Wednesday, April 14 and Thursday, April 15:
Potted Plants: Take and Make at the Blacksburg Library
The part in the library’s gardening workshops by picking up a baby spider plant. The kit will include everything needed to get growing, whether it’s a first plant or a fiftieth. Tune in to the library’s “indoor plant workshop” on April 15 for tips and tricks to help this and other plants flourish at home.
Wednesday, April 14 – Friday, April 16:
Noise Alert: Steam ventilation- Virginia Tech power plant
From April 14-16, if the weather is unseasonably warm resulting in temperatures above normal, the university and surrounding community members may notice elevated noise levels in the proximity of the Virginia Tech power plant due to the steam venting process associated with the commissioning of the plant’s new boiler. This notice is provided as a precautionary measure to inform the surrounding community of the possible need to vent steam. There are no immediate plans to vent steam during this period. However, if temperatures are unseasonably warm, steam produced by the new boiler may need to be vented, resulting in elevated noise levels.
Wednesday, April 14:
Radford Chamber of Commerce Business over Breakfast
The Radford Chamber of Commerce presents “Business over Breakfast” from 8 – 9 a.m. at Sweet & Savory Donuts and Bagels, 1026A Clement St. Radford. The guest speaker is Elijah Sharp with the NRV Regional Commission, who will present information about the new E. Main Downtown Plan and how everyone can get involved. Please bring a face mask to this event to abide by current COVID-19 state regulations.
Hahn Horticulture Garden Virtual Road Trip
The second stop of this five-stop road trip to visit great gardens and arboretums via Zoom is today at 2 p.m. at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center with Tanya Zastrow. The last three stops will be on April 28 at 3:30 p.m. at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with Virginia Tech alumnus Brian Trader; on May 12 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wisconsin Arboretum with Virginia Tech alumnus David Stevens; and May 26 at 2:00 p.m. at Lotusland with Paul Mills and Rebecca Anderson. Register online for these talks and a zoom link will be provided:
https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cumxRA4Mec96guy.
Virtual Book Talk
At the Christiansburg Library from 11 a.m. until noon. This month featured book is “Monsters among Us” by Monica Rodden.
Talking About Books: Nonfiction Virtual
At the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library online from 11 a.m. until noon. To be discussed is “The Pioneers” by David McCullough. Call ahead to reserve a copy.
Thursday, April 15:
Talking About Books: Nonfiction Virtual Meeting
At the Christiansburg Library from 11 a.m. until noon. To be discussed is “Tulipomania” by Mike Dash.
Friday, April 16:
United Way Remembrance Gold Tournament
1 p.m. at the Pete Dye River Course, Radford. Players may sign-in at the registration table from 11:30-12:30. All proceeds from this event will benefit the local human- and health-building efforts of United Way and the 22 local charities it supports. A hole-in-one prize of $25,000 will be awarded. In the event of rain, the tournament will be postponed to April 30.
Teens Cook: Vegetarian Chili
At the Montgomery Floyd Regional Library online at p.m. Watch the librarians cook and try your hand at making vegetarian friendly chili.
Friday, April 16 – Sunday, April 18:
2021 Virtual Run in Remembrance
Virginia Tech’s 3.2-Mile Run in Remembrance will be offered as a virtual event this year The university is inviting Hokies across the country and around the world to run, walk or jog on their own and post a picture online using #VT32Run. The virtual Run in Remembrance will be hosted as the Virginia Tech community reflects on the vibrant lives of the 32 students and faculty who were tragically taken from us on April 16, 2007. Registration for the 3.2 for 32 Run in Remembrance is now open. Visit the Rec Sports website for more information.
The virtual event features a printable bib and the option to join the Stridekick App’s virtual group journey to log participation with other Hokies. This year’s event provides the opportunity to purchase a commemorative 2021 Virtual Run in Remembrance t-shirt (at cost) with shipping or local resident in-person pickup options. Register and purchase t-shirts at the VT student affairs website.
Saturday, April 17:
Teen Dungeons and Dragons
AT the Montgomery Floyd Regional Library online from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. DnD is now virtual on Discord. Downloading Discord on your device will provide ease of access, but this is not required. To join the Discord server, contact shodges@mfrl.org for more info. Ages 11 years and up.
