ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, September 26, 1996 TAG: 9609260019
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-12 EDITION: METRO
Churches unite for harvest festival
To introduce the Southeast Roanoke community to new outreach ministries of five churches, a Harvest Festival is scheduled Saturday in Jackson Park. It will start with a softball game at 9 a.m., and will continue with special music, games, free food and entertainment until 4 p.m. The rain site is at one of the supporting churches, Belmont Christian (Disciples of Christ) at 1101 Jamison Ave. S.E.
The festival will highlight a medical clinic housed at Belmont Presbyterian Church, a tutoring program for children and adults at Belmont United Methodist, a free firewood service supported by Ninth Street Church of the Brethren and child enrichment programs in the planning stages at Belmont Christian and Waverly Place Baptist congregations.
The five churches are working with the Roanoke Rescue Mission and the Presbyterian Community Center, ecumenical service agencies in the neighborhood. The festival is for fellowship and education rather than fund raising, a partnership spokesperson said.
Garden City park may see improvement
The city of Roanoke, the Garden City Recreation Club and the Garden City Civic League will hold a neighborhood meeting tonight at 7 in the Garden City Elementary School cafeteria to discuss improvements to Garden City park.
Residents are welcome to speak.
For more information, call the Roanoke Department of Parks and Recreation, 981-2236.
Health walk-a-thon to help homeless
The Links Inc. (Roanoke Valley) will sponsor a walk-a-thon on Saturday in connection with the Henry Street Festival.
The "Making Health a Habit" walk will start at 9:30 a.m. at the Henry Street Music Center and end in Elmwood Park, the site of the Harrison Museum of African American Culture's annual Henry Street Festival.
Audrey Wheaton, executive director of the Northwest Child Development Center, and JoAnne Poindexter, a Roanoke Times staff writer, are honorary chairmen.
Links chapters throughout the United States, Germany and the Bahamas will participate in walk-a-thons Saturday to promote health and wellness, encourage family togetherness and raise funds to provide services to the needy, and for special projects.
Proceeds from the Roanoke Valley walk will be divided among the Harrison museum, the Northwest Child Development Center and the Links Inc. Foundation.
Registration starts at 9 a.m. at the music center, and donations will be accepted. For more information, call 389-5977.
Music, food, culture highlight festival
The 1996 Henry Street Heritage Festival starts Friday with a Disco Night fund-raiser at Lowell's Restaurant and Supper Club, starting at 9 p.m.
Sponsored by the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, the festival showcases the diverse heritage and culture of people of African descent.
There will be a variety of activities Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Elmwood Park, featuring live performances, children's activities, a food court and free parking. For more information, call 345-4818.
Program focuses on sexual assault
A program on sexual assault and rape awareness and prevention will be held Wednesday and Oct. 3 at Hollins and Roanoke colleges.
A panel discussion featuring Dr. Deborah Clapp, a gynecologist at Lewis-Gale Clinic; Chris Nielson, a detective with the Roanoke County Police Department; Theresa Berry, a Sexual Assault Response and Awareness program counselor; and Marian Kelley, Roanoke County assistant commonwealth's attorney, will be held in Talmadge Hall at Hollins Wednesday at 7 p.m. Katie Koestner will give the keynote address Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Olin Hall at Roanoke College. She will also lead workshops for students at both campuses.
The event is sponsored by both colleges and the Roanoke Academy of Medicine.
For more information, contact Paul Henrickson, chaplain, at Roanoke College, 375-2300; or Jeri Saurez at Hollins, 362-6269.
Arthritis Aquatics program expanded
Beginning Tuesday, the YWCA of Roanoke Valley will offer two additional late afternoon sessions of its Arthritis Aquatics program.
The classes are open to any adults with arthritis or other mobility-limiting conditions. Swimming skills are not necessary.
YWCA membership, a doctor's signed permission and YWCA release form are required. For more information, call 345-9922.
Safe driving classes for seniors
Seniors may learn driving skills and qualify for insurance discounts by participating in classes presented by the Safety Council of Southwest Virginia.
"Coaching the Mature Driver," a course for drivers 55 and older, will discuss the effects of aging on driving ability. Completion of this eight-hour class entitles participants to a 10 percent discount on auto insurance premiums for three years. Class times are: Oct. 1-2, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., and Oct. 29-30, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Cost is $10.
For reservations or more information, call 344-4676.
Flu shots available at Health Department
The Roanoke City Health Department will provide flu and pneumonia vaccinations each Tuesday in October and November, excluding Nov. 12, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Flu shots are $10. Pneumonia shots are $17. Both are covered by Medicare and Medicaid.
For more information, call Sandy McBride, 857-7643, ext. 123.
Museum plans railway festival
The Virginia Museum of Transportation has announced plans for the 1996 Roanoke Railway Festival to be held at the museum October 11-13.
Special indoor and outdoor activities will be held in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Norfolk and Western Railway, including the ninth annual Railfair, a railroad collectors' exhibit and exchange.
The festival will feature the grand opening of a permanent, four-level O-gauge model railroad exhibit.
The "Pig Pickin' Picnic," a special tribute to former NW employees, will be held Oct. 13.
For more information, write the museum at 303 Norfolk Ave., Roanoke 24016; or call 342-5670.
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