Praise is in order to those who spent their New Year’s Eve in downtown Butler to show support for the eighth annual Ring in the Arts festival.

The same can be said for those who attended Harmony’s fifth annual Silvester celebration, which marks the start of the new year according to German time.

The six-hour time difference allows people to attend both celebrations, although it’s unclear whether anyone did so.

Suffice to say that both events still are in their infancy, and both will need to keep coming up with fresh ideas and attractions to maintain or increase attendance over the long run.

Actually, for Butler, this year’s Ring in the Arts attendance was a disappointment from the attendance at the original event, when thousands showed up.

But perhaps, with this having been the first time that the event partnered with Butler Downtown, the stage could be set for bigger future events.

The partnership produced more volunteers for the event — an important accomplishment.

Fireworks were part of the Harmony celebration; there were none in Butler, although Larry Stock, Ring in the Arts co-chairman, said fireworks might be brought back.

The ticket price for adults was lowered by $2, to $8, but it’s apparent that some retooling of the event will be necessary to increase interest, build attendance and ensure its survival.

Maybe reworking the celebration’s name might benefit attendance.

A crowd of about 500 people isn’t much for a city of Butler’s size. Those 500 who displayed loyalty to the event deserve positive notice for showing up in what can be hoped was a transitional year leading to more interest and attractions on New Year’s Eve 2012 and beyond.

Cheer It’s hard to fathom that there’s so much abuse and corruption involving public education funds that a hot line is necessary for tipsters to alert authorities. But Western Pennsylvania’s federal prosecutor sees a need for the hot line, and the number to call is 412-894-7515.The caller may remain anonymous.U.S. Attorney David Hickton says eliminating school fraud is a Justice Department priority. He said he is looking to prosecute the misuse of federal education funds, bidding corruption, embezzlement, and kickbacks or other collusion with outside vendors.It’s laudable that this resource has been established for people suspecting wrongdoing, but it’s troubling that the need is believed to exist.For taxpayers in this part of the state, it will be interesting to see what the hot line reveals.

Jeer It’s comical to think that doubling the Powerball’s basic ticket price will entice many more people to play. But that’s the opinion of lottery organizers, who claim that the higher ticket price won’t be a deterrent to players because the price will be offset by improvements in the odds of winning.The “better” odds of winning the jackpot will be 1 in 175 million, instead of 1 in 195 million, thanks to a reduction in the numbers available for the powerball, to 35 from 39.Meanwhile, it’s hard to fathom players fighting for a ticket since the odds of winning a prize in the overall game under the new structure will be only 1 in 31.8, down from 1 in 35.But maybe there will be some, since thousands of people go to casinos, despite the knowledge that it’s unlikely that they’ll win a big jackpot, or anything.Whether the Mega Millions game will follow Powerball’s lead remains to be seen. Perhaps organizers of that game will wait to see how many players flock to it, rather than dole out extra money for Powerball.Todd Rucci, Pennsylvania Lottery executive director, said Powerball “is being enriched to bring more value to its players.” It’s puzzling to imagine how odds of 1 in 175 million can be construed as “more value” and how such a small change in the odds will add excitement.Players’ willingness to part with an extra dollar will become known on Jan. 15, when the price change will take effect.

— J.R.K.