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July 6 - July 12, 2012

[Extreme Weather]

“Derecho” Slams Valley Gang Summit

P3– Virginia Deputy Attorney General G. Michael Favale, who has crisscrossed the Commonwealth speaking about gang influence, held a Gang Summit at The Hotel Roanoke last week.

Dick Baynton

Good Example P4– Dick Baynton says that the rest of the USA should take a lesson from the recent political wranglings in Wisconsin.

The Classic P7– Bill Turner uses his inside credentials to bring the full scoop on Tiger Woods, First Tee Roanoke and the general “goings on” at the Greenbrier Classic.

Patriot Painting P8– Army Veteran Paul “Buddy” Rhoades takes lessons learned in the military and returns to Roanoke to open his own painting franchise.

Photo by Gene Marrano

High winds brought trees down on homes, power lines and automobiles like this one in downtown Roanoke. Officials at AEP said it was the largest and most widespread power outage they have ever experienced. (See More Pics on P6.)

Freak Storm System Takes Several States and Southwest Virginia By Surprise

Market Square May Get Whole New Look

The main portion of Market Square has been dubbed “Roanoke’s Living Room” and has functioned as such since Roanoke’s existence. “The nature of our commerce has changed,” said Sean Luther, Downtown Roanoke Inc. CEO. The two squares adjacent to Center in the Square and 202 Market accommodate 24 onstreet parking spaces. Luther wants to see a more pedestrian focus. It would eliminate the 24 parking spaces that would be replaced with pavers, trees and stalls. Luther was selling the idea to city council and hopes to get funding for the project estimated to be $250,000. “This is the center of our downtown,” he said. “It’s a traffic engineering negative” for parking and maneuverability. Lucas Thorton with Hist: Re Partners LLC gave a presentation to the DRI board and Luther said that they were very impressed with the concept. Joyce Waugh with the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce represented the business community and told council that, “The board had not yet taken a positive position on the project but are impressed with the innovative approach.” “How do we activate the square,” asked Luther rhetorically. The square will be a priority for pedestrians rather than for cars, he said. The project will connect Center in the Square with the Market Building and Elmwood Park. It may not be exactly the final result but “it’s the beginning of a conversation,” said Luther. The plan is to create “super stalls” for farm vendors that will provide

hey call it “Derecho,” a term now seared into the minds of Roanokers after an up close and personal experience of the unusual natural event last Friday. That’s the night when hurricane-force winds of 80-90 mph blew into the valley just before 9 pm, wrecking havoc before moving on. On I-581 heading towards downtown Roanoke debris including what appeared to be hay, blew across the highway at high velocity, while cars crept along in the reduced visibility, drivers gripping steering wheels tightly in order to stay in control. “It almost blew my minivan off the road,” said Peg McGuire, who handles communication duties for the Virginia Museum of Transportation, “I had to pull over.” Near Roanoke Regional Airport, others reported that they had trouble staying on the pavement as they attempted to turn from Thirlane onto Hershberger. In the concrete canyons of downtown Roanoke, leaves, branches, paper and other debris funneled through the streets

while people took cover in doorways. Tree limbs, that came down in the city, blocked off Kirk Avenue near the Music Hall and smashed an automobile parked in front of Center in the Square. The massive straight-line wind storm was over almost as soon as it started, shortly after 9 pm. The Derecho, which began in the midwest and swept across to the eastern United States, was a byproduct of the tremendous heat buildup that saw temperatures rise to 100 degreesplus in Roanoke. But the worst was yet to come as the windstorm downed trees and limbs, snapping power lines that has left many in the dark – and without air conditioning – for days. Downed trees meant extensive property damage. Officials at AEP said it was the largest and most widespread power outage they have ever experienced. Crews were sent throughout Virginia and West Virginia to restore power to critical infrastructure properties such as hospitals, public services and gas

Roanoke Named 2012 All-American City

Wind, Heat Keep Numbers Down But It was Still Motor Madness

Roanoke was named an All-America City by the National Civic League this week based on its ambitious plan to ensure that more children are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. Chosen from a field of more than 100 entries, Roanoke’s plan was submitted by a community coalition that included Roanoke City Public Schools, the city government, United Way of Roanoke Valley, Roanoke Public Libraries, Total Action Against Poverty, Smart Beginnings of Greater Roanoke, Dr. Craig Ramey and Dr. Sharon Ramey from the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Blue Ridge Literacy and the City Manager’s Office. The community was one of 14 awardees selected from 32 finalists. “It is an honor for Roanoke to be selected as an All-America City for its ‘Star City Reads’ campaign,” said Roanoke Mayor David A. Bowers. “We are confident this initiative will be an effective tool for us to ensure that more Roanoke children are reading at grade level by the end of third grade. Special thanks go to our partners for their contribution to the development of this campaign. In Roanoke, we affirm that ‘reading is everybody’s business.’ This is because reading lets our children become ‘STARS’ in their own right – capable lifelong learners with open minds and > CONTINUED, P2:All-American

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> CONTINUED P2: Market

> CONTINUED, P2: Derecho

Scorching hot temperatures and a freak windstorm that knocked out power to thousands of homes locally may have kept some of the numbers down, but plenty of vintage car owners and aficionados turned out anyway for the 11th annual Star City Motor Madness last weekend. Many were watching on Williamson Road last Friday night as classic cars cruised, much as was the norm fifty years ago. But the high velocity “Derecho” windstorm that swept into the Roanoke Valley around 9:00 p.m. put a damper on that activity. The next day dozens of vintage automobiles were displayed on Jefferson St. and Franklin Road, where the pavement reflected temperatures that reached around 100. Still many came out for the Madness,

Photo by Gene Marrano

Star City Motor Madness took place in downtown Roanoke. which began as a fundraiser for the Virginia Museum of Transportation’s automotive gallery and continues to support the VMT today through car owner entry fees and corporate sponsorships. Now the annual event

also supports other local charities chosen by the Star City Motor Madness board. Roger MacMurray from > CONTINUED P3: Motor

Page 2 | TheRoanokeStar.com

Isolated showers and storms are expected during the afternoon hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as heat returns. Temperatures will rise into the mid to upper 90s. A cold front moves into the region for Sunday and Monday. More widespread showers and storms are expected. Temperatures will top out in the upper 80s and low 90s.

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> Derecho stations before turning to residential areas - a necessity that will leave many Roanoke residents in the dark well into the coming weekend. The electrical outage led to the failure of a water pumping station in Vinton that brought about an advisory to boil water or pick up bottled supplies at a municipal facility. It also meant the opening of “cooling stations” in the region, including one at the Roanoke Civic Center’s special events hall. That center became an overnight facility for those seeking to beat the dangerous heat. About forty families were reported to be using the cooling center in Roanoke at one point last Sunday afternoon. Roanoke City, Roanoke County and the American Red Cross combined to open up the cooling center, where water was also available. Roanoke City also offered some advice for beating the heat: wear light colored clothing that absorb less sun, avoid high-protein foods that can increase body temperatures, drink plenty of water and avoid overly strenuous activities. Roanoke County also offered bottled wa-

From page 1 ter at several fire and rescue stations, and in some cases ran the pumps for citizen’s wells. The Salvation Army stepped up on Monday to offer free meals to people using the Civic Center as a shelter. Commercial properties like Tanglewood Mall were without electricity earlier in the week. Dozens of traffic lights were still non-functional as late as Wednesday with police officers directing vehicles through the busier intersections. LewisGale Regional Health System hospitals reported an increase in those being treated for heat-related issues last weekend. “All four of our hospitals have been working together to meet the increased demand for services [in] this challenging time,” said LewisGale President Victor Giovanetti. From Friday evening through Monday morning the Roanoke County’s Emergency Communications Center (ECC) had answered more than 5,000 calls from the public. Of that number, 1,250 were calls for assistance that were dispatched and handled by Police and Fire and Rescue personnel.

> Market

The Roanoke County Administration Center in the Cave Spring area remained closed as of press time on Wednesday and may be without power through the rest of the week, even though other parts of Southwest County had electricity as AEP crews worked overtime to restore service. The power outages, which stretched to parts of the Roanoke Valley and beyond became a boon for some local restaurants and fast food eateries. “We sold out of breakfast this morning – the first time that I can remember,” said a clerk at the Country Store on Starkey Road. At the head of the line a woman from Goodview said her neighborhood was one of those without electricity. Gasoline was also in short supply in many locations as deliveries were cut short due to outages at transfer stations. Like a band of Wild West marauders that blew through town causing mass mayhem before moving on, few who experienced it will ever forget this “Derecho” any time soon. By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

From page 1

a larger selling area. Access to parking.” their vehicles will not change. A “I believe very strongly that tree canopy would be integrated our downtown is a central cominto the pavers and there would ponent of the region’s economic be no curb. strategy,” said Luther. “ImproveLuther also said that the proj- ment of the experience is ongoect offers a much needed op- ing.” he said. Luther pointed portunity to manage downtown to Vinton and Blacksburg storm water. There are also ma- streetscape projects in progjor utility challenges yet to be ress. “I would propose that our resolved. Once completed there sidewalks, our street trees and is a question as to who would our square is not up to snuff be responsible for the cost of with what’s happening in downupkeep - DRI, Parks and Recre- town,” said Luther. ation or the private surrounding Given Center in the Square! businesses. reopening in May of 2013 and Farmers have the same con- with half the square currently Professional Cleaning cerns they did with previous closed,House the project could start plans. How do the farmers get the first phase in September. to their customers who drive1618 TheRoanoke second phase would transBlvd down and stop to grab a bag of form the other square with fiSuite A by the 2013 St. produce? More study on traffic nal completion Salem, Virginia 24153 patterns and parking will need Patrick’s Day parade. Thornton to take place. A challenge will 540-389-5252 called downtown “a progressive be to incentivize people to use private community and that the parking garages. is fragile - we need www.dustbunniescorp.com •momentum gift certificates available Employees take up many of to help encourage it.” the on-street parking places Councilman Ray Ferris called during the day, said Luther. the design “a good compromise” Customers need those parking to avoiding complete closure of spaces. This all needs a larger the street. “Roanokers abhor conversation he said, as he parking garages,” he said. He pointed to a map of all the ga- asked them to anticipate what Treeand Removal • Deadwooding Gutter Cleaning rages surface lots that pro- answer•they will give to citizens vide parking Spring for an estimated who complain about Aeration • Overseeding the elimi4500 vehicles. “There needs nation of the parking spaces. Delivered and Spread • Spring toMulch be a system that recognizes Thornton saidCleanups he believes Free Estimates • Fully Insured short term versus long term those that use downtown are

