Join us at 9 a.m. Oct. 1 for a flag raising ceremony that recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month on the City Hall front steps.

Sam Trammell is Headlining HallowEast!

On the Emmy Award-winning HBO original series “True Blood,” Sam Trammell plays a shape-shifter, changing from man to animal and back again.

On Oct. 30, Trammell will be transforming back into a West Virginian.

“I really am thrilled to be coming back to Charleston,” he said. “I consider Charleston home. My mom and dad still live there. I really miss it, and I’m excited to see all my friends and family. It’s great to be coming home.”

But the main focus of Trammell’s Charleston visit will be supporting the work of East End Main Street, a program of the Charleston Area Alliance dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Charleston’s oldest and most diverse neighborhood.

Trammell will be the headliner of EEMS’s first annual HallowEast fundraiser, participating in “Inside the Main Street Studio,” a sit-down, “Inside the Actors Studio”-style interview, at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at Kanawha Players, 309 Beauregard St.

David Wohl, dean of arts and humanities at West Virginia State University, will be asking the questions, and a Kanawha Players performance of “Dial M for Murder” will follow Trammell’s appearance.

In addition to the special evening with Trammell, HallowEast will feature a murder mystery dinner, the “ArtMares” exhibition, special trick or treating events and a blood drive, among other activities.
Trammell would be a casting director’s top pick for a Charleston Halloween event.

“It’s a good fit for Halloween,” Trammell said. “If you’ve read the Charlaine Harris books (on which the show is based), you know she introduces a whole host of fantastical creatures. For sure, it’s a Halloween sort of show.”

And viewers in West Virginia, like fans all across the country, are engrossed in the evolving storyline, one that continually weaves Louisiana culture and vampire lore into a tale that is all at once scary, funny, captivating, provocative and smart.

“It’s always interesting to hear from people who are really into the show,” Trammell said. “It attracts a wide demographic. Sometimes, people will ask my dad what’s going to happen next on the show, and he has no idea. It amazes me people in West Virginia are actually keeping up with what I’m doing on the show. The attention is completely new to me.”

Trammell was born in Louisiana and has lived in North Dakota and Indiana. But he spent most of his early life in Charleston, going to Overbrook Elementary, John Adams Middle School and George Washington High School. After attending Brown University and the University of Paris, Trammell acted on Broadway and eventually appeared in several films, including “Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem” and “Autumn in New York,” among others. He also guest-starred on several televisions shows, including “House,” “CSI: New York” and “Dexter,” among others.

“True Blood,” though, has catapulted Trammell to celebrity status, which is evident by the growing number of talk show appearances.

“Sam is a star on the rise, so we are thrilled and honored he is taking the time to be a part of, and really the highlight of, HallowEast,” said EEMS Program Director Ric Cavender. “A lot of fans are going to be excited, too.”

Trammell said he is eager to support the efforts of EEMS, which works directly with neighborhood businesses, leading them from simple ideas to significant investments. The program is based on a national model for community revitalization that was developed to save historic commercial architecture and has since become a powerful economic development tool across the country.

“Downtown Charleston and the East End are just amazing,” Trammell said. “Today, when you look at the ballpark, the Clay Center and Capitol Street, you understand the revitalization has been great. I want to see it continue.”

EEMS volunteers are hoping HallowEast can help that work continue.

“This is HallowEast’s first year, but it’s already a giant undertaking,” Cavender said. “The money we raise for this event will go directly toward improving Charleston.”

HallowEast officially starts at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 with “Main Street Murder Mystery” at the Woman’s Club of Charleston, 1600 Virginia St. Bluegrass Kitchen is presenting the event. Tickets are $35 and include hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Register here.

Oct. 28 also marks the ArtMares opening at 1598 Washington St. East. The four-day exhibit features more than 30 local artists showcasing their visions of Halloween. Thirty percent of all proceeds from art sales go to East End Main Street. ArtMares runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

HallowEast continues Oct. 29 with an enhanced evening of Trick or Treat, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and includes participation from East End businesses. Also on Oct. 29, the Red Cross is partnering with EEMS for its “Blood Drive” from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Moses Automotive parking lot, 1406 Washington St. East.

HallowEast concludes with a special ArtMares artists reception and block party from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31. Register here. The $20 admission fee covers beer, wine, food and a $2 discount to the Empty Glass Halloween Hootenanny at 9 p.m.

Kanawha Players will present the second showing of “Dial M for Murder” at 8 p.m. Halloween night. Tickets are $16.

