Fwd: Joe Jencks: Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers " World Radio Premier

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Joe Jencks

Dear Friends…

I am pleased to announce the release of my 1st solo CD in nearly 8 years: Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers

The disc is not yet publicly for sale " but will be very soon! In the mean time, DJs around North America will begin playing the CD starting May 1st.  The Disc will be up on CD Baby, iTunes, etc., soon. And for those who were gracious enough to pre-order the CD " it will be in the mail within the next few weeks " as soon as we get them back from the manufacturer. In the meantime:

Tonight - Saturday April 29th, The Midnight Special (Rich Warren, WFMT Chicago), will premier Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers. Starting at the top of the show and featuring several songs throughout the broadcast, Rich will highlight some of his early favorites from the new CD. For those in the Chicago area, you can listen live starting at 9:00 PM (CT) on 98.7 FM. For those outside the broadcast region, you can tune in via the internet: http://www.wfmt.com/listen/.

"Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers -is absolutely Joe Jencks' finest effort thus far. Jencks' captivating tenor voice, lofted by flawless production, demonstrates music of conscience and provides a feast for the ear as well as nourishment for the soul."
- Rich Warren, The Midnight Special " WFMT, Chicago, IL

The Midnight Special is also syndicated and rebroadcast on several hundred stations throughout the US and a few in Canada. So… please keep your ears open and radio tuned. A list of stations that carry The Midnight Special can be found at: http://www.midnightspecial.org/syndication.htm.

Songs from Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers will also be celebrated on Sirius XM " The Village (MarySue Twohy) in the coming weeks, and it will be in the hands of most Folk DJs throughout the US and Canada in the next week. Please call or email your local Folk / Acoustic / Roots or Americana radio hosts and request to hear the CD. Thanks to so many for your patience, support and faith. I can't wait to share the new music!

With arrangements that showcase sparse acoustic textures alongside Copeland-like orchestral tapestries, the new recording is cinematic in its narrative imagery and scope. Featuring largely original songs - Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers also includes songs by friends Jon Brooks, Kat Eggleston, Jack Hardy, and nearly-lost treasure from the pen of Phil Ochs.  Guest artists include: Ysaye Barnwell (Sweet Honey In The Rock), Cathy Fink, Harpeth Rising, Tret Fure, Reggie Harris, Edie Carey, Jon Carroll, Cheryl Prashker, Grace Jencks, Heather Styka, Charlie Pilzer, Charlie Bernhardt, David Glaser, and more.

Some additional reviews are listed below as well as upcoming solo and trio concert dates. Hope to see you soon!

In Gratitude & Song,

-Joe Jencks



"If one can master a craft after investing 10,000 hours, Joe Jencks' hours are showing! I am literally stunned by this new album. Poets, Philosopher, Workers & Wanders tells our stories, his story, and the untold stories, as an American folk master can - with heart and unfettered perfection. Add this one to the folk canon! "  - MarySue Twohy  " The Village, SIRIUS XM Radio

"Beyond the fine selection of songs and the talented team assembled in the studio, what really shines through on Joe Jencks' new album are his resonant, honey-rich voice, his open-hearted humanity, and his commitment to social justice. We need artists who inspire our better selves more than ever, don't we?"  - John Platt , Sunday Supper, WFUV, Bronx, NY

"Joe Jencks brings us moving and stunning songs of hope, redemption, connection and remembrance. Sung with passion and delivered in his rich tenor voice, the songs on Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers are a balm for the times."
- Laurie DesJardins " KVMR, Nevada City, CA

"Climb inside the songs of Joe Jencks, and you meet real people. His lilting melodies and warm, caramel tenor draw us closer to the stories he tells. Jencks finds the humanness that binds us to the people in his songs!"
- Scott Alarik " Author of RevivialFolk Tales, WUMB, Boston, MA

"You can expect many a gifted artist to move you deeply, but Joe Jencks will change who you are."
 -  Angela Page " WJFF, Radio Catskill, Jefferson, NY

