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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel March 30 - April 5, 2012

NewsRoanoke.com

Community | News | Per spective

Legislative Breakfast Mood Mirrors Richmond

[Virginia Tech / NASCAR]

Playing Track and Field

The tension in Richmond for the most part did not openly carry over to Friday’s 2012 legislative breakfast, though one could hear inklings of it if listening closely.

The breakfast is held annually by the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce. On State Politics the dais were senators Ralph Smith and John Edwards and delegates Nick Rush, Greg Habeeb, Charles Poindexter, Onzlee Ware and Chris Head.

Chamber CEO John Francis wondered why legislators could not get their act together on transportation funding saying, “unfortunately little progress was made this year in finding long term solutions to adequately fund our growing list of transportation infrastructure.”

Part of that list included extending Amtrak to Roanoke and legislation that would provide more access to capital for small businesses.

President Joyce Waugh asked questions submitted by some of the 100 attendees.

Del. Chris Head (R-17) while not pointing fingers at the Senate took the opportunity to bemoan the failure to pass a budget and appoint judges by the end of the session.

The increase of the transient occupancy tax for Roanoke County from 5 percent to 7

Lucky Garvin

True Love

[

P4– Lucky Garvin recounts the genuine compassion and love between an elderly couple as they face life’s end.

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Regimental Band during a previous performance at Martinsville Speedway.

Everyone Wins P6– The seventh annual Blue Ridge Literacy Scrabble Tournament brings more than 225 winners to Jefferson Center’s Fitzpatrick Hall.

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will be represented at the NASCAR race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville on April 1 by the regimental band, the Highty-Tighties. The band has been invited to perform the national anthem prior to the start of the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race and will be marching on the race track.

“We are excited to share our music and Hokie pride with Martinsville,” stated Band Cadet Commander, Cadet Maj. Jonathan Corns of Critz, VA., a senior majoring in history in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and pursuing a minor in leadership studies who is enrolled in Army ROTC. Corns is a recipient of the > CONTINUED P2: Band

The U.S. Census Bureau has announced that the population of the Roanoke Valley Urbanized Area is now 210,111, and includes part of Montgomery County. The Roanoke Valley urbanized area grew by about 11% in land area and the population grew by 6.4%.

Long range transportation planning is conducted by the Roanoke Valley Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) as designated by federal law, and this increase in population will likely trigger designation as a Transportation

Management Area (TMA) in the next Federal law requires the formation few months. of a MPO for any urbanized area with Because a small part of Montgomery a population of more than 50,000. The County is also now part of the urban Roanoke Valley Area MPO was created area, Montgomery County will likely be in 1979 to plan and budget the use of represented as part of the Rofederal transportation dollars anoke Valley Area MPO later in the Roanoke region. The Federal Gov’t this year after the boundary is U.S. Department of Transadjusted. The Office of Manportation recognizes the agement and Budget defines the criteria Roanoke Valley Area MPO as the entity for designation and the U.S. Census Bu- responsible for transportation-related reau uses 2010 Census data to make the planning within the Roanoke urbanized designations. area boundary.

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Currently, MPO activities are directed by a 15-member Policy Board that establishes regional transportation policy, approves the long-range transportation plan and the transportation improvement program, defines committee duties, and adopts an annual unified planning work program.

The voting members of the Policy Board include representatives from the > CONTINUED P2:Transportation

JCHS, VWCC Join Forces On Health Care Curriculum

P7– Senator John Edwards throws out the first pitch as Patrick Henry dedicates its new baseball facility.

Photo by Beverly Amsler

One of Saturday’s K9 participants makes her way through the course.

Agility Dogs Put Best Paw Forward In Yearly Show

P10– Steve Brown brings a symphony of skills to his new position as Music Director of WVTF Public Radio.

> CONTINUED P2: Chamber

Roanoke Valley Likely to be Designated Transportation Management Area

New Digs

Music Man

]

Dogs dodged raindrops as they jumped through hoops, ran through tunnels, and weaved through polls on their way to the finish line in the annual Star City Canine Club Agility Trial held at Hollins University last weekend. Rain poured down for the majority of the 3-day event. Last year, the canines and their humans had to contend with snow and ice.

Anne Marie Green from Salem competed with Bella, her 3-year-old Sheltie.

Green says her family was watching an agility trial on ESPN2 and the children wanted another dog after theirs had died.

“There was a Sheltie going through the weave polls. My son said, ‘I’d like to have that kind of dog’, and I said, ‘I think I would, too’. . .So we got her (Bella) and then we took the basic classes, Puppy Kindergarten and Obedience and stuff at Star City Canine and then started taking > CONTINUED P3:Agility agility with them, too.”

Jefferson College flanked by other offiof Health Sciences cials and students. The and Virginia Western two schools previously Community College put an articulation continue to strengthen agreement in place for ties between the two a nursing program, so institutions. The most that Virginia Western recent evidence of this graduates could purwas an articulation sue a four-year degree agreement signed last at JCHS. week that will allow NL Bishop (left) and Bobby “We anticipate that Virginia Western grad- Sandel sign agreement. this agreement will be uates to have a guaranthe first of many that we teed slot at Jefferson College, which is will undertake,” said Bishop of the docunow located at the former Carilion Com- ments he and Sandel were about to sign. munity Hospital site. Carilion still offers “I look forward to these collaborations.” urgent care there and JCHS students get The Healthcare Management Program on-the-job training as well. The school focuses on leadership skills for those that offers four year degrees in nursing and look to land administrative roles in the other health care fields. field. Having “more well trained health The articulation agreement pertains to care professionals,” sent out into the the Healthcare Management workforce is the goal for both Program at JCHS, which will schools, according to Bishop, Education enable VWCC graduates with and working together makes associate’s degrees to transfer that more of a reality. without a hitch. Virginia Western al“We’ve been developing a closer and ready has such agreements in place with closer relationship with Virginia Westother colleges and universities around ern Community College over the last the state. couple of years,” said Bishop after he and VWCC president Bobby Sandel joined Sandel signed pa> CONTINUED Jefferson College president Nathaniel pers and shook L. (NL) Bishop for a signing ceremony, hands. The two P3: Curriculum

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> Band

Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/30/12- 4/5/12

A cold front will move into the region late Friday into Saturday.

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From page 1

Peggy C. and Raymond E. Reed ‘57 Regimental Band Emerging Leader Scholarship and will be commissioned in the U.S. Army this May. The Highty-Tighties formed in 1893 and is today the oldest collegiate band in the Commonwealth of Virginia. They are a field band, and they provide military music for all cadet activities. The group also performs at numerous events on campus to include every home football game, in the local community, and around the nation. The Highty-Tighties

have three ensemble groups, the Southern Colonels, the jazz ensemble; En Corps, a string quartet; and a brass quintet.

The band performs in many parades each year such as the University Homecoming Parade; the Veterans Day Parade in Roanoke; and the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City, which they marched in this past Saturday.

The history of the band is rich and full of accomplishments. Going back to the time of the Spanish-American War,

> Chamber percent was a team effort said Head. Roanoke’s Senator John Edwards carried the bill on the Senate side. The money will go to the Convention and Visitors Bureau for marketing the Roanoke Valley.

Ware said this having been his 9th session “the lights have really been turned on for me – it takes you a while to learn the process.” He commended the Republican delegates for their nonpartisanship “It takes understanding that it’s not about Democrat or Republican … we’re the envy of other House members,” said Ware.

Franklin County’s Delegate Charles Poindexter quipped that “contrary to the reports I didn’t spend all my time on two percent of the legislation,” a reference to the nationally publicized social issues that hit the comedy circuit. “We took the bull by the horns on the Virginia Retirement System and made some significant steps forward in reforming the system.”

Sen. Edwards is hoping that the final budget will contain $150,000 for another year of bus service to Lynchburg where Roanokers can catch the Amtrak train. “It has been a huge success,” said Edwards. This Amtrak train is the only one of a few that is making money.

He felt that within two to three years there would be an Amtrak

they have upheld their motto ‘Deeds not Words.’ After being told they were not going to be allowed to help the war effort as cadets, a large group of bandsmen dropped out of school and enlisted. They never saw action but legend has it that in honor of their service, they were later awarded their white presidential citation cord, still worn by all members today, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

By Carrie Cox info@newsroanoke.com

From page 1

train coming to Roanoke.

Senator Ralph Smith (R-19) carried a bill that eliminated bureaucracy for septic tank installers. (SB662) Septic installers will now get a break from taking classes if they have practiced their trade for at least eight years. Del. Poindexter’s HB1262 mirrored it on the House side.

On the budget impasse Smith said, “sometimes we do a lot of dancing around protecting our turf … but we are blessed in having a two-party system and not a one party system like other countries have.” Smith has never missed a day or vote in any session or committee since taking office.

Delegate Habeeb defended Governor Bob McDonnell’s rejection of the Senate’s proposal to index the gas tax to inflation saying, “until the public views their transportation needs as more important than the dollars we were talking about, it’s simply that the political system won’t allow anything of great significance to occur.” Habeeb’s 8th District constituents rank transportation at the bottom.

