May 16 – Erie County Democratic Party Candidates Night Party 6-9PM. Dem HQ 1305 State, Erie PA  Free admission. All welcome! Refreshments provided. This is your opportunity to be informed of the issues important to all of us to hear from the candidates directly. Sponsored by the Erie County Democratic Party http://www.eriedems.com/node/2201

May 16 – Erie County Executive Candidates Debate WQLN-TV 8pm, repeats on WQLN-FM (radio) at Sat 7am and Sun 4pm.

May 17 -18 –“Loving the Land Through Working Forests” Conference, with Wendell Berry  Renowned author and environmentalist Wendell Berry speaks 7:00 pm on Fri 5/17, Ford Chapel at Allegheny College. Free and open to the public. Conference will continue on Saturday, May 18 with in-the-field sessions at a site north of Titusville off Route 8. Although conference events are free, pre-registration is requested for the Saturday in-the-field sessions. Conference details and registration information can be found at the foundation’s web page under the Events/Links page tab or by emailing Info@FoundationForSustainableForests.org.

May 18 – Bike Around the Bay Sponsored by Environment Erie.  Support Environment Erie, the non-profit youth environmental education program.

May 18 – Hands-On Jamestown 8am-noon Comprehensive community wide clean-up. Mulshing, weeding, raking, planting.

May 19 – Buffalo’s First Annual Action Against Incarcerating Youth. Event page link “We are looking for individuals and groups to join together for the first ever Global Day of Action Against Incarcerating Youth (Sunday, May 19)! Buffalo’s Day of Action will start at Burning Books bookstore (420 Connecticut St.) with a screening of the 30 minute film “The Jena 6.” Afterwards, if the weather is nice, we’ll stroll a couple blocks over to the newly established Normal Ave Community Garden (corner of Vermont St. and Normal Ave.) for a community speak-out. Endorsing groups:  Save The Kids Buffalo,  Animal Allies of Western New,  Anarchy In Action,  Burning Books,  PeaceQueen EduTaiment.

May 21- Frontline: The Untouchables 54.1 – WQLN HD  10pm An investigation into why Wall Street titans have avoided prosecution for the roles their institutions played in the 2008 financial meltdown.

May 22 – Pollinator-Friendly Gardening Program 6:30-8:30 at LEAF Education Center, Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park, Erie. Register in advance.

May 25 – March Against Monsanto

May 27 – Women in Black invite you to march with them in Meadville Memorial Day Parade, Women in Black has  have made a long term commitment to march in Meadville’s Memorial Day Parade every year. They  march in silence. All are welcome to join the contingent. Gathering time is between 8:30 and 9:30 am. The parade will begin at 10:00am If you get lost on the way call 814-853-5716. NOTE CHANGE OF ROUTE THIS YEAR… Check NWPA Peace website http://www.nwpapeace.org/ a few days before the event to get the most updated information. (construction along route has caused this change).

May 31-Jun 2 – Allegany Nature Pilgrimage “Arrive at the pilgrimage and you are instantly part of a community; there is a sense of family.  Each nature enthusiast is eager to explore the forests, fields, lakes, and streams, to share knowledge, to embrace learning, to celebrate this incredible planet, and to soak up the salve that nature is to the soul.  Old friends re-unite; new friends are made.” T he pilgrimage has been made possible through the efforts of volunteers from these organizations since 1959: Jamestown Audubon Society, Buffalo Audubon Society, Presque Isle Audubon Society, Burroughs Audubon Nature Club

Jun 1 – Rally for Bradley Manning at Fort Meade (Maryland) Some folks driving from Erie to participate. National week of action June 1-8. Lodging and travel info here. Join Pentagon Papers whistle-blower Daniel Ellsberg, LGBT activist US Army Lt. Dan Choi, former US diplomat US Army Col. Ann Wright (ret.), and former soldier Ethan McCord–who rescued the wounded children in the van in the Collateral Murder video—and hundreds of our supporters of heroic WikiLeaks whistle-blower Bradley Manning at Ft. Meade

Jun 3 – Cleveland Green Drinks Networking night for people interested in sustainability in Northeast Ohio. Great Lakes Brewing Tasting Room Carroll Ave. and W. 26th St.Cleveland, OH 5:30-8pm

Jun 14 – Sheryl Crow @ WYRK 2013 Taste of Country – Buffalo, NY

Jun 15-16 Buffalo Juneteenth Celebration

Jun 17-19 – Games for Change Festival NYC. Last year sold out so register early if you plan on attending. You can also watch it online.

