Erie PA Today News, Events and Info for today, Friday, January 9, 2009

Ian at The People Demand It! reported that Richard Gibbons is out as CEO of EmergyCare and that William Haggerty is the new interim leader. EmergyCare is the non-profit ambulance service provider for the City of Erie. They have expanded their coverage are with operating divisions in Meadville, Titusville, Warren, Kane, and has a partnership with Corry Memorial Hospital jointly owning and operating Corry Ambulance Service, Inc.

GoErie.com reported that GE Transportation laid-off 35 people. That the lay-offs are temporary and that most were done with volunteers.

Interesting article in the Windsor Star on the casinos in Ontario are actually losing money. The Niagara casinos now compete with casinos in New York state and Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Erie, PA. Last week Presque Isle Downs had record wagers.

The Mercyhurst College Hirtzel Institute for Health Education and Aging and the PartnerSHIP for a Healthy Community will expose minority youth to health care careers through a creative new program called "Wear a Scrub, Get a Career." The faith-based initiative will give 270 sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students in the Erie community a chance to explore a number of health care careers through events at 12 local churches during January, February and March. The first event will be held Saturday, Jan 10, from 10 am to 1 pm at First Good Samaritan AME Zion Church, 3209 Pennsylvania Ave. The goal of the program is to address the lack of minorities in the health professions, as well as the shortage of qualified health care workers in Erie County. The belief is that by exposing young people to these careers prior to high school, the trends could be reversed, explained Dr Linda Rhodes, director of the Hirtzel Institute. Program participants will learn about careers, including emergency medical technicians (EMT), nursing, and occupational, physical and respiratory therapy. The students will form teams and create a "plan of care" for a medical case presented to them. They will have to function within their "occupation" to solve the case. Each child will receive a kit that includes a scrub highlighting an occupation with a description of what they do on the back, a Health Career Explorer's Guide and an awareness bracelet, "Health Careers Heal: Body, Mind and Spirit." Youth ministers and leaders from the churches will facilitate four learning activities at each event.

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) medical and pharmacy students will mark the transition from classroom study to clinical education at the Warner Theater in Erie, PA on Saturday, January 10, as students receive their white coats – symbols of trust between doctor and patient, of compassion, and of the purity of a medical professional's purpose. At 10:30 am, approximately 130 students in the School of Pharmacy class of 2011 will pledge to uphold professionalism and competence in the presence of their families, professors and peers. At 2 pm, approximately 260 students from the College of Osteopathic Medicine's class of 2012 will participate in their own ceremony.

DuraTite Systems has named Stacy Corapi its Director of Operations. Corapi is a graduate of Gannon University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in business. Her responsibilitieswith DuraTite Systems include implementing and managing organizational changes and overseeing day-to-day business. DuraTite, located within the Erie Technology Incubator at Gannon University, markets and sells a line of patented plastic fittings for the HVAC industry. Corapi has been with DuraTite since 2006 and has 20 years of experience in the advertising industry.

The Erie Villa Maria Academy girls basketball team (10-4) fell from 16th to 18th in the East Region on ESPN RISE regional girls' basketball rankings.

The Gannon basketball teams are off to a combined 19-2 start in 2008-09 and the statistics indicate the strong start. The two teams lead the country in three statistical categories and are listed among the top 10 12 times in the latest NCAA Division II statistics released this week. The Gannon women's team leads the nation in field goal percentage (49.8) and three-point field goal percentage (43.2). The Lady Knights are listed fourth in free throw percentage (78.5), fourth in rebounding margin (11.4), sixth in scoring margin (22.9), sixth in three-point field goals per game (9.0), and eighth in assists per game (19.6). Individually, Tiffany Crocker ranks ninth among NCAA Division II players in assists per game (6.3) and 10th in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.56). Carrie Nolan (Girard) is 13th in three-point field goal percentage (48.1) while Brittany Tabron is 24th in field goal percentage (57.5). The men's team ranks No 1 nationally in scoring defense, allowing only 54.4 points per game. The Golden Knights are listed second in rebounding margin (13.6), fourth in scoring margin (25.4), fourth in field goal percentage defense (36.5), and 10th in assists per game (20.4). Individually, Joe Lindsey ranks ninth among all NCAA Division II players in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0). Kyle Goldcamp is 13th in field goal percentage (64.6) and 14th in rebounds per game (10.5).

The next Erie BayHawks home game is today, Friday, January 9 vs Fort Wayne. Buy Erie BayHawks tickets online.

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.

A FREE webcast with a number of speakers from Erie, PA on pharmaceuticals and water quality will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, January 21. "A Threat to Our Water: Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products" will introduce the issue of how the use, and improper disposal, of medications and personal care products by the public is presenting a serious threat to the quality and safety of public water supplies across the country. Featuring speakers and scientists from The Lake Erie- Allegheny Earth Force, LECOM School of Pharmacy and Penn State Erie Behrend College, this online session will examine the serious issues facing this newly recognized threat to watersheds, reservoirs and groundwater supplies. An introduction and overview of the problems associated with the use and disposal of pharmaceuticals will be presented, and a discussion of measures that can be taken to reduce their impact on water resources. This topic is receiving widespread attention, and this webcast will help to bring you up to date on the latest research and related guidelines and standards. Details: Telephone dial-up: Call Toll-Free Number: 1-888-324-8134, Audience Passcode: DBLONIARZ; Internet login at MyMeetings.com, Conference Number: PW7648842, Audience Passcode: DBLONIARZ. Please note: Telephone and internet connections are available beginning 15 minutes to the start of the call. Important: Please check your browser's compatibility prior to the webcast choosing "Check Your Browser" from the NetMeeting page. You will then be ready to join the conference on the day of the presentation. All webcasts last approximately 55 minutes.


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.