Saturday, February 11, 2012
Eggs
Night school
You probably received in the mail the course catalog for this coming semester at the Chester County Night School. Though most of their classes are held at the West Chester or Great Valley schools, there are quite a few being offered here at Patton Middle School or Unionville High School. Among them: art, beekeeping, ballroom dancing, computer-aided drafting, financial planning, "improv" comedy, nutrition, photography, Spanish, tennis, woodworking, and writing.
I saw one course title, "It's OK to Be Crabby," and immediately thought of several acquaintances who would be perfect instructors. But no, it's a seafood cooking class.
I saw one course title, "It's OK to Be Crabby," and immediately thought of several acquaintances who would be perfect instructors. But no, it's a seafood cooking class.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Heads up
In a follow-up to my item in last week's column about local break-ins, a fellow West Marlborough resident told me that she has found a female trespasser in her barn twice, unauthorized, "asking questions about saddles and their value." My friend told the woman that she had notified state police, and found out that apparently she has been arrested before for trying to sell stolen tack.
Stability
The Jennersville Y certainly knows its market: it's offering a "Yoga for Riders" class from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27.
"The ancient practice of yoga has the same goals as dressage -- harmony, energy and balance," reads the flyer. "Learn how practicing yoga can improve your riding through improved self-awareness, improved ability to relax and breathe, resulting in better communication with your horse; increased understanding of body positioning, improved balance and ability to be centered."
It's free for members. If you've been looking for a reason to join the Y, this might be it.
Speaking of something else that equestrians might enjoy, check out Ponybeds on Facebook (their website is being built). They sell VERY cute beds with headboards and footboards that look like jumps.
"The ancient practice of yoga has the same goals as dressage -- harmony, energy and balance," reads the flyer. "Learn how practicing yoga can improve your riding through improved self-awareness, improved ability to relax and breathe, resulting in better communication with your horse; increased understanding of body positioning, improved balance and ability to be centered."
It's free for members. If you've been looking for a reason to join the Y, this might be it.
Work it!
Remember Jessica Latshaw? She's the "ukelele girl" from Landenberg who became an instant YouTube sensation a few weeks back when she was videotaped playing her uke on the NYC subway. Since then she's been making the most of her lucky break. Among several other gigs, she has performed at a fashion charity event in Soho pre-Fashion Week; opened for Dia Frampton on Feb. 8 at The Note in West Chester; is playing inwill be playing at World Cafe Live at The Queen Theater in Wilmington.
I should add that she's also a very nice person. You go, Jess!
I should add that she's also a very nice person. You go, Jess!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Connecting
A friend of mine stopped by this afternoon in a dark mood: her horse is lame, her computer keeps crashing, her website is balky, her favorite fruit is no longer in season....on and on.
I tried to distract her by feeding her cookies and showing her a really cool commercial for a satellite phone gadget that stars a friend of mine. The video shows him pulling ashore on a remote island off the Katmai Peninsula in Alaska, unloading this BlueCosmo device and his laptop from the boat, and then hooking up to the Internet right then and there.
This high-tech wizardry did not cheer her up. In fact, as the kids say, it was something of an Epic Fail.
"Great," she said despondently. "He can check his e-mail from Alaska. My printer won't even communicate with my computer and they're in the same room."
She left and headed off to continue her errands. Presently I got a text message from her: because we'd taken time to watch the video, she had arrived at the bank a few minutes after closing time.
Oh well. Maybe it will cheer you up. It's at http://vimeo.com/36125882.
I tried to distract her by feeding her cookies and showing her a really cool commercial for a satellite phone gadget that stars a friend of mine. The video shows him pulling ashore on a remote island off the Katmai Peninsula in Alaska, unloading this BlueCosmo device and his laptop from the boat, and then hooking up to the Internet right then and there.
This high-tech wizardry did not cheer her up. In fact, as the kids say, it was something of an Epic Fail.
"Great," she said despondently. "He can check his e-mail from Alaska. My printer won't even communicate with my computer and they're in the same room."
She left and headed off to continue her errands. Presently I got a text message from her: because we'd taken time to watch the video, she had arrived at the bank a few minutes after closing time.
Oh well. Maybe it will cheer you up. It's at http://vimeo.com/36125882.
