Erie PA Today News, Events and Info for today, Saturday, January 3, 2009

Brent Carey was the name of the man beaten to death by Jemaine Vaughn near East 38th and Ash Streets in Erie, PA. The two knew each other and were at a party at a Meryhurst College apartment. Neither attended the school - Carey was 27 and Vaughn is 31, and they were believed to have argued about a woman. Vaughn was charged with a couple of lesser offenses (assault, etc) and could be charged with murder depending on the autopsy ruling.


Jaroslav Janus, the Erie Otters goaltender, made 44 saves as Slovakia beat the United States in the quarterfinals of the World Junior Hockey Championship. Janus wasn't drafted by any NHL team and had to open some eyes with his outstanding performance. A reporter asked what they would think of him in Erie beating the American team. He said "Maybe I can't go back. Maybe they're not going to like me (back in Erie). I didn't even think about that, but, oh my God, I can't go back there." Erie Otters Managing Partner and GM Sherry Bassin will make sure he comes back. JJ, great game! We forgive you.

Disney On Ice: Disneyland Adventure shows take place at the Erie Civic Center Tullio Arena Thursday, February 19 through Sunday, February 22. Pre-sale tickets are on sale now and ends Sunday at midnight. The pre-sale code is ZXA. Click here to buy tickets. Catch the next ride to laugh-out-loud fun as hosts Mickey and Minnie Mouse take you on a trip to the park in Disney on Ice presents a Disneyland Adventure. Swing to the beat on the Jungle Cruise with Baloo; have a blast with Buzz Lightyear on Space Mountain and take a wild spin on the Mad Tea Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter! You'll see Snow White and Cinderella during the Main Street U.S.A. parade and thrill to "Incredible" edge-of-your seat excitement when everyone's favorite superhero family shows up to save the day!

National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation ("National Fuel") has submitted to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ("PUC") its required annual Purchased Gas Cost projection for gas supplies to be purchased August 1, 2009, through July 31, 2010. The company is projecting a decrease in overall gas cost expense totaling $65,756,600 in this state-required filing. If approved as filed, in August 2009, the bill for a typical residential customer using one hundred thousand cubic feet of natural gas annually would decrease from $138.48 to $114.70 per month or by 17.2 percent. "This projection is based upon a forecast of market prices for gas purchases to be made August 1, 2009, through July 31, 2010," said Nancy Taylor, Senior Manager of Corporate Communications. "We wish to remind our customers that this is just a forecast for prices to be experienced later this year and it must be reviewed and approved by the PUC before becoming effective. Additionally, as required, this forecast for purchased gas costs will be reviewed again in the coming months and may be adjusted further to reflect actual market prices during this winter."

Here's a video of the inflation of the Mike S Zafirovski Sports and Recreation Center dome at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. The dome, which will contain a regulation running track and various sports courts, will stand about six stories tall. It will be used for myriad campus activities, including athletics, commencement exercises, various displays and concerts, and will become the tri-state regions largest facility of its kind. Zafirovski, an Edinboro grad, is CEO of Nortel Networks.

Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are proud to introduce the Little Penguins "Learn to Play Hockey" program. With the enthusiastic support of Reebok and Dick's Sporting Goods, the goal is to increase youth hockey participation among children ages 4-8 by providing complimentary equipment to registered participants throughout Western Pennsylvania, beginning this winter. Each child who registers for a Little Penguins "Learn to Play Hockey" session at a participating rink will receive a welcome kit from the Penguins that includes: Little Penguins jersey, Little Penguins helmet stickers, A voucher for Reebok SC87 Crosby endorsed, head-to-toe hockey equipment, including a helmet, gloves, pants, pads, stick, skates and a bag from Reebok and the Pittsburgh Penguins. All participants will be directed to visit select Dick's Sporting Goods locations for fitting nights in early January. Equipment pick-up will be scheduled in mid-January. Participants may keep the equipment upon completion of the program so they may further develop their skills and passion for the game. The JMC Arena at 423 West 38th in Erie and the Erie Youth Hockey Association area participating in the program. Registration Fee: $49.95. They can only enroll the first 30 registrants that have completed and returned the registration form. Click here for the info and form.

The Erie County Historical Society updated their web site. There is info on the Cashier's House at 417 State Street, the Erie County History Center at 419 State Street, the Watson-Curtze Mansion at 356 W 6th St, the Erie Planetarium located in the carriage house of the Watson-Curtze Mansion and the Battles Museums of Rural Life at 436 Walnut St in Girard, PA.

Tyler Hostetter collected three assists to help lead the Erie Otters to a 4-1 win over the Brampton Battalion in an Ontario Hockey League game played in front of 3,353 last night at the Tullio Arena. Justin Hodgman, Luke Gazdic, Shawn Szydlowski and Andrew Yogan scored for the Otters, winners of five straight to improve to 19-17-2-0 on the season. Derek Gregorack netted the lone Brampton goal. The Battalion are now 23-12-1-1 on the season. The Otters wrap up weekend action tonight when the Kitchener Rangers visit the Tullio Arena in a 7 pm start. The Erie GE Federal Credit Union presents Saturday's game with the first 1,000 fans into the game receiving a free cowbell. Buy Erie Otters tickets online.

