The Virginian-Pilot

urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:1234 HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com http://www.pilotonline.com The Virginian-Pilot 2010-03-10T18:32:12-05:00 Copyright The Virginian-Pilot urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:545626 Local Girl Scout cookies get the green light 2010-03-10T17:27:44-05:00 2010-03-11T08:19:56-05:00 Copyright The Virginian-Pilot

Girl Scout Cookies sold in Hampton Roads are safe. The Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast wants to assure local cookie connoisseurs that no cookies sold in Hampton Roads are among those being replaced by the manufacturer because of quality issues. Last week, Little Brownie Baker, which produces Girl Scout Cookies, pulled certain batches of its Lemon Chalet CrÃ¨mes - a sandwich cookie with a lemon filling - because of complaints about their palatability. An investigation determined that certain lots of the cookie contained an oil that may break down and result in an unusual taste or smell. Although the cookies are safe to eat, the baker is replacing the affected cookies - none of which were sold locally. "At this point we're just hoping to get the correct information to the public - that all of our Girl Scout cookies are just as good as always," said Girl Scout representative Elizabeth Farry. Girl Scout Cookie sales will continue through March 14. For more information, visit www.gsccc.org or call 547-4405. Norfolk, VA Anonymous Local Girl Scout cookies get the green light The Virginian-Pilot urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:545626 Change 0 Usable urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:545692 Seas' acidity threatens life, livelihoods, film says 2010-03-11T10:50:34-05:00 2010-03-11T06:43:51-05:00 Copyright The Virginian-Pilot

NORFOLK Oceans are becoming more acidic, which poses another threat in Virginia to oysters, clams and crabs as well as to water quality and coastal ecosystems, a panel of scientists and environmentalists warned Wednesday. The experts, including researchers from Old Dominion University and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, spoke after a special screening of the documentary film "Acid Test" at the Naro Expanded Cinema in Norfolk. More than 100 attended the free event, intended to shine a rare spotlight on the little-publicized issue of ocean acidification. Described as "the other carbon problem," the slow decrease in the pH of ocean waters across the globe is blamed mostly on the burning of fossil fuels and the release of excessive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Scientists once thought that the oceans could absorb the carbon and that it might even be beneficial. But in recent years, as coral reefs have started to vanish and researchers have seen how small aquatic life is having trouble in more corrosive conditions, the tide has changed dramatically. Debbie Bronk, a researcher at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, told the audience Wednesday that, as a student, she was taught that it would be incredibly difficult to change the pH of sea water. "But we've managed to do it," she said, "and in this whole climate change arena, that really scares me." The film "Acid Test" describes how, since the Industrial Revolution some 200 years ago, ocean waters have increased in acidity by about 30 percent. And, as Bronk noted, even minor changes in pH mean a great deal, pointing out how battery acid is about a 1 on the pH scale while lemon juice is a 2. "Battery acid will melt your skin, but you can drink lemon juice," she said. Increased acidity means that shellfish, from the tiniest to the largest species, have trouble making their shells from calcium carbonate, a victim in the changing chemistry of the oceans, the experts said. That threat has watermen worried about future impacts on crabs, oysters, clams and other commercial stocks that grow shells or rely on small shellfish for food, said Wayne Creed, an Eastern Shore fisherman, writer and consultant. Some critics of climate change say that ocean acidification is good, that the phenomenon increases marine life. James Taylor, a senior fellow at The Heartland Institute, made that case to the Virginia Beach Alternative Energy Task Force last year. But Margie Mulholland, an ODU researcher, said some species that do well in acidic waters include harmful algae that bloom and steal oxygen from rivers and the Chesapeake Bay every summer. "Acid Test" was produced by the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group, and was shown on the Discovery Channel last summer. The group is showing the film in several states, including Virginia, South Carolina and Maine, in the hope of creating political support for a bill pending in Congress to combat climate change, said Lisa Suatoni, a scientist with the defense council. Scott Harper, (757) 446-2340, scott.harper@pilotonline.com Norfolk, VA Anonymous Seas' acidity threatens life, livelihoods, film says The Virginian-Pilot urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:545692 Change 0 Usable urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:545684 Local foreclosure filings hit record in February 2010-03-11T05:14:47-05:00 2010-03-11T05:02:55-05:00 Copyright The Virginian-Pilot

