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Live Music in Philly Living Rooms

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On a cold, drizzly night in January, nearly 50 strangers showed up at the Clibanoff's Main Line home.  But the crowd didn't shock the family of four, who opened their doors for a living room concert -- an entertainment trend that is spreading throughout Philadelphia and the world.

"The renaissance of the salon is brewing," said Andrew Clibanoff, the head of the household.

For their first show featuring Suzie Brown in February 2013, the family selected 80 names from the guest list of their son's bar mitzvah celebration to invite into their home.

"There weren't any barriers between the performers and the patrons," Clibanoff said. "It was intimate, it was indie. It promoted a type of music experience that offered both us and the artist attention."

A year later, more than 400 people are on the Clibanoff's mailing list.

"It harkens back to a more simplistic way of enjoying entertainment," said George Stanford, a Los Angeles-based, Philadelphia-bred musician who performed at the Clibanoff home on Jan. 10. "It was very relaxed, very conversational."

And in Philadelphia, there are even more people embracing the personal, yet pared down, experience a living room concert offers.

“I have a local mailing list together and right now we are at about 600 people,” said Carolyn Lederach, the Philly area coordinator for London-based Sofar Sounds.

At Sofar shows and the Clibanoff home, donations are encouraged, but not required.

Any money collected goes directly to the artists after covering incidental expenses, like paying for any equipment rental.

The Philadelphia chapter, which launched in November 2011 with a show in the city’s Fishtown neighborhood, follows the guidelines established by the London branch.

“We don’t announce the lineup or where it is going to be. You don’t know who is coming except for you and your one guest,” said Rafe Offer, Sofar Sounds co-founder. “The secrecy revolves around the gigs because we want an intimate space.”

“So often people are talking, texting, looking at their work emails and you hear the clanging of the bar in the background [at traditional venues],” he added. “In our house concerts, we just ask people to respect the music.”

The mindset resonates with both hosts and musicians.

"It is becoming clear that musicians and patrons alike are finding it harder and harder to connect at live events," said Clibanoff, who added that the proliferation of cell phones are partly to blame.  "They promote standing up and shooting videos, texting, social media posting, and phone conversations between friends.”

“Musical entertainment has been devalued to a larger degree and the mobile device is king,” said Stanford, while recalling a recent performance where a man stood in front of him while talking on the phone.

And the growth of Sofar since its inception shows music enthusiasts are ready to trade in stadium seating for a spot on the living room floor.

“It just sort of spread because people said I believe what you believe,” Offer said.

Offer describes the first London event, which had eight people in attendance, as “almost a joke.”

But they continued to setup house concerts, attracting artists like Bastille to perform more than two years prior to the group's appearance on Saturday Night Live.

Sofar continued to gain steam and, in 2011, the music movement came to New York and Paris. 

Offer says 1,000 people typically RSVP for the New York City shows, where most house concerts accommodate around 50 people.

Los Angeles and Houston, followed closely behind by Philadelphia, were the next American cities to join.

By March 2014, music lovers can catch a Sofar show in nearly 70 cities throughout the world.

Despite the increasing interest, the dynamic creates challenges.

“To find somebody who is opening up their house to strangers is not easy,” Offer said.

Policies and checkpoints are in place to help establish and maintain a safe environment in each home.

For instance, everyone who subscribes to the mailing list must tell Sofar a little bit about themselves so they can get a sense of their relationship with music and the type of guest they might be.

No alcohol is served, although people are permitted to bring their own beverages.

“If someone comes and decides to get really drunk, they are probably not the right guest,” said Offer, who added that Sofar curates the guest list so unruly attendees can be flagged.

Lederach says there have not been any security or safety issues at any of the 16 Philadelphia shows, while Clibanoff says he makes it a point to get to know everyone who walks through his door.

Regardless of the concerns, the demand for house concerts continues to build.

More than 125 people already expressed interested in the approximately 50 spots available at the upcoming Sofar Philly show on March 22, when British band To Kill A King will play -- a performance the group revealed on its Facebook page.

The Clibanoff home will have its first double bill in April.

