WESTSIDE BSERVER VOLUME 24 • NUMBER 10 December-Janurary 2011 Tigers and Bears on Bengal Alley By Doug Comstock Quentin Kopp ay and her husband Fred Curry have an unobstructed view of Hooey, Hoopla and Bengal Alley from their Mount Davidson balcony on Lansdale. It’s Horse Sense Knot an alley at all, but a three section pathway that begins along the side of the Curry’s home, where its newly restored cobblestone stairs invite a lei- – 3 surely meander, then turns down the 17° slope to the exit at the cement stairs on Miraloma Street. With stunning ocean views, it’s a peaceful public right-of-way Photo: Luke Thomas where squirrels and wild birds compete for nature’s bounty. It is also a practical shortcut for the tread the additional two or three inhabitants of Sherwood Forest to meet block detour along Lansdale, Casi- George Wooding the 43 MUNI that stops at its foot—no tas and Miraloma that the closure mean consideration for riders who must of Bengal Alley precipitated. RPD Behaving Badly? It was closed in 20081 Shock: The Curry’s “Notice to Repair Sidewalk” estimated at half a million George Calls and there is no date cer- Them Out – 3 tain for its completion. crawl—through the mud obstacle course But, essentially, it was closed of the central section, to reach the crum- to all but the most nimble visi- bling cement stairs at Miraloma. Then tor long before Department of there was the washout, common in the Public Works installed the chain area, which nearly covered the remaining Steve Lawrence link fences. Overgrown with steps. Sometimes those brush, clogged with excavated Dave Bisho was one of the neighbors rubble dumped from neighbor- inconvenienced by the closure of the path. popular programs are ing developments and a large, “There is absolutely nothing wrong with just trimmings – 4 discarded tree trunk, travelers this right of way. Bengal Alley between were required to stoop—almost Cont. p. 2 Parkmerced Agreement Illegally Will Durst Excluded Public Turkeys Get Cooked By Hope Johnson, Chair, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force urking in the darkest – 4 corners of San Fran- Lcisco’s Parkmerced Development Agreement is the question of enforceability of the agreement’s rent con- WOTPCC trol provision. The elusive Photo: Kerry Huang courtesy of The Epoch Times answer remains shadowed in November Election Best of the Net odd mystery, and the Board of Rehash– 7 Supervisors has done little to Rose Pak Makes Deals, Gains Influence shed much needed light on the By Matthew Robertson controversial issue. ose Pak had more in mind than a light Thai dinner Can the City require replacement of existing rent con- when she walked into the now-shuttered Bong Su trolled housing scheduled for demolition? Jerry Cadagan restaurant, with David Chiu in tow, on 3rd and Fol- California’s Costa-Hawkins Act prevents local regulations R from requiring rent control on new construction. Rent control som in March 2009. Is the SF PUC Stepping Harlan Kelly, her old friend who is assistant general manager on the new apartments might make the project economically Up to the Plate?– 9 for infrastructure of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commis- impractical. sion, was waiting for the pair. Pak had been Chiu’s date for the But the City Attorney’s Office position is that rent con- first few months of his time as Supervisor of District 3. trol is part of the contract, and there is no reason to believe At Bong Su that night it was a rendition of “Getting to Know the contract will be violated or challenged. Despite that assur- You,” Rose Pak-style. ance, the Board of Supervisors spent several hours discussing the enforceability question during its March 29, 2011 hearing …but how she acquired that power is something of a on appeal of the Planning Commission’s 4-3 vote approval of Around the Town the environmental impact report. If It’s Topical mystery. She is not registered to vote, is not a registered The Board ultimately chose to continue their decision on lobbyist, and is not reported to receive any remuneration the appeal to May 24th to allow time to consider the oddly mys- It’s In Here – 11 terious legal standing of the City to enforce such a condition. from her sole reported place of employment, the Chinese Meanwhile, the Parkmerced Development Agreement Chamber of Commerce.“ itself was assigned to the Board’s Land Use Committee for May She introduced the two of them, highlighting how wonder- 16, 2011. Committee Chair Eric Mar opened the meeting by ful it was that Chiu was a Harvard graduate, and that Kelly was explaining that, because the item had been improperly noticed, no action could be taken—the item would be continued to the Meeting Notices 5 an old friend. Pak had slipped into a black dress for the occa- sion. Chiu was in his characteristic blue suit. Kelly stuck with committee’s May 24th hearing. Westside is 25 5 shirtsleeves. Supervisor Sean Elsbernd introduced “technical amend- Joe O’Donoghue 5 Nursing her whiskey after the initial chit-chat, Pak dived into ments” to the agreement. Discussion ensued, including enforce- Patrick Monet Shaw 6 the nitty-gritty of the meeting: Kelly manages billions of dollars ability of the rent control provision and Chair Mar’s concern that energy consumption might need revision. Members of the MUNI Study/Strassner 8 in contracts; how might those (nudge, Chiu) be made available not just for the international players, but local contractors, too? public were provided copies of the revised agreement and were Money Matters 8 It was left unsaid that “local contractors” meant businesses told it would be available online later that day. Arts Commission 9 that could later throw money at Pak’s political projects on call. The newly introduced amendments were then approved by Calendar 12 The conversation didn’t get that far. Chiu wasn’t ready to commit the committee, notwithstanding Chair Mar’s repeated declara- tion that no action would be taken on the agreement until May At the Movies 13 to anything and he had another function to attend, so he excused himself after about 45 minutes, according to an individual sitting 24th. On Stage/Theater 13 at an adjacent table who heard the entire exchange. When asked One week later, on May 24th, two separate meetings were Oak/Fell Bike Paths 14 about the encounter, Chiu said he couldn’t remember clearly. scheduled that involved approval of the Parkmerced project, Sharon the Health 15 He said that he might have been with Kelly and Pak at a table one was the Land Use Committee’s continued discussion at 9 together at some time. am and the other was the regularly scheduled meeting of the Remember When 16 full Board of Supervisors later that same day at 2 pm. The Land Phyllis’ Findings 16 Rose Pak has been a power broker in San Francisco politics for two decades, but how she acquired that power is something of Use Committee was to make a referral on the agreement to the Open Late 16 a mystery. She is not registered to vote, is not a registered lobby- Sudaku/Brain Füd 16 ist, and is not reported to receive any remuneration from her sole The Sunshine Ordinance Task Force concluded that the Jack Kaye 17 reported place of employment, the Chinese Chamber of Com- last minute introduction of fourteen pages of amend- Kocivar on Education 17 merce. Yet friends and foes alike credit her with being someone who gets things done. ments did not provide adequate time for members of Gardening 19 “For the people who have gone down that road, it’s very the public to review and comment on them as required Real Travel 20 difficult to figure out…what you find is one percent of the ice- under Sunshine…” WWW.WESTSIDEOBSERVER.COM berg, the other 99 percent nobody can see,” says Aaron Peskin, a Cont. p. 6 Cont. p. 5 Page 2 Westside Observer December-January 2011 BENGAL ALLEY (Cont. from p. 1) repair to be made, and all costs shall be a lien on such property.” “Estimates were thrown around,” Curry said, “The suggestion (Supervisor) Elsbernd made that Miraloma and Lansdale is the main link for many Mt. “like half a million dollars.” Davidson and Sherwood Forest residents,” he said. “I’ve For the Currys, who are retired seniors, it was a Bengal Alley has to be ADA compliant is untrue— been going up that way since I was in grammar school.” In shocking prospect. The current improvements cost “only only sites that have ADA areas within them must a letter to the City Attorney he requested that the owners about $30,000.” The completed project should come close clear the property and remove the locked gates to “open to $50,000. One of the neighbors has contributed their be ADA compliant. There are hundreds of public this vital link to the public once again…its closure dis- share for 2009 and 2010, and they hope to get help from pathways and right-of-ways all over the city not courages neighbors above the other two stakeholders ADA compliant, including at least a dozen on Mt. from using public transit.” and the Friends of Bengal At a meeting with Alley; they will also apply Davidson alone.” …DAVE BISHO District 7 Supervisor Els- for other grants. bernd, Bisho was not con- After consulting the storm drains on Miraloma. Pressure-treated redwood vinced that it would cost with other landowners, retaining walls and steps are lined with plastic to assure the adjoining neighbors as “Project Steward” for longer life. hundreds of thousands of the undertaking,2 Curry Small Concrete Exit Stairs At the end of Miraloma, dollars to bring the path decided that they would there is a newer set than the others, though its origin is up to code. He felt the opt for a more permanent unknown. The larger, higher set of stairs has suffered ero- estimates were way over- fix, “not one that would sion and has no footings; it may need to be stabilized or blown. “The suggestion last for 20 years, but for replaced in the future. Elsbernd made that Ben- a hundred years,” Curry Planting Areas Volunteers from the Permaculture gal Alley has to be ADA said. They didn’t want Guild and Friends of Bengal Alley will plant the fruit compliant is untrue— something that a rain- trees, elderberry bushes and flowering plants that will only sites that have ADA storm could wash away in serve to stabilize the alley, as well as provide yield and areas within them must a matter of a few hours. habitat. Plants will begin to be delivered in January. be ADA compliant. There At the same time, they For Dave Bisho and the neighbors above the walk- are hundreds of public wanted to avoid hardscape way, the project can’t be finished too soon, and the Currys pathways and right-of- improvements and the are grateful for the patience of the inconvenienced neigh- ways all over the city not extensive permit regula- bors. Everyone is anxious to see the site completed and, ADA compliant, includ- tions they might take. They contingent on the approval of DPW, the removal of the ing at least a dozen on Mt. contacted David Cody chain link fence. Davidson alone.” at the SF Permaculture When it is returned to the public, Bengal Alley will When DPW closed Guild3 whose Hayes Valley be a showcase as an inexpensive solution to slope chal- the passageway and gave Farm reuses an old free- lenges. This community asset is a small treasure that will the adjoining neighbors way entrance at Octavia; also have a sustainable planting and maintenance plan for 30 days to repair the Cody worked with them the exotic and native plants. “sidewalk,” Kay Curry to design improvements To join Friends of Bengal Alley, or for information on how organized Friends of Ben- at Bengal Alley. Boaz Mor to help with time or much needed cash donations, contact gal Alley. It was noticed is the construction com- bengalstairs.org. as an “unaccepted pub- pany responsible for lic right-of-way.” Then designing and overseeing Deputy Director Moham- final construction. mad Nuru reviewed the Cobblestone Steps initial renovation plans and visited the site, but denied Kay Curry applied for a grant through the SF Parks Trust the neighbors’ request for help with the plan without (now the SF Parks Alliance) to help repair the stair sec- improvements, noting “concerns about the safety of peo- tion. They received a $850 grant, which helped with the ple on the path.” Though she agrees that the passageway $4,385 expense. Today they are fully restored. was unsafe in 2008, “no one has ever, to my knowledge, Mid-section Planters The new stairs, in the section been injured on the walkway,” said Curry. Regardless, if that is less steep, are being replaced with a simple winding they did not make the repairs, the City would “cause such set of wooden steps dug into the hillside to make the path safer and improve water retention, that will last lon- ger than most hiking trails and require less mainte- nance. The beds, supported by retaining walls averaging St. Luke’s Women’s Center Meet & Greet two to three feet in height, will slow and sink water into the soil and provide raised beds for vegetation, allow rooting to take hold. The intent is that no water will exit the site, but peak flows Meet our expert team of certified nurse could still exit the site via midwives and physicians and learn more about our services: 1 www.westsideobserver. com/news/bengal.html n Family centered prenatal care 2 www.bengalstairs.org n Centering program group prenatal care 3 www.permaculture-sf.org n Low intervention childbirth practices (personal preferences respected) n Continuity of care (pre-conception through postpartum services)

Thursday, December 8 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

St. Luke’s Campus, California Pacific Medical Center Griffin Room, 1st floor 3555 Cesar Chavez Street, San Francisco

