ErieBlogs.com: Erie PA News and Events for Saturday November 3, 2007

Of Note: Open Thread for June 30 - July 5, 2008, Erie 4th of July Fireworks, Gas Price Finder

« Erie PA News and Events for Friday November 2, 2007 | Main | Erie PA News and Events for Sunday November 4, 2007 »

Erie PA News and Events for Saturday November 3, 2007

Posted by Dennis on November 3, 2007

Allegheny College issued a press release Thursday that will most likely insure that the college will never, ever, ever, ever, host any major political candidates. On Monday, Allegheny College President Richard Cook, Professor of Political Science Daniel Shea, and Center for Political Participation student fellows will host a news conference to announce ‘a national democracy-strengthening initiative’ called the “Soapbox Alliance.” The school got bent out of shape when the Bush-Cheney campaign held a rally at the school in 2004 and only allowed admission by tickets. Admission was only given to supporters. Again, this was a campaign rally. This absurd idea of open admission might have sounded good at a brainstorming session but it doesn’t seem very well thought-out. No candidate in their right mind will ever go somewhere where they are assured hecklers. I would bet that even Dennis Kucinich, who believes in UFOs, would call the initiative laughable. Did they miss the video of the Florida student getting tasered at a John Kerry speech?

Thanks to some idiot that knocked over a telephone pole at 38th and Old French around 6:45 pm, in front of Jefferson Elementary School and across from the VA Medical Center, parts of Erie were without power. It took Penelec nearly 8 hours to get power restored to everyone.

WJET-TV ran a story on 6-8 grade students now using Palm PDA’s in classrooms. The Erie School District received a $1.8 million grant. Great idea. However minutes later in the newscast, they ran a ‘Discover Our Times’ feature showing Strong Vincent High School students reading current events (that were current a day earlier) in the newspaper. Current events. Again, great idea. BUT those high school kids should have their hands on a mouse and keyboard reading an online version of the newspaper.

At Penn State Behrend in Erie, apartments will increase by $175 to a rate of $2,480 per person each semester for four-person garden units. Undergraduates living on campus in a standard double dorm room, the most common arrangement, will see their room rate increase by $145 per semester to $2,055. The cost for meal plan three, the most common plan of 12 to 13 meals per week, will increase by $100 per semester, from $1,680 to $1,780.

Mike Gorski was recently named the webmaster at Gannon University. Gorski formerly worked at Bensur Creative Services. Mike - RSS feeds NOW.

Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck serves in the New Jersey General Assembly where she represents the 12th legislative district. Beck is running for the 12th legislative district Senate seat this year. She is a grad of Boston College (Physics and Mathematics) and has an MA from the University of Pennsylvania (Government Administration). She is a native of Erie, PA.

Friday night Erie area high school football scores:
Erie Strong Vincent 44, Meadville 6
Erie Mercyhurst Prep 35, Cambridge Springs 0
Harbor Creek 34, Greenville 13
North East 17, Northwestern 6
Iroquois 34, Maplewood 14
Saegertown 60, Conneaut Valley 13
Union City 17, Youngsville 6
Titusville 37, General McLane 14
Slippery Rock 49, Warren 27

The Fighting Scot Duals take place today in Edinboro. The Maryland wrestling team, Army, Mercyhurst, and 16th ranked Edinboro are competing.

The Erie Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots program is asking for your help. Their goal this season is to make sure that every child in northwestern Pennsylvania has a gift to open on Christmas. Please Help by Donating new, unwrapped toys at one of their designated drop off locations or at one of their key events where you can help them. Today they will be asking for donations at Toys R Us by the mall.

Because You Care is holding an auction today, Nov 3, from 1-4 pm at the Scottish Rite Learning Center, 4701 Old Zuck Road. Previewing of the items will begin at noon and the auction will follow at 1 pm. There will also be a silent auction and bake sale.

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 takes place in Erie on Nov 2-3. Business was contained to Nov 2.

The Venango Digital Film Association is holding it first Film Festival today. 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 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