CHANGE: “a movement from the current state, through a transition state, to a future state”

INSIDE: Exciting changes are coming to 580 Capp Street

RUTH’S TABLE

580 Capp StreetSan Francisco, California94110-2570bethanycenter.orgruthstable.org

BETHANY CENTER NEWS is an annual publication of BCSF featuring Ruth’s Table, a center for creative learning rooted in the life of artist Ruth Asawa.

editorKarl Soehnlein

design + layoutKevin Clarke

photographyMonica Lee Photography

collaboratorsFreddie AngelesTeresa BaoJerry W. Brown, caspf

Heather ClendeninLisa GelfandBenson LeeMonica LeeVincent NicholasDebra VarnerJoee Yee

correspondenceBethany Center Foundation of San Francisco580 Capp StreetSan Francisco, CA94110-2570

websiteswww.bethanycenter.orgwww.ruthstable.org

executive directorJerry W. Brown, caspf

director of community programsJoee Yee

subscriptionsplease call415-642-1000

Bethany Center News is printed on paper made from well-managed forests.

RUTH’STABLEANNUALREPORT

2015

Nonprofit OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDSan Francisco, CA

Permit No. 116

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It’s a dream come true! This year Bethany Center Senior Housing

(BCSH) has been invited by the San Francisco Symphony to deco-

rate one of the towering Christmas Trees that dazzle Davies Sym-

phony Hall every December. Symphony donors sponsor trees, and

community organizations decorate them. As Bethany moves into

a period of construction, renovation, and change, this beautiful

holiday celebration reminds us all that creative activities for our

community are at the heart of Bethany Center and Ruth’s Table.

Bethany residents, families, friends, and neighbors have been

busy making ornaments under the guidance of Aiko Cuneo,

daughter of artist Ruth Asawa, after whom Ruth’s Table takes

its name.

We interviewed Aiko

about her Saturday art work-

shops, the upcoming changes,

and Ruth’s inspiring legacy.

BCSH: Tell us about the workshop where residents

made decorations for the San Francisco Symphony.

AIKO: When Jerry Brown approached me about creating some kind

of ornament for a Ruth’s Table tree, the first thing that came to my

mind was, for an 18-foot tree, you need something large. I thought

of making them from paper plates, an easily accessible material.

My mother loved teaching people how to make the “great circle,”

a form that she learned from Buckminster Fuller. There are many

versions, but the one we used as the basis for our ornaments is the

simplest one. It’s called a spherical cuboc-

tahedron. It’s made with four paper plates

and 12 bobby pins.

Is it complicated to make

these ornaments?

It looks complicated, but it isn’t. It’s math

and geometry and art all at the same time.

I tell them about Ruth, and how she would

teach this in schools, and about her link

to Buckminster Fuller, this amazing inven-

tor and architect who was her teacher and

lifelong friend until he died in 1983. The

most important part of the workshop is that

people learn and gain confidence. We use

our artistic, creative side to change the form

“You can learn at any age”

NEWSBETHANY CENTERRUTH’S TABLE AT BETHANY CENTER 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

BETHANY CENTER AND RUTH’S TABLE / 580 CAPP STREET SAN FRANCISCO CA 94110 / WWW.BETHANYCENTER.ORG / WWW.RUTHSTABLE.ORG

Interview continued on page 10

p10

Deck The (Davies Symphony) Halls! l-r: Talia Flanagan, Dorothy Yuki,

Margie Ramirez, Esperanza Torres, Joee Yee, Savitaben Patel, and Guadalupe Portillo make ornaments

for our SF Symphony Christmas Tree. See more ornament workshop participants on page 10.

2 A Letter From Jerry W. Brown

3 A Chat About New Construction

4 Our Board’s Vision For The Future

5 Annual Report

6 Academy of Art University’s Garden Design

8 Introducing…New Faces At BCSH

9 Volunteer Ita Burmenko / EMERGE

10 Interview with Aiko Cuneo, continued

11 2015 Donors and Upcoming Programs

CONTENTS

2

We are preparing for change!The heart of BCSH is the home provided for our diverse residents, average

age 82, and the dedicated staff who help them age with dignity. We are now

moving thoughtfully through a process that includes input from residents and

the expertise of professional advisers to create a safer, enhanced, accessible, and

sustainable home that will carry us another fifty years into the future.

