I think I woke up in a different world.. anyone else have that feeling?

Clearly this cannot be the same place I went to sleep in. Or, if it is - the Times should be taken out back behind the woodshed and given the "sock full of oranges" treatment.

Although I think I have finally figured out the problem with the City Council.

In the Roanoke Times obsession article on Bill "Don't I look" White, we learn that nobody likes Mr. White.

Shock there, aside from the guy being a landlord (and no one ever really likes a landlord), he's a pseudo-white supremicist. More likely an instigator than an action-taker, he is the geeky kid we all (and I mean all, even the other geeky kids) used to pick at. Nowadays, no one would mess with him in school for fear of him going "Columbine."

He looks like the kind of guy who always had a girlfriend, but she always lived somewhere else. But he is a simple problem, and if you don't know how to deal with a loudmouth jerk, ASK A NEW YORKER. Don't give this man creedence by writing endless columns about him.

But the Roanoke Times must, because its their job to highlight the very worst of Roanoke, with a wink and a nod. They are reporting all the things about Whitey, peoples reactions to them, and reasons he does not represent us. What?

And how do you think thats going to make Roanoke look - everyone trying to back away from this jackass. You would think he WAS some sort of public official the way the Times portrays him and how our top politicos are backing away from someone they literally have NO CONTACT with.

Oh, and take a look over here (Southern Conservative) for more information about Mr. Whitey - the walking talking brainless wonder.

But heres where the City Council becomes involved and we discover why Roanoke gets so little accomplished. (-sidenote, I actually like most of these people and really hope that its just the Times making them look like this.)

"He's not representativeof Roanoke in any fashion," Wishneff said, later calling Whitey a "creep" "punk" and a "coward." He also said he would like to take part in a "community discussion" about Whitey.

I'm sorry, what? A community discussion on one man who is not even from Roanoke and probably won't be here in another year or two? Is that not a little drastic? Dedicate this much time to him, he's going to get an ego.

Oh, and thats to the Times for pointing out that Mr. Wishneff's anger towards Mr. Whitey stems from the fact he is a Jew. Fascinating. Allow me Mr. Wishneff to say to you: LeChaim! It's nice to find people who actually understand me when I say that...

Oh, and no Mr. Whitey is not "inciting violence," as you say Mr. Wishneff. He is just shooting his mouth off - inciting violence would be shooting his mouth off in the South Bronx. Mr. Whitey prefers to do it from afar, therefore he is nothing more than a rabble-rouser.

Moving on, Mr. Alfred Dowe. From what I have heard, a nice enough guy. But maybe a bit too worried. "Dowe said the situation has him worried about his personal safety, and he suggested that the council return to a former practice of securing its meetings with armed law enforcement personnel."

He is one man. With a big ol' mouth. I highly doubt he even has the guts to walk around in public in his "uniform" unless accompanied by either 20 other guys, or a tv camera. Your best bet Mr. Dowe, find out who is living in his apartments. Contact them personally, and offer to move them to different apartments. If you take away his business, then he has no reason to be here. Again, securing council meetings gives this man more power than he has, or deserves.

And now, Vice-Mayor Fitzpatrick. I like Bev, and think he is a man of ideas. Good ones at that, but this.. well - it goes back to the whole "giving Mr. Whitey more than he deserves." "Fitzpatrick said the council should send a letter to its counterparts in Toledo expressing their support and to distance themselves from White." If we really feel the need to distance ourselves from him, what does that say about us? That apparently - we thought highly of him to begin with. We were shocked when we learned of his big ol' stupid mouth. We were duped.

We have known this man was an asshat since he first moved to Roanoke.

Although, big huge round of applause for Shaheed Omar. Mr. Omar had the brains to step up and call it like it is at the meeting. "Omar said that Roanoke's news outlets are giving White too much attention, and that only perpetuates his cause.

White's "really not saying anything," Omar said."

Nope, although you could probably run a very lucrative Hot Air Balloon business off of Mr. Whiteys head.

Oh, wait for it.. waiiiit.. just moments after saying that Whiteys group only has about 300 members nationally, we get this: But according to White, his group has enough supporters in Roanoke that it is considering leasing an office downtown to serve as its regional headquarters.

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the B*llsh*t artist of the year, Mr. William "My Name is Bill" White.

Let's show this guy the backdoor to Roanoke, and flush him into the river. All you have to do is ignore him, take away his livelyhood (warn people before they rent from him), and most importantly, do not give him a 2nd thought.

And its all perfectly legal. Cuz this little pansyass is a lawsuit serving tool, what he can't get done personally - he turns to the courts to do for him. So I would not be suprised if he tries to sue Mr. Wishneff for slander, or even the city council itself. But if you go through the mere act of warning people before renting from him, its perfectly legit. It's called full disclosure. And yes, what goes for home buying also goes for home renting.

Or, just buy him a one-way greyhound ticket to Hempstead, NY. Make sure he packs his little suit in his Hitler Youth travel luggage, and send him on his way. Or.. well - no. Omerta might be too strong an idea for Roanoke yet.

I did have more to say about the council itself, but thats going to have to wait about an hour now..

Good Monday to you all...

Well, it finally happened. Fall has come to SWVA. This is the WDBJ7 Towercam on Poor Mt. Although the leaves have not changed up there yet, they are starting to change. Bedford is seeing color, as well as Rocky Mount and even Virginia Western CC is starting to change. (If you have weatherbug, its easy to find all these cams. if not - go to WeatherRoanoke.com) The air is crisp and clear. Chill some might even say. I have pulled out my denim jacket for while Im out and about.

Now I can carry my camera on me instead of in my bag. I've started playing more jazz as I work around the house and on the site. We are coming upon the time when Charlie Brown will fill the airwaves. It begins with The Great Pumpkin, and carrys forth.

Now I allready know its too easy to begin harumphing about Christmas. Especially when WalMart is displaying decorations, TV is allready beginning to show christmas-themed ads, and we all know... we dread.. November 1st. Because we know on November 1st, the Christmas displays go up fully in stores, the mall is festooned and construction begins on Santa's pad. And certain stores begin playing seasonal music endlessly.

But we still have time before that happens. Time to gather a pile of leaves and dive on in. Time for a cool hike on Mill Mountain, or a stroll through downtown. Good time for some early morning fishing on the lake, or some flycasting in the river. Good time to exist basically, provided you can forget lifes worries and just be for a while.

And remember, we are probably just a few weeks away from the constant use of the word "windchill".

This full moon is the Hunter's Moon, and has been hanging stunningly near the Star at night. The early morning sky is breathtaking, and the clouds that pass during the day are straight out of a Bob Ross painting. Have your minds set on record, I have a feeling this is going to be a fall to remember.

Remember, new page at Forgotten-Roanoke.com, new podcast at Odeo. And should you be interested, some nice quality Forgotten-Roanoke wear at Cafepress.

Have yourselves a good day.. and take time to stop and smell the leaves.

It's Kirk

It's Kirk

And here you have it, installment 1 of 2. Kirk Ave. Roanoke's backstreet.

See, I don't always break a promise now do I?

Technorati tags: roanoke, history, kirk, streets, wdbj, urbanology

Kirk is coming

Look sharp! Kirk is nearly here. Expect Kirk to arrive tonight, before midnight. (yeah well, its nice out, and I have to work today - so there.)

Otherwise, just another NICE day in Roanoke.

Google Local - Kirk Ave, Roanoke, VA

Coming tomorrow (or late night tomorrow)

Kirk Ave.: Roanoke's Favorite Alley.

roanoke.com - Business Stories -Kroger, union close to new contract

roanoke.com - Business Stories -Kroger, union close to new contract

Allright, Im going to make this short and sweet. I know youze peoples have issues with Unions. Shall we say, your not big fans? And I know companies down here tend to quash any talk of unions as well.

Well listen, I come from the state which is nearly all union, all the time. I am going to let you in on a little secret.

What Kroger has is not a union. I did some time with Kroger earlier this year, forever to be known as the "Stupid Months."
Whoever determined that Kroger has a "union" and the "union" was set up for employees is a lying jackass.

Here's the ugly truth: Kroger's union is just another extension of the company itself. At least UFCW 400 is, I have been in the UFCW twice prior, and have never seen a local that has as much power as it has, but uses it to no good end. The reason the average pay at Kroger is $9.56 is because when you go to work for Kroger, they have a chart. And based on your experience - the chart determines what you'll be paid. Ooohkay...

Now what you'll be paid is not what you SHOULD be paid. What you should be paid is $2-3 dollars higher an hour. And thats what they will tell you when you go in.

In NY, under the union contract - you pay union dues per paycheck. Oh.. I was paying about $5 a paycheck, had great coverage (which I never used), AND saw my union rep (not shop steward) quite often. I had a $10 co-pay when I went to the doc or dentist. No co-pay for my vision, just $25 co-pay on glasses. All that after 3 months of employment.

At Kroger, under the union contract, there were no union dues. None that I paid directly anyway. There was no co-pay, just a $100 deductable as the article says. But what the article does not say is that there is no coverage until you have been at Kroger for one year. Hey - used to be 3 years. Now as I said, you don't pay dues. When I went for further clarification, I discovered that you DO pay dues, but they are actually (and I kid you not) hourly.

