LIVE STRONG ~ Tour De West County July 25th 2009

Tour De West County is an annual family geared fundraiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The goal of the event is to raise awareness and to help others liveSTRONG with cancer. This year's event was held July 25th at Pleasant Ridge Park in Fairview, Pennsylvania.

The event kicks off at 8:30am with a 25 and 50 mile bike tour and several other shorter rides geared towards families with young ones. The rides are followed by a fun family expo including a dunking booth, bike polo, frisbee dogs, and many more demonstrations and attractions. Plenty of food and drink will be available and a silent auction featuring an autographed guitar by Grammy award winning Pat Monahan of Train!

This year's LEbg contribution to the event is an entirely handmade toggle front necklace featuring rare yellow beach glass. The toggle is inscribed with LIVE STRONG.

Other artist's works will be available for bid as well as day spa packages and other items of interest. For more information regarding the annual Tour De West County event please visit the site here.

C TOWN BEAUTIES! Cleveland Revisited

I love living right smack in the middle between three great cities: Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland! I would say that Cleveland is my favorite, though. She has a special place in my heart and I enjoy visiting her on a regular basis. I was taken a bit by surprised, the other day, when I read a post in virtual land regarding Cleveland as a dirty trash pit and the Cuyahoga River fire was specifically mentioned. It is true, Cleveland has had its problems (as well as many other cities) and the lake as well. However, we have come a long long way since that disaster and are continuing to beautify and take care of our beautiful Cleveland and abundant lake!

In fairness, a little history needs to be brought to the fore front. The year was 1969 when the Cuyahoga River, which is a main tributary river flowing through Cleveland, Ohio had caught fire. Industrial pollution that had been dumped into the stream had become so thick that the flame retardant quality of water was overcome. The entire country seemed to turn its noses up at us with jokes about planting grass on the lake to make it a golf course and one-liners about using the mercury saturated fish as thermometers. What was once the most productive fresh water fishing grounds bountiful with sturgeon know was a desolate waste land.

During the 70's groups of environmentalists,government municipalities,industries, and many many caring volunteers began to help Lake Erie and Cleveland come back to life. Those results are evident today with the numerous amount of sport fishing that takes place nearly year round on the lake and rivers. I implore you to come take a look for yourself. The Lake has beautifully clean beaches open to swimming, tasty, clean, fresh fish caught from her waters and served to you from the beautiful city of Cleveland. I love my Cleveland and hope you will come visit her and fall in love with her, too!

This is my Etsy Tribute to my fellow Cleveland Artists who love Cleveland as much as I do! They see the beauty of Cleveland and continue to make efforts to keep her a clean and beautiful place to live.

LEMONADE! LEMONADE! 25 CENTS!

Do you remember when you were a kid and you wanted to build your own lemonade stand, make some lemonade, and make a whole lot of money so you could go to the toy store and buy your favorite toy? After my little girls came to me in wind storm of excitement over their newly discovered and unique idea, the memories came flooding back to me. For me, it was those plastic little hasbro ponies with the big eyes, colorful hair, and pretty little symbols on their rump! Yes! You got it! My Little Pony from the good ole 80's. I am dating myself and I digress a bit but am jerked back to the present with little hands pulling on my shirt and bringing me out of the clouded world of memory.

"Why not?", I thought! So, the girls and I went to my husband (the handy wood crafting guy) to see what he had for scraps to make a lemonade stand! The girls helped put the stand together and even created and painted the designs on it! The older two also helped but don't corner them and ask because they'll never admit it!

So, the final product was ready for its curb side trial. All that was needed to complete the project was the lemonade and a trusty little jar to hold the profits!

Look at how well the girls did! They enjoyed themselves so much and our community was extremely supportive! I'm just glad that our township officials didn't stop by to ask us for our permit! Eeeek!

PULL TOGETHER ERIE! Review of the Erie Yacht Club Benefit for Pennsylvania's Flagship Niagara

What a well attended event to benefit the Niagara! I was excitingly surprised to see the local support of the Brig come together at the Erie Yacht Club on Tuesday evening May the 5th. It was very surreal to see that the tall ship had indeed made it's maiden voyage and docked at the club with its beautiful, "Don't Give Up The Ship!" flag blazing wildly in the wind. How many opportunities to you get to see and touch such an icon of beauty? I was blessed to get the chance to view her at this benefit.

