Broadway Theatre League Discounted Tickets Our friends at Broadway Theatre League are extending an offer to Chamber Members for tickets to On your Feet, playing at the Scranton Cultural Center Friday, November the 4th at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday the 5th at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday the 6th at 1:00 p.m. In order to unlock this offer, use the code CONGA. Save 25% to ON YOUR FEET! Use code CONGA. Offer valid now thru 11:59PM Thursday, Nov. 3. Available online and in person at the Scranton Cultural Center Box Office. Select seats only. Subject to ticket availability and does not apply to previously purchased tickets. When purchasing online, enter the code on the ticket map page under “unlock”.
Wolf Administration Outlines Winter Preparations Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Acting Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration Mike Keiser and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) Chief Operating Officer Craig Shuey today held a media briefing to outline plans for winter services, highlight job opportunities, and discuss how the public can prepare for the season. Keiser also outlined a PennDOT signage pilot project that will be used on parts of Interstates 80 and 81 this winter. “Safety is our top priority, and motorists are our partners in making this season a safe one,” Keiser said. “We also have temporary and longer-term employment opportunities and welcome people to join the team in the many types of positions available.” The public can access travel information on nearly 40,000 state-maintained roadway miles year-round at www.511PA.com, and during the winter they can find plow-truck locations and details of when state-maintained roadways were last plowed. The information is made possible by PennDOT’s Automated Vehicle Location technology, which uses units in the over 2,600 department-owned and rented plow trucks to send a cellular signal showing a truck’s location. To help the public prepare for the season and share information about winter services, PennDOT offers operational information and traveler resources on its winter web page. The site also has a complete winter guide with detailed information about winter services in each of PennDOT’s 11 engineering districts. Each year, the PTC readies itself to confront the winter elements by properly preparing its entire fleet of trucks, plows and salt spreaders and training more than 425 licensed equipment operators so they are ready to activate 24/7 staffing this fall. Turnpike traffic and weather operations are also at the ready. The team’s focus is to fully understand the conditions on the roadway and to keep the Turnpike system as free of snow and ice as possible. Motorists should take the time now to assure their vehicles are ready for winter and to know their own winter driving skills. “Our professional crews have worked hard to prepare for the upcoming winter season, and they are ready,” said Shuey. “We ask that all travelers on the Turnpike this winter do their part to be weather-ready for winter travel. Keeping your vehicle stocked for winter with whatever you might need for your health, safety and comfort should traffic come to a stop for an extended period of time can make a big difference in cold weather. We also ask that you consider how to react to extreme white-out conditions that can occur without notice. Be prepared to slow down, don’t panic stop, activate your hazard lights and extend your following distance to prevent dangerous multivehicle crashes.” In discussing traffic safety, Keiser explained that as part of a signage pilot project, the department will deploy variable speed limit, or VSL, signs – which quickly reduce speed limits when visibility or roadway conditions call for lower speeds – at 63 total locations: 21 locations along I-80 in Clearfield (mile marker (MM) 100-133) and Clinton (MM 182-193) counties;Six locations on I-80 in Clarion and Jefferson counties on the approaches to Emlenton Bridge (MM 42-45), North Fork Bridge (MM 78-81), and Kyle Lake Bridge (MM 92-95); and36 locations along I-81 from I-78 to I-80 in Lebanon (five locations), Luzerne (seven locations), and Schuylkill (24 locations) counties. While the VSLs are in place through April, permanent speed limit signs will be covered, and the normal posted speed limit will be displayed on the VSL unless visibility or winter weather conditions call for slower speeds. When speed limits are reduced, a yellow light at the top and bottom of the VSL will be flashing to ensure motorists are aware of the change. Earlier this year, the program was active in 12 locations along I-80 in Clearfield County. Preliminary results show this low-cost innovative solution effectively slowed traffic when needed and reduced or eliminated crashes. Locations were chosen based on crash and weather data, such as frequent wintry conditions and where crashes caused by whiteout conditions led to roadway closures of more than three hours. With more than $212 million budgeted for this winter’s statewide operations, PennDOT deploys about 4,700 on-the-road workers, has more than 636,000 tons of salt on hand across the state and will take salt deliveries throughout the winter. PennDOT is actively seeking nearly 700 temporary equipment operators statewide for the winter