Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Los Angeles

Summer 2006

In this issue...

Director Gaddi Vasquez Leaving Peace Corps

New and Suspended Peace Corps Country Programs Update

Call for Native American Photos and Testimonials

What’s your favorite beach?

RPCVLA Gets Busy: Rebuild Together Pasadena and the Great LA River Clean-Up

Sheherezad: Review for National Iran Day Dinner

Gone to Mali

RPCV Travel Guides?

Joan’s Cooking Corner

Upcoming LARO Events – Recruiting Future Generations

Around Town…

Director Gaddi Vasquez Leaving Peace Corps

President Bush has nominated Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez to serve as the United States Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture. Vasquez awaits confirmation from the US Senate before the position becomes official.

About Vasquez

Gaddi H. Vasquez is the 16th director of the Peace Corps. He was nominated by President George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on January 23, 2002. Mr. Vasquez is the first Hispanic American to serve as director of the Peace Corps.

Under Mr. Vasquez’s leadership, the Peace Corps has realized a 29-year high of Volunteers in the field, opened an historic program in Mexico—allowing Americans to share their skills in information technology, small business development, science, and water and environmental technology with Mexican citizens—and, worked with six countries to participate in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

As Director, Mr. Vasquez has placed a high priority on revitalizing the Peace Corps through a comprehensive outreach and recruitment program focused to attract the best and the brightest that America has to offer, including a diverse group of volunteers and administrative staff. Additionally, Mr. Vasquez has directed the entry or re-entry into 21 Peace Corps countries, significantly enhanced the safety and security systems world wide and has also overseen the largest congressional appropriation in the Peace Corps’ history for three consecutive years.

New and Suspended Peace Corps Country Programs Update

Peace Corps Suspends Program in Bangladesh

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 15, 2006 – Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez has announced the suspension of the Peace Corps program in Bangladesh.

"When I visited Bangladesh last July, government ministers and local leaders had only praise for the friendships and bonds volunteers had formed in their communities. On the whole, the people of Bangladesh respected the commitment and dedication of Peace Corps volunteers," said Director Vasquez. "However, given current concerns for volunteer safety, Peace Corps regrets that we will not be able to maintain a presence in the country at this time."

Read the official Peace Corps News Release.

Peace Corps Volunteers to Serve in Cambodia for First Time

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 29, 2006 – Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez and Cambodian officials announced a historic new partnership today between the Peace Corps and the Kingdom of Cambodia that will bring volunteers to this Southeast Asian country for the first time in the agency's history.

Read the official Peace Corps News Release.

Peace Corps Temporarily Suspends Program in Chad

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 14, 2006 – Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez has announced the temporary suspension of the Peace Corps program in Chad.

Over the past two months, there have been frequent attempts to destabilize the government of Chad by rebel forces in the country. In light of current conditions and concerns for volunteer safety, the Peace Corps has determined that a temporary suspension of the program is necessary.

Read the official Peace Corps News Release.

Peace Corps Volunteers Leave East Timor

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 8, 2006 – Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez announced today that volunteers serving in East Timor have safely left the country as a result of the recent civil unrest and government instability.

Read the official Peace Corps News Release.

Call for Native American Photos and Testimonials

Sorry for the short notice. –Editor

Dear RPCV Group:

The marketing communications team at the Peace Corps is developing materials to recruit more American Indians and Alaskan Natives to the Peace Corps. As an RPCV Group, you may have members interested in participating in our work. Specifically, we are looking for photos and testimonials for printed marketing materials, web site content and as potential press stories.

We are looking to add the bulk of materials in the next two weeks (by May 23).

We would be grateful if you would share this request with your membership.

Those American Indian / Alaskan Native RPCVs interested in participating can email Abbey Powell, in the Office of Communications at Peace Corps Headquarters: apowell@peacecorps.gov or call 202-692-2237. Please CC: me, dbriery@peacecorps.gov, so we can track your submissions. Thanks.

