As promised...

This is the photo of Florabella's window. Seen in a reflection on the windows across the street.
Hard to tell from this photo, but I'm hoping that it will pique your interests and you might just take a trip downtown instead of to the sterile mall.
Intrigued?
211 First Street SW,
Roanoke, VA 24011


(decidedly NOT a paid advertisement, just a reminder of what exists downtown and no where else...)

Heartbreaking News

Ruby has passed.



Story here.



Thats a big space in the heart of Roanoke left vacant now..

Late thinking...

I know this comes months after the election, and late all around, but a thought just occurred to me.



For the City? or F the City?

What do WW1 and WW2 have in common?

This ship. Commisioned 10/17/1916.. this ship cruised the Atlantic as the flagship, and then the Pacific as part of several battleship divisions..



Then she met 1,700+ lbs. of Japanese steel.. a bomb tore through one of her ammunition magazines, and destroyed the ship.



The USS Arizona sits in 40 feet of water, and holds the graves of 1,177 crew members...



A rallying cry at the time, a reminder now.







Dignity, and most of all.. something that we seem to have very little of these days... Honor.

LOCAL WEATHER ALERT!!

Light snow will fall late this afternoon...



Areas of light snow... reducing visibilities to mile at

times... will fall late this afternoon. The heaviest snow will fall

between 4:30 and 6 PM... but accumulations will be less than inch

and that will occur mainly in grassy areas. After 6 PM... off and

on show showers will be seen.



Motorists should use caution during the evening commute... as slick

spots may develop especially on bridges... overpasses and elevated

roadways.



Roanoke-Found will be on scene with a camera should any white stuff begin falling..



more to follow...

Withholding information

I'm in the midst of a quandary... I want to post, a serious hard-core post railing against the way the city operates, the political nonsense they engage in, the absolute stupidity of hiring as a consultant someone who resigned in basic disgrace from the VMT, so many things...



But the holidays are in the air, and my hearts not in it just yet. I'm still waiting for that one story that will push me over the edge, but I'm finding it hard to have that red streak run up my spine... what with the chill in the air (too much at 6am, but still...), the lights, the trees, the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers..



And the windows of Florabella down on First St. True Christmas windows.. here in Roanoke. Something you won't get at the mall, or anywhere else short of 5th Ave. in Manhattan, although somehow better..



Photos will follow shortly - as soon as I drag them off my camera.

A seasonal re-run

Thanks to Pope Telesphorus, for ordering this ditty sung at every Christmas mass, and Pope Symmachus (they just don't make names like that anymore) for bringing this into the conscious mind of the faithful. And, like most viral marketing ploys, it spread from there.

Gloria in excélsis Deo

Et in terra pax homínibus bonae voluntátis.

Laudámus te.

Benedícimus te.

Adorámus te.

Glorificámus te.

Grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuam,

Dómine Deus, Rex cæléstis, Deus Pater omnípotens.

Dómine Fili unigénite, Jesu Christe.

Dómine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris.

Qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis.

Qui tollis peccáta mundi, súscipe deprecatiónem nostram.

Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris, miserére nobis.

Quóniam tu solus Sanctus.

Tu solus Dóminus,

Tu solus Altíssimus, Jesu Christe,

Cum Sancto Spíritu in glória Dei Patris. Amen.

Ok, your all looking at me funny again.



No, I don't know Latin, but wikipedia does - thankfully. And the reason that we all know this Latin bulldozer of a song?

Angels we have heard on high


Sweetly singing o’er the plains,


And the mountains in reply


Echoing their joyous strains.

Refrain

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!


Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?


Why your joyous strains prolong?


What the gladsome tidings be


Which inspire your heavenly song?

It takes a quiet strength to properly belt out the refrain.. one which most reserve for special times, like Christmas..



And yes, I did post Angels we have heard on High around this time last year.. consider this the blogging equivalent of A Charlie Brown Christmas.

One day, you'll thank me for this...

Oh great geek master - what have you to say now?



Well, to be completely boring - I was reading through the agenda for the next City Council meeting (yes, someone actually does that - and I'm ashamed to say it's me) when I came across an interesting "Item recommended for action."



It's #4 on the list, should you care to read along (it's a .pdf):



(ahem) Amendment of the City Code to provide for the partial real estate tax exemption for new structures within redevelopment, rehabilitation, and conservation districts.



Excited yet?



How about asking this one small question: Is not the very definition of rehabilitation, and conservation the diametric opposite of New Structures?



I thought the point was to get folks to a) take care of, 2) remodel, and/or X=protect the existing old, and yes - historical, housing stock?



Keep your eyes open on this one folks, it feels greasy... like a palm.

Theres nothing to do here.. or is there?

Allegedly, Roanoke is a dead and dying city. Now granted, on some levels that is undeniable - but on multiple other more important levels, it is vital and alive.

A city can only be what it's citizens want it to be. And Stuart Mease, who has the unenviable task of working out a way to retain and attract the hot young prospects of the future (while I remind him occasionally about us sweaty blue collar folks who also have money to spend) has come up with a way to highlight Roanoke itself.

Enjoy.

Been asked to let you know

Chef K is back posting at his old location.. which I will have nothing to do with. He made me sign a paper to that effect.



He has a review of Martin's downtown, some news on the empty storefront that was formerly NokeTown, and some ramblings..



Check it out..

Dead body in the river: Take 2

This just in off the wire:



Roanoke City Police make arrest in the murder of Karen Elkins. Elkins' body was found in the Roanoke River back in October. The murderer is one Aaron P. Gray, 29 of Roanoke.



Police still have no comment on how she was killed, but a search warrant might give some clues. The warrant states that guns and shells were sought-items in police searches.



Our sources confirm the earlier statements they made, and align with the search warrant details. Although really the warrant should be reworded to read SINGLE shell, SINGLE gun.



Draw your own conclusions - 1 gun, 1 bullet, 1 dead body.



Kudos to the Roanoke PD for catching another miscreant and murderer.

Accusations and puppydogs

I'd like a moment here to respond to a recent comment.



In response to the posting of Pot, Kettle - Kettle, Pot. One anonymous reader had this to say: " You complain endlessly and uselessly and do nothing to ease what you see as negative in Roanoke.



Until you do something other than sit and mumble half-cocked opinions online, shut the hell up."



This is not the first time I have encountered such a comment, but normally I just choose to ignore them.



Obviously this person is an occasional reader of the blog, and not any time when I publish a piece on the Mill Mountain Zoo, events in Roanoke (ie. Dickens of a Christmas), or rail against the City Council for a better quality of life, representation.



And perhaps this person is not of the "speak up, act up, rise up" kind - but I am. When I bitch and moan about something - there is a point to it. I am terribly sorry if it does not come across clearly all the time - there are times when the passion overtakes the reason and I myself have quashed certain posts.



But this "endless and useless complaining" is not without end, and it is certainly not without use.



Many of the locally born and raised people I know have adopted an attitude of a hostage of the City of Roanoke. Roanoke will never be as good as this place, nor as important as that place. Roanoke will never change, and Roanoke is dying. The county is better than the city. City schools suck. The taxes are too high. You can't get a decent paycheck in Roanoke. NW/SE/SW/Williamson Rd: is the ghetto.



If that attitude is one of progress and change, then call me delusional - because I have never seen this model work for the good of anything.



The squeaky wheel gets the grease, right? The squeaky wheel is drowned out by the whining brakes around here. Why bother trying if things aren't going to go your way anyway?



I don't know if this is a regional thing, a local thing, or a street by street kinda thing - but the attitude is prevalent. And it is damaging the city.



The city council does what it wants, when it wants because we - the people allow it. We gripe, we moan, we whine - but we stop short of actually doing anything about it.



This must change, this needs to change. And as they say, let change begin with me.



So in that spirit, from now on - whenever I have a negative post about something to do with the City - I will follow it up with a cute photo of a puppy dog to soothe and calm, and prevent anyone from thinking or doing anything that might change things.









Goodnight

Today is speeshal

Today marks two years since the wedding of Mr. Forgotten-Roanoke and Ms. Roanoke Photos...



in observance of todays speeshulness, this is most likely the only post you get.



