For all of you:

Those of you out there who wish Roanoke was more exciting like New York City, Charlotte, or DC, some recently released numbers that might make you think otherwise.

New York City: 3 year bodycount (murder, homicide) 1662+ (Per 100k pop.) 7
Charlotte: 3 year bodycount (murder, homicide) 125+ (Per 100k) 8
DC: 3 year bodycount (murder, homicide) 600+ (Per 100k) 33

Roanoke: Total 2004 bodycount (most recent available) 8 Total.

Think it can't happen here? Keep ignoring the citizens of the city and the basics of life here.

Focus on Victory Stadium, 2 high school stadiums, and you'll have the city you want.

And so it begins

The youth of Roanoke rise.. and speak mightily.

Kudos to ATL.

Come, stay, live a little....

Roanoke City has recently launched an "Attract and Retain" campaign aimed at young adults here in Roanoke.

If your in Roanoke now, or looking at Roanoke to move to - or perhaps even want to come home to Roanoke - you now have an inside track to over 20 of the best employers here in Roanoke.

Like my grandmother says: "Try it, you'll like it." Hey, I've done it, and I'm not even a professional.

Try it now, just click the link below to get started.
Submit your information...

Vote for Roanoke in the future tense

Of little suprise today, and for the 38th time since they announced - the Roanoke Times has endorsed TMD "For the City". I suppose the constant choice of letters to the editor polishing the apple for DMT didn't hurt either.

Meh - thats the Times for you. Amazing how a past-tense newspaper can ask you to vote future-tense. The Times is doing a stunning job of extracting themselves from the daily lives of Roanokers.

I told you, if you won't vote for me as Overlord; Vote for McConnel/Revercomb. Two bright lights with the ability to lead, not load. Based on all available statements, platforms, and opinions - I'd say these two understand that the business of Roanoke is a failed business, but can be fixed easily.

Plus, they both promised to keep a seat warm for me, next election cycle comes quickly you know.

This will be the last stand of the Old, Ineffective Roanoke. No matter what happens tomorrow, you can be sure Roanoke will never be the same. It might be another few years before we can fully set our sails for the horizon, but it is happening. Roanoke is going to have some hard decisions put upon it in the next few years, and no matter how much the city council and the governing bodies of Roanoke attempt to hide from those decisions, they will have to be made.

If I cannot do it yet, Revercomb and McConnel can.

Give Roanoke a future.

Can someone explain to me this insanity?

As a future businessperson, I had chance to plug through the VABC license types and costs page.

Aside from the On and Off premises banter (which really stretches the concept of having a business in the first place), it's interesting to note that there is no section for "bar", "pub", or similar.

Way to stifle the business market, Virginia.

As I've said before, the biggest asset any neighborhood has is its community bar.

From the NYS ABC page: "ON-PREMISES LIQUOR:
Generally considered to be the standard "bar" license. Allows
on-premises consumption of liquor, wine and beer and also allows for
sale of beer (only) for off-premises consumption. Food, such as soups
and sandwiches, MUST be served."

From the VABC page: Well, actually there is no direct comparison to the NYS one. There are something like 38 different kinds of licenses one can apply for, as compared to NYS' 21. But the only real difference is the one "standard 'bar' license."


Allright - someone, anyone - give me a reason why the state of Virginia does not have a simple, standard bar license.

Also in the list of "bad business" pratices enforced by the VABC, the
"no buybacks" rule. Which I absolutely agree with. Why would you ever
want to reward your loyal customers? Why leave it up to the owner of the establishment wether or not they want to swallow the cost of the drink (plus tax) to show some love to a regular? Then again, why allow competition to raise revenue tax-wise when the state can lock down the entire bottled liquor racket for themselves?

I know, there I go asking the stupid questions again. Of course, competition which could only increase the public coffers goes untouched. Thats smart business sense.

Although - it is nice to note a worker in a place that has a mixed drink license can, infact, consume alcohol (as long as not to the point of intoxication) while on a break or lunch.

Read over the VABC license types, and tell me theres no tilt towards the larger businesses. Hotels and the like have no problem serving what they want, but don't you dare try to open a small tavern.

While I applaud VABC for attempting to control and curtail "DIP" (drunk in public) behavior, I also note there are many drunk driving accidents regardless of the laws. And seriously, where does personal responsibility come into play?

There are hard questions that need to be answered as Virginia steps into the 21st century, and they must be asked. Progress does not come easily anywhere, but sometimes change is necissicary for the good of the public.

The Blogging Convergance Report

Yesterday was a study in group dynamics. The Roanoke Blogger Meeting at De Espresso was a nice "sit and shoot" session. Well attended by most of the bloggers you see linked to your right (along the sidebar), and the chat flew back and forth between topics.

