By Thom Nickels
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Opinion
The Local Lens: Who Let the Dogs Out?
Who let the dogs out? Or, how come there are so many pit bulls in the world? Where did these dogs come from? I have a good neighbor who has…
Thom Nickels | 06/23/2017 -
Opinion
The Local Lens: The Philadelphia Writers’ Conference
What about writers’ conferences? Are they valuable for people who want to write? I felt very privileged to be included in the 69th annual Philadelphia Writers’ Conference (PWC). My participation…
Thom Nickels | 06/15/2017 -
Opinion
The Local Lens: Celebrating Matt Moll
While hanging out at the decidedly downscale, hipster-free Sam and Ruthie’s Riverwards bar with a young artist friend (we had come from a Center City play entitled How to Use…
Thom Nickels | 06/08/2017 -
Opinion
The Local Lens: Mr. Spock’s Machine
When I became a man, I put away childish things. Then one day a woman talked to me about a Wishing Machine — or, as I like to call…
Thom Nickels | 06/01/2017 -
Opinion
The Local Lens: Post-Primary Politics
I don’t get to hang out with my brother very often, but when I took the train to Exton this past weekend to spend some time with him, I expected…
Thom Nickels | 05/24/2017 -
Opinion
The Local Lens: Happy Birthday, Walt
On May 31 this year, America’s greatest poet, Walt Whitman, will be 198 years old. His birthday celebration will be held on Tuesday, May 23 at 5 PM at the…
Thom Nickels | 05/21/2017 -
History
The Local Lens: Old Money Mansions
The life of Philadelphia’s wealthy and privileged classes can be fascinating to study. Take for instance one of Philadelphia’s most famous mansions, Ardrossan, the 50-room Georgian Revival estate in…
Thom Nickels | 05/18/2017 -
Opinion
The Local Lens: Developers Should Take the Character of the Neighborhood Into Account
Is there not a single space in my Riverwards neighborhood that has not been rezoned for rehab by developers? The other night I was making my way to a friend’s…
Thom Nickels | 04/19/2017 -
Opinion
The Local Lens: Art Receptions Aren’t What They Used to Be
Some time ago I wrote a column about Philadelphia’s whacky reception groupies, or people who seem to spend a lot of time trying to find art receptions in the…
Thom Nickels | 04/14/2017 -
Opinion
The Local Lens: The New Politics of Aging
When my parents (who were part of America’s so-called “Greatest Generation”) were in their 50s, they seemed much older than the 50-plus people I know today. American society was…
Thom Nickels | 04/06/2017 -
Opinion
The Local Len: My Own “Phantom Rider”
Years ago the Philadelphia Daily News published a weekly SEPTA column called “The Phantom Rider” by an anonymous writer who recounted his experiences while riding the El and the…
Thom Nickels | 03/31/2017 -
History
Local Lens: Remembering Mother Divine
On March 14th of this year, the New York Times ran the following headline: “Mother Divine, Who Took Over Her Husband’s Cult, Dies at 91”. Mother Divine actually died…
Thom Nickels | 03/24/2017