Little Blog Blue

I'm forwarding the following newsletter from Missy:

Dear Blue Voters,

Just a quick update of some things coming up...
Hope to see you Sunday at the picnic!

DEMOCRATIC PARTY SUMMER PICNIC

Sunday, August 13th from 1-4pm

Carousel Pavilion on City Island in Harrisburg

Many of the Statewide candidates and top Democrats will be on hand to meet you and to share what's happening on the campaign trail.

We look forward to meeting you! Come join us!

Great food! a deluxe catered picnic by Simply Turkey. (lots for healthy wraps, whole grain bread sandwiches, salads - the works!)

Bring the family! Children's Carousel, Kiddie Railroad, Batting Cages and Video Arcade are all right next to the Pavilion.

Adults $20, Children under 12 free.

timgroveyan@yahoo.com for more info.

HELP CHECK BALLOT SIGNATURES

Beginning Monday August 14th at 8:30am, the Democratic Party needs to have 9 volunteers assist in the petition challenges against the Green Party (by order of the Commonwealth Court). It is important for us to have as many persons as possible available to assist us in this effort. As many of you know, the Green Party submitted an overwhelming number of illegitimate signatures to have their candidates placed on the ballot. Of more than 93,000 filed, approximately two-thirds of those are strongly suspected to be fraudulent. It is essential to the successful election of Bob Casey that we accurately review these petitions. Meals will be provided to those folks helping!

Please reply to Bailey Childers, childersb@dnc.org, or call her at 717-920-8470 or on her cell at 903-918-7160 immediately if you can give a few hours to help.

SATURDAY RADIO PROGRAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2006
Contact: United for Progress
http://www.unitedforprogress.com (http://www.unitedforprogress.com/)
This Saturday August 12th on United for Progress airing on WHYL AM 960 from 2 to 5 p.m. Rick Smith and Don LeVasseur will be speaking to
Fabricio Rodriguez the Director of Philadelphia Area Jobs with
Justice about the Hazelton area anti-immigration law that seems
unfair and unjust and also Rick and Don will be speaking to Bill
Panebaker. Candidate for State Representative in the 193rd District, Mr.
Panebaker has workers on the agenda. Also joining us will be the
Center for American Progress and The Democratic National Committee.

"When the man who feeds the world by toiling in the fields is himself deprived of the basic rights of feeding, sheltering, and caring for his own family, the whole community of man is sick." Cesar Chavez

LABOR CANVASSING WALK
Thursday, August 17th, 5:30pm
Harrisburg Central Labor Council
522 S. 22nd Street, Harrisburg

This week there is a canvassing/walk sponsored by Organized Labor. We’ll be going door to door to union households talking about working family issues. Please come out and join us! (And even if you can’t go door to door, we still need help with set-up, registration, tallying and all that good stuff!) Please respond to this email or call Missy at 215-1855 for more information. WE NEED YOU!!!
Less than 90 days until Election Day!

DINNER TO BENEFIT PEACE GARDEN

Wednesday, September 27th, 6:30pm

Wyndam Hotel, Swatara Township (right off Rt. 283)

Physicians for Social Responsibility schedules an annual dinner to raise funds to maintain the Peace Garden, a beautiful two block area between McClay and Emerald Streets along Front Street. If you haven't walked in this inspiring garden, plan to do so soon and take time to read the plaques with messages of peace, sit on a bench and admire the river.

This year's dinner is Wednesday, September 27 at 6:30 pm at the Wyndam Hotel. Our speaker is KATHLEEN MCGINTY, head of the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection. For more information, please contact us by email or phone. Ann Marie & John Judson 737-7211, AnnMarie512@aol.com

Don't forget to check out our website at www.votebluepa.org for a complete listing of events!

Missy Stehr-Wood
www.votebluepa.org

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Margaret Mead

Door to Door Canvassing -- This Saturday!