Jun 20-23 – Netroots Nation

Jun 22 – Euclid Wind Fest  11am-7pm. Shore Cultural Centre 291 E. 222 St.Euclid, OH  All things wind-themed, from kites to kazoos. There will be wind chimes, paper sailboats in the fountain, pinwheels, turbines, wind instruments, local and regional music, the Taste of Euclid food court and beer and wine in a park setting, all with free admission. More information: http://www.shoreculturalcentre.com/windfestival

Jun 24-29 Fearless Summer “This summer we’re escalating the movement against extreme energy.” Maintaining a movement calendar of events for the summer Check it out.

Jul 8 – Gasland II Part of HBO Documentaries series. The provocative follow-up to Josh Fox’s 2011 Academy Award^®-nominated “Gasland,”

Jul 14 – Bill Maher at Kleinhans in Buffalo

Jul 26-27 – Burning River Fest 2013

MARK YOUR 2014 CALENDARS…

Mar 1, 2014 “American Idiot” at the Warner

May 8, 2014 – Erie Benedictines for Peace will bring in Simone Campbell SSS, Executive Director of NETWORK.

21 Avril la Marche pour la Terre Montreal Earth Day events, photos… to translate click below the blurb.

Update on changes to Pennsylvania’s proposed “ag-gag” bill

Pa. legislature introduces statewide LGBT nondiscrimination bills

How to have a “green” picnic (National Geographic)

Photo album: 2003 Erie County Greens picnic (when we tried to make it more “green”)

No Drones Niagara Mothers Day coverageNiagara

• Dozens Gather for Anti-Drone Protest in Niagara Falls (WKBW video)
• Demonstrators protest drones at Niagara Falls air station (Buffalo News)
• Drone protestors sound off at airbase (WIVB video and text). Covers the protestors’ side as well as the “drones=jobs” side.

This & That is published now and then for the Erie area progressive community. Always good to double-check dates and times.  Event submissions should have “T&T” in subject line, send to moonkat2014@gmail.com . If you don’t want to receive this please reply with “Unsubscribe” in subject line. Also posted to http://occupyerie.net and www.erielead.org

Now thru Apr 21 SUNY Fredonia: ‘Seeds of Change’ global climate crisis exhibit showing now in Reed Library, free and open to the public.

Apr 12 – 13 – Erie Reader Staged Reading Series: “8” by Dustin Lance Black (PACA – Performing Arts Center & Theater, 1505 State St, Erie, PA 16501) Portrays the legal argument and witness testimony of the Perry v. Schwarzenegger trial, which led to the overturning of California’s anti-marriage equality Proposition 8. Using actual transcripts from the court case, Black has crafted a heartbreaking and compelling look at this monumental legal case. Free admission – no reservations needed. 8 PM both nights. Contact: Mark Tanenbaum. Phone: (814) 434-0687 Browse to http://www.paca1505.com. For more on “8” click here

Apr 12-14 – SpiritQuest Film Festival Edinboro University campus. Focusing on the human experience, from day to day relationships to matters of life and death, war and peace, science and spirituality

Apr 12-20 – SUNY Fredonia: Mainstage Series: “The Diary of Anne Frank” Tcikets (716)673-3501 or fredonia.edu/tickets.

Apr 13 – Thomas Merton 2013 Award Honoring Martin Sheen 5 PM Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall – 4141 Fifth Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Apr 13-21 – Earth Week at SUNY Fredonia All events free and open to the public. To learn more, visit www.fredonia.edu/earthweek   or contact Dr. Sherri “Sam” Mason, SUNY Fredonia’s Associate Professor of Chemistry and Earth Week Coordinator, at (716) 673-3292 or mason@fredonia.edu.

Apr 16 – Gate Rally to show your support 2:30-3:30pm at GE Transportation East Gate. Called by UE 506

Apr 16-18 Birds and Vines

Apr 17 – Staged reading “8”at Allegheny College, Meadville PA.  7pm @ Arter Hall Little Theater. About the CA court case challenging the constitutionality of Prop 8 that is now headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Talkback to follow. Collaboration with Student Experimental Theater. [Ally Week event] email queersnalliesac@gmail.com with any questions.  For more on “8” click here

Apr 18 – Rally to Expand Health Care Coverage  10:00 AM Voices for Independence 1107 Payne Avenue, Erie. “Pennsylvania can accept $43 billion in federal funds to expand coverage to 700,000 Pennsylvanians or leave that money on the table…and a half million Pennsylvanians uninsured. Tell lawmakers: Don’t Leave the Money on the Table! The Erie rally is part of a state-wide day of action. Help us make it a HUGE success. Be there. RSVP Now.” Sponsored by PA Health Access Network. For more information or if you have a story about being uninsured email Erin at egill@pahealthaccess.org

Apr 18 – Candidate Forum on LGBT issues Avalon Hotel 10^th & State. 7PM Free and open to public.

