Winter Edition 2005

Coordinator's Column

Dear Tutors & Students:

     The inspirational message on my calendar reads: The Brighter Our Outlook, the Broader Our Horizons. Now in our 20th year of service, the outlook for FLAIR is bright indeed! With the on-going support for adult and family literacy provided by the Blanchard/Santa Paula Library, The California State Library, and our wonderful community of volunteers and supporters, FLAIR programs continue to serve over 230 participants each year. (See Calendar of Events for a listing of our services.) Many tutors and learners alike have expressed what a positive influence working with FLAIR has had on their own outlooks and in broadening their horizons. On the immediate horizon for FLAIR is our annual spelling bee fundraiser, tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, May 25. Projects for future horizons (currently under-construction) include:      If you have any suggestions for ways in which FLAIR can continue to grow, or would like to volunteer your help with any of the projects listed above, call me or Barbara immediately! We're anxiously (desperately) waiting to hear from you. Expand your horizons!
Happy Reading!       
-Kathryn       

WELCOME NEW TUTORS



We would like to WELCOME the following new volunteer tutors who have joined the FLAIR team, they are:

Lorraine Ashe
Lisa Guina
Jessica Jackson
Susan Ramsay
 		April Edmiston
Barbara Hill
Jim Newton
Aron Segura
Barbara Suggs

Great to have you with us!
Happy Birthday to You


We would like to wish the following volunteer tutors a very happy birthday:

March: 3/3
3/31
 Barbara Hill
Pam Pond
  
April: 4/5
4/6
4/9
4/17
4/19
April Edmiston
Loree Garibay
Richard Abbott
Vic Lopez
Herbert Nieto
  


Calendar of Events

FLAIR 525-2384 Library 525-3615
FLAIR - Adult Literacy Program
Office/Computer Hours
Monday - Thursday
1:00 - 8:00 p.m.

FFL
Thursdays
6:00 - 7:45 p.m.
Children's Room

COMPUTER TRAINING
Mondays
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
with Aracely Navarro
(or by special appointment.)

BOOK DISCUSSION
Thursdays
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
in the FLAIR computer room.

GROUP TUTORING
Tuesdays
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
in the Hardison Room.

ESL
Next scheduled session for levels I &
II begins April 2005. 12 week sessions.

"ANGEL" - in school tutoring
September - June.

* * * * * * *

FLAIR/FFL Staff

Kathryn - Coordinator
Barbara - Office Manager
Aracely - Office Assistant
Alma - FFL Assistant
* * * * * * *

COMING SOON!

Mar. 16th
"Follow-Up" Tutor Workshop
Spelling & Writing Tips

Mar. 23rd & 30th
FLAIR Tutor Training

May 25th
16th Annual Spelling Bee Fundraiser
Check your mail; more info to follow!



WELCOME BACK!


Madeline Ricards proves the adage: You can't keep a good woman down. Although still recovering from surgery, Madeline has resumed tutoring with FLAIR at home. Her learner Maria Roman is indeed fortunate to have such a persevering and dedicated tutor.

Good to have you back, Madeline!


* * * * * * * * * * *


TUTORS: Working in Challenger 4?


Tutor Bill Kendrick has compiled a list of the vocabulary with pronunciation and definitions. Contact the FLAIR office if you'd like a copy to use with your learner. Vocabulary for Challenger 1-3 is also available.

* * * * * * * * * * *


BRAVO to students moving up!


Beatriz Yzaguirre - Challenger 2 (tutor Joe Lyou)
Maria Berber - Challenger 2 and
Roman Gonzalez - Challenger 2
(Both are students of tutor Trina Nagele.)

* * * * * * * * * * * *





Proceeds go directly to Southern California Reads and will be distributed to Literacy Programs throughout California Verizon service areas. Does Verizon really support literacy programs? You bet! FLAIR received a $25,000 grant from Verizon in 2002. This allowed us to upgrade our computers and strengthen and expand our many programs. (No dollars were expended on employee salaries).