Call 415-641-6911 for more information and to reserve Having a baby? your space. Looking for a midwife/OB practice? cpmc.org/stlwomen The Women’s Center at St. Luke’s can help. December-January 2011 Westside Observer Page 3 Rec & Park RUMINATIONS FROM A FORMER SUPERVISOR By Quentin Kopp Ginsburg’s and Ballard’s Official Misconduct erriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, By George Wooding Tenth Edition, defines hooey as “nonsense” Mand states that its 1924 origin is unknown. n May 2011, the Recreation and Parks Department (RPD) I find hooey in contemporary publications in San Fran- and its governing body, the Recreation and Parks Commis- cisco, the daily morning newspaper and otherwise, on Ision (RPC), sought to derail a public debate about plans for an almost-daily basis. The history, for example, of laws Golden Gate Park at a Commonwealth Club panel discussion. becomes obscure or muddied in an era of rapid com- That a City department and its highest-ranking employees would munications and apparently little patience for histori- engage in stifling public debate is deplorable enough. cal facts. One example is the so-called “three strikes” That the same City department then withheld public records law enacted by California voters on November 8, 1994 Photo: Thomas/fogcityjournal.com Luke regarding its attempted curtailment of the First Amendment was by an initiative, commonly then known as Proposition equally disturbing, and led me to a five-month battle to release the public records. 184. It’s not only criminal defense lawyers who condemn The Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, “Golden Gate Park Under Siege!” The four abhorrently such law as inflexible; it’s newspaper columnists, editorial writers and referred “willful violation” and “official invited panelists included Mark Lynes, academic commentators. To the contrary, by approving the “three strikes” law (Cal- misconduct” charges against RPD staff to Conservation Director and General Coun- ifornia Penal Code Section 1170.2)(c)(2)(A)), California voters, as noted in a 1996 Ethics Commission for enforcement, my sel for the Golden Gate Audubon Society; California Court of Appeals decision, determined that those defendants who have citizen’s victory. Katherine Howard, ASLA, a landscape been convicted of serious or violent felonies merit greater punishment upon con- There are many fine people who work architect and member of the Golden Gate viction of any new felony. Fifteen years ago the law was deemed constitutional by for but General Manager Phil Ginsburg Park Preservation Alliance’s steering com- the United States Supreme Court after having previously been deemed constitu- and PR Director Sarah Ballard, among mittee; Anthea Hartig, Ph.D, president of tional by the California Supreme Court. others, are ruining RPD’s reputation. the Western Office National Trust for His- In 2008 Mayor Newsom appointed toric Preservation; and myself, then-cur- his former Chief of Staff as RPD’s General rent president of the West of Twin Peaks Among the ordinances and proposals under consideration to cure our City’s ills Manager. Ginsburg had no experience with Central Council. The panel moderator was are such beauties as an effort by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and recreation or parks. Ballard was formerly a Jim Chappell, former director of SPUR. supervisors to raise money by forcing a private property owner who furnishes legislative aide to Supervisor Michela Ali- A promotional flier for the forum oto-Pier, and the wife of Newsom’s former indicated that dramatic, potentially devas- free parking to his or her customers on his or her private property to pay the city press secretary Nathan Ballard. tating changes to Golden Gate Park were an annual fee of $1000 per parking space. Think about it: a business owner buys The Ginsburg-led RPD is relying underway as privatization and industrial heavily on public-private partnerships to development converge, indicating the property in order to conduct business and ensures space for customers to park generate income for RPD. These relation- forum would include supporters, neigh- without charge. That means customers don’t need to plug money constantly into ships have potential to be financially bene- bors, and members of local organizations ficial, but Ginsburg’s and Ballard’s desire to who aim to protect the park’s heritage. parking meters. It’s obvious the Metropolitan Transportation Authority resents please wealthy donors is pushing private- City Fields Foundation wants RPD to such foresight and business sense.” donor agendas over public agendas. pave over the seven-and-a-half-acre Beach As criminal law practitioners, victim theft, shoplifting, or marijuana possession If your neighborhood needs a drink- Chalet soccer field by replacing natural rights organizations, and students may and then sustaining a 25 year-to-life sen- ing fountain fixed, the RPD may (or may grass with artificial turf, add 60-foot light- know, the law arose from a sickening event tence. The 1994 initiative confers discre- not) get around to it. But if billionaire War- ing, widen roads, increase parking, and on October 1, 1993 when 12-year-old Polly tion upon the prosecuting attorney in any ren Hellman, (Hardly Strictly Bluegrass), add bleachers so that the fields can be used Klaas of Petaluma was kidnapped and California county to move to dismiss or or the Fisher Family, (City Fields Founda- until 10:00 p.m. Additionally, the Public murdered by a repeated felon on parole, strike a prior felony conviction allegation who was then arrested on November 30, in the furtherance of justice. And, if faith This is the first time a City department eventually produced documents from back 1993. The felon, Richard Allen Davis, in prosecutorial discretion lacks respect up files … These public officials signed non-public e-mails using their public owned a lengthy criminal record of arrests among the aforementioned circles, the and convictions, commencing at the age California Supreme Court in 1996 reiter- titles in an attempt to sway the Commonwealth Club to bias a forum…” of 12 and incurred over four decades. ated that the “three strikes” law did not The father of a teenaged girl previously give prosecuting attorneys the power to tion), want a favor, it gets done. The RPD Utilities Commission (PUC) is trying to murdered by a convicted felon in Fresno, veto judicial decisions to dismiss a prior has become a lobbyist for the wealthy. This add a four-acre wastewater treatment plant California started an initiative, which eas- felony conviction allegation in furtherance need to please has led directly to freedom right beside the synthetic soccer fields. ily qualified for the November 1994 State of justice, meaning that any judge presid- of speech issues and charges of ethics vio- With trees being chopped down and natu- General Election. Prior thereto, the legis- ing over a criminal defendant’s trial and lations against Ginsburg and Ballard. ral grass fields paved over with recycled lature passed its own “three strikes” stat- eventual conviction possesses inherent Phil Ginsburg, Sarah Ballard, secre- rubber tires, over half of the western edge ute, signed by then-governor Pete Wilson power to dismiss and ignore a prior con- tary Olive Gong, and RPC president Mark of GGP is going to be altered. The park’s on March 8, 1994. Essentially, both the viction of a serious or violent felony in sen- Buell were all found to have violated the Master plan clearly states the western part legislative and initiative versions provide tencing a criminal convicted of petty theft, Sunshine Ordinance, including failure to of GGP should remain in a natural state, that any person convicted of a second fel- for example. Commonly, in sentencing a respond, withholding public records, and but the RPD needs the Fisher money and ony is subject to a mandatory state prison person just convicted of a third crime and failing to assist the requestor. The Sun- the PUC rent money more than they need confinement at twice the number of years possessing a record of two prior serious or shine Ordinance Task Force (SOTF) is the natural fields and landscape. otherwise applicable to the second felony violent felony convictions, the judge pre- an 11-member committee appointed to Fearful the Commonwealth Club and those criminal defendants with two siding over a petty theft trial will dismiss ensure compliance with local open gov- forum might upend the Fisher Family’s or more prior felony convictions and con- one of the prior felony convictions. I have ernment laws. Their determination that a plans, Ginsburg, Ballard, Buell, and lob- victed of a third act constituting a felony done it myself in those circumstances. violation of the Ordinance has occurred byist Susan Hirsch, tried to cancel or alter are subject to a minimum sentence of 25 In other words the “three strikes” law, as involving willful failure or official miscon- the forum. Ten days before it was to be years. (Serious felonies include murder, interpreted by the California Supreme duct, may result in discharge from office. held, the Commonwealth Club’s switch- voluntary manslaughter, rape, assault with Court, inherently possesses provisions On October 25, the SOFT voted board started receiving calls stating that intent to commit rape or robbery, assault which prevent the type of imagined injus- unanimously to forward charges of official the panel was “unfair and biased,” followed with a deadly weapon or instrument on a tice critical commentators love to conjure misconduct against Ginsburg and Ballard by letters and phone calls to members. Bal- peace officer, arson, exploding a destruc- in order to convince people unfamiliar to the Ethics Commission under Section lard e-mailed the Commonwealth Club tive device causing great bodily injury, bur- with the criminal justice system that the 67.34 of the ordinance, which involves the that panelists were likely to incite the audi- glary, robbery, kidnapping, selling heroin, “three strikes” law is abusive and subject to willful failure — deemed official miscon- ence, were not rationally able to discuss cocaine or any methamphetamine-related no commonsensical judicial restraints. In duct — of any elected official, department the issues, and were deeply biased, had drug and grand theft involving a firearm.) a civilized society, the law is justifiable and head, or other managerial City employee no interest in discussing facts and recom- The only difference in the two “three necessary. I doubt voters will repeal it. to discharge duties imposed by the Sun- mended the forum be canceled. strikes” versions of the law as between the On November 5, 1996, two years after shine Ordinance, the Brown Act, or Cali- Buell e-mailed Commonwealth Club Legislature and the People of the State of the people of the State of California enacted fornia’s Public Records Act. CEO Greg Dalton that he found the California is that the statute approved by the “three strikes” law, voters enacted the In addition, the SOTF also ruled that forum’s title inflammatory and the partici- the Legislature required the third felony constitutional prohibition against discrim- RPD secretary Olive Gong, RPD’s Custo- pants biased. Buell demanded the forum’s conviction be based upon a serious or vio- ination or preferential treatment (Califor- dian of Records, and RPC president Mark title be changed to “Issues Facing the Park” lent crime; the initiative does not specifi- nia Constitution, Article 1, Section 31). It Buell failed to comply with an Order of and demanded an RPD representative be cally so require and some repeated crimes declares the state shall not discriminate Determination, resulting in a referral to included on the panel. Buell was added as like petty theft qualify as a “third strike” against, or grant preferential treatment Ethics under Sunshine Section 67.30(c), a panelist, but the Club held its ground, under the initiative. That has led to clamor to, any individual or group on the basis which applies to any person who has vio- changing the title to “Golden Gate Park every few years or so, and particularly now of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national lated any provision of the Sunshine Ordi- Under Siege?,” replacing the exclamation because of asserted overcrowding of state origin in activities of public employment, nance or other public records Acts. point with a question mark. prisons, that the “three strikes” law must public education or public contracting. It If the Ethics Commission upholds City Fields Foundation’s director be revised, if not repealed. For example, in also provides that nothing in the law shall the SOTF referral against these four RPD Hirsch, wrote to the Club event modera- the 2004 State General Election, a revision, be interpreted as prohibiting bona fide staff, the case will be forwarded to Mayor tor Jim Chappell from her private e-mail commonly called Proposition 66, would qualifications based on sex which are rea- Ed Lee, who will then have to decide if the address: “I wanted to follow-up to the have explicitly required the third felony sonably necessary to the normal operation four should be removed for misconduct. phone message I left you regarding the conviction to be violent or serious so as of public employment, public education or This is the third major Sunshine violation upcoming Commonwealth Club discus- to trigger a 25 years-to-life sentence. Vot- public contracting. The law governs any by the RPD in the last three years. Ironi- sion about Golden Gate Park. We [the City ers rejected it and with good reason. What city, county, city and county, the University cally, every RPC meeting agenda includes Fields Foundation] have a unique public- the academic pontificators, the American of California, the California State Univer- a required statement: “Know your rights private partnership with Rec and Park; it’s Civil Liberties Union, critics and some sity system, Community Colleges, school under the Sunshine Ordinance. Govern- too bad the focus is on something nega- politicians neglect to inform citizens is districts, special districts and all other ment’s duty is to serve the public, reaching tive, rather than the positive impact.” that the “three strikes” initiative expressly political subdivisions or governmental its decisions in full view of the public.” Hirsch & Associates, on behalf of contains protection against the conced- instrumentalities. Private Partners Sabotage Public Event brothers Bob, Bill and John Fisher, created edly questionable spectacle of a criminal Notwithstanding countless efforts, The Commonwealth Club sched- the City Fields Foundation to collaborate defendant with two prior serious or violent including those by San Francisco city uled a panel discussion for May 11 titled, Cont. p. 14 felony convictions being convicted of petty Cont. p. 18 Page 4 Westside Observer December-January 2011 Hang Those Ornaments By Steve Lawrence ver noticed that the little extra expenses add up? How tempting is the seemingly insignificant little Eextra. What a pretty ornament! Not that we don’t already have too many. It’s the same or worse at the municipal level. Let’s do some- thing nice for those in favor. Examine almost any agenda for a And so it routinely goes. At the same Commission meeting of the SFPUC and meeting $100,000 was authorized for a you will find ornaments, large and small. pilot project to enhance water efficiency A large ornament can be a whole program, in community gardens. There we go; we such as the CCA program (community spend $100,000 perhaps to teach gardeners choice aggregation), the holy child of pro- how to water better? Also, an MOU (mem- gressive Supes. In October CleanPowerSF orandum of understanding, a bureaucrat’s (the child’s name) advanced. Displacing contract) was authorized with the Arts PG&E, beginning about July, this City Commission. A small water district just program is to sell “100% clean” electric south of the City had its $106,000 contract power to a target of 75,000 green San increased by $209,000 to speed recycled Francisco households. The additional cost water for Harding Park. will be about $7-15 per month added to Of course compared to the $300 mil- the household’s electric bill. Public power lion operating budget for our municipal advocates are tickled pink. Water Enterprise—and to debt spend- With all its spending, how tempting it must be to steer a little here, a little there, to worthwhile groups and interests about whom feelings are warm. Cheer, cheer! For MY TWO CENTS By Will Durst bureaucrats it can be Christmas all year! Even better when TURKEY HOLOCAUST DAY 2011. the spending is debt spending; we all know how using a Let me be among the first 40-foot helium-filled balloons to credit card is so much easier than parting with cash.” kick-start our national parade of giving thanks. That’s right, we’re just about to butt heads with Turkey Holocaust Day, and to be perfectly honest, its about time. A little tryptophan poisoning But the majority of ornaments are ing of that is perhaps double that this fis- might be the perfect prescription for these trying times. smaller, are hardly noticeable on our cal year—these October ornaments are Doubly comforting because this par- must be so proud. already over-flowing municipal tree. dinky. With all its spending, how tempt- ticular holiday isn’t about greasing the The Occupy For example, in October the SFPUC ing it must be to steer a little here, a little wheels of capitalism with the fire- hose Wall Streeters. The 1% dismiss the Occu- (your water, sewer and public power sup- there, to worthwhile groups and interests of consumer debt like that other holiday piers due to questionable hygiene. Just plier) agreed to buy “conservation credits.” about whom feelings are warm. Cheer, about a month down the road, which shall because you smell odd doesn’t mean your Is this like Al Gore’s indulgences? Warm cheer! For bureaucrats it can be Christmas remain nameless. And this one doesn’t message is any less true. The fact they can’t warning Al flew about the globe, using all year! Even better when the spending is hide under any religious robes either. It’s afford Chanel No. 5 may be part of the much energy while he railed against green- debt spending; we all know how using a purely about the journey to Comfort City point. house gases and rallied the greens. To credit card is so much easier than parting through the Gluttonous Woods. Food, Bill Clinton who refuses to go away. make up for his carbon-spewing ways he with cash. family, friends and football. 