County Survey: Homelessness rose 8% in 2023
The Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) released its 2023 Point-In-Time (PIT) count this week, which shows that 436 people were experiencing homelessness in Chester County on January 25, 2023. This number represents an eight percent increase in homelessness from 2022 when the PIT count was 402.
The PIT count is a manual census of people experiencing sheltered and unsheltered...
On Stage Extra: The 80’s come roaring back in show at The Mann
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Howard Jones
Music fans heading into the TD Pavilion at the Mann (5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, TD Pavilion at the Mann Philadelphia, Tickets for Concerts & Music Events 2023 – Songkick) on July 30 will be going through a time warp – from 2023 back to the 1980s.
The show will feature Boy George and Culture Club, Howard Jones and Berlin.
For...
On Stage: The Rumble represents one of New Orleans’ lesser-known traditions
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
The Rumble
New Orleans is a great cultural city – especially for food and music.
Many of America’s legendary musicians are from New Orleans – Professor Longhair, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Louis Prima, The Meters, Fats Domino, the Wild Magnolias.
Music is everywhere in Crescent City – from small clubs to huge festivals like the New Orleans...
Two local taekwondo athletes win World Championships in Phoenix
Two champions celebrate: Master Kammas Kersch (left) and Dr. Stephanie McGann celebrate their respective World Championships together earlier this month. The two titles represent the first ever individual titles for the ATA West Chester school.
Two athletes with strong ties to Chester County both won World Championships at the American Taekwondo Association championships in Phoenix earlier this...
New Kennett Library to hold grand opening, Aug. 27
The new Kennett Library
The Kennett Library & Resource Center will celebrate its Grand Opening on August 27. All are welcome to attend.
The celebration will begin at 1 pm with a ceremonial book pass down State Street, followed by a land acknowledgment by the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, brief remarks by local dignitaries, and a ribbon cutting.
Community members are encouraged to participate...
WCU’s Florentino to retire in summer, 2024
Christopher M. Fiorentino
West Chester University President Christopher M. Fiorentino, Ph.D., who leads the largest university within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, announced to the West Chester University community today that he will retire in the summer of 2024.
Having led the institution as its 15th president for more than six years and having served the University now for...
Shame of the commonwealth: PA tied for no. 3 in US for hate groups
By Rich Heiland, Columnist, The Times
PENNSYLVANIA is tied for third among states…..and not in a good way.
The Southern Poverty Law Center has released its “The Year in Hate & Extremism Report” for 2022. The report tallies up the number of hate and/or extremist groups in the country by state.
Topping the list with 103 is California. Next comes Florida with 89. No surprise there. The...
Inner Nature: The nature of instinct
By Vidya Rajan, Columnist, The Times
One of the unexpected sights driving around my neighborhood in Chester county is seeing an adult male peacock with a magnificent tail walking about the streets. Peacocks are native to the tropics, and are the national bird of India. This peacock was probably bought as a pet, maybe as a pair, maybe alone. He’s since become feral, and has no partner. He has...
What To Do: Kimberton Fair returns; Oliver! under the stars
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Kimberton Fair
There are two things you can be sure of in this area every July – scorching heat waves and an assortment of festivals, outside music events, carnivals, family-oriented celebrations and summertime fairs.
If you enjoy country fairs, you should check out the Annual Kimberton Community Fair (Kimberton Fairgrounds, Route 113, Kimberton,...
On Stage: Andy Summers is more than just a legendary guitar player
By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Andy Summers
Andy Summers is most known for his work as the guitarist of the British band The Police. Summers’ innovative guitar playing created a new paradigm for guitarists in this period and has been widely imitated ever since.
Prior to the Police, he played with various bands in the London scene including the Soft Machine, Kevin Coyne, and...
