Fostering the Power of Community, Service and the Arts

2004 Annual Report – Celebrating Twenty Years n its 20th Anniversary year, Rex continued its renewal efforts with During 2004, Rex concert events showed another, contingent, activities aimed at broadening its base of support. We recognize this side of this transformation to broad support. A new generation and Ias a necessary evolution from the single-source support during the alignment of performers are giving their energies to provide the live era of benefi t concerts performed by the Grateful Dead for Rex. musical context that brings Rex and our supporters together. In this Launched on our website, the Rex Community Caravan is an initia- way, Rex can be a focus for the “jam band” movement spawned by tive designed to sign up a multitude of small donors; to invite our natural the Grateful Dead, providing a channel for the palpable desire of these constituency to join in a philanthropic community resonant with the audiences to contribute to the re-creation of positive culture. feeling of the concert and touring social networks. It is hoped that the This report describes the programs of our three Award winners and website itself will evolve to embrace the 22 grants provided to grassroots an interactive paradigm of sharing. organizations during the year.

RALPH J. GLEASON AWARD ing countries and builds the In memory of music journalist Ralph J. Gleason, a major fi gure in the advancement capacity of local organizations of music in America in the 1960s, whose and professionals to meet the openness to new music and ideas transcended differences between generations and styles. needs of their communities. ISLP has organized the work Bill Monroe of highly skilled volunteer Biography by Tom Ewing lawyers and law fi rms on 44 William Smith Monroe was projects in or affecting more born in Ohio County, Ken- than 25 countries. 31 W. 52nd St., 3rd Floor, New York, NY tucky in 1911. Inspired by 10019, 212-880-5836, www.islp.org the fi ddling of his uncle and the blues of a local black Camp Winnarainbow JERRY GARCIA AWARD musician, Monroe taught himself BILL GRAHAM AWARD In memory of Grateful Dead guitarist and founding Rex In memory of pioneering producer and founding Rex board member Jerry Garcia, this award is designed to to play the mandolin and resolved board member Bill Graham, himself a refugee, this honor and support individuals and groups that work to develop his own style of playing award is for those working to assist children who to encourage creativity in young people. the instrument. By the 1930s he was are victims of political oppression and human rights violations. Camp Winnarainbow largely responsible for the success of Scholarship Fund in honor of the renowned Monroe Brothers duo, International Wavy Gravy and in the 40s, he spearheaded the Senior Lawyers Project Camp Winnarainbow is a non-profi t development of a new style of music The International Senior Lawyers circus and performing arts sum- that came to be called “bluegrass”. Project (ISLP) provides volunteer mer camp that provides a small, For the next fi fty years he toured legal services by highly skilled and protected environment where each and recorded, inspiring many with experienced attorneys to advance summer, 700 children try new ac- his music, now known and appreci- democracy and the rule of law, pro- tivities and ways of interrelating ated throughout the world. Monroe tect human rights and promote equi- to one another. The Camp values died in 1996, and, since then, only table economic development world- the uniqueness of each individual one biography has been published, wide. Through the pro bono work within the diverse racial, cultural, a superfi cial account based largely of retired and active practitioners, economic and religious backgrounds on hearsay. working independently and with that comprise the community. Camp Author, Tom Ewing joined Mon- law fi rms, ISLP helps governments Winnarainbow provides a train- roe’s Blue Grass Boys in 1986 touring and citizens develop and implement ing ground to nurture leaders for a and recording several albums with legal reforms, assists programs that peaceful, harmonious and sustain- Monroe, including the Grammy advance the social and economic able culture. Award-winning “Southern Flavor.” well-being of people in develop- 510-525-4304, www.campwinnarainbow.org “A new world is born. It is not the old world that is changing. It is a new world which is born. And we are right in the middle of the transition period, when the two overlap, when the old is still all-powerful and entirely controlling the ordinary consciousness. But the new slips in, still very modest and unnoticed – so unnoticed that externally it