Feb. 17, 1966

Democratic candidate speaks of unity at 9th Ward meeting

“We need unity, not just from the five congressmen from Philadelphia, but from the other Pennsylvania and New Jersey representatives in the Greater Philadelphia area,” Mrs. Elinor K. Wolf, Democratic candidate from the 4th Congressional District, told committeemen of the 9th Ward at their regular monthly meeting held at Our Mother of Consolation Church. She hammered the point that the strides Philadelphia made under Mayors Clark and Dilworth would be lost to competition with other cities, without strong voices from the Congressional delegation. “These voices presently aren’t strong enough,” she said.

Feb. 26, 1976

Shop will pay the way for CHCA endeavors

“Whatever you have, spend less,” Samuel Johnson advised a while back. Chestnut Hillers are going to be given an opportunity to do just that. A thrift shop for dealing in household goods and appliances is the idea, proceeds to be used for Chestnut Hill Community Association-sponsored projects. At 11:30 p.m., toward the end of the longest CHCA board meeting ever recorded, the board budgeted $4,000 to underwrite the launching of the store. For starters, the shop needs a name. An anonymous $25 contribution will pay the person who conceives of a title that has flair, zing, magnetic appeal or all three.

Toll to vote ‘no’ to 29% tax hike

In a rousing meeting peppered with scathing denunciations of the Rizzo administration, the people of Rose Toll’s 200th legislative district told her exactly what they thought of the proposed 29% tax increase at a town meeting on Feb. 18. The meeting was jammed with some 300 persons, including many community leaders from East and West Mt. Airy, who braved torrential rains to get there. Toll assured her constituents that as a result of the meeting, she would vote against any tax increase at this point.

Feb. 27, 1986

WMAN readies new offices for move to Avenue

West Mt. Airy Neighbors is preparing for a move into its newly renovated building at Germantown Avenue and Westview Street. After a wait of eight years, the civic organization will finally have a larger home that is more centrally located and convenient to public transportation than its present quarters at 7100 Cresheim Road. Settling in on the Avenue with WMAN will be the Mt. Airy Express monthly newspaper, the Mt. Airy Learning Tree and the Mt. Airy Village Development Corporation, according to Walt Jennings, WMAN president.

March for women a celebration

The march for greater equality for women has meant, in recent years, a March celebration. Starting this weekend, the City of Philadelphia will stage its own recognition of the accomplishments of women. The fifth annual Women’s Festival will be sponsored by the Mayor’s Commission for Women at the Course. Admission will be free. The Chestnut Hill Local will publish features during March on outstanding women in fields where females are still in the vast majority.

Feb. 29, 1996

Playground planners anticipate district okay

A community playground/garden on the grounds of the J.S. Jenks School has progressed from a dream in the minds of a few parents to a reality as soon as a few hurdles are overcome. The liability issue represents the Philadelphia School District’s biggest concern, according to Mrs. Delores Turner, Jenks principal. The environmental education phase of the project can begin almost immediately, according to Sarah Andrews, chair of the civic committee of the Wissahickon Garden Club, which is assisting with the project. A garden where students can have a hands-on learning experience is part of the overall project. “Kids can do research on appropriate trees and plants,” Andrews said.

Mike Hogan transferred

Popular Bike Patrol Police Officer Mike Hogan has been transferred to the 8th Police District, the Local learned on Tuesday afternoon. According to Captain John Collins, the 14th District’s new commander, the “good news” is that the 14th is getting four additional officers. Chestnut Hill, however, sees nothing good about Hogan’s transfer. The community was so pleased with Hogan’s work and his demeanor that it raised money for the bike patrols — training, equipment and uniforms. “We are greatly dismayed,” said Stewart Graham, executive director of the Chestnut Hill Community Association.

March 2, 2006

2006 Philadelphia Flower Show set to enchant visitors

The 2006 Philadelphia Flower Show boasts a 10-acre garden of earthly delights, celebrating the power of Natura, the Goddess of Nature, with a fanciful pageant of water, wind, earth and fire. At the show, several local agriculture professionals have major exhibits planned. They include Burke Brothers in Glenside, Meadowbrook Farm and Robertson’s Flowers, the latter of which will pay tribute to an inspiring young woman, Alex Scott, who at the age of 8 captured the hearts of millions with her campaign to raise money for cancer awareness.

Who’s who at the Local

In an interview with a Local reporter, an assistant in the newspaper’s classified-advertising department said the most interesting thing about her that no one knew was the fact that she once had served as an undercover agent for the CIA in Russia. She said she and her husband trained for their jobs for a year in Washington. ”When we finally got to Russia, Kruschchev was in power so it was not very friendly,” she explained. “What I was good at was driving the getaway car.” It is unclear whether any of this was true.

Feb. 25, 2016

Commentary: ‘Win-win’ when you keep your dog on a leash

Dogs running off leash is a regular occurrence throughout all of Philadelphia’s parks. Although the Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) cannot account for all instances of dogs running without a leash in Wissahickon Valley Park, FOW trail ambassadors documented at least 414 instances of dogs off leash during 251 patrol shifts of two to three hours each in 2015 alone. It is up to all of us to be responsible pet owners.