Category: Press Releases

Philadelphia, March 26, 2015 — Mayor Michael A. Nutter cut the ribbon officially opening The Monkey & The Elephant, a new coffee shop in Brewerytown that provides employment opportunities to young adults who are transitioning out of the foster care system in Philadelphia. The café employs five former foster youth, training them in the skills of coffee making and retail in a supportive, community environment.rnrn“The Monkey & The Elephant is a great example of an organization taking an innovative approach to creating opportunities for young people from all backgrounds,” said Mayor Nutter. “Each young person in Philadelphia should have an individual success plan and through our Department of Human Services, the Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Services, and many other parts of city government we are supporting programs and efforts that help them reach their full potential. I wish The Monkey and The Elephant the best of success.”rnrnThe Monkey & The Elephant is a non-profit organization focused on helping former foster youth navigate the transition to adulthood. The new café offers job and life skills training to the young adults in the program. The organization was founded by former AmeriCorps alumnus Lisa Miccolis who formerly served at YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School in North Philadelphia and worked at numerous coffee establishments in the city.rnrnIn 2010-2011, Ms. Miccolis spent 5 months traveling in New Zealand and Australia and it was on this trip that the idea for The Monkey & The Elephant was born. In 2012, she opened a pop-up café, which moved to Manayunk and South Kensington before she found the space in Brewerytown.rnrn“I am excited to have a permanent location from which we can fully implement the vision for The Monkey & The Elephant,” said Lisa Miccolis. “We have received a warm welcome from Brewerytown and every day I’m shown why it was the perfect part of the city for us to get started in”rnrnOne of the five young people working at The Monkey & The Elephant is Joseph Hill Coles, an alumnus of DHS’s Achieving Independence Center and PowerCorpsPHL. He is currently working at The Monkey & The Elephant while attending classes at Community College of Philadelphia and continuing his AmeriCorps service as a near-peer mentor to YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter High School students.rnrn“I went from being a homeless youth in Philadelphia to graduating from PowerCorpsPHL, working at the Monkey and the Elephant, and excelling greatly,” said Joseph. “The opportunity to work at the Monkey and the Elephant turned even sweeter for me when I found out that they were employing former foster care youth, like myself, and that we would be engaging the community with positive vibes and terrific coffee.”rnrnPowerCorpsPHL, launched in September 2013, is an AmeriCorps program designed to support Mayor Michael A. Nutter’s environmental stewardship initiatives, as well as the City of Philadelphia’s youth violence prevention and workforce development priorities. Annually, PowerCorpsPHL enrolls 136 highly-at-risk 18 to 26-year-olds in a 6-month AmeriCorps program that provides participants with the opportunity to develop the skills required to become environmental stewards, secure meaningful work, and become civically engaged members of society.

Philadelphia, March 25, 2015– The City of Philadelphia announced that the iconic Philly POPS! will honor LGBT members of the United States armed services during its annual POPS on Independence concert on Independence Mall this year on July 3rd. This year, the 4th of July celebration marks the 50th Anniversary of the LGBT Rights Movement, and the City of Philadelphia will host one of the Nation’s largest celebrations honoring this historic milestone.rnrn“I am proud that the Philly POPS! will join the theme of this year’s Fourth of July festivities by honoring LGBT men and women who have bravely served our country,” said Mayor Nutter. “This is yet another reason why the Human Rights Campaign recently named Philadelphia the best big city in America for LGBT equality. The Fourth of July is a day of celebration, but it is also a day to contemplate our