Chess: Not Just a Game

On a beautiful afternoon nestled under a shade tree in City Park, children play a friendly game of chess. Chess is a wonderful game. It is fun while at the same time teaches strategies which carry over to everyday life. In addition to learning and playing the game, the children are given an outlet to discuss issues concerning drugs, bullying, and other concerns affecting their lives.

Michael Reese, pictured in yellow, is the founder and coordinator for the Million Youth Chess Club. This "Summer Night Chess Program" is one of many which Mike coaches throughout the City of Reading. Mike is a well known community leader who facilitates chess programs in conjunction with the United Way, the Council on Chemical Abuse, and the Reading Police Department.

For more information about the Million Youth Chess Club contact Mike at # 610-373-3061 or mikeree6@aol.com and visit: www.millionyouthchessclub.org

Times and locations for club meetings are located on the Berks Unity Solution Calendar.

Blacktop and T.R.U.E

Story coming soon.

A Day in the Park

Thanks to the Berks Art Council, Friday nights are free concert nights at City Park. People come from all corners of Berks County to enjoy an evening with friends, music, and open air.

Bernard Allison was last week's artist. Allison has toured with, Koko Taylor’s Blues Machine, Johnny Winter and, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Allsion’s style reflects a mix of traditional and modern blues influences in his music, including soul, funk, R&B and rock.

The genre of music changes weekly. For more information about this and other free concerts at City Park visit: http://www.berksarts.org/

Love Comes In All Colors

The young adults pictured here as well as others from around the community volunteered yesterday as "Silent Witnesses" at the Reading Pride Festival.

Silent Witness PA is an organization of gay and straight allies dedicated to providing a non-violent, non-confrontational buffer between participants in this and other similar festivals from protesters who condemn them. They are the PEACEKEEPERS.

Silent Witnesses are often strait individuals who simply believe in protecting the welfare of others. It is not the concern of a Silent Witness as to a person’s particular sexual preference, but rather to care and love others. What a wonderful concept to protect your fellow neighbors. Despite a few arrogant protestors, the Reading Pride Festival was enjoyed by all and a complete success thanks to the efforts of the Silent Witnesses and Reading Police.

For more information visit: www.SilentWitnessPA.org

Making Life A little More Enjoyable

The World Congress on Disabilities and WCD Expo came to The Greater Reading Expo Center this weekend. The Conference was a grand arena concerning issues facing the disability community from experts. Topics included Medicare, housing, civil rights, travel, and more. Individuals also had the opportunity to meet with disability associations and advocacies that are shaping disabilities policy. The Expo was a grand display of all of the latest products and services that are improving the lives of those with disabilities. Pictured here is a young lady who has little arm mobility and is confined to a wheelchair. She is playing a pinball machine with an adapter specifically designed for those with limited motion. The expo was not all fun and games. All the products and services which were on display assist the disabled in the day to day activities of living.

Getting Dirty Is All Part of Business

Henriette Alban and other members of Entrepreneurs' Connection, a group of local business owners, got together last week to give back to our community. Members donated both the plants and their time to beautify the lot located behind the main library at Wood and Franklin streets in Reading. This was their first EC civic project and a huge success. Members will be returning next week to add mulch, plant another tree, add additional plants, and mount their new banner.Library workers, and many visitors walk to the parking lot and past the new garden daily. They are thrilled that someone thought to invest in their environment. "Everyone was so friendly and sweet and thanked us for what we had done," said Henriette.

See the full video at: http://www.ecreferral.com/events.html

For more information about this organization visit: http://www.ecreferral.com/