Erie PA Today News, Events and Info for today, Monday, December 29, 2008

Winds with gusts of 70 mph on Sunday battered Erie and the entire Great Lakes region. It was surprising there wasn't more damage and power outages than the few that were reported. The beaches of Presque Isle State Park were pounded. Tons of sand and a number of trees were washed away.

The worst train disaster in American history occurred on this date 132 years ago when The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway Train No 5, The Pacific Express left a snowy Erie PA on the afternoon of December 29, 1876. As The Pacific Express plowed through the snow and crossed a bridge over the Ashtabula River, about 100 yards from the railroad station at Ashtabula, Ohio, the passengers heard a terrible cracking sound. The bridge fractured and the train plunged 70 feet into the water at 7:28 pm. Of 159 passengers and crew onboard that night, 64 people were injured and 92 were killed or died later from injuries sustained in the crash. The Ashtabula Railway Historical Foundation has excellent, comprehensive info on the disaster.

Frank Roylance, the science reporter for The Baltimore Sun, spent Christmas in Erie, PA with his family. His wife, Christy Trageser Roylance, is a native of Erie. Nice to see that Roylance mentioned his trip to Erie in his blog without a weather horror story.


Ryan O'Reilly netted the shootout winner as the Erie Otters rallied from three goals down to beat the Brampton Battalion 5-4 in an Ontario Hockey League game played this afternoon in front of 1,852 at the Powerade Centre. Andrew Yogan netted his first career hat trick to lead the Otters offense in regulation and added a shoot out goal. Zack Torquato rounded out Erie's goal scoring while Ryan O'Reilly collected two assists. Matt Duchene paced the Battalion with a goal and three assists while Josh Shalla scored twice and Stephon Thorne once. Erie improved to 17-17-2-0 with the win, their third straight. Brampton slumped to 22-10-1-1. The Otters next game takes place Wednesday when they travel to Niagara to face the IceDogs in a 7 pm start. The next Otters home games take place Friday (January 2) and Saturday (January 3) when the Battalion and Kitchener Rangers visit for 7 pm starts respectively. Buy Erie Otters tickets online.

Erik Daniels scored 31 points to lead five players in double figures as the Erie BayHawks routed the division-leading Bakersfield Jam, 112-94, on Sunday. Maureece Rice and reserve Oliver Lafayette each scored 23 points for the BayHawks (8-4), who led by as many as 23 points as they dominated one of the D-League's top teams. Rice scored 13 points in the first period and Daniels added 13 in the second quarter as Erie sped to a 56-41 halftime lead. The BayHawks led by double digits for all but 40 seconds of the second half. Cliff Clinkscales had 13 points and eight assists and Ivan Harris scored 10 points for Erie, which shot a blistering 56 percent (47-of-84) and committed just seven turnovers as it improved to 5-1 at home. Daniels grabbed 10 rebounds. Derrick Byars had five 3-pointers and scored 27 points and Mateen Cleaves added 25 for the Jam (10-3). The BayHawks visit the Dakota Wizards on Wednesday. The next BayHawks home game is Friday, January 9 vs Fort Wayne. Buy Erie BayHawks tickets online.

The Mercyhurst women's basketball team was unable to overcome a nine-point halftime deficit, falling 73-58 to Wisconsin-Parkside Sunday in the first game of the San Diego Surf 'N Slam Classic. Stephanie Prischak led the Lakers with 14 points on 6-for-12 shooting. Amy Achesinski recorded her first double-double of the season, registering 12 points and 11 rebounds.


The 2008 Troyer Farms Christmas Crunch Classic soccer tournament will be held at the Family First Sports Park in Erie, PA now through December 30. The tournament will feature some of the best boys and girls soccer teams in the United States and Canada. The Christmas Classic will be held on two full-size NPSL regulation indoor soccer fields inside Family First Sports Park’s main fieldhouse.


The Asbury Woods Nature Center Winter Camp is a winter version of the popular Summer Nature Camp. Weather permitting, the day will include snowshoeing, observing animals and plants in their winter habitats, live animal program, snow art and some great seasonal crafts.This one day camp will be will be held today Monday, December 29 and again Tuesday, December 30. Appropriate for children Kindergarten - 5th grade. Cost: $15 per day for members, $20 per day for nonmembers. For more info call (814) 835-5356.

The Gannon men's basketball team, ranked No 4 in the latest National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC)/Division II Top 25, continues a nine-game homestand by hosting the 35th annual Porreco Cup today Monday, December 29 and Tuesday, December 30 at the Hammermill Center. Shippensburg and Seton Hill open the first night's action at 6 pm, followed by Gannon (6-0) and Caldwell (NJ) (5-5) at 8 pm. The consolation and championship games are scheduled for Tuesday, December 30 at 6 and 8 pm. All Gannon games can be heard live on Jet Radio 1400 and via the Internet at Gannon Knight Sound. A live B2 Networks video broadcast for all Gannon games will be available. Live game statistics for will also be available.


