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Please Volunteer at Alvord Lake this Saturday,October 26 2024

 Please Volunteer this Saturday, 
October 26, 2024
10am - Noon
The fourth Saturday of every month
offers an opportunity to help beautify
the eastern end of Golden Gate Park.
 Meet at the plaza above the lakelet
at Stanyan and Haight Streets.
Look for the SFR&P vehicle to determine our location.

Volunteer slots are limited-
so please sign the waiver in the link quickly.

To ensure the safety and comfort of all parties involved, if you are feeling unwell, please do not come.

Volunteer Guidelines

The supervising gardener is your host. Please respect his/her knowledge and experience. Park gardening is not the same as home gardening. Ask questions and seek assistance.

Safety:

  • Please wear closed-toed shoes. Wear comfortable clothing that covers your entire body (long sleeves, long pants, etc.) And don't forget the sunscreen and perhaps a hat! 

  • Wear gloves and use tools provided in ways demonstrated by the work crew supervisor. 

  • “Eyes before hands.” When picking up trash from under bushes, behind trees, and under benches, use the tool provided to pull things out where you can see them. Then pick them up.

  • Be aware of the locations of other workers and members of the public to ensure your safety and theirs.

  • Lift with your legs, not your back.

  • Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed–toed shoes (ideally boots); you may be work in or around poison oak or blackberries.

  • Avoid picking up broken glass and hypodermic needles. Notify the gardener if you find anything undesirable.

  • Drink water to avoid dehydration. Wash hands or use hand sanitizer before touching and eatingfood

  • Volunteers are not allowed to use power tools, or apply herbicides/pesticides.

    Work Site:
    Stack debris out of the way of the public but still accessible to staff trucks. Stack cut branches with butt end to road. Keep bagged trash separate from organic debris, weeds separate from brush. Pile weeds to be picked up in small piles (handled by one swoop of pitchfork) so that staff can easily load trucks.

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District 8 October 2024 Newsletter

Happy Stairway Month, District 8!
 
It’s sunny, it’s block party and street fair season, and it’s been great to see many of you out and about in the district. As usual, we’ve been busy!
 
LGBTQ History Museum
 
On October 1st, the Mayor and I introduced legislation to acquire the building at 2280 Market Street between Noe and Sanchez to be used as a permanent home for the LGBTQ History Museum! The road to this point has been a long and winding one. We looked at a number of sites, entered into several letters of intent, requested appraisals of multiple buildings, negotiated with various owners, had our hopes raised and dashed at different points.
 
This journey began more than fifteen years ago, when then-Supervisor Bevan Dufty struck the deal that allowed the GLBT Historical Society to open a museum space in the Castro. Although that space has been a great success and a destination for visitors to the Castro and neighborhood residents alike, we have all known for some time that it would not be the museum’s forever home. Beginning in 2021, Mayor Breed set aside funds in each year’s budget to be used for a permanent home for an LGBTQ history museum befitting San Francisco’s role in the story of queer liberation, culture and politics.
 
Former Supervisor and now State Senator Scott Wiener found $5.5 million in State funding to help make initial improvements to the building and give the GLBT Historical Society a solid start on the private fundraising required to sustain and grow the museum’s operations in the future.
 
Currently we anticipate that the building will be operated in partnership with the GLBT Historical Society and the Community Arts Stabilization Trust, a nonprofit that specializes in supporting cultural nonprofits in the acquisition and operation of real estate assets. Our hope is that in time the GLBT Historical Society will be able to acquire the building from the City, but until that point it will operate the museum under a lease.
 
There is still lots of work to do to close on the property, get the second floor ready for the museum and see the museum open and operating, but it is most exciting to have made it this far.
 
SF Stairway Month and Burnside Steps
 
One of the fun parts of this work is that we get to celebrate neighborhood beautification projects and citywide civic involvement. This month, we had the chance to do both!
 
You may be familiar with the Burnside Mural in Glen Park and the effort to create a tiled staircase there, led by the relentless Renee Berger (Renee was profiled in our July “Faces in the Crowd” segment). After a long, meandering, and frankly painful journey through our city’s regulatory “approval” process, tiles are being installed this month. Head out to 50-59 Burnside Avenue to see the work in progress and come for the ribbon cutting on October 27 to see San Francisco’s newest tiled staircase!
 
With the impending completion of the Burnside Steps, the many Crosstown Trail-themed events of “Crosstober,” and the best weather of the year coming up, it seemed a perfect time to celebrate the City’s 900+ stairways. So, we wrote a resolution declaring October to be San Francisco’s first-ever Stairway Month! My colleagues on the Board passed the resolution unanimously on October 1st, so get out there and enjoy District 8’s many stairways! You can find your nearest, or furthest, stairway here to plot your adventures. Stairway Month will include a guided walk across five of the City’s tiled staircases and several other fun events; get involved and find out more  here. Happy trails!

Other Legislative Highlights

We wanted to try something new this month to give you more of a sense of what else we’ve been working on. Here are some of our other legislative highlights from the last month. You can find a complete list on Legistar by using the Advanced Search function with my name. FYI: Sponsorship means our office wrote legislation or was its primary supporter; cosponsorship means we were involved along the way and indicates our strong support for someone else’s legislation.
 


SFUSD Planned School Closures

Finally, SFUSD released their list of proposed school closures and mergers on Tuesday . While I certainly recognize and appreciate the looming budgetary crisis confronting the District and the importance of effective resource alignment, I am quite concerned about the specific proposal to close the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy and merge it with Sanchez Elementary. Although the Board of Supervisors does not have direct authority over the School District, which is governed by an independently elected Board, I have expressed my concerns directly to Superintendent Matt Wayne and members of the School Board and I will continue to advocate for the communities at both schools to ensure an outcome that better meets their needs than the current proposal.

We welcome constituent feedback on the school closure proposal; if you have thoughts you would like to share, please feel free to reach out to my legislative aide Henry DeRuff.

Thanks for reading, and as always, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office. You can always reach us at mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org and (415) 544-6968, or you can stop by to visit us in Room 284 of City Hall.

See you in the District!

MEET YOUR SUPERVISOR: OFFICE HOURS

VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS: Join me online on Saturday, October 19th, from 9:30-11AM! Reach out to mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org to secure a spot.

IN-PERSON OFFICE HOURS: Our next in-person office hours are Saturday, November 23rd, from 10AM-12PM in Glen Park! Email mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org to reserve a spot.

JOIN FRIENDS OF EUREKA VALLEY PARK

From Friends of Eureka Valley Park:

Join Friends of Eureka Valley Park! Did you know that the SFParks Alliance's Community Partner Network includes 100 San Francisco parks -- but Eureka Valley Park is not one of them? Our community is missing out on the opportunity to apply for city grants to beautify and improve our park. Friends of Eureka Valley Park was established in 2022 to build a strong relationship with the Parks Department and other neighborhood organizations and join the Community Partner Network to bring more funding to our park. Join our next community gardening session, coming up in October. Email FriendsOfEVPark@gmail.com to get involved.

JAMES LICK MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENTS

From the James Lick Middle School Parents:

There are alot of great things happening at JLMS this year! Here are some of the highlights:

  • Partnership with SF Public Works - Bringing educational programs focused on maintaining our school grounds, including our upper and lower yards and the surrounding areas.

  • Garden Club - Encouraging student learning and enrichment by planting edible gardens!

  • Beautification & Repair Club - Empowering our students to make decisions and take action to improve areas around the school.

  • JLMS Cultural Block Party -  Join us at James Lick Middle School on Wednesday, Nov. 20th, 4:30 - 7pm. We’d love for you to attend and help spread the word (see attached flyer)!

