Gary Horton was elected as President of the Erie School Board. Horton replaces Jim Herdzik. Nothing will change as all board members are Tax and Spend liberal Democrats.
The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA) and STAR 104 have partnered together to transport cheer into the homes of needy children across the Erie area. This year the Holly Jolly Trolley will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots for 65 hours, camping on-site for the cause. Each item you donate gets you an entry to win a Nintendo Wii game system. The EMTA Holly Jolly Trolley will be located at the Promenade at the Millcreek Mall beginning at 7 am on Wednesday, December 10 through 8 pm on Friday, December 13, 2008. The Holly Jolly Trolley will then travel to the Cell Block on State Street for STAR 104's live broadcast, Club 104, which will last until midnight on Friday.
Starting January 2009, Erie Brewing Company will be offering a FREE Craft Beer Training Course. The training course will include a power point presentation highlighting the history of beer, how beer is made, and information on beer styles, common beer myths, and tips on suggestive selling. The training course will also include a brewery tour and tasting (must be 21 years old with proper ID to taste beer). The course will take approximately 2 hours to complete. For more information or to sign up please email Becky Niemeyer or call her at (814) 459-7741.
The University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering has named renowned electric power engineer Gregory Reed the first director of its Power and Energy Initiative. Reed is a worldwide authority on advanced electric power generation, transmission and distribution systems, and power electronics technologies. Reed earned his BS in electric engineering at Gannon University in Erie, PA, MS from RPI and PhD at Pitt.
Erie PA native Suzanne Yoculan has coached the University of Georgia gymnastics team to nine national titles and 16 SEC crowns during her 26 years. She announced that the 2009 season would be her final one. Georgia's freshly-christened gymnastics practice facility bears the Yoculan name.
The Gannon men's basketball team (4-0), ranked 6th in NCAA Division II, has proven it can shoot the ball and dominate the glass through the first five games of the season. It was another winning formula for the Golden Knights, who posted a workmanlike 82-55 victory over Allegheny Wednesday night at the Hammermill Center. Joe Lindsey (Spring Valley, NY/ Spring Valley) led four players in double digits with a season-high 18 points, seven assists, seven rebounds, and eight steals. Pierre Howard (Chicago, Ill/ Bloom) reached double digits for the fourth consecutive game with 15 points. Kyle Goldcamp (Pittsburgh, Pa/ Central Catholic) and Dave Wilson (Vidalia, La/ Vidalia) added 10 points each. Mark Demski (Erie, Pa/ Cathedral Prep) pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds off the bench. All 14 Gannon players in uniform saw action.
The Edinboro men's basketball team improved to 5-0 with an 82-76 win at West Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday, spoiling the Bobcats home opener. The Fighting Scots rode the hot shooting of Joe Jones, who dropped in a career-high 34 points.
The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team improved to 3-2 on the season and opened AMCC play with a victory over visiting Mt Aloysius 79-64. Adam Potter (Pittsburgh/ Mt Lebanon) had a big game making 8-of-15 from the floor to hit for 21 points and six boards, while Tom Newman (Girard/ Northwestern) added 16 points and five assists. Adam Kaiser (Erie/ Cathedral Prep) used four three-point buckets to hit for 14 points to go with his four assists.
The Gannon women's basketball team (4-1) wasted little time putting last Monday's tough loss out of its mind. The Lady Knights scored the first 11 points and never looked back in a convincing 109-38 victory over Salem International Wednesday evening at the Hammermill Center. Caitlyn Lowe (Gettysburg, Pa/Gettysburg) led all scorers with 20 points off the bench. Brittany Tabron (Canton, Ohio/ Canton Central Catholic) recorded her eighth career double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Amanda Dacek (Middleburg Heights, Ohio/ Berea) produced her first career double-double with 13 points, 12 assists, and six steals. Kim Vargas' (Sterling, Va/ Broad Run) added 18 points and six steals off the bench.