It will only become important to the public when safety and economic development become more important to the public. “This year was a complete failure on the funding side,” he said.

Del. Poindexter opposed the

Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce President Joyce Waugh moderated the discussion during last Friday’s breakfast. bill to revamp the Commonwealth Transportation Board members making them representatives of congressional districts versus the VDOT construction districts. It would have decreased the influence of rural Virginia, he said.

A question about the slow pace of judicial appointments went to Sen. Edwards and Del. Habeeb who both serve on their respective judicial subcommittees. Edwards said getting agreement on judges has become more of a problem. He blamed the House Judicial Committee that Habeeb serves on for sending bills to the Senate that take away discretion from judges when they take cases under advisement. “I think that is unethical - I think it is an infringement on the independence of the judiciary.” He expects that political fight to continue.

Habeeb said once the budget is in place, “judges will fall into place that got bogged down in the partisanship on the Senate side.”

On the extra taxpayer dollars legislators will receive for the special session Del. Ware said, “Trust me it is more horrible for me to be [in Richmond] than the $200 per diem that I receive.” That brought laughter from attendees.

Sen. Smith advocated for doubling the salaries of legislators and expecting more from them in return. “Every citizen should have the opportunity to get out there and afford to campaign and win election.” His point was that there were qualified Virginian that could not afford to serve.

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

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The eminent domain amendment that will go before voters in November is a hot button issue for the Virginia Municipal League and localities. Delegate Charles Poindexter said, “property rights are fundamental to our form of government. I don’t see that the legislation prevents development … it just makes it a little more legitimate.”

Greg Habeeb said, “nothing has changed in the tiniest bit than what they currently are.” What is controversial, said Habeeb, is that a property owner can get compensated for lost profits and lost access. “It just adds additional categories for damages [now] born by the property owner,” said Habeeb.

“For those who actually read the bills – it takes the burden off the property owner and puts it where it should be which is on

the local government deciding to take their property” Roanoke City Manager Chris Morrill said that the constitutional amendment is still a concern. “While we understand the issues people may have with eminent domain, the amendment's language on lost access, lost profits are very troubling. Could this language be interpreted to include having to compensate a business when a street is temporarily closed for repaving or for a parade? Recognizing the overreaching of this clause in the amendment, the General Assembly tried to fix it by passing legislation defining these terms. However, the constitution trumps legislation and courts could interpret this clause to the detriment of communities.”

> Transporation Community | News | Perspective 540-400-0990 Publisher | Stuart Revercomb | stuart@newsroanoke.com News Editor | Gene Marrano | gmarrano@cox.net Production Editor | Leigh Sackett | leigh@newsroanoke.com Technical Webmaster | Don Waterfield | webmaster@newsroanoke.com Advertising Director | Vickie Henderson | vihenderson@comcast.net

six member localities (urbanized portions of Bedford, Botetourt and Roanoke Counties, the Cities of Roanoke and Salem, Town of Vinton), as well as the Greater Roanoke Transit Company, the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission, the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, and the Virginia Department of Transportation. In addition, ex-officio (non-voting) members include the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration.

Planning and administrative staff to the Roanoke Valley Area MPO is provided by the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, which also serves as fiscal agent. A TMA is a Metropolitan

“Moreover, current laws already restrict use of eminent domain so a constitutional amendment is probably not necessary,” said Morrill in an email.

VML contends that “The amendment is unnecessary and will harm Virginia’s citizens by severely limiting the ability of local governments and the state to carry out projects that help improve life for the Commonwealth’s population, due to the amendment’s language on lost access, lost profits and the loss of eminent domain where economic development, increasing jobs and increasing taxes are involved.”

By Valerie Garner info@newsroanoke.com

From page 1 Planning Organization with an urbanized area boundary population of 200,000 and above.

An area designated as a TMA enjoys certain benefits and incurs additional requirements beyond those of small urbanized areas.

TMA designation gives the MPO extra funding and planning responsibilities, including: the transportation planning process must include a Congestion Management Plan, and the MPO will receive yet to be determined federal funding allocations for surface transportation projects and planning.

For more information go to www.roanokempo.org

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3/30/12- 4/5/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3

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Roanoke Protestors Decry New > Agility Health Care Mandates

More than 100 protests were planned across the United States last Friday, gatherings characterized as rallies for religious freedom. “The rally is in response to the Health and Human Services [dept.] mandate that will require all employers to pay for insurance that covers early abortion drugs, sterilizations and contraception…and for all private insurance companies to cover these things,” said Suzanne Guilfoyle, one of the organizers in Roanoke, where at least 100-150 were on hand for a noon-time rally outside the Poff federal building in downtown Roanoke.

President Obama did tweak the mandate after the initial furor, which was part of the Health Care Act of 2010 now being contested in the U.S. Supreme Court as being unconstitutional. That tweaking allowed that religious organizations can serve people of their own faith (such as at a church) to their liking, but provided no exemption for employers at religious universities, schools, non-profits or media outlets. It does require that the insurers themselves must offer that coverage for such services.

“Basically, pregnancy and women’s’ fertility is now a disease that needs to be covered by health insurance,” said Guilfoyle in characterizing one facet of “Obamacare” that has some up in arms. (Many supporters of women’s’ rights however applaud the health care mandate that now requires insurance coverage.)

At the Poff building rally private school students from Roanoke Catholic mixed with protesters of all ages, including local Catholic priests. Pete Larkin, representing Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte and the 6th District, was also on hand.

Father Kevin Deaton from

Protestors rallied last Friday against the new HHS mandates.

St. Elias Catholic Church led the invocation and spoke to the crowd as well: “Thank God to all of you for coming,” said Deaton, “bless our solidarity [and] the cause for religious freedom.” Deaton called the new mandate to cover contraception, early abortion drugs and the like “an attack on religious freedom.” He blamed Supreme Court decisions over the past few decades in helping to create a safer climate for abortion “and [other] vices.”

Deaton said he was not speaking as a Democrat or as a Republican in opposing the mandate, which could become moot if the Supreme Court ultimately shoots down the health care reform package passed two years ago as unconstitutional. “The compromise with evil will turn that government into a dictatorship of moral collapse,” he warned.

Teresa Clarke from Salem was standing on the corner at Franklin and 2nd Street, holding up a sign in protest. “It’s important to stand up for our religious freedom,” said Clarke, who is Catholic. “It’s an attack on our…faith.” What Health and Human Services wants to cover added Clarke, “goes against our religious teachings.”

Requiring insurers rather than employers to cover those services doesn’t satisfy Clarke either, since the church uses many of those insurance com-

panies. “That would make us complicit.” Clarke said people don’t really know what the Health Care Act really entails, and how it could endanger their freedoms.

“This is a real battle for our religious freedom…only the beginning,” said Clarke, who envisions religious schools and hospitals closing down instead of having insurers cover the services in question. She believes the Supreme Court will find the health care legislation unconstitutional but suspects the Obama administration would just find a way around that decision. “I have real concerns about that.”

Andrea Sexton was one of the speakers: “this HHS mandate is severely redefining what it means to be a religious institution. We need to stand up and say no. This is not about contraception. This is about religious liberty… a fundamental right to practice a religion … and have your conscious respected.”

Sexton, also a Salem resident, said Catholics around the country – and other religious groups, even some atheists, have been energized by the debate. “They understand this is about the U.S. Constitution and what it means to be an American. This is [about] the first amendment.”

The Hollins event was Bella’s first competition a year ago. “We’ve traveled a little bit down to North Carolina and Virginia shows and we’re having a lot of fun.”

But it can become expensive if you decide to travel to trials.

“If you go somewhere where you need to spend the night, like we went down outside of Charlotte for two nights, my husband and I. So it was like a little mini-vacation.”

Green and Bella won hoopers and tunnelers in their category. They also received a qualifying score in tunnelers.

“You try to aim for a qualifying score that’s based on doing the course the right way and the time involved. So you get a qualifying score and then you can get first, second, or third place depending on your

From page 1 speed.”

The secret to having an award-winning team of human and canine is “Practice, lots and lots of practice-and patience. The dogs don’t screw up; the people screw up. And so it’s lots of practice. And some dogs are more naturally good at agility. Shepherd dogs seem to be (good at agility).

You don’t see a lot of hound dog-types. They do other things.”

While everyone wants to win, Janet Jonas of Salem says the main thing is to have fun.

“If they go off course, it’s your fault. Your dog didn’t do it you did it. You sent the dog to the wrong thing or moved something wrong, so it’s your fault.”

She’s been competing with 6 1/2-year-old Golden Retriever

> Curriculum

have talked about prospects for health care employment in the future – how it remains one of the few boom markets. “It only makes sense for us to complement each other, rather than compete with each other. This is a manifestation of those conversations.” “[We’re] seeking a seamless route,” said Dr. Bishop of the new agreement. Sandel joked that Western was “trying to keep up with NL, he’s got this fancy building now,” and expansion at Jefferson College, which now has more than 1100 students, twice as many as there was five years ago. There are more than 13,000 students of all ages at VWCC currently, which is adding a new science building and has other plans for expansion of its own.

