SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
What do Boyz II Men and David Hairston
have in common? See page 12. Vol. LI
arborcreek Wal-Mart opens
..,soci ate . sings , nation, .m at , gr. _ opening ipercenter in
Harborcreek Township. Local officials hope it's only the beginning of an expanded Buffalo Road retail district
by Daniel J. Stasiewski
managing editor
Thrifty shoppers and poor college students in
the East Erie area rejoiced Wednesday when the
new Harborcreek Wal-Mart Supercenter opened
its doors
The 183,000 square foot. shopping center at
5741 Buffalo Road is the largest Wal-Mart in Erie
County and features the usual Wal-Mart products
plus a full-service automotive center, a pharmacy,
Lion Cash system
by Ben Raymond
staff writer
According to Behrend officials, this is the last se
mester for the Lion Cash system ere at Behrend. The
change in student ID numbers for the Fall 2(XI-1 semes
ter has given the University the option to try something
new.
The Lion Cash system came in to effect at Behrend in
1997. It was projected to be a valuable asset to students
and make residence life much easier. Six months ago
Housing and Food Services took over the Lion Cash
system, because the company that brought this service
went out of business. This means that when something
goeN w7ong with the machines that Penn State is respon-
Applebee's waiter serves more than
by Brad Stewart
staff writer
When you think of Applebee's you
probably think: decent food, decent
service, and reasonable price. What you
do not think of is magic. Prepare to be
amazed! Applebee's, 7790 Peach Street,
has its very own food serving magician.
His name is Marty—Marty the magician.
Marty is not the circus act or child's
birthday party-type magician. He is a
veteran server who performs tricks that
are small but just as amusing as any
grandiose presentation by a costume
wearing entertainer.
One ball becomes two and then
appears from behind your ear; a
handkerchief slides into his hand and
vanishes.
His relationship with magic developed
completely by chance. He was once an
employee of a steak and lobster joint
called the Sir Walter Raleigh Inn located
in Bethesda, Md., his home town.
After the Inn installed a larger-than
life sized salad bar, Marty found that
there was a common theme of costumers
NEWS 1-3
CALENDAR 4
EDITORIAL 5
being unable to finish their entrees. He
began carrying doggy-bags in his back
pocket, and upon the request of a bag he
would quickly slide one out of his pocket
and faster than you could say, "Don't
mess with Texas," Marty had the meal
safely secured and ready for the ride
home.
Costumers were amazed at his speed.
astounded by the skill of his doggy-bag
wielding. Diners began demanding an
encore—they wanted more magic.
Marty is self-taught. He has never
read any magic books or studied under
any magic masters. "I went to a magic
store and asked, 'What are the easiest
tricks you've got that I can do over and
over again?"
He does not plan to cease performing
his magical feats any time soon. When
asked if his tricks ever become
monotonous and he should some day like
to quit he replied, "I like it too much.
When you see the looks on little kids'
faces it's completely worth it." Also,
Marty says that thanks to his tricks,
added to his sparkling personality, his
tips have been better than average. So
Inside This Issue
GREEK 6
FEATURES 7
A&E 8-9
BThe Behrend weep s
eaconammv26Ro
_ R EN L 4O II L,LEGE
•7l Penn State Erie Student Publication•
Friday, January 23, 200,
a snack bar, a vision center, a large grocery sec
tion with bakery and deli, and a photo center.
Store Manager, Kevin Hotovy is optimistic to
ward the success of the supercenter and doesn't
ignore the college population that's just minutes
away.
"I was a college student myself and I know how
Ifrugall I was when going to school," said Hotovy.
But not all college students are as enthusiastic
about the grand opening of the new Wiil-Mart.
Nicole Swartzentruber, COMBA 06, who grew
Bible for fixing it
Since the installment of Lion Cash there has been a
growing list of problems and complaints from students.
In order to add money to an account, students must have
their ID card present. Even when a student has the avail
able cash and their card, there is no guarantee that one
of the very few Lion Cash machines will be operational.
There is always the possibility of losing one's card and
that means that whatever money was on the card is now
gone. Students living farther up on the hill, such as those
in the apartments, Ohio or Almy halls are really incon
venienced by these things.
"Sometimes the cash machine isn't worth walking
across campus in 10 degree weather," said Almy Hall
resident Carinne Kni *ht COMBA 02 about the hassle
for anyone looking to become a server,
working on your own magical act might
not be a bad idea.
He has been serving and making kids
laugh for almost 30 years—seven of
them spent working for Applebee's.
When asked to describe Marty, a fellow
employee said, "He is very personable.
Kids love him. They love to see magic
Marty."
And he knows how to deal with kids.
The oldest of 12 brothers and sisters, and
the proud father of three daughters (sorry
ladies, he is married), he is no stranger
to young people, making Applebee's a
great place to take the family for dinner.
For those hungry people worrying that
Marty's acts will cut into eating time, let
your fears be quelled. His tricks are
quick and fun and like any good server
he knows when to step back and let the
chow be chewed.
