The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Southern Oregon will meet on Monday, February 27, 2006 at the Southern Oregon University Library, room 216, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The Coalition has been meeting since January 2005 and includes individuals and organizations that are working together to enhance lives and prevent suicide. We do not provide direct service, but work to identify problems and gaps in preventative and mental health services in order to advocate for solutions. Members of the Coalition are interested in designing educational venues to bring awareness to the public, to help increase residential facilities and to support service alternatives for people at risk of suicide.

One of several topics to be discussed is the American Association of Suicidology and the Suicide Prevention Action Network national healing conference for survivors of suicide loss on Saturday, April 29. Entitled, “In the Spirit of Hope,” the conference is open to all survivors of suicide loss, and includes a full day of presentations, workshops, and sharing sessions. This year’s conference will be in Seattle, WA. The registration deadline is April 10. More information is available at www.suicidology.org or 202-237-2280. In addition, the group will review the progress made in distributing suicide prevention information throughout Southern Oregon, and materials about prevention to local schools.

March 22 AELCCA Proudly Presents: Eric Himan and Levi Kraus

The Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center

Presents an evening of music with

ERIC HIMAN and LEVI KREIS

Wednesday, March 22nd

A STREET MARKET PLACE

340 oak street, Ashland

$8-20 Sliding Scale

Doors open at 7pm, music starts at 7:30

All ages welcome

Please support your community center

and a night of music!

Eric Himan just been named to the 2005 OUT 100 list. His story has been covered by OUT, Instinct, Genre, The Advocate and even Curve Magazines. Eric has appeared on both LOGO and Q TV Networks. In 2005, Eric was included in the 2005 HRC release "Love Rocks" with his song "No Urgency". Eric has been featured at over 30 Pride celebrations nationally. He has also spent time raising money and awareness for LGBT Youth and Community Centers.

Levi Kreis was most recently seen on Donald Trump's Apprentice, where he composed and performed the winning song for the XM Challenge "Nothing". Levi's song "I Should Go" has just been picked up and is running on Days of Our Lives and the Young and the Restless is now playing “Hardly a Hero” both off of Levi’s debut disc, “One of the Ones”. Levi's captivating compositions and heartfelt delivery are winning folks over one performance at a time.

Please visit www.erichiman.com and www.levikreis.com to get a preview of these talented artists!

The Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center

Presents an evening of music with

Eric Himan and Levi Kreis

A STREET MARKET PLACE

340 oak street, Ashland

Wednesday, March 22nd

$8-20 Sliding Scale

Doors open at 7:00 PM,
music starts at 7:30 PM

All ages welcome

Please support your community center

and a night of music!

March 7th Next Spanish Class

Conversational Spanish classes, taught by Larry Crain and Zach Druckenmiller, will be held on Tuesdays in Medford. Class runs from 7:30 PM until 9:00 PM. In March and subsequent months, classes will be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The class is designed for beginning conversational level.

For location and directions

Contact Zach 778-6126 or email Zach zax145@yahoo.com or Larry Crain at 779-9462.

March 10th and March 11^thFilm Screening: Keep Not Silent

A discussion with filmmaker Ilil Alexander and her film:

Keep
Not
Silent

Winner of the Israeli Academy Award for Best Documentary 2004

Three Orthodox lesbians' individual extraordinary struggles for love

Ilil Alexander’s stunning debut film boldly documents the clandestine struggle of three women fighting for their right to love within their beloved Orthodox communities in Jerusalem. All three are pious, religiously committed women. All three are lesbians, and members of a secret support group called the “Ortho-Dykes.”

Though their life choices exact a devastating price, these women are committed to confronting their duality, and accept the toll with a profound compassion toward their society. Miriam-Ester fights her aversion to a man’s touch for the sake of her family and ten children, while Ruth’s husband shockingly permits his wife her to see her female lover twice a week. Yudith, a Rabbi’s daughter, declares her sexuality openly as she believes “lies are the worst sin on earth.”

Ingenious cinematic techniques underscore the excruciating pain of constant self-suppression, and provide the anonymity necessary for these women to continue living in their communities. Their courageous fight for self-realization, honesty and acceptance is an extraordinary model for those who struggle with issues of religious and sexual identity.

See the film Keep Not Silent and meet the filmmaker, Ilil Alexander at SOU.

