Black History Month at Shiloh Baptist (Erie News Now)
They Not Like Us: Kendrick Lamar, Drake & The Commodification of a Rap Beef Rhonda Matthews, Ph.D. Feb. 11 at 7:00 PM Free, at Jefferson Educational Society 3207 State St Erie, PA
Strong Roots. Empowered Community. Healthy Baby. Speaker: Tica N. Nickson, Coordinator: Bobbie Colt. February 16 @ 10:30 am at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie 7180 Perry Hwy. "Tica's story is the creation of BirthRoot Community Doula"Erie's Underground Railroad Station February 18 at12:00pm Blasco Memorial Library, Erie PA.Kevin Johnson will present his research on finding Erie's Lost Underground Railroad Station.
"Meadville Ebony Genealogy of Sorts" by Dr. Armendia P. Dixon. March 8 at 1:30pm, Stone United Methodist Church. 956 South Main St, Meadville, PA 814-282-0634 armendia.dixon1@gmail.com
Hero: The Boy from Troy March 11 at 10AM Reg Lenna 116 East 3rd St. Jamestown, NY "A new musical about young John Lewis" . Grades Pre 3-8. Reserve seats 716.484.7070 youthseries@reglenna.com
Jonathan Eig at CHQ June 26 at Chautauqua Institute: "Jonathan Eig’s King: A Life is the first major biography in decades of the civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.—and the first to include recently declassified FBI files."
A Few Amens for St James A.M.E (Liz Allen / Erie Reader) "Church has served Erie's Black community for 150 years"
Recently digitized Journal of Erie Studies, Spring 1994 Vol 23 No. 1 has nine articles on local Black history: "The Pontiacs: Black Baseball to Remember" Larry Wayne Moore.(pp 3-14); "Digging Up Bones: African-Americans in Erie County 1800-1830” Karen James, Sarah S. Thompson (pp 15-30); "Erie, PA Since the Kerner Commission Report,1967-1994” Fred O. Rush, Jr. (pp.31-46); "History of the NAACP, Erie Branch, 1918-1979” Larry W. Moore (pp.47-59); “African-Americans in the United States Navy, War of 1812” Gerard T. Althof (pp.60-81);“Earl E. Lawrence: A Profile" "Introduction: Sarah S. Thompson (pp.82-83), “Earl E. Lawrence...He Knew the Score,1881-1969,” Johnny C. Johnson (pp.84-91), “The Basis for Creation of the Spirituals” Earl E. Lawrence (pp.92-98); "100 Years of Black Business in Erie PA: A Pictorial Essay" Sarah S. Thompson (99-115). View online at link https://journals.psu.edu/eriestudies/issue/view/49
ARTS & READS
Poetry nights back at Café 7-10 Café 7-10 is back, and I just spent an enjoyable evening listening to poetry at their expanded new comfy space. Every Tuesday at 6pm. Share your own work or a favorite poet, sit and listen, and/or do both! Also lots of support and a feeling of community. And of course always lots of tasty menu choices. 7 West 10th in downtown Erie. Call 814-572-0985 with any questions.
Allegheny College International Film Festival (Meadville Tribune via Y!Entertainment) Five-week run at 7 p.m. Thursdays Jan 30-Feb. 27. at The Movies at Meadville in Vernon Township. The Movies at Meadville is located at 11155 Highline Drive. Presented free to the public by Allegheny’s Dept of World Languages & Cultures in conjunction with The Movies at Meadville.
9 to 5: The Musical Feb 20-23 Mercyhurst University Erie PA. Musical based on the 1980 film of the same name, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton.
Paula Poundstone at Asbury Hall in Buffalo March 8
Kwame Alexander & LeVar Burton at Chautauqua Inst. August 4 @ 10:45am
CRITTER LAW
NY State Puppy Mill Pipeline Law: NYS Officially Bans Pet Store Sales of Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits (CNYCentral) New rules for animal shelters in NY State coming in 2025 (WKBW) New shelter law causes concern for some facilities (WCAX)
PA Animal Protection Caucus announces new goals to increase welfare legislation (WHTM) The Caucus is a collaboration of House and Senate members whose goal is to increase the amount of effectiveness of animal welfare legislation in the PA. New Pa. law protecting pets from domestic abuse (The Keystone) Amends PA Protection from Abuse Act by giving judges the power to direct defendants from possessing, abusing or harming their partner’s, or petitioner’s, pets. Lawmakers attempting to reinstate Pittsurgh’s rodeo ban (WHTM/ABC27)
 |
| Foster furbabies Doz and Teeny |
[WATCH] Edinboro's 50 decades of supporting students w disabilities (Erie News Now)
EARTH
Erie Port Authority Public input mtgs on future of Erie Coke site Community Meeting Wednesday, February 19 at 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM East Middle School Cafeteria, 1001 Atkins St, Erie; Community Open House Thursday, February 20 – arrive anytime between 4:00 PM-6:00 PM Erie Center for Arts & Technology, 650 East Ave, Erie "To attend one of these sessions, please register below so that we can contact you if necessary due to any changes due to weather."