"What a pleasure to hear such an incredible voice wrapped around such well written, socially conscientious songs. Well done!"
-  Sonny Ochs " WIOX, Roxbury, NY

"Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanders is an emotional powerhouse.  Joe Jencks provides us with much needed inspiration and hope and reminds us what "love" is really all about."  - Ron Olesko " WFDU, Teaneck, NJ

"Poets, Philosophers, Workers & Wanderers solidifies Joe Jencks' place as one of Folk music's eloquent voices for social justice. Joe has put together a wonderful collection of songs that touch the heart and strengthen the resolve. A real winner!"
- Jan Vanderhorst - Just Us Folk, 1380 CKPC - Brantford, Ontario

"Just an absolutely superb work by Joe Jencks on this new album. Joe's about as intelligent a songwriter as there is out there. His songs are smart and extremely well crafted. Highly recommended!"  - Steve Brockway - The Folk Show, KRFC, Fort Collins, CO

"Joe Jencks has created an exquisite musical journey, using his insightful writing as a vehicle and his extraordinary voice as the guide. The songs touch on a variety of poignant topics, and they're expertly arranged, allowing listeners to get the full effect. Truly a work of the heart."   - Wanda Fischer - The Hudson River Sampler, WAMC-FM, Albany, NY



............................................................................................


RELEASES:
Poets, Philosophers, Workers, & Wanderers -- available at: http://www.joejencks.com/index.php?page=cds&display=2230

more releases at http://www.joejencks.com/index.php?page=cds


EVENTS:


April 2017

Saturday, April 29th 7:30 PM
Brother Sun in Concert
Williamsburg Library Theater
 Williamsburg, VA
http://www.wrl.org/events/concerts
Call (757) 259-4070 for more details


Sunday, April 30th 3:00 PM &  7:00 PM
Brother Sun in Concert
FOCUS Music
 Falls Church, VA 22042
http://www.focusmusic.org
Call (703) 380-3151 for more details



May 2017

Friday, May 5th 7:30 PM
Brother Sun in Concert
Stone Church Arts
 Bellows Falls, VT
http://www.stonechurcharts.org
Call 802-460-0110 for more details


Saturday, May 6th 7:00 PM
Brother Sun in Concert
Stone Soup Coffee House
 Pawtucket, RI
http://www.stonesoupcoffeehouse.com
Call (401) 335-0371 for more details


Sunday, May 7th 5:00 PM
Brother Sun in Concert
River Spirit Music House Concerts
 Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
http://www.riverspiritmusic.com
Call 347-687-4267 for more details


Sunday, May 7th 2:00 PM
Brother Sun in Concert
River Spirit Music House Concerts
 Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
http://www.riverspiritmusic.com
Call 347-687-4267 for more details


Saturday, May 13th
Brother Sun in Concert
Old Sloop Coffeehouse
 Rockport, MA
http://oldsloopcoffeehouse.org/
Call 978-309-9667 for more details


Sunday, May 14th
Brother Sun in Concert
Cape Cod Cultural Center
 South Yarmouth, MA 02664
http://www.cultural-center.org/product-category/events/
Call (508) 394-7100 for more details


Thursday, May 18th 7:30 PM
Brother Sun in Concert
The Folk Factory Coffeehouse
 Philadelphia, PA 19150
http://www.facebook.com/folkfactorycoffeehouse/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
Call 215-848-6246 for more details


Friday, May 19th 7:30 PM
Brother Sun in Concert
Starlight Coffeehouse
 Northport, NY 11768
http://www.northportarts.org/starlight-coffeehouse

Sunday, May 21st 4:00 PM
Brother Sun In Concert
Spring Gulch Folk Festival
 New Holland, PA
http://www.springgulch.com/folkfestival.cfm
Call 717-354-3100 for more details


Wednesday, May 24th 7:30 PM
Brother Sun in Concert
Arhaven HC
 East Austin, TX
http://www.arhaven.org/brother-sun.html

Thursday, May 25th 7:30 PM
Brother Sun in Concert
Hill Country House Concerts
 Boerne, TX
http://www.hillcountryhouseconcerts.com