Ever since the PA Historical and Museum Commission decided to cut funding for the Niagara sailing program, volunteers, yachtsmen, sailors, citizens, and people of all walks of life have become concerned that the ship will not sail and her demise would be eminent with time. The Erie Yacht Club is the first to come to her side by offering the, "Pull Together Erie!" benefit and live auction for this unique tall ship.

The local TV stations were present for full coverage as well as many locally known political candidates,socialites,doctors,lawyers,businessmen, and the concerned community. We were all enlightened as to the exact problem that is occurring with funding, what has been done and achieved thus far, and notified of future plans to help raise funding for the brig.

The program was supposed to open with remarks by Mayor Joseph Sinnott who conveniently was not able to attend at a last moment's notice. Being very disappointed I am not surprised since the Mayor is the one who has proposed the 170Mill spending through out the city of Erie without one lick of it going toward the ship! For myself, and I am sure others, this is yet another demonstration of his lack of concern for our local icon. (I wish to say more about this but will hold my tongue!)

What did I learn from the benefit and can share with you?
The US Brig Niagara is a coast guard approved Sailing School Vessel! Plans are in place for students to earn school credit while sailing and working the vessel for a two week period of time. (Makes me wish I were in school again!) Of the one million dollar needs of the brig, $800,000.00 is used for the overall maintenance of the vessel itself. It takes about 30 volunteers (NON PAID) to man the crew of the Niagara. The brig brings in 10's of thousands of dollars in revenue when it travels to other ports with 2 hour long lines of people who are excited to board and tour this historical reminder that, "We have met the enemy and they are ours!". **Of the funds collected only $250,000 more is needed to save this ship!**

This remaining portion of funding will hopefully come from corporations, granting institutions, special events, and caring individuals of the Erie community and across the nation.

HOW CAN YOU HELP SUPPORT THE FLAGSHIP NIAGARA?
1) Outright Donations: When making outright donations to the ship they are put to work in preparing the ship as an educational and training platform for the people of Erie, as well as representing our city in both American and foreign ports. Pledges for periods of up to three years are welcome.

Securities are also accepted as donations and can be valuable for tax-planning purposed.

As individuals, outright tax deductible donations can be made. Many local corporations have pledged to match these donations such as PNC, General Electric, Mellon Financial Corporation and Exxon-Mobile.

2)Join the Flagship Niagara League.
3)Donate via Facebook.
4)Purchase "KEEP NIAGARA SAILING" tokens at area businesses for personal use or resale.

Companies can support the ship with outright donations and becoming a corporate member.

To Learn More, PLEASE contact the Flagship Niagara League:
Ms. Julie Wagner
150 East Front Street, Suite 100
Erie, Pennsylvania 16507
#814-452-BRIG (2744) Ext.222

Thank you for all who attended this event and to those who have contributed and who will contribute to this cause in the future. The Erie Yacht Club was able to raise over $30,000 from this event!

Let's keep the cause going and, "DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!"
Photos are property of CMS, The US Brig Niagara League, John Baker-ship Photographer, and The Erie Maritime Museum.

ERIE YACHT CLUB Charity Regatta Event To Support THE BRIG NIAGARA!

The Erie Yacht Club will be hosting an evening reception and charity regatta to help support the Brig Niagara. This "PULL TOGETHER ERIE" benefit is set for Tuesday, May 5th, and is open to the public. This "Pull Together" event will be the first of two events to be held by the Yacht Club for the Brig.

PULL TOGETHER ERIE will be an evening cocktail reception that will commence at 6:00 p.m. in the Grill Room of the Erie Yacht Club. The evening will include a cash bar with Hor d'ouerves, a silent auction of Flagship Niagara artwork, and a keynote address from the noted maritime historian and Senior Captain of the Flagship Niagara, Walter Rybka. Local politicians and area business leaders are expected to be on hand. The evening will conclude around 8:30. A suggested donation of $10 per person is strongly encouraged by the organizers.

