Good morning, Blacksburg.

Blacksburg Community Center hosts the Blacksburg Bridge Club’s duplicate ACBL-sanctioned games every Friday at 12:30 p.m. for $6 per player with free play for first-timers—snacks, coffee, and tea are provided to all—offering a welcoming setting for players to learn and play.

Virginia Tech’s Moss Arts Center has partnered with Giles County Public Schools to host Music Monday for preschoolers at Macy McClaugherty School in Pearisburg—Virginia Tech groups and high school bands from Narrows and Giles will lead drumming, dancing and singing activities to introduce young children to music and hands-on learning.

Virginia Tech named Kayla Nichols as its new associate vice provost for enrollment management and director of undergraduate admissions after serving in that role on an interim basis since December 2023; the two-time alumna with nearly 13 years in admissions (from advisor to deputy director) replaced Juan Espinoza who became vice provost in August 2024.

Last Monday, veterinary students at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine learned practical skills at Puppy Palooza by performing health checks and giving vaccines, microchips and heartworm prevention to eight golden retriever puppies and seven miniature poodles.

The event helped ease exam stress and build real-life skills — preparing them for future practice.

Virginia Tech associate professor Shalini Misra spoke today on the 'Curious Conversations' podcast about how digital technology affects the Appalachian Trail.

She said digital devices can increase crowding while trail managers work to keep the path safe and natural.

Virginia Tech entomologist Theresa Dellinger said that butterfly numbers are dropping because of lost habitats, excess pesticide use, and weather changes, and she urged locals to plant host plants in their gardens—steps that may help these insects survive.

Virginia Tech received a $1.3 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to study a way to turn natural gas into cleaner hydrogen.

The project will form an innovation hub that uses catalytic methane decomposition to produce turquoise hydrogen + solid carbon while boosting local industry and workforce skills.

On April 7, the New River Valley Emergency Food & Shelter Program Local Board announced funds awarded to Radford City, Floyd, Montgomery and Pulaski Counties for PAUSED PHASE 41.

Agencies must check the EFSP website for updates as funding remains paused—completed online forms are due by April 25.

Florida State Seminoles at Virginia Tech Hokies Baseball

1-5 p.m. — English Field at Atlantic Union Bank Park — Tickets required — Come watch the Hokies face off against the Seminoles in an exciting afternoon of college baseball.

The Grass Is Dead: Bluegrass Tribute

8 PM – 12 AM — The Milk Parlor — $ — Experience America's original bluegrass tribute to the music of the Grateful Dead and beyond!

Bonsai Painting Night at Beliveau Farm Winery

6-8 p.m. — Beliveau Farm Winery — Ticket sales end March 21st, 2025 — Unleash your creativity while sipping wine and painting your own bonsai masterpiece.