Information... Bringing people together.
Maren's list of environmental, cultural, and social justice events and related resources. This list is still in transition -- if some of the links don't link yet, just copy & paste the URL into your browser. I'll be linkifying the rest soon.
UPDATE -- I've transferred the current content to Blogspot; the blog format will streamline external linking, allow us to have a concise listing of headings with popdown links to the full entries, and provide the capacity for you to subscribe to a feed, announcing additions to the listing. For the new list, go to http://www.marenslist.blogspot.com
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September 9: "Green Jobs for the Steel City: Growing the New Energy Economy in the Pittsburgh Region," a panel discussion on local, state, and national efforts to create green jobs, boost the economy, reduced dependency on fossil fuels, and combat global warming. Speakers include USW president Leo Gerard, Sen. Jim Ferlo, Rep. Chelsa Wagner, Rep. Matt Smith, County Executive Dan Onorato, Charles McCollester of IUP, Bill Cagney of IUOE Local 95, and Will Thompkins of the Pittsburgh Project. Sponsored by the Blue-Green Alliance of the Sierra Club and United Steelworkers, Green for All, NRDC, Working America, League of Young Voters, PennFuture, and GTECH Strategies. (7-9 p.m. at the Pgh Federation of Teachers at 10 S. 19th St. on the Southside).
http://alleghenysc.org
http://www.greenjobsforamerica.org/greenjobs/pennsylvania/
September 10: "Green-Collar Jobs: Laboring into the Next Economy" a program from the Bioneers radio series Revolution from the Heart of Nature, featuring Manuel Pastor, Maria Elena Durazo and Alexia Salvatierra. Keep an ear out for future broadcasts of the Bioneers radio series; the schedule hasn't been set yet. (7:30-8 p.m. on WRCT 88.3, in conjunction with the local public-affairs radio show Left Out)
http://bioneers.org/
https://secure.bioneers.org/node/1776
http://leftout.info/
September 10: Monthly educational meeting of the local Sierra Club. This month's talks feature Gary Baranowski, director of the Horticulture Technology training program at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild on the Northside, where city youth learn marketable skills while growing orchids and hydroponic vegetables, and Pete McQuillen, who will speak about an alternative approach to the end of life, "Green Burials for Pittsburgh." For information on the monthly meeting series, contact Don Gibbon at dongibbon@earthlink.net (though I'll be standing in for him this month while he's off on another adventure).
(7:30-9 p.m. at the Phipps Garden Center at 5th and Shady; free)
http://alleghenysc.org/?page_id=9
http://www.manchesterbidwell.org/
http://greenburialpittsburgh.org/
September 11: Farm Stand Demo at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Farm Stand aims to encourage participants to use fresh produce, with cooking demonstrations and samples. (11:30-12:30 at the Hazelwood YWCA Farm Stand, 4915 Second Street, 15207)
http://www.buylocalpa.org/event/view/88
September 11: Carnegie Mellon's University Lecture Series kicks off this Thursday with "The Averaged American: Citizens and Statistics in the 20th Century," a talk by Sarah Igo of the University of Pennsylvania. (4:30 in the Adamson Wing, 136A Baker Hall at CMU). The entire series is listed at
http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/student-development/uls/
and more detail on each event can be found in calendar entries at
http://tinyurl.com/5rmra6
September 11: Produce Paparazzi: Summer Interns from Grow Pittsburgh's 2008 season capture the harvest. Reception and exhibition at the Silver Eye Center for Photography
(7-9 p.m. at 1015 E. Carson St.)
