October 18, 2007 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Local News

Good weather, heartbreaking tales kick off walk
by PETE MAZZACCARO

Children helped round out the 250 people who participated in the First Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence. The walk helped raise more than $2,000 for Lutheran Settlement House. (Photo by Erin Vertreace)

Beautiful autumn weather — sunny and in the 60s — greeted approximately 250 people who converged on Chestnut Hill’s Fountain Plaza on the 8700 block of Germantown Avenue to don purple T-shirts and walk two miles to raise funds for and awareness of domestic violence prevention.

30-unit condo complex OK’d
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

Springfield Township’s Zoning Board approved the development of a three-story, 30-unit condominium building at 9425 Stenton Ave. on Mon, Oct. 15. Neighbors opposing the project were disappointed after the decision was announced and said they will likely appeal the board’s decision.

Norwood neighbors lobby for safer street
by JENNIFER KATZ

Traffic safety advocate, Jen Follo (right) called a meeting to address speeding on Norwood Avenue. In attendance were (l-r) Community Manager Martha Sharkey, Kilian Feeney and Louis Smith. (Photo by Erin Vertreace)

One year after the tragic death of Dr. Jeffrey Weiss, his Norwood Avenue neighbors are still trying to slow down the speeding traffic they say led to his demise. Last Thursday morning, a handful of residents and representatives from neighboring schools Our Mother of Consolation and Norwood Fontbonne Academy met with traffic engineer Mark Washington of the city’s Streets Department, to brainstorm speeding deterrent initiatives along the 8800 block of Norwood Ave.

Traffic safety advocate and Winston Road resident Jennifer Follo organized the meeting. The Local has chronicled Follo’s own trouble with speeding and erratic drivers and her participation in the Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 campaign.

Keels’ book a must-have for history buffs
by JIMMY J. PACK

Thomas Keels’ new book, Forgotten Philadelphia, Lost Architecture of the Quaker City, can easily be called the ultimate Philadelphia book. Keels has clearly spent countless hours doing his homework and has crafted a book so dense in information and so sublime in meaning, that it might just earn the title of must-have book for all people who live in the city of brotherly love.

Body Talk: Conference will address eating disorders
by KRISTIN PAZULSKI

A Chance to Heal, the eating disorder prevention group, is offering teachers, coaches and counselors a chance to help stem the obesity trend in children and educate both children and themselves to eat in a healthy way and feel comfortable with their bodies.