A Rummage Sale to Benefit Roman James Pfister

Local Erie family, the Pfister’s, whose son Roman, now 2 years old, was born with a combination of congenital heart defects requiring major open heart surgery after birth. This "Fix" was only temporary and upgrades are needed on the vessels. With his next surgery nearing, November of this year, his family is planning a Rummage Sale Benefit to help raise funds, for traveling, lodging, food, etc. They are looking at an extended stay at the Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, 2 hours away from home.

The benefit will be October 8 – 10 at Cycle City Parking Lot, 9070 Peach Street, Waterford, PA. Not only are they having a rummage sale, but there will also be donuts and coffee for breakfast, Smith's hot dogs, hamburgers, cookies and coke for lunch. Games such as corn hole, putt putt, boccee and 50 -50's. And of course some Great Music!

A congenital heart defect is a defect in the structure of the heart and great vessels which is present at birth. Many types of heart defects exist, most of which either obstruct blood flow in the heart or vessels near it, or cause blood to flow through the heart in an abnormal pattern. Other defects, such as long QT syndrome, affect the heart's rhythm. Heart defects are among the most common birth defects and are the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths. Approximately 9 people in 1000 are born with a congenital heart defect. Many defects don't need treatment, but some complex congenital heart defects require medication or surgery.

Monetary Donations can be made at Huntington Banks via Roman James Pfister Benefit Fund.

Please come together as a Community and help raise funds for this family.


 

Sarah Reed Benefit At Forward Hall
Area’s biggest bands to perform
By Rob Taylor

Tomorrow night, October 8th some of the best musicians in the Erie area are going to be gathering at Erie’s Forward Hall, located near the corner of 25th and Peach Streets. Why are they gathering? They are playing to help a local organization which helps “at risk” children from Erie County, the entire state of Pennsylvania and well beyond.

The bands performing including, no less than six individual award winners from last weekend's Rock Erie Music Awards, and some of Erie's most gifted music teachers! The list includes Eric Brewer & Friends, Pick Up Band, Bill Burke Trio, and Matty B. "Un-Pickled."

In addition to the great music a Silent Auction has been added to the Oct 8th Benefit RockHouse Concert! You’ll be able to bid on autographed items from Derek Trucks/Susan Tedechi, Yonder Mountain String Band, Keller Williams, Rusted Root, Railroad Earth, Grace Potter, Maroon 5, G Love, Ministry, and many others.

In addition to the music and the auctions the Lake Erie Belly Dancers will be performing while the bands are setting up and there will be a laser light display which will be held at some point in the evening.

The Rockhouse Arts Foundation founder and president Dan Ostrowski said, “100% of the money raised at the show will be donated to the Sarah Reed Center.” He said that the money will be used to purchase instruments and to hold workshops and lessons so that the children will be able to experience music first hand.

The Sarah Reed Children’s Center, for whom this benefit is being held, has been around for more than 138 years and it has gained an international reputation for their high quality treatment of traumatized and at risk children. They are committed to creating a safe, therapeutic and healing environment to help promote positive changes in the lives of their clients.

Sarah Reed offers a wide range of programs and services based at 5 primary locations throughout Erie County. In addition, many of these services can be accessed through our multiple school based sites.

For more information you can call 443-255-8577 or click here
 

Erie’s Convention Center Hosts Women Only Weekend
By Patty Sir Louis

This weekend the place for women to be is going to be the Bayfront Convention Center next to Erie’s Dobbin’s Landing. The reason is one of the most anticipated events of the year – the For Women Only Expo.

This event will provide women with the opportunity to be educated, pampered and entertained in a setting that will focus exclusively on them.

Organizers have worked to make this the best event possible for women. At different times during the weekend woman can learn about everything from nutrition to fashion, financial planning, travel & Recreation to frivolous pampering and serious health issues.

Special guests include Dr. Holly Lucille, nationally recognized licensed Naturopathic Physician, author and educator, Valerie Weaver, fashion expert and Frank Fontana, HGTV star and host of Design On Dime.. In addition Chef William, Executive Chef of The Wooster Inn on the campus of The College of Wooster, I continued and Chef Bill Hoffman, Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director for Hidden Valley Ski Resort will be discussing and demonstrating cooking techniques. Several other events and speakers are also scheduled.

Hours are Friday, Oct. 8th, 4PM to 9PM, Saturday, Oct. 9th, 10AM to 6PM and Sunday, Oct. 10th, 10AM to 5PM.

General admission tickets are just $6.00 and are available at the door or by going to www.eriepromoandexpo.com.

Message from Cyndi Lauper

It is time that we all stand together and say enough is enough. We will not tolerate hate any longer. With the the recent suicides by young gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people, America has come face to face with the true impact of hate.

Hate crimes are acts of violence and intimidation committed against a person simply because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, ethnicity or anything that someone labels another as "different." Perpetrators of hate rely on fear and intimidation to put down their victims. Sadly, these acts occur all the time here in the United States. In fact, one occurs approximately every hour of every single day. One out of six of these crimes is based on sexual orientation.

Hate crimes can happen anywhere, to anyone—and it’s time we put a stop to it. As part of our spotlight on this issue this month, we are releasing our latest video (YouTube | wegiveadamn.org), with Ricky Martin, Elton John, Idina Menzel, Rachael Harris and Wanda Sykes. After you hear what they have to say about these despicable acts of hate, please share (Facebook | Twitter) it with the people in your life.

As these past couple of weeks have taught us, bullies also rely on fear and intimidation to put down their victims. When classmates insult, threaten, humiliate, harass, push, kick, taunt or otherwise abuse a young person to the point where the victim would rather end their own life than to endure any more, it’s clear that bullying is both malicious and hateful.

By taking part in the Give a Damn Campaign, you are letting all the young gay and transgender people in this country know that you care about stopping bullying and ensuring a life of hope for all. We have listed ways in which you can get involved to bring an end to this epidemic on the website, including a video message from me.

Thank you for continuing to give a damn!

All my best,