2025 Woods & Water Film Series (In-Person) February 21 @ 6:30 pm in banquet hall of VFW Post 740, Edinboro, PA. Variety of short films with some discussion in between. Light refreshments are provided. These films are brought to you in partnership by French Creek Valley Conservancy and the Foundation for Sustainable Forests. Free and open to the public.
Festival of Birds May 16-18 Host: Presque Isle Audubon Society.
Opinion: Linking PA shale gas to CA wildfires (Alison L. Steele) Steele is executive director of the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Environmental Health Project, which works to defend public health in the face of oil and gas development.
ELECTIONS and GOVERNANCE
Here's a look at the pending lawsuits against Brenton Davis (AJ Rao/Erie-Times News via Yahoo) Article date January 9, 2025. Erie Co. Council considers new lawsuit against Davis to thwart 'illegal' 2025 vetoes budgets (A.J. Rao/Erie Times-News via Yahoo) Article dated Jan 27, 2025.
PA 2025 Election CalendarOpinion: Give Pa. voters a true early voting option (by Salewa Ogunmefun, executive director of Pennsylvania Voice).
Warren PA goes to People's March (Times Observer) "The trip was organized by Paige Bishop, a Warren County resident. Bishop arranged for the group to board a chartered bus in the early morning of Jan. 18." Nearly 30 people made the trip. Warren Co. Courthouse Feb 1 protest (Times Observer) "We gathered together in protest because, there are a lot of folks who feel marginalized who feel their rights are at stake. We wanted to make sure they know there are folks out there who care and are willing to fight for them," said Aaron Searns, chair of Warren Co Dems. Stearns and Indivisible Warren organized the event.
FOOD
Interview w Sauce restaurant owner (Erie Times-News) Jennie Geisler interviews Samantha Randall, owner of the new venture, Sauce Vegan Restaurant, about its vegan cuisine and unique concept and atmosphere. I was particularly interested in the restaurant's commitment to sustainability and sourcing locally, as well as donating a percentage to no-kill animal shelters.
3rd Annual CommUnity Seed Swap and Potluck Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 2-6 PM at 1020 Collective 1020 Holland St. Erie, PA, "Join us for a free event to celebrate spring Seed + Tool Swap + Pot Luck. Erie's Urban Farmers will be on site to answer questions, and get involved with the local growing scene. All are welcome with or without seeds!"
Erie City Council OKs a renter's rights bill. What's in it (Kevin Flowers/Erie Times-News)
The Erie Spiritual Coalition, . "The faith-based group includes/collaborates with people from various organizations on social justice and community issues." They pushed for the renters rights legislation. (Kevin Flowers/Erie Times-News)
Community Needs Survey open thru February 14.
PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program " Older adults and people with disabilities 18 and older in Pennsylvania may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 in rebates.
Thermal sleeping bag donations "Please consider donating a thermal sleeping bag to support Our Neighbors’ Place Seasonal Overflow Shelter and SAM (Shelter Area Meadville). Rated for below-freezing temperatures)" .... Drop-off locations: Erie: EUMA, 728 W 9th St., Erie, PA (M-F 8 AM to 4 PM, or in the porch box), Meadville: -Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S Main St, Meadville, PA (M, W, Th from 9 AM - 2 PM). Ends March 1.
IMMIGRANTS
"Welcoming Erie" page (City of Erie) "Erie is a Certified Welcoming city – the highest designation reserved for cities and counties that meet rigorous requirements defining what it means to be a welcoming community."
JUSTICE
The Erie Police Department's Crisis Intervention Unit at JES Jefferson Ed. Society, 3207 State St, Erie, PA. March 21st Noon. Speaker: Lt. Jamie Russo, who directs the unit "In May 2023, the Erie Police Dept. relaunched its 24-hour Crisis Car Unit, and with it the department's Crisis Intervention Unit .... Staffed by professionally trained police officers working alongside crisis service workers and in partnership with UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbors." Free. Lunch optional, $5/person.
[LISTEN] Community Matters – Law Enforcement and Justice Conversation – January 13, 2025 Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone, Jamestown Justice Coalition Coordinator Justin Hubbard, and County Jail Warden Matt Stuczynski comprised the panel for a public discussion on law enforcement and justice held at the Robert H. Jackson Center.
[WATCH] 10 years of Cleveland's consent decree (City Club) Feb 7 In-person, streaming, and posted on their You Tube channel "The consent decree requires the Cleveland Division of Police to reform its policies, practices, and procedures to address accountability, use of force, crisis intervention, and more. " Panelists Leigh R. Anderson, Ph.D, Executive Director, Police Accountability Team, The City of Cleveland; Dorothy Todd Chief, Cleveland Division of Police
SCHOOLS & YOUTH
ICE, Homeland Security Conducting Operations in Erie (WENY) Includes statement from Erie's Public Schools.
