2017-2018

WINTER EDITION Council Corner

Fair Districts for Pennsylvanians local communities? How much do they real- ly care about our businesses and infrastruc- Sadly, when it comes to electing our repre- ture, especially when we are just a small part sentatives to Congress in Washington and to of their gerrymandered districts? the state General Assembly in Harrisburg, I don't think it’s a stretch to say that most of Modern gerrymandering is an unconstitu- us wonder whether our votes really matter. tional theft of our right to representation. It reduces us to red and blue votes, and yes, it We’ve all, no doubt, heard about gerryman- means our votes really do not matter. dering, and we probably all know about the related court battles from Wisconsin and Gerrymandering ignores the communities in Inside This Edition Pennsylvania, to name but two. which we live and work. It ignores our school districts. It ignores our businesses. It Fair Districts for It’s the same trick that political leaders from ignores our infrastructure. The point of ger- both major parties have been pulling for rymandering is not what’s best for constitu- Pennsylvanians……………….1 over 200 years to protect themselves and ents but what’s good for politicians. And their party from being voted out of office. there’s the problem. Reading Public

Library…………………………….2 At one time, gerrymandering was just a par- Berks County has not been served well be- cause of our gerrymandered districts that lor game for political leaders. Today, howev- Running Waters……………..3 er, with modern mapping technology, gerry- make our votes and our representation near- mandering can be done to a razor’s edge ly meaningless. Reading Public giving one party an outsized advantage over the others. And that’s troubling. There is a better way. Fair Districts PA sup- Museum………………………….4 ports an amendment to the state constitu- Winter Recreation It now means party leaders already know tion that eliminates political influence in determining our congressional and state which candidate will win in each district, Programs………………………..5 even before the first vote is cast. And this is legislative districts. Senate Bill 22 and why, for the last ten years, we’ve had pretty House Bill 722 will end gerrymandering in Olivet Boys & Girls much the same representatives in Congress Pennsylvania. They are identical bills. and in the Pennsylvania General Assembly Club………………………………..6 Both bills are currently in the State Govern- year after year after year. Project “Buy a Brick”……...8 ment Committees of their respective Cham- ber in the General Assembly in Harrisburg. In Berks County, in 2016, none of our state Healthy Streams and legislative candidates for the General As- They need to have public hearings, and for sembly in Harrisburg had opponents in the that to happen, we need local legislators to Lakes……………………………...9 General Election. After all, running against stand up and speak out for their passage. an incumbent is expensive and if there’s Which means we all need to contact our very little chance of winning with gerryman- local legislators, now, and urge them to co- dered districts, why even bother? sponsor these bills.

When it comes to our representation in Four of our Berks County state representa- Washington, Berks County is divided into tives, , Thomas Caltagirone, four congressional districts, each of which Mark Gillen and Jim Cox have co-sponsored crosses into several other counties and di- House Bill 722. One of our state senators, vides our local communities, school dis- Judy Schwank, has co-sponsored Senate Bill tricts, business corridors and public infra- 22. We need to thank them for representing structure. And none of our congressional their constituents, first and foremost. representatives live in Berks County. The following Berks County state represent- So, how well can they really know us or our atives have yet to co-sponsor House Bill 722:

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Barry Jozwiak, , David Maloney, and . The following state senators have yet to co-sponsor Senate Bill 22: Bob Mensch, David Argall and John Rafferty. We need to let them know that as their constituents, we want them to represent us, first and foremost, rather than the status quo, which clearly is not working in Washing- ton or Harrisburg. They need to stand up and speak out for the passage of these bills, and they need to do so now. Ask them to co-sponsor these bills, today.

The Reading City Council has passed a resolution of support for redistricting reform in Pennsylvania. They know well what the lack of good representation has meant for our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and infrastructure. Other local municipalities are also passing resolutions of support for redistricting reform.

Redistricting reform is not about changing representation from one political party or the other. That should always be up to the voters. Redistricting reform is about good represen- tation. It’s about making our votes matter.

We need to put our elected officials on notice that we intend to make our votes matter, with or without them. And we can each help end gerrymandering in Pennsylvania and in Berks County, once and for all, by contacting our local state legislators, who can fix this for all Pennsylvanians.

Contact us at FairDistrictsPA.com for more information about how you can help change the way politics works in our state and in Berks County.

Arthur Naylor, Coordinator for Berks and Schuylkill Counties, Fair Districts PA [email protected]

Reading Public Library When the weather outside is frightful, cozy up with our books and movies! A host of resources are available from Reading Public Library without leaving the comfort of work or home. Your library card gives you access to an exciting world of movies, audio books and music, e-books, comic books, and more. This is sure to be your favorite part: it’s all FREE!

