POSTMASTER: Dated material, please deliver by publication date

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT 342

ROAnOkE vAwww.luckydogpub.comLocated beside the BAC (Botetourt Athletic Club)on route 604, Cloverdale Road, halfway between route 460 and i-81.

8 Beers

PLUSon Tap

The Roanoke Star-SentinelNewsRoanoke.comDecember 30 - January 5, 2012 Happy New Year!

In 1967 a young couple was struggling with money issues as well as a six-month old child and their relationship was fall-ing apart.

“He yelled at me all the time. Nothing was right. The baby cried all the time. The doctor bills were going through the roof. John worked hard but he couldn’t make enough to cover every-thing. He was always worried about money, money, money. Nothing else seemed to matter to him,” said Jean.

Jean said her sister-in-law sug-gested Family Service and said that it might not cost a lot.

“At our first appointment John and I bickered while we got ready to go, while we drove there, while we waited in the reception and by the time we saw the counselor, we were both angry and belligerent. The counselor simply asked: ‘What’s going on with you?’ We both started talking at once and an argument started in seconds.”

“This wonderful man looked at us and smiled. I’ll never forget that beautiful smile. I felt like he was on

my side.”After some ini-

tial discussions the counselor told the couple that he want-ed to meet with them every other day for a week. “It cost us $2.50 for each session. I remember that even that seemed like a

lot of money.” Jean and her husband, John have

been married “mostly happily,” for nearly 45 years and have two sons and five grandchildren.

Providing affordable services to individuals and families in crisis for more than 110 years, Family Service of Roanoke Valley has kept up with the needs of the community by ex-

panding services when needed, including Adult Survivor, Anger Manage-ment / Group Therapy,

Couple / Marriage / Family, Dialecti-cal Behavior Therapy, Domestic Vio-lence, Drug Court, Employee Assis-tance, Faith Integrated Counseling, Individual Therapy, Play Therapy, TransParenting and VASAP.

Local attor-> CONTINUED

P2: Family

Hanging in There

2011 was a tough year economically for the nation and Roanoke Valley residents weren’t able to dodge the worst of it relative to declining property values and a rising unemployment rate. But like the remarkable little Tree Frog pictured above, Roanokers have hung in there and seem to be enduring the worst that the “Great Recession” has had to offer. One positive that our Valley has going for it is its proximity to Virginia Tech - the largest university in Virginia - which is one of the reasons we try to feature regular coverage on the work and life of the university. (And not just sports!)

A short 35 minute drive away (an across town commute in larger cities), VA Tech has the ability to be a tremen-dous economic boon to Roanoke and the research conducted there (and now at the Carilion / VT Medical School and Research Institute) will go a long way in bringing recognition and investment to our area. One of the University’s recent studies highlights how microbial diversity defends against disease - the implications of which, of course, reach far beyond our little neck of the woods . . . and even a Publisher who happens to be a UVA alumni can appreciate that. Here’s to a great many successes for both Hokies and Hoos in 2012!

Innovative New Library Arrives This Week

A day that has long been on many people’s wish list, let alone long on the drawing board, finally arrives on January 3 with the opening of the South County library on Merriman Road. The new main library for Roanoke County, located across from Penn Forest Elementary School, replaces the outdated and overcrowded main library on 419, which closed several weeks ago. During that time the books located there have been migrating over to the new location.

That new space, which opens with an 11am ribbon cutting and other activities throughout the week, is a 54,000 square foot building that includes a large children’s section, a coffee shop (operated by Mill Mountain Coffee), views of Mason’s Knob from a reading nook located at the top of an impressive staircase and a large, curved circulation desk - very unlike the smaller space located at the old library.

An expanded number of computers (around 80) will be available to the public on the second floor. The ceilings are wood, giving the place the feel of a ski lodge and

[Community]

City Council Weighs In On

ParkwayA General Management Plan is being final-

ized that will preserve resources and manage access routes to the 76 year-old Blue Ridge Parkway. The National Park Service held a public forum on the Plan on November 10 in Roanoke County.

The National Park Service will use the input from stakeholders on how best to protect the Parkway, manage visitor’s use and better ana-lyze the costs and alternatives.

Roanoke City Council had until Tuesday to submit a resolution on one of three options. Option “A” was to leave the current outdated plan as is. Option “B” was the National Park Service’s preferred al-ternative. It would es-tablish a partnership agreement with the city to manage the Mill Mountain spur road area and convert the campground to day use.

The city balked at that idea since it required a sizable financial commitment.

Council consensus was for Option “C” which was considered to be the most beneficial to the city. This option includes the potential for a parkway information desk and programs at off-site locations and management of the Roa-noke Mountain and Mill Mountain spur road areas. Option C would increase the operating budget from $23 million to $226.5 million.

Each option had elements that the city pre-viously opposed. All of the options included a recommendation to close “social trails.”

[City Gov’t]

> CONTINUEDP2: Council

U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy’s office has reported that the Western District of Virginia collected $15.5 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 related to criminal and civil actions. Of this amount, $11,530,676 was collected in criminal actions and $2,234,102 was collected in civil actions. Addition-ally, the office collected $2,784,034 in criminal and civil forfeitures.

Nationwide, the U.S. Attorneys’ of-

fices collected $6.5 billion in criminal and civil actions during FY 2011, sur-passing $6 billion for the second con-secutive year. A portion of this amount, $1.3 billion, was collected in shared cases in which one or more U.S. Attorneys’ offices or department litigating divisions were also involved. The $6.5 billion represents more than three times the appropriated budget

of the combined 94 offices for FY 2011.

“During this time of economic re-covery, these collections are more important than ever,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy. “The U.S. Attor-

ney’s Office is dedicated to protecting the public and recovering funds for the federal treasury and for victims of federal crime. We will continue to

hold accountable those who seek to profit from their illegal activities.”

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divi-sions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. Statis-tics indicate that the total amount collected in

Western District U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects $15.5 Million

Photo by Gene Marrano

The new South County Library begins to takes shape as the long awaited opening day, Tuesday January 3, 2012, approaches.

> See Full Story on Page 2

> CONTINUEDP3: District

A volunteer serves at FSRV.

Family Service Celebrates 110 Years Of Healing

[State Gov’t]

> CONTINUED P2: Library

[Virginia Tech]

PartyStrange

P3– Gene Marrano has the scoop on a “Festivus for the Rest of Us” that took place last week at the kirk Avenue Music Hall.

JoySpreading

P4– Joe kennedy reminds us that thinking positive can cre-ate wonderful memories for us and those whom we love.

SellBuy

P8– David Tenzer of GFD&G says that any business that has more than one owner should have a well prepared Buy-Sell Agreement.

Deal!Reel

P9– Seth Childers offers reviews of the most recent movie releases, including War Horse, Mission Impos-sible and Sherlock Holmes.

The Red-eyed treefrog (Agalychnis callidryas) is one of the species a Virginia Tech-led team will be examin-ing in Panama in2012. Photo by Brian Gratwicke, Smithsonian Institution.

Joe Kennedy

Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/30/11 -1/5/12 newsRoanoke.com

Sun and clouds are forecast for Thursday and Friday with showers possible Friday for the west slopes. Highs will be in the low to mid 50s. Sun and clouds are expected for the weekend with the west slopes seeing a few more showers on Sunday. Highs will be in the upper 50s. Sun and clouds are expected Monday and Tuesday with temperatures in the mid 40s.

Steven W. D urrance Flo ors

10%OFFall labor and materials

Please present coupon after estimate.

776-9591 | carpetroanoke.com

No one else can do it for our quality and price!

116 S. Poplar Street, Vinton • 904-2070 • www.vintoncomputer.comWe can make your computer new again! Stop by at Woodland Square (behind Vinton Baptist).

Computer Repair • Free Diagnosis • New & Used Computers & Laptops

$50 Does it!No matter what the problem is, we will take care of it! Bring in this ad! Expires 1/31/12.

(takes care of everything, parts not included)

Q T CQuality Tub Care

UglyBath Tub?

Complete Bathroom Remodeling

Remove Old Tub and Install New Tubor Walk in Shower

From Chip Repairs toComplete Re�nshing

Call Now: 992-2406 or Visit Us at www.qualitytubcare.comAt Your Service!

Your Hometown Business Directory

Tree Removal • Deadwooding • Gutter CleaningSpring Aeration • Overseeding

Free Estimates • Fully InsuredMulch Delivered and Spread • Spring Cleanups

Angel Tarabay

540-293-6303Angel’s Tree Service

540-904-7104SERVING THE ROANOKE VALLEY

1618 Roanoke BlvdSuite A

Salem, Virginia 24153540-389-5252

Dust Bunnies, Inc.Professional House Cleaning

www.dustbunniescorp.com • gift certificates available

!

!

JSSRemodelingGeneral Home Repairs

Complete Bathroom Remodeling • Tile WorkInterior/exterior Carpentry • Plumbing

Window/door installation • Hardwood Flooring

For a Free Estimate Call or email James725-7343 jss25@cox.net

Licensed/insured with 24 years experiencereferences available

Use it to call Mr. Handyman.

“The tool I recommend most?

The telephone.”“The tool I recommend most?

The telephone.”

www.mrhandyman.com

RICHARD KARN TV star and “home improvement guru.”

000-000-0000Fully Insured-General Liability and Workers’ Compensation.

Each franchise independently owned and operated.

540-977-4444

Poppy... 1 yr. old Terrier Small in stature... Large in personality! Adopt a homeless pet and help us share the love.

339-WAGS rvspca.org Your unconditional love headquarters

Tech Research Team Explores How Microbial Diversity Defends Against Disease

Amphibians are among the most threat-ened creatures on earth, with some 40 per-cent of amphibian species threatened or endangered. One of their primary threats is a rapidly spreading disease that attacks the skin cells of amphibians. "Chytridiomyco-sis, a fungal disease, has been a key factor in the extinctions of many species of frogs around the world," said Lisa Belden asso-ciate professor of biological sciences in the College of Science at Virginia Tech.

Belden is leading a team of researchers from Virginia Tech, James Madison Uni-versity, Villanova University, and the Smith-sonian Institution who will study the mi-crobial communities living on the skins of frogs that are surviving the fungal scourge. The 2 Million Dollar effort is one of 11 new Dimensions of Biodiversity projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) with the aim of transforming, by 2020, "how scientists describe and understand the scope and role of life on earth," according to an NSF news release.

For Belden's team, the lofty goals will be achieved through hands on work in Pana-ma, where the spread of chytrid fungus has been extensively documented. Researchers will swab the skin of frogs in areas with and without chytrid to collect samples of the mi-crobes that live there. They will then release the frogs and assess the microbial commu-

nity, both in terms of what microbes are there and what they are doing functionally on the skin.

To see what microbes are there, research-ers will examine their DNA. To see what the microbes are doing, researchers will exam-ine how well they inhibit the growth of the chytrid fungus, and also assess what chemi-cal metabolites are being produced by the microbes. "We expect that in the presence of chytrid fungus, there will be strong selec-tion for the bacteria to produce anti-chytrid fungus metabolites, regardless of what bac-terial species are present on the skin," said Belden.

It is all about appreciating the diverse roles of microbes, Belden said. "We are used to equating microbes with germs that make us sick, but, in fact, many microbes are criti-cal to health. Healthy humans, for instance, carry around about 3 pounds of microbes, largely in our guts. These microbes help us absorb our food, break down toxins, and prevent pathogens from gaining a foot-hold."

Belden's team is interested in whether microbial communities on the skin of frogs have a role in disease resistance, in particu-lar to the devastating chytrid fungus. And if there is such immunity, does it rely on the same mechanism from one frog to another, on different species of frogs, and in different

locations?"Our long-term goal is to try to develop

probiotics" to share the biochemistry em-ployed by beneficial microbes with frogs who need it, she said.

