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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel July 15 - 21, 2011

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Community | News | Per spective

Roanoke Marketing Pro Emphasizes Valley Strengths

World Champs!

P3– Virginia Tech scores big in bringing the 2011 RoboCup World Championship title home to the U.S. for the first time.

When he completed his master’s degree at the University of Tennessee in 1986, Landon C. Howard, a native Tennessean, began his career in the tourism industry at a convention and visitors bureau in his hometown Chattanooga.

Starting as a marketing manager, he was eventually promoted to director of marketing and communications for the organization. He moved on to Mobile, Alabama, and “was very fortunate to [be there] when some pretty significant investment was being put forth.”

While in Mobile, Howard was con-

State Gets Tough on Teen DUI’s

tacted about a job in Roanoke. Both he Owing to recent developments in the and his wife were familiar with the area, Roanoke Valley—the renovations of having passed through it during trips to the Market Building and Center in the visit her parents and friends in the Mary- Square (upcoming), and the opening land-Washington, D.C. area. Howard’s of the Taubman Museum—Roanoke wife dreamed of relocating to is experiencing the same the valley and when a job ofkind of major investment Development fer for Landon came in August programs that Howard was 2009 they decided to relocate involved in during his time to the Star City. Landon Howard began in Chattanooga and Mobile. his official duties as Executive Director “There are literally . . . ten of millions of the Roanoke Valley Convention & of dollars that have been invested here Visitors Bureau on February 1, 2010, re- in downtown Roanoke, and in other projects throughout the Roanoke Valplacing the retired David Kohljede.

[

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ley,” he said. “So I’ve hit pay dirt again, and it’s really very fortunate for me and it’s going to reap some great benefits for us.”

As one of his first acts upon arriving in Roanoke, Howard had his staff assemble a list of things people could do within an hour’s drive of downtown Roanoke— the result was a 10-page document. Arts and culture was a special component of this and so was a > CONTINUED P2: Marketing

[Sports]

Nancy Horn Announces Re-Election

Let the Games Begin

Offenders Lose License for a Year, Pay $500 Fine or 50 Hours

Walking Love P3– Steve Fugate walks through SW Virginia while spreading a powerful message of hope across America.

Joe Kennedy

Growing Up P4– Joe Kennedy shares the wisdom he has found as his children move on and up into a brave new world.

Overnight Sensation P10– Mill Mountain Theatre undergoes a frenetic 24 hours as “Overnight Sensations” returns for a fifth time.

As of July 1st teens who drink alcohol and drive will face harsher penalties including loss of their driver’s license for a year and either a $500 minimum fine or 50 hours of community service. Currently, the punishment is loss of license for six months and a fine of no more than $500.

“This new law is right in line with Virginia’s ‘zero tolerance’ stance against underage drinking and driving,” said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. Zero tolerance means the legal limit for teens is a .02 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC), which is the normal alcohol content of the average person.

Even a small amount of alcohol can result in a conviction.

“Unfortunately, teens are one of the highest risk populations on our roadways,” Holcomb said. “Despite meaningful ef> CONTINUED P2: DUI

Photo by Valerie Garner

Nancy Horn Nancy Horn, incumbent Roanoke County Commissioner of Revenue, announced Tuesday her intentions to seek another term. Horn, 66, a Democrat has an opponent this County Gov’t time. Republican Carla Bream is vying for the seat.

Senator John Edwards introduced Horn to fifty supporters gathered at the Roanoke County Administration building.

Among the supporters were about ten military veterans.

In 2001 Horn was appointed commissioner following the death of Wayne Compton. She has been reelected twice since then. Horn has a total of twenty

[

Young basketballers on parade during last year’s opening night ceremony. t’s huge—it encompasses almost 60 Roanoke this weekend. Designed for athletes sports and close to 10,000 athletes from from 7 to 70 – and beyond—the competition, all across Virginia. The much anticipat- the official state games of Virginia, warmed ed 22nd annual Coventry Commonwealth up in the valley last weekend with the baseball Games, which have actually been going on competition. (See related story in Sports.) in bits and pieces for several months now, culminates with the Main Games held in > CONTINUED P2: Commonwealth

I

]

> CONTINUED P2: Horn

Valley Regional Fire-EMS Cadets Make the Grade

The wind had two firefighters in extended arched buckets struggling to calm the large American flag that served as the gateway to last Friday afternoon’s fourteenth academy graduation ceremony at the Roanoke Civic Center.

Each of the twenty graduates received a small but sturdy length of rope that Training Officer Tim Craighead called “a link to the family, a link to your classmates and a link to me.” Four graduates from the academy were from Roanoke County and sixteen are destined for Roanoke City fire stations. The graduates spent 896 hours training at the academy; they received a myriad of certifications.

The recurring theme throughout the ceremony was highlighted by Lt. Tom Gherman, who said “teamwork is essential for our safety.” Charles Layman was selected by the team as their class president. “The class president serves as a liaison between the academy staff and the class,” said Gherman.

Chief Hoback told the assembled graduates that their lives have changed forever after completing the sixteenweek academy. “This job is not like any other job. You’ve now crossed into the profession of public service and public safety.” Some were starting work the following day.

Photo by Valerie Garner

Firefighters take the oath during last Friday’s graduation ceremony.

Roanoke County Chief Richard Burch told the class, “when someone calls 911 they are not having a good day.” He told them they were performing a customer service role—except the customer has no other options. “They pick you when they call 911.” He added, “For that reason [they] always have to give 100 percent on the job.”

Roanoke City Chief David Hoback said in a brief interview following the

ceremony that none of the new graduates knew where they would be assigned until Friday’s ceremony. He said, “only four people knew where they would be stationed – it was a secret until today.”

Roanoke City has been short staffed for some time. Hoback praised city manager Chris Morrill for allowing him to recruit over and above the usual number of recruits. “It takes a year for a recruit to get up to speed,” said Hoback. Council had

noted in financial reports that overtime took the fire department over budget.

According to Hoback, the new graduates will not only plug the vacancies, but will put them in a position to forestall unforeseen injuries, health issues, retirements or resignations.

Awards went to Nicolas Schmitt for physical fitness and Nathan Joachim for academics. The daughters of deceased Captain Chris Brown presented the character award in memory of their father to Randolph Armbrister.

The leadership award went to Denise Teehan of Roanoke County, the only woman in the class. Teehan was a police officer in Chesapeake before moving to Roanoke. She said she had always wanted to serve in public safety and this was her way of pursuing her goal.

Other graduates in the city included Matthew Furrow, Peter Matthiessen, David McKinney, Matthew Moomey, Andrew Murray, Frederick Murray, Rashad Myers, Aaron Parker, Jacob Parry, James Richards, Shawn Sloane, Keith Snead, Thesalomius Washington and Andrew Watkins. The county included Kelly Stoots.

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

> Commonwealth

Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 7/15/11 - 7/21/11

Friday and Saturday, top out in the low-to-mid 80s. Friday will see a mix of sun and clouds with passing t-showers possible later in the day, but Saturday will be mostly cloudy with scattered showers and storms developing.

Sunday could be the drier of the two weekend days, as partly sunny skies will prevail with only a minimal chance for a few t-showers Highs will reach the middle 80s to close out the weekend.

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Virginia Amateur Sports (VAS), a Roanoke-based organization that manages the Commonwealth Games and a handful of other athletic events, works with a paid staff of just four and scores of volunteers, who keep tallies at games, time the athletes and keep runners on course. The AEP Festival in the Park run, the Star City half marathon and the Salem distance run next month are among the other events managed by VAS and its corps of volunteers. In May, VAS held a championship for club lacrosse high school teams in Richmond, for schools that don’t field varsity squads.

The Main Games Weekend officially begins every year with the Friday night opening ceremonies (July 15, 7:30 p.m., sponsored by Subway), featuring a parade of athletes and a tailgate party beforehand.

Every registered athlete is invited to join the parade at the Roanoke Civic Center, and the tailgate at the Special Events Center. VAS Executive Director Pete Lampman has been told by participants who travel to games elsewhere that this “is one of the most outstanding events” they have taken part in.

Paralympics medalist John Register, a track and field long jump specialist, will deliver the keynote address on Friday and pop singer Ashlyne Huff will perform. “[Register] is a great speaker,” said Lamp-

man, who heard him previously at a conference. There’s also an acrobatic team that dunks basketballs (Air Elite) with the use of a trampoline and pyrotechnics at the end.

(Admission is $5 and $3 for children).

Lampman compares it to the opening ceremonies at the Olympics, albeit with a much smaller budget; it is “the same concept, with a lot of fanfare.” Keynote speakers in the past have included a number of Olympic medalists.

More than 2400 athletes have already competed in the Commonwealth Games this year, in sports ranging from adult softball, tennis and baton twirling, to ice skating, youth swimming and cycling. In addition to Roanoke, events are held in Waynesboro and Hampton.

