Sokol SF Newsletter - October 2023 |
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Sokol SF Calendar of Events |
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October 7, 2023
Lafayette reservoir hike
October 19, 2023
Czech Heritage Night at the Shark Tank
October 29, 2023
Picnic and Sokolský Běh Republiky, Ryders Park, San Mateo, CA
November 4, 2023
San Francisco Symphony
December 3, 2023
Christmas cookie baking
All event times listed are in Pacific Time
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Dear Sokol SF Members and Friends,
It goes without saying that Sokol's members are, and always have been, its cornerstone.
Much in the same way that we honor our youngest members by providing scholarship opportunities to the Czech School of California, our Board recently voted that it was time to honor our unit's veteran members by providing complimentary membership to our unit to individuals ages 85+. These members are not just a crucial link to the past but serve as our current-day mentors and inspire us to continue to remember Sokol's credo and what continues to bring us together today, as it did when Sokol was first established.
If you are interested in joining Sokol SF and are 85 years or older, we invite you to apply to our unit but rest assured, your dues will be paid for by Sokol San Francisco.
Nazdar!
Linda Janourova
President of Sokol San Francisco
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Sokol San Francisco Monthly Hikes
If you have a favorite place for a hike in the Bay Area and would like to lead the hike for our members and friends, please contact us at sokolsfevents@gmail.com
If you have an idea for another activity and would like to organize it, please let us know on the same email address :-)
Looking forward to hearing from you!
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October Hike - Lafayette Reservoir
Saturday, October 7, 2023
11 am - 12:30 pm
We will meet at 11 am at the reservoir parking lot by the parking pay station.
Parking is $1.50/hour or $7.00/whole day per vehicle.
Depending on the group in attendance and their ability levels, we may break into two groups.
Group #1 (Easy) may enjoy the more leisurely, flat, & paved 2.7-mile loop and
Group #2 (Moderate), if feeling more ambitious, may attack the 4.7-mile Rim trail, which is a dirt road and has lots of elevation. We will make that decision at the start.
If the weather is wet, we will go on the Group #1 trail.
Bring your kids! The area is dog friendly too if you would like to bring your four-legged friend with you.
There are restrooms along the way.
Bring your snacks and/or lunch, and let’s have a picnic at the end of a hike!
If you need help finding us, you can call 925-683-1853
Driving directions: 3849 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA
F ollow the Lafayetter reservoir signs Directions - we will meet by the pay station.
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Czech Heritage Night at the Shark Tank
The San Jose Sharks play the Boston Bruins
Thursday, October 19, 2023 @7:30 pm
Come see San Jose's Tomáš HERTL VS. David Pasternák
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Start purchasing your tickets in section 222 in rows 15, 16 or 17 or near these row. so we are close together.
Sokol members and friends will be there with their Czech spirit and some Czech flags to wave.
Your ticket includes special giveaway and a group photo on the ice after the game :-)
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Picnic and Sokolský Běh Republiky
Sunday October 29, 2023
Ryders Park, San Mateo, CA
All winners of our Poem competition will be awarded
at this event as well!
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Sokol San Francisco and the Czech School of California will celebrate the Day of the Republic with a picnic and Sokolský běh again this year! This is our third year! We had a great time with you all in 2021 and 2022 and we are looking forward to seeing all your friendly faces again!
Our picnic and Sokol SF Beh Republiky will take place at the same place as last year:
- Sunday, October 29, 2023
- Seal Point Park, San Mateo, CA.
There are three categories: children under 10, children under 14 and adults
The registration fee for an adult is $10 (or 200 CZK if you are paying in CZK).
Acceptable forms of payment are PayPal or bank transfer from a Czech bank
There is no registration fee for children but they need to be registered.
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Please read the instructions carefully!
Sokol San Francisco members who registered for the run by September 4th, 2023 will receive a complimentary Sokolsky Beh Republiky Under Armour T-shirt from Sokol SF. After that date it is first come (register) first serve.
After you complete the registration you need to send an email to sokolsfevents@gmail.com with your name a T-shirt size. Sizes are limited so register and send in your email early. First come, first serve.
If you are not a member of Sokol San Francisco you will be able to purchase this year's event T-shirt in the morning during check-in. As the number of T-shirts and sizes is limited due to logistics, it is on a first come, first serve basis. The Under Armour T-shirts ar $25 each.
After the run, we will have a picnic sponsored by Sokol San Francisco and the Czech School of California. Charcoal, water and coffee will be provided.
Bring your own picnic lunch and maybe something to share.
We are looking forward to seeing you at the picnic and at the starting line! Mark your calendars and start training!
You do not need to run to come to the picnic, everyone is welcome;
you can help us cheer on the runners.
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A. Dvořák's Violin Concerto
at the San Francisco Symphony
Saturday, November 4, 2023 @ 7:30 pm
Last 4 reduced-price tickets left!
Join us on Saturday, November 4th, for another outing to the San Francisco Symphony.
Sokol San Francisco has reserved specially reduced-priced tickets in the Orchestra at $25 (normally $75) in advance that are available to our Sokol San Francisco members.
Contact sokolsfevents@gmail.com to purchase yours.
