ErieBlogs.com: Erie PA News and Events for Saturday August 26, 2006

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Erie PA News and Events for Saturday August 26, 2006

Posted by Dennis on August 26, 2006

The state returned $17 million in tax dollars to the Erie area on Friday with five grants through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
The Erie Bayfront Convention Center received $6.5 million for a 300 space parking ramp, Gannon University received $4 million for their Erie Technology Incubator which will allow for the renovations to the former Boys and Girls Club building on West 8th Street, the Erie Municipal Airport Authority received $2.5 million to develop the International Trade Center at Erie International Airport Tom Ridge Field, Erie Shipbuilding LLC received $2.5 million to expand operations at the Erie shipyard,and the Erie Art Museum received $1.5 for the $9 million expansion project. Here’s the press release.

Gannon University will offer its Master of Business Administration program in Franklin, PA beginning Monday, October 16. An Open House will be held from 2:30-5:30 pm at the Quality Inn in Franklin. The $25 application fee will be waived for all individuals attending the Open House.

Brazillian Coffee and Machines Company is holding a press conference at the Intermodal Transportation Building on Wednesday August 30 to intorduce their cmpany to Erie. Their plans for 2006 include the addition of a manufacturing plant in Erie, which will serve both the American and Canadian markets.

The Erie SeaWolves split a doubleheader with Binghamton wiining game one 3-2 before being shutout 5-0. The SeaWolves play two more games this weekend at Binghamton before their home game in Erie on Monday.

The Shippensburg women’s soccer team defeated Edinboro 3-2.

Each Saturday they have something special happening at the expERIEnce Erie Children’s Museum. Today is Back to School Day. Have the kids come in and make a book mark and other back to school crafts. This event is free with Museum admission of $4.50 per person, free to members.

Come enjoy beautiful Presque Isle State Park, and join us in bringing the summer to an end with this one-of-a-kind kayak and canoe fundraising event called Paddle Erie 2006 to benefit the March of Dimes. On August 26, participants will launch their canoes/kayaks from Lagoon Boat Launch and paddle either an advanced course or a beginner course. The 10 mile advanced course begins at 8 am and is approximately four hours fours; the 4 mile beginner course is approximately two hours and starts at 10 am. Paddlers must pre-register and raise a minimum of $50. Special incentives are available based on the amount a participant raises. The top three fundraisers will receive additional prizes. Children 12 and under are free to participate if accompanied by a parent or guardian. ALL paddlers MUST wear a personal flotation device. For more information, or to receive your sponsor form, please contact Emily or Brandi by phone at 1-800-433-5210, or by e-mail at efritz@marchofdimes.com.

John C Lyons of Lyons Den Productions will he holding an open audition for his new feature film “Schism”, to be filmed in the Erie, PA area. The audition date is Saturday August 26 from 12-4 pm at the Erie Playhouse Rehearsal Hall, 919 State St, Erie. The audition will consist of a screen test, photos, and a basic reading of provided lines from the film’s script. Specific roles and brief descriptions are listed here.

Zabawa, the Erie Polish Heritage Festival, will be held Aug. 25-27 at Holy Trinity at East 23 and Reed streets. Hours are Friday from 5 to 10 pm, Saturday from 1 to 10:30 pm, and Sunday from Noon to 6 pm. There is no website.

The Fuller Hose Company North East PA Rib Festival takes place August 25-27. For details call the Fuller Hose Company at 814-725-9211. There is no web site for the event.

The GMD Films production of “House Of Bedlam” Directed by Paul Gorman and Steed Merrill is seeking extra casting for a scene being shot Sunday August 27 at 5 pm at the First Spiritualist Church, 11193 Sharp Rd in Waterford, PA. They are seeking men and woman of all ages dressed in appropriate period clothing of small town early 1800’s. This can include plain pants, solid color shirts, suspenders, floppy hats for men. For woman, plain dresses, or sun dresses without patterns, bonnets or veils. Think very simple, “Amish”, “Little House On The Prairie” style clothing. The scene is expected to take around 4 hours to film. There is no pay, but a ‘buffet’ style meal will be provided. If you are interested in being a part of “House Of Bedlam”, please e-mail us to let us know you’ll participate at gmdfilms@winbeam.com . Be a part of indie film making in Erie!

