“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek,  but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”  

          — Martin Luther King, Jr.

   Sonoma County’s celebration of the 2012 Season for Nonviolence will focus on Living Peace in Community.  A series of speakers and workshops on various aspects of peacebuilding and nonviolent conflict resolution will be offered around the county.

Sonoma County events Season for Nonviolence events are  sponsored by a coalition of Sonoma County non-profit peacebuilding organizations that include Alternatives to
Violence Project, the Metta Center for Nonviolence, Nonviolent Communication, Peace& Justice Center of Sonoma County, Veterans for Peace,  Recourse Mediation, Restorative Resources and The Peace Alliance.

Contact: Kendra Mon– email– kendramon@comcast.net

EVENTS CALENDAR

2012 SNV events as of 1/29/12:

Ongoing events:

• Fri. 8:15-10:45 AM: Hope Tank–The world has enough think-tanks, what it needs is a hope tank. Join the Metta Center for Nonviolence for a morning meditation (30 minutes), followed by a vegetarian potluck breakfast and conversation about principled nonviolence. This month, we are using Gandhi’s writings on satyagraha  as a central focus for our discussions. Bring a little blanket to keep you warm during meditation, something to share for breakfast, a pen and paper for taking notes, and a few dollars to offer to our hosts. Address: 215 Water Street, Petaluma, CA. For more information about hope tank, please contact stephanie@mettacenter.org or call 707 774 6299. If you are not regularly attending hope tank and want to check it out, please do call us first to ensure that we are working on schedule.

• Wed.  3:30-5:30 pm – Nonviolence for Daily Living Discussion Group with Nicholas Sismil Join a discussion on developing the inner peace and using nonviolence as a tool to reach that peace in our daily lives. Dive into both theory and personal stories to support one another.  Arlene Francis Center, 99 W. 6th Street, Santa Rosa.  Info at nicholas@mettacenter.org.

• Periodic Sat. trainings: Introduction to Circles and Circle Keeping by Restorative Resources An immersive training that allows participants to learn the fundamentals of circles and circle keeping  as a means of building positive connections. 7 hours; $45-$70, self-determined sliding fee; at 3440 Airway Drive, Santa Rosa.  Find out more at 707-542-4244, or info@restorativeresources.org.

Special Offerings:  

• Thurs., Feb. 9, 7:30-9:30 pm: Power of Gratitude and Effective Communication is the topic of award-winning author and educator Angeles Arrien.  Her books include The Four Fold Way, Signs of Life, The Second Half of Life, and recently Living in Gratitude. Participants will experience cross-cultural tools and practices that enable effective and creative problem solving.  Tickets are $20 available at praxispeace.org, Readers Books in Sonoma, or at the door.  High school and full-time students free.  Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma.

• Thurs., Feb. 9, 7-9 pm: Around the Fire program with slide show by Linda Sartor about her 2011 trip to Afghanistan with Voices for Creative Nonviolence (formerly Voices in the Wilderness).  The slide show brings Linda’s experiences to life so that viewers get a sense of the complexities of life in Afghanistan through the eyes of ordinary people.  Free program begins with 10 minute silent contemplation at the Peace & Justice Center, 467 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa (off of Santa Rosa Ave.).

• Sun., Feb. 12, 4-6 pm: The Power of Forgiveness film and discussion hosted by The Peace Alliance.  The film includes true stories of forgiveness along with interviews of people from many faith traditions.  Author and speaker Marianne Williamson said, “The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world.”  Free program at Leisure Lake mobile home park clubhouse, 300 Stony Point Rd., Petaluma.  Contact: Kendra at 707-992-0367 or kendramon@comcast.net.

• Sun., Feb. 12, 4 pm:  Book talk by Rev. John Dear S.J., Jesuit Priest, Peace Activist, and author/editor of 28 books on peace and nonviolence.  His new book, “Lazarus Come Forth!,” is an invitation to carry on Jesus’ liberating work by obeying his commandments–to take away the stone that keeps us trapped in our violent culture of war, to call each other out of the tombs, to unbind one another and to set each other free to live in peace and nonviolence.  This event is sponsored by Peace and Justice Center and the Emmaus  Inclusive community. at St. Patrick’s Episcopal hall at 9000 Sonoma Highway in Kenwood.

• Mon., Feb. 13, 7-9 pm & the 2nd Mon. monthly – Heart of Resilience Gathering Jerry Allen and Suzie Gruber help participants cultivate inner strength and purpose using tools designed to foster the ability to respond rather than react and learn to stay present inthe face of difficulty at St. Stephens Church, 500 Robinson Way, Sebastopol.  Info at: (707) 888-9646 or e-mail suzie@suziegruber.com.  Fee: $10.

• Sat., March 3, 9:30 am- 12:30 pm:  Jesus and Nonviolence–Following Jesus Today and the Service of Peace. In this half-day seminar we will explore critical insights on Jesus’ nonviolence with special attention to His practical relevance today. Topics include the historical Jesus and the way of nonviolence, the meaning of sacrifice, forgiveness & atonement, selfless work, Christian spirituality, and loving your enemy.  At St. John’s Episcopal Church, Petaluma. Co-sponsored by St. John’s Episcopal Church and the Metta Center for Nonviolence. Suggested event donation: $10-$20. No one turned away for lack of funds. For more information: stephanie@mettacenter.org.

• Sun., March 4, 2-5 pm: Emotional Aikido workshop with mediator/trainer Jerry Green. Simple and fun experiential exercises help participants learn develop grounded responses to conflict and tensions at home or at work.  $25 suggested donation but no one turned away for lack of funds.  Arlene Francis Center, 99 West 6th St. in Santa Rosa (west of hwy. 101).   More info by contacting jerry@medagree.com or at http://www.greenermediations.net/embodied

• Thurs., Mar. 8, 15, 22 & 29, 6:30-8:30 pm:  Better Communication & Better Relationships In this 4 week class learn powerful tools to rein in your temper and avoid sabotaging your relationships. Instead, use proven strategies to shift disagreements into shared goals and create harmony and understanding.  Register with Nonviolent Communication Certified Trainer Carol Chase at revdupcc@juno.com. EARLY BIRD SPECIAL $99 if paid in full by Feb. 26.  $120 if paid later.  Pre-registration required. No pre-requisite. Minimum of 6 students required. Money back guarantee before class 2.  at Center for Spiritual Living, 2075 Occidental Rd., S.R.

• Thurs., Mar. 8, 7-11 pm: International Women’s Day “Oh My Goddess” Celebration The Dhyana Center Lofts at 186 N. Main (2nd floor in Sebastopol invites you to celebrate in solidarity with women and families in communities not so unlike our own all over the planet.  Sliding scale $10-20. Tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com or at door.  Info at www.dhyanacenter.com or 707-823-8818.

• Mar.9-11: Ready to Make Friends with Conflict advanced weekend workshop offered by Alternatives to Violence Project for those who have already completed a basic workshop to continue exploring  conflict sources and resolution  Contact Sharon about both experiential workshops to help people turn conflict into opportunities for growth: 707-539-7484 or skuroki@sonic.net.  Sliding scale of $45-$150, but no one turned away, Peace & Justice Center, 467 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa.

• Sat., Mar. 10, 3 pm: Screening of Hidden Battles documentary by Veterans for Peace .  The film shows how the act of killing affects soldiers’ mental health by interweaving encounters with five fighters who have experienced long-term repercussions of using lethal force.  Suggested donation $10, but no one turned away for lack of funds.  Glaser Center, 547 Mendocino Avenue  Santa Rosa, (707) 327-8108

• Tues., Mar 13, 6:30-8 pm: Afghanistan through the Eyes of its People slide show presented by local peace activist Linda Sartor.  In 2011 Linda traveled to Afghanistan with Voices for Creative Nonviolence (formerly Voices in the Wilderness).  She met with a cross section of Afghan people to hear and share their perspective with us.  Free program  at Leisure Lake mobile home park clubhouse, 300 Stony Point Rd., Petaluma.  Contact: Kendra at 707-992-0367 or kendramon@comcast.net.

• Sat., Mar. 17,  full day: Meditation for Peacemakers, an in-depth introduction in Petaluma by Metta Center staff to passage meditation and its applications to nonviolence and peacemaking.  Participants will also be encouraged to discover their particular gifts as makers of peace and to create a strategy for expressing those gifts, as well as learning practical strategies for maintaining their enthusiasm in the face of stress and resistance.   Payments of more than the $125 general fee will support scholarships.  Contact: Stephanie at 707-774-6299 or Stephanie@mettacenter.org.

• Thurs., Mar. 22, 6:30-8:30 pm: Starting Life with Peaceful Home Birthing – an Introduction Explore the scope of midwifery, safety and benefits of choosing birth at home with Coletter Mercier and Sheila VanDerVeer at Dhyana Center Lofts, 186 N. Main (2nd floor), Sebastopol.  More info at 823-8818 and www.dhyanacenter.com.

• Sun. Mar. 25, 2:30-6 pm: Celebrate the Life of Eco Heroine Judi Barr with reception, documentary screening, dialogue, music The inspirational film highlights the insights and nonviolent tactics used by the film’s heroes, Judi Bari, Darryl Cherney, and their fellow Earth First!ers to save our forests.  Glaser Center, 547 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa.  Tickets $15 at the door or $10 advance at www.judibari.eventbrite.com.  Justine Gotthardt, 935-3456, wcfilmfest@aol.com for info about screening and pre-event lunch.

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