Friday, May 26th
Brother Sun in Concert
Kerrville Folk Festival
 Kerrville, TX

Saturday, May 27th
Brother Sun in Concert
Kerrville Folk Festival
 Kerrville, TX


June 2017

Sunday, June 4th
Joe Jencks in Concert
Bliss Manor
 Northbrook, IL

Saturday, June 10th 7:30 PM
Joe Jencks in Concert
Fairyland House Concerts
 Middleton, WI

Sunday, June 11th 3:00 PM
Joe Jencks in Concert
Windy City House Concerts
 Chicago, IL
http://windycityhouseconcerts.org

Friday, June 23rd
Old Songs Festival
 Altamont, NY 12009
http://festival.oldsongs.org

Saturday, June 24th
Old Songs Festival
 Altamont, NY 12009
http://festival.oldsongs.org

Sunday, June 25th
Old Songs Festival
 Altamont, NY 12009
http://festival.oldsongs.org


July 2017

Friday, July 7th
Joe Jencks in Concert
New Bedford Folk Festival
 New Bedford, MA 02740
http://newbedfordfolkfestival.com

Saturday, July 8th
Joe Jencks in Concert
New Bedford Folk Festival
 New Bedford, MA 02740
http://newbedfordfolkfestival.com

Sunday, July 9th
Joe Jencks in Concert
New Bedford Folk Festival
 New Bedford, MA 02740
http://newbedfordfolkfestival.com

Sunday, July 30th 10:45 AM
Joe Jencks Preaches Sunday Service
Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist
 McHenry, IL 60050
http://www.treeoflifeuu.org
Call (815) 322-2464 for more details


Sunday, July 30th 7:00 PM
Joe Jencks in Concert
The Lake County Folk Club
 Grayslake, IL 60030
http://www.thelakecountyfolkclub.org
Call 847-602-8882 for more details



August 2017

Thursday, August 3rd 8:00 PM
Brother Sun in Concert
Guy C Myers Memorial Band Shell
 Ashland, OH 44805
http://www.ashland-ohio.com/parks-and-recreation/guy-c-myers-bandshell
more events at http://www.joejencks.com/index.php?page=calendar

http://joejencks.com


--
--
Ta.


Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: Pittsburgh Public Schools Update - April 2017

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Superintendent Anthony Hamlet, Ed.D" <superintendentoffice@pghboe.net>
Date: Apr 28, 2017 4:59 PM
Subject: Pittsburgh Public Schools Update - April 2017
To: <mark@rauterkus.com>
Cc:

