POLITICS

DA Larry Krasner and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Community Engagement team 2 days ago were honored to announce the awarding of the greatest number of violence prevention grants given to community-based groups todate by the DAO since the office’s violence prevention funding initiative began in May of this year. Today’s round of grant funding totals $254,400. The recipients are as follows:

Greater Hope Minis-

tries, Inc. teaches leadership skills to Philadelphia youth while working to address poverty, substance-use disorder, and violent crime. Greater Hope Ministries is awarded $48,400.

Amandla, Inc. uses sports and education as tools of empowerment for youth, while creating safe spaces for them in low-income communities. Amandla is awarded $10,000.

Committed Community Mentors

(CCM) uses evidencebased mentorship practices to support youth and young adults in Philadelphia. CCM is awarded $17,000.

Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hang-

out (YEAH Philly) engages youth and young adults in West and Southwest Philadelphia through peer-driven mediation and conflict resolution in order to interrupt all-too-often occurring retaliatory violence. YEAH Philly is awarded $40,000.

RAW Tools

Philly’s motto is “Disarm hearts, forge peace, and cultivate justice.” The organization’s Executive Director, Shane Claiborne, tours Philly communities hit hardest by gun violence and invites people traumatized by this violence to vent their anger, grief, and trauma by literally turning firearms into garden tools. Through this process, people are introduced to nonviolent conflict resolution skills. RAW Tools Philly is awarded $29,000.

Philadelphia Youth Basketball, Inc.

Celebrating Michael Hardy

Dress: Casual – Just Like Mike Tuesday, September 21 5:30 – 7:30 pm EDT Bartram’s Garden – Outdoor Pavilion Barry Grossbach would like everyone to know that all friends who knew Mike are welcomed to this event. Please click on the link below to let us know you are coming. https://pp.events/ajY9OMJj

AUGUST 18, 2021 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • 3 DA Krasner announces over $254,000 in Fourth Round of Violence Prevention Grant funding

Review UNIVERSITY CITY

(PYB) strives to help our city’s youth excel as students, athletes, and community leaders through the lens of sports-based youth development and education. PYB is awarded $25,000.

The NOMO Foundation, which for some time has been a DAO partner through their hosting of our longrunning ONE STOP Job & Resource Hub as well as a recent youth round-

table discussion with

DA Krasner focused on violence prevention and juvenile justice reform, nurtures Philly youth through life skills development and educational opportunities designed to help them identify and break the root causes of poverty and violence. The NOMO Foundation is awarded $25,000.

Asia Adams Save Our Children Founda-

tion’s primary mission is to help prevent Teen Dating Violence, with an emphasis on engaging youth and young adults aged 10-24 through outreach, health education, evidence-based trainings, and more. The Foundation is awarded $20,000.

Beyond the

Bars works to prevent violence and criminal justice system contact through the use of music and career programming, while helping our youth improve their self-esteem through the power of creativity. Beyond the Bars is awarded $12,000.

Community of Com-

passion, Inc. is a community development corporation dedicated to quality-of-life improvement and instilling neighborhood pride in West Philly as a means to prevent violence. The Community of Compassion CDC is awarded $28,000.

“Greater Hope is a safe haven for a lot of students traumatized by the violence that plagues Southwest

DA Larry Krasner

Philly,” said Paul Braham, a youth counselor at Greater Hope. “This program really helped keep a lot of students and counselors off the streets this summer. They paid counselors a living wage, connected us with great educational opportunities, and taught us self-worth and the importance of understanding our roots as African Americans.”

“This latest round of violence prevention grant funding -- the largest amount we’ve awarded thus far -- makes clear my administration’s steadfast commitment to prevention,” said DA Krasner. “But we cannot do this alone. Today, some of our grant award recipients joined my challenge to our city’s wealthiest corporate and academic entities to match the $100 million violence prevention funding goal I set earlier this year. The clock is ticking and by meeting this critically important goal and by working together, we can save lives.”

The DAO’s violence prevention grant funding, now totaling over $490,000 since May, is derived from the lawful and appropriate use of civil asset forfeiture, will be distributed and audited by the Philadelphia Foundation. The DAO anticipates announcing the next round of awards in September. Groups interested in applying for future violence prevention funding are strongly encouraged to contact the Philadelphia Foundation at GrantmakingServices@philafound.org.