Foreclosure filings jumped to a record high in the region last month after falling in January, according to a report to be released today. Foreclosure-related notices totaled 1,305 last month, up about 22 percent from 1,074 in January, according to RealtyTrac, an online foreclosure-monitoring service based in Irvine, Calif. The January figure was down about 11 percent from 1,200 in December, the previous record. That number includes default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions. The region reaches from Williamsburg to Currituck County in North Carolina. All five cities in South Hampton Roads - Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach - reported increases in foreclosure filings. Virginia Beach had the largest number - 333. Norfolk reported the sharpest increase, up 61 percent. In contrast, the national total declined 2 percent from January, to 308,524. But it was 6 percent higher than the level in February 2009. That marks the 50th consecutive month of year-over-year increases in foreclosure figures, RealtyTrac CEO James Saccacio said in a statement. He predicted the "historically high level" of activity "will likely continue for an extended period." Norfolk, VA Anonymous Local foreclosure filings hit record in February The Virginian-Pilot urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:545684 Change 0 Usable urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:545698 NSU baseball sweeps; ODU a run short 2010-03-11T01:20:20-05:00 2010-03-11T01:14:51-05:00 Copyright The Virginian-Pilot

Norfolk State pounded seven home runs in a 14-2, 18-6 sweep of North Carolina Central on Wednesday in Durham, N.C. Brandon Hairston had two home runs, four doubles and five RBIs for the Spartans (6-5-1). John Lynch equalled Hairston's seven hits and Chris Joyce (Great Bridge) added five, including two home runs. Also Wednesday, Grant McCoury's pinch-hit double capped a six-run rally in the ninth inning, lifting Elon to a 10-9 victory over Old Dominion. The Monarchs (9-6) got two home runs from Kenny Stoneback and also turned a triple play. Old Dominion opens a three-game series at Stetson on Friday. Norfolk, VA Anonymous NSU baseball sweeps; ODU a run short The Virginian-Pilot urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:545698 Change 0 Usable urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:545694 Crowd decries Norfolk schools' plan to cut jobs 2010-03-11T01:00:58-05:00 2010-03-11T00:54:49-05:00 Copyright The Virginian-Pilot

NORFOLK The prospect of cutting 410 school jobs brought out tears, outrage and a crowd of more than 400 Wednesday at the School Board's public hearing on the proposed budget.

NORFOLK The prospect of cutting 410 school jobs brought out tears, outrage and a crowd of more than 400 Wednesday at the School Board's public hearing on the proposed budget. Teachers, school employees and parents denounced the cuts, proposed for the next school year, as part of a package to offset an estimated $40 million in higher fixed costs and state funding reductions to the Norfolk division. "I haven't had a raise, I'm working three jobs - all that aside, there is nothing more important than our school. It is not disposable," teacher Karen Roberts said of Willoughby Elementary School, which has been named in discussions on closing schools. The crowd packed the Norview Middle School auditorium and overflowed into the cafeteria. Dozens wore T -shirts emblazened "Kids First," or raised placards declaring, "Hands off the Classroom" and "NPS 'nationally recognized' for cuts?" Under the budget, employees would get no pay raises or tuition reimbursement and would have to absorb a 12.5-percent increase in health insurance costs. Some grades would see class sizes get bigger. The cuts would include 135 teaching positions. "I can tell you unequivocally, the worker bees are tired of being the scapegoats," said Marian Flickinger, president of the Norfolk Federation of Teachers. "The majority of the cuts fall on the employees who are the most underpaid." Several speakers said far more administrators in the division's central office should be cut, instead of teachers. Amy Woods, a Larchmont Elementary School PTA spokeswoman, said teachers already are rationing school supplies in the decrepit 80-year-old building. "Strong schools are as much of a part of our economic development as hotels and trains," Woods said in a clear reference to Norfolk's tax-supported subsidies for light rail and businesses. "Whoo!" the crowd roared in agreement. Other speakers denounced the elimination of custodians, teacher assistants, the Coronado school for pregnant students and teen mothers, and information technology experts. Jones has warned that wage reductions and school closings might be necessary if the General Assembly adopts proposals to cut more education funding. Steven G. Vegh, (757) 446-2417, steven.vegh@pilotonline.com Norfolk, VA Anonymous Crowd decries Norfolk schools' plan to cut jobs The Virginian-Pilot urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:545694 Change 0 Usable urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:545686 U.Va.'s Bennett gets reality check after early wins 2010-03-11T00:39:38-05:00 2010-03-11T00:24:15-05:00 Copyright The Virginian-Pilot