Apr 18 – SUNY Fredonia Earth Week keynote address: “The Perils of Plastic: Notes from the Oceans and the Great Lakes 7 p.m. in Rosch Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Apr 20- Presque Isle Cleanup More info at the park office 2nd floor of Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) or at (814)833-7424.

Apr 20 – SUNY Fredonia Environmental Film Festival Free and open to the public.

Apr 21 – Film: “Earth Wins” at TREC Following the debut of the film, engage in an Expert Panel discussionPanel discussion with Steve Ropski, Ph.D. — Gannon University, Kelly Grant, Ph.D. — Gannon University, Dave Skellie — PA Sea Grant, Pat Lupo, OSB — Benedictine Sisters of Erie $5 adults/$4students Visit www.trecpi.org/or 814-838-4123. Showtimes thru Apr 28. Seats are first come, first served.

Apr 21 – Wild & Scenic Film Festival Bradford PA

Apr 21 – EarthFest 2013 Cleveland “This year’s theme is “Celebrating Advanced and Renewable Energy.”… Ohio’s largest environmental education event and the longest running Earth Day celebration in the nation.

Apr 21 – Earth Day Celebration at Asbury Woods

Apr 21 – “The Importance of Less” Presentation by Tom Meara at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown 1255 Prendergast Ave., Jamestown NY 10:30am “John E Carrol wrote that the usage of the word ‘sustainability,’ whether by institutions or by individuals, refers to a shallow superficial and cosmetic form which does not reflect sustainability at all and is inaccurate, perhaps even dishonest. In a world where our climate is becoming unstable and the very biosphere upon which all life depends is threatened, we will explore the morality of our current lifestyle and the need for a deep and fundamental change in the way we live.”

Apr 22 – Earth Day

Apr 22 –Earth Day Action at Meadville Regional PA DEP Office. 11am – 1pm Beginning at Diamond Park, Main St., proceeding to DEP Office at 230 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA. ‘A coalition of statewide “green” groups, large and small, have decided to do  a coordinated action to occur at each of the 6 regional DEP offices to highlight shortcomings of the DEP’s oversight of shale gas extraction – particularly its impact on water. The actions will occur on Earth Day. Each region is to plan their own action but the goal should be to raise awareness of citizens in each region.’ They would like the largest turnout possible. Contact: Diane Sipe, Marcellus Outreach Butler (724) 272-4539 sipediane5@gmail.com

Apr 22 – Erie’s Needs for a Healthy Built Environment Mercyhurst College

Apr 22 – Green Drinks Earth Day Happy Hour 6:30-8:30PM 103 Center for The Arts Buffalo, NY 14260 Join leaders from across Buffalo-Niagara for an evening of fun at the UB Solar Strand. Learn about our region’s sustainability initiatives through exhibits and presentations by local and student affiliated environmental groups. Enjoy a relaxing evening with music and local food, and round it out with a tour of the Strand! The evening will end with Ecology & Environment’s presentation of the Green Awards to those who have made outstanding sustainable contributions over the last year. By Greenworks Buffalo Niagara

Apr 22 – PA Deadline to register to vote in primary

Apr 24 – Jamestown Community College Earthfest 2013 Free and open to public

Apr 26 – Gov Tom Corbett at Bel Aire in Erie 5pm.

Apr 26 – First Annual Festival of Community PRIDE (Promoting Respect for Individual Differences for Everyone) Lillian V. Ney Renaissance Center 119 W. 3rd St. Jamestown NY. Begins with a potluck buffet at 5:30 , community discussion at 6:00 pm. Many organizations will be participating: Congregation Hesed Abraham, Cornell Co-Operative Extension, Catholic Charities, Jamestown Community College, The Resource Center, YMCA Eastside and YWCA Jamestown and PFLAG. For more information, call YWCA Jamestown at 716-488-2237 Also visit Stand Against Racism

Apr 30 – “The Invisible War” 6:00 pm Groundbreaking investigative documentary about one of America’s most shameful and best kept secrets: the epidemic of rape within the U.S. military. Presented by Crime Victim Center of Erie County, Inc. Co-Presented by Mercyhurst University and Mercyhurst Veterans Association Taylor Little Theater 501 East 38th Street Erie, PA More Information: (814) 455-9414 www.cvcerie.org

May 1 – May Day – International Workers Holiday

May 2 STUCK Tour Cleveland Cedar Lee Theatre Documentary presentation about international adoption from the Both Ends Burning Campaign.

May 3 – STUCK Tour in Pittsburgh Southside Works Cinema

May 10 – David Francey at Fredonia Opera House.

