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Erie PA News and Events for President’s Day, Monday February 18, 2008
Posted by Dennis on February 18, 2008
Megan and Craig Sundberg recently found out their young 3 year old son Jack has an inoperable brain tumor. Jack has Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), also known as grade 4 astrocytoma, which is the most common and aggressive type of primary brain tumor, accounting for 52 percent of all primary brain tumor cases and 20 percent of all intracranial tumors. The Sundberg’s daughter Lauree has put up a web site with all the info on her brother called Jack’s Battle. Craig Sundberg works at Heatron. His co-workers have done a great job raising funds and donating their own paid days off for Craig to use.
Cathryn, an Erie native who works as an Architect in Nashville, wrote a letter to the editor on the “unfashionable” crack about Erie in the Financial Times. She gave me permission to run it and since I haven’t seen it published…
Erie is a frustrating place. Yes, it’s unfashionable, but unfortunately not in a quirky way. Erie is unfashionable in a depressingly trite way. More of a Tom Arnold character than a Johnny Depp. But for some reason, the people of Erie seem grossly ignorant of their unfashionability, i.e. “strut it down the runway and work it”. That would be sound advice if there was in fact something to strut. They speak highly of the fine dining and plentiful shopping and cultural opportunities, when in reality, Erie is largely full of mediocre chain restaurants, suburban stores found in every middle-class town in America, and cultural events that include fried cheese on a stick. There is nothing fashionable or quirky about Erie. It can’t even call itself quaint.
Though born and raised in Erie, I moved away for college and grad school, and in a fit of misplaced nostalgia, I moved back only to move away again in defeat and disgust three years later.
The only thing I miss about Erie is the Lake. Erie does have some of the most stunning natural environments I’ve ever experienced. But man cannot live on nature alone. Career opportunities are nearly non-existent for those coming out of higher education programs with advanced degrees. Things like independent thought, global awareness, imaginative alternatives, progressive solutions, and diverse cultures are what help make small communities fashionable and quirky. Erie does not seem to value any of those things.
Perhaps at one time, Erie could have moved in the “quirky, unique, quaint” direction and maybe could have even flourished by embracing a Johnny Depp personality - becoming something uncommon, fascinating, and a little bit weird. Instead, Erie moved like a small-minded lemming and followed in the footsteps of so many other mundane, unimaginative communities with irrationally high opinions of themselves. I’m afraid Erie will continue to be a place of stunning natural beauty, but little else.
And another response by an Erie area native now living in California.
Everyone is up in arms about Erie being called unfashionable…but it is. However, that’s a good thing. I live in the land of Shallow. It may be ‘fashionable,’ but good education is ignored for nice cars, clothes, and purses. There are something like four Starbucks on my drive to work — and I drive four miles. Erie should be happy it’s unfashionable because the people are real, down to earth, and can put together a full sentence without “um” or “OHMIGOD!!”
Jim Curtin, a native of Dushore, PA now living in Atlanta, is training to climb Mount Everest this spring. Curtin did some initial research and didn’t find anyone from Pennsylvania that has ever reached the summit. That’s a surprise. After graduating from Penn State with a degree in mechanical engineering, Curtin worked at GE Transportation in Erie. He resigned as chief marketing officer of GM’s insurance division to train for the climb.
Peter Holland scored two goals and an assist to lead the Guelph Storm to a 5-2 win over the Erie Otters in an Ontario Hockey League game played Sunday afternoon at the Sleeman Centre. Ryan O’Reilly and Luke Gazdic scored for the Otters, who saw a two-game winning streak come to an end and are now 13-40-2-1 on the season. The next Otters home games take place Saturday and Sunday at the Tullio Arena. Saturday it’s the Otters and the Ottawa 67’s at 7:30 pm presented by Taco Bell. The first 2,500 fans into the game will receive a free taco. Sunday at 6 p.m. it’s the Otters and the Rangers. One lucky fan will get an opportunity to win a $30,000 dental makeover courtesy of Kristi Liebau-Grassi Family Dentistry.
On January 28, 2008, asteroid 2007 TU24 came within 300,000 miles of Earth—a safe distance, but one that reminds us that ours is not the only chunk of rock hurtling around the sun. Nearly 1,000 potentially hazardous asteroids, or PHAs, orbit the sun in the vicinity of Earth; one, Apophis, will be the subject of the next Open House Night in Astronomy at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Darren Williams, an associate professor of physics and astronomy at the college, will present the one-hour program “Asteroid Apophis: Will it Hit the Earth?” at 7:30 pm on Thursday, February 21, in 101 Otto Behrend Science Building. His FREE lecture is intended for a non-technical audience and suitable for children at least 8 years of age; astronomical observing at the college’s Mehalso Observatory will follow, weather permitting.
