Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 21, 1994 TAG: 9403210045
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Garrison Keillor's commentary in the New York Times on his recent trip to Roanoke raised some eyebrows when it was reprinted in this newspaper last week.
Not because the National Public Radio humorist described Roanoke as a place where people run for city council and coach Little League baseball in order to atone for sins.
Not because he said Roanoke was a place where people have "enough holes in their underwear to make them careful crossing streets."
Instead, it was because Keillor wrote that "the man next to me" at the Kiwanis Club meeting offered him some corn liquor - and then produced some genuine moonshine from the trunk of his car. In fact, Keillor went on to describe in glorious detail how he consumed the liquor with abandon, yet felt no hangover the next morning.
So just who was the man sitting next to Keillor during his visit?
Turns out there were two, one on each side. One was stockbroker Robert Brailsford. The other was Mayor David Bowers.
And who produced the moonshine?
Not I, says Brailsford. "I don't remember offering our speaker any jar of clear liquid," he says, tongue-in-cheek, "but I'm sure if I did, it wouldn't have caused a hangover."
Not I, says the mayor, who suggests the humorist was simply being humorous.
Besides, Bowers says, he doesn't have room in his trunk, for moonshine or anything else. "I've got a tire iron, some hedge clippers and some gifts I carry around to present when I speak, but no moonshine."
Disney welfare package?
You may have heard the phrase "welfare queens" - a put-down of women on public assistance. Well, in a speech at Roanoke College Thursday night,\ Jesse Jackson Jr., oldest son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, introduced students to some "welfare kings": "Goofy, Daffy, Donald and Disney just got on welfare - $163 million in welfare," he said.
Jackson was referring to the package of incentives - actually worth $131.5 million - approved by the General Assembly earlier this month to entice the Walt Disney Co. to build an American history theme park in Prince William County.
More than SAT involved
Listen up, high schoolers:
Academics still come first if you're trying to get into college, but you can improve your chance of admission if you have other talents, traits and experiences.
College admissions officers say that, among other things, they are looking for students who have exhibited leadership or display artistic talent.
According to a recent survey by College Bound, a monthly publication for college admissions officers, colleges seek out specific talents and skills in applicants after they have met all scholastic requirements.
Colleges also are seeking:
A diverse freshman class with students representing a broad range of racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Students who have a strong sense of community service and volunteerism.
Students, especially those who are multilingual, interested in international issues.
The admission officers said high-school students shouldn't get too uptight about the application process.
"Do your homework about the colleges you are considering," said Christopher Hooker-Haring, dean of admissions at Muhlenberg College.
"Visit the campuses. Talk to the students and faculty. Do your very best on the applications. Then try to relax and live with the results."
Mr. Average
How would you describe the average school board member in the United States?
How about this: a white male who lives in a suburban community, 41 to 50 years old, married with children in school and with five years of experience on the school board.
That's according to a recent annual demographic survey of school boards. The results were published in the January issue of The American School Board Journal.
And how does that compare with the average school board member in Virginia?
The average board member in Virginia is a white male who lives in a rural school district and has three years or less experience as a board member, according to a survey by the Virginia School Boards Association. The state survey did not include age.
Two-thirds of board members in Virginia are males; 79 percent are white.
Wonder if election of school boards will change those percentages?
by CNB