Erie PA Today News, Events and Info for today, Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Today is Veterans Day. Remember and honor those who served. To those that are serving now. Thank you. And be safe. Image "Watch Your Six" from Cox and Forkum Editorial Cartoons, drawn by John Cox and written by Allen Forkum.


Did you know biodiesel can be used as a substitute for jet fuel? Leading the way in the biodiesel industry, Lake Erie Biofuels has made history with co-sponsoring the first ever biodiesel trans-continental jet flight "Green Flight International." "With Lake Erie Biofuels supporting this project, I had full confidence in the aircraft's ability to perform at peak capability," said Green Flight's Chief Pilot Carol Sugars. Lake Erie Biofuels, an Erie Management Group company, and world-class biodiesel production facility located in Northwest Pennsylvania, announced the completion of the world's first jet flight powered by biodiesel. "This transcontinental flight was distinctive in that 1,776 miles of the 2,486 total miles flown were powered on 100 percent biodiesel," said Douglas Rodante, Green Flight International President and CEO. Only 710 miles of the flight were powered by a mixture of 50 percent biodiesel and 50 percent standard jet fuel. The 50/50 fuel mix was used to compare performance data and demonstrate the capability of blending biodiesel with existing jet fuel supplies. Green Flight International was founded in 2006 to promote wider adoption of environmentally-friendly fuels in commercial aviation through international television media and print outlets. Michael L Noble, President of Lake Erie Biofuels states, "Our accomplishment with Green Flight International marks a vital breakthrough for the mass transportation industry and sets the stage for future growth. We congratulate Green Flight International, and are proud of our role in providing the aviation industry with environmentally friendly, clean, petroleum substitutes. This is something we can all take pride in." Lake Erie Biofuels, a BQ9000 accredited producer and marketer, was selected by Green Flight International to supply the biodiesel for the record-breaking flight because of its national recognition and superior quality standards. Lake Erie Biofuels incorporates a unique, internally designed filtration system and Desmet Ballestra continuous-flow technology - the vanguard in industry processing methods. A state of-the-art on-site laboratory, promises clean, pure and consistent fuel certifying every drop of biodiesel created.

Robert A "Bob" Melzer was arrested by the Forsyth County (GA) Sheriff's Office. Melzer was selling ads in the metro Atlanta area. He was wanted after the Pennsylvania State Police filed felony fraud charges against him for taking money for phone book ads but never publishing the phone book.

The fourth annual "Blood Bath" is back and bigger than ever! Fans of the Steelers, Browns and this year, the Bills will be vying for tickets to an upcoming NFL games at their teams' home stadium. Donors all week come in can 'vote' for their favorite team by giving blood at the Community Blood Bank. One winner will be selected from EACH TEAM to win a four pack of tickets. The games are: The Steelers team: 4 tickets to the Steelers/Browns on 12/28 in Pittsburgh. The Browns team: 4 tickets to the Browns/Bengals on 12/21 in Cleveland. The Bills team: 4 tickets to the Bills/Browns on 11/17 in Buffalo, this is the Monday night Game! Steel City's newest location at 4001 West Ridge Road will be providing lunch at 26th and Peach Street from noon to 2pm everyday too! "There are some pretty dedicated fans out there and the Blood Bath is a great way to support your team," Said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the Community Blood Bank. "Are you fan enough to bleed for your team?"


In the time it takes to brew a morning cup of coffee, a thief could steal a person's identity. That means months of frustration, hours on the phone talking to creditors and lawyers, and hundreds - if not thousands - of dollars to restore your good name. Erie Insurance's Identity Recovery Coverage, available for a nominal annual premium, is designed to help policyholders restore their credit standing in the event of identity theft. Soon, the coverage will be enhanced to include fraud protection at no additional cost. Effective Dec 1, 2008, pending state approvals, Identity Recovery Coverage will also include the ability to recoup fraudulent charges that are not covered by homeowner policies or credit institutions. Some credit institutions cap the amount that they will reimburse for falsified charges; in some cases, that limit may be as low as $50. "Erie Insurance is one of the few insurance carriers offering fraud coverage," notes Terry McConnell, vice president and manager, Personal Lines Underwriting. "It's important to note the distinction between fraud and identity theft." Fraud includes using the victim's existing credit or bank account(s) to make false charges, check forgery, counterfeit money and criminal deception. Identity theft includes using the victim's identity (Social Security number, date of birth, etc) to create new accounts. If fraud occurs, a policyholder will first use the $2,500 fraud coverage on the HomeProtector policy, if applicable, and then use the Identity Recovery Coverage for charges up to $25,000. Erie Insurance also makes available a case management specialist to help guide the policyholder through the recovery process. In addition to the fraud coverage, a number of other enhancements are being added to the Identity Recovery Coverage. These include broader coverage for legal and miscellaneous costs, coverage for misuse of a valid credit or bank account and more.

