Chamber Connection

Once again this year, the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce will be co-sponsoring this seminar to be presented by Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkiwitz, 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) 928-0181 or e-mail:

lharkleroad@bakerdonelson.com

Check out the Chamber's Facebook; Become a Fan, and see event pictures, upcoming events and updates from your Chamber.

NEW MEMBERS

State Farm, Deanie Hall Agency

Deanie R. Hall, Agent

106 Town Center

P. O. Box 418

Dublin, VA 24084

(540) 674-52285

Fax: (540) 674-8743

E-mail: deannie.hall.m2go@statefarm.com

Web-site: www.deanniehallagency.com

(insurance agency)

Cripple Creek Music Hall

Stephen M. Hensley

P. O. Box 942

Pulaski, VA 24301

(540) 819-0057

E-mail: mhensley@admin.nmt.edu

gogreenNRV

Christy Straight, Secretary

NRVPDC

6580 Valley Center Dr., Suite 124

Fairlawn, VA 24141

(540) 639-9313, X 209

Fax: (540) 831=6093

E-mail: cstraight@nrvpdc.org

BUSINESS TIDBITS

Why Green Marketing?

In this contemporary world, an ecological issue such as global warming interests both the marketing practitioners as well as the consumers. The term "green marketing" simply denotes all the activities intended to generate as well as facilitate any exchange in order to satisfy human needs such that satisfying these needs happen with the most minimal input on the environment. Companies all across the globe have started differentiating their products and services by using go-green concern and have started utilizing the ecological marketing approach as a mere competitive edge.

This green marketing approach is largely used as a gimmick by the gigantic corporate houses in order to make a difference in the consumer's point of view when it comes to major market decisions. The global changes in the environment are becoming critical not only for the consumers but also for the managements across the globe. Despite the fact that loads of environment protecting rules and regulations have been put into practice, there is a general belief that these laws lack competitiveness.

The green evolution has evolved steadily over a period of time. There were initially three long phases in the evolution of the much-hyped green marketing. The first phase was known as the ecological phase. In this phase, all the marketing activities were carried out in order to assist the ever-increasing environmental problems and offer solutions for these problems. The second phase was called the environmental phase as after the environmental problems, the entire focus was shifted on the implementation of cleaner technologies. This phase also led to the discovery or the invention of products that would better the environment or at least not increase the already existing problems. The last phase is termed as the sustainable phase of green marketing which is still prevalent.

This phase came into existence by the late nineties and early millennium. With the human wants escalating heavily, the resources are decreasing. Hence it has become mandatory for the marketers across the globe to use the resources efficiently and not waste them under any circumstances. World-wide surveys indicate that consumers globally are changing their behavior towards products and services. Green marketing is almost inevitable as the market for socially responsible products is increasing greatly.

GOING GREEN TIDBITS

Why Restaurant Owners Should Go Green

Going green is not just the right thing to do; it can benefit your bottom line. In fact, conserving natural resources and reducing waste can reduce a restaurant operating cost, which is critical in these challenging times, and being environmentally friendly can be a great way to bring more customers in your door.

There are many compelling reasons to become more environmentally conscious and to make environmentally focused changes to your operations. The key reasons to go green include:

It's the right thing to do. Our planet has a finite amount of natural resources and many of them are being rapidly consumed. The foodservice industry is a major user of these resources. Just a few examples include:

*Restaurants account for 33% of all U.S. retail electricity used;

*The average operation uses 300,000 gallons of water a year;

*Approximately 100 billion pounds of food is wasted each year;

food scraps alone make up almost 12% of all the municipal solid waste generated in the country.

It can deliver significant cost savings. Reducing the amount of food, electricity, and water that are used can decrease operating expenses. For example, an operator profiled in a December article in the Boston Globe said that composting and recycling costs him 30% less than traditional trash service and replacing one conventional light bulb with a compact fluorescent one can save $35-$45 per year. Because operations often have numerous light bulbs, this savings can add up.

It can help attract customers. According to the National Restaurant Association, 62% of adults surveyed say they are likely to choose a restaurant based on how environmentally friendly it is. As a result, operators that go green and that promote their environmental activities can leverage this as a strategy to grow their traffic. The bottom line is that going green can be good for operators' bottom line. It is not just a strategy for ardent environmentalists; it is a strategy for savvy business people to decrease operating expenses, increase traffic, and differentiate their operation.

HEALTH HINTS

It's hot this summer!

