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Erie PA News and Events for Friday December 7, 2007

Darren Amy and Joseph Dille, both 19 year old Saegertown volunteer firefighters, were arrested and charged with arson for setting 9 fires in the Saegertown area. The duo set fires to vacant houses and then helped put the fires out.

There will be a citizenship ceremony at the Erie Federal Courthouse today at 10 am. All are welcome to attend. Congratulations and best wishes to the newest American citizens.

Jeff reported that the Clipper Tobago will be loading the first load of Biodiesel to be shipped from the port. I didn’t even know that Lake Erie Biofuels had begun production. They held a ribbon cutting ceremony the first week of October. They have a capacity to produce 136,000 gallons of Biodiesel per day - 45 million gallons annually. Most of their production will be shipped by rail, some by tanker trucks and a bit by barge. Logistics Plus is doing shipping for the company

Work on the Erie Technology Incubator is moving along and work will soon begin on the interior of the former Boys and Girls Club building at 130 West Eighth St.

The Association of Program Members (APM) of General Electric Transportation in Erie PA announced that it will be sponsoring the 13th Annual Winter Wishes Benefit Gala for the Foundation of Western Pennsylvania on February 16, 2008. Each year, the members of APM reach out to the community to collect donations for the silent auctions, live auctions and raffles that are held at the event. They also solicit “table sponsors” from local businesses. As a table sponsor, the business’ name appears on the centerpiece showing their support for this wonderful event as well as in any promotional materials that they put together for the function. The money raised with the auctioned items donated by local businesses will help provide funding for Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Community support of this event is recognition of the importance of this cause are greatly appreciated. Along with your assistance, GE will be able to make an impact on the day-to-day life of children whose lives are threatened.

Three Days Grace along with Breaking Benjamin and Seether will play the Erie Civic Center Tullio Arena on March 30. You can thank WERG for playing music by these artists for them coming to town.

Fairview Township received $16,956 and Girard Borough $2,692 in recycling grants from the state to help improve their collections programs.

Students from five local high schools will spend today at Gannon University as part of an initiative called Diversity Day. Gannon will host about 20 students from Iroquois, East, Central Tech, Collegiate Academy, and Strong Vincent today. Diversity Day is intended to help minority students who might not see college as a viable option better determine if it is right for them. The students will spend Friday meeting with Gannon faculty and staff, attending presentations, and touring the campus. “This will be an excellent opportunity for the students to explore their options for after high school and hopefully make a more informed decision about what type of path they want to follow,” said Wes Whiteside, an enrollment adviser with the Office of Admissions. “We also want to emphasize to the students that continuing their education is a very realistic and admirable goal.”

The Gannon men’s basketball team (6-0, 3-0 GLIAC) proved Thursday night that it could win outside the Hammermill Center. Following a season-opening 5-0 homestand, the Golden Knights opened a 26-point second-half lead and coasted to a 75-63 victory at Lake Superior State. The Golden Knights return to action Saturday, December 8 against Edinboro at the Hammermill Center. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

The Gannon women’s basketball team finally got a monkey off its back during its final year in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The Lady Knights placed five players in double digits and posted their first-ever victory at Lake Superior State Thursday evening by an 86-72 count. Kim Vargas led Gannon with a career-high 25 points and nine rebounds. Gannon entered Thursday’s game 0-6 all-time at Lake Superior State, but the Lady Knights played arguably their best all-around game of the season.

Mike Machuga is in 16th place after the second round at the PBA Tours Lumber Liquidators Championship at the AMF Country Club Lanes in Baltimore.

A pair of 2006 Mercyhurst College men’s lacrosse alumni have made moves in the lacrosse community recently. Mike McLellan was selected with the 15th pick in the 2007 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) supplemental draft after spending the past two seasons in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). Also, former teammate Greg Stocks has been named the head coach for the new men’s lacrosse team at Lake Erie College, scheduled to begin play in 2010.

