Prince Charlie and the chocolate factory

Prince Charles received a basketful of Charles Chocolates when he visited Point Reyes Station earlier this month, reports Shabana Siegel. The sweets weren’t named in his majesty’s honor, however, but instead after S.F.-chocolatier Charles Siegel, who uses organic cream and butter from the Straus Family Creamery. (The prince was happy to hear this.)

O’ Susannah

The seed was planted during the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation’s 1998 Israel@50 Mission when six of the 50-plus participants were named Susan.

Susan Rothenberg and this reporter (who were there) and pal Susan Mall invited all the Susans they knew to share lunch and stories about their names. And it’s been going on ever since. Suzanne Felson and Susan Rosenberg Battat took the lead for this year’s “Gathering of the Susans,” held earlier this monthz.

Kudos & mazel tovs

Oncologist Dick Cohen was honored for distinguished service and excellence in teaching with the prestigious Charlotte Baer Memorial Award, given annually to a UCSF clinical faculty member … The San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR) recognized Roselyne “Cissie” Swig with the group’s Silver Spur Award for community service … Jerome Falk received the American Jewish Committee’s 2005 Judge Learned Hand Human Relations Award, presented annually to a leader in the legal profession for contributions to that community … The Community Youth Foundation of the Greater East Bay received the Outstanding Youth and Philanthropy Award from the Northern California Grantmakers and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Emma Mayerson, now a senior at Berkeley High School, helped create the teen philanthropy team when she was 15.

Short shorts …

Former JCF colleagues Sam Salkin, Ed Cushman, Cindy Rogoway, Wendy Rothenberg, Judi Rosenthal and Barbara Levinson were among 150 guests celebrating Carolyn Metz’s 24 years leading the JCF’s Sonoma region earlier this month … Guests checking out “Intersections” at the show’s opening at the Contemporary Jewish Museum’s in October included CJM chair Roselyne “Cissie” Swig, Marilyn and Murry Waldman, Joyce Linker and Jerry Weisbach, Chara Schreyer, Rose Roven, Rosanne and Al Levitt, Alan Mark, Jeffrey Fraenkel, Ellie Fraenkel and Sally-Ann and Ervin Epstein.

Martin Brotman, CEO of California Pacific Medical Center, will take on a second role as interim CEO at St. Luke’s Hospital as the two hospitals finalize their affiliation … David Rubenstein is the new director of Hillel at Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College … Albert L. Schultz JCC President Steve Bauman, Jewish Home board chair David Friedman and Stanford lecturer Mark Leslie have joined the Campus for Jewish Life Board. Friedman will chair the CJL Design & Construction Committee. Amy Lit has been named the CJL Capital Campaign director.

Finally … Lisa Geduldig says that Kung Pao Kosher Comedy’s Sunday shows will begin at 5 p.m. (instead of 6 p.m.) to honor the state bird of Florida, the “early bird.”

Suzan Berns, a freelance writer and publicist, welcomes your submissions of cute, poignant or informational anecdotes about you and your organizations at [email protected].