The Faculty Club Newsletter

February 2005

           The year has started with a couple of very successful evenings. The Crab Feed brought a large crowd to the Club, and we’re now considering another seafood event for the fall – maybe a clambake? And Tom Bopp’s loyal admirers enjoyed a great evening of his singing and piano playing. Now we look forward to the Valentine’s Dinner Dance, the Jazz evening, and some outstanding wine events. We hope to see you here. The Board of Directors paid a visit to the kitchen and delighted in the changes we were able to finish during the Christmas break. The suggestion that the new pot scrubbing sink be made available to members as a whirlpool bath was not taken up! We are planning further upgrades with the Board and House Committee, and we’ll keep you informed as we go ahead. Thanks for your ongoing support for Club events. Keep your suggestions and comments coming. Thank you.

        Still enjoying his membership in the Faculty Club is our oldest member, Murray Emeneau, emeritus professor of Linguistics, whose 101st birthday falls on February 28th. Murray drops into the Club from time to time to take lunch and thoroughly enjoyed the latest Christmas party. Floreat!

       The 2005 Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance will be held on February 11th. Mark your calendars now and line up that special person. Of course, there’s no rule that you have to come as a couple. Why not simply gather a group of friends and enjoy the evening, perhaps indulging in a few fond reminiscences? Great food and wonderful music to dance the evening away. Cost will be $60 a person. Reserve with Hope at ext. 224.

       We are continuing to show the work of Callie Cressman, a long-time staff member at the University. She paints local images and scenes in a California impressionistic style, and has displayed her art in many places in the Bay Area.The University paintings are not for sale, but she would appreciate your comments at 925-934-2064.

       People are enjoying the bargain dinners in the Kerr Room, especially before events at Zellerbach Hall. This is the biggest dining bargain in Berkeley, Come any weekday evening before 6:30 and enjoy a three-course dinner for the remarkable price of $12.95, including a choice of soup or salad, and dessert. Reservations at 540-5678, extension 0.

       The Golden Girlfriends first meeting on the new year will be on February 15th. You should be getting your invitations in the mail very soon. This group is open to all widows of members. We meet every two months for lunch and a short program. A warm and welcoming group. For information, call Phyllis Schafer at 510-704-9951.

       No, we’re in no danger of collapsing. Board member Dan Melia (Rhetoric and Celtic Studies) impressed us some years ago by becoming a “champion of champions” on the popular quiz show and has been recalled to participate in a $2 million challenge match extending over several weeks. (We know, we know-some people win Noble Prizes, or MacArthur awards, but rarely on prime time television). Let’s all wish him good luck and a fast finger on the buzzer. On April 21st we’re planning an evening at the Club for our own version of “Jeopardy,” now being organized by Dan and others. A dinner and a chance to win fabulous prizes (and maybe some real ones!) More details in the March Newsletter. Cost: $30 per person, all-inclusive.

       On March 18th come to the Club for an evening of brilliant classic jazz with our favorite jazz group, the San Francisco Feetwarmers. Seasoned professionals, the group is known for great arrangements, and their driving four-beat rhythm gets the dancers on the floor. Enjoy this great group, along with a special dinner, all for $30. Reserve at 540-5678, extension 224

       On February 25th, join the Wine Committee for a fine meal including Rod and Cathy Park’s presentation of wines made from grapes from their own Rockpile Vineyard. On the site of an old sheep ranch formerly owned by the cast of the Bonanza television series, Rod and Cathy worked to clear, cultivate, and care for their Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot grapes. They have supplied the grapes for some distinguished wines from J.C. Cellars and Paradise Ridge Winery, which will also be represented at the dinner. Jeff Cohen produces hand-crafted single vineyard wines, specializing in Syrah, Petite Syrah, Viognier, and Zinfandel. (He is also the winemaker at Rosenblum Cellars, long associated with the Faculty Club.) Paradise Ridge, owned by the Byck family, is known for its dedication to the arts, with extensive exhibition space on its ridge overlooking the Russian River. But at our wine committee evening we will concentrate on products from the family’s boutique wine estate, dedicated to producing small lots of handcrafted ultra-premium wine. Reception at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. Cost: $60 per person for reception, and four-course dinner with matching wines. Reserve at Ext. 224.

       At their latest tasting, the Committee recommended that members look into two bargains in good wine: Paraiso Chardonnay and Artesa Napa Cabernet. These are very good wines, but since the wineries are making changes in their production, they are available to Club members at nearly 50% off retail! The Chardonnay sells for $145 a case and the Cabernet for $200. Both are also available here at the Club by the glass. Get orders in to Felix as soon as possible. Details on the Arrowood Winery dinner, on April 29th, will appear in next month’s Newsletter. Your editor did not wish to cross the all-powerful Wine Committee, and is reproducing in toto the message forwarded to her by Howard Mel on the instructions of the Committee – an informational release:

A new wine for seniors!

        In the New Year we are continuing the Club’s bargain breakfast special. From 7 to 10 a.m. you can come by the Kerr Room and for $2.99 enjoy juice, eggs, coffee, and toast. Pick up a newspaper on the way to the campus and relax after that commute or uphill bike ride. And tell your friends! You do not have to be a member to take advantage of this special.