Adult literacy volunteers tutors ready to teach
Editor: Below is a letter written by a Sonoma Valley learner in the Sonoma County Library Adult Literacy Program. One of the library’s core services is providing adults who want to improve their literacy skills with a trained volunteer tutor. We have 21 matched tutors/learners who are working two hours a week at the Sonoma branch on specific goals. Currently, we have 14 adults on the waiting list in Sonoma who are motivated and ready to improve their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. We hope the letter below will inspire Valley residents to find out more about our program’s volunteer opportunities. Our next orientation in Sonoma is Wednesday, July 21, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Delong Room of the Sonoma Valley Regional Library.
Julie Dabbs
Sonoma County Library
Adult Literacy Services
Adult Literacy Program works for me
Let me introduce myself. My name is Abraham. I am 25 years old. I am from Mexico. I want to make my dreams come true. I’m writing about a program I’ve been taking for about three months. It is the Adult Literacy Program at the library. I think it is very helpful.
In my personal opinion it is the best class I could take for one simple reason. You are the only one in this class. There are no other students around you, so you have two whole hours every week to talk with your tutor. If you have any questions you don’t have to wait to ask your tutor. You can ask any questions – grammar, reading or pronunciation. He or she will help you better understand the English language.
I think it is very important to practice the language because practicing and practicing is the way to start speaking English. I was unable to have a conversation in English, and now I am able to do so. I can speak English fluently. I’m trying very hard to improve my grammar and reading, and I also want to learn more phrases, words and idioms of the English language.
I remember when I first came to this country. I wasn’t sure about what I want from the United States. Seriously, I did not have a dream. Now it is very clear. I want to be bilingual. I told my tutor once, “I am going to leave to door open for the possibility of learning a third language!” So this is it. You have to believe that speaking two, three or even four languages is not just for fun or to use them to make others feel bad. I think you have in your hands “communication.”
Finally, I want to say thank you very much for all your help. Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you for your time. Thank you to all in the Adult Literacy Program.
Abraham Reyes
Sonoma
Passalacqua says thanks
Editor: I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my supporters and the volunteers involved in my recent re-election effort.
So many people volunteered countless hours to walk, make phone calls, stuff envelopes, and host receptions in their homes. We are very fortunate to live in a county where people care deeply about our community and the safety of families, children, and seniors. Over the past eight years, I truly have enjoyed the challenges as District Attorney. I am proud of the work that we have done in making our community safer, bringing innovative crime prevention programs, and expanding services and outreach for crime victims.
I have had a very special opportunity to serve the people of Sonoma County as District Attorney for two consecutive four-year terms. I truly appreciate the trust that you have placed in me. I look forward to working with the DA-elect in her transition to ensure that we continue to have one of the safest counties in the state.
Stephan Passalacqua
Sonoma County District Attorney
Healdsburg
Leaf blower ban: easier right vs. easy wrong
Editor: This past January, the Italian Cittaslow delegation came to Sonoma to participate in congratulating us for the designation as the first Cittaslow in our nation.
Most, if not all, City council members and the Mayor were present and were very proud of the moment shared with community members, From then on, we made news and it resonated from coast to coast and across oceans.
Yet Cittaslow was not just a photo-op advantage and it is not simply an addition to a City council member’s resume. It’s a fierce stand for values. Values that Sonoma applied for and vowed to do our best to embrace and respect.
Would we now make a mockery of Cittaslow by creating “incremental environmentalism and incremental quality of life” changes when we are given instead the opportunity to support and stand for a 100 percent common-sense ban on leaf-blowers?
Recently, I read an old PR strategy from the tobacco industry. It said, “Doubt Delivers Delay.” Demanding more studies because there was “doubt” and asking for more research won’t work. I doubt anyone is going to walk away from this issue any time soon. In fact, most likely the opposite. The reasons and points for banning will continue to become more clear and transparent.
If, in the final breath of this issue, this ban does not pass, I ask that as a community we consider asking the Italian CittaSlow director to revoke our designation. As sad as that would be, I think the hypocrisy of not passing such a common-sense ban aligned with CittaSlow values, would set a very unfavorable precedent for the rest of our nation, cities wanting to be Cittaslow. Like an institution of marriage, the Sonoma designation needs to be taken seriously. If we can simply, conveniently water down Cittaslow, then perhaps Sonoma is not readily prepared to be married to those specific “slow” values.
We might have one mayor, a handful of council members and only our small community concerned, but make no mistake, the final decision and vote will resonate beyond Sonoma County. We’re being watched carefully from way beyond Sonoma.
Yannick A. Phillips
Sonoma