Sep 30: Furnish for Free: Last day to donate


Wait! Don't throw out that piece of furniture! If you have trouble giving away something for free, or you have some things that may end up on the curb to fill our landfills, please know that we at Who's Your Brother  will be collecting all manner of furnishings (furniture, clothing, electronics, kitchenware, etc.) for an event called Furnish for Free, where the public will be invited to come and choose what they need on Saturday, October 1.  If the attendees/recipients have no money, the stuff will be free. If they can afford to make a donation of $5-10 (plus?), that will help to cover the overhead involved in holding this event. We will be collecting things on Friday September 30th from 2-7pm at 201 N. Braddock, 15208.  There is a loading dock on the Thomas Blvd side of the building, and we will be there to help you unload - follow the signs. Please contact us at: FurnishforFree@gmail.com if you cannot bring the items to our location, and we will do our best to send someone to pick it/them up. Please only offer things that are in good condition and re-usable!!!  Please note: We are limiting this to donations from areas within a 10-mile range of the East End, but will hopefully hold future events in other areas around Pittsburgh, depending on the success of this first Furnish for Free. Join us, and let's put to use what is perfectly good and keep it out of our landfills!  The event also has a Facebook page.

Sep 29: Green Drinks with GASP


GASP Logo





Learn about GASP's four decades of work on air quality in Southwestern Pennsylvania at this month's Green Drinks.  Meet a local fresh air hero:  Rachel Filippini, Executive Director, Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP).  Rachel has been with GASP since 2004 and under her leadership, the 41 year old organization has been a fierce advocate for air quality in Pittsburgh.  Ms. Filippini has succeeded in spearheading Allegheny County air quality legislation, and under her leadership, GASP has developed a comprehensive diesel campaign.  She serves as the chair of the Allegheny County Air Quality Program Education Subcommittee and is on the Leadership Committee of the organization, Women for a Healthy Environment.  


GASP, The Group Against Smog and Pollution was founded in 1969 by a group of 43 volunteers concerned about air quality issues in southwestern Pennsylvania.  Over the years, GASP has maintained a continuous program to educate the public on questions of pollution and its remediation.  Through public meetings, engagement with the press, educational events, permit reviews, and other means, GASP has worked tirelessly to explain and combat our air quality problems.


5-9 p.m. at Hofbrauhaus House on the South Side from 5pm-9pm on Thursday, September 29th.  Hofbrauhaus House is located at 2705 Water St., Pittsburgh, 15203.  Here's a Google map.

Sep 27: EPA Hearing on gas drilling air pollution and demonstration



Hundreds to demand reductions in air pollution from oil & natural gas Pittsburgh to Host One of Three Public Hearings Nationally
on Proposed Federal Standards for Polluting Industries


WHAT: On Tuesday, September 27, hundreds of community members, medical professionals, and concerned citizens will gather in downtown Pittsburgh for a press conference regarding a public hearing with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), on proposed federal standards to reduce harmful air pollution from the oil and natural gas industry. The EPA’s “new source performance standards” would protect millions from toxic air pollutants emitted by the dirty industry.

EPA’s proposed rule is the first-ever federal safeguard aimed at cutting harmful air pollution from hydraulic fracturing.  Hundreds of supporters of this rule will give testimony on its importance for the protection of public health, the environment and the community.

WHERE: The David L Lawrence Convention Center Room 315-316, 1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA

WHEN:  TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011
9am-8pm: EPA Public Hearing.  Scheduled breaks at 12:30pm-2:00pm and 5:00pm-6:30pm
12:30 pm: Press conference in room 317 of the David L Lawrence Convention Center
1:30 pm: Clean Air March outside of David L Lawrence Convention Center


WHO:  (speakers at press conference)
  • Jeff Schmidt, Director Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter  
  • Jay Duffy, Clean Air Council  
  • Steve Hvozdovich, Clean Water Action  
  • Pam Judy, Greene County resident  
  • Erika Staaf, Penn Environment  
  • David McCabe, Atmospheric Scientist, Clean Air Task Force  
  • Jamin Bogi, Group Against Smog and Pollution  
  • Janet McIntyre, West Virginia Resident  
  • Bridget Coyne, Westmoreland County Resident  
  • Katherine Luke, Pittsburgh Student Environmental Coalition

Sep 27: Burgh Bees meetup





Come meet local beekeepers, whether you're a seasoned beekeeper, a new beekeeper, or just bee-curious!  Share stories and a few drinks in the mezzanine.  No RSVP required.  For more information on Burgh Bees, check out the web site.


7 p.m. at the Carson City Saloon on the Southside:  1401 East Carson St..

Sep 27: MoveOn rally about election rigging


Echoing an action that started Wed 9-21-11 in West Chester outside of Pa Sen Pileggi's office in protest Pileggri's proposal to change how electoral votes are awarded in Pennsylvania, Greater Pittsburgh MoveOn is hosting a rapid response rally outside of Gov. Tom Corbett's office at 301 Fifth Ave. in the Piatt Place Building downtown Pittsburgh.

The plan put forward by Sen. Pileggi is shameless ELECTION RIGGING.  Monkeying around with PA voters‚ ability to elect a president less than 14 months before the election is a bald-faced and shameful attempt to RIG THE ELECTION.  Even right-wing political pundits are condemning Pileggi's plan, calling it "nakedly partisan" and "so transparently political that it would surely do lasting damage to the GOP not only in PA but nationwide." [The Weekly Standard]

Please lend your voice and energy to this critical action.  Sign up Event URL: http://pol.moveon.org/event/buffetrule/121642

Action United's protest outside of Sen. Pileggi's Chester office took place Wed 9-21-11.  About a dozen people participated over the course of the hour-long protest, which included street theater and signs, and the event was covered by the Delaware County Daily Times.  The Delco Times also published a scathing editorial yesterday, and Action United has posted a YouTube video.

Sep 24-25: Mother Earth News Fair

Bringing the magazine to life:  the second Mother Earth News Fair at Seven Springs!


MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine has been helping folks live self-reliant, sustainable, meaningful lives for more than 40 years. With an audience of more than 3 million readers worldwide, it is the largest and longest-running environmental lifestyle magazine on the planet.
The MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIRS are fun-filled, family-oriented sustainable lifestyle events that feature dozens of practical, hands-on demonstrations and workshops from the leading authorities on: Renewable Energy, Small-scale Agriculture, Gardening, Green Building, Green Transportation and Natural Health.

In between sessions, you can enjoy an array of entertainment options, organic local food and beverages, as well as outdoor gardening and livestock demonstrations. Plus, save on great deals from dozens of regional and national vendors that feature sustainable lifestyle products and services, including: books, tools, seeds, crafts, organic foods, clothes, solar gadgets and more! Check out our list of speakers and workshops.

The inaugural Fair was held in September 2010 at the beautiful Seven Springs Mountain Resort southeast of Pittsburgh. More than 9,000 people participated in nearly 200 workshops, countless demonstrations on cheese making, beekeeping, building electric and wood-burning cars, seed saving, preserving and pickling, bread baking, meat processing, choosing solar power ... the list goes on and on. Click here for testimonials from our exhibitors, sponsors and fair attendees!

Check out our YouTube video channel and the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR Blog. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for real time updates, special contests, and promotions

Our second FAIR of the year will be held in Seven Springs, Pa., Sept. 24-25, 2011, at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Nestled in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania and located within 200 miles of the major metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland and Washington, D.C., Seven Springs is a full-service resort featuring a complete conference and exhibit center, a 418-room hotel and nearly 1,200 condominiums and townhomes. 
Lots more information athttp://www.motherearthnews.com/fair
http://www.prweb.com/releases/green-living-fair-offers/unique-hands-on-classes/prweb8783662.htm
http://www.ogdenpubs.com/uploadedFiles/Media_Library/2010/MEN/MISC/schedule.pdf

Sept 24-25: Healthy Women's Expo

Healthy Women's Expo


Cooking Demonstrations, Family Health Talks, Fitness & Physical Activity, Kid's Activities, Stress Management, Prevention and Financial Planning.  Visit our website to see a list of speakers and exhibitors. 

10 am - 4 pm at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh You can download a registration form or register online.  Tickets are $10 if you register by September 1.  Group ticket sales are available.   

Sampling of Activities/Demos/Speakers  
Exhibitor information can be downloaded here.

For more information, contact Erin at (412)657-3028 or ehart@american-healthcare.net.

Sep 21: Second screening of YERT film


The Pittsburgh premiere of YERT is filled to capacity!  If that's the only day you can attend, go ahead and fill out a wait list request at http://yertreservation.questionpro.com .   Also, if you are holding a reservation but find that you cannot go, please email Mark so that your seat can go to someone on the waiting list!  Your cancellation will help pack the house to the brim.

To make the most of the overwhelming enthusiasm building around the Premiere, we have also secured an "Overflow Screening" venue for the next evening, Wednesday, Sept. 21, at the theater in the Homewood Library. It comfortably seats 300 in a great space - now you can tell your friends and family to go see the show without worrying about whether they'll get a seat! Here are the details for the Overflow Screening...

Doors open at 6:30pm, screening from 7:00pm - 9:00pm (followed by Q&A with Mark) in the Theater at Homewood Library, 7101 Hamilton Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15208.  Reservations are strongly encouraged. Please fill out the form at http://yertreservation.questionpro.com/ . 

Sep 21: International Day of Peace


24 Hour Peace Vigil 

(September 20 - September 21)
From midnight Tuesday to midnight Wednesday, St. Benedict the Moor church will have its doors open to individuals, families, and groups who would like to observe the interfaith peace vigil through prayer, meditation, or peaceful contemplation.

***Please join members of the P.G.H. community Tuesday night for a Midnight Meditation. From 12:01 - 2:00 AM at St. Benedict the Moor Church, we will be opening the 24 hours of peace with meditation followed by music and drumming. Please bring crystals, incense, candles, drums, and other sacred items as we create a powerful surge of energy to set the stage for the events that will follow the next day. Our presence and intention can truly make an impact; starting in our own community and spreading like a wave throughout the world.

Rally Against Violence and Gathering of Hands at City- County Building

On Wednesday September 21st, there will be a noon-time Rally Against Violence and Gathering of Hands on the steps of the City-County building on Grant street. This will include reading names and lighting candles in remembrance of the victims of violence in Pittsburgh as well as messages from friends and families. Following the reading will be a Gathering of Hands to strengthen our committment to change. Right in the heart of our city, this will be an important opportunity for people to take a moment from their busy day to observe the effects of violence. The more people who attend, the more powerful the message, so spread the word!

Blessing of the Peace Pole

At St. Benedict the Moor Church and Freedom Corner, beginning on Wednesday at 7:00 PM, there will be a blessing of a Peace Pole inscribed with the universal invocation, "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in 8 languages followed by an international flag ceremony with 196 flags. This is will be followed by a multi-faith prayer service, and readings from the Poets for Peace at 8:30.

Click Here for a map and directions to St. Benedict the Moor Church

Sep 20: Pgh premiere of YERT film!!


“Your Environmental Road Trip (YERT),” an award-winning documentary from Pittsburgh film maker Mark Dixon and Louisville’s Ben Evans, will have its Pittsburgh premiere on Tuesday, September 20 at 7 p.m. at the Eddy Theater at Chatham University. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.

YERT: Your Environmental Road Trip celebrates the American spirit in the face of adversity, and is a unique docu-comedy profiling the courageous and creative individuals, groups, businesses and leaders of this country who are tackling the greatest environmental threats in history. It features the travels of Mark Dixon, Ben Evans, and Julie Evans as they covered 50 states in one year and virtually every environmental issue coast to coast. With a blend of humor and depth, the film features such luminaries as Bill McKibben, Deepak Chopra, and members of Congress – as well as ordinary citizens from all walks of life.Inspired by the legacy of hometown environmental hero Rachel Carson, YERT’s adventure launched from the Rachel Carson Homestead just outside of Pittsburgh on July 4, 2007.  One year later, Mark, Ben, and Julie (and their new baby Bailey), were joined by supporters for a homecoming party at the Rachel Carson Homestead.The September 20 screening is hosted by the Rachel Carson Institute in the School of Sustainability and the Environment at Chatham University.  Sponsors include Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) and its Black and Gold City Goes Green, Three Rivers Solar Source, and Breathe Easy, Stay Healthy campaigns.  Additional sponsors include Tree Pittsburgh, the Allegheny Group of the Sierra Club, the Green Building Alliance, Venture Outdoors, Transition Pittsburgh, 3RiversBioneers, Evolver, Grow Pittsburgh, Sust-Enable, Peaceful Gathering of Hands (P.G.H.), and the Pittsburgh Student Environmental Coalition (PSEC). Parkhurst Dining Services will be providing complimentary light refreshments. Clips and more information about the film are available at YERT.com.

Pittsburgh Premiere on Sep 20:  7 p.m. at Chatham University's Eddy Theatre.  Tickets to the screening are limited, and a donation is requested. 

UPDATE:
The Pittsburgh premiere of YERT is filled to capacity!  If that's the only day you can attend, go ahead and fill out a wait list request at http://yertreservation.questionpro.com .   Also, if you are holding a reservation but find that you cannot go, please email Mark so that your seat can go to someone on the waiting list!  Your cancellation will help pack the house to the brim.

To make the most of the overwhelming enthusiasm building around the Premiere, we have also secured an "Overflow Screening" venue for the next evening, Wednesday, Sept. 21, at the theater in the Homewood Library. It comfortably seats 300 in a great space - now you can tell your friends and family to go see the show without worrying about whether they'll get a seat! Here are the details for the Overflow Screening...

Sep 21 Overflow Screening:  Doors open at 6:30pm, screening from 7:00pm - 9:00pm (followed by Q&A with Mark) in the Theater at Homewood Library, 7101 Hamilton Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15208.  Reservations are strongly encouraged. Please fill out the form at http://yertreservation.questionpro.com/ . 

Weekends in September: Shakespeare in the Parks


Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks offers the comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor in Frick, Arsenal, and West Park/Allegheny Commons each weekend this September.  The production uses the natural environs of each park in lieu of a set.  Audience members are encouraged to bring a blanket, a chair, or stand as they follow the action around the park.  All shows are free to the public.

PSIP’s productions have a contemporary, rough and tumble feel, and the actors favor a dynamic physicality that brings the text to life for the audience.  The action roves about the parks; the conventional fourth wall is broken as the actors and audience share the playing space.

The Merry Wives of Windsor, one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known comedies, explores the themes of cuckoldry, jealousy, and schemes gone awry.  Falstaff, the jolly knight known from the Henry IV plays, doubly woos Mistresses Page and Ford and is hilariously punished by the knowing women. 

Director Tommy Costello, a PhD candidate at Pitt, doubles roles and experiments with cross-gender casting, creating a tightly-knit ensemble and delighting the audience.  The costumes by Sarah Benedict suggest a southern-belle late 1800’s sensibility, and Music Director Ryan McMasters composes original music for the show.

Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks was started by Artistic Director Jennifer Tober in 2005 when she relocated from New York to Pittsburgh.  “When I first moved here, with a lot of time on my hands, I spent a great deal of time in Frick Park, near the Blue Slide playground, and it struck me that the natural ‘amphitheatre’ at the bottom of the sledding hill was the perfect place to stage a show.  Acting in outdoor Shakespeare companies is a huge part of my performance experience, and one of my favorite things in the world is doing, or watching, outdoor Shakespeare.  Seven years later, we’ve expanded to 3 parks and offer Shakespeare to the public in a fresh way that many theatre-goers probably haven’t been exposed to before.”  

The shows are free to the public with donations accepted.  Pre-show activities include an abridged version of the play by Storyteller and PSIP Board Member Alan Irvine; there is an ASL interpreted performance for the hearing impaired, signed by Heather Gray, on Sunday September 18th in Arsenal Park, Lawrenceville.

September 3 and 4: Frick Park , Beechwood Blvd. and Nicholson St , Squirrel Hill (near Blue Slide Playground - NOT Regent Square). 
September 10 and 11: West Park/Allegheny Commons, West North Ave & Brighton Rd, North Side
September 17 and 18: Arsenal Park , 39th and Butler St , Lawrenceville
September 24 and 25: Frick Park , Beechwood Blvd. and Nicholson St , Squirrel Hill

All shows begin at 2 PM and are free to the public.

Providing the Steel City with free Shakespeare since 2005.
“Bring a loved one, a blanket, and a thermos.”

Sep 3: Peaceful Gathering potluck


This Saturday there will be a followup potluck to reflect on the Second Peaceful Gathering of Hands and discuss how we can keep this momentum rolling. We are asking for all creative minds to come together to build on the energy created August 14th - Everyone with input is welcome! 

Between brainstorming, and collaborating, we will be building friendships, eating awesome food, and getting down to some crunchy jams :) So make sure to bring a dish to share (and utensils to eat with), instruments, drums, toys, friends, fresh ideas, and anything else you can think of.

The potluck is from 3-7 at First United Methodist Church in Oakland (Corner of Centre and Aiken). Click Here for a map and directions.