The City of Erie School District preliminary budget calls for a spending increase of about $6 million to $129.3 million. All members of the school board are tax and spend Democrats. The figures don’t include money to rehab or rebuild Roosevelt Middle School which might not be funded until next year.

WSEE TV posted two video clips of their exclusive interview with John Kanzius (part 1, part 2). Kanzius speaks about the advancements in recent months with his cancer treatment invention. They’re fascinating and a must see. WSEE TV will air the interview with Kanzius in a 30 minute special on Wednesday, May 21 at 7 pm. He is now back in Erie from his Florida snowbird home.

Yesterday, Jack at Erie Media-Go-Round blogged about the Marquette Saving Bank 100th Anniversary commercial produced by the Engel and O’Neill agency. After a few requests it was finally uploaded to YouTube. You can view it here. Nobody should have had to request it. Putting videos on the company’s web site and YouTube should be automatic

The sign in the front window of the Under the Clock Bar and Grill in the Boston Store Place says the new restaurant will be opening in May. It’s May and I’m hungry. Open the doors.

The US House of Representatives passed the conference report on HR 2419, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, which will reauthorize farm and rural related policies and programs for the next five years. In response, US Rep Phil English (R-Pa), who voted in support of the bipartisan measure, released the following statement: “I believe this measure deserves to go to the president’s desk because it contains critical provisions to provide real relief for Pennsylvania dairy farmers. It further expands nutritional health programs for hard-hit working families, makes necessary investments in renewable energy and conservation, and boosts benefits for specialty crop farmers, like our grape growers in North East. The conference report has serious weaknesses. I believe this legislation should pass, however, as it is the best available way to help family farms in a time of serious economic pressure.” HR 2419 passed the House floor by a vote of 318 to 106.

Lyons Den Productions recently screened their production of “Schism” at Edinboro University with 1,300 viewing the feature. If you are interested in seeing the movie (or seeing it again) they are taking $10 donations until the promo DVDs are gone. Your donation will help to defer the cost of producing the film. Mail checks to Lyons Den Productions, PO BOX 8265, Erie PA 16505-0265.

Lu Engineers of Rochester, NY has hired Mary C Sperr as marketing director. Sperr will be responsible for coordinating all business development, marketing, and promotional efforts for the firm. She received a bachelor’s degree in Management from Gannon University in Erie, Pa.

Luis Marte, in his Double-A debut, tosses a gem for eight innings, but a pair of ninth inning errors gave the Bowie Baysox a 2-1 win over the Erie SeaWolves. The loss for Erie is the club’s ninth straight. The ‘Wolves and Baysox will close out their three-game series on Thursday morning at Prince George’s Stadium. LHP Luke French (2-2, 3.83 ERA) takes the mound for the ‘Wolves against RHP Chris Tillman (3-0, 3.38 ERA).

The Penn State Behrend baseball team lost its opening round game of the NCAA Tournament 8-1 to the Messiah Falcons on Wednesday in Newark, New Jersey. The blue and white will now play the loser of the Kean vs. Gwynedd-Mercy game at 10 am on Thursday in the double-elimination regional tournament.

Mercyhurst senior forward Ryan Toomey, injured nine games into the 2007-2008 season, has been granted a medical redshirt by both the NCAA and the Atlantic Hockey Association.

Lake Erie Speedway will be hosting the 2nd annual School Day event today, Thursday May 15. Local school children will be coming out to the speedway from 10am-1pm and will be treated to lessons featuring a fire station, EMS station, weather station and a wellness station. The kids will also be enjoying the kids fun zone as well as being served a lunch including a Smith’s hot dog, Troyer Farms bag of potato chips as well as a dessert and milk or juice. The day ends when Lake Erie Speedway race cars take to the track and participate in mini races. After the racing is done the kids are invited down onto the track and get a chance to get up close and personal with the drivers of Lake Erie Speedway. The track season opening night is Saturday May 24.