  • JLMS Boys Soccer - Our team won the Championship this past Wednesday!

  • Beautification Fundraising Goals: To support improvements both inside and outside the school, including:

    • Murals

    • Repaving and painting the tarmac

    • Basketball hoop repairs and replacements

    • New outdoor furniture

    • Shade structures for the eating area

    • And much more!

SANCHEZ STREET BLOCK PARTY!

Come on out to the Sanchez Street Block Party next weekend!
When: Sunday, October 20, 12-3pm
Where: Sanchez St. between Clipper and 26th
What: Fun for the whole family, food, dancing, and more!

RESTAURANTS: JOIN FALL SF RESTAURANT WEEK!

From the Golden Gate Restaurant Association:

Fall SF Restaurant Week will take place November 8th-17th. Registration is open now and we would love as many participants from District 8 as possible. Golden Gate Restaurant Association membership is required, but for qualifying small restaurants we do offer complimentary or reduced fee memberships. Registration details are available here!


PROPOSED J-CHURCH UPDATES IN UPPER NOE VALLEY

For years, our office and the Upper Noe Community have advocated for the MTA to install four-way stop signs at 28th and Church to make the intersection safer.

Here’s the latest from the MTA:

In response to community concerns about traffic safety, the SFMTA is proposing to install all-way stop signs at Church and 28th streets. Improving safety at this intersection has long been a priority for our office and Noe Valley residents. The proposal also includes changes to the location of nearby J Church stops.

If approved, the J Church stops at Clipper and 27th streets would shift to 26th and 28th streets. Shifting these transit stops to even-numbered streets would create more regular spacing that is similar to other stops nearby. For example, the J Church currently has stops at 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, 24th and 30th streets. It would also allow for all-way stop signs to be added at 28th Street without delaying trains. While train stops would shift, no stop signs would be removed.

Some community members have voiced concern over the Muni stop changes, but overall, we’ve heard strong support for the proposal — especially adding the all-way stop sign. The proposal was presented at an SFMTA public hearing on September 6, and the SFMTA will request final approval from the SFMTA Board on October 15. You can share feedback on the proposal at the board meeting, or by emailing the project team at JChurchProject@SFMTA.com. Check out the proposed J Church changes and sign up for project alerts.

In the coming years, the SFMTA will evaluate more safety, reliability and efficiency improvements for the J Church in Noe Valley. We will keep you updated once this process starts.

SFPD BOUNDARY ANALYSIS UPDATE + FEEDBACK:

As a charter requirement, every ten years, the San Francisco Police Department must develop a new SFPD District Station boundary map. This proposed map has 15 changes, with the intent to balance workload across stations and improve police services across the city. These changes would move the Castro from Mission Station to Park Station. The new borders between the stations would be Sanchez, 22nd, and Grand View. We have heard from residents and merchants several concerns and priorities, primarily: keeping the Castro beat officers; ensuring institutional knowledge is kept and passed along; and maintaining at least the same level of service.

We encourage you to share feedback with SFPD. See the proposed map and provide feedback by October 15 here. You are also welcome to share your thoughts with my aide, Henry DeRuff.

2026 SFUSD ENROLLMENT FAIR

The SFUSD Enrollment Fair is the start of next year’s annual enrollment cycle. Families who will apply for PK, elementary school, middle school, or high school for the 2025-26 school year can come to the fair to learn about the application process, meet school Principals and other representatives, and access the resources provided by SFUSD and other city agencies and community organizations. Learn more here.

  • Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024

  • Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

  • Location: Balboa High School (1000 Cayuga Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112)

GET INVOLVED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!

District 8 is home to many active neighborhood groups that organize events for the community, lead projects to keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and beautiful, and connect neighbors with City leaders to advocate for neighborhood priorities. Join an association or go to an upcoming local event - it’s a great way to get involved, make new friends, and change your community for the better!

Learn more about how to get involved in your neighborhood here!

  • Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association: Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every other month from 7:00 – 8:00 pm, in the Ballroom of the Harvey Milk Recreation Center for the Arts, lobby level, and preceded by a community social from 6:30 – 7:00 pm.

  • Dolores Heights Improvement Club: Green Gardens group holds monthly clean-ups on the first Saturday of the month from 9:00 – 10:30 am. DHIC Board meets on the second Monday of every other month. Meetings are held via Zoom from 7pm – 8pm. Email info@doloresheights.org to obtain the Zoom meeting link.

  • Upper Noe Neighbors meets every other month on the third Wednesday at the Upper Noe Recreation Center.

  • Bernal Cut Project has monthly work days along the east and west sides of San Jose Ave, join the newsletter to find out what's going on and to plant, weed or mulch.

  • Castro Art Mart is a monthly street fair on Noe Street between Market and Beaver the first Sunday of every month from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, featuring LGBTQ art from local artists, live music, comedy and drag shows, and more.

  • Castro Art Walk is a monthly community-driven event where local businesses host special events to share art with the neighborhood! Check out their website to learn which businesses are participating and head out to the Castro each month on the first Friday, from 5-8pm!

  • Noe Valley Town Square hosts regular events such as Acoustic Sunday, Rhythm and Motion dance, and Free Sunday Morning Yoga.

Don’t see your neighborhood group but want your information added to our newsletter? Email Henry DeRuff at henry.deruff@sfgov.org.


 SFPD STATION CAPTAINS’ MEETINGS

Curious about safety in your neighborhood or have questions for SFPD? Attending your Station Captains’ Meetings is a great way to learn about what’s going on. Captains’ Meetings are at the following times:

  • Park Station (1899 Waller): Fourth Wednesdays at 5PM on Zoom

    • Neighborhoods: Cole Valley, Duboce Triangle, and Twin Peaks

  • Mission Station (630 Valencia): Last Tuesdays at 5PM at Mission Station

    • Neighborhoods: Castro, Mission Dolores, and Noe Valley

  • Ingleside Station (1 Sgt. John V. Young): Third Tuesdays at 6PM at Ingleside Station

    • Neighborhoods: Diamond Heights and Glen Park

 
311 UPDATE: NOW AVAILABLE IN CHINESE, SPANISH, AND FILIPINO! 

From the City Administrator’s Office:

The SF311 mobile app is now available in Chinese, Spanish, and Filipino! Accessing City services has never been easier. Whether you're on Android or iPhone, just a few taps connect you to the services you need. Download the app today. The app will automatically detect your phone’s language.

GRAFFITI ADVISORY BOARD VACANCY

Tired of blight and graffiti in your neighborhood, District 8, and San Francisco as a whole? Apply to be the District 8 representative to the Graffiti Advisory Board today. Fill out the application here. Once you’ve applied, or if you have questions, please reach out to mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org.
 
VOLUNTEER WITH US!

We are always looking for D8 office volunteers and interns! Specifically, we are looking for interns or volunteers on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Volunteering or interning in my office is a great opportunity to serve District 8 and learn about the issues facing our city, gain valuable experience in the legislative branch of local government, and see how elected officials can work with the community to create effective public policy solutions to solve our toughest problems. Sign up here or reach out to anh.v.ha@sfgov.org for more information.

Welcome to Faces in the Crowd, written by Marshall Kilduff, accomplished journalist and long time volunteer with our District 8 Office. Marshall tells the stories of District 8 community members who are going above and beyond to contribute to San Francisco!

Would you like banh mi for lunch? How about chicken tikka or a breakfast burrito? For vegans there’s BBQ tofu, if you slide your tray down the cafeteria line. In a growing number of public schools, these are the mealtime choices offered by super-chef Josh Davidson to hungry high schoolers. 

