Sunday, July 12, 2026

Calendar & News ~ July / August 2026

CONNECTIONS
Various other local sites, lists, calendars, etc. 
Portside Erie  "The dedicated progressive publication for Northwest PA, serving Erie and beyond" 
Good Zeal monthly e-magazine of Erie Benedictines
Benedictines for Peace mailing list 
Erie County PA Activism  Most comprehensive site for local actions, connections, resources, and groups. all in one easy-to-search place. Updated often.
r/EriePaPolitics  "voice your political opinions, see upcoming peaceful protests, & stay informed about local, state and federal government elections!" 

ARTS & FESTS & READS

Chautauqua Cinema schedule and info  "movie theater within Chautauqua Institution. Join us for our summer-long festival of the best feature films, independents, art films and classics"

Between Here and Elsewhere: A Portrait of the New American Experience Opens July 29  Erie Art Museum 20 E 4th Erie. 

Benevolent Beers Erie Arts & Culture Aug 6 at Erie Ale Works 416 West 12th Erie. "Any purchase between 5:00pm and 8:00pm will provide a donation to this great group. " See site for other Benevolent Beers.

Miss Mabeline Presents Poetry X-Change Live Mic Night at Werner Books  Aug 16 and multiple dates. 3608 Liberty Erie PA 7pm 

Erie Benedictines Glinodo Goat Fest August 22 from 1 - 4 p.m. Glinodo Center, 6270 E. Lake Rd. Erie PA Free and open to the public.

Blues for Shoes late August at Big Bar 14 E 10th. Erie.  Date tba  Live music, annual event for school supplies.

Fiesta on the Square Sept 12 Noon-tpm. Perry Square Erie PA "Hispanic Heritage Celebration... Celebrating Our Cultura"

CHQ: August Wilson’s How I Learned What I Learned Aug. 7–16 "autobiographical tour de force that follows Wilson’s journey through the streets of Pittsburgh’s Hill District" The Crossover Panel: Kwame Alexander, Candrice Jones and Christopher Jackson July 27 10:45am will discuss development on CTC’s commission of Alexander’s Newbery- medal-winning novel novel The Crossover into a new musical.


BLACK HISTORY

The 1619 Project: Examining the Origins of American Slavery 400 Years Later  Nov 4 at 7:00 PM Bayfront Convention Center - 1 Sassafras Pier, Erie, PA. Presenter Nikole Hannah-Jones creator of the 1619 Project. Host Jefferson Educational Society. " 

Original Philadelphia slavery exhibit has been digitized, saved and posted online. (Save Our Signs archive) "The Save Our Signs Archive/The People's Archive of National Park Signs" On the loss of history at the President’s House in Philly (Penn Capital Star) 


COMMUNITY

Speaking Truth to Power with Deonte Cooley (NEXT with Marcus Atkinson) Audio 1 hr "conversation featuring activist, organizer, and media voice Deonte Cooley. From speaking passionately at Erie City and County Council meetings to organizing impactful community forums, Deonte has become one of the region’s most outspoken advocates for accountability and change.This episode also provides an update on the Marchello Woodard case, explores the state of activism in Erie, and introduces Deonte’s new BlaXcess Media program," (aired May 22)

DISABILITY

Accessible Erie Guide "A Growing Directory of Accessible Locations in Erie, Pennsylvania" Project of Voices for Independence.
Beach wheelchairs (Presque Isle Partnership) Free to borrow for the day, can traverse the sand
Benevolent Beers: Opportunities Unlimited  August, 20, 2026 "Any purchase between 5:00pm and 8:00pm will provide a donation to this great group."
Reel Abilities Film Festival Sept 3-10 Pittsburgh "ReelAbilities Pittsburgh showcases films that explore the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people living with disabilities with year-round programming." In person and virtual. 

EARTH

Suzannah Faulkner encourages Council to be proactive in responding to climate issues  Video at 1:51:13 Need to be prepared, cooling stations, AC spaces etc Public comment section of Erie City Council meeting July 1, 2026

NYS won’t build big data centers for a year as it weighs energy and climate risks (AP) "No large data centers can be built in New York for up to a year as the state creates rules to protect the environment and its energy grid from the power-hungry facilities fueling artificial intelligence."

Chautauqua Lecture Series Wasted: Our Era of Disposability July 18-25

2026 French Creek Watershed Cleanup September 12, 2026.  Host French Creek Valley Conservancy



The Fate of Taiwan Runs Through Erie, Pennsylvania (Newsweek) Yet another article about Erie voters 

FOOD

Community Spotlight Herb & Honey (Bobbie Fenno / Erie Gay News) "What began as a 200-square-foot bakery kiosk inside Urbaniak Brothers during the height of the pandemic has grown into one of Erie's most beloved community-centered businesses. " May load slowly.

Ethnic Market Tours Hosted by Erie Arts & Culture. Multiple dates. 

Fresh approach: Erie organizations rethink response to food insecurity (JES-Gannon Collaboration by Chloe Forbes and Hoan Bao Nghi Nguyen)

SUN Bucks:  Pennsylvania’s Summer EBT program

HEALTH

Healthcare4AllPA Rally Aug 1 Perry Square Erie PA  Noon

RAM Free Clinic - Erie, PA   Sat, September 12-13 6:00 AM Erie Center for Arts & Technology 650 East Ave,, Erie, PA "Free Dental, Vision, Medical, and Denture Services All services are free and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Open to everyone. No ID needed. No insurance needed. No income requirements."

