January 29, 6:30pm - The Hampton Roads Network for Non-Violence is sponsoring a Flowing River of Peace: Interfaith Prayer Vigil at Mount Trashmore. The annual Interfaith Prayer Vigil opens the 64 day Season for Nonviolence, dedicated to demonstrating that active nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform and empower our lives and our communities. The Season is marked by the anniversary of the assassination of Gandhi (Jan.30th) and of Dr. Martin Luther King (April 4th). This year's vigil theme is "Peace is Flowing like a River." We will gather in the parking lot to the left of Kids Cove at Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach at 6:15 pm. The program will start promptly at 6:30 pm. There will be voices from many different faith traditions, singing and full participation by young and old. Please bring a flashlight and dress warmly. Bring an umbrella or raincoat if rain is forecasted. The Vigil is presented by the Hampton Roads Consortium for the Season of Nonviolence and sponsered by the Hampton Roads Network for Nonviolence. Contact person: Linda Douglas (962-7613).

January 31, 7pm Commemoration of the assasination of Mahatma Gandhi at the Hindu Temple of Hampton Roads, Dominion Blvd., Chesapeake, VA. Contact person: Mrs. Singh 484-8770

February 4, 1 - 2:30pm SNV "Awareness" Assembly at Princess Anne High School Auditorium, Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach. Contact person: Karen Gardner at 473-5000 or khgardne@vbcps.k12.va

February 14, 9am-4pm - Dismantling Racism Workshop presented by the Virginia Organinzing Project. Participants will be challenged to confront the racism within themselves in order to understand the subtle influences exerted. It is very important that participants commit to theentire day. Space is limited to 40 participants and reservations are necessary. The cost is $7.00 ($5.00 for students) to cover a box lunch and will be collected at the door. Location: St. Nicholas Catholic Church; Contact: Patrice Schwermer (583 - 0291)

February 17, 7pm - Human Rights Commission of Virginia Beach will present awards to Herta Okonkwo and Mrs. Jaychish Singh for their pioneer efforts in celebrating the Season for Nonviolence in this area.

February 24, 7pm; February 26 11:30pm; February 17, 11pm; February 28, 2pm - members of the Hampton Roads Consortium for the Season for Nonviolence are interviewed on Cox Channel 11.

Sunday, March 7, 2004, 6:30pm - A Celebration of Nonviolent Voices, Hofheimer Theater on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan College. Sponsored by Virginia Wesleyan College student organizations: Sigma Tau Delta, Campus Kaleidoscope, and the Drama Club Contact: njreda@vwc.edu. This is an open mic program providing the opportunity to share individual non-violent voices through poetry, drama, music, readings, etc. table>

March 11, 2004 7:00 - 9:00pm - Peace Without Bombs, Unitarian Church of Norfolk, 739 Yarmouth Street. Sponsored by Nonviolent Peaceforce. Learn about the current project of the Nonviolent Peaceforce and participate in creating new possibilities for world peace. Nonviolent Peaceforce is an international organization dedicated to building large-scale, trained civilian force committed to global nonviolence and peaceful conflict resolution. It is endorsed by 7 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, including the Dalai Lama. Contact: Alexandra Kedrock, 640-0400.

March 12, 1pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm - Coleman McCarthy , Nationally Syndicated Columnist for The Washington Post will lecture and lead a workshop. The workshop, "Non-Violence in a Time of War", is 1-4pm. The lecture, "How to be a Peacemaker" is 7-9pm. Sponsored by the Tidewater Sowers of Justice and Hampton Roads Network for Nonviolence, both events will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 1279 Great Neck Rd., Virginia Beach, VA. Registration for a limited number of participants at the workshop is underway. To register contact Tim McCarthy at (757) 486-3375, or e-mail Tim at McCarthyT@aol.com. No registration is needed for the lecture. There will be a "free will" offering to support the Sowers and help pay the cost of our speaker. Coleman is the founder and director of the Center for Teaching Peace in Washington DC.

Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28, 6pm-6pm - Twenty-four hour meditation 'sit-in' for nonviolence, 6pm Saturday 'til 6pm Sunday in Village II Commons, Virginia Wesleyan College. Sponsored by the tidewater zen group, all individuals interested in the path of nonviolence as embodied by meditation practice are invited to participate. Local Buddhist communities, meditation or yoga groups are especially encouraged to join in. Throughout the 24 hours there will be instruction in meditation provided. At 6pm Saturday, we will begin with a special service, then alternate between 30 minutes of sitting meditation and 10 minutes of walking meditation. Every two hours we will chant the Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo, dedicating the merit of our efforts to those who suffer from violence. At 5:45 pm Sunday we will conclude with chanting of the Heart Sutra and 27 floor bows. (See tidewater zen group's upcoming events for the Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo and the Heart Sutra.) Although some may choose to participate for the entire 24 hours, it is ok to come and go. Contact: tidewater zen group or e-mail Tom Fanney.

Wednesday, March 24, 7:30pm - Playback Theatre Performs for A Season for Nonviolence Blocker Auditorium, Virginia Wesleyan College. Playback Theatre is an original form of improvisational theatre that invites audience members to tell stories from their lives and to watch them enacted on the spot. Using sound, music, movement and short dramatic pieces, Playback performers will create enactments focusing on audience stories of creating peaceful solutions to violence.

April 4 - CONCLUDING EVENT - TBA Contact Kelly Jackson for more details.