Michael Tanenbaum
Michael Tanenbaum is a senior staff writer for PhillyVoice.com, with interests ranging from technology and behavioral health to local community initiatives and cultural life. Michael has written for the Argentina Independent and Bespoke Magazine and previously served as a news editor for Xfinity.com before joining PhillyVoice. He received his B.A. in The Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University.
March 16, 2023
Development
Chinatown organization takes stand against 76ers' arena plan, 'disappointing' the team's developer
The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp. joined other neighborhood organizations on Thursday to formally oppose 76 Place Market Street, the downtown arena proposed by the owners of the Philadelphia 76ers. The developers behind the project said the organization's position is "disappointing." The 76ers hope to build the privately-funded, $1.3 billion arena between 10th and 11th streets and from Market Street north to Cuthbert Street, which is the southern end of Chinatown.March 16, 2023
Development
Parx Casino to open hotel with a rooftop restaurant in 2025
Parx Casino and Racing in Bensalem, Bucks County will build a 13-story hotel with two restaurants at 3001 State Road after receiving approval from the township. The hotel will have 300 guest rooms, a banquet hall, spa, fitness center and coffee shop. Construction is expected to begin later this year with a goal to open in 2025.March 15, 2023
Development
Borgata rebrands Water Club hotel as part of $55 million renovation project
The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City is rebranding its Water Club hotel as MGM Tower as part of a $55 million renovation project that will remodel 700 guest rooms and add luxury suites with wraparound skyline views. The hotel's spa on the 32nd floor is being turned into an event space. The project is expected to be finished by Memorial Day.March 15, 2023
Jobs
Philly expands lifeguard training hours in push for new recruits to staff city pools
Philadelphia is making lifeguard certification training available to job applicants seven days a week at three different public pools: Abraham Lincoln High School, Friends Select School and St. Joseph's Preparatory School. The city aims to hire 400 lifeguards ahead of the 2023 swimming season to avoid staffing issues reflected by a national lifeguard shortage in recent years.March 15, 2023
Entertainment
Willow Grove mall partially opens new Tilted 10 indoor amusement park
The Tilted 10 indoor amusement park at the Willow Grove Park Mall in Abington Township partially opened last weekend. Families now can enjoy its massive arcade and bumper cars. Once the entertainment center is complete, it will include full-service bowling lanes, black lit mini golf, a laser tag arena and a taco and margarita bar.March 14, 2023
Real Estate
Oldies.com warehouse on Blue Route sells for $7.85 million
Velocity Venture Partners, a private equity firm in Bala Cynwyd, has purchased the prominent Oldies.com warehouse at 60 Portland Road on Interstate 476 in West Conshohocken for $7.85 million. The Oldies.com signage on the side of the warehouse has served as an unofficial mile marker on the Blue Route — seen by more than 115,000 drivers each day. Velocity plans to lease the 56,000-square-foot warehouse to one or two tenants.March 14, 2023
Business
Target to close Center City store, but plans new one near Penn
Target will close one of its small-format stores at 1128 Chestnut St. in Center City on May 13. The company also plans to open a new store in University City at 3701 Chestnut St, near the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. A Target spokesperson citied declining sales at the Center City store compared to others in the city as a reason for the pending closure.March 14, 2023
Food & Drink
Food & Wine recognizes Philly spirit maker behind crab-infused whiskey
Steven Grasse, owner of Philadelphia's Quaker City Mercantile and New Hampshire's Tamworth Distilling, has been recognized by Food & Wine as one of the 2023 Drinks Innovators of the Year. Grasse, the advertising executive who invented the brands Hendrick's Gin in 1999 and later developed Sailor Jerry Rum, drew a lot of attention last year with the release of the small-batch distillery's Crab Trapper whiskey, which is infused with boiled green crab, an invasive species.March 14, 2023
Investigations
Driver charged in fatal hit-and-run at McDonald's in Bucks County
Daniel Dietrich, 45, of Palmyra, Burlington County is facing homicide charges for allegedly running over Jason Smith, 47, of Levittown, with his pickup truck during a hit-and-run at a McDonald's in Levittown, Bucks County, on Feb. 5, 2023. Smith's death was the result of an act of road rage sparked by an earlier road altercation, police said.March 11, 2023
Government
Federal marijuana pardon certificates now available to people with past offenses
After federal cases involving simple marijuana possession were pardoned last year, the U.S. Department of Justice has now opened up applications for eligible people to receive certificates of proof that may remove personal barriers to housing, employment, education and travel. The U.S. Office of the Pardon Attorney now has a website where eligible people can fill out of a form including documentation of their prior offenses. In return, the government will send a certificate stating that those with approved applications were pardoned on Oct. 6, 2022, for simple possession of marijuana.Just In
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- Man wanted for last summer's deadly block party shooting in Grays Ferry surrenders to police
- Joel Embiid listed doubtful for Sixers-Celtics on Friday; full injury reports ahead of Game 3
- Temple scientist discovers rare species of wildflower only grows in New Jersey
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