ArtsErie and Erie County Receive NEA Grant for ‘The Big Read’

ArtsErie partners with the Erie County Public Library and the Erie School District to read and celebrate Ray Bradbury’s classic Fahrenheit 451 in Fall 2009

Allison Counasse, Program Associate, Marketing 
(814) 452-3427 office • (814) 882-9058 mobile • allison@artserie.org

ArtsErie today announced that it will receive a $15,470 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host The Big Read, a program that gives communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss and celebrate a single book that is one of 30 selections from U.S. and world literature. The grant will be used to promote and conduct community-based reading programs exploring the themes in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. ArtsErie will host The Big Read locally in partnership with the Erie County Public Library and the School District of the City of Erie. 
“Fahrenheit 451 is important to students because it addresses fighting for a good cause—for the freedom to read,” says M. Holly Nowak, Arts in Education Program Manager, about why this book was selected. “We were chosen to offer The Big Read because we have a quality program with partner support,” adds Nowak. 

Activities in Erie County will take place in Fall 2009, kicking off during Banned Books Week (Sept. 26-Oct.3) and continuing through October. To encourage community-wide participation in the project, ArtsErie, the Erie County Public Library and the School District of the City of Erie will collaborate with public and private partners within Erie to develop a program of activities related to Fahrenheit 415, including book discussions, a film series, programs and lectures, a reader’s theater production, artist residencies and more.

“We are thrilled that once again the Erie County Public Library will help lead a county-wide reading initiative. We hope that The Big Read encourages literacy and builds community as our residents get together to share their ideas,” says Mark A. DiVecchio, Erie County Executive. The Erie County Public Library will ask Erie County residents to participate in The Big Read and will help lead and host associated activities. The Erie County Public Library is a system including the Raymond M. Blasco, M.D. Memorial Library, four branch libraries and the Bookmobile. 

"The Erie School District is excited about the Big Read initiative, which highlights how the Arts, the Library, and schools can work together to encourage reading as a fun and enjoyable activity. The Big Read will be a big success in Erie, Pa.,” says Dr. James E. Barker, Superintendent. Three Erie high schools will participate in this year’s program – Central Tech High School, East High School and Strong Vincent High School.

Other partners will include The Erie Playhouse, which will lead a production of reader’s theater; and Edinboro University, Gannon University and Mercyhurst College, which will provide book and film discussion leaders.

Both Holly Nowak and Dr. James Barker believe that by making connections to literature through the arts, the Erie community and Erie students will be drawn back to reading classic American Literature. 

The Big Read was launched nationally in 2006 by the NEA, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest, to encourage literary reading. ArtsErie is one of 269 nonprofits—including arts, culture, and science organizations; libraries; and municipalities—to receive a grant to host a Big Read project between September 2009 and June 2010. The organizations selected to participate in The Big Read will receive grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 to promote and carry out community-based programs. 

The NEA also provides participating communities with a library of free materials, including reader’s and teacher’s guides, an audio guide featuring distinguished actors and writers, an online organizer’s guide for hosting a Big Read program, Big Read publicity materials and a comprehensive program Web site. For more information about The Big Read please visit www.neabigread.org. 

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest. For more information, please visit www.neabigread.org.

The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts—both new and established—bringing the arts to all Americans, and providing leadership in arts education. For more information, please visit www.arts.gov.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. To learn more about the Institute, please visit: www.imls.gov.

Arts Midwest connects people throughout the Midwest and the world to meaningful arts opportunities, sharing creativity, knowledge and understanding across boundaries. For more information, please visit www.artsmidwest.org.

ArtsErie strives to nurture the arts and enrich the lives of the people of northwestern Pennsylvania through leadership, financial support, education and advocacy. For more information, please visit www.ArtsErie.org. 

Erie County Historical Center Shows History Of The Phone


Originally installed as a three-month exhibit, “Talk of the Town” has entertained and educated History Center visitors for more than a year. The exhibit is a selection of artifacts and photographs that were transferred to the Society by the GTE Museum, which closed their doors in 2005.

Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876. In 1877 the Bell Company installed the first four telephones in Erie. In 1897 Mutual Telephone Company was formed to compete with Bell. Competition between the two companies ended in 1926 when Mutual purchased Bell. Mutual’s first office was on the fourth floor of the Downing Building at East 10th and French Streets.

