San Francisco Dinner

"China and Japan: Diverse, Fascinating and Beautiful"

Thursday, September 20, social hour 6:00 pm, dinner 7:00, show 8:00 - City Forest Lodge, 254 Laguna Honda Boulevard, San Francisco (across from Laguna Honda Hospital and downhill from Forest Hill Station; take Muni's K, L, M, or 43). Come early for street parking (no sidewalk parking please).

Gene Morita, a semi-retired nuclear-medicine physician at UC San Francisco, has traveled extensively over the past eight years and developed a passion for taking pictures. We'll be privileged to see his magnificent images of China and Japan.

China has an incredible diversity in its landscape. The cities of Beijing and Shanghai are massive and growing rapidly in contrast to the small river towns in China. The great Wall is an awesome sight. The terracotta warriors in Xian which occupy several football fields are overwhelming. The mountains are spectacular and especially breathtaking when seen shrouded in fog and at sunrise. Classical Chinese opera remains popular as well as the famous acrobats.

Japan is beautiful and has a greater orderliness than China. The winter in Japan, especially in the northern part of Honshu and in Hokkaido, is magical. In northern Honshu, in the Japanese Alps, there is a snow-monkey colony, called "Wild Monkey Park in Hell Valley". The monkeys spend much of the winter in hot springs. We'll hear about the young snow monkeys and also about the endangered snow cranes.

Dr. Morita has some fascinating stories to tell. His photographic mentor, the late Dr. Herbert Kaufman, rekindled his interest, and his goals are looking for the light that brings the richness and texture to an image. He has exhibited, mainly in Marin.

Please join us for this fascinating evening. Reservations are required for this exciting evening (no attendance for program only). Non-members are welcome. Mail check for $13.50 made out to "Sierra Club, S.F. Bay Chapter" to Barb Bourns at:

274A Connecticut St.
San Francisco, CA 94107.

Checks must be received by Mon., Sep. 17. Specify clearly the date of the dinner you want. Bring your own wine or soft drinks. Glasses and ice available. Let us know if you are a vegetarian. Questions? Call Barb before 9:00 pm at (415) 431-6054.