Fabulous 2 Bedroom Home for Rent

A Pristine & Modern Woodland Beauty Minutes from Town

Beautifully remodeled 1930’s cottage. Efficient layout, two nice bedrooms, working fireplace, new appliances and cabinets in kitchen, all new bathroom. New trim and flooring throughout – new carpet in bedrooms, refinished hardwood in living room. New, energy efficient windows, added insulation. Rewired for plenty of outlets. Phone and cable hookups throughout. Large, newly paved driveway and newly seeded lawn. NEW EVERYTHING! Oil heat, well water.

Minutes from downtown Williamsport; direct access to beautiful Lycoming Creek and fishing!

Call: Steve @ 570.916.7466 or 570.478.2805.
E-mail: steve@bastianmetal.com

See more and larger pictures here:
Creekside Cottage on Facebook

Juneteenth Books and Bandshells

Betty DeRamus traveled to many areas of the United States to do research for her new book, "Freedom by Any Means," including Williamsport, PA. The fact is cited in an article detailing Ms. Ramus' new book as well as her Juneteenth plans in Detroit.

To celebrate Juneteenth in Williamsport, attend the 10th Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Brandon Park on Saturday, June 20, from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Best Banks

Here is an excerpt from a press release issued yesterday:

Pennsylvania Banks Dominate Ranks of U.S. Banker Top 200 List

"A leading banking industry trade publication has ranked 24 Pennsylvania banking companies -- more than any other state -- among the top 200 community banks in the United States, the state Department of Banking said today. " read more

Two of those 24 banks were in Lycoming County ~

• Penns Woods Bancorp, Inc (aka Jersey Shore State Bank) - see branches
• Muncy Bank Financial (aka The Muncy Bank and Trust) - see branches

Step Receives Grant from US Department of Labor

Announced today by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, Step. Inc. of Lycoming and Clinton Counties, is one of 183 recipients to be granted part of a $114 million award from the Deptartment of Labor. The grant money was distributed among community groups which provide education and training to young people across the United States.

The award amount of $678,562 is intended to be used over a two-year period after which a remaining increment may be awarded pending the availability of additional funding.

• Read the entire press release


• Read a Sun-Gazette article detailing Step's plans for this award

Neely and Andrews Wins Awards in Wellsboro

The winners of the Annual Regional Juried Art Show, held at the Gmeiner Art Center included two artisits from the Greater Williamsport Area:

Patricia Neely of Williamsport received the Gamblin Art Award for her watercolor painting "Leaves and Lichens."

A ribbon for one of four Honorable Mention Awards was presented to Chad Andrews of Montoursville for his gouache and graphite, "If You Think You See."

Both entries can be seen at the show which runs through June 28 from 2-5 pm daily, and features the art of both amateur and professional artists who live within a 150-mile radius of Wellsboro.

You can also see "Leaves and Lichens" which I think is absolutely gorgeous, in the Gallery section of Patricia's website.

The Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center is located at 134 Main Street in Wellsboro, between the First Presbyterian Church and The Green Free Library.

Menus & Merchants has Jobs

If you're looking for a job in the Williamsport area, try Menus & Merchants! They have this note in the issue I glanced through today:

RAPID EXPANSION!
Now hiring Graphic Designers & Sales Repesentatives.
Call 321.1111

They do have a website, but it's "in process" for the time being.

Williamsport Area School District signs contract with Student Transportation of America

CARNEGIE, PA, June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -

Student Transportation of America Ltd. (STA) (TSX: STB) announced it has been awarded a contract to provide transportation services for the Williamsport Area School District (WASD) in Pennsylvania. The new seven year contract will generate more than US $2 million in annual revenue beginning with the 2009-2010 school year and adds to the company's regional operations in Pennsylvania.

"We are very pleased the district chose us to provide their transportation services. This is another excellent customer we are partnering with and a positive step in our efforts to increase our organic growth through conversions," said STA Regional Chief Operating Officer Pete Pearson. "School districts throughout the U.S. are realizing that education is their core business. We are providing cost effective solutions to their transportation needs in budget friendly operations while providing the necessary capital investments for vehicles. We are pleased to welcome these great drivers and staff members to our company in connection with this conversion. Our core mission of commitment to the local community and safety in our operations will remain our focus."

Student Transportation said it plans to implement a new computerized routing and planning system along with a state of the art digital video system in each bus.

WASD encompasses 98 square miles with a student population of 5,600 students and Williamsport is home of the Little League World Series.

read the rest of this press release

Williamsport Periodontist Now Offers Laser Gum Treatment

For those considering treatment for gum disease, this announcement from Dr. Digiallorenzo with offices on 121 E. Fourth St., comes as good news.


Here are some particularly potent quotes from Digiallorenzo's recent press release that caused me to find this news "post-worthy":

"This technique offers a simple, nonsurgical, minimally invasive, painless method to treat gum disease in one visit under sedation," Digiallorenzo said. "Traditional treatment also can be done in one visit, but its invasive techniques require peeling back the gums and accessing the bone and tooth roots and then suturing the gums back into place. That isn't the case with the PerioLase technique."

