WRITER • EDITOR PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSUL TANT

LOUISE L. WOOD

Phone: (409) 833-1289 3720 Laurel, No. 10 • Beaumont, Texas 77707

f"-'- "1oh .;- '"?~W\..Q.-"" ~OJ ~l"'V LA\f-: ~ ( \..{_ (I) ~ lYD I ~~ N t\

------~V\ ?~ 6ct~h"-­

\-hv Ll t ~ "' ' .s O{lj, '- , ~ µ .._d f- ~ THE AIDS/HIV LIFE CENTER 1675 California Street, , CA 94109 phone 415-928-1498 fax 415-928-1446 April 12, 1994 Ms. Linda Alband

Dear Linda,

Thank you for speaking with me on the phone during the week before last. We spoke about the upcoming construction of the AIDS/IDV Life Center at the corner of Market, Noe and Sixteenth Streets. Someone, Allan Baird as you told me, had called our office to inquire as to whether or not there were naming opportunities at another of our projects, 400 Castro, the former B of A building. He was hoping that it could be named as a memorial to . As I explained, the 400 Castro project is a temporary location for services which will move in 1996 to our new building at Market & Noe.

Of course, we would be delighted if any of our projects, or any part of any of them, could become a memorial to Randy. We exist to create places where AIDS/IDV services can be delivered well at low cost to the service agencies and with high regard for the dignity of persons with AIDS and mv. You and I agreed that I would send you a package of materials on the Life Center project so that when Randy's estate is ready to consider effective memorial opportunities, you would be able to pass our project description on to whoever can best use them. I have assembled the enclosed materials for that purpose.

Cleve Jones introduce Randy to U't and to me in particular in 1990. From that time onward, Randy asked about our progress from time to time. His interest and encouragement were always welcome and helpful. At this moment the public part of the city planning process is under way for the Life Center's Market & Noe facility. Our financing mechanisms are nearing completion as well as our agreements with potential building users. The new Life Center building will be a reality in 1996.

I look forward to pursuing with you, and any who have decisions to make regarding Randy's estate, the possibility of ensuring a permanent memorial in a facility which serves people with AIDS.

Sincerely, ~~l~ PaulDirdak Community Center Project S84 Castro Street #4SO • San Francisco, CA 94114 • (41S) 241-1S26

October 14, 1995 Board Of Directors

Scott Shafer, Presi4ent Allen Carson, Dear Linda, Secretary Brenda F. Bamette, On behalf of the Board of Directors it is my pleasure to welcome you Tre111111r as a Charter Member of the Community Center Family and to Richard Ailman thank you for your very generous gift. lilda Blackmore Deirdre M. Dawson With your support, we will be able to build a Community Center that will provide a focal point for community activity that can build Bob Dadurka on our strengths. Deena Lahn Peggy Hughes In the coming months we will keep you informed about the progress we are making. And we invite you to join the efforts of V'ictor Marquez many of our brothers and sisters by volunteering, by attending our Michael Simmon• open board meetings, by planning a fund-raiser for the Community Center, by giving a gift membership to a friend or by telling a friend Fiscal Sponsor that you are excited about having a home of our own in San Francisco! Mittion Houting DMlopment Corp. Linda, naming the Community Center has not yet been discussed. After the contract for the property is finalized and the purchase is eminent, a capital campaign committee will form and naming opportunities will be identified. The committee may feel that honoring Randy Shilt is the right for the community without having the leading gift be from his friends. In any event, you and Randy's friends will have the opportunity to put forth your ideas and also to try to raise funds for the project in Randy's name.

We need your help. Together we can build a stronger future for our entire community. Thank you again for your support!

Sincerely, ~-:;)3w~ Brenda F. Barnette Treasurer

PS Enclosed is your 1996 Charter Membership Card. LINDA ALBANO

July 18, 1995

Community Center Project 584 Castro Street #450 San Francisco, CA 94114

Dear Center Organizers,

What a good idea. ) Firstly, I wanted to tell you a bit about myself. I was Randy Shilts' friend for 25 years and his business associate/ assistant for the last five years of his life. I am currently working with Dr. Dee Mosbacher developing and promoting educational videos produced by her company Woman Vision. I am also working with the ad-hoc committee who is shepherding the / Archives donation to the San Francisco Public Library, and have just joined the Board of Directors for the Restitution Project.

Here's my request: I think this community ought to consider naming this Center for Randy Shilts.

Something in this community ought to be named for Randy. I know that he is a controversial figure-anyone who does something significant or portentous becomes controversial and has detractors, and he was no saint [who is?]-but he is someone who gave a lot to the gay and lesbian community, particularly the gay and lesbian community here in San Francisco.

Harvey Milk, our neighborhood icon, died virtually [less than] penniless, yet he is visibly honored many, many times in this community and this city. [That stupid, ill-conceived Bay Guardian article aside, Scott Smith's tireless and unselfish efforts need to be credited here.] Randy certainly deserves recognition for his pioneering work, and such recognition shouldn't be tangent on whether or not there is a million bucks to back up the request. (In Randy's case, his estate-which incidentally is valued at no where near a million-won't put up a penny. His heir/ executor doesn't give a shit. His true friends, colleagues and family, however, do care and would support any effort to effect a building campaign in his name.)