Enjoy the quiet.

Pot, Kettle - Kettle, Pot.

"One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know."- G. Marx

Well, now that we can safely put the 'Additional 6 inches we weren't expecting' weather report behind us, time to move onto (or back to) some timely news.



News Flash: Local Democratic Leaders and City Council Members slated to form new powerhouse law firm; Dewey, Cheatem, Howe, PLC/PAC/WAC/WKRP (Cincinnati only)



Boy, when the city banded together to vote this past election, I don't think anyone could have predicted the outcome would have far reaching implications. I mean not that the votes recorded favored saving Victory Stadium when counted across all canidates - not just the blocks VS. Trinkle, Mason, And Dowe. But que sera, sera - that is one for the history books. Another example of governmental illiteracy, in a place that needs no reminders. But no, even further reaching implications than that.



We are talking Excommunication here folks, and apparently - talking it seriously.



Now, far be it from me to tell a political party how to conduct business, but I thought excommunication was for the church only. I thought political parties either shunned those they wanted to oust, or 'whacked' em politically. In a town that thrives on rumor, I would think that one or two well placed rumors would be enough to destroy a politician's career, but considering the politics practiced here are in no way reflective of normal politics - I guess thats not enough. A public spectacle is whats called for.



Again, I feel the need to explain that Harris and Bev were backing a losing team from the start. In a race that hinged on a single issue, Victory Stadium, TMD (Trinkle, Mason, and Dowe) were for it's demolition. The Democratic candidates were against it, as well as 2/3rds of the voting population. But in a race with 3 sets of main contenders (Dem, Repub, Ind) and 2 truly independent canidates - thats a 5 way split for votes. Harris and Fitzpatrick, both on the City Council which wanted an end to the decades long Victory Stadium issue - and on their terms, were bound to support the candidacy of those who ran in favor of the city's unspoken plan.



In a nutshell, the self-serving politics that they practiced is exactly what came back to haunt them in the end. The same politics they practiced as part of the Democratic Party.



And now, for whatever reason (perhaps to quash an internal power struggle featuring those two), the Democratic Party seeks to cast them out into the night - send them packing on the wave of a win by their candidates, the demolition of the stadium, and the psychological comfort given by both.



What does it really represent? A loss of funding when the elections come around, the loss of ground troops to work the yard-sign drives and mail campaigns. But there is still the darker side, as we come into a new election cycle. The possibility that in a town that runs on rumors, the mayor and fmr. vice-mayor might be in for a rough ride come this election - when they find themselves orphans in the darkness, no spin machine to help stem the backwash of public opinion when the party they used to be part of turns its hooks on them.



This could be an interesting watch... but its amazing how things can come back to you when you least expect them.

Reminded by TV (Arrrgghhhh!)

Watching the new Charlie Brown (and the old one) tonight, I had some issues with the new one - nothing major, but then a single word came to mind that explained it all for me.



Marcie's newfound freedom in expressing some interest in Chuck, and her enjoyment of torturing Peppermint Patty. Charlie Brown won something.



Well, it might not seem like much to you - but in the world of Charles Shultz's Peanuts, it's a whole lot. But think about it: A nearly 50 year old franchise, steeped in tradition and warm memories of people everywhere making a seemingly small change to a formula that has always worked.





Then it struck me - Context.



In today's age, simple classic stories like the Charlie Brown Christmas special are held in a glass box on the mantle - taken down only on very special occasions - looked at, and then put back up on the shelf.



But in order to keep an entire new generation of viewers interested, you keep the old formula going strong - but slip in a new touch or two. Nothing major - your not killing off a character here - but you are adding a touch that the newer viewers are accustomed to seeing. Context.



Reminded me of something I have been thinking about lately - the whole issue of context. And how that fits into life in Roanoke.



Roanoke is a place out of Context.



Numbers here are taken out of context, as shown by the yearly article "Having to go out of town for shopping". They claim a population of 94,000 according to the last census. Well, sure - according to that, and if you limit the draw of a store to the city limits. But let's not forget, Roanoke is a draw from all 4 points on the compass, which expands it's potential draw numbers amazingly.



I would go so far as to guess Roanoke sits perfectly poised to take advantage of a potential 1.5 million people - but that's just me. I think in radius, not census.



Politics is taken out of context also, as evidenced by the City Manager government we have, the fact that we cannot register to vote AND a political party (ie. registered republican, registered democrat) for the purposes of primaries, and the fact that now there is talk of removing the labels altogether from elections. This is being talked about as a way to "unite" rather than divide along political lines. Truth of the matter is, without the context of total involvement in the process - removing the labels is another way of pushing people further outside the process. It might not seem like much, but it is.





And it all comes down to context. Politics within the context of life, life within the context of a community, a community within the context of a city, and so on...



But Roanoke has decided at some point that it wishes to form its own context for things. Like Victory Stadium, the Downtown area, and even the Airport.



The base concept for all these things seems to be "make do with what you have." We have an airport, and it's pretty good - but we don't want to talk about it getting bigger or more popular, so we tend to steer conversations away from it, with the exception of the occasional rumble of rumor.



For ages Victory Stadium was debated, studied, and beaten with a dead horse. But rather than act, it was easier to continue the status quo. And when someone finally decided to do something about it - even that took ages to accomplish. The problem of Victory Stadium was minimal within the context of the problems of Roanoke as a whole.



We still are living through the revitalization of downtown, and if things continue the way they are going - our grandkids might be as well. But the problem of Downtown Roanoke is highly important in the context of Roanoke as a whole.



And the problem of Roanoke as a whole is highly important within the context of the entire Roanoke Valley, and all of Southwestern Virginia.



It's the first place most businesspeople see when they come to scout an area, the initial impression of what Southwest Virginia is all about. And Roanoke shines like tarnished silver.



You know it could be better with a little effort and attention. But the attitude of "make do with what you have" prevails, and rather than striving to become the beacon that our Star is, we plod along - dimly gleaming in the darkness.



We could have had a vibrant downtown, with tons of opportunities - living, recreational, arts, and community - if the whole concept of downtown events had not been shoved off on one semi-committed group. If the city had allowed the residents more of a say in what events they wanted, or perhaps even allowed the citizenry to organize it's own events (without the assistance of that certain group), but instead - within the context of Roanoke, downtown events are welcomed with a flat underwhelming feeling, and much talk of "it could have been better..."



Roanoke continues to be the "Home of Missed Opportunities" because it's attempt at creating it's own context have put it out of sync with the rest of the state, nation, and world.



But what have you, status quo makes for a great retirement community, until someone puts out the wrong colored flowers. Then the seniors revolt. And yes, it can be that simply put.



Once again, I ask you - the citizenry of Roanoke to help me make the Star City shine again. Show them what this town is capable of, not what it's making do with.

Minneapolis, not Constantinople

Of the 7 sister cities Roanoke has, the one city that could be it's twin is not among them.



Case in point (via Lileks' The Bleat): "I didn’t grow up here, so I have no opinion. But I do know that
the tail-end of the streetcar era was not the finest moment in Mpls
history. The town had become tired, sooty and tumble-down. They razed most of it before it fell on its own, and that’s a
pity; if they could have propped it up for 15 years and rehabbed it,
downtown would be a different place. But wrecking balls and sleek
featureless skyscrapers had an erotic appeal to the technocrats, so out
with the flophouses and bum-bars, and in with a phlanx of noble,
logical, rational towers. Or, in the case of Minneapolis, a handful of
smaller buildings surrounded by acres of parking lots."



Much the same can be said of our dear Roanoke, and for comparison, I give you:







And











And yes, they even had trolleys too.



More posts to come.

For all you folks looking for the photo

it's gone. Like I said, 24 hours.

Now get over it, seriously.

From the BigLickReport.com

Thats not what I call stepping out of the shower. It does appear harmless though, and really not what I would consider a breach of contract. Actually, I know quite a few swarthy men who could use a breach like this.



No, I don't have the whole photo - and I don't want it. Unless he's wearing pants - then I will be really confused.



Thanks to the BigLickReport.com for the image.