disturbs hardly anything... for the moment, and it is even absolutely imperceptible in the consciousness BOARD OF DIRECTORS of most people. But it is working, it is growing.” – Satprem Bob Weir Cameron Sears Sage Scully From the Executive Director John Scher Cliff Palefsky In the spring of 1984 the first Rex benefit was held in San Rafael, California. For Nick Morgan the next 11 years, the Grateful Dead performed concerts to benefit Rex across Roger McNamee John Leopold the country that resulted in over $7 million in grants to some 900 programs. Michael Klein In December 2001, after a hiatus of some years, we initiated renewal efforts, in Rosalie Howarth the absence of direct Grateful Dead concert funding, by extending our reach Mickey Hart Freddy Hahne to a broad base of supporters. With such support we have now granted an ad- Carolyn Garcia ditional $487,000 to 73 programs. Stefanie Coyote Barry Caplan 2004 activities confirmed a stronghold of commitment among not only the older Diane Blagman Steve Bernstein Rex alumni, but also among a new generation of musicians, contributors and ADVISORY BOARD supporters. Joining together, we are helping the Rex Foundation carry forward Bill Walton the ethos which surrounded the original Grateful Dead benefit concerts: love Danny Rifkin of the music, a joyful spirit of connection, generosity, concern for the greater Jon McIntire Larry Brilliant good, and appreciation of the value of funding grassroots organizations. Bernie Bildman John Perry Barlow As the Rex Foundation makes its transition from the first 20 years to the next Emeritus 20, I am reminded of those intriguing M.C. Escher prints that show a subtle Hal Kant metamorphosis from one state to another. The Rex Community Caravan is Bill Graham (1984 – d.1991) our representation of our own metamorphosis – all of us, together, whether as Jerry Garcia (1984 – d.1995) charitable contributors, musicians performing at our events, volunteers, in-kind supporters or any combination of these – are shifting from meeting at Grateful Executive Director Sandy Sohcot Dead concerts to traveling together, building a wide-reaching philanthropic Administration community that is grassroots in spirit and grassroots in giving. As you read Chris Meharg through this report you may see yourself on the Rex Community Caravan, Volunteers and hopefully you will feel good about the results of your support. With a Alan Trist David Large vibrant legacy to build on, and with the enthusiastic commitment of the next Brooke McKinney generation of supporters, I am ever hopeful and excited about all that we can do together over the next 20 years. – Sandy Sohcot The Rex Foundation is named after Rex Jackson, Mission Statement a Grateful Dead roadie and later road manager until The Rex Foundation continues to embody the spirit of generosity and concern that evolved his untimely death in 1976 in the culture of the Dead Heads and the Grateful Dead, aiming to help secure a healthy environment, promote individuality in the arts, provide support to critical and necessary social services, assist others less fortunate than ourselves, protect the rights of indigenous HOW REX WORKS people and ensure their cultural survival, build a stronger community, and educate chil- The Rex Foundation has no dren and adults everywhere. paid board members. Virtu- ally all of our grant recipients are Guiding Principles and Values selected through the personal • We respect traditional wisdom cultures. knowledge and outreach of our • We respect individual rights and differences. decision makers – as a result, • We are willing to take risks and trust people. grant requests are not solicited. • We help people who are helping others and are trying to make a difference. We have no application forms • We help people develop bold new solutions to problems. and no published guidelines. • We benefit the broader community and the broader good. Grants are made once or • We practice inclusiveness and open-mindedness. twice a year, and our report • We support organizations committed to grassroots action. is published annually. • We seek to identify entities doing good work that might otherwise be overlooked. • Our support helps beyond direct funding by boosting the visibility of the recipient’s work. • We want to be an agent of change, to help leverage greater impact. REX FOUNDATION P.O. Box 29608 • We are non-partisan. San Francisco, CA 94129-0608 • We promote an active, informed citizenry. (415) 561-3134 • The Foundation is an efficient conduit for supporting the community. • Being part of the Rex Foundation is enjoyable. www.rexfoundation.org • We carry on the best of the spirit of the 60’s to create a more harmonious world. Federal ID # 68-0033257

