If I could write only one word to explain what I want to accomplish, it would be: community. Whether it's promoting literacy with Stories 2000, encouraging students to get involved in politics or promoting Iowa as the food capital of the world, my goal is to create a 21st Century sense of community in Iowa. I'm using my website as a means to that end.

I feel like Charlotte, the spider of E.B. White's classic children's book. I am the web-writer trying to entice you into my cyberweb - to linger, to browse, to get entangled in some project mentioned here.

While you're visiting, check out my list of suggested books, streamlined to accommodate busy schedules. Some of my selections will challenge your thinking, but others are just for escape. If you need a good book for a child, you can find a suggestion here.

If you would like to find out more about the Literacy Champions program, check out the About the Program link. I worked with Verizon and Chicago Bulls players Fred Hoiberg, now on the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Marcus Fizer to promote the importance of literacy in the state of Iowa.

If you're a librarian or school media specialist who wants to find out more about Stories 2000 and how to sign your community up for next year, check out the Stories 2000 pages.

When we read to children, we're connecting. When we try an ethnic recipe from the Terrace Hill cookbook, we're connecting. When we learn about health issues on the minds of Iowa teenagers, we're connecting. When we Iowans take responsibility for each other - old and young, urban and rural, black and white - we rekindle that sense of community that brought the governor and me back to Iowa to raise a family.

Thanks for visiting. Thanks for connecting.

Christie Vilsack