Gay Straight Alliance looks to build community with meetings

Charleston's Young Professional Gay Straight Alliance kicks off a new year

Post-college, it gets harder and harder to meet interesting 20 and 30-something professionals. According to Rebecca Epstein, this especially holds true if you're gay.

To combat the problem, Epstein has been coordinating meetings for Charleston's Young Professional Gay Straight Alliance every two weeks since 2009. Last Thursday, the group celebrated its first meeting of the new year with happy hour at Vickery's. While some of the regular crowd was attending an AFFA meeting across town, the turnout still was strong. The restaurant's big back room saw a revolving door of visitors between 6 and 9 p.m.

Attendees sat in large groups of laughing, jovial tables catching up on old times and making new friends. Epstein talked about dates and connections that came of previous meetings, and their all-inclusive motto.

While the name suggests a younger crowd, older and straight folks needn't shy away. Members are simply interested in building community, networking and making connections. For information, contact epstein.rebecca@gmail.com or pop by the next meeting at Voodoo at 6 p.m. Jan. 27.

WOK debuts organic/sustainable Wine Tastings

King Street's World Oriental Kitchen, or WOK, hosted its first Organic and Sustainable wine tasting last Friday.

The Eco-friendly eatery invited Ben Arnold representatives to set up shop just inside by the street facing window. While the small area was a bit cramped and lacking seats, it was a magnet for curious passers-by looking for a happy hour deal. A little after 5 p.m., a nice crowd was assembled and ready to taste some wine.

Seven Chilean selections were served by our knowledgeable hosts. While only one was organic, the rest were sustainable. We learned that the Cono Sur vineyard requires all employees to ride bicycles to work while another raises alternate crops ensuring fertile soil. Whatever the process, each wine was delicious and affordable (around $8-$12 a bottle).

If you're a wine enthusiast, make sure to check back in two weeks. WOK plans to continue the series every other Friday to gage customers' preferences before expanding its wine menu.

Night of Fun for The American College of the Building Arts

American College of the Building Arts patrons kicked up their heels last Friday at "A Night of Music and Fun." A lively but small crowd of all ages turned out to the Charleston Music Hall to support the evening's cause.

The night started off with an impressive silent auction featuring swanky prizes such as a jet-setting vacation, lunch with Charleston Mayor Joe Riley and a private home concert. While bidders battled it out, local comics Jason Groce, Dusty Slay and Tim Hoeckel warmed the crowd with their stand-up routines.

The B Street Band was next to take the stage, cranking out Bruce Springsteen cover after cover. Women flocked to the front of the hall to outdance one another. While younger guests weren't as enthusiastic about the renderings, older attendees were beaming. In an attempt to bridge the gap, guest vocalist Margaret Durantee performed a Kings of Leon cover to wild applause.

The evening generated close to $3,000 for the college.