When it comes to the art of creating the perfect summer fair and festival, we know what we’re doing in The 570. Between Memorial Day weekend — the unofficial start to summer — and Labor Day weekend, the sweet scent of the three P’s (potato pancakes, pierogies and pizza) wafts through air. There’s also music, beer and wine, art, crafts, games of chance … you get the picture. It’s a good time!
Don’t miss a minute of the fun with your family and friends. Take a look at what summer 2013 has in store for you:

Fairs & Festivals
◆ Swingin’ on Vine
May 24, 5-8 p.m. Enjoy a block party featuring beer, wine, cocktails, food and music by Exact Change on the 500 block of Vine St., Scranton. Must be 21 to attend. Tickets: $15, advance. $20, door. Proceeds benefit the Albright Memorial Library. www.albright.org.

◆ The Race of the Saints
May 25, Jessup. Celebrate the Italian tradition of the Race of the Saints as runners race through the streets of Jessup carrying small statues of St. Ubaldo, St. George and St. Anthony. The race will be held, rain or shine. www.stubaldoday.com.

◆ The Battle of The Burgers and Brew Fest
May 26, 2-6 p.m., Mount Airy Casino Resort, Mount Pocono. This event (for those 21 and older) will showcase 20 local businesses as they show off their grilling skills and compete for bragging rights to “NEPA’s Best Burger.” Spectators will sample each burger and vote on their favorite. The event also features brews and live entertainment. Tickets are $15-45. www.welldonebuns.com.

◆ NEPA Bluegrass Festival
May 30-June 2, Lazybrook Park, Tunkhannock. More than 20 bands will be featured on two stages, Smokey Greene, Jesse Alexander Band, Coal Town Rounders, and Bluegrass Mountaineers, just to name a few. There will also be plenty of children’s activities. www.nepabluegrass.com.

◆ Milford Food & Wine Faire at the Hotel Fauchere
June 1, 12 – 6 p.m. Enjoy a “Garden Party” Wine Festival in downtown Milford featuring wine tasting, Meet the Chef/Meet the Vintner Food & Wine Pairing Workshops in the hotel’s Delmonico Room. Sample and purchase the wines of some of the Pennsylvania’s finest wineries. Festival tickets are $20, advance; $30, at the gate; $5, designated driver/under 21; and $25, food & wine pairing workshops. www.nepawinecountry.com. 836-5253.

◆ RiverFest
June 1, Lackawanna County. Enjoy a number of events celebrating the beauty of the Lackawanna River. Hosted by the Lackawanna River Corridor Association, RiverFest features a Canoe-A-Thon, a timed run on the Lackawanna River from two Mid Valley launch sites (Archbald and Blakely) to the finish line at the Olive Street Bridge in Scranton; the Regatta, a free competition in which Participants will create a vessel to navigate down the Lackawanna River from Sweeney’s Beach to the finish at the Olive Street Bridge; a Duck-A-Thon, and more. www.lrca.org.

◆ Spirit Mind and Body Expo and Psychic Fair
June 1-2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Memorial Hall, 101 West 10th St., Jim Thorpe. This event features national psychics, holistic services, lectures, New Age accessories and supplies, massage therapy, Reiki and energy workers, jewelry, crystals, gemstones, tattoos, candles, incense, herbals, essential oils, a bake sale and more. Admission is $3 (or 2 for $5) and proceeds benefit the local Cancer Society. 455-3384.

◆ Arts on Fire Festival
June 7-9. On Friday at 7:45 p.m., follow a fiery parade from Lackawanna Avenue to the Fire at the Furnace fundraiser at Scranton Iron Furnaces. The event will be held from 8 to 11 p.m. and will benefit the Scranton Iron Furnaces and the Anthracite Heritage Museum. Enjoy an iron pourdemonstration by Keystone Iron Works, Bluegrass music by Coal Town Rounders, food and drinks and more. Tickets are $15, advance; $20, door. Tickets, information: 963-4804. The fun with the Arts on Fire Festival. The event will be held Saturday, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and features food, music, children’s activities, demonstrations, pottery and glass making demonstrations as well as a community iron pour. Industrial artists from across the United States will work in glass, metal, recycled materials and clay and their work will be available for purchase. www.artsonfirefestival.com.

◆ Annual Milford Music Festival
June 7-9, Milford. This free festival features 30 concerts in more than 20 venues. The event also includes a shopping festival throughout the business district. In addition, the Dimmick Block Party features everything from sausage and pepper sandwiches to massages. www.milfordmusicfest.org.

◆ Pocono Raceway Festival
June 8, Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. This free, day-long music and racing festival features more than 100 craft and retail vendors, food vendors, multiple stages of music, a full carnival on Main Street, face painting, a rock climbing wall, beer tents, and a free concert on Main Street with Dickey Betts and Great Southern, and more. www.shermantheater.com.

◆ Pocono Mountains Bluegrass Festival
June 13-15, G.D.S. Fairgrounds, Rtes. 191 (Main Street) and Rte. 507, Newfoundland. The festival features a weekend of live Bluegrass music, craft and food vendors, rain or shine. www.PoconosBluegrassFestival.com.

◆ Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival
June 15, Honesdale. This free art and music festival offers entertainment on the Main Stage including Jimmy Vivino and The Barn Burners, Pat O’Shea and The Honest Men, The Badlees and Emish. There will also be plenty of entertainment and art in venues throughout the downtown. www.honesdalerootsandrhythm.com.

◆ Anthracite Heritage Festival “Patch Town Days” and Antique Car Show
June 15-16,10 a.m-5 p.m., Eckley Miners’ Village Museum, 2 Eckley Main St., Weatherly. Celebrate the traditions and customs of the anthracite coal region through food, music, vendors and more. There will be a living history reenactment by the Eckley Players both days, and an antique car show on Saturday. Admission is $6, adults (age 13-64); $5.50, senior citizens (65 and older); $4, children (age 6-12). 636-2070, www.EckleyMinersVillageMuseum.com.

◆ Steamtown Beer and Music Festival
June 15, Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain. Sample craft brews from more than 50 breweries and enjoy local cuisine at the festival. The event also features live music by Muscle Shoal Revival, The Menzingers, Alien Ant Farm, and Fuel. Tickets are $50 per session, advance; $55 per session, at the door; and $15, designated driver (available at the door only). www.steamtownbeerandmusicfest.com.

◆ Northeast Fair
June 18-23, fair grounds in Pittston Twp. Event showcases agriculture, horticulture, gardening, entertainment, rides, food and more. Tickets are $7, advance; $10, at the gate. Prices include rides. www.northeastfair.com.

◆ Farmers’ Market Opening Day
June 20, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Featuring fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables, food, live music, handmade goods and more. Every Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. www.wilkes-barre.pa.us.

◆ RiverFest
June 21-23, at Wilkes-Barre Riverfront Parks, River Common and Nesbitt Park. Celebrate the river and the environment with this festival featuring guided sojourns on the Susquehanna, food, live entertainment, children’s activities, dragon boat races and more. www.rivercommon.org.

◆ Great Tastes of PA Wine & Food Festival
June 22-23, 12-6 p.m., Split Rock Resort. Featuring musical entertainment, Pennsylvania’s finest wineries, food vendors and more. Must be 21 to be served. www.splitrockresort.com.

◆ Canton Wine and Cheese Festival
June 22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Manley-Bohlayer Historic Farm, Canton Cross Over Road, Canton.  Enjoy sampling wines from the finest Pennsylvania wineries (must be 21), arts and craft vendors, food and live entertainment.  www.CantonWineAndCheese.com.

◆ High Mountain Craft Beer Festival
June 22,1-5 p.m., Best Western Genetti Inn & Suites, 1341 North Church St., Hazleton. The festival offers more than 40 craft beers and entertainment by Ostrich Hat. All Proceeds benefit Hazleton Rotary Scholarship. 582-9492.

◆ Dallas Rotary Wine and Dine Festival
June 29,11 a.m.- 6 p.m., Luzerne County Fairgrounds (Rte. 118, Dallas). The event features tastings of wine selections from Pennsylvania vineyards, specialty foods from the Back Mountain area, craftsman and musical entertainment. Tickets are $15, advance; $25 at the door; and $5 designated driver. www.dallasrotarywineanddine.com.

◆ Wilkes-Barre’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July
July 4, Kirby Park, Wilkes-Barre. Featuring music, fireworks, food, crafts, puppet shows, pony rides, amusement rides and more. www.wilkes-barre.pa.us.

◆ OATS Festival (Out Among The Stars Bluegrass Festival)
July 4-7, Benton Rodeo Grounds, Menden Hall Lane (Route 487), Benton. Enjoy  traditional and progressive bluegrass music by more than 220 national and regional bands on two stages. Event features camping, food, arts and crafts and more. www.OatsFestival.com.

◆ Briggs Farm Blues Festival
July 12-13, Nescopeck. Artists such as Shakura S’Aida, Lonnie Shields, Lurrie Bell, Terry “Harmonica” Bean, Cedric Burnside and more will perform. The festival also features a special Mississippi Delta Blues menu and vendors offering handmade items and gourmet foods. One-day tickets are $23 in advance or $28 at the gate, and two-day tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the gate. To camp on site, advance tickets are $80 each or $90 per person at the gate. Advance tickets are available through July 11. www.briggsfarm.com. 379-2003.

◆ Cooperative Farmers’ Market Opening Day
Mid-July, off Providence Road and Albright Ave., Scranton. Featuring 40 stands with overhead roofs, a paved midway, free parking, a food concession stand, and more the Cooperative Farmers’ Market in Scranton will celebrate its 74th season in mid-July (the date had not been determined at press time; visit www.localharvest.org for updates on opening day). Visitors will find a wide variety of locally-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs, as well as baked goods, jams and jellies, meats, eggs, cheese, freshly cut and potted flowers. Special events will be scheduled throughout the summer. www.localharvest.org.

◆ Lycoming County Fair
July 12-20. Lycoming County Fairgrounds, Hughesville. Each day the fair offers a variety of entertainment including live music, tractor pulls, demolition derby, racing and more. www.lycomingfair.com.

◆ Buck Hill Skytop Music Festival
July 26-Aug.10, Tennis Tea, 270 Golf Drive, Buck Hill Falls. This event features opera, chamber music, dance and cabaret. With galas, concerts and masterclasses, there is something for everyone. www.buckhillskytopfest.org.

◆ Troy Fair
July 22-27, Alparon Park, Junction of Routes 6 and 14, Troy. Enjoy live entertainment, music, truck and tractor pulls, demolition derby, “Street of Shops,” rides, contests, dairy show, dog show, livestock sale, auctions, antique tractor parade and more. Trace Adkins will perform on July 24, 2013 at 8 p.m. For tickets and information: www.TroyFair.com.

◆ Queen City Nights
July 11-13, downtown Olyphant. The event features food, children’s rides and games, face painting, dunk tank, bingo, clams, beer tent, giveaways, raffles and Firemen’s parade on Friday and live entertainment each night. Olyphant Queen City Nights on Facebook.

