Merion

Bravo, Merion Community Coalition, Bravo

carla — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:46:39 -0700

Last night as we settled on the sofa for the Channel 7 version of "must see t.v." (AKA The Board of Commissioners Meeting), I wondered if there was anyone in the audience. The meeting skipped along rather smoothly with Maryam Phillips' hand on the gavel, and I thought several commissioners were rather fabulous on various issues, and along came "Public Privilege To The Floor". And might I say "wow!"?

Small Time Vandals Strike North Latch's Lane In Merion!

eyaari — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:38:20 -0700

F R I E N D S o f t h e B A R N E S F O U N D A T I O N e-mail: barnesfriends@comcast.net; www.barnesfriends.org; 610-667-0281 For Immediate Release September 8, 2008 News Bulletin! Vandalism Strikes Barnes Foundation Neighborhood with wholesale theft of "Join the Fight to Save the Barnes" Signs For information: Nancy Herman at 610-667-0281 or Evelyn Yaari at 610-864-6483; e-mail: barnesfriends@comcast.net (Merion Station, September 8, 2008) Residents of North Latch's Lane in Merion awoke to find that throughout the neighborhood in the

Look At Amtrak Now...And Mark Your Calendars For October 2nd in Ardmore

carla — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:32:08 -0700

On October 2nd, 2008, unless it changes, Congressman Jim Gerlach is planning a transit summit at which Amtrak and Septa will be present and accountable to US the public - this meeting will be in Lower Merion Township - at the Township Building, probably around 7 p.m. And in my mind it can't happen soon enough. (You can call Jim Gerlach's Montgoemry County Office for more information: 610-409-2780 ) So, anyway, much to my surprise as I was dozing off last night, and there was LuAnn Cahn on NBC10 talking about Amtrak and how they sprayed systemic herbicides all over the place, including in my neighborhood. Well, Cheryl Allison tackled it last week in her article Rail neighbors are not all aboard with Amtrak's spraying By Cheryl Allison. Well this week the plot thickens: Posted on Tue, Sep 2, 2008 Transit agency to rail neighbors: No trespassing By Cheryl Allison

Right On Renoir, Batman! The Barnes Debacle is Prestigious Brit Publication!

MainLineThoughts — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:37:19 -0700

Holy Toledo! The Barnes drama has reached "over the pond": Holy Picasso!: The Brit at the centre of a £6bn art row Derek Gillman is an English academic in charge of the biggest private collection of art in America. He is also the man accused of evicting this £6bn treasure from its rightful home – and of betraying the radical vision of the man who created. By Charles Darwent Sunday, 17 August 2008

Barnes Friends Stage First Protest!

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:42:07 -0700

Well, we are pleased to report that the Barnes Friends have been exercising their First Amendment Rights with a dignified and politely done protest the other day in Philthadelphia. One of their members sent an e-mail along to a few of our members, and we are posting that now so everyone can have an update:

Good Morning. The attached photo appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News on July 18, 2008. There is my daughter, Carmelle Yaari with our bud Rocky, and me. The protest took place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, a section of which had been closed to traffic for the press event for Governor Rendell, Mayor Nutter, Senator Fumo, representatives from Pew, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and others. The big announcement was that the city, the state, the Pew, the Knight Foundation, and the William Penn Foundation are giving $17 million to spruce up the Parkway in anticipation of the Barnes Foundation coming to the neighborhood.

Inquirer's Sozanski Sticks Up for Barnes's Friends

eyaari — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:56:50 -0700

In contrast to recent disappointments (a hasty retreat by Montco Commissioners Hoeffel and Matthews; getting the boot from Judge Ott), it does feel great to have Inquirer art critic Edward J. Sozanski stick up for Friends of the Barnes. The June 29th article explains the problem clearly and doesn’t shrink from calling the dismantling plan for the art collection by its names: “a cabal of interests that appear not to appreciate (the Barnes’) essential nature,” “the most audacious art heist in American history…,” “hijacking.”

