Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Dr. Donna Dombek, assistant professor of education at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, presented a workshop on “Poverty: The ‘Quiet Diversity’” at Georgia Southern University. Dombek made her presentation to increase teacher awareness to subtle prejudices they might have against students of lower socio-economic status. Most teachers, Dombek said, come from middle-class backgrounds and may not realize that there is a “culture of poverty” as pervasive and distinctive as those of race, language and religion. “There’s no doubt that lower socio-economic status can affect children,” Dombek said. Those effects can begin even before they are born when women with less income are unable to seek medical attention as early or as often as recommended. In addition, children growing up in poverty are often not afforded experiences such as vacations to other areas or educational toys or software that can enhance their educational opportunities. “You have to...

The deadline is fast approaching for businesses, individuals and organizations to financially support the purchase of hanging baskets for the downtown Main Street area. “As in previous years, we are looking for donations to purchase the baskets,” said Main Street Manager, Anita Dolan. “People in the community are tremendously supportive of our events and programs, and this program is such a valuable asset to the appearance of Main Street.” Dolan added. A long time sponsor, the Betty Jane Monjar Garden Society is again willing to help financially with the event. “The Garden Society has always been very supportive and helpful with this program,” said Dolan. “They will match funds up to $1,000 and that will be a significant help to us in reaching our fundraising goals. Any donation amount will be appreciated.” The hanging baskets are part of a Main Street clean up and beautification effort planned throughout this spring. The Main Street clean up brought many volunteers to Main Stree...

Bradford is in the Top 20 in WFN's Ultimate Fishing Town contest -- and the only Pennsylvnaia community included in the list. Voting continues for three more weeks.

Children sustain more than 275,000 nonfatal bicycle injuries each year; with an average 140 fatalities, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention. Safe Kids McKean is partnering with the School Street Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and St. Bernard Elementary School to promote 'Bike Smart from the Start... Wear a Helmet' during the Ride Safe Bicycle Safety Fairs that will be held on Wednesday, May 11th from 6pm to 7:30pm at School Street for students and family members. A second event will be held Thursday, May 12th from 6pm to 7:30pm at St. Bernard Elementary/Middle School for students and families. The safety fairs will focus on promoting bicycle helmet use and educating children and parents how to correctly fit and use a helmet. Children may bring their helmets for fitting and Safe Kids McKean will provide replacement helmets if necessary. According to Safe Kids USA nearly half (40 percent) of injured bicyclists have traumatic brain injuries....

The first “Lunch in the Square” of the season will be held on Wednesday, May 11 at Veterans’ Square from 11:30 until 1:00 pm. Entertainment will be provided by the Bradford Area High School Disney Choir and vocal students. Participating restaurants include Chu Lee Gardens, Dari Hut, John Williams European Pastry Shop, The New Broaster, Tortugas Restaurant and The Grocery Stretcher. “We are really excited to kick off this new season.” said Main Street Manager, Anita Dolan. “Area restaurants have been very supportive of this program and it is a great opportunity for people to meet with friends, relax, enjoy great food and listen to great entertainment! This year, especially, I think people are ready to get outside and enjoy some nice weather,” Dolan added. The ‘Lunch in the Square’ program is sponsored by The Downtown Bradford Business District Authority.

There’s an old proverb that says, in essence, a wise man travels to discover himself. What many are starting to realize is that travel itself is cause for discovery and celebration. As such, all tourism-related businesses throughout the United States are celebrating National Tourism Week, which runs from May 7-May 15. McKean County joins in the celebration by recognizing that visitor spending directly supports 758 jobs within the county. In 2009, visitors spent $113.6 million in McKean County, making tourism one of the key growth industries in the county, according to the report Economic Impact of Visitor Spending and the Travel and Tourism Industry in Pennsylvania. The Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, the official destination marketing agency for McKean County, is one of 49 tourism agencies promoting travel into Pennsylvania. With a goal of increasing overnight stays, the number of visitors, their length of stay, and the amount that visitors spend locally per day, the ANF ...

I had the pleasure -- and great fortune -- to welcome New York Times Bestselling Author Patrick Robinson back to the show on Thursday. That's day his new book "The Delta Solution" hit book stores. For people who are not familiar with Robinson's "Mack Bedford" series -- Mack is a commander with the Navy SEALs. Although the book is not about last week's events involving Osama bin Laden, Robinson is an expert on the SEALs, having done research on them for both fiction and non-fiction books. I found his insights into the elite group fascinating. I hope you do, too. Listen here . You can find more information at PatrickRobinson.com Remember, you can check out books -- and lots of other things -- at the Bradford Area Public Library

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Bees, butterflies and bubble gum. Tsunamis and tornadoes. Chocolate. You could find displays about all that and more at the Bradford Area School District Science Fair held Friday night at Fretz Middle School. Here, you could find out "What's the Buzz" about honey bees. And here, you could learn what brand of bubble gum helps you blow the biggest bubbles. This young man looks over the project that allows people to make their own tsunami. This mom and daughter check out how methane gas is produced as items decompose. This young family learns about starfish. One of our favorites -- how to make your own speakers. One of everyone's favorites -- chocolate.

A Fredonia man who crashed his vehicle in a field on April 24 then fled the scene is now facing charges. Sheriff’s deputies say they got a report of a heavily damaged car in a field in the Town of Dunkirk, and their investigation determined that the car was speeding when it spun sideways, left the road and hit a tree. The driver, 21-year-old Matthew Mulville, was taken to ECMC later that day with serious but non-life threatening injuries. On Friday, Mulville was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired by the combination of alcohol and drugs, leaving the scene of an accident and traffic violations. He will appear in Dunkirk Town Court at a later date.

