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Meet the Staff

Publisher

Steven M Opsanic

(steve@greatlakesfilm.org)

Editor

Rob Taylor

(trobi1021@gmail.com)

Staff Writers

T.R. Septaric, Raymond Czerwinski

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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)

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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

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THEATER

All An Act Theatre
Columbus Square, 652 West 17th
Erie PA
www.allanact.net/
 

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  

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

Warner Theatre
811 State St, Erie, PA 16501
(814) 452-4857

Riverside Inn 
Dinner Theatre
1 Fountain Avenue
Cambridge Springs, PA 16403
(800) 964-5173
(814) 398-4645
boxoffice@theriversideinn.com

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Weekend Notes

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

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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.

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LOCAL ART

Erie Art Museum Information

Updated December 
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
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

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Got a Website? 
Let's Banner Exchange.

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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

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

Thanks.

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$1 Movies Films For Food Programs Ends Saturday

by Rob Taylor

Why don’t people in Erie like almost free movies? I don’t understand it. They’ll pay $6.50 to see a movie at Tinseltown but, incredibly, it is hard to get them to give away a can of food to see a second run movie at the $1 movies behind the Millcreek Mall or the ONLY Erie showing of a Michael Moore movie at Theatre 145.

Local movie production company GMD Films recently held the Films For Food program at Theatre 145. It opened with Michael Moore’s new movie Slacker Nation and, sadly, there were only a very few people who showed up to see it. After Moore’s movie, Films For Food showed 24 hours of some of the best independent films around…all for 1 can of food for the entire 24 hours. Nobody showed up!!!!

Now, the Millcreek Mall Cinema 6 is running their own films for food program.  One can of food will get you in to see one of their movies, at a special showing, as well as a free popcorn. These are movies that just left Tinseltown…not old or unknown movies…just second run movies.

There was a movie scheduled for all types of people of all interests and even families. Last Saturday, for a can of food, you could have seen The Dark Knight, The Duchess or Wall-e among others.

One of the managers at the theatre said that the average attendance at their films for food drive showings have been about 30 people total for all six movies. The December 6^th showing of The Duchess, which I attended, only attracted 3 other people.

Now, I realize that 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. is early for people to get out of bed to go to a movie but the attendance for other showings, even an 11:30 a.m. showing, is usually a LOT more than 4-5 people per showing. Well, this Saturday, December 13^th, is the last films for food showings at the $1 movies and yes, they are going to start at roughly 10:00 a.m….give or take a half and hour.

The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are stressful for Erie’s hungry and the needs of the hungry strain the food banks to their limits. Because of that I would like to challenge our readers to take this opportunity to help the Second Harvest Food Bank by getting your friends together, filling all of the theatres and enjoying a great movie and some really good buttery popcorn.

Mercyhurst College To Present Metropolitan Opera Programs

Stupid Stuff We Think About

by T.R. Septaric

I don't know about where you work but around the Spotlight Online offices we have a LOT of free time to just sit and talk about a lot of stupid stuff. Here is a brief list of the mind-boggling ideas we came up with before the boss made us put away the Jack Daniels and get back to work.

Why is it considered necessary to nail down the lid of a coffin?
Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
Why can't they make the whole plane out of the same substance that little indestructible black box is?
Can fat people go skinny-dipping?
If a person with multiple personalities threatens suicide, is that considered a hostage situation?
If a cow laughed, would milk come out her nose?
So what's the speed of dark?
How come abbreviated is such a long word?
Since light travels faster than sound, isn't that why some people appear bright until you hear them speak?
Ever wonder what the speed of lightning would be if it didn't zigzag?
A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a Train stops On my desk, I have a work station..
If quitters never win, and winners never quit, what fool came up with, "Quit while you're ahead"?
Do Lipton employees take coffee breaks?
Should women put pictures of missing husbands on beer cans?
Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do . . . write to these men?
How much deeper would oceans be if sponges didn't live there?
If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
After eating, do amphibians need to wait an hour before getting OUT of the water?
Why don't they just make mouse-flavored cat food?
If you're sending someone some Styrofoam, what do you pack it in?
Why do they sterilize needles for lethal injections?
Is it true that cannibals don't eat clowns because they taste funny?
Isn't Disney World a people trap operated by a mouse?
Whose cruel idea was it for the word "lisp" to have an "s" in it?
Why can't you find fresh sardines in the fish market?
Why do so many old people eat at cafeterias?
Why does an "X" stand for a kiss? 

