Zachary Dunbar of Erie arrived in San Francisco and today will begin a 2 month cross county bike ride to raise money and awareness for the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation. You can follow him on his travels on his blog Cycling For A Cure. (It’s about 2,600 miles from San Francisco to Erie.)

The Community Blood Bank is extending hours today. The Community Blood Bank will take donors from 9 am to 3 pm Saturday to combat one of the most severe shortage in years. Saturday June 14th is both Flag Day and World Blood Donor Day and the Community Blood Bank is celebrating with All American Flag of Erie. Everyone this week will receive a miniature American flag and donors all week can enter to win a 20-foot commercial grade flagpole and flag with installation worth about $1000. On Saturday there will be food from On Deck Bar and Grill. “It is as bad as I’ve ever seen it,” Said Dan Desrochers Director of Marketing and Community Relations at the blood bank, “Please show your true colors (especially your RED) by giving blood.” All donors are strongly encouraged to donate at the Community Blood Bank, 2646 Peach Street. Community Blood Bank is open from 9-6 Monday through Friday and until 7:30pm Tuesday night and Saturday 9 am – 12:30 pm. Photo ID required.

Erie Water Works recently launched their redesigned web site. Bensur Creative Marketing Group did the excellent work. Predominately displayed is a section on economic development. A major selling point for businesses considering Erie is the availability of large quantities of water at a low cost.

Note to the Erie Graffiti Task Force: Someone calling themselves “kavkrew” was looking for people in Erie last night to go “bombing” – spray painting graffiti. Non-family friendly post on twelveounceprophet.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced a series of consumer protection lawsuits filed against 11 home improvement contractors operating in Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley, Central Pennsylvania, the Poconos, Southwestern Pennsylvania and Erie, seeking more than $660,000 in restitution for consumers. One person was from Erie – Bryant Hammond, doing business as Windows Express, 1152 East 28th St. The lawsuit accuses Hammond of accepting consumer deposits for replacement windows and failing to deliver those items, or failing to complete projects. He is also accused of failing to inform consumers of their three day right to cancel a contract and failing to register a fictitious business name.

Save on gas and shipping, and support local students! The Penn State Behrend Alumni Society is currently taking orders for its annual half-gallon fund-raiser, “A Taste of Penn State,” featuring Penn State’s Berkey Creamery ice cream. Proceeds benefit the Penn State Behrend Alumni Scholarship Fund. To accommodate a range of alumni and visitors, this year’s ice cream pick up is scheduled during Reunion 2008 at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. This fund-raiser will be the only local event featuring the legendary Penn State treat. Creamery ice cream, which is so fresh that only four days elapse from cow to cone, is available in 16 flavors, including four new favorites. They are vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, bittersweet mint, butter pecan, peachy Paterno, peanut butter swirl, chocolate chip cookie dough, death by chocolate, cookies and cream, coconut chip, and WPSU coffee break, plus four new options: ­peanut butter cup, Somerset shortcake, wicked caramel sundae and watermelon sherbet. Half-gallons are $8 each or, on orders of three or more, $7 each. Orders are due by Wednesday, July 9. All orders are to be picked up on Sunday, July 27, between noon and 3 pm at Bruno’s Cafe, located on the second floor of the Reed Union Building at Penn State Behrend. All are encouraged to bring freezer bags or coolers to transport individual orders. To place an order, visit behrend.psu.edu/alumni/creameryicecream.htm. Orders can be placed online using a credit card or download a PDF of the Creamery ice cream order form; once the form is completed, final orders can be placed via mail, fax or phone. Call the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at (814) 898-6159 for more information.

Russ Combs, executive director of Gannon University’s Erie Technology Incubator (ETI) will address ETI’s plans to provide “new economy” job opportunities in Erie and the assistance available to local companies, during the upcoming Eggs ‘n’ Issues briefing starting at 8 am Thursday, June 26, at the Manufacturers’ Association Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street at Pittsburgh Avenue. All media are invited to attend. Located at the former Boys & Girls Club site at 130 West Eighth Street, ETI is open to any company using advanced technology, but focuses on three technology sectors, including: information technology, such as software development; engineering technology; and scientific technology, such as alternative energy or medical devices. It is an entrepreneurial environment that fosters innovation and collaboration among its companies and the public and private sectors, while providing support services customized to the unique needs of each client. Combs, who has more than 20 years of experience in working with companies in this capacity, has been head of ETI since August 2007. He previously was the executive director of the Business Incubation Group of Shenandoah (Va) Region, a position he held from 2004 until his move to Erie. To register for this briefing, contact Tracy Shepard at (814) 833-3200 or (800) 815-2660. Cost is $30 for members, $60 for nonmembers.