2 Rex Community Caravan REX EVENTS – CELEBRATING 20 YEARS We have not been accustomed to, or culturally geared, In celebration of the Rex Foundation’s 20th Anniversary, to asking for contribution dollars. When we began our we presented events that highlighted our transition from renewal efforts, we primarily presented benefit concerts, the first 20 years to the next 20. We began the year with providing music and community connection, while also the Black Tie-Dye Ball, featuring the Dark Star Orchestra, raising funds for our grant making. These activities known for its uncanny replication of Grateful Dead con- will continue as they further our legacy of connecting certs. We ended with the 20th Anniversary Celebration, music, the arts and people to grassroots giving. We which closed with the movie Sunshine Daydream – the know, however, that we must extend our efforts beyond film of the 1972 Grateful Dead concert at the Oregon benefit concerts in order to grant at our annual goal of Country Fair. With the music of the Grateful Dead pro- at least $500,000. viding bookends, each event emphasized the transform- ing connections that light the way to our future. In 2004, we initiated the Rex Community Caravan (RCC) as a virtual vehicle for philanthropy. We envi- Black Tie-Dye Ball with the Dark Star Orchestra sion traveling with busloads of kindred spirits on the Saturday, March 6th vast Internet highway network, supporting the areas Park West Theater – Chicago, Illinois of our mission for generations to come. Our concept of This was the first Rex benefit outside the Bay Area since the RCC is that if thousands of people each contribute 1994. We had the help of a Chicago Host Committee $5 or more, a grassroots fundraising method in itself, who helped us create a successful event by not only we will be reflecting the strength of grassroots efforts connecting us with their friends and local resources, to foster peace, harmony, economic and social justice. but also by hands-on participation in event logistics. We have no problem asking for $5 contributions, and Jam Productions generously supported our presence at can’t help but imagine the possibilities of what we can the Park West Theater. Thanks to input from the Dark do as a broad-based philanthropic community. The bus Star Orchestra, the Host Committee, and regional Rex is now boarding! supporters, we identified local area programs to benefit from the event proceeds. Statement of Revenue and Disbursements The String Cheese Incident and Railroad Earth and changes in Unrestricted Net Assets Saturday, November 27th for Year Ending 12/31/04 Tweeter Waterfront Theatre – Camden, New Jersey The String Cheese Incident and Railroad Earth gener- OPERATING REVENUES ously participated in a pre-concert Rex benefit reception Special Events at the Tweeter Center. Throughout the evening, we had Revenue $144,844 the opportunity to engage with the next generation of Less: Cost of direct benefit to donors (50,338) musicians and fans who share our historical commit- Net Revenue from Special Events 94,506 ment to connect music, people and community giving. Contributions 115,573 The beneficiary of this event was The Conscious Al- Merchandise Income 911 liance, a program that feeds hungry families through Interest 1,313 music, art and athletics.

Total Operating Revenues 212,303 Rex Foundation 20th Anniversary Celebration Saturday, December 11th

OPERATING EXPENSES Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, California

Grants 143,000 In addition to the viewing of the film Sunshine Daydream, Supporting Services the evening featured music by The Everyone Orchestra, Management and general 125,095 a revolving cast of musicians who come together to Fundraising 3,865 raise funds and awareness for local non-profits through Total Supporting Services 128,960 performance of songs and improvisational music. Matt Total Operating Expenses 271,960 Butler, founder of The Everyone Orchestra, brought together three segments of music highlighting guest Increase (decrease) in unrestricted net assets (59,657) musicians, followed by a jam featuring all the musi- cians dramatically led by Conductor Jamie Janover. The Net Assets, beginning of year 272,527 first segment featured Trevor Garrod and Josh Clark of Net Assets, end of year $ 212,870 Tea Leaf Green, followed by Samantha Stollenwerck of Samantha and the Ritual. The third segment featured 3 Photos: Bob Minkin The Everyone Orchestra and Celebrants at the Great American Music Hall

