Volume 3 Issue 3

Volume 3 Issue 3 November 20, 2008

Millcreek Mall Food Court Leaves A Lot To Be Desired

by T.R. Septaric

I have heard so much about the new food court up at the Millcreek Mall that I went there with my thoughts that it was going to be something really special....it wasn't!

Yes, it looked great. The large windows above the opening, the spacious area and all the seating left me hoping that it was worth the trip. Then I looked at the restaurants or should I say lack of restaurants in the food court. They had one Italian restaurant, one Japanese restaurant and a Chinese restaurant. There is a sub shop and a pizza shop down the hall but there was not one bloody place, other than Ruby Tuesday's at the other end of the mall, to get a hamburger or a hot dog!

I have been to food courts all over...St Catherine's, Toronto and Niagara Falls Ontario, New Orleans, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Chicago and a lot of other places and never, not once, did I ever see a food court without at least one hamburger/hotdog stand. Even the Ashtabula Mall has a Wendy's and a Mr. Hero IN their food court...in addition to their Chinese, Italian and other shops.

Within the last 10-15 years restaurants such as Burger King, Church's Chicken and yes, even Mc Donald's have left the mall, either closing or finding locations outside the mall proper. This left the place open for some "sit down" restaurants, pizza joints and, Chinese restaurants as well as a couple coffee shops.

When I was there the entire population of the food court was 12 people and most of the were just drinking sodas.

I also checked out some of the prices at the stalls and one caught my eye and that was at the Chinese place. A three item platter was $6.99. Guess what...you go out on Peach St to the Imperial China Buffet or Top's Buffet you can get as much of as many items as you want for the same price.

The simple way to say this is....if you want to save money, get more food and maybe a hamburger or two...stick to Peach St. The new food court at the Millcreek Mall doesn't have the selection, the prices or anything else that the other places do. Now, I do have to say that they DO have pretty seats, good lighting and a really nice restroom but that is about all.

Erie Planetarium Offers Family Programs

3-2-1 BLAST OFF!! Want to explore the solar system? Join cybernauts Devin and Alex as they take a virtual reality tour of the sun, the planets, their moons and other nearby worlds. Their ship blasts off soon, so make sure youÕre on board. It's an adventure for ages 5 and up.

The Little Star That Could is for children who have an interest in space or just like a good story, the Erie Planetarium offers "The Little Star That Could". The Little Star tries to find his place among all the other stars and planets in the galaxy, but thinks he's too average to play an important role. If you want to learn about the sun, moon and planets in our solar system, this is the show for you! Recommended for all ages.

The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket is a good show for the whole family. A brother and sister learn how to create a rocket from a cardboard box. You can go with them as they travel across the solar system, visiting the planets along the way. A talking astronomy book will be your guide. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Contact the Erie Planetarium at 814-454-1813 for more information

Erie Historical Society Events

November 22nd - December 28th 2008

Victorian Holidays 2008
Once Upon a Time

A celebration of the season…in Victorian fashion! Victorian Holidays, displayed in the Watson-Curtze Mansion at 356 West Sixth Street, includes traditionally decorated trees, seasonal workshops for children and adults, lectures, and elegant Victorian teas.

Wednesday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Museum Admission:
$4.00 Adults, $3.00 Seniors, $2.00 Children

November 22nd - December 27th

A Star for Santa's Tree
Planetarium Public Show Opens
Saturdays 3:00 p.m.

$4.00/Adult $3.00/Senior $2.00/Child

November 22nd

Victorian Holiday Ball
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
at the Watson-Curtze Mansion

Ballroom dancing in the ballroom, parlor games, elegant edibles and much more! Guests are encouraged, but not required, to come in historic costume. Music provided by Conneaut Creek String Band. Limited number of tickets. Reservations required by November 20th. Call 814-454-1813 Ext. 0.

$25 Per Single Ticket -or- $40 Per Couple

December 6,7,14,21

Holiday Teas at the Watson-Curtze Mansion
3:00 p.m.

Let the moment take you away. Come, sit and enjoy English tea, clotted cream, finger sandwiches and sweet treats in one of Erie's most elegant atmospheres.

Call for details. Reservations Required.
814-454-1813 Ext. 0

$12.00/Adult, $10.00/Senior, $8.00/Member, $6.00/Child

Through December 27th

A Star for Santa's Tree

Saturdays at 3:00 p.m.

at the Erie Planetarium, 356 W. 6th St.

Learn about the winter night sky as Santa searches for the perfect star to place atop his tree. Which star will he choose?

$4.00 Adults, $3.00 Seniors, $2.00 Children

December 14, 21

Sunday BrunchSunday Brunch
at the Watson-Curtze Mansion, 356 W. 6th St.

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Brunch includes admission to the museum's annual exhibit Victorian Holidays: Whimsical Wonderland.

Brunch menu may include: Quiche Lorraine, Egg Sausage Casserole, Dried Tomato Tart, Special Potato Casserole, Ham and more!

$15.00 Per Person

Anyone Want Free Gas??????

Theatre 145 is offering something unique to people who donate $300 to the theatre and the Great Lakes Film Association.

Anyone who helps will receive a certificate which will entitle them to $300 worth of free gasoline as well as savings of more than $1,000 at nationally known restaurants and stores for a processing fee of just an additional $9.95.

For a donation of $300 you will not only receive the Free gas and discounts mentioned above but you will also receive the following:

What you will get for your $300 is:

1) Your name placed on a plaque which will be hung inside the theater.

2) Half price tickets to all Theatre 145/Great Lakes Film Association productions and events. (Independently produced events not included)

3) Membership in the Great Lakes Film Association

Theatre 145 has been designed, not just as a theater for plays but also a place for art shows, concerts, movies, lectures, private events as well as theatrical plays which are not considered mainstream. According to the mission statement of Theatre 145 and The Great Lakes Film Association Theatre 145 has been designed to be a theatrical, cultural and entertainment center of the city of Erie.

The thing is, running a venue such as Theatre 145 takes money to help pay the mortgage, utility bills, insurance as well as other expenses and that is why we are asking for your help.

For more information about either program check out www.thetheatre145.com or call 814-873-5069.

Filmmakers, professionals, and those destined to be, here is YOUR opportunity to show what you've got to Hollywood Insiders!

Pitch The Pros is a new website that markets films and ideas to the industry. You can easily upload trailers and scenes and WE pitch them to the industry in YOUR behalf! Your content will be rated by the public, giving industry professionals public response to your content. In addition you get public and private feedback comments from the viewing public.

If you don't have a film but you have an idea, simply upload a video trailer on your idea. Nowadays, that's not hard for anyone to do.

If you DO have a finished film that needs distribution - then boy do we have a showcase for YOU! You will love the flexibility and simplicity of what we offer.

We made it easy for anyone professional or amateur to get their BIG opportunity to be discovered!

The first 1000 who register for our American Film Market (AFM) pre-launch campaign will be included in the following

1. YOUR movie trailer or trailer idea will be on a looping reel in our booth at the market

2. You will be included in 7 drawings for a FREE day pass into the market

3. You will be included in a contest that will be judged by the public and the top 50 films & ideas will be taken to the market and directly pitched to the industry!!

The American Film Market (AFM) is the premiere global marketplace where Hollywood's decision makers and trendsetters all gather under one roof.

Pitch The Pros will also, continually through the year, have contests and industry related events such as providing Movie Premiere's of our TOP RATED films and MORE!

Our website markets to Hollywood Insiders 24/7 for our members with innovative and creative ideas. We will never be stagnant, where there's a way to market your film, we'll be doing it!

Membership only begins at $19.95 per month. So sign up today and don't miss out in this GREAT opportunity to pitch YOUR film or idea to Hollywood. Go to http://www.pitchthepros.com NOW!

Make Sure You Get Caught In A3's Net

by Rob Taylor

I have got to say that I have always been a fan of British comedy. I spend a LOT of evenings watching their shows like "Coupling", "The Office" and "Stacey and Gavin". A lot of people don’t get the humour and consider it dry but I love it and A3’s “Caught In The Net” is right up there with anything the BBC has come up with.

The story is about a guy who spends 18 years living a double life…literally. He has two beautiful wives who live just miles apart. The twist is that he has a son with Mary, played by Amy Welker Rowe and a daughter by wife number two, Barbara, played by KC McCloskey.

Amy Welker Rowe, David Mitchell, Dave DiCola and KC McCloskey in "Caught In The Net."