Gannon University will host two informational sessions on its Master of Business Administration program at the Manufacturer and Business Association. The sessions will be held at the Association's Conference Center, 2171 West 38th St, from 9:30-11 am on Saturday, Nov 22 and from 4:30-6:30 pm Tuesday, Dec 9. The sessions are open only to members of the Manufacturer & Business Association and those members' employees. Gannon University and the Manufacturer and Business Association (MBA) recently announced a strategic partnership that will allow the Association's members to take Master of Business Administration classes through Gannon. Members of the Association, as well as their employees, will be able to take the classes at a special, reduced tuition rate. In the interests of scheduling flexibility for the Association's members and their employees, the classes will be offered on Saturdays at the Manufacturer and Business Association's Conference Center. The first class is scheduled to start on Jan 17, 2009. Gannon University's Master of Business Administration program is internationally accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. For more information on the program, visit http://www.gannon.edu/mba. Prospective students also can contact Gannon's Scott E Miller, assistant professor of accounting and associate director of the University's Dahlkemper School of Business Administration for Graduate Programs, at 814-871-7397. Gannon's Office of Graduate Admissions can be contacted at 814-871-7474 or 1-800-GANNON-U.


It's time for a new Edinboro University of Pennsylvania flag and they want you to share your creative ideas with them! The contest is open to everyone - students, facutly, staff, alumni and friends of the University. Here are a few guidelines: When developing your design, keep in mind the new branding image which consistently uses the official Edinboro tartan Royal Stewart. Size should be 4' x 6'. The official Edinboro red is PMS 201. The "E" is font style Old English. They would also like to see a hard copy of your idea - it can be computer generated and submitted electronically as a pdf file to eup_alumni@edinboro.edu or mail to: Flag Contest, Edinboro University, Alumni House, 210 Meadville Street, Edinboro, PA 16444. The winner will receive a $500 cash award. Deadline for submissions is Monday, February 2, 2009.

Marriott Vacation Club International – the vacation ownership division of Marriott International (NYSE:MAR) – has appointed Patrick Botwright to general manager at Marriott’s Crystal Shores on Marco Island. Botwright graduated from Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in hotel, restaurant and institutional management.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission announced that 40 of the 45 licensed elk hunters harvested an elk during the season that was held Nov 3-8. Darrel Maines, of North East PA, Erie County, took a 624 pound, 7x6 elk on November 3, in Grove Township, Cameron County. The largest antlered elk was taken by Susan Luce, of Aaronsburg, Centre County. She took a 799 pound, 7x7 on Nov 3, in Covington Township, Clearfield County. Extremely interesting Pennsylvania Game Commission article - History of Pennsylvania Elk.

The Gannon men’s basketball team will put its preseason accolades on the line today, Tuesday, November 11 when it travels to the University of Dayton for an exhibition game. Tip-off at UD Arena is scheduled for 7 pm. Gannon fans will have multiple options to follow the play-by-play action against Dayton, a member of NCAA Division I and the Atlantic 10 Conference. Jet Radio 1400 will broadcast the game live with Sean Amicucci calling the play-by-play. Jet Radio 1400’s audio will also be available via the Internet at Knight Sound. The contest can also be seen live via the Internet through the Dayton Flyer All-Access platform. It is free of charge to view the game, but you will need Microsoft Silverlight to view it. Microsoft Silverlight can be downloaded at the previous web address. Finally, live gameday statistics will be available through Gametracker. Gannon brings numerous preseason honors into Tuesday’s exhibition contest. The Golden Knights are tabbed No 3 in NCAA Division II according to the Sporting News and the Basketball Times preseason polls. The squad is also ranked No 10 in the National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) Preseason Top 25 and No 16 by Division II Bulletin. Head coach John T Reilly’s club was picked as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division favorite at the league’s media day on October 30. The program return four starters and every player except one from last year’s team that went 26-5, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament. Dayton was 23-11 in 2007-08, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NIT, losing to eventual champion Ohio State in Columbus.

