In The News

Inness' 'Twilight' sees the light, finally, at Art Museum

The Wall Street Journal Tuesday, February 15, 2011

A forgotten masterpiece is rediscovered after languishing in the bowels of the Philadelphia Museum of Art for three decades, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Most museums keep many more works in storage than they do on display. The downside of this practice: Sometimes a masterpiece gets buried--and forgotten--in the basement.

That was the case with "Twilight on the Campagna" by George Inness, who in the late 19th century rivaled his contemporaries Winslow Homer and James McNeill Whistler in fame. Then the world almost forgot him, and "Twilight," one of Inness's major paintings, languished on a storage rack at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for three decades. Ironically, the decades of neglect of "Twilight" may have saved it from being damaged by the less sophisticated restoration techniques of the past, says Mark Mitchell, head of the Center for American Art at the Philadelphia Museum.

Original Source: Wall Street Journal
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6,400 year-old child to visit Franklin Institute

Andina (Peru) Tuesday, February 15, 2011

One the oldest child mummies ever is coming from Peru for an exhibition opening June 18 at the Franklin Institute, according to Andina.

A 6,420-year-old child mummy from Peru joins an astonishing collection of mummies and related artifacts in the Mummies of the World exhibition.

Mummies of the World is the first exhibition of its kind to be showcased at The Franklin Institute, portraying both naturally and intentionally preserved mummies from around the world in a never-before-seen collection unlike anything else that has ever toured the Northeastern United States.

Mummies of the World is the largest exhibition of real mummies and related artifacts ever assembled, featuring an astounding collection of 150 artifacts and real human and animal specimens from South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Egypt.

Original source: Andina (Peru)
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Philly rapper signed by Rick Ross

HipHopWired Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Rick Ross Signs Philly rapper Meek Mill to Maybach Music Group, reports HipHopWired.

"The Bawse" Rick Ross has announced Philadelphia's own Meek Mill as his latest signee.

The young spitter states, "coming from the bottom, 2 years ago I was in my [expletive] cell hoping I wouldn't get 20 years... now I get out and take it to the next level"

Meek became one of Philadelphia's hottest underground rap artists on an independent label in 2007.

Repping North and South Philly, he released his Flamerz mixtape series and the single, "In My Bag," broke through to radio in his hometown.

Original source: HipHopWired
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Peacocks and men's frippery invade Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Daily Beast Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Once upon a time, men dressed like peacocks, keeping the richest colors for their own wardrobes. A colorful men's fashion exhibit is now on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. A reporter for The Daily Beast dons frippery of his own.

Men's fashion may inspire yawns today, but it wasn't always so. Blake Gopnik visits a new exhibit that celebrates a time when guys donned sparkly kaftans and scarlet leggings.

To visit The Peacock Male: Exuberance and Extremes in Masculine Dress at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, it seemed right to don peacockery. A black velvet jacket in an Oscar Wilde cut appeared a suitable option. I might as well not have bothered. How could such a thing compete with a 1780s tailcoat in gold- and blue-striped silk, with a garden's worth of tulips embroidered across its cuffs, lapels, and pockets?

Original Source: The Daily Beast

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International Year of Chemistry reaches excited state in Philly

Chemical and Engineering News Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Chemical and Engineering News Magazine reports on the U.S. kickoff of the International Year of Chemistry in Philadelphia, hosted by The Chemical Heritage Foundation in Old City.

About 300 intrepid souls braved Philadelphia's ice and cold on Feb. 1 to celebrate the U.S. kickoff of the International Year of Chemistry (IYC). The gathering, which took place just five days after the inaugural world celebration in Paris, featured a panel of industry and academic leaders in a discussion of how chemistry can help solve pressing social and economic problems.

Daniel G. Nocera, professor of chemistry at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, led a panel discussion, which centered on energy, human health, food, and water. Speakers included DuPont CEO Ellen J. Kullman, Dow CEO Andrew N. Liveris, former National Science Foundation director Rita R. Colwell, Vertex Pharmaceuticals founder Joshua S. Boger, and Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology Director Janet G. Hering.

