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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
September 20, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
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September 20, 2012
 
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By GORDON WEEKS gordon@TrLaY, oncoztnty,cort~ A high school dropout and former drug abuser, a Shelton man decided to turn his life around by improving his academic skills at Sound Learning sessions and earning his GED. He's now studying welding at Olympic College in Shelton, working toward certification so he can earn a family wage. An Hispanic man in his 50s, a native of Mexico, had little access to educa- tion as a boy. Trained as a baker, he attended English for Speakers of Other Lan- guages (ESOL) sessions offered by Sound Learn- ing. Now, he's using his new language skills to read business license require- ments and search for bak- ery equipment online to open his own bakery. A local woman who knew little English enrolled in the ESOL program. These days, she's an active vol- unteer and Parent-Teach- er Student Organization member at her children's elementary school. For 21 years, the Shel- ton-based nonprofit organi- zation has provided adults with individual and small group instruction in read- ing, writing, math and English for ESOL. Sound Learning, 133 Railroad Ave., launched its new sessions of GED and adult education classes last Monday. A new session of ESOL evening programs begin on Monday, are hosted from 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays through Dec: 12 on the ~ec- ond floor of the CHOICE alternative school. No class is conducted on Veteran's Day, Nov. 12. Students must register by attending an orienta- tion session. New students will be accepted until mid- way through fall quarter. Students can sign up dur- ing class time at CHOICE Alternative School, at the Sound Learning office, and by calling 426-9733. The ESOL evening ses- sions continue in 2013, with winter quarter pre- sented Jan. 7-March 20, spring quarter April 8 through June 19, and sum- mer quarter July 8-Aug. 14. For information, con- tact Jenny Blumenstein at 426-9733 or jblum@sound- lerning.co. Adults enroll for two reasons, said Sound Learn- ing Outreach Coordinator Tracy Moore. They are ei- ther preparing to take the GED high school equiva- lency test, or they are im- migrants who want to un- derstand, speak and write better English, "to be com- fortable and function in our society," she said. Shelton Dental Center is a full-service dental office providing all general dentistry services plus: • Oral Surgery • Implants • Root Canal Therapy • Periodontal Therapy • Pediatric Dentistry • Botox and Juvederm ENTAL CE NTE R Come see why everyone is smiling! Iiiiilii (360) 426-8401 . 360.GO.BRUSH (462-7874) www.SheltonDentalCenter.com 1829 Jefferson Street • Shelton WA, 98584 Vocal Distinct Rift', Distinct MaxTM, Distinct NRTM They enhance speech while smartly managing background noise. The Vocal Distinct RICTM Distinct MaxTM, and Distinct MaxTM are some of the most successful hearing devices with eynamlc , features for improved hearing at a more moderate investment level. Come see (and hear) them for yourself! (Offer excludes the Distinct PlusTM) Savihgs expire September 28. 2012. I I I I I I off regular price of binaural , BluLink II K Series I I The Blulink Hearing System is , I the most advanced technology , we have ever dispensed. Blulink is a revolutionary NEW hearing system, that in quiet or noisy places, improves speech understanding and telephone communication like never before. Savings expire September 28, 2012. • nmN.avada.com Hear Your Absolute BestTM 2012 Page B-6 - Shelton-Mason County Journa~ -Thursday, Seot. 20, 2012 Journal photo by Gordon Weeks The Shelton-based nonprofit Sound Learning, formerly known as Mason County Literacy, for 21 years has provided adults with one-on- one and group instruction in reading, writing, math and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). The team includes, from left, Jenny Blumenstein, adult program coordinator; Shannon Klasell, adult program coordinator - basic skills; and Tracy Moore, outreach coordinator. Many students are moti- vated to learn for financial reasons. Residents who have not earned a high school diploma or GED "are not finding options in the workplace," said Blu- menstein, Sound Learn- ing's adult program coor- dinator. The ESOL students want to learn the skills to help their children with their homework, and com- municate with doctors, teachers, employers and