Murphy's State Fair concert to benefit food banks

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- "America's Got Talent" 2011 winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. will perform in a benefit concert at 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at the State Fair of West Virginia.

The goal of the concert is to help restock West Virginia's food banks, which were depleted by the major storms in late June and early July.

The "Landau Buy One Get One Free" promotion encourages concertgoers to purchase one concert ticket and receive a second ticket for free by donating five or more nonperishable food items.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin recently praised Murphy and the state fair for the benefit.

Ticket prices range from $12 to $18 each. The "Landau Buy One Get One Free" promotion continues while supplies last. Concertgoers can bring nonperishable food items to the state fair box office in Fairlea from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Clay Center's Southern night

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Celebrate summer in Southern style at the Clay Center's first "Night at the Museum" event, "Backyard Bluegrass: Mandolins and Mason Jars," presented by Friends of Clay Center, with live music, dancing, complimentary cocktails and Southern fare at 8 p.m. Aug. 17.

Local bluegrass band The Fort Hillbillies will play in the Clay Center garden, where guests can take a few turns around the dance floor and nibble on Southern-style snacks prepared by Charleston Embassy Suites. Smooth Ambler Spirits will also be onsite to pass out samples of their signature white whiskey drinks.

Friends of Clay Center board member Tim Gibson said the first-time event is the kickoff to a new series of evening outings for the organization.

"In the past, Friends has been an organization focused primarily on fundraising," he said. "With events like this one, we're excited to expand into a young professionals group that celebrates the arts and sciences through fun, unique parties and networking opportunities."

The evening is sponsored by BrickStreet Mutual Insurance. Guests must be at least 21. Tickets are $35 for Friends of Clay members and $45 for nonmembers. To purchase tickets, visit www.theclaycenter.org or call 304-561-3570.

To join Friends and get a special discount code, call 304-561-3521. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/friendsofclaycenter.

Walk against suicide

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A "Walk for Suicide Prevention" will take place Aug. 25 at Magic Island. Registration is at 10 a.m. and a walk ceremony starts at noon.

There will be a balloon release, memory table and speeches by local survivors of suicide loss. For more information, visit www.messagesforhope.com or call Debbie at 681-313-9296.

Disease support group

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Huntington's disease support group meets on the second Saturday of each month. The next meeting is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 11 at Saint Francis Hospital.

Meetings are for patients, families, caregivers, those at risk of Huntington's and anyone affected by the disease. For more information, contact Debbie Armstrong at 304-549-3266 or deb...@suddenlink.net.

Tucker County run

DAVIS, W.Va. -- The annual 2K/5K race held by the Tucker Community Foundation will take place Sept. 29 during the Leaf Peepers Festival.

The program helps raise awareness and support for organizations, educational programs, civic groups, community projects and charities in Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph and Tucker counties and Garrett County, Md.

More teams are expected to sign up before the Sept. 15 deadline. Anyone from anywhere can sign up for any team. Team members do not have to walk or run as a group.

This year's race is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at the Davis Fire Hall on W.Va. 32.

Rules, entry forms and information are posted on the Run For It link at www.tuckerfoundation.net.

Manna Meal needs cereal and milk

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Manna Meal is in need of any brand of cereal and milk (canned or powdered), in any size.

Items may be dropped off from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day at the Manna Meal soup kitchen in the alley behind St. John's Episcopal Church, 1105 Quarrier St.

Live to Give breakfast

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Sherri Wong and her family will be honored at a "Giver Breakfast," 8:30 a.m. Aug. 10 at the Habitat for Humanity Education and Community Center.

The event is a fundraiser for Live to Give, A God Thing Inc., and recognizes people who have contributed to the community.

Wong's husband, chef Robert Wong, died in May. The Live to Give foundation said the Wong family have hosted many dinners for organizations to raise funds for the less fortunate.

Tickets are $50, or $500 a table. Proceeds will used to support organizations funded by Live to Give, founded by Deb Copeland. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Stormy Lunsford at 304-546-4297 or stormyfoxlunsf...@suddenlink.net.