Sunday, July 28, 2024

CALENDAR & NEWS ~ August 2024

Lily Pond, Presque Isle 

ARTS & FESTS

Erie Blues & Jazz Fest   Aug 3-4 Frontier Park Erie PA "The People's Festival"

Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls  August 16 at Chautauqua $2 from each single ticket will go to the co-headliners charities: Etheridge Foundation and First Peoples Fund.

One World Tribe August 16 at Celebrate Erie

Chelsea Oliver, M.A.: Country Music, Culture Wars, and Politics Aug 20 at 7pm Jefferson Ed. Society 3207 State St., Erie, PA

Preach Freedom in Perry Square 7pm Aug 22

Celebration Meadville Aug 30 Diamond Park Hosts: NAACP Meadville and Celebration Meadville

Lewis Black at Reg Lenna Center for the Arts Sept 6 "Show contains adult content" 

Fiesta on the Square Perry Square Erie PA Sept 14 Event by
Erie Latino Leadership Association
BLASCO

Keep Our Library Public FAQs  Clear and informative explanations around the issue. 

Why Would a Private University Be Leased Public Library Space? Retaliation. (Book Riot) Backgrounder appearing in Book Riot, which describes itself as "the largest independent editorial book site in North America and home to a host of media"

Gannon seeking public "input"  Two public sessions from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 31 at the H.O. Hirt Auditorium in the Blasco Library." Also online at www.gannon.edu/water 7/31-8/4. I have to wonder why a mere lab would need so much "visualizing" and "input," especially since they were so contemptuous of it previously, but there's the information if you decide to participate. 

KOLP Kickoff Fundraiser  August 1 from 6:30-9pm Maennerchor Plaza, 1607 State St. Erie PA. "Suggested donation $20 minimum for great food and music, cash bar available. Food and venue donated by Julio and Lilia Reyes. Entertainment by Matt Texter, Piano by Ruth Ann Scanzillo and acoustic set by Britches."

Flyer for KOLP Kickoff Fundraiser Aug 1 at Maennerchor Plaza. Click to enlarge. 

EARTH

Water: Crisis Beauty and Necessity is the August 10-17 theme at Chautauqua 

French Creek Cleanup Sep 7 weigh-in, collection and picnic will take places at the Cambridge Springs Fairgrounds. 

"Our Lakeshore Connection" new animated video from Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy of particular interest to property owners and those managing lakes and ponds. 

PA residents aren't that gung-ho about fracking (Penn Capital Star) This 2021 poll was the most recent I could find. Surprising that this is even being considered a concern for Harris in PA.

Back to School with Clean Energy (Webinar) by  Sierra Club PA Chapter August 15 at 6:30pm  "Through the significant funding available from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), along with other federal and state programs, every PA student now has the chance to head to school in an electric bus and learn in a classroom powered by clean energy. And YOU can help bring those funds to your local schools! Join us and our friends at Generation180 for the next installment of the Clean Energy for All Education & Action Series to find out how."

ELECTIONS & GOVERNANCE

Demstock moved to Jefferson County Because of events in Butler Co., new location will be Jefferson Co. Fairgrounds, Brookville PA Aug 23-24 

Mike Kelly blamed "the Left" for assassination attempt. (original saved by Idiotville) Kelly Facebook post July 13 (day of shooting) said "We will not tolerate this attack from the left." At that point literally nothing was known about the motive. Kelly did later remove that statement from the post, but no correction, apology, or even acknowledgment. 

Erie Dems HQ 1301 State Erie   
County Line Democrats A digital home for the Democrats of Southeast Erie County (officially) and Northeast Crawford County, PA.  
Erie Co Dems North East Field Office 16 North Lake St. North East PA (814) 347-5098 
Erie Co. Dems Caucuses Erie Co Dems caucuses Blac, Progressive, Young Dems, Labor, Latino, New Americans, Women, Veterans.

LTEs related to officeholders Some recent letters to the editor that might inspire
Joe Colantonio "Those who know Trump know he is unfit to lead" (The Derrick 7-5-24) This is an excellent example of how to talk to independents and traditional Republicans about the presidential election.

FOOD

UPDATE: Pay What You Can Farmers Markets Now with 4 locations in Erie and one in Edinboro. Check Erie Food Advisory Council for locations, dates and updates. 

Chautauqua Co. Rural Ministry Dunkirk NY. Emergency Food Pantry, Friendly Kitchen, Gleaning Program, sustainable food practices. Also clothing, furniture, bookstore, and other services.