“We actually have an 87 year old swimmer [this weekend],” said Lampman; “she’s in five events.” An 85 year old played tennis this past weekend. Venues in use locally this weekend include the Moyer softball complex in Salem, Green Hill Park, the Roanoke River Greenway and the Botetourt Sports Complex. (See commonwealthgames.org for a complete list of events and venues.)

Winners of certain events at the Coventry Commonwealth Games can qualify for the biannual State Games of America, facing off against the best amateur athletes from simi-

My kids think I’m Having a Sponge Bath!

lar events in other states.

It’s the Main Games weekend that is the biggest part of the competition every year; Lampman estimates that the thousands who converge on the valley to eat, sleep and compete pump between three and four million dollars into the economy annually.

“It looks like we’ll be as [big] as last year, maybe more,” said Lampman about the number of athletes and families he expects in town this weekend. “Once they’re here they love the place,” added Lampman, who hopes some of those people will return just to visit the valley.

This November, VAS will introduce a new footrace for runners and their dogs, a run planned to be held on the North Cross School campus. “It will be neat – different,” said Lampman. A veterinarian office – Big Lick in Southwest Roanoke County – is sponsoring the new event.

The VAS staff will spend the next month or so paying bills; then it’s time to start thinking about 2012. “We start in September securing sites [for next year],” said Lampman, “trying to see what volunteers are coming back and what sports people may be interested in.”

is and shouldn’t be overlooked. “[But] I think that the key is for us to build awareness of other things we have as well. A lot of people don’t know that, within an hour’s drive radius of Roanoke, there [are] 22 universities. Many of them are liberal arts universities. 10.6 percent of all the population within an hour’s drive radius is in undergraduate schools - one of the highest percentages in the country. And so with that comes a lot of talent and a lot of potential product development that we could have.”

To foster awareness of what else Roanoke has to offer, the Visitors Bureau under Howard’s watch has initiated a multi-faceted program. A public relations initiative is bringing 70 journalists to the area over the next 12 months, exposing them to Roanoke’s arts community while emphasizing that downtown Roanoke is merely 40 minutes away from Virginia’s largest fresh-water

Landon Howard wants more people to visit Roanoke. lake (Smith Mountain Lake).

The hope is that articles written as a result of these experiences will help put Roanoke on the map, much as the US Airways magazine story on Roanoke did several years ago.

The bureau has also launched new website features that allow businesses, hotels, convention bookers and other parties to access and update information in real time. Another feature allows the RVCVB to contact hotels and locate new business prospects. In addition to af-

toot my own horn,” she said.

Comments by her opponent weighed heavy on her the last three weeks she said. “We just don’t like a stranger standing on the street telling the public we don’t do our job … because we do a phenomenal job,” said Horn.

Referring to her opponent she said, “somebody wants to come in my office and just answer the phone – that’s not what

> DUI forts to curb underage drinking and driving, it still remains a significant problem.” In 2010, 1,285 drivers under the legal drinking age of 21 were convicted of drunk driving in Virginia; most were 18 to 20 years old.

it’s about.” She claimed that this was a lack of knowledge on her opponent’s part.

Korean War Veteran Don Morris took the podium and told the assembled crowd about two disabled veterans that after receiving unsatisfactory answers from the city commissioner went to the county commissioner’s office. Morris said Horn patiently explained the law to them.

The Virginia General Assembly approved several other traffic-related laws that will take effect July 1, 2011.

School bus violations Violators of school bus traffic laws may be recorded by video cameras mounted in-

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Horn says the county has minimal issues in compliance and the county attorney promptly resolves any that do arise.

With new software in the office and ongoing education Horn believes she deserves reelection.

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

From page 1

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fording the bureau better data base management, this system improves interaction with the customer. Finally, a mobile apps program the bureau will be launching this fall will enable people with mobile devices to locate and shop from it. (see visitroanokeva.com for more information.)

“The key,” Howard said, “is to make it as easy as we can for the consumer so that they can purchase [from] us. We can end up creating economic impact for this community and create more jobs.” Howard, who recently spoke at a ribbon cutting about the $600 million spent annually in the Roanoke Valley by visitors, said also that the key “is to build a heightened awareness of what is here and get more people here …to buy what we have and see the unique piece of Americana that we are.”

From page 1

When he said, 'Be perfect', he meant it. He meant we must go in for the full treatment. It is hard, but the sort of compromise we are all hankering after is harder - in fact it is impossible.

Don’t worry... we won’t tell your kids how much you love living here!SM

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

From page 1

> Horn years in the commissioner’s office. In 2006 she earned her commissioner of revenue master certificate from the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service.

She praised her nine-member staff – all of whom are certified as master deputies.

“Education to us is the answer to our office because things are repeatedly changing,” she said.

“I love my job and I will

NewsRoanoke.com From page 1

> Marketing relationship to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

“About 98 percent of everything that we are as a people and as a culture here is related to the mountains, whether it be the arts, or the food, or the railroad history—all of its tied to these mountains,” said Howard. “If you look back into our history—back into the 1930s— you’ll find that Roanoke was referred to as the capital of Virginia’s Blue Ridge.”

Laying claim to the Blue Ridge Mountains as Roanoke’s identity, in Howard’s view, is quite important: “Right now, if you think of the Smokey Mountains, you think of Tennessee. When you think of the Alleghenies, you think of Pennsylvania. So nobody’s really taken ownership of the Blue Ridge Mountains . . . I think its time for us to step up and do that.”

Howard also feels that Roanoke’s railroad heritage is a significant part of what Roanoke

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side school buses since a new law will allow localities to pass ordinances permitting the devices. The cameras may record license plates, and the date and time of any violations. Fines for these violations will be payable to the local school division.

One example of a school bus traffic law is the requirement for vehicles to stop when approaching school buses that are stopped to load or unload passengers, and to remain stopped until the bus moves again.

Flash emergency lights at intersections Another new law taking effect July 1 requires emergency vehicles, such as ambulances or police cruisers, to flash their emergency lights or sound a siren before proceeding through a red traffic signal or stop sign.

Or, the driver of an emergency vehicle must come to a complete stop before proceeding through a red light if required for the safety of people and property.

Motorcycles and red signals One allows motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles, in certain situations, to go through red traffic signals. They may treat a red light as a stop sign if their bike fails to trigger the traffic light and they have waited two full cycles of the light or two minutes, whichever is shorter.

7/15/11- 7/21/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3

NewsRoanoke.com

Virginia Tech Robotics Team Dominates International Robocup Competition Virginia Tech’s Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory team dominated the international robot soccer competition known as RoboCup this past weekend, winning the Louis Vuitton Humanoid Cup, the competition’s version of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association’s World Cup. The team also dominated with First Place in both the Adult Size class with the 5-foot humanoid robot CHARLI-2 and the Kid Size class with the miniature-humanoid-robot DARwIn-OP. The win is not just a first for the College of Engineering team headed by Dennis Hong, associate professor of mechanical engineering, but a first for the United States. “Considered as the most prestigious award for humanoid robots, the Louis Vuitton Humanoid Cup is a beautiful crystal trophy and will be coming to the United States for the very first time,” Hong said via email from Istanbul, Turkey, where the RoboCup 20011 Tournament was hosted.

“Since 2002, it has been in Japan for

seven years, then Germany took it and had it for two years, and finally the United States -- Team CHARLI from Virginia Tech -- brings it home.”

In all Virginia Tech’s team took home four major awards from the international competition that is considered one of the most respected competitions in the robotics research community, and proposes a soccer match between full-size humanoid robots against the human World Cup human champions -- and win -- by the year 2050.

Awards won include Best Humanoid Award, Louis Vuitton Humanoid Cup; First Place, Adult Size class; and Third Place, Technical Challenges for TEAM CHARLI, and First Place, Kid Size Class for TEAM DARwIn. CHARLI 2 (that’s for Cognitive Humanoid Autonomous Robot with Learning Intelligence) is the second in a series of adult-sized, autonomous humanoid robots built at Virginia Tech.

The first version, known as CHARLI-L (the "L" is for lightweight) debuted in

CHARLI 2 publicly debuted at the RoboCup 2011 competition in Istanbul, Turkey, and won the competition and main trophy of the event, the Louis Vuitton Humanoid Cup.

spring 2010 and made national headlines, appearing on the cover of Popular Science and in Robot magazine. Both generations were designed and built by doctoral student Jeakweon Han, a native of Korea now living in Blacksburg.

It is Han, who can be seen in YouTube videos on the Internet, standing behind CHARLI 2 as he takes the soccer court, scoring against various competitors. “Today is such a big day. CHARLI won the final game and will bring the Louis Vuitton Cup to Virginia Tech as the best humanoid,” said Han on his Facebook page, shortly after CHARLI won the final game in its division.

