On November 7th at 5:30 PM, for you art lovers that is First Fridays, we will be cutting the ribbon for our completed art project in the downtown area at the 11th Street steps! Our lovely downtown has so much to offer and this is just another way we hope to promote the arts in downtown Lynchburg.
WELCOME HEATHER KENNEDY!
Heather comes to us as a Certified Downtown Professional who has over 6 years of experience working in a main street setting. While in California she completed a 10 block, $12 million dollar downtown revitalization and worked with over 300 business and property owners. She also has worked in construction management where she project managed two brand new Hilton hotels and 400 residential units. Heather has worked in Economic Development and understands the importance of public/private partnerships and wrote policies that were implemented for Business Friendly cities. Heather was recognized by the California State Assembly and awarded a certificate of achievement for her role in the BLVD Transformation Project in Lancaster, CA. Heather has served as Membership VP in the Jaycees and as Co Chair at the United Way. In her spare time Heather and her Saint Bernard Duncan visit hospitals as a pet therapy team and she enjoys spending time out at the barn with her horses.
Heather hit the streets of downtown on September 8 and has been a very busy lady attending meetings and learning all about the places and people who make downtown what it is!
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Summary:
Revised Issue: Date:March 24, 2014
Project Name: Downtown Lynchburg Bluffwalk Ramp/Stair Enhancement Project
Proposal deadline: April 18, 2014
Project Budget: $12,000.00
Completion Date:To be determined; projected unveiling June 2014
Project Description
In 2010, the City of Lynchburg designated the James River Arts & Culture District to celebrate and promote the arts in Downtown Lynchburg, with an understanding that when theatres, performing arts centers, museums, art galleries, and artist’s studios locate in the same district, the neighborhood becomes a magnet for revitalization, attracting restaurant and retail, commercial enterprises, downtown residential spaces, and the general public.
This grant will support artwork – murals or other artistic media – on the stairs at 11th Street leading from Jefferson Street to Commerce Street. The ADA ramp and stairs is the first completed section of Lynchburg’s Bluffwalk project, a pedestrian street located between the buildings that face Jefferson and Commerce Streets. The Bluffwalk will create opportunities for an entirely new environment for the existing and proposed buildings along its path and is envisioned to be a spine for a new, mixed use cultural district with galleries, shops, cafes, courtyards and overlooks. The public investment in this transformative improvement is timed to support the current momentum of private development, creating links to active public places that provide routes to the riverfront area.
The winning design will incorporate elements of Lynchburg’s culture and history and compliment the vision of the Bluffwalk, Jefferson Street, and Riverfront Park improvements. The selected artist will be encouraged to involve or educate the public and/or students during fabrication and installation (through artists’ talks, open sessions, other methods to be determined). The proposed public art space will be highly visible to Jefferson Street traffic, Riverfront Park, railroad tracks and the James River.
The grant is supported by funds from Lynch’s Landing Foundation, Virginia Main Street, CSX, and the James River Arts & Culture District Grant.
Artwork Location & Specifics *REVISED*
The artist responding is to provide artwork that is appropriate for the site and will coordinate with the existing conditions. The City requests that the majority of the art work be affixed or on the walls of the terraces. The walls are concrete with brick terraces. The stair terraces at the Lower Bluff Walk 11th Street Terraces are planted with small trees, a row of shrubs and groundcover, and on the west retaining wall façade Boston ivy, and a deciduous vine. Please see the attached drawings for a graphic representation of the planting and site conditions.
Since the west walls will have vines and the north facing walls will have trees and shrubs in front of them, the City requests that the artists provide proposals for attachments to the walls either at the stairwells (stair case landing walls) or on the west facades of the retaining walls. These two areas are colored orange and green on the photograph of the stairs. The applied art structure should be fairly thin so that it does not interfere with people walking on the nearby sidewalks or stairs. Proposals for art pieces at the stair case wall should not protruded more than 4” out from the wall façade. Up to 10” is ok from the west walls.
Art proposals for the west façade walls should take into account the vines on that wall and make recommendations for keeping them to one side or pruning them back to make room for the vines. An art piece that takes up only a portion of the west walls and leaves room for some vines might work better.
Proposals for artwork can also span beyond the stair case walls and west wall facades, but know that they must work with and make room for the existing vegetation. The adjacent building is not City property and should not be included in the proposal. A visit to the terraces to assess the conditions in person is encouraged.
The type of artwork that might work best in this situation is friezes, relief sculptures, tiling, and other types of objects that can be hung from the wall. Special lighting that could be located in the ground that might highlight or work with the artwork is not required but would be considered. Art themes that relate to the history of the City, Downtown, its industrial past, or the river and its watershed are encouraged.
Eligibility
This art commission is open to all professional artists, artisans, architects, or landscape architects, or a team thereof, capable of designing the piece and also arranging for installation. There are no geographic limitations; however, housing and transportation costs are not included in the overall project budget.
Honorarium
The total project budget, including site preparation, supplies, artist fee, signage, and marketing materials, is $12,000.00.
A maximum budget of $12,000.00 for project’s execution has been established, but artists are encouraged to think about sustainability and reuse when planning this project. This budget covers all expenses associated with, but not limited to, artist fee, the design, labor, materials, tools, contracted services, operations and meetings, and travel required to complete the artwork plus installation. Any expense that exceeds the contracted amount will be the artist’s responsibility. The artist will grant all rights to the image to Lynch’s Landing Foundation and the City of Lynchburg.
Application Requirements
Deadline
All submissions must be received by 5 p.m. EST on April 18, 2014.
Selection Process
Lynch’s Landing staff, volunteers from the Lynch’s Landing Design Committee, representatives from Lynchburg Public Works, the Lynchburg Office of Economic Development, the James River Council for the Arts & Humanities, and other downtown stakeholders, will convene to choose the artist and project.
