Last Labyrinth of the Season April 27th -- Final Event of the Year

The last weekly Labyrinth walk of the season will be held this coming Sunday, April 27th, at the usual time of 5 - 6:30 pm at the Bozeman Yoga Center. This regularly available contemplative tool has given those who have come to experience it a time for developing inner peace as well as focusing on their own spiritual seeking or path. There may be periodic walks throughout the summer; stay tuned or subscribe to the blog for further updates as to when and where walks will occur.

This last walk also marks the last event in the PSJC calendar for the 2007-2008 year, and, as of now, the life of PSJC. There has been some interest shown in carrying on the goals and mission that began the year, but no one or group as of yet has coalesced to organize and move that onward. For now, this blog will continue to serve as a "what's on" for like-minded events, and we encourage people to submit events and ideas, and to network and interact via the comments feature. If anyone should be interested in moving PSJC back out of the virtual realm into the heart and life of Bozeman, please let us know!

Thanks for a great year, and being one searching for Peace and Social Justice...
"it is not the destination that makes the journey worth traveling -- it is the worthiness of the way itself" ~ anonymous.

~PSJC

April 17th Film Night Cancelled, Next Week's Final Film Rockin On!

Dear Friends of PSJC,

Due to our projector being needed by it's real "parents" for a last-minute presentation, we will unfortunately have to cancel tonight's (April 17th) showing of LION in the HOUSE: anyone interested in borrowing this highly relevant and moving film from us during this final week, please contact us via email or our blog with your information and we will get it to you! We encourage you to see it on your own time -- a very important look at our healthcare system....

...as is our next, and final, film in this month's -- and year's -- series:

Thursday, April 24th
Documentary Film Night -- Michael Moore's "SiCKO"
Held at the Bozeman Yoga Center
Doors at 7pm
So why is it that the wealthiest first-world nation on Earth is the only one to make its citizens pay for health care…
and what are the real costs? Join us as we deconstruct the modern American medical model, and discuss
ways to combat the social injustices of our current healthcare system.

And join us for our final Labyrinth Walks of the year:
Open Session Labyrinth Walks -- Sunday April 20th & Sunday April 27th
Held at the Bozeman Yoga Center
5 - 6:30 pm (open session)

Thanks for making this a great year, and we hope to see you in this final week as we reflect on all we've learned -- and look toward what we can accomplish in the future.

In fellowship,
The Peace and Social Justice Center

Easter Sunday Action with the Bozeman Peace Seekers

The Bozeman Peace Seekers, an active and visible influence in the Gallatin Valley for mindfulness both locally and globally for many years, is galvanizing support for an Easter Sunday evening installation commemorating over 5 years of occupation, and its consequences, in Iraq. Details regarding the event including contact information for the Peace Seekers can be found below this post. We strongly encourage all to attend and/or participate; this is a great opportunity to connect with a greater community of like-minded individuals, as well as a wonderful way to gently and peacefully involve families and peace-building activities.

Dear Peace Seekers,

Sunday, March 23rd, 5 PM, front of Montana Hall, MSU Campus
Bobcats for Progress will be installing 4,000 red flags commemorating the
deaths of our soldiers and Iraqi civilians. There will be sandwich boards for people
to write on with their thoughts and reactions.

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN SUCH A DISPLAY, IT IS A MOVING AND POWERFUL EXPERIENCE.

BUT..... It takes a lot of work to install, and YOU are needed to come lend a hand.

QUESTIONS: John Thompsonh (406) 209-2209

“One person can gently shake the world.” ~Gandhi

Documentary Lending Library

Miss one of our films? Want to check it out? You can! Any of the films we have previously shown are available to be checked out of our Lending Library for a term of one week; we ask a donation (suggestion is $1 per week per film but more is always gratefully accepted), which goes directly and in its entirety to support the relevant charity designated for that particular film. A list of titles currently available for "check out" will be kept in the left-hand column of this blog; check back periodically for new additions. Here are the films in our Lending Library as of today, along with the charities/organizations that will benefit from the donations given for their loan:

"The Water Carriers" ...... MSU's Engineers Without Borders
"Jesus Camp" ...... United Religions Initiative's Global Youth Interfaith Dialogue and Exchange
"The Story of the Weeping Camel" ...... Doctors Without Borders
"Sicko" ...... Bridger Clinic of Bozeman
"I Know I'm Not Alone" ...... Global Exchange
"A Crude Awakening" ...... Bozeman Biofuels
"Oil on Ice" ..... Bozeman Biofuels
"Who Killed the Electric Car?" ...... Eco Auto of Bozeman
"An Inconvenient Truth" ...... Bozeman Biofuels
"World in the Balance" ...... Bridger Clinic of Bozeman
"On Tip Toe: Ladysmith Black Mambazo" ...... The Mambazo Foundation