Anyway, the kids, Gavin and Vicki, played by Nick Kiddo and Julie Conroe, meet on the internet and start really liking each other. When they decide to meet each other their dad, John Smith, played by David W. Mitchell, realizes that there is no way that can be a good thing…not only can he be outed but, well, if they fell in love…you can guess it from there. So, between trying to keep the kids from meeting and keeping the wives apart John is running back and forth between the London subrubs, faking his own death and a few other things. It makes this.

Yes, for those of you who are movie freaks like me….this is a remake of a 1959 Clifton Webb, Dorothy McGuire film called “The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker” where a man had two wives and twelve kids in two separate towns. Personally, I loved that movie and I watch it every time it is on but “Caught In The Net” is at least 1000% funnier that that movie ever was.

I loved the cast. The moms, especially Barbara, were sexy as hell! The entire cast were all perfect for their roles. The comedic timing was there. The accents, except for one, were spot on…to steal a phrase from the Brits. And, miracle of miracles the spray dye in Larry Lewis’ hair actually made his hair grey instead of the carrot orange they had in “12 Angry Men”. (See Larry, I told you I was going to mention it!!!!)

There was one character that made the play for me and he was Stanley Gardner who was played by Dave DiCola. I was laughing my a&& of every time he was on stage. My biggest concern was, now I’m being serious about this, that his head was going to explode. Gardner was the one man who knew John’s secret and he managed to get stuck with, at one point both wives and both kids. The best part was watching him melt down as he kept getting blamed for locking people in the various rooms and keeping his story straight at the same time.

This play is funny, entertaining and well worth the effort of finding the All An Act Theatre and it bloody well be on the things that you should see before its gone. I’ll tell you I never smile and I rarely laugh but this performance was so funny I was either smiling or laughing the whole time.

One last thing…in the months I have been reviewing plays at A3 one thing I have noticed is that he team of Larry Lewis and David Mitchell has a magic that no other theatre has. They are all looking for it but they just miss it. I am not sure what it is, or how they do it, but the two of them are making the works performed at A3 some of the best, most enjoyable shows in town. The remarkable thing is that they not only work at A3 but the two of them are also a major part of The Station Dinner Theatre where their work is equally as high quality as that of A3.

A3’s season ended with this play and I am really looking forward to seeing what everyone connected with this small theatre can, and will do, when the season starts all over again in February.

For more information, show times or tickets check out www.allanact.net

Ozark Jubilee - Direct from Branson Missouri To Fill The Warner Theatre

Sunday, November 23, 2008 3:00 p.m.

Features world class fiddle and violin player and comedian Randy Newman, male and female vocalists and the renowned Ozark Band with piano, keyboard, synthesizers and guitars. The group has performed with Porter Wagoner, Ronnie Milsap and Alan Jackson to mention a few. The shows are a sell out in Branson Missouri.

NASA's newest idea to fund the space shuttle fleet.

Recipes Of The Week

Thanksgiving is next week so here are a couple really cool recipes for the holiday

Sweet Potato Pudding

Ingredients

1 (29 ounce) can sweet potatoes

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup milk

1/4 cup melted butter

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1) Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 1 1/2 quart baking dish.

2) Combine sweet potatoes and eggs in a medium bowl. Beat in the brown sugar, milk, butter, lemon juice, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, salt. Pour into prepared dish.

3) Bake in preheated oven until hot and golden brown on top, about 30 minutes.

Sausage, Apple and Cranberry Stuffing

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups cubed whole wheat bread

3 3/4 cups cubed white bread

1 pound ground turkey sausage

1 cup chopped onion

3/4 cup chopped celery

2 1/2 teaspoons dried sage

1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 Golden Delicious apple, cored and chopped

3/4 cup dried cranberries

1/3 cup minced fresh parsley

1 cooked turkey liver, finely chopped

3/4 cup turkey stock

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 350 degree F (175 degree C). Spread the white and whole wheat bread cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes in the preheated oven, or until evenly toasted. Transfer toasted bread cubes to a large bowl.

2) In a large skillet, cook the sausage and onions over medium heat, stirring and breaking up the lumps until evenly browned. Add the celery, sage, rosemary, and thyme; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes to blend flavors.

