IN West County Winter 2018 | Page 11

YAHN PLANETARIUM 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 director Jim Gavio at 814.898.7268 or [email protected]. Thursdays 1 p.m.: “Sunstruck,” recommended for ages 9 to adult. Travel back to the beginning of time and experience the birth of the sun. Discover how it came to support life, how it threatens life as we know it, and how its energy will one day fade away. Saturdays 1 p.m.: “Sunstruck,” recommended for ages 9 to adult. 2:30 p.m.: “Larry Cat in Space,” recommended for all ages. Take off on an adventure with a curious stowaway cat. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for children 12 and under. All Penn State students, faculty & staff get free admission with Penn State ID+ card. All shows are followed by a look at the current night sky in the planetarium dome. The Yahn Planetarium at Penn State Behrend is part of the School of Science. ERIE TO HOST PENNSYLVANIA STATE USBC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP THIS SPRING The Erie Sports Commission and the Pennsylvania chapter of the United States Bowling Congress have announced that the 80th Annual PA USBC Open Championship will be held in Erie. The statewide championship will begin Saturday, April 6, 2019, and span 10 weekends, April 6 through June 16. The ESC has estimated the economic impact of the tournament, county-wide, to exceed $3.5 million. “This tournament is the largest tourism generator, in terms of economic impact, that we have ever hosted,” said Mark Jeanneret, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission. “Every year, bowlers and their families from across the state travel to compete in this tournament, regardless of where the event is held. When Erie last hosted in 2014, we saw more than 5,000 bowlers attend. We have great support from the PA USBC in Erie, as well as the Northwestern PA USBC. Traveling families have a lot to look forward to when attending the championship in Erie.” Participants traveled from across Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas and Florida to participate in the 2018 tournament, which was held in Wilkes-Barre. Nearly 5,000 bowlers are expected to take part in the 2019 tournament in Erie. Rolling Meadow Lanes will host the five-person team event. The minor events, consisting of doubles and singles tournaments, will be conducted at Eastway Lanes. Bowlers will be competing for a prize fund in excess of $170,000 in both scratch and handicap divisions. The tournament is open to any member of the PA USBC who is interested in competing. Spectator admission is free. Participants can obtain information and register for the tournament at bowlpa.com. n WEST COUNTY ❘ WINTER 2018 9