Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 16, 1990 TAG: 9003192669
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Just ask Rebecca Noftsinger, executive director for the Medical Clinic of the New River Valley - the free clinic.
She will tell you about the doctors, the dentists, the lab technicians, the pharmacists, the hygienists, the office workers, the folks who volunteer their time and talents to provide medical attention for local families who can't afford it.
She will tell you about the insulin-dependent diabetic who came to the free clinic with an ulcer on his foot. The foot had to be amputated. The diabetic hadn't seen a doctor in six years.
She will tell you about the middle-aged woman who had been feeling sick for months. She couldn't afford a doctor's office visit and didn't know about the free clinic. When she did get to the clinic, it was almost too late. A malignant tumor in her throat required immediate and extensive surgery.
Ask Noftsinger if people really do care. She will probably tell you about the artists.
"Over 100 artists have contributed to our fund-raising art auction," Noftsinger said from her office late last week. "My office looks like a gallery - it's full of art right now."
"We've got all kinds of things - oils, watercolors, acrylic paintings, pastel drawings, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, baskets. There are photographs and fiber art. There's something for everybody."
Of course, everybody is invited to the annual art auction Saturday at the Blacksburg Holiday Inn. There's a reception and viewing at 6 p.m. and the bidding will begin at 7:30. The event is the clinic's major fund-raising event of the year.
Ask Noftsinger if people care enough to come out and support the free clinic at the art auction. She will give you a swift kick into positive thinking. "I think it will be a tremendous event this year," she said. "It's going to be great!"
\ THERE'S A NEW KID IN TOWN: He plays softly, carries a BIG cowboy hat and has the kind of smile that will put a song in your heart.
Chances are, he knows all the words to that song, too.
John Starr knows more than 250 songs, in fact. Originally from San Francisco, Starr has toured the U.S. and Europe, strumming his acoustic guitar and singing from his extensive repertoire - foot-stompin' Country & Western, classic rock'n'roll, old-time gospel, folk music and romantic ballads.
Want to hear "Mr. Tambourine Man," "The Guitar Man" or "Piano Man"?
Starr can play 'em.
In the mood for "Color My World," "Wonderful World" or "He's Got the Whole World"? Starr can sing 'em.
How about "Bee Boba Lou La," "O Bla Di, O Bla Da" or "Es Burra Buebli"?
Yep.
A newcomer to the New River Valley after living in Switzerland for eight years, Starr has settled in Blacksburg with his Swiss wife and their two children. He said he chose Blacksburg because "I had to find a place like Switzerland to please my wife."
He will be playing tonight, starting at 9, in Maxwell's Lounge.
If you're going to see Starr's performance, be prepared for a serenade. "I'm a wandering minstrel," he said. "I don't like to sit in the corner and play background music. I like to mingle with the audience."
\ DEAL ME IN: Have you got the "Pair-a-Dice Lost" blues? Feel an uncontrollable urge to gamble with some mad money? Sense the luck o' the Irish as St. Patrick's Day draws near?
Well, put on your green jeans and head for Radford University's Dedmon Center Saturday night for the eighth annual "Evening in D.C." put on by Student Life. The activities begin at 8:30.
Try your luck at the blackjack table or roulette wheel. Organizers of the event will even fund the fun - participants receive $1,000 in play money to wager at the game tables.
There's also music by 2nd Helping, caricatures by Dell Siler and an 18-hole miniature golf course for those of you who want to putt your best foot forward. FR2, a flight simulator ride, will be set up, too.
There should be plenty of action, entertainment and excitement for the 3,000 people expected to attend the event.
Tickets are $3 for Radford students and $5 for the public and are on sale at the information desk in Heth Student Center.
by CNB