On May 30, 2009, a community event promoting economic, environmental and social sustainability in the Kanawha Valley will be held at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Charleston. Entitled Kanawha Valley Connections: Creating Pathways to Sustainability,” it will address a number of sustainability themes, including locally grown food, conservation, energy, green building, government and community resources, recycling, health, economic development, transportation, culture and history. The event will feature interactive and hands-on exhibits, activities for children, performances, and practical ideas for residents and businesses.
A group of volunteers is planning, …

Working with Vista Workers Rick Goosman and Terry St. Germain, children in the after school program at the East End Family Resource Center (EEFRC) used their hands and fingers to create a piece of artwork in honor of Martin Luther King Day.
Looking closely at the painting, you’ll see each finger and handprint made by every child in the canvas. The painting will be on display at the 4th Annual Heart and Soul Dip Dinner on February 28, 2009 from 3 o’clock in the afternoon till six in the …

The Providing Real Opportunities for Maximizing In-state Student Excellence or the West Virginia PROMISE is a merit-based scholarship program designed to keep qualified students in West Virginia by making college affordable. Deserving students receive scholarships that pays for their college tuition and mandatory fees at a public college or the equivalent dollar amount at a private college.
Students and their parents who are legal residents of West Virginia can apply for this scholarship. The PROMISE program requires that high school students must graduate with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or a B …

The vision of the Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center (KPCC) is to incorporate
the principles and practices of non-violent communication or Compassionate Communication into the fabric of daily life to help people have better relationship with themselves and with others.
To do this, the KPCC hold counselling sessions, communication workshops, crisis and trauma recovery as well as coaching and consultation to those in need of their services. Workshops are held throughout the year, wherein attendees can learn about compassionate communication, respectful negotiations using NVC and peaceful parenting.
One-on-one counselling sessions are also available. …

The Kanawha Valley Collective seeks to encourage the community and the goverment agencies to work together in developing local strategies for comprehensive systems of care for the homeless. It is their mission to provide solutions for poverty, homelessness and other social problems, as well as to enrich the quality of life of individuals and families in the Kanawha Valley.
Some projects that has benefited from the collective are the “Readiness Center,” a coordinated program for the provision of adult education, job readiness, and computer skills training. Another is the Manna Meal, …

The mission of the Appalachian Children’s Chorus is to develop artistic excellence, quality music education and extraordinary opportunities for West Virginia youth. Founded in 1990, the chorus now have over a hundred members, and has been hailed as the official children’s chorus of West Virginia, as well as Ambassadors of Music. Not only has the group performed for governors and presidents around the United States, they have also sang for heads of states in various cities around the globe.
There are six choirs in the chorus: Canzona (Kindergarten – Grade 2), …

Known for its quality productions and commitment to excellence, education and diversity, the Charleston Stage Company is certainly one of the highlights of living in Charleston, West Virginia.
With its mission to performing high quality, innovative theatre production in the state, the organization was founded based on these four goals:

To perform experimental and avant-garde plays, new dramatic works, and American and European classic dramas;
To bring theatre to the community through educational and artistic outreach programs;
To sponsor and/or facilitate new and exciting touring companies in West Virginia; and
To become a truly multi-cultural …

Providing information to the people of West Virginia, the WVPB satisfies the need to learn. With programs aimed to nurture personal growth and civic responsibility, the West Virginia Public Broadcasting respects its audience’s intelligence, while promoting life-long discovery.
The WVPB features both television and radio broadcasting, reaching an audience of varied age, gender and race. In Charleston, you can listen to WVPN in the FM radio at 88.5. On TV, WPBY-TV is on channel 33 in Analog, and 34-1, 34-2 and 34-3 in PBS, PBS.2 and PBS HD respectively in Digital …

The West Virginia Institute for Spirituality exists to provide a venue and opportunity for people who want to deepen their mindfulness, prayer practice and interior peace. It also aims to aid in integrating moral and ethical values.
People who are wanting a place to meditate and take a retreat can enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the Ardath S. Francke Hermitage on the banks of the Kanawha River. It’s a quaint building, designed by architect Tom Potts. It’s a simple sound-proof building, fitted with a foyer, bedroom, bath and kitchen — it’s …

The Charleston Ballet is the legacy of Belgium-born Andre Van Damme, an accomplished dancer in his native country, and the first star dancer of the Royal Opera. When he formed the company in 1956, he envisioned it to provide state experience in a professional atmosphere for West Virginia dancers and to create a greater appreciation for the art of ballet.
The troupe is the official West Virginia State Ballet, and is the pioneer among regional troupes in the United States. In 50 years, the company has enriched West Virginia’s cultural …