Lynchburg Business

In the News, February 2013

Issue: February 2013 by Lynchburg Business in In the News

STATE RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF CT SCANNER AT NEW CENTRA CENTER

The Virginia Department of Health has recommended conditional approval of Centra’s application to put a 64-slice CT scanner in its new Gretna Medical Center, bringing the process one step forward. That recommendation will now go to the state health commissioner, who will make the final decision.

“Gaining staff report endorsement is important to our project, and I am excited to see state staff support for our plan to provide top-notch CT technology and emergency services for Gretna patients,” Michael Bryant, Centra president and CEO, said.

Centra cannot include a CT scanner without approval from the state. In Virginia, a Certificate of Public Need is required from the Virginia Department of Health for the CT scanner. The state health commissioner must determine that the public need for the technology exists and can be demonstrated. Danville Regional Medical Center has a competing project application for a 16-slice CT scanner, and the staff report also recommended conditional approval of that scanner.

Centra plans to build a 50,000-square-foot major medical center in Gretna with an emergency department, 64-slice CT scanner, helipad, on-site ambulance and other imaging technology. The new Gretna Medical Center would employ 80 people and offer around-the-clock emergency services on nearly 12 acres on U.S. 29.

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS RECEIVES GRANTS TOTALING $50,000

The Academy of Fine Arts (AFA) recently received a two grants totaling $50,000 from the Walmart Foundation and Virginia Main Street. The $25,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation is purposed to support children’s programming in the performing and visual arts. These funds will directly aid in providing scholarships to children’s theatre participants, offering ‘Learning with Artists’ programs for high school students and one-week art camps in the summer for children and teens.

“This generous donation from the Walmart foundation will help hundreds of children throughout Lynchburg City and Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell counties experience the joy of the arts, while learning many artistic disciplines,” Beth Doyle, Director of Development at AFA, said.

The $25,000 grant from Virginia Main Street supports the restoration of the historic Academy of Music Theatre’s façade. Capping the $25,000 challenge gift awarded to the Academy by Lynch’s Landing in December, and two private matches, the grant from Virginia Main Street totals $100,000 in support of façade restoration.

“As the last remaining theater on Main Street, the Academy of Music Theatre is an incredibly important historic and cultural landmark in our region,” Anna Bentson, Executive Director of Lynch’s Landing, said. “Virginia Main Street joins us in the belief that restoring this theater will serve as a magnet for continued economic development, serving as a stimulus in the development of Downtown Lynchburg as a retail, residential and tourist destination. It is our goal that these leadership gifts will establish confidence in this project and move quickly towards making a significant, visible and lasting improvement to Main Street.”

The Academy of Fine Arts, anchored by the historic Academy of Music Theatre, inspires, engages and educates the diverse population of Central Virginia in the performing and visual arts.

THE GREATER LYNCHBURG COMMUNITY TRUST AWARDS $10,500 TO THE LYNCHBURG HUMANE SOCIETY

The Lynchburg Humane Society (LHS) has been awarded a $10,500 grant from the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust that will be used to continue vaccinating every dog that comes into their facility and provide their Spay/Neuter Clinic with the essential equipment and supplies needed to continue their much-needed services.

LHS Executive Director Makena Yarbrough explains that medical care is an ever increasing expense and a particular worry the LHS faces is Kennel Cough, a highly contagious virus that is seen frequently in shelter environments as a result of dogs being housed closely together. Last year, the LHS took in 955 dogs that were vaccinated and altered before being adopted to ensure the placement of the healthiest pet possible. Since its opening in 2006, the LHS’s Spay/Neuter Clinic has performed over 30,000 procedures.

This staggering number has caused their equipment and reusable supplies, such as pulse oximeters which are necessary to monitor the animals during and after surgeries, to become worn over time and in need of replacement. This grant will help continue their efforts in providing healthy pets for adoption and continue reducing the number of unwanted dogs and puppies that come into LHS every year.

