FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 4, 2008

Contact:
Caroline Beidler, Neighbors for Clean Air, (740) 374-0975
Melissa English, Ohio Citizen Action, (513) 221-2100


Neighbors for Clean Air sponsor Earth Day river cruise, essay contest

MARIETTA – Local clean air group, Neighbors for Clean Air and the state’s largest environmental group, Ohio Citizen Action, will team up for a unique Earth Day celebration, Saturday, April 19, 2008.

“This fun and educational event is a great way to do something a little different for Earth Day,” said Neighbors for Clean Air spokesperson, Caroline Beidler. The event consists of displays and activities on a one-hour river cruise on the Valley Gem sternwheeler including-
  • Fifth through seventh graders from Washington and Wood county schools will read their winning submissions from a “Why Is Clean Air Important?” essay contest. One student will be awarded a $50 prize. Contest winners will also have the chance to record their essays for an Earth Day broadcast on WMOA radio.
  • Dr. Eric Fitch, director of Marietta College’s Environmental Sciences department, will present information about various pollution sources in the mid-Ohio valley.
  • Kids’ activities, which will include creating a paper link chain representing 163 tons of airborne manganese from the Eramet facility and a banner-making project in support of a statewide environmental justice law.
  • A demonstration of a CEREX real-time air monitor, which uses laser technology to capture a spectrum of gases in the air for analysis through a laptop computer
Light refreshments will be provided by local businesses, including All Pro Nutrition and Brighter Day Foods. Admission is pay-what-you-can (suggested $5) and proceeds will support Neighbors for Clean Air.

Neighbors for Clean Air, is a group of Washington and Wood county business owners and residents working to protect their families’ health, air quality and environment. Ohio Citizen Action is the state’s largest environmental group, with 80,000 members. The two groups launched a Good Neighbor Campaign focused on Eramet Marietta in March, 2006.


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EVENT DETAILS:

Saturday, April 19th, boarding from 1pm, cruise begins at 1:30pm

Valley Gem sternwheeler, 601 Front St. parking under the Washington St. bridge.

Admission: Pay-what-you-can (suggested $5) proceeds benefit Neighbors for Clean Air.

For more information: www.ohiocitizen.org, or 740-374-0975