Category: Press Releases

The red carpet premiere will be held in the city of Philadelphia on January 13th at 6pm in the Landmark Ritz East. Which is located at 125 South 2nd St. Philadelphia, PA 19106.rnnnrnrnnnrnNEW YORK, NY, January 2, 2014 (PRWEB) January 06, 2015rnnnrnrnnnrnPregnancy documentary 40 Weeks, produced by Big Belli LLC, is the first of its kind to follow the pregnancy journeys of a diverse group of expecting families. 40 Weeks’ mission is to support pregnant and looking-to-become pregnant women with information and virtual community so they can feel confident throughout their pregnancy. The film brings a week-by-week window into the joys, trials and surprises of each family’s story to the screen aiming to help women have the best possible experience and outcome for their babies.rnWhen Dominique Debroux, co-producer, was pregnant she couldn’t find a film that brought community and information together in an easily accessible format. Director Christopher Henze, her husband, was inspired to make one – both Big Belli and 40 Weeks came into being with this flash of inspiration. Dominique and Christopher are building out the bigbelli.com site to offer filmed content and community beyond the movie to help connect moms-to-be so they know they’re not alone in this amazing journey.rnThe red carpet premiere will be held in Philadelphia on January 13th at 6pm at the Landmark Ritz East, located at 125 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106.rnNewyorkfamily.com praises the intimacy the moms granted the filmmakers. “That, perhaps, is the film’s greatest gift,” they said. “There are many hard, difficult moments…But all of the women approach the incredible changes and challenges they are facing with strength and a sense of humor. In the end, the message is refreshing: no one has a perfect pregnancy.”rnTheatrical distribution of the film equals the ground-breaking concept of 40 Weeks itself.rnGathr.us Theatrical On Demand® is Big Belli’s distribution partner. This new approach to commercial film distribution allows a film’s audience to bring movies they like to their communities by crowdsourcing the audiences. It is changing film distribution nationally and bringing more women’s movies to theaters near you.rnTo find and reserve tickets for a local screening or to become a Gathr host and create an event in your own town, please visit http://www.bigbelliscreening.com. Starting March 1, 2015, 40 Weeks will also be available on DVD or as a download through both iTunes and the website.rnTo learn more, please visit https://www.40weeksthemovie.com/rnPR Contact: Michelle Fix – michelle.m.fix (at) gmail.com – 646.331.7250

Introductory fares starting at $49 are on sale through January 10rnnnDenver, Colorado (PRWEB) January 07, 2015nnFrontier Airlines today announced its continued low fare service expansion between Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and three new destinations – Atlanta (ATL); Charlotte, N.C. (CLT); and Chicago (ORD) – will begin March 13. Special fares starting at $19 one-way are available today only on the company’s website, FlyFrontier.com, and fares from $49 one-way are available for purchase until January 10.nnrnnn“We are pleased to announce non-stop low fare service from Philadelphia to three new destinations just in time for spring travel,” said Frontier Airlines Senior Vice President of Commercial, Daniel Shurz. “These introductory fares attest to our commitment to make air travel more affordable and accessible for all customers in the region.”nnrnnn”We are very excited that Frontier Airlines is adding flights to Atlanta, Charlotte and Chicago from Philadelphia International Airport,” said Airport CEO Mark Gale. “This added service gives travelers in the region access to more low fare flights to popular destinations. More choices mean more competition, which is good news for the consumer.”nnrnnnFrontier also offers non-stop service from Philadelphia to Cancun, Mexico (CUN); Miami (MIA); Orlando, Fla. (MCO); and Tampa, Fla. (TPA)nnrnnnThe flight schedule is as follows:nnrnnnPHL-ATL effective Mar. 13, 2015; 1x daily Airbus A319 servicennrnnnPHL-CLT effective Mar. 13, 2015; 1x daily Airbus A319 servicennrnnnPHL-ORD effective Mar. 13, 2015; 1x daily Airbus A319 servicennrnnnAt FlyFrontier.com, customers can always choose from either of Frontier’s fare options – Classic Plus or Economy. Classic Plus is a fully refundable fare that includes amenities like no change fees, a carry-on bag, one checked bag, and STRETCH seating. With Frontier’s Economy fares, customers can pay our lowest fares and add-on the services they want – like selecting a seat assignment, a carry-on bag, and checked bags.nnrnnn*Fare offer: rnnn$19 fares are available from Philadelphia (PHL) to certain markets on specific dates. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Jan. 7, 2015 for domestic, nonstop travel on: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Mar. 13, 2015 through Apr. 29, 2015. The following blackout dates apply: Mar. 31-Apr. 1; Apr. 7-8, 2015. Fares are available on flights fromnnrnnn$49 fares are available to/from Philadelphia (PHL) to certain markets on specific dates. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Jan. 10, 2015 for domestic, nonstop travel on: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Mar. 13, 2015 through May 16, 2015. The following blackout dates apply: Mar. 29-Apr. 12, 2015.nnrnnnFares are one way and do not require roundtrip purchase. Fare(s) shown includes all transportation fees, surcharges and taxes, and are subject to change without notice. Seats are limited at these fares and certain flights and/or days of travel may be unavailable.nnrnnnDepending on the fare type purchased, nonrefundable tickets may be transferred for a fee of up to $50, or reissued for alternate flights for a fee of up to $75, as well as a possible fare increase. The name change fee and itinerary change fee are not exclusive of each other. Previously purchased tickets may not be exchanged for these special fare tickets. Flight segment(s) must be cancelled prior to scheduled departure time or the ticket(s) and all monies will be forfeited.nnrnnnTickets purchased at FlyFrontier.com or by calling Frontier’s reservations centers must be paid for at the time the reservation is made, but may be cancelled for a full refund without penalty up to 24 hours after the time of purchase. Additional travel services, such as baggage (http://www.flyfrontier.com/customer-service/travel-support/baggage) and advance seat assignments (http://www.flyfrontier.com/flight-info/seating-options) are available for purchase separately at an additional charge. Some markets do not offer daily service. Schedules are subject to change without notice. Flights are operated by Frontier Airlines. Other restrictions may apply.nnrnnnAbout Frontier AirlinesrnnnFrontier Airlines is committed to offering ‘Low Fares Done Right’ to more than 75 destinations inrnnnthe United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic on over 270 dailyrnnnflights. Headquartered in Denver, Frontier employs more than 3,900 hard-working aviationrnnnprofessionals who pride themselves in delivering the company’s signature Rocky Mountainrnnnhospitality to customers. Frontier Airlines is the proud recipient of the Federal AviationrnnnAdministration’s 2013 Diamond Award for maintenance excellence and was recently named thernnnindustry’s most fuel-efficient airline by The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)rnnnas a result of superior technology and operational efficiencies.

Posted on December 23, 2014 by City of PhiladelphiarnL&I Commissioner Carlton Williams warned Philadelphians to ask for proper identification from any L&I inspector who comes to a resident’s door in the wake of reports that an individual has sought entry into homes last Friday, yesterday and today in Kensington and Hunting Park.rnrn“The Department of Licenses & Inspections is very concerned about reports of an individual purporting to be an L&I inspector attempting to enter our citizens’ homes,” L&I Commissioner Carlton Williams said. “We are working closely with the Philadelphia Police Department and other officials to investigate these reports. All citizens should be aware that inspectors from the Department of Licenses & Inspections wear official uniforms and will produce identification and business cards upon request. Inspectors will never request payment or state that a fee is owed.”rnrnIn today’s incident, the homeowner said the person posing as an L&I inspector flashed a badge of some kind and then asked for a $91 payment, which the homeowner provided. In other incidents, the person posing as an inspector has informed residents that a next-door neighbor’s house is to be torn down or an adjacent lot must be cleaned out and that the phony inspector must gain entry to the occupied residence.rnrn“I urge all citizens to remain vigilant. If you are approached by an individual purporting to be an L&I inspector, please request to see identification. If you have any doubt that the individual is in fact an L&I inspector, you should refuse entry and call 911 immediately. Citizens can also contact L&I at 215-686-2400 to verify whether an inspector is scheduled to be at the location,” Williams said.

