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The Shenandoah Valley Connection top 
November 10, 2017
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"Thank You" from Cynthia Mutscheller to SVTC for FLL Sponsorship!
Open to the Public | JMU Student Entrepreneur Showcase (11/10)
Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC Ranked in 2018 "Best Law Firms"
Sound Hacking - Electronic Instruments Workshop (11/11)
Hbg City Invites the Public to Comprehensive Plan Workshop (11/13)
Intro to Mac Computers (11/14)
Unleash the Full Power of Mobile Marketing for Your Business with Google and Google Partners (11/15)
Intro to Laser Cutting: Make It & Take It by Staunton Makerspace (11/16)
Spark Tank Business Accelerator Giveaway (sign up by 11/22)
VA/DC FIRST LEGO League Championship Tournament (12/2 - 12/3)
SVTC & HRCC | Legislative Pre-Session Breakfast (12/6)
Invest Local Meet & Greet (12/7)
D.I.G.I.T.A.L. - Computer Science Workshop for Middle and High School Girls - Free (12/9)
For High Schoolers | Saturday Morning Physics (1/13 - 2/10)
College for Kids (1/13 - 2/17)
Highlighting Renewing Level I Member: JMU Technology Innovation and Economic Development
Highlighting Renewing Level I Member: People Places, Inc
Job Opening | Software Engineer, Jenzabar
Job Opening | Web Developer, James Madison University IT
Job Opening | Director of Information Technology, Lexington City Schools
Rocktown Tech Slack Channel Link
A Nice "Thank You" from Cynthia Mutscheller
to SVTC for FLL Sponsorship!


You may have heard  -- we sponsor newly established teams? This one did really well at the regional competition last Saturday, and will compete at the state level competition in Harrisonburg at the beginning of Dec. (Dec 2, Dec 3)

On Monday, November 6, Cynthia Mutscheller, Coach of the FIRST LEGO League team, Bomb Squad,  posted a very kind "thank you" note. She wrote:

"So thankful for your sponsorship of our rookie team. We are still in shock that our team took 1st place in regionals at JMU. They have worked hard, but more importantly learned a ton along the way. We have many people asking us about next year and wanting to start a team. Our hope is to keep the enthusiasm going and help start some more teams for next year! Thank you, SVTC!"
 
We are so glad to hear that our sponsorship has helped a team work and learn and HAVE FUN together. Congratulations Bomb Squad! 

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JMU Student Entrepreneur Showcase  (11/10)
Open to the public


November 10, 2017 | 6 - 7 pm
JMU EnGeo building, room 2301  

Join us to celebrate the accomplishments of JMU student entrepreneurs. Fifteen student fellows spent the summer developing their businesses with workspace, mentorship, entrepreneurship instruction, and funding opportunities provided by the CFE. By the end of the program, each venture gained real-life traction with customers and revenue, and the fellows swept Georgetown University's Accelerator Program in the inaugural Bulldog Cup Pitchoff. 

Location: JMU Engineering and Geosciences building, room 2301. 

Visitors from off-campus: Plenty of parking is available in front of the building. JMU does not ticket after 4PM on Fridays, so we recommend that you park in JMU Lot D2, no permit necessary.

Directions / location: 
(BTW, on some older maps, the Engineering and Geosciences building is still referred to as Health and Human Services)

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Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC Ranked
in 2018 "Best Law Firms"

WAW Logo

November 2, 2017 (Harrisonburg, VA)

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers , for the eighth consecutive year, announce the "Best Law Firms" rankings.

Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC has been ranked in the 2018 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list regionally in 13 practice areas.

Firms included in the 2018 "Best Law Firms" list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.

The 2018 Edition of "Best Law Firms" includes rankings in 75 national practice areas and 122 metropolitan-based practice areas. One "Law Firm of the Year" is named in each of the 75 nationally ranked practice areas.

Ranked firms, presented in tiers, are listed on a national and/or metropolitan scale. Receiving a tier designation reflects the high level of respect a firm has earned among other leading lawyers and clients in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, their professionalism and their integrity.

Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC received the following rankings in the 2018 U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms":
  • Metropolitan Tier 1
    • Charlottesville
      • Family Law
      • Litigation - Labor & Employment
      • Personal Injury Litigation - Defendents
      • Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
  • Metropolitan Tier 2
    • Charlottesville
      • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
      • Commercial Litigation
      • Corporate Law
      • Health Care Law
      • Labor Law - Management
      • Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
      • Real Estate Law
  • Metropolitan Tier 3
    • Charlottesville
      • Employment Law - Management
      • Trusts & Estates Law
Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC is a full-service law firm with offices in Harrisonburg and Staunton. The firm serves individuals and businesses in the Shenandoah Valley and the Mid-Atlantic states in the areas of: bankruptcy, commercial and civil litigation, corporate finance, employment law, health care law, intellectual property matters, medical malpractice, real estate and land use, tax planning, wills, estate planning, and administration.

