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Erie PA News and Events for Friday November 2, 2007

Contract ratification votes were held for two unions representing Erie County workers. The AFSCME union for clerical and technical employees accepted their contract. The AFSCME union for ‘professional’ employees reject their offer and authorized a strike. Both contract offers offered 3 percent raises for the first 3 years plus a $1 and 3.2 percent raise the the 4th year.

John Kanzius, sorely weakened by leukemia treatments, drew on his lifetime of working with radio waves to devise a machine that targets cancer cells. The miracle: It works.

The Los Angeles Times has a big article on John Kanzius in today’s online edition. The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center (finally) issued a press release yesterday on the publication of the preclinical results in the journal Cancer. Deservedly so, the news on the cancer treatment has gained world-wide attention.

The Erie County Department of Planning held a meeting with residents about plans for Six Mile Creek Park. Nearby residents were opposed to everything. Typical Erie. They fail to realize this is a county park for ALL county residents and not their private playground.

Yesterday was better than Christmas for the parking ticket writers. I’d bet they get to work early and have an extra spring in their step. On November 1 Erie switches to odd-even parking on city streets.

Wal-Mart is getting a jump on Christmas. They have a $200 desktop computer with a Linux operating system. They also have a 50 inch plasma TV for $998. Erie is one of the locations getting both products.

I received an email yesterday asking if I knew anything about the rumor going around about Vista Lighting leaving Erie. The company gave me a ‘No comment’ statement.

Africa 6000 has generously donated 200 T-shirts to be given out to the next 200 blood donors in Erie County as they raise awareness for their upcoming Gala Dinner being held at the new convention center on Saturday November 17. This dinner is open to the public. Seats are $100 with proceeds benefiting Africa 6000. Africa 6000 stands for the 6,000 children who die “EVERYDAY” from waterborne diseases simply because they are forced to drink and bathe in contaminated water. That’s one child death every 14 seconds. Africa 6000 is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Their goal is to become the largest global non-profit working in Africa’s water sector. They will drill fresh water wells throughout the continent of Africa and build water bottling plants. They are partners with WorldServe International and the Jolie-Pitt Foundation. There is still a serious blood shortage affecting the region. “We are all about saving lives,” Said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the Community Blood Bank. “We encourage everyone who can to help save lives locally and globally.” 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.

The Salvation Army is asking the members of organizations to consider assisting during their annual “Red Kettle” Christmas campaign by “Adopting A Kettle”. The “Adopt A Kettle” campaign runs November 16 through December 23. Any volunteering individual or organizations wanting to ‘Adopt A Kettle” can do so by contacting: Dan Hanson at The Salvation Army by calling (814) 454-6497, Monday through Friday for details and scheduling.

“Given Right” is a documentary film about Hunt Of A Lifetime, a non-profit organization based in Erie PA that grants wishes to terminally ill children who want to experience a big game hunt. The filmmakers will be in Erie November 15-18 to interview HOAL founder Tina Pattison and a few others.

The first two Gannon-Mercyhurst men’s soccer match-ups this season went to overtime. So, it was no surprise when Thursday’s Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) semifinal between the two programs found itself in overtime once again. Mercyhurst scored the tying goal with 11 seconds remaining in regulation to send the match into overtime, but Gannon’s Geneo Oberst (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edward) set off a wild celebration with the game-winner 7:32 into the first overtime session that gave the Golden Knights a 3-2 victory. Superstar Dan Howell (Erie, Pa/Iroquois) tallied two goals for Gannon.

Mike Machuga is in 18th place in the Denny’s PBA Motor City Classic.

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania President Jeremy D Brown announced that Edinboro will add women’s lacrosse as a varsity sport. Edinboro will begin intercollegiate competition in its newest varsity athletic program in the spring of 2009. They immediately initiated a search for a head coach. With Edinboro competing in women’s lacrosse, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in 2009 will feature 12 schools offering the sport, including Gannon and Mercyhurst, which join the conference next fall. Currently, 41 Division II schools sponsor women’s lacrosse. There are also 84 Division I lacrosse programs, and 178 Division III participants.

Forward Maniqua Williams (Erie Central) takes the floor for the Wabash Valley Community College women’s basketball team on Saturday. Williams scored 1,009 points and pulled down 936 rebounds in her career. In her senior year she averaged 14.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and three blocks per game, and was named First Team All State.

The Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm huge cornfield maze which they call “Corn Stalking USA” is now open and runs through the end of November. Hours are Friday through Monday 10am - 10pm. Cost is $8 with kids age 6-12 getting in for $6 and 5 and under entering for free. For details call (814) 734-2833.

The Erie Playhouse production of Frankenstein runs through Nov 11.

The 97th Diocesan Convention for the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania will take place in Erie on Nov 2-3. Business will be contained to Nov 2.

The Venango Digital Film Association will be holding it first Film Festival November 2 and 3. The festival will feature films of all genres, but will focus on local filmmakers and films set within the region. Screenings will be held on November 2nd at the Barrow Civic Theatre in Franklin from 7pm until 9pm and on November 3rd at the Latonia in Oil City from 7pm until 9pm at a cost of five dollars for admittance. Workshops are also being held on Nov 3rd at the Latonia from 9am until 5pm, topics include: lighting, sound, editing, making family dvds and camcorders demystified. Contact: Michael Dittman at simpub@hotmail.com or visit http://www.joannwheelerfineart.com/vdfa/index.html for more details.

