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Erie PA News and Events for Friday March 7, 2008
Posted by Dennis on March 7, 2008
There is an excellent must-read story in the Charleston (WV) Gazette on the story of Bob Wiesen who grew up in the St Joseph’s Home for Children in Erie. St Joseph’s was the orphanage in Erie. Wiesen lived at the orphanage from the time he was an infant until he finished high school. The story does a great job in examining daily life at St Joseph’s Home for Children - meals, recreation, education. There were about 700 children at the orphanage at any given time.
St Joseph’s closed as an orphanage in 1972 and five years later it was remodeled into 204 apartments for seniors.
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania will receive nearly $272,000 in Technical College Program grants to set up a degree program that addresses the specific manufacturing workforce needs in Erie and Crawford counties. Edinboro will receive $271,912 - including $199,912 for equipment and $72,000 for faculty and other operating costs - to establish a program leading to an Associate of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology. Graduates in the program can help fill a need in the region for manufacturing engineering technicians.
AARP Pennsylvania announced the appointment of Estella Hyde to the position of State President, the highest-ranking volunteer position among AARP’s 1.9 million Pennsylvania members. Hyde is a retired Professor Emeritus from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Nursing and is a retired Major in the US Army Nurse Corps. She is a former member of the board of the Pennsylvania Nurses Association and the Patient Advisory Board for the Pennsylvania Medical Society. She is a graduate of Kent State University, Villa Maria College in Erie PA, the University of Pittsburgh and Case Western Reserve University.
Mike Machuga is in 27th place at the Denny’s PBA Tour Go RVing Classic being held at the Norwich (CT) Bowling and Entertainment Center.
The Gannon University women’s softball team (9-3) extended their win streak to nine games Thursday afternoon with two more victories at the Rebel Games in Orlando, Florida. The squad moved to 8-0 at the Rebel Games with a 1-0 victory over Wilmington (Del) and a 4-1 win against Mary (ND).
Mercyhurst sophomore forward Meghan Agosta was named College Hockey America (CHA) Player of the Year Thursday night during the annual year-end awards ceremony held on the eve of the CHA Tournament. Meanwhile, freshman forward Vicki Bendus picked up Rookie of the Year honors and senior Stephanie Jones was selected Student Athlete of the Year.
Gannon’s Vince Mosley (Boynton Beach, Fla/Dillard) and Kyle Goldcamp (Pittsburgh, Pa/Central Catholic) have been named to the All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) South Division first team. In addition, Joe Lindsey (Spring Valley, NY/Spring Valley) and Goldcamp were named to the GLIAC South Division All-Defensive team.
A pair of Allegheny Gators were named to the 2008 All North Coast Athletic Conference team, as sophomore forward George Raftis (Pittsburgh, Pa./Sewickley) and senior guard Bill Babe (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) earned second team and honorable mention status, respectively.
Mercyhurst College women’s basketball player Amy Achesinski was named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Freshman of the Year as voted on by the conference coaches. Achesinski was also named GLIAC South Division All-Conference Second Team.
Three Gannon women’s basketball players have been named to the All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) basketball post-season teams. Kristina Freeman (Yonkers, NY/Pelham Memorial) and Kim Vargas (Sterling, Va/Broad Run) were named to the All-GLIAC South Division first team while Ashley Lowdermilk (Kensington, Ohio/Carrollton) landed a spot on the All-GLIAC South Division second team. Freeman also earned GLIAC South Division All-Defensive honors.
Three players from the Allegheny women’s basketball squad were named to the 2008 All-North Coast Athletic Conference team, announced by the NCAC on Wednesday morning. Junior forward Stephanie Wolf (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) highlighted the Gator selections by being named a First-Team honoree. Along with Wolf, sophomore forward Emilie Simone (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) and sophomore guard Brittany Bell (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) were named second team and honorable mention selections, respectively
Syracuse University will become the fifth member of the College Hockey America (CHA) Women’s Conference, beginning in 2008-09, CHA commissioner RH “Bob” Peters announced. Beginning next season, the conference will include Mercyhurst, Niagara, Robert Morris, Syracuse, and Wayne State.
The Erie SeaWolves announced they have agreed to terms with Connoisseur Media and Fox Sports Radio 1330 AM The Fan (no web site) to broadcast all 142 SeaWolves games for the 2008 season. The SeaWolves broadcast their games last season on Connoisseur’s JET Radio 1400.
The 2008 National Christian Invitational Basketball Tournament will be held at Family First Sports Park this weekend. The preps and postgrads will play March 13-15.
