Wednesday, Oct. 16:
St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall community feedback meeting
The St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall, 203 Gilbert St., Blacksburg, is the only remaining structure of New Town, a once vibrant African American community. Constructed in 1905 for the local Lodge of the Grand United Order of the Odd Fellows, and the Independent Order of St. Luke, the Busy Bee Society, and the Household of Ruth Lodge. The St. Luke and Odd Fellows Hall Working Group has prepared a draft Strategic Restoration and Preservation Study, representing the group’s efforts from Nov 2023 to the present. The Working Group is seeking feedback from the community on the study’s recommended actions to ensure they uphold the intention to celebrate the building’s history and character, while ensuring the functionality and longevity of the structure for future generations to experience. Please plan to attend a drop-in style community meeting, at the St Luke and Odd Fellows Hall between 5 -6:30 p.m.
Blacksburg Farmers Market
At Market Square Park, 100 Draper Rd SW, Blacksburg; 2 – 6 p.m. The market is a local, family-friendly gathering place in downtown Blacksburg featuring farmers of locally grown produce and meats, alongside artisans of baked goods and handmade crafts. For more information, visit http://blacksburgfarmersmarket.com.
Free GED Prep Classes with NRCC
At the Radford Public Library, 9 a.m. – noon. Join NRCC in the community room for free GED prep classes! For more info call 540-674-3682.
Thursday, Oct. 17:
Candidate Forum
The NAACP Montgomery Co-Radford City-Floyd Co Branch (NAACP MRF), Radford Chamber of Commerce, and the League of Women Voters – Montgomery County (LWV-MC) are co-hosting a forum for the 2024 Radford City Council candidates at 6:30 p.m. in the Radford High School Auditorium. The candidates for the city council are Kellie Artrip, Carl E. Mitchell and W. Guy Wohlford. Each candidate has accepted the invitation to participate.
Sons of Confederate Veterans meeting
The Sons of Confederate Veterans, Stuart Horse Artillery Camp 1784 will meet at 7 p.m. at Aly’s Family Italian Restaurant on 3204 Riner Road. Members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) are also invited to attend. For further information, please call 540-320-4315 or 540-239-9864.
Saturday, Oct. 19:
Pancake Breakfast
The Kiwanis Club of Montgomery County- Blacksburg is sponsoring a pancake breakfast, 8- 11 a.m. in the Blacksburg United Methodist Church’s Whisner Building. BUMC has a parking lot on the corner of Penn and Lee Streets. Cost is $8 per person and tickets can be purchased at the door. The motto of Kiwanis is serving the children of the world one child one community at a time. Montgomery Co-Blacksburg Kiwanis meets every Thursday for lunch (11:45 a.m. -1 p.m.) at Warm Hearth Village, Blacksburg, with a program speaker most days.
Red Cross blood drive
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 103 E. Main St., Christiansburg, will host a Red Cross Blood Drive, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Appointments: https://www.redcrossblood.org
Volunteer Montgomery’s Chili Cook-Off cancelled
The Volunteer Montgomery chili cook-off fundraiser scheduled for Oct. 19 in Christiansburg has been cancelled.
Fall leaf mulch distribution
Leaf mulch is available for pick up at Glade Road Growing 8 a.m. – noon. Loose and bagged leaves collected by the town are composted into leaf mulch. This mulch can be used as a soil additive for composting. This is an important service as composted leaf mulch keeps leaves out of landfills. Leaves can take up valuable landfill space and produce harmful greenhouse gases. To arrange pickup, residents must register and follow these guidelines: Register for a 30-minute time slot. Time slots are in 30-minute intervals starting at 8 a.m. Limit two cubic yards per truck or trailer. The town will load your truck or trailer. The process of loading leaves may cause scratches or dents to your truck or trailer as well as possible suspension damage due to the weight. By participating in this program, you assume the risk inherent with loading leaves in your truck or trailer. No dogs are permitted outside of their owner’s vehicle during the event for the safety of the farm’s livestock.
