PA’s Medical Marijuana Act is Law. What does this Mean for you? Carrie Roberts, a consultant with Medicine Man Technologies with a background in law enforcement, discusses the impact this legislation will have for patients, doctors, communities, law enforcement, business and tax revenue. Listen to find out how you get a permit to operate a dispensary or grower/processor facility. Carrie addresses all this and talks about Pennsylvania’s effort to be the leader in studies regarding the medical benefits of Cannabis.

Giovanni Negron Garcia goes by the name of Gio. He turned his name into an acronym – Go Inspire Others. Gio lives this acronym every day. This young man was junior class president and is aiming for Senior Class President at Reading High School for the class of 2017. He says other class presidents didn’t make connections with students. Gio’ s aim is to connect with all the students in his class, to know them by first name and see what their needs are and work to make it happen for them. Gio believes it is important to make connections face-to-face. He has become a mentor for other students and works hard to help them be their best selves. Gio tells them, “Continue moving forward, don’t stop or ever say anything is impossible”.

Giovanni works every day to help his classmates make the necessary connections to move in their right direction after graduation whether that means moving successfully into the workforce or into the next level of education. When connections are made and other students discover their own power he calls it the ‘GIO Effect’. Gio says, “It’s all about having confidence”.

Gio grew up in Reading and his motivation comes from his supportive family. There were some hard times and years of difficulty. He lost a friend to suicide. He learned from all these experiences and remembered what his parents told him growing up …. Don’t Lose Hope. He was tired of seeing opportunities fly by him, he wanted to grab them and help others grab opportunity as well.

It’s every Mom’s worst nightmare, you find out your child is addicted to drugs. Addiction is such an insidious disease and recovery is a process that requires constant navigation. Patti Trabosh talks candidly about her journey with her son Nikko and her experience with insurance companies calling the shots and pulling the plug on recovery. She says it was during a second stint in rehab while at the Caron Foundation that Nikko’s insurance was denied. Caron Foundation offered a scholarship to help Nikko stay for full treatment. That’s when Patti’s mission began. She is grateful for the assistance and is determined to pay it forward. She wants to help others with financial assistance for rehab if they need it

Patti says the most important part of drug rehab is ‘after care’ which is expensive and is not generally covered by insurance. Patti is organizing a walk on October 1 in Kutztown. She wants to pay it forward and help others with funding if they need it to remain in rehab. Patti shares some tell tale signs of addiction that she saw in her son Nikko and offers some ways for parents to deal with their child’s addiction and help them through it. You can get more information about the walk by calling 484-955-9444.

Reading native, Ann Calvaresi Barr has been appointed by President Obama to Inspector General of the United States Agency for International Development, Government Accountability Office (GAO), which provides foreign assistance to those countries who are in need. The agency deals with democratic stabilization, health issues, hunger, malnutrition, reduce poverty. That’s a tall order and tremendous responsibility. She assures independent oversight over those programs that are administered globally.

Still she takes the time to visit her alma mater, Northeast Middle School in Reading, PA where she was named Distinguished Alumni. She speaks with the students about making a difference in life. When asked what part of growing up here in Reading PA plays a role in her career today, Ann says, “ strong family values with support to go forth with confidence, a tremendous public education system in a diverse population along with a myriad of activity opportunities” provided her the foundation of integrity and leadership necessary to navigate a diverse global organization. Listen to her story as she provides valuable advice for kids growing up in Reading today.

Ryke Leigh Douglas taught first through sixth grades in several different school districts for nearly 20 years. She realized a childhood dream when she became a teacher but she never let go of another dream she had. She talks about her childhood, the dreams she had and how she realized them. One day she looked in the mirror wondering about her harbored dream. Ryke Leigh Douglass says the mirror spoke to her. It said, “If you don’t do it now, you’re not ever gonna do it!”

Ryke took the leap, retired from teaching and became an author. She has written 6 children’s books and each one has a special message for children. Her latest book, ‘Tumeleng’ tells the tale of the plight of elephants in Africa! She most welcomes the opportunity to go into classrooms and read her books to the children.

Ryke says that, “Every child needs to know in order to succeed in this world you have to know how to read”. For some children it is a difficult process. It was those children she especially liked to teach. She can be contacted to come to your classroom at [email protected]

Tom Gathman began his latest hike on the Appalachian Trail December 4, 2015 in Maine. It has taken him about 3 months to hike a little over 900 miles to get to the Delaware River Gap area. Cindy Ross literally plucked him from the trail to share his story with us.

Tom met Cindy Ross on his 30th birthday. He was hiking the trail with another marine. They were seeking a journey and an adventure, looking for some happiness. Tom says they were, “seeking a new path in life literally and figuratively”.

Cindy and her husband Todd Gladfelter spent their whole life hiking. Cindy share this quote from Roberto Clemente, “Anytime we have an opportunity to help another human being and we don’t we are wasting our time here on earth”. It was her motivation to start the non-profit, ‘Riverhouse PA’ to help veterans and their families find peace in the outdoors and begin their first 5,000 steps toward healing. Learn more about the opportunities and programs at www.riverhousepa.com.

Tom says there is a big community out on the trail. People from all different walks of life become a second family support network. He adds that hiking the trail does not have much to do with the destination, it is more about all the miles… “People find their path in life while hiking the trail.” Tom has been hiking for the last 3 years… He hasn’t stopped. He says he loves the outdoors and the activity. It is a simple life! Tom Gathman went directly back to the trail to continue his thru hike to Georgia and he is very happy. Follow his adventure on Facebook, The Hiking Viking – Tom Gathman

Fred Murai stopped by The PEOPLE Chronicles during a recent visit to Berks County. He was traveling in the United States to talk about safari trips in Africa. We were curious to learn about his journey. Fred grew up in the Kenyan countryside. As the oldest of 13 children he had to take on chores and take care of younger ones and help out his parents. This meant he was walking 10 miles round trip two times a day to fetch water with his Mother.

What surprised him when he visited the United States? Fred says, “You guys have a lot of running water all the time. When you go for a walk there is no challenge, no snakes, no big animals. The things we take for granted, the basic necessities of life, water and food, are the biggest challenges he and his family face.

He lived close to wild animals in the Kenyan countryside where zebras, hyenas, antelope and buffalo all wander free. The experience of growing up ‘one with the animals’ led to Fred’s desire to share the animals and his countryside with visitors.

Fred says the way kids talk to their parents here in the United States is very different than in Kenya. Listen to his story to learn more of the differences and similarities between our cultures.

Mark Goldstein’s story started in 2012. He shares the story of his ‘moment of truth’. It was that moment that motivated him to organize ‘Blankets Of Hope’. Over the past 4 years Marc has become more educated about the need. ‘Blankets of Hope’ currently works with over 40 organizations that have a need for blankets. Marc said the movement grew more than he expected.

‘Blankets of Hope’ does not stock blankets. As donations come in blankets are ordered and sent directly to the organization that needs them. More and more groups are getting involved, raising money and donating it to ‘Blankets of Hope’. Many groups will ask for their donations to be used to buy blankets for specific organizations. Marc accommodates that and has blankets shipped as requested.

Marc’s story started with a personal moment of truth and has come full circle as the work that is done has served as a moment of truth for many more in his community. Marc Goldstein sees ‘Blankets of Hope’ growing and serving surrounding counties. For now it is a strictly volunteer effort. Marc and four other board members all work full time and volunteer their spare time to this effort. Even web services are donated so that the money you donate to ‘Blankets of Hope’ is a 100% donation directly to providing blankets to those who need them.

Laurie Rhodes love of animals and dedication to helping others led her to a mission that is underserved I this community. She says there is a bond between people and their pets and “when you feed a pet and feed the soul. Laurie points out it is not her, but neighbors helping neighbors that allow her to carry out this mission.

Her journey began in 2012 when she brought food and warm clothing for people in Reading. Laurie Rhodes found that people will give their last dime and their last bite of food to feed their pets. She realized that people will live on the street in order to keep caring for their pets. Laurie had done rescue for animals for decades. Her two passions collided and today her phone does not stop ringing.

There is a need to feed pets, She distributes about 1400 pounds a month. The pet is often a person’s lifeline. Laurie says that, “In saving a pet you are actually saving a person”. She talks about the difficulties she dealt with as she embarked on a mission to care for people’s pets. Today food shelters ask for her help. Listen as Laurie shares the stories of the people she meets and their pets. She needs your help.

Meet Brian Twyman, newly elected councilman representing District Three in Reading. Brian says he learned early on that time matters and it's too important to let it slip by. He certainly doesn’t have much idle time. After graduating from college Brian was thirsting for more knowledge about philosophy and evolution. He studied systems and how they impact the way a neighborhood, a school, a city functions. Armed with this information Brian became very engaged in his community with permaculture, recycling and education. He set about doing what he could to make Reading a better place in the way it functions.

He established permaculture gardens in the greenhouse at City Park, instituted a recycling program in the Reading School District and conducted programs about permaculture in schools. When asked what compelled him to run for public office Brian said, “I can be effective one on one and in small groups… I wanted to do more on a macro level where you can affect policy legislation and how things function on a larger scale”. Brian Twyman would like to see District 3 thrive on a greater level. He discusses systems of exchange and utilizing them for growth.