Greetings from
Return to Roots!
In this issue:
Help Return
to Roots Help You!
Our mission is to encourage people to join the Southwest
Virginia community through the processes of promoting communities, advertising
careers, and establishing businesses. We pursue our goal through
the website, direct mail, news media, and social networking to inform
employers and job seekers of the opportunities within Southwest Virginia.
Because Return to Roots is managed by a non-profit organization,
we routinely apply for various grant-funding to help cover all of our
expense requirements. Recently, we were awarded a matching grant
of $50,000 as a result of our efforts, which requires us to raise $50,000
on our own. Consequently, we are looking to you to assist us with
our fundraising labors. This allows us to double the grant value
and generate $100,000 for Return to Roots!
Matching grants can be interpreted in several different
ways. Generally, awarding matching grants shows that the organization
believes in the cause, but wants to see how others in the community feel
about it. This is our opportunity to show that our local communities
support the mission and efforts of Return to Roots.
We would appreciate donations in the amounts of $25, $50,
$75, or $100. Your donations will go towards continuing to make
the Return to Roots program operable, and because we are a non-profit
organization, your donation would be tax deductible. We are accepting
donations through both click-and-pledge and personal checks sent through
the mail. Please make checks payable to Virginia Economic Bridge
and include ‘Return to Roots’ in the memo field.
We thank you for your support and promise to continue to
promote the region as best as we possibly can.
Mailing Address:
Return to Roots
c/o Virginia Economic Bridge
P.O. Box 3768
Radford, VA 24143 |
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Return to Roots Hosts the First Annual
Southwest Virginia Business Showcase & Job Fair
RADFORD, Va., July
28, 2009 - Return to Roots is hosting the First Annual Southwest
Virginia Business Showcase & Job Fair in the Grand Hall of the Southwest
Virginia Higher Education Center, Saturday, August 8, 2009 from 9:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. This event is being held in conjunction with the Virginia
Highlands Festival, which runs from July 25 to August 9, 2009 in Abingdon,
Virginia.
Over the past three years, Return to Roots has consistently worked to
promote the economic development of, as well as the lifestyle enjoyed
in, Southwest Virginia. Hosting this event is an enormous way to highlight
both aspects at once.
Sponsors of the event include Alpha Natural Resources, CGI, Dominion,
and eTechSecurity, with limited space still available for other companies
and organizations to occupy.
As a Virginia Highlands Festival Affiliate Partner, our event will be
included in the three-week period of outreach directed at the 270,000
visitors planning to attend the festival. The Southwest Virginia Business
Showcase & Job Fair will also be targeted towards approximately 24,000
students attending the colleges of Southwest Virginia.
Attendees are invited to meet potential employers and make professional
contacts. There will be a $2 admission fee for attendees and children
12 and under are free. Giveaways and door prizes will be provided by showcase
businesses.
GOVERNOR KAINE
ANNOUNCES CGI EXPANSION IN RUSSELL COUNTY
High-tech company to create 100 new information
technology jobs
RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine
today announced that CGI, the wholly owned U.S. operating subsidiary of
CGI Group Inc., will add 100 positions to its software development and
systems integration facility in the Russell County Government Center in
Lebanon. CGI provides information technology (IT) services to the government
and private sector.
"When CGI committed to Russell County in 2005 they brought job opportunities
to help rejuvenate the region’s economy," said Governor Kaine.
"This company has been instrumental in creating the rural IT model
for Southwest Virginia and I am thrilled CGI will add another 100 skilled
positions to its current base of 290."
Read
More...
GOVERNOR KAINE
ANNOUNCES 70 NEW JOBS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY
Columbus McKinnon Corporation to invest $5 million
in Damascus operation
RICHMOND – Governor
Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a
leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products,
plans to invest approximately $5 million in its Damascus Hoist Division
operations in Washington County. This investment is part of a corporate
restructuring that will consolidate part of its hoist operations into
the Damascus plant. The project expects to create approximately 70 new
jobs and retain 174 current positions. Virginia successfully competed
against three other states for these jobs.
"Retaining the Columbus McKinnon Hoist Division operations in the
region is crucial -- the company is a major contributor to Washington
County," Governor Kaine said. "This latest expansion and investment
is welcome news during tough economic times for the county, state, and
nation."
Read
More...
Send
Us Your Success Stories!
We are continuously looking for success stories
to feature on our website. We would love to hear from you if
you have been interviewed or hired by anyone using the Return
to Roots program since registering with us.If you have a success
story, please email Carl Mitchell, Program Manager, cmitchell@vebinc.org.
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Interesting Jobs Available!
Position:
Client Services Specialist
Target: Mid Career (2+ years of experience)
Employer: Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Location: Norton - Virginia
Description: Commonwealth Catholic Charities is seeking
a candidate for the full time position in the Therapeutic Foster Care
Program at our Norton, Virginia office. This position is responsible for
assisting social workers and foster parents by providing support services.
These duties include providing transportation to clients; assisting with
program activities; providing supervision for visitation between parent
and child; mentoring youth; coordinating Independent Living classes; and
recording case notes. Must possess a good understanding of adolescence
and behavior management. Bachelor's degree in social work or related field
with one year experience or associate degree in related field with two
or more years of experience required. Send resumes to human resources,
1024 Park Avenue, NW, Norton, VA 24273, fax to 276-679-2719 or email human.resources@cccofva.org.
CCC is an equal opportunity employer.
Position: Social Worker - Therapeutic
Foster Care
Target: Mid Career (2+ years of experience)
Employer: Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Location: Norton - Virginia
Description: Commonwealth Catholic Charities is seeking
full-time social worker in the Norton, VA office to provide foster care
services to foster care children with behavioral and/or emotional challenges.