CHARLOTTESVILLE Tony Bennett should have known better, and deep down, he did. But things were going so well. His father, Dick Bennett, is legendary at three Wisconsin colleges for taking their basketball programs to new heights. The milestones of Tony Bennett's life can be cross-referenced with various stages of his father's building projects. But Tony Bennett also watched his father trudge through the tedium and the time it took - usually three or four losing seasons - at every stop to reach those peaks. He even shared in the struggle as Dick's assistant at Washington State. The Cougars went 36-49 in their first three seasons there before Tony took over in 2006-07 on his first solo project and guided them to the back-to-back 26-win seasons and NCAA tournament runs. "I need to remind him of that," Dick Bennett said. "There are no shortcuts." Tony knows that. He does now, anyway. He knew it last March, too, when he was lured away from Pullman, Wash., to revive the University of Virginia program. In the five previous seasons, the Cavaliers were 31-49 in the ACC, made just one NCAA tournament (2006-07) and were fresh off a 10-18 season that cost his predecessor, Dave Leitao, his job. The roster Bennett inherited had limited top-tier talent. His first team was picked to finish 11th in the ACC. These facts, and Bennett's pedigree, should have been sufficiently sobering. "When you're brought in to build up a program, you know there's going to be some tough times," he said. "I knew how close a margin of error, how fine a line we had. I knew that." But winning, especially early, can be intoxicating. So when the Cavaliers did win, often and improbably, reality briefly blurred - even for a natural-born realist of a coach. Virginia reeled off eight consecutive victories from Dec. 21 to Jan. 18 - the program's longest winning streak in six years - and the Cavs were 12-4 overall, 3-0 in the ACC. They beat Georgia Tech, which was fresh off a win over Duke. They beat Miami, which was 15-2 at the time and recently ranked. Buzz was building for Bennett as the league's coach of the year. He should've known better. But things were going so well. "When we had that nice stretch, there's a little bit of hope," Bennett said. "Like, 'Hey, maybe we can shortcut that hard part or bypass that part.' These last few games have indicated we can't. We're not ready yet. We have work to do." The winning streak ended with a road loss against a good Wake Forest team. No shame in that. From there, though, Bennett's house of hope began to crumble. The Cavaliers blew a late 10-point lead at home and lost in overtime to Virginia Tech on Jan. 28. Virginia briefly bounced back with wins over North Carolina and N.C. State to keep the Cavaliers near the top of the ACC at the halfway point. But heartbreak was back in a flash. An overtime loss at home to Wake was followed by another blown lead, at halftime and in the final two minutes, against the Hokies in Blacksburg. Deflated, the Cavaliers lost their next six by an average of 17.3 points. Heading into today's first-round ACC tournament game against Boston College - which whipped Virginia (14-15, 5-11) in Chestnut Hill eight days ago - Bennett's boys have lost nine in a row, matching the program's worst streak since 1962. "In truth, we were fortunate to win some of those early games," Bennett admits now. "The kids played their hearts out and we played some teams at the right time, and we had some nice wins at home. A lot of things broke right for us to get off to that start. But I understand it's not that easy - it never is - and this league is so unforgiving." As can Virginia's academic standards. Bennett lost senior Jamil Tucker to grades before the season. He had to suspend his finest player and leading scorer, junior Sylven Landesberg, just last week for reportedly poor attendance in an art class. But Bennett was drawn to Virginia - reportedly shunning previous interest from Indiana and LSU - in part because of the school's academic status. Access to the Cavaliers' state-of-the-art facilities, proximity to top recruiting talent, and a place in the rich history of the ACC certainly didn't hurt. Bennett, though, thought his cerebral style and defensive-minded approach would lend itself well to what he calls The Stanford Model. The Cardinal, he said, has maintained a top program not in spite of, but because of, its academic standards. "Start with a core group... of kids that are excited about the academic opportunity, but also want to compete at the highest level," Bennett said. "Build it with kids who, the majority of them, are going to be there for their four years and by the time they're juniors and seniors, they can really compete. It's challenging. You certainly have to do your homework and be careful, find the right kids. "You've got to let them know: There are no short-cuts here. " If history holds, this team won't be completely built for a resurgence until the 2011-12 season, at the earliest. Following his father's plan, Bennett's first recruiting class at Virginia is a large one - six players, just like the first class at Washington State. And he will play many of them early, taking lumps along the way, to prep them for bigger things. That first group for the Cougars endured two losing seasons before producing four junior leaders who helped them reach the NCAA's second round in 2006-07, when Bennett was national Coach of the Year. They made the Sweet 16 the next season. That recruiting class included just one player of any acclaim, according to the recruiting services. This Cavaliers class includes four players rated among the top 150 overall prospects rated by Rivals.com. "I think there's a bit more talent in this group than that first class we brought in at Washington State," Dick Bennett said. "I would say in Tony's third year, it's going to start to show. Next year, they'll probably struggle. But it will be the kind of struggle that people will get excited about, because they will be good players. "Everyone, Tony included, just needs to stay patient. It took me five years everywhere I went to really get a great team." Tony Bennett should know. He grew up watching the pattern unfold as dependably as the seasons. In his dad's first year at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, he went 9-17. In Year 5, he was 19-8. Two years later, an NAIA national title game. Dick's first year at Wisconsin-Green Bay, he was 5-23. In Year 5, the team was 24-8 and reached the second round of the NIT. The first of three NCAA tournaments, with Tony leading the way as a star guard, followed. At the University of Wisconsin, Bennett started 17-15. In Year 5, the Badgers reached the Final Four. Tony Bennett knows Virginia fans wanted a quick fix. He did, too. But deep down, all along, he knew better. "When it was going well, everybody was excited," he said. "I saw that look in the players' eyes, like, 'Hey, we're starting to make up some ground here!' Now that look is gone. But this is a test, for me as a coach and for my players. What can we learn from this? "There's a lot of wisdom in your failures." Kyle Tucker, (757) 446-2374, kyle.tucker@pilotonline.com Norfolk, VA Anonymous U.Va.'s Bennett gets reality check after early wins The Virginian-Pilot urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:545686 Change 0 Usable urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:545640 Have some St. Patty's Day fun in Hampton Roads 2010-03-10T18:32:12-05:00 2010-03-11T00:00:00-05:00 Copyright The Virginian-Pilot

