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Hey Charleston, hope your week’s off to a good start! In case you missed yesterday’s email, BaseLocal Business went live last week… and it’s going way better than I ever could have imagined!
If you run a local business and haven’t signed up, you can join here for free.
The more businesses we have on the platform, the more events, announcements, news, cool spots to check out, and deals we’ll have to share with you all every week. So if you know of a local business that belongs in the newsletter, forward this email to them or send ‘em here so they sign up too! The more the merrier 🙂
That’s all for today – let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Preparing ground for growth: West Virginia’s Governor awarded $2.1 million in Ready Sites grants to speed design work on business-ready sites in 23 counties, including Bluefield, McDowell, and Greenbrier projects to attract employers — see how funds will be used.
Fresh look for state health: The West Virginia Department of Health has launched a new website with easier navigation, upgraded field office search, access to services, and info on the Rural Health Transformation Program — see the new site features.
Reasons behind leadership pick: Ben Salango was selected for a second term as Kanawha County Commission president, with Lance Wheeler and Natalie Tennant citing his budget work and savings on the judicial annex project — see why he was chosen.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Opportunity for budding tech minds: Applications are open for the 2026 Governor’s Computer Science Institute, a weeklong residential program at WVU Tech in Beckley. It’s for rising 9th and 10th graders interested in coding, app building, and web development. The West Virginia Department of Education says no prior experience is required. See how and when to apply.
Honey wine, hometown vibes: Whether you’re wine curious or mead committed, Wandering Wind Meadery pours small-batch meads from floral and fruity to a grape-mead hybrid that sips like a dry red. Bring a friend, pick a board game, and find a new favorite on the West Side.
Shoes you’ll actually wear: From comfy sneakers and polished boots to dressy pairs you won’t regret by noon, Yarid’s Shoes keeps South Hills stocked with smart picks and friendly guidance that lightens decision fatigue, so you can dial in a fit that feels right all day.
A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🧶 Beginner’s Crochet Class @ Coal River Coffee Company | Tuesday (1/20) at 6:00 PM – New year energy calls for stitches, not spin class. Settle into Coal River Coffee for a beginner crochet night with Brittany from Yarn.Over, supplies included, cozy drinks encouraged, and zero experience needed. It’s $35, registration required, and yes, your scarf will impress the grandkids.
🥫 Urban Kitchen Series: Canning Basics @ Base Innovations | Wednesday (1/21) at 11:00 AM – Pantry goals calling? Learn to can like your grandma, minus the basement fumes, with Urban Kitchen Series: Canning Basics at Base Innovations. Hands-on lessons cover safe methods, green beans, fruit preserves, and jellies, so your garden haul lasts longer than your New Year motivation.
🐦 All Abilities Club: Glittery Winter Cardinal Craft @ Dunbar Branch-Kanawha County Library | Wednesday (1/21) at 1:00 PM – Bring your inner crafter for a glittery winter cardinal, and leave perfection at the door. Made for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their care partners, all abilities welcome, with simple steps and patient vibes. Expect company, easy wins, and a sparkle trail home.
This weekend
🛍 Popup @ Capitol Market | Saturday (1/24) at 10:00 AM – Capitol Market is hosting a macaron popup, with flavors changing daily and temptation at every table. Stop in between errands, snag a box for the house, the office, or the car ride home, and pretend you bought them to share.
🎶 Musical Titans @ Clay Center | Saturday (1/24) at 2:00 PM – The orchestra is going big with Mozart’s fizzy Figaro overture, Gabriel Kahane’s “If love will not swing wide the gates,” and Mahler’s Titan, the symphony that makes horns brag and strings sing. Dressy, not stuffy, and absolutely goosebump-worthy.
🐶 2026 Dachshund through the Snow 5K @ Kanawha State Forest | Sunday (1/25) at 2:00 PM – Winter running with a sense of humor. The Dachshund through the Snow 5K hits Kanawha State Forest for Race 2 of the Kanawha Valley 5K Winter Series, with pricing that rewards early birds, taxes procrastinators, and lands at $50 if you sign up on race day.
🎨 Mountain Momma Paint Party @ Kita Modern Japanese | Sunday (1/25) at 2:00 PM – Trade the to-do list for a sip and paint at KITA Modern Japanese, with step by step guidance, and a sake glass that stays full. Bring your own muse, materials included, and they clean the brushes. Good food, better company, surprisingly frameable art. Grab tickets.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Charleston report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 28°F – Low: 16°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 28. West wind 3 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 16. South wind 1 to 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 50°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 23%
A slight chance of rain after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. South wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
This house is wild
This 5-bed, 2.5-bath South Hills stunner shows off fresh curb appeal with brand new navy blue siding, a new roof, gutters, exterior doors, and energy-conscious windows. Inside, every surface shines with fresh paint, all new flooring, crisp interior doors and baseboards, and updated lighting that layers warmth with modern polish. The kitchen pairs granite countertops with streamlined cabinetry and stainless accents, while both baths echo today’s style with clean finishes and thoughtful details.
A brand new HVAC system handles year-round comfort, matched by a spacious layout that flexes for gatherings or quiet routines. Set at 80 Prescott in coveted South Hills, the renovation reads move-in ready from every angle.
Take a peek inside →
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Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
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