Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

  Lisa Scottoline is one of my favorite authors so it pains me to say I didn't like this book and found it tedious and annoying at times. The story started out interesting ... as a family is driving home one of the family members is shot and killed and the rest of the family is put into the witness protection program. But then it gets boring with way too much about the mourning and how unfair the whole situation is. And let's not even get into the excruciating detail in which she describes everything from the house to putting away groceries. As I said, I like the author, so I'm not saying this to be mean, but she must have gotten paid for product placement. I don't remember so many brand names being mentioned unnecessarily in any book I've ever read. I found the first half of the book, simply, boring, but stuck with it because Scottoline has never disappointed me before. As the second half started I had high hopes but then it just got stupid. The twist...

In order to be 100 percent fair, I give you the complete, unedited audio of tonight's Bradford Mayoral and McKean County Sheriff debates: Go to WESB.com/listen , click on the "Local Programs" tab and then scroll to #56 for mayor and #214 for sheriff. (They are in alphabetical order.) The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Did you see M.J. Rose's "The Witch of Painted Sorrows" in this week's People magazine. Now, you can hear what M.J. herself has to say about the book. WESB.com/listen . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Creepy, grotesque but true stories of the medical field in the 19th Century. Listen to my chat with Cristin here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Besides talking like a pirate, you can celebrate by learning more about pirates (including those baseball players in Pittsburgh). Listen to my chat with Eric Riback here . Go here to see a copy of the map http://bellaterramaps.com/pirates.html The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Pulitzer Prize winning author Alison Lurie has written a book about how buildings speak to us. She said while getting ready for our interview this morning she looked up some of Bradford’s buildings and was struck by the differences between the old and current libraries, and that, at first, she was put off by the outside of the West Washington Street building. Listen to her brief comments here . She also talked about Old City Hall and Bradford Area High School. Her book is “The Language of Houses: How Buildings Speak to Us,” and you can hear my chat with her on an upcoming LiveLine. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Think you know how and why the Statue of Liberty made it to her current home. You might want to think again. Elizabeth's Mitchell's book "Liberty's Torch: The Great Adventure to Build the Statue of Liberty" takes you from the black waters of the Nile, to the revolution-torn boulevards of Paris, to the muddy streets of New York, while telling the story of an artist, entrepreneur, and inventor who fought against all odds to create one of the greatest wonders of the modern world. You can listen to Anne Holliday's conversation with Elizabeth Mitchell by going to http://www.wesb.com/listen/ , clicking on the "Local Programs" tab and scrolling to #120. Then you can astound your friends and family with all of your Statue of Liberty trivia. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Last week marked 20 years since the brutal murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. It was June 17, 1994, that the nation was captivated as Al Cowlings drove suspect OJ Simpson along the 405 highway to his home in what became known as the slow-speed chase. ~~~ October 3, 1995. The shocking outcome of the O.J. Simpson trial leaves a nation divided. July 5, 2011. Casey Anthony walks free despite being convicted by millions on cable news and social media. There are times when something as supposedly simple as a just verdict rises to the level of cultural touchstone. Often these moments hinge on logic that seems flawed and inexplicable—until now. In Acquittal, leading trial consultant Richard Gabriel explains how some of the most controversial verdicts in recent times came to be. You can hear my interview with Gabriel here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

He talked about a number of issues including the local community college initiative, game commission concerns -- including deer management -- Payment in Lieu of Taxes, and more. Listen here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Bradford City Council last night approved on first reading the millage ordinance, which keeps the millage rate at 16 and means no tax increase. Mayor Tom Riel says although he had hoped to be able to lower taxes, keeping the rate steady is quite an accomplishment. City Clerk John Peterson gives much of the credit for the no-tax-increase budget to the department heads being realistic in their requests and keeping a close watch on their budgets during the year. You can listen to the entire meeting here . Among the other topics covered are the demolition of more plighted properties, bid openings for fire station renovations and the 2014 wage ordinance. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Fiction: Poison Pill by Glenn Kaplan Non-Fiction: Soul Proof by Dr. Mark Pitstick Book Review: Someone by Alice McDermott "Poison Pill" is one of those novels that has just about everything: mystery, intrigue, backstabbing, corporate greed, love ... and even a little teen angst. You can hear Glenn Kaplan talk about his book here . In this week's non-fiction selection, "Soul Proof," Dr. Mark Pitstick shows proof that there really is an afterlife. Listen to Dr. Pitstick here . This week's book review is for Alice McDermott's "Someone," which captures an ordinary person's life from childhood through old age in a way that makes her seem so much more than ordinary by the end of the book. Read the review here .

