T.J. Witten shares photos from Friday’s final at William Fleming’s Big Blue Winter Basketball Tournament, in which Salem played Millbrook. You can view the photos above or in a different view here. And for full sets of even more photos, visit here and here.

Millbrook won the final. Here is the game report from The Roanoke Times.

Green Ridge Recreation Center will be open on New Year’s Eve (Sat.), with early closing at 3:00pm. Green Ridge will be open regular Sunday hours on New Year’s Day and Monday, January 2. All other recreation facilities including Brambleton Center will be closed from 5:00pm on Friday, December 30 through Tuesday, January 2 in honor of the New Year’s holiday. During this time, program registrations will still be accepted at Green Ridge Recreation Center or online. You can register online here.

Submitted by roanokecountyva.gov

Ceremonies celebrating Tree City USA took place in 57 communities across Virginia. The towns, cities and military installations that have achieved Tree City USA certification satisfy guidelines from the Arbor Day Foundation.

“Trees are much more than a pretty face,” said Barbara White, urban and community forester with the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF). “They’re vital to our quality of life and the environment – trees are part of our ‘green infrastructure.’ They help clean the air we breathe and the water we drink. And, when properly placed beside a home, trees can even help us conserve energy.” The NASA Langley Research Center and the Town of Broadway are new to the list this year.

The 2011 designees are listed (on the next page). Criteria include: having a Tree Board or Department; a Tree Care Ordinance; a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

To learn how your community can become a Tree City USA, visit the Arbor Day Foundation at http://www.arborday.org/index.cfm or contact your local VDOF forester at http://www.dof.virginia.gov/

The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians.  Headquartered in Charlottesville, the Agency has forestry staff members assigned to every county to provide service to citizens of the Commonwealth.  VDOF is an equal opportunity provider.

With nearly 16 million acres of forestland and more than 144,000 Virginians employed in forestry, forest products and related industries, Virginia forests provide more than $27.5 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.
Tree City USA Communities

Community                                                                        Years
Abingdon, Town of 10
Alexandria, City of 28
Arlington, County of 15
Ashland, Town of 20
Blacksburg, Town of 21
Broadway, Town of 1
Buchanan, Town of 4
Charlottesville, City of  5
Chesapeake, City of 25
Danville, City of  19
Fairfax, City of  24
Fairfax, County of 28
Falls Church, City of 33
Farmville, Town of 5
Fort Monroe US Army 24
Franklin, City of  27
Fredericksburg, City of  25
Front Royal, Town of 12
Harrisonburg, City of 7
Herndon, Town of  22
Langley AFB 12
Leesburg, Town of 22
Lexington, City of  11
Little Creek-Fort Story 14
Luray, Town of  11
Lynchburg, City of 29
Manassas, City of   21
Marion, Town of 9
Martinsville 5
Middleburg, Town of 10
NAS Oceana 17
NAS Oceana Dam Neck Annex 11
NASA Langley Research Center 1
Naval Station Norfolk 9
Naval Support Activity Norfolk 2
Naval Weapons Station,    Cheatham Annex 3
Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown 3
NAVSUPPACT NW Annex 9
Newport News, City of  28
Norfolk, City of  24
Onancock, Town of  21
Portsmouth, City of 28
Purcellville, Town of 5
Reston, Community of 17
Richmond, City of  20
Roanoke, City of  16
Roanoke, County of 13
Salem, City of  12
Staunton, City of  16
Surface Combat System Center    Wallops Is 15
Vienna, Town of  10
Vinton, Town of  9
Virginia Beach, City of 31
Warrenton, Town of 13
Waynesboro, City of  21
Winchester, City of  29
Woodstock Town of 6

Join us on Mon., Wed., and Fri. nights at Brambleton Center starting January 9  for a new dance exercise program featuring fun moves to your favorite songs from the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s. It’s a low impact workout sure to start your new year off right.

Christmas at the Lin house

Annie Lin sends us this photo of her and her son Jerry ready for Christmas.

“Christmas is the biggest holiday in the year. I have had so many things which needed to be done; such as christmas cards, gifts, shopping, christmas tree, poinsettas(聖誕紅), to decorate my house indoors and outdoors. I went to the Roanoke Chinese Church, friends, and workplace for parties. I took Jerry to see Santa with his christmas list, and enjoyed christmas events.

I set up giant snowmen(雪人) (father, mother and son together) inflatable in front of my house. I like snowmen, do you? One day, I found square snowman with electric lights at Goodwill store, even though the light don’t work, but I just like it anyway.

I stuck all of our christmas cards at the front door. Every card is different, but they help us remember each friend.

I do not sing good, but i like to sing along in Chinese. Every Tuesday night, I sang with Mr. Tom. He plays guitar for my residents at Eastwood Assisted Living. My favorite song is Amazing Grace(奇異恩典), but at holiday, I sing silent night(平安夜), joy to the world(普世歡騰, jingle bells(聖誕鈴聲), santa claus is coming to town(聖誕老人迳城), oh christmas tree(聖誕老人迳城), and merry christmas(聖誕快樂)all in Chinese.

