🌱 3rd Annual Wasena Weekend + A New Use For An Old Building in Vinton

How is it Sunday already? Anyways, hello! Hello all. I'm back with a new Roanoke Daily to take a look at the local news, including...

• A new restaurant opening in Vinton.
• A Halloween Drag Show to support local charity.
• More troubles with RCPS bus contractor.

Let's get to it.

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sun.

High: 67 Low: 41.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. On Friday the third annual Wasena Weekend got started. The event is hosted by the Wasena Neighborhood Forum and is meant to be as showcase for Wasena based businesses, shops, and restaurants, many of which are offering discounts and specials to celebrate the event. "Grab some friends, visit each one of our three full dining restaurants or watering holes, come find our booth, show us your receipts, and you are going to be entered into another prize pool to win gift certificates to those restaurants to do it all over again,” said Wasena Neighborhood Forum President, Jim Hosch. The event goes through today, Oct. 9. (WSLS, Wasena website)
2. Total Action for Progress and Roanoke Pride are hosting their annual Trick-or-Treat Pageant to help LGBTQ+ teens and young adults experiencing homelessness. The event will be held today, Oct. 9, at The Park Dance Club with doors opening at 6 p.m. There is no cover charge to enter, but the organizers ask attendees to bring cash for donations. "We feel strongly that we want that bond with that community, and their community, and The Park particularly, wants to reach out and support those youth as they’re finding themselves and moving forward,” said Jo Nelson, Director of TAP This Valley Works. The main attraction at the event will be a Halloween drag show pageant, which will benefit the area Angel Tree program. (WDBJ)
3. The former Star City Playhouse in Vinton is undergoing renovations to become a brand new restaurant called Pollard 107 South, owned and operated by the team behind Cast Plates and Pints and Awful Arthur's Seafood. Of the building itself, owner Jonathan Pate said, "We started demoing it and took our time with the drawings. We wanted to get it right. We thought we could not only bring something unique to Vinton, but to the area. Hopefully to draw in crowds and hopefully, at the end of the day we have a product that everyone is proud of.” No word yet on what the menu will feature or an exact opening date. (WSLS)
4. Several bus drivers working for Roanoke City School's transportation contractor, Durham School Services, didn't show up for their afternoon routes Friday after reports were that they hadn't been paid on time. A company spokesman admitted there had been issues with the driver's checks, but that it was a mistake and not a sign of financial issues. But drivers who reached out to local news channel WFXR said it's not the first time it's happened and that the issue has been an ongoing problem with the company. Last month, the RCPS School Board announced a work group to look into transportation issues including delays in scheduled routes and trouble filling open driver positions. (WFXR, WDBJ)

Today in Roanoke:

• Salem Gun & Knife Show at the Salem Civic Center (10 a.m.)
• “Dracula Rides Again” by Showtimers Community Theatre (2 p.m.)
• “Steel Magnolias” presented by Attic Productions (2 p.m.)
• Open Mic Coffey Jams at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (6 p.m.)
• “Everybody” at Hollins University’s Theatre (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Experience a getaway at Kellerman's Mountain House from the iconic Dirty Dancing movie! Mountain Lake Lodge (where portions of the original movie were filmed) is hosting one of its Dirty Dancing Themed Weekends later this month." (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Hi friends. My name is Dove and I have been through quite the journey. You see, before coming to the Roanoke Valley SPCA, I had a very difficult life. I was one of over 500 dogs who were rescued from a puppy mill!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Virginia Children's Theatre: "Join us THIS WEEKEND, on the @jeffersoncenterroanoke Mainstage, for THE SECRET GARDEN. Performances are: Friday, October 7 at 7 p.m. Saturday, October 8 at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 8 at 3 p.m. To purchase tickets, click the link!" (Virginia Children's Theatre via Instagram)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "Join @thefrenchfarmhousemarket and @rendezvousroanoke for their 1 Year Anniversary Celebration on Saturday from 11am to 6pm! 🎉 The celebration will feature: 🔹 Signature cocktails 🍸 🔹 Complimentary desserts 🧁 🔹 20% off one items, etc!" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Instagram)
• Roanoke City Market Building: "The Hatch is serving up southern-inspired awesomeness ... so happy to have them as part of the Market Building! 📷" (Roanoke City Market Building via Facebook)
• Green Hill Highland Games: "A huge thank you to wsls 10 for their coverage of the Radford highlanders festival!!!! https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/10/07/radford-highlanders-festival-celebrates-25th-anniversary/" (Green Hill Highland Games via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you tomorrow!

— Ian

About me: Ian Graham is a novelist, screenwriter, and freelance contributing writer. He is a firm believer in being yourself… unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman. To connect with Ian you can visit him on Facebook and Instagram. He doesn't bite. Except during full moons.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Roanoke Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com