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Area Schools & Educational Opportunities
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Arts and Culture
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Advertiser Quick Links:

Here are links to some of the wonderful businesses that supported our Jan/Feb “Insiders & Newcomers Guide” issue. We invite you to visit their websites soon – and tell them you saw them in The Roanoker!

202 Market
Aesthetic Surgery of Virginia/Enrique A. Silberblatt, MD, FACS
Barnes & Associates/Ameriprise Financial
Barter Theatre
Blue Collar Joe’s
Blue Ridge Dental Group (Harvey Dentistry)
Brandon Oaks
Calvary Baptist Church
Carilion Clinic
Classic Floors of Virginia
Consignment 1st
Cox Communications-Roanoke
CRS Association of Roanoke Valley
Diane Poff Interiors LLC
Eye Care & Surgery
Faith Christian School
Franklin Respiratory and Medical
Gentle Shepherd Hospice
Grand Home Furnishings
Hearing Health Associates
Honeytree Early Learning Centers
Jefferson Surgical Clinic, Inc.
Kroger
Lewis Gale Medical Center
Long & Foster Realtors
Long and Foster Realtors
Lotz Funeral Homes
Mill Mountain Zoo
MKB Realtors
North Cross School
Our Lady of the Valley
P. A. Short Distributing Company
Radford University College of Graduate and Professional Studies
Reico Kitchen & Bath
Reid’s Fine Furnishings
ReMax Valley Realtors
Roanoke Plastic Surgery
Roanoke Regional Partnership
Salem Montessori School
Sherwood Memorial Park
Stellar One
Sunnyside Communties/King’s Grant Retirement
Tanglewood Mall
The Glebe
The Park-Oak Grove Retirement
The Summit
Transitions Consulting Inc.
Via Insurance Agency (Southern Insurance Company of Va.)
Vickie Clarke, Long and Foster Realtors
Virginia Veterans Care Center
Virginia Western Community College
Vistar Eye Center
Wachovia Bank
Walkabout Outfitter
Yogurt Cafe
Zorba Small World Cafe

From teachers to former students and principals to superintendents, we asked for input on the top five qualities of each school system in the area. Dedicated teachers, a supportive community and emphasis on the importance of a good education seemed to be a common theme – certainly good qualities to possess.

Roanoke City Schools

Samantha Von Hoene, a new teacher at Madison Middle School

Middle school teacher Samantha Von Hoene says Roanoke City Schools benefit from the diversity of its student population.

1. Student population, in general, is the coolest thing about this district. It’s a small district compared to where I came from in Houston, but there’s so much diversity with students from all over the country who are in Roanoke for different reasons and all have unique experience. In Houston, most of the students had come from Central American countries and Mexico and had similar backgrounds.

2. The people – staff, faculty, teachers, central office staff – are very hands on and ready to listen. When I took a trip to Africa with a group from Carilion and Jefferson College of Health Sciences to do public health work and education outreach, they helped with the whole process of planning for my absence. And when I came back, I thought I might have to do some re-teaching, but they had hardly skipped a beat.

3. Roanoke City is like a small town with big ideas. The city is very forward thinking for being a smaller district, even looking at what can be done to make an impact beyond Roanoke. We use a lot of technology – projectors, laptops, computer labs and online interactive programs.

4. We have very active parents and community involvement. I’m impressed with the activity bus, which allows kids who normally wouldn’t be able to stay after school for sports or other extracurricular activities to do so. It takes a village, and we’re all doing some very positive things.

5. Everyone is open-minded. The answer to something is never “no,” it’s “let’s see how we can make this work.” We get fast response on requests for supplies, as people are very motivated to help teachers get what they need for the classroom. Our science field trip was going to cost $10, which was too high, so the PTA jumped in and said it would cover $5 per student.

Roanoke County Schools

Senior Liza Rosa appreciates the opportunity for students to explore career options in classes at Roanoke County School’s Burton Center for Arts and Technology and Governor’s School.

Liza Rosa, a senior at Hidden Valley High School and president of the Student Advisory Council

1. The camaraderie among students at all schools is great. We can lay aside any rivalries and come together for good causes. Students have held fundraisers for Kendall Bayne, a classmate who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and participated in activities to support student Lindsay Nanz, who underwent a liver transplant.

2. Our administrative staff is very approachable. You see them at games, the grocery store, and if you need to talk to them, you know you’ll see them at a school function. They are very good at taking care of problems when you ask them to.

3. A lot of schools are focused on AP students, dual enrollment and test scores, but Roanoke County Schools focus on making sure everyone is doing well and getting a good education. It’s more about quality than quantity.

4. We have expanded opportunities through the Burton Center for Arts and Technology and Governor’s School. They don’t limit us to our core subjects; we’re able to choose what we want to do.

5. Roanoke County Schools never settle. They are always looking at ways to improve education and help us prepare for the real world. It seems like at every school board meeting, they are talking about ways to make things better for the students, such as online textbooks. Block scheduling and the 10-point grading scale that was implemented makes it easier for students to transition to college.

Salem City Schools

Jerrel Ledbetter, a Salem High School alumni, believes students benefit from the support of the local community. (photo courtesy of Jerrel Ledbetter.)

Jerrel Ledbetter, a graduate of Salem High School and current student at William & Mary College

1. The City of Salem maintains a strong focus on education. The school system is important to the local government, and they do their best to appreciate the work of the faculty, staff and students. The motto “Children First” definitely shows in the City Council’s involvement with the local schools.

2. The teachers are not just teachers, but they also play other roles in the community. Many of the teachers that I have had played active roles in religious organizations and volunteered at programs that the school did not sponsor. The teachers are not just people that students see in the classroom, but also people that work to improve their local surroundings.

3. I have also had nothing but positive experiences with the staff at Salem City Schools. Custodial workers, librarians and the administrative staff have been some of the nicest people I have met at Salem. They are willing to help, regardless of whether the person is a student or the principal. The staff is also very encouraging towards students, and they always have words of support.

4. The resources in classrooms are very nice, especially for a district of our size. The use of technology in Salem City Schools has continued to grow, and it has often surprised me when I heard about how much had changed between when I had a class and when my brothers (differences of two and four years) took those same classes.

5. The surrounding community plays a key role in Salem City Schools. People without kids in the school system still attend both football games and plays. The citizens of Salem do what they can to support Salem City Schools, so I want to thank them all for every school event they have attended and every tub of cookie dough they have bought in support of us students.

Botetourt County Schools

Lord Botetourt High School principal Janet Womack: “Our faculty and staff are caring and dedicated.”

Janet Womack, principal at Lord Botetourt High School

1. Our students are great. Botetourt County Schools offer students many opportunities and programs. Student achievement across the county reflects a student population that is motivated to succeed.

2. Our community is supportive and dedicated to providing a strong education for students in Botetourt County. Business partnerships and investment in the future of our school system is a valuable part of our success.

3. Our faculty and staff are caring and dedicated to training students for the future. Teachers and staff members work with students in the classroom, in athletic opportunities, and in many service-oriented ways. Our employees are dedicated to train and nurture students in education.

4. Our parents are great! Parents’ involvement is key to academic success and a supportive environment for students. Our parents are dedicated to supporting school programs, and they volunteer many hours to provide opportunities to the students and the community.

5. The Botetourt County School Board and the Board of Supervisors have a positive working relationship that results in support for our school system. Leaders work together to maintain a quality school system in challenging times. This relationship reflects a loyalty to promoting excellence in education and providing opportunities for the students.

Franklin County Schools

Charles Lackey, superintendent of Franklin County Schools, says students there succeed academically and become well-prepared for the future.

Dr. Charles Lackey, superintendent of Franklin County Schools

1. We’ve achieved one of the highest academic levels in this area at one of the lowest costs. Because we have one of the lowest tax rates in the state, we’ve had no choice but to keep finances low, but we haven’t let that keep us from performing academically. We could not have achieved what we did if we didn’t have the best teachers, bus drivers, custodial workers, maintenance teams and other staff.

