The Presque Isle

The Edgar B. Speer

Jeff Thoreson, author of the Erie Shipping News blogpost,    mentioned that the Presque Isle and the Edgar B. Speer are scheduled to leave Erie Harbor sometime Friday morning.  The  ships arrived in mid-January for their annual winter lay over and maintenance visit.  Each of the ore carriers is one thousand feet long, longer that three football fields.  It should be interesting to spend some time by the south pier watching them maneuver before exiting through the channel.  And to think that some people have problems driving a 17 foot car.

The discussion over staffing issues of the Erie Fire Department is still in the news.  In conversations with several firefighters I know (who by the way, are not from Erie, and some are actually volunteers) the general consensus is that in this case the union is correct in trying to maintain a safe staffing level for the city.  Obviously the Arbiter and the Judge who ruled in this case feel the same way.  The city can’t afford to hire more firefighters, according to Mayor Joe Sinnott.  I’m sure Sinnott does not want to close down a company, either.

If you want to see a cross section of a day in the life of an Erie Police Officer, check out the ErieAlerts entries on Twitter.  It doesn’t seem near as exciting as one would imagine.

It was mentioned on local TV this morning that the CEO of Presque Isle Downs and Casino has left his position.  No other information was forthcoming.  Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story!

We saw plenty of green yesterday as Erie turned out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.  From the pictures we’ve seen and stories we’ve heard, there will be a lot of headaches and tired revellers this morning, too.  We hope everyone had a great time and managed to get home safely.

It’s been almost tempting during the very spring-like weather we’ve been having this week to forget that it is only March, and there is still plenty of time for more cold and wintery weather to return.  Honestly?  We hope we don’t see any more snow ’til NEXT winter.

Sports

The No. 1 Gannon women’s basketball team will get a championship send-off Friday afternoon at the Hammermill Center. Gannon has announced a Pep Rally for this Friday, March 19 at 3:15 p.m. The Pep Rally is open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to come out and give the Lady Knights a proper send-off to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Best of luck to all the local high school basketball teams who are still in the races for the PIAA state championships.

It’s kinda hard for me to believe that the area college baseball teams are already playing.  I just heard that Allegheny College was scheduled to play both Washington and Jefferson, and John Carroll on Saturday, but the games have been postponed due to inclement weather.  Get real, people, it’s March.

Events

The weekend of March 20 & 21 is the Art & Wine Trail Show featuring 21 regional wineries in PA and NY here along the Lake Erie shore and each winery will be hosting area artists for the weekend. Click here for ticket information. This should be a wonderful weekend tasting our regions wine and viewing excellent art for sale.

Frequent ErieBlogs commenter Jesse posted some great shots today of the latest rendition of  “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” over the lower east side of Erie yesterday morning.  According to an ETN update, a power outage, followed by equipment failure, was the cause of the heavy flow of finely ground coke particles from the stacks at Erie Coke.  EPA spokesperson Freda Tarbell could not or would not say if the particulate matter posed a health risk.  Let’s get real, people.  The chunks of powdered coal sure aren’t going to do anyone’s lungs a whole lot of good, now are they?  The firm is still fighting a 6.1 million dollar fine levied by the EPA for major disrespect for environmental law.  The owner of Erie Coke is also having problems with another plant near Buffalo.  It’s not just the discharge that smells.

It seems to me that the rash of shootings, stabbings, rapes and armed robberies, lumped together into the ‘violent crime’ category, are growing more frequent in local crime reports.  Chances are that the soon-to-come warmer temperatures will only lead to an even greater increase in these incidents.  It is usually the police who get the bulk of the blame for not controlling the street crime, but given the perpetual lack of manpower in the EPD,   they are doing as good a job as they can.  Maybe more parental oversight would go a lot further toward curbing the problems.

GE is hiring 50 new temporary and permanent workers to fill some gaps in the workforce.  Some time-sensitive orders and several vacancies which resulted from the massive layoff last year are being cited as the reason for new hiring, rather than any new orders.

Good news from Grove City.  The historic Wendel August Forge, destroyed in a fire last week, will be rebuilt in the same location, according to the owner.  Many locals are dedicated fans of the forge and the items that are created there.

The upswing in temperature and the sunny skies are contributing to a similar improvement in the moods of almost everyone we’ve met.  How can we not be happy to see the huge snow piles disappear?  I don’t think that even the rain that is forcast for the remainder of the week will dampen the good feelings.

Remember, you read it here first!  Daylight Savings Time returns Sunday, March 14.  The whole concept is rather outdated, and many people would rather the bi-annual shuffle would just go away.

Sports

If you really want to feel like Spring is in the air, Erie SeaWolves individual game tickets tickets will go on sale March 20th  from 9am until noon  at Jerry Uht Park.

Nice to see the Erie Storm indoor football team win big with a 41-28 victory over the  Reading Express in their opener last Sunday.

The Erie BayHawks crushed Sioux Falls 116-93 on Tuesday.  Sioux falls came into the game on a 9 game win streak.

Gannon officials have announced that tickets still remain available for this weekend’s NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Atlantic Subregional at the Hammermill Center. Approximately 30 reserved seats still remain available to any season ticket holder who has not picked up a reserved seat. Season ticket holders who have not obtained a reserved seat have until the end of Thursday’s business day to pick up their all-subregional reserved seat at a cost of $16.

Gannon’s Cleve Wright has been named Russell Athletic/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.

Mercyhurst officials have announced a ticket pre-sale for this weekend’s Atlantic Hockey Association men’s hockey quarterfinal series between Canisius and Mercyhurst at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. The teams will play Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13, with each game facing off at 7:05 p.m. If the teams split the first two games, they will meet Sunday, March 14 at 7:05 p.m.

Mercyhurst officials have also announced a ticket pre-sale for this Saturday’s NCAA women’s hockey quarterfinal contest between the top-ranked Lakers and Boston University.  Tickets will go on sale Tuesday, March 9.  Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children/students

Events

The Erie County Historical Society and the Erie Zoo are partnering to present “Animals in the Night Sky”  on Saturday, March 13, from 9:30 am until 2:30 pm, at the Curtze Mansion and Planetarium, 356 W. 6th Street.  Activities include a star show highlighting animal constellations, a chance to meet some of the Erie Zoo’s favorite animals up close and personal, tours of the historic Curtze Mansion and the Planetarium, an opportunity to create a craft, and a snack.         Tickets are $12 for children, $10 for Historical Society members, and $4 for adults.

Erie’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place Saturday, March 13,  stepping off at 2 pm.  The parade will travel north on State Street from 11th to 3rd.  If you watch closely, you might even spy the old leprechaun himself, Cap’t. Dan Geary, doin’ the jig down State Street.

“Pride and Prejudice” continues at the Erie Playhouse, Thursday through Sunday, at 7:30 pm (2:00 pm Sunday)

Now that Spring is tantalizing us with warmer temperatures and melting snow, you’re probably looking for something for the kids to help work off some of that pent-up energy.   We may just have the answer for you!!!

The Erie Planetarium is teaming up with the Erie Zoo to present “Animals in the Night Sky”.  The event will offer the chance to learn about the various animals that appear among the stars, and then meet some of the favorite animals up close and personal, courtesy of the Erie Zoo.  Top it all off with a craft session and a snack in the Watson-Curtze Mansion.

The day also affords the opportunity to tour the planetarium and the Mansion, located at 356 West 6th St.

The event begins  Saturday,  March 13,  at 9:30 am, and ends at 2:30 pm,  just in time to walk over to watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Tickets are $12 for children, $10 for Historical Society members, and $4 for adults.

Sounds like a really fun way to spend the  day, doesn’t it?

Congratulations to Logistics Plus, Fluid Engineering, and Insurance Management Company for being chosen as this year’s winners of the Award of Excellence, to be presented by the Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership.  The awards will be presented at the 2010 Celebration of Excellence at the Bayfront Convention Center on April 22.  The theme of this year’s award dinner is “Exporting Erie”.

Another local facility has also received national recognition.  The Erie County Department of Corrections, aka the Erie County Prison, has been accredited by the American Correctional Association.  The ACA determined that Erie County satisfied its accreditation standards in terms of safety, security, health care, administrative, legal and quality-of-life conditions.
The ACA says the benefits of accreditation include improved health and safety conditions for prisoners and staff; better management and supervision, and increased staff professionalism and morale.  We trust that the residents of the facility will be happy to learn what a great place they have to live.

The big freeze in Florida in January is getting the credit for a sizable  increase in price and lessened availability for produce across the area.

Meanwhile, gas prices continue to escalate.  It’s only to be expected, now that the weather is getting nicer and demand will be increasing as the public takes to the highways more often.

Preliminary reports indicate that the devastating fire at Penn State Behrend’s  main cafeteria, the Gazebo at Dobbins, was caused by an electrical malfunction.  The future of the building is not clear at this time.

City Council is still dithering over the cell-phone legislation.

Gamblers at Presque Isle Casino lost 2.4 million dollars this week.

The US Postal Service may be eliminating Saturday deliveries in the not-so-distant future in an effort to reduce costs and improve their bottom line.  I guess too many of us use the internet to  communicate these days.  Still, it is a nice feeling to find a real honest-to-goodness letter or card in your mailbox, isn’t it?

I don’t know about anyone else, but this winter seems to be dragging on way too long to suit me.  Spring this year begins on March 20.   That’s only seventeen more days!  We can finally see a light at the end of the snow piles.

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine has been named to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

Dr. James Kurre, associate professor of economics in the Sam and Irene School of Business at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, has been named Educator of the Year by the Americans for the Competitive Enterprise System (ACES).

The School of Engineering at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will host this year’s American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference (ASME/MSEC), the flagship forum for manufacturing engineering. The conference will be held Oct. 12-15, 2010, at the Bayfront Convention Center.  This event will showcase the Erie community and all it has to offer to visitors from all over the world.  Great opportunity for Erie to enhance its image with people that can actually send business our way.

The Otter exhibit at the Erie Zoo should be a popular spot this year with the addition of five brand new members of the family, which were born over the winter.  Congratulations to the new parents!

Sports

Erie sports writer John Dudley did not do Erie’s Bob Sanders and his fans any favors with a scathing column decrying the Colt  safety’s behavior toward the press.   Frankly, the column sounded like a juvenile temper tantrum and many people were not happy with the character assassination of Sanders.  Sanders has consistently given back to the community, sponsoring football camps for young men who otherwise would not have a chance, sponsoring free days at the Erie Zoo and the Childrens’ Museum, and this year generously upgrading computer labs in two Erie Elementary Schools.  I wonder what Dudley has done for Erie……..

Gannon’s Number One ranked Womens’ basketball team will meet Kutztown in the PSAC  Final Four semifinal at 7:30pm Friday, at the Hammermill Center.  The Chamionship game will be played Saturday at 7:00 pm.

Indiana(Pa) outscored Gannon 62-53 in the Men’s PSAC quarterfinals, ending Gannon’s season with a 13-15 record.

Events

Verdi’s Requiem is an opera in sacred clothing. Resident artists from the Pittsburgh Opera, a choir combining the Erie Philharmonic Chorus and the Touring Choir of Grove City College, and the Erie Philharmonic will all combine to bring this gargantuan dramatic musical presentation to life  Saturday night at the Warner Theater.

The Erie Playhouse will present Jane Austin’s “Pride and Prejudice” starting Friday, March 6.  Call the box office for times and reservations.  (814)454-2852.

Erie Sport and Travel Expo pulls into the Bayfront Convention Center for three days beginning Friday at noon.  The Expo continues on Saturday at 10 am and Sunday, also at 10 am.

Don’t snowplows work better when the blade is actually touching the street?  Maybe this explains our lousy driving conditions.  Photo courtesy of Brian Hannah, 2-26-10.

