ErieBlogs.com: Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday February 13, 2007

« Erie PA News and Events for Monday February 12, 2007 | Main | Erie PA News and Events for Valentines Day, Wednesday February 14, 2007 »

Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday February 13, 2007

Posted by Dennis on February 13, 2007

Judge John Bozza denied a request for a temporary injunction for the county wide smoking ban that is scheduled to begin on Saturday February 17. However, Judge Bozza in his decision asked Erie County Council to postpone the ban until the hearing for a permanent injunction is held on Monday February 26. Council will discuss the matter at the weekly meeting tonight.

Connor Geddes of Erie PA is featured in an AP story which is being published in many ( I counted 115) of the nation's newspapers. Connor had a heart transplant at 13 days old. Doctors deliberately gave him a new heart that didn't match his blood type. Doctors don't know where the cutoff is but children under the age of 2 are getting mismatched hearts to increase survival rates. Babies have a lag in their immune systems which won't cause the organs to be rejected. Connor Geddes and family will celebrate his first birthday in March.

MTR Gaming Group (NasdaqGS: MNTG) commented on the decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court granting the motions of its wholly owned subsidiary, Presque Isle Downs, for expedited consideration and summary relief to quash a Petition for Review of the Order of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approving Presque Isle Downs for a license to operate slot machines. The petition had been filed by Citizens Against Gambling Subsidies, a recently formed non-profit Pennsylvania Corporation, and Paul F Curry, a former City Solicitor of Erie. Edson R 'Ted' Arneault, President and CEO of MTR Gaming Group, said, "Obviously, we are pleased with the Court's ruling and grateful for the Court's quick action. We believed that the petition was frivolous because Mr Curry and his organization lacked standing and because the substantive allegations lacked merit. We intend to seek redress for the damages the petition caused." Having cleared the legal hurdle, Presque Isle Downs and the Gaming Control Board may now proceed to open the facility. The Company is ready to open the casino and restaurants to the public: construction of the casino is complete, the necessary liquor and restaurant licenses and permits have been issued, nearly all of the 2,000 slot machines are connected to the State's central monitoring system, approximately 650 employees have been trained, and the food and beverage outlets are serving hot meals. "Indeed," Arneault explained, "we have been advised by regulatory personnel that we are 'ahead of the curve' operationally, for which we are proud of our employees and pre-opening team." Despite the Court's expedited consideration, however, there is simply insufficient time for the Gaming Control Board to conduct all of its pre-opening procedures and inspections and oversee the two required test/charity dates prior to the planned February 15 opening. Additionally, the Gaming Control Board currently lacks the requisite members to approve the order to open the casino. The newly appointed member, a legislative appointee who was appointed January 29, 2007, awaits completion (a maximum of 30 days by law) of the statutorily required State Police criminal background check before he can formally join the Board. All four legislative appointees must be on the Board before it can give the final approval to open the casino. Although the Gaming Control Board had the requisite members between the December 20, 2006 approval of Presque Isle Downs' permanent Category 1 Slot Machine Operators License and the December 27 departure of a Board member, the Company understands that the Control Board could not issue the necessary orders during that window because of the pendency of Mr Curry's petition. Arneault continued: "We know that our employees and would be patrons are frustrated by the delay and that the community is anxious for the entertainment that Presque Isle Downs will provide. We at MTR Gaming have been looking forward to this day for more than five and one-half years since we filed our application for a racing license in 2001. We have defended each legal challenge against our racing license and now our slots license through the State Supreme Court. Agents of the Gaming Control Board are on site performing their pre-opening procedures and we are working closely with them every day to open our facility as soon as possible after the confirmation of the final Board member. We hope to open before the end of this month."

Representatives Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) and Phil English (R-PA), Senior Members of the House Ways and Means Committee, reintroduced HR, 981, the "Great Lakes Short Sea Shipping Enhancement Act of 2007", aka The Lake Erie Ferry Act. The legislation is designed to improve the efficiency of commerce in Cleveland (Ohio), Erie (Pennsylvania), and the surrounding Great Lakes region and ports. Under current law, the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) is assessed on cargo transported between U.S. ports, and cargo imported to U.S. ports from other countries. Because the HMT is only assessed on cargo if it moves by ship, the tax serves as a disincentive to move trucks and their freight by water. As such, the tax actually contributes to greater highway congestion which results in choked border crossings, increased fuel consumption, and increased air pollution. The Great Lakes Short Sea Shipping Enhancement Act would provide a narrow exemption to the HMT for the movement of non-bulk commercial cargo by water in the Great Lakes region. This includes the movement of freight and people between US ports on the Great Lakes and between US and Canadian ports on the Great Lakes. Erie is planning a ferry service, which would be enhanced by The Great Lakes Short Sea Shipping Enhancement Act. One ferry will exclusively be a passenger ferry, the second will be a freight ferry for trucks. The two ferries will operate between Erie, PA and Nanticoke, Ontario. According to a 2004 economic impact study commissioned by the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority, the two ferries will create 260 direct jobs. The two ferries will also generate 1,200 indirect jobs in Erie, and 4,800 indirect jobs Pennsylvania-wide. The ferries are expected to generate an additional $67.5 million in additional personal income, and result in an additional $16.3 million in state and federal tax revenue.

Tim Miller has joined WTOL in Toledo, Ohio as a reporter. Tim worked at WJET-TV in Erie for several years before going to WATE and WTNZ, both in Knoxville, Tennessee. Miller has a BA in communications from Gannon University in Erie.

Michael McCorvey has been named Director of Residential Life at SUNY College at Old Westbury. McCorvey earned a BA in Communication Arts from Allegheny College and an MEd in Higher Education Affairs from the University of South Carolina.

Musicians from Mercyhurst and the entire Erie community will gather today, Tuesday Feb 13, to celebrate the life and work of Mark Marchant, the longtime percussion instructor who died last summer. The event begins at 7:30 pm when a room on the lower level of the D'Angelo Music Building will be dedicated in Marchant's name. A student drum circle will then be the first group to perform in the Marchant Ensemble Room. The tribute continues at 8 pm in the Walker Recital Hall with performances and comments from students, faculty, alumni and community members who have been affected by Marchant. The bands One World Tribe and Key West Express, with which Marchant performed, will play, and the Dafmark Dancers will perform. The Mercyhurst Concert Choir, the Mercyhurst Dancers and a number of vocalists and instrumental ensembles will also be featured. The entire community is encouraged to attend.

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 and Gallery or at the door for $12.50 each. Call (814) 833-6050 for more details.

The Temptations will perform on Thursday, Feb 15 at 7:30 pm at the Warner Theatre as part of the Erie Broadway Series. Some tickets are still available.

Musicians from Mercyhurst College and Clarion University will combine forces on Sunday, Feb 18, to perform Antonin Dvorak's "Stabat Mater," a huge work for choir, soloists and orchestra that celebrates the triumph of faith and belief over despair. The "Stabat Mater" is based on a Roman Catholic hymn which dates to the 13th century and meditates on the suffering of Mary during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Its title is from the poem's first line, "Stabat mater dolorosa" - "The sorrowful mother was standing." The concert begins at 2 pm in the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center on the Mercyhurst campus. The same musicians will repeat the "Stabat Mater" performance in Clarion on Sunday, Mar 4, at 3 pm in the Marwick-Boyd Auditorium. Admission to both performances is free and the public is cordially invited.

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

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.

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.

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