Swat Team conducts food raid in rural Ohio

On Monday, December 1, a SWAT team with semi-automatic rifles entered the private home of the Stowers family in LaGrange, Ohio, herded the family onto the couches in the living room, and kept guns trained on parents, children, infants and toddlers, from approximately 11 AM to 8 PM. The team was aggressive and belligerent. The children were quite traumatized. At some point, the “bad cop” SWAT team was relieved by another team, a “good cop” team that tried to befriend the family. The Stowers family has run a very large, well-known food cooperative called Manna Storehouse on the western side of the greater Cleveland area for many years.

There were agents from the Department of Agriculture present, one of them identified as Bill Lesho. The search warrant is reportedly suspicious-looking. Agents began rifling through all of the family’s possessions, a task that lasted hours and resulted in a complete upheaval of every private area in the home. Many items were taken that were not listed on the search warrant. The family was not permitted a phone call, and they were not told what crime they were being charged with. They were not read their rights. Over ten thousand dollars worth of food was taken, including the family’s personal stock of food for the coming year. All of their computers, and all of their cell phones were taken, as well as phone and contact records. The food cooperative was virtually shut down. There was no rational explanation, nor justification, for this extreme violation of Constitutional rights.

Presumably Manna Storehouse might eventually be charged with running a retail establishment without a license. Why then the Gestapo-type interrogation for a 3rd degree misdemeanor charge? This incident has raised the ominous specter of a restrictive new era in State regulation and enforcement over the nation’s private food supply.

This same type of abusive search and seizure was reported by those innocents who fell victim to oppressive federal drug laws passed in the 1990s. The present circumstance raises the obvious question: is there some rabid new interpretation of an existing drug law that considers food a controlled substance worthy of a nasty SWAT operation? Or worse, is there a previously unrecognized provision(s) pertaining to food in the Homeland Security measures? Some have suggested that it was merely an out-of-control, hot-to-trot ODA agent, and, if so, this would be a best-case scenario. Anything else might spell the beginning of the end for the freedom to eat unregulated and unmonitored food.

One blogger familiar with the Ohio situation has reported that:

“Interestingly, I believe they [Manna Storehouse] said a month or so ago, an undercover ODA official came to their little store and claimed to have a sick father wanting to join the co-op. Both the owner and her daughter-in-law had a horrible feeling about the man, and decided not to allow him into the co-op and notified him by certified mail. He came back to the co-op demanding to be part of it. They refused and gave him names of other businesses and health food stores closer to his home. Not coincidentally, this man was there yesterday as part of the raid.”

The same blog also noted that the Ohio Department of Agriculture has been chastised by the courts in several previous instances for its aggression, including trying to entrap an Amish man in a raw milk “sale,” which backfired when it became known that the Amish believe in a literal interpretation of “give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away” (Matthew 5:42)

The issue appears to be the discovery of a bit of non-institutional beef in an Oberlin College food service freezer a year ago that was tracked down by a county sanitation official to Manna Storehouse. Oberlin College’s student food coop is widely known for its strident ideological stance about eating organic foods. It seems that the Oberlin student food cooperative had joined the Manna Storehouse food cooperative in order to buy organic foods in bulk from the national organic food distributor United, which services buying clubs across the nation. The sanitation official, James Boddy, evidently contacted the Ohio Department of Agriculture. After the first contact by state ODA officials, Manna Storehouse reportedly wrote them a letter requesting assistance and guidelines for complying with the law. This letter was never answered. Rather, the ODA agent tried several times to infiltrate the coop, as described above. When his attempts failed, the SWAT team showed up!

Food cooperatives and buying clubs have been an active part of the American landscape for over a generation. In the 1970s, with the rise of the organic food industry (a direct outgrowth of the hippie back-to-nature movement) food coops started up all over the country. These were groups of people who freely associated for the purpose of combining their buying power so that they could order organic food items in bulk and case lots. Anyone who was part of these coops in the early era will remember the messy breakdown of 35 pounds of peanut butter and 5 gallon drums of honey!

These buying clubs have persisted and flourished over the years due to their ability to purchase high quality organic foods at reduced prices in bulk quantities. Most cooperatives have participated greatly in the local agrarian economies, supporting neighborhood organic farmers with purchases of produce, eggs, chickens, etc. The groups also purchase food from a number of different local, regional and national distributors, many of them family-based businesses who truck the food themselves. Some of these food cooperatives have become large enough to set up mini-storefront operations where members can drop in and purchase items leftover from case lot sales. Manna Storehouse had established itself in such a manner, using a small enclosed breezeway attached to their home. It was a folksy place with old wooden floors where coop members stopped by to chat and snack on bags of organic corn chips.

The state of Ohio boasts the second largest Amish population in the country. Many of the Amish live on acreages where they raise their own food, not unlike Manna Storehouse, and sell off the extras to neighbors and church members. There is a sense of foreboding that this state crackdown on a longstanding, reputable food cooperative operation could adversely impact the peaceful agrarian way of life not only for the Amish, but homeschoolers and those families living off the land on rural acreages. It raises the disturbing possibility that it could become a crime to raise your own food, buy eggs from the farmer down the road, or butcher your own chickens for family and friends – bustling activities that routinely take place in backwater America.

The freedom to purchase food directly form the source is increasingly under attack. For those who have food allergies and chemical intolerances, or who are on special medical diets, this is becoming a serious health issue. Will Americans retain the right to purchase food that is uncontaminated by pesticides, herbicides, allergens, additives, dyes, preservatives, MSG, GMOs, radiation, etc.? The melamine scare from China underscores the increasingly inferior and suspect quality of modern processed institutional foods. One blog, commenting on the bizarre and troubling Manna Storehouse situation, observed that:

“No one is saying exactly why. At the same time the FDA says it is safe to eat the 40% of tainted beef found in Costco's and Sam's all over the nation. These farm raids are very common now. Every farmer needs to fully equipped [sic] for the possibility of it happening to them. The Farmer To Consumer Legal Defense Fund was created just for this purpose. The USDA just released their plans to put a law into action that will put all small farmers out of business. Animals for the sale of meat or milk will only be allowed in commercial farms, even the organic ones.” December 3, 2008 7:09 PM

America's Homeless Children

More Than One Million Homeless Children

• At least 1.35 million children are homeless during a year’s time.
• One any given day 800,000 people are homeless in the United States, including 200,000 children in homeless
families.