For these students, gone are the days of thawed out food trucked in from Midwest warehouse kitchens. His team at the McAteer campus at the top of Glen Canyon is whipping up their own meals, buying food locally, baking bread, and serving produce grown on a reclaimed football field.

To begin with, the issue is obvious. School chow usually ranks below airline meals or day-after fast food. A decade back, parents complained and school employees noticed barely noshed offerings filling trash cans. 

San Francisco school leaders set a new course, canceling outside food contracts once thought to be cheap and efficient. A group of determined nutritionists including Davidson saw an opportunity and over time built up the kitchen on the hilltop campus that hosts Ruth Asawa School for the Arts and the Academy San Francisco, two city high schools. 

He started out feeding 60 students a day, a tiny portion of the 1000 students walking by the cafeteria. But with a new menu at breakfast and lunch, that number has jumped to 500, with 600 showing up on pizza day.

The meals are free, paid by state and federal funds. The program also ships meals around the city to several pre-schools and small high schools without kitchens. If a November bond measure wins, the school system may build a major kitchen to prepare food for all students city-wide, tapping Davidson’s ideas and energy.

He’s a lifelong foodie. After working in restaurants in New York and Philadelphia, Davidson came west, believing schools could be a proving ground for new ideas. Students, he noticed, were ready to suggest menu items. They were open to different cuisines. ”Kids are better customers,” he said. “They’re appreciative, grateful. They tell you what they like.”

Chef Davidson and the McAteer Culinary Center are looking for volunteers! Specifically, Josh is looking for book/board game donations (in good condition!) for the dining room and help at the on-campus four-acre farm. There is also a community event to come see the farm (and eat pizza!) on November 2nd from 1-3pm. To learn more about the event or food program, or to volunteer, Josh can be reached at davidsonj2@sfusd.edu.

The Castro Street Fair celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Oct 6th! We braved the heat for a grand time and want to thank Jenn Meyer, Fred Lopez, and the entire volunteer-led Board of Directors, donors, sponsors, and volunteers for continuing the legacy of Harvey Milk’s neighborhood street festival.

On October 5th, we went on the Glen Park Art Walk and celebrated the art, music, food, and small businesses of Glen Park. Congratulations to Art Walk SF, the Glen Park Merchant Association, and Avenue Greenlight on a great event!

On October 1st, the Board of Supervisors passed my legislation authorizing the installation of a commemorative plaque to honor the amazing Activists of Woodland Ave: Jane & Jack Morrison and Diana & Agar Jaicks. These families contributed enormously to countless progressive causes and campaigns through the second half of the last century and the first decades of this one. It was an honor and a treat to work with the Jaicks’ daughter Lisa on this project.

My mother and grandmother both finished their lives at the Jewish Home. They were very different women with very different needs, but I will forever be grateful to the Jewish Home for the excellent care they provided to each of them. On September 30th, I got to visit the SF Campus for Jewish Living for the first time in seven years and to tour the beautiful new Frank Residences. They’re still doing amazing work over there.

On September 24th, we honored the life and legacy of Rudy Stadlberger. Rudy, a son of SoMa and 60+ year Noe Valleyan, passed away this summer at the age of 100. Rudy was a handball champion, community stalwart, daily walker, and serially open-minded person. May his memory be a blessing.

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UCSF Parnassus Heights Construction Update

UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital (HDH)

With shoring complete, the Helen Diller Hospital project has moved into the next phase of construction – building the foundation for the building. To start, that work includes creating deep foundations, which is a type of foundation made by pouring concrete into holes drilled into the ground.

  • Potential impacts:

  • Periodic early morning material deliveries

  • Intermittent truck traffic - flaggers will be present to direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic, monitor truck idling, and ensure all trucks are covered when leaving the jobsite. Current trucking routes can be accessed here.

  • Work hours:

  • "Noisy" work operations will be Monday - Friday, 7:00AM - 5:00PM and Saturday's 8:00AM - 4:00PM.

  • Through November, "not noisy" work operations are expected intermittently from 5:00 - 8:00PM, Monday - Friday to address unforeseen soil conditions.

There are multiple utility projects underway impacting the two main roads on the campus, Medical Center Way and Parnassus Avenue.

Medical Center Way:

  • Potential impacts:

  • Single lane closures on weekdays and Medical Center Way is closed on the weekends. Flaggers will be present to direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

  • Work hours:

  • Monday - Friday, 7:00AM - 5:00PM and weekends 8:00AM - 5:00PM.

Parnassus Avenue:

  • Potential impacts:

  • Beginning Saturday, October 5 through the end of the year there will be a single lane closure along Parnassus Avenue between Hill Point Avenue and the main hospital entrance. Flaggers will be present to direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

  • Due to unforeseen steam line issues, overnight work is expected to take place through mid-October. The work will be located within a manhole on the worksite, minimal lighting will be utilized, and noise blankets have been installed.

  • Work hours:

  • Overnight: Monday - Sunday, 7:00PM - 3:00AM

  • Single lane closure: weekends 8:00AM - 5:00PM.

Bakar Research and Academic Building (BRAB)

Shoring work will be ongoing through the fall of 2024.

  • Potential impacts:

  • Intermittent truck traffic on Parnassus Ave and Koret Way - flaggers will be present to direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic, monitor truck idling, and ensure all trucks are covered when leaving the jobsite. Current trucking routes can be accessed here.

  • As a safety precaution and to allow more space for construction logistics, Koret Way will remain closed to parking indefinitely. ADA parking spaces and a pedestrian route to the Koret Vision Center will be available.

  • Work hours:

  • Hours of work will be Monday - Friday, 7:00AM - 5:00PM and Saturday's from 8:00AM - 5:00PM.

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Volunteer at Alvord Lake this Saturday, September 28, 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Join the RPD gardeners and the Alvord Lake Task Force to beautify the eastern entrance of Golden Gate Park. A wide range of gardening tasks is available. Please wear closed-toed shoes, long pants and layers. The event will occur rain or shine. All supplies, tools, and gloves are provided by RPD. Meet at the Haight and Stanyan entrance to Golden Gate Park.

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District 8 September 2024 Newsletter

Hello District 8!

With the Board’s August recess fading into distant memory, the District 8 Office is gearing up for a productive fall. We hope you’ve had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to the best weather of the year in September and October! We’ve taken on numerous projects this year, from increasing traffic enforcement to expanding shelter capacity, but this month we wanted to update you on one of our ongoing projects: the Residential Treatment and Care Workgroup.

I have been working on expanding access to mental health treatment since I became Supervisor. I believe strongly in using conservatorship to care for people who cannot care for themselves, and whose mental illness prevents them from voluntarily accepting care, but the reality is that without an adequate supply of appropriate facilities, we will be stymied in our efforts to get the hardest-to-treat people off the streets, and out of the jails. And the tragic reality is that, San Francisco (and California more broadly) simply do not have enough treatment facilities or placements for people with severe mental illness. Earlier this year I asked the Mayor to convene a Residential Care and Treatment Workgroup to analyze and address our acute lack of such facilities.

The Workgroup, which I co-chair along with the Director of the Department of Public Health, includes public and private stakeholders, including UCSF, Kaiser, and Sutter Health, has met several times already, and its work is being informed by interviews and focus groups with community health providers and other stakeholders. We are aiming to complete our work and provide recommendations to guide future City investment and advocacy by the end of the year.

The Workgroup comes at an opportune time, as the passage of Prop 1 allows San Francisco to apply for funds to buy and build mental health facilities, while Senate Bill 43 has expanded conservatorship criteria to include people with disabling substance addictions. If you’re interested in learning more about our work on mental health treatment beds, feel free to reach out to my staffer on this issue, Adam Thongsavat.

