city planning: Philadelphia Metropolis

Public Is the New Private

Best of VovPop» Remember Steve Martin's line when people asked if he would mind them smoking? He smiled politely and replied: "Mind if I fart?" Today, though smoking is banned in most public places, no one would bother to ask permission to fart; they would just break wind. That's because private is the new public. Functions, which used to be performed in homes, beauty salons, doctor's offices and even bathrooms, have now become spectator sports. Nowhere is this more obvious than on public transportation where people are crammed together like galley slaves for the duration of their trip. When I lived in the Bronx and commuted to Manhattan on the subways, people were content to read their newspapers or books in relative silence. Occasionally, I encountered a groper, a loud talker or a nose picker or an annoying straphanger who hung too close to a seated commuter. These days, no matter what form of public transportation I take, someone sitting next to me is either eating something incredibly stinky from a (Comments)

Changing a Lightbulb

Best of VoxPop» I'm not planning on drinking a cyanide smoothie or anything, but when you have no work, your soul seems to shrivel. As a self-employed contractor, the fundamental assumption is that I have to rely on myself. But as my "self" seems to implode, so does my reality. There is nothing left to lean on, so I slowly fall down. I scour Craigslist for jobs and gigs and check Chester County papers for warehouse work or anything to bring in money. I do a few pushups and examine my hairline in the mirror. I pat my soft belly. I recheck construction proposals for typos and wonder if (Comments)

Part Two: Takeover at Olney High

Could Olney High become a model for high school turnarounds? With its emphasis on discpline, with intense oversight of teachers, and with a program that puts troublesome students in special classes, Olney may have found a formula that works. Connie Langland reports from Olney in the second part of this special Cover Story. (Comments)

Is That All There Is?

The planners at the Philadelphia School District labored mightily and produced a mouse with the school closing/consolidation list released Wednesday (Nov. 2).  As Peggy Lee would put it, the plan had an "Is That All There Is?" quality to... (Comments)

There's No Place Like Home

By Kessa Baylor» A year and a half ago I awoke to a burning desire to leave the city of brotherly love. Being born and raised in Philadelphia meant that I under appreciated all of its glory. Every sight and sound became an irritating thorn in my flesh, urging me to flee. I didn't start thinking of moving until after the company I worked for downsized. I decided to use my new freedom to practice some organized spontaneity. I did a little online research for a place to live and a few job leads and I packed up my family and our dog and headed to South Carolina. I had enough savings to keep our heads above water for six months, which I thought was a nice head start. We settled in Rock Hill, about 20 miles from Charlotte, NC. The city was small but (Comments)