Andrea Lynn Gianni has been elected Vice President of Service of the Phi Eta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges. Phi Theta Kappa membership is based on academic achievement, and members are also provided opportunities for growth and development in scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship.

Gianni, from Roanoke, VA is the daughter of Angelo and Jaime Gianni of Roanoke, VA.  She is majoring in Education/Teaching at Virginia Western Community College.

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.7 million members and 1,100 chapters located in 50 United States, territories, Canada and Germany. Approximately 100,000 students are inducted annually.

Junior Achievement of Southwest VA
Please save the date for the 21st Annual Southwest Virginia Business Hall of Fame Reception and Awards Dinner

Monday, November 14, 2011
Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

6:00 pm Cocktail Reception
6:30 pm Dinner and induction ceremony

2011 Laureate Inductees

Leon P. Harris
Keltech, Inc.

John B.Williamson, III
Roanoke Gas/RGC Resources

Sponsorships are now available and tables can be reserved by calling the JA office at (540) 989-6392 or email: betsy@ja.roacoxmail.com

Table of 10 – $1,000
Individual Ticket – $100
Can’t Attend? Sponsor JA Students – $100 each

This hummingbird feeds each day on the plants just outside my living room window.

Submitted by Lisa Cone

I found this mantis on my car. So alien looking!

Submitted by Loren Wright

This weekend is your last chance to visit Splash Valley in 2011. Take the family on Saturday, Sunday or Monday and save your receipt to redeem it for a one time FREE admission to Green Ridge Recreation Center. Valid now through September 30.

Submitted by Roanoke County Parks and Rec

Last fall SwoCo ran a story about the Art Heals event which benefited Kyle Wilson. As you may recall, Kyle (a 20 year old) suffered a spinal cord injury which resulted in paralysis. Joanie Johnston and I organized a fundraiser for Kyle with the hopes of making enough money to build him a roll-in shower, because showering was the most difficult part of his day. Rhonda Stegall let us hold the fundraiser at Hidden Valley High School (Kyle is a graduate from HVHS), and with donations of oil paintings from Greg Osterhaus and Katrina Bell, the event was a huge success.
We just wanted to follow-up on this story because not only were we able to give him a roll-in shower, but because of the tremendous amount of generosity from local contractors,businesses and donations, we were able to  renovate his entire living area.
We really want to say a big “Thank you” to everyone who helped with this project!!! The economy has had a negative effect on many businesses, so we really didn’t know if we would be able to get much support. The businesses and contractors listed below said “yes” to helping us and we are so grateful. We feel so blessed to live in a community where people come together to help others.
The total value of this renovation is about $25,000. Some of the contractors donated a few thousand dollars in labor to someone they didn’t even know. We just think that these people are an inspiration!!!
Thank you so much,
Cindy Podeschi and Joanie Johnston
Audiotronics (Alan Guyes)
Bob Garrett Services LLC
Chris and Marty Irvine
Covington Plaster (Mark Covington)
Design Concrete Surfaces (Richard Taylor)
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting (David Gent)
Lowe’s (Joe Tucciarone)
Morris Tile (Kim Horton)
Sherwin Williams (Mike Kolnok)
RBJ Enterprises (Bruce Jones)
Robertson Marketing (Meg and Tom Robertson)
ZD’S Electric Inc. (Don Zauner)

The Norfolk, VA Zoo is a great attraction while in the area.  It’s inexpensive and big enough to make it worthwile to visit but small enough to see everything without getting too tired.  We stayed at the Sheraton Waterside hotel and was a great place to spend the long weekend.  It’s right next to several restaurants and near Downtown Norfolk.  There is also a riverboat launch from the back of the hotel which takes you to Portsmouth for a minimal fee.
 
Photo 1 – Water fountains at the entrance
Photo 2 – Tapir
Photo 3 – Daddy Giraffe towering around 18 ft. tall
Photo 4 – Elephant getting a shower
Photo 5 – Bianca and Lorenzo Roman in the color garden

Submitted by Maria Roman

Where did you go this summer? You can share photos at news@swo-co.com or use the “share” tool at right to upload 10 at a time.

Here are some summer vacation photos from the Palm Beach area in Florida for SWoCo.  We stayed at the Marriott’s Ocean Pointe resort. They have a multitude of family and kids activities as well as outdoor rec options.  Great resort to stay at right on the beach.  Sadly, no waves in August and our boogie boards were not used all week.

Photo 1 – Movie poolside
Photo 2 – sunrise view from our balcony at Marriott’s Ocean Pointe Resort
Photo 3 – 1 of 4 villa buildings
Photo 4 – Poolside grill and pavillion
Photo 4 – Bianca and Lorenzo Roman at the kids activities center
Photo 5 – Bianca getting ready to tie dye a shirt
Photo 6 – Bianca tie dying a shirt
Photo 7 – Bianca and Lorenzo Roman looking for seashells at sunset
Photo 8 – An Aston Martin on Worth Ave., Palm Beach
Photo 9 – A Masarati on Worth Ave, Palm Beach
Photo 10 – Bianca and Lorenzo Roman at City Place, Palm Beach
Photo 11 – City Place, Palm Beach
Photo 12 – City Place, Palm Beach
Photo 13 – Lorenzo Roman fishing off the pier at Juno Beach, FL
Photo 14 – Bianca and Lorenzo Roman fishing off Juno Beach Pier
Photo 15 – Cute Sea Turtle
Submitted by Maria Roman

Where did you go this summer? You can share photos at news@swo-co.com or use the “share” tool at right to upload 10 at a time.

Do you have a pre-teen or teen? How connected do you feel to your teen? Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare is offering a FREE program, Staying Connected to your Teen. This is a 6 session evidenced-based program designed to give parents the opportunity to come together with other parents of teens and enhance the skills needed to help their teens successfully navigate through adolescence. This is a free program offered to anyone in the Roanoke Valley. We currently have two upcoming opportunities to participate; Tuesday evenings beginning September 13-October 18 from 6-8pm and Fridays form 11:30am-2:00pm beginning October 21-November 18. Please call Ashley Hatcher at 540-982-1427 ext 2132 to register or for more information.

Submitted by Ashley Cable Hatcher

Rev. John Boyles served as a Senior Chaplain of the Spiritual Care Response Team in New York City in October 2001 as part of the recovery process. He invites you to see, hear and perhaps feel his reflections on that venture through audio, visual aids as he presents “Ground Zero Revisited.” There will be a time to share your reflections (e.g. where were you when the towers hit?) and a question and answer session. Refreshments will follow.

When:  September 11, 2011
6:30 p.m.

Where:  Colonial Avenue Baptist Church
4165 Colonial Avenue
Roanoke, VA  24018

Cost:  FREE

Contact:  774-2084 (church office)