4 of the 5 Fs. God bless him. Although, President purchased carbon credits or offsets (indul- Just as your little extras can add up to So, allow me to express my gratitude Obama might harbor another opinion. gences), which made it all copacetic. bloat your budget, so too do the tempt- for the 4th Thursday of November. One of Michele Bachmann. Her Newsweek Similarly, SFPUC ornaments its tree ing ornaments of public spending boost the little things that goes a long, long way cover photo made her look spooky so sup- by buying credits for “up to” $550,000 the rates you pay for water and sewer ser- to making life worth living. And here’s a porters complained they cherry- picked a from Wildlands Inc. What is Wildlands vice. Bills for water and sewer are headed couple other examples of what a middle- creepy looking photo on purpose. Then Inc? Its website says it provides “custom considerably higher. In a dozen years it aged round-headed political pundit bows the magazine put the entire photo shoot up mitigation banking solutions.” The web- is expected that the typical bill for sewer his head and gives thanks for. online, asking, “which one would you have site pictures a handsome blue heron. “To service will be about 3.25 times what it is Barack Obama. Because no matter picked?” And everybody shut up. restore, enhance, preserve, and manage... today. Rates for water have doubled over what you think of his policies, you got to The entire Democratic Party, for fail- in perpetuity.” How warm and wonderful. the past five years; and over the next five admire his ability not to get involved in ing to realize they’re in the middle of a war. Did SFPUC competitively bid to years your water bill will increase by more them. Republicans attack them with torches and acquire this custom mitigation banking than it has these past five. Dick Cheney. 6 Heart attacks and the pitchforks and the Democratic response is service? What is the service, exactly? It is When does the tree over-laden with man still manages to go on a book tour. to introduce legislation to reform pitch- hard to know; this ornament was autho- ornaments tip over? When does a plucked How does a guy without a heart, have 6 fork safety standards. rized without discussion by the SFPUC public arise? heart attacks? It would be like Rick Perry The entire GOP, which is waging an Commission. The matter was on the con- Have a merry holiday season! contracting a brain tumor. internal war for it’s very soul. The GOP sent calendar, meaning discussion was Steve Lawrence is a longtime utility activist. Rick Perry suffered a 53 second brain Soul. Short book. Put it on the shelf right considered unnecessary. Feedback: [email protected] freeze during a national debate. 53 sec- next to Great Democratic Leadership onds. It only took the San Francisco Forty Battles. PO Box 27176, SF 94127 • 415 517-6331 Niners 8 seconds longer to score 2 touch- Sarah Palin. Who refuses to go away. www.westsideobserver.com Contributors: Julie Behn, Mitch Bull, Jerry downs last Sunday. The Niners! God bless her. Although, Mitt Romney Publisher/Editor: Mitch Bull Cadagan, Sharon Caren, Doug Comstock, Will Former Democratic New York Con- might harbor another opinion. Or two. gressman Anthony Weiner who escaped Diametrically opposed to each other. [email protected] Durst, Jonathan Farrell, Hilary Gordon, Flora the press by entering sexual rehab. “I’m a Pat Robertson who called the Repub- Editor: Doug Comstock Lynn Isaacson, Hope Johnson, Joanne Jordan, sexual addict.” Yeah. There’s another name lican presidential field too extreme. Pat [email protected] Jack Kaye, Dr. Carol Kocivar, Quentin Kopp, Steve for that. We call it-Male. The man is simply Robertson blasting his party for extrem- Associate Editor: Alice Bull Lawrence, Matthew Robertson, Dr. Annette Lust, suffering from a not so atypical case of Y ism. That’s like having your drug inter- Brandon Miller, Don Lee Miller, Patrick Monette- Ad Sales • Mitch Bull chromosome poisoning. vention hosted by Lindsay Lohan. And Shaw, Sergio Nibbi, Phyllis Sherman, George Wood- Newt Gingrich for refusing to go gen- Charley Sheen is driving the van. ing. Photos: Blair Randall, Luke Thomas. tly into that good night. Even Brett Favre is You can’t make stuff up like this. See, The ideas and opinions expressed in these pages are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff or saying “give it up, old man.” I’m telling you. Life is good. Thankfully publisher of this paper. The Westside Observer is a free monthly newspaper serving the entire West of Twin Peaks area of San Francisco. Herman Cain, whose long-form, yours. Circulation is 20,000 copies, distributed 10 times a year. 12,000 are distributed -to-door, 1,500 are distributed via free distribution racks in cross-country, Fox News audition has Check out the website: willdurst.com the West of Twin Peaks area, as well as libraries and other key drop-off points (see westsideobserver.com/hardcopy.html). exceeded all expectations. Roger Ailes Letters to the Editor The article, “Two Tough Little Dogs One important fact left out of the raise the anxiety of coyotes: I’m not sure whereas many dogs have chased after Survive Attack Of Two Hungry Coyotes”, in article is that these very small and active why, perhaps it is because of the skittish coyotes. If a coyote approaches a dog, it the November 2011 issue of your Westside dogs were not leashed, in an area where and high-energy behaviors of such dogs. could be for various reasons, from friendly Observer, was high on sensationalism and the owner knew coyotes have been seen. And coyotes raise the anxiety of dogs. This curiosity, to messaging a warning, to test- inaccurate in its use of words. Several weeks before, I had met the owner is why it is important to keep them apart ing and teasing — these don’t constitute This seems to be the usual fare in there with her small dogs, unleashed then — peaceful coexistence entails keeping “attacks.” Coyotes have followed some anything written about coyotes. But we all too, and I had let her know about the situ- them apart. dogs, but this, too, does not constitute an need to fine-tune what we see and what ation — she had told me that she already I have seen many “surprise” encoun- “attack.” Coyotes are easy to shoo off if the we report. For example, there is a big dif- knew all about it and that her dogs were ters between dogs and coyotes. I’ve seen dogs are kept close using a leash. ference between “attack” and “encounter”. fine, back then. I’m all for off-leash dog even the smaller dogs, such as Jack Rus- The coyotes in our parks certainly are And using the phrase “hungry coyotes”, in walking generally — I walked my own sells, actually go after coyotes, and then not “hungry” — I see them catch gophers this report, is just plain irresponsible — dogs off-leash all the time. But the circum- run for cover to their owner. Dogs seem to and voles all day long, they are some of the why would any writer use these words here stances are different in a coyote area. have a need to chase coyotes either in play healthiest-looking coyotes ever. except as a sensationalist scare tactic? We Everyone needs to understand that or as a warning. Most of the time the coy- As to the incident reported in this arti- all need to develop an understanding of dogs raise the anxiety of coyotes because ote will flee, but sometimes the coyote will cle, I did not see the initial encounter, but language nuance: “aggressive” does not of territoriality — coyotes are tied to the stand up for itself by chasing back. I have seen many dog-coyote encounters, mean “curious” or “inquisitive” or “play- land they use as much as we are to our own And although, yes, I have seen coy- and I can pretty accurately describe what ful” or even “mischievous”. homes. Active small dogs, in particular, otes approach dogs, this is not frequent, Cont. p. 7 September 2011 Westside Observer Page 5 Westside Observer Turns 25 Plain Talk—Straight Talk By Joe O’Donoghue By Jonathan Farrell A Belfast Thanksgiving Remembrance his coming January the Westside Observer he heavy unusual rainfall of this Thanksgiving eve will celebrate 25 years in print. On Sunday drummed up in me remembrances of a far more fero- Nov. 6, the owners Mitch and Alice Bull Tcious Thanksgiving eve storm. T It was November 1995, I was in Belfast, in the company of two hosted a gathering at Que Syrah wine bar on West Portal Ave. friends, one American and one Irish, both of whom had just become “It is our way of thanking everyone who con- acquainted with each other. My American friend, Ed Emerson, was a White House liai- tributes to the Westside Observer,” said Mitch as he son, an advance man for President Clinton, with Bay Area connections. My Irish friend, addressed the gathering of about 30 people that eve- Oliver Kearney, was a well-connected Northern Ireland nationalist. ning. He and Alice also own and manage the Cas- tro Courier, another neighborhood newspaper that …we decided to open up another new front — one that would have an serves the community’s need for local news. “The Examiner and the Chronicle, I have respect economic impact on those Northern Ireland businesses guilty of discriminating for them,” said Mitch. “But the City’s mainstream against Catholics. The goal was to reform, not destroy, those industries.” Mitch Bull with Phyllis Sherman papers are not covering the real news of the local community”. At this particular moment, all three of us were huddled in a miniscule alcove, shel- In San Francisco there are at least a Phyllis Sherman established the paper tered somewhat from the drenching rains, but not from the wind. We all three had just dozen or more neighborhood newspapers, in the 1980’s, to give residents a voice and exited 15 feet from the US State Department offices, where a Thanksgiving eve party often referred to as “hyper-local publica- report about local events and concerns for 50 or more state department employees was in full swing. We had left the party for tions,” all of which have been reporting not reported in the Chronicle & Examiner. purposes of a very private dialogue. important local and citywide issues that Sherman continues to contribute to the Belfast at this time was enjoying, due to peace negotiations, a lull in the armed impact residents. While the continued paper with her column “Phyllis’ Findings.” conflict. However, peace talks at the table had stalled and movement forward was sty- expansion of the internet has presented Producing a paper every month is a mied. The dialogue between Oliver and Ed — that of some disarming of the IRA — a challenge for all print media, the local collective effort. With the help of many was verboten at the formal negotiations; hence our unofficial sidebar discussion in the papers endure. people like Editor Doug Comstock, the doorway. Not unexpected, the verbal reaction from Oliver was so hot that it fused steam Serving local residents and merchants Westside Observer reaches from the West out of the cold wind and rain, for this proposal was viewed as one of total surrender. is the main goal of these papers and the Portal - St. Francis Wood area to the Forest Nevertheless, Oliver, being a practical man with a desire toward peace, agreed to bring Westside Observer strives to stand out. In Hill, Parkside and Sunset District. the proposal — unofficially — forward. For us, this was progress; a beachhead had been the past few years since Mitch and Alice “I am happy to say that our paper is established. have taken over as publishers, the Westside doing well and not in debt,” said Mitch. Discussions between Oliver and me continued during that night, and we decided Observer has improved the design and pro- He is looking forward to publishing “the to open up another new front — one that would have an economic impact on those duction quality of the paper. The Westside paper” that residents go to first to get the Northern Ireland businesses guilty of discriminating against Catholics. The goal was to Observer has transformed from a simple, local news. reform, not destroy, those industries. flat design format, previously called “West So, upon returning to San Francisco, armed with data compiled by Oliver Kearney Jonathan Farrell is a freelance SF reporter. about Northern Ireland’s industries and their discrimination policies, we consulted War- of Twin Peaks Observer” with some spot Feedback: [email protected] color on the front page, to a full color, eye- ren Hinckle, our guru genius. Warren’s creative plan was to pour the nectar of Northern catching 20 page issue each month. Ireland’s flagship export, Bushmills, down the drain in front of Gino and Carlo’s, an Ital- ian bar, with the honors to be executed by Willie Brown, a black man. This irony would not be lost on Europeans. And in fact, the TV media coverage of this event in Europe exceeded our expectations. So for me, this Thanksgiving was a memory of fulfillment of turkey feathers flying and how a few of us shone more light on how shocking Northern Ireland’s hiring prac- tices were at that time. Feedback: [email protected] Beach Chalet Soccer Fields - Public Comment Due Written comments due by 5:00 p.m. on December 12, 2011 The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Beach Chalet Athletic Fields project has been released. This project would replace natural grass in Golden Gate Park with 7 acres of plastic grass and tire waste and install 150,000 watts of 60 foot tall stadium lights next to Ocean Beach. “a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historic resource . . .