• Families with children are among the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.

• Most children living with homeless parents are very young (42% are under the age of 6 years).

• Family homelessness is increasing. Requests for emergency shelter by families have increased every
year since 1985, with an average increase of 20% in 2002.

(Burt, 2001; Burt, Aron, Douglas, et al., 1999; National Coalition for the Homeless, 2002; U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2002)

Homelessness Hurts Children

Homelessness Makes Children Sick

• Homeless children get sick twice as often as other children. They have:
- Twice as many ear infections.
- Four times as many asthma attacks.
- Five times more stomach problems.
- Six times as many speech problems.
- Twice as many hospitalizations.

• Homeless children go hungry twice as often as other children and 25% of homeless children report eating less
after becoming homeless.

(National Center on Family Homelessness, 1999; Sandel, Sharfstein, and Shaw, 1999; Institute for Children and Poverty,
1999)

Homelessness Wounds Children

• Every day, homeless children are confronted with stressful, traumatic events. Within a single year:

- 97% of homeless children move, many up to three times.
- 22% are separated from their families to be put in foster care or to live with relatives.

- 25% have witnessed acts of violence within their family.
• Homeless children have many more mental health problems than other children.
- More than 20% of homeless preschoolers have emotional problems serious enough to require
professional care.

- 47% of homeless school age children have problems such as anxiety, depression, or
withdrawal, compared to 18% of other children.
(National Center on Family Homelessness, 1999; Institute for Children and Poverty, 1999)

Homeless Children Are Not Receiving The Services They Need

• Despite their multiple and complex needs, homeless children are not receiving the services they need. For
example:
- Nearly 20% of homeless children lack a regular source of medical care and 15% rely solely on
hospital emergency rooms.
- Less than 1/3 of homeless children who need help for their emotional problems are receiving it.
- Only 50-60% of homeless families are enrolled in Medicaid, although most are eligible.
- Only 71% of homeless families receive Food Stamps or WIC, although most are eligible.
- Only 37% of homeless children receive services that help them with enrollment,
attendance, and success in school.
- Only 15% of homeless children are in preschool programs, less than half the rate
of all children nationally.

Lighthouse Wisdom








"Darkness reigns at the foot of the lighthouse"

~ Japanese Proverb



Since Ancient times, Lighthouses were used to mark dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals and reefs, often in inaccessible locations.



They exist because storms exist.



They symbolize safety, guidance and Integrity.



Sometimes in our lives, we find ourselves in difficult places. But the truth is that it is not about you. It is about the bigger picture.



It is about understanding the purpose of being a Lighthouse.



As Lightworkers, we are the Light in the dark. The Lighthouse Call is the opportunity to shine your Light for others. Maybe the only light they will see is coming from YOU…







This is the work you came to do and it is not going to be forever in a place you don't want to be. This is the Mission of a true Lighthouse…





Much Metta,







Humanity Healing



www.humanityhealing.net



Humanity Healing Yahoo Group


Humanity Healing Social Network


Email: contact@humanityhealing.net

Humanity Healing Self-Mastery Program

Weekly Attitudinal Tools






"The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives"
~ William James





Every attitude is the expression of an action.

Every action connects us with the internal need to bring to life that which we wish to evoke within our own beings and own our lives.

When we choose to be mindful, our actions and reactions create an aura that brings both serendipity and good fortune to our lives.

This statement is based upon the ancient Universal Law of Attraction.

"One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of oneself "
~ Leonardo da Vinci

64 weekly exercises and meditations specially designed to help individuals bring the essence of their heart to the minimal practices of daily life.

The course will be free to all members of our Social Network

Humanity Healing Social Network

The Program starts on Monday, 24 November 2008

Join us!


Much Metta,




Humanity Healing

www.humanityhealing.net

Humanity Healing Yahoo Group

Humanity Healing Social Network

Email: contact@humanityhealing.net

Humanity's New Earth




"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. "
~ Kahlil Gibran

We must create our Future now,
Together as one Humanity forever.
We must find sustainable solutions, create new perspectives, and open a new future.

Together we can!

Working together... with our creative Intention,
We can create a New Earth.

The time is NOW!


Humanity Healing is proud to share with you our latest video featuring the song:

One World
by Darren Wolbold
http://spaceeagle.co.uk


Humanity's New Earth



Much Metta,




Humanity Healing

www.humanityhealing.net

Humanity Healing Yahoo Group

Humanity Healing Social Network

Email: contact@humanityhealing.net

Trunk Hustlers & Lush Radio Teams Up To Help Families For The Holidays...

TEAMS UP TO HELP FAMILIES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON"

Check out lush radio online at www.blogtalkradio.com/lushradioonline also check out her community www.lushradiothemovement.ning.com, www.lushradio.blogspot.com Also check out "TrunkHustlers" What's your hustle? Come tell them your hustle and network with us at www.trunkhuslers.com also www.trunkhustlers.blogspot.com

Online DC Radio Host "Lush" CEO of Street Queens (The Movement) & Lush Radio Online a online networking and support community have teamed up with Trunk Hustlers to provide familes with food and clothes this holiday so if you are a family or know a family in need or maybe would like to contribute to organizations who really care about there own the contact us.

