The colorful USS Olympia (and the subtle Becuna) | Photo: Bradley Maule
- Officials from the Independence Seaport Museum at Penn’s Landing announced yesterday that they plan on retaining the historic USS Olympia on the Philadelphia waterfront, reports The Inquirer. Apparently new leadership at last realized just how appropriate—and potentially lucrative—the national historic treasure (America announced itself to the world stage from its decks in Manila Bay in 1898) would be in moving the institution forward. The museum’s director of historic ships, Jesse Lebovics, said a $7 million fund-raising effort will begin to remedy severe structural concerns for the ship’s hull.
- NewsWorks speaks with the Mural Arts Program’s Nathaniel Lee, an Operations Crew Leader who has been selected to assist in Berlin-based visual artist Katharina Grosse’s Psychylustro art installation alongside Amtrak’s tracks. Lee, from Germantown, intimately knows the potential for social change via art. “If the mural is doing its job, it becomes like a keystone in the neighborhood,” he says. “Something to be proud of and something a landmark. Pretty soon, porches are getting repainted around it, trash is getting picked up, there’s less graffiti and you can really see it becomes a rallying point for the whole neighborhood.”
- The Philadelphia Business Journal shares a first look at plans for La Salle University’s proposed 10,000-square-feet fitness center and campus store by 20th & Olney. The $4-5 million project is the latest in the growth of the campus, which will break ground next month on a $35 million business school.
- Generocity.org relates “some of the best tidbits” from a recent five-expert roundtable discussion exploring the state of investment within the world of social enterprises. For one, investor Bahar Gidwani stressed the need for entrepreneurs to joggle idealism and pragmatism by limiting themselves in what social issues they want to alleviate. “He highlighted the fact that social entrepreneurs need to be better than their non-mission-driven competitors. When considering a pitch, investors may view a passion for a cause as a hindrance, since less than 100 percent of the entrepreneur’s goal is not to make profit.”
About the author
Stephen Currall recently received his BA in history from Arcadia University. Before beginning doctoral studies, he is pursuing his interest in local history, specifically just how Philadelphians engage their vibrant past. Besides skimming through 18th century letters, Steve is also interested in music and travel.
