Thursday, November 30, 2017

The Gallery @ Barr Photographics announces the holiday installment of the Corner Gallery’s 2017 exhibition series

The Gallery @ Barr Photographics announces the holiday installment of the Corner
Gallery’s 2017 exhibition series, with an exhibit of oil and mixed media paintings entitled “Peaceful Pathways” by award winning, Bluff City TN, plein aire artist, Renee Pitts.

Renee Ledford Pitts grew up in the beautiful area of East Tennessee where mountains, meadows, rivers, and streams provided inspiration and solace.  She began her art path as a child, inspired and motivated by the creativity of her grandmother and mother. Renee’s grandmother was a quilter and maker of everything it seems; her mother was a painter for Blue Ridge Pottery located in the beautiful mountains of Erwin, TN.  Renee loved creating art as a child.  In her biographical sketch, Renee reflects on the first time a kindergarten teacher put a brush in her hand and stood her in front of the classroom easel. It was a magical moment, one that prompted her to think of herself as an artist.  Later in her matriculation Renee decided to use her creativity and passion for life to help others so she pursued a degree in education culminating in a BS Education, East Tennessee State University.   Renee became a secondary school art teacher for both public and private high schools in Tennessee for thirty years. Renee found that art was a connection to others, which inspired a cognizance, from deep within a person’s spirit that could not be found in other subjects. She also found that art would not let her rest without continuing to pursue her own artistic career.  To that end, Renee acquired a Masters in Art from East Tennessee State University. From that moment to present, she has continued to learn, grow, and develop as an artist in her own right. Attending workshops, classes, and receiving mentoring from many different artists known internationally and nationally have helped her develop her style and techniques.  Because of her experience as an art teacher working with many different genres of art, mediums, and forms, Renee has developed a desire for employing different mediums and moves back and forth between them finding inspiration and motivation for her artwork. Creating from fiber, mixed media, watercolor, drawing, using inks and producing beautiful papers, Renee loves it all.  This fascination with art mediums and their inherent techniques broadens her approach to various mediums and helps her find a constant source of enthusiasm for creating new works. The famous artists, about whom she taught her students, are held like reference cards in her mind and their works, techniques and approach to work have influenced her immensely.  Groups like The Hudson Valley painters, American Scene Painters, the Impressionists are a constant source of revelation which inspires Renee to bring her own voice to the art world, and most importantly to those with whom she comes in contact.  Renee draws further inspiration from the beauty of creation, its display of purpose, life-giving cycles, and exhibition of the design principles provide a never-ending source for her work as a plein air artist, which she considers a calling, and passion, ever learning, trying new techniques.

In her Artist’s Statement, Renee reveals, “I want to invite the viewer to stop and observe the beauty of life in the extraordinary moments and scenes from our everyday lives.  We are so busy that we do not see the message of joy, hope, and renewal that God has placed before us in His creation.  If we pause to notice the elements of art in our settings, the colors, the lines, values in the beautiful scenery around us we can find a peace for that moment, a healing sense that there is something worth noticing and appreciating and learning about life no matter who we are, where we are, or what we are doing. Taking a moment to enjoy beauty rests our soul and transports us to another place, outside our troubling or taxing circumstances.   I want the compositional arrangement of light, color, texture, value, and movement to speak to the viewer in such a way that the moment captured belongs to his or her own experience."

When she and husband, George Pitts, head basketball coach at King University, moved back to the area from Brentwood Tennessee, they found the perfect place to experience the beauty of East Tennessee in the rolling hills and meadows of Sullivan County. Renee enjoys plein air painting from this little slice of heaven, and maintains a home studio that looks out at the Holston Mountain and its beautiful foothills.  Because she enjoys teaching and sharing the joy of art creation to others she opens her studio to workshops and classes. These “Art Around the Table’ opportunities allow others to grow and develop as artists too.

No matter where she travels, she finds time to paint the landscape, to appreciate the life that God has given her and the beauty He has given to us to enjoy.  These beautiful places, these beautiful scenes become paintings and she hopes that they are more than just a pretty picture on the wall. She wants to inspire a desire for joy, respite, peace that is found in nature, and a responsibility to sustain and protect the beautiful places we have the opportunity to experience. 

