Erie PA native Alan Baer joined the New York Philharmonic in June 2004 as Principal Tuba. He also rides a motorcycle. What else would he call his own record label but Baer Tracks Music. Baer actually straps the tuba to he back and rides. This summer he rode 2,000 miles from NYC to Vail, CO with a tuba on his back for a performance. There is a pretty good article in New York Newsday about his biking adventures.

LECOM will begin the academic year on Monday, July 31 with an announcement about the new accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education for the Lake Erie College of Medicine and School of Pharmacy. The LECOM medical Class of 2010 begins orientation on Monday. The 231 new students in Erie PA along with 160 students in Bradenton, Florida are part of the largest incoming class of any medical school in the country.

Mercyhurst College is the recipient of an endowed scholarship in memory of Patricia Ulrich Hausmann, a 1954 graduate of the college and former teacher at Glenwood and McKinley elementary schools in Erie. The $25,000 scholarship was presented to the college July 17 by her husband, Robert Hausmann, retired vice president of GTE Electrical Products Group. Scholarship awards, which will commence in academic year 2007-08, are earmarked for Mercyhurst elementary education majors.

Alexander Fleisig was a character animator on The Ant Bully. Fleisig is a grad of Edinboro.

The Erie SeaWolves split a double header with Bowie winning the second game 4-3 after dropping the opener 6-0. The SeaWolves continue their road trip this weekend and will return home Tuesday.

Discover Presque Isle is this weekend. Presque Isle State Park flourishes with activity during this annual event. The weekend encompasses one of the area’s largest craft shows, volleyball tournament, duathlon, mile swim, sand soccer, food vendors, extensive children’s area, sand sculptures, bonfires on the beach, live music and so much more.

Native American Festival takes place at the Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm in Edinboro Saturday and Sunday from 11-6 each day. Admission is $3 per person, 3 and under are FREE. Parking is by donation to the Edinboro Lions Club. Opening ceremonies at 12 Noon each day. Intertribal dancing all day with special dancers performing at 1pm, 2pm, and 5pm.

The 7th annual Holy Rosary Parish Summer Festival will be held this weekend rain or shine. Everything will be under tents! Casino/Adult Games will be in the Conway Room. Outside you will find plenty of food, games and fun. There will be live musical entertainment outdoors on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. There will also be a Stuffed Chicken Breast Dinner (sit-down and served) from 12 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, July 30th. Holy Rosary is located at 28th and East Ave.

Gannon University’s Schuster Theatre presents the 3rd Annual Shakespeare Summer Nights. “Romeo and Juliet” will be performed July 29 and 30 at 7 pm, and “Words, Words, Words” by David Ives, based on Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” will be performed July 29 at 6:30 pm preceding the mainstage productions. All performances are FREE and open to the public. Performances are outdoor in AJ’s Way on the campus of Gannon University (between West 7th and West 8th and Peach and Sassafras Streets, just south of the Gannon arch over West 7th Street).

The 14th annual Erie Art Museum Blues and Jazz Festival takes place at Frontier Park Saturday and Sunday, August 5 and 6, with an exceptional lineup of national and regional acts. The Festival is free, and takes place rain or shine.

Dan Rice Days takes place Aug 4 – 5 in Girard PA.

The St Paul’s Annual Italian Festival takes place August 11-13 at the parish located at 1617 Walnut St in Erie.

Scooters is hosting the 1st annual Motorcycles 4 Meals poker run to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of NW PA on August 12, 2006. Registration starts at 9 am at the Food Bank, 1703 Ash Street with the first bike leaving at Noon. There will be FREE food, FREE music, Chinese auction and a 50/50 raffle at Scooters (last stop). First place winner gets $200, 2nd place $100 and 3rd place $50. For more information visit the link above or call Michele King at 459-3663.