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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel March 23 - 29, 2012

NewsRoanoke.com

Community | News | Per spective

[Downtown Roanoke]

Huff Lane Property Sale Approved By City Council

Roanoke’s Big Parade

Roanoke City Council voted unanimously to sell the 5.3-acre Huff Lane Elementary School property adjacent to Valley View Boulevard to NDRA II, LLC. Monday’s public hearing was uneventful compared to the agitated crowd who objected to the school’s closing in 2010. NDRA II, LLC is the limited liability parent company of Poe and Cronk Real Estate Group in Roanoke. The contract has several stipulations before the property changes hands. The buyer has sixty days after the date of the contract to complete their due diligence review of the property and 30 days to apply for rezonCity Gov’t ing after that. City staff will review and approve the subdivision plat for rezoning. The city has 180 days to approve the buyer’s plan. The group’s plan calls for two hotels and a restaurant that will become part of the Valley View Mall complex. They will demolish the empty Huff Lane school. A separate 6500 square foot restaurant is proposed at the curve that separates the school and park from Valley View Boulevard. On January 10 City staff, along with Poe and Cronk President and CEO Dennis Cronk and consultant Steve Albis, met with the Dorchester Court Neighborhood Watch. Monday marked the inevitable loss of what they considered a key component of their neighborhood. Dorchester

Bridging The Gap P3– Environmental leader Mark McClain says that people are getting the message about the importance of becoming more environmentally conscious.

[

Photo by Gene Marrano

rom politicians to “parrot-heads” to pipers, the annual McDonald’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Roanoke – which was longer than ever – featured lots o’ green on a day when everyone is a wee bit Irish. Participating were vintage fire trucks, baton twirlers, plenty of clowns, bagpipes, the Sons of Norway, World War II veterans, marching bands - you name it. David Bowers was there, as was his contender in the race for mayor of Roanoke, Mark Lucas. Congressman Bob Goodlatte also worked the crowd as he walked down Jefferson Street. Panelists judged the floats that passed by the review stand. Winners included: Old Southwest (best neighborhood float), Parrots of the Blue Ridge (best non-profit, also best overall), 29th Division Association (most patriotic), Vikings of the Valley (ironically, best Celtic themed) and the Roanoke Civic Center (best business). Local shops seemed to benefit from the extra traffic downtown and vendors set up booths on Campbell Avenue to sell Irish-themed merchandise. The Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade has become one of the largest in the southeastern United States. -Gene Marrano

]

> CONTINUED P2: Huff

Destination Columbia Cuccinelli Says EPA Regulations Generate Diminishing Return on Investment P4– Johnny Robinson travels to Medellin Columbia and discovers a vibrant city of “eternal spring.”

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli isn’t campaigning for the Republican nomination for Virginia’s governor in 2013 - at least not yet. He won’t start that in earnest until 2013, he said. The purpose of his Tuesday town hall meeting at the Higher Education Center was part of his job as attorney general. “I’m the lawyer for the citizens in utility rates,” he said. His engineering degree served him well, as he seemed professorial at times as he explained cost per kilowatt and cost fluctuations over time. Earlier Cuccinelli gave the Roanoke

Star-Sentinel an exclusive interview at his of elderly and unemployed. “It’s more Peters Creek office. He felt strongly about strained than in the urban areas,” he the effects electricity rates were having said. He was the first attorney general to conduct a town hall meeton the less affluent regions of ing - the first ones were held the state. “In my four years of State Gov’t in 2010. Del. Joe Johnson (Dtraveling Virginia I have never Abingdon) told him publicly encountered an issue that was so passionately meaningful to an entire that, “This is the first time ever that an attorney general has come down here to region,” said Cuccinelli. “Poor people are hurt the worst by hold a town hall to hear both sides of the issue.” this,” he said. APCO sought an $154 million base Virginians in the southern regions have a higher number of people on fixed rate increase in 2010 that Cuccinelli incomes and a disproportionate number fought and the SCC rejected that resulted

[

P9– Appalachian Press in downtown Roanoke was chosen as the site of the Valley’s first ever “Cash Mob.” Winners of this year’s Cool Citizen Awards pose with their plaques.

Roanoke Environmental Group Hands Out “Cool” Awards

P11– The Blue Ridge Institute and Museum is recognized as a moving force in preserving the history of the Blue Ridge region.

> CONTINUED P2: Cuccinelli

Crystal Spring Students Per-fect Pi . . . Throwing

Cash Mob!

Museum Honors

]

in a $92.5 million reduction. He contends that “over half of the rate increase was straight pass-through of EPA regulatory costs. Utility companies never bear the costs – the ratepayers do. The solution is to stop adding regulatory burdens,” he said. Cuccinelli told the 75 attendees at the town hall meeting that “we’re way out of balance between the opportunity for economic advancement and environmental

The Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition, which promotes alternative energy technologies and greener ways that can reduce carbon footprints – thus keeping the valley cooler – handed out its annual Cool Citizen Awards at the 2012 Affiliates Conference last week. More than 250 local businesses, individuals and non-profit groups are affiliated with Roanoke Valley Cool Cities, which was founded by Dr. Diana Christopulos and Mark McClain. Roanoke Mayor David Bowers and City Council members Court Rosen and Bill Bestpitch were on hand at the Claude Moore Education Complex – a building renovated to LEED energy-saving standards – for the breakfast meeting last week. Also attending was Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Flora, who recently cast the deciding vote when the county decided to keep paying its $1,200 ICLEI dues for the coming year. The citizens-led RC Clear group in the county is an affiliate of ICLEI; an international organization that promotes greener energy. Flora handed out the final special achievement > CONTINUED P2: Cool award.

How many digits of 50 digits of the mathpi can you name? ematical number. If you’re like most They’re students of people, you probably science teacher Wade get lost after 3.14. . . But Whitehead who said, not Ethan Kinnison, a “I think the greatest fifth grader at Crystal thing a teacher can Springs Elementary in hope for is that their Roanoke. He can name students learn and en170 digits, and his rejoy their time at school. ward for doing so was So we’re looking for to throw not one-not ways to combine subtwo-but three pies at ject areas, interests, school principal, Kathmodes for learning in leen Tate. One hunin fun and productive dred seventy digits is ways. So this project a new school record, Photo by Beverly Amsler to me speaks to that. breaking last year’s re- Teacher Wade Whitehead guides It allows kids to have cord of 160. a blast together. But a student in pie throwing. He set out to break there’s deep learning the record and pracgoing on. We’re talkticed for 3 1/2 weeks. “It seemed just ing about the ancient Greeks; we’re talkkind of interesting to me so [I did] 170 ing about geometry. There’re a lot of stoand got a record . . . I learned ries behind the exploration 10 digits at a time.” He’s on of pi. And the idea that we’re Community a baseball team but says he wrestling with an irrational didn’t practice throwing in ornumber that can’t quite be der to hit Tate with the pies. quantified, that people have been mystiEthan joined 17 other children who fied by for thouthrew “pies” made of a paper plate and sands of years is > CONTINUED whipped cream for learning more than really cool.” P2: Pi

[

]

> Huff Isolated afternoon showers and storms are expected Thursday and Friday with temperatures rising into the low 80s. Showers and storms are forecast again for Saturday as a cold front moves in. Temperatures will be in the mid 70s. Lingering showers are possible on Sunday with temperatures near 70.

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President Amy Cosner thought the parcel should have remained part of the adjacent park. The Huff Lane Park will be upgraded with concessions and bathrooms. Rick Williams, a member of the planning commission, said at January’s neighborhood meeting that over time the neighborhood park had been taken over by the Parks and Recreation Department. The improvements to the park are a means to turn it into a money-maker that will no longer serve the neighborhood, lamented Williams. The Roanoke City School Board voted to close Huff Lane School in June 2010 after a contentious public hearing. RCPS was in a financial pinch and options were slim. The property was handed over to the city to sell with proceeds going to a much needed renovation and expansion of Round Hill Primary School where most of the students relocated after Huff Lane closed. The city received seven offers that were narrowed down to the Poe & Cronk Realty Group. “Leveraging the value of commercial property and the sustainability of increased tax revenue in order to keep the schools well funded” was the deciding factor, said Rob Ledger, the city’s economic development director. Albis said that the restaurant would be entirely separate from the hotels but that he expected the type of franchise that would cater to hotel guests. The quality of the restaurant would also depend on the class of the

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McClain, the Cool Cities Coalition director, said Bowers had “helped us tremendously,” in getting the organization off the ground. The mayor praised Cool Cities for a program that gives low-energy CFL (compact fluorescent) light bulbs to low income families. Bowers also made it clear where he stands on green issues: “there is such a thing as global warming,” said the mayor, who urged those in attendance to “think globally [but] act locally. That’s what you folks are doing here today.” For Christopulos the mission is simple: “we want to reduce greenhouse gases [that warm the earth]. I like sustainability. I think that’s a good word. Let’s be courageous about it [and] keep a constructive attitude.” Christopulos mentioned RC Clear’s Save-A-Ton education program, which has just been rolled out to show residents how they can reduce their household carbon footprint by a cubic ton per year.

