AROUND TOWN

A View of the Ocean in West Reading

Fifteen years ago, after learning of the coral business, Will Becker bought his first aquarium and began growing coral out of his garage. This was the start of Coral Reef Connection. The aquarium specialty store located in the heart of West Reading can not only answer all your questions and concerns about your aquarium, but it also sells coral and both saltwater and freshwater fish. Nearly all of the coral in the shop is grown in-shop versus being commercially sourced, also known as aqua culture. Says Becker, “We want to offer the most sustainable products we can in the best way possible for the environment.” The shop imports nearly 150 fish weekly and offers necessarily supplies such as food. Coral Reef Connection also participates in tradeshows promoting sustainable practices. Visit at 544 Penn Avenue, West Reading, or online at coralreefconnection.com. – LAURA RAMSEY

Free Library Pops Up in West Reading

On May 17, the West Reading-Wyomissing Rotary Club celebrated the installment of its first Little Free Library location in West Reading with the help of a grant from the Rotary Club International. Built by the Hawk Mountain Boy Scouts, the gold and blue sharing box provides a community space to take and share books, promoting community connection and literacy for all ages and backgrounds. Little Free Libraries can be found all around the world, and this West Reading Little Free Library, like many others, is placed in an easy-to-find area with limited library connections. “It puts books into the hands of people that normally don’t have access to them,” says Carolyn Jordan, West ReadingWyomissing Rotary President-Elect. The Club plans to install four more Little Free Libraries around the community in the near future. Visit the Little Free Library at the host spot, Gage Personnel, 101 N. 7th Avenue, or find another nearby Little Free Library at littlefreelibrary.org. – LAURA RAMSEY

Hamburg Shop a Decorating Delight

Whether you are looking for a touch of rustic charm or a trendy, contemporary piece for your home, or perhaps even a sweet treat, Lazy Dog Vintage in downtown Hamburg offers it all and just about everything in-between. The shop provides a casual, arts and craft fair-like shopping experience with more than 80 vendors showcasing products including restored furniture, art, clothes, homemade teas and soaps, and other oddities. “The shop wasn’t always meant to be like an arts and crafts show, but I love the way the shop is. We’re a classy mom-and-pop shop,” says co-owner Justin Zimmerman. Behind the scenes, co-owner Ashley Zimmerman focuses on decorating the shop and helps the store participate in and coordinate events around Hamburg. Visit at 335 State St., Hamburg, or for more info call 484.660.3695. – LAURA RAMSEY

What is Barrio Alegria?

The community engagement organization uses the arts as a transformational tool to help individuals and communities. Read on to learn more.

1.

Storytelling Through Dance.

The community engagement project takes the shape of a community theater production. The 2021 season is in development. Stay tuned for future details or email outreach@barrioalegria.org to inquire about participation.

2.

Painting, Karaoke, Chalk Family Trees & More.

Programs open to the public implementing a variety of arts projects are planned for this month. Visit the online calendar for more details.

3.

Show your Support.

This year, Barrio Alegria celebrates six years. You can aid the organization’s efforts by purchasing candles online at barrioalegria.com/get-involved or by calling 610.334.2834 if you’d like to make a cash donation.

Get your Shop on!

Head to Penn Avenue in West Reading on Aug. 7 for the Summer Sidewalk Sale. Stroll the dozens of shops, boutiques and galleries. Sale items will be on display inside and outside the participating businesses. For more info head to visitwestreading.com.

Berks Jazz Fest Celebrates 30th Anniversary Season

BY KELLY TANGER | PHOTOS COURTESY BERKS ARTS

Live music is back in a big way in Berks. The Berks Jazz Fest will celebrate its 30th anniversary this month. Throughout the years, concertgoers have enjoyed the sounds of musicians the likes of Wynton Marsalis, John Tesh, The U.S. Air Force Rhythm in Blue Jazz Ensemble and others too numerous to name here. Originally set for 2020, the Fest was unfortunately pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But that hasn’t stopped Berks Arts from bringing fans an amazing lineup of performers. Says new Executive Director Justin Heimbecker, “It’s a testament to the relationships that have been built by our staff, volunteers, board members, our community and making Reading and Berks County a true destination for a legitimate, world-class jazz festival.” Music & Fun for Everyone

Whether you’re a long-time jazz music fan or just stepping onto the scene, there is a variety of sounds to please all ears set to take stage. From funk to classic jazz, rhythm and blues and many other styles, all are sure to find their niche. Explains Heimbecker, “It’s this gathering place of positive energy and good times and good friends.” This couldn’t be more true or more meaningful as we cautiously poke our heads out and begin emerge on the other side of a pandemic. Not only will it feel refreshing to experience a sense of normalcy, but attendees can rest assured that the venues for these toetapping tunes will also help to set the mood and create an environment of fun, safety and relaxation. If you’re feeling fancy, dress up for a night on the town and visit the ballroom at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Downtown Reading to bask in its classy atmosphere. If your taste is geared more toward the outdoor, casual food truck atmosphere, swing by Willow Glen Park in Sinking Spring for a show there. No matter where you choose to go, you’re sure to have a great time. “If you’ve been the biggest die-hard jazz fan for decades and you’ve been going to this for 30 years, there’s something for you; and if you’re in college and you want an interesting and memorable fun night out with your friends, there’s something for you too,” asserts Heimbecker.

