Our theme of the day could be “less news, more events.”

Discover Presque Isle begins this Friday with a concert at beach 11 by Jakes Blues and a bonfire, with various events running through-out the weekend. As promised, we’ve brought you details on the event. Read more about Discover Presque Isle 2008 and find out about all that is going on.

If you’ve done enough discovering of Presque Isle, you can always attend the Beer on the Bay Festival which is this Saturday at Liberty Park. There will be over 25 microbreweries and music by the Duke Sherman Blues Band. There will be two separate sessions: (1) 12:30 – 4 p.m., and (2) 5:30 – 9 p.m. Tickets for the event are $35 At the Door with a limit of 2000 tickets per session.

The Erie Block Party is tonight and will be held on State Street between 13th and 14th Streets outside of Sugar Rays. Performance by the band Money Shot with the theme “a night in the islands.” Upcoming Block Parties:

July 31 at Brew Erie with performers Man’s Room Band & Jake’s Blues.
August 7 at Jr’s Last Laugh Comedy Club with performer the M-80′s.
August 14 – No block party but Celebrate Erie begins.
August 21 at Matthew’s Trattoria & Martini Lounge with performers Duke Sherman Band & Sam Hyman.
August 28 at Plymouth with performers Key West Express.
September 4 at Scully’s with performer Money Shot.

Pennsylvania with five other Great Lakes states and along with three environmental groups sued to stop the EPA from allowing oceangoing freight ships from discharging ballast water into navigable U.S. bodies of water (such as Lake Erie). Yesterday the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (which sits in San Franscico, California) affirmed a lower court decision overturning the EPA rule providing a victory to the environmental groups and six states. The invasion of Zebra Mussels and other invasive species in Lake Erie is attributed to the discharge of ballast water. You can download and read the opinion in PDF format (it’s a real page turner).

Yesterday’s SeaWolves game against the Binghamton Mets was postponed due to rain. The two clubs will play a doubleheader today beginning at 12:05 p.m. Perfect for those who want to play hooky from work.

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact is ready to be introduced on the House floor of Congress next week. Supporters of the Compact gathered in the U.S. Capital yesterday for a rally in support of the legislation. Currently, no legislator has voiced opposition toward the Compact which will make it difficult to divert large amounts of water from the Great Lakes and establishes a commission to monitor lake levels among other things.

Erie based business Telatron Marketing Group (a.k.a Creditron) located on West 38th Street filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on July 3rd. Filings with the Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania reveal the company has $3 Million in assets but $4.8 Million in debt. The largest creditor listed is the IRS with a debt close to $1.5 Million. It is more than ironic that the company Creditron offers debt collection services.

The local blood supply fell again to a new record low yesterday with the total units of blood available at area hospitals below the optimum safe levels. If you can find time in your busy schedule, try to stop by the Community Blood Bank to donate your blood. While you’re there you can register to win a sweet 42″ HD-TV.

Parents of Autistic Children will be holding a golf tournament today 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.

A horse-drawn carriage tour and wine tasting will be held tonight at 6:30 & 7:30 p.m., beginning at the Watson-Curtze Mansion, 356 W. 6th St. This downtown carriage tour, organized by the Erie County Historical Society, focuses on the architecture of Erie including mansions, churches, other notable structures, as well as the Erie Extension Canal. Afterward, wine tasting from local wineries will be held at the Watson-Curtze Mansion. Seating is limited so reservations are required; please call 814-454-1813 Ext. 0 to make a reservation.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF) has a number of events and movies planned for the summer running now 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.

Every Friday at 8 p.m., now until September 26 (exception: September 5th) the Erie County Historical Society will hold a Ghosts and Legends Tour. 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.

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 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.

The 8 Great Tuesdays concert series continues next Tuesday, July 29th, with an all time favorite. The rock band Jakes Blues will play from 6:30 – 9:30 at the Liberty Park, Pepsi Amphitheater. The event is free and shuttles to the park will be provided.

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.

Area artists, hoteliers, and other tourism-based businesses are invited to participate in a free workshop that will stimulate ideas for partnerships along the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail. The Art and Tourism: Partnering for Success Workshops will be three-hours long and held in two locations in western Pennsylvania in at the end of July. The workshops will take place on July 30 from 8-11 a.m. in Erie at the Erie Art Museum and from 2 to 5p.m. in Meadville at the Days Inn. There is no fee for the workshops, but participants must register by contacting Jen Swain, the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail Coordinator at 570-265-7455 or by e-mail at jen.paroute6@penn.com.

The 5th Annual Erie SeaWolves Fun Run/Walk (5k Run/2 mile Walk) will be held August 2nd, with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the race beginning at 9:30 a.m. Proceeds to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central PA. For more information visit the event website or contact the Erie Office at 814-451-1135 or via email at staff@efwp.

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.