CIVIL WAR BATTLES TODAY.

Byline: - Mike Chmielecki

ORGANIZATION: Civil Warriors Round Table of Los Angeles/West San Fernando Valley.

WHAT IT IS: A monthly dinner-discussion of the Civil War, with presentations and featured speakers. Dr. Ted Boyias will discuss ``Cavalry Battles in the West'' at the June 13 presentation.

Dr. Jeff Wissot, founder and event coordinator of the Round Table, first became interested in the Civil War on a trip to historic Gettysburg eight years ago.

``I was very much impressed with the importance of this aspect of America's history,'' he says. ``The Civil War has had such a strong impact on America's democracy, in our cultural and governmental lives.''

He says the war's history - and the history of America - should be known, in order to gain perspective on the present.

``If you don't know your history, you're doomed to repeat it. In a way, we still fight civil wars daily, based on culture and society. We have to learn a better way of getting along, rather than just resorting to battle.''

The Civil Warriors Round Table meets 6:30 p.m. the second or third Wednesday of the month at Weiler's West Hills Deli, 22323 Sherman Way. $5 for drinks; $10 for dinner. RSVP: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Web: www.dentistry.com/cwrt.

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Francis Bicknell Carpenter's ``First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation'' depicts one of the pivotal events of the Civil War, which is studied and discussed in the monthly meetings of the Civil Warriors Round Table.