Henna’d hands of a bride at a 2012 wedding at the Sikh Temple in Buena Park. Photo found at http://myshaadiplanning.com/public/view_wedding/5. Credit to Kevin Finney, Sylvanus Photography. We’ll take it down if either the bride or photographer ask, but we suspect that they like it as much as we do.
Here’s a sampling of some events that you can attend this week.
[1] TODAY at 12:00
At the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple (7122 Orangethorpe Ave in Buena Park, north of the Knott exit on the 91.)
Here’s something that you probably don’t do every day: visit a Sikh Temple. But in Orange County, you can.
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva will be among the speakers this afternoon at the Sikh Temple in Buena Park. The occasion is the religious birth anniversary of Guru Nanakthe founder of the Sikh faith. He was the first of Sikhism’s ten Gurus and much of his life was spent in what is called the Punjab region of India (part of which is now in Pakistan). His religious message was one of open-minded faith: promoting equality amongst all people (including between men and women as well as discarding the caste system), living a life of truth, doing charitable works for the less fortunate, and stressing that there was one God for all of humanity.
After the religious services end (here at 1:00 pm), people at Sikh temples are invited to share in a free common community lunch. It is simple vegetarian fare. The meal is eaten while sitting on the floor. Sikh Gurus started this tradition to get people of all backgrounds and faiths to sit together in symbolic and actual equality and to assure that not only all were equal in the eyes of God but that everyone, especially the poor, was entitled to be fed.
Note that smoking is not permitted on temple grounds, and people need to take off their shoes (so socks are advised!) and cover their head/hair — often with light scarves or handkerchiefs, etc. (handkerchiefs will be provided), less commonly with hats — when entering the temple.
Orthodox Sikh men stand out among Americans for their longstanding custom of wearing uncut hair and/or turbans. This has on occasion led to school bullying and may have contributed to last year’s massacre of several Sikhs in August 2012 at the Oak Creek, Wisconsin, Sikh Temple. Happily, Orange County has been free of such hate crimes against Sikhs. The son of the President of that temple, who was slain, is now running for Congress against 2012 Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Paul Ryan.
The 65th Assembly District is among the most ethnically diverse in the state; this is a good opportunity for people to stop by and experience a part of it that may be new to them.
[2] TONIGHT Nov 17 from 5-8pm
Democratic Foundation of OC 2013 Annual Dinner @ Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, Anaheim
This Year’s Honorees Include:
The Honorable Bill Lockyer California State Treasurer The Richard J. O’Neill Award for Excellence in Service
The Honorable Fiona Ma The Wylie A. Aitken Award for Excellence in Leadership George Urch
The Howard Adler Award for Excellence in the Art and Science of Politics
$170 Individual Tickets Click here to reserve your ticket online using our secure page!
[P.S. Don’t say I never did anything for ya, DFOC.]
[3] Wednesday, Nov 20 6-9:30 pm:
Covered California Workshop @ The Center OC, 1605 N. Spurgeon St., Santa Ana
Changes in Healthcare Are Coming–Welcome to Covered California, the new marketplace that will make it easier for you to get quality health insurance at an affordable price. You may also qualify for financial help to pay for that insurance.
The first session will be offered in English at: 6 pm to 7:30 pm. The second session will be offered in Spanish from 7:30 to 9 pm.
[4] Nov 23, Saturday noon-3pm,
Democratic Ambassador Training @ Democratic Party of OC, 1916 West Chapman Avenue, Suite B
Registered Democrats are welcome to take part in a training for our Democratic Ambassador Program! Democratic Ambassadors serve as DPOC’s public face in their respective communities. These leaders are people excited about turning grassroots efforts into victory for Democrats!
What do Democratic Ambassadors do? – Deliver the Democratic ‘Welcome Package’ to Democrats in your Neighborhood – Cultivate and expand a network of enthusiastic volunteers – Find out what voters are thinking and let us know – Notify current and prospective volunteers about upcoming political events – Facilitate candidate meet-and-greets – Support Democratic candidates by encouraging neighbors to vote.
[Note: Sure, if anyone wants to send me info about “Republican Ambassador Training” for this week, I’ll post it.]
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