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.

tanenbaum@phillyvoice.com

July 19, 2022

Eagles

Former Eagles LeSean McCoy, Asante Samuel recall downfall of Nnamdi Asomugha in Philly

by Michael Tanenbaum

Former Philadelphia Eagles LeSean McCoy and Asante Samuel joined the "I Am Athlete" podcast with Brandon Marshall and company, where they talked about what went wrong with Nnamdi Asomugha after he signed a five-year, $60 million free agent deal with the team in 2011. McCoy remembered things looking bad for Asomugha when he got burned by tight end Brent Celek during his first practice in an Eagles uniform.

July 19, 2022

Investigations

Human remains found beneath I-76 bridge at University Avenue, police say

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia police are investigating the discovery of human skeletal remains beneath the westbound Interstate 76 bridge near University Avenue and the Schuylkill Expressway, authorities said. The remains were found by a passerby on Tuesday morning and were identified only as a male of unknown age. The medical examiner was called to the scene and an investigation remains ongoing.

July 18, 2022

Arts & Culture

Claes Oldenberg, famed pop artist who made Philly's 'Clothespin' sculpture, dies at 93

by Michael Tanenbaum

Claes Oldenberg, the artist who made the giant steel clothespin sculpture in Philadelphia's Centre Square, has died at 93 years old. The Swedish-born artist was an influential figure in the development of pop art and become widely known for his public commissions in cities around the United States and the world. Oldenberg's other works in Philadelphia include "Split Button," a sculpture installed in 1981 at the University of Pennsylvania's Blanche Levy Park, and the "Giant Three-Way Plug" sculpture outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

July 18, 2022

Investigations

Man dies in fall from escalator at Lincoln Financial Field, police say

by Michael Tanenbaum

A 32-year-old man died after falling approximately 40 feet from an escalator at Lincoln Financial Field on July 14, 2022. The incident happened during The Weeknd concert. Philadelphia was the first stop on the R&B artist's After Hours Til Dawn Tour. The victim, who was not identified, was taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and later pronounced dead. Investigators believe the man's fall was accidental.

July 18, 2022

Obituaries

Ralph Dispigno Jr., longtime owner of beloved South Philly Italian restaurant, dies at 93

by Michael Tanenbaum

Ralph Dispigno Jr., the longtime owner of Ralph's Italian Restaurant, a multigenerational staple of South Philadelphia dining, has died at 93 years old. The restaurant opened in 1900 and moved in 1915 to its current location at 760 S. 9th St. near the Italian Market. Dispigno spent nearly his entire life working at the family restaurant, which is now in its fourth generation.

July 18, 2022

Social Media

Amid backlash, Sesame Place apologizes for Rosita mascot's snub of two Black girls

by Michael Tanenbaum

Sesame Place issued a statement in response to a woman's claim that its Rosita mascot deliberately refused to give high fives to her Black children. The mother shared a video of the interaction, which has gone viral on Instagram. The theme park said it is committed to 'inclusivity and equality in all forms' and that the mascot's behavior was not intentional.

July 18, 2022

Food & Drink

Wawa, Cape May Brewing Co. team up on peach-flavored hard tea

by Michael Tanenbaum

Wawa and Cape May Brewing Co. have teamed up on a new hard beverage called Shore Tea, which is inspired by Wawa's signature Peach Iced Tea. The drink, Wawa's latest alcoholic beverage collaboration, will debut Thursday, July 21, at the grand opening of Wawa's latest store in Pennsylvania — 639 East Lincoln Highway in Langhorne, Bucks County. The drink also will be available at select retailers in the week ahead. The 4.5% ABV drink will be available in limited quantities in six-packs of 12-ounce cans.

July 15, 2022

Arts & Culture

William 'Poogie' Hart, whose Delfonics shaped the Philadelphia sound, dies at 77

by Michael Tanenbaum

William "Poogie" Hart, the lead singer of the Delfonics, died at 77 years old this week after undergoing surgery for breathing issues at Temple University Hospital, his son told TMZ. The Philadelphia native was instrumental in helping create the iconic Sound of Philadelphia, a blend of soul and R&B that was perfected by a group of musicians and producers in Philadelphia during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The band's two biggest hits were "La La Means I Love You" and "Didn't (I Blow Your Mind This Time)."

July 15, 2022

Investigations

14-year-old boy arrested in shooting at SEPTA's 15th Street Station

by Michael Tanenbaum

A 14-year-old boy turned himself in to Philadelphia police on Friday after yesterday's shooting on the subway platform at SEPTA's 15th Street Station in Center City. A 19-year-old man was shot multiple times and was hospitalized in critical condition on Thursday. The shooting happened around 12:25 p.m. The weapon used in the shooting still has not been recovered, investigators said.

July 15, 2022

Business

Starbucks union files complaint alleging coffee chain's planned store closures are retaliation

by Michael Tanenbaum

Starbucks Workers United, the union organizing employees of the coffee giant, filed a labor complaint over the company's decision to shutter 16 of its cafes, including the Philadelphia location at 10th and Chestnut streets. The union claims the company's move is a retaliation against Starbucks employees for organizing. The company has claimed it is closing the stores over safety concerns expressed by workers in incident reports.