Harrisburg Under Control Of State Appointed Receiver

David Unkovic, most recently chief counsel of the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development, was named by Gov. Tom Corbett to lead Harrisburg quickly out of financial distress. He will be assisted by the Washington, D.C.-based law firm of McKenna Long & Aldridge.

At a press conference, Unkovic deflected concerns about his past, including 23 years at the firm of Saul Ewing, which represents Assured Guaranty, the largest insurer of Harrisburg incinerator bonds.  He’s also worked for other firms that have ties to the incinerator debacle, including Public Finance Management and RBC Capital Markets…

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City Of Wilkes-Barre Christmas Parade, Saturday, November 19th

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If you love Christmas, and all things associated with it, the place to be tomorrow is Wilkes-Barre.  Saturday, November 19th is the Wilkes-Barre Christmas parade plus a fun-filled day of holiday activities in the city.  The best part of all is that it is FREE!

The fun starts at 10am with the showing of A Christmas Story at Movies 14, downtown.  If you bring an unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots, you get in FREE!

From noon until 1pm, you can enjoy a free Christmas concert by the King’s College Cantores Christi Regis Singers in the lobby of the Ramada, also downtown.

At 12:30pm, for those who aren’t in the mood for a concert, there is Storytelling at Barnes & Noble.  You can meet Mrs. Claus and enjoy a Christmas story.

At 1:30pm there is a concert at the F.M. Kirby Center.  The YOUniveristy Suzuki Strings will be playing in the lobby.  Come out and show your support for these young people!

At 2:00pm there is a Christmas Carol sing-a-long on Public Square.

From 2:00pm until 6pm there will be holiday face painting on Public  Square.   That will cost you $5.00 per face 🙂

At 3:15pm the main event begins.   The Christmas Parade featuring Santa, floats, music and tons of fun begins at South and S. Main Street.  There are four divisions this year.

Immediately after the parade, there will be a tree lighting ceremony on Public Square.  There will be photos with Santa for $5.00 to benefit Valley Santa, courtesy of Boscov’s.  There will also be complimentary (free) hot chocolate from the Salvation Army and the Wilkes-Barre Lion’s Club.

The Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association sponsored a window decorating contest this year (Window Wonderland) and over 40 businesses have decorated their windows to add even more holiday spirit to this year’s event!

It’s Christmas time in the city!

Crystal Cathedral Sold To Roman Catholic Diocese

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The glittering monument to Robert H. Schuller‘s ministry is being sold to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.  The Crystal Cathedral filed for bankruptcy last year and is being purchased by the diocese for $57.5 million.

After Robert H. Schuller retired in 2006, his son (Robert A.) tried to follow in his famous father’s footsteps as Senior Pastor.  However, in 2008 Robert A. Schuller was removed as Senior Pastor by his father.  Robert H. then made his daughter Sheila Interim Senior Pastor in 2009.  Sheila became the permanent Senior Pastor in 2010.  Three months after her elevation to permanent Senior Pastor the church filed for bankruptcy.  During this transition period the church lost thousands of members and millions of dollars in revenue, causing layoffs, salary cuts and finally bankruptcy.

Chapman University had offered to buy the 40-acre complex and allow the congregants to continue worshipping in the cathedral.  However, selling to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange will guarantee that the Crystal Cathedral will continue to be used as a house of worship.  The diocese has plans to make the Crystal Cathedral the center for the Catholic community in Orange County.

In three years, the congregation at the Crystal Cathedral will need to move.  There are some who fear the move will be too much for the remaining congregation.  There is also concern that the Hour of Power television program viewers might disappear if the show is no longer broadcast from the Crystal Cathedral.  70% of the revenue for the Crystal Cathedral comes from Hour of Power viewers.

At one time, the Crystal Cathedral had 10,000 local members.  Coincidentally, there are 10,000 panes of glass that make up the famous church, which was dedicated in 1980.