ErieBlogs.com: Erie PA News and Events for Friday May 30, 2008

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Erie PA News and Events for Friday May 30, 2008

Posted by Dennis on May 30, 2008

Erie County middle and high school students are reporting a higher incidence of alcohol use than their national peers, but much lower levels of participation in antisocial behaviors such as “being arrested” or “bringing a weapon to school,” according to the newly released 2007 Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS), conducted locally by the Mercyhurst College Civic Institute.
Survey results show nearly 56 percent of Erie County students in grades six, eight, 10 and 12 have used alcohol in their lifetime; 26.7 percent, cigarettes; 18.9 percent, marijuana; 12.5 percent, smokeless tobacco; and 10.5 percent, inhalants. Other lifetime prevalence rates ranged from 0.4 percent for methamphetamines to 4.2 percent for hallucinogens.
Compared to their national counterparts, Erie County students reported higher average levels of lifetime alcohol and smokeless tobacco use and a lower average level of lifetime methamphetamine use, according to Mercyhurst Civic Institute Director Amy Eisert.
However, a more accurate assessment of actual use can be drawn from the past-30-day use percentages, which were also captured in the survey, Eisert said. Thirty-six percent of Erie County youth reported having used alcohol in the past 30 days compared to 33 percent at the national level. Fifty percent of Erie County 12th graders reported having used alcohol in the past 30 days compared to 44 percent of their national peers. Nearly 9 percent of 10th graders and 13 percent of 12th graders in Erie County reported having used smokeless tobacco during the past 30 days compared to 6 percent of 10th graders and 7 percent of 12th graders at the national level.
Erie County youth reported a lower 30-day rate for methamphetamine use at all grade levels than their national counterparts. However, 2.7 percent of Erie County 10th graders and 5.3 percent of 12th graders reported using hallucinogens in the past 30 days compared to only 1.7 percent of their national counterparts in both grades.
The 70-page survey also presents findings on other antisocial behaviors, Eisert said. She noted that Erie County students reported very low levels of participation in the following antisocial behaviors: “Being Arrested,” “Bringing a Weapon to School,” and “Attempting to Steal a Vehicle.” In Erie County, 12.7 percent of students reported “Getting Suspended” in the past year, making it the most prevalent of the antisocial behaviors. “Attacking Someone with Intent to Harm” is the second most prevalent antisocial behavior, with 12.6 percent of Erie County students reporting having attacked someone in the past year.
Other areas of interest include 20 percent of 12th graders reported having been drunk or high at school, which was the highest reported antisocial behavior among respondents in that grade, although it has decreased from 24 percent in 2005, Eisert noted. Nearly 20 percent of 12th graders reported driving after having consumed alcohol and roughly the same percentage reported driving after having used marijuana, down from roughly 24 percent in 2005. Nearly 27 percent of students in grades six, eight, 10, and 12 reported having been threatened to be hit or beaten up over the previous year, which is up from 22 percent in 2005. Slightly more than 38 percent of all students surveyed indicated that in the past year, they felt depressed or sad most days, which is up from 35 percent in 2005.
Biannually since 1998, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency has offered PAYS as a tool for communities to assess the behaviors and attitudes of their youth. Last year, the Civic Institute partnered with the Erie County Department of Health and the Erie County Policy and Planning Council for Children and Families to expand the survey, which in 2005 included four school districts and a sampling of 2,465 students. Eisert said the partnership increased the participating school districts to 10 and the sampling pool to 5,548 students for the 2007 survey.

“Sex and the City” open today in 3,285 theaters. Michael Patrick King produced, wrote and directed the movie. King attended Mercyhurst College but did not graduate. It hasn’t seemed to hurt his career.

CBS has picked up “Eleventh Hour” for their fall lineup. There was every indication that it was only going to be a made for TV movie, but CBS has turned it into a weekly series. It will air Thursdays at 10 pm. Girard native Marc Blucas plays Detective McNeil, one of the main characters. Here’s the promo trailer. The next theatrical movie you can see Blucas in is “Meet Dave” starring Eddie Murphy which will be released July 11.

