FILM 10|20 "weekly film series and social experience around the art of film. Admission is $10. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.Wednesdays, September 3 through November 19 at The 10|20 Collective, 1020 Holland Street in downtown Erie. Tickets are available now at tickets.eriereader.com or at the door."
Lake Erie Lit Fest Sept 13 from 12-6pm Hosted by LEAF at Frontier Park 1501 W 6th Erie. Come celebrate all things storytelling with the whole family. Partners: ECGRA, Erie Art Company, Erie Library, Mabel Howard, Werner Books and Coffee
Trevor Noah Sep 19 Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino Niagara Falls, NY
Miss Mabeline Presents The Poetry X-Change Open Mic Sep 21, 2025, 7:00 PM Werner Books & Coffee, 3608 Liberty St, Erie, PA
Female Feature Fest Centennial Hall (formerly Basement Transmissions) Sep 27 145 W 11th Erie
Greg's and Reggie's Story Sept 28 @ 10:30 am at Unitarian Universalist Cong. of Erie 7180 Perry Hwy "Greg’s Story, performed by Greg Greenway, honors the bravery of Rosa Parks and reminds us of the enduring impact of standing up for justice. Reggie’s Story, performed by Reggie Harris, takes us to Hickory Hill, weaving personal narrative and history into song. Both pieces invite reflection, connection, and inspiration through music."
100 Thousand Poets for Change presents Love is the Answer Sep 28, 2025, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Werner Books & Coffee, 3608 Liberty St, Erie, PA "As Cathi GG Mitchel often says: Words hurt, words heal. Join local poets at Werner Books as they offer answers and kindness through words. This event will have several poetry features and an open mic opportunity. Let's do poetry!"
YWCA Jamestown Starting Book Club That Focuses On Conversations Around Race, Equity, Collective Growth (WRFA)Soweto Gospel Choir - Peace October 7. at 7:30 PM Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center. Mercyhurst University, Erie PA
Buffalo International Film Festival Oct 9-16 Virtual and in-person, films screening in virtual platform with closed captioning will be noted on Eventive.
Canvases of Caring - Journey to a Trauma-Informed Life fundraising event and art sale. October 11 — National Coming Out Day 201 W 11th Erie PA 5:30-8pm "VIP Happy Hour: 5:30-6:30 Main Event: 6:30-8 Online Art Sale: through Wednesday 10/15 Ways to support: 1. Purchase Tickets: Whether it's for the Main Event or our pre-sale Happy Hour 2. Buy Art! We will have a special kid's section and artists from around the region.3. Sponsor Canvases of Caring 4. All 3!"Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown offers virtual book study on social change (WRFA) 7:00 p.m. on the second Wednesdays of October, November and December. There is no fee to participate."To register to participate on Zoom, click on the Book Study button
BLASCO
Connect with Keep Our Library Public for updates and ask friends to sign: https://www.fightforthefirst.org/petitions/keep-our-library-public
Watch our documentary Save Blasco! at https://youtu.be/U8Ej86oIujo?si=SMuQi1EDWx3xYvnp
Donate to our legal fund: https://keepourlibrarypublic.com/donate/ Lawsuits are not cheap. If you donated, thank you!
Email your thoughts about keeping the Blasco Library public to: keepourlibrarypublic@gmail.com. We will share them with the County Executive, County Council, Gannon and the press to let them know we have not given up fighting to SAVE BLASCO!
CHELLO
JusticeforChello Coalition Facebook page #JusticeForChello
Atty Ben Crump shakes up Erie (NEXT with Marcus Atkinson) "Civil rights attorney Ben Crump held a press conference in Erie to address the case of Marchello Woodard,..." Civil rights attorney Ben Crump joins Woodard shooting case (AJ Rao/Erie Times-News)
Erie County Council public comments 8-12-2025 Start at 13:24 and 8-26-2025 André Horton comments on justice 9-9-2025 55:08
Justice for Chello protesters bring their message to CelebrateErie (YourErie) Video from City Hall and County Courthouse protest
Members of PA Legislative Black Caucus Meet in Erie on Marchello Woodard Case (Erie News Now) PA Legislative Black Caucus (PLBC) met with community members. (WJET Erie)
DA says 'additional follow-up' needed in investigation into death of parolee Woodard (Erie Times-News) Meeting with DA cancelled, no explanation (YourErie)DEMOCRACY
No Kings National Day of Action October 18 (there will be local action) "A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events."
