The next episode of The Coal Seam television show will be taped June 29 at the studios in Charleston, with Lt. Governor and Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin as our guest. We expect the conversation to focus on the EPA’s war on eastern coal, safety issues and vital importance of the industry to the state’s economy. The show is broadcast statewide on the state Library Network and various public access channels. Check with your local cable provider for channel and times.

The Friends of Coal continues work on the 2010 issue of the annual coal industry insert of The State Journal. This year’s publication will feature stories concerning mine safety, the economic contribution of the industry to the state and nation, the process of surface mining, post-mine restoration and the industry’s efforts to develop and diversify the coalfield economy, as well as features on the Friends of Coal Bowl and the Friends of Coal Bowl Scholarships funded each year by the industry in conjunction with our sponsorship of the game, as well as other feature stories. Look for your copy at the annual meeting in August.

Representatives of the West Virginia Coal Association and the Friends of Coal will be busy through the next few months.  Continuing our outreach efforts around the state, the Friends of Coal has already scheduled the following events:

·         (July 2-4) The Freedom Festival in Logan, WV – the city’s annual street fair. This follows on the heels of successful efforts at the Hatfield-McCoy Days in Williamson and the Coal Festival in Madison as reported in this past week’s Coal Bits.
·         (July 9) West Virginia Coal Association President Bill Raney will speak to the Martinsburg Chamber of Commerce.
·         (July 17) The Friends of Coal Auto Fair in Beckley and the Mark Plants’ Football Camp in Charleston.
·         (August 2-3) As noted, the Friends of Coal, Faces of Coal, Citizens for Coal, the Logan Coal Vendors and others are joining with the Coalition for Mountaintop Mining and the Eastern States Coal Association to send 200-300 coal miners and their families to DC for an informational effort to educate members of Congress about the vital importance of eastern coal.
·         (August 13-20) We are finalizing our participation schedule for this year’s State Fair of West Virginia in Lewisburg.
 
This is just a partial list of events the Friends of Coal plans to attend. If you would like to schedule a representative of the Friends of Coal or the West Virginia Coal Association for your event, please contact us at 304.342.4153. Our schedules are filling fast and we very much want to meet with your group to provide an accurate portrait of our state’s coal industry.

The 7th Annual Friends of Coal Auto Fair is set for July 16 – 18 at the YMCA Paul Cline Memorial Youth Sports Complex in Beckley, WV.  Friday, July 16 will begin the Fair with the Cruise-In to uptown Beckley for the Renaissance Car Show and live entertainment by former American Idol contestant and Beckley native, Robbie Carrico. 

Saturday will have the Live in Concert by The Charlie Daniels Band and Taylor Made, with special appearances by The Gold Knights Army Parachute Team and FOC spokesmen Coach Nehlen, Coach Pruett and Bass Master Jeremy Starks.  Tickets ($15.00 advance & $20.00 day of show) for the Concert will go on sale May 1st at select WV & VA Marquee Cinemas and the Beckley-Raleigh County YMCA.  

The Kanawha Valley Mining Institute’s 21st Hatfield Scramble will be held Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at the Brier Patch Golf Course in Beckley, WV.    

Hole Sponsorships and golf registration can be obtained by the web site:  http://www.kvmi.org/Registration.html            

This is the primary means for the KVMI to continue to sponsor its scholarship program for deserving students and is the most important reason for sponsorship of this golfing event.