With so much going on around town. Catch up on what you may have missed.
It’s Friday, October 4. Happy October. Fall activities are everywhere (see below). West Chester Co-op is presented an opportunity for a grocery that just may be too good to pass up. Plus, West Chester’s big, new signage program, the latest area crime data, and seven school cafeterias were visited by the health inspector last month. Let’s see how they fared.
“Chemical containers can NEVER be used for the storage of food. Comply everyday.”
-Chester County Health Department
Let’s do (school) lunch. Several of the area schools were inspected last month by the Chester County Health Department, and parents can rest assured, overall cafeteria kitchens fared quite well. Of the seven schools inspected only three received any violations and those only one violation each.
Not faring so well, Kooma with seven violations and Pietro’s Prime with a whopping 13 violations, including according to the Inspector’s report: “food being stored in a dishwashing chemical bucket.”
Signs, signs, everywhere signs. Or at least that’s the plan. West Chester Borough Council has approved a big, new signage project that aims to make it easier for visitors to find parking and key attractions in the borough. Old signs that don’t meet new standards will be removed and replaced with signs that are more “visible, uniform, [and] bigger” and more information will be provided at a pedestrian level. As John F. Bosio is principal at Merje, the firm helping to develop the plan, told the Daily Local, “West Chester is very much a pedestrian town.” So true. So far $140,000 has been budgeted for the project but more will be needed if all aspects are to be completed.
“Penn’s Urban Health Lab has found that access to green views is associated with improved general mental health.”
-A statement from Chester County Hospital
Take the LEED. Chester County Hospital’s 250,000 square feet expansion is almost complete. As the hospital gets ready to open the new annex, it’s been sharing some highlights from the build, including an extensive rooftop garden that will be visible from many of the patient rooms. In addition to contributing to the improved mental health of patients, the green upgrades are part of the hospital’s efforts to get the new rooms LEED certified, as an environmentally friendly build.
Need a recap of all the development slotted in the West Chester? Here are five more projects to watch.
When one grocery door closes, another opens. West Chester Co-op’s much rumored grocery store may finally be coming to fruition. The closure of the Great Pumpkin last week left the group with a near turnkey space to finally launch the next phase of its plan to bring a community-owned market to West Chester. Interested in getting in on the ground floor? Here’s where to send the check.
Speaking of open doors, the Historic Sharples house is for sale. The Greek Revival mansion on South Church Street that was once home to “Invisible Man” star Claude Rains has just been listed for a tick under one million.
Did you miss Energy Efficiency Day? It was Tuesday. Well, no worries, maybe you can catch “Clean Energy Day,” on October 19? Both days were issued last week via municipal proclamation by West Chester Mayor Dianne Herrin similar days were introduced at the state level by State Reps. Carolyn Comitta and Andy Dinniman as a way to highlight the ongoing need to address climate change and applaud energy efficiency efforts. Clean Energy Tours of West Chester and other areas of the County are planned for the 19th.
The warnings. Stop. Wait. Watch those buses. With school the month of school in the books, West Chester Police Department is reminding motorists to watch out for buses making morning and afternoon stops.
Lock your doors. FBI crime data for 2018 came out this week, and while, violent crime rates were down as a whole, both nationally and in West Chester, locally we did see an uptick in some nonviolent categories including increases in burglaries and auto thefts.
The accolades. Congratulations to West Chester University’s fall sports programs, a month into play, and they have already accrued a combined record of 35-2! This includes four nationally ranked teams: The unbeaten women’s field hockey squad is No. 2 in the nation; women’s soccer team is ranked sixth; the football program is ranked 16th and the men’s soccer is ranked 17. Also off to strong starts the 3-0 rugby squad and the 12-1 volleyball program. Great opportunity to see some top quality play. Go Rams!
Also, big cheers to Henderson football, this week’s Friday Football Frenzy game of the week! CBS Philly was at the high school this morning to capture reaction prior to the big game tonight against Great Valley. Go Warriors!
Finally, shout out to Pastor Kyle J. Boyer, of Mt. Carmel Church of God in Christ for being given a leadership role at the Church of God in Christ’s international convention. Make us proud, pastor!
Hello. To Joe Lunardi, the ESPN Bracketologist was in town to talk sports and statistics with the students of East and Rustin High Schools.
Also, welcome to Jennifer Karsten, she will be taking over as Executive Director of the Hickman Friends Senior Community Center.
Goodbye. This goodbye, was only a matter of time, but after weathering the first several rounds of closures, the West Goshen Kmart has finally received its pink slip. The store will close by mid-December.
I wonder what they will do with the space? Kidding. More apartments. The Daily Local is reporting developer Robbins Companies has proposed constructing a 4-story, 300 unit apartment building on the property.
Also, goodbye to Judy Voois. Voois, Fugett Middle School’s music teacher, has announced this will be her last year teaching. She will retire after 20 years of service with the district.
Give back. The Chester County Historical Society needs your help to save their roof. Take a couple of minutes and give them your vote.
The freakin’ weekend. Happy Friday! What do you have planned for this weekend? After a couple of packed weeks we are taking advantage of a much deserved break in planned activities. I’d like to walk downtown and check out the Gallery Walk tonight, and breakfast out has been on my list for a while now. Plus, I get my haircut tomorrow. A little midday me time!
Here are a couple of new activities of note:
Starting Oct. 2, the New Kings of Rhythm will be hosting an open mic night every Wednesday at Side Bar.
And Shakespeare fans, West Chester University is presenting a two weekend run of Macbeth starting next Friday, October 11 in the Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at www.wcupatix.com.
Mark your calendars:
- Free event: First Friday and Gallery Walk, Downtown, Oct. 4
- Cabaret, Resident Theatre Company at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, Oct. 4-Oct. 20.
- Chester County Color 5K, Everhart Park, Oct. 5
- Midtown Makers Market, Uptown, Oct. 5
- Star Party, Hoopes Park, Oct. 5
- Last day to register, PA Voter Services, Oct. 7
- Free event: Screen Agers – Growing up in the Digital Age, Henderson High School, Oct. 10
- West Chester Chili Cook-Off, Downtown, Oct. 13
- Free event: Trunk-or-Treat, The Arc of Chester County, 900 Lawrence Dr., Oct. 17
- Free event: Hocus Pocus, courtyard Hotel Warner, Oct. 19
- Free event: West Chester Halloween Parade, downtown, Oct. 23
- WCU Church St. Fest and Parade, WCU, Oct. 26
- West Chester University Homecoming, WCU, Oct. 26
- Haunted Helicopters, Helicopter Museum, Oct. 26
That’s it. We made it! Everyone have a wonderful week! Here’s last week’s Roundup, if you need it, and I’ve been trying to keep track of all this development. Let me know what I’m missing.
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