For those of you who have been following the Erie Coke plant mess, experts say the emissions typically contain benzene and PAH’s, which have been linked to breast cancer in women. PA’s Department of Environmental Protection is considering what actions should be taken, possibly even shutting down Erie Coke until it can clean up its operations.

Penn State Erie has finally chosen the replacement chancellor for retiring John D. “Jack” Burke. Donald L. Birx is currently the vice president of research at the University of Houston System. He has also taught at New Mexico State University and work with multiple research and development facilities. Looks pretty amiable to me.

Paul Polacci, who attempted to shoot two sheriff’s deputies last November, has been sentenced to serve 10-20 years in state prison with 20 years probation to follow. Polacci, who claimed to be suicidal when the incident occurred, pointed a loaded handgun at the officers in front of the Domestic Relations Office, then located at 155 W. 8^th. Fortunately, it failed to go off, and Polacci was apprehended shortly thereafter.

As a result of the recent legal battle between the city and the firefighter’s union, one of the six local firehouses will be closed by the end of the month. Ironically, the firefighter’s union won the case, which argued that the stations were understaffed. The union hoped the result would be more hires, but the city says the $1.7 million to hire 24 new firefighters is money they don’t have. Instead, the Mayor Joe Sinnott plans to close one station and spread the firefighters around the remaining stations. The union is trying to work with the mayor to come up with a section option that would not require the closing of a station.

Police have arrested a third suspect in the robbery of Luigi’s Bar and Grill on West 18^th Street, which occurred early Friday morning. 18-year-old Scott Beatman has been charged with robbery and disorderly conduct, as were the two suspects arrested on shortly after the crime on Friday.

Events

The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School will hold a free Information Expo in Erie on March 30^th from 5-8 pm. The expo, to be hosted at the Ambassador Banquet Center, will explain how the schools work: the curriculum, materials, and technical and instructional support. Teachers, administrators, admissions counselors and technical support staff will be present to answer any questions. Interested families may register at www.pacyber.org.

You know you’re thinking it…there’s the slightest chance that with all this warmer weather and sunshine, spring might just be on its way (knock on wood and anti-jinx it!). But the bay’s still frozen over, and its beautiful for a walk if you have the time. I took a stroll across it over the weekend and captured some great shots:

Disbarred Erie attorney J. Gregory Moore has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for embezzlement. He pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $200,000 from estate clients.

The Erie County Coroner is still investigating the death of 39-year-old Daniel Ellis, who was killed by a freight train. Ellis was walking on a set of tracks when he was struck from behind by an eastbound train. Investigators believe Ellis may not have heard the train coming because of noise from a nearby passing westbound train.

A federal judge has overturned a $5,000 verdict awarded to Dan Galena, who claimed Erie County Councilman Fiore Leone violated his free speech rights. Galena, who is now running for council himself, sued Councilman Fiore Leone for having a sheriff’s deputy escort him from a 2007 meeting when Galena continued speaking after a public comment period had ended. U.S. District Judge Sean McLaughlin overturned the August jury verdict on Friday, finding that Councilman Leone had acted properly.

Freshmen college students need to start adding a new item to their dorm room shopping lists: fire extinguisher. A fire broke out on the roof of Edinboro’s science building on Sunday night, possibly caused by a HVAC unit. The blaze was controlled within an hour and no injuries were reported. This comes shortly after last week’s fire at the Dobbin’s cafeteria at Penn State Behrend, reportedly caused by a faulty electrical wire in a cash register.

Events

This Sunday is Pennsylvania’s annual Charter Day celebration, and two local sites will be offering free public tours. Visitors will be asked to vote on the provisions to the “PA History Bill of Rights” that are most important to them, which include ensuring that students learn and understand state history, preserving state history for current and future generations, maintaining access to historical records and documents, and helping communities retain their historic character.  The Erie Maritime Museum will be open for free tours Sunday, March 14 from noon to 5 p.m. Drake Well Museum in Titusville will mark Charter Day with free visits from noon to 4 p.m.

If the warmer, spring-ish weather is urging you to get outdoors, you might be interested in the St. Patrick’s Day Run/Walk at Presque Isle on Saturday, March 13, 2010. The 5K is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. and the 10K at 10 a.m. For information, call Jim Lang at 882-9587 or e-mail him at jim.lang@adelphia.net.

This spring the Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania is proud to partner with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield as one of many organizations participating in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community. The walk will be held June 5, 2010 in Erie, PA at the Presque Isle State Park. You can register at Walk for a Healthy Community or by calling 1-866-292-1472.

The Erie area’s doing a lot for Haiti Relief: the Greater Erie County Chapter of the American Red Cross has collected $308,000, Erie Insurance & its employees have raised $220,000, and the Catholic Dioceses collected nearly $480,000 through fundraisers and their parishioners. Many other local organizations have donated or are running fundraisers. It’s great to see everyone come together to help those in a crisis situation.

Yesterday morning, an EMTA Lift shuttle, apparently slipping on the slushy/icy road conditions, drifted out of its lane and hit a parked car before knocking over a light pole. Fortunately the van was empty and there were no major injuries.

North East District Judge Gerard Alonge will be going to court for “violating standards of judicial conduct.” Charges assert that Alonge harassed nine women between 2006 and 2009. Alonge could be removed from office if he is found guilty.

You’ve probably seen the star-studded 2010 Census commercials on television recently…well, we may not have the stars, but Erie community leaders came together at Blasco Library to share how important the census will be for the Erie area. The census helps to determine public funding, legislative districts, school districts, and House representatives, among other task. Expect your census form in mid-March. Check out the 2010 Census website here and the “Snapshot of America” commercials here.

Mercyhurst College has teamed up with the St. Martin Center to create a culinary job training program for Erie area individuals. Senior Mercyhurst students formed a feasibility study and business plan to upgrade St. Martin’s kitchen and establish a culinary training class designed to provide entry-level job skills. The classes are taught by local chef Joe Fontecchio. Seven individuals, including some international refugees, will be the first to graduate from the program this week. The self-sufficient program is intended to provide a path from “welfare to work” for needy individuals. Future plans include a catering business and a hospitality training program.

Sports

The Mercyhurst College men’s lacrosse team moved up a spot to No. 3 in the latest United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Coaches’ Poll, released Monday by USILA officials.

Mercyhurst College junior Josh Shields  has been tabbed the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week for the period ending Feb. 28. Shields put forth an impressive effort and was crowned the champion of the 165-pound bracket at the 2010 NCAA Super Region I Tournament, successfully defending his title from a year ago.

The Gannon women’s basketball team is officially the top-ranked team in the country. The Lady Knights moved up one spot to be ranked No. 1 in the latest USA Today ESPN Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll released Tuesday afternoon. The Lady Knights own the second-longest winning streak at any level of the NCAA. The squad is the lone undefeated team left in NCAA Division II.

Events

The 54th annual spring cleanup at Presque Isle State Park will be held April 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed to remove debris deposited on the peninsula’s beaches during storms. All ages and organizations can participate. Registration will take place at 9 a.m. at the Cookhouse Pavilion at the Waterworks area. Food and prizes will be provided at noon.

YMCA of Greater Erie has kicked off its annual scholarship campaign, “We Build People.” Donations help the YMCA provide memberships to low-income children, adults and families. More than $400,000 in financial assistance was given in 2009 to about 5,000 members. To make a donation, visit the YMCA of Greater Erie Web site.

Just flew home from a convention in Miami last night…nothing like sleet and snow to welcome you back from palm trees and sunshine. It’s supposed to continue on through today as well.

The Conneaut Port Authority and the Economic Development Corp. of Erie have signed a memorandum of understanding for the Inland Port Project. The project would create a network of business parks and logistics centers to distribute, transport and warehouse goods, using rail lines, interstate highways and the Lake Erie ports of Conneaut and Erie. Between Pennsylvania and New York, as much as $50 million in funds could be secured for the project.

The federal government will provide $475 million dollars for projects to assist the Great Lakes, including Lake Erie. Pennsylvania is seeking funding for 20 different projects. The top local priorities include more research into bacteria that causes swimming advisories and beach closings at Presque Isle, as well as increased efforts against invasive species like the Asian carp and zebra mussels.

An Erie city employee was suspended, without pay, for bringing a gun to work. Diane McCoy purchased the weapon for her home and brought it into work, believing that she could learn how to use it at the shooting range. But civilians are not permitted to use the city’s shooting range, and therefore disciplinary action was taken.

Furhman’s Cider Mill will officially be rebuilt in Summit Township. Local investors stepped forward with over $1 million to assist in rebuilding costs, which will help the local legend reopen by late summer. I can taste the deliciousness already. The last three autumns just haven’t been the same without it.