Sandel called Bishop “a terrific person.” As for the agreement, Sandel noted that, “relationships make things happen.”

He sees Jefferson College as

By Gene Marrano ready to take that “next step” as gmarrano@cox.net it adds more four-year degree

Emmy since the dog was two.

It’s her second Golden Retriever agility dog. “Goldens really want to please you. She’s very soft so I have to be careful not to do many corrections because it just de-motivates her; if I can’t do it perfectly, I don’t want to do it. So you have to be careful with Goldens . . . You can’t do a lot of reprimanding.”

If someone is thinking about getting their dog involved in agility, she suggests observing a trial first. The Roanoke Kennel Club is hosting an AKC trial in May at Camp Bethel.

For more information go to roanokekennelclub.com

By Beverly Amsler info@newsroanoke.com

From page 1

programs.

Sandel termed the agreement “two great colleges making a difference in this region.” He didn’t know the exact details but feels like transferring students must have at least a C average to qualify and a 2.0 GPA in order to have credits accepted. Bishop, coming up on two years in his role at the Carilion-owned school, said Sandel “has been a wonderful friend and mentor,” during that time frame.

“We want to see things happen for our students,” said Sandel, who believes that commu-

nity colleges should be a place where people build their workforce skills. “Our mission is to prepare people…for the workforce. The relationship we have with Jefferson College is a real step in that direction.”

“A seamless transfer [should become] a reality for students,” said Sandel. “It means no hassles … I’m delighted to have this relationship. We’ve gone out of our way to make this [articulation agreement] happen”

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Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/30/12- 4/5/12

Y

A Sunshine Nation: Revisiting Our National Energy Policy

ears ago, while living in the “Sunshine State” of Florida, I argued with a representative of a regional energy utility (one fueled by natural gas and petroleum) who informed me that solar energy was not a viable solution to the high energy demands of the State’s citizens. She offered the high costs of conversion from fossil fuels to solar technologies hand-in-hand with a low return on investment until years later. Further the representative pointed out the unreliability of sunlight as a source of constant power and then touted the low demand for alternative energies. I asked her if she could really say such things objectively, given her high-paid position with the utilities company. I couldn’t help but wonder if her arguments were also similar to those offered against the automobile when inventor Henry Ford was informed that the horseless carriage was only a fad! Or, better yet, when inventor Lee DeForest postulated, “While theoretically and technically television may be feasible, commercially and financially it is an impossibility.” Peter Ustinov once remarked, “If the world should blow itself up, the last audible voice would be that of an expert saying it can’t be done.”

We are a “Sunshine Nation” too often manipulated by the experts and stakeholders of an outmoded energy technology, bellowing mightily, “Solar energy isn’t feasible.” Yet, given that the amount of solar energy hitting Earth exceeds the total energy consumed by humanity by a factor of over

20,000 times, it’s a simple mat- tions, including natural gas, ter of technology investment by 2050.

– a qualitative, not quantita• Part 5: Decommission all tive approach to societal need nuclear power plants and pro– and not any pre-ordained vide all energy needs via alterimpossibility as sugnatives by 2075. gested by these prog• Part 6: Phase nosticators with a out all federal govcoarse commitment ernment subsidies to their industries’ (e.g., tax breaks and bottom line! Solar government protecenergy IS feasible; tion programs) that and those who argue keep gasoline prices against it, including artificially low for a small conservative consumers; simulcadre of ill-informed taneously, provide H. Bruce Rinker, PhD (or ill-willed) polia carrot-and-stick ticians on Capitol incentives program Hill, are snakes in the grass for to the automobile industry to suggesting otherwise. If they develop clean, safe, and ecowere truly for energy inde- nomically encouraging transpendence in the United States, portation technologies. As they would have been fighting activist and attorney Robert for solar, wind, and geother- Kennedy, Jr. once said, “You mal technologies years ago! show me a polluter, I’ll show Last year, I made a pitch in you a subsidy.” Carbon-based this newspaper column for a energy companies probably national energy policy (see remain solvent only with the the 7 April 2011 issue). Now help of subsidies from the fedI would like to revisit my pro- eral government. posal in summary, especially • Part 7: Emphasize conas our national elections loom servation and stewardship on the horizon. The target in a world of 7 billion people date for full implementation trying to live sustainably with of my proposal is somewhere finite resources. For example, between 2050 and 2075. adamantly refuse the devel• Part 1: Convert most coal- opment for petroleum explofired power plants to natural ration and extraction of the gas by 2020.

Arctic National Wildlife Ref• Part 2: Phase out all other uge (ANWR) and other irrecarbon-emitting power plants placeable treasures held in the by 2025 to 2030. public trust. Further, disallow • Part 3: Build an addition- the Keystone XL Pipeline (see al 200 to 400 nuclear power my 12 January 2012 column) plants in the United States by and other such proposals for 2025 and, at the same time, their likely impacts on the enaggressively pursue alterna- vironment and their unlikely tive types of power genera- positive influence on energy tion such as solar, hydro, and independence and net jobs wind. creation for the nation.

• Part 4: Shut down all Note that these various parts carbon-emitting power sta- are not incremental steps, but

are interlinked components of a systems approach to our national energy needs. Of course, this plan guarantees the extinction of petroleum, coal, and natural gas companies, at least as they are currently engineered.

Indeed the term, fossil, may apply to more than just what they extract from the Earth, but also to their dead-end technologies and the outdated mind-sets in their board rooms. Thus, it’s particularly irksome during this election year cycle that so many politicians and pundits are advocating vociferously for short-term quasi-solutions for our collective energy needs.

Developing ANWR, installing a cross-country pipeline, and pushing for more and more exploration for limited natural resources such as petroleum and coal (even via potentially dangerous methods such as hydraulic fracturing) are all dead-end, quick-fix diversions from the only sustainable path ahead: the promotion and expansion of next-generation energy sources to power society.

It’s just a matter of resolve to turn such dreams into reality for our nation abundant with near-limitless sunlight, wind, and geothermal resources. “It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow,” (Robert Goddard, 1882-1945).

H. Bruce Rinker, Ph.D. Director of Scientific Advancement and Development Biodiversity Research Institute bruce.rinker@briloon.org

NewsRoanoke.com

“Because I Can’t Touch You...”

H

e was bald, old, “So I got myself a bed to put wrinkled, spot- right next to his; same height. ted, and deaf; and It took some doing. But now, he could no longer walk - or sometimes, when I lie there even stand - without assis- watching him sleep in the tance. But he had not moonlight, he’ll stir, always been that way. reach over, touch my Forty nine years ago hand and smile. He when they first met nods a little nod and - she told me with drops back into deep a smile of romance sleep.” freshly remembered `She lies awake he was tall and strong and watches him,’ I and wonderful. So thought to myself.

Lucky Garvin she married him.

In her lonely meditaHer love of him tion, I wonder who resides much in memory, I she sees; her young man from think; she loves him so now long ago; or a man no longer because she loved him so then. so. She knows that one day Maybe that’s how love is. she will have to put him in a I spoke to her, not of today, home; and her heart breaks; but of later. Tending him was breaks for this man who hates getting too much for her; she, his bed because he needs to like he, was aging. A nurs- touch her; needs to know she ing home placement would is there. need to be considered someTheir minister was at the day; someday quite soon. She hospital with them. Three smiled as if having heard this o’clock in the morning. He’s suggestion before. here with two of his flock.

“I’ll hang with him as long This is a man who puts his as I can,” she said. “That’s just money where his faith is. how it is with him and me.”

He takes me aside; he’s [What better explanation worried. “She’s killing hercould I ask?] It seemed to me self taking care of him, Doc. that her view of their love was She needs to get him into a a vision of Christmas morn- home.” ing; a never-fading anticipaMy answer came without tion. thinking; born in some deep She went on, “I bought him part of me after seeing the a hospital bed, one that cranks love in her eyes when she up and adjusts, you know? He spoke of the old man: “Bethated it. Wouldn’t say why; ter to die once, than to die a just kept grumbling. That’s little every day after she’s had not like him. Finally I said, to send him away.” `Once and for all, tell me why I don’t believe that fairness you don’t like the bed!’ is necessarily a part of the di“He paused. Looked away vine plan. The very absence and whispered, `Because I of fairness in our daily lives can’t touch you.’ provides, at best, an insecure footing to believe in it. I think that fairness is something the human heart imposes upon the harshness of living, to support our need for order and benevolence.

Still, as we stand in uneasy witness to this almost sacramental violation, doesn’t it seem a defilement, loving as these two people love, that their story will end as it must; with her putting her loved one away?

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3/30/12- 4/5/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

NewsRoanoke.com

had watched her, just a few minutes before, as she stood there…crying.

“I can’t do, I can’t do it,” she said, tears running down her face.

“All my life I’ve been afraid of heights. I can’t help it, it just terrifies me.”

It didn’t matter that she was surrounded by friends encouraging her, friends who who believed in her, friends who believed that she could do it. She looked up at the 40-foot climbing wall and terror flooded her face.