2. Our schools excel on a national level. Rocky Mount Elementary School was named a 2011 Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education based on overall academic excellence. Advanced Placement (AP) scores tripled at Franklin County High School, and the school won an award as one of the best in the nation. Our schools also have been accredited for the last 30 years.

3. The work ethic in Franklin County Schools has been appreciated by significant people. The presidents of community colleges in Martinsville and Roanoke told me our students’ work ethic is among the best they see. There’s something about agricultural country, where we help our neighbor and support the community, that is carried on by our students as they move on to other opportunities. They have the reputation of being well prepared.

4. We have the lowest percentage of special education students in the state because of our RTI (Response to Intervention) program. It is a significant effort to identify those that could become special education students and use supportive services to keep them from being labeled.

5. The Center for Efficient Design (CEED) building at the Leonard A. Gereau Center, funded from non-general fund sources, is an innovative facility that’s all about energy and efficiency. It features the latest in wind systems, solar panels, environmental design and rainwater harvesting. CEED is open for eighth grade programs, as well as to the public, community service agencies and vendors.

Area Schools at a Glance

Click here to open these charts as a pdf.

If Roanoke is extending and expanding its reputation other than in the medical field, it’s likely in the realm of arts and culture, where the mostly stuffy of years past has in recent times given way to a delightful continuum that begins with the quirky and local, runs through the substantial and national-scale, and ends up with major artworks in museums and major performers in the civic centers.

Meg Carter

Meg Carter feels the Taubman Museum’s (background) presence amid older architecture makes for “a vibrant scene.”

When Meg Carter’s husband Frank first broached the idea of moving from Tampa Fla., to Roanoke, Meg had three conditions: the city had to have an art museum, an indie movie theater and an outdoor market.

Roanoke delivered on each prerequisite.

And so, the family moved to the Star City during the summer of 2008 when Frank Carter joined Member One Federal Credit Union as CEO.

It didn’t take long after the move for Meg Carter to become a fixture on the Roanoke arts scene. She began by volunteering as a docent for the Taubman Museum of Art. From there, she naturally met people who drew her into other cultural opportunities.

“I just dove right in,” she says.

Here are a few of Carter’s favorite cultural offerings:

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra
Jefferson Center: 541 Luck Ave.; 343-9127; rso.com

Carter loves the fact that the orchestra is so accessible. She points out that it’s much easier to find a parking place at the Jefferson Center than it would be to see an orchestra in most any other city. Carter also finds RSO’s ticket prices to be quite reasonable, which means music isn’t solely available for the one percent. “I love the fact that it’s a diverse group of people,” Carter says.

Taubman Museum of Art
Downtown: 110 Salem Ave.; 342-5760; taubmanmuseum.org

Carter stands firmly in the camp of Roanokers who love, love, love the building Architect Randall Stout created to house the city’s new art museum.

“I like the fact that it’s such an avant-garde building in the midst of a historical area,” she says. “I think anytime you see a mixture between the old and the new you’re going to have a vibrant scene.”

Carter also approves of the museum’s revised focus of engaging local residents with events like Spectacular Saturdays, when admission to the museum is free, and organizing partnerships with other area nonprofits and artists. “I love the fact they’re becoming more of a community center,” she says.

The Grandin Theatre
1310 Grandin Rd.; 345-6177; grandintheatre.com

Roanoke’s grand, historic theater, run locally by a nonprofit foundation, takes up prime real estate in Carter’s heart. “I love independent film and the Grandin has a cool vibe,” Carter says.

Ted Talks Roanoke
Every Wednesday at noon at the Shadowbox; 22 Kirk Ave

Carter loves this free event where members of the audience hear a talk by a remarkable person and then discuss it afterward. “I think it provides a comfortable space for people to air their opinions,” Carter says. “I think that kind of discourse we’ve lost in a lot of other areas.”

Roanoke Civic Center
710 Williamson Rd.; 853-5483; roanokeciviccenter.com

The civic center may be aging — it celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2011 — but Carter still counts it among the Star City’s gems. Carter and her daughter attended two Keith Urban concerts: one at the 10,500-seat Roanoke Civic Center Coliseum and another at the John Paul Jones arena in Charlottesville, which holds about 15,000. “When you saw him in a larger area you realized what a treat it had been to see him in Roanoke,” Carter says.

Meg Carter, who lives in South Roanoke, serves as an organizer for Roanoke Valley Reads
(roanokevalleyreads.com).

Tim Albaugh

Tim Albaugh says that unlike in L.A., you don’t need a reservation to bowl late nights at Hilltop Lanes.

Grandin Theatre
1310 Grandin Road; 345-6177; grandintheatre.com

It’s hardly surprising to have a film professor name the Grandin as one of his favorite Roanoke cultural venues. Tim Albaugh likes the selection of films the theater shows, not to mention the fact that the theater is owned by a nonprofit. “We obviously like to support neighborhood places to the best we can,” he says.

Star City Roller Girls
starcityrollergirls.com

“That’s kind of off-beat culture to say the least,” Albaugh says of the Roanoke roller derby team.

Albaugh has fond memories of taking his two daughters, ages 14 and 10, to their first bout. “They thought it was crazy,” Albaugh says. “They loved it.”

Is Albaugh worried he may have spawned two future roller girls by taking his daughters to the rink that night?

Not really. Albaugh explains he wants his daughters to do whatever makes them happy. And, anyway. . . “I’ve learned that my vote is usually discounted.”

No Shame Theatre
Waldron Stage at Center in the Square’s Church Ave. building; Downtown: 20 Church Ave.; noshame.org/Roanoke

Performers create original pieces — sometimes short scenes or poems or rocking ditties — that last no longer than five minutes. “There’s some really good people who participate in that,” Albaugh says.

The Shadowbox Community Microcinema
Downtown: 22 Kirk Ave.; theshadowboxcinema.com

The theater’s mission is to screen local and regional films as well as “independent, foreign and just plain weird films that otherwise would never be shown in Roanoke.” Albaugh especially enjoyed a lively screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” “It was a lot of fun,” Albaugh recalls.

Late Night Rock ‘N Bowl at AMF Hilltop Lanes
5918 Williamson Rd.; 366-8879. amf.com/hilltoplanesva

Every Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. Hilltop Lanes transforms into party central with thumping bass and strobe lighting. “It’s something that’s easy to do that we can all do together,” Albaugh says of this family-friendly event.

For the last several years Albaugh has spent his summers at Hollins teaching graduate students about film and screenwriting while living the rest of the year in Los Angeles, where bowling is a much different experience.

Albaugh tells a story of calling Roanoke’s Hilltop Lanes to make a reservation — only to hear the person on the other end of the phone trying to swallow her giggles. Hey, you need reservations to bowl in L.A. You also have to show up an hour in advance or you lose your spot. At Hilltop, Albaugh still says with amazement, “We just walked right in.”

Tim Albaugh, a screenwriter and teacher, was recently named director of Hollins’ master of arts and master of fine arts programs in screenwriting and film studies.

Cyrus Pace

Cyrus Pace of the Jefferson Center (background) has high praise for area school Christmas programs: “Imagine the teacher who tries to figure out how to organize the whole school to do a holiday program.”

Roanoke Children’s Theatre
Downtown: Located at the Taubman Museum of Art, 110 Salem Ave.; 309-6802; roanokechildrenstheatre.org

Cyrus Pace’s son Louis won’t even be two years old by the time this article comes out, so don’t think Pace is just trying to promote his kid with this selection. “He’s not in the theater scene yet,” Pace jokes.

Pace appreciates Roanoke’s Children’s Theatre for its professionalism and because the shows are entertaining for kids and adults. “They’ve figured out a way to do things that are educational and also meaningful,” Pace says.

Kirk Avenue Music Hall
Downtown: 22 Kirk Ave.; 798-3592; kirkavenuemusic.com

It’s amazing how such a modestly sized music venue totally transformed Roanoke’s live music scene. Pace feels super lucky to have seen Darrell Scott in such an intimate space. “One of the world’s most important songwriters and he’s right there,” Pace raves.

The always eloquent Pace couldn’t even manage a complete sentence to describe how much he loved seeing the Punch Brothers at Kirk Avenue. “God Almighty,” was all Pace could manage.

Kandinsky Trio
kandinskytrio.org

Pace is a member of the class of 1998 at Roanoke College, where the Kandinsky Trio has had a long and storied residency. “I’ve known those guys for a long time,” Pace says.

By saying “guys,” Pace is referring to violinist Benedict Goodfriend, cellist Alan Weinstein, and pianist Elizabeth Bachelder.

Over the course of 23 seasons, the Kandinsky Trio has played over a thousand concerts, many of them in Salem. “It’s a gift to hear chamber music of that quality in a small community,” Pace says.

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra
Jefferson Center: 541 Luck Ave.; 343-9127; rso.com

“I don’t make it to everything,” Pace says of the orchestra’s performances. “I definitely go to what I can.”

Pace found himself particularly moved that the RSO opened the season with a concerto for mandolin and orchestra composed by Star City native Jeff Midkiff. “It was really well supported and it was a really meaningful choice for the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra to support a local composer,” Pace says. “It set up a whole night illustrating the importance of local music.”

Holiday Shows at Roanoke Valley Elementary Schools

Pace let his Dad flag fly high by expressing his love for the annual grade-school Christmas productions that inevitably showcase kids wearing reindeer antlers and snowflake sandwich boards.

Pace points out these shows are especially impressive when you consider the fact that the music teachers who organize them usually only have the kids in a class once a week.

“Imagine this teacher who tries to figure out how to organize the whole school to do a holiday program,” Pace says, his voice filled with genuine wonder.

Cyrus Pace is the executive director for the Jefferson Center and directs the Patrick Henry Jazz Ensemble.

Lucy Lee

Lucy Lee, in front of the Grandin Theatre, which she appreciates for “movies that don’t scream at you.”

Opera Roanoke
Performances at Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall: 541 Luck Ave; 982-2742; operaroanoke.org

Last spring Lucy Lee heard lots of buzzing about Opera Roanoke’s performance of  “Madama Butterfly.” “So many people raved about it, I decided to go,” she explains.

She found herself transfixed by the music, the acting, the sets — every element of the performance. “Experiencing it was an emotional high, and I remember thinking, ‘This is art,’” Lee says. “It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”

So beautiful in fact that Lee made sure to attend the company’s October production of “Il Trovatore” and she’s already purchased tickets for Opera Roanoke’s “Carmen” which opens April 27.

Taubman Museum of Art
Downtown: 110 Salem Ave.; 342-5760; taubmanmuseum.org

Lee has long been an admirer of the museum’s collection of folk art. “That’s always fun, but I like to see whatever shows they’re having.” Lee also appreciates how cosmopolitan she feels when heading into the Taubman. “You don’t even have to go to New York,” she says.

The Grandin Theatre
1310 Grandin Rd.; 345-6177; grandintheatre.com

“I like the fact that they have movies that don’t scream at you,” Lee says.

Does Lee’s preference for indie and art house flicks mean she isn’t a fan of the 3-D flicks so popular now at the chain multiplexes? “That would be correct,” she answers.

Roanoke’s Art Galleries

You’ll find galleries throughout the Roanoke Valley, but there are enough Downtown alone that it would be a challenge to visit them all in one day.

“I love the art galleries and there are so many of them,” Lee says happily. “Every now and then I feel the need to hit them and take a look.”

Lee particularly enjoys The Market Gallery at 23 Salem Ave. Downtown which showcases the work of more than two-dozen artists. That’s a treat for Lee, who collects work by local artists. “I’m always on the lookout,” she says.

Hollins University
7916 Williamson Rd.; hollins.edu

Lee received her master of arts in liberal studies in 1985 and her certificate of advanced studies in 2003. Even still, she tries to take an art class and a literature class every year. Lee also regularly turns out at campus special events. “I like to go to the readings they have, I love the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum and they’re always having great speakers,” Lee raves.

Lee speaks with a Southern accent so gracious and melodic it’s too bad she doesn’t read books on tape for a living. Lee also serves as an organizer for Roanoke Valley Reads (roanokevalleyreads.com).

Jason Garnett: The Quirky Side of Culture

Jason Garnett (with partner Keri Sink): “I love Elvis. Who doesn’t?”

“I’ve been off the culture radar because I just had a baby,” says Garnett, whose son Desmond was born July 1. Even so, he has not lost his eye for the quaint and quirky of Roanoke arts and culture.

The Bazaar
675 Brandon Ave.; 309-0928

At this eccentric little shop, workers sell records, art, antiques and retro clothing during the day and host bands at night. “They’re the biggest supporter of Roanoke’s underground music scene,” Garnett raves.

The Park
615 Salem Ave.; parkroanoke.com

A haven for Southwest Virginia’s GLBT Community, The Park also serves as a fun, welcoming place for folks of any sexual preference who enjoy pumping music and a spacious dance floor. “You can’t call yourself a true Roanoker until you’ve seen a drag show at The Park,” Garnett says.

Miniature Graceland
605 Riverland Rd.

Poor health and recessionary times have kept the original creators from restoring this Barbie-size tourist stop to its former glory. But things are looking up.

“Roanoke’s tiny ode to the King of Rock and Roll is being renovated as we speak,” Garnett explains. Benefactors staged a benefit concert over the summer to raise money for the restoration and that makes Garnett happy.

“I love Elvis,” he says. “Who doesn’t love Elvis?”

Happy’s Flea Market
5411 Williamson Rd; 563-4473; happysfleamarket.net

At Virginia’s largest and oldest flea market pretty much anybody who owns just about anything can (and does) set up shop. “I think somebody coined the term ‘people watching’ after a trip to Happy’s,” Garnett says.

He also lists one great cultural stand-by which will celebrates its 22nd annual event in 2012:

Local Colors Festival
Held Downtown in May. localcolors.org

Dozens of countries are represented in a parade of nations during this festival. The event also offers arts and crafts stands, fashion shows, children’s games and, perhaps most importantly for Garnett, international food. “It celebrates diversity in Roanoke and Pearl Fu, Roanoke’s ambassador of everything,” Garnett says.

Jason Garnett lives in Raleigh Court and owns the Shadowbox Community Microcinema.

Other Cultural Icons

With downtown and Center in the Square in flux these days (with the grand re-opening scheduled for spring, 2013), several major arts and culture venues find themselves similarly in temporary limbo.

The History Museum of Western Virginia is currently housed in the old Twist & Turns space at the corner of Williamson and Campbell in downtown Roanoke. 540-342-5770; history-museum.org.

The Science Museum of Western Virginia is located in the upper level of Tanglewood Mall (across from Belk), on Electric Road in southwest Roanoke County. 540-342-5710; smwv.org.

Other area museums and cultural noteworthies:

The Virginia Museum of Transportation, 303 Norfolk Avenue in downtown Roanoke, includes approximately 2,500 objects from the realms of rail automotive, aviation, mass transit and other artifacts. 540-342-5670; vmt.org.

The O. Winston Link Museum, across from Hotel Roanoke on Salem Avenue, is built around the stunning black and white railroad photos of O. Winston Link. 540-982-5465; linkmuseum.org.

The Jefferson Center, at 541 Luck Avenue in downtown Roanoke, presents a lively and national-class set of concerts and other live entertainment. 540-345-2550; jeffcenter.org.

The Salem Civic Center, like its Roanoke counterpart noted elsewhere in these pages, presents concerts, sporting events, shows and more throughout the year. 540-375-3004; salemciviccenter.com.

The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge, at 20 Church Avenue SE in downtown Roanoke, supports and promotes all things cultural in the valley. 540-342-5790; theartscouncil.org.

Age:

0 to 9 years……….35,724
10 to 19……………38,735
20 to 34……………52,388
35 to 49……………63,669
50 to 64……………68,015
65 to 79……………36,099
80+………………..14,077

Sex:

Female: 159,783……………51.8%
Male: 148,924……………48.2%
Source: April 1, 2010 Census Estimates

Local Government:

Roanoke and Salem are independent cities. Vinton, Roanoke and Salem all have a manager-council form of government. The mayor serves as chairman of the council. Roanoke County operates as a separate county unit. It has a five-member board of supervisors and a county administrator. Vinton has a town government.

Travel Guide – Mileage from Roanoke:

Fairfax………………………….224
Outer Banks, NC……………317
Richmond……………………..187
Virginia Beach………………296
Washington, D.C……………247
Williamsburg………………..215
Source: mapquest.com

Cost of Living Composite Index:

Assuming you have an annual salary of $60,000 in the city you’re leaving to move to Roanoke, here are sample percentages of the base-100 measurements as well as salaries needed to maintain that standard of living.

Roanoke, Va…………….93.4% / $56,040
Charleston, S.C…………………97.7% / $58,620
Richmond, Va…………………..99.2% / $59,520
Asheville, N.C………………….101.7% / $61,020
Charlottesville, Va…………..104.4% / $62,640
Virginia Beach / Hampton
Roads, Va……………………104.8% / $62,880
Chicago, Ill………………………114.4% / $68,640
Newark, N.J…………………….131.7% / $79,020
Boston, Mass…………………..137.2% / $82,320
Washington, D.C……………..147.5% / $88,500
National Average 100.0% / $60,000
Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 3rd Quarter, 2011.

Population:

Roanoke MSA……………309,169
Roanoke City………………97,061
Roanoke County………….92,524
Franklin County………….56,387
Botetourt County………..33,209
Salem City………………….24,797
Craig County…………………5,191
Source: Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, Provisional Estimates July 1, 2010.

Top Digital City/County:

For 11 consecutive years Roanoke City has been named in the Center for Digital Government’s Top Digital Cities Survey, finishing first in the polling six times. Likewise, Roanoke County has placed in the center’s Digital Counties Survey for the past eight years, with four of those appearances meriting top honors. These surveys recognize cities and counties with governments that are on the cutting edge of the technological world.

Local Newspapers/Tabloids:

The Roanoke Times
Bella
Cave Spring Connection
City Magazine
The Fincastle Herald
Franklin News Post
The Menu: Roanoke’s Best Dining Guide
The New Castle Record
Our Health
Play By Play
Retire Va
The Roanoke Star-Sentinel
The Roanoke Tribune
The Salem Times Register
Senior News
The Smith Mountain Eagle
Valley Blend
Valley Business Front
Vinton Messenger
Virginian Review
Valley Bride
The Wedding Planner

Magazines:

The Roanoker, Blue Ridge Country

Movie Theaters:

Carmike 10 – Tanglewood………………………………725-9800
Grandin Theatre……………………………………………..345-6177
Carmike Salem Valley 8…………………………………389-0444
Regal Valley View Grande Stadium 16……………362-5200

Radio Stations:

WVTF Public Radio NPR………………………………………89.1 FM
WFFC – Radio IQ NPR…………………………………………..89.7 FM
WRXT – Spirit FM Contemporary Christian………….90.3, 103.7 FM
WXLK – K92 Top 40………………………………………………92.3 FM
WSNV – Sunny FM Contemporary…………………………93.5 FM
WSLC – Star Country Country………………………………..94.9 FM
WROV – ROV Rocks Rock……………………………………….96.3 FM
WKDE – KD Country Country…………………………………96.9, 105.5 FM
WHPE – BBN Religious……………………………………………97.7 FM
WSLQ – Q-99 Variety………………………………………………99.1 FM
WVMP – The Music Place Americana………………………101.5 FM
WJJS – Jammin’ JJS Modern Rock…………………………..102.7, 104.9 FM
WBRW – The Bear Alternative Rock………………………..105.3 FM
WSSF – Steve FM Variety………………………………………..106.1 FM
WYYD – WYYD Country Country……………………………..107.9 FM
WVBE – ViBE 100 Urban…………………………………………..610 AM, 97.7 FM
WFJX – Fox Radio 910 Religious/Talk……………………..910 AM
WFIR – NewsTalk 960 News/Talk…………………………….960, AM / 107.3 FM
WGMN – ESPN Radio Sports…………………………………….1240 AM
WRIS – Religious/Talk………………………………………………1410 AM
WTOY – Urban & Gospel……………………………………………1480 AM
WKBA – Religious………………………………………………………1550 AM

Broadcast Television Stations:

Channel 7……………WDBJ CBS
Channel 10………….WSLS NBC
Channel 13………….WSET ABC
Channel 15…………..WBRA Blue Ridge PBS
Channel 21…………..WFXR FOX
Channel 27…………..WWCW FOX
Channel 36…………..WPXR ION

Cable & Satellite TV Systems:

Comcast……………….866-928-9135, Comcast.USDirect.com
Cox……………………….540-776-3848, Cox.com
Direct TV……………..888-777-2454, Directv.com
Dish Network……….888-825-2557, DishNetwork.com

Newcomer/Visitor Help:

Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau.
101 Shenandoah Ave. 800-635-5535. VisitRoanokeVa.com
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.
210 S. Jefferson St. 540-983-0700. RoanokeChamber.org
Downtown Roanoke Inc.
213 Market St., SW. 540-342-2028. DowntownRoanoke.org
Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership.
111 Franklin Plaza, Suite 333. 800-562-2832. Roanoke.org
Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce.
611 E. Main St., Salem 540-387-0267. S-RCChamber.org
Salem Visitor Center/Salem Civic Center.
1001 Boulevard (Salem Civic Center). 1-888-VASALEM. VisitSalemVa.com
Vinton Chamber of Commerce.
116 S. Poplar Street, Suite 1-A. 540-343-1364. VintonChamber.com

Childcare Assistance:

Council of Community Services
CouncilOfCommunityServices.org (search “childcare”), 540-985-0131

Apartments:

Roanoke Valley Apartment Association
FindGreatApartment.com

Air Travel:

Roanoke Regional Airport
RoanokeAirport.com, 540-362-1999

Airlines Reservations and Flight Info:

Delta
Delta.com
Reservations……………….800-282-3424
Flight Information………800-221-1212

Allegiant Air
AllegiantAir.com
Reservations……………….702-505-8888
Flight Information………702-430-3250

United Airlines
UAL.com
Reservations……………….800-864-8331
Flight Information………800-824-6200

US Airways
USAirways.com
Reservations……………….800-428-4322
Flight Information………800-943-5436

Weather:

Mean temp in July…………………………………………………77°F
Mean temp in Jan………………………………………………….37°F
Highest temp (July 1936 and Aug 1983)………………..105°F
Lowest temp (Dec 1917)…………………………………………-12°F
Annual average precipitation…………………………………41.35”
Monthly average precipitation……………………………….3.45”
Elevation………………………………………………………………..940’
Metropolitan land area (sq. miles)…………………………853
Sources: Weather.com, RoanokeVa.gov.

Roanoke City
Real Estate Tax: $1.19 per $100 of assessed value. Tax on a $70,000 house = $833. Due dates: October 5 and April 5.

Personal Property Tax: $3.45 per $100 of assessed value. Tax on an $8,000 car = $276. Due date: May 31.

Utility Taxes: Electric, $.0078/kwh or 12% of min. provider charge; Water, 12%, Natural Gas, $.13/ccf or 12% of min. provider charge.

