Generation Charleston making a difference - one step at a time

While some of you might have been sleeping in Saturday morning, I was out getting my sweat on with about 50 other like minded people. We all got up early Saturday to make a difference on the West Side of Charleston in Cato park. Here is the article that appeared in the Sunday Gazette-Mail. It was written by Alison Knezevich.

Hikers and bikers will have a few new paths to trek in Charleston, thanks to more than 50 volunteers who turned out Saturday to build trails at Cato Park.

Dozens of people organized by the group Generation Charleston cleared leaves, roots and rocky dirt on a half-mile path on a steep hill behind the park as part of a community service project.
The volunteers started working around 8 a.m. (and we worked the entire morning finishing up around Noon) They followed a winding path of bright orange flag markers, using special tools that look like axes and rakes to carve out the trail. Home Depot donated work gloves and other tools, and local fast-food places gave the group free breakfast and lunch.

Volunteer Rossi Getzkova said building trails was her way of creating something for future generations. "There's always a way to make an impact in your community," she said as she snipped roots from the trail using a tool called a lopper. "I would say the hardest part is making sure the trails are level," said Generation Charleston member Todd Beane. "Because we want them to be safe."

The city owns the 50 acres of land at the trail site. Last year, the Charleston Land Trust began to develop the site, and several other groups have helped build trails. "There's still more to do, but this is going to knock out a major piece," said City Councilman Adam Henry Knauff, who volunteered Saturday.

Eventually, the new paths will connect to others in various parks in Charleston, Knauff said. He wants more people to know about outdoor recreation opportunities at Cato Park.
"I think the city should make it a priority in terms of getting people out here," he said.
Generation Charleston - formerly called Young Professionals - is a committee of the Charleston Area Alliance.

The group's community outreach team also has completed service projects for the YWCA and Habitat for Humanity, said community outreach co-chairwoman Brooke Pauley. Momentum is growing for Generation Charleston's volunteer efforts, Pauley said.

At the beginning of last week, only 15 people had signed up for Saturday's project. But the group ended up breaking its goal of 40 volunteers. Helpers included not only Generation Charleston members, but also a Boy Scout troop and a Girl Scout troop and others from the community.
Generation Charleston's next event is a panel discussion on how people can become more involved in helping their community. The panel starts at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center.

Reach Alison Knezevich at 348-1240.

Now hopefully, as Adam put it, the City of Charleston will make publicizing the new trails a priority and everyone can enjoy!

Chimney Corner Cafe

I recently heard about a new establishment that offers great food and good music in the Fayetteville area. It's called Chiminey Corner Cafe. It is the the newest live music venue in the area. Included is a schedule of upcoming events, pick a date and check them out, sounds like a really cool place. This establishment seems to be taking the next step to bring quality entertainment in to Chiminey Cafe. The schedule seems fairly aggressive, and they don't charge an admission so attendance support is needed.

Chimney Corner Cafe - Great Food, Great Entertainment, and Great Friends!



Aug. 21
Musicians Jam 6 -9pm

Aug. 22
Third String

Special Show 6pm
Bluegrass

Aug. 23
Country Fever 1pm
2Blue - Blues Guitar 6pm

Aug. 24
Duffy Boyd 1pm
Don't Fear The Banjo Music
Eduardo Canelon' & Elizabeth 6pm

Aug. 25
Country Gospel Night
w/ Bill Neil & Allan Morris &
Southern Grace

Aug. 26
Closed

Aug. 27
Solo Night
Special Guest Each Week

Aug. 28
Musicians Jam 6 -9pm

Aug. 29
Strings Of Green
Special Show 6pm

Bluegrass


Aug. 30
Blues Special Show
Izzy Stetar &Chris Nacy1pm

2 Blue -
Blues Guitar 6pm

Aug. 31
Duffy Boyd 1pm
Don't Fear The Banjo Music

Eduardo Canelon' & Elizabeth 6pm

Sept. 1
Country Gospel Night

w/ Bill Neil & Allan Morris &
Southern Grace

Sept. 2
Closed

Sept. 3
Solo Night

Special Guest Each Week

Sept. 4

Musicians Jam 6 -9pm

Sept. 5
Chick Singer

Classic Rock
6PM

Sept. 6
Muddy Feat
Bluegrass
1pm
Everett Lilly Dinner & Show 6pm
Reservations Only

Sept. 7
Duffy Boyd 1pm
Don't Fear The Banjo Music

TO BE ANNOUNCED
6PM

Sept. 8
Country Gospel Night

w/ Bill Neil & Allan Morris &
Southern Grace

Sept. 9
Closed

Sept. 10
Solo Night

Special Guest Each Week

Sept. 11
Musicians Jam 6 -9pm


Sept. 12
Shawvers Crossing
Special Show 6pm

Bluegrass

Sept. 13
Muddy Feat
Bluegrass 1pm
Mike Aiken
Special Show 6pm

Sept. 14
Duffy Boyd 1pm
Don't Fear The Banjo Music

Nation's First Modern Coal-to-Liquids Plant To Be Built In W.Va.