As you gear up to get your holiday shopping underway an online security expert chats with Anne Holliday about how to keep yourself and your electronic devices safe. Listen here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

If you have a book lover on your holiday shopping list -- or if you love reading holiday books -- or both check out "A Mark Twain Christmas" by Carlo DeVito. I had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. DeVito this morning about the book. Listen here .

In case you missed yesterday's LiveLine on 1490, Anne Holliday spoke with author Max Allan Collins about his newest book, "Ask Not," which focuses on an investigation into the assassination of President Kennedy. To hear the show go to WESB.com , click on the "listen" link and then on "Local Programs." (The first question, which got cut off is: Why do you think people -- 50 years later -- are still so interested in this story?) The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

So, did you not do as well as you planned in the Great American Smokeout? Registered Dietician Ashley Koff chats with Anne Holliday about how proper nutrition can help you stop smoking. Listen here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Pete Rahn of HNTB Corporation chats with Anne Holliday about a study from a transportation research group that found 27 percent of America’s roads are in substandard condition. Listen here . PA US Senator Bob Casey PA US Senator Pat Toomey PA Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson NY US Senator Chuck Schumer NY US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand NY Congressman Tom Reed The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Rob Grubka, President of Lincoln Financial Group's Group Protection Business, chats with Anne Holliday about November's Benefit Open Enrollment. Listen here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

In an effort to make it easier for the city’s new financial officer to do his job properly, Bradford City Council has approved on first reading changes to several tax ordinances. During its meeting Tuesday night council OK’d changes to the Local Taxpayer Bill of Rights, Mercantile License Tax, Business Privilege Tax, Local Services Tax and Public Utility Tax Ordinance. City Solicitor Mark Hollenbeck explained the changes give Michael Shanks “the ability to monitor the ordinances, enforce them as part of his duties with the city.” Mayor Tom Riel stressed that council is not raising taxes or creating new taxes. In other matters, council authorized the filing of a Keystone Communities Façade and Public Improvement Grant for the Second Ward Neighborhood Partnership Program. The $400,000 grant would go toward the NPP façade program, streetscape improvements and new construction. The city is also seeking a Home Program grant from the state’s Department of Community and Economic Develo...

Streaking, keeping students from falling out windows on Main Street, and Tullah Hanley were among the topics shared by former and longtime employees of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford during a panel discussion Wednesday night. Several members of the audience also participated in the discussion moderated by Kimberly Marcott Weinberg, assistant director of Pitt-Bradford’s marketing and communications department. Panelist Margaret Bryner was the dean of women from 1970 until 1972 and lived with the student in Emery Hall (now Emery Towers) when it was a dorm. She said one of the hardest parts of her job was keeping the students from hanging out the windows. Current staff member Jeff Armstrong not only talked about his time working at the university, but for working at the home of then-president Dr. Donald Swarts. He and the other panel members all had kind words to say about Swarts and his wife Mary, who they credited with giving the institution its strong foundation. Ray McMa...

"Appointments: A Novel of Life in Our Nation's Capital" centers on an Alabama senator who relentlessly pursues his dream of becoming the South's first white Supreme Court Justice in decades. His quest takes us through the tangled web of Washington and national politics. Author David Carmell is a Washington lawyer whose varied career includes experience as a lobbyist, law professor, and political appointee in State and Federal governments. You can hear my conversation with David Carmell here . This week's non-fiction selection is "Let Hope In" by Pete Wilson. Pastor Wilson writes about four choices that will change your life forever. You can hear our conversation here This week's review is "The Silver Star" by Jeannette Walls. You can read it here . Remember you can go to the Bradford Area Public Library any time you need a new book to read. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947