President's Day, or Washington’s Birthday, is next Monday, Feb. 20. In light of the federal holiday celebrating our country's founding fathers, Reading Patch would like to know who in history or today has significantly shaped the city. These people could be or have been former educators, bussinesspeople or public officials who established an institution or carried out an innovative policy, leaders of non-profit organizations who noticeably benefitted the poor or entrepreneurs who opened a much-needed restaurant or other business.  Tell us your picks in the comments section, and we’ll publish …

Well, now that the grievous wounds and insults our local professional football franchise suffered on Sunday have, at least slightly, subsided from memory, it’s time to get down to the business of Valentine’s Day. Welcome to the “bring me the head of the man who invented those awful little candy hearts” edition of Patch Picks! Listen up guys: we know the football season is a marathon, not a sprint, and you know who else realizes this? That special lady in your life. She put up with those flecks of Doritos and Cold Cuts spewing from the corners of your mouth as you screamed at referees and …

Well, it has been a tough couple of weeks for "Patch Picks," with very few responses to our last several queries. Here we were, poised to handle a flood of replies, a torrent even. What did we get? Not even a trickle. This week, we have a topic that ought to reverse that trend—we hope. Super Bowl XLVI is Sunday, and the New England Patriots will face the New York Giants in a rematch of the 2007 Super Bowl.  We know there are some passionate Pats fans in Reading, and we are calling upon them to tell us: Where’s the best place in Reading to watch the Super Bowl? Provide the answer and a brief …

On Tuesday we asked you, our loyal readers: What are the best things to do during February vacation?  To say the least, the response we received was underwhelming. But fear not. Since you didn’t have any thoughts on this topic, we came up with some ideas for you.  For this week’s “Patch Picks,” here are some great local activities for February vacation: Kidcasso Art Studio classes: Amy suggested this kid-centric art studio, with locations in Wakefield and in Arlington, saying that prices are "very reasonable, 1-2 hour classes for kids."  Melrose Winter Festival at Mount Hood: Melrose will …

Last week, we asked our readers to tell us where the best hot chocolate in Reading could be found. It seems this topic holds little interest. Due to the lack of responses, we have decided to fearlessly press on to the next edition of Patch Picks. So without further delay, we want to know: What’s the best thing to do during February vacation? Provide the answer and a brief reason why it's noteworthy in the comments section below or in an email to Reading Patch Editor Andrew Jeromski at a.jeromski@gmail.com. The results will be posted in an article next Thursday. Also, do you have a great idea …

Welcome to the “I can’t feel my extremities” edition of “Patch Picks.” With temperatures flirting with single digits, there is nothing like a delicious hot beverage to bring the color back to the face and inject a little warmth into a cold New England morning. Some prefer coffee, but others brake for hot chocolate. We want to know: Where can the best hot chocolate in the Reading area be found? Provide the restaurant's name, address and a brief reason why it's noteworthy in the comments section below or in an email to Reading Patch Editor Andrew Jeromski at a.jeromski@gmail.com. The results …

Last week, we asked you to pick your favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants in, or around, Reading for the re-launch edition of “Patch Picks,” and you’ve stepped up to the plate. Here are your top choices: Aroma Cafe, 607 Main St., Reading: One reader cited this cafe for its summer veggie wrap and Vermont goat cheese pecan salad, that, while not vegan, are both reported to be very tasty. The Flatbread Company, 213 Burlington Road, Bedford: This eatery was nominated behind the fabulous vegan pizza they serve, and, today, they will be hosting a fundraiser for Lots of Love Cat Rescue of Stoneham/…

This week, Reading Patch is resurrecting something that has been missing from the site over the past few weeks. Patch Picks is back, but we need your help.  We want to know: What restaurants serve the best vegetarian and vegan cuisine in the Reading area? Provide the restaurant's name, address and a brief reason why it's noteworthy in the comments section below or in an email to Reading Patch Editor Andrew Jeromski at a.jeromski@gmail.com. The results will be posted in an article next Thursday. Also, do you have a great idea for a future topic to feature on Patch Picks? Tell us in the …

Each week, Reading Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more in our Thursday feature called Patch Picks.  We've looked at great places to watch sporting events, romantic restaurants and non-profits. This week, with the holidays not far away, we want to know from you: where do you go to get your Christmas tree? Do you buy from a fundraiser in town? Do you go to a Christmas tree farm and cut your own? Leave the hard work to someone else? Wherever you go, provide your answers in the comments …

