International Literacy Day

 Because I was away at Camp Joy on September 8th, I missed the commemoration of International Literacy Day.  As a teacher, this cause is very near and dear to my heart, because I get to witness the effects of illiteracy on a daily basis.  It's not just my students with learning disabilities who struggle with reading, but a shockingly large proportion of the 'regular' kids as well.
I don't want to get all preachy here, so I'll just give you a few facts:

According to UN analysis ... some 776 million people lack minimum literacy skills, that means one in five adults [worldwide} are yet illiterate (International Literacy Day 2010).

According to the U.S. Department of Education, functional illiteracy affects some twenty-four million Americans, preventing them from understanding basic instructions, filling out an application for a social security card, or reading a map.  They can indeed read, but with minimal comprehension.

Two Thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the fourth grade will end up in jail or on welfare.

More than 60 percent of all prison inmates are functionally illiterate. (begintoread.com)

photos by UNESCO.org

 

Adopted in the year 1965 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Literacy Day is observed every year...[on September 8th], with the goal of raising awareness of illiteracy and its consequences.

The International Literacy Day 2010 website states:  Literacy is not just about educating, it is a unique and powerful tool to eradicate poverty and a strong means for social and human progress. The focus of literacy lies in acquiring basic education for all, eradicating poverty, reducing infant mortality, simmering down population growth, reaching gender equality and ensuring constant development, peace and democracy.

A good place to learn more about literacy and how you can help is Global Literacy Project, Inc.

In honor of International Literacy Day, I thought it would be nice to share with you some of the books I've been reading lately.  I recently finished "As Far as the Eye Can See: Reflections of an Appalachian Trail Hiker" by David Brill.  A memoir of the author's adventures while hiking the full 2,100 mile length of the Appalachian Trail, this book is a quick, easy, and entertaining read.  Though many of the anecdotes related here made me laugh out loud, it's also the story of how the five-month long experience changed the author as a person.

As for fiction, I recently read Paolo Bacigalupi's "The Windup Girl" , a sort of futuristic dystopian novel set in an all too possible future where the dire predictions about humans' destruction of the environment have come true.  Genetic engineering and agribusiness have gone wild, along with global warming.  Emiko is the windup girl, genetically engineered to serve humans, and said to have no soul.  What happens when she becomes involved in the ensuing fight to dominate the calories trade reads like a fast-paced crime novel.  What makes this book so compelling (beyond the subjects it explores) is the richly detailed world created by Bacigalupi, so real you can see it.  The novel won Bacigalupi several awards, and they are well-deserved.


I hope this post didn't bore you, and even perhaps that you gained something from it.  If you enjoyed the book reviews, let me know; I may do it again sometime.  Enjoy your day!

Transformation 37

Well, I've just completed the 37th piece in this ongoing series. In an earlier post, I described how the Transformations series came about as an accidental act of desperation. Ironically, these pieces are what's selling right now, which keeps me making more- and now even more. The Promenade Gallery in Berea, Kentucky has been having quite a run on them this summer.

Then, a few weeks ago, I was contacted by an interior designer who wants to use 9 of them for a Decorators Showcase project in Lexington, KY, and another for a silent auction benefiting Capacity Inc., an organization that helps impoverished girls/women prepare for employment. I'm extremely fortunate to have this opportunity; it's exciting, but a little scary, too. Having a demanding day job makes it a little difficult to keep up with everything, but I'm sure going to give it a heck of a try!

Here is an article about the event, written by Sherry Piersol for Natural Awakenings Magazine. They still need artists and vendors to set up booths, if you're interested.

Capacity Inc. & Lorillard Lofts Presents:
“Naturally Chic” Decorators Showcase

Upon visiting Lexington, Kentucky’s first eco-friendly interior decorators showcase one will have an opportunity to reconnect with self, home and the community. “Naturally Chic” will focus on creating comfortable, stylish, elegant and creative loft living, naturally! This is a great opportunity to obtain eco-friendly, affordable, new trend insight for anyone’s home. Most importantly the $10.00 ticket per person goes to a great cause.
The decorator showcase is a result or our desire to obtain employment for the unemployed women in the community. This project is a fundraiser for Capacity Inc. an international non profit dedicated to the advancement of women, www.capacityinc.org. The Lorillard Lofts Decorator Showcase will serve as a model for other cities worldwide.
We began with two goals, first to introduce the community to examples of environmentally friendly, urban development and décor. Lorillard Lofts was selected because fabulous living spaces were created from the renovation of an old tobacco warehouse, see coolspaces.com.
Second, Capacity Inc. is a cutting edge organization which advocates transforming women of today into women of tomorrow. Thus, the decorator showcase and the career advancement initiative is a project about transformation.
“Naturally Chic” is about looking at yourself and how you can make a difference in creating a healthy environment at home, speak out about the future of our community from a conservative, historical and humanitarian point of view and make a difference in the lives of women.
How do we begin? The first step is to attend the Lorillard Lofts “Naturally Chic” Decorators showcase and experience first hand natural, beautiful living styles for your home. Ask me about becoming involved in the Career Advancement Initiative for Unemployed Women. By attending any of the events below you will benefit from a wonderful experience and your ticket purchase will change the lives of the women in your community for the better!
Capacity Inc. and Lorillard Loft “Naturally Chic” Decorator Showcase Dates:
Tickets may be purchased through pay pal at www.capacityinc.com or visit the site and see a list of local businesses selling tickets.
Group Tours October 16 through October 22nd 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Minimum of 10 participants (2 free tickets) $100.00 per 12
Premier Party Special Event – October 23rd, Friday 6:00 – 10:00 PM
Special guest appearance, first bids on décor items, food, drink, music and dancing.
$50.00 per person
General Admission: October 24th and 25th 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sat and Sun
$10.00 per person Specialty gift shop & food vendors on location this weekend also.

We are in need of sponsors and vendors. Please call Sherry at (859) 583-8007

All lofts and decor are for sale!