The following is a list of upcoming events hosted by Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea’s location at 4309 Starkey Road, submitted by Store Manager and Marketing Director Miranda Beck. You can view photos of the upcoming acts in the slideshow above, or in a gallery with captions here.

Friday, May 3

From 8:00 to 10:00 pm on Friday, May 3, The Deer Run Drifters, a stringed quintet from the Floyd, will perform at MMC&T Starkey. The group, all from former bands of different genres, came together mid-2012 to play a more folk/bluegrass/Americana sound. They are currently working on their first album. With the influence of the mountains and the moonshine, this band is not one to miss!

Monday, May 6

From 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Monday, May 6, Flaky Biscuits, an eclectic septet, will perform at MMC&T Starkey. Flaky Biscuits plays an assortment of Celtic, old time, bluegrass, and gospel tunes, plus some songs that don’t fit comfortably into any genre. Featuring Carolyn Day, Jeff Phillips, Luke Poore, Mark Poore, Hannah Robbins and Amy Rockhill on the mandolin, guitar, hammered dulcimer, clawhammer banjo, upright bass, and fiddle.

For more on their music, visit their website at www.flakybiscuits.info.

Friday, May 10

From 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Friday, May 10, acoustic guitarist and singer/songwriter Mike Franke will perform at MMC&T Starkey. Join him for coffee, music, and fun!

Thursday, May 16

From 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Thursday, May 16, the Poorhouse Pepsteppers will perform bluegrass and old-time music at MMC&T Starkey. The Poorhouse Pepsteppers – Russ Harbaugh, Gary Holmgren, and Kevin Roberts on mandolin, banjo, fiddle, and guitar - are a musical trio inspired by the singing and dance tunes of Appalachia.

While primarily a fiddle, banjo, guitar trio, they also play other instruments in various combinations, and feature both individual and harmony vocals. For more on the Poorhouse Pepsteppers or to hear samples of their music, visit www.reverbnation.com/PoorhousePepsteppers. They regularly play on the third Thursday of the month at MMC&T Starkey and also at our Daleville store for the weekly Wednesday night bluegrass jam from 6:30 to 9:00 pm

Friday, May 17

From 8:00 to 10:00 pm on Friday, May 17, KateEvanMusic, duo Jared Minnix and Brittany MacPherson, will perform at MMC&T Starkey. Their sound ranges from violins to acoustic folk. Growing up in Roanoke, VA, they had an instant connection with music that is for sure seen in their live performances

For more about their music, visit www.facebook.com/KateEvanMusic

Thursday, May 23

From 6:30 to 9:30 pm on Thursday, May 23, MMC&T Starkey will host its second-ever Open Mic Night for music, poetry, shadow-dancing, or whatever your (mostly appropriate for everyone) talent is – come and share! Sign-ups will begin at 6:15 pm, and there will be 10-minute time slots open.

For more information on MMC&T events, visit our Facebook Events page at www.facebook.com/MillMountainCoffeeStarkey/events or call the store at (540) 989-5282.

In honor of the 43rd Anniversary of Earth Day, Cave Spring High School hosted its third annual Ecology Fair on Friday, April 26. The event was free and open to the public as well as Cave Spring parents and students. Jacki Lucki, the teacher in charge of the Ecology Fair, said “the kids planned this entire event. I just come up with things to try to help them with real-life experience and they take it from there.” Lucki continued, “This is truly a cross-curricular event. We have students here from Burton Center for Arts and Technology, the Horticulture Department, Marketing, and Family and Consumer Sciences.”

The purpose of the Ecology Fair is to increase awareness and inform the community about ways they can be more “eco-friendly.” The event featured a trade show with local business that exhibit green practices. The businesses gave out samples and flyers to promote their earth friendly products. There was also an eco-friendly fashion show that demonstrated how to renew wardrobes by choosing gently used fashions from Plato’s Closet. Students from the Horticulture Department of the Burton Center for Arts and Technology had a plant sale and the Art Department had an exhibit featuring sculptures that were made from recycled materials.

It wasn’t all fashion, art and plants though… parked outside the gymnasium, was a C-Max Energy car by Ford. The C Max is part gas, part electric and has plug-in capability. This allows it to be both eco-conscience and fuel efficient. Clay Trump was one of the students in charge of promoting the car: “Magic City Ford allowed us to use the car today… we are promoting the car and promoting the dealership,” said Trump.

The theme throughout the event was Recycle, Reuse, Renew and it was clear that the students all care deeply about the environment and the future of our planet. Local businesses that donated door prizes were Plato’s Closet, Carlos Brazilian International Cuisine, McAllister’s Deli, Kroger, and Chick-Fil-A.

A List of Exhibitors is below:

Aecom Water, Burton Horticulture Department, Biz Look, Clean Valley Council, Corrugated Container Corp, Cycle Systems, It Works Global, Miller-Motte Massage Therapy, RIDE Solutions, Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op, and Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission.

Independent Consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics, Edie Anderson and Artie Bush, President of Bush Flora Shoes, sponsored a Breast Cancer Fund raiser to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Edie donated a portion of her Mary Kay sales for the months of January, February and March and Artie donated a pair of Pink Ribbon Dansko clogs to the winner of the fundraiser contest.  Pictured from left to right: Anna Jane Daniel, MK sales Director, Artie Bush, and Edie Anderson.

Submitted by Edie Anderson

Ken Farmer Appraisals

Wednesday, May 8 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Mr. Farmer will speak for about 15 minutes before doing approximately 40 appraisals.

Appraisal tickets are just $10 and must be purchased at South County Library by May 1. Please pay special attention to the time-sensitive instructions provided with your ticket purchase.

Friday, April 26

All About Autumn will play from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 26 at the Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea at 4309 Starkey Road. Troy Batey, Zach Dooley, and Keith Reynolds are a three-piece pop/rock band who loves to write and release music in hope to change lives through their songs and positive outlook. They’ve got a sound similar to Nevershoutnever, Rival Summers, The Icarus Account, and The Scene Aesthetic. To give them a listen, visit youtube.com/allaboutautumnband

For more on events at Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea, visit us at www.facebook.com/MillMountainCoffeeStarkey

Submitted by Miranda Beck, MMC&T

Picture a Life Without Cancer Benefit for Loren Wright

Saturday, May 18th from 8-2

At the Penn Forest Worship Center across from Cave Spring High School on Chaparral Drive

Organized by Lisa Carleno, Stacey Beard and Kellie Mirasola

Happenings:

-Yard Sale (need donations. contact kellie mirasola at kelliemirasola@aim.com  or Lisa Carleno @ lcarleno@yahoo.com

-Baked Goods Sale (need donations, contact kellie mirasola at kelliemirasola@aim.com  or Lisa Carleno at lcarleno@yahoo.com

-Silent Auction (need donations use contacts above)

-Kids zone with Lawn games, petting zoo, face painting and more

-Zumba class and Jane Seymore from Golds Gym will be doing a Brazilian Butt styled class

-Concessions

-Car Wash

-Vendors-Thirty One, Origami Owl, Tastefully Simple, Scentsy, Paracord bracelets and necklaces by John Breedon, and many many more

-Hair Chalking and mini mani’s from the CSHS Cheerleaders

-Cotton Candy and Lemonade Stand

Submitted by Kellie Mirasola

Construction on the Bojangles planned for U.S. 220 in Roanoke just south of Outback Steakhouse is expected to begin within two weeks, according to Bojangles franchisee Stan Seymour.

Business writer Amanda Codispoti has more details on her retail blog, The Storefront.

Belk Offers Easy Way to Support Local Nonprofits — Shop During Belk’s Spring Charity Sale Saturday, April 27

100% of $5 Ticket Sale Proceeds Go to Local Charities

First 100 Customers Receive Gift Cards, Chance to Win More

– Thousands of participating charities across Belk’s 16-state footprint benefit from Belk’s semi-annual charity sales and in its 125th anniversary year, Belk looks forward to continuing that tradition.

Belk’s first charity sale of the year will take place Saturday, April 27 from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. in all Belk stores. The four-hour, in-store shopping event is an excellent fundraising tool for participating organizations that sell $5 tickets to their supporters. It’s also an opportunity for customers to give back to local nonprofits while taking advantage of special in-store discounts on purchases during the event.

On the morning of the Belk Charity Sale, the first 100 customers to arrive at each store will receive a Belk gift card ranging in value from $5 to $100, and a chance to win one of three $1,000 Belk gift cards being awarded companywide. All customers will also receive $5 back on their first purchase. Also, participating charities and schools will be registered to win one of three $1,000 donations from Belk in a companywide drawing.

Last year’s charity sale supported thousands of nonprofits such as the March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Special Olympics, Teens Do Care, Literacy Council, United Way, Girl Talk International, North Carolina Zoo Society, American Red Cross, animal rescue organizations, local school athletic and scholastic organizations and numerous local churches.

“As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, Belk is especially proud of our ability to give back to the communities who have supported us so much over the years,” said Jessica Graham, Belk vice president of communications & community relations. “There is no limit to the number of organizations that can participate, the number of tickets they can sell, or the amount of money they can raise – so everyone benefits.”

In 2012, more than 8,000 nonprofit organizations raised more than $10 million through Belk’s Spring and Fall Charity Sales.

“Some of the participating nonprofits raise more funds through this sale than any other effort, so we hope all Belk customers will take part in giving back to their communities while they shop,” said Graham. “If you’re an organization that needs help raising money, we hope you’ll sign up to participate. If you’re a supporter of a participating organization, we hope you and your family and friends will buy tickets through the organizations or at Belk stores, and get ready for a great shopping day.”

In addition to buying tickets from participating nonprofits, beginning Friday, April 19, tickets also may be purchased at Belk stores, with all revenues from in-store ticket sales equally divided among participating charities and schools in each local store.

