The Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center (LCEEC) is hosting an Open House on March 23, 2019, from 9 a.m. to noon for individuals interested in learning about the Conservation and Natural Resource (CNR) Certificate and the new online Certificate in Sustainable Leadership.

During Open House, students will get program overviews, meet with program advisers, learn about potential job opportunities, understand tuition and financial aid options and tour LCEEC’s building and grounds. Application fees are waived for all attending. Participants are also invited to join us on a free nature hike along the trails of LCEEC led by CNR professor Mike Freidlin.

The Conservation and Natural Resource Certificate is a 15-week accelerated program. Students will complete five field biology courses at the LCEEC located on 211-acres of diverse habitat in Covington Township, PA. The curriculum focuses on the conservation and interpretation of our natural environment. Students will gain classroom and hands-on experience in the basic principles of conservation through specific courses designed to develop the student’s knowledge of Northeast United States flora and fauna. The CNR certificate is appropriate for anyone seeking a career as a park ranger or related field.

The new 16-credit Sustainable Leadership Certificate is online and part-time, providing students with the foundation needed to become a sustainability professional in under nine months. The program develops leadership and management skills through exploring issues involving sustainability and is an excellent program for anyone interested in becoming an efficient leader by encouraging a productive workforce and reducing expenditure costs. The curriculum is well suited for almost any industry, profession and employment level including, but not limited to teachers, business managers, staff and employees, IT professionals, healthcare, artists, small business owners, travel, hospitality and the food industry.

Applications are still being accepted for the Fall 2019 semester. For more information about programs or to register for Open House, please contact Sharon Yanik-Craig at (570) 842-1506 or email yaniks@lackawanna.edu

Through Apr. 12 Art Exhibit: “Altered States: Important Prints from The Maslow Collection.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Through Apr. 24 Exhibit “Life, Death, and Memory: Art and Artifacts from the Passionist China Collection,” which honors the martyred men as well as the service of the many other Passionist priests and Sisters of Charity who worked in the region from 1921 to 1955. Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Call 570-941-6341 or email michael.knies@scranton.edu.

Apr. 1 4 p.m. Henry George Lecture: “Media Power: Measuring the Influence of News Media on Politics” presented by Andrea Prat, Ph.D., Columbia University.  Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email aram.balagyozyan@scranton.edu.

Apr. 4 5 p.m. 24^th Annual ACHE Healthcare Symposium. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Includes dinner, presentation and panel discussion. Fees vary. Call 570-702-5734 or email elizabeth.steele@scranton.edu.

Apr. 4 5:30 p.m. Schemel Forum with the Political Dialogues Campus Working Group at The University of Scranton Collaborative Program: “Democracy and the Rhetoric of Demagoguery” presented by Patricia Roberts-Miller, Ph.D., professor of rhetoric and writing and director of the university writing center at the University of Texas at Austin. Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Free. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.

Apr. 5 5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “Altered States: Important Prints from The Maslow Collection” presented by Ryan Ward, curator, The Maslow Collection, Marywood University. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Reception to follow at the Hope Horn Gallery. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Apr. 6 9 a.m. National History Day Competition for junior and senior high school students. Byron Complex. Pre-registration required beginning on Feb. 1. Call 570-941-4549 or email nhdparegion2@gmail.com.

Apr. 6 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band with special guests The Alumni Blues Doctors featuring Drs. Adonizio, Costello, Newman, and Stopper. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Apr. 7 5 p.m. Global Tastes of Scranton event featuring the Bhutanese-Nepali community. Co-sponsors include The University of Scranton, Catholic Social Services, Lackawanna County Department of Arts and Culture, Scranton Cultural Center and Terra Preta Restaurant. Scranton Cultural Center. $35. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu.

Apr. 8 noon. Schemel Forum’s Munley Law World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Empathy in Politics: Does it Matter? If So, Why?” presented by Fred Logevall, Ph.D., Laurence D. Belfer Professor of International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School and professor of history. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.

Apr. 8 6 p.m. Schemel Forum with The Helen Gallagher McHugh Special Collections at the Weinberg Memorial Library and Friends of the Weinberg Library Collaborative Program: “American Passionist Priest Martyrs in China, 90th Anniversary 1929-2019:  Remembering their Witness of Faith; Remembering the Chinese Catholic Witness of Faith” presented by Father Rob Carbonneau, Ph.D., passionist historian/adjunct professor of history, The University of Scranton. Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Free. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.

