The City of Salem has been monitoring the potential spread of COVID-19, and like you, we have been processing a great deal of information. The safety of citizens, school children and visitors is always the number one priority from the Salem Civic Center to City Hall. Emergency Management team members are in constant contact with the Virginia Department of Health, the Roanoke-Alleghany Health Department and area health professionals at our local hospitals. During this time of uncertainty, people are encouraged to monitor the website (salemva.gov) for official city details on closings or cancellations. This site will be updated daily whenever there is new information.
FIRST AND
THIRD TUESDAYS
Salem Host Lions Club, 6:30 p.m., dinner and a program, Salem Civic Center.
SECOND MONDAY
Paint Bank Ladies Auxiliary meeting, 7:00 p.m. at the Paint Bank Fire Department. Contact 540-897-5346 for more information.
EACH TUESDAY
- Salem Chess Players meet at the Salem Senior Center, 110 Union Street in Salem from 7-11 p.m. Open to anyone 16 years or older. Instructions are available.
- Salem Kiwanis Club meets 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. for lunch, Salem Civic Center.
- Glenvar Rotary Club meets 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. for lunch in Richfield Retirement’s Recovery and Care Center cafeteria, first floor. Guests welcome.
- Knights of Columbus hosts bingo for charity. Proceeds support local charities including RAM House, Madonna House, the Roanoke Rescue Mission, Saint Francis House, food pantries and various youth projects. Games are played from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Gator Hall, at 5301 Williamson Road, near Happy’s Flea Market.
- Infinity Acres Ranch Fundraiser from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church at 321 E. Church Street in Blacksburg. Tickets are $8 while children eight and younger can eat for $4. For more information, contact 276-358-2378.
- All ages are welcome to TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) at 5:15 p.m. at the Salem Senior Center. For more information, contact Linda at 540-389-4207.
- Overeaters Anonymous (OA) meeting. 7 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church at 2011 Brandon Avenue in Roanoke. Contact 540-293-4065 for more information.
- From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a chair caning and basket weaving class will occur at the Salem Senior Center. While free, attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch. For more information, contact 540-375-3054.
THIRD TUESDAY
The monthly meeting for National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Roanoke Valley Chapter #226 locations and times will now vary. Learn more details by emailing us at nawicroa226@gmail.com.
THIRD WEDNESDAY
Alzheimer’s /Dementia Caregiver Support Group at 2 p.m. at Salem Terrace at Harrogate.
FIRST THURSDAY
Roanoke County Woman’s Club meets at 10:30 a.m. in the conference room at College Lutheran Church in Salem. New members are welcome.
EACH THURSDAY
- The Salem Senior Center’s Social Club, known as the 49ers Plus Club, originally started the senior program in Salem over 40 years ago. They have different speakers and/or activities practically every week. New members are always welcome to show up at the Salem Senior Center at 11 a.m. Contact 540-375-3054 for more information.
- The Salem Rotary Club meets from 12 to 1 p.m. for lunch in Salem Civic Center. Guests welcome.
EACH SATURDAY
- Salem Farmers Market from 9:30 a.m. to noon, weather permitting. Select vendors will have country sausage, cage-free eggs, grass-fed beef, cage-pasture-raised chicken, homemade rolls, pieces of artisan bread, muffins, seasonal greens and more.
- Overeaters Anonymous (OA) meeting. 11 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church at 2011 Brandon Avenue in Roanoke.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 21
- The Virginia Vintage Comics and Collectibles Show will be returning to the Salem Civic Center for its 24th year. The show is the longest running comics and collectibles show in Virginia and is one of the few vintage comics shows in the nation. Because of its unique focus, the show has drawn vendors and collectors from 15 states, as far as New York, Florida and Minnesota. Comic books, which were a staple in the mid-20th Century, have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years. One reason is the proliferation of television shows and blockbuster movies based on comic books. Another reason for renewed interest is that demand for certain issues has caused values to skyrocket. Some comic books that originally sold for ten cents can be worth hundreds of thousand dollars, with a few topping the one-million-dollar mark if in pristine condition. “Not all old comics are worth big bucks,” said show promoter Roger Mannon. “The most valuable issues are typically superhero comics, while some genres, like cartoons, Westerns and romance can be found for just a few dollars.” The Salem Civic Center is located at 1000 Roanoke Blvd., with easy access from Interstate 81, Exit 114. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information, call 540-320-7056.
- Acclaimed Bluegrass star Junior Sisk will headline Salem’s Pickin’ in the Park” Bluegrass show on Saturday at the Longwood Park Amphitheater at 5:30 pm. The event also will feature local bluegrass groups Wound Tight and Gate 10 and admission is absolutely free.
Sisk was raised in Virginia’s Blue Ridge region and has risen to the top of the bluegrass music industry by sticking to his genre’s roots and never getting above his raisin’. Currently, Sisk is nominated for top male vocalist, best album and song of the year in the 2021 International Bluegrass Music Association awards, that will be announced in September.