The Edinboro University volleyball team will host Mercyhurst in a PSAC Quarterfinal match today, Tuesday, November 11. The match at McComb Field House will get underway at 7 pm. The Fighting Scots have a 26-7 record and finished as the number two seed in the Western Division with a 10-2 record. Mercyhurst earned the number three seed with a 6-6 league record and has a 20-13 overall ledger.

The Mercyhurst women’s soccer team has been selected to host the first two rounds of NCAA Atlantic Region postseason play in the Division II national tournament, as announced by the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Committee Monday. This is the Lakers’ third consecutive appearance in the NCAA national tournament. The Lakers, the No 2 seed in the region, will host a first round contest between No 3 seed Bloomsburg and No 6 Slippery Rock Friday, with the winner advancing to the round of 32 against Mercyhurst Sunday.

The ECAC announced the Men's Soccer Southern Region Tournament pairings. Penn State Behrend (13-7-1) will be making its third appearance (2000, 2005) in the tournament and will host Wilkes University (10-7-3) on Wednesday, November 12, at 12 noon at Gannon University's Field. Behrend is the fourth seed and Wilkes is the fifth seed.

The Behrend Lions will continue their season in the ECAC South Region Tournament. The blue and white enter the tournament as a three seed and will host the six seed Washington and Jefferson Presidents on Wednesday, November 12, at 7:00 pm in the Junker Center.

The Erie Bayhawks were not included in "NBA 09: The Inside" for the PS2, PS3 and the PSP. Fourteen of the 16 NBA Development League teams were included in the game but not the two expansion teams - the Bayhawks and the Reno Bighorns.

Open auditions for the Erie Playhouse Youtheatre production of Willie Wonka Jr will be held at 1158 East 12th street today Tuesday, November 11 at 4 pm. Young people ages 5-18 are invited to audition. A prepared song with accompaniment and a short monologue are required. The show is directed by Almitra Clerkin. Perusal scripts are available at the Erie Playhouse box office with a $10 deposit. For more information contact Emily Cassano at (814) 454-2852 ext 7.

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.

The Erie County PA CareerLink office, at 1309 French Street in Erie, will hold a "Recruitment Day for the Health Care Industry" 10 am to 3 pm on Thursday, November 13. Jobseekers should bring copies of their resume and come prepared to fill out applications. Companies and organizations represented will include Abraxas Youth and Family Services, Brevillier Village, Comfort Care and Resources, Community Resources for Independence, EmergyCare, Erie Independence House, Healthcare Ventures Alliance and Saint Vincent Health System. If you can't come, you can apply for all jobs online.

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.


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 and November 14-16. Curtain times: Friday 7 pm, Saturday 2pm and 7pm, Sunday 2pm. All seats $13 (includes tax and fees). Purchase tickets online.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) - a data collection technology that uses electronic tags for storing data - is rapidly becoming essential to supply-chain management. Adoption of the technology is growing at an annual rate of 46 percent. Now is the time to implement RFID into your business. The Center for eBusiness and Advanced IT (eBizITPA) offers quality, affordable RFID training delivered by expert instructors from the RFID Center of Excellence at Penn State Erie, the Behrend College. Two half-day courses - 'Introduction to RFID' and 'RFID Integration Management Strategies' - on the same day at the Penn State Behrend, Research and Economic Development Center (REDC) in Erie, PA on Tuesday, November 18. Cost: $49 per half-day session ($98 for both sessions). Register today.

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.


Africa 6000 International second annual Project Water Dinner Gala will be held November 22 at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA. Click here for the dinner registration form, fill it out and mail it out with your check, money order or credit card information to Africa 6000 International, 2425 West 23rd Street, Erie, PA 16506. The goal of Africa 6000 International is to provide clean, safe water throughout the continent of Africa helping to prevent the premature deaths of over 6,000 children daily.

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.

Join the Erie Playhouse as they celebrate the American Girl tradition with lunch and an American Girl Holiday show! The event will be held at St Peter Cathedral Center Cafeteria on November 30 starting at noon. In addition to the "American Girl" holiday musical revue, there will be several raffles and auctions taking place throughout the afternoon. Some of the raffle and auction prizes include: American Girl accessories, Mia doll and "meet" accessories. Silent auction items include Kirsten and her collection (valued at $1,000), Molly and her collection (valued at $1,000). - silent auction bids start at $400. Tickets $20 per person. Tables of eight (8) available for $120. For more information, please call Almitra Clerkin at (814) 454-2852 ext 8. Purchase Tickets online.

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.

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.