🌱 Open On Thanksgiving Restaurants + New Jackets For Fallon Students

Good morning, everybody! I'm back with your Sunday edition of the Roanoke Daily, including updates on...

• Area animal shelters still full
• Drumstick Dash returns
• Salem shops open despite road work

Ready to roll?

But first, today's weather:

Colder; breezy in the morning.

High: 42 Low: 24.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. If you drew the short straw this year and decided to pretend you were out of town instead of having to host Thanksgiving Dinner WSLS has your back with a list of open restaurants so you don't have to go hungry. Dining options for those still craving a traditional Turkey Day feast include 419 Restaurant, Billy's, and The Regency Room at The Hotel Roanoke where you can enjoy a buffet style meal. For those with less traditional requirements, options include chains such as Waffle House, Golden Corral, and Cracker Barrel as well as pick up options from local favorites such as Crescent City BBQ and Our Daily Bread. Bon Appétit! (WSLS)
2. Christmas arrived early for students at Fallon Park Elementary when over half of them received brand new winter jackets from The Humble Hustle Company and volunteers from Breckinridge Middle School. The jackets were given out thanks to a partnership between Roanoke City Public Schools and Humble Hustle, a nonprofit organization and an urban streetwear designer famous for the missing U on their branded clothes. Fallon Park Elementary Principal John Otey said, "I had a student today say this is the best day of their life because they were able to get that jacket. Their old jacket was ripped. The jacket, the hoodie often, is a safe place for students. So, to have that jacket that is there, that is their own, is huge." (WDBJ)
3. Roanoke area animal shelters are still full to the brim even after several recent adoption events and partnered again for an event with the hopes of clearing some much needed space for newly rescued dogs and cats. The event was held yesterday by Angels of Assisi and the Regional Center For Animal Care and Protection and featured on site applications and waived adoption fees. "We keep making space, we have big adoption events and we’ve been doing really well in finding some loving homes, but unfortunately there’s more people that are surrendering animals than there are homes for them right now,” Dayna Reynolds, director of community engagement for AoA, said. (WSET, WDBJ)
4. The annual Thanksgiving Day Drumstick Dash returns to Downtown Roanoke this coming Thursday and this year over 8,000 participants are expected! The run begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. Registration is currently $25 for the run and $35 for the walk and all proceeds benefit the Roanoke Rescue Mission. Organizers say the money raised goes towards providing meals to the mission's visitors, but also so much more. "It really means that that first step towards success starts with a meal and that’s what the Dash provides,” said Roanoke Rescue Mission Event Manager Kevin Berry. Click here to register. (WSLS)
5. Roadwork and other improvements being made along Main Street in Salem have some small business owners in the town worried about their customers thinking they are closed, but want to ensure that everyone knows they are not. "We have a lot of unique shops down here. Blue Moon Gift Shop and Wonders Books and Charlotte’s Web Antiques and Lucky Cat Tea and Crepes, where I am,” said Lucky Cat Tea and Crepes owner Benjamin Ward. “And come out and just help the shops here in Salem. We need your support. And when it’s all said and done we’re gonna have a beautiful Main Street.” (WDBJ)

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Today in Roanoke:

• The Dog Bowl Market at Black Dog Salvage (10 a.m.)
• Cranksgiving 2022 at Twisted Track Brewpub (11 a.m.)
• Bagels and Fraylox Klezmer Band at the Jefferson Center (4 p.m.)
• Crazy Town X at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "The Field Sparrow is back in the fields! This patient was brought to us from Giles County, her rescuers noticed that she could not fly and caught her, making the hour and a half drive to the Center for treatment." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Virginia Museum of Transportation: "Shop our unique selection of 611 items! Stop by the gift shop or shop online today at shop.vmt.org for unique Christmas gifts!" (Virginia Museum of Transportation via Facebook)
• Roanoke Regional Chamber: "Our 2nd Annual Women of the Chamber ConnectHER Conference, Presented by Brandon Oaks Life Plan Community, is on December 13! Come meet our influencHERS! 🧘‍♀️" (Roanoke Regional Chamber via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "To help you prepare for Small Business Saturday on November 26th we've created an insiders guide with tips for making the most of the day, including great deals we've spotted. 🛍 To read, click the What's New ✨ link in our bio 🔗" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Instagram)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Take part in a Charlie Brown Christmas next Wednesday, November 23 at the Berglund Center in Virginia's Blue Ridge. Show Info & Tickets: http://bit.ly/3EK2mgU" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (November 22)
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That's it for today! I'll see you tomorrow morning for the dreaded Monday edition!

— 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