April 10th 2012 Posted at April 2012
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The next CAFE event will be Monday, April 30th at the Downtown Cabell County Library and starts at 6pm. If you have a project you would like to get funding for then submit your idea. If you want to volunteer or help out in someway please let us know! And if you just want to come to the event buy a ticket here or at the door.
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January 23rd 2012 Posted at January 2012, January 2012
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Project Description:
Huntington has several organizations educating the public about healthy eating and cooking practices but the community’s current demand cannot be supported by locally produced food. This research will focus on the barriers of producers in Huntington’s existing local food system to increasing production or selling products at a market location. In order to set the rules and establish the basics of the Local food system Unlimited Futures Inc., is bringing a high profile speaker; Anthony Flaccavento is director of rural SCALE and will facilitate the conversation for the community. This grant will specifically assist with the speakers fees.
Project Importance:
Since earning the title of fattest city in 2008, Huntington has placed a spotlight on health but the movement began years before as a small group of residents. Healthy Huntington was created in 2003, to begin initiatives in the school system and community. The group successfully limited soda consumption and advocated for healthier meals in the school system. The movement did not gain traction until in 2009, when Jamie Oliver piloted a reality show about the city’s eating habits. Many residents were weary that the show was exploiting a social problem pervasive throughout the tri-state region. Food and eating habits are pressing issue for the Huntington community; in order to tackle to problem there needs to be a change in how we eat, what we eat and where it comes from. These systematic changes will take time and should be inspired by the community they aim to help. Oliver’s show portrayed the community as resistant to accepting his healthy advice but residents are stuck i
n a food system that they have no representation and limited voting rights.
A decentralized food system with the local farmers acting as the producers and the residents of Huntington its consumers would provide better access to food by addressing specific needs of the community. It would be advantageous for the local food system to cooperate with the food assistance programs, so that the local food system improves access to fresh food by low income people or those with limited transportation. Huntington possesses many key elements required for a decentralized food system. The community is already trying to create better access to food with community gardens in Marcum Terrace and the surrounding neighborhood. Their programs engage members of the community in learning about growing food and healthy eating. Jamie Oliver’s Kitchen has transformed into Huntington’s Kitchen and still provides fresh food cooking classes and has a variety of weekly farm markets. Even though opportunities exist to seek out local food it is certainly not the primary way
that people in the area attain food products.
As the local food movement in Huntington continues to build support and momentum; demand for farm products will increase as residents begin to take advantage of the local food system. In the Huntington area the demand already exceeds the supply, according to Andrea Leffingwell and Gail Patton. The focus of expanding local food efforts in Huntington needs to be directed towards professional development for farmers and young people interested in farming. Building a base of supply will not only require getting conventional farmers on board but also training and selecting to next generation. The local food movement in Huntington, in order to survive needs to band together and use their collective power for real solutions in the community. Together community groups and local government can liberate residents from an unhealthy, exclusive and unsustainable agriculture and food distribution system.
How Money Will Be Used:
In order to support the development of the community a expert will be brought in to facilitate the conversation between producers and consumers to begin to set the rules and regulations of the Market organization.
3 Month Goal:
The money will allow the community to have a critical conversation that may result in the development of a Local Food Hub.
A Hub is defined by the USDA as, “a centrally located facility with a business management structure facilitating the aggregation, storage, processing, distribution, and/or marketing of locally/regionally produced food products”.
This hub would allow farmers to sell their products with more consistency, which will raise expectations of consumers at the local food market. Consumers will more clearly demand local products when there is an easily accessible way to access them. This money will take this idea to the next level!
January 23rd 2012 Posted at January 2012, January 2012
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Project Description:
We aim to broaden, strengthen and enrich the experience of the theatre going audience, enhancing the local, regional, national and international reputation of African-American theatre in the tri-state area of West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. We are kicking off the 2012-2013 theater season. Our goal of ten shows this year will allow us to continue the success of the mission of our company. We are expanding our theatre experience, we are embarking on a five- city tour in our region, West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. Our program exposes adults and at-risk youth, which have an interest in theatre arts, to all aspects of performance and technical development.
Project Importance:
Provide community development, prevention and intervention messages through the theater arts to various ethnic groups in at-risk neighborhoods as positive alternatives to crime, violence, alcohol and drugs.. ”STARS R US” Theatre Troupe will provide program participants education, skills and the opportunity to develop their talents in the theatre arts.
How Money Will Be Used:
1)Venue Rental for upcoming shows
2)Proper Equipment(lapel microphones)
3)Props and materials (paper for scripts)
4)Marketing and Promotion materials
3 Month Goal:
The Grant will assist us in renting venues in advance, allowing us to promote our shows & events ahead of time. The money will assist us with proper equipment and props. Over the next three months we would be able to perform two productions.
