Little Blog Blue

Hello everyone. Can you believe that we're less than 5 months away from the 2006 election? I know I'm taking up a lot of space with the following Action Alert, but the GLBT Community in Pennsylvania really needs the support of its straight allies right now. So please take a moment to call your State Senator today. Thank you. - Jeff.

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Action Alert: Contact Your State Senator to Help Stop the "Marriage Amendment"

The following is from Stonewall Democrats Co-chair Ben Turner:

The state Senate could vote soon on the proposed "marriage amendment" to the Pennsylvania Constitution (House Bill 2381). Anti-gay advocates will push hard for a Senate vote because the clock runs out for this session when the legislature leaves for summer recess in June or July.

This amendment goes far beyond current law and would take away basic, existing legal protections and benefits. In other states, as soon as similar amendments have passed, they have been used to take away health insurance or even protections against domestic violence. Unmarried straight people are at risk too. The anti-gay supporters of the Pennsylvania amendment claim nothing would change, but other states' experiences say otherwise. And no Pennsylvania citizen should be asked to gamble with his or her rights or legal protections.

If you live in anywhere in Cumberland County, or in certain parts of northern York County, it is EXTRA important to call. (If you have a friend or family member who lives there, please pass the word along!) Sen. Patricia Vance, R-31st, is one of the few senators from Central PA who has kept her name off the amendment. (Contact info is below.)

Please call EVEN IF you have already called once before.

Here is how to reach your state senator, depending on where you live. When you call, please be polite, say right up front that you live in the senator's district and then explain why you oppose the amendment.

-- CUMBERLAND County and part of northern YORK County (Dillsburg, Franklintown and Wellsville boroughs and Carroll, Fairview, Franklin, Monaghan, Warrington and Washington townships)-- 31st District: Sen. Patricia Vance, phone (717) 975-1985, 877-PAT-VANCE or (717) 787-8524. Again, if you live in this district, it is ESPECIALLY urgent that you call Sen. Vance's office.

-- Most of DAUPHIN County (Harrisburg, Hershey, Middletown, Dauphin and Halifax boroughs - mostly everywhere in the county south or east of Harrisburg) plus part of northern YORK County (Goldsboro, Lewisberry and York Haven boroughs and Conewago and Newberry townships) - 15th District: Sen. Jeff Piccola, phone (717) 787-6801 or 1-888-PICCOLA. Sen. Piccola is a cosponsor of the amendment, but he is also likely to return to the Senate leadership next year. So if you live in his district, please call.

-- Part of northern DAUPHIN County (Berrysburg, Elizabethville, Gratz, Lykens, Millersburg, Pillow and Williamstown boroughs and Lykens, Mifflin, Upper Paxton, Washington, Wiconisco and Williams townships) -- 27th District: Sen. John Gordner, the other senator from Central PA who has kept his name off the amendment. Phone 877-784-3464 (district, Friday) or 717-787-8928 (Harrisburg, Monday).

(For a complete list of communities in the Senate districts, visit http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bcel/cwp/view.asp?a=1099&q=431812)

If you live outside those areas, it is STILL important to call. You can find out who your state senator is by visiting www.legis.state.pa.us and entering your zip code in the "Find Members" area at the top right. You can use the "Help" link if you don't know your 9-digit Zip+4 code.

If you want more information on why the amendment is a rotten idea, visit our website at http://www.capitalstonewall.org/amendnew.html.

[More:]

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Dining Out With Pride

On the evening of Tuesday, June 27th close your front door, step into your car, and leave your house or apartment behind to join us in raising funds for Pridefest 2006. That night thousands of our community will be dining together at area restaurants where a percentage of all money spent on food after 5 p.m. will be donated directly to Central PA's 1st Gay Pride Parade.

It is a simple, delicious, and wonderful way to make a difference through dining. Join us. Help us make this happen!

Participating Harrisburg restaurants:

Appalachian Brewing Company
50 N. Cameron St
717-221-1080

Mangia Qui
272 North Street
717-233-4654

Cafe Aria (Formerly What If Cafe)
3424 Nth 6th St.
717-238-1155

Zephyrs Express
231 North St.
717-233-2009

Epic Bar & Grill
25 S. 4th Street
717-233-0975

Many VoteBlue members are joining table captain Kim Griffith at Mangia Qui. If you would like to join us at Mangia Qui, or if you would like to help Kim organize a VoteBlue contingent in the Pride Parade, please call her at 717-877-2348.

