Michael Tanenbaum

Michael Tanenbaum Headshot

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

June 8, 2022

Investigations

Pennsylvania man drowns off coast of Wildwood Crest, police say

A 53-year-old man drowned Tuesday afternoon off the coast of beach in Wildwood Crest, authorities said. The victim, identified as Joel Green, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is the second person this month to die in the water off the coast of the barrier island in Cape May County. Last week, 19-year-old Alfred Williams, of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, died while swimming off the coast of a Wildwood beach near East Andrews Avenue.

June 8, 2022

Film

Photos: 'Hustle' premiere brings Adam Sandler, Tobias Harris and more to Philadelphia Film Center

Adam Sandler's Netflix movie "Hustle" premiered at the Philadelphia Film Center on Tuesday night. At a red carpet event, Sandler was joined by co-star Juancho Hernangómez, director Jeremiah Zagar, Philadelphia 76ers star Tobias Harris and NBA analyst Kenny Smith, among others who attended the event. "Hustle" was filmed at various locations in the Philadelphia region during 2020 and 2021. The movie stars Sandler as a basketball scout hoping to bring Spanish prospect Bo Cruz to the NBA, and to work his way up to an assistant coaching role.

June 7, 2022

Development

Affordable homes to replace nuisance Liberty Motel in North Philly

Be A Gem Crossing is an affordable housing project planned in the East Tioga neighborhood of North Philadelphia. The project, led by non-profit North 10 Philadelphia, will replace the nuisance Liberty Motel at the corner of Germantown Avenue and Westmoreland Street. The project, expected to be finished in 2023, will include 41 apartments for low-income residents and a ground-floor health clinic.

June 7, 2022

2022 Election

Donald Norcross wins Democratic primary by wide margin over Mario DeSantis in N.J.'s 1st District

U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross has won the Democrats' nomination in Tuesday's primary election as he seeks his fifth term in representing the 1st District in the U.S. House. Norcross defeated his primary election opponent Mario DeSantis. The Associated Press called the race for the incumbent less than 40 minutes after the polls closed. Norcross, 63, is an electrician and labor leader, who began his political career in the New Jersey Senate representing the state's 5th District. He's been a long-time advocate for worker protections, environmental action and the development of alternative energy, including recent plans to build a solar park in Gloucester Township.

June 7, 2022

Food & Drink

Stephen Starr restaurant to replace The Grille at Wells Fargo Center

Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr will open a new American-style restaurant at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia. The restaurant, part of Starr's collaboration with Aramark, will replace The Grille on the Club Level of the arena and will seat approximately 300 people. The restaurant will offer direct views of the action on the court or ice, with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase Philadelphia's skyline.

June 7, 2022

2022 Election

In N.J.'s 1st District Republican primary, Claire Gustafson defeats Damon Galdo

Republican Claire Gustafson won her primary election against Damon Galdo securing her party's nomination in N.J.'s 1st District of the U.S. House for the general election in November.Gustafson's win on Tuesday sets up a rematch with incumbent U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, who defeated her in the 2020 election. New Jersey's 1st Congressional District covers most of Camden and Gloucester counties, as well as two municipalities in Burlington County. Gustafson is a small business owner and an active member of her community in Collingswood, where she once served as a school board member and youth soccer coach. She is the current president of Camden County New Jersey Republican Woman and serves on Collingswood's planning and zoning board.

June 6, 2022

Real Estate

Vintage A-frame Wildwood vacation home to be spared demolition

A vintage A-frame home that has been in Wildwood for decades will be spared demolition and temporarily relocated to Upper Township, where its new owner will determine a long-term preservation strategy for the property. Located at Park Boulevard and Bennett Avenue, the A-frame style vacation home was built in 1960 by local car dealer Glenn Dye, who used it as a clubhouse for hobby groups. Over the years, the red property has sometimes been called "the pizza house" by passersby in Wildwood.

June 6, 2022

Wildlife

Videos show 12-foot-long great white shark spotted off coast of Sea Isle City

A 12-foot-long great white shark was spotted off the coast of Sea Isle City and Townsend's Inlet at the New Jersey shore on June 4, 2022. Jim Piazza said he was fishing with his cousin, his son and one of his son's friends when they spotted the shark in the water. Piazza shared two videos of the shark on Facebook. Great white sharks annually migrate north during the summer and pass along the coast of New Jersey during that time.

June 6, 2022

Food & Drink

PLCB to hold lotteries selling off bottles of Van Winkle bourbon, other rare whiskey

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board will hold five lotteries for rare limited-release whiskeys, including bottles from the 2021 Van Winkle collection. Pennsylvania residents and licensees of legal drinking age will be able to enter one or more of the lotteries until 5 p.m. Friday, June 10. There will be 183 bottles up for auction.

June 3, 2022

2022 Election

McCormick concedes to Oz in Pa. Republican primary for U.S. Senate

Mehmet Oz is the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania and will face Democrat John Fetterman in the November election. Dave McCormick conceded the Republican primary race on Friday afternoon before the completion of a statewide recount that was set to conclude next week. Oz, the retired surgeon and TV celebrity, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, said McCormick called him Friday to congratulate him.

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