrorism and of known risk to the United States, was able to board a plane with explosives is a gross failure of our homeland security operation and is both alarming and unacceptable.

The attempted bombing on Christmas Day should not be viewed as an isolated event.

Rather, it is the latest in a series of recent terrorist events including the Ft. Hood attack perpetrated by a radicalized commissioned officer in the United States Army, killing 14 and wounding 43, and the detention of five Afghan-American and Pakistan-American college students in Pakistan. These alleged terrorists, whether affiliated with al Qaeda in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan or Yemen, where Abdulmutallab was radicalized, have a united purpose – to kill Americans and bring fear and harm to our country.

The handling of these recent terrorist events by the Obama Administration demonstrates an alarming lack of understanding of the nature of the threat confronting our nation.

President Obama and his advisors have gone to great lengths

to distance themselves from the dulmutallab on criminal chargwar on terror. They have even es rather than labeling him an eliminated the use of that phrase enemy combatant, detaining as well as referred to terrorism him indefinitely, and interroas “man-caused disaster.” They gating him in an effort to obtain have threatened information that CIA interrogators might prevent Bob Goodlatte with prosecution, the next terror atgranted Khalid tempt, all of which Sheik Mohammed, the mas- the Supreme Court has ruled is termind behind the 9/11 ter- perfectly legal. However, the rorist attacks, a civilian trial in Administration prefers to prosthe city he terrorized and then apologized to the rest of the world on behalf of the United States for not adequately protecting the rights of terrorists.

Against strong public opinion and sound advice they are proceeding with their plans to close the facility at Guantanamo and bring about 200 terrorists into our country.

Most recent is the Administration’s decision to indict Ab-

[

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ecute Abdulmutallab within the criminal justice system where the only leverage to get him to disclose information that could save lives is to plea bargain, offer him a lesser sentence or some other legal deal even though he attempted to kill hundreds of innocent Americans!

Rather than handling these events as simple law enforcement matters, the Administra-

tion should call them what they are – terrorism – and treat them as such by taking the actions necessary to ensure the safety of Americans and our homeland.

We must not become complacent. We should remain ever vigilant in seeking out and stopping those engaged in a war of terror.

Kallen esperian Legendary soprano Kallen Esperian has been one of the world’s most sought-after singers for over two decades. Since winning the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition in 1985, she has been a regular fixture at the world’s greatest opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Covent Garden and Vienna. As one of “The Three Sopranos,” she has shared her great artistry, beauty and charisma with millions of television viewers throughout the world.

Preacher’s Corner What Would You Change In The New Year?

Kids Talk About God - by Carrie Kinsolving

"I would like to change my bedtime on New Year's Eve," says Tyler, 11. "I usually go to bed at 10 p.m., but I would like to stay up all night. I would have a great time because we would first party, second play video games and third eat a lot!"

Tyler, if you ever get your way, you may wish you had gone to bed at 10 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Sabrine, 10, has a better idea: "At midnight everyone would yell Happy New Year and then go to bed. In the morning, everyone would open a present, and have a slice of apple pie and hot cocoa."

The roads would be a lot safer with the apple pie and hot cocoa plan.

"I would change my room and my hope in God to make it stronger, and my love for God to make it stronger," says Jenna, 11.

Jenna, I wonder whether changing your room is connected to your hope in and love for God. I've noticed that when my living area gets cluttered, it's harder to focus my mind on God. On the other hand, if your house looks like a museum, and that's all you ever think about, you may have organized God out of your life.

"I would like to change my attitude toward my parents," says Cassidy, 11.

Aside from driving under the influence of alcohol on New Year's Eve, few things in life can set one back as quickly as a bad attitude toward parents. On the positive side, the Bible promises a long life to those who honor their parents (Deuteronomy 5:16).

I once attended a seminar taught by Dr. Neil T. Ander-

son, professor and author of "Victory Over the Darkness."

Anderson showed a video of a woman in a counseling session with a host of problems. Her words, face and body language conveyed distress, anguish and suffering. When Anderson asked the woman about her mother, her stress level increased. He hit a nerve.

After the woman admitted she needed to forgive her mother, Anderson asked her to say it out loud. Watching her try to speak was like going to the dentist to see a root canal. She struggled to get loose as if someone had bound her with rope and duct tape. Her appearance changed immediately after she spoke words of forgiveness.

"I would like to change my attitude toward chores and homework," says Emma, 11. "I hope in the new year, my attitude will change."

Recently, I met Pastor Chuck Swindoll, one of the bestknown radio Bible teachers and authors of this generation.

After giving him my business card, he reached into his pocket and gave me a card entitled "Attitudes." Here's how it reads: "Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitude toward life. The longer I live, the more convinced I become that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it.

"I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my success or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say

about me, my circumstances, or my position.

"Attitude keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitudes are right, there's no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me."

By Carey Kinsolving info@newsroanoke.com

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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/15/10 - 1/21/10

NewsRoanoke.com

Commentary: Is the Roanoke City School System above the law?

Roanoke City Schools want to change the proffers ("rules of use") for the Patrick Henry High School stadium again. Now they are asking for unlimited use of the Stadium’s lights. They also want to allow the PH marching band to practice and middle school athletic teams to use the stadium and other sporting events that could start at any time.

I went to a recent “informational” meeting at the Greater Raleigh Court Civic League where Mr. Carson told us that lights were needed because there was not enough "daytime" for spring PH teams to practice in the stadium.