Personally, I think that proposing to name the Center for Randy could also act as a vehicle to start really promoting the great service he did for the movements for civil rights in Conduct Unbecoming. With Conduct, Randy presented a rational, well-developed analysis of the interconnectedness between all the movements for civil rights in this county, in particular the strong connections between the women's movement and the movement for gay /lesbian rights-this is the first time such analysis has gotten into the mainstream. This analysis was largely overlooked. Few people got it. Torie Osborn, who described Conduct as a "radical feminist tome," was one of the few who understood that Randy's book transcended the hot­ button issue of Gays in the Military. This analysis is what the book will ultimately be remembered for, and this analysis is what we need to focus on in these divisive times. LINDA ALBANO

Spotlighting Randy's message of interconnectedness and relatedness could truly be important in this Center's development as a place to build real leadership and provide meaningful help.

If you have any questions about either Randy or this request, would like to discuss any problems you have with it, or would like to discuss possible fund raising strategies, please give me a call. [I have his rolodex, a valuable list of friendly people across the city and the country, many of whom, I believe, would contribute to an effort to name something for Randy. He had/has many friends and admirers.]

Sincerely,

Linda Alband Randy's friend The AIDS/HIV Life Center A safe place to start and a path through chaos.

For all who struggle with the AIDS epidemic, The Life Center creates a caring and responsive environment.

For all members of the community, The Life Center is committed to establish simple, cohesive and easy access to services and information.

The Life Center fosters cooperation and collaboration among the resources that honor this fight and the hope for life. The AIDS/HIV Life Center

In the 1980's, the collective spirit of San Franciscans fighting a raging epidemic began to forge a unique model of service. It blended public action, volunteer service and private support for people struggling with AIDS. The people in the community embarked on a crusade; its message of compassion and activism was carried around the world.

The Life Center renews this San Francisco Model in the 1990's by becoming the practical gathering point for the AIDS community and the many who serve it. The Life Center assists individuals and service organizations to manage resources more productively by placing a multitude of services under one roof.

The mission of The Life Center is to provide venues for testing, education and psycho/social services, to facilitate collaboration and consolidation, to incubate services for unmet needs and to ennoble the personal struggles of those faced with HIV and AIDS. A Place to Start, The Programs of ,, A Path Through Chaos The Life Center

The Life Center is a central community facility As an adjunct to the building planning process, committed to the struggle against AIDS and HIV. The Life Center staff, along with volunteers, It is a clearinghouse for anyone needing have created programs that respond to needs information and assistance relative to the voiced in a 1991 survey of AIDS/HIV service disease and a "one-stop" entry point to service providers. It is the goal of The Life Center to agencies for those newly diagnosed. incubate new programs that respond to unmet needs or create collaborative projects among The Life Center provides physical space for the existing organizations. needs of its community: meeting and cont erence rooms for service, fund-raising, arts Positive Resource and educational programs, inexpensive office Job Refeffal for People with HIV space for a variety of AIDS service providers and One of the great challenges of living with a memorial and educational center fqr the public. AIDS/HIV is coping with the interruptions to careers and work situations due to bouts of The Lite Center houses the meeting and illness. For many people, working is critical worship space for the Trinity United Methodist because of both financial and emotional needs. Church. The congregation has supported this Complicated requirements of government endeavor through the generous donation of benefits offer little more than a disincentive to try land and working capital and offers a spiritual to work. In many cases, the definition of environment to the community. "disability" prohibits someone from working at all. Positive Resource has been created to provide The Life Center is a national model for similar job opportunities for people with AIDS/HIV and collaborative projects. It serves as an incubator to for businesses to respond to needs in the launch projects and services that address unmet community. needs and works collectively with the public, private industry and government to assure The mission of Positive Resource is to provide efficient use of resources. work opportunities for people with AIDS/HIV so d that they will be contributing valuable services for the benefit of their own mental, physical and financial health, the needs of the AIDS communtiy and the area-wide business commuunity. Job opportunities will be sought Center. With telephone-modem hook-up, the from the broadest range of both the traditional service will be available to all agencies with the professional and business community as well as proper equipment as well as to many home ) from individuals with specialized needs. users.

