Category: Press Releases

Booking.com Reveals the Top 7 Emerging Food Capitals in the USrn

rnThe latest trending food destinations in America as rated by Booking.com travelersrn

rnNEW YORK, October 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ –rnrnBooking.com, the global leader in connecting travelers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, announces the top 7 emerging food capitals in the U.S. New data according to the experts – Booking.com travelers – confirms several U.S. cities that are pushing New York, San Francisco and New Orleans off their perch.rnrn"There's no doubt that there's something exciting about discovering the newest, hidden gem foodie capitals," says Leslie Cafferty, VP of Communications at Booking.com. Booking.com used review data that shows where travelers are rating highly for food in the U.S. "The number of incoming food endorsements we've seen so far in 2015 in most of these cities is more than three times what we saw in 2013."rnrnOff the beaten plate, there's a chance to experience the places where the culinary scene is taking off and bringing new concepts, ingredients and tastes to the table.rnrnAshevillernrnFor such a small mountain city, Asheville is garnering a huge amount of praise for its creative and buzzing culinary scene. An entrepreneurial ambience means a rapidly-growing selection of new restaurants, farmers' markets and foodie start-ups, producing everything from artisanal cheese to chocolate and preserves. And a visit to Asheville's grand Biltmore Estate, a châteauesque mansion built by the mighty Vanderbilt family in 1895, is great to explore once you can't eat anymore.rnrn (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151022/279801 )rnWhat To Try rnrnThe craft beer movement has really taken off here so order everything with a pint of local brew. Chai Pani, an Indian streetfood-style hotspot, was recommended by several Booking.com travelers and has been featured in GQ and the New York Times. And stop off at the Gourmet Chip Company to try the irresistible Napa (lavender honey, blue cheese crumbles, sea salt) or Parisian (white truffles, herbed goat cheese, sea salt) potato chips.rnrnSavannahrnrnOozing Southern charm, the historic coastal city of Savannah is hardly new on the tourist trail. Its grand colonial architecture, pretty squares and parks filled with magnolia blossoms have been attracting visitors for years. But its food endorsements from Booking.com customers have been growing at such a rate that it is now a big player on the U.S. foodie scene. Its culinary prowess lies largely in its seafood offering (Savannah crab cakes are the stuff of dreams) but also in its high standard of home comfort food eateries.rnrn (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151022/279808 )rnWhat To Try rnrnBack in the Day Bakery is a prime example of traditional Southern fare with a menu offering enticing baked goods such as Bourbon Bread Pudding and Chocolate Heaven Cupcakes. The bakery also serves savory specialties, heavily featuring bacon in true Savannah style. Booking.com reviewers lauded Mrs. Wilkes restaurant, where bbq pork, sweet potato soufflé, fried chicken and other Southern classics are served up buffet-style.rnrnSanta FernrnAs the second-oldest city in the U.S., New Mexico's eccentric capital has spent centuries developing a vibrant culinary culture blending the best of Native American, mainstream American and Mexican flavors. While staying true to its chili and chorizo roots, Santa Fe also offers a dynamic dining scene with new restaurants constantly cropping up and lots of mouth-watering street food.rnrn (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151022/279807 )rnWhat To Try rnrnThe restaurant scene in Santa Fe is buzzing with diverse eateries but places that feature local specialties like stacked, blue corn enchiladas came highly recommended by Booking.com customers. At Second Street Brewery, the menu is a medley of local classics like habanero-citrus bbq wings and a selection of New Mexican cheeses, with plenty of craft brews to choose from.rnrnPhiladelphiarnrnPhiladelphia may still be associated with its iconic fast foods – namely cheesesteaks and pretzels – but over the last decade or so, the city's culinary culture has blossomed. Thanks in no small part to its rich ethnic fabric, this energetic urban culinary hotbed plays host to a strong selection of cuisine, from quintessential Italian and French food to a growing network of high caliber Japanese restaurants.rnrn (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151022/279806 )rnWhat To Try rnrnThe Italian Market on 9th Street is a real gem for fresh ingredients and local produce, as is the downtown Reading Terminal farmer's market, located on the ground floor of a former train shed. This bustling foodie heaven came highly recommended by Booking.com customers; in particular the donuts, ice creams and Italian-style pulled pork sandwiches.rnrnHonolulurnrnThe recent boom in farmer's markets means that Honolulu is quickly becoming known for more than just its pineapple production. Young and creative chefs are utilizing the island's natural resources and reimagining traditional recipes to launch a culinary revolution. Island living and a laidback culture still prevail in this tropical paradise, but now visitors that come for the surf and sand, stay for the food.rnrn (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151022/279802 )rnWhat To Try rnrnYama's Fish Market is local Hawaiian food at its best with a vast selection of fresh fish, meat and specialties such as the gorgeous haupia (Hawaiian coconut pudding). Look out for culinary pop-ups from celebrated chefs that are appearing all over the city, particularly in the newly redeveloped, trendy district of Kakaako. And if you're looking to cool down in the Hawaiian heat, Shave ice – the local dessert of choice – will work wonders.rnrnHoustonrnrnStep aside Austin, Houston is now regularly touted as the new 'it' city in Texas, a trend backed up by its significant recent growth in Booking.com food endorsements. From high-end dining to quirky cafés and restaurants, the city's eclectic culinary offerings are sophisticated yet still unpretentious and fun.rnrn (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151022/279803 )rnWhat To Try rnrnThe ante has been noticeably upped by ambitious chefs changing the foodie landscape, such as Bryan Caswell with his restaurant Reef, offering an unprecedented variety of seafood for Houston. The city also has the finest of Vietnamese, Chinese and Hispanic cuisines, plus a stand out Italian restaurant, Coltivare, where ingredients are harvested from the restaurant's on-site garden. And for Indian, the incredible bistro Pondicheri serves up a blissful breakfast 'thali', a typical round platter of various Indian dishes.rnrnMontereyrnrnA lesser known foodie destination than nearby San Francisco, the picturesque seaside city of Monterey has seen huge recent growth in Booking.com food endorsements. It goes without saying that the city's seafood is its forte, often making it from boat to table in just a few hours. But Booking.com customers also noted that between the old part of the town, fisherman's wharf and Cannery Row, there's a high concentration of impressive dining options.rnrn (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151022/279804 )rnWhat To Try rnrnAlthough Cannery Row-the strip that gave its name to the 1945 John Steinbeck novel-is both atmospheric and full of diverse restaurants, it can be a tad touristy. If you fancy going further afield, you'll come across yet more interesting options. Restaurant 1883 (recommended by Booking.com customers) is now known for farm-fresh, James-Beard-nominated food such as tuna belly tartate with black garlic puree, Granny Smith apple with wasabi, yuzu vinaigrette and sliced serrano peppers.rnrnAbout Booking.com:rnrnBooking.com is the world leader in booking hotel and other accommodations online. It guarantees the best prices for any type of property – from small independents to five-star luxury. Guests can access the Booking.com website anytime, anywhere from their desktops, mobile phones and tablet devices, and they don't pay booking fees – ever. The Booking.com website is available in 42 languages, offers over 805,000 hotels and accommodations including more than 370,000 vacation rental properties and covers nearly 84,000 destinations in 221 countries and territories worldwide. It features over 60M reviews written by guests after their stay, and attracts online visitors from both leisure and business markets around the globe. With over 19 years of experience and a team of over 10,000 dedicated employees in 170 offices worldwide, Booking.com operates its own in-house customer service team, which is available 24/7 to assist guests in their native languages and ensure an exceptional customer experience.rnrnEstablished in 1996, Booking.com B.V. owns and operates Booking.comâ„¢, and is part of The Priceline Group (NASDAQ: PCLN). Follow us on Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest, like us on Facebook, or learn more at http://www.booking.com.rnrnrnSOURCE Booking.com

Premiere will take place on Sunday, October 25, 2015rn

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rnPHILADELPHIA, PA (PRWEB) OCTOBER 21, 2015rnrnContact: Devon M. Allen, (267) 258-6861, Devon(dot)Allen(at)verizon(dot)netrnrnMEDIA ADVISORYrnrnActress Noree Victoria to Greet Fans @ Premiere of “A Place in Hell” During Philadelphia Independent Film FestivalrnrnA nearly sold-out screening of the much anticipated psychological thriller, “A Place in Hell”, will draw audiences near and far for a special premiere and Q&A with the director and cast at the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival.rnrnWritten and directed by David Boorboor, and starring Lewis Smith and Noree Victoria, ‘A Place in Hell’ was inspired by real-life serial killer Harrison Graham, reimagined as Harrison Graves, who stalks and slays college filmmakers shooting a movie at a haunted local attraction.rnrnFeel free to view the link to the trailer: https://vimeo.com/109543892. Limited tickets are available for purchase online: http://piff.ticketmob.com/event.cfm?cart&showTimingID=116338.rnrnConnect with Noree (@noreevictoria) via social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.rnrnWHO: Actress Noree Victoria & Philadelphia Independent Film FestivalrnrnWHAT: Film Screening Premiere – “A Place in Hell”rnrnWHERE: The University of the Arts, Levitt Theater, 401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PArnrnWHEN: Sunday, October 25, 2015 @ 4:00 p.m.rnrn###