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.
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.
Rabbi Sydney Schwarz, named by Newsweek magazine in 2007 as one of the 50 most influential rabbis in America, will present the annual Samuel Schick Lecture at Allegheny College on Tuesday, Feb 26 at 7 pm in the Tillotson Room of the Tippie Alumni Center at Cochran Hall. Schwarz will speak on “Religion, Social Justice and the Common Good: A Jewish Perspective.” The presentation is FREE and open to the public.
Documentary filmmaker Christopher Quinn and John Bul Dau, one of three Lost Boys of Sudan profiled in Quinn’s prize-winning feature film God Grew Tired of Us, will visit Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, in February as part of the college’s Speaker Series. Quinn and Dau will speak at 7:30 pm on Thursday, February 28, in the Reed Union Building’s McGarvey Commons. Additionally, the film God Grew Tired of Us will be shown at 7 pm on Wednesday, February 27, in 117 Reed Union Building, and at noon on Friday, February 29, in the Samuel P “Pat” Black III Conference Center in the college’s Research and Economic Development Center. Admission to all three events is FREE and open to the public.
The Allegheny College Playshop Theatre continues its 2007-2008 season with Diana Son’s deeply moving play “Stop Kiss” under the direction of Assistant Professor of Theatre Mark Cosdon. “Stop Kiss” will be performed at 8 pm on Thursday, Feb 28, through Saturday, March 1, and at 2:30 pm on Sunday, March 2, in the Playshop Theatre, which is located in Arter Hall on the Allegheny College campus. Terri Clark, master’s degree of public health, will lead a discussion following Friday’s performance. “Stop Kiss” is a contemporary love story centered on two young women. Their deep, intimate friendship moves tentatively toward love, when suddenly the two are the victims of a particularly heinous hate crime. In the maelstrom of ensuing media scrutiny, the two women are forced to reevaluate their commitment to each other. “Stop Kiss” features a talented ensemble of Allegheny performers, including Lizzy Pecora (Pittsburgh, Pa) as Callie; Carrie Miller (Pittsburgh, Pa) as Sara; Shaun Hayden (Wilmette, Ill) as George; Brian Henderson (Wilmington, Del) as Peter; Katy Grant (Pittsburgh, Pa) as Mrs. Winsley/Nurse; and Corey O’Connor (Pittsburgh, Pa) as Detective Cole. Marianne Broome (Pittsburgh, Pa) serves as the production’s stage manager. Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Ellen E Jones designed sets and lights. The costume designer is Gail Kralj. Jim Sumerfield is the sound designer. Tickets for “Stop Kiss” are $7.50 for adults; $5 for non-Allegheny students, senior citizens and Allegheny employees. Admission is free for Allegheny students with identification. Audiences should note that “Stop Kiss” contains language and situations some may find offensive. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Playshop Theatre Box Office at (814) 332-3414.
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.
The Aspen Ensemble, a mixed quintet of flute, piano and strings drawn from the famed Aspen Music Festival, will perform at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Thursday, March 6. Aspen Ensemble appears at the college as part of Music at Noon: The Logan Series. The performance will begin at noon in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building; admission is FREE and open to the public.
Melanie Rae Thon, once named a Best Young American Novelist by Granta magazine, will give a public reading from her works on Thursday, March 6, as part of the Creative Writer’s Speaker Series at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Thon will read at 6 pm in the Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel; a reception for her will begin at 4:30 pm in the chapel’s ground-floor meeting room. Both events are free and open to the public.
Gannon University’s Small Business Development Center is presenting the first annual WILD Conference on Thursday, March 13 from 8 am to 2 pm. The Conference will be held at the Ambassador Conference Center located at 7792 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16509. The Conference will involve “women presenting to women” and focus on the areas of: wellness, leadership and personal development. It is anticipated that 150-300 women from Northwestern Pennsylvania will attend this unique event. The nationally prominent Keynote speakers highlighting the day are: Soni Dimond, Publicist, Speaker, author of Life’s A PITCH! As well as CEO of Soni Dimond Media; Jean Gatz, author of Mama Said There’d be Days Like This: Stories and Strategies for Less Stressed Life. The First Annual WILD Conference Chairwoman is Leah Elizabeth Humphries, Owner and President of the following companies: Apple Creative Group, Leah Elizabeth Jewelry, and My Heart Ties. In addition, women businesses will exhibit their products and services throughout the day and there will be several opportunities to learn from seminars, panelists and individual speakers focusing on the knowledge, passion and energy of women helping women. Limited seating. Tickets $75 (includes breakfast, lunch and gift bag). Make your reservations now. Call (814) 871-SBDC (7232) or toll-free (877) 258-6648.
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 February 18, 2008 7:09 AM
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