How? Well it seems that the union gets the payroll list at real hourly rate. Say 10.00 an hour. They look at it, balance the coverage costs per employee, and take -LUMP SUM- the top ?%. Then the rest is handed back to the company, who then has to distribute it among the employees as salary. So if you are making $10 an hour, the union takes X, and you might be left with $8.50 an hour.

There is no mention of any of this on your paystub. All you know is your getting $8.50 an hour. For benefits you don't get for a year.

Everything else the Union does with the "Off the Top dues" is a mystery. And I would be happy to explain, in detail (painful detail), how a Union actually operates.

I would be more than happy to point out that having a member of management also serve as a Union Rep is counter productive. And Im not saying management can't be union, they just can't be shop stewards. Conflicting interests, if they have any interest anyway.

I could tell you that in NY, not only does the company pay your benefits, but so does the Union, with the dues the members have paid in. It is a 75/20/5 split. Company pays 75, union pays 20, you pay 5 out of pocket.

You know, I've talked to many people about unions here, and told them about unions in NY. I've even heard management people say the NY Unions sound like they have their act together, unlike the ones they currently have.

It's not terribly difficult people. This Kroger contract is done, but the Kroger employees are still getting screwed by the union.

My 2centavos.
Technorati tags: kroger, union, contract, benefits

The Pod #2

Podcast #2 is up, enjoy yourselves. There will be a quiz later....

Ms. Elenaeous in Roanoke

And here I thought I was lost without alternate side of the street parking.

I forgot about 3am hunts for a single parking space in a 5 block area.

roanoke.com - Extra stories -Art Museum to change contractors for new building

"Bingham said the museum has not yet received a final number on construction costs, but assumes it will be 'a little bit over' their earlier estimates, in part because of rising building costs associated with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. 'Building materials all over the country are going out of sight.'"

Some days I should just phone these in.

Still on schedule, Mrs. Bingham states. What schedule, who knows. As far as I have seen, the lot which was supposed to have closed (behind Billy's Ritz) is still open. I see lots of cars parked there, especially on weekends.

"We have to look out for our donors and what's best for the project," says Bingham, the executive director of the AMWV.

No word on the people yet..

Other news on the same page, The "Hands around the world" statue will not be in Elmwood park, in the words of the sculptor Judith Damon, "How can you ask people for money for a sculpture with all the desperate need down South?"

I think she's being a bit polite.

I was hoping to see that statue in Elmwood Park, personally I thought it was a good idea. But I guess Roanoke never felt connected enough with it to actually raise funds for it. Will of the people sort of thing I guess. (AMWV, perhaps you need a refresher in that.) Well, at least whats left of the money collected will go to the Red Cross in hopes that it reaches New Orleans and the rest of the area to do some good.

Much like the former residents of Willow Creek Apartments, the citizens of New Orleans are coming home to mold, mildew, and water damage beyond compare.

And finally, Shanna Flowers has an interesting column here

Although what Roanoke's "recent newsmaking negatives" might be, she does not explain. Although I can assure you, gentle reader, that New York City and Los Angeles take no notice of the day to day dramas that play out in the 2nd section of the Roanoke Times. Far more important to them are the stories on non-profit fundraising, the AMWV, and perhaps even The Market. Each one reflects a trend in America, if the economy is having a good year - allegedly donations to non-profits rise. If a small town wants to make itself more noticeable, it builds something like the "Twisted Tin Can" (as it was put to me recently) which will become the Art Museum of Western Virginia. They are watching to see if it actually happens, and why. They are not concerned about the outcome so much as the process.

And finally the City Market. A story of particular note, as the nations small cities study how to make their downtown historic districts (ever wonder how they all get downtown?) thrive in the 21st. century. Roanoke led the way with Design '79, and many towns and cities followed in theory. Now Roanoke is launching ReDesign V2.0 Beta for the City Market area, and those same towns and cities are watching to see how it will play out. Will it be viable, will technology play a greater part in the 'new' Market? Even on some levels, will it be TV worthy? Think of the Food Network. A Market where foods are prepared before customers eyes, and sold directly from the producer would be a novel idea, and worthy of a stop on "Roker on the Road." Possibly even a taping of "Emeril Live," as the entire town could turn out to stand outside the windows of Kitchen on the Market and watch the Worlds 2nd most famous chef do his thing.

(1st is still Julia Child, and always will be.)

There is more than progress to be made here, there is a future. To be created anew or continued as is.

Although it does sound real, when you hear it in your head: "Live from the Historic City Market in Beautiful Downtown Roanoke, Virginia - ITS EMERIL LIVE!! /cue music.

The platforms of social awareness are changing, and Roanoke needs to find its place in all that change.

Remember, they don't call us the Star City for nothing. It's more than just a neon sign on a mountain, its all of us. We are the ambassadors, and we are the dreamers.

Roanoke is the Future, and will always remain the past.

messageList

"The ideas for the market could greatly benefit the downtown area, but it would be nice to see the vendors area a pedestrian mall similar to Charlottesville. Some type of special parking can be provided to the vendors."

The ol' Roanoke.com messageboard in its newest incarnation, and not wholly thrilling either. No easy interface for tracking comments, and I get the feeling they are approving messages before posting them. But thats just lil ol paranoid me.

Now, good idea. The pedestrian mall in Charlottesville is nice. I've been a few times during my "time served" at UVA. Its a nice spot to spend an afternoon, or a walk. But lest we forget, at the head (coming from UVA itself, walking) is the Ice Rink. I'd say a year-round ice rink is a pretty big attraction in itself. But then the 'promenade' that is the pedestrian mall could be considered quite the draw. With one major drawback. If you venture outside the bounds of the mall, just a short walk up the streets, you find yourself in a not-so-nice area. Im not saying anything about the people there, I am saying it does not at all reflect or resemble the interior mall.

In addition, that mall is.. well, a mall really. There is a CVS, A&N, clothing stores (though I do not remember which national chain I saw there). There is a food court type area, and I understand its for one restaurant in particular, but it looks just like the tables at Valley View, just outdoors. To me, it takes up space in the middle of the whole walk. I would move the tables closer to the restaurant itself, and leave the middle free for pedestrians and pedestrian watching.

Anyway, the 'message board' at the times is pretty interesting on the whole ReDesign V2.0 Beta.

Hey, thats catchy. ReD2B. I like..

post #301

Yes, I have broken the 300 mark. Whoopie.

Im going to leave the blog as-is today, as I have multitudes of work. There will be a new post tomorrow, when I have more time.

Read through the last 3 or 4 posts, theres alot to chew on there. See you all tomorrow.

Mr. Kat's return. And reasons why Roanoke needs us.

After a long absence, Mr. Kat reappears with an editorial on the reality behind the Roanoke Market plans.

I agree with Mr. Kat on the changes, I think they are brilliant. But I am not about to lay down and watch as it gets bickered into "a power washing and new coat of paint."

Thats why I am so adamant about the AMWV, and hard-nosed about the vacant storefronts downtown.

I myself hope to open a place downtown one day. I've got my eye on a few places which would be prime for my special brand of retail.

Im talking about being 2 years out from this particular project. And alot can happen in 2 years, so I have a vested interest in how downtown grows and changes. A vested interest in how this town operates, as do we all. Wether or not we realize it.

We all have laundry lists of what we would like Roanoke to be. Top of the list for most people, and the very reason Roanoke has won accolades in years past, we all want it to be a great place to raise a family.

And that begins with us, if we don't stand for the changes we want, and the changes we don't want - then we are losers.

I could tell you horror stories of NYC, the city which everyone dreams of, everyone wishes to emulate in ways they don't even begin to imagine. I can give you specific incidents and causes as to why emulating the "Big Apple" is not the best of ideas.

If those who wished to emulate NYC could go live in NYC for a year or two - in a moderate apartment or home, working a job, the regular NYC life, and see how often you really cared about Art, or going to the opera or ballet. The sad truth is you don't have time. You don't have the ability to breathe without worry like you do here. Wether or not you see it that way, thats the way it is. It's all in how you pace yourself and your life. A control you easily lose in NYC.

Im not going to ramble on about this, Im too tired. Pursuing the dream leaves you exhausted, but in a good way.

Art Museum looking for new general contractor

I just heard this on WFIR, and had to come look it up.

One thing not mentioned in the DBJ story that is in the FIR story is Mrs. Bingham stating that "rumors of a firing" are incorrect.

What rumors? I heard no rumors. Did you hear a rumor? Nice going, now Im curious why a rumor was mentioned that no one heard.

Anyone got any info?

Editorials from The Roanoke Times -'Stunningly cool' ideas for Roanoke

Editorials from The Roanoke Times -'Stunningly cool' ideas for Roanoke: "Only one part of the consultant's vision seems blurry: the idea for a trolley running down Jefferson Street. Downtown Roanoke isn't expansive enough to accommodate such a system effectively, and more than likely it would further snarl traffic at the intersection of Jefferson and Campbell Avenue."

You know, for a moment there I thought I really could get behind the Times for a change. We were doing so well, talking up the Market plan and making it seem like a worthwhile project.

Then you hit this, the 2nd to last paragraph, and the whole -Ed peice goes to hell in a handbasket.

