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Community | News | Per spective
January 23, 2009
TheRoanokeStar.com
[Presidential Inauguration]
Political Change Begins
Mill Mountain Theatre to declare bankruptcy
Joe Kennedy
Look of Love P5– Joe Kennedy knows what love really looks like in the Roanoke Valley. After several years of trying to balance the books the MMT will shut down for at least six months.
Every season artistic director Patrick Benton would be full of optimism about the upcoming year at Mill Mountain Theatre, always a mixture of the tried-andMMT true, along with a dash of the new. It worked, as long as corporate sponsors picked up the majority of the bill and ticket sales remained strong. But earlier this week the Mill Mountain Board of Directors announced that the 40 year old organization – which started atop Mill Mountain and resided at the Grandin Theatre for a while before coming to Center in the Square – would shut down and declare bankruptcy. MMT Board Chairman Jason Bingham said a crushing debt load over the past decade combined with the current economic situation helped do in Mill Mountain, which featured two stages (Trinkle Main Stage,
[
Miss Virginia
Photo by Stephanie Koehler
P6– Miss Virginia,Tara Wheeler, will be competing in the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas this weekend.
“Signs of hope� hang over a small part of the estimated 1.9 million people who made their way out of Union Station during Tuesday’s historic inauguration in Washington D.C. The celebrations went on all day but for his part Barack Obama did not strike a celebratory tone as he implored the country to recognize the “gathering clouds and raging storms� around us. After summing up the threats from a “network of violence and evil abroad� and the weakened economy, he implored Americans to, “set aside childish things,� and to finally see itself as one nation so that we could, in the words of George Washington, “come forth to meet the common danger.�
Americans travel far for historic inauguration
They came from all other excited Americans over. – was the Wright family From Tallahassee looking for a shared exand San Francisco they perience and thrilled to came. From Cherry Hill, be a part of history. New Jersey and Mystic, “America is looking Connecticut and even for a change,� said Philip Roanoke, Virginia they Wright. “We want somecame. thing new and when we Millions of people listen to Barack Obama from all over the United speak and watch how he States and many from interacts with his famother countries too made ily it’s easy to see he’s the the trek to Washington real deal.� DC on Tuesday for the Philip has known for 56th Inauguration of quite some time now that an American President. he was a fan of the new Some came by bus, car president. Photo by Wendy Schuyler and train. Others actu“My brother [Charles] ally walked and biked (in Barack Obama waves to the crowd from his new limousine has been telling me about subzero temperatures) dubbed, “The Beast,� for its massive amount of armour plate. him for years,� said the across the closed bridges He and wife Michelle got out and walked part of the route to Hospitality Management from Northern Virginia the White House, much to the obvious dismay of the security major at Central Florida into the District. University. “He and I personnel assigned to protect him. One young man flew. have been talking and he ing of his mother. Like many others he took said he believed Obama “We were at church on Sunday and had what it took to be the President of an airplane, yet his trip was not like most others who booked their flights the Pastor told us something with the United States.� well in advance. Philip Wright de- passion,� said Barbara Wright of TalThat brother, Barbara Wright’s older cided on Monday to hop on a plane lahassee. “He said every able bodied son Charles, was in town for the Inaufrom Orlando, Florida to see the In- person should make an effort to get to guration too. As an employee of the auguration of Barack H. Obama as the this historical event – especially any- Department of Homeland Security, he 44th President of the United States of one that was a male and in his mid 30’s is based in Washington DC, but travels America. Wright booked a round trip or younger.� a lot. As soon as he realized he would Mother told son. Son agreed to book ticket that included a return to Florida for later the same evening at the urg- the flight. There – with millions of > CONTINUED P2: Obama
Special Player P7– Joe Cotter’s big heart steals the show on the court at Roanoke Catholic.
Volunteer Award
Ernie’s brings lots of life and a new sandwich to the city market
P10– Kathy Stockburger was presented with the F. Wiley Hubbell Award for outstanding volunteer service.
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> CONTINUED P11: MMT
Obama: “the journey we continue today�
They gathered at the Harrison Museum of African American Culture on Tuesday to watch Barack Hussein Obama be sworn in as 44th President of the United States. There were officials of the museum and friends, about twenty in all, as someone who looked like them took the torch from George W. Bush. People stood up during the ceremony when they stood on TV, and sat down when they did, recited the Lord’s Prayer and sung the national anthem as if they were in DC with several million others. “I’m at a loss for words,� said Maxine Wright, an occupational therapist at the Veteran Administration Center in Salem. Wright dabbed at her eyes several times with tissues and took turns hugging various people as the day’s events unfolded. She also said Obama can’t do it all. “It’s going to be up to all of us as a people to join together – not to continue to fight one another.� Wright handed out tissues to some of the women present before the swearing in. Museum board chair Serena Payn-
There’s a soon-to-be famous example, when it closed down sandwich down at Ernie’s called recently we were too packed a “Roanoke Star-Sentinel� that’s for comfort; our little restaufixin’ to be on the menu soon. rant can only accommodate so Basically, it’s a roast beef and tur- many people.� key with mayo on white, wheat, Kopcial, 62, (known only or rye – topped with coleslaw. as Bill to all of his friends and It sits on the middle of the plate clientele) has owned Ernie’s on with the chips placed slightly to the Roanoke City Market for the right. Sound good? Tell that the past nine years. to owner Bill Kopcial. He’s the “I started out working for one who promised to make the the fire department in the city. Sentinel a sandwich if enough Then I bought W.R. Brews, a people read this story. But he’s sports bar in town, looking for not exactly hurting for business a new challenge.� Kopcial said. as it is. “When I sold the bar about 10 “I’m concerned about the years ago, all I wanted to do was Roanoke City Market Building play golf everyday, but that got because it brings us too much Photo by Stuart Revercomb > CONTINUED business if anything goes awry > CONTINUED Ernies Restaurant is a mainstay on the City Market with roots P3: Our Take there,� Bill Kopcial said. “For P3: Ernie’s that go all the way back to the “Boiler Room.�
Fresh Meals, Groceries and Great Ways to Save! You already know about our freshly prepared meals, signature baked goods and premium produce, but did you know you can also save big on groceries in every aisle? We’ve lowered the prices on more than 2,500 items throughout our store! Stop in and introduce yourself. We can’t wait to meet you. Jason Woodcock, General Manager
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Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/23/09
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not be overseas, Charles made plans to join his Barbara Wright celebrates her birthday later mother, and aunt. He knew all along he wanted in the week and with her two sons and her sisto be there and it was always in his plan. ter Brenda Howard joining her, the party began Charles worked with Senator Bill Nelson a little early. She was obviously very proud of (D-Fl) in the Hart Building when a young both of her sons and was delighted to be able to Senator Obama used to host a weekly Thursday spend the historic day as a family. morning coffee. He and some of his co-workers “I told my son (Philip) what the Pastor said would join the then Junior Senator from Illinois and we were able to work it out for him to come for these weekly get-togethers. up too,” said Wright. “For almost a year I had “Mr. Obama is a mirror of America,” Charles planned to make the trip…he made his deciWright said while waiting in line to see the sion yesterday. I am just glad we’re all here.” swearing-in ceremony. “Everyone sees a little “It’s been a long time coming, but I remembit of themselves – no matter their color or their ber when I was a little girl that my Mama leaned background, everyone can identify with him down and whispered in my ear that someday and the struggle he’s been through. No matter this was going to happen. I am so glad I am their age or their race or their experience, peo- able to be here to witness it firsthand myself.” ple can identify with him. They can recognize Both Wright boys were energized by the Inwhere they’ve been or hold on to some hope for auguration and fought the crowds to make their where they want to go.” way to the Capitol to see it all for themselves. Once Obama’s campaign started building They joked about their hope to someday run momentum, big brother Charles told younger for office and after today, they had a little more brother Philip and there was another Wright on reason to believe. the Obama bandwagon. “People have been in really good spirits,” said 08 “I rearranged my work schedule and booked Charles Wright. “Even in the crowds everyone this quick turnaround flight to DC,” said Philip has been showing a lot of patience. It’s been fun Wright. “My mom said I should do everything to watch. I’ll always remember the camaraderie I could to get here so I made a way to have it of the day. After all we are all Americans.” all work out. I flew in from Orlando yesterday and I fly back to Florida right after the inauguBy Bruce C. Bryan Contact Tom Branch or Mike Branch ration.” info@theroanokestar.com
TheRoanokeStar.com
Woolworth Sit-in Participant Challenges All to “Get on the bus”
Referring to atto the dates on a tendees who planned “tombstone” - sayto “get on the bus” to ing people “have no witness the inaugusay” on tombstone ration of the 44th birth or death dates, President Barack but they do have Obama in Washcontrol of the “dash” ington, Franklin E. in between. McMcCain challenged Cain asserted that a people to not let this “scrawny dash” surbe the last time they mises that, “you did board that bus. not get on the bus.” McCain was one During the celof the original four Franklin E. McCain signs an autograph ebration attendees 1960 Woolworth including Mayor luncheon counter sitDavid Bowers and in participants in Greensboro, North Carolina. members of Roanoke City Council were enterHe was guest speaker at the 12th Annual Mar- tained by violin duets from Nikita and Karina tin Luther King Day Celebration and Breakfast Espinal, students of the Friends of the Roanoke presented by the Roanoke Valley Chapter of Symphony. The performance received a standNorth Carolina A&T State University Alumni ing ovation. The Pilgrim Baptist Church AngelAssociation Monday morning. ic Voices energized more than 500 attendees as McCain encouraged participation in every a projection screen displayed pictures of Presiaspect of decision-making affecting their lives, dent Barack Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King, ranging from school board meetings to zon- Jr. By Valerie Garner ing decisions. He related active participation Contact Tom Branch or Mike Branch 4552 Franklin Road, S.W., Roanoke, Virginia 24014 Valerie.Garner@cox.net 4552 Franklin Road, S.W., Roanoke, Virginia 24014
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VMI Keydets who marched in the Inaugural Parade for President Barack Obama on Tuesday, a memorable day for him er at Palmer Hollins at Palmer like Avenue it was er Hollins 802 Kerns Business Center 802 for Kernsmany Avenue others. Business Center 802 Kerns Avenue Hollins at Palmer 24 acres For Sale or Lease 24 acres s For Sale or Lease For Sale“It or Lease was pretty cool,” said Build toCenter Suit to Business Suit 100,000 sq ft 100,000 sq ft it WillBuild Will Subdivide Subdivide 100,000 sq ft even though some of 24 acres Varney, e Build to SuitSpace • For Sale or Lease Warehouse the spectators along the paWill Subdivide rade route had left before the 7704 Enon Drive Roanoke, VA Keydets came through - in • 24,000 sq. ft. • Manufacturing & Warehouse Space part because the procession • l -1 Zoning • 30 Parking Spaces Bennington Street 2173 Bennington Street started more thanRoad an hour beBuck Mountain Road erland Road Rt. 116 Buck Mountain at/Riverland Road / Rt. 116 4.45 acres New Retail Center New Retail Center 4.45 acres Contact Tom Branch or Mike Branch hind schedule. Zoned C2 square feet2,000 available Zoned C2 square feet available q ft sublease available 4552 Franklin Road, S.W. , Roanoke, Virginia 24014 2,725 sq ft sublease available But he did get to catch a et Ph: 540-774-1208 | Fax: 540-774-1359 | Email: bmc@branchmgt.com glimpse of President Obama Buck Mountain Road 6 2173 Bennington Street 4.45 as acres they passed the review er Riverland Road / Rt. 116 stand and snapped to attenZoned C2 e New Retail Center tion while saluting the new e 1354 8th Street Blue Ridge Drive feet available 000 square 1354 8th Street 26,000 sq ft available Commander-In-Chief. 3.236 acresBlue Ridge Drive 26,000 sq ft available 3.236 acres Will Subdivide 25 sqBuild ft sublease available to Suit “He was in his little reviewWill Subdivide Build to Suit Will Subdivide Will Subdivide ing stand,” recalls Varney, a sophomore at VMI. This was
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us through pretty quick,” said Varney, marveling at seeing “so many people,” amassed in one place. Being even a small part of a day filled with historical significance was an honor for the Cave Spring graduate. “It was cold, and a long day, but at the end802 I think it Avenue was Kerns worth it. I think people Formost Sale or Lease feel that way.” 100,000 sq ft Maroons also in Capitol: Roanoke College students and alums were also in Washington for the event. Recent graduate Rose Stephens-Booker volunteered to work the opening Actor Kate Walsh (left) and Roanoke College alumna Rose ceremony concert on Sunday, Stephens-Booker. where she “was about 35-50 volunteer group is 10 people, in right behind them. They Mountain rows from the Buck front stage and Road all true believers.” At 10:38am had like two hours to change 4.45 acres met many wonderful and fa- this post: “President George the residency, oval office, evZoned C2 mous people and had the time H.W. Bush just drove by in a erything.” of my life.” Stephens-Booker e- huge SUV caravan from the Erica Daniel (’09) called mailed back pictures she took White House.” in by cell phone: “Everybody with U.S. Senator Mark War“11:03 a.m. - With the Bush- is extremely excited,” Daniel ner and Kate Walsh, an actor es at the ceremony. There is lit- said. “In the Metro, people on “Private Practice.” erally a moving truck in front were chanting, ‘Yes.’ ‘We can.’ Scott Segerstrom (Roanoke of the White House putting ‘Yes.’ ‘We can.’ And ‘Oh’ ‘Bama’ College ’02) was also a volun- in Obama’s stuff.” Segerstrom ‘Oh’ ‘Bama,’” she said, laugh1354 8th Street teer and helped direct mem- filed final thoughts at 1:58pm, ing. “The Metro was packed, 26,000 ft available bers of the media. He sq blogged musing on the orderly seces- but everybody was so kind – Willthe Subdivide all day back to school’s sion of governments here in lots of happiness. People were website, beginning in the the U.S.: “The most interest- walking around with their wee hours of the morning on ing sight of the day, by far, was Obama pride.” “7:56 a.m. – Finally Tuesday: when the Bushes left to go to secret service. My cleared by By Gene Marrano the capitol building to wait gmarrano@cox.net and the moving trucks came
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Volunteers needed at the Blue Ridge Independent Living Center
Women with disabilities are needed to volunteer to participate in “A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP)” research study. If you are a woman 18 years or older, have had a physical or sensory disability, or chronic health condition for at least one year and are interested in testing the effectiveness of a personal safety planning class for women with disabilities contact the Blue Ridge Independent Living Center no later than January 28. The research study is sponsored by The University of Montana in partnership with BRILC. If you are eligible for the study, you will be offered a small payment for your participation. If you are interesting in learning more about the study, please contact BRILC at 540-342-1231.