(DEIR)” In November, the Historic Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the DEIR. Soccer enthusiasts from all over Northern California cited examples of poor maintenance of the present grass fields by the Department of Recreation and Park, and asked for a renovated playing field. Local residents talked about their love of Golden Gate Park as a special place in the City and expressed dissatisfaction with the DEIR’s inadequate discussion about the loss of wildlife habitat, the loss of a considerable chunk of Golden Gate Park to Illegal Parkmerced Agreement (Cont. from p. 1) development, and the impact of the 60 foot stadium light towers on the Park, on Ocean Beach and on views from Board. The Board was then scheduled to On June 20, 2011, an anonymous Sutro Heights. vote on approval of both the Parkmerced complaint was filed with the Sunshine Chris Patillo, a qualified environmental impact report and the Ordinance Task Force against Supervisor historic landscape architect Development Agreement itself. Mar for alleged violations of the Sunshine who specializes in cultural At the May 24th Land Use Commit- Ordinance. landscapes, said that she tee, a brief presentation of the amend- The Sunshine Ordinance Task Force supports soccer play but “. ments previously introduced at the May concluded that the last minute introduc- . .I have reviewed your EIR 16th hearing was provided. Then Supervi- tion of fourteen pages of amendments did and I think it inadequately sor David Chiu introduced fourteen pages not provide adequate time for members presents alternatives to of new amendments specifically directed at of the public to review and comment on you. I believe there is an tenants’ rights—the murky subject at issue them as required under Sunshine Ordi- alternative that is a viable for two months. These new amendments nance Sections 67.15(a) and (b), and alternative that will not were not mentioned at the beginning of the were substantive changes to the Develop- obliterate an important cul- hearing or at the meeting one week prior. ment Agreement for which the agenda tural landscape.” Supervisor Chiu said he and city attor- description for the meeting was not ade- The Commissioners raised concerns about the impact on Golden Gate Park and encouraged the Planning Depart- ney Charles Sullivan had stayed awake all quate under Sunshine Ordinance Section ment to pursue the alternatives in more detail. Some Commissioners suggested that the Beach Chalet Athletic night working on the amendments and 67.7(b). Fields be renovated with real grass and no night lighting combined with fixing up other playing fields. The goal is Supervisor Cohen, a member of the com- Supervisors Eric Mar, David Chiu, to provide more playing time for youth soccer without destroying the historic character, the aesthetic value, and mittee, admitted she had only had about Scott Wiener, and Malia Cohen were the habitat of the western end of Golden Gate Park. one hour to review the newly introduced found in violation of those sections of the amendments. Chair Mar expressed con- ordinance. Each supervisor is required Send written comments to Mr. Bill Wycko, Environmental Review Officer, SF Planning Department, 1650 Mission cern with a lack of transparency and that to adhere to state and local open govern- Str, Ste. 400, SF, CA 94103 or [email protected] For info or a copy of the DEIR www.sfoceanedge.org approval of the amendments would con- ment laws, and their acknowledgement of Katherine Howard, ASLA Golden Gate Park Preservation Alliance stitute a violation of Sunshine Ordinance their own lack of review of important and public comment requirements. controversial amendments was minimal at Scoping Meetings on MUNI’s Transit Effectiveness Project (TEP) The city attorney told the commit- best. Tues Dec 6 &Wed Dec 7 • 6:30 pm • One South Van Ness 2nd Floor Atrium (So Van Ness & Market St.) tee the agenda description of the Devel- The Parkmerced Development Agree- opment Agreement was broad enough ment had been deferred two additional The purpose of this notice is to receive comments to assist the Planning Department in reviewing the scope and to encompass Chiu’s amendments. The months for review and there was no reason content of the environmental impact analysis and information to be contained in the EIR for the TEP Program. amendments were approved, leaving only that another week to allow transparency The purpose of the EIR is to provide information about potential significant physical environmental effects of the a few hours for the public to review and in the process would damage the agree- proposed project, to identify possible ways to minimize the significant effects, and to describe and analyze pos- comment on amendments to a contract ment. This project is scheduled to take up sible alternatives to the proposed project. Preparation of an EIR does not indicate a decision by the City. However, provision the Board had allowed itself two to 30 years to complete and many residents prior to making any such decision, the decision makers must review and consider the information in the EIR. months to review. Several hours later on will be displaced from their homes in the Send written comments to Mr. Bill Wycko, Environmental Review Officer, SF Planning Department, 1650 Mission the same day, the Development Agreement process. Str, Ste. 400, SF, CA 94103 or [email protected] Comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on December 9, 2011. was approved by the full Board. Hope Johnson is Chair of the San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance Task Force. Page 6 Westside Observer July-August 2011 Pak (Cont. from p. 1) as he became interim mayor; Kinson Wong, Laguna Honda Charitable Giving Plummets — Again owner of the R&G Lounge in Chinatown, By Patrick Monette-Shaw former confidant and now political nemesis. Pak’s influence has waxed and waned which is a Pak-preferred haunt; David Lem, a contractor who was helped by Pak and Brown n October 18, the Department of Public Health presented its annual across the over two decades she had been involved in city politics. But the trend has in getting a contract to rebuild the Asian art gift fund report for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 to the Health Commis- museum; and Louis Goudeau, former staffer sion. Of note, contributions to Laguna Honda Hospital’s patient always been upward. O She is a short, rotund, loud, and cantan- in the Mayor’s Office of Protocol and a Brown gift fund have dropped to their lowest levels across seven years. kerous woman known for her foul-mouth loyalist. Contributions from private donors funds on behalf of LHH. Ms. Hirose Each has their own story with a Pak to LHH’s patient gift fund reached replied that she would review the and frequent drinking and smoking. She also craves attention, and has been comfortable twist. Pak was helpful in pushing Snellgrove’s $20,098, up from the $10,206 donated Laguna Honda Foundation’s charter 8 Washington project through, according to from private sources in Fiscal year and would report back to the LHH- calling elected officials late at night to list her demands: sitting on the balcony of her condo, several people who saw it play out. 2009-2010, but the second lowest JCC in November. Along with advancing the interests of the amount of private giving since Fiscal Commissioner David Sanchez with a bourbon and a cigarette nestled in her hands, she gets ready to settle into long, late project in City Hall, Pak also had the Chi- Year 2004-2005. then recommended that Health Com- natown Community Development Center Also in the fiscal year ending mission President Steven Tierney and night conversations. In some cases, the other party gets fed up withdraw from a coalition of local groups that June 30, 2011, Laguna Honda’s part- Commissioner Melara meet with a were opposed to it, according to attorney/ ner, Laguna Honda Volunteers, Inc. few members of the Laguna Honda with it. Former Mayor Art Agnos, for exam- ple, whom Pak exercised significant sway author Phil Ryan, who for twenty years was a — renamed in 2011 as the “Friends Foundation’s board of directors, which legal associate of Willie Brown. Ryan was on of Laguna Honda” — donated just is comical when not sad, because Ms. over, frequently tried to get off the phone. Pak would portray her suggestions as being in the the Golden Gate Tenants Association when interest of the mayor or his administration, he witnessed Pak’s machinations. “It really without suggesting that it was in her inter- showed her muscle,” he said. est, according to Larry Bush, former aide to Both Ryan and Peskin are confident that Agnos. Snellgove returned the favor: “I guarantee She was most dangerous when trying to she’s getting paid,” Peskin said. Ryan: “How exclude members of the Asian community do I know she’s getting paid? Because I have that she did not like, Bush says. “There was a an IQ over 104.” constant intimation of loyalty tests.” P.J. Johnson, spokesman for Pacific Agnos and Pak later had a falling out over Waterfront Partners, said he did not know all the demolition of the Embarcadero Freeway, the lobbyists on the project, and downplayed which was damaged with the Lomo Prieta its significance by describing it as “our tiny earthquake in 1989. project.” Under Frank Jordan, the mayor from Chiang is another case of a friend getting 1991 to 1995, Pak had less influence. Jordan a good deal. His friendship with Pak helped was supported by Pak’s opponents in Chi- him keep his job when his work on the Mar- natown, like Pius Lee. But while she did not tin Luther King pool project spiraled out of have the inside track to the mayor as she did control. The project had a perfectionist archi- under Brown and does under Ed Lee, she did tect, Harry Overstreet, who required a mono- her best, plying chief of staff Jim Wunderman, lithic pour of concrete for his design. The first for example, with an all-expenses paid trip to attempt was not up to his standards and it was China. scrapped, running up the project cost. Pak’s influence hit the stratosphere when In a Department of Public Works meet- Willie Brown became mayor. Brown and Pak ing about the debacle, someone suggested $33,209 to the patient gift fund, down Renne has adamantly refused to dis- simply firing Chiang and bringing in the from its $76,581 donation in Fiscal Year close any financial information about had been good friends since at least the early 1980s, and shared a close relationship with bonding company. 2009-2010. her Foundation to anyone. Harlan Kelly, who was in the meeting, Between private donations and It’s unfortunate that the Health a similar outlook: essentially, that political power is meant to benefit the friends of the gasped and said: “What about Rose? Robert donations from Volunteers Inc., LHH’s Commissioners are so unaware of the Chiang is her guy!” according to someone patient gift fund received just $53,307 Renne Foundation’s primary exempt victor. In Gavin Newsom’s term beginning in who was in the meeting. in Fiscal Year 2010-2011 — the low- purpose. According to Laguna Honda Pak’s blustery manner has made her est amount the gift fund has received Foundation’s 2009 IRS Form 990 for 2004, Pak was on the outside again. Newsom, with national political ambitions and a war friends and enemies. across seven years, and approximately the period ending in June 2010 posted “She is good at the theater of politics,” Pes- only half of what it received in Fiscal on www.Guidestar.com, the most chest filled with old money from the Getty family, had no time for a backroom dealer kin says. “If I was at dinner or a public event, Year 2009-2010. recent data available, Renne claims her she would come and sit next to me and make Following the report presentation, foundation was “established in order to from Chinatown. He was notorious for ignor- ing her phone calls. it appear that we were close to one another, several Health Commissioners pep- support Laguna Honda Hospital ... by even though I had no desire to talk to her.” pered DPH staff with questions. providing an organizational structure Pak still made sure she still had her people on key commissions, and she raised He continued: “You’d be at an event and Commissioner Edward Chow for a $15,000,000 capital equipment she’d be talking loudly next to you, so every- asked about the status of the Laguna campaign for the hospital’s replacement money to help elect progressives to the Board of Supervisors, which gave her sway. body could see she was talking to you… it’s a Honda Foundation, because there was project” and to “serve as the Hospital’s brazen, childish, and immature technique…” no data in DPH’s report about this Center [of Excellence] for advancing Pak will be looking at a thorough political renaissance with a full-term Lee Chris Daly, a former Supervisor, describes separate foundation. As previously research and educational programs Pak as “insufferable.” reported, when former City Attorney focused on improving the healthcare administration. She also paints a picture with two He remembers a commemoration cere- Louise Renne incorporated her Laguna and quality of life for frail elderly and mony for September 11, soon after he became Honda Foundation in 2004, she did so disabled persons in institutions or in brushes, as the Chinese saying goes. While Pak is manipulating commission seats, fun- a Supervisor. He arrived at the City Hall event without setting up a memorandum of community-based care.” and sat up the front, the place reserved for understanding between the City, DPH, The furniture, fixtures, and equip- neling money into political campaigns, and having ceaseless meetings with city officials, politicos and VIPs. A few minutes later, after LHH and her foundation, a continuing ment for LHH’s replacement facil- the program had begun, Pak turned up and source of consternation to the Health ity eventually cost over $40 million, she also carries on a long-term relationship with the Communist Party of China. sat next to him. “She proceeds to start talk- Commission since the San Francisco but there have never been any reports ing to me, during the most solemn program, General Hospital Foundation has that Renne’s Foundation ever raised And there is often some overlap between the two. saying things like “look at what DiFi’s [Dianne always had a memorandum of under- any of the $15 million it told the IRS it Feinstein] wearing, where does she get those standing with the City. would raise when seeking its non-profit The list of names on a typical China jun- ket organized by Rose Pak can end up being dress suits…” Daly recalls. Mivic Hirose, LHH’s official Exec- designation. The current mayor, Ed Lee, does not find utive Administrator, responded