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Erie PA News and Events for Friday, June 27, 2008
Posted by ErieBlogs on June 27, 2008
If you’re driving through the city of Erie over the next week, be careful. City police are cracking down on speeders through July 4. It’s supposed to be under the radar, no pun intended, but someone in the mayor’s office has been emailing their friends and family to warn them. Those people then forward that email to lots of other people, including us. Fail.
The Erie Summer Festival of the Arts starts today and runs through the weekend at Liberty Park. You won’t find the schedule of events on the event’s official website but you will find the schedule in the newspaper’s Showcase section—both hosted by GoErie.com.
Erie Indemnity Group (a.k.a. Erie Insurance) announced yesterday that Philip A. Garcia, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will be taking a long vacation. After working for Erie Insurance for 27 years, Garcia will be leaving the Company no later than April 30, 2009 (enough time in between to make travel plans). Michael Krahe, executive vice president of human development and leadership, will also be leaving Erie Insurance. Krahe worked for Erie Insurance for 21 years and is leaving the company to “pursue other interests.” Don’t feel too bad for the pair since combined they will walk away with $2.4 million based in negotiated separation agreements.
Shares of Erie Indemnity fell only 1.15% at the close of the market yesterday and barely moved in after hours trading. A dividend should be announced in early July which might shed more light as to why these two executives are leaving. About a week ago, senior vice president of Erie Indemnity, George D. Dufala, sold 450 of his shares for roughly $23,000. Not a whole lot of cash but maybe he was thinking now is the time to remodel the kitchen before those same 450 shares will only take care of the kitchen pantry.
Suspicion abounds in the sale of two Cleveland newspapers—including one that was just recently sold by the Times Publishing Co.—according to Tim Redmond, blogger for the San Franscisco Bay Guardian Online. Redmond discusses the purchase of two alternative Cleveland newspapers by a single company, effectively creating a monopoly. The article is an interesting read including the discussion of how “[r]unning a paper that has no competition is typically more lucrative.” A concept Erieites are familiar with. As a recap of what has been reported on ErieBlogs, the Times has unloaded two newspaper companies in the last couple months: the Cleveland Free Times and the Louisville Eccentric Observer.
Forty-one western Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies combined efforts to organize one of the area’s largest-ever fugitive initiatives dubbed Operation FALCON (Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally). Efforts were focused on capturing individuals wanted on felony charges including gang members, sexual offenders and fugitives wanted for crimes of violence. The biggest and largest amount of captures happened in the Pittsburgh area, although Erie, Johnstown, and Altoona made up a sizable portion accounting for 43% of the fugitives caught. Agencies assisting in the Erie area included: United States Marshals Service, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, Erie County Sheriff, Erie County District Attorney, Erie Police Department and United States Attorney’s Office.
The Pittsburgh airport will see a reduction of 9% in the number of flights come Labor Day. One of the proposals being kicked around is the creation of a low-cost carrier that would serve Erie, Harrisburg, Johnstown, Latrobe, State College, Franklin and Dubois.
The Pennsylvania State Senate has approved a bill that will require county or city Weights and Measures departments to inspect for tainted gasoline and to ensure that the correct grades of gas are being sold for the price. A few years back, 200 cars and trucks in Erie County were affected when tainted gas was sold
Last week, we wrote about Damere Talmadge, who was charged with homicide in the death of his infant son. The baby’s mother, Ciearra Johnson, now also faces charges of failing to provide care and child endangerment.
Samuel I. Hill of Youngsville was arrested this week on charges that he videotaped women in a local business’ restroom. Next time, use the interweb.
Amy at I’ll Get Your GrocERIEs has a coupon for $1 off a sub at Wegmans.
Danny Christensen tossed eight innings to lead the SeaWolves to a 6-1 win over the Trenton Thunder on Thursday afternoon at Waterfront Park. Christensen improved to 5-5 as the ‘Wolves avoided a sweep.
The Cleveland Cavaliers selected forward J.J. Hickson of North Carolina State with the No. 19 pick in the NBA draft.
Quebec, Canada based Railpower Technologies, with an office in Erie, Pa., will be receiving a 20 million dollar infusion from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan to help build new manufacturing plants. Back in May, ErieBlogs reported that Railpower decided Erie wasn’t the best place to build a new facilitiy. It is unclear if the Pension influenced the decision making of locating the new facility to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, instead of Erie.
