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CHAMBER EVENTS | |
MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON
On Monday, June 21, at 12 noon the Chamber will host a luncheon at Calfee Park
to welcome back the Pulaski Mariners for another enjoyable season of
baseball. Cost per attendee will be the same as last year ($13 per person).
Cook-out type food will be served.
THANKS TO ALL THE SPONSORS:
Major League Sponsorships:
The Southwest Times
Town of Pulaski
Minor Triple "A" Sponsorships:
Barbour & Simpkins, LLP
County of Pulaski Pulaski Area Transit
Minor Double "A" sponsorships:
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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
E-letter: Beginning August 1, sponsorship E-letters for remainder of 2010. The cost is $50 per month.
Quarterly Chamber Connection: $200 per issue:
3rd quarter sponsorship: to go out in late Sept.
(inserts due Thursday, Sept. 23)
4th quarter sponsorship: to go out early Dec.
(inserts due Thursday, December 2)
Contact the Chamber office to sponsor one of this year's remaining issues.
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2010 VIRGINIA LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW SEMINAR
Once again this year, the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce will be co-sponsoring this seminar to be presented by Baker,Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC. It will be held on Thursday, September 2 at Hungry Mother State Park. Any member of our Chamber will get $25 off the $125 registration fee for the seminar. For more information and/or to register, contact Laralee F. Harkleroad at (423) 928-0181or e-mail: lharkleroad@bakerdonelson.com
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EMPOWERING THE CHANGE!
A seminar & workshop promoting a drug free community
Wednesday, September 15
8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
At NRV Competitiveness Center
Pulaski Community Partners Coalition and the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce will be bringing area agencies and individuals together to learn about Environmental Strategies and how we can implement them in our community.
Our morning speaker will be Shannon Weatherly from the President's Office on National Drug Control Policy. This is a rare chance to tap into the prevention knowledge, insight and expertise that someone at this level can bring. We need your expertise at the table so please plan on attending! Official invitations will go out in in August.
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CHECK OUT THE CHAMBER'S FACE BOOK, BECOME A FAN, AND SEE THE PICTURES FROM O
UR RECENT ANNUAL MEETING, RIBBON CUTTINGS, AND BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
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| NEW MEMBERS | |
The Inn At Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center
Traci Collins, Sales Manager
901 Prices Fork Road, MC:0104
Blacksburg, VA 24061
(540) 231-8000
Fax: (540) 231-0017
Virginia Stone & Brick Designs, Inc.
Darren J. Lucas, Owner
1201 East Main Street
Pulaski, VA 24301
Mail: P. O. Box 37
Riner, VA 24149
(540) 357-1434
Friends of Claytor Lake, Inc.
Darla Jennings
P. O. Box 815
Pulaski, VA 24301
(540) 674-0166
Greater Pulaski Alliance
Ms. Shirley Bandy
P. O. Box 660
Pulaski, VA 24301
(540) 980-4200
Express Employment Professionals
Garry D. Norris, CEO & Owner
1109 Electric Road
Salem, VA 24153
(540) 389-8979
Fax: (540) 389-8976
Lea Wall
2279 Wintergreen Drive
Radford, VA 24141
(540) 230-4005
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BUSINESS TIDBITS | |
FIVE WAYS FOR CONSUMERS TO GET THEIR STATUS FIX
Continuing our thinking of the past few weeks in this section on "Statusphere,"
this week we will look at the first of 5 ways that consumers can get their status fix:
Traditional "luxury lust" is here to stay. Traditional consumption is about buying, enjoying, and showing off
more and/or better stuff than fellow consumers. This is sometimes dubbed the "Bigger, Better, Harder" realm, which is by no means dead. The recession is just a blip on the radar when it comes to some consumers' appetite for expensive, in-your-face brands and products that feed off status anxiety. Even if
(a big if) conspicuous consumption were ever to subside significantly in mature consumer societies, then count on the emerging middle classes in China, India, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, Nigeria, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mexico and Brazil to pick up the slack.
