Author Archives: Becky Kerner

Inquirer subsidizes tablets

Posted on by

Philadelphia Media Network, publisher of the Inquirer and Philly.com, is offering the first 5,000 comers a 10.1-inch Android-powered tablet for only $99. But why would they do this?

Well, the company, who has recently not-to-secretly struggled to stay afloat, is trying to entice Philadelphians (and whoever else they can manage) to subscribe to their online versions of the Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News.

They’re asking for a two-year commitment from said subscriber at a price of $9.99 per month. If someone is not ready to settle down for a full two years, a one-year commitment at $12.99 a month is also acceptable.

Not surprisingly, the recently launched Inquirer app for Android is preloaded on each tablet, among other apps that will allow the subscriber a digital replica of both newspapers.

See Philly.com if interested in this slightly bizarre yet possibly innovative offer.

Scary Spice has a baby

Posted on by

While many Temple students, faculty, and alumni may be trying to get the scoop on President Ann Weaver Hart’s recent resignation notice (which, I admit, is also interesting), I’m getting the scoop on the Spice Girls.

Remember the days of “Wannabe” and “Spice Up Your Life?” I would guess that almost all currently college-age girls owned at least one Spice Girls CD during the 90s and probably watched Spice World, the Spice Girls movie, too. I know I did. The band sold over 75 MILLION records worldwide, making them the best-selling female band of all time. To much of the world’s surprise and dismay, they split in 2000.  In 2007-08 the five came back together for a reunion tour which was said to have grossed about $100 million. After the years of Spicemania, the girls settled down and many started families.

Last Thursday, ex-Spice Girl Scary Spice (or Mel B) gave birth to her third daughter. Her husband, Stephen Belafonte, and 12-year-old daughter were with her at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to welcome the mini-Mel into the world. Apparently Mel was very enthusiastic about giving birth. She was cited by Mirror.co.uk saying, “I’ve tried the hot food, the running, the sex, the violence, I’ve tried it all.” In the end, the baby came naturally.  Another interesting piece of information about Mel B: Her second daughter, 4-year-old Angel, was the result of a relationship with Eddie Murphy.

Endangered properties in Philly

Posted on by

The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia is currently compiling its Endangered Properties List. Every year the nonprofit organization creates this list of properties in the Philly region that citizens find threatened by development or abandonment. The organization hopes that it will bring attention to the city’s many historic places that are at risk and can’t be replaced. It also serves as a means of bringing public support for preservation solutions. This is the 9th year the group has compiled this list.

Not surprisingly, North Broad’s very own Divine Lorraine Hotel, which many in the Temple community are familiar with and curious about, has been consistently featured. Interestingly enough, this was one of the first high-rise apartment buildings in Philly. It was constructed in 1893-94. In 1948, Reverend Major J. Divine and the Divine Peace Mission bought the building and started operating it as the first racially-integrated hotel in the city. A Dutch company currently owns the building, which in 2006 was approved to be converted into an 800-unit apartment complex. The approval was appealed, and the building continues to sit vacant, as it has since 2000.   

Nominations for the Endangered Properties List are accepted through October 14. If you’re concerned about a property in Philly, submit one!