Peaceful Pathways” will be celebrated with a gala reception and demonstration of technique by Ms Pitts, to which the public is cordially, invited, on Friday, 08 December from 7 - 9:00 PM in The Gallery @ Barr Photographics, 152 E. Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia.  “Peaceful Pathways” will hang, and be offered for sale, through 31, January 2018.   The Gallery @ Barr Photographics is housed in the Greenway Trigg Building, located in the heart of Abingdon’s main street historic district.  Please call 276- 628-1486 or visit http://barrphotographics.com for further information.


Photo #1: “Enlightenment”, Oil by Renee Pitts

 


Photo #2: “Open Door”, Oil by Renee Pitts


Abingdon January Jams Promises Diverse Music Line-Up

A diverse music line-up is on tap in January in Abingdon as the sixth annual January Jams concert series, produced by Abingdon Music Experience and presented by Blue Ridge Beverage, gets underway at the Barter Theatre. From alt-country to soul to bluegrass and rock, Fridays and Saturdays in January promise something for music lovers of all ages and all genres.

Opportunities to see the legendary Booker T. Jones, as well as David Grisman and John Paul White this close to home are few and far between, but this year, all three will be a part of the January Jams series.

“This is our most diverse January Jams lineup yet,” said Sara Saavedra, special events coordinator for the Town of Abingdon. “From African-American alt-country singer Amythyst Kiah; the soul musician and living legend Booker T. Jones; to the Nashville-based Muddy Magnolias, currently exploding on the scene with a sound that Rolling Stone says ‘melds city grit and delta dirt,’ we have something for everyone.” 

The concert series, produced by Abingdon Music Experience and presented by Blue Ridge Beverage, will see concert goers enjoying January nights or weekends of music in the historic Barter Theatre in downtown Abingdon. Since the series started six years ago, the Barter has had a full house attending the events to see nationally known music acts which in past years have included music legends like the Blind Boys of Alabama and Del McCoury, as well as up and coming artists who went on to gain a huge national following, like St. Paul and the Broken Bones and Anderson East.

This year’s January Jams promises more of the same. As in the past, the series features nationally known performers, including Grammy Award winners and a Rock N Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

"We paid a lot of attention to diversity this year as we were booking the series,” Saavedra said. “Diversity in music, gender and ethnicity are all a part of this year’s series. Abingdon is a music destination for any music lover, and this lineup includes a wide range of legendary musicians alongside up and coming acts out of Nashville."

Attending January Jams at Barter Theatre is special, because it’s an intimate, “listening room” experience, Saavedra said. The concerts are seated, and the focus is 100 percent on the music. Additionally, she noted the Barter also offers beer and wine for sale in the lobby, which can be enjoyed in concert seating. 

"There is life after New Years,” Saavedra said. “Abingdon is open for business every Friday and Saturday in January. It's the perfect excuse to cure your cabin fever, come out to Abingdon and enjoy dinner at one of our independent restaurants.

“Make it an overnight, and enjoy a weekend of music," she suggested. “Abingdon’s restaurants and hotels are open for business and you can enjoy very affordable rates because it’s the off season. Walk to nearby restaurants, or ask about shuttle services to local hotels.”
Nightly, weekend and series passes for the January Jams series are available. Season passes are $210.

A bluegrass weekend package is offered at the Hampton Inn for $398 which includes two weekend passes and a two-night stay at the Hampton Inn.

All packages or weekend/series passes may be purchased through the Barter Box Office.
January Jams 2018 is presented by Blue Ridge Beverage and is sponsored by Eastman Credit Union, First Community Bank, The Bank of Marion and Universal Fibers. Additional support is provided by Food City, JJ’s Restaurant and Sports Bar and the Town of Abingdon. 

The concert line-up and ticket pricing are as follows:

January 5: Amythyst Kiah & Her Chest of Glass, $15; and January 6: Lillie Mae, $18; or Weekend: $30.

·         Amythyst Kiah & Her Chest of Glass-A professed Southern Gothic, alt-country blues singer/songwriter based in Johnson City, TN. Provocative and coolly fierce, Amythyst Kiah’s ability to cross the boundaries of blues and old-time through reinterpretation is groundbreaking and simply unforgettable. Recent tours in Scotland and the U.K. have seen Amythyst performing for audiences at the Americana Music Association UK Showcase, the Southern Fried Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, the Edinburgh Jazz Festival, and SummerTyne Americana Festival. She is a crowd favorite at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion in the U.S., has performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival.
·         Lillie Mae-  Nashville-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Lillie Mae is a remarkably gifted musical storyteller, a bright new star that’s been here all along.  Her much anticipated, Third Man Records debut "Forever and Then Some"  which is produced by multiple GRAMMY® Award-winner Jack White III at Third Man Studio in Nashville, weaves her own extraordinary experiences with the myriad strains of Americana to create a breathtaking song cycle of romance and struggle, solitude and adventure.

