ErieBlogs.com: Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday November 20, 2007

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Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday November 20, 2007

Posted by Dennis on November 20, 2007

Erie businessman Robert Dodsworth pleaded guilty to felony money laundering and conspiracy charges in a mortgage fraud scam. Sentencing is scheduled for March which could include up to a million dollars in fines and 25 years in prison. Companies that Dodsworth was associated with purchased low price homes, did minimal cosmetic repairs and fudged figures (savings account totals, income) on mortgage applications. There could easily be another dozen people facing charges before all is said and done.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A home is probably the most expensive purchase you will ever make. Be careful who you are dealing with.

Nice timing by Continental Airlines. They are ‘temporarily’ cutting flights between Erie and Cleveland. Many people already have seats booked on flights that are being cut. In December, the 4 flights will drop to 3 with that number being cut to 2 in January.

Are some people so dumb that they don’t know phone calls can be traced? Some moron called in a bomb threat to Triangle Tech at 20th and Liberty around 3 pm on Monday. Look for a quick arrest.

Through the holidays the first 50 donors every week at the Community Blood Bank will get a holiday gift and donors all week can enter to win a great raffle. Last year local businesses donated over $6000 in goods and services to the donors. Today, the first 50 donors who come in will receive a tasty chocolate turnkey generously donated by Pulakos 926 Chocolates. Donors all week long can enter to win a Beautiful Ceramic lamp with a stained glass lampshade generously donated by the Campbell Pottery Store in Cambridge Springs. This lamp retails for about $800. Some lucky donor will win it just by taking a half an hour and giving blood to the Community Blood Bank. “The Thanksgiving Holiday is expected to be a record breaker for travel and usually that means accidents,” Said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the blood bank. “Now is the time come in and give blood BEFORE the Holidays get in full swing.” Giving blood is the fastest way to get in the holiday spirit! 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.

A sign war has begun on the front lawns of Erie County residents. The topic of deliberation? Whether supporting the troops means ending or winning the war. Over the last several months, hundreds of red “Support the Troops - End the War” signs have sprung up across Erie County. Several Erie residents created counter-signs, but a formal distribution was nonexistent until this week when the Erie County Republican Committee announced they will begin distributing blue “Support the Troops - Win the War” signs to interested residents. “We have received an average of five phone calls per week asking about how to purchase a counter-sign,” explained Erie County Republican Committee Chairman Brad Moore. “So, to meet the demand, we’ll be printing blue ‘Support the Troops - Win the War’ signs to counter the moveon.org-type group financed campaign.” “We believe that folks who want the ‘Win the War’ signs are the silent majority,” Moore said. By word-of-mouth only, nearly 200 orders have been placed. The GOP is charging $6 per sign to cover printing. The signs will be durable enough to withstand the Erie winter and allow owners to leave them up as long as they wish. Any proceeds raised will be donated to the Fallen Patriot Fund. The Fallen Patriot Fund was established to help the families of US military personnel who were seriously wounded or killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sign orders will be taken through Friday, Nov. 30, The Erie GOP plans to distribute the signs by the middle of December. Those interested in placing a sign order should e-mail supptroops@yahoo.com with the quantity desired and contact information, or call the Erie County Republican Committee at 504-1542.

If your company has a specific need that you feel could be addressed by the Erie SCORE chapter, please visit their web site to complete a short application for assistance. A SCORE volunteer will contact you and set up a meeting to discuss how they can be of assistance. SCORE consists of volunteers with skills learned over time that could prove to be beneficial to small businesses, and there is no cost to you. Please take advantage of the skills these volunteers have gained from their years of experience. SCORE volunteers include persons with skills from such positions as CEO of a major manufacturing company, accountant, attorney, marketing professionals, etc. Our local SCORE chapter covers Erie, Crawford, Venango, Forest and Warren Counties.

The Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission recently closed a number of loans. They include: Romolo’s Chocolates of Erie with a $35,000 check from the microloan program. This loan will be used toward inventory expenses for the holiday season. A $10,260 microloan closed for Candy’s Notary Services of Erie County. The loan was used to start a mobile notary service. A $35,000 microloan closed for Jason Howles Landscaping of Crawford County. The loan was used to purchase a dump truck. An $11,500 microloan closed for Dennis Farms, Inc of Venango County. The loan was used to purchase equipment. A $35,000 microloan closed for Red Roo Catering of Mercer County. The loan was used to start a cafe/catering business. A $15,000 microloan closed for Sandcille, Inc of Erie County. The loan was used to purchase equipment. A $175,000 SBF/FIF Agriculture loan and a $128,000 EDA/RLF loan closed for Log Hard Premium Pellets, Inc of Crawford County. The loans will be used to purchase land and construct a building to manufacture wood pellets for wood stoves. Seven full time jobs will be created within three years.

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy is honored to welcome a very distinguished guest speaker, Curt D Furberg, MD, PhD on Tuesday, November 27. Dr Furberg is a nationally and internationally recognized cardiovascular epidemiologist with expertise in clinical trials and public health. He is a strong proponent for evidence-based medicine. His public health background provides a strong foundation for his views on drug evaluation and patient safety. He is best known as the principal investigator for the Anithypertensive and Lipid Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT).

A record number of participants are expected to “pay it forward” this Thursday at the annual Erie Runners Club Turkey Trot run/walk, working off their turkey dinner before they even eat it. Currently, there are more than 1,500 people registered to participate in the Turkey Trot in the 5K ( 3.1 mile) or 10K (6.21 mile) event. “With mild weather forecast for Thursday, we’re definitely on target to break last year’s record attendance of 1,870 people,” said Dave Comi, Turkey Trot race director who noted that the Turkey Trot has increased in attendance every year for the past 10 years. “We’re shooting for 2,000 people this year.” The Thanksgiving-morning run has become a family tradition in the Erie area with three and four generations of families participating together. “We have people from more than 30 different states coming home to participate,” Comi said. Not only do participants have quality family time and burn off a few hundred calories, but they also help others in need as proceeds from the Turkey Trot are shared with local charities. The Turkey Trot kicks of at 9 am on Thursday at Presque Isle State Park, Beach 1. Late registration is available at the Erie Community Blood Bank on Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 pm and on race-day morning at Beach 1 beginning at 7:30 am.

Robert Bandish II has been named Officer of the Year in Nashville. A field training officer, Bandish was awarded the honor by the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce for his “tireless dedication and outstanding commitment” to families and businesses. He is a 1993 graduate of Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa, where he received a criminal justice degree.

The Gluten-Free Support Group of Northwest PA recently began a blog.

James McNeil (Erie, PA/Northwest PA Collegiate Academy) was named Male Athlete of the Week at Medaille College. McNeil led the Mavs to a season opening win as he registered team highs with 22 points and 7 rebounds as they hung on to beat Keuka (80-79).

A tie and a one-goal loss at Clarkson last weekend damaged the Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team stature in the latest USCHO.com Division I Women’s Poll. Tied for second last week, the Lakers fell to No 7 after a 2-2 overtime tie and a 3-2 loss to the Golden Knights. Mercyhurst, 8-2-2 overall, will resume its six-game road trip Thanksgiving weekend when it visits Princeton (4-4-2) Friday and Saturday.

Join your friends at the Watson-Curtze Mansion for the 28th annual Victorian Holidays program Whimsical Wonderland. Included in this exhibit are professionally decorated evergreens, fireplace mantles, doorways, windows and other displays that will be open to the community. Whimsical Wonderland features more than ten different themed rooms; including a Seussical room decorated in all things Dr Seuss, a wintertime teddy bear picnic, a Victorian garden and much more. Participating decorators includes Traditions, the Carrie T Watson Garden Club and Melody Potratz of Potratz Garden Shop. Try you luck with the annual Chinese auction and win gift certificates from local eateries and specialty shops, or a holiday wreath. Victorian Holidays will run until December 30. Wednesday - Saturday 11 am - 4 pm, Sunday 1 pm - 4 pm. Museum Admission: $4 Adults, $3 Seniors, $2 Children.

Michael Acri’s 23rd Annual Erie Boxing Classic will be held Wednesday, November 21 at The Avalon Hotel in downtown Erie. Former IBF lightweight champion Paul Spadafora (40-0-1, 16 KOs) is the headliner.

The Erie Central High School Class of 1997 Reunion is holding their 10 year reunion on Saturday, November 24 at the Cornerstone Bar and Grill, 809 East 38th St.