Interestingly enough, not one of the attendees was Roanoke born and raised. It would have been nice to have at least ONE true local attend, but theres always next time.

Come on Roanoke, you gonna let a bunch of transplants discuss and debate the city and its future?

I'll have more on this later. I need time to wake up..

1931-2006 Different? Not so much...

1936 "What Americans shall do with the hordes of aliens within the
boundaries of the country presents one of the staggering problems of
the time, Clifton A. Woodrum, Virginia representative in Congress told
members of the social and community welfare committee of the Elk's
Club..."

2006 - a Spanish language version of the National Anthem, Immigration rallys and "walk-outs", debate raging on every front about the problem of illegal immigrants, and legal ones too.

Yep - even here in little ol' Roanoke, we are not immune to the current events (no matter how much we might act like it.)

See you all later...

De Espresso - 3p-5p

Jefferson and Kirk, in the old Hallmark store.

Bring your brains, and a few bucks for the coffee guy.

An open invitation:

Well, you wanted an open call, hows this for an open call?

 This is an open invitation to come down and meet the Bloggers, Saturday April 29th, between 3-5pm at De Espresso on Jefferson St. downtown.


Confirmed: RoanokeFound (moi)
                   Roanoke Firefighters
                   Ms. Elenaeous
                   LotzOThoughtz

And many more..

Just a reminder that De Espresso is WiFi-friendly, so bring your laptops. With any luck - we will be running a live blog of the event. Possible AudioBlog posts as well. And (blackmail) photos for sure.

Remember to bring a couple of bucks for the coffeeman, and your sense of fun.

This could be the first in a series of get-togethers, so if you miss this one, you have only yourself to blame.

That is all...

Once again, I give you the Roanoke Times Editorial page

Young workers seek more from Roanoke

Allright, I'm going to need a moment here, hold on please.

5....4....3....2....1....*exhales*

Allright, that moment's over. Sometimes Im halfway between bewilderment and stupification when I read a Times editorial. But this one is different.

 I really wish I knew who wrote this one, because Ladies and Gentleman, this one defines the concept of "missing the point." Oh it starts out well enough, Roanoke's not hip, not cool and with-it. Theres a line about attracting retailers, restaurants, bars which will fill the void. Great. Wonderful.

But could someone explain to me how pathetically narrow the view the Times staff holds of these "Generation X and Y" worker-bees with saddlebags of disposeable income?

I am Gen X, or as I like to call it: "The 13th Generation". I work for a living, sweat for a living, grunt for a living.  I am not a high-paid, innovative company worker as the Times would like all us Gen X'rs to be. I am what used to be called "working class." My disposeable income is somewhat limited. More so as I am trying to buy a house. I would not be likely to purchase or lease a "loft or apartment or condominium" downtown. I do not shop at "high-end retailers", nor would I be inclined to do so.

I think the problem with the Times editorial is they are subconciously trying to strike a balance between the retirees the city markets itself to, and the big paycheck volatile-market workers they desire so much.

Can you honestly tell me that a big-paycheck tech worker is more important than the plumbers, police and fire, bus drivers, and carpenters?

They have needs and wants too, but with the current focus on "high-end" life, pricey downtown living, and retirees - they are being shut out of the equation.

So Roanoke Times, how do you propose to attract and retain those who will fight the fires, fix your leaky pipes, cook you a meal, and drive you around? Or are they not as important as those who design a new layout for a website?

Oh wait, they have service-related needs too.

And where are the waitresses, the salespeople, the ones who have to fill the jobs at these "high end" places supposed to live? Are you going to force them out of downtown? Force them out of Roanoke?

Retirees and "big paycheck" people.. go ahead with a plan like this and you are dooming Roanoke in one fell swoop. A city full of people who cannot get the basic services they need to live, will be an empty city soon enough.

Independents lead money race in Roanoke City Council campaign

Independents lead money race in Roanoke City Council campaign

In the interests of fairness and openness, your Overlord-to-be will release my financial information.

Amount of money raised for campaign: $10.53
Donations: $0
Special Interest donations: $0

Total War Chest: $5.00

So where did the $5.53 go? Mrs. Overlord asked for milk and eggs at the supermarket. And I bought some candy.

But notice, Im not bought and paid for by anyone. Well, except the Mrs.

I owe no group loyalty, no one has any hold over me. (Again, except the Mrs.)

Could you ask for a better canidate?

I think not.

Political stories from The Roanoke Times-City council puzzles over library system

Political stories from The Roanoke Times-City council puzzles over library system

I've been holding off on this one for a few hours now, trying to reason it.

"The consultants found that six out of 10 city residents never use the public libraries; that the facilities are dark, uninviting and hard to find a seat in; and that the libraries don't have the resources -- printed or electronic -- to adequately serve the city's residents."

