MCPS lockdown drill
All schools in Montgomery County participated in a lockdown drill beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon. The drill was conducted in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies. The drill was designed to familiarize staff and students with the actions that take place during a division-wide lockdown.
Valley Voices submissions open
Valley Voices submissions for the 2017 Autumn Competition opens Sept. 6. The deadline is Oct. 10.
NRV writers are invited to submit both poetry and prose entries.
Winners will present their works at the Valley Voices Autumn 2017 program held at the Blacksburg Public Library on December 3.
For submission details go to http://newrivervalleyvoices.com/.
Registration open for Citizens Police Academy
The Christiansburg Police Department is accepting applications for this year’s Citizens Police Academy, a free 12-week class providing residents with an overview of the department and its operations.
The academy is scheduled to begin mid-September and will meet each Thursday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Christiansburg Police Department, 10 East Main Street in Christiansburg.
During the academy, participants have a chance to ride along with Christiansburg police officers, visit the firing range and fire the weapons they carry, and tour the Cardinal Police Academy where they train. In addition to hands-on training and experiences, participants will take part in classroom instruction, learning how radar works, how DUI stops are made, techniques for defensive tactics and more.
To sign up for the Citizens Police Academy or for more information, please contact Stephanie Turner at 382-3131, ext. 310.
Moss Arts Center artists of Appalachia
The Moss Arts Center’s current art exhibition highlights the outstanding artistry and skill of artists in Appalachia. Featuring the work of 17 regional artists using a variety of techniques, “From These Woods” draws attention to the potential of the arts for creating an ecologically and economically sustainable future in the region. The exhibition showcases a variety of different art forms and features pieces made by woodturning and carving, as well as woven baskets, sculpture, and furniture. 190 Alumni Mall, Blacksburg. For more information call 231-5300.
Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group
Build a support system with people who understand. Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support groups, conducted by trained facilitators, are a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia to develop a support system, exchange practical information on caregiving challenges and possible solutions. Talk through issues and ways of coping. Share feelings, needs and concerns. Learn about community resources. The group meets the first and third Friday of the month at 3 p.m. at the Warm Hearth Village Center Woodland Studio, located at 2387 Warm Hearth Drive in Blacksburg. For more information contact Heather Gearhart at 443-3488.
Micah’s Backpack
During the summer months, Micah’s Backpack is seeking volunteers to help pack bags, load cars, restock shelves, and break down packaging on Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. Set-up begins at 5:30 p.m.
When school resumes, they go back to packing on Thursday nights at 6 pm. Volunteers meet at Saint Michael Lutheran Church, 2308 Merrimac Road, Blacksburg.
Call Micah’s Backpack at 951-8951 for more details.
Autism Symposium Sep.15
The 3rd annual Autism Research Symposium will be held on Friday, Spt. 15 from 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Virginia Tech, The Virginia Tech Center for Autism Research, and The Washington Group Special Care Planning Team, presents the event. RSVP will be required due to space limitations. The symposium will be at the Fairview Park Marriott located at 3111 Fairview Park Dr, Falls Church. For more information please contact: (703) 865-6502 or calford@financialguide.com
North Main Street at Route 460 Intersection improvements design public hearing, tomorrow
Find out about a project to improve safety at the intersection where North Main Street connects with Route 460 and Farmingdale Lane in Blacksburg at the public hearing on Thursday, Aug. 31 from 5-7 p.m. at the Blacksburg Community center located at 725 Patrick Henry Drive. The project will modify the intersection to add and lengthen turn lanes and restrict left turns from North Main Street and Farmingdale Lane onto Route 460. The project also includes improvements to facilitate U-turns on Route 460. Closing the connection of Bishop Road to Route 460 also is being considered.
The hearing will be held in an open house format and VDOT representatives will be present to answer questions.
Review the project information and the National Environmental Policy Act document in the form of a Categorical Exclusion at the public hearing or after the hearing at VDOT’s Salem District Office located at 731 Harrison Ave., Salem, 540-387-5353, 800-367-7623, TTY/TDD 711. Please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate personnel to answer your questions. Inclement Weather Date: Tuesday, Sept. 5, 5-7 p.m.
Property impact information, relocation assistance policies and tentative construction schedules are available for your review at the above address and will be available at the public hearing.