Contact
Please direct all questions and submissions to:
Anna Bentson
Executive Director, Lynch’s Landing
901 Church Street
Lynchburg, Virginia 24504
Phone (434) 485-7250
Fax (434) 528-3169
Lynch's Landing is collaborating with the Academy of Fine Arts and Lynchburg City Schools for the 3rd Annual Youth Art Crawl to celebrate and promote youth arts during the month of March. Students from Lynchburg City Schools have created artwork in different mediums. Last week, the artwork was installed in participating downtown businesses and at the Academy of Fine Arts. Artwork will be available for the community to enjoy through April 1, 2013. The goal of this celebration is to inspire young artists' minds and bring the community downtown to support local businesses and local youth. There will be over 255 student pieces participating in this event.
Student work can be found at the following locations:
Heritage Elementary School
Baby B’s |
821 Main Street
Bedford Hills Elementary
School Bank of the James|
823 Main Street
Paul Munro Elementary School
Market at Main |
904 Main Street
Sandusky Elementary School, The Go Center, and T.C. Miller Elementary School
CAO Artisan Chocolates |
908 Main Street
Perrymont Elementary School
High Peak Sportswear |
924 Main Street
Linkhorne Elementary School
Scene 3 Board Shop |
1107 Main Street
Bass Elementary School
Telitha Spa |
1200 Main Street
E.C. Glass High School
Urban Merchant|
1206 Main Street
E.C. Glass High School
Gladiola Girls |
1220 Main Street
Dunbar Middle School
Lynchburg Community Market |
1219 Main Street
R.S. Payne Elementary School and Sheffield Elementary School
The White Hart |
1208 Main Street
Dearington Elementary School
Lynchburg Visitors Center |
216 12
th
Street
Linkhorne Middle School
Dance Theater of Lynchburg |
722 Commerce Street
Sandusky Middle School
Riverviews Artspace |
901 Jefferson Street
INOV8
is a small business competition in which three businesses will receive a $10,000 grant to start or expand operations in Downtown Lynchburg.
UPDATE:
We will host two Information Sessions about the program on
Monday, March 24th at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
at the Lynch's Landing office, 901 Church Street. Please contact Anna Bentson at anna@downtownlynchburg.com if you would like to attend.
INVO8 is sponsored by Lynch's Landing Foundation, with the Lynchburg Office of Economic Development and the Region 2000 Small Business Development Center and partially funded by a grant from Virginia Main Street. Eligible activities for grant support will include:
·
Expansion of programs, service hours or product lines in current downtown businesses;
·
Transition support for online or home-based businesses;
·
Second locations in Downtown Lynchburg for businesses currently located outside of the Central Business District (CBD).
Grant funds may be used for the purchase of supplies, equipment, or inventory; payment toward the lease or purchase of commercial property; renovations or upgrades to a commercial location; and marketing and promotion. Grants will be reimbursable to businesses that provide appropriate documentation for their expenses.
All applicants will be required to attend various trainings and one-on-one consultations throughout the summer. At the end of the training period, applicants will submit a written business plan and marketing plan to support the business idea, product or service. Applicants will make a public presentation to a panel of judges assembled by the three partners.
A cash prize, of $10,000 with an additional $800 (minimum) in radio, video and print marketing support will be awarded to the individual(s) who, in the opinion of the judges, demonstrates the business idea and plan most likely to result in a successful new business venture in Downtown Lynchburg.
Download the full Program Overview and Eligibility
Please contact Anna Bentson at
with questions.
The LOVE at the Craddock - Terry
A Blog Post on LOVE? Valentine's Day is over, you say? No, we say! This is Virginia! Virginia is always for LOVE. There are so many things to love in Downtown Lynchburg, we can't limit it to just one day
!
LOVE Downtown! We know that Virginia is for Lovers. Nature lovers, history lovers, antique lovers... you name it, you can find your passion in Virginia. Downtown Lynchburg is no exception to that. We've been putting the LOVE out there in a big way.
Last summer, the
James River Council for the Arts and Humanities
unveiled the LOVE sculpture that stands along the James River Heritage Trial near Percival's Island. Local artist Paul Clements' sculpture honors Lynchburg's love of outdoor activity. Each of the bright red letters are decorated with foot prints, paddles, cycling wheels, and skate board wheels. Since it was installed, it has become a popular place for photos. If you check
or the
Virginia Is For Lovers Facebook Page
, it won't take you long to find Lynchburg's bright red LOVE letters among the photos! This LOVE sculpture was created as part of the Virginia Tourism Corporation's campaign to develop the sculptures across the state.
If the LOVE sculpture at Percival's celebrates Lynchburg's outdoorsy side, then the one at the
celebrates Lynchburg's glamorous side! Located at 1315 Commerce Street, a bright red shoe topped with sparking, silver LOVE welcomes guests to the hotel and anyone driving along Commerce Street. This sculpture was created by the Craddock Terry staff with the help of volunteers and is constructed of wood, glass and mirrors.
You can learn more about both sculptures at
. When you post your photos with the sculptures, be sure to hashtag them #LoveVA, and #DowntownLynchburg! We LOVE to see and share them!
LOVE Sculpture at Pervical's Island Natural Area
Courtesy of Lynchburg Museum System
Imagine Lynchburg at the peak of the Civil War. Our city was the second largest hospital center in the Confederacy. At one time as many as 10,000 wounded were brought into Lynchburg for care at the hospitals, more than the entire population in 1860. The War had torn families apart, leaving widows and orphans in its devastating wake.
Lynchburg would not have seemed like the kind of place that a romance would blossom. This, however, is exactly what happened for one couple.
Late in the War, a Swedish born Confederate Colonel arrived in Lynchburg as so many other men did: a wounded soldier. Colonel August Forsberg of the 51st Virginia Infantry was severely wounded in the hand at Winchester, Va. He was sent to recover at the Ladies Relief Hospital, which was located at the site of what is now the Academy of Fine Arts on Main Street. It was recommended that the Colonel’s hand be amputated. The Ladies Relief Hospital, run entirely by women, was known for being the hospital that saw the most serious cases. It had the highest recovery rate.
