Adult Literacy Program

Teacher Steve Butz had a delightful problem the first day of school: There weren't enough chairs.He had 19 adult students, four more than expected for his second class of the day, a 10: 40 a.m. remedial reading and writing session. Before class could begin, he had to run to the computer lab to grab extra seats.Such are the problems of the COIL Learning Bank, Baltimore's largest private adult literacy program, which has seen demand for its services boom since moving three weeks ago from two nondescript rowhouses at 1223 W. Baltimore St. to new quarters across the road at 1200 W. Baltimore St. More than 200 people have enrolled for the current eight-week session, up sharply from the 150 students of a year ago."

IN BALTIMORE CITY 7 light rail stations will be closed today for repairs Light rail stations between Oriole Park at Camden Yards and North Avenue will be shut down today while workers fix an underground retaining wall that collapsed at Baltimore and Howard streets Friday night, a block from the site of a water main break, officials said. The repairs will force the closure of seven light rail stations at least through the afternoon, said Richard Scher, a spokesman for the Maryland Transit Administration.

Area schools and literacy programs seek volunteers to help children and adults improve reading skills and to assist in related projects.Among them is:Paul's Place Outreach Center, 1118 Ward St., in Baltimore's Pigtown neighborhood, for an adult literacy program from 12: 30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; an after-school program including homework and training in life skills for children ages 10 to 13, weekdays from 3: 15 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and...

Stephen William Kain, whose spirit of voluntarism and determination to help others defined his life, died Monday of cancer at his mother's home in Crofton. He was 43. A burly man with an easy smile, Mr. Kain was well-known in South Baltimore, where he had lived in a Hanover Street rowhouse for nearly two decades. A waiter and bartender, he worked at Spike & Charlie's Restaurant and Wine Bar on Cathedral Street until he became ill last year. He had held similar jobs at Sisson's Restaurant and Brewery near Cross Street Market, the now-closed Washington Place Grill and Jean Claude's at Harborplace, and at several area catering businesses.

In Baltimore CountyJemicy to offer workshop on written expressionOWINGS MILLS -- The Jemicy School Outreach Program is sponsoring "Framing Your Thoughts," a three-day workshop on teaching writing to children in grades three to seven. The workshop, to be held Dec. 2-4 at the Jemicy school, is part of Project Read, a structured approach to language instruction that adapts tutoring techniques for use in classroom groups.The workshop is designed for classroom teachers, special education teachers, writing specialists, speech and language therapists, tutors and others interested in writing instruction.

Area schools and literacy programs use volunteers to help children or adults improve reading skills. Among those in need of volunteers:The League: Serving People With Physical Disabilities Inc., 1111 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, provides one-on-one tutoring of physically disabled adults in reading and other areas for the General Educational Development examination. Hours are 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact: Marlene Hendler, 410-323-0500.SECO-LIFT, Southeast Community Organization-Learning Is For Tomorrow, an adult literacy program, 10 S. Wolfe St., Baltimore, provides one-on-one phonics training primarily to adults whose reading ability is below second-grade level.

Area schools and literacy programs seek volunteers to help children and adults to improve reading skills and to assist in related projects. Among them are: A Whole New World, the Enoch Pratt Free Library's Internet program for children ages 9 to 14. Volunteers are needed at several branches around the city to teach children how to use the Internet and e-mail. Training for volunteers will be provided. Contact: Marion Hirsch, 410-396-9940. Paul's Place Outreach Center, 1118 Ward St., in Baltimore's Pigtown neighborhood, for an after-school program including homework and training in life skills for children ages 10 to 13, weekdays from 2: 45 p.m. to 5: 30 p.m.; a "Kids Place" program with activities teaching values from 9: 30 a.m. to 12: 15 p.m. Saturdays for children ages 6 to 11; and "Learning Corner" adult literacy program, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

In Baltimore CountyJemicy to offer workshop on written expressionOWINGS MILLS -- The Jemicy School Outreach Program is sponsoring "Framing Your Thoughts," a three-day workshop on teaching writing to children in grades three to seven. The workshop, to be held Dec. 2-4 at the Jemicy school, is part of Project Read, a structured approach to language instruction that adapts tutoring techniques for use in classroom groups.The workshop is designed for classroom teachers, special education teachers, writing specialists, speech and language therapists, tutors and others interested in writing instruction.

Area schools and literacy programs seek volunteers to help children and adults improve reading skills and to assist in related projects.Among them are:Maryland Rehabilitation Center, 2301 Argonne Drive, Baltimore, to work on functional reading skills with people who have minimal reading ability as a result of injury or learning disability. Day or evening hours are available. Contact: Mary Henry, 410-554-9458.Greater Homewood Adult Literacy Program, 3501 N. Charles St., which serves those age 18 and older with one-on-one and small-group instruction in reading, writing, math and English for speakers of other languages.