Civic news

MARCH
“Not by Flesh and Blood: The Stepfamily Experience:”  The Rev. Dr. Russell G. Waldrop, a pastoral counselor and licensed professional counselor, will present a series of six seminars on the spiritual and psychological dynamics of stepfamilies. Dr. Waldrop is certified as a stepfamily therapist by the Stepfamily Foundation of New York City and by the Stepfamily Association of America where he served on the board of directors. Dr. Waldrop is also a stepchild, a stepparent and a biological parent. Spiritual issues will be identified and developed in each seminar; at Waynesboro Mennonite Church from 7-8 p.m. The public is invited to attend all or some of these seminars. Attendance and materials are free. Classes scheduled: March 31: Stepfamily Myths, Expectations and Reality; April 7: The 25 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Stepfamilies; April 14: How Stepfamilies work — and don’t work; April 21: Case Studies from the class (voluntary and confidential); April 28: Open Agenda; May 5: Quizzes, Summary, Conclusions.

Grief, Loss and Remembrance Support Meeting, March 27 at the office of the New Life of the Shenandoah, 270 S. Liberty St., Harrisonburg, 22801; at 7 p.m. The location is the gray house directly across from the Daily News Record. Sponsored by The Sadie Rose Foundation. For directions or more information, visit http://www.sadierosefoundation.org or call 810-4351 or 810-0307.

Soap Box Derby parts needed must be ordered from All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio. All new car and other orders made prior to March 15 may be picked up on March 28 from 9-11 a.m. at the warehouse on Arch Avenue, behind the Salvation Army building. Drivers or sponsors who have cars stored in the warehouse should also pick them up at this time. Storage fees that have not been paid are also due at this time. For more info, call Derby Director Darrel Riegel at 943-0472. For a derby schedule and registration forms, visit http://www.brsoapbox.com

Mental Health America of Augusta will host a pizza fundraiser at CiCi’s Pizza, 850 Statler Blvd., Staunton, on March 26 from 5-8 p.m. to benefit MHA-A programs and services in Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County.

World Heritage Student Exchange is seeking local families interested in sharing their home to provide a high school exchange student a positive encounter with the United States. Students are screened by World Heritage, are proficient in English, 15-18 years old and come for the 2009-10 school year. For more info, call Lori at 337-4135 or visit http://www.world-heritage.org.

Shenandoah Valley Quilters Guild will meet in in the Sunnyside Room at the Sunnyside Retirement Center at 9:30 a.m. today. Quilts made this month will be donated to returning veterans at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center. Members and nonmembers welcome.

Gospel Sing hosted by combined ministries at St. James Baptist Church, 1094 Albemarle Ave., today at 3 p.m.; featuring the Disciples of Harmony of Waynesboro and the Men of God Community Gospel Singers of Nelson County. All are welcome to attend.

The Salvation Army of Waynesboro and East Augusta County 2009 Annual Civic Dinner is scheduled for March 23 at First Baptist Church, Waynesboro. Guest Speaker will be the Revered Jason Whitener from Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church.  Tickets are $15 and may be purchased through the office at 943-7591, ext. 101. Supporters of The Salvation Army’s Christmas ministry will be recognized at this event along with the presentation of The Salvation Army’s 2008 Annual Report.

“No More War Rally” will be held on March 21, noon to 1 p.m., in front of the Augusta County Courthouse; to call for (1) ending the wars and foreign occupations, (2) bringing troops home and using the billions being spent on war to meet health needs, education, infrastructure and returning veterans needs, and (3) building peace through diplomacy, reconstruction and development. Persons supporting these goals are invited to participate in the rally.  Some signs will be available.  Participants are also welcome to bring their own home-made signs consistent with the above themes.

The Shenandoah Valley Holocaust Education Project has many events scheduled throughout the area through May. For more information, contact Rabbi Joe Blair at , Katharine Gorsuch at 817-781-9229.

Parenting classes, Mental Health of Augusta and the Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth, United Way agencies: “Guiding Good Choices:” This class meets once a week for five weeks and focuses on helping parents lower the likelihood that their middle school children will participate in risky behaviors, especially drug use. Topics include risk and protective factors, family bonding, managing anger and conflict and refusal skills that go well beyond “Just say ‘No’ ”. Children 9 years old and over are invited to participate in the third session to practice refusal skills. The next class will be held at Waynesboro Free Methodist Church on Monday evenings from March 23 through April 20. Child care and a meal will be provided.

