Dear Friends, Further updates from April, 2025: Passover and Ramadan also occurred in April! May our Jewish and Moslem sisters and brothers be renewed in their faith through these special celebrations! So far there has been more snow and rain than flowers this May. Although it looked like the Wisteria plant with profuse blooms would make it through to Spring, another snow came along and all the blooms froze (even while being covered). But it will grow back robustly soon. Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated on May 5 with the sharing of many types of Latin food. The Lilac Festival in Pine Mountain will be May 17 and 18. With the help of volunteers, the Jizo Peace Center will have a booth and will also fly the giant dove in the parade to honor heroic firefighters this year. Then Memorial Day will be at the end of the month as we remember the thousands of people who died serving in the armed forces over the years as well as their families. The Center continues to pray for peace on earth and for the happiness of all living beings.     CENTER ACTIVITIES The Center hosts regular Meditations on Saturday at 11:00 am. The Meditation Room is dedicated to peace as honored in all religions. Please call first if you would like to attend. Donations for the WZM Scholarships are coming in, most gratefully, Senior students from Garfield High School in East Los Angeles have already sent in a number of compassion essays. A colorful ad is placed in this week's and next week's local newspaper, The Mountain Enterprise, requesting more local submissions and donations. The Jizo Peace Center hosted the rorating monthly Mountain Women's Spiritual Gathering in April with a very deep and prayerful energy. In front: l to r: Izumi, and Mother Simran; center Ruth; standing row l to r, Elke, Mary, SunJay, Chris, Gladys, and Chika.       PINE MOUNTAIN MEDITATION CLUB Every Monday at noon, there is a Meditation Circle at the Pine Mountain Clubhouse. All are welcome - donations accepted. For the second year in a row, this Circle will also donate the cost - $350 - of one of the WZM Scholarships. May Meditation Leaders include: May 5 - Mother Simran May 12 - Izumi May 19 - Chika May 26 - SunJay Below is a picture of the current meditation leaders: from left to right Izumi, Chika, SunJay, Simran, Chris, Ruth     EMPOWERING READERS OC TUTORING PROGRAM The school year's tutoring program will end May 21. Ruth's two students have had recent absences, but they seem to enjoy their reading! The summer session will soon begin.   ANANDA ASHRAMA Public services at the Temple and acreage in La Crescenta, CA, regularly occur on Sunday mornings at 11:00 and Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm. Ruth will give the Buddha's Birthday talk on Thursday night May 15 at 7:00 pm. History states that the Buddha was born, achieved enlightenment, and passed, all on the full moon of May!     The Jizo Peace Center wishes blessing and peace to all!