Panelists include state Sen. John R. Gordner and Superior Court Judge Correale F. Stevens, along with Jeffrey R. Beard, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, and Deborah B. McDivitt, director of finance, Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. The panelists will discuss the cost of government in today’s climate of escalating budgets and the increasing number of services demanded of courts and the justice system in both civil and criminal matters.

This event is sponsored by the Bloomsburg University departments of finance and legal studies, political science, and sociology, social work and criminal justice, as well as the Montour County League of Voters.

This forum is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Mark L. Usry, associate professor of finance and legal studies, at (570) 389-4796 or musry@bloomu.edu.

Ann M. Van Dyke, investigator and trainer in the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission’s education and community services division, will present the seminar, “Of Hate in Pennsylvania … and the Good News,” co-sponsored by the Town of Bloomsburg, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and the Bloomsburg Area YMCA.

Van Dyke has worked with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) since 1979. For the past 20 years, she has provided technical assistance to employers, employee groups, municipalities, schools, campuses and religious and citizens’ groups. She also monitors racial supremacist group activity and assists communities and schools dealing with hate crimes and inter-group tensions related to demographic change. She is certified by the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct hate crimes training for police.

The “No Place for Hate” program, which began in Philadelphia in 2001, is dedicated to mobilizing citizens to challenge bigotry and promote prejudice-free communities. It provides a framework for schools and communities to deal with incidents of prejudice and bigotry and to foster respect for diversity. The Philadelphia Anti-Defamation League recognized the Town of Bloomsburg as a “No Place for Hate” community.

For more information, contact Robert Wislock, deputy to the president for social equity, at (570) 389-4529 or rwislock@bloomu.edu.

The rally arriving at the Capital Building, Photo Courtesy of Dan Hatch

Hundreds of thousands of people marched past the White House to the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. on Sunday for Equality Across America’s National Equality March.

Sherry Wolf handing off the Microphone to Cleve Jones, Photo Courtesy of Dan Hatch

Numerous Events were scheduled to take place over the course of the weekend in coordination with the march, including several workshops, social events, and rallies.  On Saturday, I attended a workshop with speakers Cleve Jones and Sherry Wolf.  Cleve Jones has been a well known activist in the Gay Rights Movement for a long time.  He was Harvey Milk’s assistant, portrayed by Emile Hirsch in the movie Milk.  Sherry Wolf is a socialist who wrote a book titled Sexuality and Socialism. The book discusses ways in which sexuality is viewed controversial, and shows ways in which socialism can solve some disputes.

My family and I arrived early and got a table directly next to where Sherry Wolf and Cleve Jones were going to speak.

Both gave overviews of different aspects of the struggle for equal rights.  They discussed opposing strategies from within the movement, President Obama’s lack of action, and other issues surrounding the movement.  They basically clarified the main reasons for the march: Obama needs to act now to make steps towards full equality in every form, in all fifty states, and the “full plate” excuse is not a good one.  The speakers reminded that Kennedy didn’t say he had a full plate during the civil rights movement, and basic civil rights can never be pushed aside.

David Mixner sharing his thoughts on President Obama's speech, Photo Courtesy of Dan Hatch

That night, due to an accidental mass text message sent out, we were able to watch Obama address the Human Rights Campaign with some of the top organizers for the march, and leading activists in the forefront of the gay rights movement.  Among them were co-directors of the Equality Across America Kip Williams and Robin McGehee, and well known activist David Mixner, who was the initial one to call for a march in his blog.  They all spoke their feelings about the march, as well as their expectations for Obama.  As Obama Spoke, David Mixner did not applaud once.  He viewed the speech as a lot of talk, and no action.

The next morning the march began to organize.  Several blocks of Fifteenth Street up to McPherson Square shortly flooded with people of all different races, religions, genders, and sexualities from all over the country as well as Canada.  The march was scheduled to begin at 12:00 but started about an hour later.  During that time, the crowd got bigger and bigger, and gained more and more energy.  A rainbow stretched across the sea of people, just minutes before the march began.

the crowd gathering and getting ready to march at McPherson Square in Washington D.C., Photo Courtesy of Dan Hatch

The crowd slowly but surely started marching toward the White House where it stopped to protest  To my surprise, many people were standing on the edge of the White House fence without one secret service agent objecting.  Some people waved flags or raised signs toward the White House, and one lesbian couple stood on the fence wearing wedding veils and kissed.