Charity representatives interested in taking part in this one-of-a-kind fundraising event should contact their local Belk store manager for more information. In order to participate in the Belk Charity Sale, organizations must have an IRS Section 501(c)(3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service.

For more information about the Belk Spring Charity Sale, contact your local Belk store or visit www.belk.com/charitysale.

About Belk, Inc. 

Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk, Inc. (www.belk.com) is the nation’s largest family owned and operated department store company with 301 Belk stores located in 16 Southern states. Founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, N.C., the company is in the third generation of Belk family leadership and has been committed to community involvement since its inception. Each year, Belk gives a portion of its pretax income back to the communities it serves. In fiscal year ending Jan. 31, 2013, the company and its associates, customers and vendors, donated more than $19 million to those communities. Belk.com offers a wide assortment of national brands and private label fashion apparel, shoes and accessories for the entire family along with top name cosmetics, a wedding registry and a large selection of quality merchandise for the home. To connect with Belk go to Belk Get Connected.

Modern. Southern. Style.

Belk seeks to satisfy the modern Southern lifestyle like no one else, so that our customers get the fashion they desire and the value they deserve. Our vision is for the modern Southern woman to count on Belk first – for her, for her family, for life.

Submitted by Emily Moseley 

The Ardell Stone School of Dancing Performing Company competed in the Star Talent Productions Regional Competition on March 16 & 17,2013 at the Jefferson Center in Roanoke Virginia.

The Senior Group 
won 1st Overall High Score Large Groups & a Platinum Award – Jazz. They also won
 7th Overall High Score Large Groups & a Platinum Award – Lyrical.

 The Teen Group
 received 4th Overall High Score Junior Large Groups & High Gold Award – Lyrical
 and 5th Overall High Score Junior Large Groups & High Gold – Jazz.

  The Senior and Junior Group performed together and won
 1st Overall High Score Productions & a Platinum Award – Tap.  
The Teen Jazz also won an Overall choreography Award.

Star Performer Awards were also given to the Senior Jazz and the Junior Jazz dances. This means each of the Ardell Stone Performing Company members were selected to perform in the opening number of the Star Talent National Competition in Myrtle Beach, SC in July 2013.


MEMBERS OF THE SENIOR PERFORMING COMPANY:

Laura Barham, Kathryn Kallam,
 Samantha Casauay, Marsha Line, 
Maddy Dodd, Cameron McCarty, 
Sidney Green, Cheyenne Parker, 
Callie Hale, Katie Shubert,
 Hailey Holdren, Lindsay Willard and 
Rhiannon Jennings.

MEMBERS OF THE TEEN PERFORMING COMPANY:

Emily Allara, Ella Hodson,
 Lauren Bledsoe, Natalie Martin,
 Brynn Chavira, Breezy Morstad,
 Olivia DeMattia, Savannah Pressley,
 Sophia Desimone, Maddy Sarver,
 Brooke Fretwell, Kaitlin Saunders,
 Taylor Hampton, Marley Willard,
Triff H’Doubler and Amy Yang.

Submitted by Lynn Hampton

RENOVATIONS, PAINTING & SPRING CLEANING AT EIGHT LOCAL CHARITIES: OVER 600 VOLUNTEERS TO PARTICIPATE

On Friday, April 26, students, faculty, staff and parent volunteers from Faith Christian School in Roanoke County will spend more than 2,000 volunteer hours at eight area charities as part of Project Faith, the school’s annual service project and fundraiser.

Volunteers will be working at Feeding America, The Salvation Army Main location & Thrift Store, The Turning Point Battered Women’s Shelter, The Red Shield Lodge Men’s Shelter, Acts 2 Ministry, The Blue Ridge Women’s Center, and Manna Ministries painting, landscaping, cleaning, bagging food, and working on many other much-needed projects. In addition, students will be assembling over 6,000 gleaning bags for Gleaning America’s fall fruit harvest, which will go to help feed the hungry.

“Our partnership with Faith Christian School reinforces the idea” states Robert Rogers, Volunteer Coordinator with Feeding America, “that engaging our youth in volunteerism… ensure that our communities become places where all families thrive and have access to opportunities they need to secure our children’s success.”

Project Faith is the school’s only fundraiser. Contributions are made to support the school’s operating fund which covers expenses not met by tuition. Sam Cox, headmaster, shares, “Project Faith is a way to raise much-needed funds for the school while instilling a love of community service in our children. Each year the students look forward to participating in this important event in the life of our school.”

About Project Faith and Faith Christian School 

Project Faith is the school’s only school-wide fundraising event. In 2012, the school raised more than $197,000 in contributions that went toward operating expenses, teacher salaries, educational materials and financial aid. The goal this year is $175,000.  Project Faith is an annually selected by readers of The Roanoke Times as one of the top Community Events and Best School event of the year.  Faith Christian School is an accredited, independent Christian Classical school serving students in grades K through 12. Visit us on Facebook or at www.faithchristian-school.com.

Submitted by Susan Childs