Gov. Joe Manchin has announced plans for the construction of the nation’s first modern coal-to-liquids plant in the state’s Northern Panhandle. Joining the governor were Sen. Jay Rockefeller, with support from Sen. Robert C. Byrd and West Virginia’s Congressional delegation, and officials from CONSOL Energy, Synthesis Energy Systems (SES) and the Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED).CONSOL, the nation’s largest producer of bituminous coal, and SES, a global industrial gasification company, intend to develop through a joint venture, their first U. S. coal gasification and liquefaction plant in Benwood. The joint venture, Northern Appalachia Fuel LLC (NAF), will invest $800 million in the plant.

The plant is expected to be a “mine mouth” facility with feedstock supplied directly from CONSOL’s nearby Shoemaker complex. The feedstock will be a blend of run-of-mine coal and coal otherwise not recovered in the normal preparation process. Coal will be converted to synthetic gas using SES proprietary technology. The syngas would be used to produce about 720,000 metric tons per year of methanol that can be used as a feedstock for the chemical industry. Officials expect the project will be capable of converting methanol to about 100 million gallons per year of 87 octane gasoline. NAF is negotiating with ExxonMobil Research and Engineering to license their proprietary methanol-to-gasoline technology. As envisioned, the project will include a river terminal facility, where products will be stored in tanks for off-loading into barges for ultimate delivery.

It is estimated the plant will create 300 to 500 construction jobs and, when the plant begins production, it will have about 60 full-time permanent employees.

(from the WV Chamber of Commerce)

WV Rocks

Some say good bands are hard to find. Some say good bands from WV are almost impossible. Well I've got a different perspective. I have recently stumbled across two great bands hailing right here from the hills of West Virginia.

Visit their websites or myspace pages and check out their sound. Even if you don't particularly like their sound, you've got to give them some props for making rock music from WV. Just like the Redding Brothers from Hurricane, I would definitely recommend the New Relics from Morgantown, and Old School Abbey from Beckley.

I have seen each of these bands perform live at various WV locations. They are worth the drive wherever you can catch them!

See you at a show....

The Redding Brothers: Rockin’ W.Va. and the World
Written by Jason Keeling of http://www.abetterwestvirginia.com/ on August 11, 2008

Cultures are heavily influenced by creative people, whose individual values often help shape collective perceptions. Three young men from West Virginia have found rock & roll to be one of the most powerful means of expression, and they are working diligently to inspire others through their music.
The Redding Brothers grew up in a musically inclined family from Hurricane. Their father played guitar and often sang tunes by Johnny Cash and The Beatles. The violin was their grandpa’s instrument of choice. Naturally, the boys developed an appreciation for music, and during their teenage years they began playing together: Micah (now age 26) on guitar, Josiah (age 24) on bass, and youngest brother Gabriel (age 21) jamming on percussion.
“We started as cheesy acoustic” said Micah jokingly, in reference to Rough Draft, a five song EP the band first released during October 2003.
‘The Progression of Song-Writing’
“Through the progression of song-writing, we became more philosophical,” further commented Micah. “Rather than songs of dependency, we’re trying to describe the ability to pick yourselves up.” There’s more focus on “contributing, rather than being a victim,” stated Josiah.
Guitar in hand, Micah leads an impromptu rendition of “Throwing Stones,” a track on their first official album, Wisdom from the Green Shag Carpet. In unison, the lyrics “I won’t be trapped, I will be free” echo across the stage, impressing the interviewers with harmony and words of liberation.
“Most modern popular music has little meaning, other than ’shake your booty,’ “added Gabriel, who agreed their musical talents and focus have evolved since forming the band. A recent career highlight included a 25-day trip to the Middle East earlier this year, in which the group performed for U.S. troops.
Tour Schedule
The Redding Brothers are now headquartered from Nashville, Tenn., but they maintain a touring schedule that brings them home to West Virginia several times: Aug. 21 (Glenville State College), Sept. 20 (City of St. Albans), Oct. 9 (Concord University) and Nov. 2 (Roanoke, W.Va. Student Activities Programming Conf.)
You can sample the band’s music here and a photo stream of this interview is available courtesy of Sarah Cooper.

The 2008 State Fair of West Virginia in Lewisburg is just days away and the fair grounds are alive with activity. If you plan to visit "West Virginia's Biggest Garden Party", take a look at www.statefairofwv.com before you go to download copies of fair brochures and a schedule of events. Find activities, exhibits, livestock information, building hours, entertainment options and so much more! The Fairgrounds Map will help you find the buildings, arenas, and exhibits that you plan to visit.

While there don't miss downtown Lewisburg. It is perfect for walking around and window shopping with many antique shops, cool restaurants (Food and Friends is the best (foodandfriendswv.com), a martini bar (www.delsollounge.com), and even an Irish pub. Not to mention one of the top US osteopathic medical schools for 10 years in a row, WV School of Osteopathic Medicine www.wvsom.edu.

Let us know what your favorite part of Lewisburg is or what event/activity you love at the State Fair.

Restaurant thinks global, impacts local

Charleston Daily Mail - Business - Restaurant thinks globally, cooks locally
Source: www.dailymail.com

Keeley and Jon Steele's latest adventure in the restaurant world is putting into practice their personal commitment to buy local and to reduce, reuse and recycle.

I have eaten there several times, and let me tell you - it gets better every time!