ErieBlogs.com: Erie PA News and Events for Saturday December 8, 2007

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Erie PA News and Events for Saturday December 8, 2007

Posted by Dennis on December 8, 2007

The proposed 2008 city budget is not available on the city web site. Guess they don’t want the peasants getting their hands on the information. Or maybe the 4 people working in the information technology office (2007 office budget of $268,572; $246,977 in wages and benefits for 4 people, average per person of $61,744) can’t figure out how to get it on the web site, so their budget is increased to a proposed $339,278 for 2008. If you’re a City of Erie taxpayer you should have a chance to review the budget and voice your opinion. Here is the City of Erie Payroll Information and the City of Erie Preliminary 2008 Budget Accounts. Cost cutting measures suggested by the Mayoral Advisory Group report have been ignored. If you look at the city’s proposed 2008 expenses you will see that group health insurance is proposed to cost $9,655,317 in 2008 as compared with an anticipated cost of $10,413,277 in the 2007 final budget. The actual cost through October 10/25/07 for group health insurance was $7,284,143 - out to December 31 this cost will probably be around $8,921,853 - the difference between the anticipated figure and Sinnott’s proposed cost represents an overbudget of about 10 percent, or about $1.5 million. Clearly Sinnott and Erie City Council overbilled the taxpayers of Erie for the 2007 budget and perhaps we didn’t really need a property tax increase as steep as 12 percent last year. A mid-level city employee with a salary of $38,767 receives benefits totaling $30,541 ($16.68 an hour just in benefits), total $69,308. That’s just way too much.

Jason L McMullen, 24, of Erie PA was arrested outside the Best Buy in Mentor, Ohio. McMullen fried to pass two counterfeit $500 American Express travelers checks. Police also found a 12 inch knife and a loaded 9 mm gun on McMullen.

Weld Tooling Corp annoucned they are closing their Erie operations on Hawthorne Dr and moving to Cecil Township in Washington County.

Wanted - full-time pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Please apply with the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Erie, PA. WJET-TV ran a story reporting that they might have to cut services, at least temporarily, until they find a surgeon.

The John Nesbit Rees and Sarah Henne Rees Charitable Foundation has awarded a grant in the amount of $21,250 to the School of Science at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, in support of National Chemistry Week (NCW). The grant, which will be distributed in equal installments over the next five years, is to support the advancement of chemistry through educational programming during NCW. Penn State Behrend has participated in NCW since its inception in 1987. The grant will help local colleges and universities fund the annual NCW programs. In addition to Penn State Behrend and University of Pittsburgh at Titusville, Mercyhurst College, Gannon University, Edinboro University, Allegheny College, and the Erie Section of the American Chemical Society will also benefit the grant.

Justin Hodgman scored twice and added three assists to lead the Erie Otters to a 7-5 win over the Sarnia Sting in an Ontario Hockey League game played last night in front of 2,707 at the Tullio Arena. Ryan O’Reilly supplied two goals and an assist in the Otters winning effort while Sean Jones and Nick Palmieri added a goal and two assists each. Jordan Skellett rounded out the goal scoring while Zack Torquato collected three assists. Jaroslav Janus started for the Otters and allowed five goals on 17 shots before being replaced by Shane Owen midway through the second. Owen was perfect on all 18 shots he faced the rest of the way to earn his first career OHL victory. The win was the Otters second straight as they improved to 6-20-2-1 on the season. The Otters return to action tonight at 7:30 pm when they face the London Knights 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. The game can also be seen live on the Image Sports Network starting at 7:30 pm.

Thomas Jefferson beat Erie Strong Vincent 35-6 in the PIAA football Class AAA Western final.

Sixth-ranked Mercyhurst defeated a number one-ranked opponent for the first time in its nine-year history. The culprit was No 1 New Hampshire and the outcome was 4-3. The Lakers, winners of five straight and two consecutive over the Wildcats, improved to 13-2-2 overall, while UNH dropped to 15-2-0. The loss was UNH’s first since a 2-1 setback at home against Princeton on Nov 11. The same teams will finish the weekend series on Saturday at 3 pm at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. The game can also be seen live on the Image Sports Network starting at 3 pm.

Jim Glogowski was announced as the new Simpson College head football coach. Glogowski left his position as University of South Dakota defensive coordinator for the job. He has previously coached at Division III Allegheny College (1998-2000) and Division II Clarion (2000-01).

The Mercyhurst wrestling team was 13th and Gannon 20th in the first regular season NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches’ Association poll for the 2007-08 season.

Edinboro at Gannon. Tonight. Women’s game at 5:30 pm with the men’s game at 7:30 pm.

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.” The final show will be held today at 8 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 today, 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.

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.

Dennis Weed