The march continued down Pennsylvania Avenue, toward the Capitol Building.  Several chants were used by the crowd, but the most popular one that I heard was:

The rainbow that appeared before the march began, Photo Courtesy of Dan Hatch

“What do we want?”

“Equality!”

“When do we want it?”

“Now!”

Several signs appeared often, among them “a right delayed is a right denied,” “Civil Rights now,” “Marriage is a civil right,” and “Let my moms marry.”

Several Churches, clubs, and political organizations came in support of the cause.

After over 20 blocks, the March arrived at the Capitol Building.  After I got there at least 7 blocks worth of additional people hadn’t entered the mall.

A marcher waving a rainbow peace flag at the White House fence, photo courtesy of Dan Hatch

Kip Williams and Robin McGehee made their words to the crowd, claiming the march a complete success.

Cleve Jones, David Mixner, and many other leaders in the LGBT movement gave thanks to the marchers and shared their thoughts on action that needs to be taken.  Judy Sheppard spoke, urging the crowd to do more. Judy Sheppard has become an inspiring leader of the movement after her son fell victim to a violent, hateful death because of his sexuality.

The rally at the Capitol Building, photo courtesy of Dan Hatch

Several celebrities spoke, including Cynthia Nixon and Lady Gaga.  The Cast of the Broadway revival of “Hair” sang a more popular song from the musical “Let the Sun Shine In.”

Gay Rights activists left pleased.  The march was a success.  Organized on a completely grass roots level, the march included a more diverse array of people than ever before, and more young people than ever before.  Many speakers noted this fact and suggested that it is the sign of a new and powerful generation of activists.

Specter’s full statement is available at The Washington Times website.

Read more:

Washington Post * CNN * The Washington Times * Fox News

Recently, PA Governor Ed Rendell unveiled a proposal which he believes will save money and help the state’s public schools attain success. Perhaps the biggest part of Rendell’s plan is consolidating the states 501 school districts into 100 much larger districts.

This 80 percent cut is leaving many people concerned about their districts and whether or not superintendants and school boards will have any say in the matter at all. Another major concern is that this consolidation would also cause students to feel less important or lost in the crowd.

Rendell claims that Pennsylvania doesn’t need over 500 school districts, and that we cannot afford them in today’s struggling economy. There are, however, not going to be any immediate changes to the state’s school districts. Rendell called for a legislative commission, the goal of which would be to conduct a study for the next year to test the effectiveness of consolidation. Rendell also believes that if the school districts were to be consolidated, pressure on local property taxes and school taxes would be alleviated.

While superintendents and school boards do not want to jump to any conclusions, they are all trying to get more information on this proposal, and one of the most important issues to consider is the needs of the individual students. Some districts in the state already cover more than 154 square miles and the thought of increasing district size makes some school boards uncomfortable. Some superintendents say that the proposal is lacking detail in many areas, including special programs and advanced programs. Not everyone, however, is against the proposal. Some school board members feel that the plan is worth looking into if it can save the state money and still provide a good education for the students.

Although school districts were consolidated in 1955 from 2,700 to 1,900 and then further in 1962 to 600 districts, people hardly find this a comfort. Many wonder how much further the state is going to push the consolidations. The understanding among most school officials is that they will keep their schools, and become part of a larger whole, rather than building new district schools. If district buildings are built to replace the schools already in existence, then students could expect larger class sizes, which would make it more difficult for teachers to ensure that all students are achieving “Adequate Yearly Progress,” a requirement under “No Child Left Behind.”

Although this change will not take place until after the proper research is made, this is a change that will surely effect many students at Bloomsburg University who both live in PA and who plan on teaching in the state. Due to time constraints, The Voice was unable to receive a response form the governor’s office.

In Manheim Pa.  at the Mount Hope Estate and Winery Mansion (home of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire) the Poe Evermore show comes to life.  The show takes place during fall Oct. 31 through Nov. 15.  Tickets for the show are $19.95. per adult for weekend shows Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and $17.95 for weekday shows.

The year is 1849 and you have been invited to tour an Asylum in the South of France.  Upon your entrance you are greeted by nurses handing out “medicine” (hot brewed holiday wine for those 21 and up).  Dressed in period attire, your hosts of the Mount Hope Asylum are to say the least “a few ants short of a picnic.” The Mansion is Victorian and decorated like an Asylum with doctors equipment, unevenly hung pictures, leaves covering the floors, and tattered clothes hanging from the ceiling in order to create a perfect picture of insanity.

