Great news for a local company and area high tech job growth. Zabaware’s Ultra Hal software won the “most human” computer of the year in the 17th annual Loebner Prize Competition for Artificial Intelligence (AI). The contest was held in New York City hosted by philanthropist Hugh Loebner. The Loebner Prize is an annual competition where software programs attempt to convince human judges that they are actually people. The format of the competition is called a Turing Test. In a Turing Test a judge talks with 2 “entities” simultaneously through a text-based instant messaging system. One entity is a human and the other is a computer. It is up to the judge to decide which is which by typing questions to both entities and receiving answers. Zabaware is an Erie, Pennsylvania based company that specializes in artificial intelligence technology. The company’s mission “giving your computer the power of thought” once considered a futuristic pipe dream is becoming a 2007 reality. Zabaware was founded by Robert E Medeksza, 24-year-old visionary that earned 3 college degrees concurrently, from an outstanding university (Gannon University), while building a cutting edge technology and computer software based company in his spare time. Robert is well on his way to reaching his goal of “making artificial intelligence an important part of everybody’s life”.

Looks like there is a good possibility of an agreement to swap the Erie Golf Course for the Millcreek Golf and Learning Center which will help the runway extension project at Erie International Airport. There are plans to reconfigure the 11th hole at Erie Golf Course to put in a driving range. Erie County will give around $25 million toward the runway extension, pay the City of Erie $2 million for Erie Golf Course and get 4 of the 9 board seats on the Erie Airport Authority. The Millcreek Golf and Learning Center land is needed for the extension and will be closed. Millcreek knew all along that the 9 hole golf curse would have to be closed for a runway at some point but a federal pork-barrel grant paid for the construction.

Great job by Emma breaking the story of Kathy Dahlkemper running for Congress. The Kathy Dahlkemper for Congress web site is now up. Kathy has done a incredible job as Director of the Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF). She is also a very active board member of the Erie Community Foundation.

Erie County released their report on the proposed community college to be called Northwest Pennsylvania Community College. (The nickname for the sports teams HAS to be Beachcombers.)

The property taxes on one Erie County property were $3370 in 2006 and $3420 in 2007. Bit higher than average but it sure seems like they got an incredible deal. The owners listed the property for sale. The home is an English Tudor with 7302 sq ft, 7 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths. There is a carriage house and a 3 car garage. There is also a mini golf course on the 138.82 acres. It’s listed at $1.4 million with only 12 acres of land included in the sale. The property is in the Clean and Green program. (ACT 319, the Clean and Green program is a state program designed to preserve agricultural and forest land. Land is taxed at a lower rate.) I’m not going to tell you the owners name, BUT I come close to buying enough of their snack products including potato chips every year to nearly pay their tax bill.

A 126 acre residential development is in planning stages on land between Union City and Elgin.

On the evening of Saturday, October 20, a young woman was jogging in Wintergreen Gorge on the campus of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, along a trail that begins near the southwest corner of the Science Complex’s parking lot, closest to the Fasenmyer and Witkowski buildings. At approximately 6:30 pm, as the woman was nearing the end of her jog and preparing to exit the gorge at this same location, she encountered a middle-aged white male with salt-and-pepper hair. He was standing near the entrance to the trail, with pants down and was exposing himself. The woman was able to change her path and ran toward the Science Complex, at which time she immediately notified Police Services at Penn State Behrend. The male did not approach, touch or physically harm the woman in any way. Penn State Behrend students, faculty, staff, and visitors, and particularly women, are encouraged to travel in pairs if you plan to take advantage of the wonderful, natural asset that they have with Wintergreen Gorge. If you encounter any suspicious individuals or dangerous behavior, it should be reported to Police Services immediately by calling 6101 from an on-campus telephone or 898-6101 from a cell phone.

Erie PA native Dr Robert “Bob” Steiner passed away at age 89. Steiner was a chemical engineer who worked on plastic applications such as the acrylic coating used on snack bags, plastic bread bags and film-wrapped cigarette packs.

