Weekend Meditation Workshop

Davenport, IA: Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center will present a Weekend Meditation Workshop November 2^nd,3^rd and 4^th in Davenport, Iowa.

In today's fast-paced, frenzied world, it seems to be harder and harder to experience moments of peace and relaxation. Besides the many responsibilities and work we must get done every day, we also have a dizzying array of distractions and activities we wish to pursue. Due to all of this our mind is often unsettled and tense and we find it hard to enjoy even the brief moments we have when we're not being bombarded by life's demands.

More and more people are discovering that meditation is a powerful way to overcome stress and cultivate a calm and relaxed mind.  By learning to meditate we can learn to maintain this inner calm all the time, making everything we do more satisfying and enjoyable.

In this Weekend Meditation Workshop learn everything you need to know about meditation; from sitting in the correct meditation posture, to how to meditate on the mind itself.

The weekend workshop will include a series of one-hour sessions. In each session a different meditation topic or technique will be explained followed by a meditation on that particular instruction. Practical advice will be given on how to set up a sustainable and rewarding personal meditation routine as well as how to integrate our meditation practice into our daily life.

"That inner peace and calm that we long for is possible, we need to look for it where it can be found...inside us," states Joe Gauthier, Buddhist Meditation Teacher at Lamrim Kadmapa Buddhist Center, Through meditation we can learn how to relax and develop peaceful and positive states of mind."

During the Weekend Meditation Workshop we will learn that by training in meditation, we create an inner space and clarity that enables us to control our mind regardless of the external circumstances. We can learn to let go of the agitated states of mind, such as anger, fear or jealousy that produce unhappiness. And instead cultivate peaceful, powerful minds such as love, acceptance, wisdom and joy. We can also learn to transform our day-to-day experiences, especially our conflicts and problems, into opportunities for developing these peaceful minds.

The Weekend Meditation Workshop is open to everyone and is suitable for both beginners and advanced meditators.  Both chairs and cushions will be available for use during the meditation sessions. Participants may attend any or all sessions. Please register by phone or email or just drop-in. The cost is $7 per session or $45 for entire retreat/vegetarian lunch on Saturday included.

Date:  November 2,3, 4
Location: Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center 
Address: 502 3rd Street 2^nd Floor, Davenport, IA (Entrance on Scott Street)
Cost: $7 per session or $45 for entire retreat/vegetarian lunch on Saturday included 
For more information or to register call 563-322-1600 or email info@meditateiniowa.org

Weekend Meditation Retreat detailed schedule:

Friday, November 2nd 6pm-9pm
6-7pm    Stilling The Mind With The Breath
8-9pm    Using Contemplative Meditation

Saturday November 3rd 10am-5pm   
10:15-11:15am   Generating Positive States of Mind
12-1:00pm       Developing Profound Thoughts
Lunch 1-2:15pm
2:15-3:15pm     Meditation Tips: Q&A, Discussion
3:45-4:45pm     Increasing Our Mindfulness

Sunday, November 4th 10am to 1pm
10:15-11:15am    Recognizing Our Own Mind
12-1:00pm        Integrating Meditation into Our Busy Life!

About Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center:

Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center was founded in 2005 under the guidance of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso; Internationally renowned Buddhist meditation master and scholar.  Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center is a member of the New Kadampa Tradition-International Kadampa Buddhist Union, a worldwide network of Buddhist Centers that are located in over 40 different countries.

The purpose of Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center is to help people learn practical methods on how to solve their daily problems and to live a happy and meaningful life. Lamrim Center offers meditation classes, day courses, retreats, chanted prayers and a chance to learn more about the Buddhist way of life. The classes and courses are designed to help those who wish to deepen their understanding of basic Buddhist thought and practice, as well as for those who simply wish to start a meditation practice or to meditate in a group setting.

About the Day Course Teacher:

Joe Gauthier is a Buddhist teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition. He is currently a Teacher at Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center in Davenport, Iowa.  Gauthier has been studying and practicing Buddhist meditation for over 15 years under the compassionate guidance of his Spiritual Guide, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. Before coming to Iowa, he studied and taught in several locations throughout the world, including Manjushri Centre in England and at Buddhist Centers in Taiwan, Holland and Madison, Wisconsin.

Take care,
Joe Gauthier
Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center
502 1/2 W. 3rd Street
Davenport, IA 52801
Tel: 563-322-1600
Email: info@meditateiniowa.org
Web: http://meditateiniowa.org

"Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible"
~ Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

Animation Cel-ebration - From Gertie to Grinch  Exhibit

Animation Cel-ebration - From Gertie to Grinch features the world renowned animation art cel (individual hand-drawn animation image) collection of Ted and Dawn Hopkins. The Hopkins Collection of Historical Animation Art is one of the top comprehensive collections of rare animation art because of the scope and breadth of its hand drawn historical pieces. Discover how animation developed from its infancy through the classic age of animated features and beyond! Operate some of the earliest animation devices to see how the idea for animated features developed. Sit at a drafting table and learn how to draw your own animation cels or practice animation on a computer art station. Animation educators will staff the exhibit on weekends to demonstrate their craft to the visitors. Revisit your childhood and make new memories with your children and grandchildren! Exhibit hall prices: Adults $7; Senior/Student/ Military $6/Youth $5; Putnam Members free.