Blacksburg Farmers Market
At Market Square Park, 100 Draper Rd SW, Blacksburg; 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Blacksburg Farmers Market is a local, family-friendly gathering place in downtown Blacksburg featuring farmers of locally grown produce and meats, alongside artisans of baked goods and handmade crafts. For more information, visit http://blacksburgfarmersmarket.com.
Sunday, Oct. 20:
Vintage Market
At Market Square Park, 100 Draper Rd SW, Blacksburg; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The market is made up of a carefully chosen group of vendors selling a wide selection of quality vintage items, upcycled crafts, and occasional antiques. For more information, visit blacksburgfarmersmarket.com/vintage-market/.
Tuesday, Oct. 22:
Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia Workshop
Join Blacksburg Parks and Recreation at 2 p.m. for an informative program on “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia”. This workshop is for anyone who would like to know more about how Alzheimer’s affects the brain, detection, cases and risk factors, stages of the disease, treatment, and much more. This program is free, but registration is appreciated. To learn more, and to register, call 540-443-1142.
Wednesday, Oct. 23:
Our Bodies Our Choice presents Reproductive Justice: An Urgent Conversation
Women tell their stories and share facts at a public discussion on reproductive healthcare, 7 – 9:30 p.m. at the Lyric Theater in Blacksburg. Our Bodies Our Choice, a grassroots, non-partisan group supporting reproductive justice, is hosting a forum on reproductive healthcare and the status of reproductive rights across the country. Hear from a healthcare provider and her patients about reproductive health experiences. Learn where reproductive healthcare is available and where it has been banned, and the consequences for women and their families. Leave with suggestions on how we can take action to preserve or restore reproductive rights. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Please come early to visit with event co-sponsors in the lobby and learn more about their efforts. Admission is free.
Tuesday, Oct. 22:
October TRIAD- Shred-a-Thon
TRIAD/S.A.L.T is a cooperative effort of law enforcement agencies (police/sheriffs), senior citizens, and senior organization, focused on reducing crimes against our most vulnerable citizens: our seniors. A Fall Shred-A-Thon sponsored by TRIAD and Christiansburg Recreation Department will be held 3-6 p.m. at Christiansburg Recreation Center parking lot. Please bring your documents in a box or plastic tote (no larger than 22.5” x 18”x11.5”) – limit of three totes/boxes per vehicle. Items that cannot be shredded include metal, three-ring binders, composition notebooks, hanging file folders, paint brushes, padlocks, hardback books, keys, eyeglasses, bungee cords, etc. Please note that the Shred-A-Thon is a drive-thru event; please remain in your vehicle when
approaching the collection site. No walk-ups will be allowed.
Monday, Oct. 28:
Radford City Council meeting
The Radford City Council will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. in council chambers at the Radford Municipal Building, 10 Robertson St., Radford. Citizens are invited to attend and allowed to speak at each meeting. See the agenda at www.radfordva.gov.
Montgomery County Board of Supervisors meeting
Public meetings are normally held the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Montgomery County Government Center, 755 Roanoke St. in Christiansburg. Closed sessions begin at 6 p.m. if needed. Open sessions begin at 7:15 p.m. Citizens are invited to attend and allowed to speak at each meeting. All regular meetings of the Board of Supervisors are rebroadcast on Montgomery County Comcast and Shentel Channels 190 daily.
Free GED Prep Classes with NRCC
At the Radford Public Library, 9 a.m. – noon. Join NRCC in the community room for free GED prep classes! For more info call 540-674-3682.
Tuesday, Oct. 30:
Radford Trick or Treat Trail
Downtown Radford, 4- 6 p.m. Trick or treating at downtown Radford businesses.
Blacksburg Town Council meeting
The council meets in regular session the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Roger E. Hedgepeth Chambers of the Blacksburg Municipal Building, 300 S. Main St. These meetings are open to the public and televised live on WTOB Channel 2.
