🌱 The Roanoke Star Turns 73 + 'Holiday Inn' At Mill Mountain Theatre

On scale of 1 - 10 how full are you from yesterday? I think it's about a 7 for me. Ugh.

Anyways, good morning and happy Black Friday! Here's a fresh edition of the Roanoke Daily with what's happening in town including updates on:

• Roanoke area stores prepare for busy shopping season
• One injured in city brush fire

Lessgo!

But first, today's weather:

Breezy; rain in the morning.

High: 60 Low: 37.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Roanoke's most iconic landmark, the 88-foot-tall star atop Mill Mountain, turned 73 years old on Wednesday. The structure gave Roanoke it's nickname, the Star City, and was first lit to ring in the holiday season in 1949, but was so loved by the citizenry that it's been around ever since. It holds the distinction of being the largest, free-standing, man-made, illuminated star in the world and was originally the product of a partnership between the Roanoke Merchants Association and Kinsey Sign Co. (WSLS, Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge)
2. Roanoke Fire-EMS was called to the 700 block of Hemlock Road NW shortly after 1 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon for a brush fire that had gotten out of control. Crews found that the fire had spread across approximately an acre and a half and one person was taken to a hospital with critical injuries. Fire Marshals determined the fire was accidental and no further information was available on the victim pending notification of the family. (WDBJ)
3. Mill Mountain Theatre is gearing up for their holiday themed show and this year it's Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, a musical about two singers who vie for the affections of a beautiful up-and-coming performer at an inn open only on holidays. "It has all of the tunes that you know from Holiday Inn and it is a Christmas show, it's based around Christmas, but also because they're a hotel that has all of these holiday spectaculars we've got Easter, Fourth of July, New Years Eve, we've got all of these big huge productions numbers based around holidays so it's a lot fun," said director Kristin Brook-Sandler. The show will be on Nov. 30 thru Dec. 23 and tickets can be purchased on Mill Mountain's website. (WFIR)
4. Retailers across the Roanoke Valley are getting ready for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday and the kick off of the busiest shopping season of the year. "Around the holiday season is when we really kick it into gear. We are really excited to see a lot more traffic in the store. We do have safety measures in place, we make sure that all of our managers are available and ready if there is anything that were to happen," said Jessica Robinson, Mast General Store's training coordinator. Across town at the Roanoke Co-Op, marketing manager John Bryant echoes that sentiment. "We’ve got all the registers open and everybody’s out here stocking shelves. I think overall, you put the food on the shelves and you get out of the way." (WDBJ)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Friday Coffee Club Ride starting at Sweet Donkey Coffee (9 a.m.)
• Roanoke Valley Mineral & Gem Society Annual Show at the Salem Civic Center (2 p.m.)
• Holiday Spirits Tree Lighting & Cocktail Party at the Roanoke City Market Building (6 p.m.)
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs vs. Fayetteville Marksmen at the Berglund Center (7 p.m.)
• Phat Laces at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (8 p.m.)
• Isaac Hadden Organ Trio at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10 p.m.)

Special notice:

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile for two new series: Local Heroes and Star Student Athletes. The goal is to highlight heroes and star athletes in Roanoke!

• If you want to nominate a local hero, click here
• If you want to nominate a local athlete, click here.

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Introducing the TINIEST of our patients... a young Eastern Box Turtle who was accidentally dug up this winter. We have over FORTY reptiles in our reptile room, the majority of which are box turtles." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke County Police Department: "Super big thank you to Fellowship Community Church for purchasing and delivering food from Wildwood Smokehouse! We appreciate the generous thoughts and hope everyone has Happy Holidays!" (Roanoke County Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke City Public Schools: "In honor of Thanksgiving, we are sharing a post every day this week showing how our students and community working together. We have incredible students, and we want to highlight all they do for the community!" (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Dickens of a Christmas is a beloved annual holiday tradition in Downtown Roanoke! The festival is held the first three Fridays in December and features a variety of unique vendors, performances, and special activities for the entire family!" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Want to know the EASIEST (and cheapest) way to support the Roanoke Valley SPCA? 1. Double tap and like our posts 2. Comment on how cute the kitties and doggies are in the photos - maybe even tag a friend! 3. Share our posts!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (November 29)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for this Black Friday! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with 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 Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com