http://www.silvereye.org/
http://www.growpittsburgh.org
September 12: Artist reception for the Sewickley Farm Show, which features ten local artists interpreting ten regional farms. (5:30-9 p.m. at the Sewickley Gallery & Frame Shop; the exhibit runs September 6-27) On Saturdays, the nearby St. James Farmers Market will include the farmers represented in the artwork as well as local food samplings, music, and creative activities for kids (on Broad St. from 9:30-1)
pasafarming.org/
http://tablemagazine.com/
http://www.sewickleygallery.com/
September 13: 9th Annual Storywalk. Beginning With Books and Citiparks team up to bring books to life in Frick Park. (Free; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. near the Blue Slide playground on Beechwood Boulevard. Free parking and shuttle service from the Irish Centre at 6668 Forward Ave.)
http://www.beginningwithbooks.org/
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/living/events/s_587295.html
September 13: Here We Grow Pittsburgh, Here We Grow! Community Garden Tour -- a guided tour of four community gardens, with presentations by members on their experiences and plans. Tours begin at 11, 12, and 1 at the Union Project in Highland Park (Stanton & Negley Avenues; $15 including lunch right out of the gardens). The tour buses will go out rain or shine, unless there's thunder & lightning, in which case there will still be presentations indoors at the Union Project.
http://www.growpittsburgh.org
September 13: It's sold out, but I thought I'd mention the 2nd Annual Steel City Big Pour anyway -- an evening of live music and art with local, organic, ethnic, and/or artisanal food and, of course, beer -- at Construction Junction in Point Breeze. Whether or not you can go to this event, check out CJ the next time you have a home renovation project going.
http://constructionjunction.org/
September 14: Orienteering at Deer Lakes Park. Get out into the woods with a map and compass for a cross-country treasure hunt in this competitive form of land navigation. Instruction for novices will be available. (Rain or shine; start anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., finish by 3:30. Russelton is about a half-hour from Pgh, in the North Hills; use the main entrance of Deer Lakes Park to reach the Trout Picnic Shelter (look for red & white arrow signs). $4 per map (family/group can share), loaner compasses available. Questions to Jim at jlwolfe@atlanticbb.net )
http://www.wpoc.org/
September 14: Book-signing with Pittsburgher Patricia Lemur, editor of Envisioning a Bright Future: Interventions that Work for Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Patty understands the relationship between toxins in the environment and in our bodies and how we are creating kids on the ADD-to-Autism spectrum. (1-4 p.m. at Journeys of Life bookstore, 810 Bellefonte St. in Shadyside; 412-681-8755)
September 15 (9-4 at Whole Foods, 5880 Center Avenue)
September 23 & 30, and October 7 (5:30-8:30 at the Pittsburgh Project, 2801 N. Charles St.)
October 15, 22, and 29 (5:30-8:30 at the Hill House, 1835 Center Avenue)
Tree Tender courses -- Urban trees contribute to our air and water quality, land integrity, stormwater solutions, energy efficiency, property values, and quality of life. Many of Pittsburgh's remaining street trees are at risk due to disease, vandalism, old age and neglect, and residents can help reverse the trend. Consider being part of the solution by attending a Tree Tender course, offered by the Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy's TreeVitalize program. Learn to plant and care for young street trees, increasing their chance of survival in the urban environment, and bring more street trees to your neighborhood. ($40 including meals; scholarships available)
http://www.pittsburghforest.org/TreeTenders
http://www.paconserve.org/216/treevitalize/
September 15: Pittsburgh's first Bioneers Monday: an evening of film, discussion, and merriment around Bioneers, a forum connecting ecology, health, spirit, and social justice. This time, a talk by the founder of Sustainable South Bronx: "Green the Ghetto." Sponsored by the East End Food Co-op. (6-8 p.m. at the Gemini Theatre in Point Breeze; free, but RSVP to rsvp@pittsburghforest.org )
http://bioneers.org/
http://www.bioneerstopittsburgh.blogspot.com/
http://www.pittsburghforest.org/bioneers
September 17: Green Technology Network: Why Green is Good. The Pittsburgh Technology Council is holding a free workshop on how businesses and organizations can go green, with keynote speaker Charles Lockwood, author of the Harvard Business Review article "Building the Green Way." (7:30-noon at the Carnegie Science Center; free, but you must register online)
http://webportal.pghtech.org/Events/ViewEventDetail.aspx?code=adad600c-1463-dd11-9159-005056811812
September 17: Farm Stand Demo at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Farm Stand aims to encourage participants to use fresh produce, with cooking demonstrations and samples. (9:30-10:30 at the Mon Yough Community Center Farm Stand, 50 Market Street in McKeesport)
http://www.buylocalpa.org/event/view/89
September 17: Pittsburgh's own Zany Umbrella Circus is hitting the big time -- the ABC TV show Good Morning America, viewed by something like 5 million people, will be in town to film a segment with an interview and a live circus performance by these amazingly creative and socially-conscious Pittsburghers. You can be part of the "studio" audience -- they'll be filming from 10:45 until 1 or 2 p.m. at the Penn Station Rotunda downtown (1100 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh 15222; please plan to be there the whole time if you can, and let Ben know if you can attend at info@zanyumbrella.com so they'll know if they'll have a goodly crowd for the show -- it can be hard to gather folks on a weekday morning.)
