Barry Isett Opens Greater Scranton Office

Barry Isett & Associates, Inc. opened their newest regional office in Olyphant on August 1, 2022 – a development that will expand Isett’s services to the businesses and residents of the Greater Scranton Area.

The engineering and consulting firm has grown to nine locations across Eastern and Central Pennsylvania, now taking residence in the Rock Creek Corporate Center – Suite 214, 1444 East Lackawanna Street, Olyphant.

“We have a commitment to our associates to provide a workspace that’s not only close to the clients they serve, but to their families and homes,” Gregg Pavlick, Isett’s Vice President of the firm’s Northeastern PA region.  “Isett prides itself on maintaining both a healthy work environment and a healthy work-life balance for their associates.”  Already home to 13 associates who relocated from other branch offices, the Greater Scranton Office can accommodate up to 23 employees.

The new facility will provide Isett associates with large, smart workspaces; several common spaces for meetings and team building; and other modern amenities that align with the company’s values of Balance, Ownership, Service and Team.

Creating this new space in the Greater Scranton Area will not only serve the need of current clients, but also of future partners. “We wanted to offer a place where Isett associates can meet with clients and partners in the Greater Scranton Area and throughout Lackawanna County,” Pavlick adds. “We are looking forward to enriching and supporting this community.”

Misericordia Awarded Pasmart Advancing Computer Science and Stem Education Grant

Misericordia University is among 42 organizations across the Commonwealth to be awarded funding through the 2021-22 PAsmart Advancing Computer Science and STEM Education Grants Program. The university was awarded a grant in the amount of $375,750 in response to their proposal, “Teach STEM!: Strengthening the STEM Pipeline by increasing the number of culturally-responsive Computer Science and STEM teachers in Luzerne County.”

Launched by Governor Tom Wolf, PAsmart is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. PAsmart strategically invests resources in education and training opportunities to support Pennsylvania’s economic growth now and in the future. According to the PAsmart website, over the next decade, most of the better paying jobs in Pennsylvania will require some form of education or training after high school, especially in the fast-growing fields of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and computer science.

“The success of our initiative is predicated on the collaboration amongst valued regional stakeholders such as the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce. Joining us in this partnership are Luzerne Intermediate Unit-18 and the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Development Board. Each of these organizations possess a unique, yet interconnected role focused toward alleviating the extreme teacher shortage, particularly in the secondary STEM field, that is impacting the quality of learning experienced by our young students spanning the county,” said Colleen Duffy, Ed.D., chairperson, Teacher Education Department and director of Graduate Teacher Education at Misericordia University.

Additionally, through distinct partner-driven offerings such as new certification programs and professional development courses, the program looks to effectively reverse declining enrollment in teacher preparation programs. These efforts will supplement the STEM workforce pipeline by growing student interest in pursuing CS/STEM majors and careers.

Since 2018, the Wolf Administration has secured $60 million and strategically invested in education and workforce development through PAsmart. The Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board provided initial recommendations and approved the framework for the funding priorities.

Targeted and Advancing PAsmart grants support high-quality STEM and computer science learning and professional development opportunities to communities across Pennsylvania, including within early learning centers, libraries, out-of-school time providers, career and technical centers, post-secondary institutions, and K-12 schools. The department awarded a total of 438 PAsmart grants since the 2018-19 school year.

Misericordia University was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, in Dallas, Pennsylvania. It is Luzerne County’s oldest four-year college offering 37 degree programs in three academic colleges, including Health Sciences and Education, Arts and Sciences, and Business. Faculty at Misericordia are accomplished scholars and educators who prepare students to emerge into a challenging society as ethical leaders, through challenging academic standards and high levels of engagement with students, including research, service to others, and career preparation.

Geisinger Medical Center Becomes First Comprehensive Heart Attack Center in U.S.

Geisinger Medical Center (GMC) is the country’s first hospital to receive The
Joint Commission/American Heart Association (AHA) Comprehensive Heart Attack Center
Certification.


