Xavier Carthen of Philadelphia, PA Returns from GMC Never Say Never Super Bowl Trip to find He’s SweepstakesToday.com’s Newest 10 K Winnerrn rnrn rn (PRWEB) February 12, 2015 Xavier Carthen, 10 year resident of Philadelphia, PA, won a first prize in the GMC-Never Say Never Sweepstakes. The prize included an all expense paid trip for […]
The funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will support major large-scale improvements to Philadelphia’s public housing unitsrnrnWASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02), a top Democratic appropriator, announced today that the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) has received $43 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The money, from the Department’s Capital Fund Program, offers annual funding to housing authorities across the country to support building, repairing, renovating, and modernizing public housing. Statewide, Pennsylvania received more than $114 million in funds for local housing authorities.rnrn”This support will allow the Philadelphia Housing Authority to sustain its commitment to helping families, veterans, and seniors in our community have access to safe, modern, and affordable housing,” Congressman Fattah said. “These grants are an important investment in our city and its residents. The PHA continues to provide top-notch programs and services to Philadelphians and this grant support is a testament to their imprint throughout our community.”rnrnIn a press release, HUD Secretary Julián Castro said, “Through this funding, HUD is committed to strengthening our nation’s affordable housing units and to providing folks with the springboard they need to succeed.”rnrnSince the beginning of his public service career, Congressman Fattah has been a champion of improving public housing in Philadelphia. More than twenty years ago, he led the groundbreaking effort to tear down Philadelphia’s outdated and unsafe public housing high rises. He has since secured federal funding for thousands of units of new, sustainable, and affordable public housing in neighborhoods throughout the city. Fattah has also been instrumental in providing billions of dollars to cities under HUD’s HOPE VI program to improve public housing infrastructure.rnrnThe Capital Fund Program offers annual funding for capital improvements to 3,100 public housing authorities in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and several U.S. territories. For additional information on the Capital Fund Program visit http://1.usa.gov/1AsT6Xq.rnrn rnrnSOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka FattahrnrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://www.fattah.house.gov
Posted on February 12, 2015 by City of Philadelphiarn** TODAY at Noon: DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and former Governor Ed Rendell will hold a press conference call on the decision. R.S.V.P to LipperM@dnc.org **rnrnWashington, DC, February 12, 2015 – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced Philadelphia will host the 2016 Democratic National Convention the week of July 25, 2016. The DNC signed the final contract with Philadelphia this morning.rnrn“I am thrilled to announce that Philadelphia will host the convention where we will nominate the 45th President of the United States,†Wasserman Schultz said. “In addition to their commitment to a seamless and safe convention, Philadelphia’s deep rooted place in American history provides a perfect setting for this special gathering. I cannot wait to join Democrats across the country to celebrate our shared values, lay out a Democratic vision for the future, and support our nominee.â€rnrnThe DNC’s Technical Advisory Group evaluated cities across the country, looking at factors such as hotel capacity, transportation, security, financing and logistics.rnrn“The City of Philadelphia is excited and honored to be selected as the host city for the 2016 Democratic National Convention,†Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter said. “We believe that it was our proven track record of hosting big events safely and efficiently with a dynamic team of top-tier professionals to organize and manage a conference of this magnitude, paired with our City’s tremendous amenities, its accessible location and historical significance, which made Philadelphia the ideal choice for the 2016 DNC. I want to thank our great team at PHL DNC 2016, Governor Rendell and Governor Wolf, Senator Casey, Congressman Brady, Congressman Fattah, and former Congresswoman Schwartz. I especially want to acknowledge our great partners in the Labor unions, business and political communities, clergy and our citizens, who are eager to see Philadelphia on the national stage as the host city. We’re all delighted to make history again, here in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.â€rnrnAdditional details on the convention structure, host committee, and staff, will be made available in the coming weeks.rnrnContact: DNC Press – 202-863-8148rnrnMayor’s Office, Desiree Peterkin-Bell – 267-738-7126
SWEAT Fitness, a Philadelphia-based gym, announces their 3rd annual Valentine’s Day Yoga event. The free event will offer participants a yoga session and other fee gifts for attending.rnnnrn
rnnnrnnnPhiladelphia, PA (PRWEB) February 10, 2015nnSWEAT Fitness, a Philadelphia-based gym, announces their 3rd annual Valentine’s Day Yoga event. The free event will offer participants a yoga session and other free gifts for attending.nnrnnn3rd annual Valentine’s Day Yoga Event will be held on February 14th at 2:14 p.m. at the following SWEAT locations:rnnn
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nnrnnnParticipants will be led by SWEAT Fitness instructors and will be given sparkling champagne and strawberries. The free yoga session will help promote deep relaxation, improve digestion for Valentine’s Day dinner and leave you feeling energized. The event is open to all and participants can come alone, with their workout partner or their own Valentine.nnrnnn“Our Valentine’s Day mid-afternoon yoga class is a great way to treat yourself (and a friend) (or your sweetheart) to an afternoon of self-care, relaxation and of course, champagne and strawberries,” said Donna Storm, Group Ex Director and Elite Personal Trainer, SWEAT Fitness. “Do something for your body and mind on this special day! We hope that newcomers will realize our clubs are the perfect place for them to relax, burn off steam from the week, and see that we truly care for our members.”nnrnnnAbout SWEAT Fitness:rnnnHere at SWEAT, everyone is welcome! It doesn’t matter your age or what shape you’re in. We are committed to providing a great environment in which everyone can feel comfortable to achieve their fitness goals. Our staff and fitness professionals are here to help you on your fitness journey! As a member of SWEAT, you receive unlimited access to all our 8 clubs.
