« Erie PA News and Events for Monday December 11, 2006 | Main | Erie PA News and Events for Wednesday December 13, 2006 »

Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday December 12, 2006

Erie County Judge John Bozza has ruled in favor of Invest Erie Community Development Corporation against the city. The city wanted to allow a private developer take over the grocery store project at 19th and Parade Streets. It appears the incompetence by Invest Erie has been matched by city officials who wrote up the contract with the group. Invest Erie Community Development Corporation was formed in 1999 for the sole purpose of building a grocery store and plaza. The City gave more than $450,000 in grants. The state and the federal government also contributed. The grants totaled about $1.3 million. The group can’t get financing to start building even though Riesbeck’s Foods has repeadly said that they will locate a Mor For Less Food Store at the site. All they need is the building to lease. The grant money is nearly all gone, mostly being spent on salaries of Invest Erie Community Development Corporation officials. Attorney and local developer Billl Sessler said he would start building immediately if and when he is allowed to take over the project.

The first 50 donors who come and give blood to the Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania today get a set of three limited edition Erie lithographs from nationally known artist Kevin-John Jobczynski as the “Season of Giving” continues. Kevin-John Jobczynski will be on hand from 11:30 to 2pm to personalize donors’ lithographs. Donors all week can enter to win a prize pack from Kevin-John Jobczynski that includes an autographed lithograph of the Steelers Super Bowl MVP Heinz Ward. “A lot of people, particularly Steelers fans are excited about this week’s Season of Giving raffle!” Said Dan Desrochers, Director of Public Relations at the blood bank. “We are so grateful for Kevin-John’s tremendous support during this difficult time for us.” All donors are strongly encouraged to donate at the Community Blood Bank, 2646 Peach Street. Community Blood Bank is open from 9-6 Monday through Friday and until 7:30 pm Tuesday night and Saturday 9 am.-12:30 pm. Photo ID required.

Rick and Terry Peterson of Corry PA has been named to the advisory board of FNB Capital Corporation, LLC, a subsidiary of FNB Corporation (NYSE: FNB), aka First National Bank Corporation. Rick and Terry Peterson are co-founders of Peterson Partners. Between 1977 and 2000 the two launched six companies, while at the same time acquiring and growing five other companies. Since 2000 they have been making direct equity investments in partnership with the managements of growing businesses. They are directors of several portfolio companies. Peterson Partners operates three business units - Corry Publishing, VertMarkets, and Corry Micronics - composed of six operating units with combined annual revenues in excess of $20,000,000; and 175 employees. The operating units are located in four cities in Pennsylvania: Corry, Erie, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. Corry Publishing is a publisher of national trade magazines and directories in the computer industry. VertMarkets is an internet business that operates in 70 different communities.

Gregg Costanzo has been named the Campus Life art and entertainment coordinator at Eastern Michigan University. Costanzo is an Erie, Pennsylvania native. He studied at Gannon University and received his BA and MA at Gannon.

Gannon University President Antoine M. Garibaldi, PhD has announced the hiring of former Saginaw Valley State assistant head coach Jim Kiernan as the school’s new head football coach. He becomes the fourth head football coach in Gannon’s history. Kiernan will be formally introduced to the Gannon community at a press conference today at 3:15 pm in Old Main’s Boardroom. A proven winner in the rugged Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), Kiernan has spent the last eight seasons as the Saginaw Valley State assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. The Cardinals were 69-24 (.742) overall and 62-17 (.785) in GLIAC contests during Kiernan’s tenure. The program advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament five times in the last seven seasons, including three trips to the Elite Eight. SVSU was ranked among the nation’s top 25 the last seven seasons and rose to the No 1 ranking in the country during the 2003 campaign. Kiernan was offensive coordinator at Mercyhurst College 1995-97. Saginaw Valley State head coach Randy Awrey spoke with Kiernan before his departure and said “I hope you go 10-1 next year” as a reference to the two schools competing in Erie on September 8, 2007.

Eriez Speedway in Erie will be a stop for the 2007 BRP CanAm Late Model Series. The date for the Series stop at Eriez is Sunday July 1.

The Gem City Concert Band will be presenting its annual Holiday Concert at St John’s Parish Center, adjacent to St. John Lutheran’s Church, 2216 Peach Street. The performance will this evening at 7:30 pm and will include many holiday favorites and a Christmas Carol Sing-Along. Plenty of off-street parking is available. The concert is free and open to the public; free-will offerings will be accepted.

The Holiday Toy Drive (benefiting SafeNet Erie) and Gift Wrapping Party will be held at the Plymouth Tavern, 1109 State Street, on Wednesday, December 13 at 6 pm. Contact Melissa Newell at melissamnewell(at)gmail.com for information regarding the Toy Drive. Yep! has partnered with United Way Young Leaders for this event. Please join them in providing gifts for local families currently being sheltered.

As part of Weaths Across America, 6 wreaths laid at the Erie Soldiers and Sailors Home Cemetery in Honor of the 5 branches of service and POW/MIA on December 14 at noon. Erie County Judge Michael Dunlavey, Major General (ret), of Erie Pa will be the keynote speaker.

The Lake Erie Ballet presents the Christmas-time classic “The Nutcracker” at the Warner Theatre Saturday, Dec 16 at 7 pm and Sunday, Dec 17 at 2:30 pm.

The Presque Isle Chorus, a member of Sweet Adelines International, will be holding their Christmas Concert on December 18 at 7:30 pm at the Trinity Luthern Church, 14 East 38 St. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Dennis Weed

Posted by Dennis at December 12, 2006 7:10 AM

Comments

Post a comment

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
Remember Me? YesNo

Comments:

Please note that all comments submitted are subject to moderation and final approval by the post's author. Comments will be posted as soon as they are reviewed.