Bob Weir with Mark Karan of Ratdog. Steve Schuster sition from yesterday to tomorrow. Bob Weir playing on saxophone, Pete Sears on accordion, along with the alongside Trevor, Josh, Samantha and Matt, all to help Jam Bay Trio of Matt Butler on drums, Chris Haugen Rex Foundation move forward, is the proverbial music on guitar and Mike Sugar on bass, added to the musi- to our ears. cal mix throughout the evening. Listening and dancing Visit the Archives section on our website at www. to the jam finale of Buffalo Springfield’s For What It’s rexfoundation.org for the complete list of acknowledge- Worth brought together the essence of our sweet tran- ments for each event.

THE REX FOUNDATION’S 2004 GRANT BENEFICIARIES

The Conscious Alliance BRING Recycling Cathedral Shelter of Chicago The mission of The Conscious Al- The BRING mission is to create a Since 1915, Cathedral Shelter has liance is to feed America’s hungry healthy and sustainable environment provided effective and compas- through music, art and athletics. This through education and innovative sionate social services, particularly is done by collecting non-perishable programs that involve the commu- to people suffering from addic- food items at concerts, festivals and nity in conserving natural resources. tion. Through crisis intervention, sporting events. Collaborating with BRING helps people understand the addiction recovery, community such acts as The String Cheese Inci- connection between the resources assistance and life skills develop- dent, The Dead, Bruce Springsteen, they use and the clear air, water, ment programs, Cathedral Shelter Dave Matthews Band, and STS9, as forests and wild places they value. works to prevent homelessness well as the University of Colorado, BRING has pioneered many pro- and hunger. The Rex Foundation The Conscious Alliance has dis- grams, including: curbside pick-up of grant specifically helps support the tributed 200,000 pounds of food to recyclables; building deconstruction; Christmas Basket program which some of America’s poorest people salvage and resale of building materi- works to prevent hunger and home- on Indian reservations and in inner als; and the collection of hard-to-re- lessness through the distribution cities. Food drives are organized cycle materials, such as computers, of emergency food, housing and for single events and entire tours TV’s and cell phones, serving more utility assistance, clothing vouchers that span the U.S., working with a than 50,000 people a year from Eu- and crisis counseling to low-income multitude of touring acts as well as gene/Springfield and the rural Lane seniors, people with HIV and low- summer music festivals. County area. income West Side families. 1 Neher Lane, Boulder, CO 80304, 303-810-2247, P. O. Box 885, Eugene, OR 97440, 541-746-3023, 1668 West Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612, www.consciousalliance.org www.bringrecycling.org 312-997-2222 ext. 245, www.cathedralshelter.org 4 Center for Contemplative Mind in Society Center for Contemplative Mind in Society works to integrate con- templative awareness into contem- porary life in order to help create a more just, compassionate and reflective society. Contemplative practices is defi ned as an attempt to quiet the mind in the midst of the rush and distraction of everyday life in order to cultivate a personal capacity for deep concentration and