Cordially,
David C. Briery
Peace Corps Public Affairs Specialist
Arizona, Central and Southern California
310.356.1106 or 800.424.8580

What’s your favorite beach?

Luscious white sand and big blue skies? Soft black wave smoothed stones? Devoid of all life except for the sea gulls? Brimming with umbrellas, kids, and Frisbees? What’s your favorite beach?

Thank you to our survey responders who told us! Here is what the globetrotters submitted:

Alicante, Spain
Floriana, Galapagos
Kribi, Cameroon
Ladispoli, Italy
Monarch Bay, Laguna Beach, CA
Morrow Bay, CA
Natrang, Viet Nam
Playa Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (west coast)
Robertsport, Liberia
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Special thanks to Linda for sharing this story.

A DAY AT MORRO BAY
by Linda Jones, Ethiopia II (1963-65)

It was Sunday, the second day of the two-day Audubon field trip to Morro Bay. We gathered at a spot somewhat north of the Ranger Station at Montana de Oro State Park. There were restrooms, parking and picnic tables adjacent to the road, and a steep trail with steps going down the cliff.

Most of us went down to a small beach at the bottom and quickly picked up a flock of sandpipers flying together in beautiful synchrony. They seemed to move as a single organism - banking, swooping, maneuvering together. The mass appeared to change color as the peeps presented their plumage from different angles.

The birders, too, were in synchronous movement, binoculars to eyes, turning, aiming together as if at the command of the bird mass. Spectacular moves by the birds caused synchronous ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ sounds from the birders. I don’t remember how long this group tango between birds and birders continued. I wonder now if anyone at the top of the cliff was watching us.

Eventually, however, the oohs and aahs ceased and human alarm cries replaced them. Suddenly, I was falling down and then wet all over. A rogue wave had been the undoing of the human synchrony. The reaction of the peeps to the loss of their slaves went unreported.

The people laughed all the way to the cliff top and were glad to have dry clothes to change into, having checked out of their motels already. Most of the clothes were dirty, but at least they were dry.

RPCVLA Gets Busy: Rebuilding Together Pasadena and Great LA River Clean Up

Rebuilding Together Pasadena

Brian Biery and I and about 5 other RPCVs attended the work project at Villa Esperanza, a group home for mentally & physically challenged adults. Other groups on the project included a Boy Scouts troop and a chapter of the Lions Club. After a full day of painting and landscaping, the place really sparkled.

Cheers,
Lori Osmundsen

Click here to view photos from the Rebuilding Together Pasadena event.

Rebuilding Together Pasadena

Rebuilding Together is the nation's largest volunteer organization pre-serving and revitalizing low-income homes and communities. Recipients we serve include the elderly, the disabled, the very low-income and, low-income homes with children. Over the last twelve years, Rebuilding Together Pasadena (formerly Christmas in April) has helped refurbish and rehabilitate more than one hundred and thirty-two homes in Pasadena and Altadena with an estimated value of $1.7 million dollars in repairs.

Great Los Angeles River Clean Up aka La Gran Limpieza

RPCVLA participated in the 17th Great Los Angeles River Clean Up which is the largest Urban River Clean Up in the country. Below is RPCVLA president, Skye Wallace, rescuing shopping carts from the river. For more photos, click here.

Friends of the Los Angeles River: Great Los Angeles River Clean Up

Sheherezad: Review for National Iran Day Dinner

Submitted by Chris McKee

Wrong address. Organizer didn't show up. We held two extra tables for half an hour - the poor waitress! She got a huge tip, tho: I forgot to get change for my second twenty. Food was good, but so much rice! My plate alone was enough to feed four people. Most people paid like thirty bucks.

We shared appetizers, stories, dessert, laughter and vulgarity. Too much fun to write down what was happening or take a picture. Somehow the older volunteers all ended up together at one end, so I missed a lot of their conversation. Highlights from the kids' table:

That's not lamb cooked so well it's coming off the bone: it's eggplant. Yes, the ice cream smells like perfume.
How'm I supposed to know where Cape Verde is? It's a speck in the middle of the Atlantic!
When you get drunk with Mongolians and tell one of them their wife looks like a monkey, that's not a cross-cultural misunderstanding. And saving yourself by saying she's one of the top three teachers in the school you'd sleep with isn't an effective way save face.
Traveling down the Nile by boat from Uganda takes two months, if you can avoid the rebels and killer waterfalls.
Most disgusting story (second hand from a nurse in Africa): a man was infested by an insect that laid hundreds of its eggs in his underpants.
Esther Boynton's daughter made a documentary the Peace Corps would be proud of. News about an LA screening is coming up in the next month - keep your eyes peeled.

Tappan Heher’s “Gone To Mali” is an independent film that explores the Peace Corps experience and its influence on one’s life and identity as seen by RPCVs when they return to their host families and villages.

Tappan served as an agricultural Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali from 1990-1992. In June 2004, Tappan returned to Mali for a month with fellow Mali RPCVs to re-experience the country, find their Mailian mothers and host families, and rediscover a country they have known and loved well. They wanted to see what has changed in the twelve years since they left, and how they have changed as well.

For more information about the film and its creator, visit Gone to Mali.

For stories on more RPCVs fulfilling the Third Mission of Peace Corps:
Telling Stories with Images: Returned Volunteer Filmmakers.

RPCV Travel Guides?

An RPCV friend forwarded this to me, and it sounded pretty cool. Thought I’d share. –Editor.

“I met a few Peace Corps volunteers from other countries and we had this idea where we thought about setting up a non-profit that would write Peace Corps branded travel books (we are currently working on the legal issues involved with using the Peace Corps name) written by current and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers for developing countries. We'd compete against the likes of Lonely Planet and Rough Guide in developing countries that have a high number of backpackers. Who else would know how to travel in these countries better than Peace Corps Volunteers?

“Our plan is to take the profits from the sale of these books to support the development of additional books as well as innovative volunteer projects throughout Peace Corps countries. Ultimately, after books have been written for the most profitable countries, we'd roll all the money back into development efforts.

“The problem is that we need PC Volunteers to be willing to donate their efforts to provide the content for these books.

“Thinking back to your days as a volunteer, would you be willing/want to write about the surrounding areas in which you lived?

“I'd really appreciate it if you could answer this question as well as provide any other thoughts, whether good or bad, about our idea.

“If you would like more details on the idea, I've attached a rough draft of a proposal of our idea. We are still working on some of the strategy around exactly what kind of projects we should fund. The rough draft talks about supporting tourist development sights, but we're still debating whether or not we really need to limit what kind of projects we support.

Thanks for taking the time to help us out”.

Mel Lee
RPCV Ghana
mel.lee@fuqua.duke.edu

Click here for a PDF of the proposal.

Joan's Cooking Corner

Joan has three mouth-watering recipes to share with us this time. Get your taste buds ready!

Fijian Prawns with Sweet Potatoes in Coconut Curry
Jalapeno Macaroni
Pomegranate and Persimmon Relish

Click here for a print-friendly PDF version of all 3 recipes.

Fijian Prawns with Sweet Potatoes in Coconut Curry

This dish from David Vera, a native Fijian, is a good example of the strong Indian influence prevalent in Fijian cooking.

Ingredients:

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, cut into medium dice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
¼ teaspoon mustard seeds
6 fenugreek seeds
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
2 hot chiles, seeded and finely diced
3 tablespoons curry powder
3 cups unsweetened coconut milk
1 pound medium prawns, shelled and deveined
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons chopped cilantro leaves for garnish
2 limes, cut into wedges, for garnish

Directions:

1. Boil the sweet potatoes in water to cover until they are just tender, not soft. Drain.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic and ginger and sauté for about 10 minutes, or until the onions are translucent. Stirring constantly, add the mustard, fenugreek seeds, cinnamon, cloves, chiles and curry powder. Be careful the mixture doesn’t burn.
3. Add the coconut milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes and simmer for 5 minutes.

