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Erie PA News and Events for Thursday May 8, 2008

Erie City Council voted unanimously to go after the money the city loaned for the dead Koehler Square Brewery project. The city probably won’t see a dime as National City Bank and the state get any money first but maybe it will teach future would-be developers that government funds aren’t just free money.

The Greater Erie Board of Realtors released the April 2008 real estate sales figures for Erie County. The numbers include all sales in which a property transfer tax was paid including residential and commercial properties as well as vacant land. In April 2008, 360 properties were sold for $39,853,758.This compares to the 369 sold in April 2007 for $50,385,529. The 2007 sales figures were artificially inflated by a few big commercial transactions including the closing of the sale of all the area Perkins Restaurants. If you’d like more info on any Erie area real estate, contact me - Dennis Weed, Realtor, Pennington Lines Real Estate, 2535 West 26th Street, Erie PA 16506, Cell (814) 440-0636, Ofc (814) 833-3310, email dweed@penningtonlinesrealestate.com.

Waldameer did test runs yesterday on the The Ravine Flyer II. Looked pretty cool. The Ravine Flyer 2 opens on Saturday May 17, 2008. The cost of one ride is $4.50. Riders must be 48 inches or taller to ride. The wood and steel coaster will traverse Peninsula Drive (State Route 832), a busy 4 lane road, on a 165 foot arched bridge and have amazing views of Lake Erie and Presque Isle State Park.

The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA) finally came to the conclusion that there is now a casino in Erie. They expect to begin service to Presque Isle Downs and Casino as well as the VA Medical Center in Erie in June. This service should have been planned for two years ago and it should have begun the day the casino opened their doors in February 2007.

Chicago State University trustees yesterday named Frank Pogue Jr Interim President. Pogue, who is 69, had just recently retired as President of Edinboro Universtiy of Pennsylvania. Chicago State outgoing President Elnora Daniel will step down June 30 because trustees did not renew her contract. School trustees questioned her spending practices.

High school sophomores and juniors who excel in the sciences still have time to apply for Gannon University’s Regional Summer School of Excellence program. Students in Erie, Warren, and Crawford counties are encouraged by Tuesday, June 10 to apply for admission to the program, which offers two weeks of intensive laboratory and field site study in the life sciences (biology, ecology, etc). The program is FREE to participating students, including daily lunches. The program will run from 9 am to 4 pm, July 7-11 and July 14-18. Participating students are eligible for Gannon scholarships. Sponsors of the program are Gannon University, the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit, and the Pennsylvania Governor’s Schools of Excellence. For more information on the program, or to apply, contact Stan Zagorski, program director and faculty consultant, Gannon biology department, at (814) 871-7641, or the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit at (814) 734-5610.

For nearly a century, Harborcreek Youth Services has had great success with children who require treatment and support. Today, the agency is a model comprehensive behavioral management system and methodology treatment center. Some Harborcreek Youth Services clients participate in vocational training that prepares them for rewarding careers. Among the educational opportunities they offer are woodworking classes in which the boys make attractive, durable picnic tables and park benches. These items are constructed with treated lumber, are fastened with rust-resistant screws and bolts, and have routed edges and sanded tops. Picnic tables and park benches are available for sale to the general public at the following prices: Six-foot table: $175 + $10.50 tax = $185.50, Eight-foot table: $195 + $11.70 tax = $206.70, Ten-foot table: $230 + $13.80 tax = $243.80 and Five-foot bench: $70 + $4.20 tax = $74.20. Delivery is available upon request. To purchase one (or more!) of these fine items, please call (814) 899-7664, Ext 358 or 343.

