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!

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.)

Tourism Planning for “Staycationers” by James Sawyer

Gas prices are high, or the value of the US dollar has likely decreased, depending on how you look at things. And this article talks a little about what goes into marketing tourism towards the very people who live nearby (namely you and me) to stay and explore parts of Southwest Virginia.

Later, the author touches a bit on tourism in the area in general:

For most tourists who pass through on the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Appalachian Trail, Roanoke is a stop along the way with a quaint downtown market, an interesting rail heritage, a funky new art museum, and a neon star on a mountain.

What do you think?

Second Cuppa Joe by Joe Kennedy

Some of you may remember the original Cuppa Joe column in the Roanoke Times. Now, on the pages of City Magazine the author writes relatively light-hearted notes on various current events in and around Roanoke.

Back to School - Private Schools

A small feature on private schools in the area, consisting of a chart which lists such information as tuition costs and a brief description of the school.

This is also a publication with substantial advertising and for some reason I welcome that. It seems to go with the theme of local entertainment and also sheds light on some of the places and things in the area I may not have even known about.

Since I started this blog, I’ve been meaning to continually write basically mini reviews of some of our area magazines and literature soon after a new issue hits the newsstands.

In many respects, the writers of these publications voice opinions and insight on and about the Roanoke area much in the same way I attempt to do with Noke News.

City Magazine

From articles on dining to art to retail this monthly publication covers a wide variety of lifestyle and leisure topics pertaining to the greater Roanoke area.

And, it’s free, too.

There are metal stands with the magazine on multiple corners in and around downtown Roanoke, and I believe I’ve also seen the publication other areas, such as Montano’s International Gourmet restaurant on Franklin Road.

I’ll post when the next issue comes out (in about 2 weeks).

Over the past July 4th holiday weekend I stopped by the Barnes & Noble store near Tanglewood Mall and picked up the newest (August 2008) issue of The Roanoker.

On the cover of our local publication this month is some fresh eggs from Sweet Providence Farm, which is located along Route 221 heading towards Floyd.

I must admit, the cover story about buying locally grown food is a topic I had intended to explore myself eventually.

But, The Roanoker has done a fine job in talking about some local places to find local foods such as The Roanoke Natural Foods Co-Op on Grandin Road and of course the Farmers Market downtown.

But, my favorite article was at the very end, on the final page of the magazine actually. The author, Gretchen M. Weinnig, gives more or a less a pep talk for Roanoke by touching on four ideas: Believe, Take Risks, Cooperate, and Spread the Word.

Believe we are on the road to being as good as we can be.

Take Risks, and be willing to hear new ideas.

Cooperate, and work together with surrounding municipalities for the good of all.

Spread the Word about what Roanoke has to offer.

These are all only confident words, and I know sometimes everything seems easier said than done. And maybe it is.

But, it’s with a positive mindset and outlook like this article that I began Noke News and, more importantly, why I continue writing.

I bought my first ever issue of The Roanoker magazine last week.

Oh, I’ve seen it up on the shelves before, I just always ended up walking out of the bookstore with some business/finance magazine if not empty-handed.

But, this particular time I was hooked by the cover photo, which is the welcoming and well-recognized lighted sign for H & C Coffee. And I decided that $3.50 was a worthwhile investment to make in our bi-monthly area magazine.

The publication covers a range of things in and around Roanoke from dining, to lifestyle, to arts and entertainment.

Some of my favorite articles from the current issue are: “Best of Roanoke” where the votes are in and awards handed out for the top in such categories as Fishing Spot, Music Radio Station, and Most Accurate Weather Forecast.

Many of the winners and finalists made perfect sense, while a few others left me scratching my head.

There’s also another article about Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and its Director David Wiley. And the story of how one woman named Wendy Blair turned a home in Old Southwest into a Bed & Breakfast.

All in all great local reading, and I’m already looking forward to the next issue!

I recently added the NewVa logo to the sidebar here at Noke News, and I wanted to take a moment and briefly explain the whys and whats behind the addition.

From the NewVa website:

NewVa is the brand and visual identity for the region of western Virginia that encompasses the Alleghany Highlands, the Roanoke Valley, and the New River Valley.

I see it as a way to unite Roanoke and neighboring cities, towns, and counties, and overall help to promote those things we all enjoy or want to see in our adjoining communities.

In addition to the website, there’s also a publication produced and distributed which more or less acts as a welcome guide to much of the Roanoke area.

The magazine touches on many things ranging from the climate we experience, to education, economy, and the culture of Roanoke.

Neat stuff to read, even when being a lifelong resident. Some of the information I already knew and some I forgot I knew (such as wireless internet being available in parts of the downtown area) and was thankful for the reminder.

Even taking into consideration my college days at Radford University, I’ve never lived outside of the NewVa region in my entire life.

While some of my highschool classmates were anxious to leave the area in search of bigger and better things, that bug just never bit me. Today, I live minutes from the hospital where I was born and merely across town from the house where I spent my childhood and teenage years.

And, certainly by choice rather than circumstance, I’d prefer things no other way.

I admit it.

For about the first year after I purchased my home in Roanoke City (in July 2005) whenever this short, seasonal publication arrived, it was simply discarded.

Not so anymore.

Roanoke Citizen Magazine (Spring 2008)

When I came home late yesterday afternoon I could already see the top left corner of the magazine peaking out of my mailbox. The recognized Roanoke City logo, which is comprised of a slight abstract design of mountains and the star, reflected some of the day’s remaining sunshine.

If you’re a citizen of the city this little glossy-paged newsletter of sorts will be reaching you soon, if it hasn’t already.

Among the highlights of this issue are articles about: Roanoke’s Clean and Green Campaign, a brief history and heritage of the Roanoke River, and updates on Roanoke Greenways.

Check it out, after all, it’s free (or tax dollars well spent I think).