Category: Press Releases

The American Real Estate Investors Academy has created an Apprentice Program for real estate investors. This new program matches successful real estate investors with motivated students.rnnnPhiladelphia, PA (PRWEB) December 27, 2013nnThe American Real Estate Investors Academy has created an Apprentice Program for real estate investors. There has been an explosion of real estate mentoring programs across America. Many of these so called mentor programs just link a student to a call center. That call center worker doesn’t know much more than the student. In fact many of these so called mentors are just reading from a series of pre-written scripts. In some cases a call center employee with a script has never bought or sold a house himself. The directors of the American-REIA believe that this approach shortchanges the student and gives the entire industry a bad name.nnrnnnThere are a number of very legitimate real estate educators in the market today who have legitimate coaching programs. In general these legitimate programs offer the student a real value. The problem with many of the legitimate programs is that they have a very narrow focus. If the guru is teaching how to do a single technique, then that is all that the student will learn.nnrnnnThe American Real Estate Investors Academy began looking for an all-inclusive coaching program to partner with. The club searched for a program which would allow a student to gravitate towards his or her own personal investing interests. Nothing of the sort seems to exist. So the American-REIA made the decision to start up an in house program. The goal of this program was to match successful real estate investors with motivated students in an old fashioned apprentice model.nnrnnnThe apprentice concept can be traced back to old world Europe and the building trades. In the days before literacy became commonplace the only way for a worker to learn a skill was to apprentice himself to someone who already had those skills. A fledgling stone mason would look for a master stone mason to study under, and this is the way that every other skilled trade educated the next generation. This practice still lives on in the trade unions of today. An apprentice electrician learns from a master electrician, and as his skill level increase he is able to make more money.nnrnnnReal estate investor education still follows the old model in a large part because the techniques change with market conditions and market conditions fluctuate constantly. For example short sales are a great way to make money in a declining market but nearly useless in an appreciating market. So investors need to be able to learn a variety of techniques and adapt on the fly. The only people who are qualified to teach real estate investors are other successful investors who have already experienced a few market cycles. The academy has located and contracted with a number of qualified individuals to provide this service.nnrnnnThe American Real Estate Investors apprentice program takes the mentor concept and adds real world experience to the mix. Unlike other programs that can cost as much as $40,000 with potential up-sales along the way. The American-REIA apprentice program offers a flat fee structure of $10,000 for six months of thirty minute one on one phone calls. The master real estate investor will work with the student in a way that fits the student’s personality, and learning style.nnrnnnDue to the scarcity of qualified instructors, the program has limited space. Perspective students may be placed on a wait list. To inquire about the apprentice program simply follow this link.

Philadelphia VIP volunteers, staff and board members won awards for public service.rnrnnnPhiladelphia, PA (PRWEB) December 26, 2013nnVolunteers, staff and board members of Philadelphia VIP, the hub of pro bono legal services in Philadelphia, won awards for their outstanding public service and commitment to pro bono work this fall.nnrnnnOctober opened VIP’s award-winning season when Karen Aloia won the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals (PAP) 2013 Pro Bono Award for her work with VIP and the Philadelphia Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program. PAP recognized Karen, a senior paralegal at Pepper Hamilton LLP, at its annual luncheon on Oct. 2.nnrnnnIn November, TE Connectivity’s legal department won the Philadelphia Bar Foundation’s 2013 Pro Bono Award for their volunteer service with VIP. VIP Board Member Alex Braden won the Philadelphia Bar Association Young Lawyer’s Division Craig M. Perry Service Award for his volunteer service to low-income VIP clients. Lastly, VIP Managing