◆ Waystock ’13
July 26-27, Wayside Park and South St., Waymart. Event features music, artisans, food and more. www.WaymartPa.us.

◆ Arts on the Square
July 27, 12-8 p.m., Courthouse Square, Scranton. Hosted by Lackawanna County and ScrantonMade, all are invited to enjoy a day of art and music in historic downtown Scranton. www.artsonthesquare.net.

◆ St. Joseph’s Center Summer Festival
July 26-28, at Marywood University Campus. The event features food, games and live entertainment. Festival hours are 4 to 10 on Friday and Saturday, and from 1 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. www.stjosephscenter.org/events/summerfestival.

◆ Montrose Blueberry Festival
Aug. 2-3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Montrose Village Green. The 33rd annual Montrose Blueberry Festival features something for everyone, including aprons, cookbooks, ice cream, muffins, pies, pottery, and even blueberry pizza! The event also features children’s games, fresh blueberries, a harvest table with local produce, basket raffle, local entertainment and more. Admission is free. Proceeds benefit the Susquehanna County Historical Society & Free Library Association. www.susqcolibrary.org or 278-1881.

◆ Scranton Jazz Festival
Aug. 2-4, downtown Scranton. Enjoy an authentic weekend of jazz, blues, world beat music and more at the Main Stage, located at the Radisson at Lackawanna Station Hotel. After the Main Stage closes take a “Jazz Walk” through downtown venues. scrantonjazzfestival.org or 487-3954 (Box Office).

◆ Wayne County Fair
Aug. 2-10, Wayne County Fairgrounds, Honesdale. www.waynecountyfair.com.

◆ Tioga County Fair
Aug. 5-10. Tioga County Fairgrounds, Whitneyville. www.tiogacountyfair.com.

◆ Carbon County Fair
Aug. 6-10. Carbon County Fairgrounds, Palmerton. www.carboncountyfair.com.

◆ Raising the Roof Party
Aug. 9, 5-8 p.m., downtown Wilkes-Barre. Party on the rooftop of the Intermodal Parking Facility and enjoy food, beverages, live entertainment and more. Proceeds benefit the Osterhout Free Library. www.osterhout.lib.pa.us.

◆ Summer Antiques, Arts and Crafts Festival
August 10, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Exaltation of the Holy Cross, 420 Main Rd., Hanover Twp. Featuring more than 90 vendors, the festival offers a wide variety of hand made crafts, art, antiques, Jewelry and more. There will also be a bake sale, and festival food. 825-6312.

◆ Pittston Tomato Festival
Aug. 15-18, downtown Pittston. Celebrating Pittston’s famous tomatoes, this festival offers plenty of ethnic food, live entertainment, a parade, 5K run, games, rides, arts and crafts and more. The Tomato Fights, to benefit charity, will be held on Aug. 17 at 1:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Cooper’s on the Waterfront Restaurant. www.pittstontomatofestival.com.

◆ Harford Fair
Aug. 19-24. Harford Fairgrounds, Harford. Enjoy live entertainment, food, exhibits and more. www.harfordfair.com.

◆ Kielbasa Fest
Aug. 23-24, downtown Plymouth. Sample the best kielbasa northeastern Pennsylvania has to offer at this annual event. In addition to plenty of kielbasa, vendors will offer plenty of festival fare, such as potato pancakes, pierogies, funnel cakes and, for your sweet tooth, deep fried Oreos! www.plymouthalive.org.

◆ Jessup Summer Wine Festival
Aug. 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Jessup Carnival Grounds, 333 Hill St., Jessup. Sample some of the area’s best summer wines, wine slushies and more when several Pennsylvania’s wineries participate in the Jessup Summer Wine Festival. In addition to the wine, enjoy the Jessup Hose Company’s signature Pig Roast and an abundance of other delicious foods, along with live music, and a wide variety of local arts and handcrafted items, wine accessories, apparel and jewelry, and more. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Jessup Hose Company’s fund to purchase a much-needed new rescue truck. www.UpstateWineCountry.com/Wine-Festivals.

◆ The Great Allentown Fair
Aug. 27-Sept. 2. Allentown Fairgrounds, Allentown. Among the entertainers scheduled to appear on the Grandstand are Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, Grammy-award winning artist John Mayer with special guest Phillip Phillips, and country music star Toby Keith, just to name a few. www.allentownfairpa.org.

◆ Cornstock Acoustic Music Fest
Aug. 30-Sept. 1, Lazy Brook Park, Tunkhannock. The festival offers three days of homegrown acoustic music including stage shows, free workshops, camping, kids’ activities, local artisans and food vendors. Lazy Brook Park is just east of Tunkhannock, and festival goers may also enjoy swimming and kayaking in Tunkhannock Creek. Tickets, information: www.cornstockfestival.com.

◆ Stroudfest
Aug. 31, Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. Enjoy food, local artisans, children’s activities, music and more. www.shermantheater.com.

◆ Pocono Garlic Festival
Aug. 31-Sept.1, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Shawnee Ski Area. Themed “Garlic Galore & So Much More,” this event combines Pocono-grown garlic with live entertainment, artisans and craftspeople, children’s activities and more. From gourmet delicacies such as garlic roasted pig to the unconventional delights such as garlic funnel cake, this festival celebrates all things garlic. Tickets are $10, adults; $7.50, children 5-12; free, children under 4. Two-day discount passes for $13 available through Aug. 20: For tickets, visit www.shawneemt.com. For festival information, visit www.poconogarlic.com.

