Life science building being constructed
Gattuso Development Partners announced last week that construction has begun on a 130,000-square-foot production facility at 2500 League Island Blvd. at the Navy Yard.
“There is incredible demand for space, and companies are conducting national searches for new locations as this sector expands,” said John Gattuso, principal and founder of Gattuso Development Partners. “As a result, this facility is designed to help meet the pressing need for current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) lab and production space that will allow this ecosystem to grow.”
“The evidence is clear that if we can meet the demand for cGMP lab and production space, Philadelphia can become a critical epicenter for an industry that many see as the future of modern medicine,” said JLL Managing Director Brett Segal. “Thanks to the research and innovation cultivated at Penn, Jefferson, Temple, Drexel and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, we are clearly positioned for significant growth in the years to come – if we can provide the research, lab and production space that the life sciences industry is demanding.”
The building will offer 30-foot clear heights ideal for flex/production/headquarters facilities, 14 loading bays and 360 surface parking spaces. The project is anticipated to deliver in fourth quarter 2022 and is targeting LEED Silver certification. In addition, 2500 League Island Blvd. can be subdivided to accommodate tenants from 30,000 square feet to 130,000 square feet.
Stubblebine opens ‘Color Says’ at Da Vinci Art Alliance
A new exhibition by artist Marilyn Stubblebine will run through Dec. 19 at the Da Vinci Art Alliance at 704 Catharine St.
The exhibition called “Color Says” derived from an in-progress artist book created from a used mystery paperback and has a principle focus on the play of color. Through repeating palettes of limited color choices oriented in rectangular blocks defined by the original paragraphs, the color replaces text to relay a new story. Each artwork propels the narrative into a different direction. Color Says will also be available as a video walkthrough. Learn more at https://davinciartalliance.org/color-says.
Bianca Ryan CD release party
Bianca Ryan, former winner on America’s Got Talent, will be hosting a holiday CD release party on Saturday, Dec. 18, from 1-4 p.m. at Curran’s Irish Inn, 6900 State Road.
Ryan will perform and greet guests. The event is free and for all ages. Autographed merchandise will be for sale.
Big donation for Jewish museum
Luxury shoe designer Stuart Weitzman has made what is being called a “transformative” gift to the National Museum of American Jewish History, on Independence Mall.
In recognition, the museum, which recently emerged from bankruptcy, has been renamed the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History.
“I have been inspired by the NMAJH since my first visit in 2012,” Weitzman said. “I was drawn to their iconic artifacts that demonstrate the very foundations of religious freedom in America. We are truly thrilled to be able to make this gift to the museum and humbled that this support will help to ensure that stories of American Jewish history are told and preserved for generations to come.”
The gift will allow the museum to erase its construction debt and buy the building from philanthropist and former trustee Mitchell Morgan and his family. The Morgan family and other benefactors also forgave significant loans.
“The Weitzman NMAJH now has the strong financial footing to continue exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience, and we are the only museum in the nation dedicated to that mission,” said the museum’s board co-chairwoman, Sharon Tobin Kestenbaum. “At a time when so many issues divide us as Americans, this gift ensures that our museum can be a welcoming beacon for all visitors to explore and celebrate how Jews and our nation’s diverse communities have contributed to our country. Through exhibitions and programs supported by our now-growing endowment, thanks to Stuart Weitzman, we are in a strong position to do this important work.”
The museum will reopen sometime in 2022.
Big pay raise for politicians
State senators and representatives received a 5.64% raise on Dec. 1.
The increase brought their annual salaries from $90,335 to $95,432. Members of leadership make even more money.
Judges and the governor will receive their raises on Jan. 1.
The raises are based on increases in the Consumer Price Index.
Even if the CPI goes down, the elected officials do not see a decline in pay.
Join oil refinery redevelopment meeting
The United South/Southwest Coalition for Healthy Communities is hosting a virtual public meeting on Thursday, Dec. 9, about the PES oil refinery redevelopment and reinvestment from the developer in surrounding neighborhoods.
There will be an update on Hilco’s redevelopment and a discussion on what residents can do to ensure the soil, water and air are cleaned up and how a community benefits agreement can bring investments into neighborhoods.
The meeting will go from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Register to attend at bit.ly/Dec9Registration and share the Facebook event with neighbors and friends.
New state store in Grays Ferry
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced the grand opening of a Fine Wine & Good Spirits at Grays Ferry Shopping Center, 3007 Grays Ferry Ave.
With more than 4,450 square feet of retail space, this store features about 3,150 wines and spirits, including the Chairman’s Selection products, which are hand-selected wines available at significant discounts from nationally quoted prices.
To celebrate the grand opening, all in-store wines, spirits and accessories will be 10% off during regular business hours through Wednesday, Dec. 8.
The store features promotional items and educational materials for customers such as:
- Answers to frequently asked questions about wine and spirits
- Food pairing information
- A party-planning guide
- A calorie chart
- Tips for responsible hosting and consumption
- Material from the PLCB’s Know When. Know How alcohol education campaign
The store has a “Made in Pennsylvania” section to highlight wines and spirits produced in the state. Also, this store features Pennsylvania Lottery ticket sales.
The majority of store lighting is state-of-the-art LED or energy-efficient compact-fluorescent lighting, using a fraction of the energy of traditional lighting.
The store will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. The store phone number is 215-271-4089.
The Fine Wine & Good Spirits at 2429 South St., in Schuylkill, is now closed.