Is it really that unexpected?

Jamey Singleton no longer part of Storm Team 10



BREAKING NEWS: WSLS management issued a statement saying that Singleton violated the morals clause of his contract.



Something to do with photographs distributed via e-mail, something about a video on a myspace page that doesn't exist anymore..



Rest assured, the full details will be known in short time - the weekend is upon us, and I am sure someone will give me details.



But maannnnn, Karen - if I were you, I'd send my resume over to DBJ right quick. SLS is collapsing around itself, and I know I would not want to be caught in the middle of it.

Building Empires

There's a time for explaining and a time for acting, and the iron is just beginning to warm, so I guess now would be a good time for explaining.



Where have I been as of late? Short answer, working. Long answer, not working nearly as much as I would like.



There is something about the fall that makes me want to grab a book and read obsessively, which is exactly what I did for the past few weeks - Gregory Maguire's Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, and Son of a Witch.



Interesting reads, both - he has a very different sense of Oz than the one most people are familiar with. If you have ever seen "Return to Oz", which is more aligned with the books, or read any of the series (yes, it was a series - not just a musical), then you'll immediately understand - but not grasp - the world of Maguire's Oz.



So that was that. I have also been bothering my poor keyboard with writings (some hinted at, and some not), stretching even the capabilities of OpenOffice to it's limits.



I have also been cross referencing and 'tagging' some of my archived historical works from Roanoke's past. Interestingly enough, I now believe I can pinpoint exactly when the city changed from a regular Mayor-led city to this bizzare City Manager/City Council polyglot we have - now I just need to find out why.



As the weather turns colder, well - more constantly cold anyway, and that most dreaded of all holidays (for some) arrives, I get electric. Expect more in the way of postings, podcasts, updates, and novelties than ever.



Oh, and the infamous ChefK of Roanoke has his old blog back again. I'm not sure how it happened, but somehow I wrested control away from him - but I signed a legally binding paper saying I would keep my hands off it. So go check in on him from time to time - please. Bad enough I have to work with him, much less get harassed on a daily basis about "how many hits do you have?" and "what, no post today Einstein?"



One step at a time, we are all building empires.

For all you Firefox users

Performancing is now working again with Blogger Beta, and this is the test post.



Just thought you should know.



If you don't use performancing, get with it - will you?

Electoral Diatribe

So I know, considering the last election cycle - especially the city elections, I was all gung-ho and loud-mouthed. This time, not so much.

If there is one thing I have learned in my years of following politics, its the simple fact that regardless of who is in power where - things really don't change much. It takes a heck of a lot to truly affect change in this country.

Perfect example, the Clinton administration. History will judge the legacy, but facts show that overall - the actual legislation and policies effected during the Clinton era were minimally effective. What was far more effective, and this will not be recorded in anything but popular psychology journals, was the mental factor of the age.

The Internet was riding high on a wave of investing, developing, and euphoria as it was taken with its own successes. The latest revolution in finances was something called "e-trading", which enabled people to act as their own brokers for the stock market. Never before had so many people realized so much money by producing nearly nothing.

It all looked great on paper. And those "on paper" figures are exactly what held the attention of the public. The real books were hidden along with the Enron books in some deep dark vault. And when they finally came to light - things were not so rosy, but still the optimistic attitude continued on, and while some people lost it all - many gained more. Enough to inflate every market - from homes and land, to internet real estate and domain names.

The mindset is more important than the deeds or words of any single politician.

What has changed this election? The mindset of America is polarized, for the moment. On one side you have those who worry, fret, and grumble about the situation in Iraq. On the other, you have those who realize there is little to do here for those serving other than support them, and attempt to make this a place they will be proud to come home to.

One side believes that day to day life is less important than the big picture, while the other believes the big picture is only realized through day to day life.

It's more an election of thought than of reason, as most are historically. No one has ever been elected on a platform of raising taxes - they have been, however, elected based on promises of more frequent garbage pick-ups, more officers patrolling the streets, better incentives for large businesses to move to the area. But the unspoken pot these things are all paid out of is taxes. Weather from you or a corporation, taxes foot the bill for all the public service things you and your neighbors desire.

Using Roanoke as an example, the real estate taxes on the HQ most likely could pay for 2 police officers to patrol for 2 days in a car. Combine the taxes paid by all the neighbors, and you might have enough to cover a murder investigation. The garbage collection for the entire street might be paid for by 4 houses, but the actual labor costs/fuel/upkeep cost probably another 2-3 houses worth of taxes. And I'm talking that yearly total taxes, not the quarterly amount.

That should be the crux of an election, but instead - we get distracted by the novel and salacious. The point is, we pay more attention to that stuff because that sets the tone for our attitudes about life. If someone gets elected, for example, that has no ties to public service other than marrying into the right family - but they are attractive and say the right things to make us think that everything is just as we want it.

But if someone comes from a solid background in service, but talks about the need for more money to fill the public coffers and provide the services needed to make a city run - it's dead certain that you lose.

So this election, it doesn't interest me. Besides - it's only a few years before the next one, when "OH NOES!!!" things may change yet again.

What I have my eye on is the local election cycle. The Overlord awaits.

Call me a sucker, but...

THE CIRCUS IS COMING!!!


THE CIRCUS IS COMING!!!


THE CIRCUS IS COMING!!

12/1-12/3 at the Civic Center. 4 shows. Most expensive tickets are $33 and directly on the floor.

From there, it's $26, $18, and $15 for the "nosebleed" seats.

YAY! IRRELEVANTS!

Roanoke, welcome to the information NOW age.

Amazing how one little concept, one giant companies abilities, and a host of links can equal up to the greatest revolution to hit Roanoke since the birth of the "One newspaper to rule them all."

I only wish I could take credit, but not me this time.

Credit LotzOThoughtz with the merging of form and function.

The idea?

Southwest Virginia Blog Search

Pick a topic, any topic - Mill Mountain for example, and search across blogs from exclusively the Southwestern Virginia area. What blogs? Nearly EVERY blog from the area, including mine (thank you very much), the blogs at WDBJ, and every other one Mr. Thoughtz was able to dig up.

Give it a try, or use it for research.

I endorse it!

Dirty Rats

Yep - you have all seen the news by now about Henry County Sheriff Cassell and his Dirty Dozen, not to mention the involved civilians.

One word for them - Scumbags.

Scumbags for betraying the public trust, for wasting taxpayers time and money, scumbags.

But in every group of scumbags, theres always the leader - the dirty rat. And to think the man who held the nation's eyes during the Jennifer Short investigation was the Dirty Rat of the tribe.

Elected, respected, and infected by corruption.

I hold no qualms about calling out a scumbag when I see one. And the Roanoke City PD, like every other PD on the face of the planet, has it's share.

I won't go into details because it's not worth it really. It's all circumstantial and petty anyway. But one bad experience with a cop is enough to taint the whole force.

I know there are a lot of honest, hard working, respectable cops - I have personally met quite a few of the absolute Finest Roanoke has to offer. But it only takes one dirty cop, one scumbag to set an entire population against the very people is looks to for protection.

Witness the NYPD, an organization I practically grew up in, and how badly they suffered during the "Serpico" years, and how they suffer still. A portion of the public is decidedly NOT supportive of them, and some are downright hostile.

I hope that the Roanoke PD can police itself better than the NYPD could back in the day... I sure know some Cops who have earned the respect of the citizens, at least this one.

It's Halloween

And theres more flakes in Roanoke than in December.

But I digress..

The reason for no Haunted Roanoke this year is simple - no time to investigate haunting sites when I'm knee deep in planning for 2007 - the Year of the Star.

To read the news today is to half-believe Halloween is nothing more than another Psychic Fair gone wild. Folks, there is very little different about this day than any other - haunting wise. The difference is that we are all a little more inclined to believe - which is not a bad thing.

But it's Halloween, so enjoy it.

Some good news today in the Kate Moss sized paper

Just thought I would point out some of the good in todays paper.

First off - more Greenways!

A letter to the editor in support of the Zoo, which is always nice to see.

And finally, it's called a block party - and people have been having them for generations, but it's nice to see someone have one here.

