TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly): All ages are invited to participate in the non-judgmental program at the Salem Senior Center on Tuesdays from 5-6 p.m. There is a registration fee and a $3 per month fee. Call Charlene Lester at 540-293-7753 with questions.
Roanoke College—MAPLE’S Kids by Toy Like Me Takes place from 9-11 a.m. every Saturday during the following time frames: Sept. 7- Sept. 28, Oct. 5-Oct. 26, Nov. 2-Nov. 30 in the Bast Center. MAPLE’S Kids (Multiple Adaptive Play Experiences in Sports) is an extension of Toy Like Me, part of Roanoke College’s new Disability Studies Program. We have partnered with Wheel Love, a local nonprofit that creates active opportunities for local adults with physical disabilities, to promote adaptive sports. Staffed by Roanoke College student volunteers, MAPLE’S Kids has become a community for local families with children with disabilities.
Roanoke College—“Forget Me Not” Exhibition: Sept. 13- Dec. 8, 2024, 1-4 p.m.
Olin Hall Galleries, Lower Smoyer Hall. The exhibition “Forget Me Not” by Roanoke College’s Center for Studying Structures of Race (CSSR) chronicles projects completed since 2019. This set of works highlight questions about structural racism in local, national and global contexts. By examining the physical and symbolic structures of racism, the CSSR explores and complicates the understanding of race through interdisciplinary research, teaching and community engagement.
Roanoke College—“Child Be Free” by Johnny Floyd: Sept. 14- Dec. 8, 2024, 1-4 p.m. Olin Hall Galleries. Johnny Floyd’s exhibition, “Child Be Free,” explores our relationship with time and how we define ourselves within its bounds. Influenced by conversations with his grandfather, a theoretical physicist, Floyd delves into questions of purpose and identity, often through the lens of recursion theory, where repetition leads to revelation. Through experimentation with paper, sewing and digital manipulation, Floyd intertwines archival imagery with themes of ancestry and connection. Drawing inspiration from the Center for Studying Structures of Race’s project on naming unnamed enslaved individuals who contributed to Roanoke College’s history, Floyd intertwines archival African American vernacular photography from the Maurice Berger Memorial Archive and Library with themes of ancestry and connection. By utilizing the Black experience in the United States as an analogy for the constructs of time, his art aims to deconstruct and question the necessity of these constructs, inviting viewers to contemplate their own temporal identities.
Roanoke College—“Freedom is Not a Metaphor” by Sandy Williams IV: Sept. 14- Dec. 8, 2024, 1-4 p.m. Olin Hall Galleries, Smoyer Gallery. “Freedom is Not a Metaphor” by Sandy Williams IV presents a collection of works spanning photography, sculptures, research and installations. Through personal narratives and historical contexts, the exhibition invites viewers to reconsider the construction and contestation of memory. Williams intertwines family portraits with discussions on public space, challenging conventional narratives and encouraging dialogue on agency and historical injustices. Their innovative approach, seen in works like “The Time Ruler” series, prompts reflection on collective memory and cultural moments. The exhibition serves as a platform for diverse voices to engage with the complexities of public memory, advocating for reconciliation and collective healing. By highlighting struggles against oppressive systems and emphasizing liberation and justice, Williams reminds viewers of our collective strength and the potential for transformative change. The exhibition prompts us to confront our shared consciousness and envision a more inclusive and just society built upon a deeper understanding of our history and identity. In collaboration with the Center for Studying Structures of Race, funding for this exhibition is provided by the Joanne Leonhardt Cassullo Center for Art at Roanoke College.
Warren Haynes Band: The Warren Haynes Band, led by GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, guitar legend, producer, and Gov’t Mule front man Warren Haynes, has announced their Million Voices Whisper Tour. The new 16-date fall headlining tour launches Sept. 19 in Fort Lauderdale and stops in Salem Sept. 29, before wrapping Oct. 12 in Boston. The band will perform in Salem on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Salem Civic Center Box Office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and online at www.ticketmaster.com
Casework Staff Mobile Office Hours: Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) has announced that his office will hold Casework Staff Mobile Office Hours in Salem. A member of Congressman Ben Cline’s staff will hold casework staff mobile office hours at the Salem Public Library (Meeting Room), 28 East Main Street, Salem, VA, on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. A staff member will be available to meet with citizens to assist with problems they might have with a federal agency and hear their views on current issues before Congress.
Roanoke College—Benne Center Fall Lecture: “Warping Religious Liberty in America”: Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, 7-8 p.m. Wortmann Ballroom, Colket Center. Join Dr. Bruce Frohnen, professor of law at Ohio Northern University, in an examination of religious liberty’s intrinsic communitarianism. In his address, Frohnen will analyze the Supreme Court’s role in warping the law—and history—to turn religious liberty from a right of the people to join together for religious activities into a “right” of an individual to express his/her religious beliefs. In the process, the changing tide has stripped us of the benefits and protections once gained from religious affiliations in the form of meaningful religious activities and protections from state actions. Frohnen’s lecture, “Warping Religious Liberty in America,” is free and open to the public. The event is a program of the Benne Center for Church & Society. When he joined Ohio Northern University in 2008, Frohnen wrote and spoke extensively on public law and constitutionalism. He served as a legislative aide to a U.S. senator, visiting scholar at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and secretary and director of program at the Earhart Foundation.
200th anniversary of Fort Lewis Baptist Church: On Sunday, Oct. 6, the Fort Lewis Baptist Church community will celebrate the church’s 200th anniversary by hosting a homecoming on the FLBC’s grounds. Activities will begin at 11 a.m. with a special Sunday service, guided tours of the church, picture displays recapping FLBC’s history, lunch, and an Old Time Hymn sing in the historic chapel.
