look who's talking

"Controls on Extensional Style: Magma, Slab Windows, Sediment and Geology in the Gulf of California"

A lecture by Dan Lizarralde as part of the Virginia Tech Geosciences Lecturer Series. 3:30 p.m. Friday. 4069 Derring Hall, Virginia Tech. geos.vt.edu.

"Culture at the Interface: Digital Archives and 'Social' Rights Management in Aboriginal Australia"

A lecture by Kimberly Christen, Assistant Professor in Comparative Ethnic Studies at Washington State University. 3:30 p.m. Friday. Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginial Art Collection, 400 Worrell Drive, Peter Jefferson Place, Charlottesville. (434) 244-0234, virginia.edu/kluge-ruhe.

Elder Scholar Lecture Series

A series of lectures provided by the Virginia Western Community College Honors Institute each semester. Bring a bag lunch to eat while the lecture is presented, drinks will be provided. Free. Sandra DeChard presents, "Architecture." Noon today. Natural Science Center, Virginia Western Community College. 857-6240.

Girls' Basketball Good Sportsmanship Award Luncheon

Hosted by the Roanoke Civitan's Club with guest speaker Katrina Waugh, a sports writer. Free, reservations required. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. Sunnybrook Inn Restaurant, 7342 Plantation Road, Hollins. 977-4222.

"Lecture in the Galleries with Dr. Helen Rountree"

Helen Rountree shares her research as it relates to Eastern Woodland Native American Culture and Pocohantas as well as her thoughts about the events commemorating the 400th anniversary of Jamestown. Free. 7 p.m. Art Musuem of Western Virginia, Market Square, Roanoke. 342-5760, artmuseumroanoke.org.

Pastor's Luncheon

A luncheon for pastors featuring guest speaker and author Tony Campolo in celebration of the Mission's 60 years. Free, reservations accepted. Noon today. Rescue Mission, 402 Fourth St. S.E., Roanoke. 343-7227, tonycampolo.org, rescuemission.net.

Parvez Sharma

A lecture by the journalist and filmmaker, director and co-producer of the acclaimed documentary, "A Jihad for Love," which explores the lives of lesbian and gay Muslims. Free. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Hollins University's Richard Wetherill Visual Arts Center Auditorium. 362-6451.

Roanoke Valley Library Association Spring Event

Featuring Scott Crawford, deputy director of education for the art museum and his lecture, "Preview the Future: The New Art Museum of Western Virginia." $12.50 includes dinner. 6:30 p.m. Friday. Mama Maria's, 2025 W. Main St., Salem. 362-6328, rvla.info.

BOOKS

David Baldacci

The author signs copies of his new book, "The Whole Truth." 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. The Little Gallery, 16430 Booker T. Washington Hwy., Moneta. 721-1596, thelittlegallerysml.com.

Down Syndrome Awareness of the Roanoke Valley First Chapter Book Club

Adults and teens with developmental disabilities are welcome to join the book club. 6 to 7 p.m. Monday. Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Valley View Mall. Please RSVP, 400-4486 or 977-4437.

Eric Pankey

The author will read from his works including "For the New Year," which won the Walt Whitman Award from the Academy of American Poets. 8 tonight. Green Drawing Room, Hollins University. 362-6451.

"Fourth Thursday" Adult Book Club

Reading "The Rope Walk" by Carrie Brown. 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. today. HQ/419 Library. 3131 Electric Road, Roanoke. 772-7507.

Mayor Nelson Harris

Roanoke Mayor Nelson Harris, a Baptist minister and historian, lectures about his new book, "Greater Raleigh Court: A History of Wasena, Virginia Heights, Norwich & Raleigh Court." Free. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Virginia Heights Baptist Church, 2014 Memorial Ave. S.W., Roanoke. 342-5770, history-museum.org.

"Poetry of the Blue Ridge"

To commemorate National Poetry Month, members of the Valley Writers Chapter of the Virginia Writers Club will read poems they have written on themes related to the Blue Ridge Mountains. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Ram's Head Book Shop, Towers Mall, Roanoke. 721-1991.