Lunch and Learn with Ted and Dawn Hopkins

Ted and Dawn Hopkins will give a Lunch and Learn on Saturday, October 20, where guests will get the opportunity to hear the couple talk about the history of animation through their amazing cel collection.

Cost is $20 per person and includes lunch, program, and a private viewing of the exhibit accompanied by the Hopkins. Lunch will be served at noon on the Lardner Theater Balcony and the program will immediately follow.

Advance reservations and payment are required. Contact Alice Loff at 563-324-1933 ext. 266. Space is limited, so call today!

Edward and Dawn Hopkins

Edward (Ted) and Dawn Fritz Hopkins have graciously loaned a portion of their animation art collection to the Putnam Museum. Ted is an international corporate business leader, fighter pilot, collector of a world class animation art, world traveler, cruise lecturer and one of the best story tellers around. His wife Dawn is an international school teacher, writer, artist, and animal lover who actually raised an orphaned Bobcat cub.

Ted graduated from high school in London, England, attended Purdue University for one year and then graduated from the Air Force Academy in their second graduation class. He has a Masters from Southern California University in Business. He spent six years flying high performance, supersonic jets in the Air Force. His favorite, the 104, is known as the Starfighter. After leaving the Air Force, Ted entered the business world and worked for a number of major companies: General Electric, Gould Industries, Interlake Steel and Sherwin Williams. He retired as Chairman of the board of Medalist Industries, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Dawn graduated from United Township high school in East Moline. She graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Fine Arts and a minor in Anthropology. She taught high school in New Mexico and was the advisor for the girl's golf team. Wanting to add more adventure to her life, she taught school at American military bases in both France and Germany, where she met her fighter pilot husband.

During his business career, Ted started their collection of animation art quite by accident. On a business trip to Las Vegas thirty years ago, Dawn encouraged him to use his winnings from blackjack to purchase an animation cel of Pepe Le Pew. From then on, he was hooked. Today their collection is in the top five of the world and includes over 350 framed pieces, plus 100s more in bound books.

Since story telling has always been a favorite pastime for Ted, he became a cruise ship lecturer. He has three areas of expertise: Animation Art, Old West History and Supersonic Flight. Dawn is also a story teller of the written word, and has written a book about her baby bobcat, Parthur.

Company Plans to Honor Game Cards, Refund Event Deposits

Davenport, Iowa...America's Incredible Pizza Company (AIPC) today confirmed that its lease on E. Kimberly Road is terminated and the Davenport location has officially closed. The decision to close the Davenport location was the result of a business dispute between external forces, says AIPC founder and CEO, Rick Barsness, and does not reflect AIPC's commitment to the surrounding community.

"We love Davenport. We are grateful for the support of our customers here and have always been proud to serve them. It was not our decision to close. Unfortunately, our hands were tied," said Barsness. "We hope that families will come and play with us at our nine remaining locations."

Refunds will be issued for deposits made for group events and birthday parties. Game cards will be honored at other AIPC locations including Urbandale, outside of Des Moines, the closest to Davenport. No cash refunds for game cards will be given. Employees affected by the closing are being offered jobs at other locations.

"Of course we are disappointed with this outcome, but we are also excited about the many changes taking place within our organization, including the opening of our newest location in St. Louis later this December and our rebranding efforts that will propel the company's growth," says Barsness.

AIPC's rebranding strategy includes the opening of the St. Louis location by year's end, new games and attractions at AIPC's remaining nine locations, more valuable family deals, "Incrediblizers" for a better experience, brighter storefronts, friendlier website and enhanced marketing efforts.

Customers with questions regarding deposits for group events or about game cards are asked to contact Nikki Tunnell at 417-890-1408 or email ntunnell@incrediblepizza.com.

About America's Incredible Pizza Company (AIPC)
America's Incredible Pizza Company (AIPC) is a premier family dining and entertainment center with nine locations throughout the United States and Mexico. AIPC offers Themed Dining Rooms where guests enjoy an all-you-can-eat Incredible Buffet that includes a vast array of freshly prepared, homemade food choices such as pizza and salad bars, hot entrees, pasta, potatoes, side vegetables, and desserts including cinnamon rolls, pies, cobblers and more. The Fairgrounds features an assortment of amusements including state-of-the-art video and arcade games, go-karts, bowling, laser tag, mini golf, bumper cars and other
attractions.