GECAC, the Greater Erie Community Action Committee, is closing down their Drug and Alcohol Services division resulting in the layoffs of 23 people.
In days past, GECAC was given money based on the number of people enrolled in their programs. The state, trying to hold agencies more accountable for the huge checks they receive, changed to a fee for service type of funding. Crack heads had to actually show up appointments for the agency to get paid and being crack heads, many didn’t. So the funds they received from the county and state dropped.
GECAC is a very well run agency with over 400 employees.
Surprising story in today’s paper, Airport director offers contract buyout by Jim Carroll, that Erie International Airport Executive Director Kelly Fredericks offered to resign if the airport authority bought-out his contract for $100,000. With a drop in the number of flights, the airport is taking in less money. Fredericks has a big, expensive contract that was negotiated when they were breaking passenger traffic records. He has busted his rear to get the runway extension project underway and it appears it is a go. The extension will ensure a brighter future for the airport.
Nice story in the Financial Times on the GE plant in Erie. Might have been a bit better is the arrogant author Peter Marsh didn’t refer to GE Transportation being “based in the unfashionable town of Erie.”
The local blood shortage actually worsened in the past 24 hours despite better donor turnout in recent days. A large number of tragic traumas in the past few days have worsened this shortage. The Community Blood Bank is still asking for more people of all blood types to come in and donate. The supply of Type O is critically low with other types at a seriously low level. The blood supply of O Negative dropped more than 30 percent in the past day. O negative is the Universal blood type meaning anyone regardless of their blood type can receive it. It is used in emergencies when seconds count. The Lifestar helicopter carries O Negative blood on each mission. “When you see tragedies on the news and your heart goes out,” Says Dan Desrochers Director of Marketing at the Community Blood Bank. “You should know there is a way to help these families, by giving blood.” All donors are strongly encouraged to donate at the Community Blood Bank, 2646 Peach Street. Community Blood Bank is open from 9a.m. 6p.m. Monday through Friday and until 7:30 pm Tuesday night and Saturday 9 am – 12:30 pm. Photo ID required.
Edinboro.com is now up for auction on eBay.
Gannon University hopes to help nearly 600 students from the Erie School District become CHAMPS. The students, from 12 elementary and middle schools, will visit Gannon University on four different days this month through the District’s CHAMPS (Creating Healthy Active Members Planning to Succeed) program. CHAMPS, now in its seventh year, is designed to serve as both a preventative and enrichment-based after school program for students in grades 3-8. It provides opportunities and experiences intended to help participating students lay the groundwork for a successful future, said Lorri Bland, facilitator for the program. CHAMPS, which runs four days a week from October through May, offers ESD students a number of important services, including: Academic enhancement – homework help, tutoring, and computer work. Personal development – recreational, life skills, and arts and crafts. Prevention of high-risk behaviors – refusal skills, mentoring, and community service. Enhanced family involvement – open houses, parent nights, and parent involvement programs. Fun activities.
Participating students will visit Gannon on Tuesday, Jan 22, Thursday, Jan 24, Tuesday, Jan 29, and Thursday, Jan 31. During their visits to Gannon, the students will participate in activities related to brain health, biking, fitness, and proper hand washing, among others. They also will tour campus, including the university’s radio station WERG and Schuster Theatre.
A digital photography exhibit depicting everyday life on Pennsylvania farms features the work of Rich Gensheimer, a photographer and documentary producer from North East, Pa. The exhibit includes more than 200 images by 10 photographers selected from across the state and will premiere at the Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) annual conference in State College Feb 7-9 before traveling to other locations. Gensheimer’s photo essay, “As American as Blueberry Pie,” was shot at Rassie Farms in North East early one morning in August 2007, as immigrants from Belarus and Ukraine spilled out of cars and vans to help Alan Rassie and his wife Jody pick blueberries. “The exhibit illustrates what it means to practice sustainable agriculture in contrast to large-scale agri-business or industrial agriculture,” said exhibit curator Donald L Gibbon. “It includes the people and the products, the joys and the disasters that are part of daily farm life across the state.” Disasters include a new barn blown down by gale-force winds and a farmhouse going up in flames. From back-yard gardens to sprawling Amish farms, from greenhouses to maple sugaring operations, the images show where our food is grown, from new ventures to multi-generational family farms. Sustainable agriculture is a food system that is based on the principles of high quality and taste, environmental sustainability, and social justice. The exhibit, entitled “Love your Mother: Farming as if People Mattered,” is sponsored by PASA, the Pennsylvania chapter of the Sierra Club, Slow Food Pittsburgh, and the Silver Eye Center for Photography in Pittsburgh. To arrange for a showing of the exhibit, contact exhibit curator Donald L Gibbon,
dongibbon@earhtlink.net, or (412) 362-8451.
