December 10, 2014 - ChaddsFordLive.com

CF planners recommend zoning changes

It’s only the first of several steps, but K. Hovnanian Homes is one small step closer to building 107 townhouses in Chadds Ford Township.

The Planning Commission on Dec. 10 agreed to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve text and map change requests for the project to move forward. A hearing on that is tentatively scheduled for February.

Even if supervisors approve those requests, Hovnanian would still have to through a conditional use hearing and get subdivision and land use approval to build the 107-unit development on Brandywine Drive.

The property in question is a 20-plus acre parcel behind Painters Crossing shopping center and Brandywine Coachworks, across from Hanumn’s Harley Davidson.

That parcel is zoned PBC, planned business center, which does not allow for residential units. Hovnanian’s requests, combined, would create a PBC-1 district that permits such use.

The recommendation came with the advice to submit updated traffic and economic impact reports before the applicant goes to the supervisors for the map change and text amendment.

Planning Commission Chairman Craig Huffman said he had mixed feelings about the idea, but was inclined to vote for recommendation because there were more positives than negatives.

Huffman said the property was not currently providing the township with any economic benefit since it’s not being used. He added that the concept was environmentally friendlier than keeping the zoning PBC since PBC-1 zoning would have more pervious coverage.

He also said the conditional use hearing gives the township more control over the final plan and that the zoning changes are “better than a strip mall or box store.”

The drawback with a townhouse scenario, he said, was that it could lead to more school-aged children attending schools in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District and that could lead to an increase in already high school taxes.

Hovnanian provided a report that indicated the 107 units would have nine or 10 school-aged kids, but Huffman said he saw another report that indicated there would be 43 more kids. He said the truth was probably somewhere in between those two figures.

“I’m not crazy about it, but I’ll support it,” Huffman said.

Former township tax collector Bruce Prabel said changing the zoning to PBC-1 and permitting townhouses would generate three times as much revenue than another shopping center, big box store or office campus, even if there were more school kids in the district.

“The taxes are positive when compared to a shopping center,” Prabel said.

Current tax collector Valerie Hoxter was not as eager to see the commission recommend approval. She questioned the value of giving that recommendation now as opposed to waiting until there was an actual plan. She said she feared that, should the supervisors approve the idea, there would be no control over what type of plan would actually be submitted.

Hoxter likened the current procedure to putting the cart before the horse and that other townships do it differently, that they wait to see an actual plan.

However, John Snook, a senior land planner for the Brandywine Conservancy and a supervisor in East Bradford Township, said other townships go about the process the same way as Chadds Ford.

Commission Vice Chairman Mike Ashmore added that Hovnanian would still be the need to go through the conditional use hearing and land development process.

Ashmore also said that having the higher density housing on the eastern side of the township is compliant with the comprehensive plan.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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Eastern and western health modes unite at Crozer

Health

Ayuvia-team_1JF0256 — Antara Dutta, standing, second from right, with part of her team at Ayuvia Integrative Wellness Center.

Ayuvia Integrative Wellness Center is now open at Crozer’s Brinton Lake facility.

Ayuvia — a combination of the Sanskrit word ayu, meaning long life and the Latin via, meaning path, according to Ayuvia’s owner Antara Dutta — offers a variety of modalities including yoga, tai chi, nutrition counseling, massage therapy, acupuncture and psychosocial therapy.

It’s not a matter of either eastern or western, but rather “blending the best of eastern and western medicine to lead a long and healthy life path,” Dutta said. “We are integrative, not alternative.”

Ayuvia is a separate business entity, but works with Crozer’s doctors and nurses for integrated health care. Dutta said her team and Crozer’s medical staff have identified certain diseases where alternative modalities are working.

As an example, she said acupuncture is working well in the treatment of cancer, pain and women’s health issues while behavior health therapies work well with anxiety, depression, addiction and stress.

Dutta said there would also be yoga and tai chi classes at the Crozer office and also one-on-one therapeutic sessions.