Kiwanis Caring Kitchen Open every Day  Breakfast, lunch, dinner. 655 W. 16th

Just Say Yes: An Adagio Health Food Series At Meadville Library On the first Wednesday of every other month, Adagio educators present FREE monthly nutrition lessons to the community. All ages are welcome. 4pm August 7 

Erie Ethnic Market Tours "an insider’s look at some of Erie’s ethnic markets owned by New Americans. You will have the opportunity to talk to shop owners, sample products, and do some shopping at each location...A mix of short walking and driving, engaging with store owners, learning about their cultures, and the opportunity to shop. Each tour ends at a New American restaurant for those who wish to stay for a meal." Numerous dates in August and September. $30.

JUSTICE

Pa. Legislative Black Caucus advocates for social equity in any legislation to legalize cannabis (Penn Capital-Star) 

PA expands protections against frivolous suits aimed at curtailing free speech (Spotlight PA)


Hearing reset in Erie Reader's lawsuit against Pa. state Sen. Laughlin over missing papers (Ed Palattella/Erie Times-News) "Erie Reader is claiming state Sen. Dan Laughlin and his wife took newspapers after Erie Reader published column that led senator to sue for libel. His defamation case vs. Erie Reader is also pending."

Butler Twp police dept had no chief at time of rally shooting 
(The Intercept)

Butler Co. govt workers target of threats blaming them for shooting (KDKA/CBS)

LGBTQ+

Aug 10 (Sat) - 31st Annual Erie Pride Picnic Rotary Pavilion at Presque Isle Erie, PA) 1 PM - 6 PM. "Enjoy food, drinks, raffle baskets, family portraits, and good company. Feel free to bring a dish to share for a potluck-style celebration. Family-friendly event. (814) 314-9075. Transit: EMTA Presque Isle Express Rt. 33

Aug 17 - Poetry Mixer at French Creek Coffee & Tea 1-3pm. 252 Chestnut St, Meadville, PA Host: PA Equality Project " We will provide coffee, tea, and light refreshments. Other beverages and food options are available on the main level. We will be in the conference room and have opportunities to use the adjacent library at the event. No charge for event."

True North by Compton's Table "designed for queer youth and young adults between 16-21 yrs old. Next cohorts in September and November. Free for participants thanks to LGBT Funds of the Erie Community Foundation. Covers Budgeting, Finding & Maintaining Housing, Self-Care, Career Development, Self-Advocacy, Networking & Social Skills"

New non-profit focusing on inclusivity, education in wake of recent tragedy (JET/FOX) Erie Pride 365 is "Committed to championing the rights and well-being of Black, Brown, & LGBTQIA+ individuals, 365 days a year."

PEACE

Walk together for Gaza "Benedictines for Peace (BFP) invites you to join us this summer in walking 25 miles—the length of Gaza—while praying for the peoples of this region and for an immediate ceasefire. This can be done on your own timeline, as part of a team of walkers or individually, outdoors or indoors, before Labor Day.
"BFP is organizing one opportunity to walk together. August 21 at 5:00 pm meet at Beach 1 on Presque Isle to walk together for five miles on the Multipurpose Trail. Walk to Pray, Raise Awareness, Raise Funds" (Mercy Corps)

FDR "I Hate War" speech at Chautauqua  August 14, 1936.
 
SCHOOLS & YOUTH

Jim Crow, Black Families, and Black Fathers: Parris Baker PhD Aug 15 at 7:00 PM  Free. Location: ECAT 650 East Ave Erie, PA Room Number: Ada Lawrence Community Room 

White Mothers with Biracial Children:Parris Baker PhD "This presentation will address the dilemmas, fears, and struggles of raising biracial, multiracial racial children in a polarized America and hear the strategies used by several white mothers to overcome their challenges".Host Jefferson Educational Society Location: Harborcreek Township Building – 5601 Buffalo Rd., Harborcreek, PA. Wednesday, August 28, 6 pm. 

Back to school jam August 25 1-6pm at Erie's Veteran's Stadium 26th & State, Erie. Children must be present to receive backpacks. To sponsor, volunteer or donate email eriesjuneteenthcelebration@gmail.com 


Erie school official 'delighted' with extra money from Pa. budget (Jim Martin/ Erie Times-News) 

Pennsylvania Passes $47.6B Budget, Education Funding Falls Short (Chloe Forbes/Erie Reader) 

Free period products coming to some Pa. 
(Spotlight PA) "Other pending bills would address period poverty outside of schools."

SENTIENT BEINGS


Benevolent Beers Erie Trap & Release (TNR) Erie Ale Works September 12 Each purchase between 5:00 and 8:00pm provides a donation to Erie TNR, who spay/neuter and vaccinate feral felines.

