Erie PA Today News, Events and Info for today, Friday, November 7, 2008

The Greater Erie Board of Realtors released the October 2008 real estate sales figures for Erie County. Sales figures include all Erie County properties in which a transfer tax was paid including residential, commercial, investment and land. The sales total for October was $42,810,390 with 382 transactions. This is down from October 2007 when sales totaled $50,540,472 with 437 transactions. The October 2006 sales were $47,279,377 with 432 transactions.

Erie County DA Brad Foulk announced he will seek the death penalty for Willie Baker. Baker brutally murdered 86 year old Anne Ropelewski. He broke into the lower eastside Erie home of Ropelewski, cut her with a knife, beat her with a hammer and stabbed her with garden shears. Baker did all this for $45 and an old Ford Escort.


Pittsburgh's KDKA ran a story on the interest Arnold Palmer has in John Kanzius' cancer machine. Palmer could be a big help in raising funds. Millions are still needed before human trials can begin. Testing on animals has shown great promise. Donations can be made to the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation.

For the week of October 27 through November 2, Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie reported wagers of $38,316,551 with payouts of $35,230,832.

High school students interested in poetry can show off their skills by submitting their work to Gannon University's 32nd annual High School Poetry Contest. The Gannon English Department is now accepting entries for the contest. All entries must be submitted by Feb 6, 2009. Winners of the contest will be announced at the department's annual English Awards Night, to be held April 22, 2009 in the University's Waldron Campus Center. Contest entrants can win $100 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place, in addition to a signed book of poems by the featured speaker for English Awards Night, Li-Young Lee. "Highly commended" and "commended" recognitions also will be given. Submissions must include the student's: Name, home address, and phone number; Name and address of high school, grade level, and teacher's name. Each student can enter up to three poems (entries will not be returned). There is no cost to enter, and submissions should be mailed to: Gannon University English Department, Berwyn Moore, poetry contest, 109 University Square, Erie, Pa. 16541. For more information, contact Moore, associate professor of English at Gannon, at 814-871-7504, or send e-mail to moore001@gannon.edu.


The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine will hold its 15th annual Student Scholarship Auction today, Friday, Nov 7, from 6 to 10 pm at Erie's Bayfront Convention Center. More than 700 guests will take part in both live and silent auctions, with proceeds benefiting the LECOM Student Scholarship Fund. As LECOM grows, it continues to offer benefits to its osteopathic and pharmacy students, and the community it serves. The school makes these types of investments to ensure a fiscally and medically healthy community where our students learn and work. Providing this kind of top-quality educational experience where students can obtain a medical or pharmacy degree creates financial burdens for LECOM students. While LECOM maintains one of the lowest private medical school tuitions, students face mounting debt as they complete their education. Most medical students graduate owing more than $150,000. Through donations to the Student Scholarship Fund and events such as the scholarship auction, LECOM is able to help deserving students fulfill their dreams.

Millions in renovations have been completed at the Millcreek Mall. There will be a Grand Opening Ceremony held on Friday, November 14 at 11 am. The Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation will be honored during this ceremony and a check will be presented to the Foundation Board.

Sabiha is a young lady living in Erie and really like our fair city. She's Muslim. Maybe she'll help us understand her religion a bit better. Check out her blog.

Timothy Deluccia was appointed Superintendent of the DuBois Area School District. He is an instructor in the Educational Administration Department at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.


Tonight the Erie Otters welcome the Peterborough Petes in a 7 pm start. Jason Baird is scheduled to be in attendance to take part in a pre-game ceremony. The former Otters member was severely burned in a landscaping accident in July and will be back to thank the community for their support during his recovery. Tickets.

The Erie BayHawks will have the seventh overall selection in today's NBA Development League Draft as determined by a lottery conducted at the league’s annual fall meeting conducted in Dallas. The draft will take place live at 7 pm from the NBA TV studio in Atlanta, Ga. And be carried on the NBA TV channel and streamed live via the internet. The NBA D-League Draft utilizes a “serpentine” format, meaning the order will alternate in each of the ten rounds. For example, the team picking last in the first round will select first in the second round, giving them the 16th and 17th overall choices. The only person that made it through the 3 tryout camps was Maureece Rice. Rice is a native of Philly who was kicked off the George Washington team for "breaking unspecified team rules."

