Can’t make it to the event? You can still make a contribution to the P2pac – click here to contribute online.

There will be a suggested donation of $10 at the door. All funds will go to support P2pac and future candidate endorsements.

P2PAC develops, supports, and helps to elect candidates who demonstrate vision, progressive values, and electability. For more information, visit p2pac.com

Tuesday, Februrary 21, 2012 6-8pm
The Park House, 403 E. Ohio Street
Please RSVP via the Facebook Event - http://www.facebook.com/events/237247409693962/

Image by mek22 via Flickr

but without the butter scuplture.

If you are thinking of running for President – then a stop at the Iowa state fair is a must.  Romney is planning to stop by on Thursday, Ron Paul will be visiting the fair on Friday and CSPAN will be providing live coverage of the fair all weekend long. And yes – there are butter sculptures at the state fair.

Well if you want to see who is testing the waters for a run in a future Pittsburgh or Western PA election – the SEAD picnic is the local version of the Iowa State Fair.

SEAD = South End Active Democrats

SEAD is a county wide grass roots Democratic organisation dedicated to getting every day people involved in the Democratic Politics. We have over 250 members from 39 communities in Allegheny County. Members include elected officials, candidates, campaign workers, union members, community activists and tireless volunteers.

The SEAD picnic is particularly interesting in Pittsburgh races where georgraphy plays a big deal.  The southern votes can make or break a campaign.  In the past both Luke Ravenstahl and Tom Murphy have been from the North Side.  The East End tends to stick with a candidate – and the southern neighborhoods could be the deciding factor.

Image via Wikipedia

It will be interesting to see which candidates make an appearance.  Will Michael Lamb be there building his base of support in the South? With Peduto or Dowd cross a bridge to make some friends on the other side of the river? Rumor has it that Jack Wagner is interested in running for mayor – maybe he will make an appearance.

We doubt that there will be much happening at the SEAD picnic with the county exec race – probably not a friendly place for team Raja – but Fitzgerald is from the east so maybe he will be there making some friends too.

While we doubt there will CSPAN or even PCTV coverage of the SEAD picnic.  Maybe Bram or Lady Elaine will be there live tweeting the action.  And there probably won’t be a butter scupture but there will be door prizes…

door prizes, a pig roast, pony and horse rides, Hawaiian Moonwalk Bouncer, Kids games provided by the Young Democrats of Allegheny County, DJ and the Wild World of Animals Show featured on the Regis and Kathy Show. Plenty of Democratic Candidates, but no speeches.

22nd Annual SEAD Picnic & Luau (complete with Pig Roast)
Sunday, August 14, 2011 Noon-7pm
Clock Building South Park Fairgrounds
Facebook Event – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=148166181932959

Related articles

• Butter sculptures churn 100-year state fair legacy (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Sneak Peek: What’s New At Iowa State Fair 2011? – Des Moines News Story – KCCI Des Moines (faircarnivals.com)
• 25 OK Butter Sculptures That Are Probably Not Worth Having A Heart Attack Over But Here They Are, Have Fun (buzzfeed.com)

State representative Eugene DePasquale will be in Pittsburgh for a Meet & Greet (looks like a fundraiser with a suggested donation of $25/person) on Wednesday, July 27, 2011. Details and host committee are below – it is a pretty interesting host committee too – state reps, former state reps and campaign staffers. You can check out the Facebook event here – thus far 54 people are attending so there should be a great turnout.

Please join us for a meet and greet with State Rep. Eugene DePasquale

Wednesday, July 27, 2011, 5:00 – 7:00 PM

AVA Restaurant, 126 S. Highland Avenue & Baum Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Suggested Contribution: $25

RSVP: To this posting or via email to liz@eugene4pa.com

Checks may be made out to “DePasquale for PA” and brought to the event or mailed to: DePasquale for PA, PO Box 1822 | York, PA 17405

Donations may also be made online via ActBlue: https://secure.actblue.com?/entity/fundraisers/24166

This event is generously hosted by:

• Kevin Acklin
• Damon Andrews
• Matthew Arena
• Fmr. Rep. Lisa Bennington
• Andrea Boykowycz
• Rep. Dom Costa
• David Dix
• Jennifer England
• George Fitch
• Rep. Marc Gergely
• Dan Gilman
• Sue Kerr
• Rep. Bill Kortz
• Rep. Nick Kotik
• Lynette Lederman
• Stan Lederman
• Rep. Bob Matzie
• Matt Merriman-Preston
• Khari Mosley
• Chuck Pascal
• City Councilman Bill Peduto
• Linda Piso
• Karen Rollins-Fitch
• Amy Jude Smotzer
• Martin Michael Smotzer
• Connie Sukernek
• Pat Sweeney
• Rep. Chelsa Wagner

While an application has been submitted to the Planning Commission from developer Rich Costanzo, his application will not be the focus of this meeting.  Councilman Shields and representatives from the City’s Law and Planning Departments will be present to answer questions.