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not concerned and the percep- lion dollars in the “economic Complete Remodeling • Tile Work tion of a lack of Bathroom downtown parkdevelopment reserve” to cover Interior/exterior Carpentry Plumbing ing is only a concern to infrethe cost. • There is also the capital quent visitors. He emphasized contingency fundFlooring or it is even Window/door installation • Hardwood the awkwardness of the square possible there will be excess Forspaces a Free oratemail James parking withEstimate some of theCall funds year end, he said. 725-7343 jss25@cox.net spaces reserved for market venA formal coalition of busiLicensed/insured with 24 years experience references available dors anyway. nesses and private property Councilman Court Rosen owners will be back with more thought the $250,000 estimate specifics. Luther is looking for tool I recommend most? was“The a reasonable investment. buy-in from council and city “We are in the next evolution administration. Morrill said of the square.” He encouraged traffic engineers, civil engineers moving forward and parks and recreation, as well Use it towith callthe Mr. conHandyman. cept as it coincides with the as public arts folks have already Elmwood Park and Center in embraced it. “All the players are the Square projects. already on board.” City Manager Chris Morrill By Valerie Garner www.mrhandyman.com said the city has several milinfo@theroanokestar.com 540-977-4444

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Replacing market vendor canopies every five years has become an increasing and expensive burden. “The canvas awnings are not really a long-term solution,” said Sean Luther, Downtown Roanoke Inc. CEO. The city financed the current canopies with capital improvement funds several years ago and this spring they failed, said Luther. With the $250,000 price tag and frequency of replacement, he believes there needs to be a more reliable permanent replacement. The solution, said Luther, is to use HUD grant funding that had been in search of a project. The cost is projected to be $242,000. The HUD grant’s limitations require that the funds be used specifically for market center improvements. The canvas covers protect farmer’s market vendors, their stalls and pedestrian shoppers from sun and weather. The canopies first appeared in the 1970s as a part of “Design ‘79.” The new style of protection will cover the vendors and pedestrian walkway with an optional magnetically attached drop cloth back cover. Although it looks like glass, the design uses a material called 3 Form which

is made out of layers of bees wax and recycled plastic that protects vendors and pedestrians from UV rays while allowing for light filtration. It is the same material that was used for the Taubman Museum’s interior steps. “DRI had been looking for the best use of the HUD funds given the limitations of the grant,” said Luther. A local division of AECOM came up with a way to utilize the existing vertical structure of the farmer’s market to ramp up the process. “What we want to do is to find a way to improve the buying and selling experience on the market and improve the visibility of the inline retail,” said Luther. The vendors are supportive of the design according to Luther. It will give a broader selling space with a lower impact on the retail, he said. The broader covering could also improve the capture of rainwater. Included will be an upgrade for special effects lighting during holidays. Their next step will be a design vetting with the Architectural Review Board. With improved visibility of the historic buildings, Luther is confident that the ARB will approve the design. For now the concrete tables will re-

> All-American

hearts, and the skills to succeed in school and life.” Beyond the award contest, Roanoke’s plan makes the city a charter member in the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Communities Network, a national movement of local and state leaders, nonprofits, and foundations putting a stake in the ground on third-grade reading. That milestone marks the point when children shift from learning to read and begin reading to learn. Students who haven’t mastered reading by then are more likely to get stuck in a cycle of academic failure, drop out of school, and struggle throughout their lives. The awards are given each year by the National Civic League for outstanding civic accomplishments. Ordinarily, applicants choose their own local projects to showcase, but this year NCL is teaming with the Campaign to encourage community-based partnerships to improve reading proficiency

among young students. “This partnership with the Campaign has been an amazing experience for our All-America City Awards,” said Gloria Rubio-Cortes, president of the National Civic League which has sponsored the award for more than 60 years. “We were overwhelmed by the quality, passion and thoughtfulness of all the action plans submitted by more than 100 cities, towns and regions. There is a real and deep commitment to ensuring that our children are prepared to succeed.” The 124 cities and counties in the network, representing 350 school districts with 8 million students, are adopting a collective impact strategy, engaging the full community around the goal of supporting lowincome children from birth through third grade. Roanoke’s plan to improve outcomes in grade-level reading includes developing effective and efficient methods for providing

A depiction of the new canopies designed for the Roanoke City Market. main and conversations with the vendors will continue on using less permanent immovable tables. Replacement would begin in the off season with the project being completed by Easter 2013. The HUD funds must be used by September 2013. City Manager Chris Morrill is fully behind the change saying, “The awnings are clearly more modern and will highlight the buildings.” By Valerie Garner info@theroanokestar.com

From page 1 information to all parents, promoting the use of best practice models and evidencebased family support systems, expanding summer reading programs and pursuing a coordinated public awareness campaign on the importance of reading. The city is aiming for 80 percent of Roanoke students to be reading at grade level by the year 2020. As a charter member of the Grade-Level Reading Community Network, Roanoke will have access to a Promising Practices Clearinghouse, an online help desk, peerlearning opportunities, meetings with national experts and policymakers and a foundation registry designed to expand and replicate successful programs. For more information, visit www.gradelevelreading.net Phyllis Jordan

TheRoanokeStar.com |Page 3

7/6/12- 7/12/12

> Motor

Newport News was showing off his vintage wheels (a 1941 Chevy Master Deluxe) for a third time. He was staying with relatives in Fincastle – who had no power Friday night after the windstorm. “A lot of people have owned them before and just like to look at them,” said MacMurray, whose car actually runs on a Camaro engine and transmission. As for the windstorm that affected the Williamson Road cruise, MacMurray said, “Alot of people got stuck in it,” although he had already headed towards Fincastle. “There was stuff blowing all over the streets, [like] traffic markers.” MacMurray said making the trip over from Newport News to support the Transportation Museum was worth it: “we like going places for a good cause.” He’s been to the museum and called it “really nice.” Motor Madness board member Robert Bennett said it was the “biggest turnout of all time on cruise night,” which then yielded to “the biggest storm. There was a lot of scrambling out there but it turned out pretty well [damage-wise].” A fair number of car exhibitors return every year while new ones also sign up; Bennett said the event continues to grow. “Some great cars,” he observed. VMT Communications Officer Peg McGuire said the funds raised by Motor City Madness “helps us create exciting exhibits in that [auto] gallery.” The money has helped change out the exhibit every six months

From page 1 (Advance Auto is the principal sponsor for the gallery); it has also meant better heating and cooling and new windows coming soon. “Without [Star City Motor Madness] we wouldn’t have that space. Our partnership works very well.” Next up for the Virginia Museum of Transportation is a new aviation gallery, on track to open November 17. Don Moser, the curator and deputy director for the VMT, said exhibit materials would continue to come in right up to the opening day. “We have assistance from NASA-Langley and a plethora of other people that have all chipped in,” said Moser about where the materials are coming from, “it’s going to be a pretty big thing.” VMT Executive Director Bev Fitzpatrick remembered when part of the roof came off at the museum during a previous storm in 2006. “We did okay [this time].” As for Star City Motor Madness, Fitzpatrick said the annual event “brings people to Roanoke. It’s [also] fascinating to see how much people love old cars. They’ll come from all over. This is a destination attraction – its unfortunate that we’ve gotten so much heat.” Added Fitzpatrick about the impact Star City Motor Madness has had on the museum, “this is a big deal and it continues to get bigger … We couldn’t have done what we’ve done down there without By Gene Marrano them.” gmarrano@cox.net

Gang Summit Held In Roanoke Highlights Pervasive Problem In Virginia How pervasive are gang influences on young people in this country, or just in the Commonwealth? Much greater than you might think, according to Virginia Deputy Attorney General G. Michael Favale, who spoke on behalf of his boss, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, at an executive level Gang Summit at Hotel Roanoke last week. Cuccinelli was elsewhere, waiting to comment on the impending health care decision later that day by the U.S. Supreme Court, which he initially called “a dark day” for the country. Favale was an able pinch hitter; the former New York prosecutor spends a good deal of time crisscrossing the Commonwealth, speaking about gang influence, distributing copies of several DVD’s about the subject to those that are interested. The two-day summit in Roanoke, staged by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, drew law enforcement officers from around the state, including the Roanoke area. Topics included how schools and police departments can work together, a community approach to combating gangs, information on what has worked in cities like Miami and the G.R.E.A.T. program, which aims its anti-gang message at late elementary school and middle school children. Former Roanoke City Police Chief Joe Gaskins was reluctant to talk about organized gangs in the city, lest he give them the publicity they might be seeking. Current chief Chris Perkins has been more open to the discussion about possible organized gangs in Roanoke. According to Favale, that publicity and notoriety is what has helped make gangs acceptable to young people seeking to find acceptance somewhere. “I’m going to make an impassioned plea to you,” said Favale as he began his Power

