Contains overview of the programs, events, and new developments during 2015

1. CHANGE:
“a movement from the
current state, through
a transition state,
to a future state”
INSIDE: Exciting changes
are coming to 580 Capp Street
RUTH’S
TABLE
580 Capp Street
San Francisco, California
94110-2570
bethanycenter.org
ruthstable.org
BETHANY CENTER NEWS is an annual publication of BCSF featuring Ruth’s Table,
a center for creative learning rooted in the life of artist Ruth Asawa.
editor
Karl Soehnlein
design + layout
Kevin Clarke
photography
Monica Lee Photography
collaborators
Freddie Angeles
Teresa Bao
Jerry W. Brown, caspf
Heather Clendenin
Lisa Gelfand
Benson Lee
Monica Lee
Vincent Nicholas
Debra Varner
Joee Yee
correspondence
Bethany Center
Foundation
of San Francisco
580 Capp Street
San Francisco, CA
94110-2570
websites
www.bethanycenter.org
www.ruthstable.org
executive director
Jerry W. Brown, caspf
director of
community programs
Joee Yee
subscriptions
please call
415-642-1000
Bethany Center News is
printed on paper made from
well-managed forests.
RUTH’S
TABLE
ANNUAL
REPORT
2015
Nonprofit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
San Francisco, CA
Permit No. 116

2. It’s a dream come true! This year Bethany Center Senior Housing
(BCSH) has been invited by the San Francisco Symphony to deco-
rate one of the towering Christmas Trees that dazzle Davies Sym-
phony Hall every December. Symphony donors sponsor trees, and
community organizations decorate them. As Bethany moves into
a period of construction, renovation, and change, this beautiful
holiday celebration reminds us all that creative activities for our
community are at the heart of Bethany Center and Ruth’s Table.
Bethany residents, families, friends, and neighbors have been
busy making ornaments under the guidance of Aiko Cuneo,
daughter of artist Ruth Asawa, after whom Ruth’s Table takes
its name.
We interviewed Aiko
about her Saturday art work-
shops, the upcoming changes,
and Ruth’s inspiring legacy.
BCSH: Tell us about the workshop where residents
made decorations for the San Francisco Symphony.
AIKO: When Jerry Brown approached me about creating some kind
of ornament for a Ruth’s Table tree, the first thing that came to my
mind was, for an 18-foot tree, you need something large. I thought
of making them from paper plates, an easily accessible material.
My mother loved teaching people how to make the “great circle,”
a form that she learned from Buckminster Fuller. There are many
versions, but the one we used as the basis for our ornaments is the
simplest one. It’s called a spherical cuboc-
tahedron. It’s made with four paper plates
and 12 bobby pins.
Is it complicated to make
these ornaments?
It looks complicated, but it isn’t. It’s math
and geometry and art all at the same time.
I tell them about Ruth, and how she would
teach this in schools, and about her link
to Buckminster Fuller, this amazing inven-
tor and architect who was her teacher and
lifelong friend until he died in 1983. The
most important part of the workshop is that
people learn and gain confidence. We use
our artistic, creative side to change the form
“You can learn at any age”
NEWSBETHANY CENTER
RUTH’S TABLE AT BETHANY CENTER 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
BETHANY CENTER AND RUTH’S TABLE / 580 CAPP STREET SAN FRANCISCO CA 94110 / WWW.BETHANYCENTER.ORG / WWW.RUTHSTABLE.ORG
Interview continued on page 10
p10
Deck The (Davies Symphony) Halls! l-r: Talia Flanagan, Dorothy Yuki,
Margie Ramirez, Esperanza Torres, Joee Yee, Savitaben Patel, and Guadalupe Portillo make ornaments
for our SF Symphony Christmas Tree. See more ornament workshop participants on page 10.
2 A Letter From Jerry W. Brown
3 A Chat About New Construction
4 Our Board’s Vision For The Future
5 Annual Report
6 Academy of Art University’s Garden Design
8 Introducing…New Faces At BCSH
9 Volunteer Ita Burmenko / EMERGE
10 Interview with Aiko Cuneo, continued
11 2015 Donors and Upcoming Programs
CONTENTS

3. 2
We are preparing for change!
The heart of BCSH is the home provided for our diverse residents, average
age 82, and the dedicated staff who help them age with dignity. We are now
moving thoughtfully through a process that includes input from residents and
the expertise of professional advisers to create a safer, enhanced, accessible, and
sustainable home that will carry us another fifty years into the future.
BCSH has benefited from a long relationship with the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in providing safe and affordable housing
to over 1,000 seniors and younger disabled people. We could not accomplish
our mission without HUD’s help. Their approval of a new $20 million dollar
investment in our property makes possible four additional housing units; a fire
safety system; a seismic upgrade; a new, free-standing, 1,500 square Ruth’s Table
building; and a beautiful, peaceful, safe urban garden.
Change requires patience and adaptation. Residents, guests, and neighbors
will be dealing with the dust, noise, and new faces that come with construction,
which begins in March, 2016 and is expected to be complete by May, 2017.
Please be assured that BCSH management understands the worries felt by
some of our residents, many of whom need assistance with the activities of daily
living. We treasure the deep bonds we share with our residents; we understand
where they have been in life; and we are attuned to their needs. Together, we
believe we are all up to this new challenge! On the other side of this change is a
better living environment for current residents, and better preparation for BCSH
to meet the affordable housing needs of future residents.
BCSH has recently experienced staff changes, too. Lola Fraknoi, longtime
Director of Community Programs and founder/creator of Ruth’s Table, resigned
to pursue her first love, sculpture. Everyone at BCSH appreciates the vision,
artistic direction, and growth that Lola brought during her tenure, as she built
upon Ruth Asawa’s legacy. BCSH is pleased to welcome Joee Yee, our new Ruth’s
Table Program Coordinator.
I am excited to work with our dedicated team to improve the vitality of our
support for residents and to make a difference in their lives for the better. We
will deliver on this goal in three key ways:
• Listening to the voices and honoring the choices of residents and clients.
Our primary commitment is always to their needs.
• Teamwork! The staff, board, our contractors, and our collaborators have
proven we work well together as we efficiently and effectively deliver our services.
• Innovation. In the past, LeadingAge awarded us their Innovation of the Year
Award. We will continue to innovate to benefit our constituency.
We invite your questions, comments, and continued loyalty to our programs,
along with your financial contributions, volunteered time, and resources to help
ensure our success.
Through all this change, one thing remains the same: we are passionate about
what we do every day.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
2
A LETTER FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JERRY W. BROWN, CASPF
Staying Passionate
Through A Time Of Change
Since 2012, the BCSH Board
and staff have been working on
a plan to renovate 580 Capp Street
and expand our innovative art and
wellness program, Ruth’s Table,
to better serve our residents
and our community.
Saying farewell to Lola Fraknoi
Staff gathered at Limon restaurant on Van Ness.
l-r: Freddie Angeles, Dorothy Yuki, Miguel Rodas, Esther Koc, Lola Fraknoi,
Teresa Bao, Benson Lee, Robert Lee, Alvin Ng

4. 3
Vincent Nicholas has served on our Board for the past two years. As a member of the
Capital Improvement Committee, appointed by BCSH Board President Mary Franz and
comprising Board member Laura Fingal-Surma (Chair) and member Ken Donnelly,
Vincent brings a wealth of expertise in construction and project management.
BCSH: What’s the goal of this capital
improvement project?
VINCENT: We’re renovating the main build-
ing’s community and office space and 12 res-
idential units, and making seis-
mic and safety upgrades. We’re
also adding a one-story, stylish
new building for Ruth’s Table
programs and other art events.
Between the two buildings, we’re
creating community space not
only for our residents but also
for our neighbors who want to
join in Bethany Center activities.
Why now?
It was time to do it! Our mort-
gage was paid off, so this was
a chance to remortgage with
interest rates at historic lows
and do major improvements
to a 48-year-old building. I’ve
been in the building industry
for 30 years, and I’ve done a lot
of renovation. Buildings have a
life cycle of 50-100 years, depending on the
style of the building. As an owner you have
a choice to either improve what you have, or
demolish and rebuild. When you have good
infrastructure—and ours is great—you make
improvements. Building materials are better
today. Environmentally, there are improved
ways to conserve and save energy. We’ll be
more modern, with better functionality for
residents and users. If we didn’t do this, we
wouldn’t be taking care of what we have.
