ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 4, 1996 TAG: 9601040054
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: What's on your mind?
SOURCE: RAY REED
Q: Why is it taking so long for the "Nixon" movie to open in Roanoke? Is it because nearly all of our theaters are under the same ownership (Carmike)?
M.L., Roanoke; D.E., Roanoke
A: Movies usually open in larger cities first, but another factor figures into the "Nixon" delay. It's known as the Oscar.
This long-advertised movie was released earlier than planned - in December - to New York and Los Angeles theaters so it would be eligible for this year's Academy Awards.
Timing guarantees the movie will be fresh in the minds of people voting on the awards.
"Nixon" also opened in Northern Virginia about two weeks before Christmas to take advantage of interest in the Washington area, movie critic Mike Mayo said.
Other cities are seeing the movie according to its original schedule. Roanoke-sized markets must have been on the list for early January.
"Nixon" opens Friday at the Grandin and Salem Valley 8.
Falcon flew by
Q: What's the latest story on the falcons that were introduced to downtown Roanoke a while back? I haven't heard anything lately.
R.J.O., Salem
A: About 10 people reported seeing a peregrine falcon in Roanoke and the suburbs between March and October 1995, said Amy Chattin, education curator at Mill Mountain Zoo.
There's no way to tell if the sightings were of one bird, two or more. The bird(s) have migrated by now if they followed the usual falcon behavior.
Colors have faded from the leg bands that identified the six falcons released in downtown Roanoke in 1992. It's not known if the city's original falcons returned.
Downtown businesses contributed $8,000 to the falcon project in the hope the birds would prey on the local pigeons.
The following year, the city had one nesting pair of falcons.
For whatever reason, Roanoke is one of just a few cities that have a falcon as a summer resident. Perhaps it means the project was a partial success.
"Something's working somewhere," Chattin said.
Unregulated prices
Q: There's something funny about the price of propane gas. I've been charged prices ranging from $1.76 per gallon for my barbecue grill to $2.55 for my place at the lake. I've heard of a company in the New River Valley that's charging less than $1. Why the difference?| |D.M., Roanoke A: Propane gas is sold in a competitive market. It's not regulated by a utility commission.
A couple of points worth noting: When a small barbecue tank is filled at the distributor's premises, there's no charge for hauling the tank. Dennis LeMaster of Petrolane said propane service may cost more per gallon if use is seasonal - high consumption in winter and practically none in the summer, for example. Petrolane's rate is based on annual consumption.
Your report of the low price available from one supplier apparently is correct. LeMaster said that happens occasionally when a newcomer is trying to establish a customer base. Prices can't be held that low for long, he said.
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.
LENGTH: Medium: 68 linesby CNB