It’s a juggling act. Being a mother of three young kids is a lot of work, but throw running a successful interior design business in the mix and you’ve got more than just a juggling act… you’ve got a super woman. That’s Theresa Dorlini. She’s a hard-working mom to Dotti, Luca and Tyson, ages 5 and under. “I like to think of myself as a stay-at-home working mom,” said Theresa. She continued, “My first love was design, but nothing prepared me for the love I would have for my kids! I am extremely fortunate to be in a profession I love, and have the flexibility to be a mom. I knew that if I couldn’t make the two passions work together I wouldn’t be happy. ” And Theresa certainly is making it work. Her business, which she co-owns with her husband John, is called CIRCLE Design Studio. “When I tell some people I operate from a home office they kind of give me that ‘I feel sorry for you’ look or don’t take me seriously… but then they see our work and it speaks for itself,” she said. “In the end, being able to have lunch with my kids everyday makes it all worth it.”

Theresa and her husband live in Southwest County and make it their business to design beautiful spaces. Both are Certified Interior Designers (CID), and John also holds a Masters degree in Architecture. “There are definitely days that I feel like ‘I’m not going to make it,’” said Theresa. “But I am blessed because John and I are in the same profession. He is more than willing to help me pick up the slack. If we have to, we take the kids to our jobs with us. We have to go with the flow and most people respect that.”

Theresa jokes that the kids and chaos have made their work better. Since having their first child in 2007, they have consistently won awards for both residential and commercial design. In fact, The Roanoker Magazine just awarded CIRCLE Design Studio “Platinum” for Best of Roanoke for 2013. They said it is the first time in the history of the awards that an unranked company has gone straight to Platinum.

Theresa and her husband have been in practice for 15 years, working for several different architecture/design firms nationwide, but they started CIRCLE Design Studio together in 2005. The Studio began in Staunton, but once the economy took a down turn, the couple realized they needed to be in a bigger market and moved down to Roanoke three years ago. Theresa’s background is originally in corporate design, but her company does about 80 percent residential work now. Theresa describes her style as modernist, but also likes classical forms and therefore likes to mix the two. “We believe great design is timeless,” she said, “and should be attainable even on a modest budget.”

Being the owner of a small business and a mom is hard work but in Theresa’s case it’s her passion. “You’ve got to have a love for what you do and a love for the people you are serving…clients and kids.” said Theresa. It’s just this kind of dedication and passion that consistently wins Circle Design Studio awards and makes them a great addition to Southwest County and the Roanoke Valley.

You can see some of CIRCLE’s award-winning work at www.circledesignstudio.com

Republicans in the Windsor Hills district are holding a “firehouse primary” on Saturday, May 11 to pick a candidate for the Board of Supervisors.
The two contenders are RoxAnne Christley, owner of Common Sense Breastfeeding, and former supervisor Joe McNamara, owner of Katie’s Ice Cream and Chocolates and Salem Ice Cream Parlor.
The winner will face incumbent Ed Elswick, a former Republican who is running for re-election as an independent.
A “firehouse primary” is similar to a regular primary, except that it’s run by the party, not the registrar’s office, and has fewer voting locations. In this case, the voting hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.at the Brambleton Center at 3378 Brambleton Avenue.
To vote, you must be a registered voter of the Windsor Hills district who is in accord with the principles of the Republican Party and intends to support all of its nominees. Those voting must not have participated in another political party’s nominating process within the past five years.

For more on the election, see this story by Chase Purdy of The Roanoke Times.

These photos of Hidden Valley High School’s spring sports teams were taken by Lifetouch Photography. You can view the pictures in a slideshow above, or in a gallery with captions here.

Share your photos by emailing news@swoco.com, or upload up to 10 photos at a time using our share tool.

On Saturday, May 11, 2013, the Roanoke Valley Personal Computer Club will meet at South County Library (6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke) from 9:15 am to noon to discuss free programs for your PC. Visitors welcome! Contact 774-3979 for more information.

- Submitted by Sandy Johnson

Roanoke County has just released a revised edition of the Summer 2013 Camp Guide. Included are several new youth programs for ages 3-17, and a new series of golf camps for youth. Printed copies will be available in early May. For more information on camps, call (540) 387-6078 ext. 0.

Roanoke County has more information on summer camps here.

Submitted by Roanoke County

Roanoke Valley Drinking Water Clinic

Monday, May 20, 2013 – 6:00 pm

Does your water come from a well, spring, or cistern?

Do you want to learn more about the quality of your water?

