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To the Pleasanton Poet Laureate Selection Committee: I am writing on behalf of my fellow poet and friend Martha Meltzer. I first met Martha at the Century House Poetry Reading Series and was impressed with the poem she read at the open-mic segment. For the past two years she has been a member of my Everything Poetry Poets workshop and critique group. She always has great ideas for helping people make their poems better and is very perceptive in knowing just how to handle the occasional sensitive ego. I have seen her hone her own skill as poet into razor sharp and richer poetry. Some of her poems have been honored with cash prizes and/or been published by highly acclaimed contests and periodicals. Martha is an energetic poet and an avid reader of poetry as well as other literature. She works as the librarian for Alisal Elementary School here in Pleasanton where she has formed groups to teach children poetry. She has been featured on the front page of Pleasanton Weekly talking about this program. Martha is a very positive person with lots energy and enthusiasm to spread around this community. She has helped me with many of my programs that were put on during my time as Pleasanton's Poet Laureate to name a few: Gift of Words-Poems for the Iraqi People Century House event, she helped with organization, procurement, greeting guests, answering questions, as well as some of the grunt work. Everything Poetry Poets, she did critiquing of poetry, organization of programs put on at Towne Center, ideas for workshops, ideas for readings etc. Third Thursdays Open Mic, she is an avid regular there, reading her poetry, sharing ideas about the poetry read. She has been involved with me in two featured Readings at Towne Center Books and was a definite favorite at the evenings. Martha and I were invited to read poetry and teach poetry workshops as visiting poets at Mission College in Santa Clara on two separate occasions. We were a big hit with the students who were in age from their late teens to their sixties. Martha Meltzer has a lot of contacts and friends in the community of poetry and literacy. She just naturally gives freely of her time and special gifts. I feel she would be an amazing Poet Laureate for Pleasanton and make us all proud. ~ ~, . Sincerely, Cynthia L Bryant ~ ` '`ti-~-G_ 1_i~, ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ v ~ ~'-~ Pleasanton Poet Laureate (2005-2007) 925-398-8846 c nthia.br ant comcas .n ~~~ v y t et