ErieBlogs.com: Erie PA News and Events for Friday September 7, 2007

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Erie PA News and Events for Friday September 7, 2007

Posted by Dennis on September 7, 2007

The Greater Erie Board of Realtors reported the latest monthly real estate sales figures for Erie County in which a transfer tax was paid. For the period of August 1-31, 2007 there were 553 properties sold for $67,275,094 which compares to the same period in 2006 in which 566 properties changed hands for $73,272,981. Figures include residential and commercial properties as well as vacant land. Sales transactions in 5 of the 8 months in 2007 are down compared to last year. There are currently 1,496 residential properties, 372 commercial properties and 571 properties classified as vacant land listed for sale in Erie County.
The highlight transactions were: Gannon University purchasing the Verizon property at 10th and Sassafras for $1.6 million, a home on Niagara Point selling for $760,000, St Marys Home of Erie purchasing a property in Millcreek on Carlton Ct for $2,750,000, and Millcreek Community Hospital / LECOM buying the former Midas Muffler building across from the Millcreek Mall for $300,000.

Presque Isle Downs and Casino wants $14.4 million for infrastructure improvements at their site in Summit Township. Write them a check for entire amount. The city wanted to give them $50 million for infrastructure improvements at the former Hammermill site. Back in 2005 Summit was going to give them almost $30 million. Half of the money that Presque Isle Downs pays to the county is restricted to infrastructure improvements and such. Not giving them the money would send a horrible signal to any company considering a site in Erie - we’ll talk about giving you money agree to an amount but won’t follow through.

And Presque Isle Downs and Casino reported figures for the week of August 27 to September 2. Wagers totaled $42,000,109 with payouts of $38,348,824.

Get me an agent. I made my feature film debut in “Virgin Pockets” which was screened last night at a private party for cast and crew. OK, I was just an extra in the movie but you gotta start somewhere. “Virgin Pockets” opens at the Great Lakes Film Festival September 27th, 2007.

The Buffalo accounting firm of Freed Maxick and Battaglia PC said it will concentrate growth in the Buffalo to Rochester area but might consider locations in Syracuse or Erie, PA “if the opportunity arises.” Will one of the 17 economic development agencies / offices in the Erie area take the hint and see what they would need to open an office in Erie? Probably not because these would be white collar jobs that would employ college grads and doesn’t has ‘factory’ or ‘manufacturing’ associated with it.

SCALE-UP (Student-Centered Activities for Large Enrollment Undergraduate Programs), has been adopted at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College for PHYS 211 (Mechanics). SCALE-UP, developed by North Carolina State professor Robert Beichner, throws out the traditional lecture class in favor of a hands-on approach to learning. Even the appearance of a SCALE-UP room differs from a traditional lecture hall. Students sit in groups of three or four around a table while the instructor(s) circulate through the room, talking to students individually as they work on problems. Each table has at least three networked laptops. Comparing data from 16,000 students over five years, Beichner found that the failure rates for students in a SCALE-UP class were one-third of those in a lecture class. SCALE-UP is used at from 50 to 100 schools across the country, ranging from community colleges to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Beichner said. In February, Penn State Erie opened the region’s first SCALE-UP classroom, which seats up to 72 students in three sections of the class. William Baxter, an associate professor of physics at Penn State Erie who teaches the SCALE-UP class, said he has seen students’ grades improve by using this method. Penn State University Park has incorporated some elements of the SCALE-UP model and other methods in their introductory calculus-based physics classes, Richard Robinett, associate physics department head, wrote in an e-mail message. The problem with adopting a SCALE-UP model at University Park, he wrote, is the complete elimination of the lecture in preference of small-group activities, which is difficult to do in a class with more than 700 students.

Following yesterday’s rating downgrades of Radian Asset Assurance Inc and subsidiaries, Fitch Ratings has downgraded the insured ratings on the following municipal bond issues to ‘A+’ from ‘AA’ and revised the Rating Watch to Evolving from Negative: Erie County Hospital Authority (PA) (St Mary’s Home of Erie Project) health facilities revenue refunding bonds series 2006A (insured: Radian Asset Assurance Inc); Erie County Hospital Authority (PA) (St Mary’s Home of Erie Project) health facilities revenue refunding bonds series 2006B (insured: Radian Asset Assurance Inc); Erie Higher Education Building Authority (PA) (Gannon University Project) revenue bonds series 2007GG3 (insured: Radian Asset Assurance Inc); and Erie Parking Authority (PA) guaranteed package revenue bonds series 2006 (insured: Radian Asset Assurance Inc).

Erie Independence House received a $44,000 state grant to purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.