Ongoing events include black and orange margarita specials at Tricky Fish, lunch specials at Delish Express and art exhibits at the Book Exchange, specials at TrayZones and specials at Trays Barber Shop.

Tickets for the Oct. 30 Sam Trammell presentation and “Dial M of Murder” are $50. Register here.

Tickets for the show and a 6 p.m. Fan Gathering at the Cultural Center are $100 (register here), while tickets for the premium VIP reception at 5 p.m., also at the Cultural Center, are $150 (register here). Trammell will be participating in both receptions, and those prices include admission to “Inside the Main Street Studio.”

“It’s a big deal for me to come home and have this sort of attention,” Trammell said. “It’s humbling. …

“When you live in West Virginia, you take it for granted,” he added. “After you leave, you realize how unique Charleston and West Virginia are. So much of the state is untouched, green and beautiful. It’s different from anywhere else in the world. You appreciate it when you’re gone.”

Call (304) 340-4253 and visit www.HallowEast.com for more information. Registration for some events will be available at www.CharlestonAreaAlliance.org/Events.

Sponsors and partners include Mark Wolfe Design, C&H Taxi, Kanawha Valley Advertising Company, Love Happiness Photography, Tricky Fish, The Empty Glass, Contemporary Galleries, Woman’s Club of Charleston, The Book Exchange, Bluegrass Kitchen, Delish Express, Moses Automotive, American Red Cross and Blenko Glass.

Kanawha County Public Library offering national webcast with resume expert Barbara Safani

Resume expert Barbara Safani will guide you on how to write an effective resume that will get you the interview.

When: Wednesday, September 30th at 1pm

Where: Main Library-Technology Center

Contact: 304.343.4646

Kanawha County Public Library offering new programs for Fall

SOCIAL NETWORKING 101

Wednesday, October 7
6:30pm–8:30pm

Have you heard the terms Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter and been unsure of what they mean? This class will introduce you to the major social networks, explain how they work, and describe what they can do for you. Stay in touch with friends and family all over the world, screen employees and uncover new and exciting resources on the Internet. You should have an email address before attending this class. Register at 304-343-4646 ext221

FREE ALTERNATIVES TO EXPENSIVE SOFTWARE

Thursday, October 22
6:30pm–8:30pm

There are plenty of fantastic “must-have” programs that can do great things, but often have high price tags. This class will show you several free programs that will perform the same functions without denting your wallet. Discover alternatives to programs like Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, and Photoshop, as well as anti-virus and CD burning software. Register at 304-343-4646 ext221

Join Us Tomorrow as We Launch HallowEast!

Curious about what exactly HallowEast is all about? Wondering who our featured guest will be?

Join East End Main Street and Charleston Mayor Danny Jones tomorrow - Tuesday, Sept. 29 - at 1 p.m. when we announce the details of the four-day celebration. We’ll be at Kanawha Players, 309 Beauregard Street.

East End Main Street program director Ric Cavender, EEMS volunteers and other dignitaries will be announcing HallowEast details and the schedule. The seasonal celebration, featuring arts, entertainment and cultural events, is scheduled to run from Oct. 28 to Oct. 31.

The highlight of HallowEast – a fundraiser for EEMS – is an Oct. 30 Kanawha Players performance of “Dial M for Murder,” but the evening also will showcase a rising Hollywood celebrity for a hit television drama whose identity will be revealed during the Sept. 29 launch.

“This is HallowEast’s first year, but it’s already a giant undertaking,” Cavender said. “We’re eager to officially unveil our plans, which include an enhanced trick or treat night, a murder mystery, an art show and more. But we especially are thrilled and honored to have a very special guest to highlight HallowEast, and a lot of fans are going to be excited, too.”

Everyone is welcome to attend the Sept. 29 event. EEMS will be giving away and selling HallowEast paraphernalia.

“This is an event people can really sink their teeth into,” Cavender said. “It’s a way for Charleston to embrace the enthusiasm surrounding the holiday, and we want this to be another way for residents to come together in celebration. October is going to go out with a fang.”

Daily updates and news will be available at http://www.halloweast.com/.

You might be a little curious about HallowEast and what it's all about.

Join us Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Kanawha Players, 309 Beauregard St., for the official announcement and get the official lineup of events.

It's going to be a fangtastic event.

And get daily updates at the event's official blog: www.HallowEast.com.

Tickets Are Still Available

The Generations Celebration is selling out, but tickets are still available online. Click here.