What in H*ll were they thinking Department.  Your civic leaders in action.

1)  Erie paid $5,500 to Travelodge of Erie, on Wattsburg Rd, to rent locations for training election workers.   Travelodge was recently identified as one of the several hotels/motels in Erie County who has not paid their hotel tax bill.  The motel  owes $200,000 in back taxes and interest to the county.  After reporters from the Erie Times-News brought the issue to the attention of  Erie County clerk of Elections Doug Smith, and County Councilman Phil Fatica,  they decided that perhaps they should find another place to rent.    Erie County Executive Barry Grossman stated that the rental would stop immediately.    What WERE they thinking??

2)  As a civilian desk clerk and data entry employee of the Erie Police Department, Diane McCoy was paid wages of $89,789 in 2009.  Her base salary is only $39,958.  How can anyone earn this much overtime pay?  How many extra hours did she work?  Just doing some rough math, McCoy’s base salary for each hour worked (est 1820 hrs) would have been $22.00 per hour.  In order to amass $48,329 in overtime pay at $33.00/hr, she would have needed to work an additional 1,464 hours over the course of the year.  (48,329/33 = 1464).  Was ANYBODY auditing the books here?????   What WERE they thinking????

Yup,   they live among us.

The victim of Tuesday night’s fatal fire in Millcreek Township has been identified as Sean Shrimp, 40.  A woman, as yet unidentified, was pulled from the mobile home blaze, and flown to Pittsburgh for treatment.

Gamblers lost 3.5 million dollars at Presque Isle Downs and Casino last week.

Looks like more snow is on its way, and the accumulation could reach double digits.  I guess we shouldn’t be surprised, though.  It is Erie in February.

It was nice to see that the gasoline suppliers haven’t lost their midas touch.  Pump prices jumped a dime a gallon yesterday to $2.79 per gallon.  That increase, combined with the oncoming snow, might just be enough to convince me to break out the sled and dog team.

Brad Moore has resigned as chairman of the Erie County Republican Party.  Executive Director Jason Owen will fill in until a new chairman is elected.

Only 23  more days ’til Spring!!

Sports

Local women are dominating the news this week.

Gannon Women’s Basketball team has taken over 1st place among NCAA Division II teams.  Fantastic job, Ladies!

Mercyhurst Lady hockey player Meghan Agosta, who is playing on the Canadian Hockey team,  has set an Olympic record for goals scored with 9.  Meghan also leads all scorers with 14 points.

No. 1 ranked Gannon overpowered Mercyhurst 71-47 in women’s basketball at Hammermill Center last night.

Spring is only 30 days away!

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season for Christians the world over.  It also explains the black smudges on the foreheads of lots of people, and questions of what to give up for the next 6 weeks as a sacrifice for the period leading up to Easter Sunday.

Fuhrman’s Cider Mill, which was destroyed by fire in 2007, will reopen in a new location in time for the Fall season this year.  The long hoped-for rebirth of the popular cider mill will take place at the old Perry Highway Fire Hall, 8270 Peach Street, in Summit Township.   This is great news for long time customers, including me!

Adults in Erie County weigh more, smoke more, and drink more than those than in nearly every other county in the state.  Really?  Chalk up another area where  Erie citizens excel!

Long time Erie civil-rights leader Howard Horton and educator Cathy Hutchinson were presented with the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Awards by Edinboro University president, Dr. Jeremy Brown.

Dr. Tom Trevorrow has withdrawn from the race for the Third Congressional District seat now held by first term Democrat Kathleen Dahlkemper.  Trevorrow cited a serious illness of a family member as his reason for withdrawing.

Update on the Congressional Race,  Erie buisnessman Sam Paparelli has announced his intent to run on the Republican ballot in the May Primary.

Jay Badams,  Erie assistant school superintendent and one of three finalists for the position now held by Dr. James Barker, will be presented to the Erie community and answer questions from the audience this evening at 6:30 pm at East High School.  Badams is the only local candidate for the position.  The two remaining finalists, Bethlehem Area School District Asst. Superintendent Thomas Washington and Schenectady City School Superintendent Eric Ely, will be introduced on Monday and Tuesday evenings, respectively, also at East High School at 6:30 pm.

Sports

Gannon’s  Women won the  Number 1  seed and home court advantage in the PSAC Tournament by defeating Edinboro 80-72 Wednesday night.  The Lady Knights are ranked first in the NCAA Division Two, Mid-Atlantic Region.

The Edinboro Men turned the tables in the nightcap by defeating Gannon 69-60

Mercyhurst and Clarion also split for the night, with the Mercyhurst men winning 76-64, and the Mercyhurst ladies on the short side of a 66-59 final score.

Canada ran its women’s hockey record to 3-0 after defeating Sweden 13-1. Meghan Agosta of Mercyhurst College scored 3 goals and added 2 assists. She now has 8 goals in 3 games for the Canadian team.

Congratulations to the Ft. LeBoeuf Bisons for winning the PIAA-class AA State Wrestling  Championship!

Events

Disney on Ice~Pixars Finding Nemo,  tonight (Thursday) at 7:00 pm, Tullio Arena

Jesus Christ Superstar, Friday, February 19 at 7:30 pm, Warner Theater

Peeved, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, Sunday Matinee at 2:00 pm.  Erie Playhouse

I saw on Twitter yesterday that Washington DC conceded defeat to the snow and opted to stop plowing the streets.  After driving in Erie last night,  it would seem that our own streets department must have stopped, too.  And we didn’t have nearly as much snow as Washington.

The Erie School District Wednesday evening gave the go-ahead to architects to begin drawing up plans for a total renovation of Strong Vincent High School.  The project,  expected to cost 40 million dollars, will be paid for with interest-free loans funded by the federal stimulus bill.   Also being discussed are renovations and consolidations of Irving and Roosevelt Schools on the west side, and Wayne and Edison Schools on the east side.  There is no firm plan in place as yet for the latter projects.

There is a good possibility that Lake Erie will freeze completely over this year.  Satellite images show the surface to be near 95% ice covered already.  Maybe it will alleviate some of the lake-effect storms we have been having.

Spring is only 38 days away!!!

Governor Ed Rendell has proposed a 29 billion dollar budget for Pennsylvania.  One troublesome item is a rather large change in the sales tax.  Rendell’s plan would lower the tax rate to 4%,  but add some 74 new entities to the taxable list.  Objections are sure to be forthcoming.  Rendell said he is trying to head off huge deficits in 2011 and 2012.  I would rather see him propose real spending cuts instead of  suggesting a back-door tax increase.

Presque Isle State Park will see a cut-back in services, as the Department of  Conservation and Natural Resources tries to cope with the reduction in state funding.  Fewer guarded beaches will be available for swimming, the Stull Nature Center will not open this year, and hours at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center will be reduced.  An even more dire result of budget cuts is the closing of some of the restroom facilities at the park.  That’s scary for young children and old men who can’t wait!

Sports

The Edinboro Men’s Basketball team defeated Mercyhurst 62-55 and the Edinboro Ladies won over the Lady Lakers 71-52.

Gannon Men overcame  Slippery Rock  by a close score of   54-53, while Gannon’s third-ranked Women pounded the Slippery Rock Ladies 63-39.

The Bayhawks game against Ft. Wayne scheduled for Wednesday was postponed due to the weather.

Events

Only 2 more shopping days ’til  St. Valentine’s Day.  Consider yourselves reminded, gentlemen!  If you need some ideas, why not check out some of the locally owned shops, and find something really special for the lady(s) in your life.

Gannon University has received the unanimous consent from Erie City Council to build a new dormitory on the lower east side campus.  The 12-15 million dollar project will provide another 250 beds.  Construction will start in the spring and be ready for occupancy in 2011.

The Erie County Convention Center Authority has invited proposals from several construction management firms to oversee the major upgrade to the Tullio Arena.  Pa. Governor Ed Rendell has pledged 32 million dollars toward the project.   I don’t quite see how he can give this much cash to rebuild the civic center, and at the same time slash millions from health and human services.  Priorities?

Another cool million in state dollars has made its way to Frontier Park to construct new trails, bridges, an ice skating trail and a green building.

Meanwhile, Second Harvest Food Bank has seen a nearly 50 percent increase in the number of families who have sought help to feed their families.  Thank goodness there are people like Karen Seggi, who are dedicated to helping the poverty stricken survive.  Erie is also fortunate to have several facilities who provide meals for the hungry, and shelter them from the cold.

Erie City Council passed off maintenance responsibility for several bay front locations, including parts of the Bayfront bikeway and promenade, the Land Lighthouse, Ravine Drive, and State Street between the Bayfront Parkway and Dobbins Landing.  The agreement is expected to save the city a couple hundred thousand dollars in upkeep expenses.

On a side note, that section of State Street will be undergoing a 1.1 million dollar makeover, beginning this spring.  It’s a good thing we citizens  have deep pockets.

Erie County Executive Barry Grossman has asked for a spending freeze for all non-essential purchases and travel expenses in response to the state spending moratorium.  City Council Chairman Kyle Foust expects council to be in agreement with Grossman.

On a more exciting subject, ErieBlogs received a note from one of our long-time readers, Phil Causgrove.  Phil ran across an article in the LATimes which mentions our own Ravine Flier II,  Waldameer Park’s outstanding new wooden roller coaster.   The local coaster is ranked among the top ten wooden coasters in the country.   Of course we think it’s number ONE!!!  You can check out the article here.  There is also a link to vote in a poll for the number one spot.

Just a reminder to stay off the ice dunes that have formed along the lake front.  We don’t want to lose any readers.

Sports

In Wednesday night basketball,

Gannon’s third-ranked Lady Knights overcame Mercyhurst 66-52 .

Mercyhurst men defeated Gannon 58-46, with the loss forcing Gannon into a tie for third place.

The Edinboro Fighting Scots fell to Wooster 85-72, breaking a four-game win streak.

The Iowa Energy zapped Erie’s Bayhawks 101-87.

Events

Check out the  “Jewels, Jazz, and Jive Valentine Party” at The Jive, 1014  State St.  The party starts at 11 am on Saturday,  February 6.

“The Wiz” takes flight again tonight through Sunday at the Erie Playhouse.  The show has been a sellout so far, so reserve your tickets early!

The 2010 Auto Show opens today at noon and will continue through Sunday at the Bayfront Convention Center.  Free parking, and admission is only $3.00.

Dinner Under the Stars Returns to the Erie Planetarium

Valentines Day Weekend,

February 12^th, 13th and 14th

ERIE, Pa – The Erie Planetarium, at 356 W. 6th Street, is holding its Dinner Under the Stars event, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 12^th, 13^th, and 14^th, at 6:00 p.m. There will also be a lunch event at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 14^th.

This annual event, hosted by the Erie Planetarium, includes a delicious four course lunch or dinner under a romantic night sky. To conclude the experience, guests will enjoy a presentation of the stars given by Planetarium Coordinator, Jim Gavio. Viewers will see the night sky come to life as constellations glide through the universe.

This opportunity only happens once a year and makes for a unique, romantic experience for anyone looking to celebrate Valentines Day in a memorable way.

Tickets for the Dinner Under the Stars event are $30 per person. For reservations, call Melanie at

454-1813 ext. 32. There are a limited number of tables for each event. For more information about Dinner Under the Stars, visit www.eriecountyhistory.org.

Donna Reese, local business woman and entrepreneur, has announced her intent to enter the primary campaign for the Congressional Seat now held by first term Congresswoman, Kathleen Dahlkemper.  Ms. Reese is a co-partner in General Exterminating, and has just purchased a small-business consulting  firm.

Entering the political arena in quest of the Lieutenant Governorship is Jean Craige Pepper.  You may recall Ms. Pepper from her campaign against Bob Casey Jr. for State Treasurer in 2004.

