July 26, 2007 Issue                                                     

Local News

Harry Potter fans crowded Borders Book Store in Chestnut Hill to be among the first to get the latest novel when it was released at midnight, Saturday morning. Clockwise from above: Alex Lavasani, Elizabeth Dillon and Eve Adkins; Christine Forsberg and Gail Bohacek. (Photos by Jimmy J. Pack Jr.) See www.chlocalphotos.com for more photos.

Tom Walsh, Chestnut Hill’s ‘Mayor’, turns 45
by PAULA M. RILEY

TomWalsh

If you have ever stopped to talk to Tom Walsh on the Avenue, you have probably walked away feeling good. The 44-year-old Chestnut Hill native, a fixture as familiar a sight on the Avenue as the Belgian blocks, has spent his life sharing his infectious smile with everyone he meets.

Next week, the unofficial “Mayor of Chestnut Hill” will turn 45.

Walsh grew up on East Meade Street the youngest of five children. Much of his childhood was spent attending the basketball, football and baseball games of his older siblings. He would dutifully take position on the sideline to root for his brother, three sisters and their teammates.

Walsh began his mascot career early, getting his first taste of cheering when he was four years old. He served as the mascot of the Our Mother of Consolation school football team where his older brother Jack played.

Skate park gets rolling with local effort
by James Keough

Chris Plant and Jamie Elfant of Elfant Wissahickon are the local brains behind Paine’s Park. (Photo by Erin Vertreace)

LOVE Park was a cultural icon. It was a focal meeting place for a specific group of people. It was a rallying point for a growing, multi-billion dollar phenomenon. And it was a complete accident.

That “phenomenon” was  street-skateboarding, a style of skateboarding based on the use of street objects like rails and benches over visible vert-ramps and half pipes.

And then in the wake of a $44 million dollar surge accredited to Philadelphia’s hosting of the X-games, a ban on skateboarding in LOVE Park was finally enforced to the fullest extent, and skateboarding in the park was prohibited. The ban officially removed LOVE Park, and Philadelphia, from this growing spotlight.

Local Sports

Locals in action in NCAA summer league
by TOM UTESCHER

Katelin Formica   Carley Glass  Jenna Beck

Chestnut Hill College’s women hoopsters are keeping in game shape by participating in the NCAA Summer Basketball League operated by the Philadelphia Department of Recreation, and another team that’s involved features former Germantown Academy, Mount St. Joseph, and Penn Charter players.

Area AAU hoopsters excel
by TOM UTESCHER

Philadelphia Belles 15’s, USJN Cincinnati Champion: Back row (left to right) – Shakia Robinson, Towanda Sutton, Carleigh Brown and Laura Karbach; Front: Dara Taylor, Dior Brown and Maggie Lucas.  (Photo by Betsy Lucas)

July is Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball tournament time, and a number of players from area schools have fared well in national competition.

Springside School junior Katie Rutan plays for the Philadelphia Belles 16’s team that finished fifth at the AAU National Championships held July 4-10 in Orlando, Fla. The team also includes a pair of Germantown Academy players, junior Jesse Carey, and senior Caroline Doty, who has made a verbal commitment to attend the University of Connecticut. Penn Charter coach Diana Caramanico serves as an assistant coach with the squad.