Saturday, July 15, 2006
10am-2pm
Meet at State Democratic HQ
300 North 2nd St, 8th Floor
Harrisburg

Contact John Bane at 920-8470

Yes, there's Door to Door Canvassing EVERY Saturday, but we're having an extra-big push this week. Let's go out and tell our neighbors how Democrats in the Legislature fought for - and won - the minimum wage increase. Tell them how - after 30 years of others failing - Ed Rendell succeeded in passing $1 billion in property tax reductions. And tell them how Bob Casey is going to Washington to represent everyday Pennsylvanians instead of just looking out for the big-wig special interests of Rick Santorum's K Street lobbyist pals.

Also, don't forget about phone banking every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night from 5:30pm-8pm. Pizza and beverages provided!

PrideFest and Unity Parade Volunteers Needed -- Meeting Tuesday!

Organizational Meeting for Volunteers of PrideFest and the Unity Parade
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
7:00 pm
Best Western
Eisenhower Boulevard (off exit 1B of I-283)

contact Kim Griffith at 877-2348

Pride isn't just for Gays and Lesbians anymore:

Volunteer Coordinator Kim Griffith needs your help on July 29th. The first ever Harrisburg Gay Pride Parade kicks off at 10am. That is followed by PrideFest from 11:15am - 7:00pm. Volunteers are needed for set-up, registration, security, clean-up, and more. Volunteer for an hour up to the entire day. Informational meeting for volunteers TOMORROW. Kim guarantees a fun time. More information about PrideFest: www.harrisburgpride.org

Local House Candidates Launch Websites

Actually, they may have been up for a couple of months, but they were just brought to my attention.

The election is less than 4 months away; here are two great candidates that could use your help:

Dennis Coffman (104th; Mark McNaughton's district): www.electcoffman.com

Cheryl Nick (105th; running against Ron Marsico): www.friendsofcherylnick.com

DCDC Summer Picnic

DCDC Summer Picnic
Sunday, August 13, 2006
City Island Carousel Pavilion
COST: Adults $20.00
Children under 12 free

From Peggy Grove:

Hello Democrats:

Dauphin County Democrats have scheduled our ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC and we want you to mark your calendars: Many of the Statewide candidates will be on hand to tell you what is happening on the campaign trail. The food will be catered by "Simply Turkey" no preservatives, lots of healthy wraps, whole grain bread sandwiches, great salads with turkey or chicken or ham or veggies, etc, etc, etc,. We'll be at the Carousel Pavilion on City Island in Harrisburg between 1 and 4 on Sunday, August 13th. Come and join us. So that we can plan to have enough food, could you please call 236-5971 or e-mail Peggy Grove at eggrove@comcast.net">peggrove@comcast.net to let us know that you are attending. We always welcome donations and advance payments to help defray the usual costs of putting on events like these. We also could use some hands to help with set-up and serving and of course clean up.

This event is always held rain or shine since the pavilion is covered. The Children's Carousel, City Island Kiddie Railroad and the Batting Cages and Video Arcade are all within a few feet of the pavilion so it's a great place to bring the family. We look forward to meeting the new committeepeople representing all the precincts in Dauphin County and of course welcome back the tireless returning commmitteepeople, candidates and all other interested Dems.

To make reservations please call, e-mail or preferably send your check to:

Peggy Grove
eggrove@comcast.net">peggrove@comcast.net, phone:236-5971
DCDC Summer Picnic
1705 N. Front St.
Harrisburg, PA 17102

Hello everyone. Can you believe that we're less than 5 months away from the 2006 election? I know I'm taking up a lot of space with the following Action Alert, but the GLBT Community in Pennsylvania really needs the support of its straight allies right now. So please take a moment to call your State Senator today. Thank you. - Jeff.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Action Alert: Contact Your State Senator to Help Stop the "Marriage Amendment"

The following is from Stonewall Democrats Co-chair Ben Turner:

The state Senate could vote soon on the proposed "marriage amendment" to the Pennsylvania Constitution (House Bill 2381). Anti-gay advocates will push hard for a Senate vote because the clock runs out for this session when the legislature leaves for summer recess in June or July.

