"Consciousness and Media: Who's Paying Attention?" is the theme of a weekend gathering for media professionals and the public, scheduled May 28-30 at La Casa de Maria Retreat Center, Santa Barabara.

Sponsored by La Casa and the Institute of Noetic Sciences, the conference is designed to address issues centering around whether the mass media pays attention to what really matters in people's lives, and how the public responds to news and entertainment. Various speakers from the entertainment, media and technology industries will participate in the conference, including Sister Elizabeth Thoman, founder of the Center for Media Literacy in Los Angeles.

The Institute of Noetic Sciences is a nonprofit membership organization located in Petaluma, Calif., that conducts and sponsors research into the potentials and powers of consciousness --- including perceptions, beliefs, attention, intention, and intuition.

Cost for the conference is $390, or $518 with two nights lodging. For information, call (707) 775-3500, or email Nancy Ferracci at registerl@lcdm.org.