In the Kid Size Class, Team DARwIn beat several teams, including a team from Japan for the championship.

Joining Virginia Tech’s Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory was a team of engineering students from the University of Pennsylvania, who are collaborating with Hong’s group on RoboCup competitions involving the Kid Class humanoid robots and the development

of DARwIn-OP. Under director and founder Hong, the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory started project DARwIn (that’s Dynamic Anthropomorphic Robot with Intelligent) in 2003 to study human locomotion and humanoid robot design. DARwIn 1 was introduced in 2004 and was a revolutionary humanoid robot prototype at the time, and was followed by several incarnations since.

DARwIn-OP was introduced this past year and is a fully open source design -- both software and hardware. All info on the hardware is to be shared on-line for free, including detailed plans and drawings, manuals for fabrication and assembly.

The Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory will retain the Louis Vuitton Humanoid Cup until July 2012, when the next tournament kicks off.

By Steven Mackay info@newsroanoke.com

Steve Fugate Hikes America on a Roanokers Line Up for VIN Etching Mission of Hope and Healing This year, Steve Fugate’s hike began in Florida on April 30th.

He traveled through Georgia to North Carolina, along the Tennessee border into Virginia. After a brief stay in Elliston, Steve will hike up to Maryland and continue on to Maine. From there, Steve will make his way through Cincinnati for a visit with his mother and siblings, eventually crossing state by state until he lands in Oakland, California.

“My goal is to buy a self contained van and tour the country.

I want to talk to all the young and old people out there. High schools, colleges, community groups—wherever there are people at risk of taking their own lives, I want to be there to talk to them. I want to tell them: ‘if you want to be happy, stop thinking about yourself.’”

Steve’s passion for his message is evident in everything he says, although his voice is soft and his demeanor is humble.

“The people I meet and the things I see, it is difficult not to live my message. I say to people to get their kids into the woods for a good walk. Camp and see America. Feel nature and fresh air breezes and take the time for your family to really settle into the outdoors. It will make you stronger.”

Follow Steve’s progress at http://www.trailtherapy.org/ and click on his blog tab. You can also become friends with Steve on facebook.com and see his daily comments.

“Word of mouth has been the best advertising for me. I’ll be out there passing the word and you can pass the word for me here,” Steve grinned. “It’s all about the love.”

By Elizabeth Matthews Jones info@newsroanoke.com

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According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), suicide has become the 11th highest cause of death in the USA. Over 33,000 people take their own lives every year. For Steve Fugate, one life lost to suicide is too many.

Steve is an advocate for the lonely and the heartbroken. He hikes America with his message of hope and encouragement.

Fastened to his backpack frame above his head, both sides of a large white sign are printed with bold red letters: LOVE LIFE. One side is dedicated to his son, Steve Fugate is hiking across the other to his daughter.

“In 1999, my son was suffer- the U.S. for love and life. ing from depression, dealing with having to complete com- died of an accidental overdose munity service required by the of MS medicine while Steve was courts for a DUI conviction, once again on the trails. He is and looking for something to convinced that the grief of loskeep him busy and grounded. I ing her brother made her carethought giving him the respon- less, that she would never have sibility of running my business killed herself and left her fourwould be good for him. I told year-old daughter motherless him that I was going to hike if it weren’t for the pain Stevie’s the Appalachian Trail (AT) and death had inflicted.

“I take the energy and power when I was done, it would be of that loss and convert it into his turn,” Steve explained.

Halfway through the 2,200 positive energy to help others. mile hike, Steve got word that No matter what anyone says, his son, Stephen (Stevie) Lee losing a child and losing him or Fugate had put a gun in his her to suicide is the hardest grief mouth and killed himself. Left to experience.” Steve believes behind were twelve unfinished that people who consider or succeed in committing suicide suicide notes.

For Steve Fugate, the pain are in so much pain that they was indescribable. “I felt as never really understand what though someone had taken an impact and damage their death ax and chopped out my heart.” creates. “They need to think It took eight months before about us when they are conSteve could start hiking the AT templating. We need to forgive again. He picked up at the same them if they succeed.” He wants spot where he left the trail after to bring awareness to the pain, learning of Stevie’s death. He guilt and confusion those left dedicated his full 14 state hike behind experience, and comfort to Stevie and created a motto to those he meets as he hikes.

“I tell the people I meet along that has become his creed: “I want to mend the broken heart the way that you can do anything in the world except hurt while it is yet beating.”

Steve’s daughter, Shelly, helped other people. You have no right to make things work at home so to that. Some of them have that he could hike, supporting heard me. Some have changed his plan to take his message on their minds. I tell them that the road. Diagnosed with mul- they need to put blinders on, to tiple sclerosis in 2005, Shelly focus on one thing and that is to love life. It’s all about love.”

The Roanoke City Sheriff ’s Office in conjunction with the Roanoke City Police Department and the Virginia State Police HEAT program are sponsoring a free VIN etching for automobiles and motorcycles this weekend. You can bring your vehicle to the Valley View Mall Target store on Saturday, July 16th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The address is 4802 Valley View Boulevard.

VIN etching deters auto theft. VIH stands for vehicle identification number and every vehicle is assigned a number by the federal government. The HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Theft) program etches the VIN into all the windows of the vehicle. If the vehicle is ever stolen, all the Local and state officers assist motorists who windows have to be replaced at great expense, have lined their cars up to be etched. thereby discouraging vehicle theft.

HEAT provides free VIN etching for up to 16 parts of a motorcycle. No damage is done to the motorcycle through the process. VIN etched parts help police detect and identify stolen motorcycles.

Protect your vehicle and you might qualify for a discount on your insurance as well. The carpetroanoke.com Licensed & Insured VIN etching is fast and free for all cars, trucks, vans and moREPAIRS – NEW SALES - EXPERTS torcycles on Saturday.

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Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 7/15/11 - 7/21/11

Exercise . . . And So Much More

W

hen I joined the pending upon our height and Salem Family the depth of the water, and the YMCA in Janu- class begins. Laughter usually ary 2000 and enrolled in a wa- accompanies the 45 minute ter aerobics class, my main routine that provides a workconcern was relief for the pain out of all our muscles, includof fibromyalgia. I had heard ing fingers and toes. It’s obviglowing reports ous the instructor from several womloves her job and en about the warm she makes the class water arthritis class fun while assuring that brought relief that we get a thorfor their various ough workout. ailments -- hip re Dick Smith, placement, arthritis a longtime particiand, yes, fibromypant with his wife algia. My rheumaJean, occasionally tologist gave wholeprovides interesthearted approval ing historical trivMary Jo Shannon of this venture, so I ia, his deep voice made the decision booming across to invest the time and money the water as we march in place necessary to see if this was the or cross country ski. He once right thing to do. Exercise in gave a running account of the water is much easier on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, joints and strengthens muscles announcing each day what as you push against its force. was happening to those adI expected good results and I venturous explorers. was not disappointed.

Sometimes there is goodBut I was surprised at the natured ribbing in the womunanticipated blessings I re- en’s locker room after showceived when I became part of ers and sauna (for those who that group. An atmosphere can stand the heat). To save of fellowship and friendliness time changing clothes, we is evident when I swipe my ID wear our swim suits under our card and a cheerful reception- outer clothing when we come. ist greets me with a smile. It’s When someone forgets to pack positively contagious! Even underwear, we all kid her, but though I burned the toast and let her know that it happens to caught every red light on the everyone, sooner or later. And way to the Y, my mood chang- no one will guess that such es and I’m ready to joke with essentials are missing. It may the ladies in the locker room. be the “in thing” for certain During the warm-up, as the young celebrities, but not for men and women walk back us grandmothers! You can bet and forth across the pool, we go straight home when we (sideways, backward, march- leave the Y – and you can bet ing, jogging), we greet each we remember the next time. other by name. If someone is But joking and laughter are missing, you are sure to hear,” not the only components of Where’s Carol? [or Jane, or our relationship. These men Kathy, or Susie …] Did she say and women from many differshe was going somewhere?” ent backgrounds express genWhen the instructor calls uine concern and support for “Find a spot,” we all seem to one another. When one womfind our favorite spot – de- an went through the pain of

Counting Blessings as Children Move On

A

s scheduled from the moments they become, and how calm, compared with the unwere born, my daughter Katherine and witting, hyperactive comedian I was when I was my son Michael packed their beds and trying to be both their mother and their father. other belongings over the July 4 weekend and They will tell me to stand up straight and rerolled off to Washington, D.C. to plunge more prove me for indulging in self-deprecating talk deeply into their adult lives. They left equipped about my parenting performance. Just by being with the experiences and knowledge they've gath- themselves they will pay a high return on every ered since they were born in Salem and reared in ounce of time, money and energy Sharon and I Roanoke County. I guess they're part of the Brain invested in them. They will remember, I hope, Drain we hear about, the migration of our bright how I learned to help them as they went forward, children toward the employment, entermostly by staying out of their way. tainment and affluence available in the When Michael packed for his move capital region. to D.C. in 2006, I hovered over him with For precision's sake, l should say that unceasing worry and doubt. When we Katherine's D.C. sojourn had its roots went outside to the truck he'd rented, in spring 2010, when she graduated we stood awkwardly for a moment. from Virginia Tech and moved to VirThen, stupidly, I said something about ginia Beach, where she enjoyed the surf some of the hard times we'd shared. and sun, waited tables and, one evening, Tears welled up in his eyes, and in mine. served a woman whose son-in-law had We embraced, he climbed aboard and a consulting firm you-know-where.