Attorney Ourania “Rainy” Papademetriou won the Association’s Family Law Section Herbert R. Weinman Jr. Award.nnrnnnIn December, one of VIP’s summer 2012 legal interns, Rachael Eisenberg, won the 2013 Public Interest Section Law Student Award. Philadelphia VIP volunteer attorney Lee Zimmerman was one of four winners of the first annual TERA Community Service Award.nnrnnnPhiladelphia VIP also would like to congratulate the 2013 Corporate Counsel Award Honorees. VIP volunteer Amy Tarr won the Community Champion Category Award. One of the founders of VIP’s LawWorks project, Jon Wright, was a Public Company Category finalist. Former Board Member Brennan Torregrossa and current Board Member Sophia Lee were Judges’ Choice Award winners.nnrnnnPhiladelphia VIP is grateful for the outstanding service of its volunteers and salutes these award winners.nnrnnnPhiladelphia VIP (http://www.phillyvip.org) was founded in 1981 by the Philadelphia Bar Association and Community Legal Services to meet the legal needs of low-income Philadelphians by recruiting and training attorneys to provide pro bono legal services. Since that time, the organization has recruited and trained thousands of private attorneys to create a pool of volunteers to provide consistent, high-quality representation to low-income clients with critical legal needs. VIP continues to implement creative and effective ways to bridge the gap between marginalized individuals, families and communities with legal needs and lawyers possessing the skills and ability to meet those needs. Today, VIP’s diverse volunteers serve more than 3,000 clients annually with legal issues that affect basic human needs. Philadelphia LawWorks, a project of Philadelphia VIP, is a pro bono referral program that serves nonprofits, small businesses and homeowners. For more information about Philadelphia VIP contact Tracie Johnson at (215)523-9567 or phillyfellow(at)phillyvip(dot)org.

Posted on December 23, 2013 by City of PhiladelphiarnCity receives its highest rating in history from Standard & Poor’s.rn rn rnDecember 23, 2013– Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (S&P) has raised the City of Philadelphia’s bond rating to its highest level ever, lifting its long-term and underlying rating on the City’s general obligation (GO) debt to A+ with a stable outlook, up from A-.rn rnIn the last two and a half years including this action, Standard & Poor’s Rating Service has upgraded the City’s GO rating three times. In June 2013, S&P raised the City’s rating to A- from BBB+ and in April 2012 the City’s ratings were raised to BBB+ from BBB. Prior to the upgrade in June 2013, it had been more than 30 years since the City was rated in the A category by all three major rating agencies.rn rn“I am very proud that the City’s bond rating has, once again, been upgraded – this time, to its highest rating ever received from S&P,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “This upgrade recognizes the City’s strong financial management practices and the diligent work of Finance Director Rob Dubow, City Treasurer Nancy Winkler, Budget Director Rebecca Rhynhart and their staffs. And Philadelphians should know that in very practical terms, a higher bond rating means a lower cost of borrowing.”rn rnOver the last several months, S&P has been applying new credit rating standards to municipal issuers. The standards evaluate overall economy, financial management including budgetary flexibility and performance, debt management and liquidity.rn rnIn its September 2013 report announcing its change in methodology, S&P estimated that “assuming that governments maintain their current credit characteristics, testing suggests that about 60% of the ratings would remain unchanged under the criteria while about 30% of the ratings would increase and about 10% would decrease, generally by one notch.” By way of background, Seattle, New York, Memphis and Washington DC’s ratings remained unchanged when S&P applied the new standards to their GO ratings in recent weeks.rn rnCity Treasurer Nancy Winkler said, “The Mayor’s finance team has worked hard to stabilize the City’s finances and to position the City to be able to withstand growing cost pressures and other financial challenges we face. While we appreciate S&P has recognized our hard work, as one of the lowest rated large cities, it’s clear that there’s more we need to do, including improving our pension funding and improving our fund balance.” rn rn“We view the City’s management conditions as very strong, with strong financial practices,” said S&P Analyst Hilary Sutton. The report also noted the City’s “very strong liquidity” and “strong budgetary performance.”

