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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 Cave Spring Middle School Robotics Club won first place in Teamwork at the First Lego League Robotics Challenge and qualified for the state tournament at JMU on December 5-6.

Team members include,

• Nathan Rose
• Kemper Scott
• Jordan Clingenpeel
• Khal Clary
• Lyle Beard
• Khuslen Ganbayar
• Drew Bond
• Aiden Fleenor

Submitted by Stuart Rawlings

My son Dalton Hughes has been hunting since age 8, now age 10. Over his 2 years of hunting with his father on our own property in South West Roanoke County he successfully took his first buck on opening day of rifle. (11-14-09) Check out this beautiful 8 point buck.

Submitted by Tonya Hughes.

Some in the Southwest Roanoke County community got a different kind of Trick or Treat-or during the month of October. With the help of their Youth Director, Mary MacMichael, the youth gathered grocery bags from their congregation and placed them around town to collect food for their annual fall food drive which they call, 'Trick or Treat S.O.M.E. (so others may eat).

The youth at Covenant Presbyterian Church knows learned what it's like to reach out to the community. With the help of their Youth Director, Mary MacMichael, the youth gathered grocery bags from their congregation and placed them around town to collect food for their annual fall food drive that they call, 'Trick or Treat S.O.M.E. (so others may eat).

Each paper grocery bag was equipped with a piece of paper explaining the drive and left on doorsteps in the Southwest Roanoke community. The instructions included what they were looking for from the community, as well as dates that the bags would be picked up. According to MacMichael, the food drive has taken place for the last ten years. This year 950 bags were placed in the community.

The youth group, with help of drivers, delivered the bags into the community on Oct. 25. And on Nov. 1 the bags were picked up. The preschool also helped collect the items.

"We hit the same streets every year from Deyerle Road to Route 419, to Mudlick, Lewis Gale Hospital, Windsor Hills...we don't ring the door bell, we just leave the bag and cover sheet and it tells them when we are going to come back the next week and pick up whatever they want to give," MacMichael said. "Some people give a little, some give none, and some people give a lot."

On Nov. 1, the youth sets out to pick up the items and the food gathered from the congregation is picked up. After it is picked up, the items are taken to the Presbyterian Community Center (PCC) located at 1228 Jamison Avenue where they are sorted on shelves and priced.

"It was raining the day we went to pick up the items and I thought we weren't going to get anything. I had to keep telling myself God will provide," MacMichael said. "I like to take all the youth over to the PCC to see the empty shelves and then as the day goes on, the pantry fills up, so they can see the fruit of their labors."

MacMichael and the youth were shocked to learn that this year they raised more than they ever have. They collected enough food, priced at $5,379.83.

"I thought it was going to be less because of the economy, but this is the most we've ever collected and I wonder if it was that people realized that people did have something they could give."

The PCC will use this food to give away to families in need at no cost. MacMichael said that there are guidelines as to who gets the food and how much they get which depends on the size of their family and their financial situation.

"It's an emergency aid relief for people in need," she said. "We also offer an after school tutoring program there, trying to break the cycle of poverty by educating."

It took about 85 people to accomplish what Covenant Presbyterian Church did.

MacMichael says that the youth learn from this project.

"I think they are realizing that they are very capable of making a difference. They are very capable of promoting the need that is out there and promoting the PCC and the youth group as a group that is going to do for others. I think they realize that there are people who need their help. It is important for us to put ourselves in positions where we do see the need," MacMichael said.

"I think that the kids get a feeling that they have really helped the center becuse it would take forever to get that food sorted and priced and on the shelves, but we get it done in one afternoon. They are helping and the volunteers at the PCC are grateful for their assistance."

And most importnat MacMichael wants to thank the community for donating to their annual food drive.

"I was to thank the community because without the help from our congregation and their help we would never raise this much and for their dedication for allowing us to distribute bags to their neighborhoods."