Volunteer linkrn[link=Volunteer link smile emoticonrnhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GvYivtjIW7ewUBsKt3k-lY_2-AAIcqtwq82howpKGoI/viewformrn]https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GvYivtjIW7ewUBsKt3k-lY_2-AAIcqtwq82howpKGoI/viewform[/link]rn rnrn

Featuring Free Admission All Weekend and the Chance to Meet Over 45 Athletes in Personrn rnrn rnFORT LAUDERDALE, FL (PRWEB) OCTOBER 19, 2015rnrnFanatics Authentic is scheduled to return to Philadelphia for its second sports memorabilia show in the city on Friday, October 30th. The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks will play host to more […]

Locally famous Zitner's Candy to be featured on Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods"rn

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rn(PRWEB) OCTOBER 19, 2015rnrnZitner’s Candy, locally famous for delicious, chocolate covered filled Easter eggs will be featured on the Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” with Andrew Zimmern, on Tuesday, October 20th at 8PM/7C. (see link below) In the great tradition of soft pretzels, scrapple and cheesesteaks, Zitner’s has a strong and fiercely loyal following. The entire episode is devoted to Philadelphia favorites and is called “Philadelphia: Shad Cakes, Krak & Kishke.” (The Zitner’s Butter Krak® Eggs are the “Krak” portion of the episode.)rnrnNot only has Zitner’s been making candy the same way for almost a century, but it is one of the few holdouts to stay loyal to Philadelphia with its employees and location. Several employees have been working there for over 35 years. And they have no intention from moving from their humble location in North Philadelphia.rnrnhttp://www.travelchannel.com/shows/bizarre-foods/episodes/philadelphia-shad-cakes-krak-and-kishkernrnAs the Travel Channel says: “Andrew travels to Philadelphia, a city built on doing things their way – especially when it comes to food! From cheese-steak and shad cake to turkey neck and pig liver, Andrew discovers the secret to a good bite is Philly pride.”rnZitners Candy Corp has been making delicious, chocolate covered, filled Easter eggs in Philadelphia since 1922. They still use the same high quality ingredients and many of the same recipes as they did almost a century ago. More recently, Zitner’s offers a large line of gourmet chocolate covered pretzels. And this year, will be making 4 new Christmas varieties of their famous chocolate covered candies.rnrnContact Information: rnEvan Prochniak, President rnevan(at)zitners(dot)com rn215-229-4990 (o) rn215-720-8000 (c)rnrnZitners Candy Corp rn3120 N 17th St, Philadelphia, PA 19132

