SWoCo: Community news from Southwest Roanoke County - Roanoke.com

Register online for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

danielledunaway — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:12:02 +0000

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.

United States Naval Academy information seminar Nov. 23

danielledunaway — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:11:46 +0000

Representatives from the United States Naval Academy will be hosting an information seminar for interested High School Advisors, Counselors, Teachers, Parents, Sophomores and Juniors. Blue & Gold Officers will be available to discuss college opportunities and the U.S. Naval Academy admission process.
Highlights:
- College Opportunities
- Career Opportunities
- Question & Answer Session
- Meet a Midshipmen

Location:
Church Of The Holy Spirit
6011 Merriman Road
Roanoke, VA 24018

For questions contact:
Quigg Lawrence
540-772-4915
quigg.lawrence@gmail.com

Information
Seminar
Monday, November 23, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Submitted by Quigg Lawrence.

Hidden Valley/Cave Spring Public Service announcement part of It's My Prom.org campaign

Emily Flora — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:52:41 +0000

Here you will find a Public Service Announcement, starring two students from Southwest Roanoke County, one from Hidden Valley High School and the other from Cave Spring High School.

The PSA's are part of the It's My Prom.org Organization, a prevention campaign to spread the message of safe proms and smart choices. Over time it has become a time to educate everyone in the community, not just students and parents about underage drinking, risky behaviors, and poor choices.

This PSA is one of about 24 that the Roanoke County Prevention Council, It's My Prom.org Organization and WDBJ7 put together. The PSA's have been played during the Friday Football Extra Program on WDBJ7 and other times during the week. The PSA's were phase one of the program.

The next phase consisted of a banner contest. The contest started on Sept. 4 and is open to all students and clubs from schools in the WDBJ7 viewing area.

The finale will a fashion show held on Jan. 16, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Northside High School where students themselves will serve as the models. There will also be an essay contest.

For more information, visit the Roanoke County Prevention Council's website at www.preventioncouncil4youth.org.

And of course, if you didn't get a chance to see the PSA, check it by clicking the link at the beginning of this post or click here.

For other PSA's and stories about these PSA's check out these links below:

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeGp87dOPUc

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYFJdWo3U8E

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHAFiCY9bm4

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrs5k3VqRhc

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkjRZ92NsQQ

Send us your holiday lights!

Dwayne Yancey — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:52:24 +0000

Once again, The Roanoke Times and roanoke.com are offering our readers a searchable map and database of holiday lights displays in the Roanoke and New River Valleys -- and beyond. And we need you folks with the lighting displays to populate it for us.

Data dude Matt Chittum tells you how to do this in this entry on his Datasphere blog.

Citizens meeting scheduled to talk about Virginia 419 corridor

Dwayne Yancey — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:52:09 +0000

The Virginia Department of Transportation issues the following release:

STUDY TEAM PRESENTS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ROUTE 419 CORRIDOR
Citizens encouraged to attend meeting December 3
SALEM – The Roanoke Valley Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the
Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a citizen information meeting to
present recommendations to address transportation needs along the Route 419 corridor from
Route 311 to Route 220 in the Roanoke area.
The meeting will be held Thursday, December 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the gymnasium of the
Brambleton Recreation Center located at 3738 Brambleton Avenue in Roanoke.
Representatives from the MPO, VDOT and the study team will be available to answer questions
and receive comments regarding this study to determine how to make travel along the Route 419
corridor safer and more efficient.
The recommendations presented at this meeting were developed as a result of public input
gathered in the spring 2009. Input from the community, especially those who travel or live and
work within the corridor, is extremely important to the success of the study. To review materials
prior to the meeting, a draft of the study can be found at http://www.rvarc.org/419/419plan.htm.
Written comments about the study may be submitted at the meeting or by December 18 to
Michael Gray, Virginia Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 3071, Salem, VA 24153. E-mail
comments can be sent to saleminfo@VDOT.virginia.gov. Please reference “Route 419 Study
Comments” in the subject heading.
Anyone requiring special assistance to attend and participate in this meeting may contact
VDOT’s Civil Rights Division at 540-387-5320, 800-611-5812 or TTY/TDD 711.

So, what do you think needs to be done? You can share your comments below.

Photos: North Cross volleyball champs celebrate victory

danielledunaway — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:22:45 +0000

These photos of North Cross winning the VISAA State Championship in volleyball Saturday were sent to us by Chris Caveness and Heather Donaho.

