By Saria Kraft kraft@theacorn.com

MICHAEL COONS/Simi Valley Acorn THAT SIXTIES SHOW-Mary Coppin, left, and Daniel Nahmod sing Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" during the 2004 Peace Day celebration at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center.

After delivering a message about love, kindness and acceptance, Kusala Bhikshu, a Buddhist monk, pulled a harmonica from his robe and proceeded to play a sweet stompin’ blues number at the Simi Cultural Arts Center on Saturday.

Buddhists, who seek to end suffering, know a thing or two about the blues.

Bhikshu was in Simi Valley for "Peace Day 2004," an all-day affair sponsored by the organization called A Season For Nonviolence.

Although carefully planned and well executed, the event drew fewer numbers than expected. Most of the 200 attendees came from Religious Science churches in the Simi, Conejo and San Fernando valleys.

Area teens offered Hindu, Islamic, Jewish and Native American prayers for peace, while musicians performed a diversity of songs and rhythms that included American folk, Native American drumming and flute, and Tibetan bowls, gongs and chimes.

Speakers included veteran scientist and engineer Theodore Clarke, who served on the NASA Voyager and Galileo space missions for 25 years.

On a related note, Rotary International spokesman Ray Carlson talked about how jobs create peace.

Unemployment for African American and Latino young men runs almost four times higher than for white males, he said, adding that the despair of not being able to lead a productive life leads to acts of violence and crime.

Teaching young people the value of entrepreneurship is one solution, Carlson said. He cited the success of a Rotary program in the Pasadena school district that teaches business enterprise using a Junior Achievement-based curriculum.

Carlson chronicled the growth of entrepreneur education in Armenia, Lebanon and Mexico. Rotary clubs also sponsor programs for Arab students in the Israeli cities of Nazareth and Jerusalem.

As afternoon arrived, five Local Peace Hero awards were presented from the stage.

Dr. Otto Austel of Simi Noontime Rotary was honored for his efforts to wipe out polio and other diseases in Third World countries, as well as for his work in the U.S. with homeless people and women with substance abuse problems.

"My husband is in Egypt," said Sharon Austel on his behalf. "Egypt will be polio free in this next year."

Oxnard Police Chief Art Lopez was introduced as "the man who brought peace back to the title of peace officer."

Lopez was praised for introducing conflict resolution programs at various Oxnard school sites and for ensuring that his officers are well trained in community relations.

Sandy Nirenberg of Camarillo Hospice was lauded for her dedication to patients and their families during times of illness and grief. Prior to her appointment as executive director, Nirenberg served 12 years as a community volunteer.

Buttons that said "May peace prevail on Earth" lined the tables in the lobby—along with enough literature to fill a 1960s Volkswagen peace bus. Interface Children Family Services in Camarillo offered a slew of materials dealing with domestic violence.

Meanwhile, crock pots filled with down-home cooking awaited the visitors downstairs. The good eats were provided by Jan Gageby, Virginia Nelson and Susanne Lichtenberger of the Simi Samaritan Center.

"Everybody here is putting a little piece in to promote peace," said Conny Miner, a member of the One Spirit Center for Conscious Living in Simi Valley.

Michele McClure, assistant manager of the Simi Valley Senior Center, coordinated the event.