Historic steam locomotive C&O 614 on display for a limited time.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day

(Roanoke, VA)—The Virginia Museum of Transportation is hosting a day of fun and excitement for all ages: Train Lovers Saturday on February 12, 2011, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The event kicks off a rare opportunity to see three of America’s steam locomotive powerhouses as the C&O 614 joins Museum favorites N&W 611 and N&W 1218 for a limited time. Check www.VMT.org for details and an activities schedule.

Highlights of Train Lovers Saturday include:

• Discounted admission: $5 for all ages all day.
• Opening Day for the new exhibit: Thoroughbreds of Steam: N&W 611 and C&O 614, the Pinnacle of Steam Locomotive Technology. These rival passenger locomotives have never before been seen together; in fact, the C&O 614 has not been publicly displayed anywhere in a decade.
• Special guest, renowned railroad artist Andrew Fletcher from California, will display a collection of his work. His prints will be on sale and he will be available to sign prints for visitors, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Kids’ activities: 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
• Roanoke Valley Model Engineers Open House: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., featuring an HO track that kids can run, plus a model sale. The group’s ON3, HO, and N scale layouts are only open a few times each year, located in the Museum’s basement. The entrance is on the back of the Museum just off the Rail Walk and around the corner from the Jupiter Rocket.
• Shop for your train lover’s valentine gift: all rail-related merchandise in the Museum Store is 15% off all day.

Both Norfolk & Western J 611 and Chesapeake & Ohio J-3a 614 were among the last steam engines to pull passenger trains in America. Both share the same 4-8-4 wheel arrangement, both represented the crowning technological achievement of their respective builders, and both are the last remaining examples of their class. The Museum’s Norfolk & Western Class J 611 was designed and built in 1950 by the N&W in its Roanoke Shops, while the C&O 614 was the last commercially manufactured 4-8-4, built by Lima (OH) Locomotive Works in 1948.

The exhibit is a joint project of the Virginia’s Rail Heritage Region partners. Thanks to Greenbrier Express Company for the loan of the 614, and to Norfolk Southern for moving the locomotive. The 614 will travel to the C&O Railway Heritage Center in Clifton Forge, VA at the end of April.

About the Virginia Museum of Transportation

Home to two of the most powerful steam locomotives in existence today—the N&W Class A 1218 and the N&W Class J 611—the Virginia Museum of Transportation regularly attracts visitors of all ages from across the U.S. and the world. Through exhibits, artifacts, and an outstanding collection of rail equipment, cars, trucks, airplanes, and more, the Museum tells the rich story of Virginia’s transportation history.

The Virginia Museum of Transportation is the Official Transportation Museum of the Commonwealth of Virginia, but receives no state funding. In 2010, the Museum was named Non-Profit Arts & Culture Small Business of the Year by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Museum is located in the historic N&W Freight Station at 303 Norfolk Avenue SW, Roanoke, VA 24016. Open Monday-Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 1-5. 540/342.5670. www.vmt.org

Submitted by Fran Ferguson.

Former National Rifle Association (NRA) lobbyist, Richard Feldman, will speak at Roanoke College on Wednesday, February 23, at 7:30 PM in the Colket Center’s Wortmann Ballroom. Feldman’s topic is “Behind Enemy Lines: Guns, Politics and Public Policy.” The event is open to the public and admission is free.

Feldman will present a lecture on the contemporary gun rights movement that advocates for a reasoned national agenda for the control of firearms that does not ignore the importance of a strong gun rights component. He will make his case through vignettes of his personal experiences in the front lines of the gun debate— summarizing some of the key themes in his well-reviewed book Ricochet: Confessions of a Gun Lobbyist.

Feldman was a regional political director for the NRA in the 1980s, and in the 1990s was the chief lobbyist and spokesman for the firearm industry’s national trade association. He is both the founder of MLS Communications, an internet public relations and political consulting business, and a practicing attorney specializing in public policy and government relations.

After graduating from Vermont Law School (1982) and a stint as a White House appointee in the Reagan administration, he defended the rights of America’s gun owners as the NRA’s regional political director in the Northeast. In his term, he forced Gov. Mario Cuomo to once beg “Uncle” and lead a secret tax revolt in NJ that was successful in defeating Gov Jim Florio. Later as CEO of a firearm industry association, American Shooting Sports Association, he worked with President Bill Clinton and helped promote needed changes to the National Rifle Association.

Co-sponsored by Roanoke College’s Student Firearms Association and the Colket Center

Submitted by Mark Petersen, Roanoke College

Turn your gently used Prom, Homecoming, & other formal dresses into cash!

Sell your ‘old’ dresses &/or shop for a ‘new’ one at Cinderella’s Closet 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 12 at Bride’s House and Formals on Peters Creek Road in Roanoke. Register your dresses at Bride’s House 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 11 or 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. the morning of.

Proceeds to benefit Northside & Glenvar High School After Proms.

*The cost is $5 per dress. {Cash or Check only.}

*Dresses must be clean and on hangers.

*Participants will price their own dresses and keep all the profits made from the sale of your dresses!!

*Anyone can participate in selling or purchasing.

*NO Phone Calls to Bride’s House Please.

*Unsold dresses &/or profits from sales are to be picked up Saturday, 5pm-7pm.

For more information e-mail dresses@Northsidevikings.org or call 562-3361

Submitted by Tabitha Cain

Salem’s Academic Team finished the regular season at 6-2; their only losses coming from Cave Spring and Christiansburg. Wins were over Blacksburg, Lord Botetourt, Northside, Hidden Valley, Pulaski, and William Byrd.

Last night, Thursday, January 27, they lost in the district tournament at Cave Spring.