To advance that goal, Belden's team is working with Brian Gratwicke, a research biologist at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, and Roberto Ibáñez, a sci-entist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. As leaders of the Panama Am-phibian Rescue and Conservation Project, they are maintaining captive colonies of en-dangered Panamanian frogs that are highly susceptible to the chytrid fungus. The hope is that the use of probiotics will someday al-low release some of these species back into nature.

Belden is affiliated with the Fralin Life Science Institute at Virginia Tech, which strategically invests in targeted research areas within the life sciences. Research ini-tiatives receiving the highest priority for support include vector-borne disease, infec-tious disease and microbial sciences, plant sciences, ecology and organismal biology, obesity, and cancer biology.

By Susan Truloveinfo@newsroanoke.com

> Council From page 1

City Council approved a resolution for Option “C” with modifications that include in-creased federal funding for roadway maintenance and provided reasonable and safe access for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians to the parkway be-fore closing social trails.

Support for unpaved multi-use trails designed for shared use by hikers, mountain bik-ers, and equestrians; Accom-modation for Parkway bicycle use with paved shoulders rather than adding separate paved bike paths; Creation of a seamless connection from the Parkway corridor through the Mill Mountain spur to Mill Mountain Park and connect

the Chestnut Ridge Loop to the Wood Thrush Trail and other trails in the Mill Mountain Park; Link Parkway trails to the Roa-noke Valley Greenway system and work with the Roanoke ValIey Greenway Commission to extend the Roanoke River Greenway to Explore Park.

For more information on the plan go to parkplanning.nps.gov/blueridgeparkway.

Other Council Business:- The Roanoke Arts Com-

mission will purchase the “Tro-jan Dog” which will be recre-ated by the artist Ann Glover in fiberglass. The fiberglass piece will take the place of the wooden “Trojan Dog” in front of the fire station on Memorial

Avenue. This is a partnership project with Raleigh Court Civ-ic League, which will provide $5,600 in funds

- Roanoke City employees will have the Friday before the Christmas weekend as a paid holiday in addition to Monday the day after Christmas.

- Gator Pool swimming facil-ity’s 20-year lease of city-owned land expired in June 2011. With consideration of the improve-ments at their sole expense, the 1.36 parcel located adjacent to Fishburn Park Elementary School was conveyed to Roa-noke Valley Swimming, Inc. for $10.

RVS will continue to have joint use of an adjacent city-

owned parking lot through a separate license agreement with the City. The property will con-tinue to be used for its commu-nity swimming programs.

- Assistant City Attorney Tim Spencer was appointed Acting Roanoke City Attorney until a permanent replacement for William Hackworth, who is retiring on December 31, is appointed. Spencer joined the city attorney’s office in 2004 and has primarily provided le-gal services to the school sys-tem, police and fire/EMS..

By valerie Garnerinfo@newsroanoke.com

> Library From page 1

there is airiness to the structure. That’s what high ceilings and room to spread out will do for you. There’s also a young adult room, an auditorium and refer-ence services.

The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors approved the project over two years ago, after it was streamlined due to budget concerns. Favorable conditions in the construction market ac-tually brought down costs in the end. A grant will aid in the building of a wetlands trail on the library grounds, which will eventually connect to a planned walking path on a creek near adjacent ball fields.

The South County library is only one of several that Roanoke County is rebuilding. “Once

that began and people saw what amenities would be in [the South County] library, it made it rather obvious that the rest of the libraries were inadequate and needed to be brought up to the same level,” said library di-rector Diana Rosapepe several months ago. New Glenvar, Vin-ton and Mount Pleasant librar-ies are also on the to-do list.

More than 130,000 items will be moved to the new South County library by the time it opens on January 3. Mill Moun-tain Coffee and Tea will anchor the Commons Area, which features two 80-seat meeting rooms and the 200-seat audi-torium. The two smaller spaces can be used as a spillover for events held in the auditorium

(called The Forum), with an audiovisual feed keeping people connected.

Book drops for patrons driv-ing cars, trucks or SUV’s will be available, and people can call ahead to have a book held for them. Those wanting to pick up a book before or after library hours can do so from secure lockers.

Opening week highlights: Action Animals USA (Tuesday, Jan. 3, 3:30 and 5pm) features exotic and domestic animals. James “Bud” Robertson speaks about the Civil War that same night at 7pm (a ticket is re-quired) in the auditorium/meet-ing room space. There’s a K92 teen social on Thursday, January 5 at 6:30pm. Antiques appraiser

Ken Farmer, who has appeared on the PBS program Antiques Roadshow makes an appear-ance at The Forum on January 6 (6:30pm). In the meeting rooms on Saturday, January 7 from 9am to 4pm there are free films for the younger crowd and mu-sic set to digital displays.

That same day in The Forum there is a magic show at 11am and 2pm by Nancy Kenton, who promises “magic, music, comedy and more!” Check out the library page on the Roanoke County website (roanokecoun-tyva.gov) for more on opening week events at the newest public library in the Roanoke Valley.

ney Olin Melchionna said that in the early 1980s, Family Service and asked him to provide guardian / conserva-tor duties for an elderly woman who was being taken advantage of with her money.

“It worked out very well. I am im-pressed and appreciate the multi-fac-eted services they offer, especially the care and protection of the elderly.”

Olin said that when his father, a Roa-noke physician, was about 75 he lived alone.

“One day Dad and I were in his kitch-en when the housekeeper who had been with his father for many years, told them she was retiring.

“Dad was old school. He said: ‘Why, I can fix supper’.”

Olin said his Dad turned to him, pointed to the stove and said, “Do you know how to turn that thing on?”

“I knew we needed help.” Olin’s first thought was to give Family Service a call.

“Family Service came through when we needed them. They were so nice to him. They were honest and easy to get along with. It allowed Dad to stay in his home where he was happy.

One of the things that Olin appreci-ated the most was the fact that their need wasn’t ignored because they were not impoverished.

“Dad could afford to pay for the care he needed. We probably paid the same

to Family Service as we would have to other providers but I knew they would have good people we could trust. It worked out perfectly.”

Family Service offers Care Manage-ment, Adults Plus Counseling, Guard-ianship Program, Home Care and Per-sonal Affairs Management in its Older Adult Services Program.

Rebecca’s 17-year-old son was killed in a traffic accident in 2004 when he was driving home from college.

“I had a lot of trouble dealing with it. Family and friends were supportive but they weren’t enough. I needed to find someone to help me. Someone who didn’t know me personally so I could talk freely. Rebecca said she called Family Service because she worked in Downtown Roanoke and their offices are located on Campbell Avenue.

“Family Service has a lot of flexibility financially and it’s so important to work with a counselor that you can relate to. They have a full staff and if it’s not a right fit you can change.

For anyone who has suffered a criti-cal loss, Rebecca advises, “Seek out any resource you can. Don’t suffer alone. Family Services was there for me. I don’t forget . . . But I can now deal with it.”

With over 110 years of service re-sulting in such stories of healing and compassion, Family Service of Roanoke Valley continues to reach out to the en-

tire community regardless of economic, ethnic and cultural background.

To learn more visit them on the web at: www.fsrv.org or call 540-563-5316.

If You Aren’t at Your Last Job, Why Is Your 401(k)?

Leaving a 401(k) with a previous employer could mean leaving it alone with no one to watch over it.

At Edward Jones, we can explain options for your 401(k) and help you select the one that’s best for you. If you’d like to roll it over to an Edward Jones Individual Retire

-ment Account (IRA), we can help you do it without paying taxes or penalties. And you can feel confident that someone is looking out for you and your 401(k).To find out why it makes sense to talk with

Edward Jones about your 401(k) options,

call or visit your local financial advisor today.

.

Carl M Grove, AAMS®Financial Advisor

2115 Crystal Spring AvenueRoanoke, VA 24014540-344-9211

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

> Family From page 1

By Carol kirtleyinfo@newsroanoke.com

By Gene Marranogmarrano@cox.net

FSRV unfurled a banner as part of their 110th year celebration.

newsRoanoke.com 12/30/11- 1/5/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 3

Don Lilly Agency

www.donlillyagency.com 540-989-1931

Call:

THE CHOICE IS CLEAR.It isn’t the end of the world, but it can be the start of a new one.

For over 40 years we’ve been Virginia’s leading provider of prosthetic and orthotic technology. When you consider that we have the knowledge, experience, and 16 locations to help you live your life to the fullest, the choice becomes clear.

Believe in Your Possibilities540.366.8287 | 888.366.8287 | www.virginiaprosthetics.com

Roanoke | Fishersville | Charlottesville | MartinsvilleChristiansburg | Lynchburg | Harrisonburg

South Boston | Tazewell | Low Moor | Danville | Richlands | StuartRocky Mount | Eden, NC | Reidsville, NC

LewisGale Physicians Help Make Christmas Brighter

Hundreds of toys were delivered last week to children in one of the nation’s poorest communities, McDowell County, West Virginia. Doctors and staff with LewisGale Physicians spent the past few weeks collecting everything from diapers and games to MP3 players and mountain bikes.

“Without these gifts many of these children would not have had a Christmas,” said William Caldwell Jr., F.A.C.H.E., Vice President Physician Practice Management.

Over half of the children in McDowell County live below the poverty level. The toys were distributed to 182 children who are among the neediest families in the county.

“We are in the business of helping and caring for those in need and this is just one more way we are giving back to the community,” said Caldwell.

Roanoke Receives Accolades for "Eat for Education" Campaign

The following article was featured in Governing Magazine, one of the most widely read public sector publications in the US.

To see real leadership in action, our dys-functional leaders in D.C. should drive down Interstate 81 to Roanoke, Va.

Roanoke's schools were taking multiple hits in late 2009. State funding - covering about half of the district's budget -was being cut again, and the end of federal stimulus money loomed. David Carson, chair of the school board, felt as if the schools were "headed off a cliff."

The community wanted to help. Roanoke's schools had been in bad shape. Fewer than 60 percent of students graduated. Most students were receiving free or reduced-priced lunches. Half the city's schools were not accredited. The city council, which provides the other half of the district's funding, targeted education as a high priority. In 2007, a superintendent search had reached out to a dynamic education lead-er, Rita Bishop, who dove in and sparked a turnaround. By 2009, the graduation rate was improving, and other results impressed the community.

But the fiscal storm threatened that prog-ress. The cuts would mean the end of sum-mer school, fewer teachers and textbooks, and larger class sizes. As city Finance Director Ann Shawver put it, "Shame on us if we don't support Dr. Bishop."

But finding a way to make up at least some of the funding loss was not going to be easy. Council member Court Rosen reviewed the limited options and landed on the city's pre-pared-meals tax. Despite being told that it would be "political suicide," he proposed a two-cent increase in the tax for two years to raise $4.4 million per year, covering about half of the state cuts. At the public hearing, restau-rants and the hospitality industry opposed the increase, but no one else spoke against it, and the council passed it unanimously. Everyone recognized that "2 for 2" was only fiscal first aid, but it provided breathing room.

Typically, that would have been a decent public policy outcome. Some people win, some lose, the community gains. Time to move on to the next challenge.

But not for Chris Morrill, the newly arrived city manager. Morrill is widely recognized for inspiring collaboration, and he did not want the restaurants to be the losers. So Morrill and Joyce Waugh, who heads the Chamber of Commerce, put their heads together to see if they could "turn these lemons into lemonade," as Waugh put it.

What they came up with was "Eat for Educa-tion," or "E4E." The result of a partnership of the city, the Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Convention & Visitors Bureau, Downtown Roanoke, and the Roanoke Valley Hospitality Association, "E4E" is a campaign to make the tax increase as much of win-win as possible. The city smartly hired the public-relations firm

that had represented the restaurants opposing the tax to help brand and promote E4E.

