Monday, December 22, 2008

Holiday Building Schedule


A quick heads up regarding the Carnegie Center's holiday building schedule.

The Carnegie Center will be closed Wednesday, December 24th through Sunday, January 4th. We will reopen for regular hours on Monday, January 5th at 9 AM.

Happy Holidays from everyone at the Carnegie Center!

~warmly~
Katherine

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

NBGW this Thursday

Don't miss this exciting reading and workshop! Here are the details:

New Books by Great Writers

Thursday, Dec. 18: WILL LAVENDER

6:30 pm: Reading and signing of Obedience

Reading is FREE. Books will be on sale for signing.

7:30-9:00 pm: Hands-on workshop with the author: SPINNING THE BEST WEB: HOW TO STRUCTURE AND DESIGN YOUR NOVEL

Workshop fee is $25.

Will Lavender is a writing and literature professor. A Somerset native and graduate of Centre College, Lavender also holds an MFA in creative writing from Bard College. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife and children and is currently working on a second novel.

Here's more info on the series.

We hope to see you there!

~warmly~

Katherine

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

We're Open

The Carnegie Center is open today. However, there is no tutoring due to the closing of Fayette County Schools.

Please give us a call if you have any questions (859.254.4175).

~warmly~
Katherine

Monday, December 15, 2008

Holiday Reading Plans

With the stressful holidays quickly approaching, there is no better "de-stresser" than a great book. Here is what some of the staff are reading. We hope that you get a few ideas of great books to check out.

I am currently reading Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund.

Laura Whitaker, CCLL VISTA Project Supervisor and Program Specialist, is reading A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers.

Hannah Legris, Outreach coordinator and VISTA member, is reading Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link and Seven Essential Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.


Amy McCleese Nichols, Volunteer coordinator and VISTA member, is also reading A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers, The Royal Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and Songhay: Life in Medieval Africa by Patricia and Frederick McKissack and Good Poems by Garrison Keillor.



Fatimah Shalash, CCLL tutoring coordinator and VISTA member, is reading The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger.

Happy reading!


~warmly~

Katherine

Friday, December 12, 2008

Winter 2009 Brochure Update


Happy Friday!

Be checking your mailbox for your 2009 Winter Class Schedule. The list of classes is also available online.

~warmly~
Katherine

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Tonight!!! The Eclectic Living Room at the Carnegie Center

Join us at the Carnegie Center tonight for the Eclectic Living Room. This book discussion is free. Here are the details:

THE ECLECTIC LIVING ROOM AT THE CARNEGIE CENTER

Thursday, Dec. 11, 5:30-7:00 pm
FREE
The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning
251 West Second Street, Lexington
(859) 254-4175
www.carnegieliteracy.org

Led by poet and project coordinator Leatha Kendrick in conjunction with the New Books by Great Writers series, this hands-on discussion will focus on the work of Kentucky native and debut novelist Will Lavender, author of the New York Times bestselling OBEDIENCE. The Eclectic Living Room is a place to bring questions, opinions, curiosity, and a pen and paper for exploration of the style at work in Lavender’s novel. Books will be provided by Joseph-Beth Booksellers and will be available for purchase. The event is FREE and open to the public.

All New Books by Great Writers programs are made possible in part by the generous support of LexArts. To learn more about this and other learning opportunities at the Carnegie Center, call (859) 254-4175 or visit our website.

We hope that you can join us!

~warmly~
Katherine

Monday, December 8, 2008

Winter 2009 Class Schedule Up on Web


The Winter 2009 Carnegie Center class schedule is now available online! Registration is open now!

Here are some of the new classes that we will be offering:

ASL (American Sign Language)
Wednesdays Jan. 21 to Mar. 25 5:30-7:00 pm
Would you like to better communicate with friends and neighbors with speech barriers? Are you interested in teaching your infant or toddler “baby sign language”? This introductory class will cover the basics of American Sign Language (ASL) in a fun, interactive environment. $50. Melody Bock

Japanese Language & Culture
Tuesdays Jan. 13 to Mar. 24 6:30-7:30 pm
If you’d like to learn the basics of the Japanese language, brush up on your Japanese knowledge, or better understand Japanese culture, this class is for you! You will learn Japanese alphabets, practical Japanese expressions for business and daily conversation, and cultural differences and similarities. Instructed by a native Japanese speaker. $55. Mariko Yamakura

Spanish for the Workplace: Espanol en el Trabajo
Thursdays Feb. 5 to Mar. 19 6:00-7:30 pm
Includes business expressions, letters, conference calls, meetings, and daily expressions in the workplace. Participants will improve communication with Spanish
speakers, coworkers, students, or clients. Some basic knowledge of Spanish required. $35 (textbook: $20). Maria Gomez

Powerpoint Basics
Thursday March 19 1:00-5:00 pm
In this introductory class, learn the basics of creating presentations using Microsoft Powerpoint. Some knowledge of Microsoft Word required. $30. Gerald Baker

Fiction Writing Master Class: Straw Into Gold The Art of Revision*
Mondays Feb. 2 to Mar. 30 (no class Feb. 16) 5:30-7:00 pm
In this advanced-level class, we will work with that piece of fiction you want to improve, perhaps an old familiar that isn’t quite right, or one that keeps coming home with a rejection note pinned to its back. We will focus on making a good draft better, examining choices of point of view, point of entry, theme, metaphor, coherence and/or disharmony of element - in short, revision. We will examine the importance of structure and behold the wonder of words. Recommended text: Creating Fiction, ed. Julie Checkoway, Story Press, 1999. Applicants must submit a 6-8 page fiction writing sample by Friday, January 23. The submissions will be juried. Class limit: 10 participants. $150. Lynn Pruett

Poetry Practice
Thursdays
Feb. 5 to Mar. 26 5:00-7:00 pm
This workshop is for poets of all levels, from those who are just beginning to explore the world of poetry to those who are published and looking for ways to grow and share. Practice in the original composition of poetry, share your work, and discuss the work of others. Be prepared to write your own poems weekly. $80. Adam Day

Screenwriting
Wednesdays Jan. 14 to Mar. 18 noon-1:30 pm
Learn how screenwriting differs from other forms of writing in technique, format, substance and style. This introductory workshop is part film discussion and part step-by-step instruction on writing for visual media. Participants will discuss film scripts and work on visual narratives, treatments,
and formatting procedures, ultimately writing the first act of their own original screenplay. $100. Nancy Archer

Writing Practice: Evening
Mondays Jan. 12 to Mar. 23 (no class Jan. 19 or Feb. 16) 5:30-7:00 pm
Designed as an opportunity to practice creative expression without judgment. Develop your natural story-telling instinct or refresh writing skills from word prompts or personal experiences, and have fun doing it. Recommended reading: Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg (not required). Class may be entered on any day it is held; it is not necessary to commit to the entire session. FREE. Daytime sessions still led by Gail Koehler; evening sessions led by Doug Begley

Essays Anonymous: High School Essay Help
Wednesdays Feb. 11 to Mar. 18 5:00-6:00 pm
Get essay help in a fun, informal setting. Feel free to bring in assignments. The workshop will include a nuts-and-bolts approach to writing essays, a breakdown on appropriate voice and grammar usage, and additional individual help as needed. If you are planning to attend college or just want extra help, this class is for you! FREE. Amy McCleese Nichols

Using Literacy with Adoptive Families: a Support Group
Mondays Feb. 2 to Mar. 30 (no meeting Feb. 16) 6:00-7:00 pm
For families with adopted children who are now 3-7 years old. Led by a Marriage and Family Therapy intern and prospective adoptive parent, the group will use children’s books and activities to discuss, strengthen, and support the special issues surrounding an adoptive family. FREE. Esther Edwards

Math for College Entrance Exams: A Prep Course
Wednesdays Jan. 21 to Mar. 11 6:00-7:30 pm
Gearing up for the SAT or ACT? Want to sharpen your math skills? This workshop is designed as preparation for the math component of college entrance exams, but is open to any high school students who need extra help in math. FREE. Huston Combs

Young Readers Club: Grades 1-2
Saturdays
Jan. 17 to Mar. 28 (no class Jan. 24) 10:30-11:30 am
Children will increase their reading skills in a fun, hands-on environment as they explore games, crafts, and activities centered around children’s books. We’ll take a look at Caldecott and other honor winners, explore concepts including the elements of story, and more. FREE. Ashley Hall

