RECENT HEADLINES AND NEWS

In this edition:



San Francisco Leads the Nation with Plastic Bag Ban
On On March 27th, 2007 the Board of Supervisors passed Supervisor Mirkarimi's Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance. The new law prohibits the distribution of plastic shopping bags by large grocery stores and pharmacies. Beginning, in six months grocery stores will be required to use either compostable bags made from vegetable-based materials or recyclable paper bags. Pharmacies will have one year to comply. The ordinance passed in a 10-1 vote, and Mayor Newsom has declared his support. San Francisco is the first city in the U.S. to ban plastic bags, and hopefully it will not be the last.

In San Francisco, over 1,400 tons of plastic bags go un-recycled each year, leaving the recycle rate at 1%. With the City goal of achieving a 75% recycling rate by 2010 and zero waste by 2020, this ordinance is a step in the right direction. It is especially pertinent as it offers consumers an eco-friendly alternative by replacing plastic with compostable bags made from non-petroleum based products. As oil supplies diminish, our reliance on oil based products must be reduced, and compostable bags are one way of achieving this goal. Also, compostable bags can be recycled in the City's green food compost bins, thus eliminating the "ick-factor" of soggy paper now faced by folks who compost their food scraps.

Other countries such as Ireland, Bangladesh, and South Africa have already taken similar steps to eliminate plastic bag usage. Ikea, the home furnishing and accessories chain, has also voluntarily taken steps to end plastic bag use.
More information:

Free Reusable Canvas Bags Available
While supplies last the Department of the Environment is offering free reusable canvas bags for grocery shopping. Each reusable shopping bag has the potential to eliminate hundreds, if not thousands, of plastic bags over its lifetime.
Bags are available at the Department of the Environment office located at 11 Grove Street. For more information call 355-3700.

Update on Public Safety in District 5
Supervisor Mirkarimi is pursuing a number of measures to address the recent surge in crime and violence in District 5. The Chronicle recently published an article detailing violence in the Western Addition.

Public Safety Committee to hear Supervisor Mirkarimi's Call For Redeployment of Excess Police Officers from SFO
On April 9th, 2007, at 10am in City Hall room 263, the Public Safety Committee of the Board of Supervisors will consider legislation, proposed by Supervisor Mirkarimi, which will establish a framework for determining whether or not SF police should be re-assigned from the airport. With the aforementioned rise in violent crime, specifically in District 5, an immediate re-distribution of police forces from the seemingly over-policed airport may be a necessary and effective response. Currently the SFPD has 1,671 active officers, 300 less than the legally mandated 1,971. Thus, the meeting on April 9th will function as a means of determining if the 154 SF officers at the airport should be redistributed and concentrated in real problem areas. This legislation would require the collaborative efforts of the Chief of police and airport director to determine the appropriate number of officers that are needed at SFO, specifically in relation to the number of officers which are needed to maintain the safety of the city. This assessment would be completed by July 1st, 2007. An Examiner article about this issue can be viewed here.

Public Safety Cameras at Haight and Webster
On Wednesday, April 4th 2007, the San Francisco Police Commission affirmed the installation of three new public safety cameras at the intersection of Haight and Webster streets. The call for cameras at Haight and Webster came from concerned neighbors at a community meeting in January of this year. An Examiner article about the cameras can be viewed here.

Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
Supervisor Mirkarimi is encouraging District 5 neighborhoods to start a Neighborhood Watch Program. The Public Safety Committee of the Board of Supervisors held a recent hearing on how the Watch programs can be strengthened and made more accessible. To learn more on how to start a Neighborhood Watch, contact S.A.F.E., a crime-prevention education organization at info@sfsafe.org or 415-673-SAFE..

New Law Would Require Notice When Leases from the SFUSD to the City Expire or Otherwise Terminate
Recently, a city-run parking lot in the Inner Sunset was closed without any substantive notice when the owner, the San Francisco Unified School District, cancelled its lease agreement with the City. In order to prevent similar unnoticed dislocations in the future, Supervisor Mirkarimi has introduced legislation that would require notice in such situations. Under the proposed law, when the City leases property from the District and uses the property in a manner directly serving the public, the city department which has jurisdiction over the property will provide at least 30-days notice of the termination or expiration of any lease. The required notice would be posted on the subject property, mailed to neighboring owners and renters, and sent to persons or organization which have expressed interest in the property. This legislation will soon be set for a hearing before the Rules Committee of the Board of Supervisors, and members of the public will be invited to speak at that hearing.