Audi's A8 is sold in China only in "L" long-wheelbase form, as "anyone who is anyone gets chauffeured around in China."
Here are a few more telling statistics from the April 29, 2010 New York Times, about that most traditional
of status symbols, big, luxury cars:
* Sales of Mercedes-Benz cars in China soared 112% in the first quarter of
2010, to 23,600 vehicles.
* Rolls Royce says that sales in China, its third-largest market after the US and
Britain, rose 200% in the first quarter of 2010.
* SUV sales in China are expected to double, from 847,000 units per year
to 1.54 million in 2015.
* The Austrian Traffic Club said the number of registrations of SUVs showed a 22.5%
year-on-year increase in 2009.
The World Bank estimates that the global middle class is likely to grow from 430 million in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2030. China and India will account for two-thirds of the expansion.
This is not to say there is no change within the traditional bigger, better, harder realm: One desire that is getting stronger than all other demands remains the desire to be unique. Consumers no longer all want to be like the Joneses. When individuality is the new ideal, owning or experiencing something no one else has is the ultimate status fix.
Experiences are now greatly sought after. They are not only inherently more unique, they also do a better job of providing instant gratification: they're often more affordable,and thus more plentiful, than old-world, tangible status symbols. Status stories are becoming more attractive and prevalent. As experiences and non-consumption-related expenditures take over from physical (and more visible) status symbols, consumers will increasingly have to tell each other stories to achieve a status dividend from their purchases. Expect a shift from brands telling a story, to brands helping consumers tell their own status-yielding stories to other consumers.
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| "GOING GREEN" TIDBITS | |
RECYCLING 1 TON OF PAPER SAVES:
* 17 mature trees
* 7,000 gallons of water
* 3 cubic yards of landfill space
* 2 barrels of oil; and
* 4,100 kw hours of electricity (enough to power a home for 5 months)
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* 500,000 --- number of treees cut down to produce each week's Sunday newspapers
* 25,000,000 --- number of trees saved a year IF every American recycled just 1/10 of their newspapers
* 75,000 --- number of trees saved recycling a single run of the Sunday New York Times
* 250,000,000 --- number of trees saved if all our newspaper was recycled
* The average American uses 7 trees a year
* 1 Billion --- estimated number of trees worth of paper thrown away every year in the US
* 85,000,000 Tons --- amount of paper Americans use per year
* 17 trees saved can absorb a total of 250 pounds of carbon diioxide; burning 17 trees would
create 1500 pounds of carbon dioxide
* More than 56% of paper consumed in the US in 2007 was recycled! That equals 360 pounds for
each person in the Country!
* 400 paper mills use recovered materials for their paper producing process. |
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HEALTH HINTS | |
JUNE IS NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH
Each June, the National Safety Council encourages businesses to get involved and participate in National Safety Month. Each week carries a theme that brings attention to critical safety issues.
Week 4 June 21 - 27 Dangers of Cell Phone Use While Driving
An estimated 28 percent of all traffic crashes -- or 1.6 million each year -- are caused by drivers using cell phones and texting. Cell phone use has increased dramatically during the last 15 years. According to NGTSA, an estimated 11 percent of drivers are talking on cell phones at any point of the day. We need to reverse this alarming trend. Even if you aren't using your phone while driving, it's important to be aware of others who are and to drive defensively.
Week 5 June 28 - 30 Summer Safety
Summer is a great time to be outdoors; however, being exposed to hot weather for too long can result in serious health problems. In 2006, between the months of May to August, 611 unintentional-injury deaths occurred due to heat exposure. Take precautions to prevent heat related illnesses and monitor children and the elderly during heat waves.
