🌱 Roanoke Non Ultra Trail Series + Greater Virginia Bridal Show

Hello, everybody! I'm here with the Sunday edition of the Roanoke Daily. Keep reading to find out all the community information you need to know before you head out the door, including updates on...

• VTRC Leadership Academy Now Enrolling
• New FTOS in RPD
• VTRC Business of Brewing Program

Let's go!

But first, today's weather:

Rain; mixed with sleet early.

High: 38 Low: 35.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Today, the Roanoke Greater Virginia Bridal show, put on by Virginia Bride Magazine, will be at the Berglund Center and will feature everything from food samples and photographers to DJs and hair and makeup professionals for the big day. Angeline Frame, owner and publisher of Virginia Bride Magazine, said "Wedding cakes, desserts, bridal stores, menswear, we don’t leave the men out. Of course lots of wedding venues and reception locations there, so it’s just a wide variety of services." Monte Durham from TLC reality TV series “Say Yes to the Dress” is emceeing the show, admission is $10, and the show will be on from 1 - 5 p.m. (WSLS)
2. The Roanoke Non Ultra Trail Series (RNUTS — no I'm not kidding they actually call it this) started earlier this month with the Frozen Toe 10k. The event will continue through May with a series of 5k and 10k races designed to promote different locations, provide trail maintenance, and give monetary support to mountain trails throughout Southwest Virginia. RNUTS (teehee) is a seven event trail series hosted by Mountain Junkies, LLC. Upcoming races include the Forever 5/10 Miler and the Explore Your Limits 5/10k on Jan 28 and FEb 25 respectively. A schedule and more information can be found here. (WDBJ)
3. The Virginia Tech Roanoke Center's Leadership Academy is now enrolling. Classes start in February and are designed to help mid-career professionals in the Roanoke and New River valleys develop skills to navigate 21st century challenges and give their careers a boost. "The Leadership Academy is a perfect example of how the Roanoke Center is helping shape and grow our region by sharing the knowledge and resources of the university to make an impact in the community," Scott Weimer, executive director of Roanoke Regional Initiatives, said. Registration information can be found here. (Virginia Tech Daily)
4. The Roanoke City Police Department has announced the graduation of seven officers from Basic Field Training Officer (FTO) school. The department is hoping having more FTOs will aid in getting more new officers onto the streets of the Star City as the department continues to face issues related to numerous vacancies. FTOs are responsible for training officers who have recently graduated from the Roanoke Police Academy and are not yet ready to handle patrols on their own. The graduates ride with and learn from their FTOs for a period of several weeks before they are released to independent patrols. (WSET)
5. The Virginia Tech Roanoke Center’s Business of Brewing is a class that takes 15 students every January to work with local brewers to learn the tricks of the brewing trade. Students come from all over the state to the Roanoke campus and get to learn from area breweries such as Big Lick Brewery, Golden Cactus Brewery, and Twisted Track Brewpub. "We go to different types of breweries, the distributor brewery, a big one, a small one, one with a restaurant, so you’re exposed to the different types of breweries. I kind of fell in love with the process of brewing. It is very, very fulfilling," said student Myrna Temple who drove in from Kilmarnock on the Chesapeake Bay and plans to open her own brewpub once she returns home. (WFXR)

Today in Roanoke:

• Salem Gun & Knife Sale at the Salem Civic Center (10 a.m.)
• Mason Creek at Parkway Brewing Company (1 p.m.)
• The Greater Virginia Bridal Show at the Berglund Special Events Center (1 p.m.)
• Jstop Latin Soul at Parkway Brewing Company (5 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke College: "🚀 Meet an outstanding alumnus, Terry St. Clair '65, who was recently inducted into the Langley Research Center NACA and NASA Hall of Honor. He is a brilliant chemist and was a champion for diversity during his career." (Roanoke College via Instagram)
• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "This could be YOU! Have you ever wanted to get experience working with a wide range of wildlife in a rehab setting? We are currently accepting applications for our summer internship program! This experience is flexible, hands-on, and open to anyone 18 years or older by their start date." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "Did you know that Roanoke City Public Schools is featured on an upcoming episode about our arts programs on BUZZ, a TV show that airs on Blue Ridge PBS from Buzz4good? Ahead of the premiere, students and staff who were featured in the episode walked the red carpet at The Grandin Theatre for a special watch party!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "The Fresh Start Culinary Program continues at the Roanoke City Adult Detention Center. A few of our residents had a cook off and some great snacks were created with limited ingredients. In addition, we recently had three graduates obtain their certification!" (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Roanoke STARCADE: "Happy birthday to us! It’s almost our 4th Anniversary! To celebrate, we invite you to visit us for a DISCOUNTED price of $4 all day! We also offer you UNLIMITED Virtual Reality play for $5! There will be free refreshments and LOTS of fun!" (Roanoke STARCADE via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Sunday off right. I'll see you tomorrow morning for the Marvelous (take that haters) 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