More later, as conditions warrant.

A little motivational help

For those of you who aren't sure what true success is, here's a little help. Courtesy of my basset.

Oh Noes!!!!

Roanoke makes Fark.com, again. And again for our silly Santa issue at Valley View.

How bad is it? Here's the headline: Last year, mall Santa was facing Victoria's Secret. This year, mall officials punish Santa, facing him towards Old Navy. Poor Santa - two months of screaming kids, and they take away his only pleasure

This cannot go well for us here in Roanoke, if you know anything about Fark. I just hope the servers at DBJ can take the hit.

HOWEVER, it does launch a new tag for me. The OH NOES tag..

Anytime anything "Fark-worthy" appears in the local news, you will find it labeled as OH NOES.

That's what happens inside a maze; the faster you go - the more entangled you become.

I am beginning to realize that the City of Roanoke, and all it encompasses is much like the house described in the book House of Leaves.

In the book, the house itself is 1/2 an inch larger on the inside than it is on the outside.

For example, if your house was 30x60 - and you went around and measured every inside wall, added them up - and came out with 30.25 x 60.25, but then went outside and measured - and came up with 30x60 even, you'd be a little suspicious.

Well, there's quite a bit to the city of Roanoke that makes one suspicious. But all in all, it's still a great place to live.

Just thought I would mention that as I realize that much like that house, the city itself is larger than you realize. I can tell you in all my stomping around this fair city of ours, taking photographs and poking around dusty corners - there are still parts of the city I have not even come close to exploring. And that even includes the downtown area.

I have yet to set foot in the old city cemetary, but am making arrangements to do so soon.

I extend this notion of it being larger than it seems to the new HQ of Forgotten-Roanoke.com.

Each time I think I have the area pretty well memorized, I notice something different. A former storefront now converted into a home here, a garage that was suited for carriages there..

Little things.

I'd like everyone to experience this with me, so I'm going to tell you about a program the City offers to potential residents, unlike anything I've heard of before.

It's called the MAP Program - or Mortgage Assistance Program. It's the city's way of helping you buy your first home, or your first home in a while.

As long as you are buying with the intent of living in, NOT renting, and meet certain criteria (which actually aren't all that hard to meet) - the City of Roanoke will give you down payment and closing costs for your home. How? Well, it's actually a loan - of up to $8,000, for nearly any home in the city (up to a certain high amount in price, I believe it was over $150k) to help with your downpayment and closing costs. A ten-year loan that assures them that if you try and flip the house (stupid idea anyway), they will get back the money they loaned you. But each year you live in the house, the city forgives 10% of it. Now, that sounds great, but there are hurdles.

First off, you have to find a real estate agent who knows something about the program. Very few do, even less understand it. Why? There are certain stipulations which have to be written into the contract because of the MAP program - especially if they are awaiting funding to clear.

2nd, and can be the biggest hurdle, lead paint assesment. By HUD standards, the city will only fund a home which has cleared a lead paint test. And by that I mean, "if the paint's chippin' - it must be lead" type thing.

They do this for 2 reasons. One, to protect any children who might be living in the house, and 2 - any children that might be visiting the house, playing outside the house - anywhere there might be chips of lead paint. Because we all know kids love the taste of... everything apparently.

So once you have your lead paint inspection, you'll most likely be told there is lead paint. Do not lose heart. Simple remediation is all it takes to clear the reinspection.

In our case, the garage still had it's original windows (as do most of the homes themselves in our area), and with the ancient paint peeling off behind storm windows, they could not properly test - so it must be lead paint. Oh yes, we were irked.

We worked out a deal with the home owners to come and take care of it ourselves, and we did just that. Slapped a new coat of scrub-paint on the ground floor windows, and ripped out the 2nd floor ones leaving the storm windows in place. No window, no paint. No problem - we passed the reinspection and closed on the home.

Now, as good as all this sounds - there is one other key factor to think about. Your mortgage.

I don't care who you are, or what you do - if you can qualify, go to the VHDA for your mortgage. As of right now, rates are at 5.625% on a 30 year. AND they have programs to help you out too.

But wait - there's more. Most banks have a VHDA authorized mortgage agent on staff, and if not - I can give you the name of one. Just contact me with any questions. Now, one thing you might want to ask about when you sit with the mortgage person is what they call "targeted zones." I had no idea what they were talking about, but boy was I thankful we happened to choose a home in a targeted zone.

Basically, if you choose to buy in a targeted zone, VHDA waves certain requirements - drops one full point off your interest rate, and gets rather excited about filling another house in an area that needs it.

To get the ball rolling on this, you can do one of 3 things. Contact a mortgage representative, like say.. Debbie Heath at First Citizens bank(540985-0271).. or a real estate agent who knows the MAP program.. (Liz Edlich - 540-353-1011), or call Angie Williamson at the MAP office - 853-5647

Tell them all Forgotten-Roanoke.com sent you.

The answer?

Hell if I know, but I like it anyway.


Scrybe


Allright, it's not public yet. But watch the video. And drool. Endlessly in anticipation.

Not so breaking news

Well, if you noticed - they released some more information on the dead woman in the river on Saturday. Name, age.. the rest.

They have still left out the one piece of information that, the one that makes this whole case interesting.

Gunshot wound to the head.

My sources tell me, anyway, that it was not a random place to put a bullet. This was not an accidental shooting, at any rate.

When the police report comes back, we will all know more.

Told you it was exciting.

Breaking news: It's not what you know, it's what you say.

Today's article on the Times is headlined "Passer-by finds woman's body in Roanoke River." Yesterday's breaking news.

Now, one would think that considering it's not all that often one finds a body in the river (at least not here) that you might want to release a bit more information than just that.

I mean, there's nothing in the article that says anything of substance.

But I know what they know and aren't saying yet. I have my sources just as they do. Well, should - as I don't truly know if they have any inside sources.

If nothing is released by Monday morning, I will have to scoop the newspaper/tv reporters and drop the bomb on this story.

And wouldn't that be sad, for a citizen to scoop the press.

Just don't call me Drudge.

City Council berates Housing Board

Interesting the past few days worth of news concerning the Housing Board, Bev Fitzpatrick, and the Roanoke Times.

Funny how the publisher of the Times is stepping down, right as the "all the news that doesn't offend" paper launches a massive attack.

But seriously, is there one person in Roanoke who actually believes the City Council's claims of "had we only known..." Makes me wonder if all this morning fog we have been having lately is natural.

And guess what, in any other city - NY/LA/Chi - any city anywhere, grant money is often given to things that seem unrelated to the grant itself. It's common practice for anti-drug monies to go to groups that put on anti-drug plays in schools. Yes, it's a bit unusual for HUD monies to go to that, but considering WHAT was done with the money - it's not that unusual. That money went to buy some equipment, and a play which was performed FOR those very (as the normally absent Mr. Wishneff put it) "our poorest population..."

Sometimes things are not always what they seem, and sometimes they are just that.

Do I believe Bev is guilty of anything - not without serious evidence. Look at Bev's history, and see that all his life has been spent on boards and in business' that would appear to have conflicts of interest. From what I've seen - Bev is a professional who knows how to keep the two seperate, unless theres a damn good reason to go ahead with it.

But nice to know our City Council allows a board IT appoints to operate with complete autonomy - so much so that they are just hearing of things from 3 years ago.

Sneak peek

This is a sneak peek at what's been going on behind the scenes here at Forgotten-Roanoke.com

Several times in my life I have started writing a story, only to lose interest midstream. Once or twice did I ever see it through to completion. This blog, and the website are the longest running active project I have ever taken part in.

But I have an idea thats been gnawing at me for over 2 years now. There's a play/screenplay roaming my head. Based here in Roanoke, the Roanoke of the recent past, and today. This is the first page.

Snowfall

A production from the minds of Forgotten-Roanoke.com

• Scene 1. Setting: Campbell and Market, Saturday December 28^th, 1985 7:45pm – still struggling to recover from the flood the previous month, downtown wears its stains with pride. Camera slowly pans the marketplace.

*Unseen male voice: “Nurse, why was I asked to leave the room, and whats going on in there?”

