Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Shopper's know today is Black Friday and Monday is Cyber Monday, when most online holiday shopping is done. But now shoppers who need a fix between Friday and Monday can enjoy the first ever Small Business Saturday . You can even join the Small Business Saturday movement on Facebook . The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce has some ideas for you, too. Check them out at The Chamber Shoppe You can also donate to the American Cancer's Society's Love Lights a Tree in the name of a loved one. Call 814-368-3646 for more information. Or, you could help the entire community by making a donation in a loved one's name to The United Way. Go to UWBA News.org . Remember to check out the great holiday cards while you're there!

The 2010 election is barely over, but a former aide to Rick Santorum has announced that he intends to run against Senator Bob Casey in 2012. Republican Marc Scaringi officially filed this week to challenge Casey's bid for a second term. Scaringi is a 40-year-old Murrysville native who once worked on the staffs and campaigns of Santorum and former state Attorney General Mike Fisher. He's the first to challenge Casey, who says he's starting up his campaign effort and raising money. Casey handily beat the second-term Santorum in 2006. http://www.prleap.com/pr/165523/

Friends – lifelong, brand new and everyone in between but especially – Bona’s friends Vacations Ray, because he answers my e-mails City of Bradford Police Department (FT, BT and UPB, too) Firefighters Marty, Kathy, Cathy Green screens The Morning Buzz Dave “the computer guy” Joe for always returning my calls – and for the photo of that guy from the place NaNoWriMo Digital sound recorders Lew & Lisa Groundhogs who appear out of nowhere People who care about Bradford A job that doesn’t feel like work Everyone I’ve ever thanked on a previous list – and everyone I haven’t What are you thankful for?

Fire destroyed a Brockway home early Wednesday morning. The blaze at Veronica Gourley’s two-story house started at 3:17 a.m. The house was a total loss, and damage is estimated at $200,000. State Police Fire Marshal Greg Agosti says the house was occupied at the time of the fire, but there were no injuries. He says the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Brockway Fire Department was assisted by the Warsaw and Horton township, Falls Creek and DuBois City fire departments.

A Lewis Run woman was hurt in a one-car crash Sunday on Route 6 in Roulette Township. Police say 55-year-old Susan Beckwith was going around a curve when her car left the road, went out of control, hit a utility pole and flipped onto its roof. Beckwith was treated at the scene for minor injuries but declined transport to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital. Her car had to be towed from the scene.

Do you know the answers to the following questions: -What did the Pilgrims eat on their Thanksgiving Day? -Was there turkey at that first “thanksgiving” or harvest feast? -Who actually attended the celebration? -What does Mary’s Little Lamb have to do with Thanksgiving? And why don’t we celebrate in October just like the Pilgrims did? Historian Ken Davis answers all these questions, and more. Listen here . For more information go to Don't Know Much.com .

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director A warehouse was destroyed and an apartment house was damaged, but no one was hurt in a fire this afternoon on Jerome Avenue. Captain Chris Angell tells WESB and The HERO the warehouse was heavily involved in fire and smoke when Bradford City firefighters arrived on the scene. They got the call at 11:39 a.m. and were on the scene for five hours. The warehouse has been declared a total loss. The warehouse was connected to a rental unit with three apartments. Angell said there was “some fire extension into two apartments, but not a lot – a little fire extension, smoke and water damage. But they did not burn up.” “What didn’t get wet was saved,” Angell said. “A little bit of vinyl siding melted (at 19 Jerome Ave.) but the fire did not extend to the house,” Angell said. State Police Fire Marshal Greg Agosti has already been on the scene and has not determined a cause. Angell says the cause will be left undetermined because the warehouse is too hazard...

The Kill Buck man accused of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend last month, is now accused of raping the woman, too. 37-year-old Vernon Botsford is accused of kidnapping his 29-year-old ex-girlfriend, from her Farmington, New York home at knifepoint while her 10-year-old daughter slept nearby. The next morning they stopped at Punxsutawney Area Hospital because the woman’s wrist was cut in the struggle and she needed treatment. At the hospital, she told the staff she had been kidnapped. Botsford was captured shortly after that. New court documents show that Botsford is accused of raping the woman a few days before the kidnapping. In May of 2009, Botsford was sentenced to a year in jail for chasing his girlfriend around her house with a kitchen knife. http://1490newsblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/alleged-kidnapper-back-in-catt-county.html

Bradford City Firefighters have been on the scene of a fire on Jerome Avenue for a little over an hour. Derrick City firemen are on the scene as well. Special Police are directing traffic. We've learned that the buildng is a three-family apartment building. Info to follow ASAP

Check out these sites for travel info: http://www.511ny.org/ http://www.511pa.com/ http://511.org/

If you want to check on the flight your family is coming to town on, go to Flight View.com for real time flight information.

