HEAT: You're getting warmer

During a discussion about the autumnal increase in electric bills we've all experienced, the Young Relative noted that he jacks up the thermostat in his room in hopes of warming it up as quickly as possible. I added that I do the same thing as soon as I get into my car.
The Y.R.'s father (and, I should add, the payer of the electric bill) sighed and started channeling his undergraduate engineering textbooks.
"The RATE of increase in temperature is a constant," he lectured us. "You can't speed it up!" I wouldn't have been surprised had he started scrawling equations on the napkin.
Dearest Partner, who works with thermostats daily and is all too familiar with this crank-it-up fallacy, said he thinks appliance manufacturers should add a screen saying, "Heating as quickly as possible," just to keep customers happy.

HOSPITAL: Better than medicine

A friend couldn't wait to tell me about his recent stay at Chester County Hospital's new Lasko Tower. The nursing staff, he said, made up a comfortable bed so his wife could stay with him -- and even provided turn-down service. And the nurses, remembering from a previous visit how fond he is of coffee, had a hot cup waiting for him when he returned to his room after surgery. (A retired Navy cook, he IS a very memorable fellow.)
"I couldn't believe it!" he raved. "They were amazing!"

KENNETT: McFarlan Road lot

A reader asked if I know whether anything's going to be built on the long-vacant, paved lot at McFarlan Road and East Baltimore Pike in Kennett Township, opposite the medical office buildings. I think it used to be a car dealership. I searched online but couldn't find anything. Can you help me out, readers?

THE CLAUSES: Coming soon!

As they have since 2014, the Po-Mar-Lin Fire Co. will be escorting Santa and Mrs. Claus through the fire company's service area this Christmas season. They'll be visiting neighborhoods in Pocopson and Newlin townships on Sunday, Dec. 16, and in East and West Marlborough on Sunday, Dec. 23. You can follow their progress live on PoMarLin's Instagram or Facebook page.