Wilkes-barre Budget 
City Council Takes Charge 
Panel Oks Spending Plan, Moves To Pay Tax Loan

Anne Schaub

By ALAN K. STOUT alanks@leader.net
 Friday, December 27, 2002 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 5 





Over the past few years, New Year's Eve celebrations in Northeastern
Pennsylvania have moved from the inside to the outside. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Oh sure, the restaurants and nightclubs will still be packed, and there
certainly will be lots of house parties aimed at ringing in the new year. But
in the area's largest cities - Wilkes-Barre, Scranton and Hazleton - big
outdoor festivities geared toward families will take place. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Here's a look at what's on tap for New Year's: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 First Night Hazleton 2003 will be celebrated for the second year in the
city's downtown area. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The event begins at 4:30 p.m. with face painting and balloon twisting for
children at the YMCA on Church Street. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We are an alcohol-free event, and it's a community celebration of the New
Year through the arts,'' says Lena Kotansky, First Night Hazleton coordinator. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``It's primarily an arts-focused event, and it's family oriented. There's
nothing that parents would be uncomfortable taking their children to. It's all
clean fun.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 People attending the celebration will be able to buy a First Night button,
which will give access to all First Night festivities, including lots of live
entertainment. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens over 65 and
children 8 to 14. Children 7 and under will be admitted free with a paying
adult. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 At 6 p.m., a grand procession will begin at the YMCA. Although various
community groups will be marching, all are welcome to participate. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``It's open to anyone to come out and walk,'' Kotansky says. ``It is a
`people's procession,' and this year, we'll have an opening ceremony. Everyone
that participates is going to form a circle, and will sing the celebration
song. Mayor (Lou) Barletta will declare First Night officially open, welcome
everyone and invite them to have a great time.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 From 6:45 until 11:45 p.m., people will be able to take in continuous
attractions at 11 indoor performance venues all within walking distance of
each other. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The events include music, theater, visual arts and dancing. There will even
be a hypnotist, and the main attraction will be nationally known illusionist
Jeff O'Lear. At midnight, it'll be time for some eye-popping fireworks. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kotansky says although last year's event fell on a frigid night of only 10
degrees, 2,000 showed up. This year, she says she's heard from people who have
said they'll be back with more friends, family members and neighbors. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We've had an extremely positive reaction from everyone that attended,''
she says. ``The first time you do anything you're not really quite sure how
it's going to be received, and I've been involved in a lot of
community-oriented things, but this, hands-down without a doubt, was very
gratifying. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We do anticipate we'll have an even bigger attendance this year.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For information, call 459-4900. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 First Night Scranton 2003, the city's fourth annual New Year's Eve
celebration, will include musical performances, jugglers, clowns, caricature
artists, ice carving, storytellers and street performers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A parade begins at 10 p.m. at Courthouse Square and features kung fu
performers, American Indian dancers, antique cars, giant puppets and children
carrying flags from around the world. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``If you want to come to Scranton and get into the parade, you can,'' Julie
Imel, First Night Scranton project director, says. ``We'll give you a
noise-maker or something that lights up, and you can march right along.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 At 10:30 p.m., a couple will be married at the event. And a fireworks
display will happen at midnight. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``It's huge,'' Imel says. ``There will be people all around Courthouse
Square, hopping from venue to venue. By the end of the evening last year, they
counted 14,000 people at the fireworks.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Imel says that 21 different venues scattered about the downtown area will
participate in the alcohol-free event. They include cafes, churches, the
University of Scranton and the Mall at Steamtown. Children's activities,
including crafts and dancing, begin in the mall at 4 p.m. and will end at 7:30
p.m. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 People wishing to take in the numerous nighttime activities can do so by
buying a special First Night button. The $8 button will give access to
activities at every venue. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We've tried to make it affordable for everyone,'' Imel says. ``Once you
buy your button, you'll get a map and a program guide that lists all of the
entertainment, and it tells you which act is performing at what time, so you
can plan your evening. We try to stagger the entertainment so that you can
catch most of one act, and then hop over and catch the tail end of something
else and get as many venues in as possible.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For information, call 963-0524 or surf to firstnightscranton.org. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes-Barre's annual New Year's Diamond Drop on Public Square will again
ring in the new year. WBHT-FM will broadcast live from the event, and there
will be entertainment inside the F.M. Kirby Center. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Music begins at 9:30 p.m., and a contest to win a diamond ring from
Bartikowsky Jewelers of Wilkes-Barre will be take place. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The festivities will wrap up about midnight with the dropping of a large
illuminated diamond-shaped decoration from the top of the Alltel building -
similar to the famous ball drop in New York's Times Square. A fireworks
display will begin shortly after. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fran Bartlomowicz of Wilkes-Barre's special events office says the
alcohol-free event, now in its seventh year, usually draws several thousand
people, and the crowds usually start rolling in about 10 p.m. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Loads and loads of families come out,'' she says. ``What usually happens
is people have a little party at their house, and then they start to come. It
builds up the excitement for families and for children.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Refreshments will be available inside the Kirby Center, and representatives
from Mothers Against Drunk Driving will sell hot chocolate on the square. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``What Mayor (Tom) McGroarty wants and plans is a safe and family-fun event
for everybody to celebrate the beginning of the New Year,'' Bartlomowicz says.
``It helps families be together, and the spectacular fireworks display is
absolutely beautiful. They put on a terrific show.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For information, call 208-4141. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Galas Under The Stars Three Area Cities Will Welcome The New Year With Celebrations Designed To Appealto Everyone