I stood and watched as the truck rolled Joe Kennedy The customer arranged an interview for up the driveway. It felt like my whole life Katherine a few weeks later, the son-in-law hired was going away. her and she works for the firm even now.

I had the same feeling when Katherine left, Michael had lived in D.C. and worked as an beach-bound, in 2010.

Internet editor From August 2006, a few months This year, Michael came home and packed and after he graduated from Tech, till Spring 2007, prepared like a pro. For the few days he lived here, when he took a job with a software company we talked about sports, movies, politics and other based in Blacksburg for which he still works -- in interests we've shared for a lifetime, saying by our Washington. actions, "I love you, I'll miss you and we'll see each So this was not my first experience with an other soon." empty nest. Nor was it the worst. That was the Each evening, he went outside and shot hoops one in 2006. Back then, Michael and Katherine in the driveway, as he did in high school. I looked left home within a few days of each other. I came down at him from my bedroom window, pride home from work that first evening without them, creasing my face with a megawatt smile. noticed the deafening silence and realized that, After a dozen years of parenting alone, I have more even than on the morning after my wife distilled my lessons learned into a small stein of Sharon died in 1999, I felt devastatingly alone. wisdom, or maybe McWisdom: For the first time ever, the kids wouldn't be re1.Be present for your children. joining me the minute summer camp concluded, 2. Talk with them and listen to them every night the sleepover ended or the holidays arrived. They and every day. had other obligations. They still do.

3. Share their activities, working one-on-one, This time, I took comfort in knowing they are if possible. adults, and their futures are the most important 4. Admit your mistakes, explain theirs and althings for all of us. Comfort came also from real- ways, always forgive them, and always tell them izing that they know more than I do, and they un- you love them. derstand more -- not just about high tech things 5. Never, ever stop thanking God you have but about things in general. them.

Especially since my stroke two tears ago, our 6. Remind yourself regularly that parenting is roles have been reversing. a privilege, and it's always worth whatever it deIf things go as planned, soon I will ride an mands of us. We will never have anything more Amtrak train or Mega Bus to see them in Wash- precious than our children, until, I am told, our ington. They will meet me at the station, guide me grandkids arrive.

Contact Mary Jo at to my digs and cart me around town, as Sharon Contact Joe Kennedy maryjoshannon@ymail.com and I used to do for them. They will look at and cuppajoekennedy@gmail.com listen to me and, I hope, marvel at how smart I've

watching her husband’s health deteriorate, everyone offered support, asking for updates on his condition, and listening with compassion as she related details of the complicated diet she prepared for him, her frustration as she watched his condition decline, and her mixed feelings of hope and fear. We inquired regularly about his status, offering to help and often calling her to check if she missed a class. When the inevitable occurred, Y buddies were among the mourners who gathered at his funeral.

Similar compassion is expressed regularly when someone is hospitalized, is in rehab after surgery, or when someone loses a spouse of other loved one. Cards are placed on a bench outside the pool for signatures to convey concern..

After class is over some stay to socialize with coffee and conversation in another room.

Occasionally luncheons are offered on Wednesdays, and our class has met at a restaurant for lunch together.

Doctors say that exercise, laughter and social interaction are healing forces. I know when I miss several sessions, I can really tell the difference in my aches and pains. One of my friends agreed, but added, “I also miss the fellowship.”

Hanging in the corridor among the posters announcing a multitude of opportunities for all ages, is a framed statement that sums up the spirit of the Salem Family YMCA: “Encourage one another and build each other up.” I Thessalonians 5:11.

Amen.

The Preacher’s Corner - Becoming Good Soil “Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone who has ears, hear.” - Matthew 13: 8-9

my tomatoes are finally “coming in.” For a couple of months now I can exult in real tomatoes, freed from the curse of the store bought cardboard facsimiles that masquerade as my favorite food. My little garden patch has been watched, watered, fertilized, weeded, loved, lo these many weeks. I have obsessed over it. And now, the tomatoes have arrived. Halleluiah! Bacon lettuce and tomato sandwiches;

I

have a confession to make.

These days, just now, really excite me. No, my anniversary was in June. Easter and Christmas are months away. My vacation is past. I am so excited, giddy even, because

Fresh tomatoes and basil; Sliced, quartered, cubed, and sauced. As the old song goes, "There's only two things that money can’t buy; that’s true love and home grown tomatoes!"

I have a thing about gardens. I love to watch them grow. What a mystery it is to watch the miracle of growth and fruiting. One never knows if all the effort will be worth while, so many things can happen to spoil it: disease,

Local Crossword

Star-Sentinel Crossword for 6/24/2011

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ACROSS

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Eskimo home Vat Mid-Eastern dwellers Pixie Flightless bird Islands Knot Pacific Standard Time Full of swamp grass And so forth

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Deplete Possessive pronoun Analyze syntactically Computer part Sign of the zodiac A ball out of bounds (2 wds.)

Sky Ancient Indian 'Something you said keeps rattlin around in my ------ lobe.' (from the movie Rango) Dowel School group Area business bath remodeler who provides the right fit, best value, and has an A+ rating with the BBB. Lessen Negative (prefix) No Life histories Greek government Fliers aide Fall mo.

Pot Power tool brand

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NewsRoanoke.com

By Don Waterfield

insects, hail, too much and not enough rain, weeds that choke and birds and possums that seem to know just when the fruit is almost ripe, the day before I will come to pick it, and they will take it for themselves.

Thankfully only my taste buds are dependent upon my little garden. Harvest is not a matter of life and death for me as it was for the people who listened to Jesus tell his parable about seed and harvest. It is a confusing little parable for me, one I have struggled to understand for a long time … I wonder if I understand it now, if I have the ears to hear what our Lord would have me take deep inside.

But of course, Jesus is not speaking here about growing tomatoes, or even grain. He is talking about the fruit of lives. He is talking about the fruit of the message of the Gospel of God’s love, of forgiveness, of gracious

acceptance and a call to new life in the lives of those who hear it.

He is talking about the soil of our hearts, of our understanding, of our openness and willingness to embrace the message and grow in it and bear the fruit of it in the world about us.

The soil of our hearts becomes good, rich, deep soil because some of us are inclined that way.

It is nurtured in us in a thousand ways, through study, and prayer and service, and principally through the love, encouragement and care of others. But finally, I believe that we choose.

Dirt doesn’t choose anything, but we are not dirt! No, we are free moral agents before God. The seed that is sown is the word of God, the word of God’s grace, love, and power in the world. At every moment-literally, at every moment- you and I choose to be receptive to that word, that loving, quiet, de-

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

Fizz drink Canal name Ride a horse Place holder Clod Professor (abbr.)

Assume Jai alai Leave now!

Capital of Western Samoa Knitting stitch 5th Greek letter Grabbing Happiness is a warm ---. (from the movie Elephant White) Check Card game British thermal unit Pocket Cause of sickness Also Time zone Game Over. Thank --- for playing. (from the movie Zathura) Pastry Prudish Curt Stair "Calciums" antacid brand Adjoin Harvard's rival Low-cal Elide Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Bedroom furniture

by Tupper Garden manding, terrible, calling Presence, that calls us out of our little lives and into him. At any moment, we choose to be, or to become one of those soils of which Jesus spoke.

So it is with all relationships.

That is the way God intended, for us to be real and to receive one another as we honestly are.

And so it is with Christ. He is showering us every moment with the seeds of his love, in the everydayness of life, in the still voice that speaks a word of discomfort with the way things are, in the hunger for meaning, for God, for love to overtake our selfishness, in the vision of Christ giving himself for us that defies our wildest imagining.

Tupper Garden is the Senior Pastor at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. Visit them on the web at rcpres.org.

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Perspective

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A

Vacation Bible Schools Change With The Times

s church activities slow down in the hot weeks of summer, Vacation Bible Schools enliven many a congregation.

Though they've changed somewhat over generations, they still excite leaders in many churches who say that more can be taught a child in a concentrated week of teaching and play than in a year of sporadic Sunday School attendance.

