For an event such as the Whole Life Expo taking place at the Rosemont Convention Center October 15/16/17, volunteers are clearly needed and welcome. An event like this requires a lot of helping hands For volunteers and local staffers, it's a great behind-the-scenes type experience…not to mention the perks!

A phone call to 312-409-1525 will give you a human that you can contact, or a quick flick to www.wholelife.com will also enable you to sign in as a volunteer.

Take a look at the 10th Anniversary Celebration Guide of the Guild Complex (a cross-cultural literary arts center) for a truly exciting lineup of arts, classes, speakers and workshops. A headline event is the 5th Annual Women Writers Conference. Entitled "A Place in Mind: Women Redefining Voice and Vision," the conference brings together some of the most insightful and eloquent writers in the country for readings, panels and workshops. Keynote speakers are Ana Castillo and Dorothy Allison.

When and Where: Friday, October 8 (7pm) - at the Fine Arts Building, Curtis Hall, 410 S. Michigan, 10th floor; Saturday, October 9 (10am-5pm) and Sunday, October 10 (10:30am-5pm) at Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Avenue.

The entire conference is $55 in advance, $45 for students and seniors. Admission is also available to single events. For registration information, please call 773/296-1108, extension 18.

GODDESS DAY MARCH ANNOUNCED FOR CHICAGO

From the Virgin Mary to Kali to Quwan Yin, the Goddess current is recognized by religions as embodying values of patience, wisdom, equality, family and tolerance. If you believe in these values, you are invited to walk with others who recognize the Goddess as implicit in life and living. The walk is scheduled for October 9 at 11:00 A.M. Updates can be found at LadySarolta@yahoo.com and http://messages.to/DailyGoddess.

TRANCE DANCE LECTURE, DANCE SLATED FOR END OF OCTOBER

Wilbert Alix, director of the Natale Institute International will present a free lecture on Trance Dance on Friday, October 29 from 7-9pm at Healing Earth Resources, 3111 N. Ashland in Chicago.

On Saturday, October 30 from 10am-10pm, the Natale Institute brings to our area a full day devoted not only to learning about Trance Dance but an opportunity to participate in it. The location is the Lake Street Church, 607 Lake St., Evanston. The cost of the full day is $135 or $115 if paid by October 9.

In contemporary society, dance has been turned into more of a recreational pursuit or form of exercise, so its spiritual significance has been lost over time. In times past, it was a way connected with the spiritual. It is cross cultural and is said to have existed in every society on the every continent on the planet.

Trance Dance is a healing vehicle through which people can commune with their spirit. For some, the word "trance" is frightening. But trance in this sense is really nothing more than another word for meditation. When you meditate, you sit in silence for extended periods until the mind clears and you become "an empty vessel." Then your spirit can move into consciousness. Trance is the same but the doorway is different. It's done through sound, rhythm and movement of the body, and what occurs either during that movement or at the end of it is trance, a very deep meditation.

The purpose of Trance Dance is healing - body, mind and spirit. At times in our lives we find ourselves being less optimistic, less energetic, less alive, unwilling to solve a problem, unwilling to forgive, trying to control a relationship, and it's because we are lacking a piece of our energetic self. Trance Dance offers us a way to reconnect with our Self.

Wilbert Alix is the director of The Natale Institute USA and is part of the international creative force known as Professor Trance and the Energisers. The Natale Institute International, located in 12 countries, offers an extensive curriculum of workshops and trainings that have given thousands in the United State, Europe, Asia and Australia the ability to transform their thoughts into reality.

On October 31, Wilbert Alix will again speak at Healing Earth Resources (3-6pm), this time about "Rites of Passage," the 12 mystical stages of our physical and spiritual evolution.