April 2017 Dear Mark,   Dear Valued Stakeholder:   As our nation struggles with issues surrounding public education, the Pittsburgh Public Schools is focused on improving all of our schools. This time of change presents a great opportunity for us to align with the growing Pittsburgh marketplace and develop well-rounded, academically prepared graduates who can compete locally, nationally and globally. Our city is known for its grit, hardworking spirit, and ability to reinvent itself. Now we must reinvent Pittsburgh Public Schools and put the Pittsburgh perseverance to work. On Thursday, April 27, we released our 2017-2022 Strategic Plan: Expect Great Things before an enthusiastic crowd at Heinz Field, where we also inducted seven members into the District's 2017 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Their achievements in life underscore why we expect great things from our students - and why you should expect the same from PPS. The five-year strategic plan is the result of nine months of planning that involved unprecedented community feedback, in-depth data review and third-party analysis, including findings from the Council of the Great City Schools. This planning began with my Look, Listen and Learn tour in August 2016, shortly after I became Superintendent of schools. We received valuable answers about our district's strengths and where there is room for improvement from around 3,500 individuals - a level of engagement that demonstrates how much Pittsburghers care about our youths and quality public education. We have not changed our vision of graduating all students so they are ready to complete a two- or four-year college or workforce certification. But we have updated our roadmap to achieve this vision. No two students are the same, but each deserves to be challenged and excited about learning. We must set the bar high and let them know that we expect great things from them. At the same time, we must hold high expectations for our staff. The plan outlines four long-term outcomes: increase student proficiency in literacy and math, eliminate racial disparity in achievement levels of African American students, and equip all students with skills to succeed in college, career and life. We will achieve our long-term outcomes through four strategic themes:  Create a positive and supportive school culture;  Develop and implement a rigorous, aligned system of instruction;  Provide appropriate instructional support for teachers and staff; and  Foster a culture of high performance for all employees. Within these themes, we set 19 strategic initiatives to be phased in over three years. In Phase 1, launching now through June 2018, we will implement nine of those initiatives. Each initiative is led by an action team of staff members, with support from an advisory committee. We have pledged transparent communication, including progress updates to the public. We will accomplish the goals set forth in the plan if we expect great things from ourselves, our students, our families, and our communities. We must hold each other accountable. This strategic plan is the first step in that direction. I welcome you to join Pittsburgh Public Schools on this new path to ensuring all of our students receive the high-quality education they deserve. You can read the 2017-2022 Strategic Plan: Expect Great Things on our website:   http://www.ppsstrategicplan.org/ As always, I welcome your thoughts and questions.     Dr. Anthony Hamlet Superintendent, Pittsburgh Public Schools   Seven individuals were inducted into the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.  The inductees include (Top Row) Samantha Paige Davis, Anna Tarka-DiNunzio, Dr. Rahmon Hart, (Bottom row) Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak, Tamara Whiting, Dr. Justin Meyer, and Billy Porter (not pictured).  #WeArePPS School Spotlight Pittsburgh Beechwood PreK-5 Pittsburgh Beechwood PreK-5 is a neighborhood school located in the Beechview community. Pittsburgh Beechwood's strong academic curriculum emphasizes attainment of standards and early success especially in literacy, mathematics and science.  Watch this  video to learn more. PPS Student to Watch! Zainab Adisa Named 2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards' Gold Medal Portfolio Recipient   Congratulations to Pittsburgh CAPA senior Zainab Adisa on being named a 2017 Gold Medal Portfolio Recipient, the highest national honor of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Zainab joins 15 other students nationwide in receiving the award, which includes a $10,000 scholarship.  This is not the first time Zainab has been recognized for her writing skills.  This past January, Zainab took first place in high school poetry in the 2017 Carnegie Mellon University's Martin Luther King  Writing Awards. Enjoy her winning piece "We Are Americans".   Zainab  also hosts, films, and produces TV documentaries as part of the Steeltown Entertainment Project's Reel Teens crew.  Zainab hopes to study international relations and produce a documentary about human rights around the world. The child of Nigerian immigrants has traveled internationally several times to promote global peace through education, saying, "There's a stereotype about what America really is, so it's important that people to go out into the world and listen to each other and really learn about each other's cultures." Zainab continues to get recognized for talents, winning multiple scholarships from various programs.   Community voices concerns about PPS Code of Student Content  New Pittsburgh Courier, April 19, 2017  In recent years, Pittsburgh Public Schools and its school board would make changes and revisions to its Code of Student Conduct without the public being able to offer its input and suggestions in an open setting. That's all changed, now that Dr. Anthony Hamlet is the new sheriff in town. Dr. Hamlet, who is completing his first year as Superintendent of Schools, initiated a series of open forums that the public could voice their concerns about a variety of issues affecting the district. And recently, the district completed a series of public meetings to gather information as to how to improve the Code of Student Conduct for the next school year. The public meetings were held at Pittsburgh Obama (March 22), Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (March 30), and Pittsburgh King (April 5). Read more in the New Pittsburgh Courier.  Pittsburgh Public Schools adapts curriculum to students new to English  Pittsburgh Post - Gazette, March 27, 2017  Around the start of the second semester, Khalil arrived in Pittsburgh from Armenia, where his family had moved to flee the violence in their native Syria. With some stability in his life, the 15-year-old returned to a classroom - for the first time in eight years. "It's really starting from scratch. Not only has he not been in school, he told [a peer], 'I have not held a pencil in my hand in eight years. I haven't written anything,' " said Gina Andreassi, his main teacher at Brashear High School. Though Khalil's is an extreme case, Pittsburgh Public Schools has been faced with an increasing number of students who come into the school system lacking a formal or consistent education. In response, it has launched a pair of new pilot programs at Brashear and Pittsburgh Arsenal PreK-5 that offer "a much more focused approach [for] kids that have had interrupted school or no formal school," said Jonathan Covel, the director for the district's English as a second language program.  Read more in the PG   Contact Dr. Anthony Hamlet, Superintendent 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 412-529-3600 Stay Connected "Instruction ends in the school-room, but education ends only with life." - Frederick W. Robertson

