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Erie PA News and Events for Thursday May 25, 2006

The Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) opens on Friday. This is a MUST SEE. Admission is free. They held a sneak preview for the media on Thursday. Yes, kids bloggers are part of the media as I was invited to attend thanks to Emily McCullor and Lisa Anderson-Titcombe of the Presque Isle Partnership. The building is a home run. Holy cow is it impressive. The Tom Ridge Environmental Center will be a welcome center for Presque Isle State Park and be home to research and education. We in Erie take Presque Isle for granted. We hit the beach or use the all purpose trail for a bit of exercise, but we forget how diverse the park is. Over 320 species of birds have been recorded on Presque Isle. There are scored of plants in the park and dozens of species of animals in the waters. The center includes the Big Green Screen Theater. The IMAX-type theater has a 45 foot by 33 foot screen. It will blow you away. The Sunset Cafe is the perfect place for lunch, a quick snack or a take-out picnic for the beach.

Lakeside Aviation, with its parent company, Erie Management Group, has signed on as the new fixed base operator for the Robert C Morrison Airfield in Ashtabula, Ohio. Lakeside Aviation takes over July 1. As the FBO, it will take over airport fuel sales, hangar rentals, hire any needed personnel and work with the airport board on any new development.

Lynn Swann has named Tom Ridge of Erie as honorary statewide campaign chairman. Swann and Ridge will be making a campaign stop in Erie on May 30.

The US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has reversed a lower court ruling and reinstated the lawsuit filed by Lynette M Petruska against Gannon University. In 2004, Petruska sued for sex discrimination and retaliation, among other state claims, after she said she was essentially forced out of her job as the university’s chaplain because she was a woman and had challenged sexual harassment by college officials. The case has zero merit. Gannon has more female administrators than male. Petruska wasn’t fired, she resigned. Here’s the decision in pdf format for you lawyer types.

James G Breckenridge, chairman of the Mercyhurst College Department of Intelligence Studies, has been named interim dean of the Walker School of Business and Communication, effective immediately. LTC (ret) Breckenridge completed his undergraduate studies at Virginia Tech and earned his master’s degree in Middle Eastern and European History from the University of Virginia and his MBA from Gannon University.

Venango Catholic High School has named Allison Anne Eckert as Valedictorian for the Class of 2006. She will attend Gannon University as a pre-med major.

I ran in to WJET-TV news director Lou Baxter at the media event at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. He said that everyone in the newsroom reads this blog. I’m humbled.

The Erie SeaWolves made it nine-straight victories win another win against the Harrisburg Senators on Wednesday night by a final score of 5-4. The win clinched the season series against Harrisburg and put the ‘Wolves one-game over .500 at 23-22. Kody Kirkland hit is league leading 12th home run and Kelly Hunt hit his 5th going 3 for 4.

Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced that the Blackhawks have signed forward Michael Blunden to a 3-year contract. Blunden, 19, 6’ 3”, 206 pound right wing was selected by the Blackhawks in the 2nd round, 43rd overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. This season, Blunden spent time playing for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League.

Preston Briggs, a defenseman who joined the Dayton Bombers late last season, has agreed to contract terms, the hockey team announced. Briggs had one assist and 12 penalty minutes in eight games after completing his college career at Mercyhurst College in Erie.

The 16th Annual Baumann Memorial Fastpitch Tournament will be held May 26-28 at the and Hess Fields in Erie at 12th and Hess Streets. Nine worldclass fastpitch teams from across the United States and Canada will compete, starting Friday night at 6:30, all day Saturday, with semi finals on Sunday at 9:30 am, with the finals at 11:30 am. All proceeds from the tournament benefits the Ahlzeimers Association Memory Walk, led by Jim Camp. There will be a huge silent auction on Saturday from 11-5, and plenty of concessions.

The Tom Ridge Environmental Center will open Friday May 26th. This $31 million, state-of-the-art center will share the treasures of Presque Isle State Park with nature enthusiasts, educators, researchers, tourists and other visitors.

There will be a Bike Night on Friday May 26 along State Street beginning at 5 pm which is sponsored by the Erie Downtown Improvement District.

The 16th annual Erie Wild Rib Cook Off and Music Festival takes place in downtown Erie in Perry Square May 31st - June 3rd, 11am - 10pm daily. Admission is free. Bands include Boyd and Tim, Sam Hyman, Brown Eyed Susans, Swerve, The 4 Jays, Gem City Jazz Ensamble, By Popular Demand, Familiar Spirit, Steve Trohoske and 3-Bop, Red Hot Rug Cutters and Chocolate Starfish.

The Walk for a Healthy Community takes place on Saturday, June 3, at the Liberty Park Pepsi Amphitheater on the Erie bayfront. The walk is underwritten by Highmark so that all money raised can be directed to the 15 Erie area participating health and human service organizations.

The Band Camp for Adult Musicians will enjoy its fifth season at Allegheny College this June. Founded in 1989 by John Fleming, the camp has grown from 17 campers for one week to close to 140 campers split over two weeks for the 2006 season. Week I will be held June 11-16, with Week II running June 25-30. Spots remain for musicians interested in participating in the two weeks of the Adult Band Camp. Any players of woodwind, brass or percussion instruments who are college age or beyond and are interested in attending should call Conference and Event Services at Allegheny College: 814-332-3101.

Posted by Dennis at May 25, 2006 7:07 AM

Comments

Posted by: ron at May 25, 2006 1:14 PM

Posted by: eden at May 25, 2006 1:20 PM

Posted by: Dennis at May 26, 2006 11:52 AM

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