Library increases Russian, Chinese collections
A 2005 California State Library GlobalLanguages Grant of $100,000 enabled the San Francisco Public Library to acquire new materials in Chinese and Russian for its growing Chinese- and Russian-speaking clients.

Among the acquisitions are subscriptions to Russian and Chinese databases containing a wide variety of articles from renowned newspapers and magazines, which can now be accessed for free at the Main Library, any branch library or via the library's Web site at www.sfpl.org.

In addition, collections of CDs, DVDs, VCDs and books for adults, teens and children have been distributed to the Richmond, Anza, Western Addition, Presidio, Merced, Ortega and Parkside branch libraries.

Japanese Tea Garden bids rejected
The SF Recreation and Park Commission rejected two bids for a lease for the Japanese Tea Garden Jan. 19.

The two applicants were Chinese-American Fred Lo, who has held the lease for 14 years, and Japanese-American Carol Murata, a member of the Japantown Merchants Association and the owner of a cafŽ and flower shop in Japantown.

Both merchants have been invited to revise their bids and then re-apply for the lease.

Free classes at Washington
The Richmond Village Beacon, a program of the Richmond District Neighborhood Center, offers free classes in a variety of topics, such as dance, tai chi, Shintaido (a Japanese martial art), computer skills and parent support groups in Cantonese. The classes are held at George Washington High School, located at 600 32nd Ave.

If you are interested in joining a class or volunteering as an instructor, call (415) 750-8554 or visit the Richmond Village Beacon, located in Building T5 at Washington. Geary Blvd.

Cala closes
Cala Foods closed its supermarket on Geary Boulevard and Fourth Avenue Jan. 9. The store had been open for more than 20 years when Cala Foods' parent company, The Kroger Company, decided not to renew its lease.

Toyota Motors plans to move into the location and has applied for a Conditional Use Permit with the SF Planning Department. The process could take up to nine months. Toyota will use the space to expand its operations at Second Avenue and Geary.

The supermarket at Geary and 27th Avenue is the only remaning Cala in the Richmond.

Richmond resident's short animation debuts at fest
Richmond resident Lev Yilmaz's "Tales of Mere Existence" is one of the works featured at the San Francisco Independent Film Festival, taking place Feb. 2 to 14. "Tales of Mere Existence" is a seven-minute-long collection of animations focusing on "confusion, sex and alienation."

Yilmaz began working on the project in 2002, and in 2003 his self-published comic book came out, as well as a DVD of his animations.

Tales of Mere Existence" has been shown on Comedy Central and at Lowe's cinema complexes before featured movies. It can be seen at the Roxie Cinema on Feb. 5, at 4:30 p.m., or in the Women's Building Auditorium Feb. 10, at 2:15 p.m.

For more information about Yilmaz, visit his Web site at www.ingredientX.com. For information about the film festival, visit www.sfindie.com.

Russian Fest in February
The public is invited to help the Russian community celebrate its culture at the 18th annual Russian Festival. This year's event showcases the Russian culture through traditional food, dance, music and art.

Homemade Russian delicacies and tea will be served and a vodka tasting bar will be on hand. A lineup of performers, including vocal and instrumental ensembles from Moscow and local favorites, will provide entertainment.

An art gallery featuring the work of Russian artists will be on display, and the public will have the opportunity to purchase Russian crafts and gift items, such as unique jewelry, lacquer boxes and more. Raffle tickets will also be sold, with a grand-prize trip to Las Vegas, courtesy of Russian Connections Travel.

The event will be held at the Russian Center of San Francisco, 1460 Sutter St., on Friday, Feb. 10, from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Saturday, Feb. 11, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 12, from 11 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. Tickets for the event are $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, and free for youth aged 12 and younger.

For more information and a complete schedule of performances, call 921-7631 or visit the Web site at www.russiancentersf.com.

Volunteers needed to capture exotic frogs
The Lily Pond Coalition is asking for volunteers to gather exotic frogs and their eggs from a pond in the Golden Gate Park. The spreading of the exotic African Clawed frog is causing problems to the environment in the park and beyond, according to the foundation.

Between 25 to 30 people are needed to gather the frogs, tadpoles and eggs, which will be disposed of. The date for the project is yet to be determined.

To participate, contact Eric Mills at the Lily Pond Coalition at (510) 652-5603 or by e-mail at afa@mcn.org.