Afua Osei, a 2008 graduate of Allegheny College, has been awarded a Fulbright Award to study and teach in Malaysia, which will celebrate 50 years of independence on August 31.
The Erie County Historical Society will hold its first Ghosts and Legends Tour tonight at 8 p.m. The Society will hold these events every Friday now until September 26 (exceptions: July 4th and September 5th). Discover the mysteries of downtown Erie through a 1 1/2 hour walking tour. Since size of group tour is limited, reservations required; call (814) 454-1813, ext 0. Cost: $8 Adult, $4 Child.
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 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.
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.Please note that more info about the Pride Picnic next Saturday, on June 28 from 1 to 6 PM at the Rotary Pavilion at Presque Isle is at http://picnic.eriegaynews.com. More info is also available by emailing info@eriegaynews.com or (814)456-9833. You can register online for both the picnic and the march/rally at http://www.eriegaynews.com/pride/register.php.
June 30 marks the deadline for membership in the Erie BayHawks Founding Fans program. Members will receive special recognition and benefits throughout the team’s inaugural season including exclusive discounts on BayHawks merchandise and recognition on the BayHawks Web site as a Founding Fan.
The Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown, NY will be celebrating the 100th birthday of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall on July 2. His widow, Cissy Marshall, will attend.
The Erie Philharmonic’s Get Your Phil At Noon Summer Music Series FREE concerts will be held July 8 and August 12 at noon in front of the Warner Theatre on State Street. The free lunch-hour ensemble concerts, designed to provide “music while you munch,” will feature a Philharmonic string quartet fully amplified and seating for the outdoor event. WQLN radio will broadcast live from the event this year.
The Movies at Meadville is sponsoring a free screening of “Happy Feet” on July 10 to support the Creating Landscapes program. Creating Landscapes, a summer celebration of the Allegheny College Dance Studies program, is an interdisciplinary exploration of active learning through the arts and sciences offered to children and teens.
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 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.
Parents of Autistic Children will be holding a golf tournament on July 24 at Whispering Woods Golf Course. The format will be a 4-man scramble, with team prizes and individual prizes (longest drives, closest to the pin, etc). The fee is $100 and includes your golf, a cart, lunch, and dinner.
The Erie Lions Club Save an Eye City vs County All-Star football game will be held July 25 at Erie Veterans Memorial Stadium, 26th and State Streets. The major purpose of the Save An Eye Game is to raise money to provide free eye care to low income children.
“Remembering Janis” will run June 26, 27, and 28 at Theatre 145, located at 145 West 11th St in Erie. Ticket prices are $10 Regular seating, $12 Riser seating and VIP seating at $15. For advanced tickets please visit their web site or call (814) 879-0733.
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.
A fundraising event for the Lindsay Graygo Empowerment Scholarship Fund will be held Wednesday, August 13 from 5-8 p.m. at Molly Brannigans. Celebrity bartenders will serve up your favorite drinks and a Chinese auction will be held. Bartender tips and auction proceeds will go to directly to the fund. If you would like to make a donation, please visit the Scholarship’s donation page.
Erie to host young professionals from across the state at Pennsylvania Young Professionals 2008 ImPAct Conference ERIE, PA — Young professionals, business executives and civic leaders from across the state are invited to take part the Pennsylvania Young Professionals 2008 ImPAct Conference, being held Sept. 12-14 at Erie’s Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier. This marks the first year the ImPAct Conference (Innovative Minds Creating Pennsylvania’s Tomorrow) will be held in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Posted by ErieBlogs at June 27, 2008 7:30 AM
Comments
Funny because it was on the news and in the newspaper...can't be that much under the radar
Posted by: anonymous at June 27, 2008 9:05 AM
The bigger problem is city officials sending out emails like that. Is that some kind of ethics violation??
Posted by: Stevens at June 27, 2008 3:23 PM
An ethics violation by a city official? No! Surely you jest! I can't imagine how that could possibly happen in such a well oiled machine of City Hall. They could author a book entitled "Ethics in business within Government positions" with a forward by Mark Divecchio.
Posted by: Mike at June 27, 2008 5:31 PM
I can't believe people are actually discussing this to be honest! LOL And now I dont know why I am. It was on the news in the morning. Sounds like the city is just trying to promote safe/slow driving over the holiday weekend--surely an ethics code violation if you ask me
Posted by: who cares at June 27, 2008 9:29 PM
To me its not so much of an ethics problem as it is an example of poor judgment.
Posted by: Rich at June 27, 2008 11:23 PM
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