May 18 – Bike Around the Bay Sponsored by Environment Erie.  Join hundreds of tri-state bicyclists on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the Intermodel Transportation Center on the Bayfront Parkway. Bike 10 Miles – Town Tour, especially designed for families and less experienced riders; 30 Miles – Bay Tour, for casual riders or 50 Miles – Endurance Tour, for seasoned riders. All riders bike along Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie. Cost: Individuals are $20.00, families are $40.00. Group rates available: scouts, churches, youth groups, etc. Support Environment Erie, the non-profit youth environmental education program.

Jun 1 – Rally for Bradley Manning at Fort Meade (Maryland)

Jun 14 – Sheryl Crow @ WYRK 2013 Taste of Country – Buffalo, NY

Jun 17-19 – Games for Change Festival NYC. Last year sold out so register early if you plan on attending. You can also watch it online.

Jun 20-23 – Netroots Nation

DRONE AWARENESS ACTIONS

April Drone Awareness Actions: For updates on regional events and actions regarding weaponized drones  click here.

• “List of the Harmed” List of those harmed by Fracking in PA
• The secrets of meat: Pennsylvania should support investigations of abusive farms House Bill 683, which is awaiting a hearing in the PA House Judiciary Committee, would make it a felony to record an abusive image inside a factory farm.
• Erie Benedictine Prioresses issue Statement on the Prevention of Gun Violence
• CREDO Petition: Tell the PA Legislature: Pass a moratorium on fracking
• Video of Kathy Kelly at Benedictine Monastery
• Mandatory Negotiations Could Affect Size of GE Layoff
• Erie Reader: “GE: Greed Exposed”History and photo
• CARE Benefit Crawford-County based group opposed to tire-burning plant had successful fundraiser in March, see pics here.
• Invention of the Day: Bladeless Wind Turbine
• FBI Arrests by Race 2011 “White individuals were arrested more often for violent crimes than individuals”
• History and Photos of Erie’s United Electrical Workers
• Report: Ohio is illegally throwing poor people in jail for owing money
• Shareable image of large number of recent oil spills There are images floating around FB that say there’ve been 3 or 4 different oil “events” in the past week or two. It’s actually much worse than that. If you have a better alternative to this let me know.

Feb 15 – On Screen/In Person: Cafeteria Man Mercyhurst. The documentary chronicles the ambitious effort to “green” the public school diet serving 83,000 students in Baltimore. Leading the charge to replace pre-plated, processed foods with locally grown, freshly prepared meals is New Orleans chef Tony Geraci, whose bold vision includes school vegetable gardens, student-designed meals, meatless Mondays and nutrition education in the classroom. This film will screen on Friday, Feb. 15, at 2:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. in the Taylor Little Theater at Mercyhurst University and will include a Q-and-A session with the director following both screenings.

Feb 17 –  “Forward on Climate” Rally “Largest Climate Rally in History” with the Sierra Club
Sunday, February 17, 2013 Washington, DC On Join this historic event to make your voice heard and help the president start his second term with strong climate action. Rally will feature critical action, inspiring speakers, and a march to the president’s doorstep to show him that we can’t afford to wait any longer.

• For more information about rides, housing and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, visit http://forwardonclimate.org
• BUS FROM PITTSBURGH: Please contact Peter Wray, Chair, Conservation Committee Allegheny Group, Sierra Club pjwray@verizon.net   412-244-9907 BUS FROM BUFFALO: Email Linda or Sara at rmc.law2511@yahoo.com  to reserve a space.

Feb  18 – Author Peter Annin on “The Great Lakes Water Wars” Penn State Erie

Feb 18 – “Death: The Great Adventure” with Mary Hembrow Snyder PhD 7pm Mount St Benedict, 6101 East Lake Rd, Erie. Dr. Snyder has authored or edited three books. “The Christology of Rosemary Radford Ruether (Twenty-Third Publications, 1988); “Liberation Theology: An Introductory Reader (Orbis, 1992); and “Spiritual Questions for the Twenty-First Century: Essays in Honor of Joan D. Chittister” (Orbis, 2001). Free and open to the public. 814-899-0614 ErieBenedictines.org

Feb 19-24 – American Idiot Heinz Hall Pgh. Tour website at http://www.americanidiotthemusical.com/

Feb 21 – A Priest Speaks His Conscience: The Struggle for Gender Equality in the Catholic Church (Film and Presentation) 7 PM Market Arcade Theater, 639 Main St./ 628 Washington St., Buffalo The documentary Pink Smoke will be shown at 7:00pm and a presentation by Fr. Roy Bourgeois will begin at 8:00pm. Fr. Roy has spoken at National CTA Conferences as well as many venues around the United States not only as a leader of S.O.A. Watch, but also as a leading advocate for the ordination of women in the Catholic Church. On Nov. 19, 2012, after 36 years in the Priesthood, Fr. Roy bourgeois discovered he had been “expelled from the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, his religious order and faith community for 46 years and the Vatican had removed his priesthood – all for his refusal to be silent about his support for womens’s ordination.” The talk is free and open to the public. A Free will offering will be taken. Contact: Lucille Gervase (716) 837-8685. Convenient parking is available on Washington St. Sponsored by Upstate NY Call To Action.

