The Charleston Civic Center has recently unveiled a new hardwood floor for the Civic Center’s basketball court, sponsored by the Friends of Coal.
The West Virginia University men’s basketball team will put the new floor to the test when they take on Morehead State University Tuesday night.
Center court includes an orange outline of West Virginia and the profiles of three West Virginia coal miners. WV Coal Association President Bill Raney said it’s an honor for miners to be shown on the hardwood.

The West Virginia Film Office is promoting the November 22 release of “Super 8″ on Blu-ray and DVD with a giveway on Facebook and Twitter.
“Super 8,” — directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg, shot for several weeks in and around Weirton, West Virginia.
The DVD release features more than two hours of bonus material, including behind-the-scenes features such as “Rediscovering Steel Town” — which is about West Virginia.
To participate in the film office’s eight-day giveaway, visit facebook.com/wvfilm, or wvfilm.

Spooky Candy Bars
You will need candy bars, white crepe paper strips, black construction paper, googly eyes, and tape or glue. For the mummy: Glue two googly eyes at the top of the candy bar, and wrap a white crepe-paper strip around it. Seal down on the back with tape.
For the bat: Cut out the shape of a bat from construction paper wide enough to hold a candy bar inside. Glue the bat shape to the back of a candy bar, wrap the wings of the bat around the candy …

Mike and Susie Rasmussen together with their family, friends, and supporters have put up Mud Buddies Foundation — a nonprofit organization that provides fun family outdoor experiences for children with special needs. Mud Buddies provides guided ATV rides for children with autism, Down Syndrome, and other disabilities — the Rasmussens personally assure all families who avail of this free activity that all their vehicles are safe to use.
Mike and Susie decided to put together the foundation after a deeply disappointing experience with one of their friends’ children, who was unable …

With temperatures in Charleston already reaching a searing 90 degrees, here are three great ways to beat the heat!

1) Bring an umbrella.

You may get some funny looks at first — after all, why bring an umbrella with you if it’s not raining? However, umbrellas or parasols were originally meant to provide shade during hot summer days — not as rain gear. So if you find yourself headed out in the blistering heat, bring an umbrella along to keep cool and prevent heat stroke.

Doug Maxwell lost his left arm and his right leg at age ten, from a horrific childhood accident involving a tree, a power line, and a little boy’s sense of adventure.
That sense of adventure did not appear to dwindle over the years, as the 40-year-old Charleston resident conquered Mount Kilimanjaro — the tallest in Africa at 19,341 feet.
Maxwell has always loved the outdoors — he liked skiing and rock climbing. He was in such great shape that he was able to carry loads comparable to people with full …

Ski season has started in West Virginia. Due to the recent snowfall and dropping temperatures, the Snowshoe Mountain Resort was able to open last Wednesday. Winterplace in Ghent also opened last Saturday, offering early season discount, valid until Friday, December 17. Regular season schedule and rate begins on Saturday.
Both resorts offer 14 slopes & trails and four lifts. Special ski and lodging packages are available. For more information and details, visit the Snowshoe resort website at www.snowshoemtn.com and the Winterplace website at www.winterplace.com.

West Virginia has been dubbed as the “Switzerland of the United States.” This is due to the mountains that dot the state. The state is entirely in the mountain range, that run from Alabama all the way up to the island of Newfoundland in Canada. The Appalachian Mountains is considered as the geographical dividing line of the eastern seabord from the Midwest United States.
West Virginia is in both the Appalachian Plateu and Valley & Ridge region of the Appalachian. Hikers doing the Appalachian Trail will be passing through the …

Charleston is located strategically at the the heart of the Midland Trail. If you’re plying the US Route 60 in West Virginia, chances are, you’ll pass through the city. But whether you’re staying in Charleston or just passing through, you’re sure to enjoy the magnificent sites in one of the country’s scenic drives.
Midland Trail Scenic Highway Association has come up with a few driving routes on the I-60, passing through West Virginia’s lush landscape. The route takes you through both natural and man-made attractions, appealing to both nature lovers and …

Summer is here and as the temperature rise, cool down at the Waves of Fun in Putnam County. The whole family is sure to have a whale of a time at this water park. The kids are sure to enjoy the thrills of the water slides, twisting and turning from great heights and into the water. Looking for a more relaxed activity? Wade around the rolling surf in the huge wave pool.
General admission price is $8.00 per person, with discounts for children ages 5 to 11 and seniors at $6.50 …