🌱 BCPS Teacher A Published Author + RCPS Breakfast With Santa

And it's Tuesday! Hello, everybody! We made it through Monday and are on our way. Here's the Tuesday edition of the Roanoke Daily. Today you'll find news about...

• Area entrepreneur heard in his final public address
• Melrose area apartment fire
• Area small businesses ask for your support

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather:

Sunny to partly cloudy.

High: 47 Low: 30.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Roanoke Fire EMS were called to the scene of a fire at the Maple Cove Apartments off Melrose Avenue Sunday night. When crews arrived they found smoke coming from a two story building and evacuated the resident. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The call went out and crews responded at 6:12 p.m. to the 1100 block of Pilot Street SW behind Due South Barbecue and Magic Star Auto Sales. (WDBJ)
2. Even while it's a lot easier to order from big-tent retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, small businesses in Roanoke are asking for your support this Christmas season. "It is convenient, but it’s important to support the local bookstore, the local clothing store. We give a lot back to our community. I’m very happy to be able to support Roanoke, and Roanoke supports me," said Diane Speaks, owner of She’s International Boutique in Downtown Roanoke. Many small business owners echoed Speaks' feelings when asked and said that local shops help support the local economy. (WSLS)
3. Roanoke City Public Schools' Breakfast with Santa was a huge hit on Saturday and raised over $13,000 for homeless children in our area. The event was held at William Fleming High School and featured hot breakfasts served by Southwest Foodservice Excellence while folks waited in line for a chance to speak with the big man himself. Santa read stories and attendees joined in caroling and crafts. This marked the first time the event had been held in person since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. (WFXR)
4. Bonz Hart is remembered as a leader and entrepreneur in the technology field and as an inspirational person who founded Meridium Inc. He often described his journey in business as "the 25-year overnight success." A celebration of Hart's life was held Sunday at the Hotel Roanoke and featured a message from Hart himself — a video he recorded to talk about his story of faith, hope, and love. "If it’s all about my agenda, then that’s terribly devastating. If it’s about God’s agenda and I’m a player in that, then I need to, and I do, rejoice in his plan and the way this has worked out," Hart said of his Stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis, which he learned of in July 2022 and passed away from in early September. Under Hart's leadership Meridium grew from a one-person operation in an office over his garage to a company with a very recognizable headquarters in Downtown Roanoke with 500 employees and contractors, and offices in Houston, London, Madrid, Dubai, Bangalore, Singapore, and Australia. (Roanoke Times)
5. A Botetourt County resident and school teacher, Maygan Nuckles, is now the published author of a children's book, "So You Think You Want To Be A Superhero." The book is described as a cautionary tale about a boy superhero as he quickly discovers being a superhero isn’t as fun as he expected and is loaded with humor and real-world examples designed to teach children to be superheroes themselves by helping others. The book is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and local bookstore Book No Further. (Botetourt Bee)

From our sponsor:

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Today in Roanoke:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (8:30 a.m.)
• Women of the Chamber ConnectHER Conference 2022 at Brandon Oaks (8:30 a.m.)
• Roanoke School District School Board Meeting at William Fleming High School (5:30 p.m.)
• Fleet Feet Pub Run & Walk at Big Lick Brewing Co. (6 p.m.)
• Handel’s Messiah by Roanoke Symphony Orchestra at Parkway Church on the Mountain (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Outside: "We're excited to share the launch of the Virginia’s Blue Ridge Gravel Adventure Field Guide along with @visitvbr and @bikevbr. The new edition of the guide combines art, history and adventures by gravel bike!" (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "If you watched WDBJ7 @ 4 on Friday, you may have seen handsome boy Marble representing our shelter! Marble is gentle, loving, and deaf. But that doesn't slow him down — he loved meeting lots of people while we were downtown." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "This week is going to be magical 🎄🎅 Join us for a free meal and music four times this week (twice on Wednesday)! Santa will be at both the Belmont Branch Library and the Melrose Branch Library programs." (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)
• Roanoke Ballet Theatre: "On the seventh day of Christmas the 'Nutcracker' gave to me… Russian candy canes! A crowd favorite for sure! Don’t miss it THIS WEEKEND!" (Roanoke Ballet Theatre via Facebook)
• Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism: "Brighten your nights with over 650,000 lights at Illuminights Winter Walk of Lights! While you're here enjoy marshmallow roasting, our Artisan Christmas Market, Snowville Christmas display and more!" (Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism via Facebook)

That's it for today! I'll see back here in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update. Have a great day and go do something nice for someone!

— 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 on full moons.

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