Inquirer art critic speaks up about Barnes Friends

eyaari — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:13:10 -0700

The Philadelphia Inquirer June 29, 2008 Art: Friends of Barnes keep up the good fight By Edward Sozanski, Contributing Art Critic To paraphrase the eminent metaphysician L.P. Berra, an event has not concluded until all activity associated with that event has ceased. By that measure, the 20-year struggle for the body and soul of the Barnes Foundation might still have wobbly legs, even if, legally, la guerre appears to be fini.

Disappointing Barnes Update

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:52:47 -0700

Saw this over at Writemarsh:

"...it was just a matter of when....How can they fight so hard to keep it and then just "roll over"?"

So yes, The Barnes Friends are abandoning their fight in the court system, which is their right of course, as the legal fees must have been high....How will this impact the Attorney General issue? Ahh well, cheer up, now that Lower Merion will cease to be known for a world famous art collection, it still has the fallback position of being the township of poor development decisions..... A suggestion for the Barnes friends if they are giving up an appeal, but not the fight? An old fashioned protest. Get your marching sneakers on and don't worry about being so polite. Make some noise...try Philly City Hall to start.... Posted on Wed, Jun 18, 2008 ‘Friends’ will not appeal ruling By MARGARET GIBBONS , Times Herald Staff

The Shame of Montgomery County: Matthews/Hoeffel and The Barnes.

carla — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:30:28 -0700

Rolling in His Grave: Albert C. Barnes

Politics and The Barnes....

MainLineThoughts — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:40:31 -0700

The hot,hot,hot political scene in Montgomery County seems to be fueled by the ongoing saga of the Barnes Museum?

More Troops Arrive to Help Commissioner Gordon and Barnes Friends: Commissioner Rogers Takes Montco's Castor on Barnes Tour

MainLineThoughts — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:09:49 -0700

Apparently, Bruce Castor took a tour of the Barnes on Sunday and has this to report courtesy of Writemarsh blog: Monday, June 9, 2008 CASTOR TOURS BARNES FOUNDATION COLLECTION IN PREPARATION FOR MEETING WITH FRIENDS OF BARNES

The Montgomery County Commissioner is “overwhelmed” by the collection. Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor, Jr. accepted an invitation extended by Lower Merion Commissioner Lance Rogers to tour the Barnes Foundation collection on Sunday, June 8th.

Montco Politics as Usual With Added Barnes Intrigue

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:16:33 -0700

Many snaps to Writemarsh for this heads up (even if it seems maybe the SAC blog's front page post might have raised awareness as well, perhaps?): Inside Today's Bulletin Castor: I Was Not Consulted About The Barnes Case By: Jeff Cobb, For The Bulletin 06/03/2008

Captain Matthews of The Montco Ship of Fools Sets Sail Without Barnes?

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:56:11 -0700

So about now we're asking ourselves if the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners (Matthews, Hoeffel, and Castor) are spending so much time bickering amongst themselves that they just did something not just a little bit wrong but a LOT wrong? As per Jeff Cobb at The Bulletin, Jim Matthews has basically welched on his promise to fight to save the Barnes? So is this a case of "Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Do No Job"? So why are these three at the helm of Montgomery County? To shove through continuous river trails through Gladwyne, Lower Merion, and Montgomery County? Are they here to ensure certain Lower Merion figures can warm their fannies in Montgomery County Committee Chairs? Bicker amongst themselves? Show up at political functions? Kiss babies? What? So WRITEMARSH, and Tony Phyrillas? We get it why you always have so much to say about them, okay? Because they just stabbed Lower Merion in the back on the Barnes, didn't they? They went back on their promise to keep the Barnes in Merion, Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County didn't they? It's up to the Attorney General now, eh? Rendell, Ott, Pew Trusts, Annenberg Foundation, Lenfest? They don't care about the art or about Lower Merion - they are all building a legacy to themselves, aren't they? They will go down in history as the people who stole the Barnes Collection, right? Unless of course the Attorney General steps up, right? Actually Nutter should say something. Where is Nutter on this? After all.... a LOT of Lower Merionites helped him get where he is, and a lot of those people want the Barnes to stay in Merion. We gave Nutter Manko, isn't that enough? Inside Today's Bulletin Montco To Drop Barnes Fight By: Jeff Cobb, For The Bulletin 05/29/2008

The Montgomery County Commissioners have decided to let the Barnes Foundation go. The decision not to appeal a May 15 court decision was revealed yesterday afternoon by County Solicitor Carolyn T. Carluccio, who said she was informed by County Commissioner Chairman James R. Matthews.

