Families Forward & OCMA Making Good Happen!

For the past few months, we have been having mindful knitting classes with the Orange County Museum of Art.

In our knitting classes, we made this beautiful blanket:

And these beautiful bath kits:

which were knitted with love by class participants.

CLP and OCMA really wanted to donate these beautiful items to a good, local cause. We decided to donate to Families Forward! Families Forward is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping low-income and homeless families in Orange County. They were founded in 1984 and provide transitional housing, food, career coaching and counseling. If there is anything else that a family needs, they will refer them to the proper resource so that they get what they need! When they first opened they only had five apartment units and one part-time counselor, but because of the need of the community they grew quickly. Now Families Forward has twenty-eight transitional housing units and a comprehensive array of services to prevent homelessness. Last year, Families Forward helped over 7,000 people in need. According to their website they helped:

- 172 families avoided homelessness through the homeless prevention program

- 33,834 bags of food were distributed through the food pantry

- 250 parents received career assistance

-1,032 children received school supplies

It is so great to see a local organization doing so much to make good happen in our community! Thank you to OCMA and all of our participants from our knitting class for making such beautiful items! And thank you to Families Forward for your commitment to people in need!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.

The Center for Living Peace Presents: Celebrations of Africa and A Special Announcement!

Yesterday we gave you a little teaser of Africa Week! Today we are posting the rest of the amazing classes we have for Africa week, and a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at 7:00pm to 10:00pm

REEL INSPIRATION FILM SERIES: INVICTUS (2009) PG-13

Image from here

Unity: Where the Impossible meets Possibility”

In keeping with the Center For Living Peace’s explorations of Africa, we examine a time in history when newly elected President Mandela initiates a movement to unite his country through the sport of rugby. This inspirational film shows how one voice with conviction and courage can change the hearts, minds and perspectives of a nation. Film discussion will include the topics of racial unity, universal themes in humanity, how the real story was translated to the screen, and of course, the usual odd and ends trivia that the Reel Inspiration class offers.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 3:30pm to 5:00pm

AFRICAN MASK MAKING WITH RECYCLED MATERIALS, PRESENTED BY THE CHUCK JONES CENTER FOR CREATIVITY (ALL AGES!)

The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity presents an earth friendly arts and crafts project inspired by African masks!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 6:00pm to 7:00pm

CONNECTING ACROSS DIFFERENCES

South Africans have made tremendous progress to develop understanding and cooperation across wide barriers of race and culture. Using tools of Compassionate Communication, we will work to bridge some differences that exist among different groups in Southern California. Bring your real-world situations for transformation!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 7:30pm to 9:00pm

SHAMBHALA MEDITATION NIGHT, SPECIAL TOPIC: A MEDITATION ON DIFFERENCE (ALL AGES WELCOME)

The Center for Living Peace, in partnership with the Shambhala Meditation Center of Los Angeles, offers meditation instruction every week during our meditation evening. Please feel welcome to drop by for every Wednesday evening at 7:30pm, excluding public holidays.

We will sit in meditation for half an hour, which will be followed by a brief reading and then socializing for those who wish to stay.

Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 7:00pm to 8:00pm

NEW EARTH DRUMMING PRESENTS: AFRICAN DRUMMING (SPECIAL EVENT!)

This event is a great opportunity for a FUN family activity. This joyous and exciting evening will offer a rhythmic interplay between participants of all ages and levels. Drums will be provided or bring your own drum, rattle or instrument. No prior musical experience necessary! Open to all ages.

This special evening will be hosted by percussionist Alejandro Tovares. He will allow you to explore the rhythms, beats, and sounds of Western and South Africa.

We are also thrilled to announce that we are giving away eight tickets to see Charlize Theron speak about her work with the Africa Outreach Project on Saturday, December 4^th on our Facebook page! To enter, become a fan of The Center for Living Peace, and write “what living peace means to you” on our Facebook wall.  Winners will be announced on Thursday, December 2^nd!  We are SOOOOOO excited to read what LIVING PEACE means to all of our dear friends!

 

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!!!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.

The Center for Living Peace Presents: Celebrations of Africa

In honor of Charlize Theron coming for our Living Peace Series on December 4^th, we are having an array of unique classes starting Saturday, November 27 to highlight the work of our first speaker!

Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 11:30am to 2:30pm

THE ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART PRESENTS THE ART OF EATING FEATURING SOUTH AFRICAN FOODS

This class celebrates creativity and practices the art of good health. As a group, we will explore the Irvine farmers market and pick up nutritious and unique herbs, fruits and vegetables, then use these goodies as a source of inspiration for a class still life to draw from. After a break, we’ll prepare a selection of composed summer salads together and enjoy eating the results. Student drawings will be mounted with the cool summer recipes as a memento for you — and to recreate at home for the ones you love!

Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 1:30pm to 2:30pm

SMILING MONKEY YOGA PRESENTS: SAFARI ANIMAL YOGA FOR KIDS 3 TO 7

Your kids will learn yoga breathing techniques and learn to play yoga as well as build strength and flexibility. Let your kids enjoy the gift of yoga!

Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 2:30pm to 3:30pm

STORYTIME AND “GOAL!” AUTHOR SIGNING WITH MINA JAVAHERBIN: A GLIMPSE INTO LIFE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Join Author Mina Javaherbin for a special reading of her book “GOAL!” in our living peace library.

Learn more about Mina Javaherbin’s stories for children and watch the launch video for “GOAL!” here!

Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 11:30am to 1:00pm

TAPPING THE BODY’S WISDOM: SACRED SNAKES (FOR ALL AGES, ADULTS AND KIDS WELCOME!

Justine will be guiding participants in working with African Ball Pythons, Isis and Buku to explore African rituals and rhythms. Participants will also be learning traditional African movement with Northern California-based Hula and African dance teacher, Gina Rasmussan. This class is open to all ages, men, women, children, anyone with an interest in African ritual and movement or working with snakes!

Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 1:00pm to 3:00pm

THE ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART PRESENTS: AFRICAN EFFIGY POTTERY

From Mali to Zaire, African ceramics were made almost exclusively by the tribal women for everyday to ritual use. Since World War II, the tribal way of life has declined, but examples of these skilled women remain. The effigy figurative pot, made in the potter’s likeness or in that of a beloved relative, was placed in a sacred grove where sage bundles were placed in its mouth and burned as the woman spoke to her better self, asking for guidance through life’s travails.Learn to hand build a simple coiled figure and create your own 21st century ritual.

Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 1:30pm to 2:30pm

SMILING MONKEY YOGA PRESENTS: SAFARI ANIMAL YOGA FOR KIDS 6 TO 12

A class where your kids can forget about homework and just accept themselves for who they are from the inside out. Your kids will learn how to relax and breathe. They will learn to use yoga breathing as a valuable life skill. They will also gain self-confidence, strength and will increase their flexibility.

To find out more about these amazing classes, click here. More to come about our classes for Africa week tomorrow!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.

Happy Veterans Day! (And a Halloween Recap)

Halloween came and went in a flash! I cannot believe that we are already into the second week of November!

Halloween at the Center for Living Peace was awesome! We had some very special trick-or-treaters come to share their costumes with us!

Like this little guy who was dressed up as Buzz Lightyear! Way to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg, Buzz!

Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated Halloween with us! Your costumes were amazing and it was so great having you!

I also wanted to wish everyone a HAPPY VETERANS DAY! As Maya Angelou said, “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes.”

 

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.

 

 

CLP @ OCMA’s Target 2nd Sunday

We had a great weekend visiting Orange County Museum of Art for their monthly free Target Family Sunday.  We met so many lovely families; it was wonderful to see so many families out together spending their weekend in such a positive way!  Way to live peace!

Below are some of the beautiful living peace activity sheets that children completed this past Sunday.

The Orange County Museum of Art offers weekly classes at the Center for Living Peace.  Every class accommodates all ages (families attending together receive a discount!) and has been developed specifically with the theme of ‘living peace’ in mind.  Check out upcoming classes here, and watch some clips of past classes here!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.

Permalink: http://centerforlivingpeace.wordpress.com/2010/08/12/clp-ocmas-target-2nd-sunday

This clip from the new film Evolution of Dad pays tribute to the impact a compassionate father can have on a child’s life.  Visit the film’s official site for the official trailer, parenting resources and more!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.

Permalink: http://centerforlivingpeace.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/337

Lost Generation Not So Lost

I can only hope that there is a generation of people who can truly make this world even better than when they came into it. Young people that do not have to follow the example of preceding generations.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.