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Hi Erie, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Community-powered kidney transplant, Raiders with live orchestra, an owl encounter with talons and calls, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Inspiring family effort: Erie-area kidney recipient Adam Hoover said his wife, Zee, helped him get a transplant by spreading the word about his need, showing the power of community support across our region — read the full story.
Centuries of winemaking legacy: Western Pennsylvania wineries are pouring easy-to-love wines made from Lake Erie grapes. Meet Wooden Door, Bella Terra, and La Vigneta, turning regional fruit into crowd-pleasing bottles this winter — explore their wines and stories.
Key measures move forward: Erie City Council met Feb. 4, hearing Erie Cemetery’s Historic Site case, approving a building code update, adopting Tamika Thurston-Craig Way, and giving wastewater project first reading without vote — get all the meeting details.
Young artists uplift local voices: Erie teaching artist Nicholas Cardell Gore led students in creating portraits of three local Black women at Erie Public high schools, sharing stories that became Erie Reader cover art — see how it came together.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Decades of community connection: Erie Gay News is updating its Resource Directory to keep LGBTQIA information accurate. The nonprofit, founded in 1992, maintains the largest database of its kind in Northwest PA and distributes about 1,200 newsletters to 120 locations monthly. Editor Michael Mahler receives compliments. David Gurzenski-Lukes supports groups like Aging With Pride. Read the full story.
Boost for lifesaving services: State Rep Ryan Bizzarro announced that funding will be available for local fire and EMS companies through the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant program. Money can support facility and equipment upgrades, recruitment, plus education and training for teams serving Erie County neighborhoods. Get all the details.
Seasonal comfort, big flavor: Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro leans into local, seasonal ingredients for Southern‑meets‑Caribbean comfort: crispy chicken, jerk‑kissed shrimp, and sides that vanish. When the week needs a lift, this neighborhood favorite brings easy joy…and you skip the sink.
Upgrade your utensil game: At West End Hardware, the everyday heroes line the shelves: sturdy spatulas, sheet pans, smart storage, and small appliances, so weeknight cooking runs smoother. It’s the aisle you wander for five minutes and leave feeling oddly accomplished… practical, satisfying, and right around the corner.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
✊ Black History Month Celebration @ Erie VA Medical Center | Friday (2/27) at 11:00 AM – Black History Month deserves more than a quick post, so head to the Erie VA for a community celebration honoring African American Veterans. Expect powerful storytelling, historical displays, and talks from Marcus S. Atkinson, Ash Jones, and Johnny Johnson, M.Ed., plus that rare thing, perspective.
🐟 OLMC Lenten Dinner @ Scheffner Hall | Friday (2/27) at 4:00 PM – Three Friday nights in Lent mean one thing, OLMC is dishing dinner at Scheffner Hall, with takeout if you are racing the soccer carpool. Adults are $15, kids 6 to 12 are $7, little ones eat free, and the bake sale will test your virtue.
🎨 Gallery Night: Women’s Biennial + Open Mic Poetry @ 1020 Collective | Friday (2/27) at 5:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to give your algorithm the night off, this is it. Gallery Night celebrates the artists of the Women’s Biennial, plus a poetry open mic hosted by JazzPoeticTruth, with music, drinks, and snacks for proper lingering.
🦉 All About Owls @ Erie County Public Library | Saturday (2/28) at 1:00 PM – Blasco is hosting nightlife that respects bedtime, complete with a live owl, recorded calls, and talons you can inspect without a tetanus shot. Tamarack’s crew is bringing an owl and a hawk or falcon to compare, and there are only 35 seats, so register early.
🏺 Sip & Spin @ Erie ClaySpace | Saturday (2/28) at 3:00 PM – Trading happy hour for clay hour sounds about right. This laid-back, BYOB pottery class gets you on the wheel, easing you through the basics, no experience required, just a sense of humor and a towel. Bring a buddy, sip, spin, and embrace the mud.
🕺 Soda Shop Sock Hop @ St. John’s Lutheran Church | Saturday (2/28) at 6:15 PM – Feel like proving you can still Jitterbug without needing Advil? Dress 1950s sock hop style, catch a quick lesson, then dance to Latin, Swing, and Ballroom from DJ John Flamini. Bring a shareable snack, members $10, nonmembers $12, first-timers free.
🎗 Hockey Fights Cancer @ Erie Insurance Arena | Saturday (2/28) at 7:00 PM – Skip the griping about the refs and get loud for Hockey Fights Cancer, presented by UPMC Health Plan and UPMC Hamot, as we host Owen Sound. It’s a night that hits the heart, with jerseys up for grabs, and proceeds supporting the Hamot Health Foundation.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Erie report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 26°F – Low: 20°F – Precip: 2%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 26. West wind around 6 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. South wind 2 to 7 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 47°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 47. South wind 7 to 12 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
This house is wild
This charming, well-maintained Millcreek home spotlights a backyard oasis with an in-ground pool and patio. Generous living areas pair with comfortable bedrooms for everyday ease. The sprinkler system keeps the yard looking great all summer. With quick access to shopping, schools, and parks, it blends relaxation, practicality, and a prime location.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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