MEMORIAL DAY SCHEDULE IN CHELTENHAM

The Cheltenham Township Administration Building, located at 8230 Old York Road in Elkins Park, will be closed on Monday, May 26 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

Refuse and recycling will not be collected that day. Collections are rescheduled as follows:

· Route A – Laverock and Glenside – will be held on Tuesday, May 27.

· Route B – Wyncote, Chelten Hills and west Elkins Park – on Wednesday, May 28.

· Route C – east Elkins Park and Melrose Park – on Thursday, May 29.

· Route D – Cheltenham Village, Rowland Park and Oak Lane Manor – on Friday, May 30.

There will be no special collections on Friday, May 30.

In addition, the township’s Public Works Facility, located at 8101 Old York Road in Elkins Park, and Waverly Road Compost Facility, on Waverly Road between Church Road and Cheltenham Avenue, will be closed on Saturday, May 24. No material will be accepted that day.

Finally, the township’s four libraries – East Cheltenham, Elkins Park, Glenside and LaMott – will be closed Saturday, May 24, through Monday, May 26.

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CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP THEATER CAMP

Children who love the stage, or who would love to try, can learn theatre games, acting exercises, improvisation and theatre crafts this summer at Theater Camp at the Rowland Community Center, located at Myrtle and Elm Avenues in Cheltenham. Camp will culminate in a final performance before friends and family on the last day.

Children ages 7 to 10 will meet August 11 to 15, while youngsters 11 to 13 will meet August 18 to 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Participants must bring their own lunches. The cost is $150 per student for Cheltenham Township residents and $160 for non-residents.

Registration will be available at the Rowland Community Center weekdays starting June 2 from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Evening registration is available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information, call Susan Fries at 215-379-2233. The program is sponsored by the Cheltenham Township Parks and Recreation Department.

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Basketball Camp in Cheltenham Township

“Got Game Camp,” an unconventional yet effective basketball program, offers a competitive and fun atmosphere for players entering 5th to 8th grades at all skill levels. The camp will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday, August 18 to Thursday, August 21 at Renninger Park Basketball Courts, behind Glenside Pool at Waverly Road and Keswick Avenue in Glenside. Participants must supply their own lunches. In the event of rain, camp may extend to Friday, August 22.

The fee is $115. The registration deadline is August 8, and camp is limited to 50 participants. Applications are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Rowland Community Center, located at Myrtle and Elm Avenues in Cheltenham, and the LaMott Community Center, located at Willow and Sycamore Avenues in LaMott. For more information, contact Korey Kalman at 610-517-5296. The program is sponsored by the Cheltenham Township Parks and Recreation Department.

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Summer PonyShare Program in Cheltenham

A five-day pony grooming, riding and horsemanship program introduces children ages 3 to 11 to the wonderful world of equines.

Youngsters ages 3 to 6 can enjoy a one-hour per day Petite Equestrian Program (PEP) program, while Pony Grooming and Riding Program (PGRP) sessions for older children run 1.5 hours. PonyShare uses ponies and cobs, which are smaller and easier to handle than their larger counterparts, and small groups working under qualified instructors to teach horsemanship matters in a fun-filled, non-threatening atmosphere. Participants, who will briefly ride or drive their charges during each class, must wear strong hiking shoes, jeans or sweatpants and a bicycle helmet.

Two sessions will be offered at Curtis Arboretum, located at Church Road and Greenwood Avenue in Wyncote, on weekdays beginning July 23 or 28. The PEP sessions are 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the PGRP class runs 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The PGRP fee is $205 for residents and $305 for non-residents; the PEP fee is $175 for residents and $260 for non-residents. Registrations will be accepted through June13 at the Rowland Community Center, at Myrtle and Elm Avenues in Cheltenham.

For more information, call 215-379-2233.

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FITNESS BOOT CAMP in Cheltenham

Fitness buffs can challenge their normal workout routine with this multi-faceted program of exercise and nutrition, featuring an ever-changing series of outdoor cardio, strength, circuit training and flexibility exercises. The program runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. or 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. from June 16 to August 22 at Wall Park, 1 Wall Park Drive in Elkins Park. No sessions will be held on August 11. The cost is $160 for Cheltenham Township residents or $190 for non-residents. Last year’s participants receive a $15 discount. Registration is available until June 9 on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Rowland Community Center, at Myrtle and Elm Avenues in Cheltenham, and the LaMott Community Center, Willow and Sycamore Avenues in LaMott. For more information, call 215-635-3255 or 215-379-2233.

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SUNDAYS IN THE PARK IN CHELTENHAM

Cheltenham Township will close Tookany Creek Parkway to motor vehicles on four afternoons this spring for Sundays in the Park recreational activities. Bicyclers, skaters, joggers, walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the use of the traffic-free roadway.

Beginning Sunday, May 18 and ending Sunday, June 8, motor vehicles will be prohibited from Tookany Creek Parkway between Central Avenue and Jenkintown Road from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Additionally, through traffic will not be permitted on Beryl Road. Sundays in the Park runs in good weather only.

For more information, call the Cheltenham Parks and Recreation Department at 215-887-1000, ext. 227.

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MAY MEETINGS IN CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP

The Cheltenham Township Board of Commissioners, along with its standing committees and citizen groups, meets regularly at standard times and locations. A list of the meetings taking place in May appears below.

All meetings, unless otherwise indicated, are held in the boardroom of the Township Administration Building, 8230 Old York Road in Elkins Park.

Individuals with disabilities who require assistance to participate in any meeting should contact the township’s Public Information Office at least five working days before the meeting date. For assistance or other information, call the Public Information Office at 215-887-1000, ext. 230.

MONDAY, MAY 5

8:15 p.m. LaMott Board of Historical and Architectural Review (LaMott BHAR)

TUESDAY, MAY 6

7:30 p.m. Public Affairs Committee

8:00 p.m. Public Safety Committee

8:30 p.m. Building and Zoning Committee

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7

7:30 p.m. Twinning Committee

THURSDAY, MAY 8

7:00 p.m. Historical Commission at Curtis Hall, Church Road and Greenwood Avenue, Wyncote

MONDAY, MAY 12

7:30 p.m. Zoning Hearing Board at Curtis Hall

TUESDAY, MAY 13

7:30 p.m. Parks and Recreation Committee

8:00 p.m. Public Works Committee

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14

7:00 p.m. Economic Development Task Force

THURSDAY, MAY 15

7:00 p.m. Emergency Medical Service (EMS) at Azalea Hall, 8230 Old York Road, Elkins Park.

7:30 p.m. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Committee (formerly Drug, Alcohol and Mental Health Committee)

MONDAY, MAY 19

7:30 p.m. Planning Commission

7:30 p.m. Environmental Advisory Council at the Richard Wall House Museum, 1 Wall Park Drive, Elkins Park.

TUESDAY, MAY 20

7:30 p.m. Board of Commissioners at Curtis Hall

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21

7:30 p.m. Fire Board

7:30 p.m. Zoning Hearing Board at Curtis Hall

THURSDAY, MAY 22

7:30 p.m. Shade Tree Advisory Commission

TUESDAY, MAY 27

7:30 p.m. Auxiliary Police

7:30 p.m. Human Relations Committee

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28

7:30 p.m. Library Board at Elkins Park Library, 563 E. Church Road, Elkins Park

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CHELTENHAM POOL REGISTRATION BEGINS

Stay cool this summer with memberships to Cheltenham Township’s two municipal pools, Conklin and Glenside. Only Cheltenham Township residents are eligible. The pools open June 14.

Registration begins Tuesday, May 6 and will run from 9:00 a.m. to noon and then from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday through June 12. Registration will be available every weekday at the same times beginning June 16. All registrations are held at the Township Building, located at 8230 Old York Road in Elkins Park, not at the pools.

Special evening registrations are available from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on June 9, 17 and 26. Saturday registrations are offered from 10:00 a.m. to noon on May 31 and from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on June 14.

Seasonal memberships are $175 for families, $90 for adults, $70 for full-time students ages 23 and under, and $40 for seniors age 62 and up. Daily memberships are $4 for adults and $3 for youths, plus an initial $20 registration fee.

The Glenside Pool, located at Keswick Avenue and Waverly Road next to Renninger Field in Glenside, features a baby wading pool with a giant showering mushroom, sprinkling fire hydrant, small playground and small water slide. Conklin Pool, located at Church and Yew Roads in Cheltenham, offers a baby wading pool, sand volleyball court, two playgrounds with some new equipment and basketball courts. Both offer free Wi-Fi access during the pool season.