GATHERING OF GODDESSES PRESENTS AN EVENING OF GLAMOUR AT AMAZEMENT SQUARE

The red carpet treatment will be in full force for ladies attending the annual Gathering of Goddesses event on February 22 at Amazement Square in downtown Lynchburg. Attendees will be treated like a star at this “Hollywood nightclub” event featuring a red carpet, ropes, paparazzi photos and a photo booth.

Tax-deductible tickets are $85 per person or $150 for two, and all proceeds support Amazement Square’s educational mission. Each guest will be treated to a catered dinner, an open wine and beer bar, spa and health services and entertainment. VIP tickets are also available for $100 per person and include VIP dining, specialty drink service and a special gift bag. The blizzard date for the event is March 1.

To order tickets, visit www.amazementsquare.com/information.php?p=i-fundraising.

CASA SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

CASA of Central Virginia is seeking volunteers who are interested in becoming Court Appointed Special Advocates. Volunteer applications are being accepted now for a six-week blended learning class. One technology orientation class and five, in-person training sessions will be offered, in addition to web-based activities for a total of 30+ hours.

The next tech orientation training date is February 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center at 1701 Thomson Drive in Lynchburg. The five training programs will begin on February 27 and will be held on Wednesdays through March 27 from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Central Virginia is a non-profit organization that recruits, trains, monitors and supports caring community volunteers to be advocates for the abused and neglected children involved in juvenile court proceedings in the 24^th Judicial District. This district includes the cities of Lynchburg and Bedford and the counties of Amherst, Bedford, Campbell and Nelson. For more information about CASA of Central Virginia and how to be trained as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, please call (434) 528-2552, e-mail laura@cvcasa.org or visit www.cvcasa.org.

UPCOMING AREA BUSINESS EVENTS

February 22                                                                                                                          

Lynchburg Regional Chamber’s Women’s Luncheon Series: “Mastering Stress, Maximizing Success”                                         Westminster Canterbury, 501 VES Road, Lynchburg                                                                     

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.                                                                                                                          

Join the Lynchburg Regional Chamber for the first luncheon of the year and learn tips on how to master stress and maximize stress from speaker LaShawn Lewis, owner of LAE-LAH Consulting, Inc. Reservations are required by February 14. Cost is $22 for members, $32 for general admission. To register, contact the Chamber at (434) 845-5966, email info@lynchburgchamber.org or register online at www.lynchburgchamber.org.

February 27                                                                                                                          

Lynchburg Chamber’s Israel Trip Information Session                                                          

Lynchburg Regional Chamber Conference Room, 2015 Memorial Avenue, Lynchburg

5:15 p.m.

Informational meeting about the Lynchburg Chamber’s Israel trip scheduled for December 2-11, 2013, presented by DuCar International Tours. Space is limited. RSVP to the Chamber at (434) 845-5966 or drowland@lynchburgchamber.org.

March 8                                                                                                                                             

7^th  Annual Women of Worth Luncheon                                                                                           

The Kirkley Hotel and Conference Center, 2900 Candlers Mountain Road, Lynchburg

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Join the Lynchburg Regional Chamber and Successful Innovations, Inc., as they honor the nominees and winner of the prestigious ATHENA Award. Hear successful women share their stories and inspire you to lead your life with purpose, passion and persistence. Cost is $32 for Chamber members; $42 general admission. Corporate tables of eight are available at $300. Reservations are required by February 26 by calling (434) 845-5966, emailing info@lynchburgchamber.org or online at www.lynchburgchamber.org.

March 13                                                                                                                                           

Annual Meeting                                                                                                                                   

Burton Student Center, Lynchburg College                                                                                          

7:30 to 9 a.m.

Highlighting the major accomplishments of the Chamber in 2012 and unveiling the 2013 Program of Work. Admission is $22 per person and includes breakfast. Members can secure corporate tables of six for $250. Reservations should be made March 1 by contacting the Chamber at (434) 845-5966, emailing info@lynchburgchamber.org or registering online at www.lynchburgchamber.org.