“It’s O.K.,” I said. “You don’t have to do it. Just stand and watch.”

She seemed visibly relieved.

Slowly, one by one, a half dozen students or more and made their way up the climbing wall in the hot New Mexico sun.

The most agile and daring seemed to scurry up the wall with little difficulty. The others were more cautious, carefully picking out their hand- and footholds, working their way up the wall slowly. All of them, once they got twenty-five or thirty feet up the wall, were glad they were in safety harnesses.

Even some of the most con-

fident climbers were a little unnerved to be up three stories high.

And then, out of nowhere, I heard her voice.

“I’m going to do it,” she said, her voice quivering.

I was shocked.

“You don’t have to,” I reminder her again. “No one is going to think any less of you.”

“No,” she said. “I’ve got to do this.”

She walked over to the climbing instructor and asked him to help her with the harness.

I saw the students look her way and then quietly nudge the person beside them.

Some smiled broadly as they watched Sara get into the harness, but others weren’t quite sure what to feel.

Then the moment came.

Sara stepped toward the wall, looking straight ahead, too terrified to look up and think about what awaited her.

She didn’t have a lot of upper-body strength—and her thick glasses made us wonder whether she even see the handholds. But she reached up and grabbed one. Then, another.

She put her foot on one of the holds.

I watched as she lifted her body up. Her leg began to

Zero To Seventy In Eight Hours

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or anyone looking for dumb tourist. Whew. That's all a day vacation, there I'd have needed - to be cited by is no better experience Barney under a 301.25, which than a spirited jaunt from Roa- would surely have led to my einoke to Mount Airy. Sounds ther being fined twelve dollars kind of boring at first, though, or spending two nights in jail. in a "we're going-to-visit-Aunt- Rough stuff, I'll tell you.

Helen-so-shut-upA very calm and back-there" way. serene trip to Mount The trip along the Airy, followed by parkway was more walking around in a sedating than having very laid back tourist been slipped a mickarea, was the perfect ey in a mausoleum. lead-in to the trip Sometimes nature home: gentlemen, is, well, boring, and start your engines. kudzu only serves to Let me say right blur that experience. here and now that "Look, there's a weepthe moonshiners of Robert Adcox ing willow." How can the day could have you tell? put Europe's finest road racFinally, a change occurred, ers to shame. I drove, at daring which saved me from near-total speeds, over any number of insanity: a T-intersection intro- switchbacks. I had the advanduced itself to me -nay, saved, tage of driving a relatively new me from going out of my mind. car with front wheel drive. To "Hello", it said cheerfully, as T- have driven an old car with rear intersections are wont to do, drive at those speeds through unlike four way intersections those turns without losing conwhich are too busy for such trol would have required nothfrivolity. "If you're interested ing short of world class driving. in heading south, I'd be happy Yup, Old School drivers would to lead you to Stuart. Or, if you have put me to shame on those prefer something lighter, I have roads. Then again, it's easy to be a very nice Mount Airy just motivated to be a great driver across the state line." when you're being chased by Mount Airy, as it turns out, federal agents for a libertarian is deceptively complicated for a view when it comes to paying small town. Seems that no mat- tax on alcohol. ter which way you turn, you end Today was about starting off up right back in another part of slowly and speeding things up.

Mount Airy, unless you don't Typical day for me. If the 45 mile turn. Then you end up in Level per hour trip along the parkway Cross, and not the one made fa- was somewhat of a ho-hummer, mous by the guy driving iconic the 70 mile per hour trip through number 43. those turns was an inexpensive Well, who visits Mount Airy substitute for caffeine. No side without seeing the historic dis- roads were anywhere near the trict? Yes, I saw Floyd's City Bar- stretches of roadway I was on, ber Shop. I think the original nor were there any other drivers Floyd still works there. Wish I or pedestrians. It seemed that had gotten to town before five. the later the day got, the better Then I might have gotten up everything felt. By the time I got a good game of checkers and home, my happiness with life asked if Ray Hollister ever got was at full speed. that vaccination.

And it only took eight hours.

As an aside, the historical district is a one way street. I Contact Robert Adcox at learned that when I accidentally robadcox@hotmail.com turned right and almost had a head-on collision with another

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In the Midst of Our Fear

tremble. Her body was quivering.

“You can do it, Sara. You can’t do,” shouted her fellow students.

She was only about six to eight feet off the ground the first time she stopped, pressing her body close to the wall.

“Don’t give up, Sara! Don’t give up!” shouted her roommate.

“You can do it,” echoed the others.

But she didn’t move. Her eyes were closed and tears were rolling down her cheeks. She seemed frozen in place.

“It’s O.K., Sara. You can come down if you need to. It’s all right,” I said.

“No,” she said, her voice trembling. “I’ve got to do this.”

She reached her right hand a little higher and grasped the next handhold.

Slowly, ever so slowly, she lifted her right knee until she was able to find a spot for her right foot.

Her roommate had now come close to the wall. “Sara!

Sara! I’m here. Don’t be afraid.

I know you can do it.”

But Sara was getting tired.

She was now about eighteen feet up the wall and her arms and legs were shaking.

“Take your time, Sara. Just take it slow and easy,” I said. I was so proud of her. I couldn’t believe that she had made it as far as she had.

And then she started crying again. But this time, it was more than mere tears. It was a sob—one of those deep “I just can’t do this anymore” kind of sobs.

This time it was the climbing instructor who stood almost under her.

“It’s O.K., Sara,” he said in a soft and reassuring voice.

“You’ve done well—really, really well. It’s O.K., you can come down now. We’ve got you.”

All of us expected her to begin making her way down.

“No,” she said, her voice breaking. “I’ve got to do this.

I’ve got to!”

My eyes filled with tears.

The others began to cheer: “Sara! Sara! Sara! Sara!”

Quietly, underneath their shouts of encouragement and support, I heard her small voice: “Help me, God. Please help me.”

A moment later, her hand reached up again and grabbed another handhold.

As Sara inched her way to the top, all of us knew that we were watching something re-

by Gary Robbins

markable. It was an extraordinary act of faith, bravery, and courage.

We knew that Sara was terrified, absolutely terrified.

We knew she was facing her deepest fear.

And when she finally made it to the top, down on all fours, completely unable to stand because of the height and the exhaustion, but smiling from ear to ear, we went wild. We were screaming and laughing and cheering and crying.

People must have heard us for miles.

I’ve never witnessed anything else like it in my life.

I think about Sara on top of that forty-foot climbing tower… …and Moses going back to face Pharaoh, …and Abraham leading

Isaac up Mount Moriah, …and Jeremiah saying yes to God’s call even though he was little more than a kid, …and Mary responding to the angel Gabriel, “Be it unto me according to thy word,” …and Jesus rising up from prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, and I think about how deep and real their fear was.

And I think to myself, “Maybe, with God’s help, I can face some of my fear too.”

Gary Robbins is the pastor of Greene Memorial United Methodist Church in downtown Roanoke. Visit them on the web at: www.gmumc.org.

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Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/30/12- 4/5/12

NewsRoanoke.com

Roanoke Neighborhood Services Scrabble Tournament Raises $10,000 for Blue Ridge Literacy Coordinator Seeks to Make A Difference

The seventh annual Blue Ridge Literacy Scrabble Tournament brought more than 225 players to the Jefferson Center’s Fitzpatrick Hall. Literacy Executive Director Russ Merritt says this was the biggest tournament ever, due to adding an afternoon session in addition to the evening session.

“Doing the afternoon allowed us to expand the program.”

Merritt and his staff hoped to raise $10,000 which is about the same as in previous years. “The money is used to provide support for our volunteer tutor programming, recruiting and training tutors, providing materials for learners, and administrative support.”

Blue Ridge Literacy currently serves the Roanoke Valley. “We are just in the process this spring of expanding into surrounding counties.”

Merritt says scrabble makes sense for a literacy organization.

“It’s a great way, since we play by teams, rather than mano e mano-one on one. It’s three person teams and that adds fellowship.

It’s a great way to have a whole lot of fun and actually do a little bit of learning.”

What makes a good scrabble player? “Someone who reads a lot. A good scrabble player is someone who has a love of words; someone who has an ability to kind of put pieces togethera puzzle solver.”

Carol Duvall knows what it takes to be a good scrabble player. She took part in her first

(L to R) Norma McCoy, Josephine Moorman, and Nancy Ziegler. tournament during the afternoon session and her team won.

They received $20 in gift certificates, while the second place team received boxes of Scrabble Cheez-Its. There was some luck involved in her team’s success. “We actually got away with a word, and that was part of it. And we got the s’s and things like that. S’s are vitally important. S’s and blanks can make all the difference in the world.”

“The secret of winning is truly knowing the placement of the letters. You don’t have to know words and that’s what holds off a lot of people from playing is because they feel like they have to know all the words. So you need to learn the 2-letter words and then you need to know how to place them. The placement on the value tiles is really important.”

Nancy Zeigler, Josephine Moorman, and Norma McCoy won last year’s tournament.

They attend church together

and Ziegler says her team has been playing for 14 years, usually getting together about twice a month to play scrabble.