DC RESIDENTS CONTACT: THE ABOVE LISTED NUMBER or ceolushradioonline@gmail.com
VA RESIDENTS CONTACT: (757) 224-3581 or trunkhustlersinc@gmail.com

WE CARE........................... DO YOU?

"Oporation We Care" We Care Do You???

Oporation We Care - Our Mission

Hampton, Newport News, Maryland, Washington, Virginia/DC, United States

We are an organization comprised of a few caring individuals dedicated to change. We exists to assist the less fortunate and underprivileged individuals while networking with like minded organizations dedicated to change.

For more information please go to www.oporationwecare.blogspot.com

Close To My Heart.....

Interview with Daniel Kobialka on The Voice of Humanity Healing Steve Gooch, Host of The Voice of Humanity Healing Network, conducts the interview via podcast with Daniel Kobialka, internationally acclaimed violinist, composer, lecturer and Ambassador of the House of Creation for the Humanity Healing Network. Daniel Kobialka has been at the forefront of contemporary classical music for the best part of the last half century. Daniel is, however, much more than just a significant and world-renowned musical presence. He is a man with a heart and a mission to help transform the lives of others through the expression and cultivation of love in the world via the conduit of his music. It is an honor and a pleasure to have had the opportunity to interview Daniel and to talk to him about his thoughts and feelings on the place of music within the broad spectrum of healing methods. Please click the link below to listen to this ground-breaking interview:
The Voice of Humanity Healing

Much Metta,

Humanity Healing



HH Links:

Humanity Healing Network Website
The Voice of Humanity Healing Blog
Humanity Healing on Facebook
Yahoo Group Humanity Healing
Humanity Healing Foundation on Ning
Click here to join HumanityHealing

Humanity Healing Suicide Prevention Program



In every life there are times when events seem to spiral out of control, when you feel like you cannot cope with the pain associated with these events. These may be the break-up of a relationship, the fear of not being able to provide for loved ones because of a traumatic event such as losing one's job or home, a feeling of helplessness, or the loss of hope to name a few reasons.

The two primary forces in life are love and fear. Thoughts of suicide occur when the fear of pain exceeds the individual's love of life.

"Suicide is not chosen; it happens when pain exceeds resources for coping with pain."

Humanity Healing is a family of ordinary people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We are not professionals but we are people who have experienced what you are going through and want you to know that you are not alone and that we care about you.

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent.
~ John Donne



Humanity Healing is developing a Suicide Prevention Program and has compiled a downloadable e-booklet on how to recognize and help someone who is at risk. Please visit the Suicide Prevention page in the House of Counsel on our Main Website:

http://humanityhealing.net/House/OfCounsel/Suicide.htm

Please download and share with our Blessing.

If you would like to participate with the Humanity Healing Suicide Prevention Team, please visit us at:

http://humanityhealing.ning.com/group/suicidepreventionteam?x=45&y=13

We will also be hosting a teleconference to discuss the program. Please join us!

Sunday, 2 November 2008
8:00 PM EST (7:00 CST, 5:00 PST)
Number: 1-270-696-2500
Access code: 707110

Much Metta,




Humanity Healing

www.humanityhealing.net

Humanity Healing Yahoo Group

Humanity Healing Social Network

Email: contact@humanityhealing.net
il

Starbucks Blues....

Starbucks Blues

Lean times and labor pains are tarnishing the coffee giant’s image.

By Liza Featherstone, Slate Magazine

October 29, 2008

Fall is pumpkin-latte season for those who can still afford to indulge, but for some Starbucks workers, it's been a season of discontent. The coffee giant has recently responded to hard times with scheduling changes that are likely to inflict misery on its employees. These policies seem sharply at odds with Starbucks' reputation for social responsibility but make sense in the context of the company's record as an employer. Curiously, the coffee retailer's benevolent image seems most fragile at the moment that the company's best days seem to be receding into the past...

Read full article: http://www.thebigmoney.com/articles/saga/2008/10/29/starbucks-blues?page=0,0




Daniel Gross
Organizer
IWW Starbucks Workers Union
www.StarbucksUnion.org
Ph:(917) 577-1110
Fx:(917) 591-6128
dgross@iww.org

Humanity Healings....Suicide Prevention Program..

Suicide Prevention program: SUICIDE IS NOT CHOSEN; IT HAPPENS WHEN PAIN EXCEEDS RESOURCES FOR COPING WITH PAIN. We are looking for volunteers

Suicide Prevention program (Latin suicidium, from sui caedere, to kill oneself) is the act of terminating one's own life. Many dictionaries also note the metaphorical sense of "willful destruction of one's self-interest" .Suicide may occur for a number of reasons, including depression, shame, guilt, desperation, physical pain, pressure, anxiety, financial difficulties, or other undesirable situations. The World Health Organization noted that someone commits suicide every 40 seconds thus making it one of the leading causes of death in the world. There are an estimated 10 to 20 million non-fatal attempted suicides every year. WIKIPEDIA SUICIDE IS NOT CHOSEN; IT HAPPENS WHEN PAIN EXCEEDS RESOURCES FOR COPING WITH PAIN. Suicide Prevention Program is Free and easy to implement.
(Based in the model from Suicide.org )

www.humanityhealing.ning.com

www.humanityhealing.net

Humanity's Healing..."The Women's Center Project"

The Woman's Center Project has at its heart the layering of energetic and spiritual healing, as well as Life Coaching, to current methods to provide a more holistic approach to healing victims of domestic violence and family abuse.



One of the first projects explored by the Humanity Healing Team after this organization was founded was to develop a program to assist in the healing of victims of domestic violence and family abuse. There are many centers that offer a safe place to stay, medical and legal assistance, and crisis counseling. There are not far fewer that promote healing on other levels, such as energetically and spiritually. Humanity Healing was created from the belief that by layering alternative healing modalities and spiritual counseling with traditional practices, a more holistic and complete healing could occur.

