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

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Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday March 13, 2007

Posted by Dennis on March 13, 2007

The deal to take over ownership and operation of the Cottbus-Drewitz Airport in Germany is dead. Erie Aviation worked for years on the plan to purchase the former air force base and have direct cargo flights between Erie International Airport and Cottbus-Drewitz. Erie Aviation ships literally tons of aircraft parts a week to Europe. This would have cut down on their transportation costs and created a couple of hundred jobs in Erie and in Germany. The German government officials are mostly former commies and seemed to have little understanding of the workings of a market based economy. Erie Aviation spent about $1 million trying to get this venture off the ground. This wasn’t taxpayer money. This is money lost out of pockets out of the owners of the company.

Bullrun, based on the international automotive rally, features teams of two drivers who use their own cars in a fast-paced rally that takes them across America. The reality series airs on Spike TV tonight at 10 pm. The 2006 Bullrun went past Erie on I-90. The car driven by Kevin Ward and Bret Haller, a 1954 Studebaker with a 650 HP engine and a top speed of over 200 mph (pictured), lost a cylinder and spent the night in Erie being worked on in a parking lot on upper Peach St. Picture courtesy of Bret Haller and TheUnlimitedClass.com.

Hope you have a good memory. GoErie.com is now charging $2.95 for individual articles from their archives.

The Community Blood Bank of NW PA is hoping people will share their luck of the Irish before Saint Patrick’s Day by donating blood. The first 50 donors who come to the blood bank today will receive a pot of shamrocks generously donated by Joel’s Flower shop. The blood supply is lower than last year at this time and donors are needed to get the blood supply up to 100 percent safe levels. All donors are strongly encouraged to donate at the Community Blood Bank, 2646 Peach Street. Community Blood Bank is open from 9-6 Monday through Friday and until 7:30 pm Tuesday night and Saturday 9 am - 12:30 pm. Photo ID required.

Cellular One announced a 15-17 percent discount to the over 600 members of the Greater Erie Board of Realtors. The discount applies for new and existing customers.

Someone is looking for information on Dolly the Dalmatian that worked at a fire station in Erie. If you have any info, please let us know.

The PA Department of Community and Economic Development provided Channellock with a $1.1 million loan through the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund, or MELF. The MELF loan is the largest ever awarded in Crawford County. Channellock manufactures more than 120 types of hand tools. Founded in Crawford County in 1886, the family-owned company has been operating in Meadville for more than 120 years. High-tech manufacturer Acutec Precision Machining, which specializes in machining metal parts for the aerospace and power generation industries, will create at least 50 jobs within three years by expanding into Meadville. The company is leasing 35,000 square feet in the former Avtex Building. Acutec is also purchasing new machinery and equipment and will train new employees, as well as its 175 existing employees. The company received a $172,500 funding offer from DCED that consists of a $50,000 opportunity grant, $22,500 in customized job training funds and $100,000 in job creation tax credits. The total cost of Acutec’s expansion project will be $4 million. Based in Saegertown, Crawford County, Acutec was created in 1988 with 4 employees. The company’s customers include Lord Corporation, Bell Helicopter, GE Aerospace, Moog Aerospace, Parker-Hannifin Aerospace, Goodrich Aerospace and ABSC Honeywell Sensotec.

There was a magnitude 3.6 earthquake yesterday 90 miles from Erie, centered near Ravenna, OH.

How about a huge bit of hype from Lake Erie Speedway. Dear gawd.

Lake Erie Speedway will be holding a Press Conference at Plastek Industries (2425 West 23rd Street, Erie PA) this week on Thursday, March 15th at 1 PM to make a major announcement about the 2007 season. Lake Erie Speedway requests all members of the media attend, as this will be the largest announcement in Erie sports history.

Largest announcement in Erie sports history? Ok then my guesses - 1. the second coming of Jesus Christ 2. human sacrifices during the races 3. free beer 4. future home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame

The Gannon women’s lacrosse team scored the first five goals and rolled past Bloomsburg (Pa) 15-4 Monday afternoon, winning its school-record fifth consecutive match to begin the season. Gannon is ranked 7th in NCAA Division II. The Lady Knights return to action Wednesday, March 14 against Division I Canisius at Gannon University Field. The home opener is scheduled for 2 pm.

The Mercyhurst men’s lacrosse team remained No 3 in the latest USILA Poll.

The Detroit Tigers optioned RHP Eulogio De La Cruz and RHP Kyle Sleeth to Erie.

The 6 foot 6 Sam Geldmaker of Manatee High School in Bradenton Fla signed a letter of intent to play football for Gannon University.

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.

Meadowmount Trio, a frequent contributor to National Public Radio hailed as "an ensemble of seamless rapport" by The Strad magazine, will perform at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Wednesday, March 21. Meadowmount Trio appears as part of Music at Noon: The Logan Series. Its performance, which is free and open to the public, will be held at noon in the Reed Union Building's McGarvey Commons.

The Classic Rock Dance, a fund raiser for the family of Erie soldier Katie Beckwith, with the Bryan Burton Band will be held on March 24 at the Millcreek American Legion, 4109 West 12th Street in Erie (next to the Airport) starting at 8 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door for a donation of $5 per person. Katie was injured when a roadside bomb detonated beside her Humvee in Iraq. She is presently being hospitalized at Fort Knox. The benefit is to raise money for travel expenses for her family to visit her.

Think you have what it takes to sing the National Anthem at a Double-A baseball game? Well here is your chance. The Erie SeaWolves announced their National Anthem tryouts to be held Sunday, March 25 at the Millcreek Mall. Tryouts will be held on the main stage located at the center of the mall. Registration begins at 1:30 pm and tryouts begin at 2 pm. Those interested in auditioning will perform the National Anthem for a panel of judges. Auditions must be performed a capella. For more information about the National Anthem tryouts, please contact Carol Trumbo at (814) 456-1300 or via email at ctrumbo(at)seawolves.com. SeaWolves Opening Day for the 2007 season is April 5 against the Altoona Curve. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm.

The St Martins Center 9th annual Homeownership Expo will be held March 29 from 11:30 am - 6:30 pm at the Blasco Memorial Library. There will be information on homes, mortgage products, refinancing options, homes inspections, lead paint issues and more. Admission is free and open to everyone.

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