• Commonwealth Health – Berwick Hospital Center‘s free six-week educational series titled “Six Weeks to Better Health” continues this afternoon and wraps up next Wednesday April 17. Today’s presentation is from 12-1 p.m. at the Hospital’s Conference Room 1 and 2, located at 701 East 16th St., Berwick and the final session next Wednesday is from 5-6 p.m. Titles of the remaining sessions are: Dealing with the Symptoms of Menopause; and Advanced Directives and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). For more information, see the flyer, and to RSVP, call 570-759-5337.

• Boston’s Lorelei Ensemble will join forces with members of the Bucknell University Choirs to present James Kallembach’s new oratorio Antigone: the Writings of Sophie Scholl this Thursday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts. The performance is free and tickets are not required. In the first half of the performance, Lorelei Ensemble will present choral works by John Luther Adams, Maggie Payne, David Lang and Pavel Chesnokov. After intermission, the vocal ensemble will perform James Kallembach’s new oratorio for treble choir and cello quartet Antigone: the Writings of Sophie Scholl and the White Rose Movement. 

• There will be a free showing of the 2018 documentary about the life and legacy of Fred Rogers, titled Won’t you be my Neighbor, on Tuesday, April 23, from 7-9 p.m., at the Berwick Theatre and Center for Community Arts, located at 110 Front St., Berwick. This event is being presented by the United Way of Columbia and Montour County. For more information, see the Facebook event page. 

• PA CareerLink Columbia/Montour Counties will host its annual job fair on Thursday, May 2, from 1-5 p.m. at Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School, located at 5050 Swpeenheiser Dr., Bloomsburg. The entire event is open to both the general public and students. Employers interested in attending as an exhibitor/vendor should register online. For more information, see the flyer. 

• The Columbia County Volunteers in Medicine (CCVIM) Clinic recently established agency endowment and non-endowment funds at the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation.
  

  From L to R: Scott Preisel, Clinic administrative assistant; Kara G. Seesholtz, CSCF chief advancement
  officer; M. Holly Morrison, D.Ed., CSCF president and CEO; Dr. Bipin Chopra, MD, MBA, Clinic executive
  director; Sally Piazza, RN; Jhoana Cruz, Clinic receptionist

  The funds were created through generous donations for the sustainability of the Clinic’s future. A proud member of the Volunteers in Medicine Alliance, the Clinic provides many services free of charge, including primary and preventative care, screenings, and community education. Through a long-time Berwick Health and Wellness Fund (BHWF) matching grant program for agency endowments serving the BHWF area, the Clinic’s endowment fund immediately doubled. 

Parking lots in downtown Bloomsburg will be open under normal enforcement this weekend after Town Council voted unanimously to table a plan devised to deter visitors for this weekend’s Block Party. The Town had announced that metered parking spaces in the lots would be closed from midnight to 6 p.m. on Saturday. A number business people and the Chamber of Commerce expressed concerns about the potential negative impacts on downtown businesses in getting Council to reconsider.

Several businesses in the downtown have special events this weekend. Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble has two daytime performances and its annual Taming of the Brew event in the evening. At least two businesses have promotional events that are set nationally. As the details of the Town’s plan were finalized and businesses notified the first week in April, there was little time or opportunity to adjust.

A Press Enterprise article on April 9 reported that the Chamber offered a compromise of midnight to 8 a.m. for closing the lots. While Chamber president Fred Gaffney did suggest that Council consider a shorter period of time so that metered spaced would be opened up for the start of business on Saturday, a specific timeframe was not presented by Gaffney. The Chamber recognizes that the bars in the downtown are allowed to be open until 2 a.m., and that customers and employees would need additional time to get to their vehicles.

The Chamber renews its pledge to Town Council to work proactively with them on this and other issues that impact businesses. We first learned of the plan to close the lots in late March, and the specific details were not known until last week. Discussing issues at committee meetings and workshops well in advance allows time for careful consideration, and for getting input from stakeholders. We are eager to be a part of this process.

Below is information from the Town of Bloomsburg and Bloomsburg University on other Block Party weekend restrictions:

Bloomsburg University and the Town of Bloomsburg will implement the below initiatives to increase safety and security related to the annual spring event known as “Block Party.”

 SpringFest – Bloomsburg University’s annual SpringFest, an on-campus, non-alcoholic event, will be moved from Upper Campus to the Academic Quad on Lower Campus this year in an effort to increase participation, visibility, and ease of access to University students.

 Residence Hall Visitation Restrictions – Bloomsburg University will temporarily restrict overnight guests in the residence halls to one visitor per student for the evenings of Friday, April 12, Saturday, April 13, and Sunday, April 14, 2019. A professional security company firm will assist in managing guest registrations and enhance front door security. Parking for these guests will be provided in the Blue Lot & the Orange Parking Lots.