"To have musicians in your home, I'm sitting in my chair pinching myself," Clibanoff said. "I'll remember this event when they are performing on Saturday Night Live."


Contact Alison Burdo at 610.668.5635, alison.burdo@nbcuni.com or follow @NewsBurd on Twitter.



Photo Credit: Alison Burdo

Acme Parent Pulls Off $9B Deal

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Cerberus Capital Management agreed to purchase Safeway Inc. for $9B on Thursday.

Cerberus owns Albertsons, the parent company of Acme, which has 110 stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, employing more than 10,000 people. Albertsons (the fifth largest supermarket in the country) and Safeway (second largest) will merge, setting the table for a powerhouse in the industry.

Safeway shareholders will get $40 per share, $32.50 of which is in cash. The merger agreement was unanimously approved by the Safeway board of directors.

The deal creates a network of more than 2,400 stores, 27 distribution facilities and 20 manufacturing plants with more than 250,000 dedicated and loyal employees. No store closures are expected as a result of this transaction. Albertsons CEO Bob Miller will become executive chairman. Robert Edwards, Safeway’s president and CEO, will have the same position with the combined company. Read more about this story on PBJ.com.

For more breaking business news go to PBJ.com



Photo Credit: NBCPhiladelphia.com

Man Beats Dog to Death for Soiling Carpet: Police

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A Baltimore City police officer was arrested after his girlfriend told police he beat and killed their 7-month-old Jack Russell terrier named Rocko, because the dog soiled the carpet too many times.

Coat Factory Plans NE Philly Store

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Retailer Burlington plans to open a store in Northeast Philadelphia this fall.

The 71,000-square-foot store, at 7301 Castor Ave., will create 50 to 100 jobs.

It will be the 28th Pennsylvania store for Burlington (formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory).

Burlington sells dresses, suits, sportswear, juniors’ apparel, menswear, footwear, accessories and children’s clothing and accessories. Its Baby Depot section also sells furniture and accessories.

Burlington, which has 520 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico, has been owned by Bain Capital since 2006 but it still has offices and operations in Burlington Township, N.J. Read more about this story on PBJ.com.

For more breaking business news go to PBJ.com

NJ Woman's Stabbing

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Police have arrested a man accused of murder in West Deptford.

Alleged Scam Leads to Pot Bust

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Egg Harbor Twp. Police were executing a search warrant at a home for an alleged credit card scam when they discovered $200,000 in marijuana plants. NBC10's Ted Greenberg has the story.

Nutter to Persuade Pope to Visit

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Mayor Michael Nutter says he will do all he can, including using his power of persuasion, to convince Pope Francis to visit the City of Brotherly Love. NBC10's Deanna Durante has the story.

New Plan to Fight Prescription Drug Use

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One mother said the nationwide push for a drug database might have saved her daughter's life. NBC10's Darlene Jones has the story.

Homes Damaged in Deadly Explosion Assessed

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More than 45 homes were damaged in a deadly explosion in Ewing Twp. Now, their homes are being assessed so that their property taxes are adjusted accordingly.

Photo Credit: AP

Police Capture Hit-and-Run Suspect

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Philadelphia Police captured a man who allegedly fled after crashing into an officer's vehicle.

Officials say a car with two men inside struck a police officer's vehicle on 13th and Girard Avenue Friday afternoon. The driver then allegedly fled the scene leading to a chase.

The officers tracked the car down to 5th and Oxford streets. While police took one man into  custody, another fled on foot, according to investigators.

Police eventually captured the second suspect inside a lumber yard warehouse on 5th and Cecil B. Moore Avenue.

Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.
 



Photo Credit: JR Smith

Who torched Prosecutor’s Office?

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Three people have been arrested in connection with fires that damaged a local county prosecutor's office and a law firm's building.
 
The Gloucester County prosecutor's office says two men and a woman are in custody. Felix Lopez, Guillermo Veloz and Zilia Perez are charged with multiple offenses including conspiracy and aggravated arson.

