Category: Press Releases

Philadelphia, December 5, 2013 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced that Fun Safe Philly Summer, the City’s collaborative initiative to provide summer programming and free meals to young people, served 3.4 million meals through the Summer Food Service Program, and promoted approximately 25,000 available summer programming opportunities for summer 2013.rnrn“It is vitally important that young Philadelphians have access to fun and enriching activities to help them gain academic and social skills, but it is particularly important for young people to be active and engaged in the summer months,” said Mayor Nutter. “I am proud of the continued success of Fun Safe Philly Summer. In its second year, it maintained the 25% summer meal service increase from 2012 and connected thousands of young people to program options, helping them spend their time productively all summer long.”rnrnThis summer, the Mayor’s Office partnered with the Department of Parks and Recreation, Radio One, VILLA, the Philadelphia Urban Creators, the Philadelphia Union, the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, and others to host seven “Pop Up” events across the City. These events included a soccer clinic, a pool party, free ice skating and free musical performances. The second year of Fun Safe Philly Summer “Pop Up” events, free events in neighborhoods across the city, engaged almost 2,000 young people throughout the summer.rnrn“I was raised in South Philly, not too far from Chew Playground. I know these kids and it’s great to be a product of this community and see the faces of the kids as you give back, its priceless” said John Tabourn, Director of Group Sales and Experiences, Philadelphia Soul.rnrnDan Raudabaugh, Philadelphia Soul quarterback added, “It’s great to see the kids enjoying themselves having an opportunity to give back like this is great for our team too.”rnrnThe Fun Safe Philly Summer campaign encourages participation in the Summer Food Service Program, a U.S. Department of Agriculture federally-funded program serving breakfast, lunch and snacks to children 18 years of age and younger.rnrnFun Safe Philly Summer partnered with the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Nutritional Development Services, Philadelphia Housing Authority, Department of Public Health, and the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger and provided 3.4 million meals at 1,365 sites from June 17 through August 31, 2013.rnrnAnne Ayella, Assistant Director for Non-Governmental Programs and Community Relations at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Nutritional Development Services (NDS) said, “NDS is always so pleased to partner with the City and others in ensuring a Fun Safe Philly Summer for the children in our care. We are grateful for the leadership of the City administration in bringing us together to provide fun activities, as well as, sharing info about the healthy summer meals for the children of our area. The brightly colored yard signs were so effective this year!”rnrn“It is vital that Philadelphia’s young people have access to fun and safe summer activities. That, coupled with access to free lunch and snack through the Summer Food Service Program, aids in year-round success, which sets children up for future successes,” said Susan Slawson, First Deputy Commissioner for Recreation.rnrn###rnrnFun Safe Philly Summer is an Office of Mayor Michael A. Nutter, city-wide, partnered initiative to provide Philadelphia youth with programming and opportunities to stay active and engaged all summer long. To find, available programming, fun, free activities and a summer meal location near you, log on to www.funsafephillysumer.com or follow FSPS on Twitter @PhillySummer.

Posted on December 3, 2013 by City of Philadelphiarn December 3, 2013– Mayor Michael A. Nutter, joined by City officials, announced the launch of PHL Tax LOOP, the Longtime Owner Occupants Program, a new Real Estate Tax relief program for eligible Philadelphia homeowners. This week, the City of Philadelphia began mailing information packets, including a pre-filled application, to 80,000 properties based on preliminary eligibility requirements. The LOOP application deadline is Wednesday, January 15, 2014.rn rn“Our new property tax system is fair and accurate for all Philadelphians – but fairer and more accurate values meant large Real Estate Tax increases for some homeowners,” said Mayor Nutter. “In the current budget, working with City Council, we set aside $20 million to help longtime homeowners by offering Real Estate Tax relief. PHL Tax LOOP is an opportunity for property owners to receive savings on their Tax Year (TY) 14 Real Estate Taxes. I want to encourage every eligible Philadelphian to apply for this important discount.”rn rnEligibility requirements for PHL Tax LOOP are as follows:rn rnThe TY14 market value of the property minus the $30,000 Homestead Exemption is triple the TY13 property value;rnThe property must be either a single-family dwelling or a multi-unit property with up to three residential units and one commercial unit;rnThe property must be the primary residence of the owner since at least July 1, 2003;rnThe property does not currently have, or ever had, a tax abatement;rnThe Real Estate Taxes for the property must be up-to-date; the owner must be current on an existing payment agreement or the owner must have applied to enter into a payment agreement;rnAnd the homeowner meets income requirements based on household size.rn rnIn order to qualify for LOOP Real Estate