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Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday March 21, 2006
Posted by Dennis on March 21, 2006
Matthew Selker has withdrawn his name from consideration for the position of head of the Erie County Bureau of Economic Development. Erie County Council was to deal with the matter today. Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio bypassed the usual hiring process and hired him as a per diem employee with an hourly wage rate. DiVecchio was trying to help an unemployed friend who helped out on his campaign with a big fat paycheck. Selker was a failed businessman who through political connections proved he couldn’t handle an economic development job while he headed the Parade Street development for Invest Erie Community Development Corporation. No progress was made while Selker ran the organization. Amazingly more progress has been made in the past 2 months than in the past 2 years with Selker. An announcement is planned for the Erie City Council meeting Wednesday on groundbreaking for a grocery store at 19th and Parade. County Executive Mark DiVecchio had previously tried to put Selker in charge of the Erie County Redevelopment Authority but the threat of a lawsuit stopped that plan.
A number of citizens, both Democrats and Republicans, concerned at the actions of DiVecchio trying to place unqualified people in positions of authority in the Erie County government have inquired about the process of mounting a recall of DiVecchio. Petitions could be in circulation later this week or next to place the matter on the fall ballot.
Two kids from Edinboro are sitting in a jail in Allegheny County on drug charges. David J Bell and Nicholas M Mendrala were caught transporting heroin and marijuana and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Matt Kramer purchased Porters Restaurant and Tap Room at Erie’s Union Station in US Bankruptcy Court in December. It’s now closed.
The Erie Area Convention and Visitors Bureau new 2006-2007 All Seasons Visitors Guide is now available. This years’ 72-page, full color guide includes:
New photos, Visitor Directory (What to See, Where to Eat, Where to Stay), Calendar of Events, Interesting facts on Presque Isle, Erie’s Bayfront District, Museums, Nightlife, Family Entertainment and Erie Heritage, info on nearby communities Corry, Edinboro, North East, Waterford and more, and colorful, easy to read Maps of Erie and its outer lying regions. Perfect for conferences, meetings and conventions, motorcoach tours, reunions, sporting events, college recruiting, visiting friends or relatives, weddings, fishermen, corporate businesses or travelers in general, the new Erie Visitors Guide is the ideal tourism resource. To order your free copy, please email Nancy at nreams@visiteriepa.com. With all the money they spent on the visitors guide I guess they couldn’t afford to spend a dime on their crappy website.
WQLN received two awards from the Pennsylvania Public Broadcasting Network (PPTN). The awards were the Speedy Delivery Award honoring an innovative program or new technology that had a significant impact on Pennsylvanians and the Best Neighbor Award, recognizing a community partnership.
The Eerie Horror Film Festival (EHFF) was originally conceived as an offshoot of the annual Great Lakes Independent Film Festival and has since grown into its own separate and wildly successful event. This year’s event will be held October 4-8, in Erie, Pennsylvania at the Roadhouse Theater and will feature special celebrity guests, visiting filmmakers, and thousands of attendees. Headlining this year’s event will be filmmaker George A Romero, a pivotal figure in the development of the contemporary independent horror film. The grand prize winner in the film division at this year’s festival will receive a 6 page Flash interactive website for their feature film, courtesy of JV Media Design.
Kim McClelland, Artistic Director of The Roadhouse Theatre is opening a cool new store this coming weekend called Kim miK’s Gallery Tooloose. The store is in the ever growing midtown area in the small Victorian mansion at 2716 Peach Street (29th and Peach). The Grand Opening will take place this Saturday, March 25th from 2 - 8pm. Complimentary soft drinks and finger foods will be offered on opening day. Kim is calling her store a Curioddessey Shop. What is that exactly? Well, she says, if you remember Windrose, you’ll be very comfortable in her shop. Some of the many items available in the store will include contemporary art, exquisite antiques, unique gifts and collectables, and odd or curious treasures.
The American presidency will be the focus of the spring 2006 Chautauqua at Gannon lecture. The speaker will be Dr Thomas Cronin, professor of American institutions and leadership at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Beyond the office of the presidency, Cronin, a renowned presidential scholar, also will address critical issues related to public leadership. The lecture will begin at 7:30 pm tonight, Tuesday, March 21 in room 104 of Zurn Science Center, 143 West Seventh Street. It is free and open to the public.
Dr Alexander Czopp, a social psychologist from the University of Toledo, will present a lecture on confronting racists at 7:30 pm tonight at the Mercyhurst College Taylor Little Theatre. A reception will follow. Czopp’s talk, “Everyday Approaches to Prejudice Reduction: What Happens When You Confront a Racist?” is free and open to the public.