What is extreme heat?

Conditions of extreme heat are defined as summertime temperatures that are substantially hotter and/or more humid than average for the location at that time of year. Humid or muggy conditions, which add to the discomfort of high temperatures, occur when a "dome" of high atmospheric pressure traps hazy, damp air near the ground. Extremely dry and hot conditions can provoke dust storms and low visibility. Droughts occur when a long period passes without substantial rainfall. A heat wave combined with a drought is a very dangerous situation.

Heat Stroke

occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature. The body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.

Warning signs may include: an extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees F, orally); red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; unconsciousness.

If you see any of these signs, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the victim.

Do the following: Get the victim to a shady area; cool the victim rapidly using whatever methods you can (tub of cool water, cool shower, cool spray from garden hose, sponge with cool water; if humidity is low, wrap victim in cool, wet sheet and fan vigorously;

monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until temperature drops to 101- 102 degrees F; do not give victim fluids to drink; if emergency personnel are delayed, call hospital emergency room for further instructions. Sometimes a victim's muscles will begin to twitch uncontrollably. If this happens, keep the victim from injuring himself, but do not place any object in the mouth and do not give fluids. If there is vomiting, make sure the airways remains open by turning victim on side.

Heat Exhaustion

is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate orunbalanced replacement of fluids. It is the body's response to an excessive loss of the water and salt contained in sweat. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are the elderly, people with high blood pressure, and those working or exercising in a hot environment.

Warning signs of heat exhaustion may include: heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting. The skin may be cool and moist. The victim's pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and shallow. If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke. Seek medical attention immediately if the symptoms are severe or the victim has heart problems or high blood pressure.

Cooling measures that may be effective include cool, non-alcoholic beverages; rest; cool shower, bath, or sponge bath; an air-conditioned environment; lightweight clothing.

Heat Cramps

are muscle pains or spasms - usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs - that may occur in association with strenuous activity. If you have heart problems or are on a low-sodium diet, get medical attention for heat cramps.

If medical attention is not necessary, take these steps: stop all activity, and sit quietly in a cool place; drink clear juice or a sports beverage; do not return to strenuous activity for a few hours after the cramps subside, because further exertion may lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke; seek medical attention for heat cramps if they do not subside in 1 hour.

KUDOS & RECOGNITIONS

KUDOS:

...to the proprietors of Draper Mercantile & Trading Company for hosting Senator Mark Warner on his visit to our area of Saturday, July 24^th. Senator Warner enjoyed, along with approximately 200 invited guests, a buffet dinner of predominately local fare provided by the Pulaski Fresh Farm-To-Table, the Chamber's local foods initiative;

...to all those who worked, volunteered, participated, and in any way made the New River Valley Fair such an enjoyable week for so many attendees;

...to Gary Heinline, Pulaski Area Transit Manager, who has been named to the Presidential Who's Who list for excellence in his field.

RECOGNITIONS:

County of Pulaski

Anthony Akers and Jim Davis have been named Featured Employees for Pulaski County for the month of August.

Anthony Akers has worked for Pulaski County for approximately 15 years, beginning his service as the County's Office on Youth Director. He currently serves as the County's Community Activities Director. Anthony oversees the operations and maintenance of the County's many parks, including Randolph Park, which is in its

10^th year of operation.

Anthony enjoys his work as the Community Activities Director and states the most rewarding part of his job is "seeing kids smile." His accomplishments to date include the renovation and expansion of Central Gym, the establishment of afterschool programs at various schools in the County, and completion of local government managers training offered through Virginia Tech.

Anthony has a family which includes his wife Jody, son Alex, daughter Alaina, and son Ayden. He attends the Pulaski Church of God and enjoys teaching Sunday School and being involved in the Community Outreach Ministry. He also enjoys spending time with his family and being on the New River.

Sheriff Jim Davis has spent his entire 30-year career in law enforcement, the majority of which has been serving the citizens of Pulaski County. His career at the Sheriff's Office has included serving in communications as a dispatcher, uniformed patrol division and criminal investigations before moving into management.

As County Sheriff, Jim Davis is responsible for the overall law enforcement in the County, coordination with police departments serving both the towns of Dublin and Pulaski and in serving court orders within both the incorporated and unincorporated parts of the County. He is also responsible for the implementation of mutual aid agreements with adjacent localities. Sheriff Davis has successfully investigated a number of high profile cases and serious crimes with very positive results.

