When Starbucks announced it would be closing 600 of its stores, some of us were left wondering if any of the stores in Erie would be closing. Although no official list has been released, the Seattle Times has put together a Google map of stores rumored to close using information from store employees and other insiders. No Starbucks store in Erie is listed on the map. However, one interesting item to note from the Times: “company insiders say Starbucks is not releasing the full list because it is still working to modify and cancel some real estate contracts.” Could the planned 12th & Pittsburgh Avenue location be on the chopping block despite comments made to the contrary by the Baldwin Brothers, the manager of the project?
Erie Insurance has some good news to report in the midst of its declining stock price: it has earned J.D. Power and Associates’ award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with the Auto Insurance Purchase Experience.” Erie Insurance received the top score in the J.D. Power’s 2008 Insurance New Buyer Study, which assesses customer experience in purchasing auto insurance policies.
Opa! The 20th Annual Panegyri Greek Fest begins today and will go from 2:30 – 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Sunday noon – 9 p.m. at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church on 4376 West Lake Road. The festival features Greek dinners, ala carte entrees, gyros, sausage and souvlaki sandwiches, loukoumades, pastries, continuous Greek music by Kakias Family Band, Greek folk dance groups, boutique, souvenirs, gold mart, Greek metal arts, kafenio/taverna, church tours, not to mention a raffle to win a trip to Greece for 2. Free parking and admission. For more info call (814) 838-8808.
Today the Erie Art Museum opens Art from the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute at the Erie Art Museum’s Annex Gallery, 423 State Street (the exhibit runs through October 4). A public opening reception is scheduled for Gallery Night on Friday, Aug. 22, 2008 from 6-10 p.m.
PA House Bill 1436 would require children ages 12-15 to have a fishing license if they want to fish anywhere in the commonwealth, excluding Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay. The PA Fish and Boat Commission could generate up to $2 million from the licenses, which would cost $5. Flo Fabrizio is one of the sponsors of the bill. The bill was proposed a while ago, but counties across the state continue to debate it, both in favor and in opposition.
Romancing the Brig? Don’t Give Up the Penguin? Steven Sweeney of the Erie Times-News reported yesterday that actor Danny DeVito was in Erie Wednesday scouting the Brig Niagara. He’s producing a movie soon based on the book “The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle.”
The Rust Belt Bloggers Summit is today and tomorrow and is being held in Erie. People from Youngstown, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and other area cities will be attendance to discuss economic development issues in the region.
The Erie County Historical Society will hold a Ghosts and Legends Tour tonight and every Friday at 8 p.m., now until September 26 (exception: September 5th). Discover the mysteries of downtown Erie with a 1 1/2 hour walking tour. Since the size of each group tour is limited, reservations are required; call (814) 454-1813, ext 0. Cost: $8 Adult, $4 Child.
We’d have our geek cards taken away if we didn’t mention today is the launch of the iPhone 3G across the world. It’s selling now for $199. Of course when Mike bought his in January it was $399.
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, kicked off its yearlong 60th anniversary celebration yesterday by hosting a dinner for the Penn State Board of Trustees and invited guests. At the dinner, it was announced that Susan Hirt Hagen made a large gift (undisclosed) to Penn State Erie, The Behrend College to create an endowment to the Center for Organizational Research and Evalation (CORE). According to StateCollege.com, “CORE is one of the region’s leading advocates for combating social concerns that affect youth, from teen pregnancy and truancy prevention to healthy youth development initiatives.” Hagen sits on the board of Erie Indemnity Company, parent of Erie Insurance Group.
In what could have been a football score, the Seawolves fell to the Reading Phillies 14-10 on Thursday night.
Eriez Magnetics is reporting that 2008 sales are strong, with January sales reaching a record high for the company. “Our sales success thus far this year is due in large part to recycling equipment sales,” said Tim Shuttleworth, Eriez President and CEO.
Six Allegheny football players have been selected to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society. The 2008 Gator honorees included senior defensive backs Curt Anderson, Jon Buggey and Nick Jones, along with linebackers Ross Simcoe and Mateo Villa and kicker Josh Whiteside.
Yesterday, Governor Rendell signed legislation that expands the Keystone Opportunity Zone tax incentive program. These twelve zones around the state allow for tax incentives for industrial and corporate development. One zone in our area is the former IP site, currently home to Lake Erie Biofuels.
Brenda Newport, executive director of the Women’s Care Center in Erie, was quoted in a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story about the state’s refusal to accept federal grants for abstinence-only sexual education.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Bring your children to meet Biscuit the Dog at the Millcreek Mall this Saturday, July 12, at Noon. Biscuit is a fictional character in a popular childrens book series by Alyssa Capucilli and Pat Schories. Registration for the Reading Rewards Program will also be held for children ages 12 and under.
