« Submit your questions for Kathy Dahlkemper today! | Main | Erie YouTube of the Week: Dirty Little Secret »

Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday January 15, 2008

Please keep the Bolte Family in your thoughts and prayers. They are having a sonogram taken on Tuesday of their unborn baby they are calling Happy. Baby boy Happy is showing signs of serious congenital abnormalities. They are looking for head/brain growth as well as a detailed look at his heart to see if the hole is still there and if it is what will need to be done, if anything.

The state announced grants to tourism promotion agencies. The Erie Area Convention and Visitors Bureau received $83,260. It’ll take much to let the idiots in Harrisburg know that the name of the Erie agency was changed last year to VisitErie. Erie must have received the change they found in the sofas at VisitPittsburgh ($962,545), or Philadelphia ($1,742,207), or Pocono Mountains ($1,700,000), etc.

Adam and Camille Jennings are doing more than their fair share of increasing tourism in Erie. Adam’s parents were in Erie last weekend and recently Brooke and Freeland come up from Texas to check out Erie and LECOM.

The downtown branch of Erie Bank at 101 West 10th Street opened last week. Amy did the interior design work and posted pics on her blog. She works for AJ Grack Business Interiors of Erie.

With hopes to further expand the successful Erie Ambassador program, the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership is recruiting volunteers to be trained as Erie Ambassadors in 2008. The spring Ambassador training begins Jan 29. The Erie Ambassador program is designed to comprehensively train community leaders interested in promoting Erie. The course examines numerous aspects of the community, providing in-depth information and insight from Erie’s top civic and business leaders. The 2008 curriculum includes a program orientation; information on the impact of education in Erie; guided tours of the 12th Street Corridor, Peach Street, State Street, Presque Isle and the Bayfront District; an overview of the County’s economic development system; and insight into the region’s political structure. The spring training course begins Jan 29 with classes offered on Tuesday evenings. The fall Ambassador training begins in September with classes held Tuesday mornings. Erie Ambassadors are actively involved as volunteers in the community for three years after graduation. Continuing education is also offered to Ambassadors each year, including tours of other Erie County communities and updates on important civic developments. The cost of the Ambassador training is $125, covering all materials and transportation, and space is limited. For more information, contact Ms Cathy Noble, event coordinator, at (814) 454-7191 or email cnoble@eriepa.com.

CousinConnect.com is a good place for genealogy queries and posters seeking answers about adoptions. Check it out and see if you can help someone as there are 144 queries for Erie County.

Steelhead fishing is a unique experience in Pennsylvania, as it only occurs in one area of the state, Erie County, and generates a tremendous amount of revenue for the region. With such a great fishery and the increasing number of boating and fishing accesses funded through the Erie and combo permit sales, it’s ever more important to get anglers fishing in Erie County. That’s why VisitErie and the PA Fish and Boat Commission partnered to create the fall marketing and promotional campaign called, “Ever Go 12 Rounds?” (referring to the large, voracious steelhead waiting for anglers in Erie tributaries). The campaign targeted a variety of sports men and women in resident and non-resident markets including subscribers to Field and Stream and Outdoor Life magazines, local Erie outdoors people, visitors to the Fish and Boat Commission and Visit Erie websites, and trout anglers from the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Erie areas. The campaign offered a call-to-action, enter for your chance to win one of seven steelhead fishing trips to Erie, which Visit Erie put together with its members. Registration was hosted on the Fish and Boat Commission website with a link to Visit Erie for travel information and overnight stays. The campaign was a success. Approximately 5,000 people entered the contest and 7 winners have been selected. The winners and their prizes are: Trip package 1, George Stepanovich, Scranton, 2 night stay at the George Carroll House plus $50 gift certificate to local restaurant, One Choice Card to the Erie Playhouse good for 6 admissions, half-day guided fly fishing trip for two from the Lake Erie Ultimate Angler; Trip package 2, Elaine Feiss, Telford, PA, 2 night stay at Hills Family Campground, Mazza Vineyards $50 gift card, guided fly fishing trip from Doc Wally’s Steelhead Guide Service; Trip package 3, Chris Wagener, Bethlehem, PA, Bel Aire Clarion Hotel Gift Certificate, 2 nights hotel stay, hot breakfast buffet, up to $50 at Victor’s Restaurant, 1 day catamaran rental from Port Erie Sports, Two, Buy one admission get one free admission to Erie Art Museum, full day guided fly fishing trip from Erie Steelhead Outfitters; Trip package 4, James Kelly, Imperial, PA, Comfort Inn Presque Isle Gift Certificate, two night stay, full deluxe breakfast buffet, in-room movie, Four free admission tickets to the Erie Maritime Museum, full day guided fly fishing trip from Doc Wally’s Steelhead Guide Service, Trip package 5, John Bowers, Elizabeth, PA, Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel One Weekend Night Stay with Breakfast for Two, Asbury Woods Family Membership, guided fly fishing trip from Richard E Dunmire Outdoors, Trip package 6, Mark Esbensen, Brodheadsville, PA, guided fly fishing trip from the Lake Erie Ultimate Angler, Trip package 7, Mike Daugherty, Wrightsville, PA, guided fly fishing trip from the Lake Erie Ultimate Angler.

