Notes: Event focuses on domestic violence

Pure Bliss Events and Promotions will hold a luncheon event beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday at Hotel Roanoke to raise awareness of domestic violence and its impact on the community and daily lives.

Pure Bliss, an event planning company that promotes local nonprofit agencies, has chosen TAP-Sabrina's Place as beneficiary of "Big Hats and Fabulous Pumps: The Fight Against Domestic Violence."

The three-hour event will also include informational kiosks, vendors and activities such as musical performances and a spring/summer fashion show.

Dot-Marie Jones, an actress from the television show "Glee," will be the keynote speaker.

Tickets are $25 and are available online at http://bighatsandfabulouspumps.eventbrite.com.

Additional information may be obtained by calling Pure Bliss Events and Promotions, 355-9422, or via email at pureblisseventsandpromotions@gmail.com.

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"Ellie Ever," the fifth novel for young readers by Roanoke author Nancy Ruth Patterson, has been chosen for the 2012-13 Virginia Readers' Choice Elementary list.

The Virginia Readers' Choice honors contemporary books with outstanding literary appeal.

The Virginia State Reading Association sponsors the list in association with the Virginia Educational Media Association, the Virginia Library Association and the Library of Virginia Youth Services.

This spring, elementary students across the state will vote for their favorite from the 10 books chosen by teachers and librarians for the list.

Patterson's other books have been honored on similar reading lists in 10 states.

A retired William Fleming High School teacher and CITY School director, Patterson is on the faculty of the Hollins University Graduate Program in Children's Literature. She was the 2006 Roanoke Citizen of the Year.

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Four Roanoke-area programs have received grants from the Junior League of Roanoke Valley to fund a one-time event or short-term need or project.

The Community Opportunity Grants are limited to $1,500 each and reflect the Junior League's mission to fulfill an unmet community need.

The Junior League is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteering and developing the potential of women as well as improving the community. It has selected childhood health and welfare as a community focus, identifying it as an area of critical need.

The United Methodist Community Outreach Program of Roanoke will use its grant to provide transportation to take at-risk children in Roanoke to evening meals and programming.

The Salvation Army's Turning Point domestic violence shelter will use its grant to purchase two laptops and other necessary equipment for a "Homework Station" for children staying at the shelter with their mothers.

Total Action for Progress (TAP) Head Start will buy a Hatch Early Learning Tablet loaded with educational software and the ability to link to online child assessment programs. Funds will also pay for training on the tablet for teachers.

The grant to Center in the Square will support the creation of a Center in the Square-specific iPad app for school-aged audiences.

* * *

The Virginia Cooperative Extension is seeking participants from Bedford and Franklin counties for its Central Virginia Master Food Volunteers program.

Master food volunteers - more than 120 statewide - share their enjoyment of cooking, up-to-date research on food preparation, nutrition, food safety and using wholesome food for healthy living with
others in their communities.

The statewide Virginia Cooperative Extension's Master Food Volunteer program started in 2009.

The four-session training for new volunteers will be held May 2, 9, 23 and 30 at Trinity Ecumenical Parish, 40 Lakemount Drive, Moneta. Attendance at all four sessions is required for certification.

A $50 registration fee includes training materials, supplies, an apron and lunches. April 29 is the deadline for registration.

To register or receive more information, visit website http://offices.ext.vt.edu/bedford or call Susan Prillaman at 540-586-7675 (e-mail: sprillam@vt.edu).

Information on the State Master Food Volunteer initiative is available at www.fcs.ext.vt.edu/fnh/mfv/index.html.

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