First of all, as someone else wrote in the "Letters to the Editor" a day or two ago, alot of people still think that the biggest problem with downtown is the fact that Campbell is now a 2 way street. Talk about a grudge. But in my own way I can see this change contributing to the problems with congestion at Jeff and Campbell. Yet another Roanoker chimed in on the Letters page to add: A streetcar needs someplace to start from, and someplace to go. Well generally, yes. You do not often find "rides to nowhere" anymore. My grandmother told me about them, you would get on a bus and ride somewhere - get out for a little while, then ride back. It was something to get you out of the city for a day. But as the years progressed, people got used to having a destination.

Now, reading through this -Ed. makes me wonder how often the Times Editorial Board reads the paper they produce. All those sketches were reportedly (according to the article found here) based on input from the residents who actually took the time to stop by and voice an opinion. I have a feeling that the Streetcar is one of them, being that its an idea which has been kicked around Roanoke for quite a while now.

And as for Downtown Roanoke not being expansive enough, well - downtown was not all that expansive back when the Streetcars first started operating, but they still managed to do a good amount of business. Plus, Downtown pushes outwards by a block or two each year. If you look, you can see signs of Elm Ave. becoming part of Downtown. And let's not forget, under the new zoning guidelines, the Downtown district is going to go all the way south to Old SW and 581/220. I'd say thats pretty expansive. Be a nice tour for visitors, from downtown all the way to the historic Victorians of Old Southwest, across to the base of Mill Mountain and back up to downtown. But again, for the -Ed. staff of the Times to know this, they might actually have to read the paper.

Ah well, nearly 8am and still dim out. Rainy.. Just another day in Roanoke....

Still with the issues

/sigh

Podcast still not uploaded yet, will be soon I imagine. Otherwise, this week is going to be a bit light, as I am doing 18 things at once.

General Announcement and Press Release #1 from Forgotten-Roanoke.com

Allright, I've had a bit of thinking to do on this one, and I think I have reached a decision.

Forgotten-Roanoke.com will begin updating every 2-2.5 weeks.

Beginning next week, updates will land on either a Sunday or Monday. I have increasingly found that as I travel back and forth in time, attempting to keep up with the latest and the historic is requiring more in-depth work than the initial pages would suggest. It's easy to find things, come up with lists of places - but very hard to get the evidence of such things. Sure there was a hospital at the intersection on Franklin and Walnut, where HSMM is now located, but how long ago? And how much is left? I can tell you personally, from passing that spot daily, not much. As a matter of fact, only the vaguest outline of the hospital and associated school of nursing is still existing.

I have been getting leads from the public, which I always welcome (email them here) which have led me to some interesting places. Plus I have 2 large projects planned for the near future, one of which I need the leaves to fall from the trees for.

The RoanokeFound Podcast, normally hosted with Odeo is on its way. It's done, I just seem to be having trouble uploading it for unknown reasons. I love doing these things, and hope you are enjoying them. I would like to take the podcast to broadcast one day, and possibly begin RadioForgottenRoanoke. Once a week, maybe an hour or two. Calls, guests, the whole 8.5 yards. Although the face of media might change before that even happens, so just keep your eyes peeled.

The RoanokeFound Blog (do I need to link to what you are allready reading?) will remain as is, with the addition of occasional PhoneCasts - where I go out and hit the streets, reporting live from places and events. I did mean to do one from Harvest Fest, but got so distracted by all the produce I forgot. (Lest you forget, I am a Chef in what little spare time I have.)

There are other, smaller projects in the works. Some are independant, some are collaborations with other bloggers. And I'd still like to see the Heironimous building become the Official Museum of the City of Roanoke. But thats just me.

I have 2 projects on the table right now, the first of which is the Flood of 1985. Im hoping to gather personal recollections and photographs to illustrate what could be considered a "watershed" (sorry) moment for Roanoke. This will be a collaborative effort, along with Rhett at RoanokeFireFighters.

The 2nd project I cannot discuss at this time. Just know that it will be complete when the leaves are off the trees, and the chill winds of winter have set in. It involves a piece of Roanoke's past, which is still highly visible today and still talked about. And no, Forgotten Roanoke will NOT be climbing to the top of the Star.

I will also ask for your help from time to time, as with the Flood of 85 project, if anyone has any information, recollections or photographs they would like to share, contact me here. I would also like any information on where everything went from the old Mill Mountain Childrens Zoo. Some of those pieces look familiar from when I was growing up in NY, and I am curious if there was a "fire sale" to get rid of it, or if they were mass produced by some company.

Well, thats all for now.. Remember - the more things change the more we report it.

By the by, Freshmarket is great. Highly reccomended. Although I would say perhaps when there is not 3/4ths the population of Roanoke there, as was when I went.

In my time here in Roanoke Ive discovered something.

A) this place looks great after storms.
B) theres a true sense of community here.
C) cellphones should be banned while driving, at penalty of death.
And D) as wonderfully diverse as Roanoke is, its lacking something.

Something it kinda had a year or two ago. Something that brings out the chest-thumping pride in a community, if done right.

Remember this place?
303 S Jefferson St.

Think.. think.. it might just come to you.

It was Kara O'Caens Irish Pub.

Fairly well world-renown Kara O's. It was listed in Irish Travel Guides for those coming over here as a slice of home.

Roanoke is as well.

Having traveled to Ireland in my youth, I can clearly remember the landscape, Dublin at night, the moon on Galway Bay.

It's not all that far off from Roanoke. Granted, its a bit warmer in the summer and a bit cooler in the winter, but Roanoke's climate is not all that far off from Dublin, and the rolling hills and mountains are near on a dead match.

Much like Roanokers, the Irish are warm and willing (for the most part). Fierce pride in their local teams, pride in those who protect and serve.

And pride in the history and the people who make up each town and village.

When I was last up at UVA for an extended stay there was a conference on "Re-Imagining Ireland" with guest speakers for miles lined up to talk about the new Irish economy, the 'new' Ireland itself.

Ireland is now home to many Microsoft offices, many eCommerce companies, and many many computer-related industries. The list of "Celtic Tiger" industries reads like a who's who of the computer world: Microsoft, Oracle, IBM just to name a few.

As a matter of fact, if you head over to Dublin's home page it reads amazingly like Roanokegov.com right down to the "City of Possibilities: Strategy 2012" section.

Even transportation is an issue, as Dublin struggles with the idea of building a Metro in the next decade.

So Dublin is not all that different from Roanoke. Point being???

Well, Dublin has one thing that Roanoke does not. Gathering places, meeting spots, bars, clubs, pubs - call them what you want. No place for the armchair pundits to get together to "hang an elbow" and discuss the daily goings on of life in the Star City.

From what I understand, back when it first opened Kara O's was like that. Still is according to some websites.

Roanoke has the Knights of Colombus, the Knights of Pythias, a large handful of Civic leagues. Its Ancient Order of Hibernians is just beginning to find its legs again, and judging by this years St. Patrick's Day Parade, they've got a good foothold.

There are plenty of Celts in SW Virginia, and Roanoke is no exception. But a City with as large of a St. Pat's Day parade as we have, and no Irish pub to go to afterwards is missing something.

And its not so much the Irish themselves that Roanoke is missing, it's the Irish thought. The communal gathering on a regular basis (outside of church) is important in ways that are hard to put into words, but easy to understand once you've seen it at work.

Imagine if you will leaving Roanoke forever, never to return - but finding near your new home a place where people who have also left Roanoke hang out. It brings the community back to you, even though you are not there.

Also imagine staying in Roanoke forever, but losing touch with those in your high school graduating class due to life getting in the way. Do you really want to wait for your X-Year Reunion to see them again? To the Irish mindset, this is a crime. A person needs people to celebrate life with, mourn losses with, and a place to remove himself from life and just be for a while.

I can clearly remember my first trip to an Irish pub in NYC, I walked in on an off night as the bar was just beginning to fill. I saw faces which were vaguely familiar, in that friendly sort of way. The band, well no - not a band per say, the loosely congealed group of musicians were taking their place on the stage for the Traditional Irish Session (where musicians of all levels will come and sit in for a song or two with a few main players leading the group). I ordered a Cider (personal thing, don't ask) and sat at the far end of the bar away from the band and closest to the door (incase I decided to make a quick exit, being there alone and all).

Within minutes I was deep in conversation about somesuch or other with probably 3-4 other people, including the bartender who had only been in America for 2 months. Later that night myself and the guy who I was talking with most of the night were challenged to a game of pool by a pair of young lasses who were over on Work Visas. Well, after 3 rounds of the most schitzophrenic pool I have ever played, it was back out front to the bar for the last set in the Session. We all bought eachother drinks, and then it was out the door and back to my normal life.

A few weeks later, I went to an Irish-named bar in my own town and left before the suds were off the first cider. It was not the same, even the people I knew in there were not talking. They just kind of stared off into space... The pooltable was empty and dusty, the bar was nearly vacant - all the business having gone next door into the attached restaurant. The jukebox had no Irish music, although I would assume that on St. Pats day they do play Danny Boy endlessly. There was no stage. No lilting accents.

Even the local Fire Department's Emerald Society held its annual St. Pats Day party at another bar, one with an ambiguous name. Now that right there is a crime.

And time and time again when I returned to that bar in NYC, I was always met with smiling faces and conversations - even when I had not been for 6 months, they were still ready to welcome a new face to the crowd.

Thats what I've discovered about Roanoke. Its got the smiling faces, and warm conversations - just no place to have them.

