901 and counting.

It's been 901 posts since I first started this venture, which I would call a benchmark. At times I have wandered the past, and the path which stems from it. I took time out for personal matters (the BST chronicles), championed unpopular ideas (the fight against the Art Museum comes to mind) and reported on the loss of historic sites. I have taken up the gauntlet of 'selling Roanoke'. Or, to be honest - selling the HELL out of Roanoke.

But to be honest and forward about everything - I know I am off course. I have stepped away from the focus on the past, the historic aspect which used to rule the blog - and walked deep into the battle for the future of Roanoke. Understand this: I left New York City for all the right reasons, the same reasons we all move - a better life, a better home - boundless opportunity.

Yes, you heard me right. Boundless opportunity. From the first moment I laid eyes on Roanoke I knew this place offered things that even big ol' Noo Yawk Sitee could not. Sometimes it takes the eyes of an outsider to see things like that.

In all this time I have struggled with the lack of comments, the lack of engagement among the hundred or so readers I have daily. Oh, I hear word from plenty of you... some I hear about directly, and some as 2nd hand reports as to who knows about the blog and my positions on things. It's those that I find interesting. The ones who have the ability to actually direct change can't even post an anonymous comment to encourage discussion amongst the populous.

I do get the occasional comment anon - usually something benign and easy. Today, someone left me some flame bait. In reference to my post titled 'Whose Valley?', I received this lovely missive: "Chances are, if you need to take the damn bus to get up there, you won't be spending anything anyway. " (emphasis added)

I could debate that point endlessly - backed up with fact, statistics, and opinions. Suffice it to say that not everyone who rides the bus is poor, sometimes it's just a good method of saving a dime or two. But let's take that at face value: someone was so offended by the very concept of my championing the use of Mill Mountain by all citizens - they were moved to leave a comment. Granted, it's not a good comment - it's base and smacks of class warfare - but thats the purpose of flame bait. It's to goad the author into a pointless argument. But it's something.

If there is one thing I hope to do is spawn conversation. I recently had opportunity to give a guided photograph tour of old Roanoke to a 20 year resident who had not the slightest idea of the history of the very downtown they have worked in, up to and including the 20 years they lived here.

I also gained some insight into the neighborhood she has lived in since moving here. It's a two-way street. The city is undertaking a massive project for it's 125th anniversary - recording the memories and stories of any resident who wishes to take part. They are encouraging the use of photographs and other 'props' in the storytelling.

There is still much to be gained by looking back at the past, and still a ton of hope for the future. But we all need to connect, become part of the 'problem' (he said with irony). The last election proved one thing to all of us - we need to become more organized - or the next city council will be 100% "For the(our) City". I am not asking you as a democrat, a republican, or an independent - I am asking you as a citizen of Roanoke.

Stop for a moment, and think about the city. Is this how you imagined it would be? And what do you think this will lead to in the future?

Look no further than the shell of the Art Museum, whose overhangs cover nearly half of Salem Avenue. And because they are sloped as they are, when the skin is added to the shell - I do not want to think about what Salem Avenue will be like after a snowfall, or worse. The simple act of decision-making has ramifications that some people would not like you to consider.

But this is the 21st century, and perhaps it's time to start working in OUR interests, not MY interests. If not, I fear South Roanoke will overrun the city, and the hardworking residents who keep the city going will be looking elsewhere for opportunity.

We are still strong, and on the razor's edge between a successful future and one which is troubled - and the decision lies in the hands of each and every person in Roanoke. Dangerous prospect, I know - but the truth.

As we press on with our mission here, I would like to invite all of you to take part. Through community effort the City Market was saved and revived, and through the same effort - the entire city can be the true Magic City once again.

Welcome to post 902

An interesting read for your weekend....

I recently stumbled across a site called Cyburbia.org - which seems to be a meeting place for Urban and Town planners. They have a really interesting forum, along with articles that almost anyone could understand.



Roanoke is even mentioned a several times, a few of those being the now-infamous "best places to live" lists. Not directly mentioned on the lists, but referred to in a positive light.



This thread about a city in slightly worse shape than Roanoke - but on par in terms of population problems and such, is fascinating - especially the comments. The city in question is Cheektowaga, NY - a suburb (if one can call it that) of Buffalo, NY.



Reading through comments like "Western New York is generally built upon polarization; a perfect
example is Rochester vs. Buffalo. People are so bent on competing
against each other (especially in Albany) that no one will ever win
because every step forward is a step back at the same time," strikes me as reminiscent of Roanoke.



But one line stands out, taken out of context but within the larger topic of making Roanoke attractive and 'cool'. "There is no "there" there."



Big picture.. you want to go out and have some fun, maybe a drink and some food - maybe see a band play. Do you go there? Where is there? We don't have a "there."



We have a section of town that used to be 'there'. (As in "I'll meet you there." where both parties know where there is.) Now we have the mall, the area around the mall, the downtown (which is deeply lacking in basic services), and the place where we go to buy food.



Thats Roanoke in a nutshell. Ignoring the mountain, the zoo and the rest. Ignore what we know we have, but tend not to use - and focus on what we need and would use, but do not have.



Anyway, it's an interesting read.

Your weekend WOW... maybe

Scene - a Valley Metro bus



Players: a middle aged dad and a middle-teens daughter, making light conversation when the daughter turns to the father...



daughter: "Does 'just' start with a G or a J?"



dad: "What?" (noise of bus interfered with hearing)



daughter: "Does 'just' start with a G or a J?" (in all sincerity)



Dad: "J"







The daughter was easily 15 or so.. dad in his mid-50's. Dad, for his part kept calling Tanglewood Crossroads.



The circle of life...?

Whose Valley?

Keep your eyes on Valley Forward folks.. I smell another Art Museum in the making here..



I wonder, once they open membership - if the new members do not like the idea of the Inn, will they drop it? Or is the will of the upwardly mobile South Roanokers more important than the will of the people?



Oh wait, we already have the art museum..



Anyway - I invite anyone associated with Valley Forward to leave me a comment, or send me an e-mail (the address is not exactly hidden lately). Again, I'm not against the idea of something on Mill Mountain - but I'm not convinced a small upscale niche hotel is the way to go. That word 'upscale' has take this valley like wildfire, leaving the working people out in the cold.



And if the city council signs on to this without qualm or question - well, just remember - we are coming into an election year again. I've seen quite a few political suicides already from the city council, and the year has just begun.



Valley Forward? Could be.... if it's everyones valley.

Evolution calling.

Sometimes wisdom comes from the most unusual or unlikely of places. Case in point, a thread on Fark.com which uses a series of webpages documenting the abandoned environs of East St. Louis to launch a discussion. I had a friend once from there, and he would tell of the streets with 2 houses and 30 empty lots reclaimed by nature.



Now Fark.com is not exactly the Oppenheimer Think Tank that the first paragraph makes it sound like. The normal headlines run from the informative breaking news to the downright strange. Example: Man points gun-looking cordless drill at officer. Officer shoots gun-looking gun at man.



But being that Fark is open for anyone to comment (after registration and mandatory waiting period), it can be an interesting read. One little nugget stuck out in the comments of the thread above.



only way to fix the plight of the cities is to simply go back. " - smackem81



Followed a few comments later by this, from QuailhuntingwithCheney: "In alot of areas this is starting to happen. The young profesionals can't afford the exorbant housing costs, and don't want to live way out in the 'burbs, spending three hours a day in traffic isn't worth it. Plus as an added bonus mass transit is actually usable in most major metros.



Several people I know have bought houses in "bad parts of town" and are remodeling them to their liking, it's cheaper than a brand new cookie cutter home.And the houses are great, really ornate and have been standing over 100 years. I'd like to see how many of today's shoddily built houses will stand that long."





The technical name is Gentrification.. Gentrification, or more specifically urban gentrification, is a process in which low-cost, physically deteriorated neighborhoods experience physical renovation and an increase in property values, along with an influx of increasingly wealthier residents who typically displace the prior residents. (via Wikipedia)



And to that I would like to add the following if: IF there are prior residents.



Sections of Old Southwest, West End, Southeast, and other places around Roanoke have a multitude of empty lots with stairs. They also, Southeast and Old Southwest/West End especially, have a problem with historic houses vacant for a generation and rotten to the foundation. Think of the houses towards the far end of Elm/Patterson/Rorer to the west, and Church/Tazwell/Stuart to the east. Overlooking downtown itself are some of the best arguments for gentrification - but gentrification is dependent upon investment. And investment comes at a price.