 Parking Restrictions – Bloomsburg University will prohibit all parking at the Lightstreet Road Parking Lot and the ATM Parking Lot. Parking on campus will be restricted to persons attending events on campus. Additionally, temporary parking restrictions will be in affect at the First Street (Green) Parking Lot to permit-holders only from 12:00 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2019, through 12:00 p.m. Sunday, April 14, 2019.

The Town of Bloomsburg and Bloomsburg University also ask all participants to keep in mind:

 Neither the Town of Bloomsburg nor Bloomsburg University endorse the Block Party event, and a large police contingency of both uniformed and plainclothes officers will be present.

 Town and University Police both have a “zero tolerance” policy for all violations during Block Party weekend. Parents and Bloomsburg University will be notified of all arrests, and university students will be subject to discipline for violations under BU’s Code of Conduct.

 The Town of Bloomsburg requires permits for social gatherings of 150 or more individuals. Students are reminded that they can be held responsible for ordinance and crimes code violations that occur on property they lease or control.

 The Town of Bloomsburg prohibits open containers of alcohol in public rights-of-way.

 Hosts are responsible for what takes place on the property and risk fines and University sanctions for any violations.

More than 400 businesses and organizations belong to the Chamber to receive benefits and support efforts to strengthen their businesses and our region. Increased membership allows us to offer additional programs and benefits, have a stronger voice in advocacy and be involved in more activities and initiatives in our communities. The Chamber welcomes its newest member, PinPoint Local, to help us fulfill our mission.

PinPoint Local is national digital marketing company that offers search engine optimization services (SEO), website design and hosting. It has numerous franchisees around the country, including one of its newest in Bloomsburg. Ioulia Lee, a longtime Bloomsburg resident and veteran IT and website design professional, is the local franchise owner. She can be reached at 570-784-1321 or by email.

From ChamberChoice

Mold growth blooms inside and outside after spring rains. When flowers, trees, weeds and grasses begin to blossom, allergies will follow. Spring-cleaning activities can stir up dust mites, so be sure to:

• Wash your bedding every week in hot water to help keep pollen under control.
• Wash your hair before going to bed, since pollen can accumulate in your hair.
• Wear a mask and gloves when cleaning or painting to limit dust and chemical inhalation and skin exposure.
• Vacuum twice a week.
• Limit the number of throw rugs in your home to reduce dust and mold.
• Make sure the rugs you do have are washable.
• Change air filters often.

From rabbittransit

Learn how to use the Fixed Route or Paratransit service with free travel training by rabbittransit. Increased mobility through bus service can bring passengers increased independence, lead to a more active lifestyle, and can enhance quality of life. Travel training eliminates feelings of isolation and the need for passengers to rely on others for their travel needs. The goal of travel training is to meet the specific transportation needs of passengers.

Travel training is geared to those who are unfamiliar with public transportation but wish to travel. Anyone who needs assistance in using public transportation, either Fixed Route or Paratransit service, is eligible for this service. Travel training is designed to do the following through hands on training:

• Plan trips to various destinations
• Learn to read and understand route maps and schedules
• Demonstrate how to get to and from your bus stop
• Learn how to pay fares and purchase tickets and passes
• Learn how to get on and off the bus safely
• Learn to use the lift and/or kneeler to board buses with a mobility device
• Locate and transfer to other buses at Transfer Center
• Travel safely, independently and confidently while riding the bus

To get started, contact rabbittransit at (717) 846-RIDE (7433) or 1-800-632-9063 and request travel training.

The Chamber 2019-20 fiscal year began on April 1, and with that, the 2019-20 Board of Directors began its year-long term. There are a minimal number of changes on the Chamber board this year, as just two members depart and one new member comes on.

Joining the board as the new chair of the Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber board is Tom Kapelewski of SEKISUI SPI. Departing the board are former Foundation board chair Harry Mathias, who is retiring at the end of the school year as the superintendent of the Central Columbia School District, and Vic Klein, former chair of Columbia Alliance for Economic Growth, which was dissolved earlier this year.

The board expresses its appreciation for both Harry and Vic’s service.

