Civic news

Valley Music Academy in Waynesboro is now holding registration for spring classes. VMA has Musikgarten classes for children age 4 months to 8 years old, a children’s choir, Valley Voices (for children 6-12 years old) and a jazz ensemble for youth and adults. Valley Music Academy also offers affordable private music lessons for all ages in all brass instruments, clarinet, drums, flute, guitar, saxophone, viola, violin, cello, piano and voice. For more information, contact 942-8648, e-mail or visit http://www.valleymusicacademy.org.

22nd Annual Sweetheart Baby Photo Contest, Big K-Mart; registration held each Saturday and Sunday through Jan. 17; free registration; two categories: infant to 2 years old and 3-6 years old; votes are one penny each to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; each child will receive a gift and winners in each category will receive a trophy, savings bond and additional gifts; sponsors: Alpha Chi and Beta Omicron Chapters of ESA and K-Mart; info: 337-2325.

Bluegrass Jamboree, Weyers Cave Community Center; today, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; tickets: $10 in advance and $12 at the door, children 12 and under are free; in case of inclement weather, event held on Jan. 17; Jamboree hotline: 234-0448.

Freeze Out 2009 by Free Bird Vanners of Virginia, 1428 Outpost Road, Lanexa, Rockahock Campgrounds; through Sunday; full hookups, private showers, restrooms; bring 30 and 50 amp adaptors (no 110 plugs); bar onsite, open Saturday and Sunday at noon; restaurant, lounge and convenience store onsite; music Saturday night by The Campgrounds ($5 cover); bring fishing license and poles to fish in the Chickahominy River; Show and Shine on Saturday, from noon to 3 p.m.; games; first 50 vans receive a goodie bag; cost: $35 for van and 2 people, $10 for each additional person; early arrivals on Thursday pay $15 fee; info: Roach at 804-339-1976; Paintbrush at 804-288-6634; or Wizard at 337-2069; visit http://www.rockahock.com for more information.

The Sadie Rose Foundation offers a monthly support meeting for Valley families who have experienced child or pregnancy loss starting Friday at 7 p.m. at Grottoes Church of the Brethren; for directions or information, call Regina Harlow at 810-4351 or visit http://www.sadierosefoundation.org.

Waynesboro Choral Society will hold auditions for its upcoming spring concert on April 6 and 7. Auditions will be held at the Main Street United Methodist Church on Monday and Jan. 19, 7 p.m. New members are welcomed. Further information, call Director Don Coffey at 943-2075 or visit http://www.waynesborochoralsociety.homestead.com.

185th Anniversary of the birth of Confederate General, Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson; Stonewall Jackson House, 8 E. Washington St., Lexington; Jan. 21, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., free tours; last tour begins at 4:30 p.m.; birthday cake and hot spiced cider served next door at the Davidson-Tucker House, located at 10 East Washington Street; info: 463-2552 or http://www.stonewalljackson.org.

Woodworth Animal Hospital; Jan. 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Jan. 24, 1-4 p.m.: rabies clinic; cost: $10 per animal; no appointment necessary; info: 942-5163.

Fifth Annual Wounded Warriors Weekend, Wintergreen Resort; Jan. 23-25; the weekend has grown from its first year when six injured warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center came to Wintergreen to enjoy adaptive snow sports as part of the rehabilitation from their injuries; this year, about 25 warriors, their guests and health care professionals, almost 60 people in all, will return to Wintergreen Resort; for more information, 434-325-2007 or visit http://www.skiwas.org.

Benefit bingo for Kayla Abshire; Stuarts Draft VFW, 3251 Stuarts Draft Highway; Jan. 25: doors open, 1:30 p.m.; games, 3 p.m.; all-cash prizes, food available, 50/50 raffle, door prizes; advance ticket sales prize is a 6-piece casserole set; contact Janet at 337-3027 or Kitty at 337-1387 for advance ticket sales or information; Kayla is the daughter of John and Lori Abshire. She is 10 years old and a cheerleader at Riverheads Elementary. She was born with Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome, a kidney disease. She will soon need a kidney transplant; proceeds benefit Kayla for help with her medical treatment.

The American Red Cross will sponsor the following local blood drives:
- Staunton Gypsy Hill Park Gymnasium, Staunton; Jan. 28, noon to 6 p.m.
- Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad, Stuarts Draft; Jan. 30, noon to 6 p.m.

The Greater Augusta Association of Realtors, Community Service Auction Committee; applications are being accepted until Jan. 31, 2009, for the 9th Annual GAAR Live and Silent Auction; raises money for local non-profit organizations that provide human services to the area; non-profits located in Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta are welcome to apply; three local charities selected in early 2009, auction held in October 2009; for applications and rules, contact Community Service co-chairs Minnie Stevenson at 480-0648 or Lynn Wagner at 476-1957.

The 2009 Business Showcase will be held from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 12 at Best Western Waynesboro Inn and Suites Conference Center. Visit and meet with more than 30 area businesses who will be showcasing their products and services. “Tactics for Economic Turmoil” seminars will also be presented from 1-4:30 p.m. by a variety of speakers. This event is open to the public

Jerry Venable, a Staunton native and former member of the world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters, will be the guest speaker at the Jan. 13 meeting of the Shenandoah Valley Athletic Club. A 1968 All-American at then Ferrum Junior College, Venable went on to garner first team All Big Eight honors at Kansas State University in 1970. Drafted by the NBA Philadelphia 76ers, he later played five years with the Globetrotters.
The Shenandoah Valley Athletic Club holds dinner meetings each month at the Harrisonburg Ramada Inn with the date varying depending on the availability of the guest speakers.  For more information and fee, visit http://www.shenvalleysports.com.

Beverley Street Studio School at 24 W. Beverley in Staunton announces its winter schedule of classes.
- Theory and Practice of Painting with instructor Ron Boehmer, begins Wednesday,
- Printmaking with Dymphna de Wild, begins Jan. 18,
- Art History and Appreciation with Mary Echols, begins Monday
- Painting Critique with Robert Stuart, beginning Tuesday
- Drawing and Painting with Janly Jaggard, beginning Tuesday
- Studio Painting:  Color and Composition with Audrey Watson, beginning Thursday
- A workshop on drawing for beginners will be held Jan. 24-25 with instructor Janly Jaggard
In March three workshops will be offered:
- Experimental Watermedia Using Golden Fluid Acrylics with Karen Rosasco; March 6-8,
- Oil Pastel with John Morgan- March 14-15
- Watercolor Workshop with Shay H. Clanton-March 27-29, 2009
For tuition, class levels available, and further information, call 886-8636 or .