From the WFIR News room this is your Culture Calendar – With a look at some of the local events coming up this weekend and in the near future. Sponsored by the Roanoke Cultural Endowment.

Roanoke County Public Schools and the Partnership for Community Wellness are hosting the first in a series of public meetings about protecting our children from online dangers. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.

Protecting our children from online dangers is the subject of a series of public meetings organized by Roanoke County Public Schools.  As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports this is not just a school concern, it’s a societal issue.

Online Safety Meeting Info

The high cost of “aging care” is forcing some families to drain their savings, juggle caregiving with other responsibilities – and rethink retirement plans. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has some of the numbers:

A popular musical is coming back to The Trinkle Main Stage.  As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno tells us Million Dollar Quartet documents a monumental recording session at Sun Records.

Million Dollar Quartet tells the story of the historic recording session when Johnny Cash, Elvis, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis gathered at Sun Records.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.

Fincastle native Erin Lunsford has been on a tear recently; the singer-songwriter says a wave of new songs she’s written have just been “coming out.” Lunsford calls one her “Appalachian Community Care Anthem,” and she’s back in the Star City this weekend as part of her Food Pantry Fundraiser Tour. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

With the autumn season officially beginning next week, one Virginia Tech professor says residents in Southwest Virginia won’t have to wait long for the leaves to change colors. WFIR’s Conner Arthur has that story:

An organization that specializes in land conservancy within the Roanoke Valley is inviting guests to celebrate the hard work behind local conservation efforts. WFIR’s Conner Arthur has that story:

Live in studio this morning, Whitney Leeson from the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation, and Alexander Boone with ABoone Real Estate Inc. discussed preserving historical structures – even those in disrepair – versus redeveloping properties to help address the demand for housing. Leeson says the Preservation Foundation does not support the Roanoke City zoning change that allows for multi-family units to be built by-right instead of only single-family houses, noting four older houses torn down recently in South Roanoke.

Alexander Boone recently received a “bulldozer award,” from the Preservation Foundation for the demolishment of those four houses, to be replaced by a 22-unit apartment complex built by ABoone. Leeson says City Council needs to make a change:

Hear the complete and lively conversation from this morning on link below or watch it in Facebook.

Food Lion has donated $3000 worth of shelf-stable foods and another $6000 towards physical improvements at the Manna Food Pantry operated by the Roanoke Rescue Mission. Local Food Lion employees were on hand to sort that donated food this morning.  Feeding Southwest Virginia, a partner agency with the Manna Food Pantry, nominated Food Lion for this Hunger Action Month activity. Lisa Thompson is director of development and communication for the Rescue Mission:

Opera Roanoke opens its 50th season on September 21.  That performance not only marks the organization’s anniversary it also is the swan song for long time artistic director Steven White.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.

Steven White has been with Opera Roanoke for more than half of its existence.  When Opera Roanoke starts its 50th season, White will be ending his tenure as artistic director.  WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports.

Opera Roanoke