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> Our Take From page 1
ter was one of those who used them. She remembers the waning days of segregation in her native Bedford County: “it is undoubtedly one of the happiest moments of my life. I was pretty overwhelmed all morning. It forced me to reflect on my life.” Paynter called it a great day not only for African Americans – “but for all Americans.” She heard plenty of stories about injustice from her parents and grandparent; her father told her to stay in school “because no one could take from me what I had in my head.” There were tears of joy, hugs, hand claps, a few Amens and the chant of “Yes We Can” on occasion at the Harrison Museum, which had just held Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. programs the day before. The 25-year-old organization hopes to benefit from renewed interest in African American heritage with the succession of Obama to the presidency. “We celebrate a hinge point in history,” said the Rev. Rick Warren before he gave an opening prayer at
the capitol, as if to stress that fact. “It’s history, it’s so emotional,” said Wanda Austin, manager at the Harrison Museum, which is kicking off a two million dollar capital campaign, funds it will need to move from an old school in Gainsboro to a new home at Center in the Square. “It’s something many of us never thought we would see in our lifetime.” Any honeymoon for Obama probably won’t last too long said Austin, considering the problems faced by the country. “But … he wants to try and do whatever he can.” She was heartened that the day before during an MLK event, a young African American boy said he too wanted to be president. Obama’s message said Austin, “tells young people they can be anything they want to be.” Museum director Bamidele Demerson pointed out that history isn’t just paintings on a wall or items behind a glass case: “we’re making history every day, obviously.” As he spoke most of those gathered
at the Harrison sang the Star Spangled Banner. On the job since September, Demerson said the Obama presidency “resonates in ways that have implications for this museum. It certainly brings renewed interest and understanding of …inter-ethnic relations. Beyond that it reminds us about a time for examining identity. The story of African Americans is a search for democracy, the search for dignity, the search for justice – the search for freedom. The story we tell here … resonates.” After taking the oath Obama launched into an inaugural speech that was serious at first – he mentioned “gathering clouds … and raging storms,” - as the new president ticked off a list of to-do items, before ending on a more inspirational note. Viewers at the museum hung on every word, nodding their heads or responding verbally when Obama talked about justice, equality and opportunity on what was a historical day for the country, one filled with pride,
> Ernie’s From page 1
old after a year.” When Kopcial discovered that Ernie’s (formerly B.R. Guest and Dixie Lunch) was for sale, he couldn’t lay down his money fast enough. “Ernie’s has been a landmark on the market and a true Roanoke icon for years,” Kopcial said, smiling broadly with pride amid a mini-carnival of memorabilia. “It was originally named after Ernest Arthur, who brought the restaurant to the market in 1949 from its first location on Campbell Avenue. It was called the Boiler Room then and some people still call it that.” Kopcial refers to his brilliant young grill-chef Scottie Smith as: “the Michelangelo of the grill with a little Picasso thrown in.” “He had little actual cooking experience before coming here, but he walked in one day, looked me in the eye and said: ‘I can do anything,’” Kopcial said. “That was enough for me to hire him on the spot. He’s been here about six years now and never said ‘damn’ even once.” Barney Fife, the comedic Mayberry sheriff poses in a framed photo on the wall behind Kopcial’s angels, waitresses Amy Simmons and Kimberly Rakes. “They’re easy on the eyes, aren’t they?” Kopcial laughs, referring to the attractive, green-eyed waitresses. “Best
waitresses in town too!” “Everybody from the street vendors to the bankers gets treated the same in here,” Rakes said. “Our business is more than just food; it’s people.” “We love people and we want to put a smile on their faces when they come in here,” Simmons said. Simmons and Rakes were school mates who’ve grown up together since the seventh grade; they share a passion for both the restaurant business and communication. “I love to get here early in the morning and see the city begin to wake up and come alive,” Rakes said. “And just when it does, we’re here to pour the coffee. By mid-afternoon the market is bustling with colorful people from all walks of life and interesting things; it’s got a kind of tangible energy!” Kopcial said that the depressed economy hasn’t changed a thing for Ernie’s. “If you look at my location and my prices, you can understand why I have almost a recession-proof business here,” Kopcial said. “We attract the professional people downtown like lawyers and bankers, but our prices are aimed at the common man so that anyone can come in, feel at home, and get an affordable breakfast or lunch, enjoy the atmosphere and become part of our extended family here.”
The price for a breakfast sandwich with a variety of meat and all the fixings is about $3.00; no more than $3.50. If you add two eggs, a potato cake and toast – the price may go up to around $5.00. But that still beats the competition by a long shot. Then there are the famous sandwiches… “The Boiler Room Special is ham, Swiss, salami, lettuce, tomato, mayo, cole-slaw, sweet peppers and onions on a Kaiser roll,” Kopcial said. “The Roanoke Times sandwich is pretty good too.” The “City Manager Special” is three plain slices of dry rye for $17.50; the most expensive thing on the menu by far. “All of our recipes are exactly the same as the original Ernie’s,” Kopcial said, beaming. “Same pintos and cornbread too. The ingredients for the salads and soups are all homemade; they’ve stood the test of time.” Ernie’s is open Monday through Saturday from 6am to 2 pm and Sundays from 8am to 1pm. “I like to get in here about 4am on a Saturday morning to start my sausage gravy; then go hit the golf course,” Kopcial said, adding- “Well, when it gets up to 40 degrees.”
chills, goose bumps and smiles. “All are equal… all are free,” said Obama from the podium. The former Illinois U.S. Senator called the country’s “patchwork heritage [a] strength – not a weakness.” Said Barack Obama, referring perhaps in part to civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.: “this is the journey we continue today. For us they fought and died.” Maxine Wright was overcome by the occasion. “I never knew I’d be able to see the first African American president. Its overwhelming …its wonderful.”
By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net
1/23/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3
Roanoke Star Week of the
R.J. Gibson is a Navy veteran having served six years on an aircraft carrier. Married to the former Patricia Manning, they have two children, Ryan and Kayleigh. They make their home in the Salem area and he has been active in the Salem Rotary Club. R.J. spent many years coaching youth sports and still manages to find time to play golf and serenade himself with his guitar. He has been in the insurance industry for 18 years and is Vice President of the Denison Insurance Agency. By Jim Bullington Have someone in mind for “Roanoke Star of the Week?” E-mail Jim Bullington: JBullPhoto@hotmail.com
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Recession? Everyday is a good day on a Harley.
By Mary Ellen Campagna info@theroanokestar.com
Holding Congress and the President Accountable to the American People Last week, in the opening hours of the 111th nate every cent of waste and squeeze every cent Congress, I introduced bipartisan legislation of value out of each dollar our citizens entrust that would amend the United States Constitu- to it. Families all across our nation understand tion to force Congress to rein in spending by what it means to make tough decisions each balancing the federal budget. I am pleased that day about what they can and cannot afford, over 130 Members of the House, Republicans and Congress should not be allowed to ignore and Democrats alike, have signed on in sup- these tough decisions in the name of political port of my legislation, House Joint Resolution expediency when creating spending policies for (H.J. Res) One, which ensures that the federal the federal government. With forty-nine out of government is held accountable and that the fifty state governments, including Virginia, remoney our citizens work so hard to earn is not quired to balance their state budgets, people are squandered on wasteful spendamazed that the federal goving and programs. ernment is not restrained in Rep. Bob Goodlatte My balanced budget amendthis way and strongly support ment, which is identical to the a balanced budget amendment legislation that passed the House in 1995 by a to the U.S. Constitution. vote of 300-132 and fell just two votes short of As our nation faces many difficult decisions, passage in the Senate, forces Congress to enact Congress will face great pressure to spend befiscally responsible spending measures and re- yond its means rather than making difficult deduce the deficit by requiring that total spending cisions about spending priorities. My balanced for any fiscal year not exceed total receipts. The budget amendment ensures that Congress legislation also includes a specific exception to and the President are held accountable to the the balanced budget provisions in times of war, American taxpayers. Unless Congress is forced serious threats to our national security or other to make the decisions necessary to create a balnational emergencies such as our current eco- anced budget, it will always have the all-toonomic crisis. tempting option of shirking this responsibility. It has become clear that it is extremely dif- Americans are desperate for fiscal reform and ficult for Congress to agree on a budget that is the Balanced Budget Constitutional amendfiscally responsible. However, in these chal- ment is a common sense approach to ensure lenging economic times it is even more impor- that Congress is bound by the same fiscal printant for government to control spending. The ciples that America’s families face each day. federal government must work to both elimi-
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Perspective
Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/23/09
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"abnormalities" on my blood test is like telling a normal person that they have but a few hours to live and that they must spend those last fleeting moments in traffic court. All of you must know a person who reads a health article in a magazine and is thoroughly convinced that they suffer from the described affliction. That's me. In fact, when reading such material I often feel myself manifesting the common listed symptoms as I tremble through the text. By the end of the discourse I have become a flinching, drooling,
to my overstuffed feverish, bedridden chair (sans readinvalid frozen by ing material), and fear. Upon hearbegan to perspire. ing the news of my Once freed from imminent demise, the waiting room, I insisted (pleaded) I was deposited for an immediate into a small exappointment. amination room Following a sleepwith colorful dialess night, I drove to grams of internal the doctor's office Jon Kaufman and walked "The organs adorning Green Mile" into the waiting the walls. Moments later the room. Avoiding any medi- doctor arrived and got right cal magazines, I reached for to the point. In her estimathe safety of a recent copy of tion, my cholesterol number "People" only to find an ar- would make a great bowling ticle on Patrick Swayze and score, but needed to come his courageous bout with down dramatically. My cancer. Quickly, I retreated triglycerides measured off the scale, eclipsing my SAT score from 1976. The doctor looked more worried than I did and that had never happened before. Solemnly, she 10 67 Focus 10 67 Focus handed me a sheet of paper 68 Compass point 68 Compass point which described foods that 69 Torn 69 Torn I needed to start eating and ones that I would need to DOWN DOWN cut out of my daily diet. EV1 Sixth sense ERYTHING I eat was on the 1 Sixth sense
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ome of my friends think During his, “I Have a Dream I have lost my mind. They Speech,” Dr. Martin Luther King, have asked me how I could Jr. talked about America’s prompass up such easy money. Of course, issory note, a check that America everyone is entitled to their opinion. had written that had been returned What my friends do not understand to America by the Black communiis the five biggest events in my life ty due to insufficient funds. Those are: 1) August 17, 1985, the day I tickets show that America’s prommet my wife, 2) June 6, 1988, the issory note is closer to being paid day my daughter was born, 3) Octoin full than ever before. We now ber 21, 2007, the day my grandson know there will come a day when Jeff Artis was born, 4) April 4, 1968, the day all Americans will enjoy the full Dr. King was assassinated, and 5) rights of citizenship written about January, 20, 2009, the day Barack Obama was in the Declaration of Independence and guarinaugurated President of the United Statesz anteed in the United States Constitution. Thanks to Congressman Bob Goodlatte, The inauguration of President Barack I own two of the hottest items to come along Obama is truly a monumental event. This in quite some time. I own two tickets to the event completes the circle begun by FredInauguration of President Barack Obama. erick Douglas and goes through W.E.B. No, I did not sell them. No, I will not sell DuBois, Marcus Garvey, Dr. King and Broththem. Thus, some of my friends think I have er Malcolm. The Obama inauguration comlost my mind. pletes the legacy that began with slavery and Although I was not able to attend the the Middle Passage, through being counted inauguration, those tickets mean the world to as 3/5 of a person, through living with the me. Those tickets will always remind me of Slave Codes, through Jim Crow, through the several things. I will always be reminded of violence of the Civil Rights Movement, to a the day America came together as one. Yes, Black American, becoming the most powerAmerica has come together as one before. ful man in the world; a Black man who vows However, when we come together as a coun- to be President to all Americans. try, it is usually the result of a tragedy, the last Yes, I could have made some nice montime being 9/11. ey selling my inaugural tickets. I could have The tickets will remind me of the day the made enough money to buy that motorcycle myth of the Black gangsta’ died. With Obama I have wanted for years. But, I learned a long as President, no longer is there justification time ago some things are better and far more for the mentality that says real Black men precious than money. Thank you Congressare men who disrespect women, make babies man Goodlatte. they do not take care of, do poorly in school, Contact Jeff at sling dope, have a jail record, gangbang and column@jeffartis.com carry a gun.