While it is a long-term goal to create a safe haven where individuals can come and stay during the healing process, it has never been our goal to open a long-term care facility. We have also come to realize that we are missing the opportunity to help those in need now, while we search for funding to open a physical Center. As a result, we are restructuring how the Domestic Violence and Family Abuse Program will operate.

There are many facilities that currently exist and there is no need to "reinvent the wheel". Instead, Humanity Healing will concentrate on training and developing Teams that can travel to existing shelters and work as consultants within the existing structure to promote a deeper level of healing. Teams will consist of Life Coaches to help plan a Path and teachers of Energetic Healing modalities such as Reiki, meditation, and practices such as Qigong and Tai Chi, to help Heal, Ground and Center those in need.

We are currently working on guidelines and training tools for our Teams to use for both helping the victims of domestic violence and for approaching the Centers that currently exist to promote the value of a more holistic approach. If you would like to participate in your area, or have ideas that would be of value; please consider joining this Group and help develop this program.

Much Metta,

The Humanity Healing Team

****For more information...***

www.humanityhealing.ning.com

www.humanityhealing.net

What deoes RAK means??

Random Acts Of Kindness

Three things in human life are important.
The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.

**By Henry James**


"You are here to serve others, to be a light for them, to participate in their lessons and to help heal humanity. You are also here to serve yourself, to heal your karma, to enable your soul's growth and reconnect to the Source. Your challenge is to find a balance between serving others and yourself so that you can accomplish the tasks that you established for yourself in this lifetime and even go beyond that. How you view your role in serving others is an important part of this process."

Just like a sunbeam can't separate itself from the sun, and a wave can't separate itself from the ocean,
we can't separate ourselves from one another.
We are all part of a vast sea of love, one indivisible divine mind.
Marianne Williamson

"Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting."

**Elizabeth Bibesco

"To love a person is to learn the song that is in their heart
and sing it to them when they have forgotten."
**Thomas Chandler**

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless."
***Mother Teresa ***

www.myspace.com/randomactskindness

www.humanityhealing.net

www.humanityhealing.ning.com

Introducing the 12 houses of Humanity Healing...

The Structure of Humanity Healing

There is an old axiom that says that to solve a problem; you must first define the problem. "Healing the Heart of Humanity One Soul at a Time" is a very broad and far-reaching mandate because each individual's needs are different. We decided the best way to approach "Healing the Heart of Humanity" on large scale while still focusing on "One Soul at a Time" was to organize our focus into different facets of the problem and bring individuals in those areas of expertise together to make a difference. Just as the Flower of Life is built from twelve individual arcs to form the sacred geometry of the whole, the community of Humanity Healing is built around Twelve Houses that we believe define the areas where individuals can find their own Path to Healing and through them, Humanity as a whole.

The Houses of Humanity Healing are based on ten Gifts of the Spirit (Healing, Faith, Compassion, Wisdom, Hope, Creation, Counsel, Knowledge, Justice, and Reconciliation) and two Fruit of the Spirit (Kindness and Peace). While the terminology "Gifts of the Spirit" is based on Christian teachings, these concepts span many religions and spiritual practices, as well as non-theistic ethical systems. Humanity Healing believes these Gifts of the Spirit are the inheritance of all humanity.

www.humanityhealing.net
www.humanityhealing.ning.com

What happened to SHILO??.. There back....

PRESS RELEASE
Highway Fever,

"In High Gear"

Wednesday, October 15, 2008….Clear Diamond Records, One BAR Records in association with Highway Fever, announce the upcoming release of an all brand new truckers album, containing fresh never before recorded songs to honor the lifeblood of America, The American Trucker. Production of this project is set to begin in early January and is scheduled for a national release. Highway Fever is working hard to kick off the tour at the annual truck show in Louisville Kentucky, in March of 2009.

The album will consist of brand new songs recorded by some of the various state and regional favorite artist, covering all genres of music from straight ahead country, to good old southern rock, that is sure to be a must have for all truckers and music lovers alike. Never before have so many wonderful artist, writers, and musicians come together to honor the American Trucker in the way this album is sure to do. Shilo Band is one of the leading bands in the project. www.shiloband.com Along with Aly..an, you can check this hot new female duo act out at www.alyanmusic.com , For more info and listen to a few of the songs that will be on the album check out www.highfever.net.



For more information contact:

Frank Milstead 317-557-6722
highwayfever1@hotmail.com


Terry Wooley 615-712-1289
onebarrecords@yahoo.com

See My Work You Will Know My Heart.... Ginc/V. Gomez Designs

To better explain the mind behind v.gomez designs please read - “The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: A human creature born abnormally, inhumanely sensitive. To them... a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is death. Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create - So that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, their very breath is cut off... They must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency they are not really alive unless they are creating.” -Pearl Buck "PERHAPS IF YOU SEE MY WORK YOU WILL KNOW MY HEART." g inc is more than just a clothing line for the people. g inc is more than just a t shirt or a hoodie. when u buy an article of clothing at g inc you are not just a buck. when u buy a piece of g inc you in turn become part of a sub-culture. a sub-culture that we the people control. g inc is all about going with what feels good at that moment and wearing it like a model. g inc is a lifestyle. your lifestyle - my lifestyle. g inc is a brand that is known but not well known. (not yet anyways) g inc started with one logo. one shirt. one guy. one dream... located in upstate new york (rochester) g inc designs brings only the hottest designs colors and touches to the same ol same ol mass produce clothing lines out there. bring us your old and well make it your new... come in bored and leave entertained... I am Victor Gomez and this is my empty canvas. My soul brought to you in form of fashion and scent. My heart brought to you in form of design. Stop through either the shop or the website and make g inc a part of your lifestyle.

www.myspace.com/ginclab

MAKE A COMMITMENT TO PEACE.... CLICK ON THE BANNER...

www.humanityhealing.net
www.humanityhealing.ning.com
www.humantiyhealing.org (coming soon)

The Golden Key....

www.humanityhealing.ning.com
www.humanityhealing.net

Congrats to Jaunte-Jacobs for snagging a spot at the BET Hip-hop Awards Show...