that Finally, the same minutes show a roadmap to influence and patronage. In a late 2007 trip, for example, there was Ringo Pak’s boorishness as bothersome, or perhaps financial information is not required that Commissioner Jim Illig asked for thinks he has no choice. According to David from Renne’s Foundation. Hirose information on the IRS 990 forms from Wong, a former president of the Chinese chamber of Commerce, donor to the “Run Ed Chiu, Ed Lee told him that Lee only ran for failed to mention that while the City’s the fiscal agent for Renne’s Laguna mayor because he was “having trouble saying Administrative Code doesn’t require Honda Foundation, because “the Run” campaign, and a man whom Pak helped get a restaurant concession in the interna- ‘no’ to Willie Brown and Rose Pak.” reporting of non-profit financial infor- Foundation’s IRS 990 forms only pro- Observers of San Francisco politics mation, IRS rules do require detailed vide basic information regarding the tional airport terminal; Robert C. Chiang, a builder so “flagrantly incompetent” for the worry that if Lee wins the election, it will be financial reporting. fiscal agent it uses.” open season for, as Aaron Peskin put it, “Ms. Minutes of the Health Commis- Illig was referring to the fact that public projects he has been awarded that he has cost the city millions of dollars, accord- Pak and Mr. Brown and the money influences sion’s October 18 meeting report that the Laguna Honda Foundation’s Form that they represent.” Hirose stated, “The LHH Foundation 990’s filed with the IRS since it first ing to the SF Weekly, whom Pak has protected declined to submit data, as they have in began reporting after being founded in for years; Harlan Kelly, another Pak loyal- Reprinted from www.theepochtimes.org, the the past.” As far as anyone knows, it has 2004 has not once reported any income, ist who has helped steer contracts to Pak’s online version of their publication The Epoch never submitted data for DPH’s annual and no expenses. Renne’s Foundation friends and protected them when problems Times at: www.theepochtimes.com/n2/united- gift fund report. has always reported that it is “operated arose with their work (like with Chiang); Tilly states/rose-pak-makes-deals-gains-influ- Moreover, Renne’s Foundation has as a project of” either the San Francisco Tsang, current or former board member of ence-137005.html and another on the same contributed not one dime to LHH’s Foundation, or more recently, of Com- the Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Simon subject: www.theepochtimes.com/n2/united- patient gift fund across the years, per munity Initiatives, and its IRS Form Snellgrove, who heads the development of states/lee-runs-for-san-francisco- mayor-with- previous DPH reports of annual gift 990’s have always reported zero income the waterfront project “8 Washington,“ which pak-behind-135739.html fund charitable contributions. and zero expenses. will be one of San Francisco’s most expensive The Best of the Net is a monthly feature of the Commissioner Chow is concerned The San Francisco Foundation destinations when completed; P.J. Johnston, Observer in which we present an outstanding that Renne’s Foundation is using a City spun off some of its projects in 1996, who was Mayor Brown’s press man and now journalistic effort of particular local interest. hospital’s name to raise funds, but isn’t creating Community Initiatives for works for Simon Snellgrove; Johnston’s wife This December/January issue we have two fea- forthcoming about its finances. Com- organizations that did not have their Karin, who works for Snellgrove’s lobbying tured articles (See page 9 for our 2nd BON. If missioner Sonia Melara, Chair of the own IRS non-profit designations. firm, HMS Associates, whose head, Marcia you have a suggested blog or column for our LHH-JCC, asked if the Renne Founda- Renne’s Laguna Honda Foundation is Smolens, is good friends with Pak; Shih-Wei BON feature, email: editor@westsideobserver. tion’s charter states that it would raise one of the few clients of Community Lu, a former World Journal reporter who com Cont. p. 18 became Lee’s spokesperson almost as soon December-January 2011 Westside Observer Page 7 Letters (Cont. from p. 4) WEST OF TWIN PEAKS CENTRAL COUNCIL By Mitch Bull might have happened based on those many because of bleeding-heart “naturalists” who other observations. The incident could have believe our city should be reclaimed by the resident Matt Chamberlain and the WOTPCC were the audi- been initiated by a surprise encounter, or by the predator species and indigenous weeds and ence for a discussion of the election results by Fall Line Analytics active little dogs getting too close to where the scrub that once covered sand dunes before peo- Pprincipal David Latterman, who enthralled the crowd with his detailed metrics and conclusions drawn from the voting information for coyotes were, or even by either the coyotes or ple arrived. These reactionaries now threaten th dogs approaching the other to investigate or in a our safety. the November 8 election. test of “one-up-manship” — but it really doesn’t City Hall needs to step up and do its job Latterman, who had previously if Ms. Bock would have finished sec- matter who initiated this particular incident. before an injury or death claim is filed. spoken to the group on the process ond, the vote would have been much of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is a closer as she was listed either 1st, 2nd The result was that both parties became excited. Two weeks ago, CBS Sunday Morning ran rd If the dogs had been leashed, that would have this update piece about an abused, now retired political consultant who has worked or 3 in almost as many ballots as been the end of it. circus elephant that had an unusual friend- on many San Francisco campaigns, Gascon. Latterman believes that the Instead, the little dogs ran off — and run- ship with a stray dog. www.cbsnews.com/2300- including the recent mayoral cam- progressive block’s strong showing ning always is seen as an invitation for another 18563_162-10010114.html?tag=mncol;lst;1 paign for Board of Supervisor’s Pres- for Onek cost Bock a chance to make to chase, be it dog or coyote. So the owner ran in After years of dedication, the poor elephant’s ident David Chiu. the race very close. one direction to retrieve one of her dogs. Mean- heart was broken because a couple of coyotes He started by outlining the PVI, The propositions were decided while, the other small dog headed in the other attacked and killed the dog. Progressive Voter Index, showing the by large margins, with the exception direction. Coyotes are killing house cats and attacking matrix of voters from conservative of Prop H, the School Assignment What drew my attention was the furious dogs from the Presidio to the Panhandle. City to moderate to progressive. District proposition. It was virtually a dead barking at the top of a hill. I looked up to see the Hall needs to start doing its job before a child 7 came in as the most conservative heat, winning 50.06% to 49.94%. little dog barking and becomes the next victim. voters (to no one’s surprise), with Latterman cited the follow- running after a coyote. ... bleeding-heart “naturalists” who Barbara Meskunas Districts 5 and 9 being the most lib- ing trends resulting from the ballot As far as I have seen, eral. Latterman spoke on the topic of results: San Francisco voters are still dogs only bark when believe our city should be reclaimed by I can really respect “political geography” and its impor- on a trend to support moderate can- they are chasing — not the predator species and indigenous a man such as Quentin tance to San Francisco, especially as didates; the election was more econ- the Supervisors are chosen on a dis- omy based, and less ideological than when they are being weeds and scrub that once covered sand Kopp who has a sense chased. Then the owner of humor and uses a trict-wide basis. District 7 also fin- in the past. Bond initiatives fared began yelling franti- dunes before people arrived. These reac- phrase such as “intel- ished in the top two in voter turnout, well, while tax increases did not. The cally for her dog, which tionaries now threaten our safety.” lectually dishonest” in trailing District 8 by a small margin. Progressives (left) won the endorse- The top four districts in terms of per- ment game; and a strong, unified would not come. Barbara Meskunas journalism. Both have Within seconds lot’s of uses. A few centage of voter turnout were 8, 7, 4 Chinese block held together to elect the coyote had turned retorts. and 2. All of these districts are con- Ed Lee, removing the “interim” part around and was now Coyotes do not want to interact with The Central Sub- servative or moderate in their voting. of his title and selecting him as SF’s chasing back — and humans, which is why leashing dogs way is a waste if it costs Other metrics showed the bal- newest Mayor. the little dog stopped and keeping them next to you is the best more than the cost of its ance of the voters in SF. Conserva- 2012 will be an interesting elec- barking. The silence riders using cars. I’m tives are 7% of the voters, Moderates tion season, as new Supervisors will did scare us for what it defense against an encounter getting pretty sure it doesn’t. are 39%, and Liberals are 36%, with be elected in Districts 1,3,5,7,9 and might mean. The three out of hand. And keeping your dogs It also depends on how the Progressives tallying a solid 11. Redistricting (to better balance 19%. On a party basis, Democrats the population numbers within the of us who were there calm reduces the possibility of alarming much you value good all ran up the hill to service. How much do lead with 54% , followed by 25-30% 11 districts) will affect some of the retrieve the dog, but coyotes in the first place.” we value the people’s who “decline to state” party affilia- district voting trends somewhat, but it was nowhere to be Janet Kessler time being chronically tion, 6% Republican and 3-4% for Latterman thinks the core voting found. wasted or the cost of lost other parties. Metrics also show that values of each district will basically One dog was found later that day. But even time at work? How much is the health cost of the Chinese vote is generally steady remain constant. though several people, including me, spent auto pollution? Part of the investment will last at 16-18% while the LBGT vote is In other WOTPCC news, the many hours combing the park and streets for the over 50 years, another part will last more than approximately 10% of the voters. delegates voted almost unanimously other, it was three days before that one finally 100 years. I am not ready to believe the off- How did these metrics show or (1 abstention) to send a letter to the was found — found far away from the park. street rail in Brooklyn, built 90 years ago and affect the November Mayoral elec- Planning Commission to ask for a The entire incident could have been pre- still serving the public, was a waste of money. tion? Latterman says, not at all, as the 90 day extension to the Public Com- vented if that dog owner had put thought into Visits to Montreal and Vancouver, cit- election showed a low turnout (40%) ment Period for the Draft EIR for the protecting her little dogs in the first place. ies with similar density and size, convince me as Ed Lee drained all of the interest Beach Chalet Athletic Fields Reno- Coyotes do not want to interact with we don’t get good service because of the inter- out of the race when he declared as a vation Project, citing as factors, the humans, which is why leashing dogs and keep- action of transit with cars. They have invested candidate. Lee started the campaign replacing of grass with artificial turf; ing them next to you is the best defense against in systems that are all off-street rail and so the with polls showing 30% support of increased parking; increased light- an encounter getting out of hand. And keeping trains are really moving. Let’s recognize what the voters. Following weeks of cam- ing; the erection of bleachers; and the your dogs calm reduces the possibility of alarm- we experience every time we take Muni. Isn’t paigning from the 16 candidates, damage that will occur to the flora ing coyotes in the first place. it usually 10-20 stops because of traffic lights the Mayor stayed approximately the and fauna in the park. I have written a couple of articles which and signs? Then, slow downs because of traffic, same, winning with 31% of the final David Pilpel, from the Redis- might be useful. One is on coyote and dog many turns because of our street plan, and then votes. Even with the large amount of tricting Task Force, also spoke briefly coexistence: www.marinatimes.com/dec10/ of course hills. It’s the randomness of traffic that candidates, ranked choice voting had explaining the process for redistrict- pets_petpages.html. The other is about coyotes causes bunching then all lines converge on one no real effect on the results as no one ing and why it is necessary. As the generally: people need to know more about short section of track. was really close to catching Lee. South of Market (SOMA) area in coyotes in order to understand them and deal Muni is getting some funding for infra- The race for sheriff was some- District 6 has grown through new with them — www.wildcarebayarea.org/site/ structure which will make efficiencies. Let’s what closer as Supervisor Ross housing units, etc., the other districts PageServer?pagename=eNews_February2011_ fund more and get as close as we can to all off- Mirkirimi won with 38% of the vote, have to be reallocated to more evenly landingpage#coyote. street rail. Next time you are at Sloat and West followed by Chris Cunnie and Paul distribute the number of residents Miyamoto at 28 and 27% respec- in each of the 11 districts. Districts Janet Kessler Portal imagine the train going underground to skip that intersection. tively. Cunnie and Miyamoto fin- 5,7,8 and 9 (described by Pilpel as As for the street bond, I think the City is ished basically in a dead heat for the “squishy middle” will probably The San Francisco Health Code prohibits second place, splitting most of the 2nd see the most changes in borders. For the presence of coyotes in our parks, along with doing what it must to keep the system working in spite of the people who think taxation is the place RCV votes. more information see the WOTPCC bears, wolves, and other dangerous predators. District Attorney George Gas- website (www.westoftwinpeaks.org). San Francisco taxpayers pay for the parks, and worst thing that can happen. We under-fund, under-invest in the public con won the contest for DA with 42% December is a “dark” month for the have a right to visit those parks without fear for of the vote, over second place finisher their children or companion animals. service and then complain about it. WOTPCC. The next meeting will be David Onek (24%) and Sharmin Monday, January 23rd The city has been remiss in enforcement Todd LeFurge, Twin Peaks at 7:30 in the Bock (21%). In an interesting note, Forest Hill Clubhouse.

