Local community leaders, business owners, colleges and media recently helped launch Rediscover Scranton, a new initiative created to market the area’s economic, cultural and scholastic assets to former and current residents. Through Rediscover Scranton, volunteers are identifying and contacting accomplished professionals with ties to greater Scranton, informing them about economic, quality of living, and growth...

In what has become a local tradition, downtown Scranton will once again ring in the new year with its First Night celebration on New Year’s Eve, Sunday, Dec. 31, from 5 p.m. to midnight. First Night Scranton 2007 will be feature more than 40 artists, performers, and special events in unique venues throughout downtown Scranton. You can listen to some smooth jazz, rock in the New Year, learn African drumming and community...

It’s the holidays. Time to kick back and goof off at work. So for those interested I offer www.elfyourself.com and http://cognitivelabs.com/word_shoot.htm The “elf yourself” one is really popular, but the site has been flooded in the last couple of weeks by visitors, so you might not get on. If you do get the opportunity to express you inner elf, slap your face on a prancing sprite and send it to your...

The holidays are approaching, and visitors will be coming to town to see family and friends. Be sure to tell your guests about Rediscover Scranton and invite them to attend the kickoff event on December 27! Encourage them to register their e-mail address at www.rediscoverscranton.com. They will be entered for a chance to win a VIP weekend in Scranton. As your holiday guests are “Rediscovering Scranton,” be...

If you’re entertaining this holiday season or just searching for the perfect gift for someone with a serious sweet tooth, check out the My Mother’s Delicacies website (www.mymothersdelicacies.com). Shop through My Mother’s Delicacies’ wide selection of delicious homemade baked goods including mini-sticky buns, Italian cookies, French cream triangles, butter cookies, Kolachie or Hamentashen. My Mother’s Delicacies...

I have a secret. For years, I have been pining to dub some promising new group’s style as “Kilt Rock©.” That’s right- capital K, capital R. Snippets of unheard songs have popped into my head… songs that feature crashing drums, loud guitars, bagpipes, and a certain kind of melancholy that can only come from the British Isles (well, north of London, at least). Oh, how I’ve longed to...