Marywood University Receives Education Improvement Tax Credit Donation from FNCB Bank FNCB Bank presents a $6,000 Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation to Marywood University’s Momentum Program. Marywood University’s Momentum Program provides high school juniors and seniors with the opportunity to get a head start on college by enrolling in college level courses. Students can choose from a variety of courses, most often liberal arts courses, during the fall, spring, and summer semesters through to high school graduation. Since 2010, FNCB has contributed nearly $2 million dollars to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC program. Tax credits may be applied against the tax liability of a business for the tax year in which the contribution was made. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis for contributions to EITC approved organizations like Marywood University. The support of Marywood University is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations, and outreach programs. FNCB Bank, locally-based for 110 years, continues as one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s premier community banks—offering a full suite of personal, small business, mortgage and commercial banking solutions with industry-leading mobile online and in-branch products and services. FNCB remains dedicated to the communities they serve with an on-going mission to make your banking experience simply better. For additional information about Marywood University’s EITC program, please visit marywood.edu/support/ways-to-give/EITC/, or call the Office of Development, at (570) 348-6238. For additional information about FNCB Bank, please visit fncb.com.
Documentary Takes Viewers to the Front Lines of Geisinger’s COVID-19 Response Facing down a mysterious, deadly disease, caregivers across Geisinger’s hospitals have grappled with a harrowing inundation of patients battling COVID-19. “It was fast and furious. And the number of cases that came in was so quick, we just could not keep pace with it initially,” said Dr. Ujwal Ratna Tuladhar, associate hospitalist at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton and who is featured in an upcoming documentary that takes viewers to the front lines of the pandemic. The 30-minute documentary, filmed in May when Geisinger cared over 100 critically ill patients stricken with COVID-19, offers a raw look at the challenges faced by teams across Geisinger and their ingenuity to combat the pandemic and connect sick patients with their families. The documentary airs Nov. 29 on WNEP-TV. “When you see those numbers on the TV screen on the news it’s almost numbing, but when you’re here and you see these patients, it becomes real,” said Dr. Paul Arkless, associate director, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre. The documentary, “Five Days in May — Inside the fight against COVID-19,” provides an inside look at the fight against COVID-19 through the eyes of critical care physicians, nurses and supply chain leaders at hospitals including Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, and Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton. “There was fear, there were tears, there was concern — and all extremely valid. I felt that along with them, because there was a lot of unknowns,” said registered nurse Chad Cope, ICU operations manager at Geisinger Community Medical Center. The documentary is released at a time when Geisinger – and most hospital systems across the country – is grappling with the most intense surge of COVID-19 this year, which has created unprecedented capacity demands and taxed an already fatigued staff. Directed and produced by Kristin Doran, the documentary was filmed over five days when Geisinger believed the pandemic’s spread was at its height. “Geisinger is now seeing record numbers of COVID activity in our communities and our hospitals. It’s full-blown community spread,” said Janet Tomcavage, executive vice president and chief nurse executive at Geisinger. “What you’ll witness in this documentary is the real experience of our heroic staff, and evidence that we desperately need the community’s continued support. If you’re asking how to help — please, wear a mask. This is far from over.” WNEP-TV will exclusively air the documentary on Sunday, Nov. 29, at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 5 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.
SkyZone 99 Jump Pass The 99 Jump Pass at SkyZone is valid from 1/1/21 – 12/31/21 or, until the 99 jumps have been depleted. Any remaining jumps after 12/31/21, will no longer be valid. On your first attempt to use the 99 Jump Pass in park, your picture will be taken, and your customer profile will be updated. The 99 Jump Pass is not transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash value.
Marywood University Professor Exhibits Pieces in International Festival Collier Parker, professor of art at Marywood University, is exhibiting five paintings in the Borders Festival Future Landscapes, ITSLIQUID International Art and Architecture Festival, in Venice Italy. The exhibition opened on October 16, and runs through November 29, 2020. ITSLIQUID Group announced the opening of FUTURE LANDSCAPES exhibition, the third appointment of BORDERS Art Fair 2020, an international exposure of photography, architecture, paining, video art, installation, sculpture and performance art. The exhibition is being held at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello, a historical venetian building in Cannaregio, dated back in the XVI century. The event, organized by ITSLIQUID Group, in collaboration with Venice Events and ACIT Venice Italian-German Cultural Association, presents a selection of more than 100 artists from nearly 20 different countries. After the success of the first and second appointments—BODIES+CITIES SKIN and FRAGMENTED IDENTITIES—ITSLIQUID Group opens FUTURE LANDSCAPES, the last step of the fair which analyzes the concept of ‘borders’ as physical, urban, social, and mental boundaries. Mr. Parker earned his bachelor of fine arts degree from Delta State University, Cleveland, MS., and earned his master of fine arts from the Rosary Graduate School of ‘Fine Arts, Villa Schifanoia, Florence Italy. His works have been selected for numerous local, national, and international exhibitions. Additionally, Mr. Parker has received various awards and honors including the Visual Artists Award; Humanities Teacher of the Year; first and second prizes for painting at the Crosstie Arts Festival, Cleveland, MS.; the Florence Scholarship from the Rosary Graduate School of Fine Art, Florence, Italy; and was Honorable Mention in the National Landscape Show, Tolley Galleries, Washington, D.C. For additional information about Marywood University’s Art Department, please visit marywood.edu/art/index.html, or call the Office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6207. For additional information about ITSLIQUID Borders Festival Future Landscapes, please visit itsliquid.com/opening-borders-futurelandscapes.html.
