Tag: Philadelphia

Third wild card creates opportunity for another playoff team

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The Philadelphia Phillies grabbed baseball’s last playoff ticket on Monday, and Bryce Harper and company partied into the night. “ We’re in! We did it! We did it! ” slugger Rhys Hoskins yelled as the celebration kicked into high gear.

It’s the first playoff appearance for Philly since 2011, and no one seemed to care that it arrived via one of three NL wild cards.

It’s the first year for the majors’ new playoff format — part of the negotiations that resulted in the March labor deal that ended a 99-day lockout. Each league has three wild cards, taking the postseason field from 10 to 12 teams.

Philadelphia clinched its spot after Seattle secured an AL wild card on Friday night for its first playoff berth in 21 years. The other wild-card teams are Toronto and Tampa Bay in the AL, and San Diego and the New York Mets in the NL.

“For us it was to end the drought so it gave us an extra opportunity,” Mariners infielder Ty France said. “But I think it’s a cool, cool structure they have and setup they have.”

The new-look October has erased some of the usual tension from the final few days of the regular season. But there is still valuable positioning at stake for the playoff teams.

The top two division winners in each league get first-round byes, and the remaining four qualifiers play best-of-three series in the wild-card round on three consecutive days. The third division winner is the highest seed in that group, with other clubs sorted by their records. The top seeds in each matchup host the entire series.

Gone are the days of the win-or-go-home wild-card games in each league.

“It has felt as a wild-card team, just to play one game and have an entire season come down to one game, never felt right,” said Chris Antonetti, the president of baseball operations for the Cleveland Guardians. “So having some additional games in the wild-card round makes sense.”

The playoffs expanded to 16 teams for the pandemic-delayed 2020 season as part of an agreement between Major League Baseball and the players’ union. But the field went back down to 10 when the majors played a full season last year.

Looking for more TV revenue, Major League Baseball proposed 14 playoff teams during the recent labor talks. But it settled on 12 after the players resisted.

“It’s not worth it, understanding the reasoning is TV money, and that doesn’t make sense for the guys that are playing,” said New York Yankees reliever Zack Britton, who serves on the union’s executive subcommittee. “We know exactly what teams would do if you continue to add more and more teams to the playoffs. There’s no incentive to win.”

It is hard to tell if the 12-team format had any effect on the postseason race. The Guardians, champions of the mediocre AL Central, are the only playoff team that didn’t make multiple deals in the runup to the trade deadline.

“I think that it’s kept more teams in it,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. “And you talk about rebuilds or teams getting aggressive with getting young players up, too. I feel like it stayed very competitive. If it has changed, it’s been a positive.”

Going for its first playoff appearance since 2016, Baltimore brought up touted prospect Gunnar Henderson on Aug. 31. The New York Mets promoted catcher Francisco Álvarez from the minors on Sept. 30, giving their top prospect a chance during a pennant race.

The Orioles would have made a 14-team playoff field, along with the Brewers in the NL. Depending on the results in the final days of the season, a 14-team field might have included every big league team that finished above .500.

“I think that would have been too many teams,” Mariners pitcher Robbie Ray said. “You don’t want teams that are limping in with close to a .500 record. I think still you should still be close to 90 wins to be able to get in.”

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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum, and AP Sports Writers Tim Booth, Kristie Rieken and Tom Withers contributed to this report.

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Jay Cohen can be reached at https://twitter.com/jcohenap

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More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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October 4, 2022
Quadruple shooting in Frankford leaves 1 person in critical condition: Philadelphia police

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A quadruple shooting in Frankford on Saturday morning leaves four people injured, Philadelphia police say. The shooting happened on the 5000 block of Frankford Avenue around 2:40 a.m.

Police say a 50-year-old man was shot in the chest. He was transferred to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

A 20-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the face, authorities say. He was transferred to Jefferson University Hospital where he is listed in critical condition.

The other two victims, a 38- and 36-year-old man, were shot once but are in stable condition.

