5-9 p.m. at the Clemente Museum, 3339 Penn Ave. in Lawrenceville. Free admission, complimentary beer and snacks provided by Senator Ferlo; Engine House 25 Winery will also have a $5/glass special. For more information, email pittsburghgreendrinks@gmail.com or senatorferlo@gmail.com .
Mar 31: Green Drinks on Marcellus
State Senator Jim Ferlo hosts this month's Green Drinks, titled Marcellus Shale: Confronting the Challenges, Embracing the Opportunities. County Council President Rich Fitzgerald (11th District)
Mar 31: "Rationalist Accounts of War" at CMU
Rationalist Accounts of War
Robert Powell, Robson Professor of Political Science, University of California, Berkeley
Co-sponsored by the Quantitative Social Science Scholars Program, the Humanities Scholars Program, and the Center for International Relations and Politics
http://www.cmu.edu/uls/march/powell.html
6:00 pm in Steinberg Auditorium (Baker Hall A53)
Mar 30: Air Pollution forum with Hopey & Templeton
The Stories, the Science and the Solutions Behind Air Pollution in Western Pennsylvania
Who are the people affected everyday by air pollution? Hear their stories.
What questions do you have? Get the answers.
What can you do? Learn about solutions.
Don Hopey and David Templeton, authors of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s “Mapping Mortality” series, will lead an evening forum with individuals featured in the articles. This event will pull the people from the pages to share their struggles and concerns. A question and answer session will follow, allowing the audience to ask questions of the authors, the featured individuals and air quality experts. Finally, rounding out the evening, local environmental leaders will discuss current regulations and what actions we can take to improve our environment and public health.
Refreshments 5:30-6 pm; Forum 6-9 pm at Chatham University's Eddy Theater (104 Woodland Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15232).
Brought to you by: Center for Coalfield Justice, Clean Water Action, Environmental Integrity Project, Group Against Smog and Pollution, Penn Environment, PennFuture, Sierra Club Allegheny Group and Women for a Healthy Environment. For more information, contact Randy Francisco at 412.802.6161, randy.francisco@sierraclub.org
Mar 29: Picket the Marcellus shale gas summit
On March 28-30, the leaders of the gas industry will gather in Pittsburgh for an "environmental" summit on Marcellus Shale gas drilling [read: greenwashing]. Join us for a picket and speak out to show our concern for the health of our communities and the environment on which we depend.
11:30 a.m. at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, 107 6th Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (map)
For more information, call (724) 485-9835
Mar 26: Earth Hour
On March 26, 2011, turn off your lights at 8:30 pm local time for Earth Hour to demonstrate your commitment to the one thing that unites us all--the planet. This year, on every continent, countries, businesses, communities and famous landmarks--including New York's Empire State Building and Washington, DC's National Cathedral--will be "switching off." When the lights go back on, we want you to go beyond the hour and think about what you can change in your daily life that will benefit the planet.
Mar 25-26: Farm to Table Conference
The 2011 Farm to Table Conference will provide opportunities for consumers in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region to learn more about the benefits of eating local food. This year's theme: Eat Local & Healthy All Year 'Round -- addressing the common misconception that local food is only available during the summer. The two-day conference is an immersion into the local food scene in Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania. Conference highlights include speakers, cooking demonstrations, food samples, children's activities, and the opportunity to purchase food and wine directly from the vendors.
If you are a farmer, producer, restaurant or other business that supports eating local food then we want you at our conference! We have tiered sponsorship and exhibitor levels to accommodate many different types of businesses.
The annual conference provides opportunities for consumers in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region to learn more about the benefits of eating local food. This year's theme: Eat Local & Healthy all Year Round addresses the misconception that you can only eat local during the summer. Western Pennsylvania has many local food options, even now!