The Penn State Behrend volleyball team will host the 2008 AMCC Volleyball Championship tournament today, Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8 at the Junker Center. Behrend (21-8) earned the Number 1 seed and right to host by posting a perfect 9-0 mark in the conference during the regular season, collecting the program's third regular season conference title in the past four seasons. Behrend will be led by junior setter Brooke Gallentine (Mt. Pleasant, PA/ Southmoreland) who was recently named the AMCC and ECAC Southern Region volleyball player of the week. Gallentine leads the Behrend Lions with 874 total assists on the season (8.74 apg). Offensively, the blue and white will look for big performances by junior middle hitter Sheila Ogden and freshman outside hitter Lauren Dalton (Cochranton/ Cochranton). Ogden has pounded out 268 kills while Dalton has hammered 258 kills this season. Defensively, Behrend is led by Stefanie Kelley (Moon Township/ Moon) who has collected 338 digs, Liz Emerick (Hopewell/ Hopewell) who has tallied 313 digs, and Danielle Woods (Pittsburgh/ Baldwin) who has 287 digs for the year. The squad will also look for big plays from senior defensive specialist Brittany Hennessy (Hopewell/ Hopewell) and junior outside hitter Carissa Johnston (Cambridge Springs/ Cambridge Springs) who have both battled back through injuries to make an impact down the stretch.


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 Toys R Us / Babies R Us in Erie today, Friday November 7. You can also donate at any one of their designated drop off locations.

The Finance Speaker Series at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will host a discussion with Bruce A Gray ’80, senior vice president at Bank of America, today Friday, Nov 7. In his presentation, Gray will expand on features of the credit markets that have gone from being topics discussed primarily by financial professionals to daily newspaper headlines. Gray is an Oil City native and graduate of Penn State Behrend’s accounting program. His presentation will take place at 7 pm in the Samuel P “Pat” Black III Conference Center in the college’s Research and Economic Development Center (REDC). Parking will be available in the deck located off Jordan Road. Gray’s lecture is FREE, open to the public, and intended for a general audience.

WQLN's Holiday Arts and Crafts Show will be held today Friday, November 7, 1-6, Saturday, November 8, 10-5 and Sunday, November 9, 10-5 at Rainbow Gardens in Waldameer Park in Erie, PA. Enjoy over 100 crafters, Pictures with Santa, Chinese Auction and the Sweet Tooth Booth. Admission is $3.50, or $5.00 for all weekend. Children under 12 are Free.


Once again the Erie Playhouse is proud to premiere a new Disney musical, Geppetto and Son. Under the direction of Youtheatre/Education director Emily Cassano, this bright and bubbly musical is perfect entertainment for your family. Performances will be held November 7-9, 14-16. Curtain times: Friday 7 pm, Saturday 2pm and 7pm, Sunday 2pm. All seats $13 (includes tax and fees). Purchase tickets online.

The Annual Veterans Day Parade starts off at Erie Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday, November 8 at 9:30 am and travels south to the Erie VA Medical Center. At 11 am the Annual Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at the Armed Forces Reserve Center, Old French Road. The community is encouraged to attend to honor our nation's heroes.

The John Nesbit Rees and Sarah Henne Reese Charitable Foundation will pay your way into the ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum on Saturday, November 8. The Rees Charitable Foundation is underwriting a Free Admission Day at the museum as part of its support for National Chemistry Week. Penn State Behrend student chemists and faculty will be at the museum between 11 am and 2 pm that day to assist children with hands-on experiments and demonstrations related to this year’s theme, “Having a Ball with Chemistry.” National Chemistry Week is an annual public outreach and education effort of the American Chemical Society. In late 2007, the John Nesbit Rees and Sarah Henne Rees Charitable Foundation awarded the School of Science at Penn State Behrend a $21,250 grant to support the advancement of chemistry through educational programming. Tracy Halmi, a lecturer in chemistry at Penn State Behrend, chairs the committee responsible for developing programming for National Chemistry Weeks 2006 through 2009. The Experience Erie Children’s Museum is located at 420 French Street; Saturday hours are 10 am until 4 pm. For more information about the event phone the museum at (814) 453-3743.

