Gavin Newsom's De Young Museum Party

Wow! What a party. Huge. Big. Live music, terrific food Open bar. Tons of people - all dressed up. Very impressive. Everyone wanted to meet Jennifer Siebel looking gorgeous in red and black with pearls.

As Mayor Newsom said it was nice for one night to just celebrate and be proud of living in San Francisco.

It was also a privilege to walk through the different floors and look at the artwork while listening to the music (jazz, world music, Carnival music) . Classy event.

Now back to work. It is going to be a busy, tough year for everyone.

January 8, 2008 - Newsom, Harris, Potrero Hill

Okay, 2008 has started!

Gavin Newsom's swearing in. City Hall Rotunda is a good place to have a swearing-in if you take the time to do it correctly. The Inaugural Ceremony Planning Committee did an excellent job including an extensive sound system (you just have to learn where to stand) good food which was served quickly. Everyone was there and they seemed to be pleased with the reception. (Matier & Ross were there - I was wondering if they were ever coming back to the Chronicle!). Speech was long and wonky - which everyone expects from our Mayor. Wish he had spoken more about crime and homicides ( I am trusting the administration will put something in place soon). We not only need leadership, we need inspiration and reassurance.

After the reception went downstairs to City Hall's basement to get coffee . The Voter Registration office is open for voting for the February election .

Kamala Harris' swearing in at Delancey Street was jammed packed with people all in dark clothes, a little wet with umbrellas. Event started on time with Kamala Harris speaking before she was sworn in. Our District Attorney is a very articulate speaker. Senator Feinstein spoke before swearing in Kamala Harris. Senator Feinstein reminded us when she first ran for Supervisor only Willie Brown and Terry Francois endorsed her for office and she commented on how far women have come since then. In fact Dianne Feinstein made an indication of a future woman president (even though most people in the room knew that Kamala Harris is a huge supporter of Obama's). There were Tom's cookies and sandwiches and tea.
I noticed at both events people in the back reading their emails from their phones. A new way of doing two things at once!

Potrero Hill Democratic Club had endorsement meeting regarding 3 local and 7 state propositions. Speakers included Corinne Woods from the Neighborhood Parks Council for Yes on A (more parks on the waterfront) with Steve Ambrose speaking against Prop A because of the artificial turf issue. Gary Delagnes, the President of the San Francisco Police Officers Association spoke for Yes on B . There were speakers for Yes and No on 92. (Community College Funding). There was a speaker for Yes on Prop C the Alcatraz conversion project. Assembly Mark Leno spoke on Yes on 93 (term limits) and No on 94-97 regarding casino agreements with our Governor.
Because of the holidays and the presidential race it is difficult to focus on the coming Feb. 5th election. If you get a chance it is helpful to hear a live discussion of the issues. As in every election in San Francisco there is a strange mixture of issues.

Barack Obama event at Bloom's on Potrero Hill. The event was almost over when I arrived (I still have not decided how I am going to vote - I keep changing my mind). I had heard earlier that tons of people showed up to Bloom's and they were passing out really "cool" tee shirts. Obama's campaign is a well organized, amazing movement

San FranciscoJanuary 2008 Political Calendar

Trader Joe's Saturday afternoon - Rain stopped and every one went shopping. Lines went from one end of the building to the other. Everyone stayed "cool". Try Trader Joe's Chicken Pot Pie (great comfort food on a cold, rainy day - hint from fellow "in line person". )

January 7, 2008 Monday

Absentee Voting Begins early voting at San Francisco City Hall begins. Information: www.sfgov.org/site/elections

Exploratorium Relocation - San Francisco Bay Conservation & Development Commission - San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. Design Review Special Meeting 6:30 p.m. Pier 1, Bayside Conference Room. Agenda: First Review: Exploration Relocation to Piers 15-17 (located near the intersection of Green Street and the Embarcadero Promenade, between Piers 9 and 19). Project involves repairs and seismic upgrades of pier substructure. (also on the agenda review of the South San Francisco Ferry Terminal and Alameda Landing.

