The interview begins with the question of how to pronounce the word: Appalachia (like “apple-at-cha”) or Appalachia (like “apple-ate-cha”). The interview also contains a question about hillbillies and recognizes that part of that stereotype comes from the ability of Appalachian people to laugh at themselves. There’s also an interesting discussion about Appalachia as a haven for freedom lovers, both before and after the American Revolution.

Its good to hear Jeff waxing poetic about this part of the world. His enthusiasm helps spread the pride.

There’s a mention of the Highlander center in the story too; Appalachian Voice probably needs to write an article about it.

May 26-29, 2006
HEALING MOUNTAINS
The 16th Annual Heartwood Forest Council &
6th Annual Summit for the Mountains

Join us for this important national conference, the largest-ever
gathering of folks working to STOP the devastation of Mountaintop
Removal coal mining.

The combined Forest Council/Summit will take place at the Cedar Lakes
Conference Center, 38 miles north of Charleston, West Virginia. In
addition to a full schedule of events and activities at Cedar Lakes,
Healing Mountains will feature a Memorial Day event on Kayford Mountain,
an island in the middle of an active mountaintop removal mine.

Cost is very minimal to encourage folks from all walks of life to
attend. If possible, PLEASE REGISTER by May 15th to ensure adequate food
& lodging for everyone. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
To sign up for work exchange, contact Elisa Young, 740.949.2175,

REGISTRATION INFO & ON-LINE REGISTRATION available at:

DOWNLOADABLE EVENT BROCHURE available at:

An on-line CARPOOLING board will be operational at www.heartwood.org in
the next few days!

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS & WORKSHOP LEADERS include: Granny D, Jack Spadaro,
Cindy Rank, Ken Hechler, Mari-Lynn Evans, Judy Bonds, Larry Gibson, Erik Reece, Ed Wiley, Jeff Barrie, John Blair, Allen
Johnson, and many more. The program includes a screening of Catherine &
Anne Pancake’s BLACK DIAMONDS documentary.

ADDITIONAL PRESENTATIONS include the history, culture and geography of
coal; coal’s deadly impacts at every stage of its extraction, transport,
and combustion; and the importance of healthy forests and mountains,
especially in times of dramatic climate change. There will also be
programs on alternative sources of energy and alternative modes of
economic and community development in the mountains. The Forest Council
will also include great music and food, and activities for all interest
levels and ages.

HOSTING ORGANIZATIONS: Healing Mountains is being organized and
co-hosted by Heartwood, the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Coal
River Mountain Watch, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Sierra Club
Central Appalachian Environmental Justice Program, West Virginia
Highlands Conservancy, Model Forest, and SouthWings.

SUPPORT THIS GREAT EVENT – Become a CO-SPONSOR!
Please contact Heartwood to
co-sponsor this important event. Co-sponsors contribute funds, on a
sliding scale ($25-$1000 and up), which will be used to to offset costs
for lower-income individuals who could not otherwise attend.
Co-sponsors receive recognition in all program materials.

(List of co-sponsors to-date at the end of this email.)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact:
Andy Mahler 812.723.2430
Janet Keating 304.522.0246, or
Tonya Adkins 304.522.0246

We hope to see you there!

*******************************

Co-sponsors for HEALING MOUNTAINS as of 4/27/06:

Coal River Mountain Watch, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Sierra Club
Central Appalachian Environmental Justice Program, West Virginia
Highlands Conservancy, SouthWings, Model Forest, Appalachian Voices,
Rainforest Information Centre, West Virginia Environmental Council, Sam
and Winkie Kusic, Dave Cooper, Kentucky Heartwood, Starla Medina Tonning
Scholarship Fund, National Forest Protection Alliance, United Mountain
Defense, Mountain Sustainability Project, Citizen’s Coal Council, Native
Forest Council, Ruckus Society, Virginia ForestWatch, Buckeye Forest
Council, Missouri Forest Alliance, Anonymous, Permaculture Activist,
Helen Vasquez, Leigh Haynie, Living Education Center for Ecology and the
Arts, Ann Phillippi, Regional Association of Concerned
Environmentalists, Broadened Horizons Organic Farm, Tom Rooney, Virginia
Organizing Project, Dogwood Alliance, Southern Appalachian Biodiversity
Project, Gerry and Joe Scardo, Hoosier Environmental Council, American
Lands Alliance, The Wilderness Society, Southern Appalachian Forest
Coalition, Jackson Purchase Audubon Society, Knob and Valley Audubon
Society, Sierra Club Southern Appalachian National Forest Campaign,
Sierra Club Cumberland Chapter and Bluegrass Group, Sierra Club Hoosier
Chapter, Sierra Club Virginia Chapter, David H. Dyer, Gerald Coomer, the
Center for Sustainable Living, Christians for the Mountains, Sisters of
Saint Francis, The Druid Network-North America, Bean Mountain Farms,
Camellia Hill Herbals, and Annette McCormick.