How does adding additional users to the stadiums’ already full lineup solve that problem unless the school intends to keep the lights on well into the night? How much does this cost? Why not limit the use of practice lights to 7 PM? There was absolutely no mention of the middle schools using the stadium. How will they get there? The band’s use was briefly mentioned but dismissed because it’s not an athletic sport and the noise factor. Yet both would get to use the stadium in the proposed proffers. The section about how many home football games can be played in the

stadium was deleted. I guess there will be more of them, not less as promised. Parks and Rec youth football would be able to use the PA for championship games, as would Lacrosse. Why should we allow any of these changes when the School does not abide by the existing laws and proffers already in place?

City Code Sec.21-43.1 prohibits stadium lights on after 10 PM. Repeatedly the school violated this code. Almost all football games this year had lights on after 10 PM. Since this is an ongoing “problem” why hasn’t the school addressed it?

Why hasn’t the city enforced this violation?

The School has also violated the proffers already in place. Number 7 of the existing proffers says: “Lights will only be used in the event of darkness to complete a game” This past season soccer and lacrosse lights were on in broad daylight. This is our money being wasted. Last year game lights were on from mid March to mid May for a total of 29 days. One game had lights on after 11 PM. The school has received many complaints about the PA system and band being extremely loud during the games. I called the school several times to complain and was told, “The sound is

within acceptable limits.” At first I found this odd since businesses, neighbors, loud car radios and even barking dogs get ticketed for loud noise. I even spoke to Mr. Carson by phone while a game was going on so he could hear how loud it was. I also pointed out to the school that the sound system is louder outside the stadium than inside the stadium.

I spoke to Mayor Bowers and he said, “I thought that would happen.” When pressed as to what could be done he said, “write a letter to the editor.”

OK Mr. Mayor here is your letter now can you address this problem? People have told me that they can hear the band from inside their home even though they live several blocks away.

Still the school has not addressed this serious problem. But apparently they don’t really have to. I reviewed Roanoke City’s Noise Ordinance and found to my surprise that schools are exempt from the Roanoke City’s noise code.

We are all citizens in this community and should be treated equally. Is it fair that the school is exempt from the noise ordinance, yet you and I can be ticketed? What about the adults and children in the surrounding neighborhood? Don’t

Commentary: Stormwater Fees Are a Smart Idea

Two recent pieces by Robert Craig that ran in The Roanoke Times (12/709 Commentary and 1/2/10 letter to the editor) criticizing the Citys proposed Stomwater Management fees deserve rebuttal. While Craig rightly recognizes the need to improve the system and the cost these improvements entails, he opposes the $3-per-month residential fee and $3-per-1,920 square feet for non residential users proposed by Councilmen Cutler and Trinkle. However, Cutler and Trinkles proposal is the right path, for not only would it raise the needed funds but might help address a key problem causing runoff: an overabundance of parking capacity. Stormwater management fees have the potential of contributing to a more compact, sustainable Roanoke Valley.

Parking contributes to stormwater management problems in two ways: they create a huge amount of impermeable surface, collecting rainwater that requires massive drainage infrastructure to safely manage; and, by making it easy to find parking (often by providing a surplus of capacity), they encourage single-occupant vehicle trips, which means more roads (more impermeable surface). In the latter case, not only does this put a strain on our drainage system, but contributes to secondary problems like air quality, traffic congestion, and increased energy demands.

As noted by City leaders, one of the driving forces behind stormwater improvements relates to federal and state requirements to improve water quality. Most cars of any age leak oil and other fluids, generally in small enough quantities that the average owner doesnt notice. However, these small leaks aggregated across a huge parking lot full of cars - think of Valley View Mall during Christmas, or any of Virginia Tech's parking lots on any given days - can result in significant quantities of toxic chemicals waiting to be washed into the drains and, eventually, streams and rivers. For example, in an interview with PBS's Frontline, Jay Manning, Director of Washington State's Department of Ecology, said "[t]he volume of oil that is car-

ried into Puget Sound by stormwater runoff [every two years] is equal to the & the Exxon Valdez spill." Granted, Manning is speaking here of statewide impact, but the principle is the same: the stuff that drips slowly from the undercarriage of all those parked car is eventually washed into the Roanoke River and its tributaries.

A funding scheme that buries the cost for stormwater management in property taxes or other general fund sources, as Craig proposes, might pay for system improvements but would do nothing to curb the growth of harmful development patterns that put additional strain on the system. As Councilmen Trinkle and Cutler's original commentary piece says: "It is a plan that is funded based on the demands each property places on the storm drain system." By assessing a fee based on the size of impermeable surface, the City hopes to create an incentive to minimize that surface.

Developers and property owners would have the option to reduce the fee by eliminating surplus parking spaces, keeping access to their sites easy by investing in bike parking, employee transit benefits, carpooling, and other strategies in order to reduce parking demand, and thus, the necessary size of the parking lot. It might encourage redevelopment in areas where existing parking is underutilized and can be shared across multiple sites, or in coordinating with existing bus lines, greenways, bike lanes, and other accommodations that provide transportation options requiring less parking. To be fair, consideration needs to be given to developers who use innovative technologies or processes to mitigate their stormwater runoff permeable concrete and green roofs, for example or who offer excess parking capacity for public use as park-and-ride lots.

This is the fairest way to pay for the system improvements: Charge the people who generate the most runoff, and create incentives for smarter development in the future. In this regard, Craig's fear that "Joe Blue-collar" will feel the bite of the fee (which amounts to $36 a year for homeowners) is a red herring. Clearly, the real targets (and rightly so) are large industrial and commercial sites who contribute most heavily to the problem.

