Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director The City of Bradford has come up with a new battle plan in its fight against blight. Instead of demolishing only a handful of properties this year, they’re going to go after many more by, as OECD director Sara Andrews said, getting more bang for their buck. She explained that every year $30,000 of Community Development Block Grant money is set aside for demolition. But this year, they are going take out a loan for $150,000 and pay back the loan with the CDBG money. Andrews said she checked with the state Department of Community and Economic Development and they said using the money that way would be fine. City Council on Tuesday authorized OECD to send letters to lending institutions in an effort to secure the loan. She said Councilman Rhett Kennedy has complied of list of 56 properties that need to be demolished, and that list is growing. She added that they are in the process of getting the “legal end of things” tied up so they can secure the ...

Tortuga's Restaurant will be serving free Christmas meals from 1 to 5 p.m. on Christmas Day. The Christmas dinner will be prepared by Mike Dolan of Ott & McHenry Pharmacy and Jeremy Callinan of Tortuga's. It includes appetizers, main course and soft drinks. (Alcoholic beverages are not included.) Anyone who wants a hot Christmas meal is welcome. http://tortugasrestaurant.com The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The Winter Sounds, a national touring band based out of Nashville, TN will be playing at Tortugas West Texas Bar and Grill on Sunday, 10/2 at 5pm. Playing with The Winter Sounds will be local band, Irie. There will be a $3 cover for the show which will be ALL AGES. About The Winter Sounds: The Nashville 5 piece plays anthemic new wave indie rock punk and folk w/ unique instrumentation and a high energy live show. The band is doing Daytrotter, CMJ, is on tour all year supporting/packaging w/ Junior Astronomers, Rocketboys, 500 Miles to Memphis, Moonlight Bride and many more, are promoting their new EP release "L'été des Trois Michelles" and a vinyl re-release of their critically acclaimed sophomore LP "Church of the Haunted South". They have finished tracking their 3rd LP "Runner" recorded by Scott Solter (Spoon, St Vincent, Okkervil River); set for an early 2012 release w/ a full press, publicity and radio campaign through XO Publicity and Team Clermon...

The next “Lunch in the Square” event will be held on Wednesday, July 13 at Veterans’ Square, Downtown Bradford from 11:30 until 1:00 pm. Entertainment will be provided by local favorites “Take 3”. Participating restaurants include Chu Lee Gardens, Dari Hut, John Williams European Pastry Shop, The New Broaster, Dairy Queen, Tortugas Restaurant and The Grocery Stretcher. The ‘Lunch in the Square’ program is sponsored by The Downtown Bradford Business District Authority, Bradford Rotary and Zippo Manufacturing.

The first “Lunch in the Square” of the season will be held on Wednesday, May 11 at Veterans’ Square from 11:30 until 1:00 pm. Entertainment will be provided by the Bradford Area High School Disney Choir and vocal students. Participating restaurants include Chu Lee Gardens, Dari Hut, John Williams European Pastry Shop, The New Broaster, Tortugas Restaurant and The Grocery Stretcher. “We are really excited to kick off this new season.” said Main Street Manager, Anita Dolan. “Area restaurants have been very supportive of this program and it is a great opportunity for people to meet with friends, relax, enjoy great food and listen to great entertainment! This year, especially, I think people are ready to get outside and enjoy some nice weather,” Dolan added. The ‘Lunch in the Square’ program is sponsored by The Downtown Bradford Business District Authority.

Leadership McKean is first recipient of Directors’ Award The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the recipients of their 2011 Awards along with the nominees to be honored in each category. Leadership McKean has been selected by the BACC Board of Directors as the first recipient of the Directors’ Award, designed to be chosen by vote among the Board of Directors and awarded to an individual or organization which has earned special recognition. John Sullivan, President of the BACC Board of Directors, stated, “Leadership McKean has had a tremendous impact in our community over the last five years, and we have certainly felt that positive influence at the Chamber. In fact, nearly half of our board members are Leadership McKean alumni, or are current students in the program. That participation is testimony to the success of the program. As a member of the second Leadership McKean class in 2008, I know how much it inspired me to get more involved in the community. Deve...