How it works:

1. At a brief informational meeting, pick up a sample kit and get instructions to collect your household water sample. (05/20/13, 6:00 pm)

2. Collect a sample from your tap at home and complete a short questionnaire.

3. Drop off sample at a designated location and time (05/22/13, between 7:30-10:00 am)

4. About 4 weeks later, come back to get your confidential test results, an explanation of what the numbers mean, and information on how to handle any problems that are present. (06/17/13, 6:00 pm – or if you can’t make this day, then results can be picked up at our office).

Where: South County Library, 6303 Merriman Rd., Roanoke, 24018

Directions: One option – Electric Rd (419) heading South from Tanglewood Mall, Left on Starkey Rd. 1.5 miles, Right to stay on Starkey Rd, cross tracks, Right on Merriman to traffic circle, you will see library.

Cost: $49 (includes sample analysis cost to test for selected chemical and bacteriological constituents –a $200 value)

Space is limited – Must Pre-register by May 10th

Checks made payable to VCE-Roanoke or pay on-line at www.offices.ext.vt.edu/roanoke  and email or mail your receipt along with registration to VCE-Roanoke, 3738 Brambleton Avenue, SW, Roanoke, VA 24018-3639. There is a $50 fee for returned checks. Contact the Roanoke Extension Office at (540)772-7524 or Deb Chappell, dchappel@vt.edu  with questions.

Submitted by Deb Chappell 

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 

For the fifth year in a row, we asked readers to pick

“The Best of Southwest Roanoke County.”

And you sure did! Voting was up 50 percent over last year.

And now, here are the results:

Best reason for living in Southwest Roanoke County

1. Schools

2. People

3. Quality of life

Most fun thing that’s happened in Southwest Roanoke County (new category)

1. Episcopal Diocesan Council

2. Opening of the South County Library

3. Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio annual free show at the Jefferson Center

Best new thing in SWoCo in the past year

1. Star City Recycling Company

2. Cave Spring Middle School

3. Five Guys Burgers and Fries

(Last year’s winner: South Roanoke County Library)

Read more »

Board Gamers will meet Monday, April 15 from 6 to 8:45 p.m. at the South County Library. The event is free. For more information, call 772-7507.

From the Roanoke County website:

Bring a friend and your favorite games to share or come prepared to learn new games.

Arts and Entertainment Conference This Weekend!

April 12-13, 2013

An Entertainment Event You Won’t Want to Miss!

Tickets still available for Roanoke County Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism’s two-day Arts and Entertainment Conference which will include workshops, social events, vendors and film screenings for fans, film students and professionals alike. Workshops take place at Burton Center for Arts and Technology, 1760 Roanoke Blvd, Salem, VA. The event will kick off with an opening reception complete with a film screening on Friday, April 12 and will conclude with a Gala and awards presentation on Saturday evening, April 13, both being held at the Holiday Inn Roanoke Valley View, 3315 Ordway Drive Roanoke, VA. Opportunities will abound to meet, interact and talk with the Guest Stars.

A number of entertainment professionals and guest stars will be on hand to lend their talents and wisdom to the well thought out and informative workshops. Topics such as film making for newbies, acting for camera, making documentaries, the child actor; pitfalls to avoid, producing for web and dealing with writer’s block, show me the money and acting in front of the camera LA style are just a handful of the topics to be covered. A complete schedule can be found on the County’s website at www.RoanokeCountyParks.com.  Come join us for an unforgettable event !

Workshop leaders are comprised of Hollywood professionals appearing both on screen and off. Nancy Stafford has made a name for herself as an actress and author, appearing on Matlock, Christmas with a Capital C and Season of Miracles. George D. Escobar is a powerful force in Hollywood as a director, writer, producer and co-founder of the Advent Film Group. Jerry Franks is an Emmy Award winning casting and stage director. Jenn Gotzon has created a buzz in the industry with her acting abilities and has appeared in Alone, Yet Not Alone, Frost/Nixon, Hulk, The Screenwriters, and Doonby. Torry Martin is a talented actor, screenwriter and filmmaker whose credits include Adrift, Stalling, and Boxed Lunch. Mike Snyder is a talented producer and co-founder of the Advent Film Group. Sandra Van Natta will be recognized by fans of The Notebook. Her other credits include acting, teaching and writing. Currently rounding out the mix is Rusty Whitener, actor and screenwriter.

This two-day conference is an event of Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism with media support from RVTV-3, Cox Communications and City Magazine. For additional information, a full schedule of events and ticket pricing and purchasing please see our website at www.RoanokeCountyParks.com or contact Wendi Schultz at wschultz@roanokecountyva.gov or call (540) 387-6078 ext. 0

Submitted by Wendi Schultz