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...