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Erie PA News and Events for Thursday March 13, 2008
Posted by Dennis on March 13, 2008
Former President Bill Clinton yesterday yesterday spoke to a crowd at Erie East High School. The gym was filled with the crowd estimated at 1,200 to 2,000 people. More than half were students happy for any reason to get out of classes. Clinton is a very good speaker and the length of the talk at about 45 minutes was just right. Just as he was to begin talking a college age student began shouting about NAFTA and repeatedly said “1991 Bilderberg.” (MSNBC article Bill heckled again.)
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Erie County was 5.5 percent in January, up from 5.2 percent in December 2007. The number of people employed went up from 133,200 to 134,200 but the labor force grew 1,800 people from 140,400 to 142,000. Back in January 2007, the unemployment rate was 4.9 percent with 133,400 people employed with a labor force of 140,300. Yes, the unemployment percentages went up but a growing labor force is vitally important to long term growth in the area. The complete Pennsylvania unemployment data can be found here.
Representatives from six community organizations have been working together to boost Erie’s image with journalists in advance of the Pennsylvania Primary on Apr 22 and the GE Shareowners meeting on Apr 23. The region has been on the receiving end of negative editorial coverage in the New York Times and London’s Financial Times in recent months, something the group is hoping to change. The organizations are also hoping that area residents understand that they too can have an impact on Erie’s perception when they talk about the economy and life in the region.
For example, while a recent New York Times article quoted an Erie business owner as stating that “[Erie has] lost every manufacturing job that we ever had,” the region’s employment numbers have actually grown by over 4,500 jobs since December 2003, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Other media reports have characterized Erie as a region in decline, yet recent investments tell a much different story. Between improvements to the regional water system in excess of $250 million; major expansion projects totaling over $200 million at Hamot, Saint Vincent and LECOM; capital projects at the region’s higher education institutions; the $114 million Bayfront Convention Center; Presque Isle Downs and Casino; the Airport runway extension; Lake Erie Biofuels; the Tom Ridge Environmental Center; new hotel developments; GE’s investment of $15 million into the Erie School District; as well as many other multi-million dollar projects; the Erie region has seen investment of over $1 billion dollars in recent years, according to Jake Rouch, vice president of economic development for the Chamber.
Erie’s image as a struggling rust-belt city is simply outdated, according to Jim Dible, president and CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. “Erie is one of the few places in the United States that can accurately describe itself as a college town, a manufacturing town, a healthcare town, a tourist town and the list goes on and on,” said Dible. “Because of GE’s growth in the region, Erie is also one of the few areas of the United States to actually have a trade surplus with China, the world’s most populous Country.”
Tourism in the region also continues to thrive, according to John Oliver, president and CEO of VisitErie. “The percentage increase in the number of new hotel rooms in the Erie area led the Commonwealth in 2007,” Mr. Oliver said. “Equally as impressive, Erie’s 2007 year end hotel occupancy average of 64 percent is also second highest to that of the Philadelphia region.” Over 12,000 people work in the County’s tourism industry with new hotels and attraction expansions planned for the near future, according to Mr Oliver.
In the end, the group is hoping to use this and other information to provide journalists coming to the region with a fresh perspective. “Unfortunately, these articles are often written by journalists who are in Erie for only a couple of hours, without the time or interest to uncover the positive trends and advantages of this great community,” Mr. Dible said. “Often a reporter comes in with a preconceived notion of the region and is simply looking for a quick quote or isolated example to validate their angle.”
The group working to offer a balanced image of Erie is made up of representatives from the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, VisitErie, County Government, City Government, the Downtown Improvement District and the Erie County Convention Center Authority. The team has been meeting since January to make sure that the region puts its best foot forward while in the national spotlight. This includes downtown clean-up efforts, ensuring that transportation is clean and convenient, promoting good customer service to visitors and placing banners and signs welcoming those who are attending the GE Shareowners meeting in April.
Specifically for journalists, the group is also compiling a fact sheet on the region, with unique story ideas for reporters to consider and contact information for regional experts who can provide additional insight.
Not all of Erie’s recent media coverage has been negative. Last year, CountryHome magazine, in conjunction with Sperling’s BestPlaces, named Erie to its list of Best Green Cities in America. The study considered air and watershed quality, mass transit usage, power usage, farmers markets, organic producers and number of green-certified buildings to determine the top metro areas to live a green life. Erie was also featured in a December Money magazine article regarding the market’s home prices that continued to rise in 2007, despite the property value slide elsewhere in the nation. Prices in the Erie metro area increased by 4.2 percent over the past year, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index, yet housing costs remain affordable compared to the rest of the nation.
“These are the stories that need to be told,” Dible said. “Together we are committed to getting this information in the hands of journalists so they can begin to revise their impressions of the region. We can’t always expect positive news, but we should expect information to be presented accurately and in the proper context. We all know the Erie region faces challenges, but we also know our economy is being transformed and that the region has a bright future.”