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Suddenly Femâ„¢ — a dynamic force in crossdresser – transgender clothing and lingerie for over 20 years — has launched an extraordinarily innovative new website that is as bold and exciting as the market it serves.rn(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131217/PH34405)rn”Today’s cross dresser or trans woman is not like her counterpart from 20 years ago,” says Tyler DeSouza, designer and Vice President of the fashion line. “She is just as likely to be out on the town as home in the closet. She demands fashion-forward styling, an excellent fit, and, perhaps most importantly, a convenient, effective way to shop online.”rnThe visually stunning new Suddenly Femâ„¢ website offers updated menus and categories that simplify shopping for customers who are new to cross dressing and trans fashion. An easy-to-use interface enables shoppers to effortlessly navigate through the site’s innovative features:rnExclusive Interactive Size Chart – Shoppers input their measurements and are quickly directed to the best size for their bodies. (SuddenlyFem clothing is designed to fit cross dressers’ slim hips, longer arms, wider shoulders, and longer torsos.) This feature makes the often-confusing transgender clothing conversion simple. It also provides optional metric conversions for the European trans fashionista.rnInteractive Breast Form Sizing Tool – The sizing tool creates personalized breast form size recommendations for each customer based on his or her particular proportions and desired silhouette.rnAbilty to Add Matching and Coordinating Items Directly From the Product Page – Shoppers will no longer need to click numerous times and browse numerous pages to purchase a complete outfit. The site provides suggestions to accomplish a complete look. And it’s all on one page!rnVirtual and Downloadable Fashion Catalogs – Customers can browse the catalog online, download a copy, or order a full-color paper catalog for their home.rn”We are very excited to unveil this fantastic new platform,” says DeSouza. “Our goal has always been to elevate fashion and style for cross dressers and trans women. This site clearly represents our vision. It highlights the beauty of our fashions while helping to raise the level of respect for the transgender and cross dressing community overall.” rnSuddenly Femâ„¢ has successfully merged fashion, style and beauty with ease, functionality and information. They plan to add more specialized features with each coming season – keeping their site fresh while offering a shopping experience over and above their customer’s (and the world’s) expectations. rnAbout Suddenly Femâ„¢ – Suddenly Femâ„¢ is the largest fashion line for the M2F transgender community in the United States — and arguably the most stylish. Covering all aspects of trans fashion from edgy club wear to racy lingerie to expertly coordinated sets and collections, Suddenly Femâ„¢ is not just a retailer, but a designer and manufacturer of virtually every product in their mail order catalogs and online store. For more information on Suddenly Femâ„¢, a division of Best Value Products, contact Tyler DeSouza at 215-694-1500 or at Email. rnwww.CrossDresser.com. rnRead more news from Suddenly Femâ„¢ rnSOURCE Suddenly FemrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://www.crossdresser.com

Get the best Christmas tree for your family and keep it fresh and safe through the Holidays with tree service tips for Philadelphia homeowners from Giroud Tree and Lawn.rnrnPhiladelphia, PA (PRWEB) December 13, 2013rnrnFinding the perfect Christmas tree – it’s an annual tradition for many Philadelphia area families.rnWhether small or large, plump or skinny, getting a Christmas tree that stays fresh and safe through the Holidays requires careful selection, set up and maintenance advises the ISA Certified Arborists at Giroud Tree and Lawn.rnTo get the best Christmas tree as the centerpiece for holiday decorations, Giroud Tree and Lawn provides these holiday tips:rn1. Select a tree that is well hydrated. Branches should bend easily and needles stay attached when tested.rn2. Cut a few inches off the bottom of the trunk and put the tree in a clean bucket of warm water to encourage uptake.rn3. Stand the tree away from heat sources such as space heaters, fireplaces and hot air vents.rn4. Fill the tree stand with cool or lukewarm water and check daily to ensure the trunk base is submerged.rn5. For safety and to save electricity, turn off the lights at night or when no one is in the room.rnWhen the tree starts to lose needles and dry out, it can become a fire hazard. Giroud Tree and Lawn advises homeowners to take the tree outside for disposal according to the community’s waste collection practices. By following these holiday tips, Philadelphia area families will have a Christmas tree that is safe and beautiful.rnAbout Giroud Tree and LawnrnGiroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, tree removal and lawn care programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, insect and disease control, fertilizing, tree removal, stump removal and traditional and organic lawn programs to keep lawns healthy and green . Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health. The company has been awarded the Angie’s List Super Service Award® every year since 2005. The “Giroud Treework for Charity” program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Company’s service area. For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