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to press city council to hold the line on cuts to bus service. Each speaker depended on the bus service in varying degrees. Some said it was their sole means of transportation to work and for doctor visits. Others said that with gas prices rising bus service was needed more than ever. They asked for service to be expanded to alleviate packed buses. There were workers at Malls who after riding the bus to work have to search for a ride home after 9:00 p.m. when there is no bus service. Bus drivers from the Greater Roanoke Valley Transit Authority said they had not received a raise in three years. Assistant City Manager Sherman Stovall confirmed that though their last raise was in fiscal year 2011 city employees had not received a raise since 2009. Stovall assured city council and bus riders that cuts to bus service were not proposed in the 2013 fiscal year budget. By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

creasing and natural gas costs decreasing. APCO electric rates have been steadily under Dominion Virginia Power rates. To fill all the energy needs in the APCO service region they buy power from their parent company American Electric Power at a higher rate. Cuccinelli said that former minority leader Ward Armstrong’s attack on APCO electricity rates “was not accurate” and was political. “Forget abortion, forget taxes – they pale in comparison on the demagoguery scale to electricity rates. Electricity rates are complicated,” he said. The town halls were so successful in 2010 he decided to do a total of seven this year. Besides Roanoke he held town halls in Lynchburg and Martinsville this week. There will be four more in April. By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

From page 1 “This is smart work to do. It’s not that hard and it’s good for the valley,” she noted. The Save-A-Ton campaign, which includes a website and advertising, recently netted several ADDY awards for the Thomas Becher Agency (tba) that designed it. Keynote speaker Dr. Melissa Booth, who has studied life forms in the oceans from Antarctica to the North Pole, said global warming is melting the ice caps, which affects the salinity and the temperature of water. “This is a fact, this is happening,” said Booth, offering evidence as to how that affects everything from the health of coral reefs to the size of fish. “We’re playing a game by entering all of this CO2 into the atmosphere,” warned Booth, who lives on an island off the coast of Georgia. There are already “dead zones” in the Chesapeake Bay, oxygen-deprived patches where fish no longer thrive, according to Booth. Rising sea levels, earlier spring seasons and ocean acidification are other harmful side effects of global warming. She urged politicians to stop delaying decisions on climate change and also had a related wish: “get corporate money out of politics [on environmental issues].” Booth urged localities to encourage buildup within cities when it comes to development – not build out – in order to re-

> Pi

Sunroom or Porch Enclosure

Photo by Valerie Garner

Court Rosen explains the division of Huff Lane Property in March 2011.

From page 1

stewardship.” ia. Both Poindexter and CucCarol Pruner and Amy Richcinelli agreed with Pruner and ardson with the Sierra Club Poindexter and vowed to keep propped up a large sign in the pushing his bill. chair next to them that decried The Environmental Protecmountaintop mining. It read, tion Agency (EPA) regulations “Virginia is for mountain lovhave no measurable environers not mountain top mining.” mental benefits, said CuccinelPruner spoke, reading off a li. “The EPA admits that but Ken Cuccinelli prepared statement, “Dominion they do it anyway,” he said. He Virginia Power executives have been rak- agreed that the environment needed proing in millions while their dirty money buys tecting but “we’re suffocating our economy political power. They generate zero wind or with environmental cost compliance.” solar power.” Eighty percent of APCO’s energy is genDelegate Charles Poindexter of Floyd erated by coal. The national average has County sat in front of her and responded dropped to below 50 percent. “Coal is more saying that, “Dominion is purchasing renew- affected by the regulatory regime than other able fuel and is getting a bonus on that but types of fuel – your electricity rates are much they are not doing it in Virginia.” Poindexter more affected by [regulation],” he said to had a bill this year (HB1017) that failed to those at the town hall. Electric rates jumped pass that provided incentives for purchasing when revenue from “off system sales” by and generating renewable energy in Virgin- APCO ceased due to the cost for coal in-

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hotels. “It will be no Waffle House,” he said in January. To be a profitable venture it will take 80100 rooms in two building of 5 or 6 levels. The group and city staff promised the neighborhood that the facades would be attractive on all four sides to ensure an esthetically pleasing view for the neighborhood. A finalized contract will allow dialogue with hotel franchises like Holiday Inn (Intercontinental Hotel Group), Hilton, or a Choice hotel. Room rates would then be established. In January Rob Ledger, Chris Chittum, planning administrator, and Councilman Ray Ferris assured the Dorchester neighbors that there would be a sufficient buffer between the hotels and the neighborhood and no traffic would be allowed into the neighborhood from Valley View Boulevard. Construction will begin once a franchise is identified and will take at least a year of actual construction. The work would not disrupt travel on Huff Lane Road, said Ledger. To alleviate neighbors concerns about changes that would affect the neighborhood Ledger said, “You’ve got a council that’s very, very interested in removing skepticism as much as possible by an open transparent process.” Ferris confirmed that, “Any changes would go though the same process as now everyone would be heard.” In other business: Valley Metro Brings Out Defenders – Eleven speakers signed up

> Cool

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As the throwers took their chalk-marked spot in the parking lot, younger children watched and cheered from the playground. Whitehead says the children remember the event and when they get into fifth grade, they are already excited and eager to participate. Donning a shower cap, goggles, flip flops, and wearing a large garbage bag over her clothes, Principal Tate took the excitement all in stride, even at the end when all the kids were done and her secretary smeared

duce urban sprawl and longer commute times that also mean more carbon emissions from motorists. “We have to make [these changes] now and work together by all means,” said Booth, alluding to the politically charged atmosphere when it comes to topics like global warming and green energy. Cool Citizen Award winners included Brandon Oaks, the retirement community that was designated a “Cool Green Biz” by the Cool Cities Coalition, for an addition that was built to higher energy saving standards. Other honorees included Suzi Fortenberry of Benchmark Builders, which is constructing energy efficient houses in Roanoke County; Mark Jackson of the New River Center for Energy Research and Training; Roger Holnback, recently retired as executive director of the Western Virginia Land Trust, which works to preserve open space from development - and Gene Marrano, cited for balanced environmental reporting in a variety of venues, including the Roanoke Star-Sentinel. Janet Scheid, a member of the RC Clear committee, was honored for “showing courage by speaking out publicly in support of the county’s ICLEI membership, in the face of hostile opposition,” according to the written introduction for her in the awards program. Doug and Mary McCallum

were also recognized as individual Cool Citizens for erecting a small energy-producing wind turbine on their property after overcoming opposition “from radical non-environmentalists,” according to presenter Rupert Cutler, a former Roanoke City Council member and a past Cool Citizen winner himself. Mary McCallum cited Roanoke County supervisor Charlotte Moore for helping them obtain the permits needed. “Keep spreading the word,” said McCallum. Moore has also voiced support for the proposed wind turbine farm on Poor Mountain. The final Special Achievement award went to the Roanoke Valley-Allegheny Regional Commission, which has spearheaded efforts like RIDE Solutions, to encourage alternative means of transportation. The Regional Commission, a quasi-governmental agency that encompasses eleven local jurisdictions, has also offered free energy audits and the Partnership for a Livable Roanoke Valley – which promotes environmental quality. Executive Director Wayne Strickland said that focus is nothing new: “we’ve been working on environmental projects [since that 1970’s] … we have a lot of projects going on.” By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

From page 1 a pie in Tate’s face. Tate’s been the designated receiver since she came on board three years ago. “It’s really a lot of fun. I’m grateful to have a nice, sunny day like this to have it happen. I’ve learned over the years how to dress. The first year I came out just raw and that was nasty.” “The more they learn, the more pies they get to throw. It is good goal setting for the kids.” She had a professional development meeting to attend less than an hour after the pie throw and said she brought a wash

cloth and towel and a change of clothes. Tate wasn’t expecting to have to fix her hair but the shower cap came off during the event. “I will be raunchy by the time I get home. This (whipped cream) will sour in no time.” After the pie throw, students surrounded their principal and gave her a big hug, spreading the whipped cream to everyone. Ethan says his next goal is to learn even more digits of pi. Could 200 digits be far behind? By Beverly Amsler info@newsroanoke.com

3/23/12- 3/29/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3

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By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

