Lavigne

Fundraiser for Scott Lavigne
Thursday, Oct. 20
8 p.m.
Boulevard Tavern
806 Kanawha Boulevard East

On Oct. 8, Scott Lavigne, a co-captain of Generation Charleston’s Public Policy Team, suffered a stroke.

Now Generation Charleston and the Boulevard Tavern are coming together to give back to someone who has given so much to the Kanawha Valley.

Join Generation Charleston this Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Boulevard Tavern on 806 Kanawha Boulevard East to enjoy Louis Argento’s Open Mic Night and raise money for the Scott Lavigne Medical Fund.

The Boulevard Tavern will be offering drink specials and appetizers to anyone who donates at least $10 to Scott’s medical fund.

As the Co-Captain of Generation Charleston’s Public Policy team, Scott has worked tirelessly on an education initiative to curb the high school drop out rate in Kanawha County and was also a candidate for the state House of Delegates in 2011.

It’s our chance to give back to a leader who has given so much to his community.

Join Generation Charleston at the Boulevard Tavern this Thursday at 8 p.m. to help out a good friend and a tremendous asset to our community.

Note: If you would like to contribute, but cannot make the event, please send checks to Matthew Thompson at the Charleston Area Alliance at 1116 Smith St., Charleston, WV, 25301.

Please make the check payable to Laurel Haught and note “Scott Lavigne Medical Fund” in the memo line. Thank you.

inclusion=innovation
Mentor, Boss or Babysitter:
Managing Generational Diversity
Oct, 20, Noon – 1:15 p.m.
Charleston Area Alliance
1116 Smith St.

Members of Generation Charleston are encouraged to share their views on today’s workplace via a short survey (See link below).

Click here for the survey.

Your feedback will provide the foundation of a special “inclusion=innovation” program on generational diversity, to be presented noon-1:15 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Charleston Area Alliance offices.

A small number of complimentary tickets are available to members of Generation Charleston under the age of 35.

To reserve a free ticket, contact jzacks@charlestonareaalliance.org by Tuesday, Oct. 18.

The program will highlight successful strategies for both young professionals and managers to work across generational boundaries and harness the potential and creativity of workers of all ages.

The agenda will include discussions on:

• Why should I change for them?
• Is loyalty dead?
• Mentor, boss or babysitter?
• Are you ever “off the clock”?
• Social media:  friend or foe?

Speakers include: Emily Bennington, a college-to-career expert and founder of Studio 365; Skip Lineberg, chief innovation officer, Spilman, Thomas & Battle; and Pat Kelly,CEO, West Virginia Health Care Association.

Bennington and Lineberg are the co-authors of “Effective Immediately:  How to Fit In, Stand Out and Move Up at Your First Real Job.”  Kelly is the author of “Rainmaking 101:  How to Grow Your Client Base and Maximize Your Income.”

“Managing Today’s Workforce” is presented as part of inclusion=innovation, an initiative of Alliance and Title Sponsor Ernst & Young. Studies show that diverse teams boost an organization’s innovation and earnings potential.

“Inclusion=innovation” aims to help businesses and our region benefit from the contributions of all segments of our community.

Registration, which includes lunch, is $15 for Alliance members/$25 for future members through Oct. 18. Prices increase to $25 for Alliance members/$35 for future members after that date.

Click here to register

Members of Generation Charleston met with West Virginia First Lady Joanne Tomblin at a special “Meet & Greet” held this morning, Friday Sept. 30, at the law firm of Jackson Kelly PLLC.

Tomblin praised Generation Charleston for its work in trying to attract and retain young professionals in the state.

The group, which launched five years ago and boasts more than 1,000 members, regularly invites public officials to speak about issues important to the region’s young workforce, including education, health care and the economy.

“We need young people in this state to be engaged civically, politically and through business,” Tomblin said.”It’s very refreshing to see young people doing what this group is doing because I know it will be successful. Don’t give up on it.”

A long-time education advocate, Tomblin is president of the Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College.

She is married to Earl Ray Tomblin, the Acting Governor/President of the West Virginia Senate. They have one son, Brent.