If you are looking for a restaurant with
decent food, and excellent service at a
reasonable price, check out Applebee's
on Peach Street and do not be afraid to
ask for Marty the Magician.
AD 10
SPORTS 11-12
it) Katie Beers, MISBD
, 4 ,5 07, an off-campus student
a)
c from Meadville, doesn't see
L f . , the opening as development
m cc at all
"I do believe is going
. 2 - to ruin all the businesses and
that's going to end up being
( 75 the only business around,"
1— said Beers
Beers' fears aren't un
-' •
tounded, as the Wal-Mart
Corporation is expecting to
open a fifth Wal-Mart in the
area at 26th and Broad Street
in the city, but citizens from
the surrounding area are
more enthusiastic.
"We need the Lowe's
and the Home Depot," said
Kimberly Henry, who trav-
eled from Ripley, N.Y., to
make it to the Harborcreek superstore's grand
opening
"What's the first restaurant?" asks Pam Sharp
of North East, who believes Wal-Mart is just the
first step toward development of a Buffalo Road.
retail district. To her, development is inevitable.
The only people more optimistic than the citi
zens are local government officials.
"The potential that is created from this opening
is tremendous." state Rep. Tom Scrimenti, who
was on hand at the grand opening to present the
coming to an end
of getting something as simple as laundry done.
Starting in the Fall Semester of 2(X)4, Behrend stu
dents will be receiving new student IDs with a new stu
dent number. Students will no longer be using their so
cial security numbers. Behrend has approved the idea
for a new system to replace Lion Cash that should elimi
nate these problems and hopefully make residence lite
much easier.
The new system would operate similarly to the Diner's
Club meal plan. Students would be able to add money
to their account from their rooms by either using a credit
card or ATM card or by going to the ID office.
Transactions would be instantaneous, which would
mean that students wouldn't have to go all over
cam eus before the could do their laundr or make , ho-
Peach Street Applebee's waiter Marty the Magician serves up more
than just food. He has been providing his customers with friendly
service and magical tricks for years.
NEWSROOM: 898-6488 E-MAIL: Offices are located
FAX: 898-6019 behrcolls@aol.corn downstairs in the
Reed Union Building
up in Harborcreek and still
works at the township's
Shur-tine convenience store,
has mixed feelings about the
opening.
"I'm happy and sad,"
said Swartzentruber. "Shur
fine will lose business but I
won't have to go to Peach
Street to go to Wal-Mart."
Contact Us
Show time's edgy new series . airs
Sundays, See page 8.
No. 15
store with a citation from the state House of Rep
resentatives for contributing t(i "the well-being of
the community and ultimately to all the people of
the Commonwealth."
"The excitement that's gone on here at this
grand opening just a sign of things to conic." said
Scrimenti.
Scrimenti not only anticipates interest from lo
cal shoppers, but international attention as well.
"The proximity to New York state and Canaria
bodes well for the growth of this area," said
Scrimenti. "We have buses that travel to our malls.
and now this is even closer for them to travel."
Harborcreek Supervisor Kenneth Springirth said
he, too, saw the Wal-Mart as a positive de \ elop
ment for the expanding Buffalo Road retail dis
trict. Springirth emphasized that the new Wal-
Mart is the largest shopping center that sells sales
tax-free apparel between Pennsylvania and the Ca
nadian border.
Despite international appeal, Springirth and his
fellow supervisors Donna Mindek and e
Bossert tried to ensure that the Harborcreek store
had a look that would fit the community.
"The board of supervisors worked with the de
veloper, H F Lenz Co., in the store design, so this
is a unique Wal-Mart," said Springirth. "We think
it's going to be a showcase for our retail district."
Both Springirth and Scrimenti had no informa
tion regarding further developments surrounding
the Wal-Mart, but Springirth said he expects
Northwest Savings Bank to begin construction this
year on a free-standing banking facility at Buf
falo Road and Cook Avenue.
Recently the Eastway Plaza has seen the addi
tion of new businesses including the Eastway
Plaza Cinemas, Endless Entertainment, and
Aaron's Rental. With the Wal-Mart ready to serve
the Harborcreek area 24-hours a day, 364 days
year, Springirth believes more stores will soon set
up shop on Buffalo Road.
"Opportunities really abound in Harborcreek
Township," said Springirth. "This is the key to
Eastern Erie County."
tocopies. For this to happen there are several things that
the University needs to do.
The system would be run through a separate Internet
server so all of the card readers on the washing and vend
ing machines, as well as the copiers, would have to he
replaced. In their place would be a card swiper that
would be similar to the ones at Dobbins Hall or Bruno's
Cafe. The residence halls would also have to he fitted
with ports to connect to the system. With renovations
already planned for Niagara and Perry halls and with
Senat Hall scheduled for completion in the fall, the ad
dition of these things would be fairly inexpensive and
no problems are foreseen as of yet. The system is tenta
tively scheduled to be operational August I , 20(4.
ood