Nation’s origins, history and democratic values – freedom, justice and equality for all. This is the perfect backdrop to honor and reflect upon the gains made by the LGBT community over the last 50 years.”rnrnIt is widely recognized and agreed upon that the LGBT Rights Movement began when LGBT activists protested for equality every Fourth of July beginning in 1965 until 1969 in front of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. These demonstrations were called ‘Annual Reminders’, a fact which is memorialized in a Pennsylvania Historical Marker at the northwest corner of 6th & Chestnut Streets.rnrn“I am incredibly proud that Philadelphia will honor LGBT service people this July 3rd during the annual POPS on Independence concert,” said Helen Fitzpatrick, Director of the City’s Office of LGBT Affairs. “For decades, LGBT servicemen and women have served our nation to protect our fundamental ideals of freedom and democracy, all while being denied the freedom to be who they are. The efforts of the National Reminders protesters, some of our earliest LGBT rights advocates, helped pave the road to equality that has enabled LGBT service people to serve proudly and openly in our armed forces today. Our LGBT veterans and their families deserve the same respect, honor and gratitude to which all of our armed forces members and their families are entitled. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to thank them for their service right here in Philadelphia, the birthplace of democracy, and a national leader in LGBT protections and progress.”rnrnEach year on July 3rd, the Philly POPS! return to the steps of Independence Hall as part of the Wawa Welcome America! Festival to perform a free concert for thousands of fans. This Philadelphia tradition perfectly sets the stage for the festival’s events that take place in the same location on the morning of July 4th – the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony and Independence Day Parade. The Wawa Welcome America! Festival, America’s largest Independence Day celebration, will take place in the City of Philadelphia from June 27 to July 4, 2015 to celebrate the Nation’s birthday, in its birthplace. Free events such as Wawa Hoagie Day, Philly @ the Movies, two jam-packed block parties, and more will lead up to the Philly 4th of July Jam and fireworks grand finale, which serve as the culmination of the eight-day festival. A full schedule of events, including the announcement of the highly-anticipated talent for the Fourth of July concert, will be announced in the coming months. More information about the Wawa Welcome America! Festival can be found on www.welcomeamerica.com.rnrn“The Wawa Welcome America! Festival is excited to recognize and include LGBT service men and women in our salute to the troops during this year’s POPS! on Independence concert,” said Desiree Peterkin-Bell, City Representative and Executive Director of Welcome America, Inc. “A salute to our military members is included in the show each year, and given the major anniversary being celebrated by the LGBT community this summer, we felt it was extremely important to make sure that LGBT service people are recognized during this segment. POPS! on Independence will be one of several events to honor the 50th Anniversary of the LGBT Rights Movement during the 2015 Wawa Welcome America! Festival.”rnrnThe POPS on Independence concert is part of the Philly POPS! Salute Series, which encourages recognition of service and commitment through an expanding set of events and activities—each transformative moments of celebration for our community. The Salute performances recognize the service and sacrifice of those dedicated to a collective identity of American values and tradition. A full listing of Salute performances can be found at www.phillypops.com.rnrn“The Philly POPS is thrilled to participate in POPS on Independence for the fourteenth year”, said Frank Giordano, President and CEO of the Philly POPS. “This year is of particular importance to us as we join in honoring and celebrating the groundbreaking work of the LGBT Rights Movement here in Philadelphia, in the very location where our nation’s traditions of freedom and liberty were first proclaimed.”

