Erie, PA based American Resort Management has been brought in to manage and rescue the Fort Rapids Water Park in Columbus, Ohio. Platinum Ridge Properties owns the water park and an adjoining 337 room Holiday Inn and Suites. They are attempting to sell the properties. The occupancy rate at the hotel at 45 percent was 22 percent less than the average for other hotels in the area. To save money, the water park is closed Tuesday and Thursday. This could be the only water park in the world that is losing money.
The late time Chicago resident Dave was in his hometown of Erie, he left his wallet at the Cracker Barrel restaurant. Scott from Erie picked it up and left a note at the restaurant that he had it. He picked it up from Scott’s home a bit later. Dave sent him a thank you note and a $50 reward. Dave got the $50 check back along with a thank you note saying just pay it forward. The money was donated to the Best Friends Animal Society. I’d bet there aren’t a handful of cities in the World where this would happen but it just sounds typical of Erie and it’s people.
Rev Dr Michael T Williams of Erie, PA was appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African-American Affairs. Rev Williams is Pastor at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Erie.
March 1 is the deadline for applications for the 2008-2009 Allegheny College Association (ACA) Continuing Education Scholarships. Applications are available at the Meadville Public Library and the YWCA, as well as on the ACA web site. The program, now in its 34th year, enables community women to return to the classroom to pursue an undergraduate college degree. A tuition waiver contributed by Allegheny College allows each recipient to enroll in a maximum of 12 credits during the 2008-2009 academic year. A stipend is also provided each semester to help with costs such as books, child-care and travel. Funds for the stipend are raised through programs sponsored by ACA throughout the year. In order to be eligible, a woman must be 25 or older, a resident of Crawford County at the time of application and have completed high school (or the equivalent). If applicants have additional education beyond high school, it cannot exceed the equivalent of two years of college.
The Pittsburgh Business Times reported that there is an agreement in the works that would reserve 10 spots at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) in Erie for Robert Morris University pre-med grads. Robert Morris recently gave up on plans for their own Osteopathic medical school.
McDowell grad William Kowalski (The Good Neighbor, Eddie’s Bastard) passed along word that he has just launched a new online magazine call Einstein’s Tongue: The Journal of Whimsical Genius. William Kowalski, Angela Klaassen, and Don Sedgwick invite you to visit them at EinsteinsTongue.com to see: Short fiction by Keir Lowther and Robert Hirtle Poetry by Susan Musgrave, Liz Ahl, and Benjamin Bloom Prose Poems by A Scott White Photography by Jimmy Fountain and Noah Kay as well as Angela’s Pick: Under The North Star, by Vaino Linna Einstein’s Tongue is dedicated to promoting original, authentic, and exciting work from all disciplines, including fiction, poetry, all forms of non-fiction, visual arts, music, as well as philosophy, history, language and many more. They want to see what you are up to. When in doubt… send it in to submissions@einsteinstongue.com.
Plyler Overhead Door, a family-owned business serving Erie area residential and commercial customers since 1967, announced the launch of Door Imagination System from Clopay. With the new Door Imagination System, Plyler Overhead Door Co. can now help customers “imagine” their home improvements using actual photographs of their customer’s home with their entire line of residential garage doors. How does Door Imagination work? Door photos can be taken by the Plyler sales team, or taken by the customer directly and e-mailed to Plyler Overhead Door Co. at jeff@plylerdoor.com. The Plyler team selects doors per the customer’s interest using digital images from an e-catalog filled with door images and options. Various options – style, color, windows, hardware – are viewed and once final selections are made, the customer has a print-out of before and after images to help them make their final selections. This technology allows doors to be placed with the correct perspective, in both manufactured and custom colors. Plyler has been the local authorized Clopay dealer since 1992, and also sells, services and installs garage door openers and accessories from LiftMaster and Linear. Plyler Overhead Door is located at 8850 Fry Road, at I-79 and the McKean exit.
Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) announced that it has appointed Michael (Mike) P Walter as president for a subsidiary in its Fire and Emergency Group, JerrDan Corporation. Walter holds a bachelor’s degree in both mechanical engineering and industrial management from Gannon University in Erie, PA.
Junior transfer Hayley McMeekin celebrated her return to the lineup after an 18 game absence with her first game-winner as a member of the Lakers as Mercyhurst rallied from an early 1-0 deficit to defeat Wayne State Friday night and take over first place in College Hockey America. The Lakers improved to 22-6-3 overall and to 7-1-1 in the conference.
