ARTS & READS
Exhibition Opening - Art that Matters to the Planet: Wild America
PSU Behrend Smith Creative Writers Reading Series begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. (preceded by receptions at 5:30 p.m.). April 10 – Avitus B. Carle, Fiction Metzgar Lobby April 17 – Julie Danho, Poetry Metzgar Lobby "All events are free and open to the public" https://behrend.psu.edu/
Gangstagrass Saturday, April 26, 2025 7:30 PM Reg Lenna 116 East 3rd St. Jamestown, NY https://reglenna.com/events/gangstagrass
Chris Hayes at CHQ June 27 MSNBC host, editor-at-large of The Nation and the author of The Sirens’ Call:
How Attention Became the World’s Most Endangered Resource, Hayes will discuss Sirens' Call. https://www.chq.org/event/chris-hayes/
UPCOMING National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove (Fredonia Opera) Oct 4
https://fredopera.org/events/national-theatre-live-dr-strangelove/
https://fredopera.org/events/national-theatre-live-dr-strangelove/
CRITTERS
PA Legislation Affecting Animals 2025/26 (Humane PA PAC) https://humane-pa.org/legislation-affecting-animals-2023-24/
My Dog and Me "Purrista Cat Cafe" (via Armstrong Neighborhood Channel) Host Sue Anderson interviews Dena Rupp, owner of Purrista Cat Cafe in Erie, who explains the cafe and its collaboration with Because You Care, with lots of helpful wisdom about kitties included. https://youtu.be/RE-7qUFDMqQ?si=QW2mZBwmI50N0YL7 48 minutes.
EARTH
PA Legislation Affecting Animals 2025/26 (Humane PA PAC) https://humane-pa.org/legislation-affecting-animals-2023-24/
My Dog and Me "Purrista Cat Cafe" (via Armstrong Neighborhood Channel) Host Sue Anderson interviews Dena Rupp, owner of Purrista Cat Cafe in Erie, who explains the cafe and its collaboration with Because You Care, with lots of helpful wisdom about kitties included. https://youtu.be/RE-7qUFDMqQ?si=QW2mZBwmI50N0YL7 48 minutes.
EARTH
April 21-26 - Earth Day Extravaganza at Erie Co Library (various locations) "A
celebration of Earth Day, Arbor Day, and all things nature! Erie County
Public Library hosts programs at our library locations and highlights
partner events at community locations." https://
https://www.mercyhurst.edu/news/sustainability-through-childs-eyes-camille-licate-96-leads-earth-day-talk
April 22, Tuesday, April 22, Earth Day Silent Peace Walk 7:00 pm Perry Square (west side), Erie PA Host: Benedictines for Peace https://mcusercontent.com/63e915830d6c909ceddcd2642/files/a5914c37-831b-c637-d0bb-b9d525cd775b/2025EarthDaySPWFlyer.pdf
April 22, Tuesday, April 22, Earth Day Silent Peace Walk 7:00 pm Perry Square (west side), Erie PA Host: Benedictines for Peace https://mcusercontent.com/63e915830d6c909ceddcd2642/files/a5914c37-831b-c637-d0bb-b9d525cd775b/2025EarthDaySPWFlyer.pdf
April 26 - DCNR Earth Day Cleanups: Earth Day Cleanups Pymatuning Shoreline https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/pymatuning-shoreline-clean-up Presque Isle https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/presque-isle-state-park-annual-spring-clean-up Maurice Goddard https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/earth-day-park-cleanup
April 26 - Earth Day Festival - City of Hermitage 9am to 5pm 3580 Innovation Way, Hermitage Pa 16148 Lindenpointe
