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Hey Reading, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: County courthouse relocation, a top-ranked housing market, and free poker + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
County plans big relocation: Berks County commissioners approved a $7.2 million offer for the former Wells Fargo at 600 Penn St to house staff during planned courthouse repairs amid safety concerns and rising costs -- read the full story.
A standout local market: Reading was ranked No. 6 in WSJ and Realtor.com's Summer 2026 Housing Market list, citing balanced conditions. The index weighs demand, supply, price trends, property taxes, and climate risk -- read the full story.
Staffing changes raise concerns: Tower Health announced 160 layoffs at Pottstown Hospital, and a Pennsylvania nurses’ union warns Berks hospitals could feel the strain. Negotiations this week as expansions could add 40 jobs -- read the full story.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Stargaze close to home: Neag Planetarium of the Reading Public Museum turns curiosity into goosebumps with all-ages shows like Earth, Moon & Sun, The Exoplanets, Messengers of Time and Space, and Astronaut, plus the occasional music-filled night and Yoga Under The Stars. Perfect for a midweek reset or family brain-fuel.
Find your new sound: Skip the same-old six string and wander Todaro's Music for world instruments you don’t see every day, plus sheet music and method books to actually learn them. They import gear from all over, answer questions by text, and are now in Shillington… go poke around.
Time for a treasure hunt: OppShop is the local thrift goldmine to browse this week for clothes, housewares, furniture, books, and media, the kind of place where a quick stop turns into a full-on treasure hunt. Better yet, every purchase supports Opportunity House programs helping neighbors experiencing homelessness, so your great find does double duty.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🌱 Plant & Grow Day @ Reading Public Library - Main Library | Tuesday (8/4) at 4:00 PM – Whether you’re a houseplant whisperer or the reason succulents have trust issues, a free plant awaits, plus easy care tips from Tiana, garden expert and manager of the GoggleWorks Garden. Low stakes, high reward, and your windowsill finally earns its keep.
🃏 Free Poker @ Bertie’s Inn, Exeter Township | Tuesday (8/4) at 6:15 PM – Tuesday nights call for free Texas Hold’em at Bertie’s, in the old 1791 Snyder Tavern, where your poker face pairs with creaky floors and neighborhood gossip. It’s a no-cost social league, early birds snag bonus chips, and you can qualify for over $1M in prizes.
📚 Toddler Storytime @ Mifflin Community Library | Wednesday (8/5) at 10:00 AM – Wednesday mornings call for toddler mayhem at the library. The littles read, craft, and dance while you enjoy blessed minutes of semi-structured joy, a few deep breaths, and coffee that is still warm. Predictable, cozy, and mercifully indoors.
📚 Preschool Storytime @ Wyomissing Public Library | Wednesday (8/5) at 10:30 AM – Need a civilized outlet for your tiny tornado? Preschool Storytime serves up books, songs, rhymes, and wiggle-friendly movement, followed by a craft that quietly builds fine motor skills and reinforces the story. For ages 3 and up, no registration required.
🤝 Community Day @ Berks Community Health Center at Oakbrook | Wednesday (8/5) at 4:00 PM – Celebrate National Health Center Week with a proper neighborhood mix of music, snacks, info tables, kids activities, and free health screenings. Think block party meets checkup, no waiting room required. Catch up with neighbors, learn a thing or two, and feel smugly responsible.
🥕 Reading Roots Market @ GoggleWorks Center for the Arts | Thursday (8/6) at 11:00 AM – Reading Roots Market is turning GoggleWorks into your weekly lunchtime excuse to be a responsible adult, with peak-season produce, free art demos, story time, and the occasional owl cameo. Bring the kids, your tote, and your opinions on tomatoes. SNAP, FMNP, cash, and cards welcome.
🏥 Community Day @ BCHC at Penn Street | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – National Health Center Week calls for a free neighborhood tune-up at BCHC on Penn St., with health screenings, music, snacks, and kid-friendly chaos. Stroll the info tables, let the little ones burn energy, and leave feeling smug about responsible adulthood, and slightly over-snacked.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Reading report Weather forecastToday — High: 84°F — Low: 65°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. East wind 0 to 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 84°F — Low: 71°F — Precip: 49%
A slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. This house is wildThis impeccably maintained Greth-built home offers over 4,300 finished square feet on 1.75 private acres in Wheatfield Run. Custom-built in 2007, it pairs vaulted ceilings, oak hardwoods, crown molding, and under-cabinet lighting with a luxurious primary suite, Jacuzzi tub, and walk-in shower. A finished lower level and oversized garage add even more appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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