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Erie PA News and Events for Saturday March 29, 2008
A local political story (GoErie) is making the national rounds (MSNBC, FOXNews). Sam Glenzer walked into the Clinton campaign office in Erie. Campaign workers were suspicious of him trying to gleam info on their operations. They game him a campaign sign and he left. They Googled his name and saw that he was an Obama supporter. A while later they called the Obama office in Erie to see if he was actually working on the Obama campaign. He is/was. Sam Glenzer answered the phone at the Obama office.

On this date - March 29, 2000 - The Supreme Court of the United States announced their decision in the case of The City of Erie v Pap’s AM (Kandyland). They said no to nude dancing in Erie. Erie enacted an ordinance making it a summary offense to knowingly or intentionally appear in public in a “state of nudity.” To comply with the ordinance, these dancers had to wear, at a minimum, “pasties” and a “G-string.” Pap’s filed suit. The Court of Common Pleas struck down the ordinance as unconstitutional, but the Commonwealth Court reversed. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court in turn reversed and it went to the Supreme Court. The case.
Employees at the Ruby Tuesday’s in Ashtabula have said the restaurant is closing. The Ruby Tuesday’s in Erie at the Millcreek Mall is the closest location to use gift certificates.
Jim Martin of the Erie Times-News received an award by the Society of American Business Editors and Writers in their 13th annual Best in Business contest for his “Made in Mexico” story about Steris moving operations out of Erie.
Mike Machuga of Erie finished in 58th and cashed for $1,235 at the PBA Tour’s 65th Denny’s US Open.
A number of Edinboro runners competed in the Raleigh Relays, hosted by North Carolina State, in Raleigh, NC on Friday. The Fighting Scot runners turned in a strong showing, led by Rachael Lanzel. Lanzel captured first place in the 10,000 meter run with a time of 35:47.28. That is an NCAA Division II qualifying time and is also the fastest time in Division II this year. Edinboro also received a strong showing in the men’s 10,000 meter race, as Dave Niemira came away with third place. His time of 30:53 is an NCAA Division II provisional qualifying time. Two other Fighting Scots posted PSAC qualifying times in the event. Eric Brenner finished 18th with a time of 32:12.03, while Nick Hankins was 20th with a time of 32:19.46.
Jennifer Swoyer (Erie, Pa/McDowell) scored on a penalty shot in the Bucknell women’s water polo team 6-5 win over Princeton.
John Tortorella has been named head coach of the 2008 U.S. Men’s National Team it was announced today by USA Hockey. The current head coach of the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning, Tortorella will lead Team USA in the 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship in May. Tortorella played RW for the Erie Golden Blades 1982-83 and part of the 1983-84 season.

Are you a stargazer? Learn about the lifecycles of stars at the Erie Planetarium show “The Stargazer” today March 22 at 1:30 pm. Follow a young boy as he becomes a professional astronomer. Appropriate for ages 8 and above. Then today at 3 pm “Why Coyote Howls: A Star Story” will be shown. This Sky Tellers program reveals a Chickasaw story about how constellations came to be. Appropriate for ages 5 and up. Cost for each show is $4 Adults, $3 Seniors, $2 Children, and $10 Family (2 Adults and up to 4 Children).
Tom Noyes, assistant professor of creative writing in the BFA program at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will sign copies of his new book, Spooky Action at a Distance and Other Stories (Dufour Editions, 2008) at The Erie Book Store Saturday, March 29, from 2 to 4 pm at the book shop, located at 137 E 13th St in downtown Erie.


All An Act Productions presents Edward Albee’s ” Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” March 28-April 20. Adults tickets are $8 with students and seniors at $5. Show times are at 7:30 with special Sunday matinees at 3 pm on April 6 and 20. This show contains mature language and situations that some may find offensive. It carries an “R” rating.
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.
Erie Gymnastics Center is the host for the Pennsylvania Level 9 and 10 State Gymnastics Championships which will be held at Family First Sports Park, 8155 Oliver Road in Erie on March 29-30.
If you’re a fan of Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller and Count Basie, this Erie Philharmonic Pops is for you! Big Band Bash is scheduled for tonight, Saturday, March 29 at 8 pm at the Warner Theatre. Tickets.
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.
Erie CareerLink is hosting a “Summer Jobs and Beyond” Employment Fair on Wednesday April 2, from 11am - 4pm at 1309 French St in Erie. Participating Employers include Presque Isle Downs, Barber National Institute, West, Scott Enterprises Millcreek Community Hospital, Verizon, CA Curtze Food, Rehrig Pacific Company, Windsor Beach Technologies, Community HealthNet, Custom Engineering, Brevillier Village, Community Resources for Independence, Telatron and Emergycare. All are welcome!

