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Community | News | Per spective

July 3 - July 9, 2009

County Meeting Covers Hot Topics Grandin Gardens P2– Take a sneek peak inside Raleigh Court’s unique “eco-village.”

American Identity

P5– Dr. Bryan Smith of Roanoke’s First Baptist Church believes America needs to remember its Christian roots.

Roanoke County traffic engineer Theresa Becher was one of several speakers at Cave Spring supervisor Charlotte Moore’s latest community meeting, held Monday at a private home in Hunting Hills. Becher discussed the status of two roundabout traffic circles planned in southwest Roanoke County, including one underway at Colonial Avenue and Penn Forest Blvd.

The 4.7 million dollar project will be subject to road closures between now and next summer, when the roundabout is slated for completion.

“There’s no left turns [that] typically cause a lot of accidents…this will definitely slow them down,” said Becher of the three-legged roundabout, which is rare in this part of the state. Becher said traffic circles “typically reduce delays,” when built.

Another five-legged roundabout planned for Merriman Road across from Penn Forest Elementary, adjacent to the new library site, is in the planning phase. A corridor study for Rt. 419 is also underway, added Becher, noting the public workshop held several months ago. Another is planned for September. At the first session, > CONTINUED P3: County Notes

Hot Water P7– Roanoke Valley Aquatics Association heats up as top performers meet this week.

Award Winner P10– Joe Dashiell is honored as one of the most respected journalists in the state.

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The Wrecking Ball Finally Cometh

Candidate Shannon in Town for Early Rally

Attorney General candidate Steve Shannon meets local Democrats.

T

he Roanoke City Mills complex has been a permanent part of the Roanoke skyline since 1917, storing and distributing countless tons of grain for area farmers during that time. The Mennell Milling Company which purchased the mill in 1973 was one of several private businesses that were forced to sell their property to the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority in a controversial application of eminent domain law. (Mennell Milling now has a facility located in SW Roanoke

County.) Carilion Clinic was then allowed to purchase the property from the Housing Authority for use in its future business plans / expansion. Proponents of the transaction have pointed to the development of the new Medical College now underway and it has generally been assumed that the Mennell property will be utilized as part of that project, but Carilion has not yet disclosed how the land will be used. Carilion Spokesperson Eric Earnhart advises the demolition will take approximately four months.

Plenty of Green(Ways) to Choose From According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than two thirds of adults and one third of children in America are obese or at risk for obesity. The obesity epidemic is fueling chronic illnesses including the rate of Type 2 Diabetes cases, which have doubled in the last 10 years. Studies have also found that with an increase in stress, obesity closely follows.

Research conducted by the CDC and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation indicates that for every mile of greenway development close to home, there is a direct decrease of chronic illness in those areas.

Donnie Underwood, a Planner at Roanoke’s Department Photo by Stuart Revercomb of Parks and Recreation, said, A lone walker enjoys a quite afternoon stroll along the “every neighborhood is being Roanoke River Greenway that parallels Wiley Drive. looked at to figure out how corridors can be developed, so ways are ADA compliant (des- and the Center for Research people can walk to get on the ignated as accessible under the and Technology near Carilion greenway versus driving to it.” Americans with Disabilities Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Act) and some are connected The third section runs from the Underwood added, “ to schools, parks, and Waste Water Treatment Plant I do this job because Community picnic areas. to Hamilton Terrace. Ameit is something that The Roanoke River nities include a picnic shelcan holistically help Greenway Trail is ter, playground, bicycle lane, people.”

ADA compliant and currently signed bicycle route, park, and A greenway is a corridor of has 5.3 miles that are complet- restroom facilities. protected open space managed The Lick Run Greenway Trail for conservation, recreation, ed and open.

The David Smith Trail is was recognized by the Virginia and non-motorized transpora part of the Roanoke River Recreation & Park Society in tation. Whether you enjoy Greenway and currently is a 2007 as the top greenway of walking, running, roller blading, or biking, or just want to stand-alone section; it runs for Virginia because it touched so get away from the feel of the .5 miles near the Moyer Sports many parks and schools. Linkcity, there’s less worry about Complex in Salem and nearby ing downtown to Valley View looking out for a motorist amenities include a skate park, Mall, this three-mile paved when on the greenway. Each ball fields, and a playground. ADA compliant greenway runs A 2.5-mile section links both trail is unique in its own way.

Several of the local green- Wasena and Smith Parks to the > CONTINUED River’s Edge Sports Complex P3: Greenways

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TheRoanokeStar.com

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Just when you thought campaign season ended locally with a round of primaries, here comes the general election cycle.

“People run because they really want to make a difference,” said 11th District Delegate Onzlee Ware before he introduced attorney general hopeful Steve Shannon to about 75 other Democrats at the Ramada InnFranklin Road last week.

Ware, who just came through a primary against Martin Jeffrey unscathed, despite attempts to paint his candidacy as unethical, called the 38-year-old’s run against Ken Cuccinelli “courageous.” There hasn’t been a Politics Democratic state attorney general since Mary Sue Terry, almost 20 years ago.

Currently a delegate from Fairfax, Shannon is running against Cuccinelli, another

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> CONTINUED P3: Shannon

In The Pink

Rescue Mission Effort Hopes to Keep Homeless Healthy

Photo by Monica Schlagetter

Some 200 women donned pink raincoats (donated by Orvis) to walk through downtown handing out invitations to the Rescue Mission’s July 2 Preview Party for “2nd Helpings,” a new retail venture opening Monday.

Almost 200 women in pink 2nd Helpings Shop, which the raincoats met at the Rescue mission describes as geared Mission Wednesday morning, towards, “the frugally minded preparing to walk downtown with discriminating taste.” to hand out invitations to the The 2nd Helpings Gallery mission’s “Preview Party for will offer eclectic works of art 2nd Helpings” (scheduled for from more than 100 regional July 2, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm). artists including photograA new retail phy, pottery, woodventure of the working, drawings, Rescue Mission Rescue Mission, sculpture, glass, 2nd Helpings, jewelry and tex(located at 1502 Williamson tiles.

Road, 2 blocks north of the The shop will also include a Civic Center), has been cre- café featuring Roanoke favorated to generate funding to ites such as ice cream treats help pay the increased op- from Homestead Dairy, coferating expenses of the mis- fee and tea from H&C Coffee, sion’s clinic. > CONTINUED The facility will include the P3: RRM

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Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 7/3/09 - 7/9/09

TheRoanokeStar.com

Inside Grandin Gardens High pressure builds in keeping us dry and mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Friday Night we'll be partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

We’ll again be mostly sunny with a high near 86 - look for just a few isolated showers and storms popping up late day. Saturday Night should see us with partly cloudy skies with a low around 65.

Look for more of the same partly sunny, with a high near 86. Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.

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“We must cultivate our garden,” wrote the French philosopher Voltaire in his satirical novel “Candide yet there was little satire meant in that closing sentiment. The idea of small groups of people finding a literal common ground is not new. It offers a venue for sharing their struggles to maintian a meaningful life in the often-bizarre wider world. That connection is a need even more cogent today than in Voltaire’s pre-industrial age. Locally, filling that need is what’s taking shape in the form of Grandin Gardens.

Begun four years ago with the purchase of 1.1 acres and four buildings near the post office on Grandin Road, Grandin Gardens is actually several entities rolled into a single enterprise, and it is still evolving. It is in keeping with the vision of Pete Johnson Jr., one of the owners, who sees a time, not so distant, when Grandin Gardens and its partners can be called an ecovillage, “an alternative to sprawl and mall.”

Eco-villages are, simply put, free-standing, self-sustaining communities. There is no recipe for them because each community and its resources are different. The single uniting factor for eco-villages is the belief in local abundance, that what is needed is within reach.

“I’m not a utopian,” says Johnson. “We’re an enterprise, and we want to develop local enterprises.”

Part of this plan to develop responsible local businesses has already resulted in the Local Roots Café, which uses produce from the gardens and area organic farms to craft tasty meals.

The linkage of a restaurant to the gardens and those farms provides the critical functions of supply and demand for all involved.

The restaurant, gardens and farms maintain an independence from the sometimesturbulent food supply chain, growing food for both self-sustenance and commerce, with

Photos by Jeff Crooke

The Grandin Gardens main building once belonged to a local bridge building executive. the restaurant creating jobs and demand for the farm goods.

Local Roots also serves another critical mission of the eco-village vision, that of public awareness. Behind every meal served at Local Roots is the belief that organic, whole foods make you better in numerous ways.

That belief evolved into a partnership with two Roanoke City Elementary Schools, Grandin Court and Fishburn, to provide environmental programs that center around growing their own whole foods.

Likewise, many of the businesses housed on the grounds are centered on “building a better person.” Massage, holistic medicine, meditation and an emphasis on the arts are surrounded by currants, spinach, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, and other varieties of produce too numerous to mention.

Through all the growing seasons, the Gardens have been growing connections that grow community. Johnson has great praise for area organizations

Communal mini-farm at Grandin Gardens. such as the Grandin Village Business Association and Roanoke Neighborhood Services.

“Bob Clement (of Roanoke Neighborhood Services, a Roanoke City agency) does a great job with that,” says Johnson.

There is still much to be accomplished, according to Johnson: such as a center for educating people about growing their own food in urban centers, a media center for responsible communications, a health center. These are just a few of the

plans envisioned for Grandin Gardens. As the project move forward, says Johnson, the greater vision of self-sustaining eco-villages throughout Roanoke will progress as well.

“We want to mature this function,” he says, “[and] we feel what we are doing is replicable in any setting, urban or rural.”

By Jeff Crooke info@theroanokestar.com

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zanne Curran, past 6th District Representative to the Virginia Federation of Republican Women (VFRW). Curran is a spokeswoman for Republican women all over the state and volunteers with Newt Gingrich and his “Drill Here, Drill Now” initiative.

Sandi Bird, president of the Roanoke Valley Republican Women (RVRW), chaired the event, and the honorary chair was Maryellen Goodlatte, wife of U. S. Congressman Bob Goodlatte and a Roanoke attorney.

Speakers included Pat Mullins, the new Republican State Party Chairman, who encouraged everyone to get involved at the grassroots level. Also speaking was James Manship, a.k.a.

“George Washington.” Decked out in full costume, he spoke about being the first president - and about the real meaning of the constitution.

Maureen McDonnell, wife of the Republican nominee for Governor Bob McDonnell, spoke about women in politics and how to get more involved supporting the local and state candidates. Martha Foster, wife of the former Attorney General candidate Dave Foster and Susan Allen, wife of former Governor George Allen, discussed their lives on the campaign trail and how to balance family and politics. Both women encouraged more women to run for office.

Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican nominee for Attorney General, spoke at length about the difference between himself and Steve Shannon, his Democratic opponent. (Shannon appeared in Roanoke earlier in the week.)

Cuccinelli said he stood for property rights and charged that Shannon, a Northern Virginia delegate, has consistently voted against those rights. Cuccinelli also said he supports the marriage amendment, while

Ken Cuccinelli and James Manship aka George Washington.

Shannon was initially for it, and then opposed it.

“Shannon is a constant flipflopper on the issues that matter the most to Virginians. He constantly changes his position,” charged Cuccinelli, who also stated that the recently passed Cap & Trade bill has some provisions that can be challenged under the 10th Amendment, which he intends to do if elected Attorney General. Cuccinelli will also run on two familiar GOP themes: small government and more governance at the state level vs. federal mandates.

During the luncheon, Bill Bolling, the current Lt. Governor who is running for re-election, spoke at length about his and Bob McDonnell’s opposition to the Cap & Trade bill, and to the new energy taxes on Virginia families and businesses that House Democrats are trying to enact.

Bolling said his opponent, Jody Wagner, “has refused to take a stand. In fact, Wagner has refused to take a stand on many issues facing Virginia.”

Four breakout sessions covered topics like the Fair Tax, getting involved at the grassroots level, how to write letters to editors and elected officials, and how to run a successful blog.

Tito Munoz, a.k.a. “Tito the Builder,” from the past presidential campaign, was also on hand. His contribution led to teary eyes and loud applause.

The final speaker was Suzanne Curran, for whom the retreat is named. Curran has been involved with the Republican Party for many years and is promoting the “Platform of the American People,” which says English should be the official language of government.

Also an author, she has been actively involved in raising awareness of Depression era work programs and has been a guest on the Fox News Channel.

Curran urged women to get involved locally, statewide and nationally in politics, and not only in supporting roles.

“This retreat has been one of the most exciting, informative and motivating events of the year,” said Denise Bailey, current 6th District Representative to the VFRW. “Women have attended from all over our state and have gone home with a wealth of information, to move the Republican Party forward toward success in November.”

By Carla Bream info@theroanokestar.com

7/3/09 - 7/9/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3

TheRoanokeStar.com

> Shannon From page 1

state lawmaker, this November. (Both were in town last week.) On hand to greet Shannon at the Ramada Inn were other locally elected officials, including several candidates for Roanoke County Board of Supervisors (Sarah GoodmanWindsor Hills, Charlene Waybright-Hollins), Gwen Mason (17th House District, also a Roanoke City Councilwoman) and Ginny Weisz, running for the House of Delegates against incumbent Republican Mor-

gan Griffith in the 8th District.

Roanoke City Council member Court Rosen, also on hand, said he liked Shannon’s “energy” and youth.

Ware joked that he wasn’t sure Shannon “was old enough,” when they both joined the House of Delegates several years ago but said he had seen the AG hopeful grow into that role. Shannon handled many sex crime cases involving children as a Fairfax County prosecutor in the ʹ90’s,

and along with his wife, said he helped craft Virginia’s Amber Alert law.

“I can be very effective,” said Shannon, who has focused on public safety issues since joining the General Assembly.

Governor Kaine asked him to join a committee on sexual violence and he is also a member of the House Appropriations committee, where business and education concerns have ruled the day.

“I’ve been very focused [on

that],” said Shannon, who is critical of Cuccinnelli on a number of issues.

“I’m running for Attorney General to make Virginia a safer place,” said Shannon, who seeks regional solutions on issues like internet crimes. He also wants to make sure Virginia remains “the most probusiness state.” He’s got four months to make his case

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

> RRM From page 1

bagels from the Roanoke Bagel Company, meats and cheeses from Boar’s Head and specialty desserts.

2nd Helpings Café opens to the public at 6:30 am Monday, July 6, followed by the shop and gallery opening at 10:00 am.

Regular hours are 6:30 am-2:00 pm, Monday – Friday for the café, and 10:00 am-6:00 pm Monday – Saturday for the shop and gallery, with extended hours the first Thursday of each month to coincide with Art by Night.

The Rescue Mission plans to renovate an existing 7,000square-foot building located on the Mission’s campus into a fully functional clinic. Renovation, scheduled to begin this month, will provide greater access to medical, psychiatric, and dental

services for homeless patients.

The mission’s goal is to raise $1 million to pay for renovations of the new expanded clinic and the space for 2nd Helpings. As of late June, $479,500 has been raised.

The original medical clinic opened in July 2002. The 2,000square-foot facility provides medical, dental and psychiatric needs to the uninsured, unemployed and homeless. More than 11,000 patients were treated in the facility in 2008, an increase of 62% over the previous year.

Roanoke Star of the Week Dr. Janet Spitzer was born and raised in Woodstock, Va. After graduating from high school in Woodstock, she attended Virginia Tech and received a B.S. degree in Biology. She then went to medical school at Medical College of Virginia, graduating in 1981. After medical school, Janet served in the United States Army for seven years. Upon discharge from the Army, she moved to Dr. Janet Spitzer Roanoke and became a family practice physician. In 1997 she began to study Chinese medicine and trained in acupunture, which is her specialty today. Among Janet’s favorite places in the Roanoke Valley are the Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke market square, Grandin Theatre, and the various greenways and bike paths in the area.

Have someone in mind for “Roanoke Star of the Week?”

E-mail Jim Bullington: JBullPhoto@Hotmail.com

By Pam Rickard pam@theroanokestar.com

> Greenway From page 1

from the “Historic Gainsboro” sign on Wells Avenue [across from Hotel Roanoke] to Valley View Boulevard near Best Buy. Those who enjoy bird watching may find this greenway particularly enjoyable because members of The Roanoke Valley Bird Club have sighted more than 60 different bird species along the trail. Amenities include a picnic shelter, playground, and restrooms.

Tinker Creek Greenway Trail runs along Tinker Creek North to South to the Roanoke River.

The 1.25-mile ADA-compliant trail is accessible from Wise Avenue, Fallon Park, Dale Avenue, and Kenwood Boulevard.

Handicap access is available at Wise Avenue and Dale Avenue.

More than 15 different bird species have been sighted on this trail. Amenities include a signed bicycle route.

Murray Run Greenway Trail is located in the Grandin Road and Raleigh Court area and connects three city parks [Shrine Hill, Woodlawn, and Fishburn], four schools [Patrick Henry High School, the Governors School, James Madison Middle School, and Fishburn Park Elementary School], and Virginia Western Community College. Along the natural, cinder and wood chip trail, which runs for 2.5 miles, are tennis courts, athletic fields, a playground, picnic shelter, a 9-hole disc golf course, and re-

strooms. There is parking available at Fishburn Park located at 2426 Brambleton Avenue.

There are also additional hiking trails in Fishburn Park.

The Mud Lick Creek Greenway Trail at Garst Mill Park in Roanoke County is short (.5 miles), paved, heavily used and ADA compliant. The wildlife and birding trail follows Mudlick Creek, crossing open meadows and stands of mixed hardwoods. Amenities include a picnic shelter, playground, and restroom.

Wolf Creek Greenway Trail runs along Wolf Creek in the town of Vinton. The 2-mile cinder surface is a wildlife and birding trail. Amenities include a picnic shelter, bicycle lane, Blue Ridge Parkway, and an equestrian trail.

Mill Mountain Greenway Trail is partially ADA compliant. The 3.1-mile trail runs from Elmwood Park along Williamson Road to Walnut Avenue to Roanoke River Greenway, which parallels Piedmont Street. Follow trail to Laurel Avenue, turn left on J. P. Fishburn Parkway, and then turn right on Sylvan Road. The trail then follows what is also known as the old Mill Mountain Road.

Amenities include a picnic shelter, playground, and park [Elmwood Park], and restrooms.

Mill Mountain Park Trail consists of one loop with natural surfaced trails that encom-

pass approximately 10 miles.

Amenities include Discovery Center, Mill Mountain Star, Mill Mountain Zoo, picnic areas and restrooms.

Hanging Rock Battlefield Greenway Trail winds along Mason Creek and Kessler Mill Road. After passing under I-81, you will soon enter the town of Salem. The trail then curves through a residential area until you reach the southern trailhead at Timberview Road. The 1.7-mile cinder-surfaced trail is associated with Southern Virginia’s Civil war history and there is interpretive signage describing the 1864 ‘Hunter’s Raid Battle of Hanging Rock.’ On the return trip to the northern trailhead, there is also a short hiking trail at the Hanging Rock trailhead that goes along Peter’s Creek up to I-81.

The Carvin’s Cove trail system runs for 42 miles, with multi-use opportunities including biking, walking, and horseback riding. There are 25 loops along this birding and wildlife trail. Several can be accessed from the main entrance (a permit is required); ask for a trail map at the office. A 12,700acre watershed with a 600-acre reservoir, Carvins Cove is the second largest municipal park in the country. Amenities include picnic areas, boating, and restrooms. There is a daily fee and specific requirements as to boating. For additional infor-

> County Notes

By Susan Ayers info@theroanokestar.com

Tomorrow Starts Today.

Now’s a good time to develop a long-term financial plan.

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From page 1

participants talked about better pedestrian access and improved traffic flow along 419 from Tanglewood to I-81 in Salem.

Slate Hill: As they did at a Hotel Roanoke conference last week on shopping centers, Slate Hill representatives gave an update on the long-delayed hillside project at U.S. 220 and Franklin Road. Spokesperson Angie Stanfill, with developer Smith-Packett, said it looked like construction on a hotel and 2-3 restaurants could start next spring.

“I think we’re real close,” said Stanfill.

Construction on some 30 hilltop condos could begin at the same time and “green areas,” will be incorporated into the design, according to Stanfill. Moore said the public would have an opportunity to “get involved in Slate Hill” development in the near future.

The project has been a sore point with many in the area after the hillside was deforested, graded and now sits dormant.

Crime: Roanoke County Police Lt. Chuck Mason gave the group a quick update on criminal activity in the area, noting a “decent up tick,” in burglaries since last year at the same time. Mason suspects the poor economy may have driven some to seek out Hunting Hills and other affluent south

mation, call (540) 853-2236.

