VisitErie (formerly the Erie Area Convention and Visitors Bureau) released the latest Erie County hotel tax figures. In November 2007, they received $44,885 vs the 2006 November amount of $31,878, an increase of about 41 percent. The Buffalo NY area saw a decline for November 2007 vs November 2006. The fiscal year to date figures show an increase of 14.2 percent, about 10 percent ahead of their projections. Of the 5 percent collected tax, VisitErie receives 1 percent and the Erie County Convention Center Authority receives the remaining 4 percent.

Yes, MECA United Cerebral Palsy will hold the barstool open in February. Hopefully, I’ll have the details soon.

“What a Friend We Have In Jesus” is popular in the US but even more so in Japan as it is sung at nearly 75 percent of all weddings. Joseph Scriven wrote the poem in 1855 to encourage his ill Mother. Shortly before Scriven’s death the poem was found by Ira Sankey who added music written in 1868 by Charles Crozat Converse. Converse named the melody “Erie”, after Erie PA where he worked as an attorney.

Vince Mosley (Boynton Beach, FL/Dillard) and Kyle Goldcamp (Pittsburgh, PA/Central Catholic) proved to be an unstoppable inside combination Wednesday afternoon. The duo combined for 43 points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks as the Gannon University men’s basketball team (11-1) rolled past Northwood 74-52 in non-conference men’s basketball action. Gannon returns to action Saturday, January 5 at local rival Mercyhurst. Game time is scheduled for 8 pm. Tickets are currently on sale at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center from 9 am – 4 pm through Friday or until the game sells out.

Brandon Buck scored three times and added an assist to lead the Guelph Storm to a come-from-behind 6-4 win over the Erie Otters in an Ontario Hockey League game played last night in front of 2,717 at the Tullio Arena. Justin Hodgman led the Otters attack with three goals while Josh Sidwell scored the other. Jordan Skellett added two helpers for Erie, who saw their four-game home winning streak come to an end in their fourth straight loss. The Otters are now 8-26-2-1 on the season. The next Otters home game takes place Friday when the Oshawa Generals visit for a 7:30 pm start. It’s $5 College Friday with college students admitted for only $5 when they show their ID at the Civic Center Box Office. AAA members also can receive $2 off up to eight tickets when they show their membership card at the Box Office.

The Edinboro University wrestling team is13th in the latest USA Today / InterMat / NWCA Division I Coaches Poll.

Andy Findlay, a 1981 graduate of Mercyhurst College, has been named the assistant tennis coach for both the men’s and women’s teams at Mercyhurst. He will assist head coach Ray Yost with both programs. Findlay was the head coach of the Mercyhurst tennis team from 1982-86 and moved on to coach at Edinboro from 1992-03. He was twice named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Coach of the Year. He has been the owner/operator of Intense Tennis Camps at Slippery Rock University for the past 17 years and has also been the head pro at Pennbriar Athletic Club and was Northern Allegheny Mountain’s USTA Tennis Service Representative. As an All-American and Academic All-American at Mercyhurst, Findlay went 81-32 in singles play and 72-27 in doubles. He was named Erie College Athlete of the Year and Outstanding Senior Scholar-Athlete at Mercyhurst. Findlay was also inducted into the Mercyhurst Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

Forward Chris Greene was traded to the Wichita Thunder of the CHL. Greene notched three goals and 21 points in 28 games with Arizona this season. Before turning pro, Greene played two seasons with the Erie Otters, picking up 19 goals, 67 points and 304 penalty minutes in 129 games.

The Gannon University women’s basketball team (7-4) hosts Slippery Rock (4-7) at the Hammermill Center tonight at 7 pm. Gannon leads the all time series 17-8.

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 Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Quad Games 5-mile Cross-Country Ski Race or 2.5-mile Snowshoe is scheduled to take place Jan 6, 2008, at 1 pm at the Peek n’ Peak Upper Golf Course, in Clymer, NY. Nearly every year this race has to be postponed due to lack of snow.

Enjoy great food and friendship at the annual Radio Association of Erie Holiday Party which will be held on Friday January 11 at the Zem Zem Shrine Club at W 38th and Zuck Roads. Social Hour will start at 6 pm with dinner at 6:30 pm. The cost for the buffet dinner is $15 per person. The menu will consist of: Sausage with peppers and onions, Rigatoni with meat, Breaded Chicken, Garden Salad, Relish Tray, Green Beans, Scalloped Potato, Rolls and Butter, Cake and Coffee and Tea. For reservations contact Neil Shea (N3ZNP), (814) 474-2346.

Gannon University will host a Financial Aid Workshop on Wednesday, January 16. The workshop will cover the entire financial aid process as well as a step-by-step review of the questions on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The workshop also will cover definitions of terms that parents and students should know and the various aid programs available. The workshop is free and open to the public and will begin at 6:30 pm in room 1200 of the university’s Palumbo Academic Center, 824 Peach Street. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at (814) 871-7337 or 1-800-GANNON-U (1-800-426-6668).

As part of its series of Pink Ribbon Educational Events for breast cancer survivors and to promote breast cancer awareness, Saint Vincent will present a program on Thursday, January 17, from 6 to 8 pm at the McGarvey Learning Center at Saint Vincent Health Center, 232 West 25th Street, Erie, Pa. The event will feature music, heavy hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, and a brief talk on “Fact vs Fiction: Nutrition for Breast Cancer Survivors,” presented by Sandra Luthringer, RD, owner of Super Suppers. The event is supported by a grant from The Pittsburgh Affiliate of Susan G Komen for the Cure. Komen awarded a $75,000 grant to Saint Vincent Health Center to support a program offering restorative health services, education, support and specialized products for breast cancer survivors, particularly those who cannot afford it. Cost is $6. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (814) 866-4817.

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.

Daniel S Mead, president of Verizon Services Corp, will discuss how creation of a centralized business services unit saved the telecommunications giant $562 million in one year during an upcoming presentation for the Sam and Irene Black School of Business at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Mead, a Warren native and member of the college’s Council of Fellows, will speak at 6 pm on Tuesday, January 22, in the Samuel P “Pat” Black III Conference Center in the college’s Research and Economic Development Center. Admission to his talk is free and open to the public.

The 14th annual Sarah Backstrom Memorial Women’s and Girl’s Hockey Tournament will be held in Erie February 8-10, 2008. Admission is FREE to all games. About 1,000 young ladies plus family and friends will be in town for the weekend. Hotel rooms will be hard to come by and expect delays at restaurants. Who was Sarah Backstrom? She was a feisty red headed defensewoman who gave all off her love of the game and passion to play it to the Erie Lady Lions. Sarah fought every battle to the end, with passion and determination. The Erie Lady Lions lost Sarah to Leukemia but have never lost her spirit.

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.

The GE (NYSE: GE) 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on April 23, 2008 in Erie, Pennsylvania at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center.