◆ La Festa Italiana
Aug. 31-Sept. 2. Visit Courthouse Square in Scranton to enjoy this celebration of Italian culture and cuisine, featuring more than 60 food vendors and displays and live entertainment. On Sunday, a Mass in Italian will be offered at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Cathedral, and the day ends with a fireworks display on Courthouse Square at 10 p.m. Festival hours are noon to 11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Monday. www.lafestaitaliana.org.

— julie imel

For more local events, be sure to check out ec and dc’s calendar of events each week, and visit the570.com.

Sun of a Beach!

New rules for sunscreen so you don’t get burned

The sun will come out tomorrow; and you can bet your bottom dollar that if you are one of the billion fair-skinned people on the planet, you’ll soon be running for cover from the burning rays. Even if you worship the sun gods and bask in sunlight, sun safety is for everyone, no matter what kind of skin or ethnic background you possess.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking additional steps this year to help protect consumers from skin damage caused by excessive sun exposure. “These measures are necessary,” said Lydia Velazquez, PharmD, in FDA’s Division of Nonprescription Regulation Development. “Our scientific understanding has grown. We want consumers to understand that not all sunscreens are created equal.”
The new measures include the following:
•Since sunscreen cannot block 100 percent of UV rays, manufacturers can no longer label their products as sunblock. “Screen” is the word.
•The FDA suggests that sunscreens contain a label no greater than SPF 50; anything overoes not have adequate data demonstrating that products with SPF values higher than 50 provide additional protection.
•Sunscreen can no longer claim to be waterproof or sweat proof since it realistically cannot last forever. Water resistancy requirements will now give you an idea of how long these products are resilient to water activity. It is displayed in minutes. Sunscreens cannot claim to provide sun protection for more than two hours without reapplication or to provide immediate protection without having submitted data to obtain FDA approval. Water-resistance claims: ”Water-resistance” labeling must indicate whether the sunscreen is effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating. Also, sunscreens cannot claim protection immediately on application (for example, “instant protection”) or protection for more than two hours without reapplication, unless they submit data and get approval from FDA.
•Only sunscreens that have passed the FDA testing requirements for protection against both UVA and UVB can be labeled broad spectrum. Products that pass the broad spectrum test will provide protection against both ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) and ultraviolet A radiation (UVA).  Sunburn is primarily caused by UVB.  Both UVB and UVA can cause sunburn, skin cancer, and premature skin aging.  The new labeling will also tell consumers on the back of the product that sunscreens labeled as both “Broad Spectrum” and “SPF 15” (or higher) not only protect against sunburn, but, if used as directed with other sun protection measures, can reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. By contrast, any sunscreen not labeled as “Broad Spectrum” or that has an SPF value between 2 and 14, has only been shown to help prevent sunburn.
•Drug facts: All sunscreens must include standard drug-facts information on the back or side.
“This new information will help consumers know which products offer the best protection from the harmful rays of the sun,” Velazquez said. “It is important for consumers to read the entire label, both front and back, in order to choose the appropriate sunscreen for their needs.”

— tom graham

Sun Safety Tips
To reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging, consumers should regularly use sun protection measures including:

• Use sunscreens with broad spectrum SPF values of 15 or higher regularly and as directed.

• Limit time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense. If you are unsure about the strength of the sun’s rays, use the shadow test: if your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun’s rays are the strongest, and it is important to protect yourself.

• Wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun; long-sleeved shirts, pants, and broad-brimmed hats. Be aware that covering up doesn’t block out all UV rays. If you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through, too.

• Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, more often if you’re sweating or jumping in and out of the water.

• If you plan to be outdoors, you may want to check the UV Index for your area first.

• Wear sunglasses that block UV rays UV-blocking sunglasses are important for protecting the delicate skin around the eyes, as well as the eyes themselves. Research has shown that long hours in the sun without protecting your eyes increase your chances of developing some eye diseases.

• Protect children from the sun. Children need special attention, since they tend to spend more time outdoors, can burn more easily, and may not be aware of the dangers. Babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight and protected from the sun using hats and protective clothing. Sunscreen may be used on small areas of exposed skin only if adequate clothing and shade are not available.

It’s never too early to look ahead at all the summer concerts making waves this year. From multiple festivals coming to Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain to legends like Heart and the Eagles making stops to the north on the Bethel Woods stage, this summer is sure to offer a healthy dose of sunshine and musical variety. So enjoy picking and choosing what shows you want to include in your sizzling summer agenda and remember, soak in the sounds of summer music while the days of grey are away.

Toyota Pavilion at Montage
Mountain, Scranton
www.livenation.com, 961-9000
Dave Matthews Band, May 29
Tickets: $40-$75
Steamtown Beer and Music Festival, June 15
Tickets: $50
Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker, July 6
Tickets: $29
Mayhem Festival, July 13
Tickets: $31-$70
Vans Warped Tour, July 16
Tickets: $35
Lil Wayne, July 21
Tickets: $49-$89
Uproar Festival, Aug. 9
Tickets: $25-$55
Peach Music Festival, Aug. 15 – 18
Tickets: $129 and up
Jason Aldean, Aug. 25
Tickets: $31-$61
Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson, Sept. 1
Tickets: $29-$99

F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre
www.kirbycenter.org, 826-1100
Cher Lloyd, Carly Rae Jepson and more, May 31
Tickets: $29-$100
Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers, July 2
Tickets: $59-$95
Jason Isbell, Aug. 9
Tickets: $25-$50

