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‘Winter in the City’ raises funds for program designed to improve quality of life

Warming up in Scranton

RALPH NARDONE Times Leader Correspondent

On a cold Friday night in January, about 450 urban professionals and other partygoers gathered to help raise funds for the non-profit organization Scranton Tomorrow. The fundraiser, called “Winter in the City,” was held at the historic Electric City Trolley Museum.

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People enjoy food and cocktails while sitting in a trolley Friday night at the Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton. The ‘Winter in the City’ event raises funds for Scranton Tomorrow, an organization that develops projects to improve life in the city.l

NIKO J. KALLIANIOTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER

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Annette Palutis, chairperson for the event and member of Scranton Tomorrow, said this event for 2009 represented its sixth in so many years. Palutis, a retired teacher from the Scranton School District and past president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, joked organizing it was a lot simpler than the spring plays she used to spearhead during her career.

For $15 admission, attendees could help themselves to food and drinks from more than 30 restaurants. The participating restaurants all donated the fare and libations to help with the fundraiser, Palutis said.

National chain restaurants and local family owned eateries from the Scranton area all kicked in in the spirit of helping the city grow and improve the quality of life, Palutis said. The food included standard items with some exotic samples. There was no shortage of frothy drinks and other adult beverages and live music provided by “2 For the Road.”

Elaine Fiels and Jennifer Farrell, catering sales managers from the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center, said the event gives them a good opportunity to “network” with potential customers as well as showcase some of their menu items.

According to Fiels, since the Hilton opened five years ago, business has steadily exceeded expectations. She believes the efforts of Scranton Tomorrow to promote city businesses will help keep the economy of the city on track.

Farrell points out the Hilton has not been affected by the recent economic malaise and may be benefiting as more people stay closer to home on vacations and business trips.

Both women agree supporting Scranton Tomorrow fosters a partnership among businesses, government agencies and the community as a whole for everyone’s benefit.

Leslie Collins, executive director for Scranton Tomorrow, said the fundraiser is the official beginning for an ambitious 2009.

She pointed to four large-scale projects currently in the works. As a non-profit organization, Scranton Tomorrow focuses strongly on economic development opportunities that improve the overall quality of life in the city for its residents and for businesses, Collins said. The funding for it, as for all other Scranton Tomorrow projects, comes from a combination of state and federal programs, city support and philanthropic contributions, she said.

The group plans a $14 million “Artspace,” for which the old Scranton Laceworks building will be converted into 35 affordable “live-work” units for “creative individuals and their families.” In addition to that, the group is working on a riverfront project, for which the Lackawanna River will be cleaned up for recreation and waterfront development; a land trust project, for which affordable housing will be made for city residents; and a main street alliance project, for which Scranton Tomorrow, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, will oversee building and fa�ade improvements to “reinvigorate” the downtown and make it “the place in Northeastern Pennsylvania to eat, shop, play and stay,” Collins said.

The Winter in the City takes place in January and February to provide some fun activity during the cold, Palutis said. The next gathering is scheduled for Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Trolley Museum. The entertainment will be “Exact Change.“