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Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday November 27, 2007

Malcolm Kysor of Erie, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence, remains on the loose after he escaped from State Correctional Institution at Albion around 2:30 pm on Sunday afternoon. The prison finally issued a press release just after 6 pm on Monday - a full day after the escape. The Pennsylvania State Police and the old-guard media outlets were informed of the escape Sunday evening.
“Time Is Of The Essence” is a phrase prison officials are unfamiliar with. The timeline of events is disturbing. Kysor escaped going through the front gate hiding in a garbage can at around 2:30 pm. It wasn’t until 4:30 pm that he was found missing. Instead of sounding the alarm at that time, another hour or two were wasted doing head counts and name checks. It wasn’t until early evening that the prison was put on lockdown, sirens were sounded, and calls were made. Even the state police seemed miffed that so much time was allowed to pass before they were informed. A number of personnel and policy changes must be made at SCI-Albion.

GE Transportation, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), received an order for 30 freight locomotives from UK-based Freightliner Group Ltd. The purchase represents the largest order of freight locomotives in Freightliner’s history. GE Transportation is developing a new freight locomotive in partnership with Freightliner Group in a collaborative effort called “Project Genesis.” The innovative design offers an array of new features, including AC traction technology and dynamic braking. GE Transportation’s JS37ACi locomotives allow Freightliner to increase its hauling capacity while lowering fuel consumption by an estimated 10 percent compared to the current locos in its fleet. The 129-ton diesel locomotives generate more horsepower and tractive effort while lowering fuel consumption and CO2 emissions than locomotives currently in use.
Erie PA based GE Transportation currently has a backlog of about 1,500 locomotives which cost $2.5-$3 million each, an order backlog of over $4 billion.

Composiflex, an Erie PA based global supplier of highly-engineered composite products, has expanded its manufacturing and design capabilities to produce cutting-edge, patient positioning systems that are well suited for use with MRI diagnostic technology. The vast majority of composite patient positioning products in the market today are manufactured using carbon fiber, which is primarily applicable for use with CT scan and X-ray technologies, but not with MRI equipment. “Through our material science expertise and advanced design capabilities, Composiflex is focusing on providing medical product solutions that are suitable for magnetic resonance systems by altering the material make-up and design of current products, or creating new ones. Additionally, we are developing multi-mode medical products that healthcare providers can successfully use with a range of technologies including MRI, CT scan, PET and X-ray platforms,” said Marty Matthews, Composiflex Sales and Marketing Executive.

Jordyn Colao of Erie was a semi-finalist at the 2008 Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA competition. Colao is a senior at McDowell High School.

Fr Larry Richards from Erie PA will begin his new show Saturday morning at 10 am on WWOW 1360 am, a Conneaut, Ohio Christian station.

Erie is full of artists, arts enthusiasts, and everyday people with hidden talents, and the Arts Council of Erie wants to showcase you. They’re looking for art lovers and artists of all kinds to represent our community as the faces of the 2008 United Arts Fund Drive. Have a unique craft or a story on how the arts impact your life? Want to see yourself in their ads? Then come to their casting session: Saturday, December 1 9:30-11:30 am at the Erie Playhouse, 13 W 10th St. Come to the casting session and get a free t-shirt. If you can’t make it, you can also join in by downloading a Casting Form and mailing it along with a photo to: Arts Council of Erie, 3 E 4th Street, Suite 10, Erie PA 16507. *Photos will not be returned. For more information, call (814) 452-3427.

The Mercyhurst women’s basketball team used a furious late game rally to make Monday’s game interesting but Slippery Rock held on for a 71-61 non-conference victory.

Edinboro University senior Jenna Newman has become just the second Fighting Scot ever to be recognized on the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American Team. Newman today was named to the AVCA Division II Honorable Mention All-America Team.

The Mercyhurst College athletic department announced that the Lakers’ 572 student athletes had a combined grade point average of 3.05 during the 2007 fall term. Fifteen of the school’s 25 varsity teams had grade point averages exceeding 3.0 and 45 athletes (7.9 percent) had a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Despite a pair of wins at Princeton last weekend, Mercyhurst remained 7th in the latest USCHO.com Division I Women’s Ice Hockey Poll released Monday.

Ashland University will host the Second Annual AU Invitational Thursday-Saturday, Nov 29-Dec 1. This year, two schools from the Erie, PA area - Gannon and Edinboro - will be in town to compete against the Eagles. The AU men’s team is 4-2 and ranked sixth in the country. The Ashland women are 2-6 and listed 13th in this week’s national rankings. The Gannon men are 17th in the nation and the GU women are seventh. Edinboro is 23rd in the men’s poll and 17th in the women’s NCAA Division II national rankings.

