🌱 Symphony Under The Stars Returns + Grandin Heart Of The Main Status

Hello and Happy Friday! I won't bore you with any random facts in this section today. We'll just let the coffee percolate as we check out some news.

First, today's weather:

A thunderstorm around in the p.m.

High: 87 Low: 67.

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Here are the top five stories today in Roanoke:

1. U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine hit the road recently to talk about the benefits of the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act. One of their first stops was Botetourt County. The pair took part in a ribbon cutting for Virginia Transformer's new plant that will build transformers to power electric car charging stations. A roundtable discussion with area leaders focused on showcasing the incentives residents can receive for shifting to clean energy. "With Virginia Transformer doing what they are doing, it is the center of how we’re going to build out the backbone of our clean energy future,” said Granholm. "Just look at what the price per unit for solar energy or wind energy has done in the last 10 years," added Kaine. "The price per consumer has come down and down and down and the investments that we’re going to make by incentivizing more innovation is going to cause them to come down even more." (WDBJ)
2. Wednesday was Ukrainian Independence Day and marked the 31st anniversary of Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Ukrainians who live in the Roanoke Valley celebrated with flags, cultural dress and homemade posters. A small group, including Roanoke College professor Martha Kuchar, who has family in Ukraine, gathered at the Roanoke Valley War Memorial holding flowers and flags. "All over the free world, people are celebrating and observing this day because it is so important to us, especially now when Ukraine is threatened by Russia," Kuchar said. She added that although the media's attention on the war has died down, the fighting is not over and asked that people continue to pray for Ukraine. (WSLS)
3. As the founder of real estate firm Hall & Associates, Ed Hall has been a fixture in the Roanoke real estate market for many years. Although he did not graduate from college himself, he became a fervent supporter of Virginia Western Community College, pledging upwards of one million dollars in gifts and eventually joining the college's Educational Foundation. Now the campus he and his family have helped to support for so many years has a building named after them. The former Business Science Building located on the north side of Colonial Avenue is now officially known as The Hall Family Center for Business Science. "I grew up with my grandparents and before I moved to Roanoke I lived in a textile mill village with my grandparents," Hall said when asked for comment. "And if you'd asked me if I ever thought I'd see my name on the side of a building I'd have thought you needed several psychiatrists." (Editorial note: My name suggestion of Hall Hall was roundly rejected for some strange reason.) (WFIR)
4. In continuation of celebrating its 90th anniversary, the Grandin Theatre has announced that it has successfully completed Phase III of its Heart of the Main Campaign, a program designed to raise funds for upgrades to the main theatre at the center of the cultural icon on Grandin Road. Phase III started in 2021 and includes upgrades such as a screen that can be moved out of the way for live performances, new stage lighting, and speakers. "The Grandin Theatre Foundation is indebted to our patrons, donors, corporate partners, and grantors for their enormous support in closing out the Heart of the Main campaign to upgrade our hallmark Main Theatre. The support we received allows us to complete the final phase of this exciting capital project as well as address additional capital needs that were revealed in the upgrade," said Ian Fortier, executive director. (Roanoke Star)
5. The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra will be returning to Elmwood Park Saturday night for its annual Symphony Under the Stars event, a free concert designed to whet appetites for more of what the symphony has to offer throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons. "We invite everyone to come, bring a chair, and just sit out under the stars. The Program lasts just a little less than two hours and is one of my favorite Roanoke Symphony programs of the year," said Conductor David Stewart Wiley. (WFIR)

Today in Roanoke:

• Mexican Night Pop-Up at Crystal Spring Grocery Co. (5 p.m.)
• Grandin Chillage at the Grandin Village’s Old Texaco Station (5:30 p.m.)
• Gov’t Mule & Trombone Shorty at the Budweiser Summer Series at Elmwood Park (7 p.m.)
• The Mantras at Martin’s Downtown Bar and Grill (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke City Public Schools: "We were so excited to welcome students back! Here are some photos from the first day of school, where students are already reading, writing, and discussing relevant in material in every class." (Roanoke City Public Schools via Facebook)
• Downtown Roanoke, Inc.: "Help us welcome Delicias Boricuas VA to Downtown Roanoke. Recently, Delicias Boricuas VA had its soft opening! This new restaurant offers Puerto Rican food like tripletas, Cuban sandwiches, alcapurrias, tostones rellenos and desserts!" (Downtown Roanoke, Inc. via Facebook)
• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: "Capt. Todd Reighley and FireFighter Pierce recently attended a swift water rescue training focused on rescuing from vehicles in water. Check out the photos from the skills practice! 🌊" (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Sheriff's Office: "RSO would like to thank our teen apprentice Malaya Short for joining us this summer. You were a great addition. We would like to send wishes for a great school year!" (Roanoke Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Roanoke Outside: "If you've never visited the historic Swinging Bridge over the James River in Buchanan it's a wonderful experience whether you choose to walk over it or float under it!" (Roanoke Outside via Instagram)

Now you're in the loop and ready to roll on this fine Friday. See you all tomorrow morning for 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Roanoke Daily? Contact me at roanoke@patch.com