July 31, 2008Your online guide to the August 1 issue of So Salem
Happy August. Wow, where did the summer go? Here at So Salem, we’re already hard at work on our upcoming back-to-school issues (August 8 and 15) and our football issues (August 22 and 29). And that brings us to a programming note: If you’re an advertiser and wanted to be included -- especially in our football issues -- well, our advertising folks at advertise@sosalem.com will be happy to talk with you. Or, if you’d like to place a classified ad, you can click classifieds@sosalem.com. We reach more than 90 percent of the households in Salem and western Roanoke County. (How do we do that? See below!) And now back to news, and we have lots of it this week. In your Friday issue, you’ll see lots of places where we say “see The Notebook” for more. Well, here’s where to find that “more”: * Salem opens door to big-box development If you're still in a vacation mode, we're still taking your vacation photos and putting you on our Salem Summer '08 map. So how can you get your news and photos in So Salem? Keep reading below! Continue reading "Your online guide to the August 1 issue of So Salem" » Photos from Glenvar soccer clinic The Glenvar Youth Boosters has teamed up with Glenvar High School's soccer teams to provide a free soccer clinic to players ages 14 and under -- and we have a photo gallery of 17 photos from the clinic. Here, Mallory Jengo from Glenvar Middle School practices with high school players. The clinic was held at Green Hill Park on July 28th - July 30th and was open to all registered players for the upcoming soccer season. The clinic gave players an opportunity to work with and learn new dribbling, passing and shooting skills and techniques from Glenvar High School players. Photos by Erin Millar Do you have sports photos involving teams or players from Salem and western Roanoke County? If so, you can share them at news@sosalem.com
Salem mermaid makes a splash at Holden Beach, N.C Aimee and Lynwood Hall sent us this (doctored) picture of their daughter at the beach! Aimee writes: Archer went to the Holden Beach, NC this summer and is TOTALLY OBSESSED with mermaids. Lynwood being the Photoshop whiz that he is turned her into one. Enjoy! Do you have vacation pictures from the beach, Virginia locales, or Europe? Did you snap a picture of you and your best bud before (or after) you rode on that killer rollercoaster? If you stayed in Salem all summer, did you catch any (pictures of) wildlife? Check out pictures and residents' reports of bears making their presence known in Salem. Send them to us at news@sosalem.com, and we'll put them up here on the blog (and we'll most likely put them in print!) Check out our Salem Summer '08 map to see where other folks in Salem have ventured. Continue reading "Salem mermaid makes a splash at Holden Beach, N.C" » Salem, Roanoke County crime maps updated through July 27 We've just updated our Roanoke Valley crime map with the latest offenses from Salem and Roanoke County -- and Roanoke, as well. The data includes offenses through July 27. Last week, Salem reported four larcenies, one burglary and one aggravated assault. In western Roanoke County, there were three larcenies and one burglary. Also, the Salem Police Department provides more detailed information than other localities -- so in addition to the Roanoke Valley crime map, we have a more detailed Salem crime map you can search, as well. Follow the links above and you can see where they were and what they were. Our data delivery editor, Matt Chittum, has more information how you can use the searchable crime maps. He also has a special question for Salemites. We've noticed fewer people seem interested in the more detailed Salem crime map -- even though it's got more interesting stuff. Matt would like to know why. You can read his post, and leave a comment, right here. Also on our Datasphere collection of searchable data: The biggest trees in the state. Truck crashes into Salem car dealershipA truck crashed into a car dealership in Salem late Wednesday night, crushing the fronts of three cars at Hart Oldsmobile, police said. For more on this story, click here. July 30, 2008A creepy photo of a bear near Hanging Rock We’ve had several people from in and around Salem sent us reports -- and even photos -- of bears in their backyard. Here’s the creepiest one yet. Judy Bates sends us this photo she shot in May at her home in the Laurel Woods community near Hanging Rock -- that’s a bear clawing at the window in the middle of the night. Continue reading "A creepy photo of a bear near Hanging Rock" » Adam Clark finds 'epic' sound with The Superpowers