Former Erie County Executive Rick Schenker has withdrawn from the Lieutenant Governor race due to a career change.

There may be some more bad news in the job market in Erie.  The owner of Plastek Industries revealed that the company is looking into moving 20% of their jobs to North Carolina.  Moving the 200 jobs would help to improve service to their customers in that area.  A final decision has not yet been announced.

Firefighters in Erie are taking the City to court over what they say is non-compliance with an arbitrator’s ruling that required the city to hire several additional firefighters.  The union is asking the court to order the city to comply with the ruling.

Several former Chrysler dealers have filed for arbitration to appeal the forced closure of their dealerships by Chrysler Corporation last May.  Owners of Cunningham Chrysler, Fairview Chrysler-Plymouth, and Gary Miller Dodge were among nearly 2000 dealers entering into the appeal.

Hamot Medical Center has again been recognized for its low complications and death rates, one of 269 facilities nationwide to earn the designation as a Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence.  This year’s honor is the seventh time in eight years that Hamot has won the honor.

If you usually take East 12th Street to work, you might want to leave a little early this morning in case the water main break at 12th and Downing has not been repaired.  The intersection was closed all day yesterday.  Thanks to those who work in the freezing water to maintain and repair the lines.

We’re both happy and a little sad to see Erie Blogs owner Mike Richwalsky as he begins a new chapter in his career.  Mike is leaving his position at Allegheny College to become Director of Marketing at John Carroll University.  His new job begins on Monday.  We wish Mike great success in his new position.  Erie Blogs will continue to be a major player in the Erie on-line community under Mike’s dedicated leadership.

Sports

Gannon Women over Edinboro 79-67, maintaining their unbeaten streak of 21 games overall.

Gannon Men also picked up a close victory over the Scots by a score of 61-60.

The Mercyhurst Lady Lakers earned a hard-fought 61-58 win over Clarion

Mercyhurst men lost an equally close game to Clarion by a score of 77-75.

Allegheny teams swept Oberlin, Gator Men 85-66, and the Lady Gators 70-49

The Erie Bayhawks ended their losing streak with a 95-94 victory over the Springfield Armor.

Retired Erie School District Principal Greg Myers is prepared to unveil plans to develop a new charter school in Erie.  The proposed school would serve students from the higher poverty neighborhoods on Erie’s east side.  We are not entirely convinced that starting another charter is a better idea than working to improve the education delivered by our public school system.   Taxpayers are already overloaded with taxes, and paying for another school would certainly add to that burden, since the school district is required by law to pay for the students’ tuition.  The School Board heard Mr. Myers’ presentation last evening.

Erie County Council displayed a bit of fiscal responsibility at their weekly meeting Tuesday, declining to grant a greater starting salary to several of Executive Barry Grossman’s new appointments.  Council decided during the budget process to set a lower starting salary.

That was a fantastic come-from-behind victory for newly elected Senator Scott Brown in Massachusetts Tuesday.  The impact of his win on the health-care bill will be interesting to watch.  I think the public is angered by having the bills pushed through  Congress without being properly thought and agreed upon by both parties.

Residents of the Richford Arms Apartments got to spend a week in various hotels and motels after an electrical malfunction left the building at 515 State St. with no heat or electricity until Tuesday.  The Richford provides housing for the disabled and the elderly.  The building owners paid for the meals and housing for the residents until they were able to move back into their apartments.

Two really big lake freighters have docked in Erie for the winter lay-up and maintenance.  The Presque Isle and the Edgar Speer are impressive in their size.  The Presque Isle was built in Erie.  Seeing the ships is something for families to enjoy together.  The photo of the Presque Isle in our lead-in was taken by Jeff Thoreson, author of Erie Shipping News,      www.erieshippngnews.blogspot.com.  Check out Jeff’s site for great pics and commentary about the goings-on here in Presque Isle Bay.

With the urging of Mike (read yesterday’s post) I elected to install the Mozilla Firefox browser on my desktop.  Initial efforts seem to indicate that it is a good choice.  I also did some long needed maintenance to remove a lot of unneeded stuff that was slowing my computer down.  Thanks to Mike for his advice!  He really wanted me to buy a Mac, but that wasn’t to be. LOL

The outpouring of donations and volunteering for the Haitian earthquake victims has been amazing, hasn’t it?  It seems like people are really touched by the news and pictures that we have witnessed from the island.  Our prayers are most certainly with the victims, but also with those who are helping rescue and recovery efforts.

Sports

The Villa Girls basketball team has fallen from the ranks of the unbeaten, losing to Regina 55 to 44.

Strong Vincent pulled off a 17 point win over rival Cathedral Prep.  The final score was 73-56.

The Mercyhurst Men’s basketball team outshot Edinboro 83-72, while the Hurst Women prevailed 70-65.

At Slippery Rock, Gannon swept the night, with the Men on top 81-63, and the Ladies winning 74-40

Allegheny downed Hiram 75-61 in a Men’s contest.

Events

You can hear the Erie Philharmonic work their magic Saturday Night at the Warner Theater.  Winter nights are made for enjoying the lush interior of the Warner, coupled with the  musical offerings from the talented orchestra.   Reserve your tickets at the Civic Center box office.

The Erie Playhouse will open  January 29th at 7:30 pm with the funkiest show of the season, when they present ‘The Wiz’, a modern version of ‘The Wizard of Oz’.    “Ease on, ease on down the road” to reserve your seat for what promises to be a real visual and musical treat!  Box office phone 454-2852 for information.

We all need to keep the people of Haiti in our thoughts and prayers as they try to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of the earthquake which caused unbelievable damage to their island home.  Many thousands of lives have already been lost with the expectation of thousands more to come.

Also on the thoughts and prayers list is the family of State Trooper Paul Richey, who was killed in the line of duty in  Cranberry Township, near Oil City, yesterday.  The shooting suspect was later found dead in his home.

Four-year-old Adrianna Holfelder is back safe at home following a major ordeal.  The tot was sent off to day-care by school bus Tuesday morning.  Unfortunately, the bus driver forgot to stop at the day-care center, instead drove back to the garage and parked the bus, leaving the girl inside.  Adrianna was found several hours later by a different driver.  Her mother wasn’t notified until nearly 1:30 pm, when a person from the day-care center called to inform them.  No one, by the way,  from Ft. Lebouf School District, which operated the bus, contacted the girl’s mother.  We’re happy the child was found safe, and we’re also sure there will be some litigation to follow, what do you think.

On the brighter side, along with the warmer temperatures forcast for the rest of the week, we’ll be seeing a lot of yellow daffodils everywhere, as the American Cancer Society kicked off the annual ‘Daffodil Days’ fund raiser.  It’s a great chance to bring some color into your home and workplace, while helping this worthwhile cause.  The flowers will be available for purchase at various locations around the city, or contact the Society office.

A new report detailing the expansion of medical schools in the past decade cites the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine as a model for the growth of new medical schools. The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundationrecently released “New and Developing Medical Schools: Motivating Factors, Major Challenges, Planning Strategies,” written by Michael E. Whitcomb, M.D., from the George Washington University School of Public Health and Science.

On a related note, The Erie Times News cited the opening of the LECOM School of Pharmacy as one of the high points of the past decade for the region’s economy.

Sports

Mercyhurst Women’s Hockey is again ranked Number One in the nation, and  Gannon Women’s Basketball again pulled down a #4 National Ranking.

All of the local college basketball teams began PSAC West play Wednesday evening.

Gannon Men won 59-47,  over California.                                    

Gannon Women won 75-72 over California

Mercyhurst Women beat Slippery Rock 57-51

Mercyhurst Men pulled out an 82-80 victory at Slippery Rock

Edinboro Women prevailed 78-65 at Lock Haven

Edinboro Men sustained a loss, 83-69 to Lock Haven

In professional ball, the Erie BayHawks entertained Fort Wayne last night at Tullio Arena, outscoring the visitors 109-97.

Events

The Erie Chamber Orchestra, under the baton of Bruce Morton Wright, will present the annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King  tomorrow evening at St. Patrick’s Church.  The program will include the Shiloh Baptist Church Choir, with Director Fredrick Dixon.  The concert, which will begin at 7:30 pm, is free and open to the public.  St. Patrick’s is located at 130 East Fourth St.

Don’t forget the American Cancer Society’s ‘Daffodil Days’.  They need your support.

“Ease on, ease on down the road” to the Erie Playhouse to see “The Wiz”.  Opening night is January 29, and the show will run thru February 14th.  Call the Playhouse Boxoffice for reservations.

We normally don’t cover police news on Erie Blogs, but it was such a sad situation, that only 6 days into the new year, a feud between two young men, one 19 and the other 17, resulted in the death of the 19 year old, and the younger man being held on murder charges.  What disagreement is worth taking one young life, and ruining the other?  Me=sad…

It looks like table games are a pretty safe bet for Pennsylvania, with the bill having been approved by the State Senate and en route to the governor for his stamp of approval.   Rendell has already indicated he would sign the bill.  If one looks at the way the gambling dollars have dropped at the Presque Isle Casino, it seems like a very shaky way to finance state operations.

The Dairy Complex building at the Crawford County Fairgrounds has collapsed, we presume from the weight of the snow that has fallen over the past few days.  The facility, which opened in 2008, cost almost $470,000 to build.  I wonder if any of the engineers even considered our winters when designing the structure.   It would seem to me that someone would have some explaining to do.

A blood drive conducted by the Community Blood Bank, in honor of Jim Thompson, newly chosen Chairman of Erie City Council who is undergoing treatment for a form of cancer, was held at City Hall yesterday.  At least 70 units of blood was collected during the day.

Erie Blogs wishes a belated Happy Anniversary to former President George H.W. and First Lady Barbara Bush.

The towing and snowplowing business owners have to be very happy with the wintry weather.  When it isn’t snowing, they aren’t making much money.

The gas stations, however, must be making a lot these days.  Here in Erie, the average cost per gallon has increased to $2.79, a 10 cent increase.  Gotta wonder how that can be justified.  Wallets=Empty…

The ban on cell phone usage while driving is now in effect.  For everyone, that is, except for public safety workers, who will be exempt.  At first reading, the dastardly act was said to be a secondary offense, for which you could not be charged except when stopped for  a primary offense .  The word now is that may not be true.  We would be careful for awhile until the details are clear.

Congratulations are in order for the Erie Playhouse team, who raised roughly $15,000 in donations for the Kanzius Cancer Research Fund.  The Playhouse collected the money through a voluntary donation at all of the performances of ‘White Christmas, the Musical’ , which ran through December and into January.

Surprise!  Looks like we may get a little snow today and tomorrow.  The forecast is for another 6 inches or so.  I, for one, am ready for spring.  How about you?

Sports

Devone McLeod led Allegheny to an 89-57 win over Kenyon in an NCAC game Tuesday.  The win keeps the Gators undefeated in conference play.  In all, five Gators hit for double digits in the game.  McLeod was also named Gator mens’ Player of the Week.

Brittany Bell scored 10 of her career-high 24 points in overtime to lead Allegheny over Oberlin 80-69 in North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) women’s basketball action on Tuesday night.

Events

Well, boys and girls, 2009 is close to becoming little more than a memory.  Whether the memory is good or bad depends on your personal viewpoint.  One thing which we  can all hope for is that the coming year will be better than the one that will slip away at 12 midnight tonight. 

Mark DiVecchio is happy.  He already has a new job, as Executive Director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).  Human services is very close to his heart, and in his new position, he will work closely with the Office of Children and Youth providing advocacy for children who pass through the Erie County Court System.  CASA is not a county program, but rather an organization made up of mostly volunteers.  We wish him well.