Serve with steamed white rice and garnish with lime wedges.

Jalapeno Macaroni

Jacqueline McMahan, for the San Francisco Chronicle, gives a Latin twist to the all-American Macaroni and cheese.

Ingredients:

8 ounces elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon tabasco
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ cup finely chopped onion
1 cup chopped tomatoes (canned okay)
2 canned jalapeno chiles, minced
1 ½ cups milk
2 eggs
¼ cup crumbled queso fresco (a soft Mexican Cheese)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a deep, 1 ½- quart-baking dish.
2. Bring 2 quarts salted water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain. Transfer to a bowl and add the butter, garlic, salt and Tabasco; toss to combine. Stir in the grated cheddar cheese.
3. Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for about 10 minutes, or until softened. Add the tomatoes and jalapenos. Transfer to a bowl and add the butter, garlic, salt and Tabasco; toss to combine. Stir in the grated cheddar cheese.
4. Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for about 10 minutes, or until softened. Add the tomatoes and jalapenos. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add to the pasta and stir to combine. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
5. Combine the milk and eggs in a blender, process until smooth, then pour over the pasta. Bake for 25 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes to absorb excess liquid.
7. Sprinkle with queso fresco.

Servers 6 to 8 people.

Pomegranate and Persimmon Relish

Pomegranate molasses, found in Middle Eastern food stores, gives this jewel-toned condiment a haunting sweet/sour note. This relish, from Garibaldi’s On College in Oakland, is perfect with roasted or grilled birds of many persuasions: turkey, chicken, pheasant, duck, quail and Cornish hens.

Ingredients:

8 Fuyu persimmons, stemmed, peeled, seeded (if necessary) and finely diced (about 4 cups)
2 cups pomegranate seeds (about 1 ½ pomegranates)
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, de-ribbed and finely diced
1 ½ cups walnuts, toasted and finely chopped
5 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes, or to taste
Pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper
10 tablespoons pomegranate molasses

Directions:

1. Combine the persimmons, pomegranate seeds, bell pepper and walnuts in a large bowl. Add the mint, pepper flakes, salt and pepper; toss lightly to mix.
2. Drizzle the pomegranate molasses over the top and toss again until the ingredients are well mixed.
3. Serve at room temperature.

Yields about 7 cups.

Upcoming LARO Events – Recruiting Future Generations

The Peace Corps Los Angeles Regional Office has several community information sessions planned over the next few months. If you are interested in attending and sharing your experiences at any of the following events, contact the Recruiter organizing the meeting at 800-424-8580 or 310-356-1100.

June

Sat, June 03, 10:00am - 12:00pm: Borders Bookstore, 5055 S. Plaza Lane, Montclair; contact Allan Paloutzian.

Tues, June 06, 7:00pm - 8:30pm: Borders, 1360 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles (near UCLA); contact Emily Farrell.

Sat, June 24, 2:00pm – 3:30pm: North Hollywood Regional Library, 5211 Tujunga Ave, No. Hollywood; contact Barbara Adams

July

Sat, July 01, 10:00am - 12:00pm: Borders Bookstore, 5055 S. Plaza Lane, Montclair; contact Allan Paloutzian.

Sat, July 01, 10:30am - 12:00pm: Borders Bookstore, South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear Street, Costa Mesa; contact Rudy Sovinee.

Sat, July 15, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm: Sherman Oaks Library, 14245 Moorpark St, Sherman Oaks; contact: Barbara Adams.

Sat, July 15, 2:00pm - 3:30pm: The Farmers Market, Community Room, 6333 West Third St, Los Angeles, www.farmersmarketla.com; contact Cristina Hernandez.

August

Sat, Aug 05, 10:30am - 12:00pm: Borders Bookstore, South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St, Costa Mesa; contact Rudy Sovinee.

Tue, August 15, 12:00pm-1:30pm: Glendale Library, 222 E. Harvard St., Glendale; contact Barbara Adams.

