Members Shirley Schildeman, Pete Studelska and Rob Lang put their bodies in harm’s way as well, facing swat teams, tanks, mounted police (whose horses were masked as well as their riders), bicycle and motorcycle officers, and police on foot in riot gear with face masks,

Billy clubs and semi-automatic weapons. In colorful contrast to the darkly dressed “security” forces, protesters disguised themselves as corn, tomatoes and salmon. One tall puppet shouted on his megaphone, "Don't sell out for genetically modified food." Diana noted two police officers pointing at him. With a call of "get him", the police knocked him to the ground, shot him with a taser and confiscated his megaphone. And yet again, the world has been made safe for genetically modified corn.

Cross Cultural Educational Scholarship
Gary Martin

Congratulations to the Peace and Justice community, for awarding the first Cross Cultural Educational Scholarship. The scholarship was awarded to Dillon Martin, and was the brainchild of Ani Durst, Rich Waters and Diana Stauffer. On June 13, 2003 Dillon traveled to Nicaragua with the non-profit group El Porvenir (www.elporvenir.org). El Porvenir’s mission is “To improve the standard of living of poor people in Nicaragua through sustainable self-help water, sanitation, and reforestation projects”. Dillon was gone for two weeks, and was involved in a reforestation project in several small villages just outside the country’s capitol city, Managua. Dillon is now attending San Francisco State University, and has said: “my trip to Nicaragua was a life changing event, that has given me more insight into the world around me and helped prepare me for my college experience”. Dillon thanked the Peace and Justice Community for having the vision to expand a young person’s experience, and allow him to see other parts of the world first hand.

A fundraising event was held shortly after Dillon returned home. The event was held at the Hangtown Grange July 12, 2003. A core group of volunteers put together a wonderful Mexican dinner (Kay Gibson designed an excellent menu and many, many people contributed food, drinks and energy. Melinda Velasco and Danny Torres of Nova Trova provided energetic Latin music, and Sara Velasco taught Merengue and Salsa lessons. Dillon displayed photographs from his trip and gave a presentation pointing out some of the trip’s highlights. The fundraiser was certainly a monetary success, and as always, a fantastic Peace and Justice Community happening.

The Peace and Justice Community plans to award its second scholarship next year to a young community member, so keep your eyes open for the next year’s fundraiser. You won’t want to miss this one!

Book Reviews: Shirley Schildeman
Anger Thich Nhat Hahn, Riverhead Books. c 2001-- Going deep within to listen to the origins of our anger, we will understand our suffering and the suffering of others. As a Buddhist monk for over 50 years, Hahn points out that there is anger in everyone. We are to practice compassionate listening in support of each other; in this way we will turn our "compost", our anger, into a beautiful garden, our transformation of self. Once we still ourselves to practice listening to our own anger, we can support others more often and create peace in our surroundings. This book is a series of short essays, so it's easy to pick up and read for a few minutes at a time. Then, each thought that he addresses can be practiced right away. Breathing calmly and fully is essential to clearing a way for the energy of transformation and peace.

Geshundheit! Patch Adams, M.D., Healing Arts Press,c1998--I haven't finished this book yet, but I am enjoying the perspective Patch gives the reader on the state of the medical profession. Patch was considered for dismissal in the last few weeks of medical school for being "excessively happy"! He has a lot of positive ideas for social and environmental justice that he implements in his daily life as a doctor. He is a great inspiration to the peace and justice community.

Prayers of the Cosmos, translated by Neil Douglas-Klotz, Harper Collins Publishers, Inc., c1990--"Reader beware: though this book is brief, it contains the seeds of a revolution." The Aramaic words of Christ are honored in this "practical meditation" and translated in light of the fullness of Christ's native language, Aramaic. There are three points of view, at the minimum, from which to hear the words of these sacred teachings of old: the intellectual, the metaphorical, and the mystical or universal. This book always warms and enlivens me to return to inner peace so that I can bring that alive in my larger community.

Call me, Shirley @ 530.620.6541, if you'd like to talk about any of these ideas! Be sure to visit the Health Library on Main St. We have a shelf there with books and videos. We could use some volunteers to make extra copies of our library videos.

Meditation Groups- Another way to achieve peace is to meditate on it. Many of our members participate in meditative practices. If you have a group that would like to be listed, call Gale. If you are interested, call or contact the folks listed below:

Tibetan Buddhism Davis Shambala Center
133 D St., Ste. H
Davis, CA
Sunday 9-10 AM and other times
Contact: Ani Durst 644-3733
Renee Krupp <rkrupp@edcoe.k12.ca.us>

Mahayana Buddhism SGI Placerville
A Buddhist organization dedicated to individual happiness, education and achieving world peace.
Contact: Norm Stoldt 626-7114

Engaged Buddhism Inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh
Sitting and walking meditation
Dharma discussions from many traditions
Sunday 5:30-6:30
Contact: Gaye Wilson 622-6791

Hinayana Buddhism Mountain Stream Meditation Center
Canyon Spirit Yoga Center (cont’d p. 4)
538 Auburn Ravine Road
Auburn, CA
Every Tuesday, 7:30 to 9:00 PM
Contact: Gale Martinez 621-3089
“If we are to reach real peace in this world we shall have to begin with the children.” Mahatma Ghandi

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