Erie PA Today News, Events and Info for today, Thursday, January 8, 2009

Catholic education in Erie PA in 2009 will soon look more like 1959. There must be enrollment problems at Erie Villa Maria Academy and Erie Cathedral Prep. Villa is going back to being an all girls school with Prep remaining the all boys school. The Sisters of St Joseph and the Diocese of Erie have agreed to form a new Diocesan corporation for Catholic secondary education in Erie, PA. This co-institutional school will include both Villa Maria and Cathedral Prep, effective July 1. Boys currently enrolled at Villa will have the opportunity to continue their education and graduate from Villa. For the incoming freshman class and all future classes, only girls will be enrolled at Villa and only boys will be enrolled at Prep. Policies for the co-institutional school will be established by a single Board of Directors which will be comprised of both VMA and Prep constituents. Current Villa Board Chairperson and Villa parent, Attorney Jerry Wegley, will be the Chairperson of the new board. Attorney Wegley was instrumental in the creation of the plan to develop this corporation. Dave Slomski, a Cathedral Prep graduate, will serve as Vice-Chair. As a Diocesan co-institutional school there will be one President and two Principal's. Fr. Scott Jabo will serve as the school's first President. Sr. Mary Drexler, SSJ, will continue as Principal at the Villa Maria campus, and Sr. Claudia Dombrowski, SSJ, will continue as Principal at the Cathedral Prep campus. Those are the only positions that have been assigned to date.

The Highmark Quad Games cross country ski and snowshoe race has been postponed from the original January date to January 18 due to lack of snow.

The Washington DC and Erie, Pa offices of Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper have opened and are staffed to address the needs of Pennsylvania's Third Congressional District. Constituents with business for the Washington, DC office may contact Dahlkemper at Cannon House Office Building, Room 516, Washington D.C.20003, (202) 225-5406. General phone calls should be directed to Sean Gallagher or emailed. For appointmentswith Dahlkemper in Washington DC, calls should be directed to Danielle Duffy or emailed. Constituents with business for the Erie, Pa office may contact Dahlkemper at 208 East Bayfront Parkway, Erie, PA, 16507, (814) 456-2038. General phonecalls should be directed to Kate Regan or emailed. For District appointments with Dahlkemper, calls should be directed to Anne Rahner or emailed. Other key staff in the Erie, Pa office include: District Director John Hall, Director of Health, Human Services and Education Amy Cuzzola-Kern, Community Liaison to Veterans Bill Fox, and Regional Representative Simone Baer.

AccuSpec Electronics, an electronics-manufacturing company, will receive a $1.1 million state loan to acquire and renovate an existing building in Summit Township, near the company's current operating site in McKean, just outside of Erie, PA. The loan is a component of a $1.6 million Governor's Action Team funding package. The $2.8 million project will create 50 jobs and retain 127 existing positions.

Gannon University will hold a free information session at USEF-Nepal in Gyaneswor, Kathmandu, Nepal at 2 pm on Friday, January 30. Open to undergraduate and graduate level applicants. Register in advance at USEF's library; bring your national ID for registration.

Sweetwater Center for the Arts, 200 Broad Street in Sewickley, is hosting a group exhibition of artists from Pittsburgh and the surrounding area who attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. The exhibition entitled "Moths To A Flame" is juried by John Lysak, artist and Professor of Fine Art at Edinboro University. Exhibition dates are February 5-28, with the artist reception on February 7 from 6-8 pm featuring music by Jim Powell.

The ribbon cutting ceremony marking the completion of Buildings One and Two of The Highlands of Edinboro University will be held at 11 am on Monday, January 12. The Highlands is a $115 million student housing project on the campus of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Daniel Erlich netted two goals and an assist to lead the London Knights to a 6-3 win over the Erie Otters in an Ontario Hockey League game played last night in front of 3,107 at the Tullio Arena. Justin Taylor, Jared Knight, Vladimir Roth and Nazem Kadri also scored for the Knights, who improved to 30-8-0-1 on the season. Justin Hodgman, Greg McKegg and Tyler Hostetter replied for the Otters while Ryan O’Reilly collected two assists. Erie saw their six-game winning streak come to an end with the loss and are now 20-18-2-0 on the season. The Otters head out onto the road for their next two games when travel to Owen Sound to meet the Attack Friday and Saturday. The next Otters home games take place Friday, January 16 and Saturday, January 17 when the Niagara IceDogs and Sarnia Sting visit for 7 pm starts respectively. Buy Erie Otters tickets online.