As you move through the exhibit you will learn about the changes in technology, the types of companies involved in the telephone industry, when the telephone service was first established in Erie, by who and how the Mutual Telephone Company started and evolved over time. You will also learn how the “telephone industry” is addressing current issues of competition for customers.

“Talk of the Town” is located at the Erie County History Center, 419 State Street, Erie and is open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Drinking On A 2009 Budget

by Rob Taylor

We all know that there is a serious economic recession, depression, downturn or whatever else the politicians out there call it. No matter what it is we know what it means…there isn’t a lot of money out there for alcohol. It costs more to get drunk and we just don’t have it.

The ERI Jams staff realize that a large number of our readers like to go out, party, drink and have a good time and we are all for it as long as you don’t drive afterwards. (There, that should please the lawyers). We just want to help you save money doing it so…here are 10 ways to get drunk and spend less money.

10) Prison Booze – To make your own homemade prison booze called Pruno you need oranges, fruit cocktail, sugar cubes, water, zip-loc storage bags, Heinz Ketchup and a towel. Well, now that you know the ingredients go to blacktable.com for directions on how, exactly to make this brew. BTW, a lot of aggression helps in the Pruno making process.

Writer’s note: After reading the recipe this seems to be the least appealing way to get a cheap drunk. If anyone DOES try this I would like to hear from them at erijamseditor@gmail.com.

9) Mad Driver – You’re going to need three things for his drink – 2 bottles of Mad Dog 20/20 (any flavor) and a bottle of vodka. What you do is pour out, or drink, half of the Mad Dog out of each bottle and fill the empty space with the vodka. This drink is supposed to be so strong that you will get buzzed really quick.

8) 302/453 And Coke – It may sound confusing but it is really simple – a 302 is a double 151 and Coke and a 453 is a triple shot of 151 and Coke. Either way chances are you’re only going to need one of these to get a night off to a good start.

7) Cheap Wine – With the economy the way it is it is no time to be a connoisseur. So whether the wine comes from a province in France or a box down at the Liquor Store, after a second glass, the most expensive wine is going to taste exactly like the cheapest boxed wine you can buy. So, save some money and a get a 4 liter jug of Carlo Rossi or a 5 liter box of Franzia and still get messed up.

6) Malt Liquor - When it comes to getting drunk few things can match the bang-for-the-buck that malt liquor offers. If an entire 40 ouncer seems intimidating consider going with something like a six pack of Mickey's Wide Mouth Grenades or even a malt liquor and energy drink combination like Joose

5) Well Drinks - Okay, it may be cool to show off to the girls and order a drink from the bottle they have on the back row…you know the one…no one ever buys it cause a drink with it in costs $9.50 and that it at the dive that you won’t go in. Don’t bother with all of that…you’ll get just as drunk, and walk out with the girl and some cash in your pocket, if you stick with the booze out of the fountain.

4) Skip Dinner – It is well known on college campuses that eating before you go out will keep you from getting loaded. So, a hardcore drinker doesn’t eat before they go out for the night because they don’t want anything inferring with the sweet alcohol. When money is tight that philosophy holds true. Skipping dinner will not only save you money on food but you will end up drunk twice as fast. Sounds like a double bonus to me.

3) Name Dropping Tab – This one is effective but dangerous! The way it works is you order a drink and tell the bartender to put it on (made up name’s) tab. If it works…KEWL! If it doesn’t work…have the cash ready to pay for the drink. Another way to do this is find someone you know, use their name and make sure you leave before they do.

2) Your Parent’s (Or Friend's) Liquor Cabinet – Your parents did it…their parents did it so you know it works. Just make sure to water the booze when you get done drinking.

1) Be A Girl – Hot girls never pay and even not, hot girls get free drinks so e’nuff said.

The Spike TV show "Manswers" said that there is one other way to get a cheap drunk really, really quick and that is an alcohol enema. It is quick, cheap and it most likely will kill you SO DON’T DO IT!!!!!!!! (That'll make the lawyers happy too!)

So, go out, have fun, save some money…but…PLEASE be responsible and get your self home safe.

Smithsonian Magazine 7th Annual Photo Contest

Smithsonian magazine's seventh annual photo contest allows the magazine and its readers the chance to see the world through your unique lens. After sixth competitions, Smithsonian editors have seen over 89,000 photographs from more than 90 countries around the world.

