"Snapshot," a play by local artist Carmen Mitzi Sinnott, will be performed in the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse on Marshall University's Huntington campus at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9.

The play is about Sinnott's search for her African American father, Lorenzo Batts, a popular and talented Huntington native who left for the Vietnam War before she was born. Her answers to finding her father for the first time were found lying in an album of faded photos. Fusing words, dance, music and film, this story chronicles the quest of a mixed-race daughter from southern Appalachia who eventually finds her father in Hawaii.

Batts was a graduate of St. Joseph's High School in Huntington, class of 1966, and the lead soul singer of the local Rhythm and Blues group, The Explosive Dynamiks. At age 20, he was drafted and fought in the Vietnam War. He returned to Huntington having been severely wounded in combat and suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In 1978, he left Huntington and was never seen there again.

Using photographs and film accompanied by a soundtrack of R&B tracks, Sinnott plays 15 different characters and gives a personal account of her search for Batts.

Sinnott has performed "Snapshot" on three continents. Her performance in the show was nominated for Best Actress at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The play also received a special selection at the Cape Town Festival in South Africa and the International Women's Theatre Festival in Tornio, Finland. She was the recipient of a Brooklyn, N.Y., Arts Council artist grant and an Art Meets Activism grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women.

The Feb. 9 performance is presented by All Here Together Productions, as well as Marshall University's Center for African American Students' Programs and Center for International Programs.

For further information, persons may contact Maurice Cooley, director of Marshall's Center for African American Students' Programs, by e-mail at cooley@marshall.edu or by phone at 304-696-5430.

Don't let our current budget crisis get you down either. Instead focus on those things you can change for the better. One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways you can get involved is via the monthly Critical Mass ride.

At 6:30 p.m. on the third Friday of every month cyclists from across the city gather at the Ritter Park fountain to help raise awareness for cyclists. Even if you don't often ride a bike it is a worthwhile event to participate in as it can help lead to safer streets for both drivers and cyclists. You can learn more about the monthly rides on the official Critical Mass Huntington Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/120181076062/.

While most Huntington residents use a car, bus, or taxi to get around there are many people who only ride a bike to get everywhere and knowing you can ride your bike safely inherently makes a city a more livable place.

Huntington Cycle & Sport is sponsoring the first ever Kidical Mass Huntington! It is on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m. The event involves a three-mile educational and family-friendly bike ride and gathering. You can learn more about Kidical Mass at http://asimplesix.com/kidicalmass.

Both of these events not only help make the streets safer but they are, to me, a symbol of the fitter community that we are becoming. Thanks to initiatives like Huntington's Kitchen, the Huntington 5K and the success of stores like Jeff's Bikes and Robert's Running, it is easy to see that the people of Huntington are trying, and succeeding, to shed the unhealthy reputation we have.

To that end you should also know about a free 5K race that is coming up in December. Robert's Running and Walking Shop will be celebrating their fifth anniversary by hosting the annual Ritter Park Offroad Challenge. The race is on Dec. 10. You can pre-register by going into either the Huntington or Charleston Robert's location.

While you're out running and riding if you think about other ways to help make Huntington better, plan on attending a weekly Chat 'n' Chew in the lobby of the Frederick. They are every Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. and are open to everyone. Just bring a positive attitude and meet with other concerned and passionate citizens that want to work with you to make a difference.

The sign had to be taken down by Paris Signs in early July this past year due to damage from wind storms. The goal of the fundraiser, $28,500.00 was met and now the majestic neon sign will be restored to its former glory.

All night long the great halls of the Keith Albee were filled with music, inspiration and determination to "Save Our Sign". The evening opened with a beautifully historic video by Trifecta Productions filmaker Josh Edwards about the Keith Albee. Emcee Clint McElroy guided patrons through the rest of the evening with a roaring good time from musical artists, Mystic Mountain Blueberry, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Huntington favorite Rick Huckaby.

The organizers of the event, representatives for the Keith Albee, and representatives from Paris Signs will be available to answer any questions today, September 30 at the Keith Albee at 3PM and again Monday October 3 at 1:00 PM, as they meet to discuss next steps and to officially announce that our Sign has been Saved!

Three dump trucks of mulch were place in Harris River Front Park (HRFP). We mulched the four
rose beds, mulched all around the restrooms (10th Street) and the
round about.
The four rose beds have been weeded & dead-headed.
The roundabout was converted to about 60% perennials this year.
Five topiary trees were added to the pots in HRFP
Two weeks ago four pots on the Marina side were replanted due to
vandalism.
Veteran’s memorial was weed two weeks ago -a pile of mulch is now
sitting behind the monument and needs to be placed. This Saturday
about half was completed.
During the recent weather we have been watering three times per week
in the park to maintain the flowers.

It will soon be time to plant tulips. You can help support our efforts by
donating $30 for 100 tulips. Your donation is tax deductible as HARC is a
501 C 3. The amount of tulips planted in Huntington will be based upon the
amount donated. In 2008 we planted 2,000 bulbs.

