What did the five fingers say to the face of Erie County Government? SLAP! Judge Michael ruled yesterday that Erie County government will not get its way with half of the tax revenue generated from Presque Isle Downs & Casino. Instead Summit Township along with Millcreek, McKean, and Greene townships and McKean Borough get to argue amongst themselves what to do with $5.5 million. The matter came down to interpretation of a state law which mandates how half of casino tax revenue collected is to be allocated and used. The other half, $5.5 million, Erie County gets to spend as it wishes.

Sad news from the Erie Zoo. Yesterday, Mizar, the 9-year-old polar bear, was euthanized after veternarians found Mizar to have internal bleeding. Simba, the 14-year-old male lion at the Erie Zoo passed away in July. Simba has been at the zoo since 1998.

A lot of court activity today. Teri Rhodes is scheduled to enter her plea in court today. Rhodes suffocated her newborn child only minutes after she was born last August 12, 2007. We will have more information on this tomorrow. Linda Bebko-Jones is also scheduled to plead guilty in Dauphin County court on charges she forged signatures on campaign nomination petitions.

Steven Porter has gained enough signatures to get on the ballot this fall in the 3rd District Congressional race as an independent. Porter ran against incumbent Phil English in 2004 and 2006 as a Democrat. The ballot this fall will now include English, Kathy Dahlkemper and Porter.

Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott has released his monthly newsletter for August, highlighting news and events from around the city.

“Sisters in Healthcare 1847-1969″ is an exhibit being prepared at Slippery Rock University by Dr. John Bavaro, professor of health services administration at the college. The exhibit will display exhibits and information on 16 Catholic orders located in Western Pennsylvania. Bavaro, who is a history buff as it relates to these religious orders, discovered that the first certified nurse anesthetist in the nation was Sister Bernard Sheridan in the year 1893. Sister Bernard belonged to the order of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Edinboro’s football team has been ranked third in the PSAC coaches poll. In the western division that Edinboro is in, Cal is ranked first with IUP ranked second. Mercyhurst is ranked fifth and Gannon is ranked seventh. West Chester is ranked first in the eastern conference.

In yet another close game, the SeaWolves lost to the Harrisburg Senators last night 8-7. Erie almost pulled it off in the 9th inning but couldn’t get enough momentum going. The ‘Wolves play the Senators again tonight at 7 p.m.

Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith is running unopposed for his second full term as the county’s chief prosecutor. Smith grew up in Erie, Pa., before graduating from Gannon University majoring in political science and pre-law classes before attending law school at the University of Arizona.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The next 8 Great Tuesdays concert series will feature the performer Leon Russell. Leon will play next Tuesday, August 5 from 6:30 – 9:30 at the Liberty Park, Pepsi Amphitheater. The event is free and shuttles to the park will be provided.

Young Erie Professionals (yep!) will 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 inaugural Erie Big Ball Hall of Fame will be launched at this year’s Big Ball All Star Game on Friday, August 8. With over 75 years of history and thousands of local and regional players throughout the years, the Hall of Fame committee was started and has selected six players to be the first inducted members of this unique Hall of Fame.

The 5th Annual Key West Phest will be held this Friday and Saturday, August 8 & 9, at Liberty Park on the bayfront. The event is free but through on site fundraising efforts, money will be raised for charity. Friday’s events run from 4 – 10 p.m. with the band Key West Express closing the park, and Saturday from 1 – 10 p.m. with the night’s entertainment by Club Trini (not to be confused with Club Tranny). Parking will be at least $15 so you may want to consider taking a shuttle roundtrip for $1.

The Erie Block Party, held most Thursday evenings during the summer, will be held this week at Jr’s Last Laugh Comedy Club featuring the rock band M-80’s. The event theme is “Take You Back” and benefits Vietnam Veterans Chapter 435.

St. Paul’s annual Italian Festival will be August 8 – 10 with lots and lots of Italian food including patries and a pasta fagioli dinner. While you are stuffing your face you can enjoy musical entertainment & games like bingo. Don’t forget about the Procession of Blessed Virgin Mary statue after Sunday’s 11 a.m. Mass. The festival will be held in Little Italy (West 16 & Walnut Streets). More on the St. Paul Italian Festival.

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.

Asbury Woods along with photographer Jim Kubaney will introduce students to digital photography and learning how to photograph nature (bring your own digital camera). Classes will be held August 12 & 19. For more information call (814) 835-5356.

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.

Friends of Allegheny Wilderness (FAW), a non-profit organization based in Warren, is hosting a “wild” picnic Aug. 13 at Oil Creek State Park. The old-fashioned community-style picnic is open to anyone interested in learning more about the campaign to forever protect the most natural areas of the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) through Congressional wilderness designation under the Wilderness Act of 1964. FAW is providing hot dogs, drinks and condiments and those attending are asked to bring a dish to share and their own tableware.

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.

The North East National Rib Festival, sponsored by Fuller Hose Company, will be held August 24-26. For more information contact Fuller Hose at (814) 725-3308.

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.

The Wine Country Harvest Festival, hosted by the North East Chamber of Commerce, will be held September 28-30. Expect a variety of music, food, arts & crafts, champagne breakfast, Cruise In, Children’s Area, winery tours, wagon rides, wine and food seminars, wine by the glass, and souvenirs. There will be 5 wineries in the wine tent this year, serving more than 40 varieties of wine, along with free shuttle service to the wineries and to other attractions in town.