ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 1, 1996 TAG: 9612020087
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
Local call changes
RICHMOND - Local calling between Bell Atlantic-Virginia's Christiansburg exchange and its Roanoke and Salem exchanges may happen next April.
The company says that is the earliest time that it can implement the extended local service plan approved earlier this year by the State Corporation Commission, because Bell Atlantic is currently in the middle of a statewide billing system change.
Once the extended local service becomes effective, Christiansburg customers with flat-rate residential service will pay $2.95 more per month. Salem exchange customers will pay an extra 33 cents and Roanoke exchange customers, 20 cents.
Gallery of Local Artists opens at mall
The Gallery of Local Artists, sponsored by the New River Arts Council, opened Friday at the New River Valley Mall. The gallery will be open mall hours, seven days a week through Sunday, Jan. 5, closing only Christmas Day.
There will be a wide variety of activities for all ages, including live music, entertainment for children, and holiday foods.
Music includes blue grass, show tunes, gospel, acoustic, and four-part harmony, as well as a dance party Dec. 16, 8-10 p.m. with WRIQ deejay Scott Stevens.
Children may draw and sculpt at the gallery while parents shop, and the resulting art work will be judged and prizes awarded Jan. 5, 3 p.m. at the closing party. Also for children, Waldenbooks is sponsoring "Read Me to Sleep" story time Monday nights, 7-7:30 p.m. The storyteller will be in pajamas, and children will form a pajama parade and sing carols, walking through the mall.
Holiday treats will be offered by Eats Natural Foods on Friday, 7:30-9:30 p.m. and by Annie Kay's Whole Foods on Saturday, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The artists will serve guests at a Meet the Artists Reception Sunday, Dec. 15, 5-7 p.m.
Other events include a fashion show of Kanta Bosniak's one-of-a-kind clothing at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Also scheduled are martial arts demonstrations, drawing classes, a dance festival, and computer art demonstrations.
For more information call Kanta Bosniak, 651-4487; Isa Maria, 651-4826; Darcy Meeker, 951-0108; or David Mull, 268-2756.
McCrumbs to sign books at store
WYTHEVILLE - Montgomery County author Sharyn McCrumb and two of her children, with whom she has collaborated on a recently published story, will visit Blue Ridge Books in Wytheville from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m Dec. 14.
Her co-writers are Spencer, 9, and Laura, 8, who wrote a story titled "Typewriter Man."
They will sign copies of their story which is included in "Great Writers and Kids Write Mystery Stories" (Random House, $12.99 in trade paperback).
Band concert Tuesday
WYTHEVILLE - The Wytheville Community College Band will perform a holiday concert at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the George Wythe High School auditorium. Admission is free.
The 85-member band directed by Jack O. White will play marches and show tunes as well as seasonal and sacred music. Non-holiday music will include an arrangement of "Highlights from West Side Story."
The band is now in its eighth year. It is supported by the college and public donations. In addition to its regional performances, the band performed last fall at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
White was director of bands and professor of music at Elon College before his retirement and return to Wytheville, where he had been band director at George Wythe. He is now an adjunct professor of music at the community college.
He received the prestigious Elon Medallion this fall for his contributions to Elon College, one of seven such awards presented in the college's history. He was chosen grand marshal of the 38-year-old Cary (N.C.) Band Festival in Raleigh, N.C., and last spring received the Wytheville Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellow designation at the band's 1996 spring concert.
The band rehearses Tuesday evenings throughout its fall and spring season. Adults from the area interested in joining should come to the first rehearsal at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 in the George Wythe band room.
Holiday info fair
BLAND - The Virginia Tech Extension Division's Bland County office will hold a free Holiday Information Fair at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Bland High School, in cooperation with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Eleven speakers will address such topics as creative sewing, holiday sweet treats, floral arrangements, crafts and financial concerns during the two-hour program. Program participants will be able to choose four 25-minute workshops on various subjects. No pre-registration is required. Further information is available by calling 688-3542.
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