The Chestnut Ridge Trail meanders through typical eastern hardwood forests. Running for 5.4 miles, the trail is a moderately difficult hike with birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. Restroom facilities are available. Directions: From Explore Park, get on the Blue Ridge Parkway and continue south 5.1 miles to milepost 120.5. Turn right and go 1.0 miles to the designated overlook for the Chestnut Ridge Trail on the right.

Explore Park Greenways offers six biking trails and seven hiking trails including handicap-accessible trails that are situated along the Roanoke River Gorge. The 1100-acre preserve has wildlife observation areas.

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Traffic Engineer Theresa Becher (standing) explains a roundabout to the Roanoke County community group. county neighborhoods.

Mason also said the four suspects who plotted to kidnap affluent county residents for money will plead guilty in a federal court next month and could face sentences of at least 7-9 years. Two of the four (all African immigrants) were Patrick Henry High School students and all could face deportation when released from prison since none are U.S. citizens. Mason urged attendees to “look out for your neighbors,” and to call 911 if they see suspicious activity. The would-be kidnappers attempted to enter a house on Cotton Hill Road to take a woman, but she screamed and scared them off. A neighbor followed their car and called police, who intercepted and arrested the four

men. No further arrests in the kidnap plot are expected.

“We think we’ve got the people responsible,” said Mason. The group had planned to hold their victims in a camper until ransom was paid.

Charlotte Moore said a traffic impact analysis for the Clearbrook area Super WalMart has been submitted to Roanoke County and a development plan is now being studied.

“That is well on its way,” said Moore, who wasn’t sure how many private properties might still need to be purchased to clear the way for Wal-Mart.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

N. Edward Link, Jr. Senior Vice President-Wealth Management Financial Advisor Michael B. Kemp Senior Vice President-Wealth Management Financial Advisor 213 South Jefferson Street, Suite 1600 Roanoke, VA 24011 540-345-1555 nelson.e.link.jr@smithbarney.com fa.smithbarney.com/meridiangroupsb

Unless you are otherwise advised in writing, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney is acting as a broker-dealer and not as an investment advisor. ©2009 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

Perspective

Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 7/3/09 - 7/9/09

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issues forth from a excitement. All the cleft in a rock outneighborhood kids cropping at the base would gather as my of a wooded hillside. father somehow It was decided that –remember I didn’t the honey which we pay attention to the would harvest would details- got the honbe known as “Spice ey out of the racks Hollow Spring Honin the hives and ey”, named after our placed it dripping little creek. I’m not into large conJohn W. Robinson sure if the creek tainers. The propossessed this cess then moved name prior to the existence into our basement, where the of our apiary, or if in fact my honey was filtered and drained father named it that romantic into jars ordered just for the appellation to suit the occa- occasion. My strongest memsion. It’s probably the latter. ory of that phase was seeing The apiary adventure unfold- my mother’s panty hose, emed gloriously that first summer. ployed as a filter, hanging from The bees were obviously happy the joists, laden with honey and healthy and doing what and comb. The honey thus they were meant to do. Often, filtered dripped from the toes I was distracted from playing of the panty hose into other in the creek by seeing my dad containers, finally ending up dressed in his beekeeper outfit in those proper little jars, a –kind of a medieval look- fid- chunk of comb placed in each dling with the hives. I imme- one. Somewhere along the way diately found myself standing my dad had procured custom just on the edge of the cloud labels for the jars which proof bees, totally fascinated. My claimed, “Spice Hollow Spring dad would carefully explain Honey”, which you’ve got to what he was doing, bless him admit sounds pretty good. We - but of course I didn’t listen spread the joy by giving away too well so I only got a vague the honey to friends and relanotion of it all. Nevertheless I tives, and we had plenty for did become more acquainted our family of six too. with our bees and the workA few years passed and the ings of the hives. Years later, novelty of raising bees gently when studying biology in col- wore off. Alas, a small city lot lege I would be further amazed is not ideal for a long-term loat the intricacies of honey bee cation of an apiary. I think my society. dad cringed a little every time When approached with one of the neighbors ran a calm confidence, I learned that lawn mower within excitement one can handle the racks of a range of the hives, perhaps enbee hive without getting stung. visioning the headline “InnoThese racks, numbering 8 or cent Man Killed by Bees from 10 per hive, consist of a waxy Neighbor’s Poorly Placed Beepanel framed and mounted hives.” Also, I suspect my dad between wooden strips, onto knew that he had just about which the bees construct their exhausted the educational and honeycomb. Dressed in T-shirt family-binding potential of and shorts - no shoes of course such an endeavor; it was time since it was summer- I could for other adventures. The bees stroll up quietly to the hives, and the hives disappeared, but which were buzzing with ac- the honey-sweet memories tivity, and slide out the racks linger. to check on the comb and the Please don’t tell anyone honey. Yes the bees would about mom’s pantyhose. It’s land on me and stroll around kind of embarrassing. on my arms and legs, but I was never stung. Over time I felt a Contact John at genuine affection for our bees. jwr77@verizon.net When it came time to harvest the honey there was much

Local Crossword for 7/3/2009 Star~Sentinel Crossword Local Crossword 1 4

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ACROSS

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1 Compass point 4 Lurked 5 Recede ass6point A natural reason for Roanoke?

9 Bop e 13 South by east 14 Luau dish ral15reason for Roanoke?

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I

am a big fan of movies. Sometimes it’s the story. Sometimes it’s the artistry and photography.

Sometimes it’s that I can relate to a character. Sometimes it’s simply a good way to escape.

In any case – I typically walk out of the theater grateful for the experience. This weekend was no exception.

The recent 90-degree temperatures seemed like the perfect excuse to wander into the Grandin Theater for a little relief and to enjoy the latest Disney-Pixar collaboration – Up. I am so glad we did.

While it’s true, the animated film -- directed by Pete Docter of Toy Story and Monsters Inc fame -- was made with young audiences in mind – make no mistake – people of all ages will be touched by the story and find amusement in the humor.

Taking an unusual tact, the film revolves around an elderly character -- Carl Fredericksen. While the majority of the story depicts Carl as a curmudgeonly old man, in the opening scenes we are treated to 10 (or so) minutes of dialogue free images and music

M

y wife nudged me on the plane coming into O'hare as she handed me the Wall Street Journal. "Read this" she said, knowing I'd resonate with the theme of english-department prof Willard Spiegelman's new book, Seven Pleasures: Essays On Ordinary Happiness. The review by Wes Davis stated that...

The author's aim is to show that "an intelligent thoughtful happiness is possible."

"He looks at everything around him with a careful reader's interpretive style of perception, and he carries a reader's bundle of vicarious memories into every experience, likening what he sees to scenes from books he has read. ...To the extent that he has a secret to happiness, it resides in slowing down enough to pay attention to what you might call the grammar of experience. When you take the time to examine the world around you, parsing what you see, hear and feel, Mr. Spiegelman likens the approach to the parsing of a sentence in Latin class, you find that the plainest occurrence is surprisingly rich."

To which I can only add a hearty "amen" (as well as scores of paragraphs jotted over the years about garden insects, a certain slant of morning sun and the fragrance of summer air--and on and on and on...)

My sentences tend to come from nature and from my photographic landscapes and

telling the story of sisting the elderly” – his life up to now. in hopes of gaining This brilliant use his absent father’s of non-verbal stoaffection. rytelling allows the As with many reviewer to lovingly lationships between sympathize with unlikely traveling this grandfatherly partners, the trip is amusement park filled with amusing balloon vendor. It exchanges and powis as if they were Stephanie Koehler er struggles. Carl leafing through a and Russell build photo album filled a bond as they enwith his life from a boy daz- counter treacherous storms; zled by adventure to a young a giant colorful bird with a man thrilled by the prospects taste for chocolate; a loveable of love and children, to a hus- and underappreciated mutt; band grieving at the loss of his the beauty of South America; wife, Ellie, and the realization and a pack of – less loveable of missed opportunities and -- dogs under the command unrealized dreams. of a disgraced “adventurer” As the modern world is determined to regain his fame building (literally) around at any cost. him – he is faced with the So, if you are looking for a reality of losing his beloved great way to spend an afterhome filled with irreplaceable noon with the kids, grandparmemories of his life with Ellie. ents or friends, I recommend With his sense of adventure this delightful – and colorful in tact, he takes matters in his – film filled with themes of own hands – determined to friendship, love, and loyalty. fulfill the dream he had shared with his late wife. His journey is shared with Russell, a perContact Stephanie at sistent 8-year-old Wilderness stephaniekoehler@cox.net Scout, desperate to earn his last remaining badge for “as-

outdoor still images must dig to find it rather than from perfectly preserved scenes or characters and capable of new in books, but my life above ground. claim is the same as In these perDr. Spielgelman'splexing economic -that, as I said in times, the penduthe author's note to lum swings. We Slow Road Home: are changing our "There are wonminds and hearts: ders all around. give us the what is Fred First From our everyday real, what is good lives, these familiar things may for the planet and the soil and seem unremarkable to us. But seas for the long term. Give us in these precious instants in what comes from within our time, if we keep our eyes open grasp--the locally created and and our hearts ready to know grown, made and performed. it, there is nothing ordinary."

We are starting to regain our To celebrate the small and vision for the goodness of the close at hand, to see and find goods and relationships we joy in the unadorned and qui- already own as the blessings et moments of our own pres- they are and have always been ent places and times--these are during our busy rush to lay up legitimate and worthy goals fantasy fortunes of one kind or for all of us. another.

We sing it: You can't buy me Out of the relative hardship love. The best things in life are of these times we are perhaps free. And all the while, we'd coming to think less of buildcome to believe that we can ing bigger barns to store tospend our way to happiness. morrow's imagined riches We have been encouraged to and more on how to be thankdo so from the highest office ful for our daily bread; more and by every talking corporate about being rather than seemhead. ing. From this day on, we can But the unpredictability of grow to appreciate the wealth tomorrow's paycheck or retire- in our lives, to want what we ment's nest eggs have largely have, and to be able to gratedisabused us of that notion, fully say out of our common and we're coming to realize grammar of experience that it that we must make do with is enough. what we have at hand. And we have an abundance, really.

Ordinary happiness lives on, buried for so many in the Contact Fred at deeper layers beneath smothfred1st@gmail.com ering sediments of avarice and entitlement and flagrant consumerism. We simply

The Roanoke Star-Sentinel

DOWN 1 Quicken

11 San Diego attraction the answers online: TheRoanokeStar.com Zag's partner 12FindHave a clue and answer you’d like to see? email: puzzles@theroanokestar.com 16 Desire

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Ordinary Happiness: Not Available from Amazon or eBay

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16 Quicken Fast plane 27 Sibling Reduced (abbr.)