“Eat for Education” Ends On Tasty Note Eating has been good for education. The two-year, 2 percent increase in the City of Roanoke’s meals tax came to a close on Saturday (June 30). The program is has raised more than $9.5 million to directly benefit Roanoke City Public Schools. “Eat for Education,” a campaign to encourage people to frequent restaurants in the city as a way to benefit public schools, was launched with the tax increase in 2010. Thanks to the community’s support for this program, meals tax revenues, when adjusted for the rate change, grew nearly 9 percent from 2010 and recovered from the economic downturn faster than other local revenue sources. The additional funding has helped the school system keep class sizes at a reasonable level, purchase needed books and materials, reinstate a full summer-school program and conduct reading camp for students in kindergarten through second grade, among many other accomplishments. “Clearly, the meals-tax increase has made a significant impact on the lives of our young people,” said City Manager Chris Morrill. “This was made possible thanks to the very positive support from citizens and above all the restaurant owners and managers throughout the city. We especially wish to ac-

Mayor David Bowers knowledge restaurants that participated in the voluntary Eat for Education program, which helped to increase traffic to restaurants.” Under the Eat for Education program, diners could enter into drawings for $50 gift certificates at participating restaurants. The program in turn benefited restaurants by marketing them through a website (www. eatforeducationroanoke.com) and Facebook. Eat for Education’s partners are the City of Roanoke, the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Roanoke Valley Hospitality Association, and Downtown Roanoke, Inc. To celebrate the success, members of City Council, Morrill, Schools Superintendent Rita Bishop, and School Board members participated in a progressive dinner last Wednesday. The group dined at the same restaurants as the initial dinner that kicked off the meals tax increase in 2010: Table 50 for appetizers, Thelma’s Chicken and

Waffles for the main course and Pops Ice Cream for dessert. “At a time when funding for public education from Richmond has been drastically cut across Virginia, taxpayers and our local restaurants really stepped up, accepted the muchneeded, two-year emergency increase in the meals tax, and guaranteed that the progress being made in Roanoke City Public Schools continues,” said Councilman Court Rosen, who initially proposed the temporary measure. “Over the course of the last two years, the city and schools have worked together to reduce costs, increase and stabilize local funding to our schools, and guarantee that our children’s futures are bright and that Roanoke’s economy continues on a prosperous course.” The Eat for Education initiative gained both statewide and national recognition. The national publication Government Finance Review (December 2010) featured the initiative as a creative solution for cashstrapped municipalities. Eat for Education also was recognized as the best public relations program in Virginia in 2011 by the Richmond chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Other municipalities in Virginia have considered adopting a meals tax specifically for public education. Those include Salem, which implemented an increase, and Winchester.

Point presentation, “we’re talking about protecting kids.” He used to prosecute gang members in New York and said they frighten him the most since “they go after kids.” One way they do that is via media messages, according to Favale. He displayed one ad featuring the tennis-playing Williams sisters (Venus and Serena); the Compton, California natives appear to be flashing the “C” sign used by the notorious Crips gang. Another television ad aimed towards young people uses a song by Snoop Dogg, Drop It Like Its Hot, which seems innocuous enough until reading the lyrics, which Favale displayed. The words tend to glorify violence and gang life. “Gang influences are everywhere in our society,” warned Favale, “and the reality is we’ve accepted it.” Even those at the highest levels of government can’t seem to avoid references to personalities that may glorify violence and gang activity said Favale: witness a clip showing President Obama’s mention of Lil’ Wayne when speaking to an audience of school children, perhaps trying hard to relate. Obama seemed to hold up Lil’ Wayne – who has spent time in prison on gun charges – as someone they could aspire to. “We don’t do enough,” said Favale, quick to point out that he was not questioning the President’s motives in invoking the rap star’s name. “We don’t do enough – [gangs] are constantly targeting our kids.” Then he showed the words to a Lil’ Wayne song that spoke of gangs, violence and blood in positive ways. Favale showed portions of one video the Office of the Attorney General hands out, The Big Lie, which exposes the “con game,” he claimed gang life is. “We [also] offer solutions for kids – get involved with positive things.” Cuccinelli claims, “gangs are the

Deputy AG Michael Favale talks about gangs during last week’s meeting. number one law enforcement problem in Virginia,” according to Favale, “responsible for fifty percent of violent crimes.” Favale wouldn’t say if he knew specifically that organized gangs exist in Roanoke, only that, “we know that gangs are everywhere.” They’ve gone high tech as well, recruiting new members on Facebook and MySpace. Some gangs use violent video games as a recruiting tool and since some allow players to speak to each other over the Internet, bonds can be formed. It will only work said Favale if both government agencies and the community at large work together. “We will continue to work on getting folks in the Commonwealth engaged,” promised Favale, “[because] these folks scare me the most.” (see www.dcjs.virginia.gov for more information on combating gangs.) By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

Roanoke Pastor to Lead Church’s National Conference

Tim Harvey, pastor of Central Church of the Brethren in Roanoke will serve as moderator of the Church of the Brethren’s Annual Conference. The event is July 7-11 in St. Louis, Missouri. It will be the 226th recorded annual meeting of the denomination. Harvey will serve in the highest elected position in the Church of the Brethren. He will preside over business and preach for the Sunday morning service July 8. He is assisted by moderator-elect Robert Krouse, pastor of Little Swatara Church of the Brethren in Bethel, PA. With the theme "Continuing the Work of Jesus. Peacefully. Simply. Together"-- a long-standing denominational tagline--the Conference will focus on several directional goals including church planting, service, and congregational vitality, among others. The schedule includes worship, business sessions, Bible study, workshops, meal events, support groups, and age-group programs for children and youth. Delegates and church members from 1,000 congregations and 23 districts across the US and Puerto Rico will attend, including families, pastors, denominational officers, and church staff. Harvey has pastored Central Church of the Brethren since

Pastor Tim Harvey 2004. He grew up in Broadway, VA. His home congregation is Bethel Church of the Brethren in the Shenandoah District, where he was first licensed to the ministry in 1991. Previous pastoral service has been as youth minister/associate pastor at Dayton Church of the Brethren, where he was ordained, and as pastor at New Hope Church of the Brethren in Patrick County. He was a member of the Church of the Brethren’s Mission and Ministry Board from

2003-08, and chaired the board from 2007-08. In Roanoke, he has chaired Congregations in Action, an interfaith group of nine congregations partnering to serve a public elementary school. He holds a bachelor of science in chemistry from Virginia Tech, and a master of divinity from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination that began in 1708 in Germany. It celebrated a 300th anniversary in 2008. The church is committed to continuing the work of Jesus, and to living out its faith in community. It is one of three Historic Peace Churches along with the Friends (Quakers) and Mennonites. The church counts 123,000 members in 1,000 congregations and has sister churches in Nigeria, The Dominican Republic, Brazil, Haiti, and India.

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America Needs to Take Lesson From Wisconsin

According to the 2010 census they are sitting on both sides of Wisconsin is home to about 5.7 the table during negotiations. million citizens. The state’s vot- As years pass, at some undisers are centrist in their political tinguishable point in time the loyalties, having elected four power, without accountability, Democrats for governor and migrates to the unions. The tail four Republicans for that office starts wagging the dog. in the last eight elections. Their The circle of indulgence is voting record places Wisconsin never-ending. Union bosses in the ‘Purple’ column, being and politicians negotiate proneither solidly ‘Red’ (Republi- gressively more restrictive can) or ‘Blue’ (Demowork rules and incrat). creased benefits for When Scott Walker their members. In took office as Govexchange, a substanernor on January 3, tial portion of union 2011, Wisconsin had dues is routed back to cumulative debt of the politicians along more than $12 Billion. with member’s votes. The Legislature estiThe process becomes mated a $3.6 Billion an incestuous proshortfall in the 2012cess in perpetuDick Baynton 2013 state budget. A ity. Even President report by the conserRoosevelt once said vative group State Budget Solu- that collective bargaining “cantions (SBS) estimated that total not be translated into the public unfunded liabilities including service.” employee defined pension obTeacher’s and public service ligations, Unemployment Trust worker’s pensions and other reFund loans and other post-em- tirement benefits were huge fiployment commitments totaled nancial burdens overwhelming $3.4 Billion. Wisconsin’s financial stability. Across the US, membership Upon taking office, Governor in public sector unions have Walker, a Republican, was comgrown to 37% as private sector mitted to changing the state’s unions have declined to 6.9% of financial structure. Benefits that employed workers. The trouble had been accumulating over with public sector unions is that time were his first target. In

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March of 2011, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a bill that required government workers to contribute more for their pension and healthcare benefits. The state put an end to collecting dues from all union members. Additionally, most of their collective bargaining rights were severely curtailed. Following the bill’s passage into law, membership in the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) fell from 62,818 in March of 2011 to 28,745 in February of 2012. Membership in the Wisconsin AFT (American Federation of Teachers) declined from 17,000 to 11,000. Union bosses were alarmed. Enough signatures were gathered to force Wisconsin voters to decide if they wanted to support changes made by the Governor and his allies in the Legislature. When the polls closed on June 5, 2012 the 44-year-old Walker became the first governor in the US to survive a recall election, winning by seven points. The state cancelled ‘captive’ insurance through a company owned by the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) and opened bidding from other companies. WEA Trust, the union insurance company, was worth $316 Million, all funded by taxpayers and not available for direct use by schools and students. Competitive bidding for insurance is already saving $220 per student and is expected to save $600 Million over two years. One school district saved $537,000 while charging lower premiums. Property taxes in Wisconsin have fallen by .4%, tax savings amount to over $1 Billion and counting, public employees and teachers are hired and fired based on performance and 62% of the employers in the state say they will be adding workers over the next six months. Governor Haley, visiting from South Carolina said, “This election is bigger than Wisconsin. This is about the country. This is about when governors say they’re going to do something, and they actually have the courage to do it, we need to have their back.” Amen

