Members of the Lafayette Senior Services Writers Group, Mary Lee Dodd, Miriam Glickman, Edna Coulson Hall, Judith Rathbone, Janet Clark, Sally Holzman and Mei Sun Li. Photo C. Tyson

With a broad array of excerpts of their selected works covering a Pomeranian Monologue - a charming slice of life from a beloved pooch's point of view - to the story of a civil rights worker in Mississippi circa 1964 and more, the Senior Services Writers Group represents an impressive collection of talent that thoroughly impressed the standing-room-only crowd at their recent Open Reading.

With their facilitator Judith Rathbone, herself a teacher at Las Positas Community College, these women are working on a variety of projects and come together regularly to be supportive and offer feedback. Mei Sun Li describes the Group as a comforting place, "We've laughed and shed tears. It's a place of happy ruminations." The goal of the Senior Writers is meant to be personally fulfilling and not necessarily lead to publication.

The on-going "Self-Discovery and Aging: Creative Writing Workshop" with facilitator Rathbone, is open to the public and will finish out the fall quarter with meetings on 11/12, 12/3 and 12/17 from 1:00 to 2:30 in the Elderberry Room of the Lafayette Community Center. The alternate Friday Workshop sessions include writing prompts, feedback, encouragement, and information about the world of writers, writing, and publishing.