Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Carilion forms Department of Neurosurgery; appoints leaders
Carilion Clinic has announced the appointment of Dr. John Jane Jr. as the first chair of the newly formed Department of Neurosurgery. Jane will begin on June 19.
Jane comes to Carilion from UVA Health, where he specializes in the treatment of pituitary tumors and minimally invasive techniques to the brain. He has written extensively on the treatment and outcomes after pituitary surgery and has earned a national and international reputation.
He is also a professor of neurosurgery and pediatrics at University of Virginia School of Medicine. After joining Carilion, he will eventually serve as chair of the academic department of neurosurgery at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine once it is approved and established.
Carilion also announced that Mark Miller, vice president of orthopaedic surgery, will serve as the new vice president of the Department of Neurosurgery, in addition to his current role.
Neurosurgery is a medical specialty providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for adults and children suffering from diseases and disorders of the brain, spinal cord, spine and peripheral nerves. Carilion’s neurosurgery program was founded in 2003.
The new department was created as demand for neurosurgical services has increased in the last few years, Carilion said in a news release.
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Lewis Black to perform in Rocky Mount
Two-time Grammy-winning comedian Lewis Black announced 23 new dates for his 2023 Off the Rails tour that will include a stop at Harvester Performance Center in Rocky Mount on Nov. 30.
Tickets for the Harvester performance start at $62 and will go on sale beginning May 5 at 10 a.m. at harvester-music.com. An official fan club presale starts today. Fans can join the club at lewisblack.com.
Black, the longest-running contributor on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” will guest host June 20-22.
Black’s standup specials have appeared on HBO, Comedy Central, Showtime and Epix. His 2020 special, “Thanks for Risking Your Life” was nominated for a Grammy. The comedian has released eight critically acclaimed comedy albums including the 2007 Grammy Award-Winner, “The Carnegie Hall Performance.” He won his second Grammy in 2011 for his album, “Stark Raving Black,” and has been nominated for Grammy Awards six times.
Black has published three bestsellers: “Nothing’s Sacred” (Simon & Schuster, 2005), “Me of Little Faith” (Riverhead Books, 2008) and “I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas” (Riverhead Books, 2010).
Black voiced the character “Anger” in the Pixar Academy Award-winning film “Inside Out” and will reprise his role in the movie’s upcoming sequel. His other films include “Accepted” and “Man Of The Year.”
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Pulaski seeks to borrow ladders for art project
Together We Rise: Pulaski is an art event sponsored by the Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley in partnership with Floyd County artist Charlie Brouwer and Pulaski County artist Barry Keller.
The artists are collecting ladders of all shapes and sizes, functional or not, for the creation of an art installation in Pulaski’s Jackson Park. Ladders are being accepted daily at Jackson Park from 3 to 7 p.m. through May 5. Ribbon-cutting is at 6:30 p.m. May 6, and the construction will be on display at the park through June 1. After the structure is dismantled, ladders will be returned to their owners if desired, or donated to Habitat for Humanity. For more information see https://www.facnrv.org/.
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Goodwill opens new office in Fairlawn
Goodwill Industries of the Valleys recently relocated the Radford Mission Services office to Fairlawn.
The new office, at 6129 Warren Newcomb Drive in Fairlawn, will host an open house from noon to 2 p.m. May 2.
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Farmers sought to participate in Farm Market Fresh program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services a two-year, $1.6 million grant to expand the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program in Virginia.
That program, known as Farm Market Fresh, now seeks more local farmers to participate.
Farm Market Fresh supports local farmers who grow their own fruits, vegetables or fresh-cut herbs and promotes the use of farmers markets across Virginia.
Local Area Agencies on Aging distribute Farm Market Fresh checks to qualified seniors, and participating farmers collect and cash them in exchange for eligible produce at the market. Income eligibility changed in 2023, with the potential to reach 70,000 more seniors.
To learn more about this program, or to become an authorized Farm Market Fresh farmer/vendor, apply at FarmMarketFresh.org.