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June 12 - June 18, 2009

Community | News | Per spective

TheRoanokeStar.com

Cleaveland Takes 17th Primary - McNamara Ousted

Going Farther

P3– Meals on Wheels does far more than what they are known for - taking nutritious meals to the elderly.

Botetourt County attorney Bill Cleaveland bested businessman Chris Head, former Roanoke County Supervisor Mike Wray and two Roanoke City lawyers (Josh Johnson and Melvin Williams) to capture the 17th District Republican House of Delegates nomination in Tuesday’s lightly voted primary. All five candidates gathered with other Republicans at Hotel Roanoke to watch the returns. Outgoing Delegate William Fralin, leaving the General Assembly after three terms, was also on hand, as was Majority leader Morgan Griffith (R-Salem), who has no

opposition this fall, and State Senator long and interesting fall. I look forRalph Smith. ward to it. There are some significant Griffith introduced Cleaveland and differences. The lines are pretty broad,” the other candidates after all the re- he said. turns were in, and was feeling good Living in a small part of the 17th about his party. “We are a united party district, Cleaveland said for starters, going into this election,” he people in Roanoke City and said. Roanoke County will have an Election Cleaveland now takes on opportunity to get to know him: Democrat Gwen Mason in the “I’ve been in the valley 30 years general election November 3. They but a lot of people haven’t had a chance met at her house as he campaigned to deal with me. I’m conservative from door to door in South Roanoke and top to bottom, socially and fiscally. My had a “cordial conversation,” according opponent has some differences with to Cleaveland. “I think we both under- regard to those issues,” he said. Concerning the five-way primary stand that we’re going to have a very

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race with fellow Republicans, Cleaveland said, “we’re all starting from a pretty conservative base. What we ended up talking about is experience and where we came from.” Josh Johnson came in fourth place, behind Cleaveland, Head and Wray. At 30 years old, Johnson said he might run for public office again, under the right circumstances. “I’m just proud of all the people that have been so supportive. We left it all out on the field. That’s all you can ask. I think Bill’s going to > CONTINUED P2: Election

[ ] Waybright Will Oppose “A River Runs Through It …in Salem” Flora in Hollins District Healing Waters

Stephanie Koehler

Bright Lights

P4– Stephanie Koehler explains her love affair with the fireflies of summer.

Well Deserved P6– Deedie Kagey retires with many accomplishments after 41 years with the Roanoke County school system.

Republican incumbent Richard Flora will have opposition for his Board of Supervisors seat in the Hollins District of Roanoke CounCharlene ty after all. The county’s Waybright Democratic party has recruited Charlene Waybright, a Carilion Labs technologist and clinical scientist who pledged to “listen to the concerns of citizens.” Waybright, 41, supports the new fitness center being built in the Hollins District and said earlier this week she would like to see improvements made to the crowded public library branch on Peters Creek Road. A Roanoke College graduate who has twice been elected to the presidency of a Virginia trade association, Waybright has taken issue with Flora’s part time

DRI Says Downtown Roanoke is Alive and Growing

DRI Board Chair Cal Johnson welcomes attendees.

Despite the hasty and unexplained exit of former Downtown Roanoke Incorporated (DRI) president Bill Carder several months ago, DRI officers exuded plenty of confidence at last week’s 49th annual meeting for members and guests. The session was held at a venue DRI that gives DRI one reason for confidence – the new Taubman Museum of Art. The growing number of cultural offerings, the development of downtown living spaces and a comeback by retailers, perhaps drawn to that new wave of residents, has also

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Photo by Wade Thompson

Johnny Rowland holds up a large catfish caught by Carl, a Vet who served at Ft. Gordon in Georgia until 1966.

I

n his book, “A River Runs Through It,” Norman Maclean probably wasn’t thinking much about the VA Medical Center in Salem when he wrote the following: “I am haunted by waters. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.” Just like Maclean experienced in Montana - the joys of fly-fishing intertwined with the > CONTINUED P2: Healing Waters

> CONTINUED P3: Waybright

> CONTINUED P3: Downtown Roanoke

Old Warriors Gather Again For D-Day Anniversary In spite of financial difficulties 65th anniversary is well attended

First’s Second P11– Star-Sentinel columnist Fred First publishes his second book of essays in his “Slow Road Home” series.

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Veterans of the fateful campaign joined thousands of others as the National D-Day memorial in Bedford held a 65th anniversary observance Saturday. The 29th Army Division Band played, and speaker after speaker came to the podium, reading the words written by D-day veterans, which were eyewitness accounts of the Allied landing at Normandy, France, in 1944. Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Roanoke) remembered a day more than a decade ago, when the idea for a National D-Day Memorial in Bedford took hold. “[On] the 53rd anniversary of D-Day, the land this memorial stands upon, was set apart from common use in a solemn service of consecration,” Goodlatte said. National D-Day Memorial Foundation president William McIntosh noted that fewer and fewer veterans are still alive, or able to attend observances at the site, built in Bedford because it reportedly had the highest number of percapita losses on D-Day of any locality in America. From the shadow of the commanding “Overlord” arch, (named for the operation’s code name) Bedford area Delegate

Photo by Gene Marrano

Thousands gathered under the Overlord Arch for a 65th anniversary remembrance. Lacey Putney spoke the words of Presi- a radio audience on D-Day. Churchill’s dent Franklin D. Roosevelt: “they fight words were repeated by author Alex not for the lust of conquest, they fight to Kershaw. “The Bedford Boys,” Kershaw’s end conquest. They fight to liberate, they book is being made into a movie. yearn but for the end of battle “There is a brotherhood and a return to the haven of of arms between us and our D-Day Memorial home.” friends in the United States,” “Complete unity prevails said Churchill/Kershaw. throughout the Allied army,” British Richard Howell recited the account of Prime Minister Winston Churchill told Private A. Baker, who wound up on Gold

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Beach in Normandy: “if you could make it to the wall you were safe for a time at least, from enemy fire, but so many of our fine young men did not make it.” Before and after the proceedings, DDay veterans gathered in groups or reacquainted themselves with men they may not have seen since June 6, 1944. M.H. Green was on the U.S. Rich that day as a Navy seaman. He still vividly remembers “men getting blown out of the water …black smoke, and the smell, a torpedo going under [the ship] that night, a whole lot.” After the solemn ceremony, McIntosh asked those present (estimated at some 4,000) to recognize the D-Day veterans in attendance; many had not seen each other for decades, or since D-Day, and came to Bedford from all corners of the country. Roanoke resident and D-Day veteran Bob Slaughter was among those who took part in a wreath-laying ceremony; Slaughter is widely credited with getting the project off the ground. A move to have the memorial placed under the auspices of the National Park Service is afoot, due to debt associated with the Foundation’s annual operating costs of $2 million-plus.

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Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 6/12/09 - 6/18/09

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> Election From page 1

Rain showers will taper off as the front passes through. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Friday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms with a low around 63.

Partly sunny, with a high around 84. Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with lows in the mid 60’s.

Photo by Gene Marrano

Bill Cleaveland is flanked at podium by Morgan Griffith (left) and William Fralin (right).

do a fine job. He ran a good campaign.” Fralin, leaving the General Assembly A chance of showers and thunder- due to pressing professional issues, had storms. Mostly cloudy, with a high several pieces of advice for Cleaveland as near 80. Chance of precipitation is he campaigns against Mason: “do what he 30%. Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, did in the primary. Work hard … and use your personality to your advantage.” with a low around 65. Fralin said constituents want, “the ability to feel like they have an impact on your thinking. You have to communicate with them. Bill is an excellent communicator.” Elswick gives McNamara boot in Southwest County: Buoyed by strong support in his own Bent Mountain neighborhood and nearby &''()*+(,-'. Back Creek, retired engineer Ed Elswick /0''123 did in a Republican primary what DemoStop In Food Stores...Fast, crat friendly and Convenient Steve Noble couldn’t four years ago: Stop In Food Stores...Fast, friendly and Convenient!"#$% he bested Windsor Hills supervisor Joe McNamara, who will be leaving the board 2.99 after 12 years. Elswick topped the three Pet Milk term incumbent in Tuesday’s primary by 2.99 Oscar Mayer Jumbo Hot Dog, 24 votes and with no other opposition at Frito Lay Chips and 32 oz. this point, appears to be ready to take his Pet fountain drink place on the Nature’s Board of Supervisors next Milk Own Gallons January. Bread Elswick, whose daughter and a neighbor 2 for ran his campaign, seemed mildly shocked $7.00

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to have won. “A friend of mine told me Kay Moore and Karen Scott ran ElsMr. McNamara always comes through at wick’s campaign; Scott is the daughter of the last minute. I was kind of anticipat- one-time U.S. Senate candidate Darrell ing that he might.” But Elswick felt good Branstetter. “We listened to the people,” about what voters had told him, includ- said Scott, “that was the main thing.” ing opposition to the recreation center in Added Moore: “those [constituents] were North County that McNamara approved not happy.” borrowing the money for. “I want people Ware Easily Carries 11th District – to be able to vote on any bond issue.” Garrett Takes Sheriff ’s Race: As widely Elswick promised to be a better stew- expected, 11th District Delegate Onzlee ard of the taxpayers’ money when he gets Ware easily turned back a challenge from to the board. “We want to fellow Democrat Martin manage people’s dollars Jeffrey in Tuesday’s priand spend those dollars mary. Jeffrey chose to fothe way they want - no cus on what he said were frivolous projects that irregularities in the signamay or may not generate tures Ware had filed in orincome.” He would rather der to run in the primary. see money go towards He also accused Ware of more natural parks and questionable spending projects. in regards to campaign McNamara arrived late money collected in the to a GOP election night past. Ware more than affair at Hotel Roanoke, doubled Jeffrey’s vote toand was philosophical tal on Tuesday. Ware now about his loss. “In a prifaces off against Republimary anything can hapcan Troy Bird in Novempen. They didn’t vote my ber. Photo by Gene Marrano way. I’m just appreciative Ed Elswick wins GOP slot in For the second straight of having the opportutime a deputy sheriff in Windsor Hills. nity to serve the people Roanoke City will face of Windsor Hills for 12 off against their boss in years.” the general election, after Frank Garrett Charged by some with being aloof and III easily beat Joe Bush for the Democrat disconnected from his constituents, the nomination. Garrett will now face Repubincumbent three-term supervisor (also lican incumbent Octavia Johnson – who the owner of Katie’s Ice Cream) said he bested then sheriff George McMillan, was, “perfectly satisfied with the cam- her superior, in 2005. Independent Brian paign that I ran. I have no regrets. A Keenum is also in the Sheriff ’s race. Johnwhole lot of fun …and service.” McNa- son’s management style has been a major mara noted that voters turned out in Bent campaign issue. Mountain for Elswick – but not for him By Gene Marrano closer to home in Castle Rock. gmarrano@cox.net

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“Whether you can see a Vet’s injury on the outside or not, all you see out here when they have a rod in their hand is a smile on their face,” said Rowland, who started the program a year ago in conjunction with Mary Kay Brumfield, Ann Benois, Cathy Filicky and Tim Lovelace, of the VA Medical Center. This same complex in Salem, which President Franklin D. Roosevelt personally dedicated nearly 75 years ago, encompasses 223 sprawling acres. Benois and Rowland agreed that two large ponds on the grounds were ideal for this type of a program, where the veterans could test their newly learned fly tying and line-casting skills on a body of water already stocked with fish. With the right people in place, participation has been phenomenal. “There’s no problem getting them to participate on Mondays when the Healing Waters folks come, that’s for sure,” said Benois. Nationally, the program has seen positive results for veterans who have been participating since it was started in 2005. Benefits include re-igniting

Photo by Wade Thompson

Jerry, a patient at the VA Medical Center in Salem, shows off the woolly bugger fly he tied himself next to his Airborne service pin to the left. long lost passions, reducing depression and increasing self-confidence. With so much success so far, what could be in store moving forward? Since in-patient care for these veterans is usually limited to four to six weeks, Rowland would love to work with the VA again, to create an additional program where those discharged would be able to continue meeting offsite. Healing Waters is allowing

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6/12/09 - 6/18/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3

Meals on Wheels - a Lifeline for Seniors

Photo by Gene Marrano

Creigh Deeds greets potential voters at Fork in the City.