The first annual FLAGSHIP NIAGARA REGATTA will be held on August 9th. The regatta will actually use the Niagara as the committee boat with the entire EYC racing fleet sailing around the ship that will be docked in the middle of Presque Isle Bay. The Erie Yacht Club has extensive experience conducting charity regattas, some of which have raised funds in excess of $50,000 for the non-profit benefactor for a single day event.

The Erie Yacht Club is proud to be an eager supporter of the Flagship Niagara. Many of us who appreciate the Brig's important part of the community are very grateful to the Erie Yacht Club for its efforts in supporting the ship. I you, as a reader, also want to help support this ship but are unable to attend either of these events, please consider signing a petition that will be sent to Governor Rendell, the members of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to help keep the Flagship Niagara sailing and preserve her sailing programs.

BRIG NIAGARA PETITION

For further information on the Erie Yacht Club events please contact the following:

Erie Yacht Club
Mr. Douglas Boldt, Event Chair and EYC Board of Directors
T: 814-602-1554
E: douglas@boldt.us

Flagship Niagara League
Mr. Brian Scott, Board Chair
T: 814-440-4084
E: bscott8@adelphia.net

Presque Isle State Park Spring Clean Up!

Its that time of year again! The sun stays out longer, the leaves start unfolding, and the flower begin to bud. Every year after the harsh storms of winter have passed it leaves quite a large amount of debris and trash on the shores. This year's clean up at Presque Isle State Park will be held April 25th from 9am - 1pm. (Stay longer if you want to!) The Presque Isle staff, The United Way, and Take Pride in America will be hosting the event. Registration will begin at 9:00 am at the Rotary Pavilion. There will be food provided and door prizes at 12:00 pm. Make sure you are prepared for our Erie weather and bring a long the kids! This is a wonderful event to involve kids of all ages and organizations!

Lake Erie Beach Glass and family will be out and about on the beaches of the park a long side other volunteers who care about keeping the beaches clean. If you are local or maybe even live a bit further away, we would love to see you help out. If you spot one of us, make sure you stop and say hi!

Erie's Brig Niagara, "DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!"

I was so saddened to see the headliner of The Erie Times News last Wednesday, March 25th that read, "Plans for U.S. Brig Niagara's sailing season could be sunk." The large vessel that Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry once sailed during the war of 1812 has been sailing the Erie Bay and visiting ports all over Lake Erie and the Eastern Sea Board for a decade now. That battle turned the tide for the American Naval fleet who ended up winning the war. It's beauty and inspiration as you see it glide by the beaches in full sail is like no other. It takes your breath away. State government cuts threaten the brig's ability to sail and its future.

Many who live in Erie probably remember the brig when it was dry docked and viewable on land. It fell into disrepair and was almost completely lost. The restoration of the brig created excitement and hope. The brig IS a symbol of Erie and the Lake itself. In economically hard times, we need a symbol such as the brig and letting her go would be like giving up.

The brig needs 1 million dollars of funding for upkeep, maintenance, and sailing. It is currently docked at the Erie Maritime Museum, located on Erie's bayfront at 150 E. Front St. When docked, the ship is available for museum visitors to explore. What a wonderful opportunity to see the inside of the ship and to get an idea of what the men under Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and Perry himself would have experienced while sailing the flagship.

One million dollars seems like a lot of money, I would agree. But, when I saw the very next day's headliner in the paper it didn't seem like such a large amount and I became angry. The headline reads, "Sinnott presents $170M wish list." The mayors wish list from the estimated $170 million stimulus funding does not include the Brig's mere 1 million. Instead the list includes renovations of Tullio Arena, Perry Square, Griswold Park, and a NEW EMTA garage among others. You mean to tell me that in this plan there isn't any room for 1 million to go toward the symbol of Erie?

It is my hope that as many citizens who love the brig as much as I do will become aware and get involved with saving our ship. There is a facebook page dedicated to the cause. Help us save the Brig Niagara. Let your thoughts and feelings be heard. Visit the cause site and remember, "DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!"