So, what makes a photograph a Smithsonian winner? Technical quality, clarity and composition are all important, but so too is a flair for the unexpected and the ability to capture a picture-perfect moment.

Enter the contest »

Contestants may enter photographs in five categories; The Natural World, Americana, Altered Images, Travel and People. Each represents subjects of special interest to the magazine. Fifty finalists will be selected, ten for each of the five categories. Smithsonian will notify the 50 finalists by February 28, 2010. From these 50 finalists, five category winners and a grand prize winner will be selected. The entries of all winners and finalists will be published on the magazine's Web site on February 28, 2010. At that time, readers can vote online for one readers' choice winner. The winning entries and select finalists will be published in the print edition of Smithsonian magazine during summer 2010.

Category winners will be awarded $500. The readers' choice winner will be awarded $500. The grand prize winner will receive a four-day, three-night Smithsonian Journeys Grand Canyon Weekend Adventure for two, or the wholesale cash equivalent.

All entries must be uploaded by 2pm Eastern Time, Tuesday, December 01, 2009.

Northwestern Pennsylvania Artists' Association

Movie Review: Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

by Matt Bochenski

After Iron Man, here comes another film that projects a fantasy of unfettered American power in the Middle East. This time it’s Jordan, where an aircraft carrier unloads a cargo of tanks and soldiers, and the smiling locals let people through checkpoints because they love that Nu Yoik accent. When did the blockbuster become a form of social therapy?

Taken (tentatively) on its own terms, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen probably represents some sort of masterpiece. It’s a frenzy of sound and fury that takes Michael Bay’s ‘vision’ to its final, eye-boggling extreme. There are times when the screen is so overwhelmed with kinetic, adolescent energy that the effect is a kind of Zen moment of assaulted transcendence. But when the spectacle wears off, it’s a long, long fall back down to earth.

Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) is all grown up. He’s about to head for college, leaving a 40-foot high metal alien in his tool shed, and a smoking hot girlfriend in her garage where, apparently, her favored way of fixing motorbikes is to dry hump the crap out of them until they splutter into life. And honestly, in those hot pants, you wouldn’t bet against it working.

But things go awry when Sam starts freaking out in the middle of an astronomy class. He’s seeing weird alien signs in front of his eyes, and he’s being stalked by a suspiciously attractive dead-eyed fembot. Meanwhile, the US military’s top secret Special Ops team (you know, the one with the other giant transforming aliens) is coming under pressure from an increasing amount of enemy activity, and increasing scrutiny from those meddlesome bean-counters in the US government. Crap is about to hit the fan. Big time.

It turns out that there’s a kind of proto-race of Transformers called the Primes. Like Optimus, kind of. But maybe not exactly. These Primes used to travel around the universe blowing up suns to power their transforming batteries (and you thought humans weren’t eco-friendly), but only if the planets near that sun weren’t inhabited. So that’s okay. Anyway, one of these Primes decided he didn’t like humans and wanted to blow up our sun, but the other Primes defeated him, after which point he was forever known as ‘The Fallen. He… Actually, let’s face it, it really doesn’t matter. Bottom line: this Fallen is back in town and somebody needs to kick his butt, like, pronto.

And so we enter a world in which the ironic riches of Team America never happened. Where Paris and the pyramids can be chalked up as an acceptable degree of collateral damage. Where the rules of logic can be cast aside because they don’t look good on screen. And where Michael Bay can indulge every juvenile fantasy his mind can conceive. This is the super-sized Bay Experience: the leering, lascivious camera that eats up Megan Fox; the palette of burning gold and sun-drenched bronze skin; the low-slung pirouettes; the slo-mo; the hyperactive cuts; the run ‘n’ gun combat.

And at times it works. This Transformers is, at its best, a tamer beast than the original. Though it starts with a similarly high-pitched opening that is, literally, impossible to follow with the naked eye, it calms down after that. There are three or four arresting action scenes, and one or two brilliant ones. Not least in a grand finale that sees a jaw-dropping number of Transformers going toe-to-toe in a clearly choreographed battle royal that has as good a sense of pace and geography as Bay will ever conjure.

The special effects are sensational, even though the character design remains atrocious. But however blinding the film’s bright spots, there’s simply no getting past Bay’s reductive disinterest in the mechanics of filmmaking. Indeed, in one cheeky scene, he makes it clear exactly what he thinks of all those brainiacs who complain about how, well, stupid his films are by blowing the crap out of a library.

But the point remains: Bay is an awful storyteller who’ll sacrifice any element of logic or reason to serve the greater goal of aesthetics. The film raises all sorts of questions that it doesn’t stop to consider: why, if Transformers have been around for millennia, do they all look like late-twentieth-century model cars? Why, if they have the special new technology seen in Sam’s college, do they not make more use of it? Why did the Decepticons not notice that an entire US battle fleet was parked above the spot where they sank Megatron? Why, if the US has a special naval doomsday gun, do they not just shoot all the bad guys with it? Why is Michael Bay such a bad director? Stuff like that.

This is also one of the most conservative films you’ll ever see. Forget the aliens, the real bad guy here is Civilian Oversight. You see, world, this is the crap that happens when you let the dweebs run politics. Sure, George Bush may have let a few thousands die on his watch, but you didn’t see an alien invasion getting past US border guards back in the good old days.

Transformers is entertainment by volume. Both in terms of a decibel level that pummels you into submission, and a whopping run-time of around two-and-a-half hours. It feels like a tipping point – a kind of nirvana for the Ritalin generation. Just how louder, dumber and more expensive can cinema get? Presumably we’ll find out when Transformers 3 hits town.

GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE'S 2008 SUPERSTARS TO HIT LOCAL STAGE

ALWAYS READY ENTERTAINMENT AGENCY, LLC and the ERIE SUMMER FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS have joined forces to bring four of the Top 10 finalists of the 2008 Guitar Player’s Guitar Superstar Competition to Erie.

On September 13th, 2008, Eric Brewer, Mike Orlando, Dan Peters and “The guy”, Chris Schreiner, took the stage at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall in the Guitar Player’s Superstar Competition. They had been chosen from hundreds of string burners of all ages and styles from across the globe to be judged by the great guitar legends such as Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, George Lynch, Brendon Small and Elliot Easton.

The four, representing a wide range of guitar styles, will be taking the Pepsi Amphitheater stage on June 27th, 2009 from 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Erie Summer Festival of the Arts after being guest judges for the festival’s own Guitar Solo Competition. This is a must see show for anyone who enjoys the unexpected, finding a groove and learning why music truly is an art form.

For more information, visit the following websites:

Erie Summer Festival of the Arts - http://eriesummerfestivalofthearts.org/index.htm
Eric Brewer - http://www.myspace.com/ericbrewerandfriends
Mike Orlando - http://www.mikeorlandomusic.com/
Dan Peters - http://www.myspace.com/thewestsidewinders
“The guy” - Chris Schreiner - http://www.whostheguy.com
Guitar Player Magazine - http://www.guitarplayer.com/
A1ways Ready entertainment Agency, LLC – www.a1waysready.com

Click Image for Registration Form

"For Today . . . and Forever."

You have an opportunity to make your mark on the Edinboro University community and its students. We hope we can count on your continued support through the annual giving program. Gifts to the Annual Fund are used where the need is greatest, and your gift will support student activities, academic programs, library resources, athletics, campus beautification and much more! 

Complete the following form and submit to the Development Office if you are paying by credit card. If you are paying by check, please print the form and mail to: 

Development Office
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Alumni House
210 Meadville Street
Edinboro, PA 16444 
(Your information will be sent to a secure server, and Edinboro University promises to protect your privacy.) 

If you have any problem filling out this form, call 814-732-2992 or email, and someone will be happy to answer your questions. Thank you!

Click on image for more information

Erie River Rats and Second Harvest Food Bank Team Up to Tackle Hunger  

On Saturday night, June 27, 2009, the Erie RiverRats will host the defending AIFA champion Florence Phantoms at the Tullio Arena in the season finale for both teams. The Erie RiverRats and the Second Harvest Food Bank are teaming up on this special occasion to help tackle hunger in the Erie area, and we need your help.   

The Second Harvest Food Bank is a nonprofit charitable organization committed to the premise that all persons have the right to adequate nutrition.    

In 1982, its first year of operation, Second Harvest distributed 444,916 pounds of food to 40 agencies. In 2008, Second Harvest distributed over 7 million pounds of food to more than 300 member agencies.   