"Because it offers a painless treatment option, the laser makes it more attractive for patients to say yes to treatment, rather than allow infection to continue leading to tooth loss and providing a cardiovascular risk factor, which is so prevalent in today's population," Digiallorenzo said. "There is no cutting, bleeding or sutures involved in this procedure. Patients like to hear that."

(read the entire press release)

According to Colgate, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of periodontal disease. For many, the description of periodontal surgery ("scaling, root planing, gum cutting and suturing ...") was enough to warrant procrastination. If you live in Williamsport and belong to that catagory, consider phoning Dr. D at 322-4741‎.

CRS Incorporated Rebrands Company As CRS Advanced Technology

MONTOURSVILLE,PA — CRS Incorporated, parent company of well-known automated absence management software product, SubFinder®, has announced today it has rebranded the company as CRS Advanced Technology. The new name, logo, and company website were unveiled today.

“The new brand more accurately represents the company’s industry and dedication to the pursuit of the most up-to-date, cutting edge technological advancements. The new company name and subsequent rebranding efforts will greatly enhance the company’s position, enabling CRS Advanced Technology to move forward, increasing growth of our position in our chosen markets,” said Peter Lupacchino, General Manager of CRS Advanced Technology. “This change presents an opportunity for greater visibility and the ability of potential customers to affiliate our company name to our suite of products, further establishing CRS as the leader in human resource management tools.”

Originally formed in 1985 as Canopy Road Software, CRS began its 24-year journey that enabled its flagship absence management and substitute placement software product, SubFinder, with a loyal following among its users. CRS has continued development and improvements in design of SubFinder and additional software products that have evolved to meet changes in technology and the demands customers and potential consumers face daily.

CRS Advanced Technology, formerly CRS Incorporated, serves over 1.5 million users throughout the United States and Canada, and is best known in the education and library markets. For more information on CRS Advanced Technology, please visit crsadvancedtechnology.com or call 800-782-3463.

*note: Peter Lupacchino was featured in the Sun Gazette's People in Business Spotlight, "CRS Incorporated announces promotion" on May 25th

Economic Stimulus Funding Will Help Increase Energy Efficiency of Williamsport Hospital

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa., May 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

In a demonstration of federal recovery funds already at work conserving energy and creating jobs in Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger today helped celebrate the completion of the new energy service center at Susquehanna Health's Williamsport Hospital and Medical Center.


The event marked a milestone in Susquehanna Health's Project 2012, a multi-year, multi-million dollar expansion and modernization project.

"As facilities expand, they require more energy to meet operational needs. The new energy service center ensures the hospital has enough energy resources to meet those needs," said Hanger. " Improvements in energy efficiency must also keep pace with the increase in demand. We now look forward to the next step, the installation of a cogeneration system that will make this new facility even more energy efficient."

In March, Governor Rendell awarded Susquehanna Health a $1 million Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority grant to install a new, two-megawatt cogeneration system that will generate electricity and also capture and reuse waste heat to provide heat and hot water for the hospital. This project is one of the first in the state to receive funding through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The system will generate more than 15 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, equivalent to the energy used by more than 1,500 average homes. The project also created 35 jobs.

"This is an example of how we are putting the stimulus funds to work by implementing advanced energy measures and creating green collar jobs," said Hanger. "The federal funding presents us with opportunities to move forward shovel-ready projects that otherwise might have been left on the drawing board. This allows more projects to become a reality and produce multiple benefits for all Pennsylvanians.

"By utilizing stimulus funding, the region's major health care provider and a major employer is continuing its efforts to provide its patients with the best medical care possible, and its employees with the best working environment possible."

Project 2012 is an ambitious $250 million undertaking that will expand the hospital's physical footprint from 500,000 to 800,000 square feet. By replacing the hospital's two boilers that were installed in 1947, carbon emissions will be reduced by 50 percent. When the cogeneration system is fully operational, the hospital will realize a total energy savings of more than $1 million annually.

To learn more about how the federal economic stimulus will benefit communities across Pennsylvania, visit http://www.recovery.pa.gov/.

CONTACT:
John Repetz
(717) 787-1323

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Vera Bradley Bingo this Sunday

Vera Bradley Bingo

When:
Sunday May 31st
1 – 4pm (doors open at 12)

Where:
St. Boniface Gymnasium (corner of Washington Blvd and Franklin St)

How Much:
Tickets $20.00

Why:
Event benefits American Cancer Society Relay for Life

What Else:

• Fun!
• Celebrity Waiters
• Chinese Auction
• 50/50

Every game wins a Vera Bradley Bag – plus 3 bonus games win Vera Bag + wallets or an extra item. Grand Prize is over $330 worth of Vera Bradley luggage

Don’t miss this great event & bring a friend (or two or three)

Clothing Exchange at Messiah Lutheran

Maurice Frontz, associate pastor of Messiah Lutheran in South Williamsport, asked me to announce their Clothing Exchange which takes place tomorrow.