Now, let’s give you a rundown of our streaming services and platforms. Hoopla is our streaming digital media (eMedia) service that allows you to watch, listen, or read up to 5 items per month. As a parent, you may want to manage the content your children have access to; parental controls for their viewing are easy on Hoopla.

If you love e-books, Overdrive is the platform for you. Overdrive operates through an app called Libby. There are no limits to the number of audio or e-books you can borrow, although you are limited to 10 at one time. Engaging content is available for children, teens, and adults. For both Hoopla and Over- drive (Libby) you can download the app for free from Google Play or the iTunes store.

Do you know about our eCard? If you live, work, or attend school in Reading you can get one. Access to our eMedia ser- vices and the computers at our 4 locations are available with an eCard. You can enjoy eCard use regardless of any fines or fees you may have accrued with your library card.

Do you need a library card? Maybe your old one is gathering dust and you haven’t used it in years….since that last high school project. Dig it out, and come see us or call to get your infor- mation updated. If you never had a library card, what are you waiting for? Get one today by stop- ping by any of our branches, just bring along your PA driver’s license or ID.

As always, if you need help, contact your nearest library branch by phone or online at read- ingpubliclibrary.org. Come visit us too – we offer programs, Wi-Fi, classes, and more. If you get a new mobile device for the holidays, we can help set it up for you to access all the free digital media of Reading Public Library. Running Waters—Journey into the City’s Water System

While this is probably the only book I With over 220 miles of water pipes, the will ever publish, writing this book about water system is quite large. In addition the City water system was a very reward- to the Reading population, the system “…..I decided ing experience. My journey with the also provides water service to some bor- City’s water system started on July 17, oughs and townships. I have personally to write a book 1978, when I was only 18. Starting as a seen water mains that were laid in the

Maintenance I worker, the whole water 1800s. The last of the old wooden pipes industry was new to me. Like anyone were removed a generation before my to provide the else I only knew: open the tap and the time here at the plant. water comes out. My journey taught me public with a When I discovered the old photos show- what happens behind the scenes. ing the history of the water system, I In 1750, Reading had its first town water decided to write a book to provide the chance to pump. Two hundred and twenty eight public with a chance to experience the years later, I was at the treatment plant evolution of the water system since its experience the watching the water flow into the plant inception and what happens behind the from Lake Ontelaunee. Working at the scenes to allow that water to flow from evolution of the plant taught me about some chemistry your faucet. This book was published in and how the DEP oversees water parame- 2017. The book is available for purchase ters. In 1984 I transferred into the water for $40. To get a copy please contact water system storeyard, better known as the distribu- Gary Phillips at [email protected] or by tion system. Here I learned how the wa- text or phone at 484-651-3052. I am so since its grateful for the journey and education the City has given me. inception and what happens

By Gary Phillips, Plant behind the Superintendent, Filter Plant Reading Area scenes…..” Water Authority

—Gary Phillips

ter produced at the filter plant was con- veyed to the people who use the City’s water utility. In 1999 I went back to the filtration plant working at the residuals facility and later I transferred back to the filter plant. I worked my way up to Chief Operator, then Plant Superintendent and acquired my state water operator’s li- cense. After 39 years at the plant, my education continues as regulations change and technology advances.

Page 3 Do you suffer from Winter Blues?

