Winter break update: the latest news from Philadelphia

By Lauren McGlone
Senior Staff Writer
January 24, 2007

As last semester drew to a close, La Salle students packed up their books and fled the dormitories to spend the winter break at home. During this intermission, continuing stories made new headlines city-wide. Here is an update on several Philly File stories from last semester.

Gross Clinic controversy

As reported in the Dec. 6 issue of the Collegian, Thomas Eakins’ painting, The Gross Clinic, which had resided at Thomas Jefferson University since 1878, was being sold for $68 million to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Ark.

On Dec. 21, Jefferson University officials announced that the painting will remain in Philadelphia, sharing time between the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of these and other philanthropic organizations, a total of $37 million has been raised so far to go toward purchasing The Gross Clinic from Jefferson University. The biggest donations included $10 million from the Annenberg Foundation and $7 million from Athena and Nicholas Karabots of Fort Washington, Pa. The piece is now on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Casino bids awarded

Also within the month of winter break were breaking news stories about possible casinos opening in the Philadelphia area. In mid-December, Mayor John Street announced that he was backing the Riverwalk Casino at the proposed site of Delaware Avenue and Spring Garden Street. Other proposals included TrumpStreet in East Falls, Foxwoods Casino in South Philadelphia and SugarHouse and Pinnacle, both suggested in Fishtown.

After much controversy over the building of casinos in Philadelphia, a final decision was made. The Pennsylvania Gambling Control Board announced Dec. 20 that it would award casino licenses to Foxwoods and SugarHouse.

Foxwoods is currently scheduled to open in November 2008, while SugarHouse aims to begin operating permanently in early 2009. The SugarHouse owners plan to build a temporary hall which could open by next spring. Residents of the respective areas have protested the decision, claiming the addition of casinos will only contribute more to corruption, crime and traffic issues.

In the area, Philadelphia Park in Bensalem, Pa. and Harrah’s in Chester, Pa. opened combinded racetracks and slots parlors in the past month.

Smoking ban reinstated

The smoking ban signed by Mayor Street Sept. 15 was met with criticism for being unclear and having too many loopholes.

In December, enforcement was withdrawn and amendments were made to the ban, after City Council passed an amendment to the ban which eliminated the loopholes and clarified the ban’s enforcement. On Jan. 8, however, the smoking ban reappeared in Philadelphia with stricter enforcement than before.

City health inspectors began visiting area establishments to issue fines of $75, $150 and $300 for first, second and third violations, respectively. On Jan. 11, FOX 29 News reported that 19 citations were issued to 16 establishments on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

In addition to the Philadelphia smoking ban, Governor Ed Rendell has called for a state-wide smoking ban as part of his “Prescription for Pennsylvania,” promoting healthy lifestyles. The Pennsylvania Restaurant Association has already voted to support such a ban to protect citizens from the damaging effects of secondhand smoke.

The controversial issue has many Pennsylvania businesses, especially restaurants and bars, concerned about revenue loss and decrease in customers. The Pennsylvania Tavern Association has already stated its opposition to a ban that is “completely restrictive on bars and restaurants.” (www.abclocal.go.com)

Crime continues

Always a prominent story is the rising crime rate in Philadelphia. Since the beginning of the New Year, the city has witnessed 26 murders as of Jan. 19. Mayor John Street is seeking to make Operation Safer Streets a more efficient and effective program and called upon officials and anti-crime activists to “search their minds and souls” for ways to cut back on crime. (www.abclocal.go.com)

mcglonel1@lasalle.edu