Sight and sound converge in Pictures at an Exhibition as Modest Mussorgsky translates the canvases of his late friend Victor Hartmann into music. Virtuoso violinist Augustin Hadelich brings his eloquent artistry to Antonín Dvořák’s rousing and rhapsodic Violin Concerto.
The concert:
INSPIRATIONS: ART/MUSIC
ARTISTS:
Ludovic Morlot, conductor
Augustin Hadelich, violin
San Francisco Symphony
PROGRAM:
"Latest" [A San Francisco Symphony Commission and U.S. Premiere] - Betsy Jolas
Violin Concerto - Antonín Dvořák
Pictures at an Exhibition - Modest Mussorgsky (arr. Maurice Ravel)
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Renew Your Membership for 2024
or
Become a member of Sokol SF
Let's have another action packed year together
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Dear Sokol Members
- it's that time of the year -
Renew your Sokol San Francisco membership now.
2024 membership dues are $45 and are due by December 31, 2023.
5 lucky Sokol SF members who pay by 11/30/2023 will be entered into a drawing for five $10 gift cards to Starbucks!
Drawing will be held at our Annual Meeting on January 20, 2024
at DJ Bistro - mark your calendars!
Please note that our organization is run fully by volunteers who have their families, jobs and lives.
Make it easier for them and renew on time!
Think about volunteering too!
Thank you for your consideration!
We now accept Paypal & Venmo in addition to a mailed check.
Please follow these steps to renew easily:
A) renew via mail
using the paper renewal form and a check made out to "Sokol SF".
Sokol SF, P.O. Box 5252, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
B) renew online via PayPal or Venmo
Go to your Paypal or Venmo account.
Send your payment recipient on Venmo: Sokol SF
Do not forget to include full names of all members you are sending payment for in the message field. If there was a change in your address, phone, and/or email, please add that in the message as well.
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Benefits of Membership include:
- Event Discounts
- Preferred seating at events
- Pre-registration at popular events eg. our Christmas caroling event and winery visits
- Financial stipend to attend American &/or CZ Slets & Festivals
- Monthly newsletter
- Networking opportunities
- Access to educational & cultural programs
- Creating Czech connections
- Opportunities to practice Czech language skills
- Opportunity to earn a scholarship for the Czech School of California tuition
- Financial support toward entry fees to select events
- Lunch at our Annual meeting
- ....and more
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Recap of Past Sokol SF Events
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September Hike on Sea View Trail starting
at steam trains in Tilden Park
Saturday, September 9, 2023
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Twelve Sokol SF members and friends aged 7 to 70 joined in this hilly and picturesque hike from the Steam Trains parking lot in Berkeley's Tilden Park to a vista point overlooking the SF Bay. It was 1.6 miles out and then back for a healthy 3.2 miles
Many stayed after the hike and went on a 15-minute miniature steam train ride through the Tilden Park woods.
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We have 16 women from Sokol San Francisco who will be participating at 27th Vsesokolsky Slet taking place in Prague in July 2024 performing a 9 minute dance and fitness routine called "Babi leto" .
With two in-person practices and many practice hours individually at home behind us, we are pretty much done with Oddil I. (three more to go :-)!
If you would like to learn more about the XVII. Slet in Prague, the program, festivities, performances, history etc... just click on either the logo above or the link bellow.
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Thank you Nicole for the recap!
84th Annual Moravian Days Festival
in Lemont, IL
September 23rd and 24th, 2023
The Sokol SF contingent of Milena H. and her mom Vera, Jana B., Jara D., Lenka B., Nicole B., Iva H., Lea B., & Yvetta G. travelled to Chicago, IL to attend the UMS United Moravian Societies’ 84th Annual Moravian Days at the Lithuania World Center in Lemont, a suburb of Chicago.
“The Moravian Day festival focuses on the spirit, beauty and talents of the Czech, Slovak and Moravian regions and is an opportunity to feel the heart and soul of people celebrating a festival in true ethnic style.”
The event commenced on Saturday night with a welcome dinner with music performed by Legruti, a polka type band flown in from the Czech Republic.
The main event, and highlight of the weekend, continued on Sunday afternoon with a welcome address, parade of participants dressed in kroje, crowning of the 2023 – 2024 Miss Czech Slovak Illinois Queen, 5 groups of folk dancers ranging from 5-80 years of age, and a group of singers performing traditional songs to music performed by Legruti. We were mesmerized by the each of the dance presentations and thoroughly enjoyed witnessing this presentation of Czech and Slovak culture.
Additional to enjoying all the kroje, traditional Czech and Slovak costumes known for their intricate designs, puffed sleeves, elaborate collars, scarves, and ribbons, the group enjoyed traditional Czech food, sweets, wine, and beer.
A very grateful thank you to the UMS Program Committee who hosted this very special event. In addition to the event, we enjoyed exploring downtown Chicago and the local food scene.