Barnes State of Mind .....

MainLineThoughts — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:56:47 -0700

What can be done about the Barnes Debacle? Maybe the Barnes Friends should take their show on the road and picket Philadelphia City Hall? And Tom Murray? That's a mighty fine editorial you're sporting this week.... Posted on Tue, May 20, 2008 Judge in Barnes case: See no evil, hear no evil By Robert Zaller

From the Barnes Friends on The Recent Bad News

MainLineThoughts — Sat, 17 May 2008 06:49:44 -0700

After Judge Ott's decision, the Barnes Friends issued this to their supporters:

Dear Friends, On Thursday, May 15th, Judge Ott issued his decision on the matter of the Petitions filed to reopen the hearings: he ruled that neither of the Petitioners, Montgomery County or the Friends of the Barnes Foundation, had the standing to intervene in the Barnes matter.

Big Barnes Bummer

MainLineThoughts — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:24:52 -0700

There simply are no words left at present....an art collection designed and implemented to be in a specific community, Lower Merion, is being stolen from Lower Merion. Judge Ott either doesn't get it, or chooses not to. It's interesting the way Ott operates, isn't it? He's a real operator isn't he, denying standing? Just curious, but who exactly does have standing?

Breaking Barnes News!

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:15:04 -0700

SAC Note right up front before the Barnes news: In this week's Main Line Times (2/28/08) there is a letter to the editor on page 10 co-authored by H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest asking people to support the building of the American Revolution Center in Valley Forge. We have to ask (and we are saying this as U.S. History buffs who support making Valley Forge stay on the radar even if we aren't sure about this particular project because some compare it to a turnpike rest stop?), why is it Mr. Lenfest is so selective when it comes to support of history? How can any of us support the Valley Forge project when in Lower Merion, his support of moving the Barnes to Philadelphia is tatamount to tearing our local history asunder? And we like the implied threat in that letter, and can it be said it is like that familiar lament "if you don't let me build what I want I am going to plant a WalMart"? Or in this case (direct quote) "...We are proud of our plans and the fact that we caused 125 acres of land to be acquired...saving it from the development of 292 high density residential units for which it was zoned. If we are prevented from building on the 78 acres, it may revert to residential development..." Thanks for allowing the segway, and the Friends of The Barnes have asked us to post this immediately:

F R I E N D S OF THE B A R N E S F O U N D A T I O N P. O. Box 35 Merion Station, PA 19066 www.barnesfriends.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 29, 2008 Contact: Nancy Herman at barnesfriends@comcast.net or 610-667-0281 FRIENDS OF THE BARNES FOUNDATION FILES BRIEF IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY ORPHAN’S COURT (NORRISTOWN, PA) Friends of the Barnes Foundation (FBF) Attorney Eric Spade, Esquire, will be filing a Brief in Montgomery County Orphans’ Court in support of the group’s efforts to preserve an intact Barnes Foundation in Merion. The FBF Brief responds to Preliminary Objections filed by the Barnes Foundation and the Attorney General of Pennsylvania in October 2007 in response to the August 2007 Petition filed by the FBF. The Brief sets forth significant developments in Lower Merion Township and Montgomery County that, if undertaken by the Barnes Foundation, would eliminate the Foundation’s financial crisis and allow the Foundation to remain at its Merion location as intended by Dr. Albert Barnes when he established the Barnes Foundation.

Barnes Friends Fire Lawyer Over Fees?