Philadelphia, September 17, 2014– Mayor Michael A. Nutter opened the Fall 2014 Philadelphia Public Policy Case Competition to all undergraduate and graduate students in the Greater Philadelphia region. Following the success of the first-ever Philadelphia Public Policy Case Competition last spring, the Fall 2014 competition asks local students to offer innovative and impactful proposals in response to the question: What can the City of Philadelphia do to prevent the greatest number of students from dropping out of high school?rnrn“The goal of the Public Policy Case Competition is to inspire our local higher education students to consider their role in the Philadelphia community beyond their school, and what they can do to make the city a better place to live, work and visit,” said Mayor Nutter. “This competition encourages students to be invested in Philadelphia and to develop creative solutions to our city’s greatest challenges. Participating in this competition is an opportunity for students to experience public policy making. I would advise students to think outside the box and to offer new and innovative ways to address the complex challenge of addressing our high school dropout rate. It is a tremendous opportunity for students to truly get involved in Philadelphia public policy.”rnrnThe deadline for proposals is Friday, October 17th by 5PM. Requests for further information, including the prompt, submission guidelines and procedure can be directed to policy@phila.gov.rnrnThe Mayor’s Office of Policy Planning and Coordination and the Mayor’s Office of Education will select four finalists from the proposals. The four finalists will present before a panel of judges in City Hall on Friday, November 7th, which will be followed by a reception. The first-place team will be given the opportunity to present their proposal to Mayor Nutter, as well as tickets to a Philadelphia 76ers game in the Mayor’s box. All four teams that advance to the final round will receive a Certificate of Completion signed by the Mayor.rnrn“As a member of the judging panel for this competition last Spring, I was very impressed with the caliber of proposals we received from students” said Deborah Diamond, President of Campus Philly. “Campus Philly knows first-hand how creative and thoughtful the students on our local campuses are and we look forward to hearing their plans and recommendations for how to prevent students from dropping out of high school.”rnrnMaia Jachimowicz, Director of Policy, Mayor’s Office of Policy, Planning and Coordination, stated, “Hosting the case competition serves the dual purpose of soliciting new and creative proposals that can positively impact our city, while also opening the doors of City Hall to engage local students who are committed to public service.”rnrnThe Judging Panel for the Fall 2014 Case Competition is:rnrnDr. William Hite, Superintendent, Philadelphia School District;rnDr. Elliot Weinbaum, Program Director for Education Funding, William Penn Foundation;rnSimran Sidhu, Executive Director, YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School;rnDr. Lori Shorr, Chief Education Officer, Mayor’s Office of Education;rnDeborah Diamond, Executive Director, Campus Philly; andrnJamal Johnson, a 2014 graduate of YouthBuild and current student at Pierce College.rnThe case competition is managed by the Mayor’s Office of Policy, Planning and Coordination and the Mayor’s Office of Education and is co-sponsored by Campus Philly.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-02), the lead Democrat on the House Subcommittee responsible for Department of Justice (DOJ) funding, has announced that the agency has awarded grants to Temple University and the City of Philadelphia’s Youth Violence Prevention Collaborative (PYVPC) for two separate initiatives aimed at reducing violence in the community.rnrnTemple University was awarded $425,512 for a study that will test the impact of different police strategies on violence and property crime. The project—a collaboration between Temple academics and the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD)—will boost the data available on the success of predictive policing, an emerging tactic in law enforcement. By randomly assigning 20 PPD districts one of four experimental conditions, the study will attempt to answer whether different police responses to crime predictions estimated by a predictive policing software program can effectively reduce crime.rnrn”Temple University and the Philadelphia Police Department have worked together for years to increase public safety in our community and this new grant award will allow them to continue their concerted efforts in determining whether new