PERSONAL STUFF

     I originally wrote down these rules to inform my children of the orientation I had received, and that I considered to be basic to getting along (living) with others. But it has been pointed out to me that if humanity (societies) followed these simple rules, most of the planet's problems would disappear.

Rules for Cooperative Living

1. We will leave things at least as good as we find them.
2. If we want something that is not ours, we must ask for it.
3. We are responsible for everything we use. (We will replace what we consume.)
4. If we cannot properly care for something, we shall not use it.
5. We shall not go where we are not invited.
6. If we are unsure of what to do, we will ask. (We will not assume we know the wishes of others.)
7. ( If we give smiles we might receive smiles! )

Reglas Para Que Vivamos ( Spanish )

1. Deja el lugar, como lo encontraste, o mejor.
2. Si tú quieres algo que no es tuyo, entonces pregunta.
3. Tu eres responsable de las cosas que usas.
4. Si tú no puedes cuidar algo, entonces no lo usas.
5. La privacidad es un derecho. Ve solamente donde tú estás invitado.
6. Si tú no sabes que hacer, entonces pregunta.
7. (Si tú das alegria, entonces tú recibes alegria.)

Regras Para Vivermos Cooperativamente ( Portuguese )

1. Deixaremos as coisas tão boas como as encontrarmos.
2. Se quisermos algo que não nos pertence, pediremos o que desejarmos.
3. Seremos responsáveis por tudo que usarmos. (Assim, reporemos o que consumirmos.)
4. Se não pudermos tomar o cuidado apropriado de uma coisa, não a usaremos.
5. Não iremos aonde não formos convidados.
6. Se estivermos inseguros do que fazer, perguntaremos. (Não presumiremos saber os anseios das outras pessoas.)
7. (Se dermos sorrisos, então, receberemos sorrisos.)

SOLSTICE CELEBRATION BENEFIT & ART SALE
FOR THE CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS / TEEN PROJECT

     For those of you unfamiliar with the Teen Project, you should know that the Center for Contemporary Arts (CCA) of Santa Fe has created a pilot project based on the belief that the teen age years do not have to be a time of isolation, alienation, and confusion; that through creative cooperative involvement in an environment that supports self-determination and self-expression (rather than suppressing it), teens can gain a positive productive view of the future so lacking in today's youth. In the few years since CCA started the Project, it has received national attention and recognition and initial programming support from mostly public sources. For continued programming and for completion of the future facility to house the Project, CCA must look to on-going private support.

      I have dedicated this Celebration to the supporters of the Teen Project: to thank those who have so generously given to support the Project in the past, and to bring new members into the family. We have set up displays to inform you of some of the important work going on at the Project. Pledge forms are available for future support. Teens will be carrying cans around to receive any donations you can make at this time. Any gift over $30 will receive a handmade Teen T-shirt and any gift received over $100 will receive special recognition in a donor's mural planned for the Teen Project facility. Large gifts or pledges may be arranged with myself or any CCA staff or Board member on hand.

      I am also making nearly everything I own available for sale with 20% to 100% of the proceeds (depending on my cost basis) to go to the Teen Project. I have marked most of my Art Collection, with the numbers corresponding to the attached price list. (Some prices are negotiable.) If you see something you would like that is unmarked, please don't hesitate to inquire.

      People keep asking me why I am doing this. I see the world as one entity. Humans are the conscious (and therefore responsible) caretakers of this planet. Unfortunately we have been conditioning ourselves to be consumers of the planet's riches rather than the caretakers or producers of a greater world for all living things. The only chance the world has for survival is for each human to learn to balance their consumptive needs with at least an equal productive gift back to some aspect of the world. I believe helping our teens to find and share an optimistic view towards the future is one critical path towards our world's survival. Because I can produce more wealth than I need to survive, and because the governments we have created consume and waste most of our available assets, I choose to donate my wealth to any activity that supports a positive future for our planet, our species, and thus our children. They are our future. Please join me in helping them (and us!) along.

Thank you!
MER