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!

We’ve already reached November. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and Christmas is only single-digit weeks away. From here on out it starts getting dark at 5:30PM, pretty soon that will change to 5. And if I’m not careful I could find myself driving both to work and home from work in the dark.

Now, that’s depressing.

What else is in store over the next several weeks:

We lose daylight

This past weekend we gained an hour (or did we lose it, I’m never sure) and from now until towards the end of the year the days keep getting shorter.

With it becoming so dark so early now, last night I kept looking at the clock and thinking it was much later than it really was. The time changes, but it takes me a week or two to adapt.

We gain 2 big holidays (time off from work to spend with loved ones)

The office where I work closes for both Thanksgiving Day and the Friday aftewards (Black Friday). And it’s not entirely unusual for me to take off that Wednesday before also, or I certainly try to sneak out a few hours early.

And I believe with Christmas Day falling on a Thursday this year, the same schedule may apply for that week too.

We lose/gain not having to mow and do various yardwork (depending on how you look at it)

I’m not a huge fan of yardwork, mainly because I just don’t have the time for it. I will work 12+ hour days during the week at the office, but on the weekends I like to kick back a good bit. Working outside isn’t therepeutic for me, reclining back in my La Z Boy chair is much better.

So, yardwork is squeezed in somewhere between when I get home from work and when I sit down for dinner, and that time can vary greatly.

Last week, before the time change, I set out to mow my yard (hopefully) one last time for the year. Still, I was out there at nearly 6:30PM and could’ve benefited from some built-in headlights on the mower.

We gain pounds

This refers back to the 2 big holidays mentioned above, because along with those are some pretty hefty dinners around my family. Thus, by January or so the scale is apt to read just a few more pounds than it had a couple months earlier.

Did someone say New Year’s Resolution?

We lose 2008 and gain 2009

And though as this year slowly comes to a close, we gain the promise of being able to repeat all of the above again with a whole new year!

A very popular shortcut in Roanoke is a road that runs basically through a section of Towers Shopping Center.

It’s formally known as 23rd Street S.W. In fact, I believe because traffic is so heavy on the road that sometime ago oversized speed bumps were built to slow drivers down.

This road links Brandon and Colonial Avenues and prevents having to drive all the way to the corner, at the intersection where a CVS store is now located.

No Left Turn

Well, as of several days ago the traffic on this road is probably a good bit less than it has been.

When traveling northeast on Colonial Avenue (going from The Roanoker towards Towers Shopping Center) a sign and raised center median are in place to prevent left turns to 23rd Street SW

As part of recent construction in the area access to this road has been restricted to help minimize its use as a shortcut, and overall improve traffic flow. Espeically to help improve traffic flow coming off of I-581/Route 220 during peak times of the day.

Automobiles traveling northeast on Colonial Avenue (after passing The Roanoker restaurant on the right) will not be allowed to make a left turn onto 23rd Street SW anymore.

And, off the record, as I was taking these pictures a police officer was on site nearby I assume to help enforce this new restriction. Just in the few minutes I was in the area 2 cars were pulled over in the parking lot of Towers Shopping Center, for what I don’t know for sure but I can probably take a guess.

Will this change have any affect on your drivng routes?

I’m biased.

I love Roanoke because I live here, and live here because I love it.

On a similar but much larger scale, the same applies to my feeling on this country. I’m thankful to be living in what I believe is the best nation in the world. All things considered, I think we have it rather good here.

Roanoke is a pretty neat place, but we’re just one city of thousands in this great country.

Sometimes I sit and wonder how many other citizens, in some other cities across the nation, write in the same fashion as I do about their hometown. I certainly hope that number is a lot.

Happy 4th of July!

I’ve frequently noticed this little fountain downtown, have you ever seen it?

The fountain sits at the intersection of Salem Avenue and Market Street, and is on the side of the street nearest the train tracks.

It appears old, but all still in working order with 2 sides both with flowing water.

I’ve heard that the fountain dates back to the “early days” of Roanoke before automobiles. And its purpose was to provide a cool drink for a horse (at the low, wider side) and also respectively a rider (at the higher side with sprouting water.)

Well, that’s what I’ve heard at least, does anyone know for sure if that’s true or any other information into the history behind this fountain?

I typically find myself pulling up to a pump at Sheetz on Apperson Drive when the low fuel signal lights up in the dash of my car. I stop there mostly out of habit now, which originally started because they always seemed to have fairly competitive prices.

But, a coworker mentioned a website that enables checking local fuel prices on MSN Autos, so I gave it a whirl. The website is quick and to the point, just enter in your zip code and up pop several local stations and their respective prices. And all of the data appears to be updated on a near daily basis.

As for me (zip code 24015) the nearest, cheapest option was a BP Station on Grandin Road.

So, I drove by there this evening to verify the price that was displayed on the website, and everything checked out.

Gas Prices at the One Stop Market on Grandin Road (5/30/08)

Of course, when it comes to these gas prices, a few pennies saved (in this case 6 cents a gallon compared to the Sheetz) is hardly enough to really afford a cup of coffee when all is said and done.

I don’t aim to begin to comprehend all of the variables behind the increase in gas prices this year, but I sometimes wish it was 1996-1997 again when even breaking the $1 mark seemed a ways off.

The next couple Fridays (and maybe continuously depending on the number of responses) I’m going to propose a question for you the readers and fellow residents of the Valley.

First up is a rather easy one I think, or perhaps tough to narrow down one aspect. Either way I’m looking forward to reading all of the replies.

What do you enjoy most about Roanoke?

Just answer with the first thing that comes to mind, could be said in one word, one paragraph, or longer that’s up to you.

Leave a comment to this post below with your response or you may also email me directly. Sometime next week I may gather just the responses and incorporate them into a post.

I’ll start things off:

I’ve mentioned it before and am still reminded each time I travel outside of the Valley, but I’m truly spoiled by the mountains. I like the sense of protection they provide and how they rest quietly in the background for a great many of the outdoor pictures taken in and around Roanoke.

Now, it’s your turn.

What a difference a little over a month makes here in the Valley.

Back in early April most of the trees in our area were still bare and more closely resembled a scene from late Fall. But, now all of those tens of thousands (millions?) of branches and even the tiny twigs have sprouted new, green growth for the season.

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

Regardless of the size and the irregularity, each and every new leaf has a part and a place in providing shelter for wildlife, shade for us, and natural decoration for all.

As for me, marveling in such simple pleasures, if nothing else, helps to keep me sane among the pressures and deadlines of life.