newvaconnects

connect news:

dog park logo contest (pdf)
newvaconnects events
dog park news
dog park prospectus (pdf)

political opportunities for young professionals (pdf)

dog park information and news:
Roanoke Dog Park .com

connect for more:
Contact: Will Farmer, 540.342.3560
September 19, 2007 will@woltz.com

Contest kicks off to design logo for Roanoke’s first fenced, off-leash, public dog park
Open to artists of all ages, the entry deadline is April 28
PDF of Release

ROANOKE, VA – NewVaConnects and the City of Roanoke announce a contest to
design a logo for Roanoke’s first fenced, off-leash, public dog park. With thousands of dog
lovers in the Roanoke Valley, the City is allocating space at Fishburn Park for state-of-the-art
dog park amenities, including fencing, benches, tables, watering stations, and waste
receptacles. NewVaConnects is partnering with Roanoke’s Parks and Recreation Department
to raise $30,000 by June 1st to provide fencing and amenities for the dog park.

The logo’s design should capture the spirit of our region, our two- and four-legged
residents, and our new fenced, off-leash, public dog park. The contest is open to everyone –
amateur artists or professionals – of any age. The “Youth” category includes anyone age 17 or
under as of April 1, 2008. The “Adult” category includes anyone age 18 or over as of April 1,
2008. Only one entry per person is permitted. Group projects are permitted.

How to Enter:
Adopting the logo’s design theme and the mission of the dog park, artwork should be
produced in any two-dimensional medium. Computer-generated art is acceptable. All work
must be the original, unique creation of the artist(s) submitting the artwork. No work that has
been directly copied from any published source, or which includes such material, may be
submitted. Artwork that has been previously published or exhibited is permitted upon proof the
artist maintains use/ownership of the piece.

Artwork may be entered digitally, through our email address: roanokedogpark@gmail,
or by mailing a submission. We encourage everyone to enter digitally, if possible, in order to
avoid lost, damaged, or late entries.

To enter online, photograph or scan your artwork into the computer. If you do not have a
digital camera or scanner, visit a print and copy center business for assistance. The artwork
should be between 600 by 900 pixels and 1200 by 1800 pixels in size. Save the resulting
artwork as a JPEG image. The image must be smaller than 2 Megabytes in size after JPEG
compression. Be sure to include your complete contact information with your design entry.

To enter by mail, mail your artwork, a CD containing a digital JPEG file of your design,
and your complete contact information to: Roanoke Dog Park Logo Contest, 303 Washington
Avenue SW, Roanoke, Virginia, 24016, USA.

Logo contest entries must be received via e-mail or regular mail by April 28, 2008.

Reproduction rights to all of the submitted artwork will remain with the artists. However,
all prize winners shall agree that NewVaConnects and the City of Roanoke are granted non-
exclusive reproduction rights for logo, advertising, promotion, print publication, and Internet
purposes. NewVaConnects and the City of Roanoke agree not to sell any of the artwork, or any
reproduction, unless an additional agreement is reached with the artist involved.

Judging:
All entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges selected by NewVaConnects. Art will be
judged based on the artwork’s articulation of the contest theme, creativity and artistic merit. For
submissions by artists under 18 years of age, the age of the artist will be taken into
consideration. One Grand Prize winner will be selected. Three Honorable Mention winners will
be selected in each age category (Youth and Adult). Judging decisions are final and may not be
appealed.

Following judging, the Grand Prize Winner will be notified of their status privately by e-
mail and/or by telephone. Honorable Mention Winners will be notified privately by e-mail and/or
by mail. A list of contest winners and their artwork will be posted on www.roanokedogpark.com.
Entrants who provide e-mail addresses will receive a one-time e-mail informing them of the
contest’s results.