Public Input on MUNI’s Transit Effectiveness Project (TEP) Tues Dec 6 &Wed Dec 7 • 6:30 pm One South Van Ness, 2nd Floor Atrium (See Public Notices on page 5.) Page 8 Westside Observer December-January 2011 MONEY MATTERS • By Brandon Miller and Joanne Jordan Finally, the Bus Rapid Transit Study Time Right to Refinance? By Howard Strassner “Rates can’t go lower.” Or so advertisements n November 2011 San Fran- from mortgage companies have been claiming for cisco released its first ever years. But it’s possible that now, it’s more true than IDraft Environmental Impact ever. According to research done by Freddie Mac, Study, EIS, for a Transit Project the average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. for Bus Rapid Transit, BRT. The dropped below 4% for the first time ever in 2011. purpose of an EIS is to list all of Rates on shorter-term, 15-year mortgages are even the possible impacts of a pro- lower. posed project for consideration by involved public agencies and legis- Many who do have significant equity in their home refinance to “cash out” lators, and to allow ample time for some of that equity for other purposes. But it can be risky; this strategy the public to respond by suggest- ing additions to the list and/or sup- backfired on many homeowners when housing prices crashed in recent port for the project. The Board of years. Those who took out too much cash were suddenly “underwater,” Supervisors, sitting with its Trans- portation Authority hat, will consider technical and political components before the owing more on their house than it was worth when its value declined. “ Study is certified as Final. Only then, if no one sues, will it be ready for funding and construction. San Francisco is supposed to be a Transit First City, but the Van Ness For some, this may create a great opportunity to refinance your mortgage, but BRT Study started years after BRT systems were in operation throughout the world and doing so often isn’t the best decision financially for families in certain circumstances. even in a few US cities. Better late than never, because BRT will provide most of the Here are four things to consider before you make any decisions: transit speed of subways at about a tenth of the cost. Because of these advantages our 1. How much equity do you have? Refinancing may be a priority for home- Federal Government is willing to fund up to $75 million, or about 80%, of Van Ness owners with disadvantageous loan terms, or who owe more on their homes than BRT capital costs. they are worth. But these situations can make it difficult to qualify for refinancing. Your first step should be to consult with your mortgage company about whether Better late than never, because BRT will provide most of the transit speed of subways arrangements can be made to structure a different financing package for your home. If you do have equity in your home, you have more flexibility. In cases where the at about a tenth of the cost. Because of these advantages our Federal Government is amount you owe on the mortgage is significantly less than the value of the home, it’s willing to fund up to $75 million, or about 80%, of Van Ness BRT capital costs.” possible to structure a payment that may be dramatically lower than your current monthly mortgage expense. If the amount of equity is not much different than the The Study shows that if you do every- construction impacts) and operation is current value, the payment will be closer to what you already have, but would likely thing right, you can reduce running time planned to commence in 2015. The Proj- be an improvement due to the recent decline in interest rates. by about 33%. If this could be applied to the ect will also include; new over head wir- 2. Why do you want to refinance? Locking in a historically low rate can entire system except the subways (which ing to power the electric buses; new street be appealing, but is it a fit for you? If you are within a few years of paying off your have different problems), Muni might lighting; new stations; new roadway; some mortgage, it may not make sense for you to re-start with another 15- or 30-year reduce operating costs by over $100 million accommodation for Marin commuters on mortgage. If you’re focused on reducing your total debt, financing your home for an and/or greatly improve service. The study Golden Gate Transit buses; new and replace- extended period of time may not be a favorable move. also clearly shows that about 14% of the cost ment medium plantings and improvements Many who do have significant equity in their home refinance to “cash out” of operating a bus is due only to interference for pedestrian safety. The best performing some of that equity for other purposes. But it can be risky; this strategy backfired on from autos and trucks. option includes the capital cost to replace a many homeowners when housing prices crashed in recent years. Those who took The Study includes operating informa- major sewer line somewhat before its nor- out too much cash were suddenly “underwater,” owing more on their house than it tion for three options (plus no project), and mal replacement time. The over 500 pages was worth when its value declined. If the rationale for refinancing is to access cash, construction costs as well as impacts. All of of study include about 100 pages on Trans- be sure it is for a worthwhile purpose like paying down more expensive debts such the three build options reduce running time portation Impacts, which provide most of as credit card balances, or financing an improvement on your home that could boost by at least 19% by including: the background for this article. its value. • Fewer bus stops, saving acceleration In addition to transit improvement the 3. Are you in a position to refinance? If you have run into credit problems and deceleration time. Stops will be located Study shows that: due to the sluggish economy, refinancing may not be as easy as it used to be. House- about 900 feet apart to provide stops near About the same number of people will holds need to have a sufficient credit score — usually 700 or higher — to be able to the many crossing bus lines to allow easy move along Van Ness by bus, on one lane, as qualify for a conventional mortgage. transfers. will move by private auto on two lanes. Employment status could be another factor. A number of Americans, some • The buses will be low floor and stops The travel time for cars will be essen- involuntarily, have recently left the workforce and started their own businesses. If will be graded to allow easy boarding for tially the same as today (not good) even you don’t have an established record of income yet as a business owner, it might be seniors and for those who require wheel though there is one less traffic lane, and by a difficult time to obtain a new mortgage. Ask about this upfront when you contact chairs. 2035, the design year, there will be more cars your mortgage company to make sure it’s worthwhile for you to pursue the mort- • Riders will use all bus doors and pre- in SF than today. This concept is hard for gage application process. pay their fares. today’s drivers to accept but; • Traffic signals will include transit pri- The Study shows that: some drivers 4. Determine the terms that suit your needs If everything else works out ority, though this time savings will have to will be diverted from Van Ness to Gough and refinancing seems to be a good choice, the final question is whether to opt for be balanced against the needs of crossing and Franklin; transit ridership will increase a 15-year or 30-year mortgage. An adjustable-rate mortgage is also an option, but bus routes and traffic. by up to 35% and 50% of this increase will since the terms of those loans are subject to change, it may not make sense given the • A few left turns will be eliminated to be former drivers who will ride the greatly historically low rates that exist today. move buses faster, similar to the methods improved transit; some drivers will find If your primary goal is the lowest possible payment, a 30-year loan makes sense. frequently used in San Francisco to move other streets and times, and some of the If you are trying to focus on reducing debt and accumulating wealth, a shorter-term traffic. measures that reduce transit running time loan may make more sense; the total interest paid on a 15-year loan will be signifi- The two best options (doing everything will also help to keep cars moving. These cantly lower than with a 30-year mortgage. While monthly payments will be higher, right) include: predictions are made by computer simula- a 15-year loan offers you more long-term advantages, since the financial obligation Running buses in a dedicated center tions which have proven to be accurate over of a mortgage will no longer exist after 15 years, allowing you to concentrate on lane with no parking or right turning cars time. retirement or education savings. which prevent buses from moving. These It is fortuitous that this study comes out If you ultimately decide to refinance, be sure to compare costs of different lend- options reduce running times by 9% more just before Muni starts its study for the Tran- ers. The breakeven point on the cost of the loan (the number of years you need to than the option with buses running in the sit Effectiveness Project, TEP. Overall, the keep the mortgage before the costs of obtaining a new loan are overcome) is a criti- right hand lanes adjacent to parked cars. study shows that reducing the impact that cal measure of whether refinancing is a worthwhile move for you. This also means less swerving, improving cars have on transit reduces transit travel Brandon Miller, CFP and Joanne Jordan, CFP are financial consultants at Jordan the quality of the ride. times and improves transit reliability while Miller & Associates, A Private Wealth Advisory Practice of Ameriprise Financial Inc. A sub-option with almost no left turns, not slowing down auto traffic. TEP previ- in San Francisco, specializing in helping individuals and families plan and achieve which reduces running time by another 5%. ously showed with outreach questionnaires their financial goals. For more information, please visit jordanmilleradvisors.com. One left turn will remain with two lanes to that these are the qualities desired most by accommodate out bound commuter traffic current and future transit riders. Hopefully, to Lombard. low cost measures of diverting autos will The Study took four years to write. become part of a more effective Muni. Approval and option selection will take Howard Strassner is former President of the about a year. Detail design and bidding will Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods take about two years. Construction will only and Transportation Chair for the Sierra Club take about a year and a half (to minimize Don’t Miss Another Issue! Per $15. Year