The Jazz & Blues Walk will be held this Saturday, July 12, beginning with a reception from 7 to 8:00 p.m. at the Erie Art Museum Annex. At the reception you can purchase an admission button entitling the bearer to refreshments at the reception, free admission to Jazz & Blues Walk venues, and free rides on the Jazz & Blues Walk shuttles. Performers will begin playing at a number of venues starting at 8 p.m. Click here for more information.
The Erie Maritime Museum invites the public to meet three of the area’s finest ship model-builders this Saturday, July 12, from noon to 3 p.m. Allison Taylor, Skip Nagle and Pete Gonzalez have built, repaired and refurbished ship models on display at the museum. Their talents and skills have produced beautiful, museum-quality work that honor ships and boats-some long gone–built in Erie and the region. The event will take place at the Erie Maritime Museum, 150 East Front St.; phone 814-452-2744.
The Technology Council of Northwest Pennsylvania’s next lunchtime learning series will take place on July 17 at the Ambassador Conference Center on upper Peach street. The presentation, Engage the Crowd: Integrating Social Networking into your Business, will explore uses for social networking in business. The session is free for Technology Council members and $40 for non-members.
The Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF) has a number of events and movies planned for the summer running from July 17 to August 15. Thursdays, starting at 7 p.m., music will be played at the Amphitheater located at 6th Street and Frontier Drive. Friday nights at dusk, a family friendly movie will be played. LEAF’s mission is to expand the Arboretum at Frontier Park, as well as provided related recreational and educational programs for the community.
Gannon University Writers’ Workshops 2008 are for students Grades 4-12, helping them to develop a writing process and produce a book of their own. Each session will be limited to 25 students with the next session 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 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 Block Party, held most Thursday evenings during the summer, will not be held this July 17. Next block party will be held July 24.
Parents of Autistic Children will be holding a golf tournament on July 24 at Whispering Woods Golf Course. The format will be a 4-man scramble, with team prizes and individual prizes (longest drives, closest to the pin, etc). The fee is $100 and includes your golf, a cart, lunch, and dinner.
Penn State Erie–The Behrend College will hold its annual reunion this year from July 25-27. Alumni can stay overnight in student housing for $50 a night. Events like the Winery Tour, Car Show, Midnight Bingo, Dinner with the Zoo, and more. Visit the 2008 Reunion Facebook page to RSVP.
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.
“Remembering Janis” will run June 26, 27, and 28 at Theatre 145, located at 145 West 11th St in Erie. Ticket prices are $10 Regular seating, $12 Riser seating and VIP seating at $15. For advanced tickets please visit their web site or call (814) 879-0733.
The guys at Should I Drink That (SIDT) are holding a giveaway for 2 tickets (and other prizes) to the first annual Beer on the Bay Festival which will be held Saturday, July 26. The festival features the fine beer of the Erie Brewing Company and 25 other regional craft brewers along with great food and live music at Erie’s Pepsi Amphitheater on the bayfront.
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.
Minneapolis based duo Beatrix JAR returns to the Erie Art Museum,offering interactive events throughout the week beginning July 29, 2008 thru August 2, 2008. At each event, Beatrix JAR will present their unique stylings,including their most noted use of circuit bending verse traditional instrumental usage.
The next Erie Philharmonic’s Get Your Phil At Noon Summer Music Series concert will be held August 12 at noon in front of the Warner Theater 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.
A fundraising event for the Lindsay Graygo Empowerment Scholarship Fund will be held Wednesday, August 13 from 5-8 p.m. at Molly Brannigans. Celebrity bartenders will serve up your favorite drinks and a Chinese auction will be held. Bartender tips and auction proceeds will go to directly to the fund. If you would like to make a donation, please visit the Scholarship’s donation page.
The 2008 City of Erie Recreation Tennis Tournaments will be held once again at
Frontier Park. Adults: August 13-17 (session for juniors has passed). 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.
Erie to host young professionals from across the state at Pennsylvania Young Professionals 2008 ImPAct Conference ERIE, PA — Young professionals, business executives and civic leaders from across the state are invited to take part the Pennsylvania Young Professionals 2008 ImPAct Conference, being held Sept. 12-14 at Erie’s Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier. This marks the first year the ImPAct Conference (Innovative Minds Creating Pennsylvania’s Tomorrow) will be held in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Is it me, or am I seeing alot more stories here that start with “As reported yesterday …” I used to read stories here that the news outlets haven’t reported on yet, or never report on. Am I alone on this?
Doug, thanks for the comment. The reality is that EB has always published a mix of material whether not available through local media, new, or offering a new insight. The wording you refer to simply been used more as of late.