Star~Sentinel Crossword 1
TheRoanokeStar.com
Death vs Salami
olks, today I write to you from the infernal regions of weight reduction's deepest pit. According to my medical advisory staff, I am to be interned in this smoldering abyss for the remainder of my stay on earth or until I shed fifty or more pounds of junk-food induced fat, whichever comes first. This all started with a phone message from my doctor's office informing me of some "abnormalities" in my latest blood test. Abnormalities, what does that mean? For a hypochondriac like me, saying that there are
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A ticket to far more than an inauguration
Telling the Truth
he person I quote most not see the movie unless someone often in my daily work is confessed and returned it. It was my own mother. At preshorrible. It was traumatic for all of ent she doesn’t have much to say as us. But it was the right thing to do. she moves deeper into Alzheimer’s, Who was it? Please, won’t someone yet her wisdom continues on even confess? Come on! We want to as her mind disintegrates with the see the movie. Finally, after what disease. I’m not sure just when it seemed a very long time, one of my was that I began to use her words siblings gave way to conviction and to guide my own dealings with returned the partially eaten candy Diane Kelly people, but I recognize them more bar. The insistence on truth was and more as I counsel others. the key. The importance of honShe simply said, “Tell the truth.” esty was the lesson learned by us all. I could Learning to tell the truth is an essential hear my mother that day, “Just tell the truth”. quality in life that we value and grab onto beIn working with children daily, I often say cause it is the right thing to do. Truth is a to teachers and parents: “Don’t be surprised virtue that strengthens relationships, giving by the wrong things they do. Let’s just hope children comfort in knowing we are honest we catch them when they are doing wrong so and trustworthy. We teach our children to that we can correct and teach them the right learn right from wrong, to tell the truth, and way.” They will make mistakes, tell lies, say to expect others to do the same. It comes things hurt other people, and need to be corwith days and months and years of living a rected. It is our job as teachers and parents life filled of honesty and truth. No little white to keep them honest and spend enough time lies allowed! with them to know that little look in their I well remember how my parents expected eye that says, “I’m lying. I’m guilty.” These and reinforced honesty in my growing up are the teachable moments when they grow a years. With five children in the family, there deep and abiding conscience that keeps them was never a lack of teachable moments. The recognizing what truth is and what truth is most impressionable one involved a hidden not. candy bar. It was the day of the TV showing Imagine a society where there is no truth, of The Wizard of Oz, and we were all excited no standard for right and wrong, no degree to watch the movie together. (This was the by which we measure goodness and truth or time when television movies were new.) We evil and wrong. It would be a barbaric and were filled with excitement and anticipation chaotic place. This training for truth begins to watch the movie at home. in our homes when we recognize a teachAll excitement halted when my father an- able moment and seize it for what it is worth. nounced that a certain Hershey candy bar Teaching our children to tell the truth is a was missing from the kitchen cabinet. It was good start. Do it today. one of those large bars that one should not eat alone. He asked us all where it was. No Contact Diane at one confessed. He announced that we would dianekelly@gmail.com
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www.CrosswordWeaver.com
36 Vale 36 Collection Vale 38 of animals 39 draw slowly or heavily. 38 To Collection of animals 41 39 Be To draw slowly or heavily. 42 material object representing 41 ABe token, or 42 something, A materialemblem, object representing sign. something, emblem, token, or 45 Affray sign. 46 45 Cause Affrayto flee in panic 48 Hoopla 46 Cause to flee in panic 49 Comment upon; review. 48 Hoopla 51 Author of "The Inferno" 49 Comment upon; review. 53 Cook in a marinade 51 Author of "The Inferno" 54 U.S. Department of Agriculture 53 Cook in a marinade 55 Swine 54 Recommends U.S. Department of Agriculture 56 55 Water Swineretention 60 56 Tree/to Recommends 64 burn into ashes. 60 Water retention 65 Aplomb 64 Sofa Tree/to burn into ashes. 66
ACROSS ACROSS 1 Tides Shovel. 15 Tides Snack 58 Shovel. 11 Half man, half goat 8 Snack 13 Half Miraculous food 11 man, half goat 15 Flightless bird 13 Miraculous food 16 Flightless Trim 15 bird 17 Cancel 16 Trim 18 Umpire 17 Cancel 19 One 18 Umpire 21 Shine 19 One 23 Movie on tape 21 Shine 25 Got a pet "fixed" 23 on tape 27 Movie To make a bid. 25 a pet "fixed" 28 Got Grappler 27 make a bid. 31 To Everything one has. 28 Grappler 32 Sentinel 31 one has. 33 Everything Frost 32 Sentinel 65 Aplomb Find the answers online: TheRoanokeStar.com 33 Frost 66you’d Sofalike to see? Have a clue and answer
email: puzzles@theroanokestar.com
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2 Exclude Exclude 3 Heat Heat unit unit Governing group 4 Governing group Newsman Rather 5 Newsman Rather Lodge 6 Lodge African antelope 7 African antelope Uncanny 8 Uncanny Make rightright 9 Make Bunch 10 Bunch Checks out books again 12 Checks out books again Summer month 13 Summer month Fish tank growth 14 Fish tank growth Tenet 20 Tenet Musical 22 Musical Country estate 23 Country Lazy person estate 24 Lazy person light Type of flashing 25 Type of flashing light Layer 26 Layer Pouch 27 Pouch Protein 29 Protein Stamp 30 Stampweight unit Diamond Waste away. weight unit 34 Diamond BirdWaste homesaway. 35 Ii Bird homes 37 Pocket 40 Ii Chances of winning 42 Pocket Type of gasoline 43 Chances of winning Truss (2 wds.) 44 Type of gasoline Pink 47 Truss (2 wds.) Should 49 Pink Lowest point 50 Should Baths 52 Lowest point Manipulate 53 Baths Seafood 54 Manipulate Cocktail drink 57 Seafood Compass point 58 Cocktail drink Evening 59 Compass point Human 61 YouEvening da ---! (from Antz) 62 Human 63 You da ---! (from Antz)
By Don Waterfield
"must go" list. My fear transitioned to depression in the time it takes me to wolf down a bag of mini donuts (my personal best: 1 minute and 47.3 seconds.*milk aided). No ribs, no hot dogs, no spaghetti, no salami. NO SALAMI! From age five to age twenty-five all I ate was kosher salami. I would have named my son Salami, but who needs that kind of pressure? My sisters would send me salami care packages through the mail when I first moved to Virginia, thinking that I might perish without a frequent visit from Hebrew National. NO SALAMI! I wanted to lie down in the middle of Campbell Avenue and wait for a Valley Metro to roll over me. Since receiving the bad news, my dining life has been predictably miserable. Nightly, I nuke low calorie frozen dinners, which appear yummy when depicted on the box, but, in reality,
taste only slightly better than the box itself. Janet and Will have been supportive, encouraging me to stay with the eating program and exercise more often. Honestly the only part of my body that is in top physical condition is my right forearm which is frequently summoned to raise and lower my recliner's leg rest. As I embark on this life sentence, I recall the day a six year-old Jon asked his mother "Mom, is there salami in heaven?" Holding back a giggle, my Mom put down her dish rag, put her hand on my shoulder, glanced skyward and said "I'm not sure who handles the catering up there Jon, but I'm sure they have everything, even salami." So at least I have that going for me.
Contact Jon at Jon.Kaufman@sprint.com
The Roanoke Star-Sentinel C o m mu n i t y | N ew s | Pe r s p e c t i ve Publisher | Stuart Revercomb | stuart@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Features Editor | Pam Rickard | pam@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 News Editor | Gene Marrano | gmarrano@cox.net | 400-0990 Production Editor | Stephen Nelson | stephen@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Technical Webmaster | Don Waterfield | webmaster@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Advertising Director | Vickie Henderson | advertising@theroanokestar.com | 400-0990 Star: to lift up that which is right, real and genuine about our community – the people and events that make us who we are – the real spirit of Roanoke that past residents and leaders have worked hard to create, that points us towards the bright and shining future that we all desire for our valley. Sentinel: to guard the truth, with consistent and complete coverage of key local issues that provides balanced reporting and equal editorial opportunity. To fully tell all sides of a story so that readers can make their own informed opinions, and express them to positively impact others and our community. 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.
Perspective
1/23/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5
TheRoanokeStar.com
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This is what love looks like
t is the man who walks into the Presbyterian Community Center in Southeast Roanoke each month and drops off an envelope containing a $20 bill. He doesn’t say who he is, and he doesn’t want public acknowledgment. “Just say ‘Anonymous,’” he suggests. It’s the man with a Ford-150 pickup truck who meets Karen McNally, the center’s executive director, at the Second Harvest Food Bank every other Tuesday to load and deliver groceries to the community center’s pantry. Sometimes, McNally and the man make two trips. It’s the volunteer tutors for children in the center’s Pathways for Youth and Pathfinders, its after-school programs. It’s the
mentors who take low-income children out of their neighborhoods so they can see what the bigger world is like. It’s the volunteers who join Brenda Wass, a 30-year employee at the center, in interviewing people in need to see if they qualify for food, help with their bills or other assistance. It’s the financial donors whose names may or may not be printed in the center’s newsletters, the people who organize its annual Dancing under the Stars fundraiser, and the participants in the event who last year helped the center raise some $10,000 for its programs. Love is a word, an emotion, an overworked theme in popular music and films. Mainly, though, love is behavior. It’s pursuing good things and avoiding
bad things. It’s realOn Friday, a man izing that we can recame into the center deem our mistakes and said his brother and show gratitude and mother are disfor our gifts by sharabled, live on fixed ing them generously. incomes and lacked The Presbyterian heat in their rented Community Center quarters; the room is at 1228 Jamison temperature there Avenue Southeast. It was 53 degrees. Joe Kennedy serves low-income “A lot of people residents of Southeast are getting so desRoanoke, Northeast Roanoke, perate and upset they sit and Vinton, and Southeast and they cry,” says Wass, who grew Northeast Roanoke County. up in Southeast Roanoke and Times are tough, if you didn’t still lives there. Forty percent of the residents get the memo. Like other nonprofit service organizations, the near the center are on disability, center is seeing people who’ve McNally says. Some live on sonever asked for help before, cial security payments as low as McNally says. They can’t pay $674 per month. “We need extra money bad,” their rent, fill their oil tanks, cover their gas bills or feed their Wass says. The center is one of several families.
