🌱 Final Four Gear + NASA To Fund Sea Level Impact Research

Morning, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening these days in Blacksburg.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Cloudy, a shower in the p.m. High: 59 Low: 54.
• Saturday: Very windy; a heavy t-storm. High: 70 Low: 36.

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Here are the top three stories today in Blacksburg:

1. The Virginia Tech women’s basketball team will be facing off against Louisiana State University today in Dallas in the Hokies' first Final Four matchup in school history. Many Blacksburg stores have stocked up on Final Four Hokie gear, but store owners report that the merchandise is going fast as the community rallies to cheer on the team. (WDBJ)
2. NASA has approved a three-year grant to fund research at Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment that will look at the potential environmental impact of rising sea levels in Virginia. The collaborative research will be led by three of the college's professors. Of the research, assistant professor Elizabeth Hunter addressed the two questions that the project will study: "The first is can we use satellite imagery to detect where landscape change is happening from sea-level rise? The second is what are landowners doing in response to those changes?” (Virginia Tech Daily)
3. Virginia Tech will be hosting Rebecca Skloot, author of the 2010 bestseller "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," for the Hugh Ethel Kelly Lecture Series on Apr. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Haymarket Theatre at Squires Student Center. Skloot will be presenting the lecture with Shirley Lacks and Jeri Lacks Whye, and they will discuss the life of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman whose cancer cells were harvested and used in medical research without her knowledge or permission. (Virginia Tech Daily)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Blacksburg:

Friday, March 31

• Try It! Pottery Wheel Class At Paint 'N Fun Ceramics Studio (6:00 PM)
• Performance: Rissi Palmer At Moss Arts Center (8:00 PM)

Saturday, April 1

• Blacksburg Farmers Market At Market Square Park (8:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Here's your chance to try Hokie Tracks! The ice cream is now available at grocery stores and specialty shops all over the state. Find out where you can get some by clicking here. (Virginia Tech via Facebook)
• Spring is here, and as the weather starts to warm up, humans won't be the only ones out and about. Learn how to peacefully coexist with our local black bear population by following these tips. (Town of Blacksburg Government via Facebook)
• The Town of Blacksburg recently released a brand new recruitment video! Check it out at the link and learn more about current job opportunities here. (Town of Blacksburg Government via Facebook)

That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox soon with another update.

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.