This process, however, has it's faults. Having seen some of the gentrification which is still ongoing in New York City, I can tell you firsthand that gentrification usually begins with a single house, and ends with utter defeat. Defeat of the local population which struggled to live and work in the area they could afford. As the local houses are remodeled, remanufactured, and revitalized - the home values go up. Property taxes go up. And the neighborhood in which they lived suddenly becomes too expensive for them to afford.



It is not always a win-win situation. However, there is a way I believe that you can have gentrification without the high cost.



Valley Forward has put forth a proposal to rebuild Rockledge on Mill Mountain again. A full business proposal, waiting for an investor. It's an idea not without it's merits, but it speaks to one word: upscale.



We all want. The very nature of humanity is to want better, want more. More being defined by ones own wants and needs. What the young urban/urbane professional needs to recognize is that they are decidedly NOT what makes a city run. The blue collar workers, the labor jobs, the ones who work for someone else truly make a city what it is. The Young Professionals just fund it. For all it's money and importance, Manhattan could still be crippled by a garbage strike - the plumbers will always charge high rates because they do what most cannot. The very things that make New York City important are all serviced by working class stiffs.



Upscale only appeals to a certain sector of the population, and at this fragile moment in Roanoke's evolution - upscale is the last thing it should be worried about. This "community gentrification" needs some serious forward thinkers - those who are not afraid to try something new.



Why not a multiple layer property tax? This way, if you have been in a home for X number of years, you will not be taxed out of your community. Your taxes will still rise, but not at the same rate as a just-flipped home which sells for twice your assessed value. Historic tax credits for rebuilding a home (like some of those on Elm, or Jamison) to original stock, small city-backed loans for minor house repair and improvement, provided it falls within certain guidelines. An overhaul of the Architectural Review Board, and citywide implementation of "suggestions."(from the public)



Perhaps even to the point of "job-lot" purchasing by the city itself, for resale at a discounted rate to homeowners. Similar to the Habitat store. And rather than just arbitrarily demolish a home in poor repair - allow certified contractors to pick it over and salvage whatever possible for use in other homes and projects. There are numerous examples of homes in absolute abandon which still have architectural pieces in workable condition. Black Dog is a nice company, but not everyone can afford a tri-panel stained glass window to replace the one in the attic which is ruined, but is the same piece. The city could salvage them on it's own, and then turn and sell them to the public - at a small profit.



One of the things which makes gentrification work for everyone in the community is the city itself being involved in the process. We all know the City Council cannot see big picture, but what many don't realize is how often they cannot see the little one either. The most ambitious and important document in the past 10 years is the Vision 2001-2020 plan, of which precious little has been acted on. Looking at the 2006 report of what HAS been done, the only notable change enacted was the new zoning regulations. Everything else is from years past, and only 1/10th what could have been achieved.



Perhaps Valley Forward should commit its capabilities more towards rebuilding Roanoke as a whole, instead of the novelties. It's all well and good to have a amphitheater, but you need to have people to both staff and fill it. With the drastic declines in housing opportunities (ie. anything new is over 200k, anything old is either more expensive or in undesirable shape/neighborhood) the target audience for these changes will be more transient than rooted.



Again, I'm not against the idea of Rockledge being rebuilt - I'm just questioning the importance of it. Again, ask yourself - is the picture an 8x10, or wallet sized?



note: the view from the proposed Rockledge would be of South Roanoke, Old Southwest, and Downtown - a nice view, just don't have high powered telescopes for the public to use. They might get a glimpse of "certain" areas.

Not much better

This is almost as bad as a straight out ice storm. Rain, cold cold rain.. and we are waiting for the freezing rain like the plague.



I've had enough of this, if only I had thought to install a weather control device here at the F-R HQ high on a hilltop above Roanoke. But noooo.. it was still in BETA testing, and they were not offering open invites.



Sheeeesh.



I solemnly swear that once I get my invite to Weathr2.0 I'll do what I can to make this better...

Ahh crud.

Ice storm warning includes Roanoke, New River valleys



phoo.. not happy at all.

Open Call

Once again, I am putting forth an open call for anyone interested in blogging the news and information for Southeast Roanoke...



seroanoke.blogspot.com



If you live or work in Southeast Roanoke, contact me at the address given on the blog, and let me know if you are interested in writing for it. I am looking for folks who are willing to share news, events, information, and stories about Southeast as it makes it's comeback.



Thanks

roanokecelebrates.com

So the city has put together a URL linked to a page under the City Manager's site on Roanokegov.com about it's 125th Anniversary.

RoanokeCelebrates.com

It contains a list of all the activities planned to mark 125 years of Roanoke.
This is the list, in full.

125th Anniversary Celebration Calendar of Events
February 3, 2007 — Proclamation of the City's 125th Anniversary made by City Council
A commemoration of the City of Roanoke's 125th anniversary celebration in the Jefferson Center Atrium Hall and announcement of the March 31, 2007 kick-off event and other activities and events throughout the year.

March 31, 2007 — 125th Anniversary Kick-off Event
The event will include some of the following: a procession from Hotel Roanoke to the Roanoke Civic Center; an opening ceremony in the coliseum; exhibits in the new exhibit hall; family fun activities in the old exhibit hall.

April 2007 — America's Anniversary Gardens
Coordination with Parks & Recreation and garden club organizations for special landscaping to create America's Anniversary Garden at the main corridors, plazas, and thoroughfares of the City during 2007.

July 4th Fireworks
Recognition of the city's 125th anniversary and the 400th anniversary of Jamestown during the fireworks celebration at River's Edge.

July 27-29 — Antique Road Show
Antique and Collectible Appraisal Fair with Gordon Converse.

September 11-12, 2007 — Building New Partnerships Conference
Small and Minority Business Symposium

September 14-16 — Spirit in September
Music Extravaganza & Choral Exhibition at the Roanoke Civic Center.

October 4-7, 2007 — Roanoke Arts Festival
The first annual Roanoke Arts Festival will be held at various venues throughout the city. This four day extravaganza will incorporate all components of the performing arts, including the symphony, theatre, ballet and opera.

October 2007 — "Renovate Roanoke"
Preserving and renovating old buildings. This event will include hands-on workshops, speakers, research resources from the Virginia Room, etc. Committee of city staff and community leaders has been formed to plan the project.

December 24, 2007 — Finale Event/Reception at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
The Hotel Roanoke will celebrate its 125th Anniversary by hosting a reception for citizens early afternoon. The hotel will feature their nationally renowned Christmas trees, an antique Santa Claus, chamber music and hors d'oeuvres during the event.


Thats the entire list, everything the city has planned to make this year special. All I can say is, I'm sorry. I was hoping for something a little more lively and fun, perhaps even grander in scale - but once again, I overthink things too much. I guess 125 years is not really worthy of much community celebrating, but a choral exhibition.. wow.

Oh, and lets not bypass the parade on March 31st, which will go by in the blink of an eye as it only takes me 8 minutes to walk from the HRCC to the Civic Center - obviously a parade for the masses.

I propose a year filled with neighborhood block parties, special contests for decorating your house in it's original garb (the F-R HQ dates from 1925, and I am often curious what it looked like back then.), themed parties downtown on the streets, and special vendors on the market who make it look and feel like it did 100 or so years ago.

And let's not forget good ol' Fire Station #1, which also turns 100 this year.

But no, an antiques road show is much more important... much.

Your weekend Wow

Last weekend it was the Friday Night Dance Party, this weekend - I give you what can only be described as the... well, I'm not even sure how to describe it.

In reference to the vote to extend drinking hours on city property for events and such - 3 council members voted for, 4 against. (Mind you, it would enable you to buy alcohol til' midnight at city events.. oooh.)

(from the article)The four members who formed the prevailing majority included the two ministers on the council, Mayor Nelson Harris and Sherman Lea, as well as Alfred Dowe, who talks about his religious convictions often, and Gwen Mason.

Alright, so we can all guess why Harris and Lea voted as they did. Fine, stick to your guns guys - that'll work. Alfred Dowe? Meh - does it really matter his reason? The Carlton Banks of the City Council attempts to stay relevant.




But no, the real stunner in all this "mommy dearest" voting is Mommy herself: Gwen Mason.


I'm going to leave you with Mommy's quote on this whole matter. No comment from me.

Mason said she voted against the request because she believes 10 p.m. is late enough for drinks to be served at such events at city facilities.

"If you haven't finished drinking by 10 p.m., you don't need to do any more of it ... probably time to go home," she wrote this week. "From a public safety standpoint, it was the more prudent choice."

Enjoy the weekend.

Open Call

Attention citizens of Southeast Roanoke and Garden City - your neighbors need you!