Jeff Larish’s grand slam highlighted Erie’s 5 run fourth inning as the SeaWolves came from behind to beat the Akron Aeros, 9-6, on Thursday in Erie and even the Eastern League’s Southern Division final at one game each. Only 2,476 saw the game. WTF. The Eastern League Southern Division Championship Series now shifts to Akron for Games 3 and 4. The Cleveland Indians organization are a bunch of cheating bastards as Jeremy Sowers will be recalled by Cleveland today, then optioned to Akron to start for the Aeros against the Erie SeaWolves in Game 3 of the Eastern League playoffs at Canal Park. Minor League Baseball blocked Sowers being transferred from Buffalo to Akron, but Minor League Baseball cannot block a major-league transaction. I hope Sowers gets shelled. RHP Andrew Kown (6-8, 4.13 ERA) will face Sowers.

Ryan O’Reilly scored twice including the game winner with 4:39 remaining in the game to lead the Erie Otters to a 6-4 win over the Niagara IceDogs in an Ontario Hockey League pre-seaosn game played tonight at the Jack Gatecliff Arena. O’Reilly, the first overall pickin the 2007 OHL Priority Selection, now has three goals in his first two exhibition games. Shawn Szydlowski and Josh Vatri each added a goal and an assist for the Otters while Frank Grzeszczak and Patrick Lee rounded out the scoring. Justin Garay started for the Otters and allowed one goal in 29:23 of playing time. Jaroslav Janus came in midway through the second and allowed three goals the rest of the way. Final shots on goal favored the IceDogs 44-34.

Mercyhurst men’s varsity hockey head coach Rick Gotkin announced the hiring of Brian Burke and Jayson Martineau as assistant coach and volunteer assistant respectively. The duo will join Gotkin and assistant Bobby Ferraris for the 2007-08 season. Burke worked as an assistant coach at Adrian College last season. Prior to Adrian, Burke was head coach for the Victory Honda Midget Major U-18 team for four seasons. Martineau graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2007 and spent the last two years as an assistant coach with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. The Lakers open their 2007-08 season Sunday night October 7 with an exhibition game against the University of Waterloo. Opening face-off is set for 7 pm at the Ice Center.

The Waterford Community Fair takes place through September 8.

The 86th annual Spartansburg Community Fair runs through September 8. Ride-A-Rama is everyday. One of the areas largest parades is Saturday Morning at 11 am followed by a huge fireworks display Saturday Evening at 11:15 pm to end the week of fun and festivities.

Ladies, pull out those poodle skirts, bobby socks and saddle shoes and pull your hair into a ponytail. Guys, throw on your leather jacket and grease back your hair. The Roadhouse Theatre is going to turn back the clocks and rewind the years to the 1950’s. “Buddy Holly, The Day the Music Died” will be performed at the Roadhouse Theatre Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, September 7-22. The show stars Matty B and the Dirty Pickles. Admission: $8 (student), $10 (regular), $12 (riser) and $15 (VIP). The Box Office Phone number is (814) 456-5656.

The 7th annual triathlon on Presque Isle State Park will take place Saturday, September 8, 2007. All segments of the triathlon…the swim, the bike and the run…will start, transition and finish at Beach 6. PI TRI 07 is open to individuals and 2-3 person relay teams.

The 9th annual Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park Festival of family fun and environmental learning will be held September 8, 10 am - 3 pm. From the children’s tree climb to horticulture presentations, there will be something for all to enjoy. The day includes children’s games and crafts; hands-on demonstrations; musical performances; an animal petting zoo; food and more. FREE admission.

The 2007 Erie Heritage Festival - “The Last Blast of Summer” - returns again as the Lake Erie Region’s popular community enrichment event. Erie’s Heritage Festival is a day-long performance venue of Americana and World music performed by musicians from the Erie and Southern Ontario regions. The event concludes with a summer Pops performance by the Erie Philharmonic. The finale of the Pops concert is a dramatic presentation of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and John Philip Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever - complete with cannon fire, church bells, and fireworks. The event takes place September 8 at Liberty Park on the Erie Bayfront.

The 34th annual Erie Marathon at Presque Isle takes place Sunday September 9 at 7 am. The start/finish is in the Rotary Pavilion Area (approximately 3 miles from the entrance to the park) and the traditional two loop course will be run on Presque Isle State Park. This marathon is quite possibly the flattest course in the country. World records were recently set on this course in 2003 and 2005. Marathon organizers expect more than 900 runners and 200 volunteers from 38 states, Canada and Germany at this year’s race.

Where economic freedom rings, political freedom is sure to follow, says an economist who will speak next month at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. The Sam and Irene Black School of Business will host Robert Lawson PhD, co-author of the annual Economic Freedom of the World report, for a lecture and question and answer session on Monday, Sept 10. Lawson’s presentation will take place at 5 pm in the lecture hall of the Research and Economic Development Center (REDC). It is free and open to the public.

