Greater Scranton YMCA to Host Hawaiian Hula Hustle 5K Run Race proceeds will benefit the Y’s Financial Assistance Program The Greater Scranton YMCA will host a Hawaiian Hula Hustle 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk on Sunday, August 24th, 2025. Event proceeds will support the Y’s Annual Support Campaign, which provides scholarship funding to individuals and families in need, allowing them to benefit from all the Y has to offer. Registration is open. The cost for participants over the age of 12 is $25. Participants 12- years-old and younger are free. Race day registration is available for $35.00. Day of race check-in and packet pick-up will open at 8:00 a.m. Following the race, the Y is inviting participants to stay for a post-race Luau, including live music, refreshments, and a medal ceremony. “The Greater Scranton YMCA is proud to award financial assistance to individuals and families in need, allowing them to benefit from all our Y has to offer” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “It’s because of the generosity of our donors and the support of our community that we are able to make such an impact. The Hawaiian Hula Hustle 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk will serve as a celebration of community—bringing us together for a day of fun and support for those in need.” For more information and to register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Dunmore/TheGreaterScrantonYMCAHawaiianHulaHustle. For questions about the Hawaiian Hula Hustle 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk, contact Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director, at bwhipple@gsymca.org.
Nomad Yoga to Hold ‘Vino and Vinyasa’ Enjoy a 60 minute Slow Yoga Flow in the gardens of Wood Winery, followed by a drink of your choice! Date: Thurs, July 24 Time: 6:00pm Location: Wood Winery, Madison Twp PA Cost: $20 Registration: Reservations are required. Call/text Rebecca to sign up 570.591.1637
NEPA Youth Shelter Appoints New Executive Director The NEPA Youth Shelter board of directors proudly announces the appointment of John W. Rosengrant, MPA, LCSW, CPRP, as its new executive director. This leadership transition will follow the dedicated tenure of Founder Maureen Maher-Gray, whose work has made the organization a pillar in the community. As previously announced, Maureen will retire as of June 30, 2025. With nearly 25 years of experience in the human services field, John, a licensed clinical social worker, brings a wealth of expertise, particularly in supporting transitional age youth (ages 16–21), homelessness and mental health services. For the last few years, he has served as the executive director of a small nonprofit in Scranton called Katie’s Place Clubhouse where he provided social and vocational opportunities to those living with mental illness. John’s connection to NEPA Youth Shelter’s mission runs deep – having served on the board since 2019, including roles as secretary and president, he was instrumental in the formation of the organization’s housing and mental wellness programs. John earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from Wilkes University and a master of social work and master of public administration from Marywood University. “I’m honored to continue the incredible legacy Maureen has built,” said John. “I’m eager to lead NEPA Youth Shelter into the next chapter — one focused on ensuring sustainability and deepening our impact for as many young people as possible.” In addition to maintaining the foundation already in place, John envisions growth in programs and outreach with the goal of making the organization the go-to resource for transitional age youth in the region. His leadership is rooted in a deep understanding of the community’s needs and a commitment to ensuring that every young person receives the support they deserve. “I am excited that John shares my vision for the organization,” says Maureen. ‘He will carry the heart of what we do, valuing every person who comes through our door, into his tenure.” Board President Andrew Cutillo, Esq., says, “Those of us who have served on the board with John have long been impressed by his vision, his expertise, his thoughtful leadership and his humble commitment to service. We’re excited for our amazing community of teens, volunteers, partners and supporters to get to know that same John in his new role as executive director of the NEPA Youth Shelter.”
