U.S. District Judge Glen M. Williams is retiring after 34 years in the position.

Williams said Friday that he will step down Monday.

We have more on this story from Associated Press.

Bull & Bones Brewhaus and Grill in Blacksburg will begin operating the clubhouse dining facility at Virginia Tech’s  Pete Dye River golf course when it opens in April.  Here is a news release from the university:

The Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech has announced an agreement with Bull & Bones Brewhaus and Grill of Blacksburg to operate the dining facility at the course clubhouse.

Bull & Bones at the River in the Hackin Hokies Lounge will feature special menu selections from the Blacksburg restaurant including their handcrafted beers and smoked ribs. The lounge, which seats 40 indoors and 20 on the patio, will offer daily grill service and evening dinner hours.

The 18,000-square-foot, $5 million clubhouse and dining facilities for the river course are expected to open in April. A 4,000-square-foot elevated deck will feature sweeping views of the New River and conference, catering, or special event facilities for up to 150 people. The house on the hill will also feature vaulted ceilings, open beam construction, inviting fireplaces, and plenty of Virginia Tech’s signature Hokie Stone. Read more »

The United Way of Central Virginia is holding a paper shredding event in Lynchburg. Here is a news release from United Way:

The United Way of Central Virginia and KODIAK Information Management are hosting a paper shredding fundraising event to benefit United Way on Saturday, February 6^th from 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. at United Way’s office at 1010 Miller Park Square.  The cost will be $ 10.00 per box of paper. Donors may pack up to forty pounds of paper per box.

For more information about the event or about United Way, please call 846-8467 or visit www.unitedwaycv.org.

A new Virginia Tech program combing the Master of Business Administration and Master of Industrial and Systems Engineering will begin this fall. Here is a news release from the university:

Virginia Tech students will have the opportunity to earn both the Master of Business Administration and Master of Industrial and Systems Engineering within the same two-year period in a new cooperative program established by the Pamplin College of Business (http://www.pamplin.vt.edu/) and the College of Engineering (http://www.eng.vt.edu/main/index.php).

The program, to start this coming fall, will replace the existing MBA concentration in systems engineering management. “Many applicants to our MBA program have undergraduate degrees in engineering,” says Steve Skripak, Pamplin associate dean of graduate programs. “Engineering graduates often find that a deeper understanding of business is useful, as many work for corporations and seek to advance through management ranks.” Read more »

The Roanoke Times and jobs. roanoke.com are hosting a virtual job fair from Feb. 14-26. Here is a news release from The Roanoke Times:

Job seekers can look for positions in the Roanoke and New River valleys at their convenience during the upcoming Virtual Job Fair, hosted by The Roanoke Times and jobs.roanoke.com.  The Virtual Job Fair will be held from Sunday, February 14 through Friday, February 26 online at http://jobs.roanoke.com, the leading employment and recruitment site in Southwest Virginia.

During the Virtual Job Fair, job seekers will be able to see companies in the Roanoke and New River valleys that are currently hiring for positions that include nurses, healthcare professionals, therapists, call center representatives, customer service specialists, administration, account executives, and more.  This completely online job fair gives job seekers the flexibility to participate when and where it is convenient. Read more »

Thalhimer has been selected to manage the Candlers Station Shopping Center in Lynchburg. Here is a press release from Thalhimer:

Thalhimer, a member of the Cushman & Wakefield Alliance, is pleased to have been selected by LU Candlers Station Holdings, LLC for the property management of the Candlers Station Shopping Center, a 270,000 -square foot retail center located at the corner of Candlers Mountain Road and Mountain View Road in Lynchburg, Virginia.   The center currently features tenants such as TJ Maxx, Staples and Rugged Wearhouse.

The portfolio manager for this property is Gabe Niccum of Thalhimer.

On Feb. 16, from 8-9:30 a.m., the Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce will host a panel discussion and breakfast to talk about how the new Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act will affect local business. A U.S. Chamber representative will be present. Here is more information from the chamber:

The U.S. Chamber & the Lynchburg Regional Chamber plan to host a panel discussion on the impact of the proposed bill, before it is addressed by the U.S. Senate.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Nation Website, “As proposed, virtually every business will be affected by the CFPA…even businesses that are indirectly related to consumer finance, such as sellers of gift cards, advertisers, accountants, homebuilders, utilities and Internet providers will be covered by this sweeping new law.” Read more »

The Mainstay Suites Airport Hotel in Roanoke has won a 2010 Gold Hospitality Award from Choice Hotels International. Here is a press release from Choice Hotels:

The Mainstay Suites Airport hotel of Roanoke, Va. was recently announced as a recipient of a prestigious 2010 Gold Hospitality Award from global lodging leader Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), franchisor of the MainStay brand.

“The Mainstay Suites Airport award-winning hotel represents not only the best of the best, but also the tremendous value that a Choice brand hotel can offer to today’s travelers,” said Steve Joyce, president and chief executive officer of Choice Hotels. “We’re very proud to have the Mainstay Suites Airport hotel as part of our Choice family and I congratulate the property on receiving this distinguished award.” Read more »

Blue Ridge Mountain Sports is working the non-profit Convoy of Hope to collect tents to send to Haiti earthquake victims. When customers donate a tent, they receive 20 percent off a new one. Here is an article from the Associated Press:

Beginning January 27th, all Blue Ridge Mountain Sports locations began serving as drop-off points for the Shelter for Haiti tent drive. In an effort to provide critically needed shelter for victims of the January 12^th earthquake that struck Haiti, Blue Ridge staff will be collecting tents in good working condition with all parts accounted for and any new tarps people are willing to donate.

All tents & tarps will be inspected and shipped to Convoy of Hope in Missouri, a 501(c)3 non-profit aid relief agency with staff working directly out of the Convoy of Hope warehouse outside of Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince. Since the earthquake, Convoy of Hope has shipped 12 shipping containers of badly needed food & supplies in addition to their staff providing medical aid to injured Haitians. Read more »

Christopher Wong

Danielle Jacobs

Christopher Wong, a Liberty University senior major in advertising, was recognized with a 2010 Most Promising Minority Students Award from the American Advertising Federation. Fellow Liberty student Danielle Jacobs, a public relations major, was a finalist chosen for the PR Week 2010 Student of the Year award. Here is a news release from the university:

Two advertising and public relations students at Liberty University have earned national recognition for their academic, leadership and community service work.

Christopher Wong, a senior majoring in advertising, was awarded one of the American Advertising Federation’s (AAF) 2010 Most Promising Minority Student Awards in December.

The honor entitles Wong to free travel and accommodations to New York City on Feb. 2-4 for the AAF national conference, where he will be presented with the award and participate in special seminars. In addition, he will have the opportunity to interview with top agencies and media outlets from around the world. Read more »