Mom's morning out
Bedbugzz, the baby and children's store at 128 E. State Street in Kennett, is hosting a get-together every Wednesday morning from 10 to 11:30 for mothers "who are seeking the support and camaraderie of other moms who are in the throes of life with a baby or toddler." There will be "a time for sharing, asking questions, soliciting advice, offering suggestions, and providing and receiving encouragement while your little one(s) play. Light, healthy snacks will be served." There's no charge.
The leader is Nikki Graham, a Certified Lactation Educator, Certified Massage Therapist, and Certified Doula. For more information you can contact Bedbugzz at 610-444-5566, bedbugzz@verizon.net.
The leader is Nikki Graham, a Certified Lactation Educator, Certified Massage Therapist, and Certified Doula. For more information you can contact Bedbugzz at 610-444-5566, bedbugzz@verizon.net.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Cheese legal
Richard Hayne's cheese-making operation in Springdell is now in compliance with township ordinances.
At their Feb. 7 meeting, the West Marlborough supervisors approved the conditional use for the creamery at his Doe Run Farm (which had been operating for more than a year without such permission), but only with lots of conditions. Some of them are as follows:
1. Mr. Hayne must abide by all the statements made by his representatives at the hearings.
2. Within 45 days he has to obtain building permits for the dairy barn (permits aren't needed for an agricultural use but they are for a commercial use) and pay the appropriate fees to the township.
3. Within 45 days he has to have an engineer state that emergency vehicles will be able to negotiate the driveway to the creamery off Hicks Road.
4. He can't erect any signs advertising the creamery.
5. He can't have any more than four employees per shift working in the creamery operation.
6. He has to maintain current state and federal licenses for his operations.
7. He can't have a restaurant on the site.
8. Outdoor lights must be directed downward.
9. No tractor-trailers are allowed in the creamery area, only smaller delivery trucks.
Mr. Hayne's rep David Ziel told the board he agreed with the conditions but asked them to fine-tune the definition of the size of trucks permitted. The board agreed to reword the condition to allow box trucks "of the type used by" Federal Express or UPS so as not to limit the creamery to only those couriers.
Doe Run Farm has already been issued three building permits by the township this year: conversion of an attic into an office space; a pool and tennis court; and a machine shed/workshop.
And some more good news for Mr. Hayne: according to the Feb. 9 Philadelphia Business Journal, Urban Outfitters "said sales were up 9 percent to $731 million in the quarter that ended Jan. 31. But analysts were expecting more: on average, $741.94 million, according to Thomson Reuters. Urban stock was trading 0.59 percent higher this morning at $27.30."
At their Feb. 7 meeting, the West Marlborough supervisors approved the conditional use for the creamery at his Doe Run Farm (which had been operating for more than a year without such permission), but only with lots of conditions. Some of them are as follows:
1. Mr. Hayne must abide by all the statements made by his representatives at the hearings.
2. Within 45 days he has to obtain building permits for the dairy barn (permits aren't needed for an agricultural use but they are for a commercial use) and pay the appropriate fees to the township.
3. Within 45 days he has to have an engineer state that emergency vehicles will be able to negotiate the driveway to the creamery off Hicks Road.
4. He can't erect any signs advertising the creamery.
5. He can't have any more than four employees per shift working in the creamery operation.
6. He has to maintain current state and federal licenses for his operations.
7. He can't have a restaurant on the site.
8. Outdoor lights must be directed downward.
9. No tractor-trailers are allowed in the creamery area, only smaller delivery trucks.
Mr. Hayne's rep David Ziel told the board he agreed with the conditions but asked them to fine-tune the definition of the size of trucks permitted. The board agreed to reword the condition to allow box trucks "of the type used by" Federal Express or UPS so as not to limit the creamery to only those couriers.
Doe Run Farm has already been issued three building permits by the township this year: conversion of an attic into an office space; a pool and tennis court; and a machine shed/workshop.
And some more good news for Mr. Hayne: according to the Feb. 9 Philadelphia Business Journal, Urban Outfitters "said sales were up 9 percent to $731 million in the quarter that ended Jan. 31. But analysts were expecting more: on average, $741.94 million, according to Thomson Reuters. Urban stock was trading 0.59 percent higher this morning at $27.30."