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Philadelphia University announced today the establishment of its Fashion and Textiles Futures Center. The Futures Center, which will include a $3 million investment in facilities, will advance the University's innovative and highly regarded fashion and textiles curricula and enhance partnerships with industry leaders to more closely connect students to current and future jobs in an evolving marketplace.rnrnThe Philadelphia University Fashion and Textiles Futures Center will focus on the University's unique integration of education, research and practice. It will provide state-of-the-art facilities to support student learning and foster collaboration, facilitate industry-sponsored projects, increase research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and help attract and retain world-class faculty. Work on the physical space will begin in late spring and will be completed by the start of the fall 2016 semester.rnrn"The Fashion and Textiles Futures Center will expand experience for our students, faculty and partners," said Ron Kander, executive dean of the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce. "PhilaU fashion programs are internationally ranked and our programs in textiles and textile engineering are regarded as among the best in the nation. The new Center will enable us to continue our leadership in providing the best possible 21st-century professional education for our students and helping to define the industry needs of the future."rnrnThe plan includes enhanced collaborative design studios for students, fabrication laboratories, computer-aided design facilities and flexible active-learning classrooms. The educational programming will be further supported by the University's advanced digital printing facilities, among the best in the world, and the Grundy Materials Evaluation Laboratory.rnrnThe Fashion and Textiles Futures Center will include a retail-like space designed to mirror the workings of modern fashion and textile design firms and reflect the industry environments that students will work in after graduation. This area will be used to showcase the creative work of students and the University's industry partners and give fashion merchandising and management students the opportunity to hone marketing and merchandising skills by working on displays and presentations.rnrn"Customers are always looking for new and innovative products and, as the apparel industry evolves, speed and flexibility are key factors that drive today's successes," said Matt Mandracchia, vice president for design technologies and process for PVH Corp., one of the world's largest apparel firms that includes such brands as Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. "Philadelphia University's Futures Center seeks to capitalize on these factors, providing a learning environment that promotes innovative thinking. Innovation supports speed and flexibility, helping students to learn and prepare for a fast-changing, product-centric career."rnrnThe physical space will reflect and support the innovative curricula of these programs as part of the University's signature Nexus Learning approach: teaching and learning that is active, collaborative, tied to the real world and infused with the liberal arts. A critical component of Nexus Learning is the development of learning spaces that support interdisciplinary collaboration.rnrn"The Fashion and Textiles Futures Center creates excellent educational opportunities for our students, modeling industry transdisciplinary trends as well as forward-looking projects," said Marcia Weiss, the Harold Neuman Textile Design Chair and director of PhilaU textile design programs, who has been named director of the Center. "In the Futures Center, our students will benefit from world-class curricula, access to the latest technologies that support the creation of new knowledge and increased opportunities to work with industry partners on real-world projects."rnrnMore than 700 PhilaU students—20 percent of the student body—major in eight academic programs related to the Futures Center, including bachelor's programs in fashion design, fashion merchandising and management, textile design and textile materials technology; master's programs in global fashion enterprise, textile design and textile engineering; and a doctoral program in textile engineering and science.rnrn"The Fashion and Textiles Futures Center will reinforce Philadelphia University's prominence in the world of fashion and in textiles," said Mike Leonard, academic dean of the Kanbar College School of Design and Engineering. "The Futures Center will further enable our students to collaborate in state-of-the-art open studios, which will enhance research on materials and techniques to advance the fashion and textiles industries," Leonard said.rnrnPhiladelphia University, which was established in 1884 as the nation's first textiles school, has received many accolades for its fashion and textiles programs. These programs have been ranked among the best in the world by the Business of Fashion and Fashionista. The New York Immersion program, now in its second year, provides students with the opportunity to study in an international fashion capital and work on real-world projects with leading fashion and design firms. Fashion design students showcase their collections at the famed New York Fashion Week twice a year, while merchandising and management students help prepare for the runway.rnrnCollaboration between students in their own and across disciplines is a critical component of a PhilaU education. That's why the U.S. space agency NASA chose to partner with PhilaU fashion and engineering students to develop a fashion-forward, technologically advanced spacesuit design. Each year, textile design students work with fashion design students to develop innovative, one-of-a-kind textiles for the fashion collections. Beyond apparel, students work on projects for home furnishings, automotive and other industries that utilize the latest in textile technologies. Three graduate students in textile engineering and textile design recently won first place in the 2015 Fabric Graphics Student Design Challenge for their project that incorporated the health benefits of antimicrobial textiles to artwork that could be used in healthcare settings.rnrn"There is a culture of collaboration at PhilaU that sets us apart and gives our graduates an unparalleled advantage in industry," said Sheila Connelly, fashion design program director. "Our students get experience in the "bigger picture" of fashion. When designing senior collections, they work across disciplines to incorporate digital printing, surface imaging, laser-cutting, screenprinting, 3D printing, wearable technology and custom fabrics into their designs. The Futures Center will further facilitate these opportunities."rnrnA fundraising campaign to support the Fashion and Textiles Futures Center has been initiated, and top industry executives from such firms as PVH, Waterworks and Weitzer are leading the effort. The campaign has been kicked off with a $500,000 donation from PhilaU benefactor Maurice Kanbar '52 H'03.rnrnIn addition, a Leadership Committee representing diverse industry sectors and faculty members is being formed to guide and support the Fashion and Textiles Futures Center. rnrnPhiladelphia University, founded in 1884, is a private university with 3,700 students enrolled in more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs. As the model for professional university education, the University, through its award-winning Nexus Learning approach, prepares students to be leaders in their professions in an active, collaborative and real-world learning environment infused with the liberal arts. Philadelphia University includes the innovative Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce; the College of Architecture and the Built Environment; and the College of Science, Health and the Liberal Arts. For more information, go to www.PhilaU.edu.rnrn rnrn rnrnSOURCE Philadelphia UniversityrnrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://www.philaU.edu