Learn more about United Moravian Society here:
Learn about Legruiti here:
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Sokol San Francisco Archive
Has A New Home
Part One
The first few samples of a large Sokol San Francisco archive (and a first bits from
archive of Sokol Los Angeles), which have been donated from both organizations as
well as various private archives of its members, has been officially handed over to the
National Museum. It has been brought to Prague by Amb. Jaroslav Olša, Jr., Consul
General of the Czech Republic in Los Angeles and handed over to Jan Lomíček, Head
Curator of the Dept. of the History of Physical Education and Sports. A small ceremony
was graced by the presence of Michal Lukeš, Director General of the National Museum
and Zuzana Strnadová, Director of Historical Museum.
Additionaly, more than 100 historical periodicals and books published in Czech by Czech compatriots in the United States throughout the 20th century were donated to the
Náprstek Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures. It was received by Michaela
Tydlitátová, head of the library, and Ondřej Crhák, archivist. Náprstek Museum's library
was established by philantropist, patriot and politician Vojta Náprstek (1826-1894), who
was also active as a journalist in the United States, and it holds the largest collection of
Czech-American periodicals from the 1800s and early 1900s.
Similar collection was also handed over to Libri Prohibiti, an important Czech library
collecting Czech underground and illegal publications, as well as magazines and books
produced by Czech exiles and compatriots around the world. It was presented to Jiří
Gruntorád, Director of Libri Prohibiti library. Many of these publications, such as those
produced by Sokol San Francisco, have been missing in the library's collections. The collections on history of Czechs and Slovaks in the US West in the Czech museums and libraries are still far from being complete, and every such donation helps.
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Czech News & Announcements |
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Fourth Annual Czech Embassy Bike Challenge
if you do not live in DC - there is still time to join this free challenge in the II. Commuter Class
The Embassy of the Czech Republic invites you to its fourth annual Czech Embassy Bike Challenge to celebrate the upcoming Czech Independence Day.
Cycle anytime during the challenge period from September 28 to October 28, 2023,
in one of two categories:
I. Challenger
Cycle the 19.18 km long track from Georgetown to Great Falls,
record your ride and compare your time with others!
II. Commuter
Not living in DC or want to cycle less than 19.18 km? The commuter is right for you! Organize a ride with your community or cycle by yourself during the challenge period and share the picture from the ride with us. If you can, add something Czech to your photo - can be a Czech flag, your favorite Czech sight – you decide! Please send the photo submissions with a short text to: czechembassydc@gmail.com or share the picture on Facebook or Instagram and tag us by using the handle @czechembassydc, hashtag #czechembassybikechallenge
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Invitation to Octoberfest in Santa Margarita |
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Dear Czechs and Slovaks living in California,
We would like to invite you from the heart to an international Oktoberfest party on October 15, 2023 to be held at our ranch in Santa Margarita, California.
This is a private event for friends and families with an interest in international friendships and diverse cultures.
We will be featuring live music from Hammerstein Polka Band of Los Angeles.
There will be plenty of homemade gulash, klobasy, kapusta, pivo etc!
Time: Sunday Oct 15; 3pm onwards
Location: LaMargarita Private Dinner, Santa Margarita, California.
We are approximately 30min south of Paso Robles and 20min north of San Luis Obispo, in the heart of wine country.
Enjoy the beauties of fall on the central coast at LaMargarita overlooking stunning lake, mountain and vineyard views!
All Sokol members are warmly invited to share in the fun!
Please RSVP to
Jan & Patricia Eperjesi
cell: 919-450-8033
This is not Sokol SF event, we are just spreading the word :-)
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Czech School of California is inviting you to
Honba za pokladem / Treasure hunt
October 7, 2023 at 1 pm
Milí rodiče,
je mi radostí Vás pozvat na naše první mimoškolní setkání tohoto semestru a to Honbu za pokladem, která se koná v sobotu 7. října v Stulsaft Parku v Redwood City. Máme zamluvenou pěknou piknikovou plochu u dětského hřiště, které zabaví nejen ty nejmenší. Odtud se vypravíme v menších skupinkách pod dohledem dospělých za velkým dobrodružstvím. Sejdeme do údolí, kolem potoka a v lesním parku mezi kopci budeme hledat nápovědy, které nás dovedou za pokladem! 'Oprašte kompasy' a znalosti morseovky a nenechte si toto zábavné, aktivní odpoledne vhodné pro celou rodinu ujít. Přineste si piknik a dobrou náladu, škola zajistí lehké občerstvení. Přátelé a kamarádi jsou jako vždy vítáni. Těšíme se na Vás!
Přeji Vám pěkný den, za celý tým školy,
Vlaďka
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Česká Katolická Misie in San Francisco |
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Father Libor Svorcik is inviting you to a
Czech mass in San Francisco
Sunday, October 1, 2023 @ 1pm
at the Nativity Church
240 Fell Street, San Francisco
or
on the Internet on October 8 at 10 am
Visit their website to confirm the above information or sign up for their Věstník for
the dates and places of their in-person and virtual mass.
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Sokol San Francisco is a non-profit organization operating as an independent unit of the American Sokol Organization (ASO) and its Pacific District. Sokol SF provides physical, educational, and cultural programs for all who are interested in Czech, Moravian, and Slovak culture and their history, as well as those who are bonded by a common heritage and ethnic identity.
The Sokol credo is “a sound mind in a sound body”
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