http://www.zanyumbrellacircus.com/
September 17: Left Out, a public affairs radio show by CMU professors Danny Sleator and Bob Harper, returns to the air with a program featuring Thomas Frank, author of What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America speaking about his latest book, The Wrecking Crew: How Conservatives Rule.
(Alternate Wednesdays at 5 p.m. on WRCT 88.3)
http://leftout.info/
September 18: Farm Stand Demo at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Farm Stand aims to encourage participants to use fresh produce, with cooking demonstrations and samples. (10-11 at the Hill House Farm Stand, 1835 Centre Ave. 15219)
http://www.buylocalpa.org/event/view/90
September 20: "Green Chemistry: Solutions for a Healthy Economy." Second annual Rachel Carson Legacy Conference will feature leaders in green chemistry, health, environmental and medical research, and industrial research and applications and will focus on economic development, informed consumers, better regulatory tools, and a healthier future as we work toward designing the toxicity out of product and processes. Sponsored by the Rachel Carson Homestead Association.
(8-5 at Duquesne University; $25, students $10).
http://www.rachelcarsonhomestead.org
September 20: Nine Mile Run History Tour. Join Environmental historian Zachary Falck and NMRWA's Lisa Brown for a morning walk through Frick Park and the Nine Mile Run restoration area.
(9-11:30 a.m.; meet in Duck Hollow, off of Old Brown's Hill Road).
http://www.ninemilerun.org/get_involved/events/
September 20: ALCOSAN Open House. Visitors will enjoy tours of the 56-acre treatment plant, river life aquarium displaying fish from the Ohio River, games, educational exhibits, and hands-on environmental activities. (9-4 at the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority)
http://www.alcosan.com
September 21: Stream Restoration Tour. NMRWA's outreach coordinator Lisa Brown will lead an informative tour of the amazing transformation of Nine Mile Run by the Army Corps of Engineers.
(9:30-11:30 a.m.; meet at the parking lot by the former Center for Creative Play on Braddock Avenue.)
http://www.ninemilerun.org/get_involved/events/ or 412-371-8779
September 21-27: Local Food Week -- Celebrate the harvest all around town with events from special local dinners at area restaurants, farm tours, a cooking demo by Chef Bill Fuller, the annual Art Harvest festival at the East End Food Co-op, a showing of the film King Corn, a vegan potluck at Joseph Beth Booksellers, and many other events. All of the associated events are listed at
http://www.buylocalpa.org/event/chapter/southwest
Other sites of interest for local food growers and seekers:
http://eastendfood.coop/
http://urbanfoodworks.org/
http://www.foodroutes.org/
http://www.buylocalpa.org/
http://www.localharvest.org/
http://www.pasafarming.org/
http://www.slowfoodpgh.com/
http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/
http://www.growpittsburgh.org/
http://www.farmersmarketalliance.com/
September 25: "Women's Health & the Environment: New Science, New Solutions," a conference featuring nationally renowned environmental scientists, writers, and activists who will share new science and discuss the health effects of toxins in air, water, food, and personal care products. Sponsored by the Heinz Endowments and UPMC.
