Philadelphia local news, sports, jobs, cars, homes

Author: Lisa Dukart

  • Swarthmore is tabling an earned income tax | Inquirer Greater Media

    Swarthmore is tabling an earned income tax | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    Swarthmore Borough residents won’t have to pay an earned income tax, at least for the time being. Also this week, Task, the Delco-set HBO mini-series, has wrapped up, the Media Business Authority is pursuing possible eateries to fill the now-empty Iron Hill Brewery space, and new entertainment venue and bar Martinique Deux is hosting its grand opening tonight.

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    Swarthmore tables earned income tax for the time being

    Swarthmore has tabled a proposal to implement an earned income tax after Swarthmore College stepped up to help fill a budget hole.

    Swarthmore residents aren’t facing an earned income tax, at least for the time being.

    The borough last week agreed to table an unpopular proposal to implement an EIT after Swarthmore College agreed to contribute $638,000 to cover a funding gap left by the closure of Crozer-Chester Medical Center earlier this year, The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner reports.

    The borough is, however, considering implementing an emergency services tax. It will continue budget discussions at Monday’s finance committee meeting.

    Read more about the ongoing budget talks here.

    💡 Community News

    • Task wrapped up on Sunday, delivering a bittersweet conclusion to the seven-episode show starring Mark Ruffalo. While the Delco-set HBO mini-series was undoubtedly a cops and robbers-heavy story, it also provided “a brooding, layered examination of fatherhood in various forms,” The Inquirer’s Rosa Cartagena reports. Its ending is exactly what show creator and Berwyn native Brad Ingelsby wanted. Read more about the finale here. (Warning: Spoilers!)
    • With the conclusion of Task, we’ve also put together a final map of the show’s local filming locations, including the Delaware County Courthouse and Government Center in Media, which was featured in the finale. We also gathered video of some of the cast’s favorite Delco phrases, which you can watch here. Those who watched were treated to some of the region’s wooded scenery, so much so that it prompted The New York Times to refer to the region as “rural America.” The Inquirer’s Jason Nark took issue with that characterization and with another journalist calling the region “downtrodden,” noting “Delco’s not much different from Philadelphia’s other ring counties.”
    • The Promenade at Granite Run continues to evolve, and come spring, will be home to an IKEA “plan and order point with pick-up” store. Unlike traditional stores, which are shoppable, the smaller format allows customers to meet with IKEA team members to plan out home spaces and then arrange delivery or pick up of their goods. The new store, part of a pad site near Middletown Road, will span about 3,755 square feet.
    • Despite Democrats holding power in Delaware County Council for the past few years, Republicans see an opening to regain representation after a double-digit property tax increase last year. Voters will elect two members to the five-person board on Nov. 4, and Republicans are hoping to build up traction.
    • Speaking of the election, Tuesday is the last day for registered voters to request a mail-in ballot for next month’s election. You can apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot here.
    • SEPTA’s inspections of 225 Silverliner IV Regional Rail cars are more than a third complete. The Inquirer is tracking the agency’s inspection progress here.
    • Ahead of the holidays, the Media Food Bank is seeking donations for an array of goods, including shelf-stable foods, personal care items, pet food, household goods, and items for babies. Find a list of needed supplies here.
    • Artist Susan O’Reilly is relocating her eponymous studio from Aston to 415 Dartmouth Ave. in Swarthmore next month, taking over the space formerly home to barbershop Cutz to Cutz. She will offer fine art classes and workshops, as well as individual sessions, with plans to add children’s programming later. The same block will also be home to secondhand store Heart and Soul’d come the new year, which is relocating to 407 Dartmouth Ave. It will maintain its current space at 14 Park Ave. until then, using its new space to show larger pieces like furniture by request. (The Swarthmorean)
    • Swarthmore is hosting a flu vaccine clinic on Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the borough council room. Those interested must register in advance.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Media Elementary School is hosting a trunk-or-treat event Friday, and fall theater performances kick off Saturday and run through Tuesday. There’s also a boys basketball tournament this weekend and a community blood drive on Tuesday. See the district’s full calendar here.
    • Tomorrow is picture day makeups for Wallingford-Swarthmore students, and on Saturday, Wallingford Elementary is hosting its pancake breakfast and Halloween carnival from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. See the district’s full calendar here. WSSD is also hosting community conversation sessions on Tuesday with superintendent Russell D. Johnston. The morning session will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and an evening session will be from 6 to 7 p.m., both at Strath Haven Middle School.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎭 Young Frankenstein: It’s your last chance to catch this musical comedy about a doctor who’s inherited his grandfather’s estate in Transylvania. ⏰ Through Sunday, Oct. 26, times vary 💵 $27-$47 📍 The Media Theatre