No arrests were made and no weapons were recovered at this point.

CBS3 Staff

The CBS3 Staff is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSPhiladelphia.com.

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October 2, 2022
Granny Drives Wrong Way on Interstate

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Granny Drives Wrong Way on Interstate – CBS News

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State police in Pennsylvania are searching for an elderly woman last seen driving the wrong-way on Interstate 95 near Philadelphia. The driver caused at least four accidents and backed up traffic for miles. Manuel Gallegus reports.

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August 1, 2022
Biden kicks off reelection bid with union rally in Philadelphia | CNN Politics

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CNN
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President Joe Biden kicked off his reelection campaign Saturday at a union rally in his frequent haunt of Pennsylvania, the state that remains an intersection of his personal and political identities that he hopes can propel him to a second term.

The first official rally of his final political campaign was a moment for Biden to underscore recent economic wins that undergird his argument for another four years in the White House.

“Just think back. Remember what it was like when I came to office, we came into office. Remember the mess we inherited,” Biden told the audience in Philadelphia. “Now look at where we are today.”

To a roaring crowd, who repeatedly cheered “four more years,” the president touted several accomplishments, including the bipartisan infrastructure law, a coronavirus relief package, a bipartisan semiconductor chip manufacturing law and the recently negotiated debt ceiling deal that helped avert a US default.

Biden also criticized recent Republican tax proposals while describing what he called his middle-class vision for the American economy, referring to it several times as “Biden-omics.”

Biden made only brief mention of Donald Trump, the current front-runner for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, steering clear of the former president’s recent federal indictment and arraignment but hitting him on infrastructure.

“Under my predecessor, infrastructure week became a punchline,” Biden said. “On my watch, we’re making infrastructure a decade headline.”

First lady Jill Biden, who spoke shortly before her husband, highlighted the president’s optimism. Wearing a corsage to mark their 46th wedding anniversary Saturday, the first lady recalled how she met Biden following the death of his first wife and baby daughter in a tragic car accident that also injured his two sons.

“What I love about Joe is that even though he has faced unimaginable tragedies, his optimism is undaunted,” Jill Biden said. “His strength is unshakeable.”

She added that the president was “not done.”

“He’s ready to finish the job,” she said. “He’s ready to win, and with your help, he will.”

Though his economic wins were the centerpiece of Biden’s opening campaign event, polls show many voters give him poor marks for his handling of the economy, particularly as prices have soared post-pandemic. Recent figures have shown inflation easing, however, and fears of an imminent recession have faded.

Biden has said more Americans will come to reward him for his economic stewardship once the benefits of some of his signature legislative achievements, including a new infrastructure law, begin taking hold.

Labor groups that threw their backing behind Biden ahead of his speech include the AFL-CIO, which said it was the earliest point in a presidential election cycle it had ever endorsed a candidate.

“There’s absolutely no question that Joe Biden is the most pro-union president in our lifetimes,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “From bringing manufacturing jobs home to America to protecting our pensions and making historic investments in infrastructure, clean energy and education, we’ve never seen a president work so tirelessly to rebuild our economy from the bottom up and middle out.”

Biden, who made his first stop after announcing his reelection bid a legislative conference for North America’s Building Trades Unions in Washington, has long relied on union support for his political ambitions.

“I’m more honored by your endorsement than you can imagine – coming this early, it’s going to make a gigantic difference in this campaign,” Biden said during Saturday’s event in Philadelphia, where he called himself “the most pro-union president in American history.”

Not all unions have thrown their support behind Biden’s reelection bid. The powerful United Auto Workers said last month it was holding off on endorsing Biden, citing concerns over his policies that would encourage a transition to electric vehicles, according to a memo from the union.

The UAW has more than 400,000 members, and Biden has touted its support in the past. Last year he called American autoworkers “the most skilled autoworkers in the world.” The group’s membership is mostly concentrated in Michigan, a presidential election battleground.