With Thanksgiving on the Horizon, we asked our readers this week for their favorite secrets for preparing the best turkey possible. As sometimes happens, though, we got zero responses. I can’t say I’m surprised. Cooking a thanksgiving turkey usually takes on a standard appearance: defrost the turkey, put it in the oven, tend to it until it’s done. But, that’s not the only way to do it. So, this week, we did some research for you and found five twists on the Thanksgiving bird. Brining While this stretches your Thanksgiving meal preparation into the previous day, more than a few people swear by…

Each week, Reading Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more in our Thursday feature called Patch Picks.  We've looked at great places to watch sporting events, romantic restaurants and non-profits. This week, with the holidays not far away, we want to know from you: How do you make your Thanksgiving turkey special? is it a matter of a spice rub? An unusual ingredient in your stuffing? A basting technique? Perhaps you inject flavor directly into the meat. Whatever your secret, provide your …

As it turns out, Reading Patch readers are quite passionate about food stores. We asked a poll question recently about whether your prefer Market Basket or Stop and Shop and got a great turnout. Then, we asked about businesses to supplement your Thanksgiving feast, and those successes inspired us to ask what general food stores you’re passionate about in the area. You did not disappoint. Farmland (Wakefield) This store earned votes from “highflyer,” “Emily M,” and “M” who said it’s a good place to go for Italian deli and bakery items. “My waistline begs me to stay away,” said Emily M. Trader …

Each week, Reading Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more in our Thursday feature called Patch Picks.  We've looked at great places to watch sporting events, romantic restaurants and non-profits. This week, with the holidays not far away, we want to know from you: What are your favorite local grocers and for what reason? We found that our poll question last week generated a lot of conversation about grocers in the area that aren't Reading's Market Basket or Stop and Shop. Well, we wanted to …

This week, with the year’s biggest feast heading our way, we asked you what local businesses you use to supplement your Thanksgiving dinner—and several of you offered ideas for places you can get those items that you just don’t feel comfortable making yourself. The Wine Shop of Reading Well, its not like many of us make our own wine at home. Yes, it’s possible, but it’s just not a general skill. So, Erin Calvo-Bacci and “VS” suggest heading to this shop to get your Thanksgiving table vino. SammyJo’s Bakery This Haven Street bakery and café bills itself as a good place to get your holiday pies…

Each week, Reading Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more in our Thursday feature called Patch Picks.  We've looked at great places to watch sporting events, romantic restaurants and non-profits. This week, with the holidays not far away, we want to know from you: What local busineses do you use to supplement your Thanksgiving dinner? Where do you buy that pie that you're just not confident cooking yourself? Or that side dish that you just don't feel like doing? What about that centerpiece …

With the fall and winter holidays heading  our way, we decided to devote our Patch Picks this week to local groups that you can help during the year’s greatest time of need. We asked for your input, but we didn’t receive any. So, instead, we decided to highlight some local groups who might need your help. The Reading Food Pantry: Reading’s food pantry, which makes its home at the Old South Methodist Church on Salem Street, needs help all-year long, but you could probably lend a hand during the holidays in the course of your normal routine. When you’re piling turkey and everything else into …

Each week, Reading Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more in our Thursday feature called Patch Picks.  We've looked at great places to watch sporting events, romantic restaurants and non-profits. This week, with the holidays not far away, we're going to take a different tack. We want to know from you: Which local non-profits and charity groups need Thanksgiving help? What are the food banks looking for this year? Is there something they expect a shortage of? What about other Thanksgiving-…

For this week’s Patch Picks, we asked you which Reading athletes deserve a little extra recognition this year—but it seems most of you weren’t interested in sharing. In a little more than two days, we got just two suggestions. Tod Jacobs asked us to recognize Jeremy Battye, the goalkeeper for the Reading Memorial High School varsity boys soccer team. “Jeremy’s excellent goalkeeping skills are a key factor in the soccer team’s strong improvement over last year,” Jacobs said. Over on our Facebook page, Chrissie Flaherty recommended that we recognize RMHS junior Morgan O’Brien, who has been a “…

Each week, Reading Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more in our Thursday feature called Patch Picks.  We've looked at great places to watch sporting events, romantic restaurants and non-profits. This week, we want to know from you: Which of Reading's student athletes are most worthy of note right now? With the fall sports season in full swing, who has increased their effectiveness and suddenly become more valuable to their team? Who is leading their team in the locker room or on the field? …

This week, with “Trick or Treat” season around the corner, we asked you where you get your Halloween pumpkins. Specifically, we asked for your favorite pumpkin patches, and… we got a middling response.  To start off, reader Rick Nazzaro suggested Pumpkin Patch. I laughed until I discovered that our company had, in fact, set up pumpkin.patch.com in honor of the holiday. You wont find any gourds there—at least, none that you can buy—but you will find a surprise. Now, on to physical locations. Reader Nancy Louzan Edwards, commenting on our Facebook page, suggested that readers get their pumpkins…