WHOLE LIFE YOUTH CHALLENGE
CONCURRENT WITH WHOLE LIFE EXPO

International Whole Life is introducing an innovative Youth Challenge Program which is described as the "ultimate field trip for the entire family." The Youth Challenge program includes three days of events to help young people experience hope, love, a connection to the environment and a commitment to bring family together. Whole Life has made young people a major priority and, with the Youth Challenge Program, is providing a vehicle for young people to develop into positive leaders. Held in conjunction with the scheduled Whole Life Exposition and Conference, the three-day Youth Challenge program is free of charge and is held the same week at the Whole Life event at the Rosemont Convention Center. The Whole Life Youth Challenge program aims to give teens and their families the opportunity for transformation and to generate change in the community by advocating positive action.

Thursday, October 14 from 9AM to 4PM is designed to unite diverse groups of students, teachers and community members. It tears down walls of separation nurtures understanding and inspires participants to live, study and work in an encouraging environment of harmony and compassion. Topics such as violence, suicide, racism, alcohol and drug abuse, harassment, conflict management, social oppression, self-esteem and leadership are all addressed.

On Friday, October 15 from 9AM to 4PM, the program shifts gears and lends itself to create a sage space for families to build a peaceful sense of connection and love.

The last day, October 16 from10AM to 5PM, features a workshop facilitated by one of the world's most successful youth organization. YES!, Youth for Environmental Sanity, has been promoting environmental awareness for over nine years. YES!, created in 1990 by two mid-teens, has been continuously recognized for its outstanding efforts in creating positive change in today's youth, facilitating an interactive, enlightening event for all who attend. Participants gain a deeper understanding and sense of connection to their environment while focusing on practical skills necessary to take effective and positive action in their own families, schools, communities and the world.

To receive more information about the Whole Life Youth Challenge or to register for any of the events, call 800/999-2505.

MEDITATION INTENSIVE WEEKEND AT CAMP RONORA

This year's Third Annual Meditation and Celebration Tour offers Osho Active Meditations and live music to create an ambience here in the Midwest (and several other locations around the nation). This year the event will be held indoors at the beautiful 300 acre Camp Ronora (cabins/dorms) about two hours from Chicago just outside Watervliet, Michigan.

As before, this weekend, October 22-24 will focus on Osho meditations and celebration with live music from a wonderful group of international musicians. The meditations will be facilitated by Vatayana, an experienced meditation leader currently a coordinator at the Osho Commune International in Pune, India..

The fee per person is $225 in advance, $250 after October 9. The cost includes vegetarian meals, lodging and activities. For more complete information, contact Soham at 773/381-9606 or e-mail them at nostress@enteract.com. Also, you can visit their webpage at www.enteract.com/~nostress/bravo.html. The Osho website is www.osho.org/

CONDELL MEDICAL CENTER'S WOMEN'S PEARL OF HEALTH SERIES
BRINGS LUMINARIES TO CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL

Academy award winners, GPs, OB/GYNs, communicator, chefs, physiologists, geriatric experts, investment counselors, behavioral health professions, herbologists, aerobics instructors and more! Fourteen programs in all will have presented this Fall as prt of Condell's Women's Pearl of Health Series.

Oscar award-winning Olympia Dukakis will discuss "Aging Gracefully After 50 on Tuesday, October 26 at the Carmel High School Auditorium, Route 176 in Mundelein at 7PM.

Their next presentation features Michael Murray, ND, renowned naturopathic physician, author and expert on herbs and natural medicine, who will discuss "A Natural Approach to Health" at 7PM on Friday, November 5 at Marytown Retreat and Conference Center, 1600 W. Park Avenue (Route 176), Libertyville.

Tickets for the Olympia Dukakis and Dr. Murray lectures are priced at $5.

The Women's Pearl of Health Series runs through November 5 and focuses on a wide range of topics.

For additional information or to make reservations for any of the series, call Community Education Departent at 847/362-2905, extension 5770.