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Bradford City Council passed on first reading a budget that, as is, would mean a tax increase of about 4 mils. But Mayor Tom Riel and all four councilmen said they would not pass it on final reading next month unless significant changes are made. “I’ll never vote for this sort of tax increase,” said Councilman Jim Evans during Tuesday's council meeting. “The tax increase that’s proposed by this (budget) is way out of line with what our citizens can afford,” said Councilman Fred Proper. Proper also noted that the last page of the ordinance says it “shall be effective upon final passage,” which would be December 28. Riel reminded everyone that, just like last year, the first reading of the budget doesn’t look good and, last year, it looked as if a huge millage increase would be necessary, “but we shaved that down to almost nothing.” The anticipated total general fund expenditures for this year are $8,219,233. The submitted expenditures for 201...

Governor David A. Paterson was today joined by Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes and local stakeholders for a ceremonial bill signing of the Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) "Emerging Managers" bill (A.9976-C / S.6888-C). "I am pleased to sign this bill into law, as part of my Administration's ongoing efforts to ensure our State corrects the long-standing disparities in government contracting and procurement," Governor Paterson said. "This legislation is another step we as a State have taken to improve equity in the procurement process and facilitate greater access for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises. Through such actions and initiatives we not only help businesses thrive, we will help our State back on the path of economic recovery and prosperity." The new law will create an Emerging Manager and MWBE financial services strategy to allow greater diversification and expansion of MWBE contracting goals with the State....

Combo Nuvo, one of New York’s leading jazz ensembles, will perform a holiday program at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in the fourth concert of the Friends of Good Music season at St. Bonaventure University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. This unique improvisational ensemble is composed of some of New York City’s leading jazz artists, such as Dave Schroeder, artistic director and harmonica specialist, special guest saxophonist and Grammy winner Billy Drewes, and renowned arranger and composer Rich Shemaria. For this performance, Drewes replaces Lenny Pickett, musical director for NBC-TV’s “Saturday Night Live.” Pickett was originally scheduled as one of the guest artists, but is committed to that night’s live airing of SNL. Combo Nuvo will perform some of the original compositions from the CD “Nouveau Sketches” along with their own arrangements of beloved holiday songs. The group is featured on the forthcoming CD “Christmas from the Blue Note,” recorded at New York City’s legendary...

Students at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford can now minor in digital graphic design, which blends artistry with business skills. Faculty from both the Division of Communication and the Arts and the Division of Management and Education developed the 18-credit minor, which is expected to be popular with students in many majors, including broadcast communications, business management, computer information systems and technology, hospitality management, interdisciplinary arts, and public relations. Already students have begun signing up for the minor, which includes courses in art appreciation, design, digital photography and imaging, drawing, web programming, and visual communication. “It’s already a popular choice for the broadcast communication students, all of whom need to have a minor as part of their requirements,” said Jeff Guterman, associate professor of communication, chairman of the Division of Communication and the Arts, and director...

Tressa Lynn "Tracy" Cassick, 34, of 1216 Hilltop Road, Erie, passed away, Sunday, November 21st, 2010, in Little Valley, NY, following an automobile accident. Born June 24, 1976, in Port Allegany, she was a daughter of Donald R. Brooks, Jr. and Betty J. (Graziano) Bryant. She was formerly married to Mark S. Cassick of Bradford. Ms. Cassick attended Bradford Area Schools and graduated in 1994 from Bradford Central Christian High School. She had attended the University of Pittsburgh Bradford Campus and Penn State Behrend Campus. She had been employed at Copy Connection for eight years and then became self employed with Internet sales. She played in the Women's Football League in Erie, was a ski instructor at Holiday Valley and Peek n Peak Ski Resort, enjoyed traveling, mountain biking, and her dog. Surviving is her father Donald Brooks of Braford, her mother and stepfather Betty (Donald) Bryant of Morganton NC, a sister, Christina Maria Brooks (Peter) Schlosser, a brother, ...

A University of Pittsburgh at Bradford criminal justice professor is taking part in a two-year research project to create a database to help law enforcement handle hostage situations. Assistant professor Dr. Tony Gaskew is working on the FBI-coordinated project, which pairs law enforcement officials with academic researchers who have experience with hostage situations. Gaskew’s own experience in hostage situations and negotiations as a law enforcement officer dealing with drug trafficking in South Florida led to his involvement with the project. The Global Hostage-Taking and Analysis Project (GHosT-RAP) is now in its second phase. During the first phase, researchers compiled information on hostage situations that arose from drug-trafficking. The research protocol involves interviewing actual hostage takers. The current phase is focused on domestic and school violence. The final result will be a database that law enforcement officials can access to help them know what is likely to occur...

