June 19, 2008 Issue
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Classified Chestnut Hill Local Don't Miss an Issue, Tell us what you see or Winner of Two |
From our readersYou may say I’m a dreamer Imagine a Chestnut Hill run by people who live here, not by people outside the city who have a need to CONTROL something. Imagine a Chestnut Hill where zoning decisions are determined by neighbors AFFECTED by those decisions, not by landlords who buy influence. Imagine a Chestnut Hill where YOU control where your charitable donations go, not Trustees who refuse to be audited, or who get sentenced to prison and are then DEFENDED by those who should instead be asking questions about what they did with your money. Imagine an independent Local, SUPPORTED by the community, not undermined through fabricated financial projections, or pressured by board members who don’t like reading embarrassing stories about what they and their co-conspirators are doing. Imagine community meetings run by AMERICAN ideals, not those of some foreign authoritarian dictatorship. Imagine a Chestnut Hill where elections are not bought, ballots hidden, destroyed, and the community organization refuses to discuss the matter at its own meeting. Imagine a Chestnut Hill community organization that is not a laughing stock, and under scrutiny by City, State, and Federal regulatory agencies. Some of those who know what is about to happen have already run for cover. Those who are left have a choice, continue the clumsy denials, the cover-ups, and the “bunker mentality”, or join with us in a new beginning. The meeting on Monday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Library is the start of a Chestnut Hill community run by YOU. Those who have subverted the standing of the Hill, in both a moral and LEGAL way are actually very few in number. Their audacity, coupled with our misplaced trust, and later, our disbelief that they would commit such acts, have created this crisis. By joining together we can get the answers we have been seeking. Those of us who have already voiced objections outnumber those who have betrayed our trust many times over. And then we can get the kind of respected community organization we deserve, one that serves all of the people of Chestnut Hill. Come to the meeting. Bring cookies. I will. The board meetings never have cookies. That’s what first tipped me off about them. Ed Feldman
Get rid of the tip jars on Hill It’s no secret that stores in Chestnut Hill are hurting, so I will make one small suggestion to improve things. Get rid of the tip jars! It seems that everywhere you go on the hill, there are tip jars. In the last couple of days, I have seen them at Starbucks, Metropolitan Bakery and Chestnut Hill Coffee Company. Prices in these stores are already too high, and to expect the customer to hand over additional money to a worker who simply hands you a cup of coffee or loaf of bread is outrageous. It’s not exactly like someone served you an entire meal and had to go back and forth into a kitchen. They don’t have these intimidating tip jars in the malls. The idea is to make you feel guilty if you don’t tip. With the high prices these local coffee shops and bakeries are charging, they should be able to pay their employees a decent wage. These tip jars are a big turnoff, and I’m sure I am not the only one who thinks so. Henrietta Oliver
Good spirit shines in Centre cleanup On Sunday, June 8, I joined with 90-plus other people — in 90-plus weather — to shovel sand laced with broken glass at the playground of the Germantown Jewish Centre. (It should be noted that this facility is open to the community at large when not being used by the Centre’s Early Childhood Program.) The mood was good-natured, even as the air spritzed us with a humidity laden with somberness. I observed one elderly gentlemen who, though stooped over, resolved nonetheless to maneuver a heavy wheelbarrow all the way to the dumping area. As we were digging along, my shovel hit something suspicious. Glass? No, rather it was a tiny rubber figure of a dog! At that moment, I was struck by the full dualism of the situation: the purity and innocence of the children who had spent many happy hours in the playground overshadowed by the perversity of the shards that had been buried in the sand. Then I looked around to discover folks of various ages, races and beliefs converging in purpose to right a wrong. It is comforting to know that for every evil there exists a greater good. The good spirit for which Mt. Airy is known was evident — palpably so — on that hellishly hot day. Ruth Schamberg
Not surprised by elephant death I am upset and saddened but not surprised by the news of Petal’s death at the Philadelphia Zoo. Tragically, she was never given the chance to be an elephant. One animal psychologist went so far as to say that imprisoning naturally wild animals for amusement and financial gain is criminal. She was but a jailed curiosity on display in what is essentially a venue for amusement. A zoo is also a business affair where a dollars and cents mindset takes precedence over the animals’ needs. Now it’s time to rescue Bette and Kallie from the clutches of their exploiters before they’re schlepped to the Pittsburgh Zoo’s Conservation Center where they will be taken advantage of by an industry where ethics are “horribly lacking,” according to Pat Derby of The Performing Animal Welfare Society. Nearly two years ago she offered to give Petal, Bette and Kallie a forever home at her 75 acre African elephant sanctuary in California. The Philadelphia Zoo made the compassionate decision to send their Asian elephant Dulary to a Tennessee sanctuary but refused the same for Petal, Bette and Kallie, who were just as deserving. The story of elephants in zoos is one of terrible suffering, something the zoo industry has covered up until now. Enough is enough. If the Philadelphia Zoo genuinely respects these magnificent animals they will do the right thing and send Bette and Kallie to the California Sanctuary. Unfortunately, it’s too late for Petal. R.I.P. dearest Petal. Your suffering is no more. Bridgit Irons