This was the first Memorial Day Weekend in the past six years to come and go without a blood shortage in Northwest Pennsylvania. That victory was short-lived: there is now a critical shortage of A Positive blood. About 1/3 of the population has this blood type and local hospitals have been using a tremendous amount of it in the past three days dropping the levels to critically low. Other blood types are below optimum but holding steady. Everyone, regardless of blood type is encouraged to give blood. The Community Blood Bank, at 26th and Peach is open Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9 to 12:30pm. Photo ID is required but no appointment is needed. “Shortages happen every summer,” Says Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the Community Blood Bank. “But that doesn’t make it any less dangerous for local patients in need.”

Hospital Day at the Shriners Hospitals for Children-Erie, will be held on Sunday, June 1, 2008. FREE admission. Everyone is invited to attend! Festivities and activities will run from 9:30 am to 2 pm. As in past years, tours of the hospital will be available. This is an excellent opportunity for the community to come out and meet the staff and learn more about the hospital, activities and programs. Back by popular demand, there will be an antique/classic car show on the hospital grounds that day. Anyone with an antique/classic car is invited to participate and registration is free. Other entertainment is also planned. This year, Hospital Day will include a special recognition of the volunteer Shriners Drivers who transport patients and families to and from the Erie Hospital. Legions of Honor and other Shriners groups are invited to attend to help make this year’s Hospital Day bigger and better then ever. The general public is also invited to participate. For more information, please contact Bob Howden, director of public relations, at (814) 875-8782.

The Gannon University Small Business Development Center June Breakfast Series - What you need to know will be held Wednesday’s from 8 am - 10 am in the AJ Palumbo Building, 824 Peach Street, Room 7. Cost: $35 or $100 for all four programs (includes materials, parking and refreshments). Register here. June 4: It’s all about your Customers! De-mystify the dynamic process of why your customers buy. Would you like your customers to buy more? Buy more often? Bring their friends in to buy? Learn the customer behavior behind buying and using your products and services. June 11: Customer Service 101 - Learn the basics of customer service. Identify trends of impacting service. It is all in the first few words - how we say it matters. June 18: The Fundamentals of QuickBooks - Whether you have recently purchased it or would like to become more proficient in it, this seminar is the one. Learn what it can do for your small business such as payroll, inventory, tracking expenses costs and more. Brief overview of point of sale. June 25: It’s all about the Cash! Do you want to learn how to efficiently turn inventory into cash? Know what to charge and why? Learn and understand the power of proficient recordkeeping? This seminar will teach you the importance of cash flow.

The Erie Playhouse production of Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure runs June 6-22. The world’s greatest detective takes on one last case in this spirited, fast-moving, theatrical adaptation complete with all the elements that fans of his exploits have come to expect: danger, intrigue, wit, humor and surprise. Performances at 7:30 pm with Sunday matinee shows at 2 pm. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online through the link.

Sanjaya Malakar was American Idol’s most talked about contestant. Amanda King from Erie, PA got to go onstage to sing the finale song with Sanjaya and Secondary Academy for Success Music Project students at a recent concert.

The Erie SeaWolves (22-31) completed a series sweep of the Reading Phillies with a 9-7 win at Jerry Uht Park on Thursday night in front of 3,779 fans. Kody ‘Special K’ Kirkland and Max St Pierre homered for Erie. The SeaWolves begin a home weekend series with the Altoona Curve on Friday, LHP Luke French (3-4, 3.82 ERA) vs RHP Jimmy Barthmaier (2-4, 4.86 ERA). Margaritaville Party with a FREE Hawaiian Lei to the first 1,000 fans. Happy Hour runs from 6 pm until 7 pm in the Bud Light Beer Garden with 1/2 price Bud Light and 1/2 price appetizers. Enjoy live entertainment in the Bud Light Beer Garden before and after the game with sweet beach tunes by Jeff Elliot. All fans can enter the season-long Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament in the Bud Light Beer Garden for a chance at some sweet SeaWolves prizes

