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Erie PA News and Events for Saturday June 3, 2006

In the late 1990’s, Norfolk Southern removed their circa 1882 line through the center of Erie known at the 19th Street tracks. The land was given to the City of Erie. It wasn’t very valuable, NS would have had to pay taxes on the property and they received a nice tax break for doing so. In 1999, a group called Invest Erie was formed to buy and develop the property at 19th and Parade where the railroad tracks once stood. The quasi government group has until the end of this month to obtain financing or the city will get another developer for the site. For over six years Invest Erie has received grant money from the federal government, the state and the City of Erie. The heads of Invest Erie have done nothing but receive generous paychecks. What is their problem? Riesbeck’s Foods has repeadly said that they will locate a Mor For Less Food Store at the site when a developer builds them a store. Invest Erie has (or had) $1.3 million in grants. They only need about $1.7-2 million in financing to get this done. Call a f’n bank already. Or call me. I could have financing in place before noon on Monday. IFP North America announced that they will sign contracts next week to build the proposed $65-85 million fruit juice plant at the the former Copes-Vulcan plant property in Lake City. Herbert Fiss, CEO of the company, said he will be in town next week to finalize the deal. Don’t hold your breath. IFP North America resembles more of a shell game than an actual company. You don’t have to produce anything to make money. You don’t even need a plant. You just announce plans and government grant money flows, not actual juice. The proposed plant has been in the works for 9 years. There has been 3 announced locations near Erie to go along with a site near Rochester in LeRoy, NY and another in Florida.

Christopher R Urban, of Edinboro, Pa, a graduate of Pennsylvania State University who will start medical school this fall, has received a summer research scholarship from the Pauletta and Denzel Washington Family Gifted Scholars Program in Neuroscience. One of Urban’s professors wrote, “I’ve been a professor at Penn State for 36 years, and Chris has to rank in the top dozen of the thousands of students who I have taught and known over those many years. He is special and I predict will one day be a ‘star’ in some area of academic medicine.”

Students interested in pursuing a graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis can begin coursework in June, thanks to a new offering of the Mercyhurst College Office of Adult and Graduate Programs. Students may complete the education requirements either as a concentration in the Master of Science in Special Education program or as a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. All graduate certificate credits may be transferred to the master’s degree program.

The Erie SeaWolves scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat visiting Akron last night at Jerry Uht Park. The two teams play again tonight in downtown Erie at 7:05 pm.

The Erie Illusion women’s football team face the Pittsburgh Passion today at 7 pm at Tullio Field on the campus of Mercyhurst College.

Jordan Cleary of Serra Catholic announced he will attend Allegheny College and play football and basketball at the school.

The 2006 Erie Admirals Flagship Cup, being held today and Sunday, will once again be held at the host venues of Family First Sports Park and Edinboro University. Over 175 teams are expected in 2006.

Also taking place this weekend at Family First Sports Park is the Summer Hoopla basketball tournament. Over 60 teams are expected to compete in the 10 boys and girls divisions.

The Presque Isle Volleyball Club Tournament will be held today. Teams for this tournament will have 6 players with at least 2 players of the opposite sex. There are three levels of play: recreational, intermediate, and power. Prizes will be given to the 1st and 2nd place teams in each division. Entry fee is $90 per team. Tournament will take place at Presque Isle State Park Volleyball Facilities at Beach 6. Check in time is 8:30 a.m. and play starts promptly at 9 am.

The Walk for a Healthy Community takes place today 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 final of 6 hikes scheduled at Presque Isle State Park for Pennsylvania Hiking Week is today. The Bike Hike at the Cookhouse Parking Lot takes place at 10:30 am. All hikes are FREE, no fee, no registration.

The 16th annual Erie Wild Rib Cook Off and Music Festival in downtown Erie in Perry Square wraps up today. Hours are 11am - 10pm daily. Admission is free.

Join the Gem City Jazz Ensemble for a two-hour performance during Erie’s Wild Rib Cookoff and Music Festival Saturday, June 3 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Perry Square gazebo. The 20-member jazz band, under the direction of Tim McKinney, will feature jazz favorites such as Girl from Ipanema, Pennsylvania 65000, Bandstand Boogie and New York, New York. The concert is free and open to the public.

The late Jonathan Larson, best known as the creator of the stage sensation RENT, wrote only one other musical in his short life “tick, tick… BOOM!” The musical will be performed at the Roadhouse Theater Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm through July 8th. Tickets are $10 regular, $12 riser and $15 VIP. Students with ID can see the show for just $5. Reservations 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 first Presque Isle After Dark of the season takes place on Saturday June 3 at 8:30 pm. Meet at Presque Isle Lighthouse lot. Hoots and howls, whippoorwills and woodcocks. Come explore the sights and sounds of the night on these dusk to dark hikes along the interior trails of Presque Isle. Discover why night time is the right time to explore your world. No fee, no registration.

Over 5,000 bikers are expected in Erie next Saturday to raise awareness and support for US troops serving in the Iraq war and for the Western Pennsylvania Families of Fallen Heroes Foundation. The Memorial and Honor Ride will take place from Lyndora to Erie. For details, contact Stan Frankel at (724) 265-3904.

The 2006 Erie Summer Festival of the Arts takes place June 22-25 at Liberty Park. This year’s fesl features demonstrating artists, crafters, a song contest, award winning children’s area, ethnic foods, student video and digital media competition, juried panorama art show, computer intruction programs for children and adults as well as strolling musicians.

Posted by Dennis at June 3, 2006 7:23 AM

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Posted by: Scott at June 3, 2006 11:43 AM

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