coilwind7-blog - Tumblr blog

[coilwind7-blog]

On the Market: Slightly Norman Neotraditional in Pine Valley

For Sale/Rent

Though only ten years old, this modern luxury-for-less residence takes its design cues from the Gilded Age - and further back.

1030 Welsh Rd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19115 | Bright MLS images via BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors

Like East Oak Lane, Pine Valley is another of Philadelphia’s well-kept secrets: a pocket of post-World War II affluence in the relentlessly middle- and working-class Northeast. Insulated from the rest of Philly’s vast in-city suburb by Pennypack Park and well away from the main thoroughfares, this neighborhood appeals to many because it offers peace and quiet while still being convenient to the rest of the area.

Every so often, one of the posher places in this neighborhood of upscale houses comes on the market. This house for sale is the most recent entry in that parade.

Built a mere ten years ago, it takes its inspiration from a number of sources, including French châteaux and Gilded Age Victorian mansions. Yet as the photos should make clear, this house is actually very modern.

That becomes evident the moment you walk through the leaded-glass-windowed front door into the foyer. Where’s the entrance hall? Shouldn’t a house in this style have one?

Entrance hall

This one doesn’t. Instead, it has a totally open-plan main floor, with only a grand curved staircase serving to separate the living room from the dining room-family room-kitchen sequence. A sparkling cherry wood floor covers the entire expanse.

Living room

Dining room and family room

So the staircase separates the living room from the dining room, but how can you tell the dining room apart from the family room? Look for the chandelier hanging from a ceiling medallion. Your dining-room table should go beneath it, as here. The way the owners have set things up, the family room embraces it.

Kitchen

An archway lets you know you’ve entered the roomy kitchen, where you’ll find even more cherry wood facing its deep cabinets. Goodies include a granite backsplash, granite counters, an island and double ovens — one in the gas range and the other below the microwave.

Master bedroom

Master bathroom

Upstairs you’ll find four bedrooms, each with its own en suite bath. All of the bathrooms have tile wainscoting and Gilded Age vanities, and the master bathroom adds a tile-surrounded soaking tub and shower plus a double vanity. Another ceiling medallion frames the master bedroom’s suspended light fixture.

Sunroom

A new enclosed skylit sunroom has been attached to one of the other three bedrooms on the second floor.

Basement kitchen

The finished basement offers plenty of room for entertainment or recreation. It can also serve as an in-law or au pair suite, as it has its own bedroom, bathroom, full kitchen with mini-fridge and outside entrance. (There’s enough room for a small full-height fridge where the mini-fridge sits now.)

This house for sale also has a spacious backyard and an elevator connecting all three floors. It has garage parking for three cars plus room in the driveway for two more.

As foe the convenience part: You can drive to Fox Chase Regional Rail station, Roosevelt Boulevard and Woodhaven Road in ten minutes or less. I-95 is another five minutes further away.

THE FINE PRINT

BEDS: 5

BATHS: 5 full, 1 half

SQUARE FEET: 3,520 (about 5,300 when you include the finished basement)

SALE PRICE: $734,000

OTHER STUFF: This house’s sale price has been reduced four times, most recently by $15,900 on July 22nd.

1030 Welsh Rd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19115 [Jeff George | BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors]

Source: https://www.phillymag.com/property/2019/08/05/house-for-sale-pine-valley-neotraditional/

[coilwind7-blog]

Vegetarian Food Cart Kung Fu Hoagies to Close After Eight Years

News

The mobile food business serving meatless takes on Vietnamese dishes will call it quits at the end of December.

Kung Fu Hoagies | Facebook

Kung Fu Hoagies, a food cart offering vegetarian and vegan takes on traditional Vietnamese dishes, will close next month after eight years in business.

“Due to some life and business changes, Kung Fu Hoagies will be (un)officially closing at the end of this season,” owners Paul Davis and Steve Renzi wrote in a post on the business’s Facebook page yesterday. “Its been a really great experience sharing our food and passion for Kung Fu, and having such positive reception from amazing customers.”

Davis and Renzi, both vegetarians, study a Vietnamese style of the martial art with Master Phuoc Phan of Seven Mountains Kung Fu in Philadelphia. Phan even helped them design their menu as they were forming the business. The cart serves banh mi-style hoagies, noodle soups and bowls, and sides built around vegetarian proteins.

They plan to continue serving at their regular spots on the Penn Campus at 36th and Spruce during lunchtime on Wednesdays and Thursdays, in West Philly near 43rd Street and Chester Avenue during the Clark Park Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, and at Passyunk Square in South Philly on Sunday afternoons through the end of December — although they’re hoping to find a buyer for the equipment and business who will keep the cart going beyond the end of this year.

