September 14, 2006 Issue                                       

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©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Kick-off AbZoolutely: Lion’s, Tigers, and Bears… Oh My!
by Bob Previdi

A small contingent of finished animals of AbZOOluteley Chestnut Hill wait in the home of Chris Lane before they are wrapped and taken to Germantown Avenue for their grand unveiling at noon on Sept. 16. All 50 animals will be spread out up Germantown Avenue from Cresheim Valley Road to the top of the hill, and down Bethlehem Pike to the Chestnut Hill East train station. Free Trolleys will be running up and down the avenue to carry visitors to see the animals or to shop. The rain date is noon on the following day, Sunday, Sept. 17. To check on any postponement, please call the Zoo staff at (215) 247-6696.

Finally, after many months of preparation and speculation, AbZoolutely Chestnut Hill will come to life this coming Saturday, Sept. 16at 12:00 p.m. at Buckley Park. Don’t be late. Please come and join us. See what all the fuss is about.

All up and down Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike, 50 fiberglass zoo animals that famous artists and architectural firms have been painting all summer long will be unveiled. Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller and Mayor John F. Street will lead the countdown to kick-off the festivities at noon in Buckley Park, corner of Hartwell Lane and Germantown Avenue.

Also joining us will be the Philadelphia Fire Department as well as local churches, who will ring their bells at noon as all 50 of these painted animals will be unwrapped for the first time.

The ultimate goal of AbZoolutely Chestnut Hill is to have fun. Preparing for this event has been both exhausting and exhilarating. The hope is that this event will bring the community together to celebrate one of the finest main streets in the Delaware Valley.

We also hope to bring new faces to our community and show them how much fun it is to have a day out in Chestnut Hill. This public art festival was designed not only to bring people to Chestnut Hill, but as an important fundraiser for the community. The animals will be on display for 10 consecutive weeks, with events held each weekend. AbZoolutely Chestnut Hill will conclude with a public auction on Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. at Chestnut Hill College. We hope to raise funds to support the Chestnut Hill Community Fund, Philadelphia Zoo, and streetscape enhancements to Germantown Avenue.

Following this Saturday’s opening, there will be a Children’s Day of Art at the Carol Schwartz Gallery on Bethlehem Pike on Sunday, Sept. 17 from 2 to 4 p.m. Call the Gallery at 215-242-4510 for more details.

Then each weekend after that there will be events for adults and families, including:

• Saturday, Sept. 23 , noon to 3 p.m. — The Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels

• Friday, Oct. 6 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. — A art review for adults

• Sunday, Oct. 1 from 11 to 5 p.m. — Fall for the Arts Festival

• Saturday, Oct. 7 from noon to 4 p.m. — Fun 4 Families

• Saturday, Oct. 14 from noon to 4 p.m. — Zoo’s Clues Scavenger Hunt

• Friday, Oct. 20 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Oom Pah Pah Octoberfest

• Saturday, Oct. 28 from noon to 4 p.m. — Halloween Parade

• Saturday, Nov. 4 from noon to 4 p.m. — Best in Show Election Party

• Saturday, Nov. 11 from noon to 4 p.m. — Make No Bones About it

• Saturday, Nov. 18 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. — Animal Auction “Wild” Party

Each event will happen at different locations so check the Local or call the CHCA office. Also, anyone who wants to get involved and be a part of AbZoolutely Chestnut Hill is invited to call us at the Chestnut Hill Business Association and District office at 215-247-6696. We are looking for volunteers to help us selling raffle tickets, shirts, coffee mugs and hats. The profits will all go to benefit the community.

We hope you will join us for this first on Germantown Avenue and bring your imagination along. It’s all about having fun.

Bob Previdi is the executive director of the Chestnut Hill District and the Chestnut Hill Business Association.