Newsletter
April / May 2009

Compassionate Communication: Level 1 with Terri Harmon, new 6 week class begins Tuesday May 12, 7-9 p.m.

The language we use to think, interpret our experience, and express ourselves has a direct impact on creating either peace or disharmony. Beginning with Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication model, we will learn practical tools for:

1. clarifying what's most important to us,
2. connecting with positive intentions underneath defensive behaviors,
3. communicating for peace

6 Tuesdays 7-9 p.m.
May 12 - June 23*, 2009 (no class May 26)
cost: $125
location: Grass Valley / Nevada City
Class size: limited to 8 participants
Contact: Terri Harmon at 432-7818

Level 2 Practice Groups: Beyond the Basics w/ Terri Harmon

schedule pending, call for information

Many of us have developed habits of focusing on protecting ourselves and attempting to change what's wrong. In this class we will deepen our communication skills, and learn tools for shifting our focus from problem solving to creating the life we long for.

Prerequisite: Familiarity with NVC, and phone interview.

Contact: Terri Harmon at 432-7818

Additional Events of Interest

Spiritual Cinema Circle Movie Night Friday May 29, 7-9pm

Date: Friday May 29, 7-9pm
Cost: Admission free, donations accepted
Contact: Terri Harmon 432 7818
Location: Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains, 246 S. Church Street, Grass Valley
More info: Visit spiritualcinemacircle.com to find out more about the Spiritual Cinema Circle.

Yogin
This animated short introduces us to two yoginis who are having an unenlightened competition while they twist and turn their bodies into ancient poses designed to create balance and harmony within. Hmmm, perhaps they are missing the point?3 minutes, no dialog

Hummingbird
Donya is letting the critical voice in her head get to her. How is she supposed to get anywhere in the music business when she’s too old and has obviously missed the boat? What does talent have to do with our dreams anyway? You’re about to find out in this sweet, short film written and directed by the screenwriter of Conversations With God. 10 minutes, English

Taos
John Wahlberg is a fast-track lawyer in the prime of his life when he takes a trip to join his girlfriend for a family vacation to Aspen. When his car breaks down stranding him in Taos, New Mexico, he has an opportunity to take a moment to review his life. What he discovers will take more than a night in the mountains to solve, but once he sees the light, clearly there’s no turning back. 89 minutes, English

Preparing Traditional Nourishment with Shan Kendall
begins Tuesday May 5 6-9 p.m.

1. Bacteria We Can’t Live Without – We discuss lacto-fermentation as a method of preservation and the benefits for the human gut. We make sauerkraut, kim chi, beet kvass, kefir, filmjolk & yogurt.

2. The Magic of Minerals - What is ordinary table salt & why does it damage our bodies? We look at the necessity for salt and its naturally associated minerals. Why is chicken broth called “Jewish Penicillin”? We make mineral and gelatin rich bone stocks, soups, sauces & gravies and discuss organ meats.

3. The Mystery of the Seed - Why did traditional people always soak, sprout or sour grains, seeds and nuts before eating them. We make delicious pancakes, dosas, and rugelach. Can healthy snacks be satisfying? We prepare “crispy” nuts.

4. What Color is Your Egg Yolk? – Participants each bring an egg – we crack the eggs and compare characteristics & discuss raising chickens. We make smoothies, eggnog, mayonnaise, omelets, frittatas, ice cream and coconut macaroons.

5. The Scourge of the Modern Soft Drink - Learn the secrets of making your own sodas and other lacto-fermented (non-alcoholic) beverages. We will make ginger ale, kombucha and root beer.

6. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - Take home three weeks worth of seasonal family-friendly menus, recipes & shopping tips. This class is a PowerPoint lecture and slideshow, following a potluck of our “homework” from previous classes.

Class Details
Classes are Tuesdays, beginning 5
Classes go from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm each day.
The class will be kept small to allow for maximum participation and interaction.
A light meal will be included during each class from the food we prepare.
Location: To be announced, Grass Valley

The entire series of six classes, covering six Wednesdays, is $180.
Single sessions - only if space is available. $40 per session.
Registration required. Call Shan Kendall 530/ 478-5628 or Email daveshanken@juno.com.

Class Reference Materials
Nourishing Traditions, by Sally Fallon & Mary Enig, Ph.D. – You are expected to have your own copy of this book. Copies are available at the first class or at Briarpatch if you don’t have it already.
Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, by Dr. Weston A. Price.
Eat Fat to Lose Fat, by Sally Fallon & Mary Enig, Ph.D.

Inspiring Story

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time.

This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32.

When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour.

Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

The above is true. http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/bell.asp

Contact Terri Harmon at 432 7818