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Rose Fashion Show Highlights Local Creators & Innovators

Reading Magazine
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Rose Fashion Show Highlights Local Creators & Innovators

The inaugural Rose Fashion Show was held Saturday afternoon at the WCR Center for the Arts highlighting local creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Held as a fundraiser for Annarose Ingarra-Milch for Mayor, the event was part pop up show and fashion show.

“I believe that each of us has a responsibility to make the world a better place. My goal as Mayor, is to do just that, to grow the goodness. You are seeing some of that today.” said Ingarra-Milch at the opening of the fashion show.

A few of the vendors included A Touch of Grace, Bella Bella, Frock, Im So Reading, Make Love Your Religion, Pagoda Apparel, Queen City Diner, and The Plug.

Josh Spudeno: Local Actor Shares Stories from the Set of Creed II

Jason Hugg
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Josh Spudeno: Local Actor Shares Stories from the Set of Creed II

Local actor Josh Spudeno may not be Hollywoods hottest actor (yet), but he certainly aspires to be. Moving his way up the ladder, Spudeno talks to Jason Hugg about how he got into acting and his recent experience on the set of Creed II.

Spudeno has been featured in Investigation Discovery’s Who Killed Jane Doe, Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History, a TV series documentary, commercial for BB&T Bank, and Creed II as a Ukrainian Security. Spudeno is also cast in an indie film, Arisen Revelations, which is currently being filmed. Spudeno is represented by Beverly Brock at the Brock Agency.

Originally pursuing a degree in graphic design, he found his passion for acting after working at Socktoberfest. Despite initially pursuing other career paths, including climbing trees for power lines, Spudeno realized his heart belonged to acting and decided to pursue it wholeheartedly.

His dedication paid off when he began taking classes with Mike Lemon Casting in King of Prussia. Learning from casting director Melanie Fischetti, Spudeno honed his skills and landed his first speaking role in “Who Killed Jane Doe” season 2. Despite initial nerves, he impressed the crew with his performance and gained valuable insights into the filmmaking process.

Spudeno’s journey continued with appearances in local commercials, including one for BB&T, which showcased his versatility and talent. However, his big break came with “Creed II,” where he played a security officer in a pivotal fight scene alongside stars like Dolph Lundgren and Florian Munteanu.

Reflecting on his experience on set, Spudeno shared anecdotes of interacting with legendary actor Sylvester Stallone and the camaraderie among the cast and crew. His journey from local auditions to sharing the screen with Hollywood icons is a testament to his determination and talent.

Spudenos advise for those looking to get into acting. “Don’t ever quit on what you want to do, be in the moment, and you can do anything you put your mind to”.

As audiences flock to theaters to watch “Creed II” and witness Spudeno’s performance, it’s clear that this local actor is destined for greatness. With his passion, talent, and unwavering determination, Josh Spudeno is a name to remember in Hollywood’s ever-changing landscape.

Behind the Lens with Travel Photographer Mateo Toro

Jason Hugg
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Behind the Lens with Travel Photographer Mateo Toro

Local photographer Mateo Toro has accomplished a lot in the three years since he graduated from Penn State Berks. Toro now holds the title of entrepreneur, teacher, and international travel photographer thanks to his recent trips to Colombia and Cuba.

Just out of college, Toro used his experience with the camera to book local video production job. Soon enough he expanded his client base working with several well know Berks County businesses. Continuing to grow Toro took an opportunity to travel to Colombia to build his brand. “I went to have fun, but I also wanted to focus on the next style of my business” said Toro.

His goal in Columbia was to get his work noticed by the tourism board. After months of traveling around the county, Toro decided to take a risk and take a 4 day expedition to Ciudad Perdida. Touring the “Lost City” is where Toro finally caught the break he was looking for. “It was a great project, but a tough area to get to” said Toro.

Although he was having an amazing time, friends and clients were calling from Reading wondering when he’d be back. So Toro came back to bring a new style of videography to Reading using the skills he learned in Colombia.

It was this time that he started working with Reading Area Community College and Reading High called Upward Bound, helping high school students learn the photography basics.