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually.

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you have to plan your moves ahead of time. You set up a series of actions to trap your opponent for the opportunity to hit him.”

The execution and tactics are a little bit different for each of the various weapons.

Jacob Wischnia has attended FAP as a student and now serves as FAP’s general manager.

“I have actually been fencing at the Academy since I was 8 years old and have been here close to 20 – 25 years, mostly as a student,” said Wischnia. He credits Masters and FAP for making significant improvements in his life.

“Coach Masters helped me go from a mildly dyslexic 8 year with learning and attention issues to getting recruited to the University of Pennsylvania and eventually becoming a two-time All-American, so Maestro Masters and the Academy has very much helped me throughout my life,” he said.

While much of the attention in American sports goes to sports like football, basketball and baseball, not everyone is interested in team sports. Some people excel in individual sports. For them, fencing is a great alternative.” says Wischnia.

“I think the greatest impact we have [on athletes] are outside of fencing. I’m not the only student that I know that has

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They’re a little bit of a lot of things, but they’re all pure love. Photos courtesy of The Fencing Academy.

had dyslexia and went on to achieve very high level success academically and athletically. It happens all of the time.”

Fencing teaches discipline, focus, determination and strategic thinking outside of the sport as well. “So, what you learn as skills inside of fencing can be applied to anything from academics to employment, to anything.” Wischnia adds.

As for young students, sure, they love the sport but so do the parents who watch their children grow and learn the discipline and maturity developed by continued participation.

“I am the parent of a long-time fencer who started as a 10 year old and is now 19 and still fencing,” said Philippe Szapary. Not only did Szapary watch his son, Tristan, grow up in the sport but recently began taking up the sport himself. “Like all fencing stories, it began with Star Wars and watching light saber duels got him interested in the ideal of combat,” said Szapary about his son’s early interest in the sport.

However, young Tristan didn’t initially try fencing, but, Karate instead.

“He wasn’t that interested in Karate that much and then I had seen a story that Maestro Master had a club down in West Philly and we live in one of the suburbs of Wynnewood, so it was very convenient for us,” Szapary said. “We tried a couple of lessons and he fell in love right away with the sport.” Not only did he “fall in love” with the sport but he excelled in it.

“He started out as a beginning fencer and progressed over time as a national and international competitor and, as a parent I’ve been the student of the sport as a spectator for many years and now, once my son graduated and went to college, I decided to try it for myself.”

“I too became a fan of the sport both from the physical and mental perspective. Fencing teaches you both physical fitness perfectly blended with, I call it ‘mental sharpness’ and those things are very attractive to me, and I decided to start it myself as a 54 year old!” said Szapary.

If you are interested in learning more about the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia and want to learn more? Visit them online at: www. FAP-fencing.com or call them at their 827 Glenside Avenue, Suite 201, location in Wyncote PA 19095 location at 215887-2249 or their West Philadelphia location at 3851 Warren Ave Philadelphia PA 19104 at 215382-0293.

By Christen Smith

The Center Square

Public schools and universities in Pennsylvania will become the latest sites for vaccine clinics and mass testing in a new initiative launched by state health officials this week.

Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam signed an order effective Monday that requires vaccine providers to host immunizations clinics for students, teachers, staff and families at local schools upon request.

Schools and colleges can also participate in weekly “pooled” testing to detect cases of COVID-19 sooner and prevent shutdowns and quarantines that keep students out of the classroom.

Both initiatives will receive funding through federal grants designed to keep public schools operational in the upcoming academic year, especially as children under the age of 12 remain ineligible for the vaccine, Beam said.

“It is imperative that students, educators, and staff who feel they need or want a test, especially if they think they have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms, have access to free COVID-19 testing,” she said. “In addition to getting vaccinated, this testing initiative is another tool in our toolbox for schools to keep ‘Friday night lights’ shining brightly this year.”

Concentric by Ginkgo Bioworks will offer both mid-nasal swab and saliva-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to students who volunteer for weekly screening with a turnaround time of 48 hours or less.