James Piekanski of Erie has been appointed to the State Advisory Panel for Special Education. Piekanski is coordinator of special education with the School District of the City of Erie.

Erie had their Indian Summer earlier this week. Credit for the term “Indian Summer” is given to Major Ebenezer Denny. Denny used the term in his journal dated October 13th, 1794 while he was assigned to Fort LeBoeuf, near the present day City of Erie, Pennsylvania.

Gregor Orlando won the PIAA Boys Individual Golf Championship. The junior from Erie Cathedral Prep help his team to a second place finish. The girls team from Erie Villa Maria Academy also placed second in states.

The lowly Erie Otters (3-9) get back at it tonight at the Tullio Arena when they face the Kitchener Rangers in a 7:30 pm start.

After dropping two spots in the USCHO.com poll, the Mercyhurst College fell only one place, from second to third, in the weekly USA Today/USA Division I Hockey women’s poll

The Gannon men’s soccer team is in 4th in the Great Lakes regional rankings released Tuesday.

Penn State Behrend midfielder Beth Manganaro (Pittsburgh/Chartiers Valley) has been named the AMCC Women’s Soccer Player of the Week on October 22. The junior scored two goals in a crucial 2-0 road victory against Penn State Altoona on October 20. The win clinched the AMCC regular season title and the top seed for the blue and white in the conference playoffs.

The Penn State Behrend’s Dustin Walker (Apollo/Kiski) has been named the AMCC Men’s Soccer Goalkeeper of the Week on October 22. The sophomore went the distance for the Behrend Lions in two conference wins. Walker first shut out Hilbert in a 5-0 win on October 16. Then on October 20 he allowed just one goal in a 3-1 win on the road versus Penn State Altoona.

Gannon University’s Nash Library, 619 Sassafras Street, will host a book sale today. The sale will run from 10 am to 6 pm. Thousands of books will be available in categories like fiction, children’s, history, engineering, business, psychology, science, education, and medicine. On the first day, hardcover books, videos, and audiobooks will be $2.50, paperbacks $1, and pocket paperbacks 50 cents. On the second day, all items will be sold at half price. Patrons should enter through the library’s back door by the West Seventh Street parking lot. Cash sales only. All proceeds will benefit the library’s book budget.

Music from Antonio Rosetti, Alessandro Marcello, and Joseph Haydn fill the menu of a lunchtime performance by the celebrated Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. CPCO will appear at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, as part of Music at Noon: The Logan Series. Their performance will be held at noon on Wednesday, October 24, in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building; admission is free and open to the public.

Three Erie colleges are joining forces to stage a food drive that’s expected to collect thousands of pounds of nonperishable food items for the Second Harvest Food Bank. The Collegiate Golden Harvest pools the efforts of student volunteers from Mercyhurst College; Penn State Erie, The Behrend College; and Gannon University. Last year’s partnership generated more than 9,000 pounds of food and organizers are hoping to drive that total even higher this year. Mercyhurst and Penn State Behrend have expanded their drives and will collect donations in the neighborhoods surrounding their campuses Monday through Saturday, Oct 22-27, from 4 to 8 pm weekdays; Mercyhurst also collects from 9 am to noon on Saturday, and Penn State Behrend, 9 am to 2 pm. Gannon will hold an intensive drive on Saturday, Oct. 27, with students volunteering throughout the city and Millcreek Township between 9 am and 4 pm. A number of drop-off stations will also be available Saturday morning, including: Mercyhurst College front gates, 501 E 38th St; Gannon’s Waldron Campus Center at 7th and Peach; Blessed Sacrament, 1626 W 26th St; Villa Maria Academy, 2403 W 8th St; and the Reed Union Building at Penn State Behrend.

The 19th annual Erie Zoo Boo runs 6-9 pm, October 12-30. Admission is $4.50 for adults (ages 12 and up), $3.50 for children 2-11, and children under 2 will be admitted free.

The Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm huge cornfield maze which they call “Corn Stalking USA” is now open and runs through the end of November. Hours are Friday through Monday 10am – 10pm. Cost is $8 with kids age 6-12 getting in for $6 and 5 and under entering for free. For details call (814) 734-2833.

The Belle Valley Volunteer Fire Department Valley Of The Ghouls – Haunted House will be held October 25-27 and 29. Admission is just $5. Ghouling begins at 7:30 and lasts until 11 pm.

The Great Lakes Film Association is holding “An All Out Halloween Costume Party” on Thursday October 27 at 8 pm. The classic “A Clockwork Orange” will be screened and then stick around for great music by Matty B and the Dirty Pickles.

Gannon University’s Center for Teaching Excellence on Saturday, Oct 27 will host a celebratory event for teachers who have completed their National Board Certification. The event, National Board Certification Celebration and Information, will run from 10 am to 5 pm at the Center, room 2019 of the Palumbo Academic Center, 824 Peach Street, and in the Yehl Room, Waldron Center, 124 West 7th Street. The event will include a number of presentations and planning group sessions. Teachers from grades K-12 from across Pennsylvania are expected to participate. The event is designed both to recognize teachers who have completed their national certification and promote the value of the certification, said Linda S Cook, director, Center for Teaching Excellence at Gannon University, Pennsylvania National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She said certification is an “extremely valuable professional development experience” for teachers. Nationally, however, only about 2 percent of teachers are certified.

The Mexican state of Oaxaca was embroiled in a serious crisis last year that began when a local teachers’ union went on strike. The bitter, bloody conflict lasted more than seven months and resulted in at least 18 deaths. On Monday, Oct 29, an activist who witnessed the struggle firsthand will give a guest lecture at Gannon University to discuss the tragedy and share lessons learned from the suffering of the Oaxacan people. Miguel Angel Vasquez de la Rosa will be the speaker for “The Oaxaca Crisis and the Roots of Migration.” His lecture will begin at 7 pm in the Yehl Room of the Waldron Campus Center, 124 West Seventh Street. It is free and open to the public and also will offer English-Spanish translation.

Zoologist and Emmy-winning television personality Jeff Corwin will share “Tales from the Field” during the next Speaker Series presentation at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Corwin, best known as host of The Jeff Corwin Experience and Corwin’s Quest on the cable network Animal Planet, will speak at 7:30 pm on Thursday, November 1, in the McGarvey Commons of the college’s Reed Union Building. His presentation is free and open to the public. Corwin will handle live reptiles during his talk, and afterwards will sign copies of his book, Living on the Edge: Amazing Relationships in the Natural World. The book will be available for purchase that evening in Penn State Behrend’s bookstore.

The Venango Digital Film Association will be holding it first Film Festival November 2 and 3. The festival will feature films of all genres, but will focus on local filmmakers and films set within the region. Screenings will be held on November 2nd at the Barrow Civic Theatre in Franklin from 7pm until 9pm and on November 3rd at the Latonia in Oil City from 7pm until 9pm at a cost of five dollars for admittance. Workshops are also being held on Nov 3rd at the Latonia from 9am until 5pm, topics include: lighting, sound, editing, making family dvds and camcorders demystified. The cost is $10 each or $40 for all. Eligibility: Ages 14 to Adult (filmmakers under 18 must include letters of permission from a parent with their submissions) . Filmmaker must live in Western Pennsylvania, or the film must reflect a theme or subject of the region. Film Length and Format: 10 to 30 minutes. DVD submissions are preferred but VHS entries will also be accepted. We cannot accept entries on mini-DV tape, hard drives, 35mm film, or other formats. Entry Fee: $20 per submission, checks or money orders made payable to the Oil City Arts Council. Please note that submissions will not be returned unless accompanied by a pre-paid, self-addressed envelope. Mailing Address: Venango Digital Film Association Film Festival, PO Box 1082, Franklin, PA 16323. Deadline: All entries must be received by Friday, 19 October. Contact: Michael Dittman at simpub@hotmail.com or visit http://www.joannwheelerfineart.com/vdfa/index.html for more details.

