Richmond Roundup

Carousel, Parcel 4 improvements OK'd
The SF Recreation and Park Commission unanimously approved a plan to restore the historic carousel in Golden Gate Park and to improve an open space area near Sutro Heights Park at its Sept. 6 meeting.

The carousel will get a new roof and lighting system, will be repainted and it will get an upgrade for its fire and alarm systems. Work on the historic facility will be performed by Fine Line Construction, which won the right to perform the upgrade work with a successful bid of $677,475.

Approval to grade sand dunes and construct a boardwalk at "Parcel 4," an open space at the Great Highway and Balboa Street, was granted to Vargas & Esquivel Construction, which bid $158,830.
Public School Fair Highlights Educational Choices

The SF Unified School District is holding a day-long fair to allow the parents of school-age children to learn more about the educational options open to them.

Representatives from every elementary, middle and high school in the City will be present and Superintendent Arlene Ackerman will address the assembly. There will also be workshops about choosing the right school for a child and how to prepare a student for middle school.

The fair will be held at Abraham Lincoln High School, located at 2162 24th Ave., on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Childcare is available by calling 241-6185 to register in advance.

For more information about the fair, call Sandra Halladey at Parents for Public Schools at 468-7077.

Richmond Neighborhood Center turns 20 Years Old
The Richmond District Neighborhood Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a gala event at the Presidio Golf Course Clubhouse.

The center, located at 741 30th Ave., is home to several non-profit groups, including Self Help for the Elderly, Community Music Center, Alzheimer Day Care and Cross Culture Family Center.

The event will be held at the clubhouse, located in the Presidio at 300 Finley Road (at the Arguello gate), on Thursday, Oct. 11, at 6 p.m. Individuals that will be honored at the dinner are Amy Meyer, founder of People for a Golden Gate Recreation Area; doctors Richard and Patricia Gibbs, co-founders of the SF Free Clinic; and Anni Chung, executive director of Self Help for the Elderly. Tickets are $85 each and corporate sponsors are welcome.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 355-9988.

Liberation Radio Increases Power
Liberation Radio, 93.7 FM on the radio dial, has increased its broadcasting power from 50 watts to 100 watts.

The increased signal strength means the local radio station will have a larger broadcast area and it will be audible to more people living in the Richmond and Sunset districts. Liberation Radio is broadcast from the Outer Richmond District.

Regular programming is broadcast daily beginning at 4 p.m.

Editor's note: Richmond Review editor Paul Kozakiewicz gives an update on the district's news on the second Wednesday of each month, at 4 p.m.

Free West Side Environmental Fair
The city of San Francisco will host a free Sustainability Fair to teach youth and adults about the environment and the virtues of energy conservation. The fair's four themes are recycling, water conservation, energy efficiency and ecology.

More than 50 educational booths will be set up and manned by representatives of various governmental, environmental and non-profit groups. There will also be various door prizes and an opportunity to win a Whirlpool washing machine or dryer or a Maytag washing machine.

The fair will be held at Abraham Lincoln High School, 2160 24th Ave., on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a Recycled Fashion Show from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, call (415) 923-2473.

Photo Exhibit Reflects Loss and Survival
A collection of 18 photographs and corresponding personal statements by artist Jean Collier Hurley not only commemorates the 1999 demolition of St. Edward the Confessor Church, located in the City's Presidio Heights neighborhood, but also makes universal statements about loss and survival.

According to Hurley, the images relate to her struggle to overcome breast cancer. She said they "evoke the memories of loss that resonate throughout the Bay Area as well as the serenity that comes with the acceptance of death and the release of the soul."

The exhibit is currently on display at San Francisco City Hall through Dec. 16. Viewing hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from noon to 4 p.m.

Irish Cultural Celebration Comes to San Francisco
On Tuesday, Oct. 9, the San Francisco branch of the worldwide Irish group Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann celebrates its 50th anniversary by welcoming to San Francisco "The Echoes of Erin Concert Tour," which stops in 15 other cities throughout the United States.

The event will feature 15 top performers who specialize in traditional Irish music, song, dance and storytelling from all the counties of Ireland. A raffle will also be held for the attendees.

The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the United Irish Cultural Center, which is located at 2700 45th Ave. Tickets sold at the door are $17, but advance tickets can be purchased for $15 by calling 661-0351.

For more information, call Michael Murphy at 564-7188.

Cultural Integration Fellowship Lectures
The Richmond District's Cultural Integration Fellowship concludes its 50th anniversary celebration with a series of four lectures based on the concepts of universal religion, cultural harmony and creative self-fulfillment. Topics include reflection on the life of Ghandi, a study of theosophical Adam, talk about reality and a look at Confucianism and integral philosophy.

All lectures will be held at 2650 Fulton St. on Sunday mornings, beginning at 11 a.m.

SF Arts Festival Features Local Artists
The San Francisco Arts Festival will exhibit the work of more than 225 artists from throughout the nation, but among the craftsmen included in the festival are two Richmond District residents, photographer Greg Gawlowski and mixed-media furniture maker Vincent Meyer. As well, one Sunset District resident, painter Kuei-Chaun "Teddy" Wen, will be displaying his surrealist-inspired art at the festival.

These artists' work and much more can be viewed and purchased at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, located at 99 Grove St., from Friday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 21. The show is open noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets are $6.50 for adults, $3 for children under 12 and free for children under six. For more information, call (530) 756-6356.

Local Quilting Group Invites New Members with Expanded Schedule
The Richmond District's Dorcas Quilters will have additional meetings in October, making its gatherings a twice-weekly event. Meetings are scheduled for Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at St. John's Presbyterian Church, located at 25 Lake St.

On Saturday, Oct. 6, Dorcas director and a consultant from Santa Clara County Bonny Morley will be featured in an orientation program held at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's. Members of the public are invited to bring samples to show their own quiltwork or they can use practice materials that will be provided by the quilters.

For more information about the Dorcas Quilters or the Oct. 6 event, call Betty at 831-9377 or Lucille at 345-8735.

Asian American Jazz Festival Celebrates 20th Anniversary
The longest running jazz festival in San Francisco kicks off Oct. 3 and runs through Oct. 7 with five concerts at three locations.

A 20th anniversary event kicks off at the Asian Art Museum in Golden Gate Park Oct. 3 with a free performance by Azumi and Yoko Noge & Jazz Me Blues at 8 p.m.

For more information, call (877) 243-3774 or visit the website at: www.asianimprov.com.