The LGBT Center of Greater Reading is holding the grand opening of its wellness clinic on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m at the center, 640 Centre Ave. The clinic aims to offer a safe, inclusive and affirming space where individuals can access high-quality medical and mental health services. The opening ceremony will feature speakers sharing their insights, perspectives and personal experiences.
The LGBT Center has assembled a team of physicians, practitioners and support staff committed to providing culturally competent care. Initial services include:
• The AIDS Care Group – HIV, and STI screening, treatment and education; PrEP/PEP services; Pregnancy and Clinical Chemistry.
• Dr. Tabetha Super’s House of Health – Chiropractic and massage services.
• Reiki Balance – Reiki and mindfulness services.
• Co-County Wellness Services – HIV screening.
Dr. K. Ashley Brandt will serve as clinical director.
Martin Luther King events
Programs celebrating the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. will be held Sunday and Monday, Jan. 14 and 15 at the Albright College Merner-Pfeiffer-Klein Chapel.
On Sunday at 3 p.m. there will be a worship experience led by the Rev. Bruce Alick of Zion Baptist Church. A celebration of young people is scheduled for Monday at 5 p.m. featuring recognition of youth and making a difference and performances by youth and church choirs.
The events are sponsored by Albright, the Reading Branch of the NAACP and the Reading and Vicinity Ministerial Association.
Berks parks events
The following January events are scheduled by the Berks County Parks & Recreation Department:
Tuesday, Jan. 16, Read with a Ranger: Tracks & Scat, 10 a.m., Berks County Heritage Center, Bern Township. Kids ages 3-5 are invited to enjoy a themed story, go for a walk on the trail and complete a craft to become an honorary Junior Ranger. Free but registration suggested.
Saturday, Jan. 20, Owl Prowl, 6 p.m. at Bingaman House, Lower Alsace Township. Enjoy a moonlit stroll on Antietam Lake Park’s trails while learning about owls. Free, registration required.
Tuesday, Jan. 23, Homeschool Hour: Tracks & Scat, 10-11 a.m. at Bingaman House. Find clues and signs of animal activity in our parks. This is not a drop-off program. $5 per child, registration required.
Saturday Jan. 27, Coffee with A Ranger, 8-10 a.m. at the Heritage Center. Join park rangers for a cup of coffee, a donut and good conversation. Free, registration suggested.
Saturday, Jan. 27, Snowshoe Saturdays, 10 a.m. at the Heritage Center. Try out snowshoes and join an hourlong walk down the Union Canal Trail. A limited number of snowshoes are available. Lack of snowpack may cancel this event. Free, advance registration required.
Register for programs at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program Questions? Email LGauker@CountyofBerks.com or call 610-374-2944, extension 2611.
Penn Street Christmas
Richard Polityka will present a program on “Christmas Past on Penn Street” at the West Lawn – Wyomissing Hills Library, 101 Woodside Ave., West Lawn. The free program is scheduled for Wednesday. Call the library at 610-678-4888 for more information.
Golden Retriever Rescue
Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue will hold its monthly Open House on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at its Golden Gateway facility at 60 Vera Cruz Road, Reinholds. Come out and meet and greet dogs that are available for adoption. Staff is on hand to answer questions, and food is available for purchase. No admission charge. (No photos please, and do not bring other dogs to this event.) For more information, contact info@dvgrr.org, call 717-484-4799 or visit dvgrr.org/adopt/monthlyopenhouse/.
Art for Adults
Artist Sara Miller will offer a new Art for Adults series at the Wyomissing Public Library beginning Friday at 1 p.m. The four-week series will focus on Improvisation Quilting and will be held Jan. 12, 19 and 26 and Feb. 2, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. each week.
The series will progress from a discussion of basic hand sewing techniques to the final result, a set of fabric coasters made of a collage of fabrics using simple stitches.
Class size is limited to 15 students. The cost is $25 for the series, payable to the Wyomissing Public Library on or before Friday. Each class will meet at the library at 9 Reading Blvd. in Wyomissing. Registration is required and includes the full series; no single class registration will be accepted, and no refunds will be given.
A native of Wyomissing, Miller has always found inspiration in nature. For a window into her work visit @lookingagainandagain on Instagram.
To register for the series email ann@wyopublib.org or call the library at 610-374-2385.
Indoor flea market
An indoor flea market and 25-cent sale (clothing, shoes, books, household and more) will be held Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. at Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Barto, PA. All are welcome.
Mideast talk
The World Affairs Council of Greater Reading is holding a moderated panel presentation and discussion Wednesday, Jan. 17 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The topic is “Understanding the Current Palestinian and Israeli Conflict.”
The program is free to the public at the McGlinn Conference Center at Alvernia University, 460 Bernadine Street, Reading.
The program is presented live with the option to register via Zoom for those unable to attend in person. There will be ample opportunity for questions and answers.
Registration is quick and easy. For more detailed information, go to www.wacreading.org then select Upcoming Events.
Tod A. Witman, Advanced Placement World History teacher, Schuylkill Valley High School, will begin the program with a capsule 4,000-year history of Palestine.
Library trustee
Warren Weik has been appointed to serve as a member of the Reading Public Library’s Board of Trustees.
Warren Weik is chief operating officer and lead portfolio manager of Weik Capital Management. He is a member of the CFA Society of Philadelphia and the Rotary Club of West Reading-Wyomissing. He is a director and board treasurer of the World Affairs Council of Greater Reading and serves on the board of the YMCA of Reading & Berks County.
His library board term runs through December 2026.
Rajah Shrine
The Blandon-based Rajah Shriners organization has installed a new slate of officers.
Donald G. Heimbecker, Easton, was installed as Potentate of the 1,900-member fraternal organization. Heimbecker is the 96th member of Rajah Shrine to lead the group since its founding in 1893.
Other elected officers include Ronald L. Szapacs, Slatington, Chief Rabban; John K. Grumbein, Allentown, Assistant Rabban; Gregory T. Miller, Slatington, High Priest & Prophet; and Jon Schneider, Sinking Spring, Oriental Guide. Reelected were Ronald F. Rapp, Past Potentate, Blandon, Treasurer; and Les A. Werley, Hamburg, Recorder.
Heimbecker appointed Dennis B. Guignet Sr., Allentown, as Ceremonial Master and Garrett Newhertz, Easton, as Marshal for 2024. Also appointed were Carl G. Frey, Mohrsville, Captain of the Guard; and Terrance L. Swingholm, Slatington, Outer Guard. The installing officer was the immediate Past Potentate, Duane A. Dellecker.
National post
LuAnn Oatman, president and CEO of Berks Encore, has been elected vice chairwoman of the Meals on Wheels America board of directors; a national organization dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation.
Oatman has been serving on the Meals on Wheels America board since 2020 and recently served as board chair of the Meals on Wheels Pennsylvania board.
For 18 years Oatman has led Berks Encore, the nonprofit agency providing Meals on Wheels to Berks County residents. She leads a team of staff and volunteers to provide services that promote aging with confidence.
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Source: Berkshire mont