The Presque Isle Downs website is now live. Not bad for a businesss that is little more than 270 acres of mud. The restaurant will be called La Bonne Vie (the good life) Steakhouse.
Presque Isle Downs is progressing with the land development work and construction of the Erie racino. The Company still expects to initiate live racing by December of 2007 as required by Presque Isle Down’s racing license and has submitted a request to the Pennsylvania Racing Commission for twelve racing dates in 2007 with a full season expected in 2008. MTR plans to commence slot machine operations in the fall of 2006, subject to licensing by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, pursuant to a temporary license, as provided by statute, pending the issuance of the permanent license. The Company plans to operate the slots in the permanent facility during construction of the racetrack. MTR anticipates initially operating approximately 1,600 slot machines at Presque Isle Downs.

American Womens Services filed papers with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to re-open their Erie clinic.

Mercyhurst College forensic anthropologist Steven Symes, PhD, is spending this week in Ciudad Juarez, state of Chihuahua, Mexico, with the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team attempting to identify the remains of dozens of women among the hundreds who have been murdered in this border town since 1993. Mexico’s failure to solve or stop the murders of young women, mostly students or factory workers between 15 and 25 years of age, has brought worldwide condemnation. As of February 2005, 370 bodies had been found, and more are missing from this border city across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas.

Millcreek Township School District has received a $50,000 ‘Getting to One’ grant to help teachers learn how to use enhanced technology in their classrooms to better educate students. The “enhanced technology” is a computer.

Tom Ostrye has been named to receive the 2006 Ryder Vehicle Sales Team Excellence Scholarship worth $5,000. He is a junior at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania majoring in communications in mass media and minoring in Spanish.

Former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tom Ridge of Erie will be the keynote speaker at ISC West, large security conference, which takes place at the Sands in Las Vegas April 5-7.

Erie Bloggers and those interested in learning more about blogging are invited to attend an informal get together on this evening at 7 pm at Panera’s Yorktown, 2501 W 12th St, Erie PA. A blog (short for “web log”) is an online diary/journal that can easily be edited/updated. Blogs run the gamut of subjects covered, tone and purpose. If you’re not sure about this exciting technology and means of self expression, feel free to ask. Some of us are new to blogging as well. We are looking forward to getting to know each other, and to help others become involved as well. For more information, check the Yahoo Erie Bloggers Group.

The 8th annual Erie Homeownership Expo will be held today from 11:30 am to 7 pm at the Blasco Library Admiral Room and Hirt Auditorium at 160 East Front Street. There will be information on mortgages, real estate services, home inspections and even an appearance by myself. Admission is free and open to the public.

Poet Larissa Szporluk will read from her works at Penn State Behrend at 6 pm today in the worship space of the Smith Chapel. An artist’s reception will precede the reading at 4:30 pm in the Smith Chapel living room. Both are free and open to the public.

Mitch Albom will speak at Mercyhurst College tonight at 8 pm. His topic will be “Tuesdays with Morrie: Lessons for Living.” Albom’s speech requires a free ticket. Tickets will be available at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. The box office is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to noon and 1 to 6 pm.

The musical “Brigadoon” will be performed at the Erie Playhouse tonight, March 31-April 2, 6-9, 2006. For tickets and times call (814) 454-2852.

Roadhouse Theatre will perform “Reservoir Dogs” Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm tonight through May 6. Reservations are a must for this show and can be made by phone at (814) 456-5656 or in person at the Theatre Box Office, 145 West 11th Street. Box Office hours are 2-6 pm Tuesday – Saturday. The Theatre accepts cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Tickets remain ever affordable at the Roadhouse, $8 regular, $10 riser and $12 VIP. Students with ID can see the show for just $5.

The Tamburitzans will be performing at the Mercyhurst College Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Friday March 31 at 8 pm. For tickets call the box office at (814) 824-3000.

The Silberman Recital Series continues with a performance by the Alexander String Quartet in the Ford Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, April 5 at 7:30 pm. The Quartet is made up of noted performers Zakarias Grafilo and Frederick Lifsitz, violins, Paul Yarbrough, viola and Sandy Wilson, cello. The event is free and open to the public.

Creating “heart-healthy families” is just one goal of the Gannon University Villa Maria School of Nursing. Toward that end, the school of nursing on Thursday, April 6 will host its annual community health fair. The event, titled “Family Fun Day: Get Up … Get Busy,” will be held from 4-7 pm at the Community Center at the John E Horan Garden Apartments, 2110 East 10th Street in Erie. A number of activities will be offered for young children, including Dino Jump, hula-hoop contests, and other games. Food and prizes also will be offered. The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Villa Maria School of Nursing and the Housing Authority of the City of Erie.

Mercyhurst Prep has a production of “Hello, Dolly!” playing April 6, 7, 8 at 7 pm as well as matinee performances April 8, 9 at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $4 for students, $6 for seniors and $7 for adults.

The Builders Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania 46th annual Home Show takes place at the Family First Sports Park, 8155 Oliver Road, April 6-9.

The Westminster Figure Skating Club of Erie annual spring show, “A Night on Broadway on Ice” takes place at Mercyhurst College Ice Arena in Erie PA at 7 pm on Saturday, April 8, and at 2 pm on Sunday, April 9. Professional figure skater Caryn Kadavy will perform in the show to Celtic Woman’s “Nella Fantasia.” Skaters of all ages and ability levels will take part in the two-hour show, which will feature nine solo performances by advanced skaters. Groups of skaters will perform to music from popular Broadway shows like “Mamma Mia,” “A Chorus Line,” “Oliver” and “The King and I.” The club’s three synchronized skating teams will perform as well. Advance tickets can be purchased from March 15 through April 8 at Debby’s Dance & Skate Shop, 3410 W 26th St., and The Dancewear Center, 3834 Liberty St. Tickets will also be available at the door. Tickets for adults are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Student and senior citizen tickets are $6 each and tickets for children 12 and under are $3. For more information about the show, contact show director Eileen Bidwell at 835-1478.

The Erie office of Pennsylvania Career Link will hold a job and career fair, the 2006 Erie CareerFair on April 25, 2006 from 11 am to 4 pm at the Zem Zem Shrine Club, 2525 West 38th Street, Erie PA.