Habitat for Humanity open application period, Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Habitat for Humanity; through March 31; community members who wish to be considered for H4H housing should review program qualifications and income limits by contacting the organization for an application packet or stop by 434 Richmond Road (east entrance), Staunton or call 886-1944 extension 100 or visit the Web site at http://www.habitatsaw.org.

Fourth Annual Farm Toy Show, Riverheads High School, 19 Howardsville Road, Staunton; March 21, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; kids’ pedal tractor pull at 1 p.m.; food available and door prizes; admission: $2 for adults, $1 for children 6-12; info.: Bobby Arehart, 377-2454; sponsored by Riverheads Young Farmers and FFA Chapter; proceeds to benefit Riverheads Young Farmers Association and FFA Education Fund.

National Wilde Turkey Federation J.A.K.E.S. event; Shenandale Gun Club property, Route 42, Swoope; March 21, events: shotgun, archery, air rifle, skeet shooting and hands-on demonstration of turkey calls, target shooting and more; Shenandoah Valley “BuckMasters” will provide a Remington 870 in choice of 20- or 12-gauge to give away to a youngster attending the event; registration and check-in from 8-8:30 a.m., lunch from noon-1 p.m., with event ending at 4 p.m.; limited space is available, so register early; increased registration fee of $7-10 to join the J.A.K.E.S. program this year and is the only cost associated with this event ($7 for ages 1-12; $10 for youth 13-17 and $10 for youth over 18); registration fees should be received before March 10; please bring a few cans of nonperishable canned food to be donated to a local food pantry; info.: Jan or Eddy Pitsenbarger, 337-6902, Chuck or Tina Hite, 886-3141, Scott Robertson, 885-7880, Lennie or Bonita Tolley, 248-4564, Blaine Short, 997-5806 or Jeremiah Major, 943-8773.

“Better Portraits,” Waynesboro Galleries, 112 S. Wayne Ave.; March 31, from 6-8 p.m.; learn ways to improve your portraits; will discuss posing, lighting, lenses and composition; intended for owners of digital SLR cameras that have basic knowledge of camera and flash use; cost: $15; sponsored by Waynesboro Parks and Recreation; info.: 942-6735, http://www.waynesboro.va.us/pr or e-mail .

Corned beef and cabbage supper, American Legion Post 340, 13 East Side Highway, East Augusta County; March 21, from 5-7:30 p.m.; cost: $7.50; funds raised used to purchase equipment for the Post Honor Guard; info.: 943-3405.

Blood drives, sponsored by the American Red Cross: March 25, noon to 6 p.m., Gypsy Hill Park Gymnasium, Staunton.; March 27, noon to 6 p.m., Calvary United Methodist Church, 2179 Stuarts Draft Highway, Stuarts Draft; March 27, noon to 6 p.m., Calvary United Methodist church, Stuarts Draft.

Pork tenderloin dinner, Preston L. Yancey Volunteer Fire Company, 2015 Jefferson Highway, Fishersville; March 21, 4 p.m.; cost: $8 for adults and $4 for children; take-out orders available; to benefit the fire department; for information, call 943-8878.

Longaberger basket and Vera Bradley bingo, Verona Volunteer Fire Company, 304 Lee Highway, Verona; March 22; doors open at 12:30 p.m. for lunch, bingo begins at 2 p.m.; pre-sale tickets: 4 cards for $25; funds collected benefit the Fishersville Ruritan Little League baseball program; for information: 942-2122 or 292-0238.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical, “Cinderella;” Wilson Memorial High School auditorium, 189 Hornet Road, Fishersville; March 21 at 8 p.m. and March 22 at 3 p.m.; performed by WMHS Singing Sergeants; call 886-4286 for tickets during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; reserved tickets are $10, general admission (available at the door) is $8 per ticket; children under 12 are $5.

Free tax preparation with AARP Tax-Aide through April 15. This service is for moderate to low income taxpayers of any age, with special consideration given to those age 60 and over. Times and locations are as follows:
—Waynesboro Senior Center: Mondays, 1-4 p.m.; Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon; appointments are recommended and will be given priority; call Joanne Swanda, 942-9518; for tax information call Dick Eller, 943-6214.
—Augusta County Government Center, Verona: Wednesdays, 2-5 p.m.; Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon and 2-5 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon; walk-ins only, no appointments; call Rob Saylor, 337-7067.
—Nelson County Library, 8521 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston: Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m.; call Marlene Howard, 434-361-0283.