Summer is also a time of increased travel on our nation's roads. Fatalities between motorists and motorcycle riders have increased 131 percent between 1998 and 200-8. Remember to watch for motorcyclists this summer when navigating the roadways. |
| KUDOS & RECOGNITIONS | |
KUDOS:
....to all the young people who entered the "Passport to Fun" Coloring Contest recently sponsored by
The Southwest Times and the Chamber. They were asked to color 10 different pictures of various land-marks in Pulaski County, such as the New River Trail, Claytor Lake State Park, Gatewood, Reservoir, and Randolph Park. This was part of the Chamber's "Experience Pulaski County Passport Program" which the Chamber is sponsoring this summer for all ages.
RECOGNITION
COUNTY OF PULASKI
Employees for the Month of April 2010 are Latisha Gallimore and Nicole Hager.
Latisha Gallimore began her employment with the Pulaski County Department of Social Services in November, 2005 as a Social Worker in the Child Protective Services Unit. As a Child Protective Services Social Worker, it is Ms. Gallimore's responsibility to investigate Child Abuse and Neglect in Pulaski County. She is responsible for interviewing victims, alleged abusers and/or neglectors, witnesses and collaterals, which includes home visits, school visits and a great deal of court involvement. As a Social Worker with the Pulaski County Department of Social Services, Ms. Gallimore also has to perform an on-call duty rotation being available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. She attended Radford University and double-majored in Criminal Justice and Psychology. She then received her Master's Degree in Criminal Justice from Radford University.
Nicole Hager came to work at Pulaski County Department of Social Services in March 1999. She was hired in the Benefit Program Unit as a generic elibibility worker learning program policy for all three of the major benefit programs: SNAP (formerly Food Stamps); Medicaid; and TANF (temporary assistance for needy families). She handles all aspects of the programs, intake and ongoing, including interviewing clients, completing eligibility determinations, accessing on-line automated verification systems, providing program information and explaining specific program policy. Ms. Hager has to meet multiple deadlines in maintaining her caseload in addition to covering for other workers when they are absent.
A native of Wythe County, Ms. Hager is a graduate of Fort Chiswell High High School. She received an Associates degree in General Studies from Wytheville Community College and went to Radford University where she received a BS in Psychology with a minor in Social Work. She and her husband, Tommy, and their two daughters live in Max Meadows. She spends a lot of her time involved with her children's activities. She coaches recreational cheerleading and chauffeurs her children to AAU basketball games. Ms. Hager is a member of Pioneer Baptist Church in Max Meadows where she teaches Sunday School and volunteers for community outreach activities. In her spare time, she enjoys reading.
Pulaski County Department of Social Services is fortunate to have Ms. Hager as an employee and is proud to recognize her as Employee of the Month for her commitment and years of service to the Agency.
The Employee of the Month for June 2010 is Corporal W. A. Ratcliff, whoc has been employed by the Town of Pulaski since January 2006.
For the past two years, Corporal Ratcliff has been the Police Department's coordinator for our local segment of the Commonwealth's Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run. The event this year was held on Sunday, June 6thg and included fifteen runners representing the Pulaski Police and Sheriff's Departments. Dorporal Ratcliff has worked for the past six months coordinating with agencies throughout the State to set up the event. He personally paid for supplies to support the Police Department's participation. To date, he has helped raise $260 that will go directly to the Special Olympics project.
In addition to the honor of receiving the Employee of the Month Award, Corporal Ratcliff will receive an additional paid day off from the Town and be eligible for the Employee of the Year Award at the end of the year.
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| THOUGHT OF THE WEEK | |
"Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."