Tax savings, applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and apply by January 15, 2014. Once approved, homeowners enrolled in LOOP will receive the real estate taxes discount for 10 years. rn rnThe LOOP discount will vary based on property values. Approved LOOP applicants will have their TY14 Real Estate taxes calculated using the TY14 tax rate of 1.34% multiplied by three times the TY13 property value. rn rnAll applicants will be notified by a decision letter in March 2014. Due to the LOOP timeline, a new Real Estate Tax payment procedure has been outlined for LOOP applicants. Homeowners applying for LOOP should pay the discounted amount indicated on the brochure received in the information packet by the real estate tax due date, March 31, 2014 or February 28, 2014 to receive an additional 1% discount. If approved, no further action is needed. If an application is denied, the property owner must pay the balance due, the difference between the reduced amount due with the LOOP discount and the amount due without LOOP, by April 30, 2014 to avoid interest or penalties.rn rnIf a homeowner pays real estate taxes through their mortgage company, the City will notify the mortgage company of the new amount due if the LOOP application is approved.rn rnIndividuals should apply for LOOP whether or not they have received the Homestead Exemption. rn rnTY14 Real Estate Tax bills for all Philadelphia properties will be mailed on December 9, 2013. These bills will not indicate if a property is LOOP eligible.rn rnFor more information on LOOP, log onto www.phila.gov/LOOP. For questions and assistance, please call 215-686-9200. Information is available online and by phone in multiple languages.rn rnIn addition to these resources, the City of Philadelphia has created a helpful widget to determine if a property is eligible for LOOP. The “Am I Eligible?” widget is available through www.phila.gov/LOOP.

For the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Northeast Philadelphia Branch of the Philadelphia Free Library, students from Central High School have created collages about their families' traditions. State representatives and city officials planning to attend exhibit opening on Wednesday, December 4, 2013.rnrnPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania (PRWEB) November 27, 2013rnrnFor a half century, the Northeast Branch of the […]

Posted on November 26, 2013 by City of PhiladelphiarnCity departments to provide information to citizens about health coverage available through the Affordable Care Actrnrn rnrn rnrnPhiladelphia, November 26, 2013– Mayor Michael A. Nutter, joined by Enroll America Pennsylvania State Director Bill England, and Deputy Mayor for Health and Opportunity Dr. Donald Schwarz, announced a partnership between the City and Enroll America to provide information to citizens about health coverage options available through the Affordable Care Act. This outreach effort is part of Enroll America’s Get Covered campaign.rnrn rnrn“Accurate and easily accessible information is critical to ensuring that uninsured Philadelphians enroll in health care plans under the Affordable Care Act. The City’s partnership with Enroll America is an opportunity to connect people to health coverage they deserve,” said Mayor Nutter. “I want to thank Dr. Schwarz and his team at the Health Department for their efforts and Enroll America for working with us to help Philadelphians access affordable health care.”rnThe following City departments have partnered with Enroll America:rnrn rnrnPhiladelphia City Council;rnOffice of Housing and Community Development;rnDepartment of Records;rnCommunity Life Improvement Programs;rnMayor’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity;rnMayor’s Commission on Aging; andrnThe Free Library of Philadelphia.rn rnrn“This visionary partnership with the City of Philadelphia will help thousands of Philadelphians access quality, affordable health insurance,” said Bill England, Pennsylvania State Director, Enroll America. “I commend Mayor Nutter and Dr. Schwarz for their leadership and commitment to the health and well-being of their city. Our new relationship serves as a model to cities nationwide as we continue to expand access to affordable coverage.”rnrn rnrnDr. Donald Schwarz added, “We think that this is incredibly important and beneficial information to get out to the public. We are tremendously pleased that so many City agencies and departments have stepped-up to participate in the effort.”rnrn rnrnFor more information, log on to www.getcoveredamerica.org.rnrn rnrnEnroll America is the nation’s leading health care enrollment coalition, bringing together community and health organizations, businesses and others to inform consumers about the new health coverage options available and how to enroll in them. It is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