January 8th, 2008 - Tuesday

New Hampshire Primary

San Francisco Chamber of Commerce - Jose Cisneros, City Treasurer and David Augustine, City Policy and Legislative Manager will give overview of the Office of Treasurer and Tax Collector, discuss new initiatives and give update on social programs. Noon to 1 p.m. San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Boardroom, 235 Montgomery St. Information: Patricia Aleman rsvp paleman@sfchamber.com

Mayor Gavin Newsom - Oath of Office Ceremony - City Hall Rotunda 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ; Reception line in Newsom's office; refreshments in the North Light Court 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

District Attorney Kamala Harris - Swearing in Ceremony - Four O'Clock Delancey Street Town Hall, 600 Embarcadero, S.F. RSVP 415-485-1125



Close Guantanamo Volunteer Activist Night - ACLU of Northern California - (wear orange on January 11, 2008 the sixth anniversary of the opening of the detention center). Meeting to gain a deeper knowledge about the human rights violations taking place at Guantanamo Bay. 6 to 8 p.m. Featuring Hina Shamsi, Mona Cadena, Deputy Director, Amnesty International USA-West; Walesa Kanarek, Field Organizer, Amnesty International USA-West; Almerindo Ojeda, Director, UC Davis Center for the Study of Human Rights in the Americas. Location: ACLU of Northern California, 39 Drumm Street, S.F. revp organizing@aclunc.org or 415-621-2493 ext 372.



Barack Obama - San Francisco Phone Squad - The Hive, 639 Front Street #1, S.F. 6 p.m. t 9 p.m.

Potrero Hill Democratic Club - The Rest of the February 5th California Primary Election Ballot: 3 Local and 7 State Propositions. Speakers for and against, Q&A discussion, endorsement vote. Open to the public but only member may vote. Nominations of officers for 2008. 7 p.m. Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro Street @ Southern Heights. Information: www.PHDDemClub.org

January 9th, 2008 Wednesday

SPUR - 5:45 to 7 p.m. John Rahaim,San Francisco's New Planning Director, 312 Sutter Street, Fifth Street, S.F. $5. non-members Information info@spur.org 415-781-8726

Community Opportunity Fund: Designing an Effective Program - 6 to 8 p.m. NPC Office, 451 Hayes Street, 2nd Floor, S.F. San Franciscan's can utilize small grant programs to drive capital improvements in our parks. With $5,000,000 million of Prop. A parks bond allocated towards a Community Opportunity Grant fund, now is the chance to learn from experts who already run successful small grant programs and give feedback on what you think this new program should look like. Hear from the Community Challenge Grant program, SF Beautiful Grants, an Open Space Fund Expert, and a PROSAC (Parks, Recreation and Open Space Advisory Committee) member - a body which will be key in shaping the Community Opportunity Grant Program. Visit http://sfnpc.org/coalition meetings. RSVP 415-621-3260 or cgood@sfnpc.org

City Lights Bookstore - reading from Jane Rhodes' new book "Framing the Black Panthers". 7 p.m. , 261 Columbus Ave at Broadway. www.citylights.com 415-362-8193

January 10, 2008 Thursday

Book Critics Circle - Panel Discussion "Book Culture: The Future is Global, Book Passage", Ferry Building, S.F.n6 p.m. NBCC's President John Freeman will moderate including panelists Daniel Alarcon, Micheline Aharonian Marcom, Amy Tam.

January 11, 2008 Friday

Book Critics Circle - Panel Discussion: 5:30 p.m. "New Voices/Unrecognized Voices" 111 Minna Gallery, Zappa Room. Moderator Jane Ciabattari, Panelists include Sandy Dijkstra, Eli Horowitz, Michael Ray, Suzanne Kleid. Information: bookcriticscircle.blogspot.com

Book Critics Circle - Panel Discussion: 6:3o p.m. "The View from Here: Is the West Coast Driving American Literature?". 111 Minna Gallery, Zappa Room. Moderator Oscar Villalon with panelists Andrew Sean Greer, Mary Ann Gwinn, Ellen Heltzel, Jennifer Reese, David Ulin
Information: bookcriticscircle.blogspot.com

Bill's Birthday Bash - A Special Evening of Duets - Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt, Phil Lesh and Jackie Greene, Jackie Greene and Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Ray Manzarek and Roy Rogers, Tuck and Patti and a closing dance set by Booker T. Jones. The Fillmore, doors open at 7:30 p.m. 1805 Geary Blvd. S F. Information and tickets: 415-346-6000 www.livenation.com

January 12, 2008 - Saturday

Visitacion Valley/Schlage Lock Draft Plan Open House 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Visitacion Valley Community Center, 66 Raymond Ave. (near Bayshore Blvd). Vision to guide the reuse of the Schlage Lock site, reincorporate the site into the neighborhood and include related neighborhood improvements. Information: www.sfgov.org/site/planning

Book Critics Circle - Awards Finalists Announcement - 6 p.m. Kerouac Alley wine and cheese reception after (next to City Lights Books Store ). Attendees include Litquake, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Amy Tan, Dave Eggers, Daniel Alarcon, Maxine Chernoff, W.S. Di Piero, Paul Hoover, Wendy Lesser. Former NBCC finalists and awardees Frederick Crews, Dave Eggers, Troy Jollimore, Maxine Hong Kingston and others will be there. Information: bookcriticscircle.blogspot.com

January 13, 2008 - Sunday

San Francisco Family Appreciation Day - For one day, every San Francisco family with children 0 to 18 years old receive free entrance to 35 museums and attractions. Kids ride muni free 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when accompanied by a paying adult. One adult in each family must show proof they live in San Francisco and be accompanied by at least one child. Information: SFKids.org or call 311.

Bike the Blue Greenway and the Eastern Waterfront: 10 a.m. to Noon. Herons Head Park to Fisherman's Wharf. Bicycle tour of the Port of San Francisco (www.sfport.com). The tour will stop at existing and future parks along the waterfront where advocates and planners will speak about each site's unique contribution to San Francisco's eastern shore, how the City plans to connect these waterfront parks, and how these open spaces will benefit from Proposition A. The tour will be followed by a reception and the presentation on Prop A at Fishermen's Wharf. RSVP or for more information or if rain is forecast call 415-240-4150. For those unable to bicycle a bus will be available. (Seats are limited).

"Campaign 2008: A Presidential Debate that Matters". Come see an hear Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Jared Ball, Kent Mesplay talking about the issues of the day. Hosted and moderated by Cindy Sheehan. 2 p.m. Herbst Theater/Veterans Memorial Bldg., 401 Van Ness, S.F. $10/$25 donation. Sponsored by Green Party of Alameda County, San Francisco Green Party, Sacramento County Green Party. Information: greendebate2008@yahoo.com 510-610-1773

Barack Obama

Additional Calendar Items from January 1, 2008 Calendar

January 4, 2008 - Friday

Obama '08 - Change We can Believe In - San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, Ca. 12 noon Information http://ca.barackobama.com

Information:

Mark Leno - www.markleno.com On website is using new technique where you go o line and fill out e-cards that you want to send. No more post cards! No much easier.

Christine Pelosi - Have you seen Christine's book in the bookstores? "Campaign Boot Camp". Basic training for Future Leaders". Paperpack $15.95

San Francisco Calendar - January 2008

January 1, 2008 - Tuesday

Happy New Year

Bart - New Schedule and Fare Increase - www.bart.gov Information 510-464-6000

San Francisco's Minimum Wage increases to $9.36 an hour

January 3, 2008- Thursday

Iowa Caucus

Obama '08 - Iowa Election Night Party - Tosca Cafe, 241 Columbus Street, San Francisco - 6 p.m. Host: Menno Goedman Information: barackobama.com

January 5, 2008 - Saturday

Obama '08 - Walk for Change. Door-to-door canvass. Inner Sunset area. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kesar Bar & Restaurant, 900 Cole Street, S.F. (at Carl Street). Contact: Lisa Steel (CD 12 Area Leader) obama.cd12@gmail.com 650-416-4589 Information regarding phone banking: Shaun Hughes obama08.volunteer@gmail.com

January 6, 2008- Sunday

GGNRA Endangered Species Kickoff Party - San Francisco Zoo 1 p.m. Entrance to the Zoo. Sloat Blvd. and Great Highway. Information: Golden Gate National Parks ggnrabigyear.org 415-572-6989 Brent Plater

January 7, 2008 - Monday

Absentee Voting Begins early voting at San Francisco City Hall begins. Information: www.sfgov.org/site/elections


January 8th, 2008 - Tuesday

New Hampshire Primary

San Francisco Chamber of Commerce - Jose Cisneros, City Treasurer and David Augustine, City Policy and Legislative Manager will give overview of the Office of Treasurer and Tax Collector, discuss new initiatives and give update on social programs. Noon to 1 p.m. San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Boardroom, 235 Montgomery St. Information: Patricia Aleman rsvp paleman@sfchamber.com

