Pennsylvania Lietenant Governer Catherine Baker Knoll has passed away at the age of 78. She was battling cancer. She was also state treasurer before becoming the state’s first female Lt. Governor. She had three sons, Albert Knoll, Dr. Kim Eric Knoll, and Charles Knoll, Esq., and a daughter Mina Baker Knoll, C.P.A.. Her Husband Charles, Sr., died in 1987. Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R) will be the new Lt. Governor.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has reported that the defense has rested its case in the trial of Michael Joyce. Joyce did not testify on his own behalf. The trial continues today, with the government calling rebuttal witnesses.

The ongoing Joyce trial has also delayed the sentencing of Teri Rhodes. Rhodes and Joyce have the same lawyer, Phil Friedman. Rhodes pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of her baby. She will be sentenced November 21.

The U.S. Catholic Bishops approved a lengthy and wordy section of the English translation of the Roman Missal. Bishop Trautman of the Erie Diocese was one of a handful who objected to the new translations. He said the translations do not communicate very well the meaning behind the text because of “lengthy sentences that are not pronounceable.”

City of Erie teachers and the school district have approved an early bird contract. The current contract expires in June, so its good they got it knocked out early. The average salary of teachers will increase by $10,000 over the course of the deal and teachers will contibute more towards health insurance coverage. One school board member, Jeanine McCreary, voted against the contract, citing the fact the board did not have adequate time to review the contract.

The continuing bad economy may turn out to pWn the Erie County Budget and raise your taxes. It’s confusing regarding pensions and payments Kevin Flowers at the Times-News explains it better then we can.

Several people have received a share of $100,000 in reward monies for the information they offered in the capture of Ralph “Bucky” Phillips. The identities of the people are being kept secret.

The WICU 12 Holiday Food Drive received over 18,000 pounds of food and $16,500 to help. Thank you to WICU and to everyone who donated food. Hunger = stunned.

Erie International Airport may land a new carrier – Cape Airlines. The airline would offer daily flights to Pittsburgh on its 8 passenger planes. Cape Air serves New England, the Carribean, and Saipan. No word on when service may begin.

The mother of a Gannon University student will blast into space Friday, Nov. 14 as part of the crew of STS-126, the next space shuttle mission to the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Heidemarie Martha Stefanyshyn-Piper will be one of seven crew members aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The goals of the mission include delivering equipment and supplies to the station, servicing the Solar Alpha Rotary Joints (SARJ), and repairing the problem in the starboard SARJ that has limited its use since STS-120.

This day in 1781, John Dickinson, a lawyer and politician, became the president (governor) of Delaware and one year later, the president of Pennsylvania.  Penn State Dickinson School of Law located in Carlisle, Pa. is named after John Dickinson who epitomizes what it means to be a public servant.

The Kennerknecht family lost their home to a fire on October 31 along with all their belongings. Friends and family are holding a fundraiser for the family at Mound Grove on Donation Road on Sunday, November 23. There will be a cash bar, 50-50, Chinese Auction, live music and moor. It’s $5 to get in and proceeds go to the family.

The fourth annual “Blood Bath” at the Community Blood Bank is back and bigger than ever! Fans
of the Steelers, Browns and this year, the Bills will be vying for tickets to an upcoming NFL games at their teams’ home stadium. Donors all week come in can ‘vote’ for their favorite team by giving blood. One winner will be selected from EACH TEAM to win a four pack of tickets. The games are:

The Steelers team: 4 tickets to the Steelers/Browns on 12/28 in Pittsburgh.
The Browns team: 4 tickets to the Browns/Bengals on 12/21 in Cleveland.
The Bills team: 4 tickets to the Bills/Browns on 11/17 in Buffalo, this is the Monday night Game!

Gannon University students, faculty, and staff will spend the week of Nov. 17 working to combat hunger while also raising money for local agencies. That week, the University will observe Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week through a series of events, including a Box City in which students, faculty, and staff will – at least for one day – go “homeless” to raise money. Organizers are hoping to raise $1,500 throughout the week, which will be split among four local agencies: the Booker T. Washington Center, Erie DAWN, Mercy Center for Women, and Second Harvest Food Bank.

The new James Bond film, Quantam of Solace, opens this weekend. One of the previous Bond girls, Lynn-Holly Givens, who appeared in “For Your Eyes Only” was called to audition for the film while she was in Erie, appearing in an Ice Capades show.

The Computer Users of Erie is Erie’s largest computer club and have been together since 1982. That’s pre-Myspace for you youngsters. CUE provides a forum for people to learn about computers and have fun doing so. If you’re interested in learning more, they meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Holy Rosary School on E. 28th Street.

Sports

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome “The Bus” Bettis will be speaking at Penn State Behrend today as part of the college’s annual Speaker Series.  His presentation, titled “Championship Choices,” will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets were distributed beginning last week so if you didn’t plan ahead, you’re out of luck.