January 12: John Paul White, $25; and January 13, John Moreland, $22; or Weekend: $42.

·         John Paul White - An American singer-songwriter, and was a member of the GRAMMY®  Award-winning duo The Civil Wars. John Paul White, restarting his solo career with his 2016 release, "Beulah" which is a remarkably and assuredly diverse collection spanning plaintive folk balladry, swampy southern rock, lonesome campfire songs, and dark acoustic pop. Gothic and ambitious, with a rustic, lived-in sound, it’s a meditation on love curdling into its opposite, on recrimination defining relationships, on hope finally filtering through doubt.
·         John Moreland - Oklahoma based Americana-Folk- Alternative Country singer-songwriter who's powerful lyrics, skillful fingerpicking, and gravelly vocal delivery has been touted by Rolling Stone Magazine as "an emotionally riveting performance" after his performance on the Stephen Colbert show. Three of Moreland's songs, "Heaven," "Gospel," and "Your Spell", have been featured on the TV show, Sons of Anarchy.

January 19: David Grisman & John Sebastian, $57.50; and January 20, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen with Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, $25; or Weekend: $75.

·         David Grisman - California based, mandolinist- composer- bandleader- producer, David Grisman has been a guiding force for nearly half a century in the evolving world of acoustic music. His musical range is wide and deep, embracing many styles, genres and traditions. An acoustic pioneer and innovator, David forged a unique personal artistic path, skillfully combining elements of the great American music/art forms of jazz and bluegrass with many international flavors and sensibilities to create his own distinctive idiom of "Dawg" music (the nickname given him by Jerry Garcia.) In doing so, he ís inspired new generations of acoustic string musicians, while creating his own niche in contemporary music. His discography is filled with notables including Jerry Garcia, Stephane Grappelli, the Grateful Dead, John Hartford, Del McCoury, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Earl Scruggs, James Taylor and Doc Watson
·         John Sebastian- American singer-songwriter, guitarist, harmonicist, and autoharpist, John is best known as a founder of The Lovin' Spoonful for his impromptu appearance at the Woodstock festival in 1969; and for his No. 1 hit in 1976, "Welcome Back".  John’s induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 hasn’t slowed him down. Whether the stage is at Carnegie Hall or a folk festival in some far-flung locale, John is still out there spreading his gospel of American roots music. He is the subject of the PBS special Do You Believe In Magic: The Music of John Sebastian, and an album of duets with David Grisman was released in 2007. He has also lent his music in support of social, environmental and animal rights causes. Recently he joined a delegation of songwriters (including Lamont Dozier, Allen and Marilyn Bergman, and Mike Stoller) in Washington, DC to campaign on behalf of the National Music Publisher’s Association. Perhaps because it has been the product of heart and soul and history, the oldest song in the Sebastian catalog is as fresh and vital as the song he’s about to write tomorrow. That’s why you still hear his music everywhere – in movies, on television, in cover versions and samples – and why it’s always welcome. John is also a welcome media presence; his commentary, insights and anecdotes and stories are regularly featured in print, radio, TV and film documentary projects. John Sebastian is not only a master musician, writer and performer, he remains one of the best ambassadors American music has ever had.
·         Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen - Solvian is a Washington D.C. based mandolinist, recording artist, composer, and leader of the progressive bluegrass band Dirty Kitchen. Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen were named IBMA’s 2016 Instrumental Group of the Year for the second time, with a third nomination in 2017. Their critically acclaimed album Cold Spell earned a 2015 GRAMMY nomination for Best Bluegrass Album of the Year, yet the accolades don’t end there. Solivan, with banjoist Mike Munford, 2013 IBMA Banjo Player of the Year, award-winning guitarist Chris Luquette and bassist Jeremy Middleton, simmer a progressive bluegrass stew of infinite instrumental, vocal and songwriting skills soon to be featured once again on a new album coming 2018. Their respect and deep understanding of the tradition collides, live on stage, with jazz virtuosity creating an unforgettable, compelling performance.
·         Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley- Nashville based Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley were sure that their musical partnership was the right move at the right time, it was still welcome news when their debut Compass Records project, Before The Sun Goes Down, earned a nomination for the Best Bluegrass Album Grammy just about the time that Ickes took leave of the band he’d been in for over 20 years to make the joint venture the centerpiece of his career.   With the release of their new project, The Country Blues on July 8th the pair build on the first one’s strengths to take their unique musical conversation to an even higher level. There’s no doubt that it’s Ickes and Hensley who are front and center on The Country Blues—and that’s just how it should be.  After all, when something’s meant to be, the best thing to do is to get out of the way and let it go.

