Progress Pittsburgh

The message below was sent to the 300+ members of Young Professionals of Pittsburgh for Obama, which is part of Generation Obama.  The message, which was sent by one of the admins, included a link to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s re-election page on facebook.

Thank you all for supporting this group!!!

We know that even after our victory that the work is no where near finished!

Check out the link below: JOIN and LEAD THE CHANGE here in PITTSBURGH!!!

[Link to "I like Luke:  Re-elect Luke Ravenstahl" facebook group]

Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.

• THE HUDDLER: BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING – A new blog is on the scene in Pittsburgh politics. Who is The huddler?
• Patrick Dowd for Mayor of Pittsburgh now has a Facebook Group – 81 members as of Jan 20, 2009.
• EOP – Blog Post – Change has come to WhiteHouse.gov – The white house now has a blog!!!!

Image by wallyg via FlickrCongratulations to Paul Roden and Valerie Leuth from Tugboat Print Shop. Their work has been selected for the Manifest Hope Exhibit in Washington, DC. Click here to see their finished print.

About Manifest Hope:

Art plays a pivotal role in creating cultural momentum. The MANIFESTHOPE: DC Gallery celebrates that role and shines a spotlight on artists who use their voices to amplify and motivate the grassroots movement that carried President-Elect Barack Obama to victory.

The Manifest Hope exhibit was first opened in Denver and includes works by Shepard Fairey. Click here to see more pictures from the exhibit.

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Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.

• The future of Oakland: Senate plenary session examines partnerships – A Pittsburgh City Council member is calling for representatives of the University and Oakland community organizations to join with city officials in developing a new 10-year master plan for Oakland.
• Nominate someone for the Center for Progressive Leadership Fellowship Program – Help us identify and recruit the next generation of progressive leaders in Pennsylvania by nominating an exciting potential leader for one of CPL's leadership programs.

  › Do you have a friend or colleague who has always thought about running for office?
  › Have you recently met an exciting local organizer?
  › Do you know someone who is a great leader in a field outside of politics?
  › Is there someone who has inspired you to get more involved lately?

• Tom Matzzie: What Obama’s Win Means – A really nice look at some of the factors behind this election – and some well deserved recognition for young people, organizers and the internet.

Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.

• UPMC laying off 500 this week – maybe they could have saved a little cash by not putting a sign on the building downtown.
• Hart-Altmire debate postponed – Sarah Palin's arrival is the reason for the postponment.
• What Jack Murtha and Barack Obama get wrong about race and class in western Pennsylvania. – By Dennis B. Roddy – Slate Magazine – Dennis Roddy writing for Slate.com takes a look at Murtha's comment and race play in Western PA – especially older working class Western PA.
• VoteAllegheny accepts audit of Allegheny County voting machines – Members of the advocacy group VoteAllegheny this morning said they are satisfied with Allegheny County's software audit of 18 touch-screen voting machines, even though they would have preferred a bigger random-sample audit size.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008 seems to be a popular date for some last-minute Democratic fundraising. That evening there are (at least) three fundraising events for Democratic candidates in the Downtown area. See the information below. Please stop by or donate to (at least) one.

— – — – — – — – — – —

Meet and Greet with Ayanna Lee

Wednesday October 22, 2008
5:00-6:30***
Palate Bistro, 212 Sixth Street, Across from Heinz Hall http://www.palatebistro.com/

RSVP on Facebook here – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=58171750224

Hosts: Georgia Berner, Miranda Berner, Abby Wilson, Natalia Rudiak, Chelsa Wagner, Matt Merriman-Preston, Lindsay Patross

***We have planned this event so that you may also attend the Obama event being held at Olive or Twist from 6-8pm

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WHAT
Generation Obama Party/Fundraiser
With Chris Heinz, Franco Harris, and Congressman Mike Doyle

WHERE
Olive or Twist
140 6th St
Pittsburgh, PA

WHEN
Wednesday, October 22
6-8 p.m.

Suggested contribution $50
Checks to Committee for Change (DNC)

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John Boyle is a pro-reform, pro-working families candidate for state House in the 57th District, an open seat in the Greensburg area. In recognition of his endorsement by PLYV PAC, John is opening his fundraiser Wednesday in Downtown Pittsburgh to members of the young progressive community at a major discount ($50 per person for a $500 ticket).

An Evening with John Boyle
Candidate for Pennsylvania State Representative – 57th State House District
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Allegheny Room, The Rivers Club
301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Please R.S.V.P. by Tuesday, October 21, 2008 to chardatz@aol.com
For more information, please call 412-956-9549

Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.

• Get involved with GLUE – How to Get GLUEy Today – GLUE – IS – PEOPLE! In less than three weeks, we will have elected a new president, and many of you will have new-found free time to devote to, let's just say for the purposes of argument, mega-regional collaboration between civically engaged city dwellers, natch. How can YOU help us hit the ground running in anticipation of a new administration in January?
• Obama East End GOTV Strategy Meeting- Oct. 15 6:30pm – MoveOn sent out an email about this today – this meeting is about their GOTV strategy.
• WXDX goes conservative – Mark Madden, who was fired from ESPN AM radio several months ago after making some crude comments about Ted Kennedy upon word of his brain tumor, was hired by WXDX for a 3-6pm show. In his debut on the air yesterday, instead of the usual metal and hard rock we got Mark Madden telling us Obama is a secret terrorist.

P208 - Click here to see other events around the 2008 Elections in Western PA. Know of an election event in town? Please leave the a comment with the event details here. Click here to see the Progress Pittsburgh Calendar.

Pittsburgh Women for Obama invite you to join us for the First Presidential Debate Watching Party

Friday September 26th at 8 PM
Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers
10 S. 19th Street, Southside, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

RSVP to pghwfo@gmail.com or visit http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gsx4tm

Join us to watch our next President, Barack Obama, debate his opponent on issues of Foreign Policy and National Security. The debate begins at 9PM EST and will be shown on a large screen.

We will have Bellinis (for a $2 donation) and other beverages, Women for Obama stuff, fun and games, and probably some surprises. Please bring “O-D’oeuvres” to share (finger foods only, please.) There is ample free parking in the adjacent lot and on the lighted street.

Bringing friends, especially undecided ones, is highly encouraged!

Who says fun and politics don’t mix!!

P208 - Click here to see other events around the 2008 Elections in Western PA. Know of an election event in town? Please leave the a comment with the event details here. Click here to see the Progress Pittsburgh Calendar.

The student organization Carnegie Mellon Students for Barack Obama is hosting a dynamic event showcasing Senator Obama’s progressive policies on innovation, technology, the Internet, and how these policies mean more jobs for Pennsylvanians. Barack Obama has made innovation a cornerstone of his vision for America. Pittsburgh has also embraced advanced technologies, forward-looking innovators, and a trained workforce to rebuild after steel’s collapse. Pittsburgh’s leaders will discuss their triumphs and challenges, what innovation means for the region, and how more economic growth would be possible under President Obama, on Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00 pm in the Alumni Concert Hall in the College of Fine Arts, Carnegie Mellon University.

Speakers include

• Marge Krueger, Communications Workers of America
• Mark Kryder, CTO and VP of Research for Seagate
• Nathan Martin, CEO of Deep Local
• Sean McDonald, CEO of Precision Therapeutics

Moderator: Jon Peha, Professor at Carnegie Mellon University

The most important speaker is you. All members of the audience will have the opportunity to record a short video clip to share their views. CMU Students for Barack Obama will send the videos to the campaign.

What: Changing Technology & Innovation from Words into Jobs: How an Obama Administration Will Help
When: September 23, 2008, 7:00 PM
Where: Alumni Concert Hall College of Fine Arts Building Carnegie Mellon University 5000 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890

The media and community are encouraged to attend.

More info: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/meeting/gsx4ws 

Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.

• Null Space: watching the bus drive by – "More politics involved this time for sure, but one of my answers is that the Port Authority's upper Management and fellow travelers have spent a lot more time and effort on PR this time around. Think about that some."
• Diondega 412: Bram & The Trib weigh in on Ford-Gate. – Are these voices a militant minority of Luke-Haters? Or does this reflect a bigger problem for the Mayor as the 2009 primary nears. STAY TUNED.
• Arizona governor stumps here for Obama – Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano — in town today campaigning for the Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama — received an earful today from Obama supporters worried the campaign isn't pushing back hard enough against attacks by Sen. John McCain.
• Fewer driving that long, lonesome Mon-Fayette Expressway – Barry Stout – "I'm as totally committed today as I was in 1970, when the Mon-Fayette Expressway wasn't a cubic yard of concrete," he said. "Soon we'll have 57 miles. This is a road we're building for the future, for our grandchildren, so they won't have to leave southwestern Pennsylvania to work and live."

