|
|
NEPA BLOG
by & about Northeastern Pennsylvania
mainBlog | mainBlog Archives | photoBlog | photoBlog Archives | About | Contact | Links
July 2002
What Wilkes-Barre probably should've known about inviting a call center to the area
The Citizens Voice: State warned W-B about shortcomings of Call Center lease - Mayor Thomas McGroarty may have dismissed a state agency's warning that the lease the city entered into for the South Main Street call center was not a financially sound document.
Times Leader | 07/31/2002 | State was wary of call-center lease - Agency officials thought the deal was so lobsided in favor of the tenant that it refused to loan W-B $1.5 million, documents show.
Times Leader | 07/31/2002 | McGroarty chose to negotiate contract on his own - "The mayor told CE (Corporate Express, the prospective tenant at the time) to negotiate with him and that the Chamber was 'out of the deal,' " Barrouk wrote. "He clearly did not understand the risk-benefit analysis that must be completed before significant public debt is incurred and was seemingly not overly concerned about the potential harm to the residents of the City if the project failed."
Back in 1998, when Corporate Express first opened for business (temporarily in what is now Wilkes-Barre Center), I became immediately convinced that 'the project' was doomed to failure from the get-go. This is because I heard the reasons Corporate Express took Wilkes-Barre up on their offer were: because their main office (which I believe was in Maryland), acquired a client which provided more calls then their workers could handle (and that were not exactly the makings of a dream customer service job); and here in this area, Corporate Express was able to spend less in wages, because the average pay in this area was lower than in Maryland & the location of their other office. I also know that, at least in 1998 & early 1999 (when I still knew people who were working there), it was mandatory for every Corporate Express employee to work every weekend, with few exceptions made for requesting time off, and no talk at all about workers alternating weekends.
To me, this kind of business does not bring to the area jobs which promote prosperity for those seeking employment, but actually might be responsible for many capable people deciding they must get the heck out of the area in order to find good employment opportunities.
posted by Chloe | Wednesday 31 July 2002 11:27 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Skateboarding Park to Be Built
Posted Tuesday, July 30 at WNEP.com
From a former skate girl who longed (in her days past) for a place to skate, where one would not get fined, harassed or chased by the cops, I can only say... its about time.
posted by Lee Ann | Wednesday 31 July 2002 6:30 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
The issue of slot machine gambling at the Pocono Downs
WVIA Public Broadcasting (Channel 44) will be presenting a special television show this evening at 8p.m. with a panel which will discuss the issue of "Racetrack Slots".
"Whether to bring slot machines to horse racetracks has become one of the hottest issues facing the state legislature. With both major gubernatorial candidates supporting the proposal, the racing industry is pressing the issue with renewed vigor. The issue is of special interest to the WVIA viewing area since one of the tracks - Pocono Downs - is located in Luzerne County."
I think it's important to note that, though he's not considered a "major gubernatorial candidate", Michael Morrill, Green Party candidate for governor of Pennsylvania, reportedly opposes racetrack slot machines. According to this news release, he opposes it for the same reason he opposed the cigarette tax increase -- "Like the cigarette tax, lottery and casino gambling revenue comes primarily from people at the lower end of the economic spectrum."
posted by Chloe | Wednesday 31 July 2002 1:46 AM
link this | trackbacks(1) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
"Spanish Lady:Reflections on 1918" @ the Showcase Theatre
Showcase Theatre to Debut Original Play
"A new monolouge play by noted local playwright Tom Flannery will have its debut at Showcase Theatre the weekend of August 2nd. The play takes us into the minds of people who lived and died during the influenza pandemic of 1918."
The Showcase Theatre is located in Exeter. For more information visit the Showcase Theatre web site.
Update: I've been informed that there will not be a Friday performance due to the heat. The other shows are still on. (Thanks Shivaun.)
posted by Chloe | Wednesday 31 July 2002 1:24 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Lackawanna County Methadone Clinic Report
Posted Friday, July 24 at WYOU.com
This is the first story I've heard about a Methadone Clinic in Lackawanna County
and even after reading it, there is not a lot of solid information to go on. Where
do people turn to when they have a drug addiction? Where do they go for help?
Maybe a methadone clinic is the answer, because there is a drug problem in NEPA.
Some people like to pretend that it doesn't exist, but it does and it is continuing
to grow. People worry about the type of atmosphere and individuals a methadone
clinic will bring to the area, well if you take a look around that already exists
in some parts of area. So I'm left to ask, when will the drug problem in NEPA
be addressed properly?
posted by Lee Ann | Monday 29 July 2002 5:01 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
The Noxen Image
The Citizens Voice : Noxen residents seek to repair community's image
"Several Noxen Township residents are tired of the negative image and jokes that are associated with the town's name whenever it's mentioned and are taking steps to gain respect for their community."
