Mark Your Calendars! The 19th Annual Jazz Festival Starts August 2nd All of Downtown Scranton will serve as center stage for an award-winning music festival as the 19th Annual Scranton Jazz Festival returns to the Electric City, Friday through Sunday, August 2 through 4. The festival is made possible through partnerships with Blu Elefante Events, PA Jazz Alliance Inc., Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau, First Friday Scranton, Lackawanna County, the City of Scranton, and Scranton Tomorrow, and with the generous support of sponsors and media partners. Featuring national, regional and local musicians, fans will enjoy the extensive variety and unique experience they have grown to expect, and love, along with a new Interactive Arts Market on Courthouse Square on Saturday. Through a partnership with Lackawanna Market, the marketplace will feature family-friendly entertainment and vendors. While enjoying the festivities, visitors to Downtown Scranton are encouraged to explore the many restaurants, pubs, cafés and retail shops in the Business District. Reminiscent of a New Orleans style festival, the Scranton Jazz Festival will feature two ticketed main stage performances and multiple free venues throughout Downtown Scranton. Main Stage artists include the award-winning swing group Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Saturday, and the Emmy nominated Scranton Jazz Festival Big Band with Grammy Award winning saxophonist Joe Lovano on Sunday. The Scranton Jazz Festival has garnered international recognition and has been mentioned in U.S. News and World Report for the cultural diversity and integrity it has brought to northeastern Pennsylvania. In celebration of its commitment to the arts, admission is free to the Jazz Walk on Friday and Saturday, with Trolly service, and to the Jazz Marketplace on Saturday. For more information, visit www.scrantonjazzfestival.org and follow Scranton Jazz Festival on social media.
Johnson College Offers Youth Skid Steer Training to Lackawanna County Johnson College has partnered with Marshall Machinery in South Abington Township to offer a one-day, youth skid steer training course to Lackawanna County residents ages 16 to 18 years. The free course includes an operation and safety lecture followed by hands-on training and driving. Participants will complete OSHA standards CFR 1926.21(b)(2) and CFR 1926.20(b)(4). The one-day course will be offered on August 3, 2024, and August 10, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Marshall Machinery located at 942 Griffin Pond Road in South Abington Township. To register for the youth skid steer training, contact Tim Frank, Johnson College’s Associate Director of Community Engagement, at 570-702-8963 or tfrank@johnson.edu. This program is funded by a 2024 Lackawanna County Business Education Partnership grant.
Marywood Sets On-site and Virtual Physician Assistant Open House Marywood University is hosting several physician assistant open house events, including one on-site event and two virtual events. The on-site event is set for Thursday, August 8, from 5-7 p.m. Prospective students will meet with Physician Assistant faculty and current students and learn more about the admissions process. The open house also includes a Q & A session and tour of the program facilities, which are located in the newly added Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion. Interested students can register at https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/PA_OH. Virtual information sessions are also set for Tuesday, August 6, from 12-2 p.m., and again on Wednesday, August 28, from 5-7 p.m. During these online sessions, prospective physician assistant students can interact virtually with Physician Assistant faculty and current students and learn more about the admissions process. The virtual sessions also include a Q & A session. To register for the August 6 session, visit https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/Aug6PA. To register for the August 28 session, go to https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/Aug28PA.
Cooper’s to Present Memorial Block Party Cooper’s Seafood Restaurant has joined forces with Dr. Jen’s Hope again to present Dr. Jen’s Hope Memorial Block Party, which will be held on Sunday, August 11th. This event will be honoring the 10 years of service Dr. Jen’s Hope has dedicated to our communities. The event will take place from 12:00pm – 7:00pm, and will feature food and drinks, live entertainment, basket raffles, and more. We are looking for the support of local businesses and organizations in the forms of presenting sponsor, t-shirt sponsors, gift certificates/baskets, cash donations, and/or other. Dr. Jen’s Hope has been funding initiatives locally and globally to aid in the lives of children and those who care for them. The organization has provided assistance to health clinics, local nonprofits, and educational institutions. Without the continued support of our community none of this would be possible. This year, Dr. Jen’s Hope will be donating to two local charities; Brandon’s Forever Home and Adopt a Single Mom Project. Brandon’s Forever Home is an organization dedicated to the betterment of the lives of Pennsylvania foster children via providing basic needs such as hygiene products, clothes, shoes, luggage, etc. The Adopt a Single Mom Project provides support and resources to single mothers in NEPA including financial services, career development, as well as programs for mothers and children. Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.