The brightness of a distant planet can be affected by many things, including the presence of deserts on the surface or bright clouds above it. An active weather pattern would indicate the presence of a cycle like the one we see here on Earth. Such changes in brightness would be difficult to detect on planets that rotate in a few days or less, but the presence of oceans on these worlds may well be apparent. Imagine being able to look at starlight reflected off an alien sea. Darren Williams, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Penn State Erie, along with Eric Gaidos (University of Hawaii), wrote a paper titled Detecting the Glint of Starlight on the Oceans of Distant Planets that say it’s possible.
Daniel DeMarco was elected president of the Ross Township, PA Board of Commissioners. DeMarco is a graduate of Allegheny College and Duquesne Law School.
The Mercyhurst men’s basketball team trailed No 2 Grand Valley State by just four points with 17:28 remaining in the game. Grand Valley, however, went on an 18-5 run in the next six minutes to remain unbeaten on the season and squash Mercyhurst’s hopes of an upset by a final score of 67-48.
The Gannon women’s basketball team (11-5, 5-2) will not miss road trips to Ferris State when its stay in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) ends at the conclusion of the 2007-08 season. The Bulldogs out-scored Gannon 46-29 in the second half and rolled to a 76-61 victory Thursday night at Jim Wink Arena.
The Mercyhurst women’s basketball team shot 1-for-13 on three pointers in the second half to give Grand Valley State enough breathing room to seal a 70-54 win Thursday.
Mario Cote of Erie PA, son of Erie Blades great Sylvain Cote, had 2 goals and 4 assists for the Thorold Blackhawks in a 12-1 win over the Wheatfield Blades. Cote now has 6 goals and 14 assists in 30 games.
Mike Machuga of Erie is in 22nd place after the first round of match play at the PBA Tour Motel 6 Dick Weber Open.
The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League return home to the Tullio Arena for a pair of games against West Division competition this weekend. Friday it’s the Otters and the Windsor Spitfires presented by Arlington Lawn Care. The first 2,000 fans into the game receive a free ice scrapper. College students can purchase game tickets for only $5 simply by showing their valid College ID at the Civic Center Box Office prior to each Friday game. Limit two tickets per College ID. Offer available after 5 pm on Friday game days only. Saturday it’s the Otters and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds with the first 2,500 fans into the game receiving a free taco coupon courtesy of Taco Bell. It’s also JetRadio 1400 Coats for Kid’s Night. Donate a coat and receive two tickets to a future Otters game (limit two tickets per person).
The Erie Chamber Orchestra In residence at Gannon University will perform their annual ‘Tribute to Dr Martin Luther King, Jr’ on Friday, January 18 at 7:30 pm at St Patrick Church, 130 East Fourth Street in Erie. It will will feature the Shiloh Baptist Church Choir and Evangelist D M Jamerson, minister of music. The concert is FREE and open to the public.
There will be a Wine and Cheese Reception to welcome the new artists featured at the Nature Shop and Gallery in the Tom Ridge Environmental Center on Friday Jan 18, 6-8 pm. Ed Bernik will be signing copies of his book “Pennsylvania Wilds: Images from the Allegheny National Forest” and there will be signed copies of “Photoshop CS3 for Nature Photographers” by Ellen Anon.
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.
