BUZZ Live! stars New River Valley TimeBank
BUZZ Live! is spending time with the New River Valley TimeBank, a nonprofit that connects people to exchange skills and services, using time rather than dollars. When a member provides one hour of service for someone, they earn one Time Credit!
Join us May 3 as the TimeBank hosts its twice-a-year Repair Cafe at the Habitat for Humanity NRV ReStore in Christiansburg. You’ll meet the folks who donate their time at the Repair Cafe – offering free repairs for small furniture, sewing, jewelry, small appliances, and electronics, plus knife and tool sharpening. We’ll be broadcasting from the TimeBank’s “Public Living Room,” which provides a space for folks to sit and visit with neighbors … maybe even enjoy a cup of tea, some live music and Alistair the therapy dog!
Our hour-long free show starts at 12:00 pm and is open to all. It will also be live-streamed to our Facebook and YouTube channels. Repair Cafe and Public Living Room are from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Register below to attend.
Contact Michael Hemphill for more information by email or 540.556.2879.
BUZZ celebrates 50th Episode!
As originally broadcast July 17, 2024, on Blue Ridge PBS …
Celebrate a milestone with us as we present our 50th episode of BUZZ on PBS!
read moreTop 10 BUZZ of 2023
Thank you for buzzing with us this year!
We hope you enjoy this highlight reel of our Top 10 buzz-worthy moments of 2023 … and look forward to highlighting and helping even more nonprofits in 2024!
No. 10: The Y is more than a workout as we showed in our episode starring YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. See the stories of some at-risk teens served by “Rise 540.” Watch full episode.
No. 9: Nonprofits literally do everything – from homeless shelters and children’s art programs to organizations like the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program that helps entrepreneurs design cutting-edge drugs and patent portable optical laser cutters. Watch full episode.
No. 8: The Roanoke City Public Schools arts program teaches kids how to dance, sing, paint, sculpt, play a stringed instrument, march in the band, produce digital music … and recycling and turtle-stacking? Watch full episode.
No. 7: How excited was the Community Foundation of the New River Valley when it soared past its goal for the 10th annual GiveLocalNRV? Watch full episode.
No. 6: With its scenic waterfalls, hiking trails, gurgling streams and star-gazing skies, Alta Mons pulses with divinity for the thousands of people who retreat each year at the 800-acre eastern Montgomery County camp. But its human heart beats within one man: Jim Pearman. Watch full episode.
No. 5: We buzzed at the chance to talk to Virginia Tech’s Liz Kitley, Kenny Brooks and Brent Pry for our episode starring The Hokie Way, which helps VT athletes use their Name, Image and Likeness to promote local nonprofits. One of those nonprofits is the Lifering Foundation, founded by Kelly Woolwine amidst incredible suffering. Watch full episode.
No. 4: We’re fortunate to have Dan Mirolli in our hive as our cinematographer. His work really buzzes in our episode featuring The Least of These homeless ministry at night. Watch full episode.
No. 3: How proud is Norma Mondragon’s mother for the life she has built thanks to Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley? Watch full episode.
No. 2: BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill returns to his hometown of Birmingham where he connects with old friends and his alma mater to produce episodes on four impactful nonprofits that began airing in December on Alabama Public Television.
No. 1: In our most viewed video of 2023, musicians Bryan “Harvest Blaque” Hancock and J.P. Powell – joined by Roanoke Symphony maestro David Stewart Wiley, Opera Roanoke’s Brooke Tolley, Roanoke Cultural Endowment’s Shaleen Powell, and the Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir – provide the artistic beat for what makes Roanoke, Virginia, a great place for business. Watch full episode.
Putting the buzz in business
As originally broadcast November 15, 2023, on Blue Ridge PBS …
Since 2017, RAMP – the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program – has been the buzz for nearly 50 entrepreneurs throughout western Virginia.
From high-tech engineers to white-coated scientists, RAMP has provided expertise instruction, 1:1 mentorship, non-equity funding, office space and a host of other resources to help startup companies accelerate their business.
On this episode of BUZZ – our 39th! – we’ll feature RAMP’s incredible work and provide it with some accelerating of its own with some cutting-edge marketing help from a familiar face to BUZZ, Carrie Cousins of LeadPoint Digital.




