The 298th Trensportation Company from Franklin PA, which had about 160 soldiers in Forward Operating Base Q-West Iraq (Quyarrah AB) aka ‘Key West’, will be arriving home this weekend. Welcome home.
Richard Valentine allegedly killed his wife Anna, threw a blanket over her, changed his clothes, left a note for his landlord not to enter the apartment until the police came, and walked a couple of miles from their Villa Maria apartment to the Erie VA Medical Center to turn himself in. Hospital personnel called police. Valentine was quickly arraigned before District Magistrate Judge Tom Robie on murder and related charges.
The US Census Bureau 2006 American Community Survey was released yesterday. It show the estimated population of Erie County at 279,811 vs 280,184 in 2005. The 2000 Census estimate was 280,843. This table shows a household population of Erie County at 265,113. I’m guessing the difference is college students living in dorms or prisoners or hospital patients.
The guestimate for the City of Erie was 102,036 vs 102,099 in 2005. The 2000 Census figure was 103,717. In this table it shows the 2006 Household population for the City of Erie was estimated at 98,631 BUT it shows a total city population of 105,725.
Railpower Technologies (TSX: P) announced that it has obtained a contract from Union Pacific for four multi-genset, low emission, fuel efficient six-axle locomotives. The six-axle model is a natural expansion of Railpower’s product offering of multi-genset locomotives, capable of higher tractive effort than the four-axle models. These four locomotives will be added to Union Pacific’s fleet of locomotives serving California. All four units are expected to be delivered during the first quarter of 2008. Railpower is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. It US office is located in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Total enrollment at Gannon University this fall is the largest since 1992. 4,134 students are enrolled for the 2007-2008 Academic Year, which includes, but is not limited to: 613 first-year students, 83 transfer students, and 1,405 graduate students, which is Gannon’s largest graduate student enrollment ever. “Over the past six years, the University’s total enrollment has grown by more than 700 students. Our faculty and staff’s commitment to providing an excellent intellectual and professional education, as well as our consistent top-tier national rankings by US News and World Report as a Best Value university in the “Great Schools, Great Prices” category have helped to enhance and promote our academic quality and affordability,” said Antoine M. Garibaldi, PhD, Gannon President. Gannon’s freshman to sophomore retention rate of 81 percent, and the University’s 14:1 faculty-student ratio are both significantly higher than the national averages. Gannon offers more than 75 strong bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs, including a DPT in Physical Therapy, a PhD in Counseling Psychology and a new PhD in Organizational Learning and Leadership, the first and only degree of its kind in the region.
Trainer Reade Baker and jockey Jim McAleney will do a special version of the daily double on Saturday. They have horses in the 4th and 8th races at Woodbine in Toronto. After the 8th race, the $125,000 La Prevoyante with a post time of 4:31 pm, they will jump in a plane and head to Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie PA. McAleney will ride Vestrey Lady in the $400,000 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes, scheduled for 8:10 pm.
Track notes… * The winning trainer of the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes will receive a Lake Erie blue hand tailored, old-style English jacket made by Erie tailor Roberto Angelone. A jacket will awarded annually like a Masters jacket. * Wagering is averaging $559,157 a day with almost 90 percent of that amount being bet offtrack. Offtrack handle increased during the second week as the track is becoming a simulcast favorite around the country. * It rained on Saturday and then the fastest times at the track were on Sunday. The Tapeta surface must like showers. * A $2 winner is averaging $18.68 as favorites have won less than 21 percent of the time.