      January 26: Muddy Magnolias, $20; and January 27: Booker T Jones, $57.50; or Weekend: $70.

·         Muddy Magnolias -  Nashville based rock band fronted by Brooklyn native, Jessy Wilson. After landing in Nashville four years ago to further explore her career in songwriting, Wilson formed Muddy Magnolias—a raw, soulful extension of blues roots rock. Her essence on stage embodies her most beloved influences- Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner. The band found quick success touring with Gary Clark Jr., Zac Brown Band, Grace Potter, Record Company and debuting at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits music festival and more. Their debut album “Broken People” was release in October 2016 and was praised by New York Times, NPR and named number one on Yahoos “10 best new artists of 2016”
·         Booker T. Jones  - The legendary Booker T. Jones arguably set the cast for modern soul music and is largely responsible for its rise and enduring popularity. Booker T. has created masterpiece after masterpiece of groove, earning him a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Musicians Hall of Fame, as well as a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award.  Another bold step in his spectacular musical voyage, the new album Sound the Alarm finds the Hammond B3 organ master looking ahead yet again, laying down his distinctive bedrock grooves amid a succession of sparkling collaborations with some of contemporary R&B’s most gifted young voices.  It can be argued that it was Booker T. Jones who set the cast for modern soul music and is largely responsible for its rise and enduring popularity. He pushed the music’s boundaries with his hits on Stax, refined it to its essence and then injected it into the nation’s bloodstream.  Outside of the band, Jones made the charts as a solo artist and produced albums for Rita Coolidge, Bill Withers, Willie Nelson's Stardust and more and lent his trademark keyboards to many artists ranging in genre from Ray Charles to Neil Young. Booker more recently won back to back GRAMMY AWARDS in the category Best Pop Instrumental Album for his 2011 release The Road From Memphis where he is backed by the hip hop band The Roots and for the 2009 album Potato Hole which features guests Neil Young and Drive By Truckers. He's also been in the spotlight leading an all-star band for a number of events for President Obama, the latest being an In Performance at the White House gala devoted to Memphis soul that aired on PBS. Booker’s current album Sound The Alarm (Stax/Concord) is critically acclaimed and features collaborations with some of the finest talents in modern soul and R&B including Mayer Hawthorne, Anthony Hamilton, Vintage Trouble, Estelle, Gary Clark, Jr., Luke James and more. Rolling Stone raves “Booker T. Unleashes The Blues on Sound The Alarm”, and No Depression proclaims “With…Sound The Alarm marking a brilliant return to Stax Records after 40 years, Jones is currently on tour. Catch him if you can, and change your plans to make it if you think you can’t.”


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Monday, November 27, 2017

Economic Development Authority Meeting Notice


December 2017 Council Meeting Notice


Farris Funeral Service to Host Giving Tree and Food Drive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 24, 2017

Farris Funeral Service to Host Giving Tree and Food Drive

ABINGDON, Va. — Farris Funeral Service & Crematory is taking action against hunger in the community by hosting a Christmas Giving Tree and Community Food Drive.

“We know there are many individuals whose resources are spread thin in our community, especially during the holiday season,” says Kim Farris-Luke, president and owner of Abingdon-based Farris Funeral Service & Crematory. “We love being a part of this community, and are always looking for ways we can volunteer our time and resources to make a positive impact on the lives of others.”

Residents of Washington County and surrounding areas who want to participate are asked to donate a non-perishable canned food item or jar of peanut butter during the food drive. Donations will be accepted Monday, Nov. 27 through Wednesday, Dec. 20, and may be placed under the Christmas tree in the lobby of the Main Street Chapel, located at 427 East Main St. in Abingdon, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

All collected donations will be distributed by Ecumenical Faith in Action, a nonprofit organization located in Abingdon that provides food, medical and financial assistance, and counseling to more than 1,350 individuals each month.

