The New River Valley Home Builders Association volunteered to complete a wheelchair ramp needed in the community. Here is a press release from the association:

The New River Valley Home Builders Association, a professional trade organization dedicated to being the respected voice of the residential and commercial building industry, recently completed a wheelchair ramp project for Blue Ridge Independent Living.  The project was also sponsored by Home Depot with a $500 gift card donation.  Volunteers pictured are David Zier of G&H Appliance, Rick Hyatt of Atmosphere Builders, and Joseph Rogers; others included Tim Lawrence of Blue Ridge Home Improvement, Jason Boyle of Green Valley Builders, and Jason Ewing of Ewing Building and Remodeling. The New River Valley Home Builders Association website is located at www.nrvhba.com.

Tom Perriello

The U.S. House on Wednesday passed a bill that would give the president authority to impose tariffs on Chinese products. The New York Times calls it an “unusually confrontational signal to the Chinese leadership” — but also says the bill is unlikely to pass the Senate (though doesn’t say why.)

Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Albemarle, was one of the co-sponsors. He calls the vote “a big victory” for jobs in Southside Virginia.

We have more on the bill, and Perriello’s statement, over on our political blog, the Blue Ridge Caucus.

Paul Ruszler and Rami Dalloul of Virginia Tech have been recognized by the Poultry Science Association for their contributions to the industry. Here is a press release from Tech:

Paul Ruszler, Extension poultry specialist emeritus, and Rami Dalloul, assistant professor, both of the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, were honored by the Poultry Science Association (PSA) during its July 14 annual meeting in Denver, Colo.

The PSA is one of the top organizations in the field, and its members include educators, scientists, producers, extension specialists, and administrators. Read more »

Virginia Tech has officially release its web portal that allows sharing of smart grid information across the globe. Here is a press release from the university:

Virginia Tech is releasing its full version of the Smart Grid Information Clearinghouse (http://www.sgiclearinghouse.org/) Web portal today.

The Web portal is the platform for direct sharing and dissemination of relevant smart grid information, ranging from background documents, deployment experiences, technologies, and standards, to ongoing smart grid projects around the world. It is designed to serve as the first stop for smart grid related information and acts as the essential gateway that connects the community to various information sources scattered on the worldwide web. Read more »

Virginia Tech faculty and grant partners tour Volvo Truck’s New River plant in Pulaski.

Virginia Tech engineers are working to develop new products and create more jobs in the transportation industry in Southwest Virginia. Here is a press release from Tech:

The same Virginia Tech research expertise that is creating cars of the future for blind drivers and new-age vehicles for the military is now bolstering the transportation-related industry cluster in Southwest Virginia. Under a $1.67 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, College of Engineering (http://www.eng.vt.edu) faculty will provide the kind of technical assistance that allows companies to grow and create jobs, says John Provo, interim director of Virginia Tech’s Office of Economic Development (http://www.econdev.vt.edu/). Read more »

The Roanoke Regional Housing Network and Housing Virginia are putting on the following event:

November 4
Jobs, Transportation and Housing: Connecting Home and Work
Featuring Trip Polland, senior attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center.
When: 8-11:30 a.m.
Where: Vinton War Memorial, 814 Washington Ave., Vinton
Cost: $10
Contact: (540) 985-0131 ext. 701, www.councilofcommunityservices.com/rrhn

Friendship Retirement Community is sponsoring the Broadway series at the Roanoke Civic Center this year. Here is a press release from the civic center:

Global Spectrum, operators of the Roanoke Civic Center, today introduced Friendship Retirement Community as the exclusive presenting partner for the Broadway in Roanoke series at the Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre.

“We are delighted to partner with the Roanoke Civic Center to present the Broadway Series as a mainstay of our region’s cultural offerings,” said Russ Barksdale, President and CEO of Friendship Retirement Community. “As an active member of the Roanoke Valley community, Friendship is proud to partner with the Roanoke Civic Center and sponsor the Broadway Series as part of our commitment to the Roanoke Valley and our mission to improve the lives of seniors and our residents. Our residents deserve the best.” Read more »

Bella Voi Day Spa & Taylor Salon Celebrate with a Ribbon Cutting

A new spa and salon team has opened in Liberty Square in Salem. Here is a press release from the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber:

The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Bella Voi Day Spa & Taylor Salon on Friday, September 24, 2010. The grand opening was held at their new location, right in the heart of Salem, just off Main Street in Library Square.  Members of the community and the Chamber of Commerce joined the spa and salon team to celebrate this momentous occasion.  The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber would like to thank Bella Voi Day Spa and Taylor Salon for their membership and support.