Water and Sewage: For first 10,000 gallons (Projected for Jan 2010): Water: $3/1,000 gallons. Sewer: $3.60/1,000 gallons. Water and sewer for 10,000 gallons/mo. = $66.

Trash Removal: Once-a-week pick up by Roanoke City, curbside or alley, no charge.

Recycling: Container provided; pick up every week, alternating between bottles/cans, and paper products every other week.

Roanoke County
Real Estate Tax: $1.09 per $100 of assessed value. Tax on a $70,000 house = $763. Due dates: June 5 and December 5.

Personal Property Tax: $3.50 per $100 of NADA loan value. Tax on an $8,000 car = $280. Due date: May 31.

Utility Tax: Electric, $.009/kwh ($.90 min, $1.80 max.); Water, 12% on first $15; Natural Gas, $.12183/ccf ($.90 min, $1.80 max.)

Water and Sewer: For first 10,000 gallons (Projected for Jan 2010): Water: $3/1,000 gallons. Sewer: $3.60/1,000 gallons. Water and sewer for 10,000 gallons/mo. = $66.

Trash Removal: Once-a-week pick up by Roanoke County. No charge for curb/alley service. Bulk items every other week.

Recycling: Eight recycling drop-off locations: Cox Communications, Hollins University, Cave Spring Middle School, Oak Grove Elementary School, Glenvar and William Byrd middle schools, Tinker Creek Transfer Station and Cycle Systems.

Salem
Real Estate Tax: $1.18 per $100 of assessed value. Tax on a $70,000 house = $826. Due dates: June 5 and December 5.

Personal Property Tax: $3.20 per $100 of assessed value. Tax on an $8,000 car = $256. Due date: May 31.

Utility Tax: Electric, Gas &; Water, 6% on first $15.

Water and Sewer: Water: $2.95/1,000 gallons on first 5,000 gal, $3.60/1,000 gal. next 5,000 gal. Sewer: $2.63/1,000 gal. Water & Sewer for 10,000 gal./mo. = $59.05

Trash Removal: Once-a-week pick up by the city. Bulk items picked up same day.

Recycling: Full-service drop-off at Kiwanis Field (6th St. and Indiana St.). Currently not taking glass. Newspaper drop-off in Court House parking lot. No charge.

Botetourt County
Real Estate Tax: $.65 per $100 of assessed value. Tax on a $70,000 house = $490. Due date: December 5. Buchanan residents pay additional town tax of $.19/$100.

Personal Property Tax: $2.55 per $100 of NADA loan value. Tax on an $8,000 car = $204. Buchanan residents pay an additional town tax of $.32/$100. Due date: December 5.

Utility Tax: $0.65/$100.

Water and Sewer: Water: (most areas) $19.75 minimum for first 2,000 gal, $3.75/1,000 gal after. Sewer: $27 per month. Water and sewer for 10,000 gallons/mo. = $76.75.

Trash Removal: Private pickup available.

Recycling: Eight drop-off locations throughout the county.

Franklin County
Real Estate Tax: $.48 per $100 of assessed value. (add $0.12/$100 in Town of Rocky Mount or $0.10 /$100 in Boones Mill.) Due Dec. 5. Tax on a $70,000 house = $336, $420 and $406 respectively.

Personal Property Tax: $2.04 per $100 of assessed value (add $0.51 /$100 in Rocky Mount, $0.40 / $100 in Boones Mill) Tax on an $8,000 car = $163.20, $204 or $195.20 respectively. Due date: Dec. 5.

Utility Tax: Electric, $.01525/kwh ($1.50 min, $3 max.); Natural Gas, $.12183/ccf ($1.50 min, $3 max.) Rocky Mount: 10% of monthly charge, max $2.

Water and Sewer: Water: Min $21.50 for first 3,000 gallons, $6.50/gal up to 10,000 gallons. Sewer: $3.60 per 1,000 gallons. Water and Sewer for 10,000 gallons/mo. = $103.

Trash Removal: 74 collection sites throughout the County.

Recycling: Twelve drop-off locations throughout the county

Craig County
Real Estate Tax: $.54 per 100 of assessed value. Tax on a $70,000 house = $378. Due dates: Dec. 5 and June 5.

Personal Property Tax: $3 per $100. Due date: Dec. 5.

Utility Tax: Electric, $.01515/kwh $1.50 min, $3 max.

Water and Sewer: NA

Trash Removal: No pick up; dumping at landfill is free

Recycling: NA

Vinton
Real Estate Tax: $.03 per $100 of assessed value in addition to $1.09 Roanoke County tax. Total tax on a $70,000 house = $784. Due dates: June 5 and December 5.

Personal Property Tax: $1 per $100 of assessed value in addition to $3.50 Roanoke County tax. Total tax on an $8,000 car = $360. Due date: May 31.

Utility Tax: Electric: $.009/kwh per month, $1.80 max; Gas: $.12183/CCF per month, $1.80 max; Water: 12%/ per two-month billing period, $1.80 max. Water and Sewer:

Water and sewer: metered service for 2 months. Water: $13.84 first 3,000 gal., next 42,000 gal or less $2.56/1,000 gal. Sewer: $20.34 first 3,000 gal. then $2.98/1,000 gal. Water &; sewer for 10,000 gal./2mo. = $72.96.

Trash Removal: Once-a-week pick up by Town of -Vinton, no charge.

Recycling: NA

MSA Demographics Age:
0-9 years….35,706
10-19….37,046
20-34….52,663
35-49….61,791
50-64….63,634
65-79….35,225
80+ ….14,334

Sex:
Female …. 156,146 – 52%
Male ….144,253 – 48%

Population:
Roanoke MSA….303,418
Roanoke City….93,304
Roanoke County….92,991
Franklin County….53,450
Botetourt County….33,299
Salem City….25,163
Craig County….5,211

Travel Guide – Mileage from Roanoke:
Fairfax…..224
Outer Banks, NC…..317
Richmond…..187
Virginia Beach…..296
Washington, D.C……247
Williamsburg…..215

Local Government:
Roanoke and Salem are independent cities. Vinton, Roanoke and Salem all have a manager-council form of government. The mayor serves as chairman of the council. Roanoke County operates as a separate county unit. It has a five-member board of supervisors and a county administrator. Vinton has a town government.

Cost of Living Composite Index:
Assuming you have an annual salary of $60,000 in the city you’re leaving to move to Roanoke, here are sample percentages of the base-100 measurements as well as salaries needed to maintain that standard of living.
Roanoke, VA……93.5% / $56,100
Charleston, SC……97.2% / $58,320
Raleigh, NC……98.5% / $59,100
Asheville, NC……101.5% / $60,900
Richmond, VA……104.4% / $62,640
Charlottesville, VA……104.5% / $62,700
Hampton Roads, VA……110.0% / $66,000
Chicago, IL……116.8% / $70,080
Newark, NJ……127.6% / $76,560
Boston, MA……131.1% / $78,660
National Average……100.0% / $60,000

Mean temp in Jan…. 36°F

Highest temp (July 1936 and Aug 1983)….105°F

Lowest temp (Dec 1917)…. -12°F

Annual average precipitation…. 42.49”

Monthly average precipitation…. 3.54”

Elevation….940’

Metropolitan land area (sq. miles)…. 853

Sources: Weather.com, RoanokeVa.gov.

