As a Professor of Finance and Economics at Wharton and a 45-year resident of Swarthmore, I have been following the recent debate over plans to build a 36-unit condominium opposite the library with more than passing interest. I’m afraid I could not resist thinking this through as an economist, and thought it might be useful to share my thoughts—for better or worse, you decide.
The Wallingford-Swarthmore School Board’s December 13 meeting focused on the proposed school-year calendars for the next two years, and on the district’s proposed health and safety plan.
This week, Andrew Bunting explores less well-known broadleaf evergreens.
Several new and returning members of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School Board took the oath of office at its reorganization meeting, held last Monday, December 6.
PECO claims that the removals are necessary because they want to replace existing electrical poles with ones that are 10 feet higher. PECO said this is necessary to enable them to increase voltage to residential customers from 4kV to 13kV, which they say will allow them to provide more reliable service, to shut down the Morton electrical substation (which is becoming obsolete), and to support an expected increase in the use of solar-generated electricity.
We are thankful that the 2021 District 1 5A Champion Strath Haven Panthers gave us lots of reasons to smile since mid-August, and for many years to come.
Opposition to the proposed condominium project at 110 Park Avenue remains after the developers unveiled a revised design. Concerns about the scale of the building, the historical significance of existing buildings, and public safety remain primary points of contention.
The Writers Guild of Delco has done it again! Yet another published author has emerged from this group. Heather Koelle, a member of the Writers Guild of Delco, has published her first novel entitled INVISIBLE THREAD.
The Boards of Directors of the Swarthmore Senior Citizens Association and the Park Avenue Community Center join in announcing the Senior Association as a Founding Partner in a new Community Center for Swarthmore and surrounding communities. The Senior Association will donate $100,000 toward the establishment of the PAC Center and will subsequently make the Center its permanent home.
State Senator Tim Kearney, who was the chair of Swarthmore’s Planning Commission prior to becoming mayor of Swarthmore, provided his thoughts on the 2013 zoning code changes and the current condo development project under consideration.
A local father-son duo is a big part of People Light’s World Premiere retelling of Charles’ Dickens A Christmas Carol. Swarthmore resident Zak Berkman, People’s Light’s Producing Director, has adapted this yuletide ghost story into a music infused tale that captures the magic, joy, and generosity of the beloved classic in a whole new light. Berkman’s 16-year-old son, Eliot Berkman-Lamm plays guitar as well as several characters.
At the November 30 Swarthmore Zoning Hearing Board meeting, the board approved a joint application by Swarthmore United Methodist Church and the nonprofit Swarthmore Community Center, Inc. for a use variance to permit the center to operate a new community center—to be called Park Avenue Community Center—on the church’s property.
For decades, I have marveled at the native American persimmon, Diospyros virginiana, which is found in our native deciduous woods from Connecticut in the north to Florida in the south, and as far west as Kansas. This upright tree is easily identified in any season by its black trunk and alligator-skin-like bark. The American persimmon bears round orange fruits about the circumference of a quarter. Eating the fruit before it is fully ripe produces an astringent sensation in the mouth, because its tannins are still soluble. And if the fruit has not been subjected to frost a couple of times, it will make your mouth pucker.
After considering community feedback, the developers who have proposed a new condominium building at 110 Park Avenue have unveiled a new design. “We really did a lot of strategizing, spent a lot of time, and developed what I think is an extraordinarily very different, attractive building,” said Swarthmore resident Bill Cumby, whose building firm, W.S. Cumby, is behind the project, in partnership with Don Delson (also a Swarthmore resident), and in consultation with the architecture firm Bernardon.
After an incredible, exhilarating, improbable finish in the District 1 5A Final that saw the Panthers eke out a thrilling, 34-33 four-overtime victory over West Chester Rustin—literally by their fingertips—it seems fair to ask how a more satisfying encore could even be imagined.
There is no better way to bring your family holiday cheer than to attend the Young People’s Theatre Workship production of Annie Jr. at The Players Club of Swarthmore.
Superintendent Dr. Wagner Marseille began his remarks at the school board meeting on Monday, November 22, by expressing deep concern about graffiti recently found on Wallingford Elementary School property. He noted that the graffiti, which included a racial slur, was a “gross violation of the school district’s commitment, in its mission statement, to “respect for self and others” and “leadership in the global community” — and he assured those gathered that the district is conducting an investigation into the matter.
An exhibition of photography and verse by the Page Brothers, Paul (photographer) and David (author), will be on display from December 2 to January 2, 2022, at Swarthmore Borough Hall. The public is invited to the opening reception on Friday, December 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This project has been a creative collaboration between the two brothers, an exploration of light, image, and possibilities filtered through a photographic lens and a keyboard.
Stefan Roots brings us up to speed on two recent Swarthmore College men’s basketball games, including a surprising home loss against Widener.
This week’s championship matchup could not look any more even “on paper.” The #1 seed will play the #2 seed. Both teams vanquished a league opponent for a second time in the playoffs. Both teams favor a “ground-and-pound” approach with a Wing-T offense. Both teams have longtime coaches with a history of success. And so, the District 1 5A Championship football game will land as predicted by the playoff bracket, as top-ranked West Chester Rustin will host #2 Strath Haven, with a trip to the state semifinals on the line.