The integrative approach is important, Dutta said, because of both the cost and effectiveness of health care.

“People are realizing that if we wait until somebody has a heart attack, the cost of the bypass, or the stint, is exponential. If we can catch somebody early, help them prevent, help them get educated [on health issues], there’s a tremendous cost savings,” she said.

In addition to providers’ and insurance companies’ saving money, there is less out-of-pocket spending for the patient. And if out-of-pocket spending is done up front, in preventative situations where patients have more control, they spend less and are healthier in the long run than if they are on prescription drugs for the rest of their lives, Dutta added.

Antara Dutta cuts the ribbon to officially open Ayuvia Integrative Wellness Center at Crozer of Brinton Lake. At far left is state Sen. Dominic Pileggi. At the far right is state Rep. Stephen Barrar.

“If we do this together, with the primary-care physician, we can monitor [better]. Alternative medicine is not set up for quality metrics today. Here, we are constantly sharing data with the doctors,” she said.

Under those conditions, it becomes easier for doctors and patients to see what is working best, according to Dutta.

In the area of alternative medicine, one school of thought suggests that the natural modalities take longer to work, but once they do, their effects last longer and better than the contemporary pharmaceutical approach. Dutta agrees with that concept.

“Not only do we agree with that,” she said, “our goal is to educate people to that. It’s not one and done. It’s not a single action. It’s not a flu shot. Come in, get comfortable with us; invest time with us. Then you’re good to go for a longer period of time.”

Ayuvia’s grand opening with ribbon-cutting ceremony occurred on Thursday, Dec. 10. Dozens of people were on hand to wish the venture well. Among those were state Sen. Dominic Pileggi and state Rep. Stephen Barrar.

Pileggi’s district office is only a short walk away from the facility, and he joked about being able to take ready advantage of the services offered.

More seriously, he said he’s fascinated by the idea of integrated services, with alternative methods complementing the traditional western approach.

“It’s not ‘instead of,’” he said, “it’s ‘along with.’”

To get the business started, Dutta was helped by the Small Business Administration and SCORE.

For answers to specific questions, Ayuvia’s phone number is 610-358-8822, and its web site is www.ayuvia.com. Its location at Crozer’s Brinton Lake facility is 500 Evergreen Drive, Suite 22.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Photo of the Week: Christmas at Hank’s Place

Photo of the Week

Xmas-at-Hank's_1JF0082 — Photo of the Week: Christmas at Hank's Place

Christmas decorations at Hank’s Place makes for an inviting seasonal sight.

About Rich Schwartzman

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Adopt-a-Pet: Gigi

Home and Leisure

Meet Gigi. Personally, we think her name should be Most Perfect Dog Ever. She is 1-year-old terrier/pit bull mix with a calm but playful disposition. Gigi does well with other dogs, and when our volunteer walked her unleashed, Gigi stayed by her side. She has sad eyes, but genuinely appreciates any attention you give her. Oh yeah, she’s also a hugger. We are smitten. Come in today, and add Gigi to your family tree! For more information on Gigi click on the link below

http://www.ccspca.org/adopt-pet/available-pets/

About CFLive Staff

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Police Log Dec. 11: Thefts, accidents, DUIs

Police

• George Dominic Rapposelli, 19, of Garnet Valley, was arrested for retail theft on Dec. 6. Police said Rapposelli stole numerous gift cards from the Target store in Concord Township. The total value of all the gift cards was reported to be $50.

• State police are investigating a theft at a construction site in Concord Township. A police report said two unidentified white males entered the site at 819 Baltimore Pike, stole an unknown number of items and then fled the scene. The incident was reported at 8 a.m., Dec. 6.

• Police arrested a Wilmington woman for DUI on Dec. 6 in Chadds Ford Township. A report said Nicole Huha, 24, was stopped for traffic violation at 1:40 a.m. on Ridge Road at Ridings Way.