We’ll gain a building that will last another 40
years, providing housing at affordable prices.
What opportunities does
this remodeling afford us?
We provide sustainable affordable housing,
something you never want to lose in this city.
We’re also adding four new units, which is
a great thing; we’re creating a new, 1,500
square-foot building, with art and program
space; and we’re putting in a courtyard and
garden, which is an added amenity.
Tell us about the architects
and other collaborators.
Gelfand Partners Architects, led by Lisa
Gelfand. I’m very excited about them. I’ve
worked with them on a previous senior
housing project, and they really understand
the challenges, like accessibility for seniors,
and how to work through the design and
functionality around those issues. Addition-
ally, our construction manager is Ventura
Partners; Cahill Construction is our general
contractor; and CBRE is our financing part-
ner, helping us work through the funding
issues. It’s a great team. We have challenges
ahead of us, but in the end we’ll have great
buildings; our residents will be much more
in tune with the services that we provide;
and we’ll build a deeper connection to our
community.
580 Capp Street entrance. Renderings courtesy of Gelfand Partners Architects
New Ruth’s Table Building 21st Street View
A CHAT ABOUT CONSTRUCTION WITH BOARD MEMBER VINCENT NICHOLAS
Making Improvements, Making Connections

5. 4
OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE, BY DEBRA VARNER, BCFSF BOARD PRESIDENT
Creativity
In Our Community
What have we accomplished and what are our intentions
moving forward? As 2014 came to a close, these were the sub-
jects reflected on by the Bethany Center Foundation Board. With
the impending building renovation ahead of us, we focused on the
need to provide continuity in our program for our residents and the
community. What are our space needs? How will our programs be
affected? What is the best use of staff and volunteer time? How can
the structure of the organization adapt during this transition?
Bethany Center Foundation’s vision is to become a sustainable hub
of creativity in our community. Through the process of developing
a 3–5 year Strategic Plan, the Foundation Board reviewed our his-
tory and affirmed our purpose—and our responsibility—to provide
quality programming for residents and the greater community. From
here we resolved to maintain the Ruth’s Table program through the
construction phase, while identifying opportunities for enhancing
programs when the new building is complete.
We must continue to provide dynamic programs that engage our
residents and invite in the larger community. This will foster our
desire to be a place of hope and wonder for years to come. While
we are still in process of developing our goals and strategies for the
coming years, we invite you to take part in the future of Bethany Cen-
ter Foundation and support the programs designed by Ruth’s Table.
How can you contribute? Join us by serving on our Board. Make
a donation that allows us to provide affordable creative arts and
wellness programs. Volunteer to teach a class or assist with our
residents (as seen in the photos on this page). Or simply pay us a
visit—we promise a most enjoyable experience.
Your donation to the Bethany Center Foundation supports the
Ruth’s Table model for lifelong learning through the arts, allowing
us to continue to offer the quality programs and services that so
many people have come to enjoy.
Watch for the announcement of our grand (re)opening in 2017.
In the meantime, we will continue to fund programs and services
that serve our mission: to foster opportunities for people of all ages
to engage in creative expression.
Board President Debra Varner (R) participates in one of many Ruth’s Table workshops.

6. 5
ANNUAL REPORT
Ruth’s Table: year to date (ytd) January 1, 2015 through October 14, 2015
100% = $249,465 100% = $174,530
61.3% / $152,987 75.6% / $131,918
Support from BCSH Support from BCSH
19.5% / $48,544 0.0% / –
Fundraising Events Fundraising Events
6.7% / $16,623 10.6% / $18,526
Gifts from Individuals Gifts from Individuals
3.0% / $7,412 2.6% / $4,486
Workshops & Exhibitions Workshops & Exhibitions
6.3% / $15,800 6.6% / $11,500
Foundation Grants Foundation Grants
3.2% / $8,100 4.6% / $8,100
In-Kind Services In-Kind Services
ORGANIZATIONS
PROGRAMMING AT RUTH’S TABLE
ATTENDANCE AT RUTH’S TABLE
REVENUE
EXPENSES
For over 48 years, Bethany
Center has been proud
to welcome people of all
backgrounds as they age
productively and with dignity
in our housing community
at Capp and 21st Street in
San Francisco’s Mission District.