Nay Aug Park Sunday Concerts
All concerts are free to the public, 348-4186
Ron Leas Brass Band, May 27
Ferdie Bistocchi Memorial Orchestra, June 2
Joe Stanky and the Cadets, June 9
Bill Arnold Quartet, June 23
Ron Leas Big Band, June 30
Independence Day Ceremony Ringgold Pops of Scranton, July 4
Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars, July 7
The Fabulous Fortunes, July 14
Von Storch Quartet, July 21
Performances by Main Street Music & L.F. Hughes Music; John AndrewsQuartet; Gene Dempsey Orchestra, July 28
Fran Burne Quintet, August 4
West Third Street Jazz/Funk Band, Aug. 11
Pat Marcinko & The Blues Mine, Aug. 18
Paul Labelle & The Exact Change with The Electric City Horns, Aug. 25

Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg
www.shermantheater.com, 420-2808
Dickey Betts and Great Southern, June 8
Tickets: $10-$30
Dropkick Murphys, June 11
Tickets: $29
Aaron Lewis, June 12
Tickets: $25
Night of Metal, June 14
Tickets: $10-$12
Mac Miller, July 11
Tickets: $27
Electric Hot Tuna, July 25
Tickets: $25-$40

Mount Airy Casino Resort
www.mountairycasino.com,
877-682-4791
Kellie Pickler, June 1
Tickets: $35-$50
Gretchen Wilson, June 16
Tickets: Free
Blues Traveler, June 21
Tickets: $30-$38
Kansas, Aug. 11
Tickets: $25-$45

Penn’s Peak, Jim Thorpe
www.pennspeak.com, 325-0371
Lee Brice, May 30
Tickets: $24
Skid Row, May 31
Tickets: $24
Ana Popovic, June 8
Tickets: $24
Summerland 2013 featuring Everclear, Live, Filter and Sponge, June 16
Tickets: $40
The Zombies, June 20
Tickets: $22
Tesla, June 28
Tickets: $29
Doobie Brothers, July 7
Tickets: $52-$62
Phil Lesh And Friends, July 24
Tickets: $54-$59
Old Crow Medicine Show, July 25
Tickets: $25
Yonder Mountain String Band, Aug. 17
Tickets: $ 17
Ted Nugent, Aug. 14
Tickets: $34

Wells Fargo Amphitheater,
Misericordia University
674-6719
Emily Asher with Bria Skonberg, July 8
Boz Scaggs, July 13

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts,
Bethel, N.Y.
www.bethelwoodscenter.org, 888-781-2922
Celtic Women, June 15
Tickets: $31-$101
Hot Tuna, June 20
Tickets: $56
Joan Baez and Indigo Girls, June 22
Tickets: $34-$84
Heart, June 29
Tickets: $21-$112
Dave Matthews Band, July 2
Tickets: $47-$87
Big Time Rush and Victoria Justice, July 12
Tickets: $36-$111
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, July 19
Tickets: $39-$110
Natalie Merchant with The Hudson Valley Philharmonic, July 20
Tickets: $19-$79
Eagles, July 25
Tickets: SOLD OUT
Tim McGraw, July 26
Tickets: $36-$81
Bad Company and Lynyrd Skynyrd, July 27
Tickets: $30-$139
George Thorogood and The Destroyers with Buddy Guy, Aug. 8
Tickets: $36-$91
Blake Shelton, Aug. 11
Tickets: $35-$118
Cheech and Chong, Aug. 15
Tickets: $35-$79.50
Zac Brown Band, Aug. 17
Tickets: $38-$89
John Mayer, Aug. 20
Tickets: $42-$87

Sands Bethlehem Event Center
www.sandseventcenter.com, 800-745-3000
Korn, May 23
Tickets: $47-$69
Buckcherry, May 29
Tickets: $42
Weird Al Yankovic, June 4
Tickets: $34-$59
Billy Idol, June 9
Tickets: $67-$79
Willie Nelson, June 16
Tickets: $53-$81
America, June 29
Tickets: $53-$71
Dwight Yoakam, July 3
Tickets: $58-$79
Michael McDonald, July 7
Tickets: $52-$79
Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys and Alejandro Escovedo, July 10
Tickets: $48-$71
Slash, July 16
Tickets: $47
Cheech and Chong, July 28
Tickets: $52-$79
Hanson, Sept. 2
Tickets: $42

Susquehanna Bank Center,
Camden, N.J.
(856) 365-1300
Luke Bryan, June 1
Tickets: $35-$50
Toby Keith, June 22
Tickets: $27-$105
Jimmy Buffett, June 25
Tickets: $45-$160
Dave Matthews Band, June 28 and 29
Tickets: $53-$89
Heart, July 3
Tickets: $29-$138
Kid Rock, July 9
Tickets: $26
Vans Warped Tour, July 12
Tickets: $45
Big Time Rush, July 16
Tickets: $40-$89
Bad Company and Lynyrd Skynyrd, July 17
Tickets: 25-118
Mayhem Festival, July 19
Tickets: $37-84
Lil Wayne, July 20
Tickets: $40-$176
Zac Brown Band, July 21
Tickets: $47-$79
Train with The Script and Gavin DeGraw, July 24
Tickets: $27-$89
Miranda Lambert, July 26
Tickets: $34-$62
The Lumineers, July 27
Tickets: $34-$69
Bob Dylan, Wilco and My Morning Jacket, July 28
Tickets: $40-$106
Maroon 5, Aug. 7
Tickets: $48-$116
Gigantour, Aug 9
Tickets: $27-$52
Blake Shelton, Aug. 10
Tickets: $34-68
Matchbox 20, Aug. 11
Tickets: $34-$111
John Mayer, Aug. 23
Tickets: $48-$89

