🌱 Grandin Area Murals Finished + Mill Mountain's 2023 Shows Revealed

Happy Saturday Roanokers! Here's a fresh look at some of the things going on around town today and this weekend including updates on:

• Meet a local high school graduate making musical waves.
• Hear an update on gun violence efforts.
• And bid farewell to an inspiring school teacher.

Let's motor.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and cooler.

High: 64 Low: 39.

📢 I’m looking for business owners and marketers in Roanoke who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our Roanoke Daily readers to local businesses they need to know about. If that’s you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Emme Cannon, a 2019 Patrick Henry graduate, began writing songs in middle school and now some of her recordings have over 100,000 streams, views, and downloads. Currently a senior at Berklee School of Music in Boston, Cannon has continued to develop her songwriting and singing style into a powerful ballad approach reminiscent of singer Lady Gaga in the recent Top Gun ballad "Hold My Hand." In a recent phone interview with WFIR reporter Evan Jones, Cannon said, "I think vulnerability is really important so a lot of my songs have to do with more emotional matters and just saying what's on your heart and I think that's what really connects with people." (WFIR, Emme Cannon's website)
2. The recently rebranded Prevention Intervention Street Team, formerly the Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Team, updated city council on the city's most recent efforts to curb gun violence. Roanoke City police confiscated 36 firearms during the month of September for a year-to-date total of 287 and when asked by Mayor Sherman Lea who the police most find in possession of illegal guns, RCPD Captain David Morris said, "Most of them are under the age of 30." Prevention Coordinator Christopher Roberts touted several programs created to help the situation and said, "We are looking at a ‘two gen’ approach yeah the young man or the young woman may have ushered us into the house, but we are bringing services to everyone if they can benefit from it." (WSLS)
3. A long time Roanoke City school teacher who died from throat cancer this past week is being remembered as a transformative, inspiring Renaissance man. Jimmy Deck, 65, of Roanoke, was an art teacher at Woodrow Wilson Middle School and William Fleming High School for 30 years as well as an artist and musician. "There wasn’t a student he met who he didn’t inspire to try new things, and he would give honest and constructive criticism in a way that inspired his students," said Annette Lloyd, another art teacher at William Fleming and Deck's bandmate in bluegrass with a twist band, Steemgeek Traveler. Deck's accomplishments also include a 2020 photography exhibition called “Light & Shadow” that was on display at the O. Winston Link Museum and History Museum of Western Virginia and is remembered for evoking feelings of mysteriousness. A memorial service for Deck was held at Huntington Court United Methodist Church on Friday. (Roanoke Times)
4. Mill Mountain Theatre has announced its theme and shows for the upcoming 2023 season, its 58th year in the Roanoke Valley. The season's theme is "The Season of Song" and will feature performances of “Jersey Boys,” “Matilda,” “Bright Star,” “Holiday Show,” “Write Stuff,” “Best of Broadway,” “Mad Libs,” “Stellaluna,” and “Charlotte’s Web.” Ginger Poole, the theatre's producing artistic director, said, "It’s finally great to be able to talk about it because we’ve been sitting on these titles for a while. Folks are always surprised that we plan anywhere from 12-14 months in advance. So, some of these titles we’ve known for quite a while and now we get to make it public.” Tickets for the new season will go on sale Nov. 1 and can be purchased through the theatre's website. (WDBJ)
5. A new series of murals, titled 'The Art Walk,' is on display in the historic Grandin Village area thanks to a partnership between the Grandin Village Business Association, the Roanoke Arts Commission, and the Roanoke Natural Foods Co+op. Located on the south facing wall of the Roanoke Natural Foods Co+op building, the alley between the Co+op and Pinnacle Bank, the project's theme is 'Walls That Unite' and features nine artists working on nine different pieces, each with their own theme including diversity, courage, family, gratitude, and hope, among others. The project will be officially dedicated this afternoon as part of Blocktoberfest. (The Roanoke Star)

Today in Roanoke:

• Salem Half Marathon starting at the Salem Farmers Market (8 a.m.)
• Subaru Loves Pets FREE Dog Vaccine Clinic (9 a.m.)
• Bloktoberfest in Grandin Village (10 a.m.)
• Local Colors Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration (Noon)
• Titian to Monet Exhibit Opening Party at Taubman Museum of Art (6:30 p.m.)
• Magnolia Boulevard at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "We have been brought animals in a lot of unusual containers. From herons from hikers in a backpack, woodpeckers in an office trash can, and opossums in an empty coffee cup, we've seen a lot of creative ways to contain injured wildlife." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Sedalia Center: "We are looking for chili teams! Judges' award: $1,000 People's Choice: $1,000 Best Presentation: $500 All participating teams will receive four season passes for 2023! The deadline to register has been extended to Oct. 19." (Sedalia Center via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "The hike to Roaring Run Falls in Botetourt County is one of many wonderful hikes you can enjoy during the fall season in Virginia's Blue Ridge. Check out our list of 10 Hikes for the Best Fall Colors and start planning your next adventure!" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• Roanoke Symphony Orchestra: "Join David Stewart Wiley and the RSO for Opening Night, an explosive and fiery performance with guest violinist Kinga Augustyn. Hailed by The Strad as 'Stylish and vibrant playing with verve and superb control' you will be energized!" (Roanoke Symphony Orchestra via Facebook)

Alrighty. You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow morning.

— 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