Potential employers can take advantage of a Currently, there are numerous source points for diverse, highly skilled and talented group of the creation and dissemination of information people for whom work is both essential for pertaining to the epidemic. With over 200 income and for maintaining health b~· continued agencies in San Francisco, finding the participation and contribution to the economic information that anyone may need is confusing system. and often impossible. AIDS is a health care issue that is reliant on the currency of information. The Positive Resource creates a benefit to goal of AUN is to make access to the information businesses by hiring, on a shortor full-time basis, as organized, up-to-date and as reliable as individuals who are well-suited to the possible. requirements of the employment situation and are highly motivated even though their work term The Life Conference Center may be abbreviated. While fulfilling their The mission of The Life Conference Center is to immediate needs, businesses are supporting provide meeting, conference and office space the local economy by helping people with for the spectrum of needs that is currently unmet AIDS/HIV continue in the workforce for as long in the AIDS community as possible. Maintaining physical and mental health can reduce the impact on public services As a response to a need expressed by AIDS and the further need for financial assistance. service providers, The Life Conference Center is a meeting and seminar space that is available to AIDS Library Information Network all agencies. There is an overwhelming need for The AIDS Library Information Network (AUN) is a meeting space related to: education, training, computerized Bulletin Board Service (BBS) group counseling, seminars, forums and developed by The Life Center with a consortium technical assistance workshops. As a program of of San Francisco AIDS organizations that serves The Life Center, the conference facility will be a the informational needs of the AIDSiHIV permanent part of the new building at 2299 community. As part of a city wide fiber optic Market Street. Until its completion in 1996, The system, AUN will be available at all branches of Life Conference Center is located in temporary the SF Public Library as well as atThe Life quarters at 1675 California Street in space donated by Wells Fargo Bank and is avilable for word LIFE. At the base of the mural is a potted meetings at minmal charge to the agency. vine that climbs cables strung along the wall. For the life of the temporary garden, the wall is alive As an additional service to the AIDS community, with the vines ascending the cables. office space is available to new programs and agencies or for short-term project needs at The garden is maintained by volunteers extremely low cost. organized by Chris Jacobson of Gardenart. The site was cleaned and prepared in April 1992 with The Life Community Garden assistance from the San Francisco Sheriff's Work In an effort to contribute to and be a positive Action Program (SWAP) and The Garden Project symbol for the Upper Market neighborhood prior . Ten Bay Area companies collaborated to to the construction of The Life Center, a celebrate Earth Week 1992 by providing temporary working garden called The Life contributions and active participation by Community Garden has been created on the site hundreds of staff members. Employees from at 2299 Market Street at the intersection of 16th ESPRIT, Smith & Hawken, The Nature and Noe Streets. Company, The Body Shop and neighborhood volunteers worked at The Lite Community Designed in conjunction with The Garden Garden. Over 100 people dug dirt, lugged old Project of the San Francisco Sheriff's chunks of concrete and bricks, planted seeds Department, The Life Community Garden and got tanned, sweaty and tired. produces organic vegetables, herbs and flowers which are donated to Coming Home Hospice This project is a strong contribution to the exclusively for people with AIDS. Steven neighborhood and the visual image of Upper Abrahams of ZAC Landscape Architects Market Street. Its creation was supported in part donated his time to design and help coordinate by a $5,000 grant from the San Francisco Arts the construction of the garden. The Urban Commission Market Street Arts in Transit Farmer Store donated an irrigation system and Program and a $3,260 grant from Walgreens. Eurocal Slate donated stone for walkways. The overall project is truly a community effort to revitalize a piece of land that had been a visual The LIFEWALL is a fifteen by seventy foot mural blemish for ten years. on the wall of Josie's Cabaret and Juice Bar adjacent to the site. The basic visual structure of 400 Castro Street The LIFEWALL consists of four square panels of When renovation is complete in September color each of which contains a letter to farm the 1994, a new community resource center that focuses on the needs of the at-risk population AIDS Benefits Counselors, Stop AIDS Project, for AIDS and HIV in San Francisco will open at Project Inform, PAWS: Pets are Wonderful 400 Castro Street. This site offers a prime Support, The NAMES Project, Under One Roof opportunity to create a central place for anonymous HIV testing, counseling, information The Life Center Building and ref eral, provide space for a collaborative The design of The Life Center is based on the program of four agencies and create a meeting award winning design of architect Yo lchiro and conference space for AIDS/HIV services at Hakamori whose project was selected from one of the most easily accessible locations in the among 130 submissions in an international city. The Life Center is responsible for the competition in 1990. ar.ke.tek.cher, a San renovation of the building and coordinating the Francisco firm, has been contracted to produce complex political, organizational and business the design and construction package. Located factors necessary to provide this facility for free at the intersection of Market, 16th and Noe services to the community. Streets, The Lite Center will be built on the site of the former Trinity United Methodist Church Space Planning I building. TUMC has generously donated the site Real Estate Services to The Life Center under a 49- year ground lease One of the hidden costs of the AIDS epedemic agreement. The five story building will comprise lies in the costs of rental and aquiring and over 21,000 square feet of leasable space, designing space in which to provide services. including 2,000 square feet of conference and Due to the nature of the agencies, very few are meeting space. equipped to understand the nuances of the real estate market, analyze their space needs in A long-term lease has been executed with Under relationship to their program and design an One Roof, Store for AIDS Relief and preliminary environment thast is conducive to the provision lease agreements or letters of interest are in of their service. hand from the AIDS Benefits Counselors, Stop AIDS Project, AIDS Emergency Fund, Youth HIV With experienced staff, The Life Ce:1ter offers Prevention Project, Quan Yin Healing Arts space planning and real estate consulting Center, UCSPS AIDS Health Project and Visual services to AIDS and HIV agencies. Costs to the Aid. There is significant interest in the project agencies have been reduced and spaces used and it is anticipated that the building will be fully more efficiently. Representative clients include: pre-leased upon opening. ar.ke.tek.cher, along with OLMM Structural the world's leading glass artists. This installation, Designers, MCT Mechanical and Electrical entitled Windows to Lite, will be located in the Engineers, Walsh-Norris Acoustical Engineers, tower of The Life Center at the corner of Noe Steven Abrahams, Landscape Architect and and 16th Streets. It will be a landmark for all San Environmental Science Associates (ESA) began Franciscans. designing The Life Center in 1992. All of these professionals have been most generous in agreeing to complete their work for reduced and deferred fees. Construction will begin in 1995.

Arts and Architecture One of the goals for The Life Center is for it to be a place that celebrates all whose lives have been changed by Al OS. As part of its architecture, it will feature art installations created specifically for the building, by local and internationally renowned artists. Through donations, gifts and contributions, the art pieces, will draw people to the building and help encourage learning about AIDS in new, unique and accessible ways.

In addition, the public meeting space will feature a permanently installed Holtkamp organ and be home to concerts, dance performances, art shows as well as displays of the AIDS Memorial Quilt.