We are looking for individuals who would like to contribute to a collective blog about Southeast Roanoke.



You can see the test base here: seroanoke.blogspot.com



We want news, information, reports, and all manners of stuff. We will be posting SE meeting information, minutes, and like subjects.



Contact us at forgotten.roanoke-AT-gmail.com if you are interested. Or leave a comment on the Southeast Rising blog.



Thank you for your attention.

Some interesting numbers

On the topic of the City Market area, and such - the idea of mobile vendors has been brought up a few times. Some numbers for New York City's vendor program, and what it brings in - plus the article that the numbers are derived from:



In City Parks

$5.1 million: Money raised for the city's general fund from food vending licenses in the parks.

$300,000: Cost of bid to operate a hot dog vending cart in Central Park near the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

$600: Minimum bid for a food cart in city parks.

$500: Minimum bid for a food cart 10 years ago.

$2: Parks Department-regulated cost of a hot dog.

$2: Parks Department-regulated cost of a pretzel.

$1.25: Parks Department-regulated cost of a 12-ounce soda.

50 cents: Regulated cost of a bag of potato chips.



Outside City Parks

3,000: Number of annual street vending permits for food issued by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

1,000: Number of summer permits available.

$200: Permit cost for processing food cart.

$74: Cost to license non-cooking food cart.

$50: Cost for food vending operator's license for two years

$1: Average cost of a hot dog outside city parks.

50 cents: Cost of hot dog plus bun and all the fixings to many vendors.



The article can be found here: Hot Dog Stands are Multimillion Dollar Business (via WCBSTV.com CBS2NY)

Stupid Question

If the city can plow the pathways and walkways of Elmwood Park without problem, and dig out the Railside Amphitheatre with ease, then why can't they at least get a sand truck to my street?



Or anyone else's street for that matter?



I guess we should be happy though - the main roads were clear (for the most part). But if the side roads were too - ahh, there I go dreaming again.



Oh, and it looks like next Monday and Tuesday we're in for more of the same... Me thinks the city better examine it's policy for dealing with such situations.

finetune'd

Something new, Finetune.com - you can see the player just to the right there - under the little used lingr.com link..



now you too can laugh at my musical tastes like so many have before. Yes, apparently all music made after 1998 sucks. Judging by my playlist, anyway.

myretailroanoke part 2

Well, if nothing else - it's a fun way to see where your tastes lie in comparison to those around you.



Currently there are 632 registered users, listing 265 retailers (some conceptual - like pharmacy downtown), and 3943 ballots cast.



I discovered at least 2 companies I forgot about, some I never wanted to see again, and changed one of my 10 votes already.



Does it matter in the long run? Who knows, but it's fun anyway.



MyRetailRoanoke.com - give it a shot.

predictiationing!

Alright, I know I missed it big time last time.. but I've got a feelin'.. ooooh a feelin' so strong this time.



I'm going with 2.5 to 3.5 inches this time. Looking at the spread of this bad boy, it's going to be interesting none the less.



But hey, at least it warmed up a bit huh?

***UPDATE***
3:30PM - Just wanted to remind you all that if this starts with large flakes, it's going to last a while and deliver a decent snow. Small flakes indicate a more tumultuous storm, and a faster hit. The faster - the less likely to leave us with a good amount. Like a summer pop-up thunderstorm, it's all heat and thunder, but when it's over - we are just barely damp.

My Retail Roanoke launches

Persistence pays folks.. and here is some early word on MyRetailRoanoke.com



Site design is.. interesting. Looks nothing like any of the other city websites. A little confusing at first. Create an account, vote on retailers you would like to see come to Roanoke - you can add some if you don't see them listed.



Then you get to vote for ones that have been previously listed, and they go into the top ten. From there, well - I'm not too sure yet. But it appears like you can write testimonials about the businesses if you so choose.



Poke around it, give it a good nudge. I'll have a further review when I have had more time to play with it.

I don't even know where to begin...

So let's start with something pleasant, the impending snow. Not a lot of snow, just enough to close schools and make things look pretty.



Let's all think about that for a moment.. clean fresh snow..



Alright, got that?



Now onto other things...



Re: City Council V. Board of Education - this is what property taxes are for. Roads, schools, infrastructure. Schools. You know, those places where you pack your kids 1500 at a time and hope for the best? Need I mention that the city has LESS high schools than are acceptable to those from outside the area? Now I'm not suggesting the City take on a burden of immense proportions to build, but the addition of one more high school - in the southeastern section would alleviate much crowding, reduce the number of school buses, and relieve the burden on the physical structures and staff. But regardless, the issue is not building an entirely new school system - it's replacing an existing school.



This sets a bad precedence and example for the children of Roanoke, and those looking at Roanoke. It also shows how disastrous the inter-agency workings are here.



But again.. think of the clean, pure snow and breathe...



In other news, the city is set to launch a new website at 11am today. MyRetailRoanoke.com is slated for a press-conference announcement held at Valley View over by JC Penney's. From what my inside sources have told me, the website is going to be a new tool, or lure if you will, to attract retailers to Roanoke. Now, I am curious to see how a website called "MY retail Roanoke" will attract retailers from outside the Roanoke area. But I guess thats what the press conference is for. I will have a review later on, rest assured.



In other news, the group that I wrote about yesterday - Valley Forward does have a website, and I was remiss in finding it. ValleyForward.net looks and reads very "in the box" to me, but thats just me - decide for yourself.



I think thats probably one of my biggest problems with any "group" such as NewVaConnects, Valley Forward, the once-glorious Jaycees: They are using outmoded structures for the groups themselves. Mission Statements, Position Papers, Committees... outmoded models that are no longer relevant to the conversation. You want something different - then you have to be different.



For example - theres a group here that is just getting it's start, Chefapalooza.

What is it? Well, its a community of cooks and people who love to cook.. but more than that, what it will become is far more than that simple. It's crux is to become a fundraising event or events, far more than any festival or cook-off this town has seen yet. How do I know? I'm a member.. Will we have committees? On paper, but as defined groups assigned one task - most likely not. Leaving it flexible creates a greater gene pool for ideas. And like anything else - apply some heat and pressure, the petri dish starts a bubblin'.



The #1 killer of motivation is stagnation, and the breeding ground for stagnation (as we saw with the Victory S****** debacle) is whats been done before. Spend time debating the way things were done, realize all your doing is continuing the problem. Acknowledge that things were done wrong in the past, regroup and move forward.. thats progress.



And one final question for you all out there.



I am a cook, certified chef if you will. This is my career, my profession. I am 31. Does this make me a young professional? Or is my white collar too dingy? I read all the information for the young professional groups, and they seem like they are targeting the 9-5 office crowds. So what is the definition of young professional?



Snow.. so clean.. ahhhh.. more later

Hey

Anyone else feeling a chill? Or is it just me?

Valley Forward?

Once I saw this article yesterday, I knew I would have to post something about it.



It seems a group of young professionals has banded together to do something about the "cool quotient" of Roanoke. Apparently it ranks pretty low on the Richter scale.



While I can appreciate the views and motives of the group - I do have to question them. First off, the youngest member is 29, the oldest 42. The chairman of the group is 36, and a successful business owner. The youngest member is a financial adviser. 2 members are women, 1 is black, and most live in South Roanoke.



Under-representation appears to be the norm in Roanoke these days. The groups make-up mirrors Roanoke's own City Council - individuals that are, in some respects, disconnected from the majority of Roanoke.



When you surround yourself with folks who see certain things on a daily basis - your going to reflect that. Like being a cop. Most cops are decent, good people - but realize that a majority of their time is being spent dealing with the low-life criminals, and then ask why they are so jaded and burn out before retirement. While you might not become a reflection of what you surround yourself with, it does have an influence on you.



Valley Forward's emphasis on the "rebirth of cool" in Roanoke is commendable, however some of the focus is not. The claim of "You're not even relevant if you don't have greenways and am amphitheater" made by Mr. Lugar is overstated to say the least.



Most of the most important cities in the country do not have greenways, and some do not even have amphitheaters within spitting distance. Take good ol' Manhattan for example.



What Manhattan has: Madison Square Garden, New York Coliseum, Battery Park, and Central Park (along with many other much smaller neighborhood parks). That's pretty much it. Everything else is off Manhattan island. The Yankees and the Mets - Giants and Jets - all are off-island.



What makes the difference there? Private developers, a city willing to do the legwork to attract the "cool", and a community effort to "be cool."



It took 27 years for Manhattan to reclaim unused elevated railroad tracks and turn them into a greenway. It will be the first new park-space publicly funded on Manhattan Island in quite some years. Private developers have been adding miniature greenways to riverfront developments for roughly 20 years now.