Hersheypark Stadium
www.hersheyparkstadium.com,
(717) 534-3911
One Direction, July 5 and 6
Tickets: $25-$79
Dave Matthews Band, July 13
Tickets: $40-75
Big Time Rush and Victoria Justice, July 19
Tickets: $20-$69
Mixtape Festival 2013, July 26
Tickets: $35 and up
Journey & Rascal Flatts, Aug. 1
Tickets: $25-$125
Jay Z and Justin Timberlake, Aug. 4
Tickets: $44-225.
Jason Aldean, Aug. 10
Tickets: $25-$55
Matchbox Twenty and Goo Goo Dolls, Aug. 14
Tickets: $34-$64

— tom graham

Grilled Spring Vegetable Tacos with Cauliflower Tortillas by Caitlin Van Horn at Roostblog feature a mix of asparagus, portabello, lentils, and cilantro with a plum vinegar and sesame oil and lime dressing.
 

Enlightened Eating

Take a Load Off Your Plate

 
It’s all about outdoors in the summertime across The 570 — we already are where our New York and New Jersey neighbors go to get away for the weekend and that’s one of the best things about living in this neck of the woods. Moving outside for the seasons means most of our meals are dictated by what can be packed in picnic baskets and brought to a barbecue hue on the grill. Fortunately our concept of grill friendly foods has expanded immensely in recent years and fancy fruit and vegetable-based dishes and seafood choices are often found sizzling next to more traditional sauce-drenched meats and burgers dripping with cheese.
 
Even with healthy choices on the buffet table it can be hard not to load your plate with potluck goodies. In anticipation of all the tasty treats the season is sure to tempt us with in these coming months, we scanned the trends for new tips on keeping it light between barbecues.
 

papaya nieves

nectarine agua fresca

lemon meringue s’mores

blackberry and mint refrigerator salad

Tannis Kowalchuk and Brett Keyser in NACL’s Struck, opening this weekend.
 

Shake It Up

Refreshing plays on this summer’s schedule

 
We’ve come to count on NACL’s deep space residency program from some of the summer’s most invigorating offerings and this season’s schedule does not disappoint. NACL is the North American Cultural Laboratory (nacl.org) which, in Highland Lake just over the New York border at Barryville, is only a scenic 50 minute drive from Scranton. The company relocated from New York City to a former church in the Catskills in the late ’90s and will open its 2013 season this weekend with an original work titled Struck, inspired by artistic director and actress Tannis Kowalchuk’s 2011 stroke.

Struck at NACL

Leigh Hendrix

Sizzlin’ Summer Reads

‘Must have’ books to pack in your beach bag

When you head to the beach or your favorite sunny spot this summer, what books will be in your bag or e-reader? We asked local bookworm Andrea McGuigan for a few suggestions on a few “must-have” reads this summer.  Here are her picks:

Inferno
By Dan Brown
Doubleday, May 21, 2013
$29.95, Hardcover, 480 pgs.
Hey, readers, have you ever heard of a book called The Da Vinci Code? The literary thriller where Tom Hanks and Amelie almost get killed in the Louvre while trying to prove that the Mona Lisa was a drag queen?  Well, you, dear friends, are in for a treat.
Harvard professor Robert Langdon is back, in all his leather elbow patched glory, and this time, he’s in Florence, almost getting killed while trying to decode symbols in Dante Alighieri’s epic poem, The Divine Comedy. Whether or not you’re a fan of the literary stylings of Dan Brown, Inferno is sure to become the most-read, most talked-about book of the year. Whether you’ve ever read any lines of Dante’s work, or ever even heard of the classical Italian poet Dante; even if you’re not an avid reader, you won’t escape the publishing power of Dan Brown’s latest literary caper.
My copy arrives this week, and grandiose, bloated prose be damned, I plan to escape into this novel. Don’t judge me.

TransAtalantic
by Colum McCann
Random House, June 4, 2013
$27, Hardcover, 320 pgs.
Irish-born Colum McCann knows his way around the human condition. It’s what makes his historically-based novels so powerfully uncanny and disarmingly poignant.
The award-winning author of Let the Great World Spin (possibly my favorite novel of the last five years), Zoli, Dancer, Songdogs, and This Side of Brightness, McCann has a wonderful way of getting inside historical events and humanizing them for the modern reader. His latest tale interweaves three different timelines along the Irish-North American journey. In 1865, African-American abolitionist Frederick Douglass finds himself in Dublin, surprised by the outpouring of Irish support for his cause. In 1919, two pilots, Jack Alcock and Arthur Brown, man the first non-stop transatlantic flight,  from Newfoundland to Ireland. In 1998, Irish-American senator George Mitchell must fly to Belfast to help quell the violent upheaval and make peace. We also hear the story of the women in these men’s lives, and how they were affected, too.
This book is set up to provide a thoughtful commentary on our ideas of home, identity, and progress, and I can’t wait to read it.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane
By Neil Gaiman
William Morrow, June 18, 2013
$25.99, Hardcover, 192 pgs.
Neil Gaiman is good at a lot of things. As a graphic novelist, he wove the tales of The Sandman and The Endless. As a children’s author, he brought us the precocious and  brilliant Coraline, as well as the enchanting Graveyard Book. As an adult novelist, he teamed up with Terry Pratchett for the unmatchable Good Omens, and also gave us American Gods, Neverwhere, Fragile Things, and Stardust. He makes music and weirdo theater with his chantreuse wife, Amanda Palmer. He delivers inspirational speeches on art and passion to college students. Only Joseph Campbell has taught us more about mythology. The man is a master, and his newest novel for adults looks fantastic. Literally. The novel takes place in the world of fantasy where a pond can become an  ocean, where a girl can stay eleven years old for a lifetime, where the moon is always full, and a young protagonist must navigate everyday life while believing in the beauty of it all. Word has been particularly mum on this newest release, with next to no spoilers or information given, lending it its own mystery and mythology. Nevertheless, this book looks exquisite.

