Twelve western Roanoke County residents, mostly from Cherokee Hills and Glenvar Heights, gathered at the Glenvar Library’s public meeting room on the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 29 to organize their thoughts and efforts on how best to present their case against the proposed Adams Construction asphalt to the Roanoke County planning commission at 7 p.m., Tuesday Feb. 3.

“We want to make sure that people know about the meeting and that they know that they’re welcome to attend,” said resident Judy Conyers. “Adams Construction Company has had years to prepare for this, and we’ve only had two weeks.”

One resident volunteered to make phone calls to the some of the 700 or so surrounding residents, letting them know about the meeting. Others volunteered to circulate a petition for those in attendance the day of the planning commission hearing – for those who do not plan to speak but will attend the meeting in disapproval of the construction of the asphalt plant. They are also planning to create and post signs with the time and date of the Feb. 3 meeting.

A similar gathering was also scheduled for 6:50 p.m. that same day. Between 12 and 15 people were expected at the later meeting.

Are you planning on attending the planning commission’s hearing?

It is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 3. Any person that wishes to address the board must complete an appearance request before the meeting online before 2 p.m. the day of the meeting or in person at the meeting. The online form is at Roanoke County’s website.

The Roanoke County Administration building is at 5204 Bernard Drive, just off of Electric Road near the restaurant, Four nineteen.

Do you want to voice your opinion about the proposed asphalt plant? Click “comments” below.

Click here for our most recent post about the asphalt plant rezoning proposal.

Here is a photo of some “karate girls” taken at the VKA (Virginia Karate Alliance) Classic tournament held Jan. 24, at Gretna High School.

The girls are (from L to R) Hadyn Perler, Elli Wohlford, and Kendra Coleman from Salem. They participate in American Freeystyle Karate’s After School Program.

Submitted by: Krystal Coleman

Air Force Airman Cory J. Poff has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, core values, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate in applied science degree relating through the Community College of the Air Force.

Poff is the son of James Poff of Westover St., and Monica Poff of Barrnett Road, both of Roanoke.

In 2008, the airman graduated from Salem High School.

These photos are from Barbara Krzysko’s back yard. “Chipper”, the squirrel, takes advantage of the bird bath.

Do you have any photos of your animal friends in your yard? If so, send them to us at news@sosalem.com just like Barbara did!

On Saturday, Jan. 31, area coaches will team up with the American Cancer Society for the Suits and Sneakers Coaches vs. Cancer weekend. During the Suits and Sneakers weekend, high school and college coaches nationwide will wear sneakers with their suits to show their support in the fight against cancer.

In the Roanoke Valley, coaches at The Member One Valley Shootout at the Salem Civic Center will wear their sneakers with their suits. The shootout begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and the $10-all-day admission fee is a good bargain. You get to see local athletes square up with future D1 athletes from post-grad military schools like George Washington, Hargrave, Massanutten, and Oak Hill.

Here’s the schedule, with local high school teams Salem, Cave Spring, and William Fleming High School participating:

3 p.m. – Salem High vs. George Washington (Charleston WV)

4:40 p.m. – Cave Spring vs. Millbrook (Winchester)

6:20 p.m. – Hargrave Mil. PG Vs. Massanutten Mil., Woodstock, Va. PG

8:15 p.m. – William Fleming vs. Oak Hill Academy

In separate games from the Member One Shootout, the Patrick Henry High School Boys and Girls teams will also be teaming up in the fight against cancer at their home games this week.

Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that empowers basketball coaches, their teams and communities to join the fight against cancer. Coaches and their staff are encouraged to wear sneakers with their suits or game attire while coaching games broadcast in arenas across the country to raise awareness about the fight against cancer and the importance that nutrition and physical activity play in reducing one’s risk of the disease. Since the program started in 1993, high school coaches and their wives have raised nearly $45 million to help fight cancer.

In 2007, there were 35,000 new cancer cases in Virginia. The American Cancer Society dedicates more money to cancer research than any other private, not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization in the United States. Since the research program began in 1946, the American Cancer Society has invested more than $2.7 billion in research thanks to support from donors.

We have a photo gallery from Tuesday night’s hard-fought Salem-Pulaski boys basketball game (which Pulaski eventually won.)

Here, Salem’s Reggie Barnette pulls down a rebound.

Photos by Jared Soares, The Roanoke Times.

Do you have photos from the game? Or any game, for that matter, involving teams or players from Salem or western Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@sosalem.com

The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce will host the 2009 Business Showcase at the Salem Civic Center on February 9th from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. Admission is FREE to everyone.

Bob Brudzinski of Change-Up Management will host a special seminar in Parlor C at 4 p.m. for chamber members entitled: Checklist for Business Owners in an Economic Downturn. Reservations are required, please call 387-0267.

The Salem-Roanoke County Food Pantry will also be accepting food or cash donations at the Business Showcase. Donations resister you for a special door prize drawing.

Business-After-Hours will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Meet the newest Chamber members, enjoy the showcase, networking, door prizes, 50/50 drawing, cash bar, and much more!

For more information, visit www.s-rcchamber.org

Submitted by the Salem-Roanoke Chamber of Commerce.

Trying to find something educational, free, or fun to do? There’s a lot going on at nearby Roanoke College – plays, music, artwork, lectures, and more. For more information, go to roanoke.edu.

-Art Exhibit: “Five Branches”

January 23 – February 23, Olin and Smoyer galleries.

Known as “Five Branches,” a Virginia family of artists will present selected sculptures, paintings and photographs. Family members are Betty Branch, Patrick Branch, Sally Grace Branch, Polly Randel Branch and Bonny Branch.

-Lecture: Carl Braaten

Friday, January 30, 5 p.m.  Antrim Chapel. No tickets required.

Dr. Carl Braaten will speak on “Public Theology, the Lutheran Contribution and Christian Higher Education.” Braaten is one of the world’s best-known Lutheran theologians—and one of the Lutheran world’s most engaging speakers.  He has written many books and taught most of his life at Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.  There he was a colleague of Roanoke College’s own Dr. Robert Benne, Jordan-Trexler Professor of Religion, Emeritus.

Braaten will be on campus to help celebrate a new festshrift (celebratory memorial volume) dedicated to Dr. Benne’s life work, A Report from the Front Lines: Conversations on Public Theology (Eerdmans, 2009). Read more »

By now, you’ve probably already heard about the tie vote at the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors last night that will lead to a delay in acting on the proposed asphalt plant in Glenvar that has generated so much controversy. If not, here’s a link to the story by reporter Cody Lowe.

The latest: The editorial board at The Roanoke Times doesn’t think much of the action. Here’s a post on the editorial blog RoundTable that gives a glimpse of what’s coming in Thursday’s paper. Their headline: “Roanoke County supervisors were too quick to say ‘no’.”

What do you think? You can leave a comment below.

Here on So Salem, we’ve had previous coverage of the proposed asphalt plant on Jan. 20 and Jan. 23 — and both those posts have generated comments, as well.