The Blue Ridge Independent Living Center in Roanoke has been awarded a contract to operate a satellite center for independent living in the Piedmont area. Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services awarded the contract to BRILC. The satellite center will offer service to Franklin, Henry, Patrick and Pittsylvania counties as well as Danville and Martinsville.

Here is the press release from Blue Ridge Independent Living Center.

The Blue Ridge Independent Living Center (BRILC), Roanoke has been awarded a contract by the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (VDRS) to operate a satellite center for independent living (CIL) in the Piedmont area.

Centers for independent living (CILs) are organizations that assist individuals with disabilities to be independent.  What makes CILs unique is that 51% of their Board of Directors must be individuals with disabilities and the majority of staff also has disabilities.  All CILs provide four core services including peer counseling, independent living skills training, information and referral, and advocacy. Read more »

Verizon and the State Corporation Commission would like to extend the period that limits  price increases for basic telephone service. They are seeking comments on whether to extend the five-year period by two more years. The increase cap is currently set to $1 per year for basic phone service and will expire Dec. 31 unless extended. Comments on the proposal must be submitted to the SCC by April 13.

Here is a press release from the State Corporation Commission.

RICHMOND – The State Corporation Commission (SCC) is seeking comments on whether to extend a five-year period in which price increases for basic local residential telephone service are limited to one dollar ($1) per year. Both Verizon, Virginia’s largest provider of local telephone service, and the staff of the SCC have proposed that the period be extended an additional two years.

The five-year period has been in place since January 1, 2008 and will expire on December 31, 2012, unless extended. The price caps on residential and business basic local exchange service are applicable in Verizon exchanges which are deemed to be competitive. Read more »

A custom home design and remodeling company in Blacksburg has been awarded by the New River Homebuilder’s Association. Shelter Alternatives has been given the 2011 Design Excellence Award. This is the company’s sixth year since 1993 that they have received the award.

Here is a press release from Shelter Alternatives.

February 27, 2012- Shelter Alternatives was awarded the 2011 Design Excellence Award by the New River Valley Homebuilder’s Association at their annual banquet held on January 28th, 2012. This award is especially meaningful to the Shelter staff as it is decided upon by colleagues in the building industry and recognizes the unique design aspects that define a home by Shelter Alternatives. In addition to being three-time past recipients of Builder of the Year, this recognition is the sixth Design Excellence Award for Shelter since 1993. Read more »

The City of Roanoke Green Academy still has a few seats available. The academy will begin Thursday evening following a light dinner. Contact City of Roanoke Director of General Services and Sustainability Ken Cronin at 853-1805 for more information.

Here is a press release from the City of Roanoke.

ROANOKE, VA – There are still a few seats available for the next City of Roanoke Green Academy, which begins Thursday, March 1, at Fishburn Park Elementary School. Sessions will be held on consecutive Thursday evenings March 1, 8, 15, and 22, with a light dinner at 5:30 p.m. and presentations from 6 to 8 p.m. A graduation will be held on Thursday, March 29. Read more »

A class project at Virginia Tech lead to innovative ideas in solving America’s retirement program. Four senior aspiring financial planners won $10,000 and a free trip to Washington D.C. as the grand prize in the 2011 IOME Challenge competition. The trip to Washington will be used to present their ideas to members of Congress and policymakers in April.

Here is the press release from Virginia Tech.

BLACKSBURG, Va., Feb. 29, 2012 – What started out as a class project for four Virginia Tech seniors and aspiring financial planners has turned into one of the most rewarding experiences of their college careers, say the participants.

In recognition of their innovative ideas in solving America’s retirement program, the team won the grand prize in the 2011 iOME Challenge competition. They also received a $10,000 cash prize and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in late April to present their ideas to members of Congress and policymakers. Read more »

The showcase will highlight some of the unique challenges faced by female scientists.

An event on the unique struggles of female scientists will be held at Virginia Tech on March 12 and 13. A Showcase of Female Scientists will give insight and advice on the balance female scientists’ work to maintain between work and their personal lives. The showcase is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The public is invited to attend.

Here is the press release from Virginia Tech.

BLACKSBURG, Va., Feb. 29, 2012 – Virginia Tech will host A Showcase of Female Scientists to explore the unique struggles of female scientists to balance work and family issues, and what women in science can do to help advance their careers and maintain a healthy personal life. The event will take place on the Blacksburg campus March 12 and 13.

“The idea for this showcase came from a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant that supports female graduate students in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation,” said Carolyn Copenheaver, associate professor of forest ecology in the College of Natural Resources and Environment. “As this group of students moves through our program, I thought it was important to provide them and other female students at Virginia Tech role models of successful women scientists.” Read more »

The Disabled American Veterans organization is hosting a free veterans employment job fair on Wednesday at the Tanglewood Holiday Inn in Roanoke. National College, ITT and the City of Roanoke are among the 18 employers featured at the job fair. All veterans, their families and the public are invited to come to the fair between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, call the local DAV at 206-2575.

The Christiansburg Quality Inn hotel received this year’s Gold Hospitality Award from Choice Hotels International, Inc. This is the sixth year the hotel has been awarded either the Gold or Platinum Hospitality Award from Choice Hotels.

Here is the press release from Choice Hotels.

Christiansburg, VA (February 27, 2012) – The Quality Inn hotel of Christiansburg, Virginia, was recently announced as a recipient of a prestigious 2012 Gold Hospitality Award from world lodging leader Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), franchisor of the Quality Inn brand. This is the sixth year in a row that the Quality inn Christiansburg has been awarded either the top Gold or Platinum Hospitality Award. Read more »

The American Chiropractic Association honored The Vitality Depot with the Vendor of the Year award. Vitality Depot, a Roanoke-based clinical supply company, was recognized for excellent service at the ACA’s National Chiropractic  Legislative Conference in Washington D.C.

Here is the press release from The Vitality Depot.

Roanoke, VA – The Vitality Depot was honored as Vendor of the Year by the American Chiropractic Association at the ACA’s National Chiropractic Legislative Conference held last week in Washington, DC.  The Vitality Depot is a Roanoke-based, national clinical supply company founded by third generation chiropractor and CEO Mark Mandell, DC.  The ACA is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic and millions of chiropractic patients. Read more »

Susan Still, CEO of HomeTown Bank with scissors.

HomeTown Bank opened a new mortgage office today in southwest Roanoke. HomeTown Mortgage, located next to HomeTown Bank on Colonial Avenue, offers refinancing, home-construction loans and home-equity loans in addition to mortgage services. This branch will serve the New River and Roanoke valleys.

Here is the press release form HomeTown Bank.

ROANOKE, Va. (February 24, 2011) – In an example of confidence in the local housing market, HomeTown Bank today opened a dedicated mortgage office serving the Roanoke and New River valleys.

HomeTown Mortgage coordinates the bank’s existing mortgage services with an experienced team of local lenders offering mortgages, refinancing, home-construction loans, home-equity loans and other services. Read more »