Just a week ago or so I was hearing talk about an impending snow storm that is to occur sometime during the second half of this month. I think that the idea may have originated in a Farmer’s Almanac but I’m not sure.

Now, it’s not completely unusual for Roanoke to receive snow during this time of year. But, when the temperatures are in the 40s (or much higher as the case has been lately) than that makes the notion of snow falling about as close to impossible as could be.

However, the past few days I haven’t heard anymore talk about snow. And with the official first day of Spring right around the corner it seems increasingly unlikely that Roanoke will get anymore snow this season.

The white stuff didn’t really bother me too much this year. While shoveling my driveway after the 2nd big snow storm, I kept reminding myself that in just a matter of months we would be back in the 70s, 80s, and 90s again. And then when that time comes I would be replacing the snow shovel with a lawn mower. I suppose that’s just the cycle of things.

Here are a few things I’m looking forward to in the warmer weeks ahead:

Visiting the greenways more often

I haven’t been down to a Roanoke greenway in a while but I’m looking forward to going for some greenway bicycling in just a few weeks. Throughout the colder months I usually manage to go for a ride around the neighborhood at least once a week or so, but I much prefer the greenways.

Festival in the Park

As soon as it starts getting warmer I begin to think about the annual event of Festival in the Park in downtown Roanoke. I consider it a great way to spend time with family and friends over Memorial Day weekend. Shopping at vendor stands and other activities during the day and great concerts at night.

Venturing downtown during lunch more often

I work in the downtown Roanoke area. And during the colder months I tend to bring my own lunch partly to save money but primarily because I don’t feel as inclined to venture out in the cold. As the temperatures warm up I plan to eat out a little bit more often, as well as take a mid-day walk around downtown or Elmwood Park at least a couple times a week.

These are just a few things that come to my mind today and I’m sure that I’ll be writing more about them in the weeks to come.

Are you in the mood or mode for Spring?

I’m back.

Well, I didn’t intend to take a leave of absence from the site but that’s just what happened. I guess time flies when you’re having fun (or working a lot in my case).

I’ve had many ideas for posts recently, but not enough time to write a full post on each idea. So, I’m just going to kinda give a brief round-up of some ideas to help me get back in the swing of things.

Skunks in Roanoke

Does anyone else think it seems like there are more signs and smells of skunks around town this year? I smell them at least about once a week or more often, usually at night.

I frequently drive between Roanoke and Salem in the evenings (after dark) and more times than not somewhere along the way I catch the whif of a skunk. In fact, just last night I saw one just off to the side of the road. And last week one crossed the street in front of me. At other times they aren’t seen, but they are definitely smelled. Maybe they have always been around, but it seems like I’m smelling them a lot more than I used to.

Relatively Mild Summer So Far

For the month of July so far it’s been fairly mild for the most part. After a short dryspell, a couple showers recently helped the area foliage. Otherwise, the nights have been very mild and sometimes even a little crisp as temperatures dipped down into the 50s and 60s.

There is still August so likely still more than a few hot and humid days ahead, though.

Didn’t Make the Salem Fair

I didn’t have a chance to go to the Salem Fair this year. I just didn’t have the time. Maybe I’m showing my age (I turn 30 this year) but The Festival in the Park is much more my speed. I do enjoy amusement park rides but I like the real deal (such as Kings Dominion or Busch Gardens) and primarily at these fairs and fesitvals I just walk around with friends or family and check out the exhibitors/vendors.

Going to the Movies in Roanoke

The more I go out to movies in Roanoke, the more I realize the best place to go is and always will be the Grandin Theatre. I know it’s probably the weakest theater in the area in terms of technology (picture and sound quality) but the reality is the theater is the best option in terms of a respectful audience.

By respectful I mean an audience that goes and pays for a ticket with the notion that they will actually sit still and watch a movie for a couple hours. Talking, moving around, and being disruptive during the movie and using the cell phone (talking and texting) is rampant at other area theaters in my experience. Most recently I observed it this past Saturday when I took my brother out to see the new Transformers movie at the Valley View theater.