Deeds’ Final Push Pays Off in Roanoke Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran all made last minute stops in Roanoke last weekend, looking to sew up the Democrat nomination for governor that Deeds won with relative ease in Tuesday’s primary. McAuliffe canvassed Roanoke voters by phone on Sunday, while later that day Moran promised to “stand up for the little guy,� if elected. Roanoke State Senator John Edwards introduced Moran outside the Dumas Center but said afterwards that he was not endorsing any Democrat before the primary. Edwards showed up again at Fork in the City on Monday, when Deeds stopped by to press the flesh and make a short, televised speech. “Creigh will be an outstanding governor,� said Roanoke County sheriff Gerald Holt in welcoming Deeds to the podium. Fork in the City owner David Trinkle, also a Roanoke City Council member, called the election of Deeds this November – assuming he beats Republican nominee

Bob McDonnell – “a great opportunity for the State of Virginia‌he’s a great friend of southwest Virginia.â€? Deeds, a soft-spoken Bath County native, noted that, “there were lots of people that said a nice guy can’t finish first.â€? A rush of last minute newspaper endorsements and television advertising helped Deeds break away from the pack in the final few weeks. “My opponents haven’t proved their electability to anything, frankly. I’ve got the best plan to move Virginia forward.â€? His narrow loss to McDonnell in the attorney general’s race four years ago is another source of confidence: “I lost that campaign by 360 votes, but I proved ‌ I could win a statewide election [and] I could beat Bob McDonnell. I was outspent 2-to-1.â€? Deeds said Virginia was more Republican in 2005 than it is now, furthering bolstering his chances in November. Much like McDonnell, who has promised to be the “Jobs Governorâ€?, Deeds said he

wanted to offer “hope� to voters this November: “we can continue to build prosperity in every part of Virginia.� Governor Tim Kaine, who did not endorse any of the three contenders, weighed in after the primary: “Creigh Deeds is the best candidate to continue the work begun by my administration — and the Warner administration before ours — while positioning us for future achievements.� Kaine called the current State Senator a consensus builder in the General Assembly. “I have no doubt [he] will work in a bipartisan way to keep building on the progress we’ve made.� Deeds was confident during his stop in Roanoke that Moran and McAuliffe supporters would enter the fold after Tuesday’s primary. “We are one party – we will come together. We’ll figure it out.� By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

> Waybright From page 1

job as Craig County’s administrator, questioning whether the retired Roanoke County school administrator has enough time for his supervisors role in Hollins. “It’s a split focus and he’s not going to be able to give all the attention that the citizens of the Hollins District need,� Waybright said. With Waybright’s announcement, all three magisterial district seats in Roanoke County up for election this November have some form of opposition. Democrat Patrick Patterson will challenge incumbent Republican Mike Altizer in the Vinton District; Ed Elswick defeated incumbent Republican Joseph McNamara (Windsor Hills) in Tuesday’s primary, although

no Democrat challenger has stepped forward to run in November. Despite her support, Waybright criticizes the new multigen recreation center for building an indoor pool that is too short that won’t allow certain swim meets to be held there. She believes the county should have spent a little bit more to build a competition pool. “All it needed to be was a couple of feet longer.� Waybright said while referring to herself as a fiscal conservative. “I do the budget at home,� she chuckled. Some, like McNamara, did not support the $30 million new recreation center when it came up for a vote on financing, but Waybright said she was “happy that they recognize

North County and put something [here].â€? She also takes exception to Flora’s attendance record at board meetings, saying he has missed too many. If elected she pledged to be, “someone that’s going to be there to cast votes‌ so you know where they are on the issues.â€? Waybright alleges Flora missed recent board meetings on the controversial asphalt plant in Glenvar that ultimately never came to be. “Conveniently absent,â€? she said of Richard Flora’s track record, “things don’t seem right there.â€?

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

> Downtown Roanoke From page 1

spawned optimism. The impending renovation of the city market food court building also bolsters the optimism of people like Douglas Waters, treasurer and interim president. Waters said downtown living was “the holy grail,� when he first got involved with DRI about 20 years ago. In the past few years, said the retired banker, “people are moving down here in large numbers.� He pegs that total at 500 or more and has lived downtown with his wife for the past three years. “We’ve loved it from the start and love it better now.� The Taubman “adds to the electricity,� said Waters, who expected a first report back within the next few days from the firm assisting in the search for a new president. “Our search committee will begin to review that report.� Waters wants a well-rounded leader who can “build relationships� with the city of Roanoke and private concerns, including downtown vendors. DRI manages the Farmer’s Market. After Carder’s abrupt departure, some vendors complained that he didn’t spend enough time dealing with them. As for a new city manager, Waters feels he/she should come from a locality with some type of downtown development organization. “I would hope they are experienced in knowing what an organization like DRI can do for a community.� Waters said DRI’s

relationship with Darlene Burcham (in attendance a day after “retiring�) was “excellent.� Among the items highlighted by Waters during his brief remarks were: a new downtown residents association, gift certificates good at a number of downtown retailers and a parking task force due to make a report by the end of the year. DRI Board Chairman Cal Johnson, (YMCA of Roanoke Valley) said things “are going very well. Doug has brought more than stable leadership. He’s brought the organization forward. We’re excited about Photo by Gene Marrano where we are right now.� Stakeholders and invited Johnson was personally “thrilled� when city council guests meet at the Taubman identified the market building Museum. as its top capital project priority. “We want to work with the and help Roanoke businesses,� city and the other stakeholders Anderson said. Keynote remarks at the DRI to make that a reality. We all annual meeting came from Adneed to work together.� vance Auto Parts Chair Darren “There’s a renaissance going on downtown,� said Johnson. Jackson, who is based in Min“The museum has brought a nesota, not at the company’s new energy. We have an in- headquarter (Roanoke) office. Jackson pledged that the Roacredible downtown.� Sponsor Hounds, which noke location remains an “intepromotes events downtown, gral part� of the automotive afis bullish on Roanoke. “We’re termarket distributor’s future. The Taubman Museum of very excited about downtown,� said Waynette Anderson, not- Art, the Wilson Hughes Gallery, ing the large turnout for the the Hancock Building, Fork in pet-friendly “WoofStock� at the City, the Landmark BuildElmwood Park a week earlier, ing and the Davidson’s building almost double last year’s atten- were given the “Golden Trowel� dance. Other Sponsor Hound awards for their recent contrievents have been held at the butions to downtown development. Civic Center. By Gene Marrano “All of the people that come gmarrano@cox.net to that also come downtown

Meals on Wheels (MOW) has been known for delivering nutritious meals to the homebound and elderly for many years. But the program is really much more than that, says Michelle Daley, Director of Nutrition Programs for the Local Office on Aging in Roanoke. The “Lets Do Lunch� annual fundraiser, to be held Friday, helps fund the local LOA program. Beginning in Great Britain during World War II, MOW is a nationwide meal delivery program. Philadelphia started a home-delivered program in January of 1954, followed by Columbus, Ohio and Rochester, New York. In addition to delivering meals, volunteers in the Roanoke area program also deliver Ensure (a nutritional supplement drink) and pet food. MOW also offers nutritional counseling. When a recipient isn’t home - but should be - the volunteer can alert MOW staff members, who try to reach that person, or an emergency contact to be sure the recipient is safe. Daley calls this a wellbeing check. “Because they go out on their routes, [drivers] see people who really need service and this creates dedicated volunteers,� she said. The program allows 630 recipients in Virginia’s Fifth Planning District to stay in their own homes as long as they can, according to Daley. There are 25 agencies in Virginia, like the League of Older Americans, all serving meals to the elderly. Roanoke City and Roanoke County represent “the biggest chunk� of the meals delivery program in the Fifth District. The operation requires 300 volunteers, with some 42 more volunteers needed per day. “I’ve been here 12 years and we’ve never had enough volunteers to cover every route every day,� Daley said. Some local MOW sites are short 2-3 volunteers a day. When short on volunteers, MOW staff members pitch in to deliver meals. The program relies mostly on retirees, but also receives help from stay-at-

home parents, church and civic groups and The Kiwanis Club of Roanoke. Local businesses, including Erie Insurance, Long and Foster and Atlantic Mutual have sent volunteers to deliver food, giving their employees an extended lunch hour. It’s a winwin situation where volunteers Volunteer Whitney Dobbins leave with a sense of satisfac- with Meals on Wheels recipition, said Daley, having spent ent Irene Metz. a few minutes talking with the homebound elderly. “Let’s Do Lunch,� held annuMOW will accommodate ally during the second week in all volunteer schedules, from June, is a substantial fundraiser working once a month to deliv- for LOA. Money also comes ering 2-3 times a week. Some from federal, state and local drivers have made themselves governments, donations and available to substitute when the United Way. there are openings on routes. “Even after ‘Let’s Do Lunch,’ The meals arrive every morn- people can still donate any ing from Canteen in coolers time,� Daley said. and hot boxes. Volunteers carProspective volunteer drivry the food from the car to the ers, and those wanting to make recipients’ homes in baskets, donations to MOW, may conshe said, to protect their hands tact Michelle Daley at 345from the heat. 0451, or mdaley@loaa.org. Volunteers may enjoy devel- Visit www.loaa.org for more oping a personal relationship information with clients over time. In many cases, the MOW volunteer is the only person a recipient will By Joan Kastner see during the typical day. info@theroanokestar.com

Roanoke Star of the Week

Dr. Deborah Mowery grew up in Elgin, Oregon. After graduating high school in 1980 she went to Eastern Oregon University where she graduated summa cum laude in 1985. She then went to medical school at Eastern Va. Medical School in Norfolk, Va., graduating in 1989. After completing a 4 year residency in rehab medicine she went to Kansas, and later came to Lewis Gale Dr. Deborah Mowery Hospital in 2000 as Medical Director of Rehab. She and her husband, John, have 3 girls and one boy ranging in ages from 7-15. They make their home in Botetourt County. Deborah’s favorite places are Wasena Park, Waldron Park, and the various greenways in the Roanoke Valley. Favorite restaurants are Alejandros, Outback Steak House, and Stevens. Have someone in mind for “Roanoke Star of the Week?� E-mail Jim Bullington: JBullPhoto@Hotmail.com

