I remember many months ago when the first talk of the new Art Museum had begun, and then earlier this year the actual construction and overall shape of the building starting taking real form.

(A few weeks ago I snapped some photos of the museum in a previous post.)

To say the design was greeted with mixed reviews is probably an understatement. I encountered people who thought it was “pretty cool”, others who thought it was “different”, and also a number of people who considered it an eyesore and very out of place in regards to the downtown area.

I fall into the “pretty cool” category.

I always thought the museum design to be very futuristic looking, it’s far from the typical 4 square walls and a roof kind of building. And I’m still amazed at how it was somehow squeezed into a rather small area at the corner along Salem Avenue and Williamson Road, and just adjacent to the railroad tracks.

Parts of the museum even stretch out rather close to the Williamson Road bridge nearby which stretches over the railroad tracks.

The museum design itself, combined with its modest footprint, all adds to the uniqueness I think.

I couldn’t make it down for the grand opening this weekend. But, sometime in the coming weeks I hope to check it out from the inside, after having marveled at the outside.

Were any of ya’ll able to make it down for the grand opening? First impressions?

And as a final note, as for the naysayers, the museum is there and now in all of our backyards, and I don’t know that talking about it under a negative light is particularly productive. (I’m trying to be nice.)

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.

This is Part 3 in an Exploring Roanoke series that covers the current (as of Summer 2008) entire 3 1/2 miles of Lick Run Greenway. The path runs from the Historic Gainsboro sign on the East end of Wells Avenue (near the large water fountain), all the way out to the Valley View area at the 4700 block of Valley View Blvd (near Best Buy).

(For a general introduction to the greenway system in Roanoke, you may want to first visit a previous post.)

Distance: approx. 3/4 mile

When I left off last time in Part 2, things were just about to get a little more interesting as the greenway path leads directly through a section of the nearby forest.

Along the way here I have actually encountered more life in the form of scurrying wildlife, than of fellow greenway travelers. For a short while I even forget where I’m at because the only real signs of civilization in sight is the very path I’m traveling on.

Eventually, a little ways ahead a short wooden fence has been established to help guide the way. Small touches like this are probably unnecessary, but overall are a nice addition to the greenways I think.

Not too far ahead there is a clearing.

Then, I begin to notice the first signs of a playground area.

And it turns out to be a familiar place, indeed. I have reached Brown-Robertson Park (which I had visited and wrote about long before having traveled along the greenway.)

The greenway path continues along the side of the park, with the play areas and basketball court off to the right. Occasionally, I have observed a game being played as I zip on by riding my bike.

But soon enough I’ll have to slow down and stop briefly, as another road crossing is coming up. This is the crossing of 10th Street SW and is a relatively heavy traveled road.

It’s usually around this spot that I rest for a few minutes before crossing the street and continuing on my way. I believe this is roughly around the halfway point of the greenway.

So, I’ll stop here for now and pick back up next time. There is still probably 2 more parts left in this series including the culmination of being able to safely cross over I-581/Route 220 while looking down at the cars speeding past below.

Very cool, and worth the journey I think. We’ll work our way towards the end in Exploring Roanoke - Lick Run Greenway (Part 4).

Well, I had written what I thought was a respectable follow-up to the outcome of the election with my thoughts on the entire matter, including my political beliefs to support the way I voted. Yesterday afternoon I was one click away from posting, but then I got to thinking. I ended up scrapping it, which I’ll briefly explain below.

Firstly, as I wrote about on Tuesday morning, I made a point to wake up earlier than normal and register my vote before work. At that time the line was fairly lengthy stretching outside the school, and the entire process took me about an hour. But, I was convinced that after work during those final couple hours the line would be even longer.

Well, the curiousity got the best of me so after leaving work I decided to do a drive-by at my voting precinct, which is Virginia Heights Elementary School. Much to my surprise I saw no line outside the building and even the parking lot was only about half-full. I probably could’ve walked in and out in under 5 minutes!

Oh well. I’ll have to remember that in 2 and 4 years.

