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Erie PA News and Events for Wednesday December 20, 2006
Posted by Dennis on December 20, 2006
Erie County Council passed a second reading of the smoking ban by a vote of 6-1.What a waste of time. A lawsuit filed in Allegheny County could make the ban moot by the end of the year. Restaurant owner there filed the suit contending that the county has no right to ban smoking. A smoking ban is a matter for state legislators to take up, not individual counties or municipalities. If Erie County Council would put as much effort into curtail their drunken sailor spending mentality maybe businesses and residents wouldn’t be fleeing and maybe we could actually attract a new business or two.
Mercyhurst North East Junior College is making it easier for busy students to get a degree in nursing by introducing a part-time, evening and weekend course of study for its registered nursing associate degree program. Individuals interested in becoming registered nurses can now enroll in a program that will allow them to take two evening classes during the week, and one class on Saturday.
Dix and Eaton, the huge Cleveland advertising agency, has hired Amanda Majewski as an assistant account executive. Majewski, who previously served an extended internship with D&E, is a communication generalist specializing in media relations and marketing communications. Previously, she was a public relations intern at Fleishman- Hillard International Communications in Cleveland and held public relations internships at the Erie Zoo and the Center for eBusiness and Advanced IT (eBizITPA) in Erie, Pa.
Students who satisfy the requirements of Mercyhurst College’s new graduate-level certificate program in applied behavior analysis, launched this year, are now on the fast-track toward professional analyst certification, thanks to recent approval of its practicum experience by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. The board had already approved the new certificate coursework offered through Mercyhurst’s special education department, and the recent practicum approval makes Mercyhurst one of only six colleges in the country - and the only one in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio - to have both its coursework and practicum approved by the certifying board.
E and B Holdings has announced that they will be partnering with the Eerie Horror Film Festival for their 2007 Screenplay Competition and that actor Ken Foree (“Dawn of the Dead”, “Devil’s Rejects”) will be personally reviewing the top three winning scripts. The Best Feature Length, Short and Student screenplay winners will have their scripts forwarded to E and B for review at the close of the competition. The Eerie Horror Film Festival takes place October 10 - 14, 2007 at the Erie Playhouse in Erie PA.
A first half dry spell ultimately led to defeat for the Edinboro men’s basketball team on Tuesday night, as the Fighting Scots (6-3) dropped an 82-72 decision to East Stroudsburg in a PSAC crossover contest.
The Gannon women’s basketball team shot 57 percent in the second half and pulled away from Texas A and M International 79-55 during the opening day of action Tuesday morning at the Bahamas Sunshine Shootout.
The Mercyhurst College women’s basketball team lost to Le Moyne 60-55.
Kelly Calderone, Samantha Reimer and Rae Sherred combined for 53 points as Edinboro handed visiting East Stroudsburg its first loss of the season, 69-54. The victory was the second straight for the Fighting Scots and boosted them to 5-3.
The Baumann Fastpitch Softball Tournament will become a ISC qualifier in 2007.
Chad Obernacker of Erie signed a national letter of intent yo continue his academic and baseball career at Tennessee Tech. Obernacker is a standout pitcher and outfielder for McDowell High School. His middle name is Murray for his friends that want to rag on him.
The “Victorian Holidays: A Holiday Heritage Festival” exhibit at the Erie County Historical Society Watson-Curtze Mansion, 356 W 6 St, runs through December 31.
The Polish Christmas Celebration “Wiligia” will be celebrated on December 21 at the East Erie Turners, 820 Parade St. For reservations, call Sabella’s Catering at (814) 868-3463. Tickets are $15. This will be a traditional meatless dinner complete with Oplatek, religious music, artifacts, and rare museum quality exhibits directly from Poland. Profits go to the European Cultural and Polish Museum.
“Nature For You and Your Little One” will be held Friday, December 22 with two sessions, morning 10-11 am or afternoon 1-2 pm at Presque Isle State Park. $2 fee, registration required by calling (814) 835-4550. Designed especially for 3-5 year olds and an accompanying adult, this interactive program get kids in touch with all of the nature of Presque Isle. Thre is a story, craft and outdoor exploration with children getting a truly hands-on adventure.
The 24th edition of the McDonald’s High School Basketball Classic will be held in Erie on Friday, January 12 and Saturday, January 13, 2007 at Gannon University’s Hammermill Center. This year’s event features nationally renowned programs from California and Ohio, featuring rosters replete with top-ranked players.