And when they can’t get together, some of them play online. Moorman says she’s playing against other scrabble players in real time. “They get upset with you and everything if you’re slow.” “When we can’t get together, I get online and play.”

Her strategy for this night was to stay focused. “Concentrate, don’t rush, but try to be accurate and put down a good word. Pray for the right letters.”

McCoy says practice is her secret to being a good scrabble player. For a scrabble player wannabe she suggest to, “first, read the rules and then find a partner . . . find somebody who plays good and who loves the game.”

Merritt is looking for volunteer tutors as the programs expands.

Once the new tutors complete a 6-week training session, they’ll be matched with a learner. For more information on becoming a tutor, call 265-9339 or go online to www.brlit.org.

By Beverly Amsler info@newsroanoke.com

$100

The difference Roanoke Neighbetween workborhood Partnering in the private ship, the Office of and public sectors Ne i g h b o r h o o d says Bob Clement, Services’ current Neighborhood stated mission in Services Coor“to promote indinator for the dividual resident Office of Neighinvolvement in borhood Services their neighborin Roanoke City, hoods and comis simply one of munity; supBob Clement money and public port community/ service: in the private sec- neighborhood leaders in their tor, the first goal is profit and efforts to formally organize making money, while the their neighborhoods; assist public sector aims to make a community organizations to difference in people’s lives. “I find creative, constructive, think as long as I’m making positive solutions to commua difference in other people’s nity problems and to serve as lives, helping it to be better a clearinghouse for informathan the way I found it, that’s tion, referrals, and resources what it’s all about, regardless to residents and neighborif it’s here in Roanoke or else- hood organizations to enwhere,” says Clement. courage civic engagement.”

In his capacity as NeighAmong the programs borhood Services Coordina- Clement offers is a nine-week tor, Clement works with resi- Leadership College that aldents, to help them become lows city residents the opthe voice of their respective portunity to meet the varicommunities. “I think it’s ous directors and department real important that our resi- managers who provide the dents become engaged in the services they receive and procity in which they live, that vide access to them. “It helps they have a voice in the de- create a relationship based cisions that are being made on trust, understanding and to affect the neighborhoods knowledge, as opposed to a in which activities are taking relationship that might not place.” As an example, Clem- necessarily be based on fact,” ent says that if the city wants notes Clement. to install curbing and sideAnother Neighborhood walk in a neighborhood that Services initiative, the Welcurrently lacks such features, come Roanoke program, in“it only makes sense to me troduces new residents to that those residents who live those services they may need in that neighborhood should to know about, such as solhave a voice [as to whether] id-waste pick up schedules, they want that curbing and recycling programs and pet sidewalk or not.” ordinances. “We think it’s A descendant of the 1980s important that they under-

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stand, because doing so helps to ensure a smooth transition into our city,” says Clement.

Among the projects Clement is currently involved with are concerns about the Ivy Springs property. The new interchange planned at Valley View Mall by VDOT will open up approximately one hundred acres of land for possible development on the other side of Interstate 581 from the mall. Because the property is privately owned, the city, Clement explains, “wants to engage the surrounding neighborhoods to make certain that whatever development is done on that property is blended in with the existing neighborhoods so there’s a smooth transition between the two.”

His goal is to bring the neighborhoods together as one community. “When I first arrived here in Roanoke, I found the neighborhoods to be very [isolated]. They were primarily concerned only with the activities that were taking place in ther individual neighborhoods,” says Clements.

“My goal has been to bring all the neighborhoods together in partnership with the city so that we are in essence one community—a community of neighborhoods.” That’s not easy perhaps: presently, there are roughly 42 neighborhood planning areas across the city, not all of them with neighborhood organizations to represent them. “My goal is [for] each of those planning areas [is to have] a voice, representing each neighborhood within those planning areas.”

A Roanoke native, Clement graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business. He then went to work in the airline industry and became involved with community work in each place he lived. In 2003 those experiences helped him land his present job in Roanoke.

Clement feels the major lesson he has learned has been the importance of working with all socioeconomic levels within a community, to bring it together.

“It [has] also taught me of the importance of a community being engaged with the government providing the services. I think that’s something that can be taken to any size of municipality across the nation.”

Further information about the city’s neighborhood programs (and a list of neighborhood associations) can be found online at www.roanokeva.gov/neighborhoods and on Facebook at www.facebook. com/roanoke.neighborhoods.

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Sports

Spartans Outlast Patriots In 10-8 Slugfest

Salem and Patrick Henry found the new PH baseball facility to be a hitter's paradise last Friday afternoon as the two teams combined for 31 hits, as Salem prevailed 10-8.

Jake Wright went 5-for-5 and Andrew Stockstill 3-for-5 to lead PH. Corey Hayth and Locher Grove each had two hits for the Patriots.

Dustin Garst was 3-for-5 for Salem, and Austin Brown went deep with a first-inning homer to pace the Spartans.

3/30/12- 4/5/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

Patrick Henry Dedicates New Baseball Facility

Patrick Henry High School dedicated its new baseball facility last Friday afternoon prior to the Patriots matchup with Salem.

State Senator John Edwards, a 1962 graduate of PH and member of the Patrick Henry athletic hall of fame, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. He was joined by school administration officials, school board members, as well as a large group of PH supporters.

The facility's makeover, after a $300,000 funding approval Patriot #3 Jake Wright conby the Roanoke City School nects for one of his 5 hits on Board, began last July and inthe afternoon. cluded new outfield fencing, backstop, sprinkler system, infield drainage system, warning track and complete resodding.

Salem third baseman George "We basically redid the Flecko drops the tag on PH whole facility, except the dugbaserunner #4 Preston Metz. outs," PH head baseball coach Aaron Haigler said Friday. He

By Bill Turner hopes the new field will eveninfo@newsroanoke.com

right-off is that our players now have a facility they can take pride in," Haigler pointed out.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

State Senator John Edwards throws out the first pitch Friday afternoon at the dedication of Patrick Henry's new baseball facility. tually attract area baseball tournaments and be a site for Commonwealth Games baseball.

"The biggest thing I see

PH head baseball coach Aaron Haigler said the new Patriot baseball field is " a facility that our players can take pride in."

Cave Spring Tops Northside With 4-2 Boy Soccer Win Northside forward #6 Daniel Palmieri and Cave Spring senior midfielder #10 Jacob Sortore battle for possession.

PH starter Andrew Stockstill deals from the mound against the Spartans.

Salem's Austin Brown circles the bases after his blast over the left-center field fence in the first inning.

North Cross Girls Soccer Aiming For Top With seven starters back off of last year's 8-2 team, the North Cross girls soccer team are aiming for first place in the Blue Ridge Conference this spring.

Suiting up for the Raiders, who finished 17-5 overall last year are, eighth-graders Sarah Maurer, Campbell Lake and Mary Kate Graeff. Freshmen Hope Pollock, Avery Sturm, Anna Robison, Sarah Shaff, and Annie Elwell. Sophomores Paxton Helmer, Anna Cooper and Rosalie List. Juniors Anna Sawyer, India Helmer, Ragan Comer, Lyndsey Barker, Madison Altice, Gussie Revercomb and Ashley Donaho. Seniors Rachael Wright and Nikki Bates.

"While we graduated the best player in the conference Hallie Martin and first team all-conference Kaki Comer, we are returning four all-conference players and three other starters. India Helmer, who tallied 46 points last year, will have more a leadership role this season with the absence of Martin. Ragan Comer returning from a season ending knee injury is also key in anchoring down the back with so many young players around her.

Hope Pollock, Avery Sturm, Anna Robison, Anna Sawyer, Rachael Wright logged major minutes last season and should have big years with expanded roles this season. The addition of Sarah Maurer in goal is also a great addition to our team. Sarah is

Cave Spring midfielder #19 Mark Mercier fires a shot into the Viking zone as Viking #2 Trey Noell looks to close.

Cave Spring opened a 3-0 lead midway through the first half, and the Knights held on one of the best goalkeepers in the state for her age for the 4-2 win over Northside level, and make a defense that was stout last year in non-district boys soccer aceven better," said head coach James Brown.

The coach further added, "This year's team has tion at Cave Spring the potential to have a solid year. With that said, we are very young. Several players gained valuable

By David Grimes experience last year, but the learning curve will info@newsroanoke.com still be there. Learning from our young mistakes is key."

Send pictures, As for the top matches of the season for the Raiders, they include the VES Invitational, which announcements and features some of the top teams in the state and the story ideas to biggest match of the season will be against Eastinfo@newsroanoke.com ern Mennonite in April. "Last year, they (Eastern Mennonite) were our only loss and my team is looking forward to the challenge," added Brown.

"Graduating nine seniors is never easy. However, I am very excited about the prospects of this team. I believe we are faster, more technical as a whole, and deeper than we were last year. Once we come together and learn our roles, we will be a very tough outing for most teams," Brown said.

North Cross opens its season on Tuesday, March 13, at home against Roanoke Catholic.

