🌱 Roanoke Wing Fest Returns Saturday + More Police Forums Coming

Hello, everybody! It's Tuesday and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the things happening in town. In this issue, you'll find updates on:

• Barbershop making sure kids make a good 'First Impression' heading back to school.
• Roanoke-based beekeeper turned her love of beekeeping into a business.
• New Pollinator Island designated.

Let's motor!

But first, today's weather: Hot with clouds and sun. High: 95 Low: 69.

Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. Roanoke-based beekeeper Michelle Rader turned her love of beekeeping into a business called The Salty Bee, where she makes products like salves, candles, body butters, bath salts, cookies, lip balm, honey lollipops, and more using beeswax, honey, and other bee-inspired ingredients. She advocates for urban beekeeping to save the bees and has partnered with local businesses like Spice Titan and The Slap Shop on special products. Her bee-focused creations highlight the versatility of ingredients from bees and their importance to the environment and she encourages anyone thinking about trying beekeeping to do so. (WDBJ)
2. The First Impressions Barbershop and Salon in Roanoke aims to ensure kids make a great first impression heading back to school by providing free haircuts and styles. On Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., stylist Aleshia Meyers and barber George Harrington provided haircuts for kids lining up before the shop even opened. For 20 years, the event has worked to lift a financial burden off parents by providing not only haircuts, but shoes, clothes, food, and school supplies. Meyers and Harrington say it comes from a place of love and community support, allowing kids to start the year looking and feeling their best. (WSLS)
3. The 14th Annual Northwest Ace Roanoke Wing Fest returns to Dr Pepper Park on Aug. 26, bringing back local favorite wing vendors like Tammy's Grill and Rocky Mount Smokehouse to compete for the best wings. From noon to 7 p.m., the area's largest one-day food festival will feature live music, contests, and of course wings in sample sizes and large quantities. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs but can also rent them and should be prepared to pay $5 admission, cash for vendors, and find parking at the nearby garage. The event promises a spicy showcase of the city's best chicken wings. (WFXR)
4. The Northwest Faith Partnership, Mill Mountain Garden Club, and City of Roanoke will unveil a new collaborative pollinator garden and "Bee City" sign in Northwest Roanoke, reflecting a community commitment to environmental sustainability. The garden was a 3-year effort by four local churches to turn a triangle of grass into a vibrant garden with pollinator-friendly plants, funded by donations and a grant from the Mill Mountain Garden Club. Pastor Kathy O'Keeffe says the garden brings beauty to the neighborhood through collective hard work and hopes it will bring smiles to people's faces. (WSET)
5. Roanoke Police and city staff hosted a community forum for residents to voice concerns about issues in the city. According to Police Captain Jennifer Boswell, the police plan to hold more forums, with the next one happening in September. The goal of the community forums is to build better relationships between police and residents through open communication going forward. (WSLS)

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Today in Roanoke:

Tuesday, August 22

• Salem Red Sox vs. Fredericksburg Nationals at Salem Memorial Ballpark (7:05 p.m.)
• JSB Variety Show at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "'Carolina Wren Chaos' is the theme of the bird room right now! We don't have that many baby birds right now as summer comes to a close but this quartet are definitely the loudest members of the bird room right now." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke County Police Department: "Thanks to Lancerlot Sports Complex for allowing K9 Mavric to come out and play on the ice rink during the 'The Oakey’s Dog Days Of Summer!' He was excited to hang out with some other K9s from surrounding agencies and get some fun exercise!" (Roanoke County Police Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "We had a great time at the back-to-school extravaganza and hope you were able to meet our school resource officers. We are glad so many parents were able to take advantage of the ids we provided." (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Brady is a sweet senior hound mix looking for love. But don't let his quiet demeanor fool you, he loves to roll around in the grass and then he gets the zoomies! Maybe Brady would be a good fit for your family!" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Instagram)
• Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge: "Enjoy Fairy Stone Park by boat for the next two weekends, before we say goodbye to summer! Located near Philpott Lake, this state park has beach access, boat rentals, picnic pavilions, and a playground, perfect for a family-friendly fun!" (Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Tuesday. I'll see you tomorrow!

— 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