season to supplement the department’s full-time staff. Details on minimum requirements, such as possession of a CDL, as well as application information, are available at www.employment.pa.gov. Through the same website, job seekers can apply for over 100 other non-operator winter positions such as diesel and construction equipment mechanics, welders, clerks and more. If motorists encounter snow or ice-covered roads, they should slow down, increase their following distance and avoid distractions. Last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary statewide data shows that there were 266 crashes resulting in two fatalities and 116 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways where aggressive-driving behaviors such as speeding or making careless lane changes were factors. Motorists should prepare for potential wintry weather by ensuring they have supplies in their cars before heading out: food, water, blankets, extra gloves and hats, cell phone charger, hand or foot warmers, windshield brush and scraper, and any specialized items like medications or baby and pet supplies. In addition, snow squalls can often produce dangerous and deadly travel hazards on otherwise clear winter days. The National Weather Service now issues “Snow Squall Warnings” which alert drivers of whiteout conditions and slippery roadways, so motorists can avoid traveling directly into these dangerous squalls.
Treasurer Garrity Announces $2.1 Billion Transfer to Rainy Day Fund Treasurer Stacy Garrity today announced the deposit of $2.1 billion into Pennsylvania’s Rainy Day Fund, formally known as the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund. The transfer, which was officially made yesterday, was authorized as part of the state budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23. “Our state reserves are the strongest they’ve been in decades,” Garrity said. “Thanks to this deposit, the Rainy Day Fund is approaching $5 billion, positioning Pennsylvania to be able to weather a future economic downturn. Everyone knows that a fiscal cliff is looming, so saving as much as possible in the Rainy Day Fund is the right thing to do. I applaud the General Assembly and Governor Wolf for prioritizing our state’s future.”
Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital Fundraiser Lackawanna College and Scranton’s Bartari Bar and Restaurant are teaming up to raise money for Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital through Children’s Miracle Network’s Extra Life program. Extra Life is a gaming marathon where gamers pledge to play games for 24 hours and ask family, friends and social media followers to donate to their fundraising goal for their local children’s hospital. On Sunday, Nov. 6, Lackawanna College’s E-sports team will hold a gaming event from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Bartari, located at 101 Adams Ave. in Scranton. The public is welcome to attend in person or watch the team’s live stream on Twitch. The gamers will have challenges throughout the day to encourage people to donate to their cause. Bartari will offer food and drink specials, and through their “Quarters for Kids” event, will donate all proceeds from games played during the day to Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger. The Extra Life program began in 2008 as a fundraising effort for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals and has raised more than $100 million nationwide through the program since its inception. Money raised through Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger programs stays local and supports pediatric care throughout Geisinger by providing funds for equipment, services and programs for the care of local children. Visit the CMN website, to see a complete list of items and programs provided by donations.
Marywood University Veterans Day Ceremony In commemoration of Veterans Day, Marywood University’s Office of Military and Veteran Services and its Student Veteran Alliance (SVA) will honor those who are serving and those who have served our country on at an 11 a.m. ceremony on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at the Marywood’s Veterans Resource Center, 2236 N. Washington Avenue, Scranton, Pa., on the University’s campus. Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood University’s president, will offer remarks. Peter Howey, a recent Marywood alumnus and a Navy veteran, will serve as guest speaker. “Echo Taps” will be played by two student trumpeters from Marywood’s Music, Theatre, and Dance Department, Isiah Ortiz and Zachary Houston, while Marywood student vocalist Leanne Onofrio will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The ceremony site will feature Flags for the Fallen, an outdoor display of thousands of U.S. flags that honor those who have fallen while serving our country. Raul E. Santana Nuñez, M. Ed., Marywood’s director of military and veteran services, is coordinating the event, which is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony at the Veterans Resource Center, Noon-3 p.m. “Veterans Day gives the Marywood community and the public the opportunity to pray, reflect, and honor those who have served or are serving, with special recognition of and respect for those service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Mr. Santana Nuñez.
