If it looks too good to be true, it probably is

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times Buyer Beware, I heard my parents tell me that decades ago when I earned my first paycheck working as a part time lifeguard.  It was the mid 1970’s and I wanted a stereo. Yes I just dated myself. I listened to music before the ipod,earbuds and pandora.  I knew the sound of a needle skipping on a record and the horror of a cassette tape...

Chester County begins implementation of Clean Slate legislation

WEST CHESTER — Chester County has joined all other counties across the state of Pennsylvania in automatically sealing non-violent criminal records and non-convictions for anyone who has remained crime-free for 10 years. The sealing of the records is part of the “Clean Slate” legislation, and Pennsylvania is the first state in the nation to enact it. Because of the Clean Slate legislation,...

On Stage: Tim O’Brien brings bluegrass to Sellersville

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Tim O’Brien Band Tim O’Brien got interested in music at an early age and has stayed with it ever since. Growing up in Wheeling, West Virginia in the 50s and 60s, O’Brien was drawn more to traditional music than the rock music that dominated the airwaves. His musical path led him to bluegrass, country and, eventually, contemporary bluegrass....

On Stage: Hunter & Woodward perform at The Flash Sunday

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Charlie Hunter & Lucy Woodward It’s summertime and things just keep rocking hard at Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org). The popular venue in Kennett Square started the weekend with a show Friday night by Heather Gillis, a young Nashville-based blues rocker from Florida. On July 14,...

What To Do: Once again, it’s time for Blobfest!

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Blobfest If something is “one of a kind,” it has to be special. The Blob Fest is one of-a-kind and very special. In the entire world, there is just one BlobFest and it’s held every year right here in Chester County. “The Blob” is a low-budget horror film that was filmed at the Colonial Theatre and other locations around Phoenixville in...

On Stage: Heather Gillis brings big talent to The Flash

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Heather Gillis Kennett Flash will be rocking this Friday night. Heather Gillis, a Nashville-based blues rocker from Florida, will make her Chester County debut on July 12 at Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org). Gillis is primarily a guitarist/vocalist but is much more than that. She is an...

Don’t Retire, ReFire: Living with urgency

By Gail Suplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times As I thought about what urgency means to me, and the purpose of my message, more forms of urgency opened up and surfaced. Urgency, by definition, has two meanings. One meaning is of persistence and insistence. A good example of this meaning is the urgency of the “now” mentality we live in. In this day and age where all of our “conveniences” have...

On Stage: Common Kings push musical boundaries

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Common Kings When Sublime with Rome brings the tour supporting its brand-new album “Blessings” to the Mann Center (5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia. https://manncenter.org) on July 9, fans would do well to get there early enough to hear the opening act – Common Kings. Common Kings are a multi-cultural pop/rock band with vocals inspired by...

What To Do: First Fridays filled with fun in the area

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Amazingly, it’s already July. And, the start of the month means that it’s time for First Friday events. When the first Friday of the month comes around, it’s a good time to spend the evening in West Chester or Lancaster. On July 5, West Chester will host its version of First Friday (downtown West Chester, http://www.downtownwestchester.com)....

On Stage: Shakespeare comes to life at Phoenix Theatre

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Tempest If you’re looking for a different and interesting way to celebrate the holiday weekend, you can celebrate the opening of Chester County’s newest cultural attraction – the opening weekend of the Phoenix Theatre (The Phoenix Theatre at SALT Performing Arts, 1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs, https://www.thephoenixtheatrepa.com). Most...