Never a dull moment.

Barry Bond's Day -Classy event at Justin Herman Plaza. Free chips, candy, pop corn, hot dogs, cracker jacks and buttons. Beautiful day. Speeches were short. Barry Bond's speech was very good with his last words challenging young people to break his record. Then the fireworks went off. Looked great on tv. Buzz in audience: Barry Bonds to be traded to American League as a pinch hitter?
Gavin Newsom did a great job, he projected well across the whole plaza.
Dog had Giants hat on and a Giants outfit that said "Don't walk Barry". Cute.
Jug Band Festival - Golden Gate Park Bandstand - Wonderful music. I was expecting Spike Jones type of music. Not so. Music from the 20's and 30's. One of the singers also tapped danced but she forgot her tap shoes so they taped quarters to the bottom of her shoes and she danced! People were dancing including Carol Ruth Silver - past Supervisor in San Francisco. Happy music, great to hear in the outdoors.
Nan Kempner Exhibit- DeYoung Museum. Beautiful, extravagant clothes (small exhibit). Nan Kemper was a socialite in San Francisco and New York. She was famous for saying "you can never be too rich or too thin". All the clothes are from famous designers including Chanel and Dior. You could wear all these clothes today, they are ageless. Simple - classic. Exhibit is on until November 11, 2007.
Michael Buble - Oracle Auditorium in Oakland. Concert sold out. All his concerts are sold out across America. Loved the music sung, great voice, a little too glitzy for my tastes, but the crowd loved it. He plays to the audience. Let concert goers take pictures with their cameras. At one point he said "waive your cameras" and all these lights were swinging in the air like candles.
Calendar:
August 28th - Tuesday
Take a Stand Day - Cable car terminus @ the Embarcadero in downtown San Francisco. 5:3o p.m. Sponsored by Move on.
August 29th - Wednesday
Raoul Wallenberg Jewish Democratic Club - Encourages members to volunteer at Project Homeless Connect. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bill Graham, Civic Auditorium, Civic Center, San Francisco.
August 30th - Thursday
2007 Planning Commission hearing - Progress report on Eastern Neighborhoods Program.
City Hall, Commission Champers - Room 400, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. 6 p.m. Hearings are available on line at: http://www.sfgov.org/sfgtv
San Francisco Women's Political Committee - November endorsements. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (location to be determined) email: sfwpc@sfwpc.org. In order to vote you must have paid yearly dues, be a current member of the organization for at least 60 days or if membership has expired, have been a member within one year prior to vote and who has paid the yearly dues within the last 60 days (which may include the date of the vote). Attended at least three SFWPC meeting in the preceding twelve months prior to the endorsement meeting.
August 31st through September 3rd - Sausalito Art Festival -Tickets are $20. Can take the ferry from Pier 41. Information: 415-331-3757
September 2nd - Sunday
Summer of Love 40th Anniversary - Speedway Meadow, Golden Gate Park - Information: 415-861-1520. Names include Country Joe McDonald, Michael McClure, Merl Saunders, "the fish Melton", Canned Heat and Purple Sage. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
September 4th - Tuesday
Potrero Hill Democratic Club - Single-Payer Health Care. Andrew McGuire, Executive Director of Health Care for All will speak. 7 p.m. Will talk about SB840. Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro Street, San Francisco, Ca. Contact: contactus@phdemclu.org.
September 6th - Thursday
City's Better Streets Plan - 7 to 8:30 at the Taraval Police Station, 2345 24th Avenue.
September 8th - Saturday
Neighborhood Empowerment Summit - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium from 9 a.m to 4 p.m Goal is to make it easier for communities to partner with city agencies and non profits to improve the neighborhoods. Information: http://www.empowersf.org/
September 10th - Monday
A Tribute to Kerouac's On the Road - With David Meltzer, Wavy Gravy, Lenore Kandel, Joanna McClure. Jewish Community Center of San Francisco - 8 p.m. $10.
Information: 415-292-1233
September 12th - City's Better Streets Plan - Bayview Branch Library, 5075 Third Street. 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Walking down by the Ferry Building

Walking down by the Ferry Building - First sign is upside down, second is illegal advertising sign attached to Muni stop, third sign is a sign that is a month old! If you see things like this call 311 and tell San Francisco City Hall to fix the problem. We have to help each other keep San Francisco beautiful for us (not just tourists!).

Walking down Market Street

Walking down Market Street on a Saturday afternoon and a unexpected parade is happening. Don't what this is all about, a short but slow parade. Parade was being escorted by the Police. Five intersections were blocked for at least 15 minutes. People were patient and then they started to blow their horns.
August 24th - Friday
Barry Bond's Celebration. Justin Herman Plaza. Noon. Barry Bond and his family, Gavin Newson will attend.