Mail to the Westside Observer with your check to: POB 27176 SF, CA 94127 or E-mail [email protected] December-January 2011 Westside Observer Page 9 Best of the Net SF PUC Declines Rec & Park’s Lake Merced Deal The Dog Killer and the SF Art Commission Is Joint Management With Rec & Park Off the Table? By Jerry Cadagan he October edition of the Observer had a detailed story describing the problems at Lake TMerced. The heart of those problems is that for years, the lake has been the subject of a failed man- agement system under which the SF Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and the SF Recreation and Park Department (RPD) shared unclear management respon- sibilities, resulting in what a recent opinion piece in the Chronicle called a “two -headed monster.” SFPUC owns the lake and surrounding lands, and Lake Merced activists have long believed that SFPUC should be the sole manager. Recently, staff at SFPUC submit- ted to the five Commissioners of the agency a proposed Memorandum of Understanding with RPD that did no By Mike Strickland, sfciviccenter.blogspot.com more than perpetuate the two-headed monster. At its November 8 meeting, he 59-year-old Brooklyn-based artist Tom Otterness has forged a very suc- the SFPUC Commissioners declined cessful career as a maker of cartoonish bronze sculptures that often look like to approve the MOU. That was the first outtakes from a Ziggy comic strip. Governmental bureaucracies in charge sign in many years that the top people T at SFPUC may be willing to step up of public arts funding love his work because it’s whimsical, inoffensive, and he’s a brand-name artist who has created work for the feds (a courthouse in Los Angeles, to the plate and fulfill the agency’s for instance), the state (in Sacramento, among other capitals) and cities (famously responsibility to properly manage the in Manhattan’s 8th Avenue/14th Street subway station). lake. Encouraged by the SFPUC Com- Otterness also occasionally puts in photo above (website only) is of PJ and missioners’ refusal to perpetuate the digs at capitalism in his cute sculptures, Chinatown fixer Rose Pak, and the photo two-headed monster, Lake Merced and this is one reason the right-wing New below features former mayor Willie Brown activists have submitted to the Com- York Daily News calls him “depraved”. The Jr., Tosca owner Jeanette Etheredge, PJ, and mission a proposal under which other reason is that a conceptual art piece Richard and Eleanor Johns, who are recent SFPUC would be the sole manager at Otterness created in 1977 when he was a controversial appointments by Ed Lee to the lake (with the exception of Hard- 25-year-old immigrant to New York City the Historical Preservation Board and the ing Park golf and RPD’s successful from Wichita, Kansas consisted of adopt- Airport Commission. Natural Areas Program), but would ing a shelter dog, tying the animal to a Captain Greg Suhr, the newly fence, and then shooting it for a looping appointed San Francisco Chief of Police, film for a gallery. At the time, art critic was there, and so was Steve Kawa, the May- receive advice from Gary Indiana in the New York Village oral Chief of Staff under both Newsom and RPD on recre- Voice wrote a condemning article about Lee. Seemingly the only person who wasn’t ational matters, and the stunt, but then somehow people for- there was Ed Lee, or maybe photographer at SFPUC’s option, got about it in the age before the internet, Drew Altizer just didn’t get his picture. In RPD might manage and Otterness reinvented himself as a suc- Bigelow’s article, there is a quote from for- specific recreational cessful public sculptor over the last three mer Mayor Willie Brown, Jr., once again programs. decades. reveling in his own corruption. It is hoped that The news of the dog killing has been “If you know PJ like I know PJ, then at some point in resurfacing in recent years with animal you’d agree that we are all amazed he the near future the rights activists especially upset, such as arrived at this moment tonight,” teased Commissioners at the woman above who was at a special San Mayor Brown, referring to PJ’s active life- SFPUC will act on Francisco Art Commission meeting last style. “We’ve actually long been celebrat- the recommenda- Wednesday afternoon urging the group to ing his eventual demise because of all the tion of the citizen cancel their two contracts with the sculp- secrets he has on us!” activists who know tor. It seems that on the Art Commission’s PJ announced that he was offering a Lake Merced the recommendation, both the General Hos- motion for the General Hospital contract best. pital rebuilding, and the proposed Chi- to continue forward, but that he was rec- natown Central Subway to Nowhere have ommending the cancelation of the MTA Jerry Cadagan is a long-time Lake Merced advocate. $750,000 contracts for sculptures with subway contract. There were a few timid Otterness for their new spaces. demurs and questions from the commis- The Brooklyn library, through a sioners, but this looked and sounded very patron, commissioned bronze statues of much like a rubber-stamp commission, two lions and their cubs from Otterness a and they quickly passed the motion 11-1. couple of years ago for the same amount, This didn’t make the animal activists but animal lovers caused an uproar when particularly happy, as the Solomon-like word spread about the artist’s dog killing decision to cut the baby dog in half seemed past, and the commission was eventually rather grotesque, but the reasoning was as cancelled. In September, Joshua Sabatini much economic as anything. San Fran- at the San Francisco Examiner picked up cisco had already paid Otterness $375,000 the story and the tabloid paper produced a for the General Hospital sculptures and lurid front page to trumpet the tale. Since wouldn’t get anything back if they pulled that time, members of the San Francisco out now, so the reasoning was, “let’s not Art Commission have been in public rela- let our moral fervor get in the way of fiscal tions spin overdrive trying to figure out prudence.” what to do. The questions of how these commis- Finally, behind closed doors, a deci- sions were approved and vetted never came sion was made and offered up to the full up, and neither did the central question of commission by President PJ Johnston. He why San Francisco government agencies is pictured above left, next to the simi- who constantly preach “hire local and buy larly abbreviated JD Beltran, the interim local” don’t do the same thing with pub- Executive Director of Cultural Affairs who licly funded art. PJ Johnston mentioned at replaced Luis Cancel, the Brooklynite who one point that “hiring only San Francisco was recently ousted from the high-profile artists would be illegal because there are post for absenteeism and the bullying of federal funds involved,” missing the point influential staff members. completely. PJ Johnston is a fourth-generation San Infusing and circulating money into Franciscan and son of a former California the local economy through local grants State Senator. He has a “communications” should be mission statement number one business that does public relations for out- for any San Francisco bureaucracy, par- fits like Stellar, the New York developers ticularly an arts commission, and it’s not as of Parkmerced, which is in the process if the Bay Area doesn’t have enough great of evicting its elderly tenants from their creative artists needing work. Johnston 1940s garden apartments so they can build also mentioned that “San Francisco is an high-rise housing. international tourist destination, and we While doing research for this post, I should have world-class public art,” imply- stumbled across an online article in 7x7 by ing that the local stuff was too provincial. the society columnist Catherine Bigelow In truth, there’s nothing more provincial that chronicles PJ’s 40th birthday two years than requiring a New York imprimatur for ago at the Purple Onion nightclub which something to be considered “world-class,” seemingly everyone who is currently in and the idea that an international tourist charge of San Francisco attended. The Cont. p. 14 Page 10 Westside Observer October 2011 Listings in your Neighborhood...

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“Explore Your Future” workshops are scheduled for San Francisco and the East Bay. Visit www.ComingofAge.org/BayArea ail to the Chief…with all of the angst being written about Ranked Choice Voting, and or call (888) 308-1767 for more info. how it would play out with the mayoral candidates the election turned into a big yawn, as Ed Lee put away the competition. Entering the race with a base of about 30% of the Hvoters, he finished with 31%, with John Avalos and Dennis Herrera pulling in 19% and 11% Capturing the Talent, respectively. None of the other candidates could muster more than 9%. Congrats to Mayor Lee on winning a full term. Energy & Expertise of People 50+ With all of the money raised and matched with public financing do you think the citizens got their moneys worth with many candidates only receiving 5% or less of the vote? The concept is altruistic, but with this many candidates could the money have been better spent. Supervisor Sean Elsbernd is working to revamp the public financing process. Voter turnout was only 40%, much weaker than in 2003 when Gavin Newsom and Matt Gon- Peace on earth. zalez locked horns in a very tight race. It was better than in 2007 when Newsom ran against a very weak field of challengers, dropping the turnout to 34%.

One election down—yet another is looming as six districts will have elections next year for supervisor. Voters in Districts, 1,3,5,7,9 and 11 will go to the polls. Here in District 7, there seems to be no front-runner to replace Elsbernd, but several potential candidate names are being mentioned. Antonini, Crowley, Garcia and (N) Yee being among them, with others sure to join. It should be an interesting summer and fall leading up to the next election in November 2012.

Don’t you know SOTF? It’s the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, which is becoming the first line of defense for civic-minded activists watching out for governmental abuse and incompetence. We are featuring two stories this month. Whether it’s hidden records at Rec and Park (see the George Wooding piece), or meeting rules that are broken, as Hope Johnson, the Chair of the Task Force documents in her report concerning Parkmerced, there seems to be no shortage of important sto- ries to bring out into the open. The SOTF is a valuable resource for the citizens of San Francisco, but one that most people don’t know about. Read the pieces and you will see why their work is important.

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AlmaVia, an Elder Care Alliance community, a nonprofit organization, is cosponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas West Midwest Community & the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. RCFE Lic # 385600270.

1111110-ECA-AVSF-WestsideObserver-1201-4x6.indd 1 11/21/11 4:24 PM DECEMBER-JANUARY Page 12 Westside Observer December-January 2011 Every • Sunday Farmers Market T ue • Sunset Dist Neighborhood Coalition Farmers Market |Every Sun | 9 am–1pm | Thu Dec 8 | 7pm | Meeting, the 2nd Stonestown: at Stonestown Galleria (19th Thursday of each month at Taraval Sta- Avenue @ Winston) tion 2354 24th Ave. Every • Tuesday night at Que Syrah Sat • Christmas at Sea Festival Happy Hour Every Tues | 4–8 pm | Que Syrah. Sat Dec 10 | 3–4:45 pm | Family fun at Take $1 off each glass, 10% off of each bottle of Hyde St. Pier with music, refreshments, wine consumed at the store. and a visit from Santa. 499 Jefferson St. $5 for adults/kids free. Every • Thu & Fri night at Que Syrah Tapas Every Thur & Fri | 5:30-9 pm S ooVat • Z olunteer Day 230 West Portal Avenue 731.7000 Sat Dec 10 | 8 am | 2nd Sat every month, SF Zoo, Sloat at Great Hwy. Pickup trash, Every • Thursday–Ballroom Dancing paint, etc. Get a free steam train ride. Social Ballroom Dance classes for couples - 6 753-7080, sfzoo.org. lessons for $70. per couple. Forest Hill Christian Church, 250 Laguna Honda Blvd. 661-2746. S Bat • Jingle ell Walk & Run Sat Dec 10 | 9 am-11 am | Lake Merced Every • Thursday–Nightlife A benefit for the South Sunset Play- 6 pm–10 pm | Every Thur night, the Academy ground Mosaic and Mural Project. Also, a of Sciences is transformed into a lively venue 1k Elf Run for kids 8 and under. 