Help WVIA fight hunger this Giving Tuesday While most of us are thinking about what we’ll have for dinner tonight, there are thousands of families in Central Pennsylvania who are wondering if they’ll have dinner tonight. This year, WVIA is joining forces with Weis Markets, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, and you to provide food to individuals and families who are struggling with hunger. WVIA invites the public to be a part of our special campaign to raise awareness and provide food to those in need. For each gift of support to WVIA on Giving Tuesday, Weis Markets will match the contribution dollar-for-dollar with a donation of food to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank up to $35,000. This contribution not only helps WVIA continue its service-based mission but it also helps ensure families receive the food and nutrition they need this holiday season. To learn more and to give a head start donation please visit:https://www.wvia.org/support/giving-tuesday-fundraising-and-food-raising/
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Holiday Hat Trick Each package includes: 4 undated ticket vouchers that can be applied to this upcoming 2020-21 season or 2021-22 season and a Penguins face mask. Pricing: $55-Blue Zone Seating$80 – Gold Zone Seating$87- Red Zone Seating
NEPIRC’s Ray Kryeski and Brian Matyjevich Attain AS 9100:2016 Certification The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) is pleased to announce that two of its staff members, Ray Kryeski, Mechanical Engineer, and Brian Matyjevich, Lean Enterprise Consultant, recently attained their AS 9100:2016 certifications. As a result, the pair will host NEPIRC’s AS 9100:2016 Revision D Internal Auditor Training in spring 2021. The AS 9100:2016 focuses specifically on the aerospace industry and is part of the comprehensive standards produced by the Americas Aerospace Quality Group (AAQG) and the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). Ray and Brian also instruct NEPIRC’s ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor training course, which covers the general ISO certification standard that applies to all industries. NEPIRC will offer AS 9100:2016 training to small and mid-sized manufacturers in response to client demand to achieve aerospace-specific standards beyond the general ISO 9001 umbrella. NEPIRC also offers individual company consultations in achieving ISO, AS 9100 and other pertinent Quality Management System certifications and registrations. Interested companies can schedule a private consultation with NEPIRC by contacting Dale Parmenteri, NEPIRC’s Vice President of Consulting Operations, at Dale@NEPIRC.com.
Greater Scranton YMCA GivingTuesday Campaign The Greater Scranton YMCA believes all children, adults and families from our community deserve the chance to experience all the Y has to offer. For so many, and perhaps now more than ever before, the resources are not available to join the Y, send a child to preschool or enroll in the after school program. That’s why on GivingTuesday, December 1, 2020, we’re asking for support. GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. On GivingTuesday, our goal is to raise the funds needed to ensure those most in need from our community can benefit from our services. “The Greater Scranton YMCA is proud to turn no one away for an inability to pay,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Annually, we award hundreds of thousands of dollars to low-income children, adults and families from our community, allowing them to benefit from all the Y has to offer. Funds raised for our year-end appeal will allow us to continue fulfilling our mission.” Additionally, as part of the Greater Scranton YMCA’s fundraising efforts, we are proud to participate in AllOne Charities’ GivingTuesday Match Day initiative. From Thanksgiving through December 2nd at 4:00pm, AllOne Charities will match contributions participating organizations raise up to $1,000. Donations can be made on AllOne Charities’ website or mailed to 83 East Union Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701. Checks must be made payable to AllOne Charities. For more information or for questions on how to donate to the Greater Scranton or participate in AllOne Charities’ Match Day, contact Meghan Carnevale, Mission Advancement & Marketing Director, at mcarnevale@greaterscrantonymca.org or (570) 828-3113.
Lackawanna College Launches Microloan Program The Lackawanna College Venture Lab, a program operated by the College to support entrepreneurs in northeastern Pennsylvania, is launching a pilot microloan program. The program can provide up to $2,500 in short-term zero-interest loans for entrepreneurs to launch their startups in the region. The microloan program will provide access to funds for low-income entrepreneurs who are launching microenterprises, which have fewer than six employees and require a smaller amount of capital to get started. The Venture Lab offers professional services, innovative programs and industry connections within a supportive peer-to-peer learning environment. Though the microloan program and the Venture Lab does not specifically target women and minority entrepreneurs, 2019 US Census data shows that the Venture Lab’s Target Area contains a higher concentration of minority and Hispanic individuals than the NEPA region as a whole (13% vs. 8% minority and 16% vs. 9% Hispanic). This program will benefit these constituencies. In addition, most of the early Venture Lab client companies have been led by women and minorities. “Our research shows that NEPA is behind other urban centers in Pennsylvania in microenterprise activity, representing a lost opportunity of over $100 million in annual revenue flowing into our communities,” said Michael Jensen, director of the Venture Lab. “We hope these microloans will help disadvantaged entrepreneurs obtain the vital capital they need to launch new businesses and build more economically resilient neighborhoods.” The Venture Lab is supporting the program with funds provided by Lackawanna College. This pilot program will test the microloan model, processes and effectiveness in addressing the financial startup needs in the local entrepreneurial community and plans to expand and seek out additional resources. To learn more about the Venture Lab and the microloan program, visit Lackawanna.edu/venturelab or email venturelab@lackawanna.edu.