Eriez Magnetics announced that Eriez-CPT Brazil, the company’s sales and manufacturing division for flotation products serving the Brazilian market, has won an order for 14 CoalPro Column Flotation Cells from Cia. Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD). According to Eriez, the order, which exceeded $6 million (USD), is the largest single order Eriez-CPT Brazil has received to date. Tim Shuttleworth, Eriez President and CEO, explained that CVRD purchased this equipment for the first phase of its Salobo Copper project in Brazil. The Salobo project is located in the Amazon region in Brazil and will produce more than 220 million pounds of copper and 8,000 pounds of gold annually. Shuttleworth said that, throughout the years, several Eriez-CPT Brazil employees have been involved with the Salobo project, which has been in existence for nearly 30 years. In 2007, Eriez headquartered in Erie, Pa, acquired Canadian Process Technologies (CPT) to further extend its capabilities and product offerings to the mining and process industries, as well as to better serve its world wide customers. Today, CPT’s Vancouver and Brazilian offices operate under the names of Eriez-CPT Canada and Eriez-CPT Brazil. CPT’s core business is process equipment supply, metallurgical testing and basic engineering. Services range from evaluative studies to equipment design, fabrication and commissioning.

WJET-TV and WQLN both were moved from EchoStar9 121W TP 14 ConUS beam to EchoStar9 121W TP 13 ConUS beam.

The Erie SeaWolves fell in a rain-shortened game on Wednesday night to the Trenton Thunder, 6-0 at Jerry Uht Park. The loss for the ‘Wolves was their third consecutive loss. The SeaWolves wrap up a four-game series with Trenton on Thursday morning…11:05 AM First Pitch. RHP Josh Rainwater (2-1, 4.74 ERA) takes the mound for the SeaWolves against RHP Jason Jones (4-0, 2.19 ERA)

Behrend (33-12) earned the 7th seed in the regional and will play 2nd seed Ramapo College (33-10) today at 4 pm in the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament.

After more than 28 years of involvement with the Allegheny College baseball program - as a student, student assistant coach, volunteer assistant coach, assistant coach and, for the past 11 years, head coach - Mike Ferris has decided to step down as head baseball coach. “I’m at a point in my life where I feel I need to make a change,” Ferris said, “but I would like to express my appreciation for being able to work with a number of people over the last 28 years who have given me a lot of great advice and support and helped me in my time here. I also want to express my gratitude to all of the athletes I’ve had the privilege to coach over the years. And I wish the young men in our program all the best for next season and in their future careers.” Since 1998, Ferris and the Gators have built one of the strongest baseball programs in Division III. During his 11 seasons at the helm, Allegheny has posted a 247-138-1 record, with a North Coast Athletic Conference championship, three appearances at the mid-east regional championships, and a trip to the College World Series in 2000. “We thank Mike for his years of service and wish him all the best in his new endeavors,” said Betsy Mitchell, director of athletics and recreation at Allegheny.

Young Erie Professionals will hold their monthly Happy Hour at 5:30 pm on Thursday May 8 at the BrewErie At Union Station. Weather permitting, The Trackside Beer Garden and the bocce courts will be open. Tours of the Brewerie and train station will be available.

The Weed and Seed Task Force, an essential element of 2003’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, in cooperation with the City of Erie, the District Attorney’s office, the Emerge Consulting Group, and the Erie Neighborhood Watch Council is providing a free Neighborhood Revitalization Training Workshop to help train neighborhood watch groups and any interested residents in how to take back their neighborhoods. The event is scheduled to begin today, Thursday, May 8, at the Family Worship Center Assembly of God at 1201 Parade St, with a free dinner at 5:30 pm. Brief opening remarks are planned at 6 pm, followed by three training sessions running from 6:10 to 8 pm. Following the training will be a panel discussion from 8 to 9 pm. The event is FREE and open to the public. Anyone who wishes to help make their neighborhood a safer place is encouraged to attend, not just to learn, but to contribute their own ideas to help update the goals and plan for the future in cooperation with the Weed and Seed program. For further information or any questions, please contact the Neighborhood Watch Council at (814) 454-3808.

Kim Mik’s Flick Pics are back at Theatre 145 (The Roadhouse Theatre) with “The Beales of Grey Gardens”, the second installation of the Maysles Brothers documentary “Grey Gardens”, on Thursday May 8 at 7:30 pm. Membership pass: $5 (includes 1 free refreshment in the coffeehouse).