The Shriners Hospital will recieve a $250,000 grant from the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which will be invested in efforts to make the hospital more energy efficient. Once implemented, those measures will save the facility about $63,000 a year—money which will then be used to help more children.

A two-person maintenance crew was working on Tullio Arena’s ice rink when a fire broke out at about 9:45 p.m. The full extent of the damage us not yet known. Water flooded much of the second floor, and the entranceway is heavily damaged. Official say the damage will not affect upcoming events at the arena.

Sports

The Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team gathered 150 points and all 15 first-place votes to retain its No. 1-ranking for the third-straight week in the USCHO.com Women’s Division I Poll, released Monday by USCHO.com officials.

Mercyhurst College women’s hockey forward Meghan Agosta is part of the Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team, which defeated Finland last night at the Vancouver Winter Olympics to advance to the gold medal game. The Canadians will play Team USA on Thursday for the gold medal.

Events

This week, the Erie City Mission is hosting “Help the Homeless” Week. Dozens of community leaders and organizations have committed to the cause throughout the week. Check out http://www.eriecitymission.org/ to see what you can do to help.

An arrest was made in Erie yesterday as a result of a tip on Facebook. A tip on a Facebook page has led to the arrest of a southern Oregon man trying to escape charges of felony sexual assault. Laramie Torres, 35, was arrested in Erie, Pa and charged with 10 counts of first-degree rape and 10 counts of first-degree sodomy for abuse of a girl that started when she was 11 and continued until she was 15. Friends and family of the victim in the case started a Facebook page dedicated to collecting tips about where Torres was. A tip in Michigan eventually led police to Pennsylvania, where a Pennsylvania State Police trooper was able to track Torres to an apartment in Erie.

Ted Arneault, the man who helped bring Presque Isle Downs and Casino to the Erie area, is fighting to keep his state gambling license. Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board investigators are opposing Ted Arneault’s application to renew his license due to “inaccuracies or inconsistencies” in Arneault’s statements to investigators. A public hearing on the matter is scheduled in March.

A southern tier tubing tragedy has claimed the life of a Pennsylvania mother at Allegheny State Park. 33-year-old Tricia Lewis of Erie Pennsylvania was tubing with her 3-year-old son Sunday afternoon when she struck a tree. Parks Police say that the 3-year-old was not injured. They’re still trying to figure out if she threw him off the tube before she crashed, knowing she was in danger. Parks Police have closed the summit area hill while they investigate what exactly happened there.

Lake Erie is currently 90-95% frozen over, and with a forecast of more cold temperatures, the National Weather Service predicts that the lake may completely freeze over for the first time in 14 years. This could mean less snow for the Erie area, as the layer of ice would lock in moisture and greatly reduce the amount of lake effect snow. Sounds good for all the drivers out there, but it could cause delays in the shipping industry.

Longtime Erie civil rights activist Howard Horton and Cambridge Springs educator Cathy Hutchison will be honored Wednesday during Edinboro University of Pennsylvania’s 14th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Luncheon, which celebrates social equality, community activism and education, and the ideals of the late civil rights leader King. Horton, the father of 13 and a court-appointed foster parent for many other Erie children, became a community activist and civil rights leader during the 1960s. Hutchison, who earned multiple education degrees from Edinboro, was selected because of her educational service at Hermitage House Youth Services Inc. in Cambridge Springs.

An Erie church was vandalized yesterday by 25-year-old Chad M. Walburn. He broke into Holy Trinity Luthern Church at 643 W 17^th St and caused some serious damage to the altar area and pews. When church members arrived around 8:30 a.m., he was sitting in the pastor’s office drinking coffee and listening to music. Seriously? Walburn was charged with burglary and institutional vandalism. He told police that he attended a narcotics anonymous meeting at the church on Sunday.

An Erie youth hockey team narrowly escaped injury when a Pittsburgh area ice arena roof collapsed on Sunday. The Erie Lions team of 6-8 year olds was on the ice for a trophy ceremony just minutes before the domed roof of the Rostraver Gardens Arena came crashing down, likely weighed down by heavy snow from a storm last weekend. They had just won the Championship game of the Three Rivers Tournament and had headed to the locker room when families were warned to get their kids and get out of the building. Only the Zamboni driver was on the ice and he reportedly was not hurt.

Events

The Erie Pennsylvania Sports Fishing Association will host a Tackle Swap and Meet on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lincoln School, 831 E. 31st. Cost is $3 for adults, $1 for ages 13-18, and children 12 and younger are free. There will be contests for kids, and various seminars for all anglers. All proceeds benefit EPSFA programs for youngsters. For information go to www.epsfa.com.

For those of you who are Beatles fans (which should be everyone), today marks the 46th anniversary of the Fab Four’s  first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show and subsequent invasion of the States. What’s your favorite Beatles song? I’d have to go with “Here Comes the Sun.” George gets me every time.

Here’s a clip from the famous performance:

The Coast Guard searched Lake Erie near the OH/PA border for quite some time yesterday afternoon looking for plane crash wreckage, due to reports of a plane going down. They apparently found no evidence of a crash.

Representative John Hornaman finally has a challenger: Regina Smith, a Millcreek resident with experience at several levels of government, will run as the Republican candidate against the Democratic incumbent. Unfortunately the situation is a little sticky—Smith’s husband is the Erie County Clerk of Elections. The Democratic Party has already jumped on the possibility of “improprieties.” The Smiths say they will seek the opinion of the County Election Board on the issue.

Ron Komorek, the City of Erie’s Finance Director, passed away Saturday after a 2-month battle with cancer. The city’s assistant finance director, Paul Lichtenwalter, has stepped in as acting  finance director.

Another shooting occurred Sunday night at the 300 block of East 6^th street. A 33-year-old man was shot in the abdomen and foot shortly after midnight. Two young men were seen running from the scene.

The carbon monoxide poisoning at Hessel Valley Lutheran Church in Warren County has been traced to a partially blocked chimney, which inhibited ventilation. Most of nearly 3 dozen victims have already recovered from the incident.

Sports

After spending a week at No. 2, the Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team bounced back with three-straight wins to reclaim the top spot in the USCHO.com Women’s Division I Poll. Mercyhurst returns to action in two weeks with a pair of games against College Hockey America rival Wayne State, beginning on Friday, Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Brittany Bell, a senior guard on the Allegheny women’s basketball team, has been named the North Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week. On the season, she ranks second on the team with 9.8 points per game. Bell is second in the NCAC in three-point field-goal percentage (.385) and is fourth in three-pointer per game (2.24).

Allegheny women’s track and field thrower Lauren Butler was honored by the North Coast Athletic Conference as its Women’s Field Athlete of the Week. Butler, a sophomore, won the shot put event at Mount Union’s Jim Wuske Invitational. Her winning attempt traveled 11.84 meters (38 feet, 10 1/2 inches).

The Allegheny men’s and women’s swimming and diving team will compete at the 26th annual North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Championships this weekend. The three-day event will be held from Thursday through Saturday at the C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton, Ohio.

Events

The Gannon Lady’s basketball team is shooting to raise $13,000 during their third annual Pink Zone game, to be played at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13. Admission is free to both the women’s game and the men’s basketball game to follow. Throughout the women’s game, the names of cancer survivors will be announced. In addition, the Lady Knights will commemorate the occasion by wearing special pink uniforms. The team will raise money partially through the sale of pink, tie-dyed T-shirts. The shirts are $13 each and can be purchased:

• On the first floor of the University’s Waldron Campus Center, 124 West 7th St., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 1-4 and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 8-11.
• During the Lady Knights’ next game at Hammermill Center, to be played at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10
• By contacting the Gannon University women’s basketball office at 814-871-7419.
• At Hammermill Center during the Feb. 13 Pink Zone game.

Gift baskets and other items, including a pink basketball autographed by the members of the team, also will be sold and auctioned off. All proceeds raised from the sales and from the Pink Zone game will benefit the Erie chapter of the American Cancer Society – Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Today’s the day: the infamous fat and furry little rodent will let us know how much longer we’ll be shoveling snow off our cars. And for the first time ever, you can get the groundhog’s weather-predicting results via text message (text “groundhog” to 247365 to sign up) or his Facebook status. What a tech savvy furball. If this keeps up, maybe PETA will get their wish for an electronic groundhog. Wait…I bet the iPad has an app for that.

Saint Vincent is one of eleven Pennsylvania hospitals which will accept wounded Haitian earthquake victims. The wounded will be transported to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh via  U.S. military medical evacuation flights.