The first of the art projects is an installation of art glass that was created during a week long workshop in May 1993. Led by Johannes Schreiter, Gennany's foremost glass artist, the workshop was a collaborative effort of sixteen of Advisory Board Board of Directors President of the Advisory Board: President: Mark Sackett, President Timothy R. Wolfred, Psy.D. Sackett Design Associates

Honorary Co-chairs of the Treasurer: Advisory Board: Wendy Pomeroy Developmental Resources Associates Bishop Melvin Talbert, United Methodist Church Secretary: Hon. Willie L. Brown, Jr., Javier Valencia, Community Manager Speaker of the State Assembly KRON-TV

Donald Abrams, M.D., Roberto Esteves, Assistant Chief AIDS Program, UCSF San Francisco Public Library Roberta Achtenberg, AssistantSecretary, HUD Pam Fyffe, Principal , Former Mayor CareLinc City and County of San Francisco Hon. Angela Alioto, Supervisor Lorraine Gnecco, Vice President City and County of San Francisco The Nature Company Michael Berg, Board Member, The NAMES Project Ruth "Jenx" Jenkins Ruth Brinker, Founder Trinity United Methodist Church Project Open Hand Noel Day, Sr., President, Polaris Harish Shah, Principal Research and Development Robinson Mills + Williams William Drypolcher, President Zephyr Real Estate & Investments Thom Weyand Tom Gerten, Prresident Associate Director of Development Robinson Mills + Williams California College of Arts and Crafts Tim Hanlon, Vice President Wells Fargo Bank Board Alternate Cleve Jones, Founder Douglas Leach, Senior Producer The NAMES Project ComputerLand Corporation Frank M. Jordan, Mayor City and County of San Francisco Project Staff

Hon. Carole Mlgden, Supervisor ' City and County of San Francisco Project Director: Steven H. Oliver, President Jonathan Pearlman Oliver & Company/Contractors Regina Phelps, President Development Coordinator: Health Plus Ira K. Glasser B.J. Stiles, President, • National Leadership Coalition on AIDS Staff representative for TUMC: Keith Wetmore, Partner Paul Dirdak Morrison & Foerster Reggie Williams, Exec. Director Program Manager, Positive Resource National Task Force on AIDS Prevention Dori Sproul Constance B. Wofsy, M.D., AIDS Program, UCSF Project Assistant, Positive Resource Brian Basinger 1993 Year in Review

A Place to Start and A Path Through Chaos

The mission of The AIDS/HIV Life Center is to provide venues for testing, education and psychosocial seNices, facilitate collaboration and consolidation, incubate seNices for unmet needs and ennoble the personal struggles of those faced with HIV and AIDS.

The AIDS/HIV Life Center continued to grow its programs, progress toward construction of our building and mature the organization. This briefly describes the broad range of activities that our Board, staff and volunteers were involved in during the past year.

1 Positive Resource We have been the incubator for this new work referral program for people with HIV. This year we moved from a volunteer to paid staff with the hiring of Dori Sproul as program manger and Brian Basinger as project assistant. Positive Resource raises its own operating funds and has received a range of grants including two from the Mayor's Office of Community Development for the program manager's salary. Positive Resource offers a computer training program with classes taught on excellent, current, donated equipment. 1 :

2 The Life Conference Center A generous gift of free space from Wells Fargo Bank makes it possible for us to house The Life Center, Trinity United Methodist Church, Positive Resource and the Youth HIV Prevention Project offices and open the Life Conference Center for a wide variety events specifically for AIDS service organizations. In addition, an agreement with the San Francisco Art Institute brought graduate student work to our vast (white) walls.

3 AIDS Library Information Network (AUN> A crew of professional volunteers continues to design a computerized bulletin board system which will interlink AIDS agencies, their clients and the public as an electronic extension of The Life Center. AUN will provide accessible, understandable help to anyone with a modem on a vast array of topics of specific importance to people with AIDS and HIV in San Francisco and the surrounding region.

4 Space Planning for AIQS Agencies We continue to provide space planning and real estate services to AIDS agencies. Our assistance to them results in likely prospects for tenancy in the new Life Center building. One of the hidden costs of the AIDS epidemic lies in the costs of rental and aquiring and designing space in which to provide services. Due to the nature of the agencies, very few are equipped to understand the nuances of the real estate market, analyze their space needs in relationship to their program and design an environment that is conducive to the provision of their service. 11 Earlv Debt Retirement Program A large stock brokerage is assisting us in designing an investment product within which the brokerage would donate all investor fees to The Life Center. It is our hope that this stream of income will make it possible for us to reduce and eventually eliminate the base rent to the non-profit AIDS services in the building. We believe that ultimately we will save the AIDS community $300,000 in rent each year.

12 The Governors' Guo Tennis Benefit The San Francisco Tennis Club donated a day-long event as a fund raiser for The Life Center. It was a great successfinancially, raising close to $30,000, as well as for public relations. 13 Materials Donation Program Our staff, with assistance from members of a large architectural firm, is working to secure building materials from suppliers at discount or donation for the new building. The sum total of these materials donations will greatly enhance the equity we bring to bear in financing our construction.

14 Board Develooment We continue to welcome new members to our Board of Directors and our Advisory Board. Accounting, legal, architectural and engineering services are all rendered either on a pro bona or a defer.red fee basis.

Trinity United Methodist Church continues to be a major supporter of the entire project. Its staff and members offer active,support and financial contributions and remain committed to their gift of land to make the new building possible.

,, First Quarter, 1994, Summary

A Place to Start and A Path Through Chaos

The mission of The AIDS/HIV Life Center is to provide venues for testing, education and psychosocial services, facilitate collaboration and consolidation, incubate services for unmet needs and ennoble the personal struggles of those faced with HIV and AIDS.

The AIDS/HIV Life Center enjoyed a rapid growth spurt during the first quarter of 1994. Below, please find a summary of our accomplishments from January through March.

1 Positive Resource A new data base has greatly enhanced job placements. Volunteer receptionists have added a new level of professionalism to our office operation.