The Bethany Center Foundation
of San Francisco, founded in
2005, raises funds for programs
at Bethany Center Senior
Housing and Ruth’s Table.
Ruth’s Table is a center for
creative learning rooted in the
life of artist Ruth Asawa. It is
a center where people of all
generations come together to
explore their creativity.
TOTAL PROGRAMS
2014
2014
2015 YTD
2015 YTDTYPES OF PROGRAMS
Exhibits & Special Events
Art Classes, Workshops and Celebrations
Wellness Classes
2013 2014 2015 ytd
343
285 289
2013 2014 2015 ytd
21
33
2013 2014 2015 ytd
148
90
142
2013 2014 2015 ytd
174
162
137
2013 2014 2015 ytd*
TOTAL ATTENDANCE 5,051 6,157 6,954
Residents 2,493 4,538 6,460
Community Members 2,558 1,619 494
TOTAL ATTENDANCE–ART CLASSES
& WELLNESS CLASSES 3,210 5,529 6,685
Residents 1,506 4,132 6,207
Community Members 1,704 1,097 478
TOTAL ATTENDANCE–EXHIBITIONS.
CELEBRATIONS & SPECIAL EVENTS 1,841 928 269
Residents 987 406 253
Community Members 854 522 16
100% = $265,075 100% = $180,610
27.2% / $72,231 29.6% / $ 53,536
Program Staff Program Staff
9.3% / $24,612 25.6% / $46,260
Administration Administration
47.6% / $126,289 22.1% / $39,940
Fundraising Fundraising
6.2% / $16,441 7.3% / $13,175
Arts & Program & Arts & Program &
Exhibition Expenses Exhibition Expenses
9.6% / $25,502 15.3% / $27,699
Partners (in-Kind) Partners (in-Kind)
NET / -$15,610 NET / -$6,080
10
* Due to staff changes and construction, Ruth’s Table focused on activities for residents to reassure them
during this time of transition, limiting outreach to the wider community. This is evidenced in an increase
in resident participation and a drop in community members.

7. 6
Bringing Open Space To
BY HEATHER CLENDENIN, DIRECTOR, SCHOOL OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, AAU
Through the process of intensive workshops, interviews, research,
community presentations and feedback on initial design concepts,
students created a Conceptual Design Proposal for the open spaces at
Bethany Center and Ruth’s Table, the new gallery building designed
by Gelfand Partners. From the outset, the objectives of the students’
design proposal have been to enhance the well-being of Bethany
Center residents and to promote sustainable design strategies in this
intensely urban environment.
Working as a team, the students made it a priority to listen to and
incorporate both the daily needs of the residents as well as the long
term goals of the Center’s administrators in their design propos-
als. Students also focused on integrating storm water management
strategies; preserving and re-using existing plants; and selecting
appropriate and relevant materials.
It is our hope and intention that the ideas and visions shared
during this process will serve as a catalyst for further design dis-
cussion during the current renovation process. We also hope that
this will pave the way for future partnerships between the AAU and
Bethany Center. It has been a privilege to work with the residents of
Bethany Center and in the sphere of Ruth Asawa’s spirit.
The Academy of Art University (AAU) has had a long standing
partnership with Bethany Center and Ruth’s Table. The most
recent AAU-Bethany Center partnership has been with the
School of Landscape Architecture which took place during the
first three months of 2015.
Academy of Art University students studied and illustrated
the natural impact of wind patterns and circulation
on the building, above.
Recreational features, such as shade, sun,
seating and landscaping were balanced to
create intimate social spaces for
Bethany Center residents.

