Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s student literary magazine, Baily’s Beads, and the Bradford YWCA are sponsoring a poetry contest to spotlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The contest is open to students, faculty, staff and community members. Those wishing to participate may sign up Oct. 28 in the Harriett B. Wick Chapel on campus at 6 p.m., at which time a reading of the poems will take place. Contestants may also pre-register by calling the YWCA at 368-4235, ext. 116. Former members of the writing faculty at Pitt-Bradford will serve as judges, and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third. Poems should deal with domestic violence themes. For disability needs related to the event, contact the Pitt-Bradford Office of Disability Services at 814-362-7609 or clh71@pitt.edu. To hear more about the poetry contest you can listen to today's LiveLine or last Tuesday's (10/14) by going to WESB.com/listen and clicking on th...

City of Bradford Police Chief Chris Lucco, along with Frank Williams and Stoney Greenburg, participated in the Bradford YWCA's inaugural Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event to raise awareness about sexual assault. More than 100 walkers made their way down Main Street to Veterans Square for a recognition ceremony, a proclamation from Mayor Tom Riel and other festivities, includiing a band. You can see more pictures on our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/1490wesb

Our annual series on Domestic Violence Awareness started on today's LiveLine on 1490 WESB. Mickey Swackhamer of the YWCA Victims Resource Center gave an overview of the situation, as an introduction to the series, and also talked about the "PA Says 'No More'" campaign, a joint effort between PCADV and PCAR to get all Pennsylvanians to join voices and say NO MORE to domestic violence and sexual assault. Get information about the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence here . Get information about the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape here . Listen to today's LiveLine here (click on the Local Programs tab and scroll down to #50.) The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will host the 31st annual Law Enforcement Awareness and Familiarization Day on Wednesday, Sept. 18, giving people an opportunity to talk with law enforcement officers and learn more about what they do. The program will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Frame-Westerberg Commons and is free and open to the public. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and North Central Highway Safety Network will be in attendance with a driving simulator. Other participants are Bradford Township police, City of Bradford Police, the U.S. Army, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, U.S. Border Patrol, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Game Commission, U.S. Forest Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Correctional Institution – McKean, New York State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement, McKean County District Attorney’s Office, McKean Count...

Five agencies recently received funding from the United Way of the Bradford Area through funds raised during the Smethport campaign. According to Mandi Wilton Davis, Executive Director, the Hamlin Memorial Library, the McKean County Historical Society, the Smethport Recreation Center/Memorial Pool, Futures Rehabilitation Center and the YWCA of Bradford each received $500 during the first allocation process. “We were pleased to have the requests that we did,” said Davis. “I know that the dollars raised during the Smethport appeal were needed by these agencies, all of which provide direct services in that community.” The United Way of the Bradford Area managed the fundraising efforts for Smethport and the surrounding areas during the 2012 solicitation process, and the nearly-$5,000 which was raised will go directly back to applicable agencies and programs in those zip codes. Pictured, United Way Executive Director, Mandi Wilton Davis (r), and Board Member, Patty Witchen, congratul...

The Bradford YWCA has announced the community leaders who will be honored during the 16th Annual Leader Luncheon. This year’s event will celebrate Julie Marasco, Jeannine Schoenecker and Judith Yorks. Tessa Rhinehart will receive the 2013 Young Leader Award. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The United Way of the Bradford Area has awarded $6,560 to six local organizations through community innovations grant funding for the first quarter of 2013. The recipients are: the YWCA’s art program; CARE for Children’s pediatric therapy; McKean County Special Olympics aquatic program; Dickinson Mental Health holiday events; Bradford Ecumenical Home lending library; and McKean County Habitat for Humanity housing production. Local non-profit, 501(c)3, health and human service agencies may submit a request for up to $1,500 per quarter. This category supports programs, independent of those benefiting from monthly, that have the potential to impact the local community, encourage innovative approaches to meeting health and human service needs, and produce specific and measurable outcomes. The deadline for 2nd quarter Community Innovation grant applications is April 1, 2013. Applications may be received by visiting United Way’s website at www.uwbanews.org , the United Way office, or b...