Major difference - Manhattan has no more room to grow, whereas Roanoke does. Manhattan also has a motivated and community-minded population (across all spectrums of society) who want what they want, and far too many of them remember what parts of the island looked like circa late-1970's.



I give Valley Forward time to grow, and develop themselves. However, I do so with this warning. You are off to an auspicious start, and by allowing your focus to be portrayed as "greenways and an amphitheater" - you limit the impact you will have with the population at large.



I have the same problem with NewVaConnects, they - to all outward appearances- seem to be a group with limitations.



Perhaps we all need to take a step back and examine the situation again. The current need in Roanoke for change might just overpower all the smaller issues. Perhaps we just need some effective leadership, well spoken and knowledgeable about current issues. Not a group of middle-aged folk who are confused by the concept of MySpace.



One of the victims of the Roanoke City Council mindset, and perhaps someone they could all learn from, was former New York City Mayor John Lindsay (1966-1973). He inherited a city rife with problems, both budgetary and socio-economic ones. He was the first mayor to deal with public service unions. His first day in office was a 12-day disaster area as the Transit Workers went on strike, all due to his refusal to sit at the negotiating table.



He raised taxes, including the introduction of the commuter tax. And that same year - the sanitation workers went on a week long strike. This was followed by the unrest that came with the escalation of the Vietnam War, and its protesters. Crime soared, people left the city for the safer suburbs, the tax base was nearly wiped out. Lindsay bargained his way into decades and decades of debit for the city, in hopes of keeping the people quelled. Only years later did one of Lindsay's aides reveal the biggest flaw in the adminstration's policies: "We all failed to come to grips with what a neighborhood is. We never
realized that crime is something that happens to, and in, a community."
Assistant Nancy Seifer said "There was a whole world out there that
nobody in City Hall knew anything about... If you didn't live on
Central Park West you were some kind of lesser being."



To this day, New York City is still paying off the debit that Lindsay created. Both monetary and karmic. The Roanoke City Council is playing the same song on a different piano.



60-70-80 years ago the Roanoke City Council was responsive to the community, supported by, and worked with the Chamber of Commerce and other civic groups to effect a secure and smooth-running city. Most of the still-standing buildings downtown are from the days of an actual Mayor-driven City Council, back when the public and private sector worked hand-in-hand for the betterment of the citizens.



With the shallow pool of the current City Council, and the lack of strong leadership and decision-making - I suspect that 15-20 years down the road we will still be playing soccer on the land that used to be the Roanoke Fair Grounds (aka Victory Stadium), unless the public and private sector can start working together again. Valley Forward, NewVaConnects, and the City Council all need to realize that unless they can come together and work together - the celebration of the 125th anniversary is more of a New Orleans Funeral than a party for the re-birth of the phoenix.

Friday Night Dance Party!

A one shot deal, as I found a video for a song I had forgotten about.

Only one thing I can tell you right now

Nico's got brains..



nicosroanoke.com



What did I say about having a website when your a restaurant?

My prediction?

It's going to snow.



OOOOOOH



We will not die, nor run out of eggs/milk/bread.



Gut feeling is telling me we could see a touch over the 3-4" being claimed by most meteorologistas, but 6" is not going to happen.



Make your own assessments from there.



Be back later, in the thick of things.

Some information

Via my good buddy Stuart:



MyRetailRoanoke.com - In an effort to address the needs of the
changing

population and increase the quality of life of residents and
visitors, a

program to aggressively seek and attract retailers to Roanoke
will be

rolled out on February 6. The City of Roanoke will announce a
new

Web-based program, MyRetailRoanoke.com, to assist in economic
development

efforts focused on attracting new retailers and service providers
to

Roanoke. Join Roanoke Mayor Nelson Harris and City Manager Darlene
Burcham

on February 6 at 11 a.m. at Valley View Mall's Marble Court on the
1st

floors adjacent to JC Penney. We encourage all local bloggers to
attend.



Don't hit the website yet, it's not up and running - I'll let you know when it is.



I just might, juuuuusssstttt might attend. You?

Another day, another breeze, another POD

Yes friends, time to sit back and relax and enjoy another podcast - courtesy of Miller High Life.

Todays pod includes: inequality in pay for jobs, reminder of the upcoming city council elections, a very short word on Thursdays nightmare weather (again), and all of the warm fuzzy love you've come to expect from us here at Roanoke Found...

(multiple personalities not included)

Defined: Cooping

v. cooped, coop·ing, coops

v.tr.To confine in or as if in a coop. Often used with up.

v.intr. Informal

To sleep or shirk in a parked patrol car while on duty. Used of a police officer.



Now I'm not saying nothing about anything here.. but I've seen some cooping in my day, and I'm still seeing some cooping.



Protect and Serve, right?



That's one well guarded city park parking lot then.

So when do I get my Belly Bomber?

Krystal is open in Salem, with people camped out overnight in SUBZERO wind-chills waiting to be one of the first lucky people to get some square burgers.



Square burgers?



Yep, those look good and square to me.



Of course, this had me thinking about my own square burger, one both beloved and reviled - a hunk of pop culture and a doctor's nightmare.



The White Castle Belly Bomber.



5 Holes in the meat, and no one knows the significance of why 5 exactly.



I'll give Krystal a try one day, but if the meat don't have holes - then I'm going to continue to wait patiently for my Gut Buster.

These distinguished men worry me

"...But some committee members seemed to have their minds made up Friday. Del. Johnny Joannou, D-Portsmouth, said the existing one-term limit serves as a check on executive power. The only way to balance power under a two-term governor is to make the legislature a full-time body, he said."



A full time body? Heavens to murgatroid! Are we, the people, slavedrivers? You cannot ask the body of representation to work FULL TIME in your interests can you?

It's time to clear the air

This lil' ol' Suthin City has a secret. Not a big secret, but one that is not often spoken about.



Considering it's location, it's reputation, and it's "biblical" activities: Roanoke has been called the "San Francisco of the Blue Ridge."



Roanoke has a sizable gay population, it's no secret - just unspoken (save for the few Pride events).



Well, it was.



Courtesy of Google News Alerts (for Roanoke, go figure):

Roanoke’s gay native son Will Trinkle runs a successful business in rural Virginia, but a new anti-gay law is testing his hometown loyalty

An interesting article to say the least. It makes this town sound idyllic, yet bass-ackwards in mindset. And yes, the last name is Trinkle, and yes it is that Trinkle.

I won't get into a discussion about tolerance, religion and it's laws, and all the rest of the trappings - but some of the most successful folks I know in this town are gay. Take that for what it's worth.

15 years ago. and still waiting

Nearly 15 years ago, Mayor Bowers' Capital Improvement Program recommended bringing Amtrak into the city. This was part and parcel of the Hotel Roanoke renovation, and the Conference Center development, along with recommendations for a railside linear park (the Downtown Railwalk, work in progress), a downtown streetcar plan (I believe this was about the time that trolley-styled motorcoaches were seen around downtown), and enhancing both the Transportation Museum and the area surrounding.



Fast forward to 2007 - The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center stands, and is externally a jewel - internally a rotten prune. The Virginia Museum of Transportation is a true goldmine of history, but not exactly a destination. Still debating the trolley concept - in those rare moments your not laughed at for even thinking of it (not that Providence, RI proves the darn things work!) and still not one sign of Amtrak.



In light of the failure of Roanoke's leaders to secure even ONE train (the impending TDX notwithstanding), I propose something different. We already have some world-class rolling stock at the VMT, why not put it to good use.



Rail Cruise.



Simple concept - think of the Orient Express, launching directly from the O Winston Link Museum - trip includes a 3 night stay at the Historic Hotel Roanoke (2 nights prior - 1 night after), guided tours of downtown Roanoke and the Mill Mountain Star - then a 4 day excursion trip to destination unknown (at this point anyway). And in keeping with the City's focus on being a retirement hotspot, I can assure you - this is something the retirees love to do.



Just one of the many things some forward thinking folks with the money behind them can bring to Roanoke. Granted, it's not the commuter rail we are hoping for, but at least it's a train in a grand old railtown.



Something to think about while we wait at the station....



PS: Support The TransDominion Express, it can only help.

Watch it happen

Click the radar image for larger page (links to wunderground.com) to watch the advancing storm.

Oh yes, I almost forgot

This just in.. there's a police chase occurring in SE Roanoke as we speak. It's been going on for about 15-20 minutes, and as usual - no details have emerged.



I do know the subject of the chase is from the area of 7th and Buena Vista, beyond that - nothing.