8. 7
An Urban Environment
A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND BETHANY CENTER/RUTH’S TABLE
We would like to thank all of those who helped make this ex-
traordinary event happen: Susan Toland of the Strategic Initiatives
Office at the AAU and Sam Mathau, Mathau/Roche Design Group
for introducing Bethany Center to the School of Landscape Archi-
tecture; Jerry Brown, Executive Director of Bethany Center and
Lola Fraknoi, (former) Director of Community Programs at Ruth’s
Table, and their staff for providing this opportunity for our students;
Gelfand Partners for their willingness and encouragement during
the design process; and the generous people who translated ideas
and comments and allowed the conversation to continue between
students and residents. A special thanks is extended to Chih-Wei
G.V. Chang for his enthusiastic, principled, and unswerving guid-
ance of the students of LAN 680 Site Planning Sustainable Design
Studio: Avery Hu, Amelie Li, Hilda Lin, Mike Mao, Michelle Liu,
and Yuxi Wu.
Originally published in the Academy Of Art University School Of Land-
scape Architecture booklet “Conceptual Landscape Proposal: Bethany
Center, Ruth’s Table.” Reprinted, in edited form, by permission.
Students explored how to incorporate environmentally
sustainable features such as rain gardens and green walls to
create aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces.
Students proposed public sidewalk planting designs (overhead view, above)
in shapes inspired by Ruth Azawa’s signature sculptures (inset).

9. 8
BENSON LEE
ADMINISTRATION
FINANCE MANAGEMENT
“My volunteer work with Bethany Center a
decade ago brought me back to Jerry, his
team and the vibrant Mission District. In
2013, I had been looking for a more upbeat
living arrangement for my mother. With
Jerry’s advice and a friendly introduction
from long-time resident and community
leader Mr. Deng, my mother is now happily
situated in the BCSH community.
Meanwhile, the company I worked for
decided to take their retirement before
mine; they were sold in a matter of weeks,
and I was unemployed. Before I got com-
fortable with the welcome but unexpected
‘vacation,’ the Program Assistant position
at Ruth’s Table opened up and I was asked
to apply. What was meant to be a couple
of months of contracting has evolved into
a training position for the Administrative
and Finance Manager.
Many of my friends asked why the
change to the Aging Industry after several
successful careers in other fields and disci-
plines. It feels right because this learning
experience is more personal and introspec-
tive. I get to play the roles of caregiver and
administrator, and then challenge myself
to balance both. In a smaller organiza-
tion, I also get to exercise my marketing,
design, organizational skills and practice
my Chinese. This is far more interesting
than being a specialist in a conglomerate
where individuality is not always valued.
I look forward to the challenges and
changes ahead with my sight firmly set
on the opening of the Ruth’s Table gallery
and a garden full of happy residents.”
JOEE YEE
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
RUTH’S TABLE
After graduating from Tex-
as AM University with cum
laude honors and a Bachelor
of Science degree in Business,
Joee Yee moved to California
and snagged a job at Ruth’s Ta-
ble. On her first day, she attend-
ed the BCSH annual staff re-
treat, held in August at Laguna
Honda Hospital—and instantly
became a team member!
As Program Coordinator, Joee plans, develops, organizes, and implements individ-
ual and group activities. These help meet the social, educational, emotional, recre-
ational, and intellectual needs of residents and the greater Ruth’s Table community.
She’s excited about her new position and notes that working at a nonprofit allows
her to live out values she holds, such as helping others, while developing a satisfying
professional career.
Joee has worked with the Organization of Chinese Americans–Asian Pacific Ad-
vocates and the Covenant House in Texas. She has recruited businesses for career
fairs and performers for talent shows; led and assisted in leading teams; and helped
promote and plan over 30 events in the last two years.
In her free time, Joee “likes to curl up with a good book, eat excessive amounts of
food, and binge-watch Netflix.”
GERRY STARKS
MAINTENANCE TECH II
As a truck driver for the last
20 years, Gerry Starks travelled
through the 48 connected states,
but when he heard about Beth-
any Center through a friend, he
knew this was something he
would enjoy. He’s happy to be a
crucial part of the maintenance
staff, providing support for the
front desk security, maintaining
five different units, installing
lights and fire alarms, changing
fixtures, updating plumbing, and painting the walls. His work contributes greatly
to the ongoing renovations, ensuring the overall safety and well-being of Bethany
Center residents.