Do you have photos involving teams or players from Southwest Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@swo-co.com.

Photo of North Cross state championship volleyball team

danielledunaway — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:16:08 +0000

North Cross won the VISAA State Championship Saturday.

Back Row: Asst. Coach Shannon Yopp, Gussie Revercomb, Lauren Oddo, Catherine Merritt, Emma Caveness, Anna Black, Hilary Cox, Kaki Comer, Manager Emma Florin, Head Coach Heather Donaho
Front Row: Mary McConaughy, Marli Dabareiner, Sarah Jessee.

Submitted by Chris Caveness.

Cave Spring Middle School Robotics Club takes first place

Chelsea Arner — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:15:21 +0000

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

Photo: Roanoke gymnasts compete in Commonwealth games

danielledunaway — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:14:24 +0000

Congratulations to the gymnasts at Roanoke Academy of Gymnastics for the great job they did competing in the Coventry Commonwealth Games on November 14, 2009.

The team brought home 44 gold medals, 34 silver medals, and 30 bronze medals as well as many ribbons for 4th through 8th place.

Picture: 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

RESULTS

LEVEL 4
AGE 6-8
Bars: Gold - Caroline Gross (Fincastle), Silver - Aimee Rothschild (Salem) , Bronze - Katelyn Harris (Fincastle)
Beam: Gold - Aimee Rothschild (Salem) , Silver - Caroline Gross (Fincastle) , Bronze - Katelyn Harris (Fincastle)
Vault: Gold - Caroline Gross (Fincastle) , Silver - Aimee Rothschild (Salem )
Floor: Gold - Caroline Gross (Fincastle) , Silver - Katelyn Harris ( ) , Bronze - Aimee Rothschild (Salem)
All Around: Gold - Caroline Gross (Fincastle) , Silver - Aimee Rothschild (Salem) , Bronze - Katelyn Harris (Fincastle)

LEVEL 4
AGE 9
Bars: Gold - Ella Hodson (SW County), Silver - Ashlyn Boothe (SW City), Bronze - Kienzle Hilovsky (Roanoke City )
Beam: Gold - Kienzle Hilovsky (Roanoke City), Silver - Madison Griffin ( SW County), Bronze - Ashley Johoske (Moneta)
Vault: Gold - Laney Hutchins (Rocky Mount), Silver - Ashley Johoske (Moneta) , Bronze - Madison Griffin (SW County)
Floor: Gold - Kienzle Hilovsky (Roanoke City) , Silver - Ashlyn Boothe (SW City) , Bronze - Ella Hodson ( SW County)
All Around: Gold - Kienzle Hilovsky (Roanoke City) , Silver - Ashley Johoske (Moneta), Bronze - Ella Hodson ( SW County)

LEVEL 4
AGE 10-11
Bars: Gold - Bree Davis (Vinton), Silver - Lejla Alagic ( SW County), Bronze - Lauren Winston (SW County)
Beam: Gold - Lejla Alagic (SW County), Silver - Lauren Winston (SW County) , Bronze - Bree Davis (Vinton)
Vault : Gold - Bree Davis (Vinton) , Silver - Lauren Winston (SW County) , Bronze - Lejla Alagic ( SW County)
Floor : Gold - Lejla Alagic ( SW County), Silver - Lauren Winston (SW County) , Bronze - Bree Davis (Vinton)
All Around : Gold - Lejla Alagic (SW County), Silver - Lauren Winston (SW County) , Bronze - Bree Davis (Vinton)

LEVEL 4
AGE 12 and UP
Bars: Gold - Alexis Rhodes (Vinton)
Beam : Gold - Alexis Rhodes
Vault : Gold - Alexis Rhodes
Floor : Gold - Alexis Rhodes
All Around : Gold - Alexis Rhodes

LEVEL 5
AGE 7-8
Bars: Silver- Breezy Morstad (SW County)
Beam:Bronze - Breezy Morstad
Vault: Bronze - Breezy Morstad
Floor: Bronze - Breezy Morstad
All Around: Silver - Breezy Morstad

