PENNSYLVANIA FOCUS: Blogs, Alternative Energy, Groups and Events

BLOGGING PENNSYLVANIA:

Lefty Blogs Pennsylvania: a roundup of Progressive News in Pennsylvania

Progress Pittsburgh is building a broad coalition of progressives to transform the governance of our city. Decades of mismanagement by directionless leadership and regressive machine politics have put our city at the brink of collapse. We need a transformation: new vision, new blood, and a new democratic process. We are working to make this transformation happen.

The Pennsylvania Progressive, brining you Pennsylvania News and Politics from a...well, PROGRESSIVE view.

Young Philly Politics: Progressive, Young, Philadelphia Politics, from Small to Big.

Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Conservative or Liberal, Deist or Pagan, Jersey transplant or Lehigh Valley native, we're all in this mess together. Let's talk. Let us do no harm. Today's one-liner: "Give me six lines written by the most honorable of men, and I will find an excuse in them to hang him.” Cardinal Richelieu

THE HUDDLER: A Pittsburgh blog, political rag, cyber tabloid, and place to hear the word on the street, from the outside looking in.


THREE AMERICAN VETERANS RUNNING FOR OFFICE IN PENNSYLVANIA: Joe Sestak, Bryan Lentz and Manan Trivedi are three proud veterans who are running for office in Pennsylvania. They deserve your consideration.

JOE SESTAK FOR SENATE:

Joe Sestak, Veteran and Progressive, is one of the brightest rising stars in American politics. From Joe's website:

During a distinguished 31-year career in the United States Navy, Joe attained the rank of 3-star Admiral and served in the White House, Pentagon, and in operational commands at sea. He is the senior military veteran, and the highest-ranking former military officer ever elected to either branch of Congress. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy and later earned a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. After retiring from the Navy, Joe returned home to Delaware County, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Susan, and daughter, Alex, and proudly represents the 7th District, where his mom and many of his seven siblings still reside...

Joe is running for Senate because he believes we must restore the promise to our children that they will have the opportunity based upon their talents to do even better than their parents. People in powerful positions have forgotten that the great American Dream is not about getting ahead, but rather creating a better America for the next generation and inspiring them to do the same. For the first time in history, that great compact between today’s and tomorrow’s generation has been broken. Joe believes we must restore hard work, honesty, and accountability to Washington DC to address the challenges we face and during his short time in Congress, he has delivered.

Since taking office in 2006, Joe has been named the most productive member in his legislative class. He is one of the few representatives to serve on three committees, serving as Vice Chair of the Small Business Committee, and a member of the Committee on Education and Labor and the Armed Services Committee. In the current Congress he has had more of his bills pass than either of the state’s two Senators, and is among the top five members of Congress in the number of bills and resolutions he has co-sponsored – a record of achievement that is unsurpassed in the entire Pennsylvania delegation, House and Senate. At home in Pennsylvania, his district office has handled almost 15,000 constituent cases over the past two and a half years – four times the Congressional average – and his staff has helped more than 820 of his constituents avoid foreclosure on their homes.

Some Videos from Sestak's Campaign:

Democrats Value People:



D-Day and the "it" that makes America Great:



Sestak on Don't Ask Don't Tell:



I urge you to visit Joe Sestak's website and do what you can, either as a volunteer and/or donor, to help elect this excellent gentleman to the Senate.


Manan Trivedi for Congress (PA-6)

Manan Trivedi is a physician, healthcare reform advocate, Naval Officer and Iraq War Veteran who is running for Congress. Here are some videos from Lt. Commander Trivedi's campaign:







Visit Trivedi's website to find out more and to volunteer or donate towards getting this Veteran and healthcare advocate elected to Congress.


Bryan Lentz for Congress (PA-7)

Bryan Lentz is a former Airborne Ranger with the 82nd Airborne who has been awarded the War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Bronze Star for Service. From Bryan Lentz's website:

Bryan’s overseas assignments include the war in Iraq, tours with Multi-National Force and Observers, and NATO peacekeeping missions in the Sinai Peninsula and Bosnia. Bryan held several leadership positions throughout his service. He commanded two rifle platoons and an 81mm mortar platoon while in the 82nd Airborne Division. In Bosnia, Bryan oversaw millions of dollars in infrastructure development, including the first-ever Russian-Romanian-Muslim-Serbian joint bridge. In Iraq, Lentz commanded a Civil Affairs Unit responsible for rebuilding infrastructure and developing civil governance in the northern city of Mosul.

Help elect Brian Lentz to Congress. Visit his website to see how to volunteer or contribute.


Another good candidates running in Pennsylvania: He may not be a veteran, but he rocks!

Tim Kearney for State House - District 172:




Carbon County Democrats For Change

We are forward-thinking Democrats who believe that reasonable men and women working together, can find solutions to such pressing issues as health care, climate change, and unemployment. We believe that in a world of global corporations, giant agribusiness, and other monied interests, ordinary people, working cooperatively, can make a difference.

