The law allowing Internet-based competitive bidding by Pennsylvania municipalities went into effect on September 5. The law also authorized reverse auctions. In reverse auctions, vendors see a ranking of bids without knowing the actual bids and can lower their offers to win the auction. eDynaQuote is a reverse auction company based in Erie. The City of Erie isn’t using eDynaQuote. City officials fail to grasp the idea of saving money. Tax and spend. For 2007, the mayor proposed a 12 percent property tax increase. They mayor and all seven Erie City Council members are Democrats.

Erie PA native Justin Kownacki, now living in Pittsburgh, is the creator of “Something To Be Desired” (STBD), an internet based sitcom/ soap opera. The series began its fourth season in September.

The Gannon University men’s basketball team led by the 27 points from Tyler Stoczynski beat Pitt-Johnstown 73-68 to win the 20th annual Gary Miller Classic. Aurimas Truskauskas was named tournament MVP after recording his second double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. He finished with 43 points and 30 rebounds in two games. Gannon improved to 2-0 with the victory. Pitt-Johnstown dropped to 4-2. The Golden Knights return to action Monday, November 27 at local rival Edinboro. Game time is scheduled for 7 pm.

The Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team got 30 saves from junior Laura Hosier and staked its claim to its first-ever Number 1 ranking Saturday night with a scintillating 2-1 won over New Hampshire to capture the annual UNH Tournament. The victory ended the Wildcats’ home unbeaten streak at 32 games. The Lakers concluded a six-game road trip at 5-1 and improved to 12-1-1 on the season.

The Mercyhurst College men’s hockey team got a tying goal from junior defenseman Jamie Coghlan in the third period and 43 saves from sophomore Tyler Small as the Lakers and Holy Cross skated to a 3-3 overtime tie Saturday night.

Ronny Rogers scored twice in a five-goal third period to spark the Erie Otters to a 5-3 win over the Kitchener Rangers in an Ontario Hockey League game played tonight in front of 3,374 at the Tullio Arena. Mike Liambas, Nick Palmieri and Patrick Lee also scored for the Otters who erased a 3-0 second period deficit on their way to victory. The win ended the Otters five-game losing streak and lifted them to 6-18-0-2 on the season. The next Otters home game is Saturday, December 2 when the Mississauga IceDogs visit the Tullio Arena in a 7:30 pm start.

Stefan Tighe (Erie, Pa), a Heavyweight transfer from Nebraska who will red-shirt this season for Penn State, went 3-1 and dropped a tough 3-2 decision to Old Dominion’s Matt Pelar in the championship bout at the 2006 Mat-Town USA Tournament.

Former University of Buffalo quarterback Randall Secky has signed to play with the Erie Freeze.

The After Dinner Opera Company, which is in residence at Mercyhurst College, is readying a production of Warren Martin’s comic opera “The True Story of Cinderella” – a spoof that features a knight singing “The Notre Dame Fight Song,” a wizard who sings the blues, and a prince with laryngitis. A dozen Mercyhurst music students will perform the show at Helen’s Supper Club in New York City using traditional opera, as well as blues, rock and rhythm style. Before leaving for the Big Apple, they’ll offer a free public preview on Tuesday, Nov 28, at 3 pm in the college’s Walker Recital Hall.

Gannon University’s Schuster Theatre production of James Joyce’s “The Dead” opens November 30. Set in 1904, the last and best known of the short stories collected in the Dubliners, this intimate musical portrays a homespun Yuletide party with Irish music, dancing, food, drink, and good fellowship. Sparkling songs, many of them traditional-sounding Irish melodies that are performed as entertainment by the partygoers, are all original. Book by Richard Nelson, music by Shaun Davey, lyrics adapted by Davey and by Richard Nelson. Directed by Shawn Clerkin, assistant professor, theatre, and director of the Gannon theatre program. Additional performances will be given Dec 1-3 and Dec 7-9. All shows are at 8 pm, except for Sunday matinees at 3 pm. Schuster Theatre is located at 620 Sassafras St. For more information, call the box office at (814) 871-7494.

The Mercyhurst Green Team Alternative Gift Fair will be held Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2 from 11 am-4 pm each day. This will help local non-profit organizations to raise funds by inviting members of the community to give donations on behalf of loved ones and friends as holiday gifts. There will also be local artisans selling handmade gifts for sale.

Downtown Erie will sparkle this holiday season with thousands of holiday lights and live entertainment at this year’s Downtown d’LIGHTS on Friday, December 1 from 6-8 pm. Enjoy horse drawn carriage rides, ice sculptors, live entertainment and the lighting of Perry Square.

For the fifth year, Penn State Behrend offers the perfect antidote to treacley, tinkling holiday hot air: Christmas carols performed with the collective power of over 100 student, amateur, and professional tuba and euphonium players. It’s called TubaChristmas Erie, and it will be held at 2 pm Saturday, Dec 2, in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building. Even better, it is free and open to the public. TubaChristmas debuted at Rockefeller Center’s ice rink in 1974 as a tribute to the late tuba legend William J. Bell, who was born Christmas Day 1902. The event has since grown to the point that it is held in 200-plus cities each year. All area tuba, baritone, and euphonium players are invited to participate in TubaChristmas. Registration begins at 8:30 am that day, and rehearsal at 9:30.

