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Erie PA News and Events for Thursday October 6, 2005

With all required permits in place the initial phase of construction of the new Presque Isle Downs, located in Summit Township, has begun. Preliminary land development and a new road to Pennbriar Drive will be the critical first steps toward construction of this exciting gaming destination. Ted Arneault, CEO of Mountaineer Gaming, called this “a very exciting day for the entire Erie region. The people of Erie are tired of hearing the negative economic news that has affected this region. We are so pleased to announce the official beginning of a project that will help create jobs, give a shot in the arm to local businesses, and make Erie an even more attractive tourist location.” said Arneault. The Erie Presque Isle Downs is the first new horse racing license to be awarded in Pennsylvania in decades. Presque Isle Downs is also included in recent gaming legislation that will allow them to offer slot machine facilities. To help expedite the opening of Presque Isle Downs, construction will commence shortly on a 61,000 square foot multi purpose building. This will help provide a temporary location to house slots gaming while the permanent facility is still under construction. Presque Isle Downs is presently in discussions with the Summit Township Industrial and Economic Authority to determine their participation in this critical economic project. Upon determining the extent of a public/private partnership agreement with the organization, the final design option for the facility will be announced.

The Erie Zoo will be closed December through February. In past years the zoo was open those months and had free admission. The City of Erie gives the zoo a fistfull of money every year and for some insane reason also pays the natural gas bill for the zoo. No wonder the city faces a budget deficit of $10 million if we’re paying $200,000 to heat the zoo.

Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said that talks have been held about moving the Tigers’ farm club from Erie PA to Dearborn or Taylor, Michigan. 1) The Tigers don’t own the Erie SeaWolves. 2) Dearborn or Taylor don’t have baseball stadiums.
Davey Dombrowski should be a bit more concerned about fielding a team that doesn’t suck than where their affiliates are located.

Divers Wednesday found the remains of the third and final occupant of a small plane that crashed into Lake Erie in August. On Tuesday New York state police dive team found the Piper Arrow. Two of the three aboard were recovered on that day. Kevin Jesteadt, an Edinboro student, had arranged a flight over Niagara Fall to propose to his girlfriend, Lindsey Myers, an Edinboro grad. The pilot was their friend, James Regal.

Nexans, worldwide leader in the cable industry, has won a contract from GE Transportation Rail to manufacture and supply specialised balise cables to be used in the upgrading of Italy’s rail network to meet ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) requirements. The Nexans balise cables are advanced copper signalling cables which will be installed along the tracks to carry information regarding train position, length and number of wagons. GE Transportation Rail is headquartered in Erie, PA in the US and employs approximately 8,000 employees worldwide.

With the high natural gas prices, business at Spinworks is booming. Erie, PA based Spinworks LLC has developed a series of technologies which will enable thermal metal processing companies to cut the usage of natural gas in their furnaces. The use of Spyrocors can save up to 90,000 therms of natural gas per year, worth in excess of $100,000 in annual savings at current prices.

Gannon University and The University Of Charleston School of Pharmacy, Charleston, WVa, will sign affiliation agreements on October 7 in Gannon’s Old Main. The University of Charleston (UC) has agreed to reserve a total of 10 seats for Gannon undergraduate students leading to a clinical Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (Pharm D). The University of Charlestown will begin admitting students into its new School of Pharmacy in the fall of 2006.

Paquito D’Rivera and the Assad Brothers will be performing this evening at the Mercyhurst Walker Recital Hall at 7:30 pm. Tickets run from $20 for adults to $10 for Mercyhurst students.

The 2nd Annual Eerie Erie Horror Film Festival is taking place once again at the Roadhouse Theater in Erie, Pa, through this weekend. Horror and sci-fi films from all over the world, celebrities and thousands of fans. Special guests this year include: Gunnar Hansen (“Texas Chainsaw Massacre”), Lloyd Kaufman (Troma Films), Ben Meade (“Bazaar Bizzare”), Debbie Rochon, Pam Sutch, Jasmin St Claire, John Hancock and more.

Gannon University will welcome back hundreds of Gannon and Villa Maria College alumni during the school’s fifth annual Alumni Homecoming and Reunion Weekend. Four classes – 1955, ‘65, ‘80, and ‘95 – will be celebrating landmark reunions during the event, scheduled for October 7-9. A number of other alumni groups, including African American, Honors Program, Student Government Association, Heritage Society (graduates of 1954 or earlier), and Occupational Therapy, also will be celebrating reunions.

The Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm Fall Festival will be held October 8-9 2005, each day from 11am-6pm. Fall Festival offers fun for the whole family. Admission and parking are free but donations are encouraged benefiting the Edinboro Lions Club. They’ll have face painting, wagon ride and the mini petting zoo featuring Sierra, the friendly Bison. We will have pumpkins, squash, hay bales and corn stalks for sale for Halloween and fall decorating. Mickey’s famous pumpkin and apple pies will be for sale. Made from local pumpkins and apples, these pies don’t stick around long. Come view all the beauty that northwestern Pennsylvania offers with a peaceful country backdrop and the majestic Bison roaming in the fields. The Buffalo Grill will be serving up delicious Buffalo fare cafeteria style. Wear your 2005 Event T-Shirt and get a FREE wagon ride.

The Fourth Annual Walk to Make a Great Park Better will be held Sunday October 9, 2005 at Presque Isle State Park at 1 pm. In addition to benefiting Presque Isle State Park, money raised by the walk will fund three memorial scholarships named in honor of David Hanlon, Frank Pettinato Sr and Fran Kloecker Jr. To be eligible for the scholarships, the high school student must complete the scholarship application the day of the walk, participate in the walk and generate a minimum of $25 in pledges. For more info, call (814) 838-5138.

Posted by Dennis at October 6, 2005 6:34 AM

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Posted by: RichardZ.com at October 6, 2005 8:23 AM

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