PAA General Meeting Minutes for Thursday, July 9, 2009

Submitted by C. Lee Taylor on July 13, 2009 - 12:08am. ::

PAA General Meeting
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Havens Center, 1827 Alabama

Convened: 7 p.m.

Attending: Bill Crosier, Bart Boyce, Don Cook; Lee Loe; Cheryl Crosier, Bob Carter, Mark Lacy, Ivan Espinoza, Deena, Tracie H, CLT, Carol Christian, Julie, Mark Lacy, Art Browning

Fundraiser for “The Canvas”, to establish a creative space that celebrates the inventive side of humanity, a laboratory for ideas & expressions, 8 p.m. Thursday, July 30, Bohemeo’s 708 Telephone Rd., 77023 Live performances, including rock bands, innovative songwriters, and poets.

Carol Christian on letters to the editor/guest editorial
1. Submit articles/letters to Steve Jetton, assistant managing editor, at Steve.
2. He receives reams of submissions (100s), so don’t be discouraged if not chosen
3. Craft a good opening sentence that hooks the reader
4. His selection is not necessarily swayed by the number of letters/editorials on same topic
5. Possible to call and run an idea by him
6. Runs one guest editorial Monday-Saturday, four on Sunday
7. Editors prefer local writers, especially writing on local topics, looking for local angle, Houston connection especially good if have a topic that impacts Houstonians
8. If you have something already written, send the whole thing. If not, you can contact him about an idea you’re considering. Most stuff comes in already, written
9. Have a point of view you want to get across. Acknowledge other opinions
10. Buttress your argument with enough facts to sound knowledgeable, but not excessively
11. Don’t waste words, e.g. “program founder” instead of “founder of the program”
12. Max. length 650-700 words for guest editorial
13. Steve also edits Viewpoints letters, 250 maximum for letter to editor BUT shorter even better
14. Don’t include external references
15. Study other guest editorials to see what works and what doesn’t
Contact info: Carol.; 713.362.6686 713.503.3108
Check out her blog at Chron.com, click blogs tab to Neighborhoods, look for Inside East Harris (http://blogs.chron.com/eastharris/)

KPFT Wear that Funky Music Service Auction: PAA table, $100 for 10, 5:30 to 9 pm Saturday, July 18, One Americas Plaza, 2311 Canal St, Houston, TX. Join KPFT Radio for its first ever Service Auction. The theme is “Wear That Funky Music!” and guests are encouraged to dress as a song title or music personality. We'll have music, costume contests, a table decorating contest, and loads of funky services and items for you to bid on in our silent and live auctions.
To donate items and buy tickets and tables, visit www.kpftauction.org. Go to KPFT.org for details

Next PAA meeting: Potluck, social event/summer activities 6:30 p.m. Saturday, August 8, 708B Telephone Rd. at Lockwood.: late afternoon/evening movie night at Houston Institute for Culture; premier of HMOC video; Health Care for All Texas

Hiroshima/Nagasaki commemoration for Total Nuclear Disarmament: 7 p.m. August 6, Rothko Chapel, 1409 Sul Ross at Yupon, 77006. The event will have a brief presentation on the nuclear bomb - scientific and political - along with readings and music. Following the 30 minute program we will serve refreshments and have an informal discussion about working together for Total Nuclear Disarmament. Sign petitions to send President.

Cynthia McKinney in Houston: Saturday, August 15, at Arab American Cultural Center, Contact Yasmin Kassamali with CAIR Texas, CAIRHouston.org, for details

Adjourned 8:52 p.m.