Send Your Message By Tuning Out
Sick of what your kids are seeing on television? The National Association for Family and Community Education is sponsoring a national campaign this Wednesday titled LOVE or “Let Our Violence End.” To participate is easy. Make a 24-hour pledge Wednesday not to listen to or watch any media that promote violence as entertainment. Encourage others to do the same. You can register your pledge by calling (800) 625-6391. Or call 926-2389.
Take heart: Struggling to write a book, paint a picture or do something else creative in middle age? George Eliot, 19th Century novelist, didn’t publish her first book until 40. She once said: “The middle-aged, who have lived through their strongest emotions, but are yet in the time when memory is still half passionate and not merely contemplative, should surely be a sort of natural priesthood, whom life has disciplined and consecrated to be the refuge and rescue of early stumblers and victims of self-despair.”
Come together: Essential Peacemaking Women and Men is offering a one-day training Saturday. The group’s philosophy is the “conviction that ordinary people have the caring and capability to gather small groups of women and men together, to share with each other in deep and meaningful ways.” For location, time and cost, call 327-1770 or 838-5060.
Women’s Studies Month: Gonzaga University has two programs of interest coming up. On Wednesday, a panel of women leaders will present “Women of Color Leadership Forum” at 7:45 p.m. in the Jepson Center on the GU campus. The women, including KXLY anchor Marianne Mashima, will discuss their leadership experiences as minorities in Spokane. On April 10, there will be a program on “Professional Ethics: Sexual Misconduct with the Ministerial Relationship.” It will take place in the Administration Building beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Still waiting: We didn’t get an overwhelming response to our question about what male in popular culture best represents the emerging, mature, middle-aged guy. We nominated Craig T. Nelson of “Coach.” One woman called and kindly reminded us the actor is from Spokane. Maybe that’s why he’s so cool. We’re still open to nominations.
Transition time: Change Point, The Institute for Extended Learning’s program for women in transition due to death of a spouse or divorce or separation, will offer an evening course for several weeks throughout the spring, beginning April 10. The free course helps women with selfesteem and job-hunting skills. Call 533-3757.
Wedding Gift Idea: Buy an engaged couple “I Will Never Leave You” by Hugh and Gail Prather. They recommend that every morning couples say this to one another: “I will never leave you. I will never threaten to leave you. And even if the thought of leaving takes root in my mind, I will use whatever means necessary to eradicate it. The insanity of casting aside lives, breaking up homes, and betraying children will end with us.”
MEMO: Common Ground is written on alternating weeks by Rebecca Nappi and Dan Webster. Write to them in care of The Spokesman-Review, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615. Or fax, (509) 459-5098.