🌱 Fralin Art Exhibit At Taubman Museum + Vinton Road Closures

Aaannnd it's Monday. I know ... it'll be okay. We got this. Let's get started with a look at some local news. Coffee's almost ready.

First, today's weather:

A bit of a break temperature wise, but the possibility of heavy a thunderstorm in the afternoon.

High: 91 Low: 74.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. A new school, Lighthouse Christian Academy, will be opening August 11 for the 2022-23 school year and is now enrolling students. The school is located at 2500 East Washington Avenue in Vinton inside Lighthouse Bible Church. The private school will be offering pre-k through sixth grade this year and has plans to add a grade level each year to allow students who begin their education at the school to continue through high school. The School Administrator, Kathy Barton, said she returned to school to earn her master’s degree with an endorsement in administration and supervision when discussion of opening a school began. "We desire to meet the needs of all students by helping them reach their fullest potential spiritually, academically, personally and socially through partnering with parents and families to help them become productive citizens in our community and our world," she said. (Vinton Messenger)
2. Heywood and Cynthia Fralin, two of Roanoke's most well-known philanthropists, have been collecting art for 25 years, but their adventures in paintings began in giving when they bought several pieces for Heywood's sister-in-law after the death of his brother. Noted for the many 19th and early 20th-century American art pieces they own, the couple is sharing more than 90 pieces with the public through a Taubman Museum of Art exhibit called Treasures of American Art: The Cynthia & Heywood Fralin Collection. "It truly began one purchase at a time and has included funny and unexpected moments along the way. We almost missed out on a Robert Henri painting at a Christie’s auction because we were arguing over who would hold up the paddle during the auction. We were very excited about it," Heywood said. (Roanoke Times)
3. A Roanoke based organization with a brilliant name, Families Expecting Deliverance Using Prayer or FEDUP, gathered earlier this week for their 2nd annual prayer breakfast. Rita Joyce, who founded the group after her son, Joey Joyce, was a victim of gun violence in 2004, said she did so to honor and pray for those lost to gun violence. "For the families, because we want them to know that we remember their loved ones and that we care. For the community, because we want the community to see the impact that gun violence does," she said. If you'd like to find out more about FEDUP click the link. (WDBJ)
4. Road closures begin today in downtown Vinton as crews begin cleaning up from the fire that happened a few weeks ago at the corner of Pollard and Lee streets. Town officials say the work will begin at 6 a.m. this morning and is expected to last through the close of business on Wednesday. The road closures include the northbound lane of S. Pollard Street between Jackson Avenue and Lee Avenue and the eastbound lane of E. Lee Avenue from S. Pollard Street to S. Maple Street. Drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible and to seek alternate routes or parking if a visit is necessary. (WFXR)
5. Earlier this month Advance Auto Parts gathered its local employees together to celebrate the company’s 90th anniversary. Founded in 1932 by Arthur Taubman when he bought three stores in Roanoke and Lynchburg that were struggling to survive, Advance grew under the leadership of his son Nick Taubman, eventually becoming a publicly traded company with over 4,000 stores nationwide. "These stores have meant a ton to the community. It’s phenomenal to think of that story, and the history of Advance Auto Parts and our community in Roanoke. Driving over here, I was actually pretty emotional because these people and these stores just meant so much to me, personally, and to my family and friends," said Junior Word, a division president at Advance whose affiliation with the chain began as a store manager and who remembers going to Advance with his father and grandfather as a child. (Roanoke Times)

Today in Roanoke:

• First Annual Foodiepreneur Business Symposium at Vinton War Memorial (9:30 a.m.)
• Free Yoga for the People at the main Roanoke Public Library (5:30 p.m.)
• River and Rail LEAP Fundraiser at River and Rail (2201 Crystal Spring Ave. (6 p.m.)
• Wino Trivia at Well Hung Vineyard (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Our 5th grade RCPS+ students had a blast this week exploring potential career and technical education courses during 555! Some of the classes we visited this week included robotics and engineering, cosmetology, and carpentry!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Meadowlark mayhem! This video is from a few weeks ago and shows young Eastern Meadowlark and Common Grackle foraging for live crickets for the first time!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Thanks to Julia and her friend Annika (not pictured) for bringing our shelter a generous donation! Community members like these young ladies are the future of animal welfare and we are thrilled to see their compassion for shelter pets!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "Join us, and find out why this is truly the best job in the world! To learn more about the position's responsibilities and requirements, and to apply, please visit: www.WorkForRoanokeFireEMS.com" (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism: "We hope everyone is staying cool this weekend! It's always a fun time when Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department stops by to visit our summer camp programs, as they did last week!" (Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism via Facebook)

Whew. There you have it. You're officially in the loop for today! 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