In Today’s Issue of Downingtown Local Pulse…
Billionaire investors just set 2 all-time records. An asset class most investors never even considered.
How have 70,679 everyday investors joined in on the billionaire’s asset class?
A Klimt painting sold for $236 million—the most expensive modern artwork ever sold at auction.
A Kahlo broke the auction record for a female artist at $54 million.
Obvious outliers, sure, but the 2025 fall auction season signaled the postwar and contemporary art market could be entering a bull run.
Why?
Outpaced the S&P 500 overall with low correlation since ‘95*
Can trade in any global currency
Natural scarcity
Of course, who can afford to spend millions on a painting, right?
But now it’s easy to fractionally invest in art by legends like Banksy and more, thanks to Masterworks.
They acquire it, securitize it, offer shares, and eventually look to sell it.
Net annualized returns like 14.6%, 17.6%, and 17.8% for works held over a year.
See why members have allocated $1.3 billion across 500+ works:
*According to Masterworks data. Investing involves risk. Past performance not indicative of future returns. See important disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.
🤪 Pulse Joke of The Day 😆
What's worse than finding a worm in your apple?
Answer below👇
County Moves to Restore Downingtown's Trestle Bridge as Trail Link
DOWNINGTOWN, PA — County officials have announced the beginning of a lengthy but ambitious project to restore the Brandywine Valley Viaduct — better known as the Downingtown Trestle Bridge — and connect it to an expanded Chester Valley Trail. The structure, a steel railroad trestle built in the early 1900s and out of active use since the 1980s, spans 1,450 feet and rises more than 130 feet above the East Branch Brandywine Creek near downtown Downingtown.
The county acquired a portion of the former Philadelphia and Thorndale railroad corridor from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation last May for $1, and has since assembled $2.2 million in funding through two state conservation grants and a regional planning commission grant, each matched in part by the county. That money will go toward design work, which is expected to begin within the next year following a formal federal-standards inspection of the bridge.
When completed — a timeline officials put at five to seven years — the project would add a significant multimodal link to the Chester Valley Trail, which currently runs 19 miles through Chester and Montgomery Counties. County facilities and parks director George Martynick has characterized the bridge as the cornerstone of the entire expansion, one without which the trail extension could not proceed. Despite decades of dormancy, officials say the structure remains in relatively stable condition, though netting and security barriers had to be installed over the years to prevent public access and catch falling debris. Read the full story at The Philadelphia Inquirer
Chester Springs Offers Older Residents Seminar in Avoiding Fraud
UPPER UWCHLAN TWP — Residents aged 50 and older in the Chester Springs area have an opportunity to hear directly from federal law enforcement about the fraud schemes most likely to target them, thanks to a free seminar being organized by the Upper Uwchlan Township Police Department in partnership with the FBI's Philadelphia Division.
Agents from the FBI's Fort Washington Resident Agency will lead the approximately 45-minute presentation, which covers a broad range of scams currently circulating — including romance fraud, fake tech support offers that appear as computer popups, grandparent impersonation schemes, gold bar scams, and lottery fraud. The session is designed not just to raise awareness, but to give attendees practical tools: what red flags to look for, how to protect themselves before becoming a victim, and what steps to take if they already have been.
A question-and-answer period will follow the formal presentation, giving attendees a chance to raise specific concerns or scenarios directly with FBI agents. The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited to 100 people, making pre-registration strongly encouraged. Interested residents can sign up by emailing Jami Martin at [email protected] or by calling 610-458-5862 during business hours, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
PULSE CHECK!
Do you personally know someone who has been a victim of fraud?
Chester County Tractor Supply Stores Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Pets and Families This Weekend
EXTON, PA — Tractor Supply stores in and around Chester County will host a free Farm Bash event this Saturday, February 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Leashed pets are welcome, and the event features treat tastings, giveaways, doorbuster deals, and potential dog adoption opportunities through Petfinder. PepsiCo is also donating $120,000 to animal shelters nationwide as part of the celebration.
Ingleside Golf Club Opens Applications for Seasonal and Year-Round Positions
CALN TWP — Ingleside Golf Club in Caln Township is hiring for golf course maintenance, pro shop, and outside golf services roles, with both full-time and part-time positions available. Candidates with landscaping, customer service, or golf knowledge are encouraged to apply by sending a resume to [email protected] or calling 610-384-9128. More info on the township website.
Upcoming local events…
10 Books for $10 (Once Upon A Child, Exton) - Feb 17-19
Eagleview Farmer’s Market (Eagleview) - Feb 19, 3pm-5pm
OCHS Winter Lecture Series: New Discoveries Relating to Duffy’s Cut (Thorndale) - Feb 22, 2pm
WC Restaurant Week (West Chester) - Feb 22-March 1
Chili Cook Off! Live Music with Uncle Dubby! (Downingtown) - Feb 22, 2pm-5pm
Chester County History Center Trivia Night (West Chester) - Feb 26, 6pm
StrongHER: Women's Self-Defense Seminar (West Chester) - Feb 28, 10am-11:30am
Downingtown Farmers’ Market (Kerr Park) - Feb 28, 10am-12pm
Kennett Winterfest (KSQ) - Feb 28, 12:30pm
Chester County Card Show (WCU) - March 1, 9am-3pm
True Crime on Trial (Victory Downingtown) - March 3, 6pm-9pm
Cheers to Downingtown! (The Borough, Downingtown) - March 5, 5pm
Momprenuers of Chester County Walk & Talk (Exton) - March 7, 7pm-8pm
Coatesville Star Party (Hibernia Park) - March 7, 6pm-8pm
Maple Syrup Making (Springton Manor Farm) - March 8, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
Children’s Consignment Sale (Exton) - March 13, 5:30pm
Bluebird Landlord Workshop (Springton Manor Farm) - March 14, 1pm-2pm
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🤪 Pulse Joke of The Day 😆
What's worse than finding a worm in your apple?
Finding half a worm 🍎
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