CAROLYN MYSS, AUTHOR AND MEDICAL INTUITIVE,
TO SPEAK AT AIDS ALTERNATIVE HEALTH PROJECT'S
HOPE AND SUPPORT DINNER

AAHP is honored to announce that Caroline Myss, Ph.D., will speak at its Hope and Support diner, Thursday, October 28 at 6PM at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Dr. Myss, pioneer in the field of energy medicine and human consciousness, helps people to understand the emotional, psychological and physical reasons why they develop illness. Myss is an internationally sought-after speaker on spirituality and personal power, widely recognized for her work in teaching intuitive diagnosis. Has written several best sellers and has the distinction of having two books on the New York Times best-seller list at the same time.

This fund raising effort will bring corporate underwriters, guarantors and sponsors from the business sector. Co-Chair of this year's event, Bonnie Hauser, says, "Integrative medicine has been proven; the combination of traditional medicine, energy medicine and alternative therapies work for HIV/AIDS patients. Dr. Myss will substantiate that message to all of our audiences. Dennis Ryan, event co-Chair, says, "Her active approach matches ours at AAHP."

Tickets for the dinner are $100 per person or $1,000 for tables of ten, and are available on a limited basis. For more information and reservations, please call AAHP at 773/561-3800.

The AIDS Alternative Health Project, 4753 N. Broadway, Chicago, has as its mission to improve the quality of life, relieve suffering and provide hope and support to people living with HIV/AIDS. AAHP has fulfilled this mission over the last eleven years by offering health care services such as chiropractic care, physical therapy, mental health, nutritional counseling, acupuncture and massage therapy that are designed to work in conjunction with traditional forms of medical care. AAHP operates through a corps of 90 volunteer health care practitioners ranging from acupuncturists and medical physicians to yoga specialists. For further info about AAHP, please call them at the above number.

NEW SERVICE HELPS YOU FIND
ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE RESOURCES FAST

Note the launch of a free online and toll-free service to help people quickly locate holistic health care information and professionals in the Chicagoland area. The service, called The Wellness Information Network, is the creation of Chad Soderholm, the son of ex-Chicago White Sox player, Eric Soderholm.

"When I was unable to find a single reliable source to locate information on natural healthcare and holistic practitioners, I saw an opportunity to create an Internaet-based resource and toll-free phone service that would cover every neighborhood in the country," says Soderholm. "This is definitely an idea whose time has come."

The service has been under development for over a year, and includes both an Internet site and a toll-free phone system through which you can gather information on ailments, holistic treatments and practitioners in your area. The network launched during September in the Chicagoland area, and is to be followed shortly by other major cities.

You can find the Wellness Information Network on the web at www.wellnessinformation.com or non-surfers can call, toll-free, 877/935-5463.

ENTER HERE, A WARM AND FRIENDLY
CREATIVE ARTS CENTER, COMES TO WARRENVILLE

Warm and comfortable as a quilt of many pieces, Enter Here, in Warrenville, offers a kaleidoscope of learning, exploring and acquiring new skills. Each month a new topic, to be found under Special Presentations in their quarterly calendar, will be explored. Are you an experienced quilter? If so, you are invited to share your skills with would-be quilters in a Quilting Circle, creating a quilt to be donated to a charitable institution that will use it as a means to raise funds.

Whether or not you think "you got rhythm," and whether or not you have a drum, you can be part of Enter Here's Drumming Circle. Sacred Art Making is about letting your spirit express itself through the use of a variety of media. The creative fun of Saturday Morning Play Date will give you the opportunity to try a variety of crafts which will result in lovely items you can use or give as gifts. Join a monthly Dream Circle to talk about dreams.

A special evening just for women, Women Living Life, is a safe, warm and supportive group where you can find direction, encouragement or the light at the end of the tunnel. There is more: A book discussion group, folk instruments and lessons, monogramming service, and a coffee pot that is always on! Check out Cathrine Bolin's and Mary Ann Hartzell's Enter Here and enjoy good company and a most pleasant way to spend your time. Through the end of December, hours are: Wednesday and Thursday evenings, 7-10PM, and Saturday, 10AM to 4PM. Drop in or call 630-836-9051 for information. The address is 3 S. 258 Warren Ave., Warrenville, IL 60555.