Richmond Roundup

Temple gets new family planner
Congregation Emanu-El has hired Leslie Ticktin as the synagogue's first family programs coordinator. Prior to her new position, she was teaching an expectant parents' class at the temple.

Representatives at Emanu-El said Ticktin's degree in family studies and child development, her love for Jewish family education, and her years of involvement in the Jewish community as a teacher and youth group advisor makes her a tremendous asset for the congregation. For more information about Congregation Emanu-El, visit www.emanuelsf.org.

Funds OK'd for windmill rebuild
The SF Recreation and Park Commission moved forward with a $1.8 million appropriation to restore the Murphy Windmill, located at the southwest corner of Golden Gate Park near Ocean Beach. The money, which was provided in large part by private donations, will go to the Bloemendal Construction Company for rebuilding the windmill and its 50-foot-long sails. The mechanical portion of the windmill is being restored in the Netherlands. At one time, the windmill supplied up to 40,000 gallons of water a day to Golden Gate Park.

New president of Park Presidio Lions
Richmond District resident Russell "Woody" Howard was recently inducted as the new president of the Park Presidio Lions Club. Also honored was Clyde Cournale, a Realtor who was one of five Lions to be honored for 50 years of service.

Merchant retires
Ned Ghnaim will have to start buying his cookies at the Super K Market on California Street at 22nd Avenue. Ghnaim, who owned and managed the store for more than 40 years, recently sold the corner market to new owners. A San Francisco resident, Ghnaim said he will now start enjoying retirement.

Richmond Democrats name honoree
Each year, the Richmond District Democratic Club honors a man, woman, organization or program that has made an outstanding contribution to community life in the Richmond District. This year's recipient is Gary Meyer, owner of Balboa Theater. The public can attend a dinner event on Friday, Sept. 8, to learn about and commend Meyer's efforts and achievements in the district. It will be held at the PPQ Dungeness Island Vietnamese Restaurant, 2332 Clement St., with a no host bar beginning at 6 p.m. and dinner beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person. For more information or to RSVP, call Susan at 668-0997.

Asians at risk for Hep. B, cure available
The symptoms of Hepatitis B, liver cancer and cirrhosis, are disproportionately exhibited in the city's Asian population. Hepatitis B is the most serious liver infection in the world. About half of the United States' 1.5 million people who have Hepatitis B are Asian Americans. But, with proper screening, and inoculation with a vaccine now on the market to treat the disease, carriers of Hepatitis B can live better, longer lives.

At the Asian Heritage Street Celebration, held on outer Irving Street in May, more than 500 people were tested for Hepatitis B. The tests were performed under the auspices of the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University.

According to Stanford's Dr. Samuel So, who issued a report about the results, about 10 to 12 percent of those tested had a chronic form of the disease. A carrier of the disease takes a series of three shots to protect against cancer or cirrhosis. For more information, contact the Liver Center at http://liver.stanford.edu/index.php.

Beth Sholom to break ground for new facilities
Congregation Beth Sholom will celebrate the groundbreaking for its new home on Sunday, Sept. 10, at noon. The celebration will feature music, food and "community." The congregation will rebuild at its current site, located at Clement Street and 14th Avenue.

Founded in 1929, Beth Sholom serves approximately 600 households in the Jewish community. When the congregation initially met with architects about a decade ago to discuss the project, they were told the buildings that comprise the temple were not structurally sound. Current plans require two of the three buildings at the congregation's site to be razed and rebuilt; the sanctuary, with the congregation's offices, and a social hall with kitchen. A third building, the school, would need to be rebuilt. For more information, e-mail Ronit at rdrobey@bethsholomsf.org.

Classes at Beacon Center
The Richmond Village Beacon Center invites adult members of the community to continue learning by enrolling in two new free programs offered at the George Washington High School campus, located on 30th Avenue between Geary Boulevard and Anza Street.

