RICHMOND ROUNDUP

Muni Station on way to becoming a city landmark
The SF Planning Commission unanimously passed a resolution May 2 calling for landmark status for the Laguna Honda (Forest Hill) Muni Station, located at Seventh Avenue and Laguna Honda Boulevard. Its fate now rests with the SF Board of Supervisors, where a vote is expected sometime in June.

Both the SF Planning Department and the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board (LPAB) recommended granting landmark status to the station on the basis of its distinctive architecture and association with significant historical events.

The station was built in 1917 by City Engineer Michael M. O'Shaughnessy in a Classical Revival Style.

New Programs tap wisdom, experience of senior citizens
The San Francisco Bay Area Ministry to Nursing Homes, an organization devoted to fostering positive connections between elders and the wider community, has initiated two new programs that identify, honor and promote some of the contributions that older Americans have to share with others.

"A Plus" is a program that pairs an elementary or secondary school student with a neighborhood senior. The program lasts the entire school year and schoolchildren visit their designated seniors to learn about their experiences.

"A Plus" is meant to augment classroom learning and enrich the lives of others with personal accounts that allow children to build relationships that teach affection and appreciation for newfound friends.

"Life Stories" is a new program that pairs a professional writer with a nursing home resident to explore the wealth of personal narratives that exist in the facilities. Extended interviews allow the writer to learn the elder's story and shape it into a narrative that shares wisdom, perspective and experience with younger generations.

Meetings to determine shape of remodeled library
There will be a focus group, two workshops and a "final meeting" in June focusing on the plan to rebuild the Richmond Branch Library, located at 351 Ninth Ave.

A focus group will convene in the library's Children's Room on Thursday, June 6, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 666-7165 to reserve space.

On Friday, June 7, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., a workshop will be held at the Richmond Branch Library. On Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., a second workshop will be held at the Star of the Sea School Auditorium, located at 360 Ninth Ave.

On Sunday, June 9, there will be a Final Program at the Star of the Sea Auditorium at 2 p.m. For more information, call 557-4353.

Pedestrian safety gets a boost
The SF Board of Supervisor passed legislation sponsored by Richmond District Supervisor Jake McGoldrick to create a Pedestrian Citizen Advisory Committee.

The new group, comprised of citizens, members of activist groups and city agencies, will be in charge of making recommendations to improve public safety.

"Considering that almost 1,000 pedestrians are hit by cars every year in this City, it is very encouraging that the Board of Supervisors has formed the pedestrian advisory committee," said Michael Smith, executive director of Walk San Francisco.

Numerous groups supported the pedestrian legislation, including the Sierra Club and the Senior Action Network.

Student scientists report findings about health of Mountain Lake
The results of a year-long study by 159 students in middle school, high school and college were released at the second annual Mountain Lake Research Symposium, held May 9 at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park.

"This project offers a rare opportunity for students to participate in a long-term ecological monitoring project where students gain experience and skills that have real world applications," said Dr. Meg Burke, director of education at the Academy of Sciences.

Mountain Lake, located in Mt. Lake Park in the Presidio near Lake Street and 12th Avenue, is one of the few freshwater lakes in the City. It has been under duress because of algae infestations, pollution and invasion by non-native species. The lake, which was once 30 feet deep, is now about nine feet deep.

Some of the results reported at the symposium included:

· Algae blooms appear to be increasing in frequency and duration;

· Zooplankton populations at the lake remained constant;

· A sudden increase in nitrates in January 2002 may have caused fluctuations in the lake's water clarity;

· The number of birds and turtles at the lake appeared to remain constant, with population numbers varying by season.

Partners in the lake restoration effort include the Presidio Trust, National Park Service, Kittredge School, Galileo Academy of Science and Technology, George Washington High School, University High School and the City College of San Francisco Center for Habitat Restoration.

Seamless Garment Network Meets at USF
The Seamless Garment Network, a non-profit group that espouses a philosophy of "total respect for human life in all circumstances," met at the University of San Francisco May 19 to hear a speech by executive director Mary Rider.

Rider is a non-violent activist who has taken stands against the death penalty, euthanasia, war, abortion, the arms race and poverty.

In declaring that all life is sacred, numerous peace activists endorsed the aims of the Seamless Garment Network, including Sargent Shriver and the Dalai Lama. Rose Evans, the editor of the national group's publication, "Harmony," is a Richmond District resident.

Chinese Art Exhibit Opens for Viewing
An exhibit entitled "China and Beyond: Artistic Influence Into and Out of China" is open for viewing at the Chinese Cultural Center through August 18. The center is located at 750 Kearny St, on the Third Floor.

Since Chinese culture has always been influenced by its neighbors, the exhibit celebrates multinational artistic themes and the free flow of artistic ideas - themes and motifs that have crossed national boundaries and been adopted into new cultural frameworks over the years. The exhibit displays more than 80 artworks, including paintings, ceramics, bronzes, jades and sculptures. All works are either from China or from neighboring lands that were inspired by Chinese motifs.

Healthier Living Workshop Series Designed for People Living with Chronic Health Problems
Jewish Family and Children's Services has introduced a new program to help people with chronic health conditions, such as asthma, high blood pressure, back injuries and diabetes, to live healthier, more satisfying lives. The six-week workshop series will teach participants how to self-manage the physical and emotional problems caused by chronic conditions.

The workshops will be held six consecutive Wednesdays beginning May 29 and ending July 10. They will be held from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 2245 Post St., for a total fee of $25. For more information or to register, call Debbie Goodman at 449-3832.

Dog Tags Exhibit to Open at VA Hospital
A new exhibit, featuring the relationship between military veterans and their pets, will open at the V.A. Medical Center on Friday, June 7, at 11 a.m.

The exhibit will be permanently displayed in a new Pets for Vets photo gallery, located on the ground floor of Building 2. The photographs of veterans and their pets were taken for free by professional photographer Don Crowe, who tried to capture the special relationship that exists between man and beast with black and white photographs.

For more information, call 750-2004 Monday through Friday.

EIR Required for Museum Concourse Project
The SF Planning Department has decided that an Environmental Impact Report needs to be prepared for the building of an underground parking garage in Golden Gate Park. The garage is slated to be built under the Museum and Music concourses. The garage will provide parking for approximately 800 to 1,000 vehicles.

West Side residents make dean's list
Columbia University recognized a number of local residents as honorees for its Deans List for Autumn, 2001, for two of its undergraduate schools, Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. The academic honor is reserved for students who attain a 3.33 grade point average or higher.

This year's honorees included Elizabeth Ferdon, Bradfod Tinloy, Yakov Linetsky and Jenny Yelin, who live in the Sunset District, and Nicole Boyar, who lives in the Richmond District.