insight. The Center works on both Mind Contemplative for Center the national and local levels, serving a wide range of populations from on the importance of reading to The Student Resource and Women’s professionals, such as lawyers and their children starting in infancy. Center is enabling women to not academics, to social justice activists Over 21,000 books are given away only receive advanced education, to young people. The Center often each year. but also to break out of otherwise 368 Connecticut St., San Francisco, CA, works in partnership with other 415-285-1556, www.thereadingtree.net limited futures. P. O. Box D-1, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1610, 734-973- organizations. 3653, www.wccnet.edu/studentservices/otherser- 199 Main St., Suite 3, Northampton, MA 01060, Student Resource and Women’s vices/womens 413-582-0071, www.contemplativemind.org Center Project Avary The Reading Tree The mission of the Student Resource Project Avary is a year-round sup- The Reading Tree is a children’s liter- and Women’s Center is to help and port and enrichment program for acy program dedicated to promoting empower students, mainly women, Bay Area children, ages 8 to 15, who family literacy and healthy reading to reach their potentials in their share the diffi culties presented by a habits by increasing community educational and career development parent’s incarceration or ongoing in- awareness about the importance programs. Many of the women stu- volvement in the criminal justice sys- of reading and sharing books with dents in this community college are tem. Project Avary consists of three, children through three programs: disadvantaged in their pursuit of integrated main components: Camp Books for Babies, Prescription for education because of their adverse Avary, Avary Adventure Days-fi eld Reading and Growing with Books. life circumstances, which may in- trips that take place monthly dur- The Prescription for Reading and clude lack of an adequate income, ing the school year – and the Avary Growing with Books programs serve an abusive or dysfunctional family Mentoring Program. Supplementing Latino families in San Francisco’s environment, or the challenges of those are the monthly newsletter, Mission District, working with the single motherhood. The Center’s leadership retreats for the older chil- families to make sharing books a case managers seek to ultimately dren and three gatherings a year that part of their daily routine. Through enrich the community with women bring together Avary campers and the Books for Babies program, books who can support their families with families. The mission is to discour- printed in English and Spanish are a living wage and fi nd success in age cycles of violence and criminal provided and parents are educated their personal as well as work lives. activity by providing a consistent, nurturing community. 1018 Grand Ave.. San Rafael, CA 94901, 415-460-1184, www.projectavary.org Family of Glenn Carrier Glenn Carrier, who had worked for many years on the Grateful Dead crew, and more recently with the Dark Star Orchestra, passed away in early February 2004. In honor of Glenn’s memory, the Rex Founda- tion designated Glenn’s family as a recipient of some of the proceeds

The Reading Tree Reading The from the March 6th Tie-Dye ball.

5 related defects and illnesses, and the availability of therapeutic services and how to access them. P. O. Box 10074, Chicago, IL 60610-0074, 312-923-2774, www.mwangaza.org Spotlight Theatre Spotlight is a community theatre that reaches out to school students and homeschoolers throughout Lane County in Oregon, offering a wide range of weekly dance, acting, voice and literature classes. Each year three to four plays are produced and presented to the community. In addi-

Circle of Life tion, Spotlight offers summer camps and workshops. The grant to the Circle of Life Mwangaza Tanzania Spotlight Theatre not only supports Julia Butterfl y Hill founded Circle of Mwangaza Tanzania is dedicated its important work, it also honors Life in 1999 in order to inspire new to improving the quality of life for the memory of Ken Kesey, who lived activists to join in the sustainability, individuals, especially children, in in Pleasant Hill, Oregon and had environmental and social justice rural northern Tanzania by provid- grandchildren who attended the movements. Circle of Life activates ing medical, rehabilitative and edu- Spotlight Theatre classes. people through education, inspira- cational services for the physically P.O. Box 802, Pleasant Hill, OR 97455 tion and connection to honor the disabled. The focus is on grassroots, Birthplace of Country Music diversity and interdependence of community-based projects that Alliance all life. They believe and promote foster long-term self-sufficiency. The mission of BCMA is to bring the belief that individuals make Mwangaza Tanzania was founded national and international recogni- the difference in the world. Circle to help the many disabled and de- tion to the people of the southern of Life has three programs: We the formed children that were receiving Appalachian region, the musical and Planet, The Action Support Center no medical care or therapy of any cultural heritage of the region, its and Teacher Education, that bring kind, often because of deep-seated role in the development of mountain spirituality and activism together. beliefs that regard any disability and country music and its infl uence Through a positive, solution-ori- as a curse. Consequently the work on music around the world. The al- ented and heartfelt approach to the of Mwangaza extends beyond ar- liance promotes both the preserva- problems facing our planet, they ranging for medical care: an equally tion of this music and encourages its make activism irresistible and “cool” important component is community continued survival. to a wide range of audiences. education on the causes and means 500 Gate City Hwy., Suite 140, Bristol, VA 24201, P. O. Box 3764, Oakland, CA 94609, 510-601-9790, 276-645-0036, www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org www.circleofl ife.org for prevention of birth and nutrition- The Refugee All Stars Documentary Film This feature length documentary fi lm tells the story of ‘The Refugee All Stars’, a band of six Sierra Leo- nean musicians living as refugees in the West African nation of Guinea. Set against the backdrop of Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war and the world’s growing refugee crisis, the fi lm details the group’s heroic stories of survival, and their daily struggles to keep hope and music alive. The Refugee All Stars is not only a unique tribute to the transcendent power of music, but a triumphant celebration of the human spirit. The Refugee All Stars www.refugeeallstars.org

