Brian
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Post by Brian on Nov 7, 2009 1:31:40 GMT -8
Attendance at the first Friday night vigil of November was 10, the same number who took part in the Montrose Peace Vigil's pacifist Halloween presentation last week. If you missed this page with photos of that event: montrosepeacevigil.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=65&page=4Roberta proposed having a special vigil on the corner right in front of the Vietnam War memorial on Armistice Day (aka Veteran's Day) this Wednesday, Nov. 11, for about an hour starting at 10:30 a.m. I heard that Anni, Cynthia, Jeanne and maybe a couple of others will join her. Another mid-week Curveball vigil could happen at the end of the month. Bruce and I have been talking about doing one together, but I'm unavailable next week and he's gone the following week. Bruce might be the only person I know who's going to miss Jeanne's Empty Bowls fundraiser at Paige's church on Saturday, Nov. 14: www.cvemptybowls.org/events.html[/
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Roberta
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Post by Roberta on Nov 7, 2009 7:08:50 GMT -8
Have been mulling since last night's vigil, and I feel Jeanne's brain and heart waves as well.
We do need to be sensitive about the corner, and we are. Had I noticed kids lounging on the memorial on Halloween my tendency would have been to peacefully shoo them off, but unfortunately what with candy, peace lit and Rankin channeling, I didn't. Direct action beats complaining or regretting later every time.
On the 11th, I could see us gathering there with neither signs or banner. All of us spend the hour or so talking with passersby and distributing leaflets (draft to follow soon I promise!) , spreading awareness of the history of Armistice Day, its peaceful origins, and current actions people can take for peace.
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Post by Jeanne on Nov 7, 2009 9:54:38 GMT -8
Have been mulling since last night's vigil, and I feel Jeanne's brain and heart waves as well. On the 11th, I could see us gathering there with neither signs or banner. All of us spend the hour or so talking with passersby and distributing leaflets (draft to follow soon I promise!) , spreading awareness of the history of Armistice Day, its peaceful origins, and current actions people can take for peace. I've been feeling some waves too. It helped to hear from Bruce and Brian last night.I thought of a sign that I might make: A line drawing of a tree. The roots are labeled Armistice Day, the trunk-Veteran's Day, the branches and fruit- peace. I think it would be better for me to draw that small enough to fit on the leaflet, if that's okay with everyone. I am also thinking of sitting instead of standing, being quiet, not socializing with each other, but being available for conversation with interested passersby. I love the way we are processing this, taking time, hearing each other and responding, all with goal of peace in mind.
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anni
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Post by anni on Nov 7, 2009 17:43:56 GMT -8
I love the expansion of your beautiful tree logo. Even your description evokes peace! I thought of a sign that I might make: A line drawing of a tree. The roots are labeled Armistice Day, the trunk-Veteran's Day, the branches and fruit- peace. I think it would be better for me to draw that small enough to fit on the leaflet, if that's okay with everyone. I am also thinking of sitting instead of standing, being quiet, not socializing with each other, but being available for conversation with interested passersby. I love the way we are processing this, taking time, hearing each other and responding, all with goal of peace in mind. Me, too, as well, also, Jeanne! To witness is also a good thing!
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Roberta
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Post by Roberta on Nov 8, 2009 12:08:55 GMT -8
Please edit at will, draft of text to go with Jeanne's art work: World War I, then known as The Great War since no one could imagine a conflict more horrible, ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918, with the implementation of an armistice between the Allies and Germany. On November 11, 1919 President Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.” Today and every day let’s support and honor our veterans and troops by taking every opportunity to work for peace. For instance, you can read about and support more effective civilian options instead of war in Afghanistan: <http://rethinkafghanistan.com/> To see what our military spending does to our economy and our values, visit <http://www.oneminuteforpeace.org/> And join us in standing for peace every Friday evening 5:30 to 7pm at Oceanview and Honolulu, as well as online at MontrosePeaceVigil.proboards.com .
