PAUL MC CARTNEY'S MUSIC BRINGS LOVE & JOY TO CHICAGO

I attended the most incredible concert last week.    As he took stage at Chicago's Wrigley Field, Paul McCartney told the loud and devoted crowd that, "We are going to rock, and we are going to roll."  He delivered as promised, singing more than 35 songs non-stop, over the next three hours. And oh, did he sing. It was Paul "live," and the sound reminded me so much of  years gone by -- his, with The Beatles-- and mine, with my friends in the 70's.  I am in awe of the multitude of superb music and lyrics he has written over the decades--and of the fact that he can still remember them all.

Paul McCartney gave a beautiful gift to his fans--"the Wrigley people," last Monday night.  It seemed to me that the songs he chose to share with us spoke of love, and joy.  These are hard days, and many of us are struggling -- to find jobs, keep our homes, and take care of our families.  But last Monday night, Paul McCartney didn't seem to have any hidden agendas.  Rather, he was there to lighten our loads a bit, and remind us that music can bring wonder into our lives---"ob-la-di, ob-la-da, life goes on bra---la-la, how the life goes on. And if you want some fun, take ob-la-di-bla-da!"

                                                                                                       Candy Isaac
                                                                                                       Songs for Peace

P.S.  Canadian Rotarian Chris Cochrane, a special friend of Songs for Peace, sent the following message from Montreal, where Paul played immediately prior to his Chicago gig:
"@ Bell centre. Sir P just finished sound check for tonight's show...got it all on video..should be on his website soon...he sends a big "Allo Montréal ! And a separate " Allo Rotarians! . Here to direct videoing of tonight's performance and to follow (with a camera crew) Sir P around Montréal. More later... Chris
CJ Cochrane, ASC Producer / Director / Videographer http://chris.cochrane.net

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT LEADS WITH HEART

Every July 1st, a new president takes over the leadership of Rotary International.  Appropriately, this process allows for a "rotation" of members from different countries to serve in this important role.  A cherished Rotary International tradition is that each new president announces a carefully chosen theme to help inspire members throughout his (so far, it's only been men) term.  Oftentimes the choice of theme reflects not only the personal ideals of the incoming president, but also that of his culture.  And so the newest RI President, Kalyan Banerjee of India, has a beautiful theme for this Rotary year -- Reach Within to Embrace Humanity. 

In his first presidential message which appeared in the Rotary World Magazine Press---the 32 international magazines of RI--- Mr. Banerjee reminds his fellow Rotarians that, "All of us in Rotary are looking to change the world - why else would we be Rotarians?  We believe that our world can be happier, healthier, and more peaceful, and that we can create that better world through our service.

In 2011-12, I will ask Rotarians to Reach Within to Embrace Humanity.  I will ask you to search first within yourselves, to understand that all of us, everywhere, have the same dreams, the same hopes, the same aspirations, and similar dilemmas.  When we understand, and truly feel, that others' needs are the same as our own, we begin to understand how important our work is...." 

Mr. Banerjee goes on to quote the well known words of Mohandas K. Gandhi. " 'You must be the change you wish to see in the world.'  In Rotary, we endeavour to live ethically and honestly, to share friendship and fellowship, to see equal worth in every human being.  We are not interested in the lowest common denominator, for Rotary is anything but common.  Instead, we work to elevate ourselves, elevate others, and thereby embrace the world.

Together, we will Reach Within to Embrace Humanity.  And in peace, harmony, and friendship, we will bring change--and a more joyful world."

Thank you, Mr. Banerjee, for the reminder of these most important sentiments, and goals. May your words and their true meaning be heeded within Rotary International, and throughout the world.

                                                                                                           Candy Isaac
                                                                                                           Songs for Peace

A SONGS FOR PEACE MESSAGE OF PEACE, AND FRIENDSHIP

There’s still something to be said for old-fashioned friendliness as a way to meet interesting new people.  That’s how I met Rotarian Richard “Titch” Harrison many years ago. He visited Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, IL USA often, where I was a staff member.  Our mutual interest in Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, drew us together, and has led to a lasting friendship.

Titch actually met Paul Harris personally in 1944, as a young Navy officer during a visit to “Rotary One”—the first Rotary club, which was founded by Harris in Chicago, in 1905.  In Rotary-speak, that’s the equivalent of meeting someone who met George Washington!