This May, the world’s best travel destination is on French Street as the Arts Council of Erie presents ‘Passport to Paris!‘ The historic Warner Theatre lobby transforms into a Parisian boulevard for one night only Friday, May 16 – complete with artists, street performers, French cuisine and more! It’s an evening that’s sure to be tres magnifique! Tickets are $60 and benefit the Arts Council of Erie.

The 16th annual Edinboro Highland Games and Scottish Festival takes place on May 16-18 in Edinboro, PA. Events will be held in downtown Edinboro, Saturday on the campus of Edinboro University, and Sunday at venues around Edinboro. This year’s musical guests include the Chelsea House Orchestra, Melinda Crawford (2003 National Scottish Fiddle Champion), Maidens IV, and Bare Bones. Pipers and other musicians should check out the new Freestyle Piping competition. Come to the Edinboro Highland Games and “Take a cup’o kindness home!”

The Roadhouse Theatre at Theatre 145 presents An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein directed by Kim Mc. The show runs two weeks only: May May 16-17 and May 23-24. It will be held at Theatre 145, 145 West 11th St. The Roadhouse Theatre continues its Independent Stage Series with An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein starring the husband and wife comic duo Jeff and Kelly Rodland. This series of short skits are laugh out loud funny and the one-act evening offers several unpredictable surprises. But the style is unmistakable. Lauded poet, songwriter and author of children’s books, the incomparable Shel Silverstein’s short plays are deeply infused with the same wicked sense of humor that made him famous. All show times 8 pm – Doors open at 7:20. Tickets are $8 – General Seating no reservations necessary. Limited VIP seating is available at $12 – pre-paid reservations required; phone 459-8215. As usual BYOB with proper ID.

Join your friends for the 6th Annual Bike Around The Bay in Erie, PA. Gather with hundreds of tri state bicyclists on Saturday, May 17, in Erie, PA at the Intermodal Transportation Center on the Bayfront Parkway to bike around beautiful Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie. The event is a fundraiser for the non-profit youth environmental education organization Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force. There is a 10 mile Town Tour, a 30 mile Bay Tour and a 50 mile Endurance Tour. Registration is $17 for individuals and $35 for families.

The Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer Park opens on Saturday May 17. The wood and steel coaster will traverse Peninsula Drive (State Route 832), a busy 4 lane road, on a 165 foot arched bridge and have amazing views of Lake Erie and Presque Isle State Park.

March on down to State Street for the 43rd annual Erie Zoo Parade. This year the parade is scheduled for Saturday, May 17 starting at 10 am. The parade marches down State Street, beginning at 18th Street and runs north to South Park Row. This parade will definitely be something to see, featuring over 100 units including several representatives from local organizations, bands, floats, and don’t forget…zoo animals!

There will be a fundraiser for Drew Kauffman 4-9 pm on Saturday May 17 at the Knights of St John, 660 West 26 St. Tickets are $10 per person. Drew is being treated for brain tumors. For more information, call (814) 453-3248. Tickets will be available at the door. Donations can be made to Friends of Andrew Kauffman at any PNC Bank location.

In celebration of International Museum Day, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) will offer a “buy one general admission, get one general admission free” deal on Sunday, May 18. In Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes Region, the offer applies to both the Erie Maritime Museum and US Brig Niagara and the Drake Well Museum.

Theatre 145 will be holding open auditions for cast members of the musical “Remembering Janis.” This play a tribute to singer/songwriter Janis Joplin. “Remembering Janis” is set for a three week run starting on Friday, June 13, 2008. Cast members needed are: Speaker – This role is for a male or female, aged 30-50 years of age. The character is a 1960’s-70’s hippie type. There is no singing involved with his role. The speaker relates his/her memories of Joplin during her career between sets of “Janis’” songs. Be prepared with a 1 minute, in character, monologue. Auditions for the role of the speaker are scheduled for Monday, May 19 at 6 pm at Theatre 145, 145 West 11th St. For more information about the auditions please call Steve Opsanic at 814-873-5069

The Gannon University Small Business Development Center along with Paulsen Productions are sponsoring “From Service To Success“, a seminar for entrepreneurial veterans. It will be held May 20 at the Gannon Yehl Ballroom, 124 West 7th St in Erie. Cost is $15 and registration is required.