Tomblin said she’s eager to see more young professionals call West Virginia home.

“Come back and be an entrepreneur or come back here and start your business – I tell people that all the time,“ Tomblin said. “It’s beautiful here and we have one of the lowest crime rates. I could give them all kinds of positives. We have so much to offer here.”

Tomblin also serves on many state and local committees and organizations including the Education Alliance Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Forward Southern West Virginia Executive Board, the West Virginia Regional Contracting Assistance Center Board and Executive Committee, the Rural Access Corporation and the West Virginia Workforce Investment Council.

“This event is a great example of continued collaborative efforts between state government and Generation Charleston,” said Julie Cyphers, Generation Charleston co-chair. “We are excited First Lady Tomblin looks to us as partners in the growth of West Virginia and a voice for young professionals”

Generation Charleston is showcasing the advantages of “living, working and playing” downtown during Urban Living 2011.

Loft Walk

The annual Loft Walk kicks off the three-day event from 5 to 7 p.m on Sept. 14. During a guided tour through some of Charleston’s newly renovated and re-imagined lofts, guests will see firsthand why more and more people are choosing downtown living.

“Generation Charleston has hosted the Loft Walk the past four years, and enthusiasm and excitement about urban living continue to build,” said Eric Morris, co-captain of the group’s Professional & Economic Development Team. “Loft Walk allows people to understand what the city now offers, the realities of loft development and Charleston’s potential.”

Loft Walk starts at Adelphia Sports Bar at 218 Capitol Street. From there, guests walk or ride a trolley to the three properties on the Loft Walk map.

The first location is at 109 Capitol St., adjacent to the old KB&T building and Kanawha County Library. It features three lofts for sale – a small family loft with two bedrooms, a single-bedroom loft customized for high-end living and an 11th floor loft with a fantastic view of the city.

A newly renovated Kanawha Boulevard loft is the second stop. The second-floor property is just east of Capitol Street on the Kanawha River.

The third location, 1570 Kanawha Blvd., features two newly renovated condos, one apartment and one large loft, customizable for any owner.

Selling WV is co-sponsoring Loft Walk. A reception at Adelphia caps the event.

RSVP by e-mailing mthompson@charlestonareaalliance.org.

Downtown ArtWalk

The “play” portion of Urban Living 2011 is the Sept. 15 Downtown ArtWalk, the monthly Charleston Area Alliance event. It is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. and features local galleries and talented artists. It’s the best of what Charleston has to offer.

Generation Charleston is hosting a social gathering on Hale Street during ArtWalk. Following ArtWalk, guests are invited to continue the celebration at Vandalia Grille, 212 Hale St.

Business Showcase

The Urban Living finale is scheduled for Sept. 16 with the Business Showcase, which will shine a spotlight on local entrepreneurs and encourage others to launch their own ventures in Charleston.

The event begins at the University of Charleston’s Graduate School of Business on the second floor of Equities House, located at Virginia and Dickinson streets. A meet-and-greet begins at 5:30 p.m., and two presentations – one advising entrepreneurs on how to launch ideas and the second offering useful tips for commercial property leasing and ownership – start at 5:45 p.m.

Starting at 6:30 p.m., guests are invited to tour local businesses and commercial properties. Business owners will be on-site to answer questions and offer advice.

A reception at the Graduate School of Business is scheduled for 7:15 to 8 p.m., and a celebration follows at Vandalia Grille.

Generation Charleston is asking the region’s employers to send their summer interns and emerging leaders to Generation Charleston Night at Power Park June 17.

Let’s show them why Charleston is a great place for living, working and playing!

Gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the Power take on the Lakewood Blueclaws at 7:05 p.m.

Tickets are $15. The price includes admission, food (hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, pulled pork and more) and beverages (keg beer, soda and water).

Click here to pre-register. Tickets also are available at the gate.

Fireworks follow the game.

Join us from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 3 at Live on the Levee for Generation Charleston’s First Friday!

