November 30, 2006 Issue                                       

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©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

News

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.

Vandalism dampens holiday spirit
by JENNIFER KATZ

Light patches of paint on Caruso's Market cover the work of a local vandal. (Photo by Jimmy J. Pack Jr.)

Barely a month after the garish red and white signs appeared up and down the Avenue on vacant buildings owned by Bowman Properties, Chestnut Hillers are facing another aesthetic attack: a sudden plethora of graffiti.

Just in time for Black Friday, the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, large red graffiti appeared on several Avenue businesses.

Red spray painted letters, “KOSK,” appeared on both the sidewall and front section of the Caruso Market. According to police, the local grocer was “tagged” three times.

House Tour shows interesting juxtaposition
by Paula M. Riley

Kathie Meadows and Jeanne Faber, owners of House Dressing by Kate, were anxious to receive their house assignment for the Chestnut Hill Holiday House Tour. Like so many other local interior designers and florists, they willingly volunteered their expertise and time to decorate Chestnut Hill homes for this annual holiday fundraiser.

Temple’s Time Out helps seniors stay at home
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

Hortense Campbell, 82, sits with Temple student Azaria Carter and Campbell’s daughter Dorothy Benian in Benian’s Mt. Airy home. (Photo by Kristin Pazulski)

Every Saturday, Dorothy Benian of Mt. Airy breathes a sigh of relief when Azaria Carter, a Temple University student, walks in the door. The 57-year-old flea market and garage sale junkie, who cares for her 82-year-old mother, does not waste a moment of her “time out” and bolts out the door as soon as Carter arrives.

“It’s easy to tell you what I do on Saturdays,” Benian said with a laugh. “I get out of here. Azaria is in at 12, and I’m out the door by 12:02.”

Nominations sought for most endangered historic places list

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is accepting nominations for its 2007 America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list. Issued annually to raise awareness of historic sites at risk from neglect, deterioration, lack of maintenance, insufficient funds, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy, the list marks its 20th anniversary in 2007. Since its founding, the endangered list has been one of the nation’s most successful tools in the fight to save America’s irreplaceable architectural, cultural, and natural heritage.

Local activists to join DC march

The Northwest Peace and Justice Movement met on Nov. 14 in the Parish Center behind Saint Vincent’s Church in Germantown. The meeting endorsed a national demonstration in Washington, DC, on Jan. 27, 2007. They plan to join thousands of people who want the new Congress to end the occupation of Iraq and to bring the troops home now.