2 The Life Conference Center Several weekends have had more than one group using the Center at a time. We hosted a group of Japanese school teachers visiting the USA to learn about AIDS prevention education for youth. The Youth HIV Prevention Project, one of our tenant organizations provided training. Naoki Onizuka, one of our Development Committee Members, coordinated the event and provided translation.

3 The AIDS and HIV Community Resource Center We achieved. revision of some zoning laws to allow our plan to move ahead at the former B of A branch at 400 Castro. All eleven Supervisors co-sponsored the bill and the Mayor signed it. We will have a Conditional Use hearing in May. Jonathan Pearlman of our staff is designing the interior and we now believe that all the construction work can be handled well within the grants which have already been promised for the project.

4 The Public Planning Process for The Life Center Building Our variance and conditional use applications have been accepted by the City with nearly $60,000 of fees deferred until we have construction financing. We have been awarded a Negative Declaration on all environmental impacts. We met the most organized adjacent neighborr.ood improvement group which agreed to support us in our quest for our most demanding variance. Each of three possible financing packages, of which we will finally only need one, is maturing well.

5 Credit Tenanav In addition to the prospective credit tenants with whom we began negotiations in 1993, a large neighborhood realty surveyed the entire Castro and Upper Market region to present to us more interested and qualified tenants who have since held information interviews with our staff. There is lots of fully qualified commercial interest in the space. THE AIDS/HIV LIFE CENTER NEWSLETTER

TENNIS, EVERYONE! GOVERNORS' CUP TOURNAMENT BENEFITS LIFE CENTER It's more than a game. It's tennis and art for life spirit of The Life Center itself." Not to mention - as in The AIDS/HIV Life Center. On Saturday that a fine time was had by all! October 30, the San Francisco Tennis Club, THE ULTIMATE RACQUET Congresswoman and Paul Pelosi. "The Ultimate Racquet" Art Exhibition was an hosted the Governor's Cup Benefit Tourname.nt, event in its own right. Artists, graphic and indus­ a day-long round-robin of matches, a gala dinner trial designers, architects and corporations with live auction and an exhibit of "The Ultimate created their individual version and vision of a Racquets" - tennis rac_quets as art. The day was tennis racquet using a vast array of media and a grand success, netting over $33,000 to help materials. "There were virtually no design speci­ support The Life Center's operations fications," said Sackett. "We asked only that it be and programs. approximately adult Battling it out across tennis racquet size and the nets were 60 dedi­ in some way read as a tennis racquet." He cated players - a mix of pros, club members added jokingly that it not be designed for tour­ and local business 1people. Martina nament play. Navartilova put in a Ultimate racquets exhib­ surprise appearance ited included those of: practicing for a local apparel companies pro tournament. The Eileen West and Esprit; Tammy Kohl Tracey McGuinness following sponsors fine artists Archie Held, helped underwrite the cost of the event: Advent Michael Brennan, Gert McMullin, Peder Software, Lawson Roofing Company, Pedersen, Creative Growth Art Center, artists Woolworth's, Pribuss Engineering, Plant from Hallmark Cards, Inc. and Daniel Goldstein; Construction, Decker Electric, the Pare 55 Hotel, graphic designers Mark Anderson Design, Romak Iron Works, Western Allied Corporation Michael Vanderbyl, Kit Hinrichs/Pentagram, and W.G. Thompson. The San Francisco Tennis -Rick Tharp/Tharp did it, Sackett Design Club donated its facility and staff time for the all Associates; illustrator Willardson and Associates; day affair. All of the food, elegantly prepared architects Jonathan Pearlman and Robinson Mills and presented, was donated by Caffe Delle + Williams; jeweler/ sculptor Tammy Kohl. Stelle, Embarko, Waterfront Resta_urant and Our thanks to all ~f the sponsors, donors and Allied Sysco. committee members from the San Francisco "This ev~nt brings art, sports and the issue of Tennis Club who helped to ensure our success. AIDS together in one place," said Mark Sackett, of Sackett Design Associates, coordinators of the Photos by Bybee Studios tournament. "It's a unique collaboration in the FROM DISASTER TO HOPE -HERS 11-lE ~· WE'RE 6011'46101'IG ,.. ~ 8G 1101..E ~,~ "8001' 1WERE:. The.l SOME GUw. W\LI.. CoMlii AND PUT LIFE CENTER BUILDING To RISE ON THE ~ ~l\..t'ING> IM IT~ PU~TSOtoW SITE OF BURNED CHURCH ~ IN FRCNr-•.• ~ wr; N.Et> Some insist that that the Phoenix must have been ~ .,,~. ~ lillll·..i..,1,1...ol.ld,l,.,.4. a church-going bird. How else to explain the fact that when Trinity United Methodist Church burned down 12 years ago, the bird would arise from the ashes with plans to erect The AIDS/HIV Life Center on the site where the church had been, at Market, Noe and 16th Streets?