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

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.

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 Mark Steensland film “Peekers” will premiere on Thursday November 29, in REDC Room 180 REDC, the Samuel P “Pat” Black III Conference Center, on the campus of Penn State Behrend. Based off Kealan Patrick Burke’s story, the approximately 10-minute short-film “Peekers” is one that quite literally seeks to “play” with your mind. Steensland workws with many other talented individuals to produce this film locally in Erie, PA on October 20 and 21. “Peekers” starts at 8:15 pm; Steensland’s earlier films, “Sucker,” “Lovecraft’s Pillow,” and “Dead@17” will be shown at 7:30 pm.

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.

Gannon University’s Schuster Theatre presents Fellini’s classic film “8 1/2” as it is transformed into this marvelous Tony Award-winning musical. “Nine” looks at a 1950’s film director and actor who can’t seem to shed his impulsive, philandering ways, and the devoted, beautiful women who together help him “grow up.” Shows will be held November 29-December 2, December 6-8. All shows begin at 8 pm except for the December 2 show, which will begin at 3 pm.

Get the family together and take them to the Erie Playhouse for the heartwarming holiday musical “It’s a Wonderful Life”, November 29-December 16. The lights will shine bright at the Erie Playhouse throughout the holiday season with the mounting of this classical seasonal tale. This new musical is a faithful adaptation of the 1946 film, which has entered into our national mythology, and has become as much a part of the Christmas holiday as the evergreen tree and fruitcake.

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.

Erie’s Sixth annual TubaChristmas Concert will take place on Saturday, December 1, in the McGarvey Commons at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. The performance begins at 1:30 pm and is FREE and open to the public. As its name implies, Tuba Christmas Erie 2007 is songs of the season interpreted by a choir of Tuba, Euphonium and Baritone performers. All student, amateur, and professional musicians are invited to join the concert choir; registration is 8:30-9:30 am in the Reed Union Building, Wintergarden Area; rehearsal will be from 9:30 until 11:45 that morning. Performer’s fee is $8 and includes registration, commemorative button, and a barbecue lunch.

Family First Sports Park is holding a FREE Youth Football Clinic for kids 7-13 on Saturday, Dec 1 from 9 am - 12 noon. The clinic is hosted by the Mercyhurst College Football Program and Head Coach, Marty Schaetzle. Participants will learn fundamentals as well as individual positions of the game. Register online here. For more information, please contact Mat Carpinello by e-mail or at (814) 866-5425 ext. 247.

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.

Kirk Nesset, this year’s winner of the prestigious Drue Heinz Literature Award for short fiction, will read and discuss his work at Mercyhurst College on Thursday, Dec 6, at 8 pm in Taylor Little Theatre. Nesset’s talk will unofficially kick off Mercyhurst’s annual Literary Festival. The 2008 edition, set for April, will bring to campus noted science fiction and fantasy writer Terry Bisson and Native American poet Joy Harjo and will culminate in the release of the student-produced Lumen literary magazine. A book-signing and reception will follow Nesset’s presentation. For information, contact Dr Kenneth Schiff, coordinator of the Mercyhurst Literary Festival, at (814) 824-2461.

Looking for an event to make this the most memorable holiday season ever? The Peppermint Ball is the area’s grandest event. The Peppermint Ball will be held Sat, Dec 8 from 7-10 pm. At the Peppermint Ball you will be treated like royalty and the elegance will make you feel as if you were a part of a fairy tale. Events of the evening include: Dancing, Competitions, and Fun for the whole family. Sponsored by the Erie Chapter of Demolay. Refreshments will be served. Family friendly environment - alcohol free. Music by Digital Thunder. Admission is $5 in advance or $6 at the door. Contact Ronald Cox at (814) 397-5859 for more info.

Family First Sports Park is in the process of making youth football more than just a seasonal sport. This year they are introducing a Winter Indoor Tackle Football League. The league will focus its emphasis on the basic fundamentals of football rather than the competitive nature of the sport. “We are very excited to start an instructional program during the off season, a place for youth to focus more attention to their individual skill,” said Mat Carpinello. The league is open to children ages 7-13 and will start on Dec 10. For more information, please contact Mat Carpinello by e-mail or call him at (814) 866-5425 ext. 247. You can register online here.

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

Posted by Dennis at November 27, 2007 7:01 AM

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Posted by: MaryJo at November 27, 2007 11:56 AM

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