UCFSD to seek fact finding in teacher contract talks

Teachers union agrees it also wants third-party look at issues By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District and its teachers have, in effect, agreed to disagree over their ongoing negotiations for a new contract, with both sides seeking a Fact-Finding report, as the two sides remain apart on salary and benefit issues. The teachers’ contract expired June 30. While...

PA American Water presents environmental grant for educational camp

  Brandywine Red Clay Alliance received a $4,500 grant from PA American Water COATESVILLE, Pa. (July 7, 2015) – Pennsylvania American Water said today it awarded one of its 2015 Environmental Grants to the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, which is among seven watershed initiatives across the state that earned financial support through the company’s Environmental Grant Program.   ...

Art Watch: Take a break from the heat & enjoy exhibits across Chesco

  By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times   The Church Street Gallery in West Chester is exhibiting the wonderful oil paintings of local West Chester artist, Terry DeAngelo, for their July show entitled “Quiet Truths.” The central image for the show is a four foot square painting called “Shot”, with hundreds of black birds flying from the branches of a large tree against a...

Brushing up on the history of the toothbrush

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times The toothbrush we know today has come a long way since it’s humble beginnings. The earliest toothbrushes were used by the Babylonians and Egyptians around 3500 BC. It was more of a tooth cleaning stick than a brush as we know it.  Small branches of the olive, sassafras or Salvadora persica trees were cut off and ends chewed until the wood fibers...

Concept School educator charged with indecent assault

George James Symonds THORNBURY — The Head of School of the Concept School was arrested and charged with corruption of minors, indecent assault, and related charges involving an alleged series of incidents with a teenage student from the school., Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said Tuesday. George James Symonds, 62, who has been a teacher at the school since 2004 and Head of School, similar...

Birmingham BOS in final stages of comprehensive plan

Resident expresses concerns about use of chemical weed killer   By Kris Firey-Poling, Correspondent, The Times   BIRMINGHAM – At Monday’s meeting of the Birmingham Township Board of Supervisors, a lighter than typical agenda included discussion of the Comprehensive Plan, adopting dog waste removal service, and PennDot’s use of vegetation management chemicals.   ...

Tredyffrin Public Library hosts performance arts camps

“Plans afoot for summer performance camps.” – Pictured Left to right: Nell Hoban, David Gleichman, Sarah Whelan STRAFFORD – Tredyffrin Township Libraries believe in empowering, inspiring, and supporting the interests of young people. The 2015 summer performance arts camps seek to cultivate performance arts skills and instill confidence in students in rising fifth through rising ninth grades....

Sunday Super Six: Fashion & food with a patriotic twist

Happy Fourth of July weekend! This is easily one of my favorite holidays. Fireworks on the beach with family and friends, what could be better? In the spirit of patriotism, I have created a red, white and blue Sunday Super Six that I looooooove! Here are the details:    Send article as PDF   

Chadds Ford BOS address storm damage, appoint new fire marshall & honor community leader

By Kris Firey-Poling, Correspondent, The Times   CHADDS FORD – At Wednesday’s meeting of the Chadds Ford Towsnhip Board of Supervisors meeting, storm damage, emergency services and honoring a community leader topped the agenda.    Send article as PDF   

What to do: Hometown fun, fireworks & festivals

  By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times   The Philadelphia Museum of Art sets the backdrop for the annual Welcome America fireworks display. Independence Day has arrived and that means it is time for two of Chester County’s longest-running and most popular Fourth of July events — Downingtown Good Neighbor Day (Kerr Park, Downingtown, 610-285-1119, www.goodneighborday.com) and Freedom...