Tom Ridge spoke last night at the Republican National Convention (you can read his speech here). The convention concluded with the acceptance speech of John McCain. Congressman Phil English did not attend the convention. 59 days until the general election.

PA lawmakers are again considering charging townships that rely on state police for protection instead of having their own departments. Lawmakers are proposing to charge townships with more than 10,000 residents, $100 per resident for state police services. In our area, Harborcreek and Fairview would be affected by this legislation if it is passed. According to Federal census figures for 2007, Harborcreek would have to pay $1,680,000 annually, and Fairview would have to pay $1,020,900 annually.

The State House of Representative’s Urban Affairs Committee heard from Representatives of the state’s manufactured home industry and several housing-related social service agencies regarding trailer park residents that are forced to move with no warning when the trailer parks are forced out, often without warning. This recently happened here in Erie where mobile home residents on Peninsula Drive were forced to move.

The PA smoking ban goes into effect next Thursday, September 11. The Pennsylvania Alliance to Control Tobacco has material useful for businesses to comply with the new law. Marlboro man = stunned.

A benefit will be held for the Milani family, who were badly injured in a house fire last weekend. All day on Sunday, the proceeds from sales at Dan’s Route 8 Boardwalk on Wattsburg Road will be donated to the family to help with their bills and other needs. There will also be a 50-50 drawing. Please try to stop by.

John Gromer, who helped Malcolm Kysor escape from the Albion prison last year, had received a sentence of 2.5 to 5 years in jail for his role in the escape, but the years were going to be served concurrent with his current sentence. Yesterday, the sentence was switched to consecutive terms for aiding in Kysor’s escape. meaning the years were tacked on to the end of the sentence making his stay at Albion prison even longer.

Housekeeping announcement: Beginning tomorrow, we’ll be tweaking our daily posts here at ErieBlogs.com. First, there will be one weekend edition published on Saturday. Second, on Sundays we will be posting an Erie events guide for that week and the next month or two. This will replace the long list of events we’ve included at the end of every post. Our daily news posts will contain more news before and after the jump. Here’s a review of our weekly schedule:

Monday – News & Events
Tuesday – News & Events + Erie Video of the Week
Wednesday – News & Events
Thursday – News & Events
Friday – News & Events
Saturday – Weekend News & Events
Sunday – Events (comprehensive) + Open Thread

Based on visitor trends and suggestions, we think this will give you, our loyal readers, a more streamlined, user-friendly daily experience. As always, please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions by contacting us via our online form.

Thank you very much for including ErieBlogs.com as part of your daily routine. We greatly appreciate it.

FJ Fantasy Sports was featured in a story in the Wall Street Journal yesterday. FJ’s makes draft boards for fantasy sports drafts. Their first year in business, they sold 15 fantasy boards. So far through August of this year, they’ve sold 8,000. Another great local business success story, right here in Erie!

Do you remember Lulu the pig? Back in 1998, the pigs owner had a heart attack and Lulu got out of the trailer at Sara’s Campground and went to Peninsula Drive. A passer-by noticed the pig and called 911, and pigs owner was saved. A production company from the UK is making a TV show called “Animals Saved My Life” and wants to interview witnesses.

The Otters wrap up their pre-season schedule with three straight games on the road beginning with a pair against the London Knights on Friday and Saturday. Friday the two teams meet at the John Labatt Centre in London followed by a Saturday contest in St. Thomas, Ontario. Erie completes the exhibition season September 11th when they travel to Niagara to face the IceDogs.

The Speaker Series at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will open its new season with a debate on Election 2008 politics between CNN’s “Inside Politics” contributor Donna Brazile and National Review Online columnist David Frum. “A Moderated Conversation About the Presidency and Politics in America” will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building. Admission is free and open to the public. Robert Speel, associate professor of political science at the college, will be the moderator.

The Logan Series “Music at Noon” kicks off its 19th season at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, with a lunchtime performance by Boston Brass. The performance takes place at noon on Thursday, September 25, in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Erie County Democratic Party has a number of upcoming meetings and events. For more information visit their official website at http://www.eriedems.com or contact Cathi Zelazny at chair[at]eriedems.com, call (814) 864-8218.

The Waterford Community Fair continues today and runs through this Saturday, September 6. The fair will have a number of events going on every day including truck, tractor, and horse pulls, livestock judging, rides, and more. Our favorite event? The blue ribbon apple pie contest, of course.

September Events

Summer is running out so don’t miss out on the “Last Blast of Summer.” The Erie Heritage Festival will be held Saturday, September 6th, at Liberty Park on the bayfront. The festival is a day-long performance venue of Americana and World music performed by musicians from the Erie and Southern Ontario regions. There will be a performance by the Erie Philharmonic with fireworks to end the days festivities. The festival will also give participants the experience of living history through the cultural arts found around the Great Lakes. The 4th Annual Erie’s Heritage Festival is sponsored by the Erie County Historical Society, WQLN, and the Erie Philharmonic and the Erie Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

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.