(file this one under late-night editorials)

News from The Roanoke Times -Downtown makeover proposals draw raves

Allright, I know you all are waiting for it... So here goes.

Absolutely brilliant.

Damn, THIS is what Im talking about people. Not remaking the face of Roanoke, just enhancing what it allready has.

Im actually kinda stunned. Go figure.

I swear

By the moon, and the stars in the sky...

I AM TRYING to upload my podcast for this week.. seriously, it should be up tomorrow at the latest - might be a nice midnight snack tonight if this thing would get moving.

I'll keep trying.

Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service: Blacksburg, VA: Roanoke River at Roanoke

Being that we are under a flood watch, I thought I would help you folks out a bit in understanding what happens when the water starts a-risin'. This list is not complete as it does not include Franklin Rd. or Roanoke Memorial, but make your own inferences as to them.



23.5 'RECORD FLOODING' BEGINS.
21.2 INTERMEDIATE REGIONAL FLOOD.
21.0 'NEAR RECORD' FLOODING BEGINS.
20.2 STAGE OF '100-YEAR' FLOOD.
18.3 STAGE OF '50-YEAR' FLOOD
18.2 HIGHWAY US-220 CLOSED AT ROANOKE.
17.8 ELEVATION OF WALKWAY TO USGS WELL HOUSE
17.4 HEIGHT OF THE ADR SHELF IN WALNUT STREET GAGE WELL HOUSE.
16.8 WATER FLOWS INTO OFFICE YARDS OF STEEL FABRICATION BUILDINGS AT ROANOKE IRON AND BRIDGE WORKS.
16.5 STAGE OF '25-YEAR' FLOOD
16.0 MAJOR FLOODING BEGINS
14.1 STAGE OF '10-YEAR' FLOOD.
13.0 WATER ENTERS EAST SIDE OF FOOTBALL STADIUM (FAIRGROUNDS).
12.5 WATER BEGINS TO FLOOD STADIUM PARKING LOT (FAIRGROUNDS).
12.3 NORFOLK AND WESTERN RAILROAD TRACKS OVERFLOW.
12.2 STAGE OF '5-YEAR FLOOD'
12.0 'MODERATE FLOODING' BEGINS. WATER ENTERS ROANOKE CITY MILLS.
10.0 FLOOD STAGE
9.2 STAGE OF '2-YEAR' FLOOD
8.0 WILEY DRIVE IS CLOSED. (SCENIC DRIVE THROUGH WASENA PARK IN SOUTHWEST CITY)."

Paddy Keenan Web Multimedia

Paddy Keenan Web Multimedia

I found this stumbling around the web today. Ultra cool, and free downloads. Get yer jig on...

Technorati tags: celtic, gaelic, reels, ireland

Wheres that expired equine?

I dont want to do this, really I dont.

Im not looking to be Don Quxiote tilting my spear at art museums.

But I also dont want to have to look back one day and ask "What the hell were we thinking?"

Nor do I want to explain to my kids how that big building got there and why.

This is not Roanoke's finest hour, not a good representation of what Roanoke stands for. Rather, as the old saying goes, its not what Roanoke stood for, its what it fell for.

The Art Museum is to Roanoke as the Monorail is to Springfield. Or Gherys Springfield Simphony Hall... Yeah, go watch the Simpsons to get these references.

I don't want to hear in 6 months or a year, Damn that things ugly. I dont want to hear people saying "how did this get here?"

Roanoke is on its knees - but not down yet.

Stand for something.

And the final nail...

Im a little teapot, short and Stout, here is my handle, here is my spout. When the water boils, hear me shout. Tip me over and money falls out... (oh, sorry. tee hee.)

Well, its supposed to blend and reflect the mountain scape which inspired it. And it does blend, mainly because it's so pale and beige my mind is able to ignore it being in the image. Although if you look closely at the image in the newspaper, you'll see they have allready revealed its future use, once it becomes too expensive for the Art Museum to afford. Look around on the photo - right where the platform balcony comes out, look at the glass - or better yet, in the glass. Whats that? Cars?

Future home of Fulton Motors perhaps?

another view

Aint that nice. It blends SO well. God, Im converted. I am a big supporter of using particle board in new and interesting ways. Wait, thats not particle board? Sure as hell looks like it.

Well, now you all get to see...

Here is is, this is how a major art museum will "blend" with downtown Roanoke.
And yes, this is how its going to look.

projects, projects...

yep, so I did not get the page up yesterday. Im bad, I know. And todays Roanoke Times online does not include the story hyped yesterday on the Extra Section bottom corner - if you looked closely, it seems to be about How the AMWV will fit in its surroundings. Theres even a photoshopped image of the AMWV actually on Salem ave. Including the "Im a little teapot" spout which in any rain (even todays, Thank God!) will pour buckets of water directly onto Salem Ave.

So now I have to buy the paper, and then get back to you. Grrr...

Happy as I am its raining, it's too dim out to be moving yet.

Forgotten-Roanoke went out HQ-hunting yesterday. Well, we looked at one place - real nice, spiffy even. And nearly the perfect perch overlooking the city I had hoped for.

Not as good as Rockledge, but thats only a matter of time.

See you in a few hours.

roanoke.com - Commentary Stories -Set museum jewel in a crown, not downtown

And this, from someone who has seen the actual Bilbao Guggenheim. Not people who have seen it in pictures. Not people who have studied its architecture from afar.

A real person who has really seen it.

Fast becoming a novelty in todays age of experts-on-everything.

Like my mother used to say, "Jack of all trades, master of none."

Just a reminder....

There is a podcast waiting for you.. oh yes, its waiting.. furtively waiting.

Allright - Im kidding - digital files cannot furtively wait. But they can plot.

Allright, about today...

Long day, looooooooooooooooooooooooong day.

Tomorrow, tomorrow things will happen.
Tomorrow I will do something.
Today, it's over Padre.

But thank you to all my loyal readers out there, and welcome to the new ones.

find yourself a comfy spot and read on..

Things are just warming up around here.

for example: Google is joining with Sun Microsystems.. whyfor?

and locally: What is the Art Museum going to do with that plot of land across from the Shenandoah across Williamson (behind the parking lot there, I know - but its hard to describe). And if you need further verification, go here and search Art Museum under Owner search. Near $400,000 in value, built in 1920.

Cold Holding? Or perhaps a viable commercial building which should not be sitting dormant? I realize that the answer to the question "Are taxes being paid?" is yes, so what does it really matter.

Revenue, jobs, growth... but no reason in particular.

more tomorrow

We Didn't Start The Fire

We Didn't Start The Fire

fargin cool...

News from The Roanoke Times -Newspaper strives to get it right

The count stands at 2 strikes and 2 balls. The Times is stepping out of the batters box, trying to get a grip on itself.

"...hard pressed to name another enterprise that publicly chrinicles and corrects its mistakes,..."

or not so much, as evidenced by my statement about my misspelling of Heirnimous. Or several thousand retractions printed daily by other news organizations. Not to mention hundreds of thousands of corrections by Verizon (with the lovely phone book) and god all knows who, and what else.

No, I would not be hard pressed, Im just too lazy to find them.

The Times steps back into the batters box.....

It looks like the time to move on Heironimous (my speeling was wrang in pst posts). The brickwork is in sad condition, both on the top and bottom of the building. Before we lose anymore of this historic building, we need to figure out a purpose. I am not sure if the damage is from the, well.. unfortunate granite siding it was clad with, or perhaps another past addition. Whatever it is, exposed to the elements, its not good. And with time, not much time, but time - it will crumble to the point of no return.

even down here (Heiro2) 

Just a note

Due to work and the Harvest Fest, a new page (and the completion of the streetcars page) will not be up til Tuesday at the earliest.

Now Im off to get me some cider...

Well, this looks to be a banner day...

Sadly I have to work today, but I will be stopping down the Market first for the Harvest Festival. I've been dying to get me some nice cider.

oh - and if you cruise on over to downtownroanoke.org you'll see they are allready planning Dickens of a Christmas. The theme is Christmas through the ages.

Good opportunity for Rhett to drag out the old truck, decorate it and run it in the parade.

And Im wondering if "A Christmas Story" themed float would be inappropriate. Well - those are ideas for another day. Today, work! But first.. a little cider.

pbwiki :: wikiroanoke WikiRoanokeCollaborativeBlog

Go ahead, give it a try. Password is Roanoke.

Odeo: Jefferson St. Podcast

Odeo: Jefferson St. Podcast

Well, here it is. Set aside 12 mins 33 seconds of your life to hear the first official Forgotten-Roanoke.com podcast.

Topic: Jefferson St. A continuation of the blog entry from earlier today. A little more folksy, a little more conversational.

Enjoy!

Todays Roanoke Times

God, I almost wore out my Blog This! button this morning.

The exceptionally historic Gainsboro section of town has gained State recognition and is now on the Virginia Historic Register. You might think of Gainsboro as "that place across the tracks," Henry Street, and other certain places pop to mind. But we all have an interest in Gainsboro. It's the predecessor of Roanoke itself.

Gainsboro is where Roanoke begins. In time, in history, and in the community - there would not be a Roanoke were it not a Gainsboro first.