Could it be the lack of interest from the public over the years has allowed the library to fall? The lack of interest? Much like a vital organ, it will suffer and deteriorate if not used regularly. I've spent time in the Downtown branch, and while the building itself is spectacular in design (I would love to see it returned to the library in the old postcards) the layout is quite confusing. As for the age of the books, well yes, they are old.

But with lack of interest, why bother buying new? The complaints were minimal. Besides, with the RVL.info website, and cross-lending between city and county one had access to any book in the metro area. Sure, it was not exactly instant, but you could get it. And while I will agree the Williamson Rd branch is small, with a circulating system, 3/4ths the books could be warehoused and pulled when needed. Although with the gas prices lately..

You know what you find in Barnes and Noble, Borders and all the rest you don't find in a library - the genetic need to be quiet. Thats why people like the retail outlets, they can come and go as they please - make noise, discuss things - get something to drink and generally relax. Plus, the locations are usually amenable to traffic. Take B&N at Tanglewood. It's next to Kroger, and has the movie theatre directly behind. Mom goes shopping, kids go to the bookstore to wander for a while, or Mom feels safe dropping the kids off there for a little while before the movie starts.

The library? 419, Downtown, take your pick. Not the most accessable locations, not really near much of anything. Adding parking is one idea, allowing for smoother transitions between the Market area and Elmwood park and the library itself. Of course, there is a parking garage directly across the street. Not that a deal could be struck or anything, heavens no.

Perhaps more study needs to be done, rather than use some clear headed business logic. Plus, with that lovely motel next door, well - who wouldnt want to drop your kids at the library?

Let's all ignore the fact that not one library system can hold its own, even the New York City Public Library system has problems.

And now you see why I held off on this for a while, trying to keep the crabby out of it is not easy. It's a library, not the Vatican - make it user-friendly, like the librarians are, and accessable. Simple.


Oh, and the library of old I was talking about? This shot says it all.








(edited to include photo, blogger acting skitzo today)

Political stories from The Roanoke Times- Grandstand 2006: Roanoke City Council

Political stories from The Roanoke Times- Grandstand 2006: Roanoke City Council

If I had to choose, aside from myself for Overlord, at this point I would most likely go with the Revercomb/McConnel option. They appear to be the only ones talking about changing the way the city itself does business.

Again, there are a few ideas I wish they would bring up in terms of Real Estate taxes and other taxes, but if they brought them up, what would be left for your poor Overlord to do?

Of course, Im not going to tell you who to cast your ballot for, with the sole exception of this:

Putting out an open call for Roanoke-based bloggers.

Any bloggers in Roanoke city/county that wishes to join the just-forming Star City Bloggers Alliance, get in touch - leave a comment - send an e-mail (email in profile, same as google talk name), flag us down on the street.

I've got at least 3 to start with, not including myself. Anyone else want to join?

Subtle differences

Since my post on the betrayal of the population of Roanoke by the city itself, I have have recieved much in the way of comment. Both on and offline. From those of a like age, I have been suprised to find much in the way of agreement. The younger express an interest, but not the full understanding. The older trend towards disbelief.

But all come together on the viewpoint that there are certain basics lacking here in Roanoke. Loyalty.

It seems a learned behavior to a certain extent. Businesses speak of loyalty, but do not practice it. As this article points out in todays Times, it is seemingly very hard to make friends today. Partly this is due to the compartmentalized world we live in now. But a large part of it is due to the fact that we don't connect anymore.

We used to connect at work, at church, at the bar... on the street, greeting a friend could take 10 minutes while you made conversation, inquired about life and the family, made plans - then finally you were on your way.

When was the last time you grabbed the crew and went up Mill Mountain to have a BBQ in the park (yes, the city does provide the grills - you provide fuel and food). It doesn't take much, but its an effort. And these days, few seem to feel the effort is worth it.

Sure, technology has made it easier to keep track of people, so you can get in touch with them when you want. But we fail to communicate.

My greatest frustration with the blog, the website, and everything else - I am always looking for more feedback - a 2 way conversation with the reader. I will eventually hit a wall in my findings, or am seeking a bit of information only someone with a family history in Roanoke might know. Or someone who works in the very building Im writing about.

I might get one or two e-mails once in a while, I usually respond - then no more.

If I started offering tours (an idea which I have toyed with), my biggest concern is having people say they will come, then not show. I could communicate till my head falls off, sometimes it just doesnt matter. And it's not just a Roanoke problem, its the 21st century.

Whats the saving grace of the larger cities? NY, LA, Chicago, Newark? Communities. Self-reliant, supporting communities. Built around church, neighborhood, parks, ethnic heritage, schools - but it all comes down to loyalty for place, an idea, something. Something to be loyal to. Where are the loyaties here?