Philadelphia District Attorney Charges Two Philadelphia Police Officers After Grand Jury InvestigationrnBy Jenniferjones0708rnPHILADELPHIA (Feb. 5, 2015) – Philadelphia District Attorney R. Seth Williams, following a lengthy Grand Jury and Police Internal Affairs Division (IAD) investigation, today charged Philadelphia Police Officers Sean McKnight and Kevin Robinson for the beating, in addition to other charges, of Najee […]
Having already given the city their brilliant talents, several of Philadelphia’s restaurateurs and food purveyors also give back for the greater good of the community. And while Jose Garces and Marc Vetri have both established foundations that make an impact, Philadelphia diners have a chance to show their generosity as well. At Rosa’s Pizza, for example, patrons can pay an extra dollar for a slice of pizza for someone less fortunate. This pay-it-forward approach even caught the attention of Ellen DeGeneres, who recently featured the shop on her show.rnrnHere’s the scoop on those in the Philly food scene paying it forward:rnrnEducation & Health Initiatives:rnrnDi Bruno Brothers, the specialty food retailer and importer, celebrated its 75th birthday by raising $75,000 to build the Neighborhood Kitchen at St. James School in North Philadelphia. The facility provides nutritional support to the school’s students—that means on-site lunches and meal deliveries for under-resourced families. The Neighborhood Kitchen also develops programs to engage students in the cooking and serving process, offering them hands-on opportunities to learn about the culinary arts and nutrition. dibruno.comrnFocusing on specific needs of immigrants, Garces Foundation runs programs addressing health, language and cultural skills and nutrition. Each quarter, the foundation hosts Community Health Day, giving uninsured patients free dental care, physicals and medical screenings. Classes in English for the Restaurant and Everyday Living help narrow the language and cultural gap for restaurant workers. And each summer, the foundation hosts Luna Farm Field Trips to the Garces family farm, where children grow fruits and vegetables, cook their own healthy lunch from their harvest and engage in fun forms of exercise. The group also supports after-school and summer tutoring programs for children at Southwark School in South Philadelphia. garcesfoundation.orgrnChildren at a dozen local schools eat well thanks to Marc Vetri’s Eatiquette initiative. Funded by the Vetri Foundation, the program provides students with balanced, from-scratch meals loaded with fruits and vegetables. Serving lunches family-style, the interactive program enlists the students as peer servers and in doing so encourages respectful conversation, teamwork, patience and sharing, as well as basic table service skills, an awareness of how healthy food makes them feel and other niceties of dining. vetrifoundation.orgrnNot content to rest on the success of his popular restaurant Tequila’s and Siembra Azul, the hand-crafted tequila he spent years developing to perfection, David Suro Piñera established the Siembra Azul Foundation. Since 2007, the foundation has supported the efforts of several local and international groups dedicated to providing health care services and educational support such as English language classes, computers and school supplies, among other projects. siembraazul.comrn rnPay-It-Forward Restaurants:rnrnHunger Burger, a new addition to Reading Terminal Market, gets in on the giving with its “buy one, feed one†initiative. For every burger sold, the restaurant’s owners—husband-and-wife team George and Kim Mickel—donate a portion of their proceeds to feed a child in need. Various groups will benefit from this good will, including Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry program. 1136 Arch Street, #427, (215) 922-2707, hungerburgerpa.comrnRosa’s Pizza is an unassuming pizza spot that has made a big difference in the lives of those with limited to no financial resources. Customers can purchase a $1 slice of pizza for themselves and pay another $1 to underwrite the cost of a slice for someone in need. Customers making a donation write a message on a blank Post-It Note, which is then stuck to the shop’s wall. Each day, about 30-40 people cash in a note for a slice. When Ellen DeGeneres heard about owner Mason Wartman’s program, she featured him on her show and surprised him with a $10,000 check. 