Posted on November 25, 2013 by City of PhiladelphiarnThree events showcase small businesses in Germantown, Fishtown and East Kensington.rnrn rnrn rnrnPhiladelphia, November 25, 2013– In the coming weeks, Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Alan Greenberger will participate in series of events showcasing small businesses and neighborhood development to highlight the ways in which the City of Philadelphia supports economic development in Philadelphia. Small business development is a priority for the Nutter Administration, and this work is primarily implemented through the City’s Department of Commerce. The three events focus on recognizing the first recipient of the Department of Commerce’s new InStore forgivable loan program, promoting neighborhood shopping on Small Business Saturday and breaking ground for a brand new manufacturing facility on a large vacant parcel.rnrn rnrn“While it is often the big deals and major developments that get the headlines, it is Philadelphia’s small business men and women who drive our economy on a daily basis, representing the vast majority of businesses in Philadelphia,” said Mayor Nutter. “Through the Department of Commerce and our partners like the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation, my Administration is committed to finding new and innovative ways to provide funding to small businesses, to help them expand and grow, and to regenerate neighborhood commercial corridors throughout the city.”rnrn rnrnEnhancing neighborhood commercial corridors through fit-out grantsrnrn rnrnThe first event will be held tomorrow at 1:00 pm at Rose Petals Café and Lounge, a new sit-down restaurant located at 322 W. Chelten Avenue in Germantown. Rose Petals Café and Philly Office Retail partnered to apply for the InStore forgivable loan. The City’s $50,000 investment covered the costs of critical start-up supplies, including refrigeration units, a hood and exhaust system for the stove, new floors, shelving units, a unique copper color ceiling and more.rnrn rnrnJania and Desmin Daniels, the owners of Rose Petals, named the business in honor of Desmin’s late sister, Rose, who died tragically two years ago. “When my grandmother died a year later, we sharpened our resolve to not wait another minute to make the dream happen,” said Desmin Daniels, who previously worked as a teacher for the School District of Philadelphia. “The InStore program was hugely helpful in making it happen.”rnrn rnrnThe Department of Commerce launched the InStore forgivable loan program in the beginning of 2013 as a means of enhancing commercial corridors, increasing foot traffic and improving the retail mix of neighborhood commercial corridors. For several years, the Department of Commerce has offered grants for façade renovations through the Storefront Improvement Program. However, a funding option for interior improvements previously did not exist. The small business community had repeatedly requested funding for financial assistance with business start-up costs related to the interior fit-out of a commercial space (i.e. commercial stoves, refrigeration units, ADA bathroom installation, electrical work, etc.). The Department of Commerce responded with the InStore loan program, which targets new and expanding retail, food and creative businesses looking to relocate to low and moderate income neighborhoods. The forgivable loans range between $15,000 and $50,000.rnrn rnrn“This program was developed in response to demand from our small business community,” explains Jonathan Snyder, Commerce’s Senior Program Manager overseeing the InStore loan program. “When a business is approved for an InStore loan, they must comply with guidelines and stay in business for at least five years and then the loan is forgiven – effectively becoming a grant.”rnrn rnrnEncouraging shoppers to buy local on November 30 – “Small Business Saturday”rnrn rnrn“Small Business Saturday” is November 30m and Mayor Nutter will visit the East Girard commercial corridor in the Fishtown neighborhood in order to highlight shopping locally. This event is part of a larger national effort sponsored by American Express. East Girard, a newly popular shopping destination, had been an underutilized commercial corridor for decades. Recent investments from funders, such as the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), PNC Bank, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Commerce, have helped transform the district into a trendy place to shop, eat and drink.rnrn rnrnFor the last 7 years, the Department of Commerce has provided funding to New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) to support commercial corridor improvements and small business development. NKCDC has assisted dozens of businesses on the area’s main commercial strips—Frankford and Girard Avenues—to receive storefront improvement grants and financing.rnrn rnrn“We are thrilled to have Mayor Nutter recognize that our growing commercial corridors here in Fishtown are a great place to shop and show his commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs,” said Sandy Salzman, Executive Director of NKCDC. “We hope that his actions will encourage other Philadelphians to invest in their city by shopping with locally owned businesses and for locally made goods whenever possible. It’s a great way to leverage the purchases folks already are going to make to benefit the growth and stability of our city.”rnrn rnrnReplacing blighted vacant lots with small businesses that create new jobsrnrn rnrnThe final small business event of the Mayor’s three-pronged tour will be held on Wednesday, December 11 at 11:00 am at a longtime vacant lot on the industrial corridor of American Street in East Kensington. The lot will soon be converted into an 11,550 square foot manufacturing facility for Veyko, Inc., a Philadelphia-based metal fabrication company. The total project cost is $2.1 million, $250,000 of which comes from a grant from the American Street Empowerment Zone, overseen by the Philadelphia Department of Commerce. Veyko plans to create 15 new jobs at the new facility. The company provides design, metal fabrication and installation services to architects, designers, general contractors and homeowners. Examples of Vyko’s work