Tickets are now on sale for Greenbrier Valley Theatre's (GVT) Presentation of Leonardo Live

Nearly 600 years after his death, the brilliance of Leonardo da Vinci continues to captivate people across the world.

Although the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper are perhaps the most recognizable of da Vinci’s works, they are just a small part of his extensive collection. On February 16, 17 and 18, audiences will have the opportunity to experience the largest collection of da Vinci’s artwork ever assembled as Greenbrier Valley Theatre presents Leonardo Live.

The movie was filmed during the installation of the recent “Leonardo da Vinci: Painter in the Court of Milan” exhibit at the National Gallery in London. It provides a virtual walk-through of the show, with commentary from scholars and curators.

Dr. George Bent, head of the Art and Art History Department at Washington and Lee University, will speak to the audience prior to the Feb. 17 matinee.

Bent says the exhibition and now the film provide audiences with a tremendous opportunity to experience history through the works of da Vinci and his associates.

“This once-in-a-lifetime collection of the few pictures produced by the enigmatic master has allowed us to see, side-by-side, these images in their proper context,” Bent said. “In this exhibition, we can see the tastes that drove late 15th Century preferences and the ways in which artists honed their skills and ideas within that cultural milieu.

“It is one of the major art historical events of this young century.”

Although da Vinci was also an incredibly accomplished inventor, scientist and draughtsman, the National Gallery’s display is the first dedicated only to his aims and techniques as a painter.

Featuring the finest paintings and drawings by da Vinci and his followers, the exhibition examines Leonardo’s pursuit in his representation of the human form.

Leonardo Live will be shown at GVT on February 16 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and February 17 at 12 p.m. Brunch, provided by Stella’s in Lewisburg, will be served prior to the matinee presentation for an additional charge. Anyone who wishes to purchase brunch is asked to notify GVT in advance.


Tickets available in person, by phone at 304-645-3838 or online at www.gvtheatre.org.

• $16 for adults
• $12 for seniors
• $10 for students and children

The program is also presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.

Greenbrier Valley Theatre

The State Professional Theatre of West Virginia

113 E. Washington Street

Lewisburg, WV

304-645-3838

Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, WV presents the first Bootlegger’s Ball

Saturday, February 25, 2012

8:00 PM until Midnight

Step into a secret speakeasy and be transported into the roaring twenties.

Enjoy music by the Jarmovers,

food, spirits, and amusing diversions.

Must be 21 and over!

Tickets are $60.00 each and only 100 tickets to be sold.

Hurry and get your tickets today - you don’t want to miss this fundraiser!

Carnegie Hall

105 Church Street, Lewisburg, WV

(304) 645-7917

The 1920s style is encouraged.

Check out the Video below on “Fashions of the 20’s”

The Greenbrier’s Executive Chef Richard Rosendale won the prestigious Bocuse d'Or USA Finals, held January 28-29 at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.

Chef Rosendale, a Certified Master Chef (CMC) who has competed in more than 40 international culinary competitions, bested three other finalists: Chef Jeffrey Lizotte (On20, Hartford, CT) who took the silver; Chef William Bradley (Le Cordon Bleu, Cambridge, MA) who took the bronze; and Chef Danny Cerqueda (Carolina Country Club, Raleigh, NC) who placed fourth. Chef Rosendale's winning dishes were a Celebration of River & Glen Hookers Cod and D'Artagnan Winter Chicken Preparations.

Chef Rosendale will now represent the United States at the 2013 Bocuse d'Or in Lyon, France (January 29-30, 2013), where he will be joined by his commis (assistant) Corey Siegel.

Each chef had five-and-a-half hours to prepare two protein platters - one using River & Glen Hookers cod, one using D'Artagnan chicken - each with three intricate garnishes. The platters were presented for judging to select members of the Foundation's Culinary Council, comprised of some of the most respected chefs in America, including: Grant Achatz, Scott Boswell, William Bradley, Michael Cimarusti, Shaun Hergatt, Gabriel Kreuther, Barbara Lynch, George Mendes, Roland Passot, Michael White, and Alan Wong.

With the USA Finals complete, the training for next year's Bocuse d'Or in Lyon now begins. Chef Rosendale will be mentored by the Foundation's Board of Directors, Chefs Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, and Jerome Bocuse, and Team USA coaches Chefs Gavin Kaysen (head coach), Grant Achatz and Gabriel Kreuther.

The 2013 Bocuse d'Or, the 26th edition of the competition, will feature competitors from 24 countries.

Almost Heaven Habitat For Humanity Breaks Ground for the new Earth Day Build House and Celebrates Nissan’s Partnership



On Friday, February 1, 2012, Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity broke ground on a new house in partnership with Colette Godfrey and her family.