The Technology Council of Northwest PA brings you the 5th Annual Business Intelligence and Technology Summit (BITS) event that will be held on Wednesday, May 21 at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. This event presents an opportunity for IT managers, CEOs, and professionals to gather, discuss, and learn about the forces shaping our regions IT industry. This year’s BITS theme will focus on Emerging Technologies for Business. This one-day event will be host to a full day of seminars, workshops and product demonstrations. They will have 15 topic speakers, as well both a morning and luncheon keynote address. Morning keynote speaker is Nortel President and CEO Michael Zafivorski who is a graduate of Edinboro. Register online.

Alzheimer’s Association- Greater Pennsylvania Chapter presents “A Celebration of Caring, An Afternoon of Enlightenment and Recognition” on Thursday, May 22, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. Luncheon at The Regency at South Shore, 322 Washington Place, Erie, PA 16505. Featuring: Melanie Titzel, MS, Co-Chair Greater Pennsylvania Board of Directors and the presentation of the “Caring Touch” Award honoring outstanding performance in dementia patient care. Join us for an afternoon of enlightenment and recognition as you hear the touching story of Melanie Titzel’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease on a personal and professional level. The Caring Touch Awards are reserved for the “the best of the best” and offer you an excellent way to salute a deserving caregiver and recognize employee accomplishments This event is open to all professionals and family caregivers, and the community. For questions, please email Kristen Bires or call her at (814) 456-9200.

KillerWolf Films is holding meetings/open auditions for their new feature film “Warriors of the Apocalypse” on Friday May 23 and Friday May 30. They will be held at the Erie Playhouse Rehearsal space at 12th and Brandes Streets in Erie from 6-9 pm both days. Shooting commences Saturday July 19 and wraps Sunday July 27, with filming being in the Northwestern PA area and possibly a few dates on the NJ/PA/NY border. KillerWolf Films latest release, “Fist of the Vampire“, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is to be released worldwide July 8 from Maxim Media International/Brain Damage Films. KillerWolf Films is co-owned by Erieite Len Kabasinski and Meadville,PA native Lisa McQuiston.

The 11th annual Memorial Day Shootout soccer tournament will be held at Family First Sports Park in Erie PA, May 24-26. Over 250 teams U9-U19 are registered for the tourney. This is one of the top college recruiting tournaments in the country with dozens of colleges sending representatives. All area hotel rooms are booked and waits at area restaurants are expected.

The Manufacturers’ Association of Northwest Pennsylvania Eggs ‘n’ Issues topic on Wednesday, May 28 will be Keeping Pennsylvania Producing: A campaign to keep business from leaving Pennsylvania and the United States. The speaker will be David Bell, Coalition Member, The American Council for a Strong Economy. Price is $30 for members and $60 for non-members.

The Erie Capacity-Building Collaborative will be holding a FREE workshop on Fiscal Management 8:30-4 on Wednesday May 28. The workshop will be held at the GECAC Main Conference Room, 18 West 9th Street in Erie. It’s open to all community-based and faith-based grassroots organizations. Please RSVP at least one week in advance by contacting Lindsey Kimmy, 459-4581 Ext 448.

The 18th annual Erie Wild Rib Cook-off and Music Festival will be held May 28-31 at Perry Square in downtown Erie. Admission is FREE. This popular annual family event includes eight Professional National Award Winning Rib Cooking Teams offering the very best in BBQ cuisine. Added attractions include a selection of delicious festival foods, ongoing stage music, the “Kid ZONE” – a children’s fun area featuring scheduled Ride-A-Ribba-Rama packages, artist and crafts booths, educational and informational displays, specialty vendors and more. This festival has grown to attract over 50,000 visitors to Perry Square Park and the adjacent streets in Erie’s downtown district.