Glenvar High grad Adam Clark is founder and drummer of the New England-based Afrobeat band The Superpowers. Before playing at FloydFest, he spoke with So Salem journalist Ryan N. Jones by phone. Q. So how did The Superpowers get started? Q. What made you want to start the band? Q. Did you know all the band members before? Q. How many people are in the band now? Q. Why so many? Q. Explain Afrobeat. Q. Is it hard to find acceptance playing this African-inspired music when only one member of your band is of African descent? Continue reading "Adam Clark finds 'epic' sound with The Superpowers" » Fan mail for SalemHere's an e-mail we received today. Normally, we'd wait and hold letters for our print publication but the deadline for this Friday's issue has already passed and, well, as you can see, this is one we wanted to go ahead and share. It's from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater offering praise for the hospitality that Salem showed when teams from there have been in town for various Division III sports events: Were you at the Summer Music Games?If so, let us know what you thought by clicking "comments" below. Or, better yet, if you have photos -- feel free to share them at news@sosalem.com July 29, 2008Glenvar girl wins big in Daytona Beach Kaytlyn Washenberger from Christian Life International won first place in Vocal Solo - Female at this year's National Fine Arts Festival, which took place in Daytona Beach July 21-24. Submitted by Kathy Craddock Salem opens door for big-box developmentA group of developers planning to bring a big-box retailer to a rundown Salem shopping center will collect an anticipated $3 million in tax incentives for the project. The Salem City Council approved the incentive deal with BET Wilkinson Salem Venture LLC by a 4-0 vote Monday evening. However, the name of the new store slated to replace the West Salem Plaza has not been officially released. Reporter Pete Dybdahl has the latest here. So what do you think of the development? Feel free to click "comment" below. July 28, 2008Twins of the twenties celebrate birthday in style
The “roaring twenties” were exciting years marked by prohibition and the fight for women’s suffrage. Jazz music was taking center stage and flappers were the women of the day. 1920 was also the year that twins Sybil James and Sylvia Jamison were born. To celebrate their recent eighty-eighth birthday, it seemed only right to throw a party fit for the era. Almost 50 residents of the Summerville Assisted Living Community came to the July 26 party organized by Kay Martin, daughter of Sybil James. Guests ate cake, drank punch— prohibition-friendly alcohol-free punch, of course— and played 1920s casino games like roulette for prizes. They also played “88” in lieu of the popular card game “21.” “They did a nice thing I think,” said Sylvia, who worked in Florida for a number of years as a bookkeeper for the space program. Her sister Sybil worked for The Roanoke Times and World News as a secretary in the late ‘50s. Sybil’s husband, Frank James also worked with the Times in the circulation department for nearly 30 years. “I enjoyed it [the party] very much,” added Sylvia as the jazz music died down and the guests made their way to the door. Continue reading "Twins of the twenties celebrate birthday in style" » Food, fun and funky jazz at Longwood Park in Salem
This year the family-friendly event, which was also sponsored by Q-99 FM, Four Seasons Sunrooms and the Salem Merchants Association, brought about 300 people to the park with lawn chairs and blankets in tow. Though festival-goers were allowed to bring a picnic lunch, the Salem Kiwanis Club was on hand to sell hamburgers, hotdogs and Sno-Cones. The festival’s attendees also had the chance to win a number of raffles from the various sponsors—including a top-of-the-line grill from Q-99 FM. Five bands played almost nonstop from 3 – 9:30 p.m. and, with the park’s the hilly landscape creating natural stadium-seating, most spectators were able to find a perfect view of the stage. Young and old alike enjoyed the full evening of classic jazz hits like Bill Withers’ “Aint No Sunshine” and Miles Davis’ “Solar.” Continue reading "Food, fun and funky jazz at Longwood Park in Salem" » Photos from Salem After 5 Check out photos from the most recent Salem After 5 here! Burning Bridges rocked the house with recent and classic rock hits--call it what you want, but "beach boy" music was nowhere within hearing range. Photo: from left: Janice Adams, Gwen George, and Matthew George, all of Salem, usually come to every After 5. Aaron Lovern and Brittany Dowdy came all the way out from Radford. Taking a break from the heat! Will Hicks, Walker Peterson and Emma Brownmiller of Salem enjoy taking a break from the heat!