"Virginia Voices"

Featuring author Scott Loring Sanders discussing his new book "The Hanging Woods." Includes book talk, book signing and reception. Free. 7 p.m. Tuesday. HQ/419 Library, 3131 Electric Road S.W., Roanoke. 772-7507.

teens

Make Your Own CD Clock

Make a clock out of recycled materials. Free. 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Gainsboro Library, 15 Patton Ave. N.W., Roanoke. 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Raleigh Court Library, 2112 Grandin Road S.W., Roanoke. 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Jackson Park Library, 1101 Morningside St. S.E., Roanoke. 853-2955.

Manga Club

Free. 3:30 p.m. fourth Mondays. Raleigh Court Library, 2112 Grandin Road, Roanoke. 853-2240.

Vinton Teen Council

5 to 6 tonight. Vinton Library, 800 E. Washington Ave., Vinton. 857-5043.

World Class Book Club

Reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. 7 to 8 p.m. Monday. Hollins Library, 6624 Peters Creak Road, Roanoke. 561-8024.

Gardening

Annual Spring Plant Sale

Featuring trees, shrubs, tropicals, herbs, vegetables, grasses and a variety of annuals and perennials. Cash or check only. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Saturday. Hahn Horticulture Garden, Virginia Tech. hort.vt.edu.

Bedford Garden Day

Free gardening demonstrations and an herbs and heirlooms plant sale presented by the Bedford Area Master Gardener's Association. 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Central Virginia Community College. 586-7675, ext.vt.edu.

"Natives and Wildflowers"

A lecture about plants that are encouraged to balance local ecology and promote biodiversity. 7 tonight. Grandin Gardens, 1731 Grandin Road, Roanoke. grandininstitute.org.

Seed Saving and Seed Exchange

Learn how and why to save seeds and breed your own. 10 a.m. Saturday. Grandin Gardens, 1731 Grandin Road, Roanoke. grandininstitute.org.

bikes + autos

Biker Sunday at the River of Life

Church service preceded and followed by a motorcycle ride. Ending with a cookout of barbeque, hotdogs, hambugers, games and trophies. Free. 10:30 a.m. Sunday. River of Life Church, Dublin Rt. 100 between New River Community College and Fairgrounds. 639-4209, bikersforchristNRV.com.

Guided Bike Ride

Ron McCorlke of Sharebike leads a moderately easy ride with a focus on safety and courtesy. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Saturday. Grandin Gardens, 1731 Grandin Road, Roanoke. grandininstitute.org.

Mean 16

Bracket and drag racing. $15, adults; $5, ages 12 and under. 11 a.m. Saturday. Motor Mile Dragway, Radford. 731-4754, motormiledragway.com.

Second Annual Hokie Spirit Memorial Ride

A motorcycle ride with a destination of Lane Stadium at Virginia Tech. $10, riders; $5, passengers. 9 a.m., registration; 11 a.m., ride begins Saturday. First Baptist Church, 515 3rd St. S.W., Roanoke. 818-3625, 772-7802, 520-2259.

Tuner, Mustang, & Diesel Truck Racing

A Virginia Test and Tune event with Mach Series accelerator tuner, Mustang/rear wheel drive and diesel truck racing. $6, general; $1, ages 12 and under. 5 to 10:30 p.m. Friday. Motor Mile Dragway, 6749 Lee Hwy., Radford. 639-1700, motormiledragway.com.

sports + Recreation

Adults Only Roller Skating

Skate to music from the '70s through today. $7, admission; $3, skate rental. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through April 29. Firehouse Skate 'n play, 1620 E. Washington Ave., Vinton. 890-2255, firehousesk8.com.

Andy Layne Trail to Tinker Cliffs Hike

A 7.2-mile moderate hike that crosses meadows and Catawba Creek before it climbs to Scorched Earth Gap and continues the AT to Tinker Cliffs. $1 carpool fee. 1 p.m. Sunday. Call for meeting place: 987-0497.

Blessed Blades Ice Skating

Churches of all denominations are invited to ice skate after Sunday morning services. $5, admission; $2, skate rental. 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Roanoke Civic Center Coliseum. 853-5429, roanokeciviccenter.com.

Dogwood Festival 5K

Presented by Vinton Baptist Church. Proceeds benefit the youth choir mission trip to New York City. $25. 8:30 a.m., race. Followed by breakfast. Saturday. Vinton Baptist Church, 200 E. Washington Ave., Roanoke. 353-7685.

Freestyle Figure Skating

$10 per hour. 3:30 to 5:45 p.m. Wednesday. Roanoke Civic Center. rvia.org.