include the SEPTA 8th Street Station benches and the large scale exterior artwork at Lincoln Center in New York City.rnrn rnrnSince 1994, the City of Philadelphia has been working to improve the American Street Commercial Corridor. Investments have been made through the Philadelphia Department of Commerce and the Philadelphia Empowerment Zone’s signature program, the Neighborhood Funding Stream, to support local economic development and neighborhood revitalization. The American Street Empowerment Zone Community Trust Board, an advisory board to the City of Philadelphia, provides input on grant making in the American Street Empowerment Zone.rnrn rnrn“Through this process, grants are being provided to support major investments in real estate development. Veyko, Inc. is one of three recent American Street Empowerment Zone Neighborhood Economic Development grants. Veyko, Inc. will receive a $250,000 grant that will support the continued revitalization of the neighborhood,” says Aiisha Herring-Miller, Senior Program Manager for Philadelphia Empowerment Zones at the Philadelphia Department of Commerce.rnrn rnrnPIDC, the City’s economic development corporation, invested $933,000 in the Veyko Project. Marla Hamilton, Vice President of Market Development for PIDC said, “What is especially exciting is that this is a project that was approved just when the recession hit. At one point, the developers even decided to halt the project. Clearly, they have weathered the storm and come back strong. This is a great opportunity for Veyko, Inc. and a great win for the City.”rnrn rnrnSmall business as the spark for community economic developmentrnrn rnrnThe projects described above offer a snapshot of the Philadelphia Department of Commerce’s daily work. With the help of partners, such as PIDC, the Merchant’s Fund, local CDCs and small business technical assistance providers, the Department of Commerce offers and supports many programs, including one-on-one technical assistance for small businesses, training programs on how to start and grow a business, micro- and small-business lending, an online business support website (www.phila.gov/business), grants for storefront improvements and security cameras, and more.rnrn rnrnIn addition to providing programs that have demonstrated success like the Commercial Corridor Manager grant program and the Storefront Improvement Program, the Department of Commerce also finds innovative ways to support businesses and commercial corridors. The InStore loan program and the Commerce SafeCam Program are both pilot programs launched earlier this year that have proved popular as applications continue to be submitted for both.rnrn rnrn“Supporting small businesses in neighborhoods across Philadelphia represents the bulk of the work of the Commerce Department,” said Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development. “We take a concierge approach to our work with business owners – we’re here to help with your needs, navigate you through the system, and provide resources to help you grow.”

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — World-renowned fetal surgery pioneer N. Scott Adzick, M.D., will receive the John Scott Award, one of America’s oldest and most prestigious science awards, dedicated to the memory of Benjamin Franklin, at a formal ceremony tonight at the American Philosophical Society. Adzick, the Surgeon-in-Chief at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), will be recognized for his contributions to fetal surgery–performing highly complex procedures on babies while still in the womb, to correct debilitating or life-threatening birth defects.rnFounded in 1834, the John Scott Award is given to men and women whose inventions have contributed in some outstanding way to the “comfort, welfare and happiness” of mankind. Past winners have included Marie Curie, Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk, Irving Langmuir, Guglielmo Marconi, R. Buckminister Fuller, and the Wright Brothers. A committee of Philadelphians nominates honorees to the Board of Directors of City Trusts of the City of Philadelphia.rnAn innovator in fetal medicine since the field’s inception, Adzick has dedicated his career to the pursuit of groundbreaking prenatal treatment for birth defects. Following medical school, residency and fellowships in Boston, Adzick moved to the University of California, San Francisco where he and his research colleagues developed fetal surgical techniques using animal models prior to clinical application.rnSince that time, Adzick has made pioneering contributions to fetal surgery, and today continues to explore cutting-edge treatment options.rnAdzick was also the principal investigator at CHOP for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Management of Myelomeningocele Study. This landmark clinical trial demonstrated that fetal surgery could substantially improve outcomes for children with spina bifida. The study represents the fruition of decades of research, much of it led by Adzick and his team, exemplifying how a once-radical idea can, through meticulous investigation, be transformed into a viable treatment. Adzick was lead author of the study results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March 2011.rnIn 1995, when he was recruited to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as Surgeon-in-Chief, Adzick founded the Hospital’s Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment. Today that Center is the largest and most comprehensive fetal program in the world, having welcomed expectant mothers