🌱 'Fishburn Perk' Finally Approved + Roanoke Arts Connect To Food

Hey, friends! I'm back with your new copy of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now. In today's newsletter, you'll learn about these stories and more...

• Dunkin' is coming to Daleville soon.
• Library's 'Books to Grow' kits wins award.
• Dragons Tooth Trail placed under restrictions.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Sunny. High: 86 Low: 67.

Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Roanoke City Council unanimously approved rezoning plans for a new coffee shop called 'Fishburn Perk' to be located in the old caretaker's cottage in Roanoke's Fishburn Park, despite some resident concerns about preserving greenspace and the potential for the building to be turned into a restaurant or bar in the future. The owners, Keri and Justin vanBlaricom, expressed excitement to bring a local business to the community that would provide job opportunities for their children and nearby students. The rezoning changes the area to mixed use, so it no longer belongs to the park system. The vanBlaricoms now have 12 months to start construction and substantially complete the coffee shop renovations after closing on the property sale at the end of September. (WDBJ)
2. Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer has announced that Dunkin' Donuts plans to open a new location with drive-through facilities in a 7,500-square-foot building currently under construction in front of the Orchard Marketplace Shopping Center along Roanoke Road in Daleville. The building will also have space for up to two other commercial tenants. This continues recent commercial development in Daleville including a new Dairy Queen opening at Daleville Town Center this fall and a Road Runner Express tunnel car wash opening later this year on the adjacent lot. The announcements mark growing food, coffee, and convenience options for Daleville residents and visitors. (WSET)

1. The Roanoke Foodshed Network (RFN) is supporting a series of community-based arts and cultural events around food and farming in Roanoke to allow residents and farmers to share their stories and shape the narrative of the local food system. Funded by the City of Roanoke Arts and Cultural grants, AgrAbility Virginia, Virginia Tech, and LEAP, the events include a farm dinner theater, mural painting, theater productions, film screening, poetry open mic, and storytelling. According to Meighan Sharp, chair of the Roanoke Arts Commission, the goal is to use art as a vehicle for social change within the food system by strengthening residents' sense of place, increasing awareness of food access resources, and connecting people to the RFN. The events provide creative opportunities for dialogue around the struggles, achievements, possibilities, and dreams for the Roanoke foodshed. (Roanoke Star)
2. Roanoke County Public Library recently launched Books to Grow kits, curated totes focused on early literacy skills that pair books, toys, puzzles, and other hands-on materials around themes like colors, animals, vehicles, and more. Designed to replicate interactive story time at home, the kits provide comprehensive educational experiences for toddlers and preschoolers. The kits have earned praise from parents, homeschoolers, and kids alike for facilitating screen-free play and learning. Their popularity reflects the library's success at making reading fun and getting kids excited about literacy. Patrons can explore kit contents online and place holds to check them out at South County Library. (The Roanoker)
3. The U.S. Forest Service is implementing restrictions on off-trail access and camping along the Dragons Tooth Trail in Virginia due to environmental damage from heavy visitor use, designating the adjacent land a Special Biological Area to protect rare plants and prevent further erosion. Working with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club, the Forest Service has roped off and posted signs around the affected area from the Dragons Tooth trailhead to the Appalachian Trail near the prominent rock outcrop. The increased regulations aim to address the impacts from surging popularity of the hike, part of the Appalachian Trail's Triple Crown along with McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs. (Roanoke Times)

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Today in Roanoke:

Wednesday, August 23

• Salem Red Sox vs. Fredericksburg Nationals at Salem Memorial Ballpark (7:05 p.m.)
• Drifting Roots at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "We hope you're doing well and feel as snug as a bug in a rug like this little Virginia opossum. Tell us something you're looking forward to happening this week, we'd love to draw inspiration from that good vibe energy!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Thank you to everyone who adopted pets last week, Aug. 14-19! Happy Tails to Winnie, Miss Pickles, Mulan, Fidget, Samantha, Luna, Casino, Charles David, Stormy, Starlight, Sir Asteroid, Joseph, Alvin, Bradley James, Cosmo, and Christian!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "We invite you to watch while Deputy Porter introduces our newest team member — Ivy! Her and many new friends will be here to offer great safety tips." (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Star City at night is a must-see 🌟 The views from the Roanoke Star at sunset are iconic in Virginia's Blue Ridge! 📍The Roanoke Star is located atop Mill Mountain in Roanoke, Virginia. 🌟" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• The Grandin Theatre: "This Sunday, Aug. 27 is National Cinema Day and we're celebrating at the Grandin Theatre! Join us for $4 tickets to all movies, all formats and all showtimes! Bring your friends and enjoy!" (The Grandin Theatre via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you all tomorrow morning for another update.

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com