 New Law For Hiring Ex-Offenders Introduced
On March 27 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi introduced legislation which would create a San Francisco Bonding Program in order to help higher-risk job seekers obtain work. Currently, there exists a Federal Bonding Program that provides free bonding for up to $25,000 to encourage employers to hire ex-offenders and other high-risk job candidates. This federal program has not been sufficiently utilized and the new legislation aims to create a more widely-used program while tracking, working in tandem with, and utilizing the federal program as much as possible. The new legislation is designed to help people who have difficulty finding work due to a criminal record, a substance abuse history, a poor credit history, or a lack of work history. A non-exclusive list of industries targeted for the San Francisco Bonding Program include construction, restaurant, retail, janitorial, or office support.

 Certificates of Preference Hearing April 23rd
On April 23rd at 1pm, the Land Use Committee will hold a hearing on the status of Certificates of Preference. In the 1960s and 1970s the Redevelopment Agency displaced thousands of residents and businesses from the Western Addition. As a way to compensate for these displacements, the Agency created a system of Certificates of Preference. These Certificates give residents and businesses preference at properties managed by the Agency throughout the City. On February 12 the Land Use and Economic Development Committee of the Board of Supervisors held a hearing on the status of the Certificate program. At the hearing it was shown that of 4,719 residential Certificates issued only 1,099 have been used and that the Agency has no contact information for 3,055 Certificate holders.

At the April 23rd hearing, the Redevelopment Agency will present a plan for informing all outstanding Certificate holders of their rights under the program. An Examiner article about the program and the February hearing can be found here.

Resolution Creating a Peak Oil Task Force to be Heard by Rules Committee on April 19
On April 19th the Rules Committee of the Board of Supervisors will hear, Supervisor Mirkarimi's resolution to create a Peak Oil Preparedness Task Force. Peak Oil is the theory that global oil production will peak and then steadily decline.

As the world's population and energy consumption continue to increase, a worldwide oil shortage will have catastrophic consequences on our economy, infrastructure, and personal lives.

The Peak Oil Preparedness Task Force will conduct an assessment of the City's vulnerability to the effects of peak oil and draft a comprehensive response plan to mitigate the potential effects.

More Information:
Japantown Neighborhood Planning Process Begins

On March 28, more than 200 people attended a community meeting at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center to listen to Mayor Newsom, Supervisor Mirkarimi, Public Defender Jeff Adachi and representatives from the Planning Department speak about the future of Japantown. This meeting was the kickoff to a year-long neighborhood planning process, led by the Planning Department, aimed at securing the future of Japantown. The planning process will address new development in Japantown, economic development, better streets and open spaces, and connections across Geary to the Fillmore, among other topics. To stay in touch with the process and get on a mailing list to receive updates about future meetings and other events, please go to the project website: japantown.sfplanning.org or call Ken Rich at the Planning Department at 415-558-6345.

Third Street Rail Starts Full Service
On April 7, 2007 several changes will be implemented to the MUNI system in coordination with the beginning of full service of the T-Third light rail. The T-Third will run from the Sunnydale Station on Bayshore all the way to Castro Street. The inbound N-Judah will now terminate at Embarcadero instead of 4th Street and King. The J-Church will still end at Embarcadero, except during peak hours, when it will continue to 4th and King. For information on other changes to MUNI lines click here.

April Art Opening: Left in the Dark: Portraits of San Francisco Theatres, Photographs by R.A. McBride
Local artist R.A. McBride presents a series of stunning large architectural photographs entitled, Left in the Dark: Portraits of San Francisco Theatres, at City Hall, April 20th - May 16th, 2007. Left in the Dark explores the changing landscape of film exhibition and examines the rich cultural history of cinemas. The structures are pictured empty, allowing the grandeur of the architecture to take center stage. The photographs portray this cinema culture, both active and decaying, in color prints taken with 35mm and medium format cameras. This project investigates how independent, single-screen theatres struggle to survive competing with strip-mall multiplexes, home entertainment systems, and the demand for commercial real estate. Left in the Dark documents the importance of small businesses, theatre architecture and cinema culture in San Francisco.

Left in the Dark documents an important part of San Francisco's history, allowing it to live on years after the theatre doors have closed. San Francisco is world-renowned for its independent film scene and innovative cinema exhibition. Recent economic factors have endangered this reputation. As the landscape of this culture unravels, Left in the Dark may become one of only a few documents of this important history.

WHEN: April 20th - May 16th, 2007
WHERE: SF City Hall Room 282
Office of Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi
Van Ness Ave. between McAllister and Grove Streets
OPENING RECEPTION: Friday April 20th, 2007. 5:30pm-8pm
More info: www.rebeccamcbride.com

Phone Numbers for Useful City Resources
We have assembled a list of frequently called phone numbers for City resources. The services covered include everything from graffiti removal to building permits to conflict resolution. If there's any useful numbers that we should add to our list, please let us know.

