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Erie PA News and Events for Monday January 28, 2008

Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio using county employees on county time as his own personal labor force was the topic all weekend. DiVecchio, one more than one occasion, used a county employee on county time with a county vehicle to have his home driveway plowed. He also used county employees on county time for his catering business and also to help his sister move.

To help productivity at the Erie County Courthouse, let me answer some questions that will be asked today.
* Has Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio been arrested yet? No, not yet.
* If DiVecchio resigns or is convicted of a crime, who appoints the next county executive? Erie County Council.
* Who is going to do an investigation? The State Ethics Board, The Pennsylvania Attorney General, The Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General and even Erie County Council has the power to do so. “The County Council may inquire into and investigate the affairs of the county, the conduct of the County Executive’s Office and any county department, administrative unit, agency, board, commission, authority, or office. For this purpose, Council, upon request by at least three (3) members of Council, may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and require the production of evidence.”
* How about a recall of DiVecchio? A recall of an incumbent official of a county-at-large elective office shall be initiated upon petition signed by a number of registered voters equal to thirty (30) percent of the registered electors of the county at the preceding general, municipal or primary election. All signatures must be dated within 60 days of each other.
* I’m a county employee. Can I lose my job if I file a complaint about Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio? No, The Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law (Act 169 of 1986, P.L. 1559; 43 P.S. §§ 1421-1428) provides protection from discrimination and retaliation to any person who witnesses or has evidence of wrongdoing or waste while employed by a public body and who makes a good faith report of the wrongdoing or waste, verbally or in writing, to one of the person’s superiors, to an agent of the employer or to an appropriate authority. No employer may discharge, threaten or otherwise discriminate or retaliate against an employee regarding the employee’s compensation, terms, conditions, location or privileges of employment because the employee, or a person acting on behalf of the employee, makes a good faith report or is about to report, verbally or in writing, to the employer or appropriate authority an instance of wrongdoing or waste. Any person who has been harmed by a violation of the Whistleblower Law may bring a lawsuit against the employer, but must do so within the 180 day deadline set forth in the Act’s statute of limitations.

I saw in Notes From James that he found a pic of the Marx Toys train “The Lumar Dinor”. I wonder how many phone calls Marx got about that. For some reason, that has been lost to history, the Erie regional spelling of diner is dinor.

The Eerie Horror Film Festival announced that the Millcreek Mall has signed on as an official sponsor of their 2008 event. The Millcreek Mall, a 3 million square foot landmark of Erie County, Pennsylvania, features more than 120 specialty shops, 14 anchor stores, two hotels and over 25 restaurants and eateries. This is the second year that the Mall has sponsored the annual Film Festival, which will host several events at the complex throughout 2008. Mall dates will be posted on the Festival websites as they become available. The Eerie Horror Film Festival is an internationally recognized, competition based event that’s held each October in Erie, Pennsylvania. The 5th annual Eerie Horror Film Festival and Expo takes place October 9-12, in Erie, PA.

Erie, PA based Performance and Event Management signed on to produce the 2008 YMCA Smokin’ Rib Cook Off in Williamsport, PA this October. The company also runs the Wild Rib Cook Off and Music Festival in Jamestown, NY that takes place June 4-8 and the Erie Wild Rib Cook Off and Music Festival in Erie, PA which is scheduled for May 28-31.

The Erie RiverRats dance team will be holding an open tryout on Saturday, February 2, at the Bel Aire Hotel in Erie, PA. Registration is from 8-9 am and tryouts are from 9 am - 2 pm. Wear black dance pants, black sports bra, and dance shoes. Have your hair and makeup done .. pictures will be taken and media will be present. For more information, please contact our Dance Team coordinator Miranda Ford. The Erie RiverRats indoor football team has their first home game on Sun March 9.

The Erie Playhouse Youtheatre will hold an open audition today at 4 pm for their production of “Around the World in 80 Days.” Auditions are open to all ages 5 - Adult. Auditions will begin promptly at 4 pm. Auditions will be held at their new rehearsal hall located at 1158 East 12th St. Those auditioning will need the following: a prepared song with either piano accompaniment or an accompaniment CD; a prepared monologue no more than 1 minute long; and everyone auditioning will be expected to do a movement audition. Please wear clothes and shoes that will allow you to move. No preparation required. For more information call 454-2852 ext 7 or email Patrick Rose.

The Edinboro University Chamber Players will hold a FREE concert today at 7:30 pm at the Erie County Blasco Library’s Hirt Auditorium, 150 E Front St. The concert program, Music from the Movies”, includes “Over the Rainbow”, “Maria” and more.

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages at Allegheny College and the Academy Theatre in Meadville will present an international film festival on Tuesdays on Jan 29, Feb 5 and 26, and March 4 and 11. The schedule of critically acclaimed films includes: Jan 29: Jehane Noujaim’s documentary “Control Room” (USA, 2004) takes a look at the war in Iraq from the Arab perspective. Feb 5: “Paris, Je T’aime” (France/Liechtenstein, 2006), a film by Olivier Assayas and Frédéric Auburtin, is an anthology of 18 five-minute shorts by well-known directors. Feb 26: “Das Leben der Anderen,” or “The Lives of Others” (Germany, 2006), by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, tells the story of an informant for the secret police in East Germany. March 4: Jorge Gaggero’s “Cama adentro,” or “Live-In Maid” (Argentina/Spain, 2004), tells the story of a complex relationship between an upper-class woman in Buenos Aires and her longtime housekeeper. March 11: Ping He’s “Tian di ying xiong,” or “Warriors of Heaven and Earth” (China/USA, 2003), set in the Gobi Desert, is a compelling historical epic. General admission to each film is $6. The cost to senior citizens and students is $5, and Allegheny students are admitted free. All shows are at 7:30 pm at the Academy Theatre on Chestnut Street in Meadville.