Downwind radio station in 38 Oldest 10 April (abbr.) plane 611 Fast San Diego attraction (abbr.)

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Disney-Pixar Elevates to New Heights with “Up”

Lessons From The Apiary

was 8 years old when the bees came. We picked them up at the post office. They were housed in a wooden and screen box about the size of a toaster. This was a most novel and delightful concept to me. I mean really, they sent the bees through the mail!

The queen bee arrived in her own special little throne room the size of a matchbox, also built quaintly of screen and wood. This box had some clever features, such as a beesized tunnel on one end, which was plugged with some sugary stuff. Now I was not too familiar with the details, but my dad had been studying for quite a while in preparation for this adventure. He knew just what to do. The queen box was placed into the larger container of bees –careful not to let them escape- and by the time the queen had eaten her way out through the tunnel the other bees had become acquainted with her; had accepted her dominion over them, as it were.

My siblings and I had minor roles in helping my dad to assemble the hives. There was gluing, nailing, sanding and painting to be done. When completed, the three gleaming white hives looked just great, and I could already taste our first harvest of honey. Childhood distractions being what they are, I missed a lot of details, and the next thing I knew the hives were carefully set up in their position by the creek in our back yard. Somehow –don’t ask me- the bees were introduced to their beautiful new homes and apparently liked what they saw. They were soon busy as, well, you know.

I should point out that the setting for our apiary was not a spacious farm in the country, nor on the grounds of a suburban estate, but in the backyard of a modest Roanoke City home. The proud hives were placed next to a tiny creek at the rear of the lot. This creek –a mere rivulet really- forms the rear property boundary of eight or ten houses in the neighborhood. Upstream of my childhood home the creek

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town.

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

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

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Perspective

7/3/09 - 7/9/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

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The Korean War and Roanoke’s Wonju Sisterhood

A

s Roanoke, Virginia and Wonju, South Korea approach their 45th anniversary of their Sister City connection, I decided to learn how Wonju gained prominence and how America helped in the liberty of at least part of the Korean people. My library research helped me see the sacrifices made by military units of the United Nations: “Wonju was the southernmost part of what would become a brutally contested piece of central corridor terrain roughly in the shape of a triangle, with the villages of Hoengsong and Chipyongni serving as its second and third points. Wonju was the most important of the three -- both as a railhead and road center.

One veteran of Chipyongni noted that if the Chinese controlled this triangle area, they would gain a formidable base from which to strike at Taegu,

about a hundred miles south.

It would then be like a knife poised at Pusan on the coast, he said.”

The above excerpt from The Coldest Winter by David Halberstam on the Korean War puts Wonju on the map.

As an American military history enthusiast, I saw how the importance of this battle was perhaps a key to Wonju and Roanoke later becoming linked as “sisters” in June of 1964. The invitation to Roanoke came via letter from a Wonju surgeon, Dr. Young U Kim who had been a resident surgeon in Roanoke in 1957-58. At the time Dr. Kim described Wonju then as a city of 77,000 and an important rail and communications center near mountains and coal fields. It was destroyed during the Korean War. Most U.S. Sister City alliances were with European cities. The only American-Kore-

an ones then were Burbank with Inchon; and Eugene, Oregon with Chinju. A recent description from a local newspaper article of 6/20/08 states that, “today Wonju is an industrial center of 340,000 and manufactures lacquer ware, paper, and medical instruments. In Wonju city hall sits on Roanoke Street. The last four Roanoke mayors starting with Taylor have travelled there. Now, after decades of international kinship, Wonju is the oldest of the seven sisters in the Roanoke sorority.”

In deepening my war research on Korea, I learned that four months after the Inchon landing in September 1950, the U.N. forces drove the N. Korean communists far north to the Manchurian Border at the Yalu River. One of the coldest central Asian winters on record began at this time, and Stalin and Mao Tse Tung, in collaboration,

chose their moment to spring a giant trap. Between 30 and 40 Red Chinese army combat divisions struck all across this wide front sending the U.S. 8th Army / U.N. into confused flight. The Chinese were battle-hardened from their long, victorious civil war, and they changed the war’s entire picture and outcome. By early November temperatures were below zero and by late that month many days hit 40 degrees below with little let up all winter. In a frenzied, disorderly retreat, The American 2nd Infantry Army Division came close to annihilation via its only egress route south, through a long, rugged mountain pass route known as “The Guantlet.” Hundreds of pieces of our disabled equipment continually blocked their retreat turning it into a chaotic rush south. To the east the 1st Marine Division barely escaped similar fate at the Cho-

Preacher’s Corner Remembering Who We Are as a Nation

A

by Pastor Bryan E. Smith

merica is a Christian Nation.” How strange that this simple statement should elicit such controversy and debate in our country. Since the founding of our republic it was an accepted fact that America was known to be a Christian nation. However, from university lecture halls to public school classrooms to Federal offices in Washington, the move to revise American history and erase any vestiges of Christian influence and teaching from our government has become the politically correct position of the day.

Most nations and civilizations have always held to some dominant form of theistic identity. For instance, in the nation of India the predominant religion is Hinduism. Much of Asia has been marked by Confucianism or Buddhism. The majority of nations in the Middle East hold to Islam as their principle religion and Israel is identified with Judaism. So why then is the idea of America being known as a Christian nation met with such outcries of hostility? If America isn’t a Christian nation then what other kind of nation is she? Are the claims of her Christian heritage unfounded and inaccurate? Quite the contrary, for the evidence for America’s Christian heritage is incontrovertible. Consider the following historical facts…

The discovery of America by Columbus in 1492 was marked by a song of praise and a prayer of dedication as the explorer consecrated the New World to God. The Virginia Charter of 1609 says, “The principal effect which we can expect or desire of this action is the conversion of the people in those parts unto the true worship of God and the Christian religion.”

The Mayflower Compact of1620 was America's first great governmental document, signed by the Pilgrims before they disembarked from their ship, the Mayflower, making it clear that the move was “to advance the enlargement of the Christian religion to the glory of God Almighty.”

George Washington said, “without God and the Bible it would be impossible to govern.”

Patrick Henry said, “This nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians; not on religion but the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thomas Hodge, whom many attest to being America’s greatest theologian said, “The proposition that the United States is a Christian nation is not so much the assertion of a principal as it is a statement of a fact.”

The historical evidence of our nation’s beginning is clear… America was founded on the Bible, upon the teaching s of Christianity and for the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The founding of our republic and the civil institutions of our government were formed by men who were trained in Christian schools and raised under Christian influences. Their ideas of civil and religious liberties were fashioned from the Bible. Thus the freedoms by which our nation is known for today were incorporated into the very fabric of our nation’s government and civil institutions as the expression of those Christian virtues, mores and principles which the majority of our founding fathers held sacred as the fruits of their Christian faith. Therefore Christianity is not the enemy of freedom as many argue today, but it is the very foundation for freedom itself.

A cursory review of the growth of western civilization will reveal that wherever the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been preached and believed then the development of freedom has naturally followed. Once the human heart has been set free then governments and nations become free themselves. The Lord Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

As we celebrate our nation’s freedom this July 4th, may we give thanks to God for the ultimate and lasting freedom found in His only begotten Son and secured forever by His sacrifice upon Calvary. “The freedom forged by the cross,” said one writer “is the freedom that inspired the Constitution.” With prayer and purpose of mind and heart, may we remember this Independence Day to live a life in which “In God We Trust” is more than mere words engraved upon our currency but the character of our freedom and the liberty which only faith in Christ can bring.

Dr. Bryan E. Smith, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Roanoke www.firstroanoke.com

The Recipe of the Week from The Happy Chef

by Leigh Sackett

Flounder Stuffed with Scallop Mousse Water! It is so much fun, incredibly Holy, cleansing and refreshing and vital for life. There are so many reasons why summer is my favorite season. One of the top reasons is WATER EVERYWHERE - pools, ocean, lakes, ponds, rivers and creeks all just waiting to be enjoyed. I am a former competitive swimmer and have always been at home in all of these bodies of water. When I say “at home,” I realize my love for water is one of mind, body and spirit - she just speaks to me. When I see my kids playing in a creek with their friends or bobbing up and down for hours in a pool or being rolled around in the surf as they ride waves, these are the moments that all just seems so right with the world. So I breathe deep and take in the summer air and thank God for allowing me to fully know the beauty and the miracle that is water. In SW Virginia we are particularly blessed as we don’t have to roam too far to find it. So here’s to the creatures of water - us - and the strangely beautiful creatures that make their home in water. This seafood recipe comes from the Black Dog cookbook straight from the waters of Martha’s Vineyard. Enjoy!

Scallop Mousse 2 shallots, peeled ½ lb. scallops, very cold ½ cup heavy cream 1 tsp. chopped parsley Dash nutmeg Salt & pepper Flounder Butter 8 flounder fillets, about two lbs. ½ cup white wine Juice of ½ lemon -To prepare the mousse, finely chop the shallots in a food processor. Then add the cold

scallops and puree.

-Slowly add the heavy cream to the pureed scallops. Now add the parsley, nutmeg, salt and pepper and blend for a few seconds. Reserve.

-Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and butter a baking dish. Place a spoonful of the scallop mixture on each flounder fillet. Roll up the fillet and place, seam down, in the baking dish.

-Pour the wine and lemon juice into baking dish -Bake for about 10-12 minutes. Remove fillets to a warm dish.

-In a small saucepan, reduce the pan juices by one-third over high heat to concentrate the flavor. Season to taste and spoon over the fillets.

S

sin Reservoir.

In December ’50 with the arrival of Gen. Ridgeway as the new field commander of the U.N. forces, order and consolidation slowly began to take place with our forces, but not before the brutal communist Chinese invasion continued to consume Seoul and considerable landscape south of the 38th parallel. Gen. Ridgeway’s defining moment came in late January ’51 as he attempted to stabilize a position in the narrow portion of the peninsula. Probably no other part of the war was more crucial than Gen. Ridgeway’s Battle of Twin Tunnels followed by the battle for Wonju & Chipyoungi in Feb – Mar ’51. A narrow victory allowed for a two year stalemate to begin between U.N. forces and the Red Chinese.

Perhaps Gen. Macarthur’s Asian concerns still apply to today: He wrote that the

Philippine leader Manuel Quezon once said to him in the darkest days of Bataan [Japanese capture of the Philippines]: “I have no fear that ultimately we will not defeat nor feel any dread from the Japanese conquest. My greatest fear is the Chinese. With their increasing militarism and aggressive tendency, they are the great Asiatic menace.