Representative Karen Boback News Boback’s Bill Commemorating Tuskegee Airmen Needs Governor’s Signature to Become Law A bill sponsored by Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) that would designate March 29 of each year as “Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day” in Pennsylvania passed unanimously in the Senate last week. House Bill 2586 now awaits the governor’s signature to become law. “Nearly 100 Tuskegee Airmen came from western Pennsylvania, more than any other region in the nation,” Boback said. “It is important that we both remember and honor this group of outstanding state residents who put their lives on the line for our nation and Commonwealth, all while in the face of racial adversity.” The Tuskegee Airmen were the first group of African-American military aviators, fighting with exemplary courage and distinction during World War II. Despite facing rigid racial barriers and constant segregation, these airmen were among the most accomplished and effective pilots of the entire war. Upwards of 900 pilots who graduated from Tuskegee Airfield flew 1,578 missions and 15,533 sorties, destroying 261 enemy aircraft and earning themselves more than 850 medals, collectively. The bill also would require an annual proclamation from the governor encouraging all public schools and educational institutions to observe and conduct exercises recognizing the Tuskegee Airmen and their sacrifices. The governor has 10 days to sign, veto or allow the bills to become law without his signature. If signed, the new law would take effect in 60 days. Boback’s Bill to Assist Older Foster Youth Awaits Governor’s Signature After Senate Approval – A bill sponsored by Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) aimed at helping older foster youth in Pennsylvania find more permanent family connections passed unanimously in the Senate on Wednesday. House Bill 1866 now awaits the governor’s signature to become law. “It is imperative that we do all we can to help foster youth in Pennsylvania find a permanent family before reaching adulthood and, if that doesn’t happen, to ensure they at least have positive family and community connections,” said Boback. “My bill helps these young people to make the often difficult transition into adulthood with a support system in place. I am so pleased we were able to get it across the finish line before the end of the current legislative session.” House Bill 1866 builds on existing state requirements that foster youth receive counseling and other services as they grow older, including the identification of family members who may be willing to assume a primary caretaker or other supportive role. The measure also ensures those requirements are fully and effectively implemented. If signed, the new law would take effect in 60 days.
SWB RailRiders Sets 2023 Home Game Times The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced their home game times for the 2023 season. The new campaign starts on March 31 and the 150-game slate runs through September 24, including 75 games at PNC Field in Moosic. The first pitch for all but two weeknight games throughout the season will be at 6:35 P.M. Saturday games in April and May will start at 4:05 P.M. and shift to 6:05 starting on June 10 for the remainder of the summer. All Sunday games will begin at 1:05 P.M. in 2023. Games on May 9 and 23 will have a 6:05 P.M. first pitch. The RailRiders will host two school day games in 2023 with 11:05 A.M. start times. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre hosts Omaha on Wednesday, May 10, and Worcester on Wednesday, May 24, in the early games. The final Saturday game of the home schedule, September 16 against Buffalo, is set with a 4:05 P.M. start. Promotions and giveaways will be announced at a later time and all game times are subject to change. Season ticket memberships, including full, half, partial and a flex plan are on sale now. Find more information online at swbrailriders.com or by calling (570) 969-2255.
