July 3, 2008An online guide to the July 4 print edition of SWoCoHappy 4th of July weekend. Those of you who are Roanoke Times subscribers will find your SWoCo in its usual place at the usual time (not in the rosebushes, we trust.) Those of you who aren’t subscribers -- and who get it by mail -- well, there’s no mail on Friday, so you likely won’t get yours until Saturday. A good reason to subscribe, eh? Either way, we reach more than 90 percent of the households in Southwest Roanoke County County. (How do we do that? See below. And if you’d like to find out how you can advertise in SWoCo to reach all those households, click here for retail advertising or click here for classifieds.) Whenever you get your print edition, you’ll see a couple things. One, send us photos from whatever you’re doing on the 4th of July. And if you’re going to the Salem Fair this weekend, send us photos of you at your favorite carnival attraction! (By the way, we have video of the elephants.). Or, just send us photos of what you’re doing this summer -- or that weird-shaped eggplant you’re so proud of. Whatever you have to send us, we’re here at news@swo-co.com And now, on to our . . . SPECIAL ONLINE EXTRAS * Hidden Valley grad Mikey O’Brien signs with the New York Yankees And we interrupt this list of extras with this invitation: Do you have photos of your sports team from Southwest Roanoke County? If so, send 'em on! And now, back to your regularly-scheduled features: * More photos of people in Southwest Roanoke County talking about their 4th of July plans So how can you get your news and photos in SWoCo? Keep reading below! Continue reading "An online guide to the July 4 print edition of SWoCo" » July 2, 2008Summer photos: A baby shark in Myrtle Beach Jennifer Handy of Oak Grove sends us this photo and says: Justin Handy (age 3) at Myrtle Beach. The highlight of his trip was getting to hold a real baby shark which had come ashore after having been caught and released by a fisherman on the pier. Makes one wonder just how close the mommy shark was!!! Justin is the son of Charles and Jennifer Handy and the grandson of Thomas and Mary Ann Dalton. For that, we've put Justin and the baby shark on our Swoco Summer '08 map. So what are you doing this summer? Send us photos and we'll add you to our map, too. It doesn't have to be anything fancy (although we do have one safari to Africa!). Whether it's a trip abroad or a trip to the beach or just a trip to hammock in the back yard, we're interested! Our previous summer photos posts were: * The Bullingtons: A South African safari Summer photos: A South African safari Molly Bullington sends us this photo and says: My husband and I just got back from a wonderful trip to South Africa where he ran the Comrades ultra-Marathon and we went on a safari. This male lion took time to pose for us and then let out a loud roar to find out where his friends were. We hear the other lions respond not long after. Our field guide told us that a lion’s roar can be heard as far as 10 kilometers away! For that, we've put the Bullingtons on our Swoco Summer '08 map -- the first one in Africa, for sure! So what are you doing this summer? Send us photos and we'll add you to our map, too. It doesn't have to be an exotic trip to another continent, either. Our previous entry in the Swoco Summer Photos series was Aidan Wright, who went fishing in Carvins Cove. You can email us at news@swo-co.com Boy Scouts plan fund-raiser on July 5 at Lowe'sOn Saturday, you're likely to see some Boy Scouts in front of Lowe's on U.S. 220. Keith McCurdy tells us why: Pack 2 and Troop 2 are doing a fundraiser on Saturday July 5th at the Lowe's on 220 near Hunting Hills. We are raising money to buy a covered trailer for the troop and pack to use for all of the different events, campouts, camporees, etc that they do each year. We will be serving hot dogs and chicken barbecue from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. The scouts will be working to raise all of the money instead of just getting the trailer donated or funded by donations. July 1, 2008How does your garden grow? Send us pictures!Over on the Fridge Magnet food blog, food writer Lindsey Nair has a report of the first ripe homegrown tomato of the season. Or is it? How's your garden going? All of which seems to a good time to say hey, if you have photos of your garden -- be it that first ripe tomato of the season or the potato shaped like Richard Nixon's nose -- we'd love to show 'em off to readers. Just send your photos (and, of course, a brief description, if we can't tell whether it's a rutabaga or rock) to us at news@swo-co.com June 27, 2008Here's what some in Southwest Roanoke County are doing this summer You'll recall we recently invited folks to send in their summer photos and tell us about their plans this summer. Well, we just heard from Loren Wright, who sends us two photos of her son, Aidan. This is my son, Aidan Wright, on his first fishing trip with his dad Craig Wright. Aidan caught a few smaller fish then he caught a 17" Big Mouth Bass. His dad didn't catch any fish. :) And then for the photo below: We're not sure yet where the fishing