I dress up every holiday, and wear different hats to cheer up my residents, just for fun for the holidays. Looking at my Christmas outfit from top to bottom; I had jingle bell hat, season greeting hat, snowman scarf, Mrs. claus dress, Santa skirt which came from Christmas tree skirt, I pinned Eliv’s Christmas stocking with music and light up on my mini skirt, and Santa’s slipper on my feet. When I came to work, went to stories, library, and bank, everywhere I have been, people told me “I just like your outfit”.

Merry Christmas!”

No southwest Virginia stores were on the partial list 79 out of 100 to 120 Kmart and Sears stores scheduled to close.

Amanda Codispoti has more on her Storefront blog.

T.J. Witten shares photos from last night’s playoff at the Big Blue Winter Basketball tournament hosted by William Fleming. Salem won 69-57 and play in tonight’s 8 p.m. final.

You can view the photos in the slideshow above or here in a different view. For a fuller set of even more photos, check here and here.

And here is The Roanoke Times’ report from the game.

U.S. Cellular is holding a free Smartphone workshop for new and potential smartphone users.  This class will help teach you how to use a smartphone to simplify your life, on Saturday, January 7, 8am-10am, 1420 West Main Street, Salem, VA 24153. U.S. Cellular associates will help attendees maximize all the features on Android™-powered, Windows® Phone and BlackBerry® devices, and it’s open to everyone.  Associates will also demonstrate some of the latest smartphone and tablet capabilities on the Motorola Electrify and Samsung Galaxy Tab, among others.  To RSVP visit the store or call 540.375.6760.

- Submitted by Jenn Donald

Heather L. Bayless, a resident of Salem, VA (Zip Code 24153) has earned a(n) Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Excelsior College.

Excelsior College is an accredited, private, nonprofit institution that focuses on the needs of working adults. Its primary mission is to increase access to a college degree for adult learners by removing obstacles to their educational goals. Excelsior’s unique strength is its acknowledged leadership in the assessment of student knowledge. It does so by providing working adults multiple avenues to degree completion that include its own online courses and college-level proficiency examinations, and the acceptance of credit in transfer from other colleges and universities.

Founded in 1971 and located in Albany, N.Y., it is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its bachelor’s degrees in nuclear engineering technology and electronics engineering technology are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Excelsior’s degree programs in nursing are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The School of Nursing has been designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Excelsior’s bachelor’s degrees in accounting (NYS CPA Track) and business are recognized by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). Its Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program is the first exclusively distance learning-based program to be admitted to full membership in to the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs (AGLSP).

- Submitted by Excelsior College

Troop 39 Boy Scouts and Cub Pack 51 Webelos dens brought Christmas to Brandon Oaks residents. Courtesy of Courtney Pugh

Let’s send 2011 packin’! Please!

Here, a few more reports of good-deed “sugarplums” from our Christmas stocking:

* Remember this clever craft for next year: Making a cool tree from old phonebooks.

Joyce Bryant did, and gave one to Salem’s Curves-for-Women. She had remembered making them as a child at Southview Elementary School.

“We used ‘Reader’s Digest’ magazines then,” she said. “I decided to try using phone books. Use two, folding each page to the center; tape the covers together; add a dowel and ornament at the top, then spray-paint and stick on [decorations].” A plywood base makes it easy to store.

She made two while watching TV — and said she isn’t much of a crafter (this gives me hope). She liked the recycling aspect. And the childhood memory is sweet, too.

* Good Deed, Organized: Troop 39 Boy Scouts and Cub Pack 51 Webelos dens brought Christmas to Brandon Oaks nursing home residents.

Santa and family led the scouts in singing carols, and gifts were distributed: The Cubs had filled over 65 gift bags with toiletries and candies. (Pack 51 thanks the Golding family for coordinating the event.)

* Good Deed, Individual: Pam Ogden commended the kind spirit of “Dale, the substitute mail-carrier.” When asked if he knew of anyone willing to clean gutters, he came back after work and did so — for free!

She asked us to thank such folks who “go the extra mile to help a widow in distress.”

* Shortly before Christmas Peggy Ann Powell Daniel passed on to grace another sphere. She, too, abounded in good deeds. She was quick to comfort the afflicted: With food, sure — but even more with her bright spirit.

How we beamed at seeing her!

Dear friend Carolyn May said that “she laughed at Life.” That tribute reminded me of the late Roanoke College President Perry Kendig’s lecture at Andrew Lewis High School: Seek to handle Life with “equanimity,” he urged. Peggy Ann did so.

She herself was all-too-well-acquainted with grief — yet she made us smile. And that’s a pretty good way to be remembered.

So as we recall the past year and years — aye, the Auld Lang Syne — here’s a cup o’ kindness raised to Peggy Ann and to all you good-deed-doers. Now 2012 will bring many more chances —and challenges — to grace a day, to bring the light.

Joyce Bryant’s Christmas tree crafted from old phonebooks. Emily Paine Carter, special to So Salem

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Note: I’ll be taking a wee break to recover from 2011.