Alan Clark,  Minister of Discipleship, will also be performing with some of his brothers and sisters on April 3 at Colonial Presbyterian Church as part of the Lenten Concert Series. The concert will consist of two acts, Trident and Alan Clark & Family.

Submitted by Melissa Williams

The 6th Annual Kyle J. Harmon memorial golf tournament will be held on April 20th, 2011.  This year’s tournament will be held at Hanging Rock Golf course.  The tournament will begin at 8:00 AM with a shotgun start.  For more information contact: Mark L. Harmon 540-309-9342 or by e-mail: gloriaharmon@msn.com

Submitted by Gloria L. Harmon

The Sword, the Texas-based metal band featuring guitarist/singer/songwriter/Cave Springs High grad J.D. Cronise, has posted a video for its song, “Night City.”

Music writer Tad Dickens has a link and more on his cut’n'scratch music blog.

Imagine an afternoon break of milk and Girl Scout cookies, served by the Girl Scouts themselves!

That’s the treat that awaited employees at the Kroger corporate center March 17 when they came to the upstairs cafeteria.  At the request of Kroger, Girl Scout Troop 62 of Roanoke had filled long tables with Thin Mints, Caramel deLites and the other six delicious Girl Scout varieties.   Employees could help themselves to the cookies and a cup of milk provided by Kroger.

Troop 62 also had a sales table, where anyone could purchase cookies.

The Milk & Cookies Break is a feature — offered by Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council — that gives businesses a simple yet tasty way to thank employees for a job well done.   The business purchases the cookies and provides the milk; the Girl Scouts show up to serve the treats.

“This was a good idea,” said Kroger employee Kevin Commons.  “We’re getting a chance to relax a bit in the middle of the day.”

“It’s great,” commented Charlie Perfader.  “We should do this every year.”

“I love it,” said Kristy Call.  “And I love to see the girls come in.”

But the best part?  “The cookies,” said Jennie Pratt with a hearty laugh.  “It goes without saying.”

The Girl Scout Cookie Sale ends March 31.  To order cookies, call Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline at 540-777-5105.

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.

Photo:  Andrea Tyson (Mid-Atlantic Produce Sales Manager for Kroger), Jessica Caudle, Marlene Stewart (Kroger VP Operations Mid-Atlantic Division).  (front row, next to Marlene Stewart, l to r), Katherine McGrath, Chloe Hefner (the redhead, for reference), Jennifer Caudle.  (back row, next to Marlene Stewart, l to r)  Ashley Guilliams, Casey Compton, and Adelia Mau.

Submitted by Cyndi Young-Preston, Public Relations & Production Manager, Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline

The Spring Book Sale will be held during library hours at the HQ/419 Library on April 9 – 14. Half Price Day will be Wednesday, April 13 and Box Day will be Thursday, April 14. All remainders will be $3 per box. Read more »

Taylor Woodrum. Photo courtesy of Johns Hopkins Athletics.

Here are photos of Taylor Woodrum, a soccer player at Johns Hopkins University.

Taylor Woodrum graduated from Cave Spring High School in 2009.

Taylor Woodrum. Photo courtesy of Johns Hopkins Athletics.

Do you have an update on a college student from Southwest Roanoke County?

They don’t have to be an athlete! You can share your news and photos at news@swo-co.com or through the “share” tool at right.

Shopping blogger Rebecca Holland has  tips on where to find some on her blog, The Shoptimist.

The Hidden Valley prom is April 16; North Cross is April 30 and Cave Spring is May 14, with the Faith Christian Gala on May 13.

It’s not too early to send out a reminder: You can share your prom photos at news@swo-co.com.

Here is a picture of the 10U CS Magic champs. Donnie Puckett, Coach, Todd Fanning, Assistant Coach.
Submitted by Karen Butterworth

The Republicans who control the House of Delegates and the Democrats who control the state Senate released their respective redistricting plans late Tuesday.

Not surprisingly, each party seeks to help itself and hurt the other.

* The House plan would move a few precincts in Southwest Roanoke County from the district now represented by Del. Greg Habeeb, R-Salem, into the one now represented by Del. Bill Cleaveland, R-Botetourt. Now, the precincts of Clearbrook, Hunting Hills and Ogden are in Cleaveland’s district. Under the new plan, those three would stay there and be joined by Garst Mill, Mount Vernon, Windsor Hills and part of Penn Forest.

* The Senate plan would create a Senate district that runs from Salem through Southwest Roanoke County all the way down to Smith Mountain Lake. State Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Moneta, currently lives in that district, though most of his current district winds up elsewhere. Salem is currently represented in the Senate by Ralph Smith, R-Botetourt, who wound find himself in a district that runs toward Lynchburg.

You can see the maps and get more info over on our Blue Ridge Caucus politics blog.

No word yet on proposed congressional district maps.

Here are some photos from the Falcons vs. Blue Ridge lacrosse game.
The HVYSA Lacrosse season began with games against Blue Ridge on March 26.  The U15 team (Falcons) won their game 4-3. It was a tough and exciting game and a great way to start the season.

Submitted by Linda Marceau