Thanks for reading, and as always, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office. You can always reach us at mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org and (415) 544-6968, or you can stop by to visit us in Room 284 of City Hall.

See you in the District!

Rafael

MEET YOUR SUPERVISOR: OFFICE HOURS

IN-PERSON OFFICE HOURS: Join me in-person in the Castro, on Sunday, October 6th, from 10:30AM-12:30PM! Email mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org to reserve a spot.


VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS: Join me online on Saturday, October 19th, from 10AM-12PM! Reach out to mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org to secure a spot.


UPPER NOE BLOCK PARTY!

Saturday, September 21, 11am-3pm: Come celebrate the Upper Noe neighborhood and park with an admission-free party featuring live music, dance, demonstrations, food, children’s activities, and fun for all ages. Meet your neighbors and learn about local community groups, schools and activities. A fun-filled day that strengthens community connections. Free tables and space are available for local groups who want to participate. Email hello@uppernoeneighbors.com or visit uppernoeneighbors.com for more information.

COLE VALLEY FAIR!
 

Sunday, September 22, 10am-5pm: Back for its 20th anniversary this year, the Cole Valley Fair features food booths, live music, a historic Cole Valley photo display, fine arts and crafts, a full block of vintage cars owned by neighborhood residents, and lots of family-friendly fun. With live music, children’s activities, and local resources, come celebrate Cole Valley with this beloved annual neighborhood event!

Join us at Cole Street between Frederick & Grattan and Parnassus Ave between Shrader & Belvedere!

NOE VALLEY ART FESTIVAL!
 

Sunday, September 22, 10am-4pm: Mark your calendar for the third annual, free to the public Noe Valley Art Festival, featuring 23 artists who will be showcasing and selling photographs, paintings, drawings, multi media art, jewelry, ceramics, fabric art, digital art, and sculpture! Many of the artists are locals who live and work in Noe Valley and the surrounding neighborhoods. The Art Festival provides a great opportunity to support and interact “up close and personal” with artists in the Noe Valley community. Art activities for adults and kids will feature interactive typewriter poetry, friendship bracelet making, drawing activities and face painting! In addition, and new this year, you can stroll down 24th Street on the first-of-its-kind Noe Valley Art Walk where you will be able to see more art displayed at several local businesses. Maps will be provided.

CASTRO STREET FAIR: 50TH ANNIVERSARY!


Sunday, October 6, 11am-6pm: The Castro Street Fair is a community street celebration that was founded by Harvey Milk in 1974. For the last 50 years, on the first weekend of October, the Street Fair has promoted queer-owned businesses and continued Harvey Milk’s legacy. Hundreds of local artists, vendors, craftspeople, and organizations line the streets and celebrate the neighborhood, while stages with live entertainment, DJs, and dance areas are scattered along Castro and Market Streets. Donations are suggested and all proceeds go to charitable causes important to the Castro community. Learn more here!

CASTRO NIGHT MARKETS -- BECOME A VENDOR!


The Castro Night Market is coming soon! Vendor applications for the 1st Castro Night Market are LIVE and open for submission! Submissions are due October 8 to allow time to facilitate permit needs. They are accepting applications for retail and other vendors, food vendors, cooking food vendors, and food trucks. Castro Merchant Association members will receive discounts on application fees as well as booth fees, and businesses with a zip code of 94114 will also receive discounts on booth fees.

Vendors can apply for the Castro Night Market directly via the Vendor portal, or through the event website at www.castronightmarket.com . (FYI, the website is just a landing page for now, but will be updated soon!)

GET INVOLVED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!


District 8 is home to many active neighborhood groups that organize events for the community, lead projects to keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and beautiful, and connect neighbors with City leaders to advocate for neighborhood priorities. Join an association or go to an upcoming local event - it’s a great way to get involved, make new friends, and change your community for the better!

Learn more about how to get involved in your neighborhood here!

  • Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association: Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every other month from 7:00 – 8:00 pm, in the Ballroom of the Harvey Milk Recreation Center for the Arts, lobby level, and preceded by a community social from 6:30 – 7:00 pm.

  • Dolores Heights Improvement Club: Green Gardens group holds monthly clean-ups on the first Saturday of the month from 9:00 – 10:30 am. DHIC Board meets on the second Monday of every other month. Meetings are held via Zoom from 7pm – 8pm. Email info@doloresheights.org to obtain the Zoom meeting link.

  • Upper Noe Neighbors meets every other month on the third Wednesday at the Upper Noe Recreation Center.

  • Castro Art Mart is a monthly street fair on Noe Street between Market and Beaver the first Sunday of every month from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, featuring LGBTQ art from local artists, live music, comedy and drag shows, and more.

  • Castro Art Walk is a monthly community-driven event where local businesses host special events to share art with the neighborhood! Check out their website to learn which businesses are participating and head out to the Castro each month on the first Friday, from 5-8pm!

  • Noe Valley Town Square hosts regular events such as Acoustic Sunday, Rhythm and Motion dance, and Free Sunday Morning Yoga.

Don’t see your neighborhood group but want your information added to our website? Email Henry DeRuff at henry.deruff@sfgov.org.


SFPD STATION CAPTAINS’ MEETINGS


Curious about safety in your neighborhood or have questions for SFPD? Attending your Station Captains’ Meetings is a great way to learn about what’s going on. Captains’ Meetings are at the following times:

  • Park Station (1899 Waller): Fourth Wednesdays at 5PM on Zoom

    • Neighborhoods: Cole Valley, Duboce Triangle, and Twin Peaks

  • Mission Station (630 Valencia): Last Tuesdays at 5PM at Mission Station

    • Neighborhoods: Castro, Mission Dolores, and Noe Valley

  • Ingleside Station (1 Sgt. John V. Young): Third Tuesdays at 6PM at Ingleside Station

    • Neighborhoods: Diamond Heights and Glen Park

Mission Station has a new Captain! We will miss Captain Harvey, but Mission Station is in good hands with Captain Liza Johansen. We know her from her previous work work at Mission Station, and we know that she is responsive and efficient. We’re excited to continue working together with her in the Castro, Mission Dolores, and Noe Valley. You can come meet her at the Mission Station Captain’s Meeting on Tuesday, September 24. Until then, here’s a quick introduction:

Captain Johansen is an 18-year veteran of the San Francisco Police Department. She grew up in the Mission District, specifically lower 24th Street. The rewards and challenges of the district are second nature to her. Captain Johansen worked in the Mission District as a patrol officer, as a lieutenant, and recently returned to the district as Captain. She is thrilled to be home and eager to roll up her sleeves and go to work.
 


SFPD BOUNDARY ANALYSIS UPDATE + FEEDBACK:
 

After several months of data analysis and subject matter expert discussions, the San Francisco Police Department is ready to present a new SFPD District Station boundary map for feedback. This proposed map has 15 changes that aim to increase workload balance across stations and improve police services across the city. These changes affect 8 of the 10 district stations. This process is required to be completed every ten years by our City’s charter.

The next step in the process is to hear from the community. With your input, SFPD will revisit our map proposal and refine our recommendation before submitting to the Police Commission. To see the proposed map and provide feedback by October 15, click here.


311 UPDATE: NOW AVAILABLE IN

CHINESE, SPANISH, AND FILIPINO!
 

From the City Administrator’s Office:

The SF311 mobile app is now available in Chinese, Spanish, and Filipino! Accessing City services has never been easier. Whether you're on Android or iPhone, just a few taps connect you to the services you need. Download the app today. The app will automatically detect your phone’s language.