The Roadhouse Theatre production of “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee” is two weekends only, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, January 18-19 and January 25-26. General seating $8 with no reservation required and tickets will be available at the door. VIP seating $12, Lounge VIP seating $15. All VIP seating must be pre-paid reservation only. Phone (814) 459-8215. Come early and enjoy the newly renovated coffeehouse. BYOB with proper ID.
The Galaxy Gallery, the new Erie artist co-op at 1136 East Lake Rd, is hosting an art show with art by Heidi Blakeslee, New Young, Mark L Goodman, Robert Andrews, and Steven Pascarella from Jan 18 to March 31.
The Mercyhurst College chapter of Kappa Gamma Pi education honor society will host the Third Annual Teaching and Learning Expo on Saturday, Jan 19, from 9 am to 1:30 pm in the Audrey Hirt Academic Center. About 100 area education students and teachers are expected to attend the event, at which they’ll be able to choose three workshops from 17 offerings. The cost of the program is $5, including a catered lunch. Act 48 credits are available for the morning workshops. For more information, email Dr Ruth Auld or call (814) 824-3370.
Cross-Country Skiing 101 will be held Saturday, January 19 at 10 am at Presque Isle State Park. Weather permitting, meet at the cross-country ski concession (located at the picnic shelter area) 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 19 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 located at the picnic shelter area. For more info call (814) 833-7424.
The Erie County Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania is holding their monthly meeting at the Plymouth Tavern on Saturday, January 19 at 1 pm.
Three new exhibits with the theme of art and technology will be presented in Bowman, Penelec and Megahan Galleries at Allegheny College Tuesday, Jan 22 through Wednesday, March 5. The exhibits include one-person exhibits by Carlos Rosas and Doug Loewen and the group exhibit “Big Food Pictures.” In conjunction with the opening, on Tuesday, Jan 22 at 7 pm in the lecture room adjoining the Art Galleries, Carlos Rosas, associate professor of art at Pennsylvania State University’s main campus, will present a lecture, illustrated with slides, discussing projects in which he has integrated art and technology in a variety of ways. A reception will follow. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12:30-5 pm; Saturday, 1:30-5 pm; and Sunday, 2-4 pm. All events are FREE and open to the public. The Art Galleries are wheelchair accessible. Please call ahead to verify; programs are subject to change. The Art Galleries are located in Doane Hall of Art, east of North Main Street, between College and John Streets. For more information, call (814) 332-4365.
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 Cleveland Indians Caravan will be rolling into Erie January 23, 2008 at the Dr Gertrude A Barber National Institute, 136 East Avenue. Doors open at 5 pm with a trivia contest and plenty of food and beverage. Cleveland Indians’ players, coaches and media staff will arrive at 6:30 pm to entertain Erie’s Tribe faithful, to answer fan’s questions and present a highlight film from last year’s baseball season. A donation of $8 per ticket will benefit programs at the Dr Gertrude A Barber National Institute. Tickets are available now through January 23rd at the Dr Gertrude A Barber National Institute (Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm) or at Hector’s Cafe, W 18th and Liberty Streets. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of January 23, if available.
The 2008 Erie RV, Camping and Powersport Expo will be held January 23-27 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. Hours: Wed 4-9 pm, Thurs Noon-9 pm, Fri 10 an to 8 pm and Sun 10 am to 5 pm. Free admission and free parking.
The Mercyhurst Preparatory School Performing Arts Department presents Our Town Thursday Jan 24 at 8 pm, Friday Jan 25 at 8 pm, Saturday Jan 26 at 8 pm and Sunday Jan 27 at 3 pm.
The Erie Broadway Series presents Chicago at the Warner Theater on Thurs Jan 24 at 7:30 pm.
Glass Growers Gallery at 10 East Fifth St in Erie will be hosting an exhibit called ‘Spirital Thresholds’ by Annoel Krider. Color and design blend with tradition and balance in the southwestern inspired weavings of this fiber artist who also creates mixes-media objects and sculptures to further refine her vision. There will be an artists reception on Friday Jan 25 from 6-9 pm. The exhibit will be on display Jan 25 to March 11.