Already recognized by the organizations as a Mission Lifeline® Heart Attack Receiving Center
for its ability to quickly restore blood flow to the heart in patients with the most severe type of
heart attack, GMC has now set the national standard for care coordination among hospital
leadership, interventional cardiology, cardiac surgery, heart failure, advanced practice, nursing,
life support, emergency medicine, emergency medical services (EMS), care management,
pharmacy, and cardiac rehab teams.


Every second is critical when trying to preserve heart muscle and function in patients having
cardiac episodes, and this degree of full-team support means patients will receive the highest
level of care as quickly as it can be delivered.


Geisinger engaged the certification process to bring the best possible cardiac care close to
home for patients and members in central and northeastern Pennsylvania – another step
forward in the system’s vision of making better health easier for the communities it serves.


“GMC staff has shown they’re ready to treat a broad spectrum of chest-pain patients including
those who go to the emergency room (ER) with chest pain, go into cardiac arrest outside the
hospital, have heart attacks and need blood flow restored quickly, need open-heart procedures,
or need advanced therapies like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for life support
or left ventricle assist device (LVAD) procedures for heart failure,” said interventional
cardiologist Thomas Scott, D.O, director of the cardiac catheterization lab and co-medical
director of the Comprehensive Heart Attack Center Certification program at the medical center.


Geisinger partnered with The Joint Commission on the pilot program for this new certification in
November, and a multi-disciplinary team was ready when the commission returned at the end of
July for a rigorous onsite review.

Reviewers with a nursing background evaluated records for patients who were currently
admitted or had been cared for at GMC since the beginning of the year and pushed staff on
quality measures including leadership engagement, collaboration with EMS, medical decision
making, systemwide approach to quality improvement, performance improvement projects and
engagement with pharmacy at the bedside.


“Taking care of these patients is a team sport,” said Cinde Bower-Stout, R.N., M.H.A.,
cardiovascular quality manager and program director of the Comprehensive Heart Attack Center
Certification program at the medical center. “Our front-line staff are just as critical as our
specialists as they assess lab results for potential issues, administer pain-management
treatment, educate patients on what to expect when they get home and receive ongoing care,
round with our multi-disciplinary teams and help patients regain their strength with in-hospital
therapies in preparation for discharge.”


Geisinger was also noted for its ability to offer cardiac rehab in both in-person and virtual
formats to help patients recover after cardiac events.

PennDOT Phases in Newly-Designed Driver Licenses, ID Cards

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that, as part of ongoing security enhancements, PennDOT is updating the design and enhancing the security features of its driver license and identification card products.

“The update is an important component of PennDOT’s ongoing work to enhance and protect the integrity of the driver license and identification card issuance process,” PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said.

PennDOT is piloting the new products at the Summerdale Driver License Center in Enola beginning September 12, 2022. All Driver and Photo centers will transition to the new products by mid-November 2022. The new products will be phased in over the next four-year renewal cycle and will replace existing products. The new products will be phased in during renewal cycles and will replace existing products. Both current and new card designs will be in circulation during the transition period.

Both standard and REAL ID compliant products will use the new design and security features. REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, and customers are able to opt into REAL ID. Beginning May 3, 2023, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, photo ID card, or another form of federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID. More information about REAL ID can be on the REAL ID page on the Driver and Vehicle Services website.

The cards look different and have additional enhanced security features that improve fraud prevention and protect from counterfeiting and alteration.

  • Guilloche Security Design, a feature that includes sophisticated techniques to embed a variety of customized security patterning into the credential, using non-commercial software developed specifically for high security documents (banknotes, passports, ID cards, etc);
  • Optically Variable Ghost Portrait and Variable Data with UV, features that change their appearance when the viewing angle of the card changes, which moves them from fully visible to non-visible. The card also includes an ultraviolet (UV) response that fluoresces under UV lighting. The UV response is fixed – visible under UV light regardless of viewing angle;
  • Dynamic Look Through Element (DLTE), a dynamic feature with gold metallic tint that is visible under direct lighting.