Looking for a Job?

SFPD
SFPD Hiring The SFPD is continuously hiring qualified applicants. Applicants must be 21 years old, have a valid driver's license, must be US citizens, must have a high School diploma or equivalent, and must not have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor which would prohibit possession of a firearm. For more information or to apply, Contact the Department of Human Resources at 44 Gough St, San Francisco. Additionally, applications are available on-line at www.sfgov.org/police or at governmentjobs.com.

Do You Know of Other Job Openings?
Please let us know and we'll include them in next month's newsletter. Email us at mirkarimistaff@sfgov.org or call the office at 695-0828.

Want to Serve on the Civil Grand Jury?
Are you a good listener? Can you cooperate with 18 others toward a common goal? Can you keep a secret? Does the opportunity to improve local government intrigue, excite, and appeal to you? The San Francisco Civil Grand Jury investigates civil matters. It is the only independent investigative body in the City and County of San Francisco. Composed of 19 citizens, it monitors the performance of local government. Recent topics for investigation have included MUNI, the Fire Department, the Police Department, and the Department of Building Inspection. By serving on the Civil Grand Jury, you have an opportunity to improve local government and make a better city for everyone. The Grand Jury is a voluntary position.

For more information, please visit this page on the Superior Court's website or call 551-3605.

 

Upcoming Events

Save the Date- June 9 is the District Five Community Clean Team Day
Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Park Day – Alvord Lake and Panhandle Area
Community Day – TBA
Supervisor Mirkarimi wants to have 150 volunteers out for the day working in the parks, cleaning graffiti, cleaning and planting tree basins, picking up debris, sweeping and cleaning sidewalks. Organize your family, friends and neighbors. Sign up early with Regina Dick-Endrizzi by calling 554-6783 or emailing her at regina.dick-endrizzi@sfgov.org.

Mo Magic Events

Wednesday, April 11: Mo Magic Recognition Ceremony and Dinner
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Location: John Muir Elementary School
Join Mo Magic in recognizing the good that happens in the community and encourage our youth to go to school and help make the community better.
Attendance Awards - will be given to 5th graders from the Creative Arts Charter, Gratten, John Muir, New Traditions, KIPP, Rosa Parks and William Cobb Schools.
Community Builder Awards - will honor community members who have donated their time and resources to build community and make a difference in their neighborhoods.
Magical Youth –will celebrate middle and high school who live and/or go to school in the Western Addition and make magic either through their commitment to service and/or education.
Raffels – drawing held at the beginning and close of the awards ceremony.
Dinner – Sponsored by Rec Connect and Buchanan YMCA.

Saturday, April 28: Mo Magic Spring Dance for 13 to 17 year olds
Time: 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Location: African Amercian Arts and Cultural Center
Thirty adult chaperons needed. Can you volunteer an hour to do registration, take pictures, and assist in providing a fun and safe time for our youth? If so contact Sheryl Davis at 415-558-2487.

General Calendar

Thursday, April 5: Better Streets Plan Kick-Off Event
Time: 5:15-8:00pm
Location: City Hall North Light Court, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

Saturday, April 7: Neighborhood Mural Painting
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: Divisadero and McAllister, Northeast Corner. As part of the graffiti abatement and neighborhood beautification for the Divisadero Corridor, Shenandoah Smith, a Lower Haight resident, has volunteered her services to paint a mural on the building located at 1598 McAllister Street at Divisadero. Shenandoah created a similar mural on the 500 block of Haight Street, which has successfully avoided graffiti since October. We're hopeful that this creation will be as respected as well.

North of Panhandle Neighborhood Assoc. and Alamo Square Neighborhood Assoc. are jointly funding the Mural. The manager of Kelly Moore at Divisadero and Oak, has confirmed that they will provide the paint at a discounted rate.
Contact: Lisa Zahner - lisazahner@hotmail.com or 415-948-5747

Saturday, April 7: Easter Egg Hunt – Food and Fun for all ages
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Margaret Haywood Park (Laguna and Golden Gate Park). The event is sponsored by Bethel AME, Freedom West Homes, Prince Hall, Thomas Paine, Laurel Gardens, and the Recreation and Park Department.

Wednesday, April 11: Park District Police Community Forum
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Park Station Community Room - Alcohol Issues- Deemed Use, SFPD Vice, ABC
Contact Park Police Station: sfpd.park.station@sfgov.org, 415-242-3000

Thursday, April 12: Park District Police Community Forum
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Northern Police Station Community Room, 1125 Fillmore St. All in the community are invited to attend. Contact Northern Police Station: Kevin.Dillon@sfgov.org, 415- 614-3400.