January 9th, 2008 Wednesday

SPUR - 5:45 to 7 p.m. John Rahaim,San Francisco's New Planning Director, 312 Sutter Street, Fifth Street, S.F. $5. non-members Information info@spur.org 415-781-8726

City Lights Bookstore - reading from Jane Rhodes' new book "Framing the Black Panthers". 7 p.m. , 261 Columbus Ave at Broadway. www.citylights.com 415-362-8193

January 10, 2008 Thursday

Book Critics Circle - Panel Discussion "Book Culture: The Future is Global, Book Passage", Ferry Building, S.F.n6 p.m. NBCC's President John Freeman will moderate including panelists Daniel Alarcon, Micheline Aharonian Marcom, Amy Tam.

January 11, 2008 Friday

Book Critics Circle - Panel Discussion: 5:30 p.m. "New Voices/Unrecognized Voices" 111 Minna Gallery, Zappa Room. Moderator Jane Ciabattari, Panelists include Sandy Dijkstra, Eli Horowitz, Michael Ray, Suzanne Kleid. Information: bookcriticscircle.blogspot.com

Book Critics Circle - Panel Discussion: 6:3o p.m. "The View from Here: Is the West Coast Driving American Literature?". 111 Minna Gallery, Zappa Room. Moderator Oscar Villalon with panelists Andrew Sean Greer, Mary Ann Gwinn, Ellen Heltzel, Jennifer Reese, David Ulin
Information: bookcriticscircle.blogspot.com

Bill's Birthday Bash - A Special Evening of Duets - Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt, Phil Lesh and Jackie Greene, Jackie Greene and Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Ray Manzarek and Roy Rogers, Tuck and Patti and a closing dance set by Booker T. Jones. The Fillmore, doors open at 7:30 p.m. 1805 Geary Blvd. S F. Information and tickets: 415-346-6000 www.livenation.com

January 12, 2008 - Saturday

Visitacion Valley/Schlage Lock Draft Plan Open House 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Visitacion Valley Community Center, 66 Raymond Ave. (near Bayshore Blvd). Vision to guide the reuse of the Schlage Lock site, reincorporate the site into the neighborhood and include related neighborhood improvements. Information: www.sfgov.org/site/planning

Book Critics Circle - Awards Finalists Announcement - 6 p.m. Kerouac Alley wine and cheese reception after (next to City Lights Books Store ). Attendees include Litquake, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Amy Tan, Dave Eggers, Daniel Alarcon, Maxine Chernoff, W.S. Di Piero, Paul Hoover, Wendy Lesser. Former NBCC finalists and awardees Frederick Crews, Dave Eggers, Troy Jollimore, Maxine Hong Kingston and others will be there. Information: bookcriticscircle.blogspot.com

January 13, 2008 - Sunday

San Francisco Family Appreciation Day - For one day, every San Francisco family with children 0 to 18 years old receive free entrance to 35 museums and attractions. Kids ride muni free 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when accompanied by a paying adult. One adult in each family must show proof they live in San Francisco and be accompanied by at least one child. Information: SFKids.org or call 311.

"Campaign 2008: A Presidential Debate that Matters". Come see an hear Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Jared Ball, Kent Mesplay talking about the issues of the day. Hosted and moderated by Cindy Sheehan. 2 p.m. Herbst Theater/Veterans Memorial Bldg., 401 Van Ness, S.F. $10/$25 donation. Sponsored by Green Party of Alameda County, San Francisco Green Party, Sacramento County Green Party. Information: greendebate2008@yahoo.com 510-610-1773

January 15, 2008 - Tuesday

Michigan Primary

Bay Bridge Base Beautification Group - 7 p.m. at 501 Beale Street (Watermark). Reviewing neighborhood input of how the land may be repurposed and planning the meeting with CalTrans. Planned uses that have been suggested: Plaza, dog park, parcourse (exercise circuit), terrace gardens, children's play area. Information: web.mac.com/p.josh.wolf/b4project

January 16, 2008 - Wednesday

Supes for Lunch - Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi - 11:30 to 12: 30. San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Board Room, 235 Montgomery Street, 12th Floor. Soup is provided by SF Soup Company RSVP Patricia Aleman paleman@sfchamber.com