*Unseen female voice: “Sir, there were some serious complications with the delivery. Your wife lost a lot of blood. The child, pardon me – Your son, was trapped inside for a while.”

*man: “I.. I have a son? Is everything ok, is my wife alright?”

*nurse: “Yes, you have a son – and he seems to be alright. The doctor will be out in a little while to give you the full report.”

*man: “But... what about my wife, is she ok?”

*nurse: “The doctor will be able to answer that better than I can.”

*man: sharp exhalation

*Doctor: “Mr. Jahns, I'm sorry. Your wife did not survive the birth. Your son did. Although we need to run some tests. I can give you the full details in my office, or would you like to speak to the chaplain first?”

*man: “I want to know what happened.”

cut scene to vendor stalls down Market – man huddled on corner of Kirk and Market, sobbing quietly into his coat on the empty street. Flags rustle in the wind, as the man begins to walk to Williamson – stops to look up at the Star – aglow in white. For a moment, he hesitates, then begins his walk back to the hospital.

____________________________

Thats the first page.

Days off, days on, and days in between

Yeh - I got a day off today - so I've been working on a podcast for you all - and with any luck - I'll have it posted by tomorrow morning. I know its been a while.

Been a while for alot of things, but we are moving slowly back in that general direction.

Question, who did Bev Fitzpatrick piss off at the Times to garner this kind of "hard investigative reporting" from the newspaper with the unofficial motto of "offend no one"? And why Bev, when there are others in the Municipal Building with far far worse offenses?

Question, as noticed in the past few weeks with all these "Walks to cure ____" that have been happening around town, why is it you can walk to solve a problem - but not to the corner store for something? Maybe there would be more neighborhood grocers if you would.. just a thought. Not that I have any experience in micro-economy commernce. Nope.

Question, Paradox is now 202 Market, but not really. Paradox's main entrance is still on Campbell Ave. Is the 202 Market a ploy to "upscale" the place? And should we be worried about these secret new menus. Is Roanoke about to get priced out of the Market Area again?

Ok - enough questions. How about a little ol' "Behind the Scenes" moment here. I doubt very much any of you really paid attention when I talk about "secret projects" and such - but if you think back, I did mention one that would be up-coming this winter (with any luck). I will be releasing a sneak preview later today. It will be here, on the blog. Check back later this afternoon for more.

Just proof it COULD be worse

I might not like the design of the new Art Museum, but I am thankful I don't live in Denver (for many reasons).

This thing is downright dangerous.


In retrospect, I guess maybe our museum is not all that horrible. At least it's not as intrinsically dangerous.

Rails and Resources: Half dozen of the other...

Perhaps some of you read the story in today's business section of the Roanoke Times. An interesting look into some "behind the scenes" at the growth Norfolk Southern has made in the past few years, why and how.

The one resource missed by the article, one which can be easily shipped in double-stacked cars, the most obvious choice for rail transport.

Humans.

All through the Transportation Meeting at the Hotel Roanoke in the past few weeks, the Governor's speeches and all the rest - much has been made about intermodal rail transport in Virginia. But there was no reported mention of the TransDominion Express.

For those of you who did not hear, or have forgotten since the last time the major media players around here saw fit to mention the project, TransDominion Express started as the basic idea of brining high-speed commuter rail from Bristol to Washington, D.C. in the space of a day or less. And when the numbers were run, models showed the run could be made in 8 hours, provided rail traffic allowed.

This would require agreements from Norfolk Southern and CSX to get the slotted time on the rails. It would also require major funding from the state and federal levels - for the equipment and such. Most of all, it would require renovations to the rails themselves - an upgrade to be capable of handling high-speed commuter rail.

There is some momentum for this, but it is hidden behind the curtain of commercial rail. Not widely reported, other states are interested in moving ahead with the project and gaining rail service. Tennesse is very interested in having the TDX run through to Nashville - creating a regional rail service similar to Amtrak.


This is the projected, working model route map for the TDX.

Amtrak has not served Roanoke since the early 1980's. The Virginian was swallowed by Norfolk Western. For a town with not one, but TWO grand rail stations - it is a shame that there is no constant rail service. The TDX would give the entire region a boost. If you look at the map above - you'll see that Roanoke would be considered large enough a stop to be staffed full-time. Lynchburg also. Which means they consider Roanoke and Lynchburg to be major destinations along the line.

We all know the rebirth Lynchburg is undergoing, and we can see daily the changes here in Roanoke. We all want to succeed, and for the city to do well also. We have this new Art Museum going up right next to the tracks, we have a grand hotel right next to the tracks, we have a Visitor's Welcome Center/Dual Museum right ne.. no wait - that's the old station. Ok - well it's still right next to the tracks.

Communting from Roanoke to Lynchburg, or Lynchburg to Bedford, or a game-day trip to Charlottesville from Wytheville and back need not be a chore. Nor would it need to be a budget-buster. And for school field trips to the Nation's Capitol, what could be easier than a same day trip regardless of weather or traffic accidents.

Commerce between the cities would boom, people would have the option of going to see a play at the Mill Mountain Theatre, checking out a band at Cattle Annie's, or head to class at Radford - all by rail.

Building an ampitheatre in Roanoke would generate a ton more interest if college students could leave their cars (if they have one) at the campus and hitch a ride to the show. Plus, it would remove some of the concertgoers off the roads, easing congestion into and out of the parking lots.

Passenger rail would be a win-win for the entire service area. I have not even touched upon the gains both from and to the DC area, and Nashville. We are talking about a single act that would change the course of life here in the Commonwealth.

But it sits on the backburner till the next legislative session, or till the current "transportation crisis" is ended. Actually, short of public outcry - I don't forsee the TDX gaining any slice of the media pie for a long time. There is no drama in attemping to bring a service to people who actually want it. The drama is in making our roads look like deathtraps. Or our state legislators seem like corporate fatcats (which in some cases may be true) in the pocket of the rail shipping industry. But aside from "public opinion polls" and street interviews, where is the regular man being represented? The call for commuter rail has yet to reach the ears of the media, or the halls of the government.

Maybe it's time to make them hear it.

Use this simple form to find your state legislator, and hound them about the TDX. Ask the hard questions. Push for what you want. But think wisely, with the influx of people moving into the Southwestern Virginia area, how long will it be before traffic is a "New York Nightmare?"

And if you feel so inclined - give a few of the reporters over at the Times a buzz, and ask them why they are not asking the Government leaders about commuter rail in our area. Those numbers you can find easily - they are listed by each reporters name on every story they do.

Think about it, shouldn't a railtown like Roanoke have easily access to.. well, you know.. rail?

A mission

I haver a small mission for you all.

2 years ago there was a "Haunted Roanoke" tour being offered by Center in the Square. It was a bus ride around Roanoke on Halloween night, stopping at places like the City Cemetary.

The wife and I called to arrange a reservation on the tour, only to find out that it had been cancelled due to "lack of interest."

(540) 342-5700

Call them. This is exactly the kind of thing that makes a Halloween great (now that Im too old for Trick or Treating anyway.)

Coming next week, a post on Haunted Roanoke. A topic which I frequently mean to get back to, but rarely do.

Damn...

Allright folks, summer is officially dead and gone. When evening lows start hitting 35, and the words "wind chill" comes creeping back in the door - you know its over.

And of course, it also means the return of the "Ick."

The Ick was roaming around last year - making people ill, but not ill enough for weeks on end. Perhaps you had it? Perhaps you just knew people who did. Allready I am seeing signs of the Icks resurgence.

Possibly even in myself.

I was lucky - and generally am when it comes to viral illnesses, they rarely affect me. I had no Ick. I generally tend to be sick for 28 hours, not including 10 hours of sleep - then perfect again, back to my old perky self.

I'm not feeling so perky.... So keep me in your thoughts, pray I don't have the Ick - that it's just a regular bug. I can lose a day of work, but I cannot tolerate weeks of ill humor.

Besides - if Im off for a day (imagine that!) I just might be able to get something done around here.

Ladies and Gentlemen, there will be a slight delay...