Hello and hope all is well. Just wanted to take this time out to say congrats to Jaunte-Jacobs on snagging a performance at the BET Hip-Hop Awards preshow. It's about to get crazy.



Much Love,

Prina

Heartland Ranch Fall Fling....

From:
Heartland Ranch
Date: Oct 17, 2008 7:33 AM

Meet my new stylist Ginc/ V. Gomez Designs...

Hello I hope all is well just want to take out the time to introduce you all to my new stylist Ginc/ V. Gomez Designs... I was sent a friend request and I am so glad he did. I been waiting for someone that I can collab with on my oen personal style. I've seen alot but not quite what I want. I see the passion and the creativity and I just love the work. I will be taking new pics that will feature all of ginc clothes. So if you like it to hit them up its not to pricey. The best thing about it is that there's no two items the same. You be the judge check out some of the items I love....





Thanks Ginc/ V. Gomez Designs for the friendship and for your talent. I am greatly apreciated.

You can check out more designs at www.myspace.com/ginclab or you can find it in my top friends list on myspace.

Much Love,

Prina

Starbucks Faces Another NLRB Complaint...

By LAUREN SHEPHERD –

NEW YORK (AP) — Starbucks Corp. is facing another complaint from the National Labor Relations Board alleging that the gourmet coffee chain engaged in unfair labor practices by firing a barista in Michigan.

The complaint, filed last month by the Detroit office of the NLRB, stems from an investigation into a charge made by employee Cole Dorsey earlier this year.

According to the NLRB complaint, Dorsey — a member of the Industrial Workers of the World union at Starbucks — was fired June 6 from his job at a store in Grand Rapids, Mich. Before being fired, Dorsey had been given two prior disciplinary warnings by his store manager.

The complaint alleges that Dorsey received the warnings and was fired because of his "sympathies for and activities on behalf of" the IWW Starbucks Workers Union. The union has been attempting to organize workers at the chain.

"We have reasonable cause to believe there may be a violation here when Starbucks terminated" Dorsey, said Stephen Glasser, regional director at the Detroit NLRB office.

The NLRB is requesting Starbucks re-hire Dorsey, compensate him for loss of wages, rescind the disciplinary warnings and post notices in the store saying workers have the right to unionize.

Starbucks has until Oct. 14 to formally respond to the complaint. If the company does not settle the case, it will go to trial in front of an administrative law judge on Nov. 20.

In a statement, Starbucks said Dorsey was fired after he was more than 30 minutes late to work. The disciplinary notices, the company said, were also related to tardiness.

The company said the charge that his firing was due to union activity is "without merit."

Starbucks also noted that the NLRB dismissed several charges made in Dorsey's case, including that the company encouraged co-workers to investigate Dorsey and did not allow employees to post union-related notices on the company bulletin board.

The latest dustup with the NLRB follows the settlement of a case last week. In that case, the NLRB filed a complaint after a Starbucks employee in Minnesota, Erik Forman, said he was fired for promoting union activity.

Starbucks, which fired Forman after he was 30 minutes late to work, later reversed its decision and re-hired him, saying his firing was "ill-considered." As part of the settlement, it also paid him for lost wages and posted a notice on his store's bulletin board affirming the rights of workers.

That was the chain's third settlement of an NLRB complaint alleging that it was attempting to dissuade employees from joining a union.

Starbucks has had a somewhat contentious relationship with the union, which says it represents about 200 current and former Starbucks workers. The union is now "vowing action" against the chain for a new scheduling system in which fewer employees will work more hours.

The system is meant to foster an environment where baristas know their customers better in a bid to boost sales. The program is also meant to allow baristas to secure more hours each week.

Starbucks does not guarantee full-time work hours, so employees have consistently complained that they have not been able to work as much as they would like. Under the new system, baristas can get "full-time" status if they work at least 32 hours a week.

The union, however, says the new system still does not offer a guarantee that employees will get the 32 hours they need and it requires full-time baristas to be available to work 70 percent of the hours that stores are open.

Starbucks shares fell 50 cents, or 3.7 percent, to $13.16 in afternoon trading.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gtcxF1kYBhyIy3iIMv8IE49w3HuAD93L61P00





Daniel Gross
Organizer
IWW Starbucks Workers Union
www.StarbucksUnion.org
Ph:(917) 577-1110
Fx:(917) 591-6128
dgross@iww.org

Liane Legey... RAK.

Humanity Healing

Meet the lady behind "Rak" whose inspirational myspace page has been dedicated to Random Acts of Kindness.

Liane Legey, together with Chris Buck, created Humanity Healing, based on the concept of a multifaceted approach to healing by combining alternative healing modalities with spiritual growth and counseling. They believe that we are all connected and that by helping another, we help ourselves. Liane sees the materialization of Humanity Healing as part of her Soul Contract and feels very blessed to have connected with so many who share a similar dream of ordinary individuals coming together to make a significant difference in this world. Join Liane and Chris as they discuss how
healing with spiritual growth offers a more complete healing to those in need.



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In Love and Bliss,

Chandi Devi

editor-in-chief, http://karmacaffe.com
co-author, "From OM to Orgasm: The Tantra Primer for Living in Bliss"
co-host, "The KarmaCaffe Spiritual Hour" http://www.blogtalkradio.com/karmacaffe
http://www.theworldoftantra.com
http://www.eastwestsensualemporium.com
http://www.myspace.com/theworldoftantra
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--
"Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark."
Rabindranath Tagore

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http://humanityhealing.OurOrganizationToolbar.com

New Blog on The Voice of Humanity Healing




There is a new Blog Post on The Voice of Humanity Healing called:

The Icarus Syndrome
(or Don't Forget What Your Wings Are For)

Please come visit:

http://www.humanity-healing.blogspot.com/

Much Metta,




Humanity Healing

www.humanityhealing.net

Humanity Healing Yahoo Group

Humanity Healing Foundation on Ning

Email: contact@humanityhealing.net

Daughter of Distinction......