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:26:28 -0700

We don't know what to say about this....it is certainly very unpleasant news at a crucial time and could cause too much diversion from the real issue: keeping the Barnes and the Art in Merion.... Lawyer no friend of group Friends of the Barnes Foundation fires Schwartz as sides trade barbs By Cheryl Allison

Ok Hillary of "Project Blancoyd"...We'll pimp your blog..ONCE

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:52:19 -0700

So we were checking out our pals at www.phillyfuture.org, and noticed someone put a little comment up under one of our posts....and Hillary, an anonymous poster wanted us to check out her site. Well the blog has some great photos, some amusing copy and a ROCKIN' good playlist of cool tunes. So give the Merion Girl a thrill....visit her blog: Project Blancoyd Again....the music ROCKS.....great selection....like "Mad World" by Gary Jules, etc http://www.projectplaylist.com/standalone/1294877

Why Does AG Tom Corbett Want to Move The Barnes? Politics as Usual?

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 14:47:01 -0700

Of course as the time of Halloween approaches, should we all consider any curse Dr. Barnes may have placed on his collection? Will we wonder if the art is moved, how will it affect (in the end) those who support the move and who can't respect a dead man's wishes? Visit www.barnesfriends.org for timely updates and how to donate to their legal fund So if you are Tom Corbett.....Who's your buddy? Who's your pal? Rendell? Fumo? Street? Lenfest/Annenberg/Pew? When it comes to the Barnes, it has very little to do with the actual art and what is best for all people, it comes down to power, pennies, and politics, doesn't it? Why is Attorney General Tom Corbett not helping Lower Merion keep the Barnes? Seriously, there is a letter to public officials in Montgomery County from Attorney General Tom Corbett that is very interesting. http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/files/sac/barnes/COrbetrespontopublicofficials-Sept12.pdf The Barnes Friends say it best when they say:

The Attorney General first assures the Montco commissioners that his office has been 'both diligent and effective in discharging its parens patriae responsibilities as they relate to the Foundation'. He lists all the previous times the Barns Board has been before the court asking for deviations from the indenture. (All of which have been granted) He does not mention the fact that the Barnes Foundation spent down the endowment on frivolous law suits without any sanctions from his office. (He does mention adversarial actions involving Lower Merion Township but doesn't mention that the Barnes brought those actions and spent millions of dollars appealing the decisions of the court all the time spending down the endowment.) He asserts that the ruling which permitted the move in 2004 was appealed and turned down by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. This is an odd interpretation of the facts which are that Jay Raymond, a student of the Barnes tried to get standing to appeal the decision but was turned down because it was purported that he filed too late. Corbett says the Foundation spent over $1,000,000 in charitable funds to obtain the court's authorization to move and has expended another $850,000 in implementing the gallery's move. (One can only wonder what the $850,000 has been spent on - flying around the world looking for architects?) He then basically says the offers by Montgomery County are too little too late and that he will oppose any efforts to reopen the matter.

SAC says look at the letter...you can under sunshine laws - it was issued by a public official to public officials - Montgomery County officials got it,Lower Merion Commissioners got it, Congressman Gerlach got it...

Montgomery County files petition to preserve the Barnes Foundation in Merion

eyaari — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:55:10 -0700

Two petitions have now been filed with Montgomery County Orphan’s Court to reopen hearings on the Barnes matter. Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, the historic home of the Barnes Foundation, filed its Petition on September 12, 2007, affirming the County’s statutory responsibility to preserve the Barnes as an indivisible entity, comprised of its Art Collection, Archives, and Arboretum. It notes the “immediate harm” to Montgomery County if the Art Collection were to be removed. The main arguments in the Petition are summarized below:

Latest Barnes Debacle: Politics or Procedure?