• Akeem Mommar Johnson, 26, of Philadelphia, was arrested for DUI in Concord Township on Dec. 5. A police report said Johnson was stopped on eastbound Route 322, just south of Route 1 at 3:28 a.m. It was determined that he was under the influence of alcohol, police said.

• A three-car, rear-ender accident on Route 202 south of Ridge Road was the result of one driver following too closely, according to a state police report. The incident happened at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 4. No injuries were reported. According to the report, David L. Vega, 26, of Reading, was heading north on 202 when the two vehicles ahead of him stopped for the traffic light, but Vega was unable to stop before striking the car ahead of him. Vega’s 2004 Chevrolet Malibu was towed from the scene; the other two cars were driven away, police said.

• A Coatesville woman was charged with running a red light in connection with a three-car accident at the intersection of Routes 1 and 202 on Dec. 4. State police said Amanda C. Burdan, 40, of Coatesville, was travelling north in the left-hand lane on Route 1 at 7:08 p.m. when she drove through the red light, which resulted in a collision between her car and two others, one traveling south on Route 202 and the other heading north on 202. Burdan and one other driver were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. All three cars were towed from the scene.

• Police are investigating a case of simple assault that happened at the CVS on Route 1 in Concord Township on Dec. 4. According to a report, an unidentified black male was making a purchase with a credit card when the clerk asked for card verification. The suspect then physically grasped the card resulting in the employee’s falling to the floor, the report said. The suspect then fled the scene.

• Kennett Square Police said they arrested Jacob Vandenbraak, 18, of Chadds Ford, for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia following a traffic stop at Pemberton Road and Penns Manor Drive on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 12:41. a.m. Vandenbraak was released pending a summons from district court.

• State police are investigating the theft of a Radar Speed Limit sign that was posted to slow motorists on Locust Grove Road near Maple Ridge Lane in Pocopson Township. Police said the sign was taken sometime between 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, and 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Anyone with information is asked to call the Avondale barracks at 610-268-2022.

• Police said a 26-year-old West Chester woman traveling north on South Wawaset Road, east of Hickory Hill Road, caused a crash on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 7:59 p.m. when she crossed the center line, striking a southbound vehicle. Police said Amanda L. Johnson, who was traveling with a 23-year-old passenger, was taken to Paoli Hospital for treatment of injuries of unknown severity; neither her passenger nor the driver of the vehicle she struck were injured. Police said blood tests would confirm whether the crash was alcohol-related.

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Around Town Dec. 11

Along the Ford

• Knights and Ladies in Training is a family program at the Brandywine River Museum of Art on Sunday, Dec. 14 and again on Saturday, Dec. 20. Running from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and again from 1 to 2:20 p.m., aspiring young knights and ladies are invited to complete a series of noble tasks such as designing a family coat of arms, decorating a helmet or crown, learning sword-fighting techniques and following clues on a quest throughout the museum. Participants will be honored in a knighting ceremony at the conclusion of the program. Designed for children ages 3 and older accompanied by an adult. Tickets are limited. They may be reserved online or by calling the Museum shop at 610-388-8326. The cost is $12 adults, $8 children and includes museum admission; $6 per person for museum members.

• The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Community Coat Drive is underway and runs through Dec. 18. The drive collects new and gently used coats, jackets, gloves, mittens and snow pants. All items should be clean and in good condition. Donated items can be dropped off in the lobby of any of the U-CFSD schools until Thursday, Dec. 18. For more information call 610-455-0341 or email katienichols@verizon.net or diplacido6@verizon.net.

• It’s a one-time-only performance for the Chester County Pops Orchestra on Dec. 19. The orchestra will present “Holiday Pops,” its first public holiday concert at Unionville High School on Friday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. Admission is $15 for an adult, $12 for a senior (62 plus) and free for children. Tickets are available online at www.chescopops.org, at the door, or by calling 610-594-9178.