Who will Salem's quarterback be this season?Well, we don't know, either. But sports writer Robert Anderson lists that question as one of his top 10 things to watch during this fall's football season. For more on Robert's questions -- Salem or otherwise, click here. If you have thoughts to share about Salem football, you can click "comments" below. July 26, 2008Swimmers flock to Salem for meet
We have a photo gallery of the scene Friday. And here's a link to a story by Doug Doughty about young swimmers' quest to learn proper ways to dive in for their swim. That will take you to a gallery of more photos. The Stonegate Swim Team (Gators) from Salem compete in the RVAA meet. Erin Millar, special to So Salem July 25, 2008Ribboncutting at the Comfort Suites There's a new, big, clean, hotel in town with jacuzzi tubs available in Salem. "I'm especially thankful that I have a place to come when my wife kicks me out of the house," joked mayor Randy Foley. On July 25, Comfort Suites and the Salem Roanoke Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for the new facility, which opened its doors about a month ago. The contemporary hotel has jacuzzi tubs available, 32" flat screens in every room, and is located on Wildwood Road. Dharmistha Patel (from left), Bhupendra Patel, owner Dharmendra Patel and wife, Nisha Patel, Randjan Patel, and Dr. Dhaduk, Jane Johnson, Randy Foley, Lisa Garst, and Bill Jones at Friday's ribbon-cutting. Who was at the Olympic team vs. the Salem All Star game? These folks took a time-out during the big game to talk to community journalist Miranda Adkins. Bet you didn't know that some basketball all-stars would make it out as well. Stephen Curry and RJ Dixon were helping out at Roanoke College's basketball camp and decided to check out the event at Kiwanis field. Curry helped to put Davidson College on the national stage, and RJ Dixon is the top player at Catholic University in DC.
Retired Salem High School softball coach, Jim "Shorty" Wright, came out to the game, too, and he ran into a former player. Meaghan Berry, right, played for Wright ten years ago at Salem High School, then went on to play at Roanoke College. Her daughter Elizabeth already plays softball in Botetourt. For more pictures of some Salem folks, and some more from around Virginia and North Carolina, click here. Salem D.A.R.E. Camp: the tradition continues Fishing, horseback riding, canoeing and camp fires are all things a kid should expect from a bona fide summer camp, but as all Salem sixth-grade graduates know—there’s nothing like going to camp with cops (and zambizi flies). The opportunity to interact with officers in blue goes hand in hand with what summertime spent away from home is all about: gaining confidence and creating friendships. The summer after sixth grade, about 70 percent of Andrew Lewis Middle School students visit Salem D.A.R.E. camp for a week. For many children, it’s their first time away from home for more than a night or two. For others, it’s their only opportunity to go to camp. Click through the "continue" tab to keep reading, but if you'd like to see more pictures of the July 21-25 Salem D.A.R.E. Camp, click here. Continue reading "Salem D.A.R.E. Camp: the tradition continues" » An online guide to So Salem's July 25 editionIt's summertime, and vacationtime, and we've been receiving lots of wonderful scenes from near and far. Want to share where you've been on vacation? Send your favorite scene or two (or three, or more) to news@sosalem.com. Or visit sosalem.com and click the "Share" button. Here's a guide to some of the online extras on The Notebook this week: And more... Continue reading "An online guide to So Salem's July 25 edition" » July 24, 2008Andrew Lewis football practice & volleyball tryoutsOn August 4th, Andrew Lewis Middle School football and volleyball athletes need to be present to kick off the season. Football practice: 8 a.m., Monday August 4, at Salem High School Volleyball tryouts: 9-11 a.m., Monday August 4, at ALMS in the big gym Information submitted by Mike Akers. More pictures of the Coventry Commonwealth Games Tis' the season for competitive recreational softball and baseball, or so it seems! Bailey Wilburn is the catcher for the Inferno 12U team. The Inferno went 1-1-2 in the Coventry Commonwealth Games. The team will next compete at the Fall Ball Kick-off in Covington. Bailey's mom, Julie, sent us the photos. She writes: "They are a great bunch of girls with an outstanding coach, they just have FUN!!!" Continue reading "More pictures of the Coventry Commonwealth Games" » More photos of Salem Attack at AAU Nationals Coach Jim Stepp sent us some more photos of Attack, an AAU baseball team that finished second in the AAU Division I Nationals tournament held in Salem. Click here to see more. Want to read more about the tournament? Check out our previous blog entry here. Salem Boys Play in the 2008 Andrew Haley Memorial SML Lions Junior Golf Tournament!
