Federal prosecutors in the child pornography case against Jeremy Noyes are appealing a courts decision to allow him to remain free until his trial. Prosecutors argue that Noyes of Erie is a danger to the community and could establish a colony of sex slaves at any time. In an interesting twist, Noyes voluntarily reported to jail on Friday night, since the family he was staying with began to receive threats. While we can understand people’s frustration, there’s no reason to threaten the family he was staying with.

It was move-in day at colleges around the area as nervous parents and students acclimated themselves to their new homes. To those students, welcome to Erie! Students at Edinboro can do their parking registrations online, which is cool. Less cool: if you’re using a browser other then IE, you can’t access the system. You would think this was the 1990′s. Fail.

Kara Rhodes of the Erie Times-News has an interesting article about the recent number of animal deaths at the Erie Zoo. Since 2003, a giraffe, three gorillas, two polar bears and a lion have died.

James DiNicola, 32, has been charged with repeatedly raping a 11-year-old girl. The girl, now 12, is pregnant and claims DiNicola is the father.

Lake City Fire Company was featured in a story at FireHouse.com. They recently rescued a vehicle that had gone over the bank at Lake Erie Bluffs.

The movie that was to feature the Brig Niagara and bring in much needed revenue for the ship has been scrapped. The filming was set to begin in September before the plug was pulled. No reason’s been giving, but the movie was to feature Morgan Freeman, who was recently seriously injured in a car accident. The Brig Niagara crew even had a signed contract. The film was to co-star Pierce Brosnan and Saorise Ronan of Atonement.

Go ‘Wolves! The SeaWolves had another great night yesterday beating the Connecticut Defenders 4-1. Even though it would have been nice if the SeaWolves played like this for the entire season, it’s good to know they are ending the season on a high note.

In an interview, the democratic V.P. pick Joseph Biden discusses the effect he will have on the presidential race in Pennsylvania. Erie along with three other Pennsylvania cities are identified by name in a statement made by Biden who apparently has an affinity for the State of Pennsylvania.

If you thought those of us in Northwest Pennsylvania are negative and critical of our region, it appears Northeast PA has us beat. Scranton’s newspaper has an opinion piece discussing the attitudes of many in the region which at first sounds like Erie until you keep reading.

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 annual Zabawa Polish Festival is going on this weekend 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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 20-piece Gem City Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Scott Tomlison, will be offering an outdoor performance on Monday, August 25th from 7 to 8 p.m. at Schmidt Towers – 153 E. 6th Street. The concert is open to the public and free of charge. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the show.

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 Erie Block Party only has two more Thursday events. August 28 the party will be at the Plymouth with performers Key West Express, and September 4 that party will be at Scully’s with performer Money Shot.

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 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.

The first Lindsay Graygo Memorial 5K Run/Walk will be held on October 4, 2008 at Beach One of Presque Isle. All proceeds of the run/walk will go to the Lindsay Graygo Empowerment Scholarship. Here’s a registration form.