25 S. 11th Street, (215) 627-6727, rosasfreshpizza.comrnLeave it to Federal Donuts to find a way to turn chicken backs from his fried-chicken-and-donuts menu into serious change to help some of Philadelphia’s most vulnerable citizens. Partnering with the Broad Street Ministry, which provides free meals and services to people in need, a group including CookNSolo (Steve Cook and James Beard Award winner Michael Solomonov) launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to open the Rooster Soup Co., a philanthropic restaurant that will sell soups made from Federal Donuts’ unused chicken backs with the net profits supporting Broad Street Ministry. The campaign raised $179,000, and the search for a restaurant location is now underway. kickstarter.comrnNo Tips Allowed:rnrnTipping the staff at Girard Brasserie and Bruncherie in the city’s Fishtown neighborhood is discouraged, but the staff isn’t complaining. That’s because chef/owner Brian Oliveira and Cristian Mora pay them $13 an hour, an unheard of sum for servers, as well as paid time off, paid sick days and health benefits. 300 E. Girard Avenue, (267) 457-2486, girardongirard.comrnVISIT PHILADELPHIA®, formerly known as Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county area.rnrnOn Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.rn rnrnContact(s):rnDonna Schorr, (215) 599-0782
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Herb Magee, Philadelphia University’s legendary men’s basketball head coach, earned his 1,000th career victory in front of an exuberant home town crowd on Feb. 7 as the Rams beat Post University 80-60.rnrnWith his latest win, Magee became the first DII men’s basketball coach and only the second men’s basketball coach in NCAA history to reach that milestone.rnrn”It means a lot,” Magee said at a press conference after the game. “A thousand is a lot different than 999. My guys did a great job, I’m really proud of our players.”rnrnAfter the final buzzer, Magee was surrounded by a cheering crowd of fans in the Gallagher Athletic Center as Philadelphia University President Stephen Spinelli Jr. presented him with the game ball.rnrn”Thank you for your support over the years,” Magee said to the students, faculty, staff, alumni, family, friends and former players who packed the gym to celebrate his latest milestone. “One of the reasons we won this game was the fan support and fan enthusiasm.” Magee said.rnrnThen, as all eyes looked up, a new banner honoring Magee’s 1,000 wins earned during his 48 years as head coach of the Rams was unfurled over Herb Magee Court.rnrnAt the press conference, Magee, who was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2011, reflected on his 56 years as a player, assistant and head coach at PhilaU. “I like this place, it’s my school, it’s always had a special meaning to me,” he said.rnrnWith this win, Magee became only the second NCAA men’s basketball coach in history to reach 1,000 victories. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski earned his 1,000th win just two weeks ago on Jan. 25.rnrn”We’re all proud that coach got this,” said Nick Schlitzer, Rams’ guard and the team’s leading scorer this season. “He deserves this, he’s extremely focused and he’s here to make us all better every day.”rnrnA 1963 PhilaU graduate who scored a then-school record 2,235 career points, Magee began coaching at his alma mater in 1967 and led the team to a national championship just two years later. In all, he’s led the Rams to 27 NCAA tournaments. Dubbed the “Shot Doctor,” Magee has worked to improve the jump shots of such NBA players as Charles Barkley, Jameer Nelson and Evan Turner.rnrnSOURCE Philadelphia UniversityrnrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://www.philaU.edu
Enrollment Assisters On-Site for Winter Health and Resource Fair at the Gallery at Market East Saturday. Consumers Can Sign-Up for New Insurance or Make Changes to Existing Plans.rnnnrn
rnnnrnnnPHILADELPHIA, PA (PRWEB) February 06, 2015nnOnly days remain to sign-up for health coverage for 2015. The deadline for Open Enrollment is February 15th.nnrnnnChariot Health, Get Covered America and Enroll America are sponsoring the final Health Insurance Enrollment Drive and Winter Health Resource Fair at the Gallery at Market East from 11:00AM to 6:00PM on Saturday, February 7th.nnrnnn“Philadelphian’s have an opportunity to meet with enrollment assisters who will explain their options and help them sign-up for affordable quality health coverage before the deadline on February 15th,†stated John Henry, Chairman and CEO of Chariot Companies.nnrnnnAccording to http://www.healthcare.gov, February 15, 2015, Open Enrollment ends. Enroll by this date and coverage can begin as soon as March 1. After this date, you can enroll in or change plans for 2015 only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.nnrnnn“Health insurance is a basic necessity and we’re fortunate to partner with Get Covered America and Enroll America to help the uninsured and underinsured citizens of Philadelphia get the coverage they need for themselves and their families,†noted Henry.nnrnnnConsumers are asked to bring: rnnn
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nnrnnnThe all-day event will take place at The Gallery, 11th and Market, in the Rotunda on the Lower Level, Jefferson/Market East Station – enter next to Hard Rock Café then go downstairs. Stationed on site to serve Philadelphians are Enroll America, Chariot Companies, Cognosante, The City of Philadelphia, PECO, CLARIFI, and YO ACAP. You can RSVP to the event by emailing jcusick(at)enrollamerica(dot)org or by calling 267-514-5272.nnrnnnAdditional counselors will be on-site to provide the following services: financial counseling, dressing for job interviews, LIURP (Low Income Usage Reduction Programs), health screenings and screenings for supplemental nutrition assistance program.nnrnnnThe event will be open to press, who will have the opportunity to talk to Philadelphia health insurance consumers, enrollment assisters and representatives from Enroll America. Similar events in December and January drew several hundred consumers.nnrnnnAbout Chariot HealthrnnnChariot Health provides high quality star-rated medical insurance, Medicare and other products in 20 states across the U.S. Chariot Health offers a community benefit component in which 20 percent of net profits directly assist low-wealth seniors and children. Visit http://www.chariothealthcare.com for more information.nnrnnnAbout Get Covered America and Enroll AmericarnnnGet Covered America is a national campaign of Enroll America that is focused on educating consumers about the benefits of health coverage and the new health insurance available under the Affordable Care Act. With operations in 11 states (AZ, FL, GA, IL, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, and TX), our grassroots team is powered by passionate staff and volunteers with one motivating goal: to give Americans the information they need to choose an affordable health insurance plan that’s right for them and their families.nnrnnnEnroll 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 and how to enroll in them. It is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization focused on one goal: maximizing the number of Americans who enroll in and retain health coverage.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) general counsel has issued a complaint against Au Bon Pain Corporation (ABP) for alleged violations of federal labor law. The complaint alleges that:rnrnABP management, including CEO Susan Morelli, “has been interfering with, restraining, and coercing employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in … the [National Labor Relations] Act.”rnABP CEO Susan Morelli personally attempted to “discourage its employees from seeking Union representation” in a mandatory meeting in September 2014.rnAu Bon Pain Regional Manager David Miller promised to give an employee money “in order to discourage the employee from engaging in Union activities.”rnABP “has been discriminating in regard to the hire or tenure or conditions of employment of its employees, thereby discouraging membership in a labor organization.” The fast food company disciplined employees “1) because [they] were active employees in their support for the Union; and 2) to discourage other employees from supporting the union.”rn”I was in tears after Au Bon Pain CEO Sue Morelli called us into a captive audience meeting. Here was the CEO of Au Bon Pain, who I never in my life thought I would meet, promising to fix all our troubles, when what she really cared about was trying to get us to stop organizing.” says Nacira Mellaz, a cashier with the fast food company at the Philadelphia Airport. “We felt bullied, insulted and frustrated. Now, it’s reassuring to know the government agrees with us and is taking Au Bon Pain to trial.”rnrnThe federal action comes amidst efforts by #strikefastfood, Fast Food Forward and $15 Now to bring the issue of fast food jobs to the forefront of public consciousness. Au Bon Pain at Philadelphia Airport is the latest to join a long list of fast food companies that are being challenged by unions, students and politicians across the country.rnrn”As a long-time advocate for our city’s airport workers, I am troubled by these charges,” said Philadelphia Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, “A world class airport requires a world class workforce – I know how hard these airport employees work to serve travelers and how they struggle to make ends meet. Businesses in our airport must appreciate workers’ right to be respected in the workplace.”rnrnAu Bon Pain is scheduled to go to a hearing before an administrative law judge of the National Labor Relations Board on April 13, 2015 in Philadelphia.rnrnThis organizing effort comes alongside a larger consumer education campaign (No Bon Pain) led by UNITE HERE and with the support of United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS). Members of UNITE HERE, USAS and other allies have leafleted at Au Bon Pain street locations in Philadelphia, Boston, and New York City as well as on college campuses across the country. (For more information go to nobonpain.info)rnrnUNITE HERE represents approximately 270,000 hotel, food service, and gaming workers throughout the United States and Canada.rnrn rnrnSOURCE UNITE HERE
