Cornershot

To submit a CornerShot

The Roanoke Times welcomes CornerShot submissions from its readers. Here are the guidelines:

Length: about 200 words
Topic: CornerShots can run the gamut, but we generally prefer unique and clever observations on the human experience.
No poetry, please.
Email your submission to extra@roanoke.com with your full name and hometown and “CornerShot” in the subject line. You can also mail submissions to Kathy Lu, CornerShot, The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, VA 24010.
Submissions are subject to editing.

1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County

2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day

3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys

4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping

5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football

6. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust

7. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen

8. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible

9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli

10. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area

Beth Handley | A reader in Roanoke

Saturday, June 1, 2013

The recent OpenTable announcement honoring our own Alexander’s restaurant for service was no surprise to me.

I got my customer-service chops starting in December 1982 on my first day as a server at Alexander’s in its previous Campbell Avenue location.

Laurie, who was training me, told me not to take off my coat, as we were about to go out the back door and slice rock-hard ice cream cakes.

Really? In December? But I hung in there and learned much over 10 years.

One of our regular diners who was diabetic would receive a fruit cup (not on the menu) so she could enjoy dessert with the rest of the guests. Another party that included men of diminutive stature would be accommodated at the table with flowers in a shallow bowl rather than in the usual tall vase so they would be able to see their dining companions.

It’s all about empathy, and owner Bridget Meagher and general manager Boni Mills Webb have it all down. In what other restaurant can you get that kind of service?

Monday, August 12, 2013