In our sixth episode, we’re taking a more serious look at one of the anchor features in our May/June 2023 Best of Roanoke issue, “The Fight to End Homelessness in Roanoke.” Writer Aila Boyd showed an extraordinary look into the homelessness issues found in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, and the stats are startling, especially after, or perhaps even because of, the COVID-19 pandemic. Today we’ll speak with city council member and Vice-Mayor Joe Cobb, as well as Melissa Woodson, Executive Director of Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM House) and Lee Clark, CEO of Rescue Mission of Roanoke. Let’s learn more about what it means to be homeless in Roanoke, and how you can help with this important local issue. Thanks so much for our guests for sharing their insights — you can find the resources listed in this episode over on our podcast page.

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The Fight Against Homeless Feature, The Roanoker, May/June 2023
Joe Cobb, Roanoke City Council Vice-Mayor: [email protected]
Melissa Woodson of RAM House: http://raminc.org
Lee Clark of the Rescue Mission: http://rescuemission.net
Jason Long Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/514RnWsMn0Nx0aaY7FEcrY
The Roanoker: https://theroanoker.com

Our fifth episode shows off our incredible May/June issue, highlighting our 37th Annual Best of Roanoke reader awards by first sharing your new category platinum winner “Best Local Artist to Watch” Bryce Cobbs; next, we learn more about the important work from a local nonprofit, The Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Virginia and how they’re improving the lives of local youth; and finally, we’re having a party with Town of Vinton’s Chasity Barbour, your 2023 “Female Star of the Star City” platinum winner. You told us all about your favorite people, businesses, events and more, and now it’s time to sit back, relax and get to know more about your winners from the Valley’s original Best of Roanoke Awards Reader Poll!
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Bryce Cobbs, Artist and your 2023 Best of Roanoke Platinum winner for “Best Local Artist to Watch”: https://www.artbybryce.com/
Jenkins & Associates Real Estate Group with MKB REALTORS®: https://jenkinsandassociatesre.com
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia: https://bgcswva.org/
Chasity Barbour, your 2023 Best of Roanoke Platinum winner for “Female Star of the Star City”: https://theroanoker.com/magazine/departments/a-dedicated-and-valuable-asset-chasity-barbour/
Jason Long Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/514RnWsMn0Nx0aaY7FEcrY
The Roanoker: https://theroanoker.com

Our fourth episode shows off even more of our March/April issue, with this episode’s focus on one of our favorite topics—PETS! First you’ll meet our handsome cover star Ragnar, a grief therapy dog at Oakey’s Funeral Services—oh, and his owner and local businessman Sam Oakey!; next, we sit down with our friends and realtors Hal and Kris Cone, who will help us understand finding the perfect pet-friendly home and even the best dog-friendly neighborhoods; and finally, we’ll hang out with Hope Cogen, owner of the award-winning High Hopes Dog Training, who shares a few things about our pets’ behaviors and introduces us to her deaf tripod rescue, Mooshi. Today’s episode will definitely make you smile if you’re having a ruff day! Ok, ok, enough with the dog puns - but we do hope you have a ball with us!
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Therapy Dogs (ft. Ragnar of Oakey’s Funeral Services): https://theroanoker.com/magazine/features/a-helping-paw/
Cone Realty Group brokered by eXp Realty: https://www.conerealtygroup.com
High Hopes Dog Training: https://www.high-hopes.net/
Jason Long Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/514RnWsMn0Nx0aaY7FEcrY
The Roanoker: https://theroanoker.com

Our third episode showcases our March/April issue, first celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8 all month long with our features of truly incredible women making a difference right here in our community! You’ll meet Mayor Renee Turk, Salem’s first female mayor, and how she’s helping local businesses and citizens improve their daily lives; next, we sit down with friends Hal and Kris Cone, realtors who can’t wait to share great advice on Spring Gardening and Easy Low Budget Home Refreshes; and finally, we sit down with Lisa Garcia, director for RAMP Regional Accelerator, an important program helping startup businesses here in the Valley. We’ve got a great show ahead, so sit back, relax and learn how ROANOKE WOMEN ARE CHANGING THE WORLD!

Our second episode is a great one to get to know the Roanoke region and the amazing people in it! First we’ll chat with writer Mason Adams about his feature on Roanoke’s iconic skyline. Next we’ll sit down with realtors Hal and Kris Cone to chat about changes and trends in the local real estate market as well as their fun videos sharing why Roanoke is such an amazing place to call home. Finally, you can’t miss our last segment that’s sure to be SUPER fun with the Super Carlin Brothers! They’re two of our 40 Under 40 Class of 2023 winners, and we can’t wait to share all the good things they’re doing for our community through their content creation. So sit back and relax, and get ready to love local in this episode!

Our first episode is all about the great things to do, play, eat, drink and know about our region! Get outdoors with recommendations from local content creator and new Roanoker columnist Genya Kalinina of Best of Roanoke, then chat with Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce president Eric Sichau about their new publication, VBR Life, as well as learn more about how the Chamber is helping our region’s businesses. Last but not least, we sit down with popular food evangelist and Roanoker dining photographer John Park, who will share his recommendations on the best places in Virginia’s Blue Ridge to go for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Go ahead and plan to grab a bite after listening to this episode!