Erie PA Today News, Events and Info for today, Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Tax and spend. For the second year in a row, Erie County taxpayers will see a property tax hike. Property taxes will increase 25 mills. Their mindset is why try and control expenses when they can just raise taxes. Democrats Joe Giles, Phil Fatica, Kyle Foust and Republican David Mitchell voted in favor of the tax increase and the $78.4 million budget. Democrats Fiore Leone, Ronald Cleaver and Republican Carol Loll voted against it. Using 2007 figures, The Tax Foundation compared home values and property tax rates in all 788 US counties. Erie County ranked 76th highest in the nation. With 2 consecutive years of tax hikes, Erie County will shoot up the list. Erie County Council fails to realize that higher taxes hurt property values and kill jobs. Tax rates are a significant factor company decisions to hire as the increased tax burden can't be used on employee wages, to stay in Erie as taxes are lower elsewhere or move their operations to Erie.


The assets of Erie Plastics were sold at a bankruptcy sale. Berry Plastics of Evansville, Indiana bought the assets for $6.9 million and said all operations will be moved out of Corry, PA. Around 250 jobs will be lost. Park Ohio Corporation was going to buy the assets and keep the jobs, but they were outbid. Press release by Berry Plastics. Berry Plastics is owned by Pennsylvania based Graham Partners and Apollo Management, the same company that owns Linens 'n Things that is going through liquidation.

Steve and Barry's Erie, PA location in the Mill Creek Mall will be closing as the company is going Chapter 7 and liquidating their 275 stores.

Conair manufactures auxiliary equipment for the plastics industry and also has a plant, Rapid Granulator, in Illinois. About a year ago, the company began investigating a consolidation to reduce expenditures. In an effort to retain the business in the Franklin PA area, which has operated there over 50 years, local economic development agencies put together a $200,000 package to assist Conair’s consolidation and expansion efforts. Operations from Rapid Granulator will be moving to the Franklin area, and 10 employees from the Illinois facility will relocate to the area, and 10 additional positions will be created. The Northwest Planning and Development Commission contributed $50,000 toward the grant package.

Terry Sherlock was convicted of 3rd degree murder of killing the man that was molesting his son, Kenneth Himrod. The DA wanted first degree murder and the defense wanted only voluntary manslaughter. The jury settled for something in the middle. Sherlock faces 20-40 years.

Appearing in newspapers all over the country is this AP photo of a snowman near the Gannon University Waldron Center in Erie. Emblazoned on the front of the snowman are the words "Hug Me." Pretty Funny.

Mercyhurst College President Dr Thomas J Gamble today announced the hiring of John Melody, a native of Dungarvan, Ireland, and Mercyhurst alumnus as the college's newest major gifts officer. Melody had been the managing director of Molly Brannigans since founding the popular Irish pub in downtown Erie in 2002 and overseeing its expansion to locations in Pittsburgh, Scranton, Harrisburg and Mesa, Ariz. He recently sold his share of the business to his partner, Colm McWilliams, a longtime friend and 1992 Mercyhurst graduate, also from Ireland.

Erie PA native Peter Spencer is celebrating the release of his fifth CD, “From the Island.” Spencer is now living in Bainbridge Island, Washington.

The School of Science at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, has announced its sixth professional program affiliation agreement, a 3 + 4 optometry program with The Ohio State University College of Optometry. The arrangement offers Penn State Behrend students the opportunity to begin pursuing Doctor of Optometry (OD) degrees one year early. A student who completes the joint program will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Penn State Behrend and a Doctor of Optometry degree from Ohio State. Interested students will begin their studies in the School of Science at Penn State Behrend, enrolled in the biology program's accelerated health programs option. After successfully completing three years of coursework and other requirements, students who are accepted into the College of Optometry will transfer to Ohio State to finish their degrees.


Two Golden Knights recorded double-doubles, 10 Golden Knights scored, and the entire team posted a 55-30 rebounding advantage as 10th ranked Gannon rolled past Urbana 78-42 in men’s basketball action Tuesday evening. Kyle Goldcamp (Pittsburgh, Pa/ Central Catholic) and Dave Wilson (Vidalia, La/ Vidalia) led Gannon with a pair of double-doubles. Goldcamp record his eighth double-double at Gannon with a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds. Wilson posted his first career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Golden Knights return to action Friday, November 28 when they host the 25th annual Gary Miller Classic. Daemen (NY) and Goshen (Ind) open the Thanksgiving tournament at 6 pm. Gannon and Lake Erie battle in the nightcap at 8 pm.

The Penn State Behrend men's basketball team lost to Fredonia State 66-63.

Don Wakamatsu has been named manager of the Seattle Mariners. Wakamatsu has the manger of the Erie SeaWolves in 2000 when they were a California (Anaheim?) Angels affiliate.

Jessica Christofferson of Bemidji (MN) High School signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and hockey careers at Mercyhurst College.

NHL Central Scouting rated Ryan O'Reilly of the Erie Otters eighth in the Ontario Hockey League in the preliminary rankings for the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft. O'Reilly leads the Otters in scoring with three goals and 17 assists for 20 points in 22 games. The second-year forward, who was taken first overall in the 2007 OHL Priority Selection, was recently added to the roster for the Team OHL game against the Russians being played Thursday night in Guelph. The 17 year old native of Varna, Ontario has collected 22 goals and 50 assists for 72 points in 83 career OHL games.