Erie Philharmonic presents "A Night in Old Vienna" at the Warner Theatre on Saturday November 8 at 8 pm. Daniel Meyer, conductor and featuring Rachel Barton Pine on violin. Tickets.

Numerous events and activities await students and their families when Gannon University hosts its annual Fall Open House on Sunday, November 9. Registration will begin at 11 am in the Waldron Campus Center, 124 West 7th St. Students and their families also may attend optional masses at 11 am and at 4 pm in the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, 512 Peach St. Gannon University President Antoine M. Garibaldi, PhD, and others will offer welcoming remarks at 1 pm in the Hammermill Center, Peach Street and South Park Row. In addition, students can compete in Scholarship Contests in several academic disciplines: English Writing (room 210 of Beyer Hall); Spanish (Beyer 212); French and German (Beyer 213); Biology (Beyer 214-215); Education (Beyer 209); Chemistry (Zurn 101); and Engineering (Zurn 333A). All exams will begin at 10 am. Four year scholarships in each contest will be awarded to students who enroll at Gannon. First-place winners will receive $3,000 annually, second place $2,000 annually, and third place $1,000 annually. Advance registration for Open House is not required. For more information, contact the Gannon University Office of Admissions at 814-871-7240, or toll free at 1-800-GANNON-U, or log on to www.Gannon.edu.

The annual Chautauqua at Gannon Lecture will be held Monday, Nov 10 and will feature nationally known academician and political pundit Terry Madonna. The lecture will begin at 7:30 pm in the Yehl Room of Gannon's Waldron Campus Center, 124 West 7th St, and is FREE and open to the public. Madonna is the director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. Madonna in 2004 joined Franklin and Marshall, where he is also a professor of public affairs and director of the F and M College Poll. For more than 30 years, Madonna has taught and written about his two academic specialties: the American presidency, and American political parties and political behavior. As a pollster, he has written extensively about voters and voting behavior. Madonna holds a doctoral degree in political history from the University of Delaware. For more information, call (814) 871-7231.

The Technology Council of Northwest Pennsylvania is holding a Research and Development Tax Credit Training Course 11:30 am - 2 pm on Wednesday, November 12 at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center in Erie. The course if FREE. Advanced registration required.

The Erie Art Museum’s Contemporary Music Series presents Lou and Peter Berryman in concert at the Erie Art Museum Annex on Wednesday, November 12 at 8 pm. The performance will be held in the Erie Art Museum Annex, 423 State Street, admission is free; a $10 donation is suggested.

Penn State alumna Gretchen Franz will give a Smith Music Series recital on the 21 stop mechanical organ at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, on Thursday, November 13. The performance begins at 12:15 pm in the Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel. It is FREE and open to the public; parking will be available in the nearby Junker Center lot.

Pennsylvania Sea Grant will facilitate a two-day Best Management Practices workshop for landscapers, Realtors, environmental engineers, surveyors, municipal officials, and other professionals whose work touches our region’s environmentally fragile shorelines. The Best Management Practices for Professionals workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Nov 13 and Friday, Nov 14. Thursday will be a full day of presentations at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie; Friday will be used for site visits. Topics to be covered in the worship include coastal geology, hydrology, and the ecological impact of shoreline erosion; public access issues; the US Army Corps of Engineers’ permit process; similarities of and differences between the permitting processes in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio; landscape solutions for erosion-prone areas; habitat impacts of riparian projects; and in-stream habitat and bank stabilization devices. The cost to attend the two-day workshop is $25. The workshop is approved for Penn State Continuing Education credit by the Pennsylvania Board of Realtors and the State Board of Landscape Architects for an additional fee of $35. For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Marti Martz at (814) 217-9015, or visit the Pennsylvania Sea Grant web site.