Bishop Brock on youth violence (Erie News Now)
SPIRIT
A Few Amens for St. James A.M.E. "Church has served Erie's Black community for 150 years" (Liz Allen / Erie Reader)
Finding Courage in the Face of Injustice: A Call to Act | Bishop Mariann Budde (Chautauqua Institute) "Bishop Mariann Budde reflects on her powerful stand against the misuse of sacred symbols during the protests of June 2020. Sharing personal insights on courage, faith, and the coalition of the faithful, she inspires us to embrace our role in the ongoing fight for justice and equality. "Does the Church Have a Place in Today’s Politics? Speaker: Parris Baker Ph.D. Feb 25 6:00 PM Corry Higher Education Council 221 N Center St Corry, PA "Dr. Parris Baker, JES Scholar-in-Residence, ... examines the fundamental agendas of White Christian Nationalists, their philosophies, their aims, and their goals." Free.
“An Evening in the Land of St. Hildegard” presented by Rev. Dr. Shanon Sterringer, Erie Benedictine Oblate and noted scholar of St. Hildegard of Bingen, March 12, 7:00 p.m. at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery, 6101 E. Lake Rd. Erie. She will share reflections from her recent trip to Germany. Shanon is the founder and pastor of Hildegard Haus, an inclusive Christian community in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. Info: retreats@eriebenedictines.org
TRANSIT & BIKE & WALK
PennDOT implements nation’s first statewide real-time public service tracker system
EMTA rider survey EMTA asks all community members to complete the short, anonymous survey by February 14
City of Erie Safety Action Plan survey is open but closes soon, on February 14th.
Feb 25 - Erie Bike Coop Open House 436 East 25th, Erie Check out Erie Bike Coop new website eriebikecoop.com
Pa. House committee unanimously backs bike lane legislation (Penn Capital-Star) "House Bill 291, sponsored by state Reps. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) and David Maloney (R-Berks), would allow municipalities to create parking-protected bicycle lanes between curbs and parked vehicles, allowing bicyclists to ride separated from" vehicular traffic.
WOMEN
"Shame Must Change Sides" (Susannah Faulkner/Erie Reader) "The cultural shift from silence to action holds promise for change, as it empowers survivors, demands accountability, and shifts the shame back on the shameful. Through public trials, stronger legal frameworks, and community support, society can begin to dismantle the structures that enable sexual violence, ensuring that perpetrators in all spheres of life, including politics, are brought to justice."
Pa. lawmakers gear up to defend reproductive rights (The Keystone) "Members of the Pa. Women’s Health Caucus celebrated their legislative victories from the previous session and announced their agenda to protect reproductive rights over the next two years." Abortion rights in PA could run through fall's judicial election (Pgh City Paper)
GEMISH
Who is the Mental Health Association? Jefferson Educational Society - 3207 State St, Erie, February 21, 12pm Patricia Stucke, MHA CEO; Colleen Hammon, MHA Vice President of the Board of Directors; and Betsy Wiest, MHA Board Member. Free. Lunch optional, $5/person(48 hr advance for lunch).
Doomed to Repeat It: Extremism Throughout America's History (Jonathan Burdick/Erie Reader) "Ugly undercurrents of our past amplified in digital echo chambers of our present" A good bit of local content.What's Next? | A Trip to Jamestown: Arts, Culture, and New Neighbors (WBFO) Catching up with Kaycee Colburn, Founder of KayCo, an arts and culture center in Jamestown...including her latest exhibit, “Birds Through an Indigenous Lens”. Then Jay Moran sits down with Reverend Luke Fodor, Momina Di Blasio, and Sam Qadri from the New Neighbors Coalition based out of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and an interview with one of Jamestown's newest neighbors from Syria.
 |
Erie Times-News February 7, 2025 |
Gathering part of nationwide 50501 anti-Trump movement (Bethany Rogers/USA Today Network) "Scores of protestors gathered outside the Pennsylvania state capitol Wednesday as part of nationwide demonstrations against President Donald Trump’s administration and the Project 2025 agenda..."The gathering was part of a nationwide wave of protests coordinated by the 50501 movement, short for “50 Protests, 50 States, One Day.” In Pennsylvania, demonstrations were also planned for Philadelphia and Pittsburgh"
Calendar and local info sharing for people who believe "a better world is possible." Focus is local/regional. Not affiliated with any organization. Submissions, sub requests and inquiries send to moonkat2014@gmail.com
Blog URL https://eriebluegreen.blogspot.com/
PHOTOS: Deb Spilko except where noted.
"I always find value in your content. Thanks for consistently delivering helpful information!"
ReplyDeleteNourvet cat food