[lavplist] LAVP April minutes; Essay from Vigil; upcoming events

Tue Apr 24 18:01:25 PDT 2007

Los Altos Voices for Peace Minutes of April 9 Meeting.

Upcoming events are in bold.

Seventeen people attended; Kevin O'Reilly facilitated.

The group viewed photos of the March 19 event, mostly taken by Darwin, on
Vince's I-Mac computer.  Kevin introduced Norma Jean Galiher of Mountain
View who had attended our vigil and had been inspired to write an essay,
which she read to the group, (attached with these minutes). 

Sami Ibrahim introduced his friend Emad Yahya Al-Zori, who had spoken at our
vigil and is an Iraqi with an American mother, who grew up in Iraq and works
now in business locally.  Emad gave a talk on his perceptions of Iraq today,
strongly advocating withdrawal of American forces.  He explained complicated
interactions of  Sunnis and Shiites in which US activity has promoted
violence, and stated that Iraqis would likely group themselves in tribal
units which include members of both groups when US leaves. His informative
talk was much appreciated.

Treasurer's Report:  LAVP has $436.72 in general funds available, and also
is holding $1,300.00 for the Larissa Keet Memorial Peace Scholarship in
future years.  Karen Lemes reported that the current Peace Scholarship
(already funded by LAVP for this year prior to the memorial project) has
attracted 10 applicants.  She is a member of the committee at Foothill
selecting the scholarship awardees; our awardee will attend our June
meeting.  In response to a request from South Bay Mobilization, it was
agreed to make a membership donation of $50.00, (noting that LAVP already
supports Peninsula Peace and Justice Center as specific projects arise).  

The March 19 vigil was discussed with agreement that it was our most
successful to date, attracting at least 175 attendees, yielding 47 new names
on our e-mail list, and involving everyone's participation with the flags
and names of fallen soldiers.  The Vigil Steering Committee was thanked for
their efforts and for their report (already distributed).  

Other Items: 

LAVP is a co-sponsor of two events that will take place Saturday, April 28: 

*	1 to 4 P.M. at the San Mateo Library   (Oak Room)

A conference on enemy alien restrictions and internment, including Italian,
Japanese, and German Former Internees/Evacuees

and the opening of the acclaimed exhibit "The Enemy Alien Files: Hidden
Stories of WWII" which will remain up for the month of May at the San Mateo
Library

*	7:30 P.M. Little Theater, Hillsdale High School, San Mateo 

      Three One Act Plays on Enemy Aliens in World War II

See the conference details in the attachments above.  All are invited.

Challenge Team (community group concerned with  youth violence prevention
locally) is having its annual fund-raiser breakfast May 10.  Donna and
Barbara K. have been attending the monthly meetings, to learn about local
non-violence efforts and bring an LAVP present to the group.  They may
attend the breakfast; Vince may join them.  It was agreed that LAVP will
provide a total of $50.00, to be split among the attendees to cover part of
the $50.00 per person ticket.  Katrina will handle reservations.  

Larissa Keet Memorial Event at Hidden Villa on May 12, 1:30 P.M. was
announced by Barbara O.

See attachment for details, website and to RSVP.  Join our LAVP group to
honor Larissa.

Tax Day (handing out of information about military costs to people mailing
their taxes) will be May 17.  Mountain View Voices for Peace will have a
presence at the Mountain View PO.  Ray volunteered to look into the
possibility of LAVP doing the same at the Loyola PO. 

Los Altos Community Picnic set for September 9; no info yet from City to
LAVP rep. 

LAVP letterhead stationery; agreed we can make our own as needed.  

Ruth Coale shared her Peace Plan; she has sent 25 copies to members of
Congress.  

A letter to Anna Eshoo objecting to possible plans to  attack Iran has been
sent by

Mountain View Voices for Peace.  Ray will draft a similar letter f rom LAVP.

Petitions to Anna Eshoo about withdrawing from Iraq which we signed at our
meeting with Granny Ruth Priest have not yet been sent to her. Myra Orta
volunteered to write a cover letter transmit them.  

Vince mentioned spending the day with Dennis Kucinich in his recent Bay Area
visit.

Announcements were made noting:

            MoveOn.Org's house meetings at which presidential candidates
will be interviewed.

            Foothill College Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, many
events in April.

            San Jose City College Middle Eastern Heritage Celebration, April
10-19.

Next Meeting Monday, May 14.

                                                Notes by Katrina  Smathers 

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