technology can effectively predict and ultimately reduce crime,” Congressman Fattah said. “Not only does this research study have the potential to impact Philadelphia’s policing strategy, it will inform police tactics at leading policing organizations and police communities across the country.”rnrnThe $222,200 grant for PYVPC from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will continue Philadelphia’s work as one of 10 cities around the country participating in The National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention. The award will support the continuation of their strategic plan and provide technical assistance for the School District of Philadelphia and other community partners.rnrnThe School District will use the funds to support the implementation of Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports (PBIS) in two high need Philadelphia schools. After the supports are successfully implemented, the District expects a twenty to sixty percent reduction in office discipline referrals and out-of-school suspensions, in addition to academic gains, decreased teacher and administrator involvement in discipline, and an increase in the amount of time students spend in the classroom.rnrn”The funds awarded to the Philadelphia Youth Violence Prevention Collaborative will allow them to continue their work reducing violence in our public schools and equipping students, parents, teachers, and administrators with the resources and training to best ensure our classrooms are safe and ensure the best possible environment for learning and academic success,” Congressman Fattah said. “The Philadelphia Youth Violence Prevention Collaborative has made great inroads in their holistic approach to reducing youth violence in our city. This additional DOJ funding will further support the implementation of their strategic plan that is working collectively with local agencies and partner organizations across the city to make our community a safe place for all, especially our young people.”rnrnIn his role as Ranking Member on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) and Related Agencies, Fattah has pushed to increase funding for Department of Justice programs, and in the FY15 House CJS bill was successful in securing an additional $382.8 million in funding over FY14 levels.rnrnFor additional information on the DOJ grant awards, please visit: http://ojp.gov/funding/funding.htm.rnrnwww.fattah.house.govrnrnSOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka FattahrnrnrnrnRELATED LINKSrnhttp://www.fattah.house.gov

Philadelphia, September 15, 2014 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced a new online science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) resource center – a community, networking and information source for STEM professionals and organizations to learn more and participate in US2020 PHL, a high-impact STEM mentoring initiative focused on increasing youth access to careers in STEM fields. US2020 PHL is the City’s coalition-driven model, supported by title sponsor Saint-Gobain, the world’s largest building materials company, to increase STEM mentoring and was one of seven winning innovative STEM mentorship models in the US2020 City Competition.rnrnThe US2020 PHL STEM online resource center (www.STEMcityPHL.org) will eventually house a STEM asset map that will provide a comprehensive overview of current STEM-related resources and a foundation for regional growth in high-demand STEM fields. Libraries, museums, universities, schools, nonprofits, and other organizations that offer STEM education programs will be able to connect to companies, individuals, and others STEM program supporters.rnrnThe resource center will also host US2020 PHL’s volunteer matching platform, which will link STEM professionals to local youth in mentoring relationships. Parents and teachers will have the ability to enroll their students in high-impact, out-of-school STEM mentoring opportunities, and educators will have access to professional development resources needed to bolster in-school instruction. The online space will be functional this fall.rnrn“Since being selected as a US2020 City Competition winner, our coalition of partners has been hard at work bringing new leaders from the public, private, educational and philanthropic communities to the table and outlining our next steps,” said Mayor Nutter. “The online resource center will serve as a solid foundation for connecting underserved youth to mentorship opportunities with STEM professionals, organizations and companies. I want to thank Saint-Gobain and all of our coalition partners for their support in this process and their commitment to Philadelphia’s next