Phil Manganaro doesn’t brave the markets for much of the produce on his menus these days. Ingredient shortages? Something’s always blooming. High prices? His precious haul is always free. Social distance shopping? You could say the chef has taken that to the extreme, with only a big lodge of beavers nearby currently in sight. The Merchantville chef and his 8 year old son, Dean, regularly spend hours after home schooling on foraging missions to fuel the unconventional menus at his Park Place Cafe - the intimate fine-dining BYOB-turned-drive-through - which is unlike any takeout you’ve sampled during this pandemic. His loyal customers have responded, phoning their orders into the hotline to claim one of the 72 time slots for pick up Thursday through Saturday shortly after he posts the menus on Instagram each Sunday night. 

When PATCO closed four stations at midnight on Sunday they cited the health and safety of its workers and passengers as well the steep decline in ridership since state curfews measures were put in place in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to help curb the spread of COVID-19. The following stations will close at 12:01 a.m. Saturday because of the expanding COVID-19 pandemic: Ashland, Westmont, Camden City Hall and 12/13th & Locust St. In addition, the West Headhouse Entrance to the Broadway Station will close, but riders will be directed to use the Walter Rand Transportation Center entrance to the station.

The Ohio State Buckeyes earned their first Women’s Big Ten Conference title in 34 years this weekend and Merchantville's own Molly Kowal a new pool record. After finishing 3rd last year, Ohio State outperformed defending champion Indiana, and 2016-2018 champion Michigan, winning by a margin of by 197 points. The Ohio State senior, Merchantville resident and Woodbine Swim Club alum slowly began to build a dominant lead in the top heat and would close her senior B1G career on top with a new championship and Iowa pool record at 15:43.17. Kowal’s previous lifetime best was 15:44.61 from the 2019 NCAA meet. Her B1G title-winning time makes her the 17th-fastest U.S. performer in event history. She also recorded a career-best in the 500 free of 4:39.35 to take 5th in the event, and took 9th in the 400 IM in 4:09.93.

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly warns that multiple threats can be expected over the next 24 hours. Tornadoes, damaging winds, and very large hail are possible from the South on Sunday into the mid-Atlantic by Monday. Very strong winds, severe weather, heavy rainfall, even coastal flooding on the Chesapeake. A strong storm system will approach our area Sunday night into Monday. The main hazards associated with this system will be strong to damaging wind gusts and the potential for severe storms on Monday. Additionally 1-2 inches of rain can be expectedDamaging winds, with large hail and even an isolated tornado are possible Monday with the severe storms. Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this situation. Fasten loose objects or shelter objects in a safe location prior to the onset of winds.

Many Americans have begun adjusting to life under social distance measures, staying at home and away from other humans as much as possible. But not everyone has hopped aboard the "flatten the curve" wagon, and healthcare workers have a message for those who haven't. Doctors and nurses have taken to social media to encourage people to abide by the recommendation to stay at home as much as possible. They want the public to know that if we fail at this, our healthcare system will be overwhelmed in the coming weeks with more critically ill patients than hospitals can handle. There won't be enough hospital beds. There won't be enough life-saving ventilators, and people will die who don't need to.

No doubt you’ve found yourself squabbling with friends over restaurants and your respective reviews of them. Now imagine going to a bar, sitting next to a stranger, and having the same debate. That’s the premise of Check, Please!, WHYY12’s latest 13 episode series, premiering at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 9th. The show is a lot about setting expectations for viewers at home — not just taking people at their word, but getting to know, “What would I experience if I went to this restaurant?” It’s also really challenging pairing guests. Park Place Café is one of the restaurants featured in 'Check, Please!' In every episode, the other guests can’t have eaten in each other’s restaurants before — which gets really, really tricky with people who love food, because if you’re a big foodie, you’ve eaten at most places. So we end up having to make sure that we’re getting places that are a bit out in the field or off the beaten path, just so there’s more variation and we have those interesting conversations that get into, even though they’re used to eating in Center City, why it’s worth driving over to Merchantville.