Live on the Levee happens at Haddad Riverfront Park, and GC has an area sectioned off at the overlook near Court Street, which resembles the shape of a boat’s bow. Look for the GC banner!

The concert will feature Mother’s Nature, a variety band whose tunes includes dance, pop, classic rock, blues, funk, R&B and Motown. In addition, a Special Olympics Ceremony will kick off the 2011 Summer Games.

First Friday is a great networking opportunity that gives you the opportunity to meet new people and socialize, all while enjoying a cash bar and light hors d’oeuvres. Admission is free and open to the public. Let’s show everyone why Charleston is such a great place to live, work and play!

Please note that while First Friday ends at 7:30 p.m., Live on the Levee continues until 10 p.m.

The story below appeared in yesterday’s Charleston Daily Mail. Generation Charleston, the Alliance’s emerging leaders group, has been working to promote downtown housing for four years and is hosting an Urban Living event later this summer.

By Paul Fallon
Daily Mail Staff

Ryan White, a member of an organization dedicated to attracting young people to the city of Charleston, believes urban-minded professionals are itching to move into the downtown.

That’s if affordable housing can be found. And White, cochairman of Generation Charleston, believes that is something the downtown area lacks.

But he believes one development in the city is a step in the right direction. Bill Turner, co-owner of the Loewenstein Building on Capitol Street, bought the large, historic structure about two years ago with the intentions of creating loft apartments for young, urban professionals.

And the effort is beginning to pay off after the renovations were completed a few months ago. Turner has rented 22 of the 24 apartments in the five-story building that sits in the heart of the city’s Village District.

“Our occupants are people that want to live, work and play downtown,” Turner said.

White agreed, saying the types of people who are attracted to downtown are typically young, about 30, and childless. They’re the ones who want to walk to their favorite haunts around the city.

“These are the people that want the convenience of going to dinner, or going to work and not having to drive to get there,” White said.

Although he has no specific evidence to back up his assumption, White believes that more affordable housing in downtown will be available for those who want to take advantage of the convenience of urban life.

However, Turner, a developer of both commercial and residential property, does not think an abundance of housing in the city will soon become available. He pointed out that developers must be able to find buildings they can turn into apartments at a reasonable price to make them affordable to tenants.

“This is the biggest challenge that needs to be overcome,” he said.  

And if developers can vault themselves over that hurdle then the benefits would be great for the city, White said. Affordable downtown housing could encourage professionals who already live in the area to stay in Charleston, and it could also help to attract people from other communities to the city, he said.

Both of these factors would help to increase the population of both the city and county, he said.

White and Turner agree that keeping the housing affordable is the key to attracting tenants. And Turner believes he is doing that.

For example, a single bedroom loft in the Lowenstein Building is $777 per month, Turner said.

“And all the tenant pays is electric,” he said.

However, that does not include cable or Internet service, Turner said.

The two-bedroom units, of which there are eight in the building, run $856 a month. However, only the one-bedroom apartments are currently available, he said.

Turner believes this illustrates that the apartments are affordable because it did not take them long to be rented.

Turner has also made a significant investment into the city. From acquisition of the building to renovations, the project cost about $2 million, Turner said.

The building is old, having been built in 1900, and there are many challenges associated with renovating a historic structure, he said.

Because it’s on the National Register of Historic Places, rules must be observed when renovating the building. For example, renovations must adhere as closely as possible to the original architecture of the building.

“We had to follow the state culture and history rules, Charleston Urban Renewal Authority Rules and city council rules,” Turner said. (more…)

Generation Charleston has adopted a block – more specifically, Edgewood Drive.

Every third Saturday of the month from April to October, GC volunteers will engage residents on that stretch to take an active role in “maintaining their piece of Charleston,” said Megan Tarbett, co-captain of the Community Outreach Team.

The next effort is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 21.

The Adopt-A-Block program is modeled after the Adopt-A-Highway program. Generation Charleston is in charge of monthly maintenance, including trash pick-up, leaf removal and larger beautification projects. Volunteers also hope to interact with residents and welcome them to participate.

To volunteer, contact Tarbett at Megan.H.Tarbett@wv.gov.