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Erie PA News and Events for Thursday February 21, 2008
Posted by Dennis on February 21, 2008
James H Mullen Jr has been named the 21st president of Allegheny College. He will take office Aug 1, 2008. Mullen was elected unanimously by the Allegheny Board of Trustees on the unanimous recommendation of the Presidential Search Committee, which conducted a national search for a successor to Richard J Cook, who is retiring after 12 years as president of Allegheny College. “We are fortunate to have found a new president who has not only broad experience in higher education but a proven track record in leadership roles,” said Chris Nelson, chair of the board of trustees. “As president of Elms College, as chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Asheville and as senior vice president of Trinity College, Dr Mullen has earned accolades. His is a remarkable record of leadership and service.” Mullen has held leadership roles in higher education for 20 years. “To hold the presidency of Allegheny College is a rare privilege in American higher education,” he said. “Allegheny is a premier institution that is poised for national pre-eminence. It will be a great honor to be part of shaping the next chapter in its remarkable history. Mari and I are especially honored to follow the wonderful tenure of Richard Cook and Terry Lahti, who have together built such a powerful legacy of leadership and devotion to this college and its surrounding community.” “Jim Mullen is a strong match with Allegheny,” said Cook. “I am highly enthusiastic about Dr. Mullen’s appointment, and I look forward to working with him closely during this time of transition.” At the University of North Carolina at Asheville, the designated liberal arts campus of the UNC system, Mullen’s work helped earn national attention for the university’s academic program and statewide praise for its commitment to community. At Trinity College, in Hartford, Conn., Mullen was responsible for Trinity’s comprehensive master plan. He also oversaw a nearly $300 million public/private partnership that revitalized the neighborhood surrounding Trinity’s campus.
Adam and Camille Jennings (The Jennings Secede from the South) announced that their friends Brooke and Freeland, another Texas couple, are moving to Erie. The future doctor Freeland will be attending LECOM. VisitErie should give the Jennings’ some sort of award for the work they’re doing promoting Erie.
For the week of Feb 11-17, Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie reported wagers of $36,890,534.08 with payouts of $33,614,912.45. Track handle from simulcast Thoroughbred racing isn’t released.
The Saint Vincent Women’s Center will host a Pink Ribbon Educational Event on Wednesday, March 12 from 6 to 8 pm at the McGarvey Learning Center in Saint Vincent, 232 West 25 Street, Erie, PA. The event is designed for breast cancer survivors, but is also open to their family, friends and the general public. It includes a mini musical performance, hors d’oeuvres, and prizes. Gregory Coppola, DO FAOASM, of Saint Vincent Sports and Restorative Medicine will present a talk titled, “Using Restorative Measures to Gain Mobility and Manage Pain.” Saint Vincent’s Pink Ribbon Educational series is supported by a grant from the Pittsburgh Affiliate of Susan G Komen for the Cure. The cost is $6 per person. RSVP by calling 866-4817 or e-mailing: molewis@svhs.org.
John Chaney was inducted into the Philadelphia Area Small-College Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was coach at Cheyney State for 10 years and went 225-59 including an NCAA title. They played Gannon nearly every year. In his induction speech, he told a story on playing at the regionals at the Gannon Hammermill Center in 1978, the year they won the national championship. He said the crowd got on him, as they did every time. He yelled into the stands “You’re supposed to be God-fearing people, but you ain’t. The hell with all you.” Ha. In the game against New York Tech, a Cheyney State player went to the foul line with the team down by one with 2 seconds to go. Makes the first. Timeout. Someone standing near the basket had a dog. (Police day maybe, crowd control stuff?) Coach Chaney tells the player he’s going to kill him if he misses. The stunned player makes the shot. Cheyney State wins.
Melissa Dianoski will not be returning to the Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team. In January, she was playng in a game and felt light headed. She had an EEG which showed she had Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome. Dianoski had corrective surgery earlier this week but won’t be playing college hockey again. Merchurst put out a press release on Jan 30 announcing she was leaving the team but because of privacy laws could not announce the reason.