Announcement of the Winner:
The Grand Prize Winner will be recognized publicly at the next fundraising event for the
Roanoke Dog Park – Cocktails for a Cause at Trio in Roanoke’s historic downtown market on
Wednesday, April 30th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Prizes:
The Grand Prize Winner will receive recognition in Roanoke Dog Park logos, print
material, and fundraising material. In addition, the Grand Prize Winner will receive a $300 gift
certificate to the Roanoke area business of their choice, or a commemorative brick at the
Roanoke Dog Park, whichever he or she chooses. All honorable mention winners will receive a
Roanoke Dog Park Prize Package including a Certificate of Honor and a T-shirt featuring the
winning logo.

Questions:
Address all concerns or questions to roanokedogpark@gmail.com or call Lauren
Ellerman at 540.985.0098.

Since NewVaConnects launched fundraising efforts on March 11th, nearly $4,000 has
been raised. Secure, tax-deductible donations are being accepted via credit cards on the dog
park’s official web site – www.roanokedogpark.com. Tax-deductible donations may also be
made by checks payable to the City of Roanoke – with “Dog Park/Off-Leash Area” noted on the
memo line – and mailed to Dog Park Donation, Roanoke Parks and Recreation Department,
210 Reserve Avenue SW, Roanoke, Virginia, 24016.
To learn more about opportunities for individuals and corporations to donate or offer
in-kind contributions, as well as upcoming fundraising events and Frequently Asked Questions,
visit www.roanokedogpark.com.

Roanoke Dog Park Mission Statement
The Roanoke Dog Park was established to create a fenced, off-leash, public dog park where
well-behaved canine citizens can run, play and exercise in a clean, safe environment; to
develop a beautiful and well-maintained public space open to dog lovers and friends who will
uphold the park's rules and regulations; to view the dog park as a community project in
partnership with the City of Roanoke and area civic organizations that satisfies the needs of dog
owners and non-dog owners alike. For more information, go to www.RoanokeDogPark.com.

About NewVaConnects
NewVaConnects, the young professionals voice for action, was created as an affiliate of the
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce in the spring of 2006 by a group of professionals in
their 20's and 30's who were concerned about issues facing our region. Their goal is to aid in
the accomplishment of making the NewVa region a talent capital and a great place for young
professionals to live and work. By acting as a united voice, young professionals have the
opportunity to shape their community and make it a place that attracts talent and economic
growth. NewVaConnects regularly hosts events and programs that focus on topics concerning
current political issues, professional development, and social interaction. Learn more about the
organization at: www.newvaconnects.org.

About the City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation Department
The City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation Department is a dedicated team, committed to
improving the quality of life for citizens and visitors by providing recreational opportunities
through diverse programs and facilities and promoting environmental stewardship through
beautification, management and care of public spaces. Find out more at: www.roanokeva.gov.

###

Once More With Feeling: NewVaConnects YP Marketing Wins Addys
Campaign for fall event wins big (again) at AdFed awards show

Lightning, apparently, can strike twice. Last weekend’s Addy award show by the Advertising Federation of the Roanoke Valley bestowed no fewer than 4 Gold Addys as well as the Best of Print and Excellence in Art Direction awards on the NewVaConnects NovemBeer marketing campaign. The Novembeer campaign was created for the second year in a row in the Roanoke office of the Neathawk Dubuque & Packett agency. NewVaConnects Vice President John Griessmayer served as Creative Director and copywriter with Whitney Pratt as Senior Art Director on the winning campaign.

NovemBeer, NewVaConnects’ primary annual fundraiser, was promoted through a poster series that aimed for the heart of young professionals in the Roanoke and surrounding areas. Samples can be found on the ND&P website (http://www.ndp-agency.com) as well as the ND&P Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/NDP/8107669882). NewVaConnects enjoyed the boost in NovemBeer attendance last fall thanks to the effective campaign. After moving the event to the larger venue of Awful Arthurs’ Towers location to accommodate a bigger crowd, a twenty percent increase in attendance made the fundraiser another success. Last year Neathawk Dubuque & Packett’s campaign for NovemBeer was also heavily awarded.