In a relationship, who will be the first to be unfaithful? The question that playwright Pierre Marivaux explored in an 18th century garden plays out in a modern genetics laboratory in the upcoming Studio Theatre production of “The Dispute.” The updated setting also allows Chrystyna Dail, new director of the Studio Theatre at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, to add a second layer of inquiry to the dark comedy: When and how is it ethical to use human beings as scientific guinea pigs? “The Dispute” is appropriate for children over the age of 13. The 7 show run in the Studio Theatre at Penn State Behrend opens at 8 pm Thursday, Nov 13. Evening productions also will be held Friday and Saturday, Nov 14 and 15, and Tuesday through Thursday, Nov 18-20. A matinee performance will take place at 2 pm Sunday, Nov 16. Tickets are $7 ($5 for students) and may be reserved at the Reed Union Building main desk by calling (814) 898-6242.

The 7th Annual "Night With The Knights," a get-together for adults (30+ years of age) will be held Friday, November 14, from 7-9 pm at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the multi-purpose room at 1531 East Grandview Blvd in Erie. The event is sponsored by the Barber National Institute and the Knights of Columbus, and will include refreshments, horse races, and other activities. Registrations requested at the FSS office, 878-5961. Admission is Free of charge.

Gannon University's Erie Chamber Orchestra will hold its next concert at 7:30 pm Friday, Nov 14 at the Central Tech Auditorium, 3325 Cherry St. The concert will feature as soloist the Edinboro University Singers, with choral director Peter Van den Hornert. All concerts of the Gannon University Erie Chamber Orchestra are free and open to the public. The orchestra is conducted and directed by Bruce Morton Wright. For more information, call (814) 871-7755.

The Great International Beer Festival will be held on Saturday, November 15 at the BrewErie at Union Station. Two 3 hour sessions will run from 12-3 pm and 4-7 pm with unlimited samplings. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event. Tickets are limited to 250 per session.

Have you ever wondered how to ID a tree with no leaves on it? Learn how at the Winter Tree ID at 1 pm on Saturday, November 15 at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. FREE. Identifying trees in the non-leaf season can be fun. Learn to use key features such as bark, twigs, and buds. Join guest instructor Tom Erdman form the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry to learn what trees are in your backyard. Dress to go outdoors. No fee, call TREC to register, (814) 833-7424.

The Disco Spectacular Dance will be held 7-11 pm on November 15 at Rainbow Gardens in Erie. The dance features radio great Captain Dan. There will be two giant video screens, a dazzling light show, prizes for best retro outfit, a dance contest, a chinese auction and more. Tickets cost $10 and are available at both Erie area Wegmans and the Voices for Independence office. Tickets at the door will be $12. Proceeds to benefit Voices for Independence.

Gannon University's Schuster Gallery will host its next exhibit, "The Art and the Artist," from Nov 16, 2008 through Jan 16, 2009. The exhibit will feature the work of Vitus J Kaiser, a member of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Artist Association and a longtime art teacher in the Erie School District. An artist's reception will be held from 3-6 pm Sunday, Nov 16. It is free and open to the public. The exhibit will feature about 50 watercolors that depict mostly outdoor scenes. Schuster Gallery is located on the third floor of the University's Nash Library, 619 Sassafras St, and is open during regular library hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 am to midnight; Friday, 8 am to 9 pm; Saturday 10 am to 5:30 pm; and Sunday 12:30 pm to 12 am. Access to the gallery is FREE and open to the public. For more information on the exhibit, contact Gannon's Schuster Program for the Arts at (814) 871-5467.

Gannon University's Office of Graduate Studies will hold an Open House from 3:30-6 pm Tuesday, Nov 18 on the third floor of the Palumbo Academic Center, 824 Peach St. Attendees can learn more about academic programs and talk with faculty and program directors. For more information, contact Graduate Admissions at (814) 871-7474, or toll free at 1-800-GANNON-U.

