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The Greater Roanoke Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® invites people to register to participate in the area’s first 5K run/walk and one-mile fun run.  The Race for the Cure event, which takes place April 10, 2010, is designed to raise awareness about breast cancer and funds for research, and will be held at Green Hill Park in Roanoke County.

“We invite women, men and their families and friends to sign up on our Affiliate website,” says race organizer Wendi Schultz.  “Registering is simple.  To learn more and to register, just go to http://www.komenroanoke.org and click on the Race for the Cure heading and click on the word register.”

“You may register yourself, start a team or join a team and even start your own personal fundraising program using our online registration system,” Schultz adds.  Schultz says there will also be a one-mile walk/fun run, and that people of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate in Race for the Cure on April 10.

The Komen for the Cure races are the largest series of runs/walks in the world, and have grown to attract more than 1.5 million participants annually across the U.S.  The event is designed to promote positive awareness, education and early detection of breast cancer.

Participants will also raise money to fight the disease.  Seventy-five percent of the net income stays in the communities where the event is held.  The remaining 25 percent is used to fund groundbreaking breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific conferences around the world.

For more information, please visit http://www.komenroanoke.org.

About the Greater Roanoke Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure: The Greater Roanoke Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in our community. We join more than 100,000 breast cancer survivors and activists around the globe as part of the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting breast cancer. Through fundraising events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we will invest dollars in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in our 19 county service area.
The Greater Roanoke Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure includes the following counties:  Alleghany, Bath, Bedford, Bland, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles,  Grayson, Henry, Montgomery,  Patrick, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockbridge and Wythe.

Submitted by Wendi Schultz, Race Chair (540) 387-6078, ext 251.

The Fincastle chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution honored Salem police officer Mark Stuart on Tuesday, Nov. 17, with a law enforcement commendation medal for outstanding service.

Stuart was recognized for helping to save a woman who had gone into cardiac arrest while riding her bike one day last year. Responding to the call, he found the woman unresponsive on Colorado Street and called for medics. While he waited, he performed CPR. The woman made a full recovery, for which the Sons of the American Revolution credited Stuart.

Stuart has been a police officer in Salem for 21 years.

He accepted his award during a luncheon at the Shenandoah Club where Roanoke police officer Bryan Lawrence was also recognized with a heroism medal. Lawrence was paralyzed last year while making an arrest, and his since started walking again and returned to work as a crime prevention officer.

— Amanda Codispoti

Here are a few photos that Carrie Cox took at The Salem's Farmers Market and Longwood Park.

If you would like to submit a photo, send it to news@sosalem.com.

Here, Barbara Krzysko is celebrating her birthday with her sisters (Ginny Smith and Jo Edwards) and niece, Fay Harlow at Applebee's in Salem.

Do you have a birthday coming up? If so, send your information to news@sosalem.com.

Congratulations to the gymnasts at Roanoke Academy of Gymnastics for the great job they did competing in the Coventry Commonwealth Games on November 14.

Pictured are: (Front Row) Megan Benzie (SW County), Abby Slate (SW County), Brooke Leftwich (SW County), Lauren Simmons (Franklin County) (Back Row) Coaches: Nikki Sweeney and Eric Wagner

Here are the results: Read more »

Girl Scout Troop 5 of Salem Skyline service unit, part of Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council, collected supplies for the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Topsail Beach, North Carolina.  In doing so, the troop members have earned their Silver Awards, the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can achieve.

Receiving the award are Elena Macdonald, Erin Widener, and Samantha Yates, all residents of Salem, and Haley Burgess of Roanoke.

The girls began their collection drive for the “Turtle Hospital” by sending out emails to other troops asking them to bring donations to Thinking Day, a day in which girls participate in global-themed activities and programs to honor fellow Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world.

At the Thinking Day event, the troop members set up visual displays about the turtles as well as an activity for girls to enjoy.

