Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

I'm taking a few days off, so don't expect many (if any) posts 'til Monday. Hope to see some of you at the Bromeley Family Theater for A Christmas Story .

Dr. Lee Spear, who re-established the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s College-Community Choir in 1997 and contributed to the design of Blaisdell Hall, is retiring from Pitt-Bradford at the end of the fall semester. Spear, who earned his own bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Oberlin College, began his teaching career at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., where he started a combined men’s and women’s chorus shortly after Hamilton became co-educational. Later he earned doctor of musical arts in conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. From Hamilton College, Spear moved on to Chautauqua County, N.Y., where he became the artistic director of the Chautauqua Chamber Singers. The Chautauqua Chambers Singers regularly assisted in the concerts of Allan Slovenkay, who founded the College-Community Choir at Pitt-Bradford, served as its director and taught music. The Chautauqua Chamber Singers also appeared annu...

From Main Street Manager Anita Dolan: Area residents are encouraged to ring in the New Year family style by participating in First Night Bradford. Buttons are now on sale for the event which will be held on Wednesday, December 31st. Buttons may be purchased at Tina’s Hallmark, The Grocery Stretcher, JD Novelties, Tops Supermarkets and all Crosby's locations. Events scheduled throughout the day include movies beginning at 10 a.m. at the Bradford Movie House, an art show, bowling, ice skating, swimming, a trail hike, an inflatable children’s carnival, karaoke, teen bands, Celtic music, the Wild World of Animals, a ventriloquist and a local music variety show. The event will end at midnight with fireworks provided by Zambelli Fireworks International. For a complete listing of events, details and locations, people can visit www.firstnightbradford.org .

A Bradford-based motorcycle club called The Wanderers made good on its promise for another Christmas holiday by giving presents Wednesday to Bradford Regional Medical Center’s Health Beginnings Plus, located at 222 W. Washington St. The club holds fundraisers throughout the year so it can purchase presents. Members of the club say they’ve been donating presents to Healthy Beginnings Plus for nearly 20 years. Shown in the photo (from left) are: Fred Otto of The Wanderers; 10-year-old Ashton Little; Timothy Deyoe of The Wanderers; Healthy Beginnings Plus secretary Brenda Osborne, who’s holding 2-week-old Trinity Tipton; and David Farr, also of The Wanderers. The presents will be given to Healthy Beginnings Plus families until the supply is depleted. Healthy Beginnings Plus provides prenatal and postpartum healthcare for mothers and babies. The staff includes nurses, a dietitian and a social worker who offer a range of services to women enrolled in the Pennsylvania Medical Assistance Prog...

Lieutenant Governor Joe Scarnati has written a letter to the state Department of Community and Economic Development saying he's disappointed with the recently released Tourism Promotion Assistance guidelines. He says the administration has unilaterally taken action to provide Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with exorbitant funding at the expense of rural areas in much greater need. He says many communities in the 25th senatorial district rely on tourism to sustain their economic viability, and to cut funding during these difficult economic times is incomprehensible. Scarnati says if the department doesn't re-evaluate its guidelines, he will correct the inequities through the legislative and budgetary process. You can read Scarnati's letter to DCED Acting Secretary John Blake HERE . (PDF)

Tony Defilippi of Cameron County has been named D9 Sports dot com football coach of the year. Ross Nicholson of Kane has been named defensive player of the year and Nick Redden of Clearfield is offensive lineman of the year. Jarrin Campman of Clearfield is the overall player of the year and Derek Buganza of Brockway is the rookie of the year. For the full story, go to D9Sports.com .

Three months following the effective date of Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Air Act banning smoking in most public places, the author of the law, State Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf (R-Montgomery / Bucks) announced that he is introducing legislation in the new session which begins in January that would expand the state’s smoking ban. Greenleaf, who first introduced smokefree legislation in 1993, said, “We have fought long and hard, and have won a major victory for the health of Pennsylvanians. The current Clean Indoor Air Act removes secondhand smoke from about 95% of workplaces and public areas in this Commonwealth. The adoption of these new amendments will provide Pennsylvania with a more comprehensive smoking ban.” Greenleaf’s Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008 arrives two years after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared cigarette smoke a class ‘A’ carcinogen, the agency’s rating for the most lethal of cancer causing substances. According to the EPA, there is no saf...

