Day: April 2, 2014

Philadelphia, April 1, 2014 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter and City officials dedicated a 2-acre tract of land behind the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center (PICC) on State Road for the Philadelphia Prison Orchard Project this morning. The land will be used to plant more than one hundred and eighty fruit-bearing trees and berry bushes, which will be donated by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the TreePhilly initiative.rnrn rnrn“This project is great for so many reasons, but I am exceptionally proud that it combines so many of my Administration’s top priorities for our city,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “The Orchard Project addresses increased sustainability and greening on City property, access to fresh, healthy foods in underserved communities, and provides opportunities for incarcerated individuals to earn valuable job-training skills before they return to our communities and begin their search for gainful employment.”rnrn rnrnVolunteers from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, prison personnel and inmates will plant and maintain the orchard throughout the year. The Orchard Program will support the prison environmental services program which teaches sustainability, recycling and composting. Inmates will receive vocational training and certification in areas like landscaping and horticulture, with the opportunity to possibly earn credit through the Community College of Philadelphia.rnrn rnrnProduce that is grown will be served throughout the Prison System to promote the Department’s goal of increased sustainability and self-sufficiency. Additionally, if the orchard produces more fruit than the Department can use, the extra will be donated to local food pantries and soup kitchens in the City.rnrn rnrnThe Philadelphia Prison System has taken steps to become greener and more sustainable in recent years.rnrnIn 2008, single stream recycling was introduced, allowing the Department to recycle about 330 tons of waste every year, and a $15,000 EPA grant helped the prison system to start a composting project which diverts food waste from the trash to re-usable material for local greenhouses. These measures save the City money in the areas of trash collection and disposal and make the facilities greener and cleaner.rnrn rnrnDue to these and other efforts, the Philadelphia Prisons System has been invited to participate in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Food Recovery Challenge (FRC). The FRC promotes sustainability and conservation using environmental and economic best practices. The EPA’s Regional Administrator, Shawn M. Garvin, attended the groundbreaking event to present the Philadelphia Prison System with a certificate indicating that it is now a participant in the FRC.rnrn rnrn“We appreciate the Philadelphia Prison System’s commitment to expand its food recovery efforts and create positive impacts for the community and our environment,” said Mr. Garvin, who welcomed the prison system into the Challenge. “This new partnership is indicative of Mayor Nutter’s environmental leadership and is one more, among numerous, sustainability initiatives the City can be proud of.”

Twenty minute course open to the public helps educate people to be safer behind the wheel.rnrnnnBala Cynwyd, PA (PRWEB) April 01, 2014nnApproximately every 30 seconds there is an automobile crash involving a cell phone and texting, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Cell phones are just one type of distraction that may have contributed to more than 5.6 million crashes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2012. Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) wants to help reduce distracted driving accidents by offering a free, 20 minute online training for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.nnrnnnDuring the month of April, anyone is eligible to visit http://www.phly.com/safedriving to take this online course. Drivers will learn the three major categories for driver distractions and tips to avoid distractions both inside and outside the car. After viewing the course, people can take a survey to help retain what they learned and receive a certificate of completion. The first 1,000 people to complete the survey will also receive a free first aid kit for their car.nnrnnn“Hundreds of thousands of people are injured and killed in accidents every year when drivers are distracted by using a phone, eating, or letting other factors take their focus off the road,” said Mark Konchan, vice president of Risk Management Services for Philadelphia Insurance Companies. “Distracted driving is a serious danger to not just our customers, but everyone in our country. We hope this training will make people more aware of potential driver distractions, learn how to avoid them, and help prevent future accidents.”nnrnnnNational Distracted Driving Awareness Month was created by the National Safety Council. PHLY is making the complimentary online course available to everyone through April 30th at http://www.phly.com/safedriving.nnrnnnAbout Philadelphia InsurancernnnPhiladelphia Insurance Companies designs, markets, and underwrites commercial property/casualty and professional liability insurance products incorporating value added coverages and services for select industries. In operation since 1962, the Company, whose commercial lines insurance subsidiaries are rated “A++” (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and “A+” for counterparty credit and financial strength by Standard & Poor’s, is nationally recognized as a member of Ward’s Top 50, National Underwriter’s Top 100, and one of the Top 150 Workplaces in America. Policies are underwritten by Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company. The organization has 49 offices strategically located across the United States to provide superior service. For more information, please visit http://www.PHLY.com.