(8-4:40 at the David Lawrence Convention Center downtown; free, but space is limited and you must register soon!)
http://www.womenshealthpittsburgh.org/
September 25: 7th Annual Ohio River Watershed Celebration: cruise the Ohio River and learn about "Innovative Energy for a Green World." The RSVP date is past, but there are still a few spaces available on the Networker Cruise.
http://www.streamrestorationinc.org/education/riverboat2008.pdf
September 25: Vermicomposting workshop -- worms can eat your garbage, even if you don't have any outdoor space. (7-9 p.m. at the Mt. Lebanon Public Library; $45 includes everything you need to get started at home.)
http://www.prc.org/community_adultedu.html or 412-488-7490 x325
September 27 or 30, October 4, 8, or 25, or January 13 (one session):
Backyard composting classes sponsored by the Pennsylvania Resources Council. My family of four typically produces only a tiny grocery sack for weekly trash pickup, and composting is one of the main reasons why -- we turn our food and garden waste into excellent garden soil, sequestering carbon and growing food at the same time. (Various times and locations in the North Side, Marshall Twp, Squirrel Hill, Robinson, Natrona Heights, and Sewickley; $40 fee includes an 80-gallon enclosed compost unit for your own yard.)
http://www.prc.org/community_adultedu.html or 412-488-7490 x325
September 27: Western Water Workshop on how to protect headwater streams and wetlands in Pennsylvania. Speakers include Cindy Tibbott, Zelda Curtiss, John Hines, and Myron Arnowitt. (10-3 at CCAC's Boyce Campus; free, including lunch, but you must register by September 12 by calling 717-232-0101.)
http://alleghenysc.org under Special Events, or 610-282-3611
September 27: Day of Action on Green Jobs
Gathering and rally in East Liberty
Service projects
September 27: GASP and Good Friends, a fundraising event for the Group Against Smog & Pollution, an organization that works hard to make the air in our region more breathable. Join us to celebrate our accomplishments, and enjoy drumming, music, puppets, arts & crafts, and fine picnic fare; meet animals from the PA Wildlife Center, share a nature story with the Allegheny Front, and participate in a silent auction. (2-6 pm at Riverview Park's Chapel Shelter; $20, $10 age 6-10, under 6 free; RSVP by September 19)
http://www.gasp-pgh.org/
http://jackknightmusic.com/
http://www.janelleburdell.com/
http://www.pawildlifecenter.org/
http://www.healthyhomeresources.org/
http://www.pittsburghparks.org/Riverview53.php
September 29: Pittsburgh's second Bioneers Monday: an evening of film, discussion, and merriment around Bioneers, a forum connecting ecology, health, spirit, and social justice. This time, a talk by the founder of L.A.'s Tree People: "Healing the Nature of our Cities." Sponsored by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
(6-8 p.m. at the Riverview Park Chapel Shelter; free, but RSVP to rsvp@pittsburghforest.org )
http://bioneers.org/
http://www.bioneerstopittsburgh.blogspot.com/
http://www.pittsburghforest.org/bioneers
October 6: Pittsburgh's third Bioneers Monday: an evening of film, discussion, and merriment around Bioneers, a forum connecting ecology, health, spirit, and social justice. This time, a talk by the founder of L.A.'s Tree People: "Healing the Nature of our Cities." Sponsored by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
(6-8 p.m. at the Riverview Park Chapel Shelter; free, but RSVP to rsvp@pittsburghforest.org )
http://bioneers.org/
http://www.bioneerstopittsburgh.blogspot.com/
http://www.pittsburghforest.org/bioneers
October 8: Slide/lecture by Dudley Edmondson, nature photographer and author of Black & Brown Faces in America's Wild Places: African Americans making nature and the environment a part of their everyday lives, followed by a panel discussion about the challenges and benefits of expanding minority participation in outdoor activities. The panel also features Bill Strickland, Mamie Parker, Mario Browne, and Sarah Jamella Martin. Sponsored by the Allegheny Group of the Sierra Club, Three Rivers Birding Club, Pitt's Center for Minority Health, Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, and Venture Outdoors.