Posted on December 13, 2013 by City of PhiladelphiarnGrant Funds Provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies Will Support Two New “Impact Volunteering” Initiatives to Increase Recycling and Expand Emergency Meal Servicern rn rnDecember 13, 2013– The City of Philadelphia announced that Cities of Service, a bipartisan coalition of cities finding new, innovative ways to harness the power of volunteers, has awarded $100,000 to Philadelphia to implement two service initiatives. The first initiative, Waste Watchers, is designed to increase multi-stream recycling at City-sponsored events and the second, Philadelphia Meals and More, will leverage volunteers to increase the number of congregant meals served on a weekly basis to Philadelphians in need. Philadelphia is one of 23 U.S. cities to win a Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund grant, which supports mayors who are implementing “impact volunteering” strategies that tackle pressing local challenges.rn rn“Strategically wielding the power of volunteer service is critical as cities address challenges with limited resources,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “I strongly believe that developing volunteerism within city governments helps mayors launch innovative initiatives, grow civic engagement and build resilient communities. This grant provides the City of Philadelphia increased capacity to work toward two of my priorities: becoming the greenest, most sustainable city in America and improving the health of Philadelphians by addressing the causes and effects of poverty.”rn rnPhiladelphia’s $100,000 grant will go toward the following:rn rn· Over the next 18 months, the City will engage members of the Philadelphia Food Access Collaborative to expand meal service by 1,000 meals per week by recruiting and training a minimum of 250 volunteers to support 10 meal providers.rn rn· Over the next year the City will expand its successful “Waste Watchers” initiative to divert 70% of event waste from local landfills by engaging a minimum of 1,000 volunteers in raising recycling rates at large-scale, city-wide events including the Philadelphia Marathon, the Broad Street Run and the Philadelphia Cycling Classic.rn rnThe Cities of Service model focuses on impact volunteering – volunteer strategies that target community needs, use best practices, and set clear, measurable outcomes to gauge progress. Dozens of cities across the nation have adopted the model since its introduction in 2009.rn rnLast year, the City of Philadelphia received $100,000 in first round Impact Volunteer funding to support two volunteer initiatives, Tech Tutors and PhillyRisingCREATES.rn rn· Tech Tutors, implemented through a strategic partnership with the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy, KeySpots and Drexel University, engages volunteers to help adult learners build their literacy skills using technology. Volunteers have been recruited, trained and matched with adult learners at five literacy organizations across the city.rn rn· PhillyRisingCREATES draws on a partnership between Mural Arts and the City’s PhillyRising Collaborative to engage volunteers in revitalizing community spaces cross the city. More than 300 volunteers have installed three community murals and revitalized more than 76,000 square feet of community space.rn rnFunded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund is a multi-million dollar fund. Nearly $1 million was awarded through the first round of grants in October 2012, with an additional $1 million awarded through this second round. Grantee cities were selected based on the quality of initiative proposals, scale and potential for impact, and caliber of implementation plans, among other criteria. Cities of Service Impact Volunteering Fund initiatives address issues in the Cities of Service priority areas of education and youth, health, neighborhood revitalization, preparedness and safety, sustainability, and veterans.rn rn###rn rnAbout Cities of Servicern rnFounded in September 2009 in New York City by New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and 16 other mayors from across the nation, Cities of Service is a bipartisan coalition of over 180 mayors committed to addressing critical city needs through impact volunteering. American cities face serious challenges and many mayors want to take advantage of every resource available to them – including the time and energy of public-spirited residents – to address those challenges. But in cities across America today, citizen service is often an underutilized strategy by municipal governments. By leveraging citizen service strategies, Cities of Service helps mayors address local needs and make government more effective. To find out more about Cities of Service, visit our website atwww.citiesofservice.org or follow us on Twitter @CitiesOfService.