“We beat Hidden Valley by 195 points, but had two close losses to Blacksburg and Cave Spring,” said coach Dwayne Gauck. “I want to say that I am very proud of the team and the tremendous amount of work they did to prepare for the district tournament.  I will be losing several seniors who are very talented and their skills will be missed greatly next year.”

Earlier this season, we posted photos and a story of the Salem team vs. Cave Spring. Click here to see them.

The Mamie Kinzie Circle of Green Hill Church of the Brethren, 2699 Harborwood Road, Salem, VA , will hold an “Evening Valentine Breakfast” at the Church on February 12, 2011 from 5-7 p.m. Bring your sweetie! Donations accepted.

Submitted by Wayne Garst.

Pat Davidson shares this photo of the Salem Senior Center Line Dancers. They’re members of a larger class that meets 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays at the Salem Senior Center on Union Street. The instructor is Ski Shelton.

Click here to go to a complete list of the center’s classes on the Salem City’s Parks and Rec page.

Matthew Johnson

My son, Matthew Timothy Johnson, is a sophomore at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., and he made the Dean’s List for the Fall Semester recently with a GPA of 3.93 and was also nominated for induction in the Tau Sigma National Honor Society.  He is a 2009 graduate of Salem High School.   Parents’ names are Robin and Lee Riggs of Salem and Patrick and Jennifer Johnson of Vinton.

Submitted by Robin Riggs.

Id like to share a story with you. Two weeks ago my father died. Our relationship has been rough. He chose other paths in life than fatherhood. I was angry for a long time, but still tried to see him when he would come around, because after all he is still my father; I don’t get another one.

He was indigent so he did not have any life insurance, money or possessions. It was left up to me to deal with him. I decided the best thing to do was cremation, so I went to several funeral homes and got prices. I did not have the money in my pocket to have this done, so I asked for payment plans, I seeked help from social security, the bank and social services but received no help, not even from family. I realized I may not be able to do this for my father and I lost hope.

My best friend, Jessica helped me through all of this and did all she could to ease my mind.  We work together and she talked to another co-worker of ours last Friday. They decided to set up a PayPal account and get donations to help me out and kept this from me for a few days.

Before the weekend was up they had raised all the money I needed to cremate my father. They had a lot of help from local businesses, Facebook and people who don’t even know me but wanted to help out for a good cause. Today I get to go see my father and have him cremated so I can keep him with me forever.

I would have never thought I would have such great friends or that there were so many good-hearted people in the world. I would like to recognize them today for their generosity and thoughtfulness. They are Jessica Baker and Anthony Hall.

Submitted by Sierra Dooley.

Next Monday, January 31 through Friday, February 18, Glenvar High School’s YOVASO (Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety) club is sponsoring the “Buckle Up, Drive Sober” seatbelt campaign through our . We are trying to get the message out about safe driving for teens and adults.

Submitted by Tabitha Cain

See below for more YOVASO traffic statistics:

Teen Statistics: MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES ARE THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF TEENAGERS, AGES 16-20. 92 teens died in motor vehicle crashes in Virginia in 2009. 1,471 teens have died in motor vehicle crashes in Virginia since 1999.

Seat Belts:

60% of the teens who died in motor vehicle crashes in Virginia in 2009 were not wearing a safety belt.* 50 unrestrained teens died in motor vehicle crashes in Virginia in 2009. 832 unrestrained teens died in motor vehicle crashes in Virginia between 1999 and 2009.

Alcohol/Impaired Driving:

35% of the fatal crashes involving teen drivers in Virginia in 2009 were alcohol-related. 38 teens were killed in alcohol-related crashes in Virginia in 2009. 410 teens have died in alcohol-related crashes in Virginia since 1999.

Read more »

Virginia Western Community College invited business, civic, and school leaders from Salem to a breakfast Thursday, January 20 for a presentation on the Community College Access Program.

CCAP currently offers high school graduates with a 2.0 or a 2.5 GPA or higher from Salem, Roanoke City, and Franklin County the chance to attend VWCC for free. It’s a great deal for the students, especially as higher education costs rise higher and higher, but it’s an even better deal for the community.

“Education and economic development go hand in hand. If you want your community to grow, you need to have educated folks to go along with it,” said Robert Sandel, the college’s president. Additionally, more jobs now need four-year-degrees or at least some college.

“Virginians who earn an associate’s degree will earn $9,100 more per year,” an informational packet from the college stated.

The United States Department of Labor Statistics estimates that by 2018, jobs requiring associate degrees will grow 19%, jobs requiring bachelor’s and doctoral degrees each to grow 18%, but those in the on-the-job training categories are only expected to grow by 8%

Salem city council approved a resolution to contribute in 2008 and helped to launch CCAP. Along with local governments, federal education funding and private funding from individuals and businesses is needed to sustain the program.

Since 2008, 216 Salem graduates attended, including 87 from the class of 2010. Roanoke City schools have students in the program, and Franklin County will launch their program this fall.  CCAP is working to include southern Botetourt, Craig County, and Roanoke County schools in the near future.*

Virginia Western is hoping that the public, whatever their financial status, will want to help fund CCAP and put some “change” into a kid’s future. From April 24 to May 24, a campaign “The Can Can Campaign” will have donation boxes near registers at Krogers and Stop-Ins around the valley.

For more information about CCAP, click here.

To see the CCAP story of Salem High School graduate (also a Virginia Western graduate and current Roanoke College student) Scott Bradford, click here.

-Miranda Beck

*Paragraph corrected at 3 p.m. Friday, January 27 to include Franklin County’s launch date and add Craig County as a potential future partner with CCAP