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 Erie Art Museum’s First Fridays program for preschool kids ages 3 to 6 is slated for Friday, Feb 1, 10-11 am at the Erie Art Museum, 411 State Street with activities inspired from the Museum’s Zoo.Logic exhibit. First Fridays is a special program for 3-6 year olds and their families. Led by Museum staff, children and adults explore the art right in the galleries with storytelling, art-making and music. Cost is $5 per child and free for families with an Erie Art Museum family membership. Participants meet at the Erie Art Museum Annex, 423 State Street. Space is limited. Please call ahead to reserve a place, (814) 459-5477.

Darkwood Consort, the world’s only touring viola and bass clarinet duo, brings an impressive repertoire spanning 10 centuries of music to its February performance at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Darkwood’s concert takes place at noon on Thursday, February 7, in the McGarvey Commons of the college’s Reed Union Building. The performance is sponsored by Music at Noon: The Logan Series and admission is FREE to the public.

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 Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail Wine and Chocolate Weekend will take place 10 am to 5 pm, Feb 9-10. Tickets, which can be purchased online or by phone, are $21 a person. None will be sold after Friday Feb 8. If you are unable to get tickets to the event, you can still visit the wineries for wine tastings, but you won’t get to sample the goodies and get the recipe cards.

The 6th annual “Spirit Against Cancer” Dance and Cheerleading Competition is scheduled for February 9 at 10 am in the Junker Center. “Spirit Against Cancer” was created in memory of Becky Hubler Decker. Her commitment to the community included serving as dance coach at Penn State Behrend, cheerleading coach at Edinboro University, she was captain of the Invaderettes dance team, and a member of the Buffalo Bills (Jills) dance team. All proceeds from this special event will benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information, please contact Assistant to the Director of Athletics, Stacy Pondo at (814) 898-6240 or by email at slp15@psu.edu.

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.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 17 from 12:30-3:30 pm and/or 8-11 pm and get ready to “rock and bowl” with the Erie Playhouse Family at Eastway Lanes, 4110 Buffalo Road. The cost for a Family/Team (4 or 5 bowlers) for one session is $80. Individual bowlers are welcome - Adults $20 and $15 for children 12 and under. Teams registering by Feb 14 will recieve a $10 discount. The cost includes 3 games, shoes (no discount if you bring your own) and unlimited pop and pizza. A cash bar and additional food will be available. Contests and games of chance throughout each bowling session.

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.

Want a cure for the winter blahs? Got cabin fever? Come to the Community Board Game Night at Community United Church on Saturday Feb 23. Doors open at 7 pm, Games begin at 7:30 and end at 10 PM. Admission Donation: $2. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Under 18 years old must have guardian. This is an alcohol and smoke free event. Open to the public. We will play board games for groups such as Scruples, Pictionary, etc. Want to save on the admission? Bring grocery bags of empty recyclable aluminum beverage cans. For each bag, the admission will be reduced by 25 cents.

There will a fund raiser for Marine Sergeant Art Fuller on Saturday Feb 23 from 6 pm to 1 am at the North East Vet’s Club at 28 Vine Street in North East, PA. SGT Fuller suffered a stroke and is unable to return to work. The cost is $6 at the door which will cover food (chili, hot dogs and macaroni salad) from 6-9 pm. There will be a Chinese auction and cash bar available and the band Black Diamond will be playing from 9 pm - 1 am. SGT Fuller, an Iraq veteran, is from Corry Pa.

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.

Erie CareerLink is hosting Crystal Reports Training in both introductory and advanced sessions on March 3-6. Info and Registration form. Crystal Reports is a business intelligence application used to design and generate reports from a wide range of data sources. Several other applications, such as Microsoft Visual Studio, bundle an OEM version of Crystal Reports as a general purpose reporting tool. Crystal Reports became THE report writer when Microsoft released it with Visual Basic.

Pennsylvania Sea Grant is sponsoring a FREE one and a half day workshop March 13-14 at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie. The workshop will provide an update and overview of current ballast water policy, legislation and research as it applies to the Great Lakes. Scientists, legal experts, legislators, industry personnel and agency staff will discuss the current state of ballast water policy, pending legislation, proposed ballast water treatment methods and evaluating the current risk of introduction and spread of AIS to Great Lakes ports by foreign and domestic ships. For Registration form email Karla Kaczmarek, or Marti Martz.

As the signature event for Young Erie Professionals (yep!), the Generation-E Leadership Awards recognize young professionals who are paving the way to the future of Erie, Pennsylvania. Yep! has honored 34 individuals over the past three years who not only have chosen to live, work, and play in the Erie area, but who have made a lasting impact on our region. The 2008 winners will be recognized the evening of Friday, March 28 at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center.

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 28, 2008 7:06 AM

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