The Penn State Behrend Lions men’s basketball team (20-4, 14-3) built a lead with long-distance shooting and held on for a big 70-65 victory against Lake Erie on Wednesday in the Junker Center. Adam Kaiser (Erie/Cathedral Prep) was on fire from long-range connecting on five-of-six from deep to finish with 16 points in the game.
The Allegheny College Gators hung in the game with the 12th ranked (d3hoops.com) College of Wooster Fighting Scots (21-3, 14-1 NCAC), including tying the game at 69 with seven minutes to play; however the strong Wooster offense was too much for the Gators (11-13, 6-9 NCAC), as the Scots out-scored Allegheny 15-5 the rest of the way in an 84-74 victory.
The Penn State Behrend women’s basketball team (12-12, 10-7) fell 61-44 to the Lake Erie Storm on Wednesday in the Junker Center. Kayla McLaughlin (Aliquippa/Hopewell) led the way with 16 points.
A 24 point lead after one half of play led the Allegheny women’s basketball team (10-14, 7-8 NCAC) to a 60-47 win over Wooster (6-18, 3-12 NCAC) on Wednesday evening. Four Gators scored in double-figures with Stephanie Wolf and Jill Gregory each totaling 12 in the win.
The Gannon University wrestling team ended the regular season with a 36-6 victory over the Seton Hill Griffins Wednesday evening at the Hammermill Center. Gannon is ranked 12th nationally and third in the East Region.
Mike Machuga is in 24th place at the PBA Tour’s Denny’s World Championship.
In the men’s basketball Division II regional rankings, Gannon is 4th in the Great Lakes Region and Edinboro is 4th in the East Region. The regional rankings are important due to the fact that they represent how teams qualify for the NCAA Division II Tournament.
The Administration and Board of School Directors of the Millcreek Township School District announced Mark Soboleski as the new McDowell High School Head Varsity Football Coach. Soboleski has the energy, talent, skills and ability to work collaboratively with others, which were primary characteristics sought by the 16-member search committee. According to Superintendent Dr Dean Maynard, Soboleski is the unanimous recommendation selected from a pool of eighteen candidates. “For a candidate to be unanimously recommended by a committee of 16 is an amazing feat and a tribute to Mark,” said Maynard. Mark has worked for the Millcreek Township School District since 1994. Currently, he is a Driver’s Education teacher at McDowell High School. He was a former Special Education teacher at Westlake Middle School and Sarah Reed Children’s Center. He received his Bachelor of Humanities in Marketing at Gannon University, his Special Education Certification at Edinboro University, a Driver Education Certification and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Master in Educational and Computing Technology at Gannon University. Mark is currently working on his Administration Certification at Edinboro University. Most recently, Mark has been the Assistant Coach at General McLane High School. From 2004-2006 he was the Head Coach at Erie Central High School. Previous to that he worked as an assistant Head Coach at McDowell High School. Mark has 14 years coaching experience, three western final appearances, and 4 District 10 Titles.
In January, 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.
The Erie Art Museum Contemporary Music Series presents Rachel Z in concert at the Erie Art Museum Annex, 423 State Street, today, February 21 at 8 pm. Admission to this concert is FREE; suggested donation $10. Rachel Z and her piano trio mesmerized audiences at the Erie Art Museum Blues & Jazz Festival in 2003. She ll play to a more intimate crowd along with Bobby Rae on drums and Maeve Royce on bass.
Soprano Dr Julianne Baird will be performing “Music from the Jane Austen Songbooks” at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania on Friday, February 22, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $5-10 and available online.
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.