Yep, but we are getting closer to being normal again. Hopefully by next week there will be a podcast once again. HOWEVER, the one problem that I am having as of late - being as busy as I am, I look to the newspaper to give me the day's local stories. And there have been none.

Suprisingly, this little note seems to go without much consideration:

ROANOKE, VA - Centex Construction will close Norfolk Avenue, SE
(between 3rd Street, SE and Market Street) at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 23,
until May 2008 to allow for the construction of the art museum.

I signed up for the MyRoanoke e-mail service, Im sure someone at the times did as well. I would like to know who did the studies, the surveys, and allowed a city-owned and maintained road to be closed for such a long time. Nevermind there is more than enough traffic on it as a one-lane road, closing it will reroute all that traffic to Salem Ave, which - Oh, also goes infront of the construction site - and has been closed a few times for the construction.

As I said, Im not calling shenanigans on this (not yet anyway), but I have a feeling most people would be curious to know HOW a street can be closed for such a long period - and who allows it. More importantly though, the big WHY.

Well - off once again to do my thing.. passing right by that construction site.

If you have not been down to see the site, you should - in a nutshell, it's not nearly as big as you thought it would be.

Promissory Note

I, the writer; owe you, the reader; the following:

1 - decent post on something interesting.
4- rambling posts about seemingly nothing.
1 - podcast (new sponsor has been signed, Pole Shoppe)
1 - perfectly viable and user friendly site design.

I cannot promise anything spectacular in the next few days. Maybe I'll have something decent for you on Sunday. In the meantime - everyone out for the Market Harvest Festival tomorrow.. and Sunday for the Latino festival.

What does this mean? Fall is here, and its time for some good warm filling food, cozy nights with the family - and warm jackets. Jackets? Oh yes folks - this means the reappearance of the Forgotten-Roanoke.com jacket! You Too can easily spot your humble webmaster/overlord in my travels all over this town as I will be wearing the Forgotten-Roanoke.com jacket once again.

Last time it was public was a limited engagement back when the Lonesome Dove was torn down. Yes, it's been that long.

So keep your eyes peeled for the Forgotten-Roanoke.com jacket - or the handy Forgotten-Roanoke.com Bag which the wife models attractively. We always like meeting the public, and I enjoy it twice as much when your not trying to attack me for something I've said.

So there you go - weekends here, enjoy the nice cool weather and watch the trees. It's time.

800*

On the 800th post, a reflection.

No matter how interesting or important I find what I and my fellow Roanoke-based bloggers may write, no matter how thought-provoking and earth shaking I think my writings are - there's always better out there.

This is the time that I can give a few rounds of applause for those who inspired me in my hobby/obsession.

Lilek's The Bleat. M-F observations on.. well, just about anything that flares up in the life of a sort-of middle-aged writer.

IMAO. Frank J originally was alone in this, but since has added some of the finest voices in comedo-political-sociopathic blogging.

Kevin Walsh's Forgotten-NY.com - the inspiration for the seemingly hiatused Forgotten-Roanoke.com.. which is not truly on hiatus, Im just unhappy with the site design and interactivity.

Rhett over at RoanokeFire.com - my co-conspirator on organizing the scene for blogging (and social revolution, regardless of what he says) here in the 'Noke.

But the real reason I post this list is to highlight one blogger in particular. One which came quite unexpectedly to my attention.

There are quite alot of avenues that blogging can take, from the personal to the professional - the political to the paid advertisements. Blogging is mostly about sharing, information and revelations, but sometimes - there's one that blows you away with it's depth.

This is it. It has not been around very long, and is limited in scope, but remains one of the best written blogs I have ever read. Few people can write about any topic with such depth and emotion, and I am humbled.

So this is the 800th post, with an *. The * is for the fact it is not a true Roanoke post, that will come later.

Thanks to all my readers, with any luck the site will be back to full strength in a matter of weeks, the blog will carry on it's mission, and the Star City will shine once again.

1 Post away from another milestone

Can you imagine, it's been over a year now (first post on this version of the blog was 3/16/05) and Im on the verge of writing my 800th post?

But all that aside, I was unable to get to the city council meeting at 2pm today to stand up and speak up for the Mill Mountain Zoo. If anyone reading was there, please let me know how it went. I'm sure there will be more opportunities for public discourse in the future. However, that does not take the impetus off the public, to band together and support the Zoo.

In other news, Chef K informes me there are some interesting rumblings downtown - what with all the closings of late. He will have more on that later in the week, when his (and my week) in hell quiets down a bit.

We are in the process of lining up a sponser for the Fall/Winter season of Podcasts, and gearing up for the top secret project slated for a December release.

Interesting news today about the regional study on an ampitheatre. So the area is capable of handling one with a capacity of 7,000. I think we are better than that. Sure, maybe 7,000 right now - but consider how many people the Greek festival attracted. How many does Floyd Fest attract yearly?

I think the area can easily handle a 20,000 capacity ampitheatre, provided Roanoke has the sense to use the ampitheatre in a responsible and viable way.

Thats right, the city would have the onus upon them to actually step up and find uses for the ampitheatre. Graduations, ceremonies, live stage productions (a la "in the round" style theatre), movies... multiple use facilities.

Any ideas? Comments? Hit me back with something..

Awaiting word of the Zoo's fate...

Is there another Regency Room in Roanoke?

Remember in the last post I told you how I would pass along some of the reports ONLY if they served the public interest, if there was something that I felt the public needed to know?

Well apparently, that sparked someone's interest. I received an e-mail which I understand has bounced and bounced around this fair city. In certain channels anyway.
It just reveals a darker side of City Ha.. Municipal Building politics, and that maybe those of you who voted for change, voted for the MTD ticket, might have been played for suckers.

I will not reprint the entire text here, just a few lines.

From the e-mail: "Mayor Nelson Harris informed Democratic City Chair C W**d that the group he leads who backed the successful "Independent Democrat" ticket in the recent City Council election is going to "take control of this Party." "We won, and we're going to run things," was his explicit message, angrily delivered. "

"State Party Chair Cranwell put the brakes on the "movement," making clear that the duly elected City Committee and local Party officers could not and would not be removed simply because some people, including many who didn't even attend the reorganizational meeting last December where there votes would have produced a different outcome, were unhappy with the results of the election. He told them basically that, if you want to have control, you have to participate."

"Chair C W**d asserted that the Wednesday meeting had been a "set up" for her, since she was the only person associated with the losing slate of Democratic Council nominees who was invited to the meeting, whereupon in the presence of several people L replied that no, the meeting was instead a set-up for Nelson Harris, who had made a fool of himself. Everyone knew that was very disingenuous, since L is the one who for weeks has been contacting leaders of the Independent movement one-by-one seeking to find out what it would take to get those folks active in regular Democratic Party affairs, and the answer he uniformly got was, "First, you'll have to get rid of your Chair, C W**d.""

Behind the scenes, and reported straight. Unlike some of the other individuals who have also received this e-mail.

Perhaps we should prepare a coronation ceremony for Mayor cum Emperor Harris, or perhaps we should just ignore it as more politics. Make up your own mind.

The OTHER Roanoke Rumor Mill

There's been some interesting rumblings coming across the desk here at the HQ. My little ears have been overhearing some interesting things lately.

Some information concerning current members of the city council and their "questionable ethics" far more concerning than the public currently knows about.

Information concerning the biggest newspaper in SW Virginia's unspoken policy, and why there is such a lack of local news in the paper itself.

Some information concerning the head of a certain bank here, and why he doesn't even bank on his bank.

Oh yes, the information keeps flowing in. And only those items of absolute public interest and need will be unleashed. Most of the information just makes the persons involved look slightly worse than they are. Or in certain cases, slightly more insane.

Suffice it to say this much: This town is not what you think it is, it is not corrupt - on a city level. That being said, many of our "leaders" are either corruptable or corrupted, some by their own hand. This is to be expected, it's politics - after all.

But there are some acts which border on illegal, and due to lack of viable evidence - well, some people are just lucky like that.

Putting it mildly, there is a whole lot of bad karma downtown - and thanks to some "blind eyes", true career suicide has been averted.

For now.

