Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Yesterday’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford welcomed a special guest. Jonathan Deal from South Africa is one of this year’s winners of the Goldman Environmental Prize, which is sometimes called the Nobel Prize for the environmental movement. With no prior experience in grassroots organizing, Deal led a successful campaign against fracking in South Africa to protect the Karoo, a semi-desert region treasured for its agriculture, beauty and wildlife. Deal also met with President Obama last week. Today, to celebrate Earth Day, students from Bradford Area High School are watching and discussing many of the films shown during yesterday’s film festival. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Titusville, Pa. – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, today issued the following statement regarding the filing by the Allegheny Defense Project in the federal lawsuit over mineral rights in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF). “For more than three years, the Allegheny National Forest has been held hostage by radical environmental interests who collectively hold no regard for the economic health of our region or the families and businesses who derive their income and economic wellbeing from the forest,” stated Rep. Thompson. “This action offers every indication that no matter how much economic harm is imposed on our communities the political games and legal maneuvering of environmental special interest groups will not subside.” “I will continue to demand accountability from the Obama Administration and the full cooperation of the Forest Service as we seek to overcome these challenges and ensure that private subsurface mineral owners are not denied their rights...

The 2013 Wild & Scenic Film Festival is coming up on April 21. It's free and open to the public -- and a great way to celebrate Earth Day. Hear more about it here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

You may have heard that very rare synchronous fireflies have been found on the Allegheny National Forest. On today's LiveLine you can hear more about the discovery and the fireflies. Tune in to 1490 WESB at 12:35 p.m. or go to WESB.com and click on the "Listen" link. If you haven't heard about the fireflies yet, you can get some information here: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6155/p/salsa/web/common/public/content?content_item_KEY=10223 The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

From the Huffington Post: The three-day gathering, Become Your Place, Defend Your Self!, was filled with workshops, discussions, keynote speakers, field trips to oil and gas drilling sites in the Allegheny National Forest, late-night revelry at the campfire, live music, and the greatest local and organic vegetarian food prepared by chefs Shane McElwee and Mia Manion. Read more here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Canticle Farms was one of many exhibitors during the Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford on Sunday. In observance of Earth Day, the Allegheny Defense Project and Pitt-Bradford's Environmental Studies Club co-hosted the film festival that featured several films with a "water" theme. Allegheny Outdoor Adventures also led two hikes on Sunday -- one was to clean up trash on the Community Park Trail in Bradford; the other was to enjoy nature on the Marilla Springs Trail. Cathy Pedler of ADP hopes to make this an annual event. Photo courtesy of Sandra Rhodes You can see more pictures here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

In case you missed today's Weekend Wrap about the film festival -- and more -- you can listen here . You can find more information at: http://alleghenyoutdooradventures.com/ http://www.alleghenydefense.org/ The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Films from the Wild and Scenic Film Festival held earlier this year in California will be featured as part of an Earth Day celebration planned for Sunday at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Events are co-sponsored by the Pitt-Bradford Environmental Studies Club and the Allegheny Defense Project. Activities begin with a hike at 9 a.m. from Blaisdell Hall, but will center around nine short films from the national festival. Films will show from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Bromeley Family Theater with several intermissions for food, music, door prizes and exhibitors. The event is free and open to the public. Those attending have an opportunity to win a kayak, Osprey backpack, a hand-crafted backpack mandolin, a sleeping bag, a fishing pole and other small items. Donations will be accepted to benefit the Environmental Studies Club and next year’s film festival. A schedule of the films follows: 1 p.m. – “Gloop” and “One Plastic Bea...

Earth Day – held on April 22 – was created to inspire awareness and appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment. Two new events this year in the Allegheny National Forest Region will embrace and celebrate nature’s beauty - a guided hike along the scenic Marilla Springs Trail and the “Wild & Scenic Film Festival” at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Both are free and open to the public. The Allegheny Outdoor Adventures Club is hosting a hike from 9 a.m. to noon at Marilla Springs Trail, one of the many scenic trails of the Tuna Valley Trail Association. Hikers are invited to meet before 9 a.m. at the Marilla Springs parking lot on West Washington Street, located along Route 346, about five miles west of the City of Bradford. Trail maps are available online in a downloadable format at www.tunavalleytrail.com . The group is expected to walk 3.6 miles on the trail then turn around. However, hikers are allowed to turn back during any part of the hike. Hikers can participate ...

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Pa., issued the following statement after a series of meetings on the settlement reached by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and environmental groups regarding energy production in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF): “I am mystified and seriously troubled as to why the USFS, through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), would so blatantly disregard the legal process and private property rights by agreeing to an out of court ‘settlement’ which has the potential to kill the regional economy, increase unemployment, and further our dependence on foreign oil and natural gas. “Since the ANF was created 86 years ago, there has been a healthy working relationship between the USFS and the owners of subsurface mineral rights. This relationship came to a screeching halt on January 16th, when the USFS put a moratorium on issuing notices to proceed – the last step before drilling can occur. “Even more troubling is that when this so-calle...

The Allegheny National Forest (NF) announced today that it will be hosting three public meetings to discuss the oil and gas program and a recently filed settlement that will have a direct effect on future development within the Forest. Meetings are scheduled for: 1. Monday, April 13th, 7:00 p.m., Warren Holiday Inn (Main Ballroom), Ludlow St. in Warren; 2. Tuesday, April 14th, 7:00 p.m., Frame-Westerberg Commons (University Room) at University of Pittsburgh in Bradford 3. Wednesday, April 15th, 7:00 p.m., Clarion Holiday Inn at the junction of State Route 68 and Interstate-80 (exit 62). As Forest Supervisor Marten expressed, “Although this is short notice regarding these meetings, the public deserves to know as soon as possible how we are planning to move forward.” On April 9th, 2009, the United States Forest Service, Allegheny Defense Project, Sierra Club and Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics filed a stipulation of dismissal of the pending lawsuit, along with a settl...

Environmental groups and the US Forest Service have settled a federal lawsuit over several oil and gas drilling projects in the Allegheny National Forest. Under the settlement, the Forest Service agrees to conduct environmental reviews that the environmentalists say are required. The plaintiffs, including Allegheny Defense Project and the Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics, claimed the reviews weren't being done. The Forest Service will pay about $19,000 in attorney fees, but admits no wrongdoing. Gas and oil drilling has increased significantly in the forest, and environmentalists say drilling, along with the roads built because of it, can destroy wildlife habitat and hurt recreational opportunities.

U.S Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, issued the following statement summarizing recent meetings he initiated between his staff and vested interests regarding the numerous issues surrounding the Allegheny National Forest (ANF) and local communities: “I was not at all surprised to learn just how great of an impact the oil and gas industry has on the local economy. And what’s even more impressive is how great an economic impact this industry continues to have one hundred and fifty years after the discovery of oil in nearby Titusville. “In two refineries alone, American Refining Group (ARG) and United Refining, employment is nearly one thousand strong. These are good paying, long term, family sustaining jobs – with an even greater number of workers in the many drilling companies and in supporting industries. “So when the energy production business comes to a halt – so does the economy of the four counties surrounding the ANF. In this time of economic uncertainty, the im...

The U.S. Forest Service hasn't OK'd any new gas or oil wells in the Allegheny National Forest for almost two months, delaying oil and gas development and causing at least one company to consider drilling without federal approval. "This is a significant victory for the Allegheny and the wildlife species that call it home," said Ryan Talbott, (Allegheny Defense Project) forest watch coordinator. For the full story, go to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette .