🌱 Free Comic Day + HPD Wraps Up Academy + Downtown Dinner Party

Hey, everybody! It's Monday in Harrisonburg and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Cooler with a few showers. High: 54 Low: 40.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Harrisonburg who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories today in Harrisonburg:

1. To encourage more readership, select comics will be free on May 6 at The Secret Lair Comics for Free Comic Day. Located off East Market Street, the comic shop will be giving away three books per person and will have about 40 to 50 books to choose from. For 10 books a person, Secret Lair is requesting $5 worth of pet supplies in donations to go toward Harrisonburg-Rockingham SPCA. There will also be guest creators, door prizes, and sales happening from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (WHSV)
2. The Harrisonburg Police Department's citizen police academy garnered interest from younger participants this year. Organizers said great ideas were shared during the Tuesday training sessions about crime scenes, evidence collection, and case-solving. The goal of the program is to help bridge the communication divide between the police force and the residents, opening the floor for participants of different backgrounds to ask questions and learn about police protocols, training, and more. (WHSV)
3. Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance is hosting its annual fundraiser Downtown Dinner Party Saturday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. The event is an inspired celebration of the Valley’s love for Downtown Harrisonburg and its culinary gems. This year, the event will feature a live auction and will highlight a variety of restaurants in Virginia’s First Culinary District. (Downtown Dinner Party: A Fundraiser for HDR via Facebook)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Harrisonburg Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Harrisonburg Patch newsletter possible.

Today in and around Harrisonburg:

• Fantastic Family Fun At Page Public Library, Luray (10:00 AM)
• Monday Game Night! At Restless Moons Brewing (4:00 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know an incredible mom you'd like the rest of Harrisonburg to know about, too? Maybe it's your mom — or your daughter, a friend who's a mom or someone who steps up like a mom for the people in her life. Whoever it is, we want to hear about her! Just fill out this simple form and we'll do the rest.

From my notebook:

• Registration is now open for Harrisonburg's Summer Youth Volleyball League through May 26. The program, open to ages 8 through 12, is designed to introduce and develop the basic fundamentals of volleyball. Participants will be placed on teams, led by volunteer coaches and staff. (Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation via Facebook)
• Stay connected with the city of Harrisonburg on your preferred platform. City officials are on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and more! (City of Harrisonburg, VA)
• Check out the newest batch of houses to hit the market in and around Harrisonburg! The properties range from a two-bed, one-bath home for $160,000, to a four-bed, five bathroom for $679,900. (Harrisonburg Patch)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Monday off right. See you all soon for another update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.