Families That Care: Guiding Good Choices

“Families That Care: Guiding Good Choices”

The Mental Health America (formerly Association) of Augusta, Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth, and the United Way of Greater Augusta is sponsoring “Families That Care: Guiding Good Choices” classes for parents or caregivers of children 9-14 years of age. This national model substance abuse prevention program, taught by trained facilitators continues beginning on July 30th for 5 consecutive weeks at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church in Fishersville on Rt. 608, from 6:00-8:00 PM. The cost is $25 per family, which includes book and snacks. A $10 gift card will be awarded upon successful completion. Childcare will be provided during class.

In this fun and interactive program, parents / caregivers will learn how to bring your family closer together and to set limits with your children that will reduce the risk that they will use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Session topics include How to prevent drug use in your family; How to develop healthy beliefs and clear standards; How to say no in which the children are invited to attend; How to control and express anger constructively; and How to strengthen family bonds.

Space is limited. Interested parents should contact, Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth at 942-6757.

Third Fridays cooking with Mojo Cookie and The Doughboys

Third Fridays cooking with Mojo Cookie and The Doughboys

For immediate release Fresh from the oven comes Mojo Cookie and The Doughboys -serving up a flavorful blend of hot rockin rhythm and blues. From Sam Cooke to Howlin Wolf, from Kenny Rogers to Al Green, their mix of sizzlin boogie and soul will keep you grooving July 20 for another installment of the Third Fridays free concert series in Waynesboro . The concert will run downtown from 6:30-8 p.m.

Mojo Cookie includes some well-known talents in the region including

- Abbey Linfert, lead vocals

- Buddy Thomas, lead guitar and vocals

- Chris Amsler, rhythm guitar and vocals

- Chris Wray, bass and vocals

- Jason Clarke, drums

The Third Fridays concert series and music hour is presented by the Waynesboro Cultural Commission, Waynesboro Downtown Development Inc., and the Wayne Theatre Alliance.

For more information on the Third Fridays event, call (540) 943-9999.

For more information on Mojo Cookie and The Doughboys, visit http://www.isart.com.

Please note that the venue will change for this event the exact location will be announced at a later date. For now, please note that the event will be held in downtown Waynesboro .

3 rd Friday

Bands and entaners play to a full house

Third Fridays hosts royalty with arrival of The Boogie Kings

Third Fridays hosts royalty with arrival of The Boogie Kings

For immediate release – Third Fridays returns to Waynesboro on June 15 with the River City Radio Hour and musical guests The Boogie Kings from 6:30 – 8 p.m. The free concert series and event will take place at 329 W. Main St., in the heart of downtown.

The Boogie Kings will headline the evening with music of the decades – performing songs from 1899 through 1974. The trip back in time will feature some of the greatest from their era with songs of Scott Joplin, Glenn Miller, Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Ray Charles. The ensemble features Richard Adams on a number of instruments including the trumpet, saxophone, banjo, and tuba; William Hayes, a virtuoso on piano and accordion; and J.T. Fauber, known for his versatility on all percussion instruments.

The River City Radio Hour will bring additional local talent to the stage. Marsha Howard returns with a new comedy routine. Also, taking part in the radio hour is local writer and speaker Ruth Graham who will share an excerpt from one of her books.

The Shenandoah Valley Art Center on Wayne Avenue will also be open to show off their new location - with hours from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

The Third Fridays concert series and music hour is presented by the Waynesboro Cultural Commission, Waynesboro Downtown Development Inc., and the Wayne Theatre Alliance.

For more information on the Third Fridays event, call (540) 943-9999.

Revitalizing National Alliance for the Mentally Ill -- WE CARE

Revitalizing National Alliance for the Mentally Ill -- WE CARE

The Augusta County Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, known as WE CARE will meet on June 19, 2007, and every 3^rd Tuesday of the month. The organization will meet in Central United Methodist Church, corner of Lewis and Beverly Street in Staunton at 6:30 p.m. Guest Speaker: Teresa Wright-Conquy and Micahel Shanks will present their recent CELT (Conosumer Empowerment Leadership Training) experiences at the Airleigh 4-H Center in Wakefield, VA. Chris Owens, CELT Director will also speak. Parking is available in the rear of the church in the Wilson Lot, corner of Lewis and Frederick St. All consumers as well as concerned parents, siblings, spouses, and friends who care about the quality of life and the recovery of persons with a serious mental illness are invited. There is no charge.