Titch, 94, also served as a Navy lieutenant during WWII.  He was stationed in Pearl Harbor during the attack, but fortunately his ship—the USS Lexington—was out at sea that day. However, Titch and his crew weren’t as lucky in the Battle of the Coral Sea (the one that saved Australia.)  Though “The Lex” was hit and sunk-- thankfully, Titch has a Purple Heart and (not so thankfully) a spinal injury to show for it. (You can learn more about Titch and his Navy and Rotary days, in his own words, at: http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/clubs/rotaryone/historian/bio.htm)

Last week I introduced Titch to young Navy Lt., Maxwell Anini, who is stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base, in Illinois.  I’d met Maxwell recently, at a little neighborhood jewelry store, where we were both getting new batteries for our watches.  He was in uniform (in a color that I didn't recognize), so I started a conversation with him and the Navy connection led me to tell him about Titch.  Maxwell said he’d like to meet him… “Our generation owes so much to theirs.”  And so we had a lovely lunch at Titch and Elaine Harrison’s Evanston apartment.  

Maxwell, 38, in his full white dress uniform, was a real-life “officer and a gentleman.” He seemed to bring out the former Naval officer in Titch too, who greatly enjoyed the company of a true comrade.  Maxwell told us that he was from Ghana, and had moved to America when he was 18.  He joined the Navy two years later, and recalled, “That’s where I learned about the real America. Everyone spoke with a different accent, in the Navy.  I’d thought that all Americans spoke the same…"

As our wonderful lunch drew to a close, Maxwell noted that, "The world would be a better place if we could all focus more on how we are the same, than how we are different.”

Amen.  May the international language of music help bring the world together in a community of peace.

                                                                        Candy Isaac

                                                                        Songs For Peace

Former U.S. Navy Lt. Richard "Titch" Harrison (left) and U.S. Navy Lt. Maxwell Anini (Above)

    

Rotary & Songs for Peace - Successful "Social Networks"

     It’s common knowledge, to members of Rotary International, that a man named Paul Harris founded the organization in 1905.  He was then a lonely young lawyer, new to Chicago, and sought a way to replicate the neighborliness of the small New England town where he was raised.  Wallingford, Vermont, in the beautiful Green Mountains, was a place where people knew and helped each other.  And so, as Harris recalled in his autobiography, “My Road to Rotary,” published posthumously in 1948:  “The genealogy of my contributions to the (Rotary Club) movement goes back to my Valley, the friendliness of its folks, their religious and political tolerance.  In a way, the movement came out of the valley.” 

     From that first Rotary club started by Paul Harris in Chicago, Rotary has grown to include people all over the world — more than 20,000 clubs in countries scattered across the globe, with well over a million members.  Men and women of every color, and every faith.  It was, and is, the first successful “social network,” born out of a yearning for friends, and support.  And it has grown--and thrived.   

     In the same way, Songs For Peace (www.songsforpeace.net) has begun the journey of creating a community of peace loving people worldwide.  We will use the international language of music to speak to everyone.  And the message of peace will resonate, and it will heal. 

                                                                                                Candy Isaac

                                                                                                Songs for Peace

SONGS FOR PEACE REACHES OUT IN JAPANESE

Hundreds of Rotarians joined the Songs for Peace movement last week, at the Rotary International Convention in New Orleans.  They were greeted by Dr. George Barkett, founder of this creative initiative to promote world peace through the international language of music.

RI President-nominee, Sakuji Tanaka, visited the Songs for Peace booth, and afterwards reminded everyone, in Japanese, of the famous words of John Lennon, "Watashitachi no negai was, 'Hehwa o warera ni' tada sore dake."  ALL WE ARE SAYING, IS GIVE PEACE A CHANCE.

                                                                                    Candy Isaac
                                                                                    Songs for Peace

Good News Button Added to Web Site

We have added a news aggregator to the web site that will save you time
keeping up with both Rotary information and peace related news.  We
have even integrated our newsletter content!  It makes for a great read
while enjoying your day!

Help Us Get The Word Out...

We have just added a new Gift Shop Button to the Website.  Now you can
help support the project by buying material that promotes Songs For Peace.

So show the world you support our efforts while at the same time helping
others to learn about us ;-)

Coming Soon

Greetings:

Thank you for taking the time to visit us.  We are pleased to announce

the opportunity for our social network features as a way to reach out

to all of our viewers and partners.  It is a project that is important to

us because of the millions of viewers that we have had over these

past two years.  Please feel free to to spread the word to your

friends and acquaintances.  Go to: www.SongsForPeace.net

Remember that peace is possible through songs promoting

dialog between people.

Don't forget to hit the FOLLOW button to stay abreast of what

we are doing.