3) Pour sausage mixture over bread in bowl. Mix in chopped apples, dried cranberries, parsley, and liver. Drizzle with turkey stock and melted butter, and mix lightly. Spoon into turkey to loosely fill.

Meet the Staff

Publisher........Steven M Opsanic

Editor............Rob Taylor

(trobi1021@gmail.com)

Staff Writer......T.R. Septaric

aaaaaaaaaaaa

Please feel free to forward our

emails to your friends and family.

Received this email as a forward

and want to be added to our mailing list

please send your name and email address to mailinglist@greatlakesfilm.org

(Please do not add your friends and family to our mailing list without their consent)

aaaaaaaaaaaa

Looking for a Venue for your

shows, functions and events?

Theatre 145 is the place you are looking for.

For more information please visit www.thetheatre145.com

or call

Steve at 814-873-5069

aaaaaaaaaaaa

Theater

All An Act Theatre

Columbus Square, 652 West 17^th

Erie PA

www.allanact.net/

Upcoming Shows

November 14th - December 7th
Ray Cooney's Caught in the Net

February 13th - March 1st

Neil Simon's The Prisoner Of Second Avenue

March 20th - April 5th

No Sex Please, We're British

April 24th - May 10th

Rounding Third

September 4 - 20th

Primal Fear

October 9th - 25th

Cabaret

November 13th - 29th

Whose Wives Are They Anyway

For information call 450-8553 or visit website at www.allanact.net

The Station Dinner Theatre & Tavern

4940 Peach St
Erie, PA 16509
(814) 864-2022

www.thestationdinnertheatre.com

November 21 - December 21

19th Annual Christmas Memories

November 28, December 6, 20

Lunch With Santa

Directors Circle Theatre

1001 State St, Erie, PA (814) 451-1153

Warner Theatre

Riverside Inn Dinner Theatre

1 Fountain Avenue
Cambridge Springs, PA 16403
(800) 964-5173
(814) 398-4645

boxoffice@theriversideinn.com

aaaaaaaaaaaa

Weekend Notes


THURSDAY	November 20

Docksider	All Musician's Jam w/ Rodger Montgomery Blues Band
Lake Erie Gala	M G Clark

FRIDAY	November 21

The Waterfall	The Sam Hyman Band
Docksider	Waterband, Rick Philips, John Welton Music, Dreadlock Dave
Scooters	Duke Sherman Blues Band
Sherlock's	Whiplash
The Beer Mug	DisgraceD, Anti Atom

SATURDAY	November 22

Presque Isle Gallery And Coffeeshop	Jake Johns, The Arden Room
Forward Hall	The AKA’s, Old Believers, In the Day, The Laundromat, The Swellers, The Artist Life
Faith Cafe	Leaving Septenber
Scully's	The Pussy Pirates
The Sand Bar	Thrist N Howl
RPM's	New Wave Nation
The Dog House	Abandoned
Speedeez	FDH20
Charlie's Pub	Salmon Frank
21 Hampton	Kimberley Gray
Scully's	Sound City Saints, The Midnight Jacks
Docksider	Doug Philips Acoustics

SUNDAY	November 23


MONDAY	November 24


TUESDAY	November 25

WEDNESDAY	November 26

Metropolitan Dance Club	The Romantic Era
Docksider	Doug Philips Acoustics
South Erie Turners	Blonde Faith
B.W. Saloon	Rattlebox
The Beer Mug	The Coffin Bangers
Bull Shooter's	Whiplash

Did we miss a show? Keep us updated. Send your show dates to: Newsletter@greatlakesfilm.org

aaaaaaaaaaaa

Poetry Scene

13th and French... Lovell Place

Poetry Scene this and every Friday. Erie Book Store. 6:30-8. Always an open, often a feature.

Fri. November 21: Jazz Poetry Night III

Fri. November 28: Thanksgiving (we never close)

Fri. December 5: "Cine Bahia" - Geoff Peterson reads new work

Fri. December 12: Dedicated To The Ones We Love

Fri. December 19: The KURTS' Purples

Fri. December 26: Boxing Day

Fri. January 2: 2009!

Fri. January 9: TBA

aaaaaaaaaaaa

LOCAL ART

Erie Art Museum Information

Updated

2008 Erie Art Museum Calendar

About the Erie Art Museum

Every Wednesday is FREE admission to all four Erie Art Museum galleries from 11 am to 5 pm.

