IN West County Spring 2018 | Page 10

WHAT’S NEWS IN WEST COUNTY YAHN PLANETARIUM PUBLIC SHOWS Public shows are offered year-round at the Yahn Planetarium of Erie at Penn State Behrend. More than 20 shows are available for private groups to choose from, and programs for the general public change seasonally. Public shows are offered Thursdays at 1 p.m., and Saturdays at 1 and 2:30 p.m. throughout the year except holidays, special event closings, etc. The Yahn Planetarium also encourages you to schedule a show for your next school or group outing. For additional information, contact planetarium director Jim Gavio at 814.898.7268 or [email protected]. Thursdays 1 p.m.: “The Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt for Dark Matter,” recommended for ages 9 to adult. Saturdays 1 p.m.: “The Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt for Dark Matter,” recommended for ages 9 to adult. 2:30 p.m.: “One World, One Sky - Big Bird’s Adventure” recommended for all ages. All shows are followed by a look at the current night sky in the planetarium dome. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under. All Penn State students, faculty and staff get free admission with Penn State ID+ card. The Yahn Planetarium at Penn State Behrend is part of the School of Science. ERIE DAY SCHOOL CORDIALLY INVITES LADIES OF ALL AGES TO THE GLITTER & GLOW TEA Treat yourself, your mother, daughter, sister or friends to an afternoon filled with spa-like treatments, a tea luncheon, mother/daughter fashion show, and raffle baskets, along with irresistible gifts at vendor booths. Sunday, Feb. 25, from 1 - 3:30 p.m. Erie Day School’s Henry E. Fish Gymnasium 1372 West Sixth Street, Erie, PA 16505 Cost is $35 per person. For reservations call 814.452.4273, or email [email protected]. NATURAL IMPRESSIONS 7TH ANNUAL MIXED MEDIA STUDENT ART COMPETITION: ‘PLASTICS LOST AND FOUND’ Open to all students from first grade through college currently enrolled in a public, private, or home school. Categories include 8 x 10 photography, mixed media, oil/acrylic/pastel, pencil/pen, watercolor, and sculpture. Register online at http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/presque_ isle_state_park. Go to trecpi.org for information and details about the competition. Register online by March 30. n CROWDS FLIP FOR THE 17TH ANNUAL STARS AND STRIPES GYMNASTICS INVITATIONAL Erie Gymnastics Center and Team Lightning hosted the 17th Annual Stars and Stripes Gymnastics Invitational at the Bayfront Convention Center in January. The Stars and Stripes Invitational is recognized as the largest coed gymnastics invitational in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the eastern United States. Last year’s event attracted more than 50 teams and nearly 1,700 athletes from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, Ohio and Ontario. The Stars and Stripes Invitational was founded in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and each year honors a local military, police or fire and rescue-related organization as a charity partner. Since the event’s inception, Erie Gymnastics has raised more than $75,000 for related charities. The benefiting charity for the 2018 event was the Fallen Soldiers Picnic Fund. Based in Erie, the organization each year hosts a Memorial Day picnic in honor of several local servicemembers who lost their lives in combat or to PTSD since 2003. The organization donates funds raised to assist local military families and causes. “It’s hard to believe this is the 17th time we’ve hosted the Stars 8 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com and Stripes Invitational, but I couldn’t be more proud of the growth it has seen over the years, due in part to our partnership with the Erie Sports Commission,” said Doug Pershun, Meet Director. “[It is] an exciting competition for both the gymnasts and spectators, especially at our Main Event, which is annually an incredible show to watch.” “This invitational continues to impress us every year,” said Ron Sertz, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission. “Stars and Stripes has quickly become a highlight on Erie’s event calendar.” For more information, visit eriegymnastics.com.