Families For Literacy

Thursdays, 6:00 - 7:45 p.m.

BIRTHDAYS:

MARCH
Amancio Juarez
     4 yrs.
Michael Morales
     3 yrs. 		APRIL
Destiny Soriano
     6 yrs.
Jakeline Larios
     5 yrs.
Esthefanie Zamora
     9 yrs.

WELCOME NEW FAMILIES:

The Rosales Family
The Rodriguez Family

TRAVEL TIME:

Oh, the places you can go by opening a book! What fun we had going on a bear hunt, walking in the snow, hatching a penguin and traveling all the way to China. Donna the mail carrier traveled from Ventura to visit us and told us all about her job. Did you know that Benjamin Franklin was the first Postmaster General? (1775) Or that people used to send messages by Pony Express riders? Donna showed us how to order stamps by mail (no extra charge) and says she spends half of the day sorting the mail, and half the day delivering it. Her job is hard work and she says she "gets tired." Her favorite part of her job is being outside. Her most famous customer is Fernando Vargas, the boxer.

A GLIMPSE AHEAD:

Join us this month as we travel to Ireland, visit the zoo, explore museums, walk to the grocery store and run off to join the circus!

FIELD TRIP:

Gull's Wing Children's Museum
Saturday, March 19, 2005
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Free to FFL families! See you there.

DON'T FORGET:

Arrive on Thursday evenings no later than 6:05 p.m. and receive a raffle ticket for the prize drawing.




In The Spotlight!

Yvonne Flores & Martha Marquez

by Susan Branham

     Martha S. Marquez is a very determined student. She is a learner with the FLAIR literacy program, and a college ESL student, as well. "Martha is determined to make a difference in her life," FLAIR tutor Yvonne Flores said. Yvonne and Martha meet at the Library once a week.
     Yvonne became a teacher following college. She was an ESL teacher for farm workers, and became a FLAIR tutor several years ago. After taking some time for family, Yvonne is back with FLAIR. "Teaching is something that has always been in my heart," said Yvonne.
     Martha and Yvonne's paths converged at the library about a year ago. They are now working in the Challenger 3 book. "Martha is a very hard worker," Yvonne said. "She is also taking ESL classes through Ventura College. She took two classes last semester and is taking another one now."
     Martha credits FLAIR and her tutor Yvonne with building her confidence. "It helps me to read better," she explained. "My reading comprehension is a lot better. My reading ability has improved. The program has helped me feel less shy about speaking English."
     Yvonne describes her student as inspiring. "She is so determined, always, prepared, and a hard worker, She is a great person overall."
     "I want to do my best to make my teacher want to teach me," Martha said. "I do my homework and study to show her my interest." Their common interests include a love of books. They both enjoy reading biographies and history books. They like geography books, mysteries and newspapers. Their work together includes concentration on writing, vocabulary and grammar.
     Martha and Yvonne both recommend FLAIR to others. When someone comments on Martha's accomplishments, she responds, "I have a FLAIR tutor at the library, and you can go too." Yvonne has recruited several tutors for FLAIR. "I'm always trying to grab someone to be a tutor."
     Martha and Yvonne enjoy the benefits of FLAIR. "I am proud," said Martha. "I am more strong and secure about what I say and do." Yvonne describes her work with Martha as very rewarding. "It brings me great joy."
     "Martha is doing great," Yvonne said. "She is a good role model for others thinking of joining FLAIR."

TUTOR TIP


Following a discussion of local cultures and childhood memories, invite your student to bring in artifacts that represent their culture and have personal meaning for them. Examples might include an instrument, or a tool, a food item, a cooking implement, or a religious icon. Then ask students to talk about and write the answers to these questions:
You can then take pictures of your learner with their artifacts. Students can then add text to the photos so that the final product can be displayed in the FLAIR computer room.

New tutor Lisa Gunia received this e-mail and passed it on to FLAIR. No wonder the English language is so hard to learn!

The Many Meanings
of UP!


There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is "UP."

It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP?

At a meeting, why does a topic come UP? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report?

We call UP our friends. And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car.

At times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses.

To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special. And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.

We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP!

To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4 of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions.

If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.

When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP. When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.

One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now my time is UP.



GIFT OF LITERACY


Thank you to our generous donors who have helped provide the gift of literacy with their financial support. Since the start of our new fiscal year in July, the following individuals or organizations have made charitable contributions to FLAIR:

Thomas Harmon
Universalist Unitarian Church
Avon (through Gennie Cole)
Carol Hardison
Elaine Hunt
Episcopal Church Women
Chumash Resort
Armida Arvizu

Armida made her donation in the memory of her late husband, Mel, and her two sons Frank and Raymond. She said, "Instead of remembering them with flowers I want to make a donation towards helping someone bloom in life by learning to read."




THANK YOU!

To tutor April Edmiston who donated a HP Laser Jet III printer, along with an extra cartridge and cart.





BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

Books on shelf
Thursday   6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
FLAIR Computer Room

Welcome to our new tutor/facilitator, Jim Newton! Jim brings to the group a love of reading and past experience as a volunteer group leader. Group discussion appeals to him and he is enjoying getting to know the group members. Currently, they are tackling To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The group is open to any FLAIR learner who has advanced to Challenger 5 or beyond. FLAIR tutors are welcome to join the discussion, as well. Just drop in!


Bravo! Sandra Nieto for making the Dean's List at Ventura College!


"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings"
by Maya Angelou

This book has so many moving parts that it's hard to actually describe or just take one passage. It shows what a great author Maya Angelou is and because of the hardships she endured the book shows what a great woman she turned out to be! I really liked this book and look forward to reading more of her work.
- Jenette Vargas


**** ****** ****** ****** ***** *****


ATTENTION EVERYONE!


    Like to sew?
       Want to volunteer?

FLAIR is in need of a volunteer(s) to sew our denim book bags. Can't sew, but would like to help? Any financial donation, large, small, or smaller will help us cover the cost of the fabric and "FLAIR TUTOR" applique. Please contact Barbara or Kathryn at the office. Thank you in advance for your help!

**** ****** ****** ****** ***** *****


SCRABBLE LOVERS


FLAIR is in the process of organizing a tutor workshop to demonstrate the use of scrabble as a teaching tool. If you are a scrabble afficionado consider being a co-presenter at the workshop. All materials, including games and teaching guides, are provided (by a grant through Pro-Literacy Worldwide). Please contact Kathryn at FLAIR office, if interested.



STUDENT WRITINGS

I think it is important to feel good about yourself because if you feel good, everybody will see a sure person. There are some ways that show how you feel, they are how you walk and talk, laugh and cry the way you dress and have fun. The person who accepts himself always stands in a relaxed way, normally dresses in clothes that he can afford. He can accept other people and this person doesn't often feel really angry or upset. When you accept yourself, you accept others. When I accept others I don't have to say anything, because I accept them just because they are people like me.
- Cecilia Cabrera

Submitted by tutor Loree Garibay with permission of her learner.

Student Contest Winners


Congratulations to Jan./Feb. winners:

Jenette Vargas
Araceli Zamora
Luis Hernandez

Stop by the FLAIR office and pick-up your prize!



NEWSLETTER SPONSORS

THANK YOU to the following sponsors whose contribution helped pay for the printed newsletter:

Brad Branham
Office: (805) 987-3734
Cell: (805) 407-1949


Gennie Cole
(805) 525-2458
Avon Card

Ed Geis
Office: (805) 525-5523
Cell: (805) 625-3565


Do you have a business or service you'd like to advertise in FLAIR's newsletter? A donation of $25 to FLAIR will provide a business card size ad (like the ones above) for 3 issues of our newsletter. Make a $35 donation and your ad will appear in 6 issues. This newsletter reaches over 150 library literacy supporters in Santa Paula. To place an ad, contact Kathryn or Barbara at 525-2384 or stop by the FLAIR office.

Don't have a card? We'll whip one up for you!


mlb - 04/11/05