Tag Archives: Pennsylvania
MCCC Gears Up For 2016 RecycleMainia Competition
Blue Bell/Pottstown, Pa.— Coming off its most successful finish in eight years of competition, Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) is gearing up for RecycleMania 2016, a national tournament among colleges and universities designed to increase student awareness of campus recycling and waste minimization.
The 2016 competition begins Feb. 7 and continues through April 2.
Historically, MCCC excels in RecycleMania’s Waste Minimization category. The category measures an institution’s total waste—trash and recycling collected during the eight-week competition—and divides it by the number of students, faculty and staff on campus to calculate the amount of waste per person.
In 2015, MCCC collected 8.395 pounds of waste per capita, which was the lowest amount collected among competing Pennsylvania institutions and the sixth lowest among all competing U.S. colleges and universities.
“Less waste per capita means that our efforts to educate the campus community about the importance of reducing and reusing, in addition to recycling, are paying off,” said Jaime Garrido, associate vice president for facilities and construction at MCCC. “Montgomery’s participation in RecycleMania each year is a great way to benchmark how we’re doing.”
During the 2015 RecycleMania tournament, 394 institutions recycled or composted 80.16 million pounds of materials, preventing the release of 129,411 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2E) into the atmosphere.
According to the U.S. EPA’s Waste Reduction Model (WARM), MCCC’s recycling efforts during the competition resulted in a greenhouse gas reduction of 33 MTCO2E, which translates to the energy consumption of three households or the emissions of six cars.
In addition to Waste Minimization, other RecycleMania categories measure the amount of total recyclables, the amount of recyclables per capita and overall recycling rates, among other data.
RecycleMania is made possible through the sponsorship support from the Alcoa Foundation, The Coca Cola Company, Rubbermaid Commercial Products and CyclePoint. Partner organizations include Keep America Beautiful, U.S. EPA Waste Wise, the College and University Recycling Coalition (CURC), the National Wildlife Federation – Campus Ecology, and the Food Recovery Network.
To learn more about the RecycleMania 2016 competition, visit http://www.recyclemaniacs.org.
Program Prepares Students For High Priority Employment As Pharmacy Technicians
Blue Bell/Pottstown, PA —Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) is expanding its 50-hour Pharmacy Technician program this spring, with both day and evening classes being offered in Blue Bell and Pottstown. The program prepares students to work in the pharmacy field and to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s national exam, among other national and state certifications.
MCCC is offering a total of six Pharmacy Technician sections this spring.
At the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, the program will be offered at the following days/times:
· Saturdays, March 5-May 21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
· Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 8-May 3, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
· Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 22-May 10, 6-9:30 p.m.
At the West Campus, 101 College Drive, Pottstown, the program will be offered at the following days/times:
· Saturdays, March 5-May 21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
· Mondays and Wednesdays, March 7-May 2, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
· Mondays and Wednesdays, March 21-May 9, 6:9:30 p.m.
The program covers key topics such as pharmacy calculations; medical terminology; skills to read and interpret prescriptions; review of the top 200 drugs; skills to identify drugs by generic and brand names; dosage calculations, IV flow rates, drug compounding and dose conversions; the dispensing of prescriptions; inventory control; and billing and reimbursement.
The cost of attending the Pharmacy Technician program is $1,995, which includes the course textbook. The program is approved by PA Career Link for students who qualify. Students should have, or be pursing, a high school diploma or GED to enroll. To learn more or to register, call 215-461-1127 or email grossett@mc3.edu.
Pharmacy technician jobs are expected to grow by 20 percent through 2022—nine percent higher than the average growth rate for all occupations nationally according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.
The demand holds true in Pennsylvania as well. Pharmacy Technician is designated as a High Priority Occupation in the Commonwealth, which ranks fourth among states in the number of pharmacy technicians currently employed.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry reports that candidates with formal training or prior experience have the best opportunity for employment as pharmacy technicians. In 2012, the median salary for pharmacy technicians was $29,320 nationally.
To learn more, visit http://www.mc3.edu/academics and click on Areas of Study, followed by Health Sciences, then Career Training Programs.
Oktoberfest Presented By Yuengling
OCTOBER 2-4 AND 9-11
Fridays: 5-10pm
Saturdays: noon-10pm
Sundays: noon-8pm
Experience a free, authentic German Oktoberfest with a special Pennsylvania flair. Highlighting the event is the giant Yuengling Festhalle tent at PNC Plaza: 645 E. First Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015, featuring German food, beer and polka, rock and party bands.
- Craft Brewers’ Village presented by the Brewers of Pennsylvania
- Wiener Dog Races!
- Yuengling Oktoberfest 5K Sign up – Sunday, October 4th
Pennsylvania Farm To Provide White House Christmas Tree In 2015
WHAT: Selection of Official White House Christmas Tree
Searching will take place at Bustard’s Christmas Trees, the 2015 National Christmas Tree Association Grand Champion winner of the national tree contest.
Glenn & Jay Bustard and their family will present the White House Christmas Tree in November/December. The tree will be displayed in the Blue Room.
