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Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday September 18, 2007

The Erie area made International news again yesterday as the area is becoming know World-wide for breakthroughs in alternative energy research. Recently, John Kanzius found a way to extract hydrogen from salt water with the same radio wave machine he is using in research to kill cancer cells. Yesterday, NanoLogix (OTC: NNLX) , a nano-biotechnology company, announced it has achieved an historical event with the first onsite generation of electricity using hydrogen gas produced from its bioreactor prototype facility at Welch Foods in North East, PA. A 5.5 kW generator converted to run on hydrogen was utilized for the demonstration. The generator ran flawlessly on hydrogen gas produced by NanoLogix’s hydrogen bioreactor system and powered multiple strings of 100 watt light bulbs. “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time in history that electricity has been generated anywhere onsite using hydrogen produced through the use of bacteria to digest waste”, said Harry Diz, Department Chair and Professor of Environmental Engineering at Gannon University and NanoLogix Bioreactor Development chief. (Video.) In the spring of 2008 NanoLogix intends to begin bioreactor construction at the Erie Wastewater Treatment Plant in Erie, PA for the extraction of hydrogen from their protein-rich activated sludge waste stream. Complete press release.

US Senators Arlen Specter, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Bob Casey, the junior senator from Pennsylvania, announced that the US Senate Appropriations Committee has approved federal funding for defense-related projects in Erie, Pennsylvania as contained in the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Appropriations bill:
$3 million for STERIS Corporation in Erie to further develop a system for decontamination of military vehicles, aircraft, and emergency response vehicles contaminated by chemical or biological agents.
$3 million for Bliley Technologies in Erie to provide precise GPS capabilities to soldiers serving in environments where GPS is denied, such as canyons, building interiors, underground, and under heavy forestation.

The state announced the award of more than $1 million in grants to fund 128 projects by Pennsylvania schools, universities, non-profit groups and county conservation districts that promote environmental education. Erie County recipients were: Erie City School District $2,000; Lake Erie- Allegheny Earth Force $14,799; Erie County Conservation District, 4 projects, $44,000; Erie City School District, 2 projects, $4,000; Gannon University $8,196; Millcreek Township School District, 2 proejcts, $3,150; Pennsylvania State Erie $15,000; Purple Martin Conservation Association $2,000; and Villa Maria Academy $1,813.

AABB and Fenwal Inc are collaborating to launch the third annual Blood Collectors Week, September 16-22, 2007. This recognition week will promote and recognize the outstanding contributions of phlebotomists and apheresis operators and all others involved in supporting the nation’s blood supply. More detailed information is available at BloodCollectors.org/. There is still a local blood shortage that continues to linger as a result of record breaking blood use by area patients needing blood. Everyone is encouraged to visit the friendly staff at the Erie Community Blood Bank this week and give blood. The best thanks the staff can receive is plenty of donors to save lives. According to AABB, about 29 million units of blood components are transfused annually in the United States. Last year the CBB provided over 40,000 units of blood and blood products to over 10,000 patients regionally. The Community Blood Bank has over 50 employees and supplies blood to 17 hospitals in 8 counties in PA and NY.

The Erie Brewing Company has shown growing popularity as a regional micro-brewery. They made a new fan in Michigan. Marc in Ann Arbor, MI recently bought a 6 pack of Railbender Ale. His review:

The aroma is all malt, with just the ghost of aromatic hops present. The taste…oh, yes. This has the perfect amount of sweetness for a beer…Incidentally, Railbender Ale was delicious in the mouth, and it had a fantastic mouthfeel…I would totally buy this again.

A new book co-authored by two members of the speech communication faculty at Penn State Erie offers practical advice for how and why to improve our standards of civility in business. “Civility is the first domino in a chain of events that culminates in business productivity, successful personal relationships, intercultural cooperation and personal and global peace,” wrote Cathy Sargent Mester and Rod L. Troester in their book, “Civility in Business and Professional Communication” (Peter Lang Publishing, 2007). “Civility in Business” defines civility as “behaviors reflecting fundamental respect for others and generating harmonious and productive relationships.” Mester, a senior lecturer, and Troester, an associate professor, have both directed the Janet Neff Sample Center for Manners and Civility at Penn State Behrend, and it was their work with the center that convinced them to expand upon the idea of civil communication in professional contexts.

For the week of September 10-16, Presque Isle Downs and Casino reported wagers of $37,001,698 and payouts of $33,775,180.

Gannon’s Geneo Oberst (Cleveland, Ohio/St Edward) has been named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Men’s Soccer Player of the Week for his performance last week. Oberst led Gannon (6-0, 3-0) to a perfect 3-0 record last week with GLIAC road victories at Mercyhurst (2-1 in ot), Saginaw Valley State (6-3), and Northwood (3-1). The junior forward recorded five goals and one assist in three matches.