Source: https://www.phillymag.com/foobooz/2018/11/08/kung-fu-hoagies-closing/

[coilwind7-blog]

Penn Museum’s ‘Ancient Egypt: From Discovery To Display’ Exhibit Opens Saturday

Follow CBSPHILLY Facebook  | Twitter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Penn Museum has a new exhibit to help get your Indiana Jones on. Eyewitness News got an inside look at “Ancient Egypt: From Discovery To Display.”

Curators say the exhibit helps you walk in the shoes of an archaeologist, as you follow an artifact’s journey in reverse.

Visitors will also get to see where the artifacts wait their turn to go on display.

How Old Is Too Old To Drive? Experts Weigh In On When It’s Time To Give Up Driving

There are some pretty old artifacts at the museum.

“Our oldest sand mummy — so he wasn’t wrapped, he wasn’t preserved pre-burial, he was just put in the sand — is about 6,000 years old,” Sachs Egyptian collections conservator Anna O’Neill said.

The exhibit opens to the public this Saturday.

Source: https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2019/02/21/penn-museums-ancient-egypt-from-discovery-to-display-exhibit-opens-saturday/

[coilwind7-blog]

Health officials warn about confirmed case of measles in Ocean County

LAKEWOOD, N.J. (WPVI) --

Health officials in Ocean County are warning residents about a confirmed case of the measles.

Measles are highly contagious especially to those who have not been vaccinated.

The individual developed symptoms after international travel to Israel, where there has been an increase in cases.

Anyone who visited Schul Satmar, Eat a Pita or CHEMED Health Care in Lakewood between October 14th and the 21st may have been exposed.

------

Send a News Tip to Action News Learn More About 6abc Apps

(Copyright ©2018 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.)

Source: https://6abc.com/health/health-officials-warn-about-confirmed-case-of-measles-in-ocean-county/4564338/

[coilwind7-blog]

Old-Ass Building: Harris Building

2121 Market Street

Photo by Michael Bixler

Now pretty much only known as the Trader Joe's Building, this old bastard has managed to endure a lot of change all around it. Read all about it at the Hidden City Daily!

Source: http://philaphilia.blogspot.com/2018/04/old-ass-building-harris-building.html

[coilwind7-blog]

Jussie Smollett attack: New evidence 'shifted the trajectory' of Jussie Smollett investigation, 2 brothers cooperating

CHICAGO --

Chicago police are "eager" to again speak with "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett about his alleged attack after two brothers were arrested in connection with the attack agreed to cooperate with police, sources said Saturday evening.

"We can confirm that the information received from the individuals questioned by police earlier in the Empire case has in fact shifted the trajectory of the investigation. We've reached out to the Empire cast member's attorney to request a follow-up interview," said Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.

Friday night, two brothers who were being held as persons of interest in the alleged attack on Smollett were released without charges. They are not considered suspects.

What that new information is police will not say, but sources confirm reports that the brothers, who had a preexisting relationship with Smollet, were paid by the actor to carry out the attack.

Two officials familiar with the Smollett investigation confirmed to ABC News that detectives confronted the two brothers with evidence that they purchased the rope found around Smollett's neck at a local hardware store. The brothers agreed to cooperate with police, who are investigating whether Smollett made up the story, after police threatened to charge them with battery and hate crimes.

Guglielmi said they have reached out to Smollett's attorneys Friday night. "We made our intentions clear," he said.

Late Saturday, Smollett's attorneys Todd S. Pugh and Victor P. Henderson released a statement, addressing reports that the actor may have staged the attack.

"As a victim of a hate crime who has cooperated with the police investigation, Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with. He has now been further victimized by claims attributed to these alleged perpetrators that Jussie played a role in his own attack. Nothing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying.

"One of these purported suspects was Jussie's personal trainer who he hired to ready him physically for a music video. It is impossible to believe that this person could have played a role in the crime against Jussie or would falsely claim Jussie's complicity.

"Jussie and his attorneys anticipate being further updated by the Chicago Police Department on the status of the investigation and will continue to cooperate. At the present time, Jussie and his attorneys have no inclination to respond to "unnamed" sources inside of the investigation, but will continue discussions through official channels."

Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr. tweeted late Saturday about the investigation.

BROTHERS QUESTIONED

Police seized the brothers' phones and will check their phone records as they probe whether the men were in contact with Smollett on the night of the incident. Chicago police did not immediately comment on the brothers' level of cooperation, aside from the fact that they provided information to police.

The men were confirmed to be the men seen on surveillance images of the scene of the alleged incident on Jan. 29 in the Streeterville neighborhood. Chicago police told ABC News the reason the men were at the scene is now central to the investigation. Whether the men spoke to Smollett the night of the alleged attack is also central to the investigation, CPD representatives said.

Guglielmi said Friday: "Due to new evidence as a result of today's interrogations, the individuals questioned by police in the Empire case have now been released without charging and detectives have additional investigative work to complete."

Guglielmi said the individuals are no longer being classified as suspects. They are technically still considered persons of interest because they may have more information.