Biden also rankled union members last year when he signed legislation that averted a nationwide rail strike – a step he said was necessary to prevent a stoppage of important freight movement.

Biden’s campaign has leaned into his economic record, including releasing a 60-second ad titled “Backbone” last month. The spot struck a populist tone, mixing audio of the president speaking about “investing in places and people that have been forgotten” and a narrator ticking through the administration’s work to boost infrastructure and manufacturing in the country.

“Joe Biden’s building an economy that leaves no city, no town, no American behind,” the narrator says.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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April 12, 2021
Philadelphia Area Students Compete for $2,500 in EmpireCovers Holiday Contest

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Christmas trees and gingerbread houses aren’t the only thing being decorated this holiday season.

Press Release
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updated: Dec 8, 2020

JENKINTOWN, Pa., December 8, 2020 (Newswire.com)
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We all know that 2020 has been a tough year for everyone, but especially for teachers and students. So, as an opportunity to bring some holiday cheer and excitement, EmpireCovers has decided to host a unique art contest for schools in the local Philadelphia area. The EmpireCovers Holiday Car Cover Contest challenges schools to compete against each other in one of the winter season’s oldest traditions – decorating Christmas tree car covers. Participating students were encouraged to use their wildest imagination to paint and decorate their own festive wonderlands onto individual car covers. Schools participating in the contest include Wissahickon Middle School, Stephen Decatur School, and Orchard Valley Middle School. Each school has submitted photos of their merry masterpieces for the public to vote on. Voting begins December 7 and ends December 17. A grand prize of $2,500 will be awarded to the car cover creation earning the most votes. The covers with the second and third most votes will earn $500 and $250 respectively. Winners will build their professional portfolio, as the covers will be featured on the EmpireCovers website and social media. The teachers and students would greatly appreciate it if you could share the news about the contest so that they could get as many votes as possible on their creations that they worked very hard on. For more information about the contest and to cast your vote, visit: https://www.empirecovers.com/holiday-contest

About EmpireCovers: Since 2004, EmpireCovers has specialized in manufacturing and selling high quality covers for cars, trucks, boats and other vehicles. Currently, EmpireCovers sells over 600 state-of-the-art protective covers. EmpireCovers is able to cover 99% of all vehicles on the road thanks to their semi-custom fit. For online shopping, resources or to learn more, visit https://www.EmpireCovers.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
EmpireCovers
Patrick Alicki
Phone: 860-819-9667
Email: Patrick@empirecovers.com

Source: EmpireCovers

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December 8, 2020
Cupboards of Care Focuses on Healthy Eating

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Press Release
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updated: Dec 14, 2017

PHILADELPHIA, December 14, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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When Robert Nowell goes grocery shopping, he makes a list and only buys what’s on it. These days, that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and lean meats. Nowell is a resident at Ann Thomas Presbyterian Apartments, a Presby’s Inspired Life Section 202 affordable housing community, and is a participant in the organization’s Cupboards of Care program. It’s an initiative that provides $100 gift cards on a quarterly basis to enable seniors to purchase healthy food.

“Since I started with the Cupboards of Care program, I’ve lost 20 pounds, and my blood pressure is much better,” said Nowell. “I’m now cooking healthier meals and feel really good about what I’ve accomplished since this program started.”

Since I started with the Cupboards of Care program, I’ve lost 20 pounds, and my blood pressure is much better. Since I started with the Cupboards of Care program, I’ve lost 20 pounds, and my blood pressure is much better.

Robert Nowell

Cupboards of Care was started by Presby’s Inspired Life over a year ago after receiving a grant from the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust and several other family foundations. More than 73 percent of residents in Presby’s sponsored Affordable Housing communities report annual incomes below $10,000 a year. The goal is to help mitigate food insecurities and to provide financial support for individuals across Presby’s Affordable Housing communities so they may purchase healthy food. To date, more than $117,000 has been raised for the program.

