Ellen Cole Drive

Readers of this blog:

One of our own workshop leaders and friends, Ellen Cole, was recently diagnosed with a Leukemia-like blood cancer. Her daughter, Becky, with the help of a group of dedicated friends, is organizing a bone marrow drive for Ellen, and others who need bone marrow transplants. The date of the drive is June 27 at the Seeker's Church, 276 Carroll Street, NW in DC, right across the street from the Takoma Park metro station.

And also, a message from Becky herself:

Tonight is the night of a fundraiser at McGinty's--10% of the restaurant's sales from the upstairs pub section will be donated to DKMS for the registration of bone marrow donors!

The event is from 5 - midnight.

Four things to remember:
1. Bring everyone you know.
2. Be sure to sit in the upstairs pub.
3. Tell your server that you want to participate.
4. Eat, drink, and save lives!

More info here: http://www.dkmsamericas.org/dkms-fundraiser-mcgintys-public-house

If you want to help but can't come, you can still contribute. You can write a check to DKMS Americas (the organization that is helping me) and give it to me along with your name and address and I'll donate it along with the benefit proceeds and DKMS will send you a receipt for tax purposes. You can also donate through the DKMS website, DKMSAmericas.org. Or come to my other event, the Bone Marrow Donation Awareness drive (http://www.dkmsamericas.org/help-save-ellen-and-others). It's all to help my mom and others with diseases like hers.

Thanks so much. I hope you see you there!

Becky Cole

Walking directions from the Silver Spring metro to McGinty's:

Exit the Silver Spring metro station and proceed up Colesville road (you will be walking along a large construction site--across Colesville from the McDonald's). Continue past the construction site, across Wayne Ave, and past the Discovery Channel building. After you cross Georgia Ave you'll see a Panera. Turn right directly in front of the Panera and follow the sidewalk along the parking lot and through the arch into the main downtown Silver Spring shopping district. You'll pass a Red Lobster, an Eggspectation, and Austin Grill, a Potbelly's, a Starbucks, and then you'll be at McGinty's!

We have a Winner!

Just a brief post today. Beverly Boyce is the winner of our Metro bus ad competition. She saw the ad on one of her travels, snapped a picture with her cell phone, and e-mailed it to us. This is what it looks like...

As a prize, she will receive one free workshop of her choice.


And here's information on an upcoming reading featuring some of our members:

Instructor Ellen Cole is going to be reading at the Takoma Community Center next Thursday, January 15 at 7:30 p.m. together with Judy Neri and
E. Laura Golberg as part of Takoma Park's Third Thursday Poetry Series.

The reading will take place in Gallery 3 on the third floor of the Community Center.

I was at a reading the other night at Cafe Muse featuring Kathi Wolfe and Brian Brodeur. There was an open mic following the reading and both Judy Neri and E. Laura Goldberg read. They were terrific as well. So, if you're able, check out these three fine poets.

Here are the details:
Poets Judy Neri, Ellen Cole and E. Laura Golberg
Thursday, January 15 at 7:30
Takoma Park Community Center
Gallery three, third floor
7500 Maple Ave
Takoma Park, MD 20912
301-891-7224

Have a great weekend everybody. Perhaps I'll see you at our Writer's Center staff reading this Sunday?

Kyle