There is one element related to stormwater management that should be considered. To be truly successful, the problem of stormwater drainage and water quality must be addressed regionally. The danger with the fee as proposed is that it could encourage sprawl by pushing new development into the suburban and rural portions of Roanoke and Botetourt Counties. The expansion of development into these areas could exacerbate sprawl that, in turn, would contribute to longer commute distances, more roads, and unnecessary energy consumption. This effort is a necessary start, but the region should come together to take a more comprehensive look at drainage and water quality and make sure that the problem of uncontrolled growth does not outpace the proposed solutions. &

Brighter Futures

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they have the right to sleep when they want, enjoy their yards and decks without a PA System or band practice drowning out their thoughts. Just think, your children are being taught by an administration that doesn’t follow the rules and is apparently “above the law.”

The Planning Commission will hear this on Thursday, Jan 21st and if action is taken at that time, the matter will go before City Council at their Feb.16th public hearing.

Please voice your opinion to each Commissioner and Roanoke City Council member. You can reach the Planning Commission by e-mailing Martha Franklin, Planning Coordinator City of Roanoke via martha.franklin@roanokeva.gov.

Once these new proffers are approved there is no recourse for any citizen to complain or change them. The school can always resubmit a request for this version or some other version again, but you, as a citizen won't be able to change a thing.

That is why you must speak out during this process.

Maureen Meiger Roanoke, VA

Commentary: A New Year, a New Democratic Party?

The Democratic party of the city of Roanoke recently reorganized, as it does every two years. The party claims to exist to encourage full participation in choosing a political destiny, to encourage the broadest possible registration of voters, and to develop meaningful outreach programs to raise electoral awareness. Its preamble notes that the party ‘pledges’ itself ‘to open, honest endeavor and to the conduct of public affairs in a manner worthy of a society of free people’. This is lofty and admirable rhetoric, a mission worth fulfilling.

Sadly, the democratic city committee has done little or nothing collectively in the past year to achieve these aims and (conversely) acted at times to undermine the democratic process. Far too many well intentioned people throughout the city and beyond are hesitant to be involved in our political discourse as a result of perceived corruption and an overall toxic atmosphere.

The democratic primary candidates for this year’s city council elections have been announced and they are a decidedly mixed bag.

Trinkle, Garner, Ferris, and Bestpitch. David Trinkle has been a reasonable voice on council and deserves another term. Valerie Garner not only understands how the city functions (having covered city council for years as a journalist) but also has earned strong city-wide roots in the community. Having a broad perspective on the needs of our citizens, she will make a fine councilperson. Ray Ferris brings little in the way of a civic resume to his campaign. He is a practicing attorney in Roanoke whose most recent claim to fame has been defending the nationally known neo-Nazi and race-baiter Bill White in federal court. Beyond that, little has been brought forth about Ferris except that, according to campaign finance records, he has recently donated money to the political campaigns of Republicans Bill Cleaveland and Bob Goodlatte. Finally, there is Bill Bestpitch.

Bestpitch served as vice chair of the Roanoke city democratic committee until recently. Bestpitch (who clearly should have known better as a former councilperson) watched last year as committee meetings were conducted and funds disbursed without a quorum. This was done in the name of political expediency. What might Bestpitch do in the name of his political interests on council?

Bestpitch was a part of the ‘Rules Committee’ for the recent reorganization of the party at which a list of recommended names for committee seats was circulated to attendees. The names had been collected without the full knowledge of the committee and recommended to the caucus-goers that evening almost as if the matter had been decided. The reorganization was a sham, completely the antithesis of anything akin to democracy. If Bestpitch had a hand in something like this, what might he do in a ‘smoky back room’ to subvert the needs of the citizens of Roanoke?

Last year, a legitimate democratic candidate for the state legislature sought to review and challenge the petitions and other qualifying documents of his opponent. The democratic committee (led by Bestpitch and others) either stood by and watched or actively participated as the rights of the challenging candidate were stripped and the documents were kept (to this day) in the dark. Nothing being more sacred in a democracy than elections, it should be even more shocking that our Commonwealth Attorney (Donald Caldwell, now the democratic city committee’s chairman) conducted a weak and onesided ‘investigation’ of the matter in response to a valid legal complaint filed by the candidate. It should be of concern to Roanokers that Caldwell did not at the time recuse himself from considering the matter, given his position on the committee and his close relationship to the challenged candidate. It should be of greater concern, given the above named conflicts, that our Commonwealth Attorney and the sitting head of the Democratic Committee are now one and the same.

Hopefully, such actions have not alienated too many from observing and taking part in the democratic process. There is yet still reason to be hopeful: there are strong voices not only on the committee but throughout our community that believe in accountability, the political process, and the ability of good leadership to lead Roanoke out of Jeremy Holmes, its political darkness.

Mark Powell - East District Leader Program Director - RIDE Solutions Roanoke City Democratic Committee

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Sports

1/15/10 - 1/21/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page7

North Cross Opens VIC Play with Meredith Was Legendary Coach, Respected Supervisor 75-53 Win Over Fishburne Military North Cross clearly showed it will be a factor in the VIC basketball race this season as it opened conference play with an impressive 75-53 win over

Fishburne Military at the James Muscaro gym Friday night.

The Raiders opened up a 3119 halftime lead and used their speed to pull away in the second

Raider Jerome Hairston takes a deep breath before a free throw against Fishburne. Hairston poured in a game-high 26 points in the win.

half when Fishburne attempted to keep pace with the North Cross running game.