If you share that belief, I think you will be right at home with Carbon County Democrats for Change.

Get Involved Now


Here are a few Democracy for America groups in Pennsylvania:

Gettysburg Area DFA Meetup: will be held at the Lutheran Theological Seminary on Seminary Ridge in Gettysburg the first Wednesday of each month. We gather at 6:30 pm to chat and enjoy refreshments. Our meeting begins at 7:00 PM at the Seminary's Valentine Hall, Room 206 -- across from the Seminary Library. There is parking both in front of Valentine Hall (off Springs Ave) and in the Seminary lot next to the Library. Contact Elaine Jones for more information: elainelynchjones_at_gmail.com

Western PA DFA Monthly Meeting: second Thursday of each month, 6:00 PM, Rudy & Son Restaurant, 1641 Mercer - Grove City Rd

Philly for Change Meeting: first Wednesday of the month at 7pm. Find out more about the group at www.phillyforchange.com


Reading Liberally Ridley Park: A Liberal Book Club. "Saving Democracy One Book at a Time"
Springfield, PA
* When? Second Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm
* Where? Border's Bookstore (Cafe Area), 1001 Baltimore Pike
* Hosted by Nina Walls


Next, here are some Drinking Liberally chapters in Pennsylvania: second Thursday of each month,

Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
* Third Thursday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* The Orchards Restaurant, 1580 Orchard Dr
* Ask for the Drinking Liberally group and you'll find us.
* Hosted by Alice Elia, chambersburg (at) drinkingliberally.org

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
* Second Thursday of each month (next meeting December 13), 6:00 pm onward
* O'Rorke's Eatery & Spirits, 44 Steinwehr Avenue (second floor)
* New Location
* additional parking in National Park Service Visitor Center lot behind restaurant
* Hosted by Eileen H. Potemra, gettysburg (at) drinkingliberally.org

Lancaster, Pennsylvania
* Every Tuesday, 7:30 pm onward
* Lancaster Brewing Company, 302 N Plum St (corner of Walnut and Plum)
* Hosted by Jeff Fulmer, Monz Wenner and Cher Rineer, lancaster (at) drinkingliberally.org

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Center City
* Every Tuesday, 6:00-9:00 pm
* Tangier, 1801 Lombard St (at 18th St)
* Hosted by Brendan Skwire, philadelphia (at) drinkingliberally.org

Mount Airy
* Every Thursday, 6:30-9:00 pm
* Mermaid Inn, 7673 Germantown Ave
* Hosted by Adam Zion, mtairy (at) drinkingliberally.org

Reading, Pennsylvania
* Second and fourth Thursday of each month, 6pm onward
* Canal Street Restaurant & Pub, 535 Canal St (a few blocks past RACC along the riverfront)
* NEW LOCATION!!! Great local beer from Legacy Brewing Co. & a large selection of wines by the glass.
* NO Thanksgiving meeting, obviously. Enjoy your holiday and all those awkward political conversations with ornery family members!
* Hosted by Kim Stahler and Dan Sauder, reading (at) drinkingliberally.org

State College, Pennsylvania
* First and third Tuesday of each month, 5:30 pm onward
* Hi-Way Pizza, 428 Westerly Pky
* Hosted by Nancy Crane, statecollege (at) drinkingliberally.org

West Chester, Pennsylvania
* First Thursday of each month, 8:00 pm onward
* Ryan's Pub, 124 W Gay St (On Gay St. between Church & Darlington)
* We are still on the once a month format and we have changed the venue to Ryan's. We'll be meeting up on the 2nd floor near the bar.
* Remember, no need to feed the meters in town after 5pm- save that cash for drinks!
* Hosted by Jonathan Long, Daniel Tyman and Jamie Manos, westchester (at) drinkingliberally.org

York, Pennsylvania
* Fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm onward
* The First Capital Dispensing Company, 57 N Pershing Ave (We usually secure a large table or two in the back room.)
* Hosted by Phyllis Wise, Roland Rode and Craig Thomas, york (at) drinkingliberally.org

And some related groups that also mix politics and fun:

Critical Mass
Monthly at 5:30 PM on the fourth Friday
Where: Dinosaur, Carnegie Library, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Description: Critical Mass is a celebration of bicycling as a pollution-free mode of transportation. Critical Mass is not an organization nor it is affiliated with any organization, it's an unorganized coincidence. It's a movement ... of bicycles, in the streets.

Pittsburgh Green Drinks
3rd Friday of every month
Check the website for locations & guest speakers:
http://www.biothinking.com/greendrinks/index.php?country=USA&city=Pittsburgh

Steel-City Stonewall Democrats Happy Hour
Monthly at 17:15 on the fourth Tuesday
Where: Images 965 Liberty Avenue downtown