I’ve been writing for Fresyes for a while now, and occasionally I run out of things on what to write about. I thought I would have writer’s block about a month into it, but there is so much going on in Fresno that it’s nearly impossible to run out of ideas. That is, until last week. I was a bit stuck on a topic, so I went to Facebook to ask my friends for suggestions. Really, what better way to spark interest than to see what people want to read about, right? In asking for ideas (I now have 3 weeks planned out!), my one friend told me about the town hall meetings that happen here in Fresno. I didn’t even know we had town hall meetings!!
I’m not familiar with how town hall meetings are run. The only frame of reference I have with town meetings come from Footloose. You know, when Ren gets up and gives his speech on why the high schoolers should have a dance.
Now that I think about it, I don’t even think that was technically a town hall meeting. See, I know nothing. 😉
The San Joaquin Valley Town Hall meetings started way back in 1938, when Clio Lee Aydelott hoped to make an addition to the Central Valley’s intellectual and cultural life by providing a venue for “thinking adults to become better informed.” –Valley Town Hall (Our History) Over the years there have been over 500 speakers! My friend who told me about these lectures went to see Jack Hanna last month, and she absolutely loved it!
The Valley Town Hall lectures happen at William Saroyan Theatre, once a month (with the exception of December). They take place on Wednesdays at 10:30am. The next one is this Wednesday, November 18th. The speaker will be Sir Ken Robinson. I’m not familiar with who he is, but when I read that his topic will be Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative, I became intrigued.
“Robinson’s talk will focus on vital questions for education: Why is it essential to promote creativity? Why do so many adults think they’re not creative? Most children are buzzing with ideas –what happens to them as they grow up? In exploring these questions, Robinson argues for radical changes in how we educate all students to meet the extraordinary challenges of living and working in the 21st century.“-Valley Town Hall (About the Speakers)
If you’d like to hear a little more about him, check out one of his TED talks.
I think I’d really like to attend this lecture.
Here’s what you need to know if you go.
Tickets are $30, and students are free, they just have to show some sort of school ID or school library card. Also, when I say students, I mean elementary, middle school, high school, and even college students! What an experience! Educators are free as well, if you’re with your student. This is nice for me, because as a homeschooling mom, I’ve gotten a school ID as my daughter’s teacher. With each of our ID’s, we could both get in free. (Just a tip for all you homeschoolers out there! 😉
Personally, I can’t wait to attend one of these meetings. I’m so impressed that the opportunity of listening to educators, professionals, writers, and experts is available to us in Fresno.
Hopefully you’ll be able to make it to one of the lectures. I know I want to!
PS-Thanks to my friend who told me about this. I had no idea and now I’m excited to be able to share it with the rest of Fresno!
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