It was his teaching experience that lead Toro to rethink his career. “With the doors recently opened in Cuba, I again thought it wold be good to go down and work on my photography skills” says Toro. This time focusing only on photography, Toro spent 3 days in the country to learn more about the culture and meet up with a local photojournalist. During his time in Cuba Toro explored the streets to hone in his street photography skills. Taking an estimated 5,000 photo in all.

Toro compared his two trips. “Colombia was from a business stand point to show off the best of the best, Cuba was like, let me capture a moment, something real that can’t be replicated.”

Back in Reading, Toro is still working with small businesses to create unique video content. However, he now has a new mission to document downtown Reading through the same perspective he say Cuba.

Toro now sells prints of his work through his website, retorocle.com/travel and is expecting to publish a coffee-table style book with his collective work.

Justin Schenck: Level Up Your Life with Justin Schenck

Jason Hugg
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Justin Schenck: Level Up Your Life with Justin Schenck

Justin Schenck, entrepreneur, public speaker, and host of The Growth Now Movement podcast talks with Reading Magazine about his new event: The Growth Now Movement LIVE. Recently named a top podcaster to follow by INC.com, each week Schenck sits down with a new guest to discuss personal growth strategies.

“Whether its wealth, the perfect car, the perfect house, or perfect partner, all we are really seeking is happiness. We all have the ability to unlock happiness at will. The way to do that is by growing in all areas of your life.” says Schenck.

To bring his podcast to life, Schenck announced a new weekend conference to be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Reading. Speakers include celebrity chef and entrepreneur Fabio Viviani, best selling author Sarah Centrella, TV personality Albie Manzo, and many more.

Schenck also plans to host a variety of movement makers at the conference. “These are individuals who have been on my show. Who have reached their goals. Who live a life of abundance. My goal with this event is to level up everyone in the room and my Movement Makers will be in attendance to help” says Schenck.

A few of Schenck’s movement makers include Bellator MMA Fighter Justin Wren, Olympic Bronze Medalist Brent Hayden, and local relationship expert and author Andre Young.

Scheduled for May 30 – June 1st, 2019. The event consists of a Podcasters Mastermind and VIP welcome reception on Thursday, group sessions Friday, and a VVIP Mastermind on Sunday. gnmlive.com

Alneasa Jordan: Above and Beyond Human Resources

Jason Hugg
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Alneasa Jordan: Above and Beyond Human Resources

The job of a human resources director may not seem exciting to most people. What’s the first thing you think of? Sitting at an office, filing out paper work, calculating pay role? That may be the job, but that’s not Alneasa Jordan’s job. Working at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading gives her an opportunity to transform her role in human resources to something more unique.

Working in the hospitality, and human resources industry for 10 years, Jordan has found herself to be the go to person at the DoubleTree. Where Jordan differs from others in her field is her compassion for her co-workers. “It’s about enriching the lives of our employees, if they need help finding an apartment or food, I help where they need me the most” says Jordan.

Jordan says her job is more than a title, her goal is to rebuilding the community, one person at a time. “Even when someone doesn’t workout here, I’ll help them find work somewhere else, it’s just who I am.”

It’s important for Jordan to help others because she was in the same position. Recalling her younger years, Jordan says she can relate because she knows what its like to be a mom on welfare, living with eviction threats, and having her car repossessed.

“I was that person, and it was traumatic, especially trying to focus on work when other employees don’t care what your struggle is. That’s why I have a heart to connect with people now and help them” says Jordan.

Not only is Jordan the human resources director, she is also the CARE president at the hotel. CARE is a program by Hilton dedicated to supporting the community. In her role with CARE, Jordan has setup volunteer work for hotel employees across the city including working with the Reading Recreation Commission, Berks Encore, and SafeBerks.

It’s not just about going out to volunteer in the community, it’s also about using the resources of the hotel. “Most recently was the trick or treat and movie night for the kids of the RIZE program. We setup a small maze and haunted house, movie and hot dogs, and snacks for about 38 kids.”

With the holidays Jordan and the CARE program are also working with Meals on Wheels to provide food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanks to Jordan’s management, hotel employees have completed over 1,600 volunteer hours so far this year.

All of this is important to Jordan because it all runs in a cycle. Treating the employees better, helping them take some stresses away, leads to an improved guest experience. “It’s a win win situation when you have great people, provide an environment they can succeed in, and see it all come back when guests are enjoying their stay” says Jordan.

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