(From a press release) Shenandoah County FFA members will be asking for $5 donations in support of their Hometown Scholarship Program for high school students.

One hundred percent of the proceeds go to scholarship and leadership development programs.

The Hometown Scholarship Program is presented by local Dodge Dealers, including Woodstock Garage.

Those who donate to the program may register to win a 2009 Dodge Ram Crew Cab 1500 truck and a voucher to redeem for a complimentary T-shirt at Woodstock Garage.

Now celebrating its sixth year, the Hometown Scholarship Program has raised more than $3.8 million for various high school organizations throughout the country. In 2008, the Hometown Scholarship Program hopes to raise more than $1.5 million nationally.

For more information, contact: 459-3806 or 459-2128

(From a press release) The National Fibromyalgia Association held it's 4th annual training seminar Aug. 10-14 at the historic Airlie Center in Warrenton. In attendance were the leaders of the local Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Persian Gulf War Syndrome Support Group, Connie Dailey and the Rev. Teresa Emerick.

Also attending the seminar were 42 national and 18 international leaders who represented 21 cities and 15 countries. During the seminar, an International Coalition Against Pain was formed in order to share information.

Dailey and Emerick are looking forward to speaking with local representatives and sharing their knowledge with their support group members. Their support group meets the third Wednesday of each month from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Rehab Center, 333 W. Cork St., Winchester, in the pool conference room. Anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to attend a meeting.

The seminar was held for National Fibromyalgia Association members to obtain and improve skills for better advocacy toward educating clinicians, politicians, and the general public, and to lobby the National Institute of Health for improved funding for more research toward finding the cause, effective treatment and a cure.

The association is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people affected by fibromyalgia and currently serves over 1.4 million out of the estimated 4 to 7 million people suffering from this condition. To learn more about the association, visit FMaware.org.

(From a press release) The newly formed nonprofit organization Dental Clinic of Northern Shenandoah Valley, Inc. is now scheduling dental services for children enrolled in Medicaid, FAMIS or FAMIS PLUS provided through the Smiles for Children program.

Adults with no dental insurance may receive preventive and restorative dentistry on a sliding fee schedule.

Patients must be residents of Winchester, Frederick County or Clarke County, and meet eligibility guidelines. Non-Medicaid and non-voucher dental appointments require advance payment in full (based on household income).

Call (540) 536-1684 to schedule a dental appointment. The Dental Clinic is located in Winchester, at 301 North Cameron St., operating separately from, but in partnership with, the Free Medical Clinic of Northern Shenandoah Valley, Inc.

Admission to the Shenandoah County Fair is free on Aug. 27 for U.S. military veterans and active duty personnel. The admission has been covered by a donor and several community organizations.

Some highlights of that day:

• Ft. Lee's Dixieland Band


• Oliver North, if not on assignment


• Congressman Goodlatte


• The Pattillio Brothers - two of the founders of the Air Force Thunderbirds


• Rolling Thunder - Big noisy bikes and POW/MIA items


• Displays and demonstrations from WWII to today.


• Veteran can sign up for benefits


• Large military equipment to climb on


• AMP Energy/Chevrolet #88 National Guard NASCAR (Dale Jr.'s) for five days


• 35 x 15 inflatable tug of war. Fun for the whole family.


• Rodney Atkins


• Johnny and the Vault Cats


• Big screen dramatic footage


• Morse Code music!


• And hopefully Blackhawk helicopter

Visit http://www.ShenCoFair.com and click the veteran's button for more info.

(From a press release) MILLWOOD - Preparations are under way at Long Branch to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas holiday season.

Susan Claytor, chair of the Long Branch Special Events Committee, has announced that this year's Gala chairs are Polly Crawford and Colleen Zoller. Nina Heidelberger has accepted the position of Decorating Chair.

The annual Gala will be held on Dec. 5.