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.
Think you have what it takes to sing the National Anthem at a Double-A baseball game? Well here is your chance. The Erie SeaWolves announced their National Anthem tryouts will be held Saturday, March 8 at the Millcreek Mall. Tryouts will be on the center stage in the mall near Burlington Coat Factory. Registration begins at 12:30 pm and tryouts begin at 1 pm. Those interested in auditioning will perform the National Anthem for a panel of judges. Auditions must be performed a capella.
The Erie Philharmonic presents Sister Act on March 8. Christina and Michelle Naughton will perform Mozart’s Delightful Concerto for Two Pianos. They will also perform Mendelsson’s Third Symphony also known as the Scottish. The performance will be conducted by Daniel Meyer.Doors open at 7 pm.
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.
Under the direction of Ronald Stitt, Allegheny College’s student jazz band will perform a free concert on Thursday, March 13, at 3:15 pm in Shafer Auditorium. The 30-member ensemble will play from a repertoire of Big Band favorites including pieces by composers Stan Kenton, Sammy Nestico and Quincy Jones.
Dan Desrochers of the Community Blood Bank will be a guest bartender at Molly Brannigans in Erie from 6:30 to 7 pm on Thursday March 13 for a fund raiser for the Erie Hall of Fame. The entire celebrity bartending night runs 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Tommy Fleming will be there to preview his performance at Mercyhurst’s Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center on Friday. Tommy will be joined by Erie’s Rince na Tiarna Irish Dancers - a wonderful grand start to the Saint Patrick’s Day weekend.
Under the direction of Bruce Morton Wright, the Erie Chamber Orchestra will perform at the Gannon University Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel with soloist Erik Mann on guitar at 7:30 pm on Friday March 14. The performance will begin at 7:30 pm.
The Gannon University Theater Department presents Jane Austen’s Love and Freindship March 14-15 at the Gannon Schuster Theatre. Adapted for the stage by Fr Shawn Clerkin, this collection of letters by Jane Austen will be performed at the Schuster Theatre in conjunction with the Alex Clemente Fund for Performing and Related Arts. With music by Andrew Rainbow, this world premier promises to be a charming theatrical event. Performances will begin at 8 pm both nights, and tickets are $15. For tickets, call the box office at (814) 871-7261. Proceeds will benefit the Clemente Fund for Performing and Related Arts at Gannon University.
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.
The Manufacturers’ Association of Northwest Pennsylvania will host an economic development forum featuring members of Erie’s lead economic development team during the monthly Eggs ‘n’ Issues briefing, starting at 8 am on Wednesday, March 19 at the Association’s Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street. Guests will include: Jake Rouch, Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership; Rick Novotny, Erie County Redevelopment Authority; Monica Brower, Economic Development Corporation of Erie County; Bob Spaulding, Erie County; and Kim Green, City of Erie. These leaders will discuss how the economic development system works, the importance of teamwork, review success stories, highlight special programs and need for collaboration. “Economic development is clearly a vital part of our future,” said Manufacturers’ Association President Ralph Pontillo. “This forum will provide our members with an opportunity to learn about the programs and resources available in Erie County.” To register for this briefing, contact Tracy Shepard at (814) 833-3200 or (800) 815-2660. Cost is $30 for members, $60 for nonmembers.
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 Erie Playhouse Youtheatre presents Around the World in 80 Days March 28-30, April 4-6. Adapted from the novel by Jules Verne, Around the World in 80 Days, delightfully tells the story of Phileas Fogg’s and his servant, Passepartout’s, whistle-stop journey, as they try to satisfy a wager that they can circumnavigate the world in eighty days. Performances on March 28 and 29, as well as April 4 and 5 will begin at 7 pm. Performances on March 20 and April 6 will begin at 2 pm.
The Penn State Behrend Concert Band’s upcoming “Evening of Musical Tomfoolery” will be held, appropriately, on Tuesday, April 1. The fun begins at 8 pm in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building. Admission is FREE. The concert band will perform a selection of witty, whimsical pieces under the direction of Gary Viebranz, director of instrumental music at the college. On the program are works by Leopold Mozart, PDQ Bach (“the 21st of JS Bach’s 20 children”), film composers Danny Elfman and Luis Bonfa, and percussionist Lamar Burkhalter, who also holds the title of musical director for the NFL’s Houston Texans. “We’re presenting this concert in the spirit of April Fool’s Day, so we also have several surprises in store,” Viebranz promises.
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 7, 2008 7:00 AM
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