North Cross was led by newcomer Jerome Hairston's 26 points and 11 assists. Brandon Trent chipped in 13 points and big-man Toles Hartman owned the paint at both ends while scoring 10 for the Raiders.

North Cross has overcome some early season adversity to reach this point. "We had some holdover players from our playoff football team, "Raider Head Coach, Joe Lambert, noted after the game. "We lost games to the snow and encountered some injuries. It's hard to prepare for all that."

The most notable injury was to returning standout A.D. Banks, who suffered a broken jaw in a pickup game in early December. Banks will hopefully return to the Raider lineup before the end of the season.

In the meantime, North Cross continues to gel. "We're improving in our running game, "Lambert says. "These guys are very athletic .Jerome Hairston has proved to be an exceptional addition. We'll be ready to go."

North Cross Head Coach Joe Lambert huddles his team during a timeout against Fishburne.

Recap and photos by Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

His ball players and students remember a flamboyant showman who was known for yelling at the referees and tossing his jacket into the stands. County leaders knew him for his work on the Board of Supervisors following his election in 2003. Don Meredith, a Lord Botetourt High School basketball coach with a storied career and a member of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors, died last Friday. He was 69.

Meredith, already retired from the school system, began representing the Fincastle District in 2004 and won the election again in 2007 after running unopposed. A long illness kept him from meetings in the latter half of 2009 but he remained interested in the county's business until the end. "The last time I saw him, he was very upbeat," Buchanan District Supervisor Terry Austin said.

Meredith's passing left a hole in the hearts of his players, many of whom called their former coach a friend even after they moved beyond high school and into their jobs in the community. Prior to speaking at the coach’s memorial service, Rodney Spickard of Troutville commented that "He would call me to ask me how my son was doing. He would do anything for his former players." Spickard had played under Meredith for three years.

Spickard called Meredith a "basketball genius [who] loved the game and studied it." While fans may recall Meredith's wild antics on the sidelines, the players knew that they won games

constituents. "Don knew everyone," Supervisor Terry Austin said. "That really benefited him.

He could address the needs of the people in the northern end of the county and in Buchanan.

He had a kind of natural insight that's really going to be missed."

Austin recalled that Meredith was instrumental in helping the Board resolve a boundary line change with Roanoke County.

Folks in the Hollins area found themselves in Roanoke County without ever moving. The problem primarily centered on children who had started school and wanted to finish at Lord Botetourt, rather than attend Northside. At Meredith's urging, the school system and county officials worked out a way to allow affected households to continue to send their children to Botetourt County schools if they so desired.

"He always talked about helping his people, the residents of the Fincastle District" County Administrator Jerry Burgess said. One of Meredith's achievements included purchase of the site for the new Eagle Rock Library. The property, located in front of Eagle Rock Elementary School, eventually will also house a community center.

The supervisors met on Tuesday to discuss a temporary replacement for Meredith’s seat.

That appointee will serve until a special election in November.

Meredith is survived by his wife, Betty Jo, two daughters, and a grandson.

Photo by Anita Firebaugh

Don Meredith not because of Meredith's courtside demeanor but because he had learned the plays of the other teams. "He was prepared," Spickard said.

Over the course of Meredith's coaching career, his basketball teams won over 340 games and eight district championships at Lord Botetourt, which led to his induction into the high school's sports hall of fame.

"He was a very colorful, high energy person who could motivate people," said Alan Austin of Daleville, who played for Meredith for two years. "I remember how he would get if you didn't play up to what he expected … all red-faced and [he would] push you and motivate you to work that much harder."

Meredith grew up on a Botetourt County farm in the 1950’s.

He left for college and spent 10 years teaching and coaching outside of the area before returning to teach at Botetourt Intermediate School in 1970. Six years later, he began his career at Lord Botetourt, where he stayed until his retirement in 1995.

His interest in local politics came about at the urging of his

By Anita Firebaugh info@newsroanoke.com

PH Defeats Halifax County 71-51 To Remain Perfect In Western Valley District The outcome of Tuesday night's game at the Patrick Henry gym clearly didn't take long to settle.

The Patriots kept their district record perfect at 3-0 with a 71-51 thrashing of Halifax County in a game that was decided not long after the lights were turned on.

After Halifax County

#3 Melvin Henderson races into the front court past a Comet defender.

#33 Paul Porter lookfor the ball in the paint against the Comets.

Hoops Notebook Titans Hanging Tough

After a rocky 0-3 start, the Hidden Valley Titans have rallied nicely during the past month, winning four of their past seven games, including 2 of 3 at the Holiday Hoopla Tournament.

Considering his team is basically starting from scratch, head coach Troy Wells is encouraged.

“We’re still a work in progress,” Wells said. “The boys have been working hard and playing hard, but we still have to be more consistent. We still struggle with some lapses from time to time.”

Indeed, the Titans have shown a streakiness that is indicative of such an inexperienced group.

For example, after an impressive three-game winning streak (which included wins against William Byrd and William Fleming), the Titans promptly fell back to earth with two frustrating losses to Blacksburg and Bassett. On the positive side, Hidden Valley was competitive in both defeats. On the down side, the Titans players committed many of the minor mistakes that young players make – careless turnovers, missed free throws, etc.

“In the Bassett game, for example, that’s a one possession game with a few minutes left in the fourth quarter,” Wells explained “but we had four or five turnovers at the end and it cost us the game.”