LEVEL 5
AGE 9-10
Bars: Gold - Lauren Ogle (Botetourt) , Silver - Telia Harris (Salem)
Beam:Gold - Sarah Christensen (SW County), Silver - Hannah Childress (SW County) Bronze - Abigail Janney (Rocky Mount)
Vault: Gold - Hannah Childress (SW County), Silver - Telia Harris (Salem), Bronze - Abigail Janney (Rocky Mount)
Floor: Gold - Ginsey Stephenson (SW County), Silver - Telia Harris (Salem), Bronze - Lauren Ogle (Botetourt)
All Around: Gold - Lauren Ogle (Botetourt), Silver - Hannah Childress (SW County), Bronze - Telia Harris (Salem)

LEVEL 5
AGE 11
Bars: Gold - Autumn Harless (Botetourt), Silver - Kari Bishop (SW County)
Beam: Gold - Autumn Harless (Botetourt) , Silver - Kari Bishop (SW County)
Vault: Gold - Autumn Harless (Botetourt)
Floor: Gold - Autumn Harless (Botetourt), Silver - Kari Bishop (SW County)

LEVEL 6
AGE 7-11
Bars: Gold - Maddie Nichols (SW County), Silver - Amber Alam (Botetourt)
Beam:Gold - Paige Overbay (Botetourt), Silver - Maddie Nichols (SW County), Bronze - Amber Alam (Botetourt)
Vault:Bronze - Maddie Nichols (SW County)
Floor: Gold - Maddie Nichols (SW County), Silver - Paige Overbay (Botetourt), Bronze: Amber Alam (Botetourt)
All Around: Gold - Maddie Nichols (SW County), Silver - Paige Overbay (Botetourt), Bronze - Amber Alam (Botetourt)

LEVEL 7
AGE 7-11
Bars: Gold - Lauren Simmons (Franklin County), Silver - Brooke Leftwich (SW County), Bronze- Megan Benzie (SW County)
Beam: Gold - Brooke Leftwich (SW County), Silver - Abby Slate (SW County), Bronze- Megan Benzie (SW County)
Vault: Gold - Brooke Leftwich (SW County), Silver - Lauren Simmons (Franklin County, Bronze - Megan Benzie (SW County)
Floor: Gold -Megan Benzie (SW County), Silver - Brooke Leftwich (SW County), Bronze - Lauren Simmons (SW County)
All Around: Gold - Brooke Leftwich (SW County), Silver - Lauren Simmons (Franklin County), Bronze - Megan Benzie (SW County)

LEVEL 7
AGE 12-14
Bars: Gold - Marilyn Alcorn (Franklin County)
Beam: Gold - Marilyn Alcorn
Vault: Gold - Marilyn Alcorn
Floor: Gold - Marilyn Alcorn
All Around: Gold - Marilyn Alcorn

GREAT JOB GIRLS!!!!

Submitted by Allyson Leftwich.

The Gem Gallery celebrates 15 years and changes name to Frantz Diamonds & Jewelry

danielledunaway — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:13:57 +0000

To celebrate 15 successful years in business, The Gem Gallery is changing it’s name to Frantz Diamonds & Jewelry. Sherry Frantz, owner, is expanding the diamond jewelry she offers, including Infinity Diamonds from Belgium. In an economy where most small businesses are suffering, Sherry is thriving!
To start things off, November 22nd , Frantz Diamonds & Jewelry will be featured in a “sticky” on the front page of the Roanoke Times. One lucky person will win 75% off any item they purchase at the store! Hundreds more will receive 20% off.
December 3rd will be an all day event on location, 3540 Electric Road. Door Prizes of diamonds, pearls, coupons, & more will be handed out throughout the day. 50% off hundreds of items! Frantz Diamonds & Jewelry will continue to offer: Gold Buying, Watch Repair, a Full Service Jeweler.
Sherry is making a new name for herself in the Diamond industry and is bringing her expertise into her store in Roanoke. Frantz Diamonds & Jewelry is going to reflect that change to the Roanoke Valley. The steadfast reputation Sherry has earned as the premier, local jewelry store in Roanoke is now going to improve.

Frantz Diamonds & Jewelry, known as The Gem Gallery
Est. 1994 by Sherry Badii Frantz
Promenade Park. 3540 Electric Road. Roanoke, VA
www.FrantzDiamonds.com (under construction)
please contact Anita Fullmer- Savoirfairewedding@gmail.com
cell-540-797-9540 to schedule interviews, articles, advertising.

Submitted by Anita Fullmer, Director of Marketing.