For more information, contact the Cheltenham Township Parks and Recreation Department at 215-887-6200, ext. 227.

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CHELTENHAM EATERIES CELEBRATE AREA GRADUATES

Nine Cheltenham Township restaurants want to help high school and college seniors celebrate their momentous achievements by offering graduates special discounts between May 16 and June 23, 2008.

The participating restaurants shown below will offer graduates in parties of six or more (at least five paying guests) a free meal, while graduates in parties of less than six will enjoy a 50% discount on their meals (alcohol and gratuities not included). Reservations may be required. This Cheltenham Township Main Street program, which will be promoted at over a dozen area schools, encourages patronage of many of the fine food establishments within Cheltenham Township.

For complete guidelines on the “Congrats Grads” program, contact Main Street Manager Ruth Littner Shaw at 215-887-6200, ext. 113.

Anne’s Kitchen Table

11 Wesley Plaza, Glenside

215-576-1274

The Glenside Pub

122 S. Easton Rd, Glenside

215-576-9354

Jasmine Asian Bistro

140 S. Easton Road

215-885-4333

Jonathan’s American Grille

Jenkintown-Wyncote Train Station

215-885-9000

Marco Polo Café

8080 Old York Rd, Elkins Park

215-782-1950

Max & David’s

8120 Old York Road

Elkins Park

215-885-2400

Nicky Fischer’s

15 Limekiln Pike, Glenside

215-887-6465

Rocky’s

22 E. Glenside Avenue

215-887-3866

Szechuan Mandarin Garden

8080 Old York Rd, Elkins Park

215-782-9080

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CHELTENHAM WINS $20,000 PRESERVE AMERICA GRANT

Cheltenham Township recently won a $20,000 Preserve America grant to document, inventory and catalog the costume, clothing and textiles collection of the Richard Wall House Museum in Elkins Park. This inventory will enable the township-owned museum, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and dates to1682, to better interpret Cheltenham’s 300 years of local history.

The grant was one of 43 awarded in 25 states under the Preserve America grant program, which began in 2006 and is administered by the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service in partnership with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy the nation’s heritage.

More information on Preserve America, including a complete list of grant recipients, can be found at www.PreserveAmerica.gov.

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TRIM OVERGROWN LANDSCAPING, TREES AND BUSHES

Springtime heralds not only rising temperatures but also reappearing foliage. Now is the time to check that trees and bushes provide a 9-foot clearance over sidewalks and a 14-foot clearance over roadways, as required by Cheltenham Township ordinance. Also, trim overgrown landscaping and vegetation that may obstruct drivers’ sight distance. Safe sight distance is defined as the distance a driver entering a roadway needs to verify that the road is clear of conflicts with other vehicles or other obstacles. Obstructing sight distances is a violation of both the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code and Cheltenham Municipal Code.

Cheltenham Township offers curbside collection of garden waste in biodegradable paper bags in alternating weeks throughout the spring and summer. Residents may also drop off their biodegradable paper bags at the Waverly Road Compost Facility, located between Church Road and Cheltenham Avenue in Laverock. The facility is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., unless affected by a holiday. No drop-offs are permitted when the facility is closed.

Finally, keep yard debris away from streams and streets, since rain may sweep the material into nearby waterways, which can impair water quality and promote flooding.

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FREE MULCH SITES IN CHELTENHAM

Cheltenham Township invites residents to pick up free leaf mulch at four township locations throughout the summer:

· Curtis Arboretum lower level parking lot, located at Church Road and Greenwood Avenue in Wyncote.

· Kleinheinz Pond parking lot, off Tookany Creek Parkway in Cheltenham.

· Glenside Library parking lot, located at Keswick Avenue and Waverly Road in Glenside.

· Waverly Road Leaf Site, on Waverly Road in Laverock.

The locations are open weekends, except the Waverly Road Leaf Site, which is open only on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. unless affected by a holiday. Residents must bring their own shovels and containers to collect the mulch. The free mulch is generated from composted leaves from municipal leaf collection programs.