Originally the Mount Hope Mansion was used as the summer residence for the Lancaster Grubb Family in the 1800’s, the Grubb family were wealthy American iron masters. The mansion is Victorian-esque with gold gilded ceiling high mirrors, a ballroom, and ceilings with frescos and stained glass.

The winery at Mount Hope began in 1980.  Inside the Asylum guests are invited to purchase a glass of one of the many Mount Hope wines while moving from room to room to listen to the works of Edgar Allen Poe. Stories and poems featured are “The Raven”, “Bernice”, “The Tell Tale Heart”, “The System of Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether”, and others.

Coming Up At Mount Hope Estate and Winery:

Coming up for winter at the mansion is “A Dickens of a Christmas” and “New Year’s Eve Gala.”

“A Dickens of a Christmas”  starts on Nov. 28 through Dec. 28.  Stories and entertainment included are,  ”A Christmas Carol”, “The Gift of the Magi”, “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”, and The Twelve Days Show. Tickets for “A Dickens of a Christmas” are $19.95 per adult for weekend shows, $17.95 for weekday shows and $9.95 for children on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. A buffet dinner and Show are available Dec. 10, 11, 17, and 18 for $39.95.

On Dec. 31 you can ring in the new year at Mount Hope Estate Mansion at the “Victorian New Year’s Eve Gala.” 

A warm glow from the fireplace and flickering candles sheds light on a tantalizing feast of sumptuous heavy hors d’oeuvres, carving stations and gourmet desserts, while Mount Hope Wines and Swashbuckler Ales, available at the open bar, are a delicious way to wet your whistle between dances.. You’ll succumb to the sway of the tunes, sweeping across the ballroom floor through charming dances from a more genteel and chivalrous time.”

Enchanting music from the 19th century will be provided

- From www.parenfaire.com

For more information about tickets and “A Dickens Christmas” and “New Year’s Eve Gala” please see, www.parenfaire.com

http://z.about.com/d/coloncancer/1/0/9/2/smoking.jpg

On June 13, Govenor Ed Rendell signed into law a bill passed by the Pennsylvania Gernal Assembly banning smoking of cigarettes, cigars and pipes in all enclosed workplaces, with no exceptions. Pennsylvania, along with 32 other states, accepted the new law that would also ban smoking in rental properties used for housing, unless said otherwise by the landlord.

Rendell has advocated the smoking ban as a way to reduce health care costs.

Justin Hummel, manager of Harry’s Bar and Grill, and an avid smoker for over 10 years states that he is optimistic about the recent change.

“I don’t think this has or will change our clientele,” says Hummel, “I think more people who do not smoke will come out and those who do smoke will still come out, as well.” 

The new law exempts taverns and bars where food accounts for less than 20% of sales and alcohol accounts for more than 80% of sales, established private clubs where the officers vote to allow it, and on 25% of gambling floor space at casinos; the bill passed also would not allow for more stringent regulation by county and municipal governments. (The cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are exempt from this restriction.)

Hummel says that in order to keep his smoking crowd happy, he will place a designated area outside roped off for those who smoke. In the colder months, Hummel will also place a heater in the roped off smoking area so bar-goers won’t freeze while grabbing a quick smoke.

Businesses or people who break the law would face fines of up to $250 for a first offense, $500 for the second, and up to $1,000 for repeat offenders.

Hummel said that when he goes out to eat, he prefers to go to places that are smoke-free.

“I’d say I am a more recreational smoker,” says Hummel, “I don’t smoke in my own house and I think that it will better off our staffs who are mostly non-smokers.”

Hummel says he is excited about the ban and is happy that the public can attend a smoke-free restaurant and bar.

According to Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, cigarette smoking causes 87% of lung cancer deaths.

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. It is also responsible for many other cancers and health problems including lung disease, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke and cataracts. Secondhand smoke is just as bad.

Secondhand smoke, or environmental tobacco smoke, contains more than 50 substances that can cause cancer. Health effects of exposure to secondhand smoke include lung cancer, nasal sinus cancer, respiratory tract infections and heart disease.

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that exposure to secondhand smoke causes about 3,000 lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers and is responsible for up to 300,000 cases of lower respiratory tract infections in children up to 18 months of age in the United States each year.

An article in Good Housekeeping presents a study done by the researchers from Indiana University which assesses the benefits of a smoking ban in public places in Monroe County, Indiana. The study revealed that hospital admission rates declined by 70% for nonsmokers, however rates for smokers remain the same.

All of these stats and statistics can be monotonous and annoying. But hey, maybe statistics aren’t enough. Maybe this smoking ban will help smokers statewide quit the dirty habit.