Yesterday, I had written several paragraphs essentially outlying my political beliefs and ultimately showing why I voted the way I did. I’m not sure why because I don’t particularly care to talk about politics, it’s just not a major focus of my life. I do my own research and make my own decision and that’s enough for me.

But I admit, I became passionate amongst all the hoopla in regards to the election and was anxious to put in my 2 cents. But, I got to thinking…

I don’t particularly like politics being shoved down my throat, and I wasn’t about to do just that and by using this site as a medium.

I established this site to write about Roanoke and my experiences living in this quaintly unique city. I’d just assume keep in that way, because I much prefer writing about that stuff, and hopefully you much prefer reading it.

On that note, I’ll update again tomorrow with a new post on Lick Run Greenway. Next week, I hope to update with some pictures of the changing season in the Roanoke area.

As always, thanks for reading.

I live in the Virginia Heights area and my precinct is Virginia Heights Elementary School.

So, I set the trusty alarm for about 5:15AM, awoke a bit groggy, and set out to do my duty as an American citizen.

I arrived at the voting location around 6:10AM and already the parking lot (which is rather small anyways) was full. And there was a line of a few dozen people outside the door wrapped around a side of the school on the sidewalk. I parallel parked along the street and took my place in line.

The temperature is pretty mild today so the wait outside wasn’t uncomfortable. But there was just the ever so slightest bit of mist falling. Nothing too bad.

Almost an hour later at around 7:10AM I was proudly displaying an “I Voted” sticker while walking back to my car.

I will say that, though the line was long, it did move relatively steady and things seemed to be going as smoothly as could be expected. The election day workers were especially courteous and friendly and kept things moving along as best they could.

I suppose I could’ve just as easily voted early or absentee, but there’s just something neat about getting out there and punching the button in person.

So, early reports seem to confirm that there is overall going to be a very high turnout for the election, indeed.

How was your experience in getting out there to vote today?

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!

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.

This is Part 2 in an Exploring Roanoke series that covers the current (as of Summer 2008) entire 3 1/2 miles of Lick Run Greenway. The path runs from the Historic Gainsboro sign on the East end of Wells Avenue (near the large water fountain), all the way out to the Valley View area at the 4700 block of Valley View Blvd (near Best Buy).

(For a general introduction to the greenway system in Roanoke, you may want to first visit a previous post.)

Distance: approx. 1/4 mile

I know the temperatures outside have certainly dropped off in recent days, so the greenways around Roanoke may not be used as much as during the Spring and Summer months. But, I’ve already started the journey in exploring this path and I might as well keep going.

You ready?

Last time, in Part 1, we stopped just at the main intersection along Route 460/Orange Avenue which must be crossed in order to continue on the way. First, we need to cross Gainsboro Road.

Then turn to the right, and look ahead across the street to see the section of the greenway path pick back up.

Looking across Orange Avenue.

This requires crossing of Orange Avenue which is fairly busy just about anytime of the day. I just wait for the signals and then hurry my way across.

Upon reaching the other side it’s a good idea to maintain all of the momentum you can because there is a rather steep incline ahead. The path goes up and then over the left as you make your way to the top. Burrell Street is to the right.

Don’t worry, when you do reach the top the path for the most part levels out. At this point we are in the vicinity of the Booker T Washington Park Pool.

Still winded from peddling up the hill I usually coast through this section as much as possible. There is another relatively minor road crossing ahead, I believe it’s Carver Avenue.

After crossing I hear a loud roar coming from overhead. And upon looking up I see an airplane making its way to Roanoke’s own quaint little airport.

The plane helps to remind me that we are traveling in that direction. After a little further ahead the path leads through a series of wooded and rather secluded sections. But first, the path follows along the edge of the woods on the side of a large field.

There is a school in the background and as I go further along the hustle and bustle of traffic from cars on Orange Avenue gets less and less.

Shortly past the next bend the path seems to disappear temporarily amongst the trees, as the greenway does lead right in the middle of the woods.

