Author: Alfredo Casuso

One Page Briefing Paper for URI Spokespeople / Interviewees at 
Accelerate Peace Conference June 26 & 27

• URI is the largest grassroots interfaith peacebuilding network in the world. It cultivates peace and justice by engaging people to bridge religious and cultural differences and work together for the good of their communities. 

• URI was founded 20 years ago by the Right Reverend William Swing, then the Episcopal Bishop of California. The international nonprofit has its headquarters in San Francisco’s Presidio in the Tides Foundation campus.

• On June 26 & 27 in Stanford, California, URI convenes an unprecedented international gathering of religious leaders from around the world for the Accelerate Peace Conference, exploring interfaith strategies for global and local peacebuilding.
  
• URI works closely with different United Nations agencies and other global organizations in promoting enduring interfaith cooperation to end religiously motivated violence and create a culture of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.

• The URI Accelerate Peace Conference takes place at the Hoover Institution on the Stanford University Campus. It is hosted by former US Secretary of State, George P. Shultz, a fellow at the Hoover Institution and member of URI’s President’s Council. 

• URI works in 109 countries through local and global initiatives that build the capacity of over 1000 member groups and organizations, called Cooperation Circles. These groups engage in community action such as conflict resolution and reconciliation, environmental sustainability, education, women’s and youth programs, and advocacy for human rights. 

• URI conferences keynote speakers and panelists include:
  * Kehkashan Basu, Founder/President of Green Hope Foundation
  * H.E. Adama Dieng, UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
  * Mohamed Elsanousi, Director of The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers
  * Dr. Azza Karam, Senior Advisor on Culture at the United Nations Population Fund
  * Audrey Kitagawa, Chair of the Parliament of the World’s Religions
  * Valarie Kaur, Human Rights Activist and founder of The Revolutionary Love Project
  * The Rev. Victor Kazanjian, Executive Director of URI
  * Rabbi Daniel Lehmann, President of the General Theological Union
  * Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, Secretary General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance

• The conference will also feature a special keynote conversation entitled “A Bishop and a General Talk about Peace” between former Secretary of Defense, General James N. Mattis, and The Right Rev. William E. Swing, Founder and President of URI.  

• Learn more at URI.org/acceleratepeace.

Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Manny’s Named “Small Business of the Year”

San Francisco Community Space Recognized by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco)

18 June 2019 – San Francisco, CA:  In a little over six months,  Manny’s (3092 16^th Street at Valencia, San Francisco – www.welcometomannys.com)has become an epicenter of community involvement, dialogue and civic engagement having served over 50,000 people, staged over 300 events, donated space to more than 150 area nonprofits and charities and become “the Iowa of California” (KCBS Radio) by hosting 11 presidential candidates. Now, Manny Yekutiel, 29, is being recognized for his above-and-beyond achievements by the California State Senate as “Small Business of the  Year.” A ceremony and luncheon at the State Capitol in Sacramento on June 19 will mark the occasion as of California Small Business Day.

“It is with great pleasure that I write to inform you of my selection of Manny’s as the 2019 Senate

District 11 Small Business of the Year,” wrote Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).  “Since its opening, Manny’s has demonstrated a tremendous commitment to our community. As the owner, you have followed through on your promise of opening Manny’s doors to community groups at little to no cost, building a

programing schedule as diverse as our city partnering with Farming Hope to empower members

of our community, all while keeping the price of coffee at $1.75.”

California Small Business Day grew out of Assembly Resolution 57, which the Legislature unanimously passed in 2000. The purpose of the day is to “Recognize the Contributions Small Business makes to California.” 

“Receiving the Small Business of the Year award is an enormous honor that we all appreciate deeply here at Manny’s,” said Yekutiel who noted that he was “sharing the award” with the more than “1000 people” who had come together to make his dream a reality. “Creating Manny’s and realizing the vision of a central place for folks to go to become better informed and more involved citizens is at the core of our mission. 

My father came to North America with 23 dollars in his pocket and little English, originally from Afghanistan. He pumped gas and washed dishes and, eventually, did save up enough to open up a restaurant with his brother. My mother’s family, immigrants from Poland and Russia, owned a small grocery store in Brooklyn. I was raised in a small business household and I’m proud of it the hard work that both of my parents set as an example from a young age.”

“Because of the hard work of you and your team, Manny’s has greatly contributed to our community. I look forward to celebrating this achievement with you during the Small Business Day awards luncheon in Sacramento on June 19^th,” continued Senator Wiener who represents Senate District 11, which includes all of San Francisco and parts of Northern San Mateo County. He Chairs the Senate Housing Committee and the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. Senator Wiener has lived in San Francisco for over 21 years. 

media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

12th Season for Award-Winning Dezart Performs Brings Desert Premieres, Tony Award Nominees and Pulitzer Prize Winning Plays to Palm Springs

Subscriptions On Sale for Current Subscribers June 17
Season Subscriptions Open to General Public July 1

www.dezartperforms.org

12 June 2019 – Palm Springs, CA: Going on a dozen years, the award-winning Dezart Performs has brought theatre that has enlightened, entertained, educated and enchanted Desert audiences. This year’s upcoming 12^th Season, taking place at thePearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club / 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs) continues the trend.  Starting with the raucous Tony Award nominated dark comedy HAND TO GOD by Robert Askins (November 8 – 17), the season switches to drama with the acclaimed off-Broadway hit DANIEL’S HUSBAND by Michael McKeever (January 10 – 19). Rounding out the season are the Pulitzer Prize winning working class drama SWEAT by Lynn Nottage (February 28 – March 8) and the comedy/drama EVERY BRILLIANT THING written by Duncan Macmillan, with Jonny Donahoe (April 3 – 12).