Let's see if anyone reports this today.

In 1911, this was Roanoke

ROANOKE, a city in (but administratively independent of) Roanoke county, Virginia, on the Roanoke river, about 55 m. W.S.W. of Lynchburg. Pop. (1890) 16,159; (1900) 21,495, of whom 5834 were negroes; (1910 census) 34,874. Roanoke is served by the Virginian railway, by the main line and the Shenandoah and the Winston-Salem divisions of the Norfolk Western railway, and by electric railway to Vinton and to Salem. The city is about 900 ft. above sea-level and is surrounded by high hills; its picturesque situation and its nearness to famous mineral springs make it a health resort. On a mountain slope, about 2 m. from the city limits, is the Virginia College for Young Ladies; 7 m. north of the city, at what was formerly called Botetourt Springs (there is a sulphur spring), is Hollins Institute (1842) for girls; and in the city are the National Business College, the City Hospital (1899), private hospitals, and St Vincent's Orphan Asylum (1893) for boys, under the Sisters of Charity. Stock-raising, tobacco-growing, and coal and iron-mining are the industries of the district. Roanoke's factory product in 1905 was valued at $5,544,907 (2.7% more than in 1900). Its railway car repair and construction shops, belonging to the Norfolk Western railway, employed in that year 66.9% of the total number of factory wage-earners; pig-iron, structural iron, canned goods, bottles, tobacco, planing-mill products and cotton are among the manufactures. The municipal water supply comes from a reservoir at Crystal Springs at the foot of Mill Mountain near the city limits. Roanoke was the town of Big Lick (founded about 1852; incorporated in 1874; pop. in 1880, 669) until 1882, when it received its present name; in 1884 it was chartered as a city.



-from the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica (1911encyclopedia.org)

It happened again

In 1941, it has been recorded that Norfolk and Western Railroad reached over 7,000 employees in the Roanoke area.



It took a long time, but finally someone has taken that mantle.



Carilion Clinic now employs over 7,932 persons in the Roanoke area.



They say N made this town, I guess now it's Carilion's turn.



Some more random economic stats from the past, and think for a moment how they match up to modern numbers.



In 1939, there were 105 manufacturing plants within the city and county of Roanoke.



In 1942, there were no less than 170 industries and 11 public utilities located in the immediate Roanoke area.



The Downtown businesses spawned WDBJ radio (in a manner of speaking, they did)



Shenandoah Life spawned WSLS radio.



All before 1945. The intervening years have seen some progress, much promise, and some loss.



How does a City overcome a change from manufacturing and industry to "other" kinds of work? Each worker must realize they are individual industries.



But it's been a long day, the Norfolk South-Western whistle has blown, and there's a meal in the distance. I'll be back tomorrow with oh so much more. These are just some things to consider.

Sometimes we miss the brilliant ones;

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - MLKjr.

One of those brilliant things that gets hidden behind the larger scope of work.

This, as unusual as it seems, also falls into that category. Something we probably never thought of, someone finds and highlights. And sometimes it just takes one person to point out what should be so obvious, like the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. did in that line above.

And then theres this... it will shock you, but not upset you. And when it's over - it will make sense to you.

However, I may never make sense to you, but thats besides the point.

Market Survey

Once again your time is up - time to be heard.



The Roanoke City Farmers Market is running a survey to determine the market's needs and not-needs, plus gain insight into what will make it a continued success in the future.



You can take the survey here.



Thanks Hope - great use of the available technology.



And for all you readers - this is your time to be heard. LOUDLY and CLEARLY.



Pass it up, and you have only yourself to blame.

West End calls

From today's Roanoke Times Letters to the Editor,



A chance to make a neighborhood safe



The West End neighborhood of 13th Street and Patterson Avenue teeters on the brink of change. It needs a little nudging to tip it over the edge. Which way will it go?



Many houses in the area are for sale and currently vacant. Due to vacancy and fear, few people report crimes.



A friend there is an influential figure. He interrupts muggings, helps ladies carry home groceries and reports crimes to police. He's moving. When he moves, how will this tip the neighborhood?



Some residents feel African-American police officers respond to their requests for help, but white officers do not. Regardless of its accuracy, the sentiment affects the likelihood of a crime being reported. Could this lack of confidence in police tip the neighborhood?



If someone reads this and decides to move in and fix up one of the houses, could that tip the neighborhood?



If everyone made one purchase a week at the Sav-A-Lot, changing the level of traffic and affecting the economy of the store, could that tip the area?



Doing nothing says we tolerate neighborhoods becoming less and less safe. Is affordable, safe housing a luxury?



Could we make a positive change in our community? Wouldn't it be cool to try?

BROOKE PLOTNICK

ROANOKE



Kudos to you, for taking an interest in your community. Some of the grandest homes in Roanoke sit on Campbell Ave. down that end, in various states of disrepair. There's one there now - selling for less than 50k I believe. If I remember the listing correctly, it's a 5 bedroom 3 bath near-mansion, with 2 fireplaces and a 3/4ths wrap around porch.



For a home like this to sell for less than 50k reflects not only negligence on the part of the city, it reflects poorly on the citizens of the city.



The West End is on the brink of change, and does need that little push over the edge. Perhaps those doing the house-flipping in OSW and similar areas need to expand the range and check out some properties on Rorer, Salem, and Campbell Ave.



We looked at a home on Salem Ave. down that end, but our budget being limited for home repair (most of it going into funding my global domination schemes), we could not revive it to it's glory fast enough for our liking. Our own Bev Fitzpatrick runs his Buseum out of that area. Take a drive to it one day, and look around at the glory that stands near ruin. Without cause.



We need more citizens like Brooke, willing to open their mouths about things like this.

"A pretty little village of little account"

That's how Big Lick was described before the coming of the railroad. A little village of little account.



Think about how Roanoke is described today. From the city's own website - hidden in the html for search engines:

"The official Web site of the City of Roanoke, Virginia, named a five-time All-America City

 a Top Digital City. Roanoke is a thriving locality where urban centers, 

 charming neighborhoods, and breathtaking scenery come together in the perfect balance."

Does it sound all that different to you? Sounds like someplace to visit, but not much else. So will the medical community be the Norfolk Western of the 21st Century? Will they make the City the thriving metropolis it once was?



If not them, then who?



Just a question to ask yourself.

What a way to begin a day off

A call to arms?

It has been a most interesting weekend here at F-R HQ, high on the hilltop above the city.



There have been clandestine meetings, plots hatched, and futures debated. Most importantly, there have been several moments in which I had to choose the next step.



This is the choice I make: This year, 2007, there will be 4 major updates to the Forgotten-Roanoke website. Quarterly, the site will be upgraded and updated. The first change is in the works for Mid-February, and it includes a new site design - navigation - and a better UI/UE (user interface/user experience). Should I be able to push through some small changes between the quarters, then so be it. As it is this year is looking exceptionally busy and not at all normal.



The main reason for this is the City's 125th Anniversary, which I (of course) want to capitalize on, but the real keystone for me this year is looking towards the next 25 years. How will we celebrate the city's 150th? Will there be anyone left but geriatric baby-boomers and the medical support staff needed to bathe and clean them? At the rate the city is going, that's not totally out of the question.



Which is why I am announcing the reformation of the SCBA - The Star City Bloggers Alliance. The visionary voice of Roanoke is being lost, and there are those who thank G-d for that.



Dan Radmacher sent out a call for columnists in Sunday's Times. And as tempting an offer as that is, to write and subvert from the inside - I have to say "Thanks Dan, but not now."



The Times is losing readership, people are turning more and more to various and independent sources of news. Plus, I know I don't have time to read the paper in the morning, but can always find a minute or two to check the headlines online. A columnist position with the Times puts one in the unenviable position of actually having to do this for a living. Or at least for the "audience that makes those of any but the biggest national blogs pale in comparison."



As a blogger, I am not looking for the largest audience - what I want is the most motivated audience. I want an audience aggressively seeking news, seeking out those voices in the night - the dangerous revolutionaries with no name. And writing for a major publication does not do that justice, in my eyes.



With that being said, writing for a small one, a counter-to-the-tradition one might suit me, should an opportunity ever arise. (wink wink nudge nudge - what? am I being too obvious about wanting a 2nd newspaper in Roanoke?)



But this year, 2007 will be the year of RoanokeFound. Along with Stuart Mease, I am putting forth a call echoed in the pages of (of all places) The Roanoker Magazine. Where are the visionaries of tomorrow, our leaders to replace those who fail to lead? There is an election next year, 4 seats up for grab on the city council - and who will fill them? Much like the current presidential race, no decent candidates have stepped forth. The current climate has thoroughly quashed the dreams in the eyes of young Roanokers. Working as a team, with the intention to revive the entire point of the Star on Mill Mountain.



