ErieBlogs.com: Erie PA News and Events for Saturay July 1, 2006

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Erie PA News and Events for Saturay July 1, 2006

Posted by Dennis on July 1, 2006

The local TV stations including WSEE ran this story about the large increase in visitor spending in the Erie area. The state tourism office has a study that says visitor spending went up 41 percent from 2001 to 2004 to $654 million, up $191 million from 2001. Presque Isle State Park and the bayfront are still the main reason people visit Erie but not having a sales tax on clothing draws tons of people from New York state and Ontario. Add in Splash Lagoon, the increasingly good Erie Zoo and the big tournaments that Family First Sports Park hosts and you’re talking a lot of jobs and a lot of dollars.

Erie Indemnity Company (Nasdaq: ERIE) announced that it is included in the new Nasdaq Global Select Market, which is having the highest initial listing standards of any exchange in the world based on financial and liquidity requirements. Prior to the change, the company had been listed on the Nasdaq National Market. Erie Indemnity Company provides management services to the member companies of the Erie Insurance Group, which includes the Erie Insurance Exchange, Flagship City Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property and Casualty Company, Erie Insurance Company of New York and Erie Family Life Insurance Company. According to AM Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 15th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 22nd largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written.

Team FMX, the world stunts freestyle motocross team is performing in Battle Creek, MI this weekend. The riders launch themselves 35 feet high and 75 feet from ramp to ramp and the team does various stunts — supermans, the kiss of death, lazy boys. Three members of the team are from Erie PA - Brian Henning, Garry Robertson and Mike Lesley.

The lingering, moderate blood shortage that has been affecting our region worsened with extremely heavy usage of blood at local hospitals late this week. Normally the week leading up to a holiday weekend has lighter usage as there are fewer elective surgeries as people (and doctors) prepare for the weekend. The July 4th weekend is expected to be the worst weekend of the year for the blood supply with record numbers of people traveling. The blood bank is open Saturday 9am to 12:30pm and is also open all day Monday. Donating blood is fast and easy and only takes about a half an hour. No appointment is needed to save a life. All donors are strongly encouraged to donate at the Community Blood Bank of NW PA, 2646 Peach Street. Photo ID required.

Visitors to Erie Blogs was up over 20 percent from the month before. I know the monthly double digit increases will come to an end but the growth has yet to slow. Thanks for visiting.

Erie McDowell offensive lineman Dan Matha (6’ 7”, 311 lbs) verbally commited to the Pitt Panthers on Friday morning. West Virginia, Maryland and UConn had also offered him a scholarship and Notre Dame, Iowa and Penn State were interested in him.

The Erie SeaWolves beat Reading 5-3 despite striking out 16 times. The Seawolves (34-43), who are 15 games out of first place in the Southern Division of the EL, play the second installment of a four-game series at the Reading Phillies at 7:05 p.m.

Mercyhurst College Director of Athletics Pete Russo announced that the college has extended the contract of head baseball coach Joe Spano for three years. The deal runs through the 2009 season.

Edinboro University recruit Eric Morrill won 125 lbs weight class at the National Open Wrestling Championships in Virginia Beach, Va.

The Detroit Tigers promoted Jon Connolly to the Double-A Erie Seawolves of the Eastern League on Friday, three days after the left-handed pitcher won his third straight Single-A start for the Lakeland Tigers. Connolly, 22, went 3-0 with a 1.66 ERA for Florida State League-affiliate Lakeland.

Limestone College Cross-country coach Kevin Vees announced the signing of runner Robert Anderson of Mercyhurst North East Junior College.

Jason Dufner holds a one shot lead at 7 under over Dave Rummells, Andrew Pratt, Charlie Wi and Craig Bowden at the Peek N’ Peak Classic. Andy Pratt is a native of Erie who golfed at the University of Tennessee. If you can’t make it, The Golf Channel is covering it and they even have a plimp there getting some great shots.

Mercyhurst College will again host An Old Fashioned Fourth of July at its Erie and North East Campuses. This marks the 23rd celebration in Erie and the 14th in North East. Each year, tens of thousands of people have enjoyed the fun and fireworks at both campuses, and this will be no different. The Vogues, a vocal group from Jeannette, Pa, near Pittsburgh, with several top 40 hits has been entertaining fans since the 1960s, will perform at the main stage on the Erie campus from 8 to 10 pm. Some of the group’s hits include “Five O’clock World,” “Turn Around Look at Me, “You’re the One,” “My Special Angel,” “Till,” and “No, not Much.”
The event will feature a variety of acts around the campus, including Marty O’Connor, the Sweet Adelines, the Celebrant Singers, Geoff the Juggler, the Sonlight puppet Show, the Dixie Doodlers, Thirst N Howl.
Activities include Granny’s Ark Petting Zoo, the Strawberry Shortcake Festival, Erie Clowns, face painting, caricature artists, and strolling magician Devin Knight.
At North East, Jack the Dog will perform at the main stage from 8 to 10 pm., followed by Zambelli fireworks. Other activities will include the Dino Jump and bungee Run, the Bubblegum DS and Face Painting, and Mr Beau the Clown. The first 2,000 visitors to the campus will receive a free US flag.

Bring your family to celebrate July and National Hot Dog Month with food, fun, and entertainment provided by the Sunset Cafe and the Big Green Screen Theatre at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC). Join in Thursdays in July from 4pm-7pm, for a Picnic on the Patio and a “Top Dog and A Movie” package, for only $6.95 per person, including a Gourmet Footling Smith’s Hot Dog, Coke and a ticket to one of the featured large format films in July, The Living Sea or Lewis and Clark, showing on the Big Green Screen. Live musical entertainment, games, contests and give-a-ways will be a part of the weekly schedule of events, including Big Green Screen Tickets, T-shirts and other specialty items from the Nature Shop at TREC. Local guest musicians will be performing on the patio each week. Celebrating National Hot Dog month with A Picnic on the Patio Series offers an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy great food, live entertainment, family fun and a captivating film at the Big Green Screen Theatre. A hometown favorite, Smith’s Hot Dogs, will be the feature menu item; top you footling dog with gourmet toppings and sauces. Additional picnic foods will be available through the Sunset Cafe. This event is made possible through the efforts of the Presque Isle Partnership and the Sunset Cafe featuring Smith’s Hot Dogs.

The 2006 Erie Airshow will be on Saturday and Sunday, July 15-16, 2006. The Air Show will be held at Erie International Airport, Tom Ridge Field. The schedule of performances and static display aircraft present will be the same each day, so you can attend either day and see the same great show. Gates will open each day at 10 am with the flying portion of the airshow will begin at noon each day.