Happy CGSL Blogiversary!

Just one short year ago during our regular monthly meeting, members of the CGS board of directors took a look at the blog I created for the society and gave permission to go live. They were all wonderfully enthusiastic about the idea and have been supportive contributors throughout the year. I sold this experiment as a way to communicate with members and promote CGS at no cost to the society. So far, in my humble opinion, the blog is a success.

A few acknowledgements are in order. First to my blog-mentor, Jasia, who first challenged me to action and who graciously announced the the CGSL blog to the world. Second to Thomas MacEntee of Destination: Austin Family (and his newest offspring, Thomas 2.0) and to Denise Olson of Family Matters – you two took the time to leave welcoming comments on the CGSL blog within a day of Jasia's announcement. You've both been my tech-gurus – thank you for all your help and patience. I count you as the first of the many, many genea-bloggers who have become friends this past year.

A special thank-you to all of the CGS member volunteers who have contributed to the blog over the year, especially to Mary Mettler for the Tuesday Tales of her cross-country trip and to Jane Lindsey, Arlene Miles, Cathy Paris, Judy Bodycote and Dick Rees for their photographs. I'm looking forward to telling more of the CGS member stories in the coming year. Happy Blogiversary, CGS!

Happy Thanksgiving

Julie Cahill Tarr at GenBlog by Julie started a Thanksgiving meme with the challenge to blog two things for which we are thankful.

That's an easy one for me.

1. I'm thankful for all of the generous volunteers who are the California Genealogical Society and Library. You are all THE BEST.

2. I'm thankful that tomorrow is the first blogiversary of the CGSL blog. I can't believe it's been a year since we started this experiment.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Book Repair Workshop with Bill O'Neil
Saturday, October 23, 2008

Photographs by Kathryn Doyle, Oakland, California

Volunteer of the Year - Anne Robinson

On Thursday, November 20, 2008, CGS Vice-President Vern Deubler presented Anne Robinson with a certificate of recognition for her long service to the California Genealogical Society. Anne was nominated for the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) Ruth C. Bishop Family History Volunteer Hall of Honor, Living Award for 2008. Only one nominee is so honored each year so even though Anne was not inducted into the Hall of Honor, FGS sent a certificate to recognize her volunteer efforts.

Anne Robinson receives certificate from CGS Vice President Verne Deubler.

Anne A. Robinson, CGS Volunteer of the Year, 2008.

The certificate, signed by Wendy Bebout Elliott, President of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, reads:

The Federation of Genealogical Societies is pleased to present the Volunteer of the Year in the year 2008 to Anne A. Robinson, nominated by the California Genealogical Society and Library in recognition of outstanding service to the genealogical community.

Congratulations, Anne!

Photographs by Kathryn Doyle, Oakland, California, 11/20/2008.

Annual Food and Coat Drives

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.