At the hospital, Col. Forsberg was in the care of Mary (Mollie) Morgan Otey. Mary had already lost a husband in the War. Working in the Ladies Relief Hospital, she must have seen thousands of soldiers with all manner of wounds. History does not record how the Ladies Relief Hospital and Mary accomplished what seemed like a lost cause, but under Mary’s care, the Colonel’s hand was saved. The two fell in love and were married in 1865. According to her family, Mary said: “After I saved his hand, I thought I should have it.”
On display in the Old Courthouse Lynchburg Museum is a woman’s jacket made in the style of a confederate officer’s overcoat. Mary had this jacket made, and attached to it military braids and her husband’s Colonel stars. This jacket was an act of rebellion, as Confederate soldiers were forbidden from wearing their “colors” during the period of Reconstruction. Mary and August remained in Lynchburg and he served as City Engineer for many years. During this period, he designed both Holy Cross Church and the Clay Street Reservoir. August passed away in 1910, Mary in 1918.
For more information about Downtown Lynchburg during the Civil War visit:
Lynchburg Museum System, 901 Court Street,
http://www.lynchburgmuseum.org/
Old City Cemetery, 401 Taylor Street,
Editor's Note: Last night, a Wirehaired Fox Terrier, Sky, won the Westminster Kennel Club's Dog Show. We have our own famous Fox Terrier right here in Downtown, he lives at the Craddock-Terry Hotel. We're reprinting this 2013 interview with Buster here, which originally appeared in our "Focus On: Green Space" issue of the Downtown Focus.
If you want to know where some great green space is in Downtown Lynchburg, then the best person to ask is not a person at all, it's the Craddock-Terry's canine employee, Buster Brown. A Wirehaired Fox Terrier, the modest Buster sat down with us a few days ago to tell us about working at an award winning historic hotel, keeping up with friends in Downtown Lynchburg, where to find the best spots in Downtown for a nice soak in the sun and keeping his staff on their paws.
So, Buster, tell us a little about yourself... where are you from and what attracted you to hotel life?
I was born in Minnesota. I was flown on a plane to Raleigh when I was about 10 weeks old - boy was that interesting - and the hotel team picked me up. I didn't know them yet but I was sure happy to see them. Momma K, (Kimberly Christner, President of Cornerstone Hospitality) thought that I had exactly the right temperament for the hospitality business, so I guess I was born to be in the business. See, I'm hypo-allergenic, I don't shed and well, I'm pretty handsome . . . wouldn't you say? Plus, my breed has won the Best in Show at the National Dog Show for the last 2 years.
It must be fun living in a hotel. Tell us a little about your guests and your work.
I really enjoy all of my guests. They smell a lot different so I really get to know a lot about the world as a result. I can tell who has dogs, cats and sometimes even birds. Some of them are from other countries so I get to learn about things I may never see. And the kids - I really love when they come and play with me. Sometimes my staff even lets me take our guests for a walk and I show them all the great Downtown Lynchburg shops, sights and restaurants. I love posing for pictures, playing in the lobby, running down the hallways, and especially running out to greet the guests when they arrive. I try really hard to make everyone feel welcome. And, you know, the hotel business is 24/7 so we're always working. Even when I'm sleeping, if I hear a guest say my name I jump right up and go out and greet them. Being the Official Hotel Greeter - my work is never done.
I stay at the hotel, right at the front desk. I have a couple places that I've asked my staff to prepare for me. I have a bed directly behind the front desk and then another one in the office. Most of the time, I stay in the bed out front so I can meet everyone when they arrive. I love to lie in the lobby in the warmth of the sun.
I have a staff of about 20 people who help me out. I often volunteer to take the staff for walks and they really love on me a lot for that. Even when it's raining, I make sure they have a really big umbrella before we go out so we can both stay dry. I'm always so excited when the shifts change every day so I can see all my staff. I try to make them enjoy coming to work by happily greeting them with kisses and a wagging tail. You know, when you have a staff, you have to treat them nice so they will take care of our guests. And, I try not to bark, especially at night when our guests are sleeping.
The Craddock -Terry is a very historic place, having been the site of a large shoe factory. Do you have a favorite part of the hotel that you would like to share?
I think it's pretty neat that all the rooms are a little different. And, I love the brick and the stacked granite walls. Plus, that staircase - have you seen it? I love running up and down that old staircase and peeking through the rails at the top at the guests coming up. One thing that's been really hard is that there are historic shoes everywhere! Can you imagine? I have so many shoes all over the hotel and I'm not allowed to chew on any of them. That has been a real challenge. The staff and I have had several conversations about it over the years and I have agreed that it's in everyone's best interest if I just play with my own toys.
Spring is a special time here in Lynchburg. Tell us about your favorite green spaces and parks here in Downtown. What can we do to make them even better for dogs and humans?
Well, my yard is probably the best. I have a couple of places that are nice and green. The staff at the hotel takes pretty good care of it and I love to roll around out there and lay in the sun. I see a lot of my friends there and I don't mind sharing the grass. My staff has put up a Doggie Station so the staff of other canines can clean up after their walks. I just love to walk around downtown. I like all of the smells and to roll around in the grass, sniff the light poles and fire hydrants - I can even tell you which ones are the best! I also love to go for walks on the trail and to look through the bridge at the James River.
There could be more recycling bins, trash bins and a few more doggie stations in the grassy areas. Maybe if there were more stations and bins, downtown would be even cleaner than it already is. Plus, when my friends and I find trash, food and gum on the ground, it's really hard for us not to want to check it out and that usually makes me get a belly ache! I'd also like to see some of the shop owners put out watering stations - that way I can stop and rest, get a little drink while the person I'm walking takes a look around.
Lots of new dogs and humans are living in Downtown Lynchburg now. Do you have any special friends who live in Downtown?
I'm so lucky - I have so many friends, including humans. I love taking walks and saying hi to all my friends at the City Market, Suntrust, and McCraw's . Sometimes when I'm walking down the street people I don't even know come up and know my name and where I live. It's pretty cool. I make friends everywhere I go. I love the festivals we have downtown, it's so exciting because there are so many people. In winter I have a winter coat with the hotel logo and during the summer I have a handsome T-shirt so people will come by the hotel and visit with me. Sometimes we even have people from out of town to stop by just to say Hi to me because they heard I was so handsome.
