Community Notebook: Lecture Focuses on Earthquake, Volunteer Opportunities for Run

By Amber Lester Kennedy Wednesday, January 25, 2012

This week, a William and Mary geologist will talk about the earthquake that shook Virginia in August. Community Action Agency workshops aim to help students plan for the future, while NetworkWilliamsburg is offering a class for would-be members of nonprofit boards. Read on for more details.

WM Geologist to Discuss August Earthquake

William and Mary geology professor Chuck Bailey will give a talk focusing on the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that originated in Mineral and shook the East Coast from the Canadian border to Georgia.

The talk will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday in Watermen’s Hall at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Gloucester Point. Bailey will explore the nature and history of earthquakes in Virginia and the probability of future temblors. It is the inaugural event of VIMS 2012 After House Lecture series.

Registration for the free event is required. Click here to register.

Planners Seek Public Input for Comp Plans

James City County, the City of Williamsburg and York County are concurrently reviewing their comprehensive plans and seek input from the community.

The localities will host four community forums to hear comments and discuss four focus areas where locality boundaries meet. Maps of the focus areas and more information are available here.

The meetings are:

• Feb. 2: From 7-9 p.m. at Magruder Elementary School’s cafetorium.

• Feb. 23: From 7-9 p.m. at Warhill High School’s auditorium.

• Feb. 27: From 7-9 p.m. at the Williamsburg Community Building.

• March 15: 7-8:45 p.m. at the Tabb Library Meeting Room.

New Staff Named at Senior Services Coalition

The Senior Services Coalition of Williamsburg has named Diane Hartley as its first Executive Director and hired Susan Sullivan as its part-time project coordinator for the Community Action Plan on Aging.

Hartley previously worked as the project director of the Community Action Plan on Aging, a 10-year plan outlining the actions necessary to make the Williamsburg area more livable for seniors. She has experience in planning, financing and developing low-income housing and recreational facilities in Maine, New Hampshire and Michigan. Hartley has a Bachelor of Business Administration from George Washington University and a master’s degree in planning from the University of Virginia.

Sullivan will be facilitating the work of several volunteer committees to address the needs of area seniors. She joins the SSC with previous coalition experience and is also the part-time director of education at This Century Art gallery. She possesses a bachelor’s degree from The College of William and Mary.

The next quarterly meeting of the Senior Services Coalition will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Williamsburg United Methodist Church. The topic will be the results of the Age Ready Indicators Survey.

Workshops Aim to Assist H.S., M.S. Students and Parents

The Community Action Agency offers Project Discovery workshops for middle and high school students from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 27 at Historic Triangle Center at 312 Waller Mill Road in Williamsburg.

The high school workshops will touch on topics including college life, financial aid, scholarships and resume-writing. Middle school workshops will focus on goal-setting, planning work and working to plan and bullying. There will also be “Rapping to Success” workshops.

Project Discovery students who attend the workshop will be able to attend the college trip to Old Dominion University on Jan. 30. There will also be workshops for parents including “How to Make Your Money go Further,” “Good Credit Starts with Savings,” and “How to Start Your Own Business.”

For more information and to sign up, contact Linda Wallace-Cody or Yvonne Joseph at 229-9332.

Learn Ins and Outs of Serving on Nonprofit Boards

NetworkWilliamsburg will present a six-week class designed to teach community members about serving on nonprofit boards.

The class will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday from Feb. 21 to March 27 at Virginia Company Bank in High Street.

Participants will learn about current trends in philanthropy, financial oversight, board governance, fundraising and hiring and evaluating staff.

The class costs $150, with discounts available for board members or current NetworkWilliamsburg nonprofit members. For registration information, click here or contact Karen Dutro by emailing Karen@networkwilliamsburg.com or calling 757-945-1285.

Volunteers Needed for Run for the Dream

Volunteers are needed in support of the 2012 Run for the Dream race weekend, from May 18 to 20, in historic Colonial Williamsburg.

Saturday’s races include the Fit to Run, Fit to Dream 8K Run/Walk, 2012 USA Masters 8 km National Championships and a Kids’ Fun Run. The Run for the Dream Half Marathon is Sunday Morning.

No experience is necessary to volunteer. Volunteers will receive souvenir T-shirts and commemorative challenge coins and can participate in the post-race celebration at the College of William and Mary’s Sunken Garden.

Volunteer positions include: course marshals, water stations, registration and expo, post-race bash, ambassadors, medical and parking and transportation. To volunteer, click here.

Community Group to Discuss ‘The Help’

ALL TOGETHER is presenting “The Help: Continuing the Discussion” at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 in the Williamsburg Regional Library theater.

The discussion, stimulated by the popular book and movie “The Help,” aims to bring together people from all backgrounds to communicate and engage in activities that foster unity, inclusiveness and equal opportunity.

The event is free and open to the public. Reading the book and/or seeing the movie are not prerequisites to participate. For more information, call 258-1605.

Bunko Tournament Raises Money for Breast Cancer Research

Three Bunko groups are joining forces to present the 5th Annual Bunko Tournament for Breast Health Awareness at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 in McAuley Auditorium at Walsingham Academy.

To date, the Bunko Tournament has raised $30,000 for Beyond Boobs, Inc. and the Susan G. Komen Foundation Tidewater Affiliate.

No Bunko experience is necessary to attend the event, which will also feature a raffle and silent auction, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Tickets are $25 for a basic ticket, which includes one bar ticket and five raffle tickets or $50 for a Pink Ribbon ticket, which includes one bar ticket, five raffle tickets and a 2012 Beyond Boobs! Breast Health Calendar.

Find more information on the event here or email kmbunko@yahoo.com.