The Faculty Club Newsletter

March 06

           Spring is almost upon us and I, like you, am hoping for some good weather. We continue to offer Club events and work on the building, even in the cold and rain. Events offered over the last couple of months have been well attended. Look over the current schedule and mark your calendars now. Check out the offer of a free birthday dinner in the Kerr Room. This is a separate promotion from our continuing Early Bird bargain meals. We’re also curious to see what the Events Committee comes up with the commemorate the ’06 earthquake. Remember that the suggestion box is always out on the front desk. Feel free to drop off a comment or suggestion. As always, you should feel free to contact me or ask for help in any club related matter. Thank you.

       Our annual jazz night has become one of our most popular member events. On March 24th 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.

       Princeton economics professor Orley Ashenfelter has stirred up controversy in the wine world by applying a straightforward formula (based on weather statistics) for predicting the potential future prices (and therefore the quality) of wines of any vintage. He publishes a wine newsletter called Liquid Assets and takes delight in producing ratings of wines that turn out, at least in the auction rooms, to be more accurate than those of most wine experts who rely on tasting young wines. On March 17th come to the Club for a lecture from this wine iconoclast, the man who is regarded as “Neanderthal” by some wine writers and a genius by others.Lecture and generous hors d’oevres: $40 per person all-inclusive. (We had previously advertised this as a dinner event; please excuse the editorial error.) Reserve now, at extension 224. And consider having dinner in the Kerr Room after the lecture.

       After the very successful Valentine’s Day lunch, with Grace Fretter performing as Julia Morgan and telling everyone of her life and achievements, the group is looking forward to the next lunch, on April 19th. All surviving spouses of Club members are eligible to join this welcoming group. Lunch costs $17, with an extra $5 charge for wine. Current members will receive notification by mail. Others should not hesitate to call for more information: Phyllis Schafer at 510-704-9951.

       As the concert and theater season moves into phase 2, keep on 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 $13.99, including a choice of soup or salad, and dessert. Reservations at 540-5678 ext. 0.

       The NCAA playoffs are now upon us and the bar will be open during game time so that you can join your friends to watch the games. A limited bar menu will be offered – you do not have to go hungry while you watch.

       Once again out artist will be Eugene Commins, Professor of Physic Emeritus. He practices painting and drawing as a hobby, and shown his work at the Club several times. The present paintings are for the most part imaginary scenes, but several were inspired by travels in Italy (the old door) and Iceland (the waterfall) or by recent events, Hurricane Katrina.

       We are now offering the opportunity for informal, light meals in the Bar on weekday evenings. If you need a quick snack before returning to your department for an early evening meeting, you can now do it in the peace of the Club Bar. The new Bar menu is already in place – check it out.

       During this month you will receive ballots for electing people to the Board of Directors of the Club. Results will be announced at the annual meeting, to be held at noon on April 5th. At this time the Board and Management will report on the running of the Club and share financial information on the past year. Come and learn more about the overall operation of the Club you own.

       Come to the Club on April 20th for what we hope will be both an in formative and lighthearted look at the 100th anniversary of the Big One. We are hoping to resurrect a few witnesses from the time, including the Mayor of San Francisco. Join your friends at 6 p.m. for drinks, to be followed by dinner and the program. More details in the April Newsletter. The cost will be $25 per person, all-inclusive. Meanwhile, see Steve Finacom’s contribution to the Club in History in this issue. The Club was there!

       On April 14th enjoy another of the Club’s famous winemaker’s dinner when David Graves of Sainstbury Winery from Santa Cruz presents an evening of fine wines paired with the inspired food matches dreamed up by our chef, Carl, working with Felix. As usual, members will have the opportunity to purchase the wineries products at a highly advantageous price. Reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7. Cost: $60 per person, all-inclusive.

       Our dedicated Club historian, Steve Finacom, has unearthed information about the Club’s role in the aftermath of 1906 earthquake. He has found scattered information that various earthquake and fire refugees from San Francisco were housed at the Club. There were refugee camps feeding stations on the campus, and regular classwork was suspended. More important, though, was the fact that Professor Andrew Lawson of Geology established the Club as headquarters for the State Earthquake Investigation Commission. This commission’s work and the resulting 1908 Lawson Report are regarded as the beginnings of modern seismology in the United States. (More next month)

       The Club continues to serve a generous breakfast in the dining room every weekday. For $2.99 you can enjoy juice, coffee or tea, eggs, and toast. After the grim commute, unwind with your newspaper and get ready to fact the day. We don’t discriminate. You can eat the same breakfast even if you walk to campus!