Please make checks payable to HARC
and send to:PO BOX 312 Huntington, WV 25708

HARC will be meeting again Saturday morning (August 23rd, 2011) in HRFP near the 10
th Street entrance. Rib Fest is this weekend - so they will move from 10th
to the Marina side & hopefully have time to move the mulch around Veteran's
Memorial (please bring a shovel). If you can volunteer Thursday morning
please call Casey Williams at 304-690-2437.

Their exhibition, (re)discovery, opens at 6 p.m. Aug. 19 with a reception, which is free and open to the public.

Farley, of Huntington, is a Marshall University alumnus and was recently named The Herald-Dispatch Arts Citizen of the Year. Michki, also of Huntington, is an award-winning student whose emphasis is in printmaking.

The artists will exhibit recent drawings, paintings, prints and other works that explore questions of the human condition, Farley said.

"This exhibition is organized in collaboration with the Cabell Huntington Coalition for the Homeless, whose mission and vital civic services improve the welfare – the human condition – of so many in our community," Farley said. "A percentage of any money generated from the sale of artwork will be donated directly to the CHCH."

The collaboration with the CHCH is rooted in real-world experiences. Michki lost his home and nearly all his possessions in a fire last summer and was faced with the prospect of rebuilding. Farley took him in. At about the same time, Farley was working at Gallery 842 and developed a personal relationship with "Steve," a homeless man who searched trashcans on 4th Avenue for food. Farley frequently buys him a meal.

"Through this exhibition, we seek to promote and foster a spirit of personal and civic engagement, further elevate the arts within our community, and demonstrate the kind of collaborative spirit that will lead to increased awareness and change," Farley said.

For Michki, being asked to exhibit work in a two-man show was flattering.

"When John asked me about doing this show, I felt honored that he would want me to exhibit work with him and knew that this was too great an opportunity to pass down," Michki said.

"My work deals with various issues that relate to the question of 'reality' as being truly real or as something that we make real for ourselves, and how devastating a false reality can be to us in certain instances."

"The process and product of art-making is a universal thing, to be made relevant, enjoyable and accessible to all," Farley said. "We want the community to be able to come in, and buy some art – for it not to be solely a luxury item."

The artists were awarded a grant from Café Huntington and a matching grant from Create Huntington to subsidize the cost of the exhibition, allowing them to make high-quality prints in an effort to make some of the artwork more affordable.
According to its website, Cafe Huntington provides "micro grants" to artists and activists in the Huntington area. Each month, a guest chef prepares a meal for which tickets are available for $10 per person. All of the income from that meal is given as a grant to support a local project, which is selected by vote of the meal attenders.
Create Huntington is a local organization whose focus is on improving community livability and whose projects include matching grants such as the one received by Farley and Michki.

Farley noted that being awarded the matching grant from Create Huntington was an added bonus.

"Being awarded a Create Huntington matching grant allows us to do even more than we initially envisioned," Farley said. "… In a sense, it is also a positive affirmation of the things we have chosen to pursue, and it feels great to have already received so much community buy-in."

The exhibition will continue through Friday, Sept. 23. Gallery 842 is located at 842 Fourth Avenue in downtown Huntington. Admission is free and open to the public, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 7 p.m.

Located off I-77/64 at Exit 45, Tamarack specializes in handcrafted products made in West Virginia, and in food court dining, catering and conference center services. The "Best of West Virginia" exhibition will open with a reception at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 19, and run through Saturday, Aug. 13.

Lanham is an art major at Marshall, with an emphasis in ceramics. "I like to make functional things that are inspired by nature," he said. "I like to see my work in peoples' hands."

Ceramics professor Earline Allen, who retired this spring after 41 years of teaching at Marshall, encouraged him to enter the show. "I'm glad that I have a professor who goes above and beyond," Lanham said. "She'll spend an evening looking for shows that her students should enter, and customize the opportunities to our work styles. She really has put her all into us."

Lanham was thrilled that his work was accepted into the show, and noted the amount of talent in Appalachian ceramic artists.

"I was ecstatic," he said. "I didn't think I would get into this show—especially since I'm still a student. There are so many artists in the area who are amazing potters. I bought a pitcher from a guy who didn't even realize the extent of his talent – and to me it's a superb piece!"

Some of Lanham's pottery is available for purchase at the Red Caboose, the retail shop in the Convention and Visitors Bureau at Heritage Station near Harris Riverfront Park and Pullman Square. For him, it's about making something for someone – not just an object.

"I make pots for individuals and families to use, not to be placed on a shelf and forgotten about. My interest is in how they are used in everyday life," Lanham said. "I want people to create memories around the use of my pots, even if it's just drinking that morning cup of coffee out of a favorite mug … A beloved mug or bowl can have an intimate connection to memory through the ritual ways it is used."

On Saturday 286 plants were added at the 10th Street Entrance area of HRFP;
mostly in the pots (a few new perennials were added to the roundabout).
The roses were deadheaded and the four rose beds weeded. In addition, 70
new perennials were added to Veterans Memorial earlier this week.
Attached is a photo to show progress on the pots inside of HRFP.

They are very thankful for the donations this week to HARC in both hours given
and new flowers.