That Star, our very own piece of ticky-tacky and the love of our lives, was built because the local downtown businesses wanted to attract MORE business. It's advertisement, it's art, and it's like nothing else anywhere. There might be larger man-made stars in the world, but none with the meaning of the Roanoke Star. The entire point of it was to lure people downtown, "shop-eat-play and see the Star that made Roanoke famous." Take Williamson Rd. for example - along nearly it's entire right of way, one can see the Star clearly.



The Star represented something, be it an increased amount of foot traffic as people came into Downtown Roanoke to shop and see it, or the idea that nothing is totally out of reach in Roanoke - even the Stars themselves.



The population of Roanoke now is less than when the Star was lit, which is a crime. And populous of Roanoke is seemingly also less, less connected - less caring about its own future, less of a city. Should a group bring the concept to build something similar to the Star today - it would not happen.



It takes a pile of bricks that take us back to childhood memories (where things are always rosy) to awaken the civic passion within us. And even that is fruitless.



It's time for Roanoke to be found again, for the Star City to shine again, for the future of Roanoke to come forth, and dream large.



On the eve of the 125th Anniversary, we here at Forgotten-Roanoke.com choose to look forward, to the future of Roanoke.



We will continue the historical perspective that provides us with a clear map to where we were, are, and with any luck - where we will go.



It's going to be a very interesting year...

It's a good thing2

Medical school, for those of you born without the inherent ability to diagnose, is a really good thing. Medical schools mean more interesting hospitals, hospitals that are better equipped to deal with any situation. I am a walking, talking billboard for teaching hospitals... (Thanks UVA!) and can attest to the skills and virtues of having such a system available.



Locally, the impact of having a medical school built in Roanoke (combined with the existing Jefferson College of Health Sciences) gives us the edge in the region. And depending on how it can link up with the other schools of medicine, could give us an even greater edge in not only the region, but the entire eastern seaboard.



And properly played, turning the regional network of hospitals and schools into one interlinked system, one massive educational and public service facility, well - it would be a huge win for us here in little ol' Roanoke.



Time to look at some of the local effects of having a med school here will be.

• Increased medical community. Thats a gimmie - as obvious as anything.
• Increased need for support staff for said medical community. DO, CNAs, RNs, and all the rest that Jefferson College churns out.
• More variety in "afterschool activities" - in other words, med students always need to blow off some steam when they can. We have to provide the place to do it.
• A renewed sense of professionalism, when your clients (in any business) are doctors - you have to step up the show a bit. Thats a lot of expendable income floating out there.
• A faster pace in business. Doctors typically do not have much time for lunch, be it at 12pm or 4am. We are going to need more 24-hour establishments, and faster (yet still quality) service.

The immediate area surrounding the school (Franklin Rd./ Jefferson) will need more services, 7-11s, and such than they offer now. The Ivy Market center will be a bonus, but not nearly close enough for those quick "between trauma" runs that doctors need to make.



But wait.. thats not all!



In today's Roanoke Times Op/Ed pages, theres a column from our former mayor David Bowers.



It tackles the city's "weak-kneed" leadership, and the seeming inability they have to notice the fact that NS and several counties here in Virginia are begging them to take on the Intermodal Rail facility. Montgomery County does not want, Elliston does not want. We have perfect location, perfect situation, and yet it appears - we do not want.



This makes me worry. I'll admit, I have not been as attentive as I could have been to this situation, but I figure freight rail will take care of itself, my focus has always been on the passenger side of the tracks.



But considering how absolute the other areas mentioned by NS as possible sites are in their "Do not want!", I say we should gain because they lose. Aside from the simple fact of tax base and revenue and jobs, it's a nice re-investment (as symbolic as it may be) for NS to make with the city, and vice versa.



When NS pulled it's HQ out of Roanoke, the city was heartbroken as would be expected. This is still primarily a rail town, hardly can one travel anywhere in the area and not hear the deep thrum of the engines, or the steam siren at the NS shops. This would be a small return to our roots, and with the level of blue-collar hard workin' folk round here - a few extra rail jobs would be a big blessing for both employee and employer.



In all reality, it's not about how many trucks it removes from I-81 for most people, nor is it about how much "greener" it is to run 100 truck-loads on one massive train engine, than 100 diesel-run truck engines. It's about the simple fact that rail belongs in Roanoke, there are plenty of people here who can do the work, and will do so gladly, and the city should recognize that fact.



So here we have it, 2 Major developments in Roanoke which could/will/are changing the course of the cities history.



And 2 very different ways of doing business. 1 is a private venture, destined to succeed. The other, reliant upon the city to stand up, and waiting for that very thing to happen.



City Council, Mayor McCheese, and Our Human Resources City Manager: You can see how a public-private venture works. The Carilion/VT school is going to do more for this city than most of your own ventures. Many of you on the City Council stand to benefit from it, including our own Vice-Mayor who I'm sure will see a nice spike upwards in business at his restaurant. The trickle-down effect does work, and if you stand up and work with NS to gain the Intermodal Station, the entire Roanoke area gains. And if you can't see that... well then, you better hope the Carilion school also has a class in opthalmology.

It Lives!

I told you so.

It's coming

within the next hour or so.. it's coming.. be patient, and afraid

Are we there yet?

Happy 2007, or as someone will be calling it - 007. And you know someone will. Geek.



May the new year find you healthy at least, wealthy at most, and wise with any luck.

Do I dare?

Never exactly excited by the end of year lists... but Im half tempted to do my own.



Any thoughts on this?



Alternately, what would you pick, the top 13.5 everything in the past year in Roanoke?



Sounds so easy, no?

This just in....

Me!



I'm just back from the Career Lifestyle Expo at the Civic Center, and boy are my arms tired!



Sorry.. never mind



It was quite interesting, I will say that much. Well attended, although the crowds average age skewed higher than I thought it would, but que sera sera... Ukrops got out to an early lead on hiring pre-opening. Smart move for them, as it will be much easier to set a base and fill in the cracks in the busy time leading up to opening.



The City, County, and Carilion were all well represented, as was the banking industry. Points off for Orvis and Enterprise Rent-A-Car for having unmanned booths, but the atmosphere more than made up for the dead spaces. For quite a good number, this was not only an opportunity to meet and greet with local businesses, this was a good chance to get to know other people of like minds.. people in the industry. Network, if you will.



Hats off to Stuart Mease for putting this whole shin-dig together. Seems like Stuart and I will be working together in the future to shine a spotlight on Roanoke blogs - it seems anyway. So consider this a Call to Blog!



If you have had the thought.. "gee, I could do this. This guys an idiot, even a monkey could write like he does..." or anything similar - I invite you to do it. Start a blog, blogger is free you know. Or start one and give it to a monkey.. if you feel so inclined.



If you already have a blog, but don't use it nearly as often as you know you should - do it.



And if you are a former charter member of the SCBA, rethink the past - and think about the future. Maybe an affiliation is not such a bad thing after all.



There you have it. Well attended, enjoyed by many, and perhaps worth repeating in a few months. Spring break, summer vacations, blah blah.. Maybe quarterly is the way to go on this.



Well, it was worth it. Too bad you weren't there. If you were, drop a line and let me know what you thought.

Things I will do in 2007

Just compiling a short (hopefully, mercifully) list of things I will do in 2007, for you all to share and revel in.

• Record and post more podcasts. I would do one right now, but my basset is snoring like an unruly drain. The noises would be sure to turn you all off.

• Rebuild and upgrade the website, including finding off-shore hosting which will give me more freedom to run it as I want it. It's been a heck of a year, and I constantly feel guilty that the site itself has been mostly ignored.

• Make plans to bring together my local readers (if they so choose) and perhaps tour some of the sites featured in my ramblings.

• Build stronger relationships with the upcoming leaders of the New Roanoke, a concept you will all be hearing more about in the coming year.

• Cease the endless teasing of you, the reader, with snippets of projects - in other words, no posting of something until it's complete. Exception being a series of posts - then you'll just have to wait.

• Push for more recognition for the Roanoke Bloggers, don't we deserve our own popularity contest in the Roanoker magazine? Course we all know Rhett would win - having all the Fire Fighters "vote early, and often" as is common to the job.

In a nutshell, thats how I plan on starting off 2007. In mid-06, I lost the ability to straight out live-cast using my cell phone. A tragedy I'm sure you all felt. Something to do with Google taking over Blogger, Odeo ending the service, and more such nonsense - but I will do my best to get the dirt straight to you - the public, when it happens and as it happens.