Gannon University Director of Athletics Bill Elias has announced a contract extension for head men’s basketball coach John T Reilly, extending his current contract through the 2010-11 season. “Coach Reilly has been a positive force in the Gannon athletic department, on campus, and on the court,” noted Elias. “We are extremely pleased Coach Reilly has accepted the extension. “On the court, the men’s basketball program had one of the best seasons in school history last year. Off the court, Coach Reilly cares deeply about the student-athletes. We have been pleased with his performance on and off the court.” Gannon was listed in the national rankings throughout the 2007-08 season, rising as high as seventh. The squad won the GLIAC South Division with a 15-2 conference record and was one of two teams in school history to win 26 games. Only the 1986-87 team, which played in the NCAA Division II title game, won more contests with a 28-6 record. Gannon made its 21st NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2005. The Golden Knights picked up their first NCAA Tournament victory since 1995 with a 73-56 win against 11th-ranked Drury (Mo) in the first round. “I appreciate the support and commitment that the administration has given to the men’s basketball program,” said Reilly. “I am very proud of all our accomplishments on the floor and in the classroom the past year. We are very excited about our upcoming first season in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Our student-athletes are working very hard to improve in all areas. “My family and I love Gannon University. We do our best to live the University’s mission and help young people along the way.” Reilly owns a 279-182 career record during 15 seasons as a head coach. The 45-year-old is 47-37 in three seasons at Gannon after posting a 232-145 mark in 12 seasons at Brescia (Ky) University.

Mercyhurst College Athletic Director Craig Barnett has announced the promotion of Aaron Kemp to the position of Assistant Athletic Director/Director of Compliance. He will begin in the position June 1 and is replacing Tony Cipollone, who is leaving his position as Associate Athletic Director at the end of May to take a similar position at Allegheny College. Kemp has been on the women’s hockey coaching staff at Mercyhurst for the past four years, including the last year as Co-Associate Head Coach.

Mercyhurst College athletic director Craig Barnett has announced that the school is discontinuing its men’s volleyball program, effective immediately. The NCAA does not sponsor Division II for men’s volleyball and Mercyhurst has been competing in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA). The PSAC does not sponsor men’s volleyball.

The 18th annual Erie Wild Rib Cook-off and Music Festival continues and runs through Saturday 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.

A Charity Art Show and Silent Auction, benefiting the domestic violence safety network SafeNet, will be held at 7 pm on Friday, May 30 at the BrewErie at Union Station, 14th and Peach Streets in Erie. FREE admission. Local artists include Jake Miller, Eerie Eric, Brittany Stone, Metal Mike, Ellisa Vickery, Nate Pazsint, Jen Barlett, Justin Wiest and Andrew Kauffman. It will feature a silent auction of various mediums of art including paintings, photography, and even tattoo time. Sponsored by the good people at Ink Assassins.

Family First Sports Park is holding a Middle School Dance for Grades 6-8 from 7-10 pm on Friday May 30. Cover Charge for the Dance at the Dome is only $7. Family First Sports Park is located just south of I-90 at 8155 Oliver Road. Family First offers a safe, drug and alcohol free environment. For more information, call (814) 866-5425 ext 286.

An All American Basketball Championship Regional Basketball Tournament Qualifier will be held in Erie at Penn State Behrend, May 30 - June 1. Cost is $325 per team, 3 game guarantee. The contact is Brent Swain.

The charity bellydance event, “Shimmy for a Cure”, will be held at 7:30 pm on 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.

Goodell Gardens and Homestead is holding an Open House 11 am - 5 pm on Saturday, May 31. FREE admission. An open house featuring Swap and Shop. Local Nurseries and Garden Clubs will be on hand selling perennials and veggie starts. Bring an extra potted perennial from your own garden to “swap” with others if you wish. Sale lasts until plants are gone. Plant swap contingent on number of participants.

The Experience Erie Children’s Museum annual fund raiser Tiki Time will be held Saturday, May 31 at the setting sun (6:30 pm) to 10:30 pm.at the Splash Lagoon and Boston’s Party Room. $75 individual/ $150 couple. Register by completing the online form.

Camp Notre Dame is holding an open house on Sunday June 1 from 1-4 pm. Camp Notre Dame offers day and overnight camping for ages 4-16.

Preview dresses owned and worn by nationally-recognized celebrities like Martina McBride, Beyonce, Amy Grant, Ann Curry, Raven Symone, Patti LaBelle and many others from 12:30-3 pm June 1 at Lake Shore Country Club. The Celebrity Dress Preview event will benefit My Father’s House of Erie, a nonprofit transitional program for homeless/abused women and their children. The organization operates the retail store Bella Designs, 4801 Peach Street, in which women in the program have the opportunity to learn vocational skills and work experience. “These dresses are telling of the personalities who owned them ,” said Connie Miller, My Father’s House Of Erie, special projects administrator, “and this event will be a casual Sunday afternoon here in Erie by the lake to see them before they travel to Los Angeles for our live on-line fashion show auction in the Fall,” she added. The event will also feature guest speaker, Pete McDaniel, Senior Writer, Golf Digest Magazine and “Training a Tiger” co-author with the late Earl Woods, will entertain the audience with his storytelling and will auction four original Tiger Woods autographed photos from the legendary golfer’s PGA 20007 victory. Sponsored by Fishtank creative, an Erie-based marketing advertising and communications agency, powered by the Velocity Network, the host committee is comprised of Melanie Johnson, Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, Cynthia Phillips, Motivational Speaker, Alan and Angie Rossum, NFL San Francisco 49ers (formerly of the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers), Shaun and Shonda Smith, NFL Cleveland Browns, and Dr. and Mrs. Matthew Thomas, St Vincent Health Center. Tickets are $35 per person or $50 per couple and available at the following locations: Bella Designs, 4801 Peach Street; All GE Federal Credit Union branches; and National City Bank, 801 State Street. For more information, please call (814) 879-0880.

The 2008 Sounds of Summer FREE Concert Series begins on June 2 at 7 pm at St Joseph Apartments, 517 Maryland Ave in Erie. The Gem City Jazz Ensemble performs. Bring a chair or a blanket and enjoy.

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.

The Erie Farmers Market will be held 9 am to 3 pm each Wednesday beginning June 4 in Perry Square in downtown Erie. Vendor permits at $100 for each day are available by calling the city at (814) 870-1200.

The Erie Art Museum has the answer to the mid-week work week
blahs - take a Mid-Day Art Break at the Erie Art Museum each Wednesday beginning Wednesday, June 4 through Wednesday, Aug 27. On Wednesdays, visitors to the Erie Art Museum are extended FREE admission, guided gallery tours and live music on the Erie Art Museum’s steps; the Museum’s staff will offer guided tours of the galleries at 12 and 12:30 or visitors can enjoy the galleries on their own. Visitors can pick-up a quick lunch and shop at the Erie Farmers’ Market in nearby Perry before or after their stop at the Museum. Galleries are open for FREE to the public every Wednesday 11 am to 5 pm. Mid-Day Art Break is supported by Classy 100, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hamot and Erie Insurance Group.

The Manufacturers’ Association of Northwest Pennsylvania will host the first of its three-part “Presidential Luncheon Series - The Race for ‘08” starting at 11:30 am Friday, June 6, at the Association’s Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street. With the 2008 presidential election shaping up to be one for the history books, the Manufacturers’ Association Government Affairs department will host a series of three luncheon meetings with a group of highly acclaimed political analysts to cut through the rhetoric and get to the heart of the issues facing America. The first luncheon, “The Road to the White House,” will feature Erie native Steve Scully, C-SPAN’s senior executive producer and political editor in Washington. He will focus on the impact of early primary dates as well as the long-term impact of what some analysts are calling the longest campaign in history. To register for this luncheon, click here or contact Tracy Shepard at (814) 833-3200 or (800) 815-2660. Cost is $35 for each presentation and includes lunch.

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.

The 2008 Erie Admirals Flagship Cup will once again be held at the host venues of Family First Sports Park and Edinboro University. Over 200 U9-U19 soccer teams are expected which takes place June 7-8. Pedro Argaez and Ed Shearman are the tournament directors.

