That three inches of snow we got yesterday felt like just another kick in the rear from Old Man Winter. I know it’s Erie and I know it snows for months and months and blah blah blah, but seriously? Could we give this cold and snow a rest now? It’s starting to feel like it will never get warm.

In a last minute vote last night, the Erie School Board decided that sports programs will remain at Central Tech. The plan to consolidate high school sports at East and Strong Vincent would have saved $247,000, and would have fielded more competitive teams while offering more sports choice to students. The board ended up voting 7-2 against the consolidation plan.

The Hero BX refinery in Erie has received a $275,000 grant through USDA’s Biorefinery Assistance Program. The grant will give the plant a chance to increase production and distribution of their biofuel products. The refinery takes animal fat and vegetable oils and converts them into bio-diesel, producing about 130,000 gallons daily. “It’s never going to replace oil but as things move forward we can see it being 2%, 5%, 10% of the consumption in the US in the next 3-5 years,” said Chris Peterson, vice president at Hero BX.

The Erie R.I.S.E. Leadership Academy Charter School, which will offer single gender, extended day classes to kindergarten through eighth grade high poverty students, had their three year charter approved last night. The school’s charter had been voted on four times in the past year, and each time was rejected due to concerns about location, curriculum and funding. The school is expected to open this fall at the former St. Stanislaus School and the Booker T. Washington Center. Community outreach on the city’s east side is also a part of the school’s mission.

Sports

The Spitfires defeated the Otters, 7-4, Wednesday night in Erie in Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinal series. The Spitfires take a 3-1 series lead back to Windsor for Game 5, tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m.

The Erie BayHawks close out the regular season on Saturday night at Tullio Arena as they face the Maine Red Claws at 7 pm. The night features a number of special events:

“Clutch” bobble head giveaway to the first 1,000 fans
The BayHawks mascot “Clutch” is featured as the first-ever bobble head, sponsored by Erie Federal Credit Union. The first 1,000 fans will receive the keepsake that even includes commemorative packaging, beginning when the doors open at 6pm.

Villa Maria girls state championship team to be honored
Mayor Sinnott will present the three-time state champion Lady Victors with a special proclamation before tip-off.

Game to be broadcast nationally on VERSUS
Saturday’s game will air to a national audience on VERSUS as part of a tape-delay broadcast beginning at 11 pm ET. It’s the fourth time in two seasons the BayHawks will appear on the network.

Erie has already clinched a playoff spot and remains in fifth place overall in the standings with the chance to still grab the fourth spot. First round playoff matchups and game dates will be announced Sunday night.

Fans can purchase tickets for Saturday’s game at the Tullio Arena box office, at ticketmaster.com or by calling 452-4857.

Events

The Kids Sports Fitness and Fun Expo will be held this weekend at Family First Sports Park. On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., kids can enjoy live entertainment, free bounce zone, character meet and greets, magic shows, as well as local businesses providing information, products and services for family fun and healthier living. The expo is free and open to the public.
Saturday, April 2
10:30 a.m.: Performance by Spotlight Studio
11:30 a.m.: Bob the Builder
12:30 p.m.: Most Valuable Kids Presentation
2:00 p.m.: Bob the Builder
3:00 p.m.: Performance by Dance Vibe
Sunday April 3
12- 1 p.m.: Erie BayHawk Player Appearances
12-3 p.m.: Clutch, C. Wolf and Speedy Mascot Autographs and Appearances
1-2 p.m.: The Magic of Tim Grunzel
3-4 p.m.: Millcreek Cheer and Dance Exhibition
4:30-5:30 p.m.: The Magic of Tim Grunzel

The varied and important needs of Erie’s sizable refugee community will be the focal point of Gannon University’s 10th annual Social Work Conference, to be held Friday, April 1. The conference will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Yehl Ballroom of Gannon’s Waldron Campus Center, 124 West 7th Street. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. Al Condeluci, CEO of United Cerebral Palsy/Community Living and Support Services (CLASS) in Pittsburgh, will be the conference’s keynote speaker. Condeluci is a national leader and consultant on human services and community issues.
Growing from a small diagnostic clinic linked to Children’s Hospital, UCP/CLASS is a major rehabilitation agency that supports individuals with disabilities as they strive toward equality.
Other speakers at the event include:
· Joel Tuzynski, executive director, Multicultural Community Resource Center.
· John Horan, executive director, Housing Authority of the City of Erie.
· Agnes Priscaro, executive director/nurse administrator, Multi-Cultural Health Evaluation Delivery System, Inc.
· John Hecker and Racha Fares, psychology residents, Erie Psychological Consortium
· Dorothy Kalanzi, assistant professor, Gannon University sociology program.
With hundreds of refugees annually coming to Erie, the theme of the conference is “Our Global Community: Helping Across Boundaries.” The conference is designed as an opportunity for the local social work and health and human service communities to learn more about the needs of Erie’s many and diverse cultures.
Noted Parris Baker, Ph.D., assistant professor and director, Gannon University social work program, “For many of us, global issues seem far removed from Erie, but in reality, the world is coming to us. The diverse cultures we are blessed to have interact with us as social work and health and human service professionals each day.”
The conference’s registration fee is $40 and includes six continuing education units (CEUs). Students with ID can attend at no cost.
For more information, or to make a reservation, contact the Gannon University social work department at 814-871-5378 or 814-871-7781.

Gannon University will host a Graduate Open House for individuals hoping to take the next step in their career or pursue an advanced degree. The Open House will run from 12-2 p.m. Sunday, April 3 in room 101 of the University’s Zurn Science Center, 143 West 7th Street. Registration will begin at 11:45 a.m. Attendees will be able to learn more about Gannon’s graduate programs and meet with program directors and representatives from admissions and financial aid. The normal application fee will be waived for all attendees. For more information, or to RSVP, contact Gannon’s Office of Graduate Admissions at 814-871-7474 or visit www.gannon.edu/graduate.