Board of Supervisors August 14, 2007

Meeting went really fast until Item came up on Medical Cannabis Dispensary Permits. One of the 30 locations at 194 Church Street could not comply with disability access standards and Supervisor Dufty made a motion to make 194 Church Street a landmark building so this location could stay open. Michela Alioto-Pier spoke very forcefully and eloguently about the rights of disable having the same rights as gays, and especially at this type of locations everyone should be able to use the facilities. This discussion was very emotional and a problem with the supervisors because of the long time facility being used by District Eight and the gay community. The motion failed to make the location at 194 Church Street a landmark building with a vote 5 to 5. A compromise was made by giving a one year continuance for 194 Church Street to come up with a solution. Everyone involved wants to come up with a solution. I admire Supervisor Alioto-Pier's advocacy for disability rights.
The other item (see above picture) was 55 Laguna Street location development. Many people from both sides spoke. After much discussion there was a compromise solution with a portion of the buildings being landmarked so the development could continue. At the end of the discussion a man next to me said "how can both sides win at the same time"? . Many people on all sides have spent year's on this development of a housing, open space, community center and business section.
Other item: Liquor License Transfer - 845 Market Street (Bristol Farms - downtown centre) continued until September 11th (the next Board meeting after vacation break). Sean Elsbernd spoke that this has been on the calender for a year and he was tired of seeing it and would like this item resolved.
Golf Course Task Force - Continued until October 16th (all sides are working on a working solution.
Residential Hotel ordinance passed on first reading letting GOTV activists in the SRO's to register voters.
Events:
September 8, 2007
Neighborhood Empowerment Network (NEN)- Empowerment Summit, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 90 Grove Street, San Francisco. Resource fair that will feature government agencies and non profits that are comitted to partnering with the neighborhoods to help become better places to live and raise family. Four areas: Public Safety, Clean and Green, Community Building and Disaster Preparedness. 9:30 to 4 p.m. Key Note speaker is Latoya Cantrell President of the Broadmoore Improvement Association who has been charged with rebuilding neighborhood after hurricane Katrina. Information: nen@sfgov.org or call 415-554-7111.
September 23, 2007
5th Annual Excelsior Festival - Free 11 am to 5 p.m. Persia Triangle info@excelsiorfestival.org 414-585-3790. Lots of fun, booths, music and great fund.
September 26, 2007
Neighborhood Parks Council -Alamo Square Park (Hayes at Pierce) 6 to 9 p.m. Celebrate and support Neighborhood Parks Council ten years of advocacy. Information: www.sfnpc.org
September 28, 2007
Friends of Sunset Playground - 13th Annual Sunset Community Festival Fundraiser for redesign and rebuilding of Sunset Playground. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunset Recreation Center, 29th Avenue at Lawton Street. sunsetfestival@sbcglobal.net or Carol at 415-759-3690
Information:
Democratic Women in Action: New Democratic club (DWIA). Engage in direction action to address the interest and needs of children and related minors. Membership Dues: $15. Contact: Renee Golanty-Koel, PhD Acting Chair: 415-661-6276.
Transbay Contestants - www.som.com/transbay
Close It Coalition - 77 Beale Street San Francisco, Ca. 94103 (sponsored and supported by PG&E. Join coalition to support safe, clean and reliable energy and to come up with alternatives to the City's proposed power plants. Information: www.closeitcoalition.org.
ACLU of Northern California - Meets third Thursday of each month at 39 Drumm Street, San Francisco, Ca. Informatin: clint@aclsf.org. Phone No. 415-621-2493 Chair- Quinn Delaney

Bill Walsh - Memorial - Candlestick

Beautiful day.

Board of Supervisors August 7th

Board of Supervisors - Pretty tame compared to last week (thank heaven!).
A very complicated discussion regarding the Trans Bay Cable Project. Both Chris Daly and Ross Mirkarimi asked complicated informed questions. I am again impressed by their intelligence and their efforts to dig in and be informed.
Sophie Maxwell spoke about last week's discussion on BayView Hunter's Point. I wish she had spoken last week. She spoke with conviction and honesty that she had lived in BayView Hunter's Point for many, many years working on these issues. She would not have voted for the BayView Hunter's development without first making sure the project was safe and that San Francisco has done everything they can to make the project safe. The day after the hearing it was announced that U.S. Government is going to investigate if there are health issues in regards to this project. Maybe that long hearing was worth it?
601 Duboce - Planning Issue. (continued). Many people in the audience supporting this issue. (Four story medical clinic and office building). Sue Hestor spoke against.
4041 Geary Boulevard - Planning Issue. Starbucks on Geary. Many people spoke against and they handed in many signatures against this Starbucks. I have mixed feelings about this. I am a big fan of Starbucks. I buy my coffee beans there. Since I try and walk everywhere I know where all the Starbucks are. Many times Starbucks is a meeting place for San Franciscans and a rest stop for Tourists. On the other hand neighborhoods are important and it is obvious that this neighborhood does not want this Starbucks. As someone pointed out the best way to get rid of Starbucks is just to not go in and buy coffee. I can understand if Starbucks is concerned (their public relations person was there) because this would set up a prescience for the future. The Planning Commission approved Starbucks at this location? Hello? I thought the Planning Commission was supposed to look at the community concerns not just going by the rules. I actually feel sorry for the developer, but at this point I don't think this is the right way to go. Jake McGoldrick asked for a continuance.
HANC -Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council is against demolition at 1552 Cole Street. Continued at Planning Commission until September 6th.
Land use issue at Cala site at Haight and Stanyan. Supposedly this would be a Whole Foods store with 62 market rate condos. HANC would like the project reduced in size. HANC - www.hanc-sf.org hancsf@yahoo.com
SPUR-(San Francisco Planning & Urban Research). Have a new format monthly newspaper (August issue - 39 pages).
August 22 Meeting -Report from San Francisco's School District. Speakers Myong Leigh and Nancy Waymack- 312 Sutter Street #500 at 12:30 p.m. Members Free - Guests $5. SPUR, info@spur.org. www.spur.org. Phone 415-781-8726