Airlines Reservations and Flight Info:

Delta……Delta.com
Reservations….800-282-3424
Flight Information….800-221-1212

Allegiant Air…… AllegiantAir.com
Reservations….702-505-8888
Flight Information….702-430-3250

United Airlines……UAL.com
Reservations….800-864-8331
Flight Information….800-824-6200

US Airways……USAirways.com
Reservations….800-428-4322
Flight Information….800-943-5436

Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.
210 S. Jefferson St.
540-983-0700
RoanokeChamber.­org

Downtown Roanoke Inc.
213 Market St., SW.
540-342-2028
DowntownRoanoke.­org

Roanoke Regional Partnership.
111 Franklin Plaza
Suite 333
540-343-1550
1-800-LOCATE2
­Roanoke.­org

Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce.
611 E. Main St., Salem
540-387-0267
S-RCChamber.org

Salem Visitor Center/Salem Civic ­Center.
1001 Boulevard (Salem Civic Center)
540-375-4044 or 1-888-VASALEM
VisitSalemVa.com

Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce.
116 S. Poplar Street,
Suite 1-A
540-343-1364
VintonChamber.com

Council of Community Services
985-0131
CouncilOfCommunityServices.org/ccl/families.html

Roanoke Valley Apartment
AssociationApt-Guide.com

The Roanoker
Blue Ridge Country
Mountain Homes

Local Newspapers and Tabloids:
The Roanoke Times
Bella
The Blue Ridge Business Journal
Cave Spring Connection
City Magazine
The Fincastle Herald
Franklin News Post
Lifestream Inc.
The Roanoke Star-Sentinel
The Roanoke Tribune
Play By Play
The Salem Times Register
News Messenger
Radford News Journal
The New Castle Record
The Vinton Messenger
The Smith Mountain Eagle
Valley Business Front
Virginian Review
Senior News
Verve
Natural Awakenings of Southwest Virginia

Radio Stations:
WVTF – Public Radio…… NPR 89.1 FM
WFFC – Radio IQ…… NPR 89.7 FM
WRXT – Spirit FM…… Contemporary Christian 91.3, 103.7 FM
WXLK – K92…… Top 40 92.3 FM
WSNV – Sunny FM…… Contemporary 93.5 FM
WSLC – Star Country…… Country 94.9 FM
WROV – The Rock of Virginia …… Rock 96.3 FM
WKDE – KD Country…… Country 96.9 FM
WYFI…… Religious 97.7 FM
WSLQ – Q-99…… Variety 99.1 FM
WJJS – Jammin’ JJS…… Modern Rock 104.9 FM
Steve FM…… Variety 106.1 FM
WYYD – 108 WYYD Country…… Country 107.9 FM
WVBE – ViBE 100…… Urban 610 AM
WFJX – Fox Radio 910…… Talk 910 AM
WFIR – NewsTalk 960……. News/Talk 960 AM
WGMN – ESPN Radio……. Sports Talk 1240 AM
WRIS…… Religious/Talk 1410 AM
WTOY……. Urban & Gospel 1480 AM
WKBA – The Ministry Station……. Religious 1550 AM

Television Stations:
Channel 7- WDBJ….CBS
Channel 10- WSLS…. NBC
Channel 13- WSET…. ABC
Channel 15- WBRA…. Blue Ridge PBS
Channel 21- WWCW…. FOX
Channel 24- WDRL (local broadcasting currently suspended…. Independent
Channel 27 -WFXR…. FOX
Channel 36- WPXR…. ION

Cable and Satellite Providers:
Comcast….866-928-9135, Comcast.USDirect.com
Cox….540-776-3848, Cox.com
Direct TV…..888-777-2454, Directv.com
Dish Network….888-825-2557, DishNetwork.com

Movie Theaters:
Carmike 10 – Tanglewood……725-9800
Grandin Theatre…… 345-6177
Salem Valley……. 8389-0444
Valley View Grande…….362-8989
Westlake Cinema at Smith Mountain Lake……..721-6326
Mayberry Drive-In at Smith Mountain Lake……..269-1480

Roanoke City Schools
These days, Fishburn Park Elementary School takes “going green” to a whole new level. After city school zones were redistricted in 2009, plans were implemented to refocus the facility as an environmental science school. Because the facility once served as a magnet school with the same concentration, Fishburn has easily transitioned back into that role via creative earth-friendly curriculums and practices.

According to Principal Judy Lackey, students have responded positively to projects such as recycling, caring for fish (turtles and lizards, too) and gardening. And instead of Earth Day, they celebrate Earth Week. The school’s 10-acre campus lends itself to environmental practices; it features – among many other innovations – a greenhouse, raised flowerbeds assigned to each grade level to maintain and a pond filled with fish.

“We work hard, but we have a good time,” Lackey says. “When the kids get off the bus in the morning, they have a smile on their face, and that’s a great thing. And the teachers are passionate about the environment and teaching the students to be respectful of the earth, as well as each other.”

Lackey says they continuously look for ways to expand the program and in the coming years, would like to have a windmill and weather bug station. Many of the projects in place now are possible thanks to grants, supportive community businesses and the PTA.

Roanoke County Schools
Students who travel to the Burton Center for Arts and Technology for a class each day have one thing in common. They want to be there.
Here, the students are armed with skills applicable to life and work experiences, even if their chosen classes do not lead to a future career choice.

The Burton Center, says Principal Andy McClung, serves all five county high schools, offering courses in four specialty centers – engineering, mass communications, performing arts and visual arts – and various technology programs, such as auto service, cosmetology and masonry. And word has spread about the success of the school, as classes have grown over the past eight years from about 350 students to 750.

“The teachers are enthusiastic; they love their students, and it shows,” McClung says. “It’s a unique situation we get to enjoy, and the students make it all worthwhile.”

Juliet Anderson and Will Claytor, students in the digital and web design program, say when they come to Burton, it doesn’t feel like school. Adds motorsports technology student Carlo Dy, he’s able to enjoy one of his hobbies – working on cars – while at Burton and has so much fun that he forgets he’s being graded.

“It’s a break in my day and I’m doing what I want to do,” Anderson says. “It’s a positive atmosphere and gives you a jump start on college.”
Many of the courses at Burton offer dual enrollment with Virginia Western Community College, says mass communications student Deb Lustig, allowing students to gain college credits while in high school. The school helps students become involved with extracurricular activities: Lustig joined the Student Advisory Committee and Claytor attended Boys State during the summer.

Salem City Schools
Balancing a checkbook. Filing taxes. These are just two financial principles that many people had to learn on their own. But thanks to Salem High School’s personal finance class, students are preparing for real world responsibilities.

Salem High School was the first in Virginia to adopt a personal finance curriculum, says Mike Stevens, the City of Salem’s communications director. And this year, the State Board of Education has adopted the program, making it a mandatory graduation requirement for every student in the state.

The personal finance course includes lessons in investing, saving, banking, credit, insurance, taxes, budgeting and basic consumer skills, a press release states. In October 2009, Salem was selected as an honorable mention recipient of the American School Board Journal’s National Magna Awards because of the program.

Botetourt County Schools
Colonial Elementary School is facing a new challenge head on. By implementing the tenants of the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey into their curriculum, teachers are helping each student succeed academically and develop the skills and character traits needed to achieve that high level of success.

“Students are learning far more than the Standards of Learning,” says Principal Tammy Riggs. “They are learning to work collaboratively, problem solve and synergize.”

The goal, Riggs says, is not only to produce students who are ready for middle school academically, but to also produce students who possess strong work ethic, honesty, integrity, teamwork skills, interpersonal skills, self-motivation, analytical skills, organizational skills and creative minds. Because of the initiative, even the youngest students are learning what it means to be proactive and to put first things first.

Franklin County Schools
Franklin County Schools’ Leonard A. Gereau Center gained a new learning facility in October, The Center for Energy Efficient Design (CEED). CEED offers learning laboratories for hands-on instruction and is a demonstration of environmental design concepts including wind systems, passive cooling, natural ventilation and solar thermal systems.

In addition to providing programs for students, the building will be open to the public, builders and contractors, and other school districts to observe energy efficient systems in action, says Gereau Center principal Kevin Bezy.