GRAFFITI ADVISORY BOARD VACANCY


Tired of blight and graffiti in your neighborhood, District 8, and San Francisco as a whole? Apply to be the District 8 representative to the Graffiti Advisory Board today. Fill out the application here by July 31. Once you’ve applied, or if you have questions, please reach out to mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org.


VOLUNTEER WITH US!


We are always looking for D8 office volunteers and interns! Specifically, we are looking for interns or volunteers on Tuesday mornings this fall. Volunteering or interning in my office is a great opportunity to serve District 8 and learn about the issues facing our city, gain valuable experience in the legislative branch of local government, and see how elected officials can work with the community to create effective public policy solutions to solve our toughest problems. Sign up here or reach out to anh.v.ha@sfgov.org for more information.

Welcome to Faces in the Crowd, written by Marshall Kilduff, accomplished journalist and long time volunteer with our District 8 Office. Marshall tells the stories of District 8 community members who are going above and beyond to contribute to San Francisco!

What draws a neighborhood crowd and gets the volunteer energy flowing? For Sophie Constantinou, the answer is clear. It’s the sidewalk things near at hand. Think graffiti cleanup, fresh plantings for a rubbish-filled lot, or sewer fixes that prevent flooding. Keep it simple and get real.

She’s the organizing spirit behind the College Hill neighborhood, a locale sitting between better known Bernal Heights and Glen Park. It lies alongside the Bernal Cut, a short run canyon dug in the 1920’s to connect the Mission with outer San Francisco. The geography comes with a pair of bridges, murals, hillside bulkheads, Muni tracks, and speeding cars shooting by small homes and flats. It’s a reflection of the past and present with no pretense.

Don’t bother calling meetings on long range civic plans. “People want local, not big issues,” she says. Sophie and her neighbors focus on the here and now. With a mailing list of 400, there is the energy to take on projects and apply pressure. An unfancy neighborhood has developed clout on her watch.

Graffiti–there’s plenty–means her group calls the Department of Public Works to provide roller brushes and paint. The group doesn’t bother waiting for city crews to do the clean up work. Instead volunteers pick up supplies that include favorite paint colors: garbage can green, feather gray for alley walls, and mailbox blue. There are other everyday improvements on the wish list. A sewer grate at the bottom of the hill that repeatedly floods is due for an overhaul. After that comes a rain garden, a plan to open up the pavement to let the rainfall soak in.

Maybe her pride and joy are the walkways that run at the crest of the Bernal Cut. The public paths once were overgrown, trashy, and dotted with homeless camps. College Hill volunteers went to work with the city’s help to remove overgrown patches, put in native plants, and install solar-powered lighting for the pedestrian routes that run to the Glen Park BART station. It was borderline scary and now it’s used by strollers and shoppers toting groceries. The paths are now part of the Crosstown Trail that showcases the city’s neighborhoods.

One job for neighborhood leaders is urging the city to think more broadly with work projects. In College Hill’s case, take Richland avenue, a semi-racetrack that drivers use to shoot through the area. With a sewer replacement project taking shape, College Hill asked for speed bumps as part of the repair work. Relief from noise and danger is on its way, she believes.

By background Constantinou is a documentary filmmaker. A pending project deals with San Francisco social justice luminaries Rev. Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani, who ran Glide Church for decades. The late couple’s shared history must make Constantinou think. Surely her ground level organizing and decades of living here tempt her to weigh a political run? “No way,’ she laughs. “I can’t stand people who complain.’’ Far better to dwell in a corner of the city that unites to make life better.

On September 13th, we celebrated the landmarking of the Gilbert Baker Rainbow Flag at Harvey Milk Plaza! Gilbert Baker created the Rainbow Flag as a symbol of hope for all races, all genders, and all ages. A big thank you to the other members of the Board, who unanimously passed our Gilbert Baker Rainbow Flag Landmarking Ordinance. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this happen, Gilbert's Rainbow Flag will fly above the Castro for generations to come!

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Please Volunteer at Alvord Lake this Saturday, August 24

Please Volunteer this Saturday, August 24 from 10am to Noon

The fourth Saturday of every month offers an opportunity to help beautify the eastern end of Golden Gate Park. Meet at the plaza above the lakelet at Stanyan and Haight Streets. Look for the SFR&P vehicle to determine our location.

Volunteer slots are limited-
so please sign the waiver in the link quickly.

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District 8 July 2024 Newsletter

Happy Summer, District 8!
As we head into the Board’s August summer recess, we hope you’re having a wonderful summer! Though there are no Board meetings until September, our office will still be open. Feel free to reach out to mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org, call us at (415) 554-6968, or stop by Room 284 in City Hall. We’ll be happy to help. We hope you enjoy this mini newsletter, and we’ll be back in September with more updates.

MEET YOUR SUPERVISOR: OFFICE HOURS

IN-PERSON OFFICE HOURS: Join me in-person near Dolores Park on Saturday, August 24, from 10AM-12PM! Email mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org to reserve a spot and for more details.
 

VICTORIAN ALLIANCE PRESENTS: NOE VALLEY HISTORIC HOME TOUR

Sunday, September 8, 1-5pm: The Victorian Alliance of San Francisco (VASF) is hosting a historic home tour in Noe Valley. Visit seven unique historic homes on a self-guided tour and see how these homes are a part of the neighborhood’s transformation into a new time in San Francisco. The tour is a rare opportunity to see the interiors of these beautiful houses.

The tour showcases seven homes, plus historical sites and legacy businesses in the community. VASF’s docents and Bay Area historians will be located throughout the tour sites to provide historical and architectural details about each home and what makes this neighborhood the beloved place it is. 


PURCHASE TICKETS 
 

The Victorian House Tour is an important event for the VASF as it raises funds for its Grants Committee for restoration and preservation of architecture, landscapes, and artifacts. Click here to learn more about the VASF grants program.
  

GRAFFITI ADVISORY BOARD VACANCY


Tired of blight and graffiti in your neighborhood, District 8, and San Francisco as a whole? Apply to be the District 8 representative to the Graffiti Advisory Board today. Fill out the application here by July 31. Once you’ve applied, or if you have questions, please reach out to mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org.
 


GET INVOLVED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!
 

District 8 is home to many active neighborhood groups that organize events for the community, lead projects to keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and beautiful, and connect neighbors with City leaders to advocate for neighborhood priorities. Join an association or go to an upcoming local event - it’s a great way to get involved, make new friends, and change your community for the better!

Learn more about how to get involved in your neighborhood here!

  • Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association: Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every other month from 7:00 – 8:00 pm, in the Ballroom of the Harvey Milk Recreation Center for the Arts, lobby level, and preceded by a community social from 6:30 – 7:00 pm.

  • Dolores Heights Improvement Club. Green Gardens group holds monthly clean-ups on the first Saturday of the month from 9:00 – 10:30 am. DHIC Board meets on the second Monday of every other month. Meetings are held via Zoom from 7pm – 8pm. Email info@doloresheights.org to obtain the Zoom meeting link.

  • Upper Noe Neighbors meets every other month on the third Wednesday at the Upper Noe Recreation Center.

  • Castro Art Mart is a monthly street fair on Noe Street between Market and Beaver the first Sunday of every month from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, featuring LGBTQ art from local artists, live music, comedy and drag shows, and more.

  • Noe Valley Town Square hosts regular events such as Acoustic Sunday, Rhythm and Motion dance, and Free Sunday Morning Yoga.

