Twenty groups have selected Erie as their destination city for their 2009 conventions, tournaments and events. The recent bookings reflect strong marketing efforts by VisitErie and their tourism partners, including the Erie County Convention Center Authority. From sporting events, fraternal organizations and state associations to hobby enthusiasts, Erie is seeing an increase in booked conventions and conferences. VisitErie president, John Oliver remarked, “Our continued presence in the Harrisburg/State Association market and various national/regional tradeshows is paying off. Erie gets more and more recognition as a meetings destination with plenty to offer event attendees. With our wide variety of flexible meeting locations, a growing downtown entertainment district and thriving retail outlets, restaurants and attractions, Erie is definitely gaining positive recognition among Pennsylvania meeting destinations.”
GE Drivetrain Technologies, a unit of Erie based GE Transportation, and A-Power Energy Generation Systems (Nasdaq: APWR) announced today that the companies have signed agreements for GE Drivetrain Technologies to supply A-Power with 2.7 megawatt (MW) wind turbine gearboxes and to establish a Joint Venture partnership for a wind turbine gearbox manufacturing plant in China. The contracts follow the signing of letters of intent in January of this year.
Even in a challenging economy and with unemployment rates steadily rising, nearly 100 percent of recent Gannon University graduates are moving on to rewarding careers. Gannon graduates, for example, are finding work with sought-after employers like Disney, Northrop Grumman, UPMC, and GE Transportation. In addition, they are pursuing advanced degrees at schools like Carnegie Mellon, Purdue University, and Case Western Reserve University. Little wonder, then, that 99 percent of recent Gannon graduate-level degree recipients and 92 percent of those earning undergraduate degrees have secured positions in fields related to their academic majors or are continuing their education. The figures are based on 2007-08 Gannon graduates at both the graduate and undergraduate levels and are among the key findings of recent reports compiled by Gannon University’s office of Career Development and Employment Services.
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will host its third annual Women in Engineering Day today in the college’s Research and Economic Development Center (REDC). Hosted by the School of Engineering, the event is designed to introduce high school girls to various engineering fields using interactive, hands-on activities. Forty-nine tenth- and eleventh-grade girls from six area high schools, including Central Tech, Iroquois, McDowell, Meadville Area Jr/Sr, Mercyhurst Prep, and Villa Maria Academy are scheduled to attend.
The NBA Development League Erie BayHawks (20-16) hosted their first ever School Kid's Jam and rolled to a 108-92 victory over the Tulsa 66ers (7-25) before a crowd of 3560. Erik Daniels capped a monster performance by notching a triple-double with a dominating 30 points, 23 rebounds and 10 assists on the day. Maureece Rice continued his steady play scoring 21, with Ivan Harris adding 17. Other BayHawks in double figures included Tony Bethel with 13 and Darian Townes came off the bench with 14, adding to a strong defensive performance with 6 blocked shots. The BayHawks home stand continues tonight with a 7 pm tipoff against the Sioux Falls Skyforce. It's Cavaliers affiliate night with the BayHawks wearing Cavaliers classic wine uniforms, and performances by the Cavalier Girls Dance Team, Cavaliers Mascot Moondog, and the Cavs Scream Team, hip hop dance crew. Buy Erie BayHawks tickets online.
The Niagara women’s hockey team beat the Syracuse Orange 3-2 in the first round of the College Hockey of America Tournament at Mercyhurst. Niagara next game is a semifinal matchup against host and number one seed Mercyhurst today at 3 pm.
The Gannon baseball team lost both games of a doubleheader with East Stroudsburg Thursday. The Warriors won 13-2 and 8-1 to get the sweep.
The Gannon softball team posted two victories Thursday afternoon at the Rebel Games in Orlando, Florida, including a 5-3 victory over 20th ranked Georgian Court. The Lady Knights opened the day with a 4-3 win over former Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) rival Northwood (Mich).
In battle of two teams riding seven game winning streaks, fellow PSAC member Kutztown halted Edinboro’s streak with a 7-2 win on Thursday afternoon. The two teams were competing in the Rebel Spring Games. The Fighting Scots came back in their second game of the afternoon against Saint Xavier to post a 3-1 win thanks to a strong pitching performance from freshman Jen Sparachane.
The Mercyhurst softball team split two games Thursday at the Rebel Spring Games, defeating Wilmington (Del) 10-2 before dropping a 4-3 decision to Bellarmine.
The Gannon women’s water polo team (1-1) beat Cal Tech 14-0 Thursday night. The Lady Knights featured a balanced scoring attack, as nine players scored at least one goal to help Gannon pick up their first win.
Kevin Cooke didn’t have to wait long to collect his first win as Edinboro’s women’s lacrosse team. The former head coach at Queens (NC) and Mercyhurst led the Fighting Scots to their first-ever win on Thursday afternoon, as they handed Erskine a 16-2 defeat. That came one day after Edinboro played its first-ever lacrosse match, suffering a 23-11 loss to Lees-McRae. Like Edinboro, the Flying Fleet are a first-year program.
