Why Charleston? Visit Charleston, West Virginia

Taste-of-ALL 30th Anniversary Cake Contest

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:26:44 +0000

In celebration of the Taste of Charleston’s 30th year, there will be a cake baking contest open only to amateur bakers.

Interested parties must bring home baked cakes (completely made from scratch; no boxed mixes, no canned frosting) to the Civic Center by noon on June 17, 2012, along with the recipe, the entrant’s name, address and phone contact.

Up for grabs are $60, $90 and $130 cash prizes for the top three cakes. Pre-registration isn’t necessary, but you must register to enter on the contest day itself at the venue.

For more details, call (304) 342-5491.

2012 Spring Herb and Tea Festival

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:25:01 +0000

Tea and herb enthusiasts are in for a treat as the Spring Herb and Tea Festival is back this year! Presented by the West Virginia Herb Association and the Charleston Tea Festival, the event is happening tomorrow, May 12, at the India Center on 800 Green Road in South Charleston.

“Everything’s Coming up Roses” is the theme this year, with herbal products, specialty teas and craft item up for sale. There will also be hands-on workshops, classes, and of course, tea tasting. Hassan Amjad, a noted ethnobotanist will also give a talk.

This event is open to the public. Admission is free. For more information, call (304) 577-9034.

Dem2 Brothers and A Grill

admin — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:06:17 +0000

Stand at the corner of Virginia Street West and Central Avenue, and you’ll get a whiff of the most delectable smell of meat grilling. That’s wafting from Dem2 Brothers and A Grill, a barbecue place by former football player Adrian “Bay” Wright.

The Charleston native recently came back and set up shop at the Five Corners, grilling pork ribs and shoulders and basting them with his special sauce. Though it’s only a concession stand at the moment, people are really lining up to pick up lunch and dinner orders. A bar and grill is set to open in June at the red brick building across the Five Corners intersection.

Dem2 Brothers and A Grill
Virginia Street West corner Central Avenue
Charleston, WV
Hours: 10 am to 6 pm
Monday through Saturday
Phone: (304) 550-4431

West Side Farmers Market Market in Charleston

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:11:24 +0000

Farmers Markets are now becoming a common fixture in Charleston, WV as residents start hankering for fresh, organic produce. Aside from getting the best ingredients, farmers markets also give shoppers to chat with the farmers who grow the vegetables, and support the local economy.

These farmers markets are seen to address the needs of the locals for healthy alternatives. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared West Virginia as one of the most obese state in the USA, it is hoped that these markets make fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible for citizens aiming for a healthier lifestyle.

The West Side Farmers Market is located at the corner of Washington and Beatrice Streets.

BHMA Presents: MMA Reality Cage Combat

admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:21:59 +0000

Title: BHMA Presents: MMA Reality Cage Combat
Location: 200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston, WV 25301
Link out: Click here
Description: BHMMA PRESENTS REALITY CAGE COMBAT – WV VS. THE WORLD will perform at the Charleston Civic Center Coliseum May 18, 2012 at 7:30pm

HEADLINERS ARE:
Stephan Bonnar and UFC Hall of Famer Dan Savern. (subject to change)

This event will have tables with waiter service for $1002.00 front row and second row tables at $752.00. Ringside seats will start at $127.00, $42.00 and general admission will be $26.50. Children ages 2 – 12 will be $13.00 in general admission and reserved areas. The day of the show the $42.00 reserved seat will go up to $52.00 and general admission seats will go up to $31.50.

Date: 2012-05-18

Charlie West Blues Festival

admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:21:30 +0000

Title: Charlie West Blues Festival
Location: Haddad Riverfront Park
Link out: Click here
Description: The Charlie West Blues Fest is a tribute to our military and their families. We want them to know they are loved. The Fest is produced in the vein of a old-fashioned USO show, giving everyone the opportunity to show their appreciation and support for our troops and families. They give a lot to their country; it’s our turn to show that we care for them.

Charleston (aka “Charlie West”) is also home to the 130th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia National Guard and many young men and women from this area are far away from home serving and protecting our country. For those causes, their families also make great sacrifices- financial and emotional.
Start Date: 2012-05-18
End Date: 2012-05-20

Sundown Showdown 2 Mile Run

admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:20:50 +0000

Title: Sundown Showdown 2 Mile Run
Location: The Union Building 723 Kanawha Blvd. East Charleston, WV 25301
Link out: Click here
Description: This two-day free event presented by the the West Virginia Blues Society, Inc. takes place on the downtown Charleston riverfront.

Date: 2012-05-18

WV Blues Society Benefit Concert

admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:19:45 +0000

Title: WV Blues Society Benefit Concert
Location: Coonskin Armory
Link out: Click here
Description: The Charleston WV Blues Society has a benefit concert scheduled on May 12 at Coonskin Armory in Charleston WV. We would like you to consider posting this event to your web page.

What: A Fundraiser for our Blues In The Schools program Featuring Blues Artist Chick Willis “The Stoop Down Man”, Margarett Floyd California Blues Diva, and Local band Marshall Petty & The Groove. Also Featuring “Miss Behavin’” Blues students from Princeton WV
Date: 2012-05-12

Historic cookbooks at the Archives and History Library

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:32:16 +0000

Cookbooks dating all the way back to 1829 are archived at the West Virginia Division of Culture and History library. Around 80 historic state cookbooks are in the library’s shelf and is available for viewing for all library visitors.

The recipe books range from personal tomes, written in the hand of the homemaker or a compilation of recipes sponsored by a drug store or a food company. There are even recipe books from the Confederate times where recipes from the war are chronicles, along with tips on how to make the most of out rationed food.

Recipes range from family favorites to moonshine to remedies like cough syrup.

The Archives and History Library is open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. For more infomation, call (304) 558-0230 or visit wvculture.org.

Fresh food from the local farms

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 22:19:51 +0000

Charleston residents looking for fresher ingredients that are sourced close to home are in for a treat. Fish Hawk Acres, a local brand that brings together produce from farms within the community, is making fresh, locally grown vegestables and fruits to consumers in West Virginia.

Located in Rock Cave, Fish Hawk Acres brings us Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), wherein you can order the harvest of the season. Each selection vary depending on whatever blooms in time for each distribution.

Some sample of selections include:

A: Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce, Pea Tendrils, Arugula, Baby Carrots, Flat Leaf Italian Parsley, French Breakfast Radishes, Spring Onions, Maple Syrup.

B: Baby Lettuce, Bull’s Blood Beets, Asian Greens, Spinach, Green Onions, Asparagus, Amethyst Radishes, Multi-grain Bread from Jeff’s Breads.

C: Red Oak leaf and Baby Romaine Lettuce, Pea Shoots, Spinach, Red Mustard Greens, Golden Beets, Chives, Easter Egg Radishes, Granola

D: Wild Fire Mixed Greens, Baby Carrots, Snap Peas, Baby Pac Choy, Fresh Mint, Spinach, Shiitake Mushrooms, Honey

There are enough vegetables for a week in each CSA offerings, and prices starts at $200 (includes shipping) for 7-9 pounds of vegestables good for 1-2 people.

For more information about the farm and its monthly CSA offerings, visit their website at www.wvfishhawkacres.com.