November 22nd - December 28th 2008

Victorian Holidays 2008 Once Upon a Time

The Internet is Not Only for Kids
By K.C. Kolak

Social networking online communities is a great place to meet old friends and new. There are many such as myspace, myyearbook, fubar, Eons, and Facebook. 

They have one for everything you have an interest in and for any particular age group. Eons.com is a site for the Baby Boomers, Library.com is for Book Lovers, Flixster.com is for Movie Lovers, Last.fm is for Music and they have one for Buisness Professionals Linkedin.com

These sites give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.

Millions of people use online communities everyday to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet.

On Facebook.com they have a section for causes that you can support. Search through hundreds to help support and donate to. 

ErieKIDS located in Erie Pennsylvania is just one of the nonprofits you can join and support. 

Here is a Goal they are seeking to reach:

Help us reach our goal!

We have set the goal to reach 1,000 members of the ErieKIDS cause by December 31, 2008. As of the writing of this note, we are at 850!

It is amazing that we have made so many great connections, but we know that it is because of relationships that people are willing to put themselves out for others.

If you can forget for a moment that ErieKIDS is an "organization", I would challenge all of our members that at the very heart of it, we are a group of good people who are absolutely dedicated to bringing humanity, authenticity and courageous, unapologetic dedication to the family back to communities.

We've decided that dedication is the only one that matters. Being real, and being really dedicated to people.

Your agreement to help us spread the word shows that same dedication. So please, take a moment to ask your friends to join. Who knows which friend will benefit from a relationship with ErieKIDS, or who knows which friend will want to support others in the same pursuit.

Thank you for your commitment to ErieKIDS!

Join Facebook today to support a local organization. Log on to keep in touch with old friends and meet new ones. 

You can never have too many friends. Happiness is a smile from a friend, so KEEP SMILING!!

For a list of Online Communities Click Here 

Christmas Crafts for Kids

Reindeer Craft Treat Holder
A Reindeer craft that kids can make and give as a gift.

These whimsical little reindeer can serve as place card holders
for a holiday table, party favors, or give a large reindeer as a gift, filled with the recipients favorite candy!

They are an easy and inexpensive craft for classrooms or scout troops.

You'll Need:
Scissors
Craft glue, glue stick or glue dots
Terracotta clay pots; 2"-5"
Plastic eyes
Red pom-poms (glitter pom-poms are a fun addition!)
Three shades of brown craft foam, cardstock paper or construction paper; we combined all three to make our reindeer family.

Parts pictured for the large reindeer
2 antlers
2 large ears
2 small ears
2 eyes
one red nose

How to Make It:
First, with one shade of brown, cut the antlers to match the size of your pot. If you are making the larger reindeer, use a child's handprint as pattern. Then, cut the ears with the other brown. We used a lighter shade of brown to add yet another layer to the ears but that's not necessary.

Attach they ears to the back of the pot. Then add the antlers.

Glue the eyes and nose the front. Fill the pot with candy, nuts or other goodies. It's that simple!

Easy Glitter Stars 
Use these stars to decorate windows...they come right off.   

You'll Need:
Glitter in assorted colors 
Plastic food wrap 
Large piece of cardboard 
A bottle of White glue
Yarn for hanging, optional 

Updated Instructions:
Use bottled Glitter Glue for a quick and easy craft idea!

Secure the plastic food wrap with tape onto a piece of cardboard tray, pulling it smooth and taut. Make star  shapes on the plastic wrap with the glue bottle. Fill in the center with glue as well.  You can also make other shapes like a bell, or a pine tree. If you plan on hanging or tying these stars attach a loop of yarn to the top of by putting it into the glue. Sprinkle the glue with glitter. 