The investigation remains ongoing. Video evidence does not indicate that anyone else was present at the scene of the alleged incident.

The lawyer representing the two men spoke Friday night after their release, saying she and the men gave police new evidence in the investigation.

Friday morning, Guglielmi said the two men have a relationship with Smollett. Friday morning police said the two had been classified as suspects and that at the time police believed they may have been involved in a crime.

Multiple sources told ABC7 Eyewitness News in Chicago that police are investigating whether Smollett and the two men staged the attack allegedly because Smollett was being written off of "Empire."

A source familiar with the investigation told the ABC7 I-Team that Smollett failed to appear for an interview with detectives earlier Thursday but has since spoken with police.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson contacted ABC7 to say they are continuing to treat Smollett as a victim and the investigation remains ongoing.

"Police are investigating whether the two individuals committed the attack - or whether the attack happened at all," Chicago police told ABC News.

Smollett released a statement Thursday evening saying, "Today Jussie did answer routine followup questions for Chicago Police Department and continues to cooperate."

Smollett's representatives said he is not being written off "Empire."

Twentieth Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment released a statement saying, "The idea that Jussie Smollett has been, or would be, written off of EMPIRE is patently ridiculous. He remains a core player on this very successful series and we continue to stand behind him."

A source briefed on the Smollett investigation confirmed to ABC News that Chicago police are questioning the two men -- one of whom has appeared on "Empire."

The law enforcement official also told ABC News that the homes of the men were raided Wednesday night. Police removed shoes, electronic devices and other items they believe could help them determine if the two people played any role in the assault.

Neighbors described a swarm of officers and K-9 units.

"I was walking in the alley. One police car stopped in the alley, and they told me to go inside the house. By then maybe five minutes later, there were like 20 police right here by the door," said Jaime Figueroa, neighbor.

Neighbors said they believe the men are Nigerian brothers who grew up in that apartment and have lived there for years. Neighbors described them as friendly and possibly bodybuilders, and said they have long wanted to be actors.

Chicago police said they "cannot confirm any of those reports." No charges have been filed.

Police initially said the two persons of interest are not suspects and have not been charged. The two were picked up Wednesday night at O'Hare International Airport, police said.

A lawyer who said she's representing the two persons of interest declined to comment on the case as she left Area Central police headquarters.

Chicago police told ABC News they were tracking the two persons of interest and were aware of who they were "for a while." Chicago police told ABC News they are both cooperating and have been questioned all day.

Smollett said he was attacked around 2 a.m. on Jan. 29 in the 300-block of East North Water Street in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. He told police two masked men shouted homophobic slurs at him, attacked him, put a rope around his neck and poured a liquid on him that smelled like bleach.

On Thursday night, police said phone records provided by Smollett do show he was on the phone with his manager at the time of the attack. Both men told investigators Smollett's attackers yelled slurs.

Smollett, 36, is black and openly gay.

RELATED: Jussie Smollett reflects on attack, aftermath on 'Good Morning America': 'I am not weak'

Police said they have not found surveillance video that shows the attack. But earlier in the investigation, they did release grainy surveillance images of two possible persons of interest. The photos show two silhouettes on New Street near Illinois Street between 1:30 a.m. and 1:45 a.m. on Jan. 29.

In a statement released Thursday, police said they identified the two people in the surveillance photos and tracked them down using cameras, public transportation records and corroborating info provided by Smollett.

RELATED: Bottle with bleach odor found near site of Jussie Smollett attack; 'Empire' actor submits phone records

Smollett spoke exclusively with Robin Roberts on "Good Morning America" Thursday. He reflected on what happened to him that morning and what has happened to him since.

"It's the attackers, but also the attacks," he said, adding of those who don't believe his story, "It's not necessarily that you don't believe that this is the truth, you don't even want to see the truth."

Anthony Guglielmi, spokesman for Chicago Police Department, said earlier Thursday morning that he watched the GMA interview with CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson. Guglielmi said Smollett's comments on GMA are consistent with what he's told Chicago police. Unfortunately, police have no solid evidence to arrest anyone at this time.

Source: https://6abc.com/police-new-evidence-shifted-the-trajectory-of-jussie-smollett-investigation-2-brothers-cooperating/5141900/

[coilwind7-blog]

Chestnut Hill Fall for the Arts Festival

This year, more than 150 artists and crafters from across the Mid-Atlantic region (and as far away as Hawaii) will line nearly 10 blocks of Germantown Avenue displaying works in oils, watercolors, sculpture, photography, drawings, and fine crafts. Also returning for 2018, the Makers Village will celebrate both the beauty of completed art pieces as well as the act of creating them. Makers Village invites attendees of all ages to experience the joy of "creating" with interactive activities along with demonstrations in stained glass, weaving, glass blowing, beading, jewelry making, yarn bombing, live painting, and more. The festival will also offer live entertainment on two stages, al fresco dining and festival foods, shopping along the avenue, amusement rides, and family-friendly activities.