Would you, or someone you know, like to join a band? The Gem City Concert Band of Erie, PA, is seeking new members for the Fall 2007 season. The concert band, currently consisting of 45 members, is very versatile, playing music such as old overtures, show tunes, traditional concert band pieces, movie scores, and marches. The band presents a spring and fall concert at St. John’s Lutheran Church, as well as numerous other retirement homes and community performances throughout the year. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings from 8:00 to 9:30 pm in the lower-level meeting room of St John’s Lutheran Church at 23rd and Peach Streets. Fall 2007 rehearsals begin September 11th. Interested musicians should contact the director, Betty McKinney, at 814-602-9247 for more information or visit on-line at www.GemCityBands.org. All instruments are welcomed. Membership is free!

The PA Department of General Services (DGS) is hosting a “Doing Business with the Commonwealth” workshop in Erie PA on September 12. Please contact Gayle Nuppnau at 412-442-5872 or gnuppnau@state.pa.us for details.

Indigenous Aztec dance and music is on the menu for the first performance in the 2007-08 Rhythms of Life cultural series at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac ensemble will perform between noon and 1:45 pm on Wednesday, Sept 12, in Bruno’s Café, located on the second floor of the college’s Reed Union Building. The performance is free and open to the public, and a full menu of hot and cold lunch items will be available for purchase.

The Northwest Regional Planning and Development Commission is sponsoring meetings with18 overseas trade representatives September 12-13 in Erie. One-on-one appointments on September 13 will run from 8 am - 11:30 am and 12:30 pm - 3 pm. The following overseas trade representatives will be available: Australia / New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China-Beijing, China-Shanghai, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore/ASEAN, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Vietnam. Click here for the registration form.

The Erie Irish Festival takes place September 14-16 at Rainbow Gardens on the grounds of Waldameer Amusement Park and Water World.

St John’s the Evangelist Annual Parish Festival will be held on Saturday, September 15 from Noon until 7 PM at the St John’s Parish Center, 1001 Main Street in Girard. Car Cruise-in, Kid s Korner, Chinese Auction, Raffles and much, much more. Delicious barbecue chicken and spare ribs dinners are available along with live music and a traveling zoo from the Erie Zoo. Please contact Linda Tolhurst at 474-3033 for additional information.

The Scions of Britain (the SOB’s), The British Motoring Group of Northwestern Pennsylvania, proudly presents the 15th annual All British Car Gathering, Sunday September 16, 2007 at the Waterford Square, Waterford, PA. 12 Noon to 4 PM. For more information contact Tom Lee - (814) 725-5992 or rthomaslee@aol.com.

The famed Cavani String Quartet returns to Erie in September to open the 18th season of Music at Noon: The Logan Series. Cavani String Quartet will present its free Logan Series public performance at noon on Wednesday, Sept 19, in the McGarvey Commons of the college’s Reed Union Building.

Douglas Bruce, principal organist at St Franz Xaver Church in Munchenstein, Switzerland, will give an organ recital as part of the Smith Music Series at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Tuesday, Sept 25. Bruce’s performance, which begins at noon, is free and open to the public and will take place in the college’s Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel.

The Great Lakes Independent Film Festival takes place September 27-30 at the Roadhouse Theatre in Erie PA.

The Erie Art Museum’s Contemporary Music Series will present violinist Diane Monroe in concert on Friday, Sept. 28, 2007 at 8 pm at the Erie Art Museum Annex, 423 State Street. Admission is free; a $10 donation is suggested.

Mercyhurst Men’s Basketball Alumni are organizing an Alumni Basketball game for charity. The event is scheduled for September 29, 2007 at 7pm at the MAC. Come See some of your favorite Mercyhurst players from the past and some of the Mercyhurst stars of the future compete in 3-point contests and a dunk contest. All proceeds from the gate will benefit the Alheimer’s Association of Erie. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. Players include Brent Swain, Keith Nies, Matt Thielker, Gerry Battle, and Dion Brown, Jason Ioppolo, and Jody Crymes.

The 2007 Wine Country Harvest Festival will be held in North East, PA September 28, 29 and 30.

In conjunction with Alumni Reunion 2007, Penn State Behrend Finance graduates are invited back to campus for a Finance Alumni Reception hosted by Sam and Irene Black School of Business faculty. Greg Filbeck, the Finance program chair, and Finance faculty Brian Boscaljon, Jessica Zhou, and Kay Johnson have planned an informal reception for Finance alumni and their guests from 10:00 until 11:30 am on Saturday, September 29. The reception is part of the college’s Alumni Reunion and concurrent Parents & Families Weekend, and will be held in the cafe of the Research and Economic Development Center (REDC). Attendance reservations should be made by Saturday, September 15.

Dennis Weed