Join us at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23 at Power Alley Grill for a town hall forum focused on the future of the East End hosted by community branding group Arnett Muldrow & Associates from South Carolina. 

The marketing group will be taking feedback, suggestions and comments from the public to shape its promotional and marketing recommendations for East End Main Street and the entire East End business district and community. 

Come out and let your voice be heard!

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to EEMS Program Director Ric Cavender at RCavender@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org by no later than Monday, Feb . 22. We hope to see you there.

Delegate Meshea Poore will be hosting a community meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb 9 at the Charleston Woman’s Club on Charleston’s East End.  

East End Main Street Director Ric Cavender will moderate a Q&A session with Delegate Poore and members of the community. 

All are welcome to come share their concerns and suggestions with the new 31st District Delegate.

East End Main Street’s wireless network continues to grow and expand.

The network currently covers Washington Street from Greenbrier Street to Maxwell Street, along with part of Smith Street. EEMS now is working to expand the Washington Street coverage to Morris Street and connect the Charleston Area Alliance building to Capital Market on Smith. The network should reach Appalachian Power Park, as well.

The project represents “a substantial economic development and revitalization effort on the East End,” said East End Main Street Director Ric Cavender. EEMS is a part of the Charleston Area Alliance.

The East End Wireless initiative was born in 2007. A $25,000 Local Economic Development Assistance (LEDA) grant paid for the equipment, and East End Main Street fundraising is paying for the network service.

Grant money helped buy 10 Dell laptop computers, which will go to various East End businesses within the network area. The computers can be locked to tables for customer use.

“The main purpose of East End Wireless is to strengthen East End businesses and attract new business to the area,” Cavender said. “Many residents have access to this free network, too, but our goal is strengthening the main throughways and making the East End more attractive to both visitors and residents.”

Future project phases will include Virginia and Quarrier streets, along with other East End neighborhoods and the Capitol Complex.

Celebrate Black Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at ArtMares, the East End Main Street art exhibit at 1598 Washington St. East, the same building where the “Out and About” mural is painted.

This is your last chance to view and purchase art from more than 30 local artists. Come over after Downtown Artwalk.

Thirty percent of all proceeds from art sales go to East End Main Street.

Matthew G. Ballard

The following is a message from President/CEO Matthew Ballard and Chairman Jack Rossi.

Last week’s HallowEast celebration was a howling success,  and East End Main Street has definite cause to continue its largest fundraiser next October.

The four-day event included a popular art exhibit, children’s activities, a block party, a murder mystery and a blood drive. Of course, its climax was the appearance of Sam Trammell, Charleston native and star of HBO’s “True Blood.”

Jack Rossi

His participation helped bring in funds to support of EEMS. Just as important, however, he helped shine a spotlight on the organization and its work, which is critical to the East End’s growth and progress. 

Through a partnership with the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority, EEMS has been able to salvage countless historic architectural salvage items from homes slated for demolition on the East End.  Through those LemonAID sales, EEMS has raised more than $5,000 and kept priceless historic home fixtures and furnishings out of the landfills.  This project has garnered statewide attention and the Cultural Resource Preservation Award from the City of Charleston in 2009.

EEMS currently is providing a WiFi connection to the East End business districts in an effort to create more walking and business traffic and spur positive economic development. The East End Wireless project has taken the East End business districts one step closer to the most progressive neighborhood in the state through providing a free service that is available anywhere on Washington and Smith Streets.

In June 2009, EEMS unveiled StreetWorks, a public arts initiative that turned Washington Street into a mile-long art gallery.  Thirty artists from around the Charleston area created art indicative of the East End. Those images were placed on streetscape banners and placed on the new lamp posts on the Washington Street business corridor. 

The eTote program is an innovative creation from the EEMS Clean, Green and Safe committee.  Through a grant from the Chase Foundation, EEMS designed and executed the first eco-friendly shopping program in Charleston.  The idea is simple. Bring your eTote into your favorite East End restaurant or shop and if you use it for carry-out items instead of using a plastic shopping bag, you receive a discount on your purchases.  So far, seven East End businesses are participating in the eTote program and that number is growing every month. EEMS hopes to be the pioneer for this eco-friendly movement and halt the use of environmentally harmful plastic bags.

In addition, EEMS has worked diligently since 2002 to improve and revitalize the economic, social and physical environment on Charleston’s historic East End. Lending design expertise and granting funds for façade rehabilitation to property owners on Smith and Washington Streets, East End Main Street has been an impetus for nearly 30 rehabilitation projects, new constructions and public spaces.

We could go on and on about East End Main Street’s successes and projects, but this space doesn’t allow for it. We’re just happy EEMS is getting the recognition it deserves, and with growing support, we’re confident we’ll have a whole lot more to brag about in the near future.

While events such as the ArtMares exhibit and “Main Street Murder Mystery, along with the HallowEast Blood Drive and Trick or Treat, were big hits, the highlight was Sam Trammell’s appearance Friday.