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Environmental Leader Says People Are Getting The Message The chairman of the Roanoke Valley Greenways Commission, Mark McClain, is optimistic about the Bridge the Gap campaign that will help fund the missing link in the 18 mile long Roanoke River Greenway. Smaller sections that will run from Vic Thomas Park (Bridge Street to Memorial Avenue) and one that will link the 13th Street parking area to the Tinker Creek Greenway will come on-line soon. That stretch to Tinker Creek, which features the first real hills on the Roanoke River Greenway, involves a L-shaped 600 foot bridge that connects to a section that runs through Fallon Park. The Tinker Creek Greenway is just over a mile long now but will eventually extend 11 miles through Roanoke City and north Roanoke County to Carvins Cove, and even to the Appalachian Trail. “There are a lot of obstacles to that,” notes McClain. The Roanoke River Greenway will eventually extend as well to the Blue Ridge Parkway; engineering is underway. Another section in Salem under construction will extend about a mile towards a completed section in Roanoke County and is creeping towards Green Hill Park. “It’s been funded,” said McClain, “and they’re looking at the best route for that.” Bridge the Gap concerns the seven million dollars needed for a four mile stretch in the Roanoke River Greenway that runs from Salem to Bridge Street in Roanoke. “We’ve done pretty well,” said McClain, noting that a third of the funds needed have been collected so far. Grant proposals will help fill the coffers if successful. An official kickoff for Bridge the Gap will be scheduled soon, perhaps in April. Urban trails are an economic development engine as well, according to McClain, since it’s a quality of life issue. “There are people out there all the time on every section of the greenway.” Any time there is a trail sys-

tem in place, “peoEarth Friendly ple’s appreciation Friday series of for the outdoors presentations in is enhanced,” said 2005 when McMcClain, a forClain was the Siermer chair of the ra Club chair, ++a local Sierra Club monthly program chapter and coon the second Frifounder of the day of the month Roanoke Valley related to energy Cool Cities Coali- Mark McClain is chair- conservation and tion. “Our motto man of the Roanoke environmental isis working to- Valley Greenways sues. “It’s been a gether for smart, Commission. great program,” clean energy,” said McClain, notsaid McClain of the Coali- ing that more than 100 people tion, which honored support- showed up for the last meeters of environmental issues ing. at its annual awards breakfast Cool Cities is focused on last Wednesday. “This is one the impact global warming of Cool Cities’ signature pro- and climate change is having grams,” said McClain. Busi- on the environment. Working nesses, non-profits, the media on energy and conservation and individuals were singled issues at the local level is “one out for their contributions. way to deal with that.” McCool Cities and the Sierra Clain said claims that ICLEI Club have also come out in and groups like Roanoke support of the electricity- County’s citizen-led RC Clear generating wind turbines pro- committee want to mandate posed for Poor Mountain. “The how people live “had no batable is set,” said McClain, not- sis in fact. When you look at ing that Roanoke County has [ICLEI, an international orpassed an ordinance to make ganization] you realize that it possible. The expiration of it’s a totally voluntary thing tax credits at the end of 2012 that communities participate could dampen enthusiasm for in. They provide software and such a project however, if not ideas for reducing energy use. extended by Congress. Reduc- It’s a good thing.” ing dependence on sources of McClain said people locally electricity like the coal burn- are becoming more environing power plants that contrib- mentally conscious in genute to poor air quality is “one eral, with groups like Roanoke of the principal benefits,” said City’s Clean & Green citizens McClain of allowing the wind committee helping to lead the turbine farm to move forward. way: “there’s so many things “There’s a huge environmental going on now that weren’t six benefit.” or seven years ago.” The Sierra Club and the By Gene Marrano Unitarian Universalist Church in Roanoke also launched the gmarrano@cox.net

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well in attracting entrepreneurs and talent to Virginia, they said. The list of Democrat’s demands ranged from funding education to transportation that “must be more than tapping into Peter’s pockets to pay Paul’s tolls.” Northern Virginians will see tolls of $12 for a two-way trip. In a March 7 letter to the governor Saslaw and McEachin laid out their demands in detail. They include in short: indexing the gas tax to inflation, abatement of tolls in NOVA and Hampton Roads, $300 million for the second phase of the Rail to Dullas project, all money for Pre-K restored, $576,000 reimbursement to UVA in defense of the failed lawsuit by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, restoring cuts to Medicaid for nursing homes, restoration of $2.4 million for at-risk child care subsidies, funds for teen pregnancy prevention programs, restoration of $870,000 in funding to the Department of Rehabilitative Services, restoration of $1.6 million for poison control centers, use of the Housing Mortgage Settlement funds for homeowners in danger of losing their homes, and reimbursement of payment for the forced ultrasounds mandated by HB462. The same day the letter was sent Gov. McDonnell signed the ultrasound bill. “This issue will not be resolved in the media or on the air waves,” said Saslaw and McEachin. On March 9 Gov. McDonnell concurrently released his letter to the media, Saslaw and McEachin asking where the additional funds would come from and what taxes would they raise. McDonnell said that they should have brought these issues up earlier. The legislature is home until they reconvene in Richmond for a special session on March 21. Localities, schools, and many agencies await a budget. The pressure on Democrats is building. Gov. McDonnell is at the top of a short list for Gov. Mitt Romney’s running mate as he painfully trudges toward the Republican nomination for President. Sunday on “Meet The Press” Dick Gregory grilled the governor over the ultrasound mandate. McDonnell blamed the media for overshadowing all the other bills passed in the legislature. Whether being tagged as the “ultrasound” governor will squelch his chances for VP remains to be seen. Romney is doing poorly in the polls among women but he needs the swing state of Virginia.

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Ten days prior to the end of Virginia’s 2012 legislative session the budget fell off a cliff. The Senate rejected both the House and Senate versions of the two-year budget. The 20-20 split in the Senate has kept Democrats on the sidelines and off of key committees that once held back legislation they deemed extreme. Lt. Governor Bill Bolling cast the tie-breaking vote on a multitude of bills this session but he has no say in the budget. Passage of a budget requires a vote by 21 senators without Bolling. Governor Bob McDonnell immediately issued a press release on February 29 chastising Senate Democrats who without discussion rejected the budgets. “They want more seats on committees and more power. They have put political goals of 20 individuals ahead of the collective policy needs of 8 million Virginians,” said McDonnell. McDonnell claimed to have had numerous meetings with Senate Democrats. He said this was the first time in history that there was no budget in conference to work out differences. “This is unprecedented, and it is unacceptable. It is not the Virginia way. I call upon my friends in the Senate Democratic Caucus to immediately produce a budget they will support.” This was at the height of scrutiny of the ultrasound bill (HB462) by Comedy Central, Saturday Night Live, MSNBC and newspapers across the country. On Saturday protesters marched against the ultrasound bill. It resulted in arrests of demonstrators on the steps of the capital. McDonnell turned to the media he had chastised earlier in hopes of turning attention to the Democrat’s obstructionism. In a response to Gov. McDonnell, Senate Democratic Leader Richard Saslaw and Caucus Chair Donald McEachin on Monday, March 5 acknowledged the receipt of his letter following the governor releasing it to the press. “We appreciate the professional courtesy.” The words dripped with sarcasm. Saslaw and McEachin agreed that the governor had sought input on the budget. They claimed it was only put to them as a question, “What is it going to take for you to vote for the budget?” They said their responses fell on “deaf ears.” Their Democratic colleagues voiced their concerns on the floor of the Senate, they said. “There should be no mystery about what Senate Democrats value in the budget. We are eager to work with you … rather than simply scoring partisan political points.” The late night talk show fodder would not fare

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Perspective

Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/23/12 -3/29/12

More Notes from the ER

’m the sort of person who talked about you all the time.” makes all kinds of notes so The room assumed ambient I don’t forget stuff; then I temperature. She reached out forget where I put the notes. [This and shook my hand warmly. “It’s cannot be good.] But something so good to finally meet you.” happened the other night in I was amazed at this U-turn the ER – a paradigm shift – for of events. Nothing had changed; which I needed no note. her long wait; her symptoms; There were four of us working, but, everything had changed. Oh but such was the patient load, well. It is interesting to note: as I the waiting time was 8-9 hours. said she had bronchitis; she was I went from room to room see- a smoker; she had been sick for ing folks, fully expecting to be two weeks. Leaving the room, blasted for the delay, but remembering her inisurprisingly all of them tial anger, I’d agree to were calm, understandtake responsibility for ing the situation. the nine hour wait, if Then I entered Room she’d take responsibility 18, and the temperafor the two week delay. ture dropped twenty Fat chance. degrees. I extended my … hand and said, “I’m She came to me grateful for your paby ambulance from Lucky Garvin tience.” She ignored my a nursing home. No hand, looked away, and respond- bigger than a tea bag, she was ed, “I ain’t got no more G—D— eighty-seven years old, and blind patience.” I asked to listen to her and demented. She had a knot lungs, she angrily shrugged off on her head. She’d been injured the sheet that covered her, still when she and her roommate got never looking at me. Her prob- into a fist-fight. lem was bronchitis. I explained “Why am I here?!” she asked the diagnosis and treatment; she after I’d introduced myself. never looked at me. I opened the “Got a knot on your head.” door to leave and she stopped me. “How come?” “What was your name again?” [a “Word is there was a fight at complaint to administration?] I the nursing home.” told her, and I have never seen a “Anyone hurt?” more bizarre response. “You’d think old people would Now staring at me, both hands know better.” flew to her face, and her head “How’s your head?” began shaking: Laughter at my “Got a knot on it.” Something name? What? struck her. “Was I in the fight?” She gathered herself; now “Dead center.” looking directly at me. “You reShe lay there thinking this over member Sally Jones?” Sure I did. for a while . . . “Did I win?” I’d treated her and her family for --years. She had died three weeks I met a minister the other day. prior. He had fallen and had numerous “She was my best friend. She abrasions. “You’ve got to fix me

up quickly, Doc,” he announced, “I’ve got to preach on Sunday.” He was 101 years old. … A conversation I overheard in the hallway: “I had a baby boy a year ago!” “Oh! How old is he?” … I spoke to a 94-year-old from a nursing home, asking her what she did for fun. “I sit around and watch the old people fall.” Jeesh. … A deaf woman sat with her son in the examining room. The son `translated’ for the mother. As a part of my questionnaire, I asked her, “Have you been passing much gas?” The son repeated the question. “Have you been passing gas?” “Nope,” came the reply, “must be the doctor.” No respect; none. … Frontier medicine – an old woman was convinced she was dying; that the proximate cause of impending doom was owing to the frog in her stomach. Nothing the doctor could say would convince her otherwise. So she lay on her bed resigned and prepared for death [from frogitis.] The doc visited her the next morning, but on his way, made a side trip to a nearby creek… He dosed her with ipecac, a vomit-inducing agent; and vomit she did. He furtively removed from his pocket the little one whose services he would temporarily require, made as if to sweep his hand through her vomitus, and showed the frog to her. She was amazed and got right out of her ‘death-bed… and the frog was delivered back to the creek. Sometimes theatrics serve physicians as well as science does…

