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Town Hall in Winter

The CHCA encourages a sense of community and works to improve the quality of life in Chestnut Hill.

Visit us at Town Hall
8434 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, 215-248-8810
info@chestnuthill.orgwww.chestnuthill.org

From the Executive Director

Dear Neighbors and Friends of Chestnut Hill,

The format of this month’s newsletter will be a bit different. We will be continuing to provide a running list of links that can assist you in getting information and resources to help you get through the Covid-19 Pandemic. This list is by no means complete but I hope it will be able to provide you with information you need in one easy to access place. This information is also available on our website at https://www.chestnuthill.org/covid-19_resources_-_we_are_al.php 

Here in Chestnut Hill area we are very fortunate to have the Chestnut Hill Local available to us through the mail and online as part of your CHCA membership. The Local has done a great job of keeping readers informed about local news and stories of interest. As an essential business the Local’s staff have been hard at work at the office and working remotely to produce a weekly paper during extremely difficult times. Thank you to all the Staff at the Chestnut Hill Local for their dedication and commitment to this important community resource. The Chestnut Hill Local’s local COVID-19 online resource is at: (this page includes listing of postponements, closings, cancellations,  and much more)
https://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/coronavirus/

Now more than ever its important to support local shops and restaurants. You can still shop and eat locally without leaving your home! The Chestnut Hill Business Association has information and links to local businesses and restaurants who have online food ordering, purchasing, or gift cards available https://chestnuthillpa.com/covid-19/

We will keep updating this list with new information as it becomes available.

I hope you and your family are safe and healthy.

P.S. enjoy these beautiful photos of springtime in our community.

Regards,

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Anne McNiff

Anne McNiff

Executive Director

Links to Important Information

 

LOCAL COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Wear Cloth Masks Outside – Philadelphia Mayor Kenney and Governor Wolf are requesting individuals wear a non-medical face mask…i.e. cloth masks when going outside for life-sustaining reasons.

The City administration and the PA Health Department received guidance from the CDC for individuals to begin wearing cloth mask when outside, individuals do not need to wear the medical mask due to shortage.

In the Chestnut Hill area one of the places homemade cloth masks can be purchased is at Villavillekula, Chestnut Hill Children’s store located at 8419 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia. These masks are being made locally and are being sold for $10 per mask. All sales go to directly to the woman sewing these masks. Pick-up and delivery are available. Contact information: pippishouse@gmail.com or call 215-242-0200

 

The Chestnut Hill Local’s local COVID-19 resource: (this page includes listing of postponements, closings, cancellations,  and much more)
https://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/coronavirus/

Chestnut Hill area Businesses and Restaurants – You Can Still Shop and Eat Locally Without Leaving Your Home! The Chestnut Hill Business Association’s web page includes links to local businesses and restaurants who have online food ordering, purchasing, or gift cards available. https://chestnuthillpa.com/covid-19/

Mt. Airy Businesses and Restaurants – Check out the Open In Mt. Airy List http://mtairycdc.org/openinmtairy for a list of open shops and restaurants in the Mt. Airy neighborhood.  If you own a business that’s responsibly open but not on the list, use the form at the top of that page and they will add it in.

Important Reminders When Visiting the Wissahickon – 

The trails in the Wissahickon Valley Park remain open, and the park is  seeing peak levels of visitation. Here are some important recommendations if you are planning on getting your daily exercise in the park at this time:

• Remember your responsibility to practice social distancing for your health and the safety of others. Maintain at least a 6-foot distance between yourself and other park visitors.

• If you or anyone in your household is feeling sick, please do not visit the park.

• When parking your car, lock the doors, carry your keys with you, and do not leave valuables in plain sight in the car.

• Visit with a buddy if possible.

• If visiting alone, avoid using the park during off-peak times and let people know where you are going.

• Be alert! Go headphone free. Using headphones leaves you vulnerable to physical injury and crime.

• Bring your dog on a leash. All pets are required to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

• Trust your instincts. If you sense trouble because of a person or a place, leave. Report suspicious activity by calling 911.

• See all the Wissahickon has to offer and vary your routine.

For more information about park services and amenities that will be variable or closed during this time, go to: https://fow.org/important-reminders-when-visiting-wissahickon-valley-park/

Free food for residents now available at additional locations – Residents can pick up free food on Mondays and Thursdays at food sites throughout Philadelphia. The City announced more sites this week, and the most up-to-date list of food sites is here: https://bit.ly/3awBQq8

– Sites are open from 10 a.m. – noon.

– Residents can pick up one box of supplemental food per household.

– No ID or proof of income required.