Gannon’s Megan Joint (Erie, Pa/Mercyhurst Prep) has been named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Women’s Soccer Player of the Week. Joint led Gannon (6-2, 1-1) to a weekend road split with three goals during a 3-1 victory at Northwood last Sunday. The senior forward accounted for all of Gannon’s scoring against the Timberwolves, recording her first career hat trick.

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.

Allegheny College will host a panel discussion and conversation titled “The Politics of Sacrifice: Charting New Ways through the Environmental Crisis, While There’s Still Time” on Wednesday, Sept 19 from 7:30 to 8:45 pm. The event, which is FREE and open to the public, will take place in the Quigley Hall auditorium on the Allegheny College campus.

Thoroughly Modern Millie will be performed at the Erie Playhouse September 20 - October 7. Curtain times are Wed - Sat at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm.

Erik Meyer, cantor at Luther Memorial Church in Erie, will give an organ recital at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, at noon on Tuesday, Sept 25. He will perform in the college’s Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel as part of its Smith Music Series. Admission is free and the recital is open to the public. Meyer replaces previously scheduled Swiss organist Douglas Bruce, who canceled his US recital tour due to a hand injury.

Last year, Mercyhurst College became home to a life-size specimen of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull, thanks to the donation of a museum-quality natural history collection of casts and fossils. This year, Mercyhurst will go one better when it unveils a set of shark jaws so enormous that people can lock arms and walk through together. Mercyhurst College’s second annual natural history exhibit runs Sept 27 to Oct 17 at Cummings Gallery in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. An opening reception, which is free and open to the public, will be held Thursday, Sept 27, from 5 to 7 pm. Because of the anticipated public appeal, normal gallery hours are being extended for the exhibit’s duration. They are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 2 to 7 pm, except Thursdays, 2 to 9 pm; also Sundays from 2 to 5 pm. Special tours for school students are available by contacting the Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute at 824-2545.

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.

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

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.

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.

Alec Chien, professor of music and artist in residence at Allegheny College, will present a concert of Beethoven piano sonatas at 7 pm on Saturday, Sept 29 in the college’s Shafer Auditorium. The concert, the sixth in a seven-concert series in which Chien is performing all 32 of Beethoven’s piano sonatas, is FREE and open to the public.

Asbury Woods will hold a tree leaf identification event on Saturday, October 6 from 10 am - Noon. Adults and Children 8 years and up accompanied by an adult. Fee: Members $10, Nonmembers $12/Parent/Child pair pay only one fee (includes Tree ID book and Tree Key) This class is for anyone who wants to know how to identify trees, or those who are doing a leaf project for school. You will learn how to identify trees by using a tree key, by leaf shape, and even by the bark. Pre-Registration and Payment Required. Please call (814) 835-5356.

The 19th annual Erie Zoo Boo runs 6-9 pm, October 12-30. Admission is $4.50 for adults (ages 12 and up), $3.50 for children 2-11, and children under 2 will be admitted free.

The Lake Erie Region Conservancy (LERC) will be holding a concert fundraiser on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at the Mercyhurst D’Angelo Performing Arts Center featuring grammy-nominated jazz-funk group from Chicago, Liquid Soul. Tickets are $25.00 each and can be purchased by contacting LERC at 814-824-2407. LERC is also seeking 10 sponsors at a $1,000.00 level in an attempt to make this event a sell-out. If you are interested in sponsoring this event, contact Tom Fuhrman, President, at 814-824-2407 or email him at lerc@mercyhurst.edu.

The 6th Annual Walk To Make A Great Park Better will take place on Sunday, October 14 at 1 pm at Presque Isle State Park. All those interested in participating in the 5K Walk will meet at the Rotary Pavilion across from Beach 7. Proceeds from the Walk To Make A Great Park Better support Presque Isle as well as provide scholarships to high school seniors who exemplify the community involvement demonstrated by David Hanlon - educator and inspirational community leader. All Walk participants who raise a minimum of $25 in pledges will receive an attractive Walk T-shirt. This beautiful fall Walk affords participants the opportunity to enjoy the diverse colors that Presque Isle affords visitors in October. All Walk participants are treated to a picnic at the Rotary Pavilion at the conclusion of the Walk. If you are interested in participating in the 2007 Walk To Make A Great Park Better , plan to arrive at Presque Isle by 12:15 to register. To qualify for consideration of the Presque Isle Scholarship, you must be in grades 10-12, participate in the Walk and raise a minimum of $25 in pledges. Also you must register for the scholarship the day of the Walk at the Scholarship Registration table.

Dennis Weed

Posted by Dennis at September 18, 2007 7:07 AM

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