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| Second Presenter, January 2012, Stars R Us |
January 23rd 2012 Posted at Events, January 2012, January 2012
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Project Description:
Ladybeard is the second feature-length independent comedy by Apartment 2B Productions. It’s a story about a standup comic named Andy, who pretends to date his best friend Michelle so she doesn’t have to tell her parents that she’s a lesbian. Michelle’s girlfriend proposes, and Andy’s faced with the prospect of losing this excuse to hang out with his best friend. Through a series of mishaps, they all face the consequences of their lies becoming untangled. When Andy tries to “fix” the situation, things end up even worse. The movie stars local actors Toby Poole (from Channel 20′s Lords of Fun) and Penny Maple (from Charleston’s Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School). Once we’re finished with the film, we hope to take it across the country to film festivals. We are also interested in having it be available for streaming on services like Netflix and Amazon on Demand.
Project Importance:
One of the reasons we began making movies is because of the negative way West Virginia is depicted in pop culture. Movies like Wrong Turn dominate the movie theaters, which leads people outside of West Virginia to think our state is backwards and violent. We want to present a positive presentation of our home state and our fellow West Virginians. We also want to tell the stories of communities that don’t normally get spotlighted. While depictions of LGBT folks are more mainstream now, they’re still deeply rooted in stereotypes. As Appalachia and the South in general are often stereotyped as being homophobic, we feel it’s important to highlight LGBT Appalachians and show them in a real, positive way.
How Money Will Be Used:
The final scene of the movie takes place during a wedding. Much like a real wedding, a fake wedding will take a significant bit of cash. We would like to make at least a $50 donation to the church that is letting us film there. We will also need a wedding dress, which even used averages about $30. In addition to this, the money we receive will be used for food, decorations, and other props to make this look like a convincing wedding.
3 Month Goal:
The wedding scene will be the last scene we shoot. Our shooting will begin in January, and this scene will be shot toward the end of March. The money we receive will be spent a few weeks before the shoot date. After we shoot the final scene, we’ll spend April and May editing the film. We hope to have the Huntington premiere in the summer . After that, we plan to tour with the movie. We’ve taken our short films and our feature film on tour two different ways: screening it at film festivals and setting up screening in non-traditional film venues such as bars, art galleries, and comedy clubs. With Ladybeard, we plan on doing a combination of the two.
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| January 23, 2012 |
January 18th 2012 Posted at January 2012
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The first CAFE event of 2012, the January CAFE Dinner will be held on January 31st at the Tahona Grill which is located on the corner of 4th ave and 10th street in downtown Huntington. The event starts at 6:00pm. Admission, this month has gone up to $12 to help cover the cost of food. Tahona Grill is helping out in a big way but we can’t ask them to bear the full cost of the dinner. As always, $10 from each ticket will fund the grant that is awarded to the January winner. Tickets can be purchased via PayPal using the form on this website (below) or you can by at the door using cash or checks and credit card.
If you would like to compete for this months grant please apply as only the first five applicants are accepted. Just click on the big “Submit Your Project” box to the right.
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December 14th 2011 Posted at November/December 2011, Winning Grants
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Last night, Dec 13, 2011 we had a great CAFE event featuring four awesome projects. The first presentation was by Tonya Beckett, a local artist who recently setup her own shop, studio, and mini-gallery at a local flea market. The second presenter was Kim Baker of River and Rail Bakery. Kim has been a long time supporter of the CAFE dinners by providing baked goods but this time she came looking to raise money to get a small refrigerated display cabinet. Up third was Sean Knisely and his parter with Huntington Underground. They have a website that helps keep the region connected to all the live local music going on. They recently created a sample CD that highlights some of the best bands in the area. They give the CD’s away for free and were looking for the money to help offset the cost of the sampler CD so that they could make more going into the future. Our final presenter was Norman Branch who was representing the Stars R Us Theater troupe. Norman and his troupe are a small acting company that have been putting on various performances since apx 2005. They are trying to raise money to get some audio equipment (small headset microphones) so that the audience is better able to hear the actors.
Once again it was a difficult decision and, as often happens, the final vote difference was 1. Huntington Underground won by the narrowest of margins and we both congratulate them as well as look forward to their return in three months to let us know how progress is going on the next sampler CD.
Thank you to everyone who attended the dinner. Your time and money both help expand the creative community within Huntington. Great things are happening around us everyday and you are each a part of making it happen. Thanks.
December 14th 2011 Posted at December 2011, November/December 2011
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Project Description:
Stars R Us theatre Troupe is an upcoming performance art organization that is touring through the tri-state. Originating in Huntington, WV from native Norm Branch, Our Goal is to enlighten and enrich the African-American theatre experience to the communities of Huntington.
Project Importance:
The project is important because it allows at-risk youth and adults, the opportunity to develop and grow in a productive environment. It brings culture and art to all communities sharing in a learning atmosphere. It provides life skills and education, to youth and adults, helping increase knowledge in the arts. Its a need for the City of Huntington.
How Money Will Be Used:
The Money will go towards getting the proper microphones, rent of venues, and props that are necessary for the production of our shows. present and future.
