Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio still hasn’t resigned or been arrested. DiVecchio has been accused of a laundry list of improprieties of misuse of government employees and assets. He will sit down on Friday with Erie County Controller Sue Weber to try and explain away the charges.
Erie County Council members have no plans to conduct an investigation even though it is their job and responsibility to do so. According to the Erie County home rule charter “Council, upon request by at least three (3) members of Council, may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and require the production of evidence.”
Erie County union employees that work at the OCY offices (9th and Sass) and the Sumner Nichols Building (8th and Sass) received a memo stating effective Friday Feb 1, they are no longer permitted to park in their lots or garage as the county did not include parking in the budget. They were offered monthly parking permits in the Erie Parking Authority lots for $58 per month. The change eats up most of the pay increase they just received. Administrators and non union employees will continue to receive free parking.
Young Erie Professionals (yep!) announced the Generation-E Leadership Award recipients for 2008. This year’s group of honorees is comprised of nine young professionals:Monica Brower, Economic Development Corporation of Erie; Jennifer Dobbs Woods, United Way of Erie County; John Elliot, Erie Redevelopment Authority; Jessica Horan-Kunco, City of Erie; Jeffrey Natalie, ERIEKIDS; Michele-Marie Schroeck, YMCA; Nick Schultz, Strategy Solutions; Traci Teudhope, WQLN Education; and Timothy Wachter, Knox McLaughlin Gornall and Sennett.
As the signature event for yep!, the Generation-E Leadership Awards recognize young professionals who are paving the way to the future of Erie, Pennsylvania. The 2008 Generation-E recipients will be recognized the evening of Friday, March 28, at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center. Yep! has honored 34 individuals over the past three years who not only have chosen to live, work, and play in the Erie area, but who have made a lasting impact on our region.
George Romero will be taking Night of the Living Dead on an international 40th anniversary tour, with US destinations announced that include Erie, PA. Not only will the film be projected using rare original prints, but after the show the director himself will be on hand to answer questions from the crowd. Trivia – the word “zombie” is never used in the film.
Geek Night is a bi-monthly get-together of Pittsburgh area computer geeks. Crowds average 200-300 at the Foundry Ale Works. It’s a great networking event that should be done in the Erie area.
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College received a $500,000 state grant to operate and expand the Radio Frequency Identification Center of Excellence. The mission of the center is to advance the adoption of radio frequency technology and foster innovation to create strategic advantages and economic growth for Pennsylvania industry. The funding will be used for business assistance, applied research, workforce development, and outreach and awareness building activities.
Continuing a long-standing tradition of giving back to its local communities, Boston’s The Gourmet Pizza kicks off its annual Valentine’s fundraiser benefiting Children’s Miracle Network, a national non-profit organization comprised of 170 children’s hospitals (CMN), on January 28. For the event, the Erie restaurant will feature two unique giving opportunities designed to raise funds that will be donated directly to Saint Vincent Health Center. From February 14 through February 17, Boston’s will sell its popular, one-of-a-kind heart-shaped pizzas and donate $1 from every pie sold to Saint Vincent Health Center. As with the entire menu, the heart-shaped pizzas are available in store, for take out, or by delivery (if available) for all four days. In addition to heart-shaped pizzas, Boston’s will sell special paper hearts that patrons can write Valentine’s messages and designs on for a $1 donation. Paper hearts will be available beginning January 28 through February 17 and will be displayed in the restaurant for the duration of the fundraiser. To participate in this year’s fundraiser, local residents can visit the Erie location at 8091 Peach Street across from the Econo Lodge, or call (814) 217-1140 to receive more information or order a heart-shaped pizza.
It began as a grand idea – the prospect of a 90-person camp in Gulfport, Miss., uniting Penn State students from across the Commonwealth around a national cause, Katrina Relief. This March, the idea comes to fruition when the alternative spring break program at Penn State Erie becomes a University-wide opportunity to help residents clean up and rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. “For years, the Center for Service Leadership at Penn State Behrend has organized off-campus service trips to various locations throughout the country, with the most popular being the alternative spring break trips,” said Craig Berger, coordinator of residence life, and one of nine who traveled to Gulfport for the campus’ 2007 trip. “After last year’s experience, we knew we wanted to go back, but we also wanted to expand the program.” To date, 72 students, faculty and staff from five Penn State campuses have signed up for the trip, which is being organized by Penn State Erie. The program, scheduled for March 9-14, can support 75 to 90 total Penn Staters. While Penn State Erie currently has a wait list, interested students at other Penn State campuses can reserve their spots until the Feb. 8 deadline.