Glass Growers Gallery

Upcoming Exhibits

October 17 to November 25- Jeremy Beightol

November 28 to January 6, 2009- Noreen Finn

Get Your Art ON

Erie Art Museum
411 State St, Erie, PA

(814) 459-5477

Erie Maritime Museum
150 E Front St, Erie, PA

(814) 452-2744

Erie County Historical
417 State St, Erie, PA

(814) 454-1813

Glass Growers Gallery
10 E 5th St, Erie, PA

(814) 453-3758

Experience Children's Museum
420 French St, Erie, PA

(814) 453-3743

U-Frame It & the Poster Annex
731 W 8th St, Erie, PA

(814) 456-1313

James E Sabol Studio/Gallery
2006 W 8th St, Erie, PA

(814) 456-4794

Art & Frames
3330 W 26th St, Erie, PA

(814) 838-7337

Bayfront Gallery
17 E Dobbins Lndg, Erie, PA

(814) 455-6632

Kada Gallery & Frame Shop
2632 W 8th St, Erie, PA

(814) 835-5232

Darlene Bennett Art Studio
3732 W 12th St, Erie, PA

(814) 835-7094

Geary Studio Seven Gallery
2807 W 8th St, Erie, PA

(814) 480-8829

North American Gallery
3113 Buffalo Rd, Erie, PA

(814) 897-1606

Urarro Gallery
152 W 12th St, Erie, PA

(814) 455-5738

Bead Shoppe
3330 W 26th St # 1, Erie, PA

(814) 833-7001

Auer Framing Gallery
3208 Peach St, Erie, PA

(814) 453-5093

Allen Stoneware Gallery
2602 W 8th St, Erie, PA

(814) 836-0345

Art Works
1505 State St, Erie, PA

(814) 454-2579

Holland Arts
2080 Interchange Rd, Erie, PA

(814) 882-3890

Glass Stop Art Glass Studio
1324 Industrial Dr, Erie, PA

(814) 835-9170

Boones Art & Frame
2221 Peninsula Dr, Erie, PA

(814) 835-2299

For Art's Sake Gallery
7547 W Ridge Rd, Fairview, PA

(814) 474-3033

aaaaaaaaaaaa

Got a Website?

Let's Banner Exchange.

aaaaaaaaaaaa

Upcoming events and shows:

Band shows, open to public events, film shows, poetry readings, etc.

Include date, times, and contacts.

Send event information to kelly@greatlakesfilm.org

aaaaaaaaaaaa

Opt-out notice: This message

was sent to you by the

Great Lakes Film Association, Northwest Pennsylvania’s only association for independent film

and is the first to organize an independent film festival. SPAM is not our game, so if you would

prefer not to hear from us in the future, please unsubscribe by emailing unsubscribe@greatlakesfilm.org

If you have any questions or comments, please email questions@greatlakesfilm.org

Thanks.

aaaaaaaaaaaa

Advertise In Spotlight Online

If you have a band, business or bar and you want a very affordable way to reach people in Erie, Spotlight Online is the place for you.

Between our e-mail magazine and our website more than 15,000 people a week will see your ad. Our rates are among the lowest in town and will include placement in both the email magazine as well as on the Spotlight Online website.

2x3 inch ad - $30 per month

3x3 inch ad - $45 per month

4x3 inch ad - $60 per month

5x3 inch ad - $75 per month

3 month contract - 10% off the regular monthly price per month

6 month contract - 20% off the regular monthly price per month

For more information about advertising in Spotlight Online call Steve at 814-873-5069 or email him at steve@greatlakesfilm.org or Rob at 814-566-8933 or email him at trobi1021@gmail.com.

aaaaaaaaaaaa

Spotlight Magazine Deadline

Please have all press releases and information you would like printed in the weekly Spotlight Magazine to us by Monday of each week.

Spotlight Magazine Seeking Writers

The Spotlight Magazine is looking for individuals to submit their articles. We want to include our readers and the community in our online magazine. All areas of art and culture are welcome.

Interviews of local bands, artists, filmmakers, and local organizations will be accepted and submitted in the weekly letter.

Have questions contact Steve at steve@greatlakesfilm.org

Submit your article to trobi1021@gmail.com

Subject: Article