The Silver Star
By Jeanette Walls
Scribner, June 11, 2013
$26, Hardcover, 288 pgs.
The author of Glass Castles and Half-Broke Horses is back with another tale of triumph over tragedy within dysfunctional family life. Walls is at her best when dealing with the broken hearts of precocious young women who are faced with adversity at every turn. Silver Star is no different, where we find adolescent “Bean” Holladay swimming against the current in 1970’s California and Virginia. Bean lives with her older sister, Liz and their mother. Bean and Liz’s mother has a knack for moving to new towns on a whim, getting in trouble with men and the law, and leaving her daughters home alone for weeks on end. When this lifestyle results in sudden tragedy, Lix and Bean make their way to Virginia to find work and a sense of family. Along the way, they learn about their biological father, their family history, and themselves, all while suffering abuse at the hands of a mill foreman named Jerry Maddox.
If the spirit of the agonizing underdog thrives in you, this is your summer read, for sure.

— andrea mcguigan

A Taste of Summer …
Rosemary Gownley is no stranger to the onslaught of questions that occurs when she tells people she’s a Senior Food Scientist for J and J Snack Foods. The Scranton native and The University of Scranton alumna, who studied environmental science and biochemistry, never thought she would one day spend her days developing and sampling frozen sweets in the largest Italian ice facility in the country. A family owned company, J and J Snack Foods develops and produces its frozen novelty line in Moosic and is best known for frozen treats such as Luigi’s Real Italian Ice, Minute Maid, Whole Fruits, Icee, Shape Ups and Dogsters (frozen treats for our four legged friends). Whether she’s testing new products in development in the lab, or scouring supermarket aisles and freezers for new ideas, Gownley wants people to realize that frozen treats have nutritional value, too. From frozen ice to frozen fruit, she’s here to give you the scoop on some frosty summer treats. Meet Rosemary Gownley…

Describe what you do at J and J Snack Foods.
I develop new products and create nutritionals. We are involved with health care and school lunch programs. I work with regulations and products that are conducive to their needs; whether it is clear liquid diets for nursing homes and hospitals or 100-calorie juice products for schools.

What goes into research and development?
Every time I go to a grocery store I probably spend a few hours more than I need to (there) because I’m constantly looking at the juice aisles and what’s new. I’ll ask my nephews and nieces what flavors they like. We look to yogurt for hot flavors. I’m always looking around for what’s the next hot thing or most popular flavors.

What do people say when you tell them you’re a food scientist?
People are very jealous, especially once I get into exactly what products I make. They say “You get to eat ice cream and Italian ice all day?” (Laughs.) It’s a little more than that. I love coming out with a new product; I walk into the supermarket, see it on the shelf and realize that I helped create it. It’s a really good feeling. I’m the weirdo in the supermarket taking pictures of the freezer. (Laughs). We work on some of our projects for two years, so when it comes to market, it’s pretty exciting!

How did this field spark your interest?
I’ve always been into cooking and science. I started working here eight years ago testing water quality. I became interested in working with research and development and worked my way up. I’ve always liked different flavors and trying new things.

How are your taste buds?
I drink strong black tea every morning and throughout the day. It’s very bitter and it counter balances sweetness. I drink a lot of seltzer water too; it helps clear the palate. I judge wines, too, so I know about cleansing the palate by eating crackers. I always have pretzels and snacks with me to counterbalance the sweetness.

What products have you recently released?
We just released whole fruit smoothies which are sweetened with very little sugar, mostly fruit juices and chunks of fruits that are 100 calories for a 4-ouce cup. You can eat them like ice cream or heat them up and drink them. We also just released a Greek frozen yogurt. It’s the Whole Fruit brand and took our sorbets and swirled them with a regular flavored frozen yogurt. We added probiotics and it has live cultures and protein and, again, its 100 calories for a 4-ounce cup.

Care to share any funny lab stories?
When I first started, we were making hot ices, like jalapeno flavored ice. I was thinking “no one is going to eat these.” I would taste them and I couldn’t believe that they would sell, but they were very popular for a while. They were very interesting. We also used to make Luigi’s Sourpuss ice. Whenever someone works in the lab who’s new, we always say “you have to try this!” That’s our little initiation; tasting the sour products and waking them up.

What summer treats do you recommend to our readers?
If you go into any ice cream shop and ask what their most popular flavor is, it’s always vanilla. And you think “wow, that’s kind of boring.” Why is it vanilla? It’s because people like it. With Italian ice, it’s lemon. We have eight different lemon flavors and 27 different products that are lemon. That’s our number one seller; it’s the vanilla of Italian ice! We have so many different flavors that I wouldn’t even know what to begin to recommend. It all depends on what you’re in the mood for.

If you could only eat one thing for a month (breakfast, lunch and dinner), what would it be and why?
I’ve always said I can live on cheese and olives. I love cheese. I guess there so many different types of cheeses, it’s cheating on the question. I would be a very large person by the end of that month, but I could live on cheese.