Keith McLeod converted a jumper from the top of the key with 35.7 seconds to play and converted the back end of a pair of free throw attempts in the final seconds to help the Albuquerque Thunderbirds secure a 96-95 victory over the Erie BayHawks at the NBA Development League Showcase Wednesday at the McKay Events Center. Oliver Lafayette had a game high 28 points for Erie, followed by Ivan Harris with 20. Erik Daniels added 12 and Jarvis Gunter 11. The next BayHawks home game is Friday, January 9 vs Fort Wayne. Buy Erie BayHawks tickets online.

Ryan Hollihan scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds, but the Allegheny men's basketball team suffered a 69-52 loss to Penn State Behrend at the David V Wise Center on Wednesday.

The Allegheny women's basketball team nearly battled back from a nine-point deficit in its loss Penn State Behrend, 64-63, at the David V Wise Center on Wednesday night

The Young Erie Professionals (YEP) January Happy Hour will be held 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm today Thursday, January 8 at the Twelve O' One Restaurant and Wine Bar, 1201 State Street in Erie.

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.

Homeownership is one of the most important decisions that you can make, and St Martin Center wants to show you how easy the process can be. Attend the next series of FREE homebuying classes in Erie, PA to learn everything you need to know about buying and owning your own home. Each attendee will receive a free credit report. There are no income guidelines. Classes will be every Tuesday from January 13 through February 3 from 6-8 pm. For more information, and required registration, please call (814) 452-6113 x 221.

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 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.

The Eriesistables, the dance team of the Erie RiverRats indoor football team, will be holding tryouts on Saturday, January 17 at Family First Sports Park in Erie, PA. Registration begins at 9:30 am with tryouts at 10 am. Contact Director Rebecca Rozic for information and tryout packet.

The 26th annual Highmark Quad Games 5 mile cross country ski and 2 1/2 mile snowshoe races will be held at 1 pm on Sunday, January 18 at Peek 'N Peak Resort. The dates for the 27th annual Highmark Quad Games are as follows: April 19,100 yard swim at Edinboro University; July 11, 12 bike at Edinboro University, September 12, 5 mile run at North East, PA; and January 10, 2010, 5 mile ski and 2 1/2 showshoe races at Peek 'N Peak.

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 21 at 10 am. This is a presentation for students in grades K-4. Tickets and info.

Jabari Asim, author of the new book "What Obama Means: ...for Our Culture, Our Politics, Our Future," will speak at Penn State Behrend the evening following the president-elect's inauguration. "An Evening with Jabari Asim" will begin at 7 pm on Wednesday, January 21, in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building. His presentation is FREE and open to the public.


The 27th annual Economic Development Corporation of Erie County Employer of the Year Awards Dinner will be held Thursday, January 22 at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA. Tickets are $50 with tables of ten seats available. Online reservations (payment required).

Citadel Broadcasting's 7th Annual Chicken Wing Cook-off will be Saturday, January 24 from 11am-8pm at Rainbow Gardens on the grounds of Waldameer Park in Erie, PA. St Martin Center will be on hand selling beer tickets and instant bingos. Admission is $10 and includes 10 wing tickets.

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.

Erie Bean Day will be held 4-9 pm on Saturday February 7 at St Peter and Paul Social Center, 34th and Wallace in Erie. Admission: $5/person or $15/family. At Bean Day celebrate all that can be associated with bean, from pure bean-based foods such as baked beans, to things made with beanlike substances like Tofu, jelly beans, vanilla beans and coffee beans. The highlight of Bean Day is the cooking contest. People are invited to bring an entry to be judged and shared, and the winners come away with incredible prizes - like more beans. Proceeds benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank.

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.