Still, the team’s winning record over the past month is proof that Wells’ message is starting to take root. While admittedly not focused on wins and losses this season, the Titan’s coach is instead focusing on something

Do you feel like every drop of energy is drained from your body and most days you just hurt all over?

Does going to the bathroom feel like a ten- mile hike?

Even after numerous tests with your doctor, do they say “we can’t find anything wrong?”

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

Photos by Bill Turner

else to gauge his team’s progress: intensity.

“We tell our kids every day that you can do three things at any level of basketball and have success: play hard, play smart, and play physical. If we play hard, good things are going to happen. But in our league, if you don’t do those things, you’re going to have problems.”

While effort is crucial to success, talent is imperative as well, and the Titans have some of that, too. Kevin Draudt, a forward who joined the team late after the end of the football season, has come on strong in recent weeks, leading the team in scoring in wins against Eastern Montgomery and William Fleming. Guard Taylor Walker has also stepped up recently, pouring in 19 points in the Titans’ loss to the Bengals.

Hidden Valley travels to Pulaski to take on the Cougars Saturday.

By Matt Reeve Matt@newsroanoke.com

the horn sounded ending the first quarter PH had ballooned their lead to 21-2.

The Patriots didn't score in the first five minutes of the second quarter, but Halifax could get no closer than 10 points and were down 30-20 at the half. Patrick Henry returned to form in the second half and the Patriots kept the margin comfortable in cruis-

ing to the 20-point victory.

Patrick Henry was led by Terrell Wilson's 15 points with Melvin Henderson and Cam Jones each scoring 14.

The Patriots also canned eight 3-pointers in the game.

Recap and photos by Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

Why Haven’t Fibromyalgia Sufferers Been Told These Facts?

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Titan’s Coach Troy Wells.

scored the game's first basket, the Comets from South Boston appeared to disappear into another galaxy for the remainder of the first quarter.

Aided by a stellar off-thebench performance by Patriot Cam Jones, Patrick Henry used their fast break offense and swarming defense to totally overhelm Halifax. When

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The more patients I helped get better, the more I realized that…

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Because of this, I’m running a special offer for women suffering from fibromyalgia.

For 15 days only, $27 will get you all the services I normally charge new patients $350 for!

What does this offer include?

• An in-depth consultation about your health and well-being where I will listen…really listen…to the details of your case.

• A complete examination including computerized static EMG testing and thermography.

• A full set of specialized x-rays to determine if a spinal problem is contributing to your pain or symptoms… (NOTE: These would normally cost you at least $200).

• A thorough analysis of your and x-ray findings so we can see if you are a candidate for our fibromyalgia treatment protocol.

I’ll provide answers to all your most probing questions about fibromyalgia like… …the best nutritional supplements proven to help with fibromyalgia. …which position, mattress, and pillow you should use for a good night's rest. …the foods that can help you and which ones can make you worse. …how to exercise the right way so you aren’t making your pain worse.

The offer is only good until February 1. The appointment will not take long at all. And you won't be sitting in a waiting room all day either.

Possibly, A Solution For Fibromyalgia Pain

Numerous studies have shown the benefits of chiropractic care in fibromyalgia patients.

Dr. Frederick Wolfe, a well-known investigator of fibromyalgia and clinical professor at the University Of Kansas School Of Medicine, ran a study on fibromyalgia.

He asked patients to indicate drug or alternative treatments that best relieved their pain.

Dr. Wolfe found that changes in lifestyle worked better than drugs and stated “Chiropractic treatment also scored among the most effective measures.”

Another study examined the effectiveness of chiropractic in relieving fibromyalgia symptoms.

After just a few chiropractic treatments, fibromyalgia patients suffered from less pain and fatigue, and actually enjoyed better sleep.

(JMPT 2000) For Many Women, There Is Hope.

You Just Need The Right Plan.

Imagine how great you could feel without your constant fatigue and nagging pains.

Imagine waking up each morning, jumping out of bed, and enjoying the day…no more waking up and feeling like you got hit by a truck.

!

Internally you can sense that certain areas of your body aren't as they should be.

Healing those areas will give you more energy, less pain, and a better life!

Phone 540-725-9501 Call anytime between the hours of 9:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. Tell the receptionist you’d like to come in for the Special Fibromyalgia Evaluation before February 1, 2010.

I look forward to helping you get rid of your pain so you can start living a healthier, more joyful life.

Sincerely, Dr. Chris Lauria, D.C. P.S. What Will Your Fibromyalgia Pain Feel Like 1 Month From Today?

Imagine not having to take handfuls of pain pills that haven’t helped and can have side effects.

One of the biggest myths about pain is that it goes away all by itself, without any treatment.

Imagine what it would be like to finally have hope again.

To have someone finally tell you what's wrong and what you can do to help yourself feel better.

A May 1998 study in the British Medical Journal proved this myth false, showing that 75% of back pain sufferers who do nothing about it will have either pain or disability 12 months later.

By working together, we can customize a treatment plan just for you. And best of all, there will be…

Let’s face it, if the pain hasn’t gone away by now, it’s not likely to disappear on its own.

No Harmful Drugs, No Uncertain Procedures, and No Intimidation.

Don’t let this be you, call me today and see if I can help you.

A woman knows her own body.

540-725-9501

Valley Business

Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/15/10 - 1/21/10

Access Named VALET Program Partner Access Advertising & Public Relations of Roanoke has been named a VALET Program Partner by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). The two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.