The view from the new group workout room.
For nearly 160 years, the YMCA has been a part of Downtown Lynchburg. Throughout most of that time, the YMCA has maintained a stable presence in a prominent location in Downtown, moving locations along Church Street until it reached its current location at 1315 Church. The Downtown YMCA is almost ready to unveil their newest addition: a half a million dollar group workout room. This renovation is only one part of their recent upgrades, which also include upgrades to the men's and women's locker-rooms. Previously, group workouts like yoga, Zumba or TRX were held in the gym. This meant that other Y patrons might need to walk through your class to access other parts or the building. No more! This new facility offers group classes privacy, in addition to a beautiful space with an amazing view of Downtown Lynchburg.
Classes offered in the new group fitness room are, of course, part of your Y membership. Swimming, water aerobics, racquetball, pickle ball, and many other activities are offered in addition to the classes above. Plus, the Downtown Y is the only Y in town with towel service. One less thing you need to pack in your gym bag! The Downtown Y offers members the opportunity to get outside in Downtown as well. Some of the additional training classes take advantage of the topography, parks, and stairs in Downtown. If you would like to check out the new space, mark your calendar for February 1, 10:00am - 12:00pm, the Y will be hosting a Fitness Jam Open House. You can try out all the classes and see the new facility even if you aren't a member!
For more information on the Downtown Y, Click To:
The Healthy Plate at Depot
Develop a Taste for the Healthy Plate Challenge!
For the month of January, Live Healthy Lynchburg is challenging you to pick your favorite Healthy Plate at one of our fantastic local restaurants. Three of our Downtown restaurants are participating if you want to get in on the voting: The Depot Grille, Waterstone, and Shoemakers. Live Healthy Lynchburg challenged restaurants to develop a Healthy plate, one for adults and one designed just for kids. While there weren't strict calorie restrictions on the plate, the plate did have to be made up of half fruits and veggies, one quarter protein and one quarter grains. Downtown restaurants offer lots of healthy options for you to choose to reach your goals.
For more information about how you can vote in the Healthy Plate Challenge, or about how to choose a good-for-you plate on your own, click to: LiveHealthyLynchburg.com.
Are you among the many who have made a resolution to get fit and eat healthy in 2014? If you live or work in Downtown Lynchburg, then you have some great places and opportunities to make your goals a reality. Over the next couple of days, we're going to give you some info about staying fit and eating healthy in Downtown Lynchburg. Today, we're sharing a list of businesses which are fitness or movement based, so you know who to call when you're ready to dance, swim, flow, or pedal your way to good health. Tomorrow, we'll check in at the Downtown YMCA and hear about their new locker-rooms and group workout room. We'll also look at a some healthy meals in Downtown Lynchburg and introduce you to a contest for finding your favorite in the city. There are so many ways to stay fit and healthy in Downtown, you will definitely stick to that resolution in 2014!
Monument Terrace is a good place to burn some calories!
Downtown Lynchburg offers several places and business that can help you get moving and stay moving! Click on the links in blue to learn more.
Downtown Parks and Public Spaces:
Look no further than the trails or parks for a great place to get going. The Blackwater Creek Tail connects to the Riverwalk in Downtown. The trail goes through Riverfront Park, and then connects to Percival's Island. This is generally a flat, easy walk, bike or run. Look out for detours during construction, but the trail will remain accessible. If you are looking for more of a city view with your workout, try Monument Terrace. Runners and walkers alike use the stairs for a nice, calorie burning change up in their workout. Going up the 132 steps of Monument Terrance in five minutes, a 160lb person would burn about twenty calories. Boating may not be on your list of things to do in chilly weather, but once warm days are here, take advantage of the Downtown Lynchburg Public Canoe Ramp, located at the bottom of 7th Street. Enjoy your canoe or kayak after work during the long days of summer - a great way to spend an evening in Downtown! Be sure and check out the PaARTnership classes that Lynchburg Parks and Rec are offering at the Academy of Fine Arts, this season's offerings includes Tap Dance for adults. More info can be found on the
.
- 1312 Jefferson Street
In addition to selling, renting and repairing bikes, Bikes Unlimited hosts guided rides and workshops for cyclists. Check their
page for updates. (434) 485-4157.
- 29 9th Street
The Rotary Centennial Riverfront Skatepark was designed by Artifex and built by California Skateparks. It features a 14,000 square ft. complex with a street course and bowl. Lessons and clinics are available. (434) 845-1888
- 1225 Church Street
Visit Central Virginia's premier indoor climbing gym, which offers personalized, hands-on instruction. A retail store features climbing equipment and clothes. (434) 845-7625
- 1312 Jefferson Street
Bikram Yoga Lynchburg offers daily group hot-yoga classes in the Bikram method: a 90-minute series of 26 yoga postures practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees. Be ready to sweat, stretch and strengthen! (434) 846-2028
Renaissance Academy Of Martial Arts
- 1209 Commerce Street We are proud to offer classes for all age groups. Classes are fun and exciting, our facilities and equipment are first class, and our professional staff of highly trained instructors are dedicated to helping you succeed in the martial arts! (434) 846-5425
- 1315 Church Street
The YMCA of Central Virginia provides a comprehensive approach to improving and maintaining your well-being. Whether you are just getting started on the road to wellness or are well on your way to physical and mental fitness, the YMCA offers a program or service that is right for you. (434)847-5597
- 409 5th Street
At the Red Shoes, you can take Dance classes in the beautiful old Moser Furniture Building -- new students may join any class at anytime. (434) 444-6791
Dance Theatre of Lynchburg - 722 Commerce Street
Dance Theatre offers a variety of Dance classes for adults and children. Classes include ballet, hip-hop, Afro-Caribbean, tap, and others. (434) 846-6272
Lynchburg Salsa and Lynchburg Swing -- At the Dance Theatre, 722 Commerce Street
Lynchburg Salsa meets every Friday night (lesson 9-10pm , latin social dancing 10pm - 12:30 am. Lynchburg Swing (west coast swing style of dancing) meets the 4th Sat. of every month, from 8 - 11pm with the lesson from 8 - 9.
