Richmond Roundup

Student roar like lions
The Park Presidio Lions Club, a non-profit group that works to improve the quality of life in the Richmond District, held a student speakers contest March 7 for George Washington High School students studying English as a Second Language.

Participating were students Bonnie Li, Cui Wen Zhang, Mary Tam and LeYan Li. Stanford Chandler, a former debate teacher at Washington, has been working with the students to sharpen their English skills.

Pharmacy joins network
The 95-year-old Evergreen Pharmacy has joined Health Mart in an effort to remain in business as an independently-operating business. As part of the Health Mart network, Evergreen becomes the first franchise in San Francisco. There are now 1,300 franchises operating in the United States. Health Mart is overseen by the McKesson Corporation and services are provided by Proctor & Gamble.

Evergreen, located at 5601 Geary Blvd., held a health fair and grand opening on March 28. The event was overseen by Paul Tam, the owner of the pharmacy for the past 25 years.

Rat poison banned in park
The SF Department of the Environment has temporarily halted the use of a potent poison that was being used to control rodents in Golden Gate Park. The move was made after several hawks and a fox died after eating rodents that had ingested the super-strength single-dose poison.

The SF Recreation and Park Department was using the poison in an effort to eradicate rodents that do extensive damage to the park, particularly those that undermine the safety of the park's athletic fields. The poison will continue to be used in sewers and the city's commercial buildings.

The environment department is accepting comments on the poison ban until May 18.

Peabody wins spelling bee
"X-y-l-o-p-h-o-n-e" was the word that won it for George Peabody Elementary's Student Council president, Sarah Skootsky.

Peabody retained its crown as Spelling Bee Champion of the Inner-Richmond District public schools. For the second year in a row, Peabody students placed first and second.

Initially, 30 third, fourth and fifth graders from George Peabody, Frank McCoppin and Sutro elementary schools battled it out on Jan. 9. Seven students remained after the first day when the coordinators ran out of words for the students to spell.

When the highly-competitive bee reconvened on Jan. 19 with a new set of words, Skootsky out-spelled her way to victory by tackling words like juggernaut, howitzer and chalupa. A Peabody fourth grader, Sophia Jochnowitz, finished second and Sutro third grader Timothy Lew copped third place. The top three spellers won gift certificates for the Green Apple Bookstore.

Richmond History Day
The public is invited to explore the history of the Richmond District on Richmond History Day, taking place at Star of the Sea School's auditorium, 160 Ninth Ave., on Saturday, April 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The free event will feature live interviews with long-time Richmond District natives and residents, historic photo exhibits, and a 2 p.m. presentation by local historian and author Lori Ungaretti. Participants will enjoy food and entertainment, such as door prizes and a raffle.

The festivities, which will be hosted by Richmond natives Paul Rosenberg and Noah Griffin, will also serve as a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Anza Branch Library. For more information, call 626-7512, ext. 106.

Trees looking for a home
Trees produce oxygen, clean the air, reduce storm and water run-off, and increase property values. For these reasons, the Friends of the Urban Forest encourages home and business owners in the Richmond District to plant trees in front of their properties, and work with other interested parties to make it happen.

Several areas are already currently being organized for plantings. For more information, call Suzanne at 561-6890, ext. 101 or e-mail suzanne@fuf.net.

Free Medicare counseling
The San Francisco Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) will resume Medicare counseling in the Sunset District beginning in April.

As part of HICAP's mission to provide unbiased information about Medicare, related health care coverage, and long-term care insurance to help older adults and people with disabilities make informed decisions, HICAP counselors will meet with present and prospective Medicare beneficiaries to help them understand their Medicare benefits and rights.

Counseling sessions will be held at the Stonestown Family YMCA Senior Annex, 3150 20th Ave. For more information or to make an appointment, call 546-2087 or 1-800-434-0222.