These local garden clubs will participate in the "Home for the Holidays" theme:

• Garden Club of Warren County


• Old Fredericktown Garden Club


• Woodlea Manor Garden Club


• Winchester-Clarke Garden Club


• Hawthorne Garden Club


• Glen Burnie Garden Club


• Lord Fairfax Garden Club


• Town and Country Garden Club


• Greenway Garden Club


• Tommy Dillon, a local arranger

Interior designer Phyllis Nee of a Room with A View in Middleburg will decorate the 12-foot Frazier fir in the front hall at the base of the spiral staircase and the dining room. David Gedney, owner-chef of Apartment 2G in Front Royal will cater the event.

The Gala will feature a raffle and a silent auction.

Long Branch is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and utilize the assets of the Long Branch estate for the benefit of tthe local and regional community. The historic house, active farm and scenic open space allow the group to promote education, provide environmental preservation, and host community events.

For more information, contact Jennifer Seo, director of events, at (540) 837-1856.

(From a press release) Former U.S. Sen. George Allen will be the featured speaker at this Saturday's 5th Annual Warren County Republican Committee (WCRC) Pig Roast.

Among other special guests are Del. Bob Marshall, State Sen. Mark Obenshain, Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Jeff Frederick, and Joe McCain, brother of Sen. John McCain.

"We are thrilled to have Republican leaders of this caliber joining us for the kickoff events of our fall campaign season," said Lisa Mauck, WCRC Chairman. "Our momentum is really strong. Our booth at the fair is full of volunteers every night, we're way ahead of last year on pig roast ticket sales, and we're on track to set a new membership record by September 1st."

The Pig Roast is from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the VFW Shelter, 1847 North Royal Ave., in Front Royal. Tickets are available at the door for $30 for adults and $7 for children under 12.

Congressman Frank Wolf will attend the Warren County Fair at 5 p.m. today.

The next WCRC meeting will be Aug. 12 at the Warren County Government Center Community Meeting Room.

The Warren County Republican Committee Web site is WarrenGOP.org.

(From a press release) The Battle of North Valley's Hills '08 will be held in September and will take cyclers on a journey through history as it focuses on the Civil War battles at Fisher's HIll, Tom's Brook, New Market, Cedar Creek and Hupp's Hill.

The cycling tour, which benefits the Strasburg Youth in Arts, offers options for family rides, 30-, 60- and 100-mile recreational road rides, hikes, and guided walking tours. Three days of events, beginning Sept. 18, will include two metrics and a century, a bike rodeo and activities for children, youth and families, evening entertainment and food.

Register for one or all three days. Visit www.forba.org for information and details.

The rock group Foreigner will donate CDs to each person who donates blood at the Shenandoah County Fair on Aug. 29, according to fair manager Marcy McCann.

Foreigner, Rodney Atkins, Foreigner, Little Big Town, and Billy Currington will be performing at this year's fair, which runs Aug. 22-30.

"They asked to help a charity during their concert. When they learned Bloodmobile would be on site they said that was perfect because they "loved working with the Red Cross!" McCann said in an e-mail to the Daily.

To donate blood, sign up here: http://redcrosslife.org

The fair's Web site is: www.ShenCoFair.com

(From a press release) The initial Lowes training schedule for the Habitat Women Build project is now posted and ready for sign-up. Women of all ages are invited to participate in the first home in Frederick County to be built by all women-crews. The home will be built in Stephens City.

All classes will be held in the training room at Lowes, 2200 S. Pleasant Valley Ave., Winchester. For details, call (540) 678-9030.

Wednesday classes begin at 6 p.m. and Saturday classes begin at 10 a.m.

Trainees will learn new building skills or improve on skills they already possess.

Certificates and related items will be provided at the completion of each class.

To sign-up, go to www.habitatfmc.org and click on "Volunteer Now." For more information, call (540) 678-9030.

(From a press release) The topic of the August meeting of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Safety Network will be confined space rescue.

Steve Ritter of the General Electric Lamp plant in Winchester, will be the guest speaker at the 11 a.m. Aug. 13 meeting at Jimmy's Restaurant, Millwood Pike. Cost is $15 and lunch is provided. Call or e-mail to make a reservation: Scott Garber, (540) 665-0078 ext. 109, sgarber@glaize.net, or Pat Perkins, (540) 665-3358, .