Pop in the New Year together (just a few hours early) while the kids are still awake with the Experience Erie Children's Museum "New Years at Noon Celebration" which takes place 11 am to 1 on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31. The celebration will include: make-your-own noisemakers, party hats, a countdown at noon, an "Auld Lang Syne" parent sing along and more. This event is included with Museum admission of $5, FREE to members and children under age two.

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 party 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.

Boogie at the Bayfront will be held on New Year's Eve, December 31 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. Tickets are $40 per person. Sheraton Bayfront Hotel Packages available, 2 tickets plus room for $179, including tax. Tickets available only at the Erie Civic Center Box Office or by phone at (814) 452-4857. All net proceeds from the event benefit City of Erie Police and Fire departments.

Jr's Last Laugh will have live music with the M-80s on New Year's Eve. Dancing, light appetizers, party hats and a champagne toast at midnight, and as always lots and lots of confetti - cover your drinks and a full hot breakfast at 1 am - french toast, pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, home fries, juice, and coffee. Cost is $35 per person. Call (814) 461-0911 to reserve, advance reservations required.

If you are not into drinking but still would like to go out for New Year's Eve, it's the Community Board Game Night: New Year's Eve Edition. It is a night full of fun and laughter. It is a nonalcoholic and nonsmoking event. It's held at the Community United Church at 1011 West 38th Street. Admission is $5 and includes food and drinks. Doors open at 9:30 pm. Games go from 10 pm until 1 am. Youth under 18 must have a guardian.

The Erie Runners Club New Year's Day 5 Mile Run/ Walk will be held at 10 am on Thursday, January 1 at Presque Isle State Park. Registration begins at 9 am at the Rotary Pavillion near the Waterworks area.

Want to get the kids out of the house this winter? Come down to Presque Isle State Park for the Mystery Outdoor Program for Kids on Saturday, January 3, 10 am to 11:30 am. You'll have to find out what all they have planned. Call (814) 833-7424 for more information. FREE. No registration, no fee. Dress for the outdoors.

Does your family have a little one (or little ones) that love to be outside? The Little Naturalist: Snowshoeing on Presque Isle is a great opportunity to encourage their outdoor exploration. The program will be held 1-2 pm on Wednesday, January 7. Children age 3-6 and an accompanying adult can join the Presque Isle Naturalist to discover Presque Isle and experience our winter wonderland on snowshoes. After the program, join us for hot cocoa at the Ranger Station and warm up by the fire. FREE. No Fee. No Registration. Dress for the outdoors, expect to be outdoors for the full hour.

The Erie Playhouse Youtheatre presents Willy Wonka January 9-11, 16-18. All of your favorite characters and songs (including “The Candy Man” and “Pure Imagination”) are featured in this show that overflows with music, comedy and heart. This delicious story is adapted from the 1971 film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, which starred Gene Wilder in the title role.

Get out and enjoy the season by taking a hike on snowshoes at Presque Isle State Park. The next next hike will be held 10-11 am on Saturday, January 10. Each hike this Winter will take participants through the interior trails, focusing on different themes. If there is not sufficient snow, a hike of the same theme will still take place. Meet at the Presque Isle Lighthouse parking lot. FREE. No registration, snowshoe rental fee only if you do not bring yours.

A weekend belly dance event with the Pittsburgh Bellies bellydance group will be held Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11 at The Bel-Aire Clarion Hotel, 2800 W 8th Street, and Long's School of the Dance, 826 Selinger Avenue in Erie, PA. Bellydance workshops for all ages and levels from 9 am -3 pm both Saturday and Sunday at Long’s School of the Dance. The Saturday night family-friendly Bellydance Show at 7pm (doors open at 6) inside the Bel-Aire Hotel Ballroom features local and national belly dance acts. An after-party for adults only will be held in the ballroom 10 pm - 1 am with live music by the Khafif Music and Dance Ensemble, and a cash bar. Registration and tickets at TheFlemingSchool.com.

As part of their Composer/Lyricist Series, the Erie Playhouse presents The Music of Stephen Schwartz ("Wicked", "Godspell", "Pippin") at 7:30pm on Monday, January 12 and Tuesday, January 13.

The Manufacturer and Business Association is holding an Emerging Technology Roundtable 8 to 9:30 am on January 14 at the Manufacturer and Business Association Conference Center in Erie, PA. The roundtable, New Trends in Spam and the Emerging Threats of Spyware with speaker John Vedrody of Barracuda Networks, is FREE. Pre-registration is required to attend. Register today to reserve your seat.

