Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

  The Sanatorium  by Sarah Pearse, who I will be interviewing Tuesday. The book is Reese's Book Club pick for February. 10% in (according to Kindle) I can see why! I'm also reading the newest Joe Pickett novel,  Dark Sky by C.J. Box. So good so far! I have a couple more on my list. We'll see what happens. Depends on how good the Super Bowl is.

St. Bonaventure football legend Jack Butler, class of 1951, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame during Super Bowl Saturday festivities in Indianapolis. “I dreamed about being a big, strong football player … but deep down, I don’t really think I believed what I was dreaming,” Butler said in his press conference after being elected. “I knew I was pretty good, but I never thought I was that good. “Jack Butler from Pittsburgh, Pa., by way of St. Bonaventure University, and here I am. … It’s really an honor and a privilege.” Butler is the fourth St. Bonaventure alum in one of the prominent professional halls of fame. Baseball legends Hughie Jennings and John McGraw, for whom the university’s athletic fields are named after, are in the Baseball Hall of Fame; and Bob Lanier, ’70, is in the Basketball Hall of Fame. In August, Butler was named one of two Seniors Committee finalists for the Hall of Fame, along with Dick Stanfel, but only Butler was honored. He joins Curtis Martin, Dermo...

The youth of the First Presbyterian Church, 54 East Corydon Street, along with several University of Pittsburgh at Bradford students, will be collecting donations from members and friends at the church for the “ Souper “ Bowl of Caring on Sunday. This program began with a simple prayer a number of years ago reminding those who enjoy the Super Bowl game to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat. This prayer inspired a single church in South Carolina to invite other congregations to join in collecting money to be donated to local charities and soup kitchens that provide assistance to those in need. For over two decades, America’s youth has participated in this national program to raise funds for local organizations helping people in need. National efforts are made on the Super Bowl weekend, as well as weeks surrounding it, to make it a large celebration of giving and serving others. Participating in the program since 2000, the First Presbyterian Church of Bradford has col...

Pittsburgh – Governor Tom Corbett today fulfilled his friendly Super Bowl wager with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker while helping to deliver a $25,000 check on behalf of Coca-Cola to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania and the Sarah Heinz House Boys & Girls Club. Because the Steelers lost the Super Bowl to the Packers, Gov. Corbett, a lifelong Steelers fan, appeared at the check presentation wearing a Green Bay jersey. “I’m here today to pay off a bet. I promise you: this is the only time you’re going to see me in a Packers jersey,” said Corbett. “But the governor of Wisconsin and I made a bet, and when you make a bet you have to keep your word.” “Although my beloved Steelers lost the Super Bowl, I’m happy to turn that loss into a win for the children of the Pittsburgh region who are served by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania and the Sarah Heinz House Boys & Girls Club,” Corbett added. The money was donated through the nationwide “Coke Cheers” prom...

State Senator Joe Scarnati is making news across the state today for accepting a trip to the Super Bowl from Consol Energy. Scarnati and other Senate Republicans leaders were criticized by former Governor Ed Rendell and environmentalists for blocking an extraction tax on Marcellus Shale drilling. The critics say Scarnati and the other blocked legislation on the tax because of their relationships with energy companies. Scarnati talked about that on his last visit to the LiveLine. He said in his position as President Pro Tempore of the Senate one of his jobs is to keep the Republicans in the majority. He raises money for the Republican caucus to help fund campaigns of members who are in races. He raised more than $100,000 through various Marcellus Shale companies across the state, and that is disclosed on finance reports. But he added that he raised close to $1.5 million all together. “To raise $100,000-some from that industry isn’t influencing me,” Scarnati said, “and I’m insulted that ...