They have no real ideology, and when they reach the fructification of their military potential, I dread to think what might happen.”

Douglas Phillips of Roanoke is 62, Environmental Engineer. He served in the U.S. Marines ’71-’75, including an amphibious military maneuver exercise at Pohang, S. Korea, on the southeast coast, north of Pusan.

How Our Groundhog Odyssey All Began

he watched her husband as down and called for them twice a day. he triumphantly came up the As we were the first beings they had walkway to the front porch, his seen when their eyes opened, we were long range varmint rifle slung across ‘safe’, we were mom and dad. [I should his shoulder. here add that G’hogs quickly lose this “I got two!” sense of trust as they ‘go wild.’ They “Two what?” never ‘tame.’]

“Groundhogs. I got into position But, a final question: how do they and one stood up. I nailed him at one know how to build this elaborate archihundred yards. A couple minutes lattecture? ‘Instinct’ is the common aner, another stood up. I got him too. swer, but in truth it’s a non-answer. If Same spot.” that settled decision means anything Lucky Garvin “Don’t take your boots off yet; your then why don’t migratory song-birds hunt’s not over.” dig burrows, or G’hogs make nests in She went to the garage, returned, took his rifle the limbs or walk south for the winter? and handed him a shovel. “Don’t come back until Here is a final question, in our on-going quest you’ve found them.” to understand what motivates - and thus to help “Found who?”

- the babies in our care, feathered or legged, help The wife sighed, “My husband, who thinks me with this one: I am soon to release two rehe’s Daniel Boone. Listen, those two groundhogs habbed G’hogs, neither of whom seem to much you shot in the same spot? In human lingo, we like dirt. Help! call them parents. Whoever you shot first was a Contact Lucky at either the mom or the dad. The second one was info@theroanokestar.com the other parent coming out to check on the mate.

You killed them both. It’s late Spring. Groundhogs have their babies in the burrow and they will die with no one to look after them. Like I said, don’t I am the slowest come home without them.”

And so, years ago, began one man’s odyssey that carpet cleaner in Roanoke. eventually resulted in Sabrina and I being handed our first set of eye-closed baby groundhogs.

Begrudging the task at first, the man quickly came to a place of amazement as he dug out the burrow deeper and deeper: blind passages, birthing chambers, lavatories, look-out holes, escape routes were there, along with inside earthen dams I will give your should heavy rains flood the burrow affording the carpet the time animals precious moments to escape and survive.

One way or another, the six were soon in our and attention care. Problem: we had never dealt with baby it deserves to groundhogs before, nor was there any informaproduce the best tion on Google to tell us how. What to do? In desperation, we look at charts and found to our results possible. surprise that groundhogs were taxonomically not far-off from grey squirrels. Them, we knew.

We began cautiously with feeding, caging and 2 rooms and a hall for $75 stimulation, and to our amazement, each of them 5 rooms and a hall for $155 thrived.

Soon it came time to release them into an enclosed outdoor cage. Question: Once fully Furniture cleaning also available! released, how could they ever know how to accomplish the complexity of burrow construction necessary to keep them safe?

Our fear proved unnecessary. We set them into a secure patch of land not far from a creek, went

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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 7/3/09 - 7/9/09

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Breckenridge Teacher Delivers Keynote on Childhood Success Virginia’s Teacher of the Year, Stephanie Doyle, from Breckenridge Middle School in Roanoke, was a featured speaker at last week’s 10th annual Copenhaver Institute for teaching and learning at Roanoke College. Doyle talked about her program supporting young girls as they approach their teenaged years.

Doyle, honored earlier this year by Roanoke City Council as well, is a Roanoke College alumna. Her presentation was entitled “Breaking Down the Barriers,” which was described as building on the notion that “every child comes to school with invisible baggage.” The subject coincided with the event’s theme, “The Changing Face of Who We Teach.”

Doyle contends it is the educator’s job to sift away that baggage – a broken home, economic troubles, etc., to ensure that learning takes place.

The 6th grade history teacher describes her “GROW” girls program (Girls Rising Onto Womanhood), which is currently seeking non-profit status, as “a mentoring program for girls in grades 7 through 12. [They] are focused on getting through life’s bumps in the road that they experience through adolescence,” said Doyle.

Doyle is hoping to extend GROW beyond Breckenridge soon, noting that some of her graduates are currently enrolled at William Fleming High School.

“These girls are fantastic,” said Doyle, “[many] have experienced great difficulties

Stephanie Doyle (second from right) is honored by Roanoke Mayor David Bowers earlier this year. in their lives. They have done such wonderful things.”

Seeing them grow is Doyle’s reward, with a program she said focuses on academic and social skill-building. Her luncheon keynote address focused on relationships and breaking down the barriers so that students are more successful.

“Getting girls ready for the future,” has meant trips to Washington D.C., etiquette classes and other programs that provide a well-rounded experience.

“We try to make sure the girls are fully prepared for when they get out into the workforce or on to college,” Doyle said.

Students must apply for the invitation-only GROW program at Breckenridge.

Doyle was named Teacher of the Year for the Commonwealth this past spring.

“It’s a wonderful honor to be representing 100,000 teachers

and other educators across the state of Virginia,” she said.

The Margaret Sue Copenhaver Institute for Teaching and Learning provides development opportunities for Pre K-12 teachers, administrators and Roanoke College students.

Two other keynote speakers at this year’s three-day conference had backgrounds in team building, co-teaching and shared problem solving.

“We want to make sure all students across the state of Virginia are successful,” said Doyle.

Some of her earlier graduates have now made it through high school and are ready for college. “Ready” is the key word for Doyle.

“As a teacher, that’s our number one goal and focus.

The greatest reward is seeing your students succeed,” she said.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Miss Arlington Crowned Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron, Miss Arlington, was crowned Miss Virginia 2009, Saturday night at the Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre. In addition to the title, she won a $16,500 scholarship and also earned an additional $1,000 scholarship as Friday night's preliminary talent winner with her performance of "Listen" from the film "Dreamgirls.”

Cameron was a three time runner up and finished second to Miss Virginia 2008, Tara Wheeler, last year. In other categories, Taylor Burrell was named Miss Virginia's Outstanding Preteen and Courtney Garrett was named Outstanding Teen.

VDOT Closes Virginia’s Last Poled Ferry Hatton Ferry, a James River gem and last remaining poled ferry in the U.S. shut down operations permanently on July 1. The ferry has been in operation carrying vehicular traffic across the James River from near Scotsville to Buckingham County since the 1870’s. The Commonwealth of Virginia took over the ferryboat service in 1940; today the ferry is managed by VDOT, with aid from the Albemarle County Historical Society and Albemarle County, operating on a weekend schedule from April to October.

According to ferry operator Ashley Pillar, local children on field trips and people from across the country come to experience the crossing of America’s “First River” on the last poled ferryboat.

Pillar steers the ferry using two cables, a winch, a stout pole and manpower instead of engine fuel.

And hey -- zero pollution. Closing this historic and truly efficient green ferry will save but $21,000 a year, while losing a priceless and irreplaceable Virginia landmark and recreation destination.

On this past Memorial Day Weekend, people had come to Hatton Ferry to ride the free flatbottomed ferry hovering just a few inches above the water; also to swim, canoe and tube the river,

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cook out, picnic, and visit the small exhibit that tells the history of Hatton Ferry. To the passengers alarmed at the news of the ferry’s imminent demise, Pillar advised us to write the governor. “Once the ferry’s gone, it’s gone forever,” he said.

To save Hatton Ferry, visit the governor’s website at: www.governor.virginia.gov, click on Contact, complete the form, and submit a short comment protesting the closing of Hatton Ferry. Even better, accent the positive as well, in that the ferry is an eco-friendly, outdoors, historic, perfectly splendid way to cross the river and spend the day.

By Gail Lambert info@theroanokestar.com

Send your articles, story ideas and pictures to: info@theroanokestar.com

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

Sports

7/3/09 - 7/9/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

Swim Competition Heating Up

Swimming Summer Swim Teams Swim pix of the week: summer swim teams

from Roanoke City, Roanoke County and Botetourt County met head on Monday night as Ashley Plantation, Spring Run and Olympic Park met at the latter’s pool in RVAA action.

Olympic Park racked up the most points in the three-way meet.

The Roanoke Valley Aquatics Association recently began its summer league competition, featuring swimmers of all ages and skill levels from throughout the area.

Hunting Hills Country Club (HHCC), champions of the RVAA in each of the past six seasons, is off to a strong start, winning its first four meets and is in first place in the standings, followed by Roanoke Country Club and Forest Hills.

Though the winning may be nothing new, there has been one big change at Hunting Hills: longtime coach Sherri Vaughn, who also runs the high school program at Hidden Valley, stepped aside before the season. Her replacement, Andy Haray (he also coaches the Cave Spring swim team) found out early on just how good his team is.

Ashley Plantation’s Jackson Wolfe In its first meet, Hunting (Above) has the water flying during his Hills shattered the club rebackstroke event. cord for points, with 1,947.5 against Our Lady of Nazareth.

Spring Run's Greyson Conner (Left) “We have some really good heads down the lane as he eyes the swimmers, and just have a lot finish line in his 50-meter event. of talent overall,” Haray said.

When asked to single out Photos by Bill Turner a few standouts, Haray declined, saying, “we have around 200 swimmers on the team, and a lot of them are really good, so I’m afraid I’d

Photo by Bill Turner

Nationals slugger Adam Dunn is happy last Thursday as the Nats spanked the Red Sox 9-3.

Photo by Bill Turner

leave a bunch out.”

The Roanoke Valley Aquatics Association, established in 1964, has a dual purpose.

For the competitive swimmer, the league presents an opportunity to stay in shape over the summer, gain valuable practice time, and compete against other standouts from across the region. For others, it is a chance to spend time in the pool with family and friends.

The age groups vary drastically: the youngest swimmer at Hunting Hills, according to Haray, is 3 years old, while the older swimmers are in their forties and fifties.

“It’s a really fun family atmosphere,” Haray said.

“There are a lot of families that are involved in the league.”

HHCC competed against Roanoke Country Club this past Monday; weekly summaries are available at swimrvaa.com and the competition ends at the end of July with the City-County meet, which was typically held at Radford University’s Dedmon Center pool in the past. This year, like last, the July 24-25 championship meet will instead be held at the Salem Family YMCA pool.