On Wednesday, June 18, the Brewerie at Union Station will be pouring nickel drafts at their Trackside Beer Garden 7-9 pm in a celebration of 75 years since the Repeal of Prohibition. (The Cullen-Harrison Act legalizing the sale of 3.2 percent alcohol by volume beer took effect on April 7. The national Repeal of Prohibition for all forms of alcohol became finalized December 5.)

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) and Seton Hill University will discuss the details of their new partnership during a press conference on Tuesday, June 17.

The Erie SeaWolves two-game win streak came to an end thanks in part to rain and New Hampshire’s starting pitcher Robert Ray. The Fisher Cats took the first game of the series 8-1 in a seven inning contest. The SeaWolves and Fisher Cats continue their three-game series on Saturday night in Erie at Jerry Uht Park…7:05 First Pitch. RHP Ben Fritz (1-2, 5.28 ERA) takes the mound for the ‘Wolves against LHP Brett Cecil (1-1, 3.41 ERA). The first 2,000 fans will receive a free mini-American Flag and there will be fireworks after the game.

The Erie Illusion women’s football team will face the West Virginia Wonders today at 7 pm at Mercyhurst College’s Tullio Field.

Gates at Lake Erie Speedway open tonight at 5 pm with the first heat race at 6 pm. Feature racing starts at 7 pm.

The AIFA North Division championship could be decided tonight in Reading, PA, where the Erie RiverRats (10-3) will take on the Reading Express for the third time this season, in one of the most important matchups of the AIFA season. This will be the second game of a home-and-home series played over the last two weekends. If Erie wins, it will clinch the North Division championship and home field advantage for at least the first round of the playoffs. If Erie loses, Reading could win the division if it defeats Baltimore the following weekend. The ‘Rats will conclude their regular season with this game.

The Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League announced that former ECHL goaltender and assistant coach Mark Bernard has been named general manager of minor league affiliates for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. The Pensacola Ice Pilots are the ECHL affiliate of the Blackhawks while the Mississippi Sea Wolves are the ECHL affiliate of Norfolk. Bernard played for the Erie Panthers in the 1993-94 season and had a record of 19-25-3.

Adam Collins was named assistant athletic director and women’s basketball coach at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Collins has served as UNC Wilmington’s Director of Men’s Basketball Operations for the last two years. He was formerly an assistant coach at Henderson State and IUP and also headed up the program at Mercyhurst North East Junior College for two seasons.

The Youngstown SteelHounds of the Central Hockey League signed forward Erik Johnson. Johnson spent his first two professional season in the ECHL where he compiled 14 goals and 12 assists in 63 games with San Diego, Cincinnati and Pensacola. He played four years of Division I hockey at Mercyhurst College.

The 84th annual Lake City Fire Company Carnival will be held through June 14 in Lake City, PA behind the fire station at 2232 Rice Ave, Lake City. Saturday’s entertainment – The Uninvited (band) 7-11 pm. Saturday starting at 5 pm is the annual parade which starts at Girard High School and goes through the streets of Lake City ending at the fire station.

The Erie County Historical Society will hold a Corvette Cruise-In today, Saturday June 14, 10 am – 4 pm, at the Erie Planetarium, 356 West 6th Street in Erie. Learn the connection between Apollo astronauts and the Corvette.

The 20th Thurston Classic Hot Air Balloon Event will be held through June 15 at the Robertson Athletic Complex on the campus of Allegheny College in Meadville, PA.

The Erie BayHawks will host a Fanfest, Saturday, June 14, from 2 to 7 pm at the Tullio Arena. Admission is free. The event will feature a visit by Cavaliers Mascot Moondog between 3 – 4 pm and inter-active games including the Inflatable Dunker, the 360 Shoot-a-Round and the Game Face photo stands from the Cavs Fan Experience. Fans will have the first opportunity to meet Coach John Treloar, participate in an on-court shoot around, and register to win a rare, autographed Lebron James official NBA basketball.

This summer Earth Voyager will be the centerpiece of events in a dozen port cities to raise the profile of the Great Lakes and highlight the urgent need and the remarkable economic, social, and environmental benefits of restoring and protecting them with the 2008 Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives Tour. Join hundreds of organizations and businesses, hundreds of thousands of people, and national, state and local leaders in this celebration of the Great Lakes. At sixty-feet long, and 100 feet tall, the Earth Voyager Formula 60 Trimaran is a big sight. And she’ll be porting in Erie from June 12-15. Celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies (BCMS) and Lake Erie Region Conservancy (LERC). June 14 – Festival at BCMS from 12-7 pm. Open to the public. Music by Barry Smith and The Rivers Band. Tours, food vendors and exhibitions. June 15 – Earth Voyager departs with flotilla escort.

