October 12, 2006 Issue                                       

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©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Local News

Bowman Properties threatens tenants
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

Some Chestnut Hill merchants who lease space from Bowman Properties have been told that the company is planning to raise rents or evict these businesses if the Chestnut Hill Community Association does not carry out the wishes of Richard Snowden, part owner of the firm.

Civic groups fight for zoning rights
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

Ten Philadelphia community organizations have joined together to form Neighborhood Defense, a coalition dedicated to preserving the right of such organizations to influence land use, zoning and planning in the city.

Our Mother of Consolation parish celebrates 150 years
by MADELEINE M. KEEHN

The Rev. Robert Bazzoli, OSFS, “Father Bob” to his parishioners, stands next to a tree planted by members of Our Mother of Consolation to mark the church’s 150th year. The year-long celebration is winding down in the next few months. (Photo by Kristin Pazulski)

The 150th anniversary celebration of the founding of Our Mother of Consolation Roman Catholic Church in Chestnut Hill will come to an end Sunday, Nov. 12, with the rededication of the original church cornerstone and a closing Mass at 3:30 p.m.

Monsignor Francis Beach, vicar for the Northern Vicariate of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will be the celebrant, and the Rev. Robert Bazzoli, OSFS, pastor of OMC will be homilist. In attendance will be the Very Rev. Joseph Morrissey, OSFS, provincial of the Oblates' Wilmington/Philadelphia Province.

The Mass will be followed by an Anniversary Gala at the Whitemarsh Valley Country Club.

The yearlong celebration began Nov. 12, 2005, with the dedication and planting of a red maple on the rectory's front lawn.

“The previous tree was 155 years old, diseased and had to come down,” said Bazzoli, a priest of the Oblates of Saint Francis DeSales order. “After all the Sunday masses, parishioners had an opportunity to fill in the hole. The families thought it was great that their children helped plant this new tree. It can be viewed as a symbol of growth and longevity as the parish enters the next 150 years.”

Much ado about a duck
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

Ed Feldman makes a statement on censorship with his AbZOOlutely duck, named Lil’ Quacky.

Daffy Duck and Donald Duck’s lack of coordination and sensibility might cause a lot of trouble to the cartoon world, but only in the drama-loving community of Chestnut Hill could a duck named Lil’ Quacky cause so much turmoil.

Ed Feldman, AbZOOlutely artist and Chestnut Hill Community Association executive committee member, has kidnapped (for a lack of a better word) the duck he painted for the Chestnut Hill Business Association’s public arts event, AbZOOlutely.

Feldman claims the kidnapping – and subsequent handcuffing of the duck to himself – is his reaction to the business association’s attempt to censor him. Censorship is the same motive that inspired him to add black-painted stitches over the duck’s eyelids and mouth (… or beak) in the first place.

Auction to benefit Black Horse Inn

A 1916 map of Springfield Township, an 1880s brass student lamp and a visit to a villa in the Tuscany region of Italy will be among the items offered at a silent auction to raise funds to restore the Black Horse Inn in Flourtown.