The Gannon men’s basketball team remained 15th for the second consecutive week in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)/Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll released Tuesday afternoon. Gannon moved its record to 17-2 overall and 9-1 in the GLIAC after a pair of big GLIAC South Division road victories last week at Wayne State (65-39) and Hillsdale (80-75). The Golden Knights can match the best 20-game record in school history with a victory Thursday night against SVSU. Gannon begins a four-game homestand this weekend with games against Saginaw Valley State (January 31) and Northwood (February 2).
Markus Graham (Erie Cathedral Prep), a football player at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, was arraigned Tuesday on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment after he was accused of hitting a man in the head with a wrench.
The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League announced that they have signed Brett Cook to a Standard Player Agreement. Cook was the Otters third round pick, 42nd overall, in the 2007 OHL Priority Selection. The 16 year-old defenseman is a member of the Huntsville Otters in the Provincial Junior A League where he has five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 35 games.
One day after the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) officially released the 2008 conference football schedule, Mercyhurst College has announced the addition of a non-conference football game as well. The Lakers will open the season on the road by travelling to former conference opponent Wayne State Saturday, Aug 30.
The Erie SeaWolves will be hosting their a Job Expo on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at the Erie Civic Center from 10 am until 2 pm. They are filling positions for the promotional team, ushers, mascots and other game day jobs. The ‘Wolves 2008 home opener is April 10, 2008 against the Binghamton Mets.
Every Wednesday is free admission to all four Erie Art Museum galleries from 11 am to 5 pm.
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.
The Erie Art Museum’s First Fridays program for preschool kids ages 3 to 6 is slated for Friday, Feb 1, 10-11 am at the Erie Art Museum, 411 State Street with activities inspired from the Museum’s Zoo.Logic exhibit. First Fridays is a special program for 3-6 year olds and their families. Led by Museum staff, children and adults explore the art right in the galleries with storytelling, art-making and music. Cost is $5 per child and free for families with an Erie Art Museum family membership. Participants meet at the Erie Art Museum Annex, 423 State Street. Space is limited. Please call ahead to reserve a place, (814) 459-5477.
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 Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail Wine and Chocolate Weekend will take place 10 am to 5 pm, Feb 9-10. Tickets, which can be purchased online or by phone, are $21 a person. None will be sold after Friday Feb 8. If you are unable to get tickets to the event, you can still visit the wineries for wine tastings, but you won’t get to sample the goodies and get the recipe cards.
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.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 17 from 12:30-3:30 pm and/or 8-11 pm and get ready to “rock and bowl” with the Erie Playhouse Family at Eastway Lanes, 4110 Buffalo Road. The cost for a Family/Team (4 or 5 bowlers) for one session is $80. Individual bowlers are welcome – Adults $20 and $15 for children 12 and under. Teams registering by Feb 14 will recieve a $10 discount. The cost includes 3 games, shoes (no discount if you bring your own) and unlimited pop and pizza. A cash bar and additional food will be available. Contests and games of chance throughout each bowling session.
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.
Want a cure for the winter blahs? Got cabin fever? Come to the Community Board Game Night at Community United Church on Saturday Feb 23. Doors open at 7 pm, Games begin at 7:30 and end at 10 PM. Admission Donation: $2. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Under 18 years old must have guardian. This is an alcohol and smoke free event. Open to the public. We will play board games for groups such as Scruples, Pictionary, etc. Want to save on the admission? Bring grocery bags of empty recyclable aluminum beverage cans. For each bag, the admission will be reduced by 25 cents.
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.
Erie CareerLink is hosting Crystal Reports Training in both introductory and advanced sessions on March 3-6. Info and Registration form. Crystal Reports is a business intelligence application used to design and generate reports from a wide range of data sources. Several other applications, such as Microsoft Visual Studio, bundle an OEM version of Crystal Reports as a general purpose reporting tool. Crystal Reports became THE report writer when Microsoft released it with Visual Basic.
Pennsylvania Sea Grant is sponsoring a FREE one and a half day workshop March 13-14 at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie. The workshop will provide an update and overview of current ballast water policy, legislation and research as it applies to the Great Lakes. Scientists, legal experts, legislators, industry personnel and agency staff will discuss the current state of ballast water policy, pending legislation, proposed ballast water treatment methods and evaluating the current risk of introduction and spread of AIS to Great Lakes ports by foreign and domestic ships. For Registration form email Karla Kaczmarek, or Marti Martz.
As the signature event for Young Erie Professionals (yep!), the Generation-E Leadership Awards recognize young professionals who are paving the way to the future of Erie, Pennsylvania. Yep! has honored 34 individuals over the past three years who not only have chosen to live, work, and play in the Erie area, but who have made a lasting impact on our region. The 2008 winners will be recognized the evening of Friday, March 28 at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center.
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.