The field is highlighted by the appearance of two of the most renowned players in Classic history. Delvon Roe, a 6’7” wing player for St. Edward of Lakewood, Ohio, is currently ranked as the Number 2 player in the junior class by PrepStars Recruiter’s Handbook, and is regarded as one of the best players in the nation regardless of class. Dallas Lauderdale of nearby Solon, Ohio, also is slated to perform, and the 6’10” explosive athlete is on everyone’s list of top centers in the nation.
Also entering the field for Classic 2007 is vaunted Westchester High of Los Angeles, California. The Comets, competing in their third McDonald’s Classic, are annually one of the nation’s top interscholastic programs.
The Classic will tip-off on Friday, January 12, with a first round, 7:00 PM match-up between Westchester and St. Edward. The 8:30 PM nightcap will feature Solon High and the host team Cathedral Prep.
St Edward is making their second appearance in the Classic, having won the title back in 1997. Head Coach Eric Flannery has been guiding the Eagles for eleven seasons and boasts of a 177-60 record including seven District titles, four regional crowns, and one state championship. His top players include current professionals Sam Clancy (USC), Jawad Williams (North Carolina), Steve Logan (Cincinnati), and Steve LePore (Wake Forest).
Also coming from neighboring Ohio is Solon High, featuring 6’10” All-American Dallas Lauderdale, who will play next season for Ohio State. The Comets are coached by highly-successful mentor Todd VanReeth, who in an 18-year career has compiled a 302-120 record, including a 92-29 record with Solon. His squads at Solon have won four league titles in the last six seasons, and have twice been a regional finalist.
The other visiting squad always brings impressive credentials and high aspirations for national championship recognition. Westchester High was California’s AAAA State Champions in 2005 and will feature 6’7 Dane Suttle, the reigning Los Angeles player of the year and junior Oscar Bellfield, who has been offered a scholarship by USC. The Comets are hoping their third trip to Erie ends with their second Classic crown.
Making a return to the Classic for the 24th consecutive year will be the Cathedral Prep Ramblers who are under the direction of head coach Brian Flanagan, who has gone 48-11 in his two seasons on the bench.
In his first season in 2004-‘05, he led the Ramblers to the Final Four in Pennsylvania with a banner record of 26-5, the fourth highest win total in school history. The Ramblers return just one starter from a year ago in junior Mark Blazek, but also have three seniors who saw regular minutes in guards Josh Licata and Ryan Heidt, along with center Jeff Wisinski.
General admission tickets cost $7 per night in advance for adults and $5 in advance for students, and went on sale to the general public on November 29th, 2006. Any remaining reserved tickets will also be on sale beginning on Wednesday, November 29th at the Cathedral Prep athletic office. General Admission tickets will be available on the same date at the Erie Sport Store, the Avalon Hotel, Dee’s News, and select McDonald’s Restaurants while they last. No phone orders will be accepted, and no tickets can be held. Another sell-out crowd is expected, so fans are encouraged to buy their tickets early.
Posted by Dennis at December 20, 2006 7:08 AM
Comments
I don't understand why City Council banning smoking is a bad thing. Philadelphia banned smoking in all public places including bars and restaurants, so why can't it be a city-wide ban as opposed to all-state? Does anyone know?
I think if people start to see Erie as a progressive place to live (like most cities and states that have passed the smoking ban)then THAT would be attractive to potential businesses and residents.
Posted by: stacey at December 20, 2006 1:09 PM
Stacy,
Although I hate the government officials are taking away rights, I don't think banning smoking is actually a bad thing. Heathcare costs are skyrocketing and this might help. Restaurant and bar owners know that sooner or later, smoking will be banned.
>>Philadelphia banned smoking in all public places including bars and restaurants, so why can't it be a city-wide ban as opposed to all-state?<<
Because of state law.
It doesn't make Erie look progressive. It makes county council look like a bunch of backwater hicks. Their own attorney, the couty solicitor, said it voilated state law and they could probably expect to be sued.
Posted by: Dennis at December 20, 2006 9:35 PM
Oooohhh, I see.
Well, it will probably be a state mandated at some point, so it's almost a moot point that they're trying to make. Thanks for the clarification.
Posted by: stacey at December 22, 2006 1:18 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.