Another important member of the DiVecchio administration, Alyson Amendola, is also VERY happy.  Not only will she become the Executive Director of the Erie County Historical Society,  she has also become engaged to a lucky guy who goes by the name of Matthew Cummings!  We think that both Matthew and ECHS have hit the jackpot.

Mount Pleasant Ski Resort out Edinboro way has opened for the season.  If we can believe the forecast for this weekend, the skiing should be terrific.

If you plan on celebrating the New Year with some adult beverages, please be sure there is a designated driver to see that you and other party-goers travel safely throughout the evening, and that inebriated drivers do not involve anyone else in an accident.  Having a sober driver will also ensure that one of the many local and state police officers will not be passing out a huge fine at your expense!  We guarantee that the officers will be out in force.

Sports

 Seton Hill forced 27 Gannon turnovers en route to a 64-44 victory Tuesday night in the 36th annual Porreco Cup semifinals at the Hammermill Center.  Ferris State won the other semifinal game with a 77-67 win over Taylor.  Seton Hill met Ferris State in the finals last night.

The No. 6 Gannon women’s basketball team limited visiting St. Thomas Aquinas to 25.4 percent (15-59) shooting and posted a 52-31 advantage on the glass en route to a 60-39 victory Wednesday afternoon at the Hammermill Center.

The Mercyhurst College women’s basketball team stretched its winning streak to four with a 64-48 victory at Madonna College.   The winning streak is the longest since the early part of the 1999-2000 season, which was also the last winning season for the Lakers.

Oh yes, the Bayhawks finally won a home game, outscoring the Bakersfield Jam 91-78 Tuesday night.

Events

We’re sure there will be plenty of parties around town tonight.  The Irving Berlin musical, ‘White Christmas’, begins its final weekend run at the Erie Playhouse.  This is a don’t-miss performance, showcasing Erie’s finest actors, singers, dancers, and musicians.  The show goes on at 7:30 pm tonight, tomorrow and Saturday, with a 2:00 pm matinee performance on Sunday, January 3, 2010.

It will also be a blast at the Bayfront Convention Center tonight with ‘Boogie on the Bay’ festivities kicking off at 9:00 pm.  Proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania.  Be sure to look up Capt. Dan Geary, Erie’s oldest teenager and Master of the Oldies from WYNE, and give him a big New Year’s kiss.

We hope that everyone is enjoying the days leading up to Christmas.  There seem to be a lot of people who are still not finished buying gifts.  The stores have been busy, which is good news for the economy.  We also hope that everyone remembers those who have nothing, by making a donation to one of the many local charitable organizations that help to provide food, clothing, and a warm bed for the least fortunate among us.

We suggest that last-minute gifts are easily found in abundance in our locally owned shops and galleries.  And a monetary donation in the recipient’s name to charity also makes a wonderful gift.

In a bit of sad news for the local community, Riley Power has finally closed it’s doors.  This is a tough time to be put out of a job.  The company started cutting  jobs back in January.  We hope the furloughed employees are able to find other employment soon.

On the positive employment side, employees who were laid off from Erie Shipbuilding are now being gradually recalled to their former jobs.  Most of the skilled positions pay wages in the $40,000 + range.  The facility was recently purchased by a firm headquartered in New Jersey.

Gambling is pretty slow at the Casino these days.  Players wagered $28 Million dollars in the past week, compared to high weekly totals in the $40-50 Million dollar range a few months ago.  We’re certain that the poor economy is a contributing factor.  It doesn’t seem very sensible for the State and local governments to be relying so much  on the income from the casinos and race tracks to fund necessary operations.  Of course, those of us who live in Pa. are sort of used to that kind of voo-doo economics from our elected officials.  Governor Rendell, Mayor Sinnott, and Barry Grossmann, are you listening?

A few days ago, a White Christmas seemed to be a possibility, but the latest forecast kind of dashes our hopes, calling  for warmer, sloppier, rainy weather for Christmas Day.

Darryl Dobony was officially recognized by Millcreek Township officials  yesterday for his heroic actions during the devastating fire at Presque Isle Condominiums earlier this month.  Dobony risked his own safety by going door-to-door in the complex, waking residents and helping them get out of the danger zone.  Many of the residents, including Dobony and his son, lost everything in the blaze.  However everyone got out safely, thanks to Mr. Dobony’s selfless actions.

We want to wish the owner and editor of ErieBlogs, Mike Richwalsky, a speedy and not-t00-painful recovery from a shoulder injury he suffered in a fall on the ice outside his building.  The good news is that nothing was broken,  however Mike’s pride suffered immensely.  We’re sure Jenn and the kids are taking good care of him.

Sports

The Gannon men’s basketball team will try to extend its win streak to three games when it hosts the 36th annual Porreco Cup after Christmas break. The semifinals are scheduled for Tuesday, December 29. Ferris State and Taylor (Ind.) open the action at 6 p.m., followed by Gannon and Seton Hill at 8 p.m. The tournament concludes Wednesday, December 30 with the consolation game at 6 p.m. and the championship tilt at 8 p.m.

Events

New Year’s weekend will be your last chance to see “White Christmas, the Musical” at the Erie Playhouse.  The production is one you shouldn’t miss.  Celebrate New Years Eve at a pre-show gathering, followed by a great performance!  Information is available at the Playhouse Box Office, 814-454-2852, or online at www.erieplayhouse.org .

Is anyone else still trying to finish up Christmas shopping?  In the quest to highlight local businesses, I decided to check out  a relative newcomer to downtown Erie.  Just west of State St. on Fifth, you will discover a delightful shop filled with decorative accents, jewelery, glassware, candles, and almost anything else that a last-minute shopper could hope for.

As I walked in the door at Accents by the Bay, I was greeted by the gracious owners, Judy Tucci and Barbara Corbett.

They explained that while they offer well-known brands, such as Vera Bradley, Crabtree & Evelyn, and others, the shop also seeks out distinctive items, each individually created, including lake-glass jewelry from the artisans at Relish, which add a touch of local flavor to your gift purchases.

Just imagine how much traffic and noise you would encounter while trying to get to the crowded stores at Millcreek Mall and the surrounding area, then think how nice it can be to shop in a peaceful, calm, environment. 

We encourage everyone to patronize this locally owned business and others.  Help make  our own economy better, while finding items you will never find at the big box stores.

And please, tell Judy and Barbara you saw it on ErieBlogs!!

Three-term City Councilwoman Rubye Jenkins-Husband sat in her council seat for the last time yesterday.  She has been one of the most active members of the council, especially in her efforts to spearhead the revitalization of the Parade Street corridor and surrounding areas. A loquacious and colorful speaker, Rubye has served her constituants and the entire City of Erie well.  She will be missed.   Thank you Rubye, for 12 years of excellent service.

City Council approved the 2010 budget of $58 Million dollars at Wednesday’s meeting.  While  taxes remain the same, refuse and sewer rates will be going up.  The increases for refuse service will increase by $9.25 quarterly, and sewer rates will increase $8.40 per quarter.  Still sounds like a tax increase of $70.60 per year to us, no matter what they call it.

Council also approved a ban on the usage of hand-held cell phones while driving in the City of Erie.  The ban includes talking and texting, and any other use while operating a vehicle.  As a secondary offense, users can only be charged in conjunction with another, primary offense.  The safest way to avoid charges is to pull over to use the phone.  The law takes effect on January 5, 2010.

Erie General Electric has made a quarter-million dollar donation to several local charities.  Unfortunately, our  personal budget was not among the recipients.

Erie Shipbuilding should soon be back in business after the Port Authority completed an agreement with a New Jersey based marine services firm.

Meanwhile, the Airport Runway project is now on the fast track and is projected to be completed in 2012.  We won’t hold our breath on this one!

A young lady who didn’t like school has discovered that truancy is not the best way to go.  The $300 fines mounted up and went unpaid by the girl’s mother.  the girl then made a deal with the judge that she would get her GED.  Didn’t happen.  Now she has been sentenced to jail for 58 days.  We hope she enjoys her forced vacation as much as she did the seven times she played hooky.

An $800,000 dollar jobs bill passed last night in the U.S. House of Representatives is earmarked to update the Amtrak train fleet, which would include 50 new locomotives.  Erie GE Transportation officials have indicated that they will be competitive with their bids.  Kathy Dahlkemper, D-3rd District, made the announcement.

Sports

Gannon’s Kaitlyn Bosy was selected to run a 300-meter leg of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Wednesday, December 16.  The Sophomore is a member of the Gannon Swim Team.   We hope it was warmer in Ontario, Canada than it was in Erie, Pa yesterday.

Events

With all the activities taking place in Erie these days, it is impossible to decide which to highlight, so we’re just going to  urge you to go out and have yourselves a great time in the final week leading up to Christmas.  There are bands playing all over town, concerts to attend, theatrical presentations to enjoy( hint: ‘White Christmas’ at the Erie Playhouse looks like the local hit of the year, better get your tickets before they’re snapped up.  Lastly, many local churches present programs for the Christmas Season.  Enjoy the great things Erie has to offer!

The old adage about changable Erie weather hit us right between the eyes over the past 36 hours, didn’t it?  I think we had just about every possible weather change,  with copious rainfall, sleet, hail, snow, damaging high winds, sunshine, blue skies, and even a rainbow.  The winds caused considerable damage around the area, downing limbs, trees, and power lines.   My recycling bins, complete with two weeks worth of plastic bottles and such, seem  to be among the items which as yet I have been unable to find.  So if you find any large bags which do not belong to you, please just put them out on the proper day.

Probably the most stunned of anyone was this poor chap who was driving up Freeport Road in North East, Pa, early Wednesday morning, when a HUGE limb fell across the front of his small convertible, which ended up a few feet smaller.

Three  more feet and the driver would have been a few feet shorter, too.   He is fortunate to be alive. 

Also in North East, the high winds blew seven railroad flatcars, complete with their cargo trailers, off the track and onto their sides.  Again, no one was injured.

County executive-elect Barry Grossman has announced his new director of personnel.  Peter Callan will take over the responsibilities from current director, Larry Meridith, when the new  government is seated in January.  Callan comes with four years experience in the position under former executive Rick Schenker.

I find it very troubling that there have been several incidents of violence in which innocent little children have been injured by shots fired at other people or at random.  The latest is a 5 month old girl, who was hit by shotgun pellets.  Isn’t it time for the witnesses to help identify the gunmen instead of just turning away?  Someone must know who fired the shots through a window.  The baby girl is now at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh.

For the eighth year in a row, residents of Millcreek will not see a tax increase.  We assume they are pleased.

Congratulations to Alyson Amendola, who will assume the position of Executive  Director of the Erie County Historical Society in January.  Alyson was Erie County Director of Communications under Mark DiVecchio.

Bambi got to live  another day, as officials cancelled Wednesday’s deer hunt at Presque Isle due to the weather conditions.  Bambi is happy, the hunters, not so much.

Sports

Mercyhurst Women’s basketball players held off Wheeling Jesuit for a 70-66 win Wednesday.

Events

Now that the Thanksgiving holiday is a fond memory, it’s time to get into the Christmas spirit.  The Erie Playhouse presentation of “White Christmas” opens tonight, and what better way of getting into the mood than enjoying this classic show.  The play marks the return of  David Matthews to the director’s chair.  We have been coerced by a sweet young lady into operating one of the spotlights for the show.  Hopefully, we will perform as perfectly as the talented folks on the stage and in the orchestra pit.  You will be in awe of the talent we have here in our own home town.  This awesome lady is the beautiful and talented Karen Brennen.

 Did you check out the new feature on ErieBlogs?  A new page dedicated to promoting local artists, galleries, and encouraging shoppers to consider unique gifts not to be found at the big box stores.  Click on ‘Local Gift Ideas‘ at the top of the page to view the list we have so far.  Entrepreneurs are invited to add their own names by filling out the contact form.