I didn't care much for the ecumenical VBS held at our local Baptist church in my small-town childhood, but apparently a lot of children enjoyed it --or were forced to go. I expect that's still true especially in this day when so many parents both work and Bible school provides a free child-care service.

I encountered Bible schools again in a big way when as a young reporter of church news years ago I spent hours editing items for publication in Roanoke's daily newpaper. In those days, when church activities got a lot more space in papers than they do today, I sometimes had to list a dozen or more teachers, not a job I enjoyed. Fortunately today that's considered an extreme of "names make news" and even weekly publications don't give that much space.

I still re-write Bible school notices for brevity including only the basic facts and a telephone number which those interested can call. Actually these notices have a more useful purpose than much that is carried in newspapers because the schools are often attended by children without any affiliation with a congregation. Friends take friends.

At one time the schools were always held for three hours in the morning, usually in June. Then they shifted to evening. Today we find both.

Commenting on the value of VBS, a long-time Southern Baptist pastor, the Rev. Dr. Bob Moore of Bonsack Church pointed out that through community promotion, every year among the 400 or so who enrolled at the church he serves a fairly high percentage will be exposed to the message of "Jesus loves me" for the first time. For Baptists it's gratifying when some of the older pupils profess their faith in Christ as the result of their learning.

Baptisms often follow.

Bonsack Baptist probably has one of the largest schools in the valley with an estimated 150 adults and youth leading music, teaching the Gospel and helping younger children. It's a highlight of the

The Happy Chef -

M

summer along with the mission trips adults take to impoverished areas.

However, in many smaller congregations there aren't enough children to hold a well-rounded VBS. The obvious answer is to get together with other small groups especially in suburban towns on neighborhoods. Thus Fincastle has had a combined school for years with the Roman Catholic Church of the Transfiguration serving as the meeting site.

In Salem this year at least two neighborhood collections of churches have gone together for their schools mixing Lutherans, Presbyterians, United Methodists, Church of the Brerthren, Baptists and Episcopalians in two separate schools. This is enriching for the adults as well as children.

Although my experience with VBS has been mostly getting them publicized, I once was talked into co-teaching a sixth grade class when my small church joined with another in the Williamson Road area. As usual, I enjoyed my association with the two other teachers more than I did imparting knowledge or making craftsy things with the somewhat reluctant 12-year-olds. By this age, youngsters are often pressed into service to help with the little ones who haven't become jaded. My daughter fell into this category.

When my unchurched granddaughter from Georgia visited me 15 years ago, she attended in successive summers four different Bible schools because I was able to pick one for the weeks it was convenient for her parents to send her to visit. She made no complaints and who knows how much she learned.

Finally there was a year that my late husband and I agreed to lead a marriage enrichment class for adults in a suburban church. That too was an interesting experience since two couples dominated the group with their troubles and we felt unable to impart much.

From church bulletins today I notice many schools seemed to be using a prepared program which must be easier than having to create one as we formerly did. They are called "The Big Apple Adventure," "Hometown Nazareth," Kickin It Old School" and "Kingdom of the Son: A Prayer Safari ."No doubt Bible schools will go on forever.

By Frances Stebbins info@newsroanoke.com

is well blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

-Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, about 8 minutes.

-Transfer to paper towels; drain. Spread half of mayonnaise mixture over 1 side of half the bread slices.

by Leigh Sackett

-Top each with 2 tomato slices.

Sprinkle tomatoes with salt and pepper.

-Top tomato slices with avocado, then with bacon strips, onion and lettuce. Spread remaining mayonnaise mixture over remaining bread slices.

-Place bread slices atop lettuce. Cut sandwiches in half and serve.

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Unfortunately, I Nailed It

had a great childhood. days grow short in November. young, impressionable mind.

When I was seven or so, We don't all know, however, that Firefighter-with-chainsaw numI used to watch with fas- firecrackers can make even a dark ber two began cutting into the cination as my dad built things evening light if they're employed tree from a different angle, only with lumber and nails. Not that just so. We discovered that when to be met again with "whirrrrrrI can remember what mom brought it to PING". I, of course, was met it was that he usually our attention thus: with several words which made built for his weekend "GEORGE! THE me want to go to my happy place projects, but I knew BACK YARD IS ON and stay there. By this time, the that all of that hamFIRE!" firefighter with the hose was mering could only be Naturally, such in- pumping water onto the tree a good thing. I guess formation is worth while the other two yelled at that's why I took it more than gold to a him to quit it until they could upon myself, over the twelve year old boy cut into the tree to expose the course of two years whose idea of excite- fire within. With both chainsaws or so, to get in some ment is getting per- now repaired, we were all treathammer practice mission to watch the ed to "whirrrrr-PING-PING".

Robert Adcox of my own. Convelate show on Friday That's right. Yours truly manniently enough, I had night. While mom aged, through his childhood the perfect venue: an old, dead called the fire department and antics, to break not one but four oak tree which sat smack dab the neighbors came over to in- chainsaw blades in the first-ever in the middle of the back yard. form us that the back yard was, accidently but somewhat on Not a whole tree, mind you. Just in fact, on fire, dad busied him- purpose tree-spiking. the lower half of what must have self with the garden hose, sprayThe hose guy finally got the been a magnificent tower of ing it on the trees surrounding fire out. In fact, he also managed branches and leaves about the the towering inferno in a valiant to water not only our but even time Henry Ford began schem- effort to keep the flames from the Simmon's back yard that ing on how best to build a car. spreading to the rest of our chilly November evening. Mom By the time I tired of this early trees. endured yet another day with bout of OCD, I had most certainFirefighters, who arrived her otherwise all-male famly affixed several hundred nails twenty minutes later, ran down ily. The neighbors had a story into that old oak. This phase of the hill with the hose from the to share at work the next day. my childhood was surpassed by truck, but not before other fire- And I was encouraged by dad to the next one: firecrackers. Yes, fighters could begin cutting into pursue hobbies involving spray those wondrous explosives guar- the burning tree with chain- paint and glue. anteed to make mothers race to saws.

Many years have passed since their Valium bottles were introThen it happened. that cold autumn night, but it duced to me by my older brothThe whir of the first saw will forever be remembered by er and my dad, who were busy was quickly supplanted by the me as the night I nailed it. planting them into the poor old sound of a nail from 1969 going tree fragment for the expressed "PING", which, of course, led to Contact Robert at purpose of blowing termites out a broken chain and a string of robadcox@hotmail.com of their nests at rather high ve- words which truly boggled my locities. Keep in mind that this occurred on a November afternoon, when the air is very dry.

That's important.

Community | News | Perspective Somewhere between the third and the thirtieth such comman540-400-0990 do raid, mom called us all in for Publisher | Stuart Revercomb | stuart@newsroanoke.com supper.

Features Editor | Cheryl Hodges | cheryl@newsroanoke.com News Editor | Gene Marrano | gmarrano@cox.net Now, we all know that the

The Next Best Bacon Lettuce and Tomato

y tomato plants with me and now I am enjoyare not doing well ing someone else’s garden fresh this year and sev- tomatoes – which is Biblical too eral other people I have talked (just read Acts) and could be into are having the same problem. cluded in a tomato sermon.

But then on Sunday my minisI like a classic mayo, tomato ter, Tupper Garden, delivered with salt and pepper on white a wonderful sermon (which bread, but this fancier version happens to be featured as the of the classic sounded very deliPreacher’s Corner this week; see cious. I will be trying it later in pg. 4) about his tomatoes and he the week after my quest for the even brought in his perfect first perfect avocado! tomato for all of us to see! Of 2 1/2 cups (lightly packed) fresh course his sermon was not just basil leaves about tomatoes; it was about the 1 cup mayonnaise The Parable of the Sower. I bet 1/4 cup butter, at room temperaour congregation thought about ture Jesus as they ate their tomato 12 thick-sliced bacon strips sandwiches that day!

12 slices (1/2-inch-thick size) So even though struggling to- fresh country-style white bread mato plants are all around me, or sliced French Bread or Sour I saw in that worship service Dough Bread a healthy tomato, I knew they 3 large tomatoes, cut into were out there! So I set out into 1/4-inch-thick rounds the community in search of a 2 ripe avocados, pitted, peeled, place to purchase a couple of sliced fruits that would bring summer 1 red onion, thinly sliced joy to my taste buds. Luckily, the 6 lettuce leaves tomatoes, at the Wertz’s stand on -Mix basil, mayonnaise and Brambleton, were looking beaubutter in processor until basil Max 7 12 11 2.pdf 7/11/2011 8:44:07 PM tiful, so I brought a few home is finely chopped and mixture

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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 7/15/11 - 7/21/11

Regional Bike Hero \ Professional Award Winners Announced

NewsRoanoke.com

Salem Fair Wraps Up - Sets Records

The Salem Fair wrapped-up its 11-day run at ning of July 8 knocked attendance down as much the Taliaferro Complex last Sunday, but not before as 40 percent on those two days.