The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League announced that they have traded forward Mitchell Forbes to the Owen Sound Attack in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection. Forbes recorded three assists in 52 games with the Otters during the 2006-07 season, his first in the OHL. The 17 year-old Thunder Bay, Ontario native was the Otters fifth round choice, 84th overall, in the 2006 OHL Priority Selection. In other roster news, Anthony Peluso returned from the St Louis Blues Rookie Camp. In four games at the National Hockey League Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan, the 18 year-old King City, Ontario native collected two goals and 12 minutes in penalties. Luke Gazdic is also on his way back to Erie from the Tournament where he participated with the Dallas Stars. The 18 year-old forward, who is scheduled to re-join the Otters in time for Thursday’s practice at the Tullio Arena, collected no points and 15 minutes in penalties in four games. Three other members of the Otters remain with their NHL teams. Zack Torquato had a goal and two assists for three points in four games for the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Prospects Tourney in Traverse City. Josh Kidd recently advanced from the Los Angeles Kings rookie camp to their main camp, which got underway this week in El Segundo, California and Nick Palmieri remains with the New Jersey Devils. The Otters (1-0-1 in exhibition action) complete their pre-season schedule this Friday and Saturday at the Tullio Arena in games against the Plymouth Whalers and Niagara IceDogs, respectively. Tickets for the 7:30 pm games are $11.50 for adults and $9.50 for children (12 and under) and are available at the Erie Civic Center Box Office and all Erie-area TicketMaster locations.
The Penn State Behrend Lions men’s soccer team had an impressive showing Wednesday, as they defeated the Presidents from Washington and Jefferson 6-1, making it the program’s 300th win of all time.
Monroe Community College swept Mercyhurst North East in three straight games in women’s volleyball.
The 63rd Annual Albion Area Fair takes place now through September 15.
The Erie Irish Festival takes place September 14-16 at Rainbow Gardens on the grounds of Waldameer Amusement Park and Water World.
The Erie Chamber Orchestra, in residence at Gannon University opens their 30th anniversary season on Friday September 14 with soloist Kelly Lynch in the Yehl Ballroom of the Waldron Campus Center located near the arch on West 7th Street. The concert is free, and open to the public. Bruce Morton Wright conducting.
St John’s the Evangelist Annual Parish Festival will be held on Saturday, September 15 from Noon until 7 PM at the St John’s Parish Center, 1001 Main Street in Girard. Car Cruise-in, Kid s Korner, Chinese Auction, Raffles and much, much more. Delicious barbecue chicken and spare ribs dinners are available along with live music and a traveling zoo from the Erie Zoo. Please contact Linda Tolhurst at 474-3033 for additional information.
The Northwest PA Truck and Tractor Pullers on Sept 15th in Waterford. Classes will be a Street Diesel, “Open” or twins diesel, Antique V8 tractors and the Hot Farm tractors.
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.
The Allegheny College Humanities Lecture Series for 2007-2008 opens this month with a presentation on Monday, Sept 17 at 7:30 pm in Room 301 of the Campus Center. Professor of Environmental Science Eric Pallant and Associate Professor of Economics Steve Onyeiwu will present “Gold Coast or Charcoal Kingdom: Debunking the Myth of Ghana’s Success Story.”
A Gannon University faculty member will discuss the presidency of James Madison during the university’s annual observance of Constitution Day. The lecture, to be given by David A Nordquest, PhD, assistant professor of philosophy at Gannon, will begin at 11:15 am Monday, Sept 17. It is free and open to the public and will be held in room 1200 of the Palumbo Academic Center, 824 Peach Street. Nordquest’s presentation is titled, “James Madison and the American Constitution.” Nordquest extensively has studied newer research that sheds more light on Madison – the fourth president of the United States and regarded as the “Father of the Constitution” – as an important political philosopher of his time.
The famed Cavani String Quartet returns to Erie in September to open the 18th season of Music at Noon: The Logan Series. Cavani String Quartet will present its free Logan Series public performance at noon on Wednesday, Sept 19, in the McGarvey Commons of the college’s Reed Union Building.
Thoroughly Modern Millie will be performed at the Erie Playhouse September 20 – October 7. Curtain times are Wed – Sat at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm.
Erik Meyer, cantor at Luther Memorial Church in Erie, will give an organ recital at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, at noon on Tuesday, Sept 25. He will perform in the college’s Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel as part of its Smith Music Series. Admission is free and the recital is open to the public. Meyer replaces previously scheduled Swiss organist Douglas Bruce, who canceled his US recital tour due to a hand injury.