"Real World," features life skills workshops for adults ages 18 through 25. The evening classes include subjects such as success empowerment (job readiness skills), money matters (financial literacy), computer 411, renter's rights, eating big and spending less (hands-on cooking and preparation), study lounge (with tutors available), dance, belly dancing, cardio kickboxing, tai chi and shintaido. In addition, a series of free evening adult classes will be held at the same site with topics such as ESL (English as a second language), parent support group, computer, dance, tai chi, and shintaido. Registration is now open for both programs and classes are held throughout the year.

For more information or for the schedules of upcoming classes, call the Beacon Center at (415) 750-8554 or visit its Web site at www.rvbeacon.org.

Senator Bestows Two Purple Hearts at V.A.
United States Sen. Dianne Feinstein visited the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center Aug. 23 to bestow Purple Heart medals on two California National Guard members who were injured in Iraq. The senator also met with researchers and patients at the medical center's Center for the Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The Purple Heart recipients are:
• Staff Sergeant Arne Eastlund, who has served in the military for more than a decade. Operation Iraqi Freedom was his first overseas tour.

After 17 years of inactive duty, he re-upped after Sept. 11. Eastlund was driving with a military police convoy enroute to Baghdad when they hit a bomb June 5. He sustained cuts to his face, burns to his legs, and permanent hearing loss in his right ear. He recently returned home and is working at brigade headquarters for the 49th MP Brigade in Fairfield, CA.

• Specialist Evan Bozajian, 24, hails from San Diego, and this was his first tour of duty. He served eight months in Iraq before he was wounded when a bomb exploded near his vehicle, overturning it and setting it on fire. He sustained burns, a serious back injury and other injuries.

He wanted to stay, but his injuries forced him home. He is engaged to be married; his fiancee and family attended the ceremony.

Former Police Chief to Publish New Book
Former San Francisco Police Chief Prentice "Earl" Sanders is publishing a new book in September that deals with one of the most troubling events in city history - the Zebra Murders that occurred in the '70s.

Sanders was a part of the team that spearheaded the investigation that sought to apprehend the people responsible for randomly murdering 15 people on the streets.

"Taste of Russia" Fair at Holy Virgin Cathedral
The public is invited to visit Russia for a day by tasting traditional Russian food, enjoying live entertainment, and shopping for Russian gift items.

Top Russian performers, including Nicolai Masserikoff, will perform, as will members of the local Ballet Russe. This year's fair takes place at the Holy Virgin Cathedral, located at 6220 Geary Blvd., on Sunday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $5 and parking is available at Presidio Middle School on 29th Avenue ($5 for parking).

Public Invited to Attend Autumn Moon Festival
The Sunset Residents Association and Assemblyman Leland Yee host the second annual Autumn Moon Festival in the City's Sunset District on Saturday, Sept. 30. The cultural festival celebrates the time on the Chinese calendar when the moon is at its fullest and brightest, symbolizing the abundance of the summer's harvest.

This year, the event features performances by Shaolin monks, magicians and musicians, pony rides and traditional food.

The festival will be held on Irving Street, between 23rd and 25th avenues, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 664-8749.

Seniors Can Join Sixty Plus at SFSU
Sixty Plus at San Francisco State University welcomes anyone age 60 years or older to join the lifelong learning organization. Members meet on campus twice a month to listen to speakers on a variety of topics, including science, the arts, history, sports and current events.

Group activities and special events, such as tours, day and overnight trips and theater productions, are also sponsored by the organization. The annual membership fee is $75, and an additional option of obtaining a student identification card allows members to access the university's library, recreational facilities and more. For more information or a membership application, call 566-9347.

Take a Survey About a City Planning Effort
San Francisco's Utility Undergrounding Task Force is charged with the duty of advising the city and county of San Francisco on the future of utility undergrounding within the City's borders.

To measure the interest of city residents in future utility wire undergrounding efforts, the task force is soliciting feedback via a web survey. To participate, visit www.surveymonkey.com. The deadline is Friday, Sept. 15.