Thursday, April 12: Western Addition CAC Meeting on the Future of MUNI Sub Station at Fillmore and Turk
Come to the last of a series of meetings on the reuse options developed through a series of community input forums. This meeting will outline the Request for Proposals process that will be forthcoming.
Location: Westbay Conference Center, 1290 FIllmore St. @ Eddy
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
For more information contact Michelle Davis at 415-749-2581.

Saturday, April 14: Grand Opening of the Western Addition Family Resource Center
Time: 12 Noon-3:00 pm
Location: The Gene Suttle Plaza, Fillmore and O'Farrell Streets. Free Fun, Music and Resource for All Ages. The Western Addition Resource Center provides families with parent education classes, violence prevention, service for men and women recently released from the justice system, grandparents support groups, case management and mental health services for teen mothers.
Contact: Call 415-202-9770 for more information.

Saturday, April 14: Brothers for Change - Community Forum II
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: Hamilton Recreation Center (1900 Geary Blvd @ Steiner).
Discussion will cover: Housing, Economic Development and Redevelopment Certificate Holders. Pot Luck *** Food and Beverages.

Saturday, April 14: Hayes Valley Playground Spring Bazaar- Help Send A Child to Camp
Time: 8:30 am – 4:30pm pm
Location: Hayes Valley Playground (Hayes and Buchanan)
This is a fundraising event for the Summer Camp Trip. Contact JaNet Morris for sign-up of space or donations, 415-554-9526.

Saturday, April 14: Grand Opening of Mission Clean Slate Satellite Office
Clean Slate Program, Office of the Public Defender
Time: 12:00pm-3:00pm
Location: Arriba Juntos 1850 Mission Street
This event is free, and will include food, client testimonials, and performances by two live bands: "Puro Bandido" and "Bell Bottoms." The Clean Slate Program provides legal representation to assist community members with clearing their criminal history records so that they are not an obstacle to obtaining employment, housing, professional licenses, certifications, and immigration status. The new Clean Slate Satellite office provides free drop-in clinics every Monday 2:00-4:00pm.
To RSVP, or for more information, call the Clean Slate Program (415) 553-9329, or visit their website www.sfgov.org/cleanslate.

Monday, April 16: City College/ DeAvila Neighborhood Meeting
Time: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: DeAvila School, room 205
Follow up meeting with surrounding residents regarding parking, white zone and DMV parking lot update. Contact regina.dick-endrizzi@sfgov.org

Thursday, April 19: DCYF Second Biennial State of the City's Children Summit
Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Moscone Center South of San Francisco
Join us for a full day of learning, sharing, and renewing our commitment and determination to provide all of the critical support and opportunities needed for the children, youth, and families of San Francisco. Advanced Registration Required. Check-in and Continental Breakfast begins at 8:00 am.
The Opening Session begins promptly at 9:00 am. For more information and to register, visit the DCYF website.

Save the Date, April 20th: Brothers Against Guns Western Additon Community Event
For more information contact Shawn Richards at 290-7030.

Saturday, April 22: 40th Anniversary California Cherry Blossom Festival Grand Parade
Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Parade starts at Polk and McAllister and ends at Post and Fillmore. Complete details on events and activities see official website of the Cherry Blossom Festival: Cherry Blossom Festival

Monday, April 23: Larkin Street Youth Services, Diamond Youth Shelter Community Meeting
Time: 6:30 – 7:30
Location: 536 Central between Hayes and Grove. Interested community members will have the opportunity to hear about the services provided at the shelter, meet the architects, review the renovation/rehabilitation plans and provide feedback.
Contact: Sherilyn Adams, Executive Director, Larkin Street Youth Services, 415.673.0911 www.larkinstreetyouth.org

Wednesday, April 25: Inner Sunset Area Captain Meeting
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: TBA. Interested in becoming involved in the Inner Sunset neighborhood, establish a neighborhood watch, work closely with your neighbors and Supervisor Mirkarimi on neighborhood issues such a safety, neighborhood beautification and other activities . Contact: Regina Dick-Endrizzi: 415-554-6783, regina.dick-endrizzi@sfgov.org.