Last year, Mercyhurst College became home to a life-size specimen of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull, thanks to the donation of a museum-quality natural history collection of casts and fossils. This year, Mercyhurst will go one better when it unveils a set of shark jaws so enormous that people can lock arms and walk through together. Mercyhurst College’s second annual natural history exhibit runs Sept 27 to Oct 17 at Cummings Gallery in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. An opening reception, which is free and open to the public, will be held Thursday, Sept 27, from 5 to 7 pm. Because of the anticipated public appeal, normal gallery hours are being extended for the exhibit’s duration. They are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 2 to 7 pm, except Thursdays, 2 to 9 pm; also Sundays from 2 to 5 pm. Special tours for school students are available by contacting the Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute at 824-2545.
The Great Lakes Independent Film Festival takes place September 27-30 at the Roadhouse Theatre in Erie PA.
The Erie Art Museum’s Contemporary Music Series will present violinist Diane Monroe in concert on Friday, Sept. 28, 2007 at 8 pm at the Erie Art Museum Annex, 423 State Street. Admission is free; a $10 donation is suggested.
Mercyhurst Men’s Basketball Alumni are organizing an Alumni Basketball game for charity. The event is scheduled for September 29, 2007 at 7pm at the MAC. Come See some of your favorite Mercyhurst players from the past and some of the Mercyhurst stars of the future compete in 3-point contests and a dunk contest. All proceeds from the gate will benefit the Alheimer’s Association of Erie. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. Players include Brent Swain, Keith Nies, Matt Thielker, Gerry Battle, and Dion Brown, Jason Ioppolo, and Jody Crymes.
The 2007 Wine Country Harvest Festival will be held in North East, PA September 28, 29 and 30.
In conjunction with Alumni Reunion 2007, Penn State Behrend Finance graduates are invited back to campus for a Finance Alumni Reception hosted by Sam and Irene Black School of Business faculty. Greg Filbeck, the Finance program chair, and Finance faculty Brian Boscaljon, Jessica Zhou, and Kay Johnson have planned an informal reception for Finance alumni and their guests from 10:00 until 11:30 am on Saturday, September 29. The reception is part of the college’s Alumni Reunion and concurrent Parents & Families Weekend, and will be held in the cafe of the Research and Economic Development Center (REDC). Attendance reservations should be made by Saturday, September 15.
Asbury Woods will hold a tree leaf identification event on Saturday, October 6 from 10 am – Noon. Adults and Children 8 years and up accompanied by an adult. Fee: Members $10, Nonmembers $12/Parent/Child pair pay only one fee (includes Tree ID book and Tree Key) This class is for anyone who wants to know how to identify trees, or those who are doing a leaf project for school. You will learn how to identify trees by using a tree key, by leaf shape, and even by the bark. Pre-Registration and Payment Required. Please call (814) 835-5356.
The 6th Annual Walk To Make A Great Park Better will take place on Sunday, October 14 at 1 pm at Presque Isle State Park. All those interested in participating in the 5K Walk will meet at the Rotary Pavilion across from Beach 7. Proceeds from the Walk To Make A Great Park Better support Presque Isle as well as provide scholarships to high school seniors who exemplify the community involvement demonstrated by David Hanlon – educator and inspirational community leader. All Walk participants who raise a minimum of $25 in pledges will receive an attractive Walk T-shirt. This beautiful fall Walk affords participants the opportunity to enjoy the diverse colors that Presque Isle affords visitors in October. All Walk participants are treated to a picnic at the Rotary Pavilion at the conclusion of the Walk. If you are interested in participating in the 2007 Walk To Make A Great Park Better , plan to arrive at Presque Isle by 12:15 to register. To qualify for consideration of the Presque Isle Scholarship, you must be in grades 10-12, participate in the Walk and raise a minimum of $25 in pledges. Also you must register for the scholarship the day of the Walk at the Scholarship Registration table.
