Painting Night at BCC

 Since I joined the Berkeley City Club,mostly so I’d have a closer gym, I’ve been overwhelmed with the wonderful variety of activities they have.  They’re actually not a gym, but a social club, with gym classes.  Today, for example, I went to Cardio-Core class.  It was very challenging but I did what I could and hope over time to get more fit.  

Nancy came over for lunch. It was great to see her and we had a lovely time together, eating soup, then sitting in my garden soaking in the beauty and peace.  After she left, I took a two hour nap..  Restored, I went to the Berkeley City Club for the second time in one day, to go to the Painting Night.  I arrived early, as I am still worried about parking.  I sat in the beautiful lobby for a while, then went up to the Bar and had a Diet Coke but I didn’t need to do that. When  I wandered down to the room where the art class was, I was amazed.  There were 8 long tables, each with three easels at them and a set up for painting at each place.  There were delicious salmon canapes and cucumber sandwiches plus more. At another spot there was wine and assorted soft drinks, all complimentary.  If I wanted I could order food from the kitchen to be delivered.  Such amazing service just for our pleasure.

The Painting Class wasn’t full but there were a wide variety of ages and two grandmothers with their junior high granddaughters.  One set sat next to me.  I thought how wonderful it was to share this activity!  How I wish Elsa were closer!!!   The.teacher began to paint and we were to copy what she did.  Mostly I could do it, though not so skillfully.  We were provided everything we needed:  paints, brushes, the canvas and the painting to copy.  As I walked around, I saw the a number of the attendees did their own thing.  The lady right behind me did a beautiful painting of her garden.  One is free to paint as we wish.  

I was overwhelmed with this complimentary activity.  I got tears in my eyes because of how special I felt.  They could not have done anything else to make us feel welcome and honored.  And to think, I thought the Berkeley City Club was just a gym.  It is so much more.