If you haven’t taken a moment to enter our $25 gift certificate giveaway for Sluggers Sports Bar and Grill, you can do it right here.

Our fair city is one of 32 finalists in this year’s All-America City Awards. The awards, put on by the National Civic League, will be announced June 17-19 in Tampa, Fl. The finalists are:

Phoenix; Fort Smith, Ark., Inglewood and Rancho Cordova, Calif.; Windsor, Colo.; Tampa; Bensenville and Carbondale, Ill.; Fort Wayne, Richmond and South Bend, Ind.; Des Moines and Windsor Heights, Iowa; Wichita, Kan.; Pocomoke City, Rockville and Salisbury, Md.; Somerville, Mass.; Belton, Mo.; Albany, N.Y.; Benson, Clinton, Kinston and Statesville, N.C.; Toledo and Wooster, Ohio; Toledo, Ore.; Erie, Pa.; Providence, R.I.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Rowlett, Texas; and Caroline County, Va.

Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott said yesterday he expects the James Cousins investigation to be completed today. As soon as we hear anything, we’ll post it here. In our poll we posted yesterday, 71% of people responding said Cousins should be fired.

A 1-year-old baby has been taken to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh after eating some crack cocaine. Parents, don’t keep your crack where the kids can reach. We only hope the parents get the book thrown at them for this.

PENNVEST, Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority announced yesterday they have awarded Erie Water Works $5,499,900 to fund the McKean Township and Borough Water Main Extension Project. Of those dollars, $4,736,829 will come in the form of a grant from PENNVEST and $713,161 will come as a 1% low interest 20 year loan.

The Pennsylvania State Education Association has endorsed Dan Brabender in the Erie County Judge race coming up in May. Candidates completed a questionnaire and participated in an interview with PSEA’s Political Action Committee for Education (PACE)

The Ophelia Project’s board of directors has appointed Ann Bloxdorf as it’s new Executive Director. Bloxdorf will be responsible for the management of the national office located in Erie, including leadership and policy guidance, strategic planning, staffing and administrative functions, fundraising and marketing and financial oversight. She will begin her new position the week of May 11, 2009. Most recently, Bloxdorf served as Chief of Operations for the Erie County of Public Safety.

Gannon University will host its 32nd annual English Awards Night at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22 in the Yehl Room of the Waldron Campus Center, 124 West 7th St. Li-Young Lee, the event’s featured speaker, will read a selection of his work. He is the author of four highly-acclaimed books of poetry, the most recent of which, Behind My Eyes, was published in 2008.

The Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies is offering a two hour workshop on the evening of Wednesday, April 22nd, beginning at 6:30 pm. Topics will cover diesel basics including the fuel, cooling, and electrical systems, as well as filters, injectors, pumps, maintenance and a spring pre-launch check list. Bob Arlet, the instructor, will combine some multimedia classroom time with hands-on demonstrations on the marine Farymann diesel. Call 814-456-4077 to reserve your spot. The $20 fee ($15 for BCMS members!) will help support BCMS programs. More info is available at: www.bayfrontcenter.org

Sports

The Seawolves were rained out last night, and will play 2 today in Bowie. The games start at 6:05 p.m.

Ross Ohlendorf allowed two hits in seven stellar innings, sending the Pirates to an 8-0 win over the Marlins and halting Florida’s winning streak at seven games. Nate McLouth drilled a three-run homer and had four RBIs. Adam LaRoche added two RBIs.

Join your favorite members of the 2008-2009 Erie Otters for Brunch with the Otters being held Sunday, May 3rd from noon-1 p.m. at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. The Sunset Café at the Tom Ridge Center will serve up an outstanding brunch menu featuring breakfast potatoes, almond French toast, omelet bar, scrambled eggs, bacon & sausage, delicious entrée dishes, pasta, chicken, beverages and many more choices to fit everyone’s appetite. Brunch with the Otters is $14.95 for adults, children (3-10 years of age) are $10.95 and children under three are free. All Brunch with the Otters guests can also take advantage of the Big Green Screen Bonus and purchase a $4.00 discount ticket for the Big Green Screen Theatre.

An Autograph Session and a Town Hall Meeting will follow Brunch with the Otters. All veteran players as well as a number of players chosen by the Otters in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection (being held via conference call and the Internet on Saturday, May 2nd) will be available for autographs from 1-2 p.m. The Town Hall Meeting, including an introduction of the newest members of the Otters and featuring Otters General Manager Sherry Bassin, Head Coach Robbie Ftorek, Head Scout Walt Wingfield, Assistant General Manager, Administration Shawn Waskiewicz, and select veteran members of the Otters will be held from 2- 3 p.m.Space is limited to enjoy Brunch with the Otters. Reserve your spot by calling the Otters Office at 814-455-7779. The deadline for reservations is Thursday, April 30th.

The autograph session and Town Hall Meeting are open to all fans, whether they took part in the Brunch with the Otters or not.

For further information contact the Erie Otters at 814-455-7779

Events