Experience Erie’s premier holiday tradition with an outstanding group of musicians and everyone’s favorite newsworthy entertainer, Amanda Post. Singing along with Amanda this season is the ever popular and talented Brenda Evans, close friend and celebrated song master Bob Martin and of course sister Abby Daggett. Lead by piano virtuoso James Madden, the band includes perennial string masters Brian Hunt and Carl Hultman along with James Abate (drums), Dave Stertevant (violin), Derf Hopsecger (bass), and Chris Dempsey (horns). “One Voice for Christmas with Amanda Post” will be performed Saturday December 2 at 8 pm and Sunday, December 3 at 2 pm at the Warner Theatre. Tickets are on sale now at the Warner Theatre Box Office (814) 452-4857. Cost is $12, $18, VIP seating $25.

Take a “Musical Tour Across Europe” at the Penn State Behrend Concert Band’s annual winter performance. The concert will be held at 8 pm Monday, Dec 4, in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building. It is free and open to the public.

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

Charles M Telesco, a professor of astronomy at University of Florida, will host “Worlds in Collision” during an Open House Night in Astronomy program at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Telesco’s presentation will be held at 7:30 pm on Thursday, Dec 7, in 101 Otto Behrend Science Building. It is free and open to the public, and, weather permitting, will be followed by astronomical viewing from the college’s Mehalso Observatory.

The 2006 Stairways Behavioral Health Holiday Art Show and Sale will be held Friday December 8 from 3-6 pm at 2810 State Street. Choose from hundreds of one-of-a-kind gifts including artwork, ornaments and NEW for 2006–glass nightlights and handmade jewelry. Admission is Free and open to everyone in the community.

The next production at the Roadhouse Theater is “SantaLand Diaries” and “Season’s Greetings.” Playwright, author, and National Public Radio commentator David Sedaris compose two entertaining, irreverently witty essays which were adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello. The production opens with a post-show reception the evening after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 24 and continues through Saturday, December 23. Admission: Regular seating $12, Riser seating $15, VIP table seating $20. Reservations can be made by phone at (814) 456-5656 or in person at the Roadhouse Theatre for Contemporary Arts 145 West 11th Street. Box Office hours are 2-6 PM Tuesday – Saturday. The theater accepts cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

Two facets of the choral music program at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will be showcased at its annual fall concert on Tuesday, Nov 28. The concert will begin at 8 pm in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building. The College Choir and the Studio Singers both will perform under the direction of Daniel Barnard, lecturer in music. Tickets for the concert are $5 for adults and $3 for students and are available at the door or at the Reed Union Building information desk.

Shangahi Quartet, a versatile ensemble known for its passionate musicality, impressive technique, and multicultural innovation, will perform at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Friday, Dec 1. Their lunchtime appearance, part of Music at Noon: The Logan Series, will begin at noon in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building. It is free and open to the public.

The War at the Shore II wresting showcase will be held Friday, Dec 1 at the Tullio Arena. Fort LeBoeuf vs Mount Pleasant and McDowell vs General McLane takes place at 6 pm. Edinboro vs Michigan State and Mercyhurst vs Gannon go at it at 8 pm. Tickets are $10 day of event at the door or only $6 in advance through Ticketmaster.

The Chillers, the dance team for the Erie Freeze, will hold a tryout on Saturday, December 9 at the Avalon Hotel, 16 West 10. Registration is from 9:30 am – 10:30 am with tryouts from10:30 am – 1 pm. The dancers will be taught a 30 second hip-hop dance and 1 sideline dance, which they will then perform. Each dancer will need to bring 4 “8 counts” of their own dance of hip-hop style that they will add to end of the dance they learn. Other various dance routines may be included though out the tryout. The dancers will be asked to do a series of high kicks, double-turn and an optional leap. The music for all routines will be provided. Each dancer will be notified by the end of the tryout, whether he or she has made the team or not and will be required to attend a meeting scheduled by the team’s captains. Everyone will need to bring the following: Black dance pants, black sports bra, tennis/dance shoes w/socks, and a valid ID. Each girl should be in full make-up and hair.Audition fee: $10 (cash or money order). For more information or to register, call (814) 454-0200 or email christina@eriefreeze.com .

The Holiday Toy Drive (benefiting SafeNet Erie) and Gift Wrapping Party will be held at the Plymouth Tavern, 1109 State Street, on Wednesday, December 13 at 6 pm. Contact Melissa Newell at melissamnewell(at)gmail.com for information regarding the Toy Drive. Yep! has partnered with United Way Young Leaders for this event. Please join them in providing gifts for local families currently being sheltered.

The movies for the Holiday Film Series at the Big Green Screen Theater are The Lion King (Dec 5), The Incredibles (Dec 12), the excellent 1961 version of 101 Dalmations (Dec 19) and Toy Story (Dec 26).