Dear Friends, We are now in a brand New Year - 2026! This is a chance to renew some of our on-going resolutions to improve ourselves and make life more meaningful. A Buddhist honoring of Maitreya - the future Buddha occurs on January 4. January 6 celebrates Epiphany - honoring the 3 Wise Men, and the complete end of Christmas tradition. Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday happens on January 19, an American holiday. Important: Orange robed monks are currently on a 2300 mile Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington, DC. They are accompanied by their peace dog Aloka, a rescue from India. They are protected by police vehicles beside them in each town as well as numerous fans following. The Center wishes the monks a safe and productive walk!     CENTER ACTIVITIES   Regular meditations continue at the Jizo Peace Center. The Meditation Room is dedicated to peace as honored in all religions. Please call first if you would like to attend a Meditation. The booth at the Holiday Faire in Frazier Park enabled us to meet a number of new people. Ruth is preparing the schedule for the New Year.   PINE MOUNTAIN MEDITATION CLUB The Pine Mountain Meditation Circle meets at the Clubhouse every Monday at noon for an hour. There are now 6 rotating leaders. All are welcome - donations accepted. January Meditation Leaders include: January 5 SunJay January 12 Izumi January 19 Chika January 26 Connie - new leader Below is a picture of the current meditation leaders: from left to right Izumi, Chika, SunJay, Simran, Chris, Ruth     CELTIC MUSIC The group rehearses on Tuesday nights from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Clubhouse with a snack break in the middle. People are welcome to bring an instrument or just stay and listen. Our December 6 concert at the Frazier Park Library went well and was nicely attended.     EMPOWERING READERS OC TUTORING PROGRAM Ruth continues to tutor two 4th grade girls twice a week after school. One student is new as the first one changed to home study. The student studying the longest wrote a thank you note with other members of the "reading club", saying, "I love my tutor Ruth Handy." It was a bright moment in the Christmas season!     ANANDA ASHRAMA This historic Ashrama in La Crescenta, CA offers public services on Sunday mornings and Thursday evenings. Ruth will give the talk on Sunday, January 18, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.     The Jizo Peace Center wishes blessing and peace to all!