Source: http://planphilly.com/events/2018/09/30/chestnut-hill-fall-for-the-arts-festival-1

[coilwind7-blog]

A beginner’s guide to Philly modernism

“Modernism” is not a term that immediately leaps to mind when considering Philadelphia.

Yet from the PSFS building—the nation’s first International Style skyscraper—to environment-altering developments like Penn Center to the pedigreed suburban homes by iconic architect Louis Kahn, the movement has shaped the very fabric of the city. But some of the history of modernism’s impact on the way Philadelphians live today is being forgotten.

Modernism strengthened—and at times, divided—the city in its 40-year heyday, and the debate around preserving its legacy is ongoing: Is it worth saving and even restoring controversial structures like the Roundhouse, or the details in a home by lesser-known modern architect Frank Weise? How Philadelphia reconciles the original aim of modern projects with current needs and new technologies will set a course for the next city-shaping movement.

Consider this your primer to one of Philadelphia’s most iconic architectural periods.

—Anna Merriman

Source: https://philly.curbed.com/2019/4/18/18296813/modern-architecture-philly-introduction

[coilwind7-blog]

NFL Power Rankings Week 16 Roundup: Eagles keep hope alive

Today we continue our weekly roundup of how various media outlets have ranked the Philadelphia Eagles in their NFL power rankings. It’s always interesting to see how the Birds stack up from an outside perspective. But first we’ll start by revisiting mine.

15 - The Eagles were 13-point underdogs heading into Los Angeles. A complete team effort allowed the reigning Super Bowl champs to shock the world and keep their season alive. Philadelphia has a viable path to making the playoffs. (LW: 18)

15 - Nick Foles is back, so I guess they’re going to the Super Bowl. (LW: 17)

15 - Biggest breakthrough: RB Wendell Smallwood. The third-year pro had a pair of touchdowns in the team’s biggest victory of the season against the Rams on Sunday. On the roster’s fringe heading into 2018, he has made the most of his opportunity since injuries hit the position. (LW: 15)

15 - They’re lurking. The defending champs looked the part Sunday night, perhaps for the first time all season. Was it due to Nick Foles? The backup-turned-starter-turned-backup received his latest turn in the rotation, with winning results. Even when he didn’t make fine throws, all came up roses. Consider his deep ball to Alshon Jeffery in the third quarter, which was definitely underthrown -- but Jeffery and Nelson Agholor were so open, they were practically flailing their arms for a fair catch, so it didn’t matter that the toss was short. Foles’ lone turnover was not of heavy consequence, despite being deep in Rams territory, as Philadelphia’s defense eventually halted the ensuing L.A. drive in the red zone. That Rams possession led to a field goal in what was then a 30-13 game, but it ate up a large chunk of the fourth quarter in the process -- time that would become precious in the waning moments. Please, no annoying quarterback-controversy jazz. Enjoy the win responsibly. (LW: 18)

15 - Nick Foles to the rescue again. They still can make the playoffs and maybe Foles can make another magical run. (LW: 17)

15 - Break out the dog masks and grease the light poles, Philly. (LW: 16)

16 - That was a monster win for the Eagles on Sunday night. I’m not sure Nick Foles is ready to lead the Eagles to the playoffs, but it’s not impossible. All of a sudden the Eagles’ home game against the Texans next Sunday is really interesting. (LW: 17)

14 - It’s December, and Nick Foles is again a starting quarterback. Sound familiar? These Eagles, of course, are not last season’s Eagles. That has been evident all season. But at least Foles and the Eagles are keeping things interesting entering their matchup Sunday with the Texans in Philadelphia. (LW: 18)

16 - The Philadelphia Eagles just won’t die. The reigning Super Bowl champions headed to Los Angeles a game under .500 and with Carson Wentz sidelined by a back injury. That meant Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles taking over at quarterback once again. And just like last year, Foles had some magic in him Sunday night. It’s not that his numbers were great, mind you—270 passing yards, no touchdowns and an interception. But the whole team appeared infused with new life. The running game piled up 111 yards. The defense forced three turnovers and played one of its best games of the season. The team looked like the Eagles we expected in 2018, instead of the ones we got. At 7-7, Philly’s only half a game out of the playoff race as it prepares to host the rolling Houston Texans in Week 16. If Foles gets a win there and somehow leads this team to the postseason again, it’s going to be a wild offseason in Philly. (LW: 19)

15 - What was that? It was more of Super Nick Foles and a suddenly jacked-up running game, plus Alshon Jeffery throwing it back to the good vibes of last January. Maybe the defense can save them yet, too. (LW: 19)

15 - Shoulda known Nick Foles would ride to rescue at L.A. Memorial Coliseum. But he probably doesn’t have enough time to save Philly’s playoff bacon this year. (LW: 19)