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Perspective

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Waiting for Fireflies

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t’s that time again. Time for the fireflies to arrive. Every year I find myself anxiously anticipating the first sighting and last week --- there it was – the first firefly of the season. All was right with the world. I have a funny relationship with these magical little creatures. I find them so fascinating. I always have. For some strange reason, memories of my childhood are few and far between – so the ones I have are special. Perhaps one of the most vivid memories is of visiting my grandmother in Oklahoma during summer vacations. It was my mother’s childhood home (or should I say dairy farm) – but by the time I was old enough to remember, the farm had been converted into a golf course. My grandmother

lived on the back of the property in a small white house that had been converted from one of the barns. It had a big back porch, a screen door to slam and lots of room to run. I recall the rough, dry grass tickling my feet and I remember laughing. I remember chigger bites on my ankles and the smell of the cedar trees. I remember red clay soil and July 4th fireworks. But most of all, I remember running with my sister in fields -- Mason jars in hand – determined to catch fireflies. And we always did. I was never one of those kids who wanted to squish these wonderful little creatures and use their glowing insides for war paint. No, I was the one who lovingly poked holes in the top of a jar that I had filled with

grass, hoping they would fireflies and have tried to feel at home. Their capexplain the phenomenon tivity was typically short to those who have never lived – as I quickly deterseen such a thing. I have mined they “light up” less watched children and frequently when confined adults react with the same to a jar. Even as a child, excitement when they see I understood that we all one for the first time. It’s shine brighter and more the funniest thing. frequently when we are Yes, all this nostalgia free to live in our natural Stephanie Koehler has a point. surroundings. So, I’d let I met someone recentthem go. ly who described me as a In the years since, my fascination firefly. To me, it was the highest form with these wonderful bugs has never of praise imaginable – and it made waned. I have spent hours sitting me think. on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay I too, know people I would characmesmerized by the trees as they flash terize as fireflies. People who go unon and off as if they were filled with noticed in the glare of sunlight – but tiny white blinking Christmas lights. given the right circumstances, they I have lived in places that have no give off a spectacular glow. They are

The Joy of Still Livin’ in Roanoke

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henever I run into him on the trails of Mill Mountain we chat for a few minutes. I admire his old dog. We let our conversation run its course like a brief rain shower. “See you around, George”, I say as I continue on my way. I attended elementary school with George, and while I don’t keep up with him in an active sense I nonetheless feel a special kinship and affection towards him. And when we do happen to meet it’s as if we never parted. The neat thing is, I have a similar relationship with many other people, and it’s mostly because I still live in good ol’ Roanoke, the town in which I was born. I love this town. My greatgrandparents arrived here on horseback a long time ago and planted the roots that nurture me today. Beyond the natural beauty and the ideal climate here, it’s the people –acquaintances, friends, and familythat make the Roanoke Valley home. A nice-sized city, Roanoke is small enough so that it’s not hard to keep up with old acquaintances, if not directly then “through the grapevine.” The conversation goes like this: “Oh, I’m doing fine. I

heard about such-and-such. You know, I keep up with you through so-and-so.” It happens all the time, and it’s a delight. I first met many of the acquaintances to which I refer in the public school system of Roanoke City. I was in my “formative years” as they say, (although I’m still not fully formed), and as such some of the memories really stuck. And since many of us are still in Roanoke, the delightful opportunity to spark old memories to the surface comes frequently. And, as you know, one tends to remember the good things more clearly than the bad. Not long ago I ran into a store on a quick mission and ran into Byron, an old high school friend whom I hadn’t seen in many years. We both burst out laughing, feeling a mutual delight in the unexpected meeting, funny memories jarred loose in mere nanoseconds. Continuing to live in the city in which one grew up is not without its hazards. Ones childhood cannot be escaped, for instance. There are too many folks around who witnessed it. There are those embarrassing moments from which one can never quite

get away, and such display puts my fears moments mostly of remembered adoseem to involve lescent awkwardness former love interto rest. ests. Oh well, you This phenomenon have to laugh. of life-long acquainMy childhood tances is especially has been continuapparent in a generaally revisited in tion or two back. My part due to my parents, for instance, own children atwere both born and John W. Robinson tending the same raised in Roanoke, schools which and at their 50th I did, and that includes the wedding anniversary party same elementary, middle and a few years ago most of the high schools. What’s more, dozen or so friends attending there are quite a few friends had known one or both of my and acquaintances of mine parents since they were six or whose children also go to seven years old. Amazing. these same schools. And some Speaking of older folks, as of my kid’s best friends are one goes through life, differoffspring of my own friends. ence in ages is not as much Wow, this is getting compli- of an issue as it was when in cated. Anyway, it does my school. I mean, when I was heart good to see my sons be at Miss Gin’s Kindergarten I fast friends with kids whose remember being five, and as parents I have admired since such I was not allowed to join my own childhood. the six-year-olds in a parAnd yes, I still run into girls ticular fort in the back lot. I with whom I was so enamored couldn’t wait to be six. Nowain my school days. Of course, days, if someone is within decades later, I still find them eight or ten years of my own beautiful and otherwise at- age I consider us pretty much tractive, and when in their the same. And beyond that, I presence I strive to maintain celebrate having good friends an air of dignity above my of all ages. I consider some of underlying theme of mildly my sons’ friends as my own, embarrassing stupidity. Hap- and Frank, one of my best pily, the deep kindness which fishing buddies, is a good these women consistently twenty years older than me. This phenomenon of growing up and staying in the town in which one was born, your kids going to the same schools as your friends’ kids, is apparently increasingly rare 5 6 in the United States. We live in an ever more mobile society. I’m sure that this mobility has its own inherent joys and advantages, but I don’t know 5 6 much about that. I just know how much fun this old-fashioned community can be, to meet someone out of the blue whom you haven’t seen since fourth grade, to pause on a busy day to smile and nod and remember. Count your blessings Roanoke. 1414 15 15

Local Crossword for 06/12/2009 Star~Sentinel Crossword 1

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www.CrosswordWeaver.com ACROSS

1 Central Intelligence Agency 4 Representative 7 Help 8 Unrefined metal 9 Roanoke''s Chinese sister city. Intelligence Agency 11 Pot entative 12 Brilliant 16 McDonald's "Big __" 17 Rate ed18metal Clock time East southeast 19 Chinese ke''s sister city. Find the answers online: TheRoanokeStar.com Have a clue and answer you’d like to see? email: puzzles@theroanokestar.com

By Don Waterfield

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not typically “flashy” people. Quite the opposite really. They don’t really try to shine – it’s just who they are. It’s part of their being. The source of their light is often mysterious – or at least not obvious – but they are undeniably attractive to be around. So, the next time you enjoy a cool summer drink on your back porch be sure to watch for fireflies. And likewise, as you scurry through your hectic and busy life – be sure to watch for people with similar qualities. You’ll know who they are. They are the people – like fireflies in June – you look forward to seeing and simply enjoy their existence while they are around. Contact Stephanie at stephaniekoehler@cox.net

Preacher’s Corner Why Is Complaining A Sin?

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hate spinach sandwiches," says Todd, 7. Although I admit the thought of a spinach sandwich is revolting,Todd, I'm afraid you misunderstood my question. I didn't ask for your favorite complaint, but why complaining is a sin. "If you complain, you might have to clean up more," says Lane, 7. I assume you mean your room, which is always a challenge even for many adults. "You will get into trouble because you will be fighting with your mom and dad," says Brandon, 6. "Then they will punish you. They are in charge of you, and they can do whatever they want." Complaining is not the way to win friends and influence parents. Lauren, 7, thinks the root of most complaining is jealousy: "Jealousy is a sin because you want something that someone has." Of jealousy, Erica Jong wrote, "Jealousy is all the fun you think they had." The biblical perspective is so different from our natural inclinations. Contentment in the Lord is a great gift, but the Bible goes further. Christians should rejoice with those who rejoice. Instead of having sour grapes over the success of a brother or a sister in Christ, we should be jumping for joy. Why is this so seldom the case? The lone-ranger mentality needs to be replaced with a team or a corporate mentality. Every Christian is part of a spiritual body of believers that transcends economic, cultural, racial, national and time barriers. In the Bible, this joining together is so tight it's called the body of Christ of which the Lord is the head (I Corinthians 12:27). When you're tempted to complain, think of a cake, says Sarah, 10: "God put us in particular circumstances for a reason. Everything God does is for a reason. A lot of bad things can come together to make one big, good thing. Like when you make a cake, everyContact John at thing you put in it is not always going to be good by itself." jwr77@verizon.net I've noticed that a universal ingredient for cakes is a raw egg. Unless you're a serious

body builder, a raw egg is not edible by itself. If you complain about your circumstances, you might miss out on that delicious cake God is trying to make from the raw eggs of your life. "It's right there in one verse of the Bible," says Austin, 10. "It's not right to complain about your condition because God is the one who decided to put you in that condition, and he probably has a plan for it." That certainly was the case with the Israelites whom God delivered from slavery in Egypt. God planned to bring his people through the wilderness into a land flowing with milk and honey. But they angered God by complaining. Even though they had seen God part the Red Sea miraculously and destroy Egypt's elite troops, they quickly forgot God's just-in-time deliverance. God has been in the just-in-time business long before corporate executives conceived of minimizing their inventories with timely deliveries just before products are assembled. Because of their complaining and disbelief, the Red Sea generation wandered in the desert for 40 years until they all died. They missed out on the wonderful things God had in store for them. The notable exceptions were Joshua and Caleb who brought back a positive report of the land God had promised. "Complaining about your circumstances is a sin because you don't give God a chance," says Fran, 8. Think about this: There are giants to conquer in the land of God's abundance. One of the biggest giants is complaining about circumstances. Memorize this truth: "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless children of God" (Philippians 2:14-15). Ask this question: Will you give God an opportunity to work on your behalf by trusting him, or miss out on his provision by complaining?