By David Grimes info@newsroanoke.com

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Sports

3/30/12- 4/5/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 8

Wild Bill’s Weekly Sports Roundup Cave Spring Downs Botetourt 7-6

It’s Final-Four time in New tucky. They look way too Orleans, and Bourbon Street dominant to me, unless the should be the happening place statistics catch up with them. this weekend, the bourbon I’m a numbers guy, so here’s notwithstanding. the rub- Kentucky shot almost This year we’ll have two 94.6% percent from the free teams from Kentucky, a Big- throw line in their win over East team, a Big-Ten team, Indiana. If things, as numa Big-Twelve team, two #2 bers usually do, average out, seeds, and a SEC squad. This the chickens may come home looks more like an Elite-8, but to roost. Should the Wildcats trust me, I got it right. It’s only lay an egg at the charity stripe, four. look for an upset.

People have been asking me On the “I-told-you-so” to predict the winner, front, the ACC quietly so I’ll give it a shot. My bowed out when N.C. sentimental favorite State and UNC were is clearly Louisville. eliminated over the Former Hidden Valley weekend. standout Luke HanYou’ve got to like cock is sitting out a Wolfpack head coach, transfer year after leavMark Gottfried, who ing George Mason, but pulled off the mashe is a Rick Pitino faterful turnaround Bill Turner vorite for next year. of State in just one I covered Luke year. Not a lot of exduring his years at Hidden cuses from Gottfried on needValley, and his mom has told ing ten years to get a recruiting me she’ll hook me up with class in order. And, the Wolfpasses next year. Sounds good pack came very close to sendto me; nothing I like better ing Kansas back to the Land of than some Cardinal basketball, Oz. and a couple of mint-juleps at Want some inside scoop on Churchill Downs to watch the ACC basketball, and specifiponies run. Now, if I can get cally, UVA? the Star-Sentinel to throw in Cavalier Head Coach Tony a plane ticket and a room at Bennett will be the guest the Hilton (both doubtful) I’ll speaker at the April 16th be covering ole Luke again for meeting of the Roanoke Valley our local readers.

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Bennett will offer a Q&A session after speaking, so come prepared. Meetings start with a 5:45 social, with dinner to follow.

Now, to the bulging mailbag, where last week’s insight into Peeping Toms brought out some unexpected comments from the readers: From Violet in Covington: I thought you missed the mark saying Peeping Toms were a victimless crime. We had one years ago, and the culprit removed the window screen, peeped through the blinds, then reached in and stole my husband’s cuff links and upper plate off the nightstand.

From Fred in Roanoke: I heard about a Peeping Tom so bold that after not seeing anyone actually climbed in the window. He wandered into another room and went out that window when someone heard him. The fool got caught because he jumped into a window well.

From Anonymous: Never jump to conclusions on the possibility of a Tom. My husband and I were lying in bed watching TV one night when I noticed the curtains moving.

I quietly slipped my husband a note saying “I think there’s a Peeping Tom outside our window.” He got up, slipped outside with a baseball bat, but found nobody. Turned out it was a snake under the curtains.

With Late-Inning Comeback

A Cave Spring base runner slides safely to the plate as Lady Cavalier catcher Aubrie Jessee brings down the tag. homer to center in the first.

Cooper also added three RBIs and had three stolen bases. Duff was 2-for-3 for Cave Spring.

Barton led the Lord Botetourt hitting, going 3-for-4 on the afternoon.

Asimakopoulos went the distance in the circle for Cave Spring to pick up the win.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

Cave Spring #17 Courtney Cooper slides across the plate for one of her three runs scored in the win over Lord Botetourt.

Cave Spring's Taylor Asimakopoulos' suicide squeeze bunt in the bottom of the seventh plated Dani Duff with the winning run as the Lady Knights Well, there you have it. See came from behind to defeat you next week. Keep the com- Lord Botetourt 7-6 last Friday ments coming to: info@news- afternoon at Cave Spring Field.

The slugfest saw Cave Spring roanoke.com open a 4-1 lead after three innings, only to see the Lady Cavaliers strike for five runs in

the top of the fifth. Botetourt's big blow came on a Samantha Barton 3-run blast deep over the center field fence.

Cave Spring fought back from the 6-4 deficit with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to knot the score at 6-6, setting the stage for the final-inning rally.

Lady Knight Courtney Coo- Lord Botetourt starter Saper led the Cave Spring attack, mantha Barton fires from the going 3-for-4, including a 2-run circle Friday afternoon.

OFFICIAL CALL

MASS MEETING of Roanoke City Republican Commitee

As Chairman of the Roanoke City Republican Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia, and pursuant to the Plan of Organization and as recommended and directed by the Committee, I, Chris Walters, do hereby issue this call for a MASS MEETING to be held at Roanoke City Council Chambers, 215 Church Ave., S.W., City of Roanoke, Virginia at 6:00 p.m. on April 10th, 2012 for the following purposes: 1) Elect a Unit Chair of the Roanoke City Republican Committee 2) Elect Delegates to attend the Sixth District Convention, May 5th 2012 to be held at the Rockbridge County High School, 143 Greenhouse Road, Lexington, VA 24450, starting at 10:00AM; 3) Elect Delegates & Alternates to the State Convention of the Republican Party of Virginia on June 16, 2012 in Richmond,VA; 4) The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Mass Meeting.

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Qualification for Participation All legal and qualified voters of Roanoke City under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, regardless of race, religion, national origin or sex, who are in accord with the principles of the Republican Party and who, if requested, express in open meeting, either orally or in writing as may be required, their intent to support all nominees for public office in the ensuing election, may participate as members of the Republican Party of Virginia in its mass meetings, party canvasses, conventions or primaries encompassing their respective election districts. All individuals desiring to participate in the Mass Meeting will be required to present some form of identification such as a voting card, driver’s license or other positive identification.

Mass Meeting Registration Registration for the Mass Meeting will begin at 5:30PM and end at 6:00PM. All persons in line by 6:00PM will be allowed to register for the Mass Meeting.

Candidate Pre-Filing Requirements Candidates for the election of Unit Chair at said Mass Meeting shall file a written statement by mail or in person to Chris Walters, Roanoke City Republican Committee, P.O. Box 8005, Roanoke, VA 24014, or to Chris Walters in person at 111 Franklin Rd., Suite 200, Roanoke, VA 24011, which must be received no later than 4:00PM, March 15, 2012. Postmarks do not govern and the written statement must be received by the above deadline.

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Candidates interested in the following offices must file a written declaration of candidacy and a filing fee with the Sixth District Secretary, Sandy Gates, 2847 Country Club Road, Troutville, VA 24175 to be received by 5:00PM, March 31st, 2012. Postmarks shall not be considered.

(3) Delegate or (3) Alternate Delegate to the 2012 RNC Convention (1) Presidential Elector (1) District Chairman of the Republican Party (3) Member of the State Central Committee (3) Regional Vice Chairman to the Sixth District Committee Required filing forms and the full sixth district call can be obtained via the Sixth District of Virginia website at www.sixthdistrictgop.com or at the Republican Party of Virginia website at www.rpv.org

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NewsRoanoke.com

3/30/12- 4/5/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

Community School Celebrates 40th Roanoker's Childhood Memoir Published Anniversary and 2012 Hero Award

Exhibiting its firm commitment to the community for the past 40 years, Community School students selected the recipient and presented the annual Hero Award to Don Mason, founder of Angels of Assisi in recognition of his efforts to “promote the welfare of mankind and being an inspiration role model for others”.

Accepting the award Mason said “We care for animals regardless of their condition . . . blind, no legs. We maintain a no-kill shelter based on ahimsa Hindu wisdom of do no harm whether physical, mental or emotional.” After thanking the students, Mason invited them to volunteer at the shelter and promised that “it would be a worthwhile experience.”

Mason founded Angels of Assisi in 2003 with a no-harm and no-kill philosophy. Under Mason’s direction Angels of Assisi provides low-cost dental and health care for pets, spaying and neutering services, a farm animal sanctuary, and foster care and adoption services.

Community School’s Annual Hero Award honors the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. and exemplifies his peaceful efforts. The students select the recipient and design and build an award to compliment them.

Award designer Moss Stratton, 12, explained that the 2012 award is a mosaic and was “divided into four equal sections, each one bordered with a narrow space. The panels appear to be stopped in time, keeping them from moving toward each other as they close the gap. Concentric circles represent the coming together and melding of the world’s people. Each layer is a step toward the cooperation and integration of all peoples. At the core is a sectioned mirror, one that the observer

Community School’s 40th Anniversary Hero Award -- a 3x3 foot mosaic named “Coming Together for a Brighter Future” -- was designed by Moss Stratton and custom-built by Community School’s middle school Friday art group: Rocky Best, Phineas Chapman, Sophie Gettings, Jaren Hollandsworth, Este Kaiser, Bucky Mason, Kimberly Stephenson, Moss Stratton and Cais Thomas. looks at and sees his own reflection. Peace, harmony, and unity begin with each individual.”

