Today is Presidents Day. Presidents Day was originally designated in honor of George Washington’s birthday and is still legally called “Washington’s Birthday.” Banks, the post office, the courts, state and county offices and, depending on how your valentine’s weekend went, liquor stores will all be closed today.
Speaking of Presidents, Barack Obama will sign into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act later this week. The new law offers tax cuts and money for various projects. For first-time home buyers, some may be eligible to receive an $8,000 credit if a home is purchased before December 31, 2009. And unlike the previous $7,500 credit passed into law last year, you do not have to pay back the $8,000.
If you’re off work today, check out our Erie Twitter Guide. We’ve added a couple of new users to it over the last couple of days. One person who read our list and set up a Twitter feed for his business has already got a few leads via Twitter from companies as far away as Indiana. That’s awesome.
As of last night, there were just a handful of people left without power in Erie following last week’s very high winds. They should all be reconnected by today.
Erie County coroner Lyell Cook, president of the Pennsylvania State Coroners Association, will lead a discussion at the group’s meeting month to discuss a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision. The court ruled that autopsy reports are public information and Cook wants to find a way to tactfully comply with the ruling without releasing embarrassing information about a decedent. Autopsy reports are not public information in some states.
The Bradeton, Florida branch of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine hosted the Southwest Florida Regional Brain Bee this past Saturday.
Our condolences to the family of Aaron Nolan. Aaron was missing since January 16 but found dead last week in a melting snow drift near his apartment. Aaron leaves behind his new born son Ryder Nolan. Since we reported the story last week, investigators still are not certain how Aaron ended up outside.
A woman who lives on E. 11th Street was shot in the hand Sunday morning. The woman was in her house and the shot was fired from outsie. Police don’t have any suspects yet.
19-year-old Katelyn Martibello, a student at Edinboro University, was killed in a crash on Route 99 Saturday. Police said roads in that area were icy. Martibello was from Greeley, PA. Also injured in the crash was Stephanie Hutchinson, of Ashtabula. Martibello is the second Edinboro student to be killed in vehicle crash in as many weeks.
Richard Poulson, a lawyer representing the local firefighters union says Erie mayor Joe Sinnott is not correct when he says the city must hire 24 new firefighters. Erica Erwin has more here.
Dan Patrick, former SportsCenter anchor, gives Erie a shout-out in his most recent column in Sports Illustrated. He writes: “here are a few other ways to trim Super Bowl-related expenses in these trying times: Forget Disney World: Winners go to Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort in Erie.” It’s on page 30.
The Canadian travel website, Canoe.ca, has an article on how everyone up North is absolutely sick and tired of the cold and snow and makes recommendations on how to escape South. The popular routes are I-95 down the Eastern Seaboard, 1-79 and I-77 south from Erie,and I-75 from Detroit. The Detroit route is recommended by the author due to the amount of snow travelers would encounter on the other two.
Sports
The Erie Otters beat the Kingston Frontenacs on Saint Valentines day 4-3. There will be an Otters player appearance McDonald’s on Buffalo Road tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.
The Erie BayHawks are off until Saturday, February 21 whe they play an away game against the Sioux Falls SkyForce. The ‘Hawks play another away game on Monday, February 23 against the Iowa Energy before returning to Erie on Thursday, February 26 to play the Dakota Wizards. Get your tickets here.
Luke Gazdic’s second goal of the game midway through the third turned out to be the game winner as the Erie Otters rallied from behind for a 4-3 win over the Kingston Frontenacs in an Ontario Hockey League game played Saturday night in front of 3,721 at the Tullio Arena.
The calendar said it was February 14, but the intensity inside McComb Fieldhouse was more like March 14. It was definitely a playoff atmosphere as Edinboro and Slippery Rock battled, and unfortunately the Fighting Scots came out on the short end of a 96-87 game in overtime. The loss dropped Edinboro into a tie with The Rock at 7-3 in the PSAC West. Edinboro is 17-6 overall, while a Slippery Rock team which is enjoying its finest season since 1990-91 improved to 16-7.
Erin Ham of Allehgeny College placed second, automatically qualifying for Nationals in the 200-yard breaststroke, as she touched the wall in 2:19.56 at the North Coast Athletic Conference Championships at the C.T. Branin Natatorium on Saturday.
The Mercyhurst College baseball squad went 1-2 in its season-opening weekend series at Brevard College. The Lakers dropped today’s single-game, nine-inning affair in heartbreaking fashion as the homestanding Tornados put together a rally in the bottom of the ninth to score the winning runs with a two-out single.
