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Erie PA News and Events for Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Posted by ErieBlogs on July 2, 2008
Valerie Cantu, of Erie, pled guilty to harassment for leaving an anonymous phone message with a Gannon University student warning of a campus “massacre” nine days after the Virginia Tech killings. The 20 year old woman was sentenced to probation for one year and is required to perform 50 hours of community service.
A significant portion of the Pennsylvania state budget (passed this Monday) is earmarked for improvements to infrastructure around the state. $2.5 billion of the 28 billion dollar budget will be spent on roads, water and sewer projects, bridge repair, railroad and airports, and alternative energy. Despite the large amount budgeted for infrastructure repairs, it is estimated that $22 billion to $30 billion is needed for water and sewer upgrades. To address this need, a voter referendum is currently being considered as to whether a $400 million bond should be issued. If the house approves it and the governor signs it, voters will see the referendum on the November ballot.
The Great Lakes Colleges Association (GLCA) announced that Allegheny College is joining the GLCA consortium of selective liberal arts colleges in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and, now, Pennsylvania.
George Miller of the Times News reported yesterday that 10 local businesses have banded together to oppose the construction of a tires-to-energy plant. The companies are Dispatch, Erie Cotton Products, Marine Sheet Metal, Specialty Products, Perf-A-Lawn, Select-Tron, GE Federal Credit Union and the C.A. Curtze Co.
Starbucks announced yesterday that they will be closing 600 stores. No word yet if the Erie stores will be affected by this. Starbucks shares closed yesterday at $15.62.
This week, we posted a guide to Erie area fireworks. If you want to catch it from a unique perch, a limited number of tickets will be available to watch the Boom Over the Bay fireworks from the top of the Bicentennial Tower. Tickets are $12 and they are first come, first served. Hurry - there are only 40 available.
The guys at Should I Drink That (SIDT) are holding a giveaway for 2 tickets (and other prizes) to the first annual Beer on the Bay Festival which will be held Saturday, July 26. The festival features the fine beer of the Erie Brewing Company and 25 other regional craft brewers along with great food and live music at Erie’s Pepsi Amphitheater on the bayfront.
Would you like to share the joy of reading with children this summer? Hooked on Books! is looking for volunteer readers for its summer program at the Neighborhood Art House in Erie. Volunteer readers are still needed for the weeks of July 7-11 and July 21-25. Help children by building their enthusiasm for reading, improving reading and listening comprehension, increasing vocabulary, and most importantly, help children develop the self-confidence needed to succeed. To volunteer, or if you would like to learn more, please contact Dr. Sarafinski or Katie De Pew at sarafins001@gannon.edu or at (814) 871-7422.
Mercyhurst North East is now offering one more degree option for individuals interested in careers in health care by introducing a medical laboratory technician (MLT) associate degree program. MNE just received approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) for the program, making it the only accredited MLT program in the area.
The NHL free agency period began yesterday. The Penguins re-signed forward Pascal Dupuis and defenseman Mark Eaton, and signed Eric Godard. They are expected to announce a contract extension for league MVP finalist Evgeni Malkin very soon. The Sabres signed ex-Penguin goaltender Patrick Lalime and re-signed Paul Gaustad.
The Great Lakes Film Association will hold the first annual Star Trek Convention and Independent Star Trek Film Festival in Erie on November 7th & 8th, 2008. Dubbed the Final Frontier Confest, the event features a competition between Star Trek fans who have taken their passion for the genre to the next level by filming their own short films, feature length films, and episodes. Deadline for entries to the film festival is September 6, 2008.
The Erie Seawolves got spanked last night by the Akron Aeros with a score of 9-1. The Wolves had the hits, but just couldn’t get the production needed to stop the Aeros. This Thursday there will be fireworks after the game against the Aeros. After that the Wolves will be on the road until the 11th.
The 50-member Gem City Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Scott Tomlison, will be offering two upcoming patriotic-themed performances. The first concert is part of the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Home Gazebo Concert Series today from 7 to 9 pm. The second performance is part of the City of Erie’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series on Monday, July 7th, at Memorial Park at 26th and State Streets from 7 to 8 pm. Both events are free and open to the public.
The Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown, NY will be celebrating the 100th birthday of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall tonight. His widow, Cissy Marshall, will attend. Directions to the Jackson Center.
With only about 6 months left until the DTV conversion in February 2009, many people are asking “are you ready?” The best way to get ready is to give blood! All donors at the Community Blood Bank during the month of July will automatically be entered to win a beautiful 42” High Definition Plasma TV that is DTV ready. The contest runs through July 31.
The Technology Council of Northwest Pennsylvania’s next lunchtime learning series will take place on July 17 at the Ambassador Conference Center. The presentation, Engage the Crowd: Integrating Social Networking into your Business, will explore uses for social networking in business. The session is free for Technology Council members and $40 for non-members.
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 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.
Eight Great Tuesdays begins July 8th featuring free band entertainment on Tuesday nights at the Pepsi Amphitheatre inside Liberty Park. Teenagers will be allowed to attend the event unaccompanied by an adult, but the Port Authority of Erie reserves the right to revoke that privilege if it believes teens are getting out of control.
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 archives at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will host an open house on Wednesday, July 9, as part of the kick-off of the college’s yearlong 60th anniversary celebration. The archive comprises three permanent collections: the Behrend Family Collection, the Hammermill Paper Company Collection and the Penn State Behrend Collection.
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.
The Erie Block Party, held most Thursday evenings during the summer, will not be held this July 3rd, presumably because of 4th of July festivities. Next block party will be held July 10th.
Opa! The 20th Annual Panegyri Greek Fest will be held Friday through Sunday, July 11 - 13, at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church on 4376 West Lake Road. The festival features Greek dinners, ala carte entrees, gyros, sausage and souvlaki sandwiches, loukoumades, pastries, continuous Greek music by Kakias Family Band, Greek folk dance groups, boutique, souvenirs, gold mart, Greek metal arts, kafenio/taverna, church tours, not to mention a raffle to win a trip to Greece for 2. Free parking and admission. For more info call (814) 838-8808.
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 Erie County Historical Society will hold a Ghosts and Legends Tour tonight every Friday at 8 p.m., 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.
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.
The 2008 City of Erie Recreation Tennis Tournaments will be held once again at
Frontier Park. Adults: August 13-17 (session for juniors has passed). 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 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 July 2, 2008 7:50 AM
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