AUGUST

 PHOTO+++

Mealtime at Edinboro dam.  Photo: Deb Spilko

ARTS & FESTS

African American Arts Center opens in Erie (Erie Times-News) "Break Free" exhibit continues thru summer at Historical Institute of Culture and the African Experience at the New Life and Spirit Center 315 E Ninth.

Upcoming: At Fredonia Opera House, Live at the Met [stage on screen]: Dead Man Walking (10/28) and The Life and Times of Malcolm X (11/18). Broadway in Erie brings Hairspray (Jan 10 and 11) 

Shops on the Hill Fleas cancelled for rest of season

Amermasala clips from Rebel Girl Media.

Erie's Juneteenth coverage (YourErie)

EARTH

Chautauqua Cinema will be showing environmental films in August, featuring the filmmakers for discussion after 

Aug 21 - Benevolent Beers: BikeErie 5pm at Erie Ale Works, benefit for bike racks at local businesses. Hosts: BikeErie, Erie Aleworks

FACT Ohio "Faith Communities Together for a Sustainable Future" has an ongoing series via Zoom. 

ELECTIONS & GOVERNANCE
 

Mary Rennie Resigns (Erie News Now) Erie County Councilwoman Mary Rennie resigned immediately 7/24/23. "This is not about political agendas. It's about the importance of public process — something I have fought to preserve. I have come to believe that it has been compromised and destabilized to such a degree in less than two short years that any end product will never make up for the damage done. In the final analysis, the actions of the majority of County Council do not represent me or my values. I do not wish for their legacy to be my legacy."

Trump protest/Little Free Pantry food drive July 29 1-4pm at Perry Square. Organized by Erie DSA. "Bring signs and banners, bring food donations, and let Trump know that he isn’t welcome in our city.
(Please don’t engage with Trump supporters during the event. We want a peaceful demonstration of our power as a community)"

Bellweather: The Political Evolution of Erie Three episodes of the WQLN-produced series Chronicles. "Erie is often cited as a litmus test for the political outcomes of the nation. How did Erie earn this reputation and how have the politics of Erie changed over the decades?"

ICYMI Laughlin's suit unearths emails about his views of Kelly, Mastriano, Trump election lies ( Inquirer) Help support Erie Reader in lawsuit  ("Help defend our only local paper and your First Amendment rights")

Holding local officials accountable (Spotlight PA ) free panel Aug 3

FOOD

"Find NWPA Food" Open House August 6 Event by Edinboro Market (109 Erie St., Edinboro), Core Goods (2 E. 1st St., Oil City) and Meadville Market House

Little Italy Farmers Market schedule for 2023 

EMTA Tops shuttle. Experimental route trying to address food desert issues created by closure of Tops W. 26th store.

JUSTICE

New LGBTQ+, Hairstyle, And Religion Regulations Approved In PA (PA Pressroom) "The new regulations clarify the definition for the protected class of 'sex' to include pregnancy status, childbirth status, breastfeeding status, sex assigned at birth, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, and differences in sex development." 

LETI: Erie Co. joins initiative offering treatment over arrest to those battling drug use disorder (Tim Hahn/GoErie). 

What you say when you fly Confederate colors in PA (Charles D Allen) 

Video: Talking Peace Re-Imagining public safety Panel discusses mental health and law enforcement, etc. Host WNY Peace Center 

LGBTQ

Sanctuary City resolution passed by Erie City Council. Meeting+++ Public comments start at 2:05, Council discussion and vote at 2:55:54

PA Human Relations Commission announces new LGBTQ+ protections (Penn Capital-Star)) 

Erie Pride Parade and Festival photos and video can be viewed on the NWPA Pride social media [Facebook and Instagram) and their website gallery.  

 

Upcoming: Meadville Pride July 29 in Diamond Park at Presque Isle, Rotary Pavilion (Aug 12 1pm-6pm)  TransFamily of NWPA Picnic Presque isle (Aug 19 noon-5pm) 

Removal of Pride display at Blasco Library

Board member resigns in protest +++
Statement by 4 Board members "As county executive-appointed and,who are disappointed by the
Read-In Protest called by PA Equality project: Rebel Girl Media video of event  Media coverage  Erie Co Council comments +++

PEACE

Golden Rule Project tour will sail into Erie August 3 (6AM) and Aug 4 at 4PM. Wolverine Park Marina 34 State St. Erie. This is a project of Veterans for Peace.  Backgrounder

War & the Humanities Reading group meets at Edinboro Branch library, Edinboro PA. "This group meets twice a month to discuss books about war from humanities sources: fiction, poetry, memoir, and more. Books are provided, as well as refreshments." 

SCHOOLS & YOUTH

PENNCREST on NPR Judy Woodruff profiles school district's issues.

Liz Allen addresses Why we need student journalism (Erie Reader)

NYS informs CHQ school district to change mascot. (WGRZ) Chautauqua Like Central informed to stop using indigenous nickname. State earlier this year approved amendement to prohibit public schools using Native American names, etc.

NYS and NYC pass trans youth "safe haven" legislation (Gay City News) 

Back to School Jam Aug 27 Erie Veterans Stadium 1-6pm Free backpacks filled w supplies, free food, live entertainment, flag football, etc

Erie H.S. becomes community school (ENN) 

Vouchers: Dark money  (Spotlight PA)  Curmudgucation blog post 

WORKING PEOPLE
Rep Ryan Bizzarro: Will This Be the Year Pa Raises the Minimum Wage? (ENN) 

Benedictine Sisters of Erie statement on workers rights 

Wabtec Strike: UE Solidarity Convoy from Pittsburgh  Joining in solidarity with Wabtec strikers.
UE Wabtec strike updates United Electrical workers website has a page covering strike updates, visit link. 
Wabtec strike backgrounder (Jonathan Burdick/Erie Reader)

Starbucks: NLRB: Starbucks must reinstate Pgh baristas (TribLive) Interview w/fired buffalo Starbucks organizer Alexis Rizzo (The Progressive 6/5) 

GEMISH

 

GROW Erie Breaks Ground (ENN)  "Grow Erie is an equitable economic development project that will establish a controlled environment agriculture at Savocchio Opportunity Park. "

Bike Erie is looking for a paid part time Bike Recyclery Manager ( 8-12 hrs a week). The manager will work with an experienced volunteer crew to provide services to the Erie biking community, get-to-work bikers and children. The manager would oversee bikes and tools, provide educational workshops for youth, organize bike trips for youth and adults, and be in charge of any customer service. The manager would oversee the recyclery currently owned by SSJNN. Bike Erie will explore with this position ownership of the recyclery to better serve its members and the growing population of Erie bikers. If you are interested in this position and want to know more about please contact Margarita at margarita@bikeerie.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

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

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. 

For event listings, PLEASE visit original posts to assure most updated and accurate information. 

VISIT BLOG AT https://eriebluegreen.blogspot.com/