Community School is celebrating its 40th year and an open house for elementary and middle school will be held on April 3 at 7 p.m. www.communityschool.net

By Carol Kirtley info@newsroanoke.com

Pin Wheels for Prevention

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Children's Trust volunteers will be planting a pinwheel garden on the grounds of Virginia Western Community College located in the area of the Community Arboretum on Colonial Avenue. Roanoke residents can show their support for the wellbeing of children by volunteering their time to help with the planting activities on Friday, March 30, 2012 from 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. Bring a friend!

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The publication of Bridgewater Stories - A Childhood Memoir by Wilma Casey Warren was celebrated at a reception honoring the new author Saturday afternoon on March 24 at Our Lady of the Valley Nursing Home. Now in her 80's, author Wilma Warren had been working on the book for almost twenty years, with time off to deal with health issues, when friends and family helped her put it together.

People came from all over, especially the Bridgewater-Harrisonburg area and Roanoke Valley to spend time with Wilma, visit with old friends and take home a copy of the longanticipated book. The books were signed by Wilma and son Stephen Warren, who edited the book. Unique to the gathering were the "testimonials" of people who are featured in the book.

The stories are set in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia during the 1930s Depression Era. Wilma was the youngest of five children of Abner and Emily Casey, and only a tot when the family moved from their native Arkansas to Broadway, Virginia where her father was Ranger of the Dry River District in the George Washington National Forest. Two year later the ranger station was moved to Bridgewater and that's where the stories begin, with friendships that have lasted through the decades.

The stories are a slice of small town Americana where friendships were the ultimate source of people's well-being and joy of life, and when "the adults seemed to go out of their way to make life fun for us children."

The Bridgewater Baptist Church was the church home for each one in the family and Wilma credits her Sunday school teacher, Mrs. Byrd, for her "bedrock belief in God." Those years were also enriched by the proximity of Bridgewater College with its ties to the larger world of scholarly interests and the arts as well

Photo by Gail Lambert

Wilma Warren signs a copy of “Bridgewater Stories” for Cindy Reardon at the Our Lady of the Valley reception honoring the new author on March 24. Seated from left to right: Wendy Warren, Stephen Warren (Editor) and Wilma Casey Warren. as her father's connection to the neighboring camps of President Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps.

By Gail Lambert info@newsroanoke.com

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Valley Business

Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 3/30/12- 4/5/12

New Fee Disclosures And Their Impact On Your 401(K) Plan Confused about how much you are being charged for your employer-sponsored 401(k) plan? New regulations may soon provide some clarification.

Beginning this year, (2012) your 401(k) plan statements will be much more descriptive, offering you details on the dollar amount deducted for fees and expenses each quarter.

The U.S. Department of Labor issued the regulations to help the more than 72 million Americans enrolled in 401(k) plans better understand the effect fees can have on the returns they receive. The additional disclosures must also document the type of services that are provided in exchange for each charge, and provide performance data on the various mutual funds offered under the plan, including the funds' one-year, five-year and ten-year returns.

To avoid any potential surprises when you open your first account statement containing the new disclosures, there are several changes to the document that should be on your radar.

Plan-related fees and expenses The plan sponsor must disclose, at least quarterly, the dollar amount of the expenses and fees that were actually charged during the preceding quarter to

the participants’ plan accounts for such services as accounting, legal and recordkeeping. The disclosures must also include a description of the services from which the charges are derived.

The plan sponsor must also specify the fees that were charged to the participants' individual account, including fees for the use of brokerage windows, commissions, front- or back-end loads or sales charges, redemption fees, transfer fees, and optional rider charges in annuity contracts. Moreover, the fees charged for specialized services individual plan participants receive, such as processing and fulfilling loan requests, pre-retirement withdrawals, or personalized investment advice, will also be captured on the new disclosures.

Key investment-related information Another major change 401(k) plan participants will see on their statements is data detailing how the investments being offered have performed in the past, including the one-, fiveand ten-year returns for mutual funds and other plan investment options that do not have a fixed rate of return. For both variable and fixed rate investment options, the plan must provide a description of any shareholder-

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WVTF Public Radio has named Steve Brown as its new music director. Since October 2011, Brown has hosted the weekday "Morning" and "Afternoon Classics" from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., “a lengthy announcing schedule by any broadcasting standards,” said WVTF Program Director Rick Mattioni.

In his role, Brown now programs all the classical music for the weekdays and Saturday afternoons. In addition, Brown updates the playlists that appear on the WVTF website and maintains the music library. He posts to the station’s Facebook page and takes calls from listeners. He is also the producer and host of the live broadcasts of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra (RSO) and “Inside the Music”podcasts. He will also continue to serve as the director of public service announcements.

"Steve Brown's expertise in broadcasting, his encyclopedic knowledge of classical music, and his artistic activities in the community make him the perfect music director, producer, and host of WVTF's classical -N. Edward Link, Jr., Senior music programs," says MatVice President, UBS Financial tioni.

Services Inc. Brown found his way to WVTF in 2001, when the staAs a firm providing wealth management services to clients in the U.S., we tion was still broadcasting from offer both investment advisory pro- a much smaller studio before grams and brokerage accounts. Advi- the construction of the new sory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material broadcast center on Kingsbury ways and are governed by different laws Lane. Before joining WVTF, he and separate contracts. For more infor- worked in the Office of Sponmation, please visit our website at www. sored Programs at Virginia ubs.com/workingwithus Tech.

Neither UBS Financial Services Inc. During his time at the station, nor its employees provide legal or tax advice. You must consult with your tax his responsibilities and time on and/or legal advisors regarding your the air has changed. “I started personal circumstances.

‘Afternoon Classics’, had the ‘Classical Encounter’ show for five years, co-hosted the RSO concerts with Bill Svec. [Seth Williamson’s] passing has been the greatest change I’ve experienced at WVTF. Of course, I’d rather not have come into this position as I did. Seth Wil-

Steve Brown at the WVTF Broadcast control panel. liamson was ­rightly ­an extraordinarily popular personality, a remarkable person with an incredibly wide base of knowledge and interests. I can’t -­ nobody could ­take his place," says Brown.

Mattioni says he feels lucky to have Brown on board. “He works very hard to make selections that reflect the full breadth of the WVTF [classical] music library of 8,500-plus CDs, which translates into roughly 70,000 individual pieces of music. I count on Steve to promote the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts and train part-time and substitute announcers. He programs, produces, and hosts a regular daily broadcast of the highest quality, and he has the extraordinary ability to maintain that quality and control when faced with unexpected regional and national breaking news, local and regional emergency information, and critical weather and traffic reports.”

"Steve's knowledge, insight, and clarity make him the perfect host for our audio podcast series. He can go head to head with anyone when it comes to discussing music, and much more," says Rodney Overstreet, marketing director of the RSO. RSO and Long Island Philharmonic Music Director and Conductor David Stewart Wiley says, “We are undeniably blessed to have a person of Steve Brown’s

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NewsRoanoke.com

WVTF Public Radio Names New Music Director

type fees or restrictions on purchases or withdrawals.

What's more, the annual rate of return and the term of the investment must be clearly defined for fixed investments, with participants being directed to a website for each investment option that provides more details about the fund. Participants must also be provided with a glossary of terms explaining any investment terminology used in the description, according to the new regulations. The plan's investment-related information should be presented to participants in a chart or similar format that is designed to make it easy for participants and beneficiaries to compare each of the investment options available under the plan.

The new disclosure rules are poised to move the industry closer to greater transparency as the fees being charged to savers will become clearer. Ultimately, the enhanced disclosures could help you stay better informed and aware of what you are paying for your retirement plan.

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understanding and passion for the orchestral repertoire at the helm of our beloved WVTF’s classical music programming.

As the conductor of the RSO, it has been a real benefit for me to have Steve host and produce our live performances, rebroadcasts, and the “Inside the Music” podcasts.”

Steven White, Metropolitan Opera conductor and artistic advisor for Opera Roanoke, says, “The advantage of having Steve Brown serve as WVTF’s music director is that he is a fabulous musician, conductor, and composer himself, and he knows the music inside and out.”

Brown remarks, “I’m really enjoying it. I try to pick upbeat major key stuff primarily, especially in the morning, but I can get adventurous. I love introducing good but unknown composers and works. That’s the great thing about this music, no matter how much you know, there’s always something new.

Personally, I love Beethoven, Haydn, big romantic piano concertos and symphonies, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

“I’m just doing my best, playing music that I like and that I know other people enjoy, and want to listen to,” says Brown.

“I try and balance favorites with new works that are worthy of attention, and I hope the fact that I really love this music comes through to the listeners.”

Brown served 21 years in the U.S. Navy. During his time in the service he worked in broadcasting and served as a choir director. He also did a stint at WUWF Public Radio in Pensacola, Fla. Brown is active in local theater and serves as associate conductor and unofficial composer in residence for the Blacksburg Community Band. His original body of work in music and theatre includes five musicals, three plays, and hundreds of compositions that have been performed by orchestras and bands both locally and around the world.

Brown resides in Christiansburg with his wife, Maureen, and children. For more information visit WVTF.org.

