Geisinger hosting free event spotlighting knee replacement Area residents can learn about knee replacement surgery and how to recover successfully at a free event Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Geisinger School of Medicine campus, 525 Pine St., Scranton. “Walk This Way: Recovering After Knee Replacement” will feature Geisinger orthopaedic surgeon James Murphy, MD, who will explain the knee replacement process — from evaluating candidacy to recovering and staying active after surgery. Knee replacement is a common procedure, yet many patients and families have questions about when surgery is appropriate, what it involves and how to achieve the best possible recovery. Murphy will explain: – How to determine if knee replacement is the right option – The latest technology, including robotic-assisted surgery – Strategies for maintaining mobility and staying active during recovery – Rapid recovery protocols Murphy is an adult reconstruction specialist with expertise in robotic knee replacements, hip replacements, rapid recovery protocols and revision surgery. He completed his medical training at The Pennsylvania State University, his residency at Case Western Reserve University and his fellowship in adult reconstruction at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged. Visit go.geisinger.edu/walkthisway or contact gchscommunityevents@geisinger.edu. This event is part of Geisinger’s Third Wednesday Community Education Series, which brings trusted health expertise to the Scranton community each month. Murphy is available for interviews before the event.
NEPIRC hosting technology summit event; free for manufacturers Manufacturers can attend NEPIRC’s Advanced Technology and AI Summit for free on Thursday, October 29. The summit will be from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre. Non-manufacturers can attend for $50 per person. The summit will showcase AI, Robots & Cobots, and Automation on the factory floor, with Jake Hall as the keynote speaker. Attendees will be able to connect with hundreds of manufacturers and industry professionals for a day of collaboration and celebration. The goal of this first-ever summit is to empower manufacturers, change public perception about the industry, highlight its economic impact and introduce more people to available career opportunities. You can register for the event here.
Scranton Cultural Center to host free concert in August The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will host The West Point Band’s America 250 Free Concert on Thursday, August 20. Doors to the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Theatre will open at 6:30 pm and the concert is scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm. The concert is part of the ensemble’s celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. The concert is free, but concertgoers must get their tickets online ahead of time. There is a limit of four tickets per household, and there may be convenience charges if the tickets are bought online or by phone. You can get tickets at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC, by calling (570 344-1111 or via Ticketmaster. You can learn more about this concert and other upcoming events by clicking here.
Goodwill Industries of NEPA Presenting AI Learning Session Goodwill Industries of NEPA will present a virtual Lunch and Learn session: AI for Resumes and Cover Letters, on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 12pm. Topics will include:What AI can do well, common pitfalls, limitations, and best practicesA Microsoft Copilot demoA comparison of an AI generated resume and cover letter to one generated by humans to ones generated by a combination of humans and AI The free session is open to the public and will be presented through Zoom. Register online and contact Kristen Christopher at 570-290-0140 with questions Click here for more information.
