The end of the World did not happen on Sunday. It simply snowed a bit. Areas of the City of Erie received less than an inch of snow. Strong winds were the main problem around town. Those winds did push the snow inland. Corry and Meadville received saw nearly a foot of snow. The roads are slick as the rain we got the other days froze on the roads.

The Buffalo News had a nice article on attractions to see in Erie. I hope they have another in the Summer on the beaches of Presque Isle State Park. I think few people in the Buffalo area realize there are miles of great beaches so close to them.

Murella H. Powell, a local historian in Biloxi, MS who writes a weekly Flashback column, wrote an article about the loss of Presque Isle in Biloxi. Much as the same as Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Presque Isle in Biloxi was a forested sand bar. It was lost when a seawall was built in the mid 1920′s.

The Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies has a web cam facing out one their windows into the East Canal Basin of Presque Isle Bay. The covered Flagship Niagara can be seen toward the front left and the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel is in the back right.

I mentioned this yesterday but it’s worth repeating that Erie PA native Justin Fatica is scheduled to be on ABC’s Nightline tonight at 11:30 pm just after the fascinating documentary about Fatica called “Hard as Nails” airs on HBO. Justin is executive director of Hard as Nails Ministry. Fatica will also be in the Dec 24 issue of Newsweek magazine, available online now, in the article “For the Love of Christ”.

The third annual PLASTcar Competition Invitational, hosted by Penn State Behrend’s School of Engineering, will determine which of seven Hot Wheels-sized cars is the fastest. It takes place Tuesday Dec 18 from 12-1 pm at Erie Hall on the campus of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. The elementary school students started this assignment last spring as fifth graders. Each school submitted their top car sketches, ­three from Diehl and four from Rolling Ridge, ­to Jonathan Meckley, assistant professor of engineering at Penn State Behrend. Engineering students enrolled in Meckley’s Rapid Commercialization (Plastics Engineering Technology 468) class used the sketches and, staying true to the drawings, developed 3-D plastic models. New this year, ­Meckley added mechanical engineering technology students to conduct structural analyses on the designs. In keeping with the mission of Penn State Behrend’s Research and Economic Development Center (REDC), the engineering students partnered with marketing students, who developed table top trade show displays and commercials for each of the seven cars. Psychology majors in the engineering psychology course also designed life-sized interior models based on the elementary students’ feedback. The PLASTcar event is co-sponsored by Diehl and Rolling Ridge elementary schools, the Society of Plastics Engineers Northwestern Pennsylvania Section, and the School of Engineering at Penn State Behrend.

The Future Fisherman Foundation, the angler education and recruitment arm of the American Sportfishing Association, is pleased to announce the appointment of Anne Danielski as the foundation’s new Executive director. Prior to joining the foundation, she was the education specialist for the Pennsylvania Sea Grant Program. Danielski holds a BS in Biology from Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, in Erie, Pa.

No 8 Dartmouth snapped a three-game losing streak against No 5/6 Mercyhurst and salvaged the finale of a weekend set by downing the Lakers 6-4 in snowy Hanover, NH. The Lakers, 7-0 winners Saturday, dropped to 14-4-2 overall while Dartmouth improved to 10-3-1.

Senior TJ Mathis poured in a game-high 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Mercyhurst men’s basketball team to a 66-53 win over Salem International in the opening round of the Mercyhurst Classic on Sunday afternoon. Mercyhurst returns to action on Monday afternoon at 5 pm inside the Mercyhurst Athletic Center against Ohio Valley, which defeated Saint Michael’s 86-78 in the Mercyhurst Classic opener.

Enjoy a meal and support the Erie United Methodist Alliance at the same time. Eat at Chick-Fil-A at the Summit Towne Centre on the following dates and 20 percent of the proceeds benefit EUMA (when coupons are presented): Dec 17-18 from 5-8 pm and Dec 22 from 7-10 am. Download and print your coupons here.