Consider me the 5th Estate - the last house on the left, if you will - A miasma of news, commentary, history, and the future - all rolled into one fuzzy bundle of love.



Oh yes, 2007 will be an entirely whole new ballgame - the revolution begins anew, and as some random keyfob on Amazon says: "Roanoke, Proud of our past, confident in our future."



Who could disagree with that? Well, if you do - it's time for you to leave town. Or buy one of those $149,900 "condos" they are building at Factory 324/Iroquois/Peerless Candy Co. building. Because your just the kind of sucker that would.



Automotive Commercial Historic District"



I defy ANYONE to explain that one to me. A former tobacco yard.. oh forget it. I'm not even going to bother.



See you all tomorrow, some of you at the Career and Lifestyle (Free!) Fair at the Civic Center between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. But you didn't hear me promote that, now did you?

Interesting read

From a spam mail recently received:





Americans once expected parents to raise their children in accordance with the dominant cultural messages. No matter how much you can blame Davis for, you can't excuse those self-serving, special-interest-driven, pandering elected-but-not-selected politicians. Ballmer: Security Tops Microsoft's Priority ListBallmer said he wishes the security researchers "would be quiet as that would be better for the world. My problem is I have a lot of difficulty trusting what I hear from Microsoft in general and Ballmer in particular. Who knows, maybe keeping the "Do Not Call List" in place will even cut down on incidents of Postal Disease.

Those are the slugs that should have been recalled.

The World of Music will be reformed soon and you won't be in it anywhere. Then there was the disgusting folderol in the courts brought about by the ACLU.

It is not the Governor that got us here. I think most of today's shopping public has been denied the experience of shopping at a store that gave away lessons in respect and quality while at the same time selling its products.

Say what you might, but I think it speaks well of the man.

I'm just sick over this revelation.

I mean, I know how -bad- unsuitable Davis is.

Folks, the sun is has seems to be very probably did set is now setting on The Golden State.

Oh yeah; technology opens all sorts of vistas. We celebrate each others painful, horrific deaths by keeping tallies, running headlines, smiling in the streets. We about to spend millions of unavailable dollars for the recall, confuse everything and everyone, set expectations that cannot be realized and make no progress, real or imagined. Consultant with their Security Awareness Practice. She said, "It must have gone astray. Generally, the people would respond negatively and she would wander off, but occasionally someone would nod and there would be a quick exchange of money for something she carried in her bag. The full story is here.

He may discover the RIAA has figured out it can gain added profits from law suits.

They are plagued by dust which follows them in large, billowing clouds. she promised good service.

If your failure comes back to you, you can address it as another "event" and it can be handled without regard to the original, failed commitment. And what you believe should not be based upon who told you but rather your own independent validation of what you've been told. Changed the style sheet, too. Still, I do have to pay for the bandwidth on this site so, in spite of the downward trend here, I just might help with this one, too.

Changed the style sheet, too.

Humans cannot be contained, restrained, channeled, directed. Someday I want to go to, say, the market and see some product that says, right there on the box, "the same old stuff.

Maybe the shipping label was unreadable.

What a selfless and loving act. They've even picked up a lawsuit charging program vulnerabilities fly in the face of "suitability" and "marketability.

Covering up Spirit of Justice or not wanting to be photographed in front of her is just silly, incredibly immature.

On Wednesday it had not arrived.

I was stupid, indeed I was.



Yes, I was stupid - reading this to begin with - but yet it's somehow fascinating.

Conversating...

While talking with fellow employees today (one of whom is born and raised here, and one who is from New Jersey) and tossing around ideas, the question was asked that I have been asked many a time over.



"Why not take your ideas down to the City Council and see what they think?"



I generally laugh such an idea off (having evil designs of my own, of course), but tonight while in the process of watching "Looking Back" on WCOX, specifically the section on Design '79, and the recent design sit-in held at the City Market building - I finally came up with a solid answer to the above question.



Why worry about the City Council, they are just servants of the public (or used to be). The only way to truly affect change anywhere is to make sense to the people. Talk to the people, listen to the people - and from there, anything is possible. I think thats a lesson forgotten often these days, when City Council members have tarnished pasts that are hidden, yet still affect them to this day. And no, I'm not talking about Bev.



If the citizens speak with one (or as close to one as possible) voice, the city will have no choice but to listen. It is a desire, a determination, and a drive to constantly improve your lot in life - it's human. Some have forgotten that as well. But that desire can be reawakened, that drive refueled. In the simple hope and wish that the life of their child will be better than the one they had. But too many people believe that kind of life is unattainable here in Roanoke, and they impress this (knowingly or not) upon the child.



And then the city is left in the state it is currently in - a fearless City Council, unafraid as there are no "strong contenders" who are younger, smarter, faster, and better than they are. A struggle to attract and retain the local college students who are from outside the area, a oxymoron-ish housing situation, where perfectly good homes are left to ruin by landlords and tenants alike, yet the good homes are priced out of the range of most young people (and if you think it's bad, try the suburbs of New York City - average salary for someone just out of school is only enough to scrape by on rent and utilities - not to mention nice things like food, gas, and perhaps some form of amusement - and people wonder why kids never move out...).



Some of the best views in Roanoke, and the most centrally located housing in what should be considered the most desirable location for a businessperson is valued at less than $30,000 (* according to city GIS and tax assessment information). This is not only a shock, but a virtual disgrace. Most business owners do not like staying miles or minutes away from the business - they want to be there in seconds. But instead - due to it's proximity to downtown, it is considered a virtual ghetto - undesirable and unwanted.



Why would I waste my voice attempting to convince politicians that, in the interests of the city and it's citizens, it is imperative that those properties be valued - empty lots that high above the downtown area could mean many different opportunities. New upscale hotel, new restaurant similar to Carlos (with its overreaching view), new park (or should I just not bring up the Woodland Park debacle).. the possibilities are endless, should one want to see them.



And with an entrenched City Council, the argument needs to be brought to the people, to the public, to the taxpayers... Those who still believe that we have a representative government, and those who want to believe.



So no, there is no reason for me to bring my ideas to the City on a silver platter. There is more to be gained by speaking to the people, the business owners, and those who work every day and rest every night. To paraphrase W.E. O'Shaughnessy (via Willy Wonka) "They are the music makers, and they are the dreamers of the dream."



Sometimes the word can make the dream real, and sometimes the dream itself provides the word.

Theres something to do in Roanoke (for a change)

Now that the Christmas Holiday is behind us (364 shopping days left), and the new year lies ahead - this is the quiet downtime while the world waits. In a change of pace this year, fellow blogger and Municipal Worker-type Stuart Mease has put together a little job fair.



Little. Right.



The partial list of attendees include some of the largest companies in the valley, one of which is technically not even here yet - but will be come March (or so), the local governments, local art and "lifestyle" (whatever that means) groups, and even the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center.



And that's just the short list - I'm sure the list has grown since this one was published.



Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Roanoke Civic Center (located on scenic Williamson Rd.), admission is free.





I'm off that day, so I might just see fit to come down off the hilltop overlooking downtown and put in an appearance.



In a related note (to being on the hill overlooking downtown), Mrs. RoanokeFound saw fit to present me with yet another dangerous tool in my hands. The Computer-aided, lazer assisted, high-tech stealth device I received will allow me to peer even further into downtown Roanoke, and easily track goings on.



Good for me, bad for those who turn tail and run at the sight of the Forgotten-Roanoke.com jacket. And you know who you are.. Mr. "Cough to get Attention at Tanglewood Mall"...



But that's a story for another time...

It's my gift to you

If your the praying kind, you might want to start now...

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain. Lows in the mid 30s



Christmas Day

Rain likely. Cooler with highs in the lower 40s. Chance of rain 60 percent.



Monday Night

Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Lows in the lower 30s.



__________________________________________________________



Oh, I know folks can't drive in the snow - but if we need some sort of moisture on Christmas, let it be snow.



I realize it won't mean much as I'm working, but still - to see a fresh blanket of the white stuff clinging to everything.. makes it seem right.



I know, I'm being selfish - but really now.. a White Christmas? Why not.

Something new

Here's an idea - how about a one stop source for all your entertainment needs in Roanoke?

Perhaps one which could help create events which might actually interest you?

You know, like EventZone is supposed to do?

It's here - and it's called You5W

(warning - not firefox friendly, and contains embedded music, site is still rough)

Love the concept, and look forward to seeing it in action. Maybe even taking part in an event or two.

