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Erie PA News and Events for Monday May 19, 2008
Posted by Dennis on May 19, 2008
The official ground breaking of the newest branch of the Erie County Public Library, the West County Library Branch (WCLB), will be held today at 10:30 at the corner of Manchester and West Lake Road in Fairview. To add to the jubilation, Michael Batchelor, president of The Erie Community Foundation, will make a major announcement of a $1.5 million match from the Blasco Endowment. “All money raised for the new library will be matched dollar for dollar via the endowment in order to build and enhance the new library,” said Batchelor. “Dr Blasco would have been most pleased to see this type of progress.” “The Blasco Endowment challenge grant will double the generosity of present and future donors,” said Jim Spiegel, chairman of the Erie County Public Library Foundation (ECPLF). “The West County Library Branch will be a community asset and a fabulous building enhancing the surrounding neighborhoods.” The ECPLF will contribute more than 65 percent of the total estimated construction cost of $2.5 million, and plans to raise the balance of the funds from the west county community. “We hope to secure participation from community and individual residents of West County, and we hope that the Blasco Endowment challenge encourages gift-giving,” Spiegel added. Representatives from the Erie County Public Library Foundation will unveil architect renderings and will announce major gifts already received for the campaign at the official ground breaking. As the largest branch in the library system, the new WCLB will be wireless, will hold 55-60,000 materials and will feature a community room that will seat 125 people that the community can use for meeting space. The new branch will also house a minimum of 12 state-of-the-art computers for patron use. Construction of the new library should be completed by November. The WCLB will replace the Presque Isle branch, located in the West Erie Plaza. The decision to build a new branch was based on demographics, economics and library usage. The Erie County Public Library is a department of Erie County government. The Library Foundation and Erie County have formed a partnership which enables the foundation to build library branches. Once construction is completed, the building is turned over to Erie County government, who is also responsible for the branch’s operation and continued maintenance. The Erie Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life in our region by evaluating and addressing community issues, by promoting responsible philanthropy and by connecting donors to the critical needs of the community. Presently, The Erie Community Foundation is home to a collection of charitable endowments, 540 valued at over $152.2 million, operating under the administrative umbrella of a single public charity. For more information, visit www.ErieCommunityFoundation.org or call (814) 454-0843.
Over the weekend, Mercyhurst College and Penn State Erie, The Behrend College held commencement exercises. At Mercyhurst, 947 students from their three campuses received degrees. At Behrend, 482 degrees were awarded.
LECOM, The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, will hold their commencement on Sunday, June 1. Gannon University and Allegheny College held their commencements last weekend.
Jeff at Erie Shipping News reported that Panam Flota departed the Port of Erie with nearly 3 million gallons of biodiesel. It took 111 railcar loads from Lake Erie Biofuels to fill the ship.
The Municipal Police Training Academy at Mercyhurst North East is currently accepting applications for its next class, which begins Aug 4. MNE’s Police Training Academy is one of only sixteen certified academies in the state where individuals can earn Act 120 certification, required for many law enforcement jobs, including municipal police work. During the 21-week training, cadets learn patrol and arrest procedures, Pennsylvania laws, defense tactics, criminal investigation and courtroom procedures, crisis management, report writing, and also receive training in firearms, first aid and CPR. Graduates will be prepared for entry-level positions as police officers, deputy sheriffs, municipal authority officers, park rangers, and security guards. Cadets can also obtain 16 college credits, which may apply toward a two-year degree program in criminal justice at MNE. Applicants must be at least 18, have a high school diploma or GED, a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license, and must pass all admissions requirements. For more information, call the Public Safety Institute at Mercyhurst College at (814) 725-6121.
Dave Lefebre of Erie finished in 69th place and cashed for $10,000 at the Wal-Mart FLW Tour Beaver Lake tourney at Rogers, AR.
