NCLD's 2008 "Voices of LD" Competition

From NCLD:
Calling all creative people with learning disabilities.

In honor of our 31st anniversary, the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) is looking for self-portraits that capture what life is like for individuals with learning disabilities (LD).

What story does your portrait tell? Share with us expressions of your hopes, dreams, struggles and successes. Show us what the world is like through your eyes. Help us to celebrate the unique vision of children and adults affected by LD.

Selected submissions will be showcased on our Web site and at our Annual Benefit Dinner in April. In addition, our grand prize will be a trip to New York City and a chance to attend our Annual Benefit Dinner honoring Ted Turner. Two runners-up will receive $200 each. Prizes will be awarded for outstanding works in each of the following categories:

* Children: 4-12 years old
* Teens: 13-17 years old
* Adults: 18 and older

To enter, please send NCLD your submission(s), a photo of the artist, a short paragraph (three to five sentences) written by the artist detailing their experience with LD, and completed release forms. Grand prize winners must provide relevant documentation of a specific learning disability.

If you have any questions, please email Teneille Craig. All entries must be received no later than Friday, February 8, 2008. Click here to download rules and requirements of the competition.

ASL Christmas Carol Tonight

From Colleen Kelly, Director of American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse:
"An ASL Interpreted performance of A Christmas Carol has been scheduled for Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia. Pre-show entertainment begins at 7:15 and the performance starts at 7:30. Please feel free to share this announcement with family and friends who would like to attend a signed performance.

Lindsey Snyder, ASL Interpreter, will be signing from the house-left side of the playhouse. To best see both the play and the interpreter, I recommend you purchase reserved seating in the house-center or house-right sections of rows D through K or purchase general admission seating which will allow you, upon arrival, to choose seats in the house-right side galley on the lower level of the playhouse or house-center or house-right in the upper balcony. Although we usually don’t reserve seats for general admission, I have asked the house staff to hold seats in the above sections for you the evening of Wednesday, December 19. Please arrive early if you would like to take advantage of this seating option.

To purchase tickets, please visit the box office in person at the playhouse, contact the box office by phone at 540-851-1733, or e-mail our box office at tickets@americanshakespearecenter.com. Let the box office staff know that you want the best seats to see both the play and the interpreter. If you are making your purchase through e-mail, please also include your name and contact information, the date of the show, and your preference for purchasing your tickets (you may reserve your tickets and purchase them Wednesday evening or pay through the e-mail by including your credit card number and card expiration date). We recommend you do not use our on-line purchasing system as it assigns random seating rather than an option of specific seating."