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02), a Senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that seven organizations in his Philadelphia-area district have received new grant awards from the National Endowment for the Humanities. In total, the educational and cultural institutions will receive a combined $1,047,400 to support projects ranging from student fellowship programs to new art exhibits and humanities collections.rnrnLocal organizations receiving funding are: The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, American Research Institute in Turkey, Society for Classical Studies, Haverford College, University of Pennsylvania, and The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.rnrn”I congratulate each of these organizations not only for their commitment to the humanities, but for their contributions every day that enhance our community’s educational and cultural offerings,” Congressman Fattah said. “Philadelphia has long been known as a home to some of the finest educational and cultural institutions in the country, and these new grant awards will deepen our local humanities offerings and provide new opportunities to students and individuals who live and work throughout the district.”rnrnTo view the list of institutions receiving grants in Pennsylvania’s Second Congressional District, visit http://www.neh.gov/files/press-release/march2015grantsstatebystate.pdf.rnrnThe National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities by awarding competitive grants to humanities programs and cultural institutions across the United States. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at www.neh.gov.rnrnSOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka FattahrnrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://www.fattah.house.gov

Philadelphia, March 23, 2015– The City of Philadelphia announced the launch of Step Up To Citizenship, a campaign designed to increase the accessibility ofthe naturalization process in the United States by assisting Legal Permanent Residents (LPR) who are eligible to become citizens in the application for citizenship.rnrn“There are literally thousands of Philadelphians, many who have lived, worked and raised families in the United States for years, who could benefit from becoming U.S. citizens,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “The Step Up To Citizenship campaign will help these residents navigate the often complicated process to becoming a citizen so that they may access all the rights and benefits afforded with that status. Being a United States citizen is a crucial step in achieving the American Dream. I want to thank the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs and all of our partner organizations for their efforts to support citizenship opportunities in Philadelphia.”rnrnStep Up To Citizenship is coordinated by the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs (MOIMA), the American Immigration Lawyers Association of PA (AILA), the Pennsylvania chapter of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS-PA), and the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC). The campaign is part of the national collaborative, Cities for Citizenship (C4C).rnrnAccording to C4C, there are more than 8.8 million immigrants in the United States who are currently eligible to become citizens, with an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 living in the City of Philadelphia.rn“Two major barriers to citizenship for immigrants is the $680 government fee and the lack of knowledge of eligibility requirements; fortunately, individuals who are receiving public benefits and living 150% of the poverty level or below are excused from paying government fees through applying for a fee waiver. The Step Up To Citizenship campaign will provide information on fee waivers and the eligibility requirements for naturalization,” said Judi Bernstein-Baker, HIAS-PA’s Executive Director.rnrnJennifer Rodriguez, MOIMA’s Executive Director, added, “The status quo hurts both immigrants and the cities they call home. The benefits of naturalization to cities include increased voting and political participation, improved connections between communities and local services, and strengthened economies thanks to new citizens’ increased earning potential”.rnrnStep Up To Citizenship will host Information Sessions throughout 2015 and an Application Review Day, culminating in a final Pro Bono Citizenship Day event on September 19, 2015, in which campaign organizers will focus on reaching low income Legal Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) needing application assistance. The campaign will also offer assistance in applying for fee-waivers of the government application fee.rnrnFor full details on the campaign please visit www.StepUpToCitizenship.org, like facebook.com/SU2Citizenship, and follow @SU2CitizenshiprnrnFor more information about MOIMA visit: http://www.phila.gov/ima/