By Carey Kinsolving info@theroanokestar.com

The Roanoke Star-Sentinel

1 California (abbr.) C o m mu n i t y | N ew s | Pe r s p e c t i ve 2 Roman three 540-400-0990 DOWN 3 Secondary addition Publisher | Stuart Revercomb | stuart@theroanokestar.com 4 The valley the Cherokees say Features Editor | Pam Rickard | pam@theroanokestar.com News Editor | Gene Marrano | gmarrano@cox.net their ''happy hunting California (abbr.) 1 was Production Editor | Stephen Nelson | stephen@theroanokestar.com ground'' Technical Webmaster | Don Waterfield | webmaster@theroanokestar.com Roman three 25 White-tailed sea eagle Advertising Director | Vickie Henderson | advertising@theroanokestar.com Wooden leg 6 3 Secondary addition The Roanoke Star-Sentinel is a proud Media Partner with WSLS 10 10 Anger Roanoke Star-Sentinel is published weekly by Whisper One Media, Inc. in Roanoke,Va. Subscriptions are available The valley the CherokeesThesay 4 Elf 12 for $44 per year. Send subscriptions to PO Box 8338, Roanoke,VA 24014. We encourage letters from our readers on 13 Vapor topics of general interest to the community and responses to our articles and columns. Letters must be signed and have was their ''happy hunting a telephone number for verification. All letters will be verified before publication.The Star-Sentinel reserves the right to 14 Highs deny publication of any letter and edit letters for length, content and style. ground'' 15 That girl All real estate advertised herein is subject to national and Virginia fair housing laws and readers are hereby informed

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that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Perspective

6/12/09 - 6/18/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

TheRoanokeStar.com

General Assembly Continues to Honoring the Bedford Boys Help Crooks Steal Your Identity

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he Virginia General Assembly downloaded 22,000 Social Security passed a law in 2007 requirnumbers off the Internet from home, ing that certain public records and has access to millions more. be posted online, even those containAlthough the General Assembly ing your Social Security number, date passed a law requiring the sensitive of birth, signature, or other sensitive information be blacked out on docuinformation. Yes, in the age where ments, it didn’t take effect because identity theft is rampant and destroythe legislators didn’t take it seriously ing credit records and lives, a majority enough to appropriate the needed of our elected officials decided to make money to pay for the time and labor it much easier for your identity to be for court clerks to do it. Instead, stolen. legislators went after the messenger Brian Gottstein Then, in 2008, the General Assemand passed a ridiculous and unconbly passed a law to muzzle the woman who has stitutional law to stop Ostergren from posting tried to stop the government from posting this in- their personal information online by making it formation on the Internet. When most legislators illegal for anyone to disseminate Social Security wouldn’t listen to her warnings about the dangers numbers from public records (but its okay for the of this insanity, Betty "B.J." Ostergren decided to government to do it). The law didn’t do much to post THEIR Social Security numbers and other stop the criminals (they don’t care about violating information on her Web site, TheVirginiaWatch- the law), but it certainly stopped our free speech dog.com. They didn’t like that, so they made it rights. illegal for her (and any private citizen) to disOstergren challenged the law on First Amendseminate this information on the Internet, even ment grounds and a U.S. district court judge though the government disseminates it on its own struck it down last week. Web sites. Huh?? That means she can continue to post legislators’ Last week, with the assistance of the Virginia personal information on her Web site without inACLU, she won her case against the state, and the terference (did I mention the address is TheVirmuzzle is back off. giniaWatchdog.com?) She told me this week she A little background: Court records such as plans to keep doing it until the General Assemdeeds, mortgages, tax liens, powers of attorney, bly finally relents and passes a law – and the acwills, and divorce decrees have always been avail- companying funding – for court clerks to redact able as a matter of public record, but seeing them sensitive information. Until then, Virginians will required going to the courthouse in person and remain at great risk for identity theft. looking them up. Since the General Assembly Our legislators have been putting off doing the mandated all court clerks put certain records on- right thing for too long – and for no good reason. line, it created a goldmine for scammers and iden- Make sure your Delegate and Senator are spontity thieves to easily pull Social Security numbers soring legislation to take care of this problem and copies of signatures off the Internet by the when the General Assembly reconvenes in Januthousands. These records can also contain dates ary. If they aren’t, make sure they know they won’t of birth, mothers’ maiden names, minor children's ever get your vote again. names, and financial account numbers. Contact Brian at To demonstrate how easy the government bgottstein1@yahoo.com made it for criminals, Ostergren has personally

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

Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag My daughter made this at her wonderful school, Grandin Court Elementary. She was so excited when she came home. She told me, “I know how to make ice cream in a bag and I can do it all by myself.” She wanted to show me so she got out all the ingredients and began the process. I asked, “How much sugar do you need?” She said, “About this much,” and held out her fingers. I laughed, “WOW, that is precise. Do you want me to look on the internet for the actual amount?” She said, “NO, I am doing this myself.” So I gave her that freedom. I could see that for her it was like she was performing a magic trick for me. She was making something so great and delicious from a bunch of separate elements that are wonderful on their own, yet they are just that - separate elements on their own - just ice, milk, and sugar but put them together and they are ICE CREAM!!!! Maddie felt the wonder of the artist that creates – the chef who puts simple ingredients together and makes something superb, the writer who puts simple words together and makes something beautiful, the artist who puts simple colors together and makes something breathtaking. Creating something is often like discovering magic, but to a young, free and pure mind it is like coming across a portal to a hidden beautiful world. I smiled when I watched her being so tenacious and passionate about her little bag of ice cream in the making. It is a miracle to watch the creative power of children at work and to know the greatest thing about that power is where it comes from - the great Creator that puts trees and rivers together and sinew and bones and synapses together and creates life. I am sure a God who loves us that much must be so overjoyed to watch our creative power at work. Maybe that is why He has kept us around so long - because He loves to watch little children making bag ice cream for their mothers. I get the sense He loves to watch His big children working for His honor as well, creating the bigger bags of ice cream for the people all around them. 1 Tbsp Sugar 1/2 Cup Half-n-Half 1/4 tsp Vanilla 1/2 Cup Rock Salt Ice 1 Pint Size Ziploc Bag 1 Gallon Size Ziploc Bag -Combine the sugar, half-n-half, and vanilla in the pint size ziploc bag and seal tightly.

-Combine the ice and rock salt in the large ziploc bag. -Place the small bag inside of the larger bag and seal. -Shake the bag until the mixture turns into ice cream (This may take up to 15 minutes.) -Add sprinkles, candy, nuts, or fruit and enjoy! Try adding cocoa to make chocolate flavor! See what happens when you add other flavors!

REENACTMENT OF THE 1909 GREAT RACE

June 14 - July 12, 2009 New York City to Seattle, Washington

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cross a vast ocean, 11 boys from Bedford, Virginia are buried overlooking the windswept beaches of Normandy. Bedford lost 19 during the D-Day liberation… the greatest proportional loss suffered by a single town on that day. In words inscribed on the wall of a chapel that lies amidst the rows of crosses we are given the following charge: “Think not only upon their passing. Remember the glory of their spirit.” As we commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Allied landing at Normandy we remember their sacrifice and honor their lives which were tragically cut so short. Courage, honor and loyalty -- these are the threads of the American fabric. And these are the qualities these fine young soldiers so nobly exemplified. This week I had the privilege of attending a special screening of the new documentary “Bedford: The Town They Left Behind”. It was an amazing tribute to those brave young men from Bedford who sacrificed their lives to protect the freedoms we hold so very dear and a community that pulled together in the ultimate display of resilience. We, the beneficiaries of this seemingly endless stream of valor, often fall short in our efforts to commemorate those who bought with blood the freedom that is our birthright. But try we must… for theirs is a noble story… full of sacrifice for a cause greater than one’s self and so on this special occasion of the 65th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy I would like to encourage folks to visit the National D-Day Memorial located in Bedford. This memorial serves as a place to

honor and remember not just honor, our respect and our the famed Bedford Boys but appreciation. From the earliall our brave men who played est days of our nation, Amera role in the largest single- ican patriots have served the day amphibitwin causes of ous invasion freedom and Rep. Bob Goodlatte of all time. justice whenWhile we ever our nagather this week to honor our tion has asked it of them. brave veterans of the past, it On June 6, 1944, over is also important to remem- 150,000 service members ber our active duty military landed on the beaches of who are heroically serving Normandy with the assisour country today. Dan- tance of over 5,000 ships and iel Webster once said, "God 11,000 airplanes. The Allied grants liberty only to those forces suffered nearly 10,000 who love it and are always casualties before the invaready to guard and defend sion was complete. Today it." From the Army, the Air we are grateful for the sacForce, the Navy, the Marines, rifices made by these brave to the Coast Guard, Webster men who so nobly defended was speaking of the patriots our nation on foreign soil who have put their lives on and allowed us to enjoy the the line for our nation. These freedoms and liberties of our noble individuals deserve our great country.

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Focus on Education

Deedie Kagey Retires with Many Accomplishments After 41 Years

Cave Spring seniors line up in preparation to receive their diplomas on Tuesday.

Roanoke County Schools Graduate With High Hopes Roanoke County high schools sent more than 1,200 seniors out into the world with four graduation ceremonies held Tuesday at the Salem

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mencements at the Roanoke Civic Center Friday. Of the 220 graduates at Cave Spring High School, 12% were valedictorians, with GPA’s of 4.0 or higher, and several student speakers were typically optimistic about the future. “The final buzzer has sounded [and] the tickets have been bought for the next leg of the journey,” said departing senior Parker Vascik. “Our lives are gaining momentum.” Fellow graduate and valedictorian Kathryn Lawryszek added, “[There is] monumental potential that resides in each one of us...why can’t we be the next ‘Greatest Generation?’” “[This class is] already establishing itself as a vital pillar of the community, ” Lawryszek said as she listed the number of community service projects the Class of 2009 had completed over the past four years. Cave Spring principal Steve Spangler called graduation, “a milestone no one can ever take away. [High school] has prepared you for what’s to come in many ways.” By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Shortly after the final bell of this school year, Dr. Deedie Kagey will end a 41-year career as a teacher and administrator, the last 10 spent as Bonsack Elementary School’s principal. “I agonized for three months before making a definite decision to retire,” said Kagey. Kagey taught for 20 years prior to moving into administration as Assistant Principal at Penn Forest Elementary in 1988. She was promoted to principal at Roland E. Cook Elementary in 1994. She is the only elementary school principal in Roanoke County holding a Doctorate Degree and could have advanced to a higher position, but her passion remained with children at the elementary school level. In 1998, Kagey was approached by the central office, which offered two opportunities - Director of Personnel, or serving Bonsack Elementary as its first principal. Her choice was to be a part of opening Roanoke County’s newest elementary school in 1999. Bonsack Elementary had a student population of 366 when its doors originally opened in August 1999. Due to population growth, a new addition was added in 2006. The current student population is 474. Under Kagey’s leadership, GreatSchools recognized Bonsack Elementary with a distinguished rating of 8 out of 10 for 2008. The school was among the few public schools in Virginia to receive the distinguished rating. GreatSchool ratings provide an overview of a school’s test performance by comparing the school’s standardized test results to other schools in the state. In addition to her responsibilities as a teacher and an administrator, over the years Kagey often had ongoing projects that occupied many of her evenings, weekends, and vacations. The historian in Kagey has a special interest in the history of Bonsack. Her research indicated that the home she purchased and moved into in 1975 had been constructed in 1836 by the Stoner (Steiner) family of German-Swiss origin, which emigrated to Bonsack from Frederick County, Maryland in the late 1700’s. The Stoners acquired most of the land comprising Bonsack and were a driving force in the growth of

