Continuing the conversation about race

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Like it or not, we need to keep talking about race. While the killing of George Floyd was the straw that broke the camel’s back, the rising level of anger over racism has been growing for years. Since Donald Trump’s election, those who hate on the basis of skin color seem to feel like they have been given a green light to openly express their...

What To Do: With local state parks reopening, enjoy fresh air and sunshine

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times White Clay Creek Preserve The COVID-19 pandemic is still going strong which means the best thing is to still “shelter in place” and stay home except for necessary trips outside the home such as getting food and medicine (and, yes, liquor). However, the arrival of hot summer-like weather is providing a severe challenge to those who are going “stir...

County grants total of $5M to 248 small businesses

WEST CHESTER — Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline announced today the award of $5 million in grants to 248 Chester County small businesses and agricultural enterprises.  The individual grants, made available through the Chester County Main Street Preservation program for small businesses impacted by COVID-19, range from just under $1,500 to $25,000. The...

Music Spotlight: Downingtown’s Kate Klim back to work, readying 2021 album

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Kate Klim Kate Klim, a talented singer/songwriter and Chester County native, graduated from Downingtown High School in 2000. In the two decades since, she has lived all around the country, built a reputation as a top-flight performer and released three albums. It’s been five years since she released a new album but that could change in the not-too-distant...

Commissioners OK organized sports practices

WEST CHESTER — Chester County took another step toward a more normal life, by announcing that organized team sports practices will be permitted — under certain circumstances — beginning Thursday. Games and competitions are still not permitted. In a statement issued Wednesday, the Chester County Commissioners and Chester County Health Department said they are committed to ensuring the health...

Inner Nature — Fe: An Iron Constitution

By Vidya Rajan, Columnist, The Times There are 92 naturally occurring elements in the periodic table, but only a handful of elements are essential to life. They include hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen in large quantities, moderate amounts of iron, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus and sulfur, and miniscule quantities of “micronutrients” like selenium and zinc. Why? In an intermittent...

County reschedules Webinar on building consumer confidence for June 11

WEST CHESTER — The second in a series of free webinars presented by the Chester County COVID-19 Business Task Force will be held Thursday, June 11th at 3:30 p.m. The webinar, which was rescheduled after severe weather caused countywide power outages, is designed to help county businesses and organizations navigate through the yellow phase reopening process and provide tools, resources and best...

Victory co-founded to be inducted into Chesco Business Hall of Fame

Victory Brewing Company co-founders Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet will be inducted into the Chester County Business Hall of Fame by the Chester County Economic Development Council during a free livestream event that all businesses can attend on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 12pm EXTON — For the first time ever, the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) is providing free access for...

Chester County officially moves to Yellow Phase; some businesses allowed to reopen

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Chester County is — sort of — open for business. Gov. Tom Wolf signed an amended executive order moving the last 10 counties from red — or Stay At Home — status to Yellow, allowing limited business openings, a return to limited retail operations, and the start of outdoor dining at many area restaurants. Still, there remain a number of restrictions...

What To Do: Yellow Status means get ‘out’ — but be smart about it

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Jenkins Arboretum “Yellow” is not the most positive word in the English language. Even though it is associated with sunshine, cheerfulness and warmth, yellow carries a surprising number of negative connotations. Psychologically, yellow means happiness and optimism. It is the color of sun shining, or bright light and creativity. It is...