BCSH has benefited from a long relationship with the U.S. Department of

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in providing safe and affordable housing

to over 1,000 seniors and younger disabled people. We could not accomplish

our mission without HUD’s help. Their approval of a new $20 million dollar

investment in our property makes possible four additional housing units; a fire

safety system; a seismic upgrade; a new, free-standing, 1,500 square Ruth’s Table

building; and a beautiful, peaceful, safe urban garden.

Change requires patience and adaptation. Residents, guests, and neighbors

will be dealing with the dust, noise, and new faces that come with construction,

which begins in March, 2016 and is expected to be complete by May, 2017.

Please be assured that BCSH management understands the worries felt by

some of our residents, many of whom need assistance with the activities of daily

living. We treasure the deep bonds we share with our residents; we understand

where they have been in life; and we are attuned to their needs. Together, we

believe we are all up to this new challenge! On the other side of this change is a

better living environment for current residents, and better preparation for BCSH

to meet the affordable housing needs of future residents.

BCSH has recently experienced staff changes, too. Lola Fraknoi, longtime

Director of Community Programs and founder/creator of Ruth’s Table, resigned

to pursue her first love, sculpture. Everyone at BCSH appreciates the vision,

artistic direction, and growth that Lola brought during her tenure, as she built

upon Ruth Asawa’s legacy. BCSH is pleased to welcome Joee Yee, our new Ruth’s

Table Program Coordinator.

I am excited to work with our dedicated team to improve the vitality of our

support for residents and to make a difference in their lives for the better. We

will deliver on this goal in three key ways:

• Listening to the voices and honoring the choices of residents and clients.

Our primary commitment is always to their needs.

• Teamwork! The staff, board, our contractors, and our collaborators have

proven we work well together as we efficiently and effectively deliver our services.

• Innovation. In the past, LeadingAge awarded us their Innovation of the Year

Award. We will continue to innovate to benefit our constituency.

We invite your questions, comments, and continued loyalty to our programs,

along with your financial contributions, volunteered time, and resources to help

ensure our success.

Through all this change, one thing remains the same: we are passionate about

what we do every day.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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A LETTER FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JERRY W. BROWN, CASPF

Staying Passionate Through A Time Of Change

Since 2012, the BCSH Board

and staff have been working on

a plan to renovate 580 Capp Street

and expand our innovative art and

wellness program, Ruth’s Table,

to better serve our residents

and our community.

Saying farewell to Lola FraknoiStaff gathered at Limon restaurant on Van Ness. l-r: Freddie Angeles, Dorothy Yuki, Miguel Rodas, Esther Koc, Lola Fraknoi, Teresa Bao, Benson Lee, Robert Lee, Alvin Ng

3

Vincent Nicholas has served on our Board for the past two years. As a member of the

Capital Improvement Committee, appointed by BCSH Board President Mary Franz and

comprising Board member Laura Fingal-Surma (Chair) and member Ken Donnelly,

Vincent brings a wealth of expertise in construction and project management.

BCSH: What’s the goal of this capital

improvement project?

VINCENT: We’re renovating the main build-

ing’s community and office space and 12 res-

idential units, and making seis-

mic and safety upgrades. We’re

also adding a one-story, stylish

new building for Ruth’s Table

programs and other art events.

Between the two buildings, we’re

creating community space not

only for our residents but also

for our neighbors who want to

join in Bethany Center activities.

Why now?

It was time to do it! Our mort-

gage was paid off, so this was

a chance to remortgage with

interest rates at historic lows

and do major improvements

to a 48-year-old building. I’ve

been in the building industry

for 30 years, and I’ve done a lot

of renovation. Buildings have a

life cycle of 50-100 years, depending on the

style of the building. As an owner you have

a choice to either improve what you have, or

demolish and rebuild. When you have good

infrastructure—and ours is great—you make

improvements. Building materials are better

today. Environmentally, there are improved

ways to conserve and save energy. We’ll be

more modern, with better functionality for

residents and users. If we didn’t do this, we

wouldn’t be taking care of what we have.

We’ll gain a building that will last another 40

years, providing housing at affordable prices.

What opportunities does

this remodeling afford us?

We provide sustainable affordable housing,

something you never want to lose in this city.

We’re also adding four new units, which is

a great thing; we’re creating a new, 1,500

square-foot building, with art and program

space; and we’re putting in a courtyard and

garden, which is an added amenity.

Tell us about the architects

and other collaborators.

Gelfand Partners Architects, led by Lisa

Gelfand. I’m very excited about them. I’ve

worked with them on a previous senior

housing project, and they really understand

the challenges, like accessibility for seniors,

and how to work through the design and

functionality around those issues. Addition-

ally, our construction manager is Ventura

Partners; Cahill Construction is our general

contractor; and CBRE is our financing part-

ner, helping us work through the funding

issues. It’s a great team. We have challenges

ahead of us, but in the end we’ll have great

buildings; our residents will be much more

in tune with the services that we provide;

and we’ll build a deeper connection to our

community.

580 Capp Street entrance. Renderings courtesy of Gelfand Partners Architects

New Ruth’s Table Building 21st Street View

A CHAT ABOUT CONSTRUCTION WITH BOARD MEMBER VINCENT NICHOLAS

Making Improvements, Making Connections

4

OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE, BY DEBRA VARNER, BCFSF BOARD PRESIDENT

Creativity In Our CommunityWhat have we accomplished and what are our intentions moving forward? As 2014 came to a close, these were the sub-

jects reflected on by the Bethany Center Foundation Board. With

the impending building renovation ahead of us, we focused on the

need to provide continuity in our program for our residents and the

community. What are our space needs? How will our programs be

affected? What is the best use of staff and volunteer time? How can

the structure of the organization adapt during this transition?

Bethany Center Foundation’s vision is to become a sustainable hub

of creativity in our community. Through the process of developing

a 3–5 year Strategic Plan, the Foundation Board reviewed our his-

tory and affirmed our purpose—and our responsibility—to provide

quality programming for residents and the greater community. From

here we resolved to maintain the Ruth’s Table program through the

construction phase, while identifying opportunities for enhancing

programs when the new building is complete.

We must continue to provide dynamic programs that engage our

residents and invite in the larger community. This will foster our

desire to be a place of hope and wonder for years to come. While

we are still in process of developing our goals and strategies for the

coming years, we invite you to take part in the future of Bethany Cen-

ter Foundation and support the programs designed by Ruth’s Table.

How can you contribute? Join us by serving on our Board. Make

a donation that allows us to provide affordable creative arts and

wellness programs. Volunteer to teach a class or assist with our

residents (as seen in the photos on this page). Or simply pay us a

visit—we promise a most enjoyable experience.

Your donation to the Bethany Center Foundation supports the

Ruth’s Table model for lifelong learning through the arts, allowing

us to continue to offer the quality programs and services that so

many people have come to enjoy.

Watch for the announcement of our grand (re)opening in 2017.

In the meantime, we will continue to fund programs and services

that serve our mission: to foster opportunities for people of all ages

to engage in creative expression.

Board President Debra Varner (R) participates in one of many Ruth’s Table workshops.

5

ANNUAL REPORT

Ruth’s Table: year to date (ytd) January 1, 2015 through October 14, 2015

100% = $249,465 100% = $174,530

61.3% / $152,987 75.6% / $131,918Support from BCSH Support from BCSH

19.5% / $48,544 0.0% / – Fundraising Events Fundraising Events

6.7% / $16,623 10.6% / $18,526Gifts from Individuals Gifts from Individuals

3.0% / $7,412 2.6% / $4,486Workshops & Exhibitions Workshops & Exhibitions

6.3% / $15,800 6.6% / $11,500Foundation Grants Foundation Grants

3.2% / $8,100 4.6% / $8,100In-Kind Services In-Kind Services

ORGANIZATIONS

PROGRAMMING AT RUTH’S TABLE

ATTENDANCE AT RUTH’S TABLE

REVENUE

EXPENSES

For over 48 years, BethanyCenter has been proudto welcome people of allbackgrounds as they ageproductively and with dignityin our housing communityat Capp and 21st Street inSan Francisco’s Mission District.