    🍫 Creekside’s Halloween Party: Creekside Swim Club’s community party includes a mad scientist’s lab, costumes, face painting, raffles, and, of course, candy. ⏰ Friday, Oct. 24, 5-7 p.m. 💵 $10 📍 Creekside Swim Club, Wallingford

    🛍️ Merchant Night Market: Swarthmore stores will stay open later for this special shopping event. ⏰ Friday, Oct. 24, 5-9 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Swarthmore

    👻 Halloween Parade: Media Borough is hosting its annual Halloween parade, complete with performances by Penncrest and Strath Haven’s marching bands. Put on your costume and join the fun along State Street, where there will also be appearances by the Philadelphia Ghostbusters, and Star Wars cosplayers Garrison Carida and Kyber Base. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. 💵 Free 📍 State Street, Media

    🍬 Haunted Trail: Middletown Township’s Halloween-themed event for kids ages 12 and under includes trick-or-treating and games. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, 4-7:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Sleighton Park

    🧙‍♀️ Costume Party: This month’s Teen Activity Day at the Rocky Run YMCA is a Halloween-themed party. It’s open to 13- to 18-year-olds. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, 5:30-7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Rocky Run YMCA, Media

    🕺 Delco Dance Night: Put on your costume and dance to tunes at this 21-and-over Halloween-themed event. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, 7-10 p.m. 💵 $15.75 in advance, $20 at the door 📍 Park Avenue Community Center, Swarthmore

    🎃 PumpkinPalooza: The Media borough’s event includes a jack-o-lantern stroll and contest, as well as yard games and fall treats. ⏰ Sunday, Oct. 26, 6-7:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Media Community Center lawn

    🗡️ Jack The Ripper: A Virtual London Walking Tour for Grown-Ups: Take a virtual walking tour following in the footsteps of the notorious 1800s serial killer. Registration is required. ⏰ Tuesday, Oct. 28, 5:30-6:45 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Helen Kate Furness Free Library, Wallingford

    🏡 On the Market

    A Wallingford townhome with a cozy fireplace

    The home’s family room has a fireplace and connects to the kitchen and dining room.

    Situated in the Mills at Rose Valley, this two-story townhome has three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms. The first floor features a living room, a family room with a fireplace, a dining room, and an eat-in kitchen. The bedrooms are located on the second floor, including a primary suite with a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a soaking tub. The home also has a finished basement that has space for an additional bedroom or a home office, as well as a deck out back.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $575,000 | Size: 2,983 SF

    🗞️ What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • The new PGA store lets you hit at world-renowned links | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    The new PGA store lets you hit at world-renowned links | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋

    The 40,000-square-foot PGA Tour Superstore is opening along Route 70 this weekend. We got a first look inside, including at its globe-trotting virtual hitting bays. Also, Jefferson announced layoffs last week impacting its Cherry Hill hospital, the community is mourning the recent passing of two entrenched residents, including the longtime co-owner of a coffee shop, plus Mission BBQ is opening next week in Garden State Park.

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    The new PGA Tour Superstore lets golfers virtually visit world-famous courses

    Golfers can test their skills on a putting green at the new PGA Tour Superstore.

    Golfers don’t need to hop on a plane to tee off on the sunlit fairway of California’s Titleist Performance Institute. They just have to venture to the 40,000-square-foot PGA Tour Superstore at 2232 Route 70, where the shop will open this Saturday at 9 a.m.

    A major highlight is the golf simulation bay, where customers can cycle through a list of world-famous golf courses projected onto a screen and receive analytics on their swings, The Inquirer’s Henry Savage reports.

    The sprawling store also sells gear, offers club fittings, and will have $30,000 in giveaways during its grand opening.

    Take a first look inside the new store.