HUMANITY HEALING'S 1st Television Taping....

I am so happy to say that we will be taping our first televison show and we have many more to come. Please be on look out for more in 2009.

www.humanityhealing.net
www.humanityhealing.ning.com

Much Love,

Prina

How Gary Tennant is helping our troops and children in an unique, special way...

LOCAL BUSINESS MAN IS HELPING OUR TROOPS AND CHILDREN IN A UNIQUE AND SPECIAL WAY!


Gary Tennant, CEO of Private Coach Limos volunteers his time and the services of his limos to pick up returning veterans at the airport to take them home in style.He also picks up children and their families after a hospital stay, giving them special VIP treatment.

Gary covers the cost of his vehicles and his time for this service that brings him as much joy as it does the families. Recently, someone asked him if she could send him a $50 contribution to help cover some of the cost for gas. He was humbled by her offer and graciously accepted. She then said that she was going to tell her business womenʼs group of more than 400 women about what he was doing and ask them to help support his wonderful humanitarian and generous effort.

Gary Tennant is giving to families in the valley in a way that brings them fun and an experience that many have never had. He treats them with dignity, respect and tells them they are special. He treats like them like VIP's!
I would like to suggest that if you would like to help contribute in a unique way to our service men and women, as well as those children and families who have been challenged with a hospital stay, be brought home in style and fun that you contact Gary directly to see how you might help him out.

And, if you are in need of special transportation for an event or just want to treat someone to something special, contact Private Coach Limos or give Gary a call. His rates are some of the most reasonable in the valley.

You can reach Gary directly at 602/653-9340 or email him at gary@privatecoachlimos.com

If you would like to make a contribution please send it to:
Private Coach Limos
p.o. box 16191
Phoenix, AZ 85011

Phoenix Mackenzie

Ambassador, House of Knowledge


1965; Phoenix was born into an old mystical family, one that he'd known for many lifetimes. After enduring various illnesses his body finally succumbed to diabetes at the age of one. During childhood he was largely uninfluenced by the esoteric ways of the family, but always had a fascination for what his Grandmother was all about; watching the old white haired and mostly paralyzed lady stroke bumble bees, surrounded by Egyptian artifacts and shelf upon shelf of old books. Still, he was told that he became invisible at times and did wonder why Mother would call for him when he was standing only a few feet away.

His father took him to see much of Europe, this came to an end at the age of eleven when his parents split up, though Phoenix loved the different ways of Germans and Greeks, the bandits of Yugoslavia, fairytale castles of Austria and has always had a passion for experiencing different cultures. Gran passed over when Phoenix was twelve. At first her visits would frighten the boy, but he got used to seeing her ghostly presence in his room. Fourteen, money was short and so Phoenix found employment at a timber yard working weekends. Fifteen and the family thought all was lost when he fell into a deep coma, his only memory during that three week period was awakening to sobbing faces around the hospital bed, tubes invading his body everywhere. He still feels like those weeks were a black hole in his life.

Leaving school at sixteen (as is the case in Britain) after a poor education and dealing with dyslexia. School for him had been an unpaid labor, he'd befriended some teachers of a hippy nature and spent more time discussing philosophy and nuclear disarmament than anything else. Despite many fights he never got in trouble, it was known that he defended smaller children and was a bullies worst nightmare, one having been thrown out of a second floor window. He then entered a three year apprenticeship, eventually becoming a Master Carpenter, although in truth he wanted to become a nurse and help people, Doctors to him being more like arrogant bullies.

Leaving home at the age of seventeen was a drastic reality shock, he soon became homeless and learned to hunt for food such as rabbits and fish with spear and net on the south coast of England, eventually returning to his home town, though not before experiencing the deaths of friends who had become drug abusers and another coma. Phoenix never saw the point in reducing yourself to a zombie, whilst entertaining pot now and then hard drugs obviously destroyed people, though not before turning them into monsters.
No longer content to listen to family conversations about the great mysteries, at the age of 18 Phoenix was allowed to enter a mystery school and studied diligently. Nothing seemed to be new and as much as he would study these things were already known somewhere within. His Grandmother continued to visit, weaving signs and symbols in the air around him, speaking vague references to vast concepts that hungered his mind. Indeed during her life she had tutored another; Alistair Crowley, and Phoenix had found letters to her from members of the Royal household speaking of forming a new Order more powerful than AMORC, she had been at the centre of London's spiritual movement during the earlier part of the twentieth century. Likewise Phoenix found he was able to visit other members of the family who sensed his presence as either mist, coldness around the ankles or lights in the air. Some could see his physical form and communicate while others would hear him knocking at the door.

He married at an early age of twenty, two children soon followed although between the birth of his daughter and son Phoenix had been visited by his Grandmother again and told that if he wanted the power he would loose his sight. Sure enough it wasn't long before Phoenix had to undergo corrective laser treatment for a minor eye condition. Eighteen months later he was totally blind. One of the last things his eyes beheld was the birth of his son.