“Every year I’m more inspired by the curiosity and adventuresome nature of our audiences,” said Shaw who founded the company in 2008 and directs two plays in the upcoming season.  “They really challenge me to find the best, brightest and most original scripts possible. They’ve set a high bar of expectations, and we think this season will meet their hopes.”

Very much now a Coachella Valley theatrical tradition, Dezart Performs will open its popular subscription series of four plays first to current subscribers beginning June 17. The opportunity for new subscribers to sign up is July 1.

“Our subscribers are the heart and soul of the Dezart Performs’ audience,” said Shaw, noting that not only do subscribers get a discount over the single ticket price, but also preference in seating. “Every opening is like old home week for me and our crew.”

Dezart Performs, one of the Coachella Valley’s preeminent theatre companies, recognizes that the performing arts enrich the life and culture of a community, promote greater understanding and provoke insightful discussion. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company, its mission is to provide an artistic home for bold and cutting–edge plays, creating an atmosphere of artistic growth for actors, writers, and directors who uniquely contribute to the diverse theatrical environment in the Coachella Valley.

Season package prices: (4-Show Season Packages $124-164; 3-Show Season Packages $96-126)
All performances take place at the Pearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club) 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs. Tickets may be purchased online at www.dezartperforms.org, or by calling (760) 322-0179.

12^th Dezart Performs Complete Season Listing

HAND TO GOD

Written by Robert Askins

Directed by Michael Shaw

Dark comedy

November 8-17, 2019

The Tony-nominated Broadway hit comedy, where The Exorcist Meets Sesame Street! “HAND TO GOD is so ridiculously raunchy, irreverent and funny it’s bound to leave you sore from laughing. Ah, hurts so good.” —New York Daily News

After the death of his father, meek Jason finds an outlet for his anxiety at the Christian Puppet Ministry in the devoutly religious, relatively quiet small town of Cypress, Texas. Jason’s complicated relationships with the town pastor, the school bully, the girl next door, and—most especially—his mother are thrown into upheaval when Jason’s puppet, Tyrone, takes on a shocking and dangerously irreverent personality all its own. (note: for mature audiences)

*   *   *

DANIEL’S HUSBAND

Written by Michael McKeever

Drama

January 10-19, 2020

Off-Broadway’s Latest Hit Drama! One of The New York Times plays to see! “A profound look at love and commitment.” —The Daily Beast

Daniel and Mitchell are the perfect couple. Perfect house, perfect friends – even a mother who wants them married. They’d have the perfect wedding, too, except that Mitchell doesn’t believe in gay marriage. A turn of events puts their perfect life in jeopardy, and Mitchell is thrust into a future where even his love may not prove to be enough. DANIEL’S HUSBAND is a bold reflection of love, commitment, and family in our perilous new world. Starring WHITE GUY ON THE BUS’ David Youse and Dezart Performs Artistic Director, Michael Shaw.

*   *   *

SWEAT

Written by Lynn Nottage

Directed by Michael Shaw

Drama

February 28-March 8, 2020

Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize. SWEAT exposes the collapse of the American working class in the new millennium. “Sharp and threatening as a box cutter blade…ferociously engrossing…SWEAT never feels less than authentic—and crucial.” —Deadline.com

It’s the year 2000 in Reading, Pennsylvania and a group of friends go to work at the steel mill and then decompress at the bar like they’ve been doing for over 20 years. But, unbeknownst to them, their lives are about to be uprooted. Their steel mill is making some changes and the blood, sweat and tears of generations of loyal workers don’t seem to amount to much. SWEAT dissects the insidiousness of privilege and entitlement, reminding you that there’s always someone on a lower plane to blame for your troubles, and there will always be someone who stands to profit from your loss. 

*   *   *

EVERY BRILLIANT THING

Written by Duncan Macmillan, with Jonny Donahoe

Directed by Deborah Harmon

Comedy/Drama

April 3-12, 2020

“A heart-wrenching, hilarious play…One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see about depression—and possibly one of the funniest plays you’ll ever see, full stop!” —The Guardian

You’re six years old. Mom’s in the hospital. Dad says she’s “done something stupid.” She finds it hard to be happy. So you start to make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything that’s worth living for. 1. Ice cream. 2. Kung Fu movies. 3. Burning things. 4. Laughing so hard you shoot milk out your nose. 5. Construction cranes. 6. Me. You leave it on her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling. Soon, the list will take on a life of its own. A play about depression and the lengths we will go to for those we love.