However, I’ve never had this problem at the Grandin Theatre. The Grandin may not have the most comfortable seats, but I’ll make do if it means I can watch a movie in relative peace and quiet. They do have pretty good popcorn, too.

Earthquake in Roanoke

Firstly, I’m a very heavy sleeper and I didn’t feel the earthquake at all. In fact, I didn’t even hear about it until later in the afternoon on Saturday when my grandmother asked me about it.

Even then I thought she was joking.

But no, there was a modest earthquake here in Roanoke over the weekend that caused quite a stir with some people.

Unfortunately, I did miss all of the excitement.

Did you feel the earthquake?

A new radio station in Roanoke called Steve FM

If you were a regular listener to a station called The Bull (frequency 106.1) then you may have realized that 106.1 no longer plays classic country.

The Bull is out and Steve FM is on

I wasn’t a regular The Bull listener but I first noticed the new station a couple weeks ago. (Obviously, I thought that station’s name of Steve FM was a good choice!)

So, what does this new station play?

Everything, so it claims by an announcer voice in-between songs.

So far I’ve heard songs across the spectrum from new country to R&B to 80’s pop on Steve FM. Aside from a brief announcer voice in-between songs I haven’t heard any live radio host on the station yet, so I suppose it’s strictly a music only station.

I still like and prefer the morning radio show on K92, but at other times of the day I have been giving this new Steve FM more of a listen.

What do you think about it?

Festival in the Park 2009 Coming Up!

Where has the year gone? It’s already almost time for Festival in the Park! Last year I had an exceptionally good time, it’s one of those events that really does seem to have something for everyone.

Usually, during one of the days I go with my family to see the exhibitors. And at night, I meet with friends to see some of the music concerts. And of course, a purchase of a funnel cake and some lemonade were both mandatory for me.

If you’ve never been I encourage you to check it out this year. For more information visit the Fesitval in the Park website.

Have a great Tuesday!

I work fairly close to the heart of downtown Roanoke. And, increasingly as the temperatures have warmed up for the season, I often venture out during my lunch hour.

More times than not I pack my lunch, but that doesn’t stop me from still heading out for some sunshine, air, and light exercise.

The sights and the sounds are both entertaining and peaceful. The economy is still terrible so I hear, but some people are nonetheless out and about carrying on with their own activities. The world hasn’t stopped moving and it’s not about to stop. Likewise, this quaint corner of southwest VA still does its best to keep busy.

I have also developed a bit of a habit when I venture downtown during lunch. On most days I pick up a fresh piece of fruit while I pass by the market. I suppose I could just as easily pack an extra apple or an orange with my regular lunch.

But, how boring would that be?

I’ve come to realize that not all habits are bad. In fact, this one I could get used to.

Have a great Friday and weekend!

Downtown Roanoke Market

I bought a new gadget.

Photos have been, and will continue to be, a staple of Noke News. But, every now and then I have thought about having the ability to post my own videos of Roanoke.

Well, here goes nothing, as this post marks the first video posted at Noke News!

This is a simple and short video of a common scene downtown…the passing of a train. In this particular video I was standing at the top of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Bridge. The Wachovia Tower can also be seen in the background to the right.

I hope you enjoy.

As this is my first attempt at adding video to the blog, please let me know if you have trouble viewing or if things don’t look like they probably should.

(You may need Adobe Flash to view.)

In the downtown area, on the side of Jefferson Street (and in front of the Roanoke City Public Library), you will find a historical marker.

There are of course other markers in the area, but this one is unique in that it gives a brief but succinct overview of Roanoke’s history.

Did you know that Roanoke was originally known as “Big Lick”?

Below is the inscription from the front and back of the marker. Photos of the actual marker are at the bottom of the post.

Roanoke

The first village here, at Pate’s Mill and Tavern on Evans’ Mill Creek, was called Big Lick for nearby salt marshes. In 1939 it was laid off as the town of Gainesborough. After the coming of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad (later N. & W.) in 1852, another village sprang up about the old Stover House that was also named Big Lick. Gainesborough became known as Old Lick.