For the week of March 3-9, Presque Isle Downs and Casino reported wagers of $25,484,017 with payouts of $23,306,461.
Collaborative fraud management firm Ethoca has appointed Tom Ridge of Erie, the former first Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, to its board of directors. Ridge also served as the 43rd Governor of his home state of Pennsylvania from 1995 until leaving in 2001 and is currently President and Chief Executive Officer for Ridge Global, a security and economic consulting firm for businesses and governments around the world.
Gannon’s Vince Mosley (Boynton Beach, Fla./Dillard) has been named to the Daktronics All-Great Lakes Region second team released Wednesday afternoon. Mosley leads Gannon in scoring (17.1) while ranking second in field goal percentage (56.6), rebounding (6.4), and assists (75). The senior forward is shooting 56.6 percent (176-311) from the field, 44.1 percent (15-34) from three-point range, and 68.9 percent (111-161) from the free throw line.
Collins Harris of Drury was named Great Lakes Region Player of the Year, averaging 18 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He is joined on the first team by Callistus Eziukwu (Grand Valley State), Jason Jamerson (Grand Valley State), Jeff Fahnbulleh (Kentucky Wesleyan), and Norman Plummer (Southern Indiana). All five first-team members will move to the national ballot for all-america consideration. The second team consisted of Mosley, Andre Muse (Quincy), Tony Gugino (Hillsdale), Stephan Bolt (Lewis), and Josh Bostic (Findlay).
Gannon University’s Small Business Development Center is presenting the first annual WILD Conference today, 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 Erie St Patricks Day Parade will be held Saturday March 15 2-4 pm with the route going north on State St starting at 12th and State Streets.
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.
Cure those winter doldrums by learning to throw a pot at the Erie Art Museum’s ClaySpace Open Studio at 1505 State Street, 3rd floor, on Friday, March 21. Instruction is $6 per person and is on a first come first served basis. Complimentary pizza will be served. Demonstration and workshop sessions are at 6:30, 7:15 and 8 pm. Erie Art Museum instructors will introduce participants to the art of wheel throwing. Stop by and try the wheel, wear old clothes and shoes, and be prepared to get a little messy. All ages are welcome.
The Allegheny College Art Department will present its annual Student Show, an exhibition open to all Allegheny College students, in the Bowman, Penelec and Megahan Galleries from Tuesday, March 25 through Wednesday, April 16. The opening of the exhibit will be celebrated with a public reception in the Art Galleries on Tuesday, March 25 from 7 to 9 pm. The Doane Prize awards will be presented at 8 pm. The Student Show, featuring works in a variety of media, is juried by a professional artist and educator. This year’s juror is Mark Franchino, gallery director and assistant professor of art at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
Given that current trends in higher education reflect enrollment numbers that skew in favor of women, it can be surprising, especially for today’s students, to learn that as late as the 1950s experts fretted about the wisdom of permitting women on college campuses. Author Lynn Peril, whose writing takes a witty look at women’s history through popular culture and advertising from the turn of the century through the 1970s and beyond, will visit Allegheny College to help the women’s studies department celebrate 25 years at the college. In addition to talking to students in a number of classes during her campus visit, Peril will present on Wednesday, March 26 a FREE public lecture based on her most recent book, “College Girls: Bluestockings, Sex Kittens, and Coeds, Then and Now.” The talk will be held at 7:30 pm in Quigley Auditorium and will be followed by a book signing and reception.
Are you ready to take your company global? The Web is an opportunity to expand your market reach without ever leaving your office. Register for “Globalizing Your Web Site,” presented by eBizITPA and the Gannon University SBDC on March 27 in Erie, PA. Discover the economic benefits of reaching and selling to international markets, and take your business to the next level.
After Pluto’s discovery in 1930, astronomers began wondering if this eccentric dwarf might be a member of a large population of similar objects. Sixty-two years passed before the discovery of a second body in orbit beyond Neptune, the blandly named but fascinating 1992 QB1. Another 1,000 similar objects have been found since, forming what’s come to be called the Kuiper Belt. Keith Noll, PhD, principal investigator of the Hubble Heritage Project at the Space Telescope Science Institute, will lead a tour of this weird and wonderful addition to our solar system during the next Open House Night in Astronomy at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. “The Kuiper Belt: The Solar System’s Frigid Edge” takes place on Thursday, March 27, beginning with a talk by Noll at 7:30 pm in 101 Otto Behrend Science Building and followed by astronomical viewing from the college’s Mehalso Observatory, weather permitting. The event is FREE and open to the public.
