The girl you see in the photo is one of the great characters of San Francisco mixology. Full of life, joy, and wit (as you can tell in the photo), Brooke is the head bartender at Range, where she runs one of the most dynamic cocktail programs in the city. I’ve gotten to know her a little over the last year and can say that she possesses a unique ability to brighten any room she walks into (and not just because of her blonde hair and incandescent smile).

Unfortunately, due to a tragic fire in her apartment, Brooke today is sequestered in the burn ward at St. Francis Memorial, where she is currently breathing with a ventilator and undergoing serious treatment. Even the flowers that Brooke’s legion of friends and fans might want to send are not allowed into her infection-proof chamber.

Her family is currently accepting donations to help allay the sizable costs of treatment for smoke inhalation and some burns. I made my donation today, and, if you’ve been moved not only by this extremely charismatic girl but by the rapidly improving nature of San Francisco’s cocktail scene (to which she has contributed significantly), I recommend that you do too. Brooke will be back on her feet and mixing drinks eventually, but right now she can use all our help in getting there.

There will be a benefit at Cantina on Monday (the 14th), and you are all invited to raise a glass to her there. If you can’t make it, please consider making a donation at www.brookearthur.com.

Thank you.