Gwendolyn’s September Obsessions

By: Gwendolyn Havern

As the crisp air of fall rolls in, September brought a variety of experiences to savor—from culinary delights to hidden city gems. Whether you were exploring Philadelphia's Restaurant Week, diving into some intriguing short stories, or finding the perfect coffee spot for your study breaks, there was something for everyone. Let’s look back at this month's highlights, including day trips outside the city and a helpful tool to stay informed on current events.

Restaurant Week in Philadelphia:

Like many, I have a taste for cuisine that’s often out of my budget. But twice a year, that changes thanks to the classic “Philadelphia Restaurant Week.” From September 8 to 21, you could enjoy three-course prix-fixe dinners for $40 or $60, and two-course lunches for $20. With over 100 participating restaurants, the menus range from branzino to pho. In the past, I’ve gone with friends and always had a fantastic time. My top recommendations are Bistro La Baia, Bleu Sushi, and Harper's Garden. Pro-tip: opt for a BYOB spot to save on drinks or book a reservation during happy hour. If you missed out on this in September, don’t worry, it’ll be back in the spring!

Short Stories:

During the school year, it’s especially difficult for me to keep up with my personal reading goals. One of my New Year's resolutions was to read 10 books in 2024, but I’ve struggled to read more than a few pages at a time with the constant juggling of work, school, and extracurriculars. Luckily, I’ve discovered that short stories are not only easier to fit into my schedule but often more satisfying as well. I recommend Crapalachia: A Biography of a Place by Scott McClanahan as well as The Best Short Stories 2021: The O. Henry Prize Winners edited by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Crapalachia: A Biography of a Place is a memoir that blends personal memories with the rugged history of rural West Virginia, offering a raw, darkly humorous portrait of life in Appalachia. The Best Short Stories 2021: The O. Henry Prize Winners, showcases a diverse array of stories exploring identity, loss, and the human experience. Both books capture the essence of their subjects through vivid storytelling and nuanced reflection on place and people. I particularly appreciated the display of local color and the versatility of tones, using a wide range of voices to create a cohesive and compelling collection. McClanahan’s witty and gritty portrayal of family and neighborhood oddities resonated with me. It reminded me of growing up in Pittsburgh, a different manifestation of Appalachian heritage compared to McClanahan’s West Virginia or J.D. Vance’s more polemic narrative of Middletown, Ohio.

My favorite in The Best Short Stories 2021, is "When I Was Ten" by David Rabe, a hauntingly introspective memoir that delves into the complexities of childhood trauma and its lingering effects on adulthood. Jamal Brinkley’s “Witness” wins as my top pick. In the story, he explores the dynamics of New York City’s gentrification, familial and community ties, and personal experiences of grief.

Coffee Breaks:

I've been frequenting two great coffee spots to kick off the school year. My go-to for iced coffee is Columbia Diner, a long-time favorite at 1703 Cecil B. Moore Ave., right next to Simply Seafood. For just $2.50, their iced coffee is spot on, with the perfect coffee-to-cream ratio. Another favorite of mine is the newly opened Flores Cafe at 1900 W Girard Ave. The atmosphere is ideal for a morning or midday study session, and the staff is incredibly kind. I highly recommend their Cuban sandwich, or one of their creative drinks like the Horchata, Coquito, or Marzipan Iced Latte!

Taking a Day Trip: Chestnut Hill

As a senior at Temple, I’ve been fortunate to explore much of Philadelphia over the past three years. Just outside the city, I’ve discovered some hidden gems, especially in Chestnut Hill. You can get there via the 23 bus, which stops throughout campus (about 50 minutes), or by a $6 train ride (42 minutes).

Chestnut Hill’s main streets host the "Fall for the Arts" festival in September. Many vendors including performance and visual artists, local businesses, breweries, and interactive workshops flood the main streets for a five hour celebration of community. "Halloween on the Hill" from October 26 to 31. The area is also home to the Woodmere Museum, free for students, featuring both modern and historical fine art. For nature lovers, there is the Chestnut Hill Conservancy and the Morris Arboretum, a beautiful 92-acre public garden. Chestnut Hill is a cozy, vibrant neighborhood filled with charming shops and cultural centers waiting to be explored.

Ground News

On a serious note, the world we live in is constantly shifting and the media has become a contested subject for many. Oftentimes, voters have concerns about biased media and misleading news. To remedy this, I have downloaded Ground News, an app dedicated to removing one's personal media bias. Ground News is a news comparison platform that aggregates stories from various sources, allowing users to see how different media outlets cover the same topic. It highlights potential bias by showing the political leanings of news organizations and offers perspectives from the left, center, and right. With a basic free version and premium plans starting at around $10/month, it's a valuable tool for promoting media literacy and gaining a balanced view of current events. This is especially great for classes, helping with discussion board responses and comparative media assignments. I use it mostly when researching foreign conflicts, which may be underreported on, yet important to the United States. The ground app itself gives a middle-ground summary of the issue and then sources to explore both left and right-leaning reporting and regional bias.