Alameda Sangha-Daylong this Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015 with Richard Shankman and yoga with Dina!

Dear Ones,

Just a gentle reminder about the daylong this Saturday, January 31 from 930-5 pm. Please arrive early to settle in for the day, wear comfortable clothes and bring a bag lunch.

Richard Shankman and Pauletta Chanco of the Alameda Sangah will lead you in alternating sessions of sitting and walking meditation.
Cost: Donation basis. Drop-in or preregister at alamedasangha@gmail.com

 Beginners as well as experienced practitioners will benefit from this day of guided practice. Please bring a bag lunch, wear comfortable clothing and bring any special sitting accouterments will support your customary sitting practice. The church has sturdy and comfortable chairs. For more information about the Alameda Sangha please visit us at alamedasangah.org

Alameda Sangha
Buena Vista United Methodist Church
2311 Buena Vista, Alameda, CA 94501
https://sites.google.com/site/alamedasangha/

We have decided to offer yoga for 45 minutes at this daylong! Dina, will be teaching. If you would like to participate, please bring a yoga mat and if you don't have one but would still like to participate, bring yourself as Dina will offer chair yoga for those who don't have a mat. If you prefer not to do yoga, there will be walking meditation during this period and/or the choice to sit quietly in the sanctuary instead.

Come and explore with us the many options to deepen your practice while giving yourself the gift of stillness that nourishes and encourages our awakening!

​

Marsha Balian:Oakland Mixed Media Artist Unveils New Solo Show in Sausalito

Marsha Balian:Oakland Mixed Media Artist Unveils New Solo Show in Sausalito        Expect the unusual from artist Balian! Marsha has again used fascinating tid-bits of ephemera in her latest art. Don't miss her new show.    Well known local artist Marsha Balian, active in the San Francisco area, has announced an art show of her latest works entitled ""Letters Home, Winter Art"" at Thomson Hall Gallery.    "Letters Home, Winter Art" show of new mixed media art by Marsha Balian Now through February 23 2015 Reception Sunday February 8th 11:00 to 2:00pm Free Meet the artist Thomson Hall Gallery Sausalito Presbyterian Church 112 Bulkley Sausalito Ca.94965 415-332-3700 Show of work by Oakland artist Marsha Balian including a new series based on found letters dated from 1897. Artwork incorporates drawings, collage, paint, and fabric on wood panels. Marsha Balian is a self taught mixed media artist whose work is strongly narrative with undercurrents of humor. Her work has been shown throughout the Bay Area and in many parts of the country.      Artist Statement -There are three elements that compel the production of art for me. The first is a sense of mystery. I never know what will appear as I am working on a piece of art. I may begin the process with shadowy notions, but in many respects it is the force of curiosity that holds my attention captive. It is like reading a "whodunit" without the structure of a crime. I want to carry on until the conclusion. Which isn't to say that the work completes itself, or arrives with ghostly aid. But there is still a riddle to be solved, an equation to be resolved, a conundrum to be settled that I find more compelling or absorbing than any other activity in life. I have no formal training or instruction in art. So the second element is invention. I test an idea, use whatever materials may be at hand, incorporate found objects, papers, detritus. The risks of failure are perhaps no different than any other pursuit, even with the benefit of instruction. But stubbornness trumps failure and I try until something works, at least to my own satisfaction. The third influence for me is the power of story, both my own and that of others. Embedded in memory, or swimming in our thoughts, we all replay the narrative of our lives, perhaps to make sense of it, perhaps to extract threads of meaning. And all current experience interacts with the past. I also work as a health care provider. In that role I am eyes and ears, absorbing data, stories, strength and struggle. All that I take in is mediated by love and humor, which is often the only weapon in the losing battles we all must face. That humor feeds me and infuses my artwork where I have the lucky opportunity to celebrate and laugh. Contact for further information: Marsha Balian www.marshabalian.com 510-601-1632

San Francisco Peace and Hope 2015 Fest

Sunday, February 22, 2015, 1-4pm

San Francisco Peace and Hope 2015 Fest

A Woman's Eye Gallery,

 678 Portola Dr, 
San Francisco, CA 94127

www.sfpeaceandhope.com  

List of participants:

• Kit Kennedy: Emcee  http://poetrybites.blogspot.com/
• Patrice Haan: Musician songwriter will perform during reception   http://www.tuxedorecords.com/PHnew/Welcome.html
• Introductory remarks by Elizabeth Hack, Founding director

Poets reading:

• Al Young, California’s former poet laureate http://alyoung.org/
• Erica Goss, poet laureate of Los Gatos  http://www.ericagoss.com/
• Susan Gangel
• José Luis Gutiérrez https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSpl1bzBTJ8
• Patrice Haan
• Sherri Rose-Walker
• Vince Storti  Publisher Editor of North Coast Literary Review 
• Nancy Wakeman

Artists presenting: 

• Pam Borrelli http://www.borrelliportraits.com/
• Lena Levin http://www.lenalevin.com/
• Carolyn H. WarmSun http://www.warmsunart.com/

Description of event:  

The San Francisco Peace and Hope 2015 Fest is a celebration of the arts, honoring the Bay area literary spirit. Kit Kennedy will be the emcee and the program will include readings and presentations by the poets and artists in the publication. Harp music will be performed by musician songwriter Patrice Haan. Refreshments provided! 

