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.

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.

The Oct. 30 Premium VIP Reception featuring “True Blood” star and Charleston native Sam Trammell is nearly sold out.

Tickets are $150, and proceeds benefit East End Main Street. Guests are guranteed time with Sam Trammell, including autograph and photo opportunities.

Click here to register.

The event is scheduled for 5 to 6 p.m. at the Cultural Center.

A Fan Gathering with Sam Trammell follows at 6 p.m. Trammel also will be attending that reception, and tickets are $100. Click here to register.

Trammell will be the featured guest for “Inside the Main Street Studio,” a sit-down, “Inside the Actors Studio”-style interview, at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at Kanawha Players, 309 Beauregard St.

David Wohl, dean of arts and humanities at West Virginia State University, will be asking the questions, and a Kanawha Players performance of “Dial M for Murder” will follow Trammell’s appearance.

Tickets to that event are $50. Click here to register.

VIP tickets include the Fan Gathering and “Inside the Main Street Studio,” as well as “Dial M for Murder.” The Fan Gathering tickets include “Main Street Studio” and “Dial M for Murder.”

“I really am thrilled to be coming back to Charleston,” Trammell said. “I consider Charleston home. My mom and dad still live there. I really miss it, and I’m excited to see all my friends and family. It’s great to be coming home.”

The main focus of Trammell’s Charleston visit will be supporting the work of East End Main Street, a program of the Charleston Area Alliance dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Charleston’s oldest and most diverse neighborhood.

In addition to the special evening with Trammell, HallowEast will feature a murder mystery dinner, the “ArtMares” exhibition, special trick or treating events and a blood drive, among other activities.

Trammell was born in Louisiana and has lived in North Dakota and Indiana. But he spent most of his early life in Charleston, going to Overbrook Elementary, John Adams Middle School and George Washington High School. After attending Brown University and the University of Paris, Trammell acted on Broadway and eventually appeared in several films, including “Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem” and “Autumn in New York,” among others. He also guest-starred on several TV shows, including “House,” “CSI: New York” and “Dexter,” among others.

“True Blood,” though, has catapulted Trammell to celebrity status, which is evident by the growing number of talk show appearances.

Trammell said he is eager to support the efforts of EEMS, which works directly with neighborhood businesses, leading them from simple ideas to significant investments. The program is based on a national model for community revitalization that was developed to save historic commercial architecture and has since become a powerful economic development tool across the country.

“Downtown Charleston and the East End are just amazing,” Trammell said. “Today, when you look at the ballpark, the Clay Center and Capitol Street, you understand the revitalization has been great. I want to see it continue.”

For more information about HallowEast, visit www.HallowEast.com.