Today is the final day of Discover Presque Isle. Many events are scheduled, including a pancake breakfast until Noon, the last day of the volleyball tournament, and the kids festival. We’ve got a schedule and interactive map here at ErieBlogs.com

GE announced that it will restructure its business units, consolidating from six groups down to four. The transportation business, headquarted here in Erie, will be part of the GE Technology Infrastructure group. The new group will also contain GE Healthcare, GE Avaition and GE Enterprise Solutions. John Krenicki, formerly of GE Transportation, will lead the GE Energy Infrastructure group and will serve as vice chairman of GE. The moves should not have any affect on the Erie plant or its employees.

The blood shortage in Erie is getting worse–and now the local hospitals are delaying surgeries due to fear they won’t have enough blood to cover emergencies. If you are able, please stop by the Community Blood Bank tomorrow to donate.

A fund has been setup at Northwest Savings Bank to help the family of 1-year-old Addison Sonney, who tragically died last week. You can make a donation at any Northwest Savings branch or send a check to Northwest Savings Bank, 2863 W. 26th St., Erie, PA 16506. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Monday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Dr. Bradley Fox has been named president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians. The group represents nearly 4,700 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students. Dr. Fox is a family physician at St. Vincent Health Center. Fox is also the team physician for the Erie SeaWolves and the Erie Illusion.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) is offering free admission for children age 17 and under at its 24 historical sites this August. For the Erie Region, this includes the Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara, and the Drake Well Museum in Titusville. To receive free general admission, children must be accompanied by at least one paying adult. For a full list of all 24 participating historical sites, visit the PHMC website.

Penn State Behrend’s annual reunion ends today. Open to the public today at Noon, is an organ concert held in the Smith Chapel.

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. While there, you absolutely have to try a bison burger.

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.

Bill Downes, current announcer for Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa., has been named the new permanent track announcer for Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky.

For the third day in a row, the SeaWolves beat the Bowie Baysox 6-5 in another close game. The teams meet up for the last game of the series this afternoon at 1 p.m. at Jerry Uht Park. After the game, stay for the annual GIANT 175-Foot Ice Cream Sundae free-for-all. That should be interesting.

Couple of trades this weekend in baseball. The Cleveland Indians sent Casey Blake to the Dodgers for a couple of minor leaguers. The Pirates sent Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the Yankees for several prospects and minor leaguers.

The March of Dimes Paddle Erie ’08 will be held at the Lagoon Boat Launch at Presque Isle on Saturday, August 23. The 10-mile advanced course begins at 8:00 am, and a 4-mile beginner course will commence at 10:00 am. There will be checkpoints along the way, and everyone is invited back to the Lagoon Boat Launch for lunch! Every participant is required to raise a minimum of $50 and must pre-register.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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 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.

Young Erie Professionals (yep!) will hold its 5th Annual Kickball Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 2 at 8:00 a.m. at Community Park in Harborcreek.

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.

Yep! will also host an Executive Coffee Talk on Wednesday, August 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Brewerie at Union Station (123 W 14th St., Erie). Jim Berlin, local entrepreneur and CEO of Logistics Plus, will be the speaker.

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.1