Original Source: Chemical and Engineering News
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Secrets of the Silk Road to remain secret

The Associated Press Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Just days before an exhibit of Chinese artifacts opened at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, officials pulled mummies and other antiquities from public view, as reported by The Associated Press.

The artifacts were part of "Secrets of the Silk Road." The exhibit has already traveled to museums in California and Texas without issue. Visitors to the Philadelphia museum will see a pared-down exhibit.

Penn museum spokeswoman Pam Kosty said she could not offer any more information beyond a statement saying Chinese officials had requested the items not be shown. She declined to identify the officials.

The mummies are particularly fascinating because they have Caucasian features, proving that populations migrated eastward from Europe and brought their customs and skills with them.

Other artifacts include clothing, fabrics, wooden and bone implements, and even preserved foods such as a wonton, spring roll and fried dough.

Original source: The Associated Press
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Baltimore foodie declares Garces' food 'bright, shining, packed with flavor'

The Baltimore Sun Tuesday, February 08, 2011

The Baltimore Sun food critic takes a day trip north to sample tapas at Jose Garces' flagship Old City restaurant, Amada.

A friend got in his head that we should all pile in a car and take a day-trip up to Philadelphia to eat at Amada, just one of the jewels in the crown of restaurants that Jose Garces (James Beard Award winner, Iron Chef) owns in Philadelphia.

Everything is bright, shining, packed with flavor. Cured meats are shaved to parchment thinness -- you can pick up a piece of serrano and look right through it. Cheese are with one of Garces' home-made condiments -- truffled lavender honey goes with aged manchego; garlic dulce de Leche with Garrotxa and a currant-pistachio "Salbitxada" with La Peral. Pairing this with strong, vinegary Isastegi cider -- just brilliant.

Original source: The Baltimore Sun
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Cool to be kind: Snow words of wisdom from Philly

Los Angeles Times Tuesday, February 01, 2011

The West Coast gets vicarious thrills from random acts of kindness during the East Coast snowpocalypse (especially in Philly), reports the Los Angeles Times.

Between storms, a builder in Connecticut uses his skid loader to plow his neighbors' driveways. In Maryland, a good Samaritan hands out water and M&Ms to stranded drivers. The mayor of Philadelphia urges residents to "be kind" and help one another out--and they respond by doing just that.

Across the Northeast, full of large cities where people wear their brusqueness like a badge of honor, neighbors and even strangers are banding together to beat back what's shaping up to be one of the most brutal winters in years--and it appears to be contagious.

Original source: Los Angeles Times
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DreamIt Ventures takes New York

TechCrunch Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Philadelphia's DreamIt Ventures opens a satellite office in New York, reports TechCrunch.

The program will run from mid-May to mid-August this year. Applicants to DreamIt Ventures' NYC program will be reviewed on a rolling basis with an early decision deadline of February 28, 2011 and a final deadline of March 16, 2011, according to the accelerator's site. DreamIt has "Hacker" and "Strategist" tracks where individuals not yet affiliated with a company can apply to potentially join a portfolio startup, on either the technical or business front.

DreamIt Ventures plans to admit ten to fifteen companies into its NYC program, five of which will be digital education businesses. That's the same setup as the Philly program. In both cities, DreamIt Ventures partners with Startl--an organization funded by the MacArthur, Hewlett and Gates Foundations--to help five, digital education startups build their businesses.

Original source: TechCrunch
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More Morphotek: Chester County biotech company in midst of huge expansion

The Mercury Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Chester County based biotech company Morphotek is halfway toward completion of a $40 million manufacturing pilot plant.

In April 2010 Morphotek broke ground to build a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing pilot plant for its drugs in clinical trials. The project is currently at the halfway point with completion expected in October.

The new pilot drug plant is a true Chester County project. It was designed by Arcus Design Group of Uwchlan and is being built by HCS Builders of West Whiteland.

Morphotek will use the new space to produce experimental cancer-fighting drugs used in early stage clinical trials.

Morphotek, which has 200 employees now, expects to add 30 to 50 more in 2012, Morphotek President Philip Sass said.

Source: The Mercury
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Heads up, bottoms up: New way to pour beer premieres in Philly

CBC News Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Naturally, the Canadian Broadcasting Company loves the new dispensing technology for beer lovers that debuted at the Wells Fargo Center for a Flyers game last Tuesday.

The inventors of the Bottoms Up dispensing system claim that their device, which fills cups from the bottom up, can fill a pint cup up to nine times faster than traditional beer taps.

The system uses cups with holes in the bottom. The holes are covered with a magnet, which is pushed up as the beer spews up from the device. Once full, the cup is pulled up off the tap and the magnet comes back down to cover the hole, allowing the customer to grab the pint and get back to the game.

The system, which is used in about 30 stadiums and arenas across North America, launched at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia Tuesday night.

Original source: CBC News
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Federal Reserve: Manufacturing in Greater Philadelphia continues to expand

Bloomberg News Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Bloomberg reports that demand for new equipment, more exports and gains in consumer spending are boosting sales at regional manufacturers, according to The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's general economic index.

Manufacturing in the Philadelphia region expanded in January for a fourth month as orders grew the most since September 2004 and employment picked up.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's general economic index slipped to 19.3 from 20.8 last month. The gauge was forecast to hold at 20.8, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey. Readings greater than zero signal expansion in the area covering eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware.

Original source: Bloomberg
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Thomas Jefferson researcher finds best hangover cure is classic combo

The Telegraph (UK) Tuesday, January 25, 2011

According to Professor Michael Oshinsky of Thomas Jefferson University, if you really want help overcoming a hangover--drink a cup of coffee with an aspirin.

Scientists have confirmed what millions have suspected for years if you want to soothe a tired head - simply take some caffeine and a painkiller.

They found the caffeine in coffee and the anti-inflammatory ingredients of aspirin and other painkillers reacted against the chemical compounds of ethanol, or pure alcohol.

Ethanol brings on headaches thanks to a chemical acetate it can produce and even low doses can affect some people more than others, said the study.

Original source: UK Telegraph
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Our other museums: Creepy bugs, medical oddities and historical funerals

The Washington Post Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Three of Philadelphia's smaller museums offer fearsome delights. In this week's Washngton Post travel section, writer Timothy R. Smith visits The Insectarium, the Mutter Museum, and The Museum of Mourning Art.

The Insectarium, a small two-story museum in northeast Philadelphia, is a local destination for birthday parties and field trips, a chance for visitors to confront their entomophobias. After you've nibbled cheddar-dusted worms and watched a cockroach race, your terrors just might vanish.

The popular Mutter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia draws large crowds that come to see horns protruding from human foreheads, skulls cratered by syphilis and a 7-foot-6-inch human skeleton, all real-life medical oddities.

In the Philadelphia suburb of Drexel Hill is Arlington Cemetery, where a funeral home that's a replica of Mount Vernon houses the Museum of Mourning Art.

Original Source: The Washington Post
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What Philly Has That Pittsburgh Wants

Pop city Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Pop City takes a look across the state at assets in Philly that Pittsburgh would love to make its own.

Making the most of Philadelphia's identity as the cradle of liberty is a single-subject museum that speaks to the city past and present. The National Constitution Center opened its doors in 2003 and shines a light on the four-page document from every conceivable angle.

In a city fueled by immigrants, food is on everyone's lips. Restaurateur Stephen Starr has leveraged that in recent years, opening a slew of stylish concept eateries in and around Center City. Eating his lunch of late are chef-driven restaurant groups helmed by Iron Chef and James Beard Award winner Jose Garces and fellow Beard award recipient Marc Vetri.

Original source: Pop City
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