Gerry lives in South San Francisco with his wife and four children. He has three
cats: Shadow, Squirrel, and a particularly cranky one named Andre. When asked to
describe his work, he says, “It’s fun. The guys here have a high standard. I’m having
a good time, learning something new every day, and meeting someone new every
day. What’s not to like?”
THE NEWEST FACES AT 580 CAPP STREET
Introducing…

10. 9
Ita Burmenko keeps a busy schedule. As the leading volunteer for BCSH’s Food Program, Ita works with the San Francisco Food Bank,
helping residents get the food they need to make nutritious meals and maintain healthy lifestyles. Every Tuesday, San Francisco Food
Bank generously donates fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Last year, they donated USDA commodities valued at $9,252.44.
Ita comes from Ukraine, where she worked
as an accountant. Prior to living at Bethany
Center, she resided in the Sunset district.
Ita and her husband have lived at Beth-
any Center for almost twenty years. She
describes her home as a “lovely building”
where everyone is “very friendly.” She has
a daughter, two grandchildren, and three
great grandchildren. When asked about her
age, she laughs and says, “It’s a secret.”
Even when being interviewed, Ita stays
busy, wrapping bright scarves and ceramic
mugs with candy-cane striped paper to give
as birthday gifts for the residents.
What do you do as the lead volunteer
for the Food Program?
For the program, I give food to the old people, young people, all
ages. I wake up at eight o’clock, sign for the food, get people in line,
give them the numbers, place the food on the table, and separate
the apples and potatoes and rice. Next, another volunteer will call
people in sections to pick up their food.
How many people in total participate?
80 people.
How many volunteers do you have? How much time does this take?
Five volunteers, and not too long. Maybe one hour.
What made you decide to volunteer
for the Food Program?
It’s very good for the people. People like it
and thank you. At Bethany Center, we take
care of other people and they take care of us.
And I care about the people.
What do you like best about volunteering
for the Food Program?
I like talking to people, the community here,
and having everyone together. It’s very
good. We never fight.
Are there any challenges that you face as
the lead volunteer for the Food Program?
No, no, never any trouble.
What Bethany Center events
are your favorites?
We have a very good Christmas party and a beautiful New Year’s.
The Christmas party is the best and the tree is just beautiful.
What are the benefits of the Food Program to the residents?
They need this food and it helps a lot. It’s very good for the budget.
What would you like other residents to know about you?
All the residents know me already. We communicate with each other.
And one last question, what is your favorite dish?
Chinese food.
Thank you to the San Francisco Food Bank for their generosity, Ita Burmenko and the volunteers
for their dedication and hard work, and all the supporters of Ruth’s Table.
STAR RESIDENT PROFILE
Food For Thought: Meet Volunteer Ita Burmenko
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
In September, Ruth’s Table hosted
LeadingAge California’s EMERGE, a
leadership development program
that helps LeadingAge members
maximize their potential and provide
top quality aging services. We offered
30 fellows an art workshop, where
they interacted with our Bethany
Center residents. It was an honor and
a pleasure to see community leaders,
locals, senior residents, and staff
spend this quality time together.
One participant followed up with
a very generous $1,500 donation,
including a note that testified,
“I cannot fully express how much
the visit to Bethany Center filled
me with joy and purpose.”

11. 10
of the circle to make it our own. Each one
becomes personally original.
How did the workshop go?
They were very good at it. It goes quickly,
it’s not overwhelming, and we had 54 by
the end of the first workshop—at least a
third of the 150 we need. After we make
them, they all have to be taken to a service
to have them flame-proofed for safety. I’ll
be part of putting the ornaments on the
tree—that’s the fun part. The white plates
will be beautiful against the dark tree and
the small white lights.
You also did workshops for Day of the
Dead, didn’t you?
Yes, we made paper skull masks, using the
traditional look of Day of the Dead. I tend
to take traditional ideas and then do some-
thing different with them. My focus was
on scoring and cutting paper to create a
three-dimensional form on the face. This
brings together the Mission’s Latin culture
with an art technique that people can use
for other paper projects.
