IN West County Winter 2019 | Page 8

WHAT’S NEWS IN WEST COUNTY ELK CREEK HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS OPEN MIC NIGHT Join the Elk Creek Historical Society for Open Mic Night on Nov. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. It returns to the Little Church on the Hill. Be sure to gather your friends and get ready for an awesome night of talent. Email [email protected] with a brief description of your talent. Heavenly Henna will be there also providing henna tattoos all evening long. You won’t want to miss this one. BIZZARRO ANNOUNCES NEARLY $170,000 TO FUND NEW EQUIPMENT AT ERIE INTERNATIONAL A state grant of $168,750 will ensure that Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field continues to operate smoothly and safely, announced state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie). The grant will help purchase equipment needed to maintain the airport’s facilities, including the turfed and paved areas, and additional vehicles to support airport operations. “I’m so glad we were successful in our efforts to secure this funding,” Bizzarro said. “Erie International Airport is more than a convenient transportation hub. It sustains thousands of jobs, supports tourism, helps bolster commerce and serves as a connection point to worldwide destinations. Funding to keep it functioning safely and efficiently is one of 6 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ the most important investments the state can make.” He also noted that the funding provides an excellent opportunity to build on the progress enabled by a $1.7 million grant the airport received last year for a major renovation of the terminal building. The funding is part of a package of grants to 29 airports statewide totaling $13.7 million and funded through the state transportation department’s Aviation Transportation Assistance Program, Aviation Development Program and the Multimodal Fund. In April 2019, Pennsylvania was ranked 13th in the country for number of public- use aviation facilities, with 127 airports, heliports and seaplane bases. 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 planetarium director Jim Gavio at 814.898.7268, or jvg10@ psu.edu. Thursdays 1 p.m. — “Phantom of the Universe,” recommended for ages 8 to adult. Show Description: From the journey of protons racing through the world’s largest particle collider to the nearly mile-deep descent to an underground experiment, you’ll be immersed in the manifold search for dark matter. icmags.com Saturdays 1 p.m. — “Phantom of the Universe,” recommended for ages 8 to adult. Show Description: From the journey of protons racing through the world’s largest particle collider to the nearly mile-deep descent to an underground experiment, you’ll be immersed in the manifold search for dark matter. 2:30 p.m. — “Larry Cat in Space,” recommended for ages 4 to adult. Show Description: Take off on a lunar adventure with a curious stowaway cat! 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. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHEDULES VOTE ON NEW ERIE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE The Pennsylvania State Board of Education will consider the application to establish a new community college in Erie County at its Nov. 13-14 meetings. The vote will follow the board’s related subcommittee meeting in late October to review the application and make a recommendation to the board. State Representative Ryan Bizzarro issued the following statement regarding the board’s action: “The local case has been made for a community college in Erie County. We applaud our local elected officials, business and education leaders and the community college advocates for their hard work. “Working with the governor’s office and the Pennsylvania Board of Continued on page 8 >