The Bethany Center Foundationof San Francisco, founded in2005, raises funds for programsat Bethany Center SeniorHousing and Ruth’s Table.

Ruth’s Table is a center forcreative learning rooted in thelife of artist Ruth Asawa. It isa center where people of allgenerations come together toexplore their creativity.

TOTAL PROGRAMS

2014

2014

2015 YTD

2015 YTDTYPES OF PROGRAMS

Exhibits & Special EventsArt Classes, Workshops and CelebrationsWellness Classes

2013 2014 2015 ytd

343

285 289

2013 2014 2015 ytd

2133

2013 2014 2015 ytd

148

90

142

2013 2014 2015 ytd

174162

137

2013 2014 2015 ytd*

TOTAL ATTENDANCE 5,051 6,157 6,954Residents 2,493 4,538 6,460Community Members 2,558 1,619 494 TOTAL ATTENDANCE–ART CLASSES & WELLNESS CLASSES 3,210 5,529 6,685Residents 1,506 4,132 6,207Community Members 1,704 1,097 478 TOTAL ATTENDANCE–EXHIBITIONS. CELEBRATIONS & SPECIAL EVENTS 1,841 928 269Residents 987 406 253Community Members 854 522 16

100% = $265,075 100% = $180,610

27.2% / $72,231 29.6% / $ 53,536Program Staff Program Staff

9.3% / $24,612 25.6% / $46,260Administration Administration

47.6% / $126,289 22.1% / $39,940Fundraising Fundraising

6.2% / $16,441 7.3% / $13,175Arts & Program & Arts & Program & Exhibition Expenses Exhibition Expenses

9.6% / $25,502 15.3% / $27,699Partners (in-Kind) Partners (in-Kind)

NET / -$15,610 NET / -$6,080

10

* Due to staff changes and construction, Ruth’s Table focused on activities for residents to reassure them during this time of transition, limiting outreach to the wider community. This is evidenced in an increase in resident participation and a drop in community members.

6

Bringing Open Space To An Urban EnvironmentBY HEATHER CLENDENIN, DIRECTOR, SCHOOL OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, AAU

Through the process of intensive workshops, interviews, research,

community presentations and feedback on initial design concepts,

students created a Conceptual Design Proposal for the open spaces at

Bethany Center and Ruth’s Table, the new gallery building designed

by Gelfand Partners. From the outset, the objectives of the students’

design proposal have been to enhance the well-being of Bethany

Center residents and to promote sustainable design strategies in this

intensely urban environment.

Working as a team, the students made it a priority to listen to and

incorporate both the daily needs of the residents as well as the long

term goals of the Center’s administrators in their design propos-

als. Students also focused on integrating storm water management

strategies; preserving and re-using existing plants; and selecting

appropriate and relevant materials.

It is our hope and intention that the ideas and visions shared

during this process will serve as a catalyst for further design dis-

cussion during the current renovation process. We also hope that

this will pave the way for future partnerships between the AAU and

Bethany Center. It has been a privilege to work with the residents of

Bethany Center and in the sphere of Ruth Asawa’s spirit.

The Academy of Art University (AAU) has had a long standing

partnership with Bethany Center and Ruth’s Table. The most

recent AAU-Bethany Center partnership has been with the

School of Landscape Architecture which took place during the

first three months of 2015.

Academy of Art University students studied and illustrated the natural impact of wind patterns and circulation on the building, above.

Recreational features, such as shade, sun, seating and landscaping were balanced to create intimate social spaces for Bethany Center residents.