Foods for Thought

After the Los Angeles School However, there's one food District banned sodas in item I refuse to bring home: turschools in 2004, then-governor ducken. Arnold Schwarzenergger went Have you heard of this? It's on to sign sweeping laws to im- straight from the American calprove the nutrition standards orific hall of fame, and the mere in California schools. Continu- mention of this dish plunges ing that trend, flavored milk vegetarians into cardiac arrest. was outlawed in LA schools in It consists of a turkey, stuffed 2011. Now, New York mayor with a duck, which is stuffed Bloomberg is proposing a ban with a chicken, which is stuffed on sodas larger than with sausage. Sev16 ounces at reseral Laws of Nature taurants and sports are broken in prevenues. paring this monoWhile those steps lith of meat. may sound drastic, Credit for inventperhaps other states ing the turducken need to follow these generally goes to leads since obesity (no surprise) a often follows chilLouisiana chef who dren into adultobviously wanted to hood. Studies have push fellow Cajuns shown that this is to the top of the Nick Thomas especially true for Fattest State in the folks in the South Nation list. And who seem to be losing the bat- there are even some cooks intle of the bulge. For instance, tent on cramming more fat into Alabamians and Tennesseans these poultry beasts by deepare now amongst the fattest in frying these mountains of chothe nation, waddling in a close lesterol. It would be healthier to equal second behind the folks cook by just basting with highfrom Mississippi. level nuclear waste. So perhaps we all need to get So how should we improve our heads out of the fridge and our eating habits - and our our tails off the couch, and re- health? We could look to other examine our lifestyles. nations where traditional diets We can begin by increasing often consist of more protein our weekly exercise. For in- and less fat. stance, instead of driving to the This might include tackling supermarket, I now try to walk a bowl of Chinese cold shredthere. I find carrying home a ded jellyfish, sampling some couple of shopping bags stuffed Vietnamese burnt sea slug, or with glazed donuts, chocolate digging in to a plate of live Ecchip cookies, Rocky Road ice- uadorian lemon ants (which, cream, hot dogs, and frozen piz- if you have a liking for bugs, za burns off plenty of calories. probably taste better than dung

ROBERTS: Oh it's you, awfully sorry about that, it's c'mon in. I gotta tell ya, you've just my interpretation. put us in a bind, Anthony, a ROBERTS: Overturning this real bind. thing, yikes...half the country KENNEDY: I was kinda hard would scream bloody murder... on him, wasn't I? so I've been thinking, if it's ROBERTS: Hard? You gotta be 5-4, perhaps we can creamed the guy! split the baby a betKENNEDY: I ter way...perhaps the couldn't help it. He's wiser choice is to... the Solicitor General um... uphold it. of the United States, KENNEDY: Upand he's in the Suhold it? On what Contact Dick at preme Court coughgrounds? info@theroanokestar.com ing and stumbling... R O B E R T S : anyway he couldn't Well...I...um...how have possibly thought about, "promoting that defending this the general welMike Keeler thing under the fare of the United 6 Aegis Commerce Clause States" (pause) 7 Fall behind was going to fly... KENNEDY: But John, 8 Synthetic fabric ROBERTS: Sure, sure, but that's...that's...that would be 9 Extremely long time now we've got a real problem calling it...a tax! (longer pause) periods on our hands. Cuz, you know, Now BOTH sides of the coun10 Am not this Court has to display to- try will scream. They'll tear us 11 Which local ice cremory tal impartiality at all times... to pieces! is 'sweet to the taste, smooth on the tongue, (pause) ROBERTS: Yeah, that's true. and yummy on the BOTH: HAHAHA So I was thinking about adding tummy'? ROBERTS: ...and now that in some language. 19 Settee you've come over to our side, KENNEDY: Language, 20 Baseball glove we've got that darned 5-4 ju- John? 22 Licensed practical nurse dicial activist thing going on ROBERTS: Try this: "We 23 Central daylight time again. do not consider whether the 24 Possessive pronoun KENNEDY: Yeah, John, I'm Act embodies sound policies... 25 Extra-sensory perception

for 7/6/2012 TheRoanokeStar.com Crossword 1

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

beetles). Asia is also home to a low-cal treat known as Baalut: fertilized duck or chicken eggs that are buried in the ground for several weeks, then dug up, and eaten "ripe." I believe I'd only be handling those babies wearing a Hazmat suit. Although, I might be able to appreciate their delicate flavor after some beers many, many, many beers. Along these lines, Australians are turning to local, leaner sources of meat, too, such as plump, juicy, tree-dwelling, witchety grubs. These are huge, chunky, white insect larvae that look like bleached caterpillars on steroids. Nowadays, these healthy treats are served in the finest Aussie restaurants and they taste like "you guessed it" chunky, white insect larvae. While we probably won't see bugs or grubs turning up on LA school cafeteria menus in the near future, the California Calorie Cops don't appear to be going away any time soon. In 2011, they gave school menus a major revision replacing timehonored school cafeteria staples like corn dogs and chicken nuggets with treats such as sushi rolls and spinach tortellini in butternut squash sauce. Perhaps hungry, soon-to-behealthier Californian school kids will be tempted by these new dishes, and echo their former governor: "I'll be back . . . for seconds." Contact Nick Thomas at info@theroanokestar.com

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Our permissive reading of these powers is explained in part by a general reticence to invalidate the acts of the Nation's elected leaders... Members of this Court are vested with the authority to interpret the law; we possess neither the expertise nor the prerogative to make policy judgments. Those decisions are entrusted to our Nation's elected leaders, who can be thrown out of office if the people disagree with them. It is not our job to protect the people from the consequences of their political choices." KENNEDY: Holy crap, John! Uphold this thing, call it a tax, and encourage the electorate to rise in revolt? ROBERTS: Pretty good, don't you think? KENNEDY: My God. You're throwing it right back at 'em. ROBERTS: Rubber and glue, my friend, rubber and glue. (very long pause) KENNEDY: It's pretty brilliant. But one problem. Who are you going to get to flip? Sam? Tony? ROBERTS: Don't be ridiculous. KENNEDY: Well, Clarence, then. ROBERTS: Who's Clarence? BOTH: HAHAHAHA ROBERTS: Nope, it's gotta be me, I guess. I've already sort of fleshed out the Opinion, I'll just finish it up before I head home. Jeez, sometimes I hate being the boss. KENNEDY: Alright, John, alright. So how can I help? You want me to write a blistering Dissent, give you some cover? ROBERTS: Nah, it's gotta have a lot more red meat than that. There's only one thing to do. (pause) I'm gonna get Clarence to write it. KENNEDY: Who's Clarence? BOTH: HAHAHAHAHA... Contact Mike at info@theroanokestar.com

Perspective

TheRoanokeStar.com |Page 5

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The Preacher’s Corner by Carey Kinsolving Ask the Nature Lady by Marlene A. Condon What Is Spiritual Freedom?

Recently, I asked a kindergarten boy, "What did the signers of the Declaration of Independence declare freedom from?" He looked at me with some uncertainty and said, "Your parents." When I asked another boy what happened in 1776, he answered confidently, "Christopher Columbus discovered America." Speaking of spiritual freedom, another child said, "You get to go outside and play and say, 'Yea!'" I like this definition of spiritual freedom because it makes me recall the sheer joy of going outside to play. In my childhood imagination, a whole world was "outside" waiting to be explored. No one had to teach me how to play or explore. Every child knows this instinctively. It's part of God placing eternity in our hearts. God wants us to experience the play and exuberance of spiritual freedom. He wants us to come outside, as it were, into the wide spaces of his kingdom, where we can learn the dance of his fellowship. God is waiting for us to respond to his love so that he can fulfill our hearts' desire for true intimacy. So many people live in a self-imposed slavery because they've been betrayed by selfish lovers. God wants to heal our wounds and bring us to a place of living free in a loving relationship with him. Some would like to portray spiritual freedom as only a call to give up something, but it's more of a call to gain something greater. Writer C.S. Lewis once compared our spiritual blindness to a small child's fixation with his sandbox. When his parents remove him from the sandbox for a vacation at the beach, he may kick, scream and cry. But all this ceases at the first sight of beach, sand dunes

and vast ocean horizons. Suddenly, the sandbox isn't so appealing. The problem isn't that we're seeking too much pleasure but that we're settling for too little. We're so infatuated with our little mud pies in the sandbox that we can't see the vast oceans and continents God would have us explore. How God ever got tagged as being against pleasure, I'll never know. For King David wrote, "You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11). Have you ever noticed the faces of those who try to find life apart from God? The strain of life in the sandbox shows. In our hearts, we know there must be something more, but few have the courage to question prejudices they inherit from culture, friends, family, false religion and tyrants. Of course, our own bad decisions play a role in keeping us confined as well because we tend to justify ourselves rather than admit our guilt. True freedom requires revolution. Our forefathers declared freedom from English tyranny by signing the Declaration of Independence. Many people have died so we can live free in America. We declare freedom from the sandbox (lies that promise life but never deliver) when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as our savior. Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sin and rose again to break the bonds of death. He wants us to experience the vast oceans of life that flow from him as the source of eternal and abundant life. Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Jesus wants to be your liberator and source of life. Will you declare your dependence upon him today.

