Saturday, Dec. 19:
Blacksburg Santa Tour 2020
Santa and a few of his Police, Fire, and Rescue friends will make their way through town spreading holiday cheer and greetings from the North Pole from 2 – 5 p.m. Please remember to play it safe by wearing a mask and keeping your distance as you wait outside for Santa to arrive. This is a rain or shine event.
Saturday Creative Writing Group
Meadowbrook Public Library; 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Those taking part should bring your work for small-group feedback and editing.
Teen Dungeons and Dragons
2-4 p.m. online. DnD is now virtual on Discord. The library staff suggest downloading Discord on your device for ease of access, but this is not required. To join the Discord server, contact shodges@mfrl.org for more info. For ages 11 years and up.
Through Monday, Dec. 21:
Voting in holiday decorating contest
The Christiansburg Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a residential holiday decorating contest. Staff will visit each destination to determine the top 10 entries, which then go on the town’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/cburgvagov) for voting by the community. Voting runs through 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 21. Once all applications are received, decorated homes who give permission will be included in a map for others to visit on a self-guided light tour.
Monday, December 21:
Around the World: Virtual Holiday Edition
Christiansburg Library; 2 – 3 p.m. This is another virtual adventure touring the world. To be explored on Facebook are the holiday traditions of Mexico. Stop by the library for a take-and-make craft.
Radford Special Education Advisory Committee
A Radford City Schools Special Education Advisory Committee meeting will be held on Monday, December 21, 2020, at 4 p.m. The meeting will be a Google Meet Virtual Meeting. The public is invited to attend. To be invited to the meeting contact Josh Brown, Chairperson, at 267-3083, or Daniel Hill, Director of Special Education, at 267-3223, to be invited with a virtual meeting link. We hope to see you then!
Now through Dec. 22:
Radford Business window and residential decorating contest
Throughout the city; Tour the commercial districts and neighborhoods from the safety of your own car and then be sure to vote for your favorites, map on RadfordChamber.com.
Now through Dec. 24:
Wrapping for a Reason
Holiday wrapping booth to raise money for local emergency assistance. Located in Uptown Christiansburg (formerly NRV Mall), near Bath & Body Works. Open daily from Dec. 16 – Dec. 24. Volunteers also needed. All proceeds benefit Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program, commonly known as ‘MCEAP’ which provides emergency food, clothing, utility, rent and mortgage assistance to Montgomery County residents year-round. The Sign Up link is https://tinyurl.com/w4r2020. You may also make a monetary, tax-deductible, year-end donation to MCEAP; details are at mceap.com or 540-260-3173. For more information, email w4areason@gmail.com or text/call 540-239-1093.
Monday, Dec. 21- Wed., Dec. 30:
The YMCA at Virginia Tech Meals On Main program
On Monday, Dec. 21 and Wednesday, Dec. 23 passing out holiday treats from Next Door Bake Shop, Blacksburg Bagels and the Thrift Shop along with the shelf stable meals and snacks. (Treats available while stocks last). We rely on volunteers to keep the program running smoothly so we were super excited when we received a message from a special someone in the North Pole. Santa has decided to take a few hours away from the elves and reindeer to come and help us with our meal distribution on Wednesday, Dec 23 at the Thrift Shop parking lot! Santa will remain behind the tables to keep safe social distancing but he’ll be delighted to see you and say hello! Please remember to wear your mask and keep your distance. As always Meals On Main will operate rain or shine.
Please note the holiday schedule for meal distribution will be as follows:
Mon., Dec. 21- 4- 6 p.m. at Prices Fork Elementary School parking lot
Wed., Dec. 23 (to replace Fri Dec 25) – 4-6 p.m. in the Thrift Shop parking lot
Mon., Dec. 28- 4-6 p.m. at Prices Fork Elementary School parking pot
Wed., Dec. 30 (to replace Fri., Jan. 1) 4-6 p.m. in the Thrift Shop parking lot
Through our Meals on Main initiative, the YMCA at Virginia Tech hopes to help relieve some of the pressure faced by families due to the current pandemic.
Tuesday, Dec. 22:
Rambling Readers
Jessie Peterman Memorial Library; 2-4 p.m. This is a safety distanced group activity involving reading and walking for a little exercise and some intellectual stimulation. Readers taking part will walk and talk about what books they’re all currently reading and enjoying. The walk will start at the library and cover roughly two miles. Dress warmly and with appropriate footwear for the hills and uneven footing. Call the library for more details.
Polar Express Storytime
6:30 p.m. at the MFRL Library Online
Join in on Facebook live for a special Polar Express storytime. Complimentary hot chocolate packets and a small craft will be part of the fun. Supplies are limited.
Thursday, Dec. 24:
Christiansburg closings for Christmas, New Year’s
Town’s facilities closed Christmas Eve and Christmas day on Dec. 24- 25. Solid waste normally scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 24, will be collected on Tuesday, Dec. 22, along with Tuesday’s regular collection. Solid waste normally scheduled for Friday, Dec. 25, will be collected on Wednesday, Dec. 23, along with Wednesday’s regular collection.
Also, Town facilities closed for New Year’s Day on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Solid waste normally collected Fridays will be collected on Thursday, Dec. 31, along with Thursday’s regular collection.
