Below:

• Final Mountaintop Removal Environmental Impact Statement Released

• Treehuggers' Ball Nov. 4 -- Stoney End Harp in Silent Auction

• OVEC's Co-Director Goes International --Tune In

• Head On with Bob Kincaid On Air Again

• Job Opportunities at Appalshop and SOCM

 Final Mountaintop Removal Environmental Impact Statement Released
Newsflash: "Today, federal and state agencies released a final programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) that can lead to enhanced protection for Appalachian streams and other environmental resources in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee and surrounding states where mountaintop mining occurs."

Ok, that's how the agencies' press release starts, and if you believe that, then maybe you should apply for the open job in the White House Spin Room. (There may be more openings soon.)

The agencies say, "After considering all the comments received on the Draft EIS and developing responses, the agencies determined that changes required to the Draft EIS were minor." What that really means is, "J. Steven Griles wishes will be followed. That is, we, the agencies, will attempt to streamline the permitting process and ignore the science. We, the agencies, will attempt to ignore all you people suffering devastating cultural and social effects related to mountaintop removal / valley fill coal mining.

Sorry agencies. We refused to be ignored. The finalization of this document changes little, if anything. Mountaintop removal coal mining is wrong. Coalfield residents and their allies demand an end to mountaintop removal. Some of the ways we can help end mountaintop removal include writing letters to the editors, contacting our local, state and federal legislators, talking to our neighbors, and showing the Appalachian Treasures PowerPoint and documentaries such as Mucked, Sludge and Kilowatt Ours in our communities.

Check the OVEC news page over the next few days for news stories related to the EIS. Check out the EIS here.

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 Treehuggers' Ball Nov. 4--Stoney End Harp One in Silent Auction
Come one, come all to OVEC's 16th annual Treehuggers' Ball. Join us Friday, Nov. 4 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Java Joint (former Calamity Café), across from Marshall University, corner of 3rd Ave. and Hal Greer Blvd. in Huntington.  A $5.00 donation at the door helps fund OVEC's Stop Mountaintop Removal campaign and treats you to the sounds of Big Rock and the CandyAss Mountain Boys.  We have the brand-new 2005 Treehuggers’ Ball T-shirts ready for collectors and first-time buyers.

Our list of items donated for the silent auction keeps growing. Thanks to Frog Creek Books for their donation! Our biggie this year, donated by Mary Ramsey, is the "Lorraine" harp from Stoney End Harps. The harp is valued at over $1300 new. This used harp is in very good condition, and the minimum bid is $500. We can take bids over e-mail, as long as we have a phone number where we can contact you on the evening of Nov. 4. If we don't get our minimum, then we'll auction the harp on E-bay. (If s/he can't pick up the item, then the buyer is responsible for paying for shipment of the harp.) To bid, or to see photos of the harp, e-mail vivian@ohvec.org.

Calling all harp-lovin', treehugging, mountain huggers to bid on this harp.

Please let your friends know about the auction, and please help us spread the word about Treehuggers' Ball--print and distribute a flier by clicking here.

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 OVEC's Co-Director Goes International --Tune In
The radio show "World of Possibilities," hosted by Mark Sommer, is syndicated nationally and internationally by the WFMT Radio Network.  Click here to hear OVEC's co-director Janet Keating speaking on the show regarding leadership. Janet is interviewed along with several other social change leaders who also won “Leadership for A Changing World” awards.

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 Head On with Bob Kincaid On Air Again
Express what is on your mind! Call in for the live show from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. The call-in numbers are 304-658-3333 and 877-4-HEAD-ON.  Listen to the live show on the Internet by bookmarking this site: http://whiterosesociety.org/Kincaid.html.

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 Job Opportunities at Appalshop and SOCM
Position Available: Appalshop Director. Appalshop, a nonprofit multi-disciplinary arts and education center in eastern Kentucky, is seeking a Director to provide leadership in strategic planning and development, and to maximize the vision and creative energies of a staff of 20+. Full job description is available at http://www.appalshop.org/opportunities.htm.

Position Available: Community Organizer. Save Our Cumberland Mountains (SOCM) is seeking applications for a community organizer. SOCM is a state-wide, multi-issue, multi-racial member-run 33 year old community organization based primarily in rural communities and small towns in Tennessee. Current organization-wide campaigns are around strip mining, forestry, aerial spraying of toxic chemicals, voter rights, and state tax reform. Local organizing in chapters takes place around many issues of local impact. SOCM is committed to organizing that builds greater racial diversity.

Organizer will work with members through state-wide issue committees and/or local chapters to help set strategy, build leadership, carry out work plans, and move the campaigns forward.  Positions require some internal fundraising and writing duties.

REQUIREMENTS: Commitment to environmental, social, and economic justice through community organizing;  ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds; self-motivated and self-starting; ability to work independently and cooperatively; own a car; willing to travel for field time in different parts of the state; previous organizing experience a plus.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Starting salary is $22,000 depending on experience. Group health insurance, paid vacation (4 weeks to start), sick leave, personal growth leave (1 week/year), parental leave (1 month), pension, sabbatical, and opportunity for trainings.

TO APPLY: Applications are welcome right away. Send resume and cover letter to SOCM, P.O. Box 479, Lake City, Tennessee 37769, (865)426-9455; e-mail: info@socm.org. SOCM is committed to the active recruitment, hiring, and advancement of people of color.

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