Shop small businesses
December is National Small Business Month.
For more information, visit NationalSmallBusinessMonth.com or AmericanWorkersRadio.com.
Toy drive for homeless families
The Devil’s Den at 1148 S. 11th Street will hold a toy drive through Dec. 12, benefiting Families Forward Philadelphia, a nonprofit organization helping homeless families in Philadelphia stay together and strengthen and thrive in their communities. Attendees who donate to the holiday toy drive will receive a complimentary Yard’s brew. New, unwrapped toys and gift cards for retailers such as Walmart, Target and Amazon will be accepted.
Learn about knee pain
Nazareth Hospital will offer a free, virtual seminar on knee pain, open to the public, from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9. A live question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.
The seminar will be presented by Dr. Paul H. Steinfield, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in adult joint reconstruction and hand surgery at Nazareth Orthopedics.
The seminar’s learning objectives will include understanding what the common sources of knee pain are, what doctors can offer and some of the newest treatments available.
The event will be presented via Microsoft Teams. To learn more and register, visit https://www.trinityhealthma.org/classes-and-events/painful-conditions-of-the-knee.
Buy Dunkin’ coffee, help the needy
Dunkin’ franchisees in the Philadelphia area are continuing their 11th annual Roast Hunger program, which helps fight hunger, through Dec. 10.
For every large hot coffee purchased by DD Perks members, Dunkin’s Philadelphia-area franchisees will donate $1 to the following regional food bank partners: Philabundance, Food Bank of Delaware, Food Bank of South Jersey, Helping Harvest and Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania.
Guests can sign up for DD Perks on DDPerks.com or through the Dunkin’ Mobile App.
North alums awarding grants
The Northeast Catholic Alumni Association awards tuition grants to the sons, daughters, grandsons and granddaughters of its members.
The checks are awarded to students who meet criteria, and the monies are sent to the Catholic school that they are choosing to attend. Aid is sent to Catholic elementary and high schools and universities in the Philadelphia, Camden and Trenton dioceses.
Grants are given to 32 students annually for their four years in high school or college and three years in elementary school.
Students can apply for a grant if their father or grandfather attended Northeast Catholic and is a dues-paying member of the alumni association. Applications are accepted until Jan 31, 2022.
Call 215-543-1051 or email necathalum@aol.com.
Successful harvest
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society celebrated the end of its 2021 harvest initiative, with local gardeners donating some 18,728 pounds of produce to local nonprofits. The program also raised $30,087 to support efforts to combat “food insecurity” within the region.
Among the top produce donors to PHS Harvest were Longwood Gardens, Spring Gardens, Kennett Middle School Giving Garden, Branching Up, PHS Farm Park and Chester Eastside Garden Club.
Additional participating organizations in the Harvest initiative include AmpleHarvest.org, Art-Reach, Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden, Chester County Food Bank, Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, Cooperative Gardens Commission, Delaware Center for Horticulture, Food Bank of Delaware, Food Connect, The Food Trust, Mama-Tee Fridge, Neighborhood Gardens Trust, North Light Community Center, Philabundance, Share Food Program and Whole Foods Market.
Monster Jam at the Linc
Monster Jam returns to Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, April 16.
The show starts at 7 p.m., with a pit party for fans going from 2:30 to 5:30.
At the pit party, fans can see the massive 12,000-pound trucks up close, meet their favorite drivers and crews, and take pictures.
Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com.
Bingo!
The Sisterhood of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim is hosting a virtual bingo on Monday, Dec. 13, starting at 7:30 p.m. There is also a 50/50 for $5.
Call Gerry or Nancy at 215-677-1600.
Activities at Academy of Natural Sciences
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, is hosting several current and upcoming exhibits.
Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs goes through Jan. 17, 2022.
Invisible World of Water runs through April 17, 2022.
Junior Scientist Workshop: Do Birds Say Brrr? is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon. The workshop is geared for kids in grades 3-5. To register, visit ansp.org.
A “winter break” camp will run from Monday to Thursday, Dec. 27-30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The camp is for ages 6-10. Register at ansp.org.
Water exhibit opens
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, is presenting Invisible World of Water, on view through April 17, 2022 and free with general admission.
The exhibit coincides with “Water Year,” a 2022 initiative of the Academy of Natural Sciences and Drexel University aimed to increase public attention of the resource.
For more information, visit ansp.org.
Kimmel schedule
The Kimmel Cultural Campus has returned to live Broadway programming.
Here is the schedule through next summer: Stomp (Dec. 28 to Jan. 2, Merriam Theater); Pretty Woman: The Musical (Jan. 4-16, Academy of Music); Hadestown (Feb. 9-20, Academy of Music); Beautiful – The Carole King Musical (Feb. 22-27, Academy of Music); Rent: 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour (March 4-6, Merriam Theater); Oklahoma! (March 8-20, Forrest Theatre); Waitress (March 29 to April 3, Academy of Music); Hairspray (May 16-22, Merriam Theater); To Kill A Mockingbird (July 12-24, Academy of Music); and Dear Evan Hansen (Aug. 16-28, Forrest Theatre).
For more information, call 215-893-1955 or visit kimmelcenter.org.
Upcoming cruise
The Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation is sponsoring a cruise to Charleston and Bermuda, June 2-12, 2022, on the Celebrity Summit, sailing from Cape Liberty, in North Jersey. Rates range from $1,577 to $2,387 per person, double occupancy.
Call 215-788-9408 for information and reservations.
