The skies parted on cue at noon, and I (Mike) was able to ride the Ravine Flyer II today for the second time. Thanks to Shane, who lives in Millcreek and teaches at Ft. Lebouf, and his out of town friends for letting me join his group and ride at the very front of the coaster. The coaster holds up after repeat rides.
Two things that are visible from the Ravine Flyer II are Erie’s only wind turbines – one at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and one on Presque Isle by the Stull Interpretive Center. Being on the lake brings a good amount of wind to Erie, and it’s a surprise more turbines haven’t popped up.
That being said, General Electric is looking for a lead system engineer in its Erie plant for a new product introduction relating to Wind Drive Trains. (Loads on wind drive trains are a problem as the size of wind turbines increase.) Job requirements include product validation to meets performance, weight, and functional requirements and oversee build of prototype and production Wind Drive Trains in the factory. Bachelor of Science degree in one of the major hard sciences and at least 3+ additional years of experience in an engineering position.
County Executive Mark DiVecchio and his team are considering moving over a thousand county employees to a four day work week. On this type of schedule, employees would work 10 hour days Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and have Fridays (or some other day) off. In other cities and businesses that have made this type of switch, there have been some cost savings, especially for employees saving money on gas, day care expenses and more. The plan is in its infancy and is no where near complete or approved yet, though some local unions support the idea.
The Manufacturers’ Association and Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority annual Roar on the Shore motorcycle rally will be held beginning this Thursday, July 17 through Sunday, July 20. While downtown Erie serves as the hub of the rally, related events take place throughout the city and region. More on the Roar on the Shore Bike Rally later today on ErieBlogs.
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. ErieBlogs.com founder and co-manager Mike will be the speaker.
Weekend recap. If you missed this weekend’s News & Events, here’s a recap: Saturday–a number of events including the Jazz & Blues Walk and the Rust Belt Bloggers Summit were held, Wegmans is still waiting to recive the o.k. to sell beer at its two Erie locations, Waldameer’s Ravine Flyer II made the NY Times, and Penn State Trustees approved a 6% tuition hike. Sunday–Seawolves split a double header at the Uht, Roar on the Shore will close streets around Perry Square, and the Discovery Channel was in town filming a special involving an interview with John Kanzius and his invention that creates energy from salt water.
The Seawolves won their make up game this afternoon, 12-11 but dropped the second game to the Altoona Curve 4-2 in seven innings.
G & L Comfort Shoes recently opened in the Summit Plaza at the corner of Peach and Gore. They carry brands like Hush Puppies, Sebagos, Tevas, Riekers, and Papillios and Footprints which are two lines from Birkenstock. For a short time only we are offering a $10 gas card to customers who spend $75 or more.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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.
The Erie County Historical Society will hold a Ghosts and Legends Tour tonight every Friday at 8 p.m., now until September 26 (exception: September 5th). Discover the mysteries of downtown Erie through a 1 1/2 hour walking tour. Since size of group tour is limited, reservations required; call (814) 454-1813, ext 0. Cost: $8 Adult, $4 Child.
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.
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.
The Erie Art Museum opens Art from the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute in the Erie Art Museum’s Annex Gallery, 423 State Street, now through October 4. A public opening reception is scheduled for Gallery Night on Friday, Aug. 22, 2008 from 6-10 p.m.
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.
Hey, like the weekend recap! When it is an especially nice weekend weatherwise, I am sure that many do not have a chance to read all the blogs. nice job. thanks.
“Erie’s only wind turbines – one at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and one on Presque Isle by the Stull Interpretive Center”
isn’t there also one located at the newly renovated J. S. Wilson Middle School?
They do have a rather small turbine and a small solar array as well. There’s no report of it actually generates a useful amount of energy though.
I did find a picture of the setup in this PDF file: http://www.aianwpa.org/2007_11.pdf
There is also one at the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies, behind the Blasco Library.
I’ll amend the post and do a new post this week on wind turbine locations in the county. If you know of any more, please let me know. Thanks everyone for the info.
Does anyone know the zoning laws about putting one of these mirco-turbines up in a residential neighborhood? I’ve seen small 10Kw turbines for around $700.00 which would be great for my house. I called both Millcreek, and Erie and neither could provide an answer.
Moski
call Building Inspection Underwriters (BIU) on Peach Street. you would need a zoning permit for anything built requiring excavation for a structural foundation.