Through the use of pooled testing, results won’t be released the Department of Health for individual students, but rather offer a broader picture of how prevalent COVID-19 is in a classroom or throughout a school building. The $87 million federally-backed endeavor will continue throughout the year, Beam said.

“We built Concentric because everyone’s health is connected and we’re proud to work with school districts across Pennsylvania to support comprehensive testing within school communities,” said Matthew McKnight, chief commercial officer at Ginkgo.

He added that asymptomatic testing provides critical information to decisionmakers tasked with keeping schools safe and operational. The company has implemented similar programs in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Arizona and North Carolina.

“Each of us at Concentric is committed to supporting communities as they work to keep kids in classrooms and COVID out this fall,” McKnight said.

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona applauded the initiatives during a news conference Monday in which he recognized Pennsylvania as a leader in school mitigation strategies.

“Pennsylvania, you’re leading the pack in intentional collaboration and ensuring that we do everything in our power to safely open schools,” he said. “We know that if we can vaccinate those who are 12 and older as soon as possible, it’s more likely that students can have in person instruction uninterrupted.”

The announcement comes as local school districts grapple with reopening plans that balance federal guidance with concerns from parents who remain leery of masking mandates for unvaccinated children.

vActing Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Alison Beam discusses a new vaccine and COVID-19 testing initiative for public schools during a news conference Aug. 16, 2021. Commonwealth Media Services

Beam reiterated the state has no plans to reinstate a universal masking policy statewide.

Christen Smith follows Pennsylvania’s General Assembly for The Center Square. She is an awardwinning reporter with more than a decade of experience covering state and national policy issues for niche publications and local newsrooms alike.

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6 • PHILLYFREEPRESS.COM • UCREVIEW.COM • AUGUST 18, 2021 Kings, but I just saw a bigger stage for the players and a bigger opportunity in Atlantic City to continue the team’s legacy. It also gives the beautiful city of Atlantic City something else to be proud of. I just saw a perfect fit to a perfect situation. I saw a bigger picture surrounding the basketball team. Today, I’m really excited about this opportunity.” Last week, a big meeting was held in Las Vegas, Nevada for all the ABA owners. Darren Akers was among the large group of owners at the meeting. He shared good conversations with Northeast Division Chairwoman Marsha Blunt and ABA CEO Joe Newman. They laid down plans for a successful basketball season. Since meeting with Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr., the Atlantic City Seagulls have hired several people to join their pro basketball organization. One of the first people the Seagulls hired for its basketball operation was team head coach, Valentino C. Thompson. Akers said Thompson will bring a

SPORTS winning tradition to the Seagulls basketball procontinued from page 1 gram. Before Thompson was hired as the team ager Lenny Cooke had head coach, the Seagulls a meeting with Atlantic brought aboard Chris City Mayor Marty Small “Skorch” James who Sr. inside the mayor’s was named the team’s office. They talked about Director of Game Day Atlantic City’s newest Entertainment. For the basketball team. They Seagulls, Chris James discussed plans about will be responsible for introducing the Atlantic running live entertainSeagulls to the people of ment at all the home Atlantic City. They spent games. And in a surprise hours talking about their move, the Atlantic City big plans. Once the meet- Seagulls hired yours truing was over, Atlantic ly, Napoleon Kingcade, City Mayor Marty Small to be the team’s Director Sr. made it known to his of Public Relations. For staff that he was excited the Seagulls, Kingcade about having the Atlan- will be responsible for tic City Seagulls back in working with the media Atlantic City. He said the and informing the meteam will have his full dia about the basketball support. The meeting team. And just recently, also brought a big smile the Atlantic Seagulls to Darrin Akers’ face. named Melina JohnHe was the person who son as the team’s Head had the meeting with the Trainer and Medical American Basketball As- supervisor. Johnson will sociation and moved his be responsible for takYeadon Kings basketball ing care all the players’ team to Atlantic City. medical needs.

“I decided to move And then about a week the team to Atlantic City ago, the Atlantic City because it looked like the Seagulls held a tryout for right move,” said Akers. young women between “Yeadon is a beautiful 18 and 40-years old who town and I’m sure the wanted to be a cheerpeople of Yeadon would leader for the basketball have appreciated the team. The tryout was held in Atlantic City, on Sunday, August 1, at the Atlantic City Dolphins Field. Before the tryouts began, Brittany Tavares was named the team’s cheerleader coordinator and Head Cheerleading coach. During the tryout, a good number of women were picked for the Seagulls cheerleader squad.

