Richmond Roundup

Clement Street closed for event
The Inner Clement Street Merchants Association held its fifth annual Clement Street Festival Oct. 8 and 9. The fair, which took place between Second and Sixth avenues, featured live music, arts and crafts, food, children's games, contests and local merchants. The event is designed to promote Clement as a worthwhile travel destination.

Local artist at crafts fair
The 27th Annual Celebration of Craftswomen, hosted by the Women's Building, is the largest holiday crafts fair. This year, Richmond District artist Susan Gould will display her jewelry creations. The event takes place at the Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion, Buchanan Street and Marina Boulevard, on Saturdays, Nov. 19 and 26 and Sundays, Nov. 20 and 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. For more information, call (510) 843-4233.

Tiles to help pay for library play structure
In a fundraising effort to raise $60,000 for the purchase and installation of a new play structure at the Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch Library play area, donors are invited to participate in a program to leave a personal mark and contribute to the area's construction by making tiles for a tile-covered seating wall at the Library Playground on Tenth Avenue.

The design and theme of the wall will be images of classic mythological and folkloric creatures from different cultures and stories. Local tile artist Paul Burns will lead the clay sculpting workshops. Tiles will be factory glazed and fired.

The names of donors who purchase a tile for $100 will be listed around the perimeter of the seating wall and donations of $1,000 or more will be individually listed on tiles as well. All donations are tax-deductible through the Planning Association for the Richmond. For more information, call (415) 831-7000.

Presidio to celebrate 75th
Over the past 75 years, Presidio Middle School has consistently remained one of the City's finest middle schools, receiving the California Distinguished School Award last year and the National PTA Award for Excellence in Parent Involvement a few years ago.

On Wednesday, Nov. 16 - the 75th anniversary of the day the then Presidio Junior High School was dedicated in the Outer Richmond District - students, staff, and alumni are all welcome to partake in the festivities.

For students and staff, Wednesday, Nov. 16 will be a daylong celebration beginning with a 9 a.m. bubble brigade kickoff from the students, featuring a flag-raising, pledge of allegiance and spirit rally. At noon, students will engage in fun "retro" activities, such as hula hoop contests, posture walking contests, cupcake walks to a live orchestra, Elvis impersonator contests, and an old-fashioned game of kickball with students rivaling the teachers. At 1 p.m., the "Presidio's Alive at 75!" student assembly will take place in a program featuring the winners of the recent 75th Anniversary Student Essay, Poetry, and Rap Contest. The school's orchestra and band will also perform "period" music as students swing, cha-cha, twist and disco. For Presidio alumni, a communitywide bash is scheduled for March 4, 2006. For more information, call 750-8435.