“We’re honored to be accepted into this very competitive program,” says Tony Pearman, Access CEO and Chief Creative Officer. “In an increasingly global market, our partnership with VALET will be an exciting opportunity to enhance our ability to provide services and strategies for clients worldwide,” he adds. Access is one of only 21 Virginia companies to be selected this year.

To participate, eligible businesses must meet several quantitative criteria and complete an application process. Participating firms are chosen based on their dedication to growth through export. More than 100 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program, which was launched in 2002.

Access Advertising & PR is located at 701 Patterson Avenue.

The VEDP’s VALET program incorporates services from a team of experienced international service providers who assist the program’s partners with their international goals.

Service providers such as attorneys, Web designers, bankers, translators and corporate strategists contribute essential skills for expansion into international markets.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The VEDP is a

state authority governed by a 21-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly.

To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, VEDP focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion and international trade.

VEDP has offices in Virginia, Belgium, Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil, Korea and Japan.

To learn more about the VALET program, contact Leslie Parpart, VALET Program Manager, at LParpart@YesVirginia. org or visit the programs tab at www.ExportVirginia.org.

ITT Night Vision To Realign Workforce many of whom are members of the union. Locally it should be business as usual with no changes to the manufacturing process, although some salaried workers are expected to lose their jobs.

According to a memo sent

by Bruce Wald (VP and General Manager) to the hourly employees, the changes will not affect them other than they will be “seeing a few new faces in and around this facility. … The reorganization will mostly affect the senior leadership here in Roanoke. Mike Hayman [the current President] is retiring effective March 31, 2010.”

He also mentioned that there are employee Town Hall Meetings planned to help explain the transition process and to address any questions or concerns.

The new alignment will merge its space systems and

Last week ITT Corporation, which has a Night Vision manufacturing plant in Hollins, announced a strategic realignment of its defense segment, ostensibly to better align the company with the needs of an expanding customer base.

Steve Loranger, ITT’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, states that “We are positioning ITT to support customers’ emerging technology needs, while also greatly enhancing our ability to stake out new markets.

We believe this move will also allow ITT to achieve greater operating efficiencies and optimize our cost structure.”

Local ITT workers produce the U.S. Armed Forces night vision goggles, monoculars, and related gear for the U.S. Armed Forces. The Roanoke County plant employs about 1,500 hourly and salaried workers,

night vision divisions to create Geospatial Systems, which will be based in Rochester, N.Y., near the international company headquarters in White Plains.

The Electronic Systems, Communication Systems Divisions and part of the Intelligence & Information Warfare divisions will merge into a more versatile Electronic Systems division based in New Jersey. A new Information System division will also be formed from other divisions.

ITT has operations on all seven continents in three vital markets – water and fluids management, global defense and security and motion and flow control. The company generated sales of $11.7 billion in 2008.

By Stuart Revercomb stuart@newsroanoke.com

Faith Christian School Closes In On Goal Faith Christian in this endeavor.

School, an accredGod continues ited, independent to provide Faith Christian classical Christian School school serving stuwith the needed dents in grades K – funds year after 12, has announced year even when it that it has raised 6 has not been clear million dollars in its where the money Finish In Faith Capwould come from ital Campaign. . . . $6 million Faith Christian down, $2.2 to go! students moved into Thanks to all of the their new 68,000 parents, grandparsquare foot building ents and friends on twenty-six acres who have given of land along Buck and who continue Mountain Road in Tim Lilley, Capital Campaign Chair, Sam Cox, Head of to give to our FinRoanoke County School and Jay Whitmore, Director of Development ish-in-Faith Capijust over two and a raise the number towards the school’s goal of $8.2 tal Campaign.” half years ago. Since Million.

For more inforthat time, School mation on Faith Capital Campaign Commitofficials and comChristian School, mittee members have worked tee Chair and parent, Tim Lil- visit their website at www. is simply diligently to raise the remain- ley said, faithchristian-school.com.

2711"It Franklin Rd. marvelous how theVA Lord Roanoke, 24014has led us ing funds necessary.

Luna Innovations Emerges From Chapter 11 Reorganization

Luna Innovations Incorporated (NASDAQ: LUNA), a company focusing on sensing, instrumentation and nanotechnology, has announced that it has emerged from Chapter 11 reorganization, less than six months after filing.

The Honorable William F. Stone, Jr. of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia, Roanoke Division, confirmed the company’s Joint Plan of Reorganization on Jan. 12, 2010. Luna’s reorganization plan provides that Luna’s creditors will receive a 100 percent recovery on their valid claims and that Luna’s current shareholders will retain their shares.

Luna voluntarily filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S Bankruptcy Code on July 17, 2009, in response to a potential negative outcome in its litigation with Hansen Medical, Inc. The two companies reached a settlement in December 2009, resolving the outstanding litigation between them.

The settlement resulted in a development and supply agreement between Luna and Hansen, and a license of Luna’s fiber optic shape sensing technology to Hansen in the fields of medical robotics and certain medical non-robotics.

"Thank you to our customers, shareholders, partners and vendors for standing by

Luna Chief Executive Officer Kent Murphy. us during this trying time," stated Kent Murphy, Chief Executive Officer. "A special thanks goes to our employees for continuing to stay focused and providing our customers with excellent service and products during this difficult time. From the outset, our intent during this restructuring has been to continue to serve our customers, keep the pace of our key development initiatives, maintain employment at our four facilities in Virginia, settle with Hansen, provide our creditors with a full recovery on their valid claims, and allow current shareholders to retain their shares. Today, we can say we succeeded in those goals and did so in a relatively short time frame. Emerging from Chapter 11 will allow Luna to move forward on developing technologies that will provide tremendous value for

our partners and customers.