What are some of your goals as a food scientist?
Since I’ve started, I’ve seen the trend leaning toward healthier products, especially in the field of frozen novelty treats. We’re still moving towards healthier items and I would definitely like to continue that trend and show people that something healthy can still be a delicious treat and indulgent.

— tom graham

Big Concert Kickoff

Dave Matthews Band brings moe. to the mountain

Luckily for many of their fans, it’s safe to say that Memorial Day in The 570 usually means the Dave Matthews Band will swinging into town to say hello. After taking a much deserved break from the road in 2011, the band returned last summer and is now set to make their seventh appearance at Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain this Wednesday, May 29. Their first show here in 2005 was the venue’s first sell-out show and the local buzz is saying it should be another packed house.
The current tour runs all summer long and will conclude with a return to The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA for DMB’s traditional Labor Day weekend shows. Supporting DMB on their 2013 trek is an ever-changing group of artists including the likes of JD McPherson, The Head and the Heart, Brandi Carlile, Mavis Staples, Fitz and The Tantrums, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, O.A.R., Kool & the Gang, John Butler Trio, Gogol Bordello and Snoop Dogg. Seminole Jamband rockers moe. have been tapped to open the May 29 show at Montage Mountain.
From modest beginnings in a Buffalo basement over two decades ago to today’s multifaceted success, the members of moe. are still doing what they have always done; jam and entertain their devoted fans. moe.’s frontline of Rob Derhak (bass, vocals), Chuck Garvey (guitar, vocals), and Al Schnier (guitar, keyboards, vocals), have played together in the group for more than 20 years with the later additions of drummer Vinnie Amico and percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Jim Loughlin. Keeping this consistent lineup intact and productive over the past two decades has been no small feat. They’ve consistently done so on their own terms, as independent artists and have successfully self-released their own music and instant on-site digital concert recordings at their shows.  “We never really had the rock star attitude,” explains founding bassist and vocalist Rob Derhak in a recent press release. “It was always about – to a fault almost –having a personal connection with the fans on stage. No matter where we play, we want them to know that they are part of the show – like we were playing in a living room. We need their participation to inspire us, and, when we first started, we needed their apartments to sleep in.”

— tom graham

Catch Dave Matthews Band with special opening act moe. at the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain, Scranton, on Wednesday, May 29. Show time is 7 p.m. Tickets for the show range from $40-$75. For more ticket information, call 961-9000 or visit www.livenation.com.

Name: Lauren Egbert
Why I like bartending: I like to be the boss! It’s one of the few jobs that you can really let yourself go and be yourself.
Bar: Rumrunnerz, Dunmore
Favorite drink: Sex With an Alligator – Midori, Chambord and Jäger topped with pineapple juice.

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EDITOR JULIE IMEL DISHES THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Sweet Taste of the Top 10
Congratulations to Mario Bevilacqua, chef/owner of What the Fork? food truck. What the Fork’s pulled pork tacos earned the Scranton area chef a place in the Top 10 Semi-finals for Live With Kelly and Michael’s Truckin’ Amazing Cookoff. Contestants submitted a short video of a signature menu item, and votes were accepted on Live’s website. What a great achievement for a local food truck to earn national recognition. Check out Chef Bevilacqua’s video at http://livekellyandmichael.dadt.com, and look for updates on where you can find those famous pulled pork tacos at wtforktruck.com or on What The Fork?’s Facebook page.

A sure sign of summer
A sure sign of summer is when Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs announces its lineup of summer events and activities. Hot Summer Fun kicks off on May 26 and runs through Labor Day. The celebration includes giveaways, promotions, tournaments, dining deals, fireworks and regular events such as Funtastic Fridays and Sizzling Saturdays.
To start the festivities, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs is hosting a special Party on the Patio on May 26 with fireworks, music and more. Party on the Patio then returns each Thursday throughout the summer. For more information, visit mohegansunpocono.com.

How you can help
This issue is all about summer fun in northeastern Pennsylvania, and we’re thrilled to highlight so many exciting events coming your way in the next few months. However, we would be remiss not to take a moment to acknowledge that our friends in Oklahoma suffered terrible devastation on Monday when a tornado ripped through suburbs of Oklahoma City. The death toll on Tuesday was 24 people, including 9 children. If you’d like to help the victims of this tragedy, there are plenty of ways to reach out to them, including:

•  American Red Cross — You can donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund at www.redcross.org or send a $10 donation to the Disaster Relief fund by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999. The donation will show up on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your balance if you have a prepaid phone. The organization also suggests giving blood at your local hospital or blood bank.

• OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund — The state of Oklahoma partnered with the United Way of Central Oklahoma to create the OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund. This fund will help with the “long-term medical, emotional and educational needs of victims of the May 20 tornado in Moore and the May 19 tornado near Shawnee. To make a donation, visit UnitedWayOKC.org.

• Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma —The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, in partnership with Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, is seeking monetary donations. To make a donation, visit the regional www.regionalfoodbank.org, or make a $10 donation by texting “FOOD” to 32333.

• Salvation Army — The Salvation Army is sending mobile kitchens that can serve meals to 2,500 people a day. If you’d like to help support these disaster response units visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. You can also text “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation. If you want to send a check, the Salvation Army asks that you put the words “Oklahoma Tornado Relief” on the check, and mail it to: The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK., 73157.

That’s the scoop! Thanks for reading and I’ll meet you here again next week.

Send email to jimel@timesshamrock.com