This amendment goes far beyond current law and would take away basic, existing legal protections and benefits. In other states, as soon as similar amendments have passed, they have been used to take away health insurance or even protections against domestic violence. Unmarried straight people are at risk too. The anti-gay supporters of the Pennsylvania amendment claim nothing would change, but other states' experiences say otherwise. And no Pennsylvania citizen should be asked to gamble with his or her rights or legal protections.

If you live in anywhere in Cumberland County, or in certain parts of northern York County, it is EXTRA important to call. (If you have a friend or family member who lives there, please pass the word along!) Sen. Patricia Vance, R-31st, is one of the few senators from Central PA who has kept her name off the amendment. (Contact info is below.)

Please call EVEN IF you have already called once before.

Here is how to reach your state senator, depending on where you live. When you call, please be polite, say right up front that you live in the senator's district and then explain why you oppose the amendment.

-- CUMBERLAND County and part of northern YORK County (Dillsburg, Franklintown and Wellsville boroughs and Carroll, Fairview, Franklin, Monaghan, Warrington and Washington townships)-- 31st District: Sen. Patricia Vance, phone (717) 975-1985, 877-PAT-VANCE or (717) 787-8524. Again, if you live in this district, it is ESPECIALLY urgent that you call Sen. Vance's office.

-- Most of DAUPHIN County (Harrisburg, Hershey, Middletown, Dauphin and Halifax boroughs - mostly everywhere in the county south or east of Harrisburg) plus part of northern YORK County (Goldsboro, Lewisberry and York Haven boroughs and Conewago and Newberry townships) - 15th District: Sen. Jeff Piccola, phone (717) 787-6801 or 1-888-PICCOLA. Sen. Piccola is a cosponsor of the amendment, but he is also likely to return to the Senate leadership next year. So if you live in his district, please call.

-- Part of northern DAUPHIN County (Berrysburg, Elizabethville, Gratz, Lykens, Millersburg, Pillow and Williamstown boroughs and Lykens, Mifflin, Upper Paxton, Washington, Wiconisco and Williams townships) -- 27th District: Sen. John Gordner, the other senator from Central PA who has kept his name off the amendment. Phone 877-784-3464 (district, Friday) or 717-787-8928 (Harrisburg, Monday).

(For a complete list of communities in the Senate districts, visit http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bcel/cwp/view.asp?a=1099&q=431812)

If you live outside those areas, it is STILL important to call. You can find out who your state senator is by visiting www.legis.state.pa.us and entering your zip code in the "Find Members" area at the top right. You can use the "Help" link if you don't know your 9-digit Zip+4 code.

If you want more information on why the amendment is a rotten idea, visit our website at http://www.capitalstonewall.org/amendnew.html.

Read more!

DEAR BLUE VOTERS,
One might think that things would slow down after Memorial Day, but it
looks as if this year might get more and more interesting. I hope you'll
take a moment to look over the news items listed below. There is a rally
to support the increase in minimum wage on Monday, Food Drive on
Tuesday, Dauphin County Commissioners' meeting on Wednesday,
and a little humor at the end. Please be sure to check out the
website www.votebluepa.org for more info.

FINALLY, TALK RADIO WORTH LISTENING TO!!!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
http://www.unitedforprogress.com

This Saturday May 27th on United for Progress airing on WHYL AM 960
from 2 to 5 p.m. Rick Smith and Don Vasseur will speak to Cindy Daley
the Policy Director of The Housing Alliance on low income housing
in
the Harrisburg area and author Greg Palast, journalist and author of
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy . Rounding out the other hours our
regular guests from the Democratic National Committee and the Center
for American Progress will be on hand to lend insight to the topics
of the day.

Greg Palasts' book reminds us that money is at the root of the
current problems with this administration and that influence has
gotten extremely corrupt.

United for Progress is sponsored in part by: Pennsylvania
AFL-CIO;
National Education Association (NEA); Pennsylvania State Education
Association(PSEA); American Federation of State, County, and
Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 13; Teamsters Local 776; and
Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties
(APSCUF). Service Employees International Unions (SEIU);
American
Federation of Government Employees (AFGE); and Union Plus.

