A skunk along the fence row in daylight is not a good sight!

Hey it is Terrific Tuesday and late– I am burning some late hours this evening. How’s everything in your neck of the woods?

Personally, I am skunked out. The above pic ran with two others earlier this week. My beautiful darling Julia was posing  in front of her camera and caught the skunk along the fence line behind her on Thanksgiving afternoon. Bwana, my brother, dispatched it. I am waiting to hear from the Health Department if two others killed out our way over the weekend were rabid. If these two test positive then 6 of the 9 killed were rabid.

The health department tries to stay on top of this skunky mess, but I smell bureaucracy in their methods. They do not acknowledge in their notifications that skunks roam more than one road out here. People on the eastern end of Lees Gap Road and on the northern end of Lee Lane need to be apprised that this rabies epidemic is within a mile of your homes as well. Many of you have young children  who play in the yard and catch school buses. The skunks don’t know their address is just the  1/2 mile Health Department notification stretch on Breckinridge Mill Road. Tell your neighbors, too.

Other wise I am listening to the wind and rain on the roof of the car as I cop wireless at the Fincastle Library. Oh, if this had been snow we would be knee deep in it again.

So any of you have up the Christmas tree? I have good intentions– only the dining room is decorated, but hopefully by next Sunday all will be swell for the holidays. Every year I get a new Hallmark ornament for my kids. I absolutely do not want a PePe LePew ornament this year. I think I would like an Elmer Fudd ornament instead. I’ll have to see what is available.

Don’t forget there’s some fun stuff going on this coming weekend. The Christmas Fair, Cathy Quinn and Friends at Bellacinos, the Fincastle Christmas parade, the holiday music Friday night at the Buchanan Theatre and the Fincastle Home Tour and Dave Austin and friends among the vents and of course Christmas Belles at the Attic Theatre and the drive thru nativity at FBC.

See ya next week!

It’s that time again! Time to tell us where the best displays of holiday lights are around Botetourt — and all of Western Virginia.

We have  the submission form on the Datasphere, our site for searchable data.

Once we get it populated, you can see a map of the biggest and brightest displays.

We also have tips for taking great photos of Christmas lights, from photographer Eric Brady of The Roanoke Times.

Central Academy Robotics Team “Robo Patriots”

First Row – Brett Golder, Will Farris, Jacob DuVall

Second Row – Jake DaVolio, Noah Pace, Dillon Hickok, Will Gaul, Nate

Brinkley, Josh Grimshaw

Central Academy Robotics Team “Robo Knights”

First Row – Ted Zerumsky, Jarod Manness, Brian Hatchett

Second Row – Thomas Harrison, Molly Austin, Noah Stickler, Robert Little

The 2010 Central Academy Middle School Robotics Teams, which are proudly sponsored by 4-H, competed in the Lynchburg Regional Robotics Tournament on November 6th, 2010. The team solved a robotics challenge dealing with biomedical engineering called “Body Forward”. The teams programmed robots to complete numerous challenges and learned a lot about working as a team. Central Academy has two robotics teams this year that competed in different divisions. The “Robo Patriots” competed in Division One, winning first in the Teamwork category and placing Third overall. The “Robo Knights” competed in Division Two, winning second in the Teamwork category and placing Fourth overall.

Both teams will compete in the VA/DC FLL Robotics State Championship Tournament on December 4th and 5th in Harrisonburg. Robotics season begins in August and continues throughout the school year. Students learn computer programming, research skills, engineering techniques and robotics as an outreach program of STEM Education. STEM Education seeks ways to integrate Science, Technology,Engineering and Math education. The teams are coached by RandyBrinkley, Pat Hammond, and Wendy Grimshaw.

submitted by Randy Brinkley

Debbie Harris at Read Mountain Middle School is among the teachers in the running for one of this year’s McGlothlin Awards for Teaching Excellence.

Here’s the release from Blue Ridge PBS: Read more »

Kevin Myatt

A flash flood watch is in effect over much of Western Virginia from noon until 6:30 p.m. The National Weather Service is forecasting 2-3 inches of rain, with higher amounts possible in some areas.