The Artist’s Way
Tuesdays Jan. 13 to Mar. 24 5:30-7:00 pm
No time to write? Paint? Finish that song? No matter the medium, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron provides the tools for artists of all walks of life to catalyze and renew their creativity. Built around the concept that everyone
is creative, this class explores those creative impulses. Along with the text, additional prompts will be provided weekly via an email list-serve throughout the 11 weeks. Required text: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Please bring the text and a journal to class. $110. Bianca Spriggs

Grant Writing Practice
Tuesdays Feb. 3-24 noon-1:30 pm
From start to finish, learn how to write a grant through first-hand experience. You’ll explore grant opportunities, create a project budget, and write a narrative—
finishing the course with a complete writing sample. Feel welcome to eat your lunch as you learn. Instructed by an experienced grantwriter. $40. Jennifer Mattox, Carnegie Center Development Director

Independent Film & Contemporary Literature
Thursdays Jan. 15 to Mar. 26 5:30-7:30 pm
A film and literature discussion group for young adults—come together with a dynamic group of your peers to watch and discuss awesome independent films and 21st Century authors. Though the format of the group will be self-determined, films may include: City of God, Memento, Requiem for a Dream, The Science of Sleep, Amelie, Barton Fink, Dead Man, and Me and You and Everyone We Know. Authors may include: Miranda July, Junot Diaz, Tao Lin, Dave Eggers, Jonathan Safran Foer, Haruki Murakami, and others. FREE. Facilitated by Hannah LeGris

Reading & Writing Dramatic Characters
Tuesdays Jan. 20 to Mar. 24 5:30-7:00 pm
This workshop is for people who want to read scripts aloud, actors and singers both classic and contemporary, and writers who want to learn how to construct characters for plays, screenplays, and narratives. Instructed by lead actress of On the Verge’s sold-out production of The Little Foxes. $100. Janet Scott

Please let us know if you have any questions.

~warmly~
Katherine

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Sign up for Winter Classes at the Carnegie Center


We are now taking registrations for winter 2009 classes. Our webmaster is currently updating the website. In the meantime, get a pdf version via the blog!

Call if you have any questions (859.254.4175) or send us an email (ccll1@carnegieliteracy.org).

~warmly~
Katherine

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Tutor Appreciation Week


As pairs will begin winding down for 2008 this week, we thought that this week should be Tutor Appreciation Week. Stop by the Carnegie Center front desk to make your tutor a card! They have worked so hard.

Tutors, we have a special treat for you. Stop by Fatimah and Amy's office for a cookie and a special gift.

Be sure to talk to your student or tutor about their upcoming schedule. Feel free to keep tutoring until the CCLL closes December 23rd. We will reopen on January 5th.
Thanks for all that you do to make the Carnegie Center a very special place.

~warmly~
Katherine

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Calling All Writers


Attention all writers...a poet is needed for a special project. Check out the details here!

Happy writing!

~warmly~
Katherine

Monday, December 1, 2008

We're Back Open

The Carnegie Center is back in full swing today, after a nice holiday break. We hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Here are a few photos from our wonderful Gallery Hop. We enjoyed a reading by Sandy Gladfelter, nice holiday music by a local flute quartet and, of course, Ron Davis' great art exhibit. We'll see all of you "hoppers" again in February!


More info on the Winter 2009 schedule soon. It should be up on the web very soon.
~warmly~
Katherine

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Holiday Building Schedule


The Carnegie Center will close on Wednesday, November 26th at 5 pm for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We will reopen on Monday, December 1st at 9 am.

Happy Thanksgiving!

~warmly~
Katherine

Friday, November 21, 2008

Carnegie Center in the Snow

Happy Friday! We hope that you can make it out for Gallery Hop tonight from 5-8 pm. The Laurie S. Bottoms Gallery will be featuring the work of Ron Davis.

~warmly~
Katherine

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

FFLN: Celebrate Culture Night

The Carnegie Center was thrilled to host over 100 families and volunteers for our last Family Fun and Learning Night of the year. Thank you to all of the organizations that contributed to the success of the event! Thanks to Bourbon n' Toulouse for their awesome food donation.

Here's a photo recap:









A good time was had by all! Stay tuned for future FFLN updates for 2009!

~warmly~
Katherine

Monday, November 17, 2008

PBJ Concert with the Lexington Philharmonic

The Carnegie Center was thrilled to host the Lexington Philharmonics's PBJ Concert on November 8th. Here are some cute photos:

Nothing like a good 'ole PBJ. Happy Monday!

~warmly~
Katherine