generation.”rnrnMayor Nutter also announced that the City of Philadelphia was selected by IBM for a Strategic Planning Impact Grant to help develop a city-wide framework for STEM education and workforce development called STEMcityPHL, of which the STEM mentorship work of US2020 PHL will play a prominent role.rnrn“STEM and innovation economy jobs are among the fastest growing sectors in Philadelphia. But unfortunately, many of our young people and adults lack the basic skills and knowledge required to work within these fields,” said Mayor Nutter. “By creating a city-wide, multi-faceted blueprint to coordinate resources and programs, we can identify gaps and increase STEM opportunities for Philadelphians of all ages. I would like to thank IBM for being a great partner to the City of Philadelphia and helping us open doors to STEM careers for citizens.”rnrnJohn Crowe, President and CEO, Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed Corporations, said, “Educating the next generation of the American workforce is vital to our city’s economic success and it starts with exciting Philadelphia’s youth about STEM fields of study and expanding their experiences in a diverse array of STEM careers. Taking STEM out of the classroom and into the real world will offer youth a clear pathway to stable, rewarding, in-demand careers that can ultimately help rebuild Philadelphia’s middle class while also creating a new generation of highly skilled STEM professionals that will keep Philadelphia’s business community thriving.”rnrnDiane Melley, Vice President, Global Citizenship Initiatives, IBM, added, “IBM offers a variety of resources for the education community so it can significantly increase our pipeline of STEM professionals in the U.S. to meet the needs of our workforce. IBM is pleased to support the City of Philadelphia with this IBM Strategic Planning Impact Grant to assist with the startup and launch of this important collaborative endeavor that will make our region even more competitive and successful.”rnrnThe announcement followed a keynote address by Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer and Planetarium Director for the Franklin Institute and panel discussion with Mayor Nutter and local STEM leaders, Darrell Williams, Vice President of Operations at Certain Teed Ceilings, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain; Dr. Helen Giles-Gee, President, University of the Sciences; and Chris Lehman, Principal of Science Leadership Academy. The panel highlighted the importance of STEM education and current STEM efforts in Philadelphia.rnrn###rnrnAbout US2020rnrnUS2020 is a new organization formed through a partnership of leading education non-profits and corporate leaders in the STEM field. The long-term goal of the initiative is to mobilize 1 million STEM mentors annually by the year 2020, creating millions of moments of discovery – those life changing events when children launch rockets, build robots, write a computer program, or look into the farthest reaches of the universe. US2020 relies on a committed and growing community of public, private, non-profit and individual partners.rnrnAbout US2020 PHLrnrnThe strength of US2020 PHL comes from its growing coalition of more than 125 educational and corporate organizations that are committed to preparing and inspiring youth to pursue STEM careers. The US2020 PHL team welcomes individuals and organizations to join the STEM mentoring movement by becoming a Philadelphia Coalition member, and generating a local talent base that will become the city and region’s next generation of STEM professionals. For more information on US2020 and how to become a coalition member, please email:Kendrick.davis@phila.govrnrnAbout Saint-Gobain in North AmericarnrnSaint-Gobain, the world’s largest building materials company, has its North American headquarters in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. As the world leader in sustainable habitat, Saint-Gobain is committed to inventing solutions to help professionals and communities around the world build and renovate comfortable, healthy, economical and energy-efficient buildings. The company has more than 265 locations in North America and approximately 15,000 employees. In the United States and Canada, Saint-Gobain reported sales of approximately $7.9 billion in 2013.rnrnRecognized as a 2009 and 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Saint-Gobain earned the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award, the highest level of recognition for outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency. For more information about Saint-Gobain in North America, visit www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.