Gannon University on Wednesday, January 14 will host a financial aid workshop designed to help high school students and their parents better navigate the sometimes complex financial aid process. The workshop is free and open to the public and will begin at 6:30 pm in room 1200 of the University's Palumbo Academic Center, 824 Peach St. It 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, the various aid programs available, and tips on how to apply and the application process. For more information, contact Gannon's Financial Aid Office at (814) 871-7337 or 1-800-GANNON-U.

Local author Ken Springirth will present "Make Way for the Trolley," a presentation on the history of public transportation in Erie, on Wednesday, Jan 14, at 7:30 pm in Mercyhurst North East's Alex Theater, 16 West Division Street, North East. Springirth has published six books on railroads and trolleys, and his seventh book, "Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad," will be released in February of 2009. The presentation is FREE and open to the public.

Gannon University's Erie Chamber Orchestra will hold its next concert at 7:30 pm Friday, Jan 16. The concert, a tribute to Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, will be held at St Patrick Church, 130 East 4th St. It is free and open to the public. Gannon University's Erie Chamber Orchestra is conducted and directed by Bruce Morton Wright. For more information, call (814) 871-7755.

The Erie Playhouse Youtheatre will be offering classes in acting, singing for the stage, and musical theatre dance beginning January 17th, 2009. Classes run seven weeks (until February 28th) and are held on Saturdays. An Audition Workshop will be held March 7th, 2009. For more information and to register, click 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.

Baseball fans have something special to look forward to with the 2009 Cleveland Indians Winter Caravan set for Tuesday, Jan 20 at the Dr Gertrude A Barber National Institute. Doors will open at 5 pm, with the program set for 6:30 pm. The event features a ballpark dinner, remarks by the players and coaches, an auction of team memorabilia and game ticket packages, and autographs for all the kids. All proceeds from the event benefit the Barber National Institute. Tickets are just $8 per person, and are available in advance at the Barber National Institute, or at the door the day of the event. For information, call (814) 453-7661.

The Manufacturer and Business Association Eggs 'n' Issues program on Wednesday, January 21 will be a program on Penn State Behrend's New Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies Degree. Drs Ralph Ford and Diane Parente discuss the exciting activities and programs under way including the new degree. Members $30, non-members $60. Registration.


The Erie Kennel Club All Breed, Obedience and Rally will be held January 24-25 at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA. Admission is $5 per person.

The Sarah Reed Children's Center's Annual "Souper Bowl" will be held on January 25 at the Shrine Club. For tickets or information call (814) 838-1954 ext 306. This wintertime family favorite last year featured 22 Erie area restaurants serving their original soup recipe to 2,000 attendees.

The Erie Broadway Series presents Hairspray! at 7 pm on Sunday, January 25 at the Warner Theater in Erie, PA. Tickets.

Never been to Erie Bluffs State Park? Well here's your chance! Join a naturalist for a fun guided tour with the Erie Bluffs Night Hike on Saturday, January 31. Listen to the sounds of the night on this invigorating winter hike. Come to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie at 5:30 pm to carpool or if you don't know the way, otherwise meet at the Bluffs parking area at 6 pm. Hike will last approximately 2 hours. Please note that there are no restroom facilities at the park. Bring a flashlight. FREE. No registration, no fees.

The legendary Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their 2009 “Spinning the Globe” World Tour to Erie, PA on Tuesday, February 3 with their completely unique brand of exciting family fun, sure to create enduring memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. Fans will be captivated by the Globetrotters’ basketball wizardry, hilarious antics and fan interaction, all presented by some of the world’s greatest athletes and entertainers, such as the reigning Clown Prince of Basketball, Special K Daley; dribbling sensation Scooter Christensen; the gravity-defying Hi-Lite Bruton; fan favorite Ant Atkinson; ball handling extraordinaire Blenda Rodriguez; and El Gato Melendez, the first Puerto Rican-born player to ever suit up for the Globetrotters. Tickets.

The 11th annual MECA Bar Stool Open will be held on Saturday February 21, 2009 in downtown Erie, PA. Entry fee is $100 per team of 4 golfers, $25 per person. Must be 21 years of age or older to participate. Click here to for the registration form.

The 1st (annual) Mercyhurst vs Gannon Men's Basketball Alumni game will be held at Mercyhurst College on Saturday February 21 at 7 pm.

The 2009 Erie Heart Ball will be held February 21 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. The theme this year is The Beat on the Bay. For tickets contact Gina Klofft, (814) 836-0013.