Main conference is 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh. A Networking Breakfast is scheduled on Saturday, March 26 from 8 am - 10 am and a Local Food Tasting on Friday, March 25 from 5 pm - 8 pm. Ticket prices are lower this year, and a 1 day ticket is now available ($10/day in advance, $15 at the door; food tasting is $25/30, breakfast is $10 with pre-registration required). Kids under 12 are free. Teachers in ACSHIC school districts will receive Act 48 credits for attending the sessions. For registration and more information, visit www.FarmToTablePA.com
Speakers and demonstrations on Friday:
Nutrition, Food & Fitness - Small Changes. . . Big Results (Mari V. Musial & Kelly Snyder, Family & Consumer Sciences Department, North Hills School District)
Fabrication of Whole Chicken, Utilization of Chicken Parts & Types of Chicken, (Chef Mike Lamantia, Parkhurst Dining)
Preserving the Harvest...Options Beyond Canning (Rhonda Schuldt, Local Goodness)
Fabrication of Whole Chicken, Utilization of Chicken Parts & Types of Chicken, (Chef Mike Lamantia, Parkhurst Dining)
Preserving the Harvest...Options Beyond Canning (Rhonda Schuldt, Local Goodness)
Why Now is the Time to go Solar (Brad Yocum, Astrum Solar)
Food, Farming and Famine (Cody Holmes, Rockin H Ranch and author of "Ranching Full-Time on Three Hours a Day")
Hot Water Bath Canning & Pressure Canning (Christine Tomasky, Kathleen Shearer, Lisa Adams, Rosary Acres)
How to ferment anything! The practice and health benefits of natural food fermentation (Scott Grzybek, Zukay Foods)
Food, Farming and Famine (Cody Holmes, Rockin H Ranch and author of "Ranching Full-Time on Three Hours a Day")
Hot Water Bath Canning & Pressure Canning (Christine Tomasky, Kathleen Shearer, Lisa Adams, Rosary Acres)
How to ferment anything! The practice and health benefits of natural food fermentation (Scott Grzybek, Zukay Foods)
Traditional Diets and Raw Milk (Sally Fallon, Weston A. Price Foundation)
Bone Broths (Maureen Diaz, Chapter Leader)
Speakers and demonstrations on Saturday:
Cooking with Seasonal Foods (Chef Lisa Ferguson, Fabled Table)
Plants not Pills: How Foods Fight Cancer Cooking Class (Leah Lizarondo Shannon, The Cancer Project)
Our Sustainable Food Supply (Patty DeMarco PhD, Director, Rachel Carson Institute, Chatham University)
Eating Local All Year Long in Western Pennsylvania (David Eson, Isidore Foods)
Plant Based Nutrition, Raw and Living Foods (Mandi S. Babkes MNH, HHC, AADP, Raw and Living Foods Chef)
Heritage Livestock Breeds: What They Are, Why They Matter & How to Find Them (Emily Stevenson , Pleasant Valley Farm)
Food Blessing Meditation (Dorit Brauer, Meditation)
Mar 24: Global sustainability talk at CMU
Sustainability and the Evolving Global Chessboard
Terry F. Yosie HS’75,’81, World Environment Center
http://www.cmu.edu/uls/march/yosie.html
4:30 pm, Porter Hall 100 (Gregg Hall)Post Options
Mar 24: Gov. Howard Dean at CMU
Governor Howard Dean on The Health of the Nation
Co-sponsored by the Center for International Relations and Politics, the Humanities Scholars Program, and Heinz College
http://www.cmu.edu/uls/march/dean.html
12: 15 p.m. in Hamburg Hall 1000.
Mar 24: Marcellus geology forum at Carnegie Science Center
Drilling Down on Marcellus ShaleMarcellus Shale natural gas places western Pennsylvania at a historic energy crossroads. Join us for this Science & Society Town Square lecture and discussion. At this event, you can hear from, and engage in dialogue with, a distinguished local geologist. Join us and be part of the public forum on a topic central to the future of western Pennsylvania's economy and environment: the geology underlying Marcellus Shale, featuring Charles E. Jones, PhD (Department of Geology and Planetary Science University of Pittsburgh)7-9 pm at the Carnegie Science Center. $12 members/ $15 non-members; includes coffee and dessert. Register online or call 412-237-3400, then press 7
Mar 24: Marcellus info forum in Midland
Marcellus Shale Informational Forum: Get the latest information from experts on Marcellus Shale process and development, including
- Infrastructure components
- Current natural gas trends
- Legal issues
- Land and water use
- Treatment
- Disposal methods
- And much more
6-9 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, One Lincoln Park in Midland. If you plan to attend, please RSVP here. More information at http://repmarshall.com/msforum.aspx .
Speakers will include:
David Spigelmyer (Chesapeake Energy) – An overview of Marcellus Shale coalition and how natural gas affects transportation
Alan Eichler (PA Department of Environmental Protection) – Environmental issues and regulation
Carl Carlson (Range Resources) – Range Resources drilling activity and economic impact
Jon Laughner (Penn State Extension) – Job creation and local community impact
Joseph Lawrence, Esq. – Homeowner’s legal rights and the “do’s and don’ts” of signing contracts
Thomas C. Melisko Jr. (International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 66) – Economic impact
So that we know how much material to prepare, please RSVP to let us know you plan to attend. You can RSVP online here or by calling my office at 724-847-1352.
More resources on Marcellus Shale here
Mar 19: Backyard Composting class
Composting is nature’s way of recycling. By utilizing the natural process of decomposition, organic materials often considered “waste,” such as grass clippings, food scraps, autumn leaves and even paper, can be recycled back into a rich soil conditioner. Through this transition, soil organisms, many of which are too small to see, break down the organic material in a compost pile so that valuable plant nutrients can be released for future generations of plants to use. Composting helps you reduce your waste stream, it improves the health of your gardens, and most of all its easy to do and enjoyable.
Workshop Details:
This workshop thoroughly covers the importance of composting, setting up a compost pile, proper maintenance and ways of using finished compost. Participants will receive an Earth Machine Compost Bin with attendance. This bin, approved across the state as an ideal bin for urban and suburban areas, has an eighty-gallon capacity.
PRC Backyard Composting Workshops
Sign up for a Backyard Composting Workshop and turn your yard waste and food scraps into a valuable resource for your garden. If you would like to receive workshop updates by email, please send a request to the contact information below.
For more information or to sign up for a workshop, email prccompost@ccicenter.org or call the composting hotline at: (412) 488-7490 ext. 226 unit per registration)
To sign up for a backyard composting workshop, click here! Prepayment is not required for registration. Additional workshops in the series are listed below:
April 3rd (Sunday) April 16th (Saturday) April 26th (Tuesday) | May 25th (Wednesday) June 8th (Wednesday) June 15th (Wednesday) |
Mar 17: Dudley Edmondson talk
Freelance nature photographer Dudley Edmondson comes to Pittsburgh for a free lecture called “Attempting to Understand the Disconnect Between African-Americans and the Outdoors”
Dudley Edmondson has spent the last 19 years as a freelance photographer, photographing nature and wildlife subjects around the country. He is particularly interested in exploring the way ethnically diverse people see themselves and the way the world sees them. His 2006 book "Black and Brown Faces in America's Wild Places" and its companion youth version was conceived to increase minorities' engagement in outdoor activities and advocacy. Learn more about him at www.raptorworks.com.
6:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Homewood Branch (7101 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh 15208). This one-hour lecture followed by light refreshments is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please complete this online form or call 412-682-7275, ext. 227 to reserve your spot.
Mar 17-19: Environmental Education conference
The Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators will be having its annual conference at Antiochian Village near Ligonier , PA
Mar 15: Temple Grandin at NW Pa Grazing Conference
The 14th Annual Northwest Pennsylvania Grazing Conference will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm at the Tri-County Church located just off of Interstate 80 in DuBois. The primary goal of the conference is to present the latest in grazing technology and methodology so that producers can increase on-farm income by increasing production or reducing costs.
This year, the conference will focus on pasture based systems and grazing livestock with sessions specific to the importance of improving cattle handling practices, mob grazing, equine pasture management, and renovation of pastures. The Keynote Speaker is Dr. Temple Grandin. She overcame severe autism as a child to pursue a career as an Animal Behavior Scientist. She single handedly redesigned livestock handling equipment from the perspective of how cattle view and react to their surroundings. Success in incorporating the animal perspective into her work has helped make her a much sought after consultant. She’s a nationally known speaker at grazing conferences and with the release of a recent HBO movie about her life we are anticipating a large crowd.
The early registration fee to attend is $30 per person and includes a continental breakfast and hot buffet lunch. Early registration is required by February 15, 2011. Conference information can be downloaded from the Headwaters RC&D website at www.headwaterspa.org or by calling 814-375-1372 Extension 4.
Headwaters RC&D is a nonprofit organization serving the residents of Jefferson, Elk, Clearfield, Cameron, McKean, Potter, Clinton and Centre Counties. The mission of this organization is to provide leadership through projects and partnerships that develop or enhance the sustainable cultural, environmental and economic well-being of north central Pennsylvania communities.
Mar 12: St. Pat's parade w/Sierra Club & Marcellus Protest
The Allegheny Group of the Sierra Club and Marcellus Protest invite you to join us at Pittsburgh's St. Patrick's Day parade downtown, to demonstrate our concerns about the hazards of Marcellus Shale drilling. Let's remind policymakers, political candidates, and the public that we're not going away.
It’s WEARING OF THE GREEN TIME! Please join the Sierra Club for the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Saturday, March 12, 2011, 9:30am-noon. We need YOU! Come join us to hit the streets for a fun and exciting day as we expose the truths behind Marcellus Shale Drilling! There will be music, costumes, and camaraderie with your Sierra Club friends. See details on where to meet. Please RSVP by emailing marcellusgwat at gmail dot com so we can plan for food and props.
If you’d like to march with us, please let Mel Packer know: MelPacker@aol.com
Parade formation begins at the Greyhound Bus Station - Liberty Avenue &11 th St.
Parade route/info: http://www.pittsburghirish.org/parade/route/index.htm
Mar 11: GASLAND screening in Lawrenceville
Gasland, the Academy Award nominated documentary movie that ignited a protest movement against Horizontal, Hydrofracking, Marcellus Shale, Natural Gas Drilling.
Sponsored in part by Western Pa Democracy for America, this is a must see film for anyone to understand what the concern regarding the drilling is all about. Plus it is very entertaining; presented in a folksy easy style.
7 p.m. at Lawrenceville's Icehouse Studios (100 43rd St, Suite 106, Pittsburgh, PA 15201). Some snacks and libations are provide as well as lively discussion following the film.
Mar 10: Local Food Showcase
Local Food Showcase: A Grower/Buyer Event at Chatham University. This b2b event showcases the finest, freshest local food that western PA has to offer. Farmers can find customers for farm products by registering as a vendor. Buyers can find local sources for restaurants, stores, markets, CSA's or other businesses. There will be chef demos and educational workshops in addition to networking.
Penn State Extension, Allegheny County and co-sponsor Chatham University are proud to announce the first annual "Local Food Showcase: a Grower / Buyer Event". This event brings together Western Pennsylvania farmers, value added producers, food industry purchasers, and consumers. The event will be held on March 11, 2010 from 1-4pm at Chatham University. If you grow food, cook food or eat food, this event is for you!
This is a great opportunity to find local sources of fresh and processed foods for retail, restaurant, CSA (community supported agriculture), wholesale, farm markets, and home use. This event features a tradeshow format to foster networking. These local food producers will be displaying their products and seasonal availability to potential customers. In addition, there will be demonstrations, tastings and educational information on local farms, biofuels, composting and gardening. Many area organizations will be on hand contributing to this event.
New this year are two morning workshops, both lasting from 10:00-11:30 am. The workshop for buyers costs $30 and is entitled, “What is the real value of connecting to the local food system?” In this workshop participants will learn how to work with producers to increase local food production, distribution and consumption. They will examine the reasons for promoting the use of local farm products in their businesses, and discuss the constraints and barriers involved in accessing what they want from regional farms. There will also be a discussion of successful strategies used to overcome some of those barriers. The grower’s workshop costs $15 and is entitled, “Pricing Techniques and Marketing Strategies to Increase Sales.” In this workshop attendees will learn about different pricing techniques adopted by the food industry. There will be a lecture and discussion of marketing strategies used to increase sales via direct and indirect channels. A light continental breakfast will be provided for the workshops, and
an optional brown bag lunch will be available for $9.
Pennsylvania agriculture yields an amazing variety of food. The full spectrum of locally produced foods will be represented including fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, cheese, baked goods, sauces and salsas.
The goal of the "Local Food Showcase: a Grower / Buyer Event" is to foster economic development through business relationships between farmers and chefs, retailers, wholesalers, institutions, for the upcoming 2010 growing season and beyond. It is part of a larger effort to strengthen the local food infrastructure in Western Pennsylvania.
The showcase event will be held at the Chatham University Athletic & Fitness Center on Woodland Road, Pittsburgh PA 15232, on March 11, 2010 from 1-4pm.
Farmers and vendors can register for this event through Penn State Extension, Allegheny County by contacting Heather Mikulas at 412-473-2540 or hem12@psu.edu -- Registration deadline is February 26.
The public is invited to attend; the entrance fee to the event is $10.
To register or for more info, contact Heather Mikulas at the Penn State Extension, 400 Lexington St. Pgh 15208; hem12@psu.edu, 412-423-8633.
Mar 10: County Council hearing on Marcellus
Allegheny County Council has agreed to hold a public hearing to hear concerns about Marcellus Shale drilling/hydrofracking in our county. This is your chance to tell County Council Members how you feel about drilling in our county. Let's pack the room to the rafters!
Rally at 4 p.m. on Courthouse Steps (436 Grant Street)
Hearing at 5 p.m. in the Gold Room on the 4th floor.
You must register to speak at least 24 hours in advance; call (412)350-6490
or visit www.alleghenycounty.us/cou
Rally at 4 p.m. on Courthouse Steps (436 Grant Street)
Hearing at 5 p.m. in the Gold Room on the 4th floor.
You must register to speak at least 24 hours in advance; call (412)350-6490
or visit www.alleghenycounty.us/cou
(follow up with a call to confirm that you're on the Speaker List: (412) 350-6490).
If you can't be at this public hearing, please contact your Council member to express your feelings about shale gas drilling. You can find their contact info here (if you're not sure who's who, look in the menu on the left for Council Districts and find your town or ward).
Mar 10: Vermicomposting class
Vermicomposting workshop -- worms can eat your garbage, even if you don't have any outdoor space. The Pennsylvania Resources Council will host another in its series of composting workshops.
6:30-8:15 at the CCI Center on the Southside. For more information and to register, you can call 412-488-7490 x226 or visit this link. Vermicomposting again on May 17th at Phipps Garden Center (7-9 pm) and at CCI on July 6 (7-8:45 pm).
Mar 9, 16, 23, and 30: Small Farm workshop
Penn State Cooperative Extension is pleased to offer “Exploring the Small Farm Dream." Have you ever considered launching a small farm enterprise, but were not sure where to start? This is the course for you! Designed to help guide you through an initial exploratory decision making process, “Exploring the Small Farm Dream” bridges the gap between ideas and action.
What to Expect : Creative exercise, research and class discussions that will help you assess your skills and resources, interviews with local farm business owners that will assist you in deciding how to carry your dream forward, and the opportunity to connect with others interested in new farm enterprises.
Who should attend: Career changers and farm newbies breaking into agricultural pursuits, and farm apprentices interested in launching their own start-ups.
Small Farm Possibilities include a market farm operation specializing in heirloom vegetables, a pick-your-own orchard, a grass-fed beef CSA enterprise, a goat dairy selling cheese and yogurt, or a garden supplying cut flowers. Add your own small farm dream to the list!
March 9,16,23,30 from 6-8:30pm at the Penn State Extension of Allegheny County in North Point Breeze. For more information, contact Heather Mikulas, Program Associate at 412-473-2540 or hem12@psu.edu
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)