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.
January 27, 2021
Business
Big Gay Ice Cream shuts down Philly location after five years
Big Gay Ice Cream, the popular shop launched by Douglass Quinn and Bryan Petroff, has closed its location on South Street in Philadelphia, citing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The duo have also closed their location in New York's East Village, though four other shops remain in New York.January 27, 2021
Valentine's Day
Lucy the Elephant available for exclusive Valentine's Day Airbnb at Jersey Shore
Lucy the Elephant, the iconic wooden structure in Margate, will be available for an Airbnb booking on Valentine's Day as part of a fundraising effort. The 139-year old Jersey Shore structure will host a couple for the price of $6,500 on Feb. 14, 2021.January 27, 2021
Investigations
New charges filed against North Carolina man who allegedly attempted Center City kidnappings
Jacob Montague, 35, of North Carolina, has been charged in a pair of attempted kidnappings that took place in Philadelphia last November. Montague allegedly attacked one his victims while she walked her dog, pulling her into his vehicle at knifepoint.January 27, 2021
Universities
Penn professor retires amid fallout from Nazi salute given during Zoom session
Robert Schuyler, an anthropology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, has retired after he was rebuked earlier this month for flashing a Nazi salute during a Zoom conference call.January 26, 2021
Internet
Widespread Internet outages affect Philly, other East Coast cities on Tuesday
Philadelphia was impacted by a Verizon Fios internet outage on Tuesday that also disrupted service in other East Coast cities. The outage slowed down connectivity rates for Zoom, Slack, Gmail and Google Classroom. Verizon say it could be linked to a fiber optic cable that was cut in Brooklyn, New York.January 26, 2021
Violence Prevention
Philly receives 224 guns in buyback program offering grocery store gift cards
A Philadelphia Gun Buyback event sponsored by City Council took 224 firearms off the street last weekend. The event provided gun owners the incentive of $100 gift cards to local ShopRite grocery stores. Officials said the event is part of a multifaceted strategy to address the city's epidemic of gun violence.January 26, 2021
Recreation
Hikers told to avoid Appalachian Trail in 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has urged hikers to postpone plans to trek the nearly 2,200-mile trail in 2021, citing concerns about the spread of COVID-19. The popular trail covers about 230 miles in Pennsylvania and attracts roughly 3 million annual visitors across 14 states from Georgia to Maine.January 26, 2021
Health News
Vaccine effort presses forward after 'disturbing' break from Philly Fighting COVID
Philadelphia officials addressed pointed criticism about the city's COVID-19 vaccine arrangements with Philly Fighting COVID, whose provider agreement was terminated amid allegations about its terms of service and for-profit status. While the city's vaccine supply remains limited, Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley assured residents that the vaccination process will not be slowed down.January 25, 2021
Business
Dixie Cup manufacturer closing Pennsylvania plant, leaving Lehigh Valley after nearly a century
Georgia-Pacific will shut down the Dixie Cup manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania by the end of 2021, the company said. The facility in Forks Township, Northampton County, will be consolidated into a single site in Lexington, Kentucky. Dixie Cups have been manufactured in the Lehigh Valley for nearly a century.January 25, 2021
Development
Plans for former Foxwoods site take shape along Delaware River waterfront
Development plans appear to be moving ahead for hundreds of apartments and commercial space at 1401 S. Columbus Blvd. in South Philadelphia, the site where the ill-fated Foxwoods Casino was once proposed along the Delaware River waterfront.Just In
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