Giving Children The ‘Keys to Peace’ Parents and educators are always trying to spark student participation whether it’s in the classroom, in the local community, or throughout the world. When middle-school students at Allison Academy in North Miami Beach were asked what they could do to improve their country, they focused on what they understood – bullying, violence and racism. Those problems are all rooted in the same issues, says Rachel Albert, author of “Quest to Telos,” (www.QuestToTelos.com), a young adult novel where fantasy meets reality and even world peace is possible. “They stem from a lack of personal integrity and absence of social responsibility,” she says. “Children who choose to put those values into practice are actively working toward peace. But they can only put into practice what they’ve learned; instilling those values may seem simple, but many parents miss the mark and actually model the opposite.” Throwing money at social problems like racism or violence doesn’t resolve them, Albert says. But children can. “The energy from kids’ excitement can make a real difference and we need their energy focused right here at home,” says the mother of four. “They see problems; it’s up to us to give them the tools to address them.” The following tips can help parents teach their children personal integrity and social responsibility, giving them the keys to world peace. • Never lie in front of your kids. It may seem obvious, but many parents lie in front of their children or encourage them to lie; misstating a child’s age to save money on movie tickets or allowing them to take credit for school projects completed by the parent. These seemingly inconsequential lies suggest it’s OK, even good, to distort the truth. This causes long-term damage a million times more costly than whatever was gained in the short

term. • Give your kids a reason why. Author Mark Twain once said that the two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you figure out why. If you fail to tell your kids why we are here, you have missed the opportunity to figure out what motivates them and gets them excited. This is the most important key to getting kids’ cooperation and empowering them to help the world. • Don’t criticize your children. Criticism is toxic, so why do almost all parents criticize their kids? When we focus on what they aren’t, they believe they can’t. This creates angry children who express their pain by bullying others. It’s better to tell them how you feel rather than what you think of them, e.g., “I feel frustrated that you didn’t listen to me,” or “Can you say that in a more loving way?” • Don’t speak badly about other people. This is probably one of the hardest things to do, considering we’re a generation that pays for gossip. Speaking badly about others teaches kids to look for what they view as the negative in others and take joy in sharing it. • Model charity. Actions speak louder than any words. When you teach kindness to children, they tend to feel empathy and have more successful lives, a crucial step toward achieving peace in the world. "Once we tackle the issues plaguing America, then as a model nation, we will be ready to tackle world peace," Albert says. "Kids are hungry to form an identity and make their mark on the world. It’s easier to try to bring peace to another country, but that never works. We need to start at home." Rachel Albert is a staunch advocate of boosting teen literacy while inspiring kids to make a difference starting with their own hearts.

Annual Cicadas

You know summer has arrived when cicadas start “singing”. Most people hear these strangelooking insects more often than they see them, but if you keep your eyes open you may be able to spot a cicada or a cast-off skin on a plant or twig. If you find a singing cicada, you will be able to see his body vibrate each time he emits his song. Only the males sing in an effort to attract mates. A male cicada does not have vocal chords, but instead sings by vibrating a pair of membranes near the base of his body. The membranes are attached to powerful muscles that very rapidly jerk them, causing the membranes to snap in and out and make the high-pitched shrilly whine that we hear on most summer days. After a female cicada has mated with a male, she will use a sharp, spear-like egg-laying tube known as an ovipositor to make a slit in a twig of a tree. She will then stay still for several moments while eggs are pushed through the tube and into a pocket inside the wood. She will repeat this scenario many times, laying perhaps 500 eggs by the time she dies. In several weeks the eggs will hatch, and the immature cicadas, known as nymphs, will crawl about on the twigs. You might be able to witness this if every day you check a twig that you know contains eggs. The slits are quite obvious. They are surrounded by fibers along the edges and they are not very long. Look for them on the ends of live branches or twigs of small trees (the twigs eventually die off because the nutrient flow has been severed). Nymphs do not remain above ground for long. They drop off of the twigs and search for a crack in the earth. As soon as they find one, they start digging down and disappear. They will not see the light of day again for a year or more, depending upon the species. They spend this time feeding upon the roots of trees, sucking sap, and growing ever larger. Finally, a species’ built-in time-clock will alert

The annual cicada most commonly seen in Virginia is black and green, from one to two inches in length, with prominent eyes on a wide, blunt head with short, bristly antennae. Its four clear wings are held roof-like over its body when it is resting. the nymphs to start heading upwards. But when a nymph emerges from the soil, it is not ready to mate. Each nymph must first find a sturdy plant stem, or a shrub or tree, to climb up and anchor its feet on. It then waits for a seam to open along its back so that the adult cicada inside the old skin can get out. Soon the cast-off skins of numerous cicadas cling to herbaceous and woody plants and the adult insects are high in the trees, ready to mate. It is then that we begin to hear the singing that is truly a sound of summer, with each species belting out a different song. Naturalist Marlene A. Condon is the author/ photographer of The Nature-friendly Garden: Creating a Backyard Haven for Plants, Wildlife, and People (Stackpole Books; information at www. marlenecondon.com). If you have a question about plants or animals, or gardening in a nature-friendly manner, send it to AskTheNatureLady@aol.com and please watch for an answer in this paper.

American Life in Poetry BY TED KOOSER, U.S. POET LAUREATE A worm in an apple, a maggot in a bone, a person in the world. What might seem an odd assortment of creatures is beautifully interrelated by the Massachusetts poet Pat Schneider. Her poem suggests that each living thing is richly awake to its own particular, limited world.

There Is Another Way There is another way to enter an apple: a worm’s way. The small, round door closes behind her. The world and all its necessities ripen around her like a room.

I, too, have forgotten how I came here, breathing this sweet wind, drinking rain, encased by the limits of what I can imagine and by a husk of stars.

In the sweet marrow of a bone, the maggot does not remember the wingspread of the mother, the green shine of her body, nor even the last breath of the dying deer.

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TheRoanokeStar.com | Page 6

7/6/12- 7/12/12

Storms Wreck Havoc With Power Outages, Wind Damage And Downed Trees Throughout The Roanoke Valley A fast-moving storm that formed in the Ohio Valley raced through the Roanoke Valley last Friday night leaving a path of destruction and power outages, some of which were expected to last for days. The picture of the storm’s approach (left) was taken by Roanoke photographer Terry Aldhizer. RSS Photojournalist Bill Turner captured the balance of scenes showing the aftermath of the storm on Saturday - including down tree limbs and empty parking lots.

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BBB Advice - Beware of Storm Chasers

BBB Serving Western VA urges consumer to be cautious choosing contractors for storm damages efforts. As thousands of people clean up after last week's

storms, storm chasers, or people who are looking to prey on those affected by the storm, are working to clean out your wallet. Thousands of consumers across our 32 county serving area are dealing with everything from damaged roofs to

downed trees. With all this work to do, there are people hoping to profit. "Unfortunately, the aftermath of a crisis brings out contractors who take advantage of those who have already been victimized," said Julie Wheeler, President &

CEO of BBB Serving Western VA. "Whether its roof repair/replacement or you have downed trees to be rid of, you need to take certain precautions when it comes to hiring a contractor. For More Information please visit their website at: http://vawest.bbb.org/article/ B B B - Ad v i c e - - - B E WA R E STORM-CHASERS-35265

PROSTHETICS – IT’S NOT ALL WE DO. Even though it’s our name, we’re much more than Virginia’s oldest and largest prosthetics provider. For 40-plus years, our board-certified orthotists have fit patients with custom-designed and locally-fabricated orthotics that deliver comfort, mobility and satisfaction. When you consider that we have the knowledge, experience, and convenient locations to help you believe in your possibilities, the choice for custom orthotic or prosthetic devices becomes clear.

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Sports

TheRoanokeStar.com |Page 7

7/6/12- 7/12/12

South County Knocks off South City in Roanoke Area Youth Softball Tournament

The South County Vortex combined softball team used an early run surge to hold off the South City Knights in the RAYSA 16B softball tournament at Penn Forest Park.

RVAA Week 4-Elks Lodge Visits Castle Rock Swim Club

RVAA swim meets were cut back Monday evening after power outages left some pools in the dark. But, the Elks Lodge and Castle Rock Swim Club braved temperatures in the mid-90s to battle it out at The Rock.

Vortex slugger Halley Goodwin connects for a first-inning hit as Vortex jumped out to a 5-0 lead.

South City Knight pitcher Audrey Schoonover fires from the circle in the RAYSA 16B tournament game.

By Bill Turner info@theroanokestar.com

Several Elks Lodge swimmers ham it up before being called to the platform. Evelyn Bolling of the Elks Lodge hits the home stretch in the 25-meter breast stroke.

Vortex batter Kayla Avancini has to jump back as a Knight's pitch sails inside the batter's box.

Elks Club swimmer Logan White looks to be ready for the summer Olympics with her London swim cap.

By Bill Turner info@theroanokestar.com South City Knights standout Amber Gregory connects with authority for a single.

Sydney Brown of the Elks Lodge plies the water in the 50-meter breast stroke.

Castle Rock's Lacy Puckett launches from the platform at the starter's horn.

Wild Bill’s Weekly Sports Roundup From White Sulphur Springs, WV

First Tee Roanoke Valley was front and center at The Greenbrier Resort Tuesday as our local chapter participated in day-long activities in conjunction with Youth Day at The Greenbrier Classic PGA TOUR stop. It was the third consecutive year First Tee Roanoke joined First Tee West Virginia chapters at the posh White Sulphur Springs resort. Members of The First Tee were able to observe the pros on the practice tee adjacent to The Old White TPC course, before participating in a clinic sponsored by Polo Golf at the nearby Meadows Fairway. In its third year as sponsor, Polo Golf had numerous giveaways for all First Tee members and their family members. The most anticipated event of the afternoon was the First Tee Scramble, where four First Tee members split up to team with a pair of PGA pros, Jonathan Byrd and Billy Horschel, in a three-hole scramble-format tournament. The charity purse, split between the two chapters, was a nifty $10,000. First Tee Roanoke Valley was represented by Alex Hart, a rising senior at Salem HIgh School. According to First Tee’s Mary Beth McGirr, Director of Programming and Instruction, Hart was chosen due to him being the most consistent volunteer, and his participation in the YMCA after-school program. Hart was the shining star in the event. Hitting first among the four First Tee participants, Hart smoked a picture-perfect drive, calmly splitting the fairway on the first hole of The Old White with spectators lining the left side. Paired with Horschel and First Tee West Virginia’s Lauren Davidson, Hart clinched the victory with a pressure chip on The Old White’s signature par-3 18th hole.

“This is such an unbelievable experience,” Hart noted on the first tee as the players posed for photographers and television media. “I’ve known about my selection for a couple months. This is going to be fun.” The mission of First Tee is to impact lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values, such as confidence, perseverance and judgement, through the game of golf. In other tournament sidebars Tuesday, the media was treated to an interview session with Tiger Woods, fresh off his Sunday win at the AT&T National at Congressional Coun-

Tiger Woods leaves the tee box during his practice round Tuesday afternoon.