Butts was the top putter in his divison and Obenshain finished a close second in the Senior Boys Division. Photos courtesy of Jim Miller. Salem Girl Wins Two Gold Medals in the VA Commonwealth Games
Savannah Dobb, of Salem, ran in her first race on July 19 in the Virginia Commonwealth Games at Lord Botetourt. She ran both the 800 meter and 1500 meter races in the 9-10 year old age division. She won the gold medal in both events. Photo courtesy of Tami Jennings July 23, 2008Roanoke College meshes ecology effortsIn case you missed it in today's paper (or haven't seen it yet on roanoke.com), Roanoke College is taking its green efforts to another level with its own Green Advisory Committee. Here's a link to the story by Pete Dybdahl. July 22, 2008Salem Farmers Market opening Sunday a success Since its official establishment in 1991, the Salem Farmers' Market has been open from April to December, Mondays through Saturdays. But with slow market days earlier in the week, the city began opening its stalls on Sundays on July 20 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. With four vendors and a little help from market manager Alice Austin and Judy Hough from Planning and Development, customers arrived steadily from around 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Local radio station Q99 provided music. The city is looking into providing some sort of entertainment to draw customers to the market on Sundays, maybe even a gospel choir. While city planner Melinda Payne emphasized that the extra day is still in the tentative and planning stages, it seems to be an instant success "just based on the feedback that we've had so far." The city is also looking into relaxing the rules a bit on Sundays for craft vendors, as long as stalls remain available for farmers. Salem girl wins gold in the Coventry Commonwealth Games Lilly Shell, 11, placed first in the 12-and-under division of the bowling competition in the Coventry Commonwealth Games on Sunday, July 20. The event was held at NRV Superbowl Bowling Center in Christiansburg. Shell, like her brother Tyler, has been bowling with her dad, Dwayne, since she was strong enough to pick up a bowling ball. Her parents, Dwayne and Rhonda, sent us this picture along with the news! Has your team, your kids, neighbors, friends, or your puppies placed or participated in a sporting event? Or do you have great pictures of them horsing around? Send them to us at news@sosalem.com or drop them off with me, Miranda Adkins, during my office hours in Salem. More photos of SHS grads' voyage through Europe This time, the pictures come from Theresa Grey, the Salem High librarian who headed up the tour along with parents Christy Crotts and Patty Abbott. Click here for the photo gallery. Travelers included Daniel Crotts, Warren Gardner, Nick Leftwich, LeAnna Minix, David Abbott, Nitya Reddy, Amy McArthur, Sarah Hall, Tristan MacDonald, Liz Arthur, Millie Leach, and Krysti Nelson. Click here for our last post and more vacation pictures (from Liz Arthur). You don't have to travel to Europe to send us your vacation pictures (although Fred Campbell also sent us some from there, too)! Check out these pictures of Green Hill Park from Lusia Linkous. If you have summer fun pictures, send them to news@sosalem.com -- and if you let us know where you are or where you're going, we'll put you on the Salem Summer '08 Map! Salem team is second in AAU Division I National Championships Salem’s Virginia Attack 15U baseball team finished as runner-up at AAU Division I National Tournament. The championships were held Thursday, July 17 at Kiwanis Field. Eight Salem players are on the team, along with others from Glenvar, Giles, Bedford, Christiansburg, and Botetourt. Three local baseball coaches led the team. Salem’s Jim Stepp was assisted by Christiansburg’s Pete Hudson and Giles’ Bobby Raymond. Here’s the tournament summary from Coach Stepp: This was the second AAU National tournament for five of the players, Salem’s Alex Stepp, Jonathan Alabran, Seth Fisher and Zach Harth, along with Christiansburg’s Travis Hudson, who were on a team that won the 2004 AAU National Classic Championship at Disneyworld. The team was a big underdog after losing its first three pool games of the tournament, which are games played merely for seeding purposes. While some teams placed value on getting a good seed, the Attack chose to place minimal importance on those games and instead focused on the actual double elimination tournament, which began on Monday. Continue reading "Salem team is second in AAU Division I National Championships" » Stars Soccer Team of 2008!