Edinboro Senior forward Ryan McLemore was named PSAC Western Division Player of the Week. McLemore helped the Fighting Scots to a 2-0 week against crossover opponents with wins over Mansfield and Bloomsburg. In the victory over Mansfield, McLemore posted a career-high 21 points and 16 rebounds. Against Bloomsburg, the senior forward notched eight points and 10 rebounds while tying a school and PSAC record with 11 blocks. For the week, McLemore made 14-of-20 from the floor and collected 18 blocks. He now has a school record 254 career blocks.

Gannon University Sophomore guard Kristina Freeman was named GLIAC South Division Player Of The Week. Freeman led Gannon to a perfect 2-0 record last week with home victories against Findlay (72-56) and Ashland (75-74). Against the Oilers, she scored 15 points (10 in the 2nd half) while adding five rebounds and four assists. Freeman then tied a career-high 24 points, four rebounds, and five assists as she led the Lady Knights back from a 12-point second-half deficit against Ashland. She currently leads Gannon in scoring (15.7 ppg.) three-pointers (27) and steals (29) this season.

Mercyhurst fell two spots in the latest USCHO.com Division I Women’s Poll after a 1-1 weekend at unranked Providence. Idle since December 15 and 16, Mercyhurst could only get a split. Providence won the opener 7-3 Saturday while the Lakers earned a 3-0 shutout Sunday. Mercyhurst, having played ten of its last 12 games on the road, now begins an eight game home stand starting with Yale and Brown this Friday and Saturday.

JJ Jumper, the official basketball mascot of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, is to appear at Penn State Behrend on Monday, January 21. Behrend plays Pitt-Bradford at 6 pm in the women’s game and at 8 pm for the men’s game. JJ Jumper will be giving away NCAA Basketball promotional items and performing skits during timeouts and/or halftime as part of the NCAA’s commitment to promote youth basketball participation and sportsmanship.

NCAA Division II convention delegates approved a pilot program Monday allowing Canadian schools to apply for membership.

Gannon University will host a Financial Aid Workshop on Wednesday, January 16. The workshop will cover the entire financial aid process as well as a step-by-step review of the questions on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The workshop also will cover definitions of terms that parents and students should know and the various aid programs available. The workshop is free and open to the public and will begin at 6:30 pm in room 1200 of the university’s Palumbo Academic Center, 824 Peach Street. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office at (814) 871-7337 or 1-800-GANNON-U (1-800-426-6668).

Mercyhurst North East is holding two orientation sessions for individuals interested in The Municipal Police Training Academy on Wednesday, Jan 16, from 2-4 pm, and Thursday, Jan 17, from 6-8 pm, both at the Michele and Tom Ridge Health and Safety Building on the campus of Mercyhurst North East, 16 West Division Street, North East, PA. MNE’s Police Training Academy, which begins March 3, is one of only sixteen certified academies in the state where individuals can earn Act 120 certification, required for many law enforcement jobs, including municipal police work.

As part of its series of Pink Ribbon Educational Events for breast cancer survivors and to promote breast cancer awareness, Saint Vincent will present a program on Thursday, January 17, from 6 to 8 pm at the McGarvey Learning Center at Saint Vincent Health Center, 232 West 25th Street, Erie, Pa. The event will feature music, heavy hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, and a brief talk on “Fact vs Fiction: Nutrition for Breast Cancer Survivors,” presented by Sandra Luthringer, RD, owner of Super Suppers. The event is supported by a grant from The Pittsburgh Affiliate of Susan G Komen for the Cure. Komen awarded a $75,000 grant to Saint Vincent Health Center to support a program offering restorative health services, education, support and specialized products for breast cancer survivors, particularly those who cannot afford it. Cost is $6. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (814) 866-4817.

