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Greetings from Return to Roots!In this issue:
The 2009 Return to Roots Celebration!
Two years ago this
September, we began an annual celebration of the efforts of so many to
facilitate bringing individuals back to Virginia's Great Southwest! via
the Return to Roots Program! Return to Roots continues
to be a partially grant funded program and we continue to need to raise
funds for several matching grants. As a result, we are continuing a tradition
of success by hosting the 3rd Annual Return to Roots Fundraising Celebration
to support this program and we need your help sponsorship assistance. Click
here to will see what each sponsorship receives in turn for their
gift, which is also tax deductible as Virginia Economic Bridge is a registered
501(c)(3). Return to Roots Hosts the First Annual Southwest Virginia Business Showcase & Job Fair Return to Roots is hosting its first Business
Showcase & Job Fair in the Grand Hall of the Southwest Virginia Higher
Education Center, Saturday, October 8, 2009 from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
with set-up from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Discount |
(0%) |
(5%) |
(10%) |
(15%) |
(20%) |
(+25%) |
Logo Placement |
$150 |
$285 |
$405 |
$765 |
$1440 |
$187 |
Large Sponsorship |
$345 |
$656 |
$932 |
$1761 |
$3315 |
$431 |
Small Sponsorship |
$215 |
$409 |
$580 |
$1225 |
$2064 |
$268 |
Descriptive Sponsorship w/ Logo |
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Banner |
$300 |
$570 |
$810 |
$1530 |
$2880 |
$375 |
Feature Article |
$450 |
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E-Newsletter Sponsorship |
$660 |
$1254 |
$1782 |
$3366 |
$6336 |
$825 |
Sponsor your company or organization here,
in the image space above. Refer to the table above for more information!
For contributing $250.00, you can become a member of the “Purple Shirt Brigade.”
Below are some of the marketing benefits that stem from a $250 contribution:
Your logo will be featured on a separate 2009 Purple Shirt Brigade page on the Return to Roots website. It will be included on a Purple Shirt Brigade PowerPoint slide in the Return to Roots presentation that we will be delivering to every chamber and civic organization throughout the 21 counties and cities included in the Return to Roots region.
You will be acknowledged at the Return to Roots Executive Committee and Strategic Partners Meetings (comprised of 50 local business/civic leaders) during our updates each six weeks.
Lastly, you will receive a Return to Roots “Purple Shirt Brigade” Purple Long Sleeved T-Shirt.
To become a member, you can make check payable to:
Return to Roots
P.O. Box 3768
Radford, Va. 24143
or contribute directly, via our website, www.returntoroots.org.
Microsoft has donated over 10,000 vouchers to Virginians for online technology training in Microsoft programs.
What is being given away?
There are three types of vouchers:
1) Business Worker Voucher. This voucher provides basic skills training
in Windows XP and Office 2007 or Windows Vista and Office 2007.
2) Business Certification Exam Voucher. This voucher tests and certifies
an individual in Microsoft Office 2007 skills.
3) Technical Professional Voucher. This voucher is intended for customers
who are IT Professionals and wish to acquire skills beyond the general
e-learning.
These vouchers are available to ANYONE in Virginia! Therefore, they do not need to be screened or apply.
You have until October 15, 2009 to redeem vouchers. Only one voucher can be issued at a time.
Computer Literacy Program
In the current economic environment of high unemployment rates, especially in rural areas, Virginia's workforce programs' service providers are experiencing an increased volume of job seekers who lack basic computer literacy skills. The Virginia Community College System is providing funds to support the provision of basic computer literacy skill courses. The courses supported by this funding program will introduce participants to Windows, the Internet, graphics and other application software. Upon completion of the course, the participants will receive a certificate or transcript.
To find out more information about these programs and offers, contact
Ronnie Martin, Executive Director
New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Investment Board
(540) 633-6764
rmartin@nrvdc.org
A series of entrepreneurial business and management workshops are being held across Virginia to assist new business startups and existing small businesses!
These workshops are designed to provide information on available business resources and deliver practical, hands-on training covering key elements of business practice. Workshop segments will include information on how to start and operate a business, growing an existing business, marketing strategies, financing and available resources.
