Learn “The Art of Peace”, traditional Iwama-style aikido, at Aikido at The Center, 3100 N. Stone Ave. I took a self-defense class (with aikido principles) decades ago in college, and recently watched a demonstration by an aikido group at the 8th Annual Japanese speech contest.

Aikido at The Center (from their website)

“Aikido is not primarily a system of combat, but rather a means of self-cultivation and improvement. Aikido has no tournaments, competitions, contests, or “sparring.” Instead, all aikido techniques are learned cooperatively at a pace commensurate with the abilities of each trainee. According to the founder, the goal of aikido is not the defeat of others, but the defeat of the negative characteristics which inhabit one’s own mind and inhibit its functioning.” (from their website)

To find out more, log onto www.aikidoatthecenter.org, or call 520-887-3986 or drop by for a free class at their dojo. This group was at the February Tucson Peace Fair and believes: “The goal of aikido is to neutralize aggression rather than increase it.”

Adult aikido class schedule:
Mondays–5:30-6:30 pm
Wednesdays–5:30-6:30 pm
Thursday–12:00 pm-1:00 pm
Thursday evenings–5:30-6:30 pm (beginning and advanced weapons)
Sundays–9:00-10:00 am–advanced class (1st and 3rd Sundays only)

“If you are grounded and centered, you can’t make a bad decision” — Sensei Judith Robinson pictured above on the left, with a partner.

peace sign

It’s been 28 years now that the Annual Tucson Peace Fair & Music Festival has been sponsored by the Tucson Peace Center, and still no world peace in sight. We have more troops than before in Afghanistan.

Coming up Saturday Feb. 27, 11 to 5 p.m. the usual large gathering of social justice, labor, peace, and environmental groups will be congregating at Reid Park DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, east of Country Club, north of E. 22nd Street.

Previously scheduled to be in attendance this year –well known peace activist Cindy Sheehan (mother of deceased Army Specialist Casey Sheehan, a 25 year old soldier who was killed near Baghdad on April 4, 2004.) She was supposed to be at the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) booth.

Cindy Sheehan

Feb. 22 update: Sheehan cancelled as she was invited by Hugo Chavez to fly to Venezuela, then to join him to Uruguay for the inauguration of the new leftist leader of that country (which happens to be Feb 27).

This is a community wide event with lots of political and informational booths, great music on the stage, food, and an array of raffles prizes, plus the Grand Prize of a Trip to Disneyland (hotel & admission). Raffle tickets are 3 for $20, by contacting Nancyastro@yahoo.com, phone 520-293-3331.

Peace groups please call 520-235-0694, or email stelnik@webtv.net if you wish to participate.

The Tucson Peace Center publishes a monthly print edition of the Tucson Peace Calendar containing numerous events that promote peace and justice in southern Arizona.