6th Annual Fall & Holliday Craft/Vendor Show & Fundraiser
Come out to the Holy Spirit Catholic Churuch at 355 Independence Boulevard in Christiansburg from 9-2 p.m. for the 6th annual Fall and Holiday Craft/Vendor Show & Fundraiser. There will be a crafters, party consultants, door prizes, baked sale items & refreshments. Proceeds benefit our Youth Ministry. Please join us. For more information contact Terry Mattox, tmattox845@verizon.net, (540) 381-0845.
Mount Tabor Fish Fry, Sept. 9
Mount Tabor Ruritan Club will hold its September Fish Fry on Saturday, September 9 from 5-7 p.m. at Slusser’s Chapel Picnic Shelter, 1543 Mount Tabor Rd, Blacksburg. All-you-can-eat fish, fries and slaw; homemade desserts; and beverages. Adults-$8, children under 12-$4, (under 3)-free, carry-outs-$8. Simple Gifts of the Blue Ridge will be playing. Held rain or shine under the picnic shelter below the lower church parking lot. Call 449-6178 for further information. On Facebook at MtTaborRuritan.
Learn to Square Dance Sept. 11
Come enjoy an Open House and free Western square dance lesson offered by the New River Squares on Friday, Sept. 11, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Memorial Baptist Church, 995 Peppers Ferry Rd. Pulaski. You can also sign up for a series of classes that officially begin on Sept.18 and continue for 14 Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the Church. There is a small fee for the classes. Come for the Square Dance Open House on Sept. 11 and try this great fun exercise for free. If you have questions or wish more information contact Martin and Mary Jane McMillion at 382-3640 or martinandmaryjane@gmail.com or Susan and Phil Daniels at 268-0489 or spdan7@gmail.com.
Junior Master Gardner Program
Hahn Horticulture Garden and Montgomery County 4-H invites you to join our Junior Master Gardener (JMG) program. The JMG program is a fun youth gardening program modeled after the highly successful adult Master Gardener program. It offers horticultural and environmental science education through creative gardening activities. The program includes 26 classes over fall and spring. Classes will be led by trained Master Gardener volunteers with support from Hahn Horticulture Garden and Extension staff (generally three or more adults for each class). Hahn Horticulture Garden will provide garden space for some of the gardening projects. Participants in this program will have the opportunity to become certified Junior Master Gardeners through hands-on learning, community service, and leadership projects. Youth will be encouraged to work towards JMG certification, though this is not required. Details about certification will be explained at the first meeting. To register, complete a 4-H health history form. You can download the form at: http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/388/388-906/388-906-PDF.pdf
Return the form with your payment to Stephanie Huckestein, Hahn Horticulture Garden located at 200 Garden Lane in Blacksburg. For more information please call 231-5970.
Blacksburg Newcomers Club, Sept. 12
Come hear Mayor Rordam recount his experiences as Mayor, review the transformations he has seen in Blacksburg, relate Blacksburg’s successes as well as its struggles, and share his views on its future. The meeting will be held on Tuesdey, Sept. 12 from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Luther Memorial Luutheran Church on 600 Prices Fork Road in Backsburg. For more information email blacksburgnewcomers@gmail.com. No matter how long you have lived in the area, since birth or you’ve just moved in, the Blacksburg Newcomers’ Club welcomes all residents of the New River Valley.
Register for eight-mile walk
Don’t forget to sign up for the eight-mile bridge walk challenge on Sept. 16. Please turn your registration form into the Christiansburg Administrative Office by Sept. 4. The first 70 participants registered will receive a complimentary t-shirt. The walk will be held on the Huckleberry Trail in Christiansburg. It will begin at the Blacksburg Library and end at the Christiansburg Recreation Center. For more information call 382-6128.
Chronic disease management workshop
During a free six week workshop you will learn a variety of self-management skills to help put “life back in your life” so that you can maintain and/or increase the daily activities of your choice. Call now to sign-up for a Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop designed for those who want to take charge of their ongoing health problems and get relief from their pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. The New River Valley Agency on Aging and Christiansburg Recreation Center are partnering to provide this free six-week workshop series. Materials and refreshments are provided. Participants will be entered into a drawing for gift cards. The workshop series will be held at the Christiansburg Recreation Center in the Senior Activities Room starting Monday, October 16, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. To register or to receive more information, contact Tina King at (540) 980-7720 or by e-mail at tinaking@nrvaoa.org.
