Events Wrap-Up

Changes for Falkirk: Jane Lange Retiring; Program Reductions Falkirk Supervisor Jane Lange is retiring after 12 years of service to Falkirk and the City of San Rafael. We'll miss her terribly! In addition to overseeing Falkirk's cultural offerings and the care and maintenance of the historic estate, Jane initiated the Parlor Conservation Project returning the parlor to it's original Victorian splendor and spearheaded the Falkirk Grounds Project which included renovation of the wedding garden and the 1927 Greenhouse, as well as establishing three new gardens through partnership with the Marin Master Gardeners. A Falkirk Open House will be held July 23rd from 2:00 - 6:30 PM. Please stop in to say good bye to Jane. No gifts, please. Join us at your leisure for refreshments and reflections. Unfortunately, with the budget issues the City is facing, Jane's position will not be re-filled. This means Falkirk will have to make do with less than 35 hours of staff time each week. What does Falkirk look like with less than half the staff time it currently has? Fewer public programs and art programs will take place. The Victorian Holiday and Spring Faire will be discontinued. Exhibitions and other programming will have to be scaled back and streamlined. Less time will be available to coordinate activities and volunteers will be more important than ever. Falkirk will need the support of the community in order to continue as a Cultural Center, as established by charter in 1974. How can you help? Become a member. It doesn't cost much and it will help ensure that Falkirk keeps its doors open to the public. We'll be announcing a new membership drive with a fun incentive soon. Keep your eyes out for future emails. Oh, and volunteer! We'll need people to step up for 2 hour shifts covering the front door so we can focus on development programs. It's a fun and casual meet and greet opportunity once a week in an incredible setting. Easy parking, nice people, and you'll know you are making a difference.

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Annual Juried Exhibition Falkirk presents its Annual Juried Exhibition of Marin and Bay Area artists. Juried by Donna Seager, the exhibition continues through May 29th. Artwork in all media, including painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture, is included in this popular annual exhibition. PARTICIPATING ARTISTS Ventana Amico, Holly Blake, Marilyn Burkholder, Kristine Branscomb-Fitzgerald, Jan Buscho, Kay Carlson, Nancy Cicchetti, JoAnn Coffino, Mary Coman, Alice Corning, Kira M. Del Mar, Deble Faulkner, Carol Holtzman Fregoso, Julie V. Garner, Lawrence Gilmour, Enrique Goldenberg, Suzanne Hanson, Lisa Hochstein, Peter Horn, Connie Kirk, Kathleen Lack, Pamela Lanza, Michael Leonard, Nini Lion, Linda Masotti, Mary McDonald, Marti McKee, Barbara Milman, Rebecca Palmer, Sharon Paster, Sasha Pepper, Robert Reed, Michele Rosett, Sandra Rubin, Azar Vaghefi, Mary Valente, Mardi Wood, Patricia Yenawine Kay Carlson, "Ramal Road"