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CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP SUMMER TEEN ENRICHMENT PROGRAM REGISTRATION

Cheltenham teens ages 12 to 15 can avoid the doldrums this summer, thanks to the Summer Teen Enrichment Program. Swimming, crafts, sports, community service projects, day trips and more are on tap weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from June 23 through August 8, except July 4.

The program costs $750 per teen, which includes admission and transportation for all trips. Payment may be split into $375 at registration and the balance due by May 30. The program is limited to 40 participants who are Cheltenham Township residents.

Registration is available at both LaMott and Rowland Community Centers weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. from April 7 until May 30. For more information about the Summer Teen Enrichment Program, contact the LaMott Community Center at 215-635-3255.

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SPRING AND SUMMER BAGGED GARDEN DEBRIS COLLECTION IN CHELTENHAM

To assist residents with their yard work, Cheltenham Township will collect leaves, garden debris, twigs and grass in biodegradable paper bags at the curb on most Fridays on alternating weeks throughout the spring and summer. Collections are delayed until Saturday in weeks with a holiday.

Collections will start in Routes 9 through 15, which are located primarily east of Old York Road, on March 14. Collection for Routes 1 through 8, which are on the west side of the township, start on Saturday, March 22. T

Bags may not contain large branches, stones, rocks or trash. Bags should be placed at the curb just prior to their scheduled collection date. Biodegradable paper bags are on sale at the Township Administration Building, libraries and community centers for 35 cents per bag or three for $1.

Residents may also drop off their biodegradable paper bags at the Waverly Road Compost Facility, located between Church Road and Cheltenham Avenue in Laverock. The facility is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., unless affected by a holiday. No drop-offs are permitted when the facility is closed.

For more information, call the Cheltenham Public Works Department at 215-887-6200, ext. 330.

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STREETSCAPE ENHANCEMENTS UNDERWAY

Construction recently began on the Easton Road Streetscape and Traffic Calming Improvement Project, part of Cheltenham Township’s economic development initiative to create more attractive, pedestrian-friendly shopping districts. Like the earlier Wesley Plaza transformation, the project will introduce ornamental streetlights, hanging baskets, decorative sidewalk pavers, granite curbing, attractive crosswalks, benches and more on Easton Road between the train overpass and Springhouse Lane in Downtown Glenside.

Businesses will remain open during construction. To minimize disruption, work will be limited to one side of the street at a time. Construction should be completed in September 2008, and every effort will be made to accommodate the Independence Day parade, car show and Glenside Street Fair. Montgomery County and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation provided $1,740,000 in community revitalization and transportation grants to fund the enhancements.

The township secured on-site inspector Larry Franko from KCI Technologies, Inc., to monitor construction everyday and resolve any construction-related issues. Business and property owners can contact the inspector at 610-551-1457.

The streetscape enhancement project offers everyone an opportunity to support the community and insert a personal message into the fabric of the district through “Hit the Bricks,” which features three options:

· A three-line message engraved in a sidewalk brick paver costs $100

· A two-line message on a bench plaque costs $500

· A two-line message on a street-tree plaque costs $700.

For details and an order form, contact the Main Street Manager at 215-887-6200, ext. 113.

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VINTAGE CAMERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

Through spring 2008, the Richard Wall House Museum in Elkins Park will feature a special exhibit on vintage cameras and photography circa 1950s to 2000.

The extensive collection includes view, folding, Brownie, Instamatic and Land cameras as well as daguerreotypes, tintypes, glass slides and albumin prints, plus Victorian photo albums, wedding photos and postcards. Some photos capture historically relevant subjects such as Abraham Lincoln, Lillian Gish, Will Rogers and Frank Capra. Famed photographers Cecil Beaton, Bachrach and Wallace Nutting are represented in the displays.

In addition, the Cheltenham Camera Club, the oldest camera club in Pennsylvania, will provide a changing exhibit of modern photography as counterpoint.

The Richard Wall House, which is dated to 1682 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located at 1 Wall Park Drive off Church Road, just 1/10th of a mile west of Route 611. It features four floors of exhibits, including a vast textile collection, hand tools, Victoriana, wedding gowns, a period kitchen and more. The museum is open for tours on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4: 00 p.m. and for groups by appointment. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information, call 215-887-5159.

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