Dreaming of a White Christmas may be more than a dream.  Local weather wizards are predicting some of the cold, white, slippery stuff for the next few days.  Temperatures will also head down.  Not ready.  Really.

Millcreek Township received an early gift in the form of nearly half a million dollars in stimulous funding.  It will be used to improve energy savings for the township operations.

The unemployment rate in Erie has now reached 10%. To combat those losses and keep jobs in Erie while attracting new businesses here and keeping taxes low, Erie City Council has voted unanimously to approve a cell phone driving ban. Nevermind the state may pass a law making this local ordinate moot. Let’s all do this: raise your hand, open it and press your face into your palm.

Controversial Pastor Jeremiah Wright will be speaking in Erie in mid-December.  His views proved too radical even for Barack Obama, who cut ties with his former pastor. 

Gannon University has obtained a zoning change that will allow them to construct at least one new dormitory in the area of 5th and Sassafrass. Several neighborhood residents argued against the change, concerned that housing more students in that area will make the existing parking situation even worse.  Council was not concerned.

Sports

The Gannon women’s basketball team moved up two spots and is ranked ninth in the latest USA Today ESPN Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll released Wednesday afternoon.

The Penn State Behrend men’s basketball team rebounded from their first loss of the season with a victory over the Allegheny Gators on Wednesday, December 2 at the Junker Center.  The score for the contest was 77 to 70.

Events

Don’t forget the Erie Playhouse presentation of the classic ‘White Christmas’ opens tonight, and continues until New Years weekend.   Show times are Thursday thru Saturday at 7:30 pm, with Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm.  Call the Playhouse box office for more information and tickets.

You can wear your snowshoes and take part in the Gallery Walk on Friday evening.   If the weather outside is frightful, the shuttle service will be delightful.

Yes, boys and girls, Thanksgiving Day is finally here.

We at ErieBlogs hope you all have a day full of good food, good drink, and thanksgiving for the love of friends and family, and for the privilege of living in the greatest country on earth….

It is truly a day to thank our God^* for all he has given us.

Ready, Set, Dig in……….

The Mazzei & Associates building on Cherry St. suffered fire damage yesterday. No one was injured, but the building may sue.

Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott gave City Council an early Thanksgiving treat yesterday, showing off his 2010 budget. No tax increases are in there, but many fees will be going up, so it’s pretty much a tax increase. Fees that may increase include refuse rates and sewer fees.

If you’re bored and need a break from the family, The Road, filmed in Erie and starring Aragorn from Lord of the Rings opens today. Showtimes are here.

The PNC Bank on Upper Peach was robbed yesterday. No one’s been arrested as of yet.

Daejshon D. Norton, of Erie, was one of four people arrested on charges they robbed students at Kent State University.

*= Or your respective deity or deities.

Sports

The Erie BayHawks have announced their final roster cuts, waiving Oliver Lafayette and Roderick Wilmont to get down to the league required roster limit of ten players. The opening day roster will be:

NUM	NAME	POS	HT	WT	COLLEGE
42	Alade Aminu	F	6-10	235	Georgia Tech
41	John Bryant	C	6-11	305	Santa Clara
32	Kyle Goldcamp	F	6-10	225	Gannon
21	Jarvis Gunter	F	6-10	220	Arkansas-Pine Bluff
34	Ivan Harris	F	6-7	220	Ohio State
11	Cedric Jackson	G	6-3	190	Cleveland State
14	Jackie Manuel	G/F	6-6	190	North Carolina
19	Zach Sowers	G	6-3	185	William Jessup
17	Donell Taylor	G	6-6	185	UAB
22	Martin Zeno	G	6-5	205	Texas Tech

ErieBlogs contributer Matt Hubert has a look at the roster over on his blog.

Events

Today’s events include eating, napping and football. What else do you really need?

The Gannon University Social Work Club on Saturday, Dec. 5 will host its 32nd annual Christmas Dinner and Wellness Fair.

The dinner is free and open to the public and is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University’s Hammermill Center, 620 Peach St. It is designed to help brighten the Holiday season for those less fortunate local residents who otherwise might not have much to celebrate. The event, which provides a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings and free, donated clothing, is in keeping with the University’s Mission of service to one’s neighbor. Gannon University students, faculty, and staff generously give of their time to make the event successful, including setting up for the event and preparing and serving hundreds of meals. Meals will be served starting at 11 a.m., and Santa Claus will visit with the children in attendance at 12 p.m.

Effective immediately, County Executive Mark DiVecchio has assigned County Solicitor, Wallace J. Knox, Acting County Executive.

County Executive DiVecchio will undergo lower back surgery on Monday, November 23, and is expected to be back in the office Monday, November 30.

 According to the Home Rule Charter, in the event of a temporary absence or incapacity, a member of one of the county departments, previously designated by the County Executive as a substitute, and confirmed as such by the County Council, shall serve as the Acting Executive. The Acting Executive shall have all the powers of the County Executive.

It has been brought to our attention by Dan Desrochers of the Community Blood Bank of NW Pa, that the blood drive being held by the Erie Otters is NOT affiliated with the local Blood Bank, rather the Central Blood bank of Pittsburgh is partnered with the Otters for the drive.  This was an oversight on my part.  Apologies to our local donors and to the Community Blood Bank of NW Pa. for any confusion this may have caused. 

Dale

                                                   

 We certainly are enjoying some great fall weather so far.  It’s hard to believe Thanksgiving is only a week away.  We can’t wait!   

 

                                                   

Erie County Employees received the “Erie Walks” trophy from previous champ Gannon U. in a ceremony Wednesday at the Erie County Courthouse.  The goal of the Erie Walks! program is to engage employees in fun, fitness and friendly competition – with downtown Erie as their playground. The walk participants included the City of Erie, County of Erie, Gannon and Hamot employees.

The sick individual responsible for the vandalism and theft of items taken from the grave of Corporal Timothy Lauer,  who was killed in Iraq, now has a price on his head.  A reward fund has been set up for information leading to his arrest.  We are still shocked that there are those among us who would stoop so low.   Hopefully the vandal will be identified soon.   Please contact Pa. State Police in Meadville with any information.

Longtime Airport Authority Lou Porreco has resigned his seat with a month left in his term. 

We understand that the Flagship Niagara is once again on the cutting board in Harrisburg.   The  Captain and three full time crew members are to be laid off as of Friday.  We sincerely hope that funds can be restored before next summer sails around.

Various departments in the Erie County Courthouse will have to make do with fewer workers due to the budget cuts made by County Council members.  20 jobs were cut, along with a .6 mil tax increase.  Times just don’t get any easier, do they?

Sports

We’re not sure if any Buffalo fans will be unhappy that Coach Dick Jauron has been fired after running up a dismal won/lost record.  He is being replaced by Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell for the remaining six games of the season.   Let’s hope the guy can help the Bills produce a few wins!

The Erie Otters will team up with the Central Blood Bank to sponsor the first annual Give Blood, Play Hockey Blood Drive on Tuesday, December 1, and Wednesday, December 2, from 1:oo pm to 7:00 pm in the corporate suites at Tullio Arena.

The Erie SeaWolves are proud to announce that once again, they will partner with the United States Marine Corps for the second annual “FILL A TRUCK AT THE UHT” Toys for Tots event to Jerry Uht Park! On Saturday, December 12 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., the main plaza in front of the Jerry Uht Park front gates will serve as a Toys for Tots drop-off.

Events

The Erie Playhouse will present ‘Christmas Belles’ beginning tonight, November 19.  Ticket information by calling the Playhouse box office at 814-454-2852.

The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League have announced a partnership with the Central Blood Bank for the first annual Give Blood, Play Hockey Blood Drive, which will take place Tuesday, December 1 and Wednesday, December 2 from 1:00-7:00 p.m. in the corporate suites at Tullio Arena.

The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League have announced a partnership with the Central Blood Bank for the first annual Give Blood, Play Hockey Blood Drive, which will take place Tuesday, December 1 and Wednesday, December 2 from 1:00-7:00 p.m. in the corporate suites at Tullio ArenaThe Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League have announced a partnership with the Central Blood Bank for the first annual Give Blood, Play Hockey Blood Drive, which will take place Tuesday, December 1 and Wednesday, December 2 from 1:00-7:00 p.m. in the corporate suites at Tullio Arena.

VisitErie Delegation Departs for Harrisburg.  Their Mission: Selling Erie

 VisitErie, together with tourism industry partners will travel to Harrisburg November 12-13 to market Erie as an ideal meetings and convention destination during the annual Pennsylvania Society of Association Executives (PASAE) 2009 Convention Tradeshow.  The Erie delegation will host a luncheon/presentation program for meeting planners on Thursday November 12th at the Rockbass Grill.   Attending Erie representatives include: Bayfront Convention Center, Scott Enterprises, Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel, Bel-Aire Clarion Hotel & Conference Center and Presque Isle Downs & Casino.

Is it just me, or do the leaves that keep falling to the ground seem to be much more abundant this year?   It feels like I have spent almost every day on the tractor trying to keep up with the fall out, only to look out the window to find another layer fluttering to the ground.

 We’re not really complaining, though.  This is one of our favorite times of the year here in Northwestern Pennsylvania, and before we can say BRRRRR, the ground will be covered in white,  rather than the rainbow colors of Autumn leaves.

We found it very heartwarming to read the tributes to the veterans of our military services in memory and honor of their sacrifice and service to ensure that the rest of us are able to live in peace.

The workers laid off by the Erie General Electric were hit with another blow today when it was announced that they would not be eligible to receive Federal Trade Adjustment Assistance since the slowdown was not caused by the loss of orders to foreign manufacturers.

Another Erie County Judge, Tom Carney, has pled guilty to charges stemming from an encounter on I-79 in which he pulled a handgun and waved it at the driver of another car.  Now he hopes that being treated as a criminal will help him to be a better judge.   Say what?????

Texting while driving is likely to be outlawed if a bill currently in the State House is passed.  The bill would also bar younger (under 18) drivers from talking on a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.   Expect a lot of cooperation from the younger generation over that one.

Sports

The Erie Otters defeated Saginaw 5 to 2 in a Wednsday afternoon game at the Tullio Arena.

Gannon University’s Golden Knight Football Team placed 4 players on the All-PSAC squad.  Senior Jon Richardson and Sophomore Randy Colling won First Team honors, while Sam Geldmaker and Matthew Neal-Mink were awarded second team spots.

At Mercyhurst, David Hetrick,   Fred Hale, and Tim Herbener earned First Team honors, while Josh Szeluga,  Andrew Salamon, Brian Boyce, Julius McCormick, and Ian Wild were named to the Second Team.

Events

Mary Kay and Dan (better known as the Captain) Geary would like to extend an invitation to everyone to attend the Holiday Open House at Studio 7 Gallery.  Be sure to tell ‘em Dale sent ya!! 

Election Day events are still dominating the news this morning, a day and a half after the polls closed.  Of course, the polling was marked by some glitches, not the least of which was the seven voting machines that were somehow not included in the counting tuesday night.

In a tight race with Grossman leading Kerner by only 350 votes, the missed machines hold the possibility of changing the outcome.  So do the 1100 absentee ballots which still need to be processed.  The race for County Executive appears to be headed for a photo-finish.

In East County, Republican Ebert Beeman, whose somewhat radical background caused the Republican Party to disavow his campaign, won handily over any and all opponents, including incumbent Dave Mitchell, who first did not intend to run, then changed his mind and tried to run a write-in campaign. It should make for a somewhat more exciting council.

In the city voting, newcomer Jim Winarski gained a seat on Erie City Council, however, the old timers on council can be expected to conduct business as usual.  Mayor Joe Sinnott won by a huge margin.  Poor Jack Anderson, the Rodney Dangerfield of Erie politics, just keeps tryin’.
Such is the fate of a Republican in this Democratic bastion.