They are $25 online and $30 at the door.

Join us for one of the biggest parties of the year!

Chili Cook Off Needs Volunteers

The World’s Chili Championship Cook Off is coming to Charleston’s Power Park October 9-11, and the event needs volunteers.

Signing up to be a volunteer means devoting 2 to 4 hours to the event.

Job Descriptions:

Unload main entrance 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. each morning (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
and assist the cooks with their set up

Volunteer/ Charity Tent 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Friday and Noon - 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
Assist with volunteer registration and passing out information about MS and the Society.

Assist Contestants with Sampling 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Friday and Noon – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
The cooks will be busy making their chili for the judges while you scoop chili for the general public

Contact Alison Drain at Alison.Drain@nmss.org for more information or to volunteer.

Appeal for Instruments

The String Programs in Kanawha County Schools, a joint effort of the West Virginia Symphony and the School Board, are bringing tremendous opportunities to young people in the region.

Lessons on instruments are offered for free during school hours. Seventeen elementary schools participate. One of the newest, Piedmont Elementary, has had an incredibly enthusiastic response.

Twenty violinists, eight violists, six cellists and three basses signed up, but only three of these indicated they have the means to supply their own instruments.

We don't want to see them turned away.

Please help if you can.

Contact Andrea Di Gregorio at (304) 346-1908 or abdigregorio@gmail.com if you have an instrument or want more information.

Readiness Workshop to Focus on Swine Flu

The state’s higher education institutions will gather from 9:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 25 at West Virginia State University to hear key facts on H1N1 flu from health experts.

Information regarding the state’s response to H1N1 and guidance for campuses also will be provided. The focus of the workshop will be the availability of federal funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for campus planning and vaccination clinics. Attendees will include institutional staff in the areas of administration, student affairs, communications/public relations, and health services, as well as state health officials.

West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education and West Virginia Bureau for Public Health are sponsoring the event.

Drug Testing Center to Host Grand Opening Today

Join the Charleston Area Alliance, East End Main Street, West Side Main Street and Charleston Mayor Danny Jones to welcome Drug Testing Center of Charleston today at 2:30 p.m.

The center is located at 100 Lee St.

Refreshments will be available.

Drug Testing Center of Charleston is a privately owned occupational health clinic with corporate headquarters located in Paintsville, Kentucky. Drug Testing Center of Charleston was established May 2009 to care for the occupational health needs of workplaces, school systems, family services, court systems, government agencies and the general public.

Drug Testing Center of Charleston is dedicated to providing outstanding clinical care to improve the health and safety of the people of West Virginia and beyond 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

The Drug Testing of Charleston administrative team has more than 75 years collectively of healthcare and management experience and is looking forward to sharing their knowledge and expertise. When a location was being sought for Drug Testing Center of Charleston, 100 Lee Street West was the ideal location. After learning about the revitalization of the West Side business corridor, the team saw a vibrant commercial district with a proud heritage and warm community spirit in the heart of the city. Drug Testing Center of Charleston is proud to be a part of the vision and economic restructuring of Charleston's West Side.

Generation Charleston Fights Homelessness & Hunger

Join Generation Charleston and the Vandalia Rotary Club in the fight against homelessness and hunger by volunteering to assist in one of four projects during a day of service* on Saturday, October 10th.

Project locations include Union Mission, Manna-Meal, YWCA Sojourner's Shelter and a Habitat for Humanity home-build site.

At least 50 volunteers are needed, and duties include sorting canned food at Union Mission; serving food and other various tasks at Manna-Meal; painting at the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter; and building homes for Habitat for Humanity.

Detailed information will follow for all interested volunteers.

To volunteer or for more information, please contact Brooke Pauley at brooke@maplecreative.com and specify your top two project location choices.

*This collaborative effort between the GC Community Outreach & Housing Teams is Generation Charleston's 4th Quarter Service Project. Previous quarterly projects include Kanawha River clean up, fundraiser for the Childhood Language Center and Summer Fun Day at the Clay Center.

Itinerary
8:15 - 8:45 a.m.
Check-in/Breakfast at the YWCA on Quarrier Street
8:45 - 9:00 a.m.
Depart for respective project sites
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Work at respective project site
1:00 - 1:15 p.m.
Travel back from respective project sites
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Volunteer Appreciation Party at Vandalia Grille. Sponsored by the Vandalia Rotary Club.