May 1 - Erie County High School Envirothon
https://www.erieconservation.com/education/envirothon/high-school-envirothon
May 1 - Benevolent Beers: Groundwork Erie At Erie Ale Works 316 W 12th. Every sale rung in between 5:00pm and 8:00pm will provide a Groundwork’s environmental workforce programming for young people. https://www.groundworkerie.org/events/benevolent-beers-1
May 17 - 2025 Bird Walk at Morton Conservation Easement 9:30am, register by 5/14. "Dr.Bridget Stutchbury invites us to explore an Audubon-designated Important Bird Area in the French Creek watershed" (outside Cambridge Springs) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSyzSAAdfhQdnD4-lMdeI56W91xSjy38XujQGtgEcttbQg1g/viewform
May 30 - June 1 Allegany Nature Pilgrimage 2025 Red House area of Allegany State Park in NYS. Hosts: Audubon Community Nature Center (Jamestown), Buffalo Audubon Society (Buffalo), Presque Isle Audubon (Erie, PA), Burroughs Audubon Nature Club (Rochester), Allegany State Park
https://www.alleganynaturepilgrimage.com/
Opinion: Why Kristy Gnibus gave up shopping (Kristy Gnibus)
https://www.goerie.com/story/opinion/columns/2025/03/30/shopping-with-intention-saves-money-and-helps-the-environment-and-workers-opinion/82593936007/?tbref=hp
Earth Day by Dorothy Stoner, OSB, Marlene Trambley, Oblate, Kathi Pae, Oblate https://eriebenedictines.org/news-stories.html/article/2025/03/26/april-22-earth-day
Earth Day by Dorothy Stoner, OSB, Marlene Trambley, Oblate, Kathi Pae, Oblate https://eriebenedictines.org/news-stories.html/article/2025/03/26/april-22-earth-day
IRG canceled (Erie Times-News)
https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/2025/04/03/planned-plastics-recycling-plant-erie-irg-canceled-federal-loan-guarantee-never-finalized/82791651007/
Water Taxi returns to Erie (Erie Times-News) The Water Taxi plus EMTA's PI Express bus shuttle and multipurpose/bike trails will offer options for car-free travel to and within Presque Isle.
https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/2025/03/26/erie-water-taxi-service-presque-isle-bay-new-operator/82649234007/
Water Taxi returns to Erie (Erie Times-News) The Water Taxi plus EMTA's PI Express bus shuttle and multipurpose/bike trails will offer options for car-free travel to and within Presque Isle.
https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/2025/03/26/erie-water-taxi-service-presque-isle-bay-new-operator/82649234007/
The Guardian: New Bill to Recognize Legal Rights of All Water Bodies in NY State (CELDF) https://celdf.org/2025/03/the-guardian-new-bill-to-recognize-legal-rights-of-all-water-bodies-in-new-york-state/
ELECTIONS
Democrats in flipped Pa. Senate race took inspiration from an Iowa special election campaign (Penn Capital-Star)
“I reached out to them and said we have to know how you did it,” Sen.-elect James Malone’s campaign manager said. https://penncapital-star.com/election-2025/democrats-in-pa-senate-upset-took-inspiration-from-an-iowa-special-election-campaign/ Democrats build on their down-ballot winning streak in Pennsylvania The party has pulled off some surprising upsets since President Donald Trump took office.