Paul Auster - In conversation with Graham Leggat - Jewish Community Center, 3200 California Street, S.F. Information and tickets : 415-292-1200 tickets.jccsf.org

January 17, 2008 - Thursday

City Democratic Club - Discussion with C. W. Nevius from the San Francisco Chronicle, 312 Sutter Street, S.F. 7:30 p.m. Information info@citydemocraticclub.org 415-923-5252

January 18, 2008 - Friday

SPUR - San Francisco's Economic Strategy - 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. What drives our city's economy and what tools can we use to promote economic growth and job opportunities? city's City's chief economist, Ted Egan and representatives from the Mayor's Office of Economic and Workforce Development as they describe the City's Economic Strategy and how it will be implemented in the coming years. $5. non-members Information: SUR info@spur.org Phone 415-781-8726

Instituto Laboral De La Raza 2008 Labor Awards Dinner, Hilton Hotel, 333 O'Farrell Street, S.F. Reception and media coverage 5 p.m. Dinner and awards at 6:30 p.m. Honorees include Joseph T. Hansen International President United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Washington D.C.; Tyrone Freeman ; John Jatoft; Sal Roselli SEIU - United Healthcare Workers West ; Ronald J. Lind United Food and Commercial Workers Union - Local 5 , German Vazquez President of Teamsters National Hispanic Caucus $200. Information: www.ilaboral.org/dinner 2008 415-431-7522

January 19, 2008 - Saturday

Nevada Caucus

Roe v. Wade 35th Anniversary March. Justin Herman Plaza at Market and Embarcadero at 11 a.m. Information: mediafreedoms.net

January 21, 2008 - Monday

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

January 22, 2008 - Tuesday

Last day to register to vote for February 5th election

SPUR - Transformation of the Mission by automobility - 12:30 312 Sutter St. $5 non members. Mission District of San Francisco is a pre-automobile suburb reconfigured, beginning in 1910's to accommodate the movement and storage of automobiles. Changes to the built environment included widespread removal of front yards for driveways and garages,widening of streets and privatization of curb space for residential driveway cuts. Mary Brown presents her Geography Master's Thesis examining the effect of this shift to private mobility on the architectural landscape, on-street parking availability, as well as the conversion of garage spaces to other uses. Information: info@spur.org 415-781-8726.

January 23, 2008 - Wednesday

SPUR - Japantown Better Neighborhoods Plan: What Next?- 12:30 to 1:30 312 Sutter St. $5. non members. The Japantown Better Neighborhoods Plan will develop a vision for the culturally important Japantown neighborhood that will guide historic preservation and new growth, as well as improve connections to transit projects such as Geary Bus Rapid Transit. Come hear from Bob Hamaguchi of the Japantown Task Force and Rosemary Dudley of the San Francisco Planning Department as they walk you through the Japantown planning process. Information: info@spur.org 415-781-8726

January 24, 2007 - Thursday

SPUR - SF's most sophisticated transportation model. 312 Sutter St 12:30 to 1:30 $5. non-members. Billy Charlton of San Francisco's Transportation Authority manages one of the most sophisticated models to analyze where people are coming from and where they're going. It is used to predict the number and type of trips by residents, daytime workers, tourists that will result from transportation improvements and land use developments. How accurate is it? How do they know? Can we use the model to predict different mode shares and understand the implications for transit planning, parking, the economy and global warming? Information: info@spur.org 415-781-8726

January 25th, 2008 Friday

San Francisco Transgender Empowerment Advocacy and Mentorship announces a collaborative Health and Resource Fair for the Transgender Community. guest speakers
include Assemblyman Mark Leno, Mitch Katz and Ken Stram. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at State Office Building, Milton Marks Conference Center, 455 Golden Gate Avenue. Information: Yavante M. Thomas-Guess at 415-865-5632 www.sfteam.org madqueyl@gmail.com

Madeleine Albright - Commonwealth Club, Fairmont Hotel, 950 Mason Street 11:30 a.m. $30 for Non-Members Information: www.commonwealthclub.org