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of the Philadelphia Region, Inc. with the Support of McDonald's® Restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region to award 55 local students scholarshipsrnrnPHILADELPHIA, Oct. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of the Philadelphia Region, Inc., with the support of the McDonald's® Owner/Operators of the Greater Philadelphia Region, are seeking local, qualified applicants to apply for one of four scholarships: RMHC Scholars Scholarship for all high school seniors; the RMHC/African American Future Achievers Scholarship for African American high school seniors; the RMHC/Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources® (HACER®) Scholarship for Latino high school seniors; and the RMHC/Asian Students Increasing Achievement (ASIA) Scholarship for Asian high school seniors. Fifty-five (55) total scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 each, will be awarded the summer of 2016.rnrnRMHC of the Philadelphia Region offers college scholarships to all high school seniors who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, financial need and plan on attending a two- or four-year college during the next academic year.rnrn"RMHC scholarship winners are exceptionally bright students who truly deserve to be rewarded for their hard work. Not only do they excel academically, but they take on youth leadership roles and volunteer within their local communities," said Bill Roberson, president of RMHC of the Philadelphia Region, Inc. and a McDonald's Owner/Operator. "We are honored to be able to provide these scholarships. It is our way of acknowledging their accomplishments and helping them to pave their way for a successful future."rnrnApplicants may apply online at https://aim.applyists.net/RMHC now through January 20, 2016 and will be asked to submit a high school transcript, a letter of recommendation and a series of personal statements detailing their background and community involvement. For any questions about the scholarship program application process, please contact International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. at RMHC@applyists.com or 855-670-4787. To search the frequently asked questions about the program and the application process, click here.rnrnABOUT RMHCrnRMHC of the Philadelphia Region, Inc. grants hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to support local non-profit programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. In addition, RMHC supports four scholarships for high school seniors; the Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Delaware Ronald McDonald House® Programs; the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, operated by St. Christopher's Foundation for Children; and 13 Ronald McDonald Family Room® programs in area hospitals. The charity receives its support from McDonald's Corporation, McDonald's Owner/Operators, corporate donors and McDonald's customers. For more information, visit www.rmhcphilly.org.rnrnABOUT McDONALD'SrnMcDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. There are nearly 300 McDonald's restaurants in the Greater Philadelphia Region. For more information on McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com or log on at any of the 10,000 Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. Visit www.mcstate.com for local restaurant, career and program information. Follow us on Twitter @McDPhilly for the latest news, info, events and promotions, and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.rnrnContact: Yinka AdedejirnTierneyrn215-790-4375rnoadedeji@tierneyagency.comrnrn rnrnSOURCE McDonald's of the Greater Philadelphia RegionrnrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://www.rmhcphilly.org/rnMore by this SourcernrnGospel Music Superstars Donald Lawrence, Yolanda Adams, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Ricky Dillard and More to Bring Free Night of Uplifting Music to PhiladelphiarnJun 25, 2015, 06:00 ETrnView all news by McDonald's of the Greater Philadelphia RegionrnJournalists and BloggersrnrnrnrnVisit PR Newswire for Journalists, our free resources for releases, photos and customized feeds. You can also send a free ProfNet request for experts.