WE CARE NAMI works to promote and provide support and advocacy by offering mutual encouragement through a sharing of problems and coping strategies and helping individuals overcome feelings of guilt, isolation, and frustration. Families, friends, and those who have a mental illness learn about the causes of mental illness, how to recognize acute and chronic symptoms, and current treatments. Education is key in the recovery process and for the public to help them overcome myths and fears and stigma. The more the public knows about mental illness, the more doors and opportunities become available for those who have a mental illness.

Mental Illness makes it difficult for people to cope with their emotions or to think clearly. It can cause them to behave in unusual or inappropriate ways and can bring tremendous stress and suffering to them and their families. If you or someone you know is suffering from mental illness, it is important to realize you are not alone.

Mental Illnesses can affect persons of any age—children, adolescents, adults and the elderly—and they can occur in ANY family. Mental illnesses afflict millions of people in the United States, yet continue to be medically under served, scientifically under researched and widely misunderstood.

Severe mental illness touches one in every five families. In Virginia, more than 260,000 adults and at least 75,000 children experience symptoms of serious emotional disturbances or brain disorders. Yet despite these statistics, there remains an unfortunate stigma surrounding mental illness.

When someone in a family has mental illness, most often it is family members who are the primary caregiver. In fact, more than 48% of all adults with serious and persistent mental illness in Virginia who receive services from the public mental health system live with their families. Therefore it is of vital importance to provide these families with accessible resources for leading-edge quality care and continued support.

At the national level, NAMI works to promote and provide research for new treatments and prevention, does advocacy at all levels of government ensuring funding for quality community and institutional services, and networks by sharing information through conferences and newsletters and promotes changes of common interest throughout the nation.

Third Fridays hosts royalty with arrival of The Boogie Kings

Third Fridays hosts royalty with arrival of The Boogie Kings

For immediate release – Third Fridays returns to Waynesboro on June 15 with the River City Radio Hour and musical guests The Boogie Kings from 6:30 – 8 p.m. The free concert series and event will take place at 329 W. Main St., in the heart of downtown.

The Boogie Kings will headline the evening with music of the decades – performing songs from 1899 through 1974. The trip back in time will feature some of the greatest from their era with songs of Scott Joplin, Glenn Miller, Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Ray Charles. The ensemble features Richard Adams on a number of instruments including the trumpet, saxophone, banjo, and tuba; William Hayes, a virtuoso on piano and accordion; and J.T. Fauber, known for his versatility on all percussion instruments.

The River City Radio Hour will bring additional local talent to the stage. Marsha Howard returns with a new comedy routine. Also, taking part in the radio hour are a local writer and student performers.

The Third Fridays concert series and music hour is presented by the Waynesboro Cultural Commission, Waynesboro Downtown Development Inc., and the Wayne Theatre Alliance.

For more information on the Third Fridays event, call (540) 943-9999.

WDDI Endorses the Waynesboro City Council's Decision

WDDI Endorses the Waynesboro City Council's Decision to Preserve City 's Legacy and Collaborate with Arts and Business Leaders to Revitalize Community

( Waynesboro , Virginia ) Waynesboro Downtown Development (WDDI) supports the recent decision by the Waynesboro City Council to preserve, rather than demolish, an historic landmark, the Wayne Theatre . This decision by the Council is a watershed event in the history of Waynesboro . We feel that it heralds a new era of economic collaboration and a cultural rebirth for our community.

In scores of cities across North America , communities are being revitalized by government, business and arts groups working together on similar projects to attract jobs, create new businesses, improve property values and increase government revenues. The track record for success is voluminous. When the private and public sectors work together, magic can happen.

WDDI endorses the City Council's conservative approach, which uses the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to facilitate the funding of the program and significantly reduces the risk to taxpayers. The EDA will also provide oversight using a performance-based incentive program that places the burden for success on the arts management team of the Wayne Theatre .

WDDI also heartily endorses the City Council's action which sends a message to our community that should be embraced universally- our cultural legacy is not disposable. The City Council has made a prudent decision to build a new, dynamic Waynesboro on one of the few remaining foundation stones of our City’s history.

WDDI is committed to actively fostering the long-term viability of the downtown Waynesboro area as a center of commerce, a source of civic activity and pride, and a resource to attract new businesses and residents. Critical to this effort is promoting small town quality of life, preserving historic and cultural resources, and capitalizing on the City’s unique and splendid natural setting. For more information, contact Kimberly Watters, Executive Director Waynesboro Downtown Development, Inc. at

942.6705; or visit www.waynesborodowntown.org on the web.