Op/Ed: Ditch forever chemicals forever

By Kristine Howard, State Representative, 167th District State Rep. Kristine Howard Since the 1940s, the use of a group of toxic man made chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, have been increasingly used in numerous consumer goods and industrial processes. From degreasing pots and pans to making pants stain-resistant, PFAS use has proliferated over the past eight decades. While...

DASD names O’Donnell as new Superintendent

Robert J. O’Donnell DOWNINGTOWN — The Downingtown Area School District (DASD) Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Robert O’Donnell as its next superintendent of schools, Monday. “Our community asked for a strong leader, a good listener and an experienced superintendent,” said LeeAnn Wisdom, president of the DASD Board of Directors. “The board wanted...

Brandywine Conservancy announces new leadership

Stephanie Armpriester and Grant DeCosta The Brandywine Conservancy announced new leadership changes with the promotions of Stephanie Armpriester and Grant DeCosta, both previously Acting Co-Directors of the organization. Armpriester will now serve as the Conservancy’s Director of Conservation and Stewardship, and DeCosta will act as the Director of Community Services. In these expanded roles, Armpriester...

What To Do: A weekend full of holiday activities

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Easter Bunny on the West Chester Rail Road. Easter weekend has arrived and special Easter activities – big and small — are happening all over. The Easter Bunny is known for hopping around — but not always. Why would he spend all that energy hopping when he could be riding in style? Sometimes, instead of bouncing along the ground, Peter...

On Stage: We Were Promised Jetpacks flies into Underground Arts

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times We Were Promised Jetpacks We Were Promised Jetpacks, which is headlining a show on April 14 at Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, http://undergroundarts.org), is a Scottish indie rock band featuring Adam Thompson (vocals, guitar), Sean Smith (bass), and Darren Lackie (drums). “The band started back in 2004 when we were in school,”...

ReFirement at any age: Strive for better, every day

By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times If there is one thing we all should have learned in the last two years is that life is short, life is precious and life is unpredictable, where you never know what each day will bring. The lessons I present every month are as much for me as they are for you, my readers. However, some topics hit me harder, like this one. It has more impact and relevance, in...

What To Do: Easter events dominate local event calendar

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Easter is almost here. For some, it’s an important religious holiday. For many, it’s just a commercial holiday focusing on Easter baskets, chocolate candy, decorated hard-boiled eggs and the Easter Bunny. No matter how you look at Easter, reality is that it’s just a week away and special Easter activities are popping up (and hopping up) all over. Highland...

On Stage Bonus: Livingston Taylor is still going strong

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Livingston Taylor Livingston Taylor has a lot of musical talent – and a knack for longevity. Taylor, who will be headlining a show on April 9 at Delaware Valley University (700 East Butler Avenue, Doylestown, is a singer-songwriter who made his first album 52 years ago and has released more than 20 more LPs since then. Taylor has a long history of...

On Stage: Zakir Hussain brings classical rhythm to Zellerbach

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Zakir Hussain On April 7, area music fans will have the opportunity to hear one of the legendary masters of Indian classical music perform live in concert with two of India’s emerging new luminaries in a special concert at the University of Pennsylvania’s Zellerbach Theater (Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, pennlivearts.org). Zakir Hussain,...

Op/Ed: Parents should be concerned about moves to oust school board members

By Charlotte Valyo, Chair Chester County Democratic Committee Charlotte Valyo Every parent in Chester County should be concerned by the latest effort from the far right to take control of local elected offices outside the process of fair and open elections. The latest example is the petition filed in Judge William P. Mahon’s Court of Common Pleas by 10 residents bent on ousting West Chester School...