U.S. Small Business Administration to Hold Roundtable Discussing Consumer Product Safety Regulations On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the Office of Advocacy will hold a Small Business Roundtable seeking feedback on Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations that should be repealed or reformed. The roundtable will take place from 2:00pm to 3:30pm ET via Microsoft Teams. View the roundtable agenda and register here. Summary of the CPSC’s Request for Information The CPSC’s mission is to protect consumers from risks of injury or death associated with consumer products. It does this by developing safety standards, issuing recalls, and enforcing regulations for a vast range of consumer products. Regulations and other practices that do not reasonably advance the CPSC’s mission, but instead create unnecessary burdens and costs, restrict consumer choice, or reduce competition, entrepreneurship, and innovation, should generally be eliminated or modified. On June 12, 2025, the CPSC published a Request for Information (RFI) seeking comments and information on opportunities for the CPSC to reduce burdens and costs of its existing rules, regulations, or practices, without impacting safety. Advocacy is asking members of the public, including consumers, manufacturers, retailers, potential market entrants, and others, to comment on ways the CPSC can reduce burdens and costs of existing rules, regulations, guidance, interpretations, or practices without increasing the risk of death or injury to consumers. Some examples of such burdens include, but are not limited to: Product testing and certification requirements Labeling or tracking label requirements Record keeping mandates Packaging or warning label placement rules Overlapping or duplicative compliance with other federal agencies Delays or lack of clarity in approval, exemption, or waiver processes Establishing new expecations or enforcement actions without going through the appropriate rule making process To help identify burdens, here are some questions to consider: Do you make or sell physical products that people typically use in their everyday life such as things for the home, kids, personal use, or hobbies? Have you had to stop making or selling a product, or changed how you made it, because someone said it may be unsafe? Have you made changes to your prodyct packaging, design, or labeling because of a government requirement? Have you been told you need to add warning labels, hang tags, or special packaging to your products, even if customers were not asking for them? Does meeting safety rules add a lot of costs and/or time to making or selling your products? Do safety requirements make it harder for you to grow or launch new products? Have you ever delayed or canceled a product because of testing requirements or paperwork issues? Have you had to hire someone to handle safety rules or paperwork? Have you ever been confused by a government safety requirement or felt unsure about what is required? Are there safety requirements that feel unnecessary or outdated for the kinds of products you make or sell? Has a product you make or sell been rejected, even though you have not received a complaint about the product? Are there other challenges or barriers affecting your business that aren’t listed above? Advocacy is holding this roundtable to give small entities an opportunity to explain how they are impacted by current CPSC regulations and to recommend solutions. Small business owners who answered “yes” to one or more of the above questions are strongly encouraged to participate in the roundtable and share your experiences. Should you have questions, or if you’re unable to attend but would like to email your feedback, please contact Assistant Chief Counsel Shanerika Flemings at shanerika.flemings@sba.gov.
Circle Drive-In Upcoming Movie Showings This week at Circle Drive-In: Wednesday, July 9th: FREE Community Movie Night – 150 years of Dickson City Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm Screen One: “Smokey and the Bandit” (PG – 1977) at 9:00 pm Friday, July 11th & Saturday, July 12th: Double Features Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm Screen One: “Superman” (PG-13 – 2025) at 9:00 pm “F1: The Movie” (PG-13 – 2025) at 11:40 pm Screen Two: “Jurassic World: Rebirth” (PG-13 – 2025) at 9:15 pm “M3GAN 2.0” (PG-13 – 2025) at 11:50 pm Sunday, July 13th Circle Giant Flea Fair from 6:00 am – 2:00 pm (Vendor Gates at 5:00 am) New vendors are always welcome, no pre-registration required! Come out & sell your crafts, artisan items, homemade products, spring cleaning treasures & more – every Sunday! Learn more at circledrive-in/fleafair24. Sunday Night Movies Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm Screen One: “Superman” (PG-13 – 2025) at 9:00 pm Screen Two: “Jurassic World: Rebirth” (PG-13 – 2025) at 9:15 pm Our Concession Stand is open during every event! Stop in for your favorite cold drinks, candy, popcorn, freshly made pizza, burgers & more! Movie tickets, upcoming events, & additional information at circledrive-in.com. Upcoming July Films: Wednesday, July 23rd: 150 Years of Dickson City – FREE Community Movie Night featuring “American Graffiti” (1973 – PG) at 9:00 pm (Gates – 8:00 pm) Thursday, July 24th: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” Presented by the Lackawanna Historical Society (1989 – PG-13) at 9:00 pm (Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm) Friday, July 25th – Sunday, July 27th: (Exclusive Presale) “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” (2025 – PG-13) at 9:00 pm (Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm) Thursday, July 31st: “Dirty Dancing” Presented by the Lackawanna Historical Society (1987 – PG-13) at 9:00 pm (Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm) For the latest updates on upcoming events & more, follow Circle Drive-In on Facebook @CircleDriveInTheatre, on Instagram @circledrivein & Circle Flea Fair on Facebook @circlefleafair! Circle Drive-In is located at 1911 Scranton/Carbondale Highway, Dickson City.
Help Geisinger School of Medicine Choose Your Next Doctor Volunteer admissions interviewers needed Geisinger School of Medicine invites the public to participate in student recruitment by becoming an interviewer during the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) process. The MMI consists of a series of short, structured interviews that assess non-cognitive qualities, including cultural sensitivity, maturity, teamwork, empathy, reliability, resiliency and communication skills. All interviews will be held virtually. Learn more at https://go.geisinger.edu/mmi, where you can complete the form https://forms.office.com/r/8xQGRPxtrV. The Admissions Office will contact you.
