San Francisco Dinner

"Heading North: Journey to Atacama Desert, Chile"

Thursday, February 19, social hour - 6 pm, dinner - 7, show - 8, at 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).

Chile's Atacama Desert, known as "the sky of perpetual serenity", was the recent destination of Berkeley photographer Thea Bellos. This avid traveler, storyteller, and adventurer has chosen photography as her medium to document the beauty and challenges facing the natural and built environment across the globe. The Atacama Desert, located in Chile's far northern area, el Norte Grande, is known for its high mountain desert, geysers, dry salt lakes, flamingos, vicuñas and llamas, indigenous villages and terraced farmlands, and well-preserved ruins of ancient civilizations. Bellos explored this "lunar landscape", reputed to be the driest on earth. The Lincancabur volcano dominates this magnificent region, which has sustained human civilization for thousands of years. The oasis of San Pedro de Atacama has become a center of artists, hoteliers, archaeologists, and tourists.

El Norte Grande has also played a major role in Chile's history and economic growth. The state-owned Codelco Chuquicamata copper mine continues its expansion to feed the global demand for copper, resulting in significant environmental pollution and the displacement of communities. The ghosts of "the disappeared" are felt as one drives by abandoned internment camps and roadside memorials left by friends and families who survived the Pinochet regime.

With the mystery and uncertainty we all face, Thea Bellos' magnificent images pay tribute to people who have struggled with and triumphed over adversity, war, religious intolerance, environmental destruction, and personal challenges. She was greatly influenced by photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson.

Thea Bellos has an extraordinary background in archeology, architecture, dance, the visual arts, cultural anthropology and cooking. She has traveled to the far corners of the globe including four months on the Scholar Ship, a floating university that sailed over 21,000 nautical miles. We are privileged to have this fabulous artist present to us.

To join us in experiencing this fascinating photographer and her magnificent images, send a check for $15.50 (note increase) made out to "Sierra Club, S.F. Bay Chapter" to:

Jean Marie Campbell
1700 California St., #230
San Francisco, CA 94109.

Checks must be received by Mon., Feb. 16. Specify clearly the date of the dinner you want. Non-members are welcome. Bring your own wine or soft drinks. Glasses and ice available. Let us know if you are a vegetarian. Call Onnie before 9 pm at (415)648-6380. Make your reservations early.