The exhange is this Saturday, January 31st at the church (at Southern Avenue and Howard Streets) from 8:00a to 12:00p.

He described the exchange:

"OK, it's not really a flea market. Anyone who wants to can come to exchange clothes at Messiah Lutheran Church. The idea is - bring what you have, take whatever you need. Even if you don't have any clothes to bring, come anyway. All clothing is free. Tell your friends and neighbors!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me."

The Rubber Soul Farewell Concert DVD

Another Great Christmas Gift Idea for Fans of Local Arts

The Rubber Soul Farewell Concert DVD is available in Williamsport at the Uptown Music Collective (848 W. Fourth Street), Yoas Services (509 W. Fourth Street) or through Mind's Eye Studios (570-326-1892).

Arts & Entertainment News Release 12/15/08

RUBBER SOUL, BEATLES TRIBUTE BAND, RELEASES DVD

Rubber Soul, Williamsport's premier Beatles' tribute band, may have called it quits, but like The Beatles, the product keeps coming even when the band is no more. Rubber Soul just released a DVD of their August 2008 Farewell Performance at the Community Theatre League.

"The CTL is a very intimate setting, and I enjoyed the instantaneous feedback we got from the audience when we played there," said former band member Dave Brumbaugh. "The band had a blast."

"The camera work is great, and you can hear all the great guitar tones, rhythm section bits and horn parts like you were really there," said one local fan.

The former members of Rubber Soul are Brumbaugh (guitar, vocals), Scott Francis (bass, guitar, vocals), Joel Vincent (drums, vocals) and Bob Yoas (bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals). For the Farewell Concert, the band was joined by The Helter Skelter Horns: Dave "Sweet Tone" Sorgen (trumpet, piccolo trumpet), Gordon "Salty Dog" Taylor (clarinet, alto and tenor saxophones), and Neil Whyman (trombone).

Rubber Soul was just one project of many for the busy musicians. Brumbaugh directs the Uptown Music Collective music school; Francis operates Mind's Eye Audio-Video Studio (which produced the DVD), and Joel Vincent, editor and creator of BilltownLive.com, works with a number of jazz and rock acts.

Yoas, who owns Yoas Services Incorporated, said, "Between work and other projects, there isn't nearly enough time to do all of the things you love or need to do. Something had to be sacrificed, and sadly, this band was one of those things to be let go. We did this for 12-plus years, and it was a good time to say goodbye.

"Francis said he was always a fan of The Beatles, but he didn't have a true appreciation for their craftsmanship in their music until he joined Rubber Soul. Yoas was a late-blooming "Beatlemaniac." He was too young in the 1960s to be a Beatlemaniac, but he became hooked in 1976 when he got the "Red and Blue" album. Around that time, Yoas said, "Beatlemania" was playing on Broadway, which he described as incredible. Yoas said, "Flash forward to 1996. It hit me; there were no Beatle tribute bands in the central PA region, and so why not start one?"

Vincent said they knew they wanted to perform the music, but wanted to put their own twists on things, such as the reggae version of "Twist & Shout." "We wanted to have some musical fun, and that's what we've had," Vincent said. "Chances are that Bob, Dave and I will play together again some day."

"We're a pretty silly bunch when we get together," Yoas said. "It really is like a band of brothers - that's probably what I'll miss the most."

"Onstage, we have an almost telepathic connection between us, we always know what each of us is going to do before we do it," Brumbaugh added.

"That only comes from playing together for a very long time, and it's really special," Vincent said, who says he'll always remember people singing along and dancing, and hearing a crowd cheer for a special version of a certain song. "Beatles fans are die-hards, and it's challenging to entertain them with their favorite music while doing our thing with the songs. Fortunately, everyone's been incredibly appreciative of what we've done."

With the DVD, the band wanted the audience and fans to take away good memories of the performance. The DVD also has bonus features such as a parody film called "Rubbersoul the Movie," a send-up similar to the famed Rutles/Monty Python parody of The Beatles. "Rubbersoul the Movie" features city-based guitarist Alex Callenberger as "Ono Yoko."

"I hope that they will take away a need for more of The Beatles. Maybe there are some young musicians in the audience who will be willing to step up to the plate and keep the music going after we're done," Yoas said. "It has been our pleasure escorting everyone down this long and winding road we've been on, and I hope we passed our audition."

The History of Silent Night

Enjoy local talent Matt Hoppes' YouTube video detailing the history of Silent Night:




Click here to see the video. Or visit Matt's Facebook page or website.

Cassin Diggs Supports Bulldogs Win

Williamsport's Cassie Diggs, a junior at Bowie State University in MD, assisted his team the Bulldogs in a win against the previously undefeated Shepherd University.

Cassie, a former Williamsport High School student, was rated the nation's Number One Junior College center by JUCO Junction in 2006, and plays center for the Bulldogs.