Republican Christine Pontoriero announced she will be a candidate for the 1st District of the state House of Representatives. The seat is currently held by do nothing Democrat Linda Bebko-Jones. Pontoriero is a Republican.
The Erie Broadway Series presents “42nd Street” at the Warner Theatre on Jan 2, 2006 at 7:30 pm. Tickets run $49.50, $39.50 and $29.50.
Bobby Schindler, brother of Terri Schiavo will be the keynote speaker at the 28th annual People for Life Pro-Life Prayer Breakfast to be held Jan 7 at 9 am at the Avalon Hotel in Erie, PA. Since his sister’s death on March 31, 13 days after her feeding tube was removed by court order, Bobby has left his teaching position and as spokesman for the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation, travels across the country, appearing in numerous speaking engagements, devoting himself to raising public awareness about euthanasia.
The Highmark Quad Cross County Ski and Snowshoe race will be held January 8, 2006 at 1 pm on the Upper Golf Course of Peek ‘n Peak. The cross country ski race is 5 miles and the snowshoe race is 2.5 miles. This is the final event of the 23rd Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Quad Games season.
Dr Harm de Blij, author, geography professor and television personality, will speak at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center at Mercyhurst College Tuesday, Jan 10, at 8:15 pm. For seven years, de Blij was the popular geography editor at ABC’s “Good Morning America.” In 1996, he joined NBC News as geography analyst, appearing mostly on MSNBC. He was a writer and commentator for the original PBS series “The Power of Place.” His talk is free and open to the public.
Presque Isle State Park has planned a couple of guided snowshoe hikes: Jan 14, how animals survive in winter; Jan 28, tree and plant identification; Feb 15, winter magic; and Feb 25, tracking animals in snow. All the hikes run from 1-3 pm. Also, on Jan 18 and Feb 15 there will be a night hike from 6-8 pm. Snowshoes are available free of charge to those who make reservations and register. There’s no registration required for those who bring their own equipment. For information, call 814-833-7424 or 814-833-0351.
Gannon University is accepting submissions for its 29th annual High School Poetry Contest. The deadline for submissions is Feb 1, 2006. Submissions should be sent to Berwyn Moore, associate professor, department of English, Gannon University, 109 University Square, Erie, Pennsylvania 16541. All entries should be typed on plain, white paper and should include the student’s name, grade, address of high school, and teacher’s name. Up to three poems per student can be submitted. Original copies should not be sent. Cash prizes will be awarded, including a $100 first prize. Award winners will be announced during the university’s annual English Awards Night, scheduled for April 27, 2006. Dr Rafael Campo, an award winning poet and essayist, will be the guest speaker for the event. For more information on the contest, call the Gannon University English Department at 814-871-7725 or 814-871-7504.
There is a large number of Notre Dame fans in the area. A couple dozne have gone to Tempe for the Fiesta Bowl in which Notre Dame plays Ohio State. Irish fan Herb Down of Erie, Pa was quoted in a news story saying he already liked the score. Phoenix 66 degrees, Erie 36.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is considering changing the size limit for muskies. The current 30 inches could be raised to 36 inches for 2007. There is already a 40 inch size minimum at Presque Isle Bay in Erie.
The Mercyhurst college women’s basketball team starts the “New Year” Monday night with a home contest against the Edinboro University Lady Scots. The tipoff is scheduled for 7 pm.
