The Faculty Club Newsletter

August 2004

           Our usual foggy August is here and the summer vacation times are coming to an end. But warm September evenings are coming, and with them a cluster of carefully planned Club events, ranging from a leisurely evening listening to bells and our carillonist to the serious consideration of political matters – and some wine tasting to clear the palate! We had some successful summer events and the staffs have been busy cleaning and upgrading services to get ready for the fall. I hope you all had a good summer, and we look forward to seeing you at the Club. As always I am glad to hear from you if you have any comments or suggestions for me… Thank you.

        Our summer winemaker’s dinner will be held on August 13th. Spottswoode Winery’s Lindy Novak will be presenting some of their finest wines for your enjoyment. Our chef will be planning a special dinner to complement the wines, and those attending will have the opportunity to purchase at highly advantageous prices. Spottswoode is a family owned historic winery on the western edge of St. Helena, on a 46-acre estate established in 1882 by one of the early pioneers of viticulture in the Napa Valley. The Novak family bought the estate in 1972, restoring the house and replanting the vineyards. Lindy, our presenter for the evening, oversees national marketing for her family’s winery and is a graduate from the UC Berkeley Geography department. The reception will be at 6 p.m. with the dinner at 7 p.m. Cost: $60 per person, all-inclusive. Reservations at extension 224.

       As we promised last month, we have an unusual event on September 3rd – an evening with Jeff Davis, the University Carillonist. Jeff will be playing a special concert on the University carillon for us, will join us for dinner, and then talk about the art of playing the bells. The pre-dinner reception will start at 5:30 p.m., with drinks and snacks on the terrace outside the Kerr Dining Room where you can linger for the bell recital beginning at 6 p.m. Those who would like to enjoy the bells more intimately are welcome inside the Campanile itself. You may pick up a glass of wine and walk over to join Jeff. You have to be at the Campanile elevator by 5:45 – the door is locked promptly at that time. (You will be let out in time for dinner!) Jeff was appointed University Carillonist in July, 2000. He began carillon studies in 1984 with Berkeley’s first University Carillonist, Ronald Barnes. A member of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, he has given recitals throughout the U.S. and Europe. He was awarded the Berkeley Medal for distinguished service in 1993. A composer as well as a carillonist, his works, he claims, have not been performed nearly enough! Reserve now for the September 3rd event at extension 224. Cost per person: $30.

        Well, they would like us to call it a “Complimentary Wine Tasting,” but Club members know “free” when they see it. Representatives from Geyser Peak Winery will be in the Bar from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 26th, and Friday, August 27th, to offer some of their best wine. There will be an opportunity to order the wines at advantageous prices. Our kitchen will be providing accompanying snacks. What a way to celebrate the last weekend before instruction begins on the 30th! Bring your friends, especially newcomers to the campus who need to know about the Club

       Our artist for the month will be Bonnie Mager, who has been painting and exhibiting in the Bay Area for more than 25 years in both group and solo shows. She studies at UC Berkeley, UC Davis, the California College of Arts and Crafts, and the Addison Institute (London). Bonnie works in oil, watercolor, gouache, and pastel. She loves to paint en plein air or from sketches and photos in the studio. She is currently working on a group of paintings of the Berkeley campus – including the Faculty Club (see opposite). See a selection of her work at her on-line gallery: www.bonniemager.com.

       What a way to introduce potential new members to the Club! Why not invite a couple of non-members to this ever popular event and give them a folder on membership at the same time? Choose someone you owe a dinner to and take care of one of those social obligations that sneak up during the year. Start the evening by tasting some of the many wines on offer from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the Glade. Order forms will be available if you find something you like. Then move indoors for dinner, with dancing to the Tim Ross trio from 7 to 10 p.m. Date: September 17th. Cost: $40 per person, all-inclusive. Reserve now.

        The Club is in the process of creating an e-mail list of members. The list would be used only to announce Club events and for other Club business. No one outside the Club Board and Management would have access to the e-mail addresses. Anyone who prefers not to receive e-mail from the may opt out of the list at any time. The Secretary would be delighted if you would send your e-mail address to him at: dmelia@socrates.berkeley.edu with the subject line “TFC.” .....Many Thanks,

Daniel Melia, Secretary

       This month enjoy a choice of two continuing delicious entrées, or the daily chef’s special, at the bargain dinner in the Kerr Room. 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. These dinners are a great idea for evenings when you’re going to a basketball game or an event at Zellerbach.

       During the summer Law professor John Yoo hit the headlines when he was reported as advising President Bush on the applicability of the Geneva Rules in current circumstances of war and terrorism. His colleague, David Caron, has a different take on these matters. Save the evening of October 1st for an informal discussion/debate between these two distinguished scholar, and enjoy dinner with them afterwards. More details in the September Newsletter, but meanwhile you may like to check www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2004/06/15_yoo.shtml to get a sense of their positions. The cost of the evening will be $30 per person. We expect a large turnout for this event, so get your reservations in now, at extension 224.

       Remember that every Saturday that Cal plays at home during the football season, the Club is open for pre-game lunches and drinks, and post-game snacks and cocktails. Beat the crowd, park early, and enjoy a short walk to the stadium.

        The Golden Girlfriends’ lunches will resume in this month. Members will receive a notice in the mail very soon concerning the meeting to be held on August 17th. This group is open to all widows of members. They meet every two months for lunch and a short program. A warm and welcoming group. For more information, call Phyllis Schafer at 510-704-9951.