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 Southwest Roanoke County are: Meredith Green (Faith Christian), Nicole Chaney (North Cross), Julia Peltier (Hidden Valley High School), Shannon Poffenberger (Hidden Valley High School), Jonathan Stoots (Hidden Valley High School), Katelyn Coker (Hidden Valley High School), Anna Allen (Cave Spring High School), Meredith Hartsel (Hidden Valley High School), Tyler Bailey (North Cross), Nate Wulff (Hidden Valley High School).

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

Children at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church and Pre-School have a newly renovated nursery room this fall thanks to Girl Scout Alisa Patton of Roanoke.  In completing this project, Alisa has earned the Gold Award, the highest achievement given by Girl Scouts of the USA.  A member of Girl Scout Troop 192 of Trefoil service unit, Alisa received her award from Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council.

Achieving the Gold Award takes true commitment and dedication.  The Girl Scout Gold Award is earned by fulfilling requirements that recognize a Senior Girl Scout’s commitment to excellence as she develops leadership skills and personal values to meet present and future challenges in her life.  To earn the Gold Award, Alisa had to prove her leadership abilities by designing and carrying out a plan of activities that included community service, career exploration, and specialized interest projects.  She had to meet the requirements for 65 hours of volunteer community service.

The nursery received new paint, new shelving, new toys, new carpet, and new organization thanks to Alisa’s renovation of the space over the summer.  To fund her project, she held a bake sale at the church and secured donations from Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sherwin Williams, Fashion Floors and Blue Ridge Coverings.

Alisa, with help from friends, began the renovation by giving the nursery and its bathroom and furniture a new coat of paint.  The chalkboard wall was painted and “bathroom” letters were hung on the bathroom door.

With the help of church members, Alisa moved a bulletin board to another wall and hung a jungle mural in its place.  She then used some of the money she raised from the bake sale to purchase new blocks and a new kitchen play set for the children, supplies to make curtains for a play set, and a shelving unit to separate the play area from the kitchen area.

A thorough cleaning, new carpet and chairs, and a refurbished corner cabinet Alisa found in the church’s storage completed the renovation.

Alisa, 17, a twelfth grader at Hidden Valley High School in Roanoke, is the daughter of Donna and Larry Patton of Roanoke.  Her troop leader is MaryAnn Peltier of Roanoke.  Her advisor for the project was Martha Poindexter of Roanoke.

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

Boy Scout Troop 236 participated in the parade to celebrate Oak Grove Elementary School's 50th Anniversary.

Submitted by Melissa Williams.

The Youth Group at Colonial Presbyterian Church sponsored a Reverse Trick or Treating program the afternoon of October 31st. Groups went door to door giving out candy and information about their church and praying with their neighbors.

Submitted by Melissa Williams.

Do you have news or photos from your church in Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com.

The Colonial Kids youth group at Colonial Presbyterian Church recently hiked the trails at Happy Hollows Gardens off Mt Chestnut Road. Here they are pictured at the base of one of the largest oak trees in the region.

Submitted by Melissa Williams.

Do you have news or photos from your church in Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com.

The Bridgewater College Symphonic Band will present a fall concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, in the Carter Center for Worship and Music on the college campus.

The Symphonic Band, under the leadership of Dr. Timothy Weir, assistant director of music and director of instrumental music, will present a "Pops" concert featuring a wide variety of music, from classical to jazz.

Beginning with Aaron Copland's "Hoe Down," arranged by mark Rogers, the Symphonic Band will perform a varied program of lighter music, including an arrangement by John Krance of Gershwin's "An American in Paris" and a medley of songs from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story.

Michael Nelson, a senior music major from Roanoke, Va., will be the featured soloist on "The Worried Drummer" by Adolph Schreiner, arranged by Eric Osterling.

Nelson is the son of Russell and Carolyn Nelson and is a graduate of Cave Spring High School.

The afternoon program also incudes "Peanut Vendor" by Moises Simons, arranged by John Morrissey, "Blues Roar" by slide Hampton and Peter Chatman, arranged by Bob Lowden and "Sabre Dane" by Aram Khachaturian, arranged by John Cacavas. The band will also perform Sammy nestico's "Long May it Wave" and a John Williams Medley arranged by Paul Lavender.

The concert is open to the public at no charge.

Submitted by-  Carolyn Nelson