City of Erie police lieutenant Robert Liebel was arrested for stealing cocaine from a police evidence locker. There must have been items missing from the evidence locker recently because it was under surveillance. They caught him with 12 grams of cocaine in his hand. Liebel had over 22 years of service with the bureau. He is being held in the Crawford County jail on $100,00 cash bond. He was moved to Crawford County for safety purposes because as the former desk sergeant he’s the once that shut the cell doors on people being arrested.

The Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel showed off the first finished room in the 200 guest room hotel. Incredible views. Although they aren’t taking reservations yet, the hotel does have an address, 55 West Bay Drive, Erie PA 16507, and a phone number (814) 454-2005. It’s supposed to open on or around April 1.

Toni Kelly is having her worked exhibited at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center Nature Shop and Gallery. Way to go! There will be an artists reception at the gallery on Friday Feb 15, 6-8 pm.

Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort needs your help. Usually the only help they need is another armored truck to haul away the money the place rakes in. This is different. They need your help in choosing a new mascot, and you can help make the decision for them at Pick the New Splash Lagoon Mascot.

The Scott family built a good size company with the hotels, restaurants and Splash Lagoon but did you know another hotel empire had it’s beginnings in Erie? In 1960, Pittsburgh attorney Milton Fine bought the Capri Motel at 2540 W 8th St in Erie. (The Capri Motel only recently changed their name to the Rodeway Inn.) Fine along with another Pittsburgh attorney Ed Perlow formed the Interstate Hotel Company (IHC). The company began purchasing hotels at interstate exits. IHC became the largest independent hotel management company in the United States. IHC was behind some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts, including the New York Palace, the Hay Adams in Washington, DC, the Sawgrass Resort in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and the Grand Hotel in Moscow, Russia. In 1998, they sold part of the business to the company now known as Wyndham International for over $100,000,000. Today, Interstate Hotels and Resorts Inc manages more than 400 hotels in 45 states and Canada.

Serban Popescu from the Human Resources Department of the U S Committee for Refugees and Immigrants emailed me to let me know the position of Director of the International Institute of Erie is now posted. You can view the job announcement here. From 1983-2004, 4,545 refugees made Erie, PA their new home including 2,969 from 1990-2000. The International Institute of Erie has provided resettlement services for refugee families, and a variety of other multicultural and national services since 1919.

Girard native Marc Blucas has a new film coming out called Animals. You can view the trailer here.

The Penn State Behrend men’s basketball team (16-4, 10-3 AMCC) took over the number-one ranking in Division III for scoring defense after another exceptional week of work on the defensive side of the floor. Behrend has captured four straight wins, while limiting the opposition to fewer than 60 points a game. According to the official NCAA website for the week of February 3, the Behrend Lions are holding their opponents on the season to an impressive 54.3 points per game.

Head Coach Shawn Liotta of the Erie RiverRats of the American Indoor Football Association announced today the hiring of Mike Fox as the team’s new Defensive Coordinator. Fox joins the RiverRats coaching staff after serving in the front office of the Quad City Steemwheelers of af2. Fox served as a special consultant for the RiverRats coaching staff in Pittsburgh late last season. In 2006, he was the Defensive Backs Coach for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (af2), and from 2003 to 2005, was a Defensive Backs and Quality Control Assistant Coach for Quad City. Prior to 2003, Fox, an Iowa native, was an assistant coach at the high school level, working at Assumption High School and Waterloo East High School.

Valentine’s Day is coming up. A box of chocolates from a drug store won’t do. Erie has three great chocolate companies: Pulakos 926 Chocolates, Romolo Chocolates and Stefanellis Candies. And if you live out of town, all three offer online shopping. And don’t forget about Cocoa Tree Chocolates in North East, PA.

The 41-year-old Expo Erie is set to become a technology summit of industrial leaders. The Technology Council of Northwest PA has partnered with the Erie Engineering Societies Council (EESC) to host the first Great Lakes Industrial Technology Summit on February 12 and 13 of 2008. The event is FREE and open to the public. If you are going to attend, save time standing in a long line by pre-registering. The two day summit will feature regional products, address workforce development, innovation, technology and other competitive advantages for industry in the PA Great Lakes Region. Technology Council CEO, Perry Wood said, “The direction change in the Summit is part of the Council’s strategy to create an Advanced Manufacturing Network in northwest PA.” The Summit’s theme is Global Competitiveness and will host a series of speakers and special presentations on the topic. The term “advanced manufacturing” connotes a network of industry that embraces emerging technologies in order to tackle new markets, create efficiencies and innovate product lines.

The next Erie Bloggers gathering will be at the Borders Music and Books on Interchange Road on Tuesday, February 12 at 7 pm. This is just a social get together, not a meeting or anything so don’t be afraid to just show up.

Mercyhurst College students in instructor Steve Perkins’ Digital Imagery course are preparing to exhibit some freaky final projects. They’ve used Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator to turn photographs of their classmates into images of monsters straight out of Hollywood “B” movies. Among the fictitious titles that have inspired their creations are “Mime Massacre,” “The Mummy from Outer Space,” “The Porcupine from the Dark Side” and “Revenge of the Cellulite Woman.” The projects will be on display in the lobby of Zurn Hall, beginning with a reception on Tuesday, Feb 12, from 5 to 6:30 pm, and continuing to Feb 18. The students also created movie posters in the style of the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, and designed packaging for new and unusual movie snacks. The exhibit will include sketches and earlier versions that illustrate the stages of image development. Passersby are urged to vote for their favorite “Mercyhurst Movie Monster.”