David Coleman, “The Dating Doctor”, will speak at Gannon University on Wednesday, March 22. The focus of Coleman’s lecture will be, “making relationships matter.” The event is free and open to the public and will be held at 7:30 pm in room 104 of the Zurn Science Center, 143 West Seventh Street.
“Comets and the Origin of Life” will be the topic of the upcoming Penn State Behrend School of Science Open House Night in Astronomy. Darren Williams, Penn State Behrend associate professor of physics and astronomy, will discuss how comets gave rise to life on Earth in a non-technical lecture that is free and open to the public. The lecture will begin at 7:30 pm on Thursday, March 23, in 101 Otto Behrend Science Building. Weather permitting, astronomical observation from the college’s Mehalso Observatory will follow.
The musical “Brigadoon” will be performed at the Erie Playhouse March 23-26,
March 29-April 2, 6-9, 2006. For tickets and times call (814) 454-2852.
Mercyhurst Prep has a production of “Hello, Dolly!” playing March 23, 24, 25 and April 6, 7, 8 at 7 pm as well as matinee performances March 25, 26 and April 8, 9 at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $4 for students, $6 for seniors and $7 for adults.
The Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School is hosting a parent information session March 24 from 7-8 pm at Family First Sports Park. Families attending the information sessions will learn more about the school, view the curriculum, books and materials, witness a demonstration of the academic program, and find out how their child can enroll in this tuition free public school for the 2006-2007 year. All sessions are free and open to the public. The Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School (PAVCS) is a statewide public charter school that currently serves over 4,000 Pennsylvania students in grades K-9.
Roadhouse Theatre will perform “Reservoir Dogs” Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm March 24 – May 6. Reservations are a must for this show and can be made by phone at (814) 456-5656 or in person at the Theatre Box Office, 145 West 11th Street. Box Office hours are 2-6 pm Tuesday – Saturday. The Theatre accepts cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Tickets remain ever affordable at the Roadhouse, $8 regular, $10 riser and $12 VIP. Students with ID can see the show for just $5.
Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra conducted and directed by Bruce Morton Wright will perform a concert on Friday, March 24. The concert will feature as soloist Bruce Gingrich (organ). The performance is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:30 pm at First United Methodist Church, 707 Sassafras Street.
Sesame Street Live “Out of This World” is coming to the Warner Theatre Mar 24-26, 2006. Show times are Fri 7 pm, Sat 2 pm and 5:30 pm, and Sun 2 pm. Tickets are $14 to $25. Children ages 1-12 years receive $1.50 off regular priced tickets (excluding VIP seats). Any child who has reached his or her first birthday must have a ticket.
Presque Isle State Park is a leading migratory stop for all kinds of birds. There are a number of programs on the subject scheduled at the park. On Saturday, March 25 at 8:30 am there will a hike and lecture about birding. A brief indoor program will be followed by a drive/hike to each week’s birding hot spot for some in-the-field experiences. No fee, no registration. Meet at Stull Interpretive Center.
On Sunday, March 26, the Millcreek Kiwanis Club will be hosting its annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. The event takes place at Asbury Barn from 8 am until 2 pm. Cost is $4 with kids under two admitted free. The children can visit with the Easter bunny and participate in many activities including an indoor Easter egg hunt, face painting and arts and craft activities while the parents enjoy a pancake breakfast. Also, there will be a Chinese auction and a Bake Sale. The proceeds benefit the activities of the Millcreek Kiwanis Club.
The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League announced today that they will not renew or extend the contract of Head Coach Dave MacQueen. No timetable has been set by the organization to name a replacement. MacQueen took over as Head Coach of the Otters prior to the 1999-2000 OHL Season and posted a 229-183-40-21-3 (wins-loses-ties-overtime losses-shootout losses) record in seven seasons. He guided Erie to three consecutive Midwest Division titles (2000, 2001, 2002), a Western Conference Championship (2002), a Regular Season OHL title (2001) and the 2002 OHL Championship. In addition, the Woodstock, Ontario was named OHL Coach-of-the-Year in 2000-2001.
Jacki Windon has been named to the Archbishop Hoban High School Hall of Fame in Akron Ohio. Windon played basketball for Gannon University, was an assistant coach of the team for two years after graduation and two years ago at age 25 was named head coach of the Case Western Reserve women’s basketball team.
Goaltender Josh Disher, who just finished his career with the Erie Otters, signed a contract with the Johnstown Chiefs of the East Coast Hockey League Monday.
Mike Janis Racing announced the addition of the Smith Provision Company to its family of sponsors. Smith’s is a family owned company operated by the Weber family of Erie, Pa. Smith’s product line consists of wieners, sausage, hams, and lunchmeats. Smith’s sells product to distributors and retailers alike. They deliver to stores as far south as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, into western New York, and eastern Ohio.
Posted by Dennis at March 21, 2006 7:04 AM
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