The driver of a pickup truck crashed into Springfield Township home this weekend when he lost control of his vehicle due to an uncontrollable coughing fit. No one was injured. Someone please get this guy some Halls.

John Hornaman announced yesterday that he’ll run for a third term as state representative. A Republican competitor for the seat has not yet been announced. The primary will take place on May 18th.

The Erie Disaster Medical Assistance team headed for Haiti yesterday afternoon. The ten-member team will spend a month in Haiti assisting at a field medical and surgical hospital.

Due to a freeze in $750,000 worth of state funding, Erie County Executive Barry Grossman has announced freezes on new hires, travel, and big purchases like furniture and computers. The freezes will last all year, and will be waived only for law and union contract requirements and public safety issues.

Sports

Erie’s Indoor Football team, the Erie Storm, has announced that Rod Rutherford will return to the team. The former Pitt quarterback and AIFA All-Star Rod Rutherford has signed a contract to lead the Storm offense for the upcoming 2010 season.

Tryouts to sing the National Anthem for Erie SeaWolves’ games will be held Saturday, March 13 at the Erie Playhouse. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.; tryouts run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Auditions must be a capella and will be judged by a panel of local celebrities. More info: Chris Norris at (814) 456-1300 or cnorris@seawolves.com

Come on, you can’t be any worse than this:

Juniors Alex Moggridge, Andy Sekulski and Kane Ashton of the  Mercyhurst College men’s water polo team have been named All-Americans by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches. Also, Brandon Intrieri, a freshman on Alleghany’s men’s swimming and diving team, was names the North Coast Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Week. Congratulations, guys.

Events

The 2010 Auto Show will take place this weekend at the Bayfront Convention Center. Admission is $3, with free parking and shuttles. The event will run Thursday and Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Young People’s Chorus of Erie will be joined by international pop duo The Green Children for a special performance to benefit Haitian earthquake relief. The joint concert will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, in the Little Theatre at McDowell Intermediate High School, 3320 Caughey Road. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door for $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and students, and $10 for children under 12. Contact 814-868-6789 for more information.

Sen. Jane Earll and Rep. Dante Santoni (of Berks County) will hold a hearing on the Pennsylvania Casino Association next week. The Feb. 2nd hearing will determine if the casino association’s attempts to influence legislations fall under the definition of lobbying, and whether the association should have registered under PA’s new lobby-disclosure law.

The quarterly meeting of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission this Wednesday and Thursday will address the possibility of a public access lease agreement with Lawrence Park Golf Club along Four Mile Creek, among other issues. The agreement would provide for construction of two fish passage structures to enable greater steelhead movement, public fishing, riparian and fishery management, pathways to the waterway, and public access.

With the purchase of a classroom set of laptop computers, the Holy Family School has increased its computer ratio to 75% of the student body. This is one of the highest percentages in the region, including both public and private elementary schools. Also, every teacher has both a desktop in his/her room and a netbook for home grading and lesson planning. The school’s annual open house on Sunday January 31st from 1-2 p.m. will showcase this new technology. The school is located at 1153 East Ninth Street. For more information, click here.

(Lucky kids. Man, when I was in kindergarten we had one old-school black screen, green type computer. In fourth grade we got one color computer for the whole class to share, and in fifth grade we each had a Macintosh at our desks. Remember those things? The screens were literally the size of a notecard. And now we have iPhones…with screens the size of a notecard. Hmm. Full circle on that one.)

Beware of invading fish! The aggressive Asian carp may be slowly moving into the Great Lakes and eventually Lake Erie, due to a recent Supreme Court ruling. The ruling does not require the state of Illinois to prevent to movement of these fish from the Mississippi watershed into the Great Lakes. Scientists fear these voracious eaters will crowd out native fish species, and are hoping to get President Obama’s attention on the issue.

Mercyhurst College is considering the possibility of a change from college to university status, due to its diverse academic offerings. The publicly recognized graduate, pre-professional and online programs Mercyhurst offers are typically associated with universities. Mercyhurst President Dr. Thomas Gamble has stressed that the year-long decision-making process will be thorough and all-inclusive, with surveys of staff, students, and alumni.

Governor Edward G. Rendell announced the confirmations, nominations, and appointments he has made for various Pennsylvania positions. A complete list can be found here.

Mercyhurst College intelligence studies students have won two of five scholarships from the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) intended for students who have distinguished themselves in pursuit of academic degrees in global security, intelligence studies and/or foreign languages. Sophomore JoEllen Marsh won in the undergraduate category and will receive $2,250. Sandra Larson won in the graduate category and will receive $5,000.

The West Erie Plaza Marquette Savings Bank was robbed shortly before 11 am yesterday by a possibly armed 6” tall black male with a scruffy beard and a brown hoodie in his 20’s. Anyone with information is asked to call Millcreek Police at 833-7777.

On that note, the Erie Police force has been cracking down on gun crimes. In a little over a week, the police force, with the help of the SWAT team, Vice narcotics unit, Patrol division and Quebec unit, has recovered 12 illegal handguns and one rifle. The police have also made multiple arrests and given out violations…and they’re not done yet. So look out, illegal gun owners.

Lakeshore Towing won the bid to replace an aging dock at Perry’s Landing Marina. The Erie Port Authority awarded the company a $372,000 contract to replace the dock and ramps this spring.

The Erie City Mission has purchased the property of the old Bethany Luthern Church at 10th and German, and is planning for construction of a women & children’s warming center and food pantry. The City Mission has seen a dramatic spike in numbers for every service and program they provide, and say this demonstrate the need for a new facility. The estimated cost is around $4 million.

$3.75 million dollars has been awarded to the Enterprise Development Fund of Erie County to support struggling local businesses finding it hard to get loans in the tight economy. $3 million of that comes from the state of Pennsylvania, while Northwest Savings Bank has contributed $750,000.

Sports

The Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team retained its No. 1 ranking for the 15th-straight week in the USCHO.com Women’s Division I Poll. The Lakers, who improved to 19-1-3 on the season after a two-game sweep of Syracuse last weekend, earned 149 points and 14 first-place votes. Mercyhurst returns to action this weekend with a two-game series against Niagara on Friday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Penn State Behrend student Anne Lawrence has been named the Enterprise Rent-A Car Athlete of the Week for the week of January 25, 2010. Lawrence won the 200 yard individual medley with a time of 2:24:68 at Saturday’s non-conference meet. Lawrence went on to finish second in the 200 yard backstroke and in the 100 yard butterfly. The sophomore also was part of a third place 200 yard medley relay team. On Saturday, January 30 the blue and white will be at the Junker Center Pool for a meet against Mount Union.

Events

The American rock trio Chevelle will be starting their tour on February 4 in Erie, Pennsylvania at the Tullio Arena. Three Days Grace and Flyleaf will also be performing.

The Mercyhurst College Dance Department will celebrate 35 years with performances of “35 Years: Raw Edges,” a program of diverse dance genres, collaborations with visual artists, poets, musicians, composers and designers. Choreographers are exploring themes such as “living art,” self-discovery, stress and its effect on the human psyche, and the 1742 Scottish Act of Proscription. Performances are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15.50 for adults, $12.50 for seniors and students, $7.50 for President’s Cardholders, $5 for youths under 15, and $1 for Mercyhurst students. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 824-3000.

Members of Erie County Council will address area business and community leaders during a legislative luncheon starting at noon Thursday, January 28, at the Manufacturer & Business Association’s Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street in Erie. Registration begins at 11:45 a.m. To register for this briefing, contact Tracy Shepard at 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660. Cost is $30 for members; $60 for nonmembers and includes lunch.

Bowl with the Otters at Greengarden Lanes on January 31st! The cost is $20 for adults, $15 for children ages 12 and under, including two games. Call 455-7779 to reserve a lane.

Souper Bowl XII will slurp off on the 31st of January at the Zem Zem Shrine Club from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring chilis and chowders from twenty great restaurants. Tickets are $10 each and proceeds will benefit the Sarah Reed Center for children with emotional and behavioral problems.

News

Mercyhurst College has received a $20,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management Program to further research of contaminants in the waters at Presque Isle State Park. Dr. Steven Mauro, assistant professor of biology at Mercyhurst, has led this research effort for the past 3 years. Last summer, Mauro’s team identified a number of chemicals in the water, from antibacterial agents to herbicides to synthetic hormones, but were unable to ascertain whether they posed a human health hazard. The new funding will allow the research team, in collaboration with the Regional Science Consortium, to identify chemicals and their prevalence in the beach waters. The goal is to be proactive in analyzing beach waters and working with local officials to inform the community and provide the highest level of beach safety.