I hope the people of Noxen appreciate that they've only gotten "good press" here!
NEPA BLOG: Noxen's Sliterfest
NEPA photoBLOG: The View from Noxenfest
If I were to come up with a theory for the continued stigma that Noxen has, it's pretty much as the residents in the article describe. Plus, I think it also has something to do with what Lee Ann is fond of saying, "He who cries the loudest is heard." I think that too often, Noxen residents have been judged by a minority who call attention to themselves, in one way or another, & their one or 2 traits that would fit into the "backwater hick" stereotype. I say this because I myself fell for the stereotype several years ago, when the only person I came across from the general area of Noxen was, in my opinion & experience, a drunken thief with stringy long hair & no respect for other people's property. Clearly it's unfair to judge a whole community by one citizen's actions or persona; after all, there are disrespectful drunken theives from nearly all communities around the world; (and the Noxen area has never exactly cornered the market on long-haired youths in NEPA. haha.)
These days, the only thing that would definitely keep me from purchasing a house in Noxen would be the junkyard situation, which is a reality. But the article states, "There has been a recent renewed effort to enforce a 1990 junkyard ordinance and several properties have been targeted for having junk too close to the road and not having a fence." I think the residents who have chosen to get on top of the town zoning issues should be applauded & commended for caring about their community & wanting to preserve the beauty of their rural homes!
[previous comments on this post]
posted by Chloe | Sunday 28 July 2002 2:01 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
'Six and The City'
If you happen to have free time tomorrow - or rather later today - head over to Providence Playhouse in Scranton. This weekend the theater is featuring Six and The City: Six different plays from area playwrights, directed and starring local talent. (These plays were taped earlier this month for a special feature to be shown on one of our local broadcasting channels, I think channel 61.) I was in attendance and had a wonderful time. The opening play written by a K.K. Gordon was a hard act to follow - but another play by Electric City's Alicia Grega-Pikul, or so I heard (I did not have a program) had me laughing my pants off. The cost was a mere $5 and if you would like to attend call the Providence Playhouse at (570) 342-9707 for showtimes.
posted by Lee Ann | Sunday 28 July 2002 2:00 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Spot the Space Station in the night sky in Northeastern Pennsylvania
('limited time only')
Tonight, between (approximately) 8:50p.m. & 9:05p.m., the International Space Station will cross the sky over the Wyoming Valley. According to J-Pass Satellite Passes, it will enter the sky from the southwest & travel to the northeast about halfway between straight-up and the southeast horizon.
Tomorrow night, between (approximately) 9:30p.m & 9:45p.m., the ISS will enter the sky from the west horizon (very near to the position of the planet Venus - which is generally the brightest object ever seen in the sky other than the moon) and set at the northeast horizon, having travelled halfway between straight-up & the northwest horizon.
Basically, to see the ISS, the best bet would probably be to try & spot the ISS when it rises from the horizon. It is reported to move faster than an airplane or jet would move across the sky, but slower than a meteor ("shooting/falling star"). The ISS is also supposed to be brighter than Venus.
Unfortunately the weather reports for this weekend are calling for clouds & scattered thunderstorms, but weather predictions are sometimes off. And there are other sighting opportunities listed. (Check links below.)
CNN.com - Spaceship sightings expected for weeks - July 26, 2002 : "Determined night watchers in North America can experience a close encounter of the visual kind in the coming weeks, as a spaceship brighter than any star makes its way across the sky."
NASA's ISS sightings list for Scranton, PA
J-Pass Satellite Passes : (enter your zip code for a chart of ISS's trajectory across the night sky in your area)
Heavens-Above.com : (another satellite tracking web site)
NASA : International Space Station
posted by Chloe | Saturday 27 July 2002 3:57 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
'Sounding Silents' in Scranton
Tonight AFA and the PAFF present the third installment of Sounding Silents, silent films with live music.
8:00p.m. Battleship Potemkin with alt-rockers Minus Fields.
9:30p.m. Strain Andromeda The, (not silent) - Anne McGuire's manipulation of Robert Wise's 1971 feature The Andromeda Strain
For more information on Sounding Silents:
A2N: Sounding Silents
PA Film Festival: Sounding Silents
Afa Gallery
posted by Chloe | Friday 26 July 2002 12:58 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
McDonald's in W-B doesn't have to be gaudy & garish
In today's Times Leader SAYSO a caller said, "A perfect example of why this valley looks like crap and there is no urban planning is to go up River Road and look at that new Waterfront office complex, and right next door to it is an ugly, unsightly McDonald's building going up.", and in defense of the fast food chain restaurant & the city's lack of certain types of zoning laws, the Times Leader "Editor's Note" stated, "Some people like the look of McDonald's, especially if they are hungry and only have a couple bucks."
