With so much going on around town. Catch up on what you may have missed.
It’s Friday, July 26. This week – progress updates on 44 West, notification of more road detours and what you need to know about an attempted kidnapping in the Borough. Plus, some good beer news, the French bakery is coming back and West Chester High Schools pick up another honor. Who’s ready to begin?
The trusses are up at 44 West. If you haven’t been downtown recently, you may be surprised at the progress at the former Mosteller site, nearly 8-months after demolition began the framework of the four-story building is clearly beginning to take shape. Construction is scheduled for completion, Spring 2020.
What are they doing now? Get ready for some random detouring. PECO is scheduled to begin trimming trees in parts of the Borough. According to the Borough website, the work will begin late-July and continue through the end of September.
Do you know when school starts? The West Chester Area School District launched its School Start Time Task force this week. The group will be investigating the impact lack of sleep has on student health and performance and will submit a final report with recommendations to the school board by March of 2020. Not up on the issue? Here is some background and the latest recommendations from the CDC.
In other School District news, say goodbye to bus notifications in the mail. Parents were alerted this week, that the West Chester Area School District Transportation Office will no longer be mailing bus assignments to students. Instead the information will be available through the Parent Portal. This move will save the District from having to print and mail 16,000 letters. I know, the environment, but I kind of liked having that paper version.
West Chester Growers Market’s silver anniversary. Last weekend West Chester’s Growers Market celebrated a major milestone with a variety of citations from local politicians. (I hope they also had cake.) The event is especially significant because while, growers’ markets, farm stands and CSAs are now commonplace, when West Chester’s market began in 1994 it was the first in Chester County to connect growers directly with farmers. The Growers Market remains today a producer-only market meaning the person handing you that tomato or squash is the person that grew it. Same goes for the artesians.
Taste the rush. The Benchmark Twilight Cycling Classic is getting its own beer. The special commemorative Iron Hill brew is a hazy New England IPA with “huge citrus and tropical fruit aromas up front with a subtle flavor of fresh grapes.” Perfect for sipping course side – and I have been assured the beer, called “Feel the Rush”, will be ready in time for race day, August 10. Try it for yourself – it will be available in the VIP Tent, Beer Garden and inside the restaurant.
Also getting their own beer, ACME. The supermarket is planning to add a Frosty Mug, its in-store beer department, to its Paoli Pike location. Expect the store to stock between 500 to 700 varieties of beer and other malt beverages.
The warnings. Time to review the new stranger danger rules. Last week the West Chester police were called to the scene of an attempted kidnapping. The incident took place near S. Penn and E. Barnard Streets. The suspect was described as a white male in his 40s approximately 5’ 4”, bald with a black hair on the sides and a black beard. He was driving a gray sedan, possibly a Kia.
Also, keep an eye on those ponies. Fortunately, WCPD is ready for almost anything.
The accolades. Kudos to West Chester newcomer Gryphon Cafe on making it onto Mainline Today’s list of 15 new restaurants you need to try. I second their recommendation and I also put it out there, I’m happy to let them borrow a photo or two, if they like.
Also, congratulations to West Chester University’s Lacrosse Coach Ginny Martino on being named Division II Atlantic Region Coach of the Year. This was thanks in part to the team’s 20-3 record and I’m guessing, her motivational pregame speeches.
Finally, congratulations once again to West Chester high schools for landing on Niche.com’s (think Zillow for neighborhoods) ranking of Philadelphia-metro area high schools most likely to prepare students for college. Rustin came in at 28, Henderson at 30 and East at 39.
“SO HAPPY!!!!!”
-La Baguette Magique on the renewal of their visa. I think that feeling is mutual.
Welcome back. To la Baguette Magique, our beloved French bakery, who is on their way back from France after renewing their visa. We are excited to report their trip was a success and they are free to bake for us for at least another five years. Cafe reopens August 1. Save me a pain au chocolat.
Goodbye. To the Lukoil on N. Wayne and Hannum Avenue, or as my husband likes to call it, “that gas station that always gets robbed.” While currently still open, a for sale sign has been placed on the property.
The freakin’ weekend. What are you up to this weekend? We are surprisingly free and the weather is supposed to be gorgeous, so maybe we can try and sneak away for some of those activities we love but never get to do enough? I for one, would like to check this out again, and I wouldn’t mind heading downtown to check out the sidewalk sale.
(Plus, if you missed it last weekend, Maggie Moo’s ice cream is back at Levante Saturday afternoon.)
Mark your calendars:
- West Chester Sidewalk Sale, downtown, July 26-28
- Swinging Summer Thursday, Gay St., Aug. 1
- Disney’s High School Musical on stage, Uptown! Theater, Aug. 1- 3
- Splish Splash in the Brandywine Creek, Stroud Preserve, Aug. 2
- Goshen Country Fair, 1320 Park Ave., West Chester, July 29 – Aug. 3
- Peach and Corn Harvest Festival, Highland Orchards, Aug. 3
- National Night Out Against Crime, Henderson High School, Aug. 6
- Move in Weekend, West Chester University, Aug. 23-24
- School starts, WCASD, Aug. 26
Kids starting to drive you crazy? The West Chester Public Library is offering a free summer coding program for kids 11-16. The 8-week class meets from 2 to 4 p.m. and could be a cool way to get them out of the house for a couple hours. They’re excited. You’re free. Win. Win. (Just note you have to register by end of day today, Friday, July 26.)
Thanks for stopping by, we are done here! In case you missed it, here’s last week’s Round Up and if you are heading downtown and must park, take this into consideration. See you next week!