Suburbs
My PATCO Commute Is the Best Part of My Day
For a few years now, we have talked about the damage we do to our brains with our constant multi-tasking. I am a single mother […]
Grocery Shopping in the Philly Burbs: Replacing My Beloved Genuardi’s
When the news came out that Giant had bought Genuardi’s, ending the local grocery chain’s long life, our household was taken aback. My wife was […]
Please Put Me in a Room for 15 Minutes With Main Line Teens
Late last month, it was all over the news that YouTube was showing videos of students getting “shmacked.” Apparently, getting shmacked means drinking and doing […]
Let’s All Pretend Camden Doesn’t Exist
As I’m sure you’ve heard, Rutgers-Camden may soon get usurped by Rowan University, and the faculty and other employees are up in arms. This defense […]
Living Without Corn Syrup and Peanut Butter: A Suburban Childhood
Little Jimmy, age 8, approaches the microphone and looks around at all the strange grown-ups smiling at him. He smiles back at the ones in […]
Not In My Suburban Backyard, You Don’t
During my junior year at Temple, I had an elderly professor who was memorable for three main reasons. The first was that over the course […]
Ladies Who Gym: Thongs! Gossip! Zumba!
I have been a member of the same South Jersey gym for more than 10 years. You would think I’d be in pretty good shape […]
Is This a School Board Meeting or Fight Club?
There’s nothing quite like the first breath of cool, night air after a three-and-a-half-hour school board meeting. It’s a zen moment for those working in […]
More Trouble for Devon Fitness Owner John McCaffrey
On Tuesday, John McCaffrey, the 47-year-old co-owner of the Main Line’s Devon Fitness, showed up for court. No, not in Chester County Court, where he’s […]
28-Year-Old Drunk Driving Downington Mayor to Declare Candidacy for State Rep
Last August, we gave a Best of Philly Award to the then-27-year-old Mayor of Downingtown, Josh Maxwell. Then in September, police pulled Maxwell over and […]
Federal Suit: Chester Upland Schools and Parents vs. Pennsylvania and Tom Corbett
The impoverished Chester Upland School District is about to shut down, facing an unprecedented budget crisis and $20 million in debt, as detailed in this […]
We Need to Start Firing Bad Teachers
I remember Mr. Haas fondly. Mr. Haas was my senior-year high school English teacher, a rumpled, bombastic man with square Buddy Holly glasses and a […]
I Took My Chihuahua to a Playgroup
I have never abused my dog. I’ve never beaten her with a stick, but she’s afraid of sticks. Nor have I hit her with the […]
Your Fugly Christmas Decorations Offend Me
It’s officially started. This weekend, I saw our Bucks Co. neighbors hanging swags of garland over their garage, a big wreath in the middle. Another […]
What Jonathan Franzen Knows About Main Line Housewives
Lately I can’t stop thinking that everything is meaningless. I know that sounds depressing, and it is the kind of thing I used to think […]