A locally headquartered concept will be featured in the IBM/Cisco Systems Innovation Station at the National Retail Federation Show in NYC this week. The Innovation Station features hand-picked leading edge solutions to current retail challenges. “M-Dot Network” enables retailers to redeem coupons from multiple coupon issuers in real-time. Shoppers receive digital coupons based on their preferences from the retailer or third party issuers via the retailer’s website or a mobile phone. Coupons are then redeemed by swiping a shopper’s card or providing a phone number. Coupons are cleared and reimbursed in real time, lessening the burden of coupon validation at check-out, speeding up check-out and improving mis-redemption rates. The company is headquartered here in Erie with engineering operations in Tampa, FL. For more information, visit www.mdotnetwork.com.

Tops Friendly Markets announced that they have acquired Quality Markets after Quality’s parent company filed for chapter eleven bankruptcy. According to Tops representatives, most stores will remain open, excepting those which are not “financially prudent.”

A worker trapped under heavy machinery lost his life yesterday afternoon at Erie General Electric. It has been deemed an accident, but GE and several outside agencies are continuing to investigate. Our condolences are with his family.

Seven officers joined the Erie Police Department yesterday. The additional manpower was possible thanks to a $1.5 million federal stimulus grant. The force is especially excited to increase its diversity with the addition of a Hispanic officer. The officers will begin training this month and hit the streets by late April or early May.

Two incoming freighters will be breaking up the ice on the bay beginning today, so ice fishermen are out of luck for a while.

Sports

The Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team holds the No. 1 ranking in the country for the 13th-straight week, according to the Women’s Division I Poll released Monday by USCHO.com officials. The Lakers return to action this weekend with a two-game series against No. 4 Clarkson on Friday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Events

The state-wide tour of “Making It Better: Folk Arts in Pennsylvania Today” will make its first stop at the Erie Art Museum. The exhibition will run from January 15th to April 11th. Works from over 30 Pennsylvanian artists will be featured, including a handful of local Erie artists. A variety of traditions, including African dance, clay instruments, photography, and contemporary blacksmith work will be featured. Interactive stations will allow visitors to truly experience the artwork. More information can be found at www.erieartmuseum.org or www.folkartpa.org.

Erie’s new professional football team is looking for your vote to choose their team name. The four nominated names are: Erie Storm, Erie Blizzard, the Pulse of Erie, and the Erie Punishers. Check out erieprofessionalfootball.com to cast your vote by January 13!

College has its perks…I still have one more week of freedom while most of you were back to the grindstone yesterday. Woot woot.

The big news for today is all about swearing…in, that is.

Barry Grossman was sworn in as Erie County Executive yesterday and Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott began his second term. Joe Schember, Curtis Jones Jr., Jim Thompson, and Jim Winarski were sworn onto the Erie City Council, while Joe Giles, Whitey Cleaver, and the infamous Ebert Beeman were sworn in as Erie County Council members. Rick Figaski already addressed the Water Authority issue, a major part of his campaign platform, as he was sworn onto the Millcreek Township Board of Supervisors last evening. That’s all, folks.

Sports

Three Mercyhurst women’s hockey players will have the opportunity to suit up this weekend as part of the Canadian National Under-22 Team at the 2010 MLP Cup in Ravensburg, Germany. Juniors Vicki Bendus and Jesse Scanzano, and sophomore Bailey Bram will join 18 other players against the Switzerland team tonight. Updates on the teams progress can be found here.

In lieu of any other enticing news, here’s a video of a dog who hates snow. Good thing he’s not living in Erie.

Have a laugh and make it a great Tuesday.

Looks like we’ll be getting our white Christmas…I don’t care what the complainers say, I’m happy with it.

The Lord Corp. will receive $2.4 million from the 2010 Defense Appropriations Act to develop an active vibration control system for CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Economy boost= win 1.

The New Jersey shipping company Donjon Marine has officially acquired Erie Shipbuilding, and plans to open a shipbuilding and ship repair facility by the end of 2010 which will create 150-160 jobs. Hiring back the 100 employees laid off last year= win 2.

Citadel Broadcasting Corporation has filed for bankruptcy, reporting a debt amount nearly double its total assets. Citadel owns several local radio stations, including Country 98, Classy 100, and Z 102.3. No word yet if this will have an affect on our local stations…as of right now, Classy’s still playing Christmas music. Just hold out for the next four days and we’ll all be happy.

Continuing the Country Fair thread from yesterday, Ray L. McGarvey, the founder of said convenience store chain, passed away Saturday at age 77. Our condolences to the family. And Mike forgives you for the extra charge on cheese, don’t you Mike?

Events

The Erie Sport & Travel Expo is scheduled for March 5-7 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center…so mark the date, outdoorsmen (and women).

If somehow you have free time in the next few days, I strongly urge you to bundle up and enjoy the holiday. Build a snow fort. Go caroling (it’s a lost tradition…and incredibly fun). Eat a meal entirely made up of Christmas cookies. Visit someone who’s alone this holiday. It might be cold outside, but you’ll have a warm heart inside…

(Okay, that was a little cheesy. But it’s almost Christmas, give me a break. Have a merry one!)

News

The Erie Philharmonic’s conductor and music director Daniel Meyer has been contracted to stay on board for another four years. He says his top priorities are the financial situation of the Phil, and outreach programs.

In the post-Extreme Makeover Home Edition buzz, the Maleno Family (the construction group which built the Makeover house) set up the Maleno Family to Family Fund in conjunction with the Erie Community Foundation and Saint Martin Center. This fund is being used to change lives by making over local homes; the Maleno Family hopes to renovate one home every four months. In a special drive which occurred while the Erie Extreme Makeover episode aired, the Maleno Family to Family Fund has already raised over $16,000. Major props to the Malenos for helping others and improving the community.

A $500,000 state grant will help provide funding for the late John Kanzius’s cancer fighting device. The money will be used to develop a full-sized scanning bed for the device, which treats cancer cells in humans with radio waves. The bed should be completed in 8-12 months in hopes that human trials will soon be underway.

Events

This week is Smith’s Provision week at the Community Blood Bank–today, the first 60 donors get to choose from Smith’s Provision wonderful Kielbasa or Italian Sausage. Free sausage–who can turn that down?! Donors all week long can enter to win a Smith’s Provisions gift basket. So go do good, and get thee some free sausage.

It looks like we’re getting a white Christmas this year…if you’d prefer a different color, check out this week’s video from a recent performance by the BluesBeaters at Peek’n Peak Resort. For a list of upcoming events at the Peek, click here. For more information on the band, go here.

The Erie County Health Department announced the first swine flu fatality in Erie County. Retired 64-year-old Erie School District teacher Marcia Grode died on November 10 from swine flu complications. Reported cases of swine flu in the county, however, have diminished in the past few weeks. The worst may be yet to come, so please continue washing your hands, covering your sneezes, and staying home if you are sick.

The debate over the banning of cell phone use while driving continues as the topic is currently being considered by the Erie City Council. Fines for the offense could run up to $300, but would be classified as a “secondary” offense. This would mean that a driver couldn’t be stopped for cell phone use alone, but could be cited if using a cell phone during another traffic offense.

Two men who allegedly set their home on fire in order to collect insurance money have gotten lucky- Erie County prosecutors were forced to drop the arson and fraud charges due to the fact that Erie Insurance Co. has approved the claim. I wouldn’t advise trying this one yourself.

The episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition filmed in Erie this past June will air on Sunday, December 13 at 8 p.m on ABC. The team, including special guest Mary J. Blige, rebuilt a home for Clara Ward who helps disadvantaged children and suffers from a degenerative muscular disease. If not for the hometown connection, watch it just to see if you got caught in any background scenes!

Collegiate Academy unveiled their new solar panels, expected to reduce the electric bill by 1%, which seems a bit trifling to me. The project was funded by a grant from the State Department of Environmental Protection, awarded to the Erie School District for their self-initiated energy audit. The audit led to an energy savings of about 10%. Kudos to you guys for making Erie greener.

Mercyhurst students are taking part in a national contest to track down 10 red weather balloons positioned across the U.S. The challenge has been set up by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency and is designed to test how social-networking and internet sites can be mobilized in a time-critical problem solving situation.  The first team to locate all 10 balloons wins a cash prize of $40,000. The strategy of the Mercyhurst team is to reward each confirmed report of a balloon with a $1000 prize to the reporter if the team ultimately wins the challenge.

To report a sighting:

E-mail: mciisballoons@gmail.com

Text: (440) 503-8089 or (814) 527-0654

Call: (737) 657-3265 or (814) 746-2477

Sports

The Penn State Behrend Men’s Swimming team took first place at the Fredonia State Invitational, while the Women’s team took fifth.

The Gannon women’s basketball team will play its second home game of the season tonight at 6 p.m. The team is currently ranked ninth, and won 19 consecutive regular-season games dating back to last season.

Events

The Erie School District will hold free swine flu vaccination clinics in the next few weeks:

December 8th at Wilson School

December 9th at Wayne School

December 10th at Harding School

December 14th at Wilson School

December 15th at Glenwood

The “Season of Giving” continues at the Community Blood Bank. Week 2 has Tops Friendly Markets generously donating a $5 gift card to the first 50 donors on Tuesday and donors all week are entered to win a $100 gift card. There is a shortage of just one blood type; O Negative, the Universal Donor, a blood type that anyone regardless of their own blood type, can receive. It’s used in emergencies when there is no time to determine the blood type of the patient. The LifeStar helicopter flies every mission with O Neg on board, but only 8% of the population is O Negative. If you’re in that 8%, get to the Blood Bank and do good!

In an annual crime report conducted by CG Press using 2008 FBI crime statistics, Erie ranked as the second safest city in Pennsylvania. The Erie community has retained this position for the past two years. Woot woot.

GE Drivetain Technologies, a unit of GE Transportation, has received the industry’s first electrical safety certification of a large wind turbine gearbox in North America from global inspection leader Intertek. This certification will ensure that the equipment will be accepted by safety inspectors throughout North America. Industry advancements of this kind will hopefully lead to the increased usage of alternative energy sources in the U.S.

An Edinboro man, Chad Zachary Hower, who kidnapped his 13-year-old son and fled to Bulgaria will not be extradited by the Bulgarian government. The boy’s mother claims her parental rights were violated when Hower left the country with her son. Hower claims he has a valid court order giving him custody of the boy and permission to travel abroad. The Federal prosecutors don’t know what to do. If I was the kid, I’d want to stay in Bulgaria with my wicked cool outlaw father. But that’s just me.

Rain, wind, and lack of snow have made for a tough start to deer hunting season. No tears tonight; Bambi lives another day.

Mercyhurst College will celebrate “Christmas on Campus” on Saturday, December 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carolyn Hermann Student Union. Over 100 children from nine Erie area social service agencies will be invited to participate in many activities such as singing, dancing, story-time, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event is hosted by student volunteers and made possible by donations from faculty, staff, and administrators.

Sports

Mercyhurst College men’s hockey junior goaltender Ryan Zapolski has been named Atlantic Hockey Association Goaltender of the Week. Zapolski, a native of Erie, Pa., made 33 saves in an 8-2 decision on Friday and 36 saves to earn his fifth-career shutout in a 2-0 victory on Saturday. Mercyhurst returns to action with a two-game series against Connecticut on Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Junior guard Kelly Nowacinski of the Behrend Women’s basketball team has been named the ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR Athlete of the Week for the week of November 30, 2009. In the three games so far this season, Nowacinski has averaged 12 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game, and has made nine assists. The blue and white are on the road again tonight against Medaille and return to the Junker Center on Saturday, December 5 to face Mt. Aloysius.

Edinboro University freshman Chris Klimchock was named the PSAC West Freshman of the Week for his performance in three contests last week. A 5’9” point guard, Klimchock has started the first four games, averaging 6.5 ppg. and 2.3 rpg.  He leads the team with 16 assists and just seven turnovers.  Edinboro returns to action on Saturday, December 5 at Lake Erie.

The final Golf World/National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) Division III Coaches’ Poll has the Allegheny women’s golf team ranked ninth to end the fall season. Allegheny won five out of the six Invitationals they competed in and placing seventh at the O’Brien National Invitational that featured the top 10 squads from last year’s NCAA Championships.

The Alleghany Gators’ cross country team placed third at Nationals with 195 points. Jeramie Parker and Chris Marker placed 8th and 11th, respectively, to earn All-America honors at Highland Park Golf Course. The team accomplishment matches Allegheny’s previous best finish in 2006 when the Blue and Gold placed third at the National Championship meet.

Events

On Wednesday, November 25, President Obama, along with his daughters Malia and Sasha, pardoned a turkey in the annual White House Thanksgiving tradition. The President gave an inspiring yet comical speech, specifically mentioning those in the armed forces. The fortunate turkey was a 45 lb bird named Courage.

Personally, I would have eaten him.

In lieu of the news of GE’s recent order for 300 Evolution locomotive assemblies, here’s a promotional video for the engines, which are made here in Erie at GE Transportation.

For a video with more detailed information on how they work, click here. The official GE Transportation site can be found here.

Good morning and happy Tuesday :)

News

If you didn’t stay up until 4 a.m. last night (or, better said, this morning), you missed out on a fantastic spectacle. The Leonid meteoroid shower was visible in our sky, producing up to 500 meteors an hour during its peak time. (Don’t worry, I didn’t stay up either.)

GE Transportation announced yesterday that it will be manufacturing 300 locomotives assemblies for the CSR Qishuyan Locomotive Co., Ltd. in China. The Evolution engines, “greener” and more fuel efficient with low emissions, will be built here in Erie and shipped to China, and will help sustain over 1,200 high-tech jobs in the U.S.

The two vacant buildings located near the Tinseltown movie theather complex, formerly Erie Sports Store and Wilds Cards Restaurant, are under renovations to house two new businesses: S&S, a Chinese-American buffet to open in December and Planet Fitness, a franchise fitness center (open date yet to be determined).

Sports

The Mercyhurst College women’s hockey team topped the USCHO.com Division I Women’s Hockey Poll for the seventh-consecutive week. The USCHO.com Poll is compiled weekly and consists of 15 voters, including 12 Division I coaches and three women’s hockey writers. Mercyhurst returns to action this weekend with a two-game set at Niagara on Friday and Saturday.

The Penn State Behrend women’s soccer team ended their season as the AMCC regular season champions, earning nine All-Conference selections and a Coach of the Year honor for Head Coach Patrick O’Driscooll. The Behrend Lions advanced to the championship game of the ECAC tournament before losing to Swarthmore by a score of 1-0.  The blue and white ended their season with an overall record of 15-4-3.

The Edinboro women’s basketball team opens the 2009-10 season on Tuesday, November 17, hosting Daemen.

Events

The northwestern PA chapter of Sigma Xi is hosting the second Science Café this Wednesday, November 18 at the Brewerie. Discussions will start at 6:30 pm; the topic will be stem cell research and anyone interested is welcome to attend.

Gannon University’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will host a student-led Talent Show fundraiser for Sandy Zirkle-Trocki, a Gannon coach and alumnus whose husband recently died. The event will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 in the University’s Hammermill Center, 620 Peach St., and is open to the general public for a $2 admission. Donations will also be collected during the event.

Train Concert in Erie, PA – “She’s On Fire” with the Trainettes

For those of you who didn’t get to see local legend Pat Monahan back in action right here in his hometown, here is a clip from the Train concert last Saturday, November 7th at the Warner Theater. Monahan pulled up a few little girls as backup singers/dancers for this number, and frankly, it’s adorable.

Train’s new album, “Save Me San Francisco,” was released last month and included the band’s current hit, “Hey Soul Sister.” The tour to promote the album will continue to New York and then south through the Carolinas and Texas. Pat Monahan was born and raised here in Erie, but joined with two musicians while living in San Francisco to form the band Train. He often includes lyrics about his childhood in Erie in his songwriting.

For more information on the band, click here. To view more clips from Saturday’s concert, click here.

The final debate in the race for Erie County Executive will be held on Thursday, October 29^th at 7 pm. WQLN Public Media will host the event in its studios at 8424 Peach Street, and it will also air live on WQLN-TV. The debate will be broadcast on WQLN Radio on October 31 at 7 a.m. and November 1 at 3 p.m.

Barry Grossman, the Democratic nominee, holds a doctorate from Case Western Reserve University as as J.D. in Law from Cleveland State University, a M.A. in Political Science from Gannon, and a B.A. in Political Science from Cornell. He served as a social studies teacher for many years before starting up a few local restaurants. He currently owns and operates Mi Scuzi Italian Ristorante. Grossman has been involved in many community organizations, most recently as the co-chairman of the Greater Erie Unity Committee from 2004-2005. Grossman was also the Democratic candidate for Mayor of Erie in 2004. A summary of his platform taken from his website follows:

• Supports creating a community college, but does not want to raise county property taxes to do it.
• Opposes the proposed tires-to-energy plant on the city’s east side.
• Supports the Tullio Arena renovation but did not like the amount of late-term debt in the payment schedule of the county’s $10 million bond created to attract another $32 million in state funds.
• Pledges to conduct a complete review of the Erie County public safety complex in Summit Township.