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This cable car line is part of the public transportation system in Medellin, Columbia.

ou can't beat street food, and this place is no exception. I love the almojabanos, which are rolls with warm, gooey cheese inside. And the bunuelos - kind of like big hush puppies - are particularly delicious. My favorite, however, are the empanadas, hot and fresh, filled with steaming rice and onions, and found at stands all over the city. At first I don't know how much such things cost -and my Spanish is not up to the task- so I just hold out my hand full of various smallish denomination Colombian Pesos and let the vendor take what's his. Exploring cities on foot, in sneakers and old clothes, is way fun, and tasting the local "delicacies" along the way is part of the joy of it. Medellin, with a population of about 2.5 million, is sprawled in a narrow valley which runs northsouth. At this latitude, the city's elevation of 1500 meters results in a super-pleasant year-round climate; the nickname "city of eternal spring" is most appropriate. The peaks surrounding the city rise spectacularly another 1000 meters, and the city's poor

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live in slums clinging to the mountainsides. Walking north on Carrera Fifty-One, I weave around and through the commerce which spills from the shops onto the wide sidewalk. I'm headed to the Museo de Antioquia, but I may never get there with all the delightful distraction along the way. I hang a left on Boyaca, and check out the oldest church in the city, Ermita de la Veracruz. Construction of this seriously old stone building was begun in 1682, soon after Europeans first arrived on the scene and subsequently founded Medellin. The friendly Paisa - that's what they call inhabitants of this part of Colombia - at the entrance desk points me on my way, with explicit instructions on how to navigate the museum. After exploring a hall of pre-Columbian art, I confront a modern work by painter Fernando Botero. On the large canvas is abstractly represented the 1993 assassination of Pablo Escobar. Perhaps a history lesson is in order here. When the cocaine industry boomed in the early 1980's, the Medellin Cartel became the principal mafia. It was led by former car thief and future politician Escobar, and before the end of the decade the mafia boss's wealth was estimated to be over $20 billion. Escobar financed massive public works projects, but also was behind oppressive violence which affected all Colombians. Finally his reign of terror was ended when US-funded operatives gunned him down on a Medellin rooftop. Since then, "La

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Violencia" has diminished. Yes, the cocaine trade still flourishes, but foreigners and Colombians alike can once again travel safely in the country. Sunshine between rain-laden clouds feels good on my face as I finally escape the clutches of the fascinating museo. On to Parque Bolivar, to pay homage to "El Liberatador." In the early 1800's Simón Bolivar led the move to independence from Spain across northern South America. He won the Colombian presidency and is held as one of the nation's great heroes. Here in the cool shade next to a fountain spraying greenish water I share a bench with an edentulous old man. We feed the pigeons, both of us grinning in silence. Well, isn't this unique? I'm riding on a part of the Medellin public transit system, a cable car rising up the mountainside. An extension of the bus and light rail line, MetroCable allows access to parts of the city not easily reached any other way, in particular the mountainside slums. The ride is silent, save for a muted hum, and I glide 30 meters above the colorful life below. The cable car makes several stops at stations on the mountainsides' flanks, and I'm impressed with the huge, black stone edifice adjacent to one of them. This structure of striking design is a library the city has recently built for the otherwise impoverished residents of this part of town. I continue up towards the last stop: Parque Avri, a sprawling municipal park and nature preserve on the mountain plateau high above the city. Low on precious time, when I get there I'm like Chevy Chase in "Vacation." I walk around in the cool air for a few minutes, clap my hands, say "let's go!" and board the next cable car down. The kids here are ever fascinated by the gringo. I'm in the city center again, and they're crowded around me asking in Spanish where I come from, although my being there also affords them an opportunity to practice a few words of English. Some of the youngsters follow me into Jardin Botánico, the botanical gardens in the Manrique section of the city, and they proudly take me to the Orquideorama. Here, in an amazingly lush and peaceful setting just steps from the chaos of the city, are displayed the most exquisite orchids I've ever seen. I'm reminded that only The Netherlands exports more cut flowers than Colombia, and I'm hardly surprised. Shadows are deep as I make my way south, striding quickly past the Cemeterio de San Pedro, it's ornate sepulchral chapels and mausoleums beckoning for me to mingle among them. I shrug off the impulse to stop -not today- and keep moving. It's time to board a bus back to my bed in El Poblado; I need to think about this day and get some of it into my journal. Maybe I'll grab a few bunuelos and empanados on the way home; I'm starting to love this paisa way of life. Contact John Robinson at jwrobinson77@gmail.com

Perspective

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3/23/12 -3/29/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

Something That Has Been Around So Long We've Forgotten All About It

American Life in Poetry

irst of all, we don't even know how this Thing got its name. Some folks think it's just the Greek word for "beautifully done," or maybe it's a more oblique reference to the French word for gold. A more tortured explanation is that the two middle letters of the Thing's name come from the two middle letters of the word that describes what's at the center of the Thing (got that?) and that the first and last letter of the Thing's name describe the overall shape of the Thing (yeah, that makes sense). Or maybe the name is just a nice melodic-sounding bunch of nonsense. We do know that the Thing was first created in a North American city named after a European City, and in a neighborhood named after a neighborhood of a different European

city. Which perhaps explains the tern of four triangles pointing to Thing's old-world design. It is a central dot, forming 12 more stamped with an orb surmount- crosses (unless they are actually ed by a double cross, and you just four-leaf clovers). all know what that The Thing is the means! The orb cerbest-selling Thing of tainly implies royalty, its kind, but no one's right? And any cross been able to fully has gotta mean Jesus. agree on just what it Some folks claim the is. The Thing was first symbol is the Cross called a Biscuit. Then of Lorraine, which a Sandwich. That was used during was later amended the Crusades by the to Creme Sandwich. Knights Templar, And finally, it was and later adopted by re-categorized as Mike Keeler the Freemasons. The a Chocolate Sandson of the guy who designed the wich Cookie (there, we kinda stamp claims that the symbol gave it away.) just means "quality," and is deIf all of that isn't enough, we rived from a mark of approval can't even agree on how to use used by medieval monks to de- this Thing. Should we drown it note manuscripts that had been in milk, so it turns to mush, and properly copied. The Thing's then we can swallow it whole? design also has a recurring pat- Nibble our way through it? Or

BY TED KOOSER, U.S. POET LAUREATE Here’s a fine poem about a cricket by Catherine Tufariello, who lives in Indiana. I especially admire the way in which she uses rhyme do we apply the classic twist, without it ever taking control of the poetry, the way rhyme can. and pull off the outer cookie so we can lick the cream filling? Whichever way we do it, there's one thing we can agree upon: we love this Thing. We've He falls abruptly silent when we fling eaten more than 350 billion of A basket down or bang the dryer shut, them since the Thing was first But soon takes up again where he left off. Swept by a rainstorm through a narrow trough invented. Which was 100 years ago this Clotted with cobwebs into Lord knows what month, in a bakery in Chelsea, Impenetrable murk, he’s undeterred— New York, by the National Bis- You’d think his dauntless solo was a chorus, This rusty sump, a field or forest spring. cuit Company. It's the Oreo. And it's celebrat- And there is something wondrous and absurd ing its 100th Birthday. Which is About the way he does as he is bidden By instinct, with his gift for staying hidden a wonderful Thing. (There! Now you know about While making sure unseen is plainly heard. all the mysteries of the classic Oreo. Unless you're wonder- All afternoon his tremolo ascends ing about those two little holes Clear to the second story, where a girl punched into either side of the Who also has learned blithely to ignore us Sings to herself behind her bedroom door. Thing...) Maybe she moves to her invented score Contact Mike at With a conductor’s flourish, or pretends info@theroanokestar.com She’s a Spanish dancer, lost in stamp and whirl And waving fan—notes floating, as she plays, Through the open window where the willow sways And shimmers, humming to another string. There is no story where the story ends. What does a singer live for but to sing?