(7 p.m. at the Carnegie Lecture Hall in Oakland; $15, $5 for students.)
http://www.alleghenysc.org
http://www.raptorworks.com)
October 10-11: "Education Without Borders: Global Learning in the 21st Century," Carnegie Mellon's 18th Annual International Festival, has great lectures and workshops including the keynote, "Muppet Diplomacy: How Sesame Street is Changing Our World."
http://www.cmu.edu/internationalfestival/
October 12: Community Energy Expo for the whole family, at CCI. Clean energy exhibitions, energy-saving ideas you can use in your home, light bulb exchange, kids' activities, and enter to win a free insulation package. (1-5 p.m. at 64 South 14th St. on the South Side)
October 17-19: The Bioneers Conference takes place in San Francisco, and satellite conferences will be held in Cleveland and elsewhere. Some local folks will be traveling to attend (so get in touch if you might be able to go!), and we're hoping to build momentum toward holding a satellite conference here in Pittsburgh next year.
http://bioneers.org/
http://www.gcbl.org/bioneers
http://www.bioneerstopittsburgh.blogspot.com/
November 7-8: An Apple Festival for all ages. On Friday evening, master apple grower Lou Lego compares Apples To Apples, and hosts a comparison of fresh fruit and ciders; on Saturday, enjoy Celtic music and dancing, and the Third Annual Pro-Am Apple Pie Contest. Sponsored by the Allegheny Group of the Sierra Club, Slow Food Pittsburgh, the East End Food Co-op, the PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture, and the Penn State Extension.
(7 p.m. on Friday, 11-2 on Saturday at the Union Project, Negley & Stanton Avenues in Highland Park. Friday talk $10, Saturday events $5 adults, $3 kids).
http://www.slowfoodpgh.org
http://alleghenysc.org
December 4: Quarterly seminar of the Research Working Group of the Urban Ecology Collaborative, with talks on Urban Forestry and Invasive Weeds Research. (9-12 in the Penn State Cooperative Extension conference room, 400 N. Lexington Ave. in Point Breeze).
For info, contact mcm2@psu.edu or danbain@gmail.com
http://www.urbanecologycollaborative.org/
Every week: The Allegheny Front, Pittsburgh's own environmental radio show, explores myriad topics relevant to the lives of people in our region. Locally, listen Wednesdays at 7 p.m. on WYEP 91.3FM, or listen online any time. The program has spread across the region, now playing on other stations including WIUP, WPSU, and WRFA.
http://www.alleghenyfront.org
From now until November 5th: The upcoming election is about many things, not least the environment; this country needs to change its path sharply, and soon. The recent selection of a right-wing, stoutly anti-environmentalist vice-presidential candidate only raises the stakes. Volunteer opportunities abound, especially in swing states like Pennsylvania, and even simply being more vocal and visible can help. My next-door neighbor, who is a leader in the local Obama campaign, wrote up a great summary of how you and I can help influence this election, with practical suggestions and talking points.
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What Can I Do to Help Obama Win?
Whether the Obama candidacy will become an Obama presidency will be determined by 21 swing states. Pennsylvania is one of those states and you know people in many of the others. Your vote is important, but it may not be not enough…we need your help to gain still more votes. Here are a few ideas to consider:1. Make your support for Obama visible. This will demonstrate your confidence in the Obama-Biden ticket and provide conversation-starter for people who want to get more information about the candidates or find out how they can volunteer to help with the campaign. For example, you can
a. Wear an Obama t-shirt or pin a button on your clothes, backpack, purse, or tote.
b. Post an Obama yard sign or a window sign and put an Obama bumper sticker on your car, truck, or bike. We can provide these item if you need them!