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 08:11:53 -0700

What a shock for Lower Merion residents who have opened their newspapers today! Montgomery County officials have fired the lawyer representing the county supposedly because they didn't know he was also involved with the Friends of The Barnes? Sheesh, we're not so intimately involved, and even most of us knew that! This smells of county politics and who gets all the toys wins, doesn't it? The Barnes issue is one drama packed soap opera...it shouldn't be moved to Philadelphia, and there shouldn't be all this infighting. Question: why didn't Montgomery County ask outright if the attorney in question had potential conflicts before they hired him? Isn't that usual practice when interviewing potential attorneys? Does Montgomery County really want to keep the Barnes here, or is it just us in Lower Merion? This is very confusing: Montgomery County needs to just get the job done and keep the Barnes here. Where it belongs. Here's the article: Montco's Barnes lawyer out By Tom Infield Inquirer Staff Writer

The Barnes STILL Belongs in Merion!

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 09:33:30 -0700

The Barnes Belongs in Merion. We do believe the art belongs in Merion, not Philadelphia, and we believe Ed Rendell, Vince Fumo, Lenfest Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, The Anneberg Foundation, etc. are wrong to move our art collection. Yes, some are going to say the residents didn't want the Barnes in Merion way back when, but actually, they wanted Glanton gone. The Barnes art collection is part of who we are out here, part of our history. How would Philly feel if we say, wanted to move the Liberty Bell to the center of Bryn Mawr? Or wanted to move the art out of The Philadelphia Museum of Art and Rodin Museum to Merion Station? We believe moving the Barnes Collection is stealing. Philly can't manage the art it's got right now. Anyway, here is the latest update from the Barnes Friends:

Dear Friends,

Will PA Attorney General Get Involved in Barnes?

Haverford19041 — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 10:54:59 -0700

Wow! Read this: Montco Seeks Out Attorney General Over Barnes Role By: Jim McCaffrey, The Bulletin 08/06/2007

Montgomery County commissioners are demanding a reply from state Attorney General Tom Corbett to their request that the AG act on their behalf to protect the $3 billion Barnes Art Collection from a move to Philadelphia.

The Barnes Belongs In Merion: Update July 24,2007

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:10:25 -0700

Ok, so the Barnes belongs in Merion. What have you done out there on this issue? Do you sit at home and comment how the thieves of Philthadelphia, Fast Eddie, Vince Fumo, and their checkbooks (Pew Charitable Trusts, Annenberg Foundation, and Lenfest Foundation just to name the largest checkbooks) shouldn't be able to steal Lower Merion's art collection and move it to the City of Murderly Love? If you answered "yes" to any other above, come on now, chop-chop....time's a wastin' NY Times: After 50 Years, the Barnes Way, Still By RANDY KENNEDY Published: July 22, 2007

HARRY SEFARBI turned 90 last month, but he appears not to have paid much attention. “Listen, before you faint, I want you to come over here and take a look at one more Modigliani,” he said recently to a reporter whose art-appreciation muscles were beginning to weaken well into the third hour of a guided tour of the Barnes Foundation here, where Mr. Sefarbi, a painter, has taught for 54 years. He often wears a patch over his left eye now, to remedy a double-vision problem. But you get the sense that Mr. Sefarbi has spent so many hours of his life looking at and thinking about the paintings that climb the walls of the Barnes — 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes, 59 Matisses — that he could describe each of them while blindfolded, like a Zen archer. He leads the way to a Renoir landscape, whose luminescence he compares to peacock feathers. He describes how Cézanne’s oft-painted wife seems to be “screwed up into her hat” in one dark, torqued portrait. He admits that he is still deep into arguments, now more than half a century old, with many of the works, like a small Cézanne still life of a bottle, undulating cloth and fruit. “I stare at it every time I’m here,” he says, “and it stares back.” Mr. Sefarbi is one of the last living links to the eccentric origins of the Barnes. In the late 1940s he attended classes presided over by the foundation’s charismatic founder, Albert C. Barnes....The doctrine Barnes expounded, one that has inspired cultish devotion, held that paintings tell you nearly everything you need to know in themselves, in their colors, shapes and lines, and that with “fierce attentiveness,” as one art critic said, you can begin to understand artists’ visual language in a new way, a kind of aesthetic high rationalism shading into the mystical.