from all 50 states and more than 50 countries. The Center recently celebrated a milestone of 1,000 fetal surgeries. Approximately 4,000 fetal surgeries have been performed worldwide, meaning a quarter of them have been performed at CHOP, more than at any other hospital.rnAdzick is also an active pediatric general and thoracic surgeon. While much of his work is devoted to surgery in newborns, he also has a special interest and expertise in surgery for complex pediatric endocrine conditions such as hyperinsulinism and pediatric thyroid disorders. Adzick has had NIH grant support for 30 years and has authored more than 500 peer-reviewed publications. He was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences in 1998. rnAdzick is one of three distinguished Philadelphia scientists to receive the 2013 John Scott Award during a ceremony tonight at the American Philosophical Society’s headquarters in center city Philadelphia. The prize commemorates John Scott, an Edinburgh druggist who in the early 1800s set up a fund to honor Benjamin Franklin’s legacy by recognizing ingenious men or women responsible for transformative inventions. The first awards were presented in 1834 for the inventions of the knitting machine and a door lock. Through the years, awards have been made internationally for the inventions in industry, agriculture, manufacturing, science, and medicine. Fellow honorees include Dr. P. Leslie Dutton, a biochemist and biophysicist at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine and Dr. Robert L. Brent, the former Chairman of Pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University.rnAbout The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation’s first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children’s Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program receives the highest amount of National Institutes of Health funding among all U.S. children’s hospitals. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 527-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu.rnMedia Contact: rnAshley Moore rnMoorea1@email.chop.edurn215-630-4683 rnVideo with caption: “Since 1995, the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has been a center of excellence in fetal surgery and therapy. This video is the story of a small group of medical professionals, committed to curing life-threatening birth defects before birth, who worked to unlock the secrets of the fetus and prove the efficacy of fetal surgery, battling skepticism every step of the way. Learn more: http://bit.ly/CFDTWebsite.” Video available at: http://youtu.be/Fto_x_vbcH0rnImage with caption: “Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Surgeon, Dr. N. Scott Adzick, Receives Prestigious Award for Pioneering Contributions to Fetal Surgery.” Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131122/DC22554rn rnSOURCE The Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiarnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://www.chop.edu

PHILADELPHIA, November 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ –rnToday at the Greenbuild International Conference, the Urban Infrastructure Initiative (UII) of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) will present a groundbreaking report to City Mayor Michael Nutter on sustainability initiatives to support Philadelphia’s goal of becoming the ‘Greenest City in America’.rn (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131122/654503 )rnPhiladelphia is the first city in North America to participate in the UII, which is a unique project established by the WBCSD, to show the critical role that business can play in identifying solutions to complex urban sustainability challenges. The UII’s 48-page report for Philadelphia was produced by a group of seven leading companies who worked collaboratively throughout 2012 with city officials, as part of a wider program that involves producing similar reports for 10 cities around the world.rnConsultations for UII’s Philadelphia report involved a team of multi-disciplinary company experts from: AECOM; Schneider-Electric; Siemens; TNT; Toyota; UPS; and UTC, and city officials led by Katherine Gajewski, director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability.rnAfter receiving the report from Matthew Lynch, Project Director for the UII program, Mayor Nutter said, “Becoming the first American city to work with the Urban Infrastructure Initiative shows that Philadelphia is open to new ideas and ways of doing things. By participating, we hoped to receive valuable, practical insights from some of the world’s leading companies. The report outlines specific recommendations and solutions that are applicable here in Philadelphia but will likely also be of interest to many other city leaders in North America.”rnThe UII report for Philadelphia focuses on integrated solutions to meet the challenges of urban sustainability in key areas such as energy, water and mobility, and examines the specific issue of the efficiency and environmental performance of the city’s fleet of 6,000+ vehicles. A number of ‘quick wins’ are detailed in the report, some of which city officials are already pursuing.rnCommenting on the UII program’s work with Philadelphia, WBCSD’s Matthew Lynch said,rn”This engagement is a tangible example of how cities can work with business at a strategic level to help realize their visions, while unlocking the innovation capacity of the private sector to develop practical solutions.” rnKatherine Gajewski, from the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability added, “Working with the UII team, we were able to take advantage of outside expertise and perspectives in some of the areas where we thought we could most benefit. The recommendations made are already contributing to our thinking on a next generation municipal fleet and asset management. The experience made it clear that there is significant alignment between the sustainability goals that government and the private sector have, and that both sides can benefit from enhanced collaboration.”rnPDF copies of the UII report for Philadelphia and 9 other cities can be downloaded from the WBCSD website.rnScaling up sustainable and resilient cities is a core priority area of the WBCSD’s new global Action2020 framework. This science-based action plan seeks to engage companies to implement innovative and scalable business solutions and improve the business case for sustainability. The Action2020 framework has been developed by the WBCSD in close cooperation with the Stockholm Resilience Center and the World Resource Institute.rnNote to EditorsrnAbout the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)rnThe World Business Council for Sustainable Development is a CEO-led organization of forward-thinking companies that galvanizes the global business community to create a sustainable future for business, society and the environment. Together with its members, the council applies its respected thought leadership and effective advocacy to generate constructive solutions and take shared action. Leveraging its strong relationships with stakeholders as the leading advocate for business, the council helps drive debate and policy change in favor of sustainable development solutions.rnThe WBCSD provides a forum for its 200 member companies – who represent all business sectors, all continents and a combined revenue of more than $7 trillion – to share best practices on sustainable development issues and to develop innovative tools that change the status quo. The Council also benefits from a network of 60 national and regional business councils and partner organizations, a majority of which are based in developing countries.rnAbout the Urban Infrastructure Initiative (UII)rnThe WBCSD established the Urban Infrastructure Initiative (UII) in 2010 to demonstrate the value of early strategic engagement between cities and business and the critical role that business can play as the solution provider. UII brought together 14 member companies from key sectors including energy, equipment and transport: ACCIONA, AECOM, AGC, CEMEX, EDF, GDF SUEZ, Honda, Nissan, Philips, Schneider Electric, Siemens, TNT, Toyota and UTC.rnThey have been collaborating to develop realistic, practical and cost-effective sustainability plans with 10 cities: Guadalajara (Mexico), Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara in Gujarat State (India), Kobe (Japan), Philadelphia (USA), Tilburg (The Netherlands), Turku (Finland) and Yixing (China).rnThe 14 UII member companies form a dynamic, multi-sector group with expertise in many infrastructure sectors and vast experience in strategy, finance and project management. Their business is in buildings, energy, water, engineering, equipment, materials, mobility and logistics, and support services. Expertise in integrated solutions and systems covers the infrastructure life-cycle, from design to operations and maintenance. They span the globe and, as WBCSD members, demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability.rnhttp://www.wbcsd.orgrnFollow us on Twitter rnTo be added to the WBCSD press distribution, please e-mail WBCSD here.rnSOURCE World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

November 21, 2013– The City of Philadelphia was named the highest-ranking big city in the United States for LGBT equality, sharing the top spot among all cities with Seattle, Washington, in the 2013 edition of the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index: A Nationwide Evaluation of Municipal Law. The Human Rights Campaign is the largest […]

During grand opening week, the Gourmet Burger Authorityâ„¢ will donate all sales from signature Freckled Lemonade® to Alex’s Lemonade Stand FoundationrnrnGREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Alert your taste buds! Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (Red Robin) is two weeks away from bringing even more craveable gourmet burgers to the Philadelphia area. Located just south of the Cherry Hill Mall, off of Route 38 in Cherry Hill, N.J., the newest Red Robin will open on Monday, December 2 at 11 a.m. To help celebrate the grand opening of the new restaurant, Red Robin will donate all sales of its signature Freckled Lemonade from Monday, December 2 to Sunday, December 8, to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding cures for all kids with cancer.rn(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120522/NY11686LOGO )rnRed Robin – known as the Gourmet Burger Authority – offers more than two dozen innovative gourmet burgers served with Bottomless Steak Friesâ„¢ (which means free refills!) and more than 100 different toppings for guests to customize their favorite burger. Some of the most popular burgers are the Royal Red Robin Burger® topped with a fresh fried egg and Red’s Tavern Double with its signature styles, including the Fiery Ghost Tavern Style that uses the ghost pepper, one of the world’s hottest chile peppers. Red Robin introduced the Smoke & Pepper Burger nationally in early November, the first of its Finest Gourmet Burger Line. Inspired the 2013 Best of the Bash Award