A large group from First Tee Roanoke Valley at Tuesday's Youth Clinic on the Meadows Fairway. try Club in Bethesda, Maryland, his 74th career win. Woods said he was excited about being at The Greenbrier, and noted how the change of tournament dates fit his schedule perfectly, especially falling two weeks before the British Open. “I wanted to play it (The Classic) last year, it fit in my schedule, but I was hurt,” Woods pointed out. “But, this year again it worked out perfectly. It’s close to DC and we get a week off after this to get ready for the British.” Woods also talked about golfing legend Sam Snead, the first pro-emeritus at The Greenbrier. “You know, I met Sam when I was five,” Woods noted, laughing. “He was doing an outing where he would play with a new group every two holes. I was this little snotnosed kid that he had to play the last two holes with.”

“That was the first time I ever met Sam, but after that we had countless dinners and conversations. He was always so funny to be around... and the needling was nonstop.” “Sam’s record’s are just absolutely phenomenal,” Woods

added of Sneads 82 PGA wins. “He didn’t exactly have easy guys to play against . . . Hogan and Nelson - those guys aren’t chops. Sam’s swing is one of the classic swings that we all try and replicate.” Later in the afternoon, current Greenbrier pro-emeritus Tom Watson talked about his participation in this year’s event. Make no mistake about it, Watson is the ultimate gentleman, and one who values the tradition, sportsmanship and core values of the game. “I’m still approach every tournament with a competitive nature that I can still win,” Watson said of his chances this week. “The Old White has new challenges, but I’ve got a few surprises up my sleeve.” Irregardless, Watson will be a fan-favorite throughout the

First Tee Roanoke Valley entrant Alex Hart splits the fairway with his drive on the Old White's first hole during Tuesday's scramble. week with the Greenbrier gallery expected to approach a quarter million before the final shot Sunday afternoon. By Bill Turner info@theroanokestar.com

Balance

“Could we have a little less ‘schedule’ and a little more worship please?"

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Valley Business Sports

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Paul “Buddy” Rhoades opened his painting franchise in early June. in the Middle East he helped keep NATO units supplied with equipment that was often used in training Afghan soldiers. “There’s not a whole lot out there around here,” said Rhoades, who won’t draw any Army retirement benefits until he’s around 60. He tracked equipment and shipments in the Army Reserves, “everything going in and out of country during the three wars [fought during his tenure].” Rhoades briefed generals on a daily basis on the status of supplies and equipment. It didn't lead to a job back home, but Rhoades (now a Major in the Reserves) considered it good training for managing his own business. Now he works to make sure his ProTect subcontractors finish their painting assignments on time, delivering quality work. Rhoades sunk some of his savings into opening his franchise with the approval of his wife. “I’ve always wanted to be in business.” In fact, he has the first ProTect franchise in Virginia, after looking at a number of options. The company’s mission fit with the home restoration work he and his wife had

done on their downtown Salem home in the past. “Curb appeal I feel is very important. You really like it when you look at your home from the road and say, you know, my house is pretty neat.” That curb appeal is crucial when it comes time to sell that home as well. “I like to help other people understand that they may have a good thing,” explains Rhoades, “all you have to do is put a little makeup on it. That’s why I started it, I want to help everyone else.” He spent several days in Ann Arbor, Michigan at ProTect’s headquarters, getting a good feel for the company. The same conglomerate that owns ProTect also counts Molly Maid, Mr. Handyman and 1-800-Dry Clean in its portfolio. ProTect supplied the computer system and marketing materials. All estimates are based on the amount of work needed and the square footage of the job. Rhoades quotes based off a software program he carries around on his tablet. Rhoades can go anywhere in Virginia but focuses his work in the Roanoke and New River Valleys and around Smith Mountain Lake. Being told he’s the “most professional,” painter clients have encountered has been gratifying. “It's just the way I run the business – kind of a tight ship,” noted Rhoades, “that’s the way you keep business and get [referrals]. It's up to me now.” Find Rhoades on Facebook; search for ProTect painters of the Roanoke Valley. Call 5538215 or e-mail paul.rhoades@ protectpainters.com.

Plow & Hearth Opens Retail Store at Valley View Plow & Hearth is in the process of opening its newest location on Valley View Blvd in Roanoke. The store will offer over 6,700 square feet of shopping space. In addition to Plow & Hearth favorites like UGG Australia and Dansko footwear, Life is Good clothing and accessories, and hearth and garden products, the store also carries a wide selection of toolsets, fire screens and hearth rugs. More great products include delicious assortments of gourmet foods and regional favorites. Founded in 1980 in Madison VA, Plow & Hearth has grown into a national catalog, retail, and internet company specializing in unique home and lifestyle products. The company plans to honor the design of Cynthia Willis, owner of the popular store Twist & Turns when the store is opened. The intentions are to take the existing store and change details of the interior so it feels like

a Plow & Hearth without making any major modifications. Retail Director, Paul Abugattas said, “We intend on adapting to the beautiful space that was once Twist & Turns as Ms. Willis’s design and attention to detail made it easy to come to that decision. The store will feature the same beautiful fireplace as it is also traditional for the Plow & Hearth brand. In addition, the indoor porch and gourmet kitchen that Ms. Willis envisioned will remain while other details that make the store personal will be incorporated.” The store opened softly last week and will have a Grand Opening event scheduled for a later date. During the Grand Opening there will be product sampling, special sales on numerous items and a drawing for gift certificates.

7/6/12- 7/12/12

New Business Magazine Launched in Roanoke

Army Vet Opens Painting Franchise

Paul “Buddy” Rhoades has spent more than three decades in the military, twenty of those years in the Army National Guard and more time in the Army Reserves. He spent time at the Pentagon in a logistics/supply role and did a one-year tour in Afghanistan, getting U.S. and NATO troops the equipment they needed. Yet when the Roanoke Valley native returned from the Middle East last year he couldn’t find a job in corporate America. So the former Verizon call center team leader took matters into his own hands. Rhoades (53), who had always been sort of a handyman (owning a home with his wife Robin that dates back to the 1800’s will help) decided to purchase a ProTect Painters franchise and now offers interior and exterior painting to clients. A $2500 veterans discount from ProTect corporate to honor Rhoades’ military service didn’t hurt either. Rhoades hires subcontractors to do the work; ProTect has supplied a well-regarded reputation that some may find reassuring when looking for a painting contractor. “Actually the Pentagon was worse to work at than Afghanistan,” Rhoades said with a chuckle about his time at the hectic military nerve center in Northern Virginia. He thought that a top-secret security clearance would help him land a job after coming home from Afghanistan but the sluggish economy didn’t help. It's hard at times for veterans to come home and readapt to civilian life, according to Rhoades, who feels some employers may shy away for fear that ex-military personnel suffer consequences from exposure to combat. While

Publication By Virginia Business To Focus on Roanoke/Blacksburg/New River Valley Region "Roanoke Business," a new monthly magazine covering commercial activity in the Roanoke/ Blacksburg/New River Valley region, has published its first issue. Like its parent publication, the Virginia Business magazine, Roanoke Businesses goal is to provide a definitive look at business news in its coverage area. Roanoke Business says they will rely on "in-depth analysis and lively reporting" to tell readers about the people, places, companies and trends shaping the local economy. The new magazine focuses exclusively on events in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Salem, Radford, Roanoke and the counties of Botetourt, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski and Roanoke. Publisher Bernie Niemeier said, "We are excited about this new venture, which is the first monthly regional magazine we've produced in the 26 years since Virginia Business began publishing. The Roanoke/Blacksburg/New River Valley area has a vibrant economy, and some of the most interesting and innovative entrepreneurs, executives and corporations in the commonwealth. The continued success of our flagship publication and the potential of Roanoke Business show a robust appetite for business news in every part of our state." Based in Roanoke, Tim Thornton serves as

Roanoke Business editor. Lynn Williams will handle advertising sales and is located in Roanoke as well. At launch, Roanoke Business circulation is 10,000, including current Roanoke-area subscribers to Virginia Business. The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Roanoke Regional Partnership also distribute the magazine. Officials with the Roanoke Chamber first discussed with Virginia Business the idea of launching a local publication that would include information about and useful to chamber members while offering expanded coverage of commercial developments in Roanoke, Blacksburg and the New River Valley. "Roanoke Business is a welcome addition to the region. It will provide additional insights and an in-depth look at the large, medium and small enterprises that form the base of our economy. Building on the strength and reputation of Virginia Business, Roanoke Business will highlight exciting developments in our area and bring a new, expanded level of coverage in regional business, financial and economic news," said Joyce Waugh, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce president. Virginia Business is the only statewide publication devoted exclusively to covering commercial news in the commonwealth.