Auditions for “What the Bellhop Saw” will be held Monday, August 28th and Tuesday, August 29th. The full length play is a zany and whimsical farce that requires a large cast. All ages are encouraged to audition, as roles vary and include parts for one young child and several teen/20-somethings. Auditions are at 7 p.m. at the North East Cultural Center on Vine Street in North East, PA. “What the Bellhop Saw” is directed by Chris Bucci. The comedy is a similar style to his last project, “Oscar.” Questions can be directed to JLPryber@yahoo.com .

Family First Sports Park will be hosting the Challenge Cup soccer tournament September 1-3, 2006. The National Premier High School Challenge Cup will feature some of the top high school boys and girls teams in the nation. Every hotel room within 50 miles of Erie is booked that weekend.

The 10th annual Erie German Heritage Festival will be held September 2-3, 2006 from 11-8 daily at St Nick’s Grove, 5131 Old French Road (Route 97).

The Northwest PA Commission will be holding a seminar on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) on September 13 at the Warren Holiday Inn. Cost is $35 and the deadline to register is Sept 6. For many businesses, RFID will soon be mandatory. Click here for brochure/registration form.

Kayak enthusiasts will have the chance to participate in an eco-paddling experience, unlike any other. The three-day, three-night expedition will explore the many natural resources and recreational opportunities exclusive to Erie PA and the surrounding area. Registration to participate is required. Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force is sponsoring this event called the Lake Erie Sojourn which will be held September 7-10.

Erie’s last blast of summer, the second annual Erie Heritage Festival, featuring a special Erie Philharmonic Pops concert on the Bay, will be held on Saturday, September 9, at Liberty Park’s Pepsi Amphitheater.

Former Mecyhurst College basketball great Brent Swain is organizing a Mercyhurst Laker Alumni Basketball Game which is scheduled for September 9 at 7 pm in the Mercyhurst Athletics Center (MAC)..

Barbara Hurd will open the 2006 Creative Writer’s Speaker Series at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, with a reading on Thursday, Sept 14. Hurd’s reading will begin at 6 pm in the worship space of the Smith Chapel. A reception for her at 4:30 pm in the chapel living room will precede her appearance; both are free and open to the public. Hurd is the author of two literary nonfiction books, Stirring the Mud: On Swamps, Bogs, and Human Imagination, which was named a Los Angeles Times Best Book of 2001, and Entering the Stone: On Caves and Feeling Through the Dark, and a book of poetry, Objects in This Mirror.

The Scions Of Britain Car Club (the SOB’s) will hold their 14th annual ‘All British Car Gathering’ meet at the Gazebo Park in Waterford, Pa, about 12 miles South of Erie, on September 17 from noon to 4 pm The event is informal - no vendors, no judging, no fee - drive it, drag it, or just talk about it kind of event. There are usually about 75-80 cars and a few motorcycles, and they usually have door prizes for everyone. For more info, please contact Tom Lee at (814) 725-5992 or rthomaslee@aol.com .

The 2006 Great Lakes Film Festival will be held at the Roadhouse Theatre For Contemporary Art, 145 West 11th St in Erie PA September 20-24.

The Northwest PA Entrepreneur Club (E-Club) will be holding a Networking Event on September 20 at 6 pm in the Oil City library. It’s open to entrepreneurs at all stages of a business’s life who want to benefit from networking and education. Featured Speakers will be Mike Snyder, Attorney and Mike Klapec, Small Business Owner. RSVP by September 13 by calling Ethel Rodebaugh at 814-677-4800 x113.

The 25th Annual Wine Country Harvest Festival takes place in North East, Pa September 22-24, 2006. The festival features two venues, Gibson Park in downtown North East and Gravel Pit Park just 1.5 miles west of downtown. You’ll enjoy wine by the glass, tour buses to the five local wineries, Arts and Crafts, Main Stage Entertainment, a Children’s Area, Cruise in on Sunday, Bike Wine Country Tours, wine and food seminars and a champagne breakfast.