Charleston Gazette

Neighbors

Micah Lee Ellars received his bachelor's degree of science in communication in December at West Virginia State University, graduating with cum laude honors. He is the son of Danny and Lisa Ellars of Charleston. Amy "Kati" McDaniel, a senior at West Virginia State University, received her certificate in Elementary Education in December. She is a 2001 graduate of Capital High School. She had a 4.0 grade point average for the fall semester at WVSU and begins her student teaching this month.

Capital City Striders Release 2005 Meet Schedule, Seek Volunteers

cthomas@cnpapers.com A local nonprofit youth running club will be back in stride for 2005 on Saturday morning.

Kanawha Players to Focus On Civil Rights Activists: ; Martin Luther King's Speech to Be Interwoven with Other African- American Voices

The Kanawha Players will host a Briefs & Shorts program Thursday, showcasing the words and deeds of activists seeking civil rights for all Americans. "Free at Last" will be staged at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20 at the Charleston Ballet headquarters on Virginia Street in downtown Charleston.

D'oh! Simpsons, Elvis Monopoly Games Available

Atlantic City has no monopoly on "Monopoly." While most folks have grown up playing with the traditional Monopoly board named after actual streets and hotels in Atlantic City, N.J., there are a plethora of different settings for sale these days.

Monopoly Tournament Set for Saturday at Town Center: ; Competition Marks 10th Anniversary

cthomas@cnpapers.com Gamesters from throughout the region are invited to both pass "Go" and go directly to a day of potentially profitable board competition this weekend in downtown Charleston.

Ball Control

Community Events

BEAN DINNER The Rand Community Center will host a bean dinner from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22. The menu includes a variety of beans, cornbread, fried potatoes, slaw, dessert and drink. The cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children. For advance tickets, call 925-4695.

Touch of Life: ; Kentucky Contains Wide Array of Travel Diversions

The Springers have had reason to travel some over the past several weeks, and, for the next few columns, I plan to talk about travel. Not necessarily our travels, but about some of the states around or near the great state of West Virginia. We certainly advocate traveling in West Virginia first for two reasons: 1) we should know and see as much of our own state as possible, and 2) we have one of the most beautiful states to see.

Elkview Woman Among Elected Fsa Committee Members, Alternates

Results of an election for vacancies on the Kanawha/Putnam County Farm Service Agency committee were announced recently. Eric Price of South Charleston was elected to represent Local Administrative Area 12, assuming his duties on Jan. 1.

Uc to Host Show Choir Competition Feb. 5

bcalwell@cnpapers.com Show choirs from across the Kanawha Valley and several from out of state are scheduled to perform in the seventh annual Poca Invitational Show Choir Competition next month at the University of Charleston.

West Side Neighborhood Association Elects New Officers

At a recent meeting, the West Side Neighborhood Association elected new officers and board members. New officers are: Michael Stajduhar, senior vice president of BB&T Wealth Management, president; Jeff Ferrell, registered representative with Silverstein-Maddox Insurance, vice president; Barry Ogrin, The Charleston Department Store owner, treasurer and Dennis Strawn of Mountain State Blue Cross/Blue Shield, secretary.

Bulletin Board

KCCA MEETING The Kelly's Creek Communities Association will celebrate their sixth year of serving their communities at their meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18 at Glasgow Town Hall.

Club & Organization Activities

ELKVIEW WOMEN The Elk Valley Woman's Club meets at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Pinch. Prospective members are welcome. Call 965-5365 or 965-1943. The club recently dressed 32 dolls and donated them to the Salvation Army for Christmas giving.

Applications Being Taken for Preservation Grants

Applications are now being accepted for historic preservation development grants through the State Historic Preservation Office of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Approximately $450,000 will be awarded, contingent upon appropriation of funds from the West Virginia legislature or the United States Congress.

Tech to Offer Community Enrichment Classes in February

The Community and Technical College at West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery will provide a new series of community enrichment classes in quilting, knitting and decorative painting, beginning next month. These classes are non-credit and are open to the public. You may register prior to the first session by calling 442-3149 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or calling 779-2084 after 5 p.m.

Church & Religious Group Activities

PUPPET SHOW Marmet Apostolic Church, 8803 MacCorkle Avenue, Marmet will be presenting a puppet show for adults and children of the church and the community at 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 23. For additional information, call 949-2717.

Poetry/Storytelling Open Mic Night Series Begins Jan. 21

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History will open its new monthly Poetry/Storytelling Open Mic Night series on Friday, Jan. 21, at 6 p.m., in the Norman L. Fagan West Virginia State Theater at the Cultural Center, State Capitol Complex, Charleston. The series will feature Peter Kosky of South Charleston as host and a guest poet/storyteller each month. January's program will feature Marc Harshman of Wheeling.

Real Estate Course, Workshops Offered at Wvsu College

A real estate sales course and workshops on grant writing and appreciating diversity will be offered starting this week at West Virginia State Community and Technical College. At its Institute campus, the college will host a real estate salesperson pre-license education course. It will include the 90 hours of instruction required by the West Virginia Real Estate Commission to sit for the West Virginia Real Estate Salesperson Exam.

Local Chair-Caning Workshop 'Reedy' Work for Participants: ; Rehabilitating Old Chairs Can Be Arduous but Rewarding

bcalwell@cnpapers.com Participants in a recent chair-caning workshop in Eleanor probably needed a chair to rest on after they completed the class.

'The Boys Next Door' Cast Announced

The Kanawha Players have announced the cast for Tom Griffin's "The Boys Next Door." The play tells the story of four men with mental disabilities who share a group home and their lives.