Joining in the celebration were over 30 Habitat for Humanity volunteers and supporters from the community and around the state.

Colette Godfrey was born and raised in Greenbrier County and works at a convenience store as a cashier. She is the mother of three children: two grown children and an 8-year-old son, Deshaunte. A few years ago, they had to move out of their home due to circumstances beyond their control. She couldn’t afford to rent a new place, so they had to move in with her sister in a small 2-bedroom apartment in which Colette and Deshaunte share a bedroom.

“You hear, see and read about people being homeless, and during those times you never ever think you would be in that position. This was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to go through and to see how it affected my son is even worse,” confessed Colette. “Now I have true hope for a brighter future for me and my family. It is wonderful to break ground on my new home!”

The event kicked off Almost Heaven Habitat’s Earth Day Build, with construction of the home scheduled to be completed in time for a dedication the week of April 23rd, in celebration of Earth Day. A major sponsor of the house is Nissan, who provided grant funding towards the construction of the new home, as well as the means for Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity to purchase a new vehicle from a dealership. Almost Heaven HFH selected Lewis Automotive, located in Beckley, WV, as their partner dealership, and Sarah Abrams of Lewis Automotive was on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony.

In the ground breaking line up from left to right: Donna DeHart, Development Director of HFHWV;
Sarah Abrams, PR Manager at Lewis Automotive; Llodyd Haynes, Mayor of White Sulphur Spirings;
Colette Godfrey and her son Deshaunte future Habitat Homeowners; Katie Ickles, Executive Director Greenbrier County Chamber of Commerce; and Michelle L. Connor, CEO of Almost Heaven H4H.

“Nissan Foundation has a history of supporting Habitat for Humanity, as well as green and environmentally-friendly initiatives. Our Nissan dealership, Lewis Automotive, is no exception. “This will be our first Habitat for Humanity build, and we are very excited about the opportunity to frame the interior walls for this house in the coming weeks,” reported Sarah Abrams, who serves as Public Relations Manager in her family’s 4th-generation dealership.


This past fall, Nissan Americas announced a significant expansion of its longstanding partnership with Habitat for Humanity International with a $2.5 million donation. Nissan’s vision is to invite all its stakeholders to participate in the partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Point-of-sale materials in dealerships and communications to consumers will convey information about Habitat activities. Consumers who visit the Nissanusa.com website can click through to Habitat’s site to make a donation or find volunteer opportunities across the country.

Nissan is funding grants and providing Nissan vehicles to 10 Habitat affiliates that make commitments to sustainable construction practices; Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity is one of those 10 affiliates selected to receive a grant and a vehicle to support its operations.

“Nissan’s financial support enables us to help serve the Godfrey family, and we are extremely grateful to have a partner like Nissan that shares our commitment to building sustainable communities,” said Michelle Connor, CEO of the Almost Heaven Habitat affiliate that serves Greenbrier, Pendleton, and Pocahontas Counties.

Throughout this partnership Nissan and Habitat for Humanity will share a common goal: to build affordable, sustainable homes in partnership with families in need of decent housing.

Nissan-sponsored Habitat homes will be equipped with many “green living” features, including low-flowing plumbing fixtures, programmable thermostats, energy-efficient fluorescent lighting, high-performance windows and ENERGY STAR® appliances. These eco-friendly amenities align with Nissan’s Green Program, which supports efforts to reduce the Habitat for Humanity’s Earth Day House.

Lewisburg WV Market Report | January 2012

Take Me Home Country Roads to the place I belong....West Virginia!

Check out West Virginia byways and take a day trip or stay a week and explore West Virginia's scenic byways. Breathtaking beauty awaits around every mountain curve.

January 2012 sales are up by one compared to 2011

Pending sales were down by 3 for 2012

Active Listing were down by 29 for 2012

New listings up by 2 in 2012

Average Days on the Market were higher in 2012 by 134 more days

• Average list price for January 2012: $216,750

• Average list price for January 2011: $176,400

• Average sales price for January 2012: $201,375

• Average sales price for January 2011: $164,000

• Sales price to list price ratio for January 2012: 0.90%

• Sales price to list price ratio for January 2011: 0.93%

There are presently 47 residential properties currently active in Lewisburg. The Lewisburg Real Estate market shows that the average sales price for residential homes is around $267,131 with the average days on the market being 178 days. The price range of the 47 active properties are from $65,000 to $950,000.

On last month’s market report, I mentioned that Lewisburg real estate market is a buyers' market as the absorption rate for Lewisburg Real Estate shows over eight months of inventory. At this writing, the Lewisburg market is still a buyer’s market.

It's the ideal time for buyers to get their dream home....are you tired of renting and seeing your money go out the window...act now and make that investment for your future! Call me and I’ll be glad to help you find that dream home.