7

Bringing Open Space To An Urban EnvironmentA PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND BETHANY CENTER/RUTH’S TABLE

We would like to thank all of those who helped make this ex-

traordinary event happen: Susan Toland of the Strategic Initiatives

Office at the AAU and Sam Mathau, Mathau/Roche Design Group

for introducing Bethany Center to the School of Landscape Archi-

tecture; Jerry Brown, Executive Director of Bethany Center and

Lola Fraknoi, (former) Director of Community Programs at Ruth’s

Table, and their staff for providing this opportunity for our students;

Gelfand Partners for their willingness and encouragement during

the design process; and the generous people who translated ideas

and comments and allowed the conversation to continue between

students and residents. A special thanks is extended to Chih-Wei

G.V. Chang for his enthusiastic, principled, and unswerving guid-

ance of the students of LAN 680 Site Planning & Sustainable Design

Studio: Avery Hu, Amelie Li, Hilda Lin, Mike Mao, Michelle Liu,

and Yuxi Wu.

Originally published in the Academy Of Art University School Of Land-

scape Architecture booklet “Conceptual Landscape Proposal: Bethany

Center, Ruth’s Table.” Reprinted, in edited form, by permission.

Students explored how to incorporate environmentally sustainable features such as rain gardens and green walls to create aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces.

Students proposed public sidewalk planting designs (overhead view, above) in shapes inspired by Ruth Azawa’s signature sculptures (inset).

8

BENSON LEE ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE MANAGEMENT

“My volunteer work with Bethany Center a

decade ago brought me back to Jerry, his

team and the vibrant Mission District. In

2013, I had been looking for a more upbeat

living arrangement for my mother. With

Jerry’s advice and a friendly introduction

from long-time resident and community

leader Mr. Deng, my mother is now happily

situated in the BCSH community.

Meanwhile, the company I worked for

decided to take their retirement before

mine; they were sold in a matter of weeks,

and I was unemployed. Before I got com-

fortable with the welcome but unexpected

‘vacation,’ the Program Assistant position

at Ruth’s Table opened up and I was asked

to apply. What was meant to be a couple

of months of contracting has evolved into

a training position for the Administrative

and Finance Manager.

Many of my friends asked why the

change to the Aging Industry after several

successful careers in other fields and disci-

plines. It feels right because this learning

experience is more personal and introspec-

tive. I get to play the roles of caregiver and

administrator, and then challenge myself

to balance both. In a smaller organiza-

tion, I also get to exercise my marketing,

design, organizational skills and practice

my Chinese. This is far more interesting

than being a specialist in a conglomerate

where individuality is not always valued.

I look forward to the challenges and

changes ahead with my sight firmly set

on the opening of the Ruth’s Table gallery

and a garden full of happy residents.”

JOEE YEEPROGRAM COORDINATOR RUTH’S TABLEAfter graduating from Tex-

as A&M University with cum

laude honors and a Bachelor

of Science degree in Business,

Joee Yee moved to California

and snagged a job at Ruth’s Ta-

ble. On her first day, she attend-

ed the BCSH annual staff re-

treat, held in August at Laguna

Honda Hospital—and instantly

became a team member!

As Program Coordinator, Joee plans, develops, organizes, and implements individ-

ual and group activities. These help meet the social, educational, emotional, recre-

ational, and intellectual needs of residents and the greater Ruth’s Table community.

She’s excited about her new position and notes that working at a nonprofit allows

her to live out values she holds, such as helping others, while developing a satisfying

professional career.

Joee has worked with the Organization of Chinese Americans–Asian Pacific Ad-

vocates and the Covenant House in Texas. She has recruited businesses for career

fairs and performers for talent shows; led and assisted in leading teams; and helped

promote and plan over 30 events in the last two years.

In her free time, Joee “likes to curl up with a good book, eat excessive amounts of

food, and binge-watch Netflix.”