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rnPHILADELPHIA, Oct. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Terror Behind the Walls, America's largest haunted house, is located inside the massive, castle-like walls of Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This extraordinary theatrical production, consistently ranked among the top haunted attractions in the nation, runs select evenings from September 18 through November 7, 2015.rnrnTerror Behind the Walls begins with a critical decision for visitors: should they explore the prison and watch the action, or should they mark themselves to truly interact with the denizens of the cellblocks? Those who opt in for true interactivity may be grabbed, held back, sent into hidden passageways, removed from their group, and even incorporated into the show. They will deal with the consequences of their decision through six long attractions.rnrnTo celebrate its 25th season of scares, Terror Behind the Walls unveils the most ambitious redesign in the history of the event – two groundbreaking new attractions. Inside Quarantine: 4D, visitors learn of an infectious outbreak, whose symptoms include hallucinations, blurry vision, distorted depth perception, and other mind-altering effects. Flat walls appear to have depth, creatures emerge from (seemingly) nowhere, and some brave visitors will be challenged to face their worst fears.rnrnAlso new for 2015 is Break Out, the final Terror Behind the Walls attraction. Just when visitors think they have found freedom, they find themselves in the middle of a prison break! Inmates surround them using every way imaginable to escape, including barrels, ropes, tunnels, ladders and crates. Visitors must keep an eye out at every corner, as inmates may even be using them to aid in their attempt to gain freedom.rnrnA Massive Haunted House in a Real Prison:rnThe setting for Terror Behind the Walls is perfect for a haunted attraction. Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a lost world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. This gothic structure, with soaring 30-foot high fortress walls, is intimidating enough during the day. At night, the cellblocks fall into darkness, and the building becomes truly terrifying.rnrnTerror Behind the Walls features Hollywood-quality sets, animatronics, and custom-designed soundtracks, all taking place within the walls of the prison. It takes an elite team of 14 makeup artists almost three hours to prepare the cast of more than 200 performers each evening. The event consists of six haunted attractions that create a seamless experience for visitors.rnrnNo. 1 Haunted House in America:rnTerror Behind the Walls is consistently ranked among the nation's top haunted attractions. The Travel Channel calls it "One of America's Scariest Halloween Attractions," The New York Times calls it "perfect for Halloween," and Forbes names it #1 in the nation.rnrnThe industry commends the event as well. It was named "One of the top three must-see haunts in America" by Haunted Attraction Magazine. John Eslich, president of the Haunted Attraction Association, says, "Terror Behind the Walls is one of the best. A world-class haunted attraction."rnrnTerror Behind the Walls has grown from a single-night event in 1991 to a 30-night event with shows selling out far in advance. More than half of the visitors who attended in 2014 traveled to Philadelphia for the event, with tickets sold to visitors in 49 states and 21 foreign countries, making Terror Behind the Walls a national and international destination for thrill-seekers and Halloween lovers.rnrnIs it Really Haunted?rnMany people believe that Eastern State Penitentiary is haunted. As early as the 1940s, officers and inmates reported mysterious visions and eerie experiences in the ancient prison.rnrnWith the growing interest in paranormal investigations, Eastern State Penitentiary may now be the most carefully studied building in the United States. Approximately 60 paranormal teams visit to explore the site in a typical year. The historic site's website, easternstate.org/ghosts, features extensive television and audio clips that document real paranormal investigations inside the 186-year old prison.rnrnThe penitentiary has been featured on the Travel Channel's Most Haunted Live, Ghost Adventures, and Paranormal Challenge; Fox Television's World's Scariest Places; TLC's America's Ghost Hunters; and MTV's FEAR. Footage captured on the second tier of Cellblock 12 by paranormal investigators during filming of SyFy's Ghost Hunters may be the most controversial ghost sighting of the past 10 years. During the filming of Paranormal Challenge, host Zak Bagans called Eastern State Penitentiary "one of the most haunted places in the world."rnrnGeneral Information:rnTerror Behind the Walls is located inside Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site at 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Terror Behind the Walls does not affect operation of the historic site, which remains open for daytime tours seven days a week, year round. All proceeds from Terror Behind the Walls benefit the preservation of Eastern State Penitentiary, a National Historic Landmark.rnrnTerror Behind the Walls runs on select evenings from September 18 through November 7, 2015. Tickets for Terror Behind the Walls are on sale now at easternstate.org/buynow. Buying online is always the cheapest and most convenient way to purchase Terror Behind the Walls tickets. Visitors save time and money, and purchasing in advance is the only way to guarantee entry to the event. For more information about Terror Behind the Walls, the public can visit terrorbehindthewalls.com.rnrnPhoto – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151013/276400rnrnSOURCE Eastern State Penitentiary

The Rock’n’Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon will serve as a pivotal first meeting and game changer for two women – both U.S. Army veterans – as they combat the same life-threatening disease. Thirty-four-year-old Jessica Armstrong and 41-year-old Latoynia Ransom-Harvey have Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH), a form of pulmonary hypertension (PH), caused by old, organized blood clots in the lungs.rn

