Sept. 15, 1966

Commission releases tentative plan for Northwest

The long awaited, long overdue by the original calendar, plan for the Northwest region of Philadelphia, released Friday, shows no big surprises for the Chestnut Hill area. The handsome, 113-page brief, which covers the Roxborough, Manayunk, Germantown and Mt. Airy neighborhoods as well as the Hill, emphasizes primarily, as far as the Hill is concerned, the advantages to be accrued in lessened traffic pressures from a Northwestern Avenue bypass to carry major traffic flow north of the residential area. The bypass or boulevard, as it is variously called throughout the report, will connect with the Schuylkill Expressway at the Gladwyne interchange via a new crossing of the river, a proposed Shawmont bridge, and will extend to Stenton Avenue on the east. The bypass should divert 10,000 vehicles a day from Germantown Avenue and another 5,000 from Ridge Avenue.

Sept. 16, 1976

Common Pleas Court hears latest Wissahickon skirmish

A four-and-a-half-year battle to save the Wissahickon from high-rise development continued in the Court of Common Pleas last week. The Save the Wisshickon Committee appealed the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment decision to allow a 6.7-acre tract on Henry Avenue and Wise’s Mill Road to remain R-13, which would permit the landowners to construct two 11- to 12-story high-rise apartment houses, containing about 370 dwelling units, on the tract.The court made no decision after the hearing and the judge ordered both sides to submit briefs. The judge will then decide whether the ZBA abused its discretion in supporting the R-13 zoning for the embattled Wissahickon tract and if an ordinance legislating such zoning is constitutional.

Sept. 18, 1986

World’s most unusual baby born in Chestnut Hill

The world’s most unusual baby made its appearance in Chestnut Hill on Sept. 14 at the Morris Arboretum. It was heralded by family and friends and particularly by its two “mothers,” who declared that it was 14 months in the making. The mothers were at the door proudly giving out lollipops to all who came to their celebration. They expected 160 people and 225 came by to wish them well and to see their baby, proudly displayed in a bassinet decorated in embroidered white eyelet material which added to the fun of the occasion. The baby, in case anybody is still wondering, is the Chestnut Hill Cookbook, which arrived three weeks early, so early that its mothers and families have already sold 900 copies.

Sept. 19, 1996

Pastorius Friends hunt for well to feed pond

A well may be in the future for Pastorius Park. The Friends of Pastorius Park have signed a contract with a well-digging firm to look for a well in the park at Lincoln Drive and Abington Avenue. The aim is to dig a well 200 to 400 feet deep to go below pollution. Once it has been dug, a civil engineer will attach a pipe from the well to the pond, like a Hula Hoop at the bottom of the pond, and four strategically placed holes in the tubing will enable water to circulate around the pond. The need to repair the pond became apparent this past summer after it began leaking. The Philadelphia Water Department shut off the water flowing into the pond because of a defective valve. After it was shut off, the water became putrid and then the pond had to be emptied.

Sept. 14, 2006

AbZOOlutely on the Hill

Small clusters of pedestrians collected along Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike to admire the 48 colorfully adorned fiberglass animals that were unveiled at Saturday’s kickoff of Chestnut Hill’s AbZOOlutely public arts event. At exactly noon, the sound of airhorns, kazoos and the sirens of two fire engines from the Fire Department stations in Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy alerted volunteers to pull the beige tarps off of the multicolored animals, among them a gemstone flamingo, swirly rainbow elephant, neon duck and photograph-covered bear. The artists spent part of the day standing next to their work and answering questions.

Sept. 15, 2016

Olympic silver medalist honored at Germantown block party

Nia Sifaatihii Ali, who grew up in Germantown, received commendations from state Sen. Art Haywood (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) and state Rep. Stephen Kinsey (D-201st) at a block party held on the 6300 block of Sherman Street in Germantown on Saturday to celebrate her silver medal win in the 100-meter hurdles at this year’s Summer Olympics. Ali and her teammates, Brianna Rollins and Kristi Castlin, made Olympic history in track and field when they gave the United States its first sweep in the 100-meter hurdles. Rollins won the event, Ali placed second and Castlin placed third. Ali told the Local she was grateful for the opportunity to thank former coaches, friends and neighbors who have always supported her.