Now we come to the write up on the meeting between Norfolk and Roanoke on what is essentially Operation Broken Windows. Of course, this means that Roanoke itself HAS to start taking responsibility for all those unoccupied buildings downtown. Especially those buildings which are long-term unoccupied, default on back taxes, or generally of a ruined nature. (ie. - The Heironymous Building, the Virginian Railway Station.)

As I was growing up in NYC back during Op Broken Windows, I remember going to Rockaway Beach and seeing abandoned homes and buildings everywhere. And each one had its windows boarded up, from the inside. And each window board had a scene painted on it - some had curtains and flowerpots, others painted with blinds that were drawn. Somewhere in my familys archive of photos, Im sure theres a photo with these windows in the background.

And now we move onto the Public Action portion of our programme. You, yes you, now have the opportunity to GET INVOLVED in the future of Roanoke. Roanoke is about to undertake a study of the City Market plan, the Library plan, and the Jefferson St. Revitalization plan.

Lets be honest here, while its nice to see political headquarters go into empty spaces on Jefferson, they dont last - they don't contribute much to the area for the short time they are there, and they certainly do not generate revenue. We need a distinct idea for what is essentially Roanoke's Main St (part 2, Campbell being part 1)

With the changing nature of the Patrick Henry Hotel, the empty storefronts lining the street, the Jefferson Motor Lodge being the absolute best location downtown for a hotel and the worst type of hotel possible for downtown, the abandoned (at this point) Heironymous building, Lee & Edwards shutting its doors, Kara O'Cairns being gone, and stories and stories of empty office space - Jefferson needs help.

And what will happen when Carilion finishes its Bio-Med park, will they consolidate all facilities to it? The Wachovia Building (not tower) houses much of Carilions financial-billing-human resources offices. Are they going to the Bio-Med park too?

I would not blame Carilion in the least, why not move your holdings to the land you own? But from end to end, Jefferson has problems. Yet Jefferson LOOKS great, it looks like a place where commerce should be king, and De Espresso is doing a fair amount of business there.

Heres an idea - take the old Heironymous building, and finish stripping off the granite exterior at ground level. Clean it up, and use it to open The Museum of the City of Roanoke. Certainly Roanoke has enough history inherent to properly run its own museum, and the former US Airways ticket counter could serve as a "one stop" location for tickets to all Roanoke venues and events. Even that.. thing theyre building.. the one for art... (I feel dirty now.)

Launch a partnership with Salem, and tickets could be sold to Salem Avalance games, Center in the Square, the Roanoke Civic Center, the Salem Civic Center, O. Winston Link Museum, Virginia Museum of Transportation, events like Affair in the Square, the Mill Mountain Zoo... all of it, in one place. And located close to the Market.

This is possible, but only if Roanoke steps up and wants it. Otherwise, it will just come down to more talk, more committies, and more of the same. Haven't we all had enough of Victory Stadium-style decision making?

Floyd and Fincastle are moving forward protecting their assets, planning for the future. If they can do it, why can't Roanoke?

roanoke.com - Neighbors Stories -Fincastle tour provides links to past

Now theres an idea.. Anyone have any thoughts?

Oh god..

Images: MIT's $100 laptop | CNET News.com

I want it, I want it, I want it! Mine!

Technorati tags: MIT, laptop, computer, affordable, mine

News from The Roanoke Times -Cleaning up city helps clean up crime

News from The Roanoke Times -Cleaning up city helps clean up crime: “"If you talk to neighborhood groups, you will find that the top priority of a lot of them is crime and code enforcement," said Shirley Bethel, a member of the Neighborhood Advocates, a city-sponsored panel charged with helping neighborhoods solve their problems. "The code enforcement, the neighborhoods think it's not getting done."”

Allright, I've been mulling this one over in my head for a few days now. I have some experience with this one, having lived in NYC during the time of Rudy Giuliani's "Operation Broken Windows."

The key to ridding yourself of crime is not code enforcement, code enforcement is one method incorporated in Broken Windows. The biggest component to the whole program, and one which is truly the most effective, is Quality of Life enforcement.

You really want to rid yourself of the riff-raff and improve your communities? Quality of Life. That lowlife thug down the street who keeps his bass kicking so loud it rattles his trunk? Ticket him endlessly for violating the Quality of Life statute on noise pollution. If he wont learn, he will go bankrupt. Now then, how does this apply to Roanoke?

First, it means writing more tickets for failure to obey traffic rules. Too many people getting in too many accidents on a daily basis. I cannot tell you how many I see on a weekly basis that occur directly out my door. Cause? Ignorance. 9 out of 10 accidents I see are due to distracted driving, failure to obey rules of the road, and the ever-present "I'm more important than you" attitude. I cannot cross my street to go to the supermarket ( we have two lanes, one turns - the other goes straight; they have two lanes - same deal) without the person in the turn lane across from me turning before I have passed. Need I remind you that if I'm going straight, I have the right of way?

I have learned to hesitate a half-second to watch what the other person is going to do. Thats not defensive driving, thats accomidating the ignorant for your own safety. Also, its on the books I don't care what you say, when you get into an accident you are to pull off to the side of the road, or in the safest location that does not impede the flow of traffic. Now I know the police make the determination at scene as to who is at fault. They can do that in a parking lot just as well as in the middle of traffic. It's safer for them, for you, and for all the people driving by.

If police started issuing citations when situations like that arose (ie. an accident which is in the center lane of a road, and the involved parties remain in that lane, although a shoulder is available) people might start moving out of the way.

Mind you, I live directly across from Tanglewood, home of a Roanoke County PD substation, and still there are some of the worst drivers imaginable who go without being stopped.

Lawns, abandoned cars, and stuff like that will most certainly effect those who are living in run-down homes. However taking it to the streets for such things as improper headlights, windows tinted too dark, and those type things will impact the wallet far more often. If you are on patrol, and see someone toss a lit cigarette to the ground, ticket them for littering. Instantly you have established a presence, set a standard, and reinforced the rules.

As much as I would like to believe in Roanoke's participation in a program like this, the presence of the homeless at the Market leads me to think otherwise. They panhandle, harass, leer, drink publicly, and generally detract from the quality of the Market area. Now I am not saying to ship them to Vinton or something like that, what I am saying is - we have a Market area which we claim to "love." We have a group of people who hang around doing nothing, and having nothing done to them. Why not get them all simple uniforms, give them a broom or something and let them go around the Market to clean. It gives them something to do, a few dollars in their pocket, and in return we get a cleaner Market. And it can be a day to day thing, and only if the person wants to do it. But if they do not wish to participate - then they must clear the Market and find someplace else to spend the day.

That place should not be the library either. But that is another matter.

I am not a person without compassion, and I do believe that each person has value. But it's lax attitudes like this that led to the Hotel Earle fire back in 1991. And if Roanoke truly wants to present a modern image to the world when the Crack by the Tracks opens in 2007, it needs to move now to get everyone invested in the future of Roanoke.

Besides, Quality of Life tickets can be a great source of revenue for the city. But I'm not saying that out loud now am I?

Technorati tags: roanoke, crime, community, code enforcement

Everybody Hates Chris: Everybody Hates The Pilot - Google Video

Everybody Hates Chris: Everybody Hates The Pilot - Google Video

The best 21:03 I have spent in front of the computer. Thanks Google for finally delivering good tv without commercials!

Oh, and for something interesting and unexpected - search TWC under the video search.

Technorati tags: funny, comedy, chris rock, sitcom

roanoke.com - Extra stories -A Star City of South of the Border?

roanoke.com - Extra stories -A Star City of South of the Border?

It looks like the Star City is about to gain a new Sister City, San Miguel De Allende, Mexico. Our mayor (evil goatee or not) took a handful of Roanoke's artists with him. Among them was John Reburn, owner of the Roanoke Valley Printworks on Salem Ave. just to the right of "Say Cheese."

I met John roughly a week ago when I finally gave into temptation and entered the shop (which I had not been in since Wicked Wicks closed his business).

I wonder if John knows the history of the store, including the large wood peice which lines the back wall?

But anyway, aside from the Roanoke/San Miguel de Allende commonalities, John notes one thing - much like Roanoke, a good chunk of its population is missing. "People in their 20's and 30's" as the article puts it.

Well first off, Im 30 and I can assume you Im not missing, my mind maybe - but not me personally.

But if you keep scrolling downwards in the article, you come across the 2nd peice. An article on a museum complex that is being built in Biloxi, Missisippi. Which has been designed by Frank "I was on the Simpsons" Gehry. You can see it HERE. Make note of one thing, the museum complex makes use of the land as it is. It has trees in and among the buildings, and no building that does not compliment the existing trees. There is a house which will also be a gallery for artwork, it is historic and old. And it is given its own feature location in the complex - it does not have any of the new buildings hovering above it. I guess Mr. Stout was absent on the day that Mr. Gehry was showing how to be a good designer.

Oh, and for those of you who might be interested, John Reburn designed the posters for the Roanoke Harvest Festival coming up this weekend. When I first saw them, among all the relics in his shop - I thought they were posters from the Roanoke Fair Grounds, circa 1900 or so. He's talented to say the least.

Side note: Is it just me, or does it seem like its always Kevin Kittredge's articles which catch my eye.


Technorati tags: roanoke, sister cities, star city

begin the beguine

begin the beguine

Allright, its not done yet - but Ive got more to do offline that originally thought. Yay me!