They will meet on Saturday May 28th at 10:00 AM in HRFP (10th Street
entrance). Please call me @ 304/690-2437 if you have any questions.

Saturday April 30th was a beautiful sunny 70 degrees with a gentle breeze.
Nine volunteers gathered at 10:00 AM in Harris River Front Park to work on
the rose beds and round about. Attending this week was: Jay Bowen, Will
Holland, Aaron-Michael Fox, Casey Williams, Joe Mcclanahan, Amy Houvouras, Mary
Clayborn, Sterling Hall and Rose Hall.

The ton of mulch was moved into the rose beds to the West of the
rest-rooms. The dead lavender was cut back and reset in many places.
Sixteen flats of Sweet potato vine were planted along the outside edge of
the roundabout and in several of the large pots. Also, several flats of
Cockscomb were planted in the roundabout. Jennifer added a large number of
flowers to the front beds at City Hall early Saturday morning.

The ton of mulch was not enough to cover all four beds. In a few weeks they
will bring in another load of mulch into HRFP to cover the remaining bed
and behind the rest-rooms.

HARC will meet on Saturday May 7th at 10:00 AM in HRFP (10th Street
entrance). The goals for Saturday will be to cut the tulips back in the
roundabout and then go to Veteran’s Memorial to weed. They are always
in search of new volunteers so please get out and help!

I had the large beef barbecue sandwich - $3.50 - and it was fantastic. The meat comes out with sauce but Shawn Stowers, the owner and cook, provides three sauces to choose from. The first is a traditional St. Louis style sauce that is thick, tangy, and very tasty. The second is a Carolina style vinegar based sauce that is almost clear and has a great flavor. The final sauce is a spicier Carolina style that also adds some great flavor to the meat. No matter which sauce you pick you'll be happy so I put all three on my sandwich.

My friends all had the Pork barbecue and they were just as happy with the pork as I was with the beef. Along with the large sandwich he sells a small one for only $2.50 and he has a lunch special that includes a small sandwich, a soda, and two sides for only $6.00.

The atmosphere within Carolina Barbecue is simple and fits a barbecue joint just about perfectly. The walls are mostly bare with some old fashioned styled Coke signs and the tables are covered with red and white checkered tablecloths. The place isn't large but there is plenty of seating. It's a short walk from pretty much anywhere downtown and there is plenty of parking along 6th ave if you want to drive over. He takes Discover, Visa, and Mastercard.

To be honest I liked the food so much I went back for lunch there again today and took my wife. During today's meal I tried the peach cobbler and it was decent; but in the future I think I'll just eat the barbecue; it was simply good enough to be lunch and dessert.

Uncorked! will be held at Huntington’s beautiful and historic Frederick Building –located on 4^th Avenue in beautiful Downtown Huntington on Saturday, April 16th from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Guests will check-in at the Keith-Albee to retrieve tasting glass and wristband. Tickets are $35 per person.

Premium Tables of 8 are available for $1000 (price includes private table for you and your 7 guests, entrance to a premium wine tasting prior to the general tasting [12 p.m. – 1 p.m.], 2 parking passes, and delicious snacks for the table). Premium Tables of 4 are also available for $500 (price includes private table for you and your 3 guests, entrance to a premium wine tasting prior to the general tasting [12 p.m. – 1 p.m.], 1 parking pass and delicious snacks for the table) A limited number of premium tables are available.  Reserve yours today by calling 304-696-3326!

Patrons are invited to visit our food vendors at street style market located on 4^th Avenue to sample their culinary creations. Guests will also enjoy dining on delicious hors d'oeuvres meanwhile enticing their palates with the cuisine of local chefs, restaurants and specialty shops.  Please take note that this street market is strictly cash only.

Be sure to take part in the, Uncorked! live and silent auctions. Silent auction bidding begins at 1 p.m. and ends at 3 p.m.  Our live auction begins at 3 p.m. lead by celebrity auctioneer Tim Irr of WSAZ. Up for bid are unique and exciting auction items such as week-long vacation stays to exotic destinations, unmatched dining experiences and a chance for to acquire all access badges to one of the year’s most coveted events--the Greenbrier Classic.

This event is part of the successful Kindred Spirits series of fundraisers benefitting the Marshall Artists Series. All Kindred Spirits fundraisers – including Uncorked! - have been spearheaded by Marshall Artists Series board member Terry Deppner-Hardin. Her efforts over the past few years have helped to raise much needed funds for the Marshall Artists Series, as well as creating unique events for our guests to enjoy.  Gather a group of friends and come on out to this one of a kind event and support the Marshall Artists Series all while having a blast!

Tickets may be purchased through the Marshall Artists Series box office, located in the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center, or by calling (304) 696-6656. The box office is open Monday-Friday from noon -5 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. Patrons may also purchase their tickets at the Uncorked! event.

Uncorked! Is sponsored by Wells Fargo, WKEE, WTCR, B-97, WSAZ, The Herald-Dispatch, Kroger, Atomic Distributing, Standard Distributing, The Country Vintner, Pepsi, 21 @ the Frederick, Marshall University and the College of Fine Arts.