In addition, we appreciate Intuitive Surgical for its support and agreement, which was required to reach settlement, and Hansen for working hard to reach agreeable terms."

Luna Innovations is focused on sensing and instrumentation, and pharmaceutical nanomedicines. Luna develops and manufactures new-generation products for the healthcare, telecommunications, energy and defense markets. The company’s products are used to measure, monitor, protect and improve critical processes in a variety of applications.

More information about Luna’s Chapter 11 reorganization and subsequent emergence can be found on its Reorganization News Web page at http://www.lunainnovations.com/news/reorganization.htm.

SunTrust Executive Barry Henderson Receives F. Wiley Hubbell Award Barry Henderson was recognized for more than 25 years of service by receiving the F. Wiley Hubbell Award for outstanding volunteer service at United Way of Roanoke Valley’s annual meeting on January 12, 2010.

The F. Wiley Hubbell Award recognizes an individual for outstanding volunteerism, leadership talents, and service to United Way of Roanoke Valley. The award was named after its first recipient, F. Wiley Hubbell, who was a long time member of United Way of Roanoke Valley’s Board of Directors and a dedicated volunteer.

Since 1985, there have been 28 outstanding United Way volunteers who have received the F. Wiley Hubbell award.

Henderson began working with United Way early in his career and became a strong supporter when he was assigned as a Loaned Executive for the campaign in the early 1980’s. Even as his career moved him to different markets, he continued his work with United Way. He served as Board Chair and Campaign

Barry Henderson at a painting project on the Day of Caring.

Chair for the United Way in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. As he moved back to the Roanoke Valley, he quickly became involved with United Way of Roanoke Valley again as a Board member and served as a community investment volunteer. Most recently, Henderson served as Campaign Chair in 2005, Board Chair in 2008 and led a Community Solution Team for Health and Self-Sufficiency.

“Barry is a great community leader and has been selfless in

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NewsRoanoke.com

his desire to provide opportunities for children, families and older adults to improve their lives. He is very deserving of this award,” said Frank Rogan, President and CEO of United Way. Although unable to attend the meeting to receive the award in person, Henderson provided a heartfelt acceptance speech via video for the recognition. He knew Wiley Hubbell personally and was honored to receive the award named after such an inspiring community volunteer.

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Arts & Culture

NewsRoanoke.com

Artist Creates a World of Labyrinths at Hollins Museum Exhibit

Eleanor D. Wilson Museum director Amy Moorefield is a big fan of site-specific work; that is, artwork created especially for the space it is being exhibited in. The work no longer exists after the show is over. Such is the case with an exhibit that runs through January 30 at the Hollins University venue.

“Fiona Ross: Walking the Parallels to Terminus,” features two sumi ink drawings by the artist of the same name, who spent

Ross’s intricate labyrinth project comes to life at the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum at Hollins University.

Fiona Ross at work. two weeks on campus creating two large wall murals. Using sumi ink and watercolor pens, Ross’s works are labyrinths – she starts at one point and draws in a continuous line, never crossing those paths along the way.

“I’m flowing from one point to another … it’s an uninterrupted line,” said Ross. “The lines never meet … there’s no inside or outside to the drawing.”

Patience and focus help guide the artist, who is never quite sure how her pieces will wind up. “I’m really anxious to see it when it’s done.”

Sumi ink is “just the deepest, darkest, light absorbing black I could find. It also has a sheen to it,” said Ross, adding that the plastic texture of the ink works well when she layers it.

Ross has been using the out-

line of her own body as the subject of some of her labyrinth pieces lately, as she continues to grow and experiment as an artist. She also occasionally takes time off from her canvas to recharge the batteries – in one instance she spent three months acting in a play at the University of Richmond. “When I got back to the drawing it was just ferocious.”

Spending time at Hollins University working on the wall murals was “fantastic. This much space to work in as an artist was very inspiring. It’s been

1/15/10 - 1/21/10 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

“Vietnam – Now and Then”

so liberating.” In addition to the two wall murals, the Virginia Commonwealth masters of fine arts graduate has brought along enough other pieces to fill two of the Wilson’s three galleries.

Ross wants viewers to “try and discover a little bit about themselves,” when pondering her work. “The drawings don’t have heads and faces for a reason. I don’t want it to be only about me.”

“Her opening night lecture and reception last week drew more than 200 people,” said Moorefield, who first encountered Ross when she worked at the VCU museum in Richmond. “I’ve watched Fiona’s work for quite a while and was fascinated by her interests in labyrinths,” said Moorefield.

Site-specific work like the murals Ross created while at Hollins is something Moorefield is aiming for. “We really want to transform our space. We are not bound by hanging pictures.”

See hollins.edu/museum or call 362-6532 for more on Fiona Ross: Walking the Parallels to Terminus and other upcoming exhibits at the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum.

On Thursday the History Museum of Western Virginia held a showing of “Now and Then,” a photographic tour of sites in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The presentation was given by Roanoke resident David Helmer, retired Vietnam War Army major. This first-hand account by Helmer (who returned to visit Vietnam with other members of the 1st Air Calvary in May 2009), provided a visual travelogue of a country with whom the United States has had a long and complicated relationship.

Helmer's presentation took attendees from Saigon to Hanoi - and

By Gene Marrano beyond to the borders of Cambodia and Laos. Of particular intergmarrano@cox.net est were military and other cultural sites along Helmer’s old truck convoy route in the Central Highlands that showed pictures both past and present that provided an interesting perspective of change in the country.

