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 4, 2025

Music

Bruce Springsteen's 'Streets of Philadelphia' sessions from upcoming lost albums has 'hip-hop edge'

by Michael Tanenbaum

Bruce Springsteen will put out seven unreleased albums in June as part of his 'Tracks II: The Lost Albums' project that digs into his archives from 1983 to 2018. The collection will include an album of material recorded in the same style as 1993's Oscar-winning soundtrack single 'Streets of Philadelphia,' a departure that guitarist Shane Fontayne said had a 'hip-hop edge.'

April 4, 2025

Investigations

Three men fatally struck by Amtrak train in Bucks County identified

by Michael Tanenbaum

Three men who were fatally struck by an Amtrak train in Bristol Borough on Thursday night were identified as Christopher Cramp, 56, and his sons David, 31, and Thomas, 24. The Bucks County Coroner's Office ruled Thomas' death a suicide and deemed the other two accidental.

April 4, 2025

Arts & Culture

Author Kurt Vonnegut's rarely seen drawings are on display at Drexel

by Michael Tanenbaum

Drawings made by novelist Kurt Vonnegut are displayed at Drexel University's Paul Peck Alumni Center through July 19. The 'Slaughterhouse-Five' and 'Breakfast of Champions' author refined his skills as a visual artist over a period of decades coinciding with his literary career. His artwork has only rarely been collected and displayed for public appreciation.

April 3, 2025

Business

Stephen Starr to open 2 new restaurants in Atlantic City — his first there since the pandemic

by Michael Tanenbaum

Stephen Starr is opening two new restaurants this summer at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City. One will serve Thanksgiving fare and the other will serve steak frites. Starr previously operated two restaurants, Buddakan and Continental, at the former Playground Pier in Atlantic City from 2006 to 2020.

April 3, 2025

Environment

Without more rain, Pine Barrens in South Jersey is primed for wildfires this spring

by Michael Tanenbaum

The Pinelands National Reserve in South Jersey could face more wildfires than usual during the peak spring season due to months of drought conditions that have not let up. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has warned that there will be unpredictable fire behavior unless the region gets more precipitation soon.

April 2, 2025

Education

Tiger Woods' foundation opens science education center at Cobbs Creek Golf Club

by Michael Tanenbaum

Tiger Woods' TGR Foundation has opened a new learning lab at Cobbs Creek Golf Club in West Philadelphia. The facility will offer science education classes and other programs to students and community members. It's part of the $150 million plan to restore and reopen the century-old golf club.

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.

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.

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.