Firefighters responded to a burglar alarm at the Fayette Street office around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. When they arrived, crews found flames coming from an office in the two-story brick building, according to Bridgeton Police Capt. Michael Gaimari.

"The fire was contained to an office that was essentially a re-converted exterior enclosed porch on the south end of the building which is also where the point of the origin of the fire was located," Gaimari said.

"The fire department responded quickly and was able to prevent the fire from spreading to the attached main structure, but that office was completely destroyed."

No one was injured in either fire.
 
All of the suspects are from Vineland.
 
Bail was set at $250,000 for Lopez and $75,000 for Veloz. Perez was released on her own recognizance.
 
It was not immediately known if they had retained lawyers.



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

New Painkiller Sparks Controversy

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A new and powerful painkiller that just hit pharmacy shelves is being met with fierce criticism from medical and law enforcement officials. NBC10's Deanna Durante has the details.

2 Arrested in Pot Bust

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Police say an investigation of a credit card fraud scheme led to a marijuana bust in Egg Harbor Township.

In January of 2014, Egg Harbor Township police detectives began to investigate the fraudulent use of counterfeit credit cards. During the investigation, police say they identified Luis Alba of Hamilton Township, as well as his girlfriend, Miluska Jimenez-Espinoza, as the suspects involved. Alba allegedly used different counterfeit credit cards at several businesses throughout Atlantic County.

On Friday, police and SWAT officers executed a search warrant at Alba’s home. Both Alba and Jimenez-Espinoza were arrested without incident.

While searching through the home, police say they discovered a large in-door marijuana grow system, marijuana plants and equipment. Investigators say they then discovered the electricity supplying the area had been tampered with. According to police, over $7,000 worth of electric service was stolen from Atlantic City Electric to facilitate the marijuana grow inside the home.

In all, police say they recovered 87 marijuana plants with a total street value of $175,000. They also say they seized $15,000 worth of stolen merchandise, $2,000 worth of diesel fuel and two vehicles allegedly used during the crimes. Police say the merchandise and fuel were purchased by the counterfeit credit cards.

A 3-year-old child was removed from the home and placed with a family member. Finally two dogs, a German Sheppard and a Chihuahua, were removed from the home by Animal Control Services.

Alba is charged with distribution of marijuana, credit card fraud and other related offenses. He was lodged in the Atlantic County Jail.

Jimenez-Espinoza was charged with credit card fraud and was released on a summons.


 



Photo Credit: Egg Harbor Township Police

Pregnant Woman Shot, Killed

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The pregnant wife of a State Trooper was shot and killed in Montgomery County Friday afternoon.

Police responded to a home on the 3000 block of Stoney Creek Road in East Norriton Township around 2:25 p.m. for a report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found a pregnant woman who had been shot in the head.

The woman was transported to Mercy Suburban Hospital where she and her unborn child were later pronounced dead.

Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steele identified the woman as JoAnn Miller, the wife of a Pennsylvania State Trooper. According to Steele, a handgun inside the home somehow went off, striking Miller in the head.

Steele told NBC10 that Miller's husband and two other children were inside the home at the time. He also says the shooting may have been accidental.

"There is some indication at this point that it was an accidental discharge of the gun," Steele said. "But that's under investigation at this point. I can't go any further than that."

Steele says the gun that went off was not a service weapon.

No charges have been filed. Officials say Miller's husband was the one who reported the shooting. They also say he has remained cooperative with the investigation. His two children are currently staying with relatives.

The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office and the East Norriton Township Police Department continue to investigate.

Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.

Also on NBC10.com:



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Battered Bridges

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An emergency closure of a bridge in Montgomery County is forcing inspectors to look at a potentially larger problem. NBC10's Doug Shimell has the story.

Cab Company Shut Down

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Over 150 cabs in Philadelphia are out of service after officials with the Philadelphia Parking Authority shut down a local taxi company.

On Thursday, a PPA judge told officials with the Germantown Cab Company that it could no longer operate in Philadelphia because they failed to turn over proper documentation and background checks for their drivers. Prior to the decision, PPA officials say they had been in a long court fight with the company, trying to get them to comply with regulations.