672-4992 filled with music, provocative science, min- www.artineveryclassroom.org gling, and cocktails. GG Park/Tickets $12 ($10 members). calacademy.org/nightlife. W ed • 37 Ave SAFE Neighborhood Watch Wed Dec 14 | 7 pm | 2nd Wed each EVE RY • Friday Night month. Meet your neighbors, discuss Friday Night Jazz Fri | 7–11 pm | Cliff House, ongoing neighborhood concerns. Sunset Balcony Lounge – 1 Seal Rock. Performances: Ministry, 3010 Noriega St. at 37th Ave. www.cliffhouse.com/home/jazz.html Art 452-7804/[email protected]. EVE RY • Friday Night at the Deyoung W ed • Merced Arts & Culture Salon 5 –8:45 pm | Live music, poetry, films, dance, Wed Dec 14 | 7 pm | Five Fabulous Women tours, and lectures. Cafe: special dinner, no- Artists of the 1800s. Local artist Marlene host bar. Art-making for children and adults. de Aron discusses and presents slides of: Young Museum, GG Park. www.deyoung.famsf. Cassatt, Morisot, Bracquemond, Gonza- org/deyoung/calendar/category/89 les and Claudel. They exhibited in the Su n • Sharon Arts Pottery Sale Paris Salon and the World Exposition in Sun Dec 4 | 11 am–5 pm | Hand-made Paris & tImpressionist exhibitions in the pottery, glass artwork, ceramic vases, early 1870s. Merced Branch Library, 155 bowls, serving dishes, and jewelry. Pro- Winston Dr. 355-2825. ceeds benefit the Sharon Art Studio, Vegan Holiday Cooking Demo Free. Sharon Art Studio, 300 Bowling Sat Dec 17 | 2 pm | Patti Breitman, co- Green Dr. 753-7005. sfrecpark.org author of How to Eat Like a Vegetarian TUD E • Free ay Conservatory of Flowers Even if You Never Want To Be One, dem- Tue Dec 6 | 9 am–4:30 pm | First Tuesday onstrates how to add flavor, flair and of each month is free at the Conservatory kindness to your holiday table. Ingleside of Flowers, Special Exhibit fees, if any Branch Library, 1298 Ocean Ave. still apply. JFK Dr. Golden Gate Park. Mon • Sunset-Parkside Meeting TU E • Parkside Pre-School Storytime Mon Dec 19 | 6pm | SPEAK aims to edu- Tue Dec 6 | 10 am–12 pm | Pre-school cate Sunset/Parkside residents on pub- storytime (Ages birth-5). Events start at lic safety, zoning, planning etc. 3201 10am and 11am. 355-5770. Ulloa St. (Grace Lutheran) 3rd Mon each A san Francisco Tradition: The Nutcracker month. [email protected] San Francisco’s Most Beloved Holiday Tradition Photos: Eric Thomasson T ue • Greater West Portal-GWPNA 7 pm only | Fri Dec 9 & Tue Dec 13 Tue Dec 6 | 7:30 pm | West Portal Play- Tue • Taraval Community Safety Mtg 2 pm & 7 pm | Sat & Sun Dec 10-11, Wed–Sun Dec 14–18,Tue–Sat Dec 20–24 Mon, Tue Dec 26 –27 ground Clubhouse, 139 Lenox Way. We Tue Dec 20 | 7pm | Captain Curtis Lum, The first ballet company to bring the Nutcracker tradition to America, San Francisco Ballet’s awe-inspiring pro- Taraval Station Public Safety Community welcome new members at any time who duction is like no other. Set in San Francisco during the 1915 World’s Fair, Clara’s dreamlike journey is an ode to Meeting, the 3rd Tuesday of each month are interested in the vibrant life of this the City’s historical grandeur - all amidst colorful, larger than life scenery, over 200 dazzling costumed charac- at Taraval Station 2354 24th Ave. community in the “Western Heart” of ters, and of course Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score performed live by the world-class SF Ballet Orchestra. San Francisco. gwpna.org W D ed • Free ay Academy of Sciences TUE • SF Organizing Project Wed Dec 21 | 9:30 am–4 pm | 3rd Weds Tue Dec 6 | 6:45–8 pm | First Tue of the are free on a first come, first served basis, month. SFOP works with public officials and early arrival is recommended. Final about healthcare, affordable housing, entry on free days is 4pm. Music Con- safety, workforce and education. Grace course, Golden Gate Park. Lutheran Church, 3201 Ulloa St. at 33rd S at • Free Tipsy Tow Ave. 564-7102 or [email protected]. Sat Dec 31 | 6 pm– 6 am | Had a bit too Wd e • SF Zoo Free Day much to drink? AAA’s Tipsy Tow Program Wed Dec 7 | 10 am–4 pm | First Wed of is free up to five miles. (800) 222-4357 every month free for SF residents. Proof and say “I need a tipsy tow.” of residency. http://www.sfzoo.org/ T Due • Free ay at the deYoung Home for the Holidays • FREE Open House • Marine Mammal Center T hu • 82 nd Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Tue Jan 3 | 9:30 am–4:30 pm | 1st Tue of month is free. Special exhibit fees, if any, Dec 10 | 10 am – 5 pm | apply. deYoung Museum, 50 Hagiware •Book-reading and signing - 10:15 AM and 12:15 PM Tea Garden Dr., Golden Gate Park Join writer and illustrator Eva Chrysanthe whose work has been published in The New Yorker Magazine, The Thu • Judah Beach Merchants Mtg New York Times Magazine, and The New York Observer. Eva will host three child-friendly readings from her illus- Thu Jan 5 | 1-2 pm | 4019 Judah St. trated book "The Revenge of the Sea Otter." This eight page comic strip was written just for The Marine Mammal Celia’s Restaurant, 1st Thu of month. Center and chronicles the plight of sea otters and Northern fur seals on the Farallon Islands during the last two Judah Beach Association includes mer- centuries. Open house visitors will get a FREE autographed copy and a chance to watch her at work illustrating chants along the Noriega corridor from some of our patients! the ocean to Sunset Blvd. Buffy Maguire •Film screening of 2011 Release Celebrations 606-1884 or [email protected] Shot and produced by documentary film maker Mary Piller, enjoy a fun and beautiful video featuring many of Ta hu •T raVAl-Parkside Merchants the Center's patients as they were released back to their ocean homes earlier this year. Thu Dec 8 | 5 pm–7:30 pm | The annual Thu Jan 5 | 7 pm | First Thurs of each •Docent-led Tours* - 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM lighting of the Monterey cypress tree month. Taraval Police Stn. 2345 24th Learn fascinating facts about seals and sea lions from our education experts while seeing exhibits and patient at McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park, Ave. Dallas Udovch 753-8925. viewing areas. featuring small rides for children, live M on • Central Council Meeting entertainment, a cookie factory, arts and •Meet n' Greet Reception - 12 PM - 2 PM Jan 23 | 7:30 pm | West of Twin Peaks crafts, and a visit from Santa. Free. A special chance to meet members of our veterinary team! Talk to our vets, volunteers and staff over hot apple Central Council | A resource for neigh- cider and nibbles in our ocean-view boardroom! Thu • Sunset Dist Coalition meeting borhood organizations. 4th Monday Thu Dec 8 | 7 pm–9 pm | Info or to be each month. Forest Hill Clubhouse, 381 •Photo opportunities with Frannie the Fur Seal! ALL DAY! Bring your camera and create a unique holiday added to the agenda please call Susan at Magellan. card! 415.586.8103 or [email protected] Got a local event? Preference given to West Info: (415) 289-7325 (www.marinemammalcenter.org) 2000 Bunker Road, Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito. Taraval Police Station, 2345 24th Ave. Side events. [email protected] Details: http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/Get-Involved/events/hfh-open-house-2011.html Page 13 Westside Observer December-January 2011 AT THE THEATER • By Dr Annette Lust and Flora Lynn Isaacson Now At the Movies • By Don Lee Miller Mystery, Murder and Mischief in Fall 2011 Fringe of Birrell is a perfectionist THE DESCENDANTS presidents over 48 Marin, Program One as both a playwright and Hawaiian real estate mogul Matt King: years, ending with his Thanks to the inspiration and lead- director George Clooney not only has to deal with death in the Nixon ership of Dr. Annette Lust, the Fringe of Love Birds is a raising his daughters: Alexandra, 17going reign. Despite the Marin Festival is now in its 28th season. charming romance writ- on 25: Shailene Woodley and Scottie, 10: extraordinarily fine The opening play of Program One, ten by Rod McFadden Amara Miller; his wife is in a coma from interpretation of J. Who Is Who, was an exhilarating mys- and expertly directed a boating accident and he has to decide Edgar Hoover by Leon- tery comedy written and directed by Bill by Carol Eggers. George Dr. Annette Lust when to pull the plug. Alex’s doofus boy ardo DiCaprio, the man Chessman about wealthy British people (Rick Roitinger) and friend Sid: Nick Krause is attached at the himself was an unlike- pretending to be someone else. Outstand- Marcia (Claudia Rosa) hip. Cousin Hugh: Beau Bridges and the able, fussy, paranoid, rules-obsessed, ing performances were given by Jim Col- meet on a park bench. other cousins are counting their millions without humor, mama’s boy cuddled by gan as a perfect butler and C. Conrad George feeds the pigeons before Matt can decide if he really wants to Anna Marie Hoover: Judi Dench, almost Cady as Inspector Nigel Cork from Scot- and Marcia is reading a sell off their beachfront holdings. He learns to the point of smothering. (The old age land Yard. The theme of this play is that Jane Austen novel. Both that his wife was having an affair with a make-up could have been better.) He frets things are seldom what they seem. Rick Roitinger and Clau- real estate guy, Brian Speer: Matthew Lil- about not being able to dance when Lela Louisville by Joe Amata, directed dia Rosa are a dynamic liard, who’ll profit from the sale. His wife Rogers (Ginger’s mother): Lea Thompson by Crystal Nezgoda, starred C. Con- duo as their romance Flora Lynn Isaacson Julie Speer: Judy Greer has a devastating (Back to the Future) invites him to dance rad Cady as Ralph and Rick Roitinger develops. It is a clever idea to have the scene that could put her in the running for at a premiere party. His office is capably as Louis. The suspense builds in a dra- lights go on and off to signify time passing Supporting Actress. Then there’s his wife’s run by Miss Helen Gance: Naomi Watts, matic encounter between two men as a over three weeks as two lonely people find father Scott Thorson: Robert Forster who who shares every confidence. His No. burglar is set up to be a killer and is dis- each other reading and feeding. is contentious. Though all of this, Clooney Two man in the FBI is also his platonic covered by a “supposed” homeowner. Next, The Perfect Step, written and goes from anguished to wrought in a per- lover, Clyde Tolson: Armie Hammer; Michael Belitsos, a retired advertising directed by Melinda E. Lopez, David Molt- formance that would have most tearing there is on-screen kissing, hand-holding executive turned magician, presented Why zen and G. Randy Kasten, with a musical their hair out as his life falls apart around and wrestling for those who might be We Travel: A Magical Mystery Tour. His contribution by David (Dr.Dave) Rogers, him. Directed/co-written by Alexander uncomfortable with same. Hoover’s first definition of travel includes both discov- offered a musical play about a woman who Payne, this is only his fourth film. Clooney fame came when he found the Lindbergh ery and revelation. Mr. Belitsos contrasts is ambitious, a writer who wants to be an and Payne could also get Oscar nomina- baby killer. For viewers with an interest in the attitude of travelers with the attitude of editor and to be free to travel all over and tions. Profanity. old buildings, the Orpheum Theater: LA tourists. In his trip to the Amazon jungle, ends up agreeing to settle down with her H 2APPY FEET and the Library of Congress are used. The teaming with exotic wildlife and splendor, man and take the perfect step. Judi Rich script by Dustin Lance Black (Oscar-win- and being a magician, he makes magic is Sophia, the ambitious woman; Gif- Mumble’s (voice of Elijah Wood) son: ner for Milk) was thrown into a mix and before our very eyes. ford Teeple is her man, Rick; Paula Suye- Erik: v.o. Ava Acres is growing up and assembled by heaven knows what formula. In Joseph O’Loughlin’s The Psychic, hiro plays Tiffany, a very seductive, sexy wants to fit in. Mighty Sven (who can fly!): The film is getting Oscar buzz. Directed directed by Keshuv Prasad, the psychic woman who is Garrett’s girlfriend; and v.o. Hank Azaria is a zany inspiration to by Clint Eastwood with his usual aplomb. played by Rick Roitinger is a TV person- David Moltzen is Garrett, a taxi dispatcher. Erik. A trapped elephant seal (v.o. Richard Profanity. Mild violence. ality who seeks counseling from a priest Kenneth Nugent’s strong drama, The Carter) is rescued. When mother Glo- played by Jeffrey Orth. The play builds Finger, is directed by Tim Giugni to a ria: v.o. Pink (who gets to belt “Bridge of M WY WEEK ITH MARILYN into an unexpected climax of tragedy, hor- startling climax. Marcia Bonham (Claudia Light”) and others are trapped as suddenly Asst. Director #3 Colin Clark: Eddie ror and controversy. Rosa) doesn’t want surgery on her son’s crashing glaciers produce a valley sur- Redmayne on the filming of The Prin- In the second half of the program, finger because that would make him fit for rounded by peaks where the men are, they cess and the Showgirl in London wrote Stay with Me, by Justine Kaltenbach with the Marines to go to war and get killed. Dr. must be fed and rescued. Wacky Ramon/ his first book about Marilyn Monroe: music by Sanna Salmenkalio and directed Ingels (Rick Roitinger) wants to perform Lovelace: v.o. Robin Williams supplies Michelle Williams and Laurence Olivier: by Tracy Ward, a “possible” gay young the operation to save her son. They have some comedy. Some of the most beauti- Kenneth Branagh in 1998. That serves as man, Ernst (sensitively played by Tyler a clash of wills, leading to a tragic conclu- ful underwater scenes feature The Krill: the basis for this tale of the filming. Dame Costin) seeks suicide counseling from sion. Both Roitinger and Rosa give strong v.o. Brad Pitt & Matt Damon . Kids of all Sybil Thorndyke: Judi Dench