From left to right: Author Fred Perrin, Sylvia Wiebe-Mason, Hannah Taylor, Merlin Braun, Joan Macdonald and Angela Reiger.

The launch of Manitoba Reads 2008 on December 5th was a huge success. Along with hearing the inspiration behind the calendar, people who were present at McNally Robinson Booksellers (1120 Grant Avenue) in the Prairie Ink Restaurant also heard Robin Reid speak of the impact literacy has had on her life. Robin is a member of LPM's Learner Speakers' Bureau.

If you have last minute shopping to do for that hard to buy person OR you haven't purchased your calendar yet, there are a number of ways to purchase copies:

- call Connie at: (204) 947-5757, or email her at cbell@mb.literacy.ca and let her know how many you'd like, or

- visit one of the following retailers: McNally Robinson Booksellers, Grant Park (1120 Grant Avenue), Hull's Bookstore (372 Graham), Dog-Eared Books (1157 Henderson) and the Millennium Library Store (251 Graham).

The deadline for the Katherine Aird Hamilton Bursary for Literacy Workers ($500) is January 31, 2008 . This bursary supports adult literacy instructors – who are LPM members - in their professional development. Questions? Call (204) 947-5757. Download an application by clicking here.

Remember, the deadline for The Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Literacy is January 10, 2008. Applications are currently being accepted in two categories: Leaders in Literacy Education and Partnership for Literacy. The Honourable John Harvard, the present Lieutenant Governor, established the Partnership for Literacy Medal in 2007 to recognize the impact partnerships have on literacy. This award will be presented for the first time in 2008.

LPM members can access posters, stickers and more for Family Literacy Day. There are limited quantities, so place your order today! Contact Connie at (204) 947-5757 or email cbell@mb.literacy.ca for more information.

The Centre for Education and Work (CEW) developed and piloted a family portfolio curriculum within both the Aboriginal and immigrant community groups. Face to face train the trainer events were held in Thompson and Winnipeg to share the research findings and the curriculum.

In 2008, CEW will offer an on line train the trainer course for individuals/ organizations interested in delivering a family portfolio course within their community. Those completing the on-line training will be invited to participate in a guided practicum to support them when they deliver the program. The CEW will walk individuals/organizations through the design, delivery and evaluation of the program.

The CEW is seeking participants for the on line training starting March 2008 and the guided practicum starting anytime between April and October 2008.

For more information on this opportunity contact Carol Hawkins at Centre for Education and Work, University of Winnipeg . (204)885-2957 or by email at chawkins@cewca.org.

The Council of Ministers of Education Canada (CMEC) is holding a national forum on literacy on April 14 and 15, 2008. The CMEC consists of the ministers of education of each province and territory. Manitoba is represented by the Honourable Diane McGifford, Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy, and the Honourable Peter Bjornson, Minister of Education Citizenship and Youth.

The business community is getting involved in this national event as it creates an ideal opportunity to share information on workforce literacy.

Keynote speakers from five regions will address literacy topics in step with a distinct theme developed for each region. Participants may attend designated locations to participate live or view presentations over the internet via web cast. Workshops supporting the theme will be held locally to present literacy perspectives from a variety of experts. Learners are welcome to participate.

You may want to visit http://www.ajpe.org/view.asp?art=aj690462&pdf=yes to read Enhancing student knowledge about the prevalence and consequences of low health literacy, published in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education.

Health Literacy in Canada: Initial Results from the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey is a report that maps out low health-literacy rates in Canada .

An American website offering interesting facts on health literacy, article on using iPods in schools and The Virginia Adult Education Health Literacy Toolkit.

Don't forget to read The Daily Graphic article about the province pushing for Advanced Literacy.

Resource for working with adult learners: Match It!

Picture stories for Adult ESL Health Literacy.

Employment Projects of Winnipeg Inc., a government funded, not for profit organization, is seeking a Computer Instructor to fill a part-time evening position. Submit resume by Monday, December 24, 2007 .

Charlottewtown, PEI will host an exciting conference for August 19 – 22, 2008 . Read more about Reading Between the Lines: Health, Safety and Literacy here.

What is a listserv?

A listserve is a communications tool. It provices the chance to electronically post suggestions or questions to a number of people at the same time. When you submit a question or something that you want to share with the listserv, your submission is distributed to all of the other members of the list.

LPM will be launching an online discussion using the listserv in January. Watch your email for more details.

My thanks to the learners and practitioners who submitted their writing for the upcoming issue of Write On! The issue, which will be produced and distributed in January, will include a number of excellent pieces exploring the theme of possibility.

I'll be sending letters to learner writers in the coming days, so please watch our email.

The next Write On! will be produced and published in Spring 2008. The theme is New Beginnings. Deadline for learner and practitioner submissions is Friday, March 14, 2008. Please submit your writing via email in Word format with Write On! Submission in the subject line to communications@mb.literacy.ca. . .and don’t forget to fax the release form to (204) 956-9315. Read the invite letter and print posters for Learner Writing and Practitioner Writing.

Literacy Partners of Manitoba is thrilled to announce the launch of a new addition to our website: Featured Weekly Learner Writer. Starting Fridays in January 2008, we’ll be featuring a learner and their writing on our website.

We invite learners to submit their work. Please see the submissions guidelines and poster.

Literacy Partners of Manitoba would like to wish you and your family a warm, memorable and peaceful holiday season. All the best in 2008!