"Music in March" Film Series Underway

Our film series for March, "MUSIC as a Force for Social Change" opened tonight with "On Tip Toe", the award-winning documentary on the music and work of Ladysmith Black Mambazo who will perform this Sunday, March 9th at the Emerson Cultural Center. Committed peace activists as well as incredibly talented musicians since 1964, the South African group's uplifting songs and joyful performances played a role in the end of apartheid as well as continuing to help preserve traditional Zulu culture and Isicathamiya music. As we learned through this evening's film, a beautiful and loving spirit infuses all that they do: their music, their connection to those for whom they perform, the people of Africa for whom they sing, and the work they do through the Mambazo Foundation. The show on Sunday is one not to be missed; contact Porterhouse Productions for information about tickets or work-for-entry opportunities.

Our series will continue next week with a further look at the role music played in the ending of apartheid South Africa with "Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony", followed in subsequent weeks by a buildup to Michael Franti and Spearhead's visit to Bozeman at the end of March with Franti's own film "I Know I'm Not Alone" (back for its second encore due to high request!) and a look at the Spearhead-organized "Power to the Peaceful" annual peace- and social-change-inspiring music and spoken word festival. Join us as we celebrate the coming of spring, and the growth of the possibility of peace in our world, with "Music in March"!

MARCH FILM SERIES: "MUSIC as a Force for Social Change"

March 13th -- Thursday Documentary Film Night
"Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony"
Held at the Bozeman Yoga Center
Doors at 7pm

Music not only got South Africa through apartheid – it was responsible for the revolution and struggle against it. “Through archival footage and interviews with musicians, freedom fighters, and even members of the former government police, Amandla! creates a vivid and powerful portrait of how music was crucial not only to communicating a political message beyond words, but also to the resistance itself--how songs bonded communities, buoyed resistance in the face of bullets and tear gas, and sowed fear in the ruling elite.” A film that both educates and inspires, Amandla! will also make you sing.

March 20th -- Thursday Documentary Film Night
"I Know I'm Not Alone"
Held at the Bozeman Yoga Center
Doors at 7pm

In 2004, out of frustration at being disconnected from the events occurring in volatile areas occupied by American forces, Michael Franti set out with his guitar, a group of friends, and a video camera to capture the true human cost of war, explore his own ability to make a connection and enact social change.

March 27th -- Thursday Documentary Film Night
"Power to the Peaceful"
Held at the Bozeman Yoga Center
Doors at 7pm

In partnership with Porterhouse Productions, we present this look at the amazing event that is the annual Power to the Peaceful Festival: a yearly gathering of likeminded musicians and spoken-word artists who utilize the power of music to inspire social change and create a drive for world peace.

Think Tank Meeting March 24th to Discuss Direction of PSJC

Where: Wild Joes Downtown (supporting organics and Fair Trade!)
When: Monday, March 24th
Time: 6:45 pm
Why: There has been a great response to the work begun with PSJC, and much expressed desire to see it continue; now it's time to plan how to man the ship, decide how we want to grow, what that structure should look like, and how to carry it sustainably forward.

For more information, to think-tank ahead of time or to help out with operating or planning any PSJC events, please email us at peaceandsocialjustice@gmail.com

Final Films for Fuel Focus in February...and into Music in March: the Upcoming PSJC Schedule

Dear Friends of the Peace and Social Justice Center of Bozeman,

With half of February now behind us, our "Focus on Fuels" for the month is two films down -- "A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crisis" and the ANWAR-focused "Oil on Ice" -- and has those of us who have attended thinking: what more can we do to reduce our own energy usage and educate others to the pressing need for change and action? In both veins, the last two film nights in our "Fuels" series will address both the alternatives we have (and the ones we've been denied...!) and the fact-based information we need to know and understand in order to take a strong and persuasive stand. And for our closing documentary evening, we will be joined by Paul House of Bozeman Biofuels who will share information about fuel alternatives and conservation initiatives in our own Bozeman community.

Up and coming: Be sure not to miss the convergence of peace-and-social-justice-inspiring musical acts descending on Bozeman (and greater Montana) over the next month courtesy of Porterhouse Productions: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, Ladysmith Black Mamabazo, and Michael Franti and Spearhead. In honor of this great conjunction, our film series for March will spotlight the deeply-human and essential connection between music and waging peace.

