Here’s a round-up of briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
* * *
Polish orchestra to perform at Radford Feb. 2.
After nearly two years, Radford University will bring a major musical event back to campus with the arrival of the Polish Wieniawski Philharmonic Orchestra, a world class ensemble, on February 2 at 7:30 pm in Bondurant Hall.
From 2005 to early 2020, the University Performance Series brought national and international performing acts to the stage several times a year. However, Covid-19 put the program on hiatus until now.
The Polish Wieniawski Philharmonic Orchestra formed at the end of World War II and provided the first post-war concert in Poland. Today, the orchestra tours the world, bringing classical music to not just university audiences but also the major cities of Europe, the United States and China.
The performance will feature three well-known pieces, the overture to Rossini’s opera, La gazza ladra (or The Thieving Magpie), Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.
Radford University encourages the public to join in the event. Ticket information is available at www.radfordactivities.com.
* * *
Forest Service seeks public comment on fiber optic lines
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are asking for public comments on whether to allow fiberoptic telecommunication lines across National Forest System lands.
“The Forest Service manages land to accommodate multiple uses, including supporting the installation of broadband in rural communities” said Joby Timm, Forest Supervisor, in a statement. “Because the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests run the length of Virginia from north to south, long, linear utilities inevitably require access across National Forest System lands.”
Under the proposal, current and future fiberoptic telecommunication proposals would be eligible for a permit if the proposal met specific criteria. For more information, the Forest Service refers people to this the “scoping letter”: at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61463
Comments on this proposal may be submitted electronically until February 22 at https://cara.ecosystemmanagement.org/Public/Commentlnput?Project=61463.
The Forest Service says “for your comments to be most helpful, please identify specific issues or concerns related to the project that need to be addressed. Comments will be used to prepare a draft Environmental Analysis.”
* * *
VCEDA awards grant to Bluefield bakery
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) has awarded a $10,000 seed capital matching grant to a bakery in Bluefield, Virginia.
“Helping to revitalize downtown areas in VCEDA’s e-Region has been one of the added benefits to our seed capital matching grant program as a number of the businesses awarded grants have chosen to locate in downtown areas,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher in a statement. “Snuckle Butter, LLC is locating in an historic section of Bluefield, Va., and projects three full-time jobs and six part-time jobs within five years.”
Snuckle Butter will sell a large variety of made fresh daily yeast donuts, cookies, brownies and specialty cakes when it opens this summer and already has plans to expand to offer breads in its second year and gelato in its third year of operation.
Owner Laura Hrovatic worked with the Small Business Development Center at Southwest Virginia Community College in the development of her application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Tazewell County Industrial Development Authority.
Snuckle Butter LLC is located at 542 Virginia Avenue in Bluefield.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.