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Independent and Progressive Journalism and Community for Central Pa.

Brain drain: why PSU graduates leave State College

by David Martino

A majority of the Penn State undergraduates leave after graduating without hesitation. Many describe State College as a college town with limited job and housing opportunities. Read more »

CRUX reveals the refiguring of artist-activist

by Jessie Rommelt

"After a year abroad, a semester away and countless conceptual mutations, CRUX is a combination of works that illustrate the key ideas in the work of Anna Brewer. Issues of Gender, Power, and Memory bind together to set the stage for the many characters who populate this show," states the exhibition card for Penn State student, artist, and activist Anna Brewer’s latest artistic endeavor. Read more »

State College Food Not Bombs: A Community-Based Response to Poverty, Hunger, and Inequity.

State College - On Tuesday night, the kitchen of the Abba Java Coffee House on Calder Way was bustling with activity.  Students and community members flocked in and out of the downtown coffee shop amidst the aroma of spicy vegan lentil soup and the sounds of guitar and ukulele strums.

In recent weeks, Dan Farbowitz, a recent Penn State graduate, has taken the initial steps in establishing a State College chapter of Food Not Bombs, an international food-sharing campaign that provides vegan meals to needy people – and anyone else who’s interested.

As a whole, the organization seeks to create a community-based atmosphere that promotes non-violence, encourages increased sustainability, and confronts poverty and inequality.
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National Tax Day Action 2012 - State College, PA


STATE COLLEGE - On this year's Tax Day, protestors rallied outside a Verizon business to make a statement against corporate greed.

"You pay your taxes so Verizon doesn't have to," one sign read.

For more news and content, visit Spark Progress, Penn State University's progressive student alliance, at www.sparkprogress.org; or visit Voices, an affiliated newspaper, at www.voicesweb.org.

Video and story by Ricardo Morales from Spark.

The Grand Reopening of beloved State College bookstore, Webster's Bookstore Cafe

Elaine Meder-Wilgus reopens Webster's Bookstore CafeElaine Meder-Wilgus and Mayor Elizabeth Goreham officate at the Grand Reopening of Webster's Bookstpre Cafe. Elaine introduces all the people who worked hardest on the project, and together Elaine and the Mayor cut the ribbon. Photo and video by Elizabeth Timberlake-Newell.

 

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Grand Opening of the new Webster’s Bookstore Café April 14 10 am until 8 pm

Websters Reopening[STATE COLLEGE, PA]—Webster’s Bookstore Cafe is pleased to announce its Grand Opening celebration on April 14, 2012 from 10 am until 8 pm at their new location at 133 East Beaver Avenue, State College, PA.  A ribbon-cutting will take place at 10am at the Humes Alley entrance, attended by the Mayor of State College, Elizabeth Goreham.  

“We’re happy to introduce our new location to the community and to those who helped bring this project to fruition,” said Elaine Meder-Wilgus, Owner. “The grand opening celebration for Webster’s Bookstore Cafe marks the launch of a new model for bookstores across the country as they move toward becoming cultural and community centers.”

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“Changing the Moral Climate on Climate Change” Five Penn Staters Confront Climate Change Denial

“Changing the Moral Climate on Climate Change” Five Penn Staters Confront Climate Change Denial
When: April 30th, 7 pm – 9:30 pm
Where: 101 Thomas Building, University Park, PA

Who: Dr. (Juris) Donald Brown, Peter Buckland, Dr. Janet Swim, Dr. Rick Schuhmann, and Dr. Michael Mann, director of Penn State’s Earth System Science Center, Nobel-Prize co-winner for his work on the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and author of The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars.

Dr. Susannah Barsom of Penn State’s Center for Sustainability will emcee and moderate the event. Read more »

Corbett budget neglects education funding

by Elizabeth Timberlake-Newell

Pa Schools Pension CostsIn February, every school board member and superintendent in Pennsylvania was holding his or her breath, waiting to hear the details of Governor Corbett’s budget. Some were bracing for the worst.

Jeffrey Ammerman, business administrator for State College Area School District (SCASD) assumed Basic Education funding (the amount allotted by the state for student achievement) would fall by $500,000.

He also assumed that the Accountability Block Grant would remain the same at $128,000. This grant was a $200 million investment offered to schools beginning in 2004-2005 to establish, maintain or expand pre-kindergarten, full day kindergarten and smaller class sizes in kindergarten through third grade.

According to Corbett’s budget, only the state’s share of money paid out for district personnel pensions would increase. Read more »

Industrial park (formerly Cerro Metals) deal worries activists

by Catherine Jampel

Cerro Metals dealConcerned citizens are monitoring the development of Titan Energy Park, an industrial complex at the former Bolton Metal (formerly Cerro) site on Axemann Road in Spring Township.

A local group of citizens concerned about drilling fluids near Bellefonte and Spring Township’s water supply held a meeting on Sunday, March 18 on Penn State’s campus. Read more »

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