By Matt Reeve Matt@theroanokestar.com

Eagle Scouts Seven Boy Scouts who have achieved scouting's highest advancement honor were recognized at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor recently. Lucian Grove III, Matthew Higgs, Benjamin Mullet, Benjamin Ries, Yates Sayers, Kemper Steffe, and Winston West IV received their Eagle Scout Badges at the ceremony at Greene Memorial United Methodist Church.

All seven scouts are graduating seniors at Patrick Henry High School and The Roanoke Valley Governor's School. Grove, Ries and Sayers are members of Troop 17 from St. John's Episcopal Church and are led by Scoutmaster W. Patton Coles, IV. Higgs, Mullet, Steffe and West are members of Troop 210 from South Roanoke United Methodist Church and are led by Scoutmaster J. Richard Hancock.

To earn the Eagle Scout rank, a scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills.

He must earn at least 21 merit badges, and complete an eagle Scout Leadership Service project which requires significant effort. Only about 5% of all Boy Scouts in the United States earn the prestigious Eagle Scout rank.

Spend PENNIES a DAY

Nationals third baseman (and former UVa standout) Ryan Zimmerman bats as Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek gives the target.

DC Baseball: Despite being mired firmly in last place, the Washington Nationals welcomed big crowds as they hosted and The Have Storage in Your Own Backyard the Red Sox last week. Attendance-wise, it was in the top three games in Nationals Park’s two-year history. easy drive to DC makes it a great place for Roanokers to catch a major league game.

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Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 7/3/09 - 7/9/09

Sports

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

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New Course is Open Photos by Bill Turner

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Ballyhack has a unique character unlike any area course - this 22,000 square-foot green for example accommodates both the 13th and 15th holes, with flagsticks located at both ends and plenty of sand traps.

The exclusive Ballyhack Golf Course in the Mt. Pleasant area of Roanoke County opened last weekend, showing off what developer George Lester hopes will become a destination for golfers nationwide. Ballyhack, built on the site of an old farm, also includes about 80 luxury homes, now Ballyhack golf pro Aaron Dooley. under development.

Local Sports Legend George â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kilaâ&#x20AC;? Miller Steps Down In sports, it's one thing to be a great coach. It's quite another to attain a certain level of success that justifies one as a legend. It usually requires a long and successful career to be considered an institution. William Fleming High School's George â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kilaâ&#x20AC;? Miller is considered by most as one of those rare, determined individuals whose personal accomplishments and accolades have transcended sports and made him a part of the Roanoke Valley's greater tapestryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as a community leader, mentor, and educator.

Miller is a native of Roanoke and a graduate of William Fleming, where he was an AllState letterman in track, football, and wrestling. He then went on to Elizabeth City State University to pursue studies in Health and Physical Education. At the collegiate level, he was both a standout football player (Team Captain, 1971CIAA-NAIA Champions) and wrestler (Team Captain his Junior and Senior seasons; three-time CIAA champion,

NAIA District 29 Champion).

He was inducted into the university's Hall of Fame for both sports.

During his academic career, Miller served as a health and physical education teacher at William Fleming High School for 16 years, and as a Hall Principal for 14 years. He also served as Principal of the Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy for two years.

During his tenure, Miller served as assistant and head coach of Fleming's football (three-time district Coach of the Year honors), wrestling (nine-time district Coach of the Year honors; Virginia State Coach of the Year honor; Regional II National Coach of the Year award), and track teams.

He also served as the defensive coordinator for Roanoke's semi-professional football teams: The Virginia Hunters/ Roanoke Valley Express. He remains a coach for the Gator/ Victory Boxing Club.

Miller has been a member of the Roanoke Parks and Recreation advisory board,

William Fleming teacher, coach, mentor George Miller. served as Chairman of the Superintendent's Athletic Committee for Roanoke City Public Schools, and a member of the Arms of Addison mentor program. The time that Miller has devoted to the youth of the community, and various civic and professional organizations has led to a long list of prestigious awards. He's a member of the YMCA's Hall of Fame, a recipient of the SCLS Martin Luther King Leadership Award, the NAACP Community Leaders' Award, and holds one of Roanoke's â&#x20AC;&#x153;Keys

to the City.â&#x20AC;?

Effective June 30, 2009, George Miller retired from service with the Roanoke City Public Schools system after a career spanning nearly 35 years. There will be a reception in his honor July 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Holiday Inn Valley View. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by calling 520-9928.

By Clarence Shelton info@theroanokestar.com

Wiffle Ball Offers Fun Alternative The Yard, a 5,000 square-foot indoor baseball and softball training facility in Southwest Roanoke County, is looking for teams to sign up for its inaugural Wiffle Ball League, which will take place in July and August.

The vision for the league, according to co-owner Ricky Gregg, is to provide a change of pace for the competitive baseball or softball player, as well as foster a fun family environment for players of all ages and skill levels. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The way we looked at it, most kids are coming off of

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school competition and are looking to wind down,â&#x20AC;? said Gregg. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wanted to do something that would be fun for them and fun for the whole family.â&#x20AC;?

The league will consist of two divisions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one for kids under age 14 and one for all players 15 or older -- and will feature several quirky rule changes. For example, each team can have a maximum of six players, five of whom (a catcher, pitcher and three fielders) may play in the field at any given time. A player doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to tag or force out a runner â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they can actually hit them with the ball â&#x20AC;&#x201C; provided it is below the waist. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve found that trying to peg a runner with the ball doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always work that well,â&#x20AC;? Gregg quipped when explaining the rule.

There will be two outs per inning instead of three, and games will last 5 innings or one hour, whichever is shorter. The Yard will also provide umpires, who will call balls and strikes, as well as impose limits on the speed of pitches thrown. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want them [pitchers] to throw junk, instead of fastball after fastball,â&#x20AC;? Gregg said.

Despite some of the fun rule modifications, Gregg still intends for the league to be competitive. There will be a playoff system, and the league champions will receive trophies and a plaque. The league will also recognize home run and RBI champions with trophies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want it to be fun, but we also want it to be competitive,â&#x20AC;? Gregg said, noting that one team consisting of former college players and Greggâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partner, George Canale, has already signed up. Canale played for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1989-1991.

Gregg also stressed that the presence of the league will not disrupt normal business operations at The Yard. Though monthly membership packages will not be offered for the summer, individual lessons will still be held. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still open for business,â&#x20AC;? Gregg said.

Note: all teams and players must register by July 4 to compete in the league. Cost is $25 per player or $150.00 per team. Season will consist of 12-15 games beginning July 6 and end in late August. For more information, contact The Yard at 540-355-1176 or email to theyardbaseballandsoftball@yahoo.com.

By Matt Reeve Matt@theroanokestar.com

TheRoanokeStar.com

7/3/09 - 7/9/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

Honoring Those Who Sacrifice to Promote Freedom and Democracy This Fourth of July we look to the blessings of liberty and are reminded of how precious they are.

Two hundred and thirtythree years ago, a group of men, made up of merchants, lawyers, farmers, educators, soldiers, physicians and pastors, risked charges of treason, because they possessed a vision.

They recognized that liberty is a birthright, not something granted by a king. They had the courage of their convictions to pledge their lives, their fortunes and their sacred

honor so that a new nation the resources they need to might be born. carry out their important misOurs is a noble heritage sions. Last week the House marked by self-sacrifice for overwhelmingly passed the causes greater than any one in- National Defense Authorizadividual. Those in our armed tion Act, which offers critiforces who have answered the cal support to our men and call to service women on the are often willfront lines.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte ing to pay the This bipartilast full measan legislation sure of devotion so that we provides a 3.4% pay increase can enjoy the freedoms and for military personnel, expands TRICARE coverage, the liberties of our great country.

With that in mind, the military health care program, House of Representatives took for members of the reserve steps to ensure that these cou- forces and their families, and rageous men and women have includes funding for family

[

]

Our Take: Remembering Three Icons of “My Generation”

Last week was a remarkable one for the passing of notable public figures, most prominently of course the shocking death of pop music icon Michael Jackson. But that same day former poster girl Farrah Fawcett lost her battle to cancer and a few days earlier Johnny Carson’s sidekick Ed McMahon died at 86. Three people I remember well from younger days, in their heyday, and one more sign that the sands of time slip through the hourglass quickly.

Call them icons of the 80’s, 70’s and 60’s if you will, in descending order. Start at the bottom with Ed McMahon, who rose to prominence as Carson’s second banana in the 1960’s, when H-e-e-e-e-re’s Johnny (McMahon’s signature line) replaced Jack Parr.

McMahon, who later emceed Star Search and appeared in several movies, laughed at all of Carson’s jokes and played straight man during segments like Carnac the Magnificent, when a turbaned Carson “predicted” comical and sometimes bawdy answers to questions sealed in an envelope.

McMahon, who fell on financial hard times in recent years, was always ready with a guffaw or a “hi-ohhh!” for his boss and friend. They left the tonight show together in the early 90’s.

I never really got the Farrah Fawcett thing; never thought she was that much different from a thousand other Hollywood starlets of the 70’s with big hair and straight, white teeth. But plenty of others got her: Fawcett, married to Lee “the Six Million Dollar

GrowYour Own Virginia Cooperative Extension’s “Grow-Your-Own”Workshop Series at the Salem Farmers Market.

VCE Master Gardeners will be speaking about different gardening topics, including companion planting,food preservation,erosion control, and worm composting.

Mark your calendars to attend these free classes! Registration is not required.

Call 772-7524 for more information.

> July 6-10

Vacation Bible School Vacation Bible School at Studio Go! 9am-12 noon, July 6-10, Grandin Court Baptist Church. 2660 Brambleton Ave, 774-1684. grandincourtbaptist.org for more info or to register.

> July 10

The Blue Ridge Independent Living Centers 20th Anniversary Celebration Lunch Please mail your reservation & payment to Blue Ridge Independent Living Center, 1502B Williamson Rd. NE Roanoke,VA 24012 by July 10, 2009.

The Blue Ridge Independent Living Center 20th Anniversary The Blue Ridge Independent Living Center (BRILC) will com-

memorate its 20th Anniversary on Wednesday, July 15 with a celebration at the Salem Civic Center.

A silent auction will begin at 11 a.m.

Artist and speaker, Dan Keplinger, and lunch will begin at 12:15 p.m.

Cost of lunch is $20.00.

