Hope to see you there. This is a very fun event and the soup is so tasty! Looks like we are going to have soup weather Friday evening, too! Cold and windy! Brrrr.
Souper Supper FUND RAISER for Special Events in Buchanan. When:
Acoustic Endeavors plays the Buchanan Theatre on Sat Feb 27
Friday, February 26th 5pm through 7pm
Where? At the Community House on Lowe Street near the Town Park/Carnival Grounds.
Saturday night:
Acoustic Endeavors Concert
Performing in the Buchanan Theatre on
Saturday, February 27, 2010; 7:30 PM
“Fun Strokes” Draw and Paint Your Favorite Pet or Animal at Gallery by
the James on Friday March 12 and March 26 from 6-8 PM
Fun Strokes Art Classes at the Gallery by the James will be offering a two-part class in drawing and painting your favorite pet or animal. The first class on Friday March 12 from 6-8 PM will have everyone working from personal photos to complete a pencil drawing. Part two will be Friday, March 26 from 6-8 PM and everyone will create an acrylic painting of the pet or animal using the completed drawing.
Gallery member Hazel Bowers will teach everyone how to draw the pet or animal and then how to complete an acrylic painting based on the drawing. A photo of the pet or animal and an 8 1/2 by 11 inch color copy of the photo are required for the classes. However, no artistic skills or prior art experience is required. Class is taught “step-by-step”. All supplies are included. Cost is $20 for the March 12 class and $20 for the March 26 class.
“Fun Strokes” Colored Pencil Art Class at Gallery by the James
On Friday April 16 from 6-8 PM
Fun Strokes Art Class at the Gallery by the James, 19827 Main Street (Route 11) in Buchanan will be using colored pencils to create a scene inspired by the Outer Banks on Friday, April 16 from 6-8 PM.
Gallery artist Nancy Brown will teach students how to use colored pencils to create a drawing capturing the lines and colors of sea oats to take home that evening. No artistic skills or experience is required. Class is taught “step-by-step”. Cost is $20 plus $5 supply fee.
*plus a two-day watercolor workshop:
“The Colors and Joy of Spring” 2-Day Watercolor Workshop
Wednesday, Feb. 24, was a big day for cosmetology students around the area. Students from Patrick Henry, Arnold Burton Center for Technology, Pulaski High School, Blacksburg High School, and Giles Career & Tech Center traveled to Botetourt Technical Education Center to compete in four SkillsUSA district competitions. Photo gallery.
The categories of competition were Cosmetology, Nail Technology, Esthetician and Fantasy Manikin.
Cosmetology competitors completed a haircut and style by looking at the picture of a predetermined cut, created an evening design, took a test on theory knowledge, and participated in an interview component to assess their communication skills. Judges timed and oversaw the events. As an example, Cheryl Sullivan- Willis who manages P.zaz a hair salon at Botetourt Commons, served as monitor in the Esthetician competition. “I am so pleased to be here working with these future professionals,” said Willis.
BTEC hosted a room full of goodies for the volunteers who assisted as well as competitors and their instructors, so it was a fun day as well as a day to exhibit skills.
Nail Technology students must complete nail wraps, artificial nail sculpture, a theory knowledge test, and nail art design – all completed on a live model. A great day of nail care for the models as well as the would-be nail techs who plied their best ability for the competition.
The Esthetician competition consisted of a facial, facial massage, daytime makeup, fantasy makeup, and a theory knowledge test. The girls were happily enjoying a facial massage and application of fresh makeup, too!
The most fun event for the spectator though was the Fantasy Manikin. The hairstyles and creative ideas by the students were just terrific! Each student used a manikin to create a fantasy look, and the hair styles were wild and exotic. The participants described how they did the hair and make-up and how the bad weather interfered with their preparations.
BTEC was well represented: Sara Wise with her Cheshire cat, Crista Anderson did a unicorn hairstyle with fantasy makeup that took several days and Danielle Santos worked on Batman’s Poison Ivy – a favorite movie and comic book character from her childhood. Even Lady GAGA made an appearance! She was created by Haley Alderman.
To be part of the competition, all students must be a member of SKillsUSA and present a resume,” said Phyllis Pratt, BTEC cosmetology instructor. “The students in this competition are interested in cosmetology not only as a career, but many use the skills they learned after completing their cosmetology license and work in a salon as they go through college. And that may be they are pursuing a degree in a different field. I believe it is a great way to earn money and have a career and college at the same time.” Pratt said many of her former students have worked and gone to college and were successful at both.
Winners of these contests will be announced Saturday at Jackson River Technical Center during the Awards Assembly. The winners will go to the State Leadership Competition in Hampton in April to compete in their category with winners of the other eleven districts in Virginia.
The tickets to the live version of Greg Mortensen author of “Three Cups of Tea” read by JRHS students this past summer are already sold out, but the talk will be televised in the Hollins University Theater and tickets are still available– but going fast!
Beginning this Thursday, Feb. 25th you can obtain online ticketing by going to www.hollins.edu click on events calendar, then through the News, Culture and Events find the date (April 26th) and follow directions to obtain tickets. There is also an e-mail address given or the following number 362-6451 for Betty Dooley if you have any questions.
Hope this will be of interest to those who have read “Three Cups of Tea” and/or “Stones into Schools”.
