Associate editor Satya Nelms offers a suggestion for something to read, something to watch, and something to listen to this holiday season.
Book Rx: Literary Prescriptions for This Holiday Season
Years ago, Swarthmorean associate editor Satya Nelms decided to get creative with her Christmas presents. This year, she combined her DIY tradition with her love of books. She shares some of her gift prescriptions: stories of people who combine Black, female, queer, poor, immigrant, and disabled identities.
Taxes to Stay the Same; Sparks Fly Over Bicycle Enforcement
In a sometimes fiery meeting that lasted over three hours, Swarthmore Borough Council voted on Monday not to raise taxes in 2021. The vote was 6 to 1. The most contentious part of the meeting was a report on the increasing nuisance of bicycles in the business district. Business owners have complained that cyclists are riding down the Park Avenue sidewalk with little regard for pedestrians and leaving their bikes obstructing the sidewalk.
Staying Afloat: Local Businesses Lean on the Community to Survive the Pandemic
In light of the pandemic, Swarthmore’s annual Home for the Holidays event has been significantly pared down from what the community has come to expect. In place of the traditional horse-drawn carriage rides, visit from Santa Claus, and dreidel games, there will be a handful of holiday activities that people can do on their own. Since the day of seasonal festivities is usually a big shopping day in the borough, the cancellation is worrisome for some retailers.
Council Moves Forward With Preliminary Tax Plan
Taxes and the 2021 budget were the centerpiece of Swarthmore Borough Council’s November 9 legislative session, as they had been at the previous week’s work session. Members wrestled with raising taxes to cover community priorities in a year when many residents are economically struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Council must commit to a tax rate at its December 7 meeting.
What Are We Celebrating?
I was at the Swarthmore Farmers Market when the news broke that Joe Biden had won the election. People started cheering in the streets. Honking their horns. I saw some people break down in tears. I understood it, but I didn’t feel it.
Council Weighs 2021 Tax Hike
Swarthmore residents may see a 2.25%, 2.5%, or 2.75% tax increase next year – or they may see no increase at all. Various budget plans were discussed at Monday’s Swarthmore Borough Council work session, with a final decision scheduled for the November 9 legislative session.
Making the Best of the School Situation
Whether enrolled in the hybrid instructional model where students attend in-person school two days a week, or in the completely virtual Online Academy, district children and their families are struggling this year.
Something to Read: ‘The Indoor Water Gardener’s How-To Handbook’
As the weather turns cold, and many outdoor plants settle into hibernation, it seems natural to put off thoughts of growing anything until the spring. But the change in season doesn’t mean we must stop gardening.
Movie by SHHS Grad in Philly Fest
“Islander” was written and directed by Derek Pastuszek, who grew up in Swarthmore. His first short film, “Solitary,” finished a two-year festival run with a special screening at the White House in July 2016. Shortly after Hurricane Sandy, Pastuszek shot “Islander” on Long Beach Island in New Jersey, where his family once owned a home. Pastuszek credits the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District with nurturing his creativity.
Halloween Spirit and Higher Standards
Swarthmore Borough Council voted to allocate $175 from the general fund for prizes in the borough’s Halloween House Decorating Contest. Also, Planning and Zoning Committee Chair Betsy Larsen said that council had not adequately responded to concerns expressed by North Chester Road residents at the council’s October 5 meeting about subdividing a property in their neighborhood.
Subdivision Gets the Green Light
After hearing from neighbors, developers, and engineers, and deferring to the legal expertise of borough solicitor Robert Scott, Swarthmore Borough Council voted to approve the subdivision of 686 N. Chester Road at its October 5 work session. The council had the choice between voting for one of two proposed plans for the property, or of voting to reject both.
Something to Watch: ‘The Social Dilemma’
With so many restrictions on meeting in person, virtual interaction has become a large part of our lives. Zoom calls and social media are how we stay connected. We know that the screen can’t really take the place of sharing space with people. But beyond being a lackluster substitute for time spent together without the aid of technology, are there dangers we should be aware of? The new documentary “The Social Dilemma” explores this question.
The Things We’ve Lost: On Personal and Collective Grief
A year ago, my father, sisters, and I were making plans for my grandmother’s 90th birthday. The milestone was due in October of 2021, and we wanted to be sure we gave ourselves enough time to plan. We wanted to give ample notice to loved ones far and wide so that they could be in attendance. It felt like a foregone conclusion that my Nannie would celebrate her 90th birthday.
Council Considers Accessibility, Parking, and Trees
At the Swarthmore Borough Council meeting on September 21, Swarthmore resident Samina Iqbal reported on efforts to improve accessibility in the borough. Also: council voted unanimously to prohibit overnight parking on several streets near Michigan Avenue and the Environment Committee moved that council approve the purchase of 12 trees through the Tree Tenders Program. Council also voted unanimously to keep parklets in the center of town through the end of 2020.
Neighbors Oppose Subdivision, Council Approves Ballot Box
At the Swarthmore Borough Council meeting on September 8, five neighbors from surrounding houses expressed their concerns over Cavalier Homes’ plan to subdivide the lot at 686 N. Chester Road. Also, the county council has asked each of the county’s 49 municipalities to install a ballot box 5 feet high and 2 feet wide in a place that is ADA accessible, well-lit, and subject to 24/7 video surveillance. The box will be emptied by county election bureau employees, and will remain in place for five years.
Something to Read
“Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You” by Lin-Manuel Miranda, illustrated by Jonny Sun, is a book of affirmations meant to inspire, encourage, and uplift.
The Post Office Reckons With Recent Changes
At 3 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, the Swarthmore post office was empty. After a few minutes, clerk Nicole Scott emerged. Scott’s shift had been over for an hour, but she stayed on — without pay and against her postmaster’s advice — so the office wouldn’t have to close early. The Swarthmore facility had no one to cover the remaining hours, a problem the branch has been facing with increased frequency since overtime was eliminated over the summer. Lately, customers often find only one clerk behind the counter — if there’s anyone at all. What is happening in Swarthmore is happening in post offices across the country.
The New Normal
This is not the year they were imagining. This is not the year any of us was imagining. And as our community confronts the gap between what we had hoped for this school year and what it has turned out to be, a question keeps coming up. When will we get back to normal?
Young Activists Lead the Charge on Racial Literacy
The Racial Literacy Initiative (RLI), a new organization started by Strath Haven High School students and alumni, is petitioning for an African American Studies course to be added as a graduation requirement at SHHS. RLI was founded to help shift the culture in a school district its members say hasn’t done enough to fight systemic bigotry. They see the course as one tool for fighting racism and promoting equity at the high school. The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District has recently put more focus on issues of race and equity, with the formation this summer of a district-wide committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.