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Erie PA News and Events for Saturday December 22, 2007

My favorite Christmas story this year has got to be what happened to the Erie Brewing Company. Erie Brewing makes seasonal beers. Their winter seasonal was to be called Red Ryder Big Beer. In either a great marketing ploy or because of a couple of trial lawyers, they changed the name. It’s called ‘Ol Red Cease and Desist. The story being because the company was sued by the holders to the rights of “A Christmas Story.” Red Ryder was the brand name of the BB gun that Ralphie wanted for Christmas.

Erie PA based Zurn Industries has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the stock of Pittsburgh area GA Industries Inc for $76 million in cash. The acquisition further expands Zurn’s presence in water and wastewater markets in municipal, hydropower and industrial environments. Cranberry based GA Industries, which includes Rodney Hunt Company of Orange, Mass, manufactures automatic control valves, check valves, gate valves and other flow control products. GAI also operates a factory in Mars, Pa. GAI and Rodney Hunt employ nearly 300 with combined annual sales of about $60 million. Zurn Industries is owned by Rexnord LLC.
All of a sudden Rexnord has been promoting the heck out of Zurn. Don’t be shocked if some time in 2008 they spin-off Zurn as an independent company and announce an IPO. That would be a huge boost for Erie.

Jeff reported that Erie Shipbuilding completed construction of two new barges - the Witte 1401 and The Sue B. Erie Shipbuilding hired a good number of people this year and their future looks bright. In November, I helped someone look for housing that relocated to Erie from Mississippi. Yes, moving to Erie for a better job.

The replacing of Marilyn S Brooks as superintendent with Raymond J Sobina at the State Correctional Institution in Albion has had a ripple effect at other prisons. Paul K Smeal has been promoted from deputy superintendent to superintendent at SCI Smithfield. Smeal has an associate’s degree in criminal justice and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with minors in political science, psychology and sociology from Edinboro University, and a a master’s degree in public administration from Widener University.

The following communities received state municipal recycling grants: Erie - $444,000 to improve leaf composting and commercial recycling programs, Greenfield Township - $151,987 to obtain a new truck and fencing, and Millcreek Township - $297,260 to improve the township composting site.

The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network announced the recipients of its 2008 Excellence Award winners. The list includes Jay Alberstadt, Jr of The Quinn Law Firm in Erie, PA that serves on the Board of Directors of Northwestern Legal Services.

Ned Beatty (Otis in “Superman” and Det Stan Bolander on “Homicide: Life on the Street”) was once called by Daily Variety as the “busiest actor in Hollywood.” At age 70, Beatty has made 4 movies this year including the just released “Charlie Wilson’s War.” Beatty called Erie PA home for a time in the 1960’s and performed in plays at the Erie Playhouse.

Jody Crago has been named executive director of the Chandler Museum in Chandler, AZ. A native of Meadville Pa, Crago has a bachelor’s degree from Penn State Erie, The Behrend College and a master’s in American history with a certificate in museum studies from the University of Delaware.

Would you, or someone you know, like to join a band? The Gem City Concert Band of Erie, PA, is seeking new members for the Spring 2008 season. The concert band, currently consisting of 40 members, is very versatile, playing music such as old overtures, show tunes, traditional concert band pieces, movie scores, and marches. The band presents a spring and fall concert at St John’s Lutheran Church, as well as numerous other retirement homes and community performances throughout the year. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings from 8 to 9:30 pm in the lower-level meeting room of St John’s Lutheran Church at 23rd and Peach Streets. Spring 2008 rehearsals begin January 8th. Interested musicians should call (814) 899-8467 for more information or visit online. All instruments are welcomed. Membership is free!

Edinboro’s women’s basketball team handed head coach Stan Swank the perfect Christmas gift - a three-game winning streak. The Fighting Scots won their third game in the last four days, all on the road, with a 78-67 victory at Charleston (WV) on Friday. The contest marked the end of an eight-game road trip, with Edinboro improving to 6-3.

The Gannon University men’s basketball team (7-1) hosts Tiffin (2-10) tonight at 7:30 at the Hammermill Center.

Gannon University is seeking an assistant men’s basketball coach. Assistant La-Troy Farrow resigned to accept the head coaching position for the Premier Basketball League’s (PBL) Quad City Riverhawks.

Matt Ward of Forest Hills Northern in Michigan has accepted a scholarship to study and play lacrosse at Division II Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa.

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.

Enjoy a meal and support the Erie United Methodist Alliance at the same time. Eat at Chick-Fil-A at the Summit Towne Centre today, Saturday, Dec 22 from 7-10 am and 20 percent of the proceeds benefit EUMA (when coupons are presented). Download and print your coupons here.

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!

“Around The World with Disney” will be performed at the Erie Playhouse on Monday December 31 at 7:30 and Tuesday January 1 at 2 pm.

After a two-year hiatus, Vienna in Erie returns to the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, January 1 at 3 pm. Once again, Maestro Frank Collura will conduct a 65 member Pennsylvania Chamber Symphony in an elegant program of Viennese waltzes, gallops and polkas that have delighted audiences for years. Make this grand and lively concert part of your family tradition. And, of course, enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne at intermission. To order tickets, call the box office at (814) 824-3000.

Cross-Country Skiing 101 will be held Saturday, January 5 at 10 am at Presque Isle State Park. Weather permitting, meet at the cross-country ski concession to check out cross-country skiing. Get basic technique and skills for this exhilarating sport. Bring your own skis or rent. FREE. Rental fee only. Registration appreciated, (814) 833-7424.

For beginners and more experienced skiers wanting to know more about the winter world around them, enjoy Guided Cross-Country Skiing on Saturday, January 5 at 1 pm at Presque Isle State Park. If there is no sufficient snow, a hike will take place instead. Bring your own skis or rent. FREE, rental fee only. Meet at the cross-country ski concession.

There will be a Snowshoe Building Workshop on Saturday, January 5 at 9 am to 3 pm at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle. Build your own snowshoes - great to use, hang on the wall, or pass along for generations. $155 fee, registration required, call (814) 833-7424.

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.

Daniel S Mead, president of Verizon Services Corp, will discuss how creation of a centralized business services unit saved the telecommunications giant $562 million in one year during an upcoming presentation for the Sam and Irene Black School of Business at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Mead, a Warren native and member of the college’s Council of Fellows, will speak at 6 pm on Tuesday, January 22, in the Samuel P “Pat” Black III Conference Center in the college’s Research and Economic Development Center. Admission to his talk is free and open to the public.

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 22, 2007 8:08 AM

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