15 - Philadelphia’s injury-riddled secondary has faced 54 passes each of the last two weekends. Dak Prescott threw 54 times against the Eagles on Dec. 9, then Jared Goff fired 54 passes last weekend. The two quarterbacks combined for 79 completions, 794 yards and three touchdowns. But the Eagles also intercepted four passes and split the two games to stay alive in the playoff chase at 7-7. (LW: 18)

15 - Nick Foles started in lieu of the injured Carson Wentz and led the Eagles to an improbable win over the Rams on Sunday Night Football. Next up, a must-win against Houston to keep their playoff hopes alive. (LW: 16)

17 - Will Nick Foles catch fire late in the year like he did last season? And if he did, does it even matter? (LW: 17)

12 - No explanation. (LW: 12)

...

The rankings range from as high as 12 to as low as 17. The most common ranking is 15. The average ranking is 15.0, which is up from last week’s average of 16.6.

The Eagles’ big win over the Rams has them ranked in the top half of the league. Hope is alive in Philadelphia. Beating the Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday will continue to keep the Eagles in the NFC playoff picture. It’ll also move them closer to the top 10 in the rankings.

Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2018/12/19/18148093/nfl-power-rankings-week-16-roundup-eagles-keep-hope-alive-philadelphia-nick-foles-carson-wentz-rams

[coilwind7-blog]

63-townhouse development coming to Manayunk’s Venice Island

The development of Manayunk’s Venice Island is continuing this year, with a new 63-townhome complex.

Construction on the development, dubbed “The Locks,” is underway just south of the Venice Lofts, near the Green Lane Bridge. The development is the result of a partnership between L.A.-based Resmark Companies, Philly-based D3 Development, and Maryland-based Concordia Group, who bought the land at 1 Leverington Avenue last week, Philly.com wrote.

Courtesy of Google Earth Pro

The townhomes will have open floor plans and rooftop terraces, and they’ll range from 2,100 square feet to 3,500 square feet of space, according to a statement from Resmark. Price-wise, they’ll start at $574,900 and reach $664, 900.

“The Locks interacts with the local architecture and land plan to create an exceptional sense of place, and an exciting homeownership opportunity,” said Alexandra Johns, senior vice president of Investments for Resmark.

It’s big news for the space, which sat vacant and overgrown for years, until last year, when then-owner Dan Neducsin proposed building 68 townhomes at the site. The renderings (both of which were done by Varenhorst) have barely changed since Neducsin’s proposal. The only noticeable differences are a few tweaks to the facade—the rendering last year had an all-brick front—and the fewer number of homes.

A rendering of the townhouses at Venice Island from 2017

Varenhorst

A 2018 rendering of the townhouses, called “The Locks”

Varenhorst

The development is expected to wrap up in 2021, and they’ve already opened a sales gallery for the project at 161 Leverington Avenue in Manayunk.

Manayunk’s Venice Island eyes more development with rezoning bill [Curbed Philly]

63 luxury townhouses for sale on long vacant Venice Island [Philly.com]

Source: https://philly.curbed.com/2018/10/3/17933620/townhome-house-development-philly-manayunk-venice-island-locks

[coilwind7-blog]

Power Strip Sparked Fire That Killed 5 NJ Kids, Officials Say

A fire that killed five children after it tore through a New Jersey house started when a power strip had an electrical failure, officials said.

The fire tore through the three-story Union City home on July 13, injuring seven people, including five children who later succumbed to their injuries.

An investigation found the fire started in a multi-purpose room in an apartment on the first floor of the home, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said Thursday.

Sparks from a power strip that had an electrical failure in that room could have set something near the strip on fire.

“This heartbreaking fire has been very traumatic for Union City, as well as the entire Hudson County community,” Suarez said in a statement.

“Our Investigative Units, along with the help of our local, state and federal partners have worked diligently to provide a thorough investigation and possibly some closure for the community as to what caused this tragic fire,” she added.

Five kids — Mayli Wood, 5; Jason Gonzalez, 2; Christian Josue Mendez, 7; Jose Felipe Tejada, 13; and Shamira Lopez, 4 — died after they were injured in the July fire.

Eight firefighters and two civilians were injured by the blaze, prosecutors said.

Source: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Power-Strip-Failure-Sparked-Tragic-Fire-That-Killed-5-New-Jersey-Kids-Officials-496973551.html

[coilwind7-blog]

Stock Rittenhouse Dresses Up Dinner Service

News

The restaurant now offers table service and dims the lights after 5 p.m., with new dinner-only dishes on the menu.

Whole fried dorade | Photo courtesy of Stock Rittenhouse

When chef-owner Tyler Akin opened Stock Rittenhouse last summer, its menu offered the Southeast Asian soups, sandwiches, noodles, and salads his Fishtown flagship is known for in a Center City-friendly, fast-casual-esque format: each dish included set elements, but guests could swap out proteins, order dishes vegetarian or vegan, and tweak spice levels to their taste.