The Reading Public Museum can help

Love taking the family on adventures stein, Tom Wesselmann, Berks Coun- but don’t enjoy the cold? Good news ty native — Keith Haring, and more. — keep warm and make discoveries at The exhibition is sponsored locally by the Reading Public Museum (RPM) all The Marlin and Ginger Miller Exhibi- winter long! There is something for tion Endowment. everyone to enjoy this winter season When visiting these next two exhibi- from exciting exhibitions to fun for information on these events, please tions, make sure to strap on some the whole family events including see our website at readingpublicmuse- boots and wear your finest leather. pictures with Santa and a family um.org. Hit the Road: Classic Motorcycles friendly New Year’s kick off. To start, (on view through January 7) consumes When the holiday excitement mel- here are three of RPM’s popular exhi- more than 2,000 square feet of The lows, there are exciting things to look Museum with classic, limited forward to at The Museum. Two new edition bikes. Motorcycles in- exhibitions will open January 27 – Doc clude the MT 500 which was used McStuffins: The Exhibit and Keith in operation Desert Storm in Iraq Haring: Symbolic Gestures. Doc and the Captain America motor- McStuffins: The Exhibit, is based on cycle driven by the actor Peter Disney Junior’s Peabody Award- Fonda in the film Easy Rider. The winning animated television series, exhibition is sponsored by Tomp- Doc McStuffins. The highly interactive kins VIST Bank. For the kiddos, English and Spanish bilingual experi- next door to Hit the Road is the ence will transport kids and families children’s exhibition Hands-On from Doc’s backyard clinic to the Harley-Davidson (on view McStuffins Toy Hospital. There, fami- through January 7) sponsored by lies are invited to help Doc perform Classic Harley-Davidson in Leesport. check-ups and diagnose toy patients bitions, Pop Culture: Selections This hands-on exhibit lets children while learning about healthy habits, from the Frederick R. Weisman Art (and parents!) dream up their own compassion, and nurturing care. Foundation, Hit the Road: Classic motorcycle while learning about grav- Motorcycles, and for the kids, Hands ity and friction, build a motorcycle Continued on page 5 -On Harley-Davidson will be on view inspired by a real Harley-Davidson through mid-January. Don’t worry, Road King® using interchangeable stay warm through the spring with parts, and ride one while learning two new exhibitions opening at the about safety when playing the role of end of January, Doc McStuffins: The a motorcycle-riding community ser- Exhibit and Keith Haring: Symbolic vice officer. Focusing on STEM Gestures. (science, technology, engineering, and Pop Culture Selections from the mathematics) based education, Hands Frederick R. Weisman Foundation -On Harley-Davidson makes it a fun (on view through January 14) transfers learning experience for the entire visitors back to when the Pop Art family! movement first emerged in the mid- To extend the excitement, The Muse- 1950s. During this time, artists sought um is hosting two family events, Pic- to challenge traditional concepts of tures with Santa and Noon-Year's art-making by incorporating consum- Eve. At Pictures with Santa on De- er culture and everyday objects into cember 10 from 11 am – 2 pm, there their works. Artists transformed icons will be crafts and activities as well as associated with mass media, comic time to pose for a quick picture with books, and popular culture into visual Santa. For Noon-Years on December expressions that often reflected a 31 from 10 am – 1 pm there will be fun growing consumerism in society at activities and crafts to celebrate the large. Pop Culture demonstrates how new year as well as a mini balloon the movement’s extensive history has drop at 12 noon! At both events, fami- influenced artistic production in our Page 4 lies will have time to explore the ex- present cultural movement. Artists hibits and galleries. To find out more include Andy Warhol, Roy Lichten- Continued from page 4

The year 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of Keith Haring’s first solo exhibition held at the Pittsburgh Arts and Craft Center in 1978. The Reading Public Museum, where the artist first exhibited his work in 1976, will mount an exhibition Keith Haring: Symbolic Gestures of paintings, prints, and sculpture from all phases of his career by the internationally-known “hometown” artist. Raised in Kutztown, Berks County, Keith Haring went on to become one of the most influential artists of his generation, making his mark as both a graffiti artist and later, as a fine artist. Haring enlisted a language of visual symbols that embodied the essence of his age—televisions, radiant babies, barking dogs, hearts, pyramids, etc. — all of which became univer- sally recognizable. A visit to The Museum is always a warm adventure with discoveries to be made. Where there is something for every- one, see you at The Museum! For details on all Museum Happenings, see the website readingpublicmuseum.org.

Winter Recreation Programs

Recreation programs are inside during the cold winter months!

There are many choices to keep your children active and supervised. A full description of programs is listed on the attachment along with the contact information for each program.

The Reading Recreation Commission offers after school programming and sports, including their award winning indoor tennis program. Reading Youth Athletics hold their basketball, wrestling, and dance team seasons.

There are after school programs at all locations of the Olivet Boys & Girls Club.

In addition to structured programming, winter months are perfect for enjoying the local parks and play- grounds as a family – go sledding, build a snowman or a fort, have a snowball battle. Get out there and enjoy!

