I don’t think the people of Erie realize how bad the Buffalo area got hit with snow. There are 390,000 people without power. The Erie hotels are packed with refugees from WNY and cars are streaming down I-90 for food, gas, generators and batteries.

On a realated note.. There is now a severe blood shortage in the area. The Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, located at 26th and Peach in Erie is open Saturday 9-12:30 pm. And on Monday they open at 9 am. No appointment is needed to save a life.

Molly Brannigans announced they will be opening a Cleveland location. They currently have locations in Erie, Pittsburgh (Mount Lebanon), Harrisburg and Mesa AZ. They will soon be opening restuarnats in Scranton and Las Vegas, NV. I wonder if this growing national chain is even on the radar of the local economic development wizards. The same goes for El Canelo with their 7 locations in Pennsylvania and New York. Helping them grow means more jobs at their Erie PA based headquarters.

Richard Knight has been named president, chief executive officer and general manage of Presque Isle Downs, the slots only casino and race track currently under construction in Erie. Knight is the former president of Atlantic City’s Sands Hotel and Casino. Knight signed a three-year contract that began October First. Knight was also an executive vice president and chief operating officer with Hollywood Casino Corporation in Aurora, Illinois; Tunica, Mississippi; and Dallas. He’s also worked with Bally Manufacturing in Atlantic City, New Jersey and in Chicago.

Gannon University’s Schuster Art Gallery welcomes the Pennsylvania Art Educators Association with an exhibit titled “Artists for Life.” The exhibit, on display through Oct. 28, showcases the work of art teachers from across Pennsylvania, some of whom are working artists. The best work of their students from grades kindergarten through 12 also is on display. The exhibit coincides with the PAEA’s conference in Erie. Schuster Art Gallery hours of operation are: Monday-Thursday, 8 am to Midnight, Fridays, 8 am to 9 pm, Saturdays, 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays, 12:30 pm to 12 am.

CNX Gas Corporation (NYSE: CXG) announced that M Charles Hardoby has been promoted to vice president. Chuck graduated cum laude from Allegheny College with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He received his JD from Duquesne University School of Law.

Tuality Healthcare of Hillsboro,OR announced the additions of Irene K Pucciarelli, DO to the medical staff. Pucciarelli, who is board-certified in internal medicine, earned her doctor of osteopathic medicine degree at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) in Erie, Pa.

Friday night Erie area high school football scores:
Strong Vincent 23 General McLane 12
Erie McDowell 20 Seneca Valley 6
Franklin 56 Erie East 12
Erie Mercyhurst Prep 17 Seneca 14
Oil City 29 Meadville 24
Greenville 35 Northwestern 28
Fairview 28 North East 7
Corry 19 Girard 13
Iroquois 17 Youngsville 7
Harbor Creek 14 Ft LeBoeuf 0
Titusville 27 Slippery Rock 0
Linesville 28, Cochranton 21
Eisenhower 20 Saegertown 13
Wilmington 59 Warren 7

Nick Palmieri scored a goal and two assists to lead the Erie Otters to a 3-2 win over the Plymouth Whalers in an Ontario Hockey League game played last night in front of 2,751 at the Tullio Arena. Ronny Rogers and Ryan O’Marra added a goal and an assist each for the Otters, who snapped a seven-game losing streak. The Otters return to action tonight when they host the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors at 7:30 pm at the Tullio Arena.

Dave Lefebre of Erie is in 4th place at the Lake of the Ozarks FLW Series event in Osage Beach, MO.

The Loyola Marymount men’s water polo team, ranked sixth in the nation, coasted to a 23-5 win over Gannon University. I hope the Gannon team said hello to Chuck Rosenthal who is Professor of English at Loyola Marymount.

Grand Valley State won the 2006 GLIAC Men’s Golf Championship. Gannon finsihed second and Mercyhurst 9th.

The Gannon vollyball team defeated Mercyhurst 3 games to 2.

The Gannon men’s soccer team snapped a scoreless tie with two second-half goals and posted its fourth consecutive victory with a 2-0 shutout at Northwood Friday afternoon.

The Erie Zoo 18th annual Zoo Boo runs through October 30, 6-9 pm nightly. Admission is $4.50 for adults (ages 12 and up), $3 for kids 2-11 with children under 2 admitted free.

“Bat Boy: The Musical” (based on a story in the Weekly World News) is now playing at the Roadhouse Theatre. First produced by the Roadhouse Theatre in 2005, the original Erie production of this raucous show received rave reviews. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 pm, through October 21st. Tickets are $10 with students at $7. Reservations can be made by phone at 814-456-5656 or in person at the Roadhouse Theatre 145 West 11th Street. Box Office hours are 2-6 PM Tuesday – Saturday. Recommended for mature audiences.

Arthur’s Halloween will be performed at the Erie Playhouse Oct 13-15, 20-22. Everyone’s favorite aardvark returns in an original musical production by Charles Corritore and Michael Malthaner based on the children’s book sensation by Erie native Marc Brown.

The Port Farms Pumkin Farm Harvest Festival takes place through Oct 31. Hours are Mon-Fri Noon-6 pm, Sat 11-7 and Sun Noon-7. Ticket are $3 for adults, $5 for kids 3-18 with kids under 3 admitted free.

The Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm Fall Festival will be held October 14-15, each day from 11am-5pm. Fall Festival offers fun for the whole family. Admission and parking are free but donations are encouraged benefiting the Edinboro Lions Club. They’ll have face painting, wagon ride and the mini petting zoo featuring Sierra, the friendly Bison. We will have pumpkins, squash, hay bales and corn stalks for sale for Halloween and fall decorating. Mickey’s famous pumpkin and apple pies will be for sale. Made from local pumpkins and apples, these pies don’t stick around long. Come view all the beauty that northwestern Pennsylvania offers with a peaceful country backdrop and the majestic Bison roaming in the fields. The Buffalo Grill will be serving up delicious Buffalo fare cafeteria style.

Celebrate being a cancer free survivor with your family and friends during GROW for LIFE’s Breast Cancer Outreach. The event will be filled with learning and the ins-and-outs of breast cancer survival. There will be demonstrations, fine food and DVD showings. Plan to share your photos of future generations, special people and animals in your life. A silent auction of lily arrangements will be held, and fine music permeates the atmosphere. The event will be held Saturday, October 14 from 11 am to 1 pm at the GROW For Life Headquarters, 1640 Market Street Ext, Warren PA.

The Doodlebops will perform at the Warner Theatre Oct 15 at 1 pm and 4 pm. Straight from their hit TV show on Playhouse Disney, Deedee, Rooney, and Mo Doodle are getting on the bus, and ready to sing and dance in an interactive concert experience that will have kids and their parents rockin’ and boppin’ together. Any child who has reached their 1st birthday must have a ticket.

Lost Embrace will be shown Monday, Oct 16, as part of the annual International Film Series at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. The film begins at 7 pm in 117 Reed Union Building. Admission to the showing is free and open to the public; English subtitles have been added to the original Spanish dialogue.

Internationally recognized autism expert Mark L Sundberg, PhD, will be visiting the Dr Gertrude Barber National Institute on Thursday and Friday, October 19 and 20, for a two-day seminar. The topic of his program is “Recent Advances in the use of Verbal Behavior for Language Assessment and Intervention for Children with Autism.” Registration fee for professionals is $275 and $100 for family members and students. The seminar is approved for Continuing Education Credits for Psychologists, Applied Behavior Analysts, Speech Language Pathologists and school personnel. For more information or registration, contact Maggie Sholtis at (814) 480-6830 or MaggieS@BarberInstitute.org.

Jr’s Last Laugh Comedy Club 3rd Annual Laugh Your Sash Off takes place October 19. Tickets are only $10 and Jr’s is generously donating half of the proceeds to Girl Scouts of Penn Lakes Council. Sign up now, only 300 seats are available. The entire club is reserved for Girl Scout parents, adult Girl Scouts, their family and friends. Come early for dinner and drinks, the kitchen opens at 5 pm. The headliner will perform at 7:30 pm.

“Monster Black Holes” will be the topic of the next Open House Night in Astronomy at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Roger Knacke, professor of physics and astronomy and director of the college’s School of Science, will present this free program at 7:30 pm Friday, Oct 20, in 101 Behrend Science Building.

Gannon University, Mercyhurst College and Penn State-Behrend will hold an intensive, one-day intercollegiate food drive billed “The Collegiate Golden Harvest” on October 28 from 9 am to 4 pm. All donated food will go to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwestern Pennsylvania and be distributed to 275 agencies that directly serve families in need.

Classy 100 is holding an 80′s Halloween Thriller dance at Rainbow Gardens on Saturday, October 28th from 9 ’til 1. Memories in Motion will be playing the music, and they’ll have a costuime party. Tickets are $10 in advance ($12 at the door) and can be purchased at Quizno’s on E 38th Street, The Amish Buggy on upper Peach Street and at Classy 100′s studios at 471 Robison Road.

Celebrate Halloween at the 46th annual Holiday Festival and Spaghetti Dinner sponsored by the Dr Gertrude A Barber National Institute on Sunday, Oct 29 from 11 am – 5 pm. Kids and families will love “Barber Boo,” a celebration of free activities such as games and crafts, hay rides, and trick or treating through the Barber National Institute. Bingo, games of chance, theme basket raffles and Christmas crafts for adults. A spaghetti dinner with all the trimmings; tickets just $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 4-12 and free for youngsters under age three. For information, call 453-7661.

“Wristcutters: A Love Story” will be shown at the Edinboro University Louis C Cole Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, November 1 at 7:30 pm. Meet and Greet with director Goran Dukic (confirmed) and actors Shannyn Sossamon (invited) and Shea Whigham (confirmed). Tickets are $5 with Edinboro students attending for free. Tickets the day of the show are $7.50. The Student Art League of Edinboro University of PA and Lyons Den Productions are coordinating/ promoting the event. Click here for more info.

The students of Toni and Guy in Erie, 930 Peach Street, are holding a fund raiser on November 4 from 9 am – 4:30 pm called “Healing Hands for Hunger.” This event is to raise money and donations for the Second Harvest Food Bank. For every five pounds of food you bring in you get a free five minute chair massage, also for every $5 you donate you also will receive a five minute chair massage. ALL proceeds go to the Second Harvest Food Bank. All massages will be done by students that will be supervised by their instructors.

The Goo Goo Dolls will play a concert at the Warner Theatre in Erie Tuesday December 5. Tickets are on sale now.