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eighbors in the upper Kanawha Valley are invited to an upcoming community day celebration, and a local film festival is seeking submissions from area filmmakers. Here’s the 411 from communities around the region, including Charleston, Smithers and South Charleston.
STREET SWEEPING: ‘Tis the season. Street sweeping, which takes place throughout the city of Charleston, returns on Wednesday, April 1, and runs through October 31. While all areas of the city are affected, impacts on the East End neighborhood are particularly felt by residents and visitors. “Because the East End includes some of the highest concentrations of on-street parking in Charleston, temporary parking restrictions have long been necessary to allow street sweepers to clean curb-to-curb,” officials wrote in a press release. ”Parking restrictions for street sweeping have been in place in the East End since 1981.” This year marks the first season the city will operate under the updated parking schedule approved by the city council in 2025. Beginning April 1, parking is restricted from noon to 2 p.m. every Tuesday (eastbound side) and Thursday (westbound side) on select streets through the end of October. Affected roads include portions of Virginia Street, Quarrier Street, Lee Street, McClung Street, Jackson Street, Lewis Street and Washington Street East. A full list and map of affected areas is available online.
ACIL FUNDRAISER: Feeling hungry? Here's a way you can grab a bite to eat and help local neighbors at the same time. The Appalachian Center for Independent Living (ACIL) is teaming up with the Texas Roadhouse restaurant to raise funds for the Charleston-based nonprofit. ACIL provides programs that support independence, inclusion, and empowerment for community members with disabilities throughout Kanawha County and beyond. On Wednesday, March 25 (that's tomorrow!), diners who visit Texas Roadhouse's Charleston location at 103 RHL Boulevard in Southridge can have 10 percent of their total food purchase donated to the ACIL. Simply show the flyer at this link (either printed or on your phone) to your server when dining. Can't make it to Texas Roadhouse tomorrow? You'll have more opportunities on May 14, July 5, September 10, and November 24, so mark your calendar.
COMMUNITY DAY: Residents of the upper Kanawha Valley are invited to a free community day celebration on Saturday, April 25. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gateway Center, 2 Greyhound Lane in Smithers. The all-ages celebration will feature arts and crafts, kids' activities, face painting, a bounce house, free food and more. Free health services, including a mobile mammogram unit and lung health testing, will be available on site. Upper Kanawha Community Day is hosted by the Kanawha Coalition for Community Health Improvement, with support from Smithers and Friends Community Group, Inc., and community partners. More information on the community day celebration is available on Facebook.
SHORT FILM FESTIVAL: Calling all local filmmakers. The South Charleston Public Library (SCPL) will host a short film festival on Saturday, April 25, and organizers are seeking local submissions. According to a post on the SCPL’s social media, submitted films should not exceed 30-40 minutes in length. But you’ll want to hurry – submissions must be received by March 31, 2026, to be considered. Accepted films will be screened to a public audience beginning at noon on April 25. Awards will be presented to filmmakers in several categories based on votes from the audience. To submit a film, email a link to joshua@scplwv.org or drop off a flash drive or disc with the movie to the library at 312 Fourth Avenue in South Charleston.