Oct 16 - Rise Up Singing! A Revival for the Resistance, 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Polish Falcons Club 431 E 3rd Street Erie PA "Beer and Pizza. Music. Poetry. History... Benefit: Community and Resistance Organizations." $10 advance/$12 at door.Benedictine Sisters of Erie Win National Democracy Award (Commonwealth of PA) Secretary of State Al Schmidt nominated the nuns for the 2025 Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award. The sisters were in 2024 falsely accused of election fraud and successfully fought back.
■ Benedictines for Peace mailing list
■ French Creek Indivisible linktr.ee
How a lawsuit restored a $350K city of Erie grant that Trump's EPA tried to kill (Erie Times-News) Judge Baxter approves, explains dismissing charges against Erie Coke supervisor (Erie Times-News) DEP works to seal abandoned, leaking gas and oil wells in Erie region (Erie Tims-News)
[Listen] Gerrymandering and Fair Elections PA (NEXT with Marcus Atkinson ) "hosts Marcus Atkinson and Chuck Cammarata sit down with Carol Kuniholm, Co-Founder of Fair Districts PA, and Michael Bucella, Northwest Region Coordinator, to unpack the ongoing battles over redistricting and the threats they pose to democracy The guests also share strategies for fighting back.."
PA Democrats say they're confident despite GOP registration trends (WESA) Lots about Erie County, imagine that. PA rebuffs request for voter roll data (VoteBeat)
Ashtabula County Local Food Guide 2025 Published by OSU Extension in collaboration with Ashtabula Local Food Network .
Jamestown Farmers Market Receives Grant To Help Extend Season, Improve Outreach (WRFA) "The funding will go toward creating a year-round marketing plan and extend the farmers’ market season, increase off-season production/availability, improve outreach, and create an initiative to improve green infrastructure with mobile planters."
Second Harvest awarded $100K grant to open Erie’s first free grocery store (YourErie) "The new grocery store will not only provide food but will focus on offering healthy options and hands-on nutrition education. This is part of an effort to elevate the quality of food available to residents in the area." Eat & Thrive at Serafin's Food Market 601 E 24th Erie. Thursdays Sept 11 - Oct 30, 3pm-6pm Free nutrition lessons, blood pressure screenings, and food vouchers Hosts: Serafin’s Food Market, Erie County Department of Health, and Oak Street Health
PA won’t share SNAP data with Trump Administration – for now (Penn Capital Star) More than two million Pennsylvanians receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. New website launched for PA SNAP users (YourErie) " to make it easier ...to report requirements they have to meet from a recently passed Republican budget bill by Congress."
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| Backyard grapes! |
Remote Area Medical pop-up clinic returns to Erie September 13, and September 14, at Erie Center for the Arts and Technology, located at 650 East Ave, Suite 120. It’s first-come, first-served. '“I think one of the things about this pop-up clinic that is so unique is no ID is required, they do not have to give identification, it is — if they need to be served, we’re going to serve them,” said Hagerty.'
Fiesta on the Square September 13 Perry Square Erie PA noon - 7pm Hosted by Erie Latino Leadership Association and Mayors Hispanic Latino Advisory Council "free to the public. Food vendors will be available, free kids activities , and of course live music"
Hola Fest Sept 13 Wean Park, Youngstown Ohio "Each country will proudly display authentic items and musical instruments from their native land in their own booth. Attendees can enjoy music, visit each 'village' and learn about different cultures in a friendly environment"
LatinX Festival Sep 20, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM 10th &, Washington St, Jamestown, NY Jackson-Taylor Park Host: YWCA Jamestown " This family-friendly event is free and open to all — come ready to dance, eat, and connect!"