Holiday shopping is in full swing in Downtown Lynchburg. Lots of special shopping events are scheduled and our merchants have products for even the hardest to please on your list. Downtown Businesses are hosting lots of wonderful Holiday Shopping parties, everything from an Ugly Sweater Party to Open Houses featuring new products. Check the
calendar and the
Lynchburg Downtown Deals Facebook Page
to get more information about these events. The Community Market will host the Mistletoe Market every Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas. There, you'll find samples and a wide variety of handmade gifts in addition to the many edible gifts and staples found at the market. Other Downtown Businesses will be extending their regular hours for the Holiday Season.
Check out these Great Upcoming Events!
Small Business Saturday
November 30, All day
Enjoy Downtown Lynchburg for Small Business Saturday, November 30. There's something special about a familiar face. Buying something home grown, one of a kind, made just for you. Small Business Saturday is a day to support your neighbor and your friend. This November 30th, pack the stores, spread the word, shop small. See the wonderful Lynchburg commercial
and join in on
.
Yuletide Square
December 3rd, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Join in for Yuletide Square, a Downtown Open House event in Lynchburg. Grab your friends and family and head out to support local businesses this holiday season! Sponsored by clutch, Lynch's Landing and 93.7 KHF. The trolley will run for this fun shopping event!
or on
First Friday at the Library
Friday, December 6, begins at 4:30 p.m.
It's the First Friday of December which means the Grinch will stubbornly make an appearance at the Downtown Lynchburg Branch of the Lynchburg Public Library. Following a reading of
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
, meet the Grinch in person. Bring your camera and snap a photo before he decides to head back to Whoville for the night! The Library will also host a craft activity.
Holiday Traditions
Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m - 1 p.m.
Carriage Rides, 2012
Carriage Rides at the Community Market. Rides will begin at 10:00am and cost $2 per person. The Grinch will make appearances around Downtown, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Be sure to Follow Lynch's Landing on
or
to find him!
The Lynchburg Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 8
Celebrate the "Season of Lights and Laughter." Witness this Lynchburg Christmas Tradition along Main or Church Street. Get the scoop on the parade and the events happening on Parade Day at
www.lynchburgchristmasparade.com
.
Can you find the Grinch in Downtown Lynchburg?
Holiday Traditions
Saturday, December 14, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Carriage Rides at the Community Market. Rides will begin at 10:00am and cost $2 per person. The Grinch will make appearances around Downtown, between 10 am and 1pm . Be sure to Follow Lynch's Landing on
or
to find him!
Nayef Al Shabuki at his Restaurant
Having worked in and owned restaurants in other cities for many years, Chef Nayef Al Shubaki is new to Downtown Lynchburg. His restaurant, Al Ryan Mediterranian Cuisine, is located at 817 1/2 Main Street. When you stop in, try the seating area upstairs, where you can relax and enjoy the company of your friends in the Middle Eastern style!
What brought you to owning a restaurant in Downtown Lynchburg?
I first came to Lynchburg in 2011. I had cooked in and owned restaurants in other cities like Richmond, VA and Charlotte, NC. My first restaurant in Lynchburg was called My Favorite Things, which was on Old Forrest Road. We came to Downtown this summer. Many of our customers from My Favorite Things come Downtown now.
What interested you in Mediterranean Cuisine?
I am from Petra, in Jordon. I studied cooking in Jordon after I lived in the United States. I like to share the food from the Mediterranean. The meat is always very lean and delicious. The food is very fresh. I serve only halal meats and travel to Maryland to get halal lamb to serve. I make everything fresh every day. At Al Ryan, we serve dishes from across the Mediterranean, including Jordon, Libya, Greece, Italy and Lebanon. The food from the region is very special. It takes time. For example in Lebanon, if you go to a restaurant they will bring you a plate of olives, some hummus ... things to eat while you sit and enjoy the company you are with, to have a conversation. We need to sit and take time in America as well.
What does Al Ryan offer that is different from other food in Downtown?
We offer food that is different for this area. In fact, someone came to the restaurant from Roanoke, because they had heard that our food is so authentic. This would be dishes like Shawarma, which is an Arab dish. It is thinly sliced, marinated lamb or chicken that is fire roasted. It is served with a special sauce. I am hoping to add a dish called zerb to the menu. Zerb is stuffed lamb that has been roasted in a pit.
What is your favorite dish that you serve?
I could never pick one! I love them all! That is why I make them. A Jordanian dish that we serve that reminds me of home to me is mansaf. Mansaf has yogurt, meat and nuts, served over rice. We also serve Makloubi. It is an "upside down" dish. It has eggplant, meat and potatoes. It is cooked in a dish in layers. Then you turn it upside down when it is served and it comes out so the meat is on top.
What have you enjoyed about being in Downtown Lynchburg?
We love being in Downtown, there is such a variety of people. I like to be in the older parts of the city. We like to see our customers from before, but there are new people as well. It is a social place!
Al Ryan is located at 817 1/2 Main Street. Hours are Monday - Friday 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Find it on-line at:
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Summary:
Revised Issue Date: November 8, 2013
Project Name: Downtown Lynchburg Bluffwalk Ramp/Stair Enhancement Project
Application deadline: January 2, 2014
Project Budget: $12,000.00
Completion Date: To be determined; projected unveiling June 2014
Organization Description
Lynch’s Landing is a national Main Street™ program, accredited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street™ Center, and a designated Virginia Main Street community.
A winner of the 2006 national Great American Main Street Award, our mission is to identify opportunities and develop resources that position and sustain downtown and the riverfront as a vital economic, cultural, historic, recreational and residential center for our community. We envision a downtown environment where people, businesses, organizations and events can be successful.