The Regional Bicycle Advi- gional Bicycle Advisory Composting gains in attendance and revenue for the “While the economy is improving, it’s still stagsory Committee, organized by mittee. The Committee gives third straight year.

Fair Manager, Carey Harveynant and people tended to stay home and look for the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany out two distinct awards - the cutter, says attendance for this year’s event was up value for their entertainment again this year,” said Regional Commission, has an- "Bike Hero Award" and the "Exfive percent over 2010’s figures as approximately Harveycutter.

“I’ve often said that when you offer nounced the winners of its 3rd traordinary Bicycle Professional 315,000 folks toured the fair’s 14-acre midway this a quality product like Deggeller Attractions does, Annual Bike Hero and Extraor- Award" summer. the public will respond, and they did just that once dinary Bike Professional awards.

The Bike Hero Award is “We had a great run despite two nights of rain. ” again this year. ” awarded to an individual who said Harveycutter. “Ticket sales for rides were up Creative arts and horticulture exhibits also were has shown dedication to the and the independent food operators also reported up more than 25 percent this year as over 500 indiuse and advocacy of the bicycle solid gains. ” vidual exhibitors put their produce, baked goods as a transportation alternative Attendance for the opening night of the fair inand crafts on display. in their day-to-day activities, creased by 10 percent from 2010 and overall gross Harveycutter says the Fair is considering a their work in the community to Liz Belcher ride receipts for ticket sales were up two percent. schedule change for its 25th anniversary year that improve bicycle accommodaThese increases occurred even though heavy rain could lengthen the fair by several days in 2012. leading groups of volunteers to tions, and their encouragement during the late afternoon on July 4 and on the eveadd and maintain the Cove's through advocacy or by example for others to replace vehicle trips myriad mountain biking paths.

His advocacy work includes with bicycle trips.

This years recipient is Wes- attending this year's National ley Best, owner of East Coast- Bike Summit and meeting with ers Bike Shops, who has been congressional representatives recognized for his tireless work to lobby for continued, strong on cycling, both as a business funding of improvement in biWesley Best owner helping customers find cycle infrastructure. His shop The awards honor individuals the right bike for their needs, has sponsored a number of who have shown extraordinary as well as a community activist events in the area, including the dedication to improving bicycle making practical, tangible im- Junior Cycling Team, an effort to accommodations, education, provements in cycling accom- get more kids into healthy, comaccess, and safety in the region. modations in the valley. He has petitive cycling.

The Extraordinary Bicycle Individuals were nominated been involved in extensive trail Professional Award is given throughout Bike Month, and building work at Carvins Cove, to an employee in the public or winners were selected by the Re- volunteering his own time and private sector who has shown remarkable leadership in encouraging the use of bicycling as a transportation alternative.

A variety of attractions draw Salem This year's recipient is Liz Fair goers from around the region.

Belcher who has been the driving force behind the regional Story and Photos By Gene Marrano greenway network, one of the gmarrano@cox.net best things to happen to cyclists of all stripes in the Roanoke Valley. Her dogged determination in seeking to complete this trail has resulted in a multiple-mile, paved, easy-to-ride bicycle highway that continues to connect some of the major activity centers in the Roanoke Valley.

With the recent completion of the Wasena bridge and expansion of the greenway into w w w.sealcoatingsolutions.com Vic Thomas Park, it's now possible to bike from Downtown Roanoke to the Grandin Village for 6/24/2011 almost entirely off-road, and the presence of the greenway is Brady and Jacob Bell of Moneta get set for a Solution: an important catalyst in the up- flight through the sky above Salem.

C S T S O P U P S A P coming revitalization of the Wasena neighborhood.

O U R P A R S E C P U Because of Liz's work with L E O A F O U L A I R planning, fundraising, event organizing, and her ability to work The population explosion The Roanoke Valley SPCA has ed from the Regional Center.

A Z T E C F R O N T A L with the many jurisdictions and entered into a partnership with Nature’s Emporium has been experienced at animal shelters stakeholders, public and private, Nature’s Emporium to save the filled with furry young felines throughout the nation during P E G P T A involved with the greenway, the lives of more cats and kittens. hoping for a forever home. From the spring months affects the A B A T E T U B S R U S committee recognized her with Kitten season has arrived as 11am-4pm on Friday and Satur- number of cats and kittens bethis award. never before, with litters upon day, volunteers will be on hand ing relinquished to municipal A N T I B I O S N A Y litters of kittens of all ages and to talk with prospective owners pounds in a profound manner.

RIDE Solutions serves everyone colors being delivered to the Re- and facilitate the adoption pro- Too many of those never make B O U L E C O P I L O T commuting into or out from the gional Center for Animal Con- cess. Many of the kittens/young it into a long-term home. HavO C T U R N greater New River and Roanoke trol & Protection (the municipal cats will be ready to head home, ing kittens on display at Nature’s Valley regions, including Frank- pound.) The Roanoke Valley having previously been spayed Emporium will enable more cats S T A N L E Y I G L O O lin, Craig, Alleghany, Pulaski, SPCA has stepped up its efforts or neutered, vaccinated and mi- to be placed in loving homes and T U B A R A B S I M P Giles, Floyd and Montgomery to facilitate the adoption of more crochipped. Those waiting their open space for the many others counties. All of RIDE Solutions' cats and kittens by offering dis- turn in the RVSPCA clinic will to follow.

E M U I S L E S T I E carpool matching and other ser- counted adoption fees. Each cat be able to go to their new home The RVSPCA relies on the vices are completely free. Register adopted from the RVSPCA frees a few days following their adop- generosity of individuals and P S T R E E D Y E T C online at ridesolutions.org. the business community for the up space for others to be accept- tion. funds necessary to operate the Adoption & Education Center.

It does not receive funding from any governmental body or naBath Tub? tional animal welfare organization.

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Sports

Forest Hills Travels To Hunting Hills For Last Week Of Regular Season

West Squad Led By Six Roanoke-Area Players in Commonwealth Games

Six Roanoke-area high school players were among the talented West All-Star team that competed in the Coventry Commonwealth Games last weekend in the round-robin format at Kiwanis Field in Salem.

Included in that group were

Dustin Garst of Salem High School, Dallas Chocklette and Jo Stickney of William Byrd, Dylan Powers of Lord Botetourt, as well as Reece Kingery and Steve Klaiber of Cave Spring.

All will be starters returning to their respective high school

7/15/11 - 7/21/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

squads next year.

Although the West team did not medal, they proved to be tough competition throughout.

Their highlight win came on Sunday morning in the completion of a rain-delayed game carried over from Friday night.

Klaiber provided the big blow in the 4-3 win with a three-run homer in the second inning.

Klaiber also went 2-for-4 in the West's 9-4 loss to the Central Virginia team Saturday.

Also, on Saturday, Powers sent a blast over the right field wall for a two-run homer as the West fell short in a 4-3 loss to the East. Garst was 2-for-3 in Sunday's bronze medal 6-3 loss in a rematch with the Central team.

Boys leave the platform in the 50-meter butterfly.

Julia D'Houbler of Hunting Hills touches the wall for her finish in the 25-meter backstroke.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

Botetourt's Dylan Powers (right, in orange) touches home plate after his two-run blast against the East.

Forest Hills Taylor Hilovsky gets set for the start of the 25-meter backstroke.

Kathleen Brett of Forest Hills shows perfect form in the 50-meter butterfly.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

2nd Annual Future Stars Football Camp Begins July 19

William Byrd's Jo Stickney of the West team connects down the third base line.

The 2nd Annual Future Stars Football Camp will be held July 19 for children ages 6 to 8 and July 20th - 21st for children ages 9 to 15 at William Fleming High School from 6 to 8 p.m. The camp is offered free of charge to city residents. Participants can register on-site (in front of the main entrance to stadium) for a great day of fun and football at the new William Fleming Colonels Stadium.

Anyone who is interested in

Elks Club Swimmers on Top The Elks Club Swim team remains undefeated this year, beating out six other teams in Roanoke County, Botetourt and Vinton. The team boasts over 100 swimmers ranging in age from 4 to 50+, and many are year 'round swimmers with the CAC Marlins, the Gators and the YMCA. The team is coached

by Richard Hughes with as-

sistant coach Jessica Chen. The following swimmers all have top times in their age groups. (# of top times in parentheses.)

Clara Higgins (1), Ella Higgins (2), Jordan Morling (6), Daniel Morrill (3), and Frank Hughes (1). The City/County Championship for all local swim clubs is next weekend - July 22 and 23!

playing football is encouraged to attend, regardless of skill level. The head football coaches from William Fleming High School (Lee Johnson) and Patrick Henry High School (Alan Fiddler) along with their staff will be facilitating the camp.

