Friday, March 15
The New River Valley Agency on Aging Care–giving Conference
The Agency on Aging will host a Care–giving Conference at New River Community College.The conference is free to a family or volunteer caregiver. Registration is required. Deadline to register is Friday, March 1 by 5 p.m.
Blood Drive
The Jessie Peterman Memorial Library will be holding an American Red Cross blood drive from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Donors will be automatically entered to win one of five trips to the season 8 world premiere of Game of Thrones! Walk-ins are welcome or call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to reserve your donation time.
Saturday, March 16
PAWS to Read at the Blacksburg Public Library from 12-1 p.m.
Parents, reserve a 10-minute reading slot for your child to practice reading aloud to a certified therapy bird, “Pip” and its handler, Elisabeth.
“Nailed it”, 1 p.m. at the Blacksburg Public Library Ever seen the Netflix series Nailed It!, where newbie bakers attempt to create Pinterest-worthy desserts? Now it’s your turn! Bring your decorating skills and a sense of humor. All materials will be provided. Registration required. Ages 9 years and up
Sunday, March 17
The Blacksburg Jewish Community Center is hosting a Purim Carnival from 3-5 p.m. at the Blacksburg Community (Recreation) Center. This event is for members and friends of all ages. Games, prizes, craft table, face painting, fortune telling, cake walk, hamentashen baking contest (make them at home), and a costume contest for adults and children. So come and join the fun!
Monday, March 18
Edible and medicinal plants presentation
7 pm, VT’s Goodwin Hall, Room 145: Jim Chamberlain, a research scientist with the USDA Forest Service, will present on edible and medicinal plants. He is the Deputy Coordinator of the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations Research Group that focuses on Non-wood Forest Products. He is a global expert on non-timber forest products management. This event is open to the public.
Living with Loss support group
Living with Loss support group us a safe and supportive place to meet with others dealing with the loss of a loved one. Weekly sessions run for six weeks and combine education and group activities for discussion. The six-week series will be held each Monday starting March 18 through April 22 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.at the Good Samaritan Hospice Office, 1160 Moose Drive Christiansburg. The program is free but pre-registration is required. Space is limited and classes are filled on a first come, first served basis.For more information and to receive an application, please contact Todd Triplett, Spiritual Care/Bereavement Coordinator, 540.381.3171 or e-mail ttriplett@goodsamhospice.org.
Tuesday, March 19
New River Community College provides free GED preparation classes at the Radford Public Library.
After a brief pause for Spring Break this week, classes will resume Tuesday, Mar. 19 and are held each Tuesday and Thursday of the week from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Upcoming class times are Tuesday, Mar. 19, Thursday, Mar. 21, Tuesday, Mar. 26 and Thursday, Mar. 28.
Wednesday, March 20
The Blacksburg New School will be holding an open house for families interested in learning more about the school during their annual enrollment. On Wednesday, Mar. 20, the elementary school will be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. for those interested in K-8, and Thursday, Mar. 21 there will be a Middle School Program information session from 6 to 7 p.m.
According to school officials, The Blacksburg New School experience is like no other in the New River Valley. Its cooperative structure is unique among private schools across Montgomery County, as well as the nation, offering small engaging classes, and a nurturing, safe, and accepting environment for children. The dynamic academic curriculum also includes regular classes in Art, Spanish, PE, and Music at every grade level, K-8. For more information about Blacksburg New School, please contact:
Dr. T.J. Stone, Lead Teacher at enrollment@new-school.org
Thursday, March 21
Blacksburg New School Middle School Program information session from 6 to 7 p.m. For more information about Blacksburg New School, please contact:
Dr. T.J. Stone, Lead Teacher at enrollment@new-school.org
Saturday, March 23
Free Movie
Free screening of “I Am Maris” Lyric Theater, Blacksburg, at 2 p.m., followed by a Mental Health Panel to answer your questions and educate us about mental illness in the New River Valley. This film is sponsored by the Mental Health Justice Ministry of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, the National Bank of Blacksburg, and NAMI, New River Valley, VA. Contact (540) 585-1627 for more information.