The Main Street Approach® is a unique preservation-based economic development tool that enables communities to revitalize downtown and neighborhood business districts by leveraging local assets - from historic, cultural, and architectural resources to local enterprises and community pride. It is a comprehensive strategy that addresses the variety of issues and problems that challenge traditional commercial districts.
Project Description
In 2010, the City of Lynchburg designated the James River Arts & Culture District to celebrate and promote the arts in Downtown Lynchburg, with an understanding that when theatres, performing arts centers, museums, art galleries, and artist’s studios locate in the same district, the neighborhood becomes a magnet for revitalization, attracting restaurant and retail, commercial enterprises, downtown residential spaces, and the general public.
This grant will support artwork – murals or other artistic media – on the stairs at 11th Street leading from Jefferson Street to Commerce Street. The ADA ramp and stairs is the first completed section of Lynchburg’s Bluffwalk project, a pedestrian street located between the buildings that face Jefferson and Commerce Streets. The Bluffwalk will create opportunities for an entirely new environment for the existing and proposed buildings along its path and is envisioned to be a spine for a new, mixed use cultural district with galleries, shops, cafes, courtyards and overlooks. The public investment in this transformative improvement is timed to support the current momentum of private development, creating links to active public places that provide routes to the riverfront area.
The winning design will incorporate elements of Lynchburg’s culture and history and compliment the vision of the Bluffwalk, Jefferson Street, and Riverfront Park improvements. The selected artist will be encouraged to involve or educate the public and/or students during fabrication and installation (through artists’ talks, open sessions, other methods to be determined).
The grant is supported by funds from Lynch’s Landing Foundation, Virginia Main Street, CSX, and the James River Arts & Culture District Grant.
Artwork Location & Specifics
The approximate size of the proposed public art space is 1,300 square feet in size and will be highly visible to Jefferson Street traffic, Riverfront Park, railroad tracks and the James River. The primary scope of work should include the stairs and walls. The adjacent ramp is not included in this request for proposals, but artists may include the ramp if possible. Images attached for clarification.
Eligibility
This art commission is open to all professional artists, artisans, architects, or landscape architects, or a team thereof, capable of designing the piece and also arranging for installation. There are no geographic limitations; however, housing and transportation costs are not included in the overall project budget.
Honorarium
The total project budget, including site preparation, supplies, artist fee, signage, and marketing materials, is $12,000.00.
Lynch’s Landing Foundation will provide a $1,000.00 prize to the selected artist(s), who will grant all rights to the image to Lynch’s Landing Foundation and the City of Lynchburg. A maximum budget of $11,000.00 for project’s execution has been established, but artists are encouraged to think about sustainability and reuse when planning this project. This budget covers all expenses associated with, but not limited to, the design, labor, materials, tools, contracted services, operations and meetings, and travel required to complete the artwork plus installation. Any expense that exceeds the contracted amount will be the artist’s responsibility.
Application Requirements
Electronic submission preferred.
Deadline
All submissions must be received by 5 p.m. EST on January 2, 2014.
Selection Process
Lynch’s Landing staff, volunteers from the Lynch’s Landing Design Committee, representatives from Lynchburg Parks & Recreation, the Lynchburg Office of Economic Development, the James River Council for the Arts & Humanities, and other downtown stakeholders, will convene to choose the artist and project.
Contact
Please direct all questions and submissions to:
Anna Bentson
Executive Director, Lynch’s Landing
901 Church Street
Lynchburg, Virginia 24504
Phone (434) 485-7250
Fax (434) 528-3169
About Lynch’s Landing Foundation
Lynch’s Landing is Lynchburg’s leader for downtown revitalization. Lynch’s Landing is a non-profit volunteer and membership organization dedicated to the development and revitalization of downtown Lynchburg. The mission of the organization is to identify opportunities and develop resources that position and sustain downtown and the riverfront as a vital economic, cultural, historic, recreational and residential center for our community. Learn more at
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The James River and Kanawha Canal
At the founding of the city in 1757, the James River was the heart of Lynchburg commerce. John Lynch himself operated a ferry on the river, transporting goods and passengers across the river. European exploration of the North American continent had confirmed that there was no waterway which flowed across the Appalachian Mountains, making access from the colonies to what we now consider the Ohio Valleys difficult at best. In order to improve commerce between the areas, a canal system through Virginia, and what is now the state of West Virginia, to the Ohio River was conceived. A project proposed by George Washington, it was begun in 1785 near Richmond.
The Lynchburg section of the canal greatly improved river traffic between Lynchburg and Richmond. The James River and Kanawha Canal was complete to Lynchburg by 1840, and regular traffic began to flow along the system. The canal was traversed by packet boats, as opposed to the low drafting batteaux which had previously been the main boat to travel the James. Packetboats were long and elegant, with an enclosed cabin and top deck that ran nearly the length of the boat. The canal packetboats were pulled along a towpath along the river by teams of horses or mules. It took approximately 33 hours to travel by packet boat from Richmond to Lynchburg. The fare of $7.50 included meals and sleeping accommodations.
The canal was damaged by flooding over the years. During the Civil War, the canal was again damaged and, in the economic depression following the war, not sufficiently repaired. It did gain fame during that period, however, as General Stonewall Jackson's body was carried upriver on the canal. The final blow to the Canal system came as railroads became the more dominate transportation mode in the region. In 1880, the James River and Kanawha Canal System was sold to the Allegheny Railroad Company. The towpaths, once used by the horse and mule team, were then used for railroad track.
The remnants of the canal can be seen today. The beautiful flower bed that runs along the Jefferson Street side of Riverfront Park is part of what remains of the canal. The best preserved section, however, is located at the bottom of Ninth Street, where the Canal once passed under the arched bridge located between Amazement Square and the Depot Grille, photo below.