Meeting the Train
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pilot. This must have made it a very hot job to run the train. The smell of coal dust and the cinders stinging our faces circled us as we stood our ground so close to the familiar monster that we felt brave as well as fascinated. If we took deep breaths the metallic taste of coal filled our mouths. Coal dust was everywhere and if you turned your back it didn't help. Through it all we managed a wave to the engineer and the fireman. If you were railroad folks you would never be rude and not wave. As the brakes screamed and this huge machine pulled up in front of us there was a helpless feeling. It was hard to stand up and it felt like something was pushing us back against the station wall. All of the air that had been displaced by the engine had to go somewhere and we, small creatures,were in the way. Sue Collins Roanoke Va
Field of Dreams
s millions of people converged on the Mall in Washington DC for the inauguration of Barack Obama there was an overwhelming unity of thought and perspective amongst those present. The world has changed; history is being made and it’s a good thing. It felt a lot like the moment on 9-11, after the shock wore off, when we realized the world would never be the same. Each one of us – from vastly different worlds – collectively experienced a staggering and abrupt change in the way we think, the way we live our lives and our perspective on history. January 20, 2009 in Washington DC was another such moment. The profound nature of the event was not found in sound bites and sentences but rather in the human experience. It was in found in the faces of the African American woman from Arkansas and the Irish man from Vermont. It was in Stephanie Koehler the cheers of children and the tears of their parents. It was in the good will and gentle nature of all those present. It was in the numbers: 1.8 million People with no formal tickets 930,772 Metrorail trips on Tuesday alone 300,000 Parade spectators in designated area 240,000 Formal inauguration ticket holders 18 miles The distance one man biked from Maryland 6 miles The distance hundreds walked due to bridge closings in Virginia Zero Arrests As we all huddled for warmth in a coffee shop off Constitution Avenue while waiting for the parade to begin – the storytelling began. “It was Christmas Day when I decided to come” remarked Rick Fredette of Philadelphia. “I wasn’t sure why, but I needed to be here, to share the experience of others and celebrate our renewed faith in America”. As Terrance Mann so prophetically said to Ray Kinsella in the movie Field of Dreams – “build it and they will come”. In this case, it wasn’t a baseball field but rather a Dream that one day we might really be “One Nation Under God.” Contact Stephanie at stephaniekoehler@cox.net
The Recipe of the Week
and my biggest immediate concern, to be unashamedly honest, is whether the Ravens will beat the Steelers in the AFC championship game this evening. Other people, I am sure, look at stock portfolios with values higher than the center’s $655,000 annual budget and bemoan their losses. Life is cruel and we are, by nature, self-centered. But we have free will. We can overcome our selfishness by reaching out and helping our fellow humans whose situations are dire. That’s what love looks like, and that is the point of this story.
Contact Joe at pilarcik2@cox.net
Preacher’s Corner
A submitted memory of “old Roanoke”
s a small child I stood near the tracks at the early Roanoke N & W train station on Norfolk Ave. It was a low traditional building that was little more than shelter for passengers, the red caps and the ticket sellers. When the train neared the station the key of the telegraph began to click and we knew by the activities inside that it was time for us to go outside. From down the tracks a round white light beamed toward us and the red light from the trainman’s lantern swung back and forth as he leaned out of the space behind the engine. When the beam grew larger, we shielded our eyes. The steady beat under our feet became the roar of thunder. The huge wheels forced to move by long rods attached in just the right place in the big circles was a picture of power brought to life. The red-gold flame in the fire box behind the engineer was stoked by his co-
places where people can obtain emergency food supplies. Others include the Salvation Army, Seventeenth Street Baptist Church and Manna Ministries. For good reasons, poor people can’t be regulars at such places. They have to travel to get what they need. Last year, the center filled 2,500 family food orders, each lasting three or four days; the orders fed an estimated 4,000 children, plus other family members. The center provided $75,000 worth of emergency financial assistance and food. As I write this, I sit at my computer with a view out the window at a robin parked on the bare grey arm of one of my maple trees. Middle-class houses surround me. The sky is gray,
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by Rev. George Anderson
inancial stress is a leading cause of marital stress – but there are cures My personal experience backs up what studies indicate; that financial stress is a leading cause of marital stress. Off the top of my head, here are a few reasons why: Different philosophies of money management: A “saver” is stressed by a “spender”, and the “spender” feels constricted by the “saver.” Long term security and immediate gratification become opposing goals. Control: Money is power, and one seeks control over finances as a way to gain control over the partner. The problem here is not on whether to save or spend, but who gets to decide. Manipulation, even abuse, can be the result. Shared debt: Inordinate debt creates a vicious cycle. Buying stuff builds debt. A couple works harder to service the debt payments creating more stress. One spouse, or both, often resorts to “retail therapy,” to reduce the stress, creating a larger debt. The cycle then gets worse. A Flawed Vision of a Family: Parents want to provide a safe and loving home in which children can grow. If they are not careful, however, providing for that home becomes the end rather than the means. Accumulating more things and adding more activities crowds out the building of “kith and kin” relationships that give life its true meaning and joy.
A Flawed Perspective: Too often a couple judges their worth by comparing themselves with neighbors and peers. A couple living in the nicest neighborhood can feel demeaned and deprived simply because they don’t “measure up” to those to whom they foolishly choose to compare themselves. Greed: Greed works a dark magic on how one views and treats others as well as oneself. People become objectified as competitors and consumers. Greed is a lust that is never sated. For those for whom money is everything, there is never enough. Conversely, my general experience has been that generous people tend to be more grounded and less stressed about finances. To know how to give away is to know how to do without, and thus those who know how to give away are people who have learned how to save. There are possible “cures” the above problems. Some solutions can be easy. All some couples need to do is communicate more about their finances so as to come up with a plan both can live with. Others may need a financial education to learn how to better manage their money. Others may need to commit themselves to working their way out of debt so as to reduce the stress. These cures can seem difficult but, except for those in true financial crisis, they are the “easy” solutions.
The more difficult “cures” require changing. A couple may have to change their relationship because their problems might be more internal than external. A person may have to change because the priorities, values, and perception that cause one to be overly anxious, jealous, or greedy come from within. Renovating what is “within” so as to better deal with financial realities that are “without” is often more than one can handle on one’s own. Help can come horizontally from friends, mentors and counselors; and it can come vertically from God. There is no simple formula for getting that help however. The thing to do is to find those who are wise and trustworthy and reach out to them. George Anderson is the Senior Minister at Second Presbyterian Church. You may contact him at: pastor@spres.org or visit them on the web at www.spres.org
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One inspired campus
from The Happy Chef by Leigh Sackett
Obama Family Chili Recipe In honor of our 44th president I am giving him a place in my Happy Chef column. Maybe he will be so touched that he will invite me to the White House and then the front page of the RSS will say… Happy Chef Goes to Washington! AHAHA! WOOWEE, how fun! All kidding aside, what an amazing and historic week! It is so exciting to me that my children are old enough to watch, get excited and understand the Inauguration. My mother loved politics and was very active politically. She was always standing up for people. I feel her spirit amongst all the hopeful Americans who are watching and praying for President Obama. May that hope be a reminder that our blessings are found in all days, the difficult days and the very good days. May God Bless Barack Obama and all of our leaders. By the way President Obama says, he has been using this chili recipe since college and would bring it to any potluck party, sounds like a winner! I may try it for the upcoming Superbowl. 1 large onion, chopped 1 green pepper, chopped Several cloves of garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound ground turkey or beef 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon ground oregano 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/4 teaspoon ground basil 1 tablespoon chili powder 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar Several tomatoes, depending on size, chopped 1 can red kidney beans
-Saute onions, green pepper and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add ground meat and brown. -Combine spices together into a mixture, then add to ground meat. -Add red wine vinegar. -Add tomatoes and let simmer, until tomatoes cook down. -Add kidney beans and cook for a few more minutes. -Serve over white or brown rice. Garnish with grated cheddar cheese, onions and sour cream.
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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/23/09
TheRoanokeStar.com
Domestic Violence Taskforce a success
In December Roanoke City Council received a letter from juvenile and domestic court Chief Judge Joseph Clarke, stating that the court intended to implement a program for domestic violence cases. The courts have now recognized all of the recommendations made by a task force. At a press conference held recently Vice-Mayor Sherman Lea pronounced the program a success saying, “this is an accomplishment because it will provide early intervention and enhanced supervision of domestic violence offenders.” Lea said that assault and battery cases would be referred to the court community correction program for services and supervision for one year. The defendant will be required to remain on good behavior for an additional two years. A magistrate is now mandated to issue a warrant without having to make a finding that there is probable danger of further such acts. All domestic violence convictions will be included in records made available to police through the Virginia Criminal Information Network. Jane R. Conlin, Roanoke’s Director of Social Services, announced that Gwendolyn Coleman, who will help “victims develop ways to be safe and go on with their lives”, filled a new domestic violence social worker position
Photo by Valerie Garner
Ellen Brown is with the Women’s Resource Center. According to Aisha Johnson, Education Information Specialist with Roanoke Police Department, domestic calls for the department from years 2000 – 2003 averaged over 6000. Recently however the calls have decreased: in 2008 there were 2306 domestic calls for police service. These calls for service include violence between husband and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends, parents and children, and siblings. Ellen Brown, director of TAP's Women’s Resource Center, said the agency assists about 40 victims of domestic violence a month. “We are in strong support of this legislative initiative,” said Brown, who looks forward to working with law enforcement agencies. Brown said they also work
very closely with The Turning Point women’s domestic violence shelter. Delegate William Fralin, who also served on the task force, proposed legislation in 2007 that resulted in a mandatory 30 days incarceration for second offenders that commit domestic assault and battery. In addition there is now a mandate of 60 days of incarceration for violating a protective order within five years of a prior conviction. Lea said that domestic violence is not a socioeconomic issue: he gets calls of thanks from people not expected to be typical victims of domestic violence. By Valerie Garner Valerie.Garner@cox.net
Roanoke County Kindergarten Registration March 12/13
Roanoke County Schools will hold registration for upcoming kindergarten children, and children presently enrolled in private kindergarten that will attend first grade in public schools during the 2009-2010 school year. All children who will be five years old on or before Septem-
ber 30, 2009, are eligible for kindergarten. Parents should register their children at the elementary school in their home area on Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Parents should bring the following information when registering their children:
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• child’s birth certificate • child’s social security card • child’s immunization record • proof of residency (a mortgage, a pending contract, a copy of a lease, or a property tax statement will be accepted as proof of residency)* * Note: a current vehicle registration indicating a Roanoke County address and a current Virginia driver’s license with a Roanoke County address listed may be accepted if other proof of residency documents are unavailable.
Miss Virginia Tara Wheeler and a makeup-wearing Bratz doll.
Miss Virginia tells North Cross students stereotypes are limiting At the Miss American pageant this weekend (8pm, Saturday, TLC) she’ll be strutting on stage in Las Vegas, answering questions, modeling swimsuits and gowns, even singing, but Miss Virginia - Tara Wheeler - is about much more than that. The part time Roanoke resident, who captured the Miss Virginia title at the Roanoke Civic Center last June, joined the Air Force ROTC, played goalie for the women’s hockey team at Penn State and earned a Master’s in journalism. Wheeler spent time recently with middle school students at North Cross School, talking about stereotypes that affect women, minorities and others. Students were quick to the draw when Wheeler asked what they thought about pageants like Miss America. Contestants were “unhappy,” said one girl, while another student said they reminded her of Barbie Dolls. “A stereotype of what women should look like,” offered another. Wheeler, who spoke while wearing her always-present tiara, said Miss America was “not a beauty pageant. [Its] all about talent, girls that are confident in their bodies.” No organization provides more scholarship money than does Miss America noted Wheeler. That’s also when Wheeler brought up her background as an Air Force cadet and a goalie, hardly Barbie-like activities. “Who are you going to let define you?” asked the 24 year old, who flew a trainer jet in the Air Force
but elected finally not to stay in the service. “We’re much more than just a couple of qualities,” said Wheeler, who decried the media’s focus on beauty and money. Wheeler, who won the Miss Arlington pageant earlier, earning her a trip to the Miss Virginia contest, sang “At Last,” (the Etta James torch song) for North Cross students when prompted. The Miss Virginia organization provides an apartment locally for pageant winners, who spend part of the year in Roanoke as they visit schools and other groups. Wheeler’s special platform issue for Miss America was empowering America’s youth, something that fit well with her visit to North Cross earlier in the school year. Speaking of stereotypes, Wheeler held up a Bratz doll featuring a female soccer player wearing as she put it, “tons of makeup.” Middle School girls answered with a resounding “no!” when asked if any soccer players present used makeup on the field. “You will get where you are going by the way you treat other people,” said Wheeler to her young audience. “Be who you want to be – a positive role model.”
