Press Release

April 1, 2010

Contact: Erin Stockhausen, SEAC, 717-422-6671
Robin Blakeman, OVEC organizer, 304-522-0246
Jeff Bosley, OVEC Board Chair, 304-778-9572

Treehuggers Ball Returns to Huntington

HUNTINGTON, W.VA. Its almost Earth Day and its time to get your hug on as Treehuggers Ball returns.

On Friday, April 16, the Huntington-based Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition (OVEC) will celebrate its 18th Tree Huggers Ball.

The festivities will have a brand new feel as, for the first time, the event will span two locations. This will be the first Treehuggers Ball since 2006 and the first one co-organized with the Marshall University (MU) branch of the Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC).

The fun starts at 6 p.m. at the Java Joint, 1555 3rd Ave., Huntington, with doors open to all ages.

Bringing back Treehuggers Ball was important to me to raise awareness of the environmental concerns going on in our back yard the destructive nature of mountaintop removal in West Virginia, said Dan Taylor, a senior at MU and one of the SEAC co-organizers of the event. Plus, we wanted to have some fun while raising money for SEAC and OVEC.

We are so thankful to the students whose energy sparked the resurgence of Treehuggers Ball, said OVEC executive director Janet Keating. Thanks to all involved, we have a great evening planned where people of all ages can first enjoy a relaxed atmosphere at the Java Joint, with a variety of activities, great food and local musicians. Then, folks 21 and overcan come over to the V Club for more great music talent secured by the hard work of OVEC volunteers and board members.

Theres no cover charge at the Java Joint, though donations are welcome. Live music will include Family Conspiracy, Jess Graham and Karen Scalf. Local artists will exhibit environmentally themed art. Door prizes, a silent auction and raffle are part of the fun, and light refreshments will be served, with additional fare available for purchase from the Java Joint menu. All proceeds raised will benefit both groups.

Festivities wind down at the Java Joint at 9 p.m., just as things start up over at the V Club, 741 6th Ave., Huntington, for the 21 and over portion of THB, with a $10 suggested donation, $5 for those with valid student ID.

The music line-up has something for a variety of musical tastes, from country to reggae:

- Traci Ann Stanley, a singer-songwriter from Prichard, W.Va., has opened for Kenny Chesney and LeAnn Rimes. Shes known as West Virginias Coalminers Daughter.

- Hailing from Wise County, Va., Reagan Boggs has twice appeared on West Virginia Public Broadcastings Mountain Stage.

-The Appalachian folk duo Heres to the Long Haul has become a foot-stomping staple at environmental events around the region.

-Singer-songwriter Shayar, a Jamaican-born Beckley resident, will play an acoustic version of his roots reggae. Shayar leads the band Krooshal Force and, as a guitarist, has toured extensively with reggae superstars Burning Spear, Gregory Isaacs and others.

The musicians will have their CDs for sale at the event, and collectors will be glad to know that new editions of the Treehuggers Ball t-shirt will be available, too. Well known Huntington area artist Chris Worth, an OVEC board member, and Spencer artist Joseph Lung have both submitted designs.

OVEC is a grassroots citizens group that formed in 1987 to address concerns over regional environmental issues. The group advocates a ban on mountaintop removal. For more information call OVEC at 304-522-0246 or visit www.ohvec.org.

SEAC is a student and youth run national network of progressive organizations and individuals whose aim is to uproot environmental injustices through action and education. Youth in SEAC are organizing to build healthy and just economies in West Virginia through fighting polluting industries and transitioning our communities to green jobs. To get involved, contact Danny Chiotos at 304-886-3389 or Danny@seac.org or visit www.seac.org.

Flier for the event: www.ohvec.org/events_calendar/come_early-stay_late8.5X11.pdf.

[To receive a .jpg file (suitable for publication) of the new OVEC T-shirt designs, e-mail vivian@ohvec.org.]