For more about the Canal System:
Click:
Envision the James, The Founding River
, article on the James River and Kanawha Canal System
Read:
The Canal on the James: An Illustrated Guide to the James River and Kanawha Canal
by T. Gibson Hobbs, Jr. Published by
Special Events in Downtown Lynchburg are just that: special. Downtown is equipped for any kind of celebration or meeting. From an elaborate wedding reception to a small business meeting, you'll find something appropriate for your celebration. Check out these great event venues:
The Academy of Fine Arts' Joy and Lynch Christian Warehouse Theatre
The Warehouse Theatre is a flexible event space with state of the art sound and projection capabilities. The historic warehouse space can accommodate a variety of events, from special business event to galas to weddings and cocktails.
http://www.academyfinearts.com/rentals.asp
CityView by the James and Terrace View by the James
For dramatic views of Downtown Lynchburg as a backdrop to your special event, look no further than these two unique spaces. CityView is located on the 20th floor of the Bank of the James Building, overlooking Downtown Lynchburg. TerraceView is an inviting outdoor space on the 8th Floor of the Bank of the James Building, offering a one-of-kind back drop for any event or ceremony.
http://www.terraceviewbythejames.com
Craddock Terry Hotel
With over 4,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space at the Craddock Terry Hotel Event Center in Lynchburg, VA, all within an impressive setting of heavy timber beams and beautiful stone and brick walls, we are the premier venue in Central Virginia to host wedding receptions, special events, and corporate functions.
http://www.craddockterryhotel.com/
Holiday Inn Select
Boasting the largest ballroom in Central Virginia, the Holiday Inn Select can accommodate up to 900 guests. Located on Main Street, the Holiday Inn Select's event faculties can host large business meeting and other special events.
http://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/lynchburg/lyhcp/hoteldetail
The James River Conference Center
Located on Court Street, just off of Fifth, The James
River Conference Center plays host to many events. From concerts to weddings, the JRCC can adapt to your needs in their large and flexible space. They have played host to large galas, wedding receptions, and small meetings and can accommodate groups from 6 to 1500.
http://www.jamesriverconferencecenter.com/
The Parlor Ballroom
This event space, located on Main Street, includes such amenities as large screen projection and a state of the art sound system. This beautifully renovated historic space welcomes weddings, receptions, business meetings and other special events.
http://www.parlordowntown.com/
The Red Shoes
Located on the historic Fifth Street Corridor, The Red Shoes Dance Studio is available for special events. The main dance studio boasts two storefront display windows, refinished heartwood pine floors, magnificent baby grand piano, and the elegance of black & white decor waiting for you to a bit of color. Parties, galas and wedding parties will all feel at home in The Red Shoes.
Riverviews Art Space G3 and Reading Room
G3 is Riverviews most raw programming space. A simple and spacious renovated warehouse space with moveable panels, the space can be used for parties, dance performances, and DIY theatre performances. The Reading Room can accommodate smaller meetings and gatherings and is ideal for workshops and seminars.
http://www.riverviews.net/category/rentals-2/event-rentals/
Tresca on 8th
This event space boasts over 5500 square feet of space in a renovated historic building at Commerce and 8th. Beautiful columns, hardwood floors, and a dramatic staircase add to the ambiance of any special event. Tresca on 8th is available for weddings, parties, corporate functions and retreats.
The Community Market is one of Lynchburg's most important places. Not only is it celebrating its incredible 230th anniversary this year, but it serves as one of Downtown Lynchburg's favorite social gathering spaces. Here, we chat with Jennifer Kennedy, the Market's manager about the past and the future.
The Community Market is a Lynchburg fixture. How old is it?
The Lynchburg Community Market is the third oldest continuous running market in the United States. This year, we celebrate our 230th anniversary which makes the market three years older than the city itself. It is believed that because the market created a commercial center on the riverfront that was heavily involved in tobacco trade, the incorporation of the city naturally followed.
Are you planning any special events to celebrate the Market's incredible milestone?
On June 1, 2013 we will celebrate the 230th anniversary of the market from 7am-2pm. On this day, we will pay homage to the market's history with a livestock and heritage craft section along with various memories to be shared by members of the community for whom the market has played a very special part in their life or the life of their family. We will also have demonstrations by all of our artisans inside and will be kicking off the farmer high season that day as well. A new feature at the market is our Music at the Market series, and on this day we will feature bands throughout the day that celebrate the many sounds of our region.
In that many years, the Market has certainly made an impact on Lynchburg. Can you tell us about a special story of how the Community Market has made a special impact recently?
There are so many special stories about the market -- both recent and historical -- which will be recounted at the celebration. So, instead of sharing those I will share what never ceases to excite me and that is the personal responses I will get in conversation with new customers. Be it college parents delighted to come to the market because it gives them a true sense of the community to which they are releasing their child 'into the wild', a new resident to Lynchburg who is trying to get a sense of their new home and they feel like they have found pieces of it at the market, or perhaps my favorite being a native, the stubborn Lynchburger who has refused to go downtown only to come down to the market on a thriving Saturday and say that they had no idea that our downtown had so much going on and so many people enjoying it. These stories never get old, and I am humbled that I get the chance to intercept many of those delighted with the market.
Located in one of Downtown Lynchburg's oldest sections, can you tell us anything about the special building that is home to the Market?
The market has actually had many homes in its rich history. First started as an open air market on Water Street -- now 9th Street -- it was quick to become the central place of commerce and town gathering spot for the Hill City. In 1814, it found a new home in the center of Water Street as it had outgrown its original home. It remained in this location from 1814-1872 when it then relocated to Main Street between 11th and 12th Street as this allowed for an auditorium space ample for commerce as well as a livestock yard. It remained there until it moved to its current location in 1932. This location has served the market well and has seen many transitions. In 1987, improvements were made to the facility including an enclosure to create an interior space, as well as central heat and air, outside farmer's stalls and parking. The market is now home to over 100 vendors a year including farmers, crafters, artisans, bakers, restaurateurs, boutique owners, and cheese mongers. It continues to be a downtown staple in revitalization, commerce central, and a gathering place for the community.
What's is new and coming up on the horizon?