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Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) January 05, 2012nnJessi Teich, Philadelphia based singer, composer, musician, performer, and Berklee College of Music graduate, performed as a special guest at Mayor Michael Nutter’s Inauguration Party on Monday, January 2, 2012, at the Philadelphia Convention Center. The performance captivated and energized the 1000 invitees that were celebrating the new term of the re-elected Philadelphia mayor.nnrnnnAbout Jessi Teich:rnnnRising talent Jessi Teich, a Philadelphia singer/composer, has the ability to capture and express the thick, luscious tones from an ear well-trained by voices resounding from old LP’s that spun the jazz greats. With her versatility and ever changing timbre of poetry, Jessi sets a mood with her music that is bursting with passion and creativity. The quality of her voice matches her compositions that churn with soulful cries for love, and quirky lines that move with a purpose. She puts on a high energy and musically intelligent show that surpasses all race, age, religion, and sex.nnrnnnJessi has performed at many prestigious venues in Philadlephia, New York, and across the country that include the TLA, Tin Angel, Rockwood Music Hall, The Apollo Theater, and BB King’s Club.nnrnnnFor more information on upcoming shows and the latest news on Jessi’s career, check out her website, http://www.jessiteich.com/ or visit her Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/jessiteichmusic.nnrnnn###

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Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) March 20, 2015nnDrexel University has been ranked among the top 100 online bachelor’s degree programs in the country according to 2015 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Currently, Drexel University offers more than 130 fully-accredited online bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate and certificate programs.nnrnnn“We are delighted and certainly honored to have our programs included in this prestigious ranking, as it validates our ongoing efforts to provide online students with the high-quality, market-driven programs they have come to expect,” said Susan C. Aldridge, PhD, senior vice president of online learning at Drexel University.nnrnnnIn addition to the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs category, Drexel University was ranked among the nation’s best for online graduate programs in engineering (29), nursing (31) and education (47).nnrnnnU.S. News & World Report assessed schools based on five primary categories: admissions selectivity, faculty credentials and training, student services and technology, student engagement and peer reputation. Only degree-granting programs offering classes entirely online were considered.nnrnnn“In keeping with our commitment to meet workforce needs, Drexel University added 39 online programs to its portfolio in 2014 and is already forging ahead with three new programs to kick off 2015,” said Aldridge.nnrnnnSeveral of Drexel’s exciting new programs in 2014 consisted of master’s degrees in Applied Behavior Analysis, Health Administration and Systems Engineering, as well as certificates in Veterans Health, Museum Education and Criminal Law.nnrnnnDrexel University specializes in innovative, Internet-based education programs for working professionals, organizations and corporations in the United States and abroad. Offering degrees online since 1996, Drexel has been a leader in technology-enhanced education and enjoys regional accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges & Secondary Schools.nnrnnnMore than 7,500 unique students from all 50 states and more than 20 countries are pursuing an online bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate or certificate through Drexel University. Over all, there are more than 13,000 Drexel University students taking at least one course online.nnrnnnFor more information on Drexel University Online, please visit http://www.drexel.com. For a complete list of U.S. News & World Report rankings, please visit http://www.usnews.com/online.nnrnnn###nnrnnnContacts:nnrnnnSabrina RamrnnnDirector of Strategic CommunicationsrnnnDrexel University Onlinernnn(215) 895-0511rnnnsr62(at)drexel(dot)edunnrnnnNiki GianakarisrnnnDirector of Media RelationsrnnnDrexel Universityrnnn(215) 895-6741 rnnnng38(at)drexel(dot)edu

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Philadelphia, PA (PRWEB) March 18, 2015nnAlex Stadler is an artist and designer who translates his whimsical graphics into upscale accessories, clothing and home decor. As a textile designer, Alex has created work for and collaborated with Comme des Garçons, Jack Lenor Larsen, Nina Campbell LTD, Todd Oldham, John Bartlett, Elizabeth Dow and babyGap. His characters Kevin the Babysitting Bunny, and Willie, the diva pup with witty commentary on fashion, are immortalized in scarves, jewelry and clothing items. Alex designed a successful collection luxury merino wool scarves based on his abstract painting and recently expanded to rugs, working with Langhorne Carpet Company, the longest continuously operating Wilton carpet mill in the US. The Stadler-Kahn brand finds its home in the eponymous store in Philadelphia where Alex offers unique gifts and humorous anecdotes with purchases.nnrnnnMachele Nettles puts her background in industrial design and her inherent creativity to use in her growing collection under the Talk Design Studio moniker. She recycles components from optical instruments into necklaces and earrings that dramatically react to light – refracting light into brilliant colors, or absorbing light to create a glow of color in her pieces. She takes the unusual – a mushroom with a unique shape – and creates quirky, high end home wares that provoke conversation. An eye chart becomes a room divider to both block and challenge inquisitive eyes, and common hardware items are refashioned into posh bookcases.nnrnnnThe childrenswear collection, Pretty Pretty Rebel, made an explosive entrance into the children’s wear market. Designer Leah Delfiner creates an American made children’s wear clothing brand inspired by rock and roll music, and featuring bright colors, and wild imagination. The brand’s mission is to bring fun and functional clothing to young girls ages 4-10 who are sassy, wild children who love glitter, guitars and who live loud fun lives. The collection is made from high quality fabrics that are easy to maintain with fun and funky prints giving girls the unique and exciting wearing experience of a budding rock star.nnrnnnFabric Horse is a vegan, sustainable workwear accessory brand designed by Carrie Collins. The utility belts, tote bags, backpacks, and the original ‘Lock Holster’ are made from materials chosen with sustainability in mind, from junkyard salvaged seat belts to recycled yoga mats. Born from the needs of the cyclist community, over the past decade the products have proven valuable to countless professions and lifestyles for work, travel, and the everyday. Fabric Horse maintains a standard of quality that ensures the products are built to last, while making these work horse accessories fashionable.nnrnnnOrganizing this imaginative and inventive group of Philadelphia exhibitors at Moda 360 is Moda 360 team member, Karen Randal, CEO of Manufacturing Reimagined, a company developed from initiatives during her tenure as Director of Business Attraction and Retention for the City of Philadelphia and Director of Sustainable Investment. Drawing upon her background in art and architecture, Karen challenged local manufacturers struggling to grow to reimagine their equipment and capabilities and expand their product categories: A hat factory now produces felt bowls for a local homewares company. Karen worked closely with local manufacturers and artisans to help these businesses survive and thrive against a growing corporate presence, and guided many small businesses to success and expansion. Karen will be a featured speaker at Moda 360, discussing the resurgence of local manufacturing and the maker movement, and her work to inspire and encourage collaboration between artists, designers and factories to reuse, reinvent and reimagine their business model.nnrnnnAbout Moda 360 – Moda 360 is a high fashion and lifestyle event for international designers, artists and filmmakers to exhibit their work across industries to reach a broad audience. This ground-breaking platform combines fashion, art, design, music and video for a unique presentation of creative work, offering a new perspective on the different disciplines, and giving participants an editorial presentation of their work. Moda 360 offers press and media compelling visuals for features, editorials, online and print media, and allows buyers and industry professionals to discover new collections of art, design and fashion.nnrnnnAbout Bel Esprit – The Bel Esprit Showroom showcases international designers of ethical fashion, and the sister showroom, Showroom International, presents the collections of international independent designers. The showrooms offer 30 years of industry experience identifying and assisting the needs of both designers and retailers to facilitate a strong business relationship, and partner with international fashion industry organizations and events to give independent designers maximum exposure. Bel Esprit promotes ethical principles through education to designers, retailers and consumers, and, through a number of global initiatives, works to create and develop more ethical resources for the fashion industry. Learn more at http://www.BelEsprit.net nnrnnnAbout the New Mart – The New Mart Building, a registered Los Angeles historical landmark located in the center of Downtown LA’s fashion district, is home to 100+ showrooms representing hundreds of top lines. With both high profile and cutting edge showrooms – The New Mart is the most sought after venue for wholesale fashion buyers from around the world. Learn more at http://www.newmart.net nnrnnnAbout bel essence – Bel Essence is a natural skin care collection based on a simple idea: give skin the nutrition it needs to heal, regenerate and rejuvenate itself. Bel Essence combines natural and organic oils that are the richest sources of vitamins, antioxidants, omega 3’s and fatty acids, the essential components for healthy, youthful skin. Bel Essence gives skin what nature intended and selects and combines oils with beneficial properties to maximize results without harmful chemicals and colorings. Natural oils, known for their skin health benefits, are combined to treat and nourish skin giving both instant improvement and long term transformation. Learn more at http://www.belessence.com.

