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.

These are very common and daily scenes around Roanoke. In fact, the first 3 I snapped during one of my downtown lunchtime walks.

Have a great Friday and weekend.

The intersection of Jefferson Street and Franklin Road. The brick building in the center is the Western Virginia Water Authority.

Trolley making the rounds

A sidewalk scene from downtown Roanoke. The Wachovia Tower is easily spotted but if you look closer you can also see the Hotel Roanoke and The Taubman Museum.

A new sign welcomes people to the Norwich Community in Roanoke as seen along Memorial Avenue at the intersection with Roanoke Avenue.

Here are a couple pictures that I took recently while walking around Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke.

Have a great Monday!

Elmwood Park in Roanoke VA. In the distance at the end of the sidewalk is a stage where concerts at Festival in the Park are performed.

No, this picture wasn't taken along some hiking trail on the mountain. It's actually a unique scene from downtown Roanoke at Elmwood Park.

A bit of history and some “did you know?” type information for this Friday before the Memorial Day weekend.

Entrance to the Roanoke City Public Library

Downtown, near the entrance to the Roanoke City Public Library, is a bell.

Or, the monument of a bell.

Bell near Roanoke City Public Library

Even if you ride past in a car along Jefferson Street and look over (just across the street from the Patrick Henry Hotel) you can’t miss it.

According to the inscription on a plaque in front, the entire monument was built to acknowledge a ship that was named for the City of Roanoke. A ship called the USS Roanoke.

I conducted a Google search for more information about the USS Roanoke and yielded this article from Wikipedia.

I don’t know about you but I never knew this, and now we both do.

Have a great holiday weekend!

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 never knew this existed, did you?

In Elmwood Park there is a monument dedicated to the mayor’s of Roanoke over the years. You can also see it from the road along Elm Avenue near the intersection with Williamson Road.

Roanoke Mayor's Monument in Elmwood Park.

It’s a very nice display all on a slightly raised platform, and with a star made of bricks at the base.

Original inscriptions of early mayors (back to when Roanoke was known at Big Lick) are still visible on the actual stone monument. I suppose in recent years a new set of markers was placed at the base on top of the bricks.

And it’s here that each mayor of Roanoke has their name and term listed, from the beginning all the way to current.

A series of plaques around the base of the monument list all of Roanoke's mayors and terms.

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.)