As I said though, unless it's some bit of information so vital - I will not be releasing anything, but realize - I hear almost everything.

Update: Signal the all clear

The foot is fine, thanks for asking. Thanks to the dilligent work of my wife, mother-in-law, and the fine folks over at Starkey Medical - life is peachy again. Although I have come to the hard realization that my size 10's aren't anymore. Thats right folks, one of fates crulest tricks is that there are certain things which keep growing as you get older: your nose, ears, and feet.

So it's time to shuck the soles of old and hunt down some size 11's.. I only had 4 pair to begin with..

Anyway, I bet alot of you are wondering whats been going on around here.. it's been quiet. Eerily quiet.

Well just because you don't see anything does not mean nothing is happening. I do apologize for the lack of updates to the main website, but understand this. The amount of information I have obtained recently, along with the move to a very historic area combine to present me with some challenges. Mostly putting together and accurate timeline and map of the person/place/things that history has forgotten.

Not to mention the side issue of making this information presentable and available, with a software program that is no longer supported (but is based on the same open-source model as firefox), the limitations of free hosting, the availability of offsite file hosting (a great help in keeping the MB useage down), and the day to day business of planning and conducting a coup of common-sense.

But there is a far more important issue right now. I would ask that everyone who can (and few of you cannot) to head to this link at the Mill Mountain Zoo website.

Breaking news on Roanoke.com: "The Mill Mountain Zoo was given a year-long extension on its accreditation request to fix a series of on-going problems involving its finances and exhibits, according to a panel from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums...

The three core issues are improving the zoo’s financial stability, making exhibit improvements and facility upgrades such as building a new quarantine and health center, and addressing low staffing levels."

This is important. We need the Zoo. And seriously, is $15 bucks too much? Too little I'd say. I'm a member, as is the entire organization here at the HQ. Its an investment Roanoke can not afford to make.

I'll have more to say.. I always do.

And on the right side of the aircraft..

Thats right, take a look over to your right. You'll see a new badge which links to the only live FREE chatroom for Roanoke.

In an effort to keep this as interactive as possible, and provide the readers with a novel experience - I launch the Roanoke, Va chatroom.

no registration, no fees.. just a freewheeling chatroom.. you might see me in there, you might not.

Worth a try no?

Killing them with kindness

This post relates directly to the Roanoke Times article which can be found here.

The homeless situation in downtown Roanoke is unique to this area. Many years ago, the city was faced with a serious problem. The homeless squatters in the derelict downtown area. They were harassing the public, urinating in the streets, loitering and littering. The usual problems, then things got bad. The Hotel Earle. 8/21/91 - a homeless man decided the front doors of the hotel would make a great place to set up a lean-to and took up residence there. In what he considered the kitchen (actually the portico between the front doors and inner doors), he caused a fire - which promptly shot through the then 82-year old structure. The hulk burned for hours, injured 3 firefighters, and wasted several thousand gallons of water.

The City has had numerous chances to act on the homeless issue, there was once a vote in the city council to decide to remove the homeless from the entire market area, or turn a blind eye and allow them to stay. The council voted to allow them the freedom to move about the market as they saw fit, provided they were not too aggressive in the panhandling. This was in the years before Downtown Roanoke, Inc. and at a time when downtown was dying a slow and painful death.

Of course, hindsight is always 20/20 - but consider that with the advent of DRI - the City has all but handed control of the Market area to them, and virtually walked away from any issues that arose.

And now, 15 years after the Hotel Earle fire, it is a shame that Downtown Roanoke, Inc. feels the need to hold a workshop on dealing with the homeless for local business owners - while the city removes some benches and calls it a day.

The burden of ownership of the entire city falls squarely on the shoulders of the City council, not on any single group. The City claims to have a vested interest in revitalizing the Downtown area, yet no thought appears to be given to the very laws which prevent panhandling and solicitation, loitering and littering - which could easily be altered and amended to place severe restrictions on those doing so in the Market area. Sometimes zone enforecement means zone restrictions - and downtown Roanoke should absolutely be an area in which the rules are a bit tighter, and a bit more enforced. Everything from litter to sidewalk access - which means No, Wertz cannot BLOCK the entire sidewalk on Sunday's for the limited tables they might serve outdoors.

I spend many a Sunday downtown, and given how Wertz is set on the vendor-side of the street - it is damn near impossible for anyone, handicapped or not to navigate the vendor area properly. It is a major violation of several federal rules, not to mention the very trust of the public in keeping it's sidewalks clear for pedestrian traffic.

Quality of life is one of the things that makes Roanoke great - and that includes the homeless. They have better access to services here than anyplace else I have been. A medical clinic is not uncommon in most cities, but a dental clinic is nearly unheard of. The homeless have access to 3 square meals a day, a bed and a shower moreso here than anyplace else they might land. They have groups which are willing to go to bat for them.

I have good, solid information that Wanda is homeless by choice. She has been offered something none of us would be - an apartment, with utilities paid for and food stamps - along with other attractive amenities - at no cost to her. She refused, preferring the freedom of her life on the streets. To which I say fine, that is her choice and we live in a country which allows such a choice - however, this is a big town - and she need not haunt the market area endlessly. Aside from the safety hazard she represents, with bags in tow blocking curb space or benches - a trip and fall lawsuit if I have ever heard of one; she also represents what downtown used to be. If she took up residence infront of Trio, Metro, or Wertz - how fast do you think she would be moved? Perhaps she can find a nice nook when the Art Museum opens on Salem, across from the former Hotel Earle.

I do not wish to excommunicate this woman from Roanoke totally, I just feel there is a better place for her - provided she is willing to give something in return.

I say, if the homeless wish to remain in the market area- offer them a simple job, sweeping the street - working in an information booth (for those so suited) - even washing windows for the local businesses. Let them earn their keep if they want to stay there, give them a wage so they need not beg and if any choose not to take part in the program, then they must leave the market area itself.

It's a choice we have to make at some point.

Drop it like a towel?

New podcast

Update: My Other Left Foot

Doc says "Should have gone to the ER"

Nurse rinses and cleans wounds.

Doc says "Oh, well those don't look so bad after all."

sad... just sad

mourn for my sock and shoe

Just a helpful hint, and some news.

Always make sure your mower blade stays safely within the deck itself.

I'm fine, all 5 toes still. Just some minor scrapes and nicks.. but it could have been worse.

Oh, and never accept a mower from a neighbor, no matter how well intentioned, that he has not personally used on his lawn.

And here I was going to podcast for you all today.

Ahh well, photos of the shoe will be forthcoming.

Re-awakened

Sorry for the unscheduled naptime folks, but there are things which take precedence over griping about politics. But now that I have the time again..

Our newly-selected Vice Mayor Mr. David "Fork in the Spoon" Trinkle has something to say. And I'm not sure how this is playing over at Cit.. sorry, Municipal Building.

But what bothers me the most about it is this. He is trying to set the record straight on progress in the city, but in doing so - makes the city look even more short-sighted and unsure of itself than ever.

There are an awful lot of "if"s and unspoken maybes. Sounds like Victory Stadium might be the only major public project to get accomplished this year or next.

School construction not withstanding, but realistically - the funds being used for the renovation of Patrick Henry and William Fleming could have gone to build a 3rd new highschool, and spruce up the 2 old ones.

I don't get it though - but I guess when you have a city council that is not on the clock for the city 24/7, it's hard to focus on priorities. Hard to know whats going on in every sector of the city, especially with the information being filtered through a middle-man (D. Burcham) it's all too easy to just wait for the next report...

This is not to say there is no value to Mr. Trinkle's words, some of his points are interesting - but there is still one major MAJOR issue not being discussed. The boosting of the local tax base..

That one I would like to hear. And all I get is silence.

Anyone feeling a little Nero?

Our own Roanoke City Council, represented at the press conference by Gwen and Nelson, have decided that the city should invest more in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Insert joke here.

Actually, this is not an idea that I am totally against. Back in NY, most of the public transit busses are now CNG powered. No real difference in ride or style - reliability runs about the same from what I could tell. I wonder if Valley Metro's next fleet upgrade might be to CNG power? Wouldn't be the worst idea.