The Cricket in the Sump

The Preacher’s Corner - From The Older Brother’s Room by Ed Dunnington

hat is a hypocrite? Jesus uses the term seventeen times in the gospels when speaking to very religiously-minded people. As many of you probably know, the Greek word comes from the Greek theater and has to do with “playing a part.” Specifically, ὑποκρίτης (hypokrites), referred to the masks stage actors used in Greek theater to play a role. Today, the term has come to mean, “the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs, to which one’s own behavior does not conform.” While I appreciate the definition, I am afraid it protects us from the full force of the word as Jesus intended. Let me explain by using a tired but familiar joke that is told in the south. It goes like this: Why do you always take two or more Baptists with you fishing and never only one? If you only take one, he’ll drink all your beer. If you take two or more, you will have the beer all to yourself. What do this joke, Jesus, and Greek theater have in common? All of them illustrate masking ourselves in order to get what we want. Jesus alone is calling us to abandon our fruitless masking by finding our identity in Him. The idea that hypocrisy is more about being different people different places is more offensive because it speaks to what we do all the time. What Jesus wants us to understand is that because of what he has done for His people on the cross, we can be free to be who we are “in Christ.” We no longer need to attempt to impress co-workers, neighbors, friends, family or even our spouse. The gospel frees us to be the person God has made us to be as we are conformed more and more into the image of Christ.

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The problem is that many people’s lives are marked by the fear of being found out. We fear not having the right mask on at the right time. We have one mask at work, one mask out at night, one mask with church friends, one mask with college friends, one mask with family, and on and on it goes. As a result, we are exhausted, we are weary and we are afraid. Living as a hypocrite is as exhausting as playing eight roles in the school play. You must remember which lines to say when and in the right role. Unfortunately, this way of living is pervasive in our community and the church. But it has no place in the Gospel. If you are not a Christian, this is the great offer of the gospel. The need you feel to mask yourself is true because you and I are corrupted by sin. By giving all those masks to Jesus and being united to Him we are liberated from the fear of being found out. We move from wearing a mask to receiving a robe, the righteous robe of Christ’s perfect life and sacrificial death. If you are a professing Christian and find yourself having masks in your closet, Jesus soberly says, “you honor me with your lips, but your heart is far from me.” (Mark 7:6) What is keeping your heart far from Him? Is your mask bringing you the attention

you desire, the affirmation you hunger for, the accolades you long for? Or is it leading you to exhaustion? Is it leading to despair? Depression? See, this is where the gospel thinks more highly of you than you think of yourself. The Gospel comes to us with the promise of liberating us from masking our identity. Jesus says, I have come to take all those masks away and give you back the beautiful face I created for you. Go out into the world without any masks! Be who I created you to be. Ed Dunnington is the Senior Pastor at Christ the King Presbyterian Church in Roanoke. Visit their website at www.ctkroanoke. org. * - Column name taken from Luke 15:25-32

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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/23/12 -3/29/12

Cotton Hill - 221 Renovations Could Include Bike Paths / Greenways Residents who live off busy Cotton Hill Road in southwest Roanoke County got a glimpse of a plan that could make their lives easier last week, at an open house held at the new South County library. VDOT plans to widen the road from the portion of Cotton Hill Road that comes off Route 221 to the Blue Ridge Parkway bridge that crosses over it. Widening of the roadway will include additional accommodations from 221 to Monet Lane, where The Groves subdivision is located. Those plans will include curb and guttering, and a separate left turning lane into The Groves/ Orchards, a subdivision that is located not far from the intersection with 221. Sight distances will be improved by eliminating a hump in the road. 221 is already undergoing major renovations and widening up to the Cotton Hill Road intersection. Work on Cotton Hill Road itself will not start until 2014, although right of way acquisitions may start this year. (The 221widening project will be completed in 2014.) VDOT project manager Scott Woodrum was showing open house visitors how they planned to make Cotton Hill a safer place to travel. It’s just at the preliminary design phase now, and some property owners could be affected by future plans. “With the new development there’s a higher volume of traffic on the road,” said Woodrum. “[This will] accommodate the recent growth on that road.” The total price tag could run close to six million dollars. “It’s been on the six year plan for quite a while,” noted Woodrum. The plans will include a shoulder wide enough for a bike lane or greenway, and are part of a larger suburban greenway system envisioned in the area by landscape architect Chris Barlow. His proposed network of greenways/bike lanes could eventually include connectivity to the Roanoke River Greenway via a Blue Ridge Parkway trail. Barlow’s south county system, if ever built, would connect to a trail along the Parkway. The Roanoke River Greenway will cross the BRP on its way to Explore Park, according to a master plan. Suzi Fortenberry, a realtor and developer at the Preserve at Two Ford, is pushing the south county greenway/bike lane proposal. Fortenberry said Two Ford has lost two sales to Roanoke City, since prospective buyers wanted to be closer to a greenway. “That’s tax dollars going away,” said Fortenberry about two projects that would have totaled almost two million dollars if built. At Two Ford, where Suzi Fortenberry and husband Brent are building high-end energy efficient homes, residents would have to load up their bikes for example and drive 15-20 minutes just to reach the Roanoke River Greenway. “It’s why people move to Roanoke,” noted Fortenberry of the grow-

Barbara Duerk (left) and Suzi Fortenberry discuss map with proposed trails / bike paths.

ing greenway system, “and we want young people to move to the county.” Fortenberry, who was on hand at the open house with a layout of Barlow’s proposed trail system, is pushing for greenways where possible, rather than the paved bike lanes that VDOT is proposing for Cotton Hill and 221 when that work is completed. She also noted that several other small greenways are proposed for Southwest County, for stretches along local creeks. Fortenberry said there is still time for local residents to make comments about any bike paths or greenways built along reconstructed roadways, “to make sure we do it right.” She favors multi-use paths that connect 221 to the parkway, and a path wide enough to accommodate users. She doesn’t think VDOT proposals leave enough room for bikers and others that would use those paths. Fortenberry also likes Barlow’s idea of a small pocket park where VDOT removed a house on 221 for road widening. Barlow calls it the “Back Creek Valley Greenway,” which would use the proposed pocket park as the connector hub. From there people could pedal to local high schools, the new south county library, etc. 1500 homes would have “direct access to this greenway,” according to Barlow. “There are connectors in the plan,” noted Barbara Duerk, a local cycling activist who liked Barlow’s vision. “It’s important to connect. We need to connect our neighborhoods to our schools and our services.” Duerk cited gas prices and the need for better health as two reasons to promote alternatives to driving. She was encouraged that VDOT is factoring bike lanes into plans for Cotton Hill and 221. “We need to have the structure [in place] for alternative transportation,” said Duerk, “it’s imperative that we have the dialogue and include these ideas in [future plans].” Duerk said she has evidence of the greenway system’s growing popularity: “I used to know everyone that was down on the Roanoke River greenway – and now I know hardly anyone. The increased distances [as sections are added] have brought out many more people.” Adding more greenways in populous southwest Roanoke County would no doubt do the same. Presbyterian Church in America

ESTMINSTER

Westminster Presbyterian Church invites the community to join their Holy Week services: Thursday, April 5 7:00 p.m. Maundy-Thursday Service:

Virginians convicted of driving under the influence will be required to have an ignition interlock device installed on their vehicle starting July 1st. Virginia is the 16th state in the country to require the device. Delegate Greg Habeeb helped get the new law through the General Assembly this session and Governor McDonnell signed it into law earlier this month. “The current law in Virginia is if you have a second DUI or a first DUI of over .15 you have to have an interlock device. What we’ve done is we’ve moved that down and said for any DUI you have to have an interlock device. And so what we’re doing is we’re stopping people from becoming repeat offenders. And it’s not just protecting the public; it’s protecting the drivers as well.” The device is installed for six months will be removed if the driver doesn’t attempt to drink and drive during that time period. “The device is part of what goes on, and they have court fines they have to pay as well as court costs; and the installation is part of that process.” Habeeb says it’s come down to weighing a small financial cost against the lives of Virginians. “I like to err on the side of innocent citizens.” The ignition interlock system is one of three steps Mothers Against Drunk Driving is pro-

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moting to end drunk driving. MADD spokesman Chris Konschak says the average drunk driver gets behind the wheel 80 times before being arrested for DUI. He urges everyone to support law enforcement by tying a red ribbon on their vehicle as part of the “Tie One on for Safety” campaign. He says statistics show one person is killed every 50 minutes from a person with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher and one in every three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime. Advanced technology is the third step in the process to keep impaired drivers off the road. According to Konschak, car manufacturers are researching technology such as reading the driver’s fingertips as they grab the wheel or the air that person is breathing to check for alcohol. “All the (car) manufacturers

are involved with that as well as the government. There are federal government funds that are being put into the development and research of it and pending legislation to do a little more work on that. We’re not asking for it to be mandated because we think the general public will make the demand for that and so we want it to come from the public but we want to make sure the testing has been done on it so that’s where it is right now.” But Konschak says they have to make sure the technology is full-proof and at a reasonable cost. “If there’s enough demand (the more cars that it’s put in) of course the cost will come down.” Konschak is also urging everyone who is going to a March madness party to choose a designated driver for the evening. By Beverly Amsler info@newsroanoke.com

The tenth Roanoke County Volunteer Fire Academy consisting of 17 graduates from Roanoke County concluded last week with a graduation ceremony. The graduation program was held at the Vinton War Memorial. Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Chief Richard E. Burch, Jr., along with 10 Roanoke County By Gene Marrano Volunteer Fire Chiefs was joined gmarrano@cox.net by Roanoke County and Town of