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today announced the schedule of January's public suitability hearings in Philadelphia for each of the applicants for the remaining casino license in the City of Philadelphia.rnEach of the hearings, in which the order was selected at random, is scheduled in 4 hour blocks […]

Drexel and Science Center to Create Innovation Hub at 3401 Market St. DreamIt to Open World Headquarters at the Hub and Drexel to Invest in DreamIt FundrnrnrnShare on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on Google+Share on LinkedInEmail a friendrnPhiladelphia, PA (PRWEB) December 11, 2013rnrnDrexel University, the University City Science Center and DreamIt Ventures are on a mission to support innovators and entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia region and have formed a strategic partnership that creates a hub for start-ups to test their wings and the capital that will support their continued growth.rnDrexel – Science Center Collaboration rnDrexel and the Science Center have collaborated to form a 17,500-square-foot innovation hub that will serve as a launching pad for companies by offering business incubation and accelerator spaces and services to support idea generation, innovation and growth as well as support for later-stage companies.rnThe innovation hub, which will officially open in April 2014 on the second and third floors of the Science Center building at 3401 Market Street, will include a suite of flexible workspaces designed to foster collaboration throughout the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It will also house the world headquarters for DreamIt Ventures, a global business accelerator that is well-versed in helping start-ups take flight.rn“This partnership not only supports Drexel’s and the Science Center’s shared vision for University City, it’s a major step forward in accomplishing Drexel’s goal of creating an innovation nexus on our campus,” said Drexel President John A. Fry. “It also marks an important step in creating a path to success for burgeoning entrepreneurs to follow.”rnThe goal of Drexel and the Science Center’s collaboration is to support emerging technologies. It builds on Drexel’s strategic plan and the mission of Drexel’s Expressive and Creative Interaction Technologies (ExCITe) Center; and the Science Center’s long and successful tradition of supporting startups and convening communities around innovation and entrepreneurship through programs such as its Port business incubator and Quorum, the entrepreneurs’ clubhouse. The ExCITe Center, which opened on the first floor of the 3401 Market Street. building last fall, has already become a hub for Philadelphia’s technological innovation community. Just up the street, at 3711 Market Street, the Port has been developing successful models of business incubation since 2001, which will now be extended to the 3401 innovation hub.rn“The Science Center and Drexel University share an innate strength and experience in emerging technologies,” said Dr. Stephen S. Tang, president and CEO of the Science Center. “This partnership leverages that strength to create an environment where tech entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate and thrive – ultimately strengthening Philadelphia’s role as a supportive environment for tech startups. And we are pleased to be able to strengthen our long-term relationship with our friends at DreamIt, by offering them a permanent home on our campus.”rn“We are putting another stake in the ground to create our Innovation Neighborhood and illustrate how committed we are to supporting entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia region,” said Drexel’s Senior Vice President for Corporate Relations and Economic Development Keith Orris. “We want to support start-up companies, help them grow and keep them here in Philadelphia.”rnDreamIt Ventures rnTying things together further is the presence of DreamIt Ventures and its track record of successfully launching start-up companies. The DreamIt team works hands-on with entrepreneurs from around the country and the world to rapidly validate, de-risk or disprove the assumptions underlying their businesses. DreamIt helps entrepreneurs achieve in three months what typically takes companies 12-to-24 months to achieve on their own. DreamIt operates accelerators in Austin, Baltimore, New York City, Philadelphia and Tel Aviv. While the group has launched more than 125 start-ups since 2008 -74 in Philadelphia alone- locating DreamIt’s headquarters in the Innovation Neighborhood will give DreamIt’s portfolio companies an even better chance of succeeding.rn“DreamIt’s choice of Philadelphia for its global headquarters is yet another sign that Philadelphia is committed to becoming a more welcoming and supportive city for startups and entrepreneurs,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “The City and PIDC through Startup PHL are proud to play our role, in partnership with great institutions such as Drexel University and the Science Center, in providing the capital and business growth opportunities that will lead more start-ups to stay in Philadelphia.”rnAs a way to further solidify this partnership and foster innovation, the Science Center and Drexel are investing in DreamIt’s $30 million fund to support these promising ideas and thinkers. Drexel’s $3 million investment in DreamIt Fund II recognizes the benefits of the Fund investing small amounts of money in a large number of startups for large ownership positions relative to the money invested. The investment further enables the Fund to participate in the follow-on funding rounds of those companies participating in