July 21, 2008Glenvar Girls Twirl for the Gold
Cheri Keller sent this report on two Glenvar girls who brought home gold in twirling: Junior Megan McConnell, feature twirler at Glenvar High School, and 7th grader Rebecca Keller of Glenvar Middle School competed in the Virginia State Twirling Championships in Richmond on June 21 and 22. McConnell, an intermediate twirler in the age 13-15 division, received 5th place for her State Solo and received 1st Place for Advanced State Duet with her duet partner, Harlie Dale, feature twirler at Perry McClure High School. Megan also earned 1st place State 2-baton and second place for Super X-Strut beginner level. Fun in the sun and water
Families enjoy the summer sun at the Roanoke River at Green Hill Park. If you have photos of summer vacation or other fun moments, please send them to news@sosalem.com. Bernese Mountain Dog Fun Match in Salem
Seven berners, a Great Pyranees, and an Irish Setter showed up on Saturday, July 19, at Star City Canine Club, for a conformation match and Rally Obedience Course by the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Central Virginia. Members from as far away as Richmond and Danville came to show their support for the growing club, established last year and working to gain accreditation from the AKC and the Bernese Mountain Club Dog of America. In the conformation match, Laura Gilliam of Danville and her dog, Melody, won best in match. Andrea Stefanac of Richmond and her dog, Chance, won best of opposite sex (second place.) The Bernese Mountain Dogs were the only participants in the conformation (it measures breed characteristics up to AKC standards), but the dogs, and their owners, too, relished in the challenge of the Rally Obedience Course (novice). Do you like dog shows? From July 30 to August 3, the Mountain Valley Cluster Dog Show comes to the Salem Civic Center. For more pictures of the rally and conformation, click here. Our last entry about four-legged friends in Salem is here. Photo: Carolyn Smith of Salem, leads her half-lab, half-berner through the Rally Obedience Course. He placed third. July 18, 2008A bear sighted in SalemWe have another report of a bear sighting -- this one smack in Salem itself. Sherri Parrish tells us: "My husband, 2 children, and I saw a bear yesterday in Salem, right where Franklin and Upland meet. We were leaving our house on Diamond Rd. going down Upland and Turned onto Franklin, when my 6 yr old daughter Maddie, hollered “mommy there’s a bear!” . It was running right next to the street. We were very surprised to see it because we are in the middle of a bunch of neighborhoods. It was very cool that my daughter got to see a bear that close up and not in the woods or zoo, but rather scary that it was in someone’s front yard in the middle of the city." We've added Sherri's sighting to our map of bear sightings. This comes on the heels of several other bear sightings around Salem we've had lately. On July 14, we posted an entire photo gallery of the bear that raided the bird feeder in Loyd Tingler's backyard off Wildwood Road. Then on July 15, Jerry and Linda Watts sent us a photo of the bear that wandered into their backyard on Sagewood Circle off 311. So have you seen a bear in or around Salem lately? If so, let us know at news@sosalem.com -- and if you have photos, send those on, too. What are you doing this summer? Put yourself on our map!Let us know what you're doing this summer and we can put you on our So Salem Summer '08 map. Jus |
