Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 24, 1994 TAG: 9402240038
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Ray Reed
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: The first lady and seven other Americans are the president's official delegation to the Olympic Games.
Her press spokesman was quick to say this delegation has become a presidential tradition, and that then-President Bush sent his daughter and sister to the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville. Bush sent his son and daughter-in-law to the Summer Games in Barcelona.
As in past years, this delegation flew on military aircraft as guests of the taxpayers.
Also in the party were a security detail and three people serving as the first lady's support staff. Their duties include shielding Hillary Clinton from all media people except David Letterman's mom.
U.S. outfits Olympians
Q: In the Feb. 6 issue of Parade magazine, U.S. downhill skier Picabo Street is quoted as describing the team uniforms for the Olympics opening ceremonies. "The Japanese did them," she said.
Could we be sending our people to the Olympics in uniforms not made in this country? C.T., Roanoke
A: Apparently not, this time.
Perhaps Picabo Street was mistaken. At any rate, the U.S. Olympic Committee and Sara Lee Corp. officials agree that Champion, an American manufacturer, is supplying every U.S. Olympian with a parade uniform, the award suit, sweats, T-shirts and leisure apparel.
The spandex suits worn in competition weren't listed on Champion's news release, and figure skaters wear designer outfits.
There was plenty of controversy in 1992 when the U.S. "dream team" wore British Reebok awards suits to receive the basketball gold medals.
Much of that uproar came when Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley draped the American flag over the Reebok logo. They endorse Nike, an American product.
March is a snow lion
Q: I keep hearing people say we usually get our biggest snowstorms in March. Is that true? I know we got a blizzard last March. J.V., Roanoke
A: Roanokers can almost count on waking up to a snowy morning - or two - in March.
Average snowfall for that month in Roanoke is 3.5 inches, the National Weather Service says.
Last March's blizzard dumped 16 inches of snow in Roanoke and 2 feet in some nearby areas.
The biggest March snow on record was a 1960 storm that produced 17.4 inches. The total snowfall for March 1960 was 30 inches.
And we thought March of '93 was rough?
Other eye-openers: 13.8 inches fell in a 1969 storm, 10.4 inches in '78, 12 inches in '80 and 10.4 inches again in '81.
There were no more really deep March snows until the big one of '93, but the unusually mild winters of 1989-1992 seemed to save most of their snow for March, even if it was only 2 or 3 inches.
On the up side, it melts fast.
Got a question about something that might affect other people too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Maybe we can find the answer.
by CNB