You’ve taught art in schools. Is that
different than leading workshops here?
There’s really no difference. It’s the process
of taking a blank piece of paper and turning
it into something else. It’s the same lesson for
a kindergartner, a 14-year old, or an 80-year
old. We start with the same materials, but
at the end of the hour we have 20 different
visions. I emphasize experimenting, taking
chances, and not being afraid. So many peo-
ple are told they can’t do it or aren’t good
at it. I teach them they can do it, and it’s
really not that hard. That’s what Ruth did.
She wanted people to learn at an early age
that one thing they could have control of was
their art-making. They could have a voice.
How did you begin teaching?
I have no training as a teacher. I volunteered
at the schools when my children started
kindergarten. I realized the most important
thing to expose them to was that there’s
room for experimentation and taking risks.
I always say I don’t want you to make your
work look like my example—they should all
be different. That’s why Ruth went into the
schools: she saw the same pieces coming
home with each child. She started going into
the schools and brought practicing artists to
work with teachers and their students. That
was the beginning of the Alvarado School
Arts Workshop. I observed this myself—the
students that Ruth started with at Alvarado
Elementary in 1968 were age 50 or so when I
started working with Ruth’s Table. So, we’re
following them through their lives. Ruth
followed them from elementary to middle
and high school. Now they’re close to 60.
The thing that’s so important is that you can
learn at any age. That’s the beauty of life-
long learning. We’re teaching the seniors:
you can always learn something new.
Have you been involved in the plans for
the new Ruth’s Table building?
They brought me in to see their plans and
asked my opinion. Right now, we are chal-
lenged by space limitations. The new build-
ing will be used in so many different ways
by the community, as a teaching space, and
for events for residents. And the gardens—
Ruth always thought gardening was really,
really important. She would be happy there
is a garden component.
One of Ruth’s designs will be incorporated
into the new building, right?
Yes, it’s the tied-wire tree design, which you
can now see in the blue-and-orange mosaic
on the front of the building. The design
was inspired by a desert plant. I found the
original sketch Ruth did for that mosaic, and
then I copied and gave it to Lisa Gelfand,
the architect, who will have it enlarged and
etched onto the glass windows.
What do you see ahead for Ruth’s Table?
Monica Lee [artist-in-residence] does a won-
derful job teaching the workshops. Every
workshop I’ve taught has had the loveliest
people. Many come back and repeat because
they have such a good experience. The hard-
est thing is getting the 20-to-35 year-old
generation to be part of Ruth’s Table. They
never like to commit to anything; they keep
their options open! So we’ll be appealing
to that generation, too. It would be great
for everyone if the workshops had a mix of
older and younger.
Santa’s workshop on Capp Street. (L-R) Ye Gui Sun, Marta Carrion, Consuelo Ibarra, Queen Krubally, Savitaben Patel, Benson Lee, Guadalupe Portillo, Esperanza
Torres, Margie Ramirez, Talia Flanagan, Monica Lee, Dorothy Yuki, Joee Yee, Xiu Qiong Wen Deng, She Qin Huang, Ita Burmenko, Mark Lazarevskiy, Gloria Hasbun
INTERVIEW WITH AIKO CUNEO CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Day of the Dead mask makers. (clockwise from top left)
Nicole Hiponia, Eliseana Hernandez, Margie Ramirez,
Joee Yee, Aiko Cuneo

12. 11
THANK YOU TO OUR 2015 DONORS*
Your Generosity Makes What We Do Possible
WORKSHOPS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Join Us For These Upcoming Ruth’s Table Events
UP TO $99
Michelle Alcedo
Mark B. Allen
Amazon Smile
Susan Backman
Kathleen Betts
Smen Ita Burmenko
Gloria Bustamante
Janet Carpinelli
Fung Oi Chow
Janet Coe
Ramona Davies
Casanova Lounge, DBA
Viola Delk
George Dikarenko
Bin Feng
Iona Gleyzer
Nina Grebenyuk
You Bao Guo
Wanda Jung
Avedis Kabajouzian
Marily Joshua Koral
Samoil Kosovskiy
Yee Lai
Margaret Lewis
Jiahn A Liang
Frank Lin
Peter Logan
Lawrence Lurie
Elizabeth MacLeod
Mara Mamayeva
Hai Ky Mao
Mryna Martinez and
Eduardo Stanley
Dianne McCutcheon
Betty Miller
Curtis Moore
Leslie Moxley
July Mozesson
Ah Htwe Ng
Mei Lan Ng
Sau Kam Ngo
Luois Nuzzo
Margie Ramirez
Darla and Richard
Romano
Ann Megan Rovere
Victoria Seid
Stephen R Shapiro
Sam Simkin
Bette Spencer
Charles Temple
Tai Yin Tsang
Ying Lam Tse
Kam Chan Tse
Zhong Wong
Yu Zhu Wu
Yao Huan Xia
Dorothy Yuki
Eric Zankman
$100–$299
CCS Clearing Service
Allyson Clark
Cornely Co.
Aiko Cuneo
Gabrielle Curry
Qing Zhi Deng
Gustav Erpen
Romeo Fong
Andrea Fong
Peter Fouquet
Jeffrey Fraint
George Fu
Natalie J Green
Hadley Dale Hall
Joanne Handy
Priscilla Haynes
HKIT Architects
Pamela Kaufmann
San Lee
Monica Lee
Win Marshall
Gay Hanna Merrill
Edith Honer Moriguchi,
CPA
Vince Nicholas
Isabel Pinner
Stephanie Ramirez
Charles Raymond
Hanna Regev
Mathau Roche
Design Group
Raymond and Elisabeth
Schwarte
Sarah Sherwood
Barbara Solomon
Alicia Yballa
$300–$499
CAL Insurance
Associates Inc.
Laura Fingal-Surma
San Francisco Symphony
$500–$999
Freddie Angeles
Dave and Anne
Burns Johnson
Daniell Cornell, Ph.D
Lola Fraknoi
Carole Hawkes
Julie Stuhr Conrado
Dominguez
Sandra Kovtun
Louise Adler Sampson
San Francisco State
University
Ventura Partners
$1,000–$1,999
Jerry W. Brown
Community Music Center
Gerardi Giving Account
Tomoko Lipp
Mission Rotary Club
Liz Schwarte
Debra and Michael Varner
$2,000–$2,999
The Jewish Community
Foundation
$3,000–$9,999
Cahill
California Arts Council
Ken D Donnelly
Jeffrey T. Ellis
Dennis Fisher
Heffernan Foundation
$10,000
Germanacos Foundation
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015 3:30pm–4:00pm
580 Capp St, San Francisco, CA
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015 2:00pm–2:20pm
580 Capp St, San Francisco, CA
Adda Clevenger School Choir
Start the holidays on a good note! Adda Clevenger
School Choir will sing carols and wish everyone
a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with
their songs. You’re more than welcome to join.
The more, the merrier!
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015
12:00PM–2:00PM
580 Capp St, San Francisco, CA
Resident Holiday Party
What a great year it has been! Residents, Bethany Center and
Ruth’s Table staff, and friends alike are coming together to say
cheers. There’s no better way to celebrate than with food, drinks,
and good company.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2015 1:00pm–3:00pm
580 Capp St, San Francisco, CA
Creatively Sustainable Holiday Gift Wrap
with Megumi Inouye and Monica Lee
Look at the everyday materials around you (dishtow-
els, newspaper, maps, envelopes, scrap fabrics) as
Gift Wrap Potential. Have fun learning to fold,
construct, and sculpt your way through the hol-
idays this year.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016 2:30pm
Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave,
San Francisco, CA
Community Music Center
Presents a Summit of Older Adult Choirs
The 2016 Summit for Older Adults coincides with CMC’s 95th anni-
versary and brings together close to 200 voices from seven choirs in
partnership with senior centers around San Francisco. Free! RSVP
here: http://summit2016.eventbrite.com Info: 415-647-6015 x84.
*Donations to Bethany Center Foundation
between Oct. 1, 2014 and Sept. 30, 2015.