ErieBlogs.com: Erie PA News and Events for Thursday August 25, 2005

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Erie PA News and Events for Thursday August 25, 2005

Posted by Dennis on August 25, 2005

The Economic Research Institute of Erie held its fifth annual conference at Penn State Behrend. Most of the experts thought that the proposed racetrack and casino would be a positive for the greater Erie, PA area. On the positive side there will be over a thousand jobs, the local economy will be more diversified and visiting tourists will have flock there. However it could increase crime and suck out some money that would have been spent of other things. The proposed racino, a horse racetrack and slots only casino which will be called Presque Isle Downs, will likely be built in Summit Township near exit 27 of I-90 although there has been no official decision on its location.

Ronco Communications has been appointed as Value Added Reseller for Upstream Works and will immediately commence selling, integrating and distributing the Upstream Works Advanced Call Center product suite as part of their comprehensive call center products and solutions strategy. Ronco has an office in Erie at 668 West 38th Street.

The Erie Farmers Market will be held again today from 9 - 4 at Griswold Park, 14th and Peach Strrets, across from Union Station. It continues every Thursday through October.

The Harborcreek Township Board of Directors working with State Representative Curt Sonney are pleased to announce that there will be a special Shades Beach Awareness Picnic FREE and open to the public on Thursday, August 25th from 11am - 1pm at the Shades Beach Picnic Pavilion. On the shores of Lake Erie, Shades Beach is located at 7000 East Lake Road (Route 5) at the intersection of Bartlett Road. Shades Beach Park encompasses a large area along Eight Mile Creek where there are trails, woodlands, play areas, picnic grounds, and beach area. Featuring two complete organized picnic facilities; each with complete kitchen operations, restrooms, playground facilities, horseshoe courts and volleyball courts.

The papermoon Restaurant and Calamari’s Squid Row (no web site) will host this Thursday nights block party tonight from 13th to 14th on State with street tents, outdoor cafes, celebrity bartenders and live music featuring Mary Alice Brown and Firends along with Raven. Proceeds will benefit the Gertrude Barber Center. The party runs from 6 pm to 11 pm.

The North East, PA National Rib Festival will be held August 26-28 at Gravel Pit Park. For details call the Fuller Hose Company at 814-725-9211. There is no web site for the event as North East is about 10 years behind any city in China.

The Polish festival Zabawa will be held August 26-28 at Holy Trinity Church, East 23rd and Reed Street in Erie, PA. The festival will feature polka music, dancing, games, raffles, Polish food courts and a bakery, and a children’s area. Admission to the festival is free. For more information call 814-456-0671 because there is no web site for the event.

The Erie Rugby Club is holding a 5K Fun Run of Saturday August 27, 2005 at 9 am at Frontier Park, West 8th St and The Bayfront Parkway. Registration will be held at 8am, the fee is $15 which includes a T-Shirt. Proceeds benefit the Erie Shriners Hospital for Children. There will be an exhibition rugby game following the race.

Katie Chriest, is preparing to kayak solo nearly 30 miles across Lake Erie on Saturday, August 27, 2005 in an effort to raise community awareness and support for The Ophelia Project. She will be leaving from Long Point, Ontario before dawn and is anticipated to arrive in the bay at East Dobbins Landing in Erie, PA some time after 12 noon at the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies. You are invited to bring the whole family down to the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies (behind the Blasco Memorial Library on the East Bayfront Highway) on for Katie’s welcome back reception from 11 am to 2 pm. There will be interactive activities for the kids, face painting, food, beverages, music from the Latin band MAMBO, tours of BCMS, and an appearance by C Wolf.

The Erie SeaWolves beat the Akron Aeros 11-2. Erie pitchers Matt Beech and Lee Rodney combined on a four-hitter. SeaWolves batters Juan Tejeda and Scott Tousa combined to go 8-for-8 with seven RBI. Brad Snyder and Armando Camacaro hit solo home runs for Erie.

Mark Timmons, former president of the Dayton Warbirds of the National Indoor Football League, will announce today the formation of an indoor football team in Troy, OH. The team will play in the Atlantic Indoor Football League, which will soon be renamed the American Indoor Football League. The AIFL recently finished its inaugural season with six teams in cities that include Erie, PA.

The Milwaukee King boys basketball team will play in the Cathedral Prep McDonald’s Classic which will be held January 13 and 14 in Erie, Pa. Three Milwaukee King players have already signed with Division I colleges.

USHRA Monster Jam featuring Grave Digger returns to the Lake Erie Speedway this weekend and kids seats are only $5. Adult tickets are only $10 after a $5 discount coupon from participating McDonald’s. Visit a local McDonald’s in person for details. The stars of the USHRA Monster Jam will be out on the town starting Thursday, August 25, at the following locations: Grave Digger will be on display at the Erie Sports Store on upper Peach Street from 4-7 pm along with driver Randy Brown; Destroyer will be on display at the Beer & Pop Discount Warehouse on Peninsula Drive from 4-7 pm along with driver Dan Evans. T-MAXX will be on display at Denny’s Service Center located at 2923 Buffalo Road from 5-8pm with driver John Seasock.