Sundae truck owner starting vegan restaurant (Erie Times-News) "She said, like with her Sundae profit, some of her Sauce profits will find their ways to no-kill shelters in town."

Humane events Many animal welfare groups do fundraising events that are family-friendly. In Erie check out events for Erie Animal Network, ANNA Shelter, Erie Humane Society, Because You Care, Orphan Angels... check Erie Animal Network's resources page for other organizations in the area.
 
SPIRIT

Understanding the Rise of White Christian Nationalism and the Threat it Poses  Presenter: Parris Baker PhD Aug 26 at 6pm PM admission Free. Location Lincoln Community Center Library 1255 Manchester Road Erie, PA Host: Jefferson Ed. Society 

Mary Lou Kownacki OSB book released in September  Everyday Sacred, Everywhere Beauty: Readings From An Old Monks Journal, a new collection of Sister Mary Lou Kownacki's blog posts will be released September 25, 2024. Orbis Books is publishing the book, and it is available for preorder at Bookshop.org (includes a discount) or at Amazon.

WOMEN

Women's Freedom March  Sept 28 Frontier Park Erie PA 2-4pm Host: Erie Women's March

Shapiro mounts challenge to Medicaid abortion ban (Courthouse News)

WORKING PEOPLE

2024 Erie Labor Day Parade   Sept 2, 2024. 10am at 10th & State Erie PA.. Entries close Aug 19. Host: Great Lakes Building & Construction Trades Council 

Mike Stout: Time For A General Strike Pittsburgh singer/songwriter Mike Stout with a new video.  (Erie UE members included in video 1:52-1:57) Video by Pauline Greenlick. 

Labor militancy in the 1970s
Building 12, Erie GE: Young Worker Militancy in the 1970s (Al Hart/UE News) 
The 1970s: Decade of the Rank and File (Cal Winslow/Jacobin)
Lordstown Ohio workers rank and file rebellion  (Nichole Aschoff/Jacobin) "For boomers and labor history nerds Lordstown evokes an angsty, rebellious time and place — an 'industrial Woodstock' where pissed-off young men in bell-bottoms and shaggy hair defied both their company and their union."

GEMISH


Microtransit in Titusville (Meadville Tribune) July marked the first anniversary for Titusville's on-demand bus service. Advocates of microtransit see it as one solution to rural transit issues.  CATA also introduced a bike share program for Conneaut Lake 

Jamestown Declares State of Emergency Over Unauthorized Camping (WRFA) "Officials said a significant obstacle is the lack of mental health evaluation facilities, with only one such facility available in the entire county, located in Jamestown. UPMC Chautauqua is that facility and has seen at least 100 transports a month from Northern Chautauqua County, Erie County, and Cattaraugus County. Many of these individuals are left stranded in Jamestown without means to return home after their evaluations.

Public Feedback Needed for Downtown Public Spaces The public is invited to provide feedback on downtown Erie's public spaces on Tuesday, July 30th at Blasco Library. Stakeholder focus groups will take place at 10 AM and 1 PM in the Admiral Room. A public presentation will take place at 6 PM in Hirt Auditorium. Public feedback will be used to inform the Energize Downtown Erie public space plan focused on programs and activities, infrastructure, and amenities. The event is hosted by the Erie Downtown Partnership and will be facilitated by urban planning firm SmithGroup. More information available at www.eriedowntown.com

Why I don't like the phrase "Woodstock generation" One of my pet peeves is sweeping generalizations about an entire birth cohort. At the last big anniversary of the Woodstock Festival I wrote some rambling thoughts about how much the memory of that subculture had been distorted. I'm sharing them again (see link), pretty much feel the same except I have mostly stopped using the term "boomers" because of its too-frequent use as a slur.  ~deb

YESTERDAYS

August 28, 2003 - 40th Anniversary of the March on Washington (MOW).  Erie area groups organized the observance of MOW to generate energy toward the 2004 presidential election.
There a good turnout with participation from a lot of different groups, especially labor unions and social justice organizations. The march started from the Central Labor Council proceeded north on State and ended at the Erie County Courthouse. At the Courthouse there were speeches and performances.
Coverage of the event was muted because shortly before event started, Brian Wells was tragically killed by a collar bomb.
View photo album (91 photos). 





Calendar and local info sharing for people who believe "a better world is possible."Focus is local/regional. Not affiliated with any organization All upcoming event listings are nonviolent. Event submissions send to moonkat2014@gmail.com
Blog URL https://eriebluegreen.blogspot.com/ 
IN MEMORIAM notices: I prefer being contacted by a loved one about notifying the community of a passing, preferably acting within the wishes of the person who has passed. 

Photos: Deb Spilko



















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