September 14 , 2006 Issue

Quick Links

September 1, 2006
Karl-Erik Strandberg, the former advertising manager for the Local, passed away. We have linked to the Philadelphia Inquirer report on his death.

August 28, 2006
The Philadelphia Daily News provides its take on the Chestnut Hill problem known as the Commerce Bank building site

August 18, 2006
Susie Madrak of Mt. Airy has a posting about a Mt. Airy renovation site on her web site. It's a neighbor's perspective on "historical preservation and updating to a condo building."

August 18, 2006
The Philadelphia Daily News has an interesting piece on the plants decorating the street poles of Chestnut Hill. Check it out here.

Ongoing
Local staff member Jimmy J. Pack Jr. has updated his on-line magazine with material from his Chicago trip.

©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

NO FEAR: Sean Gustafson won the first ever Organic Pie Eating Contest held this past Sunday at the Mt. Airy Village Fair. “It was really easy,” said Gustafson, a former employee of the NBC show Fear Factor. (Photo by Jimmy J. Pack Jr. To view other photos click here http://chlocalphotos.com/)

Mayor and police commish pass buck on crime
by JENNIFER KATZ

Short of passing out T-shirts that read “Don’t Blame Us,” Mayor John F. Street and Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson were clear in their joint message last week that the current surge of gun violence and homicides were not the result of poor management or a shrinking police force.

During a by-invitation-only editorial meeting with the city’s weekly and alternative newspapers, the mayor and the commissioner also decried the daily papers’ coverage as misleading.

“We believe there is a misunderstanding about crime,” Street said. “I think recent headlines have led to misapprehension.”

According to the mayor, shootings and homicides are up, but that is only in comparison to the success of the last few years. In 2002, there were 288 homicides, the lowest in 17 years, Street said. Furthermore, he added, overall crime is down 15 to 17 percent.

Mt. Airy bodybuilder, 86, muscles in on fame
by JENNIFER KATZ

Dressed in a black tank top and stretch pants with gold Diesel sneakers, 86-year-old bodybuilding champion, Morjorie (correct spelling) Newlin, makes a striking appearance at just 5 feet tall. She is noticeably slim for her frame, creating a striking contrast between the world-class bodybuilder and great grandmother.

Since 1992, when Newlin began lifting weights at the age of 71, she has won over 40 trophies in the masters class in just as many competitions.

A Mt. Airy resident since 1959, she started training in Germantown at Rivers Gym in 1991 with the owner, Robert Rivers. It was Rivers, said Newlin, who encouraged her to enter her first Mid-Atlantic USA competition, just three months after she joined the gym.

Chestnut Hill College men boot Blue Jays
by TOM UTESCHER

Chestnut Hill College’s John Wood, a sophomore, scored the fourth and final goal of the game on a penalty kick. For more photos visit www.chlocalphotos.com. (Photos by Jimmy J. Pack Jr.)

When an early goal by Chestnut Hill College’s men’s soccer team was answered by visiting Polytechnic University less than two minutes later, it looked as though last Saturday’s CHC home opener would be a close, high-scoring affair.

Poly’s Blue Jays wouldn’t ripple the Chestnut Hill net again, though, and in the middle of the period back-to-back scores by Griffins freshman Andrew Thorne would prove to be the gamewinner and the first insurance goal as CHC went on to win, 4-1. The match was the North Eastern Athletic Conference opener and the third match overall for both CHC (2-1) and for Polytechnic (1-2).

In addition to the final score, other stats favored the hosts, such as the Griffins’ 29-6 advantage in total shots, and an 8-2 edge in corner kicks. The two goalies for the locals, sophomore starter Matt Henigan and freshman back-up Adley Amzovski, only needed to make one save apiece. A total of 16 stops were recorded by Polytechnic keepers Zhindon Wilson (12) and Anthony Carullo (four).

CHC’s refurbished field, complete with grandstand seating, was originally slated to open for use in the fall of 2004. A series of problems with the playing surface, including the flooding of the Wissahickon Creek, had the Griffin booters holding home games off campus for two seasons. Their true home venue was used for lacrosse last spring, but last Saturday was the first time the soccer squad played there.