Gene Marrano

Hunter Hayes

Hunter Hayes (center) with Roanoke City high school students

Roanoke City Schools celebrates 5 years of partnership with VH-1’s “Save the Music Foundation,” at a special concert tonight. Save the Music has issued $510,000 in grants to Roanoke City for music education and instruments. Country Music star Hunter Hayes will be on hand to mark the occasion … the 23-year-old Hayes is a VH1 Save the Music Foundation ambassador … He was also at an event this morning. He spoke with WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

 

 

Mill Mountain Garden Club

Mill Mountain Garden Club at work

They call it a “modified lasagna garden,” … piles of leaves and newspapers being spread out in deep layers today on Mill Mountain Garden Club plots near the zoo – an effort to keep invasive species out of the area until its replanted in the spring.   A grant from Garden Club of America helped pay for the removal of invasive plants earlier this Fall – and today’s “modified lasagna” composting. Kay Bolling is a garden club member.  She spoke with WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

 

 

 

wfirsmallThe City Council-supported Annual Neighborhood Partnership Awards made its debut last Friday night … as Roanoke cited residents working to make a difference. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:

 

Complete list of  2014 Neighborhood Partnership Awards winners:

The Roanoke Valley Community Garden Association, Inc. received the
Neighborhood-Community Partnership Award. That award recognizes the
contributions made by a business, nonprofit, school and/or other
institution to improve the surrounding neighborhood/community.

Mr. Tim Taylor of the Old Southwest neighborhood received the
Neighborhood Unsung Hero Award. That award recognizes one’s volunteer
service to their neighborhood.

Ms. Amy Morgan, President of Belmont Neighborhood Watch Association
received the Neighborhood Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award.
That award recognizes one’s volunteer leadership service to their
neighborhood.

The Riverdale Grandview Heights Neighborhood Watch Association
received the Neighborhood Communications Award. That award recognizes
excellence in getting the word out.

The Roanoke Sheriff’s Department received the Neighborhood-City
Partnership Award. That award recognizes a city department or
employee who assisted and/or provided resources to a neighborhood
organization on a project, program, or activity that
improved/ enhanced the neighborhood’s quality of life.

Gainsborough SW Community Organizations, Inc. received the
Neighborhood Improvement Award. That award recognizes a
project/activity that improves/enhances the neighborhood’s quality of
life.

Frank Smith III received the Neighborhood Youth Volunteer Award. That
award recognizes a youth’s service to Roanoke’s neighborhoods.

Mr. Ben Burch, President of the Airlee Court Neighborhood Watch
Association received the Neighborhood All-Star Award. That award
recognizes the exceptional accomplishments achieved by an eligible
organization/individual.