🌱 RSO 'Painted Violins' Project + Latest Gun Violence Meeting Update

Hello again, fellow Roanokers! It's time for the venerable Thursday edition of the Roanoke Patch Newsletter to get you caught up on what's happening in the community, including news on...

• Native comedian launches nationwide tour.
• Williamson residents form new forum.
• Native Roanoker signs to be a pro boxer.

Let's Motor!

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 86 Low: 58.

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Here are the top stories today in Roanoke:

1. Tuesday night marked the first meeting of the Gun Violence Prevention Commission since the recent spate of shootings in the city, including a fatal shooting in the Grandin Road area of the city where violence is rare. Chairman of the commission and Vice Mayor Joe Cobb said in his opening statement, "There’s a lot of chatter about ‘I can’t believe this happened in our neighborhood’ and I just scratch my head and say, well, imagine how Northwest Roanoke feels when it’s like every week. Data collected by city police reveals 14 out of the 20 violent incidents involving firearms in 2023 happened in the northwest quadrant of the city. The primary focus of the meeting was the lack of communication happening between the various entities trying to battle the epidemic. A joint meeting between those entities was proposed and the commission hopes to make that happen in May. (WSLS)
2. The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra has started a new education initiative focused on wider access and awareness to string education in the Roanoker region. The 'Painted Violins' Project is a reimagined program from the RSO's 50th Anniversary and donates a violin to 12 area artists on which to create a visual masterpiece. The violins are then entered into a raffle for the community to win their favorite violin with all the proceeds going to string education programs in the area. "If we neglect our student musicians today, tomorrow’s world of musical history may cease to exist. Investing in our youth is building tomorrow’s symphony. You can support this endeavor within our own community here in Roanoke," the symphony said in a statement on their website. (WDBJ)
3. Some residents of the Williamson Road area of Roanoke have gathered to create a new plan for the high traffic main thoroughfare and to decry Roanoke City's plan to cut the road down from four lanes to two, a move they say is a poor decision. The Williamson Road Community Forum is the new entity formed by Clay McClintock, Bill Tanger, and others. "They’re going to get tired of trying to get up the road, and they’re going to start using the backroads, which now makes your neighborhoods unsafe because you’re going to have people cutting through there at high rates of speed," said McClintock of the two-lane plan. The forum has introduced its own plan called the 'Streamline Plan' that includes updates like better lighting, crosswalks, and bike and pedestrian lanes. Other area associations agree with the city's plan and the new forum hopes to sit down with them and with city officials to compare plans and see if a compromise can be reached. (WSLS)
4. A Roanoke native and comedian who was just featured on 'Watch What Happens Live' with Andy Cohen is embarking on a nationwide tour and has recently released a memoir title, 'Is It Hot In Here?' Zach Zimmerman was born and raised in Roanoke and graduated from William Fleming High School. "At William Fleming, being on stage, being creative, I really felt supported by the community, even though I haven’t been back in a very long time, Roanoke was so important to me and who I was and my parents, the generations go back,” Zimmerman said. He hopes to make a stop at the Berglund Center this summer as his tour progresses. Copies of his book can be purchased at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. (WDBJ)
5. Roanoke native Haidar Alghazi has recently signed a deal with Vegas Champ Boxing to be a professional boxer after beginning his training in the Star City as a way to stay off the streets and out of trouble. "I promised Coach that when I turn 18, I want to turn pro, and turned pro, and this is where I’m at now. People outside the ring will tell you it’s just the head gear and no shirt but it’s a lot different. I think it was a big step for me to turn pro. I get a lot of love from people inside the city from my age to older and even younger," said Alghazi. He currently holds a 20 -3 record as an amateur boxer and has won his first professional fight. He hopes to inspire others to take their own shot at making their dreams come true. (WSLS)

Today in Roanoke:

• Salem Red Sox vs. Lynchburg Hillcats at Salem Memorial Ballpark (7 p.m.)
• Her Majesty, Seneca Burns, American Theory, & Bolo 1037 at The Spot on Kirk (7:30 p.m.)
• Music Road Co. and The Ambassador at 5 Points Music Sanctuary (8 p.m.)
• Higher Education at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (9:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke: "Feeling batty? We are too! We have three Big Brown Bats at the Center, including this one who was found in a pile of sawdust weak and dehydrated, later developing a respiratory infection because the wood shavings had been treated." (Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke via Facebook)
• Roanoke Regional Chamber: "A fantastic turn out at today's Wake Up, Roanoke networking event! We made new connections, exchanged business cards and sent TWO people home with door prizes! ☕🌞 A special thank you to our presenting sponsor Tech Squared, Inc! Thank you!" (Roanoke Regional Chamber via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: "Luck be a Lady tonight! You don't need luck when you adopt Lady from our shelter! This spunky, sweet girl is hoping to find a home of her very own soon, but did you know that even after you adopt, we offer a wide variety of support?" (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll see you around.

— 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