Winner at the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE (SOBEWFF) Amstel Light Burger Bash, the Smoke & Pepper Burger features a half-pound Black Angus burger seasoned with Alderwood smoked sea salt and topped with freshly black-peppered bacon, extra sharp Cheddar and house-made Smoke & Pepper ketchup, served on a buttered and toasted ciabatta bun.rnWhile Red Robin has been grilling up gourmet burgers for more than 40 years, the menu also offers a variety of salads, entrees, soups and wraps made with the freshest ingredients, many of which are made in-house.rnRed Robin also offers several signature beverages including Red Robin’s Freckled Lemonade, which has been a guest favorite since it was added to the menu more than 20 years ago. The Freckled Lemonade, a refreshing blend of sweet strawberries and tangy Minute Maid® Lemonade, is available for $3.99 and includes free bottomless refills. All Freckled Lemonade sales during grand opening week at the new Cherry Hill restaurant will benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was created by 4-year-old childhood cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who began raising money through her front yard lemonade stand to help doctors on their way to finding cures for all kids with cancer. Alex’s mission continues through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. rnAlong with offering craveable gourmet burgers and signature beverages, Red Robin guests across the country have come to love the restaurant for its:rnUnique Unbridled culture that inspires Red Robin team members to consistently put guests’ needs first and perform random acts of kindness for others.rnHappy hour specials on beer, wine and spirits in the bar area Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to closernRed Royalty loyalty program, that provides its members with rewards, including a FREE birthday burger and various additional incentives for dining at Red Robin, as well as other rewards to “surprise and delight” members throughout the yearrnDetailed allergen information that is easy to understandrnFor more information about Red Robin and to find additional restaurant locations, please visit www.redrobin.com.rnAbout Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRGB)rnRed Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (www.redrobin.com), a casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1969 that operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Red Robin International, Inc., is the Gourmet Burger Authorityâ„¢, famous for serving more than two dozen craveable, high-quality burgers with Bottomless Steak Friesâ„¢ in a fun environment welcoming to guests of all ages. In addition to its many burger offerings, Red Robin serves a wide variety of salads, soups, appetizers, entrees, desserts and signature Mad Mixology® Beverages. There are more than 480 Red Robin restaurants across the United States and Canada, including those operating under franchise agreements. Red Robin… YUMMM®! Connect with Red Robin on Facebook and Twitter. rnAbout Alex’s Lemonade Stand FoundationrnAlex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $65 million toward fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 350 pediatric cancer research projects nationally. For more information on Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit AlexsLemonade.org.rnSOURCE Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.rnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://www.redrobin.com

PHLY, Chairman Jamie Maguire, and Maguire Foundation send aid through the Red CrossrnrnBala Cynwyd, PA (PRWEB) November 14, 2013rnrnPhiladelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY), a leading property/casualty and professional liability insurance company for niche markets and its leadership are donating $70,000 to the American Red Cross to provide relief to the people affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.rn“We are saddened to hear the news and see the images of devastation and loss in the Philippines,” shared Bob O’Leary, President and CEO of Philadelphia Insurance Companies. “We commend our partners at the Red Cross for their continued commitment to disaster relief and pledge our support to their efforts.”rnPhiladelphia Insurance is pledging $50,000 and will match all employee donations for relief efforts. PHLY’s Founder and Chairman Emeritus James J. Maguire will donate $10,000 from the Maguire Foundation and PHLY’s Chairman Jamie Maguire will donate another $10,000 to the Red Cross.rn“We are grateful for the support Philadelphia Insurance Companies has provided in times of disaster, both close to home and internationally,” said Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes, CEO of the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania.rnPHLY donated $50,000 to the Red Cross in May to aid Midwest tornado victims and in 2012 partnered with members of the Tokio Marine Group to donate more than $195,000 to the Red Cross following Hurricane Sandy. The Company and its employees also raised $129,000 for the Red Cross Haiti relief fund and more than $195,000 for the Red Cross Japan tsunami and earthquake relief fund. Philadelphia Insurance Companies has donated more than $14 million to charitable causes and organizations since 1980.rnAbout Philadelphia InsurancernPhiladelphia 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. The organization has 48 offices strategically located across the United States to provide superior service. For more information, please visit http://www.PHLY.com.rn###