San Francisco Peace and Hope is an online and print journal that promotes peace through poetry, writing and visual art.  Al Young, California’s former poet laureate, serves as the advisor, and has written the magazine’s foreword.

Preview YouTube video José Luis Gutiérrez poetry reading at Poetry Center San José Pt. 1

“Just this, now,” Sunday Starts at 7pm Alameda Sangha

Dear Friends,

 For something that’s basically simple, practicing mindfulness can be difficult.   It involves remembering, and we forget to do it.  It’s about the present moment, and we spend so much time in the past or future that we lose track of now, like a key we’ve misplaced.

This Sunday I’ll share a phrase that can help us regain a calm and wise alertness.  “Just this, now,” also offers reminders about the purpose and nature of mindfulness and how it can help us respond wisely to the way life unfolds.

Looking forward to seeing you all,

Rebecca 

 Sunday Starts at 7pm
Alameda Sangha
Buena Vista United Methodist Church
2311 Buena Vista, Alameda, CA 94501
https://sites.google.com/site/alamedasangha/
   
Alameda Sangha is a place to practice and discuss mindfulness meditation and Buddhist teachings. Founded in 2008, today we are led by three teachers of the Theravada tradition, Pauletta M. Chanco, Rebecca Dixon, and Deb Kerr. Find more about our teachers here..

We meet Sunday evenings from 7-9 * pm at the Buena Vista United Methodist Church, 2311 Buena Vista Ave. in Alameda, CA. Find directions or contact us here.

Visit our blog for practice guidance and past dharma talks.
 

Anapanasati Sutta

Dear Friends,

This Sunday I'll be re-capping the overview of the Anapanasati Sutta I did a few weeks ago, and getting into some specifics of how to practice with it.  This beautiful sutta shows us the path from simple breath meditation through successively more subtle awareness, leading to insight that ushers in liberation. 

Here is a link to a nice commentary on the sutta, if you want some more information about the topic for Sunday:  http://www.wildmind.org/texts/anapanasati/anapanasati3

Looking forward to being together and practicing with you on Sunday night.

with warmth,

Deb

Alameda Sangha is a place to practice and discuss mindfulness meditation and Buddhist teachings. Founded in 2008, today we are led by three teachers of the Theravada tradition, Pauletta M. Chanco, Rebecca Dixon, and Deb Kerr. Find more about our teachers here..

We meet Sunday evenings from 7-9 pm at the Buena Vista United Methodist Church, 2311 Buena Vista Ave. in Alameda, CA. Find directions or contact us here.

Visit our blog for practice guidance and past dharma talks.

“Letters Home, Winter Art” show of new mixed media art by Marsha Balian

“Letters Home, Winter Art” show of new mixed media art by Marsha Balian


 January 16, through February 23 2015
     Reception Sunday February 8th
     11:00 to 2:00pm

Thomson Hall Gallery
Sausalito Presbyterian Church
112 Bulkley
 Sausalito Ca.94965
 415-332-3700
http://sausalitopres.org/art-shows/

Show of work by Oakland artist Marsha Balian including a new series based on found letters dated from 1897.  Artwork incorporates drawings, collage, paint, and fabric on wood panels.

Contact for further information:
                    Marsha Balian
                    www.marshabalian.com
                    510-601-1632

Bio:  Marsha Balian is a self taught mixed media artist whose work is strongly narrative with undercurrents of humor.  Her work has been shown throughout the Bay Area and in many parts of the country. 

Bill Essert of Wooden Window presents Enhanced Security for Vintage Doors and Windows Sunday, January 25

Alameda Architectural Preservation Society Lecture
www.alameda-preservation.org

Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 7:00 pm
Bill Essert of Wooden Window presents
   Enhanced Security for Vintage Doors and Windows

Bill Essert will be addressing a number of topics relating to doors
and windows in historic homes: Restoration versus replacement of doors
and windows in historic structures; things homeowners can do to
increase home security; retrofitting multi-point security locks to
older doors.

Since 1980, Wooden Window has been constructing and restoring fine and custom-made wooden doors and windows for residences and commercial buildings throughout California. Whether a homeowner or building pro, you’ll appreciate our decades of experience and unique mix of craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology.
http://woodenwindow.com/blog/general/cpf-workshop/

Immanuel Lutheran Church: 1420 Lafayette Street, Alameda, CA
(Parking available at the corner of Chestnut Street and Santa Clara
Avenue.)
FREE for AAPS Members; Non-members $5