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Connect with your neighbors... Change the world
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Past eventsPublicized on our web siteGermantown "Making" ProgressFebruary 16, 2 pm - April 1Where: 5722 Greene St |
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The DNC - Obama/Biden For President campaign is hosting ALL of us with big sound system and large screen projected live TV.
On January 21, 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court unleashed a flood of corporate money into our political system by ruling that, contrary to longstanding precedents, corporations have a First Amendment right to spend unlimited amounts of money to promote or defeat candidates. The decision in this historic case " Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission " overturned a century of campaign finance law and stands to deal a devastating blow to our democracy unless we act. On June 20 we will gather to act.
The PA Progressive Summit will be held in Philadelphia this year on the weekend of February 10-12.
If you’ve been to the Summit in the past, you know it is the most exciting and important progressive political gathering of the year. Dozens of movement-building panels, workshops and opportunities to meet other progressive leaders and activists will be available, and that’s just a small part of what is being offered.
Tom Corbett is doing everything he can to make the rich, richer, the poor, poorer, and to poison absolutely everyone's water and air. “Ebenezer” Corbett’s very first budget terminated the PA Housing Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) that kept tens of thousands of PA families in their homes, and eliminated the Adult Basic Health Insurance that helped keep 41,000 Pennsylvanians alive. Corbett saved his cruelest cuts for Tiny Tim and the youngest Pennsylvanians, slicing $900 million from public schools and $245 million from state universities. This may be the most savagely evil budget in PA history. So here's what we're going to do on Thursday.
Tonight Neighborhood Networks and MoveOn.org will conduct a joint meeting as part of an unprecedented coalition effort to end the systemic corruption that has weakened American democracy for decades. It is a pattern of corruption that historically led to Viet Nam, the Savings and Loans scandal, the invasion of Iraq, and now the destablization of our global economy.
Powerful corporate and monied interests have played Congress like a violin, at our expense. The corruption has reached the point where spontaneous opposition like Occupy Wall Street is finally erupting.
We are in a struggle for the soul of our democracy, and for those of us who love our country and what it has stood for at the best of times, it is a call for committed engagement! Tomorrow we will commence that engagement, once again.
We will meet at an historic organizing site for black hotel workers, the Hotel Brotherhood Meeting Hall at 1529 Bainbridge Street, starting at 7 PM. Please let us know you're coming by clicking here. And please, bring a friend who is committed to justice for all.
This has been postponed from Wednesday, Oct. 12 to Saturday October 15! Please Note!
We're rallying for justice and jobs, along with MoveOn, labor and ordinary people who have just had enough. And what we all want NOW are jobs, good jobs.
The intent of the “Freedom From Fracking” conference is to grow, strengthen, and focus the network of groups in Pennsylvania and beyond that works strategically to stop fracking.
We will develop and prepare to implement coordinated strategies in the areas of electoral and legislative campaigns, direct action, local organizing, media advocacy, legal action, and watershed specific action.
Please bring your experience and commitment so that we can learn from each other and work together to stop hydrofracking.
The Coalition asks for a $40 registration fee, but have a $15- $25 sliding scale fee for low-income persons. If you are able, we ask that you donate a little extra to help subsidize others who aren’t able the pay the standard fee. You can get more information and register here.
To show that a broad-based popular movement exists that will not tolerate contamination of our air, water, and earth by dirty drilling, or the corruption of our politicians by industry money. Ralliers will demand that not one more family be poisoned by fracking and shale gas extraction.
The Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Allied Professionals (PASNAP) is conducting a national Main Street Contract for America campaign (with National Nurses United). Key demands include jobs at living wages, equal access to quality, public education, guaranteed healthcare for all, a secure and dignified retirement, good housing and protection from hunger and a just taxation system where corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share.
They are targeting Senator Pat Toomey since he has been appointed to the “Super Congress” to determine federal programs to be cut. Rally with them on September 1st to add your voice to those of our labor allies working hard to make Congress pay attention to the real concerns of working and poor people in this country.
Let's tell Senator Toomey that we know what he's doing, and we don't like it. Toomey is one of the chief architects of the Republican policy of "starving the beast", which, to the Republican Teabaggers, is any government program that helps children, women, seniors, or anyone other than the richest 1% of the population. Let Toomey know we're not going to take his deliberate destruction of the lives of ordinary people without his hearing our voice early and often!
Funding for public education was decimated in the budget recently adopted by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor. In its next session, coming in September, a real danger exists that public education will be further damaged by the adoption of a voucher program. Come listen to Susan Gobreski, director of Education Voters PA, tell us how NN can respond to this new and challenging political environment for our children. Susan will talk to us at 7, but come at 6 for a potluck dinner. Then at 8 a meeting of Organizing for America will take place focusing on voter registration ahead of the crucial 2012 election.
The Chapter will be meeting to prepare for the most important local election in years in shaping the direction of Philadelphia City Council. With five veteran Council members declining to run for re-election, at least five new members will be elected. A number of challengers also have a good shot to break through including a number backed by NN.
In the 8th District we'll be working hard to install Greg Paulmier, a longtime NN member and community activist to replace Donna Reed Miller. We'll also be working hard to install two new faces in Council's At-Large roster, Sherrie Cohen and Andy Toy.
Some of our cosponsors are calling this the "Make Comcast Pay their DAMN TAXES Already!!!" forum. And that's the key question. Can we do that and keep from driving them away? We'll hear three local activists give their answer, and present other ideas they have to get the City to provide essential services, and enact progressive revenue measures to pay for them.
All candidates running in the May 17 primary election for Sheriff, City Commissioner, and Register of Wills on Wednesday have been invited. This is for those of you who want to know what a City Commissioner is, what a Sheriff is, and why do we have smart candidates running for these offices who want to abolish them. And why we have another candidate who wants to transform the Sheriff's Office into an office that keeps people in their homes, instead of evicting them. Answers will be given at this event.
This time progressives, not the media establishment, will be asking the questions. If you care about people and the planet, and what the candidates for Council At-Large want to do to protect them, you'll want to be present at this event.
Wisconsin is now ground zero in the growing struggle between the super-rich and everyone else. If you think regular people, not just banksters should have rights, join this rally!
The race for the 8th Councilmanic District Council seat is heating up. We will continue to work on having Neighborhood Networks' voice, and the issues it cares about, heard. That work will start at 7 PM. But first, at 6, we will start by breaking bread with each other over a potluck dinner. Everyone is welcome!
Here's some news coverage of our last event.
The election is over. But the struggle for a just city, state and country is not. Let's get together and figure out our next steps -- over a cup or two of delicious java -- at a great local conversation spot, Infusion Cafe.
Be there and vote. And get your friends, neighbors and everyone else you know to vote as well, but only if they live in the reality-based world with you. And only if you want your government to reside there too.
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| um... psst. hey... time to wake up, y'know. |
... or perhaps you don't think that it matters. Perhaps you think, "I don't matter - I'm just one person...".
Officially it's not the Obama Office; it's the Organizing for America Office. But whatever you call it, it's all about electing Democrats who will advance the Obama agenda, and who Obama needs to have with him. And who we need to have with us. Otherwise, the big slideback to what we worked so hard to do away with will begin. So don't even wait for the official opening. Canvassing and phonebanking will start at 9 AM on the 7th and go til 9 at night from the new Office. Pick a slot and help the Democrats pick up the pace, right in your own neighborhood.
The Interfaith Green Fair will be an opportunity to learn about an exciting array of environmental programs, services, and goods that can help us to create a more sustainable world. Visit vendor booths, attend workshops, enjoy children’s activities, and hear how to green your home, congregation and the world. Sponsored by a coalition of faith and environmental groups. Please join us, bring your friends, family, and kids, and make the connection between values and the environment. For more information and a complete list of vendors, sponsors, workshops and activities, please go to http://www.mishkan.org/ or contact mlenzi@comcast.net. Here's a list of the informative workshops.
This event is a teach in and strategy session. The keynote speakers are:
Judith Le Blanc, United for Peace & Justice, speaking on World Conflicts and Real Solutions
Bob Smith, founder of Brandywine Peace Community, speaking on Corporate Role in Support of Conflicts.
The keynote speakers will take questions after their remarks. Workshops and strategy sessions will follow. This is a brown bag affair.
Remember, we are the answer.
The Community Café will create an opportunity for people to get together in a relaxed setting to talk about issues that matter in our Northwest Philadelphia community. The first Café in November 2009 brought out over 100 people who engaged in active and productive conversations throughout the afternoon. So mark your calendars for April 18, 2:30-5 PM, and plan to join us for a great afternoon of meeting neighbors, catching up with old friends, and sharing information on a wide variety of topics.
District Attorney R. Seth Williams is hosting a series of Town Hall meetings. The next meeting is Thursday, March 25th from 6:30 pm - 8pm in the Kingsessing Recreation Center, at 50th & Kingsessing Avenue. Come and learn about the services provided by the District Attorney's Office and share with him your concerns.
On Tuesday, March 9th, thousands of people will hit the streets in Washington DC to protest big insurance and demand that Congress give America the health care reform we voted for. On March 9th the health insurance lobby, America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), is holding a national conference to advance their agenda to kill health care reform. Please Spread the Word!
South Jersey
Bus Leaves promptly at 6:00 AM
Grand Market Place
4340 Route 130 North
Willingboro, NJ 08046
The “wise” people in Washington think we’ve given up on quality, affordable health care and that we will give them a pass in November for just letting the issue ride. This rally will say NO to that! Immediately after the rally a march to Washington will take place culminating in a rally there on February 24. Let’s give the marchers a great sendoff that they’ll carry with them all the way!!!
If you are in the Philadelphia area you can join HCAN on a rally / lobby day trip to Washington. They will rally against the Chamber of Commerce, near the White House, The Chamber of Commerce has spent millions - and laundered millions from big insurance - to kill health care reform and other progressive issues. On Tuesday they will rally outside the Chamber to remind Congress that no matter how much money they have, we have the people.
One or two vans will leave Philadelphia at 8:00 am from 112 N. Broad Street in Philadelphia. After the rally we will do some lobbying of members of Congress and then leave Washington by about 4:00 pm to return to Philly by 7:00 pm.
Please respond to following address:
http://healthcareforamericanow.org/page/event/detail/insuranceactions/4jvvc
For more information:
215-331-7206 home
215-370-3882 cell
MARCHinG, a Northwest group that emerged from the Obama campaign and Northwest NN are joining to create a community based learning and sharing experience at the Sedgwick Theatre Sedgwick Cultural Center, 7137 Germantown Ave, on the afternoon of November 15. All are welcome. Please HOLD THE DATE!
In the wake of the recent election, Candidates -- some winners, some participants -- will share about their experiences and you will have a chance to ask questions.
In this monthly South Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks Meeting, we will be inviting the heads of South Philly local neighborhood organizations, to let us know what their organizations are doing.
We intend to sponsor and important Town Meeting on the upcoming budgets. Please hold this date.
Linda Beckman, a member of NN writes the following information:
"Representative John Conyers, Jr., Democratic congressman from Illinois, sponsor of HR 676, titled The United States National Health Insurance Act ("Expanded & Improved Medicare For ALL"). His talk will explain how, If this act or one like it were passed, not-for-profit health care would give us a universal, comprehensive, high-quality, and affordable system that would benefit individuals, businesses, and government, indeed, everyone but health insurance companies. With the kind of single payer system offered by HR 676, health care would be publicly-funded and privately-delivered: instead of experiencing a reduction in choices, more Americans would have the options that are now available only to the wealthy--and yet the nation's health care costs would be cut drastically.
"Come hear Rep. Conyers talk about the advantages of HR 676 and how to get it passed. Questions and discussion will follow.
A second program will be held on 1PM to 3PM at the Penn Newman Center, 3720 Chestnut St (enter from Sansom St. Admission is free, donations are welcome.
Contact persons: Diane Mohney, RN Tel: 215-385-0455 Email: Dianemohgo@aol.com OR Henry D'Silva MD Tel:267-679-0617 Email: henrydsilva@comcast.net
Agenda: We need to stay focused and united as we pursue important actions that can make a big difference in our community.
We'll discuss updates on libraries and YMCA and what needs to happen next as well as other areas of local action and concern and strategies
that can strengthen outreach.
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Local issues: keeping the Y open , beautifying our business district; Wayne Junction development, increased efficacy around $$ that impact our community. City wide issues: libraries, local elections;national issues: health care for all.
Sponsored by the Neighborhood Networks/Obama campaign workers in the Faimount area. All are invited. Details to follow.
What the coalition is fighting for:
• Full PUBLIC services for all 54 neighborhood branches
• Prioritization of Libraries in a Time of Economic Crisis
• Transparency & Accountability in Budgeting & Decision-Making
• Fairness & Equity in Budgeting
• No rolling closures
• No library branch privatization
Eighth Ward to follow up on two principal items:
1) background, alternatives and context of library branch closings;
2) structure a discussion of healthcare insurance policy or partner with others on such a public program.
We intend to develop a PLAN OF ACTION by NN 8th Ward, or NN city-wide, or jointly with other organizations as we have done before.
Finally, we will be planning for the Neighborhood Networks Inauguration Day celebration - watch on large-screen TV, eat, drink, hob-nob, and CHEER !!!
We welcome attendees from any Ward/Area of the city. Neighboring wards groups from South Philly, West Philly, the 4th, 29th, 15th and 29th wards and all other surrounding groups are encouraged to join us.
At our last meeting, the first after Obama's election, we began to identify the issues we want to work on locally to improve the quality of life in Germantown. In addition, we decided to take immediate action on collecting signatures to keep our neighborhood libraries open. Thank you for your library petition-gathering efforts.
At the January meeting we will: get update on fight to keep libraries open, update on efforts to save the Germantown Y, share info regarding the fate of local newspapers, report from those who
attended Germantown coalition meeting and
return to our list of issues so that we can refine and identify what local work our group will focus on this year.
We need all voices and perspectives because we have a great community and it needs a united effort to capitalize on its assets, and solve
some of its problems. Please bring friends and neighbors so we can have a strong local group effectively working on community priorities.
Agenda Items will include discussion and action that we can take on issues such as:
1. Local Phila Budget Crisis & Library Cuts- Prepare for Town Hall Meeting in our area to tell our elected officials what we want
2. National Health Care - Get involved in a national campaign to help the Obama Administration fulfill its pledge to provide quality health care for all.
3. Other issues of interest to attendees such as jobs, environment, energy.
Germantown citizens from all walks of life poured their hearts into the Obama campaign. Many were so encouraged by what the "power of organized people" can do, that they plan to get together to see how to "keep it up" to improve our own community.
At this Philly NN Post-Election gathering will celebrate our amazing work and talk about what we have learned about community organizing and how to make good things happen right here in our city!
Since the Mayor is saying the city is facing a massive budget crisis, this is an important moment. Inclusionary housing is a way
to bring additional resources into city coffers, in order to provide affordable housing to those who are most in need of support. Please let others know about the: "It's Time to Act" rally at 12 noon outside City Hall on Thursday, September 25!
Philly NN and several other organizations are joining forces by folding our resources into the Obama Campaign and into the party organization following the Convention.
Since they have set it up by 4 broad geographic areas - NN 5th, 8th, 15th & 32nd city wards all fall within Obama's Cate Brandon and the Center City area.
I emailed a checklist of roles for those of you who want a specific job, and will try to remember to send it again a few days before we next meet. Will you attend our next meeting - Tuesday August 26 in the "Patio" room of William Penn House at 1919 Chestnut at 7pm. We will have more of the effort's specific jobs defined so each person can choose what they do best, or where most people are needed.
“These are the times that ...”
... oh, you’ve heard that before? You already knew that?
Well here’s something you may not know: there are thousands of unregistered voters in the 8th ward. That’s potentially thousands of Obama voters who will not be counted for Obama unless someone gets them registered and someone helps get them to the polls.
That someone can be YOU. Neighborhood Networks can show you how easy it is to:
1) locate unregistered voters right where you live;
2) help people fill out the registration forms;
3) get the forms back to Neighborhood Networks for submission to the Election Board;
4) and a bonus benefit from working through NN �" you’ll be increasing the political capacity among your own neighbors (fellow Philadelphians!) for issues facing all of us in the future. The Obama campaign can’t do that for you, and they won’t.
Neighborhood Networks members from the Germantown wards will have the chance to respond to the city's plans for the Wayne Junction improvement project. This is a significant redevelopment initiative and has the potential to make a tremendous impact upon the surrounding communities of Lower Germantown and Nicetown.
For more information on this or the June 3 event, contact Damon Doberts, S. Phila. Ward Coordinator at damon@damonroberts.com
This is an event endorsed by PhillyNN. Join nurses, doctors, patients and Americans of every stripe protesting in memory of the countless
victims of the insurance industry. Protests are being held around the country on a day when 38,000 health insurance lobbyists are having their annual convention in San Francisco. Join the protest against Cigna, one of the merciless health insurance giants that deny care every day, including the recently publicized denial of a life-saving liver transplant for 17-year old Natalie Sarkisyan.
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On Sunday June 15, starting at 1:00 PM at Allens Lane Art Center, Germantown and Mt Airy members meet to communicate our local strategy to win Pennsylvania and the White House. Organized by Dave Bell, Ward Coordinator in Mt Airy, working with Conni Bille, Ward Coordinator in Germantown, this meeting will mark the beginning of our campaign.
