Portuguese Man o’ War Washing Up at Jersey Shore
July 1st, 2015At least 30 poisonous Portuguese Man o’ War have washed up on New Jersey beaches. They have been found from Surf City beach on Long Beach Island to Ocean City in Southern New Jersey.
The spotting of man o’ wars here is part of a “transient event that occurs infrequently in New Jersey,” according to Gary Buchanan, director of the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Science.
Though the creature packs a powerful sting, it is rarely fatal.
Philadelphia Unemployment Rate
June 9th, 2015PHILADELPHIA, PA —
According to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the unemployment rate in Philadelphia declined to 6.5% for April 2015, down from 7.1% in March 2015 and 7.5% for April 2014. In addition, the number of jobs in Philadelphia increased by 4,300 from March to April to 687,100, the highest number for April since 2001 and 10,900 more jobs than April 2014. By comparison the number of jobs in Philadelphia in January 2008 was 652,100, 35,000 fewer jobs than today.
“Philadelphia is on the rise and our Administration is focused on ensuring that all Philadelphians share in this prosperity,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “There are more Philadelphians working today than at any point for almost 25 years, and Philadelphia has recovered from the recession faster than the country as a whole. We are strengthening our efforts to support business growth and attract new companies to a city that is gaining an unprecedented level of attention.”
Other highlights from the recent BLS data include:
- The number of Philadelphians employed increased by 6,795 to 643,557. Highest number since December 1990.
- The number of Philadelphians unemployed decreased by 3,841 to 44,690 and the size of the labor force grew by 2,954.
- State and National unemployment rates continue to hover 20% above their 2007 levels, while Philadelphia’s unemployment rate in April is lower than it was in January 2007. Philadelphia has returned to its pre-recession level of unemployment faster than the state or the nation as a whole.
“The latest employment data is very encouraging and is a reflection of a city that is growing and thriving,” said Alan Greenberger, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development. “By supporting the growth of existing businesses through programs such as 10,000 Small Businesses and Kiva City Philadelphia, attracting new companies, and undertaking major new developments such as the $350 million renovation of the Gallery, we are working every day to create new jobs and economic opportunities for all Philadelphians.”
Glen Foerd — First Family Overnight
June 9th, 2015Glen Foerd on the Delaware will be hosting its first family overnight on Friday, June 19th. Registration is open now! Attached you will find a press release about the event. Please do not hesitate to contact us about additional information.
Glen Foerd on the Delaware
5001 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114
www.glenfoerd.org
215 632 5330
Overly Aggressive Security at Festival Pier
June 8th, 2015PHILADELPHIA, PA — Security wearing shirts that said “Alcohol Enforcement” became overly aggressive at a Radio 104.5 concert held at Festival Pier along Penn’s Landing. It was not evident who employed the men. They wore no form of identification; however, Live Nation employs NES (National Event Services) for most of their staffing needs. A non-drinking middle aged man was threatening when he filmed the Alcohol Enforcement’s aggressive behavior.
Overly Aggressive Security Festival Pier Video.mp4
Philadelphia Art Galleries
May 28th, 2015A new art gallery in South Philadelphia:
Da Vinci Art Alliance
704 Catharine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Philadelphia Folk Songwriters
May 15th, 2015Songwriting and recording at Penn’s Landing and South Street, Philadelphia, PA over top of Interstate 95, as well as, the Philadelphia Art Museum and the Philadelphia Water Works:
Philly Music Scene
May 7th, 2015
Love Your Park Week
May 7th, 2015PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PP&R) and the Fairmount Park Conservancy will devote an entire week to celebrating parks in Philadelphia during the 4th Annual LOVE Your Park Week from May 9 – 16, 2015. LOVE Your Park Week is a celebration of Philadelphia’s diverse parks featuring eight days of service projects, fun events, educational programs, family activities, and more.
LOVE Your Park Week kicks off on Saturday, May 9, when PP&R, the Conservancy, LOVE Your Park sponsors, and hundreds of volunteers from dozens of neighborhood park stewardship groups host the LOVE Your Park Service Day at more than 80 neighborhood parks from 9am-12pm.
Printer Cartridge Fraud
April 23rd, 2015PHILADELPHIA — United States Attorney Zane David Memeger and City of Philadelphia Chief Inspector Amy Kurland announced that Derek Willis, 50, and his wife, Danita Willis, 36, owners of Laser Cartridge Plus Inc. (LCP), were sentenced to prison time and were ordered to pay full restitution to the City for their participation in a scheme that defrauded the City of more than $1.3 million.
Derek Willis, 49, and Danita Willis, 35, of Russellville, Ark., pleaded guilty to five counts of mail fraud, obstruction of justice and perjury for knowingly making false statements to a federal grand jury on April 29, 2014.
Beginning June 4, 2016, Danita Willis will serve 12 months and one day in prison, which will be followed by 36 months of supervised release. She is required to pay a $700 special assessment. After her release, Derek Willis will serve 36 months in prison, which will be followed by 36 months supervised release. He is required to pay a $900 special assessment. Both will pay full restitution of $1,368,091.19 to the City.
“This case highlights the City’s need for more effective oversight and the importance of the public’s participation in rooting out corruption, fraud and abuse. Like this one, most of our cases originate from tips and complaints from the general public,” said Inspector General Kurland. “This sentence serves as a powerful reminder that the OIG will not tolerate the theft of City dollars that are sorely needed for City services. We will do whatever we can to prevent similar wrongdoing in the future.”
The investigation began in September 2011 when a City employee reported patterns of suspicious purchases to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
The Willises owned Laser Cartridge Plus, Inc. (LCP), a business located in Russellville, Arkansas. They were contacted by Calvin Duncan who, at the time, worked as a mailroom clerk in the Philadelphia Water Department. As part of his responsibilities, Duncan was responsible for mail deliveries and purchasing supplies, including printer ink and toner cartridges, for the PWD’s administrative offices.
Duncan submitted requests for approval to purchase printer ink and toner cartridges, falsely claiming that the cartridges were for PWD employees. After receiving the cartridges from vendors – at the City’s expense – Duncan sold them to LCP at prices significantly lower than those usually charged by ink and toner cartridge vendors. The Willises knew that the cartridges were stolen.
The scam resulted in the City paying about $1,368,000 on purchase orders and shipping costs for ink and toner cartridges that were never used by the City. The Willises paid Duncan, who pleaded guilty in 2013, about $545,400, which was not due him.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Philadelphia Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tomika N. Stevens.