Minimum $5.00 Suggested Donation
RSVP not necessary

Wine and Cheese with filmmaker Friday March 10 at 4:15 PM $36.00
Continental Breakfast and coffee with filmmaker Saturday March 11, 10:00 AM $25.00

Events with the filmmaker, Ilil Alexander,
will be held in the Guanajuato Room, room 315ABC,
third floor of the Stevenson Union.
Please RSVP for these events to Leslie Sadur, 488-9168

Net proceeds from the Wine and Cheese and the Breakfast
with the filmmaker will be split with
the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center and the Queer Resource Center.

July and August 2006 American Foundation For Suicide Prevention

Register Today for The Overnight

Take a Stand, Take a Step

San Francisco – July 22-23, 2006

Chicago – August 12-13, 2006

In 2005, more than 2,000 people from 45 states came together for the Out of the Darkness Overnight and raised $1.35 million net of expenses for needed suicide prevention research and programs. You can see some of the highlights from this inspiring and powerful journey online at the Out of the Darkness Overnight Inspirational Video.Turn pain into hope, darkness into light, tragedy into triumph - one step at a time. Join this remarkable journey.

Build your Team – Two at a Time

Consider joining The Overnight with a friend or a loved one. Past participants who walked with a group said that the team experience enriched their Overnight journey and make it even more powerful. As a special incentive, we are offering a discounted registration fee of $35 for walkers who register in pairs. (This is more than a 50% discount off the regular fee of $75.) This offer is only good from February 14^th through 28th and both registrations must be taken by phone (888-NIGHT-05) at the same time to be eligible. Make sure you take advantage of this discount now – once February is over, there will be no other special offers available.

If you are unable to participate in the event, please consider making a donation to support a walker or the general fund. Just go to the The Overnight Web Site to the "Make a Donation" button and donate now. No matter the size of the gift, this important cause needs your help. If you have already signed up to walk – thank you for taking the first step. We encourage you to forward this email to your friends and family and get them involved in The Overnight as well.

Thank you for your past support for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Register today for The Overnight at 888-NIGHT-05. Join with a friend to receive the $35 registration fee. For more information about The Overnight, visit the The Overnight Web Site.

Trish Cook Benefit Weekend March 2nd, 4th and 5th

The lead singer in Blue Lightning, Trish Cook has been diagnosed with Lymphoma and will undergo chemo for six months. This has been physically, emotionally and financially draining on Trish so Blue Lightening is giving her a benefit the first weekend of March.

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2006

Festive Weekend Kick-Off Event

Ashland Springs Hotel, Ashland, 5:30-8:30 PM

Hors d'oeuvres • Wine and Beer • Silent Auction

Music by Jim Quinby cost: $25.00

SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2006

Concert & Dance Event

Ashland Community Center, 59 Winburn Way

Featuring the music of:

Leslie Kendall in Concert, 7:00-8:00 PM

Dance to Blue Lightning and featured guest artist,

8:00-10:00 pm cost: $20.00

SUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2006

Cabaret and Auction

Ashland Community Center, 59 Winburn Way

2:00-5:00 PM cost: $15.00

Guest Artists include:

Siskiyou Summit Crystal Reeves & Pat O’Scannell

The Hamazons Women With Wings

Benefit Weekend Package

Entrance into all events - $50.00

For further information call 488-1078

March & April Events for the WOMEN'S Singles Group

We met on Feb. 12th at Diane's home and had a wonderful BBQ and played games. We encourage all single women to join us and have a good time. Women come from all over the area. We will meet again on these dates:

March 11thWomen's Singles Group will meet for golf at 3:30pm at Laurel Hills. We will drive over to Gold Hill for some Mexican food at 6:00pm or when golf is over. It is a special birthday for Diane so we will be doing a birthday party. All are welcome and would like an RSVP to Rhonda at 621-5778 if any one would like to join us so we can get enough setting.

On March 18thWomen's Singles Group will meet at Cory's in Grants Pass for some dodge ball and pizza at 5pm. Please call 541-973-7169 for direction.

On March 17thWomen's Singles Group will go to Charlottes for movie night in Grants Pass. Please call Charlotte for directions. 541-479-0556.

On April 15thWomen's Singles Group will meet in Merlin for a guided hike along the Rogue River at 10:30 am. Please call 541-973-7169 or 541-621-5778 for directions.

On April 29thWomen's Singles Group will meet in Williams at B. C.'s home in the woods. Please call 541-218-7664 for directions. There we will meet at 1:00pm for a potluck.

