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.org, www.chestnuthill.org

Anne McNiff

Executive Director

The Chestnut Hill Community Association presents:

A Free “Happy Hour” Concert to benefit Northwest

Philadelphians in need – Saturday, May 9th 5-6pm

Grab your favorite beverage and meet your friends and neighbors online!

Mt Airy resident and acclaimed blues singer
Deb Callahan & guitarist Allen James
will perform a live streamed “Happy Hour” Concert
Saturday, May 9th from 5pm – 6pm.

Donations of any amount can made during the concert and will be used
to help Northwest Philadelphians in need.

Go to CHCA HAPPY HOUR CONCERT

for information on how to access Concert

“Alone we can do so little: together
we can do so much”
– Helen Keller

Many resident’s in our area are suffering. Public and private agencies are hard at work to provide food and access to medical care to those who have been adversely affected by this pandemic. However, many families have needs that require cash that they do not have at this time. Donations from this “Happy Hour” Concert will be used to purchase $100 gift cards for Northwest Philadelphia residents in need. Local agencies vetted through Senator Art Haywood’s office will be utilized to distribute the gift cards.

“We are all in this together” – Community Matters”

Thank you to Univest Bank and Bob & Nancy Elfant
for their support of this event.

Can’t join us on May 9th? You can still make a donation here- DONATE NOW

Your Family Can Plant a Virtual Tree Now and Enjoy a Real One in the Fall!

Like the Pete Seeger song “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season),” There is a time to plant, a time to reap.

With shelter in place mandates this year, it’s more complicated for gardeners to plant with many of our favorite plant supply stores closed for the month. But with the help of the Chestnut Hill Tree Tenders, you and your family can do just that. During the month of May, the Chestnut Hill Tree Tenders are seeking your help to plant 50 virtual trees along our residential streets. The Chestnut Hill Community Association (CHCA) will help them get the word out and collect commitment forms from homeowners in the area. Both groups will support the effort by sharing a virtual map and signs announcing the location of the future tree.  Twice a year, the Tree Tenders solicit applications for free street trees through a citywide program of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), up to three trees per household. Currently, they are urging homeowners to apply now for the Fall 2020 planting.  As PHS cannot grant all requests, the CHCA will consider covering the cost of a certain number of trees through its CHCA Tree Fund.

“This is a great opportunity for families with kids of all ages to “plant” a street tree and design a home school exercise around Earth Day, learning about the critical role of trees in combatting climate change, identifying tree species suitable for the urban environment, and enhancing the unique character of our neighborhood,” say the current co-chairs of the Chestnut Hill Tree Tenders, Jean McCoubrey and Monika Hemmers. “During your daily walks or bike rides around the neighborhood, why not make a game out of identifying blocks in need of more street trees?  Wouldn’t it be a great reminder for our area kids to grow up with these trees and remember how their parents turned a time that was a little scary for them into a positive silver lining effort in their community.  Let’s plant some virtual trees that will grow with us.”

“We are also interested in appealing to homeowners willing to coordinate with their neighbors to plan for four or five trees in a row for greater impact,” says CHCA President Laura Lucas. “We’ve done that in two of our recent planting cycles and it really has contributed to greening Chestnut Hill on a larger scale in our residential neighborhoods. We will also be appealing to some area business and institutional leaders to help us green Chestnut Hill so the Tree Tenders can reach their goal of identifying 50 trees to plant.”

Forms can be found on Chestnut Hill Community Association website at https://www.chestnuthill.org/docs/Street_Tree_Request_Form_General.pdf . Scan and return first two pages of the form by May 12th to info@chestnuthill.org and we’ll share our virtual tree map and signage for identified trees.

Chestnut Hill Conservancy: History at Home

Throughout our stay-at-home order the Chestnut Hill Conservancy has been guiding us on socially distant strolls through Chestnut Hill History. New YouTube videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLau_jPiR5wewOJGlBfpPGfQqytcaK26uK of archival footage around themes such as railroads, Wissahickon, businesses, and the old Chestnut Hill amusement park are coming out every week. For the kids, the Conservancy has created free printable coloring pages http://chconservancy.org/coloring-pages of some of Chestnut Hill’s beloved architecture. You can find more Chestnut Hill photos, historic and present day at http://chconservancy.org/history-at-home and on their social media, chconservancy on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/chconservancy/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chconservancy and using the hashtag #HistoryatHome.

The Chestnut Hill Conservancy, formerly the Chestnut Hill Historical Society, founded in 1967, is an educational center and advocate for the architecture, open space, and social history of Chestnut Hill and surrounding communities. Through programs http://chconservancy.org/programs and the Archives http://chconservancy.org/archives (with over 21,000 photographs, maps, records, and more), the CH Conservancy is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the Chestnut Hill area’s heritage.

