[August 03, 2011] 24-hour relay raises money for track teams [Virginian - Pilot] Tweet (Virginian - Pilot Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) One hot, sticky morning, I had just come inside the house to cool off from weeding the garden when the doorbell rang. I opened the door to a young woman with a bright smile, Carlondra Parson, a rising senior at Western Branch High School. She was seeking sponsors and donations for a 24-hour relay, a fundraiser for the track and cross-country teams. Carlondra said they would run the track in shifts, from 7 a.m. July 19 to 7a.m. July 20, wearing chips in their shoes to record the laps. Yes, 24 hours, in high heat. How do they survive it, I asked? By drinking plenty of water, eating energy snacks, and taking naps in tents set up around the track, she said. When I found out her nickname was Carly, she loves cats and plans to go to Arizona State University to be a veterinarian, I tried to entice my black Tortoise/Maine Coon cat out from under the guest bed, her napping place of choice. Unfortunately, the cat Carly Simon was more interested in napping than meeting the cross-country runner Carly Parson. So I sent my new friend on her way with a donation, a bottle of water and a promise I'd stop by the track the next day. There she greeted me with a big hug and joined about 50 other student athletes walking and running to raise money to pay for travel expenses and entry fees, which the school's budget can't always cover. I met enthusiastic cross-country coach Mark Anderson, himself a former runner and 2004 WBHS graduate, who now teaches eighth-grade English at Deep Creek Middle School. He told me the students were limited to only 30 miles of activity during the event. This was a rule put in place after the infamous Coach Ryan "did 105 miles and almost did himself in." Do you shop at the Chesapeake Square Target often? If you do like I do, then you might have already seen posters on the front doors announcing "Fresh Grocery Coming in October." I saw a big area in the center of the store with plastic hanging from ceiling to floor. I assumed it was work being done for the grocery, but manager Mark Hunter said the plastic enclosed unisex fitting rooms under construction. There will also be a new jewelry display and an updated electronics area. Departments will not be eliminated, just rearranged to make room for the grocery,which will be next to the pharmacy. This is the store's first makeover since it opened about 10 years ago. All the Hampton Roads stores are being remodeled and getting a "Fresh Grocery." How fresh? Well, there won't be a deli, bakery or butcher on the premises, but there will be baked goods and cut meat available, as well as fresh produce and frozen foods. The grocery will be about five times bigger than the current shelf space for dry goods. I'm looking forward to it - how convenient! Your kids will have a good time and you'll save serious money at Chesapeake Square's upcoming Family Fun Fest and Tax Free Shopping Event on Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Aug. 7 from noon to 5 p.m. While you're buying school supplies and new clothes, the young ones can be playing on the inflatables, slide and tumble mats throughout the mall. There will also be face painting, costumed characters and stage performances. You might want to check out the Moms Matter Corner on that Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and The Children's Place Fashion Show, also Saturday, at 2 p.m. On both days, the mall will host a home show and lots of vendors. Have fun, be tax-free, and keep cool at the mall this weekend, even without a family. Help me keep up on all the action in Western Branch at [email protected] or 483-9055. (c) 2011 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]