Gannon University on Sunday, Nov 4 will host its annual Fall Open House. Students and their parents can attend an optional mass at 11 am in the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, 512 Peach Street. Registration will begin at 11:30 am in the lobby of the Waldron Campus Center, 124 West Seventh Street. Students can enter Scholarship Contests in eight academic disciplines: English, French, Spanish, German, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, and Education. Contest winners are eligible for annual scholarships up to $3,000 should they decide to enroll at Gannon. For more information on Fall Open House, contact the Gannon University Office of Admissions at (814) 871-7240, or 1-800-GANNON-U.

Erie Art Museum Contemporary Music Series Presents: Michael Cooney Concert: Sunday, November 4, 2007 at 3 pm at the Erie Art Museum Annex, 423 State Street. FREE admission (suggested concert donation $10) Michael Cooney has an encyclopedic knowledge of American and British folk songs, plenty of charisma, a truckload of instruments, and rarified musical skill. Anyone who revels in good storytelling, dry wit, the ironic twists and turns of human fate and history, and clean, unpretentious vocals and fret work will love Michael Cooney. Workshops: Monday, November 5, 2007 at 1 and 7 p.m. Erie Art Museum Annex . 423 State Street FREE admission Michael Cooney will present workshops featuring one of his favorite topics - folk and novelty songs written by and about scientists in conjunction with their Ancient Microworlds exhibit. This workshop is appropriate for all ages that enjoy word play, science and the dark humor of academe.

The Erie Area Film Makers present the First “Films For Food” Drive to benefit The Second Harvest Food Bank of Erie, Pa. The event, being held November 9-10 at the Historical Roadhouse Theater in Erie, PA, features 24 Continuous Hours of films produced by Erie Area Film Makers. Admission to the Theater is simply a Donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank in the form of cash or a non-perishable food item. Films to be featured include “Fist Of The Vampire” by Len Kabasinksi, “Chasing Darkness” by Jason Hull, “Virgin Pockets” by Paul Gorman as well as the World Premiere of “Aspiring Psychopath” by Ryan Cavalline plus films by local favorites Dustin Austin, Monster Mark, Matt Detisch, Lisa Seelinger and many more. Many of the Film Makers will be on hand with members of their cast and crew to accept donations at the Theater. Todd Humes (“Chasing Darkness”), Marie Madison (“Virgin Pockets”) and Shannon Solo (“Wolf At The Door”) will be among the many local Actors and Actresses on hand to accept donations. This event is designed to put focus on the local issues of poverty, homelessness and hunger during the Thanksgiving Holiday when far too many families in our community go without enough food. And absolutely no one will be turned away. The event’s organizer and local Film Maker Paul Gorman explains. “Poverty is one of the issues we’re dealing with locally. If there’s anyone in the community who couldn’t afford to attend a local film during the year, now is a great opportunity to do so. Even with the relatively low cost of ticket prices here in town, many families are still unable to afford tickets to our shows. This is one of the ways the film makers here are offering a remedy. Anyone with a donation of any kind will be let into the screenings. And if someone comes down who just can’t afford a donation, well, they’ll be let in too. Keep in mind that films like Len Kabasinki’s “Swamp Zombies” and Jason Hull’s “Chasing Darkness” sold out during their initial releases here in Erie so here’s another opportunity to see these great films and make a much needed contribution to our community.” The first screening begins at 7:30 pm on Friday November 9th and will continue through 8 pm Saturday night when our last film is screened. After, The Great Lakes Film Association is hosting a Wine and Cheese Reception for the Erie Area Film Makers that’s open to the public, so anyone interested can come meet the Film Makers and learn a bit more about the growing, vibrant film community in Erie, PA. For a complete schedule of films, please visit Films For Food at www.myspace.com/filmsforfood. For more information on the event, or to make a contribution, you may contact Paul Gorman at gmdfilms@verizon.net or by phone at (814) 572-1461. This event is made possible by generous contributions from The Roadhouse Theater, Hagen Business Machines, The Great Lakes Film Association as well as the Film Makers, Casts, Crews and Technicians in the Erie Area Film Community.

The associate degree in nursing program at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will hold an admissions information session for prospective students on Monday, Nov 12. The event begins at 6 pm in 101 Otto Behrend Science Building. It is free and open to both traditional and adult students.

The Hot Club of San Francisco, an ensemble of accomplished and versatile musicians celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli’s pioneering Hot Club of France, will perform at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Thursday, November 15. Hot Club of San Francisco is brought to Erie by Music at Noon: The Logan Series. The lunchtime performance is FREE and open to the public, and takes place at noon in the McGarvey Commons of the college’s Reed Union Building.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will be shown at the Roadhouse Theatre, 145 West 11th St, on Thursday Nov 15 at 8 pm. Proceeds benefit the Great Lake Film Association.

Do you want to know how to expand your sales to the European markets? Learn about product regulatory aspects for goods entering the EU. Understand the importance of Exhibitions in the EU and how trade shows weigh into the overall concept of doing business in the EU. The Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission is holding a workshop in Mercer on Nov 15. Cost is $35. To register please contact Lori Moore, or phone (814) 677-4800 Ext 104.

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Student Scholarship Auction Committee has announced that the College will hold the 14th Annual Student Scholarship Fund Auction at the new Erie Bayfront Convention Center on Friday Nov 16 with the purpose of providing scholarships to their students. The program opens at 6 pm with a silent auction, followed by dinner at 7 pm and a live auction at 8 pm. For reservations contact the LECOM Communications Office (814) 866-8125 or (814) 860-5125. You may also send a request for ticket information by Email: communications@lecom.edu. RSVP by November 2.

Dennis Weed

Posted by Dennis at November 2, 2007 7:08 AM

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Posted by: Heavy D at November 2, 2007 10:20 AM

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