6 Albany Park Theater Project Founded in 1996, the Albany Park Theater Project (APTP) is a multi- ethnic ensemble of teenagers creat- ing original performance works out of real-life stories from Chicago’s immigrant, working class Albany Park neighborhood. Besides creat- ing original theater performances, the program seeks to help teenagers achieve their potential and contrib- utes to the vibrancy of the arts-poor neighborhood. Today, ATPT per- forms for more than 4,000 people each year, and has built a repertoire of more than 50 performance works in- tegrating theater, dance and music. P.O. Box 257995, Chicago, IL 60625, 773-866-0913,

www.aptpchicago.org Albany Park Theater Theater Park Albany UCSC Foundation, Lou Harrison Archive of policy makers. CWHC operates isolation of mentally ill adults and The mission of the Lou Harrison as a modifi ed collective, and is the their exclusion from every important archive is to acquire, preserve and oldest existing women’s health col- opportunity that makes life satisfy- make available for research, the most lective in the United States. ing. The Club provides hundreds of 3435 North Sheffeld Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657, complete collection of Lou Harri- 773-935-6126, www.chicagowomenshealthcenter.org Milwaukee area adults with pre-vo- son’s archive materials. Many mate- cational, employment, educational, rials were endangered by potential Heart Mountain Prison Project housing and recreational opportuni- dispersion at auction and by rapid The Heart Mountain Prison Project ties that support their full integration deterioration. Whether recorded conducts classes and workshops for into community life. The Club has sound on discs or tapes, manuscript youth and adults incarcerated in initiated very successful programs scores, drafts, sketches, notebooks, county and state detention facilities with regard to employment, housing poetry, artworks or other memora- in New Mexico, where the prison and focusing on newly diagnosed bilia, the Library is willing and able population is growing at ten times younger people (ages 18-25) who to give immediate attention to their the national rate. The program’s might otherwise drop out of school preservation and dissemination. anger and stress management skills because of mental illness. McHenry Library, UC Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, 210 East Michigan Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 are aimed at reducing the high rate 414-276-6474 ext. 6, www.grandavenueclub.com of recidivism, while youth programs Chicago Women’s Health provide early intervention coupled Circle of Care Center with confi dence-building skills to Circle of Care provides grief and Founded in 1975 by a group of the mostly Native American juvenile illness support to children, teens, women, including several medical population. Prisoners are taught to toddlers and adults. Working with professionals, the Chicago Women’s understand feelings of anger and every member of a family impacted Health Center provides women’s frustration, while learning new and by the death or life threatening ill- reproductive health care, embracing positive skills for dealing with those ness of a family member, services the mission to: 1) Provide quality feelings. The project publishes a bi- include support groups, individual health care and counseling services to lingual meditation manual distribut- counseling and school based coun- all women regardless of their ability ed for free to prisoners nationwide. seling. Support groups including to pay; 2) Help women gain the skills 1223 So. St Francis Drive, Suite C, Santa Fe, NM 87505, 505-988-3229, www.heart-mountain.org Extended Family Loss, Living with and knowledge necessary to be effec- Loss, Living with Illness, Teens Fac- tive advocates for their health care; 3) Grand Avenue Club ing Parents’ Illness and Children Share information and promote pre- The Grand Avenue Club was found- Living with HIV/Aids are facilitated ventative health practices through ed in 1991 by a community-wide co- by highly trained, compassionate community outreach; 4) Work in co- alition of adults who had themselves volunteers. Families served have no alition with other groups to identify experienced mental illness, their other support services available. women’s public health concerns and families and friends, and organiza- 2540 Charleston Street, Oakland, CA 94602, www. bring these concerns to the attention tions that were concerned about the ebac.org/programs/circle/index.asp 7 Horizons program, a musical com- position competition/public reading for students enrolled at area colleges and universities. The program pro- vides an opportunity for students to submit their own compositions and have them played by accomplished musicians and to get feedback from performers and composers and ex- posure of their works. PO Box 2266, Santa Cruz, CA 95063-2266, 831-687-0770, www.newmusicworks.org Marin Aids Project The Marin AIDS Project (MAP) is dedicated to helping people with AIDS manage their lives, and to stopping the spread of the disease Youth Arts Project Arts Youth through prevention education pro- grams. MAP provides information, Youth Arts Project new social perspectives surrounding counseling, emergency fi nancial and Sponsored by the San Francisco drugs, violence, homophobia and legal assistance, and youth outreach Mime Troupe, the Youth Arts Project teen pregnancy which adversely af- programs for young people and is a two-phased program aimed at fects their lives. for clients coping with HIV/AIDS. promoting inter-group understand- 855 Treat Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, 415- 285-1718, www.sfmt.org/youththeatreproject.html MAP helps clients assess their short ing and the positive creativity of and long-term needs and develop a youth. The Youth Theater Project New Music Works care plan. Its Prevention and Educa- trains youth in play creation tech- New Music Works is dedicated to tion programs provide accurate and niques and facilitates the creation presenting contemporary composers comprehensive information about and performance of original plays and introducing audiences to new prevention and transmission of HIV. on issues of burning importance to compositions, many in non-tradi- Its YouthReach programs use trained youth. Groups are chosen from dif- tional settings. The goal is to develop peer counselors to lead interactive ferent ethnic backgrounds, linguistic a positive relationship between presentations on HIV and related backgrounds and sexual orientations present day audiences and music of health issues in schools and com- and are taught by a diverse team our time through imaginative and munity youth programs. of teachers. The Youth Arts Project diverse concert series programming. 660 Second St., San Rafael, CA 94901, 415-457- enables teens to confront and create Each year NMW conducts the Sound 2487, www.marinaidsproject.org Newsletter No. 3 – Perspectives on Positive Culture