Join The Ophelia Project for a Girls Night Out on February 15, 2007 from 5:30-8:30 pm at Grace Church. Girls in 6, 7 or 8th grade and the special woman in their lives are invited to a night out where they will learn how to keep their heart happy and healthy by promoting a positive self-image and discussing issues facing girls today, such as friendships, cliques and bullies. Participants will also be treated to a special self defense lesson from Rachel Cheeseman, owner of Street Smart Defense, a hip hop dance instruction and a healthy snack. The cost is $10 per couple and check-in starts at 5:15 pm. For more information and to register call The Ophelia Project office at (814) 456-5437. Grace Church is located at 7300 Grubb Road in McKean. The Ophelia Project is a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Erie, Pa. Recognized as a leader in assessing social conditions and advocating healthy, safe relationships, the organization partners with educational, civic and community leaders to educate and empower kids and adults across North America.

Engaged students…Learning without bells…Field trips without buses (or fuel)…New ways to provide learning opportunities for professional development and students… Classrooms that reach beyond the school walls…Sound interesting? Then come to the Northwest Pennsylvania Association of Educational Communications and Technology meeting on Tuesday Feb 19 at 5:30 pm at the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit at 252 Waterford St in Edinboro. A light meal will be provided before the presentations begin. Cost is FREE for current members of NPAECT, $15 for new members which includes a year membership to NPAECT. Register here by February 15.

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.

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.

On January 28, 2008, asteroid 2007 TU24 came within 300,000 miles of Earth–a safe distance, but one that reminds us that ours is not the only chunk of rock hurtling around the sun. Nearly 1,000 potentially hazardous asteroids, or PHAs, orbit the sun in the vicinity of Earth; one, Apophis, will be the subject of the next Open House Night in Astronomy at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Darren Williams, an associate professor of physics and astronomy at the college, will present the one-hour program “Asteroid Apophis: Will it Hit the Earth?” at 7:30 pm on Thursday, February 21, in 101 Otto Behrend Science Building. His FREE lecture is intended for a non-technical audience and suitable for children at least 8 years of age; astronomical observing at the college’s Mehalso Observatory will follow, weather permitting.

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.

On Friday, February 22, the Penn State Behrend RFID Center of Excellence and the RFID Project of the NWPA Technology Industry Partnership will host Eric Domski for a talk on Auto ID Technologies with SAP. Eric is the Auto ID Solution Director for SAP Labs. Eric will speak from 10-11am at the Research and Economic Development Center, Room 180 on the campus of Penn State Behrend in the new Black School of Business Auditorium. Although the talk with be centered around SAP, the concepts will also apply to other ERP and enterprise applications and will be a great source for solution ideas to anyone using, or considering use of AutoID. Eric will be available for questions after the talk. An early lunch is planned, so attendees must RSVP email Brian Zentis or call him at (814) 898-6704. This event counts as participation in the Technology Industry Partnership of Northwest PA, a partnership of the Technology Council, eBizITPA, Ben Franklin Partners CNP and Penn State Behrend’s RFID Center of Excellence. Why is that important? Participation allows your business access to grant dollars to offset training costs. The training dollars come from the PA Department of Labor and Industry in conjunction with the Workforce Investment Board of Northwest PA.

The 10th annual MECA Bar Stool Open will be held on Saturday February 23, 2008 in downtown Erie, PA. Entry fee is $100 per team of 4 golfers, $25 per person. Must be 21 years of age or older to participate. Click here to for the registration form.

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 American Heart Association’s 2008 Erie Heart Gala will take place 6 pm to Midnight on Feb 23 at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center in Erie, PA. In addition to providing an exciting night of glitz and glamour, the Heart Gala has become Erie Division’s largest fundraising event. Contributions received support cardiovascular research, professional and community education, and advocacy efforts. The affair also promotes the American Heart Association’s mission to reduce disability and death due to this nation’s leading cause of death….cardiovascular disease. The festivities will begin with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 6 pm, followed by dinner and dancing as well as both live and silent auctions. For info email Gina Klofft or call her at (814) 836-0013.

There will a fund raiser for Marine Sergeant Art Fuller on Saturday Feb 23 from 6 pm to 1 am at the North East Vet’s Club at 28 Vine Street in North East, PA. SGT Fuller suffered a stroke and is unable to return to work. The cost is $6 at the door which will cover food (chili, hot dogs and macaroni salad) from 6-9 pm. There will be a Chinese auction and cash bar available and the band Black Diamond will be playing from 9 pm – 1 am. SGT Fuller, an Iraq veteran, is from Corry Pa.

The SafeNet Chill-E Cook-off will be held 2-5 pm on Feb 24 at The Brewerie at Union Station in downtown Erie. Tickets priced at $10 can be purchased at the door or at participating restaurants. Participating restaurants: Brewerie At Union Station, Latino’s, Alto Cuncia, Calamari’s, East Erie Turners, Make it Fabulous, plus many more. All proceeds will benefit SafeNet, the domestic violence safety network.

Documentary filmmaker Christopher Quinn and John Bul Dau, one of three Lost Boys of Sudan profiled in Quinn’s prize-winning feature film God Grew Tired of Us, will visit Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, in February as part of the college’s Speaker Series. Quinn and Dau will speak at 7:30 pm on Thursday, February 28, in the Reed Union Building’s McGarvey Commons. Additionally, the film God Grew Tired of Us will be shown at 7 pm on Wednesday, February 27, in 117 Reed Union Building, and at noon on Friday, February 29, in the Samuel P “Pat” Black III Conference Center in the college’s Research and Economic Development Center. Admission to all three events is FREE and open to the public.

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.

The Manufacturers’ Association and Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority annual Roar on the Shore motorcycle rally will be held July 17-20, 2008. While downtown Erie serves as the hub of the rally, related events take place throughout the city and region. Most notably, two outdoor concerts featuring major artists will be held Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19, at Liberty Park along Presque Isle Bay.