City rules: No guesthouse for iconic Vanna Venturi House

The city's Zoning Board of Adjustment denied a variance that would allow the owner of the historic Vanna Venturi House to build an accessory dwelling unit on the property.

Seth Anderson-Oberman mounts serious challenge to Cindy Bass for city council

Anderson-Oberman reported gathering 3,812 signatures – more than five times the minimum of 750 required to run for office in a councilmanic district.

Asking the 'other 95%' to show support, help meet a $25,000 challenge grant

It may seem to many of you that the Chestnut Hill Community Association’s Annual Appeal has raised several million dollars. Not exactly, says the publisher.

Features

Learning to love the ‘beautiful efficiency’ of flowers

Courtney Jewell has been selling weekly deliveries of fresh local flowers in Northwest Philadelphia since 2019, after moving to East Mt. Airy.

A delicious taste of Irish at Tavern on the Hill

The bar, as dark and dense as the Irish woods, was rocking with laughter as we made our way gingerly to the charming dining room just beyond.

A life of musical learning delivers a chance to give back

I guess you could say that Mt. Airy resident Randall Grass, 73, does not let any grass grow under his feet. Grass has traveled to or lived in more than two dozen countries. Now he's teaching a MALT class.

Viral video captures a Morehouse dream come true

Amir Staten desperately wanted to become a Morehouse man. And then on Friday, the Morehouse email landed. It led to a joyous viral video.

Black women florists group blooms in the spotlight at the PHS Flower Show

When floral enthusiasts walk into the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show this week, somewhere amid the sweeping displays will be an exhibit showing barrels pouring streams of flowers into a foundation of colorful blossoms. It has local connections.

Tired of those ‘fowl’ egg prices? Here is a solution

Eggs, which nature conveniently delivers as perfectly formed little packages of protein, are perhaps one of our healthiest and most versatile foods.

Mar 16, 2023 issue

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Crime

Crime Report: May 16 to June 6

The following crime report is for crimes reported in Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy for the period from May 16 to June 6.

Conservancy Chronicles: Chestnut Hill's innovation

The first of three articles about innovative group housing in south Chestnut Hill, which discusses developers George and Gertrude Woodward and their architects.

By Design

An Edith Wharton classic still relevant for this modern moment

"The Decoration of Houses” continues to be an exact and authentic classic, and is arguably the most important book of its kind.

Design Matters

Sometimes the path to simplicity can be complicated

We worked for over a decade with one couple in their search for domestic simplicity.

In praise of walls: The joy of separate spaces

For many years, newspaper real estate sections included the much sought after building description “open floor plan,” touting homes with no walls. I happen to like rooms.

Five tips for navigating a successful renovation project

In last week’s By Design column, Patricia Cove gave wise advice about the value of certain renovation decisions. This week, I thought I’d add to that discussion.

Chestnut Hill Classic draws international athletes

This past weekend, 24 of the best female squash players in the world spent five days battling it out on the courts of the Philadelphia Cricket Club at the inaugural Chestnut Hill Classic.

Host Norwood wins boys' title at Snowball tournament

In the boys' championship game last Sunday at Norwood Fontbonne Academy's 49th Annual Snowball tournament, the Bears claimed a 42-39 victory over Germantown Friends and emerged as the tourney champions.

St. Philip girls repeat as Norwood Snowball Tournament champs

The girls' basketball team from St. Philip Neri School in Lafayette Hill always seems to be a force to be reckoned with at Norwood Fontbonne Academy's long-running Snowball Tournament.

Mount goes to state tourney as District 1 sixth seed

In the PIAA District 1 Class 5A basketball tournament, Mount St. Joseph Academy won in the first round and lost in the quarterfinals. The Magic then guaranteed themselves a spot among the six District 1 teams.

More Sports

Taking center stage in last home meet, PC wrestlers defeat Delaware power

Penn Charter's wrestlers literally stepped into the spotlight for last Friday's Senior Night meet.

SCH basketball scores first, then is overtaken by Notre Dame

At last Tuesday's Inter-Ac League hoops contest, the Academy of Notre Dame recorded a 42-18 victory over visiting Springside Chestnut Hill.

With Notre Dame loss, GA likely to tie in league again

Late last week, Penn Charter was pretty much assured of making an undefeated run to its second straight championship in girls' basketball. However, on Friday night there was a pitched battle for second place.

Read More Editorials

Letters to the editor

- Letter: The sidewalks are the problem, not the strollers
  
  Lost in the back and forth about who should have the right of way, people with strollers or drivers, is the question of why people push …
- Letter: Our community hospital is a valuable resource
  
  A few weeks ago my husband, Walt, suffered a fall in our kitchen and hurt his back. At Chestnut Hill Hospital, he was met immediately and taken …
- Letter: Fighting pollution as an act of faith, and service
  
  Every faith tradition calls on its members to protect those at the edges. This includes our work to lessen pollution.
- Letter: Slapping back on stroller response
  
  It is no wonder that women continue to push their baby carriages foolishly and irresponsibly in traffic when a person like Anne Dicker defends …
- Letter: Responding to a reader concerned about potholes
  
  Stephen, you stated in your letter that nobody seems to be getting the message about the pothole problem. I got it!
- Letter: Thanks to the CHCA & the Green Space Initiative
  
  During the Chestnut Hill Community Annual Appeal, the Chestnut Hill Tree Tenders would like to thank the Chestnut Hill Community Association and …
- Letter: Repair potholes now
  
  I have written before to The Local on the subject of potholes in the Chestnut Hill area, but nobody seems to be getting the message.
- Letter: Pedestrians, baby carriages and the right-of-way
  
  It is no wonder that Philadelphia's pedestrian fatality rate is skyrocketing when car drivers display the sense of reckless entitlement …

CHCA agenda

Thurs. March 2, 2023: Land Use, Zoning, and Planning Committee Meeting

Chestnut Hill Library gets a “surprise mini-renovation”

The laundry list of repairs is expected to be complete by the first week of March for reopening.

A series of developments for historic buildings in Chestnut Hill

A series of recent news developments suggest that one of Chestnut Hill’s historic buildings may be saved from the wrecking ball while another may yet face one. And the fire-gutted Hiram Lodge faces challenges of its own.

Hill business exec a major force in pandemic recovery

Chestnut Hill resident Susan Jacobson, recently selected by Gov. Josh Shapiro to be a member of his transition team, may well have done more than most to help Philadelphia recover from the pandemic.

Hill physician celebrated with hospital unit named in her honor

The palliative care unit at Chestnut Hill Hospital will soon have a new name: the Susan Bray Palliative Care unit.