Recreation coaches are also encouraged to attend the clinic and learn the fundamentals of both the Colonels and Patriots programs.

For more information, con-

tact Nat Franklin at Roanoke City Parks and Rec.: 853-1110.

(Note: This camp is open to City of Roanoke residents only.)

Youth Fall Recreational Football Registration for Fall 2011 GSA Youth Recreational Football is available until the deadline, July 26th.

Visit www.gsasports.org to register and pay online or to download a registration form.

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Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 7/15/11 - 7/21/11

NewsRoanoke.com

Hiring A Licensed Building Contractor Henson Joins Access as Creative Director It is important to hire a licensed building contractor when you are renovating or building new construction.

The Virginia Code requires a building contractor who performs or manages construction, removal, repair, or improvements on a single contract of $1,000.00 but less than $7,500.00 or the total value of such construction, removal, repair, or improvements undertaken by the contractor within any twelve month period is less than $150,000.00 to obtain a Class C contractors license.

A contractor who performs or manages construction, removal, repair, or improvements when the total value referred to in a single contract or project is $7,500.00 or more, but less than $120,000.00 or the total value of such construction, removal, repair, or improvements undertaken by the contractor within a twelve month period is $150,000.00 or more, but less than $750,000.00 to obtain a Class B contractors license.

A contractor who performs or manages construction, removal, repair, or improvements when the total value referred to in a single contract or project is $120,000.00 or more or the total value of such construction, removal, repair, or improvements undertaken by such person within any twelve month period is $750,000.00 or more must obtain a Class A contractors license.

You can confirm whether or not your potential building contractor is licensed with the Commonwealth of Virginia by checking with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The

Phillip Lingafelt Departments website is www. dpor.virginia.gov.

On that website, you can check for the contractors license and check for any disciplinary actions against the contractor administered by the Virginia Board of Contractors.

Any professional and reputable contractor should provide you with a legible written contract that includes at least the following: 1. A general description of the work to be performed; 2. A fixed price or estimate of the total cost of the work, the amounts and schedule of progress payments, a listing of specific materials requested by the contracting party, and the amount of down payment; 3. Estimates of the time of commencement and completion of the work; 4. The contractors name, address, office telephone number, and license or certification; 5. A statement of assurance that the contractor will comply with all local requirements for building permits, inspections, and zoning; 6. A disclosure of the cancelation rights of the parties; and 7. A statement providing that any modification to the contract, which changes the costs, materials, work to be performed, or estimated

completion date, must be in writing and signed by all the parties. A copy of the written contract should be promptly given to you.

If the contractor fails to perform under the contract, and that failure is unjustified, you may be entitled to file a complaint with the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and possibly make a claim against the Virginia Contractor Transaction Recovery Fund. If you experience sufficient problems with the contractors work or the contractor has breached his contract, you may want to consult an attorney before filing a complaint. An attorney can assist you in properly documenting and filing the complaint.

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound a cure. Your time spent investigating your potential contractor may save you from many future headaches. If your renovation or construction is of a significant dollar value, your ounce of prevention may be consulting an attorney to help you review or draft your contract with the contractor. Defective renovation or construction can sometimes lead to long drawn out repairs and a lot of frustration. You can try to limit that possibility by spending some time investigating and using information from the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and consulting an attorney.

Access Advertising & Public Relations has announced the expansion of the Roanokebased agency with the addition of Chris Henson as Creative Director. In this position, Henson will be responsible for creative development, design and client relations.

Chris entered the world of advertising as a junior designer and copywriter in 1993. Since then, he has worked as an art director, graphic designer, illustrator, copywriter, audio/video editor, and creative director for several agencies in the Roanoke area, including Katie Wallace Design and John Lambert Associates and was director of publications at Roanoke College. He operated his own small creative agency, MediaFrenzy, for the last six years.

“Injecting Chris’ considerable talents and experience into the seasoned creative team at Access will have an immediate positive impact for our clients, adding powerful ideas and Chris’

Chris Henson unique style and energy to every project,” said Tony Pearman, CEO and Chief Creative Officer for Access. “We are thrilled to add such a seasoned, awardwinning player to the team.”

Chris' broad experience in branding and advertising includes the healthcare, higher education, technology, and security industries. He has led many

highly successful branding campaigns for clients including Delta Dental of Virginia, Medeco High Security Locks and others. Chris has collaborated extensively on promotions for area non-profit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, CASA, Boys and Girls Club of the Roanoke Valley, Goodwill Industries, the Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Advertising Federation of the Roanoke Valley.

Chris often lectures on the creative process, has taught graphic design, and has led corporate branding workshops.

He has been a features writer for the Roanoke Times, a guest commentator on Public Radio, and a successful voiceover artist. Chris has a B.A. in communications and a minor in music from Virginia Tech.

For more information, visit www.visitaccess.com .

Valley Bar Associations Recognized for Achievements

The Roanoke Bar Association has received two Awards of Merit from the Virginia State Bar's Conference of Local Bar Associations. The awards were presented in June during the VSB's annual meeting in Virginia Beach.

The association was recognized for its "Barrister Book Buddies" program, which helps children in Roanoke City PubPhillip Lingafelt is an at- lic Schools learn to read. Assotorney with Glenn Feldmann ciation members, judges, and Darby & Goodlatte visit www. staff members volunteer one hour a month to an elementary gfdg.com to learn more. school class, and the bar bud-

gets $1,300 to present a book to each participating student at the end of the year. The program has never turned down a request for a book buddy.

Currently, thirty-nine buddies are reading in four schools in disadvantaged areas. The bar started this low-cost program in 1999.

The Roanoke Bar Association and Salem/Roanoke County Bar Association both received Awards of Merit for their participation in "The Rule of Law Project," established by the Virginia Bar Association

to bring citizen lawyers into middle schools. The Roanoke bar participated in the Rule of Law pilot project in 2009. In 2010, Roanoke joined with the Salem/Roanoke County bar to fully implement the program in local schools. They did so with a grant from the Virginia Law Foundation. The lawyer volunteers were trained, and the program was developed in collaboration with professional educators. Awards of Merit recognize excellence in bar projects that serve the bench, the bar, and the people of Virginia.

Travelin’ Man: Ernie Dale Always On the Go Sure, Ernie Dale can take you to Hawaii and the Caribbean with a packaged tour – but he can also transport folks to Hillbilly Hideaway, an Elvis Presley tribute show and a baseball game in Baltimore. A full time employee for the Veteran’s Administration and a part time event staffer at the Roanoke Civic Center, Dale

also operates his own business, Roanoke Tours Inc., putting together a wide array of tour packages, mostly on weekends.

Dale’s trips are hosted online and offered by Botetourt County Parks and Recreation, which also takes the registrations for each trip. He organized his first one about 16 years ago for a lo-

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Train trips originate from Clifton Forge and Lynchburg after a bus ride from Roanoke. One trip to Bristol Motor Speedway offers a guided bus trip around the banked oval half-mile track. Ernie Dale with an Elvis imPigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, the personator on a bus trip to Biltmore Estate in Asheville and Wytheville. the National Apple Festival in Hershey, PA are among the up- part of Dale’s motivation. There are even “mystery trips,” where coming adventures offered.

“Finding different places [that those who sign up have no idea are] enlightening to people,” is where they are headed for the weekend; instead they rely on his good judgment and track reIt's In The cord. “It’s a lot of work,” admits Dale, who organizes all aspects of each trip, including transEvery Job... portation, lodging and the atSmall Or Large! tractions offered. Most of Dale’s trips have been done before, “but once in a while we’ll throw in a new one.”

The first time people visit Cabinetry & Manhattan is always a thrill, Countertops R OA N O K E with Chinatown, the Empire MO NT H LY S AV I NG S! ! ! State Building and the Statue of

cal radio station; “That’s how it started out,” he said. Now Dale sends an e-mail blast to people on his extensive mailing list, advertising trips mostly along the east coast, from New York to Georgia.

Dale goes on all the trips, which have included jaunts to Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, St. John’s in the Caribbean and Hawaii.

Locally Dale offers fall train trips to check out the foliage (including the James River Rambler, a three hour-plus train ride) and dinner theater excursions to Greg and Julie Robert's Kitchen

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He arranges five trips a year to New York, priced at $389 per person. Many of those who take his trips are retirees but Dale said he has people from all different age groups, including those with children in tow.

The range of trips offered by Dale is so varied it is almost hard to comprehend, from evangelist Joel Osteen in Raleigh to dinner theater in Ferrum, from Paula Dean’s restaurant in Savannah to a Christmas with Elvis in Burlington, North Carolina. Elvis trips seem to be a staple and are apparently popular with his weekend warriors. “I like to try and find new places,” said Dale as to why he does it, “[and] most of the people are nice.”