the area. The Cook family purchased and occupied the home for 103 years (1872-1975). Kagey said the “house required considerable renovation.” The home is one of the oldest remaining residences in the Roanoke area. In 1981, while teaching at Hardy Road (now W.E. Cundiff) Elementary, Kagey earned her M.A.L.S. (Master of Arts in Kagey in an office she will Liberal Studies – Social Science soon vacate. Concentration). That and Past Education Chair), the same year she finished writ- Historical Resources Advisory ing, “Community at the Cross- Committee for Roanoke Counroads: A Study of the Village of ty, the Bonsack Ruritan Club Bonsack of the Roanoke Valley.” (1988-present), and the Smart The book was also used to com- Growth Task Force for Roanoke plete the requirements of her County, (2004-2005). master’s degree at Hollins ColKagey also has received at lege and was published in 1983. least ten awards and honors, inKagey was asked in the sum- cluding Who’s Who Among Top mer of 1986 by Roanoke Coun- Executives, the PTA President’s ty’s Sesquicentennial Commit- Honor Award on two separate tee to consider writing a book occasions and the Roanoke Valon the history of the county, to ley Preservation Foundation Inmemorialize its 150th anniver- dividual Education Award. sary in 1988. At the time, she With all of Kagey’s accomwas still teaching and work- plishments, it’s always been ing on her doctoral program. “about the kids.” She thinks it Kagey made the decision to sus- is important for the citizens, espend working on her doctoral pecially children, to be knowlprogram to write the book. edgeable about local history and “It took a lot of digging,” to to be proud of the area where find much of the historical in- they live. formation that was needed to Kagey now looks forward to write the book, recalls Kagey. spending more time with MonSome of it was located in the ty, her husband of three years. National Archives; it took about Her daughter, married with two six weeks to write each chap- children, lives in Sydney Auster. Roanoke County Schools tralia North Shore and Kagey gave her two semesters off, and hopes to spend a month visiting even then she spent two of her them. As the need arises, she summers working on the book, will be filling in for administrawhich was entitled, “When Past tors throughout Roanoke Counis Prologue: A History of Roa- ty. Kagey is interested in some noke County.” It was published part-time teaching, primarily in in 1988. Kagey has also given administration and educational historical lectures over the past leadership programs. Updating 20 years. “Community at the Crossroads” Kagey earned her C.A.G.S. is also on her “to do” list. (Certificate of Advanced GradKagey’s official retirement uate Studies), Educational Ad- date is June 30. Her successor is ministration in 1990. She then Melissa Jones, who has served completed her doctoral thesis, as principal at Fort Lewis Ele“A Case Study of Education in mentary School for the last two Virginia: The Roanoke County years. Public School System, 1870Having worked in the Roa1920,” noke County school system for She received her Ed.D. in 16 years, Jones began her career Educational Administration & as an instructional assistant at Supervision from Virginia Tech Back Creek Elementary. She in 1991. At the time Kagey was then accepted a teaching posiserving as Assistant Principal at tion at Green Valley Elementary Penn Forest Elementary. and later transferred to W.E. Professional and civic involve- Cundiff, working as a teacher ment over the years in more and then as Assistant Principal. than 20 organizations includes A Roanoke native, Jones graduthe Roanoke Valley Preserva- ated from Roanoke College and tion Foundation (Past President obtained her Masters Degree from the University of Virginia. Jones said that while she has “mixed emotions” about leaving Fort Lewis Elementary, she is “very happy and excited” about having been given this opportunity, which is close to her home. Her official start date as Principal at Bonsack Elementary will be July 8. “I will miss the children the most,” said Kagey, just weeks before her retirement. By Susan Ayers info@theroanokestar.com

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Send sports pictures, announcements and story ideas to info@theroanokestar.com 6/12/09 - 6/18/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

Spartans Fall to Hidden Valley; Titans Come Up Short in States Titans then turned back

The Salem Spartans and Hidden Valley Titans had already met four times this season, each matchup coming with increasing importance. In the River Ridge District girls soccer championship, the Titans soundly defeated the Spartans 3-1. But in the Region IV title game, Salem got some revenge with a victory in penalty kicks. It all made for some great drama heading into Friday evening at Radford High School, with a trip to the VHSL Group AA championship on the line. The game didn’t disappoint. Hidden Valley’s Paxton Sauerwald scored from 25-yards out with 32 seconds remaining in regulation to break a 1-1 tie and lift the Titans into the state title game for the first time since 2006. “It was a lucky shot – a prayer, no doubt about it,” Hidden Valley Head Coach Will Krause said. “When it left her foot – she even admitted this to me later – we all thought the keeper had it. But it doesn’t really matter how it goes in.” For the Spartans, Sauerwald’s miracle strike was a crushing blow to end the season. And though Salem posted a respectable 2-2-1 mark against the Ti-

tans in their five matchups, this loss might linger. “We played well against them all season, but we just couldn’t get the one that mattered most,” Spartan Coach Josh Jones said. Salem finishes with a record of 18-4-2, a terrific season that saw them repeat as Region IV champions and reach the Group AA Final Four for the second consecutive year. “I’m really proud of our girls – they had a lot of reasons to quit this year, but they didn’t,” Jones said, citing several injuries suffered by key players during the season. “Other girls came in and stepped up and helped us make it back to the [state] semis. So in that regard, it was a neat year.” Titans Overmatched in Final After dispatching of Salem on Friday evening, Hidden Valley faced another group of Spartans on Saturday at Radford University. Unfortunately, these Spartans were just too much to overcome. Broad Run extended its unbeaten streak to 48 games in the 3-0 victory over the Titans to win the VHSL Group AA championship for the second season in a row.

“They were the better team – no shame in admitting that,” Titans Coach Will Krause said. “I told their coach after the game that they play beautiful soccer, and that they have a lot of talent.” The Spartans have five players who will be suiting up for Division I programs in the fall. Even so, Hidden Valley was able to keep the game close until letting in an untimely goal moments before the end of the first half to trail 2-0. “That was certainly a tough goal to allow,” Krause said. “I kept thinking to myself that if we could get to the half only down 1-0, anything could happen.” The Titans end their season at 20-3-2, with all of their losses and ties coming to Spartans – Salem and, of course, Broad Run. “It’s been a tremendous season,” the first-year coach said. “I’m very proud of the girls, and even though we lost [in the finals], I think most of the parents and players were satisfied with how the season played out.”

On Friday afternoon, the Hidden Valley Titans girls tennis team fell to Spotswood in the quarterfinals of the Group AA state tournament 5-1 to end their season. The Titans only victory in the match came from No. 1 Kristen Harter, who a day earlier had captured the state singles title. “It was kind of unfortunate the way it played out,” Titans Coach Tommy George said. “The girls just made too many mistakes and gave up too many free points. They’re a little disappointed, but it’s a good learning experience.” For Harter, the weekend wasn’t a total loss. On Thursday, she defeated Jessica Miller from Stuarts Draft High School 6-3, 6-2 to capture the VHSL Group AA singles championship. Since losing in last year’s state final, the sophomore phenom has won 17 matches in a row. In doubles competition, Harter and her partner Whitney Walton fell to Jamestown 3-6, 4-6

in the quarterfinals. It was the first loss for the duo in a doubles match this season. Boys Fall in Epic Final The Hidden Valley boys tennis team gave it all they had – literally – to unseat Western Albermarle as the VHSL Group AA champion in a memorable match at Virginia Tech on Saturday. The Titans fell 5-4 in a team match that lasted over 6 hours when the Warriors No. 3 doubles tandem defeated Alex Wyatt and Ben Hunter of Hidden Valley in a third set tie-breaker 6-7 (7-4), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3). Seven of the nine matches went to a third set. For Western Albermarle, the victory means a third straight Group AA crown. By Matt Reeve Matt@theroanokestar.com

William Byrd Concludes Up and Down Baseball Season

Determination and heartbreak. That sums up the 2009 William Byrd High School Terriers baseball campaign. The Byrd batsmen started off the season with seven returning starters, expecting great things in the Blue Ridge District. With a four-team district (will be five next year with the inclusion of Staunton River), the Terriers spent most of the first half of the season playing non-district foes like Salem, Cave Spring and Hidden Valley locally, as well as Jefferson Forest, from outside the area. Starting off well enough, the By Matt Reeve Matt@theroanokestar.com Terriers had early year power surges from Ryan Beyel, Bradley Mattox and Jacob Clifton. However, when the second half of the season arrived, the Terriers’ bats, with the exception of outfielder Dylon Hurt, seemed The Southwest Virginia Lacrosse Association (SWVLA) to fall asleep. Meanwhile, the pitching staff was quickly beis looking for men’s and women’s lacrosse officials for coming one of the most dominant, statistically, in Byrd basehigh school and youth games in our area. ball history. Left-hander Jacob McMillan and right-hander No experience needed – free training from USLacrosse is provided. Kevin Bowles, both juniors, The game of lacrosse (men’s and women’s) is growing rapidly formed quite the 1-2 punch as in our area and we need more qualified officials! starters and senior right-hander Tyler Brown was the team’s closWhy officiate lacrosse? er, coming in and shutting the door every time he was given • Fastest growing sport in America the ball. At one point, deep into • Great exercise the season, these three pitchers • Extra money all had ERA’s less than 1.50. District play began with a win • Associate with great student athletes over Lord Botetourt and then it became hectic from there. The USLacrosse Men’s Officials Clinic will be Terriers and Northside played June 27-28 at Roanoke College. 9 innings, locked up at one run All materials will be provided and you will earn a LEVEL 1 CERTIFICATION. each when darkness fell, leaving everyone scrambling to find out Go to www.swvla.com to register for this FREE clinic. what would happen next. After verification, it was determined You must be a member of USLacrosse in order to attend the clinic – the game would be continued join USLacrosse at www.uslacrosse.org. at a later date, and not ruled a tie, as originally expected. Byrd Sign up NOW as the clinic is FREE to the first 40 registrants. then ran into trouble in the form Women’s clinic will be held later in the fall. of the Alleghany Mountaineers and their senior left-hander,

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Jacob McMillan was the Terriers ace pitcher, first team all BRD selection and Team MVP. Ryan Kessinger, who beat the Terriers twice this year, never giving up an earned run. Rain played a big factor in scheduling and with two games left in the regular season, plus the continuation game, the Terriers still had a chance to win the Blue Ridge District. But Byrd dropped a game to Lord Botetourt, giving the Cavs their only Blue Ridge District win in two years, and eliminating Byrd from any chance at a regular season championship. The loss became a motivator as the Terriers went on a six game winning streak, including three in a row over Northside, the Blue Ridge District Tournament championship game over Alleghany, the first round of the Region III tournament against Heritage at home, in a wet and wild affair, and the Region III quarterfinals against Fort Defiance. The Terriers were one win away from returning to the state tournament, but fell in the Region III semi-finals to Rustburg, ending their streak and the season at 13-10 overall.

After the season was over, (Jacob McMillan, team MVP) the Terriers received another surprise at their year-end awards banquet. After two years at the helm as skipper, Steve Sizemore resigned as head coach. With a two-year record of 29-21 and two trips to the regional tournament, Sizemore had maintained the strong Terrier baseball tradition. However, other aspirations will have him watching next year’s games from the outside rather than inside. “I want to get in administration and I’ll have to go back to school to get my Master’s to be able to do that. Whoever takes over next year will have a good solid nucleus returning,” Sizemore said. Chris Manning was a color analyst on William Byrd baseball games for Fox Radio 910am this past season and is author of the book,” One Team, One Dream.” By Chris Manning info@theroanokestar.com

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Sports

Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 6/12/09 - 6/18/09

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

Rec League Softball

Photo by Bill Turner

North Roanoke Panthers vs. South County Panthers: North Roanoke shortstop Sydney Smith fields her position.

Photo by Bill Turner

Girls 16-Under fast pitch-Williamson Road Recreation Club vs. South County Mets: WRCC hitter Taylor Guthrie waits for her pitch.

Please send us your youth league photos! E-mail to: submissions@ theroanokestar.com Photo by Bill Turner

North Roanoke hitter Alexis Hueston breaks out of the batters box after connecting for a hit.

The Yard Goes a Long Way to Help Build Local Athletes

TAP’s Annette Lewis speaks at WVEC announcement.