Great Strides

Run, jog or walk for a cure for cystic fibrosis. Donations accepted. 9:30 a.m., registration; 10 a.m., walk begins. Saturday. Hollins University. (888) 233-4682, cff.org.

House Mountains, Big and Little

A 9.1-mile strenuous hike located in Rockbridge County. $4.50 carpool fee. 8 a.m. Sunday. Call for meeting place: 366-7780, 375-3250.

Pool Tournament

Weekly tournament. $5. 6 p.m. Sunday. Buddy's Sports Bar, 928 S. Colorado St., Salem. 375-0333, buddyssportsbar.webs.com.

Roanoke Tri Club Spring Triathlon Expo

Vendors, clinics and giveaways in support of triathlons and triathlon runners. Free. 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Kirk Family YMCA, 520 Church Ave., Roanoke. 342-9622, roanoketri.org.

Stick/Puck Session

Walk-on practice for hockey players. $10; goalies free. 4:45 to 6:45 p.m. Wednesday. Roanoke Civic Center. roanokeciviccenter.com.

fundraisers

Cocktails for a Cause

Twenty percent of all food and drink purchases will benefit the building of Roanoke's first public dog park. Free. 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Trio Bistro Bar Bottle, 315 Market St., downtown Roanoke. 904-5887, roanokedogpark.com.

2008 Southwest Virginia Golf Classic

All registered teams of four are eligible to enter contests, receive awards and attend the post-tournament dinner. $500 per team includes all green and cart fees, golf shirt, lunch, dinner and use of the driving range. Registration suggested. Proceeds benefit the programs and services in Southwest Virginia of the National Kidney Foundation of the Virginias. 11 a.m., sign-in and lunch; 1 p.m., shotgun start. Tuesday. Ashley Plantation Country Club, 919 Greenfield St., Daleville. 562-0992, kidneyva.org.

Climb-a-thon for Cystic Fibrosis

Open climbing wall, bouldering competition and dyno competition. Plus musical entertainment and food. $20, climbers; $10, spectators; $5 ages 3 to 6; $50 family maximum. Pre-registration suggested. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Rocwood Adventure Center, 210 Reserve Ave. S.W., Roanoke. groups.myspace.com/climbathon.

Mill Mountain Theatre Fundraiser

A book fair fundraiser with in-store events including dramatic performances, costumed characters and a book signing by local author Nancy Ruth Patterson (2:30 p.m.). 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Tanglewood Mall. 776-2960.

Bling in the Spring

Featuring 30 vendors selling jewelry and accessories. Proceeds benefit the YMCA at Virginia Tech. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. University Mall, University City Blvd, Blacksburg. 961-9622, vtymca.org.

dances

Ararat Ruritan Club Dance

Weekly dance. $5, general; children free. Music this week by Zephyr Lightning Bolt. 7 p.m. Saturday. Ararat Virginia Ruritan Club, 4711 Ararat Highway, Ararat. (276) 251-1408, ararat.ruritan.org.

Carolina Shag and Line Dance Lessons

Free dancing and instructions with DJ music. 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Blueberry Hill Restaurant and Lounge, 5301 Williamson Road, Roanoke. 362-3622, shaggin4fun.com.

Carolina Shag Dance

Weekly lessons and dancing with the Roanoke Valley Shag Club. Free Carolina Shag and line dance lessons starting at 7 p.m. Shag and beach music continues until 10 p.m. with a $3 cover. Tuesdays. Charades Lounge, 2801 Hershberger Road S.W., Roanoke. 354-5771, roanokevalleyshagclub.com.

Moonlight Squares

Plus-level dancing. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Monday. Preston Park Recreation Center, 3137 Preston Ave., Roanoke. 774-2455.

Pine Spur Hunt Club Dances

Music this week by Friday Nite Bluegrass. 8 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday. $5. Pine Spur Hunt Club, Vinton. 890-9891.

Swing Roanoke Lessons and Dance

Beginner and intermediate classes from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feature class from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. $5. Tuesdays. Church of the Holy Spirit, Roanoke. swingroanoke@inbox.com.

USA Dance Monthly Dances

The local ballroom dance chapter hosts a monthly dance a preceding lesson on various dances. $8.

4 p.m., lesson; 5 p.m., dance. Fourth Sundays. Salem Senior Citizens Center, 110 Union St. 772-2238, members.cox.net/usabdaroa.