What perhaps some local city officials, many habitants of the Wyoming Valley, and obviously this particular editor at the Times Leader apparently do not know, is that McDonald's does have an architectural model of their restaurants that complies with even the strictest beautification & preservation zoning laws in the nation, such as those in Freeport, Maine. McDonald's restaurant does not have to be garishly coloured & stand out like an eye sore among more pretty buildings. It can look like a quaint & pretty restaurant if the city demands it. So this is not a situation where in order for a city to be beautiful , one has to ban McDonald's & possibly discriminate against their less economically privileged customers, as this particular Times Leader editor seems to suggest. Everyone could be made happy, and cities & towns in the Wyoming Valley could appear as many other prospering beautiful cities do.
So in my opinion, the SAYSO caller had a valid point about the lack of urban planning involved with a new McDonald's. Personally, I think much of the Wyoming Valley is very beautiful, and I think many area citizens would be in favour of more zoning laws preserving that beauty.
posted by Chloe | Thursday 25 July 2002 7:04 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Adelphia marches into the corporate scandal parade
WNEP 16: Adelphia Founder and Sons Arrested
"The founder of bankrupt Adelphia Communications Corp. and two of his sons were charged Wednesday with conspiracy
for allegedly looting the cable TV provider and using it as their "personal piggy bank'' as they hid more than $2 billion in debt from investors."
The phrase "one of the most extensive financial frauds ever to take place at a public company" seems to be losing meaning these days.
As I've said before, I'm not an Adelphia customer. Nevertheless, this news is potentially infuriating. To think there could be nefarious reasons for the poor service & rate hikes.
posted by Chloe | Wednesday 24 July 2002 6:17 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Summer Film Series
Posted at KirbyCenter.org
The Summer Film Series continues today in downtown Wilkes-Barre at the FM Kirby Center with Enigma. Two showings at 1 p.m. ($4) and 7:30 p.m. ($6). For more information about today's performance visit KirbyCenter.org, and for more information about Enigma visit the official web site.
posted by Lee Ann | Wednesday 24 July 2002 7:43 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
The West Nile Virus
There have been no cases of West Nile Virus in humans reported in Pennsylvania this year, but there have been dead birds & mosquitos found with the virus in Lycoming County. The Houston Chronicle reported Texas' first case of West Nile Virus in a human this week. And there have been positive test results from humans in Louisiana.
WNEP 16 : West Nile Virus Found in our Area, July 16th 2002
Pennsylvania West Nile Virus Surveillance Program
CINDI: West Nile Virus Map - Pennsylvania - Human Status July 22nd 2002
CINDI: West Nile Virus Map - National - Human Status July 22nd 2002
CDC: West Nile Virus Q&A
Personally, living in Northeastern Pennsylvania, I worry more about Lyme Disease.
posted by Chloe | Tuesday 23 July 2002 11:16 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Kingston man creates Web site to unite, nurture local music scene in cyberspace
Posted Friday, July 19 at TimesLeader.com
NEPAExposure.com follows in the footsteps of such other local sites as NEPARocks.com. The same concept/content more or less, but NEPAExposure.com is much easier on the eye. If you're into the local music scene both sites are worth taking a look at.
posted by Lee Ann | Sunday 21 July 2002 6:38 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
John Bromberg's "Mudball Festival with Large Puppets"
Electric City : Moved by Strings
Following a town parade on Friday evening, John Bromberg and his company, Pictures Moved by Strings, will open the puppet festival with a grand pageant...
The Second Annual Mudball Festival with Large Puppets
Lakewood Fire Hall, 20 miles north of Honesdale on Route 370.