Pittsburgh Public Schools, 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 SafeUnsubscribe™ mark@rauterkus.com Forward this email | Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by superintendentoffice@pghboe.net in collaboration with Try it free today

Dollar Bank $10,000 tuition scholarship

Dollar Bank is sponsoring a contest for high school seniors as described in the attached flyer.


The prize is a $10,000 scholarship that the winner can use towards their college tuition. Dollar Bank is asking if  we can circulate this among the kids in the College and Career Readiness Program of the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation.

See the link to the one-page PDF.

Read the full details in the link.

Fwd: FW: Pittsburgh Steelers Coaching Boys Into Men Summit on May 20

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Kristy Trautmann" <kristy@fisafoundation.org>
Date: Apr 26, 2017 1:55 PM
Subject: FW: Pittsburgh Steelers Coaching Boys Into Men Summit on May 20
To: "Kristy Trautmann" <kristy@fisafoundation.org>
Cc:

Greetings!  You attended a previous Coaching Boys Into Men training, so we are keeping you in the loop about this upcoming opportunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers on May 20.  Details below.

(Cross posting, please excuse duplicate emails.)

This session is focused on high school athletic coaches.  Please forward to anyone who might be interested!

Thank you,

Kristy

 

From: FISA Foundation [mailto:newsletter@fisafoundation.org]
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 10:45 AM
To: Kristy Trautmann <kristy@fisafoundation.org>
Subject: Pittsburgh Steelers Coaching Boys Into Men Summit on May 20

 

A SPECIAL INVITATION from the PITTSBURGH STEELERS! FISA Foundation, United Way of Southwestern PA and the Pittsburgh Steelers recognize that special role of coaches in the lives of high school athletes. Good coaches believe that building character is as important as learning plays.   We invite high school coaches to join us at Heinz Field on May 20 for a free Coaching Boys Into Men Training Summit. CBIM gives coaches the tools to talk to their athletes about building safe and healthy relationships and prevent dating violence.   Keynote speaker Don McPherson is an activist, educator and College Football Hall of Famer. A former professional football player and director of Northeastern University's Mentors in Violence Prevention Program, his talk will focus on empowering young men to prevent dating violence. Also speaking will be Jerry Olsavsky, Steelers inside linebacker coach, Steelers representatives and CBIM advocates.    Bonus: Free lunch, tour and moving tackling dummy demo. Saturday, May 20, 2017, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hyundai Club at Heinz Field 100 Art Rooney Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 AGENDA: 9:00 a.m.       Registration 9:30 a.m.       Welcome 10:00 a.m.     Keynote: Don McPherson 11:00 a.m.     Overview of CBIM 11:30 a.m.     Lunch, tour & moving tackling dummy demo 1-3:00 p.m.   CBIM training The program is free. Click here to register by May 12. Act 48 Credits are pending. Questions?  Contact Kiandra Foster, United Way at (412) 456-6844 or Kiandra.Foster@unitedwayswpa.org       Sponsored by:

 

FISA Foundation, 535 Smithfield Street, Suite 710, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 SafeUnsubscribe™ kristy@fisafoundation.org   Forward email | Update Profile | About our service provider   Sent by newsletter@fisafoundation.org in collaboration with Try it free today

 

Take a Father to School Day - propaganda

Fwd: PAA Disaster

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John H

You are receiving this e-mail because you live in the Pittsburgh region and might have some interest in what is happening relative to the scandals at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association (PAA).  You may have heard about the financial debacle of the PAA on taxes, utility bills, etc. and the terrible treatment of 24 students living on the 4^th and 5^th floors of the building; but you almost certainly have not heard about the plight of the PPA's employees since the newspapers have shown no interest in their situation.  Attached is an op-ed which Mike Stout and I have submitted to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for publication.  We hope that they will print it, but are not at all confident since it casts a bad light on some of Pittsburgh's elite. 