A state historical marker commemorating magician Harry Kellar’s achievements will be unveiled by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), Mayor Joseph Sinnott, County Executive Mark DiVecchio and local community leaders in the heart of Erie’s cultural and entertainment district in Griswold Park on Fri, May 9 at 12 noon. Members of Kellar’s family will also be on hand for the celebration. Erie native Harry Kellar (1849-1922), who was known as the Dean of American Magicians, was Harry Houdini’s mentor and the inspiration for the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz. The May 9 event marks the 100th anniversary of Kellar’s final performance as a magician at Ford’s Theater in Baltimore, and the kickoff a national public television documentary and traveling exhibit that will chronicle his life. The documentary is being produced by Main Street Media, an independent production company based in North East. A short magic performance will follow the dedication ceremony. The public is welcome to attend. The ceremony is being hosted by the Erie Art Museum and the PHMC during National Preservation Month.

The Presque Isle Audubon Society, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, presents The Festival of the Birds at Presque Isle May 9-11, 2008. Enjoy the height of spring migration at Presque Isle State Park, a natural concentration point along the Atlantic flyway where 320 species of birds have been recorded. Take part in workshops and field trips geared for the beginner and the seasoned naturalist led by experts in the field such as Ted Floyd, Jerry McWilliams and Jen Brumfield. Attend the premiere of a film highlighting the birds, habitat and hot spots of Presque Isle in all seasons. Experience the rich variety of Presque Isle’s six distinct ecological zones including beaches, cattail islands, shrublands, aquatic habitats, and deciduous and pine tree forests. Registration will be held at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center on Friday. A single day registration for either Saturday or Sunday is $40. The full weekend registration is $65. For details, call (814) 860-4091. Schedule of events.

In celebration of The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2008 Preservation Month theme, “Place Matters,” the Erie Center for Design and Preservation is hosting a lecture, seminar and walking tour on May 9-10. All three events are FREE and open to the public. The internationally-known founder of the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, Mr. Arthur Ziegler, will be the featured speaker at the Erie Center for Design and Preservation’s first public event. Ziegler’s lecture, “The Good Works of Historic Preservation,” will be delivered Friday, May 9 at 7 PM in the Orientation Theatre of the Erie Maritime Museum, adjacent to the Blasco Memorial Library on Erie’s Bayfront. Ziegler says “historic preservation should be looked upon as both a cultural and economic development tool, leading to community revitalization, local investment, jobs, and a better quality of life.” On Saturday morning, May 10, the Erie Center for Design and Preservation (ECDP) will sponsor a seminar on historic preservation. Topics include: an overview of the National Register of Historic Places, the economics of preservation, and the tax credits afforded to property owners who rehabilitate historic buildings. The seminar will be held Saturday, May 10 from 9 AM to Noon at the Erie Art Museum Annex, 20 East 5th Street. On Saturday afternoon, May 10 , Mr Jeff Kidder AIA of Kidder Wachter Architecture will offer a 90 minute architectural walking tour of lower State Street and Perry Square. Kidder will meet members of the tour on the front steps of the Erie Art Museum, 417 State Street at 1 PM. Kidder will discuss the history of the City of Erie, neighborhood changes and attributes of the remaining historic structures. Kidder believes that “historic preservation in Erie is an effective tool for managing growth, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining community character while enhancing livability.” Kidder serves on the City of Erie Planning Commission, the Downtown Improvement District board, the Erie Center for Design and Preservation board, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Historic Preservation board.

The Erie Playhouse presents “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” May 9-11 and 16-18 as part of their Youtheatre Series. Show times are Friday 7pm, Saturday 2pm and 7pm, Sunday 2pm. All seats $10 (+tax).