A 17-year-old boy who went AWOL from a children’s home is facing charges. Sheriff’s deputies say the boy was absent without leave on Wednesday from the Randolph children’s home and when staff members found him and attempted to approach him, he grabbed a metal sign post, waved it at them and threatened them with it. The boy was arraigned in Randolph Court on a charge of menacing and will appear in court again at a later date.

A Steamburg resident is facing charges after a domestic incident early Thursday morning in the Town of Coldspring. Sheriff’s deputies charged 34-year-old Adriel Jacobs with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, a misdemeanor, after another man was taken to ECMC for treatment of a cut to his head. The victim was released from the hospital later that morning. Jacobs is free on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court on May 24.

Bradford City Police spent some time looking into disturbances on Leland and Jackson avenues and on Mechanic Street. They also looked into reports of harassment on South Avenue, criminal mischief on East Main Street and noise on Jefferson Street. Officers got vehicle complaints from North Kendall Avenue and West Washington Street and a report of a disabled vehicle on Jackson Avenue. They investigated motor vehicle accidents on West Washington Street and Hobson Place. Police also got a report of a barking dog on East Avenue and unspecified animal complaint from Tuna Avenue, according to the complaint report and request sheet.

Earlier this week on the air we reported that the Onoville Marina in Cattaraugus County would not be opening this weekend because of high water. On Friday, John Stoneman sent us these pictures of the Kinzua Reservoir. You can see more of his pictures at BradfordToday.com . He, and The Olean Times Herald, report that the water level has not been this high since Hurricane Agnes in 1972. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says a significant increase in outflow from Kinzua Dam is planned through Sunday, and may cause substantial rises in the river below the dam. Boaters and fishermen are being advised to use caution this weekend. The Corps says the opening of the gates will be spaced over several hours so they don’t cause sudden rises in river levels.

New York State & Chautauqua County officials today officially announced that the Ripley Interstate Development site has now formally been granted Shovel Ready designation by New York State. The announcement concludes a two-year process, and was made at a press conference at the site unveiling signage acknowledging the designation. New York State's Shovel Ready Certification is granted to sites deemed ready for new development and job creation. As part of the application process, each site that gets certified is reviewed to match the needs of growing industries and commercial interests. Business leaders, site selection consultants and corporate real estate executives nationwide recognize the Shovel Ready designation as a mark of excellence because they know that these pre-permitted sites will reduce construction costs and development delays, saving them time and money. “This has been a very long time in coming, but all parties involved are to be applauded for their efforts i...

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will play host to more than a dozen camps, gatherings, clinics and other events this summer. The camps take place in May through August and are open to the public. Ongoing through July 8 are Advanced Swimming Classes with Pitt-Bradford head swimming coach Ed Bahan. The classes are open to swimmers age 8 and older with at least two years of competitive swim experience. Swimmers can choose which weekday sessions are the most convenient to attend. Through June 10, sessions run from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. or 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. weekdays at the Paul C. Duke Aquatic Center in the Sport and Fitness Center. Between June 13 and July 8, swimmers can choose between a 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. session and a 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. session each weekday. This class is designed to allow athletes to experience different types of training techniques for the sport of competitive swimming and to expose them to training for longer, more difficult collegiate events such as the 1000 free...

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson on Thursday voted to support H.R. 1230, the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act. H.R. 1230, cosponsored by Thompson, requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct oil and natural gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Virginia that have been delayed or cancelled by the Obama Administration. The measure passed the House today with a bipartisan majority of votes, 266-149. Thompson issued the following statement after final passage: “With developing countries rapidly increasing demand and global liquid oil consumption set to increase by some 10-12 million barrels per day in the next decade, energy prices will continue to rise in the months and years ahead. That is, unless we start producing more of our own supplies here at home. After today’s vote, it is clear that bipartisan support is growing for Washington to take action and America to start producing more domestic energy. This legislation will create jobs, b...

Northwest Savings Bank on Main Street hosted the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours on Thursday. Mexican food and beverages -- in recognition of Cinco de Mayo -- were provided by the Bradford Club. People and businesses who are not Chamber members should think about joining. Cool events like this are only one of the many member benefits. Call Becky at the chamber office for more information.

Ridgway/Cyclone Pa. (May 06, 2011) PENNDOT Elk/McKean County Maintenance has announced work for the week of May 09, 2011 through May 13, 2011. BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS –SR 948, Ridgway CRACK SEALING- SR 153, Boone Mt. SIGN REPAIR- Various Routes, County wide BRIDGE REPAIRS- SR 1006, and Wilcox DITCH CLEANING- SR 949, Portland Mills -120, Ridgway PATCHING- SR 255 / 120, St. Marys SIDE DOZING- SR 219, Wilcox GUIDE RAIL REPAIR- SR 120, Ridgway/St. Marys SHOULDE REPAIRS- 1006, Wilcox Maintenance work planned by McKean County employees includes: SIGN MAINTENANCE – Various Routes, County wide BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION – SR 1017 and 155-on going through the summer SHOULDER REHABILITATION – SR 2001, Clement Road PATCHING AND CRACK SEALING – 4001, Big Shanty – SR 0006, Kane area SIDE DOZE- 155, Port Allegany to Potter County line PIPE TRENCH PATCHING – SR 3005, Kane Area CRACK SEALING- SR 770, Bradford area BRUSHING - Various Bridges, County wide SR-0120/816 Ridgway Area (May 09, 2011-May 13, 2011) Gl...

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