Nowadays, everyone is encouraged to "eat for education" in Roanoke's restaurants. The city council led with a progressive dinner - having appetizers in one restaurant, moving on to another for entrees and sampling des-serts at a third, all with TV cameras in tow. The school board held a restaurant breakfast meeting.

In Roanoke, you will see "Eat for Educa-tion" decals on restaurant windows and find entry slips for E4E drawings to fill out on the tables. Each month, the winner of the drawing receives a $50 Roanoke restaurant gift card, funded by the city. On Tuesday nights, fami-lies enjoy E4E specials, and school employees receive discounts on "Educators Day" each month.

Supplementing the E4E promotion, Finance Director Shawver's office makes sure that resi-dents can see exactly how every penny gets to the schools. The E4E website shows each step in the process, including the day each month that the money comes in and the day it trans-fers to the schools.

The buzz worked. The tax brought in $4.6 million in the first year, and second-year re-ceipts also are exceeding projections. Meals-tax revenue is up 2.5 percent, after factoring in the rate increase. And restaurants have not suffered. Some owners have told Carson that they are actually doing better now. Roanoke residents make sure that their destination res-taurant is within the city limits.

Bishop and her team are delivering results with these added funds. For the first time, all of Roanoke's schools are accredited. The graduation rate has increased to 76 percent. Key to that success is what happens in the summer. Roanoke's enhanced summer school now helps remediate 2,600 students. When kids arrive in the fall "caught up," they have a much better chance of graduating. Bishop's strategy also includes Forest Park Academy, a special school for students who have been so-cially promoted or are at high risk of dropping out. Forest Park has produced more than 400 graduates in the last three years.

As for political suicide, no incumbent who ran in May of 2010 lost because they support-ed "2 for 2." Rosen concludes, "Good policy is good politics."

The folks up the road in D.C. could get some much needed education in Roanoke. While they're at it, they also could enjoy a nice meal that satisfies in more ways than one.

Jim Chrisinger is a GOVERNING contribu-tor. He is a Senior Partner at the Public Strate-gies Group. See the article online at: http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/eating-education-tax-increase-roanoke-schools.html

Festivus: A Slightly Different Holiday PartyIt was indeed “A Festivus for

the Rest of Us,” a Christmas par-ty perhaps like no other at Kirk Avenue Music Hall last weekend. Inspired by the famous Seinfeld episode about an alternative holi-day created by George Costanza’s father Frank, the local Festivus party was actually a brainchild of the Shadowbox microcinema, which operates out of Kirk Av-enue Music Hall.

Like the Seinfeld episode it featured an aluminum pole – no Christmas tree, thank you – feats of strength (thumb wrestling in this case) and the airing of griev-ances. Co-organizer Sam Hen-sley, who helped Shadowbox director Jason Garnett get the party off the ground, was hoping that one hundred or more people would drift in and out of the mu-sic hall as the party got going.

In the background videos played on the Shadowbox screen, including a Pee Wee’s Playhouse episode (starring Pee Wee Her-man) and, believe it or not, a really bad science fiction movie directed by none other than the late Kim Jung II, the North Ko-rean Communist dictator who just died.

Hensley, who also calls himself a sculptor and furniture builder, has used discarded VHS tapes to create usable coffee tables (like the one at the CUPS coffee house) and other items. “I take them and glue them together [to] create art forms,” said Hen-sley. As for Festivus, he loved it when Garnett bounced the idea for a party off him.

“I’m a huge Seinfeld fan,” said Hensley. “We started planning

this about three months ago and knew that we would keep to the three tenets of Festivus – the alu-minum pole instead of a Christ-mas tree, the airing of grievances - where you tell people how they have disappointed you through-out the year – and the feats of strength. After [that’s] done that’s when Festivus is over.”

Those who got up to gripe during the airing of grievances talked about how hard it was to tear people away from their video games; they complained about local politics, students who don’t read the syllabus (a college teacher complained about that one, using somewhat colorful language), former employers (“the roof will fall on your head”) and Roanoke.

One woman complained about guys with tattoos and amorous advances from those who drink too much. “Please do not bring me your child when they are dirty…I will report you to CPS,” said one schoolteacher

when she spent a few minutes at the microphone. Another didn’t care for the daily grind where he worked, and didn’t like the mundane conversations he encountered on the job. Yet an-other said a lawyer stole her iPod (“you have enough money to get your own”) while also complain-ing about The Simpsons TV show, which she said had run its course. “[They] need to let it die already.”

The Festivus episode on Sein-feld was inspired by a real life, similar event staged by the fam-ily of a production team member whenever they thought Christ-mas was getting out of hand. “We’re thankful for the people that come out,” said Hensley about those who showed up for Festivus, “but also for those that turn out for every Shadowbox event.”

The Festivus “aluminum pole” was a centerpiece at last week’s Seinfeld-inspired party.

By Gene Marranogmarrano@cox.net

> District From page 1

criminal actions totaled $2.66 billion in restitution, criminal fines, and felony assessments. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical in-jury or financial loss. While restitution is paid directly to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distrib-utes the funds to state victim

compensation and victim as-sistance programs.

The statistics also indicate that $3.83 billion was col-lected by the U.S. Attorneys’ offices in individually and jointly handled civil actions. The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on

individuals and/or corpora-tions for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws. In addi-tion, civil debts were collect-ed on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, and Small Business Administration.

PersPectivePage 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/30/11 -1/5/12 newsRoanoke.com

The Happy Chef - Black-eyed Pea Salad by Leigh Sackett

If you need money,give us a call.

Security One LendingBedford, Virginia

www.Age62plus.com

Call: 540-427-6187or 800-416-8785

Virginia State Corporation Commission • License Number MC5508

REVERSE MORTGAGES

ON WHEELS

BERSCH LAW FIRM, P.C.(540) 774-0044

Tithe your Estate...Leave a

Legacy

Robert “Bob” BerschAttorney-at-Law

Prompt, Friendly, Con�dentialand Professional

The LAW FIRM that makes

HOUSECALLSAlways Available, 24/7

A little luck is certain-ly welcome in this world. So I will eat

some black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. But we have a lim-ited view of luck or blessings. We tend to think being lucky is when everything turns out our way. The irony is what is most precious in life is often found in the experiences of life where nothing seems to go our way.

The character, Ebenezer Scrooge, in A Christmas Carol was blessed by three ghosts; it

was the most terrifying yet life changing moment in his life . . . But he was very lucky.

I know the plight of cancer, I have watched two family mem-bers battle it, so I hesitate to say this . . . but I have heard people say cancer was the best thing that ever happened to them, even though it caused them great pain and has the ability to shorten their life. This always amazes me but even in my awe I understand what they mean - love is certainly not just discov-

ered through joy and they have found such love in the darkest of life experiences.

So maybe we ARE lucky - without peas, without a rabbit’s foot, without picking up a pen-ny, without perfect health and even when a “ghost” wakes us from our ignorance. Our days on this earth and beyond where we uncover life’s mysteries, learn, love, live and even die are ALL lucky. We are God’s own creatures -Blessed by Him. This was a “lucky” thing from the be-ginning and it still is today.

So all God’s Blessings to you wherever you may find them in this year of life that is 2012!

2 (15.5 ounce) cans black-eyed peas or dried black-eyed peas simmered for 30 minutes to soften 1 large tomato, chopped 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped 1/2 red onion, diced 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar3 tablespoons of lime2 tablespoons olive oil salt and pepper to taste

-In a medium bowl, toss to-gether black-eyed peas, tomato, red bell pepper, green bell pep-per, red onion, celery, and pars-ley.

-In a small bowl, mix vinegar, lime and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Toss into the vegetables.

-Cover, and chill in the refrig-erator 8 hours, or overnight.

Son Ches was leaving home for college. His mom, dis-

traught for many rea-sons, not the least of which was distance, more so the inevitable changing of their rela-tionship as he grew to maturity – he could be her ‘baby’ no more.

She asked me to write something that would

acknowledge her grief at his leaving, yet to reassure him

that no matter how far he might sail, however things might go against him, his mother’s love would ever be a constancy no matter the storms or reversals he might encounter. I wrote this for my Sabrina:

Words for The Departing Son

First I bore you,Then I held you, Now, I set you free.The first two joys were easy,The third so hard on me.

Now’s come the time to see you off,You have your seas to ride.Oh my proud wanderer, It’s time to meet the tide.

You’ll face your storms and rocky shoals,You’ll chance the waves and wind;Take heed: the truest compass isThe one which lies within.

Inside you there’s a beaconThat will never let you fall;The North Star of the human heart,The truest point of all.

You’ve fulfilled my every dreamingMy morning, evening star;Do carry with you alwaysEvery blessing that you are.

Travel where you must, my son,For there I sail too,For ne’er you’ll find a shipmate who’sAs true as me to you.

Fair winds and well-filled sails!How can I wish you strife?Just know that storms and flagging winds,Dear son, are a part of life.

But if you tire of sailing andSafe harbor’s what you need,Remember, always waiting,I’ve a lantern lit for thee.

I Love You AlwaysMom

My Proud Young Sailor

Lucky Garvin

Contact Lucky Garvin atinfo@theroanokestar.com

Spread A Little Joy Whenever You're AbleWhen I think back

to Christmas, the memories are al-

most all good - especially the scent of the tree, covered with ornaments and tinsel erected in the living room bay window of our childhood home.

The annual, seemingly end-less discussion of who was or was not old enough to attend the Midnight Mass at our Catholic church; The recurrent admoni-tions, directed at my brother Jim and me, not to rise too early - and certainly not be-tween midnight and dawn, to claw into the wrapped boxes under the tree thereby awakening the rest of the family.

Our presents were never outrageous -- no ponies or Corvette convertibles -- but they were always gratifying, even when pajamas, robes, slippers and books prevailed.

We knew that, almost in-variably, a new sweater or shirt would turn up to provide us with proof that our parents loved us and wanted us to look good, just as our friends' par-ents wanted for them.

One year, I think, we received a couple of shiny new sleds, to be shared (or not shared!) by the four of us kids. It wasn't long - a couple of weeks or so

- until a snowstorm showed up and provided perfect condi-tions for riding.

We were a middle-class family, with parents who were scrimping and saving for our educations. We knew better than to ask for ponies, even if four of our friends on the

street owned horses -big, dark beasts they rode during lessons their parents paid for at Mrs. Bosley's stables.

Sometimes we tagged along and were rewarded with brief turns in the saddle, perching on one nag or another

as it clomped slowly through tall grass thick with insects toward the dusty outdoor ring where we would hang on for a desultory circuit or two before the horse clomped back to the barn. Someone would help us down to solid ground. But my brothers, sister and I did not envy our horse-riding friends. Our wants were more pedes-trian.

One fall Saturday when I was eight or nine years old, our fa-ther took my two brothers and me to a sporting goods store on East Baltimore Street in the heart of downtown Baltimore. The store occupied deep space in a short building that stood a few blocks from the harbor, a couple of blocks from the U.S. Customs House, where my fa-ther worked. The area was per-haps a block from "The Block" - a national landmark for the soldiers, sailors and other men at loose ends who patronized its bars, strip clubs and bur-lesque theater.

I had heard of The Block but developed no appreciation for it until age 16 or so, when an equally callow friend and I ventured into the "Gayety Bur-lesque" one Friday night and watched a show. We thought we were brave explorers in the tradition of Ferdinand Ma-

gellan and Vasco Da Gama, whose birthday, by thrilling coincidence, is marked on Christmas Eve.

It took a few years for us to realize that that many, perhaps most, 16-year-old males in Baltimore had explored The Block. Some many times, no doubt, while my courage aban-doned me after that one visit.

The owner of the National Sporting Goods store was George Bratt, a heavyset fel-low who starred as a baseball player in college and whom my father regarded with a measure of awe. Mr. Bratt wore his fray-ing hair combed straight back. This gave him a streamlined appearance, like the hood or-nament of a Pontiac sedan, though his girth prevented him from conveying any illu-sion of speed.

My dad and my brother John had just begun to discuss lacrosse sticks when I spied the wall behind the sales counter. It was adorned with small dis-play shelves, and with Christ-mas on the way those shelves bore the most tantalizing foot-balls imaginable.

My eyes locked on one and without thinking I asked my father if I could have it for Christmas. The price of $10 gave me pause, but my dad's response, calm and noncom-mittal, gave me hope.

With the lacrosse stick in John's hands, we headed for the car. Once home, I men-tioned the football, and its price, to my mother.

"It costs too much," she said.Crushed, I put the football

out of mind and expected an-other Christmas heavy on pa-jamas, robes and other neces-sities. My mother's word was law. Sometimes, it seemed as if "No" was her most favorite word of all. My father almost never contradicted her.

I've told this story a thou-sand times but I guess one more rendition won't hurt. On Christmas morning we

unearthed our presents and thanked our folks for the annu-al haul. Then someone handed me a box, tightly wrapped and just big enough for an I-don't-know-what.

A hush came over the room. The gift paper slid easily from the box.

Inside of it I saw that football. Unbridled boyhood Christmas Joy ensued. I started tossing it around with my brothers that afternoon, and continued to play with it for more than 30 years.

As I said, I've told this story a million times, once as a lis-tener commentary on Nation-al Public Radio. It held special import for me the year my son was born when I began to see it in a new light. It's no longer just a story about kindness. It has become a story about au-tomatic thinking, and buying without questioning into long held family beliefs.

My father didn't have to break the bank to buy that football. But my mother be-lieved he did.

She grew up with a "poverty mentality," - a never silent in-ner voice that says "can't" rath-er than a more hopeful and optimistic, "maybe we can." I understand the "why" of her response, but also recognize the danger of hanging on to a way of thinking simply be-cause, "that’s the way its always been."

This column is not a plea for parents to be easier on their kids. Instead, it's a sug-gestion that we adults strangle that inner voice every time it automatically says, "no" when it could say "yes," every time fear drowns out the bold clean stream of truth that wishes the imparting of joy whenever rea-sonably possible.

May your 2012 be filled with PLENTY of it.

Community | news | Perspective540-400-0990

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 | vhenderson@rbnet.com

Joe Kennedy

Contact Joe Kennedycuppajoekennedy@gmail.com

!

Our Lady of Nazareth

Catholic Church

2505 Electric Road, Roanoke VA, 24018

www.oln-parish.org

Contact us:540-774-0066

Local Crossword for 12/20/2011

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14

15 16 17

18 19 20

21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31 32 33

34 35 36

37 38 39

40 41 42 43 44 45 46

47 48 49

50 51 52

53 54 55

www.CrosswordWeaver.com

ACROSS

1 Umpire 4 Obstacle 8 Rushed

12 Boxer Muhammad 13 Video 14 Ma 15 Queasy 16 A wager (2 wds.) 17 70's drug 18 Adonis 20 Extreme 21 Former USSR's secret police 22 Sign language 23 Dog food brand 26 Spots 27 Goblet 30 The first village in the Roanoke

area established in 1834. 34 Ogle 35 Butane 36 Attention-Deficit Hyperactive

Disorder (abbr.) 37 Sextet 38 Tons 40 This Roanoker developed a

move called the Gorilla Press Slam and is in the WWF Hall of Fame.

43 Area business bath remodeler who provides the right fit, best value, and has an A+ rating with the BBB.

47 Churn 48 Flexible metal thread 49 Picnic pest 50 Muffle 51 Yes 52 Eye infection 53 Tuber 54 Lock openers 55 Garden tool

DOWN

1 Bug killer 2 Women's magazine

3 Cinema 4 Canned chili brand 5 Rich man 6 Copied 7 Acquire 8 Little 9 Treaty

10 Native ruler in Africa 11 Father 19 Top quality office solutions on

peters creek rd. in roanoke 20 Soviet Union 22 Hubbub 23 Stage of life

24 Repose 25 Pastry 26 Abdominal muscles (abbr.) 27 Cow's chow 28 Expression 29 Doctoral degree 31 Aegis 32 Jazz instrument 33 What horses eat 37 Which local city was first

explored 64 years after Jamestown?

38 The Virginia cave that has the 'Fried Eggs' formation and a great organ too.

39 Complies 40 Torso extensions 41 Brag 42 Diet 43 Small fry 44 Reckless 45 To 46 Eye infection 48 Pan

Star-Sentinel Crossword

By Don WaterfieldFind the answers online: NewsRoanoke.com

Have a clue and answer you’d like to see?email: puzzles@newsroanoke.com

PersPectivenewsRoanoke.com 12/30/11 -1/5/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

Community / News / Perspective

P.O. Box 8338, Roanoke Va 24014

The Roanoke Star-SentinelSupport Your Hometown

Community Newspaper and receive52 weeks of USPS delivery for:

Only $4.50 a Month!Simply Send in This Form Or:

- Call us at 400-0990- Go Online to NewsRoanoke.com- Email: subscribe@NewsRoanoke.com

Name:Address:Phone Number:

Pay now with Credit Card: #

Bill me laterExp:Check Enclosed

The Preacher’s Corner - Risking No Man’s LandBy The Reverend Barkley Thompson

Data TransfersTrainingDisaster RecoveryWireless Setup and Security

www.bridgebyte.com Bridgebyte Computers LLC

Thanks to Holly-wood blockbusters like “Saving Private

Ryan,” “Pearl Harbor,” and Clint Eastwood’s “Letters from Iwo Jima,” even younger people today know quite a bit about World War II. However, knowledge of its predecessor, World War I, is often lost on us. We remember vaguely that World War I involved the same cast of characters as WWII, and we know that its unsat-isfactory conclusion contrib-uted to the rise of Hitler ten years later. What we may not be aware of is the stunning fact that 10 million people died in World War I. That's the com-bined populations of Virginia and West Virginia, wiped out in the span of four years, from 1914-1918. Millions of women were left widowed by World War I. Millions of children grew up without their fathers.

Unlike WWII, the First World War leaves us few tales of glory. It was not, as they sometimes say, a “good war.” It was a depressing con-flict marked by the use of poi-son gas, brutal machine gun fire, and warfare waged from deep trenches. In these squal-id pits soldiers lived and died for four straight years, fighting back and forth in the attempt to gain a few hundred yards of territory between them.

However, one story from the First World War does stand out. Hostilities had broken out between Germany, France, and England in August of

1914. By Christmas of that year, trenches had been dug across the French frontier, and already one million men had died. No Man's Land in be-tween the trenches was strewn with bodies and craters made by artillery shells. The tension was incredible. Every soldier's finger stayed constantly poised on the trigger of his rifle. The only adequate way to describe the situation was as hell on earth.

Yet that Christmas Eve 1914, something miraculous happened. As the day's fight-ing wound down and dark-ness began to fall, a German enlisted man set a small can-dlelit Christmas tree, sent to him from home, up along the edge of the German trench. Through the cloud of gunpow-der and the smell of death, the tree served as a barely visible beacon of Christ in the midst of hell. For a while, troops on both sides were mesmerized by the sight, and then, slowly but surely, other candles and small, decorated trees ap-peared on both sides of the lines.

The glimmering Christmas light grew brighter, and ulti-mately some soldier, whether he was British or German no one remembers, leapt over the trench and walked into the danger of No Man's Land. Any other day, he'd have been rid-dled with bullets. But no one fired. Other soldiers followed his example, and within hours the Germans and British were

celebrating the birth of Christ together. They exchanged gifts of food, beer, and cigars. Christmas carols were sung. Opposing soldiers embraced. For 24 hours this "Christmas Truce" continued. Death lost its hold on men who had just hours before hated each oth-er, and they found a way to love one another as Christian brothers.

Just as it did on that first Christmas night in the shep-herds' fields outside of Bethle-hem, the life-changing power of God miraculously found its way into the trenches of the Western Front on Christmas Eve 1914. The light of a Christ-mas tree shattered that hell, and once the beacon of Christ reached the soldiers, they, like the shepherds, couldn't resist it.

Yet there is another lesson to be learned from the Christmas Truce. It truly happened, but it also only lasted twenty-four hours. As Christmas passed, the men moved back into their trenches, and the gunpowder grew thick again. The soldiers ultimately turned away from

the beacon. Willful humans extinguished the light of Christ on the battlefield and allowed the veil of darkness to move back before their eyes.

As it did for the soldiers, as it did for the shepherds, Christ's Gospel offers us both grace and risk this Christmas season. God's grace is abun-dant in the promise that God is with us, in our joys and in

our sorrows, bearing us along in our lives always.

But if this grace is to trans-form us, then we must re-spond, and it is in the response that we encounter the risk. The risk to us to answer the call of Christ is far less than the risk faced by the shepherds or the soldiers of World War I. We don't have to risk our entire lives or our livelihood in the face of either oppressive pow-ers or enemy guns. Neverthe-less, we must ask ourselves whether the risk of Jesus is too much for us to take. The call to recognize God's nearness and love one another requires much, and we presently live in a time of recrimination and fear in which it is easy and even encouraged to be suspi-cious of those who look, think, and sound different from us.

This Christmas, I pray we will risk the No Man's Land of our world, leaping out of our trenches and loving our fellow human beings. When we do so with everything we are and everything we have, our lives are transformed and miracles happen. Merry Christmas.

St. John’s Episcopal Church is located at the corner of Jef-ferson Street and Elm Avenue. Sunday worship is at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 5 p.m. Look St. John’s up on the web at www.stjohnsronaoke.org.

This is The Last Column You'll Ever Need

And your kids don't need to study their math tables. And all

the homework you did in high school was a waste of time. And you shouldn't spend all that tuition money on college. There's no need for college.

It's all available online for free, thanks to Salman Khan. About six years ago, he started using YouTube to help his cousin with her math home-work. Any time she had trouble with a concept, he'd film a short video expla-nation and post it online. He soon had a pretty good inven-tory of tutorials. And soon after that, folks who googled up "quotient rule" or "Tau vs. Pi" were finding his videos. He started getting hundreds of hits, then thousands, then mil-lions. This drew the attention of Bill Gates and other donors. With their financial support, Khan organized all his videos and launched KhanAcademy.org, an online portal to ev-erything you always wanted to know about anything, in video.

You can learn how to find the first derivative of a func-tion, in 8 minutes. Find out what happened in American history from Jamestown to the Civil War, in 18 minutes. Even learn how to raise $10MM in an IPO, in just 15 minutes.

The idea is catching on. Two Stanford professors recently

posted their entire courses online, citing Khan as their inspiration. MIT, Harvard and Yale followed suit. And now, high schools are starting to integrate the videos into their curriculum. It's all becoming available to anyone, anywhere, for free.

We think that's awesome, everyone should have free ac-

cess to the world's knowledge. And, in that spirit, we checked Khan's site to see what he had to say about the re-ally important stuff. Where is the world's largest hokey-pokey? What is bushusuru?

Who is Lakshmi Tatma? And why are there so many

stinkbugs but so few acorns?And we found absolutely ...

nothing. No videos about the statistical probabilities of the 13th day of the month occur-ring on a Friday. No insights about soccer-player-voodoo-dolls in Mexico City. And ab-solutely nothing about PMS Red #137.

Oh well. We're sure Khan will be getting to these criti-cal topics very soon. But until then, we'll keep filling up your inbox.