Frustrated and angry, unemployed and struggling to adapt to this new world without vision, Phoenix vented at his Grandmother "Where is this power then…" What he then experienced is a long story, in short he though life was over and regretted challenging such an ancient soul as Gran, then he experienced divine Love and felt as though he would drown in his own tears as his soul emerged and appeared before him. Time and struggles went bye, a nagging voice within challenged his depression over never being able to paint or ride the motorbikes that had been such a liberating part of his life. Again with anger he grabbed a pencil and paper to prove this insanity wrong, to stop the damn voice. He sat a drew the most perfect dragon he'd ever drawn. Although unable to see this sketch others told him of its detail and quality, he continued day after day drawing what he could not see.
The inner voice nagging at him again, Phoenix stood at the door of his sanctum, wherein waited studies, abandoned they had just become another loss. He stepped in and opened a monograph. Nothing happened for a while, but then Phoenix began to feel the familiar presence of all the other students studying through many eras. Suddenly overwhelmed by colors and a swirling mass of letters he struggled to focus, finally a small window of vision revealed the words 'Greetings Brother'. More and more of the monographs were visible in days and weeks to come, some words had color or heat radiating from them. He was presented with pictures of the great masters, Jesus, Buddha and others, placing hands over them Phoenix experienced great pain and sorrow that was soon overwhelmed with Love.

At twenty-five Phoenix displayed some of his work at a disability art exhibition attended by the city Mayor who could not believe his eyes. This resulted in exhibitions at city hall and various other venues, the media swarmed in and Phoenix found himself in the midst of a TV and Radio circus, soon coming to the conclusion that he was the freak show; demeaning tests challenged his blindness despite all the medical evidence. No matter how many times it was proven that he could see in other ways, there was always another TV station with more tests. Although requests for his work came from various parts of the world, finally he slammed the door on it all and decided to retrain in computer skills.

Whilst others of less ability on his course found employment, Phoenix encountered the ugly face of discrimination and so used his skills to campaign for rights, becoming the editor of a magazine for people with disabilities his work was recognized by local government who then funded the magazine and he went on to win various battles with government and media. At this point in life Phoenix's psychic abilities were drastically altering his reality and whilst some were vital others he could no longer cope with. Walking through shopping malls would make him feel sick as he could not only empathically feel overwhelming materialism, stress, want and frustration Phoenix also perceived the thoughts of others, loathing and lies behind smiles and what people wished upon others. He resorted to suppressing these abilities and dreams which woke him from screaming sleep; too often memories of the torture he'd endured whilst eyes were being 'treated'.

At twenty-six he was approached by someone wanting to travel and prove to people that disability does not mean inability, whilst raising funds for MS and Diabetes research. Phoenix had many mystical experiences while travelling through India and Nepal. His Mother had already spoken of visions, that he was a Phoenix, mediums likewise spoke of this, not to mention seeing his own soul as that very thing. Still he thought this to be fanciful and presumed it to be purely symbolic. He met a Master in India who greeted him as 'Garuda' Phoenix knew this was the Hindu and Buddhist name for Phoenix (which was only his hidden name at the time) and reflected more on who or what he was. That he was also told his fate would be to manifest soul and meet his love before 'the dawn', set mind wondering.

During his travels he experimented with the powers said to be those of a phoenix, and was able to bring peace in the middle of a gun battle between Muslim students and Hindu soldiers whilst being held at gunpoint. He encountered evil and sent it running, screaming with fear at whatever the witch had seen in his eyes, even Phoenix's travelling companion pleaded with him to never do it again. Yet the witch was replaced by people in white robes who pleaded with tears for him to come and see their Master. Odd encounters for a train station and in stark contrast to the complete lack of anything spiritual he found at temples. The spiritual nature of India to him was in the face of children who were so grateful for so little and smiled at the joy of living. Places such as the Ganges river brought with them more memories of his past.

Whilst staying at a palace he took a moment to thank Gandhi for all he'd done as that day was the anniversary of Gandhi's death. Standing in the huge circular entrance of what had now become a hotel Phoenix was surrounded by bees. Swarms occupied the lobby sending staff and residents screaming and running for cover. Phoenix stood still amidst the roar of so many bees, then suddenly there was silence, broken only by the sound of footsteps crunching on the bodies of bees that now carpeted the entire floor and furnishings, all but a small circle around him.

Travelling on camels, elephants and whatever form of transport they could find, the duo, now rafted through the Himalayas. Phoenix tried his hand at kayaking and soon found himself being smashed into rocks at the bottom of rapids. He managed to swim to shore after nearly drowning; the grateful rafting crew unaware of blood trickling inside his wetsuit. He loved to explore the temples and street markets of Kathmandu. One night he was pursued by monks who thought him to be Buddha, pleading for blessings but never coming too close, so convinced were they that when Phoenix touched the head of one monk who knelt before him, he fainted.

Waiting for his companion outside a store in the Tibetan district Phoenix felt his white cane being meddled with, reaching down he found an infant. Kneeling before the little Tibetan girl she reached up and touched his forehead, placing her palm over his third eye. Soon Phoenix found himself surrounded by the infants family who chatted away in a language he didn't speak yet he knew what they were saying. The Mother offered him a monks prayer belt which he offered her money for, although poor she would take nothing for it.

Returning to England after three months of travelling Phoenix discovered he was having more and more difficulty in walking, since the kayaking accident he'd been in a lot of pain and now falling over. Doctors told Phoenix that he would never walk again due to nerve and muscular damage in his hips and he now experienced life from a wheelchair, training in kayaks to return. After a year he did so, spending three weeks solo kayaking one rapid, one river after another in the Himalayas. Meditating by the river one twilight evening Phoenix was startled to find himself flying above on wings not his own. His consciousness had merged with that of an eagle and he spent the next hour or so flying up and down a valley, Mount Everest looming in the distance.
His Mother had taught Yoga for twenty-five years and helped Phoenix to learn to walk again after two years. She had taken the unusual measure of addressing him as Master for sometime and he was soon to become a Temple Master of the mystery school. After serving for a year and the discourses he contributed to the school, other temples began to invite him to conduct psychic experiments and give lectures in London and NY State etc. During his time as a Master he discovered that he'd some ability to heal, his old cat had been given the death sentence by a vet, the alternative was brain surgery that neither he or his Mother could afford. Phoenix told his Mother to wait for a day, in his mind he held the fourteen year old monster of a cat. Two days later the vet could find nothing wrong with Jasper. His temple Guardian had been known for having an accident prone nature but this time a fall from thirty feet, face first onto a spiked concrete floor was the end as far as Doctors were concerned, they gave him a few hours to live. Frantic relatives who knew little of their fathers beliefs contacted Phoenix asking if he would be there in Mikes final hours.