JR’s Last Laugh Comedy Night Event to benefit Because You Care will be held at 6:30 pm on Thursday, May 29. Comedian: Juston McKinney. Food and drinks are available before and during the show. Ticket price: $15.50 Juston McKinney is one of the hottest comedians in the country. Coming to us from New York City, he has headlined many of the clubs in NY such as Caroline’s, Comic Strip Live, Dangerfield’s, and Stand-up NY. He’s been featured at the Toyota Comedy Festival and on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and had his own show on Comedy Central. He is a US Comedy Arts Festival Award Winner, and delivers a funny, original, high energy performance, which has made him a huge hit all over the country. Call (814) 899-0061 to buy single tickets or blocks of tickets. Circle May 29 on your calendar today and plan to enjoy a great night of entertainment. Get your party together and share the night with friends and family! A big thank you to JR’s Last Laugh Comedy Club for sponsoring the 6th annual Comedy Night event. The money raised will help Because You Care pay for the spay and neuter of the many kittens taken in during April and May.

The charity bellydance event, “Shimmy for a Cure“, will be held May 31 at the Erie Playhouse in downtown Erie, PA. This event will benefit the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation.

The Saint Vincent Sports Medicine 2008 Edinboro Triathlon will be held March 31. You can register here.

Preview dresses owned and worn by nationally-recognized celebrities like Martina McBride, Beyonce, Amy Grant, Ann Curry, Raven Symone, Patti LaBelle and many others from 12:30-3 pm June 1 at Lake Shore Country Club. The Celebrity Dress Preview event will benefit My Father’s House of Erie, a nonprofit transitional program for homeless/abused women and their children. The organization operates the retail store Bella Designs, 4801 Peach Street, in which women in the program have the opportunity to learn vocational skills and work experience. “These dresses are telling of the personalities who owned them ,” said Connie Miller, My Father’s House Of Erie, special projects administrator, “and this event will be a casual Sunday afternoon here in Erie by the lake to see them before they travel to Los Angeles for our live on-line fashion show auction in the Fall,” she added. The event will also feature guest speaker, Pete McDaniel, Senior Writer, Golf Digest Magazine and “Training a Tiger” co-author with the late Earl Woods, will entertain the audience with his storytelling and will auction four original Tiger Woods autographed photos from the legendary golfer’s PGA 20007 victory. Sponsored by Fishtank creative, an Erie-based marketing advertising and communications agency, powered by the Velocity Network, the host committee is comprised of Melanie Johnson, Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, Cynthia Phillips, Motivational Speaker, Alan and Angie Rossum, NFL San Francisco 49ers (formerly of the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers), Shaun and Shonda Smith, NFL Cleveland Browns, and Dr. and Mrs. Matthew Thomas, St Vincent Health Center. Tickets are $35 per person or $50 per couple and available at the following locations: Bella Designs, 4801 Peach Street; All GE Federal Credit Union branches; and National City Bank, 801 State Street. For more information, please call (814) 879-0880.

On Saturday, June 7, 2008 there will be a Nautical Flea Market from 10 am to 1 pm at the BCMS (Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies) 40 Holland Street, Erie, PA. The event is FREE and is held in conjunction with Erie Safe Boating Day. All boaters (power/sail) are welcome. Tables for selling nautical wares are available FREE of charge but table reservations MUST be made by calling Linda Dunbar before May 28th at (814) 456-9060. A bulletin board will also be available to post items too large to display.

Head Coach John T Reilly of Gannon University will conduct three sessions of basketball camp this summer. Sessions will be held June 9-13, June 23-27 and August 4-8. His coaching staff, area high school coaches and several of his players will serve as camp instructors. The sessions are designed as teaching camps that emphasize the fundamentals of the game of basketball. The camps are for students in Grades 3-10.

The eMarketing Learning Center at eBizITPA will hold a roundtable titled Aligning Marketing and IT for Success from 4 pm to 5:30 pm on June 18.

The Erie Summer Festival of the Arts will be held June 27-29 at Liberty Park.

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.