When Your Website Powers Your Business If you can afford to have your brand new warehouse built from the ground up, who are you going to hire to build it? The intelligent answer is simple: a reputable building contractor with happy clients and lots of experience, right? I mean, why on earth would you invest your hard-earned dollars to hire anyone less than a pro? What about your office building or store? As a business owner, you know that it needs to have the right look and feel to be successful. Go ahead, go shopping or to the insurance guy or the doctor. Are the stores and offices run down with bad paint jobs and worn-out carpeting? Does the store you're buying from have empty crates and clothes blocking the aisles? Of course not. They’re all clean and neat and professional – and most are decorated to impress the customer. So why, then, would anyone take the opposite approach with their online business? Believe it or not, at least half the people reading this right now have done exactly that. You’ve spent months, in some cases years, developing your product, becoming an expert in your field or writing your book, and then paid absolutely no attention to where or how it's presented and sold. That's just like buying beautiful new furniture and not having a house to put it in. Do yourself a favor, when you've made the decision to open your business or sell your product online, make sure you have ALL the tools to make it successful. And for Pete's sake, make sure you hire the right developer. Here are a few tips to help you find that person; 1. Look for experience, reputation and track record. These are the three attributes to consider when engaging any professional. Find out about who you're entrusting your brand to. Ask for references – don't just look at the testimonials they’ve posted. Take a good look at their website. If it looks like a fifth-grader put it together, imagine how yours will look. Look at their portfolio or ask for a list of sites they have developed. If they can't show you immediately, or if they don’t have at least four or five sites to review, what are they afraid of? 2. It's not always about the price. Do NOT cut corners. Don't go with the cheapest deal you can find just because it's cheap. Think about what you’re buying: It's the vehicle that’s going to generate your revenue. Your website is the last thing you want to cut corners on. WARNING: Not going cheap does not mean

you should go with the most expensive deal either; expensive doesn't always equal better. 3. Listen. You’re buying talent and experience. You listen to your doctor, your lawyer and your accountant – they're the professionals, after all. Now think about that when you decide that you know better or more than your web developer. If you made the right choice in hiring the developer, then listen to what he or she tells you. If you're not willing to trust their judgment or advice, then save your money and build the site yourself. But don't complain about THAT decision later. 4. Have a plan. You need to know what your goals are and how to convey them to your developer BEFORE you hire anyone. If you aren't sure of your goals – WAIT. Do not hire anyone unless you are completely sure that they have a solid understanding of your needs and objectives. 5. Avoid any company or freelancer that has a “package.” You've seen it before. You're searching for a web designer and you find 25 sites that have the Gold/Silver/Bronze package (or some cute little package names). They offer hourly rates and "additional page" costs. Here's a tip: stay away. There's no way a designer can give you exactly what you need based on his/her "package rate." Ask me 10 times and I will tell you 10 times – I can't give you a price if I don't know what your project is all about. Any pro developer will tell you the same thing. We need to know what we're developing before we know how much it's going to cost. 6. Know how to request a quote. Please don't ever email a developer and say, "Can you look at my site and tell me how much you would charge to redesign it or make it better?" Now, that's just asking for trouble, and here's why: a) You are already telling the developer you have no idea what you need. b) If the developer sends back an email that says, "I looked at your site and it would cost $xx.xx to redesign it or fix it" – RUN. Never hire a developer who doesn't want to talk to you first. A developer worth hiring is the one who wants to know about your project. Joe Thomas is the founder and owner of Left Brain Digital (www.leftbraindigital.com), a web development company. He’s an award-winning web designer/developer with more than 18 years of experience in print and web design and development. Thomas' work became a major influence in graphic and web design in the "Y2K" era of the Internet's dot-com explosion.

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Commentary

TheRoanokeStar.com |Page 9

7/6/12- 7/12/12

GOP Exhibits Resolve To Repeal Cuccinelli Finds “Silver Linings” After Supreme Court Decision

In the days after the Supreme Court's disappointing ruling on President Obama's health care law, the resolve of the American people and Republicans in Congress only grows stronger. While the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Obamacare on the basis that it is a tax, this decision certainly does not make the law good policy. A law that raises taxes, destroys jobs, and hampers economic growth, while doing nothing to rein in soaring health care costs is simply the wrong prescription for Virginians. Virginians are now presented with a choice: a future of bigger government, fewer options, and increased health care costs under Obamacare, or a future of smaller government and affordable health care options where decisions are made by patients and their doctors, not Washington bureaucrats. We choose the latter. Just over two years ago, our health care system was radically changed when President Obama and congressional Democrats rammed the socalled Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act through Congress, ignoring the strong objections of the American people. In fact, then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi famously told Americans that Congress would have to pass this bill so that they could find out what was in it. The American people have a message for congressional Democrats: Now that we know what's in it, we don't want it. This 2,700 page law, and the murky process in which it was drafted, represents an affront to our democracy and a fundamental departure from the founding principles of our nation by placing more faith in government than in the American people. The results? Compromised freedoms, increased health insurance premiums, lost jobs, and less access to quality and affordable care. Regardless of which part of the commonwealth you call home, the voices and the stories we hear are similar. The president's health care law is making things worse. We have heard from seniors who are concerned about getting the care they need under this law. Hard-working families are worried about skyrocketing costs. Small-business owners refuse to grow and expand their businesses because the uncertainty created by this law is too great. With employment stuck above 8

percent, removing barriers to employment — including the threat of higher taxes, neww government regulations and costly mandates — is more important than ever. Majority Leader Eric Cantor announced that the House will vote on July 11 to fully repeal Obamacare. Let this be a sign that the fight for full repeal of this costly, job-killing law is far from over. The House will once again give the Senate an opportunity to repeal this bill. The choice is simple: Again ignore the will of the American people, or join the House in full repeal of this misguided law. We are confident that if the Senate chooses the latter, both parties can and will come together to pass patient-centered reforms that will deliver the highest quality care at affordable prices without jeopardizing jobs across this country. Any policy that we pass must adhere to a uniform concept: Empower patients with choices and protect and preserve the doctor-patient relationship. In his opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts articulated that the court's job is not to remove the political consequences from the policymakers' actions. While we do not agree with the chief justice's final opinion, we do agree with this particular sentiment. It is time for the representatives of the American people to listen to their wishes and repeal this bill before irreparable damage is done to our health care system and our nation. The American people cherish our nation's founding principles of limited government, free enterprise and individual liberty. Despite the fact that the court rejected the expansion of federal regulating authority under the commerce clause, we still believe the court seriously undermined individual liberty and free enterprise. Just because it has been called a tax does not remove the fact that the law has compromised our liberties. The very foundations of this great nation are threatened by Obamacare. We will not stand idly by. As representatives for the good people of Virginia, we know it is our duty to let the voices of Virginians be heard as we do our part in working to return us to a nation of smaller government and greater liberty that our founders intended. - Reps. Bob Goodlatte, Morgan Griffith, & Robert Hurt

A statement from Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli after his analysis of today's Supreme Court health care decision: I am disappointed in the court's ultimate decision today. Virginia's legal argument has always been that there was no constitutional basis for the federal health insurance mandate, and that the health care law should be struck down in its entirety. The court's decision has saddled us with a budget-busting health care law that will most assuredly increase health care costs and thrust a new tax on the American people. The federal health care law was upheld by the court because, contrary to the language used by Congress and contrary to the repeated statements of the president, the court decided that the money one must pay for failing to comply with the insurance mandate should be considered a tax, and a tax is within Congress's authority. Thus, those who support this law and who voted for it are now and forever on record for supporting this tax increase - a position they refused to admit when passing the bill. And it only takes 51 - not 60 - votes in the Senate to pass (or repeal) a tax bill. Now that the court has declared this a tax, its ruling effectively prevents Congress from using similar schemes to raise taxes while trying to hide them from the American people by calling them by another name. From our founding, the American people have been hostile to excessive taxation. Thus, future Congresses will have to engage in such schemes at their electoral peril. My initial reaction when the decision was announced that the insurance mandate was upheld was that it was a dark day for the Constitution and for American liberty. However, upon analyzing the 193 pages of opinions from the court, I contend that - while I do not agree with the majority's result - there was a silver lining in that the court affirmed that the Commerce Clause - the constitutional vehicle the federal government was attempting to use to compel citizens to buy health insurance - only allows Congress to regulate people who are currently

engaged in commercial activity. In this way, the court affirmed that there ARE constitutional limits to Congress's power. This represents the court's first express acknowledgement of the actual limits on the federal government's commerce power since the New Deal. In addition to affirming that there are limits on Congress's Commerce Clause power, the court also has made clear that there ARE limits on Congress's spending power. The court blocked the federal government from withholding Medicaid dollars that states receive under the current Medicaid program if those states do not want to participate in the new and costly program expansions mandated under the health care law. This alone could save the commonwealth about $200 million a year -- money which would have to come from new taxes or other already stretched priorities, such as state education and transportation funding. At the same time, health care for Virginia's poorest citizens will still be covered by Virginia's existing Medicaid program. This, too, was the first time the court has found any limit on Congress's spending power since the New Deal. From the beginning of Virginia's challenge, I have maintained that the health care cases were about liberty, not about health care. We have argued that the Constitution did not permit Congress - under the guise of regulating commerce - to order a citizen to buy something. Today, a majority of the court agreed with our position. Writing for a majority of the court, Chief Justice Roberts recognized that "The Framers gave Congress the power to regulate commerce, not to compel it, and for over 200 years, both our decisions and Congress's actions have reflected this understanding. There is no reason to depart from that understanding now." [Emphasis in the original.] Although this bad law was allowed to stand, in the end, the court has found some very clear limits to Congress's authority do exist.

Senator Ralph Smith Sums Up New Virginia Laws The General Assembly considered 1,987 bills in addition to hundreds of resolutions during the 2012 session. Ultimately 846 of these bills were signed into law by Governor Bob McDonnell after they passed the House of Delegates and the Senate. Most of these new laws will go into effect this Sunday, July 1. Below are brief summaries of some of the new laws. The items below are included for informational purposes and are not all necessarily proposals that I supported. Business and Taxes The Governor's reorganization of the executive branch of state government deregulated hair braiders, hair braiding schools, mold remediators, and mold inspectors. Installers of conventional septic tank installers with eight years of experience are exempt from the licensure exam. Roanoke County may impose a 7 percent transient occupancy tax in addition to the 5 percent sales tax. The current transient occupancy

tax rate is 5 percent. The new revenue shall be used by the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau to market the region as a tourist destination. Crime The ban on synthetic marijuana and "bath salts" has been expanded to include newly developed chemical compounds and a more generic chemical description of synthetic marijuana so that new chemical compounds will be considered synthetic marijuana without the precise chemical compound having to be added to the Code. Adults convicted of sex crimes against children under 13 years old will face a mandatory life sentence. Individuals convicted of a DUI will be required to use an ignition interlock after the first offense, as a condition of a restricted license. Individuals required to register on the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry shall not be permitted to operate a charter bus used to transport children to

and from day care and certain children's activities. The time limit for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect by mandated reporters has been reduced from 72 hours to as soon as possible but not longer than 24 hours after having reason to suspect a reportable offense of child abuse or neglect. The punishment for strangulation will be elevated to a class six felony. Education The date for teacher contract renewals will shift from April 15 to June 15. Corporations that offer scholarships to low-income families for kindergarten through 12th grade students attending private schools will be eligible for tax credits. The Board of Education has been directed to modify the credits necessary for a student to earn a standard or an advanced studies diploma. The advanced studies diploma shall be the recommended diploma for students pursuing baccalaureate study. The standard diploma shall

lOSe WeiGht aS if yOur life depended On it.