CEED adds another dynamic of learning to the already unique Gereau Center, which was designed to resemble a corporate headquarters and aid eighth-graders in the exploration of career choices through problem-based learning and internships. High school students also use the center for environmental science and journalism classes, Bezy says.

So the Howard family decided to take a big adventure along the Blue Ridge Parkway. But the question was: “What do you take to the mountains?”

See, we had the beach routine down … umbrella, sunscreen, sand shovel and buckets, floats. But this was all new. So began the scramble to find our camera, binoculars, hiking shoes, snacks, sunglasses, hats, etc.

The Howard family: From left: Garrett, Ben, Dad Landon, Mom Lynne and Jaclyn.

Once we were on the Blue Ridge Parkway – destination, Peaks of Otter – the questions and observations started. Why didn’t we bring a picnic like all the other people? Dad, are we going to see a bear? When can we get mountain bikes? Wow, we can see down on both sides of the road… just like being in an airplane.

Once we arrived at the Peaks of Otter, we discovered the lake, the restaurant, and took a hike up to the Johnson Farm, to learn how people lived before air conditioning and grocery stores.

Late in the afternoon, when we got back into the van, my wife Lynne said, “I sure wish we could stay here longer.” With pride I said, “Hey we live here now… we can come back anytime.”

And as much as we enjoyed our first mountain minivacation, I couldn’t quite get my professional hat off completely. Because tourism – what my family and I were undertaking – is, in my field, simply no vacation!

It is, in fact, a major economic force in our region that is often taken for granted. Communities throughout America spend millions of dollars to build theme attractions including aquariums, theme parks, etc. And we, it became all the more clear to me that day, have a natural theme attraction … The Blue Ridge Mountains!

And central to that natural attraction is that roadway, now closing out its 75th anniversary year. Thanks to the vision of leaders those many decades back, millions of visitors have come to this region and billions of their dollars have helped generate tens of thousands of jobs.

What does this mean to the Roanoke Valley’s economy? Quite a bit:
✩ $657 million in annual tourism spending
✩ 7,300 local jobs
✩ $135 million in local employee earnings
✩ $5 million in lodging tax collections

It is easy to throw around big numbers, but what does this really mean? What is tourism?

Tourism is one of the largest service industries in the world. We must fight for our fair share. To do this, we must collaborate with communities along the parkway to bring more visitors to this beautiful region.

Tourism is about making money, creating good paying jobs, and generating tax collections that support schools, police and many other services.

The Blue Ridge Mountains and the parkway communicate who we are as a people. Scots-Irish and German emigrants many years ago developed a unique culture including music and entertainment, farming and food, mining and railroading. People, the world-over, will pay big money to come discover what we are blessed to have every day.

Tourism is about learning, enrichment, fellowship, memories, a sense of belonging … a togetherness that we all long for.

During the Howard family’s Blue Ridge Parkway adventure, I never heard … “Dad, are we there yet?” Instead: “When can we go back?” “This was the best day!” And, “Can I take my hiking stick to my bedroom?”

Aren’t we lucky to call this place home? Let’s invite others to come experience what we are blessed with every day!

“Virginia Western Community College continues to be on the cutting edge in many areas, including the use of technology to improve the experience of our students,” said Dr. Robert Sandel, president of Virginia Western. “We are excited about this recognition and are honored to be included on this list with these other outstanding colleges.”

Digital Community Colleges Survey looks at community colleges’ technological tools and how that technology is being used to enhance the educational experience of students and instructors. Further, the survey examines how the technology increases convenience in teaching methods and if the technology provides alternate teaching options. Among other technological improvements, the survey specifically pay attention to programs for online registration, distance learning, tutoring, and advisory services.

Newspapers/Tabloids

The Roanoke Times, Bella, The Blue Ridge Business Journal, Cave Spring Connection, City Magazine, The Fincastle Herald, Franklin News Post, Lifestream Inc., Prime Living, The Roanoke Star-Sentinel, The Roanoke Tribune, Play By Play, The Salem Times Register, The Smith Mountain Eagle, Valley Business Front, Vennue, Vinton Messenger, Virginian Review, Senior News.

Magazines

The Roanoker, Blue Ridge Country and Mountain Homes.

Movie Theaters

Carmike 10 – Tanglewood    725-9800
Grandin    345-6177
Salem Valley 8    389-0444
Valley View Grande    362-8989

Radio Stations

WVTF Public Radio    NPR 89.1 FM
WFFC – Radio IQ    NPR 89.7 FM
WRXT – Spirit FM Contemporary Christian     91.3, 103.7 FM
WXLK – K92    Top 40 92.3 FM
WSNV – Sunny FM    Contemporary 93.5 FM
WSLC – Star Country    Country 94.9 FM
WROV – ROV Rocks    Rock 96.3 FM
WKDE – KD Country     Country 96.9 FM
WYFI    Religious 97.7 FM
WSLQ – Q-99    Variety 99.1 FM
WZZI – The Music Place    Americana 101.5 FM
WJJS – Jammin’ JJS     Modern Rock 104.9 FM
WBRW – The Bear    Alternative rock 105.3 FM
Steve FM    Variety 106.1 FM
WYYD – 108 WYYD Country    Country 107.9 FM
WVBE – ViBE 100    Urban 610 AM
WWWR – Fox Radio 910    Religious/Talk 910 AM
WFIR – NewsTalk 960    News/Talk 960 AM
WGMNESPN Radio    Sports 1240 AM
WRIS    Religious/Talk 1410 AM
WTOY    Urban & Gospel 1480 AM
WKBA    Religious 1550 AM

Broadcast Television Stations

Channel 7 WDBJ    CBS
Channel 10 WSLS     NBC
Channel 13 WSET     ABC
Channel 15 WBRA     Blue Ridge PBS
Channel 21 WFXR     FOX
Channel 24 WDRL     Independent Station
Channel 27 WWCW     FOX
Channel 36 WPXR     ION

Cable & Satellite TV Systems

Comcast    866-928-9135, Comcast.USDirect.com
Cox    776-3848, Cox.com
Direct TV    888-777-2454, Directv.com
Dish Network    888-825-2557, DishNetwork.com

Newcomer/Visitor Help

Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau. 101 Shenandoah Ave. 800-635-5535. VisitRoanokeVa.com
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. 210 S. Jefferson St. 540-983-0700. RoanokeChamber.¬org
Downtown Roanoke Inc. 213 Market St., SW. 540-342-2028. ¬DowntownRoanoke.¬org
Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership. 111 Franklin Plaza, Suite 333. 540-343-1550, 1-800-LOCATE2. ¬Roanoke.¬org
Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce. 611 E. Main St., Salem 540-387-0267. S-RCCchamber.org
Salem Visitor Center/Salem Civic ¬Center. 1001 Boulevard (Salem Civic Center). 540-375-4044 or 1-888-VASALEM. VisitSalemVa.com
Vinton Chamber of Commerce. 116 S. Poplar Street, Suite 2. 540-343-1364. VintonChamber.com

Childcare Assistance

Council of Community Services    985-0131
CouncilOfCommunityServices.org/ccl/families.html

Apartments

Roanoke valley Apartment Association    Apt-Guide.com

Air Travel

Roanoke Regional ¬Airport RoanokeAirport.com Office    540-362-1999

Airlines Reservations and Flight Info

Delta    Delta.com
Reservations    800-282-3424
Flight Information    800-325-1999
Allegiant Air     AllegiantAir.com
Reservations    702-505-8888
Flight Information    702-430-3250
United Airlines    UAL.com
Reservations    800-864-8331
Flight Information    800-824-6200
US Airways    USAirways.com
Reservations    800-428-4322
Flight Information    800-943-5436

Weather

Mean temp in July    76°F
Mean temp in Jan    36°F
Highest temp (July 1936 and Aug 1983)    105°F
Lowest temp (Dec 1917)    -12°F
Annual average precipitation    42.49”
Monthly average precipitation    3.54”
Elevation    940’
Metropolitan land area (sq. miles)    853
Sources: Weather.com, RoanokeVa.gov.

Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area Demographics

Age:
0-9 years    34,710
10-19    38,852
20-34    48,794
35-49    67,518
50-64    62,072
65-79    33,307
80+    14,076
Sex:
Female – 143,471    47.9%
Male – 155,858    52.1%
Source: 2008 Population Estimates, Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service

Local Government

Roanoke and Salem are independent cities. Vinton, Roanoke and Salem all have a manager-council form of government. The mayor serves as chairman of the council. Roanoke County operates as a separate county unit. It has a five-member board of supervisors and a county administrator. Vinton has a town government.

Travel Guide –

Mileage from Roanoke

Fairfax    224
Outer Banks, NC     317
Richmond    187
Virginia Beach    296
Washington, D.C.    247
Williamsburg    215
Source: mapquest.com

Cost of Living Composite Index

Assuming you have an annual salary of $60,000 in the city you’re leaving to move to Roanoke, here are sample percentages of the base-100 measurements as well as salaries needed to maintain that standard of living.
Roanoke, VA    96.6% / $57,960
Charleston, SC    99.4% / $59,640
Raleigh, NC    101.2% / $60,900
Asheville, NC    103.1% / $61,860
Charlottesville, VA    105.3% / $63,180
Richmond, VA    107.2% / $64,320
Hampton Roads, VA    112.1% / $67,260
Chicago, IL    112.2% / $67,320
Newark, NJ    127.7% / $76,620
Boston, MA    132.5% / $79,500
National Average    100.0% / $60,000
Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 2nd Quarter, 2009.

Population

Roanoke MSA    299,329
Roanoke City    92,344
Roanoke County     91,197
Franklin County    52,841
Botetourt County    32,956
Salem City    24,749
Craig County    5,242
Source: Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, Provisional Estimates July 2008.

Top Digital City/County

For eight consecutive years Roanoke City has been named in the Center for Digital Government’s Top Digital Cities Survey, finishing first in the polling six times, with its only non-#1 finishes coming in 2007 (2nd) and 2004 (5th). Likewise, Roanoke County has placed in the center’s Digital Counties Survey for the past six years, with four of those appearances meriting top honors. These surveys recognize cities and counties with governments that are on the cutting edge of the technological world.

1. The Roanoke City Market

Named a “Great American Public Place” by the Lyndhurst Foundation, the Roanoke City Market – also commonly called the Farmers’ Market – is the oldest continuously operating open-air market in the commonwealth. Its history dates to 1882 when 25 licenses were issued to the first vendors, then called hucksters. Although open seven days a week, the market’s best day is Saturdays, with the highest number of farmers and artisans filling the 42 tables with the finest local produce, flowers, handmade crafts and more. Additionally, more than 120 locally owned shops, boutiques, restaurants and night spots surround the market and form the core of downtown Roanoke.

The Roanoke Farmers Market and City Market Building are among the city's most popular attractions.

2. Mill Mountain

One of only a very few mountains in the nation to be contained entirely within a city’s limits, Mill Mountain stands at 1,740 feet high. Near the peak you will find the iconic 88.5-foot-tall Mill Mountain Star. The glowing icon of the “Star City of the South” contains 2,000 feet of neon tubing that make it visible for up to 60 miles at night. Nearby you will also find the 58-year-old Mill Mountain Zoo. Here approximately 80,000 visitors each year learn about 35 different species, including seven that are endangered.

3. The Taubman Museum of Art

The most recent major addition to downtown, the transformational 81,000-square-foot Taubman Museum drastically redrew the Roanoke skyline when it opened in late 2008. Featuring more than 16,000 square feet of gallery space, the contemporary-design facility has garnered praise from the artistic community and earned architect Randall Stout numerous awards, including the International Architecture Award in 2009. Other nearby museums include the Science Museum of Western Virginia, the History Museum and Historical Society of Western Virginia (both inside Center in the Square), the O. Winston Link Museum, the Harrison Museum of African American Culture and the Virginia Museum of Transportation.

4. The Hotel Roanoke

Roanoke’s award-winning “Grand Old Lady,” this 127-year-old Tudor-style signature hotel was built in 1882 and has gone through 11 major renovations, the most recent being a $6.5 million update completed in 1995. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel offers 331 guest rooms, 20 suites, a 63,000-square-foot conference center, 34 meeting rooms, two boardrooms, a 14,400-square-foot ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,700 guests, two dining halls and more.

The Hotel Roanoke is among the city's oldest and grandest attractions.

5. Virginia Tech

A 45-minute drive south on I-81 will lead you to the “Home of the Hokies,” Blacksburg. Founded in 1872 as a public land-grant university, Tech is ranked 46th nationally in university research and hosts more than 30,000 full-time students on a 2,600-acre campus. A 2007 public-private partnership with the Carilion Clinic to create the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute in Roanoke (scheduled to welcome its inaugural class of 42 students this August) further strengthened ties between the university and Roanoke Valley. Virginia Tech is also home to a nationally respected football program, which as this issue went to press had posted five consecutive seasons with 10 wins or more (with an opportunity for a sixth with a Chick-fil-A Bowl victory), won six conference titles (3 Big East, 3 ACC), appeared in 17 consecutive bowl games (4 BCS, 1 National Championship) and had posted a 186-92-2 overall record under 23-year Head Coach Frank Beamer.

6. Smith Mountain Lake

Beginning in the early 1960s with the construction on the 816-foot-wide, 227-foot-tall Smith Mountain Lake Dam, Smith Mountain Lake provides 22,000 acres of water and 500 miles of shoreline less than 40 minutes away from downtown Roanoke. Today the lake is home to a community of more than 18,000 permanent residents and plays host to the National ESPN Bassmasters Elite Series’ Blue Ridge Brawl fishing tournament each April. The lake is also remembered for being featured prominently in the 1991 comedy “What About Bob?” directed by Frank Oz and starring Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss and Julie Hagerty.

7. Carvins Cove

The second-largest municipal park in the United States, Carvins Cove is the 630-acre, 6.4-billion-gallon source of most of Roanoke’s drinking water. It’s also the centerpiece of the 12,700-acre Carvins Cove Natural Reserve, which features 41 miles of hiking/biking/horseback trails. Elevation change on the trails is as much as nearly 1,000 feet; access to the Carvins Cove trail system is from Va. 740 off of Va. 311 west of Salem, or from Va. 658 to Dougan Lane near Hollins.

8. The Blue Ridge Parkway

“America’s Favorite Drive” turns 75 this year, so celebrate the semisesquicentennial by packing a lunch and taking a ride north or south on this 469-mile scenic mountain road. Be sure to mind the speed limit (45mph through most sections), and don’t forget your camera and a good pair of binoculars.

9. The Roanoke River Greenway

The Roanoke River Greenway currently stretches 6.7 miles through Wasena, Smith, River’s Edge and Piedmont parks before ending at Bennington Street near the Water Sewage Treatment Plant. Current plans would extend the greenway to a total of 25 miles stretching from Green Hill Park in Salem through Explore Park and to the Roanoke/Franklin County line. Projects expected to be completed in 2010 include a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge linking the Roanoke River and Tinker Creek Greenways, a new bridge and park west of Wasena Park and a new stretch of trail extending from Eddy Avenue to Mill Lane in Salem. Additionally, a grant for $19.4 million in federal stimulus money applied for last fall could shave at least 18 years off the total construction time, resulting in possible completion by February 2012.

10. Appalachian Trail Miles

Just 20 minutes west of Roanoke is access to some of the prettiest spots on the 2,175-mile, Maine-to-Georgia trail. Don’t miss McAfee Knob, a 3.7-mile climb to stunning views from a dramatic outcropping. (Get on the trail from Va. 311 west of Salem.)