The Erie Block Party, held most Thursday evenings during the summer, will be held tonight at Matthew’s Trattoria & Martini Lounge with performers Duke Sherman Band & Sam Hyman. Theme for the night is a “Hollywood Picnic,” and the event benefits the charity Emmaus Soup Kitchen.
If you remember from a couple of weeks ago, we reported that the Erie International Airport would be conducting a full-scale emergency exercise at the airport as required for U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for licensing purposes. We’re sure there were a few confused or even excited people who saw the exercise last night and didn’t realize what was going on.
Back in June, we wrote about 20-year-old Damere Talmadge who was charged with assault against his three-month-old son Thameere as well as several other charges. The baby later died of massive head injuries. Talmadge will now face trial on those charges. Must resist making comment about recent plea deals involving children’s deaths.
Erie Blogs Week II continues this week at the Community Blood Bank. The process only takes about 20 minutes. One person who signs up on the blogger’s list will get a brand new, shiny iPhone. We also have gift baskets for the blog that refers the most donors and another gift basket for a random donor. Please come in and donate this week! The Community Blood Bank is open until 6 p.m. tonight.
The Crawford County Fair continues through Saturday. Tonight’s musical acts are Toby Keith and Mica Roberts. Trailer Choir and Carter’s Chord will open. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Mike enjoyed hearing Gretchen Wilson from his backyard last night.
Bloomberg.com has an article discussing the state of the economy and perspectives from various citizens. One of those perspectives comes from Heidi Artise of North East, PA, who discusses the recent hike in natural-gas prices by National Fuel.
The PA Smoking Ban goes into effect in 22 days on September 11.
Local blog Ahead of my Ability has some great photos of 12th Street.
The Erie SeaWolves took down the New Britain Rock Cats on Wednesday night in a come-from-behind extra innings victory, 5-2 at New Britain Stadium. It was the third win for Erie this season when trailing heading into the ninth inning of a game.
The Allegheny College Year of Health Planning Committee will host a meeting and luncheon on Friday, Aug. 22, to introduce health-related programs and community partnership opportunities that will be incorporated throughout the 2008-09 academic calendar. The 2008-09 Year of Health is a campus-wide effort to explore various aspects of how health intersects with our lives on a personal, community and global scale.
Judge Michael E. Dunlavey will be the guest speaker at the Eriez Toastmasters Club’s 50th Anniversary dinner celebrating the importance of leadership and speaking skills in achieving career and personal success. The dinner will take place at the Siebenbuerger Club on Aug 28th and tickets are $15. Interested parties must RSVP by Aug 21. More information here [PDF].
The annual Rotary Blood Analysis Drive takes place at the Shriner’s Hospital on Saturday, September 27, 2008. It’s a low-cost alternative to having your blood tested for whatever people test blood for and to find out if you’re healthy. A PSA test is typically $200 to $400.00 through your local physician – but only $25.70 on September 27th through the Rotary Blood Analysis program. The PSA is a blood test for colon cancer.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The 20-piece Gem City Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Scott Tomlison, will be offering two outdoor performances. The first will be held on Friday evening, August 22, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Shops at the Colony (formerly the Colony Plaza) on West 8th Street. The second performance will be the City of Erie’s final “Sounds of Summer” Concert on Monday, August 25th from 7 to 8 p.m. at Schmidt Towers – 153 E. 6th Street. Both concerts are open to the public and free of charge. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the shows.
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.
The Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF) last remaining family friendly movie of the season will be held next Friday, August 22. 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 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 last of the “Buggin State” nights will be this Friday, August 22nd. The event will be held along State Street between 4th and 12th streets along State. Car clubs and individual car owners in the Erie area have a chance to showcase their classic, custom and tricked-out vehicles. There will be live music at Perry Square by the band Endless Summer.
The annual Zabawa Polish Festival will be August 22-24 at the Holy Trinity Parish Grounds. The festival will include Polish music, dancing, and traditional Polish meals (galumpki and pirogies anyone?). For more information call (814) 456-0671.
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.
The last 8 Great Tuesdays concert series performance will be next Tuesday, August 26. The last concert will feature Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Air Men from 6:30 – 9:30 at the Liberty Park, Pepsi Amphitheater. The event is free and shuttles to the park will be provided.
The 12th Annual Erie German Heritage Festival will be held August 30-31 at the Shriner’s Club Grounds. Don’t worry about eating too much wienersnitzels and sauerkraut since there will be ton of music and dancing going on. For more information visit the official website.
The nineteenth annual Silberman Recital Series at Allegheny College will feature performances by one of the country’s newest chamber music groups as well as musicians who have earned critical acclaim over decades of work on the concert stage and in the recording studio. The series will open with Manhattan Piano Trio on Monday, Sept. 8.
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.
Eerie Horror Film Festival is partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to sponsor the “Monster Wish” charity walk & fun run at Presque Isle on September 13th. The walk/run sign in will be at beach one at 10:00 a.m., and the Mayor will be present to impart a few words of inspiration to the participants before the walk starts. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the Foundation. Please contact Melissa Bostaph at (814) 899-0407 for more information.
Steelers fans should be excited to read this. A celebrity pro party will be held by sports artist Kevin-John along with former Pittsburgh Steelers players on September 14th, 2008 at the Brewerie in downtown Erie. The Steelers versus the Browns will be the game of the week and televised at the party with the red carpet walk beginning at 6 p.m. The Hollywood style celebrity party is a fund raiser for the Willie Williams Show Them We Care Foundation for children’s education. Tickets begin at $35. For more information visit the official website.
The Erie based non-profit Gem City Concert Band is seeking new members for the Fall 2008 season. The 50 member concert band is under the direction of Scott Tomlison and plays a variety of music styles such as old overtures, show tunes, traditional concert band pieces, movie scores, and marches. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. with Fall ’08 rehearsals beginning September 9th. All instruments are welcomed. Membership is free and interested musicians should call 814-899-8467, email, or visit the official website.
Erie non-profit group Therapy Dogs United, Inc., in conjunction with the American Kennel Club, will host the area’s only Responsible Dog Ownership Day at Frontier Park (north side) Saturday, September 20th, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, rain or shine. Event highlights include a Blessing of the Dogs, Parade of Breeds, agility demonstrations, special appearance by search and rescue dogs, K9 police units, and therapy dogs. Other activities include Canine CPR, Pet First Aid, dog rescue groups, animal safety demonstrations, live acoustic music, contests, prizes, chinese auciton, animal-related vendors.
Pull out your finest and join us for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Second Chance Prom to benefit the non-profit foundation. The event will be held Saturday, September 20, 2008 at the Siebenbuerger Club, from 7-11 p.m. (dinner at 8pm). $15 per person Includes: buffet dinner, DJ, fun & games. Dinner starts at 8 p.m. and there is a cash bar. Please contact Amy Bement at the JDRF Office for more information and tickets at (814) 452-0635.
The State Library of Pennsylvania will celebrate its second annual Genealogy Day on Saturday,
Sept. 20. This free event will have exhibits and information sessions on various subject areas. For additional information, please contact Marc Bender at (717) 705-6272.
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.