Literary nonfiction writer Joe Mackall will read from his works at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Thursday, March 27. Mackall’s public reading is part of the college’s Creative Writer’s Speaker Series. The reading begins at 6 pm in the Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel; a 4:30 pm reception for Mackall in the chapel’s first-floor meeting area precedes the reading. Both events are 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.
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.
Allegheny College’s 7th Annual Executive Roundtable will take place on Monday, March 31, from 4 to 5:30 pm in the Tillotson Room of the Tippie Alumni Center at Cochran Hall. The event is hosted by the college’s Department of Economics and is titled “Health Care Costs: American Business Crisis.” The event is free and open to the public.
The Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission is holding an informal and relaxed FREE breakfast roundtable to hear from international marketing professionals. I will be held 8-9 am on Tuesday April 1 at Knowledge Park Center, 5240 Knowledge Parkway in Erie, PA. The following 5 topics are for discussion: Attorney Jon L Woodard on Intellectual Property and Technology for patents, trademark, copyright and trade secret law; Carver International, Inc on international freight; M and T Bank on export credit insurance; Newbridge Group on marketing opportunities in doing business with Russia; and PA Center for Trade Development and Northwest Commission on Pennsylavania is the Premier State for Export Assistance on assistance available to expand your business in the international arena. Contact Lori Kenyon to register, or phone (814) 677-4800 Ext 104.
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.
KaleidAScope, Inc, The Child and Family Guidance Center of Erie, the Northwestern Pennsylvania Autism Society (NWPA-ASA), and ARC of Erie County will be hosting the first annual Autism in Our Community event on April 5, 2008 at the Greene Township Building, 9333 Tate Rd in Erie. KaleidAScope, Inc is a local non-profit agency establishing services for individuals with High Functioning Autism / Asperger’s Syndrome from the ages of 15 to adulthood. Child and Family Guidance Center of Erie provides individual, group, and family therapy, specializing in families/children on the Autism Spectrum. NWPA-ASA is our local Erie chapter for the Autism Society of America and has made strides in the Erie community in establishing awareness of Autism Spectrum disorders. The Arc of Erie County is a large advocacy group that promotes community inclusion to citizens with disabilities. The focus of this event is to provide information about the goods and services available to families influenced by, and managing, autism in their lives. The event is funded by a grant from the NWPA-ASA. The event will be held from 12-4 pm. Each agency and organization will provide a table highlighting their services as related to autism. Presentations will occur by local providers every half hour beginning at 12:30 and ending at 3 pm. The event will conclude with networking opportunities for families with local providers, agencies, organizations. Light snacks and beverages will be provided, as well as opportunities for families to win gift baskets. There is no cost to families to attend this special day. For additional information and to RSVP, please contact: Jennifer Do 814-824-4515, ext 93.
The Erie Art Museum will offer a henna body art workshop on Saturday, April 5, 2008 from 1-4 pm at the Erie Art Museum Annex, 20 East 5th Street. “We are so excited to offer the public an opportunity to learn about this ancient temporary tattoo tradition. Erie’s best henna practitioners from Somalia, Sudan, and India will be on hand to apply a beautiful henna tattoo or visitors can learn how to apply one themselves,” said Kelly Armor Erie Art Museum Director of Education and Folk Art. The art of henna, or mehndi, is thousands of years old. A reddish dye extracted from the henna plant is applied, often with elaborate designs, to the hands and feet. Women across Africa, the Middle East, and India paint themselves with henna as part of social celebrations. In many cultures the bride is adorned with especially intricate patterns for her wedding night. The tattoo is temporary and usually lasts two weeks. “Erie now boasts several henna experts. Gannon has a large population of Indian students including several who are adept at henna. Erie is also home to many Somali and Sudanese women who learned the art traditionally, from other women, in their native countries,” said Armor. Registration is required by calling 814.459.5477 or visiting online at www.erieartmuseum.org. Cost is $12 for non-members and $10 for Erie Art Museum Members.
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.
Michael Acri Boxing Promotions presents the 2008 debut of undefeated former IBF lightweight champion “The Pittsburgh Kid” Paul Spadafora. Returning to the ring for the first time in over a year, Spadafora (40-0-1), fighting in a 10-round welterweight bout against an opponent to be named shortly, headlines a six-bout card at The Avalon Hotel in Erie, PA (16 West 10th Street) on Sunday, April 6, beginning at 2 pm. Tickets, priced at $60 (Golden Ringside), $40 (Ringside), and $20 (General Admission), go on sale Monday March 10, and can be purchased at the Avalon Hotel, Dee’s Cigar Store, Pony Express (1903 W 8th St) and the Ringside Restaurant. The card will also feature Cincinnati super middleweight Stephan Pryor (10-3-1), Erie heavyweight Rocky Mullooly (2-1), Pittsburgh middleweight Chris Archer (9-2), and the pro debut of heavyweight Andres Taylor from Johnstown, PA.
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 13, 2008 7:04 AM
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