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Sound Hacking - Electronic Instruments Workshop (11/11)

November 11, 2017 | 10 am - 12 pm
Explore More Discovery Museum | $15 to take item home

On Saturday, November 11th, come build musical electronics! Participants will design and prototype electronic musical instruments, learning about sound and circuitry along the way.

Intended for youth ages 8 and up. Advance registration required.

There is no fee to participate, but if you want to take your electronic instrument home, the material cost is $15

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Harrisonburg City Comprehensive Plan Workshop (11/13)
Topic: land use and development quality; neighborhoods and housing; and transportation

November 13, 2017 | 6 - 8 pm |  Thomas Harrison Middle School

On Monday, November 13, the city of Harrisonburg invites members of the public to the upcoming workshop to discuss the next update to the comprehensive plan. The next topic/chapter to be discussed at the workshop will be: l and use and development quality; neighborhoods and housing; and transportation.

Full text of all the draft chapters of the comprehensive plan are available online for review and comment. The chapters have been compiled with a combination of input from the 2011 comprehensive plan, Harrisonburg Planning Commission, advisory committees, and city staff. This input has been received throughout the year. 

Comments on the draft chapters will be accepted until November 28 and can be submitted in one of the following ways:
  1. During the public workshops;
  2. By emailing [email protected] ;
  3. Or by mailing comments to the Department of Planning and Community Development, c/o Thanh
    Dang, 409 S. Main St. Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
About the Comprehensive Plan
The compre hensive plan presents a vision of Harrisonburg's future. It identifies steps to move toward that vision by providing information about current conditions, long-term goals and objectives, and recommended implementation strategies. This plan addresses a wide range of issues including land use, housing, education, transportation, recreation, the preservation of historic and natural resources, and economic development. It serves as a guide for the community and helps city and community leaders with setting policies and decision making.

To review additional information on the upcoming workshops or to learn more about the comprehensive plan, visit www.HarrisonburgVA.gov/yourplan .

The City of Harrisonburg is centrally located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It is home to almost 55,000 people. More information about the City of Harrisonburg is online at www.HarrisonburgVA.gov

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Intro to Mac Computers (11/14)


November 14, 2017 | 6 - 8 pm
Staunton Public Library 2nd floor meeting room

Are you a new Mac user? Join us for an introduction to Mac Computers. Bring your own Mac laptop if possible, though you are welcome to attend without a computer.

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Unleash the Full Power of Mobile Marketing for Your Business with Google and Google Partners (11/15) - Free

        

November 15, 2017 | 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
JMU Ice House, Room 117

In this livestream we will gain valuable insights into improving mobile usability and reaching more potential customer on their mobile devices. Additionally, Jimmy Marrow will give some information on how to better understand buyers' conversion paths.

JIMMY MORROW
GLOBAL MOBILE LEAD AT GOOGLE

Jimmy will explain how businesses can get ahead by adjusting their advertising strategies to target consumers where they are spending their time.
DAYNE SEIDEN
GLOBAL MOBILE LEAD AT GOOGLE

Dayne will speak about how businesses can leverage Google's Mobile tools to connect with customers in the right place at the right time.


Join Immerge to learn more about how digital marketing can help your mobile strategy reach new heights. The Small Business Development Center will be hosting the event at the JMU Ice House. All are welcome for this free event.
 
Following the Webinar, the Immerge Team will be available to answer your questions regarding online marketing and ways to improve your B2B online presence. Immerge's services include web development, web design, and digital marketing that includes search engine optimization (SEO), Facebook Ad campaigns, Google Adwords campaigns, and more.
 
This event is FREE but registration is required.


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Intro to Laser Cutting: Make It & Take It 
by Staunton Makerspace (11/16)


November 16, 2017 | 6:00 - 8:30 pm
Staunton Makerspace  | $50 for course

This skills-focused Laser Cutting course is designed to take attendees from novice to laser-ready for designing and making laser cut projects. You'll leave with open source software for designing, editing, and "printing" laser-cut items, along with your own laser-cut sample project to take home. Laser cut designs are limited to a 5" by 5" design in wood or plexiglass (with both etching and cutting capabilities) and are available to pick up after class. You are encouraged (but not don't required!) to bring your own laptop.

All levels of experience are welcome. Open to ages 7 and up, although children should be accompanied by an adult.

Instructor: Andy Wiseman. Andy teaches many "Make It & Take It" makerspace workshops, introducing students to new equipment and helping them begin their own journeys to prototyping, constructing, innovating and more.