RALLY TO SUPPORT THE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

Rally & Lobby Day in Harrisburg

Please join representatives from Labor, the faith community, young workers, and other community leaders and advocacy groups as we continue to encourage legislators to help Pennsylvania's families by raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage for the first time in 9 years!!

When: Monday, June 5, 2006 (Lobbying begins at 11:00 a.m. Rally @ 1:30 p.m.)

Where: Main Capitol Rotunda, Harrisburg, PA

Facts On Raising The Minimum Wage

The $5.15 per hour minimum wage has not been raised since 1997.
21 states, including New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and New York, have raised their minimum wages due to inaction by the US Congress. Over half of the nation's population live in these states.
HB 257 passed the House of Representatives on April 5, 2006 by a vote of 145-50. It will raise the state minimum wage to $6.25 on July 1, 2006 and $7.15 July 1, 2007.
For information please contact Pearre Dean @ 717-329-8896 or Bethany Bobb @ 717-574-1460.

Read more!

No Meetup in April

Sorry for the short notice, but we will NOT be meeting this Thursday for our regularly scheduled meetup. Too many people are too busy working on the upcoming Primary Election campaign. If you would like to help with a Primary Election campaign, please contact Bailey Childers at 717-920-8470. Also, this election is when we elect local party committeepeople. If your ward or precinct doesn't have a candidate, write yourself in!

Democratic Canvassing

Ready for Democratic victory in 2006?

Then join us on April 29th as Democrats across the nation and the state of Pennsylvania hit the streets to talk to their neighbors about the Democratic Party and our vision for 2006 and beyond! The DNC has provided door knockers with the Party's message to leave for Democrats in our neighborhoods!! It's a great opportunity to kick off the campaign season and remind Dems to vote in our primary on May 16th.

Where to meet:
State Party HQ
300 N. 2nd St., 2nd Floor (above Kokomos)
Harrisburg
10 AM: Donuts and coffee will be provided!!

What to bring:
Yourself
A Big Smile
A desire to talk to other Democrats about our great vision!!

To RSVP, please visit this link:
http://www.democrats.org/page/event/detail/april29canvass/4v7ty

See you next Saturday!!!

Bailey Childers
DNC Regional Field Organizer

Bailey K. Childers
DNC Regional Field Organizer
Pennsylvania Democratic Party
300 North 2nd St., 8th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(903) 918-7160 (cell)
(717) 920-8470 (office)

Bob Casey Rally

The GOP is planning an event Thursday, April 27th at Soldiers' Grove at 12 Noon. They will be knocking Bob Casey, saying that he is missing in action for alleged absences while Treasurer. The AFL-CIO is planning a protest at the event with signs discussing how Santorum voted against the minimum wage 12 times and increased his own pay 3 times. Please call Bethany Bobb at 231-2852 if you would like to get involved or come to Soldiers Grove tomorrow at 12 noon and expose Santorum's record!

Chuck Pennacchio Fundraiser

Sunday, April 30, 2006
2:00 - 6:00 PM
Appalachian Brewing Company

Close out a successful April with music, politics, and fun. Chuck will be there with special guests, live music, and some of the Susquehanna Valley's finest beverages. Featuring the Swing States Road Show. Light fare will be served. Cash bar with craft brews. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. More information at: http://www.chuck2006.com/eventsDetail.asp?id=253

Union Event at Broad Street Market

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) consists of members from seventy-seven international and national unions with more than fifty chapters across the country. The CBTU continues to build a national movement that builds our strengths and talents to bear in the unending effort to achieve economic, political and social justice for every American.

Long before the globalization caught the attention of America’s working families, CBTU was challenging the gaping disparity of wealth, power and living standards throughout the world, especially within the African continent and Caribbean countries.

We cordially invite you, as well as others whom you feel may be interested, to attend our Anti-Sweatshop Campaign event to be held April 29, 2006 at the Broad Street Market, 1233 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA, from 10am until 4pm.