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Erie PA News and Events for Saturday March 8, 2008

The John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation now has a web site. I hope it helps with fund raising and creates more awareness of the project. The leaders of the foundation need more of a sense of urgency in their efforts or Erie will be left out of the human trials. At least $8 million needs to be raised for human trials which should begin in 3-6 years. The typical Erie entitlement attitude needs to be put aside and hard work needs to be done to show that we want the human trials in the Erie area.

The trail of Teri Rhodes has been placed on the June calendar of Erie County Judge Rusty Cunningham. The start date has been set for June 16. Rhodes gave birth on August 12 to a baby girl. She cut the umbilical cord with a pair of scissors, placed the new born baby in a plastic bag and took a shower. The baby lived for 10 minutes before she died by suffocation - either by having something placed over her face or by being sealed in a plastic bag. In Pennsylvania, first degree murder carries the possibility of death by lethal injection.

Liberty Iron and Metal and their German partner Scholz AG have taken over four more metal scrap yards. Liberty has merged with smaller yards Mercer and Niles Iron and Metal to operate a network of eight scrap yards in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and one in Arizona.
Liberty Iron and Metal first partnership with Scholz last year that operates five scrap metal facilities: two in Buffalo and one Rochester, in New York state; one in Erie, Pennsylvania, which has a shredder; and another in Scottsdale, Arizona.

At a meeting of the Board of Directors of Erie Indemnity Company held March 7, 2008, the Board accepted and approved the report of the Company’s Nominating and Governance Committee, which recommends nominees for the Company’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors agreed to set the size of the Board of Directors at 11 members. The slate of nominees includes the following individuals, all of whom are currently Directors: J Ralph Borneman, Jr, Patricia A Garrison- Corbin, Jonathan Hirt Hagen, Susan Hirt Hagen, Thomas B Hagen, C Scott Hartz, Claude C Lilly, III, Lucian L Morrison, Thomas W Palmer, Elizabeth A Vorsheck and Robert C Wilburn. Kaj Ahlmann and John T. Baily, both current Directors of the Company, have given notice that they do not intend to stand for re-election to the Company’s Board of Directors and, accordingly, are not on the above slate of nominees. Members of the Board of Directors will be elected at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for April 22, 2008, at the Company’s headquarters in Erie, Pa. Information on each of the nominees will be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement to be mailed to Shareholders prior to the Annual Meeting.

The state announced a number of Growing Greener Grants. Local grants include: Mercyhurst College - $106,500 for a two-year E coli bacteria monitoring study of the Walnut Creek and Elk Creek watersheds that will identify sources of the bacteria and lead to an action plan that will assist in resolving the bacteria pollution issues in the Lake Erie tributaries; Erie County Conservation District - $300,000 for 40 agricultural best management practices projects to reduce nonpoint source pollution from farms; and City of Erie - $65,180 for installation of a litter/debris trap on the lower Mill Creek channel at the city’s wastewater treatment facility.

The NBA Development League granted Erie a franchise for the 2008-09 season. Their is no word on team ownership or a name for the team. A meeting is set for Tuesday March 18 to make the formal announcement. The domain nbaerie.com was registered on Feb 18.

Findlay has been in big post-season games before. The Oilers have won three of the last four GLIAC Championships. So, it wasn’t a surprise when the Oilers raised their game to a different level in the last four minutes of the first half. Trailing by three, Findlay ended the first half on a 18-6 run and rolled to a 95-73 victory over Gannon in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Semifinals Friday night at Grand Valley State. Gannon dropped to 25-4. Findlay improved to 26-3 and will battle No 2 Grand Valley State in Saturday’s GLIAC title game at 7 pm. The Golden Knights now await word on a possible NCAA Tournament bid. The NCAA Division II Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday, March 9 at 10:30 pm.

The Edinboro men’s basketball team will have an opportunity to do something which hasn’t been done in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference since 1980. That’s win three PSAC titles in a span of four years. The Fighting Scots advanced to the PSAC Championship game on Friday night with a 74-58 win over Millersville in the first semifinal game at Cope Hall. Edinboro will face PSAC West rival California (Pa) in Saturday’s PSAC Championship game. The Vulcans defeated Cheyney, 66-59, in Friday’s other semifinal. The Edinboro-Cal game will tip off at 7 pm. The two teams have split a pair of meetings this year.