Some shiny new coins gleam in this year's St. Patrick's Day party pot of gold. ShamRock' N Roll will take place Wednesday at the newly renovated Town Point Park in downtown Norfolk, with events outdoors and in Waterside. "We haven't had an outdoor downtown St. Patrick's Day event for quite some time now," said Karen Scherberger, executive director of Festevents. "The very, very first event we held in downtown was a St. Patrick's Day party in 1983 in Selden Arcade. The next year we had a party under huge heated tents in the park." Expect green merchandise, Irish treats and rock 'n' roll by The DeLoreans and Butter, with a bagpiper or two sprinkled in. The park is open after eight months, and Scherberger sees this as a great opportunity to show it off. "The time is right, and the setting is ready," she said. "And people are so anxious to get outside and get this winter weather behind them." Shamrockin' in Ghent replaces Greening of Ghent this year. The traditional Norfolk street party will celebrate the Emerald Isle along Colley Avenue in front of the Naro Expanded Cinema on Friday evening. "It's the kickoff of all the St. Patty's Day events around here," said Elena Berry, marketing and event director of Hope House Foundation. "We have a new name, and all proceeds this year benefit the foundation." The Havens and The DeLoreans will serve up Irish tunes, and local eateries will offer special food and beverages. New is great, but the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Ocean View will remain the same wild and crazy celebration. Now in its 43rd year, it's a one-of-a-kind neighborhood happening where friends join locals along the route, and the party pours out to the sidewalk. Expect green beer, beads, floats and marching bands. "It's just a big community parade," said media chairman Carl Lee. "We have a lot of fun putting it on, and we try to keep it happy." Vice Mayor Anthony L. Burfoot will be the grand marshal. "He'll be carrying a shillelagh and wearing a green hat and Irish sash," Lee said. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday at Westmont Avenue and Granby Street. The Craig Woolard Band and Hotcakes will provide post-parade music at the Knights of Columbus. The 38th annual Shamrock Marathon Weekend begins March 19 in Virginia Beach, but racers officially take off March 20-21, with many wearing kooky costumes while participating in the half-dozen events. "We are becoming even more green this year," said Amy Frostick, co-race director. She said this year 99 percent of registrations were completed online. Participants get a virtual goody bag instead of a plastic bag full of paper discounts. Leftover food will go to homeless shelters, and recycle bins will be more plentiful. "We'll also have a record number of participants," Frostick said. "We expect more than 23,000, and that's 1,000 more than last year." Along with these larger events, don't forget to pop into an Irish-leaning pub to join in the merriment, see what local libraries and rec centers have to offer, and check the rest of our listings. And be safe out there. Roy Bahls, (757) 446-2351, roy.bahls@pilotonline.com Norfolk, VA Anonymous Have some St. Patty's Day fun in Hampton Roads The Virginian-Pilot urn:publicid:pilotonline.com:545640 Change 0 Usable