Malvern Federal Savings Bank

Malvern Federal Savings Bank will hold a seminar for first-time homeowners on Thursday, April 6 from 5:30-7:30 PM at its Lionville Branch located at 537 West Uwchlan Avenue in Downingtown.

Allow Malvern Federal’s experts to walk you through the complex steps of first-time homeownership. For more information, contact Linda Laurent at 610-695-3626 or LLaurent@MalvernFederal.com.

Rebecca Lukens Award

The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum, along with Coatesville Savings Bank, will present its 11th annual Rebecca Lukens Award to Frances Sheehan, a noted community-builder and President of the Crozer-Keystone Community Foundation.

For the past 15 years, Sheehan served as CEO of the Brandywine Health Foundation in Coatesville and helped distribute $15 million in funding for services and programs to benefit the Coatesville area’s residents.

Established by The Graystone Society’s NISHM to honor individuals who exhibit the qualities of Rebecca Lukens, the award will be presented to Sheehan at a garden party reception on May 10 in the Lukens National Historic District.

“Frances has been a true friend to NISHM since its inception,” said President Scott G. Huston. “At every turn, Frances would lend her resources and the resources of her organization to enrich our mission and the goals we have set forth.”

Peter Zimmerman Architects

Peter Zimmerman Architects – a residential design firm in Berwyn with an extensive portfolio that has received local and national recognition – has announced that Tyson Chamberlain, Warren Fisher, Tim Lucci, and Sean Narcum have been appointed as Principals. They join Rick Pinkerton who became a Principal in June.

“This is an exciting time for our company,” said Peter Zimmerman. “In addition to being very talented designers, this team will continue the quality work and maintain the client relationships that are so strong at PZA.”

Chester County Commissioners

As part of Chester County’s effort to fight the opioid and heroin crisis, the County Commissioners, District Attorney Tom Hogan, and members of the Chester County Overdose Prevention Task Force recently presented checks for $5,000 to representatives from all five of the county’s hospitals.

The funds, earmarked to support each hospital’s warm hand-off program, will help to ensure that those who have experienced an overdose are referred directly to treatment and counseling, to begin on a path toward physical, mental, and emotional healing.

“Today’s presentation to our hospitals is the culmination of a county-wide effort that recognizes that the opioid and heroin crisis is serious, and it’s not going away,” said Michelle Kichline, Chair of the Chester County Commissioners.

“It’s not enough to attack this problem from a law-enforcement standpoint, but also through education, counseling, and collaboration with hospitals and community organizations. The use of Narcan saves lives, but if you aren’t able to give addicts the tools to recover – the warm hand-off to the right treatment and counseling – then this disease will not be stopped.”

Stroud Water Research Center

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has announced that 21 organizations across the commonwealth will receive the prestigious 2017 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for 16 projects that represent the very best in innovation, collaboration, and public service in environmental stewardship.

“The Environmental Excellence Awards show just how many Pennsylvanians, from fourth-grade students to factory owners, care deeply about the air, land, and water in their communities,” said Gov. Tom Wolf. “We all benefit, as their commitment to tackling important environmental challenges improves our quality of life statewide.”

The Avondale-based Stroud Water Research Center won for its “WikiWatershed Web Site,” whereby real-time data, mobile apps, and other tools enable users to monitor their local stream and watershed health, determine specific location stormwater runoff, and learn how to predict and change human impact on freshwater ecosystems in Pennsylvania.

Breckenridge Plaza Apartments/Janwood Apartments

Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Realty Advisors, a real estate advisory firm, has announced the sale of the Breckenridge Plaza Apartments in Phoenixville and the Janwood Apartments in Downingtown.

A 92-unit complex, Breckenridge Plaza was constructed in 1971 and is located off of the Route 422 corridor.

At closing, the property was 43 percent vacant. Janwood Apartments consists of a mix of 38 apartments, and is within walking distance of the Downingtown Train Station.

The complex was fully occupied as of March 2017 and was sold at 98 percent of list price.

“Rarely do true value-add opportunities become available in Chester County,” said Corey Lonberger, Rittenhouse’s managing partner. “When they do, the interest level is very high. We ended up with more than 40 tours and a dozen offers at each property.”