ErieBlogs.com: Erie PA News and Events for Thursday February 1, 2007

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Erie PA News and Events for Thursday February 1, 2007

Posted by Dennis on February 1, 2007

Hall of Famer and Super Bowl XI MVP Fred Biletnikoff announced he has retired as the Oakland Raiders’ wide receivers coach after spending more than three decades as a player and coach for the franchise. Biletnikoff spent the last 18 seasons on the Raiders’ coaching staff, including 10 as receivers coach. As a rookie, he was coached by Head Coach/General Manager Al Davis. The Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top college wide receiver, is named after the Raider Legend. The Erie PA native who was all-state in basketball and football at Erie Tech starred at Florida State before joining the Raiders in 1965. Biletnikoff, who turns 64 next month, will continue his association with the Raider organization in a number of capacities and looks forward to spending time with his family and with his charitable endeavors, the Biletnikoff Foundation and Tracey’s Place of Hope. There was a couple of years Fred wasn’t too fond of his hometown. Just after he was named Super Bowl MVP he was invited to a charity sports dinner in Erie. He was told by the bank sponsoring the event he would have to pay his own way because he was from Erie. That upset him. He appeared on the Tonight Show that week and told Johnny Carson that Erie could drop in the lake for all he cares. Fences were mended a few years later and he makes occasional visits here to visit friends and family.

The February issue of US Airways Magazine is out and features a large section on Erie. An ad campaign is running in conjunction with a community profile that features Erie, PA. The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership worked with partners in the economic development system to develop the ads. Bensur Creative Marketing Group, a Silver member of the Erie Regional Chamber, designed the advertising campaign. In addition to the County of Erie and the Chamber, partners in the advertising campaign include: the Erie Water Works, Penn State Behrend, the Economic Development Corporation of Erie County, Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center, the Gannon University Small Business Development Center, Ben Franklin Technology Center, eBizITPa, and Pennsylvania Sea Grant. The combined resources, led by financing from the Erie Regional Chamber and the County of Erie, allowed for a more comprehensive campaign - with five, full-page, full color business attraction messages to deliver. The Elements advertising campaign appears as part of an in-depth editorial feature that takes a comprehensive look at the economic drivers and industry sectors that shape the lifestyles and business landscape of Erie. The staff of editors and art directors at US Airways magazine worked with local writers to create a 40-page section about Erie. As part of the February issue of US Airways Magazine, Profile: Erie will be set before 5.8 million affluent and influential business and leisure travelers who fly regularly on US Airways. Profile: Erie will be reaching high-tier business leaders and corporate decision makers who are directly responsible for their companies’ purchases, expansions, and relocation to new areas. With the completion of the merger between US Airways and America West Airlines, US Airways now operates 4,386 daily flights to over 200 cities in 36 countries.

Tollgrade Communications (Nasdaq: TLGD) reported revenue of $16.6 million and earnings per share of $0.12 for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2006. Tollgrade was founded in Erie and later moved to the Pittsburgh suburb of Cheswick, PA. The company manufactures products for the telecommunications industry.

Former Pennsylvania Governor and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge of Erie is supporting Senator John McCain for President. Ridge served with McCain in Congress. Both are decorated Vietnam veterans. Ridge is viewed as a potential vice presidential pick although he has a pro-choice position.

Kaylie Retallack of at Blacklick Valley High School will be a part of the NFL’s Pro Bowl festivities in Hawaii after being chosen to be part of the Pro Bowl’s All American Cheer and Dance team. More than $650,000 in college scholarship have been awarded to participants in the past 20 years. Kaylie will be attending Gannon University in Erie.

To kick off National Children’s Dental Health Month, Tri-State Business Institute is partnering with the American Dental Association and the Sullivan/Schein Corporation to sponsor Free Preventative Dental Care to children ages 1-18 years of age in February. Children will receive free dental cleanings, screening exam, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants. Please call (814) 838-4317 for an appointment.

The Edinboro mens’ basketball team beat 19th ranked Cal of PA 49-48.

The Edinboro University women’s basketball team (11-9, 3-3 PSAC West) finally snapped a string of 12 straight losses to visiting California of PA on Wednesday night, handing the visiting Vulcans a 77-59 defeat.

Doug Straub connected on three second-half three pointers while leading four Penn State Behrend players in double figures Wednesday night at the Junker Center. The host Behrend Lions recorded their fourth straight win with a 65-50 victory over Hilbert College.

The Penn State Behrend women’s basketball team wasted no time Wednesday night showing why they are the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference’s top team. The Blue and White took out Hilbert College 72-38 and improve to a league best 17-2 overall and 12-1 in the conference.

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 today, 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. 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 Piano Lesson” will be performed at the Erie Playhouse February 2-3, 8-11, 14-18. For tickets call (814) 454-2852 ext 0.