We offer a competitive salary and benefits. MSW or graduate level degree
in related field required. Send resumes to human resources, 1024 Park
Avenue, NW, Norton, VA 24273, fax to 276-679-2719 or email human.resources@cccofva.org.
CCC is an equal opportunity employer.
Position:
Hospitalist
Target: Mid Career (2+ years of experience)
Employer: Wythe County Community Hospital
Location: Wytheville, Virginia
Description:
Due to growth, Wythe County Community Hospital's existing
hospitalist program needs to add an additional physician. Currently,
two full-time doctors and a nurse practitioner perform the duties of caring
for inpatients. We prefer med/peds, family medicine, or internal
medicine with critical care background. Hospitalist experience would
be ideal. Physicians will provide care to patients of all age groups
in a full-service acute care facility. This position is a one-week-on
and one-week-off schedule with 8 am - 5pm and 5 pm - 8 am shifts available.
The hospitalist can expect 20 shifts per month. The physician must
have experience as a hospitalist or have specific hospitalist training.
The board certified or eligible doctor must have a strong work ethic and
excellent communication skills.
Salary Range: $170,000 - $175,000
This is a hospital employed position with a range of full
benefits. Hospital offers sign-on bonus, relocation, student
loan repayment and stipend for last year residents. The area does not
qualify for J-1 Visa candidates. No H1B positions available.
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College
in Southwest Virginia to provide free footwear internationally
Feet.
They've always gotten a bad rap for their dirty, stinky,
toe-jammy ways, but without them, you're just your average footless Joe.
Sure, they can be an ugly pair (some uglier than others, no doubt) but
learning how to harness the power of the footsy can give you unlimited
control of the entire body, from alleviating simple ailments to warding
off dangerous infections.
Without proper protection, feet are serious prey for menacing
bacteria, parasites, and fungi that just looooove a pretty bare foot to
walk by and hitch a ride. And while minding our footsies doesn't seem
like much of a problem in our own world, thousands of miles away in countries
like Honduras, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, a pedi and a pair
of nice sneaks are a hard thing to come by. What is a poor, dirty foot
to do?
-Kelly Kapetanakis
Read
More...
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"JobQuest" Broadcasts
Good News, Optimism
The July 7 episode of
"JobQuest" featured an exclusive interview with Virginia Governor
Tim Kaine, who discussed economic issues and the challenges facing many
Blue Ridge PBS communities.
(See the interview) Julie Newman, "JobQuest" host and executive
producer, said the Kaine interview is an example of how Blue Ridge PBS
and its partners are expanding the program and trying to help more people
in need.
"We are reaching out to decision makers, like Governor Kaine, who
have important information for job seekers," said "With greater
use of social networking tools, such as Twitter, we are connecting more
people to 'JobQuest' and all the helpful content that we have available
on air and online."
Volunteer Tweeters (seen below) were live in the Blue Ridge PBS studio
for the show, using Twitter.com to write online microblogs about the Kaine
interview and other "JobQuest" content. Heather Jacobson, one
of the "Blue Ridge PBS Tweety Birds," used a Twitter Tweetersconnection
to find a new job after learning that her previous position would be eliminated.
"Using Twitter, I've been able to form personal and professional
networks to discuss social networking and how they can enhance our marketing
efforts," she said. "Having had the opportunity to live Tweet
during 'JobQuest,' I was able to witness firsthand the power of social
networking and Twitter. The response on the phones and in Twitterville
was overwhelming."
During the July episode, Susan Geary, "JobQuest's" resume expert,
continued her ongoing series with helpful hints about 'digital dirt,'
showing viewers how to clean up their online profile that could keep them
from being hired. Another special program highlight was a mock interview,
helping decode common questions and develop effective answers. "JobQuest"
also featured an additional 60 new job openings from across the region,
and human resources experts were once again available at the "JobQuest"
phone bank and chat room to answer questions.
"JobQuest" continues Tuesday, August 4 at 7 p.m. with another
live, information-packed broadcast.
Email JobQuest at
jobquest@blueridgepbs.org
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Virginia's Great Southwest
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.
Where's Your Competition?
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!
Local Events of SWVA
East Mont Tomato Festival
There will be contests for biggest, best-tasting
and funniest-looking tomatoes, along with tomato sandwiches, soups, pizzas
and fried green tomatoes for sale, a tomato "catsupult" and
Farmers Market vendors.
Are you one hot tomato? You could be crowned as tomato royalty in this
year's tomato festival!!!
Fill out a pageant entry form!!! There are no entry fees, and everyone
is eligible within the listed age groups!!! Entry forms are available
at the Meadowbrook Center
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Meadowbrook Center, Shawsville, VA
www.eastmonttomatofestival.com
or Contact- 540-382-6975
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
Highands Festival
Join us for the 2009 Virginia Highlands Festival
July 25 - August 9
The Virginia Highlands Festival began in 1948
and, over the years, has grown and flourished. Today it is one of the
top 100 tourist events in North America and one of the top 20 in the Southeast
-- offering plenty of entertainment, an enormous antiques market, juried
art and photography competitions, and a juried arts and crafts show, as
well as nationally-known writers, lecturers, and visual and performing
artists.
Vist The
Virginia Highlands Festival's Website for more information.
The Wizard of Oz
Location: Abingdon, VA
127 West Main St.
Abingdon, VA 24142
Various Dates and times throughout the month.
Dorothy's not in Kansas anymore as a twister
hits her farm and carries her "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
Join Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion as they go "Off
to See the Wizard" in one of the most beloved family stories of all
time!
For All Showtimes, click
here.
Barter Theatre
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.
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, August 4th at 7:00 PM.
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