(Roanoke, VA  June 18, 2007)  Roanoke Biz2Biz is proud to announce the addition of Susan Moore to our staff.  Susan will serve as Sales and Business Development Manager.  Susan brings with her more than 20 years of sales and marketing experience.

Susan will be working with our existing clients as well as introducing the new expansion of Roanoke Biz2Biz to “Fine Dining”, “Choice Shopping”, “Services” and “Health Linx”.  She will also be offering our clients an opportunity to expand their market beyond Roanoke with the addition of our new website www.vabiz2biz.com.

“We're excited to have Susan join us as she adds a new dimension to our team”, says Ira Kaufman, President of Roanoke Biz2Biz.  “Her experience and passion will deliver new sales opportunities to our clients.”

Roanoke Biz2Biz serves as a marketing arm for small to medium sized businesses providing tools and connections helping them generate results and revenue.

For more information:

Patsy Stewart
Operations Manager
PO Box 14094
Roanoke, VA 24038
540-563-2249
info@roanokebiz2biz.com

Salem, VA, June 8, 2007 – The Express Personnel Clydesdales are coming to Salem on June 20, 21 and 22, 2007 and will appear at the Roanoke Valley Horse Show, compliments of Express Personnel Services.
  
Of a rare black and white color, the Express Clydesdales stand 17-18 hands high and weigh over 2,000 pounds each. Their shoes are the size of dinner plates and weigh over three pounds each. They are the reigning National 8-Horse Hitch and National 6-Horse Hitch Champions.
 
The Express Clydesdales have participated in many nationally recognized parades and promotional events including the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Fiesta Bowl Parade, Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade, Orange Bowl Parade, the Calgary Stampede Parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the International Finals Rodeo and a DreamWorks Production Company “$1 Million Giveaway.” They most recently appeared in the 2007 Rose Bowl Parade.

For information contact:
Donna Tatum, Manager
Express Personnel Services
1109 Electric Road
Salem, VA 24153
540-389-8979
donna.tatum@expresspersonnel.com

A huge silent auction will be held with items such as a grill from Home Depot and jewelry from several area stores along with several golf packages from the Ashley Plantation and beyond! The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Foundation will add a new idea to ShrimpFest and the silent auction this year. During the auction bidders will be able to take advantage of "Buy it Now". If a guest does not want to risk losing their favorite item, they can agree to "Buy It Now", pay the estimated value and take the item home.

Tasting stations will be set up with samples from local restaurants and the crowd is encouraged to dance to live music from local group Code 11.

To add to the festival atmosphere, a variety of shrimp dishes will be available on the buffet line this year, including shrimp and grits, cocktail shrimp, and hot and spicy shrimp. Teriyaki chicken on a stick along with corn, cole slaw, baked beans, and dessert will also be served.

Proceeds benefit the Foundation's scholarship and building restoration fund. Tickets are $25 in advance (available at Member One Federal Credit Union, First National Exchange Bank, Salem Civic Center box office and at the Chamber office in Longwood Park). Dinner will be served from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. ONLY, with dancing and the silent auction from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. VIP tables featuring wait staff and reserved seating are also available.

Sponsors for the event include Verizon, WDBJ7, WFIR - Q99, Budweiser, US Food Service, Food Lion, Surf & Turf, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, Roanoke County Economic Development, National College, Kroger, Carter Bank & Trust, Member One Federal Credit Union, Salem Catering, Salem Civic Center, and Cuz's Autobody Repair. For more information about the event or if you are interested in sponsorship, please call the Chamber office at 540-387-0267.

Contact: Debbie Kavitz
Phone: 540-387-0267
Fax: 540-387-4110
chamber@s-rcchamber.org

Roanoke, VA., April 26, 2007–  Jeremy Holmes, Transportation Alternatives Coordinator with the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission and Program Director for RIDE Solutions, today announced a new bike rack donation program in support of this year’s Clean Commute Day event.  Up to ten racks will be given to qualifying area businesses and organizations who encourage their customers and employees to cycle as an alternative to the daily commute.

“This year, Clean Commute Day falls within Bike to Work Week,” said Holmes.  “RIDE Solutions wants to encourage cycling as one of the healthiest commute options.  Not only is it good for the region’s environmental quality, drastically reducing vehicle traffic and emitting no pollution, it also builds physical fitness and is a great way to enjoy the Valley’s natural beauty.”

Already popular in the Valley for recreation, cycling has been adopted by several residents as their primary form of commuting.  As fuel prices rise and Americans face ever more dire warnings about health and obesity, commuting by bicycle is fast becoming a natural solution to both problems.  Through this program, RIDE Solutions and the Regional Commission hope to increase the visibility of cycling as a commuting option, and provide a simple way for area businesses to show their support for increasing the area’s bicycle-friendliness.

“It’s more than just being Green,” said Holmes.  “Certainly, replacing vehicle trips with bicycle trips has an enormous impact on our air quality and fuel consumption.  But it’s also about promoting a lifestyle and community that is increasingly attractive to the types of companies we want to see more of in the Roanoke region.  Some of the biggest Fortune 500 companies – such as Qualcomm, Yahoo!, and Google, according to Best Workplaces for Commuters – have very active bicycle commuting programs.  It reflects a quality of life their employees want, and they want to support.  This is a small way to bring attention to that lifestyle.”

RIDE Solutions and the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission are organizing this year’s Clean Commute Day event.  Clean Commute Day, held May 18, 2007 to mark the traditional start of the summer ozone pollution season, is an opportunity for area commuters to explore the links between their transportation habits and air quality in the Valley, and encourages them to take an active part in improving the region’s air by taking the Clean Commute Pledge at RIDE Solutions’ website.  More information can be found at http://www.ridesolutions.org.
Contact  Jeremy Holmes, RIDE Solutions Program Director
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
jholmes@rvarc.org, (540) 342-9393

April 17, 2007 - Press Release
BLUE RIDGE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE
Aftermath Support Project

Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare (BRBH), the Community Services Board that serves citizens of the Roanoke Valley, has announced that it is setting up a temporary emergency response center to assist anyone who may be having difficulty in the aftermath of Monday's horrific events at Virginia Tech.

While the shootings have thrust Tech onto the national news stage, for many residents of southwestern Virginia this is an intensely personal experience. BRBH is reaching out, in an effort to help those crisis responders already mobilized in Blacksburg, with a temporary location where people can go for help and support in Roanoke.

Beginning at 8:00AM tomorrow, Wednesday April 18, mental health professionals from BRBH will be available at the Marriott Courtyard to counsel friends and family of those impacted by this tragedy. Counseling staff will be on site until 9:00PM each evening through next Tuesday April 24. Hospitality staff from the Agency will be there from 6:00AM until midnight each day. You can contact this emergency center directly by calling (540) 266-9201 for information or directions.

The Marriott Courtyard is located at 3301 Ordway Drive, off Hershberger Road, near the Roanoke Airport.

Mail-It PLUS… has scheduled the first in a year long series of seminars to help you make the most of your direct mail marketing dollars. 

The topic is Data Cleaning. Is every piece of mail you send reaching the intended person?  Has anyone on your list moved?  Are your addresses missing information that you are not aware of?  If this is possible, then let Mail-It PLUS…identify these issues and show you why it is so important.

The seminar is Wednesday, April 18, 2007 from 11:30am - 1:00pm at 419 West Restaurant on Electric Rd. 

Mail-It PLUS… will provide an hour long discussion, filled with postal information that will increase the Return on Investment for your next direct mail project…PLUS…you will get a free lunch!  You must RSVP to attend.  For more information and to register call 540-772-7612 or email to seminar@mailitplus.com