For more information, call (276) 623-2700 or email farrisdirector@gmail.com.

About Farris Funeral Service & Crematory

Celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2017, Farris Funeral Service & Crematory is the only Washington County, Virginia, funeral home that has been owned and managed by the same family throughout its history. This continuity provides the organization unparalleled perspective on the services, administrative assistance and emotional support needed during the bereavement process. Farris’ spacious facilities offer a number of conveniences, including a full-service reception center available for gatherings and meals, comfortable meeting areas and ample parking. Administrative offerings include assistance with the filing of essential documents, as well as a number of grief education and counseling programs. For more information, call (276) 623-2700 or visit www.farrisfuneralservice.com


-end-

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Coomes Center Holiday Express- 12-1-17


Abingdon is “dreaming of a White Christmas”- Discount Participants

*Did you know that for every $100 you spend locally, $68 stays in the community!*

Join us in Abingdon this Sunday, November 19, 1:00PM-6:00PM for early shopping opportunities, specials, refreshments, concerts and Santa will be at The Antique Barn!  Most shops have gift items under $20

See the list of merchants who will be open and the specials they will offer.  Please join the Hearts Of Gold Choir for a Sing Along at the Main Street Park (across from the Post Office) from 1:00PM-2:00PM and the VHCC Women’s Choir 2:00PM-3:00PM at Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church.




Solid Waste Schedule - Thanksgiving 2017


Monday, November 13, 2017

Abingdon is “dreaming of a White Christmas”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2017

                                
Abingdon is “dreaming of a White Christmas,”
 with a month of holiday activities for families November 17 – December 9

Abingdon, VA – It’s going to be a white Christmas in Abingdon this season, regardless of the weather forecast.  Beginning Friday November 17, Abingdon celebrates “An Old-Fashioned White Christmas,” a month of family-friendly holiday activities.  At the heart of the holiday schedule is Barter Theatre’s “White Christmas,” which provided inspiration for the Town’s holiday celebration.

Experience a Christmas “just like the ones we used to know,” with a month of holiday celebrations in Abingdon, November 17th through December 9th.   Abingdon’s quaint downtown will be transformed in to a Christmas wonderland, with carolers, magical storefront displays, the scent of roasted chestnuts on the air and special events to celebrate the season.  There will be plenty of opportunities to find the perfect gift, as Abingdon’s merchants will stay open late each weekend to accommodate shoppers.

The Christmas season begins in Abingdon with the opening of Barter Theatre’s “White Christmas,” Friday November 17th.  Barter is a holiday tradition for many families in the region, and this year’s offering is a lavish production of the beloved Christmas movie. It’s a timeless tale of joy and goodwill filled with Irving Berlin’s best songs, topped off with glorious dancing and lots of snow, making this a show a holiday classic for all audiences. The fun continues with “Rudolph,” a holiday story for young audiences, and the hilarious comedies “A Tuna Christmas,” and “The Santaland Diaries,” (better suited for adults).

With plenty to see and do each weekend, families will want to plan to spend the entire day in Abingdon.

The Abingdon Farmers Market will hold a Holiday Market each Saturday morning from 10am to 12pm with baked goods, crafts and gifts, and Abingdon’s merchants will compete for the best store window, with “White Christmas” themed displays.  Other activities include free Christmas concerts, holiday craft workshops for kids, and photos with Santa, hosted by Abingdon’s businesses and non-profits. For a full list of holiday activities for families, go to VisitAbingdonVirginia.com/Christmas.

