Hello Friends,

The non-profit youth center that I/we run(THE PLEA FOR PEACE CENTER) in Stockton, California will celebrate its one year anniversary on DEC 12th. Boston's BIG D AND THE KIDS TABLE along with SONIC BOOM 6 from the UK will grace the stage for our one year celebration. It's definitely been an amazing experience thus far as we learn the trials and tribulations of running a non-profit community center. We had hoped the city of Stockton would help subsidize our rent partially, but the city is financially strapped like most of the US of A. And yes, we lost over $30,000 in the first year. Well, we didn't lose like we were walking down the street and lost a wad of cash, but we spent over $30,000 the first year. Our fundraisers and shows only made up about half the rent this first year. But the last few months we've been breaking even and now we're starting to get bigger bands through. We just had the LAWRENCE ARMS/TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET tour come through last week and on DEC 21st we have AGAINST ME. WOO HOO! It's pretty cool of these bands to take a chance on our venue. A band like AGAINST ME can easily get a guarantee of $3,000 playing a big venue in San Francisco, but are willing to play for us for no guarantee, just a percentage of the door. Anyways, I'm just pretty excited that we survived our first year.

We have lots more in store for the future including more music related workshops for our youth and hopefully more big name bands to come to this small farming town 85 miles east of San Francisco. And finally thanks to all the people who have contributed to PFP with donations and by purchasing our cd's. We appreciate you so very much.

Ok, here's some other news for you:
Talked to Matt Skiba a few days ago and he told me that the new album would come out this summer 2010. So once I get an exact date, I will put that up on the website. Also talked to Reese from FIVE IRON FRENZY and he says he needs more time editing their DVD, so we're looking at more of a MARCH 2010 release.

The ASIAN MAN XMAS/HOLIDAY card is being silk screened today. We should have them on Friday and the CD that comes with it will arrive next FRIDAY. So on that following Monday we will start sending the XMAS cards off to the masses. What else? Original artwork by Kepi Ghoulie and hand numbered 1/500. We are selling these for only $5. As you know, buying a hallmark card these days cost like $4.99. These are all hand made, two color silk screen where you can actually feel the ink rise off the paper. I love silk screening!! And of course the music. Would like to do this every year. Different bands record holiday songs and do a limited edition run like this. What do you think? Good idea? I think so. Remember there are only 500 made. After we give the bands copies and send off copies to our friends, we will only have a few hundred left. Here is the card:

Six songs by the following artists:
KEPI GHOULIE-CHRISTMAS ON ZOMBIE ISLAND
THE HOT TODDIES-SANTA BABY
MU330-DECEMBER
ANDREW JACKSON JIHAD-JUST LIKE OLD TIMES
DUVALL-ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
MIKE PARK(that's me)-RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER/LET IT SNOW (MEDLEY)

Remember, we can ship the card directly to anybody you wish by filling out their address in the shipping address section.

The O PIONEERS!!! are doing a benefit show in a couple weeks at the U MASS campus in Lowell, MA. for a local charity. Here's the show info:
WUML Lowell 91.5FM Presents
ROCK FOR TOTS 2009
Friday December 4
Bands: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Titus Andronicus, Polar Bear Club and O Pioneers!!!
Venue: Cumnock Hall, North campus of UMass Lowell in Lowell MA
Doors at 7PM, Show at 8PM 18+
Admission: $10 for students, $15 for public
Tickets available at WUML and UMass Lowell Student Information Centers and also at http://umltickets.com (for public)
Proceeds go to benefit local charity One Lowell

And that is it for today. Enjoy your Wednesday and I will speak to you again sooner than later.

Be well.
Peace, mike park