With the start of the ABA season only three months away, plans have been set for a team tryout. Today, a team tryout has been set for September 27 from 6 PM to 9 PM and September 28 from 12 noon to 4 PM. All players are urged to report to Pleasantville Recreation Center, located at 300 Brighton Avenue in Pleasantville, New Jersey. Once the team roster is completed then the people of Atlantic City will wait for the start of an exciting basketball season.

According to team owner Darren Akers, the Atlantic City Seagulls will start the 2021-22 basketball season on November 6. The Seagulls are scheduled to play a road game against the Trenton Cagers. And once the season starts, the Atlantic City Seagulls will play their home games, either at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall or at Atlantic City High School.

The Seagulls will make a decision shortly about the location of the home games.

The Bourse Food Hall and Morris Animal Refuge to host two Doggy Yoga classes In celebration of National Yoga Month

Put the “Dog” in “Downward Dog” this September with a Puppy Yoga Class Benefitting Philadelphiabased Animal Shelter

In celebration of National Yoga Month this September,

The Bourse Food Hall,

Old City’s artisan food hall on Independence Mall, is partnering with

Morris Animal Refuge,

America’s first animal shelter, for two instructed yoga classes on the food hall’s fifth street patio on Sunday, September 12, featuring adorable and adoptable dogs, with all proceeds benefitting Morris Animal Refuge.

Dog-loving yogis are invited to The Bourse Food Hall’s patio on September 12, for an hourlong yoga class featuring adoptable dogs from Morris Animal Refuge. The first class will take place from 11 am – 12 pm, followed by a second class from 12:30-1:30 pm. Each class is $25, with all proceeds benefitting Morris Animal Refuge. Tickets can be purchased here. Classes will be capped at 25 people.

“We’re putting the “dog” in “downward dog” this September with a little help from our friends at Morris Animal Refuge,” said Christina Trinh, The Bourse Food Hall General Manager. “We’re looking forward to celebrating National Yoga Month with these two classes, all while supporting America’s first animal shelter, and hopefully finding permanent homes for some good boys and girls.”

Volunteers from Morris

Courtesy of Morris Animal Refuge and the Bourse

Animal Refuge will be on site selling a variety of merchandise benefiting rescue animals and the shelter. After each class, attendees are welcome to enjoy light-fare and lunch inside the food hall from tenants such as Menagerie Coffee, Freebyrd Chicken, Scoop DeVille, and more. Yogis are also invited to check out Art Star’s final pop-up market on The Bourse’s patio from 11 am – 3 pm featuring wares, jewelry, crafts and more from local vendors.

The Bourse is conveniently located in Old City, just off of the Market-Frankford subway line. For those driving, The Bourse parking garage is located on fourth street.

For more information about Doggy Yoga at The Bourse Food Hall, feel free to reach out to Kylie Flett at kylie@punchmedia.biz.

ABOUT THE BOURSE FOOD HALL

Opened in November 2018, the Historic District’s circa 1895 commodities exchange has transformed into an artisanal market rivaling the world’s best Food Halls. The burnished, Victorian-era member of the National Register of Historic Places across the street from Independence Mall, is a newly incarnated Food Hall. The Bourse Food Hall brings together artisanal vendors that excite locals and visitors alike. Located at 111 S. Independence Mall E., The Bourse Food Hall is open from 7 am to 10 pm Monday through Thursday, 7 am to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 9 am to 6 pm on Sunday. http:// theboursephilly.com/

ABOUT MORRIS ANIMAL REFUGE

Founded in 1874, The Morris Animal Refuge is a lifesaving organization offering innovative and high-quality care for cats, dogs and other small animals. The Refuge provides a full range of preventive, protective and adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned animals in the Philadelphia region. The Morris Animal Refuge main office and adoption center is located at 1242 Lombard Street. For more information about our organization, please call 215-735-9570 or visit www.morrisanimalrefuge.org.