was, but we know where the zoo is, so we've just put Aidan and his friend on the map -- our Swoco Summer '08 map, that is. We've also added Tony Weaver, too. UPDATE: The fish was caught at Carvins Cove, so we've added that to the map, as well. How can you get on the map? Just send us your summer photos and tell us what you're doing and where. It doesn't matter if it's the beach or a backyard barbecue, a week at camp or that big European vacation. We'll be here at news@swo-co.com Continue reading "Here's what some in Southwest Roanoke County are doing this summer" » June 26, 2008An online guide to the June 27 print edition of SWoCoCan you believe June is almost over? Our latest issue of SWoCo comes out Friday, destined to reach more than 90 percent of the households in Southwest Roanoke County. (How do we do that? See below. And if you’d like to find out how you can advertise in SWoCo to reach all those households, click here for retail advertising or click here for classifieds.) We update this site multiple times a day on weekdays, and sometimes on weekends, so think of this as your site for daily coverage of Southwest Roanoke County. Meanwhile, in the June 27 issue, you’ll see several places where we direct folks online for more photos or other coverage. Here’s a guide to our . . . SPECIAL ONLINE EXTRAS * AEP wants to build power line near Tanglewood Finally, some shout-outs: Send us your summer photos! Click here to find out more. And high school grads, you can still write your graduation blurb about your plans and we’ll publish it for free. Click here to find out more about that. Want to find out how to get other news and photos in SWoCo? Keep reading below! Continue reading "An online guide to the June 27 print edition of SWoCo" » Pizzazz Star City Twirlers to entertain at Commonwealth GamesJoan Duus, who directs the Pizzazz Star City Twirlers sent in some updated information about the Pizzazz Star City Twirlers. This is what she had to say: We have once again been invited to entertain at the Opening Ceremonies of the Common Wealth Games for the 3rd straight year. We are really excited about this years performance because we will be doing our Half Time Show, which we won this past weekend at State and are taking to Nationals, leaving on the 21st of July. Also Harlie Dale will be performing a 3-Baton Fire routine. She is the 2007 National 3-Baton Champion and will also be competing at Notre Dame in July at the Nationals. We had a previous post about the Pizzazz Star City Twirlers on June 24. June 25, 2008Starkey School reunion brings back long-ago days "I would die if they ever took this school down," Babs Peery Meador said as she reminisces about the old Starkey School building at Sunday’s reunion. Starkey School is where she met Eddie, her husband, 42 years ago, while in the fourth grade. "I failed the fourth grade just to be with him," she laughed. "Stella Hensley was my teacher when I met him." Continue reading "Starkey School reunion brings back long-ago days" » June 23, 2008Fourth of July will be here before you know it! The Fourth of July is coming up soon and that means cookouts, friends, family and lots of fireworks! I want to know what is going on in the Southwest Roanoke community, what public events are going on and where the fireworks are! Email me at emily.flora@swo-co.com or call me and let me know at 981.3191. Feel free to comment here on the blog too. I hope to be hearing from you soon! June 19, 2008An online guide to the June 20 print edition of SWoCoOur latest issue of SWoCo comes out Friday, destined to reach more than 90 percent of the households in Southwest Roanoke County. (How do we do that? See below.) In the June 20 issue, you’ll see several places where we direct folks online for more photos or other coverage. We update this site multiple times each weekday, so really have daily coverage of Southwest Roanoke County. Here’s a guide to our . . . SPECIAL ONLINE EXTRAS: * Photos of Cave Spring High School graduation And that's a good time to remind graduations of our special invitation: Write your own graduation blurb and we'll run it for free. Here's how. And if you have graduation photos to share, you can send them to us at news@swo-co.com. Finally, whether you're a graduate or not, our other invitation of the week applies to you: Tell us what you're doing this summer. And now, back to the extras: * Webcast asks what’s up with Hidden Valley boys’ soccer? So how can you get your news and photos in SWoCo? Easy! Keep reading below: Continue reading "An online guide to the June 20 print edition of SWoCo" » June 16, 2008Send us your summer photos! How are you spending the summer of '08? Traveling? Staying at home? Whether it's the beach or a backyard barbecue, that European vacation or the kids at camp, send us your summer photos at news@swo-co.com and tell us what you're up to. We'll use some in upcoming issues of SWoCo -- plus, we'll even put you on the map -- specifically our Swoco Summer '08 map. (Umm, right now it's empty because we're just starting. But you can fix that!) Swoco kids draw Father's Day pictures If you saw Sunday's Extra section in The Roanoke Times, you