A Full and Safe Schedule

A detailed schedule of all performances and related information can be found at berksjazzfest.com. Read about the lineup of established artists as well as up-and-coming artists set to perform. Some of these great musicians include: David Sanborn, Chris Botti, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, and the annual Chuck Loeb Memorial All-Stars Jam, just to name a few. It’s an anniversary celebration you don’t want to miss. Rest assured that your health and safety is top-of-mind for organizers. All pandemic safety measures are in place and will change as needed to follow CDC guidelines.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ticket update. Anyone who purchased tickets for the 2020 Jazz Fest can still utilize them for some performances at this year’s 30th anniversary celebration.

Starting small. Berks Jazz Fest began in the 1990s as a three-day weekend event. Since then, it has grown exponentially into the 10-day festival it is today.

IN THE LIMELIGHT WITH Mark Mazurkiewicz

Planetarium Director at Reading Public Museum

BY VERNA FISHER | PHOTO BY JOHN A. SECOGES, SECOGES PHOTOGRAPHICS

Have you ever wondered how a planetarium ended up within the Reading School District? Well, although a PA 1960s law stated new school construction needed to include either a pool or planetarium, the energy of the Space Race, plus additional federal funding, won out in favor of the planetarium.

So, you’ve been with Reading Public Museum for about 28 years. How has planetarium patronage and education changed during your tenure? Overall, as we have grown and improved our planetarium show choices, our public has grown along with us. In the early years of my time here, the public star shows were quite limited — only about four shows weekly. Gradually, we increased those to three public shows daily — all different shows designed for multiple age levels. The school group library of shows also expanded. At first, we had only two shows per grade for a field trip. Today, there are dozens of programs, and most adhere to PA State Standards. Private groups also benefit from the wide range of star show choices. Scouting groups or birthday party packages include a hands-on activity and craft that relates directly to the show.

The Floyd Final Fridays is a unique departure from traditional planetarium programming. How did that come about? Within the darkened Planetarium chamber, you are completely and uniquely immersed in the 360-degree experience of sight and sound. When watching a movie on a flat screen, you are aware of your surroundings. In the Planetarium dome, your entire field of vision is filled, no matter where you look. In the early 1970s, planetariums began experimenting with creating light shows, merging visual effects with sounds of specific musical acts that presented certain ephemeral astronomical elements in their songs and albums: most notably, with psychedelic experimental rock band Pink Floyd. In the late 1990s, The Neag Planetarium partnered with a Seattle-based company that specialized in bringing a higher level of laser-light musical entertainment for planetariums. The Final Floyd Friday presentations are offered on the final Friday night of every month and give audiences a chance to discover Pink Floyd as well as the Planetarium’s unique environment.

How often do you develop new educational programming, and what inspires your show themes? Quite often. In this digital age, it’s very easy to obtain, share and distribute digital content within the Planetarium’s worldwide community. NASA, and many of the additional worldwide space agencies, have truly embraced the full-dome digital format we use and provide excellent presentations.

What does your spare time look like? I love running and participating in local, competitive races. I also enjoy playing ultimate frisbee, spending time with family and pets. And I spend too much time listening to, collecting, organizing, shopping for, and generally thinking about, vinyl records.

GET MORE.

Keeping you safe.

Hand sanitizing stations are now permanent fixtures in the Planetarium lobby and on the Museum campus. Staff members also sanitize all of the chairs in the chamber after every show.

More info.

The Neag Planetarium at the Reading Public Museum has been integral to the community for more than 50 years. Schedule group tours by contacting 610.371.5850, ext. 223. For the Star Show schedule, visit readingpublicmuseum.org.

9 SPOTS FOR DININGAl Fresco BY NIKKI M. MURRY

One of the positives to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic was many discovered – or rediscovered – a love of outdoor dining. Looking for some spots to give it a try in Berks? Here are nine to get you started.

1Anthony’s Trattoria. Reserve your seat on the Reading establishment’s patio and enjoy one of their special seafood pasta dishes like Linguini with Clam Sauce or Mussels Marinara. Pair it with a glass of wine, or end your meal with an espresso. 610.370.2822 | anthonystrattoria.com

2Bertie’s Inn. Craving a great burger and fresh French fries? Head to this Best of Berks-winning spot in Exeter Township and enjoy a meal on the deck. Their Motley Burger features a hand-pressed patty topped with slowroasted hand-pulled pork BBQ with your choice of cheese and lettuce, tomato, onion and green pepper. 610.779.5797 bertiesinn.com

3Emily’s. Visit this historic spot in Mohnton for a meal on their patio you won’t soon forget. Perhaps you’d like to start with calamari, followed up with a Kobe sirloin steak. Crème Brulee sounds delicious for dessert. 610.856.7887 | emilysberks.com

4Folino Estate. Love a good wine tasting? If you answered “yes,” plan to enjoy one picnic-style at Kutztown’s Folino Estate, where they craft their very own varieties and pair it with delicious snacking options like wood fired pizza and much more. 484.452.3633 | folinoestate.com

5Fork & Ale. This Douglassville restaurant’s patio awaits you. Please your palate with starters like candied bacon and deviled eggs, and move onto entrees like their Fried Chicken Po’Boy and Roasted Pork Belly. Love craft cocktails? They’ve got great ones. 610.953.3675 forkandale.com 6Go Fish!The Sinking Spring spot with a recentlyexpanded and upgraded outdoor dining area is THE place to be for fresh sushi and seafood dinners like their famous Slow Roasted Sustainable Loch Duart Salmon. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for weekly specials. 610.376.6446 | gofishseafood.com

7Mimmo’s Restaurant.Talk about a great outdoor dining space! Mimmo’s Restaurant in Reading definitely has one that’s hard to beat. Bring family and friends and order their famous Mimmo’s Special Pizza. Gluten-free options are also available. 610.373.2800 |mimmos.org

8Saucony Creek Franklin Station Brewpub. This gem in the heart of the city of Reading has a great outside dining space, often highlighted by musical performers. Enjoy one of their great brews like the timely Cicada Swarm paired with Roasted Corn Poblano Tacos or Freshly Made Stonefly Beer Brats. 484.755.5680 sauconybeer.com

9The Tiki Bar. The Boyertown institution is well positioned for outdoor dining along the ‘ragin Manatawny. If you’re a fan of grilling up dinner and are looking for a change of scenery, great cocktails and some live entertainment, check it out. 610.689.4707 | tikibarpa.com

Do you remember your summer job?

BY ELLEN ALBRIGHT, Director, Workforce Development, GRCA

For some of you, it might have been serving scoops of ice cream or working in your family business. For others, summer meant spending days outdoors doing landscaping or manual labor. No matter the gig, I am going to guess that for many of the readers here, it wasn’t necessarily a match to your long-term career pathway goals or your true passions. But what if it could have been? Some Berks County students are gaining job-ready skills while also exploring fields that they are passionate about during their break.

A few years back, local philanthropists visited Reading Muhlenberg Career + Technical Center (RMCTC) and discovered that for these motivated students to have meaningful summer experiences, they would need great mentors, supportive employers and dedicated school staff. To ensure the commitment to these summer experiences would be met, an incentive bonus would be provided to each student at the close of the program if they met all their requirements. The program would encourage students to not just take a “summer job,” but rather, to seek employment at a company within their field of interest. Providing support throughout the summer, the school coordinators would ensure that students and employers were both having positive experiences.

Years into the effort now, and hundreds of students later, it is safe to say that this program has flourished and provided many students with gamechanging experiences to shape their futures. Employers also benefit by working with students to ensure that there is a skills-ready talent pipeline to fulfill roles in their companies upon graduation! Not only has the program grown, but it has also expanded to support students that attend Berks Career and Technology Center (BCTC).

“Participating in this program is much more than just a summer position. Students actually get to experience the job, rather than learn about it in the classroom, and are presented with real responsibilities from great employer mentors,” says RMCTC Work-Based Learning Coordinator Lisa Hughes.

Terri Baller, RMCTC Director of Programs, worked with this program since its inception and praises, “The summer internship gives our studentsthe opportunity to practice the skills they learn in our programs while learning new skills and enjoying real-life experiencesin their field of study.The added stipend for students who successfully complete the internship is a great incentive. Many of our students use the money to further their education or help purchase their first car. We’re gratefulto all the donors who have helped provide the stipend and to all the mentors who have taken our students under their wings and provided rich learning experiences.”

GRCA is proud to support this program as we believe hands-on learning at local employers is key in keeping our talent here in Berks long-term! 

UPCOMING EVENT Supervisor Training Module 1 Principles of Supervision, begins Sept. 8, 8:30 to 11:30am. Register at greaterreading.org.

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Featuring Guest Speaker

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Celebrate the recipients of GRCA’s business awards. This memorable evening also features delicious food and connecting with nearly one thousand community and business leaders. PURCHASE TICKETS: GREATERREADING.ORG