June 19-20, starts Friday after 7p.m. parade, continues Saturday starting at noon
The cost is free.
posted by Chloe | Friday 19 July 2002 9:25 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Summer Film Series
Posted at KirbyCenter.org
The Summer Film Series continues today in downtown Wilkes-Barre at the FM Kirby Center with The Triumph of Love. Two showings at 1 p.m. ($4) and 7:30 p.m. ($6). For more information about today's performance visit KirbyCenter.org, and for more information about The Triumph of Love visit the official web site.
posted by Lee Ann | Wednesday 17 July 2002 7:39 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
A Warning From Wilkes-Barre's Mayor
Posted Monday, July 15 at WBRE.com
How can this be considered a personal attack... am I missing the big picture?
posted by Lee Ann | Tuesday 16 July 2002 4:08 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
County Green Party officials upset over arrest of candidate's aide
Posted Monday, July 15 at CitizensVoice.com
What was this public event that played such an odd hand in the arrest of Eric Prindle? Why is that not mentioned?
posted by Lee Ann | Monday 15 July 2002 6:28 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
The reviews are in: Area moviegoers a flop at box office
Posted Sunday, July 14 at TimesLeader.com
As an avid movie-goer I found this article to be quite "entertaining," and I'm left questioning who were the 2000 people from NEPA that were chosen for this study.
posted by Lee Ann | Sunday 14 July 2002 5:51 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Scrooge on the Beach
Posted Monday, July 8 at NEPAtoday.com
If you're bored this Sunday with no money then head over to Keystone Collge for a TNT production of Scrooge on the Beach. Even if you're not bored head on over anyway. This event is held rain or shine.
posted by Lee Ann | Thursday 11 July 2002 10:33 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Adelphia, the only cable game in my town
Times Leader | 07/10/2002 | Adelphia adds Yankees, 2nd rate hike in '02
When I moved to Edwardsville, I briefly toyed with the idea of getting cable TV, because I'd had cable TV for a few years. But then I called Adelphia, the only cable TV service available in Edwardsville, and they told me that not only didn't they carry the NASA Channel, they didn't carry the Yankees games, and they had no plans to carry either.
That was over 3 years ago, and now the price $10 more a month than it was then. Since I've never been a big TV-watcher, and I'm even less so now, adding the Yankees with their rate hike is worse than day late & a dollar short for me.
posted by Chloe | Wednesday 10 July 2002 9:43 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
W-B Area not buying into Sterling
Posted Wednesday, June 10 at TimesLeader.com
The decision by the School District puts latest attempt to deal with the old, long-vacant hotel in limbo. And so the story continues... I would hate to see the building turn into an empty lot, and the longer this goes on the more I can see it happening.
posted by Lee Ann | Wednesday 10 July 2002 7:09 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Summer Film Series
Posted at KirbyCenter.org
The Summer Film Series continues today in downtown Wilkes-Barre at the FM Kirby Center with Y Tu Mama Tambien. Two showings at 1 p.m. ($4) and 7:30 p.m. ($6). For more information about tonight's performance visit KirbyCenter.org, and for more information about the movie visit YTuMamaTambien.com.
posted by Lee Ann | Wednesday 10 July 2002 6:48 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
'Ozzfest' in Scranton needs no advertisement
I heard that this ad was the one that ran in the Village Voice - (Thanks Mike M.!). I wonder why that particular ad didn't appear in the local papers. (Note: That ad and others are available for download at Ozzfest.com.)
posted by Chloe | Wednesday 10 July 2002 12:07 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
W-B native's essay
In her contest winning essay, June Reed recalls singing in a show for veterans at the VA Hospital in Wilkes-Barre
staugustine.com: Essay winner: Kindness of a stranger ... 07/07/02
"Over the years I have never forgotten the kindness of this young man and what I have learned from him."
posted by Chloe | Tuesday 09 July 2002 10:43 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Man Accused of Killing Dog
Posted Saturday, July 6 at WNEP.com
It always makes me sad when I read headlines like this this. And yes, I understand that as a homeowner one has the right to defend their property, but to kill the beagle, that seems a tad bit overdramatic. Why couldn't the man restrain the dog or chase it away instead? Am I missing more of the story? A terrible shame indeed... I feel so sad. After reading some of the comments left after the story, some people think that the owner should be held responsible, as well, for the events that transpired. But as any dog owner knows, from time to time a dog does run stray. This is just a terrible situation and blaming the owner of the now dead beagle still does not justify the actions of the accused.
posted by Lee Ann | Tuesday 09 July 2002 7:36 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Scranton native initiates coffee law to be put on the ballot in Berkeley
NYTimes : Initiative to Test Berkeley Voters' Coffee Conscience
The way [Rick Young] sees it, the world, or at least Berkeley, would be closer to perfect if every cafe, every diner, every restaurant, every 7-Eleven and every bake sale served only Fair Trade certified coffee coffee that guarantees a so-called living wage for small farmers in developing countries. Or the coffee would be shade-grown, protecting rain forests and other sensitive environments. Or it would be grown without pesticides.
posted by Chloe | Sunday 07 July 2002 11:30 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Back Mountain Library Auction
I went with a friend, and the place was really hoppin'. We both bought several books.