    💡 Community News

    • Last week, Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia laid off about 1%, or 600 to 700, of its employees as it contends with financial pressures. Over 100 South Jersey workers, including at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, will be impacted come January. (Philadelphia Business Journal)
    • Cherry Hill police are warning residents about a calling and texting scam in which someone is claiming to be from the police department. Residents should not engage with the scammer and are encouraged to report incidents to the non-emergency line.
    • A local bakery helped a Cherry Hill doodle named Zeus celebrate a “bark mitzvah” last month by creating a bone-shaped cake dotted with bite-sized Stars of David. Zeus’ cake and the bakery behind it are part of a growing trend of upscale pet bakeries catering to pooches.
    • Temple University’s field hockey team has soared to new heights in recent years thanks to Cherry Hill native Michelle Vittese. She’s been coaching the team since 2021, turning it into a premier program and a regular contender in the Big East. Read more about how Vittese tapped into her own collegiate experience to lead the Owls.
    • Two township residents entrenched in the community died late last month. Chung Soon Hwang, longtime co-owner of Chung’s Coffee Shop in Philadelphia, died Sept. 24 at the age of 89. She and her husband, Oe Tok, arrived in South Jersey from South Korea in 1973. And on Sept. 23, Dorothy Womble-Wyatt died at the age of 84. She was an innovative teacher and celebrated school principal for the Camden City School District.
    • Longtime Cherry Hill contractor Craig Taylor tapped his friends and family to help grow a grassroots event to bring people together against hate. Known as “Kiss Hate Goodbye,” the event is slated to take place in Berlin on Nov. 20 and will include dinner, dancing, and throwback tunes. (6abc)
    • The township is hosting a free rabies clinic on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at Challenge Grove Park. Pet owners can bring their licensed cat or dog to get vaccinated. And on Sunday, there’s a free drive-up shredding and recycling event where residents can drop off up to four boxes of papers for shredding, as well as single-stream recyclables, tires, car batteries, rechargeable batteries, and CFL light bulbs. Read more about the event here.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Mission BBQ is opening its latest location at Market Place at Garden State Park next week. The eatery, known for its array of barbecue dishes and a daily playing of the national anthem, will open Oct. 28 at noon. It is situated adjacent to Wonder food hall, which opened there this spring.
    • Lamberti’s Tutti Toscani is celebrating its 40th anniversary through the end of November with a menu that includes items from the past four decades. The Brace Road BYOB’s anniversary menu includes clams casino, manicotti, chicken cacciatore, and veal casalinga.
    • The recently opened Barclay Pies on Marlton Pike is serving up pizzas that meet certain dietary restrictions, like those with Celiac disease, something the families of owners TJ Hunton and Daniel Romero face. Not only can pizzas be made gluten-free, but so can the salads, chicken fingers, and wings. (Patch)

    🎳 Things to Do

    🔍 Killer Night Out: The library’s 21-and-over murder mystery event will transport participants back to the Roaring ‘20s where they must solve a murder. ⏰ Friday, Oct. 24, 6-9 p.m. 💵 $30 📍 Cherry Hill Library

    🌽 Cherry Hill Harvest Fest: This fall-themed festival includes food vendors, a trunk-or-treat, games, and music. Costumes are encouraged. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, 3-6 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 The Church of the Good Shepherd

    🎃 Pumpkin Picking Hayrides: It’s your last chance to take a hayride and go pumpkin picking at Springdale Farms for the season. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25-Sunday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 $7.50 for hayrides, pumpkins are priced by the pound 📍 Springdale Farms

    💗 Party in Pink: This breast cancer awareness event includes a discussion with a survivor, a 90-minute session with dancing and music, and access to other health and wellness resources. ⏰ Sunday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 💵 $20-$25 📍 Katz JCC

    🛼 Mickey & Minnie Halloween Skatetacular: The beloved duo will be visiting for this skate party that includes trick-or-treating, a costume contest, face painting, and ICEEs. ⏰ Sunday, Oct. 26, 12:30-3:30 p.m. and 4:30-7:30 p.m. 💵 $14 admission plus $6 skate rental 📍 Hot Wheelz

    🎃 No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating: Kids in sixth through 12th grade can create a one-of-a-kind artificial mini pumpkin. ⏰ Wednesday, Oct. 29, 7-8 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Cherry Hill Library

    🏡 On the Market

    A four-bedroom home in Kingston Estates

    The front of the home features white siding, red brick, and a white picket fence.

