This Week at Gaia House

A CERTAIN SOMEONE YOU KNOW was honored Sunday at the "Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." celebration by receiving the Dr. King Community Service Award. You didn't hear it from me, but you can find links to the Southern Illinoisan article and a video of his acceptance on our Facebook page. Feel free to leave a comment, call, stop by, or find any other way to harass the humility out of him.

SO WHAT IS SHAMANIC DRUMMING? "Come journey with us... through the rhythm of the drum... to meet Power Animals and Spirit Guides with this ancient method of spiritual guidance and healing. We meet at 7:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month in the Dave Columbo Memorial Library at Gaia House-Interfaith Center." -- Theresa Smith, program coordinator. Email for more information or check out this beautiful flyer.

NON-VIOLENT COMMUNICATION SESSIONS begin this week! Join us Thursday, Jan 21, 4:30 PM in the Dave Columbo library. NVC is a way of communicating that draws on our awareness and compassion to reach peaceful conclusions in our daily interactions. Have a crazy boss? An angry boyfriend or girlfriend? A teenager that you just don't get? NVC can be used to bring understanding and harmony to these and all of your relationships.

INTERVEG FORUM TO DISCUSS SKINNY BITCH this Thursday, Jan 21, at 7:30 PM. What did you think of the unique take on diet and the unique style of advice given? Is it a worthwhile read or were you disappointed? Forums are preceded by the Interveg Potluck at 6:00 PM.

THIS FRIDAY'S RICE & SPICE will be, in the spirit of Slow Foods, something of a free-for-all. Bring an ingredient or recipe to share as we cook and eat together. Cooking starts at 6:00 PM

Community Events

ANNUAL WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY SERVICE The fourteen Christian Churches which are a part of the Carbondale Interfaith Council, and represent twelve different Christian denominations, will come together for an Ecumenical Celebration of the Word of God this coming Thursday, January 21, at 7 pm at Saint Andrew Episcopal Church located at 402 West Mill Street in Carbondale.

COUSIN ANDY'S is featuring Mark Stuart and Stacy Earle this Friday, Jan 22. "Mark Stuart and Stacey Earle duet cleverly on acoustic guitars, and their music is filled with lovely harmonies. They have a gift for writing autobiographical songs and for humorous storytelling and personal warmth that grabs their audiences and makes you feel as though you have known them for a long time." Doors open at 7:30.

CARBONDALE COMMUNITY CELEBRATES DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. REMEMBRANCE 2010 with over a dozen events planned over the next few weeks. Below are a few of the exciting activities happening this week. Feel free to download the complete program of events in PDF format.

Friday, Jan 22
MLK Remembrance Reception
Featuring Dr. R. Auxier and Oops! Entertainment
Morris Library, Guyon Auditorium
6:00 p.m.

Join us for what promises to be one of the most inspiring and thought provoking nights of your life. Through his lecture "Nonviolence and the Dignity of Other Persons" Professor Auxier of the Philosophy Department will shatter your world and Oops! Entertainment will pick up the pieces through their performance of "The Meeting". Dress is business casual. Refreshments will be provided. For additional information contact Student Development at 453-5714.

Tuesday, Jan 26
Community Service Project
Eurma C. Hayes Center, 441 E. Willow
2:00 PM

Join the members of the MLK committee and registered student organizations as we kick-off community service at the Eurma C. Hayes Center. We plan to help refurbish the center and give it some life. Come out and help clean the resource rooms, and participate in the "I Can Read," tutoring programs. For additional information contact Devin Moran.

Our Global Community

CRISIS IN HAITI

You have no doubt heard about the earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and the nightmare that has ensued for its terrorized citizens and the aid workers who have poured in from around the world. Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, and their Prime Minister has reported that over two-hundred thousand have died already.

Fortunately, we can help. Click here for a great list of organizations like Unicef, CARE, Red Cross, and others, as well as direct links and instructions for donating so you can be sure your help reaches the helpless.

For instance, you can text "HAITI" to 90999 on any cell phone to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts. This simple gift has already brought in millions from the generous souls willing to sacrifice that lunch out or ridiculously big cup of coffee for something more important. Your gifts go directly to saving lives and easing pain. What better could you do with what you have been given?

There will also be a fundraiser this Friday, Jan 22, 8:00 PM at the Newman Catholic Student Center, right across the tracks from Gaia House. There will be worship, prayer, info, and the opportunity to make donations until 11:00 PM.