Residents in need of additional food can find a nearby food pantry by calling 311 or texting their zip code to 800-548-6479. Make sure to call the food pantry in advance to confirm their hours. In addition, families can still pick up free meals for students at 80+ locations throughout the City. Those sites are listed here: http://bit.ly/2TPka2J

You can support Philadelphia restaurants while responsibly practicing social distancing. Use this aggregator to find what restaurants in the Philadelphia area are open for take-out, curbside pick-up, or delivery during the lockdown of Philadelphia’s restaurants and bars during COVID-19. This list is constantly evolving, so if you see a place missing please use the form on the website to add them. https://www.diningatadistance.com/philadelphia?fbclid=IwAR0x60s2pc-03tdYxlXPyj7Kl9PkLOy-WHxLHRU5fTUZzXh0o39ryNfki3M

Internet Access – Staying connected during COVID-19: The City recognizes that having access to the internet is critical for families and individuals during this time of crisis. While practicing social distancing and dealing with the closures of many businesses and social services, internet access will help families and individuals do a wide range of activities, from schoolwork to job searching to paying bills. Through the Office of Innovation and Technology, the City is working to make sure everyone can remain connected and that those without Internet access can get it. The link below will take you to a page listing some important updates on low-cost internet and wi-fi access that have been made available. This list also provides the updates made to mobile phone service plans to help support individuals during the COVID-19 crisis. Full updates for each company and any restrictions or limitations can be found on their respective websites.  https://www.phila.gov/2020-03-25-staying-connected-during-covid-19/

Most up-to-date information on the City of Philadelphia’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. https://www.phila.gov/programs/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/ 

SEPTA has announced some new restrictions to service – The transit agency has announced several changes to its operations to protect drivers and riders. Rear-door boarding and exiting will be implemented on all buses and trolleys. Riders with disabilities will still be allowed to use the front doors. SEPTA has also imposed rider limits on vehicles — 20 on buses, 25 on trolleys and 30 on the Norristown High Speed Line.  Regional Rail will run on an Essential Service Schedule starting Sunday, March 29. Officials ask that you ride only if traveling to essential job or services. Details here: http://septa.org/index.html .

Philadelphia Trash and Recycling Changes: (thanks to East Mt. Airy Neighbors for the great graphic!)

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COVID-19 & OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION

PA Governor Tom Wolf and the national government has recommended that everyone wear a mask any time they leave their homes for life-sustaining reasons. As COVID-19 cases steadily rise in the state, Gov. Wolf stressed the need to intensify all measures to help stop the spread of the virus. Additionally, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that citizens should wear “non-medical, cloth masks” to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. See graphic below for information on the different types of masks and who should were them.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has activated a Greater Philadelphia Coronavirus Helpline. It’s available 24/7. If you have questions about symptoms and risk factors, what to do if you think you may have been exposed, testing resources or recommendations for social distancing, you can contact the helpline at 1-800-722-7112. Click here for more info.

CDC info:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

How to take care of your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak – https://www.phila.gov/2020-03-20-how-to-take-care-of-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/

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LEARNING AND FUN FROM HOME FOR ALL AGES

Pennsylvania librarian creates free, virtual Harry Potter escape room for kids – You can complete this escape room as a group or as individual.  You can compete against friends and try it multiple times.  Just make sure you have fun! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflNxNM0jzbZJjUqOcXkwhGTfii4CM_CA3kCxImbY8c3AABEA/viewform

Homeschool with Mural Arts!   Tune into Homeschool with Mural Arts every Monday and Wednesday at 1:00pm for arts-focused tutorials from local experts! Featuring a wide range of skill sets and practices, these 10-30-minute videos offer kids and parents alike the opportunity to flex their creative brains and create some beauty from the comfort of their home. https://www.muralarts.org/homeschool-with-mural-arts/

New York Times Online Now Free with Your Library Card – The Philadelphia Free Library has announced complimentary online access to the New York Times is now available with your library card! Free Library card holders will now have free access to NYTimes.com and all NYT mobile apps, as well as the paper’s international editions. The link to the NYTimes is at: http://libwww.freelibrary.org/databases/index.cfm

Enjoy Woodmere Art Museum from Home – Director’s Virtual Tour of Fully Saturated Exhibition – https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=QgA-b2a8P1Y&feature=youtu.be 

Enjoy other museums around the country

Local Chestnut Hill coloring pages – Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s History at Home new pages every day!

The CHillie Coloring Book and other coloring pages http://www.rebeccathornburgh.com/chillie-coloring-book/CHillie the Bear is a local Chestnut Hill Icon!

