Richmond Roundup

Richmond Volunteers Honored for Their Work
Richmond District resident Sophia Vogel was recognized as the Richmond District YMCA's Volunteer of the Year.

Vogel is a dedicated instructor, who has taught group exercise for 12 years. She is acknowledged as a role model, mentor and vital part of YMCA programs not only for her hard work, but also for her ability to provide vision, professional expertise and life experiences to the YMCA community.

Richmond resident Tracy Visser was also recognized as one of the 12 most generous YMCA volunteers throughout the City. She is a longtime YMCA participant, helps with the preschool program and works on the annual Community Support Campaign at the Richmond District branch.

Events and Programs Salute Veterans
Veterans' Day weekend, the Presidio will host a number of programs to honor veterans. On Saturday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m., take a one-hour walk with a ranger on Crissy Field, located at Halleck and Mason Streets, and learn how veterans contributed to the history of the Presidio as well as the nation.

Another one-mile walk will also be offered at the same time and location for those who want to learn how Crissy Field played a part in many aviation milestones.

On Sunday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m., go on a half-mile walk visiting gravesites in the oldest national cemetery, featuring a variety of characters, including female spies and Medal of Honor recipients. The tour will begin at the corner of Lincoln Boulevard and Sheridan Avenue.

Another option for Sunday, Nov. 11, is to meet at the William Penn Mott Jr. Visitor Center on Montgomery Street, at 1 p.m., for a one-mile walk around the main post that will enlighten the public about the Presidio's rich military history.

All of these events are free of charge. For more information or to make reservations, call 561-4323 or 561-4314.

A Veterans' Day Parade will also be held on Sunday, Nov. 11, beginning at 1 p.m. at Market and Second streets and running along Market Street to Eighth Street.

In addition, Sunday, Nov. 11 will be a day to honor California veterans, police officers and fire fighters of San Francisco and the 50th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty, a defense treaty signed in San Francisco by the United States, Australia and New Zealand in 1951.

The formal ceremony begins at 11 a.m., but the event will also feature presentations by officials and military veterans from the police and fire departments; military, diplomatic and governmental representatives from the U.S. and Australia; and a full day of programs, activities and performances, including a demonstration of a vintage SFFD fire engine, SFPD officers in historic uniforms, a K-9 Corps demonstration, old-fashioned ladder raise, musical performances and more.

The salute, held at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor at Lincoln Park, is free for veterans, SFPD and SFFD personnel, their families and children under 12, but members of the public must pay general admission to the museum, which is $8 adults, $6 seniors and $5 for youths between age 12 and 17. For more information, call 750-3614.

City College of San Francisco Opens Orfalea Family Center
The newest addition to the City College of San Francisco's John Adams Campus is the Orfalea Family Center, named in honor of Paul and Natalie Orfalea, the founders of Kinko's copy stores.

The child care center accommodates 40 children whose parents are students at the John Adams Campus, and includes a new toddler program serving 18- to 36-month-old children and a parenting resource library.

The Orfalea Family is also making annual donations of $350,000 over the next 10 years to the foundation of the City College of San Francisco for child development. These funds will be used to expand child care and education services at City College's future Chinatown/North Beach and Mission District campuses, to fund parenting libraries and to create a parenting lecture series.

Employee at California Academy of Sciences Wins Award
Dr. Alejandro Acevedo-Gutierrez, an educator and researcher at the California Academy of Sciences, was named the National Hispanic Scientist of the Year by the Museum of Science and Industry.

The award recognizes Acevedo-Gutierrez for his contributions toward public understanding of science and motivating Hispanic youths' interest in science. He has traveled across the country teaching and encouraging students to take part in science and conservation efforts. He has already visited more than 50 public schools this year.

Progress Made in Renovation Plans for Rochambeau Park
With the help and input of neighbors at a community meeting hosted by the Friends of Rochambeau, UC Berkeley landscape architect intern, John Hykes, designed the preliminary conceptual plan to rehabilitate the park and playground facility.

The plan includes replacing outdated, unsafe play equipment, creating two separate play areas for younger and older children, renovating the clubhouse and bathrooms, removing concrete to make additional green space and creating a multi-use court.

However, the project design is not yet complete, and will undergo further consideration before construction work begins.

Register for City College Classes Held at Presidio Middle School
The spring semester at City College of San Francisco begins January 2002, and will feature classes at the Presidio Middle School, located at 450 30th Ave. Classes will be held in American government, child development, Russian, Tai Chi, Chinese medicine and health care technology among others. Continuing education classes in drawing, watercolor painting and Portuguese are also available.

For registration information, call 239-3000.