Charleston Gazette

Swordsmanship Studies

Energy Town Hall to Be Held Feb. 1

How the United States will meet its growing energy needs will be the topic of conversation among Kanawha Valley residents this week. ConocoPhillips and West Virginia University Institute of Technology are co-hosting a town hall meeting with community leaders to discuss the nation's energy issues - ranging from traditional oil and gas development, to alternative energy, to energy efficiency and conservation.

Smithers Mayor Eyes New Business As Major '07 Goal

cthomas@cnpapers.com 304-348-1232 Part of a continuing series

Community Events

BLOOD DRIVE The American Red Cross has scheduled a blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. today, Monday, Jan. 29, at the Glasgow United Methodist Church. No appointments are necessary to donate. CHESAPEAKE RED HATS The Chesapeake Water Lilies Chapter of the Red Hat Society will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, at Chesapeake Town Hall. For more information, contact Jackie Simmons at 595- 1776.

Neighbors

Bulletin Board

SAVINGS PROGRAM Those interested in purchasing a home may be eligible for a special savings program, where $2 is received for every $1 saved. The Kanawha Institute for Social Research & Action, Inc. will be accepting applications for the Individual Development Savings Program. An information session will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29 at Ferguson Memorial Baptist Church, 124 Marshall Ave., Dunbar. Refreshments will be served. To participate, call 768-1300. KISRA, a HUD-certified housing coun...

Booker T. Washington, Sunday Jams Among February Library Fare

Below is a list of activities scheduled during February and March at the main library in Charleston and at the branch libraries within the Metro East circulation area in Kanawha County. All programs are free unless otherwise noted.

Charleston Student Among Top-Quarter-Ranking Wvu Debate Team

West Virginia University's debate team concluded the fall 2006 semester ranked 25th in National Debate Tournament rankings while managing a collective 3.82 grade-point average. The team - sponsored by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences - competed every weekend from late October through early December.

Touch of Life: ; Proposed Insurance Plan Could Please Policy Holders

Fifty years ago, minus about six months, I began a new career in the Employee Relations Department with Union Carbide. Some of my initial assignments were in benefits. As all benefits administrators do, I got a lot of questions from employees about what is covered under the company's health insurance policy and what isn't.

Kanawha Trail Club Announces February Calendar

The Kanawha Trail Club has scheduled the following hikes and other activities through the end of February: Sunday, Feb. 4, 1:30 p.m.: Trace Fork hike. Regroup at Little Creek Park, Area I, Lions Field. Three-mile hike with a few steep hills, some areas of tricky footing and 14 creek crossings.

Club & Organization Activities

ISA SOCIETY The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society, Charleston section, will meet for a buffet lunch starting at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 at Wellington's of Scarlet Oaks in Poca. William Minear, West Virginia Homeland Security deputy director, will present "West Virginia's Role in Homeland Security" at noon. Lunch is $10 per person. MARMET WOMEN The Marmet Woman's Club meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the clubhouse in Marmet. Prospective members are alway...

W.Va. State Community College Schedules Workshops

The following workshops are scheduled this week at West Virginia State Community and Technical College in Institute: Desktop Publishing

Kanawha Valley Students Attain Wvu Fall President's, Dean's List Distinction

The following Metro area residents were named to the president's list (4.0 grade point average) or the dean's list for the fall 2006 semester at West Virginia University in Morgantown: Fayette County:

Music Fest Relocates to Poca High Feb. 3

Poca High School's Music Fest 2007 has been moved from its originally scheduled venue, the Keith-Albee Theater in Huntington, to the Poca High campus. Preliminary competition at the choir fest begins at 8 a.m., while the final competition begins at 7 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 3.

Cultural Center to Offer 'Improvising Comedy' Workshop

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History will continue its Discover Arts and Crafts workshop series with "Improvising Comedy," on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Cultural Center, State Capitol Complex, Charleston. The No Pants Players, an improvisational comedy troupe from Charleston, will lead the workshop.

Loretta Lynn, Irish Music Group to Perform in Lincoln County

What: Concerts by Loretta Lynn and Cherish The Ladies When: Feb. 10 and 11 Where: Lincoln County High School The Live At Lincoln concert series presented by the Lincoln Friends of the Arts will feature Irish and country music stars in February.

Professional Development Grants for Artists and Arts Organizations Available

Applications are now being accepted for professional development grants for artists and arts organizations through the West Virginia Commission on the Arts of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Applications must be postmarked by Thursday, Feb. 1.

Prom Expo Comes to Marriott Sunday

English Rose Bridal Wear LLC of Charleston and the Charleston Marriott will host a Prom Expo from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4 at the hotel at 200 Lee St. in downtown Charleston. The latest prom fashions for 2007 for girls and guys will be showcased, including the hottest looks in gowns and tuxedos.

Support Groups

PROBLEM EATERS Has everything else failed? Problem Eaters Anonymous is a 12-step solution based on the text of Alcoholics Anonymous. The group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. on Mondays in the Nitro Baptist Church and from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays at 1601 Virginia St. East in Charleston. There are no dues or fees. For directions or if you have questions, call Jane M. at 755-1173. REFORMERS UNANIMOUS A support ministry for those dealing with addictions such as alcohol/drugs, gambling and pornography, m...

Twin Falls to Host Murder Mystery Dinner Theater

Enjoy a night of entertainment at Twin Falls Resort State Park near Mullens, as the park presents a murder mystery dinner theater on Saturday, Feb. 17. Cost for the dinner theater only is $38 per adult and $30 per child. A package price of $129 includes dinner for two, theater for two and overnight accommodations in the lodge. Other package options are available.