Presidio Sentinel San Diego, MAY 2016
By Laura Walcher
You
know how we are: We Eat. We Drink. We Read. We’re literate. The benefits? Incalculable! “Literacy is one of the basic foundations
of a civilized society.” says County supervisor Greg Cox. That’s why the S. D. Council on
Literacy’s (SDCOL) annual event,
on May 18, celebrates literacy with these essential activities, and works year
‘round with 29 literacy organizations here to promote, inspire, and support reading.
SDCOL’S
CEO, Jose Cruz, reports a surprising fact noted in, ”The
Life Project” – in which author Helen Pearson shows that, while being born poor is a huge source of risk
to health and well-being, reading as a
child predicts better outcomes later in life, regardless of the socioeconomic
status of one’s parents, one’s environment.
Says
Cruz, “through literacy, we gain
access to information that supports well-being and functionality. This year, we are emphasizing a
children’s book collection drive.
People should know that 60% of
low-income children have no books in their homes. By what miracle will they be ready to learn in kindergarten?
How will they at grade level by the time they’re nine? Like successful readers, these children
need books. They need to be read
to by their parents. And they need
exposure to words, so they can build vocabularies that enable them to understand what they read!”
Children,
of course, are not the sole beneficiaries of SDCOL’s programs. Add those who
have managed to become adults without learning to read, and immigrants who
attend English-as-a Second Language classes. SDCOL covers the County.
At
“Eat.Drink.Read,” more than 25 restaurateurs will present a dish inspired by a favorite
book. Chef Jose Duran, from Casa Guadalajara, for example, has chosen Frida’s Fiesta: Recipes and Reminiscences of
Life with Frida Khalo as his book.
He will serve “Squash blossom
Quesadillas and Red Snapper, Veracruz style!”
Participating
among our county’s splendid eateries will also be the La Valencia Hotel and
Grant Grill Lounge. Add
wineries, breweries, waters and soft drinks, and attendees have an evening of
delicious cuisine in store. More importantly; they’ll also help the SDCOL
fulfill its most important mission..
“EAT.DRINK.READ.,
“ A Culinary Event for Literacy,” will be held Wednesday., May 18, 5:30 p.m. to
8:00 p.m. at Liberty Station. Please
visit www.literacysandiego.org/edr or call 888-850-7323 for more information and registration.