More information on Grossman can be found here.

Mike Kerner, the Republican nominee, holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University and a BA in Computer Science from Hiram College. He is the President of the Kuhl Hose Fire Company and the Director of Administration at the R.M. Kerner Company. Kerner has worked as an EMT and a firefighter in Erie County, and resides in Greene Township with his wife and four children. His campaign for county executive is endorsed by the City of Erie’s Police officers (FOP #7) and the City of Erie’s Firefighters (IAFF 293). A summary of his platform as taken from his website follows:

• Opposes a community college for the Erie area.
• Favors amending the county’s Home Rule Charter to have voter referendums for all new tax and fee increases.
• Supports a full review of the Erie County Home Rule Charter and setting term limits for all county elected officials.
• Would not have voted for Tullio Arena renovation plan.
• His administration would not pursue regionalism or consolidation with municipalities unless asked to get involved.
• Favors adding more workers and money to fix problems at the county’s 911 center.
• Rightsize the capital expenditures, in line with a long-term vision – today there is no long-term vision.

More information on Kerner can be found here.

Place your vote on November 3rd! For information on polling locations: Where to Vote

To begin with, I should tell you that I don’t enjoy being scared. I still close my eyes on the Wacky Shack ride, I can’t watch horror movies, and I cry on really fast roller coasters. At 19, as a summer camp counselor, I thought I could finally handle Pirate’s cove. I was wrong. I clung on to an 8-year-old’s arm through the entire thing.

However, for those of you who do love to be frightened, especially at this time of year, following is a list of great area attractions to get you in the spirit of Halloween. For the scaredy-cats like me, or those who don’t dig the Halloween scene, there is also a list of alternative fall-themed events. The events are listed chronologically by the date they take place. If we missed anything, please send us a note. Remember to bookmark this page for easy reference!

Halloween Events

Pumpkin Town U.S.A at Mason County Farms comes to life with many of your favorite cartoon & movie characters, cornstalk mazes, balloon jumps, and a petting zoo! Shop for harvest decorations, pumpkins and gourds, and fall treats. Admission to store and some areas is free; Ride-O-Rama tickets are $8.50 for children for balloon jumps with a special discount on weekdays until 3 p.m. Mason County Farms, 839 Peninsula Dr. in Erie, PA September 25 through the end of October. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 814-833-9933 www.masonfarms.net

Creepyville Haunted Attraction You’ll witness your very fears exposed and used to terrify you inside “The House of Phobias!” Special events and contests throughout the month. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for children 10 and under. Group rates available. Creepville Haunted Attraction, 115 Center Street Oil City, PA. Open every Thurs-Sat in October. Thursday 7-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 7-11p.m. www.creepyvillehaunt.com

Corny’s Cornfusion Corn Maze is a living puzzle carved into 7 acres of corn! Designed to confound and confuse you, this is the first real farm corn maze in Crawford County. During October, there will be “spirits” haunting the maze, so be prepared to be scared! Allow approximately 2 hours to complete the maze. $7 per person during the month of October. Call for group rates and other special days and times. Benefits local charities and organizations. Located 8/10 mile East of Conneaut Lake, PA on St. Hwy. 285 or 7 ½ miles West of I-79 (Exit 141) on St. Hwy. 285. Open every Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm. 814-382-0644 or 814-720-5754   http://www.csallenauctioneer.com/corny.html

Valley of Ghouls Haunted House is Erie’s best and scariest haunted house! Get into the Halloween spirit with a frighteningly good time! Inside waiting area with seating, snack bar, and bathrooms. Proceeds benefit the Belle Valley Fire Department. Open every Friday and Saturday night in October, from 7:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. on Halloween) to 11:00 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Belle Valley Fire Department, 1514 Norcross Road, Erie PA. Open every Friday and Saturday evening in October, including Halloween. 814-825-4359 http://www.bellevalleyfire.com/organization/valley-of-the-ghouls-haunted-house

The annual Eerie Horror Film Festival is being held this weekend, Oct 8 -11 at the Warner Theater. Four solid days of “horror”-ble film screenings, seminars, special celebrity guests and vendors from all over North America! Please check the website for ticket rates, as they vary depending on the length of the pass. Children under 12 are admitted free with purchase of an adult pass. 811 State Street Erie, PA Warner Theater. October 8-11. http://www.eeriehorrorfilmfestival.com

Scary Creature Feature at Browns Farm will be held in the evenings at various times on Fri Oct 9 and Sat Oct 10. Come out to hear and see the creatures of the night! Includes a guided tour, campfire and the observation deck, a fall craft and donuts and cider. You’ll take a hayride to the woods where you’ll see many night creatures and learn more about Halloween traditions. For children ages 5 and older. There are still some tickets left for tonight’s event! Please call the Asbury Woods Nature Center (814-835-5356) from 10pm-4pm for times & ticket information. Brown’s Farm, 5774 Sterrettania Rd, Erie PA. October 9 & 10. 814-835-5356

No tricks, all treats! On Sunday, October 11, children can visit the Warren Mall Trail of Treats from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to parade their costumes and fill their bags with goodies. Enjoy a fun, indoor, climate-controlled environment for children to showcase their costumes and receive treats from “treat stations” throughout the mall. Admission is $1 per child. Proceeds benefits the Achievement Center programs and services in Forest/Warren County. Warren Mall, 1666 Market Street, Warren PA. October 11. 814-459-2755. www.achievementctr.org

Join us for a tour of Erie’s ghostly side on the Erie County Historical Society’s Horse Drawn Mystery Tours. The Mystery Tour includes the best haunts of historic West Sixth Street. Guests enjoy apple cider and donuts. Tours are scheduled at 6:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. on Friday evenings, October 16th, 23rd & 30th. Tickets are $20.00 and must be purchased in advance. For more information please call (814)454-1813. Watson Curtze Mansion, 356 W. 6th St, Erie PA. October 16, 23, 30. 814-454-1813. www.eriecountyhistory.org

ZooBoo! Scary but not too scary! Come in your costume and enjoy the animals at night—treats and fun for the whole family! Corn maze, Halloween crafts, face painting and rides…and of course the giant talking pumpkin and that troll under the Children’s Zoo bridge! DJ Pat Martin and DJ Bill Page will be spinning your favorite tunes. Open daily 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. from October 16^th through the 30^th. Tickets are $4.50 for adults ages 12 and up, $4.00 for children 2-11, and free for children under 2. Erie Zoo, 423 W. 38th St, Erie PA. Daily October 16-30. 814-864-4911. www.eriezoo.org

Halls of Fear is known as the area’s best haunted house event! Live radio coverage, refreshment stands, Igor’s Pumpkin Patch, and a Halloween store! Located in Wesleyville, PA, Halls of Fear is open the last three weekends in October and benefits the Wesleyville Hose Company and Auxiliary. Open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night in October, including Halloween! Open 7-10 p.m. on weekdays, 7-11 p.m. on weekends, 9 p.m. – midnight on Halloween. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children. Located at the corner of Shannon Road and Station Road in Wesleyville, PA. Open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night in October, including Halloween night. 814-899-6704. http://wesleyvillehose.com/thehallsoffear/

Do you like the creepy and bizarre? During Walking Tours through the Erie Cemetery, you can listen to the legends of the infamous vampire’s crypt, the burglarized Scott Mausoleum, the coin-covered gravesite of Civil War hero Strong Vincent, and many other mysterious legends of the Erie Cemetery. Tour dates include October 18^th and October 25^th. Tours are offered at 11 a.m. and 1:00 p.m, and last 1 ½ hours.  Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children. Please call 814-454-1813 to purchase tickets. Group meets at main gate of the Erie Cemetary at 2116 Chestnut Street, Erie PA. October 18, 25. 814-454-1813. http://www.eriecountyhistory.org/

Come to Claytopia for a Halloween Storytime and craft on Monday October 19 at  10:30a.m. or 1 p.m. Cost is $6 per child, and includes all materials for the child to paint his/her own piece of Halloween pottery! Reservations are required. Or join us for our Halloween Party on Friday October 23 from 6:30-8:30pm! Cost is $15 per child, all pottery painting materials included. Come in your costume to paint your not-too-scary pottery and enjoy treats and activities! Reservations required. Claytopia, 2503 W. 15^th, Erie PA Storytime: Monday, October 19/ Party: Friday, October 23. 814-836-772. www.claytopiaerie.com