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Spark Tank Business Accelerator Giveaway
(sign up ends by 11/22)

 Applications currently being accepted!
Voting begins November 22, 2017

As a way to give back to the community, the Spark Tank contest intends to help a local business transform and accelerate! The winner will receive a custom website, professionally written content, a professional photo shoot, a 30-second commercial, a premier car wrap, marketing strategy plan development, and an executive branding kit!

  Competition timeline:
VOTING PERIOD: Wednesday, November 22nd - Wednesday, December 6th
The images and story you provided about your business will post to the   Valley Inbound Marketing   Facebook page. The public will vote for your business by "liking" your business post. Your goal is to get as many people to vote on your post as possible! 

6 Finalists  will be chosen based on who has the most likes on the post for their business.  2 Wildcard Finalists will be chosen based on the compelling nature of their story submitted during the application process.

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED: Thursday, December 8th
All 8 finalists will be announced this day in a unique top-secret (for now) way! This is when you'll get the complete rules and guidelines for the January 13th Spark Tank presentations.

SPARK TANK LIVE SHOW: Saturday, January 13th, 9am-6pm
This is   THE DAY!   Be prepared to commit the entire day to this event. For the live portion of the show, you'll come prepared to show what you've got in a Shark Tank style presentation, complete with 5 judges and Q&A from the audience.  

The  2018 SPARK TANK WINNER  will be selected by the judges and announced at the end of the competition!

For more information, visit  www.valleyinbound.com/sparktank2018


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VA/DC FIRST LEGO League | State Championship Tournament (Harrisonburg,12/2 -12/3)



 Dec. 2, 2017 at JMU Memorial Hall | 7:45 am - 6 pm
Dec. 3, 2017 at Harrisonburg High School | 7:30 am - 6 pm
** Open to the Public ** 

Plan to come to the gargantuan and very busy FIRST LEGO League (FLL) state tournament. Exc itement, robotics, and LEGOS! Most importantly, come support the students who have worked hard and see what they've accomplished! 


What does all this FLL stuff look like? Watch this team from S. Korea in last year's challenge, at "World Fest", spring 2017, which is where many of the state-level winners go to compete.)

Bring your kids to the Dec 3 (Sunday) competition at Harrisonburg High School to see them compete in this year's challenge: Hydrodynamics 

2017 Challenge: Hydrodynamics
Drink in the 2017/2018 HYDRO DYNAMICSSM season and learn all about water - how we find, transport, use, or dispose of it. In the 2017/18 FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge, students age 9 to 16 from 80 countries will make a splash with HYDRO DYNAMICS. What might become possible when we understand what happens to our water?

FIRST® LEGO® League challenges kids to think like scientists and engineers. During the HYDRO DYNAMICSSM season, teams will choose and solve a real-world problem in the Project. They will also build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® technology to solve a set of missions in the Robot Game. Throughout their experience, teams will operate under the FIRST LEGO League signature set of Core Values, celebrating discovery, teamwork, and Gracious Professionalism®

For more information and full schedule, visit  https://va-dcfll.org/2017-vadc-state-tournament/.

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December 6, 2017 | 7:30 - 9:30 am
JMU Festival and Conference Center
$15 for Members | $20 for Non-Members

Save the date for the Legislative Pre-Session! This breakfast is a time that we listen to and engage with our area legislators about issues affecting business in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. 

The Shenandoah Valley Technology Council and the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce together host the Annual Pre-Session Legislative Breakfast at JMU Festival and Conference Center. This is a time that we listen to and engage with our area legislators about issues affecting business in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.


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Do you have a passion for a project that needs funding? Are you looking for a way to get more local dollars into the community? Are you interested in changing the way money flows into our neighborhoods?  Join us for an evening for drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and new friendships as the Staunton Creative Community Fund (SCCF) brings together the faces of the Invest Local Project: makers, entrepreneurs, investors and supporters.

SCCF is building the networks for a thriving local economy and opening opportunities for local investing.


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December 9, 2017 | 8:30 am- 2:30 pm | JMU ISAT/CS Building

Hosted by JMU Outreach and Engagement, come join us this year for this free one-day event. It will be offered for middle school AND high school-aged girls interested in technology. DIGITAL is designed to inspire girls to break limits and explore technology through hands-on activities led by female JMU students.

Registration is free, and will be updated and open soon! Breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

Questions? Contact Melissa Heatwole at  [email protected] or (540) 568-4226

Register for Dec. 9, 2017 workshop

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January 13 - February 10, 2018
9 am - 12 pm | JMU Physics/Chem Building

Check out Saturday Morning Physics, a fun and informative way to start your weekend!