Mike Machuga of Erie, PA is in 5th after first day of the Professional Bowlers Association Don Johnson Buckeye State Eliminator at Sequoia Pro Bowl.
Baseball season is right around the corner and the Erie SeaWolves announced a new ticket package! The all-new, All-You-Can-Eat "Wolf Pack Plan" gives fans the opportunity to come out and watch seven, exciting Double-A Baseball games with complimentary dinner and beverages. For the ridiculously low price of $39 (UNDER $6 PER GAME) for a Reserved Seat Ticket, fans have the opportunity to watch seven of the most popular games. Included in that price is an all-game, all-you-can-eat buffet of Smith's Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Chicken Sandwiches, Pepsi soft drinks and water. Also included in every package is a FREE SeaWolves cap, a $19 value. Additionally, if you cannot attend one of the seven games, Wolf Pack Plan tickets can be exchanged for ANY game during the 2009 season, subject to availability.
Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that Gannon University has offered a basketball scholarship to Garrick Sims of Barberton High School. Sims, a 6' 6" forward, is the leading scorer and rebounder for the 20-1 Magics.
The Erie Otters play their next three games on the road beginning tonight when they travel to Sarnia to meet the Sting. The next Otters home games take place Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15. Buy Erie Otters Tickets online.
TheatreUSA presents The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere at 10 am today March 6 at the Warner Theatre in Erie, PA. This production is suitable for kids grade 3–9.
Today Friday March 6, the Mercyhurst College Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center will host a concert of the Celtic bands The Karan Casey Band and Lunasa. Tickets.
The Erie Playhouse production of The Graduate runs today through March 15. Performances will be held Fri Mar 6 at 7:30 pm, Sat Mar 7 at 7:30 pm, Sun Mar 8 at 2 pm, Wed Mar 11 at 7:30 pm, Thu Mar 12 at 7:30 pm, Fri Mar 13 at 7:30 pm, Sat Mar 14 at 7:30 pm, and Sun Mar 15 at 2 pm. Tickets.
The 2009 Erie Sport and Travel Expo will be held today Friday, March 6 through Sunday, March 8 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. General Admission $7, children under 10 FREE. Click Here for a $1 off coupon.
On Monday, March 9 at 5:30 pm, the Erie RiverRats coaches and players will be making an appearance at CiCi's Pizza for a "Meet and Eat" at the Eastway Plaza on Buffalo Road in Erie. Approximately 15 players and coaches from the 2009 football team will be present to take pictures with fans and sign autographs. Bring the entire family for fun and food at CiCi's Pizza, 4045 Buffalo Road in Erie. The Erie RiverRats' season begins March 15th on the road in Baltimore. The team then returns for a home opener scheduled for March 28 at 7 pm at the Tullio Arena versus the DC Armor. Buy Erie RiverRats tickets.
Saint Vincent Health Center will present “The Perfectly Pampered Pregnancy,” a special class for expectant mothers and their significant others. Participants will learn how to pamper the expectant mom during pregnancy. This two-part class will be held on Tuesday, March 10 and 24, from 6 to 7 pm at the Saint Vincent Women’s Center, 311 West 24 Street, Erie, PA. Saint Vincent Health Center and Coventina Day Spa are partnering for this program which focuses on some of the changes in hair, skin and nails that may occur during pregnancy and how best to manage those changes. The presentation will also provide information on stress, relaxation, aroma therapy, pregnancy massage and fashion in pregnancy. A Coventina gift basket will be given out to one lucky participant. The cost of this program $40. Please call (814) 452-5664 to register.
On Wednesday, March 11, The Brewerie at Union Station will host the Because You Care Small Animal Rescue Trivia Night. The entry fee for a team of four is $40 and the event is pre-registration only.
The Erie County GOP Spring Dinner will be held March 13 at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center in Erie, PA. Keynote speaker will be Attorney General Tom Corbett. RSVP by March 4. Register online.
The Erie Admirals Soccer Club open tryout for their 2009 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) team will be held Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14 at Family First Sports Park in Erie, PA. There is a $50 try-out fee per session that will cover on site housing and meals. Players wishing to tryout MUST confirm with Managing Director of Erie Admirals SC Debbie Bonaminio, (814) 866-5425 ext 209.
Tim and Lisa NeCastro of Erie Insurance will be the Honorees at the 12th Annual Beach Ball Gala of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Branch of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF). The event will take place at the Bayfront Convention Center on Saturday, March 14. The Gala, an informal event, will include a silent auction, a live auction (prizes, trips, etc), a great dinner and dancing. Music will be provided by Tennessee Backporch and the Sheffield High School Steel Drum Band. For ticket information, contact Lee Ann Baran at (814) 452-0635. The event also will feature a “Fund A Cure” auction in which donations are made directly to fund a diabetes research grant.