• It’s time to gear up for the second annual Mushroom Drop. Kennett Square will hold another Midnight in the Square on New Year’s Eve that will end with the drop of an 8-foot wide, 7.5-foot tall, 500-pound stainless steel mushroom to signal the start of 2015. Festivities, including food and live music, begin at 9 p.m. parking is available at Kennett High School and at the Exelon parking lot. Free shuttle bus service is available. Admission is the donation of a non-perishable item or canned good. All donations will be given to the Kennett Area Community Services’ food cupboard.

About CFLive Staff

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Ted Pace welcomes CFBA for holiday party

CFBA holds holiday party

Chadds Chat

Ted Pace welcomed the Chadds Ford Business Association for its annual holiday celebration. The organization is more than 20 years old, and many of the members have known each other even longer than that.

Originally founded as a group of businesses who wanted to unite their voices to PennDOT regarding the reconstruction of Route 1 through Chadds Ford. The result may not have been perfect, but the placement and quality of the barriers was improved from the original plan as a result of the fledgling group’s input.

The organization is so old, it claimed the domain Chaddsford.org before other official entities realized they might want it. Chaddsford.org was chosen because cfba.org was already taken by the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association.

Old-time music played by the Ron Feldman Band gave the party a homecoming feeling.

Pace is the General Manager of Brandywine Catering, which hosted the event Thursday, Dec. 4. His facility provides banquet rooms in addition to off-site catering.

Anne Pounds from Welcome Neighbor and Marty Milligan from Brandywine Convention and Visitors Bureau compare notes on hospitality. Welcome Neighbor visits every new resident with a welcome basket of gifts from local businesses. Brandywine CVB helps visitors feel at home with the many tourist opportunities in the Brandywine Valley.

Representing two mainstay institutions of downtown Chadds Ford are Hillary Holland from the Brandywine River Museum of Art and Jim Leader from Leader Sunoco.

The organization thanked Mary Marines for taking photos and providing the music. Marines, president of Pennock Insurance, is on the board of directors of the CFBA, currently serving as secretary.

The next meeting of the Chadds Ford Business Association will be at Brandywine Prime on Jan. 8 at noon. Jim Leader will be bringing items from the archives. It is not a meeting to miss. See http://www.chaddsford.org for more information.

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Acclaimed artist to appear as author

Arts & Entertainment

Art in the Brandywine Valley typically conjures images gleaned from the Wyeth family – barns, bridges and bucolic landscapes – but one area artist has taken his work in a vastly different direction.

Artist Robert C. Jackson will sign copies of his new book on Sunday at Galer Estate Winery.

Robert C. Jackson, whose work is included in collections ranging from the Brandywine River Museum to the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science in Indiana to the New Britain Museum of American Art in Connecticut, works out of a studio in Kennett Square.

On Sunday, Dec. 14, from 3 to 6 p.m., the contemporary realist will go beyond his art repertoire at the Galer Estate Winery, where he will sign copies of his newly released collaborative book project: Behind the Easel: The Unique Voices of 20 Contemporary Representational Painters.

The book represents the culmination of many years of research during which Jackson, whose work has been included in several anthologies of contemporary artists, sought personal interviews with 20 acclaimed living representational artists, including himself.

The book boasts more than 140 images of artwork from each of the featured artists. Besides Jackson himself, they include Steven Assael, Bo Bartlett, Debra Bermingham, Margaret Bowland, Paul Fenniak, Scott Fraser, Woody Gwyn, F. Scott Hess, Laurie Hogin, Alan Magee, Janet Monafo, John Moore, Charles Pfahl, Scott Prior, Stone Roberts, Sandra Mendelsohn Rubin, Daniel Sprick, Will Wilson, and Jerome Witkin.

According to his web site, Jackson, whose painting subjects have ranged from whimsical stacks of sugary donuts to quirky balloon animals, underwent a painstaking selection process, ultimately choosing artists with a unique voice. “Seeing their work from across a room, they are all recognizable,” he said. Jackson said his own experiences lent authenticity and color to his insight and appreciation of the other artists’ work.