2019-20 board officers are:

Karen Wood, Chair, Service 1st Federal Credit Union
Dan Knorr, Vice Chair, Bloomsburg University
Denise Stone, Treasurer, Key Partners Realty
Mark Gardner, Immediate Past Chair, M&T Bank
Fred Gaffney, President

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry

Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office recently unveiled an analysis of revenue proposals in Gov. Tom Wolf’s 2019-20 state budget plan, including an immediate increase in the minimum wage to $12 an hour and ultimately to $15 and elimination of the tipped wage.  The report includes a look at findings from prominent minimum wage studies over the last several years, including from the Congressional Budget Office which found that an increase in the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour would result in the loss of 500,000 jobs nationwide, and possibly up to 1 million.  In summary, the IFO found that a $12 hourly rate would lead to 34,000 fewer jobs throughout the Commonwealth.  It also found that some employees would see a reduction in hours; consumers would see some price increases; and businesses would have less money to reinvest into their operations. 

PA Chamber President Gene Barr issued a statement last week after the release of the report that focused on the negative consequences the proposed minimum wage mandate would have on employers and low-wage workers.  He also pointed out that the IFO report concludes the proposal will make it more difficult for inexperienced workers – namely part-time high school and college students – to enter jobs where they often learn critical workplace and employability skills.

“We continually hear from small businesses that these ‘feel good’ mandates have real-world consequences for both the employer and their workforce.  Once again, their anecdotal insight is backed by independent, nonpartisan analysts – in this case the IFO, but previously by countless other independent studies,” Barr said.  “Obviously some individuals benefit from minimum wage increases; but the fact is, many others would be harmed – including some of the very low-income, lesser-skilled workers whom advocates claim they want to help.  We urge lawmakers and advocates to work in a bipartisan way to advance policies that help low-income families without risking jobs.”

• The United Way of Columbia and Montour County’s free basic tax help to low and moderate-income residents in the community runs through tomorrow, April 4. This program will be held today from 2-6 p.m. and Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 130 W. 3rd St., Bloomsburg (use the rear entrance). No appointments are necessary, only drop-offs and walk-ins will be accepted. For questions, call the United Way at 570-784-3134 or email, and see the flyer for additional information.

• Commonwealth Health – Berwick Hospital Center is presenting a free six-week educational series titled “Six Weeks to Better Health” running each Wednesday through April 17, from 12-1 p.m. at the Hospital’s Conference Room 1 and 2, located at 701 East 16th St., Berwick. The final session in the series will be held from 5-6 p.m. on April 17. Titles of the remaining sessions are: Solutions for Leg Pain and Swelling; Dealing with the Symptoms of Menopause; and Advanced Directives and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). For more information, see the flyer, and to RSVP, call 570-759-5337.

• Michael Mwenso and the Shakes will perform a unique blend of jazz, funk and soul on Tuesday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts. 
  

  Michael Mwenso and the Shakes

  The performance is free and tickets are not required. Mwenso and the Shakes are a unique troupe of global artists who present music that merges the highest form of entertainment and artistry, while commanding a formidable timeline of jazz and blues expression through African and Afro American music. Hailing from Sierra Leone, London, South Africa, Greenwich Village in New York City, Madagascar, France, Jamaica and Hawaii, the members of The Shakes now call Harlem, N.Y., their home.

• Boston’s Lorelei Ensemble will join forces with members of the Bucknell University Choirs to present James Kallembach’s new oratorio Antigone: the Writings of Sophie Scholl on Thursday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts. The performance is free and tickets are not required. In the first half of the performance, Lorelei Ensemble will present choral works by John Luther Adams, Maggie Payne, David Lang and Pavel Chesnokov. After intermission, the vocal ensemble will perform James Kallembach’s new oratorio for treble choir and cello quartet Antigone: the Writings of Sophie Scholl and the White Rose Movement. 

• The Northwest Susquehanna Chapter of Credit Unions, of which Service 1st Federal Credit Union is a part of, recently made a donation of $515 to Camp Victory, which provides a variety of overnight camp opportunities for children and adults with disabilities and illness.
  

  Photo: front row (l-r): Janelle Seibert, Loans & Operations, Central Susquehanna Community Federal Credit Union; Jamie Huntley, Executive Director, Camp Victory; and Brenda Raker, President & CEO, Pinpoint Federal Credit Union. Back row (l-r): Bill Lavage, President/CEO, Service 1st Federal Credit Union; Devon Donahue, Member Service Representative, Service 1st Federal Credit Union; Ed Moyer, Assistant Vice President Shamokin Dam & Sunbury Markets, Service 1st Federal Credit Union; Jay Reed, Chief Information Officer, Service 1st Federal Credit Union; Kris Kauffman, President/CEO, Central Keystone Federal Credit Union; Jeff Balestrini, Chief Lending Officer, Service 1st Federal Credit Union; and Dave Shope, Assistant Vice President Business Development, Service 1st Federal Credit Union.

  During a December Chapter gathering, a Chinese auction was held to benefit Camp Victory. Each year, the Chapter selects a charity to receive the funds raised from their end of the year event.