“In the past year, we’ve been able to provide the $100 gift cards to 58 residents each quarter,” said Lynn Johnson-Porter, vice president of philanthropy at Presby’s Inspired Life. “This is really just part of our ministry to provide a better life for older adults, and we’d really like to reach even more individuals.”

According to a report on hunger in Philadelphia, conducted in 2015 by the Public Health Management Corporation, more than 32,000 seniors reported that they cut out meals due to a lack of money. The survey also indicated that seniors find it difficult to find fresh vegetables and fruits in their neighborhoods.

Presby has partnered with FLIK Lifestyles, a senior living dining services provider, to take Cupboards of Care beyond just providing gift cards. A nutritionist with FLIK has been holding educational workshops at the Affordable Housing communities to share healthy recipes and discuss the benefits of eating lean meats, fruits and vegetables.

“It’s been so rewarding to see how appreciative the residents are in helping reeducate them on making healthy smart choices when it comes to meals,” said Briana Waldie, FLIK Lifestyles nutritionist. “Most people think healthy food is expensive, but it doesn’t have to be, and that’s one thing I’m sharing with the participants in the program.”

Robert Nowell says he’s enjoyed the educational sessions, and as a result, is being more adventurous in his eating habits. As an example, he’s buying and eating squash and asparagus and even makes faux mashed potatoes with turnips.

“I’ve discovered that food lasts much longer when you prepare meals at home instead of going out to just pick up something like fast food,” said Nowell. “For me, it’s all about eating right and staying away from the unhealthy food now.”

ABOUT PRESBY’S INSPIRED LIFE — Presby’s Inspired Life is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization that provides continuing care and Affordable Housing for more than 3,000 people 62 and better, across more than 30 communities throughout greater Philadelphia. www.PresbysInspiredLife.org

Ann Thomas Presbyterian Apartments is part of a three-building community located in Southwest Philadelphia’s Kingsessing neighborhood. The community also includes Greenway Presbyterian Apartments and Mary Field Presbyterian apartments. Also known as the 58th Street Campus, the Section 202 affordable housing complex serves more than 200 adults 62 and better. In 2018, the campus will add a fourth community – Witherspoon Senior Apartments. The communities are owned and managed by Presby’s Inspired Life.

Source: Presby’s Inspired Life

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December 14, 2017
Philadelphia City Rowing Receives $7,000 Grant for SMART Goal Setting and GRIT Testing Programs for All Youth Participants

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PHILADELPHIA, October 9, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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Philadelphia City Rowing (PCR) has received a $7,000 grant from the Fund for Children of The Philadelphia Foundation to support its mentoring and goal-setting programs.

Announcement of the grant was made by Pedro A. Ramos, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation. The Philadelphia Foundation’s Fund for Children is supported through generous annual contributions from the Philadelphia Eagles and the Philadelphia Phillies.

“Through the generosity of The Philadelphia Foundation’s Fund for Children, Philadelphia City Rowing can now continue to provide SMART Goal Setting (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely) and GRIT Testing for all our over-400 Philadelphia inner-city youth participants,” said Terry Dougherty, Executive Director of Philadelphia City Rowing. “Early identification of educational and athletic roadblocks can help our participants develop work ethic and resiliency, or ‘grit,’ in the achievement of their goals on and off the water.”

Philadelphia City Rowing was established in 2010 to empower the youth of Philadelphia through the sport of rowing. Philadelphia is the historic home of the Olympic sport of rowing, symbolized by the active rowing community of public and private elementary and high schools, colleges, and rowing clubs based on the Schuylkill River. Today, PCR serves over 400 Philadelphia inner-city youth with core programs that include academic support, mentoring, swimming and water safety, nutrition education, community service and family engagement.

About The Philadelphia Foundation:

Founded in 1918, The Philadelphia Foundation (TPF) strengthens the economic, social and civic vitality of Greater Philadelphia. TPF grows effective philanthropic investment, connects individuals and institutions across sectors and geography, and advances civic initiatives through partnerships and collaboration. A publicly supported foundation, TPF manages more than 900 charitable funds established by its donors and makes over 1,000 grants and scholarship awards each year. To learn more, visit www.philafound.org.