Urban Co-Works Announces Exciting New Event Welcome to First Friday Free Co-Working! Join URBAN CO-WORKS for a day of productivity in a vibrant co-working space. This event offers the perfect opportunity for professionals to accomplish their work while connecting with fellow freelancers, entrepreneurs, and remote workers. Open to all, it provides a chance to experience the benefits of co-working completely free of charge. The event takes place on the first Friday of the month—don’t miss it! Date and time Friday, October 3 · 9am – 5pm EDT Location URBAN CO-WORKS 116 North Washington Avenue #3rd Floor Scranton, PA 18503
Johnson College Hosts Test Taking 101 Course Test Taking 101 is a free one-night course that teaches students different techniques for becoming more successful in taking standardized tests. The class will be held at our Scranton Campus on Thursday, February 27th, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Test Taking 101 Register Here
Scranton Cultural Center, FREE Concert Featuring West Point Band Enjoy a concert given by the West Point Band at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple on March 1 at 7:00 PM. The concert is free and open to the public. Join the West Point Band for “West Point on the March,” an exploration of the most classic American military musical genre: the march, featuring some of Sousa’s best-known works alongside lively selections like “Americans We” and Ethel Smyth’s anthem of women’s suffrage, “March of the Women.” The West Point Brass Quintet will showcase the powerful music of a New Orleans funeral, followed by stirring pieces inspired by the 1963 March on Washington, including Bob Dylan’s “When the Ship Comes In” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.” The concert wraps up with the unforgettable movie marches from “Indiana Jones” and “The Music Man.” The West Point Band free concert is sponsored by Gentex, LT Verrastro and supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts. The concert will take place in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Theatre at 7:00 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Concessions will be available for purchase. Tickets are free to the public and are required for admission. They can be acquired at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. Convenience charges may apply online or by phone. There is a limit of four (4) tickets per household. For additional information and a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org. The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple’s 2024-2025 Season is sponsored by Fidelity Bank and LT Verrastro and supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Lackawanna County Office of Arts and Culture, and Commissioners Matt McGloin, Bill Gaughan and Chris Chermak. A special thank you to its media partners: Allied Services, Audacy, Lamar Advertising and MAC Signs.
University of Scranton Students Offer Free Income Tax Assistance Lackawanna and Wayne County residents whose households earned $67,000 or less in 2024 can receive free assistance in completing and filing their federal, state, and local tax returns from University of Scranton accounting students through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. University students have assisted residents with low and moderate incomes who need help with their basic tax returns for more than 30 years. Walk-in service in Brennan Hall on the University’s campus begins on Monday, Feb. 3. The VITA service is offered on a first-come, first-served basis during scheduled hours. Appointments are not available at the University. Walk-in VITA service without an appointment is available in room 111 of Brennan Hall, Madison Avenue, on the University’s campus on Mondays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesdays, from noon to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. VITA service begins on Monday, Feb. 3, and continues to Friday, Apr. 4, except for the week of Mar. 17 to Mar. 21, when the University is closed for Spring Break. The VITA office may also close due to inclement weather. The University reserves the right to cap the number of walk-in residents they can serve within a single day. Residents can schedule appointments at other locations by contacting the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties by visiting www.uwlc.net or calling 570-602-3133, or 1-866-662-8887, 211. Residents who qualify for the free VITA service are asked to bring the following items: a valid photo ID; Social Security cards for all taxpayers and dependents; all W2 forms; last year’s tax returns; all 1099 forms (interest, dividends, pensions); unemployment paperwork; Form 8332 for non-custodial parents; information related to income and expenses (business, rental properties, sale of stocks); a personal banking account check if direct deposit is desired; documentation related to health insurance for themselves and anyone on the tax return, such as Form 1095-A, -B or –C; and real estate tax receipts if you qualify for the rent/tax rebate. Residents with questions may call the University at 570-941-4045.
United Way VITA Tax Preparation Program The United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike is proud to announce the return of its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, beginning on February 4, 2025. This free service is available to qualifying individuals and families, offering assistance with tax preparation to help maximize refunds and ease the burden of filing. The VITA Program provides free tax preparation services to individuals and families with an annual income of $67,000 or less. Certified volunteers trained by the IRS will assist in preparing and electronically filing both federal and state tax returns. This service is designed to ensure participants receive the full benefits they are entitled to, including tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). “We’re thrilled to, once again, support and administer the VITA Program. Continuing to help families and individuals in our community navigate the tax season with ease,” said Gary Drapek, President & CEO of United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike. “This program not only saves participants money on tax preparation fees but also helps them take advantage of critical tax credits that can provide much-needed financial relief.” Program Details: Start Date: February 4, 2025 Eligibility: Households earning $67,000 or less annually Appointments: Appointments are required. Call 570.602.3133, 866.662.8887, or visit uwlc.net/initiative/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita to schedule. For more information about the VITA Program, eligibility requirements, or volunteer opportunities, please visit https://uwlc.net/initiative/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita/.
