contributed by Robert Mertens and Luqman Katz
For many years, Subud LA has wanted to present Subud’s face to the world through signage on our Subud house on Wilshire Blvd. Lorenzo and Henrietta Music started the campaign for new signs with a significant gift some years ago, and the fund had grown to about $13,000 though additional donations recently.
Aswan Karapetian has designed two attractive and compelling signs to grace our building on Wilshire Boulevard, and the vision is about to become real.
After vigorous negotiation with possible contractors, a bid was accepted for approximately $18,000 to do the job. Below is an email from Luqman Katz, LA Chair, telling our California committee about the completion of the LA sign fund drive.
The Subud hall is opposite the extensive La Brea Tar Pits Park and museum, and also the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Thousands of people walk by the Subud center every day without being very aware that there is something called Subud inside. This is now changing.
Thank you to the Subud LA members and to everyone in Subud CA and across the US who have contributed and pledged to get the signs up and Subud’s name out.
Blessings,
Robert Mertens, Chairman Subud California
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Letter from Luqman Katz to Regional Committee, Feb 21, 2016,
We in LA would like to thank you for the offer of a bridge loan to cover the deficit for our signage expenses. Likewise, we were all very touched by the pledges and checks coming from individual council members. This helped us all feel supported by and connected to Subud California.
Prior to our accepting this loan, Hanafi Fraval took it upon himself to contact via phone and email members throughout the USA, including the Subud USA committee. The net result, which we have just found out, should cover our shortfall. The combined pledges and actual checks coming in from Seattle to North Carolina, Washington DC and cities in-between, has been humbling and reinforcing of the idea that we are all in this together.
This being the case, we would like to put on hold borrowing additional funds at this time, with the understanding that if necessary we could reactivate your offer. This is all very exciting for us and has rekindled energy in the group who is even discussing raising funds for the painting of our building.
I should mention here that our full-time tenants continue to tell us how pleased they are with us and our building and “would like to be felt as partners, not just renters” and have offered to contribute to the painting of our building.
So again thank you to all our regional sisters and brothers for your support. Aswan will be meeting with the sign company to finalize the details and I have booked the electrician to proceed with his work. Both signs will be lit with LED lighting and on timers, so will be energy efficient.
Your brother
Luqman, Chair, Los Angeles Subud