All this holds true for luchtime at Stock Rittenhouse. But now, Akin has refined its dinner service a bit, introducing two new entrees, offering dinner specials, adding table service, and even dimming the lights in the evenings.

The changes, put in place last week, are the first steps towards a format for Stock Rittenhouse that’s more like Res Ipsa, the all-day cafe-slash-BYO Akin co-owns with the folks behind ReAnimator Coffee. There, breakfast, coffee, and lunch are served during the day; after 5 p.m., the spot transforms into one of the city’s top Italian restaurants, with reservations, waitstaff, and a killer tasting menu.

Thai-style grilled chicken | Photo courtesy of Stock Rittenhouse

They’re basically converting the restaurant into a Res Ipsa model with Stock Fishtown as the evening concept. “It’ll be a gradual shift, and very BYO-friendly,” Akin said.

In addition to rotating evening-only specials and daytime offerings, the Rittenhouse location will now serve two new entrees during dinner: a half or whole Thai-style grilled chicken with som tam (green papaya salad) and sweet and sour sauce, and a whole fried dorade with pomelo and herb salad.

Dinner at Stock Rittenhouse runs from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. nightly — and they’re now offering outdoor seating during good weather, too.

Source: https://www.phillymag.com/foobooz/2019/04/30/stock-rittenhouse-dinner-service-menu-philadelphia/

[coilwind7-blog]

There's a six-room boutique hotel opening on Front Street in Fishtown with rooms starting at $215 a night

The Lokal Hotel chain, which has boutique spots popping up around Philly and southern New Jersey, lives up to its name. Everything, from the designers, to the furniture, to the list of restaurant recommendations found in each room, is local.

And, for the chain’s newest hotel opening on Front Street on January 21, that means everything is geared toward capturing the spirit of Fishtown, according to Chad Ludeman co-owner of Postgreen Homes, the group behind Lokal Hotels.

“We wanted to make it more Fishtown-y,” Ludeman said this week. “A little more gritty, more modern.”

The six-unit hotel, which has two studios and two bi-level suites, is the second the group has opened up in Philly—the Old City spot on the corner of Cherry and Third streets opened nearly two years ago. Both hotels employ the “invisible service” concept, which Ludeman describes the concept as a cross between Airbnb and a high-end boutique hotel. There are no front desks and no on-hand staff; instead, guests check in online and receive a code to the building and to their room. Inside, Ludeman and his wife, co-founder Courtney Ludeman, have curated a field guide to the neighborhood with spots to check out, best places to eat, and more, written from their point of view as locals.

Because that’s what the hotel is really about, Ludeman says: the feeling that the space is all local and the guest is at home.

That’s why, for this Fishtown project, Ludeman brought in Fishtown-based tattoo artists and designers True Hand Society, who designed the interior of the hotel and its rooms. For furniture they also turned to the surrounding neighborhood, Ludeman said. Around 90 percent of the hotel’s pieces are locally made.

To capture the industrial and modern styles present in a lot of Fishtown buildings and homes, Ludeman said they went with a more “Scandinavian modern” design, with black and white matte tile and lots of white oak. The result is a very clean look, with lots of symmetry and subdued colors.

While this spot and the Old City hotel are the only two city hotels the group has planned for now, they are woking on another place in Cape May that they want to have the feeling of a mini beach resort, Ludeman said.

It’s a little over a week before Lokal Hotel: Fishtown opens, but they’ve taking bookings. Studios start at $215 a night, and the top, bi-level places are in the $300s.

Inside Lokal Hotel’s impressive makeover, in before-after photos [Curbed Philly]

Source: https://philly.curbed.com/2019/1/11/18178802/philly-lokal-hotel-invisible-boutique-fishtown

[coilwind7-blog]

Eagles place Rodney McLeod on IR

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles safety Rodney McLeod‘s season is presumably over. The team announced on Twitter that they’ve placed the safety on the injured reserve. The Eagles have promoted wideout DeAndre Carter to take the open roster spot.

McLeod underwent knee surgery earlier this week after suffering a torn MCL, and many assumed he’d ultimately land on the IR. However, Doug Pederson initially refused to comment about whether the safety would end up missing the remainder of the season. Instead, the head coach simply said the defensive back would be out for “a while.” Considering these comments, perhaps the Eagles are optimistic that McLeod could return to the field towards the end of the season.

McLeod signed a five-year, $35MM deal with the Eagles prior to the 2016 season. He’s proven himself to be worth the expenditure, as he has notched three interceptions in each of the last two years. After compiling 10 tackles and four passes defended through the first three weeks of this season, Pro Football Focus ranked McLeod as a top-20 safety in the NFL.

