Dance Benefit for El dorado Elementary

Eldorado will be having a community dance on Friday, February 8, 6-9 p.m. at the El Dorado Elementary School gymnasium. The theme is "You Can’t Stop the Beat" -- a benefit for El Dorado Elementary’s PE program. Guests are encouraged to wear 1960s outfits in the style of the movie Hairspray. From 6-7, there will be a dance lesson, and from 7-9, open dancing and refreshments. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 5 and up; children 4 and under are free. For more information, contact Sandy Szabat at 466-6702.

The Village at Eldorado One-Day Sales Event

The public is invited to view the quality merchandise from Premier Books Direct at the Village at Eldorado. There will books for all ages, stationery, gift items, tool sets, toys, games and much more! The prices are great, and the shopping will be fun for the whole family. This special one-day-only sales event happens Saturday, February 9,10:00-4:00 in Building A, next to Subway and Outback Video.

Compassion and Choices Meeting

Compassion and Choices of Santa Fe is holding its first public meeting of the year on Sunday, February 10, at 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Church (corner of Barcelona and Galisteo). Roland Halpern, national director of community relations, will speak on "Aid in Dying: Looking Back and Looking Forward." Looking back, he shares what has been learned in the struggle to promote end-of-life rights. Looking forward, he will present a picture of the uncertain fate of aid in dying in this legislative year. Free; the public is invited. For more information, call 983-4895.

GOOD-BYE TO RESTLESS NIGHTS AND TIRESOME MORNINGS

If you’re like one of the millions of Americans suffering from a sleep disturbance -- be it insomnia, sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome -- board certified internist and sleep specialist Dr. Barry Krakow will help you achieve the rest you need with his latest book, Sound Sleep, Sound Mind: 7 Keys to Sleeping Through the Night. On Saturday, February 9, at 3 p.m., Dr. Krakow will lecture, answer your questions and sign books at Borders in the Sanbusco Shopping Center. Learn more about Dr. Krakow’s innovative mind-body approach to sleep treatment at www.sleeptreatment.com.

Valentine Poetry

Miriam Sagan and V. B. Price will give a free Valentine’s Day poetry reading on Tuesday, February 12, at 5:30 p.m. at Collected Works Bookstore, 208 W. San Francisco St. Sagan’s new title, Map of the Lost, explores memory and emotional maps of connection. Sagan is the author of over 20 books of poetry, essays and an acclaimed memoir, Searching for a Mustard Seed : A Young Widow’s Unconventional Story. V. B. Price is a poet, human rights and environmental columnist, editor, journalist, architectural critic and teacher whose latest collection, Broken and Reset, spans 30 years of poetry.

Benefit Auction for Cancer Institute Foundation

The Cancer Institute Foundation’s "Sweetheart Benefit Auction" takes place on February 16, starting at 5 p.m. in the Scottish Rite Temple on Paseo de Peralta. The silent and live auction features paintings, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, gifts and more. The proceeds benefit the Cancer Institute Foundation, which since 2003 has provided support programs for cancer patients and their families in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico, and education/prevention programs for the community. Auctioneer Paul Margetson will conduct the live auction with honorary chairperson Ali McGraw. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served by Peas ‘n’ Pod. For information, call 955-7958.

Modern Daoism

White Cloud Institute invites you to attend "Living with the Dao --Applying Daoist Teachings in Modern Life," with Livia Kohn on February 16 and 17. Living a life inspired by Daoist teachings can take many facets, including regular qigong, tai chi and meditation practices, as well as a general awareness of the flow of the Dao in and through our lives. In addition, there are various accessory practices that help living with the Dao in a productive and harmonious manner. Livia Kohn is a professor of religion and East Asian studies at Boston University. For more information, call 471-9330.

FIRST OF A SERIES OF SOIREES IN ELDORADO

Teatre Petit . . . a time and place to enjoy each other’s stories, rhythms, sounds and energy. You can perform or be in the audience. Each soiree is two hours long, ending with wine and cheese. Each performer has 10 to 15 minutes and will share the proceeds ($10 adults, $5 kids). What kind of performers? Anything that fits on a small stage -- comedy, poetry, theater, music, dance, puppetry, spoken word and others. All ages are welcome, both as audience and performers. The first soiree is February 17, 4:00-6:30 p.m. at the old train station in Eldorado. To perform or reserve seats, contact Ron or Laia at (505) 216-0882 or visit www.PuppetsRevenge.com.