NEW YORK, March 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Thousands of self-proclaimed “geeks” will descend upon Orlando this summer to celebrate their individuality and obsession with everything nerdy at the seventh annual GeekyCon, one of the largest and most recognized conventions for fans of fantasy films, television shows and young adult books. GeekyCon will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida July 30-Aug. 2. Tickets are on sale now at www.GeekyCon.com.rnrnThe event will give attendees an opportunity to meet celebrities from their favorite movies and television shows and authors of bestselling books, as well as offering four full days of programming, including special events, panel discussions, Q&A sessions, workshops, live performances, music concerts and a marketplace. Unlike other fandom events, attendees do not have to pay for autographs or photos from celebrities participating in the event.rnrnSpecial guests at previous events have included actors, writers and other creative talent from movies and television shows such as the Harry Potter films, “Supernatural,” “Game of Thrones,” “Doctor Who,” “The Hobbit,” “The Huger Games,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “The Lizzie Bennet Diaries,” “Glee” and many more films and television shows as well as authors of some of the top young adult books.rnrn”GeekyCon is a celebration of fandom, and we go out of our way to make it as much about the experience of coming together with others who have similar interests as we do about compelling programming, exciting events and popular celebrities,” said Melissa Anelli, co-executive director of Mischief Management, which operates the event. “This is about being in a positive environment where attendees can enjoy themselves and each other and be inspired in the process.”rnrnGeekyCon is one of the largest and most recognized annual fandom conventions in the world and is attended every year by thousands of fantasy film and television fans as well as book enthusiasts. The event was started in 2009 as LeakyCon, a conference for Harry Potter fans and has since grown to include fans of some of the most popular films and television shows such as “Doctor Who,” “Game of Thrones,” “The Hunger Games,” “Supernatural,” “The Hobbit,” and many others. The event also offers fans a literary track that draws some of the biggest authors in the young adult genre, as well as programming with personalities from YouTube and top Web shows. Past events have been held in Boston, Orlando, Chicago, Portland and London. More information is available at www.GeekyCon.com.rnrnContact: Steve Honig rnThe Honig Company, LLCrn818-986-4300 rnpress@honigllc.comrnrn rnrnSOURCE Mischief Management, LLCrnrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://www.GeekyCon.com

rnrnnnrnPHILADELPHIA, March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — This March, Mitchell & Ness as part of their ongoing partnership with Michael Jordan and the Jordan brand, will release Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls jersey number 45. Retailing at $300, the March 19, 2015 product release marks the 20th anniversary of Jordan’s return to the NBA and the court, wearing the number he also wore while playing for minor league baseball team the Birmingham Barons. Michael Jordan’s legendary number 23 with the Chicago Bulls was retired by the Bulls on November 1, 1994.rnrnOn March 18, 1995, Jordan announced his return to the game with a two-word press release simply stating “I’m back”. This announcement came one and a half years following his retirement from the game of basketball on October 6, 1993. Jordan’s return debut was against the Pacers in Indiana with Jordan finishing the game with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.rnrnJonathan Yuska, Head of Mitchell & Ness, comments, “Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA on March 19, 1995 is a memorable and iconic moment in the history of the NBA. We are proud and honored to be able to commemorate this moment by recreating Jordan’s number 45 jersey. We hope fans of MJ and the NBA enjoy wearing it as much as we enjoyed bringing it back.”rnrnMitchell & Ness is the exclusive maker of NBA Michael Jordan jerseys from the Spring 2014 through the Fall | Holiday 2016 seasons. Mitchell & Ness has chosen a select series to celebrate key anniversaries of signature, career-defining MJ moments, and the historic moment of MJ’s return to the game as number 45 on the Bulls, a highlighted moment in MJ’s career.rnrnMitchell & Ness continues to drive athletic apparel trends throughout the world. Shop the new Michael Jordan jersey at the Upper Deck Company, www.nbastore.com & NBA 5th Avenue store in New York, the Mitchell & Ness Flagship Store in Philadelphia, the Chicago Bulls Team Store at the United Center, the Charlotte Hornets Team Store at the Time Warner Cable Arena, & the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield.rnrnAbout Mitchell & Ness Nostalgia Co. rnFounded as a golf and tennis company in 1904, Mitchell & Ness Sporting Goods provided on-field uniforms to the Philadelphia Eagles, Athletics, and Phillies as early as 1933. The Mitchell & Ness Nostalgia Company was created in the 1980’s based on the idea to resurrect authentic jerseys significant to sports history. As the pioneer in this field, Mitchell & Ness is known worldwide for its authentic classic jerseys. The company holds licenses from the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL and NCAA to produce premium apparel and headwear. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, Mitchell & Ness has been “Defining Authentic” for over 100 years. For more information on Mitchell & Ness, visit www.mitchellandness.com.rnrnTo shop other styles and the full Mitchell & Ness collection, shop online at www.mitchellandness.com, visit the flagship at 1201 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia or find the closest authorized retailer at http://mitchellandness.com/retailer.aspx.rnrnMedia Contact: rnWilliam Warren Jr., Mitchell & Ness rn(267) 312-1697 rnwarrenw@mitchellandness.com rnrnrn rnrnrnPhoto – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150316/181906 rnPhoto – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150316/181907 rnPhoto – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150316/181921 rnrnSOURCE Mitchell & Ness Nostalgia Co.rnrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://www.mitchellandness.com

New York City, NY (PRWEB) March 16, 2015nnA community rallying together to vote for a new playground for their children is worth celebrating. “This has been one of the best days for Fishtown Playschool and imagining our children using the blocks for the first time gives me goose bumps,” shared Chris Morrissey Grubb, one of the co-founders and lead teachers at FPS, when the news came on Thursday that they had been awarded the playground.nnrnnnFishtown Playschool, in Philadelphia, PA, is a parent-operated program that began in January of 2013. In the two years since their inception, they have grown to twenty families, rent space in a local church, and have two masters-level teachers. Parents volunteer as classroom helpers several times a month and serve on operating committees.nnrnnnWhen asked how such a small group was able to garner such community support, the response was, “We are fortunate enough to have an engaged and devoted community, who helped us with the daily votes. We truly would not have won without their support, a testament to the small but mighty program we began in our homes.” The team went on to say, “We are excited to use the Imagination Playground within our program and to offer community play days so that all the children in the Fishtown area have access to these incredible tools.”nnrnnnThey concluded with, “This win is truly a dream come true for us and an incredible testament to the power of community.” To win the campaign, Fishtown Playschool sent out daily email reminders with quotes about how the kids would use the blocks. They garnered community support by gaining support from their local newspaper, and social media following –they even handed out fortune cookies with the reminder to vote in them.nnrnnnUltimately, the coordinated efforts of Fishtown Playschool were rewarded when 8,999 votes later, they accumulated the most votes and were awarded a new Imagination Playground. Imagination Playground President, Dave Krishock congratulated the efforts of all participants and said, “We are amazed by the efforts of schools and organizations across the nation as they garnered support within their communities to bring an Imagination Playground to their children. We believe Imagination Playground transforms minds, bodies, and spirits through play, and this shared mission is evident in the number of votes that were cast—over 52,000!”nnrnnn“We congratulate Fishtown Playschool on their efforts and all the educators and parents who participated. Because the Imagination Playground VOTE for Play program has been so wildly popular and because we love to help children learn and grow, we will be offering yet another opportunity for someone to be awarded an Imagination Playground; all you have to do is VOTE for play!” Krishock concluded.nnrnnnImagination Playground will be extending the VOTE for Play program for another voting period. From March 23 through May 13, schools and organizations will have another chance to cast their votes to be awarded an Imagination Playground and Play Associate Training. The awardee will be announced on May 15th. Just visit http://www.imaginationplayground.com/vote-for-an-imagination-playground.html to learn more.nnrnnnAbout Imagination Playground, LLCrnnnImagination Playground is a breakthrough play space concept developed to encourage child-directed, creative free play. The kind of play that experts say is critical to children’s intellectual, social, physical and emotional development. Created by architect and designer David Rockwell and the Rockwell Group, Imagination Playground enables children to play, dream, build, and explore endless possibilities. Imagination Playground finds its home in daycare centers, kindergartens, elementary schools, children’s museums—and science, nature, discovery centers, camps, community centers, children’s hospitals, hotels, public parks and more—in North America and over 50 countries overseas. For more information visit http://www.imaginationplayground.com/index.html