The Faculty Club Newsletter

May 2005

           Already another academic year is approaching its close and the Club is getting ready for a series of graduation celebrations as well as the summer wedding season. But before that we have our spring wine tasting on the glade and the Mother’s Day Brunch. I’m also already preparing myself for the June 17th Indian prix fixe dinner. I want to thank our staff for the great job they do at all these member events. I’m also continuing to work with the House Committee on upgrades. Right now the chair and I are looking at possible replacements for the Pizza Hut style lights in the bar. Many thanks for your expressions of support, I hope you continue to take advantages of the services offered by the Club and the fine events we plan for you. As always, I am available at the Club to served you; so please feel free to contact me if I can be of any help to you. Thank you.

       The vintners of northern California are again ready to get your attention with their latest releases and old favorites. Gather a group of friends, repay all those social obligations, and enjoy the tasting on May 13th. The usual pattern: tasting from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., and dinner and dancing from 7 to 9. If you’ve never experienced a wine tasting evening on the glade, you owe it to yourself to try one. You will get hooked, as so many members have before you. Cost: $42 per person, all inclusive.

       Once again it is time for Felix to remove his tie and put on his chef’s whites. Members in the know recognize that his annual Indian dinner is a delight to the senses. On June 17th join your friends for a trip to the subcontinent, orchestrated by our manager and his loyal kitchen staff. Reception at 6; dinner at 7. All-inclusive cost: $30 per person.

       This month we have an unusual exhibition. Rex Ashlock (1918-1999), an artist of high repute in the 60’s and 70’s, taught painting through UC Extension during his years in the Bay Area. Peter Falk has characterized him as a “previously unacknowledged artist highly deserving of critical recognition.” The works to be shown during next month are part of a collection that has languished in a storage unit in Berkeley since his death. They are interesting historical views from the Bay Area from the late 1940’s and 50’s. Ashlock exhibited unwillingly during his lifetime, regarding it as his obligation as a faculty member. This exhibit has been arranged by Georgia Kuchen who has contributed the notes to the pictures. For a full account of Ashlock’s life and a view of a large number of his works, see the section dedicated to him by Peter Falk at www.falkart.com.

       People are enjoying the bargain dinners in the Kerr Room, especially before basketball games or 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, extension 0.

       Watch for the announcement of the June 16th meeting. Members will be getting invitations in the mail. 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.

       The day of wine and roses approaches. Corsages and champagne. A delicious buffet. Delightful decorations. What better can you do for your mother (or the mother of you children, or your best friend’s mother, or your best friend who’s like a mother to you–or even–the ultimate guilt trip-for your children)? On May 8th the Club once again offers its celebration of maternity. There’s no place in town that offers the relaxed charm of this event. Call in your last-minute reservations – some spots remain available up to the last minute

       The BAHA lecture series on Hidden Lodges will end with a dinner and lecture here in our own Great Hall. Save June 9th for this event, which will be open to Club members as well as participants in the lecture series. The lecturer that evening will be Ken Cardwell, Professor Emeritus in Architecture. Ken was the first expert on the work of Bernard Maybeck, the pioneering Berkeley architect who designed the original Club building. He had the opportunity to interview Maybeck extensively, and this will be an opportunity to ask questions about the building that may have been lurking in your mind. Price: $30. Reserve at 224 For more details on the series, check the BAHA website at www.berkeleyheritage.com/calendar.html.

       At the Annual meeting on April 6, Bruce Bolt and Jack Coons stepped down from the Board of Directors. Elected for three year terms were Karl Pister (chosen by the new Board to be President), Charles Faulhaber and Karen De Valois.

       The Club has received a precious donation from the family of a former Club President – Thomas Putnam (Mathematics, president from 1936-38). His granddaughter, Susan Christiansen, and her husband Bob have donated a fine ink-on-gold painting by the distinguished artist, Chiura Obata, an old friend of the Putnam family. The painting was formerly owned by Susan’s mother, Iolene Putnam. “The Faculty Oak” will hang opposite the front desk – well secured to the wall. Below are Bruce Bolt, Bob and Susan Christiansen, Phyllis Brooks, and the painting. Once again, our loyal House Committee member Karl Kasten, was responsible for arranging a significant gift to enrich the Club’s art collection.

       Club Director Dan Melia and his pursuit of the Ultimate Jeopardy prize of $2,000,000 continues to involve even those least interested in TV game shows. He continues his march towards the big prize. At the April Jeopardy night at the Club Dan ran an evening of answers and questions with contestants jack Coons, your editor, and a surprise guest – Berkeley resident Steve Chrnicoff who is also running for the big prize. Your editor was ahead at the end of the two major rounds but was wiped out in the Final Jeopardy question. How many of you know which vice-presidents each served under two different U.S. president?

        We are continuing the Club’s bargain breakfast special. From 7:30 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.