Or maybe creating a few of my own. Just a thought.

Thanks Google searchers!!!

interesting

very interesting


Exciting? sorta... yes, of course it is

Memo to Mr. Hicks of Old Southwest

Mr. Hicks and Family,



I would like to be the first to congratulate you on exposing the ARB and Old Southwest's design restrictions for exactly the futile and wasteful trap they are. There has always been an understanding that the ARB is an oversight board which caters to the wealthier members of Old Southwest, including a husband/wife team that is rife with conflicts of interest.



That being said, and understood, I would like to invite Mr. Hicks and family to come live in Historic Old Southeast. We may not be as old as Old Southwest, but were more historic-er!



Despite rumors and reports to the otherwise, Southeast is a quiet community. We have parks, libraries, decent schools (if you choose to be involved), and easy access to everything. Oh, and our houses are just as big, only cheaper.



Actually, I would like to invite anyone who is looking at Old Southwest as a place to live to come look at Historic Southeast - we have just as much to offer, without the ARB design guidelines nonsense.



Historic Southeast is undergoing a change, people are taking pride in their homes and neighborhoods again. But it is because the people want it, not because the city demands it.



Mr. Hicks, when you finally get free and clear of the ARB tripe, and are looking for another place to hang your hat - I invite you to contact me, and I will personally give you the grand sales pitch on behalf of Historic Southeast.



Thank you, and good luck.



RoanokeFound

School of Hard Knocks

Some truths of high school life:



don't really care who they go to school with - they are too busy trying to get through the day just like their parents at work.



kids do not particularly care about school, or homework.



is no real way to motivate a kid to learn.



But - that being said, very few children whose parents graduate high school fail to do so. The students who excel usually are those whose parents did not have the chance to go further in education - like the children of immigrants. There needs to be a value placed on having an education, and for lack of a nicer way to put it, a good number of parents don't value education these days. They did not bother getting one themselves (or did not continue to educate themselves on a daily basis, read a book, or something similar) and guess what - the apple does not fall far from the tree.



What we are dealing with in Roanoke is a failure for the children, not of the children. Uninvolved parents, a school system confused as to how best serve the community/uphold state standards/keep the kids involved, and a shift in job skills.



Even the most physical jobs now require some sort of training, education, and ability to grasp concepts and learn from them. In order to work, one needs to understand work. Parents are all too familiar with the daily grind, and tell children often how miserable they are/how bad work sucks/how they don't pay enough... but never follow that up with the message that a little education can go a long way to allowing you to reach higher than they did.



It used to be that one generation always wanted better for the next, that has now shifted to one generation wanting the same for the next generation.



Not to mention the apathy of some parents, educators, and administrators when it comes to advancing students in the world. "Toe the line" is the call these days, maintain the status quo - and do not jeopardize the funding of the school.



The schools absolutely must raise standards, SOLs and "No Child Left Behind" warrant so - but the schools find themselves fighting apathy on the home front, a student body more interested in the "easy way" (as seen on TV, some conditions may apply.. Act now!), and a state and federal system that assumes the schools are failing the kids.



In reality, everyone is failing them.



I cannot tell you how many times in my average day I hear the words "I have a GED" or "I can get a GED and a job, why bother?" It's frustrating to say the least. But the question that I have, and no one else is asking - how many of the parents actually graduated high school themselves? I am willing to bet that of the 43% that drop out, half of those kids have parents with little in the way of education.



And excuses are easy to come by. Around the age of 15, a kid makes a choice that lasts nearly 10 years. I will/will not be like my parent(s). It's that simple. If a child sees that it's parents are making something of themselves thanks to the life-long process of learning, then that is imprinted upon them. And until the age of 25 or so, they will either embrace it - or they will renounce it (temporarily).



But then they learn, and regret what choices they have made. Without a solid background of education appreciation, the motivation to further oneself is nonexistent.



It's a generation doomed to fail, that is raised without valuing education and advancement of ones person. And it's already happening.



Look around Roanoke, where are the leaders - the young people who will take the mantle of achievement and lead into the next generation. They have abandoned the city. Left it to those who are the Status Quo.



And there in lies the problem in education - the educated move on, resolved in the knowledge that they will succeed in life - while the partially educated (no one's education is ever complete) resolve themselves to "do what they can with what they have" and miss the struggle to achieve.



Anyway - consider this part one in an occasional series - kinda like the Times is doing.



Comment away.

Firefighter bridges time

(ed. - I don't know who this guy is, but I like his style. Support your tiny super-firefighters.)

During the first few decades of firefighting services in Roanoke, firefighters such as Howard Dowdy drove and washed the horses that pulled fire wagons.

More than a century later, Dowdy's grandson, Bev Mitchell, would drive and wash the gray, and later red, fire engines.

"I imagine we respond a whole lot quicker now than we did then," Mitchell said, chuckling.

The evolution of the department, from an all-volunteer organization in 1882 to the Fire-EMS department in 1995, is documented in a new book, "Firefighting in Roanoke."

The book, compiled by Roanoke firefighter Lt. Rhett Fleitz, includes more than 200 pictures that illustrate the changes in Roanoke's firefighting services, which began almost 125 years ago.

Much of the information in the book is from news clippings and photos that Capt. Maurice Wiseman of the Roanoke Fire Department collected in his lifetime.

After Wiseman's death in 2001, his family gave the boxes of papers and binders to the local firefighter's union.

Fleitz and firefighter Travis Collins used some of the information for "The Maurice Wiseman Project," a Web page with pictures and a time line of fire services in Roanoke. The project can be accessed through the union's Web site, www.local1132.org.

More here, where the article lies.

A matter of pride

I've noticed that for some unknown reason, the general working-class population of Roanoke likes to walk around in their work attire.



Which is not altogether a bad thing. What puzzles me, and of course being someone who wears both a jacket and apron, and hat as my uniform - why would you ever walk out of work wearing all of it?



It's one thing to wear your jacket if you are jumping in your car and heading home, but to keep your apron on..



I am proud of who I am and what I do, but I am not a paid billboard for who I do it for. (exception being the forgotten-roanoke.com jacket...) Nor do I want to look like I have stepped through a portal in space and appeared suddenly on the street, in full uniform.



To me, it's a matter of pride to show I am an individual, one with a job - sure, but an individual first. One who takes pride in who I am and how I look..



Ok, yes - if you are a doctor or hospital worker running out to get some lunch - that's one thing.. but if you work for the cafeteria at the hospital, take off the hairnet and scrubs when you leave. You look silly.



But thats one thing.. the other is a lot larger of an issue.



It's pride in Roanoke itself.



When you look at downtown Roanoke, what do you see? Do you see the past - slightly cleaned up? Do you see the destruction of things you knew and loved in the past? Do you see a city that does not care what you want? A city that is unable to figure out what it's doing wrong?



Or do you see the future: cold and empty, populated by the elderly and the poor folks? Failed ventures lining the streets, a city without a generations worth of citizens - who all moved out because - well, because.



Or do you see the future: a city of possibilities. With a cutting edge downtown life, remarkable selection of shops and restaurants, little avoidable loss in terms of buildings, a viable and self-sustaining nightlife, miles of wifi and fiber optic being used to it's fullest potential. Not only the Star City, but the Crown Jewel of all of Virginia. A place where government remodels itself to be flexible, and more responsive, and perhaps even a little more savvy when it comes to it's own business.



The question really is: do you see the limitations, or do you see the options? The potential, or the potential for disaster?







Are you going to let the poor blind lady with the wheel on her foot down?

I'd hate to be a Patent Clerk

Not the most normal of statements, but there is good reason for that.

Google (our overlords) has struck again, with the introduction of Google Patent Search.

Google Patent Search

How about that, already searching 7 million patents. Pretty nifty.

Try this one out for a lark.

(note: as I type this, a sudden Google Error page appears. Keep trying though.)

Little did I realize...

Little did I realize how many people realize the city is bass-ackwards, but feel they are powerless to do anything about it.



Every day I meet new people, have new conversations with people who realize that there are major flaws in the city's government, but feel they cannot effect a change.



Little did I realize the level of "status quo" which exists among the higher ups here - how dare you attempt to give forth a new idea, or a proven one when it changes the way they have to work, or worse than that - makes them actually work.



Little did I realize how many people mistake "can't do" with "won't do", causing elevated blood pressure levels.



And little did I realize that refurbishing and restoring the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge (aka - the Henry St. Bridge) would entail removing the entire bridge. This came as quite a shock to me when I walked out of work today... But thats what I get for having a day off.



Ah well, more to come.. the holidays are upon us, and the craziness is near endless.