Time magazine named President-elect Barack Obama its "Person of the Year" for 2008. The magazine says Obama "has come to dominate the public sphere so completely that it beggars belief to recall that half the people in America had never heard of him two years ago." For the full story, go to Time.com .

Federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh say they've broken up a violent crack cocaine ring headed by the nephew of former University of Pittsburgh star and Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett. Authorities say 31-year-old Anthony Dorsett of Aliquippa and 12 others sold crack and powder cocaine since 2003. An indictment unsealed Tuesday detailed the operation as authorities arrested most of the suspects. They say Dorsett had previously been arrested Saturday in West Virginia. The drug trafficking was centered in a public housing complex in Aliquippa. For more information, go HERE .

You may have heard this yesterday on The Morning Buzz. Now it's everywhere. EASTON, Pa. (AP) — Three-year-old Adolf Hitler Campbell is cute, cuddly and, for now, blissfully unaware of the shock value conveyed by his first and middle names. That may be changing, though. The youngster was at the center of a recent dispute between his parents and a local supermarket that refused to spell out his name on a cake for his birthday party last weekend. For the full story, go to pennlive.com .

The state Department of Environmental Protection has rejected the update to the city's sewage transfer infrastructure, saying that there's not an agreement on the plan between the city and the surrounding municipalities. DEP says it won't accept the plan until the city, Bradford and Foster townships and Lewis Run agree on terms for the plant expansion and funding commitment. Township and Lewis Run officials say they don't want to raise their residents' rates because they don't contribute to the problem with the sewage system. DEP has given the municipalities 90 days to come up with a draft of an agreement.

An Eldred Township home was heavily damaged by a fire Tuesday afternoon, but no one was hurt. About 100 firefighters from 10 departments battled the blaze at the home of Bruce and Tammy Ireland on North Branch Road. Firefighters were on the scene for about 7 hours. They say the fire was accidental but a state police fire marshal will be on the scene today to investigate.

Joe Paterno will be coaching the Nittany Lions through the 2011 season. Penn State University President Graham Spanier announced the contract agreement today. He and athletic director Tim Curley agreed that they might re-evaluate the circumstances and alter the arrangement by either shortening or extending the contact as necessary. Paterno, who turns 82 on Sunday, guided Penn State to an 11-1 regular season this year. The sixth-ranked Nittany Lions face No. 5 USC in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.

HARRISBURG: (Dec. 16, 2008) – Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski said troopers and motor carrier enforcement officers who work on busy roadways have an added measure of protection now that they have new, high-visibility safety vests for directing traffic and carrying out other duties. “These bright yellow vests will enhance officer safety because they can be spotted easily by drivers from a distance,” said Pawlowski, who added that a study by the Emergency Responder Safety Institute found that about 50 police officers, firefighters and rescue personnel have been struck by vehicles while performing duties along roads this year. “Working in traffic can be dangerous,” said Pawlowski. “Troopers who direct traffic, investigate crashes, conduct safety checkpoints, and handle lane closures are expected to wear these vests. Additionally, though, I urge all drivers to slow down and proceed with caution when encountering any emergency vehicle stopped along the road.” Ab...

“While there is no doubt that New York State must effectively deal with a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall due to our Nation’s recession, there are several areas of concern.” “Hiking taxes and fees on families who already are struggling is not the right thing to do. Abolishing systems that detect welfare fraud also is a huge step backward. We need more accountability in government, not less. And, there seems to be no initiatives to stimulate the economy and grow more jobs. In fact, this budget would weaken the Empire Zone Program, which has been an effective economic development tool. We’ve kept and added thousands of new jobs in my Senate district through the Empire Zones. Rebuilding our economy is the best route to recovery and prosperity.” “I already am hearing from my constituents about the budget’s impact on them. We in the state Legislature are rolling up our sleeves to fully review these proposals, and we will gain more information in upcoming budget hearings.”

Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder Sr. is urging the Seneca people to give its leaders a chance to peacefully work out a solution with New York State regarding the bill signed by Governor David Paterson that would tax cigarettes. 11 years ago when then-Governor George Pataki attempted to collect taxes, the Senecas reacted with violence and tire fires on the New York State Thruway and I-86. At a news conference today, Snyder said he sent a letter to Paterson asking for another meeting on the issue. He also sent a letter to President Bush notifying him of a treaty violation. The Senecas say the Buffalo Creek Treaty – which dates back to George Washington – exempts them from taxes being collected on retail sales.

Proposals to increase the fees that companies must pay to drill into the Marcellus Shale natural gas formation in Pennsylvania are past a first hurdle. The Environmental Quality Board approved a Department of Environmental Protection request to impose new fees for Marcellus Shale drilling permits that will replace the flat $100 permit fee with a variable fee structure based on well depth. The new fee structure sets a base permit cost of $900 for all Marcellus Shale wells up to 1,500 feet deep, and imposes an additional cost of $100 for every 500 feet of depth past 1,500 feet. The DEP says the new fee structure will help ensure adequate funding to cover program expenses for permit reviews and well site inspections. The fee increase will also allow the department to hire additional staff in Meadville, Pittsburgh and Williamsport to process permits and monitor drilling activities in the northcentral and northeastern areas of the commonwealth.

The Cattaraugus Resident Center in Limestone and the Great Valley Residential Center are two of the casualties in Governor David Paterson's budget proposal. In the proposal unveiled this morning, Paterson also said aid to public schools will be cut by $700 million, state university tuition will go up and state workers who aren't laid off will get no pay raises. The proposal also calls for re-instating the sales tax on clothing as well as taxing satellite television and radio users. It also calls for higher taxes on beer and wine and a new state fee for people who write bad checks. Auto registration and license fees would also increase. For more details on Paterson's proposal, visit the governor's Web site .

The American Cancer Society today launched its Patient Navigator Program at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), thanks to support received from AstraZeneca. This is the first site to launch in Upstate New York State as part of a strategic nationwide effort to significantly extend the reach of this innovative program and assist individual cancer patients in negotiating the health care system. “A cancer diagnosis can be a life-changing experience for patients, their families and their caregivers,” said Gretchen Leffler, regional vice president of the American Cancer Society. “Our patient navigator is able to provide support every step of the way, from explaining what to expect with chemotherapy, to helping patients find transportation to appointments and even linking them with free temporary housing like at our Buffalo Hope Lodge. Fighting cancer is a difficult, challenging journey; but with the help of trained American Cancer Society patient navigators, people don’t have to go throug...

People who live in the northern portion of the 75th District can now get answers to their legislative questions with the opening of a St. Marys district office for state Rep.-elect Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk). "We are very excited to be here for the citizens of Elk County," Gabler said. "This office has a great staff that is ready and anxious to serve the residents of the district. I promised to put the needs of my constituents first, and I demand that of the personnel working in my offices." The St. Marys office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is located at 53 South St. Marys Street, Suite 2. Elissa Cunningham and Fritz Lecker will staff the office full-time Monday through Friday. The DuBois office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is staffed by Rich Kenawell and Rob Gaertner. Constituents may stop by the office, which is in Suite 10 of the DuBois Area Plaza, 1221 East DuBois Avenue. Until local phone numbers are established, you can contact Gabler...

Someone has stolen a baby Jesus figure from a crèche on Independence Mall in Philadelphia. Police are still investigating the weekend theft. A nearby church lent a replacement figure of the baby Jesus for a dedication ceremony on Monday. Organizer John Kelly of the National Park Service says officials thought the foot-long figure was securely bolted down. Security cameras didn't reveal anything about the theft.

A Bradford man accused of trying to rob the Domino's Pizza in Allegany has pleaded not guilty in Cattaraugus County Court. 21-year-old James Munday has been indicted on charges of attempted robbery, criminal use of a firearm and conspiracy. The indictment charges that on October 9 he and Bradford residents James Baribeau and Douglas Carnahan attempted to steal property from Domino's while Munday displayed what appeared to be a gun. Munday is being held in Cattaraugus County Jail. Baribeau and Carnahan are in McKean County Jail on charges related to other robberies in the area.

DuBOIS - The American Legion building in DuBois held a standing room only crowd Monday morning for the unveiling and dedication of two signs honoring SFC Michael J. Tully, who was killed last year near Baghdad, Iraq. For the full story, go to Courier-Express .