The Erie Playhouse Youtheatre will hold open auditions for parts in Green Gables Auditions at 4 pm on March 17,18 at the Erie Playhouse Scenic and Costume Shop, 1158 East 12th St in Erie. Young people ages 6-18 are invited to audition. A prepared song with accompaniment (sheet music or CD with NO lyrics) and a short monologue are required. For more information, please contact Emily Cassano.
Paul Vojtek, the chief executive officer of Erie Water Works, will be the guest speaker at the Manufacturer and Business Association’s March Eggs ‘n’ Issues briefing starting at 8 am on Thursday, March 19 at the Association’s Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street at Pittsburgh Avenue. To register for this briefing, contact Tracy Shepard at (814) 833-3200 or (800) 815-2660. Cost is $30 for members, $60 for nonmembers.
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, invites adults who are considering starting college or returning to their studies to attend an adult-student undergraduate admissions open house on Thursday, March 19. The open house begins at 5:30 pm with a one hour exhibit fair in Roche Hall, located in the college’s School of Science complex. There will be a seminar on admissions and financial aid in Nick Building, room 171, at 6:30 pm. The evening ends with individual admissions counseling sessions in Nick Building, room 171; Nick Building is also part of the School of Science complex. As a convenience, both new admissions and reenrollment applications (former Penn State students) will be accepted at the open house. Those who attend the event and enroll in either summer or fall 2009 are eligible to have application fees waived, a savings of $50 for new students and $20 for reenrollment applicants. There is no charge to attend the open house and no obligation to apply. To register for Penn State Behrend’s Adult Student Open House, call 814-898-6700, e-mail BehrendAdultCtr@psu.edu.
The Edinboro Film Series in cooperation with Arts Erie, the Edinboro University Student Government Association, and Magnolia Pictures will show the film “SPECIAL” starring Michael Rapaport (Prison Break, Hitch, True Romance), Alexandra Holden (The Hot Chick, Drop Dead Gorgeous), Josh Peck (Drake and Josh, The Wackness), and Robert Baker (Leatherheads, Old School) on Thursday March 19 at 8:30 pm in the Louis C Cole Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Edinboro University. Tickets for this event are available now. FREE for Edinboro students. General Admission: $5 pre-sale, $7 the week of the event. Available online at www.edinborotickets.com or by phone at (814) 732-2177 (12-10 pm daily).
Baseball season is right around the corner and the Erie SeaWolves announced their Opening Day of Ticket Sales will be held on Saturday, March 21 at Jerry Uht Park from 12-4 pm. This day will be the first opportunity for SeaWolves fans to purchase individual game tickets, pick up mini packs and enjoy their first trip to the ballpark in 2009. Fans who purchase tickets will receive FREE Smith's Hot Dogs, FREE Pepsi Products, FREE hot chocolate and FREE coffee. Fans will also get the chance to win great prizes by spinning the 'Wolves Prize Wheel. Prizes include bobbleheads, hats, t-shirts, SeaWolves bucks and more. Fans who donate two (2) unopened boxes of cereal to the Erie City Mission will receive a FREE ticket to Opening Day (April 8 vs. Altoona).
The Erie Ambassadors, a volunteer program of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership (ERCGP), is sponsoring Get Involved! Erie night on Tuesday, March 24 to connect newcomers, natives and students in the region with community organizations and involvement opportunities. The event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Bel-Aire Hotel and Conference Center, 2800 West 8th Street in Erie. The event is FREE and open to the public.
The NCAA Men's Basketball Division II National Championship will be held Wednesday, March 25 through Saturday, March 28 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. Tickets are on sale now. Wednesday, March 25, NCAA Div II Men's Basketball Championship Quarterfinals Session 1 - tickets. Wednesday, March 25, NCAA Div II Men's Basketball Championship Quarterfinals Session 2 - tickets. Thursday, March 26, NCAA Div II Men's Basketball Championship Semi-Finals - tickets. Saturday, March 28, NCAA Div. II Men's Basketball Championship Final - tickets.
Gannon University's Small Business Development Center is presenting the second annual WILD (Women In Leadership Development ) Conference on Friday, March 27 from 7:30 am to 4 pm. The Conference will be held at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center located at 7792 Peach Street in Erie, PA. The internationally renowned Keynote speakers highlighting the day are: Dr Terri Kennedy, President of Power Living Enterprises Inc and leading expert on Health and Productivity Management and author of "40 Days to Power Living" and Jan "The Body Language Lady" Hargrave, CEO of Jan Hargrave and Associates and author of several books, including, "Strictly Business Body Language." The Second Annual WILD Conference Chairwoman is Renee Vaught, President of Infinite Power and Design which provides the diesel engine industry with leading edge technology. In addition, women businesses will exhibit their products and services throughout the day and there will be several opportunities to learn from seminars, panelists and individual speakers focusing on the knowledge, energy and passion of women helping women. Pricing: $99 Early Bird Rate Before January 16, $125 After January 16, $75 Student Rate, $200 Boutique Rate - to include one (1) WILD admission ticket (Booths must be attended throughout the Conference and is the sole responsibility of the Boutiquer). Register today. Join the Facebook Group.
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