And lastly, the Labyrinth Walks for Peace are continuing to be held Sunday evenings between 5 and 6:30. Walking labyrinths laid out in stone, sand, or carved into the floor is a basic human tradition dating back over 4000 years; intended to clear the mind, provide insight, and give a space and time for calm reflection, contemplative labyrinth walking is also used as a tool to reconnect with the world we are working to better -- only as we ourselves work from a place of centered peace can we hope to bring such peace to others. PSJC is fortunate to have the only indoor Chatres-style walking labyrinth in Montana, rolled out weekly in the Bozeman Yoga Center for any and all who wish to walk. Meditation cushions are also available for those who would like to practice sitting meditation prior to or after their labyrinth walk.

We look forward to seeing you over the next month!

In fellowship,
Your Peace and Social Justice Center

PSJC Calendar

February 21st -- Thursday Documentary Film Night
"Who Killed the Electric Car?"
Held at the Bozeman Yoga Center
Doors at 7pm
Come discover just how much there is to know and love about electric vehicles... and just how long we've known it. Martin Sheen narrates this biting and highly intelligent look into the technology and politics behind the not-so-ancient history of alternative transportation -- and why you might not ever want to cuddle up to General Motors again.

February 24th -- Weekly Labyrinth Walk for Peace
Held at the Bozeman Yoga Center
5 - 6:30 pm (open session)
Also: March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th

Wednesday, February 27
SIERRA LEONE'S REFUGEE ALL STARS with THE DUHKS
Emerson's Crawford Theater

February 28th -- Thursday Documentary Film Night
"An Inconvenient Truth"
Special Guest: Paul House of Bozeman Biofuels
Held at the Bozeman Yoga Center
Doors at 7pm
The Academy Award-winning presentation of charts, graphs, statistics, photographs, interviews and on-the-ground footage that the climate is indeed changing.. and that there is little room for doubt that our addiction to fossil fuels is indeed a factor. Join us on this closing evening of our month on Fuels as we summarize all we have learned, brainstorm potential personal and community actions, and learn about local alternatives and more in an open discussion with Paul House of Bozeman Biofuels.

March 6th -- Thursday Documentary Film Night
"On Tip Toe: Ladysmith Black Mambazo"
Held at the Bozeman Yoga Center
Doors at 7pm

Sunday March 9th
LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO with THE DRUM BROTHERS
Emerson's Crawford Theater

March 13th -- Thursday Documentary Film Night
"Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony"

March 27th -- Thursday Documentary Film Night
Requested Encore Presentation:
Michael Franti's "I Know I'm Not Alone"

Friday March 28th
MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD
Gallatin County Fairgrounds

A Word from Our Friends at the Center for Political Education in San Francisco, California

Greetings partners, allies, friends, and comrades!

On January 26, people around the world will be taking to the streets to prove that "another world is possible." In a demonstration of our commitment to a better world, the people of the Bay Area will be holding a protest vigil to demand affordable housing and Reconstruction of New Orleans, the Gulf Coast and Black and working class communities everywhere. Join us at the home of Sen. Dianne Feinstein as we call on her to step up to ensure the passage of the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act (SB 1668).

Global Day of Action!

Saturday

JANUARY 26

3.00 - 5.00pm

2460 Lyon at Vallejo in San Francisco

We are asking you consider

1. Sending at least two people from your organization, or if you are not in an organization, committing to attending and bringing a friend to the action, RSVP by 1/22

2. Forward this e-mail out on your organizations list serve and/or to friends and family

3. If you can offer rides for others to get to the action, let us know

Please join this effort to represent the Bay Area in solidarity with displaced people locally, nationally and around the globe! Attached and below is the flyer in English and Spanish.

Michelle

Center for Political Education

center@politicaleducation.org

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita exposed the racism and contempt that corporate America and the U.S. government have for the poor, working class and majority Black population of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Instead of reconstructing the region so that people could return to their homes and communities after this unnatural disaster, the U.S. government has decided to bulldoze thousands of public housing units- and to replace those units with luxury condominiums.

This displacement is not only happening in New Orleans. Working class and Black people are being pushed out of San Francisco and Oakland. But the fight for housing, jobs and reconstruction is on.

Join us for a protest vigil as activists from across the Bay Area support the Green Ribbon Campaign which was launched by activists fighting for affordable housing and Reconstruction for Black and working people of New Orleans and throughout the Gulf Coast.

For more information on the protest vigil and the Green Ribbon Campaign, please contact the Katrina Solidarity Network at 510-451-5466

Meeting of Collective Minds

We are planning an informal meeting for the PSJC on Monday, January 14th, at Wild Joe's coffeehouse in downtown Bozeman at 6:45pm. Any interested persons are more than welcome to come and join the festivities, discussing the new center and brainstorming what we'd like this new center to become for Bozeman and the greater Gallatin valley. Come one, come all!