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Erie PA News and Events for Friday, July 4, 2008 - Independence Day
Posted by ErieBlogs on July 4, 2008
On this date in 1776, the Continental Congress adopted a statement announcing that the thirteen colonies were no longer part of the United Kingdom. George III was none too pleased.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
You can read the full document here. Take a moment today and think about all the people who’ve given their lives over the last 232 years to protect the freedom embodied within the Declaration of Independence.
Please be careful with fireworks this holiday weekend. Every year, there are reports of people, especially children, being careless with fireworks and losing fingers, hands and sometimes, their lives. Fireworks more powerful then the kind you can buy at Wal-Mart are illegal in Pennsylvania.
We’ve compiled a list of Fourth of July Fireworks around Erie. If you are attending the Boom Over the Bay fireworks in downtown Erie, parking is available in any downtown ramps or surface lots with the exception of Hamot Medical Center and the Sheraton Hotel at the Bayfront Convention Center. An EMTA shuttle bus will be running from 14th Street to the Bayfront from 7 p.m. until the conclusion of the event.
You’ve probably been reading her blog for a few weeks now as it’s been linked from the ErieBlogs “Recently Updated” area, but GoErie interviewed new Erie blogger Deann Powell of Erieversible. Deann and her family recently moved to Erie from the Isle of Man. Deann is originally an Erie native.
A local tradition will come to an end on January 1, 2009. On that date, people will no longer be able to feed bread to the fish at the Pymatuning Spillway, which was remodeled last year. For 70 years, people have been feeding the fish and birds there, and many of the foods people were throwing aren’t healthy for the fish. Even though feeding wildlife in Pennsylvania is technically illegal, an exception has been made for Pymatuning. Starting in January, only special pellets labeled as “fish food” will be able to be fed to the fish. You can, of course, purchase these pellets at the spillway.
Congressional candidate Kathy Dahlkemper has released her plan for energy independence. Her plan calls for closing the Enron loopholes that allow energy speculators to manipulate the market for personal profit, causing prices to soar, creating a new, stronger independent Inspector General appointed by the President to increase oversight on energy futures trading on the so-called “Dark markets,” and investing in local businesses that develop renewable energy. Download the press release.
Last week ErieBlogs reported a number of management changes occurring at Erie Indemnity (Erie Insurance). The company announced a dividend at the beginning of July on par with previous quarters, however, the share price for Erie Indemnity is at a 52 week low of 44.61 and trending down like most of the insurance industry. This is the lowest Erie Indemnity shares have been since May 26, 2004.
The 2008 North East Cherry Festival begins on Tuesday, July 8 and runs through July 12. Expect lots of food, rides for the kids, the Cherry Queen Pagent and a volunteer fire parade, the largest volunteer fire department parade in Pennsylvania.
We missed this article last week, but its an interesting read about the crackdown on illegal BitTorrent downloads. Last year, Scott McCausland of Erie spent five months in federal prison for his involvement with the EliteTorrents group.
The SeaWolves shut out the Akron Aeros 2-0 on Thursday night, avoiding the four-game sweep. The ‘Wolves were paced by a brilliant starting pitching performance by Josh Rainwater in the victory.
Yesterday was day three of the NHL free agency period, and the Penguins signed goalie Mark-Andre Fleury to a long-term deal and also signed Ruslan Fedetenko and former Sabre Miroslav Satan (love that URL, Yahoo. Nicely done). Expect jersey sales to be through the roof for that one. It’s looking less and less like #68 might come home though, sadly.
For the week of June 23-29, gamblers wagered $41.8 million at Presque Isle Downs, winning nearly $38 million. Of the $3.4 million difference, $1.85 million goes to the state of Pennsylvania, the rest to the casino.
Spectrum Control (Nasdaq: SPEC) reported their quarterly earnings on Wednesday. For the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company reported net income of $2.2 million or 16 cents per share on sales of $32.6 million, compared to net income of $2.8 million or 21 cents per share (20 cents diluted) on sales of $33.6 million for the same period last year.
Allegheny College has announced the hiring of Tony Cippolone as associate director of athletics. He was previously at Mercyhurst College where he was associate athletics director and director of compliance.
Minneapolis based duo Beatrix JAR returns to the Erie Art Museum,offering interactive events throughout the week beginning July 29, 2008 thru August 2, 2008. At each event, Beatrix JAR will present their unique stylings,including their most noted use of circuit bending verse traditional instrumental usage.
The 50-member Gem City Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Scott Tomlison, will be performing as 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. This event is free and open to the public.
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 be held at the Cell Block (12th & 13th on State Street) with the performer Joe Buchman & the Crew. The event theme is “Carnival on State,” and benefits MECA United Cerebral Palsy.
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 Technology Council of Northwest Pennsylvania’s next lunchtime learning series will take place on July 17 at the Ambassador Conference Center on upper Peach street. 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.
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 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.
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 4, 2008 6:30 AM
Comments
Kathy Dahlkemper's 'plan' does have any ideas to help us get more energy. I saw a TV interview with her that said we should take more public transportation. I wonder if she uses public transportation? How about cutting taxes on Gas? The government makes about 5 times more from gas sales tax than the oil companies make in profit.
How about adding to the supply? China is drilling 60 miles off Miami( thanks to the Cubans) but we aren't allowed to.
Phil English has proposed a gas tax holiday and supports offshore drilling. Remember these positions next time you fill your tank.
Posted by: Heavy D at July 4, 2008 10:50 AM
The comment above by Heavy D shows that he clearly wants to discuss politics here. So lets talk about facts. Did you know that Phil English has accepted over $109,975.00 from the Gas and Oil Industry? Are you also aware that he has voted in their favor 73% of the time?
So it's cool if the gas company's jack up the prices and pay off the politicians?
(citation link)
http://oilmoney.priceofoil.org/federalRaceGraph.php?type=search&can=H4PA21051&v=graphs&congress_num=total
Posted by: moski at July 4, 2008 9:52 PM
Maybe you are familiar with supply and demand. The greater the supply the lower the demand. Who wants higher supply? Those who want drilling on the continental shelf and in ANWR. Who wants lower supply? Those who vote against it. Phil voted to drill in ANWR in what 2002? hmmm, I am sure we wouldn't want ANY of those 10 BILLION barrels coming to market & lowering prices would we?
The higher the prices, the sooner the switch to other fuels. Many Dems have said this is a good thing. Is switching from Oil to something else in 'big oil's best interest? NO.
All politicians accept money from various groups; are you saying that politicians always do what those groups want? Be careful how you answer that since Obama just gave up public funds for his Presidential race ( first time that's been done since Nixon)...is he being influenced?
Posted by: Heavy D at July 4, 2008 10:53 PM
Heavy D,
English not only took over $500,000 in his career from oil and gas lobbyists, but voted against greater fuel efficiency standards and alternative energy initiatives.
Of course Bush, Cheney, Rice, Card, ad naseum all have ties to the oil industry. They are to blame for high gas prices.
Federal gas taxes go directly to a dedicated trust fund for the purpose of maintaining our transportation infrastructure. A so-called gas tax holiday is nothing but a gimmick that would rob states of vital funds to repair roads and bridges.
Florida Governor Jeb Bush made sure no drilling took place of the coast off Florida by the way.
Posted by: Spectrum 7 at July 5, 2008 12:47 AM
Explaining the money English got from Oil companies doesn't refute the supply and demand issue does it.Fuel efficiency is not an Oil company issue. Honest! maybe if they had a monopoly on making cars but they don't. If GM & Ford could make more fuel efficient cars they would. The safety regulations and market demand dictate fuel efficiency. Toyota's PRIUS sells very well and wasn't mandated by the government. CAFE standards for cars kill: http://www.heritage.org/Research/EnergyandEnvironment/WM85.cfm
Gas tax relief is a gimmick? Like a $3.1 trillion dollar federal budget has no room for cuts! How about we cut the money used to study sheep flatulence and spend it on roads? Politicians always pick entitlements over infrastructure-- you know why? Because bridges don't vote!
We could go round like this for days. I believe in the free market, lower taxes and less government, obviously you don't.
Posted by: Heavy D at July 5, 2008 9:33 AM
Obviously, you hate the free market and prefer more government if you want the government to intervene in the free market.
The Heritage Foundation is funded by oil companies Exxon and Chevron, and other groups and billionaires which funnel money to the Republican Party which, in turn, undermines the free market.
You whine about gas prices, but gas prices are a reflection of the free market, right? The gas taxes are the same per gallon as they were when gas was $1.75 gallon during Bill Clinton's peaceful, prosperous 8 years. What you are really saying is that the government should intervene in the free market because you evidently never worked hard enough to make the money to buy $4/gallon gas.
Ford and GM kept building gas guzzlers even though the handwriting was on the wall. The "little three" (Ford, GM, Chrysler) could have made gas electric hybrids or other fuel efficient automobiles if they wanted to. They could also build safer cars too. That's why Toyota and Honda's market share is increasing.
Posted by: Spectrum 7 at July 5, 2008 12:23 PM
there is no way drilling for more oil anywhere will drop the price. demand will forever be increasing exponentially; while, the earth's supply is limited. public transportation is a solution that is not being talked about enough. I know you may be too good for it; but when most thrid world countries are barely affected by oil speculators because they have much better commuter rail systems, obviously the option should exist here. In Europe, I can take a train to every one-horse town imaginable. In Erie, I can't even take a train to Pittsburgh and if I want to go to Cleveland I have to leave at 3AM. Just accept that the auto industry is dead and its not coming back.
Posted by: Jones at July 5, 2008 1:54 PM
the free market has NOT determined this high price! Supply is limited by government regulation and high taxes on the product! Saying that increased production won't lower the price is like telling a starving man " hey, you can't eat your way out of this." We could lower the price tomorrow if we decided as a country to develop ANWR and the coastal drilling. Speculators are betting that we WON'T increase supply. If drilling won't decrease the price than how come a LACK of supply will increase it? For you Supply & Demand only apply if they work in your favor.
Our dependence of foreign oil went from 50% in 1993 ( year of the FIRST world trade center bombing) to 60% in 2000 ( year of the USS Cole bombing)
There is sales tax on oil & gas that is a percentage of the price which has gone up, ( along with other fixed taxes) kinda like OIL COMPANY PROFITS have gone up as the price increases!
In Europe you have a the land mass of New England with the population of the US. That's why trains work so well there, people have a shorter distance to travel to work because the countries are smaller.
The auto industry is dead, kinda like how the Internet died after the DOT COMM Bubble burst?
Posted by: Heavy D at July 5, 2008 3:22 PM
just 1 more question: If the evil oil companies are controlling the price WHY DID THEY WAIT SO LONG? Oh sure ten years ago when the price was 1/10th what it was today and oil companies had the same market share why didn't they bump it up then? The they could have made President Clinton look bad right? Actually since BUSH 41 was also an Oil man why didn't they do it then in the late 80s? Seriously, why did they wait DECADES to abuse this power?
Posted by: Heavy D at July 5, 2008 4:05 PM
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