On Death and Dying
The Jessie Peterman Memorial Library, in conjunction with Carilion NRV Hospice, will be having a talk on Advance Care Planning from 12:30-2:30 p.m. A community discussion will follow the presentation.
Wednesday, March 27
Jersey Mike’s Fundraiser
Fundraiser for the Intellectual Disabilities Agency of the NRV at Jersey Mike’s Subs,Blacksburg, 1430 South Main St. 100 percent of profits go to the organization. 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Thursday, March 28
Car Seat Safety Check
Christiansburg Fire Department, 110 Depot Street, NW, 4 – 6 p.m. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading killer of children, and three out of four car seats installed by parents and caregivers are not installed correctly. Make sure yours is not one of them by attending one of Carilion Clinic’s Car Seat Safety Checks and having a Nationally Certified Technician educate you on how to keep your child safe.
Stop by one of our car seat safety check stations in the New River Valley and have your child’s car seat checked today! The Car Seat Safety Check will be held on the last Thursday of each month in Christiansburg.
For more information about the NRV Car Seat Check’s, please contact Ashley Hash, Community Health Educator at (540) 731-2027.
Friday, March 29
Radford Public Library Read-a-Thon
Grab your favorite book or come check out a new literary friend and join us for an afternoon of reading deliciousness! Come read a little or a lot. Stay for a picture book or two, or enjoy a long literary classic if you like. We’ll have cozy chairs, light snacks and beverages, and special guest readers at the top of each hour. Young children can read with their favorite adults! 1- 4 p.m.
“Under the Trestle” panel discussion
Join author Ron Peterson Jr., RCPD Lieutenant Andy Wilburn, Prosecutor Everett Shockley, and State Police Lead Investigator Austin Hall for a panel discussion and Q&A session about the events surrounding the new book “Under the Trestle”. The book will be available for purchase and signing at the event. A Radford Public Library event. Friday, March 29, evening; Details to be determined
Sunday, March 31
Blacksburg Community Band Spring Concert
“ Images & Sound,” 3 p.m., Blacksburg High School, David McKee, Conductor. Free concert with refreshments to follow.
Thursday, April 4
Literacy Volunteers NRV 13th Annual Scrabble Tournament
An evening at the magnificent Great Road on Main venue, teams will gather from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. to revel in words and language supporting adult literacy and language learning and the work Literacy Volunteers NRV does all year.
Monday, April 8
Disabled American Veterans Christiansburg chapter Meeting
United States Disabled American Veterans Chapter: J M Wainright #29 meets every second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at 1620 S Franklin St, Christiansburg, Virginia 24073. www.davmembersportal.org/chapters/VA/29
On-going
Community Health Center of the New River Valley helps adults access VA health coverage
Beginning Jan. 1, 2019, new health coverage for adults will cover more people. If you work in retail, construction, childcare, landscaping, food service or many of the jobs that don’t offer health insurance, you may be able to get low-cost health insurance that includes regular preventive care and treatment for chronic health conditions. To find out if you’re eligible, phone the Community Health Center of the NRV (215 Roanoke Street) at 540 381-0820, or visit coverva.org
Montgomery Museum volunteer opportunities
A number of volunteer opportunities are available at the Montgomery Museum.
Docent: training is provided for individuals to staff the front office, answer calls, make sales, and interpret the history of the museum; events planning: planning and implementation of our major events annually, including Heritage Day, Mountains of Music, h’Arts on Main, Cruisin’ Christiansburg; Working with any of the committees: (Membership, Marketing, Events/Fundraising, Building Expansion, Building and Grounds); research with genealogy projects: working with the genealogy team; gardening: working in the garden with Virginia Master Gardeners. Contact 540.382.5644 and visit www.montgomerymuseum.org