The Gem City Concert Band, under the direction of Scott Tomlison, will present their annual Spring Concert at two venues this spring. The first performance will be Sunday May 11 from 2:30 to 4 pm at All Season’s Marketplace and Flea Market at the Millcreek Mall Pavilion. While spending time with Mom, treat her to this FREE and open to the public performance. If you miss the Sunday show, you can catch the next performance on Tuesday evening, May 13th from 7:30 to 9 pm at the St John’s Lutheran Church Parish Center on 23rd and Peach Streets. This concert is also FREE and open to the public with plenty of off-street parking and handicapped accessibility. Some of the music on the program includes Alfred Reed’s Festival Prelude, Francis McBeth’s Chant and Jubilo, Robert Jager’s Carpathian Sketches, and a lively medley of sailing songs from Clare Grundman’s Fantasy on American Sailing Songs. For more information about Gem City Bands or the Spring Concerts, please visit online at www.GemCityBands.org or call (814) 899-8467.

The Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission is holding a seminar called Gaining Access to Europe on May 13 at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center, 7794 Peach Street in Erie. Cost is $50. You must register by May 6.

Discover RFID in the Food Industry with the 2008 RU ready for RFID? Conference on Wednesday May 14 at Penn State Behrend’s RFID Center of Excellence. This year’s conference features five sessions presented by companies experiencing the benefits of RFID, as well as organizations that are providing RFID solutions throughout the food industry. The information presented will not only help you understand ways in which RFID is being utilized in this industry, but also how to increase your productivity and improve processes related to food manufacturing, distribution, and retail. Also, be sure to check out the 2007 RU ready for RFID? Conference Highlights, containing downloads of the 2007 speakers’ presentations, and images from the event.

The musical “1776”, the first play in which members of the Erie Cathedral Prep Alumni have been invited back to perform, is scheduled for a four-day run in the Erie Cathedral Prep auditorium on the weekend of May 15-18. This production is the third and final performance for this year by the Prep Performing Arts Department, which is under the direction of Father Michael DeMartinis. The special guest director for the show is Almi Clerkin, the managing director of the Erie Playhouse. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at the Prep bookstore for $8 (adults) and $6 (children and seniors). Performances will be at 7:30 PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and Sunday’s performance will be at 2 PM.

The 16th annual Edinboro Highland Games and Scottish Festival takes place on May 16-18 in Edinboro, PA. Events will be held in downtown Edinboro, Saturday on the campus of Edinboro University, and Sunday at venues around Edinboro. This year’s musical guests include the Chelsea House Orchestra, Melinda Crawford (2003 National Scottish Fiddle Champion), Maidens IV, and Bare Bones. Pipers and other musicians should check out the new Freestyle Piping competition. Come to the Edinboro Highland Games and “Take a cup’o kindness home!”

Join your friends for the 6th Annual Bike Around The Bay in Erie, PA. Gather with hundreds of tri state bicyclists on Saturday, May 17, in Erie, PA at the Intermodal Transportation Center on the Bayfront Parkway to bike around beautiful Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie. The event is a fundraiser for the non-profit youth environmental education organization Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force. There is a 10 mile Town Tour, a 30 mile Bay Tour and a 50 mile Endurance Tour. Registration is $17 for individuals and $35 for families.

There will be a fundraiser for Drew Kauffman 4-9 pm on Saturday May 17 at the Knights of St John, 660 West 26 St. Tickets are $10 per person. Drew is being treated for brain tumors. For more information, call (814) 453-3248. Tickets will be available at the door. Donations can be made to Friends of Andrew Kauffman at any PNC Bank location.

The Gannon University Small Business Development Center along with Paulsen Productions are sponsoring “From Service To Success”, a seminar for entrepreneurial veterans. It will be held May 20 at the Gannon Yehl Ballroom, 124 West 7th St in Erie. Cost is $15 and registration is required.

The Technology Council of Northwest PA brings you the 5th Annual Business Intelligence and Technology Summit (BITS) event that will be held on Wednesday, May 21 at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. This event presents an opportunity for IT managers, CEOs, and professionals to gather, discuss, and learn about the forces shaping our regions IT industry. This year’s BITS theme will focus on Emerging Technologies for Business. This one-day event will be host to a full day of seminars, workshops and product demonstrations. They will have 15 topic speakers, as well both a morning and luncheon keynote address. Morning keynote speaker is Nortel President and CEO Michael Zafivorski who is a graduate of Edinboro. Register online.