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rnSILVER SPRING, MD. (PRWEB) OCTOBER 08, 2015rnrnThe Rock’n’Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon will serve as a pivotal first meeting and game changer for two women – both U.S. Army veterans – as they combat the same life-threatening disease.rnrnThirty-four-year-old Jessica Armstrong and 41-year-old Latoynia Ransom-Harvey have Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH), a form of pulmonary hypertension (PH), caused by old, organized blood clots in the lungs. PH is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs that can lead to death from right heart failure. Without treatment, the average survival rate for PH patients is 2.8 years after diagnosis. But because the symptoms, which include shortness of breath, chest pain and fainting, are similar to those in other less threatening diseases, PH is often misdiagnosed. The veterans hope to raise awareness about PH and particularly CTEPH, which, occurs in up to 3.8 percent of patients who suffer from pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in their lungs).rnrnThrough the half marathon’s partnership this year with fundraising platform “everydayhero,” the veterans will run to support the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) as part of the association’s Team O2 breatheâ„¢ — individuals across the U.S. who participate in endurance events to raise funds and awareness to fight PH. PHA provides patient and caregiver support, education programs for healthcare professionals, and grants to help researchers find ways to prevent and cure the disease. Ransom-Harvey is a member of PHA’s northern Virginia support group. Armstrong, who heads PHA’s Early Diagnosis Campaign, reached out to her after hearing that the two of them had so much in common.rnArmstrong received her diagnosis months after her deteriorating health cut short her deployment in Afghanistan. Ransom-Harvey’s diagnosis came shortly after she returned to the U.S. from her deployment to Iraq and years after believing her symptoms were due to asthma or allergies and wondering why no prescribed treatments worked.rnrnAware of the survival rate for PH patients, Armstrong and Ransom-Harvey found renewed hope after completing a right heart catheterization and ventilation/perfusion (V̇/Q̇) scan, two diagnostic tests used to confirm CTEPH. While understanding there is no cure for other forms of PH, the veterans learned CTEPH patients may be candidates for a pulmonary thromboendarterectomy or PTE, a surgical procedure to remove the clots that can significantly reduce or even normalize blood pressure in the lungs. Both women underwent the PTE procedure and remain on medication to keep new clots from forming as they continue to see specialists to monitor their lung pressures.rnrnArmstrong and Ransom-Harvey say the timing for this year’s Rock’n’Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon – rescheduled to October 31 due to the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia – marks a major turning point in their individual CTEPH stories.rnrn“The scariest Halloween I ever experienced was in 2011. That’s when after months of believing I had asthma or some other disease, I was diagnosed with CTEPH, and told it had progressed to the point that I had only five more months to live,” Armstrong said. “Fortunately, I was immediately scheduled for the PTE procedure, which gave me my life back. I'm proud to be running this race for awareness – appropriately on Halloween – and have a chance to give what I raise to PHA for all the work it does to support patients like me.”rnFor Ransom-Harvey, the Halloween race is the anniversary of her first day as a veteran and the day before she learned how powerful her CTEPH story can be to people unfamiliar with the disease or any other form of PH.rnrn“On October 30, 2013, I was getting my retirement photo taken by a young woman who was struggling to breathe. I asked her about it and when she told me her symptoms, I said, ‘it sounds familiar; it sounds like you have PH,’” Ransom-Harvey said. “Later, she sent me a long email thanking me and telling me that because of what I shared, she was able to pass it on to her doctor. It turns out she did have PH.”rnOn October 13, World Thrombosis (deadly blood clots) Day, Armstrong and Ransom Harvey will work with PHA to support the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostatis (ISTH) to make more people aware about CTEPH and other blood-clot related illnesses. The veterans will also use November 17, CTEPH Awareness Day, celebrated during Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month, to tell their stories on social media to stress the importance of early and accurate PH diagnosis. PHA’s CTEPH Awareness activities are sponsored in part by an unrestricted educational grant from Bayer.rnrnTo mark CTEPH Awareness Day, PHA will use social media to share video clips from Armstrong, Ransom-Harvey and other CTEPH patients. As part of its November pre-anniversary year Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month efforts, the association will highlight Periwinkle Pioneers, individuals who have made a contribution to PHA’s success in fighting the disease. On the 17th, CTEPH Awareness Day, PHA will honor Periwinkle Pioneers who have made a contribution to advancing care for CTEPH patients. Over the past 25 years. Periwinkle, which symbolizes the color of some PH patients’ lips and fingers when they lack oxygen, has come to represent hope for the PHA community. From October 13 (World Thrombosis Day – November 17 (CTEPH Awareness Day), PHA will also host CTEPH celebrations and webinars to provide support to CTEPH patients and others who want to learn more about the disease.rnrn“We learned that The Rock’n’Roll Marathon Series has always been about the heart, that it’s from the heart, and it’s full of heart. We are proud that Jessica, LaToynia and so many in our community will participate in Team O2 breathe endurance events to support PHA,” said Rino Aldrighetti, PHA’s president and CEO. “The need for funding as well as awareness about the disease is great, as too many people are dying simply because they don’t know about PH. What these two veterans are doing is an amazing example of how at PHA, we’re putting our heart into finding a cure.”rnrnTo support the veterans’ fundraising, which is getting a kick start from a pledge of support from Bayer, please go to: https://rocknrollphiladelphia2015.everydayhero.com/us/bust-cteph for Armstrong and rnhttps://rocknrollphiladelphia2015.everydayhero.com/us/latoynia for Ransom-Harvey.rnrnAbout the Pulmonary Hypertension Association rnHeadquartered in Silver Spring, Md., with a growing list of chapters across the country, the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) is the country’s leading pulmonary hypertension organization. Its mission is to find ways to prevent and cure pulmonary hypertension and provide hope for the community through support, education, research, advocacy and awareness. PHA does this by connecting and working together with the entire PH community of patients, families and medical professionals. PHA relies on donations to fund its many programs, including early diagnosis efforts, more than 245 support groups around the country and continuing education for medical professionals through PHA Online University. For 12 consecutive years, PHA has received the highest rating—four stars—for fiscal accountability and transparency from Charity Navigator, placing it in the top half of one percent of all rated charities. For more information or to support PHA with a donation go to PHAssociation.org.rn1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15163775 rn# # #