Mercyhurst wanted two points Friday night, but had to settle for one. RIT rallied from a 3-1 third-period deficit as the Tigers and Lakers battled to a 3-3 overtime tie in an important Atlantic Hockey Association contest at the Ice Center. The Lakers are 11-16-6 overall and 11-8-6 in the conference.
The Mercyhurst women’s lacrosse team set school records for goals in a game and margin of victory as the Lakers opened the 2008 season in impressive fashion with a 25-5 victory over Lees-McRae.
Mike Mascioli scored the game winner with 1:52 remaining in regulation as the Kitchener Rangers squeaked past the Erie Otters 4-3 in an Ontario Hockey League game played last night at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex. Sean Jones scored twice for the Otters and Justin Hodgman had the other. Erie lost for the second straight time to move to 13-41-2-1. The Otters return home to face the Ottawa 67’s tonight at 7:30 pm at the Tullio Arena. The first 2,500 fans into the game receive a free taco courtesy of Taco Bell.
Edinboro picked up a hard-earned 21-16 win over West Virginia at McComb Fieldhouse on Friday night. The victory moved the Fighting Scots within a win of their third straight undefeated EWL season. The victory was the 18th straight against EWL competition and boosted Edinboro to 10-3 overall and 5-0 in the EWL.
Penn State Behrend basketball star Kevin Buczynski was named the AMCC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for February 18. After leading his team to two impressive wins this week, Buczynski was also named Division III ECAC Co-Player of the Week. Buczynski led his team with 24 points and 9 rebounds against Medaille and came back against Laroche and dropped an impressive 31 points, pulled in 11 boards and blocked 3 shots.
Jim Lewis has been named an assistant coach with the Indiana Fever of the WNBA. Currently the head girls’ basketball coach at TC Williams High School in Alexandria, Va, where he will continue coaching during the winter months, Lewis leads one of the top prep teams in the nation. He was the head women’s coach at Fordham University for six seasons (2001-06), and at George Mason University for 14 (1984-98). He then served as an assistant men’s coach at Gannon in Erie, PA (1970-71).
The 2008 Erie Home and Garden Expo will be held through February 24 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. Hours: Sat 10 am – 8:30 pm and Sun 11 am to 5 pm.
For beginners and more experienced skiers wanting to know more about the winter world around them, enjoy Guided Cross-Country Skiing on Saturdays 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.
Are you a stargazer? Learn about the lifecycles of stars at the Erie Planetarium show “The Stargazer” today Feb 23 at 1:30 pm. Follow a young boy as he becomes a professional astronomer. Appropriate for ages 8 and above. Then today at 3 pm “Why Coyote Howls: A Star Story” will be shown. This Sky Tellers program reveals a Chickasaw story about how constellations came to be. Appropriate for ages 5 and up. Cost for each show is $4 Adults, $3 Seniors, $2 Children, and $10 Family (2 Adults and up to 4 Children).
Explore the natural wonders of Presque Isle State Park today Saturday, Feb 23 with one of the park education staff. They’ll explore what’s going on in the current season, including ice dunes, tracking, and more. It’s FREE. No fee or registration required. Meet at TREC promptly at 2 pm for an introduction and carpool to park locations.
On February 23 at 7 pm at the Universalist Church of Girard, 107 Myrtle Street, in Girard PA, see a public screening of Amazing Grace, the incredible story of William Wilberforce and his astonishing victory over the English slave trade. FREE admission. Modern-day slavery is a flourishing, billion-dollar business. After the film, learn how you can follow in the footsteps of Lincoln and Wilberforce and become part of today’s rapidly growing abolitionist movement. Sponsored by the West Erie County Historical Association Hazel Kibler Museum and Girard’s Universalist Church.
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.
Dr Alexa Canady, the first woman and first African American to become a neurosurgeon in the US, will deliver the keynote address for the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Black History Month celebration on Saturday, Feb 23. The public is invited to this event, which will take place from 4 to 6:30 pm at the East High School auditorium, 1001 Atkins Street, Erie. Tickets can be purchased at Nathan’s Salon 321, 325 W 26th St; Michael’s Hair Salon, 12 E 11th St.; Shiloh Baptist Church, 901 E 5th St.; Greater Calvary Full Gospel Baptist Church, 2624 German St; and St James AME Church, 235 E 11th St. Tickets are $4 for students, $6 for adults and $8 at the door. Dr Canady also will hold a book signing after the presentation. The book, “Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference,” will be available for a special price of $10. Dr Canady works to change the perspective of how African Americans, both as patients and physicians, are being presumed and perceived in our culture. She claims the major medical problem for blacks stems from the scarcity of research targeting their specific health concerns and needs. Canady believes the issues will be better addressed now that medical schools are diversifying their student bodies and their faculties. She feels very optimistic about the changing face of American medicine. She knows that her own accomplishments are helping to inspire the dreams of a younger generation. Dr Alexa Canady became a neurosurgeon in 1977 at age 26. Raised in a family of intellectuals who valued education highly, she drew inspiration from her grandmother, who became a school teacher at age 16, and her mother, who completed college at age 19. Dr Canady’s appointments include the Peter Scotanus Professor of pediatric neurosurgery at Wayne State University, Chief of Neurosurgery Children’s Hospital of Michigan, and Chairman of the Neurological Devices Panel of the Food and Drug Administration.