“7 Deadly Vins” is the next NewVaConnects event this Thursday at Awful Arthurs downtown location.
NewVaConnects will take the pretentiousness out of drinking wine at the 2nd Annual event on Thursday, March 6th starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and available on a first come, first serve basis. Purchase your tickets online here: http://tinyurl.com/2uguja.

Neathawk Dubuque & Packett is a full-service advertising agency with clients that include Virginia Tech, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia, ITT Night Vision, VCU Medical Center, Franklin County tourism and economic development, and The Jefferson Hotel. Visit the website at: http://www.ndp-agency.com.

NewVaConnects was created as an affiliate of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce in the spring of 2006 by a group of young professionals in their 20's and 30's who were concerned about the issues facing our region. Their goal is to aid in the accomplishment of making the NewVa region a talent capital and a great place for young professionals to live and work. By acting as a united voice, young professionals have the opportunity to have a say in shaping our community and making it a place that attracts young talent and economic growth.

NewVaConnects hosts a series of events and programs that focus on a variety of topics including current political issues, professional development and social interaction. Find out more at: www.newvaconnects.org. ###

See the posters by clicking above!

Get Involved Politically!

Download the PDF of opportunities for you to get involved! Includes various boards and contact info for the NewVa region...

Dog Park Funding Update

IThe NewVa Connects Advocacy Committee:
Plan 2008 FOCUS - Jan 24 at 6:30 pm at Frith Law Firm
Dog Park Fundraiser Meeting Jan. 28 at 6:30 pm at Frith Law Firm 303 Washington Ave

In November, NewVaConnects created a proposal for how Roanoke's first off-leash dog park could be funded, including donor levels, etc. We are still working to revise it, but wanted to give a sneak peek on how things are going! The proposal includes: off-leash rules for visitors, sponsorship levels for cash donations, in-kind donor opportunities and an application for donation. To give you an idea of what's included, see below...

Sponsorship Levels:

Top Dog: $25,000
Naming/Adoption rights for the off-leash area including constant recognition in signage, ads, events, releases...etc.
Four Paws: $10,000
Founding sponsor plaque, recognition in materials and events
Three Paws: $5,000
Corporate seal or name posted on Rules and Recognition sign, recognition in materials and events
Two Paws: $1,000
Engraved message of choice on a bench, table, dog fountain or near a tree
One Paw: $300
Commemorative brick with personal message placed inside park

In-Kind Sponsorship Opportunities:

$10,000
1/2 acre of 4 foot fencing to enclose park
$6,300
Purchase handicap accessible water fountain - with dog fountain attached
$2,500
Purchase the kiosk/bulliten board for posting rules, events, etc.
$1,000
Have a tree, bench, or picnic table puchased with corporate or family name on plaque (needs: 6 benches, 2 picnic tables, and many trees)
$750
Purchase a Twists and Turn Trash Can for the park (at least 3 needed)
$750
Purchase a "Pet Waste Station" - the most important feature of the park (2 needed with lots of baggies)

For more information, contact Lauren Ellerman at lellerman@frithlawfirm.com.

December Community Giving Project announced!
This year, NewVaConnects is making sure everyone in Roanoke receives a present this holiday season. You can help NewVaConnects and the Rescue Mission create gifts for homeless men and women in our community. There are several ways you can help: (1) create a box with the items listed below; (2) donate a few of the items and we will make the boxes; (3) ask your office to place a large box and list of needed items for your colleagues to help in item collection; or (4) make a cash donation directly to the Rescue Mission. Each gift will contain: 1 pair of thinsulated gloves, $5 fast food coupons, 2 pairs of new heavy socks, 1 deodorant, 1 package of disposable razors, 1 chap stick, and 1 pair of flip flops (to wear in the shower). For more information or to find out how you can contribute, contact Renu Musselwhite at renudawn@gmail.com or Lauren Ellerman at lellerman@frithlawfirm.com. The collection deadline is Wednesday, December 12th.