Make sure it is completely covered. Leave to dry for 48 hours. Gently peel the plastic wrap away from the back, working in from each point. 

Sparkling Snowball Ornament
Who would have thought a simple office item could become 
a beautiful Christmas tree ornament!

You'll need:

Plastic Push pins - white or clear
Small Styrofoam ball
Satin ribbon
Glitter spray (optional)

How to Make:
Insert pushpins into the Styrofoam ball until it is completely covered. 
Using small balls will make this less tedious for children.
Make a loop with the satin ribbon for hanging and use one 
of the pushpins to secure the loop into the ball.
Lightly spray with glitter spray to add a sparkling effect.
When the Glitter is dry - hang this pretty ornament on your tree!
TIP: You may be able to find kid-friendly non aerosol glitter spray 
(pump bottle). If not, an adult will need to use an aerosol spray.

Great deal if your looking to save some dough going into next year.

For those of you that need dry cleaning services for you or to give as a gift, there is a half off coupon on YourErie.com for V.I.P Cleaners.  http://erpa.youreriedeals.com/

Rock for Tots

Jessica's Open House Birthday Bash will be held at:
The Urraro Gallery [12th and Sassafras]
152 W 12th St. Erie, PA 16501

December 13, 2008
Doors at 6:30, Show at 7:00

The Arden Room
*** (members of Pegasus Unicorn, Hello Kitty Death Squad, the Telefonics)
Matty B and the Dirty Pickles
The Jungle

Admission: New Unwrapped toy (preferred) or min. $5 donation
Proceeds benefit Toys for Tots

21+, or accompanied by parent/guardian

Xmas At The TREC

by Raymond Czerwinski

According to a lot of people the best presents are not the ones that cost a lot of money or come from the biggest or best department stores. Ask any parent or grandparent the best gifts are the ones which are handmade craft type items and that is exactly what will be made when Christmas comes to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, at the entrance to Presque Isle State Park, on December 13^th when the doors open for TREC the Halls.

The doors are opening at 10:00 a.m. for people to come and have breakfast at the Sunset Café and then it is off for the little ones to see Santa and a free showing of The Muppet Christmas Carol at Noon and 3:00 p.m. on the Big Green Screen.

There will be several crafts available for people attendees to make for their loved ones from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. and they will be aimed at the audience that the Tom Ridge Center is hoping to attract which is, to put it simply everyone of all ages from young kids to seniors as well as singles, couples and families.

There is no advance registration required however, if you plan on doing any of the crafts there is a fee of $5.00 for adults and a donation of $2.00 per child.

For more information please call 814-833-7424 or email woznicki@state.pa.us.

Two Weekends Left to Purchase Some Great Christmas Collectables at Amazing Prices

The Roadhouse Theatre For Contemporary Art is having a huge holiday rummage sale. We are clearing the basement rooms of Theatre 145 so they can be rented to artists and others as studio space. 

On sale will be some of the theatre's unique costume, prop and set items. Some of our artwork will be available but the main focus will be on high-end Christmas Collectibles.

Kim bought out Desantis Occasions when they closed their doors, and she has a sleigh full of that store's lavish Christmas inventory. These items are new, they are spectacular and they will be priced to sell!

Complimentary refreshments will be served. So come on down, have a cup of coco and share some memories and some memorabilia with us. 'Cause you'll never find what we have for sale in any store!

Roadhouse Rummage Sale;

Saturdays & Sundays through December 21st

Hours: 1PM - 5PM

Theatre 145

145 West 11th Street, Erie

December Events At Gannon University

December 11, 12, 13, 14 – Gannon University’s Schuster Theatre will present “A Tuna Christmas.” Ridiculous characters from the insane town of Tuna, Texas compete in an over-the-top seasonal decorating contest. The production does include some mature language. All performances will begin at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Gannon University’s Schuster Theatre is located at 620 Sassafras St. Ticket prices for the general public are $5. For more information, contact the Theatre at 814-871-7493 or at 814-871-7720. 