It is designed as a one-stop entry point --~i:i-- .;: into the complex world of AIDS ser­ -~~-- ---=---=-· vice organiz~tions presently dispersed throughout the city. A recent UC THE GARDEN Berkeley study reported that people Currently being managed by estate gardener with AIDS need larger, centralized ser­ Chris Jacobson of Gardenart, the plot's fall crop vice provider agencies because many of greens - collards, mustard, arugula and bok clients have difficulty understanding choy - is being harvested and given to Maitri the system. "It is difficult to develop a and Coming Home Hospices. Throughout the sustainable HIV delivery system summer they were supplied with zucchini, green because so many organizations are beans, tomatoes, snow peas, lettuce and chard, operating in a fragmented way," said and dozens of six-foot-high sunflowers! Thomas G. Randall, UC Berkeley "We all owe a special bundle of thanks to Paul professor of Public Health, who co­ Gronberg, who did so much to make the garden authored the study. flourish," Jacobson declared, noting that The building will also house Under althou'gh Gronberg has moved away, his legacy~ One Roof, the shop for AIDS relief, the continues to grow. Paul", a Trinity congregant AI[?S Library Information Network and former Life Center board member, brought (AUN) (see page 6), the Life his magic and love to the garden and trans­ Conference Center and last, but hardly formed it over the past year from " a gentle least, Trinity's new place of worship. meadow to an abundant jungle!" THE STATUS To DATE "The congregation chose to commit its Updating and summarizing the status of The Life land and financial resources to the Center building, Pearlman reports that: struggle against AIDS," says Reverend Paul Dirdak, Trinity's pastor, and Life • The building plans, designed by ar.ke.tek.cher, Center staff member. It demonstrated are being updated to include program changes as that commitment by giving to The Life well as the inclusion of the Windows to Life, the Center a 99-year ground lease for $1 a year, 290-square-foot stained glass art piece designed donating needed funds for program operations specifically for the building (see page 4). and sowing the seeds for the site's temporary • On August 31, the drawings were submitted to tenant, the Life Community Garden. Emphasiz­ the San Francisco Planning Department, along ing the commitment of the church, project with a $12,085 check for the application fee, to director Jonathan Pearlman observed, "I have begin the environmental review and public per­ learned more about love, caring, patience and the mit process. "The long and winding public meaning of serving the community from work­ process is underway," says Pearlman, observing ing with this church than any other religious that the building of Rome was quite possibly as organization I have ever been associated." difficult arid lengthy.

LIFE CENTER To MANAGE FORMER B OF A for community purposes. The bank asked the BUILDING AT 400 CASTRO STREET Supervisors to recommend an appropriate com-' munity organization as a tenant, and the board It will look much the same from the outside, but named an advisory committee to solicit and the former Bank of America building at the cor­ review proposals. The Life Center was asked to ner of.Castro and Market Streets will soon house apply and, on doing so, was chosen to negotiate a new program that is a model of one-stop HIV with the bank to develop the project. The agree­ services. An anonymous HIV testing ment \Yith the Supervisor's advisory committee site, an AIDS service organization limits the term of use for The Life Center to three intake, information and referral center, a years to coincide with the completion of the new ticket booth for Golden Gate Performing building. After that, GGP A has the option to Arts, Inc. (GGP A), a community bulletin continue using the space and intends to create a board and a food service retail store will small community center specifically for gay and all be present when the building opens lesbian arts groups. in late Spring 1994. "Our enthusiasm for managing this project stems "The inclusion of a for-profit business, from our belief that it will be. a critical participant paying full market rent on Castro Street, in the new Life Center building," Life Center makes it possible to give space to the project director Jonathan Pearlman said, adding non-profits at no rental charge for the tha(, "Until then, services available at 400 Castro term of the lease that expires in 2001," Street will be an important benefit to the neigh­ says Ira K. Glasser, development coordi­ borhood and vital in the fight against AIDS." nator for The Life Center. The business wiil also pay for the addition of a mez­ zanine to the two-story space and W1NDows To LIFE provide new carpet, paint and walls. "AIDS is a disease that attacks the body, soul and The Community Developm_ent Block psyche. The Life Center, a place for a wide range Grant (CDBG) program will provide $100,000 for of services, should celebrate life and humanity. a wheelchair lift, renovation of the bathrooms The Windows to Life are exactly that," said pro­ and full compliance with the Americans with ject director Jonathan Pearlman upon viewing Disabilities Act for accessibility. the completed design for the 290-square-foot "Moving the testing site to this central address in art glass window that is being donated to The the Castro will encourage more people to be test­ Life Center. During the week of May 23 to 30, ed and seek information about the disease. It will 16 leading professional glass designers gathered also free space at Health Center #1 (currently an in Napa, California, at the Architectural Glass anonymous testing site) so that it can continue its Design Studio, to participate in the Windows to necessary community work." says Barbara Adler, Life workshop under the guidance of Prof. Community Heaith Progra~ Supervisor for the Johannes Schreiter, an internationally acclaimed AIDS Health Project. glass artist.

