Don’t forget

So we have shed our tears over the sale of Soka University of America in Calabasas and now are engaged in perpetuating the memory of the Camelot that has been Soka University for almost 20 years. We are sad to see her go, but we know that she is loved and appreciated in other areas of our country.

During Soka’s tenure in this area, her gates have been opened on a daily basis to the public. She has hosted many a public forum and has offered various classes in ecology, the environment and native crafts. She publishes a quarterly bulletin inviting the public to variouse events.

For those who wish to experience her traditions during the last two years of her existence in Calabasas, we are organizing TEARS ,"The Environmental Association Remembering Soka."

We will be offering free tours featuring different aspects of the property. Of course we will need to arrange these through the niversity, but those who are interested, may contact robin@scale-watcher.com, or phone (310) 327-5345.

One of the tours will deal with the George Harvey Smith Oak Tree. The history connected with this tree is that one very hot day,while George Smith was living on the property and working for Clarence Brown, he decided to take a short break. Intending to return, he left his wrench in the V of this oak tree. However, he was distracted and forgot about it until years later while he was walking over the property. By that time the Oak Tree had grown around his wrench. To remove the wrench at that time would have injured the tree, so there it is to this very day.

From June 24 to June 26,, the California Traditional Music Society will sponsor its 23rd annual Summer Solstice Folk Music, Dance and Storytelling Festival at Soka.

For further information call (818) 817-7756.

Take advantage of the wonderful opportunities that Soka University has to offer the community before it is too late. She will be gone forever in December of 2007.

Robin Gensley Mitchell

Calabasas