Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What new fundraising rule will change how Harrisonburg students raise money?
Coming up on the Harrisonburg Patch calendar: JMU 9/11 5K
Hey there, Harrisonburg! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What new fundraising rule will change how Harrisonburg students raise money?
- How could JMU's big expansion plans transform Harrisonburg by 2040?
- How will JMU's new Alger Hall change civic life here?
Also on today's calendar: FREE Camino de Santiago Presentation and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 82 and low of 63 degrees.
- Sunday: Partly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 77, low: 56.
- Monday: Nice with partial sunshine, with a high of 78 and low of 57 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. New rule to prohibit students from door-to-door fundraising (hburgcitizen.com) — Harrisonburg school leaders are moving to ban door‑to‑door fundraising for all grades, citing student safety concerns about approaching strangers' homes. The board also reviewed a new two‑year "Aspiring Principal" program, recent co‑principal arrangements at Rocktown High and Smithland Elementary, and ongoing suicide‑prevention efforts in Harrisonburg City Public Schools through the Sandy Hook Promise partnership. 
2. JMU president's anniversary marked with big celebrations, huge plans (dnronline.com) — Downtown Harrisonburg just hosted a JMU block party that doubled as a first-anniversary celebration for President Jim Schmidt, whose ambitious plans could dramatically reshape the city's future. He's pushing for major enrollment growth, new housing, and an expanded entertainment district around Bridgeforth Stadium that could turn JMU into the urban center of a growing Harrisonburg–Staunton metro area.
3. JMU celebrates opening of Alger Hall, new home for civic engagement honoring former president (whsv.com) — Harrisonburg residents just gained a new civic hub with the opening of James Madison University's Alger Hall, dedicated to former president Jonathan Alger and focused on public service and civic engagement. The building will host programs connecting students, faculty, staff, and the wider community around tackling tough issues and encouraging active citizenship in the Valley and beyond.
4. HPD shares safety tips in wake of city's recent shootings, brandishing (whsv.com) — After two recent shootings and a gun brandishing incident in Harrisonburg, city police are urging residents and JMU students to share tips and follow safety advice during the Labor Day weekend. HPD stresses the cases are not believed connected, is increasing patrols around student housing, and asks the community to look out for one another and promptly report concerns.
5. Regional Animal Health Lab in Harrisonburg is expanding (rocktownnow.com) — Harrisonburg's Regional Animal Health Laboratory is getting a significant expansion as part of a $13.1 million statewide upgrade to Virginia's animal disease‑testing network. The project will add thousands of square feet, new PCR and flexible lab space, and aims to strengthen food safety, livestock health, and public health services that local producers and veterinarians rely on.
📸 Around Harrisonburg
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Harrisonburg
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- JMU 9/11 5K →
Harrisonburg
Sunday September 6
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Performance Team Practice →
James Madison University Virtual Events UREC Mind / Body Studio 1 (Room 385)
4:00 pm - CHAMBER CLOSED
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce 800 Country Club Rd, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 - Mineral Museum Hours →
James Madison University Virtual Events Festival Mineral Museum
1:00 pm - Brookhaven's Labor Day Party & Open House!
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce 1461 Brookhaven Drive Rockingham, VA 22801
4:00 pm - Latin Dance Class →
James Madison University Virtual Events UREC Group Exercise Studio 2 (Room 378)
7:00 pm - Pavilion: Reserved
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
5:30 pm - Sound Bathing
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
5:30 pm - JMU Farmers Market →
James Madison University Virtual Events The Union Patio 3
8:00 am - Make a Friend, Take a Friend →
James Madison University Virtual Events The Union 3rd Floor Lounge
10:00 am - Terrace Reservation
Edith J. Carrier Arboretum 780 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
5:15 pm - FREE Camino de Santiago Presentation →
Walkabout Outfitter, 90 N Main St, Harrisonburg
7:00 pm
Sunday September 6
Monday September 7
Tuesday September 8
Wednesday September 9
Thursday September 10
Thursday September 24
📣 Harrisonburg Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hey Hburg fam, what company / who is mowing your lawns?
I need mowing, weed eating, patio blowing done. TYIA! (Nextdoor Ralph Samson) - Kick off the month with us at First Fridays!
Artist Aimee Lawson will showcase artwork inspired by RHSPCA animals. (Nextdoor Smithland Rd)
- Family Dollar posted a job opening for Customer Service Associate I in Harrisonburg. Apply here.
- James Madison University posted a job opening for Arboretum Landscape/Student Engagement Aide - IE in Harrisonburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Harrisonburg here.
Ok Harrisonburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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