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a Small Business Roundtable seeking feedback on Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations that should be repealed or reformed.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.

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

Penn State Scranton to Conduct Babysitter American Red Cross Training Course

Babysitter American Red Cross Training

Babysitter’s Amercian Red CrossTraining and Pediatric First Aid/CPR
Discover the rewarding world of childcare and learn what to do when you are in charge!
Learn about child safety, how to “play it safe” and the basics of caring for children while developing your leadership skills.

Find out how to prevent and recognize emergency situations, as well as how to provide basic first aid and CPR for infants and children until an emergency medical team arrives.

Ages: 11-16
Dates: July 22, 2025 & July 23, 2025
Times: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Fee: $259
Instructor: Karen Stylianides
Maximum Seating: 15

https://scranton.psu.edu/business-development-community-outreach/options/youth-programs/nittany-cub-summer-camps/baby-sitter-training

Penn State Scranton To Hold Nittany Cub Camp – Myths Legends & Folklore

Nittany Cub Camp – Myths, Legends, & Folklore Camp

Myths, Legends, and Folklore Camp (Ages 9-13)

Dive into a new and fascinating world at summer camp!
Join us on an exciting journey through myths, legends, and folklore from around the world! Campers will uncover the fascinating histories behind these traditions while engaging in hands-on crafts and immersive cultural experiences. They’ll also have the chance to create and share their own stories.

Explore the rich Celtic heritage of Ireland and Scotland, step into the world of King Arthur’s Court, and sail with the Vikings. Discover the legend of the Blarney Stone, build your own Viking ship, and castle construction.

https://scranton.psu.edu/business-development-community-outreach/options/youth-programs/nittany-cub-summer-camps/folklore

Grey Towers Holds ‘Reading Rangers’ Program This Summer

June 16-August 18

10-11 a.m., Mondays

Reading Rangers

This program for kids ages 4 to 12 includes read-aloud stories focusing on environmentalism and conservation. The readings are followed by a craft activity, hike, or scavenger hunt. Parents or guardians are required to remain with children during this program. Lower Pavilion at Grey Towers.

www.greytowers/events

Johnson College to Hold Women at the Workbench Workshop

Discover the Beauty and Symbolism of Flowers

Johnson College invites community members to join its upcoming Women at the Workbench workshop, “The Language of Flowers,” a fun and creative evening exploring the meaning and symbolism behind floral design. The event takes place Tuesday, July 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the college’s Scranton campus.

Participants will start the evening with an interactive presentation on floriography—the art of assigning meaning to flowers—followed by a hands-on session where they’ll design and build their own floral arrangements. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned flower lover, this workshop offers something for everyone.

The event is open to participants ages 10 and older. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. The cost is $40 per person. Registration is required and can be completed online at johnson.edu/workshops.

Women at the Workbench workshops are part of Johnson College’s WAVE (Workforce Advancement & Value-Added Education) program. These workshops are open to all and designed to help individuals build skills and confidence through hands-on, supportive instruction. Led by experienced instructors, participants can expect a welcoming environment where curiosity leads to creativity and confidence.

For more information, contact the WAVE team at wave@johnson.edu or 570-702-8979.

Johnson College Scranton to Host Summer Open House

Johnson College will hold its Summer Open House on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. on its Scranton campus. To register to attend the Open House, visit Johnson.edu/openhouse or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

The Open House will include discussions about the admissions process, information about financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for many programs if students bring their high school or college transcripts. Tours of each technical area will be conducted and program directors and instructors will be available to review the specifics of their programs