Phase 2 in Lynchburg preps for renovations under new ownership
After 27 years as an event venue in the Hill City, Phase 2 is gearing up for some big changes, starting with its name. Purpose Driven Events announced on Thursday that the entertainment venue will now be called “The Ridge” and will embody passion, integrity and sustainability as its key principles. The venue was bought for $3.5 million last week by Purpose Driven Events, which is led by chief executive officer Jonathan Slye. Purpose Driven Events’ mission is to have a purpose behind each event and Phase 2 will be no exception, with a new focus on sustainability and environment-friendly infrastructure. The venue also plans to bring in more diverse acts going forward including comedy, car shows and mixed martial arts.
Beyoncé foundation donates $500K to families facing eviction amid coronavirus pandemic
Beyoncé is working to help folks deeply affected during the COVID-19 pandemic through her nonprofit BeyGOOD. The nonprofit announced on its website that it will provide $50,000 for individuals impacted by the housing crisis in Phase 2 of the BeyGOOD Impact Fund. “The housing moratorium is set to end on December 26th, resulting in mortgage foreclosures and rental evictions,” the nonprofit wrote in a press release. “Many families are impacted, due to the pandemic that resulted in job loss, sickness and overall economy downturn.”The $5,000 grants will go to 100 individuals and families who are facing foreclosures or evictions. Round 2 of the grants will open in Feburary.
Virginia will not enter Phase 3 on Friday
Ralph Northam just announced Virginia will not enter Phase 3 during this week. The governor said he is still monitoring the data and wants more time to analyze before announcing a date to shift from Phase 2 to Phase 3. He did say that he would announce more details about what Phase 3 will look like in Virginia during his 2 p.m. coronavirus update on Thursday. As of Tuesday, there are 55,331 coronavirus cases in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Health. If Governor Northam genuinely wants ‘science, data, and testing’ to drive our reopening, he should allow Phase 3 to proceed.”
Kids Square takes museum on the road
ROANOKE, Va. If youre looking for something to keep your kids busy, Kids Square in Downtown Roanoke is taking its mission on the road. Kids Square is still looking for a van and the perfect name. Kids Square has handed out 1,500 themed kits since the pandemic started. What kids will get from the mobile museum will not be an entire kit, it will only have one activity or craft. For more information on donating and helping Kids Square find their new van, click here.
Restaurants reopen dining rooms as Virginia enters Phase 2
Ralph Northam, many restaurants have reopened their dining rooms. Under Phase Two of reopening, restaurants’ dining rooms are limited to 50% capacity. On Friday at 4:30 p.m., the Nawab Indian Cuisine’s dining room opened. A few doors down at Benny Marconi’s, leadership is still deciding whether or not to open its dining room. Fontanarosa said he expects the dining room to open within the next two weeks.
NHL plans move to small-group training as Phase 2 of return
TORONTO, ONT The NHL hopes to have players back in team facilities soon -- with plenty of precautions. It has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last, the said read. Teams are not allowed to require a player to return to a club's home city to complete any necessary quarantine measures before the workouts begin. The NHL/NHLPA Return to Play Committee has been hashing out details of what the game will look like if it's allowed to return this summer. Most NHL players have not been on the ice since the league halted its schedule, although some, including a number of Swedish players who returned home, have been skating in recent weeks.