The Citizens Voice - A summer staple: Back Mountain Library auction
posted by Chloe | Saturday 06 July 2002 1:07 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Nuclear Waste Route Issue
Scranton Times Tribune - Nevada using ads to stoke nuke fear
Mike Casey, a spokesman for the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Group, called it "atrocious" that residents are learning only days before a possible final vote that there are proposed nuclear waste transportation routes. "Why are people in Scranton having to turn to a small watchdog organization ... shouldn't the Department of Energy have let them know?" Mr. Casey asked.
Um... people could've found out here at the NEPA-BLOG on June 15th 2002.
posted by Chloe | Friday 05 July 2002 11:15 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Wilkes University professor comments on capitalizing on patriotism
Denver Post - Old Glory returns to fashion forefront
As long as their merchandise is tasteful, says Anthony Liuzzo, a business professor at Wilkes College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., "no one's begrudging the retailers for making a profit off the flag. We are a free-market society. People sell Bibles, too."
(Wilkes University)
posted by Chloe | Friday 05 July 2002 10:33 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Man commits suicide w/ dynamite in Edwardsville
Times Leader | 07/03/2002 | Edwardsville man kills self with dynamite, police say
I was out in the country on Tuesday night, so I know I didn't hear this. However, it bothers me now that I've been complaining for days about firework blasts going off at all hours in my neighborhood for the past week or so.
(link via Daily Rotten : Weird News blog.)
posted by Chloe | Friday 05 July 2002 12:39 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Independence Day @ Kirby Park
I went to the 4th of July fireworks celebration at Kirby Park, Wilkes-Barre. It was fun. The NEPA Philharmonic was great. Though I swear the 1812 Overture sounded a little more dramatic this year. I thought the pyrotechnics were up to par. Except it was too bad it was so humid with no breeze, because by the end of the display, they were hidden in a lot of smoke. But that was even somehow interesting to see. My one complaint is that I did not see Rita's Italian Ice at the park.
posted by Chloe | Friday 05 July 2002 12:03 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Claws 'N' Paws Animal Park
Claws 'N' Paws Animal Park in the Poconos
I don't think I've ever been to this place, though I've seen the billboards. According to their animal list, they have monkeys, tigers and even bison. It's right in the Poconos, and open from May to October. I'm definitely putting it on my summer list.
posted by Chloe | Thursday 04 July 2002 5:38 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
W-B website shut down
Posted on July 3 at Timesleader.com
This story was listed as breaking news, I hardly see the reason why a story like this would be considered breaking news, but then I'm no reporter. One thing I must say, there are a lot of other local web sites that deserve a great more attention than this one - ahem, like mine, ha ha.
posted by Lee Ann | Wednesday 03 July 2002 9:52 PM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
PETA sics its 'dogs' on local animal laboratory
Posted July 3 at NEPAtoday.com
Calverts Preclinical Services', located in Olyphant set to discard 48 "surplus" beagles.
Perhaps I am a bit biased on hearing this news... Along with my sisters and brother, I grew up with a beagle pup, named Arrow; for fourteen years she gave us some wonderful memories and now learning of this news brings tears to my eyes. Something about the whole situation seems so unjust.
posted by Lee Ann | Wednesday 03 July 2002 8:58 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Where are the cows?
I was at Shadowbrook in Tunkhannock this evening, and the cows from the front of the ice cream parlor are gone! I briefly heard something about the cows on the news, but didn't catch the story, and I can't seem to find anything about it on-line.
The restaurant was actually closed, only the ice cream stand part of it was open. I guess it's being taken over. (End of an era!)
But I'm really wondering what's going on with the cows. The cows were a big attraction for me growing up & going to Shadowbrook to play miniature golf & have ice cream in the summers, as I did tonight with my sister who is visiting at the family cottage. I'm hoping it's just that they're remodeling & they'll bring them back!
posted by Chloe | Tuesday 02 July 2002 12:32 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
Cities get hip, prosper
Cities get hip, prosper
Posted on Monday, July 1 2002 at ScrantonTimes.com
"It's a very different feeling in Scranton," he said. "People are very positive. There's a real adrenaline. It's art-oriented here."
I keep hearing this all of the time, why Scranton? Why not Wilkes-Barre... afterall there are two colleges located right downtown, just as many youths, artists, musicians and people who want a change. It puzzles me.
posted by Lee Ann | Monday 01 July 2002 7:09 AM
link this | trackbacks(0) | e-mail this | comments(0) add
mainBlog | mainBlog Archives | photoBlog | photoBlog Archives | About | Contact | Links
|
|
Posts most recently commented on:
..............
|
NEPABlog button by Alison M.
.....
|
|
|
