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Program 100: Overview of Acoustical Design by Elaine Hsieh |
OWA's August Book Exchange by Hana Mori For the August OWA Program, we decided to do something a little different from the usual format of a lecture, demonstration or tour. Instead, the event focused on OWA members themselves, and was an opportunity to exchange ideas and thoughts in the form of a Book Exchange. On the evening of August 9, the Spanish bookstore Casa del Libro in San Francisco's Mission district opened its doors again to us, allowing us to use their gallery room and patio area for our meeting. As the event was lightly attended, we were able to have some great discussions about the books and our individual experiences with them. One could even say the book choices gave everyone else an insight into our personalities. Including suggestions that were written in to us by people who could not make it to the event, here is a list of the books presented: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn Recommended by Deborah Coburn, who writes: "This story gives great insight into the way our culture is set up and why we are all asleep as we ride our beautiful Earth craft toward disaster. It changed my life!" The Gardens of San Francisco by Joan Hockaday, photographs by Henry Bowles Recommended by Merle Easton: "A beautifully illustrated guide to the many public and private gardens throughout San Francisco, with historical information about how many of them came about and have changed over time." One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia–Marquez, translated by Gregory Rabassa Recommended by Inge Horton: "Much-loved and Nobel Prize-winning author Garcia-Marquez's epic novel about the events in the life of the Buendia family over six generations. William Kennedy of the New York Times Book Review says "One Hundred Years of Solitude is the first piece of literature since the Book of Genesis that should be required reading for the entire human race..." Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie Recommended by Hana Mori: "A lovely, easy-to-read book with skillful play-on-words, and truly beautiful imagery. One magical place in the story is the Ocean of the Streams of Story, described as being made up of thousands of different currents, each in a different color, each representing a story and which can melt and mix with each other, making the Ocean a sort of living library of stories." Chronicles of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia-Marquez, translated by Gregory Rabassa Recommended by Sarka Volejnikova: "A shorter, lighter novel by Garcia-Marquez, which Sarka described as being so beautifully written as to "suck you in completely and you won't be able to put it down." Virginia Woolf a biography by Nigel Nicholson Recommended by Orit Yanai: "This is a particularly interesting biography of the famous writer because of the unique perspective of this author Nigel Nicholson—he is the son of Virginia Woolf's female lover. Having spent many years in close observation of her, he provides insights that few other biographers could." Tracks by Robyn Davidson Recommended by Alex Vondeling, who writes: "This travel essay describes the author's trek with camels and her dog across the Australian outback from Alice Springs to the coast in the 1970's. The odyssey is amazing both from what she battled externally with nature and mankind and internally, with her own thoughts. You see how she is transformed over the period from a young impetuous upstart to someone with a greater understanding and sense of responsibility. It is an especially appealing book for independent women with a yen for adventure. I highly recommend it." SPECIAL NOTE: La Casa del Libro is offering Spanish classes starting soon. If there are at least 4 or 5 people, a group just for OWA members can be formed. The class will be held at the gallery of La Casa del Libro (973 Valencia St at 21st St. in the Mission district), once per week, one hour and 15 minutes, preferably weekdays after 5 PM (exact time can be determined to work with people's schedules). Class fee is $120/month, and students receive a 20% discount on books, dictionaries, etc. at the store. A short bio of instructor Anja Fulle: Masters Degree in Translation and Interpretation from the University of Granada/Spain (Spanish, German, English and Portuguese). Licensed as a translator, interpreter and teacher up to College Level. Lived for 7 years in Granada, studying and working. Work experience (13 years) as a freelance translator and teacher in Spain, Germany, USA and Mexico. Those of you who are interested, please email Anja at lacasadellibro@mindspring.com with the following information: 1) Name and contact phone/email, 2) Preferred time of class, 3) Your level (approximately). |
Hidden Treasures in Peru by Mimi Malayan |
Upcoming Events Annual Retreat: Feng ShuiThere is still space available at the retreat at Westerbeke Ranch in Sonoma. The main presentation this year is Space, Place and Grace: the Art and Science of Feng Shui presented by Diane Bush, RN, MPH. The art project will involve making a mobile and the musical program is belly dancing to Arabian music! Come relax and meet other women while partaking of yoga, the hot tub and swimming pool, walking, stargazing and wonderful food and drink together. Contact Heather Sprague to register: hsprague@lanset.com OWA Annual Business MeetingCome discuss next year's calendar, web-site improvements, and the organization's financial status. This is a good opportunity to get involved and meet other OWA members. LEAADD DinnerA flyer with information and registration details has been included in the newsletter mailing this month. The summary is: DATE: Wednesday, 5 October 2005 TIME: 6:00pm No–host cocktails 7:00pm Dinner PLACE: Palio d'Asti 640 Sacramento Street San Francisco, CA 94104 415-395-9800 COST: $65 per person checks payable to Queen's Bench 816 4th Ave. San Mateo, CA 94401-3317 SPEAKER: San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom RSVP: by 28 September 2005 include your name(s) and number of tickets, Company Name and address, phone number and your profession, and indicate your choice of seafood risotto, rigatoni with veal meatballs, or basil eggplant ravioli. QUESTIONS: Contact Katherine Burke kb@bleyandbley.com or Shawna Swanson sswanson@fenwick.com The professional women's networking group LEAADD (Women Lawyers, Engineers, Architects, Accountants, Doctors and Dentists) is an alliance of Bay Area professional women's groups including lawyers, engineers, architects, accountants, doctors and dentists. In the early 1950's, members of the Women's Physicians of San Francisco invited women lawyers from Queen's Bench to a luncheon to discuss issues common to both professions. The gathering became an annual tradition and has expanded to include women from all professional fields, including the women from OWA. Queen's Bench organizes and administers the event, with assistance from representatives from other professional women's groups. Throughout the years the L.E.A.A.D.D. annual meetings have featured outstanding speakers who have addressed topics of current interest to women. There have been many notable speakers, including former Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, Rose Bird; author, Jessica Mitford; former State Treasurer, Kathleen Brown; former National Organization for Women President, Ginny Foat; and Chez Panisse owner and chef, Alice Waters. |
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Newsletter | Sep/Oct 2005