It's there, and if you need help finding it - its got something to do with streetcars.
Technorati tags: roanoke, history, streetcars

Somethings missing, plus site news.

roanoke.com - Editorials Index - Editorials

This is just something I've noticed, and I could be wrong.

Several weeks ago the Times added a new member to the editorial staff, Christian Trejbal. In his introductory piece, he said he looked forward to being "a voice for youth" and representing a different voice on the Times Editorial staff.

I like to pride myself of being one of those people who actually reads a newspaper cover to cover (exception being the sports section, but I do make a point to read the business section). I can honestly say there have been no editorials which, to me, spoke to the youth or issues facing the youth. Closest I can come to that would be Shanna Flowers column on Older Men/Younger Women.

And that was a column. So Im not sure where Mr. Trejbal has been since his arrival at the Times. There is no differing viewpoint on the editorial page, no "voice for youth" as of yet. Im still hoping to see something soon, any longer and I might think he went back to Bend, Oregon.

And as I said, site update by 10am today. Working on it as we speak.

Forgotten-Roanoke.com update sometime within the next 12 hours.

Thats right, its 10pm now, and by 10am tomorrow there will be a new addition to the site. Why the delay? Because Im feeling lazy, having eaten dinner and relaxing from work. But I will find my muse soon enough to finish the page. (half done by the way)

tick tick tick tick....

Unisys Weather: Enhanced Infrared Satellite Image

Unisys Weather: Enhanced Infrared Satellite Image

Allright, I'll say it. Im no better than a dopey palm reader.

I said, Cat 3 at best for landfall, and South of Houston - from Freeport to Corpus Christi.

Im half right.

But I htink we all learned what happens when an eye collapses in on itself.

And as I type this, the latest on Rita: She's a Cat 2.
NOLA is nearly out of the rain.

Now we shall see how long it lasts on shore.

I recently had chance to really examine the old burnt-out Railroad station, and how much has changed in the years since the last interior photo was taken. We are losing time on salvaging anything off this chunk of history. I have a recurring dream of taking a metal detector to sites like this, but with the overgrowth in the station - I would need a can of Napalm to clear out the vegetation first. *sigh* 

pbwiki - wikiroanoke: FrontPage

pbwiki - wikiroanoke: FrontPage

just incase you forgot, its still there. And I changed the password, so the new password (easier to remeber) is Roanoke.

Google Wi-Fi Would Have a Big Impact

Google Wi-Fi Would Have a Big Impact

Opinion: If Google does offer free wireless Internet access, it could change the political, social and economic fabric of the country. And that's not a bad thing.

This article says everything I want to say about Google, but usually get too excited to say properly.

THIS however scares the living heck outta me. I still shudder when I see AOL.

Technorati tags: google, business, wifi, future

roanoke.com - Weather Index - Katrina already an also-ran as Rita roars

roanoke.com - Weather Index - Katrina already an also-ran as Rita roars

Allright, I'll be honest. Im sick of this nonsense. Im tired of hearing about hurricanes, devistation, oil rigs in danger.

I think part of it is due to the media overhyping it, ramming it down our throats. Yes, we all knew NO was in deep trouble - just report it and move on. The saturation coverage gets to the point where you can live 2000 miles away from the scene, and still think if you go outside you'll see the world ending. Why? Because for the past 2 days the only thing you have seen is Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel spitting in the wind and talking about projected damage estimates.

Shut up.

It used to be that they did not really start to freak until the first bands crossed land. Especially given the fickle nature of hurricane (as Kevin Myatt points out in this column), they waited until it was 100% assured that it was going where they thought it would go before they spazzed. Then you got the wall to wall coverage until it ended. But now its worse than sweeps week on NBC, it seems endless.

Im suprised theyre not yelling about Hurricane Phillipe offshore of the East Coast and heading out to sea. Maybe its causing carnage in the Krill population? Are there homeless Krill? Have whales resorted to looting for basic whale needs?

And one other point about hurricanes, especially ones of this size. They suck up water, heavily. Then drop it, just as heavily. And in the meantime - that water is suspended in clouds - and as we all know, clouds are cold. Really cold. So each major storm that passes through the gulf cools it more, adds more cold water to the worlds oceans.

My guess? (based on years of watching such things, some meteorolgy classes back in college, and intensive personal study) Landfall somewhere between Freeport at the north, and Corpus Christi at the south, Weak 4 or strong to mid 3 at landfall. Dying out quickly, quicker than expected actually. Texas is extremely dry and hot right now (as Kevin said) and you can see the large mass of dry air in that general area on this radar loop.

Actually there is a large wave of feedback from Rita's winds that could bring the storm crashing down in scale. If it can hold together with enough power, this curl will act like a axe and slice deep into Rita's moisture. Thats the Hurricane Killer right now, everything else is a weakener.

Plus - the Texas gulf-coast has more shelf under the water than the LA gulf coast, that also will limit the amount of pull it has on the water below (provided it did not stop off and top up the tank before it headed out).

All in all, Shut UP TV people - your incessant reminders of death ("We expects deaths in this storm due to the flooding, so if your area is flooding..." - Idiot on the Weather channel, last year in regards to some storm on its way up to the Roanoke area) and destruction are not at all helpful to those trapped in the storm. After the first 24 hours you report it, people are just watching the pretty pictures.


Technorati tags: rita, katrina, hurricane, meteorolgy

mostviewed

Ok. Allright, Im trying to figure this out.

The news is now easily broken down into a popularity contest?

Is this for those out there who feel left out at the watercooler? Now they too can read the same stories everyone else is reading, instead of reading those 'other' stories?

Im just trying to figure it out, but it aint workin.

Seriously now.

The Center for Advanced Imaging :: Physicians and Medical Professionals :: HomePage

sorry, having my head examined today - must be reading the Times too much.

Google Secure Access: Frequently Asked Questions

Google Secure Access: Frequently Asked Questions

All Hail Google! Although I wish I did not live so far from San Francisco. This is the first Google tool rolled out that the general population has not been able to use. Well - not totally. If you have a wifi connection, you can still use the Secure Access program, however, the true Google WiFi is in San Fran for right now. Although expect that to change quickly. Google is buying up unlit fiber optic cables, and partnering with power companies to provide broadband over electric lines.

All Google needs to do is get with a computer company and a cell phone company to develop a portable, affordable pocket PC, and well, Merry Christmas!

Im tellin ya, exciting times.

Roanoke.com: We have no idea what your talking about...

Oh man, there is no safe place to start today. I haven't gotten past the front page and allready I have 2 asinine stories. Too bad Im working today, and slept in late which means yall gonna have to wait till later.

Oh, I will give you this much. A few rules for the Roanoke Times in the future: 1) Never talk to a realtor about real estate. 2) Always check your links when you upload the new days stuff. 3) Cats do pose a risk to humans, although I guess you would have to watch "When Pets Attack", "America's Funniest Home Videos", and other low programming to know this.

Forgotten-Roanoke.com

begin the beguine

There, just like I said I would. Nice and neat and timely.

SITE UPDATE!

Go look.. you go now. Go. Bye.

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday

When your desktop weather forecaster says "Mostly sunny, and delightful," you know it's gonna be nice.

The H&C Coffee sign goes back to the sky today, atop the Hotel Shenandoah. The Hokies committed justifiable homicide in their home opener against Ohio, 45-0. Thanks for showing up though Ohio. You gave us a chance to show that the final score against Duke was not a fluke (Duke Sucks!).

Otherwise, all around a pretty good weekend as things go. Oh right, I have to work today. Which means the expected update to Forgotten-Roanoke.com will not come until Tomorrow, when I am off.

I know I've been putting this off for a while now, I've just had alot on my plate lately. No excuses I know, but still. It should be a good one though when it does go up. I think you might actually enjoy it.

This weekend marks the Harvest Moon, which means you can begin the countdown to Autumn. 4 days away! And for you panicky types - 2349 Hours till Christmas.

43 days to Halloween. 66 days to Thanksgiving. 103 days till we give 2005 the boot, and hope that 2006 is not quite as messy.

So now you've all been caught up to speed.

Oh - one more side note, I know you all grab recipes wherever you can. Foodnetwork.com, cooks.com, and et. al. But I had to share with you my latest discovery.

recipezaar.com One of the best resources I've found yet. Not only do you have recipes, but for some you even have photos of the final product. User reviews, conversions, notations. You can even build and publish your own cookbook.

Just something I found. Enjoy.

roanoke.com - Commentary Stories -Soldier finds no place like home

roanoke.com -Soldier finds no place like home

I was recently at the trailhead for Dragon's Tooth. The only worry I had was, when reading the trail guide, it mentions that the last 1/3rd of the trail would use both your hands and feet to accomplish and under that was the phone number for Lewis-Gale Hospital.

That gave me pause.

But this article should be reprinted in the Roanoke Valley Visitors Guide, and memorized by every resident of the Roanoke Valley who whines about there being nothing to do.

Exculding Central Park, each of the 5 boros has its own park which is nice enough - but nothing even close to the Roanoke River Greenway. Of course you always could go for a walk, but you felt (and I still feel this way sometimes) that there had to be a destination. Usually a store of some kind. Otherwise you were walking for no reason. For a hike in Manhattan, you have to head uptown towards Columbia University, over along the Hudson River are the Cloisters. Dramatic cliffs, spectacular views, nearly unimpeded by traffic and all the rest.