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.

Help support Read To Rebound and have a blast doing it. On June 7, many of the downtown Erie Bars will be hosting a pool tournament. No prior experience necessary - slop counts. A $20 donation to Read To Rebound gets you a scorecard, a T-shirt, and a chance to win all kinds of prizes. Just download a registration form for details and rules. Read to Rebound is a non-profit organization committed to making sure that no child has to face the challenges of life on their own. Through a series of books, an interactive website, and community resources, Read to Rebound will share the true stories of people who have faced, and overcome, adversity in their lives. By sharing these stories, Read to Rebound hopes to provide a compass for children navigating the difficult roadmap of life.

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.

Reducing the costs of your compressed air system and an overview of energy tax incentives are two topics the Energy Roundtable will tackle during their next quarterly meeting. The Energy Roundtable was formed in 2007 to help business, industry and other large energy users (such as schools and healthcare facilities) in northwest Pennsylvania reduce energy costs through improved energy management, energy efficiency and cutting edge technology. The group was initiated through a collaborative effort of the Manufacturers’ Association, the NW PA Industrial Resource Center, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP), National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation, Penelec and the NW Rural Electric Cooperative. The next quarterly meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 12, 2008 at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at 301 Peninsula Drive in Erie. Registration is at 8:45 am, with the program running from 9 am to noon. The agenda for the meeting includes: Reducing the Costs of Your Compressed Air System and Energy Tax Incentives. “Energy issues continue to be on the front burner for most of our members,” said Manufacturers’ Association Director of Government Affairs Sheila Sterrett. “This roundtable has provided a forum for large energy users to gather and share information and participation has increased with each subsequent meeting.” To register, call (814) 456-6299, fax (814) 459-6058 or e-mail jmiller@nwirc.org. There is no charge for the event.

The first Erie Downtown Partnership Block Party of 2008 will be held Thursday June 12 on the 1300 block of State Street in front of Calamari’s Squid Row. The event is FREE. Food and beverages will be available for sale. One World Tribe will provide the music.

The 84th annual Lake City Fire Company Carnival will be held June 12-14 in Lake City, PA.

Gallery Night, which is organized by the Erie Art Museum, features FREE public touring of 12 local galleries and gallery activities, on Friday June 13, 2008 from 7 to 10 pm. Galleries that will be participating are Accents By The Bay, Allen Stoneware Gallery, Artworks Gallery and Clayspace Studio, Bayfront Gallery, Geary’s Studio 7, Glass Growers Gallery, Kada Gallery, Kuhn’s Framing and Gift Gallery, Ralph Miller Jewelers and Gallery, Relish Inc. Studio and Gallery, Urraro Gallery and the galleries at the Erie Art Museum. EMTA’s Bayliner will be providing FREE shuttle transportation from 7 to 10:30 pm. Trolley maps and schedules are available at each gallery or by calling the Erie Art Museum at (814) 459-5477. Participating galleries will be offering visitors a chance to win a $50 gift certificate as an incentive to attract patrons into touring their galleries.

The 2008 Brianlee Crosby Memorial Learn to Swim Program, sponsored by the City of Erie Summer Recreation Program and operated by the American Red Cross, Greater Erie County Chapter, will be held June 16 to August 8. Qualifications: All boys and girls enrolled in the first through sixth grades may participate in the program. PROOF of grade level must be presented at the time of registration. The program is FREE to City of Erie School District students. A parent or legal guardian must accompany each child to complete the registration form at the appropriate pool on the first day of each two week instructional period. Parents or guardians are also responsible for their child’s attendance and transportation needs. Appropriate swimming attire and cleanliness will be required at all pools in operation. Pre-registration: Pre-registration will begin at 10 am on the morning of the first day of each session (June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28) at the Strong Vincent High School pool and the Central Tech High School pool. Children should come prepared to take their water skills tests in order to determine the appropriate level of instruction for them. Certification: All boys and girls enrolled will receive progress reports and an appropriate Red Cross certificate for satisfactory completion of their course. Observation days will be held on the last day of each session for all parents who wish to see the progress that their children have made in the course. Session Dates (Monday - Friday): Session I June 16 - June 27, Session II June 30 - July 11 (Closed July 4th), Session III July 14 - July 25, Session IV July 28 - Aug 8. Sessions begin at: 10 am, 11 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, Open Swim (For students enrolled in lessons; NOT open to public) from 2:30-3:30 pm. Open Swim: Open swim will be available at the Roger Young Pool Monday through Saturday from 12-5 pm. (June 16 - August 8) (Closed July 4th). For more information on training courses offered by your American Red Cross, call the Greater Erie County Chapter at 833-0942 ext 243.

