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Erie PA News and Events for Tuesday March 4, 2008
Posted by Dennis on March 4, 2008
Tired of the cold, nasty weather? Want to get away? All donors at the Community Blood Bank until the first day of Spring (March 21) are entered to win what could be an all expense paid trip to a beach side resort in Mexico, or a Caribbean Cruise or maybe even a trip to Vegas. It’s up to the winner to decide. Cappabianca Travel is generously sponsoring the ‘Give to Get Away’ promotion where one lucky donor will win a $2500 travel credit that they use can on one of many great get aways. All of this just by taking less than an hour to save a life. Anyone who comes in and tries to donate will automatically be registered to win. The Community Blood Bank is located at 2646 Peach Street. Community Blood Bank is open from 9-6 Monday through Friday and until 7:30pm Tuesday night and Saturday 9am-12:30 pm. Photo ID required.
The Erie Ambassadors, a volunteer program of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership (ERCGP), will sponsor a community-wide Involvement Night on Wednesday, Mar 19 to connect newcomers, natives and students in the region with local service organizations, clubs and nonprofits. The event will be held from 5 to 8 pm in the Erie Cruise Boat Terminal, at the end of the Holland Street Pier in Erie’s Bayfront district. The event is free and open to the public. “Our goal is to give both newcomers to the area and natives a unique opportunity to learn more about clubs and nonprofits in the region,” said Gennifer Biggs, event coordinator and Erie Ambassador. “Representatives from a wide variety of organizations will be on hand to discuss membership and volunteer opportunities with area residents.” According to Ms Biggs, Involvement Night is both an informal and informative networking opportunity for those on both sides of the tables. While tracking down and connecting with organizations can be difficult, so can reaching those who are community-minded and willing to be involved. “By inviting our local nonprofit organizations and clubs to participate in one event, we hope to help attendees become aware of the interesting and rewarding volunteer and engagement opportunities in our community,” she added. Last year, over 30 organizations provided information to attendees. Clubs and nonprofit organizations interested in participating can reserve a table by calling the ERCGP at (814) 454-7191. The deadline to register is Mar 14.
The US Brig Niagara will sail to Duluth this Summer for the Duluth Maritime Festival celebrating Minnesota’s 150th anniversary.
Verizon Wireless announced that it has expanded the national rollout of its high-speed wireless network to Edinboro University campus and a portion of the town of Edinboro. With the wireless broadband network now available, Verizon Wireless customers in the area have BroadbandAccess and V CAST services.
LifeGas, a medical gas company of The Linde Group, has announced its acquisition of Sky Oxygen Inc’s medical business. With the transaction, LifeGas acquires Sky Oxygen’s location in Erie, Pennsylvania at 809 W 12th St.
The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) will host its annual Spring Meeting, March 3-5, at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, DC. Former Pennsylvania First Lady Michele M Ridge of Erie, wife of former Governor Tom Ridge, is slated to appear to discuss an innovative project called Vision of Hope, launched by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. The project is devoted to ending child sexual abuse.
The Penn State Behrend (23-4) men’s basketball team faces Farmingdale State College of Long Island (22-5) in the opening round of the NCAA Division III basketball tournament on Friday. This marks the team’s second automatic (2004-05) and fourth (2003-04/1999-2000) ever bid to the NCAA Tournament for the Behrend Lions. The winner meets the University of Rochester-Middlebury survivor on Saturday at 7 at the University of Rochester Palestra.
Erie Cathedral Prep basketball coach Brian Flanagan resigned. His four year record as head coach was 89-24.
Marshall offered a football scholarship to AJ Fenton of McDowell High School. Pitt and Syracuse have also made offers.
The Edinboro Performing Arts Series presents “Eric Person and Meta-Four” on Tuesday, March 4 at 7:30 pm at the Louis C Cole Auditorium. Admission for the evening of Jazz is free for Edinboro University students with valid ID. Tickets are $5 each for Edinboro University faculty, staff and President’s Pass holders; and $10 each for general admission. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at EdinboroTickets.com.
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 costs and benefits of generating power onsite as well as financial incentives to reduce demand are two topics the Energy Roundtable will tackle during their next quarterly meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 6 at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at 301 Peninsula Drive in Erie. The agenda for the meeting includes: Financial Incentives to Reduce Demand; PJM Demand Response Programs and Basics of Onsite Power Generation. Registration is at 8:45 am, with the program running from 9 am to noon. The Energy Roundtable was formed in 2007 to help business, industry and other large energy users (such as schools and healthcare facilities) in northwest Pennsylvania reduce energy costs through improved energy management, energy efficiency and cutting edge technology. The group was initiated through a collaborative effort of the Manufacturers’ Association, the NW PA Industrial Resource Center, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP), National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation, Penelec and the NW Rural Electric Cooperative.
“Energy issues continue to be on the front burner for most of our members,” said Manufacturers’ Association Director of Government Affairs Sheila Sterrett. “This roundtable has provided a forum for large energy users to gather and share information.” “Each subsequent roundtable meeting has seen an increase in participation and exchange of ideas,” said Geoff Bristow, regional manager for the PA DEP. “Access to affordable energy is vital to any business and we hope this roundtable will continue to be a opportunity to collaborate and formulate solutions.” To register, call (814) 456-6299, fax 814/459-6058 or e-mail jmiller@nwirc.org. There is no charge for the event.
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.
The Erie Art Museum’s First Fridays program for preschool kids ages 3 to 6 is slated for Friday, March 7, 10-11 am at the Erie Art Museum, 411 State Street with activities inspired from the Museum’s Kids As Curators 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 should meet at the Erie Art Museum Annex, 423 State Street. Space is limited. Please call ahead to reserve a place, (814) 459-5477.
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.
When famed high school basketball coach Ken Carter literally locked his undefeated, state play-off bound team out of the gym at Richmond High School in California, and forced them to hit the books and stop counting on athletic potential as the only ticket out of a tough, inner-city life, he sent a powerful message. As the inspiration behind the 2005 film, “Coach Carter,” Carter will bring his message of accountability, integrity, teamwork and leadership to Mercyhurst College on Tuesday, March 10, at 8:15 pm in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC). His free, public lecture, “What you see is what you get: How to visualize and reach your goals,” is an offering of the Mercyhurst Student Government Speakers Series. Tickets to Carter’s talk are available free of charge at the PAC Box Office for Mercyhurst students (one each) and faculty, staff and administration (two each) beginning March 3. Tickets are available to the general public at two apiece on March 7, 8 and 10.
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 March 4, 2008 7:03 AM
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