Gannon University’s Schuster Gallery’s current exhibit, “The Art and the Artist,” will be on display through Jan. 16, 2009. The exhibit features the work of Vitus J. Kaiser, a member of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Artist Association and a longtime art teacher in the Erie School District. The exhibit features about 50 watercolors that depict mostly outdoor scenes. Schuster Gallery is located on the third floor of the University’s Nash Library, 619 Sassafras St., and is open during regular library hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to midnight; Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday 12:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. Access to the gallery is free and open to the public. For more information on the exhibit, contact Gannon’s Schuster Program for the Arts at 814-871-5467. 

Sunday, Dec. 14 – Gannon University’s Winter Commencement: The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. in Hammermill Center, Peach Street and South Park Row. The keynote speaker will be the Very Rev. Ronald D. Witherup, S.S., S.T.L., Ph.D., the Superior General of the Society of the Priests of Saint Sulpice. Rev. Witherup is a former dean and professor of Sacred Scripture at St. Patrick Seminary.

Spotlight Online Announces Christmas Memories Contest

Last week we reviewed the Station Dinner Theatre's play Christmas Memories. Well, that gave us an idea. We are going to hold a contest for our readers. The rules are simple -- e-mail your best Christmas memory to steve@greatlakesfilm.org with the subject line of Christmas Memories. All entries must be submitted by December 25th at 12:01 a.m.

All entries will be read and judged by a committee and the best Christmas memory will be chosen the winner.

The winners will be announced in the January 1st issue of Spotlight Online

Recipe Of The Week

Sugar Cookies (Santa's Favorite Cookie)

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter or margarine (at room temperature)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
multicolored sugar sprinkles (optional) For icing:
2 1/2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 4 tablespoons cold water
assorted food colors.

Step 1:
Onto a piece of waxed paper, sift 2 1/2 cups of the flour, the baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on high, cream the butter and sugar until light yellow and fluffy. 

Step 2:
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then the vanilla and lemon rind. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the flour mixture. Divide into three equal pieces, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until thoroughly chilled. 

Step 3:
Preheat the oven to 350° butter three baking sheets. On a surface lightly floured with about 1/3 of the remaining 1/2 cup of flour, roll out 1 piece of dough, 1/4 inch thick, and cut into shapes with cookie cutters. 

Step 4:
With a spatula, transfer to the baking sheets, sprinkle with the sugar if you wish, and bake for 8 minutes or just until edge starts to brown. Let cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool. Repeat with the remaining dough. Decorate as desired using the icing. Store in an airtight container, but do not freeze frosted cookies. 

Step 5: Making the Icing 
In a small bowl, stir the sugar with the vanilla, then add enough water to make a stiff icing. Divide into small cups and color as you wish. When the cookies are cold, pipe out designs, such as smiling faces, zigzags, bow ties for men and aprons for women. If using different colors of icing, let one color dry before piping the next.

Makes about 6 dozen cookies.
Preparation time: 45 minutes. 
Chilling time: 2 hours. Cooking time: 8 minutes. 

Just remember ....IT WILL BE BACK!!!

Voices Of Erie Poets

Alone On The Stage

by Rob Taylor 

She stands on the stage alone

A single light bulb shines on her face

Lined and wrinkled by years of smiles and tears

It shows a life full of emotions

She's cried

She's laughed

She has been royalty

She has been a pauper

She's even died a time or two

Once or twice she felt love in lines written by others

Read by those who didn't truly care

Millions of words

Thousands of people feeling what she felt

Theaters sold out

People wanting to see her

Now she stands on the stage

Looking at empty seats

She is a nobody

Her name is no longer known

She is alone on the stage

Looking into the empty room

Through empty eyes

Thinking about her now empty life

She lives off her memories

Memories of what was

Memories of what could have been

For the first time she cries

and there is no one to see it.

I guess he should have said "Ha Ha Ha!"

There is no way swinging a child like that can be a good idea