Harvest of the selected tree will take place just prior to the presentation.
Winners of the National Christmas Tree Association national tree contest have provided the official White House Christmas Tree since 1966.
WHO: Glenn & Jay Bustard, Bustard’s Christmas Trees
WHEN: Wednesday, September 30– time 9:00 A.M. (eastern)
WHERE: Bustard’s Christmas Trees (Farm field to meet in Lehighton.)
GPS coordinates: across the street from
T Johnson Collision Center
1270 Owl Creek Rd
Lehighton, PA 18235
ADDITIONAL: Interviews or background information requests may be directed to Rick Dungey in the NCTA office at (636) 449-5071 or email to dungey@realchristmastrees.org.
ARTS RALLY & PA PARTNERS IN THE ARTS AWARDS
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FREE for Members of the Arts Council & Grant Recipients
$10 Nonmembers & Guests
Refreshments & fellowship provided
RSVP: info@lvartscouncil.org |
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Premiere Sponsors: PPL & Gross McGinley, LLP |
Live Streaming Video From The Heart Of The Pennsylvania Elk Range
Calling all nature lovers – click here to watch the elk herd in Pennsylvania.
33rd Annual Dinner Northeast Chapter Of The Pennsylvania Sports Hall Of Fame
The 33rd annual dinner of the Northeast Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame will be held on Sunday, October 4th in the DeNaples Center of the University of Scranton, 800 Mulberry Street beginning at 5:00 pm. This year the Northeast Chapter will induct 10 local athletes.
Tickets are $40.00 per person and $25.00 for children 10 years and up, and may be obtained by contacting Bob Walsh (570) 346-2228 or Alice Foley (570) 346-5796.
The Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization.
How Would You Like To See Your State Tax Dollars Spent?
Arts advocacy requires an ongoing conversation with both our elected and appointed government officials. Since negotiations for the state budget have stalled, it’s time for citizens to help to set priorities. Let the Commonwealth’s current budget impasse prompt you to contact them and remind them with a personal story of how much the arts mean to you and your family.
A father wrote to me about the sensory-friendly performance of a children’s play attended by his child with autism. They thanked Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre for their effort to understand the daily challenges faced by families like theirs. “Our son may not have the chance to do so many things in life that others do,” they said. “It was a very special day.”
A thriving arts community does not exist in isolation. While engagement in the arts affects people in deeply quiet ways, the arts experience can unite us around shared values:
- We believe that everyone in the Lehigh Valley deserves access to our rich diverse arts culture.
- We take pride in locally produced arts experiences; they are integral to the region’s cultural infrastructure.
- We realize that the arts are essential to our economic vitality and quality of life.
The Lehigh Valley is the third largest region in the state; it deserves recognition and its equal share of reallocated state tax dollars. An individual story sends a powerful message. Many stories command attention.
Randall Forte
Executive Director, Lehigh Valley Arts Council
Pennsylvania Website ‘Fish This’ Is Anglers Best Friend
Website ‘Fish This‘ offers information on the best fishing of Pennsylvania, from fishing guides to hotspots, all in one place. The site is a great resource for anyone who enjoys fishing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Enjoy your summer and stay safe!
Where Is Pennsylvania’s Very Own Silicon Valley?
Move over, Silicon Valley: Pennsylvania has a tech hub of its own.
Over the past couple of decades, the San Francisco Bay Area has been the tech mecca of the country. It’s the shiny, silicon haven where the nerds are the cool kids and where artisanal coffee is a main food group; where there are more startups than gyms and everyone seems to be living far in the future.
But this flood of entrepreneurial hopefuls has brought with it a surge of sky-high housing costs and a lack of space. Those looking to start a company are already using all of their resources to make sure their venture is a success. But how can they take such a risk if they’re paying upwards of $4,000 a month for a two-bedroom apartment?
As it turns out, there are other areas of the country—including some in Pennsylvania—where more tech companies and venture capital firms are popping up every year. These dark horses may be poised to become the next silicon superpowers.
To see the top 10 PA tech counties, click the link: http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20150611/where-is-pennsylvanias-very-own-silicon-valley
Schools Ignore Grand Jury’s Warning To Let Police Investigate Sex Cases
A grand jury in Harrisburg declared 17 months ago that school administrators are singularly unqualified to investigate alleged sexual abuse, but the practice continues.
“School district administrators lack training needed to conduct a meaningful investigation into whether or not physical or sexual abuse has occurred,” according to a Dauphin County grand jury’s investigation of Susquehanna Township School District in January 2014.
The grand jury said administrators lack access to investigative resources such as search warrants, court orders, wiretaps or subpoenas and lack training in the questioning of victims, witnesses and suspects.
“Very often, a preliminary investigation will tip off a suspect and foreclose the availability of the investigative resources described above even once the police become involved,” the panel concluded.
Read more: http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/8531007-74/police-district-jury#ixzz3cfnzxrM0
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Best Towns in Pennsylvania
Explore the best towns to live in the US. Niche ranks towns based on livability using grades for weather, safety, schools, and access to activities, jobs, housing, and transportation. A high ranking indicates that a town offers a high quality of life to its residents.