Feb 26 – Makers: Women Who Make America 8:00pm 54.1 – WQLN HD (PBS-Erie) The modern women’s movement is chronicled. Included: first-person accounts from movement leaders (Gloria Steinem, Eleanor Holmes Norton); opponents (Phyllis Schlafly); celebrities (Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric); political figures (Hillary Clinton).

Mar 2 – Pennsylvania Progressive Summit Harrisburg

Mar 8-9 – Allegheny To Host Photojournalism Conference on the Ethics and Challenges of Visual Storytelling Allegheny College will host a two-day conference, “Documents of War: the Ethics and Challenges of Visual Storytelling,” exploring the role of photojournalism and film documentaries in the context of armed conflict, on March 8 and 9. The conference, which is free and open to the public, requires no preregistration.

Mar 11 – Erie Benedictines for Peace present peace activist and author Kathy Kelly. 7 pm Mount St. Benedict Monastery 6101 East Lake Road, Erie PA

Apr 8 – “Invisible War” 7-9pm –Presented by Passages, Inc. Clarion University 840 Wood Street Clarion, PA More Information: (814) 226-7273

Apr 12 – Apr 13 (Fri – Fri) – Erie Reader Staged Reading Series: “8” by Dustin Lance Black (PACA – Performing Arts Center & Theater, 1505 State St, Erie, PA 16501) Portrays the legal argument and witness testimony of the Perry v. Schwarzenegger trial, which led to the overturning of California’s Proposition 8. Using actual transcripts from the court case, Black has crafted a heartbreaking and compelling look at this monumental legal case. Free admission – no reservations needed. Performance time is 8 PM both nights. Contact: Mark Tanenbaum. Phone: (814) 434-0687 . Email: director@papa1505.com. Browse to http://www.paca1505.com.

Apr 12-14 – SpiritQuest Film Festival Edinboro University campus. Focusing on the human experience, from day to day relationships to matters of life and death, war and peace, science and spirituality

Apr 13 – Thomas Merton 2013 Award Honoring Martin Sheen 5 PM Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall – 4141 Fifth Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Apr 21 – Wild & Scenic Film Festival Bradford PA

Jun 20-23 – Netroots Nation

NEWS & VARIOUS

FOOD CO-OP Deserves to be said again: Erie’s Whole Foods Co-op is not affiliated with Whole Foods Market. Whole Foods Co-op is a local, member-run cooperative whose one store is located in Erie. Whole Foods Market is a Texas-based national chain of supermarkets,  whose CEO has been quite a jerk lately. Nice article about the co-op in the Erie Times-News, featuring one of their chefs and schedule for their monthly full moon dinners. Also here is a WICU/WSEE story on the co-op from last year. The community center is now a reality, and available for use by community members and groups.

ART Two art shows of interest: Q2 at Glass Growers (through Feb 28) and Lincoln exhibit stirs the soul at Erie Art Museum  Check out this video of the new, green LEED-certified Erie Art Museum, and remember second Sundays of the month is free admission.

FRACKING NY Group Praises New York’s Common Sense Schedule for Fracking Regulations Health impact review will precede final rules on fracking, not vice-versa

CORBETT BUDGET PROTESTS  Erie: Erie budget protest     Harrisburg:   Protestors provide backing track to Gov. Corbett’s budget address, disrupt some of normal postgame show at Capitol

GUNS CeaseFirePA Applauds Attorney General Kathleen Kane for Closing “The Florida Loophole”   From Erie Times-News: “Pat Howard: Flap over gun forum illuminates how political ground has shifted”   “Feds: Erie felon possessed gun, cocaine”   “McCrorey obtained one of the handguns in December after he lied about his identity in paperwork he filled out at Bob’s Gun Shop in McKean and also falsely indicated that he had no felony conviction, the indictment charges.”