Crash Course videos – https://www.youtube.com/user/crashcoursekids?fbclid=IwAR3yTartm9kjJDGtAWjXLq3oM4mYm5it1VWVuHjd1BAQV7h-QR6pZEtAijc

National Geographic Quizzes – https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/games/quizzes/?fbclid=IwAR3FFSXuxKnG8_o7maTyBtSelQ00_ivIYbbZ_HHNIeOzqOVySg-KS1mZIwE

NYT Writing Prompts – https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/15/learning/students-can-respond-to-daily-writing-prompts-inspired-by-the-new-york-times-at-home-for-free.html?fbclid=IwAR3eK9dyRok4Wk2Ihdj4l13HLQBlIwi_tG9hg4wg9de3NdgQTUyxGv-C7Xo

Visit Museums from Home – https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

The kids should see this – https://thekidshouldseethis.com/?fbclid=IwAR3cBfmUxWorxoI0RhGjU86XUpXfxQo-ED4OrwUcSFzD10qSppTqA4aV6-g

WHYY Keeping Kids Busy During the Pandemic – https://whyy.org/articles/parents-keep-kids-busy-during-pandemic-with-theme-days-couch-to-5k-plans-and-play-doh/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=news&fbclid=IwAR1wKysmTRUteRUETykkxVJSpkEbG8MvNwfisvunm0PGYwP1sEG-E1XzhpQ

Teacher’s instagram – https://www.instagram.com/p/B9rxo-cpSMK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&fbclid=IwAR3wt5tTg6lFPDA8vbtiRmNFueOrP_CnyGIB8mH0bu0hDyzX4Z6CS_jd3YE

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PENNSYLVANIA-WIDE INFORMATION

Responding to the Census – The 2020 Census is happening now. You can complete your questionnaire online, by phone, or by mail. Click HERE for more information on how to respond online – it only takes a minute and is so important!

Gov. Wolf has ordered all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania to close indefinitely. Grocery stores are life-sustaining, so they will stay open. You can get a breakdown of which businesses are non-life-sustaining and which are life-sustaining by clicking here.

The PA Turnpike Commission (PTC) has announced that to keep travelers from interacting with tolling personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic, cash and credit cards will NOT be accepted at any interchange statewide until further notice. Click here for more info.

Amtrak has changed its service schedule.  Click here for more info.

 If you’re employed in Pennsylvania and unable to work because of COVID-19, you may be eligible for Unemployment or Workers’ Compensation benefitsClick here for more info.

PennDOT has issued an announcement about expiration dates for driver licenses, ID cards, vehicle registrations and safety and emission inspections. Those dates have been extended. Click here for more info.

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HOW YOU CAN HELP

Help your local Hospital! – The Chestnut Hill Hospital needs the following items:

Procedural Masks

Surgical Masks

N95 Masks

Goggles

Latex Free Gloves

Hand Sanitizer

Disinfectant Wipes

If you have access to any of these items and would like to make a donation or have questions email ChestnutHillMarketingGroup@towerhealth.org.

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belong     know     experience

Don’t just live in Chestnut Hill, be part of the community.

Support concerts in the park and movies under the stars.

Read your local paper produced right here, under local ownership, by real journalists and expert contributors.

Take a stroll and enjoy the shade of the tree-lined streets and know you are a part of keeping this neighborhood green.

Enjoy the Passport to the Chestnut Hill Experience, a membership perk with $1,000 in discounts and free offers from Chestnut Hill area businesses and restaurants

Don’t just live in Chestnut Hill.

Experience it.

JOIN

RENEW

Strengthen Your Social Connections, Volunteer at the CHCA

At the Chestnut Hill Community Association our volunteers collaborate throughout the year to bring our neighborhood vital, engaging and fun community events. We also have committees that help to promote membership in the CHCA, plant trees in our community, and plan year-round programming.

If you’re interested in meeting your neighbors and being a part of the fun in Chestnut Hill, give us a call at 215-248-8810 or email our office at info@chestnuthill.org.

Regularly Scheduled CHCA Meeting Dates

The CHCA exists thanks to the commitment of many, many volunteers, of every talent, expertise, and interest. They serve on every committee and make possible every initiative. Thank you to each and every one!

(meetings dates and times may change, please confirm by calling 215-248-8811)

While the current public health emergency continues CHCA public meetings have been cancelled or postponed. Updates will be posted on the CHCA 2020 upcoming meetings page

For additional information
See our weekly listing in the Chestnut Hill Local.

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 Chestnut Hill Community Association

8434 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118
215-248-8810, info@chestnuthill.org