West Virginia Benefits from Multi-State Agreement

West Virginia State Tax Commissioner Christopher G. Morris announced last week that the state continues to benefit from an Information Exchange Agreement with the Southeastern Association of Tax Administrators (SEATA). The agreement allows West Virginia to share certain tax information with eleven other southeastern states.

SEATA’s original agreement, which West Virginia entered into in 1989, had two purposes. First, the agreement encouraged businesses to voluntarily register to collect use tax on interstate sales. The West Virginia use tax is a 6% tax on the use of tangible personal property or services in West Virginia where West Virginia sales tax has not been paid. The use tax requires the purchaser of such tangible personal property or services to submit the tax due the state.

The SEATA Agreement also facilitated the exchange of use tax audit information between the states. SEATA expanded the agreement in 1991 to include the exchange of audit information for corporate net income taxes.

As a result of the agreement, West Virginia has collected $2,740,337 in use tax from West Virginia customers and companies which are either registered or unregistered in West Virginia, and operate in at least one other SEATA state. Since the agreement was expanded in 1991 to include corporate net income taxes, the agreement has enabled West Virginia to collect $3,514,523 in corporate net income tax from out-of-state companies doing business with West Virginia.

“The agreement has helped West Virginia establish relationships with the other states. Together we’re able to share tax information and combine our resources to not only increase use tax and corporate net income tax collections, but enhance voluntary compliance,” said West Virginia Tax Commissioner Christopher Morris.

West Virginia Tax Commissioner Christopher Morris was elected as SEATA’s Second Vice-President for the 2009-1010 year and serves on the Executive Committee.

The twelve states participating in the Information Exchange Agreement are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Learn How to Start a Small Business
with Generation Charleston

Do you dream of starting your own business? The rewards can be great, and so can the work.

Where do you get the money? How do you find a location? What are the tax challenges? What are the regulations you should be aware of?

Generation Charleston's Professional Development Series continues 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 with a workshop designed to give participants an idea of what it takes to start and run a small business.

It takes place at the Charleston Area Alliance, 1116 Smith St.

Our panel of experts will offer practical advice and real experiences.

The event begins with a tour of the Charleston Area Alliance's business incubator by Alliance Vice President Mike Aeiker. Stephen Haynes, owner and CTO of Hybridge Communications will talk about starting a business, and Kimberly Donahue, business development specialist with the Small Business Administration will discuss the government's role.

Shawn R. Romano with Romano & Associates will talk about legal aspects, while Brian Golden with BB&T will offer banking advice, including suggestions about loans.

A panel also will include Josh Pearson, president of Mountaineer Packaging, and Karen Garnes, co-owner of Capitol Clay Arts.

Helen Alten, CEO and director of the Northern State Conservation Center, will be the event's emcee.

Click here to RSVP or to get more information about the event.

Brewer to Be Featured Speaker at Elevations Luncheon

The Professional Women's Network luncheon Thursday at Berry Hills Country Club looks to be another sold-out Elevations event, so don't miss your opportunity to be part of one of Charleston's most exciting and fastest growing movements.

Click here to register.

The featured speaker is Susan Brewer of Steptoe & Johnson, first woman to become CEO of a major law firm in West Virginia. Only 8 percent of law firms nationwide are led by a woman. The event begins with an informal networking reception at 11:30 a.m. Lunch follows at noon.

Brewer, a member of the firm and a litigator specializing in professional liability defense, joined Steptoe & Johnson in 1980 and has served as managing member of the Morgantown office for nearly 20 years and as a member of the firm's executive committee for 16 years.

Brewer received her legal education at George Mason University School of Law where she was a member of the law review staff and received honors in trial advocacy. She received her undergraduate education at Duke University.

The mission of Elevations, the Charleston Area Alliance Professional Women's Network, is to enrich, empower and elevate women to achieve success.

Tickets are $35 Alliance members/$45 future members.

We are unable to invoice for groups with fewer than 10 or issue refunds for cancellations received less than 48 hours prior to the event.

Gateway Greenspace Update

September 15, 2009

Order's Construction installed the first boulder in the stream feature on Monday. Forms for the final seat wall were installed and the concrete is scheduled to be poured this week.

The site is the perfect spot to observe the sculpture installation at the Clay Center.

Photos and comments by Susie Salisbury

Generation Charleston is Celebrating Speakeasy Style

Generation Charleston is going back to the roaring twenties for the annual Generations Celebration.

The emerging leaders group of the Charleston Area Alliance will transform the University of Charleston Rotunda into a 1920’s speakeasy on Saturday, Sept. 26 starting at 8 p.m.