The Mercyhurst women's basketball team put up a tough fight against NCAA Division I West Virginia, but the Mountaineers pulled away late for an 88-38 victory over the visiting Lakers in front of 578 fans at the WVU Coliseum Wednesday night. Stephanie Prischak (Erie, PA/ Villa Maria) led the Lakers in scoring with 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 2-for-3 from behind the arc.
The Penn State Behrend women's basketball team beat Mt Aloysius 93-67. Behrend was led by Rachel Richardson (Moon Township, Pa/ Moon Area) with 24 points.
Ivan Harris registered 22 points and Erik Daniels added 19 as the Erie BayHawks rolled past the host Rio Grande Valley Vipers, 101-87, on Wednesday in D-League action. Erie trailed by as many as 12 in the first half before outscoring Rio Grande Valley by 23 (35-12) in the third quarter. Oliver Lafayette tallied 18 points and six assists for the BayHawks, who won their second consecutive game. Following the road swing the BayHawks will return to Erie for their home opener versus the Iowa Energy, Thursday, December 11, at 7 pm. The first 1000 fans through the gate will receive a pair of Thundersticks courtesy of the BayHawks and Yourerie.com; and The Cleveland Cavalier Girls dance team will greet fans and perform throughout the evening. Tickets.
Brandon Biggers scored twice as the Erie Otters doubled the Kitchener Rangers 4-2 in an Ontario Hockey League game played tonight in front of 6,304 at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Shawn Syzdlowski and Greg McKegg also scored for the Otters, who earned their first victory in Kitchener since February 10, 2006. The win, Erie's second straight on the road, the Otters improved to 13-13-2-0 on the season. Erie completes the week of action with home games Friday and Saturday at 7 pm at the Tullio Arena. Friday it's the Otters and the Windsor Spitfires presented by the PA Lottery with the first 2,500 adults into the game receiving a scratch-off ticket coupon. Saturday it's Teddy Bear Toss Night as the Otters welcome the Sarnia Sting. Bring a new or gently used stuffed animal to the game and receive a free ticket coupon to a future Otters game (certain restrictions apply). Plus, when the Otters score their first goal of the game you can throw your stuffed animal onto the ice. All toys will be collected and donated to local children's charities. Tickets.
The Mercyhurst College wrestlers claimed seven of 10 bouts to defeat West Liberty St, 25-10, at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. Ranked 10th in the latest NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association, Mercyhurst improves to 2-1.
Edinboro University women's basketball team has added some additional height to its roster. Head coach Stan Swank has announced the signing of Samantha Balzetic, a 6' 2" center from Eastlake North High School in Eastlake, Ohio.
Reducing costs with energy efficient lighting, as well as control technologies and strategy, are two topics the Energy Roundtable will tackle during their next quarterly meeting from 9 am to noon Thursday, December 4, at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Drive, Erie PA. Registration begins promptly at 8:45 am. To register, call (814) 456-6299, fax (814) 459-6058 or e-mail jmiller@nwirc.org. There is no charge for the event.
There will be an Opening Reception for the Mercyhurst College Annual Art Faculty Exhibition held on Thursday, December 4, 7-9 pm at the Cummings Gallery in the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center. The exhibition runs December 4 through January 4.
When a star explodes, "it wakes up the neighbors," says Dr Darren Williams, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. "If a star in the Big Dipper detonated at a safe distance - say, 80 light years from Earth - the light show would be both spectacular and dangerous. A single exploding star radiates the energy of a hundred billion Suns, and is bright enough to be seen within galaxies located billions of light years from Earth." This infrequent but dazzling phenomenon will be the subject of the next Open House Night in Astronomy at the college. Williams will present "Cosmic Cataclysm: Why Do Stars Explode?" at 7:30 pm on Thursday, Dec 4, in 101 Otto Behrend Science Building. His non-technical lecture is FREE, open to the public, and suitable for children ages 8 and up. Astronomical viewing from the college's Mehalso Observatory will follow, weather permitting. Williams also will discuss the different ways that stars burn out, and the long history of observation of these brilliant occurrences. Open House Nights in Astronomy are a public-service outreach of Penn State Behrend's School of Science. For additional information about Williams' program, phone (814) 898-6105.
