125 years

The city celebrates it's 125th with an Arts festival, a housing symposium, and a botched kick-off parade and expo at the newest jewel in the Civic Center.

Wayne Newton is playing the Civic Center for the first time in ages, and it's not even associated with the 125th (it was booked outside the 125th celebration scope). No, instead Crystal Gale is the featured performer for our 125th.

Now word on the street comes that there is nothing else planned of any consequence for the 125th.

No, even though 100 years ago this month, the Great Roanoke Fair was just winding down - a tradition which lasted many years (held on the old Fairgrounds, recently home to Victory Stadium). Why did we not renew this tradition? Why is this the best we can do?

Could it be the ego-tastic CEO of Roanoke's doing? The woman who publicly screwed over Bob Dills, yet now sweetly wants him to be part of YET ANOTHER oversight board?

In 125 years, the City of Roanoke has seen a great many things. The winter of 1887, when snow buried the entirety of downtown and land values fell like stones. The Flood of 1892. The great Roanoke Fairs of years gone past, not to mention the boom of industrious growth, and the vacuum of industrial vacancy. And yet the City has survived.. endured.

We are now a medical mecca (regardless of weather or not you wish to like Carilion), a great attractor for retirees who move to the general area, and a simmering hotbed of creativity (again, you might not want to see it, but it's true).

All this after 125 years of surviving layoffs, downturns, floods, fires, con-men (no one recently, eh Warner?), and the Commonwealth's insane "Independent City" rule.

And apparently this 125th celebration is worthy of all that. This 125th reflects the struggles, the triumphs of this history that is Roanoke.

Everyone, Quick! To the History Museum of Western Virginia - where we might actually glean something about the past!

Before that Juke Joint Jezebel erases that too, and replaces it with her version of things.

Who would have thought that Roanoke would have it's own Hillary Clinton?

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.

Promissory Note

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

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

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

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

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

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

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