Im my home borough of Queens, there is Forest Park - which I have traversed many a time in my youth. Flushing Meadows Park, Gateway National Park (if you don't mind 747's roaring overhead), Rockaway Beach (long boardwalk, which you really only want to walk half of), and a handful of scattered parks and such. But nothing that compares to the Greenway System Roanoke has.

I've walked 8th Ave. from Houston St. to 34th. I've covered miles at ground level in Manhattan. I have biked from 109th Ave. in Queens to Park Lane S. (would be 84th Ave.). My grandfather rides the same route on his bike.

I've walked the beaches of Montauk, Long Beach, Jones Beach. My route to school was 1.3 miles round trip.
I've hiked through snowmobile/cross country ski trails in Vermont.

But nothing compares to the easy access, cultivated yet natural, well maintained Greenway system.


Technorati tags: roanoke, home, soldier, Mill Mountain, recreation greenway

Editorials from The Roanoke Times -Engaging minds through the arts

Simply put, maybe - but most likely, no. And as this editorial fails to mention, Roanoke County has also placed within that $200,000 stipend a little clause which states that yearly the $200k will be re-authorized provided it can be proven that the AMWV is providing a benifit to school children. The curriculum must be correct and to the County's liking. Which gives the County a great "easy-out" for pulling funding.

Yes, the arts can breech a wall between worlds for those who are interested. But that is a journey best undertaken by the student. Expose them, surely - but they won't learn what they don't wish to learn - fiber optic cables be damned. Besides, doesn't VT have a outstanding art collection? And Radford? I hear tell that even Roanoke College has an art collection of some renown. All within easy field trip distance. And none costing the $200k a year, plus expenses that the AMWV will be. And don't think for a second that the $200k figure includes admission for field trips. It might now, but once the budget starts flailing - it will not for long.

Meh, just the way I see it anyway.

Technorati tags: roanoke, art museum, amwv, school, budget

roanoke.com - Editorial Columnists Stories -New home, no place to hide

roanoke.com - Editorial Columnists Stories -New home, no place to hide: “When Tommy Denton called me in June and asked if I was interested in joining The Roanoke Times' editorial team, I jumped at the opportunity. The Times editorial page under Denton has earned a reputation in editorial circles for engaging, reasoned writing that generates interest with readers. It is, by all accounts, an exciting place to work. A young, single editorial writer could do a lot worse.

Denton told me that he was looking for someone who could bring a different perspective to the page, someone who could speak for younger people in an area that is watching many of them move away. I am, after all, one of those people. I just happen to be coming instead of going.

On the editorial board, I will advocate for teens and young adults who too often are ignored in the public forum. When officials wonder whether they are doing enough for seniors or families, I will ask whether they are doing enough for young workers who live a different lifestyle. The needs and wants of those groups do not always match, but they are not mutually exclusive, either.”

Allright, yet another one. And just when I thought that the younger bloggers (ie. Texican, Rhett, and myself) were doing a pretty good job of being "the mouse that roared." Well I guess not. Although I do have to say, I heart Roanoke. Roanoke makes me happy, gives me a life I enjoy. Thomas Denton, I am willing to venture, does not even read one of the blogs listed on the RT Blogroll on a regular basis enough to know if the voice of youth is being heard. Then again, it is hard to find the listing for the day's blogs when they are hidden 3/4ths of the way down the main page. Not to mention that annoying Valley View Mall pop-up ad. The blog of the day does need to be updated more than once or twice a week as it is. But I do give sympathies to the person who has to change the code, troll the blogs, and make the choice. This is a new world for newspapers to embark upon. There is no black and white guidebook on how to handle it.

To you, and your cat Snorri; I say welcome. Welcome to Roanoke, and all it is. Which is more than you might think at first. But realize one thing, you might be the questioning print hovering in the hands of officials, but print can only go so far. It is up to the young of the area to speak out and make their concerns known. Did anyone ask if the youth wanted a new Art Museum? Or perhaps a new shopping center along Franklin Rd.? No, it was just assumed they would slide right into the menial jobs of clerk, cashier, and "coffee bar attendant." There is your consideration. If they understand that because they do not speak out now, they lose their voice in the future - then change will occur. Until then, youth of Roanoke, you are all wage-slaves like me. Supplying a product at reasonable cost.

There lies your challenge, make them understand. And I too am coming, with no plans of leaving any time soon. There's far too much opportunity here than Roanoke itself realizes. I might be a transplant, but my roots are set.

Technorati tags: roanoke, editorial, newcomer, youth, change

It's Mayor Vs. Mayor... This SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY

roanoke.com - Commentary Stories -Mayor's irrelevant issues are the people's business

Hey, this is cool. I like Mayor Harris, even though now he reminds me of "Evil Spock" on Star Trek. He seems like a nice, fairly smart, decent kinda guy. Now, of course I don't know much about Fmr. Hizzoner Bowers, although I haven't heard much complaining about most of Roanoke's past leaders. Maybe just me. Maybe just the folks Ive been around, but no one has expressed to me the kind of general hatred and visible signs of destruction a place gets when it has a truly bad mayor. Take, for example, The Honorable David Dinkins.

From Wikipedia: " Dinkins' term was marked by polarizing events including the 1991 Crown Heights riots and the boycott of Korean groceries... In 1991, he signed a law which made it illegal for companies in New York to do business with companies in Ireland that discriminated against Catholics. "

Now thats a legacy. Now I met Hizzoner Dinkins once, and he's not a personally bad guy, but he was not up to tackling NYC. Very few people are really.

But it seems that Roanoke has been fairly lucky in its choices for mayor, none have left a true scar on the city. And no, I will not blame Mayor Harris for the AMWV, that was just bad all around. Its like playing spin the bottle with the finger of blame, it can rest anywhere - and be equally true.

Part of me wonders if this all has to do with the new beard Mayor Harris has grown, maybe he travelled to an alternate dimension or something.

While I do not disagree with Mayor Harris sentiment that business should be more vocal in city politics, I think that should be expanded. Everyone should be more vocal. I've noticed Roanoke seems to think theres something wrong with it, and it needs to be fixed, but no one knows what it is. Well, if you think you know, step up and say something. I believe the land selection for the AMWV should have been a public matter, as it was public land being handed over as well as being used for a public use. Yes, the AMWV is a private concern, but it is for public benifit, making it public space.

As would be any new store that opened in the old Heironymous building, or a new parking garage downtown. Part of the consternation about Victory Stadium is that it has not been put to a vote. Allow it on the ballot in the November elections, choose 4-5 options, and let the people choose. This way, they have only themselves to blame.
And let businesses do what they do, create. Create jobs, create income, producs, etc. etc.

And yes, I do think the Victory Stadium debate is rediculous. While I understand the tactical advantage a visiting team would feel looking down the field, up the mountain, and seeing the star - surely a dominating view. I say tear it down, and rebuild. If you want to do it in the same spot - be prepared to raise the ground up past flood levels, and be prepared to pay more in taxes for that. You heard me, pay more for what you want.

It's not terribly hard to reach accord on issues like this, you just have to find out what the public wants, realize your not going to make everyone happy, and move on from there. But you cannot rely on a poll, or even a council meeting for that, you don't get a representative slice of opinion for that, as odds are your going to wind up with opinions running one way, especially at a council meeting.

Anyway Roanoke, forget the WSLS & Roanoke Times polls - start calling for a referendum. Petition for a more open government, where you have more say. This way you can stop complaining when things don't go your particular way.

Thats my dos centavos.
Technorati tags: politics, roanoke, mayor, council

ZEN

ZEN

Technorati tags: relax, meditate, escape

Yes, I have a new toy. xblog this

works only if you have firefox, but you do.. don't you?

Oooh kay....

So where is Roanoke.com? Perhaps they imploded...

Unfortunately, I don't really have much time today to grab the paper. So Im gonna have to wing this one.

Last night I met up with Rhett for the Roanoke Firefighters/9-11 memorial service. It was nice, although I was a bit suprised. Being that it was 9/11, I had been turning most of my thoughts to the 343 FDNY who fell in the towers, along with the 8 (if I remember) who fell here in Roanoke.

Not once did I think of NOLA. Or anywhere along the gulf. As the Firefighter who led the memorial yesterday said - there are 26,000 first responders, fire fighters, and EMT's who could have been effected by Katrina. Numbers for anything else have not come in yet, but thats a total of 26,000 overall.

think.

Roanoke Firefighters

Roanoke Firefighters

You should have been there. Be there next year.

WTCtribute

WTCtribute

this is how we remember.

News from The Roanoke Times -Museum breaks ground in symbolic ceremony

WDBJ's coverage.

WSLS's coverage.

Note to all reporting this story: You can't have "Standing Room Only" when your outdoors, in an unrestricted space.

And so begins the "Crack by the Track" saga. I could lambast the VIP's because they are wrong, but I won't. You know what I would say anyway. But the first, easiest, and most visable sign of trouble: They had Mimes.

This is Roanoke people. Yes we had the NASCAR Ballet, and the Wall Ballet, and sometimes we do get a bit nutty with things. But under no circumstances are Mimes acceptable. And these "living paintings"? Just creepy. Nice to see they blew money to have the dirt trucked in like that, now when does construction start?

Oh there will be more.. So much more.. but its Sunday, 9/11.

