Lynchburg Living

Community NEWS

LYNCHBURG NATIVE PHIL VASSAR TO PLAY A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR THE MILLER HOME

Lynchburg native, Phil Vassar, is returning to his hometown on April 7, to play a third annual benefit concert for The Miller Home For Girls at the E.C. Glass High School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Vassar is giving 100 percent of the proceeds from the show to The Miller Home, a safe haven for young girls ages four through 18. The nonprofit survives solely on private funding.

“I’m so excited to be able to come back to Lynchburg to help out The Miller Home again. We had a great time last year,” Vassar said. “The Miller Home is a great place and I’m happy to do what I can to help.”

Tickets are $30. To purchase, contact The Miller Home at (434) 845-0241.

CASA SHOE SALE SUPPORTS CHILD ADVOCACY CASA’s 12th Annual Heart and Sole Shoe Market, sponsored by Wachovia, will be held on Saturday, April 9, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Sunday, April 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Lynchburg Armory, located at 1200 Church Street in Downtown Lynchburg. A Preview Party will be held on Friday, April 8 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. A limited number of $25 tickets will go on sale on March 7. Ticket holders will have an opportunity to shop early and also enjoy light refreshments and chances to win door prizes.

Shoppers from across Central Virginia look forward each spring to buying new, name brand shoes and accessories at drastically reduced prices, from $5 to $25. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Central Virginia conducts this premier fundraising event to support its mission to recruit and train volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in Lynchburg and the counties of Amherst, Bedford, Campbell and Nelson. For more information, contact CASA of Central Virginia at (434) 528-2552 or visit www.cvcasa.org.

7^TH ANNUAL PURSE & PASSION LUNCHEON SEEKS SPONSORS

The 7^th Annual Purse & Passion Luncheon exists to raise funds for the YWCA of Central Virginia’s programs and services for children. The Luncheon will take place Friday, April 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Kirkley Hotel and Conference Center and includes raffle purses and silent auction purses and great networking opportunities with local women (and men), businesses and organizations.

Become a Table Captain by inviting seven of your friends to create a table of eight. Tickets will not be sold, but the YW will ask for a donation at the end of the event. The suggested donation is $75. Three $1,500 sponsors are also being sought for the food. For more information, email Michelle Duncan at mduncanywca@yahoo.com.

CW 150 LEGACY PROJECT VISITS APPOMATTOX TO DIGITIZE CIVIL-WAR ERA DOCUMENTS
The Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission and the Library of Virginia have partnered to create a state-wide online collection of original Civil War manuscripts that still remain in private hands. The Civil War 150 Legacy Project: Document Digitization and Access focuses on manuscript materials created during the period 1859-1867 that reflect social, political, military, business and religious life in Virginia during the Civil War and the early period of Reconstruction.

On Saturday, April 2, The Civil War 150 Legacy Project staff will be visiting the Appomattox Community Center at 220 Community Lane from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Citizens are encouraged to bring original family materials to be scanned and included in the project. Items should be flat such as letters, journals and photos. Three dimensional artifacts like clothing, weapons, or large artwork cannot be scanned. Scanned materials will be made available on the web via the Library of Virginia web site and the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission web site.

Appointments are encouraged and a limited number of walk-ins will be accommodated from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. To make an appointment, call (434) 352-5996.

THOMAS JEFFERSON’S POPLAR FOREST EXTENDS SEASON

Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest will re-open for the 2011 season on Tuesday, March 15. For the first time, Poplar Forest is extending this year’s season from March 15 to December 15 and will be open seven days a week.

This season, restoration of the interior of Jefferson’s retreat continues as Poplar Forest craftsmen work on detailing in the rooms, including the trim and entablature. A new official two-phase project of the Garden Club of Virginia also means Poplar Forest archaeologists will continue to find and restore the double row of paper mulberry trees on the west side of the house. The addition of the row of trees on the west reinstates Jefferson’s symmetrical design by balancing the “wing of offices” on the east. In Phase II, work will focus on the front of the house, locating and replanting two oval flower beds and two tree groupings, which Jefferson referred to as “tree clumps.”

Guests are encouraged to visit the exhibits in the lower level of the house and the wing of offices, and view the archaeology lab and restoration workshop. With regular admission, visitors also have the option of checking out GPS-guided handheld audio/video units to tour the grounds. Poplar Forest offers guided tours, special events and school outreach programs. A full season of events is planned for this year. Visit www.poplarforest.org/events for a complete list.

E.C. GLASS THEATRE PRESENTS THE CENTRAL VIRGINIA PREMIERE OF PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Voted 2010′s “Best Live Theatre” by the readers of Lycnhburg Living and as one of the nation’s most recognized high school theatre programs, E.C. Glass Theatre never shies away from a challenge. With the spectacular scenery, lavish costumes and talented singers, dancers and musicians that are synonymous with E.C. Glass Theatre, this highly anticipated production is already the talk of the town. The Phantom of the Opera is an unforgettable love story that is sure to leave audiences of all ages entranced.

Over its 30-year history, this award-winning drama department has entertained sell-out audiences with such productions as Cats, Les Miserables and Beauty and the Beast.

“Our students are simply amazing and we were delighted when we were granted the rights to perform Phantom this year,” Jim Ackley, Drama Department Director for E.C. Glass High School, said.

Performances are scheduled for March 25, 26, 31 & April 1, 2 at 7:30 p.m. and March 27 at 2:30 p.m. in the E.C. Glass Auditorium with the March 31 performance signed for the hearing impaired. Tickets are available on-line at www.ecglasstheatre.org as well as Aylor’s Farm and Garden, Carolina Connection Dance and Body Wear, Givens Books, Virginia Garden Supply and Doyle’s Florist. Tickets also can be purchased at the EC Glass Auditorium Lobby Box Office weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning March 17.

FESTIVAL OF GARDENING SCHEDULED FOR MAY 7

On May 7, The Hill City Master Gardener Association will offers home grown plants for sale at the Festival of Gardening fundraising event at the Aviary in Lynchburg’s Miller Park from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items also being offered for sale include baked goods, garden art, fresh produce, tools and books. Free educational lectures and children’s activities will highlight the event. Free parking is available at 301 Grove Street and Miller Park Pool. For more information, visit hcmga.com.

DATES ANNOUNCED FOR THE CENTRAL VIRGINIA HOME & GARDEN EXPO 2011

The Home Builders Association of Central Virginia is proud to present the Central Virginia Home & Garden Expo 2011 at the Lynchburg City Armory from Friday, March 11 through Sunday, March 13. Vendor space is still available. To learn more about hours or to register for booth space, visit www.hbacv.org, email info@hbacv.org or call (434) 385-6018.

TICKETS ON SALE FOR SECOND CHANCE PROM

Lynchburg Project Lifesaver, Inc., is hosting a Second Chance Prom fundraiser on April 9, starting at 7 p.m. at Phase 2 (formerly Cattle Annie’s) in Lynchburg. This event is to help support this life-saving program as well as other community relations programs implemented by the Lynchburg Sheriff’s Office. Live music will be provided by the band, Casper. Tickets are $20 per person or $35 per couple, and the cost is tax deductible. For more information, please contact Margaret Younger at (434) 546-6770 or Phase 2 at (434) 846-3206.

OLD CITY CEMETERY MUSEUMS AND ARBORETUM NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

Old City Cemetery is currently recruiting new volunteers for its 2011 Visitors Season. No experience is required, but potential volunteers should have a love of history, historic preservation, or horticulture and enjoy working with the public.

To become a volunteer, a six-hour training program must be completed. Two training dates are: Wednesday, March 30 or Saturday, April 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Those interested need only to attend one date. One-on-one training is also available. For more information, contact Dawn Fields Wise at (434) 847-1465 or dawn@gravegarden.org.

DERBY DAY EVENT TO BENEFIT LOCAL NONPROFITS
The Junior League of Lynchburg and Couples and Kids, Inc. are proud to present the 2nd annual Derby Day Soiree on May 7. The event includes live viewing of the Kentucky Derby, music by the Almost Brothers Band, a gourmet dinner provided by Avenue Foods along with traditional mint juleps in the picturesque setting of Old Elkton Farm in Bedford County. It’s the perfect occasion to don your best southern attire–bow ties and hats are a must!

The Derby Day Soiree will begin at 5 p.m. Tickets are available through the Junior League of Lynchburg Web site, www.jrleaguelynchburg.org, or members of the Junior League or Couples and Kids. Advance tickets are $60 per person until April 15, when the price will increase to $70.

LOCALLY-PRODUCED FEATURE FILM, “THE POTENTIAL INSIDE,” DEBUTS IN LYNCHBURG

After four years of development and production, “The Potential Inside” will be premiering at the Tower Theater on the campus of Liberty University on March 10. Shot in its entirety on location in Virginia, “The Potential Inside” is an award-winning feature film nominated as “Official Selection” to five film festivals domestically and internationally.

Directed and produced by Scotty Curlee of Red Cloud Productions, the story revolves around veteran cyclist, Chris Carmick, who after 15 years of professional racing is in a car accident that derails his mission to be the best. Faced with the realities of misplaced priorities and a broken marriage, Chris is given an opportunity he doesn’t want–to train a rookie cycling prodigy, named Jake. Using cutting-edge technology and scientific training methods, Chris transforms Jake into a top contending cyclist; however, he struggles to teach Jake the most important lesson prominent in all champions: finding the true “potential inside.”

Fifty percent of premiere proceeds will go to two local charities: The Liberty Godparent Home and Backpack for Kids’ Sake. Members of the cast and crew will be in attendance including “The Potential Inside” cast member, Ransford Doherty, who co-starred with Bruce Willis in the movie “Hostage” in 2005. Reserved seating is available through www.itickets.com.

“The Potential Inside” will be released worldwide on DVD on April 19, 2011 and will be available through Christian retailers and online retail outlets including Amazon.com and Walmart.com. For more information on “The Potential Inside” and to view the movie trailer, go to www.thepotentialinside.com.