With a focus on early childhood education, Pa Department of Public Welfare Secretary, Estelle Richman has a full day planned in Erie on Tuesday, May 20. She is scheduled to speak at the HO Hirt Auditorium Blasco Library Complex from 10:15 am to 12 noon when she will discuss the 2008-2009 Pennsylvania budget and early childhood education. Prior to Ms Richman’s presentation, Pathways PA will present “Aging in Place in Erie” at 10 am. Approximately 100 stakeholders will be in attendance including social services workers, childcare providers and elected officials, who have a great interest in how the Pennsylvania budget affects their interests. The Erie Community Foundation, United Way of Erie County along with Pathways PA are hosting the presentations. The public is welcome. Reservations are encouraged by calling (814) 454-0843. After her presentation, Ms Richman will visit Erie Family Center and Early Connections where she will engage in discussions about United Way Success by Six as well as other child development and family focused programs. A nationally recognized expert on issues of behavioral health and children’s services, Ms Richman has been honored for advocacy efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness; the American Psychiatric Association and the American Medical Association, among others. She holds a master’s degree from Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio.
Theatre 145 will be holding open auditions for cast members of the musical “Remembering Janis.” This play a tribute to singer/songwriter Janis Joplin. “Remembering Janis” is set for a three week run starting on Friday, June 13, 2008. Cast members needed are: Speaker - This role is for a male or female, aged 30-50 years of age. The character is a 1960’s-70’s hippie type. There is no singing involved with his role. The speaker relates his/her memories of Joplin during her career between sets of “Janis’” songs. Be prepared with a 1 minute, in character, monologue. Auditions for the role of the speaker are scheduled for Monday, May 19 at 6 pm at Theatre 145, 145 West 11th St. For more information about the auditions please call Steve Opsanic at 814-873-5069
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.
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 Manufacturers’ Association of Northwest Pennsylvania Eggs ‘n’ Issues topic on Wednesday, May 28 will be Keeping Pennsylvania Producing: A campaign to keep business from leaving Pennsylvania and the United States. The speaker will be David Bell, Coalition Member, The American Council for a Strong Economy. Price is $30 for members and $60 for non-members.
Dafmark Dance Theater and Erie Homes for Children and Adults (EHCA) presents “Partners in Dance VII: Modern Jazz Ain’t No Cakewalk.” The performance will begin at 1:30 pm on Thursday May 29 at Saint Benedict’s Community Center located at 320 East 10th Street and will feature dancers from the Dafmark Dance Theater and EHCA. The event is FREE and open to the public. For more information, call (814) 454-1534 x103.
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 May 31. You can register here.
The Technology Council of Northwest Pennsylvania will hold a Breakfast Briefing, “Understanding Financial Ratios Your Banker Looks At”, Wednesday, June 4, 7:30 am to 9 am, at the Holiday Inn Express, 8101 Peach Street in Erie. Free to members, $40 non-members. RSVP by May 30. Advanced registration is required.
Erie Chamber Orchestra presents “A Tribute to Victor Herbert” on Friday June 6 at St Patrick’s Church, 130 East 4th St in Erie. A tin-pan alley composer, Herbert played the cello and wrote many light operas. Some of these works include “The Wizard of the Nile,” “The Fortune Teller,” and “Babes in Toyland.” The concert is FREE and open to the public. Show time is 7:30 pm.
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.
Penn State Behrend will host its second international conference on injection molding, “Injection Molding: Innovation and Emerging Technologies,” from June 10-12. The three-day conference will feature 24 technical presentations, offered concurrently in the mornings, and hands-on tutorials in the afternoons. Two keynote speakers will address attendees on Wednesday and Thursday - Rob Neilley, editor-in-chief of Injection Molding Magazine, and William Carteaux, president and CEO of The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc, respectively. On Tuesday, all are invited to tour the local Rehrig Pacific Company plant, located at 1738 W 20th Street in Erie. Advance registration for the conference if required.
The eMarketing Learning Center at eBizITPA will hold a roundtable titled Aligning Marketing and IT for Success from 4 pm to 5:30 pm on June 18.
The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) will hold a Summer On Campus Day, 1 pm - 4:30 pm on Friday, June 20 to provide opportunities for prospective students to tour the campus facilities and learn about the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacy Program and the Health Sciences Post Baccalaureate Program. Please confirm your attendance for the event with Maggie Crosswhite or Camille Jennings.
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.
Posted by Dennis at May 19, 2008 7:04 AM
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