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RECENT HEADLINES AND NEWS
Greetings all,
I hope you are enjoying this Fall season. Halloween in District 5 was a terrific success -- I enjoyed celebrating with many of you and your families at the myriad neighborhood events. Now comes Thanksgiving, a holiday that celebrates
togetherness and reflection. As we rejoice with loved ones, let us give thanks to all those who work so hard to make our community better and let us remember those who struggle just to survive.
I wish you and yours a happy and restful holiday.
Ross Mirkarimi
In this edition:
We Still Got the Beats!!!
Supervisors Vote 9-2 to Override Mayor's Veto
After nearly a year of hard work and advocacy, the Board of Supervisors voted 8 to 3 to establish foot beats in 8 of the 10 City Police Stations. Mayor Gavin Newsom vetoed the legislation on November 3rd, but on Tuesday November 14th, the
Board voted 9 to 2 to override the veto. This legislation mandating that the Police Department staff foot patrols two of three shifts a day will go into effect in the New Year. The legislation covers 8 of the City's 10 police stations.
Additional legislation to cover the remaining two stations will be voted on November 21st.
Thank you to the numerous neighborhood organizations, non-profits, and neighbors who advocated for the passage of this law.
Mirkarimi Newsletters Archived on sfgov.org
Did you miss a previous newsletter? Links to the monthly newsletters are now archived on Supervisor Mirkarimi's
sfgov.org page.
MUNI Town Hall Report
 "On November 1, 2006, at the County Fair building nearly 100 people attended a town hall meeting on MUNI issues in District 5.
Nathaniel Ford Sr. and other members of MTA's leadership team came to hear MUNI-related concerns from District 5 residents. Information about MUNI's Transit Effectiveness Plan was presented, and further information about this plan can be
found at
www.sftep.com. Key issues raised included problems with the N-Judah, improvement of payment methods to save time, driver customer service and attendance, and the need for a unified full fleet maintenance plan to increase the percentage
of the fleet which is in service at any given time. Final resolution of many of these issues will not be possible until full implementation of the Transit Effectiveness Plan, but Mr. Ford is attempting to immediately address these issues
when possible. Also, over the next several weeks Supervisor Mirkarimi's office and MTA will be gathering responses to written questions submitted by concerned D-5 residents. Lastly, problems with rude or otherwise problematic drivers
should be reported to 673-MUNI, and complainants should provide the bus line, date, time, and location where the problem took place.
ROOTS Legislation Introduced
On November 14 Supervisor Mirkarimi introduced legislation which, in addition to calling for the funding of affordable housing projects, will help make affordable home ownership a reality for San Franciscans. Under pre-existing law, Real
Ownership Opportunities for Tenants (ROOTS) is a program designed to help moderate income folks acquire an ownership interest in their cooperative housing developments. The new legislation would improve the ROOTS program in several ways:
firstly, it changes the guidelines for resale to make sure that the unit in question would remain affordable. Additionally, it adopts program regulations that have been developed by the Mayor's Office of Housing and urges the Controller to
certify the program under these guidelines.
Ethics Reform Legislation
Supervisor Mirkarimi is sponsoring good government legislation along with the Ethics Commission to strengthen restrictions on city employees receiving gifts that could lead to conflicts of interest. This legislation brings the San
Francisco charter into alignment with the California Government Code. This item will be voted on by the full Board on Tuesday, December 5th. To download a Microsoft Word document of the legislation,
click here. Contact
Boris Delepine for more information.
March of Dimes November 2006 Prematurity Awareness Month
 Over 500,000 infants are born prematurely every year in the US. Prematurity has increased by 29% since 1981 and accounts for 12% of all
live births. California alone has at least 54,000 premature births each year. While premature births affect all communities and socio-economic levels. In San Francisco, the population with the highest amount of premature births is our
African American community at 15.25% of live births. Premature birth can cost an average of $75,000 for each premature infant placing a financial burden on the family.
As part of this effort, Supervisor Mirkarimi introduced a resolution declaring November 2006 as Prematurity Awareness Month in the City and County of San Francisco. City Hall was lit blue and pink on November 13 and 14 th to commemorate
this important issue.
Bulky Item Pickup
 Attention San Francisco residents and apartment dwellers! Sunset Scavenger, the garbage disposal provider for District 5, annually
offers two free bulky item pick-up appointments to residential customers with active accounts as well as one scheduling large item pickup to apartment tenants. These appointments entail 5 items per collection.
Apartment occupants no longer need to schedule this service through their landlord. Their courtesy bulky item collection appointment can be scheduled directly by an San Francisco tenant to Sunset Scavenger. In addition, property-owners
receive one large item pick-up per year for their building.
