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.

Green School Supplies Help Kids ‘Live Peace’

Encouraging children to have a keen awareness of their own impact on the environment starts with helping them make smart choices about the things they use every day.  Help them get ready for their new grade level by selecting environmentally friendly school supplies.

Image courtesy Dante Beatrix backpacks, definitely worth checking out!

The Center for Health, Environment and Justice has just published their Back-to-School Shopping List of safer choices in over 20 categories (including lunch boxes, binders, backpacks and more).

The Rodale Company recently featured an article in which they gave many suggestions for sources of green school supplies that warrant an “A+.”

Nature Moms has compiled their own great list here.

Even Real Simple has some advice.

Learning to select and use school supplies that are earth friendly is part of learning to ‘live peace.’  Found your own favorite green supplies? – please share!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.

Permalink

Girls need more than mirrors to know their own beauty

As noted on WebMD, “by the time most girls reach their teens, they’ve consumed years’ worth of messages about what a female body should look like.”

According to Renee Hobbs, EdD, associate professor of communications at Temple University, “the average teen girl gets about 180 minutes of media exposure daily ,” compare to “only about 10 minutes of parental interaction a day.”  For too many American girls, being “model thin” is a very real aspiration, and it starts at a shockingly young age.  In one recent study, researchers found that TV programs focused on appearance are swaying the self-esteem of girls as young as 5.  Read the entire article on WebMD, including what parents can do to help their daughters develop a healthy attitude about their own bodies.

Justine Amodeo, mother and CLP instructor offering the class Tapping the Body’s Wisdom, is doing everything she can as a parent to help her daughter explore and express her feelings in relation to her own beauty and media and society.  She recently shared the expressive art piece made by her daughter recording the feeling of “smallness” she felt in relation to her dolls.  She writes, “take a step forward towards being your own person.”

Image courtesy Justine Amodeo and  Ms. Magazine.

Using creativity to contemplate and examine visual culture, girls are able to break down the images solidified by the media of what a body is “supposed” to look like, and arrive at their own ideas of what is beautiful and healthy.  Doctors conclude that more than anything else, dialogue and critical thinking about what is healthy and truly beautiful can serve young girls more than any other activity.  The needs of her daughter to have a creative outlet to develop her own ideas about beauty and body image inspired Justine to develop Tapping the Body’s Wisdom, which combines ritual, writing, art, dance and music to bring out the true spirit of each child while examining the pressures they experience from their peers, the media, and society.  Click here for more information on Justine’s class, which happens every Saturday morning at 10am, for a suggested donation of $5-$10.

Images courtesy Center for Living Peace.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out.

Permalink: http://centerforlivingpeace.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/412

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