By ANNE HOLLIDAY WESB/WBRR News Director Three more dilapidated buildings in Bradford are coming down. City Council on Tuesday accepted quotes to demolish 317 East Main Street, 418 Congress Street and 30 South Kendall Avenue. 6-V Excavation will demolish the last building, clear the property and take the debris to the McKean County Landfill for $8,750. Tom Vickery will handle the other properties for $4,455 and $1,955, respectively. “It’s a good price, too,” said Mayor Tom Riel after council approved the second Vickery resolution. “You couldn’t get them all that cheap.” He explained that the cost of all the demolition will be paid from the city’s Community Development Block Grant Program. Also Tuesday, council heard from Jefferson Street residents concerned about people speeding on their street, and the danger it poses to the children who live there, some of whom have disabilities. Police Chief Chris Lucco said that, because of state law, the speed limit on the street cannot be any low...

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She challenges others to blaze their own trails Bradford YWCA Executive Director Amy Pierce says some of her favorite women are known to many by just one name: Oprah, Beyonce, Hillary and (her daughter) Bird – and Harrijane. Harrijane Hannon Moore was presented with the YWCA’s first-ever Trailblazer Award during the agency’s annual Leader Luncheon this afternoon. Moore said receiving the award from the YWCA is particulary special to her because the organization – both locally and nationally – has left us with a rich legacy. The legacy, she said, “is not simply that we can vote, or own property or work outside of the home. Their legacy is that women can change their communities, their countries, their worlds. “Trailblazing,” she added, “happens when you do what is right; when you do what needs to be done.” Moore challenged the women who attended the luncheon– especially the young women – to blaze their own trails. Also honored this afternoon were Kelly Zurat Case and Marlene Kijowski as...

University of Pittsburgh at Bradford resident assistants Jahlil Davis-Green, a sports medicine major from Philadelphia, left, and Christopher Barr, a criminal justice major from Bradford, deliver donations to SACKS, a resale shop that benefits the Bradford Hospital Auxiliary. The items were donated by students who were moving out of campus housing at the end of the semester. Donations included laundry detergent and non-perishable food items to the YWCA food pantry, six bags of clothes to SACKS and shelving units, lamps, bedding and kitchenware to the Goodwill Store. Photo by Alan Hancock The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

As many of you probably know, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In collaboration with the YWCA Victims Resource Center, WESB's LiveLine is doing a series on sexual assault awareness, and we will be covering a number of issues related to the topic. Today we talked about consent issues. For example: A 15-year-old girl can't "consent" to having sex with a man in his 20s. Even if she says "yes," or is the aggressor, he is still the adult and has the responsibility to say "no." We also talked about parents who allow boyfriends of their teenage daughters to live with them, and several other issues. You can listen to the show here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

More than 30 health and wellness providers will offer screenings and demonstrations at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s annual Health and Wellness Fair next week. The event, sponsored by Pitt-Bradford’s Office of Health Services, is free and open to the public. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 5 in the Mukaiyama University Room in the Frame-Westerberg Commons. Free tests include a bone density screening by the Bradford Regional Medical Center School of Radiography, glaucoma testing by Eye Care Professional Associates, body fat analysis by the Pitt-Bradford sports medicine program and blood pressure check by Kane Community Hospital, an affiliate of UPMC Hamot. Massage therapy demonstrations will be presented by Lisa’s Hairport, which will also offer paraffin hand dips with reflexology. Pitt-Bradford’s Counseling Services will provide alcohol abuse and depression screenings. Community Resources for Independence Inc. wi...

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...

