UPCOMING EVENTS
Now through Dec. 17:
Blacksburg leaf collection extended
Leaf collection in the Town of Blacksburg has been extended approximately two weeks from the scheduled Dec. 3 conclusion date to ensure all neighborhoods have been served. Public Works has been operating with a significantly reduced staff dedicated to leaf collection, so patience is greatly appreciated.
Saturday, Dec. 3 – Sunday, Dec. 4:
A Festival of Nativities
Slussers Chapel, located at 1543 Mt. Tabor Rd., Blacksburg, will be displaying over 70 vintage Nativity sets from across the U.S. and around the world. Included in the display will be Waterford crystal figures from Ireland, Fantanini figures from Italy, Hummel figures from Germany and many others. The children will enjoy seeing the kitten and puppy manger scenes and of course “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The Christmas crèches will be on display in the fellowship hall Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday Dec. 3, from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Sunday Dec. 4, from 3 to 8 p.m. Admission is free. For more information call 540-951-1757 or check the chapel’s website at www.slussers-themount.org.
Saturday, Dec. 3:
Ron Peterson, Jr., at Meadowbrook Library
At the Meadowbrook Public Library; 2 p.m. Best-selling author Ron Peterson, Jr., will discuss his latest book, “Eyes of a Monster,” and provide updates to his previous books, “Under the Trestle,” and “Chasing the Squirrel.” Books will be available for sale and for signing.
Breakfast with Santa
The Christiansburg High School Music Department presents “Breakfast with Santa” from 8 a.m. until noon in the high school cafeteria. The cost is $5 for children 12 and under and $8 for children and adults 13 and older. The breakfast will feature pancakes, and the morning will offer holiday fun and games and live music, plus a photo op with Santa Claus for a suggested donation of $2. Santa’s elves and reindeer will also be a part of the fun.
Holiday farmers market
On the field adjacent to Glencoe Mansion from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The market will feature gift items from farmers, crafters, and artisans and will also have pictures with Santa. A food truck from Bluegrass BBQ will be set up. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 4:
Puppet kingdom
At the Meadowbrook Library; 3 p.m. The Puppet Kingdom presents “The Christmas Express” This joy-filled musical is set on a train and uses a large cast of colorful puppets to discuss the meaning of Christmas. This performance will be by the youth from Hope Valley Church.
Blacksburg Chamber Orchestra fall concert
Blacksburg Community Strings and Chamber Orchestra presents a fall 2022 concert at 2 p.m. in the Christiansburg High School Auditorium. Selections include Mozart Symphony 25, Crusell Concerto No. 2 for Clarinet (featuring soloist Bruce McGarvey), Buxtehude Chaconne in E minor, a Back to the Future medley, and ‘Happy’ from Despicable Me 2. Admission is free and is open to the public.
Monday, Dec. 5:
Blacksburg 2022 Real Estate Taxes Due
Town of Blacksburg Real Estate Tax invoices for the second installment of 2022 have been mailed and are due by Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. IThose who have not yet received a tax statement should call the Department of Financial Services at 540-961-1105. Payment may be mailed, made in person or placed in the drop box at 300 S Main St., Blacksburg, paid by phone with a credit card, or paid online at blacksburg.gov/payments. Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted.
A 10% penalty will be charged if taxes are not paid by Dec. 5, 2022. Interest will be charged at the rate of 10% per year beginning Jan. 1, 2023.
Tuesday, Dec. 6:
Radford tree lighting ceremony
At the Radford Public Library from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Grove United Methodist Handbell Choirs and the Radford University Chorus will perform. Cookies and hot cocoa from Radford Coffee Company will be available. And of course, Santa will make a special visit from the North Pole to light the tree around 6:30 p.m.
RSVP holiday recognition party
A holiday recognition party for Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Christiansburg Recreation Center in Multipurpose Room 2. RSVP will collect Toys for Tots from anyone wishing to donate to this holiday project.
Montgomery County School Board meeting
The Montgomery County School Board will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. at the Montgomery County Government Center, 755 Roanoke St., Christiansburg.
Brick blast
At the Blacksburg Library at 4:30 p.m. Engineer a project by creating, planning, and building with LEGO provided by the library. All ages are welcome.
English Conversation for Adults
At the Blacksburg Library at 7 p.m. Carole and Bob Dellinger will lead this session of English conversation for adults. Call the library at 540-552-8246 for more information. No childcare will be provided.
Thursday, Dec. 8:
River City Quilt Guild
The River City Quilt Guild will meet at 9:30 a.m. at Grove United Methodist Church, 1020 Tyler Ave., Radford. All skill levels of quilters are welcome. For more information, call Anna Handy, 540 320 7791.
Radford holiday parade
Radford’s Holiday Parade, themed “Jingle All the Way”, will take place at 7 p.m. Lineup will begin at 6 p.m. The parade route will line up on East Main Street between Tyler Avenue and University Drive Bridge and proceed westward along Main Street to the Central Square Shopping Center.
