Richmond Roundup

Church to close after 86 years
Thanksgiving will be the final service at the Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist, located at 300 Funston Ave., at Clement Street, which has been in operation for the past 86 years.

The final Sunday service begins at 10 a.m. The church, with its excellent acoustics, will feature well-known organist Brian Swager. The Internet Archive, a nonprofit organization that was created to build an Internet library, has purchased the church.

The price for the 23,000-square-foot building, which opened in 1923, was not disclosed but market sources put the number at about $4.5 million. The new owners must retain the auditorium without too much change as the land is zoned for a church and the new owner must keep the building in such shape that it may be returned to its zoned use in the future.

Marines need toys for tots

The Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program helps needy children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas and helps play an active role in the development of children.

In San Francisco, the family of Freemasonry joins the effort.

The public can bring new, unwrapped toys to the San Francisco Scottish Rite Masonic Center, located at 2850 19th Ave., to drop off donations. Hours are Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Financial contributions are also accepted.

"Help us share the holiday season with a young person who might otherwise have nothing," said Martin Kloess, who is helping organize the toy program.

For more information: contact Kloess at the SF Masonic Center at (415) 776-6400 or (415) 753-3792 or visit the Toys for Tots Web site at www.toysfortots.org.

Friends plan tree planting

The non-profit group Friends of the Urban Forest is planning a tree planting in the Richmond District for Feb. 27, 2010. The location for the planting, or plantings, has not yet been determined. A meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to discuss the details. It will be held at the Richmond Recreation Center, located on 18th Avenue between California and Clement streets, at 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact community outreach coordinator Greg Harrell at (415) 561-6890, ext. 101.