[lavplist] Notes & Events list from April 14 Meeting

Wed Apr 23 12:13:44 PDT 2008

Notes & Events List from the Los Altos Voices for Peace April 14, 2008
Meeting

Events:  Thursday & Friday, May 1-2, “Eyes Wide Open” Exhibit, also
known as the “Boots” exhibit, Stanford, White Plaza.  Exhibit will have
a pair of boots honoring each California military person killed in Iraq.
To volunteer, contact Hubert Morel-Seytoux, hydroprose at sbcglobal.net .

Saturday, May 3, 10 AM - Sunday, May 4, 6 PM, “Eyes Wide Open” Exhibit
at Kings’ Plaza in Palo Alto, in front of City Hall.  To volunteer for a
2 hour shift with 3 other people, contact
<Diana at councilofchurches-scc.org.  Civilian shoes, for a labyrinth
remembering the Iraqi deaths, are being collected.  Please bring shoes
to Unitarian Church of P.A., 505 East Charleston Rd, Palo Alto.  Call
650-494-0541 to be sure office is open.   More info:
<www.multifaithpeace.org>.  

April 24, event in San Mateo linking the Iraq War and the economy.  See
moveon.org for information.

Meeting Notes:  Karen Lemes facilitated the meeting.  Introductions were
made.

Short DVD of Paul George of Peninsula Peace & Justice, in “Orwell was an
Optimist” skit, highlighting the “Taxpayer Pie”.  He cut a pie into
pieces representing the portion of money each of the main government
categories receives.  Not surprising, the military gets more than half
and the Iraq War costs have another separate pie, since it is
“off-budget.”

A slide show of photos from the LAVP Peace Walk and the MVVP vigil after
the 4,000th American military death was shown, with photos taken by Ray.

Reports:  

LAVP Peace Walk on March 19 comments & suggestions:  

*Most felt it was successful (about 60 came) and would do it again.

*A speaker specifically addressing peace should be included.

*Walk more slowly.

*Walk silently & solemnly.

*Include San Antonio Ave in the walk.

*Perhaps walk single file.  Kim H, who had walked as part of the
national Peace Walk, said that in the cities, they walked in bunches, in
the countryside they walked as they wished.

Evening Vigil on March 19 at Singer Plaza, Los Altos, organized by
Christine F:  There was a good turnout, also about 60, including a
couple of college students and some children.  People read stories of
the soldiers and their families, provided by moveon.org.  The mood was
solemn.

MVVP vigil after the 4,000th US soldier’s death.  LAVP signs were used.
Mood was solemn.

April 2 Library Talk, Audrey Shabbas’ talk:  “Beyond Tolerance:  When
Muslims, Christians and Jews Built a Magnificent Civilization in Muslim
Spain” was very well received by the about 80 people in attendance.  She
is an excellent speaker and the information was timely, interesting and
inspiring.  We can all live together in a magnificent civilization; it
has been done!  

David Lamar, who produced the LAVP Patriot Act video, taped this lecture
and it is already available on DVD.  David was asked the number of hours
involved in its production, about 2 ½ to record and more than 4 to edit.
All in attendance thanked David for his work.  There was discussion
about how many copies LAVP would like.  Should we give them away?  To
whom?  What is the cost to produce more?  The 3 copies that we have were
distributed:  1 to Sami to give to Audrey, 1 to Gabrielle to share with
others, 1 to Donna to review.  Contact us if you would like to borrow a
copy to view.

Treasurer’s Report:  There are $747.31 in unrestricted funds and $500
for the Peace Scholarship.

LAVP Website, www.losaltospeace.org <http://www.losaltospeace.org/>  :
Some in LAVP think it is fine & don’t want to spend LAVP money on it,
but others believe it should be improved since many people use websites
as primary sources of information.  An improved website could make LAVP
more influential.  Leslie will ask young people whom she knows if any
are interested in helping us.  Ray’s slide show would be good on the
site.  Rob will be asked the number of visits the site receives.

Larissa Keet Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 at Foothill College:  Aubrey
Keet & 3 active LAVP members reviewed the applications and recommended
their top 4 choices.  Foothill will choose the winner.  May 7 is the
presentation.  Karen will invite the winner to talk to our group.

Challenge Team:  Barbara Kyser attended the last meeting and again
praised the group for its efforts to promote activities that reduce
violence among youth.  LAVP thanked Barbara for attending.  No one was
available to attend the May fund raiser.

Los Altos Community Picnic, Sunday, Sept 7:  Katrina reported that
volunteers are needed.  Barbara O’ suggested that the event be part of
“Cool Cities.”  LAVP can request a table next to “Cool Cities.”  Green
peace activities are being sought.

New activities/ideas:  

Eyes Wide Open, May 3-4 at the plaza in front of City Hall, Palo Alto:
This event will have one pair of boots to honor each of the 400+
California military deaths.  Stanford’s Quaker Group is bringing the
exhibit to Stanford on Thursday & Friday, May 1 & 2.  Then it will be
moved to the downtown location.  Diane Gibson of Multifaith Voices for
Peace & Justice is coordinating this event.  There are many co-sponsors.
Barbara O’ will check if LAVP could also be a co-sponsor, or just
endorse it.  Volunteers are needed to set-up, monitor overnight & set-up
a labyrinth of civilian shoes to commemorate the Iraqi deaths.  To
volunteer, contact Diana at councilofchurches-scc.org, or contact us.

Imagine 4,000 deaths, a new idea from Kim H:  She envisions having 4,000
people coming to a designated place and lying down, as bodies.  People
would sign-up in advance.  With good publicity, the media could
photograph it from above.  This event would make the 4,000 deaths more
real to most of us who can’t imagine that many lives lost.  It would be
a memorial, a tribute to those lives lost.  Those attending thought it
was a great idea!  Ideally it could be done on Memorial Day, but there
is not enough time.  The idea will be pursued.

Karen Lemes will facilitate the next meeting.  Notes by Donna Poulos.

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