By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net
Roanoke County Public Schools to hold Science Fair
Schools must have the child’s physical and immunization record on file prior to the first day of school (August 24, 2009) or students will not be allowed to attend school. Pupils who are presently atThe public is invited to attend the Roanoke County Science Fair to be held on Saturday, February tending kindergarten in Roa- 28, in the gymnasium at William Byrd Middle School in Vinton. There will be approximately 100 noke County Public Schools Roanoke County students participating. These students will be coming from five middle and five are not required to register. high schools. Exhibits will be displayed from 11:30a.m.until 1:30 p.m. Awards will be presented in the auditorium at 12:30 p.m. Thirty high school and 10 middle school winners will be chosen to compete in the Western Virginia Regional Science Fair to be held at Virginia Western Community Accredited by the Souther Association of College on Saturday, March 21. Colleges and Schools; Virginia Catholic Grand Award winners from this Regional Fair will Education Association. compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair. The two Grand winners and two sponsors receive an all-week paid trip to Reno, Nevada to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair to be held May 10 – 15, 2009. For further information, please contact Julian Barnes, Science Supervisor Roanoke County Schools, at 540–562-3900, ex. 10254.
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Send sports pictures, announcements and story ideas to info@theroanokestar.com
Sports
1/23/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7
Not this time
For the first time in four years the Cave Spring’s boys basketball team beat their archrival Hidden Valley 6542 on Tuesday night on the Knights’ home court. Big man Josh Henderson and forward Clay Lacy scored 15 a piece to lead Cave Spring, which ran its record to 12-3 (4-0 River Ridge District) with the victory. Hidden Valley fell to 6-9 (2-2) on the season. The Titans have been state semifinalists the past two seasons but injuries and graduation have set the team back this season. Zach Barrett led Hidden Valley with 11 points; the two schools square off again in a girls / boys varsity doubleheader at the Titans gym on February 6.
Hidden Valley’s Zach Barrett (Above) advances the ball up court against Cave Spring’s Mark Overstreet. Cave Spring Head Coach Billy Hicks (Right) talks with Hidden Valley Head Coach Troy Wells prior to the game.
Cave Spring defeats rival Hidden Valley
Knight’s Clay Lacy dishes a no-look pass Tuesday night Photos by BIll Turner
A quiet grace on and off the court
Patriots Look To Finish Strong Last week, the Patrick Henry Patriots boys’ basketball team pulled off a huge upset over Star City rival William Fleming 43-42. It was the ultimate highlight in a season that has otherwise seen very few. “We had a rough start to the season,” Head Coach Jack Esworthy said. “But the Fleming game was a huge win for us, a huge momentum boost.” Against the Colonels, the Patriots played well across the board, especially defensively, holding Jamelle Hagins and Troy Daniels well under their season point averages. Offensively, Patrick Henry was able to handle the Colonels full court pressure without too many turnovers. “I have to give the credit for that to Melvin Henderson,” Esworthy said of his junior point guard. “He handled it great, and was calm the whole game.” But, as has been the case thus far this season, the Patriots were unable to build off the win, falling in their next two games at Bassett 76-57 and at George Washington 68-48. It is that kind of inconsistency that has plagued the Patriots (5-11, 2-2) this year. In their 16 games they have played, the team has not had a winning streak of more than two. “We’ve been up and down in terms of our execution all year,” Esworthy said. “It’s not an issue of effort – we always play hard. We just don’t always play smart.” Perhaps the reason for the team’s inconsistent play is its relative lack of experience. Though the team starts four juniors, only one of them, leading scorer Terrell Wilson, was a starter on last season’s squad. “I think it’s taken us awhile to find ourselves,” Esworthy said. “It’s different – last year most of these guys were role players, and this year it has taken a while for them to get used to the spotlight and the pressure.” Despite their record, the Patriots find themselves right in the thick of the race for the
Terrell Wilson hit clutch free throws against Fleming. Western Valley District title. “We don’t feel like a 5-11 team at all. Esworthy said. “We feel better about the way we’re playing, and if anything, the Fleming game showed us that when we play hard and execute, we can beat anybody.” The Patriots look to climb back above .500 in the district when they take on Halifax on Friday night. “It’s an important game for us to stay in the race,” Esworthy said. “We’re getting near the end of the season, and that’s when you want to be playing your best.” Tipoff on Woody Deans’ Court on Friday at PH is set for 7:30pm. By Matt Reeve Matt@theroanokestar.com
Last Friday, I had the privilege of In another contest, while competattending a middle school basketball ing on an area AAU team, Joe swished game at Roanoke Catholic. Before the a three-pointer right in the face of a game, hundreds of students and parents Big-Ten prospect who had chuckled to gathered to celebrate one of the Celtic himself when Joe got the ball. And fiplayers -- Joe Cotter. I didn’t know it nally, just a few weeks ago, Joe scored then, but I can definitely say it now: Joe a season-high 18 points in a win over is one of the most special young men Holy Cross, more than anyone else on I’ve ever met. And I only got to talk to his team has scored all year. him for 15 minutes. But for Joe, basketball is so much Joe isn’t your average kid. He’s 15 more than stats or accomplishments. and mentally handicapped, with an IQ Joe Cotter The game has helped mold him as a of 60. He has been attending Roanoke person, and has taught him many life Catholic for five years, taking a few classes and lessons that make him the special person he is helping out with various jobs around the school. today. It’s not because of what Joe has done on And he is absolutely beloved there, because he is the court, but because of who he is that caused so friendly, so caring, and so innocent. I noticed fans to show such adoration for him on Friday, it when he sat down to talk to me in the bleach- with signs that read “We Want Joe!” and “Let’s ers after a game on Tuesday. He smiled, patted Go Joe!” It’s why his friend and school athletic me on the back, seemingly genuinely happy to director Steve Niamke, in a moving poem read see me. prior to the game entitled “A Quiet Grace,” said of Oh, and he’s also a heck of a basketball player. Joe, “If we pay attention, we are forever changed, Joe’s journey in the game of hoops is incredible. and I am forever grateful.” His father and coach, Frank (an ophthalmologist “The hardest part about kids who are mentally for Vistar Eye Center), decided to get him into challenged is that they can’t conceptually grasp the sport as a way to help him build strength (Joe certain things,” Frank Cotter said. “For a while suffered from muscle laxity as a child). At first, before we got him into basketball, Joe was develJoe didn’t understand the rules. He would get oping some pretty bad behavior. But basketball the ball and start walking, forgetting to dribble. has been able to teach him all those life lessons His dad would try to steal the ball away, and Joe that we weren’t able to – things like sharing and would cry, thinking his dad was cheating. But teamwork. People ask us why Joe plays so much they kept at it, and eventually Joe began playing (he plays year-round), and it’s because we want in a rec-league, where he went game after game him to continue to learn these life lessons as without a point for almost two years. much as possible.” But during one game, ironically at Roanoke Unfortunately, the game itself didn’t quite go Catholic, Joe grabbed a rebound late in the as scripted on Friday, with the Celtics falling to fourth quarter. One of the opposing players rec- North Cross 44-41. Joe scored six points, and ognized him and backed off, encouraging him to received plenty of cheers, hugs, and high-fives shoot. It went in – nothing but net. from his friends. There are many other astounding feats in Joe’s To Joe, the outcome didn’t really matter, anybasketball career. He once scored eight points in way. “I was just really excited about the game, the final minutes of a heated contest between the and my dad talking to the crowd and the poem Celtics and Faith Christian-Hurt to seal a win, and all the posters,” Joe said. “I don’t think I’ll only moments after promising his coach that if ever forget it.” By Matt Reeve he got in the game, he wouldn’t miss. Matt@theroanokestar.com
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Sports
Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/23/09
Send sports pictures, announcements and story ideas to info@theroanokestar.com
Photos by Hany Hosny
Pete Yates (Above) works Greenwald. VT Associate Head Coach Tony Robie (Right) gets excited.
Photos by Hany Hosny
DJ Bruce engineers a deadly cradle from an unlikely position.
Photo by Bill Turner
Tech wrestling rallies to remain undefeated - Hokies down Rutgers, 24-21 A pin by D.J. Bruce at 197 pounds highlighted a big comeback as the Virginia Tech wrestling team rallied for a 24-21 win over Rutgers Sunday afternoon at Cassell Coliseum. Tech trailed 21-12 with three bouts remaining, but battled hard to win the dual meet and move to 12-0 on the year. After losing four matches in a row to fall behind, Tommy Spellman beat McPaul Ogbonna 6-1 at 184 pounds to bring the Hokies within six points with two matches left. Bruce whipped the crowd into a frenzy with a first-period pin of Karim Mahmoud at 197 pounds to tie the match up. Bruce, who has won seven matches in a row, took down Mahmoud and locked up a cradle early. Mahmoud squirmed and wiggled, but was finally pinned at the 1:39 mark.
It then all came down the heavyweights as Tech’s David Marone and Rutgers’ DJ Russo took the mat. Marone got a quick takedown and converted that to three back points. Leading 5-2 after a period, Russo escaped in the second period to trim the lead. In the third, Marone earned an escape and takedown to essentially put it away. Russo got an escape and takedown late, but the Colorado native held on for the 10-6 win to give Tech the win. Tech will hit the road next weekend for four big matches in Michigan. On Saturday, Tech will take on Binghamton and No. 17 Michigan at Ann Arbor and on Sunday, the Hokies will face No. 6 Central Michigan and No. 4 Nebraska at Mt. Pleasant. From VT News Service
Photo by Hany Hosny
Tommy Spellman dominates McPaul Ogbonna.
“Valley Girls” win: Hidden Valley’s Kayla Osborne (#4) races past Cave Spring’s Hannah Hawthorne in a game on Tuesday, in which the Titans beat the Knights 45-32. Osborne led Hidden Valley and all scorers with 18 points.
Hidden Valley Youth Wrestling update
The Hidden Valley Youth Wrestling club divided its time between both sides of Virginia earlier this month. 2009 Franklin County Crowley Classic (Saturday, Jan. 3) Pee-Wee Division: K-5 th grade: Allen Young participated in the 76 to 81weight class division. His first match went into 4 OT and then sudden death before he came out victorious. His other matches also were close but Allen hung in their winning 3-2 and the his greatest margin came with a 4-1 decision over a Halifax Wrestling Club member to earn him another gold medal. Logan Puckett (first year wrestler) also Pictured: 1st year wrestler Nate Goad gets a picked up his first gold of the season. John Alouf reverse on a Franklin County opponent. took gold as well. Zachary Early (first year wrestler) wrestled Division, (6th thru 8th grade), Justin McGuire in the 54-60-weight class to bring home a silver placed 4th in the 93-100 weight division. 2009 Virginia Challenge Middle School and medal.Cole Cowher (1st year wrestler) finished Elementary State Championships in 2nd place while Wesley Steinspring (1st year Hidden Valley Youth Wrestlers were also reprewrestler) in his first tournament finished in 2nd sented at this year at the 2009 Virginia Challenge place. Middle School and Elementary State ChampionNick Brabham wrestled in the Pee-Wee Diviships January 2-4 at the Boo Williams Sportsplex sion, 58 lb. weight class and placed 2nd. in Hampton. Nate Goad (1st year wrestler) in his first tour3rd – 5th grade division: Lee Pritchard wrestled nament, lost his first two matches before finding a in the 90 lb weight class division. Lee won his first rhythm winning by decision 12-0 over a Halifax two marches by pin but lost his last two matches opponent to finish 3rd . Nate did say after his first in a close contest, 4-2 to a Botetourt Wrestling victory on the season "boy that felt good to have Club and a 2-0 loss to Christainsburg to put him my hand raised up" in 3rd place. Nicholas McGuire wrestled 62-68 weight class Ryan Eubank was 3rd in the 85 lb weight class division and finished with a Bronze medal on the division. First year wrestlers Kale Doolan and Kiel day. Cody Shelton also received 3rd while Carter Cool took on the challenge this year to attend the Glenn finished in 4th place. 2009 Virginia Challenge Elementary State ChamJosh Neighbors wrestled in 62-66 weight class pionships Kiel placed 5th and Kale finished 7th. division and had 2 wins and 2 losses to finish 4th Middle School Division 6- 8th grade: Former in his weight class. Ross O’Bryan wrestled in the HVYSA Wrestlers Chase McDaniel 3 rd place, 78-84 lb weight class division. After a win he would Creed Lumpp took 3rd place, Gabe Lumpp and later drop a close 3-2 decision and a double overJake Kite finished in 6th place while Coty Love time decision to finish in 3rd place. In the Junior finished 8th.