Rabbi Sydney Schwarz, named by Newsweek magazine in 2007 as one of the 50 most influential rabbis in America, will present the annual Samuel Schick Lecture at Allegheny College on Tuesday, Feb 26 at 7 pm in the Tillotson Room of the Tippie Alumni Center at Cochran Hall. Schwarz will speak on “Religion, Social Justice and the Common Good: A Jewish Perspective.” The presentation is FREE and open to the public.
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.
Erie native Steve Scully of C-SPAN will be at Gannon University on Wednesday, Feb 27, as the speaker for the annual Chautauqua at Gannon Lecture. Scully’s lecture, “Campaign 2008: How did we get to this point, and what’s going to happen next?” is FREE and open to the public and will begin at 7:30 pm in room 104 of the Zurn Science Center, 143 West Seventh Street. Scully will discuss the recent Democratic and Republican primaries and assess the race heading to the November election. The Chautauqua at Gannon series annually has featured prominent lecturers addressing various topics related to politics and public and international affairs. Scully’s lecture will be the 35th in the Chautauqua at Gannon series; Scully also served as the Chautauqua at Gannon speaker in 2004. Sponsors of the program are Gannon University, the Chautauqua Institution, and the Gannon University Activities Programming Board. Steve Scully is C-SPAN’s Senior Executive Producer and Political Editor. Since 1990, Scully has been responsible for the planning and editing of all campaign programming, including presidential and congressional elections for the public affairs cable network. In addition, he manages a team of field producers who are responsible for the coverage of law and the courts, history, and international programming. Scully is an Erie native and is the 14th child in a family of 16 that also has five sets of twins. He and his wife, Kathryn, live in Virginia and have three children.
The Allegheny College Playshop Theatre continues its 2007-2008 season with Diana Son’s deeply moving play “Stop Kiss” under the direction of Assistant Professor of Theatre Mark Cosdon. “Stop Kiss” will be performed at 8 pm on Thursday, Feb 28, through Saturday, March 1, and at 2:30 pm on Sunday, March 2, in the Playshop Theatre, which is located in Arter Hall on the Allegheny College campus. Terri Clark, master’s degree of public health, will lead a discussion following Friday’s performance. “Stop Kiss” is a contemporary love story centered on two young women. Their deep, intimate friendship moves tentatively toward love, when suddenly the two are the victims of a particularly heinous hate crime. In the maelstrom of ensuing media scrutiny, the two women are forced to reevaluate their commitment to each other. “Stop Kiss” features a talented ensemble of Allegheny performers, including Lizzy Pecora (Pittsburgh, Pa) as Callie; Carrie Miller (Pittsburgh, Pa) as Sara; Shaun Hayden (Wilmette, Ill) as George; Brian Henderson (Wilmington, Del) as Peter; Katy Grant (Pittsburgh, Pa) as Mrs. Winsley/Nurse; and Corey O’Connor (Pittsburgh, Pa) as Detective Cole. Marianne Broome (Pittsburgh, Pa) serves as the production’s stage manager. Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Ellen E Jones designed sets and lights. The costume designer is Gail Kralj. Jim Sumerfield is the sound designer. Tickets for “Stop Kiss” are $7.50 for adults; $5 for non-Allegheny students, senior citizens and Allegheny employees. Admission is free for Allegheny students with identification. Audiences should note that “Stop Kiss” contains language and situations some may find offensive. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Playshop Theatre Box Office at (814) 332-3414.
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. Too late. Classes are filled.
The Aspen Ensemble, a mixed quintet of flute, piano and strings drawn from the famed Aspen Music Festival, will perform at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Thursday, March 6. Aspen Ensemble appears at the college as part of Music at Noon: The Logan Series. The performance will begin at noon in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building; admission is FREE and open to the public.