2. Talk with anyone you believe is undecided. Share your support for Barack Obama. Help make the choice clear. There are numerous ways to do this. For example,
a. Talk one-on-one with other individuals. In preparation, practice a 1-2 min explanation of why you support Barack Obama and why they might want to, as well. For example:
- The economy is in terrible shape: Unemployment rate is high (6.1 %) and rising – 600,000 jobs already lost this year alone! The fuel costs have increased by 83% in 12 months, and many will not be able to afford adequate heat this winter. The mortgage market has suffered a meltdown, many hardworking Americans have lost their homes, and we have just witnessed the largest Federal bailout of a financial institution in history at a cost to taxpayers of $25 Billion. The national debt is almost $10 trillion and growing. And our Government is doing little to help the poor and middle class. Many of the problems can be linked to Republication ideals of deregulation and market behavior.
- War in Iraq must end: Initiated on a lie, so far the war has resulted in 4,000 dead and 30,000 wounded US soldiers, and untold Iraqi civilian deaths. The mistreatment of our veterans is unconscionable. The war costs $10 Billion a month – funding which could be used to provide social programs such as health insurance for all Americans and a better education for our children.
- Health care must be made available and affordable: Costs are high and rising, businesses and consumers are burdened with high insurance premiums, and 47 million people are without any health insurance!
- The Supreme Court is vulnerable: A least three new Supreme Court Justices will be probably appointed during the next presidency and will decide critical issues including reproductive choices and Constitutional and economic rights. These are lifetime appointments; the Justices’ impact on our Nation will far outlast the next administration.
- Also: Torture, global warming, the loss of privacy, the real nature of the McCain-Palin ticket… the topics are many.
c. Host a gathering at your house or community center. Encourage those who have not yet decided who to vote for to participate, including Hillary supporters, Republicans, and Independents. Promote discussion, invite a local speaker, view one of Barack Obama’s speeches that are on You Tube, or watch one of the upcoming debates.
3. Volunteer to canvas or make phone calls from a central location or your own home. Contact your local Obama office or sign up on the Obama web site.
4. Set up and staff an information table. Pick a busy area. Use the opportunity to register people to vote before the deadline (Oct. 6), to talk to people, and/or to sell buttons, bumper stickers, yard-signs, or t-shirts. We can provide all these items, just ask. (Most outdoor sidewalks are public property, and you can set up a table as long as you don’t block pedestrian traffic.)
5. Set up a personal fundraising page via the Obama site, then contact people and ask for contributions. It will raise money and promote commitment. (The site makes it all very easy – you do not actually need to handle any of the funds.)
6. Write letters to the editor and articles for newsletters. Letters to the Editor in newspapers and articles in newsletters allow us to speak up on the issues and explain who we, the Obama supporters, really are. These should be individually written, and personal where possible. People respond to stories, and a well-written letter can change minds!
7. Help recruit more volunteers. The campaign needs volunteers on every block and at every public gathering – fairs, picnics, sports events. No contribution of time is too small.
8. Contact individuals in your address book. Get your family, friends, and colleagues involved, particularly if they live in a swing states. Modify and send this handout. (We can provide an electronic version.) The states listed in bold type are especially important; they are likely to determine the outcome on Nov. 4!
Swing States:
Colorado Florida Georgia Indiana Iowa Louisiana Michigan Minnesota
Missouri Montana Nevada New Hampshire New Mexico North Carolina
North Dakota Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Virginia Washington Wisconsin
For additional ideas on how you can help, please ideas see:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/actioncenter.
Our work over the next two months will determine the next eight years and beyond.
WE CAN DO IT – WITH YOUR HELP!
*
Pittsburgh Volunteers for Obama (PghObama@gmail.com) 9/9/08
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