Tues, Aug 15, 6:00pm - 7:30pm: Valencia Public Library, 23743 W. Valencia Blvd., Valencia; contact Cristina Hernandez.

Tues, Aug 15, 6:30pm - 8:30pm: Glendora Public Library, 140 S. Glendora Ave., Glendora; contact Allan Paloutzian.

September

Sat, Sept 02, 10:30am - 12:00pm: Borders Bookstore, South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St, Costa Mesa; contact Rudy Sovinee.

Click here for a full listing of all Southern California university and community events.

Around Town…

There are so many great opportunities here in LA, the following events caught my eye. If you know of an event that you’d like to share with your fellow RPCVs, please email the Editor.

June 10-11, Cairo Carnivale: An annual celebration of music, dance and cuisine from the Near and Middle East as well as Spain, Eastern Europe, and Africa! Featuring: belly dancing, food, vendors, shopping, costumes, games, clowns, contests, shows, raffles, and prize. Hours: Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-7:30pm; Sunday, 9:30am-5:30pm. General admission is $15 adults, $5.00 children 3-12 years; under 3, free. Seniors & students w/ID are $12. Sat. evening show, $15. Santa Anita Park, 285 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia, 626-588-4907.

July 16, Annual Family Fun Day & Ice Cream Social: Enjoy period games, crafts, ice cream and picnicking on the beautifully landscaped grounds. Guided tours are available from Noon-4 p.m. Heritage Square Museum, 3800 Homer St., Los Angeles, 626-449-0193

June 25, ICS Southern California Regional Chili Cook-Off: Sample the contestants' special chili recipes. Includes a red chili, green chili and salsa competition. Winners qualify for World Championship Cook-Off. Other activities include live music, a silent auction, a Harley drawing, "Mr. Hot Sauce" and "Miss Chili Pepper,” and much more. Hours are 10am-4pm. Free to the public. Main Place, 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714-565-1098.

June 25 - August 26, Long Beach Sea Festival: Enjoy fun in the sun, sand and surf. Spectator and participant events in all types of aquatic activities such as sand sculpture contests, swim meets, dragon boat festival, kite flying, kite surfing, moonlight movie series, pier daze and seafood festival, and volleyball tournaments.

July 15-16, French Festival: Continuous free entertainment including cancan, folk music and dancing, classical recitals, accordion players, Cajun, jazz, and more. Roving jugglers and mimes. Outdoor vendors and sidewalk cafes. Fresh baked breads and pastries, crepes, onion soup, quiche, pates, cheeses, beer, wine and cafe au lait. Arts and crafts. Outdoor market and flower stand. Classic cars. For the kids: puppet shows, storytellers, bouncer, and wading pool. Hours: 11am-7pm. Oak Park, 300 W. Alamar Ave., Santa Barbara, 805-564-7274.

August 12-13, L.A. Tofu Festival: Taste imaginative and delicious tofu and soy dishes prepared by over 40 local eateries. Festival activities include a Health and Fitness Expo, an arts and crafts marketplace, cooking demonstrations, martial arts demonstrations, sports activities, a children's pavilion, live entertainment, and a tofu-eating competition. Location: South San Pedro Street between 2nd and 3rd streets, Los Angeles, 213-473-1602. Saturday noon-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m-9 p.m. General admission $8, children (5-12) and seniors, $5, children under 5 admitted free.

August 20, Mud Mania: A Celebration of Adobe: A chance to 'wallow in the mud' constructing adobe bricks, participating in an archaeological dig, playing muddy games or visiting a bug's habitat. Don old clothes and bring a change of attire for the ride home. For guests who prefer to stay neat and tidy, there are 'clean' activities including soap-making and paper crafts. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Rd., Long Beach, 562-570-1755. Admission: Adults $5, children (4-12) $3, and children 3 and under are free. Hours are 12:30-4:30 p.m. The adobe house will not be open for tours during this event.