Roanoke Off-Topic

[BGW]

I can only wish you the best of luck finding a room with those amenities.

No kidding. I may as well ask for a suitcase full of money.

[weill]

Looks like the Virginia Museum of Transportation got half its roof ripped off. We will see what happens...

[mclawsdrive]

Here's the article about the storm that 'raised the roof' at the museum. It has a link to some cool pictures of the aftermath. roanoke times

[StevenRocks]

Seeing it in person was really something. There was metal and insulation everywhere.

[mclawsdrive]

roanoke timesI didn't really know where to put this. Apparently, Blacksburg thinks they, not Roanoke are the hub of SW Virginia. Interesting article. Maybe I'll see a TV news special about this topic on Blacksburg's NBC or CBS local news (roanoke), or read more about it in the (roanoke times) NEW RIVER edition. Or next time I fly into Blacksburg via the nearest commercial airport in Roanoke. I rest my case.

[StevenRocks]

The elevation's pretty high there, it could be a lack of oxygen to the brain

[weill]

Whats shaking everybody! I am currently in Denver! I Hope to keep everybody updated!

[mclawsdrive]

The elevation's pretty high there

An odd coincidence Weill, that your post about being in Denver came right after Steven's comment

I've been kinda busy moving over the last week and a half. I'm still unpacking so I haven't had as much time to post.

[burt]

Have you moved back to Roanoke, McLaw?

[mclawsdrive]

No, I moved from Monument to Grove. Richmond hasn't gotten rid of me just yet. I'm in a house now, which is nice. I can do some landscaping and maybe have my rent reduced for the work I do.

[weill]

Hows everybody in Roanoke doing?

[VirginiaSportsReport]

I'm in Charlotte for the weekend, hope all is well back home in VA!

[StevenRocks]

I'm doing okay, Weill and everyone. It's been a busy week at work and I haven't been on UP much.

[weill]

Yeah me too, I have pushed UP aside...

Hope you are having fun, VirginiaSportsReport, in Charlotte.

[burt]

Is Salem sort of the red-headed step child of Roanoke? I seldom see mention of it here. We mention Petersburg in Richmond threads more often than you guys refer to Salem.

I sense more inclusion of New River Valley in your reports lately. That's a good move because Blacksburg is a drive engine to Roanoke's well being and vice versa, IMO.

But don't forget poor old Salem is between the two.

[mclawsdrive]

Is Salem sort of the red-headed step child of Roanoke? I seldom see mention of it here. We mention Petersburg in Richmond threads more often than you guys refer to Salem.

It depends on who you ask. Salemites might say they are the golden children of the Roanoke Valley. But really, it

[weill]

There is one sizeable upcoming commercial development that I believe Weill mentioned in the 'what about Salem' thread, but that was many months ago. It was the location of some ball fields north of the GE plant.

Heres the link: St. John Place

Last I saw (Dec. 2006) they looked like they were just pushing dirt around, though 1 building was near completed. I dont see how they let them build on the flood plain, if it is a flood plain, that is.

Salem also hosts the NCAA Division 3 Title Game for college football, and other sports, and has a very succesful baseball franchise that all take place at the Salem Civic Center area (also know as the James E. Taliaferro Sports & Entertainment Complex.) The Civic Center hosts many more quality events than its counterpart (Roanoke Civic Center) and will host Sugarland, Harlem Globetrotters, George Jones, and as mclawsdrive mentioned, Alison Krauss all within the next couple months.

[mclawsdrive]

Heres the link: St. John Place

The Civic Center hosts many more quality events than its counterpart (Roanoke Civic Center)

Do you think its possible that many event managers prefer the Salem Civic center if they expect crowds below 6,000. Its probable that the Salem facility is cheaper to rent than Roanoke's, since it's smaller, and event organisers would prefer to pay less unless they expect more people than the Salem facility can handle.

When I was in high school, concerts advertised on the radio were much more common at the Roanoke Civic center (probably 3 to one compared with Salem CC.)

[bmedguy]

I might have to argue against the idea that there are more quality events at Salem Civic Center. The Performing Arts Theater at the Roanoke complex houses the Symphony Masterworks concerts, Broadway in Roanoke (Les Mis was great). I recentlt saw Micheal Buble and was interested in seein John Waite who is coming soon. My wife wants to see Celtic Women. I think there has been an uptick in quality of shows very recently though that is all a matter of opinion.

[burt]

The Richmond Coliseum has an interesting and colorful web site. Is there one for the Roanoke complex? Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond and Roanoke all opened their arenas about the same time in the early 1970's and I visited all of them. Can't remember who the attraction was, but I saw a concert at the big, impressive Roanoke coliseum shortly after it opened. Have never been in the theatre. If anyone can, please post the web site.

Richmond's is: -- http://www.richmondcoliseum.net

[burt]

Here's the web site for your Civic Center:

http://www.roanokeciviccenter.com/

[mclawsdrive]

Here's the web site for your Civic Center:

http://www.roanokeciviccenter.com/

Sorry Burt, I would have linked that for you yesterday, but for some reason I didn't see your post until just now. Looks like you found it on your own just fine though.

[burt]

Sorry Burt, I would have linked that for you yesterday, but for some reason I didn't see your post until just now. Looks like you found it on your own just fine though.

Yeah, McLaw. Found it on Google.

Aren't you proud of my accomplishments --learning to link AND use Google/

Come back to the Richmond page and read all about Texas de Brazil. But you'll need to save your pennies for this one.

Edited January 31, 2007 by burt

[electricmonk]

Showing my age but I remember back when the Roanoke Civic Center was a must stop for almost every touring band. We didn't get the mega stars for the most part, no Springsteens, Stones, Who, etc but AC/DC, Van Halen, ZZ Top, Doobie Brothers, Allman Brothers, Heart, and all the other staples of what's called classic rock now stopped here every tour.

Slightly off topic but is anyone else totally disappointed in the design of the new exhibit hall?

[burt]

Showing my age but I remember back when the Roanoke Civic Center was a must stop for almost every touring band. We didn't get the mega stars for the most part, no Springsteens, Stones, Who, etc but AC/DC, Van Halen, ZZ Top, Doobie Brothers, Allman Brothers, Heart, and all the other staples of what's called classic rock now stopped here every tour.

Slightly off topic but is anyone else totally disappointed in the design of the new exhibit hall?

Is there a rendering of it you can post, Monk?