Jerry Day 2007

Jerry Day 2007 - Great day, drippy wet, great music, Grateful Dead Music is for all ages. Jerry Garcia lived near McLaren Park so it is appropriate that the music is played at Jerry Gracia Amphitheater. This is a nice event for San Francisco.

San Francisco FYI

How can I explain a five and a half hour Board Meeting?
1. Cesar Chavez development - passed 6 to 5. Close. There is still the question of housing being developed should it be market rate or housing for people who do not have the means to buy a home. In the Mission especially, every project should be looked at very carefully. It is good that people are paying attention again to planning issues. This type of activity will keep the planning commission on their toes.
2. Muni Charter Amendment - Passed 10 ayes. Something must have happened because all kinds of union people got up and spoke for this issue. A Plus - more money for muni. More control on how Muni hires - but then there is the parking issue which the mayor is against(mayor won't fightthe ballot though) and the Chamber of Commerce has a separate item for the ballot to increase parking in San Francisco. Two items on the ballot regarding parking at the same time. A little messy.
3. Bayview Hunters Point item about delaying Lamar project at Parcel A. I have never heard such intense, emotional testimony. The BayView Hunters community is split on this issue. Even though I was there 50 minutes early I could not get in because of the huge line. There were two rooms set up for spillover. I attempted to watch in the small room but some people who were for the project took over stood in front of the tv and gave a speech about what they should say at the hearing. When I asked to turn on the soundto hear the meeting they ignored me. Didn't realize there was a even bigger room with a bigger tv and sound. Lots of food and water were brought in (big bulky items- not sure how that go through securty?. Intimating atmosphere. After Hearing all testimony I feel that there are health problems in the Bay View Hunters Point (I am not sure if this is because of this development). But if I had to vote I would have voted for the Chris Daly motion to delay while they checked to make sure things were safe. This issue has gotten people organized. Chris Daly was right to bring this issue up. He was very articulate and strong. Ross Mirkerimi made intelligent remarks.
Items:
Rasha - Thai restaurant that had just opened at 3141 16th Street closed down. New restaurant will be called "The Monk's Kettle". Knew Rasha wouldn't stay open. The message was confused. On the side of the building it said Saki drinks but the name sound Indian to me but the food was Thai. The sign also said "great food". I am not sure if San Franciscan's trust signs like that?
Doggie Diner at 10th Street and Mission torn down.
Gustofino Fine Foods is moving in the Just Deserts location at 248 Church Street.
Best In Town (pet store) closed Noe Street location - new location is 545 Castro Street.
All Star - Souvenirs on sale. Hats $10. Hooded sweatshirts $25. Giants souvenir store at stadium.
Giants - During the game there is a hot dog stand open to the outside so people walking by can enjoy the food. Great idea.
Photo Exhibit - Hungry I - Enrico Banducci - San Francisco Performing Arts Library and Museum - Veterans Building 401 Van Ness Avenue, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, Ca.
Through 8-25-2007 phone: 415-255-4800 www.sfpalm.org. Free to Public Tues - Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday 1 to 5 p.m.
August 4th -Diane di Prima and Michael McClure- Benefit for Bird & Beckett Books and Records,(moving fund)$20/$25 2788 Diamond St., S.F. 415-586-3733
August 5th - Jerry Day- Celebrate Jerry Garcia, McLaren Park, John F. Shelly Drive near Cambridge www.jerryday.org
August 7th -Tuesday National Night Out Community BBQ - Free BBQ with food, music. Get to know your Sunset neighbors. Tuesday 5 to 7 p.m. Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center, 925 Noriega Street @46th Ave. www.snbc.org Carol 415-759-3690
August 11th - Saturday Castro Theatre - Sing- along with Wizard of Oz 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. San Francisco with Clark Gable - www.cityboxoffice.com
August 21st Tuesday - Women for Carole Migden - 5:30 to 7 p.m. Pearson Residence, 157 South Park Street rsvp migdenevents@gmail.com or call Annie Eagan 650-873-2678; www.carolemigdenleading.com Contributions are welcome but not expected. Sponsors include Andrea Shorter, Debra Walker, Elmy Bermejo, Francis Hsieh, Holli Thier, Jaynry Mak, Jeannie Maher, Lee Ann Prifti, Margel Kaufman, Roma Guy, Sharon Johnson, Betty Yee and Doris Ward. Re-Elect Senator Carole Migden 601 Van Ness Ave. #E-611, SF Ca 94102
What I saw: 7:30 a.m. in the morning person waiting to go to work was licking the in side of a Oreo Cookie. Whatever it takes.....