Exhibition opening receptions and other gallery activities are planned for Gallery Night on Friday, Jan 25 from 7-10 pm at the Erie Art Museum, Glass Growers Gallery, Urraro Gallery, Cummings Gallery at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center at Mercyhurst College, Schuster Gallery at Gannon University, Allen Stoneware Gallery, Kuhn’s Framing and Gift Gallery, and ClaySpace. EMTA will provide FREE Bayliner trolley transportation, courtesy of the galleries, from 7-10:30 pm. Service will be provided every 45-minutes; a route map is available in advance at all participating galleries. “We’ve been organizing a Gallery Night for one year now. And with each evening, we gain attendance – particularly from new patrons – and new galleries join us. This effort continues to be tremendously successful,” said John Vanco, director of the Erie Art Museum. Galleries will also offer $50 gift certificates as incentives for patrons visiting as many galleries as they can in the evening. Gallery Night is organized by the Erie Art Museum.
The 25th annual Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Quad Games 5-mile Cross-Country Ski Race or 2.5-mile Snowshoe is now scheduled to take place Jan 27, 2008, at 1 pm at the Peek n’ Peak Upper Golf Course, in Clymer, NY.
Your Day In Court: An Internet Security Workshop features William Shore of the Pittsburgh FBI office. The workshop will be held Noon-3 pm on Thursday, Jan 31 at the Ambassador Hotel and Conference Center; 7792 Peach Street in Erie. After a security breach, it is often too late to back track, recreate and document the environment in which the security breach occurred. From a strategic management viewpoint, this pitfall is often fatal. In court proceedings, the lack of defendable evidence can impact the success of litigation and create liability issues for your organization. This workshop is specifically designed to explain what steps should be taken following a security breach. Click here to register. This event is sponsored by: Software Technology Concepts, eBizITPA, the FBI and the Technology Council of Northwestern Pennsylvania.
The Young Erie Professionals (yep!) Professional Leadership Development committee will host an Etiquette Dinner on Thursday, January 31 from 5:45 pm – 8:00 pm at the Colony Banquet and Catering facility, 3014 West 12th Street. Cathy Mester, senior lecturer in speech communication at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will discuss dinner etiquette and appropriate conversation. A three-course meal will be provided by the Colony Pub and Grille. Dinner choices are Prime Rib, Apricot Chicken, and Broiled Sole. The dress code is business casual. Seating is limited and advance registration is required. The charge for the presentation, meal, and gratuity is $25 for yep! members and $35 for non-members, payable by credit card, cash, or check made payable to Young Erie Professionals. Contact Phil Gallagher for additional information or to make a reservation.
Darkwood Consort, the world’s only touring viola and bass clarinet duo, brings an impressive repertoire spanning 10 centuries of music to its February performance at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Darkwood’s concert takes place at noon on Thursday, February 7, in the McGarvey Commons of the college’s Reed Union Building. The performance is sponsored by Music at Noon: The Logan Series and admission is FREE to the public.
The 6th annual “Spirit Against Cancer” Dance and Cheerleading Competition is scheduled for February 9 at 10 am in the Junker Center. “Spirit Against Cancer” was created in memory of Becky Hubler Decker. Her commitment to the community included serving as dance coach at Penn State Behrend, cheerleading coach at Edinboro University, she was captain of the Invaderettes dance team, and a member of the Buffalo Bills (Jills) dance team. All proceeds from this special event will benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information, please contact Assistant to the Director of Athletics, Stacy Pondo at (814) 898-6240 or by email at slp15@psu.edu.
The 2008 Erie Home and Garden Expo will be held February 21-24 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. Hours: Thursday 4-9 pm, Friday 2-9 pm, Sat 10 am – 8:30 pm and Sun 11 am to 5 pm.
The 2008 Erie Outdoor Sport and Travel Expo will be held February 29 – March 2 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. Hours: Noon-9 pm Friday, 10 am-8 pm Saturday and 10 am-5 pm Sunday.
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.
There will be a Rust Belt Bloggers Summit on July 11-12 in Erie. People from Youngstown, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and other area cities will be attendance to discuss economic development issues in the region.