Many communities and individuals in Northwest PA are frustrated by the lack of high speed Internet access. The Bona Fide Retail Request (BFRR) program is producing results in helping many communities obtain high-speed Internet access, but is it producing results fast enough? How sustainable are the results of the BFRR program? What could we be doing, individually and as a region, to become more effective in developing broadband infrastructure to serve our homes, businesses, and communities? Please join the Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission on Wednesday November 19 to explore these issues in results-oriented detail. All attendees will receive a "BFRR Took Kit" for going directly back to their communities and starting or completing a successful Bona Fide Retail Request for DSL service. The event is FREE. To Register emal name, organization, email address, and telephone number to Randy Rice or call (814) 677-4800 ext 100.

Gannon University's Dahlkemper School of Business Administration will host an informational workshop for high school students who are considering majoring in business. The Business Day workshop will be held from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm Friday, Nov 21. It is open to high school juniors and seniors and their parents and is designed to help them answer questions such as: What type of career do I want to pursue? Is business administration the right "fit" for me? What will the job market be like after I graduate from college? What can I expect in terms of career opportunities? Depending on my interests, what salary range can I expect? Will the college or university I attend help me secure an internship? Throughout the day, students and their parents will be able to meet with graduates of Gannon's Dahlkemper School as well as current business majors and faculty members. Students also will be able to participate in an interactive workshop on the many and varied business programs Gannon offers, such as accounting, advertising communications, finance, international business, management, marketing, risk management/insurance, and sports management and marketing. In addition, families will be able to meet with representatives from the University's Office of Financial Aid and tour the campus. For more information or to register for the free event, call 814-871-7566 or send e-mail to gubusiness@gannon.edu.

The Zone Dance Club Think Pink - Breast Cancer Weekend will be held November 21-22. Show your support and come join in at the Zone Dance Club for a weekend of awareness and fun as they help raise money for a great cause. Friday - the Zone Divas and a few special guests will host the Pretty in Pink Benefit Show. Bring your dollar bills and tip them well. Saturday is the Zone's Pretty in Pink Party. Wear pink and black and join us for a night of dancing and fun. We will also be having a Pink Chinese Auction and Pink Bake Sale with items donated by the local community. Help raise money and awareness for a great cause. Think Pink! Phone: (814) 452-0125.

The Saint Vincent Auxiliary Festival of Trees takes place Nov 26-30 at the Ambassador Conference Center in Erie. See 50 professionally decorated Christmas trees and the Christmas marketplace. Cost is $5 for adults and $2.50 for kids.

The Warner Winter Wonderland Art and Craft Show will be held 10 am-5 pm on Saturday November 29 and noon-5 pm on Sunday November 30 at the Warner Theater in downtown Erie. Free, guided tours of the theater, chinese auction, pictures with Santa, refreshments, free parking. Save $1 off admission with a food donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Adults $3, seniors $2, children 12 and under FREE.

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 26th edition of the McDonald's High School Basketball Classic will be held in Erie on Friday, January 16 and Saturday, January 17, 2009 at Gannon University's Hammermill Center. This year's event features nationally renowned programs from Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, DC, complete with many top-ranked players. The field includes Archbishop Carroll from Washington, DC, Westbury Christian from Texas, defending Pennsylvania state champ Chester High School, and host Erie Cathedral Prep. The best possible way to acquire reserved tickets to the Classic, scaled at $12.50 per night, is to purchase an Erie Area Metro season ticket, while supplies last. That can be done in the Prep athletic office beginning on Monday, November 17. General admission tickets cost $7 per night in advance for adults and $5 in advance for students, and are on sale now. Any remaining reserved tickets will also be on sale beginning on Wednesday, December 3 at the Cathedral Prep athletic office. General Admission tickets will be available on the same date at the Erie Sport Stores, Dee's News, and select McDonald's Restaurants while they last. No phone orders will be accepted, and no tickets can be held. Another sell-out crowd is expected, so fans are encouraged to buy their tickets early.