Roar on the Shore kicked off yesterday in spectacular fashion with over 2,000 motorcycles parading through the city. The event continues today beginning at 9 am at Liberty Park. Bands will be performing all day at the Pepsi Amphitheatre. Entry fee is $5. All proceeds from Roar on the Shore support the John Kanzius Cancer Research Fund. A fireworks display at 9:45 pm rounds out the day. Note: No one under 18 will be allowed entry to Liberty Park unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Great Lakes Feeder Line, based in Burlington, Ont, and part of the Erie Management Group of Erie, Pa, has (finally) been granted a license to operate. They will operate in the ports of Halifax, Montreal, Hamilton and Toronto. They have also purchased a second ship which they hope to have operational by November.

Saint Vincent Health Center and Erie Insurance Group, two of Erie’s largest employers, are teaming to help the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania by encouraging backyard gardeners to donate their extra fruits and vegetables to reach the plates of those in need throughout the Erie community. ‘Community Harvest for Hunger’ will be held from now through September 30th. Specially marked recyclable brown paper bags will be available and drop off sites will be located at Saint Vincent, Erie Insurance and the Second Harvest Food Bank. Not a backyard gardener and still want to help? That’s not a problem because all fresh produce will be accepted whether it’s from an area gardener or a grocery shopper!

Three and 4 year olds will benefit from new, quality pre-kindergarten programs with the state’s $75 million investment in Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, a program designed to help children who are in the greatest need of academic support. Erie area organizations receiving grant money are: Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Dr Gertrude A Barber Center, Early Connections Early Learning Center, Erie City School District, Greater Erie Community Action Committee, Millcreek Township School District, and YMCA of Greater Erie.

Cameron Maybin, in his Erie debut, homered but the SeaWolves fell to the Connecticut Defenders on Friday night by a final score of 6-3 at Jerry Uht Park. The SeaWolves and Defenders meet in the middle game of the three-game set at Jerry Uht Park on Saturday night…7:05 First Pitch. RHP Andrew Kown (4-7, 4.15 ERA) takes the mound for the ‘Wolves against RHP Dave McKae (5-2, 4.23 ERA).

University of Pittsburgh head coach Dave Wannstedt is considering moving freshman Maurice Williams to quarterback from wide receiver. He took half the snaps in practice on Friday. Starter Bill Stull injured his thumb and Freshman walk-on Andrew Janocko is the only other quarterback Pitt has on their roster. Williams was a quarterback at Erie Strong Vincent but was recruited by Pitt to play receiver or DB.

St. Paul’s Italian Festival continues today at West 16th and Walnut Streets.

The Director’s Circle Theater is presenting “Drama Queens” beginning this Thursday, Aug 9. The show will run Thurs, Fri, and Sat nights for 3 weeks ending August 25. Tickets can be reserved by calling: 451-1153.

The Erie PA Sport Fishing Association 2nd annual Walleye and Steelhead Pro-Am Fishing Tournament will be held August 11 and 12. Captain’s meeting, weigh-ins, and award ceremonies will be held at JR’s On The Bay, 726 West Bayfront Pkwy.

Titled “Local Government and the Erie Economy,” the 2007 Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE) conference will address topics relevant to Erie and its surrounding communities, including the debate about consolidating the area’s local governments and the smoking ban. The institute’s sixth annual conference will be held on August 14, in McGarvey Commons, located in the Reed Union Building at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. The cost to attend this year’s conference is $149 and includes printed materials, breakfast and lunch. A reduced rate of $75 is available for nonprofit, government and economic development officials. For more information or to register for the conference, call (814) 898-7149.

Celebrate Erie 2007 takes place August 16-19. The FREE festival takes place along 8 blocks in downtown Erie. CelebrateErie will once again provide a marketplace for interesting and diverse art, musical entertainment, theatrical performance, dance, food, spectacle, children’s activities, and oddities. Last century the festival was know as We Love Erie Days.

‘Winds on the Lake’, a professional wind and percussion ensemble, will present a FREE outdoor concert titled “Salute to America” at 3 pm on Sunday, Aug 26. Fittingly, the performance will take place in the gazebo of the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, which is located on Erie’s bayfront at 560 E Third St. In the event of rain, the concert will be held inside the facility. Winds on the Lake performs under the direction of Gary Viebranz, director of instrumental ensembles at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and Matthew Inkster, director of bands at West Virginia’s West Liberty State College. In addition to patriotic favorites, “Salute to America” will include a performance of Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” and a special tribute to the armed forces.

The Northwest Regional Planning and Development Commission is sponsoring meetings with18 overseas trade representatives September 12-13 in Erie. One-on-one appointments on September 13 will run from 8 am – 11:30 am and 12:30 pm – 3 pm. The following overseas trade representatives will be available: Australia / New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China-Beijing, China-Shanghai, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore/ASEAN, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Vietnam. Click here for the registration form.

The Scions of Britain (the SOB’s), The British Motoring Group of Northwestern Pennsylvania, proudly presents the 15th annual All British Car Gathering, Sunday September 16, 2007 at the Waterford Square, Waterford, PA. 12 Noon to 4 PM. For more information contact Tom Lee – (814) 725-5992 or rthomaslee@aol.com.