Weather journalist Kevin Myatt has more details on his Weather Journal blog.

If you see weather news happening, post a comment below or share photos at news@botetourtview.com.

Cats are a special addition for the Holidays!This is "Bo" at the LAP

The League for Animal Protection and the Angels of Assisi celebrate the season with a special “Home for the Holidays” adoption fee of $40.00 for cats/kittens. The felines are combo tested, sterilized and fully vaccinated before going to their new home. Visit LAP in Fincastle 8-11:00 and 3-5:00 and AOA 2-6:00 seven days a week. You can check out the animals on the web at: lap.petfinder.com and angelsofassisi.org

–submitted by LAP via Facebook

Big Pearl Paintball in Glasgow( Rockbridge County) is featured in the latest edition of Action Pursuit Games. Among the pictures selected for print was a full page photo of the CAMS student Gonino.

submitted by Gonino Family

The Botetourt Buddies had their monthly activity last week.  The Civitan Club threw them a pizza party and showed a presentation about the Civitan Club.  The gentleman from the Civitan Club is President John Markey.

Courtesy of Pam Horton

Santa Supper

12-10-10 5 – 8 pm

Troutville Town Hall

Fundraiser For Troutville Rescue Squad

Adults $8.00 and Children $5.00

Menu – Ham, Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans,

Sweet Potato Casserole, Dinner Rolls, Cake, Pie, Iced Tea

Coffee, Milk & Water.

Come & bring your family for an evening of fun & good food.

A visit from Santa can be expected.

We will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Botetourt Food Pantry. Bring a couple items and get a dollar off of one dinner.

Thank You,

Judith B. Cauley, Treasurer

Bedford Extension of Virginia Cooperative Extension is offering online a Master Gardener class. Botetourt County does not offer the class, so this is an easy way to distance learn online. The class begins on Feb. 1 2011.

Bedford Extension Master Gardeners Announces

A Computer-Based Training Class

www.BedfordAreaMasterGardeners.org

The Bedford Extension Master Gardeners announce their first Computer-Based Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Training Class. This internationally recognized program provides training in all aspects of horticulture including insects, plant disease, turf care, landscape design, fruits, vegetables, ornamentals and much more.

In response to significant interest in a self paced, module based Master Gardener Training Class, Virginia Cooperative Extension in Bedford has developed a program for those individuals who want to become Master Gardeners but just cannot attend the traditional day classes.  A face to face interview will educate prospective applicants as to what it is to be a Master Gardener and the responsibilities inherent in this community oriented Volunteer Program. Applicants who are accepted will be assigned an experienced Master Gardener as a Mentor and will have up to six months to complete the Module Classes.  Applicants will also be required to complete 5 of the 11 hands on labs. Lab Instructors include local Extension Agents, local Horticulture Professionals, veteran Master Gardeners, as well as specialists from Virginia Tech.  Applicants must pass both module quizzes and a final exam, just like traditional Master Gardener Applicants, to become a Master Gardener Intern. The final requirement for New Master Gardener Interns is to contribute 50 hours of volunteer service within one year, teaching others in the local community about horticulture.

The Bedford Area Master Gardener Association mentors Master Gardener Interns and have many Weekday, Evening and Saturday projects located in each area of Bedford County that provide extensive volunteer time opportunities.  The cost for the course is $100.00 to cover the textbook and program expenses. The new Computer-Based Class will begin February 1st, 2011.  Anyone with an interest in gardening and a desire to volunteer to share their knowledge with others is encouraged to apply to become a Master Gardener.  For an application packet and or more information about the Class, please contact the Bedford Extension office at 586-7675 or online with the Bedford Area Master Gardeners Association at www.BedfordAreaMasterGardeners.org . The application deadline is January 1^st, 2011 and the class size is limited.

If you are a person with a disability and desire assistance or accommodation, please notify Scott Baker at the Bedford Extension Office at 540-586-7675 (TDD number 800-828-1120) during business hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

–submitted by G. Lee Walker