About Philadelphia City Rowing:

Founded in 2010, Philadelphia City Rowing is a unique, nonprofit, sports-based youth development program that harnesses one of Philadelphia’s most iconic sporting traditions, rowing, to engage and empower public school students in Philadelphia. Philadelphia City Rowing provides multi-faceted programming that includes comprehensive academic support, swimming and water safety instruction, nutrition and wellness education, and civic engagement opportunities. These components are incorporated into each of Philadelphia City Rowing’s different program offerings, which are tailored to suit different ages and levels of experience. PCR’s programs are offered free of charge to public school district students in grades 7-12. Additional information is available at http://www.PhiladelphiaCityRowing.org.

Source: Philadelphia City Rowing

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October 9, 2017
Planning for the Future Is Key in Retirement Years

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Press Release
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updated: Sep 21, 2017

JENKINTOWN, Pa., September 21, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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When Dr. David and Barbara Junkin decided that their house was just too big for them now, they began looking at options for a community. They’ve been in their home for 40 years but know that the upkeep is just too much.

“We are both still very independent and so started looking at options in our area that will give us the feel of a home, but with a health care component for later in life, should we ever need it,” said Dr. Junkin. In particular, the Junkins know they don’t want an apartment at a senior living community; rather, they prefer more of a cottage-style option.

Life Plan communities do offer independence, where residents can come and go as they please; they’ve just got that extra level of security for health care, and that’s what planning is all about.

Sarah Jolles, Executive Director of Sales and Marketing

Presby’s Inspired Life recently announced expansion plans for a variety of cottages on its Rydal Park campus. That seemed like the perfect type of living option for the Junkins, and so they’ve become Priority Members of Rydal Waters. Being Priority Members means that they’re not committed to moving there just yet but are to be among the first to select locations of a cottage when the expansion project gets underway.

“You could say I’ve always been a planner, and the timing for this is right,” added Dr. Junkin. “We want to be in charge of our own lives and don’t want to burden our children with having to make decisions for us later in life.”

Recently, the Junkins attended the Rydal Waters Tent Event, where they were able to meet other Priority Members and view the area that will soon be developed into their new home. “It’s such a beautiful campus. As we enjoyed the entertainment and food, it was easy for us to envision life at Rydal Waters, with all of the amenities of Rydal Park included. It’s exactly the type of community we’ve been looking for.”

Cindy Doyle-Avrigian and her husband Mason are also Priority Members of Rydal Waters. She’s a realtor in the Abington area and believes that it just makes sense at this point in their lives to start exploring options for the future.

She’s very familiar with Rydal Park, as her parents lived at the community, and was very pleased with the continuum of care available there for them. She said that it’s just the prudent thing for her to investigate for herself and her husband now.

Doyle-Avrigian noted that there are many options available in the area, but not many with the single-family cottages for the 62-and-over demographic. That’s what she finds appealing about Rydal Waters.

“It really is an emotional decision to make when thinking about moving,” said Doyle-Avrigian. “However, it’s good to have a plan in place and not wait to make hasty decisions down the line.”

Sarah Jolles, the executive director of sales & marketing at Presby’s Inspired Life, said that Rydal Waters is being developed for those who still want the feel of a single-family-type home, yet the security of knowing they’ve got a plan in place for future health care, if ever needed.

“The lifestyle Rydal Waters will offer is one of complete independence, with access to the services and amenities that makes retirement living so desirable,” said Jolles. “This expansion project will include a clubhouse with a fitness center, multipurpose space with fireplace and audio/visual capabilities, prep kitchen, cocktail lounge, outdoor heated swimming pool, fire pit, outdoor grilling area and much more.”

Jolles believes it is important for those in the 55+ demographic to begin exploring options early for where they’ll want to live in the future.