Apr. 10 7 p.m. Presentation by Christine Courtois, Ph.D., author and psychologist specializing in the treatment of trauma, regarding sexual abuse trauma and healing, sponsored by the University’s Task Force on Healing, Reconciliation and Hope. Kane Forum, Leahy Hall. Free. Call 570-941-7401 or email hrhtaskforce@scranton.edu

Apr. 10-24 Environmental Art Show. Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library. Free during library hours. Call 570-941-7520 or email linda.walsh@scranton.edu.

Apr. 11 6 p.m. Earth Day “Evening of Environmental Science” with University student-run interactive science experiments and exhibit of University of Scranton Earth Day Essay Contest submissions. Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-7669 or email stan.zygmunt@scranton.edu.

Apr. 11-13 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. “Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” presented by The Liva Arts Company. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. $5 admission. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.

Apr. 13  1 p.m. Holi-Festival of Colors. Dionne Green. Free. Call 570-941-4160 or email jose.sanchez@scranton.edu.

Apr. 14 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring Mannes School of Music Brass Orchestra and The University of Scranton Singers. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Apr. 15  6:30 p.m. Political Dialogue Discussion facilitated by The University of Scranton. Albright Memorial Library. Registration required. Free. Call 570-348-3000, ext. 3023, or visit www.albright.org

Apr. 16 11 a.m. Earth Day Fair with interactive games, presentations and information related to the environment and sustainable practices. Atrium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-7520 or email linda.walsh@scranton.edu.

Apr. 16 8:30 a.m. Hayes Family Competition in physics and engineering for high school students. Byron Complex. Registration required. Call 570-941-7509 or email laurie.mccoy@scranton.edu.

Apr. 23 4:30 p.m. Math Integration Bee. Calculus based competition for both high school and college divisions. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Registration required. Call 570-941-6580 or email stacey.muir@scranton.edu.

Apr. 25 5 p.m. Campus Take Back the Night. Dionne Green. Free. Call 570-941-7902 or email maria.marinucci@scranton.edu.

Apr. 26 1 p.m. “19th Annual Celebration of Student Scholars.” Displays and presentations of undergraduate and graduate student research and scholarly projects. Atrium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-6353 or email tabbi.miller-scandle@scranton.edu.

Apr. 26 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring Kako Miura, violin. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Apr. 27 7:30 a.m. Schemel Forum Bus Trip to New York City. $100. Registration required by Mar. 30. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.

Apr. 27 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton String Orchestra with guest soloist Kako Miura. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Apr. 27-28 9 a.m. Saturday; Noon Sunday. Friends of the Library Book and Plant Sale. Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu.

Apr. 28 through May 3 Art Exhibit: “The University of Scranton Student Exhibition.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call. 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Apr. 30 noon. Schemel Forum’s Munley Law World Affairs Luncheon Series: “The Holocaust: Confronting Evil, Assuming Responsibility” presented by Yehudit Shendar, content director/chief curator of the British Holocaust Memorial. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu.

Apr. 30 5 p.m. Jay Nathan Lecture “Lithuania-Traditional and Modern Nation” presented by Rolandas Kriščiūnas, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania to the United States of America and to the United Mexican States. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu.

Schemel Forum Courses

Tuesdays, Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & May 7 6 p.m. Schemel Forum Evening Course: “Ben Franklin as a Marketing Pioneer” presented by Abhijit Roy, D.B.A., professor of marketing, Kania School of Management, The University of Scranton. Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6206 or email alicen.morrison@scranton.edu

On Friday, March 1, The Wright Center for Community Health celebrated the expansion of its Clarks Summit Practice with a ribbon cutting and open house. The updated office has doubled in size, now including 17 exam rooms, four dedicated behavioral health rooms and a remodeled resident learning area to enhance their training experience and increase care capacity.

The clinic’s growth is a testament to the dedicated team behind it and the organizational mission to provide high-quality, affordable healthcare for all ages.

Long-time Wright Center for Community Health provider and community champion William Dempsey, MD, leads the practice as its Medical Director, supported by Susan Baroody, DO, who has been with the organization for more than ten years. Clinic manager Barbara Hull-Bouchard and Associate Vice President for Clinical Quality and Patient Safety Sheila Ford oversee clinical operations.