Come and explore the fascinating properties of waves as scientists use them in music, nanotechnology, astronomy, and nuclear physics. JMU Physics and Astronomy presents this educational event series designed for high school students and teachers! Juniors and seniors who participate are eligible for one JMU Physics credit. Held over the Saturdays on the JMU campus, we invite you to explore, learn, and have fun!

Note that only 50 seats are available! For more information, contact Melissa Heatwole at [email protected] or (540) 568-4226.

Also see  http://www.jmu.edu/outreach/programs/all/saturday-morning-physics


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   | Grades 1st - 8th (1/13 - 2/17)



January 13 - February 17, 2018 | 9 am - 12 pm
$135.00 covers all 6 Saturdays

College for Kids is an enrichment program for children in grades 1-8. Children will work with James Madison University faculty and graduate students, as well as experts from the community and surrounding area, to try new things, explore and discover talents they never knew they had! College for Kids is being held this year on Saturday, January 13 - February 17, 2018 from 9-12pm. 

Registration fee of $135.00 covers all 6 Saturdays
 
For more information, please contact Melissa Heatwole at [email protected] or (540) 568-4226


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Highlighting Renewing Level I Member:

The JMU Office of Technology Innovation and Economic Development's mission is three-fold: 1) promote innovation through protecting and commercializing intellectual property developed at JMU, 2) create research opportunities by connecting faculty and students with business and industry, and 3) foster economic development through business partnerships and launching startup companies. Along with James Madison Innovations, Inc., JMU's intellectual property management and licensing organization, the two entities connect researchers, entrepreneurs, and professionals in industry and support services to bolster the entrepreneurial infrastructure and promote innovation in the Valley.


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Highlighting Renewing Level I Member:

People Places is a non-profit agency that is dedicated to providing therapeutic services within the community and nurturing safe and lasting relationships for children and families. Our services support foster care, adoption, special education, and families in and around Staunton, Charlottesville and Harrisonburg.


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Job Opening: Software Engineer

Jenzabar is looking for a talented and experienced Software Engineer to join our team of passionate people in designing and developing a high quality, end user focused administrative web application for higher education. This individual should be highly proficient with HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript/jQuery and have a passion for web development as well as a keen eye for well-designed UX and UI. The Software Engineer should have solid experience with Responsive Web Design techniques to build interfaces which will adapt to the many devices in which our end users will use to access our application. Solid experience with developing .Net MVC web applications and the .Net framework is highly preferred. If you enjoy working in a team environment to develop an application that will not just let users do their work but help them do their work, then please consider joining the Jenzabar team.

 
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Job Opening: Web Developer
James Madison University IT| Harrisonburg

James Madison University ( JMU ) is currently recruiting for a creative, self-motivated Web Developer to help support JMU's current web infrastructure. This position will support end user publishing to university web servers using the  JMU  Content Management System (Cascade Server) and also some development of miscellaneous web applications that support the main university website.

More information at JMU Joblink


Job Opening: Assistant or Associate Professor of Data Science
JMU Co llege of Integrated Science and Engineering| Harrisonburg

The Department of Integrated Science and Technology ( ISAT ) at James Madison University ( JMU ) invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor beginning August, 2018. The Department of Integrated Science and Technology (soon to become the School of Integrated Sciences) is a dynamic, highly interdisciplinary academic unit of 50 faculty with terminal degrees in 39 different fields. Our graduates are innovative problem solvers with strong analytical and teaming skills that enable them to work on complex socio-technical problems facing organizations, communities, and society. Additional information on the department and its individual programs can be found at http://www.isat.jmu.edu.


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Job Opening: 
Director of Information Technology 

Lexington City Schools | Lexington

The Director of Information Technology is responsible for the design, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of all server, network, and computing technology for Lexington City Schools and the City of Lexington. This position also assists with networking and server support at the Rockbridge ECC. The position reports to the Superintendent of Lexington City Schools and the City Manager. Given oversight of the city's varied technology infrastructure, the Director of Information Technology must be self - driven, organized, and possess a keen attention to detail. As primary support for faculty, staff, and students, the Director of Information Technology must also be collaborative and committed to customer service. 


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Participate in the local tech conversation: Rocktown Tech (Slack)

Currently there are 18 channels and over 250 members. Please join in! 
Sign-up link:  https://rocktowntech.herokuapp.com/

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SVTC MEMBERS INVITATION: DISPLAY YOUR MEMBERSHIP STATUS
Membership Badge Available 
 
Use our new graphic on your own website (and remember to link back to our website www. svtc-va.org !) 

Choose the graphic file of your choice:

Let us know when you incorporate this graphic and we'll mention your site in return!


Examples:
See how our Level I Members  grep Innovation, LLC displayed our membership badge on their  website!

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800 S. Main Street MSC 4901
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