Colonels Move Forward after PH loss The only planned Retirement Community in Roanoke where: • You own your own home. • You pay only for services you use. • You make your own decisions about ongoing health care. (Assisted Living available if / when desired.) • You pay only for meals you chose to have. • Seller offering $5000 toward purchase of unit
On January 13 the William Fleming Colonels boys’ basketball team strolled onto Woody Deans’ Court at Patrick Henry a confident bunch. After all, the Colonels were undefeated at 10-0 and coming off a thrilling last-second victory over Franklin County. Patrick Henry, on the other hand, was struggling badly, losers of three of four and sporting a rather unimpressive 4-9 record. But against their cross-town rivals, the Colonels sputtered their way to their worst performance of the season, falling 43-42 to the Patriots. “That was the worst we’ve played in a couple of years,” Head Coach Mickey Hardy said. “We took them lightly and they came in with all the energy.” Despite the setback, the team didn’t sulk. Instead, they got back to work. “We’ve moved on,” Hardy said. “It was a tough game for us, but the next day in practice we just went about our
business.” Three days after the defeat, the Colonels got back on track with a resounding 6947 thumping of Halifax on the road, exactly the kind of effort the team needed to regain their swagger. “That was a big win for us,” Hardy said. “It put us back where we needed to be emotionally, and it helped us get our confidence back.” That confidence will be needed as the Colonels embark on a brutal stretch of their schedule over the next 10 days, starting with a rematch with Patrick Coach Mickey Hardy says Henry on January 27 at the team has moved on. Roanoke Civic Center. William The rough road ahead notFleming then takes on George withstanding, Hardy predicts Washington (12-1), which curhis team will be unfazed by its rent sits in second place in the upcoming opponents. “We’re Western Valley District standa pretty seasoned ball club,” ings, and prestigious Oak Hill he said. “We always expect to Academy, currently ranked #2 win.” in the country by MaxPreps. com and ESPN.com. That conBy Matt Reeve test will take place on January Matt@theroanokestar.com 31 at the Salem Civic Center.
TheRoanokeStar.com
1/23/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9
Letters “Cigna” Congrats
Going to DC: Two Abbott buses organized by Loudon Avenue Christian Church took off for Washington D.C at midnight on Monday from the Wal-Mart at Valley View, bound for the inauguration ceremony of now-President Barack Obama. It was a tight squeeze with heavy coats and "survival gear" as they settled into their seats. Sylvia Journiette of Roanoke began the roll call, then joked as she tried to arrange passengers for a more comfortable trip: "once you get to DC you’re on your own." According to Sylvia’s husband Eugene, the bus’s arrival time was 6:30 AM and once arriving at the DC bus station they would take the Metro to the Mall. Carolyn Word, a long time Roanoke Democrat party operative, was able to flash a big smile when asked if the cold temperatures had changed her mind about going. Word said she has been ready for this day for two years if not all her life. It was then 12:05 AM – the doors closed and off they went. By Valerie Garner Valerie.Garner@cox.net
Report from the General Assembly The House of Delegates convened last Wednesday and in his escrow shall be transmitted to the clerk of circuit court in the case annual address [Governor Kaine] laid out the poor circumstances of appeal by the landlord. This will help landlords when they win of the Commonwealth’s revenues. The Governor did point to the a dispute with a tenant. fact that this is a great State and things will get better. I stand ready Another bill on which I am a co-patron, would require a porto work with him to resolve these issues. tion of the money in the State Treasury to be deContinuing with bills I am sponsoring, one posited in Virginia-based banks. This bill, which Del. Morgan Griffith deals with landlord/tenant issues. The bill has to I have been working on behind the scenes, will do with rent in escrow pending appeal. It provides help keep needed capital in Virginia. It will make that no rent required to be escrowed in an unlawful detainer ac- credit for businesses in Virginia a little easier to acquire. With tion shall be disbursed within ten days of the judgment unless more credit, there will be more business expansion. With more otherwise agreed to by the parties. It also provides rent held in business expansion, there will be more jobs.
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Classifieds
> Puppies for Sale
Yorkshire Terrier Puppies For Sale. AKC Reg., shots, wormed, small & adorable, raised in loving home. Call 540-293-3759.
Labrador Retriever Pups - both parents on sight - bred for and hunt upland game turkey and duck. All papers, shots and vet checked - fantastic play and hunting pals - ready to easily train at 7 weeks - available on Jan 28th. Call 540-890-2117 or 343-9200.
> Lost & Found
Found: Dog - Male boxer running alongside Rt. 419 just south of Our Lady of Nazareth
church. He is a neutered fawn and white male with a white chest blaze and some graying or white whisker hairs. No collar, but appeared clean and healthy. Now in possession of Roanoke County Animal control. > Help Wanted
“Overcoming Challenges & Building Brighter Futures”
Big hearts and happy homes needed for children and teens with special needs. Receive quality training, casework ser-
vices and financial support. Non-profit agency will match child or teen with your family. Be a turning point in someone’s life. Training sessions beginning soon. For more information, call the Roanoke office: 540265-8923. Janitorial Services Above Average Pay Experience not required, but preferred Background & Drug Testing Required FT & PT M-F, Evening Hours Occasional Weekends Email: janitorialservices@hotmail.com
Foster Parents are Special ommunity People!
C
> January
en d01/23/2009 self-esteem6:00 PM to 03/20/2009 2009 Cabin Fever t they are worthy to be loved
Series Announced foster parents the next Presented by make EventtoZone
pports foster parents with:
01/23/2009 to 01/25/2009 sistance and guidance Kroger/Valleydale Kid’s Winter small case loads Carnival At Salem Civic Center
Whether youofare an2008 “The Meaning the individual or a couple, Elections” with or without children, At you Roanoke College’s Olin can become a foster Theater. tickets parentComplimentary and impact a young required. For tickets, please person’s life now, and far callinto thethe Olin Box There Office, (540) future. are 375-2333 or the Colket Center a lot of children who need you. Please call today. Information Desk, (540) 3785125.Tickets also may be ordered online at www.roanoke. edu/tickets.
02/03/2009 One-Act Play: “Show Me the Franklins” Roanoke College’s Antrim Chapel. No tickets required. 02/05/2009 7:30 PM to 02/05/2009 10:00 PM Esperanze Spalding Mesmerizing talent. Irresistible charm. Spellbinding allure. 02/05/2009 7:30 PM to 02/05/2009 Larry the Cable Guy Performance Set With Reno Collier
01/23/2009 8:00 PM to 01/23/2009 Performing Arts Series Play At Roanoke College’s Olin Theater. $10. For tickets and more information, please call the Olin Hall Box Office at (540) 375-2333.
02/05/2009 10:00 AM to 02/07/2009 “Ramona Quimby” Hollins University Theatre Production
01/24/2009 8:00 PM to 01/24/2009 10:30 PM Arturo Sandoval Come enjoy a night of Latin Jazz! 01/24/2009 8:00 PM to 01/24/2009 Kandinsky Trio Concert At Roanoke College’s Olin Theater. $20/$12. For tickets and more information, please call the Olin Box Office at (540) 375-2333. 01/24/2009 10:00 AM to 01/24/2009 WRAP (Within Reach and Personal) Session Alleviating some of the tuition stress felt by families. 01/25/2009 2:30 PM to 01/25/2009 “My Daughter, the Terrorist” Now at the Library documentary film series 01/25/2009 1:00 PM to 01/25/2009 3:00 PM Downtown condominium open house Open house 302 5th St. 01/27/2009 7:30 PM to 01/27/2009 A Retrospective:
01/27/2009 11:30 AM to 01/27/2009 1:00 PM Roanoke Valley Society for Human Resource Managers Post-Election Employment Law Update 01/28/2009 8:00 PM to 01/28/2009 “Carl Jung, Darwin of the Mind” Reading and Lecture by Thomas T. Lawson 01/29/2009 to 01/29/2009 First Annual Salem Red Sox Hot Stove Banquet 18th Annual Salem-Roanoke County Baseball Hall of Fame Banquet & Induction Ceremony 01/29/2009 5:00 PM to 01/29/2009 8:00 PM Open House Refugee and Immigration Services has found a new home. 01/30/2009 6:00 PM to 01/30/2009 10:00 PM Winterfest Beach Bash Featuring Domino & Coastline 01/30/2009 to 02/01/2009 Kazim Shrine Circus At the Roanoke Civic Center 01/31/2009 to 01/31/2009 Member One Valley Shootout Basketball Tournament Presented by the Salem Kiwanis Club 02/01/2009 4:00 PM to 02/01/2009 Roanoke College Faculty Concert Roanoke College’s Olin Recital Hall. No tickets required. 02/03/2009 7:30 PM to
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, may you be praised and adored, glorified and loved, now and forever, throughout the world, until the end of time. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, help of the helpless, pray for us. Amen > Haiku ads Place a haiku ad (5,7,5) for $5 per week Good brick work for you Home improvements and repair Free estimate too! 540-314-8386
Keith West Roanoke
Public Prayer Dear editor, Regarding “Why I Pray in Jesus’ Name” (1-16-09), Dr. Smith makes many valid points that need to be heard and repeated. In the interest of adding to the discussion from a historical perspective, it was the experience of living under the heavy hand of the Church of England in Virginia that created the need for the Bill of Rights’ First Amendment which starts out, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; ….” It was Virginian Patrick Henry that stalled ratification of the U.S. Constitution until the Bill of Rights with its promise of religious freedom was included, and Virginian James Madison who authored The Bill of Rights. In Virginia before the American Revolution, each family was assigned membership in a Church of England parish with the attending requirements that the families pay for the support of the church and suffer fines for poor attendance. Anglican magistrates ruled that only ordained Anglican clergymen could preach in public and jailed many Baptist preachers for public preaching. Presbyterian ministers were declared “dissenters” and
Calendar
01/23/2009 02/23/2009 Art at 540.265.8923to or in Christiansburg at 540.381.1848 Exhibit:“Five Branches” In Roanoke College’s Olin and Smoyer galleries.
> Prayer
Dear editor, Loved the `Carilion, Cigna` story. I usually disagree with Dr. Murphy`s views, but his rationed health statement, that it is based on economic factors, like who can afford it, is right on.
02/06/2009 8:00 PM to 02/06/2009 Author of “The Rope Walk” and “Confinement” Carrie Brown to speak 02/06/2009 9:00 AM to 02/06/2009 10:00 AM Western Virginia Workforce Development Board Meeting Goodwill Industries of the Valleys Corporate Office 02/06/2009 7:30 PM to 02/06/2009 George Jones Concert Set With Special Guest Conway Twitty
> Feb. 5
FairTax Educational Meeting Roanoke Area FairTax will have a 30-minute presentation, “FairTax Websites,” followed by 30 minutes of questions, answers, and discussion. This is a good introduction to the various online groups that have sprung up to promote the FairTax. When - 6:45 p.m. (sharp) – 7:45 p.m. Where - Edinburgh Square’s Community Room, 129 Hershberger Road NW, near Plantation Road, directly across from Star City Skating Center. For More - RAFT@att.net or www.RoanokeAreaFairTax.
could preach only if licensed by an Anglican committee. Even though Patrick Henry’s uncle was an Anglican clergyman, he argued in court for the right of Baptist and Presbyterian preachers to preach the Gospel. The Bill of Rights was ratified by the 13 original states and the First Amendment was honored in its entirety: there never was and still is not a Church of the U.S.A. and our president is not also the head of the national church. No citizen is assigned by the government to a church unit, required to pay church expenses, or suffer fines for being absent from church services. Public prayer falls under the heading of Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Speech and clearly the Federal Government is denied the power to dictate or banish prayers of the citizens, be they city councilmen, college presidents, high school principals or football coaches. So how in the world did we get to where we are afraid to open a city council meeting with a Christian prayer? Also strange – why is it OK to pray to other religious gods but not the God of the Founding Fathers and the God of the majority of the citizens in our city? Gail Lambert Roanoke, VA
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> Feb. 14
Give Your Valentine an Arts Experience From the Taubman Museum of Art’s Tattoo Fashion Show, a special free film screening of Casablanca (1942) at The Grandin Theatre or a serenade by a quartet from the Virginia Gentlemen’s Barbershop Chorus, your Valentine will shower you with love and appreciation. And so will Mother Earth! For a complete listing of experiential gifts and art inspired offerings, visit The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge’s Virginia GEMS (Give Experiences. Minimize Stuff.) www.myvirginiagems.com and select Valentine’s Day GEMS. Virginia GEMS is sponsored by AEP, Cox Communications, the Roanoke Times, and WDBJ. For more - contact Krista Engl 540-224-1203 or kengl@ theartscouncil.org
Ellis Redford 362-1070
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> Feb. 28
Roxie the Cow to visit Valley View Mall Shamrock Farms will be hosting a RockinWith RoxieDance Party from 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. at Valley View Mall to encourage kids and parents to get up and get active. Fitness experts will be on-hand to teach families the hippest dance routines and share tips for staying healthy during the cold winter months. Roxie, the Shamrock Farms famous spokescow, will also be making an appearance, handing out cool giveaways and free samples of Shamrock Farmsmilk in new 12 oz. portable bottles.To complete the party, family-friendly music will be provided by WSLQ-FM and kids are invited to get a rockinmakeover with hairstyling and mock tattoo stations.