DreamIt’s accelerator programs.rn“DreamIt Fund II and our new headquarters in Philadelphia further position the region as a technology startup hub,” said David Bookspan, founder of DreamIt Ventures. “This exciting partnership between three world-class organizations is an important step in bringing additional capital to Philadelphia to support our growing startup community. DreamIt now offers companies more capital than any other major accelerator.”rnDreamIt will host its semi-annual Philadelphia-based accelerator programs at the 3401 Market St. location and will give participating companies the option to work in the adjoining office space after graduating from the boot camp.rnThe innovation hub will also be open to entrepreneurs throughout the region. For more information about the Drexel – University City Science Center partnership visit: http://drexel.edu/corporaterelations/drexel-ventures/overview/. To find out how to get involved with DreamIt visit: http://www.dreamitventures.com/.rnAbout DreamIt Ventures: rnDreamIt Ventures is a seed stage accelerator and start-up fund, with the goal of helping exceptional teams build exceptional companies. DreamIt provides aspiring entrepreneurs with access to seasoned entrepreneurs and subject matter experts to help them validate and de-risk their ideas; a uniquely assigned, seasoned entrepreneur as a mentor; pre-seed funding; top tier accounting and legal services, a rigorous and creative working environment, and access to capital. DreamIt was founded in 2008 by three successful technology entrepreneurs who want to create the same type of opportunities that they were fortunate to have had themselves for the next wave of entrepreneurs. Since kicking off in Philadelphia with their traditional accelerator program, DreamIt has expanded to Austin, Baltimore, New York, and Israel; built a thriving healthtech accelerator program, been named the third best accelerator program in the world by Forbes Magazine in 2012; and launched 127 companies with an enterprise value greater than $385, including: SCVNGR, Parse,ly, SeatGeek, Adaptly, MindSnacks, ShowMe, AppAddictive, LearnBop, Take The Interview, Cloudmine, ElectNext, SnipSnap, Charlie, Cloudamize, Vantageous, Winston, PeerActive, and TrendKite. DreamIt alumni have collectively gone on to raise more than $100M in follow on funding. More information about DreamIt Ventures is available online at http://www.dreamitventures.com, or via email at info(at)dreamitventures(dot)com.rnAbout The University City Science Center: rnThe University City Science Center is a dynamic hub for innovation, and entrepreneurship and technology development in the Greater Philadelphia region. It provides business incubation, programming, lab and office facilities, and support services for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and growing and established companies. The Science Center was the first, and remains the largest, urban research park in the United States. Since it was founded in 1963, graduate organizations and current residents of the Science Center’s Port business incubators have created more than 15,000 jobs that remain in the Greater Philadelphia region today and contribute more than $9 billion to the regional economy annually. The Science Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013. For more information about the Science Center, go to http://www.sciencecenter.org.rnAbout Drexel University: rnDrexel is a comprehensive national research university ranked among the top 100 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. With 25,500 students, Drexel is one of America’s 15 largest private universities. The University has built its global reputation on core achievements that include: leadership in experiential learning through its cooperative education program; a history of academic technology firsts; and recognition as a model of best practices in translational research initiatives. Founded in 1891 in Philadelphia, Drexel now engages with students and communities around the world via three Philadelphia campuses and other sites that include Drexel University Sacramento, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and international research partnerships in several countries around the globe. Drexel Online is one of the oldest and most successful providers of online degree programs. Drexel is one of Philadelphia’s top 10 employers, and a major engine for economic development in the region. For more information, visit http://www.drexel.edu.

Philadelphia, December 9, 2013– Mayor Michael A. Nutter issued the following statement on the approval of the merger between US Airways and American Airlines:rnrn rnrn“I congratulate US Airways and American Airlines on their new partnership, which will be a tremendous benefit for Philadelphia, Southeastern Pennsylvania and the entire tri-state region.rnrn rnrn“We are very excited about the new American Airlines in the Philadelphia market as it will enhance Philadelphia’s position in the global marketplace. The newly combined airline, the largest in the world, creates an extensive global network with 6,700 daily flights to more than 330 destinations in more than 50 countries.rnrn rnrn“The new company solidifies Philadelphia International Airport as a trans-Atlantic gateway and gives travelers access to a stronger One World global airline network. The City of Philadelphia will continue to work with American Airlines to bring more air service to the region, especially international service to Asia, South America and even more continents. I look forward to seeing growth in air service, employment and investment at Philadelphia International Airport as a result of this merger.”

