Turns out Budweiser has more “taste” than Miller

Finally the age-old question of whether or not Budweiser or Miller has more taste has ultimately been put to rest — and it has nothing to do with the hops.

Workers at the West Virgina distributor of Miller and Coors beers can surely taste the difference, especially at the negotiation table. Capitol Beverage Company, SABMiller’s West Virginia distributor, walked away from union talks and is threatening to hike worker’s cost for family health care.

The current deal Capitol wants to put in place would pay its Miller and Coors beer drivers up to 40 percent less than other beverage distributors in the area. Furthermore, the benefits would spike for even long time employees to pay as much as $11,000 a year for family heath care, as well as eliminate health care for retired Miller and Coors beer delivery drivers.

Nearly 30 workers, affiliated with Teamsters Local Union 175, will hand out handbills outside busy strips of bars and restaurants in downtown Charleston in order to draw attention to these substandard proposals — a campaign that may last the entire summer.

“Coca-Cola, Budweiser and Pepsi are willing to pay their employees the industry standard for the beverage market and provide them with good benefits, said Ken Hall, Teamsters International Vice President and President of Local 175, on their Web site, “Miller’s distributor needs to stop being greedy and step up to the plate.”

Teen gives back in her own way

 It’s tough to lose a parent, and perhaps even tougher when you’re young. Unfortunately, some have to go through that but when they do, it’s always nice to know you’re not alone.

Meet Emily Boggs, 16, from Charleston. When she was 12 years old, her father was diagnosed with cancer. Four months later, he passed. So, like every teenager who loses someone, Boggs set out to deal with it in her own way.

Through an interview with Patrica Colsher, director of the West Virginia Cancer Registry, Boggs learned there was a lack of supportive literature for children 9-12 who have lost someone to cancer.

Boggs sought to change that and with the help of a special friend, Meredith Davis, 17, made a comic book called “My Dad Has Cancer.”

“My Dad Has Cancer” follows a family of superheroes whose father becomes ill. It follows a young boy’s thoughts and emotions as his dad begins to change.

From gaining support and a generous donation of $5,500 from Jean Tenney and MountainCAP of WV, her dream was made a reality. Approximately 2,000 copies have been printed by the West Virginia University Institute of Technology and can be found in doctors’ offices, cancer centers, oncologists’ offices and church groups around the area.

So on June 16, for her hard word and creative emotionalism, Emily Boggs was awarded the Governor’s Service Award by Gov. Joe Manchin at the Governor’s Service Awards banquet.

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Contact Ben at bspanner@graffitiwv.com