On April 30th, the central Kentucky chapter of KFTC held a chili-cook off friendraiser. What's a friendraiser you ask? Well it's an opportunity to raise money for the organization but with a focus on giving members a chance to hang out with one another, celebrate all of our hard work, and just have a darn good time.

The event was held at the Lexington Friends meeting house on Price street. Six folks entered chili into the contest and nearly forty people came out to partake in the deliciousness.

The chili was fantastic, and incredibly diverse. There were chilis w/ sirloin, turkey and chicken, as well as two vegan options. One chili even had cornbread baked right into it!

I'm not surprised that folks put such effort into their entries considering the prize for first place! The winner of the event took home a copy of the beautiful hard covered book about mountain top removal mining plundering appalachia, a gift certificate for a one-hour massage, and a dinner for two from Stella's Kentucky deli.

Our three wonderful judges that evening are each KFTC members with a keen sense of what makes a good chili. Member Chris Oaks who hails from the Cincinatti area explained to the contestants that what he looks for in a chili is "depth,"while Danielle Boucher who is a newer member and a UK undergraduate explained that she looks for "kick." Our third judge, Marty Mudd who is active on KFTC's land reform committee and also a member of Kentucky mountain justice informed us that he would be looking for a chili w/ "many layers."  

Our winner that evening was long time KFTC member Teresa McReynolds with her sirloin chili. However, in my opinion everyone was a winner considering there wasn't a drop of chili left by the end of the night! In addition to the cook off we also held a raffle. Tickets were $1 and raffle items were donated by several local businesses including Stella's Kentucky Deli, The Morris Book Shop, Woodland Computers, and Charmed Life Tattoo. We also had two professional massages donated by Nishaan Sandhu and Phil Robinson.

It was a rockin' good time and we ended up raising almost $280. Thanks to everyone who came out, to all the businesses and individuals who donated raffle items, to everyone who entered chili, and a special thanks to our intern Jordan Panning for coming up with the idea and organizing the event. We'll be sure to do it again next year!

NATIONAL PBS BROADCAST/ INDEPENDENT LENS

We've just learned that Deep Down, funded by the Independent Television Service (ITVS), has been selected for the 2010-2011 slate of Independent Lens, a national Emmy-award winning PBS documentary series, whose episodes average ONE MILLION VIEWERS weekly. The show airs nationally Tuesday nights at 10:00pm on PBS. We 'll send another update when an actual air date has been set, which should be in July. The series runs from October through June each year, so we know it'll be at some point during that window.

Deep Down's broadcast premiere will be on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day at 10:00pm on April 22nd on Kentucky Educational Television (KET). Founded in 1951, KET has broadcast media throughout Appalachia for 60 years on PBS. Typical viewership is 20,000 households in the state at this time, so we hope Deep Down will reach many households where it can make a difference. Receiving such a prime spot during PBS' Earth Day programming is a great honor, a huge vote confidence for the film for the Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, and a major step towards opening up the dialogue around mountaintop removal in Kentucky and beyond.

LOUISVILLE SCREENING

This Friday, March 19, the Jefferson County Chapter will host a Kentucky Premier of "DEEP DOWN: A Story From The Heart Of Coal Country." There will be a panel discussion following the film. Included in the panel will be Beverly May from the film, filmmaker Sally Rubin, and Kentucky author Silas House.

When: Friday, March 19th, 2010
Where: Clifton Center
Time: 7:30pm
Cost: $5.00

For more information about Deep Down, please visit www.deepdownfilm.org

Third Annual I Love Mountains Old Time Music Showcase!!!!

February 6, 2010, All Ages
$10 (sliding scale, no one will be turned away) to benefit the work of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

Al's Bar, Sixth Street and North Limestone in Lexington

Music Starts at 9 p.m.
Clack Mountain String Band
Red State Ramblers
Rich and the Po Folks
The Wild Boogers

Special Guests, Kentucky Authors Erik Reece and Eric Sutherland

*** The beautiful poster designed and printed by Cricket Press will be available at the show for sale***

The Central Kentucky Chapter held a fundraiser for KFTC last Saturday at Al's Bar in Lexington. This wasn't just any old fundraiser though, it was a punk rock show! Organized by KFTC member Jack Cofer, the show featured three great bands from Lexington; the Butchers, J. Marinelli, and the Tense Kids. Also joining everyone was the all female punk trio from Chicago, 8" Betsy.

Over 60 people attended the show and raised $260 for KFTC. Jack Cofer and Katie Meyer spoke from the stage about the importance of grassroots organizing, and why people should be involved in making their communities a better place.

Don't forget to come out for the next Al's Bar KFTC fundraiser, our old-time music showcase on Saturday, February 6. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the cover is $10.

Here are a few more pictures of our Singing For Democracy Gospel Fest last week, focusing on restoring voting rights to former felons who have served their debt to society. 

Thanks again for everyone who made it possible.

Madison County Premier of Coal Country 

This film by Mari-Lynn Evans and Phylis Geller is a dramatic look at modern coal mining. We get to know working miners along with activists who are battling coal companies in Appalachia. Both sides in this conflict claim that history is on their side. Come and find out for yourself!  This film has been drawing sell-out crowds inother cities.

The Madison County Chapter is screening the film at the Madison County Public Library of Berea (319 Chestnut St.) at 6:30 p.m. on November 19th and also in Room 108 of EKU's library in Richmond at 6 p.m. on November 9th.  The event is open to the public.  Admission is free but donations to KFTC are appreciated.  We hope you can join us!

"Rock Out For Justice!"

The Bowling Green Chapter has organized "Rock Out For Justice!" -- a benefit show starring some of Bowling Green and E-town's most beloved bands!  Only a $5 cover, and all the proceeds go to KFTC.

Friday, August 28 at 8:00pm at the Wesley Foundation at 1355 College Street.

A big thanks to our performers--Derbyandme, The Budget Band, Polytheon, Canago, and Austin 'Been Broox' Ashford--and the Wesley Foundation for letting us use the space!

(Come, by all means!  It's a guaranteed good time and we want to see you there.  But if you can't come, consider contributing $5 anyway!)

In conjunction with the return of Morehead State students, KFTC's Rowan Chapter held a "Funraiser" at the Moonlight Stage in downtown Morehead.

It was a opportunity to socialize and talk about the local issues while enjoying wonderful entertainment.

Sasha Colette provided fantastic music

Kentucky authors Bob Sloan and Ed McClanahan gave readings and words of praise for the work of the chapter.

Visitors and KFTC members also feasted on great food including Withrow Mountain Tacos Pastor.

Almost 100 KFTC members and friends turned out on a rainy Saturday for the Madison County SpringFest. 

The event start off with a reading of the brand new book "Something's Rising:  Applachians Fighting Mountaintop Removal"  from authors Silas House and Jason Howard. 

Folks also enjoyed a delicious potluck dinner that featured locally raised meat and music from loved local band Mudpi. 

A friendly Derby pool and silent auction helped raise fun – and funds -- for KFTC.

"I enjoy having the chance to socialize with members and prospective members in a party atmosphere where there is a minimum of business to discuss.  I think that kind of outreach is as important as all the tabling, phone banking and chapter and committee meetings that we members do throughout the year."  -- Toby Wilcher, Berea.

The event was a great celebration of the strength and work of the nearly 500-member strong Madison County chapter.  Thanks to all who volunteered and helped make the event a success!