This season, we are excited to open our demonstration kitchen. Beginning when farmers come back in to high season, we will offer demonstrations by local chefs of how to utilize local ingredients that can be found at the market. These demonstrations will take place in the Demonstration area inside next to Irene's. Also exciting about this space is our development of cooking and culinary classes also offered by local chefs and farmers alike that will give the community the opportunity to learn in depth skills and recipes useful in our region. Also beginning this year, we will begin accepting SNAP benefits at the market. All eligible products will be available to beneficiaries of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as we will have personnel and staff available to accept benefits in exchange for tokens to be used with the farmers at the market. We are so excited to have these local products available to everyone in the community.
Have you seen our March calendar? We are making our way to spring! Come Downtown to spread your Irish cheer through our various events we have going on this month. Check the Downtown Events calendar for a complete line up (http://www.downtownlynchburg.com/events), but check these events in the meantime.
This Thursday, March 7 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Robin Alexander Bistro is having an APOCALYPSE ALE BEER DINNER. {RA} Bistro presents a three course beer dinner with a flight of beers that Apocalypse Ale Works currently offers. This will be followed by a full pint of your choice from Apocalypse Ale Works to enjoy with the brewmaster, Lee Johns. Take home a custom Apocalypse Ale Works pub glass. Please call {RA} Bistro for reservations (434) 845-1601. Tickets are $35.00 This Apocalypse Beer Dinner will be a great start to bring you into the Irish spirit by drinking good old fashion pub ales.
Better late then never to get that Mardi Gras vibe. If the arts are more for you and especially blues music you should attend the event coming up Friday March 15th at the Academy of Fine Arts. 2013 GRAMMY NOMINEE SHEMEKIA COPELAND will be in town FRIDAY, MARCH 15TH AT 8pm
Tickets: $34 available in box office or website
For tickets call (434) 846-8499
Finally, if really spreading your Irish cheer is about *going* green, then we have a perfect event for you! On March 20th in Riverfront Park from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm there is an event to spread your green and help Lynchburg be more environmentally friendly: KICK IT, DON'T FLICK IT
Cigarette butt litter is unsightly, costly and harms the environment. Come hear Jeremy Hardison, M.D., pulmonologist, and David Truitt, M.D., cardiologist, discuss the health effects of smoking. Thomas Shahady, professor at Lynchburg College, will speak about the environmental impact of discarded cigarette butts. After their presentation, please join us as we pick up cigarette butts in downtown Lynchburg. Bags and gloves will be provided. Centra will recycle the butts with Terracycle, which will turn the discarded butts into park benches.
February is a time to remember and appreciate those we love and the past we treasure. This month, the Downtown Focus is proud to celebrate Downtown Lynchburg's rich African American History. From the Batteaumen who navigated the James River in the 1700s to today's revitalization of Fifth Street, Downtown Lynchburg has long been a part of the diversity that makes America a great nation. This rich pageant reminds us that Downtown Lynchburg was once the setting for not only America's great changes, but our own small and important memories of those we love. As a designated program of Virginia Main Street, Lynch's Landing is, "a preservation based economic and community development program." Downtown Lynchburg's history makes it a great place to live, work, shop and be entertained.
Main Street Businessman, Armistead Pride
This advertisement appeared in the newspaper on August 3, 1854, and proclaimed the triumph of Main Street Lynchburg businessman, Armistead Pride's hair tonic. A free black man, Mr. Pride opened a barbershop in Downtown Lynchburg in either 1813 or 1814. He died in 1858 a well respected and well to do man. Learn more at www.gravegarden.org or visit the Old City Cemetery.
Fifth Street: Ready to Be Great Again!
Founded to spearhead the effort to revitalize this important and historic street in Downtown Lynchburg, the 5th Street Community Development Corporation will be happy to see the construction completed sometime this summer. On February 6, The News & Advance published a wonderful interview with Eddie Claiborne, President of the 5th Street CDC to discuss the construction and improvements along the corridor. We recently caught up with Eddie to ask a few questions of our own.
Question: In the recent N&A article, you talk about spending a lot of time on 5th Street as a kid. Can you tell us your favorite 5th Street Memory?
Answer: I have two favorites. The first was going to the Harrison Theater on Saturday mid mornings and staying all day long until the Manager, Mr. Fels, would run me out. The second was when I was lucky enough to get the price of one of the greatest sundaes from Dr. Reid's soda fountain at his pharmacy.
Question: Along with the streetscape, some of 5th Street's buildings are and have undergone renovation. Is there a particular one which you think is very cool?
Answer: I remember the Kentucky Hotel as a building in great disrepair. I was always intrigued by the building for some reason, to see it restored is pretty cool.
(Lynch's Landing: The Kentucky Hotel, 900 Fifth Street, is one of Lynchburg's oldest structures. Built prior to 1800, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was originally a private residence. Later, The Kentucky Hotel became in an inn that served travelers along the "Lynchburg Turnpike.")
Question: There are many building on 5th Street that have been lost. Is there one that you remember that you regret is no longer on the street?
Answer: The old "Sportsman Club" building on Fifth and Polk. It was a former dance hall but it brings back lots of memories of fun times. I wish that building could have been saved and restored. It offered a lot of possibilities for offices, businesses, or a boys and girls club.
Question: Like you, we think that businesses will be successful on 5th Street as soon as the construction is finished, and there will be some beautiful space ready to go. What kinds of businesses would you like to see open? Are there any that reflect 5th Street's heritage that we might seek out?
Answer: I would like to see a grocery store, a pharmacy, a good "soul food" restaurant, office buildings, a museum dedicated to telling the story of 5th Street. The History markers that we are installing in the round-about will tell the story also, but a museum could show action movies of the people as they live their lives on 5th Street.
Question: When the construction is complete and the street is open, what is the first thing you are going to do?
Answer: The first thing I will do is go to each business that has survived and congratulate them for surviving and thank everyone that played a part in reviving 5th Street, especially Tom Martin, City Planner, and the 5th Street CDC.
More Information:
For the 5th Street CDC,
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For the February 6 article in the News and Advance,
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