GERRY STARKSMAINTENANCE TECH IIAs a truck driver for the last

20 years, Gerry Starks travelled

through the 48 connected states,

but when he heard about Beth-

any Center through a friend, he

knew this was something he

would enjoy. He’s happy to be a

crucial part of the maintenance

staff, providing support for the

front desk security, maintaining

five different units, installing

lights and fire alarms, changing

fixtures, updating plumbing, and painting the walls. His work contributes greatly

to the ongoing renovations, ensuring the overall safety and well-being of Bethany

Center residents.

Gerry lives in South San Francisco with his wife and four children. He has three

cats: Shadow, Squirrel, and a particularly cranky one named Andre. When asked to

describe his work, he says, “It’s fun. The guys here have a high standard. I’m having

a good time, learning something new every day, and meeting someone new every

day. What’s not to like?”

THE NEWEST FACES AT 580 CAPP STREET

Introducing…

9

Ita Burmenko keeps a busy schedule. As the leading volunteer for BCSH’s Food Program, Ita works with the San Francisco Food Bank,

helping residents get the food they need to make nutritious meals and maintain healthy lifestyles. Every Tuesday, San Francisco Food

Bank generously donates fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Last year, they donated USDA commodities valued at $9,252.44.

Ita comes from Ukraine, where she worked

as an accountant. Prior to living at Bethany

Center, she resided in the Sunset district.

Ita and her husband have lived at Beth-

any Center for almost twenty years. She

describes her home as a “lovely building”

where everyone is “very friendly.” She has

a daughter, two grandchildren, and three

great grandchildren. When asked about her

age, she laughs and says, “It’s a secret.”

Even when being interviewed, Ita stays

busy, wrapping bright scarves and ceramic

mugs with candy-cane striped paper to give

as birthday gifts for the residents.

What do you do as the lead volunteer

for the Food Program?

For the program, I give food to the old people, young people, all

ages. I wake up at eight o’clock, sign for the food, get people in line,

give them the numbers, place the food on the table, and separate

the apples and potatoes and rice. Next, another volunteer will call

people in sections to pick up their food.

How many people in total participate?

80 people.

How many volunteers do you have? How much time does this take?

Five volunteers, and not too long. Maybe one hour.

What made you decide to volunteer

for the Food Program?

It’s very good for the people. People like it

and thank you. At Bethany Center, we take

care of other people and they take care of us.

And I care about the people.

What do you like best about volunteering

for the Food Program?

I like talking to people, the community here,

and having everyone together. It’s very

good. We never fight.

Are there any challenges that you face as

the lead volunteer for the Food Program?

No, no, never any trouble.

What Bethany Center events

are your favorites?

We have a very good Christmas party and a beautiful New Year’s.

The Christmas party is the best and the tree is just beautiful.

What are the benefits of the Food Program to the residents?

They need this food and it helps a lot. It’s very good for the budget.

What would you like other residents to know about you?

All the residents know me already. We communicate with each other.

And one last question, what is your favorite dish?

Chinese food.

Thank you to the San Francisco Food Bank for their generosity, Ita Burmenko and the volunteers for their dedication and hard work, and all the supporters of Ruth’s Table.

STAR RESIDENT PROFILE

Food For Thought: Meet Volunteer Ita Burmenko

LEADING BY EXAMPLEIn September, Ruth’s Table hosted LeadingAge California’s EMERGE, a leadership development program that helps LeadingAge members maximize their potential and provide top quality aging services. We offered 30 fellows an art workshop, where they interacted with our Bethany Center residents. It was an honor and a pleasure to see community leaders, locals, senior residents, and staff spend this quality time together. One participant followed up with a very generous $1,500 donation, including a note that testified,

“I cannot fully express how much the visit to Bethany Center filled me with joy and purpose.”

10

of the circle to make it our own. Each one

becomes personally original.

How did the workshop go?

They were very good at it. It goes quickly,

it’s not overwhelming, and we had 54 by

the end of the first workshop—at least a

third of the 150 we need. After we make

them, they all have to be taken to a service

to have them flame-proofed for safety. I’ll

be part of putting the ornaments on the

tree—that’s the fun part. The white plates

will be beautiful against the dark tree and

the small white lights.

