Three Farmers' Markets Open for the 2009 Season in Wilmington

Wilmington Mayor James M. Baker announced last week the opening of the City's three seasonal Farmers' Markets: one in Little Italy and two Downtown (the Downtown Farmers' Market in Rodney Square and the new LoMa Fresh Market in the 300 Block of Market Street).

"The long wait is over," said Mayor Baker. "Now City residents, workers, and visitors can once again enjoy the finest in fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, and crafts-all without leaving the City."

The Little Italy Farmers' Market opened for business on Saturday, May 16th. The market, located at 7th and Bancroft Parkway, will be open every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

The attraction is co-sponsored by the Little Italy Neighborhood Association and offers a variety of products from 19 vendors. The market will remain open until late September or early October. For more information on the Little Italy Farmers' Market, including vendor opportunities, please contact Jackie Kimball, LINA Market Master, at (302) 658-7072.

The Downtown Farmers' Market, located in Rodney Square, opened for business on May 13th. Co-sponsored by Downtown Visions, the Downtown Market is open every Wednesday, rain or shine, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Over 45 vendors will participate this season, offering shoppers a variety of products: fresh produce, home baked goods, fresh cut flowers and plants and many handcrafted items including jewelry, pottery, items for home and garden and more. 

A variety of lunch foods is also available.  Free entertainment and special events are scheduled throughout the season. The Downtown Farmers' Market will operate through October 14. For more information, please contact Tucker Casey, Market Manager, at (302) 425-0196.

The new LoMa Fresh Market, located on the 300 Block of Market Street, will begin vending fresh vegetables and flowers every Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. beginning June 2nd.  The LoMa Fresh Market is co-sponsored by the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation and will feature products from 12 vendors. The LoMa Fresh Market will operate through September 22nd; for more information, contact Wilmington Renaissance Corporation at 302-425-5500.

"The City is really pleased to co-sponsor these three Farmer's Markets," said Mayor Baker.  "The Farmers' Market is such a wonderful City tradition. The patrons really enjoy the convenience of the Markets as well as the quality of the merchandise. But equally enjoyable is the sense of community the Markets provide."

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Camden Welcomes State-of-the-Art Job Training Center

Last month, Respond, Inc. held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for a new, $4.5 million New Worker Job Development Center that includes a culinary school, automotive technology program and child care facility.

The Center is the first project completed under the North Camden Neighborhood Plan for community revitalization.

The new 25,000 square-foot center has the capacity to serve 225 at-risk teens and adults annually as well as 90 preschool children and will create approximately 20 new jobs at the facility.

Funding for the project came from both public and private sources.

"I can't thank our donors and supporters enough for helping to make our vision for a modern job training center a reality," said Wilbert Mitchell, executive director of Respond. "This is not just an investment in bricks and mortar, but an investment in our children and their future."

Joining Mitchell and Respond for the grand opening were numerous federal, state, county and local officials as well as students and graduates of Respond's culinary program. Culinary students in chef whites held the ribbon that spanned from the automotive technology building on the west side of Eighth Street to the culinary and child care building on the east side of the street. Food tastings and tours of the new facility marked the celebration.

"Respond works tirelessly every day to meet the needs of the community, and this new center is evidence of its commitment to making life better for future generations," said Camden County Freeholder Jeffrey L. Nash, who has been a staunch supporter of the North Camden Neighborhood Plan. "Today's opening marks a major milestone in North Camden 's revitalization and is a sign of many positive developments to come."

Camden Mayor Gwendolyn A. Faison agreed.

"The youth of Camden are the future, and it is up to us to make sure they're prepared," said Fasion. "We are fortunate to have such a great resource available to them, and I can't wait to see them succeed."

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Philadelphia Major League Soccer Team Reveals Identity to the World

Philadelphia Union was officially unveiled last week as the name of Major League Soccer's 16th franchise by Mayor Michael Nutter, with City Hall serving as an appropriately historic backdrop for the momentous announcement.

The region's newest professional sports team simultaneously revealed its logo and colors as the countdown to First Kick continues.

“This is a special day for our devoted fan base and the people of the Greater Philadelphia Region,” said Philadelphia Union Principal Owner Jay Sugarman. “We're incredibly fortunate to have fans who understand the power of loyalty and unity, and our team identity draws its inspiration from them and from the importance these qualities have played in the history of Philadelphia.”

Union references the original Thirteen Colonies, which established the foundation of the United States of America. The club's colors are navy blue and gold, symbolizing the uniforms of the American Continental Army, accented by the lighter shade of blue found in the Philadelphia Flag. The primary symbol of a rattlesnake is derived from Ben Franklin's political cartoons and was featured in multiple editions of the Pennsylvania Gazette during the 1750's.

The rattlesnake was utilized to emphasize the necessity of colonial unity and serve as a reminder of the danger of disunity. Franklin's rattlesnake gained enormous popularity and evolved into a primary symbol of the American Revolution.

“We were determined to create an identity that portrays Philadelphia's vital role in the evolution of our nation - the Union,” said Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. “Every element in our crest represents a product of unity. Our fans have proven they possess the type of passion that soccer is known for worldwide, and the culture of our organization will always be to embrace it. There isn't a single better example of the collective strength we are striving to achieve than the inception of the United States of America.”

Complementing the rattlesnake, thirteen stars are displayed along the base of the crest as another nod to the Thirteen Colonies of the Union. The crest's interior shield represents Philadelphia's Coat of Arms, which is found in both the Flag of Philadelphia and the Seal of the City of Philadelphia. 'Jungite
aut Perite', a Latin translation of 'Join or Die', is featured in the club's secondary logo.

'Join or Die' was displayed by Ben Franklin in unison with the rattlesnake to stress the importance of colonial unity.

“The key to any branding process is collaborating with the right creative partner,” said Club President Tom Veit. “Silverman Group did an excellent job of helping us distill the true essence of our supporters and the Philadelphia region. Our crest embodies Philadelphia's influential role in the formation of this country and we're confident that it'll stand the test of time.”

Philadelphia Union will play in a state-of-the-art 18,500 seat waterfront stadium in Chester, PA beginning in 2010. The stadium features 30 luxury suites, premium seating, an 11,000 square foot Stadium Club and a 2,000 seat supporters club section. Additionally, there is a built-in music stage for world-class music shows, interactive entitlement zones and large promenades surrounding the stadium for festivals and tailgates.

“We're pleased to see Major League Soccer add a progressive yet authentic soccer brand with today's unveiling of Philadelphia Union,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “We look forward to the club‟s debut next March and the rivalry with the New York Red Bulls and D.C. United.”

Season tickets officially went on sale today, with seat selection determined by the order in which tickets are reserved. Ticket prices and seating configuration for the under-construction stadium were revealed today along with team name, logo and colors.

Additional information can be found on the club's new website, philadelphiaunion.com.

"The addition of Philadelphia Union to the local professional sports scene is a shining example of the regionalism that I have spoken about since my time on City Council," said Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. "With a world-class stadium set to stand strong in Chester, PA, and Philadelphia proudly emblazoned on the club‟s jerseys, the world will see the strength and unity of our Greater Philadelphia Region.”

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