City of Huntington Street Sweeper Attacking Fallen Leaves

Several people have mentioned that the city's street sweeper has been seen cleaning fallen leaves from our neighborhood streets. Although the operator must deal with getting around parked cars, he is doing an admirable job. We saw them in our neighborhood, which is near Julian's Market on 12th Street on the southside. Before the fall season has ended, we will see the continuation of the trees shedding their leaves. The Street Division is doing the best they can do with the equipment they currently have to use. Our compliments to them and the City of Huntington.

We encourage all property owners, who are physically able, to rake and bag your property's fallen leaves and place the bagged leaves on the curb for pickup by the city. If you really want to be of assistance to the city and your neighborhood, why not rake the leaves in the street in front of your home, bag them and place them on the curb for pickup? Let's all help our city by pitching in to present a "clean and green" appearance for our home town? To have your bagged leaves picked up by the city, call the City of Huntington Street Division at (304) 696-4483.

Dancing with the Tri-State Stars set for Nov. 7

"Dancing with the Tri-State's Stars" is set for Nov. 7, and Delegate Kelli Sobonya will be dancing the Cha Cha for a good cause.

Dancing with the Tri-State's Stars is a dance competition to benefit Ebenezer Medical Outreach. The event will be Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. Tickets are $20 and are on sale at the box office and through Ticketmaster. Here is the official Ticketmaster link:

Dancing W/ Tri-State Stars tickets, dates. Official Ticketmaster site.

The lineup of "Tri-State stars" includes: Dr. Eric Arnold, chair of the Kinesiology Department at Marshall University; Dr. Rick Booth from Valley Health; Sabrina Conley, director of health and wellness at the YMCA; Dee Delancy with WOWK-TV.

There's more: Sean Hornbuckle, Marshall's student body president; Brandi Jacobs-Jones with the city of Huntington; Brittany Mills, Miss West Virginia United States; former Marshall University head coach Bobby Pruett; Marshall Reynolds of Champion Industries;

And even more: Rich Blankenship, mayor of Ironton, Ohio; William Smith, superintendent of Cabell County Schools; Kelli Sobonya, West Virginia delegate; Carol Templeton, principal of St. Joseph Grade School; JB Miller of Miller in the Morning; Huntington Mayor Kim Wolfe; and Randy Yohe with WSAZ.

Some of the Tri-State’s stars will dance the salsa, the tango, the cha cha and the jive all for an incredible cause. Ebenezer Medical Outreach has been providing health care for the uninsured for years in Huntington and the surrounding area. Your attendance will support the cause and your applause will choose the winner. Be there to support your favorite dance!

A few corporate tables are still available. $500 and $1,000. The $1,000 tables are on the floor. Both types of corporate tables receive 8 tickets and attendance to the pre-show mix and mingle with the dancers and food & beverages.

Program ads are also available for sale. More information is available by calling 304-529-0753, Ext. 118. Additionally, you can e-mail ashleythompson@emohealth.org; or, call Kelli Sobonya (304) 733-9169. Her email address is Sobonya4WVHouse@aol.com.

Notice by City on Development Projects is Needed

The City of Huntington's current policy for notifying residents of proposed development projects and zoning appeals that affect residential neighborhoods is inadequate. An example of its shortcomings was obvious recently when a developer's plans for building 25-30 apartment units, along with 100 storage units at 745 3rd Street in West Huntington was considered by the Huntington City Council at its September 28, 2009, meeting.

It was revealed that a developer had applied for a $300,000 Federal Home Program Grant which would require an undetermined number of low-income housing units. No one could verify the required number.

A large group of residents from the neighborhood surrounding the proposed site attended the city council meeting to protest the rezoning ordinance and development proposal for the address. The neighborhood group voiced several concerns as to the inconsistent and flawed manner in how the rezoning ordinance was handled. They were alarmed that only sixty (60) notification letters were sent to residents near the subject property, most going to addresses outside of their district (District #4) which were not impacted by the proposed development.

Thankfully these residents were concerned enough to distribute fliers to the residents close to the project. They had no prior knowledge that the zoning change ordinance would be on the agenda for a final vote at the city council meeting.

The group was additionally concerned about the sewer and sanitation problems, traffic issues. Fortunately for the neighborhood, the rezoning has been canceled because the property owners withdrew their offer to sell the property.

The city council should implement a better notification process that informs a larger number of residents. If possible, to everyone in the affected district. The current 200-foot radius used for notification is not ample to allow citizens who are impacted by ANY proposal to voice their opinion.