More dates to follow as we are planning trips to Brookings, Shasta and other parts of the west. Please keep your eyes open for times and dates.

All single women are welcome to join.

We will be meeting at the dance in Ashland on March 4th to support the community and there help for a sister in need.

For any other information or to join please call:

Rhonda Young,

Leader

541-621-5778

Women's Golf Update 2006

Well, ladies, it is almost time to get the golf clubs out and try to hit some balls. We are now meeting the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month at 12 noon at Bear Creek in Medford. We have not been able to play because of the weather. So as soon as it gets better we will be out there. The driving range is great, and covered there and at Stewart Meadows.

I will be sending times and dates out soon for the golf club. Please let me know if any of you have any questions, ideas on improving our club, or dates and times you like. Give me a call and let's see what we can come up with this year.

All levels are welcome, and as always, Marla Corbin will be there for lessons.

Until next time.

Rhonda Young

Leader

541-621-5778

Consider this: Become a Center Member

The Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center operates for you and because of you! We thank all the wonderful contributors and supporters who month after month, year after year have seen it in their hearts to donate their time and money so that we may exist. Some of you who receive this email have not yet become Center members. Please help support the Center by becoming a member and donating as much, and as often as you are able. Membership applications are available at the Center or on our web site www.abdellis.org.

Benefits of membership include discounts at businesses in the valley. See our website for a complete list of businesses that support the LGBTQA community of Southern Oregon. Your consideration of membership in the only GLBTQA Community Center in the state of Oregon is exquisitely appreciated.

AELCCA 2006 Operating HoursNow open Saturday and Sunday!!!

The Center’s hours, effective immediately are:

Monday through Friday: OPEN 3:00-6:00 PM

Saturday: Noon until 3:00 PM NEW!!!

Sunday: beginning Feb 12, Noon until 4:00 PM NEW!!!

Anyone interested in volunteering, either at the desk, on committees or for special events, please contact Leslie Sadur, Volunteer Coordinator, at 488-9168 to make the necessary arrangements.

Volunteer Profile: Joe Thomas

Joe covers the desk on Wednesday through Friday. Stop by and say “hi”.

An Autobiographical Snapshot submitted by Joe

Received 10 year pin from the Music Teachers Association in high school
Won my high school talent show my senior year, playing piano Chopin’s Fantasie Impromptu; and played Exodus and Fantasie Impromptu on a morning radio talk show with Roy Rogers as the guest speaker.
Graduated from University of San Francisco, majoring in Business Administration
Lived and traveled 6 months throughout Mexico after graduation.
Moved to Hawaii where I was business manager of the Waikiki Health Center.
Got married in Hawaii and had twin boys, Matt & Collin
Moved to Grants Pass in 1980 and started raising racehorses.
In 1982, had my third son, Dana, who is getting married 7/3/06
In 1985 my filly won the Oregon Bred Futurity in Grants Pass. The home town favorite
In 1982 I got my CPA license
Divorced in 1991.
Played competitive tennis until I was fifty & would still like to compete.
Right now I'm a volunteer and in love with a man for the first time in my life. A wonderful guy named Leslie.

HIV Testing HoursRevised Schedule 2006

Free HIV Testing is generally available at the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center on Fridays from 5:00 - 6:00 PM. Paul Garcia, Certified Nurse Assistant will be at the Center for confidential testing and counseling on Fridays in February from 5:00 to 6:00pmand on March 3^rd, same time.

After March 3^rd, HIV testing days/times will be revised.

Always call the Center to confirm that testing will be conducted that day.

February 28^th Board Meeting

The next Board Meeting of the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center will be at 7:00PM on the 28^th of the month. All meetings are open to the community and everyone is encouraged to participate.

Not so new – News

Free Counseling at the Center

Counseling is still available free of charge, at the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center.

Three interns from the Southern Oregon University Masters in Applied Psychology Program are offering their services. Supervision is also being provided to the interns.

Anyone interested is asked to call the Center 488-6990 and the referral will be forwarded to the interns’ supervisor who will match the request with the appropriate intern.

Resources

Check out the web site www.abdellis.org for more resources!

Have you moved?

Are you receiving the Center Post, the print newsletter of the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center? If you are a current Center Member then you should expect to receive the Center Post, published seasonally. So, Members on the move, please help us update our records by sending us your current mailing address. Email us at abdillellis@yahoo.com Thank you!