Dr Alexa Canady, the first woman and first African American to become a neurosurgeon in the US, will deliver the keynote address for the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Student National Medical Association (SNMA) Black History Month celebration on Saturday, Feb 23. The public is invited to this event, which will take place from 4 to 6:30 pm at the East High School auditorium, 1001 Atkins Street, Erie. Tickets can be purchased at Nathan’s Salon 321, 325 W 26th St; Michael’s Hair Salon, 12 E 11th St.; Shiloh Baptist Church, 901 E 5th St.; Greater Calvary Full Gospel Baptist Church, 2624 German St; and St James AME Church, 235 E 11th St. Tickets are $4 for students, $6 for adults and $8 at the door. Dr Canady also will hold a book signing after the presentation. The book, “Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference,” will be available for a special price of $10. Dr Canady works to change the perspective of how African Americans, both as patients and physicians, are being presumed and perceived in our culture. She claims the major medical problem for blacks stems from the scarcity of research targeting their specific health concerns and needs. Canady believes the issues will be better addressed now that medical schools are diversifying their student bodies and their faculties. She feels very optimistic about the changing face of American medicine. She knows that her own accomplishments are helping to inspire the dreams of a younger generation. Dr Alexa Canady became a neurosurgeon in 1977 at age 26. Raised in a family of intellectuals who valued education highly, she drew inspiration from her grandmother, who became a school teacher at age 16, and her mother, who completed college at age 19. Dr Canady’s appointments include the Peter Scotanus Professor of pediatric neurosurgery at Wayne State University, Chief of Neurosurgery Children’s Hospital of Michigan, and Chairman of the Neurological Devices Panel of the Food and Drug Administration.
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. Too late. Classes are filled.
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.
Erie County Judge Michael Dunlavey will speak about international and Middle Eastern relations on Thursday, March 6, at 7:30 pm, in Mercyhurst North East’s Alex Theater, 16 W Division St, North East. Dunlavey is a retired two-star general in the U.S. Army Reserve and a Vietnam veteran with 30 years of military intelligence experience. He was put in charge of global anti-terrorism operations by US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks, and oversaw interrogations at Naval Base Guantanamo Bay in Cuba from March to November 2002. The presentation is free and open to the public. Call (814) 725-6277 for more information.
Get into the Irish spirit at the “Patti Sullivan and Friends Irish Concert,” Sunday, March 9, at 2 pm, in St Mary’s Chapel on the Mercyhurst North East campus, 16 W Division St., North East. Sullivan, MNE’s music director, will be joined by barbershop chorus Lake Erie Sound, the Rev Bill Sutherland, and Irish step dancers Rince Na Tiarna for an afternoon of entertainment. The performance is free and open to the public, and refreshments will follow. Call (814) 725-6277 for more information.
Learn how to create Old World Easter eggs at “Easter Eggstravaganza!” a hands-on workshop, on Wednesday, March 12, at 7:30 pm, in Miller Hall 116 on the Mercyhurst North East campus, 16 W Division St, North East. Larry Kozlowski, director of student life at MNE, will share his expertise and talent in this ancient, beautiful art form. The workshop is free and open to the public. Call (814) 725-6277 for more information.
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.
Calling all artists and those who love art! A community art show, “Throughout The Spectrum: Exploring Autism Through Art,” will be sponsored by the Barber National Institute in commemoration of Autism Awareness Month. The show, which provides an exciting opportunity to come together to discover all aspects of autism through various forms of artistic expression, will be held April 4-9 at the Barber National Institute. Who can submit art work include: Children and adults with autism spectrum disorders who want to share their creative work; Family members or professionals whose lives are touched by autism; and Artists from the community who want to show their support for autism. Entries will be accepted on Friday, March 14 and Monday, March 17 from 9 am - 4 pm, and on Saturday, March 15 from 9 am - noon in the north lobby of the Barber National Institute. The art show will be open for public viewing in the north complex of the Barber National Institute on Friday, April 4, and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, April 7, 8, and 9, from 9 am - 4 pm, and on Sunday, April 6, from 1-4 pm. Admission is FREE - all are encouraged to attend! For more information about making a submission, including an entry form, please call (814) 878-5903, or click here.
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 21, 2008 7:04 AM
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