Friday, August 24th, 2012

THE HISTORY OF August 24th, I'm ___________________ .

And I’m ___________. Today in 1827: The first U.S. labor paper, Mechanics Gazette, is published in Philadelphia. The paper is a direct result of a strike by 600 carpenters who, tired of working from sunrise to sunset, put down their tools to demand a 10-hour day.

The strike lost, but it spurred Philadelphia unionists to form the Mechanics Union of Trade Associations, composed of delegates from all of the city’s labor organizations. The movement will spread rapidly across the Northeast. By 1832, 61 Workingmens Parties will form will publish 68 labor newspapers, many of them dailies.

Friday, August 24th, 2012

It's This Weekend’s Action Calendar!

The Operation Welcome Home Fifth Year Celebration will be held tomorrow! This fundraiser will include stories from the past five years, a photo exhibit, a hair show, drag performances, music, food, raffle prizes, and good company! This will be from 4 to 7pm at Brittingham Park, 401 Brittingham Place. 

Tomorrow, Bellbrook Berry Farm is hosting Aronia Berry Field Day from 10am to noon. Learn about this new locally grown superberry, and have some tasty samples.  This is at the farm, 419 Union Road in Brooklyn,Wisconsin. More info at bellbrookberryfarm.com

Also tomorrow, the Mountain and Hammer Dulcimer Workshop will be from 10am to 4:15pm at Milton United Methodist Church, 241 Northside Drive in Milton. There is a cost for the workshop. Following the workshop, there will be a free concert from 4:45 to 6pm. The concert is free if you take a workshop - otherwise there is a suggested donation. If you need a mountain dulcimer or more info, contact Nancy at 608-752-6514 or email kyuk_04@yahoo.com.

Sunday, Omulu Guanabara Capoeira will host a Brazilian Spectacular fundraiser at the Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa Street. This family-friendly Spectacular will feature lively and colorful performances of Capoeira, Samba, and Maculelê as well as short tutorials on the basic movements. Doors open at 2pm and the entertainment will run 2:30 to 5pm. There is a suggested donation. For more info, contact Alex at 608-466-0790.

Also on Sunday, Immigrant Workers Union will hold the Fourth Annual Black Latino Unity Picnic. The picnic will be held at Penn Park, 2101 Fisher Street, from 1 to 5pm. The event is part of an overall grassroots effort to promote unity and collaboration between the Black and Latino Communities. The Picnic is open to all communities, is free and includes food, prizes, and cultural and music performances. For more info, visit immigrantworkers.org or call 608-514-1575.