On October 21-22 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the Millcreek Mall will host the Erie Trail of Treats, the annual trick-or-treat event for children 12 and under. The mall will be crawling with ghosts and goblins collecting candy from merchants and local companies. Children can show off their scary, hairy, frilly, or silly costumes in a safe, indoor, climate-controlled environment! The event benefits children at the Achievement Center and Sarah Reed Children’s Center. Admission is $3 in advance or $4 at registration tables the night of the event. Millcreek Mall, 5800 Peach St, Erie Pa. October 21 & 22. 814-868-9000. www.millcreekmall.net

A Halloween Storytime with be held at Barnes & Noble on Saturday October 24 at 11a.m. Come in your costume, listen to “scary” Halloween story, and participate in some fun activities with treats and a costume parade! Great for the little ones. Barnes & Noble, 5909 Peach Street, Erie PA. October 23. 814-864-6300

The Experience Erie Children’s Museum will host the Halloween Hullabaloo on Saturday October 24 and Sunday October 25! Come dressed in your favorite costume for a fun, hands-on learning event for the whole family! Visitors will be treated to several educational activities and visit the “Mad Scientist” work lab. Included in the admission price is a free train ride around downtown Erie in a replica of the genuine Marx Choo-Choo train! Don’t miss a magic show presented by Magician Cliff Hopkins and Kelly on Saturday at 3 p.m. Admission is $5 for museum members, $8 for nonmembers. Experience Erie Children’s Museum, 420 French Street, Erie PA. October 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m./ October 25, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. 814-453-3743. http://www.eriechildrensmuseum.org/

Dance the night away at the Halloween Thriller 80’s Dance on Saturday, October 24 at Rainbow Gardens from 9 p.m. – 1a.m.! It is a BYOBeverages and snacks event, and you must be at least 21 years of age to attend. This year there will be an 80’s Moon Walk Contest for a $100 Millcreek Mall Gift Certificate and a “Wild 80’s” themed gift basket raffle! In addition, there will be a Costume Contest with prizes for Best Guy Costume, Best Girl Costume, and Best Couple Costume. Memories in Motion will be spinning all the best 80’s dance tunes! Tickets are $10 per person in advance and $12 at the door, if available. Please see website for locations where tickets can be purchased. Rainbow Gardens, Waldameer Park, 220 Peninsula Dr, Erie PA. October 24. 814-868-5355. www.classy100.com

Pennbriar Athletic Club will host a Jr. Halloween Party on October 24 from 7-10 pm for teens and pre-teens! The DJ’s will be spinning the tunes as the gymnasium turns into a hot dance club! Prizes will be awarded for best costumes. The indoor pool and tennis courts will be open, so bring your swimsuits and a change of clothes! Call for reservations before October 23! Cost is $18 ($16 for members of the club). Pennbriar Athletic Club, 100 Pennbriar Drive, Erie PA October 24. 814-825-8111. www.pennbriar.com

Disco lights and music set the tone for a spooky Halloween Glow Bowl for Kids at the Eastland Bowling Center on Sunday, October 25 from 12 noon- 4 p.m! Costumes are encouraged. A large menu including pizza is also available. Cost is $2.25 per game and shoe rental is free! Eastland Bowling Center, 3729 McClelland Ave, Erie PA. October 25, 2009. 814-825-5990

Let out some Squeals For Meals! Wander through 7 acres of corn stalks in the shape of a dragon and a castle. But on Saturday night, beware—the maze will be “stalked” by ghouls and goblins! Those with young children will be given a colored flashlight which signals spooksters to tone it down a notch. Open from October 25-31 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  All proceeds benefit the Emmaus Soup Kitchen . Admission is $4 for adults, $1 for children…and all kids are free on Halloween night! 2020 Manchester Road, Fairview Pa. October 25-31. 814-720-5754. http://www.squealsformeals.com/

Visit the Battles Museum of Rural Life’s Haunted Battles event to start off your Halloween Weekend! Tour the R.S. Battles Farmhouse with unexpected guests both alive and dead from the 19th century. At the Charlotte Elizabeth Battles Memorial Museum meet Ms. Battles and Ms. Reed to hear stories of the ghosts who commune there. Tours will be available from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, October 30th. Tickets are $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors and $2.00 for children, or $10 for a family. Tickets can only be purchased the night of the event. October 30. 814-454-1813. http://www.eriecountyhistory.org/

Enjoy the favorite seasonal show, Erie Legends at the Erie Planetarium, as you are surrounded by the sights and sounds of some of Erie’s most chilling tales. The show will be playing at the Erie Planetarium on Friday October 30th with show times at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Suitable for children ages 10 and up. Admission is $4 per person. Reservations required. October 30. (814) 454-1813. http://www.eriecountyhistory.org/

Meadville’s Halloween Parade will take place on Saturday October 31 beginning at 6:30 pm. The Annual CAYCC Halloween Parade has been called the largest nighttime parade in Pennsylvania, featuring 150 or more units exhibited along the parade-route streets of downtown Meadville. This year’s theme is the “Wild West,” so come out and have a rootin’ tootin’ good time! October 31. http://www.meadvillehalloweenparade.com/

Come to the Downtown Mall in Crawford on Saturday, October 31 from 4-6 p.m. for the first ever Crawford Trail of Treats! The event benefits the Achievement Center and offers children an opportunity to show-off their costumes and “trick-or-treat” with other children in a fun, safe, indoor, climate controlled environment. Children, 12 and under, are sure to have a ghoulish time! Admission is $1 per child. Downtown Mall, 920 Water Street, Meadville PA. October 31. 814-459-2755. http://www.achievementctr.org/

TREC or Treat! Visit the Tom Ridge Environmental Center on October 31 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to learn more about the creatures who haunt the night. There will be a special Halloween showing of the film “Jumanji!” at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. All children and families are invited…and wear your costumes to enter the costume contest! Admission is free! Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Drive, Erie PA. October 31. 814-833-7424. www.trecpi.org

Want to party it up on Halloween night? Come to the 2009 Halloween Bash at Erie Maennerchor from 8 p.m. to midnight! Live R&B, rock, Motown, jazz and blues music by “The Breeze Band!” There will even be a $200 prize for best costume! Admission is $13 per person and includes hot hor d’oeuvres, snacks, desserts and more (not to mention great ambiance!). Cash bar. There will also be a Halloween Bash for Kids ages 2-14 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. It will be a fun-filled afternoon of tricks and treats! Admission is only $2 per child, or get one free when you buy a ticket for the adult party! Please contact Susan at ext. 224 to purchase tickets. Erie Maennerchor Club, 1607 State Street, Erie PA. October 31. 814-452-4731 ext. 224. www.eriemaennerchor.com

Fall Events

Come out and have a blast at Port Farms! There’s so much active playing to be done: corn mazes, straw fort, tunnel slides, rope maze, corn box, petting zoo and more! Open from September 19- October 31, Port Farms also has a pumpkin patch and a concession stand to savor some of your favorite fall treats! Open Monday through Thursday from 9:00AM – 6:00PM, Friday from 9:00AM – 7:00PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00AM – 7:00PM. Admission is $6.50 for children and adults ages 2-60, $4 for seniors over 60, and free for children under 2! Port Farms, 2055 Stone Quarry Rd, Waterford PA. September 15-October 31. 814-796-4500. www.portfarm.com

The Corn Stalking U.S.A. Maze at the Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm is open daily from October 1- November 1. Meander through the 6 acres corn maze and find all the stations to complete the maze! In addition, the Wooden Nickel’s on-site restaurant is offering 10% off your food bill when you show them your completed game sheet! Be sure to bring flashlights for “night stalking” after dusk! Open on Monday- Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Last entry to the maze will be at 9:00 p.m. Please call for group reservations and discounts! Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm, 5970 Koman Road, Edinboro PA. October 1- November 1. 814-734-2833. www.woodennickelbuffalo.com

Also going on at the Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm is their annual Fall Festival on October 10 & 11 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Celebrate Northwestern PA’s beautiful Fall Foliage! Pick out your favorite fall decorations: pumpkins, corn stalks, hay bales, and gourds will be for sale, along with fresh, homemade pumpkin or apple pie made with local pumpkins and apples. There will also be fresh-pressed apple cider and local apples for sale! Admission is free, and parking is by donation to the Edinboro Lions Club. Weather permitting, there will be wagon rides around the farm at a cost of $4.00 per person or $15.00 per family. Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm, 5970 Koman Road, Edinboro PA. October 10 & 11. 814-734-2833. www.woodennickelbuffalo.com