The workers at the PAA are now out of a job.  We hope the people of Pittsburgh will put as much pressure as possible on the Directors, Members and management of the PAA to help ensure that the workers finally receive a fair shake.  These folks have been stiffed and badly treated by the PAA since at least 2011.  

Tomorrow Mike and I and a couple of other will be meeting to plan a fundraiser to help the workers pay for the legal fees in the ERISA suit they are filing over their missing pension funds.  As you may imagine these workers are not floating in cash.  They have been beaten down for so long that they feel hopeless and alone.  They need all the help they can get.  So anything you can do will be gratefully appreciated.  We will keep you informed of any plans for a fundraiser as they develop.

If you are not interested and want no further information on this please let me know and I will remove you from the list.

John

Link

• What about the workers, LTE

Conflict of Interest with City Employees and City Schools -- even as a coach

This is from the Pittsburgh's City Charter:

---

707. Multiple Employment

Prohibited

No person shall hold more than one compensated position in City government and no compensated city employee shall hold a compensated position in any other government except as follows:

a. Officer or member of the Pennsylvania National Guard or federal reserve:

b. The controller may also serve as controller for the city school district; and the deputy controller may also serve as deputy controller for the city school district.

c. A treasurer, or person serving in that capacity, may also serve as treasurer for the city school district.

d. Member or employee of any sinking fund commission or pension board.

e. Pittsburgh public school employees between the months of May and September of each year.

---

Problem: City workers can not be part-time coaches on athletic teams in the city.

Fwd: As the Party self-destructs

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John H

A pair of top Democrats are telling the 28 percent of the party that is pro-life to get in line and support abortion – or leave the party. 

 

"Every Democrat, like every American, should support a woman's right to make her own choices about her body and her health," Perez said in a statement on April 21. "That is not negotiable and should not change city by city or state by state." – Tom Perez, DNC Chairman

 

While I believe that every woman should have control over her own body and the right to choose whether to have an abortion or not, it increasingly seems as if the hierarchy of the Democratic Party is intent upon political suicide.  Establishing an absolute standard of belief to be applied to all Party adherents would seem to be akin to emulating the Nazi Party in Germany or the Communist Party in the Soviet Union – toe the line or else.  So much for belief in democracy.  Assuming the Party chooses to do this with the abortion issue, they can apply it to anything.  I'm not suggesting that there are no issues that could be absolutely banned for followers, slavery comes immediately to mind.  But, when choosing an issue about which there is a great deal of disagreement, particularly among people with strong religious convictions, it seems to be nonsensical. 

 

This is not all that much different from the Party elite's effort to dis Bernie Sanders and all of those who believe that Sanders' policy prescriptions would move the Party in the correct direction for the times.  Unfortunately, the Democratic Party bosses are so tightly tied to Wall Street, Tech and entertainment Billionaires that the prospect of even mildly progressive policies and people in the Party strikes terror in their souls and demands drastic action to ensure that no such change occur.  This is the gist of the attachment, but more forcefully made.

 