Brian Baumgertner To Promote New Chili Cookbook at PNC Field Friday

Award-winning actor Brian Baumgartner is coming back to Scranton this week and will make a special appearance at PNC Field on Friday, September 16. Baumgartner is slated to appear for a Backyard BBQ at the Ballpark when the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders host the Worcester Red Sox.

Baumgartner is promoting his new and highly-anticipated chili cookbook. Seriously Good Chili Cookbook: 177 of the Best Recipes in the World Recipes, which is set for release tomorrow from Mount Joy, Pennsylvania publisher Fox Chapel Publishing.

He will do a signing at Books-A-Million at the Viewmont Mall in Dickson City from 3-5 P.M. on Friday before making his way to PNC Field. After throwing out a first pitch prior to the RailRiders 6:35 P.M. game against the WooSox, Baumgartner will be signing cookbooks on the Geisinger Plaza from 7-9 P.M.

Gates open at 5:30 Friday, and after the final out, fans will be entertained by the final fireworks show of the 2022 season.

Tickets and promotional information for the entire homestand, which begins tomorrow night at 6:35 P.M., are available online at swbrailriders.com.

2022 – 2023 Broadway in Scranton Season Announced

Broadway in Scranton (NAC Entertainment and Broadway Theatre League of NEPA) announced today the 2022-23 Broadway in Scranton Season. New Season Tickets are now on sale.

Season Tickets are available online at BroadwayInScranton.com, in person at the Broadway Theatre League (BTL) office (345 North Washington Ave, Scranton, PA) or by phone at 570-342-7784. BTL Office Hours are Monday – Friday 10 AM – 4PM.

THE 2022-23 BROADWAY IN SCRANTON SEASON:

ON YOUR FEET!: November 4 – 6, 2022

LEGALLY BLONDE: December 2 – 4, 2022

ANASTASIA: January 27 – 29, 2023

RIVERDANCE: March 17 – 19, 2023

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: April 21 – 23, 2023

Patrons have the option to purchase a 4 Show or 5 Show Season Package:


4-Show Package includes On Your Feet! Legally Blonde, Anastasia, and Fiddler on the Roof.


5-Show Package includes On Your Feet! Legally Blonde, Anastasia, Riverdance, and Fiddler on the Roof.


In addition to the 4 and 5 show season packages, it was also announced that there is no increase in the price of season tickets. Albert Nocciolino (president of NAC Entertainment) stated that “in today’s economy and with most industries increasing their prices, we believe that it was important to reward our loyal season ticket holders with no price increase.” There are four price levels for Broadway In Scranton at the Scranton Cultural Center.


Prices for the 4-Show season ticket package are $169, $229, $269 and $309

Lackawanna County Grant Process Still Accepting Applications

Annually the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties supports a grant program in Lackawanna County with funds collected from individuals, corporations and employee groups made up of Lackawanna County residents during the United Way campaign.

This is the first year United Way is implementing the “Lackawanna County Community Impact Grant.”  This is a small grant that is built and targeted for grass roots organizations with limited administrative capacity.  An effort to try and serve more diverse populations residing in Lackawanna County that may experience difficulties when applying for other funding streams. Organizations can apply for funding for one program with a limit of a $10,000 request.

To Qualify:

  • An organization must have an organizational budget of less than $400,000.
  • Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) organization or partner with a United Way approved 501(c)(3) organization.
  • Organization has bylaws that state the purpose of the organization, make provisions for the size of the Board of Directors and provide rules for: selection and tenure of board members, the number of officers and committees, financial and legal procedures, and quorum requirements.
  • Organization has proof of current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.
  • Organization maintains compliance with all applicable legal licensing requirement and maintains appropriate insurance coverage.
  • All program requests must fit within the one of the 3 priority areas of United Way which are Education, Health and Economic Mobility.

