Volunteer Excellence awards were presented to Karen Finstad and Don Speray, also Karen Wallin, Snoqualmie Valley, for technology contributions. Blossom Landau was named outstanding fundraising volunteer for help with Eastside Literacy's Book Sales. Lake Washington East Altrusa Club for over 10 years of ongoing support, and to Verizon for raising public awareness and providing major financial support. The King County Library System Foundation recently announced its Literary Lions Award winners for 2001. The Eastside Literacy Council and Ron Sher will be honored for their efforts to support literacy, at the seventh annual Literary Lions Dinner Sunday, March 11 at the Bellevue Regional Library.
Oates is a prolific writer, having penned numerous novels, poetry, short stories, plays and essays.
Her latest novel, Blonde, is a fictional account of the life of Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe. Eastside Literacy Council staff and volunteers serve nearly 1,000 people in our county each year through a variety of programs, including Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, Workplace Literacy, Family Literacy, and other activities to help people succeed. Eastside Literacy Council is involved in the community, offering classes in schools, libraries, churches and senior centers as well as at its learning centers in Bellevue and Duvall. Third Place Books, in Lake Forest Park Towne Center, represents this third place which brings people of all ages together to listen to authors, do homework, hold community meetings, and socialize. Sher has created space for the human spirit to flourish in this community center surrounded by books and the pursuit of literary ideas.