Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 6, 1995 TAG: 9503080054
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Earlier this winter, thousands of starlings decided to make their home in the limbs of the Bradford pear trees that line Main Street downtown. The flock apparently roosted in the trees to stay warm, getting wind protection from the buildings on either side of the street.
The birds may have found peace, but the town -especially its sidewalks - suffered. Shop owners and citizens weren't happy. The town's public works crews were forced to hose down the sidewalk underneath the trees to wash off bird droppings at least three days a week.
Finally, the town figured out how to make the starlings fly, fly away. In January, they horned in on the birds. Public Works Director Kelly Mattingly and others spent 15 minutes every night for about a week walking through the birds' downtown habitat, blasting air horns.
The harassment worked. Now there are no more birds - or at least no more flocks of birds - and shoe soles are staying a lot cleaner.
A Lott of money
Rep. Bob Goodlatte, who in the past few years has brought Bob Dole, Newt Gingrich and Dick Armey into the 6th District, will be host of yet another Republican big gun.
This time, it's Mississippi Sen. Trent Lott, the new Senate majority whip.
Lott will join Goodlatte for two private fund-raising events Friday night in Roanoke. The first will be a $1,000-per-person ``round-table discussion'' at the home of Fabricated Metals Industry President Jay Langhammer, followed by a $50-per-person reception at the home of First Union National Bank of Virginia President Ben Jenkins.
Goodlatte, re-elected without opposition last year, will be on the ballot again next year. His campaign already has about $200,000 in the bank, but aide Tim Phillips says it's never too early to raise more. ``Our motto is the Boy Scout motto: `Be prepared.'''
A better alternative
Roanoke's new school at Valley Court is awaiting a new name, but it's getting good reviews from the students.
``We have more space, educational programs and vocational educational opportunities,'' said Robert Leftwich, a sophomore at the new school for Roanoke's alternative-education students.
Nearly 185 students moved into the school last month, which is in a former shopping center at Interstate 581 and Hershberger Road.
Trina Bouseman, a senior, said the new school's environment is better for learning. ``It is more modern, with more space and with a cafeteria for a hot lunch,'' she said.
At the former site at the Addison School, the alternative-education students were allowed to use the cafeteria only at 10 a.m. ``It was like morning brunch,'' Bouseman said.
Bouseman will graduate in June and enroll at Virginia Western Community College to study political science. She plans to transfer to North Carolina A&T University and get her political science degree before becoming a lawyer.
``It's real different. It's cleaner. They are trying to make it a better school,'' said Raja Quinn, a senior.
``There are more classrooms and more space for students to get around in the halls,'' said Jimmy Byrd, a junior.
Leftwich, editor of The Flavor News, the newspaper for the alternative school, said he's found that the school faculty and staff believe the new location will improve educational opportunities.
Leftwich said the move to the new school generally has been smooth. Students are transferred from middle and high schools by shuttle buses.
by CNB