THE ROANOKE REGION OF VIRGINIA

If you go

THE BEST WAY

From LAX, connecting service (change of planes) is available on US Airways, Delta, United and Northwest. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $288.

Roanoke is an easy drive from several major Southern travel destinations, including Charlotte, N.C., and Richmond, Va. It's about a four-hour drive from Washington, D.C.

WHERE TO EAT

Table 50, 309 Market St., Roanoke; (540) 904-2350, www.table50roanoke.com. Modern bistro with crab bisque ($7), house-ground beef burgers and pulled pork sandwiches ($12 to $13), and grilled fish and meats ($22 to $28). Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. until late night.

Texas Tavern, 114 W. Church Ave.; (540) 342-4825, www.texastavern-inc.com. The very limited menu includes $2.20 "cheesy Westerns" (grilled cheeseburgers topped with fried egg) and $1.60 bowls of chili. Open seven days a week, 24 hours a day (closed Dec. 25).

Roanoke Weiner Stand, 25 Campbell Ave. S.E.; (540) 342-6932. Walk-up counter known for its hot dogs "all the way" (mustard, chopped onions and chili) and inexpensive beers, all less than $2 each.

Regency Dining Room, Hotel Roanoke, 110 Shenandoah Ave.; (540) 985-5900, www.hotelp.Traditional Virginia peanut soup and spoon bread as well as contemporary Southern cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, and Sunday brunch. Dinner entrees, $20 to $32.



WHAT TO DO

Taubman Museum of Art, 110 Salem Ave. S.E.; (540) 342-5760, www.taubmanmuseum.org. Permanent collection features 19th and 20th century American art, plus a variety of traveling exhibitions. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays (Thursdays until 7 p.m.), and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Closed major holidays. $10.50 general admission, $9 seniors, $8.50 students, $5.50 children ages 4 to 12, children 3 and under free.

Virginia Museum of Transportation, 303 Norfolk Ave. S.W.; (540) 342-5670, www.vmt.org. Norfolk & Western steam locomotives, rail cars and more. Admission: $8 for adults; $7, seniors; $6, children ages 3 to 11; children under 3 free. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Closed major holidays.

Historic Roanoke City Market, downtown square, www.downtownroanoke.org/market.htm. Four dozen rotating vendors. Open seven days a week, closed Christmas and New Year's.

Market Street Shops, hours and stores vary, see www.downtownroanoke.org/shopping.htm for a list of stores, including Chocolatepaper, http://www.chocolatepaperroanoke.com/

WHERE TO STAY

Hotel Roanoke, 110 Shenandoah Ave.; (540) 985-5900, www.hotelroanoke.com. Special discount packages include tickets to the Taubman Museum of Art and Virginia Museum of Transportation. See website for details. Rates from $156.

Read the article on LA Times.com

LEARN MORE HERE

Roanoke.org

That was a little difficult Saturday.

Well-wishers trying to get in touch with Anderson by cellphone were quickly shifted to voice mail.

With all of the other issues spinning inside his head, Anderson had neglected to take his phone charger to Birmingham, Ala.

"I thought I had it charged," said Anderson, an Auburn senior from Roanoke.

"Maybe the battery charge runs down in proportion to the calls you're getting."

At least Anderson didn't have to worry about his phone interrupting a 20-minute interview with committee members, the final step before Anderson learned of his selection around 4 p.m. Central time.

"Honestly, I was very surprised that I won," said Anderson, who has a 3.91 grade-point average at Auburn, where he is a co-captain of the men's swimming team.

Anderson, who will have a two-year scholarship at Oxford University in England, is the first Rhodes Scholar from Auburn in more than 20 years and the first from the Roanoke Valley since Salem's Brad Braxton in 1991.

Read the rest of the story at Roanoke.com>>>

Center in the Square draws some 400,000 visitors annually to visit the Historical Society of Western Virginia, Mill Mountain Theatre and Science Museum of Virginia. It’s also home to the Arts Council of the Blue Ridge.

Two local companies, Advance Auto Parts and Delta Dental, are purchasing tax credits to pay for the bulk of the $27 million project, with another $9 million coming from a community campaign.


Proposed changes to the 1983 building include a skylight, butterfly habitat, 5,500-gallon coral reef aquarium and high-tech interactive games in a new, larger atrium. Work is expected to be completed in 2012.

In addition to the physical changes, the renovated center will house the Harrison Museum of African-American Culture.

For a preview of the renovation, please see this Video.

Founded by playwright Kenley Smith, the alternative playhouse supports artistic development through educational programs, working with the arts community “to make Roanoke a nationally recognized ignition point for new play development.”

Studio Roanoke features:

• A poetry slam that lets poets compete for a cash prize.
• No Shame Theatre to give a voice to amateur playwrights, actors and musicians.
• Free lunchbox readings for new plays.
• Acoustic Lounge, featuring 15-minute sets by local musicians and songwriters, culminating with a free-form jam session and mixer with the audience.
• Monthly theatrical productions with Hollins University students and local actors.

The $30 million facility currently employs 23 and eventually will bring 55 jobs to the Roanoke Region. LiteSteel chose the region for its excellent logistics, proximity to selected markets, outstanding state, county and regional support and availability of a facility for its specialized production process.

“”We are pleased to contribute to the local economy and source services and products locally, and are determined to be a good neighbor and active member of the community,” said Scott Morling, senior vice president – general manager for LiteSteel Technologies America.



LiteSteel announced the Botetourt County location in November 2006. The Australian-based company began production of LSB in 2004, following five years of research and development on the product. LSB is a patented, cold-formed, lightweight steel structural beam that combines the strength of steel, but with the installation ease

normally associated with wood products. Ideal for basement beams, garage beams, long-spam headers, roof and ridge beams, and floor and deck supports, LSB has been used in Australia for the past four years in thousands of projects.

The Roanoke Region facility is producing LSB in 12 different sizes, ranging in nominal beam depth from eight to 14 inches. LSB’s patented manufacturing process gives it a unique profile with a flat, thin web and two fully welded hollow flanges for maximum structural performance in terms of load carrying capacity, bending moment and deflection from the amount of steel employed.

“We’re gratified that LiteSteel Technologies has chosen the Roanoke Region for this plant and share in the company’s pride as its products begin to transform the way America builds,” said Beth Doughty, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership.



LiteSteel has been assisted since its announcement by the Partnership, Botetourt County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information about LiteSteel, Click Here.

The Roanoke Regional Partnership was founded in 1983 as a regional economic development organization for the greater Roanoke area that includes Alleghany, Botetourt, Franklin and Roanoke counties, the cities of Roanoke and Salem and the Town of Vinton. The organization has been involved in business locations and expansions that have created more than 13,600 jobs and $1.3 billion in investment in real estate and equipment. To learn more, please visit www.roanoke.org.