FOOD & DRINK
Cost to move animal shelter to Verona higher than estimate; timeline is uncertain
The cost to outfit the former Verona Elementary School for use by the Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center has come in with a higher price tag. SVASC Executive Director Jon Hilbert confirmed the cost has gone up to $4.3 million. The cost was originally estimated at $3 million. Hilbert said...
Augusta County School Board doesn't take action on art work some members found offensive
VERONA — A work of art that a student at Fort Defiance High School explained dealt with religious trauma and the impact of growing up queer will be allowed to remain on display at the school's fine art show Sunday afternoon. After at least two members of the school board felt the work was offensive and pushed to call a meeting Saturday night, ahead of the Sunday art show, the meeting was called to order at...
Declawing cats in Virginia will soon be banned
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - Starting July 1, pet owners will no longer be able to get their cats declawed. A bill signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin will prohibit declawing, with an exception if it is necessary for a therapeutic purpose. “Declawing is a surgical procedure where the last part...
Final designs in place for Westover Skate Park
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - After closing the facility for over a year, the city of Harrisonburg will soon unveil its final designs for Westover Skate Park. The project is a total of $475,000, and is one of several improvement projects in Parks and Recreation funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Augusta County band teacher returns to perform in Staunton Jams as singer-songwriter
David Perry titled his first studio album as a singer-songwriter “Keep Showin’ Up” after seeing a video of Brandi Carlile performing with country music legend Wynonna Judd. Judd had just lost her mother, Naomi, and said that when you face struggles in life “You just keep showin’...
RHSPCA Pets of the Week May 5
Harrisonburg, VA (RocktownNow) – Dogs and cats of all ages, breeds and sizes are available through area animal rescues and shelters, as well as opportunities to help homeless animals through foster programs, donations and help with fundraisers and other family-friendly activities. Contact Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA or a rescue near you to learn more.
SolArt Center presents sculpture show, kicks off summer season in Staunton Wharf
SolArt Center in the Staunton Wharf presents a sculptural exhibit titled “Fine (not) Fine” that showcases three local artists. On Friday, May 24th, an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. will begin the summer art show season in the burgeoning community arts space. The show will extend through Monday, May 27th.
JMU architecture students give back
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - Architecture students at James Madison University are giving back to the community and showcasing their work while doing so. “Based on the clients, based on the nonprofit organization, based on the students advocating for strengthening their own community, I think that’s our overarching goal,” said Nick Brinen, an assistant professor of architecture and design at JMU.
From pandemic placeholder to ‘radical’ theater, the Rocktown Readers say they’re here to stay
It started during the pandemic lockdown as a way to keep doing theater remotely. MaKayla Baker Paxton organized Zoom nights in 2020, where she and her friends would gather on a video call to read plays. It died down for several years, but when someone from Eastern Mennonite University approached...
Court Square Theater Master Class – Music Theory with Harold Bailey
HARRISONBURG, VA (Court Square Theater)– The Court Square Theater ACT ONE Master Class for May – Music Theory with Harold Bailey – promises an evening of creative thinking and self-expression. The free class meets Tuesday, May 28 at the theater (41-F Court Square). Bailey will lead a demonstration of narrative elements and discuss how they create images, drama and emotional perceptions in music. This Master Class emphasizes the development of listening skills for enhanced music experiences.
Furious Flower Poetry Center to be awarded for digital literacy
HARRISONBURG, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) — The Furious Flower Poetry Center will receive the 2025 Divergent Award for Excellence in Implementation of Literacy in a Digital Age. According to a press release from James Madison University, Furious Flower recently learned of the honor, given by the Initiative for Literacy in a Digital Age Research. Representatives from the poetry center have been invited to share their work as part of the Literacy in a Digital Age lecture series in April 2025.
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