With McLeod sidelined, the Eagles will likely turn to Corey Graham as the replacement in the starting lineup. Otherwise, the team is rostering only two other healthy safeties: starter Malcolm Jenkins and recent trade acquisition Deiondre’ Hall. As our own Dallas Robinson notes, the safety market is starting to dry up, with Mike Mitchell, T.J. Ward, Lardarius Webb, Tyvon Branch, and Jairus Byrd among the top available free agents.

Carter has bounced around the league since going undrafted out of Sacramento State in 2015, spending time with the Ravens, Raiders, Patriots, and 49ers. He has one catch for 10 yards this season with Philly, and he could temporarily serve as a returner. The Eagles decision to promote Carter instead of practice squad safety Tre Sullivan could be an indication that Alshon Jeffery won’t be ready to go for tomorrow’s game against the Titans (as noted by Jeff McLane of Philly.com on Twitter).

Source: https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/eagles_place_rodney_mcleod_on_ir/s1_14819_27386423

[coilwind7-blog]

40th Street Artist-in-Residence program provides free studio space to emerging artists

June 13, 2019

40th Street AIR Gallery at 4007 Chestnut St.

Local artists who need a kickstart to their career are invited to apply for the 2019-2020 40th Street Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program. The program provides free studio space to new or emerging visual artists who reside or are strongly affiliated with neighborhoods west of the Schuylkill River and assists them in their career growth.

If accepted, artists will be given a studio space at either 4007 Chestnut Street or 4013 Chestnut Street beginning September 1, 2019 and ending August 15, 2020. Artists-in-Residence will be encouraged to use that time to develop their own creative work and asked to share their talents with the community through outreach service over the course of the residency.

Applications are accepted through Monday, June 17. For more details about this program and to apply, click here.

Source: http://www.westphillylocal.com/2019/06/13/40th-street-artist-in-residence-program-provides-free-studio-space-to-emerging-artists/

[coilwind7-blog]

Rittenhouse Bar Fires Cook Targeted on Yelp, Facebook for Pro-Hitler Posts

City

We talked to the man who calls himself “so much more” than a Nazi — and the man who led the charge to get him tossed from his job.

Left: Accused “Nazi” Steven James Fullerton. (Photo provided.) Right: Oh! Shea’s Pub. (Photo via Google Maps)

Oh! Shea’s Pub is a casual, laid-back bar and restaurant on Sansom Street in Rittenhouse Square. You might go there to watch a game, throw back some pints with your colleagues. But that’s about it. Oh! Shea’s is just not, you know, the kind of bar that people talk about. But that all changed this week.

Over the past weekend, Oh! Shea’s became the subject of countless angry posts and comments on Facebook. There were threads on Reddit. Threats to boycott. Bad reviews left on Yelp.

Why? Because a cook at Oh! Shea’s had repeatedly published pro-Nazi and pro-Hitler comments and memes on Facebook. And on Wednesday, Oh! Shea’s fired the employee.

It all started with Old City resident Victor Shugart, seen here. The 25-year-old Drexel engineering student, a former U.S. Marine, loathes Nazis. According to Shugart, eight of his nine great-great-uncles on his mother’s side fought against the Nazis in World War II, and his Great-Great-Uncle Red was killed at the Battle of the Bulge after he stepped on a Nazi landmine. So when he saw that a man who seemed like a real-life Nazi was working at a restaurant in Rittenhouse Square, he decided to take action.

“It’s really a dumb story, how I found out,” Shugart tells Philly Mag. “I was up late one night on Facebook, and I saw Jim Kenney talking about how the city declared a state of emergency for Kensington because of the heroin problem. I’m reading through these comments, and I saw this one that really stood out. The guy said that we should just let all opioid users die.”

The guy was Steve Fullerton. Curious, Shugart clicked on the account, and he was shocked by what he found. On Fullerton’s page, there were photos of people giving the Nazi salute. Words and phrases like “Jewess” and “Jew-trickery” were being thrown around. There was a post blaming Africans for slavery. There was pro-Hitler rhetoric. And late in September, the cover photo for that Facebook profile was changed to a Nazi officer’s hat.

A few screenshots from Fullerton, used with his permission:

What Shugart also spotted on Facebook was that Fullerton listed Oh! Shea’s as his employer. So Shugart decided to pay Oh! Shea’s a visit on Sunday. He says that he went inside, ordered a beer, and asked the bartender why Oh! Shea’s was employing a “Nazi.” Shugart claims that the bartender told him that he’d have to leave if he said another word about it. Shugart finished his beer and left soon thereafter without further confrontation.

After Shugart visited the bar, Fullerton posted the following on Facebook: “Just had some stranger come to the bar and ask if I was here BY NAME. And told my co-worker that I was a Nazi and that he had proof. When I walked out, the stranger recognized me, but I didn’t know who he was. My co-worker told him to leave as soon as he saw me. #politicalassassination … But my co-workers have known that I write and read Nazi posts for the last ten years.” (An Oh! Shea’s manager tells Philly Mag that he doesn’t believe that anybody at Oh! Shea’s knew of Fullerton’s online life; Fullerton continues to maintain that they did.)