Upcoming Events
Bristol VA/TN Entrpreneur Express Workshop
Location: Bristol, TN
King College Student Center
Date: September 17, 2009
Time: 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Dickenson Center for Education and Research
Dickenson County Technology Park
Clintwood, VA
Date: October 15, 2009
Time: 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Southwest Regional Enterprise Center
1117 East Stuart Drive
Galax, VA
Date: October 29, 2009
Time: 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Smyth Career and Technology Center
Exit 39 Off I-81
Seven Mile Ford, VA
Date: November 05, 2009
Time: 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Virginia Western Community College
Whitman Auditorium
Colonial Avenue
Roanoke, VA
Date: November 06, 2009
Time: 08:30 AM to 12:00 PM
The most recent episode
of "JobQuest," which aired Aug. 4, offered job hunting advice
for people over age 50, web-savvy social networkers, and everyone in between.
The show featured a special interview with Carl McDaniels, a retired Virginia
Tech professor who is familiar with job search strategies for older workers.
The "Blue Ridge PBS Tweety Birds" were also back in the studio
using Twitter.com to share the valuable jobhunting information on "JobQuest."
"The ongoing recession is affecting people young and old, so we're
trying to provide information that is helpful to job seekers of all ages,"
said Julie Newman, "JobQuest" executive producer and host. "We're
also utilizing a wide variety of communication tools, like the Internet
and a toll-free phone number, so we can connect with as many people as
possible."
McDaniels, who wrote a careers column in USAToday online for over-50 workers,
offered tips for older job seekers. He said, for example, people over
50 often have many more personal and professional contacts than younger
job seekers. Such contacts can be extremely helpful when networking for
a new job.
Additional "JobQuest" highlights included 60 new job listings
from across the region. Susan Geary, the "JobQuest" resume expert,
continued her ongoing series with helpful hints for how to effectively
complete a job application online or on paper. Human resources experts
were once again available at the phone bank to answer questions. "JobQuest"
also concluded a two-part series on how to decode common interview questions
and develop effective answers.
"JobQuest" continues Tuesday, September 8th at 7 p.m. with another
live, information-packed broadcast.
Email JobQuest at
jobquest@blueridgepbs.org
Are you or someone you know interested in returning to or living inVirginia’s Great Southwest? Be sure to visit www.swvaonline.org. This website provides information for locals, tourists, visitors and for newcomers relocating to Southwest Virginia.
Who's looking at you?
The Image you see above represents the number of viewers we have had and their respective locations over the last 90 days. Take a look! You may be surprised!
GrahamFest 2009!
September 5-6
Josiah's GrahamFest 2009 "Comin' Home" festival is like no other music festival. GrahamFest is the PERFECT Labor Day weekend escape! You'll be dazzled by the entertainment, melt into the scenic views, and gasp at the Graham Mansion stories of life during the Civil War, an 18th century murder, and of course, its ghosts.
Supervisor Development:
The Effective Supervisor
Fall 2009
This five-session program provides supervisors, team leaders or individuals who want to move into leadership roles within their organizations the skills necessary to meet the challenges of an ever-changing and fast-moving work environment. Achieving results through others is the hallmark of an effective supervisor, and this certification program provides a supervisor with insights into their own personal leadership, their impact on employee motivation and performance, and their team's ability to implement company or organizational strategies.
Each highly interactive session gives individuals the opportunity to participate at both the individual and group level through exercise and case studies. In addition to the competency-based and skill-building sessions, participants will be provided supplemental reading and will be introduced to an experienced mentor who will support him or her throughout the program.
Training funds available on a first come, first serve basis.
For more information on the program visit http://svtdc.org/programs/supervisory-development/
Bristol Rhythm
and Roots Reunion!