The Barnes Belongs in Merion (Gosh, how we HATE to repeat ourselves, but we're going to!)

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:31:49 -0700

The Barnes Belongs in Merion,The Barnes Belongs in Merion,The Barnes Belongs in Merion,The Barnes Belongs in Merion,The Barnes Belongs in Merion,The Barnes Belongs in Merion,The Barnes Belongs in Merion,The Barnes Belongs in Merion,The Barnes Belongs in Merion..... Here's the latest: Montco's about-face on Barnes Museum

Montco and Gerlach Declare "Game On" Over Barnes...Suburbia Gets Ready To Rumble!

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 07:45:29 -0700

Alright! Finally some teeth and no gums! It's definitely party time over saving the Barnes. Let's hope stern words truly lead to strong action. Hey Philadelphia! Go Steal Some Other Community's Art Collection! And anything that Vince Fumo and John Street have their grubby paws in should be suspect too, right?? Montco cries 'Gross' injustice Referring to the uproar over Eakins, a coalition voiced its complaints about the Barnes move. By Tom Infield Inquirer Staff Writer

Philadelphia reacted with shock and outrage in November when word leaked out that just one famous painting - Thomas Eakins' The Gross Clinic - was going to be sold to out-of-towners. It therefore ought to understand the pain that Montgomery County feels at the prospect of losing the Barnes Foundation, with its hundreds of Impressionist masterpieces valued in the billions of dollars. So say the Montgomery County commissioners. So says Lower Merion Township. So says a suburban congressman, Republican Rep. Jim Gerlach. They joined together yesterday in what amounted to a cry of frustration. They complained that neither the Barnes Foundation nor the city's art community took seriously the county's offer last month to put up $50 million in bonds to keep the Barnes on quiet Latchs Lane in Merion and stop its move to the busier, more visible Parkway in Philadelphia.

Editorial Gem About Honoring The Last Wishes of Dr. Albert C. Barnes

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:29:56 -0700

Tom Murray at Main Line Life turns out an editorial that is simply fabulous this week. It's about the Barnes, or more specifically, honoring the wishes of the late Dr. Barnes. Tom takes a topic that we all discuss in Lower Merion and makes it even more personal - it isn't just about The City of Philadelphia stealing our art collection or just about the scum sucking philanthropists who live on the Main Line and give on the Main Line yet are helping facilitate the stealing of the art collection to a morally bankrupt, financially irresponsible, crime and scandal ridden city....it's about honoring the wishes of the dead. Tom, we love this editorial. And if you are really good, we'll give you a crash course in art history....seriously, even guys guys can get it - no worries we won't have you taking ballet next...LOL....but seriously folks, read this editorial..reprinted courtesy of Tom Murray and Main Line Life newspaper: It's about a man's wish, not about the art By Tom Murray

BREAKING NEWS: BARNES' MUSEUM WATSON REJECTS MONTCO

Haverford19041 — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 06:57:25 -0700

Bernard Watson is definitely part of the fix that is in regarding the Barnes Museum. So, what does he get out of the deal anyway? Lower Merion residents wake up and get busy! Barnes rejects plan to keep it in Merion By Jeremy Rogoff Inquirer Staff Writer

Barnes Foundation chairman Bernard C. Watson has turned down a funding proposal offered by Montgomery County to keep the historic art collection in its Merion home.

Barnes Friends Would Like All of You To Know the Following On 6/16/2007:

SaveArdmoreCoalition — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 07:17:28 -0700

We received this email we would love to share:

Dear Friends, Sorry,I had to break the one email a week rule as there is so much news this week. Public debates, City Hall testimony, action in Norristown by Montgomery County Commissioners and their (and our) attorney, expert opinion that the Barnes Foundation is eligible for National Historic Landmark status, and three articles in major media markets about a completely new concept for a secure future for the Barnes. Our organization has picked up enormous traction and it feels GREAT!