Leaders at the forefront of battling the opioid crisis will present at Wilkes University’s Pennsylvania Pain and Addiction Summit on Friday, April 12 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The theme of the second annual conference is “Putting People First” with the emphasis on the holistic treatment of the patient.

During the full-day conference, medical, legal, and law enforcement professionals will discuss the current state of the opioid crisis, share methods in dealing with these issues, and identify opportunities to treat pain and substance abuse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, every day, more than 130 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. The Citizens’ Voice reported 151 drug deaths in 2018 for Luzerne County.

The summit will discuss alternative therapies in patient care for the treatment of chronic pain and addiction and describe methods to decrease the stigma associated with substance abuse. Speakers and panelists will also describe the techniques to wean patients from opioid therapy while minimizing the risk of withdrawal as well as the ethical considerations when treating patients.

Registration and breakfast are at 7 a.m. and breakout sessions begin at 8 a.m. A reception featuring poster presentations by area college students in health fields will occur at 4 p.m.

The event opens with a panel discussion with members of Athletes for Care from 8 to 9 a.m. Four former professional athletes will share their thoughts on topics including chronic pain, depression anxiety, substance abuse and opioid dependency. They will also discuss how their organizations empower and encourage athletes from every sport to improve global standards of health, safety and quality of life. The athletes are:

• Riley Cote, National Hockey League
• Anna Symonds, rugby player
• Nate Quarry, Ultimate Fighting Championship league
• Cullen Jenkins, National Football League

The keynote speaker is local advocate Tee Simpkins, who will speak from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Simpkins is the founder of a non-profit sober living facility, The Graniteville House of

Recovery. The facility was opened in 2009 and by 2017, it had transitioned to a women’s halfway house that offers long-term residential services for women in early recovery.

Don Tollefson, sports broadcast journalist, will end the day from 3 to 4 p.m. Tollefson is known for his work as a sportscaster with the Philadelphia local ABC stations WPVI-TV from 1975 to 1990. He will share his story of addiction and recovery. Tollefson is currently the CEO of Overcome Thyself Ministries which works to help people in recovery and active addiction to secure their sobriety and spirituality.

Throughout the day there will also be breakout sessions from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.; 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.; and 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. These sessions will feature local physicians, social workers, pharmacists, counselors or panels with local government officials. Some of the topics include:

• “Medical Cannabis and Chronic Pain: Where is the Evidence”
• “Patients Over Party: Crossing the Aisle to Combat the Opioid Crisis”
• “Boots on the Ground: Stories from the Front Lines of Addiction”
• “Therapeutic Yoga for Chronic Pain and Addiction”

The cost to attend the full-day program is $150. Half-day participation is $75 and does not include lunch.

For more stories about Wilkes University and its students, faculty and staff, please visit News@Wilkes.

Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) today announced her outreach events and satellite hours for the month of April. Representatives from several different organizations will offer assistance at her district offices throughout the month.

“I encourage residents of the 117^th District to take advantage of these outreach opportunities. My staff and I look forward to helping people with their state-related matters,” said Boback.

 A member of Boback’s staff will be available at the following locations:

• Wednesday, April 3 – Dalton Borough Building, 105 West Main St. from 9-11 a.m., and the Factoryville Borough Building, 161 College Ave. from noon to 2 p.m.

• Tuesday, April 9 – Hunlock Township Building, 33 Village Drive, Hunlock Creek from 9-11 a.m.

•  Tuesday, April 16 – Benton Township Community Center, 16043 Route 407, Fleetville from 9-11 a.m.

•  Tuesday, April 23 – Meshoppen Borough Building, intersection of Canal Street and Route 267 from 10 a.m. to noon, and the Laceyville Borough Building, 324 Church St., from 1-3 p.m.

•  Thursday, April 25 – Falls Senior Center, 2813 Sullivan’s Trail, Falls from 10 a.m. to noon.

Boback also offers the following services to local veterans:

• Wednesday, April 3 – the American Legion will hold office hours at the Tunkhannock district office, 133 West Tioga St., Suite 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A claims consultant from the American Legion will provide the assistance.Area veterans may seek assistance and information pertaining to specific benefits and programs. Additional meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of every month.

• Monday, April 8 – the Mobile Vet Center will be parked at the Ace Hardware-Brady and Cavany Store, 809 Hunter Highway, Eaton Township, from 10 a.m. to noon. Services available for veterans and their dependents include individual, group, family and bereavement counseling; medical referrals; assistance in applying for Veterans Affairs benefits; employment counseling; guidance and referrals; and alcohol and drug assessments.