Friday, April 27: OurConservatory Fundraiser
Time: 8:00 pm to Midnight
Location: Harputs Market, 1525 Fillmore. OurConservatory is a non-profit organization that helps kids at risk find their passion through music. OurConservatory is celebration their one-year anniversary and funds go to the musical instrument library. Special Performances by Rachael Yamagata, Michael McDermott, and The Nice Device. Tickets on sale at Harputs Market: www.harputsmarket.com. For more information on OurConservatory: www.ourconservatory.org

Monday, April 30th: Poems Under the Dome, Read a Poem Under the Dome at City Hall (Free!)
Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm
Location: San Francisco City Hall
Sponsored by: The Mayor and The Board of Supervisors along with the S.F. Public Library, the Brain Wash Café, the Writing and Consciousness Program of New College of California, Valhalla Books and the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts. Go to poemdome.com for details.

Sunday, May 6: Architectural and Historical Walking Tour Hall of the Lower Haight.
Time: Noon to 2:30 pm
Location: Historian Monica Trobits will lead the tour. Meet for top end of Duboce Park near MUNI stop. $5.00 donation
Contact: Monikatrobits@msn.com or 415-350-4303.

Wednesday, May 9th: Safety Network Community Leadership Awards!
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: State Building Auditorium, 455 Golden Gate Avenue
The community based organizations that make up the Safety Network Partnership believe that feeling safe is a right not a privilege. City departments and public officials cannot do it alone and it is only with the commitment of dedicated, organized residents working together that public safety can be improved for everyone. Safety Network would like to acknowledge and honor the efforts of these individuals and groups with our Community Leadership Awards.

To find out more about the Community Leadership Awards, and take a moment to nominate someone you know who has been working towards a safer San Francisco, please go to this link.

Wednesday, May 16, Divisadero Corridor Improvement Plan Presentation
Time: TBA
Location: TBA

Ongoing: The District 5 Interfaith Teen Council
Teens in the Fillmore, Western Addition, Japantown neighborhoods
Date: to be determined
Come and join in creating a new and vibrant multi-denomination community in your own backyard. The members are from local schools, churches, and religious institutions interested in sharing in religion, and strengthening the neighborhood with fellow District 5 teens. If you are a teen, or know of teens in your community that might be interested, and want to learn more or to come to the next meeting.
contact: Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman at mgoodman@jchsofthebay.org or 345-9777.

Garden Park Work Parties

Alamo Square - April 21, 10am-1pm.
Contact: Lisa Bastick, lmbastick@yahoo.com or 415-921-3109.

Alvord Lake Area, Golden Gate Park - April 28, 9am - 12pm.
Contact: Karen Crommie KCrommie@aol.com.

Buena Vista Park - April 7, 9am - 12pm.
Contact: Richard Magary, of Buena Vista Neighborhood Association (BVNA), and Friends of Buena Vista Park (FoBVP), BVNA@ix.netcom.com.

Fillmore Mini Park (next to McDonalds) - Every 2nd Saturday, 10am - 12pm. Contact: Kristin Bowman Kristin.Bowman@sfgov.org or 415-753-7265.

Koshland Park - April 14, 10am - 12pm.
Contact: Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks Council, hvnparks@hotmail.com.

Patricia's Green - Currently no set schedule.
If you're interested in participating in a clean up contact Russell Pritchard. He has bags and gloves. You can find him at Zonal at 568 Hayes or call 255-9307 or email: madelinebb@sbcglobal.net, russellsf@earthlink.net.

District 5 Community Clean-Up Coordinator Wanted
Are you passionate about cleaning up District 5? Help our office organize neighborhood clean-ups. Coordinate efforts between Supervisor Mirkarimi's Office, Department of Public Works, Recreation and Parks Department, and neighborhood groups.
Duties: Schedule dates, location, work scope and volunteers.
Hours: Minimum 15 hours per month of coordinating time in the office, and 3 to 5 hours for each Saturday a clean up day is scheduled.
Contact: Regina Dick-Endrizzi at regina.dick-endrizzi@sfgov.org or 415-554-7630.

 

Board of Supervisors Information

Looking for the Board of Supervisors meeting information, minutes, or agendas? Click the picture below or 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:
  • Data entry
  • Office volunteers
  • Neighborhood-specific issues
  • Neighborhood outreach
For above list please contact Regina Dick-Endrizzi (415)554-6783 regina.dick-endrizzi@sfgov.org
  • Policy research
  • Curating and organizing the monthly art parties
For above list please contact Boris Delepine (415)554-6758 boris.delepine@sfgov.org

Comments, Suggestions, or Questions?
Do you have any comments, suggestions, complaints, or questions about our newsletter or anything else? Email us at mirkarimistaff@sfgov.org or call the office 554-7630.

Did you miss a previous newsletter?
Links to the monthly newsletters are now archived on Supervisor Mirkarimi's sfgov.org page.