Melanie Rae Thon, once named a Best Young American Novelist by Granta magazine, will give a public reading from her works on Thursday, March 6, as part of the Creative Writer’s Speaker Series at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Thon will read at 6 pm in the Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel; a reception for her will begin at 4:30 pm in the chapel’s ground-floor meeting room. Both events are free and open to the public.
Erie County Judge Michael Dunlavey will speak about international and Middle Eastern relations on Thursday, March 6, at 7:30 pm, in Mercyhurst North East’s Alex Theater, 16 W Division St, North East. Dunlavey is a retired two-star general in the U.S. Army Reserve and a Vietnam veteran with 30 years of military intelligence experience. He was put in charge of global anti-terrorism operations by US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks, and oversaw interrogations at Naval Base Guantanamo Bay in Cuba from March to November 2002. The presentation is free and open to the public. Call (814) 725-6277 for more information.
Get into the Irish spirit at the “Patti Sullivan and Friends Irish Concert,” Sunday, March 9, at 2 pm, in St Mary’s Chapel on the Mercyhurst North East campus, 16 W Division St., North East. Sullivan, MNE’s music director, will be joined by barbershop chorus Lake Erie Sound, the Rev Bill Sutherland, and Irish step dancers Rince Na Tiarna for an afternoon of entertainment. The performance is free and open to the public, and refreshments will follow. Call (814) 725-6277 for more information.
Learn how to create Old World Easter eggs at “Easter Eggstravaganza!” a hands-on workshop, on Wednesday, March 12, at 7:30 pm, in Miller Hall 116 on the Mercyhurst North East campus, 16 W Division St, North East. Larry Kozlowski, director of student life at MNE, will share his expertise and talent in this ancient, beautiful art form. The workshop is free and open to the public. Call (814) 725-6277 for more information.
Gannon University’s Small Business Development Center is presenting the first annual WILD Conference on Thursday, March 13 from 8 am to 2 pm. The Conference will be held at the Ambassador Conference Center located at 7792 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16509. The Conference will involve “women presenting to women” and focus on the areas of: wellness, leadership and personal development. It is anticipated that 150-300 women from Northwestern Pennsylvania will attend this unique event. The nationally prominent Keynote speakers highlighting the day are: Soni Dimond, Publicist, Speaker, author of Life’s A PITCH! As well as CEO of Soni Dimond Media; Jean Gatz, author of Mama Said There’d be Days Like This: Stories and Strategies for Less Stressed Life. The First Annual WILD Conference Chairwoman is Leah Elizabeth Humphries, Owner and President of the following companies: Apple Creative Group, Leah Elizabeth Jewelry, and My Heart Ties. In addition, women businesses will exhibit their products and services throughout the day and there will be several opportunities to learn from seminars, panelists and individual speakers focusing on the knowledge, passion and energy of women helping women. Limited seating. Tickets $75 (includes breakfast, lunch and gift bag). Make your reservations now. Call (814) 871-SBDC (7232) or toll-free (877) 258-6648.
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.
The Presque Isle Parrothead Club will hold a St Patrick’s Day Bash on Saturday March 15 at the Cathedral Center, 160 West 11th Street. Free parking behind
Cathedral Center on West 10th. Music 8-midnight by DJ Michael John. Doors open at 7 pm. Ticket price includes beer, pop and snacks. BYOB, if you don’t want beer. $10 advance ticket, $12 at door. Prize for best dressed St Patty’s Day Attire. Basket of Cheer, raffle for an iPod Touch, raffle – $5/chance, 50/50 and more. For tickets call Heidi
Grumblatt at 384-0741 or via email her at heidi_grum@yahoo.com.
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.
Calling all artists and those who love art! A community art show, “Throughout The Spectrum: Exploring Autism Through Art,” will be sponsored by the Barber National Institute in commemoration of Autism Awareness Month. The show, which provides an exciting opportunity to come together to discover all aspects of autism through various forms of artistic expression, will be held April 4-9 at the Barber National Institute. Who can submit art work include: Children and adults with autism spectrum disorders who want to share their creative work; Family members or professionals whose lives are touched by autism; and Artists from the community who want to show their support for autism. Entries will be accepted on Friday, March 14 and Monday, March 17 from 9 am – 4 pm, and on Saturday, March 15 from 9 am – noon in the north lobby of the Barber National Institute. The art show will be open for public viewing in the north complex of the Barber National Institute on Friday, April 4, and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, April 7, 8, and 9, from 9 am – 4 pm, and on Sunday, April 6, from 1-4 pm. Admission is FREE – all are encouraged to attend! For more information about making a submission, including an entry form, please call (814) 878-5903, or click here.
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.
