Swarthmore’s borough council voted to reopen borough hall and the Central Park amphitheater, and approved a three-year lease-purchase of a 2021 hybrid Ford Explorer for the police department.
Something to Read: ‘A Good Cry’
Nikki Giovanni’s book of poetry ‘A Good Cry’ is this week’s recommendation for something to read.
Home Away From Home: Residents Who Move Around Swarthmore
Associate editor Satya Nelms talks to Swarthmore “house hoppers” and muses on what it means to move while staying close to home.
To Open or Not to Open
Swarthmore Borough Councils weighs reopening Borough Hall and the Central Park amphitheater, and discusses email and social media policy.
A Soft Place to Land
In honor of National Poetry Month, associate editor Satya Nelms shares the importance of poetry in her life.
Call It What It Is
In the wake of the brutal murders in Georgia on March 16, associate editor Satya Nelms on the importance of calling things what they are.
Something to Listen to: ‘Songs in the Key of Life’
We are definitely in a Stevie Wonder season.
Zero Waste and Environmental Justice
At the March 8 Swarthmore Borough Council legislative session, council voted to approve a zero-waste resolution. The resolution was supported by many local residents who spoke at the meeting.
Moving Toward Zero Waste and Forward With Parklets
At its March 1 work session, Swarthmore’s borough council discussed zero waste, parklet guidelines, and community access to the Crum Woods.
Something to Read: ‘When No One Is Watching’
Associate editor Satya Nelms recommends Alyssa Cole’s new novel, “When No One is Watching.”
Young Woman on a Mission
A profile of Aissata Kone, a tenth grader at Strath Haven High School and a serial entrepreneur who credits her family for her drive and work ethic.
Beyond Books and Browsing: Local Libraries Adjust to the Pandemic
Local libraries adjust to the pandemic and find new ways to connect with their patrons.
Swarthmore First in Renewable Natural Gas
Swarthmore becomes the first municipality in the commonwealth to purchase renewable natural gas.
Something to Watch: A Trio of Movies for Valentine’s Day
A selection of movies to watch this Valentine’s Day weekend, ranging from an animated family movie to a sci-fi romantic comedy.
Love of My Life
Associate Editor Satya Nelms recalls how she first met her husband, and talks about the Valentine’s Day traditions they now share with their children.
Something to Read: ‘Caste’
Isabel Wilkerson’s award-winning first book, “The Warmth of Other Suns,” has long been on my “to be read” list. But I’ll be honest: I was intimidated by its heft.
New Town Center Coordinator and Gun Safety at Council
Swarthmore Town Center announced that Sarah Matthews is the nonprofit’s new coordinator. One of Matthews’ first tasks will be creating guidelines for the parklets, which are currently authorized to run through March 31. Also, many local police departments store firearms for people concerned that they are a danger to themselves. Swarthmore also provides this service.
Discussion of Permanent Parklets, Division Over Meeting Minutes
Parklets in Swarthmore’s business district came under scrutiny at the borough council’s January 11 legislative session as residents raised concerns about traffic safety and business signage. And a correction to the minutes of the previous council meeting minutes devolved into a heated argument.
Freedom and Isolation: How Community Members Are Managing During the Pandemic
Many of us are doing our best to embrace the freedoms created by this moment in history, while also struggling with its isolation. No matter our circumstances, the pandemic has forced us all to adjust. In this essay, associate editor Satya Nelms shares her own experiences and reports on those of a family with school-aged children, a college student, and a resident of a senior living community.
Concerns About Bicycles, Budget Finalized
After concerns about kids riding bicycles on sidewalks in the business district were raised at Swarthmore Borough Council’s December 7 work session, five residents attended the December 21 council meeting to express their sense that the bicycle problem is getting out of hand. Also, the council voted not raise taxes in 2021.