Pittsburgh filmmaker Peter Argentine and WVU broadcast professor Gina Martino Dahlia have produced two different documentaries about the worst coal mine disaster in American history in Monongah, Marion County, WV. They will be shown back-to-back on WVPBS on Thursday, December 6 from 10 PM - 11 PM.
A Christmas Story leg lamp - available almost anywhere
Home movies are still very much alive - now more than ever thanks to the cheap electronics necessary to become a filmmaker. During a Thanksgiving visit to the Wilmington, NC area, I was able to finally see a great tribute film/slide show made by an in-laws daughter with the assistance of my wife, scanning lots of photos from the “good ol’ days.”
This statement was read by Professor John Kalaras during the ceremony at The South Charleston Museum - WV Labor History Assn. event held at The La Belle Theater in South Charleston, WV on Nov. 10th, 2007 -
Hellenic Republic
Office of the Speaker of the House
Dimitrios Sioufas
Athens, November 8, 2007 It is with great pride and pleasure to salute the recognition of Christopher Xenopoulos Janus by the great State of West Virginia. (more…)
Don Diego on your right with friends who worked on his film, Trailer Trash
Don Diego Ramirez, the WV filmmaker, is also a great art promoter including exhibiting films at his alma mater, Shepherd University. Here is a press release he sent me about a program…. (more…)
Terry Lively and WVLHA prez Gordon Simmons with camera purchased with a WVLHA grantWest Virginia Labor History Association to support
film project about WV labor unions in 21st century
The West Virginia Labor History Association has awarded a grant to WV filmmaker Terry Lively to support production of a documentary on public sector organizing in 21st century West Virginia. (more…)
Don Diego Ramrez continues to show “Trailer Trash - A Film Journal,” his incredible film about growing up in WV, around the US. He recently announced a showing in NYC at The Anthology Film Archives in January 2008. ( I wanted to show the film myself in January 2008 at The South Charleston Museum, along with Ray Schmitt’s “Six Months.” Hopefully I will find a slot to show it soon. Everyone in WV who appreciated “Dancing Outlaw” should see this masterpiece. It may be the most intense autobiographical film I have ever seen.) Here is his press release ….
Ken Hechler was interviewed by a Fox News reporter this last winter while attending a conference at the Truman Key West White House. The footage was broadcast this last Saturday as part of an Ollie North program called “War Stories.”
South Charleston Museum program organized with WVMHF, showing two films about Charleston-born musicians.
Michael Lipton and his team did a great job organizing the first WV Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the WV Cultural Center that was broadcast on WVPBS. WVPBS also did a great job letting everyone see this landmark event. ( I was the film advisor for two of the short films about inductees - George Crumb and Hazel Dickens.)
Dale Payne, a native of the now almost gone town of Eskdale, released his book on his hometown. He will be publishing only 250 copies, 182 pages, with lots of pictures. (See above and below) Eskdale was an “independent town” during the Cabin Creek-Paint Creek Mine Wars which means that it was not controlled by one of the coal companies. It was the home of the Blizzard clan and many other activists during the Mine Wars. Unfortunately, almost all of it has been demolished now. To contact Dale Payne to purchase one of the rare copies, send him an e-mail at - dalmarpayne@hotmail.com.
Professor Kalaras with Christopher Janus and his friend Valerie Valentine in front of The La Belle Theater.
Christopher Janus and his friends Valerie Valentine and Professor John Kalaras flew to Charleston from Chicago on Saturday, November 10th, arriving just in time for the screening in a movie theater for the first time of his landmark film, “Goodbye, Miss Fourth of July.”( The film was shown on the Disney Channel every 4th of July for years.)A sequel is in pre-production.) A large audience of Greek West Virginians and others attended the event that was marked by awards from the City of South Charleston, Gov. Manchin and greetings from the leaders of Greece. It was a night to remember.
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