January 26th, 2008 - Saturday

South Carolina Primary

January 27th, 2008 - Sunday

Writers Remembered: A Bay Area Literary Tribute. Koret Auditorium of the Main Library 1 to 4 p.m. Among those to be remembered are Phil Frank, David Halberstam, Philomene Long, Norman Mailer, Tillie Olsen, Grace Paley, Allen Wheelis. Participants this year include Richard Boyle, Sharon Doublago, S.A. Griffen, Adam Hochschild and Wavy Gravy. Information: Byron Spooner 415-771-1076 www.freindsssfpl.org

January 28, 2008 - Monday

Commonwealth Club - Political Communication: Speakers Joe Tuman, Ron Nehring, Art Torres, "How Candidates and Elections are Sold to us". 5:30 Wine and Cheese reception. 595 Market Street, San Francisco. $18. for Non Members Information: www.commonwealthclub.org

January 29, 2008 - Tuesday

Florida Primary

Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot for February primary.

SPUR "Is California losing jobs and companies to other states?". 12:30 to 1:30 312 Sutter Street, $5. non-members. Joint Public Policy Institute of California's Jed Kolko and he explains why companies are growing, moving, or leaving the State of California and what it means to our economy. Information: info@spur.org 415-781-8726

January 30, 2008 - Wednesday

CNN - Republican Presidential Debate sponsored by L.A. Times and Politico at Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley

January 31, 2008 - Thursday

Strobe Talbott - President of Brookings Institution - Commonwealth Club, 5:30 p.m. Marriott Hotel, 500 Post Street. $30 non-members. Information: www.commonwealthclub.org

CNN - Democratic Presidential Debate sponsored by L.A Times and Politico

Information:

San Francisco Local Measures:

Prop a - Clean and Safe Neighborhood Park Bonds 2008 Information: 415-554-5184

Prop B - Creating a new deferred retirement option program for members of the SF Police Dept. Information: 415-861-5060

Prop C - Adopting a policy that the City acquire Alcatraz Island to make it a Global Peace Center. Information: 415-381-4061

Union Square Cristmas 2007

You have to go down to Union Square at night before the holidays are over.

Lefty Odoul's is a good place to start for a quick meal and a drink. Comfy booths and old time pictures.

John Burton's 75th birthday

Birthday Celebration and Fundraiser for John Burton's 75th Birthday. The Fundraiser was for the John Burton Foundation for Children without Homes which was held at the Fairmont Hotel last night.

Evening started out with music from singer Keely Smith who was a smash hit in the late 50's with her husband at the time Louis Prima. (there big hit was "Old Black Magic"). I love her music and her voice was gorgeous and she looked great.
Matthew Rothschild was so proud that he got his 33/1/3 Kelly Smith record album signed by Keely Smith. Keely Smith and John Burton met while John Burton was a bartender at Bimbo's - they are old friends.

John Burton's daughter Kimiko Burton and her two children introduced John Burton. As always John Burton did not mince words, he was straightforward and it is obvious that he cares very much about foster children in California.

The foundation hands out grants every year for over $1,000,000 to take care of needs for foster children. Foster children loose their benefits at 18 years old. The Foundation helps kids until they are 21. Projects include "Backpack to College" project with backpack, laptop, gift cards, textbooks and school supplies.

Burton's good buddy Tommy Smothers spoke - can you believe Tommy Smothers is 71 years old!

It is nice to see someone with Burton's connections take on an issue that has been neglected. He is helping reverse the "stereotype perception" regarding foster children.

Attendees included Gary Radnich from Channel Four , Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, Alicia Wang candidate for Supervisor in District One, Claudine Cheng candidate for Supervisor in District Three. Susan P. Kennedy, Arnold Schwarzenegger's Chief of Staff was there along with California Democratic Chair Art Torres, Ex-Supervisor Jim Gonzales, State Senator Carole Migden, Assemblyman Mark Leno, Jeff and Sandy Mori, Port Commissioner Mike Hardeman, Agar Jaicks, Community College Board Member Julio Ramos, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi. Also attending were long time supporters Sharon Johnson, Jeannie Maher and Jane Morrison.

Information: John Burton Foundation for Children without Homes, 235 Montgomery Street, Suite 1142 San Francisco, Ca. 94104. Phone: 415-348-0011, www. johnburtonfoundation.org

Pictures: John Burton, Johnny Carter, Gary Radnich, Tommy Smothers, Matthew Rothschild