Numbers in the news

4.1

According to Boston College's Center on Wealth and Philanthropy, Pennsylvanians donated more than $5.6 million, or 4.1 percent of their income, to charitable organizations in 2006. That amount is significantly higher than the national average of 3.6 percent.

The state's Bureau of Charitable Organizations offers pointers for safe and effective charitable donations at 1-800- 732-0999.

500

Joe Paterno coached his 500th football game at Penn State on Saturday. At 81, JoePa is still going strong and plans to return in 2008.

20

There's still time to sign up as an official volunteer weather observer.

The Pennsylvania Climate Office needs more people to help monitor and report on the weather in northcentral Pennsylvania. Weather trends such as warmer winters and more frequent heavy rain have generated concern about changes in the environment.

Pennsylvania is increasing its network of volunteer weather observers by 20 in this part of the state. Additional information is available by calling toll-free 1-888-868-8800.

4,700

A spokesman for the Movie Gallery chain reports that there are no immediate plans for closing any area stores, despite the company's filing of a reorganization plan with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

'Immediate' is the key word in that declaration.

"Over the next several months, we may close certain stores in order to improve our competitiveness and profitability," Movie Gallery reported in a news release on the bankruptcy.

The Alabama-based movie rental company, which has 4,700 stores nationwide, hopes to complete the process by mid-2008. U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia will convene on Jan. 28 to consider approval of the plan.

Movie Gallery, once the second-largest movie rental company in the U.S., filed for bankruptcy in October after two years of losses and an accumulation of $1 billion in debt.

On its website, Movie Gallery describes its business strategy of targeting small towns and rural areas to knock off independent movie renters and smaller chains.

5

Because of rising costs, the Eldred World War II Museum is now charging a five-dollar admission fee for visitors over the age of 18. Featured display in January is "End of the War," focusing on 1945, with pictures, newspapers, manuals, medals and other artifacts of the returning World War II soldier.

3,500

Ed Clancy came through again. The former owner of Penn Valley Resort near Genesee once again donated $3,500 to support the Potter County Area Agency on Aging's "Meals on Wheels" program.

Clancy has now donated more than $10,000, out of his own pocket and through donations he solicits from friends and Perdue Farms Inc. in Florida, where he now resides.