Here’s a round-up of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org
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Ace Frehley to play at Harvester
The Harvester Performance Center will welcome Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Ace Frehley to the stage Friday, Feb. 3.
Best known as the original lead guitarist of the hard rock band Kiss, Frehley released “Space
Invader” in 2014, which was the only post-KISS solo album to crack the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart.
Frehley’s acclaimed 2011 autobiography “No Regrets” went on to become a New York Times best-seller.
Fans will hear all of Frehley’s hits including “New York Groove,” “Shock Me,” “Rocket Ride” and “Rock Soldiers.” Tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at harvester-music.com.
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Feds give grants of $3.7 million to groups in Abingdon and Martinsville
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded two grants totalling more than $3.7 million to groups in Abingdon and Martinsville, according to a release from Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem.
The department has awarded $2,477,510 to People Incorporated of Virginia, based in Abingdon, for Head Start and Early Head Start.
It’s also awarded $1,310,312 to the Martinsville Henry County Coalition for Health and Wellness.
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USDA makes grants to Coeburn and Marion
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has made awards to two towns in Southwest Virginia, according to Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem.
The Town of Marion has received a loan of $1,018,000 for the purchase of a fire pumper truck and a grant of $139,700 and a loan of $114,300 for the purchase of a sanitation vehicle. The total award amounts to $1,272,000.
The Town of Coeburn has received a grant of $52,500 for the purchase of two law enforcement vehicles.
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Southern Gap music sessions to resume; Cody Kennedy performs
The “Southern Gap Sessions” music events resume next week, featuring Cody Kennedy of Grundy on Thursday, November 17 at 6 p.m. at the Southern Gap Visitor Center.
The visitor center is located at 1124 Chipping Sparrow Road, Grundy.
“Southern Gap Sessions is something we started several years ago and then had to suspend during COVID,” said SGOA Owner Billie Campbell. “The time is right now to resume the series and we look forward to hosting a variety of performers here in the coming months, starting with Cody Kennedy.”
Kennedy is no stranger to Southern Gap, having performed several times at gap events including at Southern Gap Elk Fest and this past summer, at Southern Gap Mountain Mayhem. During Thursday night’s performance, Kennedy will perform some original music as well as covers of a number of favorites. Kennedy’s music is described as a mix of country meets rock and his voice is described as reminiscent of country music performer Chris Stapleton.