The 2008 Brianlee Crosby Memorial Learn to Swim Program, sponsored by the City of Erie Summer Recreation Program and operated by the American Red Cross, Greater Erie County Chapter, will be held June 16 to August 8. Qualifications: All boys and girls enrolled in the first through sixth grades may participate in the program. PROOF of grade level must be presented at the time of registration. The program is FREE to City of Erie School District students. A parent or legal guardian must accompany each child to complete the registration form at the appropriate pool on the first day of each two week instructional period. Parents or guardians are also responsible for their child’s attendance and transportation needs. Appropriate swimming attire and cleanliness will be required at all pools in operation. Pre-registration: Pre-registration will begin at 10 am on the morning of the first day of each session (June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28) at the Strong Vincent High School pool and the Central Tech High School pool. Children should come prepared to take their water skills tests in order to determine the appropriate level of instruction for them. Certification: All boys and girls enrolled will receive progress reports and an appropriate Red Cross certificate for satisfactory completion of their course. Observation days will be held on the last day of each session for all parents who wish to see the progress that their children have made in the course. Session Dates (Monday – Friday): Session I June 16 – June 27, Session II June 30 – July 11 (Closed July 4th), Session III July 14 – July 25, Session IV July 28 – Aug 8. Sessions begin at: 10 am, 11 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, Open Swim (For students enrolled in lessons; NOT open to public) from 2:30-3:30 pm. Open Swim: Open swim will be available at the Roger Young Pool Monday through Saturday from 12-5 pm. (June 16 – August 8) (Closed July 4th). For more information on training courses offered by your American Red Cross, call the Greater Erie County Chapter at 833-0942 ext 243.

The Erie Yacht Club’s Reyburn Sailing School youth and adult classes begins June 16. Their curriculum focuses on individual skill levels ranging from Beginner to Advanced Racing Sailors and carefully follows USSAILING guidelines. Their fleet consists of the Club Junior, the 420, and the Optimist Pram. All are tried and proven as exceptionally safe and easy-to-sail boats for novice and accomplished sailors.

The parishioners of the Church of the Nativity, with the blessing of Metropolitan Laurus, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, invite all Orthodox Christians and their families to attend Orthodox Christianity in the 21st Century, the 2008 Orthodox Conference. This family conference will be held from June 17-22 in Erie, Pennsylvania. It is the second conference hosted by the Russian Orthodox Old Rite parish. Divine Services will be conducted at the Church of the Nativity and conference sessions will take place on the beautiful campus of Mercyhurst College, located three miles south of the church. This conference is intended for all members of Orthodox families and also for all single individuals who may not have a family to accompany them. There will be daily lectures, workshops, and divine services along with meals and social events during the week. There will also be a full youth program for all youth from 4 years of age and above and a baby sitting service for infants of parents who wish to attend the conference.

It is no secret that Marketing and IT professionals come from very different backgrounds and work in very different ways. However, in today’s fast paced world of digital marketing and increasingly important online customer experiences, it is imperative that these two groups come together. They need to collaborate in order to rise above the competition and reach the maximum potential of the organization’s online presence. The eMarketing Special Interest Group and the eMarketing Learning Center are offering Aligning Marketing and IT for Online Success on Wednesday, June 18 at Knowledge Park in Erie. Register Now.

On Wednesday, June 18, the Brewerie at Union Station will be pouring nickel drafts at their Trackside Beer Garden 7-9 pm in a celebration of 75 years since the Repeal of Prohibition. (The Cullen-Harrison Act legalizing the sale of 3.2 percent alcohol by volume beer took effect on April 7. The national Repeal of Prohibition for all forms of alcohol became finalized December 5.)

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) will hold a Summer On Campus Day, 1 pm – 4:30 pm on Friday, June 20 to provide opportunities for prospective students to tour the campus facilities and learn about the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacy Program and the Health Sciences Post Baccalaureate Program. Please confirm your attendance for the event with Maggie Crosswhite or Camille Jennings.

The first Buggin’ State of the season will be held on Friday June 20. Buggin State is a cruise-in that give car owners and car clubs in the Erie PA area a chance to showcase their classic, custom and tricked-out vehicles. Thousands of enthusiasts come downtown to see the cars on display along State Street. FREE, live music with the Four Jays at Perry Square.

Gannon University Writers’ Workshops 2008 are for students Grades 4-12. Develop your writing process and produce a book of your writing under the direction of Dr Sally LeVan and the teachers of the NWPA Writing Project. Each session will be limited to 25 students per session. Dates are June 23-27, July 7-11 and July 21-25. Workshops will be held 9 am to 12 pm in Room 3200 of the Palumbo Center, 8th and Peach Streets. Registration includes T-shirt, snacks and book. $125 per one-week session/$200 for two-weeks. For information contact Dr Sally LeVan, (814) 871-7506. Registration.