Gannon University's Schuster Theatre will present "A Tuna Christmas" December 4-6, 11-14. Ridiculous characters from the insane town of Tuna, Texas compete in an over-the-top seasonal decorating contest. The production does include some mature language. All performances will begin at 8 pm; Sunday matinees are at 2 pm. Gannon University's Schuster Theatre is located at 620 Sassafras St. Ticket prices for the general public are $5. For more information, contact the Theatre at (814) 871-7493 or at (814) 871-7720.
Nuncrackers - The Nunsense Christmas Musical comes to the Erie Playhouse this holiday season. Performances will be held December 4-7, 10-14, 18-21. It stars the nuns you love plus Father Virgil and some of Mt. Saint Helen's most talented students. This show is filled with "Nunsense" humor, some of your favorite carols, a "Secret Santa," and an uproarious take on Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet. Nuncrackers will make you laugh and maybe tug at your heartstrings. It's the perfect way to insure your holiday season is merry and bright. Tickets go on sale November 10.
Gannon University's Activities Programming Board (APB) on Friday will hold a special fundraiser for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The APB will continue an annual Gannon holiday tradition with "Light up AJ's Way," to be held at 7 pm on Friday, Dec 5. The foundation will select a child to flip the switch to turn on the lights that decorate the many trees in AJ's Way, which runs from West 7th to West 8th Street, just west of Peach Street. The lights will remain on during evenings throughout the holiday season. Following the brief lighting ceremony, refreshments, including hot chocolate, will be served at a reception in Gannon's Waldron Campus Center, 124 West 7th St. The reception is free and open to the public; donations will be accepted for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The APB already has raised for the Foundation about $1,300.
All An Act Theatre Productions presents “Caught in The Net”, the hilarious sequel to "Run For Your Wife!", at their new home in Columbus Square, 652 West 17th Street in Erie, PA. Performances will be held Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm through December 6 with special matinee shows on Sundays at 3 pm on December 7. Tickets: adults $8 and student, seniors $5.
The Marine Corps Reserve Erie Toys For Tots program is asking for your help. Their goal this season is to make sure that every child in northwestern Pennsylvania has a gift to open on Christmas. Please help by donating new, unwrapped toys at the Millcreek Mall December 6-7. You can also donate at any one of their designated drop off locations.
Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra annual Christmas Concert Sing-Along with the St Paul Episcopal Cathedral Children’s Choir and choral director Sharon Downey will be held Friday, December 5 at 7:30 pm at St Patrick Church, 130 East 4th St. The performance is free and open to the public.
Galleries throughout downtown and around town usher in the holiday shopping season with a holiday edition of Gallery Night on Friday, December 5, from 7-10 pm. Perry Square and State Street light-up for the holidays at 6 pm and entertainment as well as a visit with Santa are planned for the concourse of the Boston Store. Accents By The Bay, Allen Stoneware Gallery, Artworks, Bayfront Gallery, Cummings Gallery at Mercyhurst College, Geary's Studio 7 Gallery, Glass Growers Gallery, Kada Gallery, Ralph Miller Jewelers and Gallery, Urraro Gallery and the galleries at the Erie Art Museum will host Gallery Night. Participating galleries will be offering visitors a chance to win a $50 gift certificate as an incentive to attract patrons into touring their galleries.
The Tom Ridge Environmental Center Nature Shop and Gallery will hold a Holiday Open House 10 am - 6pm, December 5-7.