Have some German in your blood or just love a good time? Come to the St. Joseph’s Church’s Oktoberfest on October 9-11 for authentic German cuisine, a beer tent, live music, a coffeehouse, a Bavarian store and a BMW raffle! Open Friday from 5-11 p.m., Saturday from 12-11 p.m., and Sunday from 12-6 p.m. St. Joseph’s Church Bread of Life Community, 147 West 24^th Street, Erie PA. October 9-11. 814-452-2982. www.winabeemer.com

The Conneaut Lake Fall Pumpkin Fest will run from October 9-11 this year. There will be many individual vendors selling fall items and treats, along with amusement park rides, pumpkin carving, a beauty pageant and bingo! Live musical guests will perform throughout the day. Take part in costume contests or eating contests, or just enjoy the activities, including a parade on Saturday morning and a non-denominational service on Sunday morning. Open Friday from 4-10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. October 9-11. 814-282-4911 or 814-333-3733 (evenings). http://www.pumpkinfest.conneautlake.com/

It’s time again for the Peek’n Peak Fall Fest! Over 90 crafters & a farmer’s market, fall sweets and snacks, ski lift rides to enjoy the changing leaves, and kids’ crafts and entertainment- pumpkin decorating, petting zoo, pony rides, and more! Also, the annual snow sports equipment sale will be going on. New this year: a “pop-up shooting” hunting simulation! Bring your bow to hone your archery skills. There will also be various shows and special events going on throughout the weekend, including of course the Pumpkin Shoot! Free admission when you bring a canned good for charity! Peek’n Peak Resort, 1405 Olde Road, Findley Lake, NY. October 10-11, 17-18. 716-355-4141. www.pknpk.com

Get your pirate on with the Buccaneer Bash! A pirate grub and grog dinner will be served and a special show presented on Saturday, October 17 from 11:00am – 1:30pm at St. Peter’s Cathedral Center, followed by “How I Became A Pirate” at the Erie Playhouse at 2pm. There will be lots of fun pirate activities and surprises! Tickets for the Buccaneer Bash and “How I Became A Pirate” are $25. Tickets for just the Buccaneer Bash are $20. For reservations call the Erie Playhouse box office at 814-454-2852. Cathedral Center Cafeteria, 160 West 11th Street, Erie PA. October 17. 814-454-2852. http://www.erieplayhouse.org/schedule/details/?id=107

The Blessed Sacrament Parish will host Fall Fest 2009 on Sunday, October 18 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Blessed Sacrament Café will be serving ala carte items from noon to 5 p.m. There will also be outdoor bingo, children’s crafts & activities, pumpkin painting, a bake sale, a tractor-pulled hay ride, and 11 cash prizes of $1000 each! The Grand Prize of $2500 will be drawn at 6 p.m. Winners will win an additional $50 if present. Tickets are $5 per person. Blessed Sacrament Parish, 1626 W. 26th St, Erie PA. October  18. (814) 454-0171. http://www.bserie.org/

The Fairview Presbyterian Church will hold its Annual Harvest Dinner and Bake Sale on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 7 p.m. Enjoy a homemade dinner of hamloaf and relish, parsley potatoes, squash, rolls, molded salad and dessert. Wonderful homemade treats will also be available at the Bake Sale and Bazaar. Carry-outs available. Tickets are $9 for Adults, $4.50 for children 5-12, and under 5 is free! Fairview Presbyterian Church, 4264 Avonia Road, Fairview PA. October 21. 814-474-3914.

Come to the annual Beer & Wine Festival at Peek’n Peak Resort  on October 24 to sample wine and beers from over 15 breweries and wineries! Event runs from 3-7 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are only $25; tickets will be $30 at the door. Peek’n Peak Resort, 1405 Olde Road, Findley Lake, NY. October 24. 716-355-4141. www.pknpk.com

There will be an All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast to benefit the A.N.N.A. Shelter on Sunday October 25^th from 9am to Noon at Old Station One. All you can eat pancakes, sausage, and coffee! $5.50 per person. Old Station One, 6855 Buffalo Road, Erie PA. October 25. 814-899-1785. www.theannashelter.com

The Erie Christian Fellowship Church is hosting Harvest Blast—a creative, positive family-friendly alternative to Halloween! It’s just plain lots of fun! Harvest Blast is an innovative learning environment that kids and parents will enjoy. Pony rides, inflatable jumps, train ride, skits and games, and lots of treats! Harvest Blast is for children in preschool through 5th grade, however children in strollers are welcome with parental supervision. Costumes are welcome! Harvest Blast takes place at 6:00 to 8:30 pm on Friday, October 30^th. Free admission! Register at www.ecfchurch.org or call the number below.  Erie Christian Fellowship Church, 5900 Sterrettania Road, Fairview PA. October 30. 814-833-7729. www.ecfchurch.org

A Mapquest printout, a massive bowl of salad, and a bottle-cap license plate holder.

What, might you ask, do these three items have in common? Each played a comically crucial role in our trek to Angelea’s Italian Restaurant for my first restaurant review as an intern at ErieBlogs.

The evening started out normally enough. My sister and I found the restaurant with no problem. It’s located at 4253 Buffalo Rd in Wesleyville, in the same plaza as the D.M.V. We sat down in the dining area, which is nicely decorated. The menu had a wide variety of choices, including multiple kinds of pizza and subs, build-your-own calzones, various pasta and seafood dishes, and quite a few salads, soups, sandwiches, and appetizers. The fare was quite similar to that of Valerio’s or Barbato’s, but there were also some creative dishes, such as crossiant sandwiches. They also serve an assortment of bottled beer. The prices are very reasonable—the two of us could have eaten for under $20 with no trouble. Entrees are priced between $7-15, salads and sandwiches between $3-9. We spent about fifteen minutes deciding how to rack up a $35 bill to use our gift certificate. The food came quickly, and the portions were huge! The grilled chicken salad that my sister ordered was easily enough to feed 2-3 people. Our meals were very good and filling, and both of us left with take home boxes for lunch today.

The service was decent and the dining area could have been cleaner, but if you’re looking for great carry-out meals or an inexpensive, casual dining experience, Angelea’s is just the place.

On with the tale:

After enjoying our dinner, my sister and I planned to head to the Peach Street Wal-mart for a quick stop. Instead, we proceeded to get completely lost on the east side of town. I finally pulled into a corner parking lot to turn around, and in doing so managed to pull out the wrong way on a one-way street just as a policeman was attempting to turn up said one-way street. Needless to say, the lights came a-flashing and I got pulled over. Thankfully, he was understanding of my complete disorientation and let me off with a strong chiding.

We then continued to drive around aimlessly until consulting the Mapquest printout that got us to Angelea’s in the first place and realizing we had passed the turn five blocks back. Without further ado, I pulled into the nearest parking lot…and lo and behold, it was a Wal-mart! There was much rejoicing as we went about our errands in the land of milk, honey, and anything else that no one could ever need, including a nifty bottlecap license plate holder which we found in the clearance aisle.

After purchasing our (un)necessities, we headed towards home. Just we when thought our adventure had ended, my steering wheel locked up and the car stalled.

We were out of gas.

Thank goodness for cell phones and good friends. Luckily, we had a vast amount of leftovers to snack on while we waited for help, thanks to Angelea’s.

We finally made it home, having learned to always check for one-way street signs, to never underestimate the appearance of a Wal-mart, and that Angelea’s Italian Restaurant is a great place to fill your stomach before an evening of adventure.

Ed. note: Here’s another welcome post from our second new intern, Emilee. If you missed Krissy’s introduction, it’s right here. To be fair, we didn’t pick her because she’s a fellow McDowell alum. :)

Hello, Erie.

Just another local girl here. Checking in with the city that has been, and always will be, home.

I graduated from McDowell (go Trojans) in 2004 and took a stab at college but couldn’t decide on a major. After working full-time at Pennbriar Childcare Center for three years—and in the process, losing all desire to procreate—I’m back at Penn State Behrend to finish my Bachelor’s degree in English, Professional Writing.

Yes, I admit it. I enjoy grammar.

I’m considering a career in publishing, possibly as an editor. I dabble in photography on the side, and I’m currently learning French in hopes of traveling to Paris one day. Oui oui, un petit rêve.

I’m the middle of five children. The general consensus among the siblings is that I’m the “weird one.” My oldest sister is married and living in Montana, and the way she misses Erie makes me realize what a gem of a city it is.

I’ve traveled quite a bit: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dubai, Africa…but I’ve always been proud of you, Erie. You are humble, and modest, and no matter how smelly the dead fish on the beach may be, you are still beautiful.

Oh, and if you could just warn me before the next sudden torrential downpour…I forgot my umbrella yesterday. After twenty-three years, you think I would have learned.

Love always,
Emilee