Award-winning "Kicked Out" features foreword by Casper's Judy Shepard

Casper's Judy Shepard wrote the foreword to the new anthology edited by Sassafras Lowrey, "Kicked Out." Last night, the book received a major literary award. Here's info from Lowrey's web site:

Last night Kicked Out received a HUGE honor and was not only included in the American Library Association’s Over the Rainbow booklist for 2011, but was also included in their Top 11 books of 2011!    Being included is a tremendous honor, and one which will help get Kicked Out into even more libraries across the country, and thus the hands of folks who need its messages the most. You can see all the books included in the top 11 as well as the full Over the Rainbow book list here

I’m so grateful to the American Library Association’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table and its Jurors  for honoring Kicked Out.

Here's a description from the book jacket:

In the U.S., 40% of homeless youth identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ). Kicked Out brings together the voices of current and former homeless LGBTQ youth and tells the forgotten stories of some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens. Diverse contributors share stories of survival and abuse with poignant accounts of the sanctuary of community and the power of creating chosen families. Kicked Out highlights the nuanced perspectives of national organizations such as The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and The National Alliance Against Homelessness and regional agencies, including Sylvia’s Place, The Circus Project and Family Builders. This anthology, introduced by Judy Shepard, gives voice to the voiceless and challenges the stereotypical face of homelessness. To learn more, visit us online at KickedOutAnthology.com

Little Hands offers art, music and dance classes for little kids and their parents

Little Hands, A Family Program for Creative Inspiration, invites you to join its program:

Who: Children (ages 1 to 6) and their parents or caregivers

What: Exploration and expression through art - from visual art to dance and music – for small children and their parent(s) or caregiver(s).

When: Tuesday mornings, 10-noon, starting February 2, 2010

Where: First Baptist Church, 514 S. Beech - 5th & Beech, 1 block south of the Nic. (We have no religious affiliation but the church has generously donated space.)

Cost: FREE! But to first session, families should bring:
1) a bag of recycled “beautiful stuff” chosen by child and parent
2) a commitment to volunteer time with us, whatever your skills

How: Families can sign up for one or more 6-week sessions this spring, with the above commitment. See sign-up sheet on back.

For more information, please contact Kelleen Gilstad (265-5497) or Kate Schneider (247-0726) or email us at LittleHandsWY@gmail.com

This program supported in part by a grant from the Wyoming Arts Council. Support also comes from Mercer House and the First Baptist Church of Casper.

AVA Community Art Center November Schedule

509 West Second Street, Gillette, WY 307-682-9133

Grade School Kids Club Fall Session (Nov. 5, 12, 13)
Little Tikes(Nov. 6, 13, 20)
Parent and Child Class (Nov. 9,16)
Painted Floor Cloth Class(Nov. 10, 12)
Early Release Day (Nov. 11)
Mandala Painting (Nov. 11)
Photo Tile Making Class (Nov. 12)
WW11 Ring Class with Bob Trowe (Nov. 17)
November Artist Luncheon (Nov. 18)
Acceptance Notification for January Auction (Nov. 20)
AVA Annual Holiday Extravaganza (Nov. 27-Dec. 23)
AVA is filled to the brim with area and regional Artists works and crafts for sale during AVA's annual Holiday Extravaganza and Bake Sale. Open Saturdays to meet your shopping needs. FREE
http://www.avacenter.org/

AVA Community Art Center October Schedule

509 West Second Street, Gillette, WY 307-682-9133

Grade School Kids Club Fall Session (Oct 1,8,15,22,29)
Parent and Child Class (Oct 5)
Parent and Child Paper Making Class (Oct 12, 19)
Little Tikes(Oct 2,9,16,23,30)
Life Drawing Classes (Oct 5,12,19,26)
Recycled Journals (Oct 6,8)
Community Art Show (Oct 9)
Metal Table Fountain Design & Construction (Oct 13,20)
January Art Auction Application Due (Oct 16)
Yupo for Adults (Oct 17,18)
Early Release Day (Oct 21)
Pumpkin Carving Class (Oct 23)
Haunted House at AVA (Oct 30)
http://www.avacenter.org/

"Parents' Night" at AVA Aug. 14

Star Valley Arts Camp in Thayne June 16-19

The third annual Star Valley Arts Camp will be held June 16-19 at Holdaway Elementary School in Thayne. The camp will feature local and regional artists as instructors to 150 area youth in a four-day camp that "builds arts skills and creativity." Apply now, as acceptance is on a first-come first-served basis.

The camp will run from 1-4 p.m. each day. Participating students will host parents and community members at an end-of-the-wek art show and reception.

FMI: Check out the Star Valley Arts Council web site or e-mail greenroom@starvalleyarts.org.

Author delivers keynote at WECA event

Alfie Kohn, nationally known speaker and writer on education and parenting, is the keynote speaker at the 2007 Wyoming Early Childhood Association Conference on Saturday, Sept. 22, 8 a.m., at the Parkway Plaza Hotel in Casper. He will discuss his latest book, Beyond Discipline: From Compliance to Community. The keynote address is sponsored by the UW/Casper College Center, Natrona Co. School Dist. 1, and Albany Co. School Dist. 1.

Allen Trent, UW Dept. of Educational Studies department head and associate professor, will open the conference Friday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 p.m. with his discussion "Playing with Theories: Teaching, Learning, Art and Community." The is free and open to the public.

Other program highlights include workshops on "Operating a Successful Child Care Business," "Learning Environments: The Essential Teaching Element," and a Saturday luncheon speech by Wyoming early childhood development educational consultant Anita Sullivan.

Teachers, professionals in early child care and education, child advocates and parents are encouraged to attend.

FMI: Visit the WECA website