What constitutes a "bulky item?" Large items that will be collected are: tie lumber, carpet, or similar items in bundles no longer than 4 feet long lumber, furniture, carpet, futon and crib mattresses. Items that will not be collected and
will accompany a fine are: propane tanks with valves intact, household garbage, bottles, cans, or paper (recyclable items), concrete, plaster, or dirt, oversized items such as tree trunks, pianos, or car engines, automotive parts, and
lastly hazardous waste or tires are not accepted but can be recycled at SF Recycling and Disposal (415) 330-1400. To schedule an appointment, call (415) 330-1300 by noon the prior day to arrange a next day pick-up for the items you wish to
be hauled away.
Farmers' Market Legislation Hearing Rescheduled for December 4th
The November 29th meeting of the City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee at which Supervisor Mirkarimi's Farmers Market legislation was to be heard has been cancelled. The legislation will be heard on December 4 th at 1PM in
Room 263 of City Hall.
Farmers' markets may soon materialize across a number of San Francisco's parks. Pending legislation introduced in late July by District 5 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi would allow for farmers' markets, in conjunction with the city's Recreation
and Park Department, to reside on Recreation and Park property. The legislation requires that the markets not interfere with regular usage of park grounds, play areas, or athletic fields. Given the recent wave of grocery store closures
across the City, promoting farmers' markets is an important step in providing neighborhood access to fresh and healthy food. Farmers' markets also help bolster the City's economic stability and our neighborhood's vitality.
Mirkarimi Honored by Florence Crittenton Center
The Florence Crittenton Center has honored Supervisor Mirkarimi with its 2006 Florence Crittenton Award. The Center is a nonprofit that supports low-income families, and the award is given once a year to a community leader whose work helps
families and children. The Center praised Ross for his leadership on the issues of housing and of ending violence in the community. Prior recipients of the award include District Attorney Kamala Harris and Anchorwoman Cheryl Jennings.
The Community Corridor Partnership Comes to Divisadero and Haight Streets!
Mayor Gavin Newsom in partnership with the Board of Supervisors has launched a citywide cleaning initiative that will make a visible difference in our neighborhood. Led by the Department of Public Works, in coordination with other city and
private agencies, the Community Corridor Partnership covers 100 city-blocks and concentrates on public education and increased maintenance. The goal of this temporary program (Oct. 1, 2006 – June, 30th, 2007) is to demonstrate how San
Francisco's neighborhoods and business districts can be welcoming and vibrant assets to our community when everyone does their part.
You'll see a DPW Ambassador on Divisadero and Haight Streets from Thursday - Monday from 10am - 7pm. They'll be sweeping the streets, checking for graffiti, and generally help to keep tabs on things that need to be fixed. If you see your
Ambassador, please be sure to stop by and introduce yourself.
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Route #13 Haight Street- Stanyan to Masonic Avenue; Ambassador Arnold Lamkins
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Route #24 Divisadero Street- Haight to McAllister; Ambassador Lessie James
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Route #25 Haight Street- Webster to Divisadero; Ambassador Jabar Mabrey
Improvements You'll see:
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Clean Sidewalks- A Neighborhood Ambassador who will sweep sidewalks and abate or report problems during peak hours, Thursday – Monday, noon – 9:00 p.m.
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Graffiti-Free Neighborhood- Improved graffiti abatement through a private contractor and increased city maintenance.
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Increased City Services- Through increased coordination (curb painting, tree basin maintenance, sidewalk repair, etc.)
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Better Communication- Residents, businesses and city agencies will work in coordination to make improvements.
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More Trees - you'll see more city-maintained trees planted in empty treewells on both Divisadero and Haight Streets. If you'd like a tree on your property and don't live on a city-maintained street, Friends of the Urban Forest can help
you! Please contact FUF at
www.fuf.net or (415) 561-6890.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Call 28-CLEAN to reach the DPW to report street cleaning needs, graffiti, dumping, broken newstands, etc. DPW will act quickly to clean things up. DPW has a centralized database to send out fix-it requests, so please, put 28-CLEAN on your
cell phone and report needs as you walk around the neighborhood. Log on to
www.sfdpw.org to report street cleaning or other issues and to receive info about your responsibilities as a merchant or property owner.
Sign on to the program's graffiti abatement service! You'll receive help from the DPW cleaning graffiti off your building. Encourage your friends and neighbors to keep their sidewalks and property clean and litter free. If we all pitch in,
we can have a truly beautiful city. Report offenders for illegal dumping - fines for illegal dumping can be up to $1000.
Falletti Foods Grand Reopening and Now Hiring
We are proud to welcome Falletti Foods back to the neighborhood after a three year hiatus. Supervisor Mirkarimi will participate in the grand reopening on Thursday, December 7th from 10:30-11am. This will be followed by tours of the
building and luncheon. Falletti Foods is also hiring for a number of positions. To download an application form, go to
www.fallettifoods.com/jobs.html.
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Upcoming Events
11/25, Saturday 9am-12pm
Alvord Lake Task Force Community Clean-Up and BBQ
Meet at Park Entrance (Stanyan & Haight)
Please RSVP by November 20th
Kelly Henry 678-8449 or
chenry@hafci.org
11/28, Tuesday 7pm
Poets Eleven at the Park Branch Library
Park Branch Library, 1833 Page
San Francisco Poet Laureate Jack Hirschman, Friends of the San Francisco Public Library and the San Francisco Public Library are pleased to announce an innovative new literary series befitting San Francisco's rich literary history. This is
the District 5 reading, which will feature the works of three District 5 poets. For more information, see the Friend's of the SF Library
webpage.
11/29, Wednesday 11am
Planning Meeting for MAGIC Initiative in the Western Addition
African American Art and Culture Complex
762 Fulton Street
Come get involved in the Mobilization for Adolescent Growth in our Communities (MAGIC) initiative in the Western Addition. Supervisor Mirkarimi and Pubilc Defender Jeff Adachi will participate. All residents, faith-based organizations,
non-profits, schools, and other groups are invited. A light lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to
westerneditionmagic@yahoo.com.
11/30, Thursday 7-9pm
City College at DeAvila School Planning Meeting
DeAvila School, 1351 Haight
Join Supervisor Mirkarimi and representatives from City College to discuss the impacts of City College moving into the DeAvila School campus.
12/01, Friday 6-9pm
17th Annual Hayes Valley Merchants
Block Party. Hayes Street between Laguna & Franklin, also Laguna, Octavia, Gough btwn Fell & Grove. Food, drinks, shopping, silent auction and 2nd annual Giving Voice to the Season "Community Sing Along" in Patricia's Green.
Contact info:
safety@hayesvalleysf.org
12/02, 10am-12pm
Medical Cannabis Facility Walking Tour
Please join Medical Cannabis Facilities, Community Groups and Residents for a neighborhood walking tour. Meet the proprietors, meet your neighbors, tour the facilities, learn about services provided, get your questions answered.
10-10:25am: The Bay Area Safe Alternatives Collective, 1326 Grove
10:30-10:55am: Happy Days Herbal Relief, 607 Divisadero
11-11:25am: The San Francisco Patients Cooperative, 350 Divisadero
11:35-12:00pm: The Vapor Room, 609 Haight
12/05, Thursday 5:30-7:30pm
Living History Program
51 Yerba Buena Lane (at Mission between 3rd and 4th)
Delphine Hirasuna moderates a panel of former internees who lived through the Japanese internment camps during World War II. Free for members of the Museum of Craft and Folk Art, $5 for nonmembers. More information:
www.mocafa.org.
12/07, Thursday 10:30am-1pm
Falletti Foods Grand Reopening and Now Hiring
308 Broderick at Fell
We are proud to welcome Falletti Foods back to the neighborhood after a three year hiatus. Supervisor Mirkarimi will participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony from 10:30-11am. This will be followed by tours of the building and luncheon.
Falletti Foods is also hiring for a number of positions. To download an application form, go to
www.fallettifoods.com/jobs.html.
12/09, Saturday 9am-12pm
Public Open House regarding the Transit Effectiveness Project
Self-Help for the Elderly Senior Center
5757 Geary Bvld at 22nd Avenue
12/11, Monday 4:30-7:30pm
Public Open House regarding the Transit Effectiveness Project
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (Civic Center)
99 Grove Street
12/15, Friday 5:30-8pm
Third Friday Art and Holiday Party
City Hall, 1 Carlton B. Goodlett Place Room 282
Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi hosts the Monthly Third Friday's Art Reception in his City Hall office. More details to follow.
12/23, Saturday 11am-3pm
5th Annual Fostering a Safe and Caring Holiday Season 2006
Community Luncheon and Toy Giveaway
Korean American Community Center
745 Buchanan (at Grove).
Contact Info: Richard Johnson
safety@hayesvalleysf.org.
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Board of Supervisors Information
Looking for the Board of Supervisors meeting information, minutes, or agendas? Click the picture below or click
here:
For information on City employment openings and how to register to vote click
here.
Office and Community Volunteers Needed
Supervisor Mirkarimi is looking for volunteers from the community to participate with the office in a wide variety of ways, such as:
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Neighborhood-specific issues
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Neighborhood outreach
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Policy research
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Data entry
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Office volunteers
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Curating and organizing the monthly art parties
Please contact Regina Dick-Endrizzi (415)554-6783
regina.dick-endrizzi@sfgov.org
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