.In addition to testing, UCSF's AIDS Health Fabrication is scheduled for 1994 with installa­ Project is joining forces with the San Francisco tion of the window in the main stairhall of The AIDS Foundation, the Shanti Project and Project Life Center by late 1995. The workshop was Open Hand to develop the new program consist­ made possible by the generous donations of C&R ing of counseling, intake, information and Loo, Inc., art glass manufacturers and distribu­ referral. tors; the Goethe Institute of San Francisco and Bellas Artes International, art consultants and How IT HAPPENED even~ coordinator. In late 1992, four members of the Board of Supervisors appealed to the Bank of America to David Plachte-Zuieback, spokesman for the find a way to use its vacant branch at 400 Castro artists who assembled from all over the world, reflected on some of the designs. "A very moving BRISK BOOKINGS FOLLOW OPENING OF panel was done by my wife, Michelle. It is a rep­ LIFE CONFERENCE CENTER resentation of a torn fabric, a powerful symbol of It didn't take long for word to get around that death and grief especially in the Jewish tradition. the AIDS service provider community had a spa­ It symbolizes the torn fabric of society, torn by cious, centrally located new meeting place for the fact that many of the best of us are being lost conferences, seminars, support groups, trainings, to this disease. educational programs, technical assistance work­ "Lyn Howe's design represented a doorway shops and just plain meetings. The Life which one passes through in death. It was a Conference Center in the Wells Fargo Conference Center Open House broader symbol of the transformation and Bank building at 1675 California Street and Art Show change that AIDS brings to people's lives." at the corner of Van Ness Avenue has Introducing its new Life Conference been in constant use since it opened in Michael Pilla, describing his panel, said, "Two Center facility to AIDS service organi­ late June. zations throughout the Bay Area, The ideas emerged that I could not separate from one Life Center hosted an open house another. The first was an image of a warrior. To "We are grateful to Wells Fargo Bank for reception on September 2. The have AIDS or be close to someone who has it, is its very generous gift of space," said evening's entertainment, hosted by Life Center Board President Mark to be engaged in a battle. The other was that of Jonathan Pearlman, project director of Sackett, included two songs by a tabernacle and sanctuary. The disease attacks The AIDS/HIV Life Center which initiat­ a cape/la group, Mary Schmary, and the preview of a public service the physical and in the process, the spirit has to ed and administers the program. announcement for Positive Resource. find sanctuary." The event marked the first of a series Available exclusively for the use of AIDS of art exhibitions at the space by stu­ Michael Larson, principal of ar.ke.tek.cher, design­ service organizations, the facility offers dents at the San Francisco Art ers of The Life Center building, speaking for the two large meeting rooms with conference Institute. Also on display were individ­ ual panels from the NAMES Project's firm, commented, "Five days, 16 artists .. .impossi­ tables and chairs that can accommodate AIDS Memorial Quilt. ble. Impossible that there should result a single up to 80 people each. The conference cen­ Arrayed on walls throughout the impression, an individual expression of one ter is operated at cost and fees are based Conference Center, the work from the point of view. But what we saw... was impossibly on a sliding scale, ranging from $20 to SF Art Institute included many paint­ ings whose themes referred to a world beautiful. In some magical way, order was $40 'per session. "Call us and we'll dis­ affected by AIDS. The showing fea­ brought to the whole. Anyone who climbs its cuss your needs," says conference center tured works by students Larry Aleshire and Georgia Smith, Kristin Calabrese, stairs and walks its sidewalks cannot but be coordinator Brian Basinger. "We'll be John Calhoun, Robert Crouch, David touched by the spirit of brilliant beauty it glad to work with you." D'Andrade, Saeri Kiritani and Alicia bequ~aths." McCarthy. Future exhibitions will offer Among the groups booking space are: work in all media, selected by a stu­ UCSF AIDS Health Project, American dent curatorial committee. Association of Physicians for Human Also enlivening conference center walls is SoHo Gallery's donation of a Rights, the Department of Public Health group of framed prints that includes AIDS Office, Immune Power Foundation, works by Mati~se, Magritte, Keith Project AHEAD, the NAMES Project, Haring and photographer Alfred Stieglitz. WEDGE and Westside Community All of the elegant food, wine and ser­ Mental Health Center. vice for the soiree was donated. For their contributions to the reception, Office furniture for the conference center The Life Center would like to thank: was pro':ided by the UCSF AIDS Health Sterling Vineyards, St Supery and Project in what Pearlman describes as a Renaissance and Sarah Graves for wine, Taste Catering for food and "permanent loan" in the spirit of collabo­ Michael Lia and friends for stalling. ration among AIDS agencies. Other furniture donations were secured through DIFFA from Eugene Lew Associates and other individu­

Jeff Smith, Markyan Olnyk and Daniel als. The San Francisco Art Institute and the SoHo Winterich prepare collage sketches during Gallery have contributed the art work which the Windows to Life workshop. enlivens the space. 0UESTIONS ABOUT AIDS? ASK AUN tern design and a list of the hardware and soft­ ware that the ALIN will require. You're sitting at your desk with a PC and modem, nagged by an AIDS question about ben­ "We'll be knocking on doors, asking manufactur­ efits or opportunistic infections or part-time ers to donate pieces for the system," says employment. A few months from now, you will Douglas Leach, senior producer for be able to dial into the bulletin board of the AIDS ComputerLand, who is volunteering to help Library Information Network (ALIN) and search secure the necessary hardware and software for 1 of 10 information areas for an answer. Over the system. "We have to get on line with this net­ 20 local AIDS organizations will contribute to work," he says firmly. "The present ad hoc and help to maintain the extensive database. The system is extremely confusing and duplicative to San Francisco Public Library, public schools and people with HIV infection." virtually anyone with a modem can also request information from ALIN. The system should be up and running by mid-1994. NEW DIRECTIONS FOR WORK REFERRAL SERVICE ARE POSITIVELY RESOURCEFUL MAJOR PROGRAM The ALIN Bulletin Board System (BBS) is one of A new project manager and project assistant, a The Life Center's major programs. "At this point new location, and an inviting TV spot are putting in the epidemic, we must provide a cohesive, Positive Resource on employers' minds. A pro­ timely and interactive database system of infor­ gram of The Life Center, Positive Resource is a mation for anyone affected by AIDS and HIV," work referral service for people with HIV. Dori says Joe Rosenthal, The Life Center's ALIN pro­ Sprout; project manager since April, says that to ject coordinator. Simply put, its goal is to be an date it has filled 70 job orders for part-time, full­ information and referral service, user-friendly time, temporary and permanent positions. In and accessible to·anyone with a computer and addition, Sproul reports that: modem. "Ultimately, this means that the infor­ • Training classes have started on the three mation will be available not just to people in the Compaq computers secured by Computerland's Bay Area but to people around the world," senior producer Douglas Leach. Taught by train­ Rosenthal adds. er Elizabeth Kent, the initial classes are for Users will be able to request information on people who have basic computer knowledge but agencies, treatments, opportunistic infections, need to brush up on their skills. clinical trials, legal rights and benefits, housing, • A job skills workshop 'that Sproul and special­ referral and calendar events - meetings, _ist Nancie Kosnoff held in late August focused support groups, seminars etc. on interview skills and resume writing.