Please Donate to Support Our Small Businesses

Support Local Now So You Can Shop Local Later

Dear Chestnut Hill Shopper,

The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a catastrophic toll on small businesses, as required closures combined with delays in dispatching emergency assistance programs are challenging their ability to weather this storm.  One of the greatest assets of Chestnut Hill’s unique commercial district is its high concentration of small, independent businesses, but this also makes it especially vulnerable to the effects of the current crisis.  The Chestnut Hill Business District’s new COVID-19 Small Business Support Grants will provide critical funding support to small businesses in Chestnut Hill whose survival is threatened by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Donations are being accepted by the Chestnut Hill Community Development Corporation (CHCDC), a registered 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to the enhancement of Chestnut Hill’s Business District.

You can read about the District’s efforts in articles in this week’s Philadelphia Inquirer (https://www.inquirer.com/business/small-business/chestnut-hill-small-biz-struggles-20200428.html) and Chestnut Hill Local (https://www.chestnuthilllocal.com/2020/04/29/chestnut-hill-development-corporation-opens-fund-for-small-businesses/).

How to Donate:
Please consider making a charitable donation to the CHCDC’s Small Business Support Grant Fund. Visit https://chestnuthillpa.com/donate/ for full details and a convenient online donation link.

In addition to donating, you can also support many merchants with online sales, gift card purchases, and food pick-up/delivery.  Visit https://chestnuthillpa.com/covid-19/ for a full list of participating shops and restaurants.  Thank you for everything you do to sustain our small businesses during this difficult time.

Thank you to everyone at Chestnut Hill Hospital, you are all our Heroes!  Get the latest information from the PA Department of Health and the CDC on COVID-19, including guidelines for communities, schools, and businesses. https://chestnuthill.towerhealth.org/

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/

Additionally the Local is offering special advertising rates for businesses during this challenging time. Contact the Local at 215-248-8800 for more information.

The Wissahickon is Online with a Virtual Valley

Friends of the Wissahickon have been keeping us updated on the ongoing safety measures https://fow.org/covid-19/ we need to abide by while visiting the trails, woods, and river. They have also taken the Wissahickon online with Virtual Valley https://fow.org/virtual-valley/! Wissahickon Reflections https://fow.org/virtual-valley/reflections is where you’ll find art and stories of personal connections with the Wissahickon. Larks and Recreation https://fow.org/virtual-valley/larks-and-recreation/ hosts coloring pages, games, and trivia.

Trails to the Past presents an interactive map and stories about the Wissahickon’s historic points of interest. Visit the Friends of the Wissahickon website and follow their social media on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FOWissahickon/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fowissahickon/?hl=en for even more offerings like classes, moments of Zen, virtual events, and beautiful photographs of Wissahickon Valley Park.

FOW is a 2,500-member nonprofit organization that works in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to restore historical park structures, eliminate invasive plant species, monitor watershed management issues, and restore trails throughout Wissahickon Valley Park. Become a member of Friends of the Wissahickon and help preserve the Wissahickon Valley Park for future generations.

Woodmere Art Museum continues its’ mission: Telling the Stories of Philadelphia’s Art and Artists through online experiences

You can still enjoy all that Woodmere has to offer by accessing many of their collections, catalogues and the Diving Board Podcast hosted by Woodmere Art Museum’s Director and CEO, Bill Valerio and Stephanie Marudas of Kouvenda Media, Diving Board is a new show about artists, the art they create, and social and cultural ideas. https://woodmereartmuseum.org/explore-online/

A Heartfelt Message from a Grateful Community

https://www.etsy.com/listing/796578233/thank-you-sign-for-essential-workers

Links to Important Information

LOCAL COMMUNITY INFORMATION

COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The program aims to help people who have lost income because of COVID-19 pay their rent. Please note that funding is limited. Not everyone who applies can be served. Renters do not have to have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to be eligible.  The City will begin accepting applications for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 10 a.m. The deadline to apply is Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 5 p.m.   Applications are available through PHLRentAssist.org. Residents without internet access or a smart phone can get program and application information by calling 3-1-1.

Voting –  The new date for the Pennsylvania primary election is June 2, 2020. The last day to register to vote is May 18, and the last day to request a mail-in ballot is May 26. Make sure you are registered, make sure you vote! For more information on convenient and secure voting options https://www.votespa.com/Pages/default.aspx

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!)

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.

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/

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

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

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 extended the stay-at-home order until June 4th for Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties.  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 benefits: Click 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.

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

Isolation Gowns

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

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.

 Chestnut Hill Community Association

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