Please contact your city council representatives and ask them if they would raise this issue in one of their upcoming meetings. Request that they vote to make an inquiry into the idea of changing the Huntington City Code, making the code more appropriate and responsive to those of us who live within the city of Huntington.

The westside neighborhood group wants to make sure other Huntington residents are aware of what could happen in their districts without ever hearing from the city about drastic changes that may affect the quality of their lives, environment and property value.

For further information, please call Mary Bryan at (304) 525-2255, or Terry Ballard at (304) 522-3461. They brought this situation to our attention.

Trick-or-Treat at the Minton Street Kid's Peace Garden

Huntington, WV – Residents of Northcott Court, Minton Street, Fairfield, or anyone out and about on Trick-or-Treat night is welcome to visit the 1016 Minton St. Kid’s Flower Peace Garden!

During Huntington’s Trick-or-Treat night – Thursday, October 29, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – the Huntington Community Gardens (HCG) volunteers will be handing out candy, hot apple cider, and other healthier options to area youth and offering the neighborhood a chance to tour the garden.

Also, don’t forget to visit the AD Lewis Center’s “Trunk-or-Treat” where area children can ask for candy and other nutritious options within the safety of the parking lot.

For further details, contact:
HCG Project Coordinator, Jennifer Williams at 304-840-2500
Assistant Coordinator, Eve Atkinson at 304-697-1402.

Message to Members of Create Huntington and Those Who Would Like to Be

Message to the Members of Create Huntington and Huntington Residents Who Would Like to Be; from Member Stacy McChesney.
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Support [for Create Huntington] is appreciated, but we NEED You Now!

Believe me, I get it. Between work, school, kids, parents and everyday life - it's hard to carve out an hour. But, if you can make one hour for yourself, you will discover new energy, meet new people and learn about things happening in our community - things you've only "wished" about.

Never been able to make it to Chat n Chew? Here's your chance. Come as you are, MONDAY evening, 5-6 p.m., in the lobby of the Frederick Hotel. Remember, it's not a meeting, so you can't possibly be "too late" - and you can leave anytime.

You see, now through Tuesday, over 400 community and business leaders are in Huntington to see what we've been up to. We need you to step up and set the example. All you have to do is smile, strike up a conversation or point someone who looks lost in the right direction - there's nothing to it. If you want to take it to the next level formally volunteer, please check in at Conference headquarters at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena, Third Ave. & 8th Street, and ask for Julie Hewett. It's nothing physical, but they do need you to direct people.

Don't miss: TODAY, public sessions, 1-4 p.m., ($39) pertaining to writing a business plan for success, green jobs, unlocking creativity and social media. Live music, Bluetrain, 4:30-6:30 p.m., lobby of the Frederick Hotel (FREE), Jamie Oliver's Kitchen is open 5-8 p.m. (FREE), Mountain Stage / five acts, including Kathy Mattea, 8 p.m. @ the Keith Albee Theater ($20).

TOMORROW: The Conference really kicks into gear and you may walk up and register. Go to http://www.facebook.com/l/257ed;www.createwv.com for a detailed agenda. After the events are over, we will return to Thursday night think tanks, EVERY THURSDAY, 5:30-7 p.m. Quality of place and change of pace begins with you. We can't do it for you, but we will meet you half way. Create Huntington!

Californian Rehabilitating Huntington Structures Compliments City of Huntington

A San Francisco woman will be returning to Huntington on October 17th to continue what she refers to as "my grand experiment." She contacted me after viewing our blog for several months. Here are some comments she made regarding her project to rehabilitate two houses here in Huntington. She was complimentary of the City of Huntington. Here are some of her comments:

Lessons Learned About Huntington, WV
By Michele Foose

In Huntington, don’t be afraid of permits or building inspectors. It is easy and affordable to get a building permit in Huntington. Although you have to troop down to their offices, once you get there [Huntington City Hall] Nita, the woman who issues permits, is very helpful and informative. In fact, she gave me several good tips to reduce my permitting costs.

The building inspectors I met with were informative, reasonable, and mostly friendly. I had one surprise visit from a building inspector and he started out by being officious and very authoritarian. However, after he saw that I was really trying to do a good job, he was supportive and helpful.