  Sigh – how can we get these officials to see that the future of Western PA is not going to be determined by more super highway – if you want to think future think mass transit please!

• Shields calls for probe of URA deals, irks mayor – "Mr. Ravenstahl responded in a statement that Mr. Shields "has forgotten that he was sent to council to do the people's business, not to promote a political agenda focused on hurting me and aggrandizing himself."

  Dear Luke – it isn't all about you. It is the people's business to maybe question why you are spending lots of taxes payer money for settlements with people that you are supposed to be working with to move Pittsburgh forward. Thank You

Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.

• Barack Obama and Joe Biden: The Change We Need | Event | Rock for Barack – Rock for Barack –
  One Night, Two Venues, Too many acts!!! Sept 19th Pittsburgh, PA. 7pm @ Garfield Artworks (4931 Penn Ave) featuring – Dawn Canon, John Huffman, Axelrod, and Big Hurry, with special guest speakers from the Obama Campaign and Pittsburgh Dems. . . . . 10pm @ Brillobox (4104 Penn Ave) featuring – Gene Stovall, Famous Mr. Nobodiez, Knowledge, and Jack Wilson. At this event you can: Hear good music, register to volunteer for the campaign, register to vote, or just come to support Obama!
• Catholics for Obama Strategy Session in Pittsburgh – Sat. Sept. 13, 2008 – The Pennsylvania Campaign for Change will be running a one day Organize for Change Strategy Session for Catholics for Obama on Saturday, September 13th. This day long training will immerse you in the community organizing skills that Barack learned on the South Side of Chicago and which have guided the grassroots energy of this campaign.
• Steel City Stonewall Democrats Discussion List – The Steel City Stonewall Dems have a dicussion list (Yahoo Group) – it is open for anyone to join and share info.

This series is written by Jennifer Rapach, a delegate representing PA-4

Ok, Dad – I got a liberal commie to sign your birthday card.

 
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Here are some blog posts, article and links that you may have missed.

• Football-Obama Double Feature – This Thursday, August 28th, Barack will accept the Democratic nomination for president in front of 75,000 people in Denver.But before he delivers his speech, the Steelers will be playing at Heinz Field.

  Join the Campaign for Change, a special surprise guest, and thousands of fired-up Obama supporters to watch both the game and the speech live on the big screen at the Pittsburgh Coliseum.

  Event Details:
  Thursday, August 28th, 7:00 p.m.
  Pittsburgh Coliseum
  7310 Frankstown Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA 15208

  For more info, call (412) 867-6673

  Sign-up at the right to receive an e-ticket or stop by the Pittsburgh Campaign for Change Office at 213 Smithfield Street to pick up a paper ticket.

I was canvassing knocking on doors in Central Lawrenceville for most of today, and I couldn’t help but notice that, with the election only one day away, many of the households had been targeted by both campaigns.  I’d be hard pressed to come up with a prediction that I felt very comfortable with, but I’d guess that Obama might win the 9th ward by a few points.  Lawrenceville’s voting history does not really give too many clues.  There are probably a few more Obama signs around, but of course, if signs voted then we would not even need to bother going to polls.  That can be a signn of a little more enthusiasm, however.  I think the difference will be made by the new voters:  both new residents and residents who have lived in Lawrenceville their whole lives, but will be voting for the first time.

Please join Barack Obama for a rally in Pittsburgh, where he’ll talk about his vision for bringing America together and creating the kind of change we can believe in.

On Track for Change Rally with Barack Obama

University of Pittsburgh
Petersen Events Center
3719 Terrace Street
Pittsburgh, PA

Monday, April 21st
Doors Open: 7:30 p.m.
Program Begins: 9:30 p.m.

http://pa.barackobama.com/pittsburgh