On Stage: WC’s Fitzgerald makes mark in Kinky Boots

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Ian Gallagher Fitzgerald The stars have lined up nicely for aspiring young actor/dancer Ian Gallagher Fitzgerald and produced a celestial role and a heavenly opportunity for him. Fitzgerald, a resident of Thornton and Bayard Rustin High graduate, got cast in the National Tour of “Kinky Boots” before he even graduated Marymount University in Manhattan back...

What To Do: Downingtown Parade, Kennett Solstice ring in holidays

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times The Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Parade. Downingtown has always been a neighborly town – so neighborly that it has an annual event schedule that includes Good Neighbor Day each summer and Good Neighbor Christmas (downtown Downingtown, http://www.dtownchristmas.com) every winter. On December 10, Downingtown will host its annual Good Neighbor Christmas...

Art Watch: Start your holidays at the Brandywine River Museum

By Lele Galer, Columnist, The Times The best place to start this holiday season is at The Brandywine River Museum of Art in Chadds Ford. The whole museum is tastefully decorated for the holidays with fresh wreaths and a holiday train that runs throughout the museum on 2000 feet of track. Thursdays are particularly enchanting during the Winter, with the museum and café open until 9pm, one can experience...

On Your Table: Christmas time means cookies

Holiday recipes are a big part of most family celebrations By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times These traditional ricotta cheese cookies are the star of a selection of Italian and sugary treats. Photo courtesy of Jim and Betty Bonavita At this time of year, friends share holiday treats and stories of their family food traditions.  Their recipes hold long-treasured memories kept alive...

On Stage: Bombadil overcomes challenges

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times Bombadil Bombadil, a band which is performing on December 8 at the World Café Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com), has proven that it knows how to make good music — and how to survive the elements The band from the “Golden Triangle” area of North Carolina has dealt with personnel changes and with medical problems....

Coatesville kicks off holiday season with tree lighting, race and parade

Holiday activities brings community together By Lauren Parker- Gill, News Editor, The Times The first Red Run Challenge was held Saturday morning with nearly 200 registrants and was well received by the community. Coatesville – The first weekend of December was a busy, festive one for the city with the tree lighting in Gateway Park, the first annual Red Run Challenge and the Christmas Parade along...

A small gift to those we love

By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times Dear Readers, I’ve promised to keep you updated on my Ovarian Cancer journey…and I’m doing great considering this is indeed a marathon. Sadly, though, my father has cancer too, and he is not fairing as well. In fact, he must have an operation on December 9th. For someone who has had to grapple with the idea of death just around the corner, I felt so inspired...

How to handle hazardous holiday goodies

Here’s what to do when the joy of the season bites back By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times It’s that time of year again, we run around, stressing over the perfect gift for that special someone. Then we bake. We eat plenty of holiday treats, sometimes those delicious morsels, bite us back. The Holiday Guide to Dental Emergencies. Infection – If you have pain, redness...

On Stage (Bonus): Live ‘For Today’ tonight at TLA

By Denny Dyroff, Staff Writer, The Times For Today For those who live “for today,” today is for you – especially if the “for today” in question is the band For Today. For Today, a Christian metalcore band from Iowa, will bring its “Farewell Tour” on December 6 to the Theatre of the Living Arts (334 South Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1011, http://www.lnphilly.com).

County to hike property taxes 4.95% for 2017

First increase since 2014 WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2017 budget this week. The budget calls for $460,094,845 in operating expenses and $87,504,129 for its capital budget. “Led by our strategic priorities, including public safety and balanced growth, Chester County continues to invest in projects, programs and services that will benefit our residents...