First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia hosts concert to benefit Philippine typhoon relief featuring artists and alumni from the Academy of Vocal Arts.rnPhiladelphia, PA (PRWEB) December 06, 2013rnrnIn response to the devastation caused in the Philippines by typhoon Haiyan, the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia will join forces with The Academy of Vocal Arts to present the second of two concerts to raise money for Red Cross International’s relief efforts in the Philippines.rnFirst Presbyterian will host the concert at the church at 21st and Walnut Streets on Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. All proceeds and any additional donations will go to Red Cross International.rnFor more information or to reserve tickets, please visit http://www.fpcphila.org/voices-for-relief/, or call Voices for Relief at 267-687-1496.rnThe inspiration for these concerts came from First Church member and AVA alumnus Jeffrey Halili, who is of Filipino heritage. “I couldn’t lay claim on my heritage and on my faith if I didn’t try to do what I could to help,” said Halili. “And what I can do is sing and reach out to my dearest friends who can sing as well. I’m very grateful that so many of my colleagues and teachers at AVA and my church family at 21st and Walnut are able to make these concerts happen.”rnThe concert will feature AVA alumni and resident artists Ailyn Pérez, Latonia Moore, Zach Borichevsky, William Davenport, Eric Dubin, Jeffrey Halili, Jennifer Hsiung, Ryan Kuster, Jeremy Milner, Chloé Moore, John Packard, Diego Silva, Jason Switzer, Richard Troxell, Moses Yungbae Yang, Corinne Winters, and John Viscardi with pianists José Mélendez, Richard Raub, and Tim Ribchester. (The list of artists is subject to change.)rnHospitality for the artists will be graciously provided by El Fuego Restaurant.rnThese artists have all volunteered their time to support this tremendous cause. They have starred in major roles at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, San Francisco Opera, English National Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Royal Albert Hall, and many other renowned opera houses throughout the world. With recognition from distinguished competitions such the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, George London Foundation Vocal Competition, Gerda Lissner Foundation International Vocal Competition, and the Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition, these artists continue to showcase their vocal firepower and achievements in opera.rnTo reserve tickets, please visit http://www.fpcphila.org/voices-for-relief/, or call Voices for Relief at 267-687-1496.rnAbout The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia: The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia at 21st and Walnut Streets was founded in 1698. First Presbyterian is a home to a diverse group of Christians from the greater Philadelphia region. The church is many voices but one people who seek to glorify God through worship, prayer, and theological inquiry, to live the love of Christ through service to others, and to provide a welcoming and nurturing presence in this urban community. The church is an active member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Presbytery of Philadelphia and the Covenant Network.rnAbout the Academy of Vocal Arts: Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, the Academy of Vocal Arts (AVA) is dedicated to giving voice to opera’s future. Regarded by many as the premier opera training school in the world, AVA provides four years of tuition-free training. It is dedicated exclusively to the study of voice. The student body is intentionally small and admission highly competitive. More than two hundred singers from across the globe audition each year for the fewer than eight spots available in each class. The program is limited to fewer than thirty total Resident Artists, who are immersed in a uniquely intensive and highly personalized program where they learn from world-renowned faculty. They receive training in voice, vocal repertoire, acting, stage combat, opera history, several languages, and each year are presented in three to four fully-staged opera productions accompanied by the professional AVA Opera Orchestra. They are cast in leading roles that they will in all likelihood continue to perform for the rest of their careers. No other opera training program in the world rivals AVA’s success in developing individual artists whose extraordinary voices inspire millions on international stages.rnThe First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia will donate all 100% from the concert to support international services of the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross name and emblem are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion or political position. The American Red Cross logo is a registered trademark owned by the American Red Cross. For more information, please visit http://www.redcross.org.