Father Raymond Gramata, Pastor of St. Bernard Parish and Kimberly Mooney, Principal of St. Bernard Elementary/Middle School has announced Kristen Tate Luther will join the organization serving as Advancement Director. As Advancement Director, Luther will manage fundraising, marketing, alumni and recruitment efforts for the school. The new position is funded through the generosity of the Bradford Central Christian Charitable Trust, established for the specific purpose of supporting Catholic Education in the Bradford community. Luther, an alumna of St. Bernard’s and Bradford Central Christian, is a graduate of Mercyhurst College earning a Bachelor Degree in Business Management. A native of Bradford and a lifelong supporter of Catholic Education, Luther and her husband, Rich are parishioners of St. Bernard Church. Their children attend St. Bernard Elementary/Middle School. Luther is a 10 year member of the St. Bernard School Advisory Committee, YWCA of Bradford Female Leadership Recipient...

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will host a dinner on stage in the Bromeley Family Theater for its Arts Endowment Gala in September. “An Evening on Stage – and You’re the Star” will take place at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 in Blaisdell Hall and includes cocktails, dinner, a live auction, dessert and live entertainment throughout the evening. Valet parking will be available. Tickets are $80 and can be purchased by Sept. 6 by calling Patty Colosimo, assistant director of arts programming at (814)362-5155. No tickets will be sold at the door. Terri Leven, chairwoman of the gala, said that each year the committee works to create an “inspiring” experience for those attending the event. “This year’s event will spotlight a theatrical evening,” she said. “We’re taking our guests into a deeper part of the theater – on stage and behind the scenes -- than they usually get to experience.” Performers during the evening will be...

United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. and partnering community organizations are gearing up for a busy day Sept 17th! The “Day of Action” is a day where volunteers from all walks of the community will join together to advance the common good on issues of education, income, and health. The “Day of Action” can help people make the connection on how their efforts will lead to a stronger community, whether it is reading to children, improving financial literacy, or cleaning the streets. “This is a great day for community members to give back through volunteerism to the non-profits the Bradford Area,” state Megan Minich, Executive Director. The United Way of the Bradford Area, Inc. has partnered with the following community organizations and agencies to make this a joint effort: YWCA of Bradford, Olean-Bradford YMCA, CARE for Children, the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, RSVP, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services, the Bradford Ecumenical Home/Chapel Rid...

Erin Fero of Family Group Decision Making welcomes people to her booth at the McKean County Collaborative Resource Fair at the old Ames Store in the Bradford Mall. The event goes on until 6 p.m. today. Other organizations at the fair include the YWCA, Career Link, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, The Friendship Table, McKean County Family Centers, Bradford Regional Medical Center and Futures. Catholic Charities Adoption Services, Life and Independence for Today and the BOCES Practical Nursing Program also have free information for people who attend the fair.

In observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month we're featuring the book "Redemption: A Story of Sisterhood, Survival and Finding Freedom Behind Bars." This is the true story of Stacey Lannert, who shot and killed her sexually abusive father and spend 18 years in jail. She also discusses how she came to terms with what happened to her, and how she transformed her life. Listen here . WESB's annual series on Sexual Assault Awareness with the Bradford YWCA starts on Thursday, and will air every Thursday in April at 12:35 p.m. on 1490 WESB and at WESB.com .

Charges against a woman accused of throwing a cell phone that hit a 3-year-old boy in the head have been bound to court following a preliminary hearing in front of District Judge Dominic Cercone. 20-year-old Amber Moore got into a fight with another woman at the YWCA domestic violence shelter on the evening of January 8, according to papers filed in Cercone’s office. Police say when they arrived Moore was “screaming and acting highly combative” and would not calm down when they asked. Even after they handcuffed her, Moore allegedly continued to scream obscenities and slurs at police and the other woman in the shelter. The incident started when Moore and another woman were having a verbal fight, but then Moore allegedly hit the woman in the face, causing bruising and swelling. She also allegedly threw a cell phone at the other woman but missed and hit the toddler in the forehead, causing a laceration that needed stitches. Court papers say she threw the phone so hard it snapped in half w...