WHO: Mayor Michael A. Nutterrnrn Dr. Lori Shorr, Chief Education OfficerrnrnDarrell Williams, Vice President of Operations, Certain Teed Ceilings a subsidiary of Saint-GobainrnrnDiane Melley, Vice President, Global Citizenship Initiatives, IBMrnrnDr. Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer and Director of Fels Planetarium Programs, The Franklin Institute (Keynote Speaker)rnrnWHAT: Mayor Nutter will participate in the launch event for US2020 PHL, a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) youth mentoring initiative. The event will include a panel discussion with local STEM leaders highlighting the importance of STEM learning opportunities for youth and the current STEM efforts in Philadelphia.rnrnFollowing the panel discussion, Mayor Nutter and US2020 PHL title sponsor Saint-Gobain will announce the details for the US2020 PHL high-impact STEM mentoring model, which features an online STEM resource center and volunteer matching platform.rnrnIn May 2014, Philadelphia was selected as one of seven winning cities in the US2020 City Competition for STEM Mentorship, which challenged cities to develop innovative models for dramatically increasing the number of STEM professionals mentoring and teaching students through hands-on projects. US2020 is specifically focused on increasing STEM opportunities and STEM excitement for girls, underrepresented minorities and children from low-income families.rnrnWHERE: 3417 Spruce Street, University of Pennsylvania, Houston Hall (Hall of Flags)rnrnWHEN: Monday, September 15, 2014rnrn AGENDArnrn8:30 AM – Registrationrnrn9:00 AM – Welcome and Keynote Address by Dr. Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer and Director of Fels Planetarium Programs, The Franklin Instituternrn9:20 AM – STEM Panel Discussion – hosted by Technically Philly’s Juliana Reyes and featuring panelists: Mayor Michael Nutter; Darrell Williams, Vice President of Operations, Certain Teed Ceilings, Saint-Gobain; Dr. Helen Giles-Gee, President, University of the Sciences; and Chris Lehmann, Principal, Science Leadership Academy.rnrn 10:10 AM – Press conference announcing the details of US2020 PHLrnrn 10:45 AM – US2020 PHL Coalition Meeting and Information Centerrnrn 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM – Lunch and STEM Community Mixer Event

Philadelphia homeowners encouraged to apply to receive real estate tax savings.rnrnPhiladelphia, September 12, 2014 – The City of Philadelphia announced that the Office of Property Assessment will accept applications for the Homestead Exemption after the September 13th deadline through December 1st.rnrn“To ensure that every eligible Philadelphian has the opportunity to apply for the Homestead Exemption and receive this important tax relief, the Office of Property Assessment will continue to accept applications,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “This tax savings program is free to apply for and will ultimately help put extra money into the pockets of Philadelphia homeowners, on average $402 in savings each year. I want to encourage every eligible, home-owning citizen to apply for the Homestead Exemption as soon as possible.”rnrnThe Philadelphia Homestead exemption offers real estate tax savings to homeowners by reducing the taxable portion of their property assessment by $30,000. Homeowners should still apply as close to the September 13th deadline as possible, so that the savings can be reflected in their 2015 real estate tax bill.rnrnHomestead applications can be submitted:rnrnBy phone – You may call the Homestead Hotline (215-686-9200) to file your Homestead Exemption. Language assistance services are available through the Hotline. The Hotline hours are of operations are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Please note: the Hotline will be open Saturday, September 13th from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m and Monday, September 15th from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m..;rnOnline – Applications can be filed online by logging on to phila.gov/opa; orrnPaper application: Paper applications can be downloaded from phila.gov/opa and dropped off at one of five drop box locations:rnThe Office of Property Assessment, 601 Walnut St, 3W (Curtis Center);rn311 Walk-In Center at City Hall;rnConcourse Level of the Municipal Services Building, 1401 JFK Blvd.;rnNortheast Philadelphia Mini City Hall, Northeast Shopping Mall, 9239 Rear Roosevelt Blvd.; andrnNorth Philadelphia Mini City Hall, 2761 N. 22nd Street.rnOnly primary residences are eligible for Homestead Exemption. Individuals who own vacation or rental properties are not eligible for the Homestead Exemption for those properties. If a homeowner’s property includes commercial or rental space, homeowners are still eligible to receive the Homestead Exemption for the portion of the property that is their primary residence.rnrnThere are no age or income level restrictions for the Homestead Exemption Program. Homeowners who are tax delinquent are eligible to apply. Homeowners who have mortgages are also eligible for the Homestead Exemption.rnrnIf your property previously received the Homestead Exemption, you need not reapply. Once awarded, the Homestead Exemption remains attached to a property until the property is sold or the deed changes.rnrnTo check the status of your Homestead Exemption application or to calculate your tax bill, use the AVI Calculator: to avicalculator.phila.gov.rnrnThe Homestead Exemption application period is the same for new homebuyers. Due to a lag in updates to ownership records, new homebuyers should apply via a paper Homestead application and affidavit, both available on www.phila.gov/opa—and and provide a copy of the deed or HUD-1.