Sound Healing Gong Bath with Richard Rudis

This is an unforgettable experiential evening that continues to grow in popularity. Rudis creates transformational waves of sound that bathe the participant with the rising and falling rhythms, tonalities and vibrations of a huge earth gong tuned to the sound of the incorruptible seed syllable aum, the universal chord. The sacred gong’s blend of harmonic resonances is used as a vibrational tool to induce stress reduction, chakra balancing, energy synchronization and spontaneous healing. Saturday, February 23, 7-9 p.m. at 333 Cordova Rd. in Santa Fe. For information, call (505) 986-0362 or go to bodyofsantafe.com.

Green Party Meetings and convention

The Green Party of Santa Fe meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Mission Café, 239 E. DeVargas St. The county convention will be held the week of February 23. The state convention will be held in Albuquerque on March 16. Information at 473-3721.

Free Estate Planning Presentations

Barbara Ann Michael, Esq., will be presenting the topic "What Is a Will?" on three consecutive nights in February. Find out about the minimum requirements for preparing a will in New Mexico, the assets that are distributed through a will, and why it is important to name guardians and conservators for your minor children in your will. Barbara’s first two presentations will take place on Tuesday the 26th and Wednesday the 27th, both 6-7 p.m. at La Farge Library, 128 Grant Ave., second floor conference room. The last presentation is on Thursday the 28th, 3-4 p.m. at the Southside Library. Call 466-8899 to register. Locations are subject to change.

Hellinger Family Constellation Work

The Southwest Center for Hellinger Constellation Work announces a nine-month "Immersion Learning Program" for 2008. This program, beginning in March, is facilitated by Krista Jarrard and offers an understanding of the soul-level approach to working with the hidden forces that govern our lives as developed by Bert Hellinger. Experiential in nature, it is designed to delve in depth into the principles and practice of Family Constellation Work. Appropriate for those seeking transformation in their lives, their family and their ancestral lineage, as well as those in the healing arts wishing to incorporate this work into their practice. Information: contact Krista Jarrard at 466-3595.

Heal Your Writing -- Write Your Healing

Join Shanti Bannwart, MA/LPCC, in a two-day workshop sponsored by the Narrative Art Center of Santa Fe. Unleash the creativity of your essential self as you explore and release limiting beliefs and attitudes about your writing. Clear our your mental attic and get rid of clutter. Befriend your "writers block." Rock your boat and make it float. Invite pleasure, joy and playfulness into the act of writing. For experienced and beginning writers. March 1 and 2, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Certificate for 14 CEUs in negotiation. For reservations and info, contact Cinny Green at (505) 988-5185 or Shanti Bannwart at (505) 466-2705.

new church on the way

A new faith community could be on the way for Santa Fe area neighborhoods south of Airport/Rodeo Roads. All area residents are being invited to two open houses in early March to explore the possibilities. The first event will be held at the Inn at Santa Fe near the outlet mall on Cerrillos Road on Sunday, March 2, 2:30-4 p.m. The second gathering will be at Miklo’s Coffee House in Plaza Contenta on Jaguar Road (across from Cesar Chavez Elementary School) on Saturday, March 8, 2:30-4 p.m. Refreshments, music and activities for children will be offered on both occasions. For more information, call 474-5817. Sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Counseling Conference

The New Mexico Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC) has announced that its annual conference will take place March 6-8 at the Holiday Inn in Santa Fe. This year’s theme, "Holding Your Center in Challenging Times," is geared for counselors, life coaches and others in the helping professions. Native American shaman Connie Buffalo is the keynote speaker and ceremony leader. Workshop topics will include energy work, ecofeminism, finding peace in all seasons, journaling to the center of your soul, spirituality in the playroom, sexuality, sensuality and many more. For more information, including fee schedule, call Rosemary Eads at (505) 577-8581.

Mastering the Power of Influence

Walks Beside Coaching & Consulting has scheduled a five-month coaching series to learn to increase your spoken-communication clarity, act with decisiveness, respond not react to conflict, and relax with a centered presence. This series will have guest leaders Dr. Stuart Heller, PhD, and Carol Heller, CHT, at Hotel Santa Fe beginning March 8-9 and going through July 2008. Contact Stephan Marais at (505) 424-4771 for more information and to register. Registration can also be done at walksbesidecoaching.com/bizorgwww/events_workshops.htm.