Don’t see your neighborhood group but want your information added to our website? Email Henry DeRuff at henry.deruff@sfgov.org
 


SFPD STATION CAPTAINS’ MEETINGS

Curious about safety in your neighborhood or have questions for SFPD? Attending your Station Captains’ Meetings is a great way to learn about what’s going on. Captains’ Meetings are at the following times:

  • Park Station (1899 Waller): Fourth Wednesdays at 5PM on Zoom

    • Neighborhoods: Cole Valley, Duboce Triangle, and Twin Peaks

  • Mission Station (630 Valencia): Last Tuesdays at 5PM at Mission Station

    • Neighborhoods: Castro, Mission Dolores, and Noe Valley

  • Ingleside Station (1 Sgt. John V. Young): Third Tuesdays at 6PM at Ingleside Station

    • Neighborhoods: Diamond Heights and Glen Park


VOLUNTEER WITH US!

We are always looking for D8 office volunteers and interns! Volunteering or interning in my office is a great opportunity to serve District 8 and learn about the issues facing our city, gain valuable experience in the legislative branch of local government, and see how elected officials can work with the community to create effective public policy solutions to solve our toughest problems. Sign up here or reach out to calvin.ho@sfgov.org for more information.


NEW STAFF MEMBER: ANH HA

Here’s a message from Ahn:

Hi District 8!

I'm excited to be the newest legislative assistant on Supervisor Mandelman's team. I recently joined in mid-July and have been focusing on learning the job with help from my amazing co-workers!

I have lived in the Bay Area for the past eleven years and have been a D8 resident since 2017. Previously, my focus has been on my immediate neighborhood – shoutout to the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District and the Castro Art Walk – but I am eager to be involved in other parts of the district and to meet more community members.

For the past two years I have been consulting for small businesses as well as starting my own sustainable lifestyle brand. Before that, I worked in different industries including political communications, commercial real estate, residential mortgages, and software design. You might guess that I'm a jack of all trades, which I think will aid me in this role!

You can often find me in the district enjoying the parks, rock climbing, going to art shows, and spending time with my friends and family.

Looking forward to meeting you all! Feel free to reach me at anh.v.ha@sfgov.org

Cheers,
Anh

P.S. Here's a photo of me and my new boss on a hike recently!

The city needs more dirt than asphalt. It could also use a more knit-together feel that can sometimes be missing in its hilly, divided terrain. Bob Siegel is on a mission to solve these issues. He’s the determined force behind the 17-mile Crosstown Trail.

It runs from Candlestick Point in the city’s southeast to the water’s edge above the old Sutro Baths. Determined hikers can travel the distance in a day while more casual strollers can drop in for a partial stretch. It’s mapped out on https://crosstowntrail.org, which was created by Siegel and his helpers. Just recently, on the fifth anniversary of the trail, Bob and the Parks Alliance announced a second pathway running from Fort Funston near the zoo to North Beach: the Double Cross Trail. Grab your Hokas, San Francisco.

A Peace Corps volunteer who backpacked through Africa, Siegel spotted an opportunity when he moved here. The trim, 80-something outdoor enthusiast worked on the still-emerging Bay Ridge Trail and decided the city could fashion its own link. Building on city support, he went to work, walking sidewalks, parks and preserves. He found something stunning: everywhere he went there was support. Laguna Honda welcomed a stretch behind its midtown hospital. The well-off Forest Hill neighborhood didn’t object to newcomers wandering through. A string of city, state, and federal agencies agreed with his idea and skipped the red tape.

The result is a city on full display. Hawks in the sky and wildflowers on hillsides. When the trail hits the streets there are coffee spots and bookstores. Stairways and hilltop vistas are slipped in. The trail hosts birthdays, dates, and youth groups looking for an outdoor challenge. Its popularity got a boost during the Covid shutdown, when people needed a release from cooped up living quarters.

In a city where bureaucracy can rule, Siegel was surprised. “There was no pushback. It was wonderful how people supported the idea.” The project proves another lesson for would-be activists. “It pays to be a self starter, something I learned in the Peace Corps.” Though the city had plans for a public trail, the idea languished until Siegel and friends ran with it. “It never would have happened otherwise,” he said.

The original trail just grazes District 8, running through Glen Park and Twin Peaks. The forthcoming second trail, however, will shoot down from Twin Peaks, past Mount Olympus, and through Buena Vista Park, Adah’s Stairway, and Duboce Park on its way to Civic Center.

Siegel’s homegrown idea has taken root elsewhere, making him a celebrity on the wool sock circuit. He’s in touch with Boston, which is planning a 27 mile walkway, and Seattle, where there are plans for a 31 mile path. Crowded, busy cities are finding a way to relax and enjoy themselves.

On July 24th, we gathered to celebrate SFPD members who have earned leadership promotions over the last few years. In an incredibly challenging environment for policing nationally and locally, these folks have been doing the hard work of reforming the department while at the same time maintaining and strengthening its efficacy as a crime-fighting organization. Thank you, promotees!

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Please Volunteer at Alvord Lake this Saturday, July 27, 2024

Please Volunteer this Saturday, 
July 27, 2024
10am - Noon
The fourth Saturday of every month
offers an opportunity to help beautify
the eastern end of Golden Gate Park.
 Meet at the plaza above the lakelet
at Stanyan and Haight Streets.
Look for the SFR&P vehicle to determine our location.

Volunteer slots are limited-
so please sign the waiver in the link quickly.

The link below will take you to the SFR&P Calendar.
Scroll until you find the "Alvord Lake Task Force" listing.
(We are in District 1-Horticulture Maintenance.)

https://sfrpd.secure.force.com/SFRPDCalendar

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Walk San Francisco Newsletter

It’s been ten years since San Francisco adopted Vision Zero: a proven, preventative approach to end severe and fatal crashes. Now, the City is looking at how it will approach Vision Zero in the coming years.

The SFMTA has an online public survey about Vision Zero open until August 9. Don’t delay, please take a few minutes to read our guidance on the survey and submit your responses today. 

We need to show that many San Franciscans care about Vision Zero and want to see more meaningful changes on our streets to keep us safe. 

On July 2, we went to Sacramento to go big in our support for SB 961, which would require all new vehicles in California to include technology that alerts drivers when they’re going >10 MPH over the speed limit. 

It was a long and emotional day, but SB 961 made it out of the Privacy and Consumer Protections Committee and will now go to the full Assembly for a vote after what *should* be a perfunctory stop in the Appropriations Committee.

Kick off your fall with an epic hiking adventure where all you have to do is show up!

Tickets for the 20th annual Peak2Peak on Saturday, September 7, are now on sale! If you think after 20 years we can’t come up with a route that will take you by surprise, you’re wrong! This year’s Peak2Peak trades out some classics for lesser-known peaks and paths that will make you fall in love with the city all over again.

Peak2Peak is always a blast and always sells out. Your ticket purchase directly supports Walk SF’s lifesaving work for safe streets. 

On Tuesday, July 16, the SFMTA Board will vote on proposed plans for safety improvements in the West Portal neighborhood. The proposed plan includes a new pedestrian plaza in front of West Portal Station, pedestrian safety zones at crosswalks, and traffic calming throughout the neighborhood. 

Walk SF is supporting the plan, while also urging the SFMTA Board to include key elements to strengthen safety. This includes making Lenox Avenue one-way (which runs next to an elementary school, park, and library), keeping proposed turn restrictions (with a plan for enforcing this with drivers), and building an inviting plaza for the community. 

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Construction Update: UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital

Updated Work Hours

Beginning Monday, July 15 through November, the UCSF Health Helen Diller Hospital project will be extending "not noisy" work hours to 8:00PM, Monday-Friday to address unforeseen soil conditions.

These extended work hours are expected intermittently through November. "Noisy" work operations will conclude at 5:00PM.

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District 8 July 2024 Newsletter

Hello, District 8!

Summer is upon us!

June was a doozy of a month as it always is. Between budget negotiations (I serve as Vice Chair of the Board’s Budget Committees) and Pride, the District 8 office has been busy! This was the second year of belt-tightening and hard choices, with real cuts to programs that do good work, and unfortunately, there is every reason to believe that next year will be even more challenging budgetarily. Nonetheless, working with the Mayor and colleagues on the Board, we were able to secure some important budget wins for District 8 even in a difficult year, including important investments in public safety and funding for activation of public spaces throughout the District. We were also able to help protect housing subsidies for vulnerable communities, including LGBTQ seniors and transgender people, HIV/AIDS funding, and funding for services for Transitional Age Youth, as well as funding for youth, arts, and culture programming and events around the District.
 
Many thanks to those of you who turned out to march with us in the Pride Parade; it was a ton of fun!  For those of you who may have missed it this year, not to worry; we’ll be back for another fabulous stroll down Market Street next year. We kicked off the month with a PRIDE Art Show, featuring Two Bald Guys ; if you couldn’t make it, come by our office at City Hall to say hi and check their art out!  Other highlights of the month included introducing legislation to landmark the iconic Gilbert Baker Rainbow Flag installation in Harvey Milk Plaza and passing a resolution to designate San Francisco a sanctuary city for transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, and Two-Spirit people.

MEET YOUR SUPERVISOR: OFFICE HOURS

VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS: Join me on Zoom for virtual office hours on Saturday, July 13, from 9:30AM-11:30AM! Sign up for a slot by emailing mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org.

IN-PERSON OFFICE HOURS: Join me in-person in Noe Valley, on Saturday, July 27, from 10AM-12AM! Email mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org to reserve a spot.

RECOLOGY DISTRICT 8 WEEKEND CLEANUP – BRING YOUR BULKY ITEMS!


What: Drop-off event for District 8 residents:

  • Bulky items, recyclables, yard trimmings & household plants

  • Anything for donation to Goodwill

  • Pick up compost for your garden!

When: Saturday, July 13, from 8am to noon

Where: James Lick Middle School (enter on 25th Street, turn right on Noe Street)

GRAFFITI ADVISORY BOARD VACANCY


Tired of blight and graffiti in your neighborhood, District 8, and San Francisco as a whole? Apply to be the District 8 representative to the Graffiti Advisory Board today. Fill out the application here by July 31. Once you’ve applied, or if you have questions, please reach out to mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org.


SFPD BOUNDARY ANALYSIS PROJECT


The San Francisco Police Department is seeking your participation in the analysis of District Station boundary lines! The SFPD and Police Commission are required to perform a review of the existing District Station boundaries every ten years to maximize the effectiveness of police operations. How can you participate? Provide your input by completing this survey by August 4. Talk to your district station, ask to participate in a focus group in September, or come to a public hearing in October. If you have any questions or concerns email sfpdboundaryanalysis@gmail.com.


GET INVOLVED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!
 

District 8 is home to many active neighborhood groups that organize events for the community, lead projects to keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and beautiful, and connect neighbors with City leaders to advocate for neighborhood priorities. Join an association or go to an upcoming local event - it’s a great way to get involved, make new friends, and change your community for the better!

Learn more about how to get involved in your neighborhood here!

  • Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association: Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every other month from 7:00 – 8:00 pm, in the Ballroom of the Harvey Milk Recreation Center for the Arts, lobby level, and preceded by a community social from 6:30 – 7:00 pm.

  • Dolores Heights Improvement Club. Green Gardens group holds monthly clean-ups on the first Saturday of the month from 9:00 – 10:30 am. DHIC Board meets on the second Monday of every other month. Meetings are held via Zoom from 7pm – 8pm. Email info@doloresheights.org to obtain the Zoom meeting link.

  • Upper Noe Neighbors meets every other month on the third Wednesday at the Upper Noe Recreation Center.

  • Castro Art Mart is a monthly street fair on Noe Street between Market and Beaver the first Sunday of every month from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, featuring LGBTQ art from local artists, live music, comedy and drag shows, and more.

  • Noe Valley Town Square hosts regular events such as Acoustic Sunday, Rhythm and Motion dance, and Free Sunday Morning Yoga.

Don’t see your neighborhood group but want your information added to our website? Email Henry DeRuff at henry.deruff@sfgov.org


SFPD STATION CAPTAINS’ MEETINGS


Curious about safety in your neighborhood or have questions for SFPD? Attending your Station Captains’ Meetings is a great way to learn about what’s going on. Captains’ Meetings are at the following times:

  • Park Station (1899 Waller): Fourth Wednesdays at 5PM on Zoom

    • Neighborhoods: Cole Valley, Duboce Triangle, and Twin Peaks

  • Mission Station (630 Valencia): Last Tuesdays at 5PM at Mission Station

    • Neighborhoods: Castro, Mission Dolores, and Noe Valley

  • Ingleside Station (1 Sgt. John V. Young): Third Tuesdays at 6PM at Ingleside Station

    • Neighborhoods: Diamond Heights and Glen Park


VOLUNTEER WITH US!


We are always looking for D8 office volunteers and interns! Volunteering or interning in my office is a great opportunity to serve District 8 and learn about the issues facing our city, gain valuable experience in the legislative branch of local government, and see how elected officials can work with the community to create effective public policy solutions to solve our toughest problems. Sign up here or reach out to calvin.ho@sfgov.org for more information.
 

Welcome to Faces in the Crowd, written by Marshall Kilduff, accomplished journalist and long time volunteer with our District 8 Office. Marshall tells the stories of District 8 community members who are going above and beyond to contribute to San Francisco!

One of the marvels of Glen Park is about to be more marvelous. The beautiful Burnside mural depicting the flora and fauna of Glen Canyon will soon feature, on an adjoining staircase, hand-fabricated tiles showing a scene of a stream with schools of fish framed by an embankment with flowers and plants.  The years-long project, known as Burnside Mural+, is the brainchild of the neighborhood’s tireless Renee Berger, who spotted a drab green wall and scruffy set of steps and went to work.

With her crisp, energetic style, Renee asked the leaders of the Glen Park Association for help and won their backing. This was nearly four years ago. She envisioned an art piece that would showcase Glen Park’s human history and the natural history of the area’s canyon. She asked the San Francisco Parks Alliance to be the project’s fiscal sponsor and received critical financial and technical support from a few enthusiastic residents. While the start was during the dark days of the pandemic, the project ensured that the voices of the community were heard through surveys that solicited ideas for the artists.

The mural artists, Elaine Chu and Marina Perez-Wong, did a brilliant job of integrating the community’s thoughts. The mural pays tribute to a trio of women who blocked a plan in the 1960s to run a freeway through the area. Hummingbirds, hawks, and voles now adorn the concrete wall, along with mountain lions, deer, and long-departed elk, all intended to depict the canyon’s natural place in San Francisco’s wrinkled landscape. The mural sits at the cul de sac of Burnside Avenue, astride the Glen Park Greenway and the Crosstown Trail, two walkways that wend through the canyon.

Before her retirement, Berger had been a management consultant, specializing in community development. Upon retiring she found a means to channel her expertise and love of San Francisco by becoming a volunteer with San Francisco City Guides, for whom she leads walks that focus on murals. She sees the mural and tile stairs as more than an adornment: “It’s a way to build trust and bring joy” to Glen Park. Though she’s the stable presence guiding the project, Berger is generous with praise for others. The mural artists, and the tile-making artists, Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher, are the “geniuses who have gifted us their talent,” she says.

The tile work will include a swirling blue design running down the steps, mimicking Islais Creek, which once provided San Francisco’s water. There will be 250 “legacy tiles” that donors purchased to express their feelings, often quite poignantly, about family, friends and love of Glen Park. Most of the funding comes from these donors and other individuals, the rest from city grants.

It’s been a community effort to beautify the area and keep it clean. Eighth graders from nearby St. John School sweep the area from time to time. Children began painting rocks, leading to the creation of a small rock garden in front of the mural. Just a couple of weeks ago, in a collaboration with the Glen Park Library, the Burnside project hosted a tile-making event, led by the tile artists, with dozens of kids and adults making waves and bubbles for the staircase stream.

There have been lessons learned, too. The city has been slowly changing its drawn-out permitting and approval process, a promising idea that could ease similar projects. The Board of Supervisors, including Supervisor Mandelman, passed a measure to curtail fees on similar community-led work.

On a clear day, the mural glows in the sun, giving joggers and dog walkers pause. “Now it’s on to phase two: the stairs,” Berger says. “The enthusiasm is there to finish this project.”

Each week throughout Pride Month, we celebrated great San Franciscans from the LGBTQ+ community with special commendations. On June 4, we celebrated Gary Virginia and Donna Sachet, who started the Pride Brunch 25 years ago! On June 11, we honored Dr. Susan Ehrlich, the excellent lesbian CEO of SF General Hospital. On June 18, we honored Imani Rupert-Gordon, the Executive Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. And on June 25, we honored the Friends of the Harvey Milk Plaza, who make the Plaza wonderful for all who visit!
 

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DISTRICT 5 June 27 BULLETIN

JOIN US!

Hi5D5 "Fireside" Chat with D5 Supervisor Candidate Autumn Looijen


Wednesday July 17, 6:00PM on Zoom


Autumn Hope Looijen is a Caltech-educated engineer and parent of five kids. When our kids were suffering during Covid, she co-founded the extremely successful school board recall and ran the campaign to bring algebra back to middle school. Her organization,SF Guardians, has been one of the most effective organizations in San Francisco politics, winning 7 of 8 races many of them in a landslide. Now she is running for Supervisor in District 5 to bring effective, practical government to our district which now includes the Tenderloin.

REGISTER FOR ZOOM HERE

Fill out our TWO Voter Surveys TODAY!

The November elections may end up being one of the most consequential – and controversial – in our Nation's history. As for San Francisco, we stand at the crossroads of essential change, and we will continue to make a concerted effort to save our City by the Bay.
 
Please take TWO minutes of your time to fill out our TWO Voter Surveys!
Your input will give us the critical information we need to know about how common-sense citizens see the current crop of candidates running for city government.

  • Our first survey asks how you feel about San Francisco's Citywide candidates – from the abundance of Mayoral choices to those running for State Assembly.

  • The second will tell us just how you feel about your own District – the current D5 Supe, the additional candidates running for that seat and the difficult issues facing your neighborhood.

Click HERE to fill out our Citywide Candidates Survey!

Click HERE to fill out our D5 Candidates Survey!

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Citywide Cultural Resources Survey re: Counterculture (1965 to 1975)

The San Francisco Planning Department, Historic Preservation Commission will be considering the following item for adoption at the July 17th Historic Preservation Commission Hearing: 

If you are interested in receiving notifications about similar types of topics, as well as upcoming hearing dates in the future, please subscribe here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CASFPD/subscriber/new?topic_id=CASFPD_339. For future hearings, we are planning to coordinate an SF Survey newsletter that will be sent out with more regular updates. Please contact the SF Survey team by emailing CPC.Survey@sfgov.org or leaving a voicemail at (628) 652-7573 if you have further questions.

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Please Volunteer at Alvord Lake this Saturday, April 27

Join the SFRPD gardeners in a recurring habitat restoration volunteer project at Golden Gate Park Alvord Lake.

Join the RPD gardeners and the Alvord Lake Task Force to beautify the eastern entrance of Golden Gate Park. A wide range of gardening tasks is available. Please wear closed-toed shoes, long pants and layers. The event will occur rain or shine. All supplies, tools, and gloves are provided by RPD. Meet at the Haight and Stanyan entrance to Golden Gate Park. 

To learn more and register, please visit our Volunteer Calendar.

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UCSF PARNASSUS HEIGHTS UPDATES

You're Invited: May 1st Hybrid Quarterly Construction Meeting

Please join UCSF on Wednesday, May 1st from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. for a hybrid community meeting about upcoming construction and other planned projects at UCSF’s Parnassus Heights campus.

UCSF will share the progress of campus projects and potential impacts on the neighborhood, including but not limited to:

·  New Hospital Parnassus Heights

·  Parnassus Research and Academic Building

Location: UCSF Parnassus Heights Campus
Faculty Alumni House
745 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA

Light refreshments will be served.

Please register to attend either in-person here or virtually by Zoom here.

Sutro Stewards Upcoming Programming

NATURE WALKS

Join the Sutro Stewards for a guided spring nature walk on the Mount Sutro Open Space! Their experienced leaders will lead you through the trails on a two-hour tour on a variety of focused topics. However, on each walk you'll learn about the unique ecology of the area and the efforts being made to preserve and protect it. Check out the Eventbrite Page to see dates and topics!

MINDFULNESS ON MOUNT SUTRO

Learn and practice Mindfulness 101 basics outside with the community of Mt. Sutro. Experience self-care tools for increasing awareness, opening the heart, relaxing, and developing compassion. Each week has a different theme of practice: Mindfulness of the Body, Mindfulness of the Breath, Mindfulness of Emotions, Mindfulness of the Mind, and Mindfulness of Self-Compassion. Register for the series here.

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Please Volunteer at Alvord Lake this Saturday, March 23

Please Volunteer this Saturday, 
March 23 2024,
10am - Noon
The fourth Saturday of every month
offers an opportunity to help beautify
the eastern end of Golden Gate Park.
 Meet at the plaza above the lakelet
at Stanyan and Haight Streets.
Look for the SFR&P vehicle to determine our location.

Volunteer slots are limited-
so please sign the waiver in the link quickly.

The link below will take you to the SFR&P Calendar.
Scroll until you find the "Alvord Lake Task Force" listing.
(We are in District 1-Horticulture Maintenance.)

https://sfrpd.secure.force.com/SFRPDCalendar

For a peek into Alvord Lake's past, check out this link:
https://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=Alvord_Lake

To ensure the safety and comfort of all parties involved, if you are feeling unwell, please do not come.

Volunteer Guidelines

The supervising gardener is your host. Please respect his/her knowledge and experience. Park gardening is not the same as home gardening. Ask questions and seek assistance.

Safety:

  • Please wear closed-toed shoes. Wear comfortable clothing that covers your entire body (long sleeves, long pants, etc.) And don't forget the sunscreen and perhaps a hat! 

  • Wear gloves and use tools provided in ways demonstrated by the work crew supervisor. 

  • “Eyes before hands.” When picking up trash from under bushes, behind trees, and under benches, use the tool provided to pull things out where you can see them. Then pick them up.

  • Be aware of the locations of other workers and members of the public to ensure your safety and theirs.

  • Lift with your legs, not your back.

  • Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed–toed shoes (ideally boots); you may be work in or around poison oak or blackberries.

  • Avoid picking up broken glass and hypodermic needles. Notify the gardener if you find anything undesirable.

  • Drink water to avoid dehydration. Wash hands or use hand sanitizer before touching and eatingfood

  • Volunteers are not allowed to use power tools, or apply herbicides/pesticides.

    Work Site:
    Stack debris out of the way of the public but still accessible to staff trucks. Stack cut branches with butt end to road. Keep bagged trash separate from organic debris, weeds separate from brush. Pile weeds to be picked up in small piles (handled by one swoop of pitchfork) so that staff can easily load trucks.

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