This column has gone all bloggy. www.thequicksliver.wordpress.com

Contact Mike atinfo@theroanokestar.com

Mike Keeler

“”

I am the slowest carpet cleaner in Roanoke.

Williams Carpet Cleaning“I will give your carpet the time and attention it deserves to produce the best results possible.”

• 2 rooms and a hall for $75 • 5 rooms and a hall for $155• Furniture cleaning also available!

Danny Williams • 989-1825 • Cell - 765-7144

A Weekend Routine For Unconventional LivingEveryone has a weekend routine.

For some, it involves washing dishes before starting the day. For

others, playing Hearts online and catch-ing up on email is the way to go. For most, weekend routines have certain common threads, such as paying bills and dusting the furniture. As a guy with a Bipolar disorder, my routine is a bit unconventional - and I wouldn't have it any other way...

9:07 AM - Awaken to drill ser-geant alarm clock. Get dressed and be outside in five minutes before remembering that I'm not at Lackland AFB anymore. Why does my alarm clock keep calling me a dirtball?

9:24 - Watch the news. This consists of four people screaming at one another across a big table. Watch images of people throwing bottles in Syria. Make mental note to book cheap hotel fare there if democracy ever takes root.

10:19 - Brush teeth and take shower. Observe that my conditioner reinforces my narcissism. What in the world is "Body Boost"?

11:17 - Tailgated by lady who seems infat-uated by rear bumper of my Accord. Either that or she loves my conditioner. Swing by nearby burger joint for two hamburgers (no onions). Wonder why they ask if I want fries

with that. Everyone wants fries with that. 11:43 - Finish hamburger joint's finest

with large order of fries. The First Lady ain't gonna like THAT! Head over to the nearest car wash. Begin by excavating approximate-ly 22,007 fast food bags from back seat. Ob-serve that the french fry wedged between the driver's seat and the console since 1998

is somehow still in perfect con-dition.

11:51 - Get into hand-to-hand combat with wasp that snuck through the open door while cleaning the interior. While he circles me, I quickly close with him. It's stinger versus vacuum cleaner in a fight to the death. Epic battle ensues. 25 cent high velocity suction prevails, but I am spent.

12:28 pm - Car is now pol-ished to a proud show car-glis-

tening shine. Observe car over in the next bay undergoing bodywork. Think about the Charger I once owned. Muse about its many shades of primer, flat black, and body filler. For some reason I recall seeing a piece by Piet Mondrian on a black-and-white Zenith TV we had when I was nine.

5:40 pm - Head over to supermarket. Spend seven minutes patrolling lot for parking space. Find one, only to be cut off at last second by family of six plus English Bulldog. Bulldogs always win in these con-

ditions. Always. 6:38 pm - Fire up the computer and

watch Dragnet on Hulu. Jack Webb is crazy: every time I watch this episode, he arrests the same people. Eat cheap chili; revel in knowing where to get nutritious food. Be thankful to God.

9:47 pm - Finish watching really bad mov-ie on Netflix because I can. Seems there's a sequel to Ishtar and it has English subtitles. Eat Skor bar, which was lilely costlier than the budget of the movie.

10:19 pm -Turn TV on. See an ad urg-ing me to "CALL NOW!" I do! Neither of us knows what to say next. I wasn't properly prepared to carry on any conversation once I "CALL NOW!" Rose guides me through the process. Because I wasn't pregnant be-tween 1981 and 1996, I won't be getting a settlement.

11:15 pm - Check Facebook comments. Everyone else has gone to bed. I'm still psyched from the free Ishtar sequel. Or maybe it's the Seroquel.

1-whatever-it-is AM - Fall asleep, thereby waking with a start from falling asleep so quickly. Soon, I dream of Drill Sergeant Bill calling me a dirtball again. I know he doesn't really mean anything by it.

I wouldn't trade my life, unconventional as it is, for the world.

Contact Robert Adcox atrobadcox@hotmail.com

Robert Adcox

Non-surgical weight loss One-on-one with a physician

877.398.1547 cmwl.com

Start by losing 10 pounds in 2 weeks.**

*Based on a stratified sample of 349 patients over a six-year period. Patients must have remained on the program for a minimum of 28 days and be monitored with at least two physician visits within first 31 days to be included in the study. A variety of nutritional meal replacements were used. 99% of the patients that followed the CMWL program, including a low calorie diet and individual counseling with CMWL physicians, from one month up to a year, weighed less at their last weigh-in than their starting weight. **Based on a stratified random sample of 223 women and 99 men on a medically prescribed diet.

Grand OpeninG - BramBletOn COmmOnS initial COnSultatiOn Only $19!

Kenneth Luckay, DO - 4515 Brambleton Ave. S.W., Suite B, Roanoke VA

Being overweight increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and many types of cancer, it also can take years off your life. Our programs offer strategies unavailable to commercial weight loss programs.

Physician customized plan99% keep the weight off after a year*

lOSe WeiGht aS if yOurlife depended On it.

Page 6 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/30/11 -1/5/12 newsRoanoke.com

Security OneLending

REFINANCE NOW !

With A Reverse Mortgage

Call: 540-427-6187or 800-416-8785

Must Be Age 62 Or Older

Bedford, VirginiaVirginia State Corporation Commission • License Number MC5508

I am changingthe life of a child.

I provide ahome.

Become a Foster Family

ALLIANCE HUMAN SERVICES, INC.434.836.7909Recruiting

ThroughoutVirginia

Former Office Manager Pleads Guilty To Medicaid Fraud

A former office manager at Health Care Virginia (HCVA) pled guilty to defrauding Med-icaid in the United States Dis-trict Court for the Western District of Virginia in Roa-noke.

Agnes Underwood Vint, 75, of Selma, VA., along with oth-ers, were indicted by a Federal grand jury in March on a num-ber of healthcare fraud related charges. Last week, Vint pled guilty to one count of making false statements in writing re-lating to healthcare matters.

"This case sends a strong message that providers who falsify official documents in a federal health care benefit program such as Medicaid or Medicare will be vigorously prosecuted," United States At-torney Timothy J. Heaphy said today. "This is the type of fraud that wastes our precious health care dollars. Ms. Vint has been appropriately brought to jus-tice for her criminal activity."

"Vint was part of a scheme that not only defrauded Medic-aid patients and taxpayers, but it also potentially put infirmed patients in extreme danger. She even falsified documents to state that patients were get-ting required nursing visits when they were not. I am just grateful that our investigators were able to stop such a cold

and heartless act," said Attor-ney General Ken Cuccinelli.

HCVA, based in Covington, Va. was incorporated in 2007 for the purpose of providing personal care services and re-spite services to Medicaid re-cipients in the Western District of Virginia. HCVA entered into a Home and Community Based Personal Care Services Participation Agreement with the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to become a Medicaid Provider in 2007. DMAS requires that all Personal Care Aides receive a minimum of 40 hours of training prior to employment, which must be taught and su-pervised by a registered nurse. DMAS also requires that all patients receive periodic nurs-ing visits to verify patient safe-ty and the continuing need for services.

Today in District Court, Vint admitted that while serv-ing as the office manager at HCVA, between March 2008 and March 2010, she issued false training certificates in order to cover-up the lack of training received by Personal Care Aides assigned to Med-icaid patients. She also admit-ted falsifying Nursing Assess-ments to cover up the fact that the HCVA nurse, co-defendant Sandra Pope, the owner and

sole RN employed by HCVA, failed to make the required visits.

Under the direction and control of Pope, HCVA did not provide the required training of Personal Care Aides. In-stead, Pope and HCVA issued false training certificates and assigned those Personal Care Aides to care for Medicaid pa-tients in their homes.

As a result, from Octo-ber 2007 through June 2010, HCVA billed and was paid over $980,061.21 in Medicaid funds for non-certified, untrained Personal Care Aides placed with Medicaid patients.

The other defendants charged with being part of the scheme, Sandra Pope McEl-wain, Melissa Cary and Health Care Virginia Inc. (HCVA) have each already pled guilty to similar charges. HCVA has been sentenced to three years probation, a fine of $10,000 and ordered to pay $323,420 in restitution.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Depart-ment of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Office of the Attorney General of Vir-ginia, and other members of the Western Virginia Health Care Fraud Task Force. As-sistant United States Attorney Jennie L. M. Waering and As-sistant Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney Vaso Doubles are prosecuting the case for the United States.

The Western Virginia Health Care Fraud Task Force can be reached at 1-877-344-4743.

Jefferson Surgical Clinic Honors Physicians with Donation

The Staff of Jefferson Surgi-cal Clinic presented a check this week for $1,500 to the Feeding America Southwest Virginia Food Bank in honor of the Clinic’s 16 physicians as part of the “Go Orange” campaign sponsored by FASWVA.

“We all feel privileged to be participating in such a worth-while cause, and made this a company-wide initiative to col-lect ‘change for Change’ knowing it will benefit people right here in our community who are going hungry,” said Karen Tuttle, Ad-ministrator of Jefferson Surgical Clinic. “It is gratifying and over-whelming to know that because of the efforts of FASWVA, our donation of $1,500 translates into $12,500 worth of food for those in need.”

Dr. Jesse Davidson and Secfretary Cheryl Morrison with Dr. Robert Keeley, one of the original doctors at Jefferson Surgical Clinic.

Bird Feeders, Pet Dishes and Trash Cans Make Perfect “Bear Lures”

Black bears forage for food over miles of territory. As Vir-ginia's bear population rises and humans develop more of the bruin's habitat, bears are tak-ing advantage of food resources made available in the trash cans, compost piles, bird feeders, and pet dishes found in residential areas.

Bear sightings are becoming routine across the common-wealth. With bears living in 90 of Virginia's 95 counties, most suburban and rural residents can assume they are in bear country. Problems occur when bears come to expect food in residential areas.

People may unknowingly feed bears without realizing that their actions often result in negative consequences for the bears. Some bears may have to be destroyed if they habituate to humans and repeatedly visit populated areas.

"Feeding bears is illegal in Virginia," said James Parkhurst, associate professor and wildlife Extension specialist in Virginia Tech's College of Natural Re-sources and Environment, who also warns against interacting with bears.

"If you see a bear in your neighborhood, leave it alone. Don't chase or corner it," he said. "Bears typically avoid hu-mans. Waving your arms and making loud noises often will be sufficient to send it away, unless it is already a habituated bear."

"If the bear shows no fear and doesn't leave, call the Vir-ginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to handle the situation," Parkhurst added.

To discourage visits from bears and avoid wildlife con-flicts, Parkhurst recommends the following steps.

* Secure your garbage: store garbage indoors, in a shed, or in a bear-proof container.

* Put trash cans out on the morning of your scheduled pickup, not the night before.

* Do not leave pet food out-doors. Feed pets only what they will eat in a single feeding or feed them indoors. Remove the food bowl soon after pets finish.

* Remove bird feeders. Bears consume seeds and nuts found in the wild, so bird feeders are a favored target for bears.

* Do not put meat scraps or any other strong-smelling food in a compost pile. Consider an enclosed compost bin.

* Remove ripe fruit from fruit trees and surrounding grounds.

* Make sure your neighbors take similar steps to prevent

bear problems.Bears are quick and powerful.

They may become aggressive when they are surprised or de-fending cubs, and will damage property in their pursuit of food. If food sources are removed, bears will usually leave the area and seek food elsewhere.

More information is avail-able on the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website Living With Black Bears in Virginia (dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/bear/living-with-black-bears) which includes a 20-min-ute video. The Virginia Coop-erative Extension also offers a publication, "Managing Wildlife Damage: Black Bears" (pubs.ext.vt.edu/420/420-200/420-200.html).

By Lynn Davisinfo@newsroanoke.com

Black bears often venture into residential areas in the Roa-noke Valley in search of food.

