Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, November 15, 1993 TAG: 9311150098
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The staff at Opera Roanoke received an unusual fan letter the other day: A personal check for $200 from Stephen Sondheim, the composer of "Sweeney Todd," which the opera presented in four performances this fall.
Sondheim is a friend of Victoria Bond, the opera's artistic director. He had encouraged her by mail when she was planning the production last spring. After its run at Mill Mountain Theatre, Bond sent him a package of mementos, including favorable reviews.
Sondheim wrote back from New York to thank her for the "blushmaking compliments" - and for pointing out some discrepancies in the score. A few days later, his contribution arrived.
"We were flabbergasted to get this from him," said Judy Clark, the opera's executive director. "Imagine listing him as a donor to our humble little organization. But we'll certainly do it."
Till shin splints do us part One runner in Sunday's New York Marathon needed pockets in his running shorts to carry a wedding ring.
He was the best man for Tom Young, a runner who began the 26-mile footrace a single man and was married by the time the race was done.
Young, whose mother Carole lives in Bedford, and Pam Kezios were to be married at the 8-mile mark of the marathon.
The couple, who have run in the Chicago and Boston marathons, planned to take about a 10-minute break on the steps of the Brooklyn School of Music to say their "I do's" before heading back out for the final 18 miles. The best man was to run with them.
Carole Young, who didn't run in the race, planned to be there with the rest of the family when Tom slipped a tuxedo jacket over his tank top and the ring on Pam's finger. ABC Sports, which televised the marathon, asked permission to televise the wedding as part of its marathon coverage.
"They are marathon runners and it's real important to them," said Young, a three-year Bedford resident. "We will not ever forget it."
Remembering Arthur Ashe
"Always Remembered," a musical tribute to Arthur Ashe composed by Virginia Tech music professor Joe Kennedy Jr., will be performed tonight during the Virginia Heroes Incorporated celebration in Richmond.
Kennedy, a virtuoso violinist, has played with such jazz greats as pianist Billy Taylor, alto saxophonist Benny Carter, and bassist Major Holley. He has performed throughout the world, including Japan and France, and across the country, from the Kennedy Center to the Monterey jazz festival.
"Always Remembered" was composed "to commemorate special people like Arthur," Kennedy said. While teaching music in the Richmond public schools, Kennedy taught trumpet to the future tennis champion and humanitarian.
Ashe served as honorary chairman for the Richmond-based Virginia Heroes, a mentoring program which brings school-age children together with people who have achieved local and national fame.
Library house-cleaning
They just don't come any cheaper than this. The Roanoke Public Library will be selling books removed from its collection at bargain-basement prices in a weeklong sale beginning today.
Adult books will be 15 for $1; children's books will be 25 for $1; and LP records will be 25 cents. The sale, through Saturday, will be on the first-floor bookstore of the main library at Jefferson Street and Bullitt Avenue.\
A kitty for the kitties
Dawn Hale, Vinton's cat lady, has been busy returning calls since her front-page photo with a few of her 56 cats.
Some folks have sent checks to the fourth-grade teacher who spends $10,000 annually on veterinary care and food for animals no one else wants.
First Union of Virginia chairman Warner Dalhouse, who admits owning one pampered feline, contributed to the fund.
Meanwhile, one Salem resident, impressed with Hale's ability to fight Vinton's animal control ordinance and win, has teamed up with Hale to fight Salem's cat ordinance.
Mini Loving said she has given away cats to avoid being charged with owning too many.
"They've gotten on me about the cats, but everything is not black and white," said Loving, who owns 10.
Loving's cat, Buster, recently found his way back to Salem from a new home in Garden City.
"We live up a hill away from other houses," said Loving. "I don't want to give away the cats."
Hotel Earle coming down
Owners of the Hotel Earle have told Roanoke building officials that they will have a plan to tear down the City Market building within a month.
Fire gutted the structure more than two years ago.
On Oct. 10, the city informed the ownership company, Market Towne Properties Inc., that it had 22 days to tear down the building. City officials said they will keep their options open while the plan is being developed, however, and if it doesn't come in, a court summons to the owners will be the next step.
It's not the shirt off his back, but . . .
Roanoke Mayor David Bowers has offered a helping hand to city police officers who are seeking free parking for their personal cars while they are on duty.
Bowers has several parking spaces at his law office at 335 W. Church Ave. S.W., less than a block from the Police Department.
When police officers recently asked City Council to provide free parking, Bowers offered to let them use his spaces at night and on weekends when they are not being used by him and others who work in the building.
"I've got five or six spaces that could be used for free," he said.
"Of course, the question of liability would have to settled, but I'm willing to do what I can to help."
Jeff Rudd, an attorney for the officers, said there are up to 200 unused spaces daily in the Municipal Parking Garage that could be used by police at no cost to the city.
Council asked City Manager Bob Herbert for a report within 120 days on the police officers' request.
by CNB