The troop then went out to the community, making informational posters and a scrapbook page, along with decorated collection boxes, which were placed in the Hollins Library. The girls also solicited donations from members of the community such as the pharmacy at Lewis Gale Medical Center, which donated medical supplies.

When all the items were collected and organized, the troop members used some of the troop’s profits from the annual cookie sale to travel to Topsail Beach to deliver the items to the hospital.  While there, the girls visited the hospital and met with the volunteers.

In addition to collecting the needed supplies, Troop 5 members also made hand-made greeting cards, bead animals and bracelets for the hospital’s gift shop.

With the Silver Award, the project is just one facet of the comprehensive achievement program.  Girl Scout Troop 5 recently completed all requirements for the prestigious award.

The Girl Scout Silver Award represents a girl's accomplishments in Girl Scouting and her community as she grows and works to improve her life and the lives of others.  The first four requirements of the Silver Award help girls build skills, explore careers, gain leadership skills, and make a commitment to self-improvement.  A girl must be 11 or going into sixth grade to begin work on these initial steps.  When the first four requirements are completed, a girl who is 12 years old or going into the seventh grade may undertake the Silver Award project.  She must complete her project by age 14 or before the start of tenth grade.

Haley, 14, a ninth grader at Northside High School in Roanoke, is the daughter of Catherine and Paul Burgess of Roanoke.  Elena, 14, a ninth grader at Salem High School, is the daughter of Patricia and Neal Macdonald of Salem.  Erin, 14, a ninth grader at Glenvar High School in Salem, is the daughter of Gayle and Jerry Widener of Salem.  Samantha, 14, also a ninth grader at Glenvar High School, is the daughter of Faye and Terry Yates of Salem.

Their project advisors and troop leaders are Nancy Miller and Gayle Widener, both of Salem.

Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council is a leadership program for girls that develops life skills in business, science, and technology; provides adventures and challenges in sports, the environment, and the great outdoors; and encourages girls to give back to their communities through service projects conducted locally, across the United States, and internationally.

Submitted by Cyndi Young-Preston, Public Relations & Production Manager, Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council.

Mill Mountain Theatre has announced the complete cast of "Annie Jr.," a production of the beloved musical with the familiar roles filled by 35 students, ranging ages 6 to 18, from schools all over the Roanoke and New River valleys. The play will be performed Dec. 10-13 and Dec. 17-20 on the Trinkle Main Stage in Center in the Square. Tickets $10-$12.

Cast members from the Salem and Glenvar area are: Kelly Devens (Glenvar Middle School), Kyle Fauber (West Salem Elementary), Phillip Rogers (Salem High School), Hallie Newcomer (Salem High School).

Arts writer Mike Allen has more details, and the full cast list, on his Arts & Extras blog.

Morgan Becker having fun in the leaves at Papa and Gg's house.

Submitted by Paul Hicks.

Brownie Girl Scouts of Troop 965 and Daisy Girl Scouts of Troop 1179 in Salem helped out at the Rescue Mission by stamping Christmas cards. Community service starts early and is always lots of fun.

Submitted by Judy Thompson.

NRV Prison Outreach ("NRVPO") was birthed in 2006 when Prison Fellowship Angel Tree made the decision to not serve the regional, local jails and detention centers so that they could be more effective in state prisons. When NRV Prison Outreach began in 2006, we started out with the New River Valley Regional Jail in Dublin. Last year we added the Montgomery County Jail and this year added the new Western Virginia Regional Jail in Salem. In adding Western Virginia Regional we ventured into new territory, Franklin County, Roanoke and Salem and are trying to get the word out about this ministry. Last year there were 291 children who received gifts through this ministry and this year we have 543 children signed up to receive gifts from their incarcerated parent. Each child receives two (2) gifts $15 - $20 each, a fun gift and a clothing gift. If you or your church would like to sponsor a child or children, please contact Sharon at (540) 599-5160 or the church office at (540) 674-4729. Thank you for your support.

Submitted by Sharon Webb.