540-776-9591

REPAIRS – NEW SALES - EXPERTS

Steven W. Durrance Floors

carpetroanoke.com Licensed & Insured

387-3657 | 1037 E Riverside Dr, Salem

Experience andExpertise Count.

Let his experience be your asset.

What makes Rodney a great choice is he has lived through it.

There are a lot of companies out there selling Long term care insurance.

Do you have $300,000 in assets to lose?

He understands.

He cares.

Rodney@smithwheeling.com Medicare & Long Term Care Specialist for SW Virginia

Rodney SmithCLU – CHFC

540.265.35554802 Valley View Blvd. NW

w w w . A b u e l o s . c o m

Daily4pm-7pmSun - Fri

Specials

TapasStarting at$1.50

Including

sPortsIs your team not getting enough coverage?

Please send in your pictures and relevant subject / game info and we’ll feature the next week! info@newsroanoke.com - Deadline is 5PM Tuesday.

Wild Bill’s Weekly Sports Roundup

THOMSONL AW F I R M , P L L C

Defective Products- Automobile Accidents-Animal Attacks- Nursing Home Neglect

540-777-4900 or 877-471-33532721 Brambleton Ave. S.W.

Roanoke, VA 24015www.roanokeinjurylawyer.com

For more information, contact us:

Nursing Home Neglect?Assisted Living Negligence?

If you don’t �ght for quality carefor your loved one, who will?

• Bed sores • Falls/Fractures• Wandering • Malnutrition/Dehydration• Wrongful death • Poor care/staffingAttorney Paul �omsonprotecting the rights & dignity of our eldersthrough the Civil Justice SystemFree initial consultation,Call 540-777-4900Or visit www.roanokeinjurylawyer.com

of Roanoke

2110 Bennington St (Next to Food Lion)

Sat - Fri 10am-7pm, Sun 12pm-4pm

YES WE FLASH!

MOBILE PHONES & ACCESSORIESPAYMENT CENTERBUY, TRADE OR SELL YOUR PHONE

Extended Holiday Hours540-427-1213 | www.gomobileofva.com

Only one o�er per purchase, o�ers can not be combined. While supplies last.

Samsung Gem*Phone o�er is after mail in rebate with 2 year contract.

for only a PENNY!

all T Mobile New Phone$10 OFF Purchase and Activation!

FREE ACCESSORYwith New Activation

*Restrictions Apply

Cave Spring Downs Radford 61-50 In Non-District BasketballCave Spring overcame a

10-point deficit in the second quarter by going on an 18-0 run as the Knights defeated Radford in non-district boys basketball at Cave Spring.

The Knights trailed 24-20 in the final stages of the first half before scoring the last six points, including a long-range bomb from behind the arc at the buzzer by senior Ryan Gladfelter that gave Cave Spring the lead.

Cave Spring carried the momentum into the second half by scoring the first 12 points of the third, and Rad-ford never recovered. The Bobcats got to within seven points midway through the final frame, but the Knights hit free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

Amin Abuhawwas led Cave Spring with 21 points, while Gladfelter tallied 11.

Cave Spring's Aaron Cupp stares down a free throw in the final minutes to help secure the Knight's win.

Cave Spring #52 Jordan Bryant blocks out a Radford defender for a key rebound against the Bobcats.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

Highfill is 2011 Senior Golf Tour Champion Hank Highfill of Roanoke was

the Overall Points Champion in the 2011 Roanoke Valley Senior Golf Tour. Highfill finished first out of a field of 130 players by accumulating the highest points total for the season’s nine tourna-ments, for which he collected a first place Dick's Sporting Goods gift certificate, a first place silver golf cup, and a traveling trophy.

In addition to the individual tournament awards, the RVSGT awards gift certificates to the top 20 points finishers. The top 5 positions for 2011 were: 1st place, Hank Highfill; 2nd place, Woody Deans; 3rd place, Lee Hipp; 4th place, Ken Gross; 5th place,Crady Adams.

The following nine Golf and Country Clubs have been select-

ed for 2012: All tournaments start at 9 AM and, with the exception of Roanoke Country Club, will be played on a Tuesday.- Roanoke Country Club - Monday, April 16th -Botetourt Golf & Swim Club Tuesday, May 1st-Hanging Rock - Tuesday, May 22nd-Draper Valley - Tuesday, June 12th-Westlake - Tuesday, July 10th-Pulaski Country Club, Tuesday, August 7th-Vista Links - Tuesday, August 28th-Blue Hills - Tuesday, September 25th-Ivy Hill - Tuesday, October 16th

The RVSGT has a full roster

of 130 competitors signed up for the 2012 season, however, ap-plications for a limited number of alternate player slots are now being accepted.

For more information www.rvsgt.org.

Virginians May Need New Access Permit to Visit Public DGIF Land / Lakes The Virginia Department

of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) owns more than 201,000 acres of land on 39 Wildlife Man-agement Areas located across the Commonwealth. DGIF also owns 35 public fishing lakes statewide. Most of the land and the lakes were purchased using primarily revenue from the sale of hunting licenses, freshwater fishing licenses, and trapping li-censes. Revenue from these sales has also paid for upkeep of the DGIF-maintained roads, park-ing areas, kiosks, and wildlife and fish habitat and manage-ment work done on these prop-

erties. Over the years, hunters and

anglers who shouldered the cost to acquire and to maintain these sites, have shared the property with bird watchers, wildflower enthusiasts, horseback riders, and others who have had the benefit of accessing these loca-tions at no cost. But that is going to change on January 1, 2012.

Beginning January 1, 2012, visitors to Wildlife Management Areas and public fishing lakes owned by the Virginia Depart-ment of Game and Inland Fish-eries who are age 17 and older will need to have an Access Per-mit unless they possess a valid Virginia hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or a current Virginia boat registra-

tion. Daily and An-

nual Access Permits for Wildlife Man-agement Areas and department-owned public fishing lakes will be available Janu-ary 1, 2012 for purchase online at www.dgif.virginia.gov, by calling 1-866-721-6911 during business

hours, or at any license agent. DGIF has a net-work of more than 700 license agents statewide at most sporting goods stores and bait shops.

Cost for the Daily Access Permit is $4

and the cost for the Annual Ac-cess Permit is $23. The Access Permit, whether Daily or An-

nual, can be used to access any Wildlife Management Area and DGIF-owned public fishing lake statewide.

More information about the Access Permit as well as lists of Wildlife Management Areas and DGIF-owned public fishing lakes can be found on the agency web-site www.dgif.virginia.gov.

Roanoke Catholic Varsity Wrestling Has Strong DecemberThe Roanoke Catholic wres-

tling team started out the sea-son with a tie for first place at the Carroll County Invitation-al season opener that had ten public schools participating. With 3 starters missing from the line up the rest of the team stepped up for the first major tournament of the season.

‘Nghia Pham (106) Sean Deer (160) and Nic Nester (195) took home Gold. An-drew Nolen finished 2nd in the Heavy Weight Division with Armando Herrera plac-ing 3rd at 120. Alex Sakalas (132), Jack Pilgreen (145) and Tan Tran (152) following up with 4th place finishes.

The team then went on to compete in 5 dual matches against single “A” schools Chilhowie, Tazewell, Lee High, Eastside and George Wythe at the Chilhowie tour-nament and won every match

to take first place for the sec-ond weekend in a row. ‘Nghia Pham, Armando Herrera, and Andrew Nolen all went un-defeated for the day. The final against George Wythe was a classic with the outcome of the tournament coming down to

the final heavy weight match. With the score tied 39 to 39 Andrew Nolen stepped out on the mat and pinned his oppo-nent to give Catholic the match by a score of 45 to 39 and the tournament championship.

Hank Highhill

Holiday basketball tourna-ments dominate the high school scene this week with plenty of action on both the boys and girls sides. Tournaments run Wednes-day through Friday.

The K-Guard Holi-day Classic at the Salem Civic Center features the boys teams from Salem, Hidden Valley, Cave Spring, William Fleming and Patrick Henry.

The local boys teams at the Northside Invitational held at Northside High School include William Byrd and Northside. Like the K-Guard, the remainder of the 8-team field is made up of out-of-town squads.

On the girls side, the Cave Spring Invitational at Cave Spring High School features Lord Botetourt, Northside, Hid-den Valley and Cave Spring in a round-robin format.

The William Fleming Invi-tational at the Colonel gym in-cludes the girls teams from Flem-ing, Patrick Henry and Salem.

The Wild Bill “Big-11” Top-5 remained unchanged from last week.

#1- Patrick Henry- The 6-0 Patriots will get a big test in the K-Guard with three games in three nights. PH may be the team to beat with their speed being a huge factor for any opponent.

#2- Salem- The Spartan’s (5-1) only loss came to PH and a rematch in the K-Guard may be in the cards. There are no easy games set for the Salem Civic Center so the best of teams may

face 2 losses.#3- William Fleming- The

Colonels edge out Cave Spring for the third spot this week due to their head-to-head win earlier this month. The K-Guard open-

er against Hidden Valley may tell the tale on the strength of the Colonels.

#4- Cave Spring- The Knights picked up a quality win last week over Radford to improve to 6-2. Cave Spring opens

the K-Guard against a tall Broadway team that may pose prob-

lems. The Knights play in spurts and when they get on a roll, can score points in bunches.

#5- Hidden Valley- No ques-tion, the big sleeper. The Titans open the K-Guard with Fleming. Don’t discount Hidden Valley. Last year they struggled in this tournament and finished second in the state.

Now, to the weekly, and final thank goodness, Sugar Bowl update. Football and ticket sales were quickly replaced in the news last week by intrigue, mys-tery and handcuffs. No need to discuss this further because little information has been made available. I’m not drawing con-clusions and think everyone is innocent until found guilty.

No doubt, though, my good friend Columbo would be ask-ing, “Ahhh, Mr. Beamer, just one more question.”

Prediction: Va Tech- 27 Mich-igan-18

Finally, I leave you with the Wild Bill after-Christmas gift exhange list. If you received cash

from Saint Nick or one of those gifts that is the wrong size or color, here’s a few options to con-sider that I guarantee will make for an unforgetable memory of Christmas 2011. These are my Top-3. You make the call:

1)The .9999 pure (per the commercial, that’s right, four-9s) gold clad $50 Buffalo coin: Doesn’t it seem strange that a $50 rare collectable gold coin sells for only $19.95 (of course, there is a limit of 5 per order). Seems like the logical thing would be to do multiple orders, buy a thousand for $19,950; then deposit them into a savings account at $50 each for the tidy sum of $50,000. As Steve Martin said in ‘The Jerk’ - “Ah-ha, it’s a profit game!”

2)The ChiaObama: Now I’ve seen it all. I’ve never had a Chia-anything and don’t know the first thing about the growing season of a chia seed. But, this seems to be an unusual way to honor a president even if we’re having a warm winter.

3)The Redem: Supposedly a gadget around since the 1950s. But I’ve been around that long and I’ve never seen one. The purpose? To retrieve a toilet pa-per roller accidentally dropped in the comode when a new roll of paper is being replaced. Ad-vertised as being a “sanitary ne-cessity.” Hmmm- looks strangely similar to a pair of corn-on-the-cob tongs to me.

That’s probably enough. See you next year.

Send your inquiries to: info@newsroanoke.com

Team

Bill Turner

Will host a series of informational meetings for the 2011-2012 school year (see schedule below). Parents

and prospective students are encouraged to attend any of the sessions listed below in order to

obtain an application. Applications are not available at local schools.

Thursday, January 5th 6:30 p.m.

Governor’s School Tuesday, January 10th 6:30 p.m.

Governor’s School Thursday, January 12th 6:30 p.m.

Staunton River High School Thursday, January 19th 6:30 p.m.

Franklin County High School Tuesday, January 24th 6:30 p.m.