The Erie SeaWolves lost another player. Baltimore selected RHP Randor Bierd from the Detroit Tigers organization in the Rule 5 draft.

Thomas Jefferson (14-0) faces Erie Strong Vincent (11-2) at 7 pm today at Erie Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League wrap up a four-game home stand this weekend with 7:30 pm games against the Sarnia Sting on Friday and the London Knights on Saturday at the Tullio Arena. Friday the first 1,000 fans into the game receive a free appetizer card courtesy of TGI Friday’s. It’s also $5 College ID Fridays and all AAA members receive $2 off a ticket with an active AAA Card. Saturday’s game is presented by Erie County Recycling. Bring a recyclable item and receive two tickets to the Otters game on January 2nd (limit two tickets per person) and the first 1,000 fans into the game receive a free sports bottle. Saturday’s game can also be seen live on the Image Sports Network starting at 7:30 pm.

No 6 Mercyhurst faces its stiffest tests of the season this weekend when No 1 New Hampshire visits the Mercyhurst Ice Center for games Friday night at 7 and Saturday afternoon at 3. The Lakers, 12-2-2 overall, and Wildcats, 15-2-0, will be meeting for the 9th and 10th times in their all-time series which UNH leads 4-3-1. If you’ve never seen a women’s college hockey game, GO. It’s a blast. The talent level is great and the atmosphere is amazing.

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 today and December 6-8. All shows begin at 8 pm except for the December 2 show, which will begin at 3 pm. Tickets are $5 and are available at the door. The number for the box office is (814) 871-7494.

Get the family together and take them to the Erie Playhouse for the heartwarming holiday musical “It’s a Wonderful Life”, through 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.

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 Roadhouse Theatre is holding their art and artifact auction on Saturday December 8. Doors open at 6 pm with the auction starting at 7 pm.

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.

Gannon University will be holding open auditions Sun, Dec 9 and Mon, Dec 10 at 7 pm in the Schuster Theatre, 620 Sassafras St, for their spring production of Nicholas Nickleby. Rehearsal will begin after the first of the New Year; production dates are April 10 - April 19. The production will be co-directed by Fr Shawn Clerkin and Paula Barrett. You’ll be reading right from the script so preparation is not necessary, although British accents will be encouraged. People can just show up at the theater at 7 pm and go upstairs into the theater space. No need to call in advance.

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 Gem City Concert Band will offer its annual Christmas concert on Tuesday, December 11 at St John’s Lutheran Church Parish Center at 2216 Peach Street. Special guests for the evening will be Bridge City Brass, a brass ensemble from Pittsburgh that will premier several new arrangements composed by ensemble members. The program will begin at 7:30 pm and is free and open to the public. Plenty of off-street parking is available and the Parish Center is wheelchair accessible.

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.

The Lake Erie Ballet 49th annual production of the Nutcracker will be held Sat Dec 15 at 7 pm and Sun Dec 16 at 2:30 pm. Purchase tickets at the Erie Civic Center box office or at Ticketmaster.

While you are finishing your last minute shopping at the Millcreek Mall on Saturday, December 22, stop by the Center Stage located by Burlington Coat Factory between noon and 1:30 pm. The 20-member Gem City Jazz Ensemble will be filling the halls with Christmas carols and other jazz selections. Join the band for the entire show or just a couple songs to keep you in the holiday spirit!

The 25th annual McDonald’s High School Basketball Classic will be held in Erie PA on Friday, January 18 and Saturday January 18, 2008 at the Gannon University Hammermill Center. St Edward of Lakewood Ohio, Rice High School of NYC, Saint Patrick of Elizabeth NJ and Erie Cathedral Prep are in the powerful field. Adult General Admission tickets are $7 and Student General Admission are tickets are $5. Reserved tickets are $12.50.

Dennis Weed

Posted by Dennis at December 7, 2007 7:01 AM

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