Saturday was the first-ever Tortugas Binge Bowl presented by 100.1 The HERO. Igor took on challenger Zach Ruth to see who could eat the most tacos in 15 minutes. Here, Igor gets pumped up before the contest. Igor greets a young fan. Zach gives Igor the evil eye. Zach flexes his muscles as Tortugas owner Jeremy Callinan looks on. Jeremy was a judge, too. Zach, holding his Binge Bowl trophy, gets congratulations from a fan. Yes, he beat Igor by eating 10 tacos to Igor's 7. Video to follow ... and you won't want to miss it! Photos by Amanda Kleps and Anne Holliday

The final schedule of activities has been announced for the Pumpkin Fest which will be held in Bradford’s downtown historic district on Sunday, October 24th from Noon to 4 p.m. At the Hooker Fulton Building there will be games such as pumpkin bowling, pin the wart on the witch and face painting, hair braiding and henna tattoos. In the parking area there will be pony rides and a 4H display. Food items will include Halloween popcorn and baked goods. At the PNC bank parking lot there will be pie throwing, pumpkin patch soccer, a prize wheel, a reading corner and other pumpkin themed games. There will also be a booth set up by the Bradford City Police Department and the Project Pride Elm Street program that will have Halloween safety information. Trick or Treat bags to be used for trick or treating will be distributed. Hay rides will begin in front of the PNC bank area. Entrants for the Great Pumpkin Measuring Contest can enter their pumpkins and have them measured in the PNC parking lot a...

3rd Annual Summer Soiree- Wednesday, July 21, 5:00 – 7:30 pm at Heritage Suites 139 Minard Run Road, Bradford ~ Admission $10 or FREE with 200 Club Ticket Food by Andy Mascioni Catering, Beverages by Bradford City Beers and Tortuga’s Restaurant, Music by Take 3. Additional sponsors include: Heritage Suites, Northwest Savings Bank and Bisett Building Center/Just Ask Rental FUN! NETWORKING! DOOR PRIZES! Open to Public! For more information or to RSVP please call BACC office at 368.7115

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Frustration has been growing among Atlantic Broadband customers about television reception, and one person took his concerns to Bradford City Council Tuesday. Bradford resident Brad Mangel said, with the franchise contract coming up for renewal in a couple of years, maybe the city could do something. “The lower channels are terrible and they’re not doing anything about it,” Mangel said. "This new digital TV …was supposed to be a Godsend. Well, to me, it’s made my television reception worse,” he added. Police Chief Chris Lucco asked if Mangel had tried contacting the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Mangel said cable companies are not governed by the PUC. “I wish I could go to the PUC,” he said, “but it wouldn’t do any good.” "I’ll keep complaining to Atlantic Broadband and they’ll keep telling me it’s a satellite signal and clouds get in front of them, and I know better. I think they have some issues with their lines,” Mangel sa...

The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce announces its 3rd annual Summer Soiree to be held July 21st from 5-7:30pm at Heritage Suites, 139 Minard Run Road. The Summer Soiree is an adult networking event, open to the public, which will include refreshments by Bradford City Beers and Tortugas Restaurant, hearty hors d’oeuvres by Andy Mascioni Catering, and live music by Take 3. Heritage Suites will offer tours during the event. This event is an opportunity to socialize and network in a fun, casual atmosphere. There will be door prizes and the drawing for the 200 Club raffle will be held at 6:30pm. There is a nominal admission fee of $10 per person. One FREE admission is included with the purchase of a 200 Club ticket. This popular 50/50 raffle only has 200 tickets with 27 prizes ranging from $100 up to $1000. Part of the proceeds from this fundraiser benefit BACC community outreach programs such as community holiday lighting displays. Contact the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce for your l...