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17 Volunteers Graduate from the 10th Roanoke County Fire Academy

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This years graduating class from the County Fire Academy. Vinton officials, along with families of the graduates, at the event where each volunteer was pinned with their firefighter badge. Fifteen individuals representing Roanoke County Fire & Rescue and two from Bedford spent 20 weeks and nearly 200 hours receiving instruction and practical training in the areas of basic firefighting skills including building construction, forcible entry, ventilation, search and rescue, basic emergency care, and hazardous material operations. The academy ended with a live-burn at the Roanoke Valley Regional Fire & EMS Training Center where recruits were able to test their practical skills. One of the graduates, Andrew St.Clair, is the son of Volunteer Fire Chief Greg St. Clair of

Roanoke County’s Hollins Fire Company. Andrew has grown up watching his dad serve first as a volunteer firefighter and then advancing up the ranks as the volunteer chief. He will now be serving alongside his father. The Roanoke County Volunteer Fire Academy is offered each year starting in September. The class is offered for all new Roanoke County fire volunteers who serve at one of the 10 volunteer fire companies throughout the County. If space is available, volunteers from other localities are permitted to participate for a small fee. Anyone wanting more information about becoming a volunteer firefighter with Roanoke County should call Jennifer Conley Sexton at 777-8706.

Sports

3/23/12 -3/29/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

William Byrd Tops Cave Spring Hidden Valley Takes Down Patrick Henry 13-7 In Baseball Slugfest 9-2 In Non-District Baseball

William Byrd jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and the Terriers bats stayed hot as Byrd knocked off Cave Spring 9-2 in non-district baseball last Friday at Knights Field. Byrd third baseman Timmy Meador led the Terrier attack with a pair of home runs. Starter Dallas Chocklette picked up the win for Byrd, holding Cave Spring to three hits in his five innings of work. Zach Utterback paced Cave Spring with two hits.

Hidden Valley scored in every inning except the second, and the Titans used the offensive output to defeat Patrick Henry 13-7 in non-district baseball at Titan Field last Friday. Chad Frazier led the Hidden Valley hitting, and Elijah Tackett paced PH, as each player pounded out three hits on the afternoon.

Patriot infielder #7 Locher Grove throws to third after getting Hidden Valley #9 Jack Moore into a rundown in Friday's game.

Terrier #2 Rustin Horne looks to lay down a bunt in the win over the Knights.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

William Byrd #33 Timmy Meador crosses the plate after going deep for the first of his two home runs in the Terriers' 9-2 win.

Cave Spring shortstop Terrell Simmons throws past a Byrd baserunner as he teams with first baseman Jordan Bryant to turn a nifty 3-6-3 double play Friday afternoon.

PH hurler #14 Evan Deyerle comes to the plate against Hidden Valley.

Hidden Valley Tops Northside 7-2 In Girls Tennis

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By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

Hidden Valley's Emma Barker, playing in the #1 singles spot, will lead the defending state champion Titans in 2012.

Two of the top area high school girls tennis teams squared off on the Hidden Valley courts last week, as Hidden Valley defeated Northside 7-2. The Titans, under first-year head coach Lindy Stetson, are the defending Group AA state champions, while Northside, coached by Billy Pope, looks to be a leading contender this year in the Blue Ridge District.

Northside's Karlie Pope, playing in the #1 position for the Vikings, returns a shot as she leads the 2012 Northside team.

Titan #10 Chad Frazier gets the sign before stepping into the batters box. Frazier had a three-hit day for Hidden Valley.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

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Sports

NCAA Basketball Champion Crowned in Salem

Cave Spring's Shannon Craighead Commits to Stetson

University of WisconsinWhitewater overcame an 18-point second-half deficit to capture the NCAA Division III basketball championship Saturday night at the Salem Civic Center, with the 63-60 win over Cabrini. - Bill Turner

Wisconsin-Whitewater celebrates as the 2012 NCAA Division III basketball champion.

Gold Medalists Inspire Local Children Thirty-two children aged 8 to 18 worked and played with U.S. Olympians Ian Crocker and Misty Hyman Saturday morning at the Gator Center in Roanoke learning water safety procedures, swimming techniques and water games at Mutual of Omaha’s “BREAKOUT!” Swim Clinic hosted by AkzoNobel. “Fatal drowning is the second-leading cause of injury-related death for children ages one to fourteen. We are around water every day -swimming pools, rivers, ponds, lakes. We don’t realize how important it is to teach our children water safety,” said James Bray, General Manager for AkzoNobel in Roanoke and Clinton, Mississippi. Bray said, “We and Ian and Misty also hope to inspire the children to have a dream and realize that their dream can come true. Ian and Misty are normal people who were once kids. They had a dream and made it come true.” Ian and Misty both told their personal story to the children and then talked about how the body, mind and heart affect swimming. Then they all got wet. In the pool, Ian and Misty worked with each child on champion performance techniques on all four strokes and ended the instruction with fun and challenging games. “I remember when I was eight years old standing on the pool deck and I had no idea where that was going to take me. I want these kids to

Vincent Lane, 15, of Roanoke gets a memento photo Saturday morning at the Gator Center with U.S. three-Olympic gold medal swimmer, Ian Crocker (left) and Sydney Olympics butterfly gold medalist Misty Hyman (right). know that we (Olympic Gold Medalists) were not hatched on another planet, that we were once just like them. I’m from Portland, Maine and never had a chance to meet an Olympian. I hope something I’ve done here or said will inspire a dream for them,” Ian said. After a rousing tag game of Shark and the Minnows, Misty jumped out of the pool, drenched but with a huge smile. “That was so much fun. They are wonderful children. Swimming has brought so much joy to me and nothing is more satisfying to me than sharing that joy with others.” “There are 30 AkzoNobel employees and family members spending their Saturday here. If one child gets something out of this event today it will be worth all of it,” Bray said.

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Cave Spring High School volleyball standout Shannon Craighead has made a commitment to play at Stetson University (D-1) DeLand, Florida, beginning in fall 2012. A captain of the Cave Spring team that won the VHSL Group AA state championship in November, Craighead was the primary setter and four-year starter for Knights head coach Tamalyn Tanis. She was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association Under Armour All-American Team, Prep Volleyball All-American Team, Prep Volleyball Academic All-American Team, and is a finalist for the J. Ollie Edmunds Academic Scholarship at Stetson. Craighead said her decision

to play for the Hatters centered on Stetson’s high academic standards, as well as their program in volleyball that includes both indoor and sand volleyball teams. She plans to major in sports management, an area in which Stetson excels with programs that include internship opportunities. Craighead has a 4.0+ GPA at Cave Spring, is senior class president, and the current-year Cave Spring Knight, the school’s most prestigious honor. Shannon is the daughter of Lisa and Ray Craighead.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

Cave Spring's Shannon Craighead will take her volleyball talents to play for the Stetson Hatters this fall.

Wild Bill’s Weekly Sports Roundup

By Carol Kirtley info@newsroanoke.com

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3/23/12 -3/29/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 8

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Well, March Madness pro- already preparing for the spring ceeds to the round of sixteen football game and Duke............ tonight as the pretenders will well, the Blue Devils, a shoe-in separate from the contenders to the Final-4 by some ACC like gas and water. purists, got sent home by 15I’m calling it the round of seed Lehigh. sixteen, because all the moniOne clearly riled ACC fan kers we’re pounded with at told me Tuesday during lunch this stage of the tournament that all is not lost. He predicted start sounding like the UNC and N.C. State scripted cliches we’ll both making the Fihear throughout next nal-4. month’s Masters. I’m going to tell evTrust me, come late eryone now- if that Friday night, it’ll be happens, we’ll have more like the sweet and a huge story on our sour eight, rather than hands. And, it won’t the sweet-16. be that UNC and N.C. I was taken to the State are both playBill Turner woodshed by several ing in the mile-high readers over panning city. the ACC’s tournament chances Local high school baseball outside of Duke and UNC. is shaping up with non-district I’ll stay the course on my games. Northside looks ready bold predictions. UVA had a to defend its Group AA state great season, but got a big dose championship, the River Ridge of SEC basketball in falling to District looks strong and PatFlorida last Friday afternoon. rick Henry is set to unveil its Florida State, considered by newly refurbished ball park. many to be this year’s VCU, is We’ll go out on a softball highlight, albeit out of the Roanoke area. Bath County pitcher Jailyn Ford picked up the 5-inning, 10-0 win via the ten-run slaughter rule Monday afternoon when the Lady Chargers defeated Buffalo Gap. Ford struck out 15; you do the math. With the arrival of Spring on Tuesday, and those comfortable, warmer nights on the horizon, it’s time for a Wild Bill Home Security Advisory.