Education Classic Football Game Returns to Salem

The 10th Annual Western Virginia Education Classic will take place Saturday, Sept. 19 at 4 p.m., at the Salem Football Stadium. The host team will be Saint Paul's College, in a football game against Fayetteville State University. On hand for a press conference to make the announcement were Salem Mayor Randy Foley, Salem City Manager Kevin Boggess, Roanoke City Vice Mayor Sherman Lea (chair of the WVEC game), Del. Onzlee Ware, Mayor Stephanie Clark (Covington), and Saint Paul representatives William Herrington and LeRoy Bacote. Several Fayetteville alums were also in the audience. Bacote, the athletic director, noted

the football talent at Saint Paul's, which includes the 4th round draft pick for the Arizona Cardinals, Greg Toler. A $500 Lea Family Scholarship was awarded to a dropout retrieval student, currently enrolled at Virginia Western Community College. The WVEC game helps fund the effort to return dropouts to local schools. “We have retrieved over 700 dropouts as a result of our …retrieval efforts,” said Annette Lewis, Senior Vice President of Programs & Director for TAP/This Valley Works, which sponsors the game between two historically black colleges. The contest was held at Victory Stadium and Liberty University in past years.

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“If you build it, he will come…” whispered the ghostly voice to Kevin Costner in the hit movie Field of Dreams, but longtime friends Ricky Gregg and George Canale didn’t need a voice to prompt them to build their dream of an indoor instructional facility for baseball and softball. In November 2008, after nearly ten years of discussion, Gregg and Canale opened The Yard in southwest Roanoke. The 4,000 sq. ft. facility, located in the Hartwell Designs building on Starkey Road, has two pitching machines and three netted cages. Gregg and Canale met in middle school and became fast friends, competing in Cave Spring Little Leagues, then in rec. league sports. Their paths diverged after high school, with Gregg attending East Tennessee State University to study marketing, and Canale signing to play baseball at Virginia Tech. Canale began his celebrated career with the Hokies in 1983. After only three seasons he hit a record-setting 76 home runs, a record that still stands at Tech. In 1986, the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 6th round of the amateur entry draft. Canale spent three years working his way through the minor leagues and made his professional debut with the Brewers in September 1989, where he remained through the 1991 season. After leaving Milwaukee, he played several years in other organizations, including the Korea Baseball

Association. His claim to fame in brief major league appearances included hitting a rare upper deck home run at the old Yankee Stadium. After retiring from baseball, Canale and his wife Laura returned home to Roanoke and they currently live in southwest Photos by Susan Stilwell Roanoke County, where Canale Denny Tincher coaches a runs a building construction player from North Carolina. company. In addition to building homes, he is also building Tincher, who has coached travskills in many of the local base- el softball, as well as serving ball players, including several as hitting and pitching coach who have gone on to play at the at James River High School, is collegiate level. Hidden Valley’s also available for lessons. He Zach Helgeson (now at the is the father and coach of 2008 University of Maryland) is just "College Softball Player of the one of many local high school- Year", Angela Tincher, who ers who have been tutored at pitched for Virginia Tech and The Yard, which is located in is currently playing professiona former warehouse and gym- al fastpitch softball. Tincher is in Japan, but is expected to play nastics center. The Yard’s softball instruc- again for the Akron (OH) Ractional staff is distinguished ers this summer. The baseball staff is equaland features standout Andrea ly impressive, including Jon Grams who played at Roanoke Hartness, Canale’s teammate College and now is assistant at Tech. Hartness has 17 years varsity softball coach at Cave experience, including coaching Spring High School. Denny at Virginia Tech, and is now the athletic director at Cave Spring High School. Bob Mollenhauer had a five year professional career with the Oakland A's organization, and has served as a head coach at the collegiate level. He has also instructed players at the professional level including his son Dale, who currently plays for the Winston-Salem Dashes. Another son, Brent, plays for Radford University. Gregg has volunteered with youth baseball for more than 20 years, and is considered a respected coach and instrucWe Smooth Out the tor. While he has a head for Wrinkles construction materials and building supplies, his heart is 3346 Shenandoah Ave Roanoke, VA 24017 in coaching. “I just love teaching kids and 540-345-7955 seeing them improve. It’s fun to European, Asian & American Collision Repair watch them develop and go on to play in high school and beyond,” Gregg said. The Yard features four levels of membership packages, and there are summer training opportunities, including baseball clinics the week of June 15-19, 2009. For more information, visit The Yard online at HYPERLINK "http://www.yardbaseballandsoftball.vpweb. com" yardbaseballandsoftball. vpweb.com.

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Commentary: School Board Apologizes

This past school year has been a challenging one for all employees of the Roanoke City Public School system (“RCPS”). On top of the incredible strain placed on our employees by the requirements of the No Child Left Behind legislation, they also had to endure funding, closure, and employment issues. To finish the year, they have now had to learn through a newspaper article about personnel recommendations and associated salary adjustments approved by the School Board on May 21. The School Board’s failure to anticipate and appreciate the negative perception that would accompany such an approval is a tremendous oversight. For a Board that has prided itself on its open and honest communication with the school system and this community, the Board’s failure to adequately and more publicly communicate and explain its May 21 vote is an error in judgment. For these shortcomings, we apologize. Throughout the year, the division has implemented a wide range of cost-cutting measures. At the board’s regular meeting in April, as part of this money-saving effort, the Superintendent recommended and the Board approved - elimination of 15 administrative positions. The work performed by the individuals whose positions were eliminated has been reassigned to other administrative employees, who have been asked to expand their work efforts for the Division. Accordingly, at the School Board’s May 21 meeting, the Superintendent recommended - and the Board approved - a slate of promotions and reclassifications for ten administrative employees that will permit essential work to continue. Among other things, this permits the Division to avoid

overtime pay for employees who formerly were hourly employees but have now been reclassified as salaried employees. It is anticipated that those employees who are no longer eligible for overtime pay will earn less as salaried employees than they earned as hourly employees. Ultimately, RCPS will be paying the promoted and reclassified administrative employees an additional $92,000 next year. In return, RCPS is saving over $940,000 in administrative personnel costs. We recognize that this next school year, we are asking everyone – especially our teachers – to do more with less. For that reason and many more, all of the above should have been discussed publicly with our employees and with the community before we made any decision. As a matter of strict Board policy, personnel matters are always handled privately. However, should a similar personnel situation arise in the future, we will handle it differently. It is our fervent hope that the Board’s shortcomings on this issue will not detract from the monumental progress that has been made over the past 18 months, including: Adding instructional time to the school day; Optimizing school start and stop times; Completing construction of two stateof-the-art high schools; Completing construction of two new athletic stadiums; Closing four schools to adapt to our current population; Ending lease obligations by relocating Noel Taylor Learning Academy; Founding and opening Forest Park Academy;

Creating and implementing rigorous academic and behavioral expectations for student athletes; Revising the school funding formula with the City of Roanoke; Establishing honors programs at all middle schools; Securing an agreement with Valley Metro that allows all middle and high school students with RCPS identification to ride Valley Metro buses free of charge; Establishing the Roanoke Community College Access Program that guarantees qualified Patrick Henry and William Fleming graduates two years of free college education at Virginia Western Community College; Privatizing our transportation department; Realigning our City’s 38 year old attendance zones; and Adopting and implementing a school equity policy for our district. Moving forward, we are extremely excited about this school division and in the direction it is heading. All of the progress mentioned above has come about in partnership with the City, the community, teachers, parents, and students. We are seeing increasing levels of excellence in the classrooms, on the athletic fields, and in all of our extracurricular activities. We recognize that none of this would be occurring without the 110% effort being given by all RCPS employees. We very much appreciate them and ask you to join us in congratulating them for an incredible year.

Roanoke Public Library Events for June Teen Gaming - Main Library 706 S. Jefferson St. Roanoke June 15, 2009, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Teen Manga Club - Main Library 706 S. Jefferson St. Roanoke June 15, 2009, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Teen Button Ring Craft - Main Library 706 S. Jefferson St. Roanoke June 15, 2009, 6:00 pm 7:00 pm Storytime with the Mill Mountain Zoo Williamson Road Library 3837 Williamson Rd June 16, 2009, 10:00 am - 11:00 am Shop and Stop Storytime Valley View Mall, 2nd floor across from Lens Crafters June 16, 2009, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Guitar Storytime and Craft (reg required) Main Library 706 S. Jefferson St. Roanoke June 17, 2009, 10:30 am - 11:30 am Chocolate Tasting Class (reg required) Raleigh Court Library 2112 Grandin Rd. June 17, 2009, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Storyteller, Autumn Morning Star - Main Library 706 S.Jefferson St. Roanoke June 19, 2009, 10:00 am - 11:00 am Storyteller, Autumn Morning Star - Williamson Road Library 3837Williamson Rd June 19, 2009, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

> June 12

Boomers and Beyond Expo The second annual Boomers & Beyond Expo at the Lake will be on June 12th, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. It will be a day packed with fun and educational events, food, door prizes, seminars and much more. The first Workshop will be at 10:00 a.m. Workshops are followed by the Lunch on the Lawnunder the tent. The FREE Expo will be open from 1:30 until

6:00 p.m. Planning or living your retirementtake an indoor stroll through this community and visit exhibitors that will share information including financial and legal services, health care options, health and wellness planning and much more. Call 540-520-2334 for more information.

> June 13

Lion’s Club Art Sale The Cave Spring Lion’s Club will be holding an art show and sale at their clubhouse on the corner of Colonial and Merriman, this Saturday, June 13. The show is from 10:00am - 4:00pm. Among those displaying and selling works is award-winning Roanoke photographerVickie Holt. Freedom of CreationTour The Freedom In Creation Tour is a one-week series of events across Virginia and Kentucky to benefit the work of Freedom In Creation in Northern Uganda, with a stop in Roanoke,VA scheduled for June 13 at The Water Heater on 5th Street SW. The event will feature live music from singer-songwriter Alex Mejias as well as an art exhibit entitled “The Story of Freedom,” which is comprised of artwork by children participating in Freedom In Creation’s weekly art program. Freedom In Creation founder and president Andrew Briggs will also be presenting a short video and talk introducing Freedom In Creation to attendees. All proceeds from the tour will go to Freedom In Creation and tax deductible donations will also be collected at each event.The tour comes to Roanoke,VA on June 13 at the Water Heater, starting at 7:30PM. There will be a $10 cover at the door donated to Freedom In Creation. For more information visit www.

FICTOUR.org.

> June 3 - 14

See HowThey Run See How They Run, British farce by Philip King at Showtimers Theatre. This story tells of one evening in the life of the Rev. Lionel Toop, at the vicarage in Merton-cumMiddlewick, when a series of coincidences and unexpected happenings creates confusion, resulting in mistaken identities, chases, closets used for hiding more often than for hanging clothes and more.This comedy is suitable for all ages. Performances areWednesday through Saturday nights at 8 and Sunday afternoons at 2.Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for those under 18. For information or reservations, call 774-2660. McVitty Road, Roanoke.

> June 15 - 19

Mega Sports Camp Free Cheerleading, Softball, Basketball,and Baseball camp for boys and girls finishing kindergarten through 5th grade. Guest speakers include former Harlem Globetrotters star and more! Event is from 6-9pm and is at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 3000 Pitzer Road, Roanoke 24014. For more information and to register, visit www.MPBaptist.com or call 540-427-5494.