Lunch Combos Always Available: Monday - Saturday from 10:30am - 3:00pm
Have an item for the calendar? email it to submissions@theroanokestar.com
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Valley Business
Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/23/09
TheRoanokeStar.com
Roanoke Regional Partnership Hearings on proposed asphalt plant in Roanoke County coming up Launches New Web Site Affordable housing, low cost of living, easy climate, great restaurants, thriving arts scene, safe communities, fun festivals and plenty to do in the mountains and on lakes and rivers. The Roanoke Region’s many attributes are highlighted in the Roanoke Regional Partnership’s new Web site about living and working here. The site - www.Roanoke.org was created to better reflect the Partnership’s expanded mission to attract talent – as well as business – to the region. “The world of economic development has changed. We can’t just talk to corporate site selectors anymore,” said Beth Doughty, executive director. “We’re reaching out to people who can work from anywhere or those who select a great place to live first and look for a job second with a 360-degree view of life, work, and play in this region.” The site is divided into two main sections: “live” and “work.” Each section contains comprehensive information about the region. “Everyone knows that the Web is the leading source for information about communities. If we’re not giving people the information they want when they want it, we probably don’t have another chance to sell them on our outstanding region,” Doughty said. The “work” section contains a searchable database of available business real estate, retail market profiles, workforce and population demographics, training and education resources, costs of doing business, community data, tax rates, and links to employment
sites. The “live” section features a live events feed, current weather conditions, restaurant selector, link to available housing, cost of living, primary and secondary education, colleges and universities, recreation, attractions, lodging, history, even landmarks and monuments. A section on geography covers market access, highways, rail, and shipping. Another section explains the mission of the Roanoke Regional Partnership, and there’s even a gallery of photos from around the region. In addition to a comprehensive new Web site, the Partnership is connecting people through popular social networking sites Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. The organization also is employing extensive search engine advertising and banner ads in certain markets around the United States. “It took us about six months to collect the data for the new site. But we’re not finished,” said Price Gutshall, the Partnership employee responsible for the site development. “We will continue to add features and information to better represent the region for those looking to make a home in our beautiful area.”
Carilion Clinic offers new scholarship to honor nursing school
To help those interested in pursuing a nursing career, Carilion Clinic now offers four scholarships, including the new Roanoke Memorial School of Professional Nursing Alumni Scholarship. Offered for the first time this year, the scholarship was established to honor the RMH School of Professional Nursing and its faculty and graduates. Candidates for this scholarship must: Be currently enrolled or enrolling in a nursing degree program. Have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Preference will be given to graduates of the program of descendants of graduates. In additional, Carilion Clinic continues to offer three other scholarship programs, the Thomas L. Robertson Honorary Nursing Education Award, the JoAnn Brinkman Nursing Scholarship, and the Seay Education Scholarship. These scholarships aim to promote diversity in nursing and support education. Scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis to selected applicants who meet certain criteria. The Thomas L. Robertson Honorary Nursing Education Award is named for former Carilion Clinic president and CEO, Thomas L. Robertson. Robertson was with Carilion Clinic for 32 years and served as president and CEO for 15 years before retiring in 2001. Candidates for the scholarship must: Have been accepted into, or be enrolled in, an accredited academic program for nursing. Have a successful academic progress and/or work history. Be committed to community service. The JoAnn Brinkman Nursing Scholarship was established in honor of former Carilion Clinic medical surgery ICU nurse JoAnn Brinkman, who passed away in 2007. An invaluable member of Carilion Clinic’s nursing
Adams Construction Co/Foxhall properties is proposing to build an asphalt plant on West Main Street in the Glenvar area of west Roanoke County, reusing what was once a Salem water treatment plant. “Public health advocates and environmentalists have identified significant concerns related to asphalt plants,” said Diana Christopulos, with the Roanoke Cool Cities Coalition. There will be three public meetings during the approval process: January 22 (Glenvar Middle School), February 3 (Planning Commission - County Administration Center), February 24 (Board of Supervisors - County Administration Center). The property seeking to be rezoned for the asphalt plant is 12.3 acres on West Main Street between the Frito-Lay warehouse and Tattler's Pizza and Subs. Adams Construction Co., as Foxhall Properties, has filed a rezoning and special use permit with the Roanoke County Department of Community Development. The company is asking Roanoke County to rezone the property from Low Intensity Industrial to High Intensity Industrial with conditions, and for a special use permit for the asphalt plant and construction yard. In late 2008 the City of Salem agreed to sell the city property located in Roanoke County to Foxhall Properties. The sale is contingent on getting the zoning changes. The front three acres would be reserved for some future use. Public meetings: Thursday, January 22, 6 PM - community meeting at Glenvar Middle School, 4555 Malus Drive. Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 7 PM - public hearing before the Roanoke County Planning Commission at County Administration Center Tuesday, February 24, 2009, 7 PM - Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, County Administration Center Christopulos said despite claims from Adams officials that the plant would be environmentally friendly there are concerns about toxic emissions and the impact on adjacent property values.
Stockburger wins F. Wiley Hubble Award Kathy Stockburger was presented with the F. Wiley Hubbell Award for outstanding volunteer service at the United Way of Roanoke Valley annual meeting on January 13, 2009. The F. Wiley Hubble 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 Hubble, who as a lifelong member of the United Way of Roanoke Valley Board of Directors and dedicated volunteer. Since 1985, there have been 27 United Way volunteers who have received the Wiley Hubble award. United Way of the Roanoke Valley praised Stockburger, “as a champion for all people in our community, especially children and young people. She plays a vital leadership role in many local agencies, the schools and her church. She chaired United Way of Roanoke Valley’s board of directors in 2007 and has served in many volunteer capacities at United Way including the Board Development Committee, and Community Impact Chair. Stockburger has been a driving force in the current vision of the United Way of Roanoke Valley. She exemplifies the spirit of caring that Wiley demonstrated during his life.” Also during the meeting, members and officers of the 2009 Board of Directors for United Way of Roanoke Valley were elected. Reverend Bill Lee of Loudon Avenue Christian Church will serve as board chair and Michael Dittrich, community volunteer, was chosen as vice chair. Kerri Thornton of Carilion Clinic was elected to the board position of Community Impact chair, as well. Dan Carson of Appalachian Power was elected to serve as 2009 campaign chair, and Mike Maxey of Roanoke College is the finance chair. Barry Henderson of SunTrust Bank, outgoing board chair, becomes board development chair. New board members include: Dana Ackley, Ph.D., of EQ Leader; Jean Glontz, community
team, Brinkman was known for the poise, passion and zest she had for nursing during her many years at Carilion Clinic. Candidates for the scholarship must: Be currently enrolled or enrolling in a nursing degree program. A happy Kathy Stockburger receives her Be in good academic standing. award. Demonstrate a career commitment and passion to the nursing profession. volunteer; Kevin Holt of Gentry Locke Rakes & Come from a single-parent household or be Moore; Lora Katz, AIA, of Clark Nexsen; Keith a single-parent. Oreson, of Advance Auto Parts; and Alan SeibBe available for the presentation of the ert, Ed.D., of Salem City Schools. Members elected to the executive committee, award. in addition to officers listed above, include: Gary The Seay Education Scholarship was founded Walton of Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, in memory of Carrie L. Seay, a nurse who was Audit Committee chair; Michael Dittrich, Mardedicated to promoting educational opportuniketing chair; Tom Bagby of Woods Rogers PLC, ties for employees so they could provide quality Personnel Committee chair; Jim Ford, retired patient care. Prior to her death in 2001, Carrie from Northwest Mutual Financial Network, worked for Carilion as an education consultant Planned Giving chair; and Eunice Austin of in the Human Resources department. CandiGentry Locke Rakes and Moore, Policy Comdates for the scholarship must: mittee chair. Be currently enrolled or enrolling in a nursChosen as Executive Committee At Large ing degree program. Members are: Alexander Boone, Boone Homes; Jean Glontz, community volunteer; Lorraine Be in good academic standing. Lange, Ed.D., Roanoke County Schools; Jeff Demonstrate a career commitment and pasMarks, WDBJ Television; Harold McLeod, sion to the nursing profession. Wachovia Bank; Debbie Meade, The Roanoke Be a Carilion employee. Times; and Kathy Stockburger, Kathy StockBe pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. burger Consulting. These four scholarships will not be awarded Awards of appreciation for board service were more than twice to the same person. All appresented to retiring members Vic Gilchrist, plications must be received by Friday, Feb. 27 Sam Robinson, Linda Steele, Lee Wilhelm and to be considered. Applications and supporting Danielle Yarber. documentation may be sent to Lauren Crowder, Carilion Clinic, Human Resources, 1202 Third St., Roanoke, VA, 24016. For more information about the scholarships, Roanoke Police Department’s first Business Police Academy contact the Carilion Clinic HR Service Center, The Roanoke Police Department is accepting applications for the first ever Business Police Acadat 540-983-3600 or go to http://www.carilionemy. This seven week course will be held March 17-April 28, 2009, and is free to business owners clinic.org/Carilion/Nursing+Services. and their employees. Participants will learn about the various topics in an effort to lessen their chances of becoming victims of crime, including forensic services, worthless checks, shoplifting prevention, alarm/trespass programs, counterfeit currency and more. To apply or for more information contact the Roanoke Police Department at: 348 Campbell Ave., Roanoke, or visit roanokeva.gov/police. The Roanoke Valley business community will receive first preference.
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Arts & Culture
TheRoanokeStar.com
> MMT
1/23/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11
From page 1
Waldron Stage) and a range of acting classes for young people. “We’ve had a piling up of debt over ten years,” said Bingham. Declining revenues from sponsorships and ticket sales also hurt. The recent Christmas play said Bingham did well ticket sale-wise, but those passes were often discounted for the youth audience it was targeted to. “We no longer have a lot of credit to cover the cash flow [problem].” Attendance had trended downward for the past five years added Bingham. “Driving Miss Daisy” was scheduled to open this week and may complete its run if enough money is raised to support it said Bingham, who then expects any shutdown to last at least six months. Fans of live theatre may be able to satisfy their passion at venues like Hollins University, Taubman (several plays scheduled there with acting students), Jefferson Center (the GAMUT troupe) and a new playhouse tentatively scheduled to open in June (Studio Roanoke on Campbell) etc. Studio Virginia owner Kenley Smith envisioned his space, which may open earlier, as a place to try out new plays before a possible production at venues like Mill Mountain Theatre, just down the block. “Perhaps MMT will return to its community theatre roots and return to the space like a phoenix from the flames,” said Todd Ristau earlier this week; he’s Director of the Graduate Program in Playwriting at Hollins University and Artistic Director for Studio Roanoke. Smith was a student of Ristau’s at Hollins. Ristau also got No Shame Theatre off the ground at Mill Mountain. “I want to say plainly, whatever financial debts Mill Mountain Theatre may have accumulated are not equal to the cultural debt our community owes this marvelous theatre,” he wrote earlier this week in a memo sent to members of the local arts community. Studio Roanoke said Ristau would offer pro-
gramming similar to Underground Roanoke at Mill Mountain. In addition to No Shame, it will also offer a Tuesday night series with a Poetry Lounge, a Comedy/Improv Lounge, and an Acoustic Lounge on a different Tuesday every month. “We’re also planning to have a fully mounted presentation of a new or unpublished play the last week of each month, presentations of touring works by other companies and guest artists, as well as special presentations,” said Ristau. Ticket pricing will be much different than Mill Mountain as well: a flat ticket pricing scheme of $10 for all regular programming, and $5 for all late night programming (i.e. No Shame). Studio Roanoke will be operating on an entirely different model than Mill Mountain Theatre. “We will be more like a community theatre, instead of having to meet the requirements of operating under professional contracts. As a result, our operating budget will be a tiny fraction of the funds needed to operate a theatre on the scale of Mill Mountain Theatre,” said Ristau. As for any return of Mill Mountain Theatre, after what Bingham calls a “reinventing” process, it may include a leaner organization. He is hopeful. “There’s so much passion…its part of the fabric of the Roanoke Valley.” First however comes a “clearing of debt,” then a rebuilding of support for the organization. Bingham believes it will return to Center in the Square (“its almost like Center needs us,”) but he won’t commit to that at this point. Bingham broke the news at a staff meeting on Tuesday: “that was a really bad day. Its heartbreaking to see something I think is so vital to our community go away. To look people in the eye and tell them they don’t have a job. That was really painful.” By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net
Jackson Park library branch will celebrate its makeover
Closed for the past several weeks as renovations were completed, the Jackson Park library branch in Southeast Roanoke will reopen with a ribbon cutting at 9:30 am on Friday Jan 23. Sheila Umberger, director of library services for Roanoke City, ticks off changes that patrons will notice: a community room that will hold 120 people, two study rooms, a teen center with a 52 inch flat screen TV (complete with gaming systems Wii and Play Station). “We also can have games in the community center and plan to have games for families and seniors,” said Umberger. The teen center features a large window seat area with plug-ins for laptops. New carpet, new lights, 35,OOO new books, 2500 new DVDs, 14 new computers, new furniture, special shelving for children's picture books, a special "sand" magnet table for children, plus new furniture and cafe tables are featured. “I am thrilled with the way our work on this project is coming together …I view it as our gift to the community,” said Umberger. A full week of programs starting on the 23rd, including live music, programs with Mill Mountain Zoo, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and the Taubman Museum of Art are also planned. This includes an open house with free breakfast on the 29th (7-8:30pm) and tea on January 29 (3-5pm) with artist Polly Branch, who created the temporary art piece “Rainbow Children” that will be in place outside the library for the next year. There is also a health fair for seniors on the 30th from 1-4 pm and a concert on the 24th from 121:30 pm with local favorite, “Acoustic Endeavors.” Local author to read at ribbon cutting: Roanoke resident Rex Bowman has written novels for teens and a movie
screenplay but his main job is being a correspondent for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Bowman, a former Air Force veteran and Russian translator will read from his 2007 compilation of stories, “Blue Ridge Chronicles: A Decade of Dispatches from Southwest Virginia.” While Bowman did write about goings on in bigger burgs like Roanoke, the Floyd native was drawn to smaller towns often way past their prime, places with names like Goose Pimple Junction. “Chronicles” features some of Bowman’s favorite bylines over the past ten years. Yes, says Bowman, people in Richmond are interested in those out of the way towns. “They’re very fascinated. A lot of the people in Richmond come from this area and were delighted to see their home towns featured in the newspaper.” In some cases Bowman looked for the smallest town he could find – some have disappeared from state maps – and went there to find a story. Because of technology advances, “they’re [often] just as modern as the rest of us, but these places are extremely rural. Some of these places are so isolated I can definitely say I’m the only newsman that has ever showed up.” Bowman will read from his book and sign copies after the 9:30am ribbon cutting on the 23rd.
