January 24, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Local News

Germantown High was hub of MLK service day projects
by Kristin Pazulski

Kira Williams, left, and her brother Tanner, both traveled from Maryland to join scores of others who participated in the Martin Luther King Day Of Service by helping to paint a mural of the Civil Rights leader at Germantown High School. The project was sponsored by the Mural Arts Program. (Photo by Erin Vertreace.)

Normally, on a federal holiday, the halls of Germantown High School are like most other school and office building hallways — quiet, empty and devoid of activity while students, teachers and staff take the day off.

But that was not the case this Monday, Jan. 21.

Germantown High’s halls were bustling, even more so than on a typical school day as students, teachers, staff and visitors volunteered on various projects to commemorate the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr.

“We’re giving people who don’t know what today is all about a better understanding,” said Ashley Cheatom, a student from Randolph Career Academy who was volunteering at the Wellness Fair at Germantown High.

This transformation of a day off into a day of service was the goal of Todd Bernstein and U.S. Senator Harris Wofford when they discussed starting the Day of Service back in 1988.

As reported in last week’s Local, Bernstein said, “The irony was that so many people fought for the recognition of King as a federal holiday, yet for millions it was just another day off with little or no recognition.”

A Father’s Club alum finds success as NCAA coach
by JUSTIN GOLDMAN

Niagara University head basketball coach Joe Mihalich has most of the accolades that a coach could want. His .586 winning percentage is highest among active Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference coaches, he has been named MAAC coach of the year twice and he has made it to the NCAA tournament twice.

Zoning Reform:
Restoring Philadelphia’s rivers and watersheds
by Mark Ueland, AIA

You will not be surprised to learn that swimming or fishing in the Delaware River is hazardous to your health. It will continue to be hazardous until the city can undo the damage done to the Delaware River and its watershed over centuries of heedless urban development.

CHCA Blood Drive committee
by Martha B. Sharkey

The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton. With its overall goal to relieve and prevent suffering, the Red Cross continues to evolve and expand its services. In addition to disaster relief, this organization offers community services for those in need, support for military families, educational programs promoting health and safety and international development programs. Of course, the Red Cross is also responsible for the collection, processing and distribution of much needed lifesaving blood and blood products (www.redcross.org).