October 26, 2006 Issue                                       

Click Here

©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Opinion

Happy Halloween!

The Leadership Boom

When it comes to leaders, our corner of the city seems to have more than its fair share.

According to a survey conducted by Leadership Philadelphia to determine the city’s 101 most connected leaders (the list is called 101 Philadelphia Connectors), 16 live in Mt. Airy. As Kristin Pazulski reports in this week’s front-page story on the survey, that total is second only to Center City, which is home to 18 connectors.

Anyone who has lived in the area for more than 6 years can see the benefits of this concentration of leaders in the Mt. Airy neighborhood.

First is the much improved retail corridor of Germantown Avenue. Mt. Airy has seen a lot of nice development on the avenue in the last few years. Many new restaurants have opened, a gym, an art supply store, salons and galleries. Valley Green Bank, started with the aid and support of many of these leaders, opened a picturesque headquarters last year in the carcass an old tire shop.

Further down the avenue, MT. Airy USA, headed by well-known “connector” Farah Jimenez, has revitalized many properties, including the Winston Commons at Germantown and Phil Elena Street. The site transformed a nuisance bar that was once struck by a police car into a key piece of commercial property.

Recognition of these leaders for physical improvements is only half the story. The folks profiled in Pazulski’s story have worked to improve the quality of life for people in their neighborhood, in the Northwest and in the entire city. For example, Marc Stier has been involved with everything from improving SEPTA service to fighting for the rights of the city’s civic organizations to be represented in city zoning decisions.

Of course, as the subjects of our story suggest, many leaders who have important roles in Mt. Airy, Germantown and in Chestnut Hill were not acknowledged by the survey. As is the case with most lists, many deserving people are left off. That doesn’t make their contributions any less important, and we appreciate all the work they do. Without them, our corner of the city would be a lot worse off.

Pete Mazzaccaro

From the Desk of the (Interim) Community Manager
by Ed Budnick

This last week has been one filled with negotiation and politics. I find myself referring to the dictionary more than usual these days and there I find that politician is a somewhat derogatory synonym for statesman (or presumably stateswoman) … which is defined as someone with ability, foresight and devotion to the interests of their particular group … presumably skilled in negotiations. Regarding the now infamous signs on Germantown Ave nueand Bethlehem Pike, the question for this next week is: Will the statesmen and stateswomen prevail in their attempt to have someone voluntarily remove the offending signs or will the right to display these signs ultimately be determined by the authorities? It is my understanding this question will be discussed at the CHCA Board meeting this Thursday. Interested parties may wish to attend.

And speaking of politics, last Friday night featured a political showcase at the Venetian Club, at least for the 9th Ward Democratic Party. As reporter (Kristin P.) and photographer (Jimmy P.) were in attendance I can rely on them to get the various names and offices correct. While I religiously vote in EVERY election, especially after moving to Chestnut Hill, I don’t always follow the people and present political aspirations of those in office. If I need to prove this, please note that I asked Frank Galioto (a very helpful person in Councilman Rizzo’s office) if he was going to attend the 9th Ward Social … oops, in mid sentence, I remembered he was of the other party. Perhaps I can use that clumsiness as a suggestion that despite the Community Association’s intentional avoidance of partisan politics … those in office need our support (as individuals), and we (collectively) need theirs. I vow to get more personally involved. Why? Because I need their assistance in my present work and based upon Friday’s gathering, politics need not be boring. I had the opportunity to begin to know a few people as individuals, not just names (Dwight Evans gets the “best handshake” award). As I don’t wish to offend or abuse the privilege of writing this column, please allow me to simply encourage all readers to get involved, make your opinions known and VOTE. Elections are less than two weeks away!

Politics wasn’t the only item on Friday’s agenda. There was a hearty gathering at Laurel Hill Gardens to enjoy the combined Wild About The Artists and the Oom Pah Pah Octoberfest. Perhaps the crowd would have preferred brandy to the selection of fine beers, as the weather was downright cold! It seemed everyone had a good time, but I confess I left quite early to attend the gathering in the warm Venetian Club.

So much for the CH social scene, onto the progress report: a week makes a big difference at the Commerce Bank construction site. The steel was delivered, erected and they even have a roof. The overall structure will extend a foot or so above what you presently see, four foot higher at the corner tower. You will notice the construction fence along Germantown Ave. has been moved into the street to allow construction of the facade. There is a separate permit to allow for this temporary rerouting of pedestrian traffic, and yes, a building permit has been issued for the new structure. I have copies in the CHCA office for those wishing to review them.

As for the office, I’d like to refer you to the classified section where you will find an apartment available for rent in the CH Fund building at 8431 Germantown Ave. I think you will find the rent to be reasonable and our office to be responsible landlords. Please call me for details.

Again, regarding the classifieds, I am pleased to announce that you will no longer see the ad for the CHCA “bookkeeper,” as that position has been ably filled, this week, by Susan Kowert. For those we owe money to … or those that owe us, while she does work “part-time,” she will be in every day, every week. Her credentials allow her to be termed our controller or accountant, but for now, I think we’ll just call her Susan and we are all pleased she has chosen to work for us.

As for me, I’ve been here for almost a month. We are making progress but were not there yet. I appreciate the support given to me by the staff (CHCA and Local both) and of course from the members of the community. We value our members (especially as our membership drive is underway) but we are here for all who consider themselves to be “members” of this “community”, however they care to define the terms. The door remains open, the phone number is still 215-248-8811. Please give me a call if I can help you … or if you can help me.

Column: New neighbors unleashed
by Sharon Srodin

Tom and I knew we weren’t in New Jersey anymore when a wet nose and wagging tail greeted us upon opening the door to our architect’s office on Germantown Ave. We navigated around this wriggling, furry obstruction and her assorted chew bones, toys and other doggie paraphernalia to find the humans who would help us renovate the cute but neglected little home we had just purchased in the Southern end of Chestnut Hill. After shaking hands, scratching ears and rubbing tummies, it occurred to us that perhaps we had spent a bit too much time that morning worrying about the proper attire for our initial business meeting. We were eager to make a good first impression, but little did we know that here in Chestnut Hill, Canny Collars go a lot farther than Manolo Blahniks.

Life in the New Jersey suburbs revolves much more around car parks and much less around dog parks. Driving to the bank, grocery store, elementary school, post office and well, everywhere, pretty much eliminates the family pet from the round of daily errands. Strip malls on highways don’t offer safe sidewalks or pedestrian walkways and therefore customers as well as merchants opt to leave their pets at home.

The little house we settled into is situated on a cul-de-sac across from the R7 train station. While we can’t boast vast acreage, stunning vistas or grand historic architecture, our street does come with its own patrol cat.

George, a dark grey tabby with a distinctive corkscrew tail, can be seen making his rounds from driveway to driveway nearly every day from sun-up to sundown. If you happen to be standing on his sidewalk for more than a few minutes, he’ll saunter over, size you up with his olive-green gaze, and give you the “all clear” by brushing his body against your shins a few times. If he really takes a shine to you, he’ll ask to be picked up and stroked for a while. George keeps the assorted dogs (and humans) in line, allowing us to go about our day, safe in the knowledge that both our houses, and our loved ones, are well looked after.

I was greatly relieved to find a local stylist who happened to carry the brand of hair color used by my previous hairdresser in New Jersey. However, when I arrived for my first appointment I was greeted by – you guessed it – the scurrying feet, wagging tail and friendly bark of the shop’s little Westie. It seems we both had our routines. I got color, she got fed. I got shampooed, she got brushed. I got cut, she got walked. I got styled, she slept. I paid, she wagged her tail.

As new residents on the Hill, we eagerly invited friends and assorted family members to join us for our first Arts Festival. We looked forward to spending the day browsing the booths, listening to the bands, sampling some good food and just meandering. Not surprisingly, at times what was at the end of the leash was more interesting than the art on display. Some were carried in handbags or were so small they looked like fuzzy accessories. Others were larger than life. Did you see the Borzoi hanging out at Solaris? What about the Akita at Border’s or that elegant pair of snowy white Great Pyrenees? Maybe they should add a new prize to the list of Arts Festival awards – Best of Breed.

Of course it came as no surprise to me that Chestnut Hill boasts its own doggie bakery. I just shook my head and smiled wryly when I happened upon the appealing window display of the Bone Appetite K-9 Bakery & Boutique on Germantown Avenue. I’ll be the first to admit, though, that most of the dogs I’ve seen around the neighborhood have demonstrated admirable behavioral skills. They don’t lunge at me when I run by, they don’t bark at the other animals or people on the street and (as a rule) they obey their owners. So go ahead – buy them a treat. They do look tempting!

Tom and I have only lived here for two months, but the pressure is starting to mount. When we stroll along Germantown Avenue, passing the parade of well-heeled Labs, Scotties and Jack Russell’s, we feel our biological clock ticking. The baby’s room can wait. We’re going to need a dog house.