With so much going on around town. Catch up on what you may have missed.
It’s Friday, January 31. The latest updates on the Borough Summer Camp program including when to register; the former home of Steak-Umm, steak slices, has a new owner. Plus, Super Bowl Sunday. Grab your wings and let’s get started.
Note: The Roundup was updated to correct an erroneous closing. The shop is closed but, turns out it’s not new.
“It represents the next chapter in a property that has played a major role in the region’s commercial economic landscape since 1975.”
-Eric Kuhn, Pillar Real Estate Brokers
Fourth time’s the charm. 700 Fern Hill Road in West Chester, the former home of Steak-Umm, frozen steaks slices, then Ore-Ida potatoes, and most recently, Hain Celestial Foods, is ready for its fourth act. Pillar Real Estate Brokers are reporting this week the property has been sold to a national developer of self storage facilities and will undergo substantial upgrades. Hain Celestial Foods ceased operations in the spring of 2018.
This one time at summer camp. Final updates are expected next week on the new-and-improved West Chester Borough summer camp. According to what I’ve learned the camp will still be predominantly at the parks and predominantly outside, but the camp, which is being combined into one single camp (last year there were three separate camps, one at Everhart Park, one at Hoopes Park and Camp Big at the Melton Center), will rotate between park locations. There will still be field trips, but the destinations will be closer to home – no Hershey Park – and the weekly trips to Marsh Creek are being cut. There will also be a new STEM curriculum that will be incorporated.
Camp hours will run 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an option to extend to 6 p.m. for an additional $200. The camp will be open to Borough residents first then, should space allow, it will open to those outside the Borough. Registration opens March 1 and complete details including final pricing should be available next week.
High Street feedback. This week the West Chester Borough along with PENNDot and the Chester County Planning Commission held an open house to gather public feedback on how they can improve the High street corridor. They sought feedback on a variety of criteria from planter options, to lighting to traffic calming techniques. There we also aerial views of High St. and a stack of sticky pads so residents could share concerns and also what they like about the area.
Speaking of High St. woes…
Hit and run. A crossing guard helping pedestrians navigate High St. and Rosedale Ave. was hit by a car in the crosswalk last Thursday morning, according to a report in the Daily Local. The guard was taken to the hospital with a concussion and facial fractures.The driver did not stop and the incident is currently under investigation by the West Chester Police Department.
When you’re splitting the check but your friend got an app and a second drink… West Chester Area School District Superintendent Jim Scanlon joined with nearly 30 other superintendents across the Philadelphia region to call for reform to the Pennsylvania charter school law. They claim, charter school costs are growing faster than district costs and hurting public education. According to an interview Scanlon gave to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the district is sending the same amount of money to charter schools as it did five years ago — even though the district has recruited students back and has 200 fewer students enrolled in charters. The superintendents are hoping to persuade Gov. Wolf to include the issue in his budget address next week.
WCASD is not leaving all their budgetary fate in the hands of the state, in an effort to win back even more of that charter school tuition, they recently launched their own cyber education option. The new program promises the district’s proven education record and access to all of its offerings.
The warnings. Watch who you meet online. A West Chester woman has been arrested for stabbing a man she met online several times in the chest and head in what was described as a “domestic dispute.”
Wawa customers keep an eye on that credit score.
The accolades. Two, four, six, eight – who do we appreciate? West Chester University cheerleading finished ninth last week at the Open Coed Game Day National Championships in Orlando. Go Rams!
Also cheers to the WCU women’s lacrosse team who is entering their season ranked #2 in the country and WCU softball team who is entering their season ranked #8 in the country!
Pay it forward. Enjoy a delicious meal and support your favorite charity at “West Chester Dine & Donate” this Monday, February 3rd. A portion of all proceeds will go to support the Brandywine Valley SPCA!
Can’t make it Monday? Don’t worry the West Chester Restaurant Association holds a Dine & Donate event the first Monday of every month.
Eating for charity not really your thing? How about adopting? The Brandywine Valley SPCA is hosting a Kitten Bowl party this weekend in honor of the big game. The event will be held at the West Chester campus, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, on Saturday, Feb. 1 and Sunday, Feb. 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. All fees will be waived on cats and kittens adopted during the event.
Hello. To adult beverages at Opa Taverna. West Chester’s trendy greek locale has its liquor license (and a special Valentine’s Day menu). BYOB is still an option.
To a new EV charging option. A dual-port electric vehicle charging station has opened in the Bicentennial Garage on S. High Street. Just remember, vehicles must be charging while parked in the EV spots and you are now paying for charging and parking.
The freakin’ weekend. What are you up to this weekend? We will be finishing up our basketball duties on Saturday and then ordering a variety of wings then settling in to the game in the background while we enjoy Super Bowl snacks. Any suggestions for wings places? I won’t name names but didn’t love our choice last year.
Still looking for Valentine’s plans, Levante and Dia Doce are once again teaming up for a Valentine’s Day Beer and Cupcake pairing. The event is Feb. 10 at Levante’s Carter Drive taproom. Tickets are $26. And as you can imagine space is limited.
Also, just came across this kid’s cooking class at ShopRite
And game day snack suggestions should you need it.
Mark your calendars:
- Rotary SouperBowl 2020, West Chester Alumni Hall, Jan. 31 Must RSVP if interested.
- Rammy’s Birthday Party, Hollinger Field House, Feb. 1
- Oscar-Nominated Short Films 2020, Uptown! Performing Arts Center, Feb. 1-2
- Kegs n’ Eggs Super Bowl Sunday, Levante, Feb. 2 (Open at 10 a.m.!)
- February Kid’s Cooking Class, ShopRite, Feb. 2
- Super Bowl, every bar in West Chester, Feb. 2
- An evening of Jazz: Love Songs, Uptown! Performing Arts Center, Feb. 14
- First Female President of Ireland to speak at West Chester, Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, Feb. 25 Details
That’s it we are done here. Hope everyone has a great weekend! In case you missed it, here’s last week’s Roundup and Everhart Park is getting a cool new playground. You can see it here!
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