The “True Blood” star and Charleston native met fans at the Cultural Center before headlining “Inside the Main Street Studio” at Kanawha Players. Host David Wohl asked intriguing and thoughtful questions, and the standing-room-only crowd offered a standing ovation after the 45-minute discussion.

We want to thank Suddenlink Business and all our HallowEast partners, as well as Sam Trammell, for making HallowEast a howling success. We can’t wait to do this again next October.

"True Blood" star Sam Trammell meets fans during the VIP Reception at the Cultural Center.

A fan who graduated with Sam has him sign her high school yearbook.

More than 100 people attended Friday's receptions.

More fans get pictures with Sam.

"True Blood" fans came from different regions and states to see Sam.

Sam and EEMS Program Director Ric Cavender hit the red carpet.

David Wohl talks with Sam during "Inside the Main Street Studio."

Sam receives an orginal piece of stained glass art as a thank you.

Sam Trammell’s most recent hometown visit has been busy, but he said he’s extremely excited for this evening’s HallowEast events.

“It’s going to be great,” Trammell said. “It’s humbling to be part of something like this.”

Tickets are still available for this evening’s Fan Gathering with Sam Trammell and “Inside the Main Street Studio,” which features Trammell. The Fan Gathering cost includes registration for the “Main Street Studio” event.

Registration also is available at the door.

And don’t forget … HallowEast wraps up Saturday with more exciting events, including the ArtMares Reception and Block Party at 1598 Washington St. East. It runs from 5 to 9 p.m.

Tickets are $20, which gets you unlimited beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres, as well as $2 off admission to the Empty Glass Halloween Hootenanny, which starts at 9 p.m.

Call (304) 340-4253 for more information.

HallowEast continues today with a scary variety of events.

The HallowEast Blood Drive, sponsored by the American Red Cross, runs from 1 to 6 p.m. Be sure to visit www.redcrosslife.org to schedule a donation. The location is Moses Automotive’s parking lot, 1406 Washington St. East.

Trick or Treat runs from 6 to 8 p.m., and Appalachian Power Park is hosting “Trick or Beat” during the same time period.

Meanwhile, the ArtMares exhibit continues at 1598 Washington St. East. Art from 30 local artists is for sale, and 30 percent of proceeds benefits East End Main Street.

Finally, the HallowEast Family Fun Night lasts from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the East End Family Resource Center, 502 Ruffner Ave. It’s Trick or Treat in a fun and safe environment. Candy, beverages, games and activities will be available. For more information, call (304) 344-1656.

And visit www.HallowEast.com to get the full slate of HallowEast events.

ArtMares, the HallowEast art exhibit at 1598 Washington St. East, opens this evening from 5 to 7 p.m.

The four-day exhibit features more than 30 local artists showcasing their visions of Halloween. The horror-themed display is available for sale. Thirty percent of all proceeds from art sales go to East End Main Street.

ArtMares runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

A block party marks the Saturday portion. The $20 fee gets each guest unlimited beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres. Plus, you get $2 off admission to the 9 p.m. Halloween Hootenanny at Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St. The normal cost for that event is $10 without costume, $8 with.

Halloween Hootenanny features music from Lords of the Highway, Whisky Daredevils and the Drunken Gentlemen. Prizes for best costume will be awarded.

Special thanks to Spyro Stanley and family for providing the ArtMares venue. Studio space now is available at this location.

Charleston native Sam Trammell, star of HBO’s smash hit “True Blood,” has been nominated for a 2009 Scream Award for Male Breakout Performance of the Year. The 2009 Scream Awards, which will air on Spike Television Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 10 p.m., honor the best work in the fantasy, science fiction, comics and horror genres. 

But why watch the Scream Awards on television when you can come out and meet Sam in person? Trammell is headlining East End Main Street’s inaugural HallowEast, a four-day Halloween celebration focussing the spotlight — and the starlight — on Charleston’s historic East End.  

Tickets for the ultra-exclusive Premium VIP Reception with Trammell have sold out, but you can still join us for the Fan Gathering on Friday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. at the WV Cultural Center. This event, catered by Charleston favorite Bluegrass Kitchen, is a special opportunity to meet and visit with Sam.

Tickets are limited, so click here to reserve your spot today. Ticket price includes admittance into the “Inside the Main Street Studio” event at Kanawha Players, 309 Beauregard St., where Dr. David Wohl will interview Sam about his journey in the performing arts and his experiences on the set of the hugely successful HBO original show “True Blood.” The Kanawha Players’ production of Dial “M” for Murder will begin immediately after Sam’s interview and is also included in your ticket price.  

If you’d like to attend the “Inside the Main Street Studio” event but are unable to make the Fan Gathering with Sam Trammell, an additional block of tickets is available for only $50. This also covers your admission to the Kanawha Players’ production of Dial “M” for Murder.  

This event is the primary fundraiser for East End Main Street. All proceeds support the revitalization of the Washington and Smith Street commercial corridors. Visit www.eastendmainstreet.com to see all the exciting things the organization and its volunteers have been doing.