Look scary? Well, I’ve actually seen more animals (squirrels, rabbits, and even deer) than people along this section and most of the greenway. In fact, I had to clamp down on the bike brakes to avoid hitting a squirrel one-time. That was a first for me when riding a bike!

On that note, I’ll stop here for a moment and pick back up next time in Exploring Roanoke - Lick Run Greenway (Part 3).

When I was growing up I remember being told this time of year as being one of the best times of the year to catch a cold or otherwise get sick. At least according to mom.

Especially a day like yesterday, when the temperature approaches the 70s and above and it seems warm enough to get by without a jacket. “This is Fall and those are just the times when you can open your body to sickness!” mom used to say.

Well, I broke the rules yesterday and went out in short-sleeves, and I’ll have to wait and see how my immune system fares. But, nonetheless, after the better part of Saturday was rather rain-soaked, the second half of the weekend in Roanoke was near optimal for various outdoor activities.

Yesterday, I had business to attend to that required travel up the mountain along Catawba Valley Road some 30 miles from Roanoke. I only wish I had remembered to bring my camera along for the journey, because the color changing of the leaves on the mountain in the distance was nothing short of remarkable.

The way each leaf was probably just slightly out of sync with the others in the transformation of color, but from a distance and looking on how it all seems to come together like nature’s own masaic masterpiece.

(Note to self: bring your camera next time and let the photos speak for themselves.)

Also along the way is a trailhead and parking lot for the Appalachian Trail. I don’t think I saw one open parking space out of the few dozen available.

Great day to just be outside or take a drive.

Perhaps someday to be incorporated into a personal memior, for now just ramblings about my life growing up and living in Roanoke, VA. 

All during high school at Cave Spring I did just about everything I could that was opposite of someone who had intentions of going to college. I had never taken SATs, or even PSATs. I didn’t make particularly good grades and ended up on the lower half of the class rank with around a solid C average. And most notably, I never applied to any schools. I did just enough to get by, without much care in looking ahead to the future.

In the back of my mind I had always intended to go to college. My dad had gone to Virginia Tech so it was understood I would probably end up there. But, as I found out quickly, college applications don’t fill themselves out and there was already a fair amount of competition for those with B and higher averages. The combination of my C’s and not taking the SATs just left me out cold even as a longshot.

My parents divorced around this time and I continued to live with mom in the house where I grew up, over in Southwest Roanoke County. I became a workaholic that summer. The work and the idea of being productive became my escape from some of the troubles and frustrations I was facing. Somehow I found solace in keeping busy. To this day that is still true about me.

I continued to work at Taco Bell after high school and when I turned 18 that summer I was promoted to shift manager. Which after a few short weeks I determined was only just slightly more glamorous of a position than a regular taco maker. I worked a combination of hours at the restaurant on Route 220/Franklin Road (near Walmart) and the restaurant that used to be at the upper floor food court in Tanglewood Mall for those of you that remember.

I was predominently a “closer” which simply meant I came in sometime in the late afternoon or early evening and worked until the restaurant closed. Then, I would have to count the money from the cash register drawers and see that all of the food was put away and areas clean.

This was back when that Walmart nearby on Route 220 was open 24 hours. After closing at the “Bell” it was pretty common for myself and another worker or two to go over there and do a little shopping, and a lot of hanging out into the early hours of the morning sometimes.

On balance, I didn’t dislike the job other than when looking back now I was practically working for peanuts! But, whenever I look back at the situation and those parts of my life it all seems relative. I thought I was doing well.

And, for all intensive purposes I was doing OK. Making money and living in a place where the bills that arrive aren’t addressed to you provides an amazing sense of naive freedom. It wasn’t until years later that I thanked mom for allowing me to stay there for those months after high school. At the time I felt like it was all owed to me. But, I was 18, a legal adult, and it sure as heck wasn’t. I still had some growing up to do.

Another several months would pass until I really got my act together and started down a path that would eventually lead to degrees from Virginia Western and Radford University.

But, those are stories for other posts. Thanks for reading.