9th Annual Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion September 18-20, 2009 celebrating Bristol's musical heritage
Performers to include:
Patty Loveless, The Dan Tyminski Band, Dr. Dog, Gene Watson, Tim O'Brien, Darrell Scott, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Jason Isbell & The
400 Unit, Scythian, Dailey & Vincent, John Cowan and more…
For more information and ticket information, please visit www.bristolrhythm.com
Seventh Annual New Works Exhibit featuring work that has not been shown at the Hayloft Gallery 10-5 until September 20 www.jacksonvillecenter.org The Jacksonville Center for the Arts 220 Parkway Lane South, Floyd, VA
Chilhowie Apple Festival
www.chilhowieapplefestival.com
Planting
Seeds of Hope
September 25-27, 2009
Each year in the early golden days of autumn, folks from all over gather in Chilhowie, Virginia, to celebrate. It is Apple Festival time once again. A time to greet old friends and meet new ones, a time for the splendor of marching bands, beauty queens, and spicy sweet apples. It is a time to enjoy the goodness of life and to give thanks for the bounty of our families, friends, homes, businesses, and farms.
The Williams Orchard
Our Fall Festival is great for everyone in your family!
Every weekend in October, we celebrate on Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday 1-5.
You can pick your own pumpkins, visit the corn mazes, take a hayride, see the amazing pumpkin chunker and shoot an apple launcher!
Hayride
to Pumpkin Patch: ages 6 and up - $2; ages 5 and under - FREE.
Hayride to Pumpkin
Patch and Corn: ages 6 and up - $8; ages 5 and under - FREE.
"Mini Milo Maze" : $1 per person for all ages.
Pumpkins, gourds, etc in the Patch are .40 per pound.
Come and see what produce and fall decorations we have to offer! Group
rates available!
Radford Fiddle and Banjo Jam at The
Coffee Mill
The Radford Fiddle and Banjo Jam is a bluegrass
jam session held every Monday in the intimate environment of The Coffee
Mill. Bring an instrument or just listen to the sounds of bluegrass and
old-time mountain music played by local musicians. The jam appeals to
a cross-section of folks, from old-school bluegrass fans to college students.
A large crowd gathers every Monday, so get your table early. The Coffee
Mill offers a selection of sandwiches, coffees, espresso drinks, pastries
and desserts. The cafe hosts other musical events on Friday evenings.
1144 East Main St.
Radford, VA
Admission is free
www.radfordfiddle.com
Friday Nights
Live at
Cheateau Morrisette
The winery courtyard sets the perfect scene for Friday
Nights Live. Each third Friday from June through September, local musicians
will perform rock & roll and alternative music from 6:00- 9:00pm.
Our grill will be open selling food, wine and beer. Bring your own seating!
$8 per person. Rain or shine.
Location: Chateau Morrisette
287 Winery Road SW
Floyd, VA 24091
Contact: www.thedogs.com
Appalachian Trail: Garden Mountain,
Chestnut Ridge, & Brushy Mountain
Location: Bland County, Virginia
This saunter over Chestnut Ridge to Poor Valley and over Lynn Camp and Brushy Mountains offers the kind of remote, wild feeling for which the southern Appalachian Trail is known. The American chestnut that gave the ridge its name no longer survives, but there is still plenty to enjoy: the lush farmland of Burkes Garden, a spring-fed pond for cooling off, the stillness of the deep woods of Beartow...
To learn more, click here.
Playing Now at The Barter
Theatre
"A funny feel-good musical for all ages!" It is February 9, 1964, and four young male singers have landed their first big gig at an airport bar, but on the way to pick up their tuxes, they are slammed broadside by a busload of Catholic teenagers. That's where our story begins, as the boys are given a second chance to fulfill their dreams and perform the concert that never was. Singing in delicious '50s four-part harmony, the boys will serenade you with "Three Coins in the Fountain," "Sixteen Tons," "Chain Gang," "Heart and Soul" and "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing."
Blue Ridge PBS JobQuest
Join Blue Ridge PBS in a community service partnership addressing the employment challenges facing our citizens. JobQuest—a monthly one-hour program broadcast live from the Blue Ridge PBS studio– make job seekers aware of job openings in our region.
The program is a partnership with Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc., the Return to Roots program and other organizations and area business resources. Employment experts and local leaders are on hand to share their insights on the local job market. Human resource experts from the area are in the studio to take viewer calls and offer tips on the hiring process. JobQuest is a high-definition production of Blue Ridge PBS.
To learn more click here.
The next hour-long program will be aired on Tuesday, September 8th at 7:00 PM.