> June 16

Writers Workshop Series 7-8:30 p.m. Kurt Rheinheimer“Writing Short Fiction” Admission: FREE. For more information or to register for these free workshops please contact:Rhonda Hale rhale@theartscouncil.org or 540.224.1205

City Council Needs to Shape Up School Board and Officials

Paying cash for WWII German helmets, uniforms & memorabilia! Also BUY/SELL/TRADE ∙ All wars All Countries ∙ All items

Economic Development will once again be hosting a job fair for job seekers looking for employment opportunities. This event will be held on Wednesday, June 17 from 9 am - 12 noon at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall. WDBJ 7, National College, The Renick Group and Express Employment Professionals will be sponsoring the event. Exhibitors include employers, entrepreneurial organizations and educational institutions. For a complete list search “Roanoke Summer Job Fair” on Facebook. Over 50 exhibitors and between 800-1000 attendees have participated previously.There is no charge to exhibit or to attend.

514 West Main St. Salem, VA 540-556-7463

> June 25

Hope for America Roanoke Rally Penn Forest Worship Center 3735 Chaparral Dr. Roamoke, VA 24018 Doors open at 6pm and Rally begins at 7pm. Admission is free www.hrarallies.org

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> June 22 - 26

Bible Baptist Church -VBS Bible Batist Church located at 2929 Garden City Blvd, invites you to Polar Extremes, our 2009 VBS. The excitement will begin on Monday June 22nd @ 6:00pmSat. June 27th. The fun begins with Bible Study, games, snacks, crafts, music and other extreme activities. Classes are provided for ages 2-18 years. For more info, call 427-0121.

wonder why they have not addressed the school bus driver's plight. They have been silent as lambs. The school board members were appointed by city council. Am I missing something, that council has no control of what the school board does? They have made some drastic decisions that have affected so many people.

Mail resume to:Taaza LLC, Attn: HR: FBM, 117 Duke of Gloucester St. SW, Roanoke,VA 24014

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Have an item for the calendar? E-mail it to submisJob Fair The City of Roanoke Office of sions@theroanokestar.com

> June 17

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor, The way our Roanoke City bus drivers have been treated is a disgrace and morally wrong. On May 28, 2009 a school bus driver stated that drivers would lose their health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance and their other benefits that they have worked for years to obtain, due to the new company that was hired. Curt Baker should be ashamed of himself for stating “what the city bus drivers needed to do” if they stayed off sick. He is the same Curt Baker, along with Superintendent Rita Bishop and former federal office Robert Bourdeaux who went into a former assistant superintendent of curriculum office during a midnight search inside the district building without reason and permission in Lancaster, PA before they came to Roanoke. A civil rights lawsuit was later filed against the three top city officials. Curt Baker should be run out of the city. I don't know what should be done about superintendent Rita Bishop, but she should step down. From the Roanoke City Our city council members School Board were elected by the citizens. I

Community Calendar > June

6/12/09 - 6/18/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

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Valley Business

Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 6/12/09 - 6/18/09

It’s All About the People… During any economic recession, Creative Community Leadership questions are asked about efforts to Project: The Creative Connectors generate new activity in the business have engaged hundreds of people in and employment sector. The current the economic development process approach to economic development by empowering and trusting citizens is transforming from the convento create sustainable projects centered tional method of chasing companies around the “4 Ts” of economic deto creating a place with amenities, invelopment as pioneered by Richard cluding human talent, where compaFlorida, the foremost authority in nies will follow. There are 28,000 ecoeconomic development – technolnomic development organizations in ogy, talent, tolerance and territory Stuart Mease the U.S., competing for about 1,100 assets, which can shape the future of relocations per year. our region. Whatever the approach, the desired outcome Establish and Grow Businesses: Through is the same – economic prosperity. Subscribing partnerships with the Department of Business to three forms of economic development – con- Assistance and Virginia Western Community ventional, place-based and people-based – a di- College, multiple seminars, events and programs versified allocation of resources is necessary. Yet, have been created to promote this often oversometimes the biggest asset - our people -is over- looked option. looked in the development process. Conventional economic development efforts People-based economic development assists are a significant part of the equation, in addition individual workers and businesses based on the to the promotion of a region’s amenities. One virtues of trust, openness, tolerance, patience, sharp contrast is the people side of economic collaboration, long-term commitment, lifelong development, which does not receive the fanfare learning, and compassion in a time of need. Ul- of an occasional announcement of a home-run timately, it’s about servant leadership – the pre- employer. It’s based on countless, ordinary interrequisite of a public official. The following is a actions with people who are here and need our snapshot of a several leadership efforts: help. In the short-term, there will be no press Assisting Job Seekers: It’s essential to provide conferences, but long-term, it creates a culture of opportunities for job seekers to connect to em- servant leaders within our community. ployers through job fairs. The third, within the Let’s invest in our most valuable assets. In the last six months, will be held June 17 from 9 a.m. end, it’s all about the people. – 12 noon, at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall. Individuals can also receive job search asStuart Mease works for the Roanoke City Ecosistance through the Roanoke Connect database nomic Development Department and weekly job search strategy sessions.

What If “The Big One” Hits?

The Roanoke Valley was shaken recently by an earthquake - yes, an earthquake - that rattled homes from Vinton to Salem. Julie Dutton, a geophysicist at the National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colorado, said the epicenter of the quake was “in the Cave Spring area near Garst Mill Road, with a reported magnitude of 3.0.” In Salem’s Hidden Valley neighborhood, a resident was awakened after 4:00 a.m. by “deep reverberating sounds.” Her bed was “moving back and forth and it felt like the entire house was shaking.” This went on for several seconds and the most frightening part for her was “not knowing what was going on,” having been awakened suddenly out of a “deep sleep,” she remarked. Another resident in The Gardens subdivision off Cotton Hill Road ran outside, hearing a “boom” and thinking a plane might have gone down. While there were no reports of injury or property damage from the recent earthquake, homeowners might want to prepare for a bigger one. Lesley Owens, a State Farm Agent in the Roanoke Valley, said that to be insured for such damages [with State Farm] occurring from an earthquake, homeowners would need to have an endorsement for earthquake coverage, along with their standard policy. The additional coverage generally ranges from $90 to $150 annually, depending on factors like the type of home and its location. If the homeowner looks at the additional expense from a weekly standpoint, the cost generally ranges from $1.73 to $2.88. Regardless of what insurance company homeowners have their policy with, it’s a good idea for them to contact an agent and ask for a review to ensure that they have adequate coverage for earthquake or other forms of destruction. “A little advance planning would help a family weather such a disaster a little more safely and securely,” said Owens. State Farm has 37,340 homeowners with policies in Roanoke and surrounding areas; of those only 427 (only 1.14%) have their homes and contents protected by an earthquake endorsement, along with their standard homeowner policy. Owens said that in spite of the the recent tremors, State Farm has not seen an increase in the number of homeowners who have earthquake coverage. While there is no crystal ball to predict when a major earthquake will occur in this area in the future, history provides clues. Since February

TheRoanokeStar.com

Recycling Center Means Cash for Customers with Scrap Metal

Those with scrap metals like aluminum, brass or copper lying around in an attic or garage have another place to deposit the treasures.. Commonwealth Recycling, a new business located in the Hollins area of north Roanoke County, pays cash for all metals expect steel. The recycler accepts tin cans, radiators, stainless steel, batteries and lead. It does not take appliances, but will take the electric motors from appliances. “Anything that a magnet will not stick to, I’ll take,” owner John Huffman said. Located on North Commerce, off Industrial Drive in Hollins, Commonwealth Recycling offers customers a way to recycle items that otherwise could end up in the landfill. Prices for metals vary weekly, and sometimes change daily, so Huffman encourages people to call him prior to loading up. Depending on the metal, customers could receive anywhere from 20 cents per pound to $1.40 per pound, Huffman said. The business opened in November and has seen a steady increase in clientele. “New customers find me everyday,” he noted. “We already have a decent customer base. People who come in are pretty excited about having a metal recycler [in the northern end of Roanoke].” (Cycle Systems, near downtown Roanoke, also accepts scrap materials).

Lesley Owens, State Farm Agent

Cans and other metals are fed into the crusher before they are sent into a bin for recycling. Huffman’s wife, Theresa, has worked as a dispatcher for Botetourt County for nine years and is assisting her husband on her days off. Setting up shop was relatively easy; all they needed was a large empty space and a few pieces of heavy equipment. They found space in the Hollins industrial sector behind the Pepsi plant. A baler is used to bind up loose metals for loading. A can crusher crushes aluminum cans and pitches them into a bin so that they can be hauled away as well. The other necessary item is a large scale, used to weigh the precious metals. The Huffmans are from the area and live in Troutville, where they are raising two young sons. Huffman, a former car dealership manager, learned the business from his father-inlaw, who has been recycling metals for more than 30 years.

Photos by Anita Firebaugh

John Huffman, owner of Commonwealth Recycling in Hollins, shows off the baler used to tie up metals.

The timeliness of his move to a new line of work is not lost on Huffman. “Have you seen the car business lately?” he joked. By Anita Firebaugh info@theroanokestar.com

Carilion Clinic Receives “CIO 100” Award

1774, there have been more than 20 major earthquakes in Virginia, including one with a magnitude of 4.3, centered at Radford on May 3, 1897, which reportedly did extensive damage to many chimneys and walls throughout Southwest Virginia. Felt as far south as Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this was a prelude to the earthquake on May 31, 1897, the most intense and widespread earthquake in Virginia in historical times - and the second largest earthquake in the eastern United States over the last 200 years. It covered an area of 280,000 square miles and was most severely felt in Giles County, where springs ceased to flow, a train was derailed, walls of brick homes were cracked, and chimneys were badly damaged. Aftershocks continued through June 6, 1897 and the estimated magnitude was 5.8-5.9. If Virginia today experienced an earthquake of such magnitude, the consequences could be considerably more serious because of tall buildings and the close housing typical in subdivisions. Professors James Martin and Martin Chapman founded the Earthquake Engineering Center for the Southeastern U.S. (ECSUS) at Virginia Tech in January 2000. Their mission is to prepare for likely seismic events and to reduce severe earthquake damage in the Southeast, by developing and disseminating critical seismic data. Despite the potential for major earthquakes in the future, there had been minimal studies or emergency response plans devised. Is your family prepared if an earthquake of a greater magnitude hits our area? Perhaps an earthquake rider on a homeowner’s policy is something worth considering.

CIO magazine has named Carilion Clinic a CIO 100 organization for excellence and achievement in IT, honoring Carilion Clinic’s Technology Services Group for their work creating and supporting IT infrastructure. The award recognizes Carilion Clinic’s electronic medical record (EMR) system implementation as one of the 100 most effective uses of information technology. The CIO 100 awards honor 100 organizations that use IT in innovative ways to deliver competitive advantage to the enterprise and enable growth. Other 2009 CIO 100 recipients include AT&T, Dell and GE Energy. "I am very proud of the work that the Carilion Clinic EMR team has accomplished in the past 24 months,” said Daniel Barchi, chief information officer at Carilion By Susan Ayers Clinic. “We have been able to info@theroanokestar.com begin to see the patient safe-

Daniel Barchi is chief information officer at Carilion Clinic. ty, quality improvement and clinical informatics goals we sought to achieve." Carilion Clinic's EMR is an integrated system that allows physicians with internet and security access to see a patient's full medical history, current medications, allergies and conditions. Carilion Clinic's IT team has moved all clinical operations from

many disparate processes and databases into a single system. Carilion Clinic has replaced 11 independent electronic and paper medical and billing systems with a single integrated medical record, converting 780,000 patient records into the new record. Carilion said in a release that it represents “the largest patient medical record conversion ever [and] the most aggressive rollout in the history of its vendor.” Carilion President & CEO Dr. Ed Murphy has identified unnecessary paperwork and overhead as a major factor in driving up healthcare costs. Carilion Clinic will officially be recognized at the CIO 100 Symposium and Awards Ceremony Aug. 25. Information about the awards will be featured in CIO magazine and available online at www.cio.com.