Gannon University will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of one of the most influential Catholic writers of the 20th century with a four part Advent Lecture Series. The series will focus on Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk, prolific poet, social activist, and acclaimed author on the subject of spirituality. Merton, a Catholic convert, became a pioneer in interreligious dialogue and one of the seminal figures of 20th century American Christianity. The series continues on Dec 7, with a lecture by Mary Anne Rivera, PhD, assistant professor of theology at Gannon, and the director of Gannon’s graduate Pastoral Studies program. Her lecture is titled, “Merton and Jubilee: A Likely Partnership.” The final two lectures in the series and the speakers are: Sunday, Dec 14 – Patrick F O’Connell, PhD, associate professor of English and Theology at Gannon. O’Connell’s lecture is titled, “Awakening in Eden: Thomas Merton and the Return to Paradise.” Sunday, Dec 21 – Bonnie B Thurston, former William F Orr professor of New Testament at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She also was a founding member and the third president of the International Thomas Merton Society. Her lecture is titled, “Thomas Merton’s Advent ‘Lessons and Carols.’” All four lectures will begin at 7 p.m in room 219 of the University’s Waldron Campus Center, 124 West 7th St. They are FREE and open to the public. For more information, contact O’Connell at (814) 871-5497.
Lake Erie Thunder, the all ages drum and bugle corps, is holding an open house on Saturday, December 6 from 1 - 5 pm at East High School, 1001 Atkins St in Erie, PA.
Gannon University's annual Social Work Club Christmas Dinner and Wellness Fair aims to make the Holiday season a little brighter for those who otherwise may not have much to celebrate. The always-popular event, which includes a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, is expected to attract an even bigger crowd this year partially because of the ongoing economic downturn. Organizers plan to serve close to 1,000 meals at the dinner, to be held Sunday, Dec 7 in the University's Hammermill Center, Peach and South Park Row. Doors will open at 10 am, and meals will be served from 11 am to 1 pm. Santa will come to visit with children at 12 pm. The event is FREE and open to the public, and free clothing will be available to all attendees. Another important aspect of the event is a Wellness Fair. Representatives from local agencies will be on hand to meet with attendees and distribute information. Participating agencies include the Booker T Washington Center, Youth Development Center, Community Health Net, GECAC (division on Aging), and Gaudenzia Crossroads. The Christmas Dinner and Wellness Fair, now in its 31st year, is a Gannon tradition in keeping with the University's Mission of service to one's neighbor. For example, the event is made possible through the many volunteer hours that Gannon students, faculty, and staff spend prior to the event sorting through box upon box of donated clothing. During the dinner, they generously give of their time cooking and serving meals and handling many other duties.
On Sunday December 8 at 9 am, there will be an Eid prayer at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center.
The Gem City Concert Band Holiday Concert will be held at 7:30 pm on Monday, December 9 at St Johns Lutheran Church, 2216 Peach Street. Admission is FREE.
The concert and jazz bands at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, each will give a semester's-end performance. The jazz ensemble will perform at 8 pm Tuesday, Dec 9, in Bruno's Cafe, which is located on the second floor of the college's Reed Union Building. The concert band performance, "Symphonic Works for Band," takes place the next night, Wednesday, Dec 10, at 8 pm. It will be held in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building and includes works by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Edward Elgar, Robert Russell Bennett, John Barnes Chance and Henry Fillmore. Both performances will be under the direction of Gary Viebranz, director of musical ensembles at the college, and are FREE and open to the public.
Businessman P Kelly Tompkins will address "Creating a Culture of Trust: Conflict of Interest and Business Ethics" at a December 11 presentation sponsored by Mercyhurst College's newly formed Evelyn Lincoln Institute for Ethics and Society. Tompkins, a 1978 Mercyhurst graduate, is executive vice president, chief administrative officer and chief financial office for RPM International, a $3.5 billion company that markets chemical products globally and operates 90 manufacturing facilities. His talk, at 8:15 pm in the Mercy Heritage Room, is FREE and open to the public. Tompkins will also take part in an academic roundtable on business ethics at 4:15 pm. For information, contact Dr Daniel McFee at (814) 824-3607.
War At The Shore IV will be held on Friday, December 12 at the Erie Civic Center Tullio Arena. The very popular dual wrestling meet features youth, high school and college teams. Buy tickets online. Schedule: Youth - Noon to 4:30 pm; 5 pm - Harborcreek vs North East, McDowell vs General McLane; 6:45 pm - Erie Cathedral Prep vs Penn Trafford, Pine Richland vs Lockport, NY; 8 pm - Fort Leboeuf vs Burrell, Gannon University vs Mercyhurst College.
