On Saturday, November 17 at approximately 11:09 AM Eastern Standard Time, the IKONOS satellite focused its powerful eye upon the Virginia Tech campus. This was done in an effort to capture the lettering of the agriculture fields, as well as thousands of Hokies who had gathered to form the letters Thank-You on the drillfield.

Seven months ago the message was a different one as we became a breaking news story on the international stage. The scene was broadcasted live via the dishes on the backs of the hordes of media trucks that had congregated to document our time of crisis.

While the initial questions of why it happened and how it could have been avoided subsided into a more sober time of pain and healing, another story arose. "We will prevail" was the rallying call, and messages of sorrow and solidarity came from near and far.

It was what happened in those seven redeeming months that inspired Virginia Tech's Peter Sforza to give something back in the best way he knew how. He made it so that this time when we were viewed from the great eye in the sky the image broadcast around the world be our image.

I would like to thank Pete for his the cooperation, help, and friendship that came with putting together our second issue's cover story.

Thanks to the team of writers and artists (look to the left) who brought this issue to fruition.

And thanks to the advertisers who also make 16 Blocks possible. Support their businesses and mention to them that you heard it from us. So enjoy some surf-and-turf and a good funk band next you go out to Awful Arthur's. Buy paints and brushes at Mish-Mish and then submit your piece to the magazine. Buy that long overdue bracelet for your loved one at Capone's, and save gas money by buying a scooter at Go-Race. Need cell-phone service, visit the wireless zone downtown and ask for Tice. Abby's contends that they have the best roast beef in town, you should take them up on their claim.

Hart Fowler
Publisher