See the list:
Arena, Boscov’s Among Suitors For State Redevelopment Funds
More than 300 groups from across the state are lining up to get a piece of the $125 million available for Pennsylvania redevelopment projects.
Those requesting funding include the Luzerne County Convention Center Authority, which wants to upgrade Mohegan Sun Arena.
The competition is stiff in this recently streamlined state program — called the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program — with funding requests totaling 10 times the available grant money.
Gov. Tom Wolf will decide which projects receive grants in the fall.
Read more:
http://citizensvoice.com/news/arena-boscov-s-among-suitors-for-state-redevelopment-funds-1.1890479
Despite Storms, Luzerne County Under Drought Watch
Editor’s note: There are 27 Pennsylvania counties under this watch, including Berks.
Keith Hilliard has been watching the sky from his farm in Sugarloaf Township, hoping for rain.
Hilliard hasn’t seen the weather he’d like so far this spring.
The dry weather helped him plant seeds, but now, “if we don’t get any rain, it will affect those crops pretty quickly,” he said.
Some crops are worth irrigating for Hilliard, president of the Luzerne County Farm Bureau. Others won’t offer enough return on his investment. About 40 percent of his hay crop has already been affected by the dry weather.
“There’s not a whole lot you can do with a lack of rain,” he said.
Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/despite-storms-county-under-drought-watch-1.1889261
Columbia Hopes To Land Downsized State Call Center, With 129 Jobs
A year after tabling a plan for a call center here, the state Department of Human Services now says it wants to put a smaller version of the call center somewhere in Lancaster County.
And even though the proposed call center has been shrunk by more than half, Columbia Borough is in hot pursuit of the venture, which would create 129 jobs.
Its Borough Council voted this week to spend $835,000 to support the effort of developer Bill Roberts to put the call center in a fire station at 137 S. Front St.
“Every now and then, when a municipality embarks on an economic development project, they need to be willing to put some skin in game,” said Mayor Leo Lutz.
Read more:
Susquehanna-Roseland Power Line, A $1.4 Billion Project, Switched On
The long-anticipated Susquehanna-Roseland power line was fully energized this week for the first time.
The 150-mile-long, 500-kilovolt line links PPL Electric Utilities’s switchyard at its Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Salem Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, to Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.’s switching station in Roseland, Essex County, New Jersey.
It cost $1.4 billion and is designed to bolster electricity reliability for the power grid run by Pennsylvania-based PJM Interconnection that serves 61 million people in all or parts of 13 states plus the District of Columbia.
“It’s all about reliability,” PPL Electric Utilities spokesman Paul Wirth said. “It prevents overloads on other power lines and gives electricity another path to travel, especially during period periods when it’s extremely hot or extremely cold.
Read more:
Lancaster, Strasburg Among Top 10 Most Beautiful Towns In Pennsylvania
The folks at the Culture Trip recently released its guide to the 10 most beautiful towns in Pennsylvania, and two of their choices are located here in Lancaster County.
Related: Central Market among top 10 fresh markets in the world
Lancaster city was lauded for its “unique shops and boutiques, a plethora of outstanding restaurants and a beautiful countryside,” while Strasburg was recognized for its railroad attractions and its countryside, which was described as “rich in history and beauty.”
Related: Lancaster dog park tops list of 10 best amazing dog parks in U.S.
Read more:
All Pennsylvanians To Pay More, GOP Gleans From Report On Wolf’s Tax Plan
HARRISBURG, PA — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s tax plan would hit all income classes and amount to a “huge tax grab,” said a leading Republican lawmaker.
But John Hanger, Wolf’s policy director, on Friday disputed the Independent Fiscal Office report’s main conclusions. Wolf’s plan “would benefit most Pennsylvania homeowners making up to $100,000 and renters up to $50,000,” Hanger said.
The report released this week makes a key observation when it says all groups would pay more — including a small net increase for the lowest income group, those making $25,000 or less annually, said House Appropriations Chairman Bill Adolph, R-Delaware County.
That “directly contradicts” claims by Wolf and testimony of top staffers at appropriations meetings, Adolph said.
Read more: http://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/8239869-74/tax-wolf-budget#ixzz3YKajHAhL
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Gov. Tom Wolf Preaches ‘Gospel Of Manufacturing’ During Lehigh Valley Visit (Video)
Gov. Tom Wolf said Friday that students educated at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute and Lehigh Carbon Community College will power Pennsylvania’s economic engine.
“If we’re going to have a future in manufacturing in Pennsylvania, what you learn here is really, really important,” Wolf told students after touring LCCC and LCTI, which sit on neighboring campuses in North Whitehall Township.
“I’m preaching the gospel of manufacturing,” he said. “Manufacturing is making a comeback…Part of the reason manufacturing has a great future in Pennsylvania is because we have really good workers.”
Read more/watch video:
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/lehigh-county/index.ssf/2015/04/gov_tom_wolf_preaches_gospel_o.html
Roy's Rants - For Your Information 