The Erie Chamber Orchestra In residence at Gannon University will perform their annual ‘Tribute to Dr Martin Luther King, Jr’ on Friday, January 18 at 7:30 pm at St Patrick Church, 130 East Fourth Street in Erie. It will will feature the Shiloh Baptist Church Choir and Evangelist D M Jamerson, minister of music. The concert is FREE and open to the public.

There will be a Wine and Cheese Reception to welcome the new artists featured at the Nature Shop and Gallery in the Tom Ridge Environmental Center on Friday Jan 18, 6-8 pm. Ed Bernik will be signing copies of his book “Pennsylvania Wilds: Images from the Allegheny National Forest” and there will be signed copies of “Photoshop CS3 for Nature Photographers” by Ellen Anon.

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 Roadhouse Theatre production of “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee” is two weekends only, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, January 18-19 and January 25-26. General seating $8 with no reservation required and tickets will be available at the door. VIP seating $12, Lounge VIP seating $15. All VIP seating must be pre-paid reservation only. Phone (814) 459-8215. Come early and enjoy the newly renovated coffeehouse. BYOB with proper ID.

The Galaxy Gallery, the new Erie artist co-op at 1136 East Lake Rd, is hosting an art show with art by Heidi Blakeslee, New Young, Mark L Goodman, Robert Andrews, and Steven Pascarella from Jan 18 to March 31.

The Mercyhurst College chapter of Kappa Gamma Pi education honor society will host the Third Annual Teaching and Learning Expo on Saturday, Jan 19, from 9 am to 1:30 pm in the Audrey Hirt Academic Center. About 100 area education students and teachers are expected to attend the event, at which they’ll be able to choose three workshops from 17 offerings. The cost of the program is $5, including a catered lunch. Act 48 credits are available for the morning workshops. For more information, email Dr Ruth Auld or call (814) 824-3370.

Cross-Country Skiing 101 will be held Saturday, January 19 at 10 am at Presque Isle State Park. Weather permitting, meet at the cross-country ski concession (located at the picnic shelter area) 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 located at the picnic shelter area. For more info call (814) 833-7424.

The Erie County Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania is holding their monthly meeting at the Plymouth Tavern on Saturday, January 19 at 1 pm.

The 25th annual Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Quad Games 5-mile Cross-Country Ski Race or 2.5-mile Snowshoe is now scheduled to take place Jan 20, 2008, at 1 pm at the Peek n’ Peak Upper Golf Course, in Clymer, NY.

Three new exhibits with the theme of art and technology will be presented in Bowman, Penelec and Megahan Galleries at Allegheny College Tuesday, Jan 22 through Wednesday, March 5. The exhibits include one-person exhibits by Carlos Rosas and Doug Loewen and the group exhibit “Big Food Pictures.” In conjunction with the opening, on Tuesday, Jan 22 at 7 pm in the lecture room adjoining the Art Galleries, Carlos Rosas, associate professor of art at Pennsylvania State University’s main campus, will present a lecture, illustrated with slides, discussing projects in which he has integrated art and technology in a variety of ways. A reception will follow. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 12:30-5 pm; Saturday, 1:30-5 pm; and Sunday, 2-4 pm. All events are FREE and open to the public. The Art Galleries are wheelchair accessible. Please call ahead to verify; programs are subject to change. The Art Galleries are located in Doane Hall of Art, east of North Main Street, between College and John Streets. For more information, call (814) 332-4365.

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 Cleveland Indians Caravan will be rolling into Erie January 23, 2008 at the Dr Gertrude A Barber National Institute, 136 East Avenue. Doors open at 5 pm with a trivia contest and plenty of food and beverage. Cleveland Indians’ players, coaches and media staff will arrive at 6:30 pm to entertain Erie’s Tribe faithful, to answer fan’s questions and present a highlight film from last year’s baseball season. A donation of $8 per ticket will benefit programs at the Dr Gertrude A Barber National Institute. Tickets are available now through January 23rd at the Dr Gertrude A Barber National Institute (Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm) or at Hector’s Cafe, W 18th and Liberty Streets. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of January 23, if available.

The 2008 Erie RV, Camping and Powersport Expo will be held January 23-27 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. Hours: Wed 4-9 pm, Thurs Noon-9 pm, Fri 10 an to 8 pm and Sun 10 am to 5 pm. Free admission and free parking.

The Mercyhurst Preparatory School Performing Arts Department presents Our Town Thursday Jan 24 at 8 pm, Friday Jan 25 at 8 pm, Saturday Jan 26 at 8 pm and Sunday Jan 27 at 3 pm.