Among the AIDS service organizations who • At Stanford University's annual Lesbian and can provide the network with data are: AIDS Gay Workplace Issues Conference in October, Benefits-Counselors, AIDS Clinical Trials Sproul and Brian Basinger, PR's new project Database, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, UCSF assistant, led a workshop, Alternative Employment AIDS Health Project, Positive Resource and the for People with HIV. Department of Public Health AIDS Office. • Nestle Corporation has sponsored a member­ D ESIGNING THE S YSTEM ship for Positive Resource in the Golden Gate The information system is being designed by Business Association. The company's Human Joe Rosenthal, former head librarian at the Resources Department is working with Sproul to University of California, Berkeley and Ellen implement a plan to use PR workers for many of Goldstein, of the Center for AIDS Prevention Nestle's temporary jobs. Studies. Stacy Mecklenberg, who heads Technical Support for QD Systems of Berkeley, • The program's first public service announce­ has developed a preliminary equipment and sys- ment (PSA) has been created and is being aired by Bay Area television stations KRON-TV, KGO­ Thom Weyand, development; Lorraine Gnecco, TV, KPIX and Viacom 6. Produced by Paul Hill personnel; and Roberto Esteves, marketing/ and directed by David James of Industrial Light public relations. and Magic, who volunteered their services, the Completing the roster is former secretary Ruth 30-second spot portrays people at work in a vari­ "Jenx" Jenkins who represents Trinity United ety of jobs that Positive Resource can fill. The Methodist Church. Jenx is a church member, PSA has been produced in both English and archivist for the NAMES Project and a founding Spanish so that PR can reach a broader audience. Board member of The Life Center. Thanks also to (Colossal) Pictures who animated PR's logo and to the dozens of people who vol­ High on Board President Sackett's list of priori­ unteered to create the spot. ties for The Life Center is a marketing and public relations campaign to broaden awareness of and . support for its building and programs. He is ON BOARD keenly interested in the AIDS Library Infor­ Six new directors and a new slate of officers were mation Network program because "it will extend elected at the August meeting of The Life our reach far beyond the building. The technolo­ Center's Board of Directors. The new members gy will enable us to provide access to resources are Pamela Fyffe and Jane Porter, principals of in a way that has never before been possible." CareLinc; Lorraine Gnecco, vice president of per­ The Advisory Board is also evolving with many sonnel for The Nature Company; Javier Valencia, new members, including Tim Wolfred who community manager for KRON-TV; Thom has taken the role of president. New members Weyand, assistant director of development for jnclude: Ruth Brinker, founder of Project Open the California College of Hand; Tom Gerfen, president of Robinson Arts and Crafts and Harish Shah, principal of Mills + Williams; Doug Holloway, an executive Robinson Mills + Williams, a large San Francisco vice president of Wells Fargo Bank and board architecture firm. Shah has been a member of the president of the Shanti Project, and the Hon. Advisory Board for the past two years. Carole Migden, Supervisor, City and County of Board officers are Mark Sackett, president; Tim San Francisco. Hanlon, treasurer; Javier Valencia, secretary;

------· Please cut or copy and return . • ------: ------

I want to help build The Life Center with my tax-deductibte contribution. 0 $20 D $50 0 $100 D Other _____

This donation is given in memory of: ______

Name ______

Address ______

City/State/Zip ______Phone ______

D Please include me on your mailing list and let me know of upcoming events and projects. Thank you and we appreciate your support!

Please make checks payable to: The AIDS/HIV Life Center 1675 California Street San Francisco, CA 94109 415-928-1498 MISCELLANY

THE LIFE CENTER MovEs ITs OFFICE To CONFERENCE CENTER In an effort to tighten our belt and take advantage of the donation of space at the Life Conference Center, our offices are now located at 1675 California Street, San Francisco, California 94109. Our fax number changes to 415-928-1446 and our new phone number is 415-928-1498.

CLEAN YouR CLOSETS: DONATE To THE LIFE CENTER!

The next time you clean your closet or bookcases or have a piece of furniture you want to donate, bring it to Community Thrift on Valencia at 17th Street. When you turn in your donation, you will be asked to speci­ fy a community non-profit group to which the proceeds of the resale of your donation will be distributed. Pick The Life Center, numb-llr 250. Its as simple as that. Over the following months, we will receive a cash donation directly from you through Community Thrift. So start your Spring cleaning now!

UsE A LASER PRINTER? DoN'T THROW AwAv THE OLD CARTRIDGE - · DONATE To THE LIFE CENTER!

On Line Business Technology has begun a Cartridge Contribution Program to raise money for community non-profit agencies and environmental awareness. To reduce the waste and toxic hazard from laser car­ tridge disposal, On Line will recycle them and in the process, donate $5 to an agency which you can specify, i.e. The Life Center. A large company can raise $1,000's a month for us. If you are interested in having your company participate in the program, please contact Robert Gould of On Line at 415-882-4811. ' You can help the environment while helping to support our programs.

2299 MARKET STREET, INC. NON-PROFIT ORG. THE AIDS/HIV LIFE CENTER U.S. POSTAGE 1675 CALIFORNIA STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109 PAID (415) 928-1498 SAN FRANCISCO, CA PERMIT NO. 3040 '