Join your friends at the Watson-Curtze Mansion for the 28th annual Victorian Holidays program Whimsical Wonderland. Included in this exhibit are professionally decorated evergreens, fireplace mantles, doorways, windows and other displays that will be open to the community. Whimsical Wonderland features more than ten different themed rooms; including a Seussical room decorated in all things Dr Seuss, a wintertime teddy bear picnic, a Victorian garden and much more. Participating decorators includes Traditions, the Carrie T Watson Garden Club and Melody Potratz of Potratz Garden Shop. Try you luck with the annual Chinese auction and win gift certificates from local eateries and specialty shops, or a holiday wreath. Victorian Holidays will run until December 30. Wednesday – Saturday 11 am – 4 pm, Sunday 1 pm – 4 pm. Museum Admission: $4 Adults, $3 Seniors, $2 Children.

Designed especially for 3-5 year olds and an accompanying adult, Outside the Window: Nature for you and your little one will be held Friday, December 21 and each Friday at 10 am. These interactive programs get kids in touch with all of the nature of Presque Isle State Park. Meet at the Stull Interpretive Center. $2 donation, registration required beginning Monday prior to program. Call (814) 835-4550.

While you are finishing your last minute shopping at the Millcreek Mall on Saturday, December 22, stop by the Center Stage located by Burlington Coat Factory between noon and 1:30 pm. The 20-member Gem City Jazz Ensemble will be filling the halls with Christmas carols and other jazz selections. Join the band for the entire show or just a couple songs to keep you in the holiday spirit!

After a two-year hiatus, Vienna in Erie returns to the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, January 1 at 3 pm. Once again, Maestro Frank Collura will conduct a 65 member Pennsylvania Chamber Symphony in an elegant program of Viennese waltzes, gallops and polkas that have delighted audiences for years. Make this grand and lively concert part of your family tradition. And, of course, enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne at intermission. To order tickets, call the box office at (814) 824-3000.

Cross-Country Skiing 101 will be held Saturday, January 5 at 10 am at Presque Isle State Park. Weather permitting, meet at the cross-country ski concession to check out cross-country skiing. Get basic technique and skills for this exhilarating sport. Bring your own skis or rent. FREE. Rental fee only. Registration appreciated, (814) 833-7424.

For beginners and more experienced skiers wanting to know more about the winter world around them, enjoy Guided Cross-Country Skiing on Saturday, January 5 at 1 pm at Presque Isle State Park. If there is no sufficient snow, a hike will take place instead. Bring your own skis or rent. FREE, rental fee only. Meet at the cross-country ski concession.

There will be a Snowshoe Building Workshop on Saturday, January 5 at 9 am to 3 pm at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle. Build your own snowshoes – great to use, hang on the wall, or pass along for generations. $155 fee, registration required, call (814) 833-7424.

The 25th annual McDonald’s High School Basketball Classic will be held in Erie PA on Friday, January 18 and Saturday January 18, 2008 at the Gannon University Hammermill Center. St Edward of Lakewood Ohio, Rice High School of NYC, Saint Patrick of Elizabeth NJ and Erie Cathedral Prep are in the powerful field. Adult General Admission tickets are $7 and Student General Admission are tickets are $5. Reserved tickets are $12.50.

The Association of Program Members (APM) of General Electric Transportation in Erie PA announced that it will be sponsoring the 13th Annual Winter Wishes Benefit Gala for the Foundation of Western Pennsylvania on February 16, 2008. Each year, the members of APM reach out to the community to collect donations for the silent auctions, live auctions and raffles that are held at the event. They also solicit “table sponsors” from local businesses. As a table sponsor, the business’ name appears on the centerpiece showing their support for this wonderful event as well as in any promotional materials that they put together for the function. The money raised with the auctioned items donated by local businesses will help provide funding for Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Community support of this event is recognition of the importance of this cause are greatly appreciated. Along with your assistance, GE will be able to make an impact on the day-to-day life of children whose lives are threatened.