Atticus Finch in "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee (1960) |
MEMBER & COMMUNITY EVENTS
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NEW RIVER RESOURCE AUTHORITY: PUBLIC NOTICE
The New River Resource Authority (NRRA) has received an unsolicited proposal under the PPEA for a landfill gas-to-energy project. The PPEA submittal includes obtaining all required permits, installation of a LFG fueled electric power generation system, and interconnect with existing electrical power distribution system. The proposal will be evaluated and NRRA may negotiate an interim or comprehensive agreement with the proposer based on the proposal. NRRA will receive for simultaneous consideration any competing proposals that comply with the procedures adopted by the NRRA and the PPEA. If you have questions, pleases contact Joe Levine at (540) 674-1677 or jlevine@wildblue.netTo be considered, the original and three (3) copies of the proposal should be forwarded to New River Resource Authority, P. O. Box 1246, Dublin, VA 24084 no later than 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27, 2010. The submittal should be clearly marked "NRRA LFG-to-Energy Project."
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SOUTHWEST TIMES DIGITIZATION PROJECT
IMAGINE:
*Being able to read an actual copy of The Southwest Times from the late 1800's or anytime since then.
*Seeing the wedding announcements of your parents, grandparents or great grandparents.
*Viewing ads from businesses that used to be or are still in Pulaski County.
*Experiencing life the way it was in Pulaski County for over 100 years.
*Seeing how history has affected life in Pulaski County.
*Being able to type in a name, event, business or landmark and finding all references of it in the newspaper for over 100 years.
WHY:
*Paper copies are deteriorating.
*Microfilm is becoming old technology, and is hard to use.
*Equipment used to view microfilm is very expensive to replace.
*Key word searching capabilities.
*It is our small town history and if we don't preserve it, we can't expect that anyone else will.
*Will be available by Internet to anyone, anywhere, anytime for FREE.
There is a demo you can experience by going to www.pclibs.org and clicking on the Digitization Project button. Located there is Jan. - June of 1929 and October - December of 1955. Soon to be added is parts of 1945, 1965, and 1975 available on the demo site.
Contributions toward this project are being accepted by The Friends of the Pulaski County
Library.
The goal is to have this project available online September 31, 2010.
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NRCC offers online renewal courses:
New River Community College offers the online Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing and Gas Fitting License Renewal courses. These are the three-hour and one-hour continuing education courses that are needed to renew tradesman licenses. These are approved by the Virginia Board of Contractors. Once enrolled, an e-mail will be sent from the instructor, Dan Trent, with a link to go on and a username and password and some instructions. The course may be started at this time. The courses are a total of three hours (Gas Fitting, one hour), but you may take as long as you need to complete those three hours (one hour). Once completed, an e-mail will be sent from Dan Trent stating that you have completed. NRCC will get a copy of that e-mail and will send the report to DPOR informing them of the completion. The cost of the courses are as follows:
Electrical (online) - $45.00
HVAC (online) - $45.00
Plumbing (online) - $45.00
Gas Fitting (online)- $25.00
********************************************************************* Pulaski County United Way will be set up with several of their partner agencies at Calfee
Baseball Park on Thursday, June 24th. The game starts at 7 p.m.
Pulaski County Extension Services and Pulaski Daily Bread are also having a night at Calfee Park later in the summer.
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West Wind Farm Vineyard & Winery
Summer Saturdays: Music, Food, Wine, Non-alcoholic beverages, Fun
July 3, 5 - 8 p.m.: Rock'N Cruisers (Oldies, beach)
Aug. 7, 5 - 8 p.m.: Doc Greenberg's Patient Jazz (Jazz, blues)
Sept. 4, 5 - 8 p.m.: Big Blues Beat (Oldies, blues)
Wine & Swine 2010: Oct. 9, 4 - 7 p.m.: Travelers Revision (Oldies, rock)
$10 admission per person.
For more information, call (276) 699-2020 or visit westwindwine.com
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Representatives from Senator Mark Warner's office will be traveling around the Commonwealth
to meet with individual Virginians who have specific issues dealing with federal agenciesl.
They will be at the Pulaski County Library from 10 a.m. - noon on the third Thursday of each month.
