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February 9, 2021

U-CF talks masks and money

School & Education
U-CF talks masks and money

Student-athletes at Unionville High and CF Patton Middle schools must wear masks while participating in their sports this spring, even tennis players and those involved in track & field.

That’s the word from Patrick Crater, the district’s supervisor of athletics, who briefed Unionville Chadds Ford School Board Directors on the Spring Sports Health & Safety plan during the board’s Feb. 8 work session

Crater said that while school sports have been ongoing since August, “there have been zero linked transmissions [of the COVID-19 virus], so we’re feeling good about that. We’re heading into the spring with a lot of optimism, but we also recognize we’re still in a pandemic.”

He told directors that there might be a delayed start for middle school student sports teams at Patton and that both middle and high school athletes will play a local, league-only schedule.

There’s an attempt to coordinate a plan with other Chester County middle schools to give everyone a chance for a full season, but that each district has its own oversight procedure. Because of a timing difference when other middle schools might be ready, those athletics could be delayed until later in the spring with practices and tryouts beginning after the spring break and with games starting in May, Crater said.

The plan also calls for the same protocols the district has been using for the past eight months. Athletes to wear masks for all sports — baseball, softball, track & field, boys tennis, boys volleyball, rowing, boys and girls lacrosse, and during offseason workouts.

Crater said the Pennsylvania Department of Health requires all athletes, coaches, and spectators to wear masks if they can’t maintain social distancing from people outside their homes. Masks are needed even while the athletes are engaged in competition, but people can remove the face coverings if they maintain a six-foot distance during outdoor events.

The board will vote on the plan during its regular meeting on Feb. 22.

Other business

Directors voted to approve a preliminary budget of $92,687,589 for the next academic year. There is also an unreserved balance of $8,953,007 available for appropriation. A final budget — including the levying of taxes — is scheduled for a vote on June 21. Before that vote, the board will adopt a proposed final budget and conduct hearings on the 2021-2022 spending plan if necessary.

The preliminary budget doesn’t include finalized millage rates, district Business Manager Bob Cochran said the maximum allowable is 29.96 mils for Chester County property owners and 15.47 mils in Chadds Ford, Delaware County.

“That’s a significant millage decrease in Delaware County, but that’s a result of the county-wide reassessment that took place,” Cochran said.

He said both millage rate percentages are the maximum allowed by the state’s Act 1 index. If rates exceeded that index, the district would need voters to approve a referendum in the spring primary election.

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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Art Live: Master Artist Series

Arts & Entertainment
SWG by James Brantley at Stanek Gallery online

February is Black History Month and with that comes some new and interesting exhibitions. A few shows are jumping the gun on Women’s History Month and putting women artists in the spotlight as well.

James Brantley, famed contemporary artist and life-long Philadelphian, has work online at Stanek Gallery this month. Billed under the gallery’s new Master Artist Series, his paintings will be on view through February 27th. Both master painter and compelling story-teller, Brantley continues to remain true to his vision and personal identity as an artist. He remains experimental in his approach to painting, employing abstract principles of form and color and more.

A figure and portrait painter, Brantley studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA), the Philadelphia College of Art (UArts) and the University of Pennsylvania. He has received many accolades over the years including winning the Hallgarten Prize from the National Academy of Design and the Louis Fine Purchase Award from the Pennsylvania Academy of Art. New works by Brantley are available to purchase through the gallery, and will be featured in an upcoming exhibition in May 2021. See Brantley’s works here.

Making Marks exhibition at Pentimenti Gallery in Philadelphia

A four woman show titled “Making Marks: Figural Identity, Transfiguration, And Receptive Tactility” opens on February 13th at Pentimenti Gallery in Old City. It showcases exceptional works by artists who are making their own notable marks in the art world. Helina Metaferia, Alisa Sikelianos-Carter, Nastassja E. Swift and Alanna Airitam explore the convergence of geographical history, belonging, and ancestral identity in this striking show of mixed media works which includes collage, fiber, paintings and photography. Featured in the December 2020 issue of Philadelphia Style Magazine, Airitam uses her talent to challenge stereotypes and question the lack of fair and equal representation of people of color in the arts. All of these women are pushing boundaries in a very good way. Visit here to schedule a private viewing or see the works on Artsy here.

Rosalind Bloom at DVAA

A two woman show is opening on Thursday, February 18th at DaVinci Art Alliance (DVAA) in Philly. “Ebb and Flow” highlights the work of Rosalind Bloom and Sarah Bloom. While this mother and daughter pair take different approaches to making, they both employ a variety of techniques and media to create their art including making use of wood, cellophane, wax, watercolor, moss, embroidery, paper, ceramic tile and even snakeskin. The exhibition includes Sarah’s photography on various substrates and Rosalind’s mixed media collages. By exploring abandoned spaces to stage her photographs, Sarah captures “growth amidst the debris and hope amidst the decay of manmade structures”.

My Heart Sparkles for You Cupcake by Jan Wier at Gallery 222

About her work, the younger Bloom said, “As an artist, I am drawn to stories of transformation. These new mixed-media pieces are an extension of my self-portrait photography in abandoned buildings. I transfer those photographic images onto other materials—mostly found and recycled objects. Through this process, I transform not only my original work but the object itself, repurposing it, giving it new life. We grow old. We die. We become something else entirely.” Sarah’s photographs are somewhat darker in tone but are well suited to Rosalind’s brighter works of natural elements abstracted into beautiful collages. Together their works are celebrating nature’s force and vitality. The exhibition will be on view physically, by appointment beginning February 18th at DVAA and as a recorded video tour on DVAA’s website. Register here for the virtual reception via Zoom being held on February 19th and to see the show in its entirety.

