Volunteer Community at the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa

Nonprofit Partner Program Expressions of Gratitude from Edward Viljoen Slideshow by Jerry and Pat Huffaker

If so I can tell you why... A few months ago our piano technician, Beverly Wells, informed me that we might want to consider replacing the bass strings on our Yamaha grand piano that lives on the Sanctuary stage because the bass strings (which were original to this 40+ year old instrument) had lived out their useable life. They were pretty much "dead" as she put it. Now I know what a dead string sounds like on a guitar because I've had years of experience with that instrument - you have to replace guitar strings about every six months to a year - more often depending on how much you play. Dead guitar strings sound dull and "thunky" when you play them rather than full, round and "rich" in overtones. So I put the same ear to the piano and could hear what Beverly was talking about - the bass strings on the Yamaha did not sound full round or rich - they sound "thunky" and rather lifeless. So I asked Beverly how much does it cost to replace string...

The Solar Installation at the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa 

Here is a little progress photo of the installation of our solar panels. It is amazing to watch!

Late breaking news … solar construction will start next Tuesday May 28. The parking structure is expected to be complete by Friday June 2, but work will continue after that to install and hook up solar. Our parking area will be impacted during this period, particularly for the first two weeks while the parking structure is being built. We will not be able to park in the row along Occidental Road where the structure will be located, and will have construction materials staged in the far northeast row (next to the Round Table parking lot) in 6-7 spaces. 

Hi All, As an fyi, You probably know now that the Center has two AED (Defibulators) on site. Six of our staff have gone through the training so far with more to follow I'm sure.  Locations: (1) Social Hall, left of the Prac board in a white cabinet. (2) North Hall way, across from room 11 where the old pay phone use to be in a white cabinet. Please note that these cabinets do not lock for obvious reasons, and a very laud alarm will sound when they are opened. Bets will be taken as to when we have our first false alarm. If you need to open the cabinet, and would like to have the alarm not sound, you will need a key which is in my office. If you need this, let me know. I am so pleased that we have these AEDs. Love you, Evan Dow-Williamson Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa Facility Manager evan@cslsr.org Tel: 707-546-4543 x114 Visit our Heart Safe Ministry Here

This project has been in the works for several years – now that we’re seeing physical changes to our property to prepare for solar, I wanted to share history and details with you. In the fall of 2010, our Board of Trustees appointed a committee to investigate the possibility of solar power for our Center. They quickly found out that it would be too expensive for the Center to consider installing on its own (about $300,000). Fortunately, they discovered the existence of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)! Under this type of agreement, an outside company buys, installs, and maintains a solar installation at your property, and you agree to purchase the power produced by the solar installation. The committee located three companies who were willing to look at an installation for an operation of our size, and met with each of these companies several times. After analyzing their proposals, the committee recommended contracting with California Clean Energy. The Board signed a Power Purcha...

  The big news is the progress in our lighting renovation project. Our team is Jan Davis, Keith Kelsay, Keith Eggel, Paul Sarran and Evan Dow-Williamson. So far we have: Cleaned and repaired the dimmer-pack (an electrical component that conditions the electricity for the lights) saving the cost of $2000+ for a new one. (Yeah Paul!!!) Purchased, flown and focused 4 new Fresnel fixtures that give a much more gracious and "kind on the eye" light for the middle section of the stage. Refocused and put the necessary diffusion (filters) on the rest of the lights still in use) Repaired existing fixtures. Installed 4 new ceiling can lights that shine from the backstage ceiling down onto the gold curtains - and put them and the previously existing two cans on one dimmer switch backstage. This will enable us to light the curtains without blasting light through the speaker from the trapeze causing unnecessary shadows. Ordered a new lighting board (it's on...

Hello beloved colleagues, Our new Parking Ambassador seva program is working.  Demonstrations include but are certainly not limited to: NO vehicle break-ins since we started the program on December 3, 2012; A radical reduction of unwanted / suspicious activity in our parking lots; specifically ZERO incidences this year; Our Parking Ambassadors report gaining an increased sense of peace and acceptance of others; Congregants, class & workshops attendees, staff and visitors alike are increasing their practice of gratitude by saying “Thank you” to our Parking Ambassadors as they arrive and leave our Center; Increased and on-going education of our Parking Ambassadors and our Congregants, class & workshops attendees, staff and visitors alike to situational awareness and listening to our intuitive voice. The Parking Ambassador seva created an abundance of opportunities for service to our Spiritual community.  While the number of people volunteering ...