By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net
Photo by Gene Marrano
Dr. James Robertson talks about the Civil War at the Roanoke County library headquarters branch.
History to be served at brunch on Feb. 1
When it comes to the Civil War, James “Bud” Robertson has few if any equals when it comes to knowledge about that pivotal moment in American history. An alumni distinguished professor at Virginia Tech, Robertson heads up the Civil War Studies program there. He is also the author of the award-winning books General A.P. Hill; Soldiers Blue and Gray; Civil War! America Becomes One Nation; and the 950-page biography, Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend, which won an unprecedented eight national awards. Robertson was also a consultant for the movie Gods and Generals, and collaborated with artist Mort Kunstler on a book inspired by the film. Now Robertson, also seen on many cable TV history programs about the Civil War, will be the headliner at a brunch on Sunday, February 1, (noon-3pm) a fundraiser for the History Museum of Western Virginia. If the “History is Served Brunch” is like many of his past talks, Robertson is bound to offer his lively take on the war, like he did during an appearance at the Roanoke County library 419 branch last fall. A former college football official in his spare time, Robertson joked then that he was “no longer an historian. I’m
history.” He lamented that a bill recognizing 2009 as the 150th anniversary of the Civil War was stalled in Congress, with California congressman Henry Waxman being an apparent roadblock. “The Civil War has become politics,” said Robertson, “that’s sad. [Its] the biggest event in American history.” It’s also the first time a president – Abraham Lincoln – “was murdered.” Robertson was a big fan of the man who issued the Emancipation Proclamation but also knew above all else that the Union must be preserved. “I just don’t know how anybody could think negatively of this man.” Yet the Civil War is seen in a different light by many, depending for example on what part of the country – South or North – they hail from, or what race they might be. “A war of contradictions,” Robertson told the library crowd inside a packed community room. The union after the war was “far different,” than what it had been before, and there is “no way to avoid,” said Robertson that the conflict was really about slavery – not state’s rights. “We were very, very young ...the two sides were so different in their outlook,” noted Robertson. There were more than 10,000 engagements during the Civil War,
from small skirmishes to full-out bloodbaths like Bull Run and Gettysburg, a war that enveloped the civilian population. 150 years “we are still stunned by what these common people did for their country.” History is a “living subject,” but when taught poorly “is the dullest subject in the world,” said Robertson, who can make the Civil War come to life. More than one book per day about the War Between the States has been published since it ended in 1865 he said. Robertson’s are among the most highly respected. “History is Served Brunch” with Dr. James I. Robertson, Jr. speaking on "Why Civil War Came to Virginia". Also included is Civil War Era music performed by A-Chord, Civil War re-enactors, and silent auction. History Museum of Western Virginia, Sunday, February 1 noon to 3 p.m. Hotel Roanoke's Crystal Ballroom, 110 Shenandoah Ave. Roanoke. $65.00 per person. Reservation deadline is Friday, January 23. All proceeds benefit the History Museum of Western Virginia. RESERVATIONS OR INFORMATION: 540342-5770, info.hswv@cox. net. www.history-museum. org. By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net
Page 12 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 1/23/09
TheRoanokeStar.com
Send your articles, story ideas and pictures to: info@theroanokestar.com
Move. 50% off joining fee through January.
Stretch.
Play. Photo by Gene Marrano
That’s it? Youngster heads down a southwest Roanoke County street after waking up to find a light dusting of snow on the ground Monday morning. That was about it however and by Monday afternoon it was gone as temperatures climbed into the 40’s.
Connect.
Girl Scouts Present “Step Afrika” Everyone deserves a YMCA. That’s why no one is ever turned away from the Y due to an inability to pay. If your family budget is tight and you need help, just ask. Many scholarships are available. The YMCA is more than a place to build your health. At the Y you can also connect with others, build relationships, and improve your quality of life, while lifting our entire community. Stop in for a tour and complimentary day pass.
www.ymcaroanoke.org
It’s not what you can do, it’s what we can do together. Kirk Family YMCA – Downtown • Gainsboro Family YMCA – Roanoke Salem Family YMCA – Salem • Waldron Family YMCA – Shawsville
It’s part hip hop, part jazz, part exhilaration … it’s stepping, and it’s coming to Roanoke January 31. Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council and Young Audiences of Virginia are proud to sponsor Step Afrika, a performance group that celebrates stepping: an art form of kicks, stomps, and rhythm born in African-American fraternities in the early 1900s and based in African traditions. In stepping, the body is used as an instrument to create intricate rhythms and sounds through a combination of footsteps, claps and spoken word. Stepping comes from a long and rich tradition in African-based communities that use movement, words and sounds to communicate allegiance to a group. Step Afrika is the first professional company dedicated to stepping. Founded in December 1994, the company is critically acclaimed for its efforts to promote an understanding of and appreciation for stepping and to use the dance tradition as an educational tool for young people worldwide. Step Afrika reaches tens of thousands of Americans each year and has performed on many stages in North & South America, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Based in Washington, D.C., the
company has been featured on CNN, BET, PBS and NPR as well as included in numerous books, documentaries and articles that seek to explore the tradition of stepping During Step Afrika’s visit to Roanoke, sponsored by the Girl Scouts, girls —non-Girl Scouts as well as Girl Scouts — can participate in a Unity Step Workshop in the morning. The Unity Step Workshop will be held on Jan. 31 from 10 a.m.noon at Addison Middle School, 1220 5th Street NW, in Roanoke. Workshop participants will enjoy a pizza lunch from noon-1 p.m. The Step Afrika performance, also at Addison, will begin at 1 p.m. All members of the community are invited to the performance. The cost for girls to participate in the workshop, eat lunch and attend the performance is $14. There is an additional $10 membership fee for non-Girl Scouts that will allow access to all programs and events in Girl Scouts for the membership year. To attend the performance only, tickets are $7. Registration for the workshop and performance is required. Space and seating are limited. To register, please contact Sarah Smith, Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council, (540) 777-5112, or ssmith@gsvsc.org.
Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Friday, January 23, 9:30 a.m. Jackson Park Branch Library 1101 Morningside St. everyone welcome Teen Center opening follows grand opening refreshments provided for more information 540-853-1057
rand Opening
y, January 23, 9:30 a.m.
son Park Branch ScheduleLibrary 1101 Morningside St.
of Events!
everyone welcome
Friday
Teen Center opening follows grand opening
23
9:30 a.m. Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Refreshments Teen Center opening follows. 10:30 a.m. Rex Bowman, journalist/author of Blue Ridge Chronicles 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Celebrating Community History: The Virginia Room Roadshow See treasures of the Virginia Room including photos, maps, family histories & more! 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Community Reception featuring music from Pace Bros. Jazz Trio with Jordan Harman
Saturday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
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Saturday
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All day: *Creation Station and Friends of the Library
10:00 a.m. Roanoke Fire/EMS Puppet Show 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Wii Gaming for Families
7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Grab breakfast on us and see the newly renovated Jackson Park Branch Library
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Healthy Meal Planning and Cooking Workshop Refreshments
10:00 a.m. Snowman Soup Pre-K Storytime and special snowman soup!
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Roanoke Symphony Program “Sum of all Parts” Island Music Trio Ages Elementary - 5th Grade
2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Introduction to Blogging Learn how to create your own web page to express yourself and communicate with others online!
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. A Primer in Family History Research: Get Started! You will leave this class with the tools you need to begin searching for your ancestors!
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Roving Mars movie (Blu-ray, IMAX) Join Mars Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, for an awe inspiring journey to the surface of the mysterious red planet. “...combines science with special effects that would be the envy of any sci-fi film” — Minneapolis Star Tribune
Attend the Jackson Park Opening Events for your chance to win a Nintendo Wii.
10:30 a.m. Snowman Soup Pre-K Storytime and special snowman soup!
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Wii Gaming for Seniors Come on out and experience the fun, exercise, and community!
11:00 a.m. - Noon Brain Fitness Program Learn validated methods of increasing brain power and effectiveness.
Earn one entry for every event you attend. The more you attend, the more chances you have to win! 4:00 p.m. The Wii Drawing!
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Health Fair for Seniors Numerous participants with content customized for the senior. Free vision, blood sugar and blood pressure screenings, massage, refreshments and more!
* Want to make a calendar of your own?
24
refreshments provided
for more information 540-853-1057
11:00 a.m. Wild Encounters with Mill Mountain Zoo Noon - 1:30 p.m. Celebrating Community History: The Virginia Room Roadshow See treasures of the Virginia Room including photos, maps, family histories & more! Noon - 4:30 p.m. Community Open House Featuring: Noon - 1:30 p.m. music from Acoustic Endeavors food from Blues BBQ 2 - 4:30 p.m. music from Jordan Harman Band 3 - 5:00 p.m. Family Gaming “Hasbro Family Game Night”
30 - A3:30Week p.m. - 5:00of p.m.Events to Celebrate! Teen Gaming “Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe”
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Teen Gaming “Smackdown vs. Raw 2009” 4 p.m. Button Craft for Teens Make your own unique buttons!
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Gadget Garage Come and see the new and exciting technology available at Jackson Park Library! 6:00 p.m. Family Dinner and Blu-ray Pixar Short Films 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Emerging Artists series Shayna aka Betty White Hip-hop emcee With refreshments
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch at your Library Refreshments provided. Stop in for a bite and to check out the library. 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Preserving Your Family Heirlooms Roadshow Show your family heirlooms like photos, quilts, research and more! Learn how to preserve your treasures. 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Teen Gaming Little Big Planet
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Taubman Museum of Art “Artistic Sleight of Hand: The Use of Optical Illusion in Fine Art” Uncover how artists have tricked the senses over the ages. 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Afternoon Tea with Polly Branch Enjoy a traditional tea time and see “Rainbow Children” the mosaic. 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Bring your MP3 player and learn how to find free music online and download it to your player.
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Teen Lock-In: Dinner and a Movie Hell Boy II: The Golden Army PG13 Movie run time is 102 mins. Participants may not leave before 7:30 pm unless a parent or guardian picks them up. All teens must secure a ride home.
Come to the Creation Station at Jackson Park Library on Saturday, January 24 and make a calendar using your own photos!