Central Texas Writers Society participating in worldwide event

By DAVID J. HARDIN
Cove Leader-Press

The Central Texas Writers Society is participating in a worldwide event called 100,000 Poets For Change on Saturday, September 30, at the Copperas Cove Public Library from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The event has been held worldwide in more than 100 countries since 2011, and is a time for poets, writers, artists and other creative people to come together and share their ideas and their talents and connect with the community.
The themes for this year’s event are peace, change, equality, justice, and sustainability.  
“We are doing this because everyone needs an outlet to express their concerns and feelings peacefully,” said Nicole Metts, founder of the Central Texas Writers Society. “Unity makes our community stronger and words have the power to change the world.”
The free event has a lineup of speakers ready to participate, with spaces available for anyone else interested. 
The event will begin with a free yoga session with instructor Kimberly Cramer from 10-10:30 am.. Starting at 10:45 a.m., Metts will give an introduction speech and read some of her poetry. Following Nicole, speakers will share their work at 15-minute intervals. 
There will also be a face painting station for kids overseen by Briann Gonzalez, Malachi Muncy will demonstrate papermaking, with Linda Schneider Lapierre and Heather Bozman having a rock painting station for everyone to try. 
Gwyneth Jett will share about Earth Ships, and there will be information presented on sustainability and the environment, as well as yoga information by Kimberly Cramer.
The day will also include open-mic time and a project board so that everyone can write on colored note paper how they would change the world, and lastly a story table where people contribute a few words to build a story using a the theme of changing the world.
“The more help and participation, the better,” said Metts. “This is our first year doing this and I hope to continue doing this for years to come with bigger and better ideas and planning.” 
Tonight from 8-9:30 p.m., the Central Texas Writers Society is holding its monthly open mic night at Lil Tex Restaurant. 
During open mic night, anyone can share their poems and short stories, and there is the possibility a musician may be attending as well, said Metts. 
Those interested in signing up to share on September 30 can email Nicole Metts at nicolemetts@gmail.com.