Speaking of City Council, it seems they intend to push for a cell phone ban while driving in the City of Erie.  State Representative John Evans opined that the ban should be on a state level, in fact there should be a vote in the Pennsylvania assembly within a week or two.   Of course City Council, which always knows best, will continue to seek a local ban.

It was sad to learn of the closing of the Marketplace Grill.  It has consistently been one of the highest rated fine dining spots in Erie for over 20 years.  The economy figured largely in the decision to close.  Thanks to Peter Lyons for many years of fine cuisine.

GoErie.com launched their website makeover this week.  We feel the new look here at ErieBlogs is better and easier to navigate. Have you tried the new version of this site for your iPhone and iPod touch?

If you know anyone who would like to advertise on two of the best blogsites in the Erie area, spots are available on both ErieBlogs and GlobalErie.  Be seen on both sites, each and every hit, for one low, low, price.  You can get more information here.

Sports

The Erie BayHawks today announced that seven players have been invited to participate in their 2009/10 training camp which is slated to begin on November 14.

Among the invitees are four returning players including; Jackie Manuel, Ivan Harris, Oliver Lafayette and Jarvis Gunter. The BayHawks also added a pair of local prospects Gannon University center Kyle Goldcamp and Edinboro guard Joe Jones to the roster through the team’s free agent tryouts.

Cleveland State guard Cedric Jackson rounds out the pre-draft roster via a D-League player allocation. The BayHawks will complete the training camp roster with eight players selected in the NBA Development League Draft. The team has the second overall pick in the draft set for Thursday night.

The BayHawks will host an NBA Development League Draft Party starting at 6:30 pm at the Fox and Hound English Pub and Grille, 250 Millcreek Plaza. 

The admission to the event is free and open to the public and everyone who attends will have the opportunity to win great prizes including: signed gear from the BayHawks, and prize packs from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Sports Obsession in the Millcreek Mall.  Fans will also enjoy  free food and drink specials, plus appearances by BayHawks coaches John Treloar and Ben McDonald, members of the BayHawks Dance Team and “Clutch” the mascot.

The evening will also be highlighted by an appearance from returning BayHawks forward Jackie Manuel. The former North Carolina Tar Heel star and BayHawks shutdown defender, will be on hand to sign autographs and greet fans.

Following is the list of training camp invitees. 

Player                                    Pos     College                        Status                                              

Oliver Lafayette                         G        Houston                        Returning

Jackie Manuel                            F        North Carolina            Returning

Ivan Harris                                 F        Ohio State                      Returning

Jarvis Gunter                             F        Arkansas-Pine Bluff   Returning

Kyle Goldcamp                          C        Gannon University     Tryout

Joe Jones                                    G        Edinboro University  Tryout

Cedric Jackson                           G       Cleveland State Uni    Allocation

The Otters take on Niagara at the Tullio Arena Friday night at 7 p.m.
 

Events

U.S. Congresswoman Kathleen Dahlkemper has co-sponsored The Locomotive Fleet Investment and Tax Credit Act of 2009.  The tax credit is intended to encourage all aspects of the locomotive industry, through increased manufacturing, sales, and purchasing.  By increasing demand, the act should also preserve jobs in the industry.  The act would create a 30% tax credit.  That’s no small thing when purchasing multi-million dollar units.  Anything that benefits our local industry is fine with us.  GE should also be pleased.

Erie County Election officials say they aren’t concerned about the flu bug affecting election day business, and don’t think we should worry about it, either.  Maybe we should all wear surgical masks and gloves when we go to the polls next Tuesday.

Speaking of the flu, a record setting 482 new cases were reported in Erie County last week, the most since the Health Department has been tracking it.  Dr. Craig Johnston,DO, said that this the worst he’s seen in his 25 years of medical practice.  The total now stands at 1083 cases reported since June.  There’s a lot of sick people out there, folks!!!

Erie Police have a new 4 year contract, but many are not so happy.
The arbitrator gave them a semi-annual 2% raise, but for the first time, also ruled that they must contribute toward their health care benefits.  Single officers will pay $30 per month, while families will pay $60 per month.  Of course, the city was satisfied.  As a retired senior citizen, in 2010 I will pay at least $500 per month in insurance for my wife and me.  I guarantee we would be happy to pay the same prices the police will pay.

John M. Ferretti, D.O., President and CEO of LECOM, received the Distinguished Citizen Award for 2009 from the French Creek Council, Boy Scouts of America. Pictured, from left, are Kerry Schwab, French Creek Council, BSA President; Michael Visnosky, Chairman of the LECOM Board of Trustees; Dr. Ferretti; and Duane Havard, French Creek Council Scout Executive.

The Manufacturer & Business Association is pleased to announce that Anna McCauslin has been hired as the government relations representative in the Association’s Harrisburg, Pennsylvania office.
In her new position, McCauslin will be responsible for developing state legislative priorities and strategies; encouraging membership grassroots activities; and lobbying on behalf of a pro-growth, pro-business agenda.

Could it be the airport runway project will finally get off the ground?
Millcreek supervisors have given preliminary approval to the land-use plans for the proposed extension to the runway.

Sports

Someone apparently hacked into one of those electronic road info signs along I-81 near Scranton, and reworded the message to read GO YANKEES.  PennDot officials were not amused. 

The Erie SeaWolves are looking for energetic, outgoing, and dependable people to be members of the 2010 Wolf Pack. If you’ve ever wanted to be the life of the party, have a great time, and get paid for it, this is the opportunity for you.

The Philadelphia Phillies scored the first run in the 2009 World Series
on a homer off the bat of Chase Utley, on a pitch from CC Sabathia.     CC =  surprised!!

Phillies win the first game of the 2009 World Series by a score of 6-1.  Yankees = even more surprised!!!

The Erie Otters skated to a 5-2 won over the Guelph Storm in front of a Buck Night crowd of 4222 last night at the Tullio Arena.

 Events

JEWELS, JAZZ and JIVE !!    Tonight at 6 p.m., at The Jive Coffeehouse, 1041 State Street.  Music by 3Bop, Jewelry by Lena Logvina, and of course great coffee byThe Jive Coffeehouse !                    

Kristy Wallace, the delightful young lady who handles the front desk for Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio, awakened yesterday morning to find that someone had rammed their truck into her garage. The garage was
destroyed, and the driver of the truck left behind some blood, but has not been found. Fortunately, Kristy’s car was not in the garage at the time. Definately not the best way to start your day.

It’s a bit hard for us to understand why former Governor Tom Ridge would go to bat for Matthew Lazenby, the 21 year old male who pled guilty to a felony assault charge for severely shaking and striking the 23 month old daughter of his girlfriend last year. Ridge wrote a letter to Judge Shad Connelly in hope of getting a lesser sentence for Lazenby. Thankfully, Judge Connelly used better judgement and sent the child-beater to state prison for the next four to eight years.

John Heugel, a member of the Erie Blogs family, is recovering following a heart attack a couple of weeks ago. That would explain why we haven’t seen any updated posts lately. John is blogging about the experience at http://heartround2.blogspot.com. Please keep John and his family in your prayers for a fast recovery.

Jim Reichard of Harborcreek got a fast lesson in how to deliver a baby yesterday, when his new daughter, Brandi, decided she was tired of waiting another 7 weeks to be born. Jim was coached through the delivery by 911 dispatcher Tim Wills. Mom Michelle, Dad, Brandi, and brother and sister are all doing well.

Did anyone happen to notice that gas prices jumped another dime yesterday?  This is the time of year when prices usually drop.

The long-awaited H1N1 vaccine is finally reaching Erie, but we wouldn’t hold our breath waiting to get a shot, since it will likely be limited to those with a high risk factor. Keep the tissues handy, and stay out of sneeze distance from everyone. As a side note, St. Vincent ER set a one-day record on Monday when they treated 282 patients. According to Dr. Wayne Jones, you might be better off staying at home, unless you are in a high-risk group.

SPORTS

The Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League have announced the details for their Second Annual Hockey for the Hungry Night, which returns with a twist, as the Otters will stage their second Buck Night of the season on Wednesday, October 28, when the Otters host the Guelph Storm at 7:00 p.m. Fans who bring a non-perishable food item to Tullio Arena on October 28 will receive a free ticket to that night’s game. While at the game, fans can purchase hot dogs, popcorn, beer and pop for a dollar each, adding up to one of the best bargains in sports entertainment.

Former Otter Ryan O’Reilly is one game away from decision time for the Colorado Avalanche. The choice is between returning to Erie for one more year, or playing out the year in Colorado.

the Penn State Behrend Women’s Soccer team moved into a tie for 9th place ranking in the NSCAA Great Lakes Region. The Gannon Women are ranked 5th in NCAA Division ll Atlantic Region. Mercyhurst Laker Women are ranked 8th in the Atlantic Region. The Laker Men took over 4th place in the Region.

Gannon Golden Knight football this Saturday against Lock Haven at the Gannon University Field. Game time is 1:00 p.m. This is also Homecoming weekend.

EVENTS

Remember to let your kids take you to ZooBoo. There are all sorts of fun things for the whole family to enjoy. You may even run into an animal or two, and a lot of very scary little creatures all over the park.

Peek’n Peak will be the location for a Beer and Wine Fest Saturday, October 24, beginng at 12:00 p.m. Hope for a sunny day so you can enjoy the fall foliage on the way. And take a designated driver. We don’t want to lose any of our readers!!

Protection From Abuse Coordinated Services (PFACS)Battle of the Barristers will be held on October 29th at the Cove Bar and Grille, next to the Bayfront Sheraton….proceeds to benefit SafeNet/PFACS.
Call the Cove for times.

The Jive Coffee House will be host to the ‘Saturday Jive Jazz Series’ through the month of November. First event will take place on Saturday, November 7th, at 2:00 p.m. The Jive Coffee House is located at 1014 State Street.

Shortly after they held a rally at Union Station in support of bringing high-speed rail service to Erie County, members and supporters of All Aboard Erie got the word from PennDOT that Erie is now part of the plan for its future network of railroad lines.  Now all we need is a few billion dollars from the federal government.  While that is good news, don’t expect to see any development in the near future, until say, 2035.

It was so sad to learn of the death of two year old Takiah Warren yesterday, who was found unresponsive at her home.   This morning police are continuing the investigation into events leading up to her death.  They have a “person of interest’ in custody, and the testimony of a 5 year old sister, who implicated the person in question. An autopsy performed Wednesday was inconclusive as to what caused her death.  We hope the police investigators are able to solve this tragic case quickly.  Our sympathy and prayers go out to Takiah’s  family.

Dedication for the spiffy new Griswold Park has been set for October 22 at 10:30 a.m.  The new design is intended to help make the park more inviting, especially with the enhanced lighting and a new fountain.  The newly renovated park is another step forward in the renewal of the area around Union Station, whose owner, Jim Berlin, got the ball rolling by turning the decrepit building into a showcase for the several businesses that have taken up residence there.

Due to popular demand, the Eastside Farmers Market season has been extended an extra two weeks. The Farmers Market, located on East 38th and Pine Avenue, will run from 10 am until 2 pm every Saturday through October 31st. The East Side Farmer’s Market is sponsored by the South East Hills Neighborhood Watch and Mercyhurst College. For more information, contact Bob Merski at 825-7392.

We have  heard several reports of possible snow for the end of the week.  We would expect many Erie area residents will be taken by surprise, as usual.

A scholarly chapter written by Gannon University President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D., has been selected for inclusion in a new book focusing on the “disproportional” decline of black American males pursuing college degrees. The book, “Black American Males in Higher Education: Diminishing Proportions (Diversity in Higher Education),” was published Oct. 1 by Emerald Group Publishing Limited. It is edited by Drs. Henry T. Frierson, University of Florida; Willie Pearson Jr., Georgia Tech; and James H. Wyche, National Science Foundation.

