Richmond Roundup

Wizard of Oz at Gould Theater
The Children's Theatre Association of San Francisco is a non-profit organization dedicated to introducing live theater to children all over the Bay Area. This year, the organization presents "The Wizard of Oz," a musical for children ages three through 10, aimed at promoting the lesson that people need look no further than within themselves to find happiness. The production is directed and choreographed by Bill Star, the recipient of a Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Award. Musical direction will be done by Bill Keck, who also worked on "Beach Blanket Babylon." The shows will be performed at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor's Florence Gould Theater, Saturdays, Jan. 11, 18 and 25 and Feb. 1, 8 and 15. There will be two shows daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 for the general public, $8 for Fine Arts Museum members. For tickets, send a check made payable to CTA with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Children's Theatre Association, attn: Mrs. Michael Montgelas, 220 E. Bellvue Ave., San Mateo, CA 94401. For more information, call 248-2677.

Local Youth Honored
A Richmond District resident was among the 10 young people recently honored by the SF Youth Commission and the SF Board of Supervisors for their positive impacts on their local communities. Yana Morgulis, a senior at Lowell High School who lives in the Richmond, was honored by District 1 Supervisor Jake McGoldrick. Morgulis is an active volunteer with Greenpeace, where she works on a campaign against genetically modified foods. She also spent last summer in the Alaskan wilderness working to restore and maintain trails and habitats in Alaskan national parks.

CarShare Fleet has Electric Vehicles
City CarShare, a non-profit program that acts as a neighborhood-based, time-share car rental service, allows its members to reserve and use vehicles whenever they need to and pay based on how much they drive. The service charges a small fee and a per-mile charge. The alternative to private car ownership is not only environmentally sound, but money-saving as well, according to supporters. The program features two new Volkswagens in the public parking lot at Eighth Avenue between Clement Street and Geary Boulevard. It has recently added 10 electric vehicles to its fleet of 70 gas-powered cars. The Presidio houses four of the electric vehicles, and six more will soon become available to City CarShare members throughout San Francisco. The mileage charge for trips taken in electric vehicles is also being waived to encourage their use. For more information about the program, visit the website at www.citycarshare.org or call 995-8588.

Checklist for Seniors
Seniors are advised to get flu shots, clean out and do inventory on medicine chests, go for an annual check-up, keep records of the types and dosages of all medications, label prescription bottles with what they are and why they are needed, research the advantages and disadvantages regarding the medication, exercise and have a regular eye exam and dental cleaning.

Writing Contest for Teens
Bamboozled.org is a project of the Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center that is run by youth for youth. The website's mission is to provide authentic views of teenage life and battle the stereotypes set by popular, mainstream media. The organization is hosting a writing contest, inviting high school students to send in an original manuscript of any kind, their name, telephone number, e-mail address and a $5 submission fee ($3 for each additional submission). Send to: Bamboozled Writing Contest, c/o Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center, 3925 Noriega St., San Francisco, CA 94122. The deadline is Saturday, Feb. 1. The first, second and third prize winners will all receive a www.bamboozled.org T-shirt and their work will be published. As well, the first-place winner will receive $50 and the second-place winner will receive $20. For more information, visit www.bamboozled.org/contest or contact Willo O'Brien at info@bamboozled.org.

City Needs Umpires
The Northern California Umpires Association is actively recruiting umpires for the San Francisco High School and the San Francisco Community Recreation Department's 2003 season. No experience is needed, but knowledge of baseball would be helpful. Training will be provided at clinics held by the association and umpires will be paid game fees. Hours are flexible. For more information, call Tony Patch at 664-5514.