Lynchburg Living

Community NEWS

THIRD ANNUAL WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA CEREMONY PLANNED FOR DECEMBER 11

At noon on Saturday, December 11, the Blue Ridge Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, will sponsor the third annual Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg. In the past three years, these have been moving events, and have received tremendous support from the Lynchburg community. A special ceremony is being planned for that day that will include civic leaders, school children and veterans groups, after which wreaths will be placed on the headstones of hundreds of veterans. Community leader and veteran Joe Seiffert will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the program that will feature a flyover by the Civil Air Patrol-Lynchburg Composite Squadron, motorcycle escort by Rolling Thunder, Holy Cross Regional School Singing Angels, Soulsters from the Hills, bugler Cmdr. Michael Reeves, USN (Ret.) and Lynchburg Fire Department Pipes and Drums. The purpose of Wreaths Across America is to remember the fallen, honor those who have served and teach children the value of freedom.

LYNCHBURG MSA MOVES UP FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR IN “BEST CITY” RANKINGS

The Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) has moved up 25 positions over last year in The Milken Institute / Greenstreet Real Estate Partners Best Performing Cities Index. The MSA includes the four-county Region 2000 geographic area, surrounding the City of Lynchburg.

Lynchburg ranked 35th of the 200 largest metros in the nation in this study, based on how well the region creates and sustains jobs, among other economic growth factors. In 2009, the MSA ranked 60th, and in 2008, 71st. The components of the study include job growth, wage and salary increases and technology growth.

“This once again affirms that our region’s business leaders, educators and local governments are doing the right things to collectively strengthen our economy,” Bryan David, Executive Director, Virginia’s Region 2000 Economic Development Council, said. “When you dive further into this study, you find that we actually ranked third in the nation for high tech GDP growth over a five-year period.”

According to David, the region has put a heavy focus on tech-based economic development initiatives, such as the creation of the Center for Advanced Engineering and Research, technology education programs at local schools and colleges and a collaborative spirit among industry leaders to shift manufacturing toward advanced, tech-based products and services.

Among Virginia’s large metros, the Lynchburg MSA ranked second highest in the state, just after the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria region, which moved from 25th to 6th in the nation. Of the others, Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News ranked 78th, Richmond ranked 79th, Roanoke ranked 105th and Kingsport-Bristol ranked 131st. Smaller Virginia metros, such as Danville, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg and Winchester, were ranked in a separate Small Cities list. To view the full Milken Institute report, visit www.milkeninstitute.org.

UNIQUE EXHIBIT AIMS TO RESTORE ART AND HELP STUDENTS

E.C. Glass currently holds 152 original pieces of art dating back to 1895. On Sunday, November 7, 2010, from 1 to 5 p.m., the Friends of the E.C. Glass Art collection will hold a free open house for the public to view this collection. The exhibit is entitled, “The E.C. Glass Art Collection: A Rich History, Recent Discoveries, A Brilliant Future.”

This is the first exhibition of the collection in 25 years. The Friends of the E.C. Glass Art Collection recently formed to celebrate, preserve and promote the collection and to use the collection to benefit Lynchburg City Schools’ students. The organization consists of current E.C. Glass students, alumni, faculty and other interested Lynchburg citizens.

Thirty-five paintings have been identified as needing repair, reframing and cleaning. During the November open house, donations will be collected to help repair these works. In addition, the Friends of the E.C. Glass Art Collection will expand the use of this unique asset to generate income for the benefit of all Lynchburg City School students, and the art in the collection will continue to be used to educate our students about art, literature, history and culture, enhancing the State of Virginia’s Standards of Learning objectives.

THREE HOLIDAY BENEFITS FOR THE FAMILY ALLIANCE

This holiday season, there are two ways to support the Family Alliance—simply by shopping and getting a haircut. The first opportunity is a cut-a-thon on Sunday, November 14, at any local Paul Mitchell salon from 1 to 4 p.m. Appointments are not required.

On December 4, a Holiday One-Stop Shop is being held at the Holiday Inn Downtown from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local vendors and artisans will have gifts ready for purchase. Bake sale items will also be available. Part of the proceeds from both events benefit the Family Alliance.