Gannon University on Sunday, Nov 4 will host its annual Fall Open House. Students and their parents can attend an optional mass at 11 am in the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, 512 Peach Street. Registration will begin at 11:30 am in the lobby of the Waldron Campus Center, 124 West Seventh Street. Students can enter Scholarship Contests in eight academic disciplines: English, French, Spanish, German, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, and Education. Contest winners are eligible for annual scholarships up to $3,000 should they decide to enroll at Gannon. For more information on Fall Open House, contact the Gannon University Office of Admissions at (814) 871-7240, or 1-800-GANNON-U.

The Erie Area Film Makers present the First “Films For Food”
Drive to benefit The Second Harvest Food Bank of Erie, Pa. The event, being held November 9-10 at the Historical Roadhouse Theater in Erie, PA, features 24 Continuous Hours of films produced by Erie Area Film Makers. Admission to the Theater is simply a Donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank in the form of cash or a non-perishable food item. Films to be featured include “Fist Of The Vampire” by Len Kabasinksi, “Chasing Darkness” by Jason Hull, “Virgin Pockets” by Paul Gorman as well as the World Premiere of “Aspiring Psychopath” by Ryan Cavalline plus films by local favorites Dustin Austin, Monster Mark, Matt Detisch, Lisa Seelinger and many more. Many of the Film Makers will be on hand with members of their cast and crew to accept donations at the Theater. Todd Humes (“Chasing Darkness”), Marie Madison (“Virgin Pockets”) and Shannon Solo (“Wolf At The Door”) will be among the many local Actors and Actresses on hand to accept donations. This event is designed to put focus on the local issues of poverty, homelessness and hunger during the Thanksgiving Holiday when far too many families in our community go without enough food. And absolutely no one will be turned away. The event’s organizer and local Film Maker Paul Gorman explains. “Poverty is one of the issues we’re dealing with locally. If there’s anyone in the community who couldn’t afford to attend a local film during the year, now is a great opportunity to do so. Even with the relatively low cost of ticket prices here in town, many families are still unable to afford tickets to our shows. This is one of the ways the film makers here are offering a remedy. Anyone with a donation of any kind will be let into the screenings. And if someone comes down who just can’t afford a donation, well, they’ll be let in too. Keep in mind that films like Len Kabasinki’s “Swamp Zombies” and Jason Hull’s “Chasing Darkness” sold out during their initial releases here in Erie so here’s another opportunity to see these great films and make a much needed contribution to our community.” The first screening begins at 7:30 pm on Friday November 9th and will continue through 8 pm Saturday night when our last film is screened. After, The Great Lakes Film Association is hosting a Wine and Cheese Reception for the Erie Area Film Makers that’s open to the public, so anyone interested can come meet the Film Makers and learn a bit more about the growing, vibrant film community in Erie, PA. For a complete schedule of films, please visit Films For Food at www.myspace.com/filmsforfood. For more information on the event, or to make a contribution, you may contact Paul Gorman at gmdfilms@verizon.net or by phone at (814) 572-1461. This event is made possible by generous contributions from The Roadhouse Theater, Hagen Business Machines, The Great Lakes Film Association as well as the Film Makers, Casts, Crews and Technicians in the Erie Area Film Community.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will be shown at the Roadhouse Theatre, 145 West 11th St, on Thursday Nov 15 at 8 pm. Proceeds benefit the Great Lake Film Association.

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Student Scholarship Auction Committee has announced that the College will hold the 14th Annual Student Scholarship Fund Auction at the new Erie Bayfront Convention Center on Friday Nov 16 with the purpose of providing scholarships to their students. The program opens at 6 pm with a silent auction, followed by dinner at 7 pm and a live auction at 8 pm. For reservations contact the LECOM Communications Office (814) 866-8125 or (814) 860-5125. You may also send a request for ticket information by Email: communications@lecom.edu. RSVP by November 2.