Unfortunately, it still isn’t enough and more needs to be done. That’s where we all come in.   

The Erie RiverRats are asking the great football fans of Erie to help us collect food that Second Harvest can distribute to those that desperately need it. In appreciation of a donation of non-perishable food items, the Erie RiverRats are giving out vouchers redeemable at the Tullio Arena Box office as part of our special ticket price offer to support the Second Harvest Food Bank. The BUY ONE GET ONE FREE Ticket Offer is $12.00 and 50% of the proceeds from this program will be donated by the Erie RiverRats to the Second Harvest Food Bank in honor of our great fans.   

For advance ticket sales to purchase the “Erie Tackles Hunger” BUY ONE GET ONE FREE Ticket Promotion, please visit the Tullio Arena Box Office or call them at 814-452-4857. 

Proceeds from sales will benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Erie

Working With Idiots Can Kill You
World Weekly News | March 19, 2004 | Kate McClare 
Posted on Sunday, August 13, 2006 8:29:07 PM by M. Peach

STOCKHOLM -- Idiots in the office are just as hazardous to your health as cigarettes, caffeine or greasy food, an eye-opening new study reveals. In fact, those dopes can kill you! 

Stress is one of the top causes of heart attacks -- and working with stupid people on a daily basis is one of the deadliest forms of stress, according to researchers at Sweden's Lindbergh University Medical Center. 

The author of the study, Dr. Dagmar Andersson, says her team studied 500 heart attack patients, and were puzzled to find 62 percent had relatively few of the physical risk factors commonly blamed for heart attacks. 

"Then we questioned them about lifestyle habits, and almost all of these low-risk patients told us they worked with people so stupid they can barely find their way from the parking lot to their office. And their heart attack came less than 12 hours after having a major confrontation with one of these oafs. 

"One woman had to be rushed to the hospital after her assistant shredded important company tax documents instead of copying them. A man told us he collapsed right at his desk because the woman at the next cubicle kept asking him for correction fluid -- for her computer monitor. 

"You can cut back on smoking or improve your diet," Dr. Andersson says, "but most people have very poor coping skills when it comes to stupidity -- they feel there's nothing they can do about it, so they just internalize their frustration until they finally explode." 

Stupid co-workers can also double or triple someone's work load, she explains. "Many of our subjects feel sorry for the drooling idiots they work with, so they try to cover for them by fixing their mistakes. One poor woman spent a week rebuilding client records because a clerk put them all in the 'recycle bin' of her computer and then emptied it -- she thought it meant the records would be recycled and used again."

How to Work for an Idiot
By eHow Careers & Work Editor 

It's frustrating to work for an idiot. The job is much more difficult when the person managing you has half your IQ. Plus, it's hard not to resent this moron for capturing the rung above you on the corporate ladder. But you can still enjoy your job with an idiot boss. With the right attitude, perhaps you can even win a promotion and end up with a smarter supervisor.

Instructions

Step 1
Decide what makes your boss an idiot. Dealing with someone who is truly stupid or has no common sense is different from dealing with a person who is insensitive. If your boss means well but is ignorant or ill-equipped for her job, you will have different challenges than someone whose boss lacks social skills.

Step 2
Uncover what your boss really wants from his employees to make sure you're in her corner. The nice thing about idiots is that it's easy to figure out what they want and how to please them. So if you know your boss wants a buddy, be a buddy; if she wants you to say "Yes, Ma'am," say "Yes, Ma'am."

Step 3
Be respectful. You might not respect his brains, but you need to respect his authority, or you might find yourself out of a job.

Step 4
Leave a paper trail. Every time your idiot boss gives you a project, follow up by email to make sure you have his instructions online and on paper. Ask questions in writing to eliminate room for any misunderstanding due to his unclear instructions. A paper trail also provides you with evidence of your competency in case your boss's mistakes put your job in jeopardy.

Step 5
Look for a new job or to transfer to a different department if you really can't stand working for the idiot. Life is too short to be stuck in a job you hate, and perhaps the next career opportunity will be with a better management team.

Tips & Warnings
Avoid the temptation to make your idiot boss look bad. You might resent his appointment to a job that he doesn't deserve--and the opportunity to expose his faux pas to his supervisors