include a concentration in career and technical education and a requirement to earn a career and technical education credential. The Board of Education is required to develop licensure criteria for teachers who teach only online courses. Health As a component of the existing "Informed Consent Law," women seeking an abortion shall undergo a transabdominal ultrasound imaging and be given an opportunity to view the ultrasound image. Health insurers that provide cancer chemotherapy are required to provide coverage for a prescribed, orally administered anti-cancer medication. Firearms The prohibition on purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period has been repealed. Government The mandate that local governments create urban development areas has been repealed. The Governor's reorgani-

zation of executive branch of state government combined, consolidated, and streamlined over 50 government boards and agencies. State agencies, local governments, the Virginia National Guard, and of their employees are prohibited from assisting the U.S. military in the conduct of the investigation, prosecution, or detention of a U.S. citizen in violation of the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution of Virginia, or any Virginia law or regulation. Voters will be required to show identification before casting a regular ballot. Acceptable forms of identification include: a Virginia voter registration card, a social security card, a valid Virginia's driver's license, any identification card issued by a Virginia locality, an agency of the Commonwealth, or the United States government, any valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in Virginia, any valid employee identification card containing a photograph of the voter and

issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer's business, a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or a paycheck that shows the name and address of the voter. Transportation Two-thirds of all budget surpluses shall be dedicated to transportation funding. Two-wheeled motorcycles may now drive two abreast in a single lane. The establishment of "motorcycle only" police checkpoints are prohibited. Veterans Veterans who are permanently disabled due to a service-connected disability will be allowed to obtain a combined hunting and freshwater fishing lifetime license for free. Wrongful Death There is now a legal cause of action for the death of a unborn child caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of any person, ship, vessel, or corporation.

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7/6/12- 7/12/12

Sneaky Exercise Takes Off The Pounds

Many people dream about becoming fit and healthy without grueling exercise. Or you think of every excuse possible to avoid going to a gym or even exercising at home with a DVD or equipment. The expense! The hassle! The truth is that you will not maintain any weight loss or state of health without regular physical exercise. You must keep moving. The good news is there are many ways to achieve increased movement and exercise that can be creative, fun, and free. 1. Park as far as you can from the door or store. Park on the furthest end of the mall from your destination. Add steps to your day whenever possible. Every one helps. 2. Never take an elevator when you can take the stairs. You don’t need an expensive stair climber apparatus. Climbing stairs helps with aerobic conditioning as well as muscle building. Don’t take them too quickly at first and don’t do more than one flight at the beginning. Increase your tolerance gradually 3. Stop using your remote controls. Get up and change the channel or volume control yourself. 4. Stop using an intercom at work. Get up and communicate face to face. Get out of your chair at least every hour and walk around. If you can’t at least take a stretch break. 5. Walk instead of standing and stand instead of sitting to burn more calories. 6. Use every commercial break when watching television to stretch, do a few sit-ups or touch your toes. Never sit still to watch a commercial. 7. Instead of passively standing in line at the bank or grocery do isometrics. Without

holding your breath just tighten your abdominal (stomach) muscles for a count of 5 or ten then relax. Do this many times and soon you will be on your way to a tighter tummy. 8. Purchase a pedometer if you can to count your steps. Try to set a long-term goal of 10,000 steps a day. The average person’s stride length is 2.5 feet. A bit over 2000 steps would be a mile and 10000 steps is 5 miles. At first try to increase the number of steps you take by 500 a day each week. Wear the pedometer a week to see how many steps you take a day. Most sedentary people only get 1000 to 3000 a day. How many steps do you take in a day? 9. A pint weighs a pound which makes a gallon of milk weigh around 8.6 pounds. Do some weight lifting in the kitchen by doing a few curls in the morning while getting your breakfast. You don’t need expensive weights. Be creative. 10. If you are able leave the laundry basket on the floor and do some deep knee bends while folding the wash. Do lunges while sweeping or mopping. Hover just above your chair for a moment and feel your thigh muscles engage before sitting down to a meal. Exercise and physical activity doesn’t require an expensive gym or equipment. Be creative and you can be on your way to a fitter, healthier you. Dr. Kenneth Luckay DO is the Medical Director at the Center for Medical Weight Loss located at 4515 Brambleton Ave in Roanoke. He can be reached at 398-1547 or Email: dr.luckay@ cmwlroanoke.com.

TheRoanokeStar.com |Page 10

Facebook: the Anti-Social Network?

Addiction Specialist Offers Tips for Overcoming Tech Disconnection & Anxiety Social media sites like Facebook connect users with old friends, new acquaintances and everyone in between. However, studies are revealing an inverse link with online connections and deeper, face-to-face relationships. Norwegian researchers recently developed a test for networking sites, called the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale, which likens inordinate amounts of time spent on the networking site to drug and alcohol abuse. The test measures how often people use the site, if they do so to forget their problems and how using the site negatively affects their personal and working lives. Researchers found the following groups of people most at risk for Facebook addiction: • Women, who are more social than men. • Young people, who are more tech savvy than older people. • Anxious or socially insecure people. “Social media, and the new emphasis on the importance of ‘multitasking,’ have helped drive a wedge between family members,” says psychologist Gregory L. Jantz, author of #Hooked: The Pitfalls of Media, Technology and Social Networking (www.drgregoryjantz.com). Ironically, people become less social the more time they spend on social sites, and they tend to get less done while multitasking because they do not focus on completing one task at a time, he says. “When people abuse drugs and alcohol, they are trying to feel better, yet they are worsening their situation. We’re finding this is also true for those who spend excessive amounts of time on social networking sites,” he says. “Perhaps the hardest hit from social media addiction is the family unit.” Parents should monitor their own time online to ensure it’s not further limiting the already shrinking amount of time available with their children, Jantz says. And they need to safeguard their children by monitoring their time, as well. Jantz suggests these questions for parents to ask themselves in gauging their kids’ media usage: • How much time do your kids spend with various forms of media? There are plenty of distractions from homework. Estimate how much time your child spends with the television, internet, social networking sites, cell phone, Blu-rays and game systems. The more time spent with media, the lower a

child’s academic performance, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study. • How much time do your kids spend with you versus online media? Remember, simply being in the same room isn’t necessarily interacting. The less the scales tip in favor of human-to-human interaction, the more likely there may be a problem. • Do you know how each device works and how it can be used? Familiarity with your children’s gadgets gives you a better perspective of what their habits may be like. • What are the consequences of their tech habits, and what should be changed? Make a list of the good and the bad consequences of your family’s technology use. After comparing the two lists, consider changes that can turn negatives into positives. “Technology continues at its accelerating pace, and we are in unchartered territory,” Jantz says. “Increasingly, social networking infiltrates our personal lives, but we need to remember that it is created to serve us, and not the other way around.” Gregory Jantz has more than 25 years experience in mental health counseling and is the founder of The Center for Counseling and Health Resources.

Budget Watch BUDGET WATCH

Date National Debt (Trillions) Debt/Citizen Jan. 20, 2009 $10,626,877,000,000 Dec. 26, 2011 $15,156,003,000,000 July 2, 2012 $15,829,105,000,000 $50,451 Spending per day in 2012 is more than $3.5 Billion.

Debt/Taxpayer $138,989

At The Museum Night To Feature Falconer

The Catholic Historical Museum will conduct “At the Museum Night” with Lee Chichester– Falconer, JULY 20, 2012 at 7PM at 400 Campbell Avenue. There is a $2.00 DONATION - RSVP - 40 seats only. Lee began her active participation in falconry in 1992, and has been hunting with birds of prey for 20 years. In 1995, Lee was among the original group who envisioned Floyd's Jacksonville Center for the Arts and subsequently, she served on its board for ten years. In 2006 she was one of three

recipients of the prestigious Perry Kendig Award for significant contributions to the arts in the region, presented annually by the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge, and in 2008 she served as regional coordinator for the Governor’s Awards for the Arts. Lee is a Master Falconer and her presentation on July 20th will cover falconry in the middle ages. This is a unique opportunity to be up close and personal for youth and adults. Call 982-0152 to reserve your seat.

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$10,995

2008 SATURN VUE XE Stock #:220683A

2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Stock #:220938A

2004 MINI COOPER S Stock #:PB4910A

2011 NISSAN VERSA Stock #:PA4882

2006 PONTIAC SOLSTICE Stock #:P4906

$13,995

$14,995

$15,595

$15,995

2009 CHEVY HHR LT Stock #:220787B

2009 HONDA CIVIC LX Stock #:220505B

2009 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY Stock #:PA4888

2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO Stock #:221000A

2010 CHEVY COLORADO LT Stock #:220867A

$15,995

$16,995

$17,595

$17,995

2006 BMW 325Ci Stock #:220618A

2008 FORD RANGER XLT Stock #:P4836

2007 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID Stock #:220999A

2008 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID Stock #:P4879

2008 HONDA ACCORD EX Stock #:P4894

$17,995

$18,995

2008 MINI COOPER S Stock #:P4903

2007 ACURA RDX Stock #:P4950

2010 FORD FLEX SEL Stock #:220433A

2009 TOYOTA VENZA Stock #:221020A

2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 Stock #:210768B

$19,995

$23,995

$26,995

$28,995

All prices plus tAxes, title, tAgs, And $299 Processing Fee. All vehicles preowned unless stAted As new. photos for illustrAtion purposes only. offer ends 7/12/12.