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Governor Tom Wolf announced today that Adaptimmune Therapeutics, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing T-cell receptor cancer immunotherapy treatments, will create at least 110 new, high-paying jobs with a new expansion project.rnrn"Adaptimmune has shown a true commitment to Pennsylvania, and today's announcement is great news for the commonwealth as 110 new, high-paying jobs will be created with this project," said Governor Tom Wolf. "My budget proposal includes sustained funding for the life science sector and increased support for research within the industry so that we continue to see successes like this for years to come."rnrnAdaptimmune Therapeutics will expand operations and will relocate to a 46,000-square-foot site at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The company plans to invest more than $4 million at the site, and has also committed to create at least 110 new, full-time jobs and to retain its 14 existing positions over the next three years.rnrnThe company received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development including a Pennsylvania First Program grant for $150,000.rnrn"This new facility will allow Adaptimmune to more than triple the number of its employees in Pennsylvania with well-paying positions that will contribute to the overall economic growth in the city and region," said James Noble, Chief Executive Officer at Adaptimmune. "We see our commitment to the Navy Yard as a vote of confidence in Pennsylvania as a powerhouse for scientific and medical achievement and we thank Governor Wolf for his outstanding commitment to making the state a great place to create new businesses and jobs. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with the Navy Yard, Philadelphia and Pennsylvania in the years to come."rnrnThe project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the Governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, the City of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation.rnrn"Adaptimmune Therapeutics' decision to expand in our city is further evidence that Philadelphia is the number one place to be in the United States for innovative, exciting healthcare companies," said Mayor Nutter. "With our leading healthcare institutions, world-class universities, and talented workforce, Philadelphia is on the forefront of innovation and discovery in the life sciences. We couldn't be more excited that Adaptimmune is beginning this next phase of its growth in Philadelphia."rnrnFounded in 2008, Adaptimmune is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on novel cancer immunotherapy products based on its T-cell receptor platform. The company aims to utilize the body's own machinery – the T-cell – to target and destroy cancer cells by using engineered, increased affinity T-cell receptors (TCRs) as a means of strengthening natural patient T-cell responses.rnrnFor further information on Adaptimmune Therapeutics, visit www.adaptimmune.comrnrnFor more information about the Governor's Action Team, visit www.newpa.com.rnrnMEDIA CONTACTS:rnMegan Healey, Governor's Office, 717-783-1116rnLyndsay Kensinger, DCED, 717-783-1132rnrn rnrn rnrnSOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the GovernorrnrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://www.governor.state.pa.us