Victorian Holiday Traditions Alive At ECHS

The Erie County Historical Society has a strong tradition of celebrating the Christmas holidays through trip back to the late 19th century when holidays weren’t all Wal-mart, houses covered with millions of Christmas lights and maxed out credit cards. It was a simpler, more innocent time where family and God were what Christmas meant.

This year celebrate the holidays with a Victorian Tea at the Watson-Curtze Mansion (356 W. 6th Street, Erie). Victorian Teas will take place on December 5th and 12th at 2:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy different types of refreshments such as English tea, clotted cream, finger sandwiches and more. Each tea will include an opportunity to tour the Songs of the Season exhibit at the mansion and enjoy holiday music. On December 5th, come and learn holiday decorating ideas with a presentation by Sandy Blazek, owner of Trellis. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Prices are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for children.

The 2009 Victorian Holidays, Songs of the Season exhibit focuses on classic holiday songs. The rooms of the Watson-Curtze Mansion will be transformed with holiday décor to match the theme of each song.

Join the Erie County Historical Society the next weekend to celebrate the holidays with a Sunday Brunch at the Watson-Curtze Mansion. Sunday Brunch is December 13th between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Enjoy Sunday brunch in the holiday glitz and glimmer of the Watson-Curtze Mansion. Tickets for this event must be purchased in advance. Prices are $15 for adults and $10 for children.

A week later help the Erie County Historical Society celebrate the holidays with a Gingerbread House Workshop at the Watson-Curtze Mansion. The workshop will be held December 19th at 10:00 a.m. A holiday tradition for centuries, make your own graham cracker house complete with gum drop chimneys, candy cane doors and lots of sprinkles! Tickets must be purchased in advance; the cost is $6 per house.

In addition, the Erie County Historical Society will celebrate the holidays with a Children’s Tea at the Watson-Curtze Mansion. Children’s Tea is December 19th at 2:00 p.m. Come and enjoy tea and treats in the holiday filled Watson-Curtze mansion. Guests will enjoy different types of refreshments, such as English tea, clotted cream, finger sandwiches and more.

While at the mansion, try your luck with the annual Chinese auction. A popular event fundraiser, the annual Chinese auction includes wreaths, gift certificates from local eateries and specialty shops, and over-stuffed baskets that have been donated from local businesses and organizations. Tickets can be purchased at the Mansion – two for a dollar. Winners will be drawn at the end of the day December 19th, so don’t wait! Proceeds benefit the Erie County Historical Society and the preservation of the Watson-Curtze Mansion.

To purchase tickets for these events or for more information, please call (814)454-1813 ext. 0

Tinseltown Features Global Medical Documentary

Doctors Without Borders Featured

NCM Fathom is partnering with the independent medical humanitarian organization, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), for a special One Night Event featuring the critically acclaimed “Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders” documentary and a live panel discussion with frontline doctors and journalists.

For the first time ever, Doctors Without Borders gave a documentary crew uncensored access to its field operations. “Living in Emergency,” gives a rare ‘inside look’ into Doctors Without Borders through the eyes of four doctors pushed to the edge and forced to confront the limits of their idealism in the face of overwhelming medical needs.

This Live Event will be hosted and moderated by Elizabeth Vargas, Anchor of ABC News 20/20 at the NYU, Skirball Center, in New York City and broadcast to over 440 theatres nationwide.

Elizabeth Vargas will introduce the “Living in Emergency” documentary, which will be followed by a Live town hall discussion with Dr. Tom Krueger, the surgeon featured in the documentary, Sebastian Junger, best-selling author of The Perfect Storm and contributor to Vanity Fair; and Sophie Delaunay, Executive Director of MSF-USA, plus other specials guests.

This event will be LIVE for One Night Only, Monday, December 14th at 7:30PM ET/ 6:30PM CT/ 5:30PM MT/ Tape Delayed at 8:00 PM PT.

Check out the Tinseltown Box Office or www.ncm.com for tickets or more information.

Xmas Ball Benefit At The Bayfront Convention Center

By Rob Taylor

Don’t miss the most spectacular event of the holiday season! The Annual Christmas Ball benefiting the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute will be held Saturday, December 12 from 9:00 p.m. – 1 a.m. at the Bayfront Convention Center (doors open at 8 p.m.)

Enjoy dancing to the music of Tennessee Backporch. Tickets include hors d’oeuvres and desserts, soft drinks and water, and three cocktails (cash bar also available). Your support will benefit services to more than 3,500 children, adults and families in our community.

The Gertrude A. Barber National Institute is a nationally recognized, state of the art facility offering an array of programs and services that support all aspects of a person’s life from birth through old age. Their programs continue to grow and develop in order to serve the needs of people with various levels of disabilities.

Since its birth in 1952 the Barber National Center has grown from a one classroom facility to a complex, with more than 1,600 staff members, that faces the needs of every individual who walks through its doors. This includes early intervention for infants and toddlers, job training and placement, group homes for residential clients, specialized therapies, creative arts programs and a retirement center among countless other programs.

Tickets are just $75.00 a person and you can make reservations for the event and/or make donations online at www.BarberInstitute.org, or by calling 878-4096.
 

What’s The Truth About The Christmas Star?

What did three Wise Men see in the sky two thousand years ago?

Dr. Roger Knacke, professor of physics and astronomy at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will discuss the Star of Bethlehem at “The Christmas Star,” the next Open House Night in Astronomy. His non-technical presentation will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, in 101 Otto Behrend Science Building and will be followed by telescope viewing from the college’s Mehalso Observatory, weather permitting. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

Many theories for the Star of Bethlehem have been proposed—comet, meteor, exploding star, or possibly a conjunction of planets. “We’ll examine the Bible’s description of the star, and compare it with astronomical evidence to suggest a plausible explanation,” Knacke says. “I also have a computer simulation of the skies over Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago that shows what people might have seen and interpreted as a miraculous star.”

Open House Nights in Astronomy are a public outreach effort of the Penn State Behrend School of Science. For more information, phone 814-898-6105

 

World AIDS Day Presentation In Erie

By T.R. Septaric

The theme for World AIDS Day 2009 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'.

Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care, recognizing these as fundamental human rights. Valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV and AIDS services, yet greater commitment is needed around the world if the goal of universal access is to be achieved. Millions of people continue to be infected with HIV every year. In low- and middle-income countries, less than half of those in need of antiretroviral therapy are receiving it, and too many do not have access to adequate care services.

The protection of human rights is fundamental to combating the global HIV and AIDS epidemic. Violations against human rights fuel the spread of HIV, putting marginalized groups, such as injecting drug users and sex workers, at a higher risk of HIV infection. By promoting individual human rights, new infections can be prevented and people who have HIV can live free from discrimination.

World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us - individuals, communities and political leaders - to take action and ensure that human rights are protected and global targets for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care are met.

Erie’s World AIDS Day Presentation will be held at the Community United Church, 1011 W 38th St, Erie, PA from 7 PM - 9 PM on December 3rd, 2009. A presentation on behalf of World AIDS Day will be given by Community Health Net. The public is invited.

Contact: Rev. Rick A Moyer. Phone: (814) 864-4429. Email: communityunitedchurch@yahoo.com or go to http://www.uccwebsites.net/commuceriepa.html.