Application Guideline:

  • Receiving funds in one fiscal year does not ensure that the grant will be renewed in the following year(s). It is imperative that the organization does not count on United Way funds as a recurring funding stream.
  • In the benchmark section, be sure to state clear numbers of individuals impacted by the program. It is understood that this is a projection until the program is completed. The actual number of impacted individuals must be included in the report section at the end of the fiscal year.
  • While the Committee may fund a capital item, the preferred usage of the United Way funds is for programs that impact individuals in the community.
  • If there are any questions concerning this application process, please contact William Craven via email at wcraven@uwlc.net

This grant process is overseen by a group of volunteers that make funding decisions based on the applications that are submitted to the United Way. It is the responsibility of these dedicated volunteers on the Lackawanna County Funds Distribution Committee to ensure donations are spent in the most cost-efficient method in priority areas for the residents of Lackawanna County. All the decisions are made by local volunteers and then approved by the United Way Board of Directors. The Funds Distribution Committee members are the stewards of the community fund.

In order to receive login information, you must first contact Will Craven (wcraven@uwlc.net) to receive login credentials. Applications are now available to any organization that meets the above criteria.  Application submission deadline is September 21st.

For more information, visit, uwlc.net/lackawanna-county-grant-process

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Announces 2022 Winter Tour: ‘The Ghosts of Christmas Eve – The Best of TSO & More’

COMING TO WILKES BARRE
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27 | MOHEGAN SUN ARENA | 3:00PM & 7:30PM
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 AT 10 AM WITH SPECIALLY PRICED $29 TICKETS OFFERED FOR ONE WEEK ONLY*  

Wilkes-Barre, PA (September 12, 2022) –Multi-platinum, progressive rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra(TSO) – today announced the on-sale dates for its highly anticipated 2022 winter tour, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve – the Best of TSO & More.” After its first year off the road in more than two decades, TSO made a triumphant return to touring in 2021 with a 25th anniversary celebration of Christmas Eve and Other Stories. For 2022, TSO brings a completely updated presentation of the unforgettable, multi-generational holiday tradition, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” to 60 cities across the nation.  This year’s tour kicks off on Wed., Nov. 16 with performances in Green Bay and Council Bluffs, and will conclude after 101 shows on Fri., Dec. 30.

Larry Magid Entertainment Group is proud to welcome TSO when they return to Wilkes Barre for their 2022 Winter tour! The ASM Global managed Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza will host two spectacular shows on Sunday, November 27th at 3:00pm and 7:30pm.  

The public on sale is set to begin on Fri., Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. local time. Beginning with the public on sale, special $29* tickets will be available for one week only (or while supplies last). Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com and in person at the NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Keeping with the O’Neill’s vision (Paul O’Neill, and his wife Desi), TSO remains one of rock’s most charitable bands. Once again, thankfully, TSO will give at least $1 from every ticket sold to charity. To date, approximately $18 million has been donated by the group. Desi O’Neill said, “we want to thank the fans so much for the kindness they showed in coming out last year. It meant the world to our family. Moreover, the credit for any charitable donation is due to you not us. The only way we are able to help all is because of you.” A portion of the ticket proceeds from this year’s concerts will benefit Griffin Pond Animal Shelter.  

A product of the imagination of TSO’s late founder Paul O’Neill, and his wife Desi, and based on TSO’s multi-platinum CD and TV special, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” the rock opera features such enduring fan-favorites as “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24,” “O’ Come All Ye Faithful,” “Good King Joy,” “Christmas Canon,” “Music Box Blues,” “Promises To Keep,” and “This Christmas Day.” 2022’s tour will also boast a rousing second set containing more of TSO’s greatest hits and fan-pleasers including “Wizards In Winter,” “A Mad Russian’s Christmas,” and many more.  

“It was so special to be back playing live last year. When you love something as much as we do and it’s taken away, it made us super thankful to be back. I look forward to seeing all our ‘repeat offenders’ and all our new friends when we hit the road,” said TSO’s music director and lead guitarist Al Pitrelli. “I love all of Paul’s stories, but ‘The Ghosts of Christmas Eve’ is one of my favorites and can’t wait to unveil this incredibly amazing new show for everyone. We know some people may be having tough times, so we worked hard with the local promoters and arenas to have a low priced $29 ticket to do our part in helping out. God Bless all of you and see you in November and December when we celebrate in-person once again.”

For more details on tour dates and ticket sales, visit www.trans-siberian.com.