Christiansburg Town Council meeting
Regular town council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month beginning at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall (100 E. Main St.). The public is welcome and encouraged to attend, with a citizen hearing time reserved at each meeting for residents to bring any matter they desire before the entire council.
FamilyREADS with Literacy NRV
At the Radford Public Library, 5:30 – 7:45 p.m. If you are a parent with low to intermediate English language skills, sign up for Family Reads in partnership with LiteracyNRV. Registration required. LiteracyNRV will host seven weeks of learning each Tuesday from Oct. 1 – Nov. 19. We’ll have fun activities for kids aged 3-8 so you can focus on your language studies (siblings are welcome, and homework help is available). A story time, educational activities, and games will be provided for all children. Families will receive free dinner! For more information, call (540) 382-7262, test (540) 585-1672, or email Anne Abbott at aabbott@lvnrv.org.
Saturday, Nov. 2:
Children’s clothing consignment sale
The semi-annual Blacksburg United Methodist Church children’s consignment sale will be held on 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Blacksburg United Methodist Church, 111 Church St. (parking at 202 Lee St.). Families can get great deals on seasonal kids’ clothes and shoes, toys, books, baby gear, sports equipment, maternity clothing and more. Many items are like-new (some even brand-new). Some items will be half-price between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. but you will want to shop early for the best selection. Cash or checks only; no card or electronic payments. Proceeds benefit local charities. There is space for new consignors. For more information, email bumckidsale@aol.com.
Thursday, Nov. 7:
Radford Army Ammunition Plant community meeting
The Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP) will hold the next Commander’s Community Meeting at 6:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Christiansburg Library at 125 Sheltman St., Christiansburg. Additionally, the event will be broadcast on Facebook Live from the Radford Army Ammunition Plant Facebook page. These meetings are open to the public and are an opportunity to learn about RFAAP Modernization and Environmental Projects. Our commitment to responding to your questions extends beyond the Community Meeting. You can reach out to us for questions or to conduct research on your own through several resources, including: Facebook: www.facebook.com/RadfordArmyAmmunitionPlant; Homepage: www.jmc.army.mil/Radford/RadfordDefault.aspx; and Email: usarmy.ria.jmc.mbx.amsjm-pa@army.mil.
Ongoing:
Sinkland Farms Pumpkin Festival
The festival runs until Nov. 3, 2024, Friday- Sunday. Start your journey by selecting the perfect pumpkin from a vast array of sizes and colors, ideal for fall decorations or carving your Halloween masterpiece. Then, hop on a hayride to the picturesque pumpkin patch, navigate the challenging five-acre corn maze, and indulge in a variety of fun-filled activities designed to delight the whole family. Live music, vendors and more. Open Fridays 4- 8 p.m. with limited offerings and Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, log on to sinklandfarms.com.
Now through Oct. 18:
Toms Creek Basin Planning Study: Community survey available
The Town of Blacksburg has partnered with planning and community development firm Development Strategies to develop a planning study for the Toms Creek Basin (TCB), creating a guiding vision for the future of the TCB. The Toms Creek Basin team invites citizens to share their ideas by taking a short survey. The planning team has extended the survey’s availability to ensure citizens have an opportunity to provide feedback. The survey will stay open until Friday, Oct. 18. To learn more about this project, and to view informational videos about the environment, housing, small business, and development in the Basin, please visit: https://letstalkblacksburg.org/tcb.
Now through Oct. 21:
Downtown, Parks and Recreation priorities input survey
The Town of Blacksburg is working to develop priorities to enhance downtown, parks, open space, and recreational facilities and amenities. Identifying the most important and necessary projects is critical to addressing budget constraints and competing needs.
As part of this project, the Town has designed a survey to gather citizen input to help set the town’s priorities for the next 5 – 10 years. This survey’s availability has been extended to provide more opportunities for citizens to submit their feedback. The survey will be available until Monday, Oct. 21, and can be found here: https://letstalkblacksburg.org/tob-facilitiesandamenities.