Scranton Cultural Center to Host Second Free Outdoor Summer Concert

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will host its second free outdoor summer concert with Erin Malloy & Friends on July 9.  Erin Malloy will be joined by Jim Waltich (piano), Tommy Hamilton (saxophone), Doug Smith (bass), Mark Montella (drums) and Denise LaBamba (percussion).  The show will take place outside the Scranton Cultural Center at 420 N. Washington Avenue.

“We had a great turnout for our first show with Young Lion, and we are looking forward to featuring Erin Malloy,” said Deborah Moran Peterson, SCC Executive Director.  “We have enjoyed being able to connect with our audiences virtually through the past year, but we are so grateful to be able to welcome back our community with this free concert series.”

All current CDC Guidelines will be followed at each performance with any updates being shared via social media.  All performances will run from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM; a cash bar with light fare will open at 6:00 PM prior to each show.

Additional performers in the series include The Mule Team (August 13) and Blind Choice (September 10).  To learn more about the Scranton Cultural Center and its upcoming events, visit SCCMT.org.

The free outdoor summer concert series is sponsored by LT Verrastro, Truly Hard Seltzer, UGI Utilities Inc. and Fidelity Bank.  It is supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts.

Apply for a Free NEPA SHRM Membership

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce would like to share with you an opportunity to apply for membership with NEPA SHRM at no cost through August 16, 2021.

NEPA SHRM is an affiliate Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) comprised of over 300 local Human Resource Professionals representing a large range of businesses in the area. NEPA SHRM chapter is looking to grow and connect HR professionals to continue their quest for ongoing professional development. Benefits of membership include the following opportunities:

  • Development of relationships and contacts with other HR professionals to share information on HR issues
  • Educational seminars and workshops to improve your HR competencies and help you maintain your professional certifications
  • Access to current best practices to make your organization more efficient, increase employee commitment, and help line managers carry out business strategies
  • Development of leadership skills through volunteer roles
  • Enhancement of your professional reputation and credentials in the HR field

You can view our full calendar of events at https://link.zixcentral.com/u/10a31827/AvwmauaS6xGpsa3PhnsoMg?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnepashrm.shrm.org%2Fevents

NEPA SHRM’s success depends on talented, dedicated professionals like you and we hope you will consider joining.  While you do not need to be certified to be a member of NEPA SHRM, you do need to be a member of National SHRM.  If you are already a National SHRM member, you can join NEPA SHRM at  www.nepashrm.shrm.org and click on the JOIN NOW button. If you are not a National SHRM member, you may join at www.shrm.org.  The $25 membership fee to join NEPA SHRM has been waived through August 16, 2021. Please consider joining now to save $25!

Should you need any assistance or have any questions or comments about membership or benefits, please feel free to contact them at 570.899.1285 or email them at membership.nepashrm@yahoo.com. Thank you for your consideration.

COLTS to Offer Free Rides to Bicyclists During National Bike to Work Week

The County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) will offer free rides to bicyclists during National Bike  to Work Week, which falls this year from May 17 through May 23.

“We were very interested in offering an incentive for people to utilize multimodal transportation as a viable way to travel,” said Executive Director Bob Fiume. “Passengers who might have a long commute may want to try cycling to work and then taking a COLTS bus home.”

Each fixed route COLTS bus has an easy-to-use bike rack in the front that can hold two bicycles. Cyclists who want to use the bike racks just need to let the driver know they will be using them.
There are not bike racks on the shared ride vans or subcontracted vehicles that run the #11 Mid Valley Industrial Parks, #46 Mall Circulator, #80 Commerce Loop, #71 Evening City Circle North, and #72 Evening City Circle South routes.

If both bike spaces are occupied, a cyclist will have to wait for the next bus, as bikes cannot be transported inside the vehicle.

Johnson College Offers Free College Readiness for STEM Occupations Program

Johnson College is offering a free eight-week College Readiness for STEM Occupations program for teenagers ages 14 to 18 years old, from low-income families, who live in Lackawanna County. The program starts Wednesday, April 21, 2021, and continues every Wednesday and Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for eight-weeks. The program includes dinner for students and transportation between Scranton High School and the Johnson College campus if needed. For eligibility requirements and to register, contact Dr. Kellyn Williams, Johnson College’s Chief Academic Officer at knolan@johnson.edu or 570-702-8940. This program is supported by a grant from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

The College Readiness for STEM Occupations program includes presentations and hands-on discovery activities designed to increase awareness of career opportunities in the STEM workforce and to improve college-readiness skills. Participants are evaluated throughout the program based on attendance and discussion. The program will:

  • Increase awareness of STEM-related occupations.
  • Increase awareness of two-year options for post-secondary education.
  • Designed for all students, not just those who will pursue post-secondary education or careers in STEM or STEM-related fields.
  • Develop skills necessary for success in college and career.
  • Increase student potential for academic and personal success through knowledge of campus resources.

Students who complete the program with at least 80% attendance will receive college credit (a $550 value). To qualify for the college credit, students will be required to sign-in at each session to verify attendance.

For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.

Lackawanna College Environmental Center Announces Free Core Manufacturing Program

The Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center (LCEEC) will host a free Core Manufacturing Skills certificate program beginning April 6 with in-person and online classes. The free 200-hour program will provide participants with skills necessary for entry-level positions in advanced manufacturing through classroom, simulation-based and online skill-building lessons.

“We are excited to be able to incorporate principles of sustainably into the third and final session of this popular program,” said Sharon Yanik-Craig, Center Director for LCEEC. “Green jobs aren’t just in renewable energy— existing manufacturing jobs can be enhanced by green knowledge to minimize negative environmental impacts, conserve energy and natural resources and maintain a safe working environment for employees”.

By completing the program and passing a final competency assessment, students will earn a Core Manufacturing Skills Certificate from Lackawanna College and NEPIRC, which is recognized by area manufacturing industry employers. The certificate will prepare graduates for positions in high-demand fields in environmental stewardship, maintenance, manufacturing, production, quality assurance and safety compliance.

For more information or to register, visit www.lackawanna.edu/enrichment.