> July 21

Writer’s Workshop July 21, 7-8:30 p.m. Cara Modisett -”What Magazine Editors Want fromYou”

> July 25

Touch-a-Truck...Wheels, Wings & Water Roanoke County is please to announce the biggest regional 100 + vehicle event called Touch-a-Truck ...Wheels, Wings & Water... where kids of all ages can climb, discover and explore!!! On Saturday, July 25th 2009 at Roanoke County’s Green Hill Park from 10:00AM Have an item for the calE-mail it to submis3-23-09 to 4:00PM come and “touch a endar? sions@theroanokestar.com few or touch them all” you will be amazed...at all the cool vehicles. For more info call 540-387-6078 ext.

251 or visit: www.RoanokeCountyParks.com

> August 14

VCE Food Expo The Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, and Roanoke offices of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) have teamed up with many sponsors to host the first “Taste of the Roanoke

and free nation and to also take a moment to pay tribute to the brave men and women in uniform who continue to serve the cause of freedom today and carry out the vision of our founding fathers. These noble individuals deserve our honor, respect, confidence and above all our continued prayers for their sacrifice here at home and abroad.

From my family to yours, I wish all of you a happy and safe Fourth of July.

but Clearly Fire Departments Do

In an effort to prevent lawsuits, New Haven, Connecticut's fire department tried to ensure the "right" proportion of light and dark skin among its firefighters, regardless of merit. But this week, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down this practice, stating that fear of litigation was not a compelling reason to violate the constitutional rights of the men who sought justice in the court room. The 5-4 majority overturned the lower-court ruling of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's pick for the high Court. While pundits will surely call her qualifications into question as her confirmation approaches, we cannot ignore the bigger picture. 

After throwing out professional exam results because whites and Hispanics scored higher than blacks, the candidates denied promotion took their case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in Ricci v. DeStefano.

While officers were the focus of this case, the incentive to rank-and-file firefighters is diminished, unless they have black skin; and, even then, they need not try as hard as their white or Hispanic counterparts because New Haven clearly valued race over other factors.

This case highlights all that is wrong with "affirmative action as we know it": Employers practice defensive racial preferences, not because they believe it serves the public good, but because they believe it will ward off lawsuits. 

This case played out much like

By Gene Marrano the pivotal City of Richmond gmarrano@cox.net

Valley Food Expo,” Friday, August 14, 2009, from 2 – 8 pm, at the Greenfield Recreational Park just north of Daleville.

Those attending will taste the freshness and flavor of locally grown food with samples of locally produced, in-season fruits, vegetables, beef, pork, lamb, and poultry.

Tickets are $2 each (children 12 and under free with paying adult) and can be purchased by calling Botetourt (540-4738260), Craig (540-864-5812), or Roanoke (540-772-7524) VCE offices. Tickets are limited and should be purchased prior to the Food Expo.

freedom and make America safe. They have made enormous sacrifices even before setting foot on the battlefield, leaving behind loved ones, and for the Guard and reserves, their livelihoods. Our troops have volunteered to defend our country wherever and whenever they are called, and they are executing their mission with professionalism and unparalleled courage.

So I encourage you in the midst of family BBQ's, parades and fireworks to remember and honor our founding fathers and their vision of a great

Commentary: Fires Don't Discriminate

Landis working on the project.

Almost every song on Thriller was a top ten single and the album sold more 100 million copies worldwide. I wore out my cassette copy, with Billie Jean and Thriller my favorites. When I saw Michael and his brothers at Mile High Stadium in Denver (in 1985) 80,000 fans screamed the loudest when they performed numbers from Thriller. Folks everywhere tried to Moonwalk. (Jackson played Roanoke in 1979.)

The younger folks who appreciate Jackson’s music now but see him through the prism of those bizarre last years - the ruinous plastic surgery, the surgical masks, the lightening skin color and a kid named “Blanket,” probably let all of that “noise” get in the way. Jackson, who was 50 when he suffered cardiac arrest last week, was an icon, not only in the 1980’s, his heyday, but for several decades going forward. Funny, or tragically ironic, how many of the modern musical geniuses don’t seem to live that long, for one reason or another. Witness John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, etc…

Several more pieces of my younger years faded away last week after one more goround of making headlines.

In doing so they brought back memories, mostly good, of perhaps simpler times.

Thanks Michael, Farrah and Ed … rest in peace.

Community Calendar > July 4 - 25

> July 15

Man” Majors for a number of years, parlayed one season on Charlie’s Angels into a lifetime of notoriety. The poster of Fawcett in the red bathing suit is the best-selling poster of all time, anywhere. (My dad always dismissed her as just “hair and teeth.”)

Fawcett went on to become an OK actress and was even nominated for three Emmys. Her strung out appearance on David Letterman some years back led to a new round of jokes on late night TV, but Fawcett’s losing battle with cancer, documented for television recently with long time companion Ryan O’Neal at her side, brought her sympathy no doubt and a new legion of people pulling for her. She did not fade away quietly but fought cancer to the very end.

Then there is Michael Jackson, who once described himself as the “King of Pop.” I remember my sister buying those “Jackson 5” Motown 45 rpm records in the late 60’s and early 70’s, with pop hits like ABC, Rockin’ Robin and I Want You Back. Soon it was a solo Michael Jackson’s ode to a rat, “Ben,” from the movie of the same name.

Then came Off the Wall and, of course, Thriller, in 1982.

Folks under 38 or so probably do not realize just how HUGE Thriller and Michael Jackson were - how he changed pop music, influenced fashion and helped turn MTV into a network of importance with videos for Billie Jean, Beat It and then Thriller itself, which was released a full two years after the album came out, with Hollywood director John

housing programs to support and expand the quality housing that our military families deserve.

Additionally, the legislation ensures that our service members have the necessary equipment, weapons and training to complete their missions.

The funds authorized by this bill will be used to train U.S. forces, purchase protective gear, repair older equipment, and transport equipment and personnel around the world.

Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines put their lives on the line to defend our

v. J. A. Croson Co. decision in 1989. In Croson, the city of Richmond, Virginia gave such sweeping preference to all minorities—including Eskimos!—that Justice Sandra Day O'Connor wrowrote the opinion setting down the rules of "strict scrutiny": In a word, race distinctions were suspect and held to the strictest inquiry. Moreover, race may not be a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification, as it seemed to be in the New Haven case. Think of a like scenario: If a town decided to scrap professional exams to favor WHITE firefighters, what would the courts do? If the same town spent tax dollars to defend this discrimination, how would impartial observers‚ and courts—react?

A€¨Anyone familiar with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 knows that it protected people of all races, religions, and both sexes—not just those now "preferred" by some government authority.

The legislative record could not be clearer: Hubert Humphrey, the crusading liberal from Minnesota, dismissed the "bugaboo" of quotas and preferences. The law simply banned discrimination of all sorts and he hoped it would lead to Americans considering each other on their merits, not as representatives of "race."

Most bugaboos are not real—or so we tell our childrenn—but what will we teach them about this bugaboo? That discriminatioon is OK and it "doesn't really matter?" Except it does matter to its victims and to the meaning of America, just

as much now as when blacks, Chinese, Japanese, and others were discriminated against solely on the basis of race. 

The Ricci decision offers hope to those who seek justice in the court room and in the workplace. Let us hope that the Court, and the American people, goes even further and rediscover the classical liberal notion that "our Constitution is color blind"—the philosophhy that drove the NAACP to win one case after another in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" became a little more real for those New Haven firefighters. Pray that this is a trend.

Jonathan Bean is a professor of history at Southern Illinois University and author of Race and Liberty in America: The Essential Reader.

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RoanokeFriday, CivicJuly Center Events 24th Special • 10 am—6 pm Center Friday, July pm Saturday, July25th 25th •• 10 10 am—6 am—5 pm Sunday, July pmpm Saturday, July 26th 26th••11am—4 10 am—5 Sunday, July 27th • 11 am—4 pm Admission $6.50 (with ad $6.00) Unlimited return The largest antique show in the Roanoke Valley with over 50 outstanding dealers featuring formal, country and children’s furniture; decorative accessories; vintage prints; rare books and manuscripts; silver and linens; estate jewelry and much more!

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Valley Business

Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 7/3/09 - 7/9/09

Americans Travel Despite Lingering Recession

The recession is apparently not deflecting consumers' vacation travel plans this year, according to findings from a national study conducted recently by a research team led

by Nancy McGehee, associate professor of hospitality and tourism management at Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business.

Survey respondents were asked how the current economic situation might affect their likelihood to travel for pleasure in general this year.

Nearly half - 49.4 % - reported that the economy would have no impact, while 35 % indicated they would be less likely to travel. The remainder - more than 15 %- reported that they would be more likely to travel.

"An interesting trend seemed to emerge," McGehee said, when respondents were asked why. "Those who reported no impact explained that their travel experiences were very important to them, and many other luxuries would be foregone before they would give up those plans. Of those who reported that they were more likely to travel, several indicated that they were on fixed incomes and that low gas

Nancy McGehee (left) and John McGee review a survey of the Rocky Knob area of the Blue Ridge Parkway. prices and bargains currently available in the travel industry were to their benefit."

Respondents who indicated no change in their travel plans were evenly split along gender lines, she said.

"However, many more women than men - 58 % of women, versus 42 % of men - reported that they would be less likely to travel due the economy."

The survey was sent to 2,500 people in 48 states. Responses were received from more than 800 people in 44 states, resulting in a 32 % response rate.

The travel survey is part of a larger study on sustain-

able tourism that McGehee and her fellow researchers are conducting for the National Park Service. McGehee's coresearchers on the project are John McGee, a geospatial extension specialist at Virginia Tech's Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, and Jeff Hallo, Cari Goetcheus, and William Norman, all of Clemson University.

"This has been a collaborative project," McGee noted, "involving tourists, community members, government officials, educators, researchers, and other stakeholders."

Virginia Tech Carilion Research Projects Funded

Six $30,000 seed grants have been awarded to advance Virginia Tech Carilion (VTC) School of Medicine and Research Institute’s research to address falling risks, prevention and treatment of infectious disease, and development of a patient simulator.

Tom Campbell, assistant director for research and operations for the research institute announced that teams of Virginia Tech and Carilion researchers submitted 22 proposals for consideration.

"The partnership is clearly creating new approaches to medical research. Building on the momentum from the first round of funded seed projects, this second roundwill further the strong collaboration between Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic to set the stage for VTC," Campbell said.

"These most recent seed grant awards represent the growing opportunities in research and education that exist between Virginia Tech and Carilion Clinic," said Dr. Daniel Harrington, vice president for academic affairs for Carilion Clinic and associate dean for clinic and regional integration for the school of medicine. "This collaboration between researchers and clinicians is just the beginning of a strong and dynamic part-

nership that will strengthen both organizations and create an exciting learning environment for Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute students, residents, faculty, and researchers."

Shashank Priya, associate professor of materials science and engineering and of mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech, and Sonya L. Ranson, associate professor with the VTC school of medicine and manager of the Center for Experiential Learning, received a grant for "Prototyping a Human-like Patient."

"The program is part of a larger VTC project to develop a full-scale patient simulation facility and humanoid hospital, a training facility for healthcare providers using human patient simulators," said Ranson.

The present facility already has three human patient simulators and various part-task trainers that allow students to practice basic clinical skills.

The full-body mannequins are run from an associated control room.

"Our research builds upon the recent progress made at our laboratory in fabricating human-like skin and humanoid face, neck, arm, wrist, and fingers," said Priya. "With

Maria Hirsch intubates the human patient simulator in the Carilion Clinic Center for Experiential Learning. this grant, we will develop a human-like patient and study specific disease states. This seed fund will significantly strengthen our efforts and allow us to achieve important milestones in order to secure funding from federal agencies."

Priya is leading the effort on the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science's Humanoid Hospital, which consists of faculty members from mechanical engineering, chemistry, and human nutrition, food and exercise at Virginia Tech.

His research interests include energy harvesting, artificial muscles, humanoid skin and face, actuators, and sensors.

For more information, visit, http://www.vtc.vt.edu/.

TheRoanokeStar.com

Dashiell’s Reputation Wins Him Distinguished Journalism Award

WDBJ News7’s Joe Dashiell is used to the news. He’s just not used to being the news story.

Dashiell, 51, made his own news last Friday night as he was presented with the George A. Bowles, Jr. Broadcast Journalism Award from the Virginia Association of Broadcasters (VAB) in Virginia Beach. According to the VAB website, the award is “for broadcast news journalists who have longevity in Virginia broadcasting and who have earned the respect of their peers.”

In accepting the award, Dashiell said he was especially thrilled to receive an award named for Bowles, noting, “I have always appreciated his command of the language, his love of history, and his eye for interesting and unique stories.

In many ways he is the broadcaster I still aspire to be.”

Jim Shaver and Ted Powers, two of Dashiell’s former colleagues at WDBJ, have been past recipients of the Bowles award.

“This list of Bowles Award recipients is an impressive bunch, and I've known a few of them quite well,” Dashiell said.

Shaver hired him in 1980,

and Dashiell describes Powers as a career-long mentor.

“We share a birthday, and last April Ted celebrated his 90th.

He's still going strong, and I am blessed to count him as a close friend,” he said.

Dashiell has been a fixture at WDBJ since 1980, manning all three of the station’s regional newsrooms, and spending five years covering the General Assembly in Richmond. He is now a senior reporter in Roanoke.

One of most prolific, wellrespected journalists in the region, Dashiell is not one to seek out the limelight. He considers himself very communityminded, but is careful to avoid any hint of conflict of interest, which is why he sits on no local boards.

“I am a strong supporter of the United Way,” Dashiell said, and he also takes a leadership role in organizing the annual Roy Stanley Memorial Auction and Golf Tournament.

While an avid banjo player and fan of old-time and bluegrass music, Dashiell still describes his passion as being his work.

“I want to serve my viewers. I

WDBJ reporter Joe Dashiell

put in the hours because I want to,” he said. “It’s a dream job….I love going out and meeting people and hearing their stories.”

A Norfolk native, Dashiell earned his BSJ at Washington and Lee University, where he was only 6 credits shy of a double major in German. He considered going back for those 6 credits, but when an internship at WDBJ quickly turned into a full-time job offer, he decided to stay with the station - and the rest, as they say, is history.

By Pam Rickard pam@theroanokestar.com

Planning Better Neighborhoods in Roanoke City Wish there was an instruction manual to help in developing a neighborhood, or simply remodeling a home in the city of Roanoke?

Well, now there is. The city's Department of Planning, Building and Development has just released the "Residential Pattern Book for the City of Roanoke."

Created by the city's Planning Division and Hill Studio, the book is a design aid for prospective and current homeowners, builders, and design professionals for the renovation of existing housing and appropriately designed new construction.

By exploring the historic development of the city's existing neighborhoods and residential forms, “the Pattern Book aims to instill pride in those who live and work in Roanoke and encourage them to preserve the unique character of its homes and neighborhoods,” read a recent news release.

“It’s a standalone guide for the entire city on renovating an existing home, putting on an addition or if you want to build something new … in context with your neighborhood and the properties around you,” said city planner Maribeth Mills.

The Planning Book is not part of the adopted documents that make up the Comprehensive Plan for Roanoke, but Mills said it has the same goals.

“Purely to help people – it’s not tied to any overlay district.”

“Bungalow” drawing from new Pattern Book. (Courtesy City of Roanoke) Mills called the work with Hill Studios on the pattern book “a collaborative effort.”

Last November, the City Planning Commission endorsed the document, which has also been recognized by the American Planning Association's Virginia Chapter and the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation for excellence in innovation and education. Mills said the book has been offered to local designers and neighborhood associations.

The publication is available in PDF format on the web, at www.roanokeva.gov/planning, under Urban Design Standards. In addition, copies may be picked up in Room 166 of the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building at 215 Church Ave. during regular business hours.

Print copies are available for $10, and CD copies are avail-

able at no charge. A reference copy is also available at all city library branches.

“It’s a useful tool,” said Mills, “meant to say ‘this is how you can do it.’ It’s not regulatory.”

The planning department spent about a year developing the pattern book and talked to various stakeholders, including residents, realtors and building supply stores.

“We reached out to all of the neighborhood groups,” noted Mills, who believes Roanoke is just the second locality in Virginia to create the pattern book. The wide range of who might use the guideline made it more difficult to create: “it covers a lot of ground,” said Mills.

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

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Arts & Culture

7/3/09 - 7/9/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11

TheRoanokeStar.com

2009 Kendig Awards

Tom Field (left) and Dan Smith, with Arts Council executive director Laura Rawlings, were named Literary Artists of the Year for their new business magazine, Valley Business Front.

The latest Perry F. Kendig Award ceremony “Bravos and Brushstrokes,” was held at the Taubman Museum of Art last Wednesday. Nine individuals or businesses in various categories were honored for their support of the arts. Cox Communications created brief profiles of all the recipients which were shown on the large screen in the Taubman Theater. The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge Perry F. Kendig Award is named for a former dean and president of Roanoke College. Former Roanoke mayor Nel- Paul Harrill (Visual Artist Award Recipient) and wife Ashley Maynor. son Harris was among those honored for his support of the arts while in office.

David Hodge and John Antsey - Anstey Hodge Advertising Group – were Business Supporter Recipients. (courtesy photos)

Roanoker Pens a “Revolutionary” Ghost Story

Roanoker Walt Mayes, a retired counselor for the Virginia Department of Corrections, recently released his first novel, “Hungate’s Ghost,” set in the 1770’s. Peter Hungate is a wealthy man killed while swimming one night with his beautiful bride, but he refuses to believe he is dead. Mayes takes his readers along, as Hungate wanders through history for the next 200 years, seeking that peaceful light to the other world.

An Army veteran during the Vietnam conflict, Mayes finished college and graduate school, before becoming a counselor. Now he’s a novelist.

“I’ve been writing basically all my life. I hope this is going to be my 15 minutes of fame,” chuckles Mayes, who calls writing, “my passion… my mistress.”

A dream he remembered about a Revolutionary War figure that became a ghost led to his book, Photo by Gene Marrano which has been released by Pub- Walt Mayes has penned a ghost story for his first novel. lishAmerica.com. He also remembered traipsing through a house with friends as a youngster, imagining it was haunted.

After initially shopping it around, Mayes sat on the manu-

script for several years.

“He refused to go through the light – he thought he wasn’t dead,” said Mayes of his lead character. He allows Peter Hungate to experience the Civil War, the JFK assassination and other milestones in American history as he wanders through two centuries.

Mayes had a double major in college – history and psychology – so his interest in the past comes naturally.

“I love history,” he notes.

Much of the book concerns Virginia’s past, while at the same time it touches on death and immortality. “[But] it has its humorous moments,” said Mayes.

It’s not Stephen King, but Mayes hopes his tale of “undying love, enduring friendship … and a little passionate lust sometimes,” will interest many readers. Visit PublishAmerica.com ,or online booksellers to order “Hungate’s Ghost.”

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

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It’s No Bull... Local Production is Going Overseas

Local puppeteer Philip Hatter of Thistledown Puppets and local teacher/author Alex Lucas are making waves in the Mediterranean this summer with their recently produced play, “Bull: A Puppet Musical.”

This locally crafted Broadway-style musical for children has been purchased and produced

by TED UK, a British entertainment company, and is being performed at Sensatori, a five-star resort on the island of Crete through October 2009, and beyond. Several other international venues are currently being considered for this production, as well, including another Sensatori location in Mexico.

Lucas and Hatter are being flown to Crete to direct the cast of the play the second week of July. They debuted the production at last year’s Roanoke Arts Festival, playing (and singing) the leads.

"I'm excited to see how far this idea has gone,” says Hatter, founder of Thistledown Puppets. “I love that these characters we created and fell in love with are now bringing smiles to the faces of families from all over the world."

The play, based on a comic strip originally developed by the Hatter and Lucas team, is about an unhappy bull who longs to live in the city rather than on a farm.

The play’s book, lyrics, and music were all penned by Lucas, who has published poetry, fiction, and essays since 1995, and teaches English at Hidden Valley Middle School.

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TED UK (teduk.com), the British production company, has purchased European production rights for the play for the next five years, with plans to market the play to many of their properties.

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Page 12 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 7/3/09 - 7/9/09

TheRoanokeStar.com

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It was a trip down memory lane for many last Friday night as vintage car owners cruised Williamson Road as part of the 8th annual Star City Motor Madness event, which typically draws participants from all over the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. The madness continued on Saturday as entrants displayed their wheels along Franklin Road and Jefferson Street in downtown Roanoke.

Proceeds from entry fees collected were part of a fundraiser to benefit the Virginia Museum of Transportation.

Last year, about 15,000 cars, trucks and motorcycles gathered for the Williamson Road cruise portion of the event. The Williamson Road Area Business Association helped sponsor this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event. Featured guest George Barris brought nine vehicles, including a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Batmobileâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Herbieâ&#x20AC;?, the VW bug from the 2005 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fully Loadedâ&#x20AC;? movie. Awards were also handed out in various categories at Elmwood Park Saturday.

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