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Congratulations to new VoteBlue DCDC members!

VoteBlue members will recognize many familiar faces in the following list of people were elected to positions on the Dauphin County Democratic Committee. Congratulations to all! (And my apologies if I forgot anyone or spelled their name wrong!)

Diane Bowman - Chair.
Brad Koplinski - Adminstrative Vice Chair.
Michael Thomas - Treasurer.
Steve Dorko - Legislative Leader of the 104th District.

Committeepeople:
David Grubbs
Diana Grubbs
David Platt
Jody Rebarchak
Helen Steely

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DCDC Summer Picnic

DCDC Summer Picnic
Sunday, August 13, 2006
City Island Carousel Pavilion
COST: Adults $20.00
Children under 12 free

From Peggy Grove:

Hello Democrats:

Dauphin County Democrats have scheduled our ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC and we want you to mark your calendars: Many of the Statewide candidates will be on hand to tell you what is happening on the campaign trail. The food will be catered by "Simply Turkey" no preservatives, lots of healthy wraps, whole grain bread sandwiches, great salads with turkey or chicken or ham or veggies, etc, etc, etc,. We'll be at the Carousel Pavilion on City Island in Harrisburg between 1 and 4 on Sunday, August 13th. Come and join us. So that we can plan to have enough food, could you please call 236-5971 or e-mail Peggy Grove at eggrove@comcast.net">peggrove@comcast.net to let us know that you are attending. We always welcome donations and advance payments to help defray the usual costs of putting on events like these. We also could use some hands to help with set-up and serving and of course clean up.

This event is always held rain or shine since the pavilion is covered. The Children's Carousel, City Island Kiddie Railroad and the Batting Cages and Video Arcade are all within a few feet of the pavilion so it's a great place to bring the family. We look forward to meeting the new committeepeople representing all the precincts in Dauphin County and of course welcome back the tireless returning commmitteepeople, candidates and all other interested Dems.

To make reservations please call, e-mail or preferably send your check to:

Peggy Grove
eggrove@comcast.net">peggrove@comcast.net, phone:236-5971
DCDC Summer Picnic
1705 N. Front St.
Harrisburg, PA 17102

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Jubilee Day In Mechanicsburg - Volunteers Needed

From Gail McDermott, CCDC Chair:

Thursday, June 15th is Jubilee Day in Mechanicsburg. Once again, the Mechanicsburg, Upper Allen and Monroe Democrats will have a booth at this event.

This is the largest one day street fair east of the Mississippi.

What a great opportunity to put the party out to the public - recruit volunteers and register new Democratic Voters.

If you are willing to lend a few hours to help our local club at the booth, please respond to Jim Ehrhart at: jdehrhart@msn.com or jimanddonnaehrhart@netzero.net.

Thank you for your help...see you on the 15th..

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Progressive Radio Reminder

Remember to listen to United for Progress every Saturday from 2-5 pm on WHYL Talk Radio (960 AM)

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Exercising Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly

From Judy Chambers. I got this newsletter out too late for this Monday, but it looks like Judy exemplifies VoteBlue's unofficial motto. You can contact Judy at mzkleen@comcast.net:

On Monday morning, from 7 am – 9 am, and Monday afternoon from 4 – 6 pm, I will be standing on a selected busy street corner in downtown Harrisburg with signs protesting the Marriage Amendment. If anyone would like to join me, please email me and I’ll get back to you with specifics.

I will be protesting important issues on a busy Harrisburg street corner every Monday from now until the election in November. It is vitally important to educate voters as to what is going on in Harrisburg AND Washington DC. Every week I will have signs for a different issue. Please join me if you can…..we CAN make a difference!

Judy

And the following protest has been gone on so (depressingly) long, I sometimes forget. But please don't:

Women In Black Vigil
1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30 pm
Front & Market Streets in Harrisburg.

Wear black, stand in Silence to witness for justice and against war. It is so important that we continue this vigil since more and more lives continue to be lost in Iraq and elsewhere due to violence.

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Next VoteBlue Meeting

Thursday, June 22

7pm

American Legion North Harrisburg Post 1001

225 Greenawalt Lane

Harrisburg, PA 17110