Twig ornaments
At the Christiansburg Library; 4:30 p.m. Participants will use natural materials to make yarn-wrapped twig ornaments. For ages 8 and up.
Friday, Dec. 9:
Teen time
At the Blacksburg Library at 4 p.m. Teens in grades 6 through 12 are invited to an after school hangout for games, snacks, crafts, and more. The library will provide all materials, but participants are welcome to bring their own games to share. For more information, contact spahl@mfrl.org.
Children’s yoga
At the Radford Public Library from 10 to 11 a.m.. Join Kelly McCoy of “The Whole You” and Alex Bowman from “Embark Pediatric and Family Chiropractic” for a children’s yoga class. Participants will learn mindfulness techniques.. If possible, children may bring their own yoga mats. Registration is required and space is limited. Call the library at 540-731-2621 or email Morgan at morgan.esterhuizen@radfordva.gov to register.
Saturday, Dec. 10:
Handcrafted holiday pop-up market
At Glencoe Mansion, Museum and Gallery, hosted by MountainTrotter Arts. The market will feature local artisans, crafters, and more from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The food truck Empanada Nirvana will be onsite as well. Santa will be available to take pictures on the Glencoe Mansion porch. Visitors can also enjoy Glencoe Mansion’s Holiday Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, Dec. 11.
Volunteer tax preparer interest meeting
At the Christiansburg Library at 11 a.m. Participants can learn to prepare taxes and make a difference in the community at the same time by volunteering to prepare taxes free of charge with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs.
Holiday movie
At the Meadowbrook Public Library; 12:30 p.m. Kick off the holiday season with a Christmas movie and hot chocolate. The film follows the misadventures of Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s beloved pumpkin king, who has become bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the “real world.” When Jack accidentally stumbles on Christmastown, all bright colors and warm spirits, he gets a new lease on life. He plots to bring Christmas under his control by kidnapping Santa Claus and taking over the role. But Jack soon discovers even the best-laid plans of mice and skeleton men can go seriously awry. Rated PG. Call (540) 268-1964 with any questions.
DIY terrariums
At the Christiansburg Library at 2 p.m. Too cold to grow plants outside? Grow some in a terrarium. All supplies will be included. Registration is required. This program is intended for adults and is presented by Master Gardeners.
Saturday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 11:
Seventh annual Radford holiday open house
Three area artists will be showcasing their works in the seventh annual holiday open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at 408 Eighth St., Radford. The event is free and is open to the public. A percentage of all sales will be donated to local charities. College artist Martha Olsen uses recycled and found papers as her preferred medium to create her free-flowing style while painter Ruth Lefko lets each of her works speak for themselves, choosing to create a feeling rather than a realistic depiction. Fine art photographer Susan Lockwood, known primarily for European subject matter, frames her pieces with archival acid-free materials.
Monday, Dec. 12:
Radford City Council meeting
The Radford City Council will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at the Radford Municipal Building, 10 Robertson St., Radford.
Montgomery County Board of Supervisors meeting
The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will meet 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 will be 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.
Tuesday, Dec. 13:
Sons of Confederate Veterans meeting
The Sons of Confederate Veterans, Stuart Horse Artillery Camp 1784 will meet at 7 p.m. at Aly’s Italian Family Restaurant, 3204 Riner Road. Members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) are also invited to the meeting. If Montgomery County Public Schools are closed on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week due to weather, the meeting will be canceled. For further information, call 540-320-4315 or 540-239-9864.
Blacksburg Town Council meeting
The Blacksburg Town Council will meet 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 are televised live on WTOB Channel 2.
Christiansburg Town Council meeting
The Christiansburg Town Council will meet at 7 p.m. in the council chambers of Town Hall (100 E. Main St.). The public is welcome and is encouraged to attend with a citizen hearing time reserved at each meeting for residents to bring any matter they desire before the council.
Radford City School Board meeting
The Radford City School Board will meet at 6 p.m. at the School Board Office at 1612 Wadsworth St., Radford.
Wednesday, Dec. 14:
Page to screen movies: Rebecca
At the Radford Public Library; 5:45 p.m. This is a movie screening of the 1940 Hitchcock classic “Rebecca” on the library’s big screen. The movie starts at 5:45 p.m. and has a run time of 130 minutes. The film is rated PG. Popcorn from Lil’Bit Corny LLC will be provided while supplies last.
Ongoing:
Help veterans with donations
The Meadowbrook Public Library is a collection point for items needed at the VA Medical Center in Salem. Donors can take any of the following items to the library during December: deodorant, denture adhesive, 3-in-1 body wash/shampoo/conditioner, body lotion, toothpaste, nail clippers, sweatpants, sweatshirts, t-shirts (size M, L, XL) , and new baseball caps. The project is co-sponsored by VFW Post 5311 and Montgomery-Floyd Regional libraries.
Free GED classes
At the Meadowbrook Public Library from 5 to 8 p.m. New River Community College is offering free GED classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Thursday, Dec. 15. For more information or to sign up, call the library at 540-268-1964.
