Happy Sunday, Roanokers! I hope you’re enjoying a relaxing weekend and have found a few things to entertain yourself with in our fair city. Here what’s going on around town … lesssgo!

But first, today’s weather:

Mostly cloudy, showers around.

High: 73 Low: 61.

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Here are the top stories in Roanoke today:

1. In recognition of National Literacy Month, the Carilion Clinic Foundation recently held its first ever book fair at its location inside Tanglewood Mall. Patients and their parents received free books and local author Nancy Ruth Patterson was on hand to sign copies of her book, Captain Carilion. “It’s obvious that people are excited about the opportunity to have books to read and are interested in what other new things are out there,” said Chief Development Officer at Carilion Clinic Foundation, Kay Strickland. The organizers were happy with the turnout for the event and said more book fairs will be held in the future. (WSLS)
2. Dr. Robert Gourdie and his team at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute has been doing revolutionary work in the field of delivering medications to the human body. Through their efforts a technique of using milk exosomes the size of the average virus has been developed to send undamaged medications to hard to reach places in the body and he has been chosen to receive the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Annual Junior Achievement Gala as a result. We do the traditional academic stuff. We do rigorous research. We assemble that research into scientific papers that have been peer-reviewed and published. But we also take it a step further if we have an invention that looks like it’s going to be medically useful,” Gourdie said. The gala will be held at the Hotel Roanoke on Nov. 16 (WSLS)
3. Another skunk in Botetourt County has tested positive for rabies and residents near Fincastle are being asked to share the news by Botetourt County Animal Control. The skunk was found on Nov 1 and the Virginia Department of Health test came back Nov 4. One other rabid skunk was found this past summer in the area and recent reports from neighboring Craig County have confirmed a case there as well. As a reminder to residents the Virginia Department of Health says to AVOID contact with wild animals and animals you don’t know and REPORT any unusual behavior in animals you see. (WDBJ)
4. The beginning of the holiday season means the return of the Salvation Army’s kettle bells in front of stores across the area, but this year the Roanoke chapter of the Army says they’re low on volunteers. The Army has 43 locations in mind throughout the area and is trying to raise $125,000 to programs in the roughly month long time period. “We’ve just been pushing it as much as possible and also looking for people from the community to come and volunteer. If you just have an hour or a few hours or a day or whatever you can volunteer, we would love to have you come because that helps us even more,” said Noah Lind with the Roanoke Chapter of the Salvation Army. (WFXR)

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Today in Roanoke:

• Ice Bumper Cars at the Berglund Center Coliseum (Noon)
• ‘Peter & Wendy’ at Mill Mountain Theatre (2 p.m.)
• First Draft: A Generative Writing Workshop and Community Potluck at Ursula’s Cafe (3 p.m.)
• ‘Polar Express’ Drive-In Movie at the Salem Civic Center (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Roanoke Fire EMS Department: “Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our providers who have been recognized by Lewis Gale Medical Center for excellence in stroke and cardiac care!” (Roanoke Fire EMS Department via Facebook)
• Roanoke Valley SPCA: “Mew! The weather might be getting colder, but our cat rooms are still full of wonderful and adoptable cats and kittens. One of the many ways we make our cats’ stay at the Roanoke Valley SPCA great is with Feline Enrichment volunteers!” (Roanoke Valley SPCA via Facebook)
• Straight Street Roanoke Valley: “Thank you Fleet Feet Roanoke for the amazing gift of new shoes! We appreciate your support and generous sacrifice to help support those we are blessed to serve.” (Straight Street Roanoke Valley via Facebook)
• Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board: “Meet Metalsa at Virginia Career Works! Join us for a series of hiring events on Tuesdays Nov. 15, Nov. 29, Dec. 6 from 10am – 1pm at 3601 Thirlane Rd. NW Suite 2 Roanoke, VA 24019.” (Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board via Facebook)

Slow news day, but there you have it. You’re officially in the loop. See you 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. To connect with Ian you can visit him on Facebook and Instagram. He doesn’t bite. Except on full moons.

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