Author Archives: Kara Savidge

Philadelphia remembers 10 years later

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Tomorrow marks the 10 year anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, and events throughout the city and country are honoring the memory of those who died on that day. President Obama is slated to attend memorial events in New York City and near Shanksville, Pa. He will also be at the dedication and opening of the National September 11th Memorial and Museum site in New York City on Sunday.

In the city, a slew of events will commemorate the day for Philadelphians. Mayor Nutter will attend events throughout the day, concluding with the city’s Remembrance Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. at Independence Hall. A complete list of events organized by the city can be found here.

Here are some other events going on throughout the city:

Team Red White and Blue Moving Tribute

8:30 a.m. / everywhere

Though there’s no specified location, Team Red, White and Blue is asking Philadelphia residents to stop for a moment of remembrance and then keep moving on 9/11. By walking, running, biking or hiking on 9/11, Team RWB hopes to create a unified commemoration of the day across the country and world. This includes a number of soldiers deployed in Afghanistan, who the team has asked to participate in the tribute. They are also asking that groups meet and hold a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. — when the first of the Trade Center towers was attacked.

National Day of Remembrance Civic Engagement Expo

2-5 p.m. / Independence Mall

Nonprofits and volunteer groups from throughout the area will be showcasing their organizations, and recruiting volunteers. The event will correlate with several other commemorative events going on in the immediate area. The gathering will honor the memory of volunteers who saved lives during the 9/11 tragedy by promoting their own volunteer services.

Penn Museum Presents

all afternoon/ Penn Museum

More tangible memories of the 9/11 tragedy will be on display for Penn Museum’s special exhibit, “Excavating Ground Zero: Fragments from 9/11.” The display includes 15 objects that were found by archaeologists at Ground Zero in New York.  The program will be on display through Nov. 6.

Find out how Temple students and staff are paying tribute to 9/11 victims, and how they’ve learned from the day in the decade since. Watch for continuing coverage of Sept. 11th events at temple-news.com, and in next week’s print issue.

Dr. Dog, Toy Soldiers and others play free Penn’s Landing Show

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Need some last-minute Saturday night plans? Head down to the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing for the day 2 of the WHYY Connections Festival. The day of concerts starts at 3:00 p.m., doors at 2:00 p.m.

At 3:15 p.m. the blues-y indie rock band Toy Soldiers — who initially got together at Temple in 2008 — will start off the line-up. Before you get to the show check out TTN’s 2008 interview with the band.

Six other artists will round out the night, including recent Philly Folk Fest performer Justin Townes Earle, the hip-hop project Kuf Knotz, the Baseball Project and Birdie Busch. There will be lots of crafts and games for kids, and other events not on the schedule like live painting, a drum performance by the Kyo Daiko drum team and a few other smaller events.

If you’re a little late getting there you’ll be fine, but make sure to be there by 7:30 to hear Philly’s own favorite indie rock band Dr. Dog headline the festival. Following Saturday night’s show will be an after party sponsored by Yards Brewing Company.

And if you’re not convinced you’ll be there yet, the whole day is free. Check out the stage schedule here.

 

Geno’s Steaks owner dies at 71

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Joey Vento, owner of the iconic Geno’s Steaks in South Philadelphia, died yesterday  of a massive heart attack according to reports from the Associated Press and other news outlets. He was 71.

Geno’s Steaks opened at its 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue location in 1966, and has since become a Philadelphia tradition. The store is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. According to the Geno’s Steaks website, Vento learned about the cheesesteak business from his father, who had opened “Jim’s Steaks” in the early 1940s.

Vento is also well known for his controversial stand against illegal immigration. In 2006, Vento brought politics to the tables of his steak shop when he posted a sign that read: “This is America, when ordering speak English.” A debate over the legality of this sign immediately ensued, with critics claiming that it discouraged customers of certain nationalities from eating there. Vento said he never refused anyone service.

The city’s Commission on Human Relations then began an investigation of whether the sign was violating the city ordinance which bans discrimination in employment, public accommodation and housing. The commission found probable cause against Geno’s, and the case went on to a public hearing. But in March 2008, a three-member panel ruled in favor of Vento 2-1.

Change of Scenery

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Norris Apartments

Construction crews are working on the demolition of the highrise Norris Apartments building, between 10th and 11th streets on the edge of Main Campus. The highrise demolition is the first by the Philadelphia Housing Authority to use a wrecking ball rather than implosion. According to the PHA, this method of demolition is much more cost effective.

The building will be replaced by a 51-unit housing complex, and its construction was slated to begin April 1. The new complex will be the PHA’s first-ever Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified project. LEED is an environmentally focused building certification program, aimed to encourage developers to ‘build green.’ In accordance with the LEED stipulations, the new homes will have energy saving measures including solar hot water panels on the roof, Energy Star windows, low plumbing fixtures, compact fluorescent light fixtures, and green space, among other features.
Read more about the project here.

Mobile Weather Lab comes to Main Campus

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This afternoon the CBS 3 Live Mobile Weather Lab camped out by the Bell Tower on what was, for the most part, a sunny day.

Junior BTMM major Angel Young visited the CBS 3 station for a class. She now follows CBS 3 meteorologist Justin Drabick on Facebook, and asked him to come to Temple.

“I’m passionate about CBS 3,” Young said. “Justin has been driving around in a lot of the snow storms, and I figured he could use a break, [it’s getting warm] so I said come to Temple!”

Segments broadcasted from Main Campus aired on CBS 3 at 4:15 and 6:15. Several students talked about spring break plans and read the forecast during the live broadcast.

Drabick showed off the van to students, which is equipped with forecasting technology and microwave capability.

Jake Jacobson, cameraperson and Mobile Lab driver, explained that this allows broadcasters the ability to ‘go live’ from anywhere, even while the van is moving, with cameras mounted both inside and outside the car. The forecast technology measures temperature, wind speed and direction, and other conditions.

Jacobson said that while stations in other cities utilize this mobile technology, they are the only station to do so in Philadelphia.

“It gives us an edge,” Drabick said.

The CBS 3 footage can be viewed at http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/category/watch-listen/video-on-demand/.