Flight of the Bumble by Sue Ciccone at Gallery 222

Closer to home, Gallery 222 (G222) in Malvern is hosting painters Sue Ciccone and Jan Wier this month for a two woman show. Enjoy Wier’s small paintings of delectable confections and Ciccone’s little regal bee paintings in the online show “The Sweetest Sting” on view through March 6th. If you want to purchase a piece, hurry because the works are going fast. All pieces are available on G222’s online shop and can be picked up before Valentine’s Day. Visit the show here.

Other events worth checking out this week: Tune in to The Art Trust Gallery’s Instagram account this Thursday, February 11th at 5:00 p.m. for the weekly “Eat, Drink and Be Artsy” segment with Liz Ruff and Andrea Della Vecchia. This week’s guest artist is Isaac Scott, one of four artists in the current exhibition “Evident Truth”. He’ll be discussing his recent collaborative work with fellow ceramic artist Justin Rothshank, his political photography and more.

Whatever you do this week, support the arts!!

About Constance McBride

A native of Philadelphia, Constance McBride lived in Arizona for 16 years, where desert observations made a transformative impact on her work as a research based visual artist. Passionate about contemporary art, she was actively engaged in the local arts community. She served as a board member for several art organizations, managed an artist collective/gallery space, curated and juried several exhibitions and wrote for two arts publications in Phoenix. She taught ceramics at Shemer Art Center and Museum and exhibited her work both locally and nationally. McBride returned to Pennsylvania in 2018 and resides in Chester Springs with her husband and two dogs. In West Chester, she serves as a board member at The Art Trust Gallery at Meridian Bank and teaches ceramics at Chester County Art Association. She also teaches at Clay on Main in Oley, PA. She is a member of American Craft Council, Philadelphia Sculptors, and Women’s Caucus for Art, Philadelphia Chapter.

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Kennett votes Longwood as primary EMS

Local News Kennett, Local News

The Kennett Township supervisors will not change their decision to designate Longwood Fire Company as the township’s primary EMS provider for the majority of 2021.

The board had voted 2-1 in December to have Longwood provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) to the entire township as of March 1, unless the supervisors adopted a proposal that Kennett Fire Company could submit as an alternative to the one that will take effect in March. Currently, Longwood provides ALS service to the township and BLS service to the eastern part of the township. Kennett Fire Company provides BLS service to the western part of the township.

At the Feb. 3 meeting, the supervisors gave an update on communications with the fire companies and said the township was unable to come to an agreement on any alternative proposals that could have both Kennett and Longwood fire companies responding to EMS calls within Kennett Township.

“Is this the perfect solution?” asked Supervisors’ Chairman Richard Leff. “I don’t know but I know it’s an improvement over what we have.”

Township Manager Eden Ratliff sent Kennett Fire Company a letter on Jan. 25, reviewing the December decision and the Jan. 20 timeframe for Kennett Fire Company to respond. It summarized meetings that supervisors’ Vice Chairwoman Whitney Hoffman and Ratliff had with both fire companies in the weeks following the December meeting.

“A several-hour working session was held between both companies where we worked to build a budget for a two-tier Emergency Medical Service delivery model for the region at the request of Kennett Township,” Ratliff said. “The findings in that meeting were that a two-tier EMS model was not more cost-effective than deploying two Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU) from one company.”

On Jan. 27, Kennett Fire Company officials responded by letter, proposing a hybrid EMS model where EMS services for the township would include a MICU and an ALS chase car from Longwood Fire Company and a BLS ambulance from Kennett Fire.

“It is our stance that this hybrid model provides less expensive and more optimal coverage to the region,” wrote Kennett Fire President Marc Anderson, Chief Bruce Mitchell, Deputy Chief Steve Melton, and EMS Supervisor/Sergeant Richard Frank. “This model also provides greater flexibility for future expansion, which we believe will be needed sooner rather than later.”

In a Facebook post, Kennett Fire Company officials wrote that while the written presentation was given to the township seven days after the deadline, “the plan submitted is one that had been reviewed and presented in person with township representatives as early as Dec. 17.”

In the letter to the township, fire officials also wrote that the Kennett Fire-EMS operation would continue, regardless of the township’s decision, and that because of that the fire company would not be able to house one of Longwood MICUs in their building.

“We do believe we have the capacity to house an ALS Chase Car with a single 24/7 paramedic,” the Kennett fire officials wrote in their letter. “Therefore, if the decision is made to remove Kennett Fire Company Ambulance from Kennett Township, the closest available unit will not be responding to a large portion of Kennett Township based on apparatus housing.”

Ratliff responded on Jan. 28. In his letter, he notes that the proposal was received late but said the township would respond “in the spirit of regional cooperation.” The letter asks for more information, like “comprehensive” operational and EMS deployment plans, and ways that Kennett Fire would “address the likely increased cost burden to Kennett Township and the Borough of Kennett Square.” It also asks if the fire company had reached out to Newlin, Pennsbury, Pocopson, and East Marlborough townships about how Kennett Fire’s proposal would affect them.

During the meeting, supervisors’ Vice Chairwoman Whitney Hoffman thanked both fire companies for the time they spent “basically taking me to school. Everybody has really helped me understand things better.”

About Monica Fragale

Monica Thompson Fragale is a freelance reporter who spent her life dreaming of being in the newspaper business. That dream came true after college when she started working at The Kennett Paper and, years later The Reporter newspaper in Lansdale and other dailies. She turned to non-profit work after her first daughter was born and spent the next 13 years in that field. But while you can take the girl out of journalism, you can’t take journalism out of the girl. Offers to freelance sparked the writing bug again started her fingers happily tapping away on the keyboard. Monica lives with her husband and two children in Kennett Square.

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