• Tuesday, April 16 – veterans outreach hours will be offered at the Dallas office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A claims consultant from the Wilkes-Barre VFW will be on hand to address questions and concerns of local veterans and their families.

Additional events hosted by Boback include the following:

• Wednesday, April 17 – a representative from the Center for Independent Living will be available for appointments at the Tunkhannock district office. Please call the office at 570-836-4777 to make an appointment.

• Wednesday, April 24 – a representative from the University of Scranton Small Business Development Center will be at the Tunkhannock district office from 10 a.m. to noon. The center provides educational programs and no-cost, confidential consulting services to entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a small business.

• Wednesday, April 24 – a representative from Wilkes University Small Business Development Center will be at the Dallas district office from 9-11 a.m. Constituents interested in starting a small business or who need assistance with their business can receive free counseling and advice.

For more legislative information, visit Boback’s website at www.RepBoback.com

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are seeking volunteers for this year’s Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania, a campaign of statewide community cleanup activities that runs through May 31. Groups participating in PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) program, which involves volunteers cleaning roadsides year-round, are also encouraged to take part in the campaign.

“For years, PennDOT has taken an active role in supporting the many volunteers who’ve taken a vested interest in cleaning up Pennsylvania,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “We are more than thankful for the thousands who share our desire to keep Pennsylvania beautiful.”

“Each year communities, volunteer organizations, friends, and co-workers come together for trash cleanup projects that make a tangible difference,” DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell said. “Getting trash off roads and streambanks makes communities more inviting, as well as improving public health and reducing stormwater runoff pollution. I thank the many Pennsylvanians who volunteer and look forward to joining in a cleanup event again this year.”

“Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is grateful to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for its support of the thousands of volunteers that pitch in to make Pennsylvania a more clean and beautiful place to live, work and play,” said Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful President, Shannon Reiter.

Volunteering is easy. People can simply organize their own local event and register it at Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania, or can register to participate in an already registered event. Gloves, trash bags, and safety vests for the cleanup campaign will be provided by PennDOT, DEP, and the GLAD Products Company, a national sponsor.

In addition, during “Pick It Up, PA Days,” April 13 – May 6, registered cleanup events have access to reduced or free disposal at participating landfills, through support from DEP and the Pennsylvania Waste Industries’ Association.

During last year’s cleanup, 108,638 volunteers collected over 6.5 million pounds of litter from Pennsylvania’s roads, trails, and shorelines. Over 5,300 events were held, with every county participating.

PennDOT’s AAH program contributed 25,927 volunteers, who cleaned up nearly 25 percent of the collected litter on 10,076 miles of cleaned-up roadway.

Through PennDOT’s AAH program, volunteers collect litter on a 2-mile section of state highway at least twice a year. The program currently has over 4,700 participating groups, more than 91,800 volunteers, and 10,244 miles of adopted state-maintained roadways.

PennDOT has created a comprehensive webpage that includes all volunteer opportunities available, from the Great American Cleanup of Pa and Adopt-A-Highway to Safety Training, Litter Brigades and more. Find it at PennDOT.gov, Roadside Beautification.

In addition to the department’s clean-up activities, PennDOT is participating in a multi-agency initiative to promote plantings that will benefit Pennsylvania’s pollinators and native species. Volunteers can assist by applying to adopt pollinator habitats. More information on the department’s new Pollinator Habitat Plan can be found under Adopt and Beautify at www.PennDOT.gov.

The Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania is sponsored each year by PennDOT, DEP, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, and other partners.

The Lackawanna County Disability Action Committee is an advisory group which provides recommendations to our Commissioners to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. We hope you’ll join us for an informational update on the Americans with Disabilities Act and ways to make business more welcoming and inclusive to customers with disabilities.

It will be held as follows:

JUNE 27, 2019

HILTON SCRANTON & CONFERENCE CENTER

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

There will be a separate training for local governments from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

REGISTRATION FEE:  $30.00 for one session or $50.00 for both.

Lunch is included with either/both sessions.

The training will be conducted by Caleb Berkemeir, Training Specialist with the Mid-Atlantic ADA Training Center in Rockville, MD. The afternoon session will address ADA requirements for stores, restaurants, bars and other businesses. Practical information regarding ways to increase accessibility and improve customer service for patrons with various disabilities will be covered. This will resultt in an improvement to your bottom line!