In June, 1884, General Hunter passed here retreating from Lynchburg. In 1874 Big Lick was incorporated. In 1881, with the junction of the New Shenandoah valley Railroad with the N. & W., rapid growth began. In 1882 the name was changed to Roanoke; in 1884 it was incorporated as a city. In 1909 the Virginian Railroad operated its first train. In recent years Roanoke became the third city of Virginia.

A few weeks ago I received a comment from a reader who lives up North and is considering moving to Roanoke. They asked me to write about Roanoke and what I think about living here. What are some of the pluses and minuses of Roanoke? What to expect and what not to expect? And, overall talk a little about the quality of life here.

With the next few posts I’ll do my best to answer these questions from my perspective, and generally so that they can apply to all ages. These posts hardly aim to cover everything about Roanoke, and I encourage you to leave comments below and add your own perspective. 

When I think about Roanoke there are a couple aspects that come to mind which I believe are a large part of the ambiance of the city. I say and know this because when I have on occasion traveled elsewhere, these are the aspects I noticed the most as missing from daily life.

Mountains

The mountains provide a background to just about everywhere I travel around town. They are always off in the distance, sitting quietly while providing scenery and a sense of protection.

As the season changes, so does the mountain’s foliage. I’m partial to the green that begins to appear in the Spring. Of course the pure white from after a moderate snowfall is quite a sight also.

Beautiful Mill Mountain as Seen from the Elm Avenue Intersection with Route 220/I-581 (5-18-08)

When I travel to other places I often feel like something is missing. At first I can’t put my finger on it, but then I realize: I have grown accustomed to the mountains. To me, a city seems much more vulnerable without them.

The mountains have become a part of my life as a Roanoke citizen, and I tend to prefer it that way.

Trains

I’m not sure if there is a spot in Roanoke that can escape from the sound of a train whistle. From my house in the City I occasionally hear the sound, as well as the gentle roaring of a train passing by along the tracks.

The railroad system in Roanoke as seen from a bridge on 10 Street SW

The railroad is very much a part of Roanoke. And if you are a Roanoke resident it will be difficult to avoid crossing a set of tracks from time to time.

A few weeks ago I received a comment from a reader who lives up North and is considering moving to Roanoke. They asked me to write about Roanoke and what I think about living here. What are some of the pluses and minuses of Roanoke? What to expect and what not to expect? And, overall talk a little about the quality of life here.

With the next few posts I’ll do my best to answer these questions from my perspective, and generally so that they can apply to all ages. These posts hardly aim to cover everything about Roanoke, and I encourage you to leave comments below and add your own perspective. 

I work and probably earn somewhere in the neighborhood of the median or average income for a US household. Ocassionally, I pick up another 1-2 part-time jobs when I want (not including this blog).

I’m not rich and I don’t live my life in such a way to encourage people to falsely believe I’m rich. I dislike debt and live within my means. I say this not to brag or anything of that sort, but to say that, relatively speaking, money seems to go a pretty far distance in Roanoke. Especially for those that are conscious of their budget, save appropriately, and don’t live outside of their salary range.

The beauty of it is that Roanoke is fairly laid back to the point where one doesn’t have to live extravagantly just to fit in with the rest of society.

Now, there is poor and homeless in Roanoke. In fact, there seems to be more homeless downtown recently than I have ever seen before. I mean maybe a half-dozen instead of 1 or 2 that I used to see. There is probably more than that but it doesn’t seem like Chicago or DC where on nearly every corner there was a homeless person.

But as for me, I can make all of my payments and still eat out infrequently or go to the mall every few weeks and splurge on some new clothes. At the end of the day I’m not struggling to pay bills, and I have plenty to save for retirement (or to pay for child expenses if/when that occurs). Money seems to go farther is my point.

In short, I live OK on an income that would probably be considered the low end of the spectrum if I did the same work in a bigger city. So, in Roanoke, I realize I make less, but it’s just a cheaper place to live overall I think so it evens out.

In closing, I can only speak for myself. I went to college, learned a desirable skill, work hard, and live on a modest income. Roanoke helps to provide me this life and hopefully will continue to do so for years to come.

I see Roanoke helping to provide the same or better life for others, and see no reason why it can’t to do the same for anyone else willing to take advantage of the relatively low cost of living here.