Columbine…. John Lee Malvo….. Even if you aren't planning to raise a family in the next few years, the education of children in our society is relevant to every single one of us. Parents spend long hours at work and look to schools to raise their children. Yet schools are extremely unprepared to do so.

When we think about schools in inner cities, visions of crowded classrooms and kids who don't care arise in our mind's eye. Teachers who have to spend most of their time disciplining and commanding attention, rather than imparting knowledge. Yet these children, these schools, are our collective future. Modern America needs to rethink what it is doing.

Bunseki Fu-Kiau is a distinguished scholar of African Culture whose scholarship has focused on education and community development. Much of Dr. Fu-Kiau's work has revolved around traditional Congolese child-rearing methods, including Kindezi, which he calls the "Art of Babysitting." Kindezi refers to the collective child rearing traditions of the Congo people and serves to "develop the moral character of the young, thus ensuring a strong foundation for each new generation." Dr. Fu-Kiau will address how we must use these educational traditions to re-weave the moral fabric of society for ourselves, our futures, and the children around us.

Especially in today's hectic world where both parents are professionals working long hours, we will need community support to raise our children. Parents, teachers, and entire communities will have to work together to raise children to reach their full potential.

From the Mahabharata to the Iliad, from the Bible to Beowolf, from the cave-man's paintings to the excesses of Hollywood, stories have been used to capture audiences, to sway thoughts, and to instill ideas. Andy Fraenkel, founder of the Center For Sacred Storytelling states that "the roots of religion are found NOT in philosophy or ritual, but in story. We humans are by nature storytellers, and the stories we accept shape our character and actions."

Mr. Fraekel conducts the Vedic Storytelling Institute, which delves into the Mahabharata and Ramayana, and is also well versed in stories of Buddhist, Jewish, Sufi, Native American, and African traditions. He will be offering a workshop that explains the importance of stories to instilling morals and dharmic values. The workshop will focus on helping each of the attendees explore their own life stories and will demonstrate how they can use those stories to communicate better with the people around them.

The Storyteller, the entertainer, is always popular and ever commands the center of attention. By learning to tell stories that incorporate dharma, we will learn how to spread messages of good in ways that we and others will actually listen to.

We have conflicts with every single person in our lives. Conflicts can be especially intense amongst college roommates, who have to share small amounts of space at stressful times, and romantic partners. The manner in which we deal with those will make or break our relationships.

Seshadri Mantha is a Certified Conflict Resolution Facilitator who conducts experiential workshops in conflict transformation, dual identity, and spiritual counseling. He will present strategies that will strengthen peer relationships when conflicts arise and ineffective approaches to conflict resolution. In the workshop, the group will then present various conflicts and discuss the best ways to apply conflict resolution strategies.

Pinky ring worth about 50 bling bling

Every time I buy a new ride bling bling

THE AMERICAN DREAM. A house in suburbia. 2 cars, or 2 SUVs.

Hip Hop Culture. "Rap-italism."

The American culture is driven by consumerism. The American ideal is to make lots of money. Happiness is equal to possession, leaving us nation obsessed by owning the next sparkly toy. Our values are driven by wealth rather then any morality. Is this rampant materialism making us any happier?

Furthermore, the material goods we consume occupy only transient moments in our life. Ours is the disposable lifestyle, from disposable tupperware to fleeting fashions. In addition to being so materialistic, we are completely out of touch with the resource base we consume. We don't see the costs of everything that we take. What else could explain the popularity of the Hummer?

David Courchene is a Canadian Native American elder who has created a community where balance, harmony, and a spiritual way of life are emphasized. He will lead a discussion based on his vision of dharma as it relates to the modern lifestyle and happiness of our families. The session will be chaired by Hanne Strong, president of the The Manitou Foundation, whose mission it is to demonstrate models of simple, spiritually based, self-sufficient life styles and appropriate sustainable technologies.

Rani Bhagawan Dasa will present a simple methodology to use to help resolve family conflicts. She and the moderator will have discussed and prepared some scenarios on family conflict to discuss. The moderator will also collect anonymous cards on the conflicts that people in the room are facing. Members of the group should discuss what they would do in situations, and then she will discuss what she thinks is appropriate. The goal of this session is a practical methodology that will help us have more harmonious and dharmic families.