Spring 2003 Special Events

The Sitting Room · Special Events Archive

FILM by KARINA EPPERLEIN
Friday, September 23, 2005 7pm, At J.J.'s house (see above for directions) KARINA EPPERLEIN, Berkeley film maker, will show her lyrical film about Zaroohe Najarian, a survivor of the Armenian genocide and other vicissitudes, but still determined at 94 years of age that "I WILL NOT BE SAD IN THIS WORLD", which is the title given the hour-long documentary. After discussion and dessert, both key parts of the Sitting Room tradition, we will see a short selection from one of Karina's other films, as astonishing in its way as is Zaroohe's story. Entitled "VOICES FROM INSIDE", it documents the work Karina did in a federal prison with a group of women who end up presenting their stories in a play you will never forget.

LENY MENDOZA STROBEL Reads
Friday, October 7, 2005 6pm, at J.J.'s house (see above for directions) LENY MENDOZA STROBEL, activist and academic from within our own community, has just published 'A BOOK OF HER OWN: WORDS AND IMAGES TO HONOR THE BABAYLAN" in which she dares to be personal about the challenges of being a woman, a Filipina, an academic, and a fully conscious human being, in the not-so-post colonial world we live in. We've all been told that the personal is political, but I am not sure I fully understood the consequences of taking that dictum to heart until I read Leny's book. I am not sure that Leny did either and it will be fascinating to hear her talk about the process of going public with the personal and to hear her read from her work. Come at 6p.m. and enjoy some delicious Filipino food with us (bring a dish if you'd like); the actual program will start at about 7p.m.

HARVEST SUPPER
Friday, November 4, 2005 6pm at J.J.'s house (see above for directions) ARMANDO GARCIA and some of his friends will be preparing our HARVEST SUPPER this year! it will feature his famous "Chili Verde" with all the trimmings. For dessert, we will have the pleasure of hearing Armando performing his poetry -- about women, about the lives of the immigrants from Mexico, and about love. As this dinner is so special, we do ask that you telephone to make a reservation at J.J.'s 795-9028 message machine on or before October 28, o.k.?

As long-time Sitting Roomers will remember, for this pre-Thanksgiving event, we always ask that you bring a contribution of food or $$ for The Living Room, the daytime drop-in center in Santa Rosa, for women and their children who are homeless or at risk. Their staff suggests packets of hot chocolate or lemonade or cider, cheese/peanut butter and crackers, granola bars, fresh fruit, things portable and healthy; what they do NOT need is the odd can of something from the back of our pantry shelves.... The women treasure the tiny toiletries from motel stays, if you have some unopened bottles in a stash. They also eat up "escape" reading paperbacks (and yes, these can have been previously opened!). Of course, you are invited to join in the Sitting Room donations to The Living Room, even if you cannot make it to Armando's DINNER AND EVENING OF POETRY AND MUSIC -- just drop your gift off at the Sitting Room or at J.J.'s on or before November 6, which is our donation day.

Note: These events are free and open to all (though we ask for reservations for the Nov. 4 dinner)on a space-available basis, unless otherwise indicated. We cannot offer childcare, however. They will be held at J.J. Wilson's house, 2025 Curtis Drive, just off Petaluma Hill Rd., south of E. Cotati Blvd. and Sonoma State Univ. You may park in the lot belonging to our good neighbors, the Church of Christ, just next door, thus leaving J.J.'s driveway free for people who may need to use the ramp.