Speed cushions a gift to area

I also know that Bob Previdi and the Transportation and Parking Committee of the CHCA board also deserve a lot of credit, along with the Streets Department, for the work done recently around here.

And, yes, I'm talking about those "speed cushions" that some apparently are not that happy about. Perhaps those upset folks either enjoy exceeding the speed limit themselves on our local streets, or they like seeing people cruising along East Mermaid Lane at upwards of 35-40 mph and more, as we residents along here have been doing regularly for years. We have felt in peril of our children, our own safety, and of collisions while pulling out of our driveways. (Our one address has had at least four such accidents in the recent past).

The speed cushions along here are a breath of relief, a very welcome change to our neighborhood. I will be forwarding this letter, as Mr. Previdi requested, to the local officials who helped get this badly needed change to our streets put in place.

And in the meantime, I again thank the Streets Department, advance notice given or not, and the CHCA T&P committee, for persisting until we have gotten more safety and sanity on East Mermaid Lane, Winston, and elsewhere. For this resident, it was like getting an unexpected and welcome gift.

Ellen Deacon

Chestnut Hill

Hope speed bumps will cut accidents

I was not part of the conversation with the Streets Department 10 years ago when speed cushions were requested to slow down traffic. I commend those who came up with this very smart idea. I can’t imagine why there would be any complaints about making our streets safer.

The corner of Gravers Lane and Stenton Avenue has been plagued with numerous accidents, the last on Memorial Day, that sent two people to the hospital. Drivers traveling on Gravers often speed up to make the red light at the intersection. Many times the result is a serious accident.

Hopefully, the speed bumps will give pause to anxious drivers and fewer accidents will occur. I would like to thank the Streets Department for finding the funding for this project and remembering those thoughtful people who made this request in the first place.

Helen Miller

Chestnut Hill

A thanks to Green Design from CHCE

As some in the community know, but many do not, the Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment has a very talented Monday morning Craft Group, which meets all year long to create delightful, unique and exquisitely-made items. Other center members (knitters, seamstresses and potters) work individually with the same purpose.

CHCE hand-made crafts are the centerpiece of the center’s annual fall bazaar (date and location for 2015 to be announced by summer’s end). They are also on sale year-round in the center’s “living room” on Germantown Avenue. But because our entrance is on the side of the building and does not open to the sidewalk, very few shoppers drop in – even fewer realize what a treasure trove we have.

Late last year a solution presented itself. Tim McNulty, owner of Green Design, one of our retail neighbors on Germantown Avenue graciously and generously agreed to offer some of our craft items for sale in his establishment without any finder’s fee or commission in return. If you are not already familiar with it, Green Design offers thoughtfully chosen, well-designed, environmentally-friendly products. Similarly, center for Enrichment crafts are all hand-made, usually of donated, natural and sustainable materials.

The first wave of “Everything CHCE” has been sold. More of our pottery and hand-sewn items have taken their place on the Green Design shelves. Thank you to Tim McNulty and his staff from the bottom of this center’s collective heart. You are the epitome of good neighbors and demonstrate how “it takes a village …”

To the community: please drop into Green Design and shop there for unique and environmentally-friendly goods. While there, you might want to let Tim know how much his neighborly generosity is appreciated by the community as a whole. Green Design is located at 8434 Germantown Ave. (in Town Hall, beneath the CHCA and Local offices). The Center for Enrichment is right across the street at 8431 Germantown Ave. (side entrance)

Mary McNeill Zell

CHCE Executive Director

Smart owners don’t leave dogs in cars

Many dogs die each summer as a result of being left alone in cars – none have to die. Fatal heatstroke or lasting impairment are preventable. Exposing a dog to potential harm in this way is both unacceptable and dangerous.

In spite of the fact that there have been media communications and awareness campaigns, dog lovers still haven’t gotten the message. The issue is now of such great concern that Walmart Canada will be adding signs to all their store entrances warning customers of the dangers of leaving children and animals alone in hot cars. One shopping center in Toronto, Canada has hired people to look out for children and animals alone inside cars in its parking lot.

Many still believe that it’s okay to leave a dog alone in a car on a warm day, not to mention a hot day, as long as the windows are cracked or if the car is parked in the shade. They’d be mistaken.

Cracking the windows does little to lower the temperature inside a hot car, according to the Canadian Safety Council. And don’t forget that shade moves. What’s more, dogs have died in Texas, North Carolina and elsewhere when left alone and after the air-conditioning system meant to protect them shut down after the engine got too hot. Studies have been done. In short, there’s no safe way around the real possibility that your car could become an oven on wheels.

That ‘’quick errand’’ could be the last gasp in the life of your irreplaceable friend and companion. Why would anyone risk such a tragedy? Unfortunately, too many people do.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘’I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man.” Animals are a responsibility that we cannot neglect nor violate by being cruel.

Bridget Irons

Chestnut Hill