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Falkirk Celebrates 30 Years with Historic Lawn Party On Saturday, June 26 over 800 of Falkirk’s closest friends came by to celebrate the history that is Falkirk. "1888 - Falkirk's 30th Anniversary Victorian Lawn Party" was an exercise in gratitude for the City of San Rafael. This event was a community celebration, spotlighting the folks who saved Falkirk thirty years ago and featuring many of the organizations that have partnered with and supported Falkirk throughout the years. This was a volunteer driven event with over 40 volunteers, many in costume thanks to D' Lynne's Dancewear on 4th Street. The turn-of-the century event featured historic characters and displays, entertainment, poetry readings, flower arranging, carriage rides, period games and crafts, a children's area and more! During a ceremony midway through Saturday's event Vice Mayor Cyr Miller, dressed in full Victorian attire, presented official Certificates of Appreciation to several of the people who originally saved Falkirk in 1974. The ceremony began with the ringing of the bells at the Presbyterian Church across the street. The church and the bells are significant in Falkirk's history; the land for the church was donated by Ella Nichols Park who built Falkirk in 1888, and the bells were donated by Captain Robert Dollar who lived at Falkirk from 1906 until his death in 1932. Eloise Jonas, grandniece of Ella Nichols Park, came in a dress and parasol that belonged to her grandmother, Ella's sister. Curt and Rosa Maria Hayden, Kim Haney and Melville Dickson represented the Dollar family. And former mayor, Lawrence Mulrany bore witness to the City's acquisition of the house while he was on the City Council. One of the highlights of the event was the celebrity dunk tank. Celebrants got the chance to dunk parking enforcement officer Vicki Dennis and the Director of Community Development, Bob Brown. County Supervisor Susan Adams couldn't get her money out fast enough to try to dunk Bob Brown to the delight of all who witnessed it. Other highlights included a wonderful crew of pirates, the Sea Dogs, who caroused around the grounds singing songs and performing pirate skits as well as the magic of Tobias the Adequate (Matthew Legare). It was a magical day of Victoriana, with over 40 actors in costume singing songs, performing magic tricks, offering photo opportunities and picnicking on the lawn. There was even a Victorian Toy and Candy Shoppe courtesy of Cheshire and Co., as well as an historic hair-braiding booth by Vallejo Music Theater. The Mall at Northgate sponsored the Children's Stage lead by Little Productions' Barbara Davis and including Desert Dave's Exotic Reptiles and Storyteller David Ponkey among others. The San Rafael Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored the carriage rides, which were a big hit all day long. The emcee for the event was none-other than Marin County's local historian du jour, Lionel Ashcroft, acting as Andrew Carnegie. What a delight! Especially when he introduced actors Robert and Dianna Young portraying the historic figures of the house, Robert and Margaret Dollar. Marin Poetry Center, the longest tenants of the house, had a poetry booth and recited poetry from the main stage as well. And the event closed with a last minute addition and special treat: opera singer Geraldine Reicher sang two closing songs a cappella. The Cultural Affairs Service League, Falkirk's longstanding volunteer auxiliary group, ran the food and beverage booth which included deluxe box lunches donated by Falkirk's finest caterers, as well as watermelon, lemonade and pie slices sold after the pie contest was finished. The pie contest was a big hit and was judged by the Marin Independent Journal's Leslie Harlib and PJ Bremier as well as Upper Crust Pie's Chris Milne. Double Rainbow had the best seller that day: root beer floats. And the San Rafael Fire Association ran the barbecue and donated profits to Falkirk as well. This was a fine compliment to the antique fire carriages, fire truck and police vehicle that adorned the grounds. It was a lovely afternoon and a fitting tribute to this startling Victorian beauty, Falkirk Cultural Center. Special thanks to sponsors: D' Lynne's Dancewear, Double Rainbow Ice Cream, Mall at Northgate, Marin Independent Journal, North Bay Portables, Republic Electric, Safeway, San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, United Markets, and all the wonderful caterers who donated box lunches to the event.

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Teddy Bear/Magic Toy Box Tea Holiday Teas SOLD OUT! - Please sign up for email notifications for future teas. SOLD OUT - SIGN UP FOR EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS SO YOU DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE FOR THE SPRING TEA OR NEXT YEAR'S HOLIDAY TEA! See below. The second weekend in December is a teddy bear tour de force at our elegant Queen Anne Victorian with an old-fashioned afternoon tea for families. This event is hosted by the Cultural Affairs Service League and takes place inside the house with antique tea settings, live music and fun activities. Home made tea sandwiches and sweets are served, along with hot tea, hot chocolate, and other beverages. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite teddy or other life-like toy (and parent or grandparent!) for a Holiday tea to remember. Bring your camera and dress up for fun for an elegant child-friendly afternoon. Activities often include life-sized Toys, a fun raffle and opportunities for photos with your bears and friends (bring your camera!). Get your reservations early as space is limited. Everybody loves tea time at Falkirk! By reservation only - reservations can be made by calling 415.485.3333 after the dates are announced. $27.50 Adults, $22.50 children. SOLD OUT And don't forget to come to the Dickens Family Holiday on December 16! Click here for more information: http://www.falkirkculturalcenter.org/event.html?eventid=10

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Dickens Family Holiday - Celebrate the Holidays at our annual Victorian open house decorated just for you December 16! Join the Cultural Affairs Service League and Dickens Fair actors for our annual Victorian holiday event on Wednesday, December 16 from 6:30 to 9pm.      The evening spotlights live holiday performances, hosted by Mr. Charles Dickens himself with characters in Victorian attire, Victorian parlor games and an authentic Father Christmas. Storytelling will take place for kids of all ages. In addition to the entertainment, hot cider and cookies will warm cold tummies and hands, and this year Origami crafts and Victorian dance lessons round out the evening. The Queen Anne style mansion, decorated in her winter holiday finest, is the perfect setting to enjoy a nostalgic holiday dream of music, food, stories, and crafts. We invite you to step back in time and experience an authentic Christmas Carol in Victorian grandeur.     2009 INFORMATION: December 16, 6:30-9pm Admission $7 for kids, $10 for adults. No reservations - purchase your entry at the door.

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