New Medicaid rules haven't started, but Pa. enrollment is down already  

HOME



B.E.S.T. Workforce Housing project Presentation by Marcia K. Farrell B.E.S.T. Exec Director at 35:05  Workforce Housing: A Primer (Brookings) 

FYI: TalkErie: Apartment Association of NWPA President Brandon Penn and former President Joel Mller, of the Apartment Association of NWPA. FYI

IMMIGRANTS

World Refugee Day in Erie (Erie News Now) Video

Updated: Refugee-Owned Business Directory 2026  Published by Erie Arts & Culture

New Neighbors Coalition To Participate In Welcoming America"s Rural Initiative (WRFA) "New Neighbors Coalition is a community-based immigration support effort housed at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and funded through a NYS Office of New American grant." 


On Friday 5/29 Fairview HS students were planning to walk out of school to show they do not want ICE in their community. (r/Erie / After-Bid5206) "After receiving death threats from adults, and the school admins claiming there was “not enough planning” the students have been forced to call off the walk out."


Doris Cipolla " Learning to belong, an Italian growing up in two Erie worlds (Erie Times-News)

ONGOING
See flyer below for details



JUSTICE

City of Erie exploring citizen review mechanisms for police  (Erie Times-News) "The city of Erie could launch some type of citizen review group that would help the city probe allegations of police misconduct and make policy recommendations."  Civilian police review board discussions not new in Erie   (Kevin Flowers/Erie Times0News) "Here is a timeline of those previous conversations - and why a civilian police review board never materialized."  


Pardon Project of Erie: Resolution, Restitution, and Redemption (Jefferson Educational Society) "Pardon coaches Dr. Parris Baker, Antonio Howard, and Diane Chido will share, along with Ms. Margaret Simms. Video 1:21:00

KEVIN SPARKS

LGBTQ+

The Erie Pride 365 Annual Block Party & Resource Fair    Aug 8 Noon-6pm 2301 State St, Erie, PA  "vibrant, community-centered celebration bringing together Black and Brown folks, LGBTQIA+ folks, allies, families, and local organizations for a day of connection, joy, and empowerment. Featuring live entertainment, DJs, community resources, wellness services, vendors, and food, this event is about more than celebration — it’s about visibility, access, and showing up for our community all year long." 


SCHOOLS & YOUTH

Pa.’s public school code puts a priority on student safety, mental health (Penn Capital-Star) "New programs will create cyberbullying policies and provide social media literacy education for students" 

Back to School Drive  (Bobbie Fenno / Erie Gay News) Aug 9, 11am to 1pm Central Outreach 3104 State St Erie PA "organized through a collaborative effort involving Aging With Pride, ASCEND Climbing/Queer Scouts, Bears Do Dinner, Central Outreach Wellness Center, Compton's Table, Erie Gay News, Free Mom Hugs of NW PA, the LGBT Fund of the Erie Community Foundation, NW PA Pride Alliance, Presque Isle Rise Up, and TransFamily of NW PA"

Blues for Shoes late August at Big Bar 14 E. 10th Street Erie PA  annual event that raises money to purchase school supplies for local youth of the community. Live music. Supported By Odessa's Place/ Breeze Band Erie (814)397-4077  Maurice Troop mauricetroop814@gmail.com FB: Breeze Band @ Soul Band Erie

Pa. state system to cover all tuition for eligible in-state students (Penn Capital-Star) " The 'PASSHE Pledge' program, slated to begin in fall 2027, will cover any remaining tuition costs for students who receive both a federal Pell Grant and a PA State Grant. It will ensure that students at the 10 state-owned universities do not pay any out-of-pocket tuition." 

Blasco childrens library renovations  (Dan Shank/Erie Reader)

Education Voters of PA   "They are an exceptional resource for information about privatization shenanigans in Pennsylvania." ~ Curmudgucation

Neighborhood Art House After School Program applications start late August, free ECAT Teen Arts programs 


Salamanca School District Will Be One of First to Bring Humanoid Robot Into Classroom (New York  Focus) "The school district serves roughly 1,300 students, including 32 percent who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native and 79 percent who are economically disadvantaged."

SPIRIT

F.A.T.H.E.R. Inc. Presents Prayer In The Park. July 25th at 12 PM noon. Downtown Perry Square gazebo. "We pray for families who have lost loved ones, we pray that there is an end to gun violence, and we pray that the gap is bridge between the police and the community"

Church of the Wild July 25 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am at Tom Huhn Preserve (3025 Route 394 North Harmony NY). The Associate Rector will be leading the service and would appreciate an RSVP to know whom to expect.

Wild Church at Scott Park July 26 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Scott Park 2600 W 6th St
Erie, PA Organizer Melinda Hall Emailmhall@cathedralofstpaul.org 



WORKING PEOPLE

Labor Day Sept 7    In Erie:  9:30 – 11am W10th Street & State Street Parade begins at 10am Presented by Great Lakes Building and Construction Trades

Remembering former UE 506 President Jimmy Nelson (UE News) “Much like his father John Nelson, Jimmy was a force of nature for UE and its historic Local 506,” said UE General President Scott Slawson. “He served in many local leadership roles and was President for 10 years. Jimmy embraced the true spirit of the Union. Words can never capture the contributions the Nelson family provided during critical moments in labor’s most epic struggles.” Jimmy Nelson passed on March 31, 2026

‘I hope you can live with your consciences’: Pa. minimum wage proposal blocked by Senate GOP (Penn Capital Star) "Senate Democrats mark 20 years since lawmakers raised the state’s minimum wage by forcing a vote."

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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
Blog URL https://eriebluegreen.blogspot.com/ 

Always confirm info with the original source!



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