Image via Wikipedia

WATER’S WAYS: A Presentation & Discussion of Local Water Issues and Public Health

When: Monday, June 6, 7:00pm
Where: Jewish Community Center, 5748 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh 15217 (Squirrel Hill near Murray Ave)

Web Site: http://www.jccpgh.org/page/ajm

In conjunction with the exhibition Too Shallow for Diving: the 21st Century is Treading Water, participating artists Ann Rosenthal and Steffi Domike have organized a discussion of local water issues and public health with environmental and academic leaders:

• Dr. Patty DeMarco, Director of the Rachel Carson Institute, Chatham University will discuss water issues and choices for the 21st Century.
• Dr. Charles Christen, Director of Operations for the Center for Healthy Environments & Communities (CHEC) at University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health will address the public health implications of water and Marcellus Shale development. Dr. Christen worked closely with Dr. Conrad “Dan” Volz who recently resigned as Director of CHEC.

This event is free and open to the public. Those attending will have the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers and artists, and will be able to view the exhibition.

The exhibition Too Shallow for Diving: the 21st Century is Treading Water, guest curated by artist and educator Carolyn Speranza explores the environment, especially those issues surrounding water and its impact on our planet, human health and public welfare.

Pittsburgh Green Drinks: Marcellus Shale

DATE: March 31, 2011

TIME: 5:00pm-9:00 pm

LOCATION: The Clemente Museum, 3339 Penn Avenue, Lawrenceville

HOST: Jim Ferlo

FEATURED GUEST:  Rich Fitzgerald

More on Pittsburgh Green Drinks:

WHAT: The world-famous Green Drinks
WHEN: usually 5:00 – 9:00 PM
STATUS: Informal, self-organizing network
GLOBAL: Now active in 614 cities worldwide! Every month globally since 1989, locally since 2005. Average attendance: 90
http://www.greendrinks.org/

RULE: Last Thursday of every month (Except November 2011)
WHERE:  Rotating Venues in Pittsburgh-Look for the 2011 Calendar

email us at pittsburghgreendrinks@gmail.com with questions, comments.

Here is the text for the flyer:

Not sure what the vodka drinks is all about – but that might be a good thing to have on hand for a candidates forum.

Who will be there?

Candidates expected to appear include those running for:

• City Council District 5
• City Council District 9
• County executive
• County controller
• County treasurer
• Judicial candidates

Submit your questions now. Chris Potter has invited anyone to submit a question for the candidates – leave a comment on his Slag Heap post HERE. We agree the City Paper’s comments are kind of complicated so you can also send your questions to Chris Potter via twitter @PghCityPaper or email cpotter – at -steelcitymedia.com.

They are inviting anyone who is interested to submit a video to their progressive film contest.  First prize is $300 and there is no fee to enter.  The contest is open to anyone who would like to enter.

Key Dates:

• Info Session – Sunday, March 13, 2011 – 1pm @ the Squirel Hill Library
• Entries Due – April 9, 2011
• Screening and Awards – Sunday, April 16, 2011 – Schenley Park Skating Rink (Facebook Event)

All of the details are available on this flyer - 2011 14WIDC Video-Media Contest Flyer3

Political Salon
Saving Lives: Responding to the World’s Worst Humanitarian Crises

John Prendergast, Human Rights Activist and Co-Founder of the Enough Project
Anne C. Richard, Vice President for Government Relations and Advocacy, International Rescue Committee

March 2, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Bricolage Theater, 937 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh

Every year natural disasters affect close to 160 million people worldwide. In addition, political turbulence in many regions has increased the number of  people fleeing unrest. In 2009, there were 15.2 million refugees and 27.1 million internally displaced people in the world. Both natural and man-made disasters have a profound impact on human life, but it is often the most vulnerable who are hardest hit. How can the international community respond to the needs of disaster victims around the world?

John Prendergast is Co-Founder of the Enough Project, an initiative of the Center for American Progress to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Previously, he served as Director of African Affairs at the National Security Council and Special Advisor to Susan Rice at the Department of State. Mr. Prendergast has authored 10 books. His most recent book, “The Enough Moment: Fighting to End Africa’s Worst Human Rights Crimes,” was co-authored with Don Cheadle. Mr. Prendergast has been a visiting professor at several universities. Currently, he is a Visiting Fellow with the Ford Institute for Human Security at the University of Pittsburgh.

Anne C. Richard is Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The IRC conducts humanitarian aid programs in 42 countries, assisting people uprooted by war or persecution.  Ms. Richard has visited IRC programs in: Liberia, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Burma, Thailand, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Jordan, and Syria. Previously, Ms. Richard spent 17 years in the U.S. government. From 1999-2001, Ms. Richard was the chief adviser for budget and planning for Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Earlier, she served at Peace Corps Headquarters, the State Department, and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

More details here http://www.worldaffairspittsburgh.org/programsCalendarList.jsp?restrictids=nu_repeatitemid&restrictvalues=2161392240601297415122351