Richmond Roundup

Westside Filmmakers in Spotlight

The 18th annual Film Arts Festival of Independent Cinema takes place in San Francisco from Wednesday, Nov. 13 through Sunday, Nov. 17. This year's festival features a number of films by local directors.

Richmond District resident Daniel Gamburg's "Tsipa and Volp" will screen on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 5 p.m.

From the Sunset District, Jon Miritsugu's renegade, underground, lo-fi, low-tech feature film called "Scumrock" will be shown on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 11 p.m. Also on the agenda is Sheila Ganz's emotionally powerful documentary entitled "Unlocking the Heart of Adoption," which chronicles first-person stories of adoptees, adoptive families and their birth parents. Her work will screen on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. Finally, Waratap Pasayadaj, who directed a short called "Path," will be part of the "In the Flickerflash Program" on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 3 p.m.

All screenings for the film festival will be held at the Brava Theatre Center, located at 2781 24th St.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 552-3456.Free Health and Nutritiion Classes

Free Health and Nutrition Classes

Free health and nutrition classes are being offered at the Golden Gate Park Senior Center, located at 6101 Fulton St. Classes meet every Thursday, at 1 p.m., and each class covers interesting topics with videos, cooking demonstrations and recipes. Upcoming subjects to be taught by registered dietitian Lisa Yamashiro include "Destination Heart Healthy Eating."

For more information, call 666-7015.

Free Book Says No to Suicide

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has published a booklet, called "suicide Prevention and Mood Disorders," to help people who are struggling with suicidal thoughts. It also provides advice for families and friends and offers a checklist of lifesaving steps, sources to contact when suicidal thoughts intensify, and emphasizes that suicidal thoughts are only temporary.

To obtain a copy of the booklet free of charge, call 995-4792.

Elder Companions Needed

Little Brothers ­ Friends of the Elderly offers volunteer opportunities this holiday season. The goal is to provide dinner, gifts and companionship for more than 600 isolated elders this holiday season. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to visit elders, deliver dinners and roses on Thanksgiving Day and/or Christmas day, donate food and gifts, help cook, mail cards, wrap gifts and much more. For more information on how to help, call 771-7957 or visit www.littlebrothers.org/sf.