Midday Musings
In the spirit of civic engagement, intellectual exchange, and meaningful connection, the Roosevelt Library Social Club (RLSC) is launching a monthly Lunch & Learn series titled:
“Expecting the Unexpected”
This forward-looking theme invites leaders across diverse industries to share stories of innovation, challenge, disruption, and transformation—offering guests not just insights but inspiration. Each session will feature a keynote speaker or moderated conversation followed by open Q&A. Speakers will be drawn from business, government, arts, education, tech, medicine, military, and more. Guests are encouraged to bring curiosity and questions—these lunches are designed to challenge assumptions and foster new connections.
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DETAILS
When: 2nd Thursday of each Month in 2025 (June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11)
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Where: Roosevelt Library | 311 Roosevelt Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78210
Cost: $30 per lunch session for RLSC Members or $40 per lunch session for Non-Members (general public)
Includes: lunch entrée with vegetarian or vegan alternative, brownie dessert, iced tea, and the speaker program
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SPEAKER THEMES
Crisis & Creativity: How unexpected moments become breakthrough opportunities
Rethinking Growth: Lessons from the East Side to the boardroom
Global to Local: Navigating international diplomacy and hometown impact
Tech, Ethics, and Tomorrow: Future trends from AI to human capital
Behind the Curtain: Untold stories from public servants, entrepreneurs, and artists
LIMITED TO 30 GUESTS - OPEN TO RLSC MEMBERS & THE PUBLIC
DRESS CODE: BUSINESS / BUSINESS CASUAL
RESERVATIONS
CLICK BELOW TO RESERVE SEATS
PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW FOR INFORMATION ABOUT JOINING THE ROOSEVELT LIBRARY SOCIAL CLUB
Lunch & Learn at the Roosevelt Library is organized by Suhail Arastu
Suhail Arastu was raised in San Antonio, Texas and studied Neurobiology & Classics at The University of California, Berkeley where he competed as a gymnast. In Philadelphia he began graduate studies before moving to a small Japanese mountain village for a year of contemplation, deep sea fishing, hiking, skiing and teaching. He then traveled the world by ship under the auspices of the United Nations Economic & Social Council before returning home in 2008. Suhail works in Institutional Advancement for Musical Bridges Around the World, a non-profit performing arts company charged to unite, educate and inspire through culturally diverse visual and performing arts.
Arastu served two terms as a Trustee of The Mind Science Foundation, one term on the Board of Directors of Gemini Ink, and is the Arts & Culture Chair for Anuja San Antonio – the organization that manages San Antonio’s Sister City Relations with Chennai, India. Arastu is the Mayor’s appointee to the Public Art Commission and enjoys serving on the Board of Directors of Constitution Cafe & The Lone Star Art Alliance.
He was elected to Class XL of Leadership San Antonio and completed a Marshall Memorial Fellowship in Spring of 2018; in August of the same year he was appointed to serve on the Board of Sister Cities International, a Washington DC based organization that grew out of the League of Cities under President Eisenhower. Arastu was named 40 Under 40 by the Business Journal in 2020. He leads Yoga privately and at Yoga in Motion and serves on the Advisory Council of International Yoga Day – a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. A collection of Arastu’s photographs from seven continents was shown at PechaKucha Volume 5.
MENUS
Tuesday, June 12, 2025
Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken
Grilled breast of chicken on romaine lettuce with croutons and Caesar dressing
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Tuesday, July 10, 2025
Berbere Chicken with French Green Lentils
Pan-seared chicken thighs seasoned with a blend of spices called berbere
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Tuesday, August 14, 2025
Chicken Pot Pie with Phyllo Crust
Chicken, vegetables, and a creamy sauce, topped with phyllo pastry.
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Tuesday, September 11, 2025
French Apple Cider Chicken with Cannellini Beans
Chicken thighs braised in apple cider and served with fried apple wedges
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Tuesday, October 9, 2025
Dijon Chicken with Mashed Potatoes
Pan-seared chicken breast covered with a creamy, luscious, Dijon mustard sauce
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Tuesday, November 13, 2025
Coq Au Vin with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Chicken thighs and drumsticks braised with red wine, mushrooms, carrots, and garlic
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Tuesday, December 11, 2025
Chicken Francese with Lemon Orzo
Crispy, golden chicken breast simmered in a velvety lemon butter sauce
PARKING AT THE ROOSEVELT LIBRARY
The Roosevelt Library has about 50 complimentary self-parking spaces available to guests. Street parking is also available. Vehicles should not be left in the Roosevelt Library parking lot overnight. The Roosevelt Library will not be liable for theft or damages to vehicles or the contents of vehicles.
MAP TO THE ROOSEVELT LIBRARY
311 Roosevelt Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78210
FROM NORTH CENTRAL: take US-281 South to exit 140A onto Florida St. toward Carolina Street; turn right onto Florida Street; turn left onto South Saint Mary’s Street; turn left onto Roosevelt Park; run right into the Roosevelt Library parking lot.
HISTORY OF THE ROOSEVELT LIBRARY
In 1929 the library opened as the Roosevelt Park Branch Library, San Antonio’s South side library, and in 1968 it closed. The building is located across from the Roosevelt Park which marks the beginning of the Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project, an eight mile stretch of the San Antonio River that has received designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, the building’s architect was John Marriott who also designed the Carnegie Library in Delaware, Ohio. Leland Stone purchased the building in 2013 and, as heralded by SA2020, it is a “new kind of gathering space.”
Reserved Seat for ONE. Gratuity included.
This nonrefundable ticket is transferable.