Beating the Winter blues

On those dark, cold days a few ideas to brighten things By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times Surviving the winter season with a positive attitude can be difficult. When the days are grey and cold, it’s hard to gather the strength to get out of a warm bed in the morning. Battling the winter blues requires a bit of effort. Let’s hold that groundhog to his promise of an early Spring, but in...

Brandywine Roller Derby opens season March 12

CALN — World class Roller Derby is alive and well in Chester County Brandywine Roller Derby is kicking off the 2016 season with a name change and an exciting home opener against the Ithaca League of Women Skaters, March 12. After five years as the Brandywine Roller Girls, the league decided to replace “Girls” with “Derby” in order to better encompass all of the individuals who make BRD a...

What To Do: Need we say more? Chocolate in Kennett Sq.

Also: Fosse shows Chicago, Pippin come to area By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Once again, the United Way of Southern Chester County holds its annual Kennett Chocolate Lovers Festival at Kennett High School, Feb. 21. Every year, when February rolls around, the United Way of Southern Chester County holds a special event to celebrate chocolate. On February 21, the organization will present...

On Stage: A local taste of New Orleans’ music

Local performance calendar loaded with great shows By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Big Sam’s Funky Nation brings a bit of New Orleans to the Delaware Valley Thursday night. Mardi Gras may have ended at 11:59 on February 9 but the Mardi Gras spirit is still going strong in this area with shows by New Orleans bands that are out on the road. One of those touring acts from the Crescent City...

Local police warn of fake IRS call scam

More than $23 million has been stolen, nationally, with fake calls By Lauren Parker- Gill, Staff Writer, The Times WEST CALN – With tax season in full swing, some Chester County local police departments are warning residents of phone and email scams from individuals claiming to represent the IRS. Phone scammers are using fake names and IRS badge numbers, along with a toll free number that appears...

Charges filed in stabbing, sexual assault

William Brown NOTTINGHAM — The Chester County District Attorney’s Office formally filed charges against a West Nottingham man in the alleged stabbing of one woman and the sexual assault of another, in what authorities termed a domestic abuse incident. William Brown, 45, is facing charges of attempted murder and rape and related charges following a Valentine’s Day incident at the Nottingham...

Art Watch: the magic of crayons

Local artists get back to basics by using Crayolas for show By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times Though crayons may not be your first thought as a medium for fine art, why not? Their bright yellow packaging remind us of childhood, and their vibrant colors and smooth lines make drawing fun and immediate. This Friday, The Oxford Arts Alliance will be hosting the reception for The Crayon Show , a fine...

Victory announces merger with Southern Tier

DOWNINGTOWN — Having just marked 20 years in the craft brewing industry, Victory Brewing Company (Victory) proudly announces a landmark alliance with Southern Tier Brewing Company (Southern Tier) under parent company Artisanal Brewing Ventures (ABV). As the first major transaction of 2016 within the rapidly evolving craft beer industry, this union presents a new model for craft beer partnerships...

Scalia’s death puts Toomey in an impossible position

Plus: more juvenile budget behavior and the Kane show that will never end By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times After this past week of watching Pennsylvania politics, I almost wish I was back on the serious pain meds I took after my recent back surgery — because it wasn’t exactly a week that covered the commonwealth with glory and it hurt a bit to watch it all. From the juvenile tussle over the state...

Chesco touts 10 years with AAA bond rating

WEST CHESTER — With the announcement this week of the reaffirmation of all three Triple-A bond ratings, Chester County marks 10 years as a government entity that has earned – and maintained – the highest possible rating status. It is the only county in Pennsylvania that holds the three Triple-A rating distinctions, and is one of just 43 counties nationwide. Favorable market conditions combined...