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This edition takes a look at fending off the potential visit from the late-night, warm weather intruder, the Peeping Tom. Although claimed to be a victimless crime by many, there’s little question the appearance of a pair of eyes at your window late at night can unnerve any household member. As a child growing up in what is still considered a wellheeled Roanoke neighborhood, my family’s residence was targeted by an aggressive Peeping Tom that had been on the roam for months, and the talk of the street. Rarely a summer week passed without the Tom striking anew in bold fashion. At my home, my mother was greeted by a midnight pair of eyes and two fingers parting the Venetian blinds. She calmly alerted my dad in the next room, who chased the invader into the woods without making a positive ID. Wild Bill PT (Peeping Tom) Rule #1- Quietly call the police without ado. They may nab the clown red handed. When the police arrived, things got worse when they found a ladder propped up to a window on the opposite side of the house, giving evidence, like termite ads, that these intruders swarm in ways unnoticed by the homeowner. Our neighbors were targeted next, but the lady of the house, upon sensing a Peeper, made the blatant mistake of asking “Who’s there?” Wild Bill PT Rule #2- never tip yourself off by addressing the Tom, lest he’ll know he’s been spotted and run for the hills. In this case, the Peeper responded, “It’s me”, to which the lady asked, “Who’s me?” The now over-confident Peeper said, “It’s just me.” This conversation ended when the housewife went screaming into another room. The police arrived and the husband, who by now had surveyed the crime scene outside, came back to report he thought it was only a bird. I think I’m missing something here, if you, like Columbo, recreate the witness testimonies. Wild Bill PT Rule #3- Don’t make yourself look like an idiot to authorities or casual observers. Summarizing- Use highwattage floodlights and other outdoor illumination. Peepers don’t like performing on the Broadway stage. If you enjoy the voyeurism, keep curtains pulled back and use Windex weekly to secure a clear line of sight. Well, see you next week. It’s late, way past my bedtime and I’m going for a walk. Send your clear-sighted comments to: info@newsroanoke. com

NewsRoanoke.com

First "Cash Mob" Descends on Roanoke Store

A mob of people crowded into Appalachia Press in downtown Roanoke earlier this month, and they were there to shop. The 90 or so people who had signed up through a Facebook page were part of Roanoke’s first “Cash Mob.” The concept is very simple. People shop at a designated business on a particular date and time. It’s a craze that’s sweeping the country. Sam Rasoul was one of the organizers. “People can maybe help a struggling business, give a little bit of a cash flow infusion and also give some publicity to that small business. We invite people to visit our Facebook (page) Cash Mob Roanoke or follow us on Twitter, make recommendations and once a month we’ll pick one and hopefully all over the city of Roanoke support small businesses in need.” Rasoul says that’s how Appalachia Press was chosen. The Facebook group has been up and running for less than a month and already has 240 members. According to Rasoul, it’s one more example of how social media can rally people around a cause. “I think it’s important for people to realize the power of social media. People are able to connect on a completely different level.” While in some cities the owner has no advance warning of the Cash Mob about to descend on their business, Rasoul says it’s only fair to let them know what’s going to happen and when. “I think we should let them know in advance so that way they’re well inventoried, make sure they are well staffed and ready for us when we do come.” John Park, another Roanoke

Patrons browse merchandise at Appalachian Press. Cash Mob member, thinks every city should have a Cash Mob. “I think it’s great for people to recognize local businesses. I think sometimes smaller, local businesses are overlooked.” He works for a small company but says it’s not something that would lend itself to the cash mob strategy. “Bringing exposure to smaller businesses that may not have the marketing dollars I think is very important.” Jessica Hicks from Roanoke came early and found some good buys. She heard of the event through Facebook. “I really like this store and wanted to support him (store owner John Reburn).” She wasn’t surprised at the turnout saying she knows it’s a great store. “ I love the letter press cards; the images are really cute, and lots of cats and clowns and stuff.” John Reburn couldn’t believe his good fortune to be picked as the first Cash Mob destination.” I’m calling it one of the most incredible gifts that I’ve had in the nine years I’ve been in Roanoke. The economy was one thing, and trying to reinvent yourself, trying to keep things fresh and

new, but this one came out of left field. I had no control over it. I got a phone call. They said they’re coming; I said ‘thank you’, and look what’s happening . . . It’s never been like this - ever, in nine years so it’s exciting to see, and new faces which I love.” Hicks wants to see the Cash Mob continue to help small businesses.” I love it. It’s a great way to get local businesses stronger and show appreciation for people that are struggling.” Reburn agrees; “I hope it continues across the county. I think it’s a really remarkable thing to bring to Roanoke and it’s a gift. I think it’s great.” “I’m excited to have them here; it’s wonderful. There’s an energy right now that’s just everything I wanted my shop to be.” After shopping, some of the Cash Mob members were headed to Blues Barbecue-another small business- for supper.

By Beverly Amsler info@newsroanoke.com

Committee Confirms New State Record Spotted Bass The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) State Record Fish Committee has certified a new state record, a spotted bass weighing in at 4 pounds, 7 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. The new record was caught Saturday, March 10, 2012, on Claytor Lake by Mr. Rod Kegley of Dublin, Virginia. Kegley’s prize catch easily exceeded the past state record of 3 pounds, 10 ounces, which also came out of Claytor Lake and was caught by Mike Ritter in 1993. Kegley, an avid angler, wasn’t aware of his record breaking accomplishment until he returned to Rock House Marina. After watching a local tournament weigh-in, Kegley was alerted by another angler that his catch, which looked very much like a largemouth bass, was actually a huge spotted bass. Marina owner Mike Burchett weighed the fish and then held it in the marina’s bait tank. VDGIF Aquatic Biologist, John Copeland, and VDGIF Conservation Police Officer David Peake verified Kegley’s catch that afternoon. Kegley, who was casting in deep water along a flat in the ‘Peak Creek’ arm of the lake, caught his record spotted bass using an Alabama-style rig called the Yumbrella by Yum Baits. The castable multi-lure is a wire rig similar to a saltwater umbrella rig that is popular among anglers targeting big striped bass and other game fish along Virginia’s coast. Kegley said he regularly likes to “bring a mess of

Rod Kegley holds up his record spotted bass. (Stephen R. Copeland/www.HuntFishVA.com) fish home,” to cook, but decided his prized catch was too special to hit the frying pan. The record spotted bass was released unharmed back into Claytor Lake for others to enjoy. Kegley stated that spotted bass fishing on Claytor Lake has improved in recent years. The fish are getting larger and Kegley expects it will not take another 19 years to see the record broken again.

3/23/12 -3/29/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

YMCA Hosts 80th Annual Father-Son & Family Banquet

The YMCA’s Father-Son & Family banquet began amidst the Great Depression, when a gallon of gas cost only 10 cents. It endured through the Depression, a World War, the 60s, disco and the internet. Now, celebrating its 80th year, this time-honored celebration of family was held on Friday at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall. The Father-Son & Family Banquet is the longest, continuously running program at the YMCA of Roanoke Valley. This year, the banquet featured a catered dinner and family fun activities including magicians, clowns, a balloon artist, musical entertainment, hands-on activities with the Virginia Museum of Transportation and the Science Museum of Western Virginia. The event was emceed by ViBE 100’s radio personality Kianna Price Wade and featured guest speaker Johnny Shelton, chaplain for the Virginia Tech football team. YMCA of Roanoke Valley President and CEO, Cal Johnson said, “At the YMCA, we provide something special—a sense of community and family. We bring people and families together so that they can strengthen their relationships and build connections. That’s why it’s such an honor to host the 80th Father-Son & Family Banquet. We went to great lengths to see that this year was the best yet.” The Father-Son & Family Banquet is not only a longstanding tradition honoring the unique family bond; it is also an event that showcases the YMCA’s role in Roanoke history. The first Father-Son Banquet was initiated in 1932 by L.A. Lee, the first director of the William A. Hunton Branch YMCA. The Hunton Y was Roanoke's YMCA for black Americans, and as such, the first banquets were attended only by black residents. Old news stories speak of the Y consisting of pool and ping pong tables, and a library in the basement, which was the only library where blacks in the city could check out books. Segregation at YMCAs ended in 1964, and black Americans in Roanoke were invited to use the Central YMCA downtown. The banquet has evolved over the years—from its humble beginnings with just a dozen or so fathers and sons in attendance to the family event that is now attended by hundreds each year. One of Roanoke's bestknown nonagenarians, Al Holland, was in attendance for the very first Father-Son banquet

A photograph from the early days at the Hunton YMCA. in 1932 as well as this year's 80th annual banquet. In fact, Holland has attended the banquet every year, with the exception of two that he missed due to his service in the Army

during World War II. Although many things about the banquet have evolved over the years, Holland said in a recent interview that the spirit of the event remains the same. “We've still got to have something to let the children know we care about them, I think that's what it's all about.” The YMCA of Roanoke Valley was founded in 1883 and includes Kirk Family YMCA, Salem Family YMCA, Gainsboro Family YMCA and the YMCA Magic Place. The YMCA focuses on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility in its mission throughout the Valley. For more information on the YMCA, visit www.ymcaroanoke.org.