First Mondays: The family-friendly events are held by Gary John, who manages the “Mason Creek” bluegrass group, and Vicky Sword from the center. The bluegrass/acoustic shows are free, but a tip bucket will be passed around for donations to the musicians. Cake raffles and door prizes will be offered. The event is on Monday, Oct. 7: 7-9 p.m. – Franklin Station. It will take place at the Salem Parks and Recreation Senior Rec Center at 110 Union Street, Salem.
Roanoke College—“The Real Right Stuff: Leadership and Teamwork Lessons from the Astronaut Corps”: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, 7-8 p.m. Cregger Center Arena. Thomas D. Jones is a veteran NASA astronaut, scientist, author, pilot and speaker. In more than 11 years with NASA, he flew on four space shuttle missions to Earth’s orbit. In 2001, Jones led three spacewalks to install the centerpiece of the International Space Station, the American Destiny laboratory. He has spent 53 days working and living in space. A distinguished graduate of the Air Force Academy, Jones piloted B-52D strategic bombers, earned a doctorate in planetary sciences from the University of Arizona, studied asteroids and robotic exploration missions for NASA, and engineered intelligence-gathering systems for the CIA. He is also an author of seven space, aviation and history books. Jones received many accolades, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and served on many committees for NASA. He consults on the future direction of human space exploration, uses of asteroid and space resources, and planetary defense.
Glenvar High School Class of 1974 50th Reunion: Glenvar High School, Class of 1974, is having its 50th class reunion on Oct. 11 and 12. The schedule is as follows: Friday, Oct. 11, Parkway Brewery, Salem, 5:30–8:30 p.m. There will be a designated room for those attending. Cash bar only and music on this night. Saturday, Oct. 12, Anello’s Banquet Room at Montano’s Restaurant, Roanoke, 5:00–9:30 p.m. Heavy hot and cold hors d’evours and a cash bar for convenience. The cost of the 50th Class Reunion event is $50 per person. Please reference “GHS Reunion” in the memo of check. Check out the Facebook page at Glenvar High School Class of 1974 for more details or contact Donna Bushnell Boles at bolesstudio@gmail.com or Roseanne Caligan Bumpass at rcbumpass@aol.com.
Business Advocacy Pathways to Progress: The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce is set to hold “Business Advocacy-Pathways to Progress” Business Advocacy Breakfast on Oct. 17 from 8:30-10 a.m. The event will be held in the ballroom of Hidden Valley Country Club, where participants will enjoy a breakfast that is catered by the club chef. Participants will meet and engage with influential leaders from Salem and Roanoke County, including school superintendents, mayors and key economic development figures. “Discover how our local leadership is shaping the future and explore new opportunities for collaboration and growth. Don’t miss this unique chance to connect with the people driving progress in our communities,” the chamber said. Registration can be found at: https://member.s-rcchamber.org/events/details/business-advocacy-pathways-to-progress-breakfast-with-salem-roanoke-county-leaders-7673
First Mondays: The family-friendly events are held by Gary John, who manages the “Mason Creek” bluegrass group, and Vicky Sword from the center. The bluegrass/acoustic shows are free, but a tip bucket will be passed around for donations to the musicians. Cake raffles and door prizes will be offered. The event is on Monday, Nov. 4: 7-9 p.m. – Luv Buzzards. It will take place at the Salem Parks and Recreation Senior Rec Center at 110 Union Street, Salem.
“The Ugly Truth About Stakeholder Capitalism”: The Ugly Truth About Stakeholder Capitalism will be in the Olin Hall Theater at Roanoke College on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 7-8 p.m. Andy Puzder is a speaker, commentator, attorney and retired chief executive officer. Earlier in his career, Puzder was a commercial trial lawyer in St. Louis. For 17 years he served as the CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc., an international corporation which owns popular restaurant chains Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s. He currently serves on the board of advisors for Young America’s Foundation’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Free Enterprise, and he is a frequent lecturer and author for the organization on economics, business and public policy. Puzder’s lectures focus generally on the material and moral benefits of free market capitalism. He compellingly contrasts the broad-based prosperity and abundance of capitalism with poverty and want of socialism. Puzder recounts that he was just a working-class kid from Cleveland, Ohio, who now considers it his responsibility to ensure that young Americans understand the incredible benefits of the economic system in which they live. His works include books such as “Job Creation: How It Really Works and Why Government Doesn’t Understand It” and features in the Wall Street Journal, National Review, Fox News Online and Real Clear Politics.
First Mondays: The family-friendly events are held by Gary John, who manages the “Mason Creek” bluegrass group, and Vicky Sword from the center. The bluegrass/acoustic shows are free, but a tip bucket will be passed around for donations to the musicians. Cake raffles and door prizes will be offered. The event is on Monday, Dec. 2: 7-9 p.m. – The Bluegrass Brothers. It will take place at the Salem Parks and Recreation Senior Rec Center at 110 Union Street, Salem.
Public meetings:
The Salem City School Board will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.
The Salem City Council will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m.
The Salem City Planning Commission will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
The Salem City Council will meet on Monday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m.
The Salem City Council will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m.
The Salem City School Board will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.
The Salem City Planning Commission will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.
The Salem City Council will meet on Monday, Nov. 25 at 6:30 p.m.
The Salem City Council will meet on Monday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
The Salem City School Board will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.
The Salem City Planning Commission will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.