Phoenix projected himself by the bedside and held the battered form of Mike. Doctors gave him a week at the most, then he would be a vegetable due to brain damage, then he would be paralyzed from the neck down, then the hips down, then after a few weeks he hobbled into the temple and resumed his duties, although Phoenix decided it might be best that Mike didn't handle the more fragile ornamentation, Mike was still allowed to bang the gong. There were not enough hours in the day, when not giving presentations he lived at his computer just writing lessons and discourses while also running a charity raising funds for Tibetan refugees in Nepal. Phoenix was found collapsed at his desk paralyzed after a stroke, Unable to talk he could no longer fulfil his obligations and resigned as Master and folded the charity.

Six months later Phoenix tutored the new Temple Master - his Mother. Although he'd made a full recovery he wanted to travel again and visited America and Canada to tutor those who had requested to become students. He fought this inwardly, unable to accept that he was qualified to teach anyone, indeed the outer name given to him by the mystery school was 'Modesty', something that had often been to his detriment, though his inner name meant 'He who is Love and Loved' this was something else he found hard to believe. He met several soul mates in the States and knew his twin was here somewhere, the love he found though was of a sisterly nature. His Grandmother had helped him to remember much when he was younger, not only knowledge but also past lives, many of them and so Phoenix was very aware of the gut wrenching heart ache that is to not know your love returned and only a twin soul can do that; it had been too long since he had held her and for the second time in his life he contemplated suicide, "without love there is no life."

At thirty-seven he began to write again, loving both humor and fantasy he combined them with esoteric knowledge into the first drafts of a novel. Although his poetry and mythology research had been published in various ways, writing a novel was a learning curve and one that occupied the next seven years when mystical pursuits would allow. With the final acceptance of what he was, Phoenix found himself approached by incarnate angels who sought guidance in this harsh realm, often unable to cope with human emotions. Despite trying to live a more mundane life without the demands of his mystical nature, Phoenix was constantly drawn back to it, deemed as a guru by some, which he found very amusing, yet disturbed at people willingness to follow and need to idolize others.

At forty a second marriage failed, both becoming aware that it had been a contract between soul mates as the marriage had other implications. Swearing to remain single and not let soul determine matters of the emotional heart Phoenix finally met his twin in California, less than a hundred miles from where he had married his second wife. This was a turning point for him and rather than serve the soul he and other personalities had done for so many lifetimes, Phoenix became aware that no consciousness should be enslaved to another, whether higher or lower, that he should have some say in fate and not be hoodwinked into doing souls will without consultation.

At forty-three he is now writing a course on Reiki, sensing a lack of clarity about chakras and related subjects on the internet Phoenix works with his soul and its twin, incarnate as his wife Katrina, and also the members of his spiritual family, to express truth and encourage the light work so necessary here. One day he hopes to establish a retreat for spiritual minded people to study and have a vacation from the rat race.

Isabelle Rajotte... Ambassador House of Creation

Isabelle Rajotte
Ambassador, House of Creation



Isabelle Rajotte was born in Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada and started singing at the age of three. Isabelle was a gifted and a natural singer and began to study opera at 15 years old in private class five days a week with the great master Maestra Dina Maria Narici. In exchange for the lessons, Isabelle cooked for the master. Maestra Narici found Isabelle to be a curious student: she had great passion and talent for the vocal exercises, but was indifferent to the lyric chart. With the passing of Maestra Narici, was surprised to learn that her humble master had kept her title of Napolitain Barona a secret.

During this time, she also shared classes and space with at an art school for teenagers with the teacher, Yoland Guérard. Celine Dion also attended this school, but the two had completely different styles: pop for Celine and mystical aerial for Isabelle.

At seventeen years of age, Isabelle embarked on a three year singing tour of Quebec with her uncle. At twenty, she left for a five year tour of Europe. During this time, she had a mystical crisis which resulted in the awakening of her Kundalini. This added a spiritual layer to her singing and people have been known to enter trances and have visions during her performances: memories of angels and an awakening in the listener knowledge of the divinity within. Isabelle has seen firsthand the ability of music to heal and has used her voice to aid in meditation programs and healing sessions.

Isabelle has performed around the globe and has been featured in documentary and movie soundtracks.

Isabelle Rajotte works with Humanity Healing as an Ambassador of the House of Creation and is currently developing a series of sacred chants to be used in meditations and visualizations.

Theotókos, The Mystical Rose



Through many Faiths, the Divine Feminine is held sacred. The Blessed Mother Mary is the definitive energy of the Mother. As a timeless Icon, Mary has been the sheltering arms for those that are enduring changes and in need of her nurturing energy.

"Mary's heart is an eternal flame of spirit that can light an infinite number of candles without ever becoming depleted."

Mary has been known by many titles: the Queen of Heaven, the Mystic Rose, the Queen of Angels, and Theotókos - the God-bearer. The Mother Mary is not the property of any religion in particular: she transcends them. She is the ultimate archetype of Universal Maternal Love.

Humanity Healing is proud to share with you this sacred meditation mantra for the Theotókos, The Mystical Rose.



The Humanity Healing Network is producing a series of meditation mantras and videos in conjunction with Isabella Rajotte and Webs of Sound Production, Canada. For more information on meditation and mantras, please visit:

http://humanityhealing.net/Meditations/index.htm

Much Metta,




Humanity Healing

www.humanityhealing.net

Humanity Healing Yahoo Group

Humanity Healing Foundation on Ning

Email: contact@humanityhealing.net