***Please see attachment for locations and program list.

Page 5 During the school year, Clubs operate Mon- and so much more. They also take weekly day through Friday from 2:30pm to 9:00pm. trips to Reading Movies 11 & IMAX, Clinton Younger children flood the Club when it first Street Pool, and Olivet’s Blue Mountain Camp opens, and teens generally come later in (BMC) in Hamburg. the evening. When you step foot in a Club, only then will you witness the magic that BMC enables inner-city youth to experience a takes place daily. You find young people different kind of fun in an environment that learning, exploring and connecting with many of them are not familiar with. At BMC, What began as a fledgling organization for caring adults, youngsters completing school- Club kids participate in fishing, canoeing, boys in a small basement in the Olivet Pres- work, and teens researching colleges or archery, hiking, swimming and other outdoor byterian Church in 1898, is now our commu- planning community service projects. You activities. Trips to Clinton Street Pool allow nity’s strongest support system for local hear lots of laughter and see smiles as mem- the campers to learn to swim, play water youth. For over 119 years, Olivet Boys & Girls bers play and enjoy quality time with each games, and beat the heat. Club has strived to create Great Futures for other. the children of Reading. RBI (Revitalizing Baseball in Inner City) base- Club kids are always able to enjoy a snack, ball and softball programs are also offered to Our mission is, “To enable all young people, partake in Power Hour (homework help) and Olivet summer campers. The prime purpose especially those who need us most, to reach mentoring, participate in a wide array of pro- of these programs is to re-introduce, revive, their full potential as healthy, productive, gramming including the SMARTS (Skills and rebuild interest and participation in base- caring, responsible citizens.” We welcome Mastery and Resistance Training) series, and ball and softball among underserved youth. youth ages 6-18, providing them with a safe play a variety of games and sports. When Several teams are organized amongst the environment offering programs that encour- members don’t have homework, they’re still Clubs and players are able to practice and age character development, education, life expected to engage in some form of academ- scrimmage all summer long at Gordon skills and exposure to arts and culture. ic enrichment activity. Our SMARTS pro- Hoodak Stadium, behind Lauer’s Park Ele- grams teach kids to adopt a healthy diet, and mentary School. Our organization aims to reverse negative practice healthy lifestyle choices. Sports trends our members are often forced to tack- offered include, but are not limited to, intra- At the PAL Center for the Arts, Club kids have le. We firmly believe that each and every child mural basketball, flag football, baseball, and the opportunity to partake in theatre camp. deserves a Great Future despite the challeng- softball. Select campers kick off the summer by partic- es they face. For many of our members, the ipating in a two-week music emersion pro- Club serves as a second home, a positive Over the summer, routine switches up a bit. gram sponsored by the Reading Musical environment where they can grow and pros- Club doors are open from 8:00am to 6:00pm Foundation. At the end of the two weeks, the per. during an eight-week camp. Summer camp campers put on a show, called “Face the allows local youth to stay busy and participate Music”, highlighting everything that they’ve Olivet serves over 3,000 kids in eight club- in safe, fun alternatives. Children are able to learned. The rest of the summer is dedicated houses and six school sites in Reading as enjoy engaging learning activities, arts & to practicing for the end of summer perfor- well as Pottstown. crafts, a variety of sports, music programs, mance. This past year, they performed The

Reading Locations Center for the Arts - 328 Walnut St. 610-373-8910 Clinton Street Club- 677 Clinton St. 610-373-4266 Glenside Club- 880 Avenue C 610-763-2600 Mulberry Street Club- 722 Mulberry St. 610-376--0756 Oakbrook Club- 1161 Pershing Blvd. 610-478-8885 PAL Club- 325 Walnut St. 610-376-7229 Pendora Park Club- 330 S. 19th St. 610-370-7496 Pottstown Location Ricketts Center- 640 Beech St. 484-945-1020 Page 6 Continued from page 6

All of the performances at our CFA are free and open to the public. We’re always welcoming new Club members! The Club experience is a Additionally, our 21st Century Community Learning Centers operate one of a kind opportunity! Member- within the Reading School District. The overall program goal is to ship is just $15 for the school year. increase state standardized test scores in reading, math, and science Applications can be found on our while decreasing truancy, negative behaviors and dropout rates by website, or just stop by your near- providing a motivating after-school program. The program introduces est Club and they’ll take great care students to 21st Century Skills that they can use in all areas of their of you. lives. Students learn valuable life skills, such as thinking, reasoning, teamwork, investigative, and creative skills. For more information please visit our website at www.olivetbgc.org or call our Administration Office at 610-373-1314. You can also stay up 21st Century operates at six locations (the four middle schools, inter- to date by following us on Facebook (Olivet.Boys.Girls.Club), Twitter mediate and RHS) and is held Tuesday through Friday during after- (OlivetBGC), and Instagram (OlivetBGC). school hours. The middle schools and Reading Intermediate High School students meet from 3:30pm until 6:30pm and Reading High School students meet from 2:45pm until 6:00pm.The high school program focuses on credit recovery.

The 21st Century curriculum has a dual focus of providing academic assistance in addition to engaging students in rigorous STEM pro- gramming. The first half of each day is spent on academics which are taught by Reading School District teachers. The second half of the daily program involves STEM programming operated through Olivet Boys & Girls Club.

Students explore: - Programming language using Scratch - Hour of Code - Build robots - Create phone apps - Learn clay animation - Hands-on science experiments

21st Century Community Learning Centers

Northeast Middle School- 1216 N. 13th St

Northwest Middle School- 1000 N. Front St.

Southern Middle School- 931 Chestnut St.

Southwest Middle School- 300 Chestnut St.

Reading Intermediate High School- 215 N. 12th St.

Reading Senior High School- 801 N. 13th St.

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