WILLIAMSPORT -- The Department of Environmental Protection is continuing to investigate a large hydraulic fracturing fluid spill at an XTO Energy natural gas well pad in Penn Township, Lycoming County, which was first discovered last week. “This spill was initially estimated at more than 13,000 gallons by the company and has polluted an unnamed tributary to Sugar Run and a spring,” said DEP Northcentral Regional Director Nels Taber. “There are also two private drinking water wells in the vicinity that will be sampled for possible impacts.” A DEP inspector discovered the spill while inspecting the well pad. The inspector found that the bottom valve on a 21,000-gallon fracking fluid tank was open and discharging fluid off the well pad. No one else was present at the pad, which has one producing Marcellus well. The DEP inspector was able to close the valve and XTO Energy officials were immediately contacted about the spill. The company has not provided any explanation for the open valve. ...

Dr. Michael Klausner, associate professor of sociology at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, presented a paper about teens’ use of texting devices at the 60th meeting of the Pennsylvania Sociological Society held at Mansfield University. Klausner’s paper, titled “The Ubiquitous Use of Electronic Devices by Teens for Communication and Learning: An Interdisciplinary Analysis,” discussed the effects that teens’ frequent use of electronic devices may have on their learning, identity, attention span, interpersonal relationships and tendency towards bullying. He noted that research has shown that it is not uncommon for teens to text message as many as 2,000 messages a month. The use of electronic devices for many has become an essential part of their “identity” and has led to a “dependence” on such if not a downright “addiction” to the technology. Klausner discussed research indicating that both teens and adults “process” material that is read off computer monitors differently than wh...

Emergency crews are continuing their efforts to rescue an injured teenage hunter from Zoar Valley. Erie County’s Air One helicopter found the hunter in Cattaraugus Creek between two high cliffs. They were able to get him out of the water, but are still working to get him out of the gorge. Air One was running low on fuel and had to land until it could be re-fueled. Emergency personnel say the young man from Gowanda has a severe head injury and possibly a broken leg.

Foster Township Police Department is one of approximately 200 new law enforcement agencies that are joining Buckle Up Pennsylvania for the holiday Click It or Ticket initiative. This brings the total number of Pennsylvania departments to around 650, an all-time high. Any unbuckled driver stopped and cited for a primary offense will receive a second seat belt citation for not buckling up. This high-visibility enforcement, along with education and public awareness activities, will be utilized throughout the upcoming Click It or Ticket mobilization, which runs Nov. 19 – Dec. 3. The seat belt mobilization is also part of Operation Safe Holiday, a comprehensive traffic safety initiative that targets aggressive drivers, impaired drivers and unbuckled travelers during the busy holiday season. Operation Safe Holiday runs through Jan. 1, 2011. Buckle Up Pennsylvania was formed in 2000 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and PennDOT to aid state and local police in seat...

The woman who died in a crash on Route 242 near Ellicottville Sunday has been identified. Police say 34-year-old Tressa Cassick of Erie died when she veered into the opposite lane and collided with an oncoming truck at arouond 1 o’clock Sunday afternoon. No one in the truck was hurt. Police are continuing their investigation.

The United Way of the Bradford Area has made great gains in recent days, announcing today that the organization has to date raised 51% of its $325,000 goal. “We couldn’t be more excited about this,” says Executive Director Kelly Case. “We knew we had received a substantial amount of pledges in, but were honestly shocked to be able to make such a leap. We still have a lot of work to do with only 22 days remaining. We need the entire community to embrace our mission and help us reach the necessary $325,000.” “It’s always inspirational to see the generosity in this community during the United Way campaign,” says Megan Mangini, Community Relations and Marketing Specialist. “We still have a long way to go; $158,300 is a large amount to raise in less than a month. The United Way needs the support of the community to realize their goal. Each and every community member makes a difference and we cannot express our gratitude enough for all that everyone does. The organization is continuing this ...

Thanksgiving is traditionally a time of year when a large number of vehicles are on the road. To ensure that holiday trips are as safe as possible, PennDOT announces that a safety break with a free coffee center will be set up at the westbound rest area along Interstate 80 in Clinton County this weekend. Volunteers from the Central Mountain Band Boosters will offer the service to travelers at the rest area located near mile marker 194 from Friday, Nov. 26 at 6 a.m. until Sunday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. Other non-profit groups will staff coffee stations throughout the state in a program coordinated through PennDOT. The safety break program encourages motorists to take a break from driving during busy holiday travel times such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving. For information on sponsoring a safety break site, contact PennDOT’s Roadside Specialist Michael Heitzenrater at 814-205-1192. PennDOT’s District 2 includes Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata,...