Lawn billboards In response to the Commercial Lawn Signs letter about tree companies [“Commercial lawn signs,” May 22], I couldn’t agree more. It’s one thing to express your personal support for political candidates or your child’s school. But quite another to leave tacky billboard signs on the lawn long after the job is done. Wendy Willard
Special Father’s Day Just before Father’s Day I received a note from a friend who lives in Chestnut Hill. She enclosed the article from your paper [“Sam Hill sneaks peek at new commuter cars,” reprinted June 5, 2008 from 1963 as part of the Local’s ongoing series on its 50th anniversary]. Sam was my dad and to get the story so close to Father’s Day made it extra special. He worked for the PRR for almost 50 years, having been hired at age 14 when his father died while working on the job. Being the oldest son he became the family supporter. He enjoyed his job, especially the years he worked on “The Hill” — first at St. Martin’s Station and later at Chestnut Hill. He loved his passengers and they showed their feelings by naming him honorary mayor and giving him a huge farewell party when St. Martin’s closed and he moved up to Chestnut Hill Station. Over the years there have been several stories in the Local about him and he cherished each one. Dad died in the mid ‘80s. Your reprint brought back so many wonderful memories. Thank you for making this Father’s Day a special one for me. Beverly Hill Kirby
Harris calendar invokes laughs I’m long overdue in sending you a compliment. Your columns in Local Life actually make me laugh out loud, and I am particularly fond of your recent calendar of Chestnut Hill events by Jim Harris [“Great events are in store for Hillers this summer,” June 5]. I do think, though, that the Frida Kahlo poetry night sounds every bit as much “Mt. Airy” as Dermatazoa. I only regret I’ll probably miss the performance of Peaches and Herb. I tend to avoid the Pastorius Park concerts because I fear the B-17 sized mosquitos that hover over the algae-infested pond far more than I fear crocodiles. Cheers and Thanks. Carol Cope
Pastorius Park concerts no joke I’m sure some readers thought the article by Jim Harris about the summer events at Pastorius Park was very clever [“Great events are in store for Hillers this summer,” June 5]. A friend of mine thought it was hilarious, but I thought it was disrespectful. To say that porcupines are going to play chamber music is ridiculous. It’s not fair to all of the volunteers that work so hard to make the Pastorius Park concerts a success every year. You should not be making fun at their expense. Beverly Joiner
Thanks for 150th coverage As readers know from Paula M. Riley’s article [“Sisters of St. Joseph celebrate 150 years in Chestnut Hill,” June 12), we Sisters of Saint Joseph are celebrating 150 years in Chestnut Hill. We are profoundly grateful that our relationship with the Chestnut Hill community has grown, and that over so many years, we have enjoyed opportunities to share mutual efforts in many social, civic, spiritual, economic, and educational endeavors. I see our working together in mutually enhancing ways central to our mission: We live and work so that all people may be united with God and with one another. Sister Patricia Kelly
Thanks for Circus School coverage Your coverage of our Grand Opening at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts was so gratifying. More than 500 people came to see our aerial and other performances and take free classes. Quite a few folks mentioned having read about the event in the Local. We expected to welcome neighbors to our school. It turned out, that we were welcomed with as much enthusiasm. Things are looking up! Shana Kennedy, Director
Caruso’s article on singer beautiful I read Michael Caruso’s beautiful article about my daughter, Julia, and her new CD [“Hill singer/Springside grad produces stunning CD,” May 29]. You hit the nail on the head when you commented favorably on her interpretive skills. I also think that is her forte. Yesterday was my birthday. Thanks for the great present. I continue to enjoy Mr. Caruso’s perceptive articles on the Chestnut Hill and Philadelphia musical scene. Gunta Plostnieks
Local helped Plant sale success On behalf of the Friends of Ned Wolf Park, we want to say “thank you” to the Chestnut Hill Local for helping with the success of our 2nd Annual Plant Sale fundraiser last Saturday, June 7. Despite near-record heat, the dedicated team of volunteers readied literally thousands of plants for the eager buyers in the Park at McCallum and Ellet Streets. From exotic Datura seedlings to robust natives like Solomon’s Seal, it seemed nobody walked away empty handed and without a smile. This couldn’t have been possible without the generous contributions of many neighbors and institutions whose plant donations made the sale so successful. Special thanks also to High Point Cafe for refreshments, professional advice from Earthcraft Landscaping and Shechtman Tree Service. We hope to make an annual habit of this great day at Ned Wolf Park. Ronda Throne Murray
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