Governor’s School

For more information call the Governor’s School at 853-2116

or check out the website at www.rvgs.k12.va.us

The Roanoke Valley Governor’s School

for Science and Technology

valley BusinessPage 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/30/11 -1/5/12 newsRoanoke.com

OFFICE SPACEAVAILABLE

Call Ssunny Shah540.537.0618

Franklin Square O�ce Park1917 Franklin Road

Newly Renovated andBest Location Next to Green Way

O�ce Suites from250 Sq Feet to 3000 Sq Feet

Restaurant/Lounge Space Over3000 Sq Feet Plus Large Kitchenat Ramada Conference Center

MEDIA

540.815.0669carlinagency@gmail.com

www.carlinagency.com

marketingmeets

life

ADVERTISING

PUBLIC RELATIONS

MARKETING

Wish For You... A Holiday Season Filled With

(540) 989-9501

The Residents and Staff of

&Peace Fai th Hope

www.parkoakgrove.com 4920 Woodmar Drive SW • Roanoke, VA 24018

Nominations Open For Secretary Of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award

Congressman Morgan Griffith has issued a statement announcing that the nomination period for the 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is currently open.

"Virginia Guard and Reserve members have the unique opportunity to nominate their supportive employers for the 2012 Freedom Award," said Congressman Griffith. "This award recognizes the efforts of employers who support these men and women in the workplace. Out of roughly 1,700 nominations nationwide, 78 have already been received from Virginia."

"At a time when news of our economic situation is often told in grim terms and negative numbers, the untold stories highlighting thousands of employers showing extraordinary support to their Guard and Reserve employees and their families are really important," said James Rebholz, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) National Chair. "Employer's steadfast commitment deserves our recognition and heartfelt gratitude. We are looking to our individual Guard and Reserve members to nominate their employers who are most deserving of the Department's highest honor -- the Secretary of Defense Freedom Award."

Each year, 15 supportive employers are recognized by the Department of Defense (DoD). This is the DoD's highest award for civilian employers supporting Guard and Reserve members. Nominations may be submitted at www.FreedomAward.mil through January 16, 2012. The 2012 recipients will be announced in early summer.

Buy-Sell Agreements: Every Business Needs One

A buy-sell agreement is a con-tract by which the owners of a business address the circum-stances under which they can and must sell their ownership interests. Any business which has more than one owner should have some form of a buy-sell agreement. However, most small businesses fail to enact them for a variety of reasons. Some own-ers do not want to think about an owner leaving the company. Others are concerned about the time and expense involved in negotiating such an agreement, or wish to avoid discussing po-tentially sensitive topics such as what happens if one of the own-ers dies, or is fired from the com-pany.

Prudent business owners view such concerns as secondary to the critical importance of their company having a clear path of succession. Existing owners need to know that they will be able to exit the company and receive fair value for their equity, with mini-mal disruption to the ongoing business operations. Remaining owners need to be certain that they do not unexpectedly end up in business with another owner's heirs, creditors, or ex-spouse. A proper buy-sell agreement helps to ensure smooth business tran-sitions by addressing several key considerations:

Triggering Events. A primary goal of the buy-sell agreement is to identify the events which will "trigger" a purchase and sale of an owner's interest in the compa-ny. Common triggering events include the death, disability, re-tirement, divorce, bankruptcy, or termination of an owner's em-ployment.

Redemption or Cross Pur-chase. A key provision in any buy-sell agreement is whether the company redeems the de-

parting owner's equity interest or the other owners purchase it, and whether that purchase is manda-tory or optional. There can be significant tax and operational impacts on the company and the owners, so careful consideration and consultation with the com-pany's legal advisors is important when deciding on these provi-sions.

Voluntary Transfer. Some companies that wish to allow for voluntary sales of an owner's equity to third parties will grant the existing owners a right of first refusal to purchase the selling owner's interest in the company. Additional provisions, such as "tag along" rights, permitting other owners to participate in a voluntary transfer, or "drag along" rights, where the majority owners can compel other own-ers to go along with a decision to sell, are but two examples.

Valuation. One of the most difficult terms to negotiate in the buy-sell agreement is valua-tion. At the time the agreement is prepared, the owners have no way of knowing what the future value of the company might be. There are three different meth-

ods most commonly considered by companies for determining valuation. The first is a fixed value by agreement. Under this method, the parties agree on an initial value and also "agree to agree" on a new value periodi-cally. Often the owners get too busy to reassess the value of the company, or wish to avoid any confrontation associated with changing value. The value set forth in the agreement can rap-idly become outdated, and quite different from the true value of the company. The second meth-od often used is a formula agreed to by the parties. Formulas can vary depending on the type of business and typically take into account various indicators of the company's financial perfor-mance. The third option is ap-praisal, under which one or more appraisers are hired at the time of the triggering event to value the interest of the departing owner. It is important that companies utilizing an appraisal method include in the buy-sell agree-ment any agreed upon factors for the appraiser to consider or disregard, such as goodwill. The owners should also state whether they wish to apply any discounts to the base value determined under the agreement. One ex-ample would be a discount in the event a departing owner refuses to return company property or joins a competing business in violation of the company's non-competition agreement.

Terms of Sale. Depending upon the valuation, a departing owner's interest in the company may be worth a substantial sum. Life insurance policies for the benefit of the purchaser on the life of the other owners can be used to fund purchase obliga-tions in the event of an owner's death. However, in other in-stances, the buy-sell agreement can provide for a portion of the purchase price to be paid at clos-ing, with the remainder paid pursuant to a promissory note over a number of years. The note may be secured in order to provide the selling owner with assurances that he will receive the full value of his interest in the company.

A carefully drafted buy-sell agreement is among the most critical business documents for any closely held business.

David Tenzer is an attorney with Glenn Feldmann Darby & Goodlatte. Visit www.gfdg.com to learn more.

MKB Realty Receives Award for RRHBA Gift Giving Campaign

During its annual toy col-lecting drive to support the US Marine Corps’ “Toys for Tots” and the Salvation Army’s “Angel Tree” campaigns, the members of the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association, Inc. (RRHBA) generously donated toys and money ($5,614) which enabled RRHBA to donate 941 items (for area children ages toddler to 16 years of age) to the US Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program AND items for 30 Sal-vation Army Angels who live in the Roanoke Region.

2011 RRHBA President Neal

Frank-Rempel recognized the generosity and countless hours of volunteer effort demonstrat-ed by RRHBA members year af-ter year. In honor of these con-tributions, annually an award is given for the most toys collected by a single RRHBA member firm. For 2011, the Santa Award was presented to MKB, REAL-TORS (SW Roanoke County) for the donation of 175 items.

Award presentation (left to right): Committee co-chair-men Jerry McLawhorn, Gary Judd and John Hopkins with MKB, REALTORS’ representa-tive Suzi Fortenberry.

US Marines SSGT Flores (l) and SSGT Gentry with van load of donated items.

David Tenzer

Amazon Coming to VA Amid Tax Revenue Questions

The Virginia Retail Federation says that they welcome the announcement that Amazon.com plans to come to Virginia. The VRF also applauded Governor McDonnell on his initiative to generate new rev-enue. The VRF says that they welcome the added employment and understands the significant impact to the state economy. The VRF maintains, however, that retailers including Amazon should be taxed consistently.

Amazon has been under increasing criticism from state and federal officials for not collecting and paying state sales taxes. Several states have passed legislation requiring them to collect and pay sales taxes and Congress is considering several bills dealing with this issue.

“All we want is a level playing field in Virginia,” said Nancy Thomas, President/CEO of Retail Mer-chants Association. “Amazon currently does not collect and pay sales taxes in Virginia which leaves existing retailers in Virginia at a competitive disadvantage.”

All internet-based sales are subject to the same 5% Virginia sales tax. If an online-retailer does not collect and remit the tax, it is up to the customer to pay on their state income taxes at the end of each year. Because most Virginia residents do not know about this obligation, this means that Amazon’s products appear to be 5% less expensive.

Amazon collects and pays state sales taxes in five states in which they acknowledge having a physical presence and recently agreed to start collecting taxes in California in September 2012. They also agreed to start collecting taxes in Tennessee and South Carolina in the future in exchange for new distribution centers being put in those states.

“The Virginia Retail Federation assumes that Amazon has agreed to collect state sales tax in Virginia now that they will unquestionably have a physical presence in the state,” said Ray Mattes, President/CEO of Retail Alliance of Hampton Roads.

Security OneLending

Home Equity Loans

Only for people age 62 or older

Call: 540-427-6187or 800-416-8785If You Need Money, CALL US!

Bedford, VirginiaVirginia State Corporation Commission • License Number MC5508

arts & culturenewsRoanoke.com 12/30/11 -1/5/12 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

MODERN & ANTIQUE!

NRA Certi ed Concealed Carry Course

Sat. 9-5 • Sun. 9-4 • Adults $8 • Free Parking

Showmasters, Inc.

Showmasters, Inc • P.O.Box 10277 •Blacksburg VA 24062 • (540) 951-1344 • www.showmasters.usRSS

December 31st - January 1st

HappyHolidays

!

Data TransfersTrainingDisaster RecoveryWireless Setup and Security

www.bridgebyte.com Bridgebyte Computers LLC

VALLEY REALTORS

225 23rd Street Condo

You won’t believe you can get this much for so little! An Old Southwest almost Downtown Condo. Corner of 2nd & Highland. A short walk to Elmwood Park. OPEN Bright �oor plan. Two bedrooms, beautifully remodeled bath, hardwood and tile �oors. Covered porch, Living room with Fireplace, Eat-in-Kitchen open to Family room. Luxury living for LESS! ML#774065

2nd Street Condo  

Are you downsizing, traveling or winter in Florida?Do you worry aboutsecurity or maintenance? There are many reasons to consider a condo... andif you do -- check out the best available. This Cherry Hill II unit o�ers 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and is possibly the quietest, most well appointed youcan �nd.

Neal Wall540-309-3924www.NealWall.com | Neal@NealWall.com2350 Electric Road, Roanoke,Va 24018

ONLY $124,950

ONLY $359,950

FOR SALE

ML#774675

100 DiagnosticTesting

4341 Starkey Road • 540-774-0171

$

Kandinsky Trio Welcomes David Niethamer for January Concert

The third concert of the Kandinsky Trio’s 24th anniver-sary season will be on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 7:30 pm at Olin Theater on the Roanoke College campus. Guest artist, clarinetist David Niethamer will join the Kandinsky Trio in performances of Beethoven’s Trio for clarinet, cello, and pi-ano, Op. 11 and Bartok’s “Con-trasts” for clarinet, violin, and piano, originally composed for Benny Goodman and Joseph Szigeti. After intermission, the Trio will perform the G Minor Piano Trio of Ernest Chausson, a sweeping work in the grand Romantic tradition.

Formerly the Principal Clari-net of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra (1979-2002), David Niethamer was also the founder and director of the Roxbury Chamber Players. He currently performs with the Richmond Chamber Players and the Na-tional Gallery Orchestra.

Niethamer teaches clarinet at Longwood University, VCU, and University of Richmond, where he also directs the Uni-versity Wind Ensemble. He has given Master Classes at UNC

Chapel Hill, Oberlin College, Furman University, University of Vermont, Tennessee Tech, and the University of Alabama/Huntsville.

Now in its twenty-fourth sea-son, the Kandinsky Trio is cel-ebrating one of the longest and most successful artist residen-cies in the United States with over a thousand concerts of high caliber chamber music in the U. S., Europe, and Canada, includ-ing New York (Miller Theater and Merkin Hall), Washington (The Kennedy Center), Atlanta (Spivey Hall), Oklahoma City,

Tampa (Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center), Portland, Charles-ton, San Francisco, Banff, Brat-islava, Budapest, Vienna, and Zagreb.

