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Susan Mangigian, West Chester PA Realtor RE/MAX Preferred, ABR

ACAC Helps support West Chester Food Cupboard, West Chester, PA

ACAC LOGOACAC Fitness and Wellness Center is my favorite hang out and one of my passions is making sure that everyone has enough to eat. So, I think it's fitting that ACAC is hosting a food drive to support the West Chester Food Cupboard.

The West Chester Food Cupboard came into existence on March 1, 2009, one day after the Cares Food Network went out of business. It is run by a small group of volunteers to keep a food cupboard within the borough to provide assistance for low income families. Just last month, 333 families were served. That's over 1100 people, the largest number of families ever.

They have seen about a 30% increase in the need for assistance while experiencing a 25% decrease in the level of donations. Due to the budget crisis in Harrisburg, they currently have no state funds to purchase food and must rely solely on donations and a federal food program.

West Chester Food Cupboard

Needs

  • Canned meats: stew, spam, salmon, sardines, ham.
  • Soups: Chicken noodle, chicken rice, vegetable, tomato, Progresso types.
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly, Spaghetti sauce, and tomato products.
  • Cereal: Store brand of Cheerios, Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies. etc/
  • Juices (family sized).
  • Holiday Food: Stuffing Mix, Gravy, Instant Potatoes, Cake Mixes, Cookie Mix, Oil, Sugar
  • Personal Care Products: Toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, shampoos, soap, toothpaste, detergent (these items are vital to healthy living.

You can drop off your items at ACAC Fitness and Wellness Center, located on McDermott Drive in West Goshen. The Chester County Food Cupboard is located at 545 E. Gay Street, West Chester, PA 610-344-3175

Chester County School of Government-Understanding Your County at Work

While visiting the East Goshen Township building, I came across an interesting flyer entitled Chester County School of Government, Understanding Your County at Work.

The county has a free 7 week course starting in a few weeks. It is on Tuesdays, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, 9/15/09 to 11/10/09.

Class will be held at the Chester county Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester.

For more information about being a Citizen of Chester County, you can download the flyer here, or go to chesco.org, and click on Chester County School of government.

email: schoolofgovernment@chesco.org

Telephone: 610-344-4404.

The course is free and led by Chester County elected officials and directors and will cover topics such as Human Services, Health and Environmental Health, the Justice System, Emergency Services, Planning, Parks, the Library System and Voter Services.

Space is limited, so if you are interested, reserve your place!

Calling all First Time Buyers!! $8000 Tax Credit deadline is looming!

Calling all First Time Buyers!

Act now and get $8,000!

The $8,000 can be claimed by those who close on homes on or after January, 2009 and before 11/30/2009.

This market is hot right now, so don't wait. There are many homes in the West Chester area that may be just right for you. I would love to help you find just the right one!

First Time Home Buyer as defined for this tax credit is someone who did not own another main home at any time during the 3 years prior to the date of purchase. For married joint filers, both must meet the 1st time home-buyer test to take the credit on a joint return.

The home must be the main home, or a principal residence. This is generally considered the place where you spend 50% or more of your time. It can be a condo, a single family, co-op, townhouse or something similar. The home must be in the United States. Vacation homes and rental properties are not eligible. For new construction, the purchase date is the date you occupy the home, so the move in date must be no later than 11/30/09.

If the home is sold prior to 3 years of ownership, the tax credit MUST BE REPAID. This provision was designed to prevent flipping homes in order to get the credit.

Who cannot take the credit? There are income limits, both for joint filers and singles, so please check with an accountant. You cannot buy a home from a close relative, which would include a spouse, parent, grandparent, child or grandchild. You may also not take the credit if you stop using your home as your main home, sell your home before the end of 3 years or you are a nonresident alien.

FHA loans can help put a first time buyer's goal within reach. Quick review:

1) The buyer only needs 3.5% down.

2) The 3.5 percent can be a gift from a relative.

3) The seller can contribute up to 6% of the closing costs. 4) FHA is sympathetic to a somewhat less perfect credit score.

I can put you in touch with a great loan officer who can tell you right away if you are a candidate for this product.

I am easily reached by email, cell phone or my website. I'd love to hear from you!

Rocky Hill Veterinary Clinic, East Goshen Township, Chester County

If you know me, you know I love my dog. When I finally got my dog at almost 49 years old last year, the very first place I took her to was Rocky Hill Veterinary Clinic. That first puppy, Maggie Moo, soon became very ill, and I took her to see Dr. McGrath. He was wonderful with her and with us, and the compassion that Max and I were shown at this office was truly above and beyond. We had to return Maggie Moo to the bad breeder we bought her from, but we rectified that as soon as possible by reporting the deplorable conditions there. Maggie Moo and many other dogs were confiscated from there and hopefully placed in loving homes where they are loved and honored as the gifts that they are.

Rocky HIll Veterinary Clinic

We got JJ a few days later. There is not another Veterinarian that I would trust my beloved JJ to other than Terry McGrath, V.M.D., at Rocky Hill Veterinary Clinic. Dr. McGrath combines a love of animals with a homespun charm and a wonderful sense of humor. He is not only a wonderful veterinarian, but also a loving husband, a great father, a musician and a wonderful human being.

Dr.McGrath and JJ

Of course, it's easy to be nice to JJ, but Dr. McGrath is also the doctor of choice for my gender conflicted and perpetually disgruntled cat Scat as well. Dr. McGrath dares to go where no man has gone before when it comes to my cat, and I can tell you, he has the touch. I've seen grown men back away from my cat, but not Dr. McGrath. He gently lifts her out of her carrier and just sits with her on his lap, like she's the nicest cat in the world. She's not. She's not even the one millionth nicest cat in the world. Some would say mean. Others would use stronger language!

Michele and Andy are always on hand with good advise, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to laugh with.

Michelle and Tim

Not surprisingly, the sadness we went through with Maggie Moo brought us closer to the people that run this Veterinary Clinic. I even found out, after knowing Michele for many years, that we both grew up in South Philadelphia! How did we never talk about that before? And in another small world context, Andy bought one of my listings several years ago!

Rocky Hill Veterinary Clinic specializes in small animals, birds and exotic animals. I have never been there that I wasn't able to talk and laugh with other pet owners. Nice always attracts nice, and Dr. McGrath has a great following of great people who bring their much loved pets for care there.

If you are looking for a Veterinarian in Chester County, look no further than Rocky Hill Veterinary Clinic. Located at the intersection of Chester Road and Margo Lane, in East Goshen Township, Chester County. Telephone 610-431-1620 for an appointment. Chester Road and Margo Lane