"The Generations Celebration is an opportunity for anyone, of any generation, to celebrate all that makes Charleston a great place to live and work," said special events co-captain Rachelle Beckner. "For the members of Generation Charleston – who have worked hard all year on community service projects, professional development and promoting downtown living – it's a time to let our hair down and enjoy our successes for the year.”

Once inside the speakeasy, guests will enjoy food, drinks and entertainment, and a card game awaits those who can recite the speakeasy password (printed on tickets).

To make the night an authentic 20’s entertainment experience, Generation Charleston will show a silent film during the event and play traditional 20’s music throughout the night. And it doesn’t stop there. Club Dance of Dunbar will offer swing lessons and then give guests a chance to show off their best 20’s moves in a dance contest.

Guests should don their finest 1920’s attire. Generation Charleston will award the best costume a $50 Capitol Market gift certificate.

Maple Creative, Proud Eagle Distributing and the Vault, along with Generation Charleston’s title sponsor BrickStreet Insurance, are helping support the event.

Tickets are $25 each and are available on-line through the Charleston Area Alliance Web site at www.charlestonareaalliance.org/Events. The ticket price at the door is $30.

Tickets also are available at Capital Roasters – 160 Summers Street and Capitol Market locations - NTelos retail stores – Town Center Mall, South Ridge Center, Teays Valley and Saint Albans Mall – and the Purple Onion at Capitol Market.

Don’t miss out on this event. It’s sure to be the cat’s meow!

Job opening with Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center

Gateway Greenspace Update!

Terra Care delivered the first load of top soil this afternoon. The first boulder has been prepared for permanent placement into one of the seat walls.

Photos and comments by Susie Salisbury

Alliance Announces Diversity Initiative

The Charleston Area Alliance is making a case for diversity.

"Inclusion=Innovation" is an initiative by the Alliance to create a more prosperous economy by educating businesses how to incorporate practices that maximize the contributions of all segments of the workforce and our community.

It begins with a Sept. 22 forum -- "The Business Case for Diversity" -- featuring Dr. Roosevelt Thomas of the American Institute for Managing Diversity in Atlanta. The event runs from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Alliance offices, 1116 Smith St. There is no cost to attend, but an RSVP is required.

Register here.

"Studies show that diverse work team are more innovative and return higher profits for their employers," said Andrew Dunlap, the Alliance's economic development project manager.

"Through a series of high level roundtables featuring nationally-recognized speakers and prominent local leaders, this initiative will showcase best practices for accelerating profits through programs that build understanding about and effective approaches to generational, ethnic, racial, gender, cultural, religious and socio-economic differences in the business world," he said.

Dr. Thomas has been called one of the top business consultants by the Wall Street Journal and has worked with many Fortune 500 companies. Considered one of the founding fathers of diversity initiatives, he has been at the forefront of developing and implementing innovative concepts and strategies for maximizing organizational and individual potential through diversity management. Last year, he helped launch a Diversity Leadership Academy program in Charleston.

According to Thomas, diversity management is the craft of making quality decisions in the midst of tension and complexity, which is particularly relevant in today's ever-changing business landscape. Former Secretary of State Betty Ireland is scheduled to moderate the Sept. 22 panel, which includes several business leaders from among our membership. The discussion will be followed by a reception for alumni of the 2008 Diversity Leadership Academy.

Future Inclusion=Innovation roundtable subjects include "Bridging the Generation Gaps," "How Work-Life Policies Protect Your ROI in Employee Training and Retention" and "The Economic Impact of Inclusion on Businesses and Our Future."

Gateway Greenspace Update
September 3, 2009

Employees from Summit Electric Supply and Orders Construction are preparing to lay conduit for the lighting system this week. The second seat wall is well underway as seen in the photo above.

Comments and photos by Susie Salisbury

Museum Shop to Host Grand Opening

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History and TAMARACK invite you to the grand opening of the West Virginia State Museum Shop on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. At 2:30 p.m., Gov. Joe Manchin and First Lady Gayle Manchin will join the festivities for an official ribbon cutting.

Some of the featured artisans, musicians and authors, whose work is sold in the shop, will join us for the afternoon. Refreshments will be served, courtesy of the Greenbrier-trained staff of Tamarack and West Virginia food producers.

As part of the celebration, the West Virginia State Museum Shop will be offering savings coupons for Sept. 10 to 13.

