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Erie PA News and Events for Wednesday September 13, 2006
Posted by Dennis on September 13, 2006
An important program for emerging political leaders is currently recruiting in this area. This program, run by the Center for Progressive Leadership, has never reached out to the Erie region before. Thus far they have had little luck in recruitment from this area. The deadline is September 15, 2006.
The Fellowship is a part-time, 9-month leadership development program for both promising future candidates and non-candidate political leaders. During the 9-month program, each Fellow attends a series of trainings focused on providing them with the tools, resources, and knowledge to become an effective leader, organizer, or candidate in their community. As CPL Fellows, these leaders receive ongoing support and mentorship to support their launch into political prominence. You can apply here.
The Mercyhurst College women’s soccer team posted a 2-1 victory over IUP.In the National Soccer Coaches Association of America weekly poll, which was released earlier Tuesday, IUP (4-3) was ranked 22nd while Mercyhurst (6-1) came in at 25th.
The Alfred University men’s soccer team defeated Penn State-Behrend 2-0.
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.
Art begets art at Mercyhurst College as it celebrates the inauguration of a new president - and the unveiling of a newly renovated Cummings Art Gallery - with a pair of art exhibits opening Thursday, Sept 14, as part of Inaugural Week festivities. At the request of new President Thomas J. Gamble, PhD, the first show in the new Cummings Gallery showcases alumni of the college’s highly regarded art department. “From the Past to the Future - Alumni Art Teachers” includes the work of 17 Mercyhurst graduates who are career educators and also actively produce their own art. Simultaneously opening in Old Main is “The Friends of Mercyhurst College Art Show” featuring the work of more than 20 artists who are in some way “friends” of the college, be they faculty, students, or longstanding supporters. The exhibit is an initiative of Dr Gamble’s wife, Mary, whose hope is to use this as a springboard to create Mercyhurst’s first permanent art collection. Both exhibits open from 5:30 to 7 p.m. with receptions and live entertainment provided by Marty O’Connor and Friends at Cummings Gallery, and the Jim Madden Trio in Old Main.
Soprano Kyoung Cho will perform with the Erie Chamber Orchestra in their first concert of the 2006-07 Music Season on Friday, September 15, 2006 at 7:30 pm at St Patrick’s Church,130 East 4th Street. The concert is free and open to the public.
The Erie Playhouse production of “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” will be held September 15-16, 21-24, Sept 27-Oct 1. For ticket information call 814-454-2852 ext 0.
The Erie Irish Festival will be held September 15-17 at Rainbow Gardens on the grounds of Waldameer Park. Adult daily admission $2; all weekend only $3. Children under 16 admitted free.
The Roadhouse Theatre’s 6th Biennial Art Auction will be held Saturday, September 16 at 6:30 pm. Come enjoy the fun of the LIVE AUCTION! Includes lots of art—all kinds—from some of the best of the area’s artists, as well as plenty of other fun stuff like entertainment packages, music, quality automobile models, and much more. A Chinese auction, too! Snacks and drinks available. Tickets are a measly $5 per person. Admission fee will be deducted from live auction purchases you make. This is a fun event that helps the Roadhouse keep it doors open.
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 Erie Civic Music Association had its beginning in 1929 with a handful of local music lovers who wanted the community to enjoy quality concerts at affordable prices. Their first concert of the 2006-07 season is Sunday, Sept 17 with The Incredible Diamonds. You can pruchase tickets online here.
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month with a lunchtime presentation of traditional South American Andes music and dance. Inca Son will perform on Tuesday, September 19, beginning at 12:15 pm in the Reed Union Building’s Bruno’s Cafe. The concert, part of the college’s Rhythms of Life cultural series, is free and open to the public; a full lunch menu will be available for purchase.
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.
Richie Havens will be performing a concert at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center Big Green Screen Theater on Friday September 22 at 8 pm. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at the TREC Administrative Offices between 10 am and 4 pm Monday thru Friday. Cash, Check made out to Presque Isle Partnership, or Money Orders only.
Posted by Dennis at September 13, 2006 7:07 AM
Comments
Well, of course you're going to get caught when you use a public BitTorrent tracker and a site that is available via a quick Google search.
I feel bad for him, but it should have been obvious that it wasn't the safest haven on the 'Net for that kind of stuff.
