Sunday's Press Telegram had coverage of the Peace Festival on the Front Page.  I wanted to congratulate all of you but mostly I wanted to thank everyone that helped make this event such a wonderful success and such an enjoyable event.

 Three Councilwomen spoke at the event, Laura Richardson, Bonnie Lowenthal, and Tonia Reyes-Uranga.  Tonia highlighted the fact that none of the male councilmembers were in attendance, and the need for more women in leadership roles (well said, she stated it much more diplomatically).  Laura and Bonnie both spoke eloquently about the importance of promoting peace in our community and the terrible consequences of our current and ongoing war.

Participating groups included:
Long Beach Greens
GLIDE
NAACP
Tikkun Community
Children's Day
Kids Create Peace
Watts Up California
L.A.Y.E.R.S. (Lifetime Artist Youth Enrichment Reality Services)
Building a Bridge to Unity
Bikes 90800/Peace 90800
Tafesilafa'i
Josh Cannole
Neighborhood Resource Center
Long Beach Police Department Community Relations
  (also representing other City Community Services)

Jon Sherman/Solar Sound provided our solar-powered sound system and, along with Below Stairs and Buck Tradition and his Posse, performed uplifting tunes throughout the event.  Each of the groups with information spoke briefly about their activities, and we ended with an inspirational performance by the International Children's Choir.  I would estimate about 100 folks turned out, it was a success in every way.  THANK YOU.

We look forward to making this a tradition!  See you all next year, hopefully with even more participants and more time. 

Front Page article in Sunday (3/21) Press Telegram

http://www.presstelegram.com/Stories/0,1413,204~21474~2032251,00.html