Mercyhurst women’s soccer forward Taylor Hilinski (Erie, PA/ Harborcreek) has been named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America Women’s Soccer First Team. Edinboro's Ashley Jones (Erie, PA/ Fairview) was named to the third team.

A special presentation will be held by the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA) at an Erie Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting today at 10 am, Wednesday November 19 in the 2nd Floor Conference Room of the Erie Intermodal Center, 208 East Bayfront Parkway. The meeting will unveil EMTA's new bus facility project. There will be a presentation on the plan followed by a question and answer session with the Executive Director, Dennis Solensky.

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 today 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.

Dr James Kurre, associate professor of economics at Penn State Erie, the Behrend College and director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie, will be the guest speaker at the Manufacturer and Business Association's November Eggs 'n' Issues briefing starting at 8 am Thursday, November 20 at the Association's Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street at Pittsburgh Avenue. Kurre's presentation will center on the 2009 Economic Outlook, focusing on northwest Pennsylvania. His areas of specialization include the Erie economy, regional economics, economic development, spatial cost of living differences and philanthropy research. His work has been published in Economic Development Quarterly, Regional Studies and the Pennsylvania Economic Review. "Our members always look forward to Dr Kurre's presentation at this time of year," said Association President Ralph Pontillo. "But with the economic turmoil we have all seen in the past several months, coupled with the recent election, Dr Kurre's comments are of particular interest." To register for this briefing, contact Tracy Shepard at (814) 833-3200 or (800) 815-2660. Cost is $30 for members, $60 for nonmembers.

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. Evening productions also will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Nov 18-20. Tickets are $7 ($5 for students) and may be reserved at the Reed Union Building main desk by calling (814) 898-6242.

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 November 23, 30 and December 7. Tickets: adults $8 and student, seniors $5.

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 Community Shelter Services Can Drive will be held on November 22 from 10 am to 8 pm at at the entrance to Wal-Mart on Elm Street in Erie. To help out or find out more information, visit Wal-Mart on November 22 or call 814-455-4369 ext 2 or email Denise.

Gannon University will host a series of free workshops designed to help high school students and their parents better navigate the sometimes complex financial aid process. The first workshop will be offered at 10 am Saturday, Nov 22. It is free and open to the public and will be held in room 1200 of the University's Palumbo Academic Center, 824 Peach St. The informational session will include an overview of the entire financial aid process, including a step-by-step review of the questions on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It also will cover: Definitions of terms parents and students should know; Explanation of the aid programs available; and Tips on how to apply and the application process. The workshop also will be offered on the following times and dates: 6:30 pm on Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009; 6:30 pm on Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009; and 10 am on Saturday, April 18, 2009. All sessions will be held in room 1200 of the Palumbo Center. For more information, contact Gannon's Financial Aid Office, (814) 871-7337 or 1-800-GANNON-U.

The Holiday Art Trail will be held 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, November 22. Five local art galleries are participating in this FREE event, in Cambridge Springs, PA - Kelly Run Gallery, Enlightened Glass, and the Stonewall Gallery at the Campbell Pottery Store; in Edinboro, PA - Catwater Who Signature Gallery and Eclectic Etceteras Coffee House. Visit all 5 Galleries for a chance to win $125 in gift certificates. All Gallery Events are FREE and open to the public. Refreshments will be served at all locations.


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.

"Once Upon a Time", Victorian Holidays 2008 will be displayed in the Erie Historical Society Watson-Curtze Mansion, at 356 West Sixth Street in Erie, November 22 through December 28. It includes traditionally decorated trees, seasonal workshops for children and adults, lectures, and elegant Victorian teas. Wednesday - Saturday 11 am - 4 pm, Sunday 1 pm - 4 pm. Museum Admission: $4 Adults, $3 Seniors, $2 Children.

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 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 November 28-30 and December 6-7. You can also donate at any one of their designated drop off locations.

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.

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, being held on the four Sundays of Advent, will begin at 7 pm on Nov 30 with a lecture by Canadian poet and essayist JS Porter. Porter’s lecture is titled, “Bonding with Readers: Merton’s Voice of Friendship and Intimacy.” Porter is a professor of English at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ont. An accomplished author, Porter’s most recent book is titled, Thomas Merton: Hermit at the Heart of Things. 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.

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 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.

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.


Erie’s seventh annual TubaChristmas concert will take place on Saturday, December 13, in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. The performance begins at 12:30 pm and is FREE and open to the public. A cookie reception will follow. (Cookies!) As its name implies, TubaChristmas is songs of the season interpreted by a choir of tuba and euphonium performers under guest directors Gary Viebranz, director of instrumental ensembles at Penn State Behrend; Daniel Burdick, associate professor of low brass at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania; and Lowell Hepler, director of bands at Allegheny College. All student, amateur, and professional low brass musicians are invited to join the performance; rehearsals will be held on site that morning. To register for the performance, contact Viebranz at (814) 898-6289 or e-mail gav3@psu.edu. Tuba Christmas debuted at Rockefeller Center’s ice rink in 1974 as a tribute to the late tuba legend William J Bell, who was born Christmas Day 1902. The event has since grown to the point that it is held in 200-plus cities each year. TubaChristmas is produced by the Harvey Phillips Foundation; the Erie performance is supported by the Mary Behrend Cultural Fund.

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.


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.