Local landscape artist Brett Maloney will explore the creation of meaningful gardens at a workshop, “The Art of Fine Gardening: The Artist’s Approach,” on Wednesday, April 2, at 7:30 pm, in Miller 116 on the Mercyhurst North East campus, 16 W Division St, North East. Maloney, who has been a professional landscaper and gardener for more than 35 years, will provide personal insights, methods and experiences to illustrate how to approach gardening as an art rather than a science. The event is FREE and open to the public. Call (814) 725-6277 for more information.
The Edinboro Film Series, in cooperation with The Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts program, Eerie Horror Film Festival, Edinboro University Student Government Association, Cinemark, and Lyons Den Productions, is pleased to announce its event for spring 2008. A special advance screening “The Ruins” will be shown on Thursday April 3 at 8 pm at the Tinseltown Theater, 1910 Rotunda Drive in Erie. Tickets are FREE for EUP students and $5 for General Public. Tickets are available at EdinboroTickets.com.
Internationally known bioethicist Dr Stephen Post will visit Mercyhurst College on April 3 to discuss his most recent book, “Why Good Things Happen to Good People.” The book, written with science journalist Jill Niemark, is subtitled “The Exciting New Science That Proves the Link Between Doing Good and Living a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life.” The presentation begins at 8:15 pm in Walker Recital Hall at Mercyhurst, and is free and open to the public.
Modern rockers Third Eye Blind bring their semi-charmed musical sensibilities and monster alternative hits to Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Friday, April 4. The concert begins at 8 pm in the college’s Junker Center with an opening act to be announced. Doors open at 7 pm. Tickets cost $20 for the public and $15 for Penn State Behrend students (two per ID) and can be purchased online, at the Reed Union Building main desk, or over the phone with a credit card by calling the Office of Student Activities, (814) 898-6171.
The ceremony renaming the Powell Avenue Bridge the Staff Sergeant Jeremy R Horton Memorial Bridge is scheduled for 10:30 am on Saturday April 5. SSG Horton died on May 21, 2004 near Al Iskandariyah, Iraq when an improvised explosive device exploded. He was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.
From the creator of “Buddy Holly: The Day The Music Died” and in association with the Roadhouse Theatre for Contemporary Art, the Great Lakes Film Association announces The Man In Black, The Johnny Cash Show. The Man In Black production was a labor of love and respect that will star local Erie celebrity Shannon Solo and was designed to celebrate the music and the man who is widely considered to be one of the most influential American musicians of the 20th century. The Man In Black musical production will enjoy a short run with only eight performances with opening night being Friday April 4 at 8 pm to be followed by a reception and then continuing on Saturday April 5, Thursday April 10, Friday April 11, Saturday April 12, Thursday April 17, Friday April 18, and will close on Saturday April 19. The final performance will include a closing night party. Show times for each of the limited run performances will be 8pm with doors opening at 7:30 pm. Ticket prices will range from $10 to $15 depending on seating preference. Advance ticket sales and reservations will be available starting on Friday March 21st by visiting TheTheatre145.com or by calling (814) 879-0733 or 814-873-5069.
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.
The Mercyhurst College Social Work Department and Art Education Club will partner again on Sunday, April 6, to host the third annual Empty Bowls Meal and Auction from 3 to 5:30 pm at the Masonic Temple, 32 West Eighth St. For a $15 donation, guests receive a simple meal of soup, along with bread and beverage, and then have the pleasure of selecting a bowl from hundreds of one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted bowls donated by student artists from Mercyhurst College and Mercyhurst Prep. Festivities also include an auction, which begins at 4:15 pm, and live entertainment. Although tickets for the event are $15 apiece, meal-only tickets for children (no bowl) are available for $3. Please call Shirley Greene at (814) 824-2266 to order tickets in advance so as to ensure enough bowls for everyone. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door. For more information, email Abbey Bloomquist or phone her at (814) 824-3667.