“We want every member of the riding public to be able to enter a cab and feel confident that they are stepping into a safe cab,” said PPA Attorney Michael Casey.

Michael Henry, an attorney for Germantown Cab, claims the PPA didn’t give the company a fair chance before shutting them down however.

“The PPA shut us down without a hearing,” Henry said. “Basically they just declared that we were out of service and didn’t give us an opportunity to defend ourselves.”

PPA officials say they acted in the best interest of the public.

“It’s the parking authority’s responsibility to help ensure that all these cabs have the requisite insurance, that the drivers are properly trained and that they have the criminal background checks,” Casey said. “Right now Germantown Cab has failed to provide that information to the parking authority.”

Henry claims the PPA is unfairly painting the company in a bad light.

“To say that there’s a public issue here is false,” Henry said. “The Public Utility Commission(PUC) regulates the Germantown Cab Company. They inspect the vehicles for safety and they inspect the driver records for their requirements and my clients pay assessments to the PUC.”

Henry filed an emergency injunction. Officials with the Germantown Cab Company plan to fight the PPA’s ruling in court, starting next week. Until then however, the cabs will remain out of service.
 



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Man Killed in Hit-and-Run

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Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a man in Delaware County.

Police say a man in his 50's was walking on Clifton Avenue and Spruce Street in Collingdale Friday night when he was struck by a vehicle which then fled the scene.

The man was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where he later died from his injuries.

Police say the hit-and-run vehicle is a 4-door tan older model SUV, possibly a Suburban. It was last seen traveling south on Clifton Avenue.

Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.

Also on NBC10.com:



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Warm Weekend Ahead

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We're in for a warm weekend. But remember to push your clock forward Saturday night. NBC10's Sheena Parveen has the forecast.

ATF Agent Injured

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Police are searching for one of the three suspects who allegedly tried to run over an ATF Agent.

Investigators say officers with the ATF and Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division were conducting an operation on Baltimore Pike and Providence Road in Media, Delaware County Friday afternoon.

Investigators say the officers approached a vehicle and attempted to apprehend the three suspects inside. The suspects allegedly failed to comply and drove their vehicle towards the officers at a high speed.

Officials say an ATF agent fired his gun towards the vehicle and jumped out of the way, injuring himself in the process. He was taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Officials say the suspects struck a parked pedestrian vehicle and then continued eastbound on Baltimore Pike. After striking two more pedestrian vehicles, the suspects' car finally came to a stop on the I-476 southbound on-ramp.

Police say the three suspects then ran out of the vehicle and tried to flee on foot. The officers were able to capture two of the three suspects. They continue to search for the third, described as a heavy-set man with a beard wearing a lime green shirt.

One of the civilian drivers who was struck by the suspects' vehicle was taken to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.
 



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Viral Video Investigation

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A viral video showing a woman who appears to be on the verge of losing consciousness on a SEPTA bus while her daughter tries to keep her awake has sparked an official investigation.

The video, which was posted on Facebook, shows a woman with her daughter on a SEPTA bus in Northeast Philly. The woman appears to be on the verge of passing out and leans forward as her daughter holds her head up to stop her from falling over.

Several concerned viewers sent the video to NBC10. One viewer claimed the girl in the video is 7-years-old. She also claimed the woman was under the effects of heroin abuse.

Several people also sent the video to Philadelphia Police and the Department of Human Services.

“While it is helpful that so many people emailed and called us after viewing the video, there were many people on the bus who witnessed this as it was occurring and took no action at all,” said DHS Commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose. “Child abuse is a community problem, if you see or know that a child is being abused or neglected, you should report it immediately.”

Philadelphia Police Lieutenant John Stanford agrees.

"We don't want people to engage because you don't know what's going on here," Stanford said. "But we'd prefer you to call 911 or stop the operator of the vehicle."

Police say they identified the woman and took her in for questioning. She has not been officially charged however. Police also have not confirmed whether the woman was under the influence of drugs or alcohol while she was on the bus.

Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.
 



Photo Credit: NBC10.com
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