November 30, 2006 Issue

Richard Wood Snowden
The ups and downs of a new age landlord

Because of substantial demand, the Local is republishing the three-part series on Richard Snowden which appeared in 2001. This is the entire series as it appeared in July and August of that year.
July 26, 2001

Quick Links

November 13, 2006
Chestnut Hills Cosmopolitan moms viewed by the New York Times

October 23, 2006
Inquirer writes about latest bowman properties situation.

©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Avenue business owners fear impact of PennDOT project
by JENNIFER KATZ

Cresheim Cottage Café owners Lizza Robb and Donna Fitzgerald Robb are concerned that PennDOT’s proposed Germantown Avenue project could put them out of business. (Photo by Jimmy J. Pack Jr.)

The end of the line may be in sight for the Trolley Car Diner. So said owner Ken Weinstein at a public meeting Nov. 21 with PennDOT representatives on plans to restore Germantown Avenue from Allens Lane to Mermaid Lane.

The $16 million project is scheduled for early spring of 2007 through early winter. Weinstein said the nine-month construction project would likely shut down the diner as well as Cresheim Cottage Café and Brewer’s Outlet.

“I don’t think the diner will survive this project,” Weinstein said. “I am resigned to the fact that this is going to happen but I’m not happy.”

The diner’s 50 employees, plus the café’s 25 and the outlet’s staff, will likely be out of work if PennDOT moves forward with its plan to close Germantown Avenue during construction.

Currently, the plan calls for closing each block for four to six weeks at a time with traffic detoured to Stenton Avenue.

‘Cradles to Crayons’: a Case of kindness in Wyndmoor
by PAULA M. RILEY

Barbara Chandler Allen (left) and Jennifer Case, of Wyndmoor, are building Cradles to Crayons-The Giving Factory in Philadelphia. This organization, which will open in the Spring of 2007, provides homeless and low-income children with clothes, books, school supplies and other essential everyday supplies and offers social service agencies quick and easy access to distribute the goods. (Photo by Paula M. Riley)

When seven-year-old McKenzie Case and her six-year-old sister Olivia heard about the impact of Hurricane Katrina, they wanted to do something to help the children of New Orleans. With the help of their mother, Jennifer Case of Wyndmoor, last fall they organized a multi-family yard sale selling books, toys, bikes, strollers and household items. Calling their event “Kids4Kids,” the girls raised $2,000.

“When I saw my children counting the money and heard them telling each other, ‘This will help someone have a house,’ well, it just gave me goose bumps.” Jennifer Case was incredibly moved by the initiative and enthusiasm of her young daughters. “I saw what this was doing for the kids, and it made me feel so good.”

Case could not stop with the yard sale. She wanted to do more. She began seeking an opportunity to help needy children while teaching her own children the rewards of reaching out to others. She investigated starting her own organization and examined a variety of other non-profit programs, including Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Case found just what she was looking for in Cradles to Crayons.

Founded in Boston in 2002, Cradles to Crayons provides clothing, books, educational toys and games, school supplies, safety equipment and other essentials to homeless and low-income children (birth to age 12), free of charge. The concept is quite simple. Donated goods come into a central warehouse where they are inspected, sorted, organized and stored by volunteers. These items are then distributed through a comprehensive network of social service agencies.

GA girls shine in first hoops scrimmage
by TOM UTESCHER

Sophomore Jesse Carey, made a verbal commitment to the University of Connecticut. (Photos by Pack Jr.) For more photos visit www.chlocalphotos.com

No one would suggest that the other six Girls Inter-Ac schools should simply cede the 2006-2007 title to Germantown Academy before the first league game is played, but judging by the Patriots’ performance in their opening scrimmage last Friday, it’ll be rough going for anyone attempting to prevent the Pats from winning their ninth straight championship.

In GA’s 32-minute game-format scrimmage with visiting St. Hubert’s, the scoreboard was set back to zero at the end of the each quarter, but those who kept a running score found that by the end of the session, the Patriots had outpointed the Bambies, 74-15.

“I was very impressed by the chemistry,” commented Germantown coach Sherri Retif, whose squad appeared to be in mid-season form already.

“We were running a new offense,” she revealed, “and I was concerned about how much fluidity we would have out there, but we had a lot. We’re spreading the court more and looking to be more creative, as opposed to running a real structured offense. The girls will have to rely more on their instincts, and their instincts are good.”

Junior guard Caroline Doty, who made a verbal commitment to the University of Connecticut several weeks ago, led the way with 14 points, seven assists, six steals, and four rebounds. Two other returning starters, sophomore Jesse Carey (eight assists, seven steals) and senior Lindsay Freid, put up 11 and eight points respectively.

Veteran senior point guard Colleen Magarity scored three points and spearheaded a tenacious GA defense, and junior power forward Bri Cowden moved into a starting role, winding up with four points.