The 20-member Gem City Jazz Ensemble will present their winter concert on Tuesday, February 6, from 7:30 pm - 9 pm at St. John Parish Center, adjacent to St. John Lutheran’s Church, 2216 Peach Street. Under the direction of Tim McKinney, the jazz ensemble will perform many great jazz standards and big band favorites, including My Funny Valentine, Moten Swing, In the Stone, and Girl Talk. Plenty of off-street parking is available. The concert is free and open to the public; free-will offerings will be accepted.

First Class, an exhibit featuring exemplary works by Erie Art Museum instructors and students, will open at the Erie Art Museum’s Annex Gallery, 423 State Street, on Friday, Feb 9 and run through Feb 13. A free public reception for this exhibit will be held on Friday, Feb 9 from 7-9 pm. Art is a participatory activity. Through classes at the Museum, ordinary folks try their hand at artmaking, with the help of some of Erie’s most distinguished artists. Included are works in watercolor, jewelry, acrylic, photography and ceramics by Museum instructors Deborah Sementelli-Hoenes, Fran Schanz, Wilda Sundberg, Christine French, Kathy Umlauf, Aaron Young, Jan and Dan Neibauer, Art Becker, Esther Hong and their students. Opening night includes a two-hour delight of demonstrations and hands-on opportunities guaranteed to stimulate the inner-artist. Visitors can throw-clay on a wheel, watch a weaving or watercolor demonstration, see a bellydancer in action and much more. The Erie Art Museum is located a 411 State Street in downtown Erie, Pa. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am-5 pm and Sunday, 1-5 pm. Admission is free for members, free on Wednesdays, $4 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and students and $2 for children under 12. One year memberships to the Erie Art Museum are $15 for students and senior citizens, $35 for individuals, and $65 for families. Guided group tours for adults or students are available for all major exhibitions.

Kids as Curators, an exhibit celebrating the stuff of youth will open at the Erie Art Museum Annex Gallery, 423 State Street, on Friday, Feb 9 and run through March 24. A free public reception for this exhibit will be held on Friday, Feb 9 from 7-9 pm. Musical instruments constructed of found objects, a sunset collaged with collected paraphernalia, brain maps and related silhouettes - these are the divergent paths taken by local middle school students from Wayne, St Boniface and Walnut Creek Middle Schools, while curating and designing a showcase featuring their personal predilections. “Since September, these students have worked with art, social studies, science and language art teachers learning how to apply the museum process to the basic concepts of their curriculum,” said Erie Art Museum Education and Folk Art Director Kelly Armor. “Their distinctive youthful playfulness spills out in their selection, evaluation, interpretation, and presentation of their objects of interest.”

The Family Fun Movies in February at the Big Green Screen Theater in the Tom Ridge Environmental Center are Finding Nemo on Sunday Feb 11 and Monsters Inc on Sunday Feb 18. Showtimes are at 1:30 pm. Tickets $4 each.

90.5 WERG and the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity of Gannon University invite you to Rock and Roll-up Your Sleeve by donating blood to the American Red Cross on February 14, 2007 from 10 am to 4 pm in Room 219 of the Waldron Campus Center. “Put your bleeding heart to good use” this Valentines Day by donating blood. The Waldron Campus Center is located on West 7th street on the campus of Gannon University. For more information contact Deb Carlson at carlson011@gannon.edu .

The Rodger Montgomery Blues Band will be performing Thursday, February 15 from 7-9pm at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center as part of the Hot Winter Blues and Jazz Series. Blues and Jazz music lovers will enjoy great music along with an assortment of light hors ‘d’oeuvres. BYOB - Bring Your Own Bottle of wine or beer to top off the evening.Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 at the Nature Shop & Gallery or at the door for $12.50 each. Call (814) 833-6050 for more details.

The Erie Engineering Societies Council EXPO Erie will be held Feb 20-22, 2007 at the Erie Civic Center Tullio Arena.

On February 24-25, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center will be the location of the 2007 Erie Winter Carnival, a fun-filled event weekend for all ages. Highlights include professional ice carvings, carved by some of the greatest ice carvers in the world! Watch the Speed Carving Competitions or check out delicate ice-art carvings created with chain saws and fine carving tools. Amazing pieces of art right created before your eyes! Take in one of the great featured films that weekend including Everest, Lewis and Clark, or the special weekend featured film, March of the Penguins. All on the BIG Green Screen. Children can also enjoy special activities including face painting, winter craft, storytelling and a magic show. Walk through the local artist Art Show and stop into the Nature Shop and Gallery for unique shopping options and great winter gifts. Check out all the great exhibits highlighting Presque Isle State Park. And remember to grab a bite to eat with specialty carnival-type foods and other great items from the Sunset Cafe.

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.

The 25th annual Erie Sport and Travel Expo will be held at Family First Sports Park in Erie, Pa March 2-4. The show features fishing and hunting lodges, guides, outfitters, fishing charters and sporting goods vendors and boat and recreational vehicle dealers. General Admission $6 with children under 10 free.

Dennis Weed