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Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday December 11, 2007

Federal Aviation Administration officials were satisfied that local matching funds of $25.7 million were available for the Erie International Airport Runway Extension Project. It appears that the FAA will be funding $47.7 million of the two phase project. The first phase would be an 920 foot runway extension to meet FAA safety standards. A second extension of 1,000 feet would come next which is needed for todays larger planes.
Some people think that the extension is in the works so they can go visit Aunt Jane and Uncle Lou. That isn’t the idea, although it’s an added benefit. This project is vital to the future of the Erie area economy. Companies such as GE Transportation needs it to fly in buyers that will spend $100 million on locomotives. Bliley Technologies and other companies needs it to immediately ship out parts when a customer calls.

Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services announced ratings were raised on Erie Insurance Group; Erie Insurance Exchange; Erie Insurance Co; Erie Insurance Co of New York; Erie Insurance Property and Casualty Co; Flagship City Insurance Co - counterparty credit ratings raised to ‘AApi’ from ‘Api;’ financial strength ratings to ‘AApi’ from ‘Api.’ S and P explained that “ratings with a ‘pi’ subscript are based on an analysis of an issuer’s published financial information, as well as additional information in the public domain, and are provided without fee to investors and to the public.”

Advanced Systems Integration, Inc (ASi) announced the release of a new Microsoft authorized case study on its recent Microsoft Dynamics AX implementation and training support at Zurn Industries in Erie, PA. The new case study, funded and written by Microsoft, highlights the immediate benefits and cost savings that Zurn was able to achieve after the successful implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta) by ASi, including: Maintaining Low Total Cost of Ownership, Eliminating Redundancies and Automating Processes and Increasing Inventory Visibility. Due to the acquisition of new businesses, Zurn was running three disparate enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems from Oracle, IMI, and Data General. “By using Microsoft Dynamics AX, we’ll save around $250,000 to $300,000 per year in ongoing IT expenses,” estimates Bill Masek, Director of IT at Zurn. With annual sales revenue approaching $500 million for fiscal year 2008, Zurn is a major manufacturer and distributor of commercial-grade plumbing products and accessories. Its 10 product lines are engineered by domestic and foreign vendors, manufactured across nine locations in the United States, and sold through 70 independent agents throughout the United States. Zurn Industries became a private company when it was acquired by Rexnord from Jacuzzi Brands in February, 2007.

An archivist at Catholic University found a Catholic Anti-Nazi recording of a Nov 16, 1938 radio broadcast, just days after Kristallnacht. It was recorded at the college and was carried live on both NBC and CBS radio. Bishop John Mark Gannon of Erie, Pa, spoke on the broadcast. The purpose of this program was to appeal to Christian political leaders in Germany to stop the persecution of the Jews. This broadcast was a year before Germany’s invasion of Poland sparked World War II.

Michael P Robinson has been named director of marketing and communications at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, IL. Robinson earned his bachelor of arts degree in communications from Gannon University in Erie, Pa. He previously served as director of communications for Rock Valley College. He also served in several capacities, including news anchor/reporter, for WREX-13 from 1988 to 2003.

The Penn State Behrend women’s basketball team snagged a non-conference win over the Grove City Wolverines, 57-44 on Monday night at the Junker Center. Behrend is now 4-5 on the season and 3-2 at home, while the Wolverines fall to 2-6 on year.

Luis Pujols was named the manager of the Corpus Christi Hooks. Pujols held a minor league managerial post for the Tigers in 2001, leading the Erie SeaWolves of the Double-A Eastern League to an 84-58 (.592) record and Southern Division title. In 2002, Pujols began the year as Detroit’s bench coach under Phil Garner. After an 0-6 start and Garner’s dismissal, Pujols was named manager. He spent 2003-06 as first base coach of the San Francisco Giants.

The Ontario Hockey League today announced that Erie Otters center Justin Hodgman is the Boston Pizza OHL Player of the Week for the week ending Sunday December 9 after scoring three goals and six assists for nine points in two games. The 19 year old native of Brampton has 15 goals and 26 assists for 41 points in 28 games this season and is currently enjoying an eight game point scoring streak.

Kim Vargas was named GLIAC South Division Player Of The Week. Sophomore forward Vargas led Gannon to a perfect 3-0 record last week. Over the span of three games she averaged 22.7 points and eight rebounds. Vargas had back to back 25 point performances against Edinboro and LSSU which included 17 points in the second half on 8-12 shooting against Lake State. She leads the Lady Knights in scoring (15.8 ppg) and ranks second in rebounding (6.9 rpg).

Mercyhurst remained ranked 6th, New Hampshire slipped to No 2, and Harvard ascended to the No 1 position according to the latest USCHO.com Division I women’s hockey poll. Mercyhurst and UNH split a pair of games at the Ice Center last weekend (4-3 and 2-5) while Harvard stretched its winning streak to eleven with a 2-0 win over visiting Connecticut and a 4-1 victory at Providence. Meanwhile Mercyhurst sophomore forward Meghan Agosta claimed her third straight College Hockey America Offensive Player of the Week Award and freshman winger Jesse Scanzano picked up her second straight Rookie of the Week Award.

The War at the Shore quad-dual wrestling tournament tickets are now on sale at local schools. The event includes two high school matches that pit McDowell and Cathedral Prep with Fort LeBoeuf taking on North East. Opposite of the Division II match with 13th ranked Mercyhurst vs 20th ranked Gannon, is Division I action with 15th ranked Edinboro taking on Eastern Michigan. The 3rd annual War at the Shore will be held at the Erie Civic Center Tullio Arena on Friday, Dec 14.

The University of Tulsa finally got out a press release on their recruits. Alaina Ferraro and Lauren Pacinelli are two signees from Mercyhurst Preparatory School in Erie, Pa. The tandem have each earned three letters in rowing, while Pacinelli also earned a letter as a member of the swim team. Ferraro assisted her Lightweight 4+ and Lightweight 8+ to top marks in the Mercyhurst Regatta, and her Lightweight 4+ to a second-place finish in the Mother’s Day Regatta, and a fourth-place mark in the Canadian Nationals as a junior. She also earned a ninth-place finish out of 125 competitors in the Ontario Ergometer Championship as a sophomore.

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 Gem City Concert Band will offer its annual Christmas concert today, 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

Posted by Dennis at December 11, 2007 7:05 AM

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