ALSO…

• Allegheny Defense Project 2013 schedule is here.
• Edinboro University Women’s History Month events calendar
• “House of Cards” series with Kevin Spacey exposes power of Israeli lobby.     Watch online.
• “God Made a Farmer” parodies
• UPMC to reinstate fired workers under NLRB settlement
• SUNY Fredonia¨Calling for more recyclable trash, campus signs up for national tournament

DRONES

Brought out of the shadows by the confirmation process Obama’s drone czar John Brennan…

• John Brennan’s “Trust Me” is Not Good Enough by Dana Milbank
• Cenk Uyger takes on the White House response to white paper on drones: “Deadly Drone Strikes – Obama is ‘Serious’
• See how serious Obama really is about drones (haha, you won’t see it coming!)
•  Are drones already over US skies? Amid the controversy over a newly-released memo, documenting the CIA’s policy on the targeted killing of American citizens with drones, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a list of public organizations that have applied for a special permission to use drones over USA towns and cities.
• Drone activism in central NY: “Ground the drones, end the wars” (basic, readable background on drone warfare), “History of drone activism in central NY” From Syracuse Peace Council. (“Founded in 2010, Upstate Drone Action is a decentralized, informally — organized grassroots group of mostly upstate New York activists. We seek to educate the public and Hancock Air Base personnel re the war crimes perpetrated with the MQ9 Reaper drone piloted from Hancock on the outskirts of Syracuse. We also seek to educate the public re drone proliferation and blowback dangers  as well as the surveillance and civil liberties threat the Reaper and other military robots poses domestically. Legitimized by international law and by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, Upstate Drone Action members heed our consciences and the Nuremburg mandate to expose and impede our nation’s war crimes.”)
• Moyers: Obama’s cold-blooded use of drones shows seeming indifference to innocent bystanders une of drones
• Wash. state residents kill Seattle Police drone program

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This & That is published now and then for the Erie area progressive community. Always good to double-check dates and times.  Event submissions should have “T&T” in subject line, send to moonkat2014@gmail.com . If you don’t want to receive this please reply with “Unsubscribe” in subject line. Also posted to http://occupyerie.net and www.erielead.org

Jan 8 – The Abolitionists premieres on PBS http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/abolitionists/

Jan 9 – Meeting for CeaseFirePA  5:30-7 PM Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St., Erie, PA. The topic of the program will be legislative efforts to control gun violence in PA. “ WE SEEK an end to gun violence and an end to the trafficking of illegal firearms–a plague that continues to ravage our communities.  WE INVITE all area residents, community leaders (both faith and secular), activists and students to work together as a community to forge a safer environment for all generations.” http://www.ceasefirepa.org/ All are welcome.For more information and/or to RSVP, please contact Rob Conroy, Western PA Field Coordinator of CeaseFirePA, at rob.conroy@ceasefirepa.org or (412) 965-0383.

Jan 9 – Rally to Stop Fracking in NY at the State of the State Address RSVP and sign up for more info and transportation here: http://bit.ly/VmdiS7 The New Yorkers Against Fracking coalition is calling on all New Yorkers to come to Albany for a rally to keep fracking out of our beloved state. We will take our message right to the Governor as we gather outside the annual State of the State Address, delivered by Andrew Cuomo. By New Yorkers Against Fracking

Jan 11 – National Day of Action Against Guantánamo

• In Erie: Please join us in demanding the closure of the detention centers at Guantanamo and Bagram. Friday, January 11, 2013 @ Erie Federal Building, 4:00-4:45pm. Called by Mary the Apostle Catholic Worker, Erie Peace initiative co-sponsoring.  Share on Facebook  join FB event page
• Nationally: visit Close Guantanamo, also DC events by National Religious Campaign Against Torture

Jan 11– Lewis Black in Erie “The Rant is Due” Warner Theater

Jan 12 -   UU Erie Black and White Movie Series is showing “Citizen Kane.”7 pmUnitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie is at 7180 Perry Highway (Route 97) in Erie, less than a mile north of I-90.

Jan 17-26 – David Mamet’s “Race” at Dramashop. One of David Mamet’s most recent works, “Race” follows “three attorneys, two black and one white, offered a chance to defend a white man charged with a crime against a black woman.” The plot unfolds as the three lawyers and defendant grapple with the evidence of the case and their own feelings about race. Socially relevant, poignant, and often biting, “Race” offers a crash course in racial tension and the nature of resolution. Renaissance Centre Theatre (2nd floor)1001 State Street Erie, PA 16501

Jan 18-26 – ‘Pageant Play’: Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. at t PACA, 1505 State St. Erie PA (2^nd floor); Edgy satire that explores the totally twisted world of child pageants. Cost: $10 adv/ $15 at the door. Info: www.paca1505.com. PACA is a wonderful new space for the performing arts, right in Erie’s Entertainment District.

Jan. 18 – Martin Luther King Tribute Concert 7:30 p.m. Central Tech High School, 3325 Cherry St.presented by Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra with Shiloh Baptist Choir.  Free. Info: 871-7755.