3 Month Goal:
Receiving the grant will provide us with the chance to get the proper equipment. With the proper tools, increases the production and experience for the audience as well as the staff. With the money we can schedule various venues to perform our productions and share in traditional and non-traditional venues such as;schools, churches, community centers, outdoors.
December 9th 2011 Posted at Events, November/December 2011
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The November/December CAFE Holiday Dinner will be held on December 13th on the third floor of the Downtown Huntington Library. The event starts at 6:00pm. Admission, as always, is $10 and all proceeds will fund the grant that is awarded to the October winner. Tickets can be purchased via PayPal using the form on this website (below) or you can by at the door using cash or checks and credit card.
If you would like to compete for this months grant please apply as only the first five applicants are accepted. Just click on the big “Submit Your Project” box to the right.
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November 29th 2011 Posted at November/December 2011
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Project Description:
River and Rail Bakery is an artisan bakery featuring handcrafted breads and pastries, and locally-roasted, direct-trade coffee and hand-pressed espresso. We opened March 1 of this year and have a stable base of regular customers. We are located at 210 11th Street, inside the Cabell-Huntington Visitors’ Center Building at Heritage Station. Our warm and homey ambiance has drawn upon a wide range of clientele. On Saturdays, we feature Open Mic Bakery Jam, a family friendly opportunity for local musicians to sing, play and read to the public. Some customers have stated the bakery has a community center atmosphere, which is exactly the goal I set when opening. We strive to welcome customers and visitors to Huntington.
Project Importance:
Many of the products people expect in an artisan bakery require refrigeration. Pies and tartlets with custard bases need to be kept refrigerated to avoid spoilage. Macarons, a trendy pastry sold in many European bakeries, would require a refrigerated case. People also expect, even in a homey atmosphere, for the food to be presented in a professional manner. I feel we are failing in this aspect and this is the best way to remedy the problem.
How Money Will Be Used:
At the time we opened, we were unable to afford a product case designed for bakeries, with refigeration. Most of the equipment we purchased was used, including the case we bought which is a simple retail case. The case is scratched, has no refrigeration and the lights inside it did not work. We have made the case work the best we could, but it does not really fill our needs. The money from CAFE Huntington would be used to buy a legitimate bakery case, preferably with a curved front and refrigeration. I have found new cases that would fit our needs for $1500-2000. I would ask Create Huntington to match the CAFE grant, if possible, and could make up the remainder from the bakery budget.
3 Month Goal:
The case would greatly expand our offerings in the bakery. We would add custard based pies and fruit tartlets. We could make brioche with pastry cream, and add whipped cream to desserts. We could introduce Huntington to the wonderful world of macarons, with their myriad of flavor combinations and colors. And we could utilize our day-old bread by making bread puddings. The photo of a case attached is an example of one kind of case I could use. The very colorful photo shows macarons.
November 29th 2011 Posted at November/December 2011
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Project Description:
We have just released a short run of Huntington local music samplers showcasing the tremendous variety of talent in our city. There is a lot happening here musically, and it deserves more exposure. This collection of high quality local recordings will allow people to easily discover great music happening in our city. Each artist will effectively promote the rest of the artists on the sampler this way, resulting in a great new step forward for the local music community. It will build community and create excitement for what we have here. We have already experienced tons of positive feedback and excitement about the samplers after a run of only fifty copies, and once we distribute several hundred more, the possibilities will start to get even more exciting.
Project Importance:
This project is important because it can give our residents pride in having something and being a part of something. It is a tangible testament to the passionate work of many talented local musicians. It can open the eyes of Marshall students to exciting things happening downtown. It can create a willingness in local music fans to believe in our city and invest in it. It can create countless new fans for all of these musicians, resulting in greater success for all of them and more profitability for local venues. It can create a buzz regionally that exciting things are happening in Huntington. It can result in more local content on our local radio stations. It can build community and provide a spark to local culture.
How Money Will Be Used:
We will use the money to create a run of several hundred more copies of the samplers, which include local artists AC30, Sasha Collette, Deadbeats & Barkers, Sly Roosevelt, Coyotes in Boxes, Bradley Jenkins, Jordan Jefferson, Party or Die!, Qiet, Wilbur By The Sea, Sir-Boy, Erik Woods, and Bad Employees. With plenty of copies to work with, we will strategically distribute samplers to be given away at local businesses and on campus. We also hope to get plays on local and regional radio stations. This will give exposure to all of the bands and to Huntington in general, and could also increase the influence of our local bands in surrounding regions. We’re trying to create a movement for Huntington’s music scene.
3 Month Goal:
It will directly fund the purchase of blank discs, card stock, CD sleeves, and the printing of the inserts. It will allow hundreds more copies of the samplers to be created, resulting in a broader reach to radio stations, local businesses, college students, and local venue patrons, and ultimately resulting in much wider recognition of Huntington’s local music scene. The more college and high school students we reach with these samplers, the more fans we create for our bands, and the more young people become excited and invested in our city. This could result in more of them staying here instead of moving away, giving our city’s revitalization process a real boost.