https://penncapital-star.com/election-2020/newspapers-win-suit-to-unseal-fbi-search-warrant-for-rep-scott-perrys-cellphone-records/?emci=921ade24-5f00-f011-90cd-0022482a9fb7&emdi=2cf1b317-bb00-f011-90cd-0022482a9fb7&ceid=168483
Powerful interests poured $18 million into top Pa. lawmakers’ campaign coffers, but weak transparency laws make it nearly impossible to trace influence. Follow the money here »
Democracy champions list the commonsense election solutions Pa. still needs | Opinion
(Ed Rendell, Melissa Hart, Jim Gerlach and Keith McCall )
https://www.goerie.com/story/opinion/columns/2025/03/10/pa-needs-to-keep-up-push-for-key-election-reforms-like-voter-id-precanvassing/81780336007/?tbref=hp
Election officials worry that Pennsylvania court rulings could compromise ballot secrecy (VoteBeat)https://www.votebeat.org/pennsylvania/2025/03/19/commonwealth-court-rulings-compromise-secret-ballots/
Four Ways PA Could Fix Its Campaign Finance Laws to Reduce the Power of Money In Politics. (Spotlight PA) https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/03/campaign-finance-laws-lax-pennsylvania-money-politics-reform-solutions/
FOOD
4th Street Community Farm Work Day Saturday, April 26, 10:00 am 2:00 pm 4th Street Farm 318 East 4th Street Erie, PA. "Join the Food Policy Council for a work day to prepare for spring planting... Food grown here will go back to the community at Emmaus Soup Kitchen and distributed to the Pay What You Can Network this summer. Bring a water bottle and a shovel and rake if you have one!" https://www.groundworkerie.org/events/4th-street-community-farm-work-day
Benevolent Beers: Meals on Wheels May 15 at Erie Ale Works 416 W. 12th "Every purchase between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. will count toward a donation to this great group!" https://www.eriealeworks.com/the-latest/events/event/05/15/2025/benevolent-beers-meals-on-wheels-of-erie
Gov. Shapiro Stands Up for PA Farmers, Appeals USDA’s Unlawful Decision to Cancel Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program (PA Gov press release)
https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2025-press-releases/gov-shapiro-stands-up-pa-farmers-appeals-usda-s-unlawful-decisio.html
Edinboro food pantry seeking new location
HOME
Erie landlord group explored waivers related to new tenant's rights bill (Erie Times-News) https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/2025/03/18/proposed-waivers-debated-related-to-eries-new-tenants-rights-bill-brandon-penn-melinda-hall/82489122007/
EUMA +++ COI’s Hope Haven Women’s Shelter Opens In Jamestown (WRFA) https://www.wrfalp.com/cois-
Habitat ReStores are independently owned reuse stores operated by local Habitat
for Humanity organizations. "The sales
from donated items help Habitat for Humanity
partner with local families to build, rehabilitate and repair safe and
affordable homes in your community and around the world" Erie location: 4922 Pittsburgh
Avenue Erie, PA (814) 464-8946
IMMIGRANTS
IMMIGRANTS
Good Friday Pilgrimage for Peace on April 18. This year’s theme is The Way of the Cross; The Way of the Migrant. The walk begins at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie (W. 10th & Sassafras). Host: Benedictines for Peace https://mcusercontent.com/
“Office of New Pennsylvanians” State Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El plans to reintroduce legislation creating an office to attract, retain and “embrace” immigrants statewide. (Lancaster OnLine) https://lancasteronline.com/news/politics/lancaster-county-lawmaker-looks-to-spur-immigration-with-office-of-new-pennsylvanians/article_0a3a39c2-965e-41d5-9453-3e19217385e4.html ++++
Erie refugee agencies seeking lifeline (Erie News-Now) https://www.goerie.com/story/news/local/2025/03/27/erie-refugee-resettlement-agencies-need-help-federal-funding-freeze/82653951007/ Refugee resettlement - what it is, what it isn’t, and why it matters for Erie | Opinion Katie Kretz Your Turn https://www.goerie.com/story/
Warren continues to support Ukrainian refugees
https://youtu.be/GyKfpKVbivE?si=vPvoE37EF04UKYmY
Refugee resettlement - what it is, what it isn’t, and why it matters for Erie | Opinion (Katie Kretz / Erie Times-News) https://www.goerie.com/story/
SCHOOLS
DEI Is Disappearing - Not by Force, But By Compliance (by Dr. Jay Breneman, President, Erie School Board/Erie Reader) https://www.eriereader.com/article/dei-is-disappearing-not-by-force-but-by-compliance
NY Education Dept refusing to sign anti-DEI