Johnson College Launches Automotive Collision Repair Program Johnson College is launching an Automotive Collision Repair program this fall through its WAVE (Workforce Advancement & Value-Added Education) department, formerly known as Continuing Education. Developed in partnership with I-CAR, Toyota of Scranton, and Sherwin-Williams, the new program is designed to prepare students for entry-level careers in the automotive collision repair industry through foundational knowledge and hands-on experience. The program includes 104 lessons and over 500 contact hours, combining flexible online coursework with in-person training at Toyota of Scranton. Students will gain essential skills in structural assessment, bodywork, welding, painting, frame straightening and refinishing. Total course cost is $5,200. “Students won’t just learn in a classroom—they’ll be working directly in a professional collision repair shop,” said Ashley Bechaver, Director of WAVE at Johnson College. “By the end of the program, graduates will be prepared to step into the workforce with industry-recognized training and job-ready skills.” Throughout the program, students will follow actual repair orders from vehicle intake through final delivery, gaining real-world experience alongside expert technicians. Upon completion, graduates will be equipped for entry-level roles in the collision repair industry, supported by strong industry connections. To be considered for admission, applicants must first be approved by Johnson College’s WAVE team. Once approved, applicants are required to submit a job application to Toyota of Scranton to begin the online training in partnership with I-CAR. Admitted students will receive paid, hands-on training in a professional collision repair shop. For more information or to apply, visit johnson.edu/collision or contact our WAVE team at wave@johnson.edu or 570-702-8979.
Geisinger Opens New Kidney Specialty Clinic in Northeast PA With a mission to bring specialty kidney care to northeastern Pennsylvania, Geisinger has opened a brand-new kidney specialty clinic with three new physicians. Located on the second floor of 521 Mount Pleasant Drive, Geisinger Nephrology Scranton offers specialized kidney care to diagnose and treat a variety of kidney conditions. The clinic cares for conditions ranging from kidney stones to more complex kidney issues, including treatment for hypertension, acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Three nephrologists will practice out of the new office. Mohammad Al Khateeb, M.D., and Badar U Din Shah, M.D., have begun seeing patients at the clinic. Mugda Kulkarni, M.D., recently completed her nephrology fellowship at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center (UCMC) and will join the team in August. Dr. Al Khateeb graduated from Hashemite University School of Medicine in Jordan. He spent the last two years as a nephrology fellow at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where he helped diagnose and treat acute and chronic kidney diseases and oversaw care for renal transplant patients. Dr. Shah is a graduate of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad. During his fellowship at Geisinger Medical Center, Dr. Shah conducted comprehensive assessments and helped manage patients with various kidney disorders, including acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, electrolyte imbalances and hypertension. Dr. Kulkarni earned her medical degree from Ashwini Rural Medical College in India. She treated patients with a wide spectrum of kidney disorders during her fellowship at UCMC, was involved with numerous research projects and also headed clinical case presentations. The team at Geisinger Nephrology Scranton will provide consultations and comprehensive kidney care. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To request a consultation, call 800- 275-6401.
Scranton Fringe Festival, Celebrate the Arts This Fall The Scranton Fringe Festival is a multi-day celebration of culture, creativity, and community held annually throughout venues in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Founded in 2015 and inspired by the original Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland, Scranton Fringe champions bold and innovative work across genres, platforms, and perspectives. Now entering its 11th year, the Festival has become a cornerstone of the region’s cultural landscape, welcoming artists and audiences from near and far to experience original theatre, live music, film screenings, comedy, storytelling, and more in both traditional and unconventional spaces. Venues include The Ritz Theater, the Lackawanna County Children’s Library, Marywood University, AFA Gallery, and more! The 2025 Scranton Fringe Festival will take place from September 25th through October 5th, featuring over 50 productions and events throughout downtown and beyond. This year’s Festival kicks off with a free public launch party at Marywood University, highlighted by a large-scale 3D projection mapping installation on the exterior of the Rotunda. Among the many exciting works is Ulysses of Scranton, a bold new play inspired by James Joyce’s Ulysses, slated to tour to Scranton’s sister city of Ballina, Ireland, in late October. From large-scale spectacles to intimate, site-specific performances, the 2025 Festival offers something for everyone while continuing to spotlight the power of the arts to unite and inspire. For tickets and more information visit scrantonfringe.org
Penn State Scranton to Host Upcoming ‘Spend A Summer Day’ Open House Spend A Summer Day Prospective students are invited to learn about the numerous educational opportunities at Penn State Scranton during its upcoming “Spend A Summer Day” open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, August 8.During their visit, guests will learn about the campus’ degree programs; its unique 2+2 Plan, which allows students to start their degree at Scranton and complete it at University Park or another PSU campus; and Penn State’s 275+ degrees. They will also meet current students, staff and faculty, and tour the campus, including its cutting-edge labs and new Library and Nursing Building.Register at https://scranton.psu.edu/summer-event