🌱 Local Playwright National Finalist + Salem's Cole Chooses College

Good morning, friends! It's time again for the Tuesday edition of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter. Today you'll read about these stories and more...

• Peak fall foliage color is on its way!
• Former mayor David Bowers announces he is switching to the Republican Party.
• Throngs crowd Olde Salem Days — until rain rolled in.

Let's motor! 🚛

But first, today's weather: A t-storm around in the p.m. High: 84 Low: 65.

Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Chris Cole, the top high school football recruit in Virginia for the class of 2024, announced his verbal commitment to play for the University of Georgia Bulldogs on Sunday evening in Roanoke. Cole chose Georgia over several other top programs due to the coaching staff and development opportunities. He plans to major in sports medicine and gave advice to his teammates to stay humble and true to themselves during the recruiting process. Cole said he dreamed of this moment and it feels amazing to make his long-awaited decision after fielding offers from many top division one colleges. (WSLS)
2. David Bowers, the four-term former Democratic mayor of Roanoke, Virginia, announced he is switching to the Republican Party. Bowers served 24 years total as mayor or city councilman, mostly as a Democrat. He feels the GOP is a better fit now, citing disagreement with President Joe Biden and affinity for Virginia's Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Bowers hasn't ruled out another run for office after losing his last two comeback bids as an independent. He criticized Roanoke's current Democratic council as too focused on national liberal politics rather than local issues. In 2015, Bowers faced controversy for comments referencing Japanese internment camps, for which he apologized. Now he has fully switched from Democrat to Republican. (Subscription: Roanoke Times)
3. The annual Olde Salem Days festival held on the second Saturday in September brought the heart of historic downtown Salem alive as the area is closed to traffic to create a large pedestrian shopping mall filled with hundreds of vendors selling handmade arts, crafts, foods and more. After years of COVID-19 lockdowns, this year's event saw enthusiastic crowds packing restaurants and perusing vendor booths until rain in the afternoon sent people home. The festival celebrates Salem's traditions, community spirit and handmade craftsmanship. (Roanoke Star)
4. Meredith Dayna Cope-Levy, a Roanoke-based playwright and Hollins University alumna, is a two-time finalist in the prestigious Eugene O'Neill National Playwright Conference for her plays, "The Bread Baking Play" and "The Hills." Cope-Levy became passionate about theater after seeing her first play at age 3. She acted growing up and started writing plays as a teen. After graduating from Hollins' playwright program, she has gone on to have multiple plays produced and won awards. Cope-Levy credits the Hollins program's partnerships and philosophy for helping build her career and enthusiasm for new works in the Roanoke Valley theater scene. (Cardinal News)

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Today in Roanoke:

Tuesday, September 12

• Happy Hour for All at A Few Old Goats Brewing (4 p.m.)
• Line Dance Night at Sidewinders Saloon (6 p.m.)
• Eggs with Legs at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Yeeowch! This spunky male Northern Cardinal has a fighting spirit and makes it everyone’s problem, which is a great thing for a wild animal to have! This guy was found unable to fly on the ground and is doing well on a mix of rest and medication!" (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Peak fall foliage color is on its way in Virginia's Blue Ridge! One of our favorite hikes overlooks Carvins Cove from the Hay Rock Overlook Trail. 😍" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Just as with cats and kittens, social enrichment is important for new puppies as well as adult dogs. This can include interactions with humans, other dogs, children, cats, and more. Properly socializing your dog helps them become less fearful." (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Roanoke Public Libraries: "We heard your requests and are happy to share that Beginners' Crochet now has a class for adults! 😍 Join us at your Belmont Branch Library on Saturday, Sept. 16 and 30 at 11 a.m. and learn how to crochet. 📍" (Roanoke Public Libraries via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow 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