saw lots of Father's Day pictures that kids drew about their dads. Well, we have the complete set of drawings from kids in Southwest Roanoke County. At left, is one by Anna Gentiluomo. But we have others by: Hannah Mandell If you know somebody on the list, let 'em know they're here! Swoco teens play music at the Daily Grind On Tuesday evening, June 10 the Daily Grind was a packed house. And coffee and tea were only half the reason that people crowded in, young and old alike. Jeanie Patterson, owner of the Daily Grind in West Village on Virginia 419, wanted to do something new and different and decided that teenagers don’t have a lot of options during the evenings in SWoCo. So, she decided to begin an Open Mic Night for Teens. Continue reading "Swoco teens play music at the Daily Grind" » June 12, 2008An online guide to the June 13 print edition of SWoCoOur latest issue of SWoCo comes out Friday, destined to reach more than 90 percent of the households in Southwest Roanoke County. (How do we do that? See below.) In the June 13 issue, you’ll see several places where we direct folks online for more photos or other coverage. Here’s a guide to our . . . SPECIAL ONLINE EXTRAS: First, check our site Friday for photo galleries from Thursday's graduations with Cave Spring Spring High School and Hidden Valley High School. And that's a good time to remind seniors of our invitation to write your own graduation blurb -- which we'll run for free in an upcoming issue. Here's how. And now, the news: * Daily Grind holds open mic for teens
Continue reading "An online guide to the June 13 print edition of SWoCo" » Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Programs and Events now availablePROGRAMS AND EVENTS FROM ROANOKE COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION & TOURISM
Days: June 28 PROGRAMS Days: Mondays beginning June 23 Days: June 24 Continue reading "Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Programs and Events now available" » June 9, 2008Theater project helps Girl Scouts solve friendship problems   Southwest County Junior Girl Scout Troop 321 performed an original play designed to help pre-teen girls sort out social issues on Monday, June 2. Curtain time was 3:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Church of the Brethren, 2138 McVitty Rd., SW. The play brought out problems that arise when girls with different backgrounds and personalities get together for a week at camp. The characters learned to work out their differences in constructive ways. The participants were earning their Girl Scout theater badges. Moreover, by helping younger Daisy Scouts involved in the play, the participants earned credit toward the Girl Scout Bronze Award. The girls putting on the play recently took part in a program called “Don’t Laugh at Me” developed by the non-profit Operation Respect. The program is designed to promote self-esteem for youngsters while discouraging bullying, ridicule, and violence. Photo 1: Back row: Carly York, Elizabeth Wilkin, Ellee Goad, Emily Buchanan, Hannah Sturgeon, Hollins Vieth, Rachael Thayer, Sarah Wilkin, Sophie Rouaud Photo 3: Carly York, Sophie Rouaud, Rachael Thayer, and Emily Buchanan Photo and information submitted by Gwen Vieth. Cave Spring High School '94 graduate wins Outstanding Young Graduate Award Becky Brittain graduated from Cave Spring High School in 1994 and went on to Virginia Tech to study Communications an Political Science. Brittain was recently awarded the Outstanding Young Graduate Award which goes to a recent graduate from Virginia Tech for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. The ceremony was held on April 18th but her reign as Outstanding Young Graduate will continue throughout the year. The award is based on career achievement and community service and is presented annually to a graduate of the last ten years. She is a product of the mentor program in the Roanoke County Schools, where she worked with Channel 10. Brittain currently works for CNN in Washington D.C. as a producer in the White House. She is active at her church in Alexandria where she teaches Sunday School. She has also tutored an inner city student in the D.C. school system since 2001. "I was very honored to be recognized for it," Brittain said. "I was honored to get the award and be able to share in the Hokie Spirit and give back to the community." Daily Grind on Brambleton will hold an open mic night for TeensSo you love to sing, or play the guitar or some other instrument. It also just happens to be a Tuesday night and you're looking for something to do that your parents will allow... Well, the Daily Grind in West Village on Route 419 will hold an open mic night for teenagers on Tuesday, June 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. About six musicians will be playing for about 15 to 20 minutes each. A microphone and amplifier will be set up. "I think it's going to be well attending," Jeanie Patterson, owner of the Daily Grind on 419 said."There isn't a lot for teenagers to do at night in Roanoke, so I thought this would help." A sign-up sheet is now available. Just come by the Daily Grind and ask about it - you MUST sign up in advance, and Jeanie Patterson will give you a call or email to confirm your act. Also, every Wednesday from 6pm - 9pm, come out and hear the Old Time Mountain Music group. June 5, 2008An online guide to the June 6 print edition of SWoCoOur latest issue of SWoCo comes out Friday, destined to reach more than 90 percent of the households in Southwest Roanoke County. (How do we do that? See below.) In the June 6 issue, you’ll see several places where we direct folks online for more photos or other coverage. Here’s a guide to our . . . SPECIAL ONLINE EXTRAS: * A special shout-out to the Class of '08 * Cheer Storm Allstars to begin special needs team * Photos of Hidden Valley boys soccer * Photos of Cave Spring boys tennis * Photos of Hidden Valley baseball * Photos of Hidden Valley girls soccer * Healing Strides is looking for volunteers * SWoCo, the video -- a trilogy of tongue-in-cheek videos starring Southwest Roanoke County students from the Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio. How can you get your news and photos in SWoCo? Keep reading! Continue reading "An online guide to the June 6 print edition of SWoCo" » June 4, 2008Green Valley Elementary raises money to help secretary's granddaughter Students at Green Valley Elementary raised $245 to support school secretary Marilyn McClellan's seven-year-old granddaughter who is receiving treatments for a rare type of eye cancer. More than 50 students participated in a talent show on May 29 and accepted donations to offset the family's medical expenses. "This was a completely student-initiated fundraiser," said Green Valley Assistant Principal Ashley McCallum. "These kids raised this money without any kind of promotion from the school. I'm so proud of the generosity of our community to support our secretary's family in this time of need." Update: Torch run won't be coming through Southwest CountyAn update to a previous post -- we've learned this morning that the route for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics is a bit different than what was included in an earlier news release. The torch run won't be coming through Southwest County -- but runners will be in the Roanoke Valley this morning. Cheer them on if you see them! June 3, 2008Cheer Storm Allstars to begin a Special Needs Team Cheer Storm Allstars located at Roanoke Academy of Gymnastics is looking to being a Special Needs Team for athletes ages six to 18 years of age, boys and girls with any type of handicap. Athletes will learn to cheer, dance, stunts, tumble and compete along with the other Cheer Storm squads. "We are really hoping that will be something that will work in the community. Some of the girls on the senior team want to help. It's their way to give back a little bit.," oner of Cheer Storm Allstars, Belinda West said. Special needs teams give athletes the chance to not only participate in an athletic endeavor, but to compete. They will also see a growth of self-confidence in themselves. The confidence gained from cheerleading will extend into school and even into their work environment. Cheer Storm Allstars will not charge these athletes monthly tuition, but other fees and charges do apply for the allstar competitive cheerleading program. West said she hopes to get sponsorship from people in the area to help purchase uniforms for the special needs students.  Call for further information (540-556-4321) - practice will start for this squad on July 13th. Registration is now being taken at the Roanoke Academy of Gymnastics. Photo captions: Cheer Storm Coaches who will work with the Special Needs Squad, from left to right, Christina Bryan, Monica West, Jessica West, Belinda West, Robin Smith, Kayla Smith, Stephanie Thomas,Lindsey Matko - not pictured Lanny West and Mike Bass. Photo taken by Penny Ellis. Bottom photo: The West Family who own Cheer Storm, from left to right, Jasia Wheeler, Jessica West, Danica West, Belinda West, Lanny West and Monica West. May 29, 2008An online guide to the May 30 print edition of SWoCoOur latest issue of SWoCo comes out Friday, destined to reach more than 90 percent of the households in Southwest Roanoke County. (How do we do that? Here’s how: Subscribers to The Roanoke Times get it included in their Friday paper; non-subscribers have it mailed to them as part of the weekly Simply Savings advertising flier. Those two add up to more than 90 percent. Plus, we have some free copies available at these locations.) In the May 30 issue, you’ll see several places where we direct folks online for more photos or other coverage. Consider this blog post your shepherd to point out where those links are: SPECIAL ONLINE EXTRAS * Our special shout-out to graduating seniors * SWoCo, the video -- our trilogy of tongue-in-cheek videos on how to pronounce SWoCo, what it is, and how it’s supposed to make you feel, all starring Southwest Roanoke County students from the Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio. * Fan photos from Hidden Valley and Cave Spring softball (You can send your own fan photos to us at news@swo-co.com) To find out how to get your news and photos in SWoCo, plus a special mystery feature, keep reading:
