With so much going on around town. Catch up on what you may have missed.
It’s Friday, June 21. Rain, rain go away. Come again mid-July. This week we’re talking flooding, movie making and superstars to be. Read while sampling your 2 oz. of beer.
Flooding. The West Chester Area Police Department is reporting significant flooding throughout the area. This is not surprising after what has been a week of heavy rains. According to a report in Patch, four inches of rain fell on the Philadelphia region on Wednesday alone, that is more than what’s normally expected for the entire month of June.
Please take caution when driving throughout the area and be mindful of barricades. They mean the road is closed. Failure to abide can result in significant fines and potentially a water rescue.
(If like me, this all makes you nervous, maybe this will make you feel a little better.)
“Keeping our production local is an important part of our core values.”
-Greg Koorhan, director, “Project Pay Day.”
Did you see the camera crew? Streets have been closed at several locations around the Borough to make way for the filming of a feature length film. The project is being led by Greg Koorhan whose films should be familiar to attendees of the West Chester Film festival. The coming of age-story is centered around three teenage boys and will continue its shooting next Monday at Henderson. If you want to get in the fun, they are always looking for extras. Contact the set directly at projectpaydaymovie@gmail.com.
Speaking of getting noticed in West Chester, the Daily Local reports the Twilight Cycling Classic is on solid ground. Two years after losing its title sponsor the annual bike race’s financials are stronger than ever. While, Iron Hill, the original sponsor, retains the name of the men’s pro race, Benchmark Credit Union is pleased with the recognition their title sponsorship has garnered them in the region. In addition, new sponsors have stepped up to claim the amateur races and the tricycle race.
“He is not a guinea pig, accept and treat all students equally,”
– Charles Porter, after rejecting the West Chester school districts offer to let his black son attend a white West Chester school on a trial basis.
Segregated schools were not so long ago. West Chester unveiled a plaque acknowledging the end of segregated schools in the borough and recognizing Greg Porter, the brave first grader who made desegregation happen. The plaque will stand at the site of the former Gay Street School, an all black school that operated in the Borough. Most public schools were integrated in 1948 thanks to the actions of Porter and his parents, however, the Gay Street School remained all black until 1957, when according to the Daily Local it was renovated and opened as an integrated school.
People who play sports better than me. Coming off its best athletic year ever, West Chester University finished at No. 8 in the final IMG College Directors’ Cup standings, (essentially the overall measure of a University’s athletic program). WCU was led by its women’s lacrosse team (National runner-up), its softball program (national finals), baseball (national tournament appearance) men’s and women’s golf (national tournament appearance), women’s tennis (national tournament appearance) and women’s track & field (national tournament appearance). That equals a lot of opportunities to see some really talented players right in our own backyard. Way to go Rams!
Not to be undone, Westtown Grad Cam Reddish is now on his way to an NBA career after being selected tenth in the draft by the Atlanta Hawks. Now all you Moose fans can say you knew him when.
The warnings. Don’t threaten to shoot people. It’s not nice and it will land you in jail. Don’t steal things. It’s not nice and there are cameras everywhere. West Chester police need your help identifying this gentleman who is wanted for questioning in a theft investigation.
The accolades. Main Line Today has notified winners of its Best of the Main Line and northern suburbs awards. The full list of winners will be announced in the July issue, but here is what we know so far: La Baguette Magique won Readers’ Choice for best desserts; Phineas Gage, won Readers’ Choice: Men’s Boutique; and Tish won for best designer selections. Congratulations to all the winners, but really, West Chester is the best.
“ We must go back to France to renew our visas and hope to be back end July…”
-La Baguette Magique on Instagram
Speaking of La Baguette Magique, everyone’s favorite French bakery will be closed during the month of July while, they take care of some important business.
And finally round of applause to the Friends of Everhart Park for celebrating 30 years as an organization and advocate for West Chester’s second oldest park. Thanks for all you do!
Before we get to the weekend (so close), welcome to Jacqueline’s Boutique a new purveyor of “trendy women’s apparel.”
Also, welcome to West Chester’s new Director of Sustainability, Will Williams. We are excited (and hopeful) to have you on board.
The freakin’ weekend. What are you up to this weekend? Sounds like a bunch of you will be here. We leave on Saturday for our annual beach week but before we go, I will be here. What was I thinking? I think I blocked out the hills. For those still looking for things to do here are some ideas for you:
Mark your calendar:
- West Chester Craft Beer Fest, Melton Center, Saturday June 22
- History on the Terrace, Chester County Historical Society, June 25
- International Brotherhood of Magicians: Ring 6 (Magic show!), Uptown, June 26
- Green Team Garden Tour, self-guided walking tour, June 29
- Free Performance: Midsummer’s Night Dreams, WCU Quad, June 29
- Toy Testing, MonkeyFish Toys, June 30 (Plus you’ll earn $10 gift card for your time)
That’s it! I am taking next week off but will be back in July with more updates and news. In the meantime, let me know if I’m missing anything. Email, comment or tag me on your social posts #WestChesterRoundup. Last week, new restaurants to try – (although apparently not all winners?) and if you can’t beat them, join them. Enjoy the end of June. I will see you soon!