A brief history of how I came to call Roanoke home.

Strong Roots

I was born and raised in Roanoke. My father also grew up here, and my mother moved here when she was young.

Both of my parents (now divorced) still live in or in the vicinity of Roanoke. Well, my mom actually still lives in the same house where I grew up.

And those of my grandparents still alive also live in Roanoke, with several other relatives scattered throughout Virginia from here to Richmond.

I went to college at Virginia Western and Radford University and then came back to Roanoke looking for work and my place in the world. Sometime later I purchased my first home in Roanoke City, found a rewarding career, and never had a chance or consideration to look back. I suppose I could be called a “young professional” that Roanoke is looking to attract, or keep.

The big city isn’t for me

I have on occasion visited a big city and within a matter of hours realized that that kind of life just wasn’t for me. Things move too fast there, and just seem to always be moving. When visiting Chicago, I remember looking out of the window from the hotel room and at all hours of the night seeing automobiles pass and even a handful of people scurrying about.

Here in Roanoke, I like that the sidewalks tend to for the most part roll up at a modest hour. I like that various parts of the city basically shut down on Sunday, and on a holiday. I love that except for about an hour or maybe two out of the day (and even that’s a stretch), there is really no traffic to speak of around town.

Making the choice

Each of us live where we do primarily from choices that we make along the road of life. I don’t think it’s accurate to say we just “end up” certain places as much as we may move to a new area to take a job, or we pick up roots in search of a higher quality of life. All of us have our own reasons.

I also don’t think it’s entirely accurate to say that we choose the city where we live. Sometimes the city chooses us.

How did you come about to call Roanoke home?

Noke News explores parts of Roanoke by foot, equipped with a camera and a notepad, in hopes of learning something new. Perhaps you will too.

When I travel to and through the downtown area I usually approach via Salem Avenue. And over the past several months I have noticed activity going on over near the railroad tracks at an area known in Roanoke as Warehouse Row.

Warehouse Row is basically a string of old buildings from the earlier days of downtown Roanoke.  The old fashioned brick and mortar kind of builings. And, for as long as I can remember some of the buildings have been vacant.

But, that appears to be changing for a few buildings. Let’s check it out in pictures (at least from the outside):

At the western end along Norfolk Avenue there is a sign on one of the buildings that calls a section of the area as Row By The Rail. This is a project by a local realtor to renovate some of the buildings into rather upscale living enviornments.

And the first noticeable aspect is the colorful paint jobs that differentiate each of the buildings.

The colors are what first caught my eye. And on the backside (the side facing the railroad tracks) each building also has the appearance of fresh, clean paint.

Back to the front and approaching the entrance, there is both stairs and ramp access.

The elevated walkway leads to the front doors of each place. The walkway continues the entire length of Warehouse Row.

Windows above feature a windowsill with blooming flowers.

Walking a bit further.

Walking down another set of stairs and away for a better view.

Back to the walkway and continuing walking. I’m not sure to what extent the next couple buildings are occupied. Towards the end is office space, including the white building of the corporate headquarters of HSMM AECOM, an architectural and engineering firm which was founded in Roanoke.

As I leave, stepping aside again for an overall view of the eastern end of Warehouse Row, with the Wachovia Tower and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bridge in the background.

Another rather beautiful and pleasant week in Roanoke.

I’m not a meteorologist, but I’m also not sure how anyone could consider a scene like the photo below as “Partly Cloudy” outside. I just don’t think those few scattered clouds meet the minimum requirement.

This would surely have to fall into the “Mostly Sunny” category, what do you think?

Looking out onto 1-581/Route 220 from a bridge near the intersection of Brandon and Colonial Avenues. (9/3/08)

Looking for a magazine with insight into local arts and entertainment in the Roanoke Valley area? And for free, too? No problem, and here’s a brief review of some articles in the latest issue.

(The following is in addition to the typically several pages each issue devotes to covering upcoming performing arts, music, and other events. Never even heard of the magazine?  Visit this post first.)

It’s the start of a new month (can you believe it’s already September?) so that means a new issue of City Magazine is at the newsstands around town.

For those of you still unsure where or how to obtain a copy there are multiple bins downtown in the market area. I usually pick up my copy at this spot on the corner of Market Street and Church Avenue.

A newsstand for City Magazine (in the shade beneath the canopy) at the corner of Market Street and Church Avenue.

Here are a couple highlights from the new September 2008 issue:

Going Green

The entire issue has a focus on “going green” with several enviornmentally friendly tips along the bottom of the pages. The issue also has a feature  mentioning some people and businesses in the area who are taking steps to be more concious of the enviornment in our area.

The New Museum

A preview of our new museum focusing on ways the construction and finished product utilized “green” initiatives.

And many other pages of information on events and festivities upcoming in and around the Roanoke Valley. For example, American Idol fans will be happy to hear that Kellie Pickler is coming to Roanoke College for a concert.

Who ever said there’s nothing to do in this area never read City Magazine!

Noke News explores parts of Roanoke by foot, equipped with a camera and a notepad, in hopes of learning something new. Perhaps you will too.

In a previous post I uploaded a photo which was a view from the Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial Bridge in downtown Roanoke.

But, as of yet on this site I have not made mention of the bridge itself or the thoughtfully crafted patio area and statue which stands on the end near Shenandoah Ave.

Let’s check it out:

We’ll start on the side facing Salem Avenue at the intersection with 2nd Street. The entrance to the bridge is marked with a pair of brick columns, one on each side.

A plaque has also been placed on each column designating the bridge in memorial a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

An entrance to the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Bridge, at the intersection of Salem Avenue and 2nd Street SW.

The bridge I believe is entirely for pedestrian (foot traffic) use only, no bicycles or skateboards are permitted. The floor of the bridge is in the form of wooden planks which gives it an antique feel.

Walking on the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Bridge in downtown Roanoke.

Along the way while walking upwards, if we stop for a moment and look over to the right, there’s an elevated view looking down at a section of The Railwalk.

View of The Railwalk from the bridge.

And near the middle and highest part of the bridge there’s an excellent view of the railroad tracks below, as well as the Wachovia Tower in the background.

View of the railroad tracks below and the Wachovia Tower in the background.

After reaching the other end of the bridge (near Shenandoah Avenue) there’s a statue of Dr. King, which is surrounded by a patio area. It’s a quaint little space for gathering or with benches for sitting.

Statue of Martin Luther King Jr in downtown Roanoke.

A closer look at the lower part of the statue reveals a thoughtfully engraved scene with rather amazing detail. I stood for a short while further admiring the memorial itself, which very much exceeds my expectations.

Engraving on the lower section of the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Statue in downtown Roanoke.

Then, I started heading back the same way we originally came up. I snapped one final photo looking directly out from the bridge and onto a part of downtown Roanoke.

View from the bridge looking out onto part of downtown Roanoke.