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THE WOW FACTOR: WHERE SERVICE EXCELLENCE STARTS
Free Workshop on Wednesday, June 23, 10 a.m. - noon; Edwards Hall 117 at New River Community College
Bobbie Walker, director of education and workforce readiness with the Virginia Tourism Corporation, will lead participants toward positive behaviors that enhance customer service skills and help give front-line employees the confidence and support needed to shine as hosts.
Register online at nr.edu
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SUMMER READING PROGRAM
June 21 - July 30
Anyone can participate: Any child or teen in pre-school through 12th grade, as well as adults.
For details of related activities, requirements, and prizes, contact Jena Hardy at the Library (540) 980-7770 or e-mail jchardyj@pclibs.org
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ENTREPRENEUR EXPRESS WORKSHOP
Attention Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
You are invited to attend the Entrepreneur Express Workshop on Thursday, August 19, 9 a.m. - 12 noon, at the New River Competitiveness Center, 6580 Valley Center Drive in
Fairlawn.
Sponsored by: Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce; Virginia Economic Bridge; New River Competitiveness Center; Wachovia Bank.
Presented by: Virginia Department of Business Assistance, Virginia
Admissionc is free, but advanced registration is required by August 15.
Register at: www.vastartup.org or call Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce at (540) 674-1991.
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"BOOK" THE ULTIMATE VACATION
at the Coffee Buy the Book Resort.
Take a vacation every week this summer.
Start your journey today: Sign up for your summer package and receive a free membership card that entitles you to a summer of fun for adults and children. For times and events visit the website: www.coffeebuythebook.net or call (540) 980-4427.
****************************************************************************** Historial Tours of the Major Graham Mansion
Will be held on July 18 and 25, and August 15. Come and meet the Grahams, tour the never-before-seen basement with shackle room and see the newly discovered signatures on doors and walls! Indepth history and brochures provided.
Ghost Walk Tours of the Major Graham Mansion will be held on June 13 and August 8. Listen to actual Electronic Voice Phenomena recordings and data collected by their very own Ghostbusters over the past 3 years! Come and meet the SPIRITED tour guides as they tell you the legend, lore, and ghostly tales that surround this historic haunted home.
Tours are $10 per person at the door. Hours are 2 to 4 p.m. The mansion is not handicapped accesssible. Free parking beside the mansion. See www.MajorGrahamMansion.com or call (276) 284-0006 for more information.
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Nesselrod on the New River at 7535 Lee Highway in Fairlawn will present the David Dehart Memorial Concert on Saturday, July 24 at 5 p.m. (rain date: July 25). Featured will be Circus Elephant, Electric Woodshed, and Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers. $20 admission. Visit www.nesselrod.com
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FAIRGROUNDS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
June 28 SW VA Jr. Lamb Symposium (540) 980-7761
July 9-11 Trappers Association (540) 641-9653
July 19-24 New River Valley Fair (540) 674-1548
Sept. 11 Horse Auction (276) 620-6116
Sept. 18-19 Lions Flea Market (540)980-0071
Sept. 25 Lord's Acre Sale (540)980-0631 Oct. 2 Simmental Sale (276)677-3255
Oct. 15-17 High School Rodeo (tentative) (540)980-6914
Nov. 7-8 Lions Christmas Craft Show (540)674-1682
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MONDAY NIGHT BINGO
Sponsored weekly by The Ruritan Road Ruritan Club at the Pulaski Moose Lodge at 4500 McAdams Crossing (off Route 99) in Pulaski. Doors Open at 4:30 p.m., Early Birds start at 6:30 p.m. Basic Admission is $15; Jackpots, WTA available. A community service organization, the club will be donating all net proceeds back to local charities. |
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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RSVP FOR ANY OF THE EVENTS CONTACT THE CHAMBER OFFICE Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce 4440 Cleburne Blvd., Suite B Dublin, VA 24084 Phone: 540-674-1991 E-Mail: pcchamber1@swva.net Website: www.pulaskichamber.info
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