Miss Roanoke Valley and the other pageant titleholders were at the IHOP near Tanglewood Mall this week to help raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network.
Others you’ll see are Abby Erdman of Hidden Valley, who reigns as Miss Teen Roanoke Valley; Danielle Foutz of Franklin County, Miss Pre-Teen Roanoke Valley; and Emily Allara of Salem, one of two Little Miss Roanoke Valleys this year. The other is Rachel Baldwin of Botetourt.
Next up for James River: The regional semi-finals Friday night at Northwood High School (Saltville) vs. the winner of tonight’s Chilhowie-Grayson County contest.
Weather permitting, on Monday, March 1, work will begin to repair a slope along a section of Route 43 in Botetourt County. The section of Route 43 is located 0.8 mile north of Route 649 (Lake Catherine Drive).
Flaggers will control traffic daily, Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect delays.
Weather permitting, estimated completion is mid-March.
Submitted by the Virginia Department of Transportation
The Knights started out slow, but by halftime had the Buffaloes, well, “buffaloed.” Thanks to the hustle of Jordan Talbott, the Knights were able to shut down the Floyd game plan. Talbot scored 26 points. Andrew Tucker, Patrick Bennett, John Bennett, JT Sandidge and Ethan Humprhries each rallied behind him and picked up the score. Humphries was hurt during the second quarter with a eyebrow cut that left the fans worried about his return. Thanks to the Athletic Trainer, Kim Kirk, Humphries returned in the second half.
The Knights travel into SW VA to Northwood High School on Friday. Gallery
James River fans and students turned out in force to cheer on the Knights. The sea of red and black was a welcome sight for the team. The Knights finished 23 points ahead of the Buffaloes and subs were liberally added to the last quarter of the game.
At half time Steve Austin who works stats and everything else for the sports teams for over three plus decades and a JRHS alumni, was presented the “Above and Beyond Award” by the coaching staffs of four sports.
Botetourt County Supervisor Billy Martin of the Blue Ridge District was the first speaker this morning at the State Corporation Commission hearing on Aqua Virginia’s request to raise rates. The meeting took place in Richmond. Over 2,400 citizens in Botetourt County are served by the company. Del. Lacey Putney who represents the district in the House of Delegates, followed Martin in speaking against the 69% rate increase. Charlotte and Amelia counties manned a tactical response as well and brought a packed crowd to speak against the water rate increase, said Martin by phone this afternoon.
Martin began the battle against the rate increase in late September 2009 arranging four public meetings and Putney attended the first one. Though Botetourt County was not a respondent, the county did sign on in support of the counties that did file in time.
“I spoke to the proposed rate increase as “We the people of Botetourt County are against the increase” and to indicate we don’t think Aqua needs the money with a 200 million reserve fund and a 98 million dollar profit margin,” said Martin.
“I feel like that everything went well while I was there.” He told the Botetourt View.
The hearing lasted into the afternoon. Since November, Martin has presented petitions to the SCC signed by over 1,400 Aqua customers in Botetourt County. Valley Supervisor Don Assaid has also rallied the people in his district to fight the water increase.
Martin said he anxiously awaits receiving more results from the other hearing respondents. It may be several months before the commission makes a decision.
Brett Meador, Taylor Hill, Katelyn Carter, Brianna Eades work together at BTEC
Botetourt Technical Education Center (BTEC) students have plenty of competencies that relate to their specific Career and Technical Education classes. For example, the Cosmetology students have a list of competencies set by the State Board of Cosmetology that the students must achieve before they can take their State Board Exam. These cover such skills as permanent wave and hair color.
In addition to technical mastery, the students also have what is called Workplace Readiness Skills they must work on. These are skills that are hard to measure, but students need direct training in those areas as well. Virginia has identified 13 Workplace Readiness Skills that are considered essential for success in any chosen career. Some of the skills are considered “hard skills” such as reading or math. There are others that are termed “soft skills” and they cover such areas as work ethic and attitude.
As Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers plan for their year they consult with Business Advisory Committees and in all careers, there is agreement: workers can be taught the technical skills on the job, but it is those Workplace Readiness Skills that are lacking in the new hires. They are looking for workers who have good attendance, strong morals and great attitudes. These are the skills that attract the attention of employers.
CTE teachers in Botetourt County incorporate the Workplace Readiness Skills into all the lessons they teach through use of modeling and coaching. They also teach specific lessons on teamwork, effective listening, work ethic and problem solving. By direct instruction, they hope to show students how vital these skills are in the career world.
Students begin the Character Counts program as they enter kindergarten, but teachers in the CTE classes apply it directly to the world of work. At BTEC, not only do teachers teach the skills daily, but next year, Mrs. Kathy Phillips, Workplace Readiness Skills teacher, will work with the technical classes to highlight the skills the employers are looking for. She will work in conjunction with the CTE teachers and teach some of the lessons that tie the “soft skills” right into the career class. As jobs are tight everywhere, this is another way to show that Botetourt County schools are committed to preparing high school students to not only get a job, but to keep it.
submitted by Katherine T. Phillips,Alternative Ed./GED, Workplace Readiness Skills
Cathy Benson is the community journalist for The Botetourt View and can be reached at 981-3140 . You can share your news and photos through the “Share” button or at news@botetourtview.com