Award-winning poets Annie Finch and Paula Bohince will read from their work at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11 in the Tillotson Room of Allegheny College’s Tippie Alumni Center at Cochran Hall. The program, which is free and open to the public, is part of the college’s Single Voice Reading Series.

The Allegheny College Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies will present a 10-week Middle East film series Thursday, Sept. 11 through Thursday, Dec. 4. The series’ opening film, “Cease Fire” (Iran, 2006), is a romantic comedy about a spitfire professional and her love interest. All of the films will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Room 212 of Carnegie Hall and are free and open to the public.

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.

Following on the heels of the release of their first original album, The Pete Best Band is bringing their brand of rock and roll to Theatre 145 in Erie, PA, September 19, 2008, at 8:00 p.m. Opening for them will be veteran rock ‘n roll band The Cryers (www.myspace.com/thecryersrockon) from Freehold, NJ. They will be performing songs from their new CD ‘Rock ‘n Roll Holiday’ plus classic tunes from the 60′s.

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.

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.

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.

The 1st Annual Week for the Animals will be held September 20-28, 2008. This first statewide event is designed to celebrate the role that animals play in our lives everyday. The week will feature adoption events, a salute to animals in law enforcement and the military, school and art activities, R.E.A.D. dogs in libraries, blessings of the animals, law seminar events, festivals, fairs, wine tastings, golf outings, art exhibits, film documentaries, poker runs, and more. More with more than eighty events scheduled. If you would like to be involved or schedule an event, call Michelle Buckalew at 877-454-0807, Patricia Haddock at 866-376-6123 or Laura Allen at 435-644-3333. More information on the offical website of Pennsylvania Week for the Animals.

Advance tickets are on sale for the Saturday, Sept. 20 performance by famed comedy troupe “The Second City” at Allegheny College. The performance, part of the college’s Family Weekend and 2008-09 Centerstage Series, will begin at 8 p.m. in Shafer Auditorium. Tickets for the performance — $10 if purchased on or before Sept. 6; $15 after Sept. 6 and at the door — can be purchased in the college’s Office of Conference and Event Services, 006 Reis Hall. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets can be purchased online at www.allegheny.edu/events or over the phone, at 814-332-3101, with Mastercard or Visa. Audiences should note that Second City’s humor contains language and situations some may find offensive.

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 Great Lakes Film Festival will run from September 25-28 and held at Theatre 145 (formerly the Road House) and will feature independent films from all over the world. With Special guests, filmmakers, scriptwriters, and meet and greets. Don’t miss out on the after parties with bands and receptions.

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.

October Events

Acclaimed stand-up comedian Bobby Collins is bringing his special brand of heartfelt humor from the comedy club scene to the stage of Pennsylvania’s Erie Playhouse. Collins will headline a special stand-up show at the Erie Playhouse at 8 p.m. Friday, October 3. Described as a “perfect fusion of Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis” (New York Post), Collins is known for his live performances, cable TV specials, numerous talk show appearances, feature film roles and comedy CDs. “Stand-Up Comedy Legend Bobby Collins” will be presented at the Erie Playhouse, 13 West 10th Street. Tickets are $32.75 and can be purchased by calling (814) 454-2852.

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.

The 13th annual Because You Care walk will be Sunday, October 5, 2008. The Annual Walk for Small Animals, as Because You Care’s largest fundraiser, provides funds needed for the rescue and rehabilitation of abandoned and abused animals throughout BYC’s operating year. The funds from this Walk help to provide the necessary veterinary care (including spaying and neutering) and food and supplies to animals all year around. In addition to working for the cause, the Walk has also become one of BYC’s most fun and educational events. Walkers and dogs of all ages come out to partake in a carnival of pre- and post- walk events, stroll by educational stations, walk the beautiful Beach 11 area with dogs, and enjoy an after-walk lunch with door prizes and raffles. For more information or to download Walker forms please visit http://walkbyc.org/.

The Ultimate Executive conference will be held October 9th from 7:30AM-NOON at the Bel-Aire Hotel & Conference Center. The theme of this conference is ‘How Leaders and Managers Generate Profits’, and SIX of Erie’s most successful business owners and leaders will be speaking on Leadership/Management skills and Communication/Sales skills. The professionals include John Elliott (Erie Redevelopment Authority), Deb Steiner (Gannon Small Business Development Center), Tom Kennedy (Professional Development Associates), Misty O’Connor (Point Click Learn), Steve Rosen (The Domino Effect), and Tom Benson(JL Nick). Please go to www.ultimateexec.com for more information or call Kristi at 814.449.3251 to reserve your seats.

The Her Times 5K Run/Walk benefiting SafeNet will be held on October 11 at Presque Isle State Park’s Rotary Pavilion. Proceeds from the race benefit SafeNet Domestic Violence Safety Network. The Her Times 5K Run/Walk is brought to you by Her Times, The Erie Runner’s Club and ErieMoms.com. Download the application.