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Erie PA News and Events for Thursday March 23, 2006

Erie City Council passed the 3 percent entertainment tax at last night’s meeting. All seven members of council and the Erie mayor are Democrats. The 3 percent tax will be added to all entertainment tickets priced over $5. One item about the situation did make me chuckle. There was the argument that the Tullio Arena and the Warner Theatre could lose events. But did Erie ever get an event because another city had an amusement tax when we didn’t? Well, no. Of course not.
Even with this new revenue source the city is well over $2 million over budget. Expect more taxes and fees because there has been zero effort to cut expenses.

Former Erie Mayor Rick Filippi wrapped up his testimony at his trial yesterday. The most shocking thing was that a politician (well a former politician) admitted he made a mistake. He said what he did was “politically stupid.” This could be the fist time in American history that a politician admitted a mistake. Filippi also said that his total investment in Aiko was $8,000 or less than 5 percent of the total the company spent on the 5 properties. If that’s true, it could result in more charges being dropped before it gets to the jury. His buess and law partner Rolf Patberg finised up his testimony. Eric Purchase is scheduled to testify today.

The Erie newspaper reported that IFP North America has given up on the former Kaiser 12th street property to build the juice plant and instead try to buy a chunk of property from the Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation (GEIDC). The property is just to the east of the Uniflow Center extending all the way to Downing Ave. It was formerly part of the IP/ Hammermill Paper plant property known as the South Yard. This comes only weeks before a goundbreaking was scheduled. You have to wonder if Herbert Fiss and IFP have a clue what they’re doing. All talk and no action.

Sonya Harris secured the Republican nomination on Monday night for Atlantic County NJ county clerk. She serves as deputy clerk to the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Harris has a Bachelor of Arts from Villa Maria College in Erie, Pennsylvania. Villa Maria is now part of Gannon University.

“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 tonight in Room 101 of the Otto Behrend Science Building. Weather permitting, astronomical observation from the college’s Mehalso Observatory will follow.

Two plays open tonight::
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.

Because You Care animal shelter is holding their 25th anniversary dinner dance on Saturday March 25 from 7-11 pm at the St John’s Parish Center in Girard. Tickets are $25.

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 Westminster Figure Skating Club of Erie annual spring show, “A Night on Broadway on Ice” takes place at Mercyhurst College Ice Arena in Erie PA at 7 pm on Saturday, April 8, and at 2 pm on Sunday, April 9. Professional figure skater Caryn Kadavy will perform in the show to Celtic Woman’s “Nella Fantasia.” Skaters of all ages and ability levels will take part in the two-hour show, which will feature nine solo performances by advanced skaters. Groups of skaters will perform to music from popular Broadway shows like “Mamma Mia,” “A Chorus Line,” “Oliver” and “The King and I.” The club’s three synchronized skating teams will perform as well. Advance tickets can be purchased from March 15 through April 8 at Debby’s Dance & Skate Shop, 3410 W. 26th St., and The Dancewear Center, 3834 Liberty St. Tickets will also be available at the door. Tickets for adults are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Student and senior citizen tickets are $6 each and tickets for children 12 and under are $3. For more information about the show, contact show director Eileen Bidwell at 835-1478.

Business journalist Stuart Varney will speak at Mercyhurst College Monday, April 10, as part of the college’s Walker Lecture Series. Varney appears on Fox News. I doubt that any Mercyhurst student or grad has ever watched the Fox News channel.

The Pittsburgh Steelers basketball team will play the Penn State Behrend Community “All-Stars” in a charity game on April 23 at 3 pm at the Behrend Junker Center. Tickets are $5. For more info call the Behrend Men’s Basketball office at (814) 898-7566.

The Erie office of Pennsylvania Career Link will hold a job and career fair, the 2006 Erie CareerFair on April 25, 2006 from 11 am to 4 pm at the Zem Zem Shrine Club, 2525 West 38th Street, Erie PA.

Mike Machuga is in 10th place and Bob Learn Jr is in 99th after the second round of qualifying at the PBA Tour 2006 Denny’s World Championship.

The Gannon women’s water polo team defeated Penn State Behrend Wednesday 23-5 at the Carneval Athletic Pavilion at Gannon.

Mercyhurst senior defenseman Preston Briggs has signed with the Dayton Bombers of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).

Twenty-five Gannon University and seven Mercyhurst College athletes were named to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Winter All-Academic team.

Edinboro University head football coach Scott Browning has announced the addition of two full-time assistant coaches to his staff. Kim Niedbala has been appointed the defensive backs coach, while Keith Braxton will serve as the defensive line coach. Niedbala served as an assistant coach at Clarion for seven seasons. Braxton joins the Fighting Scots after serving as a member of the Virginia Military Institute coaching staff for five seasons.

Mercyhurst College Rowing has announced plans to hold a rowing camp from Monday, July 24 thru Friday, July 28, 2006. Boys and girls ages 13-18 are welcome. The cost of the camp is $375, with a non-refundable deposit due by July 14. For more information, please contact Anne Dinshah at (814) 824-2479.

Posted by Dennis at March 23, 2006 7:00 AM

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Posted by: Scott at March 23, 2006 2:02 PM

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