It is no secret that Marketing and IT professionals come from very different backgrounds and work in very different ways. However, in today’s fast paced world of digital marketing and increasingly important online customer experiences, it is imperative that these two groups come together. They need to collaborate in order to rise above the competition and reach the maximum potential of the organization’s online presence. The eMarketing Special Interest Group and the eMarketing Learning Center are offering Aligning Marketing and IT for Online Success on Wednesday, June 18 at Knowledge Park in Erie. Register Now.

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.

Gannon University Writers’ Workshops 2008 are for students Grades 4-12. Develop your writing process and produce a book of your writing under the direction of Dr Sally LeVan and the teachers of the NWPA Writing Project. Each session will be limited to 25 students per session. Dates are June 23-27, July 7-11 and July 21-25. Workshops will be held 9 am to 12 pm in Room 3200 of the Palumbo Center, 8th and Peach Streets. Registration includes T-shirt, snacks and book. $125 per one-week session/$200 for two-weeks. For information contact Dr Sally LeVan, (814) 871-7506. Registration.

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

Erie’s gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community will come together the weekend of June 28-29 to celebrate Pride 2008 with a picnic, march/rally, and social opportunities. Festivities get underway Saturday, June 28, with the Pride Erie Picnic at Rotary Pavilion, Beach 7 at Presque Isle State Park. The Pride Picnic runs from 1-6 pm with food being served from 2-4 pm. The Pride March will step off from The Zone Dance Club at 1 pm. Sunday, June 29, with the Pride Rally beginning in Perry Square at 2 pm. Information about the Erie area Pride March/Rally is available at www.ErieGayPride.org, by email at eriegaypride@gmail.com, or by calling 866-229-1974 (toll free).

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.

The 2008 City of Erie Junior Golf Program is open to boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 17. Entry fee is $7 per person. The number of entrants will determine the number of divisions. Registration will take place at J C Martin Golf Course from June 1 through July 19. Please call J C Martin Golf Course at 864-1821 with any questions. Tournament 1 is at J C Martin Golf Course, West 38th St and Shunpike Rd (next to Erie Zoo), on Wednesday, July 23 at 8 am. Tournament 2 will be held at Downing Golf Course, 1351 Troupe Rd, 899-5827, on Wednesday, July 30 at 8:30 am. Tournament 2 will be immediately followed by a picnic and an awards presentation.

The Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm 2008 Native American Festival is July 26-27 at the farm in Edinboro. Hours are 11-6 daily. Admission is $3 per person, 3 and under are FREE.

The Gannon University ShakeXperience Theater Camp will be held Monday, July 28 through Saturday, August 2. This one-week resident high school (through graduation) theater camp is taught by members of Gannon’s theater program and qualified professionals. Classes are conducted in Shakespeare, text analysis, stage movement, rehearsal and performance. Workshops are offered in stage combat, period dance, and music. Includes a public matinee performance of CYMBELINE as part of the Shakespeare SummerNights outdoor threatre festival. Cost: $99 (includes room, board, and instruction fee). For more information, contact Fr Shawn Clerkin, (814) 871-7493.

The 2008 City of Erie Recreation Tennis Tournaments will be held once again at
Frontier Park. Junior: June 24-27, Adult: August 13-17. Applications are available at: PennBriar Health and Tennis Club, Westwood Racquet Club, Lake Shore Country Club, Kahkwa Club and Erie Sport Store’s downtown location. For more information contact Richard Beck at 835-5452.