Richmond Roundup

Merchants to Host Big Shebang in February
The members of the Greater Geary Boulevard Merchants Association will host a luncheon Feb. 19 to honor neighborhood activists who have worked to improve the quality of life in the City.

The event will honor Ron Miguel, president of the Planning Association for the Richmond; Julie Lee, president of the SF Neighbors' Association; Alessandro Barccari, executive director of the Fisherman's Wharf Merchants Association; and Robert Begley, executive director of the Hotel Council of San Francisco.

Scheduled speakers include SF Mayor Willie Brown, Police Chief Fred Lau, Fire Chief Mario Trevino and Richmond District Supervisor Jake McGoldrick. There will also be a technology presentation by Richard Carlson, a consultant who works on the Geary merchants web site, and SF Supervisor Tony Hall will perform a musical tribute.

The luncheon will be held at the Cathedral Hill Hotel, 1101 Van Ness Ave., on Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information or to reserve a ticket ($35 in advance and $45 at the door), call David Heller, president of the Geary merchants, at 387-1477.

Public Input Sought on Budget Deficit
Due to San Francisco's $175 million budget shortfall in this year's budget, the SF Recreation and Park Department has been asked to cut $2.6 million from its programs.

Local residents can give input and ask questions about the situation at public hearings being hosted by the Neighborhood Parks Council. The meetings will give budget details and staffing reports for each park and recreation center, and Recreation and Park Department staff will be available for briefing, analysis and feedback.

The hearing for Districts 1 (Richmond), 4 (Sunset), 5 (Inner Sunset) and 7 (West Portal) will be held at the Sunset Recreation Center, located at 28th Avenue and Lawton Street, on Monday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m.

The hearing for Districts 2, 3 and 6 will be held at the Chinese Recreation Center, located at 1199 Mason St., on Wednesday, Feb. 6. For more information, call 621-3260.

Move Afoot to Name Library After Sen. Marks
A petition drive has been started to name the Richmond Branch Library after long-time Richmond District representative Milton Marks, who passed away several years ago.

Because Marks was an important supporter of the city's library system, the proposal would name the district's main library, located at 351 Ninth Ave., the Richmond Branch/Milton Marks Library.

Kevin Starr, the state's librarian, sent a letter in support of the proposal to Susan Hildreth, the city's head librarian.

Marks represented residents living in the west side of San Francisco for more than 40 years. For more information, call Geary Merchant President David Heller, who has copies of the petition, at 387-1477.

Academy celebrates life of Darwin
The core of the research collection at the California Academy of Sciences consists of specimens Charles Darwin found to support his theory of evolution, and the Academy continues to work closely with the Charles Darwin Research Station to promote scientific education.

Beginning Saturday, Feb. 9, the Academy pays tribute to the Father of Evolution in a three-part birthday celebration ending Feb. 14. Darwin was born Feb. 12, 1809.

"Darwin's Road Show" will kick off the festivities on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Members of the public are invited to bring leaves, rocks, worms, bugs, feathers and bones for scientists and experts to identify and explain where they came from and why they are important. The event is free with museum admission, which is $8.50 adults, $5.50 youths 12 - 17 and seniors 65 and older, $2 children 4 - 11 and free for Academy members and children 3 and younger.

On Monday, Feb.11 and Tuesday, Feb. 12 there will be "Darwin's Scavenger Hunt." Darwin based most of his famous theories on his observations of animals and many of these species are on display at the California Academy of Sciences. The public competes to follow the clues and find the animals for a chance to win a behind-the-scenes tour of the Academy's finch collection. The event is free with museum admission.

Thursday, Feb. 14 will be an evening of music and dancing entitled "Natural Selection." The event, featuring the Red Hot Skillet Lickers, is from 8:30 p.m. to midnight for those age 21 and older, no host bar, $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

For more information or to reserve tickets, call 750-7525.