ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, March 3, 1997 TAG: 9703030086
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
Unity is found in our back yard
RECENTLY, I heard that Roanoke had been named ``the most segregated city in Virginia.'' Being a newcomer, I have no evidence to debate this. But I'd like to share an example of unity.
On Feb. 9, St. Gerard Catholic Church celebrated a special event. Two baby boys were welcomed into the Catholic faith through the sacrament of baptism. One child is black and the other is white. These two babies are brothers, and our parish family rejoices at their new beginnings.
After Mass, the Rev. Wayne Ball stood for photographs with one child in each arm. Misty-eyed at this sight, I realized that we were witnessing living proof that we're all one body in Christ!
No, we don't live in a perfect world. But let's not get so bogged down with negatives that we lose sight of the joy and the unity right in our own back yard.
BRENDA S. SHARP
DALEVILLE
Judge's decision showed his bias
REGARDING your Feb. 7 Associated Press news article, ``Judge to clear man's record'':
I was completely blown away by what I read. How can a person who so openly doesn't care for or respect women carry the title of judge?
How can Maryland Judge Thomas Bollinger Sr. stay in a position in which he makes decisions concerning people's lives? His actions clearly say to me that he thinks the abuse of women is OK. I am sure he will be a much-requested judge with men who are charged with abuse.
Does he feel the same way about child abuse? Or does the gender of the child matter in his decision?
We're supposed to be a civilized society, so how can we keep in a position of authority someone who seems to condone uncivilized behavior against women?
REBECCA THOMAS
BOONES MILL
Art is practiced for art's sake
THE NEXT to the last paragraph in your Feb. 8 editorial (``Arts in education: a basic, not a frill'') should not have been printed. It completely waters down the excellent argument for the arts that your editorial almost achieved.
I believe that athletes pour out their sweat and blood for their love of competition and good sportsmanship, but many also see dollar signs in their futures. Right at the beginning of their high-school careers and on up to college, athletes - particularly football and basketball players - ``do their personal best, not just enough for a passing grade'' but for a contract with Nike and the Dallas Cowboys.
If painters and sculptors, for example, ever achieve the same salary and fame as professional athletes, they are either 60 years old or dead. As a multi-media artist, I am not interested in wealth and fame - just simple respect and the resources to bring new ideas into this world.
In the future, please do not turn around your argument for an idea just to appease your conservative readers. I realize you write your editorials for and about this area, but not all of us enjoy hearing about the abuse of the fine arts and the promotion and protection of violent athletes, such as several members of the Virginia Tech football team.
BRIAN C. RUSSELL
BLACKSBURG
Woodrum should stop meddling
DEL. CLIFTON "Chip" Woodrum introduced a bill to allow certain establishments within 2.5 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway to sell mixed drinks without a local referendum.
The town of Hillsville and Carroll County haven't approved mixed-drink sales. I believe this is a back-door approach to bringing mixed drinks into Carroll County.
Woodrum needs to concern himself with Roanoke, and stay out of the business of the people of Carroll County. If mixed drinks are going to be sold in Carroll, the people of the county should decide - not the General Assembly.
LARRY A. PICKETT
AUSTINVILLE
Don't commercialize the mountain
I HAVE been reading all the news articles and letters to the editor on Mill Mountain. J. Colville Lambert said (Feb. 19 letter, ``Why not develop Mill Mountain?'') he is ``in favor of any development, commercialism or expansion on the mountain. I will always be in favor of improving any of our assets.''
Where does he get the idea that sticking up a McDonald's sign and that kind of stuff will improve the mountain? To me, that's ruining it.
I don't mean that you never can do anything. I am sure there are lovely things that we could do there. But I think the bottom line is money, money, money. That's sad, because some things are worth more than money - and more enduring.
NORINA ROBERTSON
ROANOKE
Live theater isn't new to Blacksburg
REGARDING your Feb. 12 editorial, ``Going live at the Lyric'' about the premiere at the Lyric of Sam Shephard's play ``Fool for Love.'' You conclude: ``It is not inconceivable that live theater at the Lyric could prove for downtown Blacksburg a cultural shot in the arm.''
For 18 years, Playmakers has presented quality live theater on a regular basis in the New River Valley. On Dec. 11, 1979, Christiansburg Community Theater was founded by a small group of enthusiastic people. Through the summer of 1990, CCT performed four plays a year at area churches, schools and malls. After a decade and more than 40 productions, CCT changed its name to Playmakers & Company.
By the winter of 1992, Nora Hansen, then president of Playmakers (and most recently the female lead in the Lyric's ``Fool for Love''), negotiated a lease with University Mall in Blacksburg. For the first time, the community theater had a home. Since then, Playmakers has regularly performed at the mall in theater-adapted store space. Including repertory company productions, Playmakers gives five to seven performances a season. The 78th production (``Steel Magnolias'') runs through March 9.
Playmakers shares a common goal with the Lyric Council and wholeheartedly supports its ambitious dream of bringing live theater to downtown Blacksburg. Because Playmakers has a resident troupe of actors, and has been presenting live theater in Blacksburg for years, members assure you that Lyric's ambitious dream is indeed obtainable. We're happy to have the Lyric Council join us in providing a cultural shot in the arm for residents of Blacksburg and surrounding localities.
TINA VAUGHN
Historian, Playmakers & Company
BLACKSBURG
Anti-smokers want a total ban
AS A SMOKER and user of a legal product, I don't believe that anti-smokers are all that concerned about teen-age smoking.
What the anti-tobacco people want is a ban on tobacco, and they will do anything and say anything to this end.
HARRY MARTIN
ROANOKE
Arts project would be welcome
I AGREE with Judith M. Baumgardner (Feb. 18 letter to the editor, ``Roanoke needs an arts workshop'').
When I lived in Richmond for 10 years, my children grew up with the Handwork Shop programs, and my husband and I always volunteered during the annual juried show.
The Roanoke Valley is so fortunate to have the City Market, Center in the Square, the Art Museum of Southwest Virginia, Studios in the Square and many galleries. It seems the one missing piece is a place for arts education to come together in the downtown area.
To form a facility of the nature of Richmond's Handwork Shop could, and should, be a collaborative effort on the part of many interested parties - from the area school systems to businesses. Yes, it's a huge undertaking, but so is Warehouse Row and other exciting projects on the drawing boards. Take a second look at this one.
MARCIA L. OBENSHAIN
ROANOKE
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