Folks, we know it stinks, but please, when you brush the snow off your car, get all the windows, especially the back one. Here’s a photo and post from CambridgeSprings.net yesterday.

Joe Sinnott has announced he will seek a second term as mayor of the city of Erie.

Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper voted in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The act contains $819 billion in spending as well as tax cuts which are intended to stimulate job creation and economic growth. It contains $275 billion in personal and business tax breaks and $544 billion in appropriations and direct spending.  You can read the entire press release here [PDF].

REthink Erie invites individuals and businesses in Erie, Crawford and Warren Counties to participate in the REthink Erie/Workforce Development Survey. The purpose of the study is to gather important workforce development information and regional perspectives regarding a prospective community college to serve northwest PA. The survey is available on the front page of the REthink Erie website at www.rethinkerie.com.

InnovationErie is holding a design competition seeking ideas for products that can be manufactured in the Erie region. One grand prize of US $10,000 cash to be used for equipment and services to begin an art-based business at the StARTup Incubator, along with more than US $7,000 in in-kind InnovationErie partner services, including services from the Penn State Erie, The Behrend College’s Plastics Technology Center and the Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center will be awarded. The grand prize winner will have their design submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Office to receive an official patent. Deadline is March 2, 2009.

Citing current economic conditions, Mercyhurst College will not hold fireworks at it’s Mercyhurst North East location on July 4, 2009. You may recall they stopped having their “Old-fashioned 4th of July” celebration on their main campus in 2007, and outsourced the fireworks to the city of Erie. “The annual Fourth of July festivities at our North East campus are important to Mercyhurst, but during this time of economic uncertainty our first priority must be to our students and assuring, to the largest extent possible, that they can afford to continue their education,” said Dr. Thomas J. Gamble, president of Mercyhurst College. “As a result, we are suspending the festivities, at least for this year, and are earmarking those funds for financial aid for our students.”

The Center for Economic and Environmental Development (CEED) at Allegheny College is working with the Northwestern Pennsylvania Keystone Innovation Zone (NWPA KIZ) to identify companies with alternative energy and clean/green technologies projects that may benefit from President Barack Obama’s planned economic stimulus package. Entrepreneurs and businesses involved in alternative energy or clean/green technologies can discuss their proposed projects in person or they may complete an Assessments of Energy Projects form. For more information, contact Amara Geffen at (814) 332-3379 or Etienne Ozorak, CEED coordinator, at (814) 332-2713.

There is a new housing development in Washington D.C. called the “Erie.” Weird.  Or is that eerie?

The warming center that’s been opening in downtown Erie needs additional funds to stay open and help those less fortunate downtown. The City of Erie chipped in $5,000 but that money has been used, and the United Way has given another $5,000. We’re not sure how they’ve spent $10,000 to keep a few rooms open in a building that’s already being heated and lit – though we’re sure some has gone to food and other supplies. If you’d like to help, you can contact the Mental Health Association at 452-4462.

If you have a second, go and vote for Erie blogger Tammy in this Steelers contest at GoErie. Hers is the 6th photo in the slideshow. Leave it to GoErie to make actually voting and participating ten times harder then it needs to be. There’s no reason you need my birthday and address in order to let me vote for a photo. You’re doing it wrong.

Speaking of fail, we promise never to use overlay ads that obscure your entire screen. Ever. Promise.

General Electric is facing a possible credit downgrade by Moddy’s Investor Services and Standard & Poor’s. GE’s rating currently stands at AAA with Moody’s. GE is taking steps to bolster its cash flow by stopping halting its repurchase of GE shares and not increasing dividends.

The band Disturbed has announced new tour dates, and they’ll be hitting Erie on April 20. Their Music As A Weapon IV tour will start each day at 2 p.m. and the tour will include a second stage as well as tattoo artists, extreme sports, gaming and much more. Killswitch Engage, Lacuna Coil and Chimaira will join them on the tour. When we have ticket information, we’ll post it.

Sports

Many local high school and college sporting events that were scheduled for last night were cancelled and will be rescheduled.

The Erie Otters will play against host Niagara IceDogs in an away game tonight.  The Otters return to Erie tomorrow to play the Oshawa Generals and Saturday against the Guelph Storm. Get your tickets here.

