Blog archive
April 2024
Stimulated by "Caste"
04/22/2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
Peter J. Harris, Poet Laureate of Altadena
By Sharon JarrettPosted: 11/08/2022
The speaker for the meeting was Peter J. Harris, the current Poet Laureate of Altadena.
Mr. Harris is the 2017/18 recipient of the City of Los Angeles COLA Fellowship.
He is the author of Bless the Ashes, winner of the 2015 Oakland Josephine Miles award.
He is also the author of The Black Man of Happiness:In Pursuit of My Untenable Right, winner of the 2015 American Book Award and author of the recently published Safe Arms.
He has contributed to: Voices from Leimert Park edited by Shonda Buchanan; Wide Awake: Poets of Los Angeles; Beyond edited by Suzanne Lummis; Altadena Poetry Review: Anthology edited by Thelma Reyna; and Love with Accountability: Digging Up the Roots of Child Sexual Abuse by Aishah Shahidah Simmons.
The presentation has been recorded as The Black Man of Happiness and can be watched by clicking on the link.
Mr. Harris spoke with purpose, clarity and passion about the following topics:
1. Read a poem to illustrate his writing style and approach to poetry.
2. Discussed the genesis and work of the blackmanofhappiness.com project. He indicated there is
no formula for happiness and it was necessary to begin by seeing yourself fully.
3. Discussed writers in the Los Angeles area.
4. Explained the Synergy Project which encourages artists to share their work as an inspiration for poets.
He indicated the purpose is to "uplift one another through creativity".
5. Finally, he discussed workshops and readings being sponsored by Altadena in support of the Poet Laureate.
Mr. Harris concluded with "I respect how you are moving through the world as long as you aren't hurting or taking advantage of anyone" and " Do not flinch from history. Equal responses of ethical behavior exist. Have the courage to confront what is uncomfortable and fight for the multidimensionality that is America".
The next meeting will be November 18, 2022 at 12:00 PM PST.