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Give peace a chance: Weekend event promotes wellness, harmony By Myles Murphy Ashland Daily Tidings Peace will be in the air this weekend as Ashland's Fifth Annual World Peace and Prayer Day is celebrated at the Wellsprings. "What we're trying to present is that there is a choice," event organizer Steve Traisman said "A way of life through eloquence, love and joy. People can protest against things or demonstrate what does work. We're trying to demonstrate a peaceful way to live." The group Walk In Peace presents the peace and summer solstice celebration Saturday and Sunday at the site of the former Jackson Hotsprings, about a mile north of Ashland on Highway 99. World Peace and Prayer Day is an international peace ceremony founded in 1994 by Native American Lakota Elder Chief Arvol Looking Horse following the birth of the first white buffalo, according to Traisman, director of Walk In Peace. "On June 21, people will gather on sacred sites all over the world to pray for peace and to celebrate life," Traisman said. "The intent is to create a shift of consciousness to restore the balance of life on Mother Earth." Musical performances and wellness presentations will be featured throughout the weekend, as well as more than 50 food and craft booths. A town meeting with James Twyman will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday. "The purpose of the town meeting is to discuss win-win solutions for present and future generations," Traisman said. "We need to calmly discuss where we've been as a people, where we are now, and where we are going. It's obvious we can't depend on our elected officials to form intelligent public policy." Karuk Elder Charles "Red Hawk" Thom, Lakota Elder Wallace Black Elk and Lakota Elder Dave Chief will conduct opening ceremonies at noon on Saturday. Wallace Black Elk is the great-grandson of the Black Elk whose words were immortalized in the book "Black Elk Speaks." Joining them will be the Elk Thunder Drum, Counting Coup Drum, and the Eagle and Raven Dancers. Eugene's Nicki Scully will preside over an inter-faith ceremony for World Peace 4 p.m. on Saturday. She will also conduct a workshop following the ceremony. Ashland peace troubadour James Twyman will sing songs for peace from across the globe at 8 p.m. Saturday. Other Saturday highlights include Katrina Hill reading poems for peace written by local residents and a drum circle by Shakerman. Sunday highlights include a "peace village" built by children and a 6 p.m. performance by Craig Wright. Each morning will open with a 7 a.m. sunrise ceremony. "There's tremendous support for world peace lately," Traisman said. "This town is ready to celebrate and come together as a people." Admission is free and the festival is billed as a drug- and alcohol-free event. For information call Traisman at 535-1398 or see www.walkinpeace.org. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -