Hi, Lower Merion!
The Haverford School is in the midst of planning changes to its campus, drawing pushback from some neighbors. Here’s what the school’s contemplating. Also this week, the township is considering a double-digit waste fee hike, local businesses face drug charges for selling illegal THC products, plus, the director of operations at Green Engine Coffee Co. shares her perfect day.
— Lisa Dukart (lowermerion@inquirer.com)
Inquirer Lower Merion
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Some residents are raising concerns over The Haverford School’s proposed campus changes, worried that its plans amount to institutional encroachment.
Among the private school’s proposals is a multi-story parking deck along Lancaster Avenue to accommodate 480 cars on campus. Connecting existing lots internally would eliminate the need for people to drive on public roadways as they circle for spots.
The school, which straddles Lower Merion and Haverford Townships, also wants to tear down two homes it owns to make way for a soccer and baseball field.
But those changes would be detrimental to the Haverford Monthly Meeting’s Quaker services and make driving conditions in the area worse, some neighbors say.
💡 Community news
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With the township’s solid waste fund facing a $1.3 million deficit, officials are contemplating a 14% increase in trash and recycling collection fees.
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Dozens of Montgomery County businesses, including in Haverford and Narberth, face felony drug charges after county prosecutors say they ignored warnings from the office that they were illegally selling goods with powerful THC.
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Narberth native Elias Weiss Friedman, better known as the Dogist, has launched his own canine wellness brand. Dogist Company’s first product, Vitality, is a salmon-flavored antioxidant supplement chew.
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Ahead of next month’s election, Montgomery County has rolled out a new voter services chatbot. “Mo” will answer questions about polling place locations, nearby ballot drop boxes, and other important details.
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Lower Merion police are warning residents about a new scam in which fraudulent permit-payment emails are being sent to property owners and businesses, impersonating city and county planning and zoning offices. Residents and business owners who encounter the scam are encouraged to report it to the department or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
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A new fitness studio, RTR Pilates, recently opened at 650 Montgomery Ave. in Narberth.
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In want of a tree? Lower Merion is hosting a raffle giving away 50 trees through Oct. 27. And Narberth residents can place a request for up to two shade trees on their properties for fall planting.
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Doing some fall cleaning? There’s an “Anything with a Plug” recycling event on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lower Merion Public Works Complex in Penn Valley. And on Sunday, there’s a household hazardous waste collection event at the Lower Merion Transfer Station, also in Penn Valley. Both require registration.
🗺️ Other nearby news
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Guangtian Ha, an assistant professor of religion at Haverford College, was arrested and charged this week with cyberstalking a colleague. Ha allegedly used anonymous X accounts to share the individual’s home address and sent the person dozens of antisemitic threats.
🏫 Schools briefing
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In case you missed it, district superintendent Frank Ranelli announced yesterday plans to resign from his post come April, saying “this position is just not a good match for me.”
🍽️ On our plate
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Zoe Tanner, the director of operations at Haverford’s Green Engine Coffee Co. and perhaps the region’s most famous barista, recently shared what her perfect day looks like. It includes yoga, banh mi, and music.
🎳 Things to do
🎸 Superunknown: The group will pay tribute to Chris Cornell, including his bands Audioslave, Soundgarden, and Temple of the Dog. ⏰ Friday, Oct. 9, 8 p.m. 💵 $34.67 📍 Ardmore Music Hall
🗓️ Penn Wynne Day: The inaugural event includes food, music, vendors, and kid-friendly activities. A new community reading garden will also be unveiled outside Penn Wynne Library. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (rain date: Oct. 17) 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Manoa and Haverford Roads
🍂 Community Fall Festival: Crafts, games, pumpkin decorating, and food and drinks abound. ⏰ Sunday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Kaiserman JCC
🍳 Cooking Without Fear: This Anthony Bourdain-inspired class will focus on refining four simple dishes. ⏰ Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 💵 $95 📍 BodyX
🏡 On the market
This updated four-bedroom home in the College Park section of Bala Cynwyd has an open-concept living and dining room that opens onto a fully renovated kitchen. Also on the main living level is a family room with a marble fireplace and a built-in office area. An enclosed sunroom looks out over the backyard, which is anchored by an in-ground pool. There are open houses today from noon to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $925,000 | Size: 2,331 SF | Acreage: 0.31
🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:
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