That being said, this Greenhouse gas issue, as dubious as the science may be - is hardly important enough to make a huge difference in the lives of Roanoke's citizens.

But meanwhile, in another Roanoke....

Roanoke Rapids, NC - Six months before it is set to open, the Carolina Crossroads complex already is affecting the economy of Roanoke Rapids.

Construction on the nearly $22 million project is creating about 3,000 jobs. Once the complex is running, 3,100 jobs are expected.

Crews have completed the structure of the Randy Parton Theater, which will anchor the musical entertainment development, and are now working on exterior finishes and the interior.

The theater will reflect Parton's talent for design, from the layout of the 1,200-seat auditorium to lighting and sound to a mechanical stage, said Bill Corey, superintendent of the project for J.S. Clark Construction Co.

"Entertainers get on it, then come up to the stage level," he said.

Roanoke Rapids is financing construction of the Randy Parton Theater -- it's the first private project in North Carolina funded with taxpayer money. Parton will make lease payments to the city of about $500,000 a year until the theater is paid off.
_________________________________________________

THAT my friends is something to crow about in a press conference. And yes, it is just off I-95, the coastal version of I-81, only with more bad drivers (and yes, it is possible).

They have the drive, the vision, and the intellegence to build such a thing. The imagination to realize its value to the community, and the bravery to go ahead with a bold plan.

But hey, were going to fight greenhouse gasses!

Is that a fiddle I hear?

just found this - 30 min unreleased footage from 500 yards away

Watch it, volume up.

one last thing

the final post on 9/11

(there was an image here, but Tripod decided it was being seen to much. Full shot of lower manhattan, towers burning. firetruck on brooklyn bridge heading towards the towers.)

That small truck on the bridge there. Thats Ladder 118, rushing towards the Twin Towers on 9/11. This is the last photo of Ladder 118 in action.

Not one FireFighter on 118 made it home. All hands down. Joseph Agnello, Vernon Cherry, Scott Davidson, Robert Regan, Leon Smith Jr. and Peter Vega.

6 mortal men, determined to do what they can.

If you remember one thing, one single thing about 9/11 - let it be this. Those mortal men, heading for the mouth of hell, and ascending as angels.

Monday September 11th, 2006

We are awake. Alive. Eyes wide open.
We remember everything.
With pride, honor, dignity, respect
We thank the selfless



2,752 total. 1/2 of which there are no remains for, just the dust that these brave rescuers inhaled endlessly for weeks, which is now killing them - like a 2nd attack.

not much to say, but much to see.

unimportant

They are just civil servants right? They have to work just the same as everyone else right? Thats what the general feeling around Roanoke seems to be. Sure, you know they have to fight fires, but who are they to be more important than anyone else?

Well, imagine this was the Wachovia Tower:



On fire, after an attack. People, by the dozens, breaking windows and throwing themselves out to escape the flames. Everyone heading for the emergency exits. 21 floors tall, parking capability of over 700 - probably talking about over 600 employees in the tower.

Now imagine the ground floors look something like this:

Everyone's trying to get out, except this guy.
Cops, Firefighers, EMS... they were all in those two buildings, just as they would be here.

343 FDNY Firefighters
23 NYPD Officers
37 Port Authority PD Officers


Maybe it's time we showed our appreciation for the work the Roanoke Fire/EMS and Police Departments do for us?

They might not be perfect, but damned if you'll find one single department anywhere that is.

They need our support, they need higher pay for the dangerous work they do, and they need better support from City Hall, and much less politics so they can do the job they are supposed to do.

Maybe it's time to start asking where DO our tax dollars go, if not to retain Roanoke's Bravest and Roanoke's Finest?

Tonight, 7pm at the City Market building.
Come show your support for those who keep us alive.

Show them your grateful.

NY Daily News Editorial on 9/10/01

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com September 10, 2001 - The world we lost forever

Sunday, September 10th, 2006

Five years ago today, Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, recorded by the chronicles as the final day in the life of a world that used to be and is no more:

On the eve of mayoral primaries, after eight years of Rudy Giuliani, a long-shot outsider named Michael Bloomberg appears to be picking up momentum with voters. The Yankees announce a new sports channel called YES. Israel is readying for another no doubt pointless round of truce talks with PLO chief Yasser Arafat. Education-minded President Bush is heading to Florida to read to schoolkids.

Five years ago today: We are not being searched in the subways. We are unalarmed by the sight of valises left on streetcorners. We are not asked to remove our shoes at airport security gates.

Our young men and women are not being blown up daily by roadside bombs in a land far away.

And 2,749 people who work at the World Trade Center or plan to be on airplanes in the morning go safely to their beds, for the last time.

Today, Sept. 10, 2006, these five years along, we remember that world that used to be as a dim and distant place. We were comfortable in that world, most of us; we were confident. "The morning coffee was still cooling," the Daily News wrote two days later, "when our grandest illusion was shattered."

TRIPLE ATTACKS ROCK THE NATION

DEBRIS AND DEATH ENVELOP DOWNTOWN

U.S. SET TO STRIKE BACK

"One day," said The News, "we will think back on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, and remember in crystal detail what we were doing when the first plane crashed into the north tower at 8:45 a.m.

"And we will be amazed that we didn't think it possible before."

Now we are not so naive. Now the unthinkable is always with us, every moment of our lives. We have learned bitterly that pure malevolence roams much of the planet. And for that, we are a wiser and tougher people - and a people both unified and fractured.

Our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters, our mothers and fathers, they have gone to war now, to an epic clash of civilizations, to a battleground upon which is fought the future. Bravely they go, in the service of the higher ideal, volunteers all. We hail them. We mourn them.

But we have been humbled, and we know that. From an initially jubilant moment of payback in Afghanistan, we are increasingly grieved by one misstep and bumble and embarrassment after another. Our leaders too often frustrate us. Osama Bin Laden is still at large. There is no "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq, far from peacefully settled. The sacred Ground Zero remains a wretched hole, with signs of progress only beginning there. It cannot be said that these have always been the most chest-thumpingly proud five years America has ever known.

It is true that, five years on, there has not been another attack on U.S. soil, and this is not entirely blind luck. Official vigilance has kept the wolves away. The NYPD in particular has done a terrific job. Still, Congress serves up anti-terror funding like so much pork. Video cameras are few and far between in the subways. Our ports are dangerously unpoliced. Border security is a national joke.

And we squander our energies in noisy debates over civil liberties, both those of enemy combatants and those of Americans. Some recoil more at the very idea of offending a captive terrorist's dignity - how perfectly awful of us - than at the prospect of an American city in a heap of smoking cinders. And, minds buried in the olden times before there was popularly known to be such a thing as Islamofascism, before it was understood that medieval barbarians intend to remake all the world as their own golden caliphate, some refuse to recognize that intrusions upon their own personal rights have, in fact, been quite minimal - and that, if and when the gangsters do succeed in striking again, government intrusions will become all the sterner.

If and when. If and when. It was only a few weeks ago that a fleet of bomb-laden jets might well have flown in from Britain.

One day, perhaps, we will look back upon a second 9/11 and remember in crystal detail what we were doing.

And we will be amazed that we allowed it to happen - for we knew full well what kind of new world it was that we were living in, after the old world was stolen from us, the world that still existed five years ago today.

14 dirty words (or 1 word 14 times)

thats the offensive number of times the offensive word FUCK was used by FDNY and the NYPD during the REAL TIME events of 9/11.

Those who have a problem with seeing people in the face of extreme situations using harsh language like that have obviously nothing better to do than sit and bemoan the fact they had to hear something they did not want to hear.

Pardon me, I did not ask to SEE the attacks on 9/11. I did not ask to hear the dead silence of an entire city save only for the sounds of the sirens.

It offended me deeply that someone else decided that I must live through these events, by causing these events.

But the truth of the matter is - when faced with the vast destruction and endless roll of names - there really is only one word.

Fuck.

So to the American Family Association, and those quasi-religious nutballs who I hear talking about the coarse language and images from 9/11 - and how they don't feel the need to be exposed to such things.. Well - not like they are going to be reading my blog anyway..

Fuck off.