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Erie PA News and Events for Wednesday February 27, 2008
Posted by Dennis on February 27, 2008
All real estate is local. What’s happening in California or Florida doesn’t effect the market in Erie. Last year you heard news about home prices falling all over the country. In Erie they rose. In an 88 page report released by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, home prices in Erie were up 4.58 percent in 2007. Erie ranked 53rd out of 291 metro areas. The report also showed that in the past 5 years home prices have risen 18.95 percent.
Erie has one of the most affordable housing markets in the nation and without the huge fluctuations seen in other areas of the country. For years prices in Erie have slowly risen.
Caveat: past performance is never a guarantee of future returns.
Note for full disclosure: I’m a Realtor with Pennington Lines Real Estate in Erie.
City of Erie police lieutenant Robert Liebel was released on bond and entered drug rehab in Ohio. Liebel was arrested for stealing cocaine from a police evidence locker. They caught him with 12 grams of cocaine in his hand. Liebel had over 22 years of service with the bureau.
VisitErie (formerly the Erie Area Convention and Visitors Bureau) released the latest Erie County hotel tax figures. In January 2008, the tax brought in $24,401 vs the January 2007 amount of $23,687, an increase of about 3 percent. The fiscal year to date figures show an increase of 13.5 percent. Of the 5 percent collected tax, VisitErie receives 1 percent and the Erie County Convention Center Authority receives the remaining 4 percent.
For the week of February 18-24, Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie reported wagers of $37,568,812.27 with payouts of $34,228,071.84. Track handle from simulcast Thoroughbred racing isn’t released. Live racing will return May 9. Purses for the 100 day Thoroughbred meet at Presque Isle Downs and Casino will be about $20 million. State-bred bonuses will be as high as 50 percent now that there is about $23 million in the breeder fund. Pennsylvania had nearly 1,100 foals in 2006 and that number will increase to over 1,500 this year.
The Penn State Behrend women’s basketball (14-12, 11-7) team hosted the first round of the AMCC Tournament on Tuesday, and advanced to the league semifinals via a 63-49 win over the La Roche Redhawks. Medaille College, ranked eleventh in Division III, will be hosting the semifinals and finals of the AMCC Tournament on Friday, February 6 with Behrend playing at 5 pm against Medaille.
The Gannon University men’s basketball team is ranked 10th in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)/Division II Top 25 Poll. Gannon completed the regular season last week with a 24-3 overall record and 15-2 GLIAC mark following a 68-55 victory against rival Mercyhurst. Gannon opens the post-season Saturday, March 1 against Ashland in a GLIAC quarterfinal game at the Hammermill Center. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 pm. Season ticket holders have until the end of the business day on Wednesday, February 27 to purchase their same seats for Saturday’s quarterfinal game. Any unsold reserved seating will be made available to the general public Thursday, February 28 and Friday, February 29 from 8:30 am until 4 pm at the Gannon Athletic Offices, located through the 3rd and Peach Streets entrance of the Carneval Athletic Pavilion. General admission tickets are currently on sale and will be on sale in advance through Friday.
Fourteen members of the Mercyhurst College field hockey team earned were named to the 2007 ZAG/NFHCA Division II National Academic Squad. Among the honorees for Mercyhurst were Jennifer Coleman, Kristen Fogle, Brittany Jeffords, Erin Kelleher, Courtney Loper, Jennifer Macri, Jocelyn Montmarquet, Lauren Rinaca, Maria Sanita, Katherine Thompkins, Emily Warren, Kelsie Weber, Kathryn Wicus and Sara Wowkowych.
The Penn State Behrend women’s swimming and diving team snagged numerous AMCC honors as the 2008 all-conference teams were announced on February 26. The Behrend Lions swimmers and divers recently captured their second straight AMCC title with a dominating performance at the AMCC Championships. Freshman sensation Krystal Kovach (Pittsburgh/Chartiers Valley) was selected as AMCC Women’s Diver of the Year. Grabbing other top league honors were freshman Katie VanEpps (Pleasantville/Titusville) who was selected as the AMCC Co-Newcomer of the Year (along with Morgan Kinville from Pitt-Bradford), and head coach Jen Wallace, who was tabbed as the league’s coach of the year for the second straight season. Sara Breese (West Springfield/Northwestern) was also recognized for an outstanding season. The sophomore was named first-team all-conference in the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 breast, as well as on all four relay teams.
The Missouri State men’s soccer team has received commitments from 13 student-athletes for the 2008-09 school year including Edin Sabic of Erie, Pa. Sabic, a native of Zagreb, Croatia, enjoyed a standout high school career at Erie Cathedral Preparatory School. Sabic was a member of four District 10 and Region 6 championship teams and was a 2007 all-state and All-Region II selection as a senior. He was a four-time all-metro and all-district choice.
Every Wednesday is FREE admission to all four Erie Art Museum galleries from 11 am to 5 pm.