Jan 19 – All Aboard Erie  Annual Membership Meeting  “This is your chance to be a part of the push for improved mass transit, locally and regionally. Local author Steven Porter will speak, as well as the “e” Director of Operations Mike Tann, and then the annual elections will be conducted. You will be able to join All Aboard Erie for $10, which will allow you to vote in the elections. Please show your support of our efforts…”  Saturday January 19 at 1PM, at the Brewerie at Union Station, 123 West 14^th Street, Erie. www.allaboarderie.com

Jan 20 – UU Erie  Breakfast Standing on the Side of Love (an interfaith public advocacy project of the UUA) 9 am.Unitarian Universalist congregations nationwide are launching a THIRTY DAYS OF LOVE campaign — from MLK Jr. Day to Valentine’s Day — to harness love’s power to stop oppression. This special service will address issues related to LGBT equality, immigrant justice, Islamophobia, and bullying. You will be treated to a video of a rousing sermon by Rev. Gail Geisenhainer: “We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest.” Service Coordinator: Al Richardson Musician: Lin Lang Su, Rebecca and Hannah http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/

Jan. 20 – A Day of Expression Honoring Dr Martin Luther King. At Erie Art Museum, 20 E. Fifth St., Erie. Presented by The Youth Leadership Institute of Erie and Youth Service America with live performances by the Victory Christian Center alternative youth group, Kemoni Farmer with “The Legacy Of MLK” and more. $10 (donation), Info: 806-0103.

January 21 Annual Martin Luther King March and Rally. Marchers will gather on South Perry Square next to City Hall at about 11:30 a.m. with the march kicking off at 12 noon. The marchers will walk up W.6th St. to Chestnut and then north to the Martin Luther King Center for a brief rally. Dress for weather…In observance of the Martin Luther King Holiday, Gannon will host a prayer service at 9 a.m. in the University’s Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, 520 Peach St. The public is welcome to participate. Also on Martin Luther King Day, Gannon will host a light lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Yehl Ballroom of the Waldron Campus Center, 124 West Seventh St. The lunch is free and open to the public.

Jan 21 – Anti-Drone protest at the Inauguration Set to coincide with the Presidential Inauguration Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the third anniversary of the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling, the Arc of Justice rally and parade will be a determined but hopeful expression of our concern and dissent against the wars, occupations, loss of civil liberties, overwhelming corporate and big money power over our lives, environmental degradation, and many other important issues mostly abused, ignored, or minimized by recent administrations and Congress.

Feb 2 – New Strategy for Peace movement (Pittsburgh). 2:30-5pm Meeting at the Friends Meeting House 4836 Ellsworth Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Map to Meeting House ”While many groups are working for peace and are opposing the military mindset of our society, we each have been pushing our little part of it with some success, but little notice by the general public or the media. Several of us, involved with the American Friends Service Committee PA, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Code Pink, Peace Action, Anti-War Committee know that there are many more groups and individuals who contribute in their own way or would like to bring about a more peaceful world. We believe that if we pool our efforts and ideas, that we could be a more powerful force and have more impact on events in Washington and the world. Since President Obama’s election to a second term, he himself has said that he needs to hear from us, and so does the rest of our government.” Group of peace people from Erie are going, email Erie Peace Initiative at eriepeaceinitiative@yahoo.com or message at EPI Facebook .

Feb 15 – On Screen/In Person: Cafeteria Man Mercyhurst

Mar 1-2 – Pennsylvania Progressive Summit Harrisburg

NEWS & VARIOUS

SUNY Fredonia Study Finds High Levels of Plastic Pollution in Lake Erie The highest levels of concentration were found in Lake Erie between Dunkirk and Erie, Pa. where the research team found concentrations of over 600,000 plastic pieces per square kilometer…”That’s two times higher than any published number from any sample anywhere in the world,” explained Dr. Mason. Many of the samples included very tiny beads, and researchers believe they were flushed into the lakes by consumers using facial cleaners…”Many people don’t realize that these micro-beads, these exfoliants, that are in their common consumer products are actually plastic.” … What makes the finding so troublesome is that the micro-plastic is often the same size as fish eggs, something that is eaten by local marine life. … “If you find it in a bird, if you find it in a fish, it is in us,” warned Dr. Mason.

Gas field workers cited in Pa. hospital’s debts  The CEO of a north-central Pennsylvania hospital says the facility’s first operating loss in about five years is a sign of the influx of natural gas field workers without health insurance.

Marcellus Protest page has posts about anti-Fracking activists leafletting at “Promised Land” screenings in the region

This & That is published now and then for the Erie area progressive community. Always good to double-check dates and times.  Event submissions should have “T&T” in subject line, send to moonkat2014@gmail.com . If you don’t want to receive this please reply with “Unsubscribe” in subject line. Also posted to http://occupyerie.net and www.erielead.org

Dec 7 – Langer Film Series: Where Do We Go Now    Set in a remote village where the church and the mosque stand side by side, the film “Where Do We Go Now?” follows the antics of the town’s women to keep their blowhard men from starting a religious war. Women of the town are heartsick from losing the men they love to violent religious conflict – so they distract them in the biggest, zaniest ways they can muster. Their clever ruses range from faking a miracle to hiring a troop of Ukrainian strippers.