Jim and his wife, Teresa, have two daughters and are active in church and community affairs.

Town of Pulaski

The Employee for the Month of July 2010 is Sergeant Brandon Hamblin of the Fire Department. Sergeant Hamblin has been employed by the Town of Pualski for five years and a member of the Fire Department for eight years.

Sergeant Hamblin is also a certified Fire Officer I, Fire Instruction I and Rope Rescue Operations Phase II through the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, where he is also certified to teach Firefighter I and II classes. Sergeant Hamblin is a member of the Pulaski Fire Department Rope Rescue Team, a Volunteer with the Newbern Fire Department with the rank of Captain and a member of the Pulaski County Wildland Fire

Crew.

Recently there was a dairy fire in Newbern. Pulaski responded with mutual aid, as did 9 other departments. Sergeant Hamblin worked the fire. The structure was owned by his family and Brandon did not allow personal feelings to interfere with his judgment. He made precise, sound decisions and safety was his top concern.

Sergeant Hamblin was nominated because his dedication to life, safety and the well-being of the citizens of both the Town and County is unsurpassed and something of which we can all be proud. He has a can do attitude, makes well thought out, calm decisions and always has a genuine concern for the citizens he protects, and his counterparts, team members and subordinates.

In addition to the honor of receiving the Employee of the Month Award, Sergeant Hamblin 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.

MEMBER & COMMUNITY EVENTS

FUNDRAISER FOR THE DAYCARE OF THE YMCA

Fruitful Seasons Gluten Free Grocery and Patricia Aust Weeks, Massage Therapist, and celebrating 13 and 17 years of being in business! On Saturday, August 7, they will be having a fund raiser for the Daycare of the YMCA from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Food plate for $5.00 consists of hot dog, chips, cookies and drink from Fruitful Seasons and the hot dogs will be grilled. All food will be gluten free and this will give everyone a chance to taste our food, plus enjoy the sale in the store.

If you'd like to set up a tent, please call Patricia Weeks at 980-8004 at Fruitful Seasons. In case of rain, the event will be held inside, and the grilling will proceed as planned.

Other businesses will be there and a raffle will be done that day. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the YMCA, Fruitful Seasons, Coffee Buy the Book or Sue's "small" Creations for 50 cents per ticket. The winner will receive a FREE hour in the pool and the party room, compliments of the YMCA, per Suzanne Wantland, Director. A drop-off box for school supplies will be located at Fruitful Seasons.Everyone is encouraged to join in this celebration and support the Fundraiser!

PULASKI COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Diabetic Support Group

Tuesday, August 3, 6:30 p.m., L. Brinkley Eure Education Building

Topic: Dealing with Depression and Diabetes

Speaker: Kenneth Pendergrast, M.D., Internal Medicine

Blood and Cancer Screening

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of the N.R.V. & Pulaski Community Hospital Saturday, August 7, 7 a.m. - 10 a.m., front lobby of PCH

Cost: $35 cash or check made payable to Rotary - New River Valley

Participants will need to fast 12 hours prior to their appointment. A comprehensive lab panel, including cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, RBC, CBC, and many more tests will be provided. Participants will receive their test results within 5 - 7

business days. Contact Consult-A-Nurse to register at 1-877-242-2362 or contact Darlene Edwards at (540) 994-8549 for additional information.

Reaching Out Support Group and Breast Cancer Support Group Combined

Tuesday, August 10, 5 - 6 p.m. at NRVCCC Lobby

Topic: Changes in Health Care Reform

Speaker: Elyse Politi, Coordinator, Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program with Agency on Aging

Hip & Knee Replacement Class

Thursday, August 19, 2 - 4 p.m., L. Brinkley Eure Education Building

This class is for people scheduled for surgery or thinking about having surgery. You will be taught by Physical Therapists and Registered Nurses. Content includes hospital information and procedures, exercises prior to and after surgery, treatment to get you back on your feet. Discussion about insurance and planning for your care after discharge. Please call (540) 994-8451 for any questions. Deadline for sign up is August 16. RSVP to: Consult a Nurse at 1-877-242-2362

For additional information, contact

Darlene Edwards at (540) 994-8549

LUNCH ON THE LAWN

Friday, August 6^th, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Pulaski County Courthouse Lawn , West Main Street

Entertainment: Johnny Barnett from Christiansburg, VA

Bring your lawn chair.

Food Concession will be available.