United States Post Office Releases Ruth Asawa Stamps

With these stamps the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is paying tribute to pioneering Japanese-American artist Ruth Asawa (1926-2013), a well-known San Francisco artist, by launching the Ruth Asawa stamps showcasing her whimsical wire sculptures art. Each pane includes 20 stamps, with each of 10 designs. You can order the stamps online or visit your neighborhood Post Office, provided you wear a mask. Born Ruth Aiko Asawa on January 24, 1926 in Norwalk, California to immigrants from Japan, Ruth was the fourth of seven children. Her parents were truck farmers who were growing seasonal crops such as strawberries, carrots, green beans, and tomatoes. Ruth Asawa’s final public commission in 2002 can be seen in the “Garden of Remembrance” on the grounds of San Francisco State University featuring boulders from each of ten camps where Japanese-Americans were interned.

Information
800-782-6724
usps.com

Photo courtesy of USPS

Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival Goes Virtual
August 23 – September 7

The first-ever virtual Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival brings movies to your home. Have fun for 13 days while streaming award-winning films from around the world. From the opening night of Shared Legacies on August 23 to Golda, Menachem Begin: Peace & War, Ben Gurion: Epilogue, Pollywood with guest of honor Tad Taube, the Honorary Consul of Poland, to My Amazing Funeral – El Dia Que Me Muera on closing night of September 7 – this will definitely be a culture, politics, comedy and drama saturation fortnight. In collaboration with Film Festival Flix (FFF) you can watch all these films from the comfort of your home with cozy PJs and satisfying popcorn on the menu.

Information
To watch films, you will need an FFF account: https://filmfestivalflix.com
SVJFF.org

A Conversation and Online Date with Dr. Anthony Fauci
August 18 at 11 a.m.

Join Dr. Fauci on a rare visit to the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco and conversation with Dr. Gloria Duffy, President and CEO of The Commonwealth Club. Dr. Fauci, one of America’s most trusted medical figures and leading experts on infectious disease will be available for a unique opportunity for you to ask your questions directly. Dr. Fauci was appointed director of NIAID in 1984. He oversees an extensive portfolio of basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose, and treat established infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS, respiratory infections, tuberculosis and malaria as well as emerging diseases such as Ebola and Zika…and of course, COVID-19. He has advised six presidents on domestic and global health issues. He was one of the principal architects of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program that has saved millions of lives throughout the developing world. Dr. Fauci is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest honor given to a civilian by the President of the United States) and the National Medal of Science.

Information and Tickets
Price: $22
This program will be online only and to receive access to it, you must pre-register for a link to the program.
commonwealthclub.org
All ticket sales are final and nonrefundable.

Photo courtesy of The Commonwealth Club

It’s All About Arts: Ballerina Book Club

ALL ARTS is breaking new ground as the premier destination for inspiration, creativity and art of all forms. This New York Emmy-winning arts and culture hub is created by WNET, the parent company of New York’s PBS stations. With the aim of being accessible to viewers everywhere, ALL ARTS’s Webby-nominated programming — from digital shorts to feature films — is available online nationwide through allarts.org, and it’s free. This week I selected Isabella Boylston, Ballerina Book Club host and American Ballet Theatre principal dancer, as she shares insights into her five favorite books. Enjoy!

Information
For all the ways to watch, visit allarts.org

Photo courtesy of Isabella Boylston

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England, she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, with no borsch or piroshky on her home cooking menu. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out, mostly sushi.