https://www.mlkmeadville.org/savor-for-scholars
Mental health
Our Youth are in Crisis: How You Can Make a Difference April 25 12:00 PM Admission: Free. Lunch $5. (veg option available) Location Jefferson Educational Society 3207 State Erie PA https://www.jeserie.org/events/details/our-youth-are-in-crisis-how-you-can-make-a-difference
Hidden Voices: The Unheard Struggles of Students May 15 | 7:00 PM JES Raimy Fellows Katie Phillips and Jacob Jones will delve into the escalating challenges confronting public school students in Erie County, grappling mental health issues. https://www.jeserie.org/events/details/hidden-voices-the-unheard-struggles-of-students Jefferson Educational Society - 3207 State St, Erie, PA
[LISTEN] Rural Reach addressing adolescent mental health in rural WNY (What's Next/WBFO) https://youtu.be/_TUlrTmyUUg?si=zzxSr7DjMgfmtdrU
Opinion: Why we need diverse teachers in PA schools (Lacey Anderson/Penn Capital-Star) https://penncapital-star.com/commentary/representation-matters-why-we-need-diverse-teachers-in-pennsylvania-schools/
SPIRIT
Good Friday Pilgrimage for Peace on April 18. This year’s theme is The Way of the Cross; The Way of the Migrant. The walk begins at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie (w. 10th & Sassafras). Host: Benedictines for Peace https://mcusercontent.com/
Good Friday Pilgrimage for Peace on April 18. This year’s theme is The Way of the Cross; The Way of the Migrant. The walk begins at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie (w. 10th & Sassafras). Host: Benedictines for Peace https://mcusercontent.com/
The Rev. Jim Wallis at Chautauqua Inst. June 22 "Jim Wallis is a writer, teacher, preacher and justice advocate who believes the gospel of Jesus must be emancipated from its cultural and political captivities." https://www.chq.org/event/opening-three-taps-jim-wallis/
[LISTEN] Sister Lou (NEXT with Marcus Atkinson) "special guest host Daryl Craig—better known as Brother D—leads a powerful conversation honoring the life and legacy of Sister Lou, one of Erie’s most influential and respected community figures. Joined by friends and family, Brother D explores the profound impact Sister Lou had on the streets of Erie, the lives she touched, and the community she built through unwavering determination and prayer."
[WATCH] Meadville 1825 "Harm Jan Huidekoper" Josh Sherretts from the Crawford County Historical Society on Harm Jan Huidekoper's life, legacy and involvement in the Unitarian faith, which helped lead to the opening of the Meadville Unitarian Universalist Church and the Meadville Theological School. Huidekoper was also an active abolitionist, though that is not the focus of this presentation.
https://youtu.be/2DxIqAr6Fnk?si=mGWltFkUO5_0BWOT
WORK
Workers Memorial Day Nearly 55 years ago on April 28, Workers Memorial Day, the Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect, promising every worker the right to a safe job—our fundamental right. https://aflcio.org/about-us/conferences-and-events/workers-memorial-day
FREEDOM & DEMOCRACY
voters have questions about DOGE cuts, Rep. Mike Kelly should face them | (Letter by Chris Magoc)https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/letters/2025/03/11/kathy-dahlkemper-faced-upset-voters-why-cant-mike-kelly-answer-trump-doge-questions/81581214007/
Rachel Maddow posts Sister Jacqueline's message about Mike Kelly (Erie Benedictines)
https://eriebenedictines.org/news-stories.html/article/2025/03/13/rachel-maddow-posts-sister-jacqueline-s-message
GEMISH
One-Hundred Black Men: National Impact to Erie's Chapter April 11 at 12:00 PM Professor/Instructor/ Speakers: Parris Baker and Marcus Atkinson. Host: Jefferson Educational Society Location: 3207 State St, Erie, PA Lunch optional, $5/person, rgister 48 hr ahead. https://www.jeserie.org/events/details/one-hundred-black-men-exploring-the-history-and-relevance-from-national-impact-to-eries-chapter
First Annual Ethnic and Gender Studies Symposium April 10, 2025 9am to 11am Williams Center S204-ABC, Conference Room SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia NY Open to public https://events.fredonia.edu/event/first-annual-ethnic-and-gender-studies-symposium
First Annual Ethnic and Gender Studies Symposium April 10, 2025 9am to 11am Williams Center S204-ABC, Conference Room SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia NY Open to public https://events.fredonia.edu/event/first-annual-ethnic-and-gender-studies-symposium