Tiny homes Davis and city clash over tiny homes (YourErie) Modus Operandi: Davis approach to tiny homes and Gannon lease compared (Keep Our Library Public) "Davis ignored the zoning procedures for this tiny house project, similar to the way that he ignored the Donated and Dedicated Property Act (DDPA) in leasing space to Gannon in the Blasco Library. He also breeched his fiduciary duty in having these homes built when they couldn’t be used because he refused to submit plans to the City of Erie, similar to the way he leased county property at far below market value for up to 45 years. The main difference is that he’s certainly no library expert, but he purports to be an expert in construction. Hmmm…"
[Listen] Formerly Addicted and Homeless: A Woman Shares Her Story (NEXT with Marcus Atkinson) One-on-one interview with a local woman who shares her journey and talks about the situation and resources in Erie. and at The Upper Room where she now works.
[Watch] Erie PA Planning Commission - July 15, 2025
The PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is open until the end of the year, Supports homeowners and renters across PA. Provides a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older. Supported by PA Lottery and gaming funds.
Investigative Post Buffalo NY based outlet includes investigations and reporting on immigration and enforcement with a western New York/northern border focus.
Immigration crackdown continues in Erie (Erie News Now)
Account of Vietnam War resisters in Toronto from war resistor Philip Mullins. Last updated from 2007, offers the experiences of those immigrants. the community(s) they built, the organizations and mutual help groupings, their impact etc.
Erie's Public Schools resources for students and families experiencing housing instability (ESD)
Free after school programs: Erie Neighborhood Art House 201 E 10th free after-school program for inner-city youth in Erie, PA. The program provides a wide variety of arts education classes for youth ages 7-18. Teen Arts at ECAT is a free, after school arts program for teens in grades 8–12 living in Erie County. Classes take place in studios at ECAT 650 East Ave., Erie and are taught by professional artists using professional equipment and materials. Students of any skill level are welcome.
Strong Minds: A Community Dialogue for Stronger Children's Mental Health Oct 7 at ECAT, 650 East Ave Erie PA 5pm "Strong Minds, Bright Futures Partnership is a statewide initiative of mental health advocates who are dedicated to improving mental health service delivery and access for Pennsylvania's children and youth."Trump administration agrees to release remainder of frozen education funds to Pa., other states (Rhode Island Current)
NY becomes 9th State to Provide Universal School Meals ( Healthy School Meals for All NY Kids.) "2.7 million New York students will have access to free breakfast and lunch every school day".
The “Penncrest Factors” under PA’s Right-to-Know Law (Casemine)"Penncrest School District v. Cagle is the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s first deep engagement with how the Commonwealth’s Right-to-Know Law (“RTKL”) applies to public-official activity on social-media platforms. The litigation began when citizen-requester Thomas Cagle sought disclosure of Facebook posts made by two school-board members, David Valesky and Luigi DeFrancesco, concerning homosexuality and the District’s programs."
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| From Neighborhood Art House wonderful wall of planters |
Op Ed: Why Dismantle a Thriving Neighborhood Church? (St. Andrew Catholic Church faces uncertain future despite parishioner efforts
WORKING PEOPLE
Labor Day: Secretary of Labor visits Erie, protestors gather in opposition for ‘Workers over Billionaires’ rally (YourErie) Workers Over Billionaires Erie event photosNY State Program Launched To Help Small Business Protect Workers During Extreme Heat (WRFA)
Documentary Film – A Hobo in the Great Depression Produced by documentary filmmaker Pauline Greenlick, Looks at the 1932 travel diary by western PA steelworker Joseph Szalanski (1910-1940) published by his son in 2010 as "Boarding The Westbound"
A History Lesson: The Great Leap Forward (Curmudgucation) Western PA -based education writer Peter Greene offers an interesting comparison regarding Mao's catastrophic campaign to "make China great again: " in short, an authoritarian tries to force dramatic changes through sheer force of will, discounting expertise on both the large and small scale, then when things aren't working, simply demands that anyone who wants to keep his job must prove loyalty by supporting Beloved Leader's version of events, no matter how divorced from reality that might be. Bad ideas covered by authoritarian lies and bullshit, followed by disaster. "
Calendar and local info sharing for people who believe "a better world is possible." Focus is local/regional. All listed upcoming events are nonviolent. Not affiliated with any organization. Submissions, corrections etc to brynn16501@proton.me