We have other, more important things to worry about.

Morning all...

If you have Weatherbug, select the Science Museum downtown as your source, and check out the great shots of the Hotel Roanoke they have had lately.

Important Market Alert! Butternut Squash have made their appearance at the market. That means fall is upon us. Ignore those pumpkins at Kroger - theyre from Mexico, and don't realize how early they are. The Squash are right on time though. Once we settle into days that reach the mid-70's or less and nights in the 50s or lower, I'll post a recipie I have for Butternut Squash Soup, and it is heaven.

Maybe, just maybe - I'll even post my recipie for my Pumpkin Soup made in the pumpkin itself. You want to talk about a fancy presentation.

A word on why I am not protesting at the AMWV today. There's no point to it. You can't effectively protest a belief. And thats what it is, its the belief that the AMWV will save downtown (from what I dont know) and bring Roanoke to national acclaim. Thats like protesting someone who believes hot dogs are evil, it serves no purpose other than wasting your time. They are obviously delusional, and probably scary. Now if someone from the AMWV wanted a reasonable sit-down to discuss the thing, then maybe there would be a point to it. But thats not protesting, thats lobbying.

But rest assured gentle readers that I am, and will remain on, this case.

In other news, there is an article in todays paper about kids starting Lemonade stands to raise money for the hurricane victims. Which is cool, good kids. But back when I was a Lemonade Czar, we did it for the money - and we did it all summer. At halloween we went around for candy with our UNICEF cans, little sugar for us and some money for the kids. Between Halloween and Thanksgiving we were given two little cans for UNICEF and we filled them as best we could. That was really it for fundraising.

Local fundraising was done in a most interesting manner. We got a box of 12 chocolate bars, which always smelled lightly of chocolate and heavily of cardboard. It was a long box, as the bars were laid out 2 high. You (or an adult with a strong knee) would crack the box in half, pull out the cardboard handle and off you went. House to house, door to door hocking your chocolate wares. Of course you always had one yourself (although I know several people who had more than just one.) It was a quarter-pound of chocolate for a buck, with or without nuts. At the beginning of the fundrasier, you were asked how many boxes you wanted. Which is a really inappropriate question to ask a kid when chocolate is involved. Plus - this was after we had looked at the prize catalog. Which made it twice as bad. I know kids who would take 30 boxes of chocolate, at 12 bars a box, total of 360 bars of chocolate, hoping for the Big Kahuna prize on the back of the catalog, usually a bike or tv or something like that.

And when it was all over, they would bring back 26 boxes. No one ever got the big prizes, I frankly don't ever remember getting any prizes. Now they did have low level prizes, but I probably did not want them.

How many skull rings can one boy own?

Anyway - thats today.. for now..

Just another day in Roanoke: Job Posting #1:

Just another day in Roanoke: Job Posting #1:: "Job Posting #1:
Yes, you heard right - Im doing a job posting for a friend. Attention cooks, chefs, waitresses, and other foodservice types in Roanoke.

We are looking for about 4 'dietary aides'. This position is full time or part-time, full time gets benefits after 90 days. Pretty good bene's too I understand. Shifts are 5am-2pm, 6am-3pm, 12pm-8pm, or 3pm-9pm(ish). There is opportunity for overtime, right now theres alot of opportunity for overtime. It's a good place to work, your providing a service which you can feel good about. Im not going to talk about pay because right now thats a fluid situation. But it aint bad.

If you are interested, e-mail Roanoke.FoundATgmail`com. Or call Avante @ Roanoke (540) 345-8139, and ask for the dietary manager.

Slackers, unmotivated-types, and those who can't follow direction need not apply."

News from The Roanoke Times - Old eyes fail to see a circus' fleas

News from The Roanoke Times - Old eyes fail to see a circus' fleas: "Q: Why did they turn down the IMAX theater that had been planned for the new art museum?

-Gene Calvert, Roanoke County

A: 'I wish we could have it,' said Heywood Fralin, president of the Art Museum of Western Virginia's board of directors. 'I think everybody would love to have an IMAX theater.'

Removing it from the plans was a very tough decision, he said, but one with which most everyone involved agreed in the end.

'It just added so much to the cost that it was not feasible to do it,' he said, referring to both the construction costs and the eventual expense of operating the theater. 'It was risky to jeopardize the operation of the art museum if the IMAX was not cost-effective.'

The population of the Roanoke area is slightly under the minimum population recommended for an IMAX theater, he said. In other words: If they built it, we might come, but there wouldn't be enough of us to make a go of it.

Fralin noted that the architect's plan would allow an IMAX theater to be added in the future if the situation changed. But he felt that was unlikely to happen."

Im calling shennanigans. BIG ones too.

News from The Roanoke Times -Roanoke celebrates Design '79

"Ewert said he's concerned that Roanoke isn't focused on building on the successes of what's already here."

"There is no one thing that is going to save Roanoke," he said..."

Could it be, just perhaps....

ROANOKE DOES NOT NEED SAVING, EXCEPT FROM THOSE WHO THINK IT DOES

roanoke.com - Extra stories - Art museum to break ground Saturday

roanoke.com - Extra stories - Art museum to break ground Saturday

The AMWV attempts to stoop down to the common mans level.

It should be interesting to see all these "art types" staring down their noses at the gaggle of children screaming on the moon bounce as they try to debate the archetypical juxtaposition of the AMWV to NYC.

AMWV is to Roanoke as Worlds Fair Grounds in Flushing Meadows is to NYC.

Nice to see, but empty as sin.

RoanokeJournal.com

RoanokeJournal.com

Has anyone seen this man?

WSLS.com | Former Roanoke city manager advises on the Star City's future

WSLS.com | Former Roanoke city manager advises on the Star City's future: "'Authenticity is the key. You can't be somebody else, but you can be yourself and build on yourself,' he said. "

Remember, its this Saturday - the groundbreaking for the Crack by the Tracks.

If thats not building on somebody else, I dont know what is.

Editorials from The Roanoke Times -So, where's the fire on Station No. 1?

"And downtown will keep historic Station No. 1 in operation, too. The one built in 1906 for horse-drawn fire equipment. The one too small to accommodate a modern pumper truck. The one, consequently, that holds only a ladder truck -- which would come in handy, to be sure, for rescuing people should an office building catch on fire, but which could not put water on the blaze."

Hey, whose got the brains over there that you can't understand the value of having a Ladder be the first responding truck in a high rise fire?

Water won't evacuate people from the upper floors. Which in the panic and chaos of a high-rise fire is a helpful thing.

But way to go RT, another poorly thought out editorial to fuel my morning.

Thanks!

Job Posting #1:

Yes, you heard right - Im doing a job posting for a friend. Attention cooks, chefs, waitresses, and other foodservice types in Roanoke.

We are looking for about 4 "dietary aides". This position is full time or part-time, full time gets benefits after 90 days. Pretty good bene's too I understand. Shifts are 5am-2pm, 6am-3pm, 12pm-8pm, or 3pm-9pm(ish). There is opportunity for overtime, right now theres alot of opportunity for overtime. It's a good place to work, your providing a service which you can feel good about. Im not going to talk about pay because right now thats a fluid situation. But it aint bad.

If you are interested, e-mail Roanoke.FoundATgmail`com. Or call Avante @ Roanoke (540) 345-8139, and ask for the dietary manager.

Slackers, unmotivated-types, and those who can't follow direction need not apply.

Just a note:

Just wanted to let you all know that due to this past weekend being such a nightmare, I was not able to get a new page up on Forgotten-Roanoke.com, but rest assured - this weekend there will be an update to the website.

Might even be something special on the blog too. If I were you I'd keep an eye on both.

Just an idea.

News from The Roanoke Times - Disgust and delight over design

"'I think they’ll grow to love it as it comes out of the ground. It’s a great thing for the city.'"

No, its not the World's Largest Potato, its that friggin Art Museum again.

RT is apparently now doing polls every day, which mean nothing really - its supposed to show how Roanoke thinks of projects.

All its showing is exactly everything they had reported on previously.

These polls mean nothing really, and for 34 percent of respondents to not even be familiar with the AMWV in general, the results are even less valid.

I would like to see the script for this poll, as I have a feeling it was somewhat leading in the layout.

Oh - and a 4% margin of error? Why?

From the article: "Marybeth Romeo seemed equally conflicted. When the pollster called about the design, "I think I said it was atrocious," the substitute school teacher recalled. Still, "I’m glad they’re doing it," she said. "I’d rather have an ugly art museum than no art museum at all."

Where did they get the idea that if the museum was not built, the current AMWV would close? Or do they just not realize we HAVE a museum?

Still predicting disaster. oh yes I am - with a 3% tub of margerine.

News from The Roanoke Times -Roanoke considers historic firehouse

On Fire Station #1:

"Grigsby found a newspaper article recently about a city discussion to replace some of the same older stations. The article appeared on Dec. 11, 1963.

'And how long ago was that?' he said. 'I'll stake my job on this,' Grigsby said. 'This will work.'"

Never stake your job on anything, always a bad move. Especially when it comes to public will. Even less of a good idea when private commercial ventures are involved. It is truly not up to the city to decide this one, this rests in the hands of the businesses that are currently served by Station #1, because if they see a decline in response time after the consolidation, the incentive to continue business in downtown Roanoke is less.