Tickets are $20 general admis-sion, $12 for students and se-niors.Tickets are available from the Roanoke College Olin Box Office by calling 540-375-2333 or going online to www.roanoke.edu/tickets. The box office is open Monday – Friday 1-4pm, closed school breaks and holidays.

Make Some Very Simple Wine Resolutions for 2012

Early January is the perfect time to reflect on the previous year and make resolutions for the new one. For those of us who take wine seriously -- or at least want to -- it's smart to include wine in our New Year's resolutions. So here are three simple resolutions that'll heighten your wine ap-preciation in 2012.

1. Learn!There are countless ways to learn about wine.

Books are great, as you can move at your own pace. If you're a budding oenophile, pick up a copy of Kevin Zraly's "Windows on the World Complete Wine Course." If you're already some-what advanced, make sure you have a copy of "The Oxford Companion to Wine" on your bookshelf. Edited by celebrated British wine writer Jancis Robinson, it's considered the world's most com-prehensive wine encyclopedia.

Wine courses are also a great way to learn - and they're typically lots of fun. There are plenty of ex-cellent options across the country, but if possible, look for a school that's affiliated with the London-based Wine & Spirit Education Trust. For good reason, it's recognized across the world.

2. Be AdventurousIf you like red wines, you're probably drink-

ing lots of Cabernet Sauvignon. If you prefer whites, you're probably drinking Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. Either way, most of it's prob-ably coming from California. In 2012, resolve to explore the unfamiliar by trying unusual grapes from unusual regions.

If you like Chardonnay, consider Virginia Viog-nier or South African Chenin Blanc. If you like Sauvignon Blanc, try Torrontes, from Argentinia, or Albarino, from Portugal. If you're a red wine drinker, consider ordering Argentinian Malbec or Chilean Carmenere. And don't be afraid to drink Merlot - even if it's from California. It's become cool to bash the grape, but it's often as rich as Cab-ernet Sauvignon and more approachable when young.

3. Serve Wine at the Right TemperatureMost people - and even most restaurants -

serve red wines too warm and white wines too cold. When red wine is served at "room temperature" - which tends to hover at around 72 de-grees - it can taste rough and al-coholic. When white wine comes straight out of the refrigerator, it's refreshing - but can be taste-less. This is unfortunate. If you're spending money on wine, you deserve to enjoy its aromas and flavors.

Fortunately, you don't need a fancy thermometer to serve wine

at its optimal temperature. If you're drinking a red wine, pop it in the fridge for 25-30 minutes. If you're drinking a white wine, pull it out of the fridge about 25-30 minutes before you're going to drink it. Just remember that while it's easy to warm up a wine that's served too cold (just wait longer), it's nearly impossible to chill a wine that's served too warm.

The list of resolutions could easily go on. If you're interested in seeing the wine-making

process and meeting with vintners, it's hard to beat a wine trip -- whether it's a day at two local vineyards or a weekend getaway to wine country. If you're serious about wine appreciation, then you should keep a diary -- it's the best way to keep track of your discoveries and remember which wines you've enjoyed. And everyone should re-solve to drink more sparkling wine -- it matches any number of dishes, so shouldn't be relegated to celebrations.

The world of wine offers endless possibilities. So regardless of which resolutions you make - and which resolutions you keep - just make sure wine is a part of your life in 2012!

David White, a wine writer, is the founder and editor of Terroirist.com.

Movie Reviews by The Reel DealWelcome to The Reel Deal.

In this column you will find reviews for all of the movies that I go to see. I rate my re-views on a scale of 1 to 10 to highlight whether the movie is worth seeing in theaters or only worth renting once. I love to go to see movies whenever something good comes out, but if there's one thing I hate, it's when I end up paying $10 for a terrible movie!

War Horse ReviewBefore the time when sol-

diers had cars, tanks, and oth-er vehicles to ride them out to battle, there were war horses. Even though a horse during a war didn’t have nearly as much value or importance as a soldier, they still played a big part in helping those soldiers. From carrying sup-plies to riding off in the front-lines with a soldier to battle, horses are the under-looked and forgotten heroes of many wars. Now, Steven Spielberg has returned to directing with his feature film “War Horse,” interestingly enough being released very shortly after his previous CG film, The Ad-ventures of Tintin. But this is no kids’ movie; this is a war movie, and it captures the im-pact of it while also bringing in Spielberg’s classic storytell-ing. The result is a film that, while occasionally over-senti-mental, is a thrilling and dar-ing movie that quickly warms its way into your heart. Rat-ing: 8/10 - Great.

The Adventures of Tintin Review

Steven Spielberg. That name alone is enough to sell tickets and possibly make cin-ematic gold. The critically ac-claimed director has brought us many classics such as E.T., Jaws, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. But he also brought us an action-adven-ture that everyone knows and loves, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Ev-ery action-adventure film has tried to surpass this film, and though Spielberg’s own ‘Last Crusade’ came close, ‘Raiders’ still remains the pinnacle of the action-adventure genre. Now Spielberg is stepping into both new and old terri-tory with The Adventures of Tintin, a movie based on the popular comic series that is filmed entirely with motion capture thanks to producer Peter Jackson. While the film is a ton of fun to watch and brings back a lot of nostalgia in its design, it’s not perfect. Nonetheless, Spielberg and Jackson have created a fun action-adventure movie that kids can probably get into. Rating: 7/10 - Good.

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol Review

Well if it isn’t our old friend Ethan Hunt, back for Round 4 of action-craziness. Yes, Ethan is back in the fourth installment to the Mission

Impossible series, Ghost Protocol. Tom Cruise once again reprises his role in the series, but also brings along Jeremy Renner and director Brad Bird. The Mission Im-possible series is known for having big action sequences that borderline on the insane and preposterous level (espe-cially in the second film), but that’s what makes them so fun to watch. Director Brad Bird knows this, and energizes this film with adrenaline and heart-stopping action se-quences. The result is a film that plays out in similar to its predecessors, but bigger and better than ever. Rating: 8/10 - Great.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Review

When you think about fa-mous detectives, your first choice is most likely Sherlock Holmes. But how would you react it somebody told you that he is also an action hero? Most likely you would scoff at the idea, but that’s exactly

what director Guy Ritchie did in 2009’s “Sherlock Holmes.” Drawing from Sherlock’s wit-ty side while also invigorating the famous detective with ac-tion and style, Ritchie’s take was a vastly different carica-ture of Holmes, and the re-sult divided some people. I enjoyed it watching it before going into the sequel, A Game of Shadows, though I admit I also have some mixed feel-ings about the first one. This movie is no different. Though “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” does make some improvements over the first movie, it also suffers from several stumbles that put this sequel slightly below its pre-decessor. Rating: 6/10 - Pass-able.

Seth Childers is a Senior at Hidden Valley High School. For more in-depth movie re-views visit him on the web at: http://reel-deal.tumblr.com or send your comments to info@newsroanoke.com.

David Niethamer will join the Kindinsky Trio on January 28th.

Jeremy Irvine stars in Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse.”

Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 12/30/11 -1/5/12 newsRoanoke.com

American Life in Poetry

Trust

Looking for 2011 Tax Relief? There’s Still Time

If you’re just beginning to think about your 2011 income tax return, you’ve got a late start – but it’s still not too late to cash in on some savings.

“A lot of the deductions associated with the eco-nomic stimulus package will disappear in 2012, so if you want to take advantage of them, you’ve got only until Dec. 31,” says Jessica James, CPA and author of Justice for None (www.AuthorJes-sicaJames.com), an insider look at IRS tactics in a tax fraud investigation and trial. But, she says, there’s still plenty of time for some other measures to ease your share of the tax burden. Now is also a good time to resolve to start earlier in 2012 to minimize that year’s tax bill. Here are a some tips for both 2011 and 2012 savings.

• Contribute to retirement accounts. If you haven’t already put money into your traditional or ROTH IRA account for 2011, you’ve got until April 17 to do it. If you have a Keogh or SEP (Sim-plified Employee Pension Individual Retirement Arrangement for businesses), and you get a filing extension to Oct. 15, you’ve got until then to make your 2011 deposits. The maximum IRA contribu-tion for 2011 is $5,000, or $6,000 if you’re 50 or older by the end of the year. For self-employed people, the maximum for SEPs and Keoghs for 2011 is $49,000.

• Don't fear the home office deduction. In the past, many tax filers didn’t claim a home office de-duction because it was seen as an IRS red flag. But the requirements and forms have been clarified so people can do that properly – and not make mistakes that can lead to an audit. Also, the rules have been expanded so more people can claim the deduction. If you use a home office exclusively for business, even if you don’t meet your clients there, you’re eligible. For instance, a handyman who does his work at other people’s houses can

claim the deduction if he does his paperwork at his home office. Another change is that, in the past, if you claimed 10 percent of your home as an office, that amount would not be included in the $250,000 tax-free profit from the home’s sale that’s allowed for an individual by the IRS. Be sure to make your claim reasonable, or it will get questioned; a $25,000 home office deduction for a business with $50,000 annual gross revenue is not reasonable.

• Maximize your Flexible Spending Account. The Health Care Act will limit the maximum you can put into these pre-tax medical expense ac-counts in 2013. So 2012 is the last year to use an FSA to pay for orthodontics and other large medi-cal expenses using pre-tax earnings. A medical expense flexible spending account, or FSA, allows you to use before-tax earnings to pay for medi-cal or health care expenses not covered by your health insurance. Assuming a 25 percent tax rate, you avoid $25 in taxes for every $100 you spend from your FSA.

• Need to sell an investment? Next year may be the time. The Tax Relief Act maintains the tax rate cap on capital gains and dividends at 15 percent through 2012. In 2013, the cap for capital gains will increase to 20 percent and for dividends, 39.6 percent. The Health Care Act also created a 3.8 percent Medicare tax on investment income, ef-fective in 2013. Given those scheduled increases, plan to take advantage of the rates next year.

Jessica James is a CPA and the author of a novel, “Justice for None,” about her experiences as a mi-nor target in a major federal tax fraud case. Af-ter her ordeal, she decided to write about it as a warning to others who think they can take on the government and win.5646 Cloverdale Road, Roanoke, VA 24019

(Just up from Wal-Mart next to Murray's Apple Cider!)

Sunday School - 10:00 / Worship - 11:00

"Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analy-sis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace."

Any Questions? Call Stuart Revercomb: 330-7335

Morning Worship Every Sundayat 11:00 AM

Sunday School Classes for All AgesBegin at 10:00 AM

-Frederick Buechner

NewsRoanoke.comIt’s like so many other things in life to which you must say no or yes. So you take your car to the new mechanic. Sometimes the best thing to do is trust.

The package left with the disreputable-looking clerk, the check gulped by the night deposit, the envelope passed by dozens of strangers— all show up at their intended destinations.

The theft that could have happened doesn’t. Wind finally gets where it was going through the snowy trees, and the river, even when frozen, arrives at the right place.

And sometimes you sense how faithfully your life is delivered, even though you can’t read the address.

BY TED KOOSER, U.S. POET LAUREATE Life becomes more complicated every day, and each of us can control only so much of what happens.

As for the rest? Poet Thomas R. Smith of Wisconsin offers some practical advice.

longest-standing in theMid-Atlantic

dealer40 HO

NDA DEALER

YEARS

w w w . r i c k w o o d s o n h o n d a . c o m

2012 Honda Accord

2012 Honda Civic

LX Sedan (AT)

Model #: CP2F3CEW

LX Sedan (AT)

Model #: FB2F5CEW

*Includes all “Destination & Freight” charges. Does not include taxes, title, tags, �nancing fees,or $299.00 processing fee. Some vehicles mayhave dealer-installed accessories

which may not be included in theactual quoted price.All �nancing and leasing information is subject to credit approval.