In the first round of the 2008 ECAC Tournament the Penn State Behrend Lions faced off against Wilkes University on the artificial turf at Gannon University on Wednesday, November 12. The colonels came away with a 2-1 win in overtime and advanced to the ECAC semi-finals, while the blue and white closed out its season at 13-8-1.

The Mercyhurst women’s soccer team is ranked No. 17 in the nation, according to the latest NSCAA/adidas national rankings. The Lakers (13-4-4) were also ranked No. 1 in the NSCAA/adidas Atlantic Region poll, released Wednesday.

The Gannon men’s soccer team placed three players on the 2008 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division teams released Wednesday afternoon. Piet Zweegers (Mierlo, Holland/Augustmianum) and Loek Masthoff (Nieuwstadt, Netherlands/Trevianum) landed spots on the first team while Afrim Latifi (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) earned second-team honors.

The Erie Otters will play the Owen Sound Attack at the Tullio tomorrow and Saturday (both games begin at 7 p.m.).

Events

The Villa Family Fund will hold a benefit tonight at Jr. Last Laugh. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5. There will be a 50/50 and Chinese Auction. Tickets are $10.30 and half the proceeds to go the Villa fund. Call Jr’s to reserve your seats. 461-0911.

Award-winning poet David Mason will read from his work tonight at 8 p.m. 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.

Meet new friends and catch up with old at the Young Erie Professionals November Happy Hour event! Join us from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 13th in the Erie Maennerchor Club ballroom (1607 State St, second floor, parking in rear). Speakers will include Major Les Walter of the Salvation Army and representatives of the Erie Maennerchor with a membership offer exclusively for yep! members. Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

On November 13, ErieKIDS will debut “In the Middle“, a children’s musical film.  The topic of this film is depression and divorce, and will be distributed FREE to all elementary schools, Childcare Centers and Social Service Agencies serving children and families in Erie County at the debut.

Sam Moss, president of Gray Matters Capital, will give the keynote presentation of Allegheny’s E-Week celebration. His talk — titled “Investing in the World’s Poor: Can You Have High Social Impact and Financial Return?” — will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. in Henderson Auditorium of Quigley Hall at Allegheny College and is free and open to the public.

Get in on the action at the Advertising Federation of Northwest Pennsylvania’s Viva Las Vegas Nite, slated for Saturday, Nov. 22, at the East Erie Turners, 829 Parade St. Enjoy casino-style gaming and chance auctions for chances to win great prizes, along with tableside magic and other entertainment. Tickets are $35 and include hors d’oeuvres, two cocktails and mock money to get the gaming started. Additional Mock Money, tip boards and tickets to the chance auction will be available for purchase.  The evening will start with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at 7 p.m., followed by gaming at 8 p.m., and the awarding of prizes at 10 p.m. Sponsored in part by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, all money raised at the event will benefit the Ad Fed’s Student Scholarship Fund. Please RSVP online at www.afnwpa.org or call (814) 451-8677.

A benefit will be held for “Baby Barry” who was born May 5, 2008 with heart defects: Coarctation of the Aorta and a faulty valve. The Aorta has been patched (the surgery at 10 weeks old) and the valve is to be replaced this December. The benefit will be held November 15, from 2 – 6 p.m. at the Greene Township Municiple Building, 9333 Tate Road, with food, music, and other events to help raise money. $10.00 donation and kids 5 and under are free. Call (814) 873-1111 or email herrings@plastekgroup.com for more information. A donation account is set up at all North West Saving Banks for little Barry.

The Lake Erie Ballet’s Annual Fundraiser Gala, celebrating 50 years of The Nutcracker Suite production, will be held this Saturday November 15, 2008 from 6 – 10 p.m. at Matthew’s Trattoria & Martini Lounge. There will be a formal cocktail dinner party and libations to honor Del Sheaffer,for her 22 years of service to the ballet as well as past and present Directors and Board Members of the Lake Erie Ballet. MC Tom Atkins, WJET and FOX Meteorologist will preside over our Silent and Live Auctions. Tickets are $80 or $150 per couple. Call (814) 71-4356 for more information.

The Northwestern (Albion) Music Boosters will be having their 3rd annual Holiday Craft Show and Cookie Sale on Saturday, November 15. We will have a chinese auction, lots of different cookies for sale, unique crafters, and a great concession area. It is free admission, but we are asking for canned good and non-perishable donations as we are going to give the donations to the Albion Food Pantry. If you are a crafter and would like to purchase a space ($15 for 1 table, $25 for 2), please call Brandy Vadney 403-3848 or Jody Ford 814-922-7185. Thanks and we hope to see you there!

Womynspace meets at the Movies (Millcreek 6 Cinema, 5800 Peach St, Erie, PA) on November 21 for a $2.00 movie. Time will be approx. 7 pm but depends on the movie schedule that week. So actual meeting time will be announced and reminder sent out on the Womynspace mailing list 3 days ahead of time. This will also be posted on the LBT Women of Erie WetPaint web page.

View this past Sunday’s comprehensive events list to see a list of events for the week and months ahead. If you would like your event posted here, please contact us via our online form.