Radford Closings for Christmas:
City offices will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 23 through Friday, Dec. 25.
The Solid Waste Collection schedule is: Wednesday, Dec. 23 collected on Monday, Dec. 21. Thursday, Dec. 24 collected on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Friday, Dec. 25 collected on Monday, Dec. 28. Please have garbage available for collection by 7:30 a.m.
Drop Center closed Dec. 23- Dec. 25.
Saturday, Dec. 26:
Escape of the North Pole
MFRL Library Online at 4 p.m. On Discord, a live play of a North Pole Escape Room or participants may play at their own pace. Email shodges@mfrl.org for more information.
Monday, Dec. 28:
Hibernation Station
MFRL Library Online at 1 p.m.
Through Dec. 31:
Christiansburg Leaf Collection
Town of Christiansburg’s annual free leaf collection underway. Runs through Dec. 31, weather permitting. Public Works crews use a special truck that vacuums the leaves- will collect only piles of loose leaves; leaves placed in bags will not be accepted. Do not place leaves in a way that blocks sidewalks, sanitary sewers, solid waste carts, drainage ditches or utility meter boxes. If you are concerned your leaves may blow away, please place a tarp on top of your pile. Crews will remove the tarp, collect leaves and leave tarp behind.
Through Monday, Jan. 4, 2021:
United Way Festival of Trees
The United Way and partner agencies are decorating Christmas trees in their offices to help spread some holiday cheer in these troublesome times. Pictures of each tree posted on unitedwaynrv.org/tree. Residents of the NRV have the job of picking their favorite tree by visiting the United Way website anytime through Monday, Jan. 4, checking out the trees and casting a vote. A special trophy will be awarded to the winner. Voting will be cast by donations of any amount.
Thursday, Jan. 7:
Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues
Panel discussion with local law enforcement via Zoom, 8 – 9 a.m.
American Legion meeting
Harvey-Howe-Carper Post 30 will meet at 7 p.m. at the VFW Post Home on 102 Watts St. in Radford. In the event of heavy snowfall or ice, the meeting will be canceled. For further information, please contact 250-2283 or 239-9864.
Tuesday, Jan. 12:
Sons of Confederate Veterans meeting
Stuart Horse Artillery Camp 1784 will meet at 7 p.m. at Aly’s Family Italian Restaurant on 3204 Riner Road. Jonathan McPeak will present the “History of the 24th Virginia Infantry Regiment”. Members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy are also invited to attend. For further information, please call 320-4315 or 239-9864.
Through Thursday, Jan. 21:
Girl Scout Cookie Sales
The Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council taking orders for cookies that will be delivered in mid-January. Gift certificates can be purchased through Jan. 14, 2021, by emailing info@gsvsc.org or calling 540-777-5100. Girl Scout cookies are $5 a box. To locate a Girl Scout to take an order, contact the girl scouts at info@gsvsc.org or 540-777-5100. When the cookies arrive in the region in mid-January, Girl Scouts will be delivering them in different ways: masked drop-offs to the customer’s door; cookie booth drive-thrus; online ordering with shipping via Digital Cookie; cookie delivery service (The details are being worked out work with a national food delivery service. They will be announced on Jan. 12.); and voice-activated sales via Echo home systems.
Ongoing:
Throughout December
Grab-and-Go Crafts
At the Meadowbrook Public Library during regular library hours. These are free crafts that may be taken home to make. Each week there will be new crafts.
StoryWalk
All month at the Christiansburg Library. Brains and bodies get exercise by reading and walking the trail. The walk begins at the library at the College Street entrance of Downtown Park. This month’s book is The Emperor’s Egg.
Virtual Cookie Recipe Exchange
All Month of December, at the Christiansburg Library. Join us on Facebook to share your favorite cookie recipe. Take and Make Snowman Hot Cocoa in a Jar craft will be available while supplies last.
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Aquatic, Rec Center hours for appointments
The Christiansburg Aquatic Center is open by appointment only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from noon to 5 pm. To make a reservation, visit www.cacpool.com
The Christiansburg Recreation Center is open by appointment only Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m., on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. To make a reservation, visit www.christiansburg.org/recreation.
Montgomery-Floyd Library Curbside only
All branches of the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library are offering only curbside pickup service (including remote printing). In-branch services are not currently available. Curbside hours are: Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Please return all library items in the outside Book Drop. Visit https://www.mfrl.org for more information.
Radford Public Library Resumes In-Library Appointments
Same-day in-house browsing and computer use appointments can be made Monday through Saturday on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staff will continue to ask screening health questions, take temperatures and require masks be worn as part of the ongoing process of in-library browsing. Children/youth under 18 are welcome to browse when accompanied by an adult. Please call (540) 731-3621 to schedule an appointment to browse or use the computers on Thursday through Saturday.
Radford Public Library Grab & Go Services
Monday through Saturday. Please remember that you can use the MyLibro app to search RPL’s catalog and place holds as well as schedule pick-up times. For Grab and Go Prints, email the documents you would like printed to rad.lib@radfordva.gov, then call 731-3621 to make sure the document are received and schedule a time to pick them up at the building entrance. Prices are the same as usual ($0.10 for black and white, $0.25 for color), and exact change is appreciated when possible.