Erie native Steve Scully of C-SPAN will be at Gannon University on Wednesday, Feb 27, as the speaker for the annual Chautauqua at Gannon Lecture. Scully’s lecture, “Campaign 2008: How did we get to this point, and what’s going to happen next?” is FREE and open to the public and will begin at 7:30 pm in room 104 of the Zurn Science Center, 143 West Seventh Street. Scully will discuss the recent Democratic and Republican primaries and assess the race heading to the November election. The Chautauqua at Gannon series annually has featured prominent lecturers addressing various topics related to politics and public and international affairs. Scully’s lecture will be the 35th in the Chautauqua at Gannon series; Scully also served as the Chautauqua at Gannon speaker in 2004. Sponsors of the program are Gannon University, the Chautauqua Institution, and the Gannon University Activities Programming Board. Steve Scully is C-SPAN’s Senior Executive Producer and Political Editor. Since 1990, Scully has been responsible for the planning and editing of all campaign programming, including presidential and congressional elections for the public affairs cable network. In addition, he manages a team of field producers who are responsible for the coverage of law and the courts, history, and international programming. Scully is an Erie native and is the 14th child in a family of 16 that also has five sets of twins. He and his wife, Kathryn, live in Virginia and have three children.
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.
Pink Martini will perform at the Mercyhust College Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 2 at 7 pm. After playing a packed house on their first visit, Pink Martini returns this time drawing heavily on music from their new CD, Hey Eugene! Tickets run $25 for students to $45 for Gold Members. For tickets, call the box office at (814) 824-3000.
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 eMarketing Learning Center at eBizITPA is debuting a new training opportunity, The Comprehensive Guide to Successful Email Marketing, on March 6, 2008 from 8:30 am to 4 pm. The full-day course, to be held at the Center for eBusiness and Advanced IT (eBizITPA) Training Center, 5340 Fryling Road, Suite 201, Erie, Pa, is committed to establishing a comprehensive understanding of e-mail marketing and providing easy steps to implement these skills as part of an overall marketing strategy. E-mail marketing is an efficient way to communicate, interact and build relationships with customers. According to the Direct Marketing Association, the ROI on e-mail marketing in 2008 is expected to hit $45.65 per dollar, more than double the ROI of other mediums. Ninety percent of Internet users check their e-mail multiple times daily. When this opportunity for exposure is combined with a high ROI, it is easy to see the benefits of e-mail marketing. “Especially in a time of slow economic growth, e-mail marketing is one of the most effective and affordable ways to stretch your marketing dollar,” says instructor Cathy von Birgelen. Von Birgelen is a certified e-mail marketing professional and tech-savvy strategic marketing consultant with more than 12 years of experience in e-marketing and business development efforts. She has consulted with many regional and national clients including GE, Choice Hotels, Procter and Gamble, Holcombs, Howard Industries, Troyer Farms, Blair.com, Gannon University and Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Von Birgelen is the program manager of the eMarketing Learning Center at eBizITPA. This course is being offered at an introductory rate of $299. Registration can be completed online at www.ebizitpa.org or by calling (814) 898-6500. The Center for eBusiness and Advanced Information Technology (eBizITPA), headquartered in Erie, Pa., is a statewide Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority Initiative, designed to help Pennsylvania enterprises understand and use information technology and e-business tools.
The 2008 National Christian Invitational Basketball Tournament will be held at Family First Sports Park March 6-8. The preps and postgrads will play March 13-15.
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.
Exhibition opening receptions and other gallery activities are planned for Gallery Night on Friday, March 7, 2008 from 7-10 pm at the Erie Art Museum, Glass Growers Gallery, Allen Stoneware Gallery, Kuhn’s Framing and Gift Gallery, Accents By The Bay, and Geary’s Studio 7 Gallery. 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.
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.
The Presque Isle Parrothead Club will hold a St Patrick’s Day Bash on Saturday March 15 at the Cathedral Center, 160 West 11th Street. Free parking behind Cathedral Center on West 10th. Music 8-midnight by DJ Michael John. Doors open at 7 pm. Ticket price includes beer, pop and snacks. BYOB, if you don’t want beer. $10 advance ticket, $12 at door. Prize for best dressed St Patty’s Day Attire. Basket of Cheer, raffle for an iPod Touch, raffle - $5/chance, 50/50 and more. For tickets call Heidi
Grumblatt at 384-0741 or via email her at heidi_grum@yahoo.com.
CNN special correspondent Soledad O’Brien will speak “From the Special Investigations Unit” at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Tuesday, March 18. O’Brien appears as part of the college’s annual Speaker Series. Her presentation begins at 7:30 pm in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building; admission is FREE and open to the public.
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.
The charity bellydance event, “Shimmy for a Cure”, will be held May 31 at the Erie Playhouse in downtown Erie, PA. This event will benefit the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation.
Head Coach John T Reilly of Gannon University will conduct three sessions of basketball camp this summer. Sessions will be held June 9-13, June 23-27 and August 4-8. His coaching staff, area high school coaches and several of his players will serve as camp instructors. The sessions are designed as teaching camps that emphasize the fundamentals of the game of basketball. The camps are for students in Grades 3-10.
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 27, 2008 7:06 AM
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