Spring food and gardening events
The Lewisburg Chocolate Festival will offer fun for the entire family on April 13. Photo courtesy Lewisburg Downtown Business Association.
It doesn’t feel much like spring out there today, but it’s coming! With it comes a long list of food-related activities. Here’s a rundown of some of those opportunities over the next couple of months:
Virginia Cooperative Extension Food Safety Training
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
VA Dept. of Health, 1502 Williamson Rd. Roanoke, 24012
Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Cooperative Extension present this 4-hour training geared to food service workers. Participants will receive training and updates on hygiene, time/temperature, preventing cross contamination, cleaning and sanitizing, food storage, and more. $15 class fees include a booklet, handouts, resources and refreshments. Must pre-register. http://www.offices.ext.vt.edu/roanoke For questions contact Deb Chappell at (540)772-7524, Dchappel@vt.edu.
VCE Gardening – Organic Methods
Presented by Master Gardeners. Thursday, March 21, 2013, 6 to 7 p.m. Roanoke Community Garden Association, Main City Library corner of Jefferson and Elm. Free of charge.
Earth Day at Hotel Roanoke
On Saturday, March 23, Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center will observe Earth Day by turning off the lights for one hour at 8:30 p.m. According to a press release, the goal is to “come together with the world to celebrate a global sustainability movement by doing something very simple.”
During the dark hour, the hotel will serve dinner and drinks by candle light in the newly remodeled Regency Room and in the Pine Room Pub. The lobby and Palm Court will be lit by candles, as well. The hotel staff will turn off any non-essential lights and other equipment throughout the facility and will encourage guests to limit their use of electricity in their rooms if they care to participate.
VCE Gardening – Companion Planting
Presented by Master Gardeners. Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Hollins Branch Library, 6624 Peters Creek Rd. Free of Charge.
7th Annual Lewisburg Chocolate Festival
This downtown Lewisburg, W.Va. festival seems to get bigger and more popular every year. It’s a bit of a drive from Roanoke, but it’s a pretty drive and maybe spring colors will be out. The event includes chocolate tastings, chocolate-themed dinners, kids’ activities, live music, a chocolate bake-off, chef demonstrations, a chocolate mousse-eating contest and the HospiceCare 10K Chocolate Chase.
Tickets go on sale March 15. To learn more about the event and how to buy tickets, go to www.lewisburgchocolatefestival.com.
VCE Gardening – Soil Preparation and Cool Season Crops
Wednesday, April 17, 2013, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Hurt Park Community Garden, Salem Ave near 18th St. SW. Master Gardeners will advise and answer questions – garden side, hands-on. Free of charge.
The Salem Museum Herb Fair
Saturday, April 20, 2013, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Salem Museum, 801 E. Main St. Salem
The Salem Museum and Virginia Cooperative Extension have partnered together to offer a fun, delicious and educational day of herbs. Enjoy cooking demonstrations/tastings, herb gardening workshops, quality herb plants for purchase, plant your own herb pot and more. Roanoke Valley Master Food Volunteers and Master Gardeners will provide the demonstrations, seminars and workshops. $5 fee admits you to all of the workshops. Lunch will be available. May pre-register for classes at 540-389-6760. For more information and calendar of events go to http://offices.ext.vt.edu/roanoke.
VCE Soil Preparation and Cool Season Crops
Saturday, May 4, 2013, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Frank Roupas Community Garden, 14th St. off Bullitt Ave. SE. Master Gardeners will advise and answer questions – garden side, hands-on. Free of charge.
VCE Plant Sale – Master Gardener
Saturday, May 11, 2013, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Brambleton Center Gym, 3738 Brambleton Ave. SW. Potted plants, perennials and shrubs, garden prints, books and miscellany.
VCE Soil Preparation, Companion Planting and Spacing
Wednesday, May 15, 2013, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Campbell Ave. Community Garden at RAM House. Master Gardeners will advise and answer questions – garden side, hands-on. Free of charge.
VCE Gardening – Companion Planting
Saturday, June 1, 2013, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Hurt Park Community Garden, Salem Ave near 18th St. SW. Master Gardeners will advise and answer questions – garden side, hands-on. Free of charge.
VCE Eat Smart – Move More Family Nutrition Program
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 am, ongoing series of 6 classes for people with or eligible for SNAP benefits. New Horizons Healthcare Center, 3716 Melrose Ave. NW, Roanoke 24017. Contact Margarita for more information or to sign up for classes at 362-0360 ext. 213 or msc4@vt.edu.
March 18, 2013 - 10:51 AM
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There is nothing that will enhance your cooking experience more than having your own fresh herbs right outside your door. Whether in the ground or a nice container, growing your own herbs is an expensive way to improve everything you make. Most of them winter over perfectly.
Thyme, lavender, and rosemary make great landscaping material too and make your yard smell wonderful.
I have to say…the soil preparation for cool season crops seems a little late. April and May classes. My husband has already planted potatoes, onions, peas, lettuce and spinach this past weekend.
I think you mean inexpensive, Kristen. I grow rosemary, parsley, dill, and basil every year, all in containers. Last year I also grew catnip for my kitty and she loved it! I caught her several times rubbing her face in it!