ErieBlogs.com: Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday February 20, 2007

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Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday February 20, 2007

Posted by Dennis on February 20, 2007

Rick Kaczenski of Erie PA will soon be named defensive line coach at the University of Iowa. Kaczenski has served as a grad assistant at Iowa the past tow years. He served as the offensive line and tight ends coach at Elon University in 2004. He held the same position at East Tennessee State during the 2003 season and served as the offensive line coach at South Carolina State in 2002. Rick was on the staff at South Carolina from 1999-2001. As a graduate assistant he worked in recruiting and also coached with the offensive line and wide receivers. The Gamecocks appeared in the Outback Bowl following the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He also was the offensive line coach at Erie Cathedral Prep in 1998, his high school alma mater. Kaczenski played college football at Notre Dame, where he was a three-year starter on the offensive line (1993-96) under Coach Lou Holtz and offensive line Coach Joe Moore. Kaczenski was "outspoken" after Joe Moore's winning verdict in the former assistant's age-discrimination trial against coach Bob Davie and Notre Dame in the summer of 1998. Bob Sanders (Erie Cathedral Prep) of the Indianapolis Colts and Jovan Johnson (Erie Mercyhurst Prep) of the Pittsburgh Steelers both attended Iowa and the Erie connection to Iowa continutes next year with Abe Satterfield (Erie Cathedral Prep) heading to the school.

Erie PA based Bliley Technologies, a leading provider of crystal-based frequency control solutions, announced its latest offering - a low-noise, 100 MHz OCXO in low-profile packaging. The NV45G1480 OCXO, targeted specifically to applications demanding superior noise performance, is ideally suited for phase-locked microwave signal sources including DROs, test equipment, microwave communication systems (both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint), as well as military and Doppler radar.

There will be no air show this Summer at Erie International Airport.

More than 20 Gannon University students won't spend their spring break week hitting the ski slopes, relaxing on a tropical beach, or even spending time at home with family and friends. Rather, the students actively will embrace Gannon University's mission through voluntary participation in community service; the students will not receive academic credit for their work. Three alternative break service trips are planned: to New York City, to New Orleans, and to Douglas, Ariz, and Aqua Prieta, Mexico. The students will receive a special blessing and "send off" during an 11 am mass this Thursday, Feb 22 in the chapel.

Chris Dubbs, university grants writer at Gannon, recently had a book, Animals in Space: From Research Rockets to the Space Shuttle, published by Springer Praxis Books. The book details the use of animals in space flight as a precursor to manned flights. Colin Burgess, an Australian space historian, co-authored the book with Dubbs, and the forward is written by Joseph Bielitzki, former chief veterinarian with NASA. Animals in Space chronicles the use of animals in rocket development and space exploration by countries like Russia, France, and China in addition to the United States.

The Gannon men's basketball team passed its final test before a season-ending game against rival Mercyhurst with flying colors. Five Golden Knights reached double digits as Gannon rolled past Indiana (Pa) 85-66 Monday night at the Hammermill Center.

Mercyhurst College continued its reign as the top Division I team in the nation according to the latest USCHO.com Poll, but its lead over second-place Wisconsin was whittled to five points. Meanwhile, freshman Meghan Agosta and senior Ashley Pendleton were honored by College Hockey America (CHA) as Rookie and Defensive Player of the Week respectively.

The USA Hockey Foundation today announced that Mercyhurst freshman forward Meghan Agosta is among the top 10 finalists for the 2007 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award. In its 10th anniversary, the award annually recognizes the top player in NCAA Division I women's ice hockey.

The United Way of Erie County Week of Thanks offers a variety of FREE and DISCOUNTED events to everyone. Tom Chido's Cleaners and Launderers, 1103 State Street, is offering 15 perccent off all dry cleaning today. The Big Green Screen at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center offers $2 off any regularly priced movie ticket through Friday, February 23. Coventina Day Spa, 10747 Route 19, offers 15 percent off any service booked through Friday.

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

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.

The 5th annual Harry T Burleigh Heritage and Legacy Weekend will be held February 22-24. Performances celebrating the legacy of Harry T. Burleigh will be held in the Edinboro university Louis C Cole Auditorium and at Shiloh Baptist Church in Erie.

Zanny Minton Beddoes, The Economist's Washington-based economics editor, will speak at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Thursday, February 22. Minton Beddoes' address, "Fragile Prosperity: The Outlook for the US and World Economy," is part of the college's annual Speaker Series. It will be held at 7:30 pm in the Reed Union Building's McGarvey Commons and is free and open to the public.

Roger Knacke, professor of physics and astronomy and director of the School of Science at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will discuss "Astronomy of the Maya" at the college's next Open House Night in Astronomy. Knacke will speak at 7:30 pm on Thursday, February 22, in 101 Otto Behrend Science Building. Admission to the open house is free and his non-technical lecture is suitable for ages 8 and older.

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.

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.

Music lovers are invited to follow Road to the Isles, and take in the sights and sounds of traditional Celtic folk music and dance along the way. Road to the Isles is a Pittsburgh-based quintet of pipe, guitar, fiddle, and two dancers that will perform at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Wednesday, March 7 at 12 pm. Their presentation of Scottish and Irish music and dance is part of college's Rhythms of Life cultural series and begins at noon in the Reed Union Building's Bruno's Cafe. It is free and open to the public.

The concert band and jazz ensemble at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will play favorites "From Stage and Screen" at their annual joint spring concert. The performance will be held at 8 pm on Thursday, March 8, in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Northwest PA Maple Association 2007 Northwest PA Maple Taste and Tour Weekend will be held March 17-18, 10 am to 4 pm daily. Ten sugar houses in Crawford, Erie, Mercer, Warren and Venango counties open their doors during the height of maple sugaring time.

The Erie Micro Brew Festival presented by WQLN will be held April 21 at Union Station at 14th and French Streets. There will be 2 sampling sessions 1-4 pm and 5-8 pm. All proceeds support public broadcasting and all PLCB laws apply. Attendees must be 21. Tickets will be available soon at many Erie area locations. Scheduled to attend are: The BrewErie at Union Station, The Erie Brewing Company, Southern Tier Brewing, Pennsylvania Brewery, Voodoo Brewery, The Flying Bison, Ellicottville Brewing Company, North Country Brewing Company, Hereford and Hops, Sprague Farm and Brew Works, The Buffalo Brew Pub, Magic Hat Brewing and the East End Brewing Company.

Dennis Weed