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Erie PA News and Events Wednesday January 3, 2007

When we are infants, we don’t think. Infants act without thinking and such acts are completely honest. As we grow into adults, we become more and more adept at thinking before we act. So either the elected officials of Erie County are not yet adults or they are exceptions to the rule.
Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio signed the county wide smoking ban. It takes effect in February unless Erie County Council decides to delay it or not enforce it. Erie County Solicitor Thomas Talarico advised the Erie County Council that it was illegal and the county would be facing a sure lawsuit. Talarico might be able to file a motion but the county will need to hire a law firm if they are sued. A waste of taxpayer money. A judge in Allegheny County has issued a temporary injunction on the Allegheny County smoking ban saying the delay would give state legislators time to pass a law that more clearly defines whether local bodies may pass their own smoking bans or if state law comes first. Delay it and make phone calls to state legislators or get ready to cut a big check to a law firm.
Sadly, acting emotionally instead of rationally is commonplace with Erie County government and the cause of much needless taxpayer misery. Rather than creating a new problem, why don’t they try and solve the problem by acting rationally. They can’t. That would take mature, responsible, intelligent adults.

The Erie Times-News was one of the newspapers that have recently signed on to carry online coupons on their websites with the most notable one being the New York Daily News. The coupons from coupon provider Boodle.com will be printable and free, and will give discounts on national grocery brands. Of course you can get the same coupons yourself by just going to Boodle.com. There are now 552 newspapers active in the Boodle Online Grocery Coupons Program. Boodle.com is a division of Consumer Networks, LLC, which owned by three media companies: Gannett, Tribune and Copley.

The Ophelia Project is hosting Wo/Men With Vision in Chautauqua, New York, February 9-11, 2007. The semi-annual event is the first step to establishing a The Ophelia Project in that area. Men and women who currently serve youth or are concerned about social climates in their communities are encouraged to attend Wo/Men With Vision. Participants will receive training on The Ophelia Project mission, history, organizational structure and programs and services, as well as details on affiliating with the national organization. Space at Wo/Men With Vision is limited. Contact The Ophelia Project at 1-888-256 KIDS or visit www.OpheliaProject.org for details or to register. A national nonprofit organization, The Ophelia Project is headquartered in Erie, Pa. Internationally recognized as a leader in assessing social conditions and advocating healthy, safe relationships, the organization partners with educational, civic and community leaders to educate and empower kids and adults across North America.

The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League announced that they have traded Andrew Hotham and a fourth round pick in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection to the Saginaw Spirit in exchange for Jordan Skellett, a third round pick and a fifth round pick in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection. Skellett, who was acquired by the Spirit in a separate deal involving the Mississauga IceDogs finalized this morning, is a 17 year-old forward in his second OHL season. In 29 games this season the 5-11 left winger has registered five goals and six assists for 11 points. Overall, Skellett, who was originally selected 17th overall by the IceDogs in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection, has collected eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 67 career OHL games. Skellett is eligible for the NHL draft in 2008 and is a sure top five first round pick. He’s that good. Reminds me of Joe Sakic. Hotham spent parts of three seasons with the Otters. The overage defenseman totaled 26 goals and 69 assists for 95 points in 138 games. The Otters (9-27-0-2) return to action Friday night when they travel to Mississauga to take on the IceDogs in a 7:30 pm start at the Hershey Centre.

The Erie Broadway Series presents “Cirque Dreams-Jungle Fantasy.” A European circus act full of acrobatics and theatrics comes to the stage at Erie’s Warner Theatre on January 12 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $49.75, $39.75, $29.75. For more details call 814-452-4857 or 814-456-7070.

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.

A comprehensive, hands-on, 2 day RFID training will be offered in Erie, PA on January 17-18, 2007 from 8 am - 5 pm. This course is designed to prepare attendees for the CompTIA RFID+ examination, at a fraction of the cost of other national trainings. CompTIA certification is the industry standard for foundation-level information technology skills. Individuals interested in gaining an in-depth understanding of RFID technology, hardware and software capabilities, RFID system implementation and system maintenance should attend this course. The course is presented by the RFID Center of Excellence at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and the Center for eBusiness and Advanced IT (eBizITPA).

Martin Luther King III, oldest son of Martin Luther King, Jr and Coretta Scott King, will speak at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, as part of the college’s 2007 King holiday celebration. King’s address, “My Father’s Dream, My Mission,” is part of Penn State Behrend’s annual Speaker Series and will be held at 7:30 pm on Thursday, January 18, in the Reed Union Building’s McGarvey Commons. Admission is free and open to the public, and King will take questions from the audience following his talk.

The Erie Chamber Orchestra in residence at Gannon University presents “The Annual Tribute Concert to Dr Martin Luther King, Jr” on January 19 at St Patrick’s Church, 130 East 4th St. The Shiloh Baptist Church Choir, under the direction of Evangelist DM Jamerson, will honor Dr King’s memory at 7:30 pm. The performance is free and open to everyone.

The 9th Annual MECA United Cerebral Palsy Barstool Open is set to take place on Saturday, February 24, 2007. Last years event had 1200 participants and raised $30000. Yes, 1200 people out drinking in downtown Erie on a cold February afternoon. Teams of 4 will compete in golf at 9 bars in downtown Erie PA. The putting exhibition contest takes place on holes with wacky designs. This year there are 14 bars participating. Click here for a registration form. Mail the registration form and enclose your check for $100, $25 per person, made payable to: MECA United Cerebral Palsy, 3745 West 12th St, Erie, PA 16505.

Dennis Weed

Posted by Dennis at January 3, 2007 7:07 AM

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Posted by: Mike at January 3, 2007 9:49 AM

Posted by: Bobbo at January 3, 2007 11:46 PM

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