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Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/23/12 -3/29/12

LewisGale Announces Frist Humanitarian Award Winners

LewisGale Medical Center recently recognized three individuals with its 2011 Frist Humanitarian Awards – the highest honor you can receive at an HCA facility, the parent company for LewisGale Regional Health System. The hospital presented awards to Pat Woltanski, 2011 Frist Humanitarian Employee Award; Ron Simmons, 2011 Frist Humanitarian Volunteer Award, and Dr. William Fintel, 2011 Frist Humanitarian Physician Award. The Frist Humanitarian Awards are given out annually at HCA affiliated hospitals to an employee, volunteer, and physician who demonstrate extraordinary concern for the welfare and happiness of patients and their communities. The winners from each hospital also have a chance to win the national Frist Humanitarian Award. At the awards ceremony, Woltanski, Simmons and Fintel were individually recognized for their efforts. For more than 25 years, Pat Woltanski has been a devoted

Pat Woltanski, Ron Simmons, Dr. William Fintel and Charlotte Tyson, COO of LewisGale Medical Center. employee at LewisGale Medical Center, the majority of the time as the Assistant Lab Director. She was nominated by her employees for always putting the needs of others first, from sacrificing vacation time to help staff the department, to giving money to assist a co-worker on the brink of losing her home. She also serves on more than six committees at the hospital and donates to eight different

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NewsRoanoke.com

Employee Privacy in the Age of Facebook

Electronic media has given us many new ways of communicating in recent years. It's important for employers and employees to know their privacy rights as it relates to social media. A common misperception some employees have about their employment rights revolve around their expectations of workplace and personal "privacy". It is possible personal conduct may affect professional prospects. Private sector employees enjoy little protection from being disciplined by their employers for inappropriate or disparaging comments that they make about their peers, employers or workplace. The manner in which an employer learns of an employee's comments or conduct may determine whether disciplinary action may be taken. While employees may enjoy some protection from truly private conduct and communications, employees that use employer provided computers, networks and mobile devices for personal communications or activities are not typically entitled to presume that these communications are private or confidential. The most important factor to be considered when deciding whether an employer may access or discipline an employee for supposedly private communications and activities is the employer's substance of policies that clearly limit the extent of an employee's privacy expectations. Employers must make it clear that all communications on employer provided computers and networks are subject to monitoring. While employers may monitor private communications that take place on its computers and networks under certain circumstances if this disclosure is not made, the circumstances under which monitoring is only permitted are limited. However, just because an employee is using employer owned computers, networks, or devices does not mean that every communication is properly subject to monitoring. Communications made through the use of private email accounts or password protected remote data storage networks may not be accessed by an employer, unless the communicated data is saved to an employer owned networks. An employer may not use key stroke counters to learn employee email passwords and surreptitiously access those emails. Moreover, a recent Supreme Court decision calls into question whether employers may access private communications contained upon employer issued cell phones. An employer may only access an employee's private accounts or social networking profiles if the employee provides un-coerced access.

For example, an employer may not require its employees to provide them password protected access to their Facebook or Twitter accounts. While it is not clear whether an employer may require their employees to friend them, it is best for an employer to not compel their employees to give them access to social networks that the employee intends to keep private. This is not to say that an employer may not take action when its employees have made public postings that threaten an employer's legitimate business interests, although how the employer learns of the post does matter. Employers that gain knowledge of something they consider to be damaging often get caught up in gaining direct evidence of the posts, which is not necessary. If an employer learns of a post, they may ask the person informing them of it to print a screen capture. The employer may then use this evidence against the employee. While an employer may take disciplinary action based upon an employee's use of private social media, such action should only be taken when the post violates a clearly defined and narrowly focused social media policy. Policies should lay out the types of damaging social media activity that are prohibited. However, the type of prohibited activity must be related to protecting the employer's legitimate business interest, including the preservation of trade secrets, the prevention of defamatory statements that may be imputed to the employer, co-worker harassment, breach of client confidentially, and employer or client disparagement. Enforcement of these policies must be uniform and consistent. Also, when responding to private use of social media, employers must be mindful of the fact that their actions or failures to act may have state and federal discrimination implications. Additionally, an employer must ensure that they are not retaliating against an employee for engaging in legally protected activity. As electronic media continues to provide us with new ways to communicate with one another and social media continues to thin the boundaries between private and public life, employers and employees will continue to face new challenges. Employers and employees that are mindful about their response to these new communication tools and media outlets will be in the best position to protect both their reputations and their business interests. Patrick Kelly is an attorney with Glenn Feldmann Darby & Goodlatte - visit www.gfdg. com<http://www.gfdg.com> to learn more.

Virginia’s Unemployment Rate Dips Barry DuVal, President and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, has issued the following statement regarding the Virginia Employment Commission’s announcement that the Commonwealth’s unemployment rate in January was 5.8%, the lowest mark in 3

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Baliles and Goode Recognize Blue Ridge Institute Former Virginia Governor Gerald L.. Baliles and Presidential hopeful Virgil Goode were each on hand for the grand reopening and dedication of Ferrum College's Blue Ridge Institute & Museum on Thurs., March 8. During remarks made before a crowd of more than 100, each praised the Institute's achievements as well as the importance of its new facilities in preserving and presenting the Blue Ridge region's history. In his roles as former U.S. Congressman and former Virginia Senator, Goode helped procure the funding for the expansion as well as for the original museum. He noted during his opening comments that it was Baliles who signed the bill making the Institute the official State Center for Blue Ridge Folklore in 1986. In his keynote address, Baliles recognized that for over four decades Ferrum College and the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum have been moving forces in preserving the history of the Blue Ridge region, moving beyond being a simple repository of books, photographs, artwork, and objects. "The Institute is now a vital future-oriented resource for the education and inspiration of Virginia's citizenry, young and old, black and white, urban and rural," said Baliles. "It can be a force, a leader, in helping create the future of this region, just as it's made a difference in preserving its past." Baliles also noted that the continued growth and success of the Blue Ridge Institute was symbolized in the bricks and mortar of the facility expansion that includes new storage, archival, classroom, and gallery space. Museum Director Roddy Moore said this spring's inaugural exhibit in the Institute's new gallery would be "The Great Western Virginia Cover-up." In addition to featuring numerous antique quilts from the Blue Ridge, the exhibit will examine the region's history of bedcovers from the earliest hand-woven pieces to today's

53rd International Street Fair Coming to Blacksburg

(Left to right) Blue Ridge Institute Assistant Director Vaughn Webb, Blue Ridge Institute Director Roddy Moore, Gerald Baliles, Ferrum College Chairman of the Board of Trustees Sam Lionberger, Jr., and Virgil Goode at the Institute’s grand reopening last Thursday. commercially-produced quilts, as well the social background of quilting within Blue Ridge families and communities. To promote the upcoming quilt exhibit, one of the region's finest traditional quilters, Nell Townley, of Vinton, demonstrated and discussed quilting techniques. In addition, guests enjoyed banjo music by Trish and Kevin Fore, who are both well known in the regional old-time music scene. Many of the event attendees have been Blue Ridge Institute supporters from its earliest days. "It starts with a vision. It starts with a dream, with a few people who say, 'This place, this space is important - and how do we keep it going in perpetuity and for posterity?' That is what the Blue Ridge Institute has been," said Ferrum College President Jennifer Braaten, as she recognized and thanked the Institute's many benefactors.

Dancers perform for the crowds during last year’s International Street Fair. The Town of Blacksburg will soon be crowded with international culture when the 53rd annual Virginia Tech International Street Fair comes to College Avenue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 31. "Hokies Without Borders," is the theme for this year's street fair, which kicks off International Week at the end of March. Admission to the festival is free and open to the public. The International Street Fair is a popular event held every spring, as downtown Blacksburg transforms into a multicultural marketplace with decorated booths, vendors selling authentic

Documentary “Mother Nature’s Child” to be Screened in Floyd When our mothers told us to “Go outside and play,” they may have been onto something. SustainFloyd will screen the documentary “Mother Nature’s Child” at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 24th at the Floyd Country Store, and the message of this award-winning film is that unstructured play outdoors may help prevent attention disorders, child obesity and depression. Admission to the movie is $5. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and there will be freshly baked goods, coffee and tea for donations. This event is sponsored by the Community Educational Resource Cooperative (CERC) of Floyd County. For those who wish to stay for an interesting discussion, SustainFloyd has lined up an outstanding panel of speakers to weigh in on the film’s premise. The participants include Dr. Linda Petrie, Board Chairman of New River Community College and retired Director of Instruction for Floyd County Schools; Peter Allen Lewis, President and Founder of Apple Ridge Farm, a Floyd County educational retreat for less fortunate children; and author/photographer Fred First, a naturalist who was teaching at Radford University

in 2004 when he became concerned about “nature deficit disorder” observed in his biology students. “A real buzz is in the air about how we can best serve Floyd's children,” says SustainFloyd Director Mike Burton. “From our new Superintendant to our Childhood Obesity Prevention Specialist, the community is taking a fresh look at what it means to educate youth and build upon our excellent school system and community programs. This film drills down into a hot topic.” “Mother Nature’s Child” was a 2011 “Official Film Selection” of the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital. The documentary was co-produced by Camilla Rockwell and Wendy Conquest, who worked several years with famed documentary filmmaker, Ken Burns. Details: What: SustainFloyd to screen “Mother Nature’s Child.” Refreshments and distinguished speakers panel.

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