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.
Wal-Mart pressures its 60,000 suppliers to reduce packaging waste. GE’s ecomagination campaign commits the company to solving the world’s environmental problems - and creating $10 billion in new revenue while doing it. What’s going on? Eco-consultant Andrew Winston has the answer: Business is talking about the environment because it has to. The limits of the natural world, from global warming to water scarcity, are obvious. Companies also face growing internal and external pressure. “There are two reasons you could choose to ride what I call the Green Wave,” Winston says. “One is that you feel it is the right thing to do. The second is that your customers, employees and stakeholders believe it’s the right thing to do. And the reality is that you don’t need number one.” Winston, founder of the consulting firm Winston Eco-Strategies and co-author of Green to Gold: How Smart Companies Use Environmental Strategy to Innovate, Create Value, and Build Competitive Advantage, will discuss how environmental thinking can drive growth (and profit) at the next Speaker Series event at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Winston will speak at 7:30 pm Monday, April 7, in the McGarvey Commons of the college’s Reed Union Building. Admission is free and open to the public.
The Erie Community Health Fair, “What’s the Buzz? Bee Your Best!” will run from 4-7 pm on Thursday April 10 at the John E Horan Community Center, 730 Tacoma Road. FREE and open to the public. The fair will focus on areas like fire safety, bicycle safety, and healthy recipes and nutrition. Attendees also will be able to partake in family-oriented fun activities, and children can play in a Dino Jump. Prizes and food provided. The event will be hosted by the Gannon University Nursing Center. For more information, call Gannon University’s Villa Maria School of Nursing at (814) 871-5523.
Gannon University’s Schuster Theatre presents “The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickelby.” Adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens by David Edgar; music and lyrics by Stephen Oliver. Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Play, this extraordinary event has thrilled and delighted audiences since it first was staged 25 years ago. The performance is the story of a young gentleman, his mother, and sister who fall on hard times after the death of his father. The audience is taken on a roller coaster ride that eventually comes to a celebration of mankind’s capacity for kindness and reconciliation. The play is performed in two segments. Showtimes are: April 10: part I, 7:30 pm April 11: part II, 7:30 pm April 12: part I, 1 pm; part II, 7:30 pm April 17: part I, 7:30 pm April 18: part II, 7:30 pm April 19: part I, 1 pm; part II, 7:30 pm. Schuster Theatre is located at 620 Sassafras Street. For more information, contact the Schuster Theatre box office at (814) 871-7494, or call (814) 871-7493.
Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra: Conducted and directed by Bruce Morton Wright will perform in concert on Friday, April 11 at 7:30 pm at Gannon’s Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, 512 Peach Street. The concert is FREE and open to the public. This concert will feature soloist Laura Nelson (alp horn).
The Gem City Jazz Ensemble, 20-member jazz band under the direction of Scott Tomlison, presents afternoon entertainment 2:30-4 pm on Sunday April 13 at the All Season’s Marketplace and Flea Market in the Millcreek Mall Pavilion (Next to Dick’s), 2080 Interchange Rd, Erie PA. The performance is FREE and open to public. For additional information visit online at or (814) 899-8467.
Local historian, author and mariner Dr David Frew will present a visual account of his newest book, “Dreams Afloat: The Nolans and Erie Boat Building,” on Tuesday, April 15, at 7:30 pm, in Alex Theatre on the Mercyhurst North East campus, 16 W Division St, North East. The book provides a pictorial history of Erie’s ship building heritage through an in-depth look at the Nolan family. The event is FREE and open to the public. Call (814) 725-6277 for more information.