Idaho Stampede overcame the Erie BayHawks 79-76 in a nail biter of a game. Tomorrow they play the Anaheim Arsenal and Saturday they play against the Bakersfield Jam. The BayHawks are on the road until February 4th before returning to the Tullio to play the Idaho Stampede once again. Get your tickets here.

The Mercyhurst women’s basketball team outscored Clarion 30-18 in the second half Wednesday, prevailing 56-45 in front of 237 fans at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Stephanie Prischak, honored before the game for scoring 1,000 career points, led the Lakers with a game-high 24 points.

In a game of spurts, sixth-ranked Gannon came up with the last one as the Golden Knights handed Edinboro a 66-65 defeat in PSAC West action on Wednesday night. A crowd of 2,062 at McComb Fieldhouse saw the Fighting Scots fall to 13-5 on the season and 3-2 in PSAC West action. Gannon is now 15-2 and 4-1, respectively. Edinboro had won the previous four meetings against the Golden Knights.

The Gannon women’s basketball followed Edinboro’s opening hoop with 18 consecutive points and cruised to a 71-50 victory Wednesday evening in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conferece (PSAC) Western Division action at the McComb Fieldhouse.

There are only two more tryouts dates left for any woman 18 years or older who wishes to join the Erie Illusion. They are designed for women who have no, or limited experience with football. Interested women need to bring workout clothes and proof of insurance. Experienced players should also feel free to participate in open tryouts. If you’d like more information please contact the illusion via email.  Tryout dates: January 31 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. and February 4 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the St. Benedict Community Center.

Indoor football league, the Erie RiverRats, will hold an open tryout on January 31, at the Edge Sports Performance Academy located at 9550 Ravenna Rd. Twinsburg, OH 44087. Registration at 10 a.m. with workouts at 11 a.m. Click here to pre-register. Tryouts will be held in Erie at the Family First Sports Park on February 8 and 22.

Fans who wish to attend the Gannon vs. Mercyhurst basketball doubleheader on Wednesday, February 4th can purchase tickets for the event beginning on Saturday, January 31 at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Cost for the event is $4 for adults and $2 for non-Mercyhurst College students.

Events

ArtsErie will hold a public kick-off for its annual ArtsErie United Fund on Mon., Feb. 2 at the Erie Playhouse, 13 West 10th Street. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m.; a brief press conference will begin at 5:15 p.m. The ArtsErie United Fund, previously known as the United Arts Fund Drive, has provided support to Erie’s arts community for over 40 years. In 2009, ArtsErie aims to raise $350,000 through the ArtsErie United Fund.

For you die hard beer fans, The Main Street Grille and Brewing Co located in Garrettsville, Oh. (between Cleveland and Youngstown) will hold a beer festival on Saturday. In addition to beer from Main Street and other Ohio breweries, there will be a large representation of Erie area breweries including the Blue Canoe Brewery in Titusville, Brewerie at Union Station and the Erie Brewing in Erie, and the Voodoo Brewery in Meadville. Saturday’s festival will have two separate two-hour sessions, beginning at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The cost is $20 in advance and $30 at the door. Participants will receive a 5-ounce sampling glass. For reservations or more details, call 330-527-3663 or online.

“Raw Edges,” an annual favorite of Erie dance lovers, returns for its 11th season on Feb. 7-8, showcasing the Mercyhurst Dancers in cutting-edge choreography by promising new talent. The concert is a culmination of the Mercyhurst College Dance Department’s Choreography II and III courses taught by Mark Santillano and Tauna Hunter, respectfully. Performances of Raw Edges XI are scheduled Saturday, Feb. 7, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 8, at 2 p.m. at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on the Mercyhurst campus. Tickets are $15 for adults; $12.50 for seniors and students; $5 for youths under 15; $1 for Mercyhurst students; and $7.50 for President’s Cardholders. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 824-3000.

Upcoming Erie Concerts and Shows:

Feb. 3: Harlem Globetrotters (tickets)
Feb. 13: The Temptations, Warner Theatre (tickets)
Feb. 19: Jerry Seinfeld, Warner Theatre (tickets)
Feb. 22: Rain (Beatles Cover Band), Warner Theatre (tickets)
March 7: Motley Crue w/ Hinder, Last Vegas, Theory of a Deadman, Tullio Arena (tickets)
March 22: New Kids on the Block, Tullio Arena (tickets on sale 1/24)
March 29: Comedian Lewis Black, Warner Theatre (tickets)

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.