Galer Estate Winery, owned by Brad and Lele Galer, has been tied to the local arts since its opening in 2011. Co-owner Lele Galer is an artist herself, and every week the winery showcases different local artists in “Pop Up” shows. Galer is active in a variety of arts organizations, public art projects, and privately is an avid art book collector.

“I can’t wait to buy the book,” said Lele Galer. “I saw a copy, and it was absolutely gorgeous.”

She said that Sunday’s book – signing is the only one Jackson has scheduled in the area – at a time when a signed copy would make a lovely holiday gift for any art lover.

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KAU Little League names District 28 honorees

School & Education

kaudist28 — KAU Little League honored its 2014 award winners at the recent District 28 Baseball and Softball Banquet. Pictured left to right are: Andrea Prestianne and Carleigh Smith, Umpires of the Year; Bob Regenye, Volunteer of the Year; Dylan Blackburn, Baseball Sportsman of the Year; and Olivia Cresta and Madison Hostetler, Softball Sportswomen of the Year.

The KAU Little League recently honored its 2014 District 28 award winners. Each year, the District — which includes Little Leagues from throughout Chester County —recognizes players, parents, and other volunteers from every league for their achievements, sportsmanship, and dedication to their respective teams and organizations. KAU Little League players — who range in age from four to 18 — attend primarily schools in the Unionville-Chadds Ford and Kennett Consolidated School Districts.

Dylan Blackburn, a seventh-grader at Charles F. Patton Middle School, was named the baseball Sportsperson of the Year for his leadership and sportsmanship. Despite suffering a hand injury early in the season and being unable to play, Blackburn was on the bench at all his team’s games to support his teammates.

Blackburn has played baseball at KAU for six years and has been named to all-star teams for four. The 12-year-old plays ice hockey for the Patton Middle School team and the Chester County Skating Club. He is the son of Kristen and Scott Blackburn of Pocopson Township.

Olivia Cresta and Madison Hostetler were named Sportspersons of the Year for softball. Cresta began playing baseball at KAU when she was seven years old and switched to softball two years later. A three-time KAU softball all-star and a member of the Patton Middle School squad, she also plays basketball for URA and St. Pat’s CYO team. She coaches the Kennett Titans’ football 7- and 8-year-old cheerleaders and volunteers at Pocopson Founders’ Day each year.

Cresta, an eighth-grader at Charles F. Patton Middle School, is the daughter of Karen and Michael Cresta of Pocopson Township. Hostetler started her affiliation with KAU in t-ball in 2006 and was named to several all-star teams after making the switch to softball. She is an eighth-grader at St. Cornelius Catholic School in Chadds Ford Township, where she participates in CYO track and school musicals. She is the daughter of Kelly and Doug Hostetler of New Garden Township.

Carleigh Smith and Andrea Prestianne, “big sisters” who volunteered their time during their younger brothers’ baseball games, were selected as Umpires of the Year. Smith is a freshman at Kennett Area Senior High School. She has played softball at KAU for eight years and previously for the Kennett Middle School team. The 14-year-old is the daughter of Brian and Debbie Smith of Kennett Township.

Prestianne played softball for KAU for seven years. An eighth-grader at the Kennett Middle School, she played basketball, softball, and volleyball for KMS. The 13-year-old is the daughter of Michael and Maureen Prestianne of New Garden Township.

Named as Volunteer of the Year was Bob Regenye. Known as “Coach Grandpa,” Regenye has actively volunteered in the recent renovation of the KAU instructional shed. As well, he has used his skills as a woodcraftsman to create many necessary items for the fields, including bat racks. Most importantly, Regenye relishes using his roles as scorekeeper and all-around volunteer for both recreational and all-star teams to instill in players the “right way” to play baseball, such as dressing properly, respecting the traditions of the game, and how to conduct themselves in the dugout and on the field.