Join both the Gem City Bands - the Gem City Concert Band and the Gem City Jazz Ensemble on Saturday, November 24th at the 2007 Saint Vincent Auxiliary’s Festival of Trees at the Ambassador Conference Center on upper Peach Street. The Concert Band will perform from 5:00 to 6:15 p.m. and the Jazz Ensemble will perform from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. The performances are open to the public and the cost of admission to this year’s Festival of Trees is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children ages 3-12. There will be 50 professionally decorated trees on display, and the Festival will also feature a Christmas Marketplace.

The Erie Broadway Series presents Annie at the Warner Theatre on Tues, Nov 27 at 7 pm.

The Erie County Technical School (ECTS) is holding an Open House on Wednesday, November 28 from 6:30-8:30. As your son or daughter enters high school, the Erie County Technical School can lead to a variety of career pathways including college. ECTS has over 70 articulation agreements with colleges and universities offering college credit for students that complete one of our 16 technical programs.Visit the Open House and check out the career choices available at ECTS. ECTS is located at 8500 Oliver Road Erie, PA 16509. Contact them at (814) 464-8600.

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy has scheduled an On Campus Day on November 29, 3-5 pm, to provide opportunities for prospective students to tour the campus facilities and learn about the Doctor of Pharmacy Program. It includes a tour of the facility, a Pharmacy Compounding and Dispensing demonstration, an opportunity to meet with current students and faculty, an overview of the LECOM Doctor of Pharmacy programs and information on the admissions process and financial aid.

European and African tradition meet in the annual holiday performance by the Penn State Behrend Concert Choir and Chamber Choir. The concert takes place at 8 pm Friday, Nov 30, in the college’s Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel. Tickets are $5 for general admission and $3 for Penn State Behrend students, faculty and staff. They can be purchased at the Reed Union Building information desk and at the door.

Celebrate the Christmas season by visiting Santa Claus himself at the Experience Erie Children’s Museum. Enjoy a picnic breakfast, singing, a puppet show, and time for the children to make gifts for their loved ones. Picnic Breakfast with Santa Giftmaking Workshop takes place Saturdays, 9-11 am, Dec 1, 8, 15 and 22. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is $8, $6 for members and free for kids under 2.

The Gannon University Social Work Club Christmas Dinner and Wellness Fair will be held in the university’s Hammermill Center, Peach Street and South Park Row, on Sunday, Dec 2. The event is FREE and open to the public. Doors will open at 10 am, and meals will be served starting at 11:15 am. Santa will arrive at 12:15 pm to meet with the children on hand and pass out gifts. The Dinner and Wellness Fair provide a full turkey dinner, Christmas presents, and clothing. In addition, representatives from local agencies and organizations will be on hand to provide attendees information on housing and human services as well as important health screenings. Last year organizers served nearly 800 meals. The university’s Student Government Association (SGA) helps fund the event. In addition, the dinner has been well supported by the local community. Gifts for Kids and Erie Insurance are among the event’s many contributors. Again, the event is FREE and open to the public. For more information, contact the Gannon University Social Work program at (814) 871-7263.

The Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy will hold their annual Recruitment Open House on Sunday, December 2, 1:00 to 3:30 pm. Over 500 eighth graders apply for approximately 225 freshman openings making admission harder than many colleges. Admission requirements include a minimum grade point average of 3.0, national standardized test scores at the 75th percentile or above, and two teacher recommendations. Please visit the Applying section of their site to learn more about applying to NW PA Collegiate Academy.

The Erie IT Network’s next Lunch’n Learn tackles the complexities of Blackberry Integration. It will be held on Thursday Dec 13, 11:30-1:00, at the Ambassador Banquet and Conferece Center, 7792 Peach Street in Erie. Data phones and PDAs are gaining prevelance in today’s workplace. More and more executives, sales agents and IT professionals are using hand held wireless devices to monitor servers, check emails and manage contacts. The speakers are with Research In Motion (RIM), the group that brought you the Blackberry. Join them for a technical seminar as they discuss the Blackberry Enterprise solution, including a look at the advanced security features inherent in the server software, as well as the framework used to deploy mobile applications. Register now, by clicking HERE. Or contact Karen at karen.kimet@technwpa.org or call (814) 451-1174.

Dennis Weed