« Erie PA News and Events Saturday January 13, 2007 | Main | Erie PA News and Events for Martin Luther King Jr Day, Monday January 15, 2007 »

Erie PA News and Events Sunday January 14, 2007

Bill Del Solar a native of Erie PA, the safety officer for 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) developed a safety devise known as the Rat Claw. Combat locks on the Humvee keep the doors shut in the event of an improvised explosive device detonation, shielding the passengers. When an armored truck is upside-down or on its side, it can take three Soldiers to push a door open enough to get out. The Rat Claw is a flat, steel hook that attaches to almost anything - the Humvee’s built-in winch or towing hook, a chain set, or aircraft cable. One tug with another vehicle can open the door, or if necessary pull it completely off. Press release and photo by SP4 Chris McCann 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn Div.

I’ve got an idea for a promotion for WXBB, Bob FM 94.7 radio in Erie. A radio station in Sacramento held a contest called “Hold Your Wee for a Wii” in which contestants competed to see how much water they could drink without going to the bathroom. In the contest sponsored by KDND, Jennifer Strange of Rancho Cordova died hours after taking part in a radio station’s water drinking contest of water intoxication. Here’s the story that Paige passed along to me. In the past week, the only thing WXBB hasn’t done is kill someone.

A warm welcome to Erie PA to Duane Havard who begins his duties with the French Creek Council, Boy Scouts of America on Monday. First hand knowledge because I’m a Realtor with Century 21 Stover in Erie and I’m a handling the Havard family relocation to the Erie area.

To improve social interaction and campus morale at Allegheny College, once per month a department hosts a good-morning conversation, explaining office functions and initiatives, and introducing staff to all who attend. The public affairs office created baseball cards with photos and a map to that person’s office. Of course, included were temporary tattoos and a stick of gum.

Erie Cathedral Prep defeated Westchester 64-60 in the consolation game of the 24th annual McDonald’s Classic held at the Gannon University Hammermill Center. Last week Westchester was ranked 10th in the country by USA Today. Cleveland St Edward defeated Solon 70-41 in the championship game.

Lake Erie Speedway announced that it will continue it’s five year association with NASCAR for the 2007 season on Saturday Nights. The facility continues to be a part of over 60 tracks across the nation in NASCAR’s weekly program. As the track’s feature division, the Plyler Overhead Door Late Models will be eligible for NASCAR’s state and national championship awards. In addition, Lake Erie’s Dodge Trucks, Legends, Krazy Kompacts, Advance Auto Parts Street Stocks, and Jensens Target Collision Figure 8’s will also be sanctioned by NASCAR on Saturday Nights. All sanctioned divisions will be eligible to participate in the various NASCAR programs. The 2007 race season kicks off Saturday, May 26.

The Mercyhurst women’s hockey team, the top ranked team in Division I, rallied from a 3-0 first period deficit to trim Wayne State 7-5 Saturday at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum and sweep the two-game College Hockey America weekend series. The Lakers improved to 20-1-1 overall and to 4-0-0 in the conference.

Ryan Potruff scored 3:15 into overtime to lift the Guelph Storm to a narrow 2-1 win over the Erie Otters in an Ontario Hockey League game played last night in front of 3,883 at the Tullio Arena. Erie lost for the seventh straight time to slip to 9-31-1-2 on the season. The Otters return to action with home games Friday and Saturday at the Tullio Arena.

Army snapped a 1-1 tie in the third period and went on to edge the Mercyhurst men’s hockey team 2-1 Saturday night at Tate Rink to sweep the weekend series.

Curt Ludtke and Aaron Simpson each scored 18 points in Northwood’s 60-52 victory over the Gannon men’s basketball team (4-9, 1-5) on Saturday.

Shelby Chaney had a season-high 25 points, but Saginaw Valley State caught fire in the second half to take a 71-68 final from the Mercyhurst men’s basketball team.

The Gannon women’s basketball team (12-3) roared back from a 14-point second half deficit and remained undefeated in GLIAC play Saturday afternoon with a 71-69 victory at Northwood. The Lady Knights remained the GLIAC’s only undefeated team, moving to 6-0 in conference play.

A hot-shooting Saginaw Valley State held Mercyhurst scoreless for nearly six minutes to erase a Laker lead and defeated the Mercyhurst women’s basketball team 76-55.

The Allegheny College men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams defeated Hiram College Saturday afternoon in a North Coast Althetic Conference matchup. The women won,170-118, and the men won, 210-80.

The Gannon University swimming teams hosted Fredonia State Saturday at the Carneval Athletic Pavilion. Both the men’s and women’s squads found victory over Fredonia State, winning 137-99 and 142-100, respectively.

Bobby Stauffer of General McLane has verbally committed to Edinboro University to play basketball. General McLane has legitimate shot at winning the AAA state basketball title after winning the football championship back in December.

The musical “Stand by Your Man” will be performed at the Erie Playhouse today and Jan 18-21. For tickets or more info call (814) 454-2852 ext 0.