The Erie SeaWolves are proud to announce a partnership with the United States Marine Corps to bring the first ever "Fill The Truck At The Uht" Toys for Tots event to Jerry Uht Park. On Saturday, December 13 from 10 am until 2 pm, the main plaza in front of the Jerry Uht Park front gates will serve as a Toys for Tots drop-off. The Marines will be on hand with tactical vehicles including a 7-ton truck to fill with gifts for needy children in the Erie community and two hmmwv's. This holiday season, the Marines are in need of toys for 10,000 area youths. Donations are accepted in the form of new, unwrapped toys. Those who donate will be treated to FREE Smith's Hot Dogs, Pepsi soft drinks, hot chocolate, coffee and doughnuts. In addition, the SeaWolves are offering a special "buy one get one" "Stocking Stuffer" Gift Pack for fans to donate to Toys for Tots on the spot. The 'Wolves holiday gift kiosk will also be open during the event. Other highlights of the day include a visit from Santa Claus and bounce games for kids. Everybody's favorite mascot C Wolf will also be in attendance.
Lorenzo Simonelli, president and CEO of GE Transportation, will be the guest speaker at the Manufacturer and Business Association's December Eggs 'n' Issues briefing starting at 8 am Tuesday, December 16 at the Association's Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street at Pittsburgh Avenue. Simonelli's presentation will highlight the opportunities and challenges GE faces as a technology and manufacturing business in the present marketplace. The business unit is a global technology leader and supplier to the railroad, marine, drilling, mining and wind industries, generating revenues in excess of $4.5 billion. Headquartered in Erie, it employs approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. To register for this briefing, contact Tracy Shepard at (814) 833-3200 or (800) 815-2660. Cost is $30 for members, $60 for nonmembers.
Christmas comes early for the Young People's Chorus of Erie: The Erie Philharmonic Chorus will host a "Messiah" sing-along to celebrate the holidays and support the newest youth outreach program in residence at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. Anyone who has sung - or always wanted to sing - GF Handel's most famous composition is invited to join the 70 voice Erie Philharmonic Chorus for the sing-along, which takes place at 7 pm on Tuesday, Dec 16, at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, 130 E Fourth St, Erie. Admission is $5 per person, and all proceeds benefit YPC Erie. Participants who own a "Messiah" score are encouraged to bring it that evening. The sing-along will be conducted by Dr Jason Bishop, conductor of the Erie Philharmonic Chorus, founder and artistic director of the Young People's Chorus of Erie, and director of choral activities at Penn State Behrend. Organist Erik Meyer, cantor at Luther Memorial Church, will be the accompanist. "YPC Erie is touched by the generosity of the Erie Philharmonic Chorus, and very grateful," Bishop says. "We hope that parents and children who are interested in YPC Erie, or anyone who loves to sing and loves the Erie Philharmonic Chorus, will come out and show their support for great choral music, and for the important work YPC Erie is doing for the children of our community." The Young People's Chorus of Erie is open to children ages 7 to 18 and begins rehearsals in January. Inspired by and affiliated with the Young People's Chorus of New York City, YPC Erie offers children of diverse backgrounds a comprehensive choral music experience to foster personal and artistic growth. For more information about the "Messiah" sing-along or YPC Erie auditions, phone (814) 898-6789.
The Lake Erie Ballet annual production of "The Nutcracker" will be held at the Warner Theatre in downtown Erie, PA December 19-21 with guest artists Michele Gifford of NYCB and Matthew Prescott of the Joffrey Ballet with live orchestra. Buy tickets online here.
Join the celebration as the Erie Playhouse toasts 25 years in their downtown Erie location with a spectacular concert featuring the Erie Playhouse orchestra and chorus. Over 100 volunteers will fill the stage with magical music and song. Erie's best New Year's Eve tradition continues at the Erie Playhouse. Click Here to purchase tickets online. All seats $35. Includes a pre-show champagne and hors d'oeuvres reception. Reception 6:30, curtain 7:30 on December 31.