The Gannon University annual English Awards Night will be held Wednesday, April 16 at 7:30 pm in the Yehl Room of the Waldron Campus Center, 124 West Seventh Street. The event is FREE and open to the public. The winners of the High School Poetry Contest will be announced and awards will be given. In addition, Ted Kooser will be the featured speaker for the event and will read a selection of his poetry. Kooser is one of the most distinguished voices in contemporary poetry, having served as the United States Poet Laureate from 2004-06. He has published 11 books of poetry and his many awards include the Pulitzer Prize, the Pushcart Prize, the Stanley Kunitz Prize, the James Boatwright Prize, and two National Endowment for the Arts fellowships. For more information, contact Berwyn Moore, associate professor, Gannon English department, at (814) 871-7504.
The Office of Adult and Graduate Programs at Mercyhurst College will host an Open House on Thursday, April 17, from 4-7 pm, at the Catherine McAuley Adult Education Center, 511 E 34th St. (at the corner of 34th and Wallace). Prospective students can meet with admissions and financial aid staff and learn more about Mercyhurst’s bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, teacher certifications and post-baccalaureate certificates. Refreshments will be served. Call (814) 824-2270 for more information.
Prospective students can visit Mercyhurst North East for an Open House on Saturday, April 19, from 10 am - noon, at the Michele and Tom Ridge Health and Safety Building on the MNE campus, 16 W Division St, North East. Learn about MNE’s two-year associate degrees and one-year certificate programs, meet with admissions and financial aid staff, and tour campus. Call (814) 725-6144 for more information.
Got Math Game? Elementary math education students and faculty at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will host two Elementary Parent Math Night events to help moms and dads help their young children. “These nights are free and open to all parents of local elementary-age kids,” said Danielle Goodwin, assistant professor of mathematics education and program host. “We’ll share fun math activities and games they can use at home to build their child’s math skills and number sense.” Goodwin added that the evenings are “for adults only. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate children.” Elementary Parent Math Nights are scheduled on Thursday, April 17, and Tuesday, April 22. Both will be held from 5:30 until 7:30 pm in 114 Reed Union Building. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are mandatory and may be made by e-mailing Danielle Goodwin or phoning her in the Penn State Behrend School of Science at (814) 898-6090.
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 Saint Vincent Auxiliary invites you to join them for A Runway Event from Noon - 2 pm on Wednesday, April 23 at the Lakeshore Country Club, 5950 Lakeshore Drive in Erie. Doors open at 11:30 am for shopping. Fashions by Talbot’s followed by a light luncheon. $25.00 per person. Registration - Checks payable to St Vincent Auxiliary, mail to: Sue Krzeszewski, 725 East 34th Street, Erie, PA 16504. RSVP prior to April 16th, 2008. Proceeds benefit the projects of the Saint Vincent Auxiliary. For additional information call: Jackie at (814) 452-5323.
Students from the Mercyhurst North East Dance Institute and a group of Mercyhurst musicians will combine their talents in a performance on Sunday, April 27, at 2 pm in St. Mary’s Chapel on the Mercyhurst North East campus, 16 W Division St., North East. The event is free and open to the public. Call (814) 725-6277 for more information.
OneRepublic and Fabolous will perform an outdoor concert on April 29 at 7 pm at the Gannon University Athletic Field. In case of rain it will be moved indoors to the Gannon Hammermill Center. Tckets go on sale Monday March 17 at GannonTickets.com.

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On April 29, three well respected local Business Leaders are pooling their knowledge and experience in order to help their fellow Professionals and Business Owners. They have put together a high impact conference for The Ultimate Executive. The three presenters and creators of The Ultimate Executive are, Tom Kennedy (Business Leader and Real Estate Developer), Steve Rosen (President of Domino Effect, Inc), and Tom Benson (Training Director, JL Nick Associates). The cost of admission is $69 before March 31 and $79 after April 1. Group rates are also available, call for details. The conference will be held at the Bel-Aire Clarion Hotel in Erie, PA from 8 am till noon. A continental breakfast is included.
The Moving Wall, the half-size replica of the Washington DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial that has been touring the country for more than twenty years, will be on display in Edinboro, PA May 1-5.
New Found Glory will perform a concert at the Edinboro University McComb Fieldhouse on Saturday May 3 at 8 pm. Tickets are available online or at the Edinboro University Pogue Student Center SGA Convenience Store.
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 29, 2008 7:58 AM
Comments
i love how the msnbc snippet on sam glezner linked to the news article from pittsburgh newspaper and not goerie. shows just how awesome goerie.com really is.
Posted by: ron at March 29, 2008 10:29 PM





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