co-workers, she said. Most of the ESOL stu- dents speak Spanish, while others speak Thai, Rus- sian, Chinese, Punjabi, In- dian and Iraqi, said Shan- non Kiasell, Sound Learn- ing's adult program coordi- nator - basic skills. "Their posture gets bet- ter after each session," Moore said. "They get more confidence. It's good for their self esteem." Most of the students range in age from 19 to 35, Moore said. Many of the volunteers are retirees looking for a place to serve, she said. Meeting sites for one- on-one sessions include the libraries in Hoodsport, Bel- fair and Shelton; the din- ing room at Rooster's; the United Methodist Church in Shelton; and the coffee drinking section at Fred Meyer. In Thurston Coun- ty, Barnes and Noble Book- store and Top Food and Drug are among the sites for one-on-one sessions. The organization is al- ways seeking volunteers to give one-on-one help throughout the county, as well as steady help in the office. ESOL instructors don't have to know the lan- guage of the person they are teaching, Moore said. The organization is teaming with the Friends of the Shelton Library to stage Oysterlympics for kids at OysterFest Oct. 6-7 in Shelton. Sound Learn- ing also offers "Uncorked for a Cause" at 6 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Colonial House in Shelton. The annual three-person team spelling bee, Spell-E- Bration, is staged May 10 at the Shelton Civic Cen- ter. Last year's Spell-E- Bration raised $17,000 for the organization through team sponsor donations. About 65 percent of the Sound Learning's funding comes from state and fed- eral grants through the Washington State Board for Community and Tech- nical Colleges. onions taco shells or tart:fll~s i::i: :hi' :) :: Party Continued from page B-1 "The thing this (the economy) is hitting really hard on is the backpack program," he said. Each week during the school year, Saint's Pan- try gives out more than 100 bags filled with non- perishable food to children getting free and reduced lunches during the week, many of whom are home- less. The bags are intended to help children eat healthy, balanced meals through the weekend, when they don't have access to free school meals. Each backpack costs the food bank $5.19 and includes items such as Top Ramen. instant oatmeal, a can of ravioli or pork and beans, fruit cups, en- ergy bars, macaroni and cheese, fruit juice, tuna, snack crackers and pop- corn. Harstine Continued from page B-1 commutes to work outside of Mason Coun- ty, and that the vast majority of business- es in Mason County have 10 or fewer em- ployees. Interesting historical information he passed along was that the president of a chamber in New York started Wood- stock, another chamber started the Miss America pageant and perhaps most inter- esting was a Chicago chamber that helped Elliot Ness take down AI Capone. Pioneer Kiwanis meets at 7 a.m. every Wednesday morning at the Spencer Lake Bar & Grill. Guests are always welcome. I want to thank all the folks who sent me information for this column and re- mind you that the column is turned in to the Journal on Friday, preceding the Thursday publication. I received several items this week, but couldn't use them because they came in too late. Mike will be back next week. It has been fun, thanks. Habitat Continued from page B-1 family. The couple painted, landscaped, placed sheet- rock and helped raise the inside walls. They also logged in hours working at the Habitat stores. "They were a hardwork- ing family," Roha said. The house was dedicat- ed at a ceremony that fea- tured speakers and music by Paul Barber. Grocery Outlet stocked the bath- room with essentials and the kitchen with food, and the Faith Lutheran Church Quilting Saints and New Community Church of Union Quilters donated handmade quilts to the family. The children are enjoy- ing the parks near their home, and making friends with the neighbors' ani- mals, Michele said. This month, Habitat will break ground for its next house, in Timber- lakes, not far from the Morris home. "Everything they do helps people, and we'll ge~ can," Michele said. Habitat for Humanity of Mason County seeks vol- unteers, in particular peo- ple with plumbing, roofing and electrical skills, Roha said. The organization can be reached at 426-8134 or www.habitatmason.org Most of the land for the Habitat houses is donated, particularly in Timber- lakes and Shorecrest, Roha said. The group hopes to find property owners in the Belfair area to donate land, she said. "We want to make an out there as much as we imprint there," Roha said. - " ' ,-':, o O •