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Post by Jeanne on Nov 8, 2009 17:22:56 GMT -8
I think the piece is excellent, Roberta. Do we want to say something about the vote in 1954 to help connect the dots, or did you leave that out deliberately?
I'd better get drawing. If you can tell me the size I need to fit it in, I'll aim for that. What's my deadline?
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Roberta
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Post by Roberta on Nov 9, 2009 13:48:37 GMT -8
I like the idea of letting the reader connect the dots, especially given your illustrative art. I did want to focus on the original meaning. Will be interesting to see what people ask us or say about the change to Veterans Day.
Text in 11 pt. takes almost exactly 1/2 of 11" (portrait), however I'm sure I can make more room if half a page doesn't seem enough.
By Wed. 9am should leave enough time to make copies I think!
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Nov 14, 2009 1:00:20 GMT -8
Ten loving, sign-toting participants matched last week's attendance at the corner for Friday night's vigil. My friend Ray, who I met the first day of homeroom at Mt. Gleason Junior High in 1969, dropped by again and helped us achieve double digits. Chris showed up to remind us that was 40 years ago. Anni and I were surprised to see Jeanne and Paige with all they're doing this weekend. I'm not even hungry and all I can think about is soup. Tonight we'll be picking out Empty Bowls handmade in La Canada at the charity event of the year in Montrose: www.cvemptybowls.org/events.html
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Nov 21, 2009 0:02:27 GMT -8
Only half as many people are coming to the corner this November compared to last year after the election. Since I'm a half-full kind of guy: At least now I get to talk to everybody. And I might be having twice as much fun. - Nov. 6 - 10
- Nov. 13 - 10
- Nov. 20 - 9
I've been counting vigil participants for much longer, and we have had fewer, but in the last 13 months that I've compiled my numbers, the only time we had nine was for a Curveball on another weeknight. Still, the buzz is better than ever, as are the reactions from drivers and walkers. It was great to see Jim back with his flag, and Jackie stayed for as long as her dog A.J. would allow her to stand with a sign. Roberta, Mike and Jeanne, from what I heard, will take the banner to the corner this Monday, Nov. 23, at 4 p.m. to take advantage of the sunlight. The absence of daylight savings time has inhibited the banner hangs over Interstate 210 in La Canada during rush hour, and Jeanne said that the corner was busy last Monday. Louisa told me about the World March for Peace downtown on Wednesday, Dec. 2, and said she would e-mail a link about it, but Code Pink already had one in my inbox: www.codepinkalert.org/calendar.php?id=3317
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Brian
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Post by Brian on Nov 28, 2009 0:00:15 GMT -8
Long ago, I chose to count only people bearing signs or flags as my standard at the weekly vigils. This Friday on the corner, Jeanne pointed out something I don't mention often enough -- all of the pedestrians who stop to talk every week, expressing support and gratitude. Some of them keep coming back, with their children and dogs in tow, and become regulars themselves. To that I'll add the dozens of honks, waves, peace signs, brief conversations at stoplights along with all of the smiles we get from those passing in cars, trucks and buses, even last night with the holiday traffic so light. Thanks to the beautiful stalwarts who showed up on this cool evening: - Nov. 6 - 10
- Nov. 13 - 10
- Nov. 20 - 9
- Nov. 27 - 8
Louisa's going to miss next week's vigil, but she wants to arrange a post-vigil get together in December, ideally at a restaurant nearby where we can also order cocktails. So we'll discuss that with Louisa when she returns on the 11th and perhaps plan a dinner on the 18th. It would be nice to talk with everyone somewhere warm while seated. For the first time in the five years of the Montrose Peace Vigil, Christmas is on a Friday. Roberta says that she'll be on the corner that night as usual from 5:30 to 7, as will Anni and I, providing a quorum for peace on earth and goodwill to mankind. We might outnumber the passersby.
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