I think my host, Alex, is taking me to the Nobel Museum today. I am hoping to be able to pick up one or two Nobel Prizes in the gift shop for Jocelyne and Lili.

Alex’s roommate was speaking to us last night about a documentary called World Peace and Other 4th Grade Achievements, which follows a teacher named John Hunter, who created a World Peace game in 1978, to try to expose his 4th grade students to “the complex issues of the greater geo-political world that they will one day encounter.”

Hunter did not set out to be a teacher – in fact, he was primarily on a spiritual quest. Upon returning from one of his trips to India, with white robes, full beard and afro, and John Lennon glasses, he said to his father, “Dad, I think I am really close to getting spiritual enlightenment.” His father replied, “Yes, well there’s one other thing you have to get too: a job.” Hunter ended up getting a degree in experimental education, and I think that his degree and job choice have definitely paid off – a millionfold, perhaps.

The trailer for the movie can be seen here, but what is really worthwhile watching is Hunter’s TED talk. It is truly inspiring.

Their original Sabotage video is worth seeing, too, if you haven’t already. It is totally hilarious, and they must have had a blast making it.

Go listen to it if you haven’t already.

Sure Shot, one of my BB faves. There is a great shot of MCA closing it out at the end.

Rest In Peace, MCA. The Beastie Boys changed the world, we will never forget you. Peace to you, peace to your family, peace to Mike D and Ad-Rock. We send our love and condolences.

As Mike D said, what an amazing thing that the Beastie Boys could make an entire career without ever having to mature past the 8th grade.

But, for all of us 40 + yr olds, 8th grade was the pinnacle of our existence – so, thank you, MCA and the Beastie Boys, for giving us the opportunity to stay young and stupid for all these years. We will miss you.

GRATITUDE!

I might even take up golf…

One thing that we are lacking in our education system are classes that help kids prepare and understand how to become efficient learners. It has been shown in many scientific (and empirical) studies that yoga and meditation can deliver these techniques. Superintendent of San Francisco Unified School District said “Isn’t it ironic that we teach students about everything except themselves?” For eleven years Bent On Learning has been making a concerted effort to address this, and the funds raised from this gala will help us to continue with this mission.

Thank you,

Eddie

Kenny Scharf, “Bear Jungle” 2010      PLEASE JOIN US FOR BENT ON LEARNING’S ANNUAL SPRING FLING BENEFIT SUNDAY,   APRIL 29, 2012 6:30 – 9:30PM indochine 430 LAFAYETTE STREET DIRECTIONS RESERVATIONS +1 (888) 326.8964 WWW.BENEFITOFFICE.ORG/INDOCHINE ESTANCIA WINE  |  SIGNATURE COCKTAILS  |  HORS D’OEUVRES  |  DJ BELINDA BECKER ART AUCTION WITH WORKS BY BO JOSEPH, JOSEPH LA PIANA, STEVE MILLER, MICKALENE THOMAS ATTIRE:  DOWNTOWN CHIC    .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   . BENEFIT COMMITTEE Alex Kramer Amanda Taylor Angela Lindvall Annabel Tollman Annelise Peterson Barbara Verrochi Bibhu Mohapatra Bob O’Leary and Paul Johnson Bobby Cannavale Chiara De Rege Christy Turlington Burns Cindi Crain Dale Rubin and Michael Callahan Donna Karan Elena Brower Francesco Clemente Howard Blaustein Jan and Randy Slifka Janine Francolini Jean-Marc Houmard Jennifer and David Ford Jessie Freschl Jill Bauman Jocelyn and Eddie Stern John Goldsmith Julie Henderson Landon Slane and Bailey Gimbel Lily Kwong Lisa-Marie Fernandez Lynn Wright and Scott Gordon Macrene A. Armenakas Margaret and Dan Loeb  Maggie Cordish Myra Magaletta Rachel Goldstein Rajashree Choudhury Robert R. Fishman Robin Renzi Russell Simmons Stacey Bendet Eisner and Eric Eisner Stacey Spencer Susie Lopez Topaz Page-Green Valerie Boster Yigal Azrouel Yogi Cameron    .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .        SPONSORS    .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   . BENT ON LEARNING is a nonprofit organization committed to providing yoga to as many students as possible in New York City public schools. Our mission is to teach kids how to be more focused, healthier and happier in learning and in life. Please visit us at www.bentonlearning.org and find out how you can join us in improving the physical, social and emotional health of inner city kids. FOUNDERS Anne Desmond | Jennifer Ford | Courtney McDowell BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Ford | Robert Fishman | Jill Bauman | Stacey Bendet Eisner | Howard Blaustein | Bailey Gimbel | John Goldsmith | Scott Gordon | Susie Lopez | Bob O’Leary | Eddie Stern | Barbara Verrochi