Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

OLEAN, NY – The Olean-Bradford Area YMCA announces the selection of Jeff Alevy as the new President/CEO. Jeff comes to Olean-Bradford from the Metro Atlanta YMCA where he most recently was Executive Director of the Summit Family and the Fayette Outdoor branches. He brings 13 years of YMCA experience to his position as President/CEO. Jeff began his YMCA career in 1998 as a Program Director at the Arthur Blank Family YMCA (Metro Atlanta YMCA). Jeff became a Branch Executive Director in 2001 at the Henry County YMCA (Metro Atlanta YMCA) and in 2009 was recruited to the Summit Family and Fayette Outdoor YMCA to strengthen and oversee those two branches of the Metro Atlanta YMCA operating 14 miles apart. Prior to his YMCA career, Jeff had several years of business experience as a partner in a private renovations company. He holds a MBA degree from Barry University in Miami, FL and a Masters of Education degree from Georgia College and State University. The Search committee of the Olean-Brad...

The Main Street Mercantile is set to open today at its new location at 45 Main Street in downtown Bradford, and Santa Claus will visit the store following the Cruisin' Into Christmas parade on Friday. The Mercantile was recently acquired by local developer, Todd Hennard, and is operated as a small business incubator program. Incubator programs help businesses grow and develop without business owners taking on the full responsibility of a small business operation. The Mercantile currently houses more that 60 individual businesses that offer such items as antiques, artwork, photography, home décor, primitive décor, old fashioned candy, jewelry, floral arrangements and candles. Additionally a book store is set to be opened soon on the second floor of the building. As part of the Cruisin’ Into Christmas parade on Friday, November 18, Santa Claus will make a special visit to the Mercantile, which will be open until 7 p.m. The Mercantile began more than six years ago. It was initiated ...

Police say they found a marijuana growing operation in a Jackson Avenue house after they got a tip about an underage drinking party. Police were called to the Jackson Avenue home of 37-year-old Richard Wixson and 34-year-old Maissie McKenyon on Friday. They parked on Rosedale Avenue and walked to the house. On the way, they saw two underage boys horse-playing, and a number of teens running around. When Wixson let police inside the house they saw “juveniles scattering from room to room trying to hide,” as well as a bottle of alcohol and wine coolers. In all, there were 12 juveniles and six young adults ranging in age form 15 to 20. When police asked if they could check the upstairs to make sure no juveniles were hiding there, they were overpowered by the smell of unburned marijuana and soon found a marijuana grow room. In the grow room police found about 10 heat lamps shining down on two marijuana plants – one about 6 feet tall; the other about 2 feet tall. Police say there were special...

Four Jamestown men are in jail after allegedly robbing and assaulting a Randolph couple at gunpoint on Thursday. Sheriff’s deputies say the four entered the home of Thomas and Marjorie Andrews at about 2:15 a.m. and held them at gunpoint. They also kicked, punched and pistol whipped Thomas Andrews and bound Marjorie’s wrists together with duct tape and a shoe lace. The four stole two cell phones, cash, Mr. Andrews’ wallet and a flat screen TV. 22-year-old D’Allyn Washington, 19-year-old Cameron Rives and 24-year-old Samuel Rodriguez are all in Cattaraugus County Jail on $25,000. 21-year-old Derrick Williams Jr. is in Chautauqua County Jail. They are all charged with first-degree robbery and burglary.

A state police trooper is hospitalized after his car crashed while he was responding to an emergency call over the weekend. 31-year-old Trooper Andrew Goss of Warren was flown to UPMC Hamot Saturday night after he crash at just after 10 o’clock in Brokenstraw Township. Police say Goss lost control of his car on a curve and the car crossed into the opposite lane of travel, went into a ditch and hit a utility pole before flipping over. Goss is in stable condition at the hospital.

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania’s only unofficial holiday - the Monday after Thanksgiving –marks the opening day of the two-week general deer season, and will feature nearly 750,000 individuals sporting fluorescent orange throughout Penn’s Woods, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe. New antler restrictions are in place this year for the five Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) in western Pennsylvania previously designated as a four-point on one side area. Under the new antler restrictions, which represent the first change since 2002, hunters in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D need to identify three antler points, not including the brow tine, which is the point immediately above the antler burr. (Please see second article for details.) Also, WMUs 2A, 2F and 3B have been added to the split-season structure, in which the first five days are open for antlered deer only and the remaining seven days are open for antlered and antlerless deer. “Pennsylvania’s deer season...

The Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be held on Wednesday, November 16, at 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 54 East Corydon St., Bradford. This year’s theme is “The Village Green,” and will feature speakers from area churches. Participating speakers will include Dr. Gautam Mukerjee, Mr. Rick Weinberg, Rev. Stacey Fussell, Rev. Mary Houck, and Rev. Lee Beckes, all representing various faiths. Churches participating will be Emanuel Lutheran, Church of the Ascension, First Presbyterian Church, and Temple Beth El. This annual event has become an inspirational service during the approaching Thanksgiving time of year with significant messages being shared. A special choir presentation will be performed by members of area churches directed by Bill Howe. Regina Gabriel, director of music and organist of the First Presbyterian Church, will be the organist. Child care will be available for small children. A reception will be held following the service with ethnic desserts being se...

In H.T. Narea's book "The Fund" U.S. Defense Intelligence operative Kate Molares is investigating a suspicious international money trail. Her instincts place her at the center of a plot involving a terrifying new kind of terrorism—financial terrorism—perpetuated by a suave, handsome Middle Eastern hedge fund mogul. His goal is to wreck the West by bringing the global economy to its knees. Listen to my chat with Mr. Narea here . To check out other books that pique your interest go to the Bradford Area Public Library .

The USO and Cheerios have teamed up to spread cheer and show military families that America cares -- and you can help. I spoke with USO President Sloan Gibson about the program, and other services the USO provides. Listen here .

A state House committee next week will consider a bill that would protect children from sex-predator sports officials. Representative Mike Vereb’s bill would create the new offense of “sexual assault by a sports official.” He introduced the bill earlier this year and it was referred to the House Judiciary Committee in April. The committee will hold a hearing on the bill on Tuesday, according to Majority Leader Mike Turzai's office. Under the bill, a person who serves as a sports official in a sports program of a nonprofit association, or a for-profit association, commits a felony of the third degree when that person engages in indecent (or sexual) contact with a child younger than 18 who is participating in a sports program of the nonprofit association or for-profit association. The offense would be a third-degree felony with a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment and a $15,000 fine. A sports official would be (but is not limited to) a manager, coach, umpire or referee.

John Rigas is back in Pennsylvania – but still behind bars. The 86-year-old former CEO of Adelphia Communications and his son Timothy were transferred from a federal prison in North Carolina to the Allenwood federal prison in Union County earlier this week. Rigas and his son were convicted of securities and bank fraud in 2004 after a $3.2 billion accounting fraud scandal. They are serving 12-year and 17-year sentences respectively. They had been serving time in Butner, North Carolina since 2007. A federal tax fraud case is pending against both Rigases in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and Allenwood is closer to the court. The tax trial isn’t expected to begin until next year.

Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-5) sent the following letter to the White House, withdrawing his support for the recommendation of former Penn State University football coach Joe Paterno for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The full text and a copy of the letter is provided below. Full text of letter: November 11, 2011 The President The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: Last month, I wrote you along side of my congressional colleagues to request your consideration of The Pennsylvania State University's football coach Joe Paterno for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The recommendation for the highest civilian honor was based upon Mr. Paterno's long term contributions to society on and off the field, and his personal commitment to the success of his students and numerous philanthropic endeavors. Due to the tragic events that surround The Pennsylvania State University, it is wit...

Governor Tom Corbett today met in State College with students from Penn State University. The group talked about the events of the past week, the future of the University and the pride the students feel in the institution. Peter Khoury (wearing the red tie), the student representative on the university’s board of trustees, said they are determined to move forward. He said they have been “working tirelessly to show how proud Penn State students are of this university, and that we are not going to allow the acts of a few individuals to determine or define what Penn State stands for.” Corbett added that the eyes of the nation will be on the university tomorrow during the football game with Nebraska, and the students’ actions must reflect everything good about Penn State.