“For some individuals, they may decide that living in their home is best, but when it comes down to it, really thinking about the future also includes the possibility of health care needs,” added Jolles. “Life Plan communities do offer independence, where residents can come and go as they please; they’ve just got that extra level of security for health care, and that’s what planning is all about.”

Construction of Rydal Waters will begin once 70 percent of the residences are pre-sold.

For more information, visit RydalWaters.org or call (215) 814-0338.

ABOUT PRESBY’S INSPIRED LIFE: Presby’s Inspired Life is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization that provides continuing care and Affordable Housing for more than 3,000 people 62 and better, across more than 30 communities throughout greater Philadelphia. www.PresbysInspiredLife.org

ABOUT RYDAL PARK: Rydal Park is a Presby’s Inspired Life community located on a scenic 20-acre campus in Abington Township, Montgomery County. Rydal Park is a full Life Plan Community for people 62 and better. The community boasts 307 independent living apartment homes across four contiguous buildings. The community also offers personal care, skilled nursing and rehabilitative care. Known for its exceptional location and amenities, Rydal Park has become synonymous with healthy, elegant, quality retirement living. In total, Rydal Park offers 509 accommodations. www.RydalPark.org and www.RydalWaters.org

Source: Presby’s Inspired Life

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September 21, 2017
George Martorano Has Been Added as a Featured Speaker to the TEDxPenn at the University of PA

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George Martorano, self-taught prolific writer, poet, educator, and mentor is appearing as a featured speaker tomorrow, April 10, during the TEDxPenn event hosted at the University of Pennsylvania. Martorano, who was recently released from prison after serving a ridiculous 32-year sentence for a non-violent offense without a chance for parole, endured one of the saddest tragedies ever handed down in the American justice system. https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/17048 – Event is open to the public.

Press Release
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Apr 9, 2016

Philadelphia, PA, April 9, 2016 (Newswire.com)
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TEDxPenn announced today that Philadelphia native, George Martorano has been added as a featured speaker to the list of some of the brightest, most inspiring and engaging business leaders, professionals, students and alumni, who are reshaping some of today’s thought-provoking ideas and newest possibilities, bringing eureka moments that pioneer our society.

Martorano, who was recently released from prison, intends on sharing his inspiring message of hope, even where there was none.

“No matter what you are going through in life, there is always hope, never surrender, never give up”.

George Martorano, Speaker

While serving time as an exemplary prisoner, Martorano helped prevent a plane hijacking of prisoners. During his incarceration, he graduated over 8000 student prisoners in lifestyle change classes. 2016 is a very important year especially as a prelude to an election year, where our justice system needs to be addressed in campaign topics. Today, Martorano remains focused on spreading his message of hope and introducing successful re-entry programs for non-violent offenders.

Martorano is a writer/author with published works online who looks forward to penning his fascinating life story to be played out on the big screen one day. From LaFamilia, to the godson of Angelo Bruno to the stiffest penalty ever handed down to a non-violent offender to a writer, teacher, coach & humanitarian.

About TEDxPenn – The program is designed to help communities, organizations and individuals to spark conversation and connection through local TED-like experiences.

About George Martorano – George Martorano @ Writer. When sentenced to life in prison without parole, George Martorano did not give up. He graduated over 8,000 inmates during his 27 years in prison and taught them how to start a business.

Why you should listen – George Martorano is a self-taught prolific writer, poet, educator, and mentor. While in prison, he taught inmates yoga, prevented the hijacking of an aircraft by inmates, started a creative writing course, authored 31 books, pioneered a prison course called Release Preparation: Starting a Business for Under $1,000, among others. Thus, George became a role model and a positive influence in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Released in October 2015 under the Department of Justice’s Compassionate Release program, George is the longest incarcerated non-violent offender. He has been featured in Philly Mag and Salem News and is now sought out to be featured by the United Nations. He resides in Philadelphia and continues to write and inspire others.

For all interviews, appearances, speaking engagements and business dealings please contact TPD Marketing at 888.859.8824.

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April 9, 2016