In a year darkened by the negative of the Rex Foundation’s 20 years It isn’t a thing, it’s an act. If it stands dynamics of our polarized culture of grant giving. So this year, anni- still, it is dead. It is the realization of the and politics, Rex searched for a posi- versary years for both Rex and the qualities of a place in relation to the life tive theme for its Newsletter. While Fair, we interviewed their former which occupies it; embracing everything attending the Oregon Country Fair’s directors, Danny Rifkin and Robert involved, climate, geographic position, 35th Anniversary, the editors kept DeSpain. It is interesting to note that relative size, history, other cultures – as hearing that it was the quintessential the stories they tell are modalities well as the character of its sands, fl owers, gathering of the counterculture. This of the chords that were struck in minerals and the condition of knowledge stimulated us to think that it would our last newsletter, on Community within its borders. It is the act of lifting be more engaging to articulate what Engagement: radical optimism and those things into an ordered and utilized the Fair “is” rather than that to intentional community. We hope that whole which is culture. It isn’t something which it might be “counter.” Thus other modalities of positive culture left over afterward. That is the record emerged our theme, positive culture, will continue to evolve in Rex’s only. The act is the thing. It can’t be es- for it is the essential attribute of the wider philanthropic community. caped or avoided if life is to go on. It is in Fair, plain as day for all to see. the fullest sense that which is fi t. – William Carlos Williams The support of such cultures “[Culture] has to be where it arises, or “Perspectives on Positive Culture” can be down- has also been a guiding principle everything related to the life there ceases. loaded from the Rex website, or oredered by mail. 8