Leading charging station provider ChargeItSpot® has rolled out a new Bandar Foods-sponsored station at Whole Foods that’s poised to become a game-changer in the world of retail marketing.rnnnrn
rnnnrnPhiladelphia, PA (PRWEB) February 04, 2015rnrnRetailers, brands and marketers are turning to a surprising new solution to drive foot traffic, increase sales and build brand awareness: cell phone charging stations.rnPhiladelphia-based startup ChargeItSpot® has positioned itself at the helm of this rapidly growing market. Its free and secure phone charging stations have helped dozens of national retailers, from Urban Outfitters to Staples, attract shoppers, lengthen dwell time, and raise customer spending by up to 29%*.rnChargeItSpot also helps brands engage with users at point-of-retail. Consumers use their mobile number as their code to lock their phone in the charging locker. After users opt-in, brands can use this number to offer those consumers an SMS with exclusive promotions or encourage them to interact with the brand via social media. No longer just a solution to low battery anxiety, phone charging stations are poised to become the next big real-time marketing tool for brands and retailers alike.rnChargeItSpot’s new partnership with the fast-growing Indian inspired foods startup Bandar Foods is a prime example of the charging station’s power to drive brand awareness and sales. Bandar premiered its line of “monkey sauces†through Kickstarter in the Summer of 2012. The sauces are inspired by popular Indian condiment flavors like spicy mango and mint cilantro, which come in handy squeeze bottles that American consumers are accustomed to. After entering their locker code on the Bandar-sponsored ChargeItSpot station, customers can choose one of nine images for secondary security. These images feature Bandar products and suggestions for dish pairings with its line of sauces. The final screen shows additional product information and directs consumers to the Whole Foods shelf where they can purchase the Bandar sauces.rn“A phone charging station is a great marketing platform, especially as it is so close to the point of purchase,†says Bandar Foods co-founder Lalit Kalani. “For a new, hip brand looking to connect with millennial consumers, ChargeItSpot is really the perfect advertising partner.â€rnWhether the goal is to raise brand awareness, educate consumers or increase sales, phone charging stations are an exciting new opportunity for brands to connect with customers in a retail setting. “Retailers are thrilled to offer a highly needed amenity to their customers and brands are given real estate that is otherwise very difficult and expensive to grab,†says ChargeItSpot Founder and CEO Douglas Baldasare. “It’s a win-win for everybody.â€rnThe Bandar-sponsored station is located inside the Whole Foods café in Marlton, NJ.rnFor more information about ChargeItSpot, the locations of its phone charging stations, or to learn more about the benefits of sponsoring a ChargeItSpot station, visit http://www.ChargeItSpot.com.rnTo learn more about Bandar’s line of Indian sauces and chips, visit http://www.BandarFoods.com.rn*Based on a 2014 ChargeItSpot study, conducted by third party research firm GfK.rnAbout ChargeItSpot rnBased in Philadelphia, PA and founded by Wharton graduate Douglas Baldasare, ChargeItSpot creates elegantly designed, fully customizable mobile phone charging kiosks. Built for retail, the stations feature an intuitive, user-friendly touchscreen interface, highly secure locking capability, promotional opportunities, customizable on-screen messages, and robust data tracking and reporting. ChargeItSpot also offers a mobile app that alerts users when their cell phone battery is running low and points them to the nearest ChargeItSpot kiosk. Retail partners include Urban Outfitters, Whole Foods, Staples and Bergdorf Goodman. Visit ChargeItSpot.com for more info or download the mobile app for kiosk locations.rnAbout Bandar Foods rnBased in San Francisco, Bandar Foods was founded by Wharton graduates Lalit Kalani and Dan Garblik. Bandar is reimagining traditional Indian foods for everyday American use. Bandar’s products can be found at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Freshmarket and Target.