Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Roanoke struggles to land the biggest touring concerts

Happening soon: Nrv Aarp/Toc Health Fair on the Roanoke Patch calendar

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What's up Roanoke! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Roanoke PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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In today's newsletter:

  • Why Roanoke struggles to land the biggest touring concerts
  • How Roanoke finally cleared its frustrating permitting backlog this summer
  • Meet the anonymous "Roanoke Raven" quietly cleaning up the Star City

Also on today's calendar: Nrv Aarp/Toc Health Fair and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a tail, but no body? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 79 and low of 58 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 86, low: 62. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Very warm with periods of sun, with a high of 89 and low of 66 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Why booking top concert talent in the Star City is harder than it looks (wdbj7.com) — Roanoke's concert scene faces big challenges in attracting top national touring acts, from production requirements to routing and venue size, even as Dr Pepper Park continues booking notable shows and tribute acts. Local venue leaders say strong community support and turnout are crucial to proving that Roanoke can consistently draw major artists and keep live music thriving here.
   

2. Roanoke City eliminates permitting backlog, reviews now completed on target (wsls.com) — Roanoke residents should know the city has finally cleared its weeks-long backlog of zoning, historic, and building permit reviews, with approvals now happening within one to two weeks. After leadership changes, new software work, and stakeholder input, officials say permit issuance is up and active reviews are down, aiming to keep development projects moving more smoothly.
   

3. A TikTok-famous masked superhero is roaming the streets of Roanoke (whro.org) — In Roanoke, a masked "Roanoke Raven" has become a TikTok-famous local superhero, quietly picking up litter, helping nonprofits, and encouraging neighbors to pitch in. The anonymous EMT behind the mask says the goal isn't fame but inspiring more Roanoke residents to support charities, attend community events, and spread small acts of kindness across the city.
   

4. Salem native PJ George is 'super grateful' for his role with Old Crow Medicine Show (cardinalnews.org) — A Salem-born multi-instrumentalist who long played Roanoke-area gigs has landed a steady role with Grammy-winning Old Crow Medicine Show, after a key audition and follow-up soundcheck in Roanoke. He reflects on years of performing in local bands, his evolving role in the group, and how opportunities from Roanoke and Salem helped springboard him to an international touring career.
   

5. Two Virginia Inns Make the 2026 'Great American Road Trip' List of Historic Hotels (alexandrialivingmagazine.com) — Roanoke's Colony House Motor Lodge has been named one of America's top historic road-trip stays, spotlighting the city as a destination along Virginia's Blue Ridge. The 1959 Googie-style motor lodge and nearby attractions like the Mill Mountain Star, Taubman Museum, and City Market are highlighted as reasons travelers should make Roanoke their base for a scenic getaway.
   

📸 Around Roanoke

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Roanoke

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★ Featured events ★

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📣 Roanoke Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Incentives clear auto accidents faster on 81.
    Less secondary accidents and bailouts to state highways. (Nextdoor Cherryhill)
  • Has anyone seen this sweet kitty lately?
    We haven't seen him in almost a month and he would come to our house every single day prior to that. He would come on inside and make himself at home… (Nextdoor Old Southwest)
  • Government Jobs posted a job opening for Seasonal Maintenance Worker ||- Parks and Recreation-Trails and Greenways in Roanoke. Apply here.
  • American Family Care posted a job opening for Medical Receptionist in Roanoke. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Roanoke here.

Ok Roanoke! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Coin (Thank you John W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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