    Built in 1957, this white-siding and red-brick home has four bedrooms, including a primary suite with its own bathroom, all located on the upper level. On the home’s main level, there’s a family room with original hardwood flooring, a dining room, and an eat-in kitchen. It has updated appliances, floral wallpaper, and a white tile backsplash with fruits interspersed throughout. The home also has a living room off its entryway, complete with a wood-burning fireplace and log storage. Outside, there’s a covered front porch offset by a white picket fence, while out back there’s a fenced yard with a storage shed. The home has a newly installed roof, as well. There’s an open house Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $435,000 | Size: 2,056 SF | Acreage: 0.23

    🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • A new entertainment venue and bar looks to become a Media staple

    A new entertainment venue and bar looks to become a Media staple

    With the exception of a sign etched onto a glass window on the ground floor, there’s no indication that an entertainment venue and bar awaits beyond the doors of Media’s predominately office-focused Phoenix building.

    Inside is equally vague. There’s just a large sign that reads “Martinique Deux” situated on a staircase leading to the basement. Following it downstairs, there’s an innocuous door that leads to a speakeasy-like bar.

    Martinique Deux’s owners — business partners James Matika, Jason Fogg, and Pat Collins — like that it has a bit of a mystique, at least for the time being.

    That will change when the entertainment venue and bar debuts on Oct. 17 and Oct. 18, during a soft opening in advance of its grand opening on Oct. 23.

    Located at 115 W. State St., the 2,400-square-foot space features a long bar with chairs, high- and low-top tables, including some with church pews for seating, a stage with a piano, as well as a back section with couches and a big-screen TV.

    Though largely dark and atmospheric, there are some pop culture nods, like a large painting of David Bowie and a photo of Princess Diana sporting an Eagles jacket.

    When Martinique Deux opens, its owners envision it as a lively place where people can grab a drink before or after dinner, watch a game, play darts, and enjoy a music or comedy show. It will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and open earlier on weekends.

    A dart board on the wall at Martinique Deux in Media.

    The 21-and-over venue will have live entertainment at least three days a week, with music performances on Fridays and Saturdays and comedy shows on Thursdays, though the lineups will vary. They plan to launch with a range of musical acts and comedy, with some being ticketed events and others charging a cover.

    Sports fans can also catch games, with a large TV taking center stage during Eagles games.

    “If there’s Philly sports on, that’s what will be on,” Matika said.

    After football season ends, they’re contemplating adding acoustic performances on Sundays. Weekends may also see Martinique Deux open earlier to accommodate Premier League soccer fans.

    Martinique Deux will also be open on Wednesdays starting around Thanksgiving, but largely without planned entertainment.

    The bar will offer staple food items like soft pretzels, popcorn, and chips, with plans to partner with neighboring pizza joint Lariele Wood Fired Square Pie. They’re also contemplating a rotating food truck lineup on live entertainment nights.

    While they’re still finalizing the cocktail list, it will likely be bourbon-forward and feature Pops McCann liquors, Fogg’s Pottstown distillery that produces bourbons, whiskeys, and a rum, and is planning to expand into vodkas and tequilas.

    “We’re going to keep it simple,” Matika said.

    The bar will feature Pops McCann liquors, Fogg’s Pottstown distillery.

    The bar will also serve other Pennsylvania-made beverages like Stateside Vodka and Surfside iced tea and lemonade, wines from urban winery John Robert Cellars, which has a tasting room on the ground floor of the Phoenix building, as well as beers from Sterling Pig Brewery.

    When Martinique Deux opens, it will mark the end of a year-and-a-half-long effort to bring the concept to life. Matika and Collins began working on it together last March after each independently considered similar ideas. They soon connected and set about transforming the space, which was sitting empty after an escape room there closed amid the pandemic.

    Both also have experience in the industry — Matika worked at Tap 24 and La Belle Epoque in Media and grew up in the bars his father owned, including The Martinique in Wildwood. Similarly, Collins’ father formerly owned the Clam Tavern in Clifton Heights, and Collins himself said he owned a dive bar in South Philly previously.

    They later connected with Fogg through a mutual friend, bringing the entire vision together.

    Owners Jason Fogg, James Matika, and Pat Collins pose for a photo at the bar.

    Martinique Deux joins an evolving scene in the heart of the borough, where just down the street, Mediterranean restaurant Maris and cheesesteak joint Jackson St. Steaks are opening soon.

    “I think it’s going to be one of Media’s staples,” Collins said.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.