Philadelphia, September 10, 2014 – Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Councilman James Kenney announced that they have reached an agreement to amend a bill originally introduced by the Councilman which will decriminalize possession and use of small amounts of marijuana in the City of Philadelphia.rnrn “This bill will not legalize marijuana. Rather, it will decriminalize marijuana – which means that offenses involving small amounts of marijuana will result in a civil penalty, not an arrest or criminal record,” said Mayor Nutter. “We want to ensure that the punishment for using or possessing small amount of marijuana is commensurate with the severity of the crime while giving police officers the tools they need to protect the health and well-being of all Philadelphians. Our agreement on this bill is an example of the legislative process working to bring people together, create discussion around an important issue and ultimately reach consensus.”rnrnCouncilman Kenney will take the necessary steps to amend the bill during City Council session on September 11, 2014. Once passed by City Council and signed by the Mayor, the ordinance will go into effect beginning October 20, 2014. rnrn“I am very pleased that we have reached this commonsense agreement that will improve opportunity for countless Philadelphians,” said Councilman Kenney. “Under this new policy, police officers will be able to remain focused on more serious offenses, and many young people will be spared the life-altering consequences of a criminal record, such as limited job prospects, inability to obtain student loans or even join the armed services.”rnrnUsing and possessing marijuana in any amount is and will continue to be illegal in the City of Philadelphia. The amended bill will simply decriminalize possession and use of small amounts of marijuana. Details of the ordinance include:rnrn1. A person found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana (30 grams or less) will receive a Notice of Violation and a $25 fine.rnrn2. A person found to be using (smoking) a small amount of marijuana (30 grams or less) in public will receive a Notice of Violation and a $100 fine or up to nine hours of community service.rnrn3. Philadelphia Police Officers will confiscate any marijuana they find.rnrn4. The citations issued will be processed through the City of Philadelphia’s Municipal Court system.rnrnPersons stopped by police for suspicion of possessing or using marijuana can be arrested for selling or distributing marijuana, possessing more than 30 grams of marijuana, driving under the influence, not giving correct identification or not cooperating.

Philadelphia, September 9, 2014– The City of Philadelphia released a new widget, the KEYSPOT Finder widget, which enables users to locate and learn more about nearby KEYSPOT public computer centers. The KEYSPOT Finder widget is available for all iPhone, Android and Blackberry devices through the Philly311 Mobile App.rnrn“KEYSPOTs have successfully helped hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians access the internet; thereby opening a world of online opportunities like learning-based programming and applying for jobs,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “For Philadelphians lacking broadband access in their home, KEYSPOTs are an essential resource not only to access the internet but also to gain comprehensive knowledge on what the internet has to offer and how to use it. The new KEYSPOT Finder widget will improve the overall user experience of KEYSPOTs by making locations easier to find.”rnrnAcross the city, there are 51 KEYSPOT locations, including 19 in City Recreation Centers; four sites staffed by the Free Library of Philadelphia; and 28 in neighborhood-based organizations. Each KEYSPOT location offers a computer lab, trained technical support and free internet access. rnrn“One of our top priorities is to use technology to have a positive impact for all Philadelphians,” Adel Ebeid, Chief Innovation Officer. “The intersection of the KEYSPOT program and Philly311 offers many exciting opportunities to enhance community engagement by offering access to services anytime, anywhere. This is really just the beginning of many more exciting features to come.” rnrnRosetta Carrington Lue, Chief Customer Service Officer, added, “True customer engagement means providing meaningful, interactive, and relevant services to the customer. Adding a KEYSPOT Finder widget to the Philly311 Mobile App meets these criteria and we are happy to partner with this outstanding organization.” rnrnThe free Philly311 Mobile App provides residents with 24-hour access to city services, municipal information, and seasonal resources.rnrnFor access to the KEYSPOT Finder widget, download the Philly311 Mobile App from the app store on your mobile device or visit: www.phila.gov/311/mobileapp.rnrn###rnrnKEYSPOT is collaboration between The Mayor’s Commission on Literacy, the City’s Office of Innovation and Technology and Department of Parks and Recreation, and Drexel University. For more information about KEYSPOT, please visit www.phillykeyspots.org.