Wilkes University Presents The Sordoni Art Gallery The Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University presents “David C. Driskell and Friends: Creativity, Collaboration, and Friendship, Works from the David C. Driskell Center,”a Dr. Roy E. Morgan Memorial Exhibition. The exhibition highlights the artistic legacy of David C. Driskell and his relationships with fellow artists, many of which have a significant place in the art canon. It will be displayed from Nov. 1, 2022, through Feb. 26, 2023. David C. Driskell (1931-2020) was an American artist, scholar and curator recognized for his work in establishing African-American art as a distinct field of study and was cited as one of the world’s leading authorities on the topic. In 1976, Driskell curated the groundbreaking exhibition, “Two Centuries of Black American Art: 1750–1950,” which has been a foundation for the field of African American art history. His teaching career includes institutions such as Talladega College, Howard and Fisk Universities and University of Maryland. He served as visiting professor of art at several universities, including Bowdoin College, the University of Michigan, Queens College and Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. At each institution, he prioritized exposing students to artists and their work through artist residencies, exhibitions, and prolific slide collections. Driskell passed away April 1, 2020, in Hyattsville, Maryland, from complications of COVID-19. He was 88. The exhibition was curated by Sheila Bergman of the University of California–Riverside, Curlee Raven Holton of the Driskell Center at the University of Maryland, and Wilkes gallery director Heather Sincavage. The exhibition is the first of its kind for this collection and explores the work and Driskell’s relationships with such figures as Hale Woodruff, James Porter, Elizabeth Catlett, Kara Walker, Romare Beardon, Keith Morrison, Jacob Lawrence and many more. Original works of art created by Driskell will also be featured, as well as ephemera from the Driskell Papers that exemplify the artists’ unique friendship. All works featured in the exhibition are from the David C. Driskell Center. The center, established in 2001 by the University of Maryland, honors Driskell by preserving the rich heritage of African American visual art and culture. This traveling exhibition will debut at the Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University, and subsequent venues will include University of California-Riverside University of Pennsylvania and University of Maryland. In connection with the exhibit, the gallery will feature a series of events that are free and open to the public: Curator panel discussion, 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 2: Discussions, moderated by Robert Salsburg of WVIA, will center around the pivotal influence David C. Driskell had on the art history canon, his growth as an artist and a career of community building throughout the African American art community. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. Art in Context film screening, 5 p.m. on Nov. 9: Black Art: In the Absence of Light is an illuminating documentary that spotlights the indelible contributions of some of the foremost African American artists in today’s contemporary art world, including Theaster Gates, Kerry James Marshall, Faith Ringgold, Amy Sherald and more. The film will be followed by a discussion moderated by Dan Kimbrough, owner and founder of Park MultiMedia. Advance registration is required for this event by emailing melissa.carestia@wilkes.edu. Spaces are limited and will be on a first come, first served basis. Second Saturday Family Hour, 12 to 2 p.m. on Nov. 12: The session is inspired by the work of Kara Walker, one of the most complex and prolific American artists of her generation. Walker gained national and international recognition for her cut-paper silhouettes depicting historical narratives. Participants for this event are invited to make their own cut paper silhouette while viewing one of Walker’s masterpieces in the gallery. Materials will be provided. All experience levels and ages are welcome. Storytime, presented by the Osterhout Free Library, will be at 1 p.m. The Sordoni Art Gallery is located at 141 S. Main. St. in Wilkes-Barre and shares space with the Karambelas Media and Communication Center. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays and 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The gallery follows the operating schedule of Wilkes and is closed on University holidays, breaks or due to inclement weather. The gallery will be open by appointment only during the University’s semester break from Dec. 17, 2022 until Jan. 14, 2023. For more information, visit www.wilkes.edu/sordoniartgallery.
FNCB Bank Adds James Kelshaw to Commercial Lending Team FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, today announced that James Kelshaw has joined the commercial lending team as Senior Vice President, SBA Loan Manager. As SBA Loan Manager, Mr. Kelshaw will be responsible for the oversight of the Bank’s U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) lending activities. Mr. Kelshaw joins FNCB Bank with 30 years of credit, commercial lending and SBA lending experience. Most recently he served as the Executive Director of the Northeastern Economic Development Company of PA-CDC. He is a graduate of Hazleton High School and King’s College where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Master’s in Finance. An active member of the community, he is past vice chairman and current board member of the Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress and past vice president and current member of the Hazleton Rotary.