Victory Stadium? Hardly. Downtown engenders loyalty to an extent. But not the same kind of loyalty I am talking about.

The biggest single item a large number of Roanokers are loyal to is the Star. It is our one commonality. Quietly they replaced the viewing platform, an upgrade that was not crowed about, advertised, and debated over. It was something we all knew was needed. Something no one should debate.

But the Star is all encompassing, its like saying your loyal to the Roanoke Valley. Roanoke has neighborhoods, but is anyone loyal to them? We are only loyal to our schools as long as we have children in them. And what about the local bars? Well, not many options for loyalty there.

In NY, you could have 4 bakeries in a neighborhood. People will be viciously loyal to one of them, and out of that loyalty is born kinship. Kinship, under the right conditions, leads to friendship.

It's a subtle difference between Roanoke and the other cities Roanoke strives to be. But an important one.

2nd thought for the day. Told you there might be another one.

Tis'/Tis' not

And who among us; world traveler, educated, laborer, parent, child...

who among us has not seen this once or twice in the their lives here.

Mill Mountain scraped by clouds, the Peaks of Otter, or the Appalchians raking the sky - who has not seen that?

We all have, so often so that we no longer notice it. Take a moment next time, and think about this:

This photo is not from Roanoke, or anywhere near Roanoke. Yet it is exactly the kind of photo one might take on vacation. Yet you can see it right here, at home.

This photo is from Donegal, Ireland. Courtesy of abiyoyo.com, thank you very much.
Looking on it, its not hard to see why Roanoke held such a grip on the settlers.

Sometimes we forget, no matter how far we have come, nor how far we go - the mountains are always with us. No matter how much we have (amwv, victory stadium), or how much we lose (flood of 1985, blizzard of 1881), the mountains are always with us.

Thats your friday thought for now. Something else might pop up later, you never know.

Podcast a day early

Kind of calm, relaxed. Enjoy. Discuss on the messageboard if you like.


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A long shot hit it big

News from The Roanoke Times-A long shot hit it big

In a related story, Mahatma Ghandi and the valedictorian for any high school ate alone last night.

So I guess if I kick the ball, throw the ball, or bounce the ball - I can be more popular than if I re-invent the ball? Even more popular than if I design the ball?

This is a life lesson folks, and your kids just learned a thing or two.

Hard Times on Williamson Rd.

Some of you older folks might remember Gill's Motor Court and Restaurant. Some of you younger ones might look at the sign and find it vaguely familiar.

Look at it again. The distinctive shape of it. The placement of the circle.

Get it yet?


Does this help? (courtesy GIS)






You still pass it every day. The Roma Restaurant and Motel. Abandoned for years on Williamson Rd. (4611). Well, nearly abandoned.

A year does not pass when, according to sources in the RCFD, there is not a fire from squatters in the main 'motel' building.

It's not unthinkable that the photographer for the Roanoke City GIS was leery of getting too close to the building, hence the shot from back by Queen Nails 3. There are many other angles from which a similar photo could be taken.

Gill's/Roma was built in 1940, consisting of roughly 14 rooms, an office, and a large restaurant. It offered a clean, hospitable nights rest to the weary traveler in the days before 581.

I can venture to guess what happened next. Gill's was most likely a family owned and operated venture, which came upon hard times and was sold. It reopened as the Roma, an Italian themed restaurant and motel. It did well enough for a while. But the advent of 581 put a serious crimp in the number of long-haul travelers who would be on Williamson Rd. So traffic increased, while business decreased. Whatever fate brought it to the point which we all see it at today, it exists as such. For sale, abandoned, squatted in, burned several times over, and ignored.

It has an owner, someone who should be taken to task for allowing it to exist in the condition its in. Someone who probably has either forgotten about the place, or is holding out for a higher price. In either case, the rest of the surrounding area suffers.

With an assessed value of just north of $440k, the fact that the buildings would need demolition (sadly, this includes the restaurant and sign), the land being higher in value than the buildings - at this point, the focus should have shifted away from getting highest price and towards extracting the property from Williamson Rd.

For the betterment of the surrounding business community, the local residents, and all of us that have to travel past it in our daily commutes.

Would that it have remained in the condition we see it as Gill's Restaurant and Motor Lodge, it would be a landmark. In the condition it is today, it has become an eyesore.

Remove the malignancy, and hope that the ground is fertile enough to support something other than another Car lot.

For the common good.

Bad enough 581 was closed off..

Apparently, so is my mind. Writers block yall.. Give me time, Im working it out.

Although this general dissatisfaction with the page Im building is taking its toll on me.

Again, give me time.

Im going to record a podcast today at some point - Im hoping that will get the brainjuices flowing.