We hope you’ll stop by and join us for the grand opening and take advantage of the discounts being offered with the attached coupon.

West Virginia Junior College to Help Students

Dress for Success

On Thursday, September 10, Room 102 of West Virginia Junior College will be commandeered as a make-shift clothing shop for the day.

In coordination with YWCA Past & Present gently used clothing shop, the College has arranged for donated business attire (formal and casual) to be made available to the students here at the school. The purpose of this program is to provide students with an opportunity to collect inexpensive interview-ready and career-appropriate attire and/or accessories. All proceeds from the sale go to the YWCA.

Rose Winland, Student Services Coordinator for the Junior College, and Karin Hamer, Store Manager of the YWCA Past & Present, are collaborating together on this effort. West Virginia Junior College Students are preparing for office careers, including general, medical and legal environments. “While it may be cliché, it is certainly true that individuals who ‘dress for the position they want, not for the position they have,’ tend to find this among other strategies they employ to achieve success in the business community. Our goal at West Virginia Junior College is to assist the students in obtaining the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in both professional and personal environments – and the ‘Dress for Success’ program is a way to further that goal,” Rose shares.

Julie Tawney, Career Services Director, adds, “Our upcoming graduates will have first choice of the selections for interviewing purposes, and it is our hope that the polished wardrobe will give them a little bump in self-esteem when they meet potential employers.”

The YWCA of Charleston provides shelter, case management, counseling, education, job training, childcare and much more for thousands of women and families in need in the greater Kanawha Valley each year. To assist with its goal of moving each client to self-sufficiency, the YWCA operates two retail operations to help offset program costs: YWCA 2nd Seating (gently used furniture and homegoods) and YWCA Past & Present (gently used clothing and accessories). Proceeds from YWCA Past & Present support the operations of the YWCA Alicia McCormick Homes – ten transitional housing apartments for battered and homeless women and children who are transitioning to independent living. Clothing from the store is also provided to YWCA clients free of charge as needed through an organization-wide clothing voucher program. Last year, 432 adult vouchers and 180 child vouchers were redeemed by homeless women and families in need in our community.

West Virginia Junior College provides Specialized Associate Degree training in fields that offer employment opportunities in the regional marketplace, including: Computer Information Technology, Legal Office Administration, Medical Assisting and Secretarial, and Business Administration. Starting in January of 2010, the College will also offer a Dental Assisting program.

In the spirit of the YWCA and on behalf of students working to create better lives for themselves and their families, donations of business attire and accessories would be greatly appreciated. They can be dropped off directly at the YWCA Past & Present shop, located at: 1598 Lee Street, East, Charleston, WV 25311 or, if it would be more convenient, they can be taken directly to West Virginia Junior College marked deliverable to Student Services Coordinator, Rose Winland, 1000 Virginia Street, East, Charleston, WV 25301.

This first Dress for Success Day is intended to launch a recurring program that will be scheduled once every 12 week quarter. Comments or suggestions regarding the Dress for Success Program can be addressed to Rose Winland, Student Services Coordinator, West Virginia Junior College, via e-mail: rwinland.wvjc@gmail.com.

POKER TRAINING CLASSES AT
KANAWHA VALLEY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE
(formerly West Virginia State Community and Technical College

Immediate openings for individuals interested in Poker Training are now available. Candidates are required to register at Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College (formerly West Virginia State Community and Technical College) and complete required pre-screenings.

Limited seats are available for the Poker training that is currently scheduled to begin on October 5, 2009 (7:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.), at a cost of $560.00.

Candidates must successfully complete the seven week Table Games Training course through Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College, fulfill the West Virginia Lottery Commission’s credit and criminal background check, and pass the Lottery Commission’s drug screening.

Interested candidates should complete registration requirements, including a prepayment of registration fees at 103 Cole Complex. Registration may be completed immediately, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m., until 4:00 p.m. Registration fees are payable only by cash, cashier’s check, money order, credit or debit card. Financial Aid is available for individuals who qualify.

For more information, you are encouraged to contact Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College at (304) 766-5113.

Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and does not discriminate against any person because of race, sex, age, color, religion, disability, national or ethnic origin. Ms. Barbara Rowell, Compliance Coordinator 101 Ferrell Hall PO Box 1000 * Institute, WV 25112-1000

Local Chambers of Commerce - Making the World Go Around - Even helping to make sure Woodstock happened!

This web site and article was shared with the Alliance recently. It described how the Chamber was even involved in Woodstock!

www.discoverynet.com/~barnes/tiber.htm