I was facebooking with a nameless colleague about finding interesting people to follow on twitter. I'm following Ashton Kutcher based on the recommendations of Television Without Pity.  I also follow Ellen but she's pretty quiet.  Ashton is fairly active.

Locally, I follow my friends and a few politicians.  I have to admit a lot of it is ho hum.  I don't care about the fact that you are heading out the door.  I want the juicy details from the conversations you have.  The ones that you have to stop to capture before trudging on down the block. 

So who is cool to follow locally? 

Woycheck is prolific.

JimLokay is good for traffic detours.

The papers are good for breaking news.

Anyone else? Suggestions?  Who SHOULD be tweeting? 

The transformation from cuddly Siamese kitty to mutant superhero begins as Coco/Wolverine subdues her foe.

Uh oh ... our mutant superhero is overcome by her foe ....

Don't let her fuzzy cuteness detract from her vicious attack of the renegade (but 100% recycled content) paper towel roll.

Keori has a legislative round up over at Pam's House Blend.  Great job wrapping up the national scene in terms of LGBTQ legislation.  No news in terms of Pennsylvania. 

And because it is so wonderful, GAINESVILLE VOTED DOWN A REPEAL OF ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS THIS WEEK!!! WOOOO!!!!

I encourage you to check it out.  There's really quite a lot going on.  The comments section is filled with even more detail.  It would be awesome if some of the local folks working on the Allegheny County Anti-Discrimination Ordinance tapped into Keori as a resource to keep some national scrutiny on their efforts.

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Persad is launching a new afterschool program for LGBT youth.  This is awesome news.

Beginning in April, Persad Center will offer after-school services to youth ages 14-18.  The after-school program will be housed at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center and will operate from 3-7 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, expanding days as attendance increases.  Unfortunately, many GLBT youth are confronted with bullying regularly as part of their school day.  Harassment results in youth avoiding certain classes or missing school and this leads to poor school performance and can affect students’ lives far beyond their school years.  Many youth struggling with their sexual or gender identity lack adult support and their isolation makes them vulnerable.

 

The After-School program will provide a safe, supervised and supportive environment for teens to interact with their peers, receive important prevention information and treatment services when needed, and get their homework done.  Persad is looking for a few teachers and educators who are willing to become volunteer tutors in the program.  For more information about the after-school program or to apply to become a volunteer, contact Melissa at 412-441-9786 x233.

This is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference and a much needed resource.  I know from personal experience that having supportive adults in your academic world can just make a world of difference. 

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The Bilerico Project, a huge national LGBTQ blog, went "dark" after being targeted by anti-progressive hackers.  Read about it here.

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Bill Peduto is asking you to turn off the lights from 8:30 - 9:30 tonight to help raise awareness about environmental issues.  Can you do that?  Can I?  Ledcat is going out tonight so I am wondering if I can cheat by turning out my lights and using my laptop battery?  Does that count?