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.

Peek’n Peak Resort and Conference Center will be host of a Jeep Terrain Park Challenge grassroots qualifier event for amateur skiers and snowboarders Saturday January 20. The competition will be from 10 am to noon. Registration is from 9 to 10 am. You can download an Entry Form and Waiver form here. Participants must have a valid lift ticket. Helmets are required. The Jeep Terrain Park Challenge is an amateur ski and snowboard series which holds 75 events throughout the country. The Challenge invites skiers to show their moves on the rails, jumps and other terrain park obstacles. The top male and female participants from each qualifier will advance to six regional competitions. The top finisher in the four categories from each regional event will earn a spot in the finals March 10 in Sugar Bowl, CA.

There will be a fundraiser for the proposed skate park in Erie on January 20 at Forward Hall. Admission for the all age show is $10. The bands that will be playing include Common Enemy, Whiplash, Cardboard Box, Piranha Deathmatch and Last of a Dying Breed.

Shake off the winter blues during with a day of fun during the “Winter Adventure Day” at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center on Saturday, January 20. Learn to snowshoe, check out cross-country skiing, test your winter survival skill, venture into ice fishing and more! No fee, No registration. Various locations on Presque Isle. 11am - 4pm. Meet at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. Call 814-833-7424 for more info. Check out some true survival skills on the BIG Green Screen during Winter Adventure Day: Adventure Movie Package - Buy Two regular priced Movie Tickets and get a FREE Large Popcorn! Not valid with any other discounts. Or “Two” True Adventure Package - See Everest AND Lewis and Clark for only $2 more than the regular price of 1 ticket. (valid for same day movie only)
Everest (Showtime’s at 12N, 2pm, 4pm)
Lewis and Clark Adventure Package (Showtime’s 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm)

Curtis Granderson, the Erie SeaWolves Centerfielder and 2004 Eastern League MVP Canididate will be in Erie on Wednesday, January 24 at the annual Erie SeaWolves Hot Stove Banquet. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour. Individual tickets are on sale now for $35 Fans can also purchase a table of eight for $240 ($5 discount per ticket). The event will be hosted by Jim LeCorchick and will feature many special guest speakers including Detroit Tigers Director of Player Development Glenn Ezell, Mandalay Sports Entertainment VP of Development Rich Neumann and 2007 SeaWolves Pitching Coach A.J. Sager. For more information or to purchase tickets for the event, contact the SeaWolves at (814) 456-1300.

Identity theft can wreak havoc on otherwise perfect credit ratings and wipe out bank accounts. And it’s a crime that’s growing by the minute. Learn more about this alarming crime as Stephen Szwejbka, director of the criminal justice program at Mercyhurst North East, presents “Information on and Prevention of Identity Theft,” on Wednesday, Jan 24, at 7:30 pm in Miller Hall, Room 116, on the MNE campus. The presentation is free and open to the public.

The Cleveland Indians have announced the line up for this year’s Winter Caravan that will be visiting Erie on Thursday, Jan 25. The event will be held at the Dr Gertrude A Barber National Institute, 136 East Avenue. A ball park dinner will be served in the gym starting at 5 pm, with the program beginning at 6:30. Players scheduled for the Caravan include star first baseman Ryan Garko, left fielder Jason Michaels, and second baseman Josh Barfield. Hitting Coach Derek Shelton is also on the roster, along with team announcer Matt Underwood. The players and coach will present a brief program and answer questions from the audience, and will sign autographs for youngsters in attendance. A charity auction will be held featuring team memorabilia and apparel and prime game ticket packages. All proceeds from the auction and the event will benefit services to children and adults at the Barber National Institute. Dinner includes hot dogs, chips and beverages. Tickets are just $7, and are available in advance at the Barber National Institute and Hector’s Restaurant. For more information, please call 453-7661.

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.

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will host only the third performance of “Inspired by America,” a groundbreaking program that fuses live music performed by Cypress String Quartet with an original film based on Jacob Needleman’s best-selling book The American Soul. Directed by Emmy and Peabody winner Michael Schwarz, the film uses American art, landscapes, news footage, readings, and other images and sounds to reflect the diversity of the American story. The event, part of Music at Night: The Logan Series, will be held at 7 pm on Thursday, February 1, in the Reed Union Building’s McGarvey Commons. Tickets are required. Music at Night tickets can be purchased at the door on February 1, or in advance at the Reed Union Building main desk or online. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8.50 for adults over 60, $5 for Penn State Behrend students, and $4 for children under the age of 16.

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.

On Feb 25, the Brewerie at Union Station in Erie hosts the Erie Illusion women’s football team Beer Fest.

Dennis Weed

Posted by Dennis at January 14, 2007 7:04 AM

Comments

Posted by: Tim at January 14, 2007 11:37 AM

Posted by: Eden at January 14, 2007 12:56 PM

Posted by: Erica Bickel at January 15, 2007 7:49 PM

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.