Saint Joseph’s Center Summer Festival Kicks off Excitement As summer heats up, Saint Joseph’s Center is excited to announce a series of pre-events designed to build community enthusiasm leading up to this year’s Summer Festival, WNEP-TV Telethon, and Go Joe 27 Bike Ride. These Community Ride Alongs are a celebration of the collaboration with our valued community partners. The Ride Alongs, walks, and runs, continuing now through the end of July, will feature a variety of interests from Family Fun Walks and Bike Rides, to collaborations with local breweries and restaurants. “These pre-events are essential in encouraging excitement and bringing people together, all culminating at the Annual Summer Festival,” says Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM President/CEO Saint Joseph’s Center, “These events wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our community partners who share our mission of making a difference in our community.” Saint Joseph’s Center is blessed to have so many community advocates who have helped grow these events into what they are today. Anthracite Bicycle Coalition has assisted in creating multiple “Rides” over the years and throughout the area including bringing in local restaurants like Barrett’s Pub in Archbald, Groove Brewing in Scranton, and McGrath’s Pub and Eatery in Dalton. This year, we are also pleased to include Scranton Running in some of these events along the Heritage Trail. The Rail-Trail Council of NEPA continues to host rides in Simpson and Forest City. Partners throughout Luzerne County include Wilkes-Barre Bike Gang, who host rides along the Levee Systems and local parks, and The Cycle Yard, who partnered with Susquehanna Brewing Company to bring stationary exercise bikes to their outdoor area. The community is also invited to join Saint Joe’s as they send off Joe Snedeker, WNEP Meteorologist, on his 27th Annual Go Joe Bike Ride on Friday, July 12th at Cooper’s Seafood House in Scranton. This Launch Party will feature Go Joe T-shirts and other merchandise sales, raffle chances, and much more. Go Joe 27 merchandise can also be purchased online through Saint Joe’s Website, stjosephscenter.org, with an optional free pick-up date of July 11, 3-6 pm. More details are located on webstore. The collaboration with partners extends beyond sponsorship to active participation in event planning, logistics, and community engagement. Each contributes unique resources and expertise to ensure the success of Community Ride Alongs. Please see the events listed below and join Saint Joseph’s Center for a fun-filled Summer! Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Archbald Ride & Walk at Trailhead & Barrett’s Pub: Registration: 5:30 pm Start Time: 6:00 pm Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Rails to Trails: Simpson/Morse Ave to Forest City – Start Time: 5:30 pm Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Wilkes Barre Gang – Start Time: 6:00 pm Sunday, July 14, 2024, The Cycle Yard at SBC, Pittston – Outdoor Spin Class – 12 pm Thursday, July 18, 2024, Groove Brewery/Olive Street Trailhead: Registration: 5:30 pm & Start Time: 6:00 pm Friday, July 12, 2024, WNEP Go Joe Launch Party, Cooper’s Seafood, Start Time: 4 pm Other fundraisers for Go Joe 27 and Saint Joseph’s Center include Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day on July 24th, Montage Mountain Water Park Day on July 21st, and a Liturgy at Saint Peter’s Cathedral in downtown Scranton on July 21st at 10 am. These pre-events will culminate in the eagerly anticipated Saint Joseph’s Center Summer Festival set to take place July 26th and July 27th from 4-10 pm, and July 28th from noon- 7 pm. For more information on the pre-events and the Summer Festival, please visit stjosephscenter.org and follow us on social media at “Saint Joseph’s Center”. Photo caption: MaryLou Grogan, Committee Chair; Lynn Gavin, Auxiliary Coordinator, Saint Joseph’s Center; and Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM, President/CEO Saint Joseph’s Center.
