Shortly after they held a rally at Union Station in support of bringing high-speed rail service to Erie County, members and supporters of All Aboard Erie got the word from PennDOT that Erie is now part of the plan for its future network of railroad lines. Now all we need is a few billion dollars from the federal government. While that is good news, don’t expect to see any development in the near future, until say, 2035.
It was so sad to learn of the death of two year old Takiah Warren yesterday, who was found unresponsive at her home. This morning police are continuing the investigation into events leading up to her death. They have a “person of interest’ in custody, and the testimony of a 5 year old sister, who implicated the person in question. An autopsy performed Wednesday was inconclusive as to what caused her death. We hope the police investigators are able to solve this tragic case quickly. Our sympathy and prayers go out to Takiah’s family.
Dedication for the spiffy new Griswold Park has been set for October 22 at 10:30 a.m. The new design is intended to help make the park more inviting, especially with the enhanced lighting and a new fountain. The newly renovated park is another step forward in the renewal of the area around Union Station, whose owner, Jim Berlin, got the ball rolling by turning the decrepit building into a showcase for the several businesses that have taken up residence there.
Due to popular demand, the Eastside Farmers Market season has been extended an extra two weeks. The Farmers Market, located on East 38th and Pine Avenue, will run from 10 am until 2 pm every Saturday through October 31st. The East Side Farmer’s Market is sponsored by the South East Hills Neighborhood Watch and Mercyhurst College. For more information, contact Bob Merski at 825-7392.
We have heard several reports of possible snow for the end of the week. We would expect many Erie area residents will be taken by surprise, as usual.
A scholarly chapter written by Gannon University President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D., has been selected for inclusion in a new book focusing on the “disproportional” decline of black American males pursuing college degrees. The book, “Black American Males in Higher Education: Diminishing Proportions (Diversity in Higher Education),” was published Oct. 1 by Emerald Group Publishing Limited. It is edited by Drs. Henry T. Frierson, University of Florida; Willie Pearson Jr., Georgia Tech; and James H. Wyche, National Science Foundation.
Every three years, the Pennsylvania Winery Association conducts an economic survey of the state wine industry, and the latest results show Pennsylvania’s wine and grape industries are growing at a rate no one could have predicted. Copied below is a release about the survey and findings. The economic impact of the PA wine industry rose 31 percent over 2005 totals to $870 million in 2007 Wine production is up 13 percent, to 920,000 gallons (moving PA up a spot in the national rankings to 7th overall)
Sports
Edinboro University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams will open practice for the 2009-2010 season today, October 15.
The Gannon Golden Knights also begin their preseason practices today.
Penn State Behrend junior volleyballer Danielle Woods hit a career highlight 1005 digs while coming up with 21 digs against D’Youville on October 13. She becomes the twelfth player in Behrend history to surpass 1000 digs in her career.
Events
Gannon Alumni Weekend and Reunion is coming up from Oct. 23 to 25. Details available at www.gannonalumni.org.
Tuesday, October 20, the Behrend Speaker Series will feature the “Marketing Mastermind From Starbucks and Whole Foods”, John Moore.
The presentation will take place at 7:30 p.m., in the REDC 180 Conference Center.
Each year ArtsErie honors individuals and groups for their contributions to the arts community with ArtsErie Arts Appreciation Awards. The awards are presented each October, National Arts and Humanities Month, at ArtsErie’s Fall for the Arts event. ArtsErie will host the 2009 Fall for the Arts celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Yehl Ballroom in Gannon University’s Waldron Campus Center (124 West 7th St., Erie).
