Today’s blog post is our 1,400th here at ErieBlogs.com. Yay! Thank you so much for reading and for blogging. You keep us motivated, informed, and entertained.

Erie Blogger Eden was featured in a BoingBoing blog post yesterday. She is suing Universal after they took down a YouTube video she posted featuring her son dancing while a Prince song played in the background. In a hearing this Friday, the EFF will ask U.S. District Court Judge Jeremy Fogel to reject Universal’s motion to dismiss the case, and allow Lenz’s lawsuit to continue. We interviewed her about the case on ErieBlogs.com last year.

Brittany Steward pled guilty to two charges of endangering the welfare of children after two children she was babysitting wandered out of the house and drowned in a nearby pond. Charges of involuntary manslaughter were dropped in exchange for her guilty plea, and Steward will spend 11 and a half to 23 months in Erie County Prison followed by three years of probation.

Mercyhurst College’s James Adovasio, director of the school’s Archaeological Institute, will spend several weeks in August with colleagues from the University of Texas exploring Florida’s Gulf Coast. The team will be searching for signs of early American Indians in the area.

A $250,000 grant will help the Erie Port Authority build a new boat dock near the Bayfront Convention Center in the West Canal Basin. The dock will be built in phases and take several years to complete.

A lawsuit filed by Presque Isle Downs and Casino has been dismissed. The casino was looking to recoup money it says it lost when it was forced to open late after Citizens Against Gambling filed an appeal with the PA Supreme Court to stop the casino opening. The group is run by former Erie solicitor Paul Curry.

There’s a nice conversation going on in our Open Thread this week about what you would include on a one or two day itenary for out-of-town guests new to Erie. What do you consider a “must see” for the Erie area? Jump into the thread and participate!

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. The council expects a large audience, so RSVP as soon as possible with Karen Kimet at 451-1174.

Macie Mitchell of Erie is quoted in todays New York Times in an article discussing race relations examined in the light of the Obama presidential campaign. The difference in white and black perceptions is markedly different according to a recent NY Times/CBS News poll.

ErieBank has given the Erie Regional Airport Authority a $4.8 million commercial loan for the runway extension project. The rest of the funding will come from state and federal sources.

Gas prices in the area jumped yesterday–in some cases up to 10 cents. You can always see the lowest gas prices in the area on our Gas Price Finder.

The American League won over the National League 4-3 last night in a game many will not forget. Last nights All-Star Game lasted four hours and 50 minutes, going into 15 innings. This was the longest All-Star Game ever and a record number of stolen bases to boot. Fitting it should be held at Yankee Stadium which is its last year (the Yankees are moving to a new stadium next year). Speaking of baseball, the Seawolves were off yesterday and tonight but will resume with an away series against the Akron Aeros tomorrow.

PolitickerPA.com provides a breakdown of fund raising and cash on hand for congressional candidates Kathy Dahlkemper (D) and Phil English (R – incumbent). For the second quarter Dahlkemper raised $161,911 and English raised $417,242; cash on hand, Dahlkemper has $127,866, and English has $786,983. Both candidates are in a statistical dead heat according to the most recent poll, with almost 20% of voters remaining undecided.

NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program has designated Penn State University’s Behrend College campus in Erie, Pa., as the Institutional Sea Grant Program for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Through this designation, Pennsylvania Sea Grant becomes the hub for marine and coastal sciences for the state and is responsible for long-term investments consistent with NOAA’s national Sea Grant goals of environmental stewardship and responsible resource use.

State Prison officials are planning a $17.8 million expansion to the correctional institute in Cambridge Springs. The new unit will be a medium security women’s unit. The unit is planned to open in 2010.

The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership will hold the Erie Ambassador training program beginning September 9, and is structured to comprehensively train community leaders interested in promoting Erie. The 2008 curriculum includes a program orientation at the County’s new 911 center; information on the impact of education in Erie; guided tours of the 12th Street Corridor, Peach Street, State Street, Presque Isle and the Bayfront District; an overview of the County’s economic development system; and insight into the region’s political structure. The cost of the Ambassador training is $175, covering all materials and transportation, and space is limited. For more information, contact Ms. Cathy Noble, event coordinator, at 814-454-7191 or email cnoble@eriepa.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The second annual Roar on the Shore motorcycle rally will begin tomorrow and go through Sunday, July 20. While downtown Erie serves as the hub of the rally, related events take place throughout the city and region. Read more on the Roar on the Shore bike rally.

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 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 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.