Posted by: Ron at September 13, 2006 8:56 AM
Wonder if Scotts BitTorrent bust is related to some old news. I remember comments about how a blockbuster was leaked and one of the main contributors was from Erie a year or so ago. I want to say the film was one of the Star Wars movies. It leaked prior to screening and some of the news reports indicated one of the first copies came out of Erie.
Posted by: Nick at September 13, 2006 10:31 AM
@Ron - I have a feeling that this isn't a case about downloading a few music and movie files. The Feds were going after major players in the underground Torrent market and this McCausland guy must have been a pernicious violater--as in hosting hundreds upon hundreds of illegal files. Which segueways into...
@Nick - I almost guarantee that this is the same issue. It has many of the same players and both have the same code name 'd-elite' for the sting operation.
http://www.boingboing.net/2005/05/25/first_criminal_bitto.html
Because McCausland was not only hosting hundreds of files, he was practically taunting the movie industry by hosting movies not yet released to DVD. He had it coming.
I'm trying to get a hold of the court documents to understand the specifics. If I do, I'll try to post it here.
Posted by: RichardZ.com at September 13, 2006 9:47 PM
BoingBoing is a great site... It was Star Wars...
Here's another news article from that same day:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ID/7982008/
"Search warrants were executed in 10 cities across the United States, said Jamie Zuieback, a spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Homeland Security Department. The cities included Austin, Texas; Erie, Pa.; Philadelphia; Wise, Va.; Clintonwood, Va.; Germantown, Wis.; Chicago; Berea, Ohio; Anthem, Ariz. and Leavenworth, Kan."
Posted by: Nick at September 14, 2006 8:16 AM
As far as I know, he released Star Wars Episode 3 almost a week before it was released in the theaters.
@ Richard: Of course it was about mass piracy. But the mistake he made was that he used a large PUBLIC BitTorrent site. Anyone who was using EliteTorrents was at 100% or more risk than someone who was using a private BitTorrent tracker, with members with closed lips. I wouldn't have touched those trackers (PirateBay, EliteTorrents, EDonkey, etc) with a 10 foot CAT5-E cable. Those who are fighting piracy are going for the easiets marks, and those sites are like rounding up a herd of lemmings for them.
Posted by: Ron at September 14, 2006 8:18 AM
First of all... being that I am the one who is detailed in beginning of this post... There are a few things that I must clear up... most of you, I will assume are unfamiliar with what EliteTorrents was, for in fact it was NOT a public bittorrent tracker (it was far different than SUPERNOVA or any of the other non-register trackers)... and this legal situation deals (in my eyes) soley with Star Wars Episode 3... (although other movies were mentioned)... now I admit I was a large player, but in a small pond, as 133,000 member is small potatoes in the piracy game.
Any questions can be directed to me via email or via AIM @ sk0tcom (s-k-zero-t-c-o-m).
Posted by: Scott McCausland at September 15, 2006 1:02 AM
Not public huh?
A public tracker is a torrent that is accessible easily. EliteTorrents was easily accessible, as just doing a Google search came up with the site. Sure, you had to register, but how many damn users did you have? It wasn't hard to register with the site.
What I'm saying is that you were a huge dot on the radar because of the user base, and the fact that the site was easy to get at and register at. And I'm assuming that your user base wasn't hush-hush about it, and most likely put links all over saying "Get this torrent at EliteTorrents guyz lol". There wasn't anything secure or hidden about it.
Posted by: Ron at September 15, 2006 8:20 AM
So Scott, the lesson learned is 1) be a part of a huge network of users (larger than ET) and, 2) be a player but one that isn't at the top so as to stay out of the lime light?
Did you settle your case or was an actual decision handed down by the court? Thanks for coming out and posting.
Posted by: RichardZ.com at September 15, 2006 8:53 AM
Actually, there were many lessons learned from this... lessons which should be obvious to many...
The fact of the matter is that EliteTorrents was the same as any of 'private' tracker, with a little googling you can find anything you look for... and what other requirements are needed to let people sign up, invite only, limited users, there are ways a savvy technical nerd/geek could get around with a few clicks and a couple highlights...
I plead guilty just as the news brief says... but with reservations.
If anyone is interested in this:
http://www.sk0t.com/press.php
Posted by: Scott McCausland at September 15, 2006 3:58 PM
Add a
link and graphic to your site to show that you're from Erie. Meet new peeps, share you thoughts on our fair city, do whatever you like.