Here is a suggestion I would like to offer: For a novice like me, it was difficult to learn just what was required for a major rehabilitation of a residential structure. For homeowners trying to do work for themselves, or for a community group trying to do a quality job on a tight budget, it would be helpful if the City of Huntington’s Department of Building Inspection would put together a code guide pamphlet for Do-It-Yourselfers (DIY). The pamphlet should list key areas of concern, general guidelines, and best practices presented in a simple, user-friendly layout. It should include guidelines for window and electrical outlet placement, requirements for appliance venting, fire and safety issues, tips for grounding electrical systems, etc. This one-source guide should be readily available to people trying to do a good job with their DIY projects.

Bottom Line: The City of Huntington Building Inspectors must be stretched-thin, as it was sometimes hard to get in touch with them, but they were helpful, reasonable, and for me, they were a valuable resource.

Create WV Conference is Less than a Week Away!

Submitted by Anne Durham, Communicator, Create Huntington Board of Connectors.

Dear Creative Friends,
It is hard to believe, but the Create WV Conference is less than a week away! On Sunday, hundreds of the state's brightest, creative and most influential people will be arriving to experience Huntington first-hand, and they will be here for three days. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our community to improve its statewide image and our success depends on how well we "show up" and show off"! So please, make plans to get involved! Recruit your family and neighbors and forward this e-mail to everyone you know in the community!

Here are some conference announcements:

More Downtown Windows Needed: Artwork has been placed in empty storefront windows downtown as part of ArtGawk! Festivall Charleston. But the volunteers have more artwork than windows! If you have downtown display space, please contact Carter Seaton at carterseaton@comcast.net.

Special $99 Registration Rate: Create WV is offering a special $99 registration rate for Create Huntington volunteers who have helped with the conference. (The normal conference rate is $299.) The $99 rate applies to students and artists as well. This is an affordable opportunity to learn strategies and skills that will help you be more effective in your community, business,educational and economic work. Register NOW!!

Conference Volunteers Needed: Conference volunteers are needed to welcome people to Huntington by being available to answer questions, provide support and give a warm welcome to attendees. To sign up to volunteer, please contact Julie Hewett at jkhewett@julnet.com.

Conference Briefing: Everyone interested in making the Create WV Conference a positive experience for the attendees is encouraged to attend Chat and Chew at the Frederick Hotel lobby, Thursday, October 15 at 5:30 p.m. There will be a full briefing to help residents and volunteers understand events and needs prior to the conference.

Be watching for more Create WV Conference listserve announcements throughout the week. Thank you for your efforts to make this a highly successful event for Huntington!

Mountain Stage Live - Keith Albee Theatre

You're Invited to Celebrate WV Talent on the Mountain Stage! Ask almost any listener of public radio around the country and chances are they're a fan of - or at least heard of - Mountain Stage.

For over 25 years, Larry Groce, Andy Ridenour and team have been putting West Virginia on the cultural map with an eclectic live music showcase featuring diverse musicians in traditional roots, folk, country, gospel, blues, rock and other genres.

Mountain Stage is a classic example of the creative economy at work. It has improved West Virginia's "brand" image around the world and has brought cultural experiences to us that never would have been accessible otherwise.

We are honored and thrilled that a special Mountain Stage concert featuring Kathy Mattea and many other artists with West Virginia roots will open the Create WV 2009 Conference on Sunday, October 18, at 7pm at the beautiful Keith Albee Theatre!

We invite you to attend whether or not you're attending the conference. Conference-goers attend FREE, but non-conference attendees can also attend for only $20. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.

If you're anywhere near Huntington on Sunday, October 18, please join us!

The Huntington ArtGawk - October 8 Through November 5

The Create West Virginia Conference is less than two weeks away and dozens of citizen volunteers are working to prepare the downtown area for this important event. One of these efforts is ArtGawk.

Regional artists will display their work in storefronts in downtown Huntington from Oct. 8 through Nov. 5. The exhibit, called ArtGawk, is in conjunction with the Create West Virginia Conference, scheduled for Oct. 18-20. More than 50 works of art from about two dozen artists
will include paintings, prints, photographs, drawings, ceramics, fabric art and sculptures.

The art will be displayed in windows along 9th and 10th streets from 3rd to 4th avenues and in the 900 block of 3rd Avenue. The display is patterned after ArtGawk during FestivALL Charleston and is sponsored by Taylor Books and FestivALL Charleston. Information is
available at info@FineARC.org.

For more information, contact Naomi Bays at naomi@apartmentearth.net or Carter Seaton at carterseaton@comcast.net.

Register now for the Create WV Conference at http://www.blogger.com/www.createwv.com. There is now a $99 registration rate for artists, students and Create Huntington volunteers who have been working on the conference. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to welcome the state's top thinkers in economic development and culture to Huntington and learn some great ideas for our own community!