As you know Larry Farnese won the recent Democratic state senate primary very convincingly. For example, he took 18 out of the 19 divisions in the 15th ward.
One answer is that he will most likely be our next state senator after the election in November. 15th Ward Neighborhood Networks endorsed one of his opponents, Anne Dicker, in the recent Democratic primary. Despite all of our efforts, however, Mr. Farnese won 18 of the ward’s 19 divisions. But the fact remains that despite his successful campaign, Larry Farnese is still somewhat of an unknown to most of us.
Donna Reed Miller is co-hosting a meeting at Lutheran Theological Seminary (Gtn Avenue & Allen's Lane) on Tuesday, May l3 from 7-9:30 with the Great Expectations project and the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia.
Germantown NN member Pam Bracey tells us there will be a SEPTA meeting to get community input on the plans to redesign/ renovate the SEPTA regional rail station at Wayne Junction
The meeting will be held at 6 PM Monday May 12 at St Francis Church in Germantown. All interested community members are welcome.
The primary is over - and the race is still on! At our May meeting, let's discuss our local experiences and talk about our next steps - for the national election in November and in local politics where we have the opportunity to help shape the new agenda.
Go to the polls. Make sure an NN representative is there at all times. We need to get our candidates elected.
The 15th ward NN group will be busy working for its endorsed candidate, Anne Dicker, in her race for the state senate seat in the 1st district.
Members will be involved in canvassing and literature drops until the primary on Tuesday, April 22nd. On election day they will be working at the polls and trying to get out the vote. To volunteer, contact the 15th ward NN coordinator, Bill Sensiba.
This is a debate-in, a chance to challenge Rendell's assertions about the profitiability of the casinos. For more information contact Lily@casinofreephila.org. It should be fun as well as informative.
At our April monthly meeting we will be discussing the upcoming primary election, as well as issues-related activities and community outreach.
See home page for further details.
Just a quick reminder that HC4ALLPA's first-ever hearing before a standing committee of the State Legislature will be taking place this coming Wednesday, March 19, 10-1, Majority Caucus Room, #140, State Capitol, Harrisburg.
Agenda includes:
+Check-in with voter registration efforts & support for ward leaders/committee people.
+Discussion on local candidate endorsements.
+Prep for March 29th citywide conference @ Drexel.
+Status of health care bills in Harrisburg.
This will be an event to discuss possible NN endorsement for the upcoming primary.
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A public forum for candidates in the April primary for state representative from the 198th legislative district, the seat currently held by Rosita Youngblood.
We have some very important business to discuss including: election of a 9th ward coordinator, endorsement for state legislature for the primary election, preparation for the March 29th Annual Meeting, general discussion about the presidential primary and how things are lining up making Pennsylvania a key state in spite of its late primary, and any other timely business.
A new meeting place and time. Hope you can join us!
Agenda items include:
1) Candidate endorsements - local and national
2) Statewide health care plans - status of Rendell Plan with State Rep. Jim Roebuck event
3) Citywide NN conference @ Drexel March 29th
Agenda items include:
1.) Candidate endorsements - local and national
2.) Statewide healthcare plans - discussion with Jim Roebuck State Rep on status of bills
3.) Citywide NN conference @ Drexel March 29th
We are writing on behalf of Neighborhood Networks.
Like many of you, we supported the candidates who opposed
Donna Miller in the last primary and general election
- Irv Ackelsberg and Rev Jesse Brown.
At divisions where we posted volunteers on election
day, we quadrupled the number of votes for our
candidates. So let's celebrate!
Panel discussion on get out the vote efforts in the neighborhood.
Our monthly potluck will kick off the new year with a bang. It will feature a guest speaker, Sherman Labovitz, who will talk about his experiences as the District Organizer for the Communist party of Philadelphia in the 1940’s and 50’s. This was a period in which the CP was the dominant force on the left in the city and Sherm was at the center of it all. Come and hear a veteran describe how his generation addressed many of the same questions we face today. All are welcome.
8th District Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller is co-hosting a meeting at Lutheran Theological Seminary (Gtn Avenue & Allen's Lane) on Tuesday, May l3 from 7-9:30 with the Great Expectations project and the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia. This would be be a good opportunity to follow up on communicating our community needs to her and pressing her to deliver services more effectively. You need to register (it is free) so call 215-854-5956 to do so.
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