John

Link

D DISUNITY: Hypocritical 

Job posting for city work w nonprofit

A. PHILLIP RANDOLPH INSTITUTE JOB OPENINGS The institute has 3 new openings, find the right one for you Sent 04/24/2017 @ 12:03 pm Greetings District 6; The Pittsburgh Chapter of A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) is a non-profit organization in Pittsburgh, PA committed to the social progress of minorities, the poor, and working people. APRI is dedicated to developing and promoting programs that promise democracy, education, and economic opportunity to those who are traditionally disenfranchised or discouraged from productive citizenship, while collaboratively leveraging regional strengths through innovation, education, workforce development, and the cultivation of sustainable business opportunities.   Assistant Trainer  The APRI Assistant Trainer will initially have partial responsibility for the development, implementation, and execution of a course of instruction (i.e., Breaking the Chains of Poverty (BTCP) which helps qualify students for employment in the construction and building trades, manufacturing, emerging energy, green, and hospitality industries), and may eventually be responsible for the coordination and execution of their own training cohorts. The Trainer will provide classroom/laboratory instruction. S/he will work alongside the APRI team to ensure that all aspects of the program -- recruitment, training, and placement of students into familysustaining careers -- are conducted successfully and with fidelity to the program model. The Assistant Trainer should have a passion for, and a commitment to, sustainable workforce development principles. An individual who is self-motivated and highly organized, with strong communication and interpersonal skills, will be successful in t his role. For this position CLICK HERE   Case Manager The APRI Case Manager & Community Outreach Coordinator will be primarily responsible for the case management of potential and current students of APRI's flagship curriculum Breaking the Chains of Poverty (i.e., BTCP; qualifies students for employment in the construction and building trades, manufacturing, emerging energy, green, and hospitality industries). Case management responsibilities will include assessment, intensive job readiness and job search and placement assistance, and other support. Also, the Case Manager & Community Outreach Coordinator will identify and recruit partners and stakeholders to become a part of the APRI network. Specifically, this person will be identifying community-based organization partners to become a part of the APRI Workforce Alliance, as well as recruiting prospective students and prospective employers for BTCP. This person will be expected to continually promote the mission of the Pittsburgh Chapter of APRI. S/he will work alongside the APRI team to ensure that all aspects of the program -- recruitment, training, and placement of students into familysustaining careers -- are conducted successfully and with fidelity to the program model. The Case Manager & Community Outreach Coordinator should have a passion for, and a commitment to, sustainable workforce development principles. An individual who is selfmotivated and highly organized, with strong communication and interpersonal skills, will be successful in this role. For this position CLICK HERE   Communications and Development  Coordinatior The APRI Communications and Development Coordinator position has a strong emphasis on marketing and communications to promote the APRI mission and expand APRI's network of support. This person will manage various means of internal and external communication, and will also manage assigned fundraising activities. S/he will work alongside the APRI team to ensure that all aspects of the program -- recruitment, training, and placement of students into family-sustaining careers -- are conducted successfully and with fidelity to the program model. The Communications and Development Coordinator should have a passion for, and a commitment to, sustainable workforce development principles. An individual who is selfmotivated and highly organized, with strong communication and interpersonal skills, will be successful in this role. For this position CLICK HERE

Swimming!

Fwd: Read carefully

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John H

This attachment is an article which should be read carefully.  It is a relatively succinct explanation of the situation of every non-ruling class American today.  It also provides a bit of history showing that not much has really changed over the years.

John

Link:

• Donald Trump, Ruling Class President

Fwd: Yes, it has already happened . . .

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John H.

Many of us believe that the United States is devolving into little more than a third-world country with a small wealthy minority class and a much larger class of disadvantaged and disenfranchised who have essentially no say in the policies which impact them and little or no capacity to rise out of their present situation.  In some nations this is known as a caste system, in others quasi-serfdom; or, as it might be termed, neo-serfdom.  The attached piece explains that this is not just coming to America, it has arrived.  If this is permitted to become entrenched as the cultural norm, as is the neoliberal plan, there will be little which can be done to change matters down the road.  This is why it is urgent that we close ranks now and act as one people to rise up and return the promise of hope and freedom which we were finally able to sniff the virtues of following World War Two up until the neoliberal takeover in the late 1970s.  There is no time to lose.  We must set aside our differences now to have any hope of seeing real change in the lifetimes of our children.  There is much to gain and little to lose – do not go silent into the night.

John

Link

• America is Regressing for Most

Fwd: The present danger -- neoliberalism

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John H.