Dec 7 – Preach Freedom at Crooked i 1013 State, Erie 10pm

Dec 10 – Rally at Mike Kelly’s Erie Office 208 E Bayfront Pkwy, Erie. Noon. “Tell Congress Jobs not cuts!” Unions are on-board with this rally. “Tell Rep Mike Kelly Congress needs to: -Protect the middle class-Put job creation first – End tax cuts for the richest 2%   Info call Molly (814)  450-8652. Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/events/112594982238996/

Dec 10 – Erie Bike Coalition meeting “The Coalition meeting is open to the public. 5:45 PM at the brand new community center of Erie Whole Foods COOP 26th & Brown Avenue  . We are presently working on three events for 2013. A bike expo for March or April, a Ride of Silence in June and National Bike Challenge for May through August.”  Related: http://bikeerie.org/

Dec 10 – International Human Rights Day

Dec 13 – Take Back the Site Vigil for Mary Anne Smith  5:15pm 428 W 17^th, Erie

Dec 14 – Buffalo premier of “Dear Governor Cuomo” with filmmaker A Documentary Film on the  Anti-Fracking Movement in NY State http://renewnrg.blogspot.com    6:30 PM Daemen College, 107 Schenck Science Building2495 Main Street, Buffalo Premiered in October at the Woodstock Film Festival and it was a tremendous hit. The film was made by award winning filmmaker Jon Bowermaster and takes a look at the anti-fracking movement in NY, features Mark Ruffalo, Melissa Leo, Natalie Merchant, Joan Osborne, The Felice Brothers, Medeski  Martin & Wood, Sandra Steingraber, and many more musicians and anti-fracking organizers from throughout the state. Screening will feature filmmaker Jon Bowermaster and it is free of charge.It will also feature expert panelists to take your questions and give insight in to where fracking stands in New York right now. Details and RSVP here:  http://act.foodandwaterwatch.org/site/R?i=8tSEKCDSKope_i6N1V8b4w

Dec 15 – Bill of Rights Day commemorates the day that they were added to the Constitution

Dec 25 – “Les Misérables” Musical film release (w/live performances) based on the stage musical of the same name, based on the novel by Victor Hugo and set in the June Rebellion of 1832.

Jan 4 – Wide release of Promised Land, the highly anticipated anti-fracking film directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Matt Damon and John Krasinski.

Jan 11– Lewis Black in Erie “The Rant is Due” Warner Theater

Jan 17-26 – David Mamet’s “Race” at Dramashop

Feb 15 – On Screen/In Person: Cafeteria Man Mercyhurst

Apr 10 – Date of rescheduled Bob Woodward appearance at ‘Hurst.

NEWS & VARIOUS

Judge extends deadline for tire plant evidence from Meadville Tribune

MSNBC’s Disgrace: In Five Hours of Prime Time, Fifteen Minutes on Israel-Gaza

Jewish Voice for Peace intro to Israel and Palestine (short video)

“Tax the Rich” An Animated Fairy Tale (video)

For Immediate Release

Supporters of the Occupy Wall Street movement will celebrate the first anniversary of the movement by gathering at 100 State Street in Erie PA on September 17 from 4PM to 5PM.

The event is organized by members of Occupy Erie.

A weekend of events is presently taking place in New York City, with at least 30 smaller events taking place around the country.

In the weeks leading up to the protest, much has been written and discussed about what the Occupy movement accomplished, and where it will go from here.

Monday’s action in Erie will celebrate last year’s “American Autumn” and the spirit and discussion it succeeded in sparking. We know the OWS movement has opened up the discussion about economic inequality, corporate greed, and corporate control of our country. We know that it has caused a profound change in thinking about issues like foreclosures, bank bailouts, unemployment, tax breaks for the wealthy, and a government owned by corporations. The Occupy Wall Street movement made America aware that there was a “1%” that controls our government and economy, and the now well-known slogan “We are the 99%” has come to refer to the existence of a very serious economic equality in this country. It remains to be seen what form the movement will take in the future, but the concerns are still the same and the movement will continue to address them.

The OWS movement began September 17, 2011, when protestors began camping in a park in New York’s financial district. By October 2011, the protests had spread to almost 100 cities, including Erie.

WHAT: Demonstration observing first anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement

WHERE: 100 State Street

WHEN: September 17, 2012 from 4-5PM

WHO: Organized by members of Occupy Erie, attendees will be supporters and/or members of the Occupy movement

WEB: Website: http://occupyerie.net/    Facebook (use this link for official community page): http://www.facebook.com/pages/Occupy-Erie/260066254028708