Valley Forward has created an awesome event on May 12 called Gallop for the Greenways. Gretchen has done a great job along with others leading this project. To participate in the 5k run and the party of the year, then click here.

The end of March marks the one-year anniversary of the Roanoke Connect database we created to assist people wanting to be in the region with employers who had jobs available.

The demographics of the list are typically members of Generation X and Y, with some form of higher education, who want to be in the Roanoke region.

During the first year 1,664 have submitted profiles from 40 states. We are aware of at least 30 success stories coming from our bi-weekly eNewsletters and a newly created search feature for employers.

Again, what separates this database is it consists of people WANTING to be in the region. They sought us out typically through Google searches.

In fact, today, March 27, we had six people submit profiles and they came from the following locations: Mount Laurel, NJ; Nanuet, NY; Christiansburg, VA; Broken Arrow, OK; Holiday, FL; and Cuba, NY.

I would think that a person is not going to complete a profile unless he/she wants to be in Roanoke. I know I am not going to a similar site in Holiday, FL and reveal my personal information about jobs there. These people have sought us out through Google searches and want to move to Roanoke. The next step is connecting them to a job.

We are pleased with the success of this channel to connect people to jobs and to our region. We are continuing to modify the site to create more success stories. A big thank you goes to the City of Roanoke’s IT staff for their work, especially Justin.

If you are looking for employment, you have a number of opportunities over the next couple of weeks. Do not miss out on these opportunities.

First, Thursday, March 29, on the campus of Virginia Tech is the Directions Job Fair.

Second, Friday, March 30, on the campus of New River Community College, Edwards Hall, Room 117 from 1 pm – 6 pm will be the NRV Job Fair Expo. 

On Tuesday, April 3 at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall will be the TAP Job Fair.

On Wednesday, April 4 at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall will be an Entrepreneurship Fair for those wanting to start a business. You must register to participate.

On Wednesday, April 18 at Owens Banquet Hall there will be the Roanoke and New River Valley Career and Lifestyle Fair from 10 am to 3 pm. Only local firms will be allowed to participate on the Virginia Tech campus. To watch a video, click here.

The Young Lawyers Division of the Bar Association and NewVaConnects will hold a town hall meeting on March 22^nd at 6:30pm at the Higher Education Center to discuss the 2007 legislative session to explore its importance to the NewVa region. The town hall meeting will take place at 6:30 at the Higher Education Center in Downtown Roanoke.  The event is free and open to the public and refreshments will be served.

The event will feature Senators Brandon Bell, Senator John Edwards, Delegate William Fralin, and Delegate Dave Nutter. Speakers will give opening presentations that address how their proposed legislation will affect the region followed by an interactive question and answer session.

On April 5, The Contemporaries are organizing a neat event for young adults in the downtown Roanoke starting at 6:30 pm at the Arts Museum of Western Virginia.

This event full of art, music, food, drinks and lots of fun will have everyone excited about the energy of the Art Museum of Western Virginia. With gallery tours, DJ providing club music, and an exciting activity involving the brand new multimedia installation piece, there is something going on for everyone!

Art With A Twist coincides with April’s Art By Night, so stop by for a drink and take a look at the new Gifts exhibition, learn a bit about the exciting Museum auxiliary group The Contemporaries, and use Art with a Twist as a spring-board for exploring Roanoke’s vibrant art galleries. And if you’re up for more, we’ll meet back up at Metro for a special Art with a Twist "Happy Hour" at 8:30.

Gallery 108 and Signature Nine Gallery will be sponsoring limo service between Signature Nine in Old Southwest and downtown Roanoke.

For more info on this event, send an email to Coleman at info@contemporariesroanoke.org.