Zippo celebrates the Green Bay Packers with the release of two limited edition, NFL Super Bowl XLV Champions lighters. Commemorating the Packers' historic win at the new Cowboys Stadium in North Texas, the Zippo Super Bowl XLV Champions windproof pocket lighters will be available in high-polish chrome with either a color imaged or luster etched design. Both lighters will feature the logos of the Packers and Super Bowl XLV. "We're proud of our longstanding partnership with the National Football League and to have the opportunity to offer football fans around the world these limited edition Super Bowl XLV Champions lighters," said Gregory Booth, CEO and President, Zippo Manufacturing Company. "With Zippo's superior craftsmanship, and designs which are sure to impress, these are a must have for any Green Bay Packers fan looking to celebrate with their team on last night's win." The color imaged and luster etched NFL Super Bowl XLV Champions Zippo windpr...

Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker have announced a good-natured wager on the outcome of Sunday’s Super Bowl™ matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers in Dallas. The governors agreed to a two-part wager that will be fun and help charity at the same time. Both governors will participate in the “Coke Cheers” promotion that will donate $25,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs in Green Bay and in Pittsburgh. “Coke Cheers” is a nationwide promotion aimed at supporting the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The public can visit www.cokecheers.com to vote for their favorite team. Each vote – or cheer – equals a $1 donation by Coca-Cola to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The governors are challenging each other to get their fans out to generate the 10,000 cheers needed to qualify for the $25,000 in each city. If the Steelers lose, Governor Corbett will attend the check presentation in Pittsburgh wearing Packers’ gear. Should the Packers los...

Towel-Hoisting Video New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg followed through with his end of the wager with Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl on the AFC Championship game between the Steelers and the Jets. Bloomberg placed a Terrible Towel on the New York Public Library this morning. He then put on a Steelers jersey while putting together care packages for members of the military returning to Pittsburgh.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Steelers vs. Packers. Primanti Bros. sandwiches vs. Wisconsin cheese. In honor of the Feb. 6 Super Bowl featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers versus the Green Bay Packers, U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) have made a tasty wager on the winner of the big game. Should the Steelers prevail, Sen. Johnson will provide Sen. Toomey with a savory assortment of Wisconsin cheese, bratwurst and beer. But should the Packers emerge victorious, Sen. Toomey will ship Sen. Johnson a delivery of Pittsburgh’s world-famous Primanti Bros. sandwiches, topped with signature French fries, cole slaw and tomatoes. “I’m sure Sen. Johnson would enjoy some of Pittsburgh’s best sandwiches, which taste just as good as the upcoming Steelers’ victory,” Sen. Toomey said. “Being frugal and a fiscal conservative, my first thought was to simply re-gift the Chicago Style Pizza and Illinois beer that the Packers helped us win from Senator Kirk. But that wouldn’t highlight the fin...

Comcast is turning to the FBI to help determine how pornography interrupted its feed of the Super Bowl earlier this month. “We have shared all of our information on this situation with the FBI and will continue to provide our full cooperation to them throughout their investigation,” spokeswoman Kelle Maslyn said in a statement e-mailed to the Arizona Daily Star. For the full story, go to the Arizona Star .

Governor Ed Rendell is congratulating the Steelers on their Super Bowl XLIII victory and reminding residents of the state they can cash in on a bet he won with Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Rendell and Brewer agreed the losing team would provide a three-day vacation to a resident of the winning team's state. Rendell says an online essay contest will begin Tuesday. Fans are being asked to say why they love the Steelers and the contestant with the winning essay will travel to Phoenix. Under the wager, the winner will get meals and accommodations during the three-day trip. Travel expenses are not included. Official rules and conditions can be found at www.visitpa.com .

Comcast has apologized to Tucson-area customers because of a 30-second porn interruption during the Super Bowl. The Philadelphia-based cable company issued a brief statement today saying the company is "mortified" by the interruption and is conducting a thorough investigation. Comcast spokeswoman Jennifer Khoury says the initial investigation suggests that the interruption was an "isolated malicious act." The company says only customers in the Tucson area receiving the standard definition feed were affected. Tucson media outlets reported that they received calls from irate viewers about the porn, which aired just after the Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald scored on a long touchdown reception during the final minutes of the game.

Jonathon Squibb of Berlin, N.J., a.k.a. Super Squibb, won the battle of the amateurs and the Mini Clubman car at Wing Bowl 17 this morning by eating 203 wings. For more, including video, go to philly.com .