Continue reading "An online guide to the May 30 print edition of SWoCo" » Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run will pass through Southwest Roanoke Co. June 4 The Virginia Law Enforcement Torch run will pass through Southwest Roanoke County on June 4 at 8 a.m. on Electric Road outside of Tanglewood Mall. The runners will also pass through Brambleton Avenue at 9:30 a.m. and end at the intersection at Spring Road. The torch run benefits the Special Olympics Virginia and will pass through other parts of the Roanoke Valley beginning on Monday, June 2 through Wednesday, June 4 as the runners make their way to Richmond to kick off the Special Olympics Virginia 2008 Summer Games set for June 6 though 7. The run will commence on Route 11 in Radford and will pass Christiansburg High School, the Franklin County Courthouse and Longwood Park, ending at the Lynchburg City Line. May 28, 2008Spina Bifida Association will host its first annual softball tournamentHallie Stanley, Executive Director of the Spina Bifida Association of the Roanoke Valley has submitted information about a softball tournament coming up in June. If you are interested, read on and make sure you visit their website here. The Spina Bifida Association of the Roanoke Valley will host its First Annual Softball Tournament on June 7th and 8th at Wasena Park in Roanoke. Please visit www.sbarv.org or call Hallie Stanley at 342-1231 for details. Due to the tournament, there will be no support group meeting in June. Public meeting at Garst Mill rescheduledThe public meeting at Garst Mill in Roanoke County has been rescheduled for June 2, 2008. The Restoration of Mudlick Creek at Garst Mill Park will focus on controlling the hydrologic regime by restoring natural channel geometry (recreating meanders and accessing the floodplain) to reduce stream bank erosion, restoring the in-stream habitat structure and augmenting the riparian cover through native vegetation plantings.
Continue reading "Public meeting at Garst Mill rescheduled" » May 27, 2008Healing Strides is looking for volunteersSara Reed Houser sends us this request for volunteers for Healing Strides of Virginia, a non-profit group: We work with special needs kids using horseback riding to develop skills, balance, confidence and just to let them have some fun. We are in constant need of volunteers to help with our lessons . . . Our helpers do not have to have any horse experience and can be as young as 13. For more information, go to www.healingstridesofva.org or email volunteer@healingstridesofva.org or call Sara at 540-793-0257. She is, by the way, an assistant professor of science at Jefferson College of Health Sciences. Also -- if you're a non-profit group looking for volunteers -- we'd invite you to help populate our listings of volunteer opportunities at www.roanoke.com/lists Improve your health and personal fitnessThe Virginia Cooperative Extension and Health Focus of Southwest Virginia will present a series of workshops aimed at helping you to overcome obstacles and to start taking action. The workshop series, includes four workshops where attendants can discover 25 behavior change strategies that may improve health and personal fitness. The workshops will be help Thursday evenings in June. They begin on June 5 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The cost of the workshop is $7 per person which includes refreshments and door prizes. A workbook is available for $18. The workshops will be held at Health Focus, 3807 Brandon Avenue, Suite 1000. For more information or to register, call 774-4022, Ext. 200. May 22, 2008An online guide to the May 23 edition of SWoCoHello again. Our latest issue of SWoCo hits the streets Friday. As you may have figured out by now, we often use the print edition to refer to things online where we have more photos or more coverage. Well, you've found The Notebook, where all those things are. This is our news blog which we update multiple times each day -- so to make things easy for you, here are the links to some of the things we're talking up this week in print: SPECIAL ONLINE EXTRAS * Introducing SWoCo, the video -- our trilogy of tongue-in-cheek videos on how to pronounce SWoCo, what it is, and how it's supposed to make you feel, all starring Southwest Roanoke County students from the Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio. * Photos from our ice cream party at the Brambleton Kroger * Roanoke County library announces summer reading program * What killed the Clearbrook Wal-Mart -- plus, what that means for the 220 corridor * Cave Spring High School's Laura Dodson back in title form * Fan photos of Hidden Valley softball * Roanoke County schools praised for music education * North Cross students stage mock battle * Valley AFC sign-up, with registration form * Video: Take a wild ride down Bent Mountain on a bicycle * Webcast talks about Ben Boggs' decision to stay at Hidden Valley High School * Photos from Cave Spring High School's After Prom party. Special bonus link, too! To find out how to get your news and photos in SWoCo, keep reading: Continue reading "An online guide to the May 23 edition of SWoCo" » |