Every three years, the Pennsylvania Winery Association conducts an economic survey of the state wine industry, and the latest results show Pennsylvania’s wine and grape industries are growing at a rate no one could have predicted. Copied below is a release about the survey and findings. The economic impact of the PA wine industry rose 31 percent over 2005 totals to $870 million in 2007 Wine production is up 13 percent, to 920,000 gallons (moving PA up a spot in the national rankings to 7th overall)

Sports

Edinboro University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams will open practice for the 2009-2010 season today, October 15.
The Gannon Golden Knights also begin their preseason practices today.

Penn State Behrend junior volleyballer Danielle Woods hit a career highlight 1005 digs while coming up with 21 digs against D’Youville on October 13.  She becomes the twelfth player in Behrend history to surpass 1000 digs in her career.

Events

Gannon Alumni Weekend and Reunion is coming up from Oct. 23 to 25.  Details available at www.gannonalumni.org.

Tuesday, October 20, the Behrend Speaker Series will feature the “Marketing Mastermind From Starbucks and Whole Foods”,  John Moore.
The presentation will take place at 7:30 p.m., in the REDC 180 Conference Center.

Each year ArtsErie honors individuals and groups for their contributions to the arts community with ArtsErie Arts Appreciation Awards. The awards are presented each October, National Arts and Humanities Month, at ArtsErie’s Fall for the Arts event. ArtsErie will host the 2009 Fall for the Arts celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 20 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Yehl Ballroom in Gannon University’s Waldron Campus Center (124 West 7th St., Erie).

 

Mother Nature proved again that she can be a mean mom.  The area was hit Tuesday night and Wednesday with high winds and plenty of rain.  Trees and utility poles were blown over by winds up to 50 mph.  Power outages darkened 3800 homes a the height of the storm, and waves of over 15 feet developed on the Lake Erie shoreline.  We suppose the million dollars worth of sand that was spread on the beaches at Presque Isle is now gracing the shores in New York State.

Dan Onerato, Allegheny County Executive and candidate for governor, will stop for a campaign appearance in West Perry Square, at South Park Row and Peach.  He should be there at 4:30 pm this afternoon.

A sliver of good news from General Electric, who has shipped the first two of thirty Power Haul locomotives to Freightliner, in the United Kingdom.  Four more are scheduled to ship in November.  This marks the first entry for Erie-built locomotives into the U.K. and European market.

Those Summer Block Parties beat the odds against the weather and the economy to raise $14,000 for several charitible organizations.  Even with a lower turnout, this is an increase of $6,000 over last year.

The enrollment at Gannon University has reached a 17 year high, with 4238 students enrolled in all categories.

Sports

Gannon footballers travel to Mercyhurst College Saturday afternoon to continue their cross-town rivalry.  Kickoff is at 12 noon, at Tullio Field on the Mercyhurst campus.  Tickets are on sale at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center today and Friday between 9 am and 4 pm.

Edinboro Universtiy starts a three-game road series at PSAC West rival Indiana.  Edinboro is 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the PSAC West, while Indiana is 3-3 overall and 0-3 in PSAC West.  Game time is set for 2 pm.

The Erie Otters are on the road for their next three games.  They will face off at Peterborough tonight at 7 pm.  Listen online at www.ottershockey.com, or on the radio at AM 1330, the Fan.  Pre-game broadcast begins at 6:45 pm.

The NBA Development League announced yesterday that its 2009 Draft will take place from the NBA TV studio in Atlanta, GA on Thursday, Nov. 5. The Erie BayHawks will have the second overall selection in the draft. The live selection show highlights the ninth-annual draft which offers NBA D-League teams the opportunity to build their rosters from a pool of promising players. The draft will be televised on NBA TV and streamed live online on NBA.com (www.nba.com/dleague) beginning at 7 p.m. (EST).

Events

SafeNet, Inc, asks you to help support Domestic Violence Awareness Month by wearing something purple on Friday October 9. Purple ties, purple slacks, purple skirts or dresses… it doesn’t matter what you wear, just wear purple proudly on Oct.9th to remember those whose lives were affected by Domestic Violence, celebrate survivors and to promote awareness!

ArtsErie and CultureSpark invite everyone to spend a few moments filling out a survey to assist them in setting a course for the cultural development of Erie County over the next 10 years.  Learn more about CultureSpark and take part in the survey by going to their website at www.culturesparkerie.org/  The survey must be completed by Friday, October 9.

The Gannon University English Department on Tuesday, Oct. 20 will welcome author Philip Beard for a reading, discussion, and signing of his novel, Dear Zoe. Sessions will be held at 9:30 a.m. and at 11 a.m. in the lower level lecture rooms of the University’s Nash Library, 619 Sassafras St. The sessions are free and open to the public. Already translated into three foreign languages, Dear Zoe was a “Book Sense Pick,” a Borders “Original Voices” selection, and was named by the American Library Association as one of the “Ten Best First Novels of 2005.” The School Library Journal also selected it as one of the year’s Best Adult Books for High School Students.
Beard, a practicing attorney, will share his unique publishing story and answer questions about the novel, the writing process, and changing careers at age 40.

Tucked away in a corner of the old McAllister building on East Dobbins Landing, halfway between Smugglers’ Wharf and Rum Runners, is a great little shop, appropriately called ‘The Bayfront Gallery’.  The location is one of the last remaining spots on the bayfront that hasn’t been touched by the redevelopment gnomes….yet.

The Bayfront Gallery is only open summers, which means you need to make plans soon to stop in for a visit.

The final show of the season just opened, and will run until October 18th.  Several artists are featured, and the pieces being displayed in the two main rooms are worlds apart.

One room showcases ‘Images of 1969′, and the ‘Ron Holstein Collection’, which visits ‘Forty Years of Folk Art.’

Filling the other room is a priceless display of Op Art, a style of art which was prevalent in the 60’s and 70’s.  The paintings, serigraphs, and other forms will trick your eyes into seeing what isn’t on the surface, and amaze you with the talent of the three artists who are represented.

Roy Ahlgren, Richard Anuskiewicz, and Carl Sundberg are all recognized  in international circles as among the finest creators of this art genre, and are represented in many important galleries and private collections around the world.  All three men are Erie natives.

Mr. Ahlgren worked at the Marx Toy Company, and created much of the artwork for advertising and boxes to hold the toys.  He then taught art at Erie Tech until his retirement, all the while creating his unmistakably unique art as a sideline.  At 82, he is still prolific as an artist, well-known now for his hard-edge style landscapes.

The Bayfront Gallery show will continue through October 18th, from Thursday through Sunday, from 11 am to 5 pm.

Finally someone is going to put to use the constant wind that comes across Lake Erie.  Ontario Hydro is planning to erect more than 800 wind turbines in the lake.  That’s enough to provide power for two million homes.  Sounds a lot better than some other power generation ideas that are floating around.  Now if only the decision-makers in our corner of the world would see the advantage to wind power.

A map showing the proposed high speed rail corridors that hopefully will be built across the country, somehow leaves Erie out in the cold.  The proposed routes stop at Buffalo, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.  I understand that Pennsylvania hasn’t even applied for any of the Stimulous funds being offered for the project by the federal government.  If you are interested in seeing this project include Erie, Brian Pitzer, of All Aboard Erie, has announced a rally to be held at Union Station, on October 13, at 5pm.

The grape harvest is underway, somewhat belatedly.  The grapes were slow to ripen this year due to the cool, wet, growing season.  A few warm, sunny, days would go a long way toward increasing the sugar content.  That would make the growers more content, also, since higher sugar content means higher sales!!!

 

The Niagara crew will spend the next few weeks preparing the ship for winter.  The rigging and masts have to be taken down, and a protective cover wrapped around the ship.  I bet it gets pretty cold up in the crow’s nest, with the cold Lake Erie wind howling around.

Community leaders from government, education, business, and non-profits did a little roll-playing to help them understand what it is like to live the life of poverty experienced by more than 20 % of our Erie neighbors.  Why don’t they just ask?  I’m sure they could get a lot better idea from someone who lives the poverty day in and day out.

Mike mentioned here yesterday that Erie has the highest poverty level of any urban area in Pennsylvania.  We think that is totally unacceptable.  Any comment, Mr. Mayor??

The weather this week makes us realize that Autumn is here and s**w is just around the corner.  It would be easier to face if we had actually had some Summer weather.

A Gannon University student participated in a prestigious 10-week, research-based internship administered by the Harvard Stem Cell Institute. The student, Shane T. Lavin, completed the internship this past summer. Lavin is a senior pre-medical/biology major at Gannon with a minor in psychology.

Sports

Erie Otters home opener is Saturday, October 3, against London.  The puck drops at 7pm.  Pre-game party at 5pm with the Geek Army and dollar refreshments.

Edinboro Junior Melissa Leszek scored in the first half and Sophomore goalkeeper Kate Stukbauer held strong for the win over 17th ranked California(Pa) in the PSAC Western Division match.

Mercyhurst shut out Gannon 2-0 in Mens’ Soccer

Congratulations to the Mercyhurst Softball team for earning the sixth highest team Grade Point Average in the nation, and first among PSAC schools.

 The Erie BayHawks will have the second overall selection in the 2009 NBA D-League draft next month. The lottery took place in Dallas, TX Tuesday at the League’s annual coaches meetings.

Events

The Art Galleries at Allegheny College will present a variety of works by Allegheny faculty and alumni at an exhibition opening with a reception and talks by the artists on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will continue through Sunday, Oct. 25. The gallery will be closed Oct. 10-13 for the college’s fall break.

The Erie Playhouse kicked off it’s season in grand style, selling out the house for every performance of ‘Chicago’.  The rest of the season looks exciting for theater-goers as well.  Next on-stage, at the East Erie Turners, is “We Gotta Bingo’, an audience participation event with dinner, full bar, and live music.  The show will run every weekend in October.  Also on the schedule will be “Christmas Belles”, a comedy, in November.  Playing throughout December and New Year’s weekend will be Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas”.  You can place ticket orders at the box office, by phone, (814-454-2852), or on line at http://www.erieplayhouse.org .

We’re feeling sorry for all those poor folks who live in the Pittsburgh area as the G-20 Conference opens today.  It looks and sounds like everyone in the country with something to protest or an agenda to push has descended on the City.  Several groups couldn’t wait for the official opening, and started their shenanigans a day early.  Many popular businesses all over town and beyond have been warned to take precautions against the protesters.  It must make a great impression on the global visitors to see the city shut down, windows boarded up, and protestors everywhere. About 25 Erie police officers are there to help provide security.  Meanwhile, Erie is fair game for law-breakers!

The tall ship Denis Sullivan, a three-masted schooner is spending a few days in Erie, giving 500 area students the opportunity to get some hands-on education aboard the floating research vessel.  The ship will leave on Saturday.

Better get your annual flu shot scheduled ASAP.  The company that is manufacturing the vaccine is not keeping up with shipments as promised.  They appear to be too busy preparing swine flu vaccine.

Local cultural organizations are upset over plans by the state legislature to add a 6% tax to all ticket charges.  Most of the organizations are non-profits who are already having a difficult time financially.  I understand sporting events are exempt, however.

The EPA and DEP have filed a lawsuit in federal court to force Erie Coke Corp. to bring the aging plant into compliance. 

Hamot Medical Center has agreed to increase its payment in lieu of taxes by seventy thousand dollars this year.  I would certainly think they can afford it.

Congrats to Mike Sopp, who was the winner of our $50 gift certificate giveaway with DiningVerse. He writes: “After much deliberation even though i am a die hard Browns fan i have to try Steel City.” Brave man.

