blogs at the triangle

Drexel says goodbye to the “Shaft”

2009-11-17T02:43:01Z

The Penn Coachyard chimney, colloquially known as the “shaft” by Drexel students, was imploded on Sunday Nov. 15 at 7:45 a.m. According to representatives from Amtrak, which owns the property, the West Philadelphia Steam Plant and Pullman & General Service Building will be demolished over the next few months, and the demolition of the chimney is part of these plans. The steam plant has been in disrepair, with no maintenance since 1964. According to Amtrak, the chimney was a safety hazard and was therefore slated for demolition.

The Drexel University campus has drastically changed due to this development since the chimney was visible from various areas of the campus and had represented students’ feelings of frustration toward Drexel staff and faculty. Alumni have commented that previously, the “Drexel Shaft” referred to a fountain on campus, presumably the fountain in front of North Hall. Future Drexel students may find another structure to relate to their perceived frustrations or may revert to the historic “shaft”.

Blog post by Omkar Baxi, Triangle photos by Olivia Garrity, video of the chimney implosion courtesy of Michael Harte.

\”Drexel Shaft goes BOOM\” - Youtube

Antionette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design hosts the Arts of Fashion Symposium at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

2009-10-30T06:07:58Z

Triangle Photos by Olivia Garrity.

Phillies fans celebrate outside Citizens Bank Park

2009-10-23T06:04:47Z

Triangle Photos by Olivia Garrity.

Drexel Celebrates the Phillies defending the National League Pennant!!!!

2009-10-23T05:25:50Z

The Philadelphia Phillies came from behind to win the National League Pennant Wednesday Oct 21st. The Phillies nearly swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 4-1 series, culminating in a final game score of 10-4. The cities favorite team has a week of rest until they fly out to either New York City or Los Angeles to play Game 1 of the World Series against either the Yankees or Angels, respectively.

Home invasion on Powelton Ave.

2009-10-22T20:37:47Z

A female landlord was attacked in her residence at 3705 Powelton Ave. on October 9.

Two armed white males in their mid 30s entered the multiple family home and began to inquire about rooms for rent before tying up the woman with duct tape and then proceeding to rob the house. Items taken from the house are unknown.

“It sounded like someone was moving furniture downstairs,” said a male tenant who does not wish to be named.

The men fled from the scene, one heading north on 37th St. and the other heading west on Lancaster Ave

Det. William Farrell of Southwest Detectives of the Philadelphia Police Department said he planned to work with Drexel and the Philadelphia Police to procure footage and photos of the attacker.

According to Domenic Ceccanecchio, senior associate vice president of Drexel Public Safety, three white males and one black female were arrested in relation to this incident. However, no individuals involved in the incident were related to Drexel University.

This post has been corrected.

Triangle photos by Tara Giancasporo

Crane Collapses at 21st & Walnut St; Kills Operator, Injures 3 Pedestrians

2009-10-16T01:31:14Z

Around 1:30 Tuesday Oct 13th, a crane which was working on a church steeple at 21st & Walnut St collapsed across Walnut St. The man operating the crane from the basket, which was fully extended to aprox. 5-6 stories high, was killed. The toppled crane struck the building across the street, raining debris down on the pedrestrians below, three of which were sent to the hospital. The crane operator, identified as James Wilson, 41, did not cry out or panic according to eye-witness reports. He remained calm and tried his best to re-orient the Cherry Picker. The collapse was caused due to the Cherry Picker rolling over a cement utilities access hole on the sidewalk. The cement cover shattered under the weight of the crane, causing the rear-left wheel to fall into the ditch, de-stabilizing the entire structure.

Photos by Mike Arrison

Philly police arrest a male for drug possession and investigate home invasion

2009-10-12T17:16:35Z

On Friday, Oct. 9 around noon, Philadelphia Police arrested a white male after they found drugs in his vehicle at the intersection of 38th Street and Powelton Avenue. The male was pulled over after suspected involvement in a home-invasion on the 3700 block of Powelton, although the events were later determined to be unrelated.

According to detective William Farrell from the Southwest Detective Division of Philadelphia Police, a gray Chevrolet Lumina was observed driving in the wrong direction on 38th Street. Upon inspection, police found drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.

“We found drugs in the car. I can’t identify specifically which drugs, but it may be ecstasy,” Farrell said.

According to Farrell, Philadelphia Police were in the vicinity due to a home invasion call on the 3700 block of Powelton Avenue. According to the complainant, a female landlord, two armed males entered her property; duct taped her, and proceeded to rob the house. According to tenants of the building, the invasion occurred approximately 11 a.m.

However, the home invasion-complainant did not identify the suspect arrested by police as one of her assailants. As a result, Farrell concluded that the home invasion and the drug-arrest were separate and unrelated events.

Although one officer initially called the police activity at 38th and Powelton a routine traffic stop, bystanders could tell there was more serious activity taking place due to the presence of around eight Philadelphia Police vehicles, including two unmarked cars.

Because the events occurred outside of the Drexel Police patrol area and PPD responded initially, the arrest and investigations are being handled solely by Philadelphia Police, with Drexel providing any needed assistance, according to Edward Spangler, director of police operations at Drexel. According to Farrell, Philadelphia police will work with Drexel to procure footage of the home invasion and the attackers.

According to Detective William Farrell from the Southwest Detective Division of Philadelphia Police, a gray Chevrolet Lumina was observed driving in the wrong direction on 38th Street. Upon inspection, police found drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.

“We found drugs in the car - I can’t identify specifically which drugs, but it may be ecstasy,” Farrell said.

According to Farrell, Philadelphia Police were in the vicinity due to a home invasion call on the 3700 block of Powelton Ave. According to the complainant - a female landlord, two armed males entered her property; duct taped her, and proceeded to rob the house. According to tenants of the building, the invasion occurred around 11 a.m.

Although one officer initially called the Police activity at 38th and Powelton a routine traffic stop, bystanders could tell that there was more serious activity taking place due to the presence of around 8 Philadelphia Police vehicles, including two unmarked cars.

Since the events occurred outside of the Drexel Police patrol area and Philadelphia Police responded initially, the arrest and investigations are being handled solely by Philadelphia Police, with Drexel providing any needed assistance, according to Edward Spangler, director of police operations at Drexel. According to Farrell, Philadelphia police will work with Drexel to procure footage of the home invasion and the attackers.

JLB Movie Set on JFK Blvd

2009-09-30T21:27:26Z

Photos by Mike Arrison