Three particularly well-established businesses function as anchors of the city’s Village District and are owned by female entrepreneurs. Libby Chatfield of Charleston Bread, Ann Seville of Taylor Books and Ellen Beal of Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream are these well-loved establishments, and they were recently highlighted in the Charleston Daily Mail.
In 1995, Taylor Books opened near the mid-point of the seven-block street. Two years later, Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream opened directly across the street, and in 2006 Charleston Bread arrived on the scene a few blocks down. The three shops thrive, …

Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. — winner of “America’s Got Talent”, will be singing in a benefit concert for Charleston Montessori School on 17th March, at the Charleston Marriott Pavilion.
Murphy’s performance help raise funds for scholarships, as well as implement programs for Charleston Montessori students. Tickets to the fundraiser are pegged at USD 250, and a table of 10 can be availed at USD 2500.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the school at 304-340-9000; tickets include hors d’oeuvres and several glasses of wine. A cash bar also will be available.

Charleston’s annual FestivALL Mayor’s Concert will feature Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. Larry Groce, the executive director of FestivALL, says the concert is a fabulous way to celebrate West Virginia’s 149th birthday.
Tickets for the June 20th event at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences in Charleston go on sale Wednesday at 8:30am. The tickets will sell for $25, $35 and $45.
Also scheduled to appear during the Mayor’s Concert is West Virginia native and bluegrass legend Johnny Staats. Groce says they plan to add other local musicians to make cameo …

West Virginian aged 65 and older can now buy a new lifetime hunting and fishing license. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources says the one-time license will go on sale later this week for $25.
The license will allow seniors to hunt for small game, turkey, bear and dear seasons. They also can fish for both trout and warm water fish, as well as trap furbearing animals.

More than 110 West Virginia artists have answered a call to contribute to a Division of Culture and History Christmas ornament collection. The project was called Artistree. All of the ornaments will become part of a permanent collection.
Division director of arts Jeff Pierson says they posted information about the ornaments on its website, through emails and a social network. Photos of all the ornaments are posted on the Division of Culture and History’s website.

“Windows and Mirrors,” a traveling exhibit marking 10 years of war in Afghanistan, will be featured during Charleston’s Downtown Art Walk. It’s scheduled for today — Thursday, Dec. 15 at Mountaineer Good News Garage on Hale Street from 5-8 p.m. The exhibit will include paintings of artists from around the U.S. as well as posters made by Afghan youth.
“Windows and Mirrors” is intended to provide an opportunity for reflection on the human and economic costs of the war in Afghanistan for veterans and their families, Afghan civilians, and …

Woodland Press — an independent West Virginia publisher, has scheduled several appearances and book signings by local writers. The signing will be held at the Books-A-Million at Charleston Town Center Mall.
“Stories from the Hearth” author Brian J. Hatcher and Larnerd (author of “Mountain Magic”) will sign books from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Town Center Mall’s Books-A-Million.
Keith Davis of “West Virginia Tough Boys” fame and Geoff and Karin Fuller (” Full Bone Moon”) will sign books from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 22, and Davis, Hatcher …

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is sending out a call for entries for a juried art exhibition. The theme of the exhibit is “Portraits of Historic West Virginia Figures” , and the exhibit will be the final installation in “Inspired: A West Virginia Series of Juried Exhibitions”. The division will present $1,000 for the Best in Show as a purchase award. The exhibition will open in February 2012 in the State Museum.
The exhibition is open to all West Virginia artists with historic figure portrait submissions …

Now available on the online edition of the West Virginia Encyclopedia is a virtual exhibit of 58 historic Charleston houses. Each of the 58 houses have been chosen for their age and/or cultural significance. The online exhibit contains the list of names and photographs of the houses. A brief history of the selected house is displayed when either a photographs or a name on the online exhibit is clicked.
The online exhibit presents houses found on Charleston’s five historic districts: the East End, South Hills’ Grosscup Road area, West Side’s Edgewood …

Family Gingerbread Workshop
Saturday, December 10
Morning Session: 10AM – 12PM
Afternoon Session: 1PM – 3PM
Sign up as a family of four or less for $55 for members of $65 for non-members. Each group will receive a gingerbread house and base, lots of candy, icing, and frosting so you can build the gingerbread house of your dreams!
Space is limited and this workshop fills up quickly, so be sure to register ASAP! Call (304) 561-3570 for more information.
Holiday Break Activities
Come join the fun with an exciting new series of hands-on activities! Activities …