On Stage: Squirrel Nut Zippers are back and playing Philly

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Squirrel Nut Zippers There are three meanings for “Squirrel Nut Zippers.” “Nut Zippers” is a southern term for a variety of old bootleg moonshine. There was a newspaper story about an intoxicated man who climbed a tree and refused to come down even after police arrived. The headline was “Squirrel Nut Zipper.” Squirrel Nut Zipper is...

Chesco set to activate 988 mental health crisis line

Beginning Saturday, July 16, Chester County is joining with communities across the nation, introducing “988” as the direct phone connection support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress. Chester County sees the implementation of the new 988 call option as a first step towards a transformed crisis care system and is seeking feedback through two online surveys to better inform...

ChristianaCare completes purchase of Jennersville Hosp.; looks to restore emergency services

ChristianaCare has completed its purchase of the former Jennersville Hospital location in West Grove, Pennsylvania from Tower Health. Under its new name, ChristianaCare West Grove Campus, the site will once again serve the health needs of the southern Chester County community—but the opening of services at the campus will take some time. “It is our privilege to serve our neighbors in southern...

ReFire at any age: Independence Day. What does it mean to you?

By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times Have you ever really thought about the significance of what this day means? We so often look at holidays like Memorial Day and Independence Day as days off from work, to play and have fun, which is okay but we all need to take a moment to celebrate in a deeper way. The word independence, by definition, means freedom from the control or influence of others....

On Stage Extra: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Kimmel

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Richard Thomas as Atticus Finch “To Kill a Mockingbird” is an American classic – in many ways. It is an American classic as a novel. It is an American classic as a movie. It is an American classic as a Broadway play. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel by the American author Harper Lee, which was published in 1960 and was instantly successful...

Lawrence, Hennessey choosing extreme politics over Chester County women’s lives

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa In the middle of the night, Pennsylvania’s legislators pushed through an amendment to the state Constitution removing any protection for abortion and women’s health services — along with a number of anti-democratic measures that could make it harder for minorities to vote. There are massive issues with morality and democracy here, but the fact...

On Stage Extra: Big Sunday Philly shows change venues

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Vision Video Sunday is the night for relocated rock concerts in Center City Philadelphia. The Vision Video show on July 10 was originally scheduled to be held at MilkBoy Philadelphia and then switched to Kung Fu Necktie. A similar scenario has played out for the concert by the Wrecks on July 10. It was originally scheduled to be held at the Foundry...

Officials: sale finalized for 300 E. Lincoln Hwy, new building planned

A rendering of the proposed new building for 300 East Lincoln Highway. The latest deal in a string of development projects underway in the City of Coatesville was announced on April 29, 2022. Located on the corner of Third Avenue and Lincoln Highway in the historic downtown district, one of the City’s most prized locations was acquired by Proudfoot Capital from the Coatesville Redevelopment Authority...

What To Do: BlobFest takes over Phoenixville again

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times BlobFest Two of the most over-used and often incorrectly used worlds in the English language right now are “literally” and “unique.” “Literally” means “in a literal or strict sense” while “unique” means “being the only one of its kind.” The annual BlobFest in Phoenixville is unique — literally. In the entire world, there...

On Stage: Willie Nile still rockin’ after four decades

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Willie Nile Just over a year ago, Willie Nile — much to his delight — started playing live shows for live audiences again after a year-and-a-half of pandemic restrictions. In 2021, Nile came to the area for a concert in May at the Ardmore Music Hall and then returned in November for a show at 118 North (118 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, www.118northwayne.com). This...