To be sure, we live in difficult and dangerous times – times when the forces of power-mad greed seem determined to do whatever is necessary to destroy the world and those in it just for their own acquisition of more power and more stuff.  It is a time when intentional ignorance is seen as a blessing and not a curse; when 'entertainment' is the chief source of knowledge; when service of the self is the highest form of art and accomplishment; a time, in short, where despair creeps ever closer to the surface and seems to call for political action.  But what kind of action can be raised against arrayed forces of neoliberalism?

The neoliberal mantra has come to dominate not just this nation but most of the developed world.  It is a pervasive monster which seeks to dominate all thought and action by rendering the populace incapable of thinking of anything but themselves and their own entertainment or, in far too many instances, their own survival.  The commons be damned, the market is all.  It is all-knowing and all-powerful, to be worshiped as a god of old.  Government exist only to protect the markets and market players (that is the powerful market players) alone.  Those who are not themselves winners in this market-take-all economy are deemed to be surplus – to be cast aside as unnecessary, and perhaps unfortunate, losers; but losers nonetheless, whose survival is of little or no concern of the state.

This is the system under which we have all been subsumed and must now fight our way out of if we are to survive as a viable people.  Henry Giroux offers some helpful suggestions in the first attachment – suggestions we should, I believe, take very seriously.  The second article asks a simple, but important, question – Why aren't Bernie Sanders style Democrats getting more support from Party leaders?  I think most of us know the answer, but it is critical to overcome this impediment if there is any hope for the existing electoral system to work for us in the near future.

John

Links

• Why are the Bernie fans not getting more support from the D Party?
• Trump's war on dangerous memory and critical thought

Fwd: War and Debt

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John H

What more can we ask for beyond the prospect of nuclear war and more unforgiveable student debt – life is so good here in this land of the terrified and home of the arrogant.  Endless hubris would seem to be our fate.

John

Links

• Neocons Have Trump on His Knees

• Student Debt Bubble Sucks Even More out of Economy

Fwd: Best yet on Russia

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John H

Attached is the best article I have yet run across concerning Russia and the U.S.  It is vital in this time of anti-Russian hysteria to understand just what is at stake in this insanity of political craziness now sweeping the nation.

John

Link

• Vladimir Putin as Emanuel Goldstein

Fwd: Our great friend and Ally

---------- Forwarded

From John H.

There are some questions which never seem to be raised in this nation, but the biggest has to do with our great 'friend' and 'ally' Israel.  Perhaps the time has come to change that before it is too late – if it isn't already.

John

Link

• Article, Why not a probe of I-Gate

Fwd: Changed my thinking

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: John H

The attached post has caused me to rethink my position relative to what can best be termed 'Hillarycrats', not the DNC or the elitist leaders of the Democratic Party and the moneyed interests they represent, but those who supported Hillary and Obama in the past three elections.  I also was duped into voting for Obama and even voted for him a second time when I know full well that he misrepresented virtually everything he promised to do as president, but I could not do so for Hillary (I did not vote for Trump).  However, Anthony Dimaggio makes a very persuasive case that dissing Hillary supporters out of some so-called 'principle' is an almost certain route to failure in the effort to seek progressive change in this society.  It has essentially the same effect that Hillary's use of the term 'deplorables' to describe working folks who supported Trump.  If we can't find some way to unite against the power of the moneyed interests and their political lackeys, failure is almost assured. 

This means not just working with mainstream Democrats (not the political elitists), but also making alliances with rural working class folks who, after thirty years of being ignored and dissed by the Democratic Party, deserted the Party and supported Trump in this past election.  The simple fact is that no single group of us can accomplish anything acting alone or simply by focusing on 'identity politics'  where each siloed interest group acts as if their particular interest is the only one which matters.  This is just what our rulers want us to do.  Acting alone simply renders all of us politically impotent.  We must make every effort to achieve a significant level of solidarity and push from the bottom up to force the powers that be to change.  This will require that we, all of us, adopt new attitudes of the collective good, to support one another wherever we can and not fight over whose movement is more important – they all are.  It is only by acting together that we have any chance of achieving our goals.

John

Link 

• to PDF article, Assessing Opportunities for Positive Political Change