First Friday returns Sept. 3! The Generation Charleston favorite runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Bar 101 & Ichiban, 101 Capital St.

This is a great networking opportunity that gives you the chance to meet new people, and socialize all while enjoying great drinks, delicious appetizers and sushi from Ichiban! This event is free and open to the public.

Happy Hour Drink Specials Include:
-$1.00 off draft beer
- 50 cents off all Domestic and Import Bottles and cocktails

Appetizers Include:
-Variety of sushi from Ichiban
-Cheese and veggie trays
-Other light appetizers

Generation Charleston, the Charleston Area Alliance’s emerging leaders group, is partnering with the Kanawha/Charleston Humane Association for an event benefiting our furry friends.

Paws for a Cause is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28 at the Humane Association, 1248 Greenbrier St. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m.

The event is designed to help draw attention to the importance of spaying and neutering animals, responsible pet adoption and educating the community on the importance of Humane Association efforts in the community. The Kanawha/Charleston Humane Association was forced to euthanize 80 percent of the 10,000 dogs and cats that entered their doors in 2009 – largely because many pet owners do not spay or neuter their pets.
 
Volunteers from Generation Charleston will be installing a much-needed French drain system to improve the shelter’s dog runs, bathing dogs to make them adopt-ready and cleaning and rebuilding the walking trails. Volunteers also will have the opportunity to attend the shelter’s brief volunteer orientation so they can return to the shelter to help out in the future.
 
For more information about the Kanawha/Charleston Humane Association, visit wvanimalshelter.com. To volunteer for Generation Charleston’s Paws for a Cause event, e-mail Laura Barry at lbarry@theclaycenter.org.

Pre-volunteer registration is mandatory.

The GC Homecoming is this Saturday! Don’t miss your chance to re-live the ’80s and ’90s … and help College Summit while you’re at it.

Click here to register.

Generation Charleston, the Charleston Area Alliance’s emerging leaders group, is hosting the homecoming-themed benefit, scheduled for 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7 at the University of Charleston Ballroom.

Proceeds from the event support College Summit, which is Generation Charleston’s year-long cause, and will go toward a scholarship.

Guests are encouraged to wear their “most awesome” ’80s and ’90s fashions. The best-dressed male and female will be crowned Homecoming King & Queen. While costumes are encouraged, they are not required. 

Food and beverages, including beer and wine, are provided as guests dance the night away to favorite ’80s and ’90s music and videos. Generation Charleston membership is not required to attend, but guests must be at least 21.

College Summit began in 1993 in Washington, D.C. to provide writing skills and the “know-how” for urban youth to enroll in college. Since then, the program has expanded to 13 states and helped thousands of high school seniors pursue a college degree.

Tickets to the event are $30 per person in advance and $40 at the door.

The story below appeared this weekend in the Charleston Gazette.

By Sara Busse

Guests to Generation Charleston’s upcoming benefit are encouraged to wear their “most awesome” ’80s and ’90s fashions. The Charleston Area Alliance’s emerging leaders group, is hosting an ’80s and ’90s homecoming-themed benefit, 7 to 11 p.m. Aug. 7 at the University of Charleston ballroom.

Proceeds from the event support College Summit and will go toward a scholarship.

The best-dressed male and female will be crowned homecoming king and queen. While costumes are encouraged, they are not required.

“We’re kicking it old-school for this event as a throwback to our high-school years,” said Rachelle Beckner, Generation Charleston’s member-at-large who spearheads the College Summit partnership. “It was only fitting when our year-long cause is to help high-school students succeed and make their way to college.”

Food and beverages, including beer and wine, are provided as guests dance the night away to favorite ’80s and ’90s music and videos. Generation Charleston membership is not required to attend, but guests must be at least 21.

College Summit began in 1993 in Washington, D.C., to provide writing skills and the “know-how” for urban youth to enroll in college. Since then, the program has expanded to 13 states and helped thousands of high school seniors pursue a college degree.

Tickets are $30 per person in advance and $40 at the door. Tickets are available at www.CharlestonAreaAlliance.com/Events, at the Purple Onion at Capitol Market, Capitol Roasters on Summers Street or any Ntelos store in the Kanawha Valley.

Alright, all you ‘80s and ‘90s fans, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test with Generation Charleston’s ‘80s & ‘90s Flashback Facebook Challenge*!!

Go to Generation Charleston’s Facebook Fan page each weekday morning after 9 a.m. for a trivia question and submit your best guess. The first participant with the correct answer each day will be entered into a drawing to win two tickets to see the B-52s and Blondie on Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. at the Clay Center.

Daily winners will be posted on the GC Facebook page after 4 p.m. The contest winner will be drawn at the GC Homecoming event on Aug. 7, 2010 at the University of Charleston. Participants must be present to win.

The Homecoming runs from 7 to 11 p.m. Join us at the radest event of the year, as proceeds will benefit the GC College Summit Scholarship Fund! Homecoming tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. Visit www.CharlestonAreaAlliance.com/Events to purchase your tickets today!

Food and beverages, including beer and wine, will be provided as you dance the night away to your favorite ‘80s and ‘90s music and videos. Costumes are encouraged but not required. You don’t have to be a GC member to attend; however, you must be at least 21.

*Contest runs Monday through Friday, 7/26/10 – 7/30/10 and 8/2/10 – 8/5/10. Participants must be present to win. GC Executive Management Team and GC Communication Team members are not eligible to win.

Generation Charleston leadership wants to know what you think about past and upcoming activities, programs and events. 

What makes you come out and join us? What makes you stay home? 

We are looking to improve upon our current programs and need your feedback to make this organization more welcoming and well-rounded. 

Please take a few moments to complete this survey and help us plan for future events and programs. 

Thank you for your time and participation!

This evening was the most successful for the Generation Charleston and Alliance Corporate Cup team.

The cornhole squad, which included Ann Ali and Andrew Bernstein, took first without a single loss. They beat CASCI in the final. It’s the team’s first Corporate Cup victory.

Meanwhile, the GC swim team took fourth place and fifth place in the two Corporate Cup relays. Susie Salisbury, Ryan White, Patrick Snyder and Ali won their heat in the combined age medley, finishing fourth overall. Snyder and Ali took fifth in the 400-relay.

Before this evening, the team’s point total was four. Now, it’s 38, putting the team above a few other teams in the standings. That’s an impressive turnaround, considering the team had been in last place.

Corporate Cup ends Saturday with track and field events at Laidley Field.

One of Generation Charleston’s Corporate Cup competitions in the Blood Drive.

If you are interested in taking part, download this form and take it to any Red Cross location. Then return the form by July 23 to Danny Forinash at the Alliance at DForinash@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org.

Thank you very much.

Because Generation Charleston is participating in this year’s Corporate Cup competition, the group has received a limited number of temporary memberships to YMCA of Kanawha Valley facilities.

The membership cards are good through Aug. 31.

Generation Charleston members can pick them up at the Charleston Area Alliance, 1116 Smith St., while supplies last. 

One card per member.