🌱 First Lady of Virginia Visits Roanoke + Roanoke Youth Summit

Good morning, everybody. Coffee's brewing and the brain's beginning to fire off some ideas so let's get started on what's happening in town.

First, today's weather:

Variable clouds; less humid.

High: 82 Low: 63.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne Youngkin, hosted an event in Roanoke recently called The Spirit of Sisterhood at the Taubman Museum of Art. The event, the third of its kind in the state, aims to gather female business owners, community leaders, and volunteers and more than 100 showed up in Roanoke. Youngkin said, "Engaging with women from all parts of Virginia remains a top priority and I’m thrilled to be in Roanoke celebrating the bonds that bind us in sisterhood. Discussing universal needs and shared values, while also educating women on resources available to them, is at the heart of this initiative." (Roanoke Star)
2. Roanoke's Youth Citizens Services Board hosted a Youth Summit at Washington Park on Saturday designed to empower and encourage area kids and young adults. The event was held for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 and featured a lineup of dancer, poets, and drummers. "Roanoke City wants to make sure we show our young people how much we love and appreciate them because if we don’t, the streets will,” Roanoke City Councilwoman Anita Price said. “It’s important for all of us to remember that we have got to take care of our children.” (WSLS)
3. An area filmmaker, Richard Maitri, will be debuting his new short film, 'I, Miss Virginia: Ocey’s Death,' at the Grandin Theatre on June 29th. The red carpet premiere showing will be accompanied by a Q&A directly after the film, which features several local actors as well as local history. "Being from Montgomery County and having gone to this school in middle school from sixth grade to eight grade back in the seventies, everyone who went here knows the legend,” Maitri said. (WDBJ)

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Today in Roanoke:

• 'Curious George: The Golden Meatball' by Mill Mountain Theatre at the Hollins Branch Library (10:30 a.m.)
• The Famous Tuesday Night Beer Ride, starting at Twin Creeks Brewing Co. (5:45 p.m.)
• Fleet Feet Pub Run & Walk at Big Lick Brewing Co. (6 p.m.)
• Live Music: Adam Markham at Crescent City BBQ (7 p.m.)
• Live music: Tate Tuck at Corned Beef & Co., on the rooftop (8 p.m.)
• Live music: GOTE at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Introducing the Center’s newest comedy show — two interns and a goose! Interns Chloe and Logan replaced the hay bedding of one of our pens housing this Canada Goose this afternoon!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Summer is officially uPAWn us and with it reaching almost 100 degrees on some days it's important to listen to our furry friends when taking them outside. We love outdoor enrichment but we also love it if our dogs don't overheat!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Lincoln Terrace Elementary School families, here is a great opportunity to celebrate reading throughout the summer!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Virginia Museum of Transportation: "A hearty congratulations to Roanoke Valley residents Josh Hull and Trevor Stahl on winning this year's Great Race!!! Way to represent guys!!" (Virginia Museum of Transportation via Facebook)

Slow news day, but you're officially in the loop. I'll see you tomorrow!

— Ian

About me: Ian Graham is a novelist, screenwriter, and freelance contributing writer. His interests are in politics, history, and religion and the stories and characters he writes about are centered on the explosive conflicts created when the three intersect. He is a firm believer in being yourself… unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman.

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