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Project on violence aims for healthy community By WENDY SIPOREN As a young boy growing up in East Los Angeles, he was beat up by Anglo kids. At age 11, he joined a gang and ran from cops, drug dealers and rival gangs. By 16 he had firebombed a house, stabbed people and was doing time in jail. Today, Luis Rodriguez is an award-winning author and poet who speaks across the country on issues of diversity, racial understanding and peaceful reconciliation of cultural differences. He will be the keynote speaker at the second-annual Alternatives to Violence Project of Jackson County, a week-long forum bringing together students, parents and community members to discuss the various forms of violence present in the community. "A lot of people are unaware of the pervasiveness of violence in our lives," said event planner Risa Buck, a mediator and conflict-resolution facilitator. "(It starts with) the way we talk to each other ... It really is a personal thing and a community thing." Several events this year are geared toward involving the Hispanic community in the project. In addition to two public forums featuring Spanish-speaking Rodriguez and two theater groups, the project will offer a workshop promoting family harmony for Spanish-speakers. Other events include discussions in local schools, a professional workshop on violence against gay teens and their families and a slide show on a community art project in San Diego. "One of the ideas about having a healthy community is ... building community through art," said Buck. "It's us coming together and getting to know each other as human beings. The only thing we may have in common is we would like to make this park a safer and nicer place. (But) if that's all we have, then that's a lot. It's people power." Buck and other project organizers hope the diverse offerings will attract more people than attended last year and that the community art project will keep attention focused on the issue of violence throughout the year. "My vision for the Alternatives to Violence Project is that over time, we ... can build a momentum and a presence in the community and do some bridge-building," said Buck. Here's a list of public events for the Alternatives to Violence Project: Monday, Oct. 18: "No Mas Vida Loca: Alternativas a la Violencia (No More Crazy Life: Alternatives to Violence)." Spanish with English translation. 6:30 to 9 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 85 S. Holly St., Medford. Master of Ceremonies: Oscar Gabriel Bonilla of Radio Sensacion will introduce an all-Spanish program featuring keynote speaker Luis Rodriguez, author of "Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A." Rodriguez is an internationally recognized poet and winner of the 1998 Hispanic Heritage Literary Award. In addition, the Farmworker Women's Leadership Network (Lideres Campesinas) of Pomona, Calif., will present a short theater piece. Child care will be provided. Free bus at 5:30 p.m. from Food 4 Less, 2230 Biddle Road, Medford. Tuesday, Oct. 19: "La Familia Feliz y Sana: Aumentando la Harmonia." Spanish only, no English translation; 6:30 to 9 p.m., Phoenix High School, 745 Rose St., Phoenix. Family workshop run by Lideres Campesinas and Luis Rodriguez. Child care will be provided. Free bus at 5:30 p.m. from Food 4 Less. Wednesday, Oct. 20: "Building Bridges: Creating Alternatives to Violence as a Community (Armando Puentes: Formando Alternativas a la Violencia Como Comunidad)." English with Spanish translation. 6:30 to 9 p.m., South Medford High School Auditorium, 815 S. Oakdale Ave., Medford. Master of Ceremonies Carolyn Myers, playwright and director, will introduce keynote speaker Luis Rodriguez and Cabaret Interactive Theatre. Childcare will be provided. Free bus at 5:30 p.m. from Food 4 Less. Thursday, Oct. 21: "Artists of the Millennium Present an Alternative to Violence: A Community Art Project." 4 to 7 p.m., Rogue Gallery, 40 S. Bartlett St., Medford. A slide show by San Diego artists Lynn Susholtz and Aida Mancillas. The community will have an opportunity to organize a local art project. The goal is to communicate the value of the arts in maintaining cultures and improving quality of life. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA