RECENT HEADLINES AND NEWS

April 2008
In this edition:

• Market-Octavia Plan and 55 Laguna Project Approved
• Foot Patrol Report Released – Hearing on Wednesday
• Mirkarimi Legislation Mandating Audio Recordings of All City Hall Hearings Moves to the Full Board
• Supervisor Mirkarimi Opposes Aerial Spraying for Light Brown Apple Moth
• April 18th, Third Friday Art Party: Youth Art Show
• Phone Numbers for Useful City Resources
• Looking for a Job?
• Upcoming Events
• Board of Supervisors Information
• Office and Community Volunteers Needed
• Comments, Suggestions, or Questions?
• Did you miss a previous newsletter?

Market-Octavia Plan and 55 Laguna Project Approved
On April 8, the Board of Supervisors passed both the Market-Octavia Plan as well as the 55 Laguna development package-- two legislative initiatives sponsored by Supervisor Mirkarimi designed to deliver transit-friendly, mixed-use development while increasing affordable housing in the City.

Tuesday's vote on the Market Octavia plan was the culmination of eight years of collaboration between the City, local neighbors, and transit and affordable housing activists and is largest land use reform adopted in the last 20 years. Benefits of the plan include:

• An additional 6,000 units of new housing built along transit corridors.
• A comprehensive $85 million infrastructure improvement plan including new open space, streetscape and transportation improvements.
• Additional opportunities and funding for affordable housing, including an expected 1,500 additional affordable units and $50 million in new funding sources.
• Preservation of neighborhood character through neighborhood specific historic preservation guidelines within the plan area.
• Establishes the framework for the completion of Octavia Boulevard project with its 900 units of housing and affordable housing along the former Central Freeway.

Supervisor Mirkarimi shepherded and passed the legislation that creates a development plan for the UC Extension project located at 55 Laguna Street. Benefits of the plan include:

• A total of over 35% affordable units in the development including approximately 85 affordable rental units of senior LGBT housing.
• 328 rental multi-family units, with 20% (66 units) affordable-to-low income households at 50% of the area median income .
• 25,000 square feet of accessible green space replacing a parking lot.
• The development will have a 12,000 square foot publicly accessible community center on Haight Street.
• The project has been accepted as a pilot project for the new national LEED-ND (Neighborhood Development) green building program.

For more information see this Chronicle article and this Bay Area Reporter article.

Foot Patrol Report Released – Hearing on Wednesday
In an effort to reduce crime in San Francisco neighborhoods, the Board of Supervisors mandated last year that eight of the City's ten police districts have officers walking a beat, beginning January 2007. A report on the evaluation of that policy will be presented in the Board Chambers next week:

What: Joint Hearing of Police Commission and Public Safety Committee
When: April 16, 2008, 6pm
Where: Board of Supervisors Chambers, Room 250 City Hall

An independent consulting company, Public Safety Strategies Group, performed the analysis of the foot-patrol program. Results and recommendations in the report titled "Foot Patrol Program Evaluation Report" were released on Tuesday, and can be downloaded at www.sfpolicereview.org. For more information, see this Chronicle article.

Mirkarimi Legislation Mandating Audio Recordings of All City Hall Hearings Moves to the Full Board
The Rules Committee unanimously approved Supervisor Mirkarimi's legislation mandating that, all public meetings held in City Hall hearing rooms, the audio or video be recorded and made available on the City's website. The proposal will dramatically increase the current number of City Hall meeting available to the general public via the City's website. The Entertainment Commission, Department of the Environment Commission, Recreation and Park Commission, Animal Welfare and Control Commission and the Ethics Commission will now have all their recordings archived on the City's website. The ordinance further requires that all recordings be made accessible to the public without charge on a playback device provided by the City. The legislation will be voted on by the full Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 15. For more information, see this Examiner article.

Supervisor Mirkarimi Opposes Aerial Spraying for Light Brown Apple Moth
Supervisor Mirkarimi introduced a resolution on March25 opposing the aerial spraying planned by the California Department of Food and Agriculture to eradicate the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM). Many residents of San Francisco have voiced serious concerns regarding the aerial application of pheromonic pesticides to try to eliminate the LBAM. The effects of many of the ingredients in the pesticide on human population are unknown. Of greatest concern are the effects on vulnerable population such as infants, the elderly and persons with compromised immune system as well as those who already suffer from allergies.

Supervisor Mirkarimi's resolution was heard on April 7 before the Government Audits and Operations Committee which unanimously passed it with recommendation for a vote at the full board on April 15th. On-demand video of the experts who testified on both sides of the issues can be viewed on the SFgov TV website.

More articles on the subject:
- CBS 5
- KTVU
- Chronicle

Third Friday Art Party: Youth Art Show
This event is free and open to the general public.

When: Friday, April 18th, 5:30 to 8:00pm
Where: Supervisor Mirkarimi's office, Room 282 at City Hall

Students from schools in District 5 and beyond have collaborated to bring attention to pedestrian safety issues around Masonic Avenue. This exhibit expresses their vision of what Masonic Avenue could be if we all work together.

Participating schools include the Jewish Family pre-K, Creative Arts Charter School, Grattan Elementary, Dr. William L. Cobb, SF Day School, Buena Vista, SFFS, Alvarado, Clarendon and Waldorff. Prizes from Timbuck2 (bags) and the SFPD Operation Dream will be awarded in the following divisions: #1 Grades, K-2, 2# Grades, 3-5, #3 Grades, 6-8, #4 Grades, 9-12

Accessibility Information: City Hall is accessible to persons using wheelchairs and other disabilities. The Van Ness Avenue Entrance is closed at 5pm each day. The entrances to City Hall that are open after 5:00 pm are the Grove Street and the Polk Street / Carlton B. Goodlett Entrances. The Polk Street / Carlton B. Goodlett entrance is accessible via a ramp and a wheelchair lift. All of the other City Hall entrances are accessible via ramp.

 

Upcoming Events

April 12-13 and 19-20, San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival
The 2008 Cherry Blossom Queen Program, April 12, @ the Sundance Kabuki Cinema, 1881 Post Street, from 7 to 10 PM. General Admission, $25.00. To secure tickets call; (650) 871-9287

More information: www.nccbf.org

Tuesday April 15, District Attorney's 4th Annual Justice Awards Ceremony
In Honor of National Crime Victims' Rights Week
Hall of Justice Jury Assembly Room, Room 307
R.S.V.P Christine Ticas 415.553.9048 or christine.ticas@sfgov.org

Thursday, April 17 Planning Commission Hearing
The Shell Touchless Carwash at 400 Divisadero has applied for a permit to operate an after hours valet parking lot for approximately 36 cars. Landscaping and planting improvements are proposed as part of the project.

The Planning Commission will consider granting the application at their April 17th meeting sometime after 1:30 p.m. You are encouraged to attend and to offer public comment to the Commission. For a more accurate hearing time, please call 415-558-6422 after April 14th. Refer to Case # 2007.0430C.

NERT Citywide Disaster Drill April 19, Saturday 8:30 am – noon Learn more about how to protect yourself and your neighbors in an emergency.
contact: mail@hayesvalleynert.org

Saturday, April 19: "Chain Link Fence" Art Show and Sale
Time: 11:00 am to 4:00PM
Location: East Fence along Octavia at Patricia's Green
This is the second of what is a monthly event held every third Saturday, sponsored by Hayes Valley Art Coalition. For more information contact Madeline Behrens-Brigham madelinebb@sbcglobal.net, or Russell Pritchard russellsf@earthlink.net.

Sunday April 20: Cherry Blossom Festival Grand Parade
Starts at 1PM at City Hall, north on Polk Street to Post Street, West on Post to the Japan Center.

Sunday, April 20: Black Exodus: Ecumenical Service
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Location: African American Art and Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street.
For more information visit: www.sfexodus.com

Tuesday, April 22: Black Exodus: Symbolic Launching of the Commodore
Time: 10AM - 12 PM
Location: Hyde Street Pier
Time: 1:30 - 2:30 PM Black Exodus: Presentation Board of Supervisors,
Location: Room 250, City Hall
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM Black Exodus: Reception
Location: Pier 1, Conference Room, San Francisco
For more information: www.sfexodus.com

Thursday, April 24 San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Forum
8:30 to 10:30 AM
235 Montgomery Street, 12th Floor
For more information, contact Paula Zamudio at 415-352-8818 or pzamudio@sfchamber.com.
To register for this event, visit the Chamber's website at www.sfchamber.com/public_policy_forum.htm.

Friday, April 25: Mo Magic Spring Dance in the Western Addition
Time; 6 to 10 PM @ the West Bay Conference Center, 1290 Fillmore Street. All ages welcome. For more information contact mo_magic@msn.com

Friday, April 25: Black Exodus: Scholars' Forum
Time: 12 - 3PM
Location: Bethel AME Church, 916 Laguna Street
For more information visit: www.sfexodus.com

Saturday, April 26: Lily Street Block Sale 9am – 3pm
Lily Street between Buchanan and Gough to support John Muir PTA
Contact: Lilystreet@hotmail.com

April 26-27: "Rebuilding Together" at Ella Hill Hutch Community Center

Formerly "Christmas in April"; Rebuilding Together San Francisco provides free repair and renovation programs for low-income, elderly and disabled San Franciscans and for nonprofit and community facilities.

For information on how to apply for assistance from Rebuilding Together San Francisco visit the Ella Hill Hutch Community Center the weekend of April 26-27 between 8 am and 4 p.m.

Rebuilding Together San Francisco
Pier 28, The Embarcadero | San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 905-1611 | Fax: (415) 905-1610
Rebuilding Together


Monday, May 2: Transit Effectiveness Project
Location: West Bay Conference Center, 1290 Filllmore St at Eddy St. Nearby Muni Routes;5, 22, 31 and 38 Time: 6-8 PM
Learn about Changes to MUNI's routes and operations that are designed to improve service. Public input is essential to making MUNI a better transit service.

Ongoing Events and Meetings:

Alamo Square Movie Night: 1st Thursdays in Alamo Square Park (April-October)
Artists often needed. Wish to help, need more info? etc. please email info@alamosquaremovie.org

Fourth Mondays: Japantown Task Force Meetings
Location:Miyako Mall, 2nd Floor– Better Neighborhood Planning Room, 1737 Post St
Time:6–8p.m.

Every Wednesday: Young Mothers United, support group for Formerly Incarcerated Young Mothers
Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Location: Call Cria at the Center for Young Women's Development for location.
Learn about your rights a young mother and community resources. Free food and childcare, and earn $25 dollars for every workshop.
Contact: Cria, 415-703-8800

Every Saturday: Hip-Hop Dance Classes at the Hayward Playground (Laguna and Golden Gate) 1pm to 3pm.

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 come to the next meeting.
Contact: Rabbi Mark Asher Goodman
mgoodman@jchsofthebay.org or 415-345-9777.

Recruiting BEET Rangers- Band of Environmentally Educated Teens
Green Job Training Internships stipend of $1,000+
Date: 8 months Spring-Fall 2008
This is a great opportunity for low income, diverse youth between the ages of 13-19 years old living in the Western Addition. This is an opportunity to become an environmental leader and improve the community's urban parks while making friends and helping others. Events planned include; wilderness adventures workshops in: park maintenance, design and construction, recycling, composting, organic gardening, nutrition, and cooking. park clean-ups, community celebrations, farmer's market, trips to urban and rural organic farms, bike rides/alternative transpiration and more events are planned! For the requirements and to request an application to either be in the program or sponsor/mentor please contact the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks Group at 415-643-3638 or 415-431-8112 hvnparks@hotmail.com or 415-345-9777.

Safety Network is Hiring
Safety Network is looking for an energetic, community-minded person who is interested in an exciting opportunity to be a community organizer. We currently have an organizer position now open in the Northern district (Western Addition).
Inquiries or resume to: snetparkco@gmail.com

Support Your Local Schools
Rosa Parks Elementary, the Japanese Bilingual Bicultural Program (JBBP) is open for enrollment. The JBBP is a unique, 35-year old Japanese language and cultural program with strong community support, students receive one hour of formal Japanese each day by Native-Japanese-speaking "Sensei" who also work closely with credential teachers in each classroom. Students at John Muir benefits from strong community support of programs, dedicated teachers and staff and a great on-site after school program, the Beacon Center. Located at 380 Webster Street. For tours, please call the office at 415.749.3519 and ask for Nanayo, Robin or Denise.

Garden Park Work Parties:

Buena Vista Park - Monthly Clean-up 9:00 AM – noon.
Contact: Richard Magary, of Buena Vista Neighborhood Association (BVNA), and Friends of Buena Vista Park (FoBVP)
BVNA@ix.netcom.com

Friends of Duboce Park Volunteer Days April 12, 10:00 am -noon
Location: Meet near the basketball courts, behind the Harvey Milk Building.
The community is invited to help beautify the park. Tools and gloves are provided. Look for the gardener's truck or gardener's Cushman. You're invited to come for as long or little as you would like. Even a 1/2-hour makes a huge difference in the park. No experience is necessary. For more information feel free to contact Rose Gillen at rosegillen@sbcglobal.net

Saturday, April 12th NOPNA Community Clean Up Day
Location: Cafe Neon, 1801 McAllister St
Time: 9a.m.

Saturday, April 12th from 9a-12p workday at the Fillmore Turk Mini Park

For More Information contact:

Meredith Thomas, Stewardship Program Manager
Neighborhood Parks Council
p:(415) 621-3260

Haight-Ashbury Stewards
Every Wednesday from 9:30 am to noon
Contact: Nature in the City, 415-564.4107 for details and check the http://www.natureinthecity.org/haightashburystewards.php.
The weekly work parties do habitat restoration in the Haight.

Koshland Park - Cleanup every Wednesday Corner of Page and Buchanan
Contact: 415-424-5770 or gardenkids@gmail.com

GGP Panhandle: April 12, from 9:00 am – noon
Location: Fell and Ashbury aside the bulletin board next to restrooms
NOPNA and Panhandle Residents Association invites the community to come garden every second Saturday of the month. The park provides Gloves and tools but feel free to bring some of your own. Contact 415-346-1448, a href="mailto:home@prosf.org"> home@prosf.org.

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
or russellsf@earthlink.net


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