The 2008 City of Erie Recreation Tennis Tournaments will be held once again at
Frontier Park. Junior: June 24-27, Adult: August 13-17. Applications are available at: PennBriar Health and Tennis Club, Westwood Racquet Club, Lake Shore Country Club, Kahkwa Club and Erie Sport Store’s downtown location. For more information contact Richard Beck at 835-5452.

The Saint Vincent Auxiliary presents “A Night at the Races” on Wednesday, June 25 at Presque Isle Downs Clubhouse and Lounge. The event is from 4:30 pm – 9 pm. Each attendee will receive $10 in gaming tokens, a four-course meal in the Clubhouse, and a chance to gamble the night away while learning more about the Children’s Miracle Network. For questions and/or RSVP, please contact Stephanie Flanagan at (814) 452-5302.

Russ Combs, executive director of Gannon University’s Erie Technology Incubator (ETI) will address ETI’s plans to provide “new economy” job opportunities in Erie and the assistance available to local companies, during the upcoming Eggs ‘n’ Issues briefing starting at 8 am Thursday, June 26, at the Manufacturers’ Association Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street at Pittsburgh Avenue. All media are invited to attend. Located at the former Boys & Girls Club site at 130 West Eighth Street, ETI is open to any company using advanced technology, but focuses on three technology sectors, including: information technology, such as software development; engineering technology; and scientific technology, such as alternative energy or medical devices. It is an entrepreneurial environment that fosters innovation and collaboration among its companies and the public and private sectors, while providing support services customized to the unique needs of each client. Combs, who has more than 20 years of experience in working with companies in this capacity, has been head of ETI since August 2007. He previously was the executive director of the Business Incubation Group of Shenandoah (Va) Region, a position he held from 2004 until his move to Erie. To register for this briefing, contact Tracy Shepard at (814) 833-3200 or (800) 815-2660. Cost is $30 for members, $60 for nonmembers.

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

The Erie County Historical Society will hold a weekly Ghosts and Legends Tour at 8 pm on Fridays, June 27-September 26. Discover the mysteries of downtown Erie through a 1.5 hour walking tour. Reservations required, call (814) 454-1813, ext 0. Cost: $8 Adult, $4 Child.

Erie’s gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community will come together the weekend of June 28-29 to celebrate Pride 2008 with a picnic, march/rally, and social opportunities. Festivities get underway Saturday, June 28, with the Pride Erie Picnic at Rotary Pavilion, Beach 7 at Presque Isle State Park. The Pride Picnic runs from 1-6 pm with food being served from 2-4 pm. The Pride March will step off from The Zone Dance Club at 1 pm. Sunday, June 29, with the Pride Rally beginning in Perry Square at 2 pm. Information about the Erie area Pride March/Rally is available at www.ErieGayPride.org, by email at eriegaypride@gmail.com, or by calling 866-229-1974 (toll free).

The Erie Philharmonic’s Get Your Phil At Noon Summer Music Series FREE concerts will be held July 8 and August 12 at noon in front of the Warner Theatre on State Street. The free lunch-hour ensemble concerts, designed to provide “music while you munch,” will feature a Philharmonic string quartet fully amplified and seating for the outdoor event. WQLN radio will broadcast live from the event this year.

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.

The 2008 City of Erie Junior Golf Program is open to boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 17. Entry fee is $7 per person. The number of entrants will determine the number of divisions. Registration will take place at J C Martin Golf Course from June 1 through July 19. Please call J C Martin Golf Course at 864-1821 with any questions. Tournament 1 is at J C Martin Golf Course, West 38th St and Shunpike Rd (next to Erie Zoo), on Wednesday, July 23 at 8 am. Tournament 2 will be held at Downing Golf Course, 1351 Troupe Rd, 899-5827, on Wednesday, July 30 at 8:30 am. Tournament 2 will be immediately followed by a picnic and an awards presentation.

The Erie Lions Club Save an Eye City vs County All-Star football game will be held July 25 at Erie Veterans Memorial Stadium, 26th and State Streets. The major purpose of the Save An Eye Game is to raise money to provide free eye care to low income children.

The Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm 2008 Native American Festival is July 26-27 at the farm in Edinboro. Hours are 11-6 daily. Admission is $3 per person, 3 and under are FREE.

The Gannon University ShakeXperience Theater Camp will be held Monday, July 28 through Saturday, August 2. This one-week resident high school (through graduation) theater camp is taught by members of Gannon’s theater program and qualified professionals. Classes are conducted in Shakespeare, text analysis, stage movement, rehearsal and performance. Workshops are offered in stage combat, period dance, and music. Includes a public matinee performance of CYMBELINE as part of the Shakespeare SummerNights outdoor threatre festival. Cost: $99 (includes room, board, and instruction fee). For more information, contact Fr Shawn Clerkin, (814) 871-7493.