Town-wide events include:

Abingdon Merchants’ Holiday Open House
Sunday November 19th, 1pm to 6pm
Kick off the holiday season with a town-wide open house, hosted by Abingdon’s merchants. Jump-start the holiday season, with extended shopping hours (1pm to 6pm), free holiday concerts, and free refreshments at many stores. New this year, Abingdon’s businesses will compete for the most over-the-top window display, inspired by Barter Theatre’s “White Christmas.”   For more information, go to VisitAbingdonVirginia.com/Christmas

Small Business Saturday
Saturday November 25th, 11am to 7pm
Skip the Black Friday madness, and head to downtown Abingdon for Small Business Saturday.  Abingdon will celebrate with free family activities and extended merchant hours 11am to 7pm. Roasted chestnuts will be on sale at Main Street Town Park starting at 11am until supplies run out, and the cast of Barter Theatre’s “Rudolph” will be caroling 11am to 1pm on West Main Street. block between Cummings and Russell Road. For more information, go to VisitAbingdonVirginia.com/Christmas

Santa’s Mailbox
November 15 – December 10
Make the holidays extra special for your little ones this year with a personal letter from the big guy, postmarked from North Pole, Alaska.  Write your letter to Santa, and drop it in Santa’s Mailbox, located next to The Candy Shed at 272 W. Main Street in downtown Abingdon.  Letters must be dropped off between November 15 and December 10, and must include a name and full return address.   For more information, go to VisitAbingdonVirginia.com/Christmas

Abingdon Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade
December 1st and 2nd
Friday December 1st is the annual Abingdon Christmas Tree Lighting, at 6:00pm At the Market Pavilion on Remsburg Drive. Saturday December 2nd is Abingdon’s Annual Christmas Parade, presented by the Kiwanis Club, 6:00pm to 8:00pm.  Abingdon Baptist Church will offer free cocoa and hot cider during the parade, while the American Chestnut Foundation will offer roasted chestnuts for sale.  Both events are free, and Abingdon’s merchants and restaurants will be open late to welcome families.


Go to VisitAbingdonVirginia.com/Christmas for a full list of holiday events and promotions. 




Monday, November 6, 2017

2017 America Recycles Day



America Recycles Day

On Saturday, November 11, 2017, the Town of Abingdon Sustain Abingdon Committee, Keep Southwest Virginia Beautiful and the WACOVA Timebank will hold an America Recycles Day/SWAP event. This event will be from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Abingdon Police Department parking lot (425 West Main Street, Abingdon). There will be on-site FREE e-waste recycling and FREE document shredding.  Donations needed this year are gently used shoes and supplies for the local animal shelter (food, treats, cat litter, blankets, bleach & detergent) and are greatly appreciated.  If you bring donation items, you will be entered into a raffle to win various prizes.  New this year is a SWAP event.  The SWAP is a “bring something, take something” swap.  Items to bring/take include tools, home electronics, and pet products.  There will be free coffee and doughnuts while supplies last. For more information on the America Recycles Day event, please call 276-628-3167 or like us on www.facebook.com/sustainabingdon.


*See the attached flyers for acceptable items for e-waste recycling and for more information. 



Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Location and Design public hearing scheduled for Interstate 81 Exit 17 improvements

LOCATION AND DESIGN PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR INTERSTATE 81 EXIT 17 IMPROVEMENTS
Thursday, November 2 from 6 - 8 p.m. Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator in Abingdon

BRISTOL – This week, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a location and design public hearing for improvements to the Interstate 81 exit 17 interchange in the Abingdon area of Washington County.
The public hearing will be held Thursday, November 2 from 6-8 p.m. at Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator, 851 French Moore Jr. Blvd in Abingdon.

The purpose of the meeting is to give citizens an opportunity to review the proposed project plans that include improvements to the exit 17 northbound on and off ramps, improvements to a segment of Route 75, reconstruction and relocation of Gravel Lake Road, and relocation of the frontage road located adjacent to the northbound exit 17 off ramp (Commerce Drive).

VDOT encourages all interested citizens to attend the information meeting. To give citizens more flexibility in their participation, there will be no formal presentation. Instead, citizens will be able to review plans with VDOT representatives at their convenience anytime between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Also, citizens will have an opportunity to record verbal comments for the official record anytime during the meeting. Written comments will be accepted during the meeting or may be submitted to VDOT by November 20, 2017.  Mail comments to Mr. Ron Flanary, Project Manager, 870 Bonham Road, Bristol, Virginia 24201. Or, email comments to bristolinfo@vdot.virginia.gov, referencing “Interstate 81 Exit 17 improvements” in the email subject line.
For additional information, or if you require special assistance to participate in the meeting, please call the VDOT’s Bristol District office at (276) 669-6151 or device for hearing impaired (TTY) at 711. (END)


Reporters: A media availability will be held at 5:30 p.m. to walk you through the displays and to answer any inquiries you have for VDOT prior to the 6 p.m. meeting.