Boalsburg - First Lady Susan Corbett today honored Pennsylvania's military men and women by touring the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, Centre County. The museum celebrates the state's rich military history and emphasizes the 20th century roles of Pennsylvania-based units. The First Lady's tour of the museum also kicks off her role as Pennsylvania's "First Tourist." Mrs. Corbett will work with the Department of Community and Economic Development to promote Pennsylvania's diverse tourism industry. In addition to promoting popular attractions, she will work to bring attention to the state's lesser- known gems. Pictured, First Lady Susan Corbett tours the Pennsylvania Military Museum. She was accompanied by Joseph Horvath, Museum Educator/Acting Administrator. Courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services

St. Bonaventure University will video stream all of its home men’s and women’s basketball games free of charge in the 2011-12 season. Fans will be able to access all Bonnies home games, beginning with tonight’s men's opener against Cornell, live on GoBonnies.com . The broadcasts will be produced by SBU-TV under the direction of Paul Wieland, associate professor of journalism and mass communication, and technical director Joe Paciorkowski. Undergraduate students from the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication will continue to provide most of the broadcast crew. On the majority of the men’s games, Jeremy Noeson ’05 will call the play-by-play and John Watson Jr., associate professor in the School of Business, will provide color commentary. The Bonnies’ All-Access Player, which includes the schedule of all games produced by St. Bonaventure, can be accessed here: http://www.fansonly.com/schools/stbo/allaccess/ Alumni Dan Collins ’73 and James Slattery ’58 provide...

A Bradford man who led police on a high-speed chase on July 20 has pleaded guilty. 43-year-old Jeffrey Frampton nearly hit Police Chief Chris Lucco with his Jeep Cherokee on Kennedy Street, then led police on the chase at speeds up to 70 miles an hour while running several traffic lights and stop signs. He’s scheduled for sentencing on December 8.

Two more participants in last Friday’s robbery of the Kwik Fill on East Main Street have turned themselves in to Police. 16 year-old Nathan Harvey and 18 year-old Alexander Hayes are both charged with robbery and theft. Hayes was also charged with assault and tampering with evidence and jailed on $100,000 bail. Harvey is being held on $50,000 bail. Their co-defendant, Kyle Eck, turned himself in on Monday.

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford at a dinner last week recognized faculty members who are celebrating milestone service anniversaries. Dr. Michael Klausner, associate professor of sociology, and Dr. Richard Melka, professor of mathematics, were both honored for 35 years. Klausner teaches a variety of sociology courses, including Introduction to Sociology, Socialization, Organizational Behavior, Small Groups and Sociological Theory. In 2005, he was inducted into the Pitt-Bradford Athletic Hall of Fame for his support of Pitt-Bradford athletic teams. While spending summers in New York City, he volunteers tutoring homeless children through the group New York Cares and with the group VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Melka teaches Mathematical Modeling, Differential Equations, Advanced Differential Equations and Writing in the History of Mathematics. When he’s not on campus, he writes articles with Biblical themes, and he pre...

Clarion University President Karen Whitney has released the following statement: “The recent media coverage involving allegations of sexual abuse/sexual assault of minor children by a former Penn State coach caused me to ask whether Clarion University has systems in place to make sure that anyone, including children who have occasion to be on our campus, is protected from similar allegations. One of the practical questions for each of us is, ‘To whom should I bring my concern?’ If you see, hear about or know about possible abuse in any form, including child abuse on our campus, please immediately contact University Police at 814-393-2111. After making this phone call, inform your immediate supervisor, who, in turn, will contact his/her respective vice president. What is essential is that university police are notified immediately in order for investigatory procedures to be implemented.”

The Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) will air a special LIVE PCN Call-In program at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 14, to discuss the Penn State sex crimes investigation. Featured guests for this special edition of the PCN Call-In program will include Ed Marsico, Dauphin County District Attorney and Matthew Gover of Gover, Perry & Shore. Rep. Pat Meehan, R- Pennsylvania will be participating in the discussion via phone. Viewers will be able to share their comments and questions concerning the topic during the LIVE hour-long PCN Call-In program just by dialing toll-free at 1-877-PA6-5001.