You also did workshops for Day of the

Dead, didn’t you?

Yes, we made paper skull masks, using the

traditional look of Day of the Dead. I tend

to take traditional ideas and then do some-

thing different with them. My focus was

on scoring and cutting paper to create a

three-dimensional form on the face. This

brings together the Mission’s Latin culture

with an art technique that people can use

for other paper projects.

You’ve taught art in schools. Is that

different than leading workshops here?

There’s really no difference. It’s the process

of taking a blank piece of paper and turning

it into something else. It’s the same lesson for

a kindergartner, a 14-year old, or an 80-year

old. We start with the same materials, but

at the end of the hour we have 20 different

visions. I emphasize experimenting, taking

chances, and not being afraid. So many peo-

ple are told they can’t do it or aren’t good

at it. I teach them they can do it, and it’s

really not that hard. That’s what Ruth did.

She wanted people to learn at an early age

that one thing they could have control of was

their art-making. They could have a voice.

How did you begin teaching?

I have no training as a teacher. I volunteered

at the schools when my children started

kindergarten. I realized the most important

thing to expose them to was that there’s

room for experimentation and taking risks.

I always say I don’t want you to make your

work look like my example—they should all

be different. That’s why Ruth went into the

schools: she saw the same pieces coming

home with each child. She started going into

the schools and brought practicing artists to

work with teachers and their students. That

was the beginning of the Alvarado School

Arts Workshop. I observed this myself—the

students that Ruth started with at Alvarado

Elementary in 1968 were age 50 or so when I

started working with Ruth’s Table. So, we’re

following them through their lives. Ruth

followed them from elementary to middle

and high school. Now they’re close to 60.

The thing that’s so important is that you can

learn at any age. That’s the beauty of life-

long learning. We’re teaching the seniors:

you can always learn something new.

Have you been involved in the plans for

the new Ruth’s Table building?

They brought me in to see their plans and

asked my opinion. Right now, we are chal-

lenged by space limitations. The new build-

ing will be used in so many different ways

by the community, as a teaching space, and

for events for residents. And the gardens—

Ruth always thought gardening was really,

really important. She would be happy there

is a garden component.

One of Ruth’s designs will be incorporated

into the new building, right?

Yes, it’s the tied-wire tree design, which you

can now see in the blue-and-orange mosaic

on the front of the building. The design

was inspired by a desert plant. I found the

original sketch Ruth did for that mosaic, and

then I copied and gave it to Lisa Gelfand,

the architect, who will have it enlarged and

etched onto the glass windows.

What do you see ahead for Ruth’s Table?

Monica Lee [artist-in-residence] does a won-

derful job teaching the workshops. Every

workshop I’ve taught has had the loveliest

people. Many come back and repeat because

they have such a good experience. The hard-

est thing is getting the 20-to-35 year-old

generation to be part of Ruth’s Table. They

never like to commit to anything; they keep

their options open! So we’ll be appealing

to that generation, too. It would be great

for everyone if the workshops had a mix of

older and younger.

Santa’s workshop on Capp Street. (L-R) Ye Gui Sun, Marta Carrion, Consuelo Ibarra, Queen Krubally, Savitaben Patel, Benson Lee, Guadalupe Portillo, Esperanza Torres, Margie Ramirez, Talia Flanagan, Monica Lee, Dorothy Yuki, Joee Yee, Xiu Qiong Wen Deng, She Qin Huang, Ita Burmenko, Mark Lazarevskiy, Gloria Hasbun

INTERVIEW WITH AIKO CUNEO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Day of the Dead mask makers. (clockwise from top left) Nicole Hiponia, Eliseana Hernandez, Margie Ramirez, Joee Yee, Aiko Cuneo

11

THANK YOU TO OUR 2015 DONORS*

Your Generosity Makes What We Do Possible

WORKSHOPS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Join Us For These Upcoming Ruth’s Table Events