The Tri-Town Junior Firefighters will be holding a spaghetti dinner on Thursday Dec. 18th from 5-7PM. The dinner is to benefit the Tom Williams family who lost their home and all thier belongings in a fire this past Sunday morning. Duane and Brandon Williams are Junior Firefighters with the Tri-Town Fire Co.

Sarah Palin lost the election, but she's a winner to a connoisseur of quotations. The Republican vice presidential candidate and her comedic doppelganger, Tina Fey, took the top two spots in this year's list of most memorable quotes compiled by Fred R. Shapiro. First place was "I can see Russia from my house!" spoken in satire of Palin's foreign policy credentials by Fey on "Saturday Night Live." Palin's actual quote was: "They're our next-door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska." For the complete story, go to The Associated Press .

(CNN) -- Caroline Kennedy, the 51-year-old daughter of President John F. Kennedy, has made it clear to high-level Democrats that she wants to be the next senator from New York, a source close to Kennedy has told CNN's John King. For the full story, go to CNN.com .

The Pennsylvania attorney general is investigating the charity at the heart of the federal corruption case against former State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo - an inquiry that could force the organization to shut down. A spokesman for Attorney General Tom Corbett said the conduct of Citizens' Alliance for Better Neighborhoods "raises red flags all over the place." For the full story, go to philly.com .

Troyer Farms, the Waterford, PA-based potato chip and snack food maker, is getting close to selling the company. Mark Troyer, president of the family-owned business, says he plans to meet with employees this afternoon about plans to sell the company to a buyer whose name has not been released. Terms of the sale call for keeping the Route 97 open and the company's employees on the job. Troyer Farms, which has been in business since 1967, employs about 300 people.

Attorney General Tom Corbett today announced that Pennsylvania, along with 40 other states, have reached a consumer protection agreement with Mattel and Fisher-Price concerning children’s toys that were recalled because they allegedly contained excessive levels of lead. “Toy-makers have an obligation to parents and other consumers to ensure that the products they market and sell will not threaten the health and well-being of the children who play with these items,” Corbett said. “This agreement is a step in the right direction, requiring Mattel and Fisher-Price to take immediate action to reduce children’s exposure to lead and make their products safer for young users.” Corbett said the consent judgment filed today with Mattel, Inc., of El Segundo, California, and Fisher-Price, Inc., of East Aurora, New York, requires the payment of $12 million to the states. Pennsylvania will receive $540,874 to support consumer protection and enforcement activities or to enhance toy safety education ...

Christina Graham, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s director of student activities, was named Outstanding Professional at the National Association for Campus Activities Mid America Awards last month. The award was presented at NACA’s Mid America Regional Conference in Peoria, Ill. Graham joined Pitt-Bradford in 2002 and has demonstrated outstanding leadership at the university, said Dr. Holly Spittler, associate dean of student affairs. “Since coming to Pitt-Bradford, Christina has brought a high level of vitality and excitement to campus life,” said Spittler said. “She has a strong impact on students as she serves as the advisor of the Student Activities Council, the co-advisor of Student Government Association and coordinator of the fall new student orientation program.” Under her leadership, SAC and SGA have flourished to the point that Pitt-Bradford was one of five colleges nominated for Campus Activities Magazine’s Campus of...

Gov. David Paterson has signed a bill to enforce collection of excise taxes on cigarettes sold at Indian-owned stores. Paterson traveled to Utica to sign the measure earlier today. Supporters believe collecting the tax would bring the state more than $62 million a year at a time Paterson is projecting budget deficits of tens of billions of dollars over the next few years. Indian tribes view the law as an attack on their sovereignty and financial well-being. The law prohibits manufacturers from selling tobacco products without a state tax stamp to any wholesaler that doesn't certify the cigarettes wont be resold tax-free. The state excise tax is $2.75 per pack. State Senator Cathy Young is urging Paterson and the Seneca Nation to undertake discussions to find a peaceful and productive resolution to their differences.

ALBANY, N.Y. - A "Saturday Night Live" skit portraying New York's blind governor as a bumbling leader didn't get a laugh from Gov. David Paterson. For the full story, go HERE .