   

• SUEZ recently completed its $9.5 million acquisition of the water and wastewater systems in Mahoning Township in Montour County, which adds 1,200 customers for its services. SUEZ officially began operations in Mahoning Township last week on March 29. SUEZ has also begun construction of an $8.5 million water transmission pipeline acros the six-mile area of Route 11 between Bloomsburg and Mahoning Township. The project will connect Mahoning to a state-of-the-art treatment facility that will provide high quality and reliable water service for years to come. In the meantime, SUEZ has committed approximately $500,000 in water and wastewater main replacements in the Mahoning systems in 2019 alone. Residents of Mahoning Township that have questions about billing or any other issues related to the change can call 888-299-8972.

• The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation recently welcomed three new members to the CSCF Board of Trustees: Richard Cashman, Jeff Hollenbach and John Thompson. Cashman served four terms as a district judge in Columbia County. Upon his retirement in 2009, he was appointed Senior Magisterial District Judge for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A native of Berwick, Dick has extensive community involvement, including leadership in the United Way, Communities that Care, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Berwick Anti-Drug Alliance, and D.A.R.E. Hollenbach is the Executive Vice President of the Susquehanna Community Bank in West Milton. He is a past Leadership Susquehanna Valley Board member, and currently serves on the Sunbury Area Community Foundation Board, the Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA Board, the Local Loan Review Committee, and the Local Development Corporation Board with SEDA-COG. Thompson is retired from the First Columbia Bank and Trust Co., where he was the Vice-President Senior Trust Officer, and the Bloomsburg Area YMCA, where he was the CEO. His current community involvement includes serving as the Chair of the Bloomsbug Area Community Foundation, Assistant to the Board of Directors of the Bloomsburg Fair, and Treasurer of the Husky Research Corporation.

• There will be a free showing of the 2018 documentary about the life and legacy of Fred Rogers, titled Won’t you be my Neighbor, on Tuesday, April 23, from 7-9 p.m., at the Berwick Theatre and Center for Community Arts, located at 110 Front St., Berwick. This event is being presented by the United Way of Columbia and Montour County. For more information, see the Facebook event page. 

• PA CareerLink Columbia/Montour Counties will host its annual job fair on Thursday, May 2, from 1-5 p.m. at Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School, located at 5050 Swpeenheiser Dr., Bloomsburg. The entire event is open to both the general public and students. Employers interested in attending as an exhibitor/vendor should register online. For more information, see the flyer. 

More than 650 young entrepreneurs making up 70-plus teams were recently put to the test at Bloomsburg University’s third annual Husky Dog Pound — a Shark Tank-inspired business pitch competition hosted by the Zeigler College of Business, with $20,000 in prizes. The competition, held March 28^t on campus, included teams from Bloomsburg University as well as high schools from across Pennsylvania. The Chamber has supported the event each year to encourage entrepreneurship and connect students with local business people.

Students had just a few minutes to present their business ideas, followed by Q&A from a panel of judges. Lance Diehl, president of First Columbia Bank & Trust, was among the three-person panel judging the college finalists. A number of Chamber representatives served as judges for the high school competition, including board members Holly Morrison (Central Susquehanna Community Foundation), Denise Stone (Key Partners Realty), Sharon Wilkin (CSS Industries), and Karen Wood (Service 1st Federal Credit Union), as well as Jeff Emanuel, Foundation director, and Fred Gaffney, Chamber president.

Teams from Berwick, Bloomsburg, and Millville finished in the top 30, with a team from Selinsgrove finishing fourth.

Top finishing teams received cash prizes and the top five college teams were also offered complimentary one-year memberships in the Chamber to encourage them to connect with local businesspeople. “While the Chamber’s primary purpose is to support members, it’s also important that we encourage new business development,” says Gaffney. “We hope that, by interacting with other members, the students can make connections to bring their ideas to fruition.”

A news story of the event is available from WBRE.

More than 400 businesses and organizations belong to the Chamber to receive benefits and support efforts to strengthen their businesses and our region. Increased membership allows us to offer additional programs and benefits, have a stronger voice in advocacy and be involved in more activities and initiatives in our communities. The Chamber welcomes its newest member, Superior Shuttle Services, to help us fulfill our mission.

Superior Shuttle Services was founded by a trio of Bloomsburg University students last year, and was one of the top finishers at the 2018 Husky Dog Pound, coming in third place at last year’s competition. It provides transportation services, which to this point have been mainly to BU students, but it is planning to expand in the coming months to make its services available to a larger swath of the population. Superior Shuttle Services can be reached at 570-912-8060 or by email/email.