The Behrend Lions men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams continued its domination of the AMCC. This is the third time in as many years for the blue and white to take home the championship. The women’s team would take the championship with a score of 213 while the men would prevail with a 250 mark.
Events
Allegheny College will host a special visit day for college-bound students and their families on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 16. High school seniors may schedule an interview with an admissions counselor, take a tour of campus with a current student and stay for lunch or dinner in one of Allegheny’s dining halls. Interview appointments for high school seniors are available from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. In addition, an information session followed by a campus tour for high school juniors and sophomores will begin at 11 a.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call toll free (800) 521-5293.
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, Gannon University will host the third of four financial aid workshops.The workshop is designed to help high school students and their parents better navigate the sometimes complex financial aid process. It is free and open to the public and will begin at 6:30 p.m. in room 1200 of the University’s Palumbo Academic Center, 824 Peach St. For more information, contact Gannon’s Financial Aid Office at 814-871-7337 or 1-800-GANNON-U, or visit the website.
Erie Gay Business Alliance will meet on February 18 at Matthew’s Trattoria, 153 E 13th St at 7 PM. Local activist Doris Cipolla will be speaking about marriage equality and other issues relevant to the GLBT community to the Erie Gay Business Alliance, which is for GLBT professionals and business people and their supporters. Phone: (814) 456-9833. Email: egba-owner@eriegaynews.com.
State Representatives Michele Brooks (R – Crawford, Lawrence and Mercer), Pat Harkins (D – Erie), John Hornaman (D – Erie), Brad Roae (R – Crawford) and Flo Fabrizio (D – Erie) will address area business and community leaders during a legislative luncheon starting at noon Wednesday, February 25, at the Association’s Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street. Registration begins at 11:45 a.m. The legislative panel will provide insight on issues such as health-care reforms, business taxes, labor laws and tort reform, and the 2009-10 state budget. Following their discussion, they will take part in a question-and-answer session. To register for this briefing, contact Tracy Shepard at 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660. Cost is $30 for members; $60 for nonmembers; and includes lunch.
Educators from Erie County can find the cure for their cabin fever at the Erie Art Museum, 411 State Street, on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 from 4:30-7p.m. Educators from all disciplines and age levels can earn Act 48 credit. “The Cabin Fever Getaway is an opportunity for educators of students in grades K-12 in all disciplines to familiarize themselves with the Erie Art Museum’s tour and educational programs, meet artists, explore exhibits and earn Act 48 credit,” said Kelly Armor, Erie Art Museum education and folk art director. Cost is $10 per person in advance or $12 at the door. Contact Jeff or Stephanie at the Museum, (814) 459-5477 or email Stephanie@erieartmuseum.org
There will be a book and media sale on Friday, March 6, from 3:00 – 8:00 and Saturday, March 7, from 8:00 – 3:00 at Mercyhurst Prep School, 538 E. Grandview Blvd. Donations of books, audio tapes, CDs, DVDs, and children’s board/computer games are needed. Donations can be taken directly to the main office of MPS or can be picked up by calling 572-4669. For further information, call Marisa Moks-Unger at 459-4042. Books and media offered at great prices. A bake sale will also be featured both days. All proceeds of the sale will benefit the Performing Arts Department of Mercyhurst Prep.
Abstract thinking, glasses clinking, free admission, artist demos, live music combine for the first Gallery Night of 2009 on March 6 from 7-10 p.m. Accents By The Bay, Allen Stoneware Gallery, Glass Growers Gallery, Kada Gallery, Ralph Miller Jewelers & Gallery, Presque Isle Gallery Coffeehouse, Schuster Gallery at Gannon University, Urraro Gallery and the galleries at the Erie Art Museum will host Gallery Night. Always a popular way to get around Gallery Night, EMTA’s Bayliner will be providing free 1 hour shuttle transportation from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Trolley maps and schedules are available at each gallery or by calling the Erie Art Museum at 814-459-5477.
On Thursday, March 12, 2009 from 6 – 8 p.m., celebrate the Birthday of Girl Scouting by re-connecting with your inner Girl Scout! Enjoy Girl Scout Cookies and Thin Mintinis, while sharing your sweetest Girl Scout memories. Bring your friends – and make s’more! Featuring complementary appetizers and soft drinks, plus cash bar (for guests 21 or over). Hosted by the Girl Scout Alumnae Association; this event is designed for adult Girl Scout Alumnae and other friends of Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania. Location: Matthew’s Trattoria & Martini Lounge. Cost: free
Upcoming Erie Concerts and Shows:
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 Erie events list to see what’s coming up for the week and months ahead. If you would like your event posted here, please contact us via our online form.