For more information contact Ernie Dale, Roanoke Tours, Inc., 3531 Peters Creek Road, # 507, Roanoke; call 366-2888 or email erniedale@aol.com

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

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Arts & Culture

NewsRoanoke.com

“Overnight” Puts The Spotlight On Live Theater Once Again Overnight Sensations returned to Mill Mountain Theatre last weekend for a fifth time. It is a frenetic, 24 hour period when writers, directors and actors – some professional, some amateur, some really not actors at all – assemble and stage 10-15 minute long original plays. The goal as always, said Todd Ristau, head of the Hollins University Master’s of Fine Arts playwriting program, “is to celebrate live theater and to highlight its impact in the Roanoke Valley.”

Once again everybody met on a Friday night.

Reaching into an oversized brandy snifter, playwrights drew: themes for each new work, (comedy, drama, crime noir, etc.), the director they would work with, the settings for each play, props that must be used and the names of 6-7 actors.

Then they went off to the Hollins campus to begin writing their plays.

On Saturday morning the playwrights met with the directors to fine tune scripts and begin the “blocking process” – where actors should come in, where they should stand, etc. At noon the cast showed up to begin read-throughs, tweak the scripts some more and begin to memorize their lines.

Titles for each play, which also suggested the themes—playwrights took great license with these—included “Special Collections,” “Fundraiser Gone Funky,” “Ain’t Nobody’s Bargain,” “Chuck Wagon All-in-One Finance,” and “Repo Hut.” Locations included an airport lounge, a library and a cocktail lounge.

At 8 p.m. it was show time. Over the next 90 minutes, six plays were presented to a nearly full house at Mill Mountain Theatre’s Trinkle Main Stage, which incidentally will soon go dark (after a festival of student play readings July 22-24) as Center in the Square begins a two year renovation process.

The smaller Waldron “black box” stage is scheduled to be back on line this fall, with productions on the Trinkle stage slated to return in late 2013.

It was announced that the nearly completed new Community High School building will also offer a space for live theater, including a new home for GAMUT Theatre productions.

Ristau likes to call Overnight Sensations a “friend raiser, rather than a fundraiser, a free event where members of the community can interact with the people that they are used to watching on stage or that work behind the scenes.” Ristau likes to involve non-actors of some note from the Roanoke area to get involved, with the hope that they will help spread the word about live theater.

Having “grizzled veterans of theater working side by side with absolute beginners,” is one of Ristau’s main objectives, as is having his playwriting students at Hollins get involved as writers or actors.

Ristau assembled a formidable roster of directors and playwrights for this year’s Overnight Sensations, many of whom were connected to the Hollins MFA program as visiting teachers or as students. Samantha Macher, for example (no relation to Spanky), is a playwright-in-residence at the SkyPilot Theatre in Los Angeles, while the director she worked with on Special Collections, Bob Ross, has a theater named for him in New York.

Earlier that day Ross and Macher tweaked the play on read-throughs with the cast. “I don’t think the issue is clean,” Ross remarked about one theme

Photo by Gene Maranno

Todd Ristau welcomes participants to Overnight Sensations. in Special Collections, “we need a help mate.” On a run through at Mill Mountain, director Kenley Smith (founder of Studio Roanoke nearby) reassured his cast that it would come together. “There’s so much going on,” said Smith, also a playwright and graduate of the Hollins program, “we’re just seeing how it flows.”

Ironically, one of the cast members for Special Collections provided a central theme for the play.

Bayla Sussman, a retired Equity actor who now runs Baylee’s Chocolates on Rt. 419 in Roanoke County, brought a box full of her confectionery delights last Friday night. Playwright Samantha Macher worked Baylee’s Chocolates into the play, as a way to bring two lovers together, and as a vehicle to help a clueless high school jock learn algebra.

Ross worked with one of the all time greats in American theater, the late Helen Hayes, and assured nervous cast members like Sussman, shortly before the curtain went up Saturday night, that even the legendary actress got butterflies the first few times she performed a new play.

Sussman, who studied acting at Northwestern, had been off the stage for many years after moving to Roanoke in the 90s but appreciated the opportunity to be in the limelight once again. She has been in the chocolate business for about seven years, starting with a home-based company.

Except for a performance at the Addy awards several years ago it had been 16 years since Sussman had acted on stage. “It’s exciting; it’s terrifying – I can’t wait to do it again.” Having her Baylee’s Chocolates become the centerpiece of the play was surprising. “I was stunned. It was like a commercial for my chocolate,” said Sussman, who makes most of her confectionary treats from scratch.

Afterwards Ristau and Scott Treadway, the new producing artistic director for Mill Mountain Theatre, sat onstage and polled the audience on what plays they would like to see produced locally in the next few years. Ristau asked attendees to support local live theater, no matter what the venue. “It was amazing to see how many talented people there are in this city,” added Treadway about Overnight Sensations.

7/15/11 - 7/21/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

PROject proJECT Yet Another New Art Wrinkle for Roanoke

Roanoke has hosted some (Kirk Avenue Music Hall) unusual takes on art over the will also be employed as an past few years, from aerial information station and a ballet dancers that performed video screening room. “Then while suspended high above you can just come down Kirk city streets, to the Marginal Avenue and just get involved Arts Festival and last winwith everything else,” notes ter’s Art View installation Eaton. A silent auction held at exhibition at the Roanoke the Shadowbox that night will Civic Center. Enter the latest raise money for the event. venture, “PROject proJECT,” “It will the first time for a which will be held Friday, July project of this kind in Roa22 from 9 p.m. to midnight noke and I can see it becomon Kirk Avenue. The outing a yearly and growing door event will incorporate event,” said Rhonda Morgan, projected images of artwork executive director for the Arts and other light-based works, Council of the Blue Ridge, with video, slide shows, film who assembled another first and handheld video imagery. time event, ArtView, last year.

Educators from HolMorgan said “an exhibition lins University, art students, similar to PROject proJECT graphic designers, filmmakhas also been held in New ers, curators and gallery own- One of the images that will be York City – but this will defiers will take part in PROject shown during PROject proJECT. nitely be a first for Roanoke.” proJECT. “Our group has a meditating in “raw, surveillance history of successful collaboVisit http://project-projectrations in a wide range of disci- camera footage,” while the other roanoke.tumblr.com/ for more plines such as visual arts, literary projection juxtaposes chaotic information, or go to the PROject arts, performance, music, and events – like a demolition derby proJECT Facebook page as well. film,” said Hollins University art and ants building a colony.

By Gene Marrano Members of The Magic Twig professor and PROject proJECT gmarrano@cox.net Community musicians troupe, organizer Christine Carr, whose own contribution focuses on the who morph into a number of post traumatic stress disorder band configurations, will create experienced by many military an original soundtrack for some of the projections that will be veterans.

Fellow organizer Ralph Eaton, screened on the sides of buildprimarily a sculptor, can be seen ings, on air handling units, and on July 22 wearing his “light suit,” in parking lots along Kirk Avwhich he has donned for the enue, along with other unusual Marginal Arts Parade in the past. settings. www.oln-parish.org PROject proJECT is inspired “Roanoke’s arts community has blossomed in the past few years, in part by an event that has taken and we hope to keep the mo- place in Richmond over the past mentum going with the addition several years, called “In Light.” of PROject proJECT,” said Eaton, Eaton, a fixture on the local arts Contact us: who will also be collaborating on scene, said the event hopes to 540-774-0066 a piece called “Civil Rain,” which draw spectators from the pedeshe calls “a mash up of antebellum trian traffic that can always be Civil War culture [and] modern found in downtown Roanoke on 2505 Electric Road, a Friday night. rave culture.”

Roanoke VA, 24018 The Shadowbox Microcinema Tif Robinette is his partner on ! the project. “She thought it was interesting how some people are Computer/Laptop Problems? obsessed with [the Civil War],” said Eaton. Robinette wanted Call (540) 529-4200 “to do something based on that theme.” Women dressed in peBridgebyte Computers LLC is here to help! riod hoop skirts will be adorned We offer on-site service and support, with glow sticks and other luminary devices as they stroll around 7 days a week. with their southern gentlemen beaus that night. $25 Service Fee + $10 per hour labor Artist Matt Ames will project a video game image on one wall, + Parts (if needed)* while Carr’s Flashback will incorporate smoke bombs, with an Repairs, Upgrades, Disaster Recovery image projected into the smoke.

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(Note: Star-Sentinel News Editor Gene Marrano returned to the stage in Overnight Sensations for a second time, playing “Bradley’s Dad” in Special Collections. He only flubbed one line.)

By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Your Hometown Business Directory

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Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 7/15/11 - 7/21/11

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