UPDATE: 50th Birthday Party scheduled for July 8 has been CANCELLED (so disregard this flyer below which you may have picked up around town).

On July 4th, the monsoon that blasted Tucson damaged Literacy Volunteers of Tucson’s building located at 2850 E. Speedway. The storm tore off 1,500 square feet of the building’s roof, caused portions of the ceiling to cave in, flooded offices and destroyed the student computer lab, phone system and HVAC systems. Total cost of damages is still to be determined.

Happy 50th Birthday Literacy Volunteers of Tucson, despite this unfortunate news. For more info go to their website, www.lovetoread.org.

Literacy Volunteers is the primary adult-education organization in Tucson serving the needs of adults reading at the lowest literacy levels. This includes those not yet speaking English and those who do, but have difficulty with reading, writing, and/or math. Without LVT, through the support of donors, tutors and other volunteers, and staff, most of our students would have no other learning option. We offer an individualized approach to meet students where they are and to teach to each student’s goals. Students are able to achieve a rich life, full of accomplishments they can dare to dream are possible.

I’m sure if you want to donate to Literacy Volunteers of Tucson to assist them with this monsoon damage, they would welcome your support. For photos of the damage (click here.)

“The University of Arizona Humanities Seminars Program offers an “intriguing selection of the highest-quality courses in letters, arts and sciences designed specifically for adult students in the Greater Tucson community.

All courses are taught by present and former University of Arizona professors selected for their scholarly accomplishments and exceptional teaching abilities. The seminars give students the opportunity to tap into the minds of first-rate educators who are leaders in their fields of study.

This continuing education program provides university-level learning simply for the joy of learning. There are no tests or papers. Optional reading lists are provided so students can get the most from the experience.

Seminar students are a group of like-minded individuals who want to discover new ideas and deepen their life experiences.” Humanities Seminars students will have the opportunity to get acquainted with both adult education classmates and their professors.

“The University of Arizona’s Humanities Seminars Program has offered the community stimulating interdisciplinary conversations for more than a quarter century.” Please join them in this adventure in adult education.

The upcoming schedule for the Fall:

The Dream of Reason Produces Monsters: Goya and the Modern Dilemma
Malcolm Compitello,
Spanish and Portuguese
Mondays—9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1,8, 15, 29, and Dec. 6
Cost: $185.00

My God; I’d rather go to Paris than to Heaven: French Art 1780-1886
Sarah Moore,
School of Art
Tuesdays–9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30, and Dec. 7
Cost: $185.00

The Rise and Fall of the Hero: War, Blood and Human Destiny in the Heroic Epic
Albrecht Classen,
German Studies
Wednesdays–9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, Dec. 1, 8, and 15
Cost: $185.00

Theatres of Song: Lieder of Schubert and Schumann
Paula Fan,
School of Music
Peter E. Medine, Department of English
Wednesdays–1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, Dec. 1, 8, and 15
Cost: $185.00

Rebellious Men, Revolutionary Women: Twentieth Century Ireland
Ann Weekes,
English
Thursdays: 10:00 -12:00 p.m.
Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4, 18, Dec. 2, 9, and 16
Cost: $140.00

Changing minds/changing worlds: the politics and poetry of the 60s
Thomas Miller,
Professor of English and featured speakers invited by the Poetry Center
Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19, Dec. 3, and 10
Fridays—9:00 -12:00 p.m.
Cost: $185

Unless otherwise specified, all classes meet from 9:00am until noon in the Dorothy Rubel meeting room in the lovely new Helen S. Schaefer Building at 1508 E. Helen Street (SE corner of Vine St.), north of E. Speedway.

See website for more information and how to register for these seminars:http://humanities.arizona.edu/humanities-seminar-program/whats-ahead

Mail registration to:
Humanities Seminars Program
Attention: Kerstin Miller
P.O. Box 210150
1508 E. Helen Street
Tucson, AZ 85721-0150

Or please call Kerstin Miller at (520) 626-7845 or contact them by e-mail at humansem@email.arizona.edu.

Email alert from Literacy Volunteers of Tucson:

Literacy Volunteers logo

State-funded adult education programs serve thousands of students each year who are trying to improve their skills, learn English, and earn GED diplomas. Eliminating adult education would terminate all adult education classes and GED testing in Arizona.

Facts to Know and Share:

* 795,970 adults in AZ are without a high school credential, which makes it nearly impossible to get a job or go on to further training.
* 18% of all high school diplomas issued in AZ in 2008 were GED diplomas–nearly 1/5 of Arizona’s high school graduates!
* GED instruction and testing costs an average of only $186 per student
* GED graduates earn $5,000 more per year on average, resulting in approximately $70 million additional tax dollars
* The economic impact of NOT educating the 800,000 Arizonans who do not have a high school diploma is enormous! 80% of adult education students are under 45–the backbone of Arizona’s workforce!!!
* AZ has one of the highest drop out rates in the nation. With the elimination of GED testing, AZ would likely be the only state in the country without this service.

Please Help!

* SPREAD THE WORD!! TODAY! Tell everyone you know about what’s happening.
* Call the following legislators and express your support of full funding for adult education!
— STATE HOUSE
+ Vic Williams (District 26, R) vwilliams@azleg.gov, 602-926-5839, Appropriations Committee
+ John Kavanagh (District 8, R) jkavanagh@azleg.gov, 602-926-5170, Appropriations Chairman
+ David Gowan (District 30, R) dgowan@azleg.gov, 602-926-3312
+ Frank Antenori (District 30, R) fantenori@azleg.gov, 602-926-5683
— STATE SENATE
+ Al Melvin (District 26, R) amelvin@azleg.gov, 602-926-4326, Appropriations Vice-Chair
+ Jonathon Paton (District 30, R) jpaton@azleg.gov, 602-926-3235

* Call your friends in Phoenix and Tucson. Ask them to contact their legislators about this.
* Call or write to Governor Brewer 1(800) 253-0883, or click here to contact her via her website

Can we afford NOT to invest in our state and our workforce? This is crucial for Arizona. It affects everyone.”

Note: I just called the Governor’s office toll free and you can do it anonymously as well. Those of us who are literate usually take for granted how easy and enjoyable it is to read. Literacy is fundamental to getting a good job and advancing economically in America.