Erik Daniels posted game-highs in points (28) and rebounds (13) as the Erie BayHawks handed the host Sioux Falls Skyforce their second straight home loss for the first time in nearly two years with an 87-81 victory on Friday. Mike Cook added 14 points for Erie, while Cliff Clinkscales added a game-high nine assists for the BayHawks (9-5). Sioux Falls (9-5) was led by Glen McGowan, who posted season-highs in points (27) and rebounds (11). Bobby Jones added 15 points and seven rebounds and Frank Williams was the only other Skyforce player to reach double figures with 10 points. The same two team play again Saturday at Sioux Falls. The next BayHawks home game is Friday, January 9 vs Fort Wayne. Buy Erie BayHawks tickets online.

The Gannon men's basketball team (8-0), ranked No 4 in the latest National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC)/Division II Top 25, continues a nine-game homestand today Saturday, January 3 against Kuztown (9-0) at the Hammermill Center. Game time is scheduled for 3 pm. Both teams are undefeated and were picked to win their respective divisions in the PSAC.

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 today 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.

For any of you who are interested in learning how to brew or who would just like to see the brewing process, this is for you at the BrewErie at Union Station in Erie, PA. Today Saturday, January 3, the head brewer Gary and some members of the Brew Club will be brewing a fresh batch of Nut Brown Ale. Things will get underway at 11 am with the grain mashing and continue all afternoon. Feel free to stop for a minute or for the day, to watch or to help!

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.

The Asbury Woods Nature Center will hold a Snowshoe Night Hike at 7 pm on Friday, January 9. The moon will light the way as you experience Asbury Woods at night on snowshoes. Snowshoes provided if you don’t have a pair and they will teach you how to use them. They will also provide hot chocolate as you warm up by the fireplace after the hike. If there isn’t enough snow, hike will be without snowshoes. For adults and children age 8 and up. Pre-registration and pre-payment required. $8 members, $10 non-members. Call (814) 835-5356.

Sea Tech Marine Training will be holding a USCG Captain's License course starting on Saturday, January 10 at the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies at 40 Holland Street in Erie, PA. Cost is $150. For more information call Sea Tech toll free at (877) 883-9366, or the BCMS at (814) 456-4077.

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.

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' - will be held on the same day at the Penn State Behrend, Research and Economic Development Center (REDC) in Erie, PA on Tuesday, January 13. Cost: $49 per half-day session ($98 for both sessions). Register today.

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.

Representatives from the FCC will appear in Erie PA on January 15 in the Blasco Memorial Library HO Hirt Auditorium, 160 East Front Street, to raise awareness and educate consumers in the days leading up to the digital television transition on February 17. Two town hall meetings will be held with an FCC Commissioner to highlight the digital transition - 2 pm and 6:30 pm. Both are 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 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.

The Erie Playhouse Youtheatre will be offering classes in acting, singing for the stage, and musical theatre dance beginning January 17. 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.

Erie Civic Music Association presents Joey Dee and The Starliters at the Warner Theatre on Sunday, January 18 at 3 pm. For tickets, call (814) 864-5681.

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.

Theatreworks USA Presents Nate The Great at the Warner Theatre in Erie PA on Wednesday, January 21at 10 am. This is a presentation for students in grades K-4. Tickets and info.

The Erie Philharmonic presents In The Spotlight at the Warner Theatre in Erie PA on Saturday, January 24 at 8 pm. Daniel Meyer, conductor; featuring the Erie Phil Woodwinds, Mozart: Serenade for Winds, no 12, K 388; Mahler: Symphony No 1, D major (Titan). Tickets.

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.

All An Act Theatre Productions presents Neil Simon's The Prisoner Of
Second Avenue Directed by Larry Lewis and Starring Chris Bucci playing February 13 - March 1. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3 pm. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors.

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.

The NCAA Men's Basketball Division II National Championship will be held Wednesday, March 25 through Saturday, March 28 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. Tickets are on sale now.
Wednesday, March 25, NCAA Div II Men's Basketball Championship Quarterfinals Session 1 - tickets.
Wednesday, March 25, NCAA Div II Men's Basketball Championship Quarterfinals Session 2 - tickets.
Thursday, March 26, NCAA Div II Men's Basketball Championship Semi-Finals - tickets.
Saturday, March 28, NCAA Div. II Men's Basketball Championship Final - tickets.


Gannon University's Small Business Development Center is presenting the second annual WILD (Women In Leadership Development ) Conference on Friday, March 27 from 7:30 am to 4 pm. The Conference will be held at the Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center located at 7792 Peach Street in Erie, PA. The internationally renowned Keynote speakers highlighting the day are: Dr Terri Kennedy, President of Power Living Enterprises Inc and leading expert on Health and Productivity Management and author of "40 Days to Power Living" and Jan "The Body Language Lady" Hargrave, CEO of Jan Hargrave and Associates and author of several books, including, "Strictly Business Body Language." The Second Annual WILD Conference Chairwoman is Renee Vaught, President of Infinite Power and Design which provides the diesel engine industry with leading edge technology. In addition, women businesses will exhibit their products and services throughout the day and there will be several opportunities to learn from seminars, panelists and individual speakers focusing on the knowledge, energy and passion of women helping women. Pricing: $99 Early Bird Rate Before January 16, $125 After January 16, $75 Student Rate, $200 Boutique Rate - to include one (1) WILD admission ticket (Booths must be attended throughout the Conference and is the sole responsibility of the Boutiquer). Register today. Join the Facebook Group.