Sports

Erie Otters Defenseman Tyler Hostetterhas signed his first professional contract with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers. Congratulations from Erie Blogs, Tyler!!

The Otters’ home opener will be Saturday, October 3 at 7:p.m. against the London Knights.  Pre-game party at 5 p.m. with Geek Army, dollar hot dogs and other refreshments available.

The Penn State Behrend women’s soccer defeated the Grove City Wolverines yesterday by a score of 1-0 at the Behrend Fields.  Julia Schroeck took a great pass from teammate Lindsey Steinsdoerfer and put it into the net.  Goalkeeper Kayla Frost recorded her fourth shutout of the season with three saves.

Mercyhurst’s Lady Lakers stunned Slipper Rock 2-1 yesterday by  scoring two late goals to overcome a 1-0 deficit.  Taylor Hilinski headed the game winner.  The Mens’ Golf team tied for fifth place at Wheeling Jesuit. 

Edinboro will hit the road for it’s first away game in 2009 when they take on the Gannon Knights this Saturday with a 12 noon kickoff. The  Fighting Scots hold a 3-1 record, while Gannon is 2-2.

Allegheny(2-0)will meet Oberlin(0-2) Saturday at Oberlin.  This is the first time in 13 years that the Gators have opened the season with a 2-0 record.

 

Events

Time is running out to get your tickets for the current Erie Playhouse production, ‘Chicago’.   This is the final  weekend to experience this great show, right here in Erie.   Those who have already seen the production give it rave reviews.  A few tickets may still be available  by calling the box office at 454-2852.

Be sure to set aside some time this weekend to enjoy the fruit of the vine at the annual North East Wine Festival, which takes place from Friday through Sunday afternoon.  There will be wine tasting, winery tours, wine tasting, music, wine tasting, crafts, wine tasting, more music, perhaps you may even wish to sample some wine from each of North East, Pa.’s seven award-winning wineries.  The Wine Fest takes place in both Gibson Park, in downtown North East, and at Gravel Pit Park,  just west of North East on Rt. 20.  See you there!!

Gannon University and the Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania are teaming up for a blood drive to be held at Gannon’s Hammermill Center Wednesday, Oct. 7. The drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Hammermill Center, corner of Peach Street and South Park Row. No appointment is needed, and donors may walk in at their convenience.

Scott Bremner at WSEE TV broke the news this morning that GE will permanently lay off over 1480 hourly workers.  Most  affected are those who are already on temporary lay off, about 1200 employees, and 230 who are still working.  Also eliminated are 50 salaried positions.

I will update the details as the become available.  However the company did point to lack of orders, and the inability to sufficiently reduce expenses as reasons for the downsizing.

 

The Erie County United Way kicked off its 2009 fundraising campaign today.  The agency hopes to match last year’s contributions of 5.7 Million dollars, but the sagging economy may constitute a problem.  The fund drive runs through November.  33 agencies and 100,000 people were served last year.

On Tuesday, employees with the Mental Health Association of North West Pennsylvania, and the YMCA, gathered in front of State Senator Jane Earle’s office to protest the lack of funding due to the budget impasse in Harrisburg.  Many necessary programs are in real danger of closing their doors for good.  The rally was organized by Diana Ames.

We hate to allude to the changing season so early, but Millcreek Township has secured its winter supply of salt, so there should be no shortages for the township this year.  They were able to get a better price by adding their order to that of PennDot.

Two area individuals have been appointed to educational positions in the Erie area.  Edinboro University Graduate Harold Shield, currently Chair of the Edinboro University Council of Trustees, has been appointed to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors.

Gannon Professor Berwyne Moore has been selected as this year’s Erie County Poet Laureate.

Budget problems at the state level could slash as much as $500,000 from the funding for Presque Isle State Park.  TheTom Ridge Enviromental Center could be forced to close for 10 weeks during the winter.

Luxury suites slated for the renovated Tullio Arena don’t seem to be a very hot item.  A survey conducted by the Erie Times-News indicated that there is a very low demand, due to the poor economy.

On the happier side of the news, Gannon students and staff amassed more than 77,000 hours of service and volunteer efforts during the 2008-2009 school year.  Wonder when they did their homework?  Nice !!!!

Thank you to Ridge and McLaughlin, Attorneys at Law, for being sponsoring the website this past week. Please contact them with your legal needs at (814) 454-1010.

Gannon University’s bachelor’s degree program in software engineering recently was accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. ABET accreditation demonstrates a program’s commitment to providing its students with a high-quality education. With the accreditation, retroactive to May 2009, Gannon becomes only the third college or university in Pennsylvania to offer an accredited bachelor’s degree program in software engineering. In addition, Gannon University is one of 19 such accredited programs nationwide.

Sports

Edinboro University’s football team is hoping to rebound from last week’s upset to Shippensburg, when they play C.W.Post at Sox Harrison Stadium.

The Fighting Scots women’s soccer team fought to a 1-1 tie with Slippery Rock in double overtime on Tuesday evening.  Slippery Rock is ranked at #25.

Allegheny Men’s soccer is ranked 5th in the Great Lakes Region.

Monica Schaffer, Women’s Soccer, and D.J. Egan, Men’s soccer have been honored as Athletes of the Week at Allegheny.                           

Gannon University women’s volleyball team snapped a brief losing streak with a 3-0 sweep of future GLIAC member Lake Erie. Courtney Cook had a season-high 13 kills for Gannon.

Brittany Zaborowski and Greg Naranjo were named Athletes of the Week at Gannon.

Villa Maria girls soccer opened the season with a 6-0 shutout over Fairview.

Events

Good ole down home country fun will continue until Saturday evening at the Waterford Fair, just south of Waterford on Rt. 19.  Rides, food, animals, and all kinds of fun await you.  The gates open at 5:00.

Inside sources tell me that the latest Erie Playhouse production, “Chicago” which opens tonight, will blow the roof off the building.  Great acting, singing, dancing, and honest-to-goodness LIVE musicians guarantee an evening to remember.  I understand the first two weekends are sold out, so you better hurry and order your tickets.

The 9-12 Project and Brewerie will host a rally and forum on Saturday, September 12, at noon, at Union Station.  Highlights will be a panel forum to discuss the current health care in the US, and then the panel will be open to questions, suggestions, and discussion.  Former U.S. Congressman Phil English will be on the panel.

Corry resident Chuck Trimble seems to have gotten the words to the classic baseball song wrong – it’s not “Take Me Out At the Ball Game.” Trimble suffered a heart attack at PNC Park a few weeks ago and happened to be sitting right in front of Dr. Christopher Post, a doctor at nearby Allegheny General. A nurse and an EMT were also nearby and with the help of one of the stadiums AED units, Trimble survived and received treatment at AGH. That’s more excitement than is usually on the field at PNC Park.

The African-American Concerned Pastors and the NAACP have scheduled a community meeting for September 28, at 7 pm at the Greater Calvary Full Gospel Baptist Church, 2624 German St.  The group has finished their series of silent marches held over the past couple months, and is ready to air their concerns about matters affecting the community.  Public officials will be invited to attend.

Millcreek Police Chief Tom Carlotti has informed the county that the Millcreek Department will not join the County 911 Center until operations there meet the level of service of their own dispatch team.

Sylvain Cote of the North East Police Department has been named Erie County Officer of the Month.  All those years of playing tough hockey with the Erie Blades must have prepared him well for handling bad guys!!

Rowan Spracklan, young son of Mercyhurst Rowing Coach Adrian and wife Mia Spracklan, has been named a finalist in the Good Morning America ‘Cute Kid’ contest.  The Spracklens started the adoption process in February 2008, and traveled to Ethiopia last January where they adopted six-month-old Rowan, an 11-pound, malnourished, very sick little boy who had been abandoned at 20-days-old outside a police station in Addis Ababa. You can vote for this fine Erie lad right here. Let’s make him a winner!

Rick Liebel of SafeNet is asking for donations of your old used cell phones.  The phones will be altered and used for 911 calls by clients of SafeNet.  Just remove the SIM card and drop off the phone at the office, located at 1702 French St.

The Community Blood Bank is asking for donations of your used blood.  You can just drop it off at 2646 Peach.

There is plenty of road work going on all over the county, so you might want to leave for work a bit early and be prepared to wait.

General Electric is facing a bleak market in the near future, with no US  companies presently ordering and other orders greatly reduced.  The Wall Street Journal has more here. Chances are you know someone who works there and have heard about rolling layoffs. We know of people who were laid off most of July, have been back for a few weeks and will soon be off for a few more weeks.

After waiting for several years, Erie skateboarders will have a place of their own when Erie’s first skate park opens this evening at 15th and Poplar Street. We’re pretty good at the Tony Hawk games, but we think we’d still break every bone we have if we tried to skate at the park.

The Advertising Federation of Northwest Pennsylvania is now accepting nominations for the 2009 Creative Spark Awards, George Mead Distinguished Service Award, and Ad Person of the Year Award. Nominations can be made online at www.afnwpa.org now through Sept. 14. The Creative Spark Awards Celebration will be held on Friday, Oct. 2. Details and location will be announced soon. While the organization’s annual ADDY Awards held each spring largely recognize the work of art directors, graphic designers and copywriters, the Creative Spark Awards honor those “non-creatives” who bring out-of-the-box thinking to their roles as media representatives, account executives, printers and broadcast producers, just to name a few. Ad Person of the Year is presented to an individual or organization to recognize outstanding contributions toward the advancement of the communications industry in Erie and the surrounding area. The award should preferably represent achievement within the past year but may be given for cumulative contributions during the past three years. The George Mead Distinguished Service Award is presented to a current or past member of the AFNWPA (formerly the Erie Advertising Club) for distinguished accomplishments, for extraordinary service to the communications industry, or for unusual service to the organization. Nominees are not limited to current Ad Fed members or to persons from the immediate geographical area. For more information, or to nominate someone for these awards, visit www.afnwpa.org.

 

Sports

The SeaWolves came from behind to defeat the Harrisburg Senators in game one of Wednesday night’s doubleheader at Metro Bank Park, snapping a seven-game losing skid to the Sens. Erie also won the nightcap 5-1. Same teams tonight in H-burg.

Gannon Men’s Soccer defeated the University of the District of Columbia 4-2, while the Women’s team lost to Mercyhurst 1-0.

The Allegheny Women took the win over Westminister 1-0 on a goal by Becca Crissman.  Goal Keeper Emily Darr had three saves.

The Edinboro football team will look to improve to 2-0 on the young 2009 season when Shippensburg visits Sox Harrison Stadium on Saturday, September 5.  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Events

I received this request from Rick Liebel, on behalf of SafeNet, Inc. regarding the serious financial crunch being felt by social service agencies brought about by the State budget impasse. Please send around to your contacts.

Subject: State Budget!

This statement was released to the media on Thursday:

Safenet has not received 90% of its operating capital from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If a budget is not passed SafeNet doesn’t have the reserves or borrowing power to keep its doors open, at this time we are relaying solely on private donations and the funding from the United Way.

“Unfortunately because of this budget impasse many domestic violence agencies across the state will have to close by mid September.”

I urge you to write your state representative and tell them to get this budget passed Visit http://www.legis.state.pa.us/ to contact them.

Thanks Rick

Hello, Everyone,

I just want to pop in for a moment to introduce myself to the ErieBlogs community.

My name is Dale Hannah. I’m retired, and enjoy life out in the wilds of North East, Pa. My wife, Maryann and I have 3 offspring, 4 grand offspring, and a grandpuppy.

I’m definately NOT politically correct. I am not affiliated with any political party, which allows me to pick on everyone equally.

My main thrust will be to comment a bit on some of the goings-on in Erie and around the county, with some side trips into the world as seen through the eyes of a senior citizen.

I hope to hear from you, comments are always welcome!

Happy Friday