Glass Growers Gallery at 10 East Fifth St in Erie will be hosting an exhibit called ‘Spirital Thresholds’ by Annoel Krider. Color and design blend with tradition and balance in the southwestern inspired weavings of this fiber artist who also creates mixes-media objects and sculptures to further refine her vision. There will be an artists reception on Friday Jan 25 from 6-9 pm. The exhibit will be on display Jan 25 to March 11.

Exhibition opening receptions and other gallery activities are planned for Gallery Night on Friday, Jan 25 from 7-10 pm at the Erie Art Museum, Glass Growers Gallery, Urraro Gallery, Cummings Gallery at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center at Mercyhurst College, Schuster Gallery at Gannon University, Allen Stoneware Gallery, Kuhn’s Framing and Gift Gallery, and ClaySpace. EMTA will provide FREE Bayliner trolley transportation, courtesy of the galleries, from 7-10:30 pm. Service will be provided every 45-minutes; a route map is available in advance at all participating galleries. “We’ve been organizing a Gallery Night for one year now. And with each evening, we gain attendance - particularly from new patrons - and new galleries join us. This effort continues to be tremendously successful,” said John Vanco, director of the Erie Art Museum. Galleries will also offer $50 gift certificates as incentives for patrons visiting as many galleries as they can in the evening. Gallery Night is organized by the Erie Art Museum.

Your Day In Court: An Internet Security Workshop features William Shore of the Pittsburgh FBI office. The workshop will be held Noon-3 pm on Thursday, Jan 31 at the Ambassador Hotel and Conference Center; 7792 Peach Street in Erie. After a security breach, it is often too late to back track, recreate and document the environment in which the security breach occurred. From a strategic management viewpoint, this pitfall is often fatal. In court proceedings, the lack of defendable evidence can impact the success of litigation and create liability issues for your organization. This workshop is specifically designed to explain what steps should be taken following a security breach. Click here to register. This event is sponsored by: Software Technology Concepts, eBizITPA, the FBI and the Technology Council of Northwestern Pennsylvania.

The Young Erie Professionals (yep!) Professional Leadership Development committee will host an Etiquette Dinner on Thursday, January 31 from 5:45 pm - 8:00 pm at the Colony Banquet and Catering facility, 3014 West 12th Street. Cathy Mester, senior lecturer in speech communication at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will discuss dinner etiquette and appropriate conversation. A three-course meal will be provided by the Colony Pub and Grille. Dinner choices are Prime Rib, Apricot Chicken, and Broiled Sole. The dress code is business casual. Seating is limited and advance registration is required. The charge for the presentation, meal, and gratuity is $25 for yep! members and $35 for non-members, payable by credit card, cash, or check made payable to Young Erie Professionals. Contact Phil Gallagher for additional information or to make a reservation.

The 14th annual Sarah Backstrom Memorial Women’s and Girl’s Hockey Tournament will be held in Erie February 8-10, 2008. Admission is FREE to all games. About 1,000 young ladies plus family and friends will be in town for the weekend. Hotel rooms will be hard to come by and expect delays at restaurants. Who was Sarah Backstrom? She was a feisty red headed defensewoman who gave all off her love of the game and passion to play it to the Erie Lady Lions. Sarah fought every battle to the end, with passion and determination. The Erie Lady Lions lost Sarah to Leukemia but have never lost her spirit.

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.

The 2008 Erie Home and Garden Expo will be held February 21-24 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. Hours: Thursday 4-9 pm, Friday 2-9 pm, Sat 10 am - 8:30 pm and Sun 11 am to 5 pm.

The 10th annual MECA Bar Stool Open will be held on Saturday February 23, 2008 in downtown Erie, PA. Entry fee is $100 per team of 4 golfers, $25 per person. Must be 21 years of age or older to participate. Click here to for the registration form.

The 2008 Erie Outdoor Sport and Travel Expo will be held February 29 - March 2 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. Hours: Noon-9 pm Friday, 10 am-8 pm Saturday and 10 am-5 pm Sunday.

The GE (NYSE: GE) 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on April 23, 2008 in Erie, Pennsylvania at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center.

There will be a Rust Belt Bloggers Summit on July 11-12 in Erie. People from Youngstown, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and other area cities will be attendance to discuss economic development issues in the region.

Posted by Dennis at January 15, 2008 7:04 AM

Comments

Posted by: Amy at January 15, 2008 1:53 PM

Posted by: phil craig at January 16, 2008 10:28 AM

Post a comment

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
Remember Me? YesNo

Comments:

Please note that all comments submitted are subject to moderation and final approval by the post's author. Comments will be posted as soon as they are reviewed.