After that, Shugart and his friends started spreading word about Fullerton and Oh! Shea’s using Facebook, Reddit and other online platforms. He says he left reviews on Yelp to warn Oh! Shea’s customers.

And once word got out, others starting leaving negative Yelp reviews as well. When we checked the Oh! Shea’s Yelp page on Wednesday afternoon, there were three one-star Yelp reviews left there on Tuesday and Wednesday that refer to the “Nazi” in the kitchen. “The owner employees a NAZI that brags about his white supremacists views,” wrote one Yelper. “Disgusting!!!”

Philly Mag spoke with several people who live or work in the area of Oh! Shea’s who said that they were disturbed by the information that Shugart was circulating. One said that Oh! Shea’s was the watering hole of choice for his office. But not anymore. Not after this. Another said that they’d never go in Oh! Shea’s again, even if Fullerton got fired. (None of these other people were willing to use their names, due to fear for their safety.)

And getting Fullerton fired was exactly Shugart’s endgame.

“400,000 Americans died in a war so that we could all agree that Nazism can be thrown into the trash can of history,” Shugart tells Philly Mag. “This guy does not deserve to work in Philadelphia. What does this guy do to the food of people he thinks should be exterminated? What does he do in that kitchen when an order comes in for the Untermensch?”

“So people who you say are Nazis shouldn’t be allowed to work?” I ask Shugart.

“Listen, if you want to hire a Nazi, I get to tell the world that you hire Nazis,” he retorts. “You wanna keep him employed? I get to tell every person I know not to eat or drink at your pub.”

Shugart says that he is pro-free speech. And he insists that he’s not going to target anybody who comes along that he simply disagrees with or whose views he finds offensive.

“I understand that there are conservatives out there and that we disagree,” says Shugart. “But I’m not going to get somebody fired over that. But can we just agree that there is zero room for Nazism in a country that my relatives fought the Nazis for? And a country that I’ve fought for? He may be legally protected by the Constitution. But this isn’t a legal problem. It’s a social one. He’s not welcome in our society with these beliefs.”

On Wednesday afternoon, an Oh! Shea’s manager confirmed for us that Fullerton had been fired due to his online posts. “You just can’t put crazy shit on the Internet and not expect it to come back to you,” another Oh! Shea’s employee said.

Reached on Wednesday evening, Fullerton was not exactly apologetic or remorseful about his posts. And he didn’t seem to care that he was out of a job. He said that it wasn’t a “serious job” and that he was looking forward to collecting unemployment. He called me “gay” and a “commie” and added that “it’s a bad time to be a commie in Trump’s America.”

I asked him flat out if Shugart was correct in calling him a Nazi.

“I am far more than that,” he replied.

I prompted him to explain his offensive Facebook posts.

“I’m looking for my Blutfahne,” was his response.

After I spoke with Fullerton, Shugart took to Facebook to alert his friends and followers that Oh! Shea’s “did the right thing.”

“Whoever says direct action doesn’t work hasn’t tried it,” he wrote. “I appealed to their sense of morality, and they listened. So here’s one for doing the right thing in the world, and a thank you to the management at Oh! Shea’s for standing up and fixing what needed fixing.”

Source: https://www.phillymag.com/news/2018/10/11/oh-sheas-philadelphia-nazi/

[coilwind7-blog]

Eagles waive another player to make room for UDFA signings

The Philadelphia Eagles waived wide receiver Johnny Holton, according to an official announcement from the team.

First the team cut Mercy Maston on Tuesday. And now Holton is gone, too?! Unacceptable. (Worst of all, I keep making these dumb jokes.)

Seriously, though, it’s a tough break for these waived players as the Eagles clear out roster space to make undrafted free agent signings. Philadelphia’s roster currently stands at 79 players, which is 11 shy of the 90-man offseason limit.

Holton originally signed a reserve/future contract with the Eagles back in mid-January. He was always a long shot to make the roster but his speed gave him a chance to stand out. Here’s what we wrote about him earlier this year:

Holton, 27, measures in at 6-1, 190 pounds. He originally signed with the Raiders as a rookie free agent following the 2016 NFL Draft. In 32 games played over three seasons, Holton has been targeted 22 times for 11 receptions, 252 yards (22.9 average), and three touchdowns. He also had six carries for 43 yards as a rookie. Holton has college experience as a kick returner.

The Eagles will officially announce their UDFA signings prior to the start of rookie minicamp this Friday, May 10.

Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2019/5/8/18537376/johnny-holton-eagles-roster-moves-news-waived-philadelphia-udfa-signings-nfl-raiders-wide-receiver