Annual Food and Coat Drives

by Kathryn Doyle (11/22/2008)

Carly Perez-Banuet, Operations Manager of Cushman & Wakefield of California, Inc., the management company of 2201 Broadway, sent this announcement about the Breuner Building Annual Food and Coat Drives:

We have begun collecting for our annual food & coat drives! I have attached a handy list to help decide which non-perishables might be most needed. This year has seen an increased demand on our community food bank; any help will be greatly appreciated.

The Alameda County Community Food Bank has been serving the community since 1985. As the county’s clearinghouse for donated food, the Food Bank provides food assistance for 40,000 low-income Alameda County residents each week, which includes 14,000 children and 7,000 seniors. Most adults served are among the working poor.

* The following is a list of the most needed food items:

  • Canned Fruit & Vegetables
  • Canned Meats and Fish
  • Peanut Butter
  • Pasta
  • Beans
  • Rice
  • Canned Soup
  • Dry Cereal and Oatmeal
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Powdered Milk

The food bin will be located in the main lobby until December 19, 2008.


One Warm Coat started in 1992 as a Thanksgiving Weekend coat drive in San Francisco. Last year more than 2,000 coat drives were held across the country throughout the year. Each coat drive has the same intent – to collect coats that will be GIVEN to those in need.

Two Bay Area family support non-profits will ensure that the donated coats will provide families with extra warmth this winter. Please drop coat donations at the lobby security desk or in the Management office on the mezzanine level. This was a great success last year!

Coats may be brought to the main lobby anytime until December 19, 2008.

Wordless Wednesday – Annual Appeal

by Kathryn Doyle (11/20/2008)

California Genealogical Society and Library
Preparing the Annual Appeal Letter
Mary Limosner, Gaye Lenahan and Jane Knowles Lindsey


Photograph by Kathryn Doyle, 10/23/2008.

First Saturday Beginners Classes

by Kathryn Doyle (11/17/2008)

The California Genealogical Society offers a FREE “Intro to Genealogy” class on the first Saturday of every month, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the society’s library at 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland, California, in the historic Breuner Building.

Intro to Genealogy is part of the “First Saturdays Free” policy that allows open access to the library and resources to non-members and the general public on the first Saturday of every month. The library is a benefit of membership and is available to non-members for a $5.00 day fee during the rest of the month.

Vinnie Schwarz, Margaret Bowman and Kirsten Netterbled at the November 1, 2008 class.

And it is not just beginners who attend. Lavinia Schwarz sent this report: “Two members attended the November class that I taught. Neither are beginners but they were there nonetheless, with great enthusiasm. We went through the usual — interview all the elders, forget spelling, keep track and source your evidence. I threw in my organizational favorite habits of color coding the four grandparent lines and using time-lines. We talked about names, places, dates, and events. It was fun.”
The next class is set for December 6, 2008 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and will be taught by Lisa Gorrell.

The Events Committee is working on the list of volunteers who will teach the FREE First Saturday Classes in 2009. If you are interested in volunteering please e-mail Jane Knowles Lindsey. The basic outline and hand-outs are provided, all you need to add is your time, patience and expertise!

The classes are always listed on the CGS Google calendar.