Prices Fork Elementary, Kiwanis Brunswick stew fundraiser
Prices Fork Elementary School and the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery County-Blacksburg are resuming their annual Brunswick stew fundraiser on Saturday between noon and 2 p.m. It will be held at the new North Star Church, 3929 Prices Fork Road. Pre-orders are strongly encouraged by April 14 (540-951-5834 or PFESPTA@GMAIL.COM). This will be a drive-through pickup. Stew costs $10 per quart or $9 per quart with the purchase of five quarts or more with payment by cash or check payable to PFESPTA. John Drew Clary will be mixing his famous recipe again. The Kiwanis Club stocks a Pre-K food pantry at PFES every month by purchasing food from Feeding America Southwest. Kiwanis has also donated to the Prices Fork Elementary School’s young children’s playground.
Women’s Mountain Bike Clinic
Sponsored by Blacksburg Parks and Recreation from 2 – 4 p.m. Proper braking, cornering, and climbing techniques, and how to repair a flat tire are among the topics that will be taught.
The ride will be on the Poverty Creek Trail system and, depending on the group, the specific trails may vary. Participants will meet at the Pandapas Pond upper parking lot. For ages 11 and up. Cost is $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents.
Saturday, April 17 – Sunday, April 18:
Cadets to march, fire cannon
The VT Corps of Cadets will take a 13-mile march on the Huckleberry Trail from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. The cadets will be using the trail between the library and Heritage Park. They will follow COVID-19 safety protocols. At the conclusion of the march, Skipper, the VT Corps’ cannon, will be fired three times between 2 and 3:30 p.m. from Lane Stadium. The actual time will depend on how long the march takes subject to weather and road conditions. Skipper will also be fired up to 10 times during a training event from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 18, at Smithfield Plantation.
Sunday, April 18:
Kayaking skills course: Introduction to whitewater kayaking.
10 a.m. until noon at the Blacksburg Aquatic Center. Ages 11 and up. Cost is $20 for residents and $30 for non-residents. Learn the fundamentals of the roll, bracing, and edge control from experienced staff in an indoor pool. Necessary equipment is provided. Personal equipment is welcome.
Tuesday, April 27:
Radford Zooms with Ron Peterson Jr.
The Radford Public Library once again hosts Ron Peterson, Jr., for a Radford Reads author talk. This time, he’ll be discussing a person of local interest in his new book, “Chasing the Squirrel: The Pursuit of Notorious Drug Smuggler Wally Thrasher.” Thrasher grew up in Pulaski County. Book Discussion.
6:30 p.m. Meet the Author (on Zoom) – May 4, 6:30 p.m.
Through Thursday, April 15:
“ART GAWK: Selections from the Radford University Permanent Collection”
The exhibition is a selection of 111 works that range widely in media, artistic styles, and historical periods. The hours of the exhibition today and tomorrow are 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. at the Art Museum at the Covington Center.
Through Friday, April 16:
Young Chefs Ingredient challenge
Ongoing through Friday, April 16, all day at the Montgomery Floyd Regional Library online. Calling all young chefs to challenge your creativity by making a meal with carrots, lemon, honey, and potatoes. You can add more ingredients to your recipe(s) but the meal must include all the ingredients listed. Please submit a photo and recipes by April 16. Email shodges@mfrl.org for further questions and for submission.
Through Saturday, April 24:
‘Unbearable Beauty’ Exhibit at Moss Arts Center
The exhibit is open each Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. through Saturday, April 24. The exhibit is a demonstration of the devastation human activity has wreaked on the environment. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
Throughout April:
Grab and Go Crafts
All the month of April at the Meadowbrook Public Library. Call the library to request Take and Make Craft Kits. They’re available for grab-n-go with curbside pickup. They’re free but supplies are limited.
StoryWalk
All the month of April, at the Christiansburg Library. Exercise your brain and body as you read and walk the trail. Begin at the library at the College Street entrance of Downtown Park. This month’s book is “Move!”