By Brian Black info@newsroanoke.com

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Arts & Culture

NewsRoanoke.com

3/30/12- 4/5/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11

Nashville Artist Coming Williamson Road Library Introduces New Art, Layout to Roanoke Likes Music Lab Concept

Fans of both the Country and the Americana music genres will appreciate the songwriting ability and delivery of Darrell Scott, whose new studio album, “The Long Ride Home” made its debut recently. The Nashville area resident worked with friends like Hargus “Pig” Robbins, Dennis Crouch and Kenny Malone on the project – but he also invited heavyweights like Patti Griffin, Rodney Crowell, Guy Clark, Lloyd Green and Tim O’Brien to participate.

Some of the top country music session players in Nashville appear on Long Ride Home.

“That’s why it sounds like an old country record – it is basically,” said Scott from the road last weekend.

Oh yes, his father Wayne, with whom Darrell Scott cowrote two songs on the album – when he was all of 16, also makes an appearance on Long Ride Home. The father-son duo went off to a cabin in the woods to write “The Country Boy” and “You’re Everything I Wanted Love to Be.” “It’s crazy or wild that it has taken this many years to put them on a record,” notes Darrell Scott, who is now 52.

“It’s a good memory to have with my dad. We met in a really good place [while writing together].”

The song Someday stands out in his mind “from an emotional place,” for Scott on the Long Ride Home. “It tells the truth. I like that.” Pay Lake is just pure fun for him: “that one always puts a smile on my face.” Duets with his father and Guy Clark are favorites as well.

“It was a great place to sort of come home,” said Scott of his new album.

Scott calls Long Ride Home a tribute to the country music of his youth. The three time Grammy nominee and winner of Americana music awards goes back to his roots with the new album, which is more pure country. Growing up with two Kentucky parents, “that’s all you ever [heard]. I couldn’t help but have those roots.”

Scott appears with a 5 or 6 piece band this Friday night at the Jefferson Center – the only stop on his current tour he said that there would be such a large entourage. “It’s because Dylan Locke is such a great fan and supporter of my music [Locke programs music at the Jefferson Center] and also for what he brings into Roanoke.”

Normally it’s just me and a guitar, said Scott from the road in Seattle, where he nursed a coffee while waiting for a train.

As for Roanoke, where he has performed a handful of times, Scott likes the vibe.

“The people there love mu-

Darrell Scott sic…they know more about [roots] music than other areas; and they appreciate it,” said Scott, also giving a nod to folks in Western Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, “especially stuff that has any connection at all to Appalachia.” Scott deems his own music as “earthy and organic, Americana in its approach.” Bluegrass, blues and country are also in the mix.

“First and foremost its singersongwriter stuff.”

Besides bringing a full band to Roanoke this Friday – the only stop on the tour with that accompaniment – Scott will also spend time with students at The Music Lab, which works with high school and middle school musicians from the Roanoke Valley. “It’s fantastic,” said Scott of the Music Lab concept. Providing a place to teach young students about music and the music business is important, especially as school budgets for arts-related classes are pared down.

“If the community doesn’t do it, who will?” he asks. Scott hasn’t seen many venues like the Music Lab. [Locke] has something unique going on. I haven’t seen it [elsewhere] yet.”

Locke’s own roots as a musician are a factor, said Scott.

Even at 16, Darrell Scott couldn’t envision doing anything else but writing and singing songs. “I thought this would be it. It’s a good little road and it’s still going.” See darrellscott.com for more on the artist and his new album Long Ride Home.

The entire library system in Roanoke city is undergoing a transformation process, as neighborhood branches are modernized and services are added. The latest evidence of that was at the Williamson Road branch last week, when Phase I improvements including a new children’s library that has been moved, a relocated teen center and striking artwork on the front windows were unveiled.

New movable shelving can make way for bigger programs and $25,000 has been spent on books and DVDs. Five more computers and another for preschoolers are also recent arrivals. All of the computers now access the internet via wireless, which means they can be moved to accommodate special events or changing layouts at the branch.

Sheila Umberger, director of library services for the city, said a $50,000 donation from Friends of the Library made Phase I improvements at the Williamson Road branch (3837 Williamson Rd.) possible.

“This branch has the highest door count…besides the main library [on Jefferson],” noted Umberger. A door count of 90,000 annually and a circulation that has gone up fifty percent over the past five years attests to the popularity of the branch, which abuts a large residential neighborhood in Roanoke city.

Three teen Scrabble teams from the branch advanced to a tournament last week that was also a fundraiser for the Blue Ridge Literacy program. “We have a very active teen program,” said Umberger. Artwork on end panels, in the new children’s library area, was designed by someone who moonlights for Disney Pixar.

The Williamson Road library is also a community center, something that improvements will only make more of a reality. “We have a lot of support,” said Umberger. The “walkable community” around the corner and its position on one of Roanoke’s busiest corridors gives the branch plenty of visibility.

“Everyone’s real excited about it,” said Umberger of reaction from the Williamson Road community.

The Phase I project includes Japanese-style wood cut prints on the windows, artwork created by Hollins University professor Jennifer Anderson, her students and youngsters at Breckenridge Middle School. Umberger asked Susan Jennings, the city’s public art coordinator, for her help in bringing art to Williamson Road.

“This helps fulfill [facets] of our arts and cultural plan, which was newly passed in August by City Council,” said Jennings of one goal, which was to work with local schools and colleges to produce and display public art. “I like to encourage local talent,” added Umberger. Jennings was looking to place a public art project anyway, noted Umberger, “so it worked out perfectly.”

Hollins students created the larger portraits; 8th graders at Breckenridge contributed the smaller “bubbles,” which Umberger said constituted “their hopes and dreams.” Sixth grade students who saw it now want to do their own bubbles, according to Umberger. The artwork is in the teen area, which now includes graphic novels and video games that can be checked out.

Roanoke City Arts Commission Chairman Nathan Harper was on hand for the official unveiling: “being able to bring so many different groups together [for the art project] … was really a wonderful collaboration. There are a lot of great opportunities to fulfill principles of the arts and cultural plan.”

That plan called for collaboration by many groups to move arts in the region forward. Harper also liked that art students at Hollins University were able to work with Breckenridge Middle School teens on their wood cut bub-

Sheila Umberger is director of library services in Roanoke City. bles. Harper said he was intrigued by the story behind each of the black and white vignettes.

Roanoke City libraries shelved plans to build a “super branch” on Peters Creek Road and instead are plowing the $13 million slated for that project back into remodeling of its current neighborhood outlets. A new branch in the Countryside neighborhood is also on the drawing board. Renovations at the branches should start this summer; Umberger presented a plan to City Council earlier this year.

A doubling in size of the current footprint at Williamson Road is on the way but that could take 2-3 years. A drive through service and more parking are part of those plans too.

The modest Phase I improvements funded largely by donations are a first step. “What we’re trying to do is make it the best we can,” said Umberger, “we just keep plugging away.”

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COURT ROSEN Perspective For The Future Paid for by Court Rosen for City Council

Market Gallery to Feature Works of Lashley and Henderson The Market Gallery will feature artists are Barbara Norman Lashley and Dan Henderson from March 29 - April 28.

Travel has been a big influence in the art work of Barbra Norman Lashley. She spent the month of January in South Florida. Inspired by perfect weather, the colors of the Florida sky, and an ever changing ocean, she completed four beach scenes that will be featured in her April show. Arriving home, she was struck by the contrast between the brilliant hues of South Florida and the dull colors

of a Virginia mountain winter. A morning sunset caught her attention and resulted in another piece to be featured in her April show called “7:09 a.m.”

In addition to the above, Barbara will also have five new collages in her featured artist show.

Dan Henderson is a photographer and has recently made Roanoke his home. He is fascinated by what happens when man abandons his creations and nature begins reclaiming them back into the environment. Dan notes, “People often describe this process as decay or deterioration, but I like to

think of it as "entropy:" The idea that absent the application of outside energy, things return to a state of equilibrium. When he is drawn to a subject, Dan attempts to isolate and photograph the fewest elements to reveal its essence. He shoots medium and large format film, and uses his camera and darkroom skills to produce the sharp, high-quality negatives. To find out more about Dan Henderson and his work go to danhendersonphotographer.com The Artists will be available to meet and chat at a reception Friday, April 6, during "Art by Night" from, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Barbara and Dan will provide gallery talks at 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. The Market Gallery, a regional artists’ cooperative is open 10 am to 5:30 pm Tuesday - Saturday and on Friday night until 9 pm. The gallery is located at the corner of Wall St and Salem Ave in Roanoke’s historic downtown market.

For additional information call The Market Gallery (540) 342-1177 or visit www.marketgalleryroanoke.com

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Presbyterian Church in America

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

Maundy-Thursday Service: A portrayal of the story of Christ’s suffering as told through scripture. (will be interpreted for the hard of hearing) Nursery will be provided.

Easter Sunday April 8th 7:00 a.m.

The 75th Annual Easter Sunrise Service at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park.

Easter Sunday April 8th 10:30 a.m.

Please join us for Easter morning worship

Read more about the church at www.westpca.org.

Westminster is located at 2216 Peters Creek Road next to Duncan Acura Car Dealership