The Penn Satate Behrend men’s basketball team advanced to the NCAA Tournament second round with a 83-62 win over Farmingdale State on Friday, March 7 in a first round game hosted by the University of Rochester. The Behrend Lions (24-4) will now face regional host Rochester (21-5) on Saturday at 7 pm. Behrend saw five players reach double-figures and shot 56 percent for the game as the blue and white rolled to a 21-point victory. Leading the way was senior Kevin Buczynski (Erie Villa Maria) whose third trip to the NCAA Tournament proved to be the charm. Buczynski poured in 21 points to go with nine rebounds, five assists, and three blocks against the Rams.

No 7 Mercyhurst never trailed, but needed an empty-net goal from sophomore Meghan Agosta to clinch a 4-2 win over Niagara in a College Hockey America (CHA) semifinal game Friday night. The Lakers, 25-7-3 overall, will meet Wayne State (22-8-3) in the title game for the second straight year. The Warriors eliminated Robert Morris 4-0 Friday afternoon. Game time Saturday is 7 pm.

With the snow piling up in Erie, Pa, the Gannon softball team couldn’t be any hotter in the state of Florida. The Lady Knights extended their win streak to 11 games Friday afternoon with two more victories at the Rebel Games in Orlando, Florida. The squad moved to 10-0 at the Rebel Games with a pair of Great Lakes regional victories over West Virginia Wesleyan (3-2) and St Joseph’s (Ind) (4-1).

Matt Lundin used one of his best performances in a Laker uniform at the right time as the junior netminder stopped 41 shots in a Mercyhurst 4-1 victory over Canisius in Game 1 of the Atlantic Hockey Quarterfinals on Friday night at the Ice Center. Mercyhurst improved to 12-18-7, while Canisius dropped to 11-19-6. Mercyhurst will try to advance to the AHA Semifinals with a victory on Saturday night. For Canisius, it is a must-win. Face-off is set for 7:05 pm Saturday, as is Sunday’s, if necessary.

Justin Hodgman scored two goals including the game winner to lead the Erie Otters to a 6-3 victory over the London Knights in an Ontario Hockey League game played tonight in front of 2,755 at the Tullio Arena. Zack Torquato and Paul Cianfrini (pictured) each added a goal and an assist in the Erie win while Shawn Szydlowski and Doug Clarkson (with his third in as many games) rounded out the scoring. Nick Palmieri supplied three assists. Erie won for the fourth straight time on home ice to improve to 17-43-2-2 on the season. The Otters complete weekend action tonight at 7:30 pm at the Tullio Arena against the Plymouth Whalers. It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Career Concepts and Arlington Lawn Care with the first 500 fans into the game receiving a free Otters Calendar. Plus, wear pink and receive $2 off your ticket as we attempt to “Pink Out” the Tullio.

Mike Machuga of Erie finished in 23rd place and cashed for $2,200 at the Denny’s PBA Tour Go RVing Classic being held at the Norwich (CT) Bowling and Entertainment Center.

Because of the near blizzard conditions in the Erie area, many weekend events have been postponed or cancelled. Call first before leaving home. See YourErie.com for their list of closings, delays, postponements and cancellations.

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 Playhouse presents the innovative and endearing Broadway hit musical Little Women, based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel premieres at the Playhouse, as it embodies the complete theatrical experience, guaranteeing a night filled with laughter, tears, and a lifting of the spirit. Performances are scheduled through Sun Mar 9.

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.

The Erie RiverRats home opener is Sunday March 9 at 3 pm against the Carolina Speed.

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.

Arts and Drafts will be held March 27-29 at the Brewerie at Union Station. Over 30 artists will have their works exhibited, a number of local bands will perform in the 3 day arts celebration, and you’ll have the chance to enjoy excellent drafts from the Erie microbrewery. Admission is FREE. Hours are 12 noon to close each day.

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 Erie Tool Show will be held April 15-16 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. Participating machine tool dealers and tooling suppliers along with associated support industries from the tri-state area have come together to display the best selection of equipment to appear in Erie in years. This new emphasis is aimed at area businesses seeking the equipment they need to compete in today’s advanced manufacturing arena.

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.

The Manufacturers’ Association and Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority annual Roar on the Shore motorcycle rally will be held July 17-20, 2008. While downtown Erie serves as the hub of the rally, related events take place throughout the city and region. Most notably, two outdoor concerts featuring major artists will be held Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19, at Liberty Park along Presque Isle Bay.

Posted by Dennis at March 8, 2008 8:04 AM

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Posted by: Scott at March 8, 2008 9:20 AM

Posted by: Dennis at March 8, 2008 1:13 PM

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