He is a third-generation KAUer, as his son, Brian, is a manager and his grandchildren, Jack, Sean and Sara play in the league. Regenye and his wife Carol have lived in the Kennett Square area for 28 years, most recently at the Traditions at Longwood Community in East Marlborough Township. He serves as chairman of the Architectural Committee, head of the Tennis Club, and a member of the Facilities Committee.

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The Empowered Parent: Parents caring for parents

School & Education

We are in full swing of the holiday season. I hope you’re all enjoying joyful parties, the smell of your grandmother’s cookie recipe, that gigantic ham that gets cooked for your special gathering, shiny decorations, singing, movies, strings of lights to brighten the cold winter nights, and any other tradition you treasure this time of year.

This is a time of year when family memories are made, but it’s darn hard work being a parent, even in the smoothest of times. The challenge increases when you’re a part of the “sandwich generation” — a parent caring for parents.

Parents caring for parents are at a heightened risk for “Caregiver Burnout,” especially around the holiday season. Your time and energy are already stretched thin and even joyful traditions can feel like demands pulling you further away from your family.

It can be hard to keep up the holiday cheer and traditions for your children, while tending to your ageing parents. Here are some tips and resources to get you through the winter months.

First and foremost, understand and voice your limits — learn to say no, where you can. There’s only so much of you to go around. Perhaps that third batch of cookies can be skipped this year.

Try to spread around the responsibility. Is there a neighbor or pastor or friend or another family member that can check in or lend a hand? Ask where you can, and if someone offers, by all means, say yes! It can be scary to relinquish some control over the situation, but can relieve a lot of tension.

It sounds impossible, but make it a priority this season to take time for yourself to recharge. Pamper yourself in some way. Make yourself laugh. Call a friend and grab a cup of coffee. Most importantly, breathe. Find moments throughout the day where you’re waiting at a red light or on hold with the cable company — steal that moment for some deep breaths and clearing your mind. It can do wonders.

Finally, once the holiday hubbub is done, make time to do some planning. You can alleviate much of the stress of caregiving through preparation. Even if your crystal ball seems cloudy you can make plans for anticipated long-term care arrangements.

Powers of Attorney for health and finances can be put in place now to avoid an emergency later. Look into long term care insurance. Arrangements for possessions and property can be considered now to preserve family legacies and the valuable property that your parents worked so hard for.

Get a Will drafted. People frequently question whether it’s right for their family to transfer the family home to children sooner rather than later-now is the time to explore that. Your family may benefit from a Caregiver Agreement for the work that is being done-you are truly providing a valuable service to your parents.

Recognize signs of an impending burnout like increased irritability, fatigue, insomnia, and trouble concentrating. Check in with yourself if you find yourself compulsively eating or smoking, overreacting to minor nuisances or catching every cold that comes around. If you suffer burnout, you cannot care for others, but there are things you can do proactively to prevent problems down the line.

It’s hard, but know you are not alone. There is support out there for you — check in with the Area Agency on Ageing, which is an absolute wealth of resources. Search the web for nonprofit caregiver support organizations. You might be pleasantly surprised at how a little planning right now can go a very long way and save you countless hours of hassle.

Above all, focus on the joy that is in your life and enjoy the magic of this holiday season.

About Valerie Borek

Valerie Borek, Esq. is a Delaware County native with a passion for empowering people. She believes a strong family is a building block to strong communities. She founded her law firm to serve families with a focus on parenting and family rights. As a mother herself, she knows that parents face tough choices and need support. Valerie is grateful to be in a profession where she can guide people through life’s circumstance so they can focus on the things in life that matter most. Valerie finds her greatest motivation in helping families strengthen their health and wealth. These two foundational areas of life resonate through the day-to-day and when we feel comfortable and secure in these spheres, we are free and enabled to create and nurture the lives we desire. Visit her at www.vboreklaw.com

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