UP TO $99Michelle AlcedoMark B. AllenAmazon SmileSusan BackmanKathleen BettsSmen & Ita BurmenkoGloria BustamanteJanet CarpinelliFung Oi ChowJanet CoeRamona DaviesCasanova Lounge, DBAViola DelkGeorge DikarenkoBin FengIona GleyzerNina GrebenyukYou Bao GuoWanda JungAvedis KabajouzianMarily & Joshua KoralSamoil KosovskiyYee LaiMargaret LewisJiahn A LiangFrank LinPeter LoganLawrence LurieElizabeth MacLeod

Mara MamayevaHai Ky MaoMryna Martinez and

Eduardo StanleyDianne McCutcheonBetty MillerCurtis MooreLeslie MoxleyJuly MozessonAh Htwe NgMei Lan NgSau Kam NgoLuois NuzzoMargie RamirezDarla and Richard

RomanoAnn Megan RovereVictoria SeidStephen R ShapiroSam SimkinBette SpencerCharles TempleTai Yin TsangYing Lam TseKam Chan TseZhong WongYu Zhu WuYao Huan XiaDorothy YukiEric Zankman

$100–$299CCS Clearing ServiceAllyson ClarkCornely Co.Aiko CuneoGabrielle CurryQing Zhi DengGustav ErpenRomeo FongAndrea FongPeter FouquetJeffrey FraintGeorge FuNatalie J GreenHadley Dale HallJoanne HandyPriscilla HaynesHKIT ArchitectsPamela KaufmannSan LeeMonica LeeWin MarshallGay Hanna MerrillEdith Honer Moriguchi,

CPAVince NicholasIsabel PinnerStephanie RamirezCharles RaymondHanna Regev

Mathau Roche Design Group

Raymond and Elisabeth Schwarte

Sarah SherwoodBarbara SolomonAlicia Yballa

$300–$499CAL Insurance

& Associates Inc.Laura Fingal-SurmaSan Francisco Symphony

$500–$999Freddie AngelesDave and Anne

Burns JohnsonDaniell Cornell, Ph.DLola FraknoiCarole HawkesJulie Stuhr & Conrado

DominguezSandra KovtunLouise Adler SampsonSan Francisco State

UniversityVentura Partners

$1,000–$1,999Jerry W. BrownCommunity Music CenterGerardi Giving AccountTomoko LippMission Rotary ClubLiz SchwarteDebra and Michael Varner

$2,000–$2,999The Jewish Community

Foundation

$3,000–$9,999CahillCalifornia Arts CouncilKen D Donnelly Jeffrey T. Ellis Dennis Fisher Heffernan Foundation

$10,000Germanacos Foundation

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015 3:30pm–4:00pm580 Capp St, San Francisco, CA

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015 2:00pm–2:20pm580 Capp St, San Francisco, CA

Adda Clevenger School Choir Start the holidays on a good note! Adda Clevenger

School Choir will sing carols and wish everyone

a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with

their songs. You’re more than welcome to join.

The more, the merrier!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015 12:00PM–2:00PM580 Capp St, San Francisco, CA

Resident Holiday PartyWhat a great year it has been! Residents, Bethany Center and

Ruth’s Table staff, and friends alike are coming together to say

cheers. There’s no better way to celebrate than with food, drinks,

and good company.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015 1:00pm–3:00pm580 Capp St, San Francisco, CA

Creatively Sustainable Holiday Gift Wrapwith Megumi Inouye and Monica Lee

Look at the everyday materials around you (dishtow-

els, newspaper, maps, envelopes, scrap fabrics) as

Gift Wrap Potential. Have fun learning to fold,

construct, and sculpt your way through the hol-

idays this year.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 2:30pm Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave,

San Francisco, CA

Community Music Center Presents a Summit of Older Adult ChoirsThe 2016 Summit for Older Adults coincides with CMC’s 95th anni-

versary and brings together close to 200 voices from seven choirs in

partnership with senior centers around San Francisco. Free! RSVP

here: http://summit2016.eventbrite.com Info: 415-647-6015 x84.

* Donations to Bethany Center Foundation between Oct. 1, 2014 and Sept. 30, 2015.