The above photo shows a Cao Dai religious service in Tay Ninh Vietnam - near the Cambodian border northwest of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). This church houses followers of the Cao Dai religion – the third largest religion in Vietnam.

The Sway Katz Return to the Whole Note

Had enough of frigid temperatures? Feeling housebound? Shake a leg and ease on down to The Whole Note, where the SWAY KATZ jazz orchestra will heat things up with a program of hot jazz, Latin and swing music on January 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Under the direction of Bedford Community Orchestra director Scott Walter, the popular 19-piece ensemble plays a variety of contemporary instrumental and vocal arrangements of jazz standards, Latin tunes, funk and blues. Renowned for their tight ensemble work, inventive solos, and a rhythm section that lays down the kind of groove that can warm up the chilliest day, The SWAY KATZ are a popular DON’T TRIP! year-round attraction at venues in and around the Roanoke Valley. Don’t miss your chance to see this vibrant ensemble in concert!

Carpet Restretching & Repair The Whole Note is a nonprofit performance club located at 570 Blue Ridge Ave., Bedford, VA in the Steven W. Durrance Floors Westgate Shopping Center. Tickets are available at www.SwayKatz.com or at the door. Admission is $15 in advance online or at the door. Refreshments will be available, including wine by the glass. For more information, visit www.SwayKatz.com, www.TheWholeNote.org, or call 540-947-0208.

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Artisans Center of Virginia Conference and Fair to be Held in Roanoke Participants from all over the Commonwealth will convene at the Hotel Roanoke to explore old and new ways of supporting the culture of craft and ensure its place as an economic mainstay for Virginia communities. Individuals embarking on a career as a practicing artist, entrepreneur or those who are thinking about turning a hobby into a viable business are invited to attend.

As artists from across the Commonwealth navigate through the current economic landscape, the theme for the January 2010 conference is "Virginia Artisans: Responsive & Ready!" According to ACV Director Sheri Smith the group has facilitated a proactive program that highlights, "creative initiatives, fresh ideas and visions that represent positive change and lasting strength for Virginia's artisans.”

The Keynote Address will be given by Becky Anderson, Founding Director of Handmade in America and owner of Becky Anderson Consulting, Inc. "Opening Doors Through Tough Love: Creating a Thriving Artisan Business in Today's Economy" is not for the weak of heart. It outlines a survival of the fittest theology which encompasses all aspects, from creating exquisite works of art to maximizing and streamlining your business operations. Pulling from her extensive repertoire as a cutting edge craft industry leader and with a full working knowledge of the economic impact the professional craft industry can have on a statewide economy (involving artisans, consumers, retail, schools, affiliates, suppliers, publishers, and communities), Becky will concisely illustrate what it takes to become and thrive as an artisan business destined to succeed.

The conference begins on Friday Jan 22nd and includes 14 breakout sessions before wrapping up on Sunday January 24th with a full-day Artisan Craft Fair at the Hotel Roanoke that is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with Free Admission. This event will give Roanoke area residents and visitors a unique opportunity to meet, and purchase quality crafts from some of Virginia's leading artisans.

For more information contact: Sherri Smith, Director, Artisans Center of Virginia 540-9463294 / sherri@artisanscenterofvirginia.org or visit www.ArtisansCenterofVirginia.org

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Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/15/10 - 1/21/10

NewsRoanoke.com

And the Saved by the Belt & Bag Award Goes To . . .

The night of August 7, 2009, could have proven deadly for local resident Lynda Williams-Moody and her six year old daughter; however, both were properly restrained when their car crashed near Old Mountain Road. On Wednesday, January 13, Williams-Moody received the "Saved by the Belt & Bag Award" from Don Allen, Virginia Highway Safety Office Law Enforcement Liason at a local EMS training exercise.

The event was sponsored by Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital Level 1 Trauma Center and the Western Virginia Emergency Medical Services Council, Inc. Roanoke City Fire/EMS Station # 2, and Fire/EMS crew members Clarence Turpin, Tina O'Brien, Richard Lipes,

Chris Ward, James Mone, Mark Brown, James Gish, Brady McDonald, Lynwood English, Chris Decker, Alex Hunt, JJ Price and Dennis Croft will also be receiving special recognition for their outstanding performance and contribution to the safety of our community as first responders.

All across the Commonwealth, law enforcement agencies recognize individuals like Williams-Moody, whose lives are saved or injuries significantly reduced because they were properly wearing safety restraint devices at the time of their crash.

The fact that Williams-Moody walked away with minor bumps and bruises was the sole result of wearing her safety

belt. Her daughter was totally uninjured except for a small abrasion on her collarbone from the harness strap of her child safety seat.

In 2009, 76 awards were given out across the state of Virginia to residents who like Williams-Moody, were saved by their safety devices. Williams-Moody's commitment to safety is in sharp contrast to recent crash statistics when thirteen Virginians lost their lives in crashes over the holidays. Eleven of those victims were not wearing seat belts when they crashed.

By Deidra Pennington info@newsroanoke.com

EMERGING ARTISTS RESCUE MISSION minis ries

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Thursday January 21 6 - 8 pm vintage/retro sneakers exhibit•hip hop bands from NYC, DC & Richmond •sneaker history timeline•spoken word plus bring your gently used shoes for donating to Rescue Mission information: 540-853-1057 emergingartists.tumblr.com photography: boydphotography.com stylist: jamienervo@yahoo.com

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