Upcoming Events
August 27, 2010
3rd Annual Authors for Literacy Dinner & Silent Auction
featuring New York Times Best-Selling Author John Hart
North Carolina thriller novelist John Hart is the author of three New York Times best-selling novels: The King of Lies, Down River, and The Last Child. In April 2010, Hart earned the distinction of being the only author to win Edgar awards for two consecutive novels.
John Hart puts the mystery into reading; the Literacy Council takes it out. The heroes in Hart's books overcome barriers to solve crimes, while the Literacy Council's students overcome incredible odds to uncover the mystery of English literacy. Just as Hart's heroes discover truths about their personal lives, Literacy Council students find confidence and develop self-sufficiency to transform their lives as individuals, parents, workers, and citizens.
John Hart will keynote an unforgettable evening made complete with dinner, drinks, and a unique auction.
We are proud to announce that, for the first time, our guests will have the opportunity to purchase VIP tickets to attend an intimate pre-event reception with the author.
Auction items will include:
* A set of autographed novels from Authors for Literacy authors Elizabeth Kostova, Sara Gruen, & John Hart
* Private catering by renowned local chefs
* An Asheville brewery experience
* "Taste of Asheville" restaurant package
* Oil painting by Trinity St. James
* Ceramic art by Kung Fu Clay
* An origami birthday party
* Portrait session by Jen Lepkowski
Traditional tickets are $75; VIP tickets, which include an intimate reception with the author, are $125.
This event will sell out -- please purchase your tickets today.
To RSVP: contact Ashley Vandewart at the Literacy Council at 828-254-3442 x205 or download the RSVP form here and mail with payment to:
Literacy Council of Buncombe County
ATTN: Authors for Literacy RSVP
31 College Place, B-221
Asheville, NC 28801
Media Resources: Click here for July 1, 2010 press release. Visit http://www.johnhartfiction.com/ for downloadable images.
(Photo courtesy of Abigail Seymour Photography.)
April – November 2010
Volunteer Tutor Orientation and Training Schedule
Download a PDF file showing dates and time for tutor orientation sessions and tutor training classes for Adult Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Classes fill up fast. Schedule your seat today via e-mail to literacytutors@litcouncil.com or by calling 828-254-3442, ext 204.
Tutor Orientation and Training Schedule >> 
Events Archives
July 5-16, 2010
Asheville Augustine Project Tutor Training
Are you interested in helping to close the achievement gap between low-income and middle class students? This project trains tutors to provide free, high quality, 1-to-1, long-term, instruction in reading, writing and spelling to children and teens who qualify for free or reduced school lunches.
Our tutors receive 60 hours of training, and a bag full of teaching materials and curriculum before they are assigned an Augustine child. The two week training class includes a practicum during which the trainee evaluates a student, and then teaches five consecutive multi-sensory lessons under the supervision of a practicum supervisor. The tutor course is taught by a team of experienced trainers who present such topics as the definition and characteristics of dyslexia, the history and principles of Orton-Gillingham, phonological awareness, phonology (including sounds, syllable types and spelling rules), screening instruments and procedures, sight words, cursive handwriting, phonics games and activities, decoding, fluency and comprehension, vocabulary, written expression and advocacy. Wilson Reading System materials guide the lesson planning process.
Tutor training takes place at Randolph Learning Center on Montford Avenue in downtown Asheville. The course and materials are offered free of charge to new tutors, in exchange for them offering at least 60 pro bono sessions to a student in need in WNC.
2010 Training schedule: Weekdays July 5-16 from 9:00am-4:00pm
For more information, download this information sheet or visit the Augustine Project home page wwww.augustineproject.org
June 2010
Winesdays at the Wine Studio of Asheville
Each month, local business owner, Jessica Gualano chooses a non-profit to feature during The Wine Studio of Asheville's weekly "Winesday" wine tastings. The Literacy Council of Buncombe County was chosen as the June 2010 featured organization.
Each Wednesday evening in June, our supporters and guests enjoyed a tasting of five wines for $5. Click here to see photos from the June 9 Winesday. Proceeds benefitted the Literacy Council's programs to teach adults basic reading, writing, math, and English language skills through individual and small group instruction by trained volunteers.
To learn more about The Wine Studio of Asheville: click here to visit their website, follow them on twitter, friend them on facebook, or follow their blog.
May 27, 2010
20th Annual Spelling Bee
Photos and announcements from the 20th Annual Spelling Bee will be posted the week of July 5.
September 3, 2009
United Way Day of Caring
The United Way through Hands-On Asheville-Buncombe will deploy volunteers from Eaton Corporation throughout the county to champion the cause of literacy. The Eaton Corporation team will help the Literacy Council raise awareness about the problems of non-readers in our community by distributing bookmarks and materials at libraries, bookstores, community centers, and local businesses.
The Literacy Council is always looking for volunteer tutors and actively recruiting new students to the Adult Education Program. Be a volunteer. Refer a student. Get involved in a day of caring!
August 28, 2009
2 nd Annual Author’s for Literacy Dinner and Silent Auction
A maximum capacity crowd turned out for the 2nd Annual Author’s for Literacy fundraiser held at Gold Sponsor DoubleTree Biltmore Hotel. Keynote speaker was Asheville's own Sara Gruen and NY Times bestselling author of Water for Elephants.
We offer special thanks to our Platinum Sponsor Blue Ridge Energy Systems, Gold Sponsor Greenlife for their wine donation, and our Silver Sponsor Representative Bruce Goforth. Auction items ranging in value from $40.00 to $2000.00 were donated by numerous talented artists, individuals, and local businesses. The event surpassed all goals, raising over $25,000 to support literacy.
May 27, 2009
19th Annual Spelling Bee
A major fund raiser for the Literacy Council, this year’s event raised over $19,000 from corporate sponsorships. Spellers from Given Estates were the winning team!
The Spelling Bee was hosted by the Literacy Council of Buncombe County in conjunction with the American Association of University Women. The event was held at AB Technical College’s Laurel Auditorium and 20 teams participated. Door prizes were donated by a variety of local businesses in Asheville.
Through the years, with the support of the business community and the general public of Buncombe County, the Spelling Bee has raised over $146,000 for area literacy programs.
May 18, 2009
Open House
Monday May 18th 2009 marks a monumental day for the Literacy Council of Buncombe County. Join the staff, board, volunteer tutors, students and the Chamber of Commerce at a ribbon-cutting and opening of the photo and writing exhibit Readers Are Leaders, from 4-6pm at 31 College Place, downtown Asheville.
The Readers Are Leaders exhibit includes short stories authored by our students. Visit the Council’s new space, enjoy the reception, and meet the Literacy Council.
September 12, 2008
1st Annual Author’s for Literacy – An Evening in Eastern Europe
The Literacy Council of Buncombe County launched its first Author’s for Literacy fundraiser this year. The event was held at UNC-Asheville’s Reuter Center where author Elizabeth Kostova spoke to an audience of over 100. We especially thank Reynolds Mountain for their sponsorship of the event.
