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Body found in Susquehanna River

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United Way, KSG combined for 5K

<p>Twelve years ago, I was a college junior doing various internships, one of which was for Luzerne County in the then-commissioners office.</p><p>I helped disseminate public information and assisted with communications.</p><p>I remember passing out media releases and taking pictures at a press conference on North River Street where officials broke ground on the area that would become the River Common.</p><p>Since the completion of the beautification and construction several years ago, the area between the Luzerne County Courthouse and Market Street Bridge has been used for various events. The most recent of these events was the Rockin&#8217; the River concerts held the last two Friday nights at Millennium Circle&#8217;s amphitheater.</p><p>I&#8217;m writing this on Friday afternoon, so I can recount just one of the concerts before press time.</p><p>The concert on the first Friday was epic, with thousands coming out to hear Joe Nardone&#8217;s Rockology music school and Yellow Brick Rock, an Elton John tribute band. The group traveled from Maine to play the event.</p><p>People I hadn&#8217;t seen in years came out to see what the fuss was all about. They didn&#8217;t leave disappointed.</p><p>Seems everywhere I went this week people were talking about the fun near the river: the dancing, the singing along, the pets in attendance and more.</p><p>This past Friday The National Reserve, a Brooklyn-based blues and soul band, played while Mike MiZ, a local singer songwriter, opened.</p><p>Friends I knew stopped at Jonathans, the restaurant across the street, before and after the music. Or, they grabbed a drink at The Vault just down the road. They made use of their time downtown.</p><p>At Rockin&#8217; the River there were food vendors, along with beer served by Susquehanna Brewing Company.</p><p>While the temperature was hot, visitors could at least cool off with a cold one, SBC-style.</p><p>It&#8217;s worth spending time at the River Common. It&#8217;s park and recreation space, walking paths and concert area are truly magnificent.</p><p>Rockin&#8217; the River was a great reason to get down there the last two weeks.</p><p>One more show takes place this Friday with A Proud Monkey, a Dave Matthews Tribute Band. Country Lines, a country pop act, will open.</p><p>Do yourself a favor and, if your schedule allows, try to get downtown next Friday. There&#8217;s something special about the community coming together at events like this.</p><p>Since it&#8217;s no secret the River Common has been underutilized these last few years, to see friends and families gathered and enjoying themselves in one of Luzerne County&#8217;s most beautiful areas is a huge plus.</p><p>If you can&#8217;t make the next concert, no worries. The park is there every day and, just like the concert series, is free of charge to visit.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Mike McGinley</p><p>Around Town</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Mike McGinley is the Times Leader Media Group&#8217;s major accounts executive. Reach him at mmcginley@www.timesleader.com or 570-704-3945.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Around Town: River Common a real jewel for downtown