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Arts & Culture

TheRoanokeStar.com

Son of Aaron Neville Charts His Own Path on Way to Jefferson Center

Like a tasty gumbo from his native New Orleans, Ivan Neville is serving it up hot with Dumpstaphunk. The son of Aaron Neville brings his jazzy/funky/soulful band to Jefferson Center’s recital hall this Friday, June 12, for a 10:00 pm show. The group also includes cousin Ian Neville - son of Art, another of the famed Neville Brothers and a former member of The Meters. Said Ivan Neville in an interview from his New Orleans home: “the combination of our influences, which includes The Meters, Sly and the Family Stone, and 70’s funk [are] tossed into a dirty receptacle, shaken up and dumped out in the year 2009.” The result is “Dumpstaphunk.” From an early age, Ivan, mostly a bassist, has played with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards (in his solo band the Xpensive Winos), Bonnie Raitt and the Spin Doctors. His band mates have a long, impressive resume as well, and yes, some have played with the Neville Brothers band. “It was a great thing to have done …something that a lot of people don’t get to do – cool stuff,” said Neville of his gigs with the Stones. “Everything we have done to this point is a part of who you are. [That] comes into play, but musically Dumpstaphunk is a beast of its own.” Some of Dumpstaphunk’s music ties in to current events, like the song “Meanwhile,” where listeners are encouraged to “have a good time,” even if the FEMA check hasn’t arrived yet. That’s a reference to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “A lot of times we’ll choose to write about something relevant, and why not?” said Neville. The band (including Nick Daniels, Tony Hall and Raymond Weber) first got together for

Ivan Neville (at center) and “Dumpstaphunk.” an impromptu jam at the 2003 New Orleans Jazzfest, and grew from there. “I wanted to do something different – I wanted to do a band. From that point on we just tried to play as often as we could,” Neville said. Being the sons of famous musicians is a “double edged sword” for Ivan and Ian Neville. “We come from a cool family,” said Ivan Neville, “but it can be a little bit much because you get singled out.” But he’ll live with it because of the attention it brings to the group. “We’re not another Neville [Brothers] band. We just happen to be two guys with the last name Neville.” Dumpstaphunk helps prove that they are not a Neville Brothers tribute band. Ivan Neville has one goal for those that might attend this Friday’s gig at Jefferson Center: “I want them to leave a Dumpstaphunk show saying ‘that is some of the most fun music I have ever heard… that is the funkiest band and I haven’t danced so much in years.’ I want to leave them with a smile on their face.” Visit jeffecenter.org for more information. Hear music samples at Dumpstaphunk.com. By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

6/12/09 - 6/18/09 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11

Fred First Returns with Second “Slow Road Home”

Fred First writes like he speaks: laid back, thoughtful and thought provoking. In recent years, the Floyd County resident has penned columns for the Roanoke Star-Sentinel and Floyd Press, and has voiced pieces for WVTF Public Radio. First recently released a second compilation of his work, entitled “What We Hold In Our Hands – a slow road reader,” published by Goose Creek Press. First often writes through the prism of his life in Floyd, alongside Goose Creek, and has separated “What We Hold” into 10 categories. Some entries are more topical, like one written for the Star-Sentinel after Appalachian Power was accused by a Roanoke County resident of spraying dangerous weed-killing chemicals near power lines. “Some of them do go way back,” said First, adding that most were written after the release of “Slow Road Home,” three years ago. First whetted his appetite for writing with a blog, fragmentsfromfloyd.com, where he also gets to show off pictures snapped of the Floyd countryside. “It was the first opportunity I ever had to put words and images together,” he said of the blog; “I’ve wanted to do that since I was in my twenties.” Schooled in biology and zoology, First grew up with a healthy curiosity about what lurked under rocks. The former teacher still leads field trips into the

woods. “That’s what the blog is in a sense, and so are the books,” First said. The very first chapter details the hair-raising story of a wayward snake he brought home to study – one that got away and “scared the dickens” out of his then-new wife. “It still gives me the creeps, and I’m not a snake-phobic person,” chuckles First, who has several book signing appearances scheduled in the next few weeks, including one at the Bent Mountain Public Library. First writes, “it’s risky to expose yourself as a writer to the Fred First takes the slow road readers, to lay out emotions and with his new compilation. feelings. But I have found that I “I have the luxury … to write haven’t been punished for that.” about anything that seems to He has also realized that the me to be significant or worthy more he “tells the truth,” about of further study, ” said First, who his own life, the more readers has been collecting story nugunderstand that everyone is gets for years. pretty much in the same boat. Visit fragmentsfromfloyd. “There’s not them and us – com for more on First’s “Slow there’s only us.” Even what First Road” readers. calls “hyper-local” storytellFirst appears at the Bent ing uncovers commonalities – Mountain Public Library (inside one of his new books was just the elementary school) Thursshipped off to England. day, June 18, 7:00 pm. He will “I still continue to explore also appear at the Floyd Public how we relate to the places we Library this Saturday (June 13), live,” said First, who feels mod2:00 pm. ern society has loosened the bond between people and their By Gene Marrano immediate environment. gmarrano@cox.net

PR advice - from a Former “Revenuer” Jack Allen Powell made his living an agent ATF agent – a “revenuer,” as they used to say, often tracking down local moonshiners. After retirement, Powell wrote about his adventures in “A Dying Art,” parts 1 and 2. Powell, a Roanoke County resident, has also been involved in several television projects on moonshining in recent years, including one for an Italian production company. Along the way, Powell learned a thing or two about the art of public relations, and now he’d like to share some of that wisdom with his new book, “Roadblocks to Success: A Treatise in Public Relations – Public and Private.” In 26 short chapters, the Jefferson High School graduate rattles off tips and homespun

observations that he says will help people get ahead and influence friends in many professions, be they civil servant, physician, or sales person. “This [book] defines more or less how to get along with people,” said Powell of “Roadblocks.” Completing 35 years in law enforcement, and, “knowing something about people,” gave him the motivation to write his 68-page treatise. Powell has heard some criticism of his book, which he has attempted to introduce to police departments. Some have resented his “two cents”, but Powell contends it is just a series of tips on how to coexist more peacefully in any profession. It covers things like flexibility on the job, controlling tempers (Powell lost his several times as an ATF field agent,

Jack Powell writes about public relations in “Roadblocks.” landing in jail once) and giving and receiving criticism, “Taking criticism is sort of like taking a laxative,” Powell notes. Its okay to be “gracefully mean,” when needing to make a point, but there’s an art to

Local Author Introduces Second Book, “Gray Baby”

Teenaged Clifton Carlson lives between two worlds as a bi-racial child. Years earlier he witnessed his African-American father being brutalized and killed by two cops during a traffic stop. Now he feels out of place, disconnected from others, and longs to make contact. Second-time novelist Scott Loring Sanders said its not just young adult readers that will be able to relate to “Gray Baby,” the title of his new novel from Houghton Mifflin. “The Hanging Woods” (2008) was well received, and the New River Valley novelist, is already shopping a third book through his agent. Sanders will sign copies of “Gray Baby” this Friday (June 12) at Barnes & NobleTanglewood Mall from 6:30 pm -8:30 pm. “Not only is he dealing with his own personal identity, he’s dealing with racial issues within the town,” said Sanders of

Clifton Carlson, his notes, “but I whom he set at age know its some16. “Gray Baby” is thing.” It’s not set in a fictional just teens that New River Valley can relate said town, although Sanders. “It’s Clifton sends out definitely a book plaintive messages about evolving in bottles down and changing, the real New Rivand not being er, which Sanders too old necessarcharacterized as ily to change.” “sort of a character As dark as itself. I like writing the book can be about this area.” at times, SandAlong the way, Gray Baby is new novel ers said “Gray he encounters a from Scott Loring Sand- Baby” is also pivotal charac- ers. about hope. ter, an older man “Clifton never nicknamed Swamper, and he really gets too down on himself. also has to deal with an alcohol- He’s kind of a survivor,” said ic mother. “He’s sort of search- Sanders. ing for something,” said Sanders Visit scottloringsanders.com of Clifton. He especially liked for more information. fleshing out the Swamper character. By Gene Marrano “I have no idea what I’m lookgmarrano@cox.net ing for,” writes Clifton in one of

it. That’s what “Roadblocks to Success” is all about. “Public relations is the act of winning public favor for people or an organization,” writes Powell in the introduction. Even college programs teaching public relations “[don’t] tell you everything,” he insists. Powell will speak at the History Museum of Western Virginia Thursday, June 18 at 7:00 pm (Center in the Square) and at the WVTF Public Radio studios (Kingsbury Lane, off Franklin Rd. SW) June 19 from 5:00 -7:00 pm. Ram’s Head bookstore at Towers Shopping Center also carries “Roadblocks to Success,” and the History Museum sells “A Dying Art,” parts 1 and 2.

Lunch on the Lawn at the Winery June 14, 21, and 28 1:00 - 5:00 PM

$15.00 per person June 14: Music by Kelly Scott

Call winery for reservations 540-929-4632

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

www.amrheinwinecellars.com

Page 12 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 6/12/09 - 6/18/09

TheRoanokeStar.com

“The Roanoke Valley’s Most Beautiful Cemetery”

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Founded in 1928, Sherwood combines serene elements of nature with exquisite and carefully planned architecture on an expanse of more than 100 acres nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Veterans Garden to Open

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Memorial Legacy Stones Now Available

As a non-profit cemetery we are always looking for ways to enhance our beauty, and contribute to the community. That is why we are pleased to announce our beautiful new Veterans Garden to pay tribute to those who serve. You can be among the first to honor your Veteran in our Memorial Walkway by purchasing a Legacy Stone.

Visit our Cox Digital Store or www.cox.com/roanoke.

(Ten percent of the proceeds of each sale will benefit the American Legion Legacy Scholarship for the children of US military personnel who pass away while on active duty.)

On DEMAND is available for residential customers in Cox Roanoke serviceable areas. Cox Digital Cable and digital receiver and remote rental required. Programming subject to change. Installation, taxes and fees additional. On DEMAND channels cannot be recorded. Other restrictions apply. ©2009 CoxCom, Inc., d/b/a Cox Communications Roanoke. He's Just Not That Into You © 2009 New Line Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button © 2008 Paramount Pictures Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. Last Chance Harvey ©2008 Overture Films, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Gran Torino © 2008 MATTEN PRODUCTIONS GmbH & Co. KG. © 2008 Warner Bros Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. New In Town © 2008 Gold Circle Films LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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