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

April 1, 2025

Government

Phillly's street-sweeping program returns for seasonal cleaning in 14 neighborhoods

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia's street-sweeping program will run from April 1 to Oct. 30. The program uses mechanical brooms, sidewalk sweepers, push brooms and backpack blowers to clear trash from sidewalks and streets in areas of the city that have the highest amounts of litter.

April 1, 2025

Food & Drink

FDR Park's Southeast Asian Market opens for the season this weekend

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park in South Philadelphia returns Saturday, April 5 and will be open Saturdays and Sundays through the end of October. The decades-long tradition brings dozens of vendors to the park to sell traditional dishes, street food, produce and other good.

March 31, 2025

Jobs

Aramark workers at Philly stadiums reach tentative contract to secure raises, health care

by Michael Tanenbaum

Aramark employees at Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field and the Wells Fargo Center announced they have reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract with the food service provider. The deal includes hourly pay increases up to $6 and health care benefits that most workers will be receiving for the first time, officials with Unite Here Local 247 said Monday.

March 31, 2025

Development

SEPTA approves plan for 300-unit apartment building near Conshohocken Station

by Michael Tanenbaum

SEPTA has approved a plan for a private developer to build 300 apartments on property the transportation authority owns near the Conshohocken Station. SEPTA is early in the process of pursuing similar housing developments near several of it's stations in the Philadelphia region.

March 28, 2025

Transportation

Lombard Circle ramp to I-95 to close for 2 years due to highway capping project

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Lombard Circle ramp that connects Columbus Boulevard to Interstate 95 North in Philadelphia will close for 2 years beginning April 7, 2025. The closure is needed so workers can build new cap over I-95 that will support Penn's Landing Park on the Delaware River Waterfront. Motorists will be detoured to the I-95 ramp at Summer Street.

March 28, 2025

Real Estate

Philadelphia Housing Authority 'aggressively' buying apartments to boost affordable housing inventory

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Philadelphia Housing Authority is buying struggling apartment buildings to create affordable housing, planning to spend $500 million for 2,000 units in coming months.

March 27, 2025

History

Penn archaeologists help uncover 3,600-year-old tomb of Egyptian pharaoh

by Michael Tanenbaum

Working with their Egyptian colleagues, archaeologists from the Penn Museum have unearthed the tomb of an ancient pharaoh who ruled about 3,600 years ago. The discovery in January was made 23 feet underground in a desert surrounding the sacred city of Abydos, whose ruling dynasty from that era is lesser-known than others in Egypt due to economic and political strife at the time.

March 27, 2025

Weather

Despite recent rainfall, Philly is still slowly climbing its way out of a drought

by Michael Tanenbaum

Philadelphia remains in a moderate drought despite an increase in rainfall in March, the first month with above average precipitation since August. Meteorologists say the the city needs more consistent rainfall to exit drought status because of a deficit that built up during the abnormally dry stretch that started in September.

March 26, 2025

Wildlife

Wild turkey on solo 'adventure' captures curiosity of Fishtown residents

by Michael Tanenbaum

A young male wild turkey has been gobbling at dawn and roosting in Fishtown's historic Palmer Cemetery, becoming a local celebrity nicknamed Cluck Norris. Residents have shared photos and videos on social media. Some say they can hear the bird gobbling in the morning around sunrise.

March 25, 2025

Family-Friendly

Philadelphia Orchestra to perform NFL Films classics while TVs show Eagles highlights at the Mann Center in July

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Eagles' Super Bowl winning season will be celebrated at the Mann Center on Thursday, July 24, with video highlights and a live performance of classic NFL Films songs by the Philadelphia Orchestra. A portion of the proceeds from will support the Mann Center’s free arts education initiatives and Eagles Autism Foundation.