featuring Wanda Coleman and Austin Straus

Having authored 18 books of poetry and prose, Wanda appears in Writing Los Angeles (2002), in Poet's Market (2003), and Quercus ReviewVI (2006). She has been an Emmy-winning scriptwriter, and a former columnist for LA Times Magazine; a nominee for poet laureate, California 2005, and for the USA artists fellowship 2007. Her book Bathwater Wine won her the 1999 Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize--the first African-American woman to receive the award. Her Mercurochrome was a bronze-medal finalist, National Book Awards 2001. Her honors include fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. She was LA's first literary fellow (2003-04). Her most recent books include Ostinato Vamps, The Riot Inside Me: Trials & Tremors, and a collection of poetry translated into French (2006). A new collection of stories, Jazz & Twelve O'Clock Tales, was published in 2008 (finalist for the Patterson Fiction Prize).
 
Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Austin Straus moved to SoCal in 1978. He has been drawing and painting since childhood, but began writing in his mid-thirties. He hosted The Poetry Connexion on Pacifica radio 1981-1996. He worked for Amnesty International, PEN's Freedom to Write Committee, and on many local LA and California issues. A teacher of art, English and literature, poetry and philosophy, he is also an accomplished painter. His complex "specialties" are one-of-a-kind books, from which the covers of his poetry books for Red Hen Press are taken: Drunk with Light (2002) and Intensifications (2010). His honors include the one-man shows "Austin Straus-Collages: Word + Image," an exhibition (and poetry reading) at Beyond Baroque Gallery in Venice (2000); and BURNWORKS: Paintings, Collages and Artist Books (2010) at the Antelope Valley College Art Gallery. He was a 1997-98 "Writers on Site" resident, sponsored by LACMA and Beyond Baroque. His wife of 29 years is poet and writer Wanda Coleman.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to "hang" with two of SoCal's most accomplished writers. Admission by voluntary donation. Hosted by the incomparable Uncle Ruthie Buell. No RSVP required.

Learn Yiddish in an fun, engaging, immersion environment at Circle Lodge in Hopewell Junction (under 2 hours from NYC). Application deadline is noon on Fri Jun 11 for the Pesakh Fiszman Memorial Scholarship Fund Summer 2010. Workmen's Circle is underwriting several scholarships for young adult students to enroll in "A Week in Yiddishland" (July 11-18) at our summer retreat with daily Yiddish classes, a stellar teaching staff, arts and cultural programs and more. The scholarship pays for ½ of all expenses including classes, food and dormitory-style boarding, making the cost only $30 a day! Don't pass up this unforgettable summer learning experience.

Scholarship candidates will be evaluated on: Demonstrated commitment to Yiddish language and culture, and Desire/ability to share and transmit Yiddish cultural legacy. 
The number of scholarships is limited, so please apply ASAP and feel free to share this opportunity with friends and family!
 
To apply, send a personal statement (max 500 words) including the following: