Community weekend

The next few days will busy, important ones for the Chestnut Hill Community Association and the Chestnut Hill Business Association. That means they will be busy, important ones for you, too.

The CHCA will conduct its annual meeting on Thursday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 8855 Germantown Ave. While we are looking forward to hearing what fellow Chestnut Hiller Paul Vallas says about the Philadelphia public schools, watching hard-working volunteers and a civil servant be honored, and hearing the Community Association president's state of the community address, the most important part of the meeting may come at the end.

That is when proposed amendments to the association bylaws will be voted upon by CHCA members who are at the meeting. (You must be present to vote.)

Some of the bylaws amendments are relatively easy to consider; for example, removal of the Chestnut Hill Music Association, which no longer exists, as an interlocking director.

Others, such as a proposal to increase the terms of at-large directors from two years to three, worry members concerned with the fact that it is often difficult to find enough people to run, but is acceptable to folks who want directors on the board with plenty of experience and knowledge about Chestnut Hill. The proposed amendments are important to the future operations of the Community Association. (A summary of the proposals appears on p. X. The entire text of the bylaws is available in the CHCA office, 8434 Germantown Ave.)

Sunday, May 2, is the Chestnut Hill Business Association's annual Chestnut Hill Garden Festival. Germantown Avenue, which will be closed to vehicular traffic between Rex and Willow Grove avenues, will feature garden-related merchandise sold by 60 vendors. There will be a wide range of entertainment, ranging from amusement rides and a pooch parade to varied concerts, for festival guests (both people and dogs) to enjoy.

Both these events are times to celebrate Chestnut Hill as a community. Come to the annual meeting and the Garden Festival and be part of Chestnut Hill.

Katie Worrall