Alzheimer’s Association- Greater Pennsylvania Chapter presents “A Celebration of Caring, An Afternoon of Enlightenment and Recognition” on Thursday, May 22, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. Luncheon at The Regency at South Shore, 322 Washington Place, Erie, PA 16505. Featuring: Melanie Titzel, MS, Co-Chair Greater Pennsylvania Board of Directors and the presentation of the “Caring Touch” Award honoring outstanding performance in dementia patient care. Join us for an afternoon of enlightenment and recognition as you hear the touching story of Melanie Titzel’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease on a personal and professional level. The Caring Touch Awards are reserved for the “the best of the best” and offer you an excellent way to salute a deserving caregiver and recognize employee accomplishments This event is open to all professionals and family caregivers, and the community. For questions, please email Kristen Bires or call her at (814) 456-9200.

KillerWolf Films is holding meetings/open auditions for their new feature film “Warriors of the Apocalypse” on Friday May 23 and Friday May 30. They will be held at the Erie Playhouse Rehearsal space at 12th and Brandes Streets in Erie from 6-9 pm both days. Shooting commences Saturday July 19 and wraps Sunday July 27, with filming being in the Northwestern PA area and possibly a few dates on the NJ/PA/NY border. KillerWolf Films latest release, “Fist of the Vampire”, is now available for pre-order on Amazon.com and is to be released worldwide July 8 from Maxim Media International/Brain Damage Films. KillerWolf Films is co-owned by Erieite Len Kabasinski and Meadville,PA native Lisa McQuiston.

The 18th annual Erie Wild Rib Cook-off and Music Festival will be held May 28-31 at Perry Square in downtown Erie. Admission is FREE. This popular annual family event includes eight Professional National Award Winning Rib Cooking Teams offering the very best in BBQ cuisine. Added attractions include a selection of delicious festival foods, ongoing stage music, the “Kid ZONE” - a children’s fun area featuring scheduled Ride-A-Ribba-Rama packages, artist and crafts booths, educational and informational displays, specialty vendors and more. This festival has grown to attract over 50,000 visitors to Perry Square Park and the adjacent streets in Erie’s downtown district.

JR’s Last Laugh Comedy Night Event to benefit Because You Care will be held at 6:30 pm on Thursday, May 29. Comedian: Juston McKinney. Food and drinks are available before and during the show. Ticket price: $15.50 Juston McKinney is one of the hottest comedians in the country. Coming to us from New York City, he has headlined many of the clubs in NY such as Caroline’s, Comic Strip Live, Dangerfield’s, and Stand-up NY. He’s been featured at the Toyota Comedy Festival and on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and had his own show on Comedy Central. He is a US Comedy Arts Festival Award Winner, and delivers a funny, original, high energy performance, which has made him a huge hit all over the country. Call (814) 899-0061 to buy single tickets or blocks of tickets. Circle May 29 on your calendar today and plan to enjoy a great night of entertainment. Get your party together and share the night with friends and family! A big thank you to JR’s Last Laugh Comedy Club for sponsoring the 6th annual Comedy Night event. The money raised will help Because You Care pay for the spay and neuter of the many kittens taken in during April and May.

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.

The Saint Vincent Sports Medicine 2008 Edinboro Triathlon will be held March 31. You can register here.

On Saturday, June 7, 2008 there will be a Nautical Flea Market from 10 am to 1 pm at the BCMS (Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies) 40 Holland Street, Erie, PA. The event is FREE and is held in conjunction with Erie Safe Boating Day. All boaters (power/sail) are welcome. Tables for selling nautical wares are available FREE of charge but table reservations MUST be made by calling Linda Dunbar before May 28th at (814) 456-9060. A bulletin board will also be available to post items too large to display.

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.

The Erie Summer Festival of the Arts will be held June 27-29 at Liberty Park.

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 May 8, 2008 7:06 AM

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