Complaints Dept.
You just never know what's going to happen at a municipal meeting.
The Feb. 7 meeting of the West Marlborough board of supervisors started out as usual: call to order, approval of minutes from the previous meeting. But then it came time for public comment, and Stuart Allen, who lives in the 500 block of Street Road, stood up and read a fiery multi-page letter accusing the township officials of incompetence and playing favorites when it turned down his request to fell some trees on his property. After his impassioned and sometimes sarcastic 42-minute speech (an audience member timed it), his wife added that all she wanted was to have a pretty front lawn like so many of her neighbors, but the trees didn't allow enough sunshine in for grass to thrive.
The supervisors were taken aback, as they had no part in the denial of his request.
"This is the first we've heard of this," said supervisor Bill Wylie, adding that the board heard his complaints "loud and clear" and wanted to resolve them. "I'm glad you felt comfortable coming in tonight."
"Call me," said the township's zoning officer, Al Giannantonio, "and we can set up a meeting. I want to sit down with you."
As the tension abated, Mr. Allen said he hated being combative but was so frustrated that he felt he had no option other than confronting the board.
"I'm really a nice guy," he explained.
"So are we," quipped supervisor Mike Ledyard.
The Feb. 7 meeting of the West Marlborough board of supervisors started out as usual: call to order, approval of minutes from the previous meeting. But then it came time for public comment, and Stuart Allen, who lives in the 500 block of Street Road, stood up and read a fiery multi-page letter accusing the township officials of incompetence and playing favorites when it turned down his request to fell some trees on his property. After his impassioned and sometimes sarcastic 42-minute speech (an audience member timed it), his wife added that all she wanted was to have a pretty front lawn like so many of her neighbors, but the trees didn't allow enough sunshine in for grass to thrive.
The supervisors were taken aback, as they had no part in the denial of his request.
"This is the first we've heard of this," said supervisor Bill Wylie, adding that the board heard his complaints "loud and clear" and wanted to resolve them. "I'm glad you felt comfortable coming in tonight."
"Call me," said the township's zoning officer, Al Giannantonio, "and we can set up a meeting. I want to sit down with you."
As the tension abated, Mr. Allen said he hated being combative but was so frustrated that he felt he had no option other than confronting the board.
"I'm really a nice guy," he explained.
"So are we," quipped supervisor Mike Ledyard.
Charge!
I got an e-mail today from the company that makes my favorite gym socks, Thorlos (they're the best). Apparently they had a security breach and my credit-card number might have been stolen.
So as directed, I promptly phoned my credit-card company. A nice fellow named Travis looked through my recent transactions to see if anything looked funny.
Nope, just the usual: lunch at Catherine's Restaurant, pizza from Floga Bistro, lunch at The Whip, groceries from Giant, gas at Landhope.
And then one item did catch his attention.
"I'm seeing a purchase at ..." He hesitated."... a Wa Wa?"
I laughed and explained to Travis that Wawa is a chain of convenience stores in eastern Pennsylvania.
"I learn something new every day," he marveled.
So as directed, I promptly phoned my credit-card company. A nice fellow named Travis looked through my recent transactions to see if anything looked funny.
Nope, just the usual: lunch at Catherine's Restaurant, pizza from Floga Bistro, lunch at The Whip, groceries from Giant, gas at Landhope.
And then one item did catch his attention.
"I'm seeing a purchase at ..." He hesitated."... a Wa Wa?"
I laughed and explained to Travis that Wawa is a chain of convenience stores in eastern Pennsylvania.
"I learn something new every day," he marveled.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Crime
Sorry, We're Closed
Some sad customers alerted me to the recent demise of two long-time Kennett businesses: there are For Rent signs at the Liberty gas station/car wash at Cypress and Washington ("Thank you for your business over the past years," reads a sign over the gas pumps) and the Blevins locksmith shop at Cypress and Willow.
I also noticed For Rent signs on the Church Alley side of the American Legion hall, where the Power Place church congregation used to meet, but they didn't go out of business: they moved out to 576 Rosedale Road.
I also noticed For Rent signs on the Church Alley side of the American Legion hall, where the Power Place church congregation used to meet, but they didn't go out of business: they moved out to 576 Rosedale Road.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)