October is always packed full of events in the Richmond District, and this year is no exception. In addition to a fun Russian festival and a wine-tasting event to benefit the RDNC, we have lots of public meetings on the calendar. Pick your favorites and add them to your calendar! 🙂

Taste of Russia Festival – Sunday, October 9

This annual festival features ethnic Russian Food & Drink: meat-filled Piroshky (fried bundles of goodness); Golubtsi (stuffed cabbage rolls); Beef Stroganoff; Pelmeni (Dumplings) and Shashlik and of course, flavored vodkas. You can also enjoy Russian entertainment and singing with hourly performances by local dance, vocal and musical groups including the church Choir, as well as tours of the church, Icon Painting, Gift items and many other activities. There is usually a small admission fee. View the event on Facebook
Location: Holy Virgin Cathedral of San Francisco, 6210 Geary Blvd. 11am-6pm

Wine on the Westside Fundraiser for the RDNC – Thursday, Oct. 13

If you like local wines, this is the event for you! Join the Richmond District Neighborhood Center for the 3rd Annual Wine on the Westside Fundraiser, an evening of wine, a taste of the Richmond’s most delectable food, a silent auction and live music! The evening will celebrate and raise funds for the Food Security Network, a partnership between the RDNC and the Richmond Senior Center. The program connects neighborhood volunteers with mobility impaired seniors for friendship and a weekly delivery of groceries. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online.
Location: La Promenade Cafe, 3643 Balboa Street. 6:30pm-9:30pm

San Francisco Old Car Picnic – Saturday, Oct. 15

Vintage car, truck and motorcycle owners can display their vehicle simply by driving into Hellman Hollow in the morning and paying the entry fee (Cars & trucks $40, motorcycles $20). Vintage bicycle owners can also display, $10. Proceeds from the event go towards two organizations that benefit developmentally disabled children – Pomeroy Center and Potrero Hill House. Spectators can start checking out the vintage vehicles, all from before 1987, from 7am until 4pm. Admission to view the cars, trucks and bikes on display is completely free, so bring your friends and family out to this great tradition in Golden Gate Park.
Location: Hellman Hollow, Golden Gate Park. 7am-4pm

Photo by Den Dowling

Ballots & Donuts – Discuss State and Local Ballot measures- Sunday, Oct. 16

Please join us for a Non-Partisan, facts-only discussion on the numerous State and Local Ballot measures at the November election. Find what the Ballot measures are, who has donated for and against them and who has endorsed and opposed them. This will be an open forum with Q&A (and there’ll be donuts too).
Location: Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, 490 12th Ave. 4pm-7pm

Planning Association for the Richmond General Meeting – Wednesday, Oct. 19

Planning Association for the Richmond (PAR) will host their general meeting, which is open to the public. They’ll have presentations and discussions about Propositions E, F, I, J, R and V, all of which affect the Richmond District. Read PAR’s latest newsletter (pdf)
Location: Richmond Recreation Center, 251 18th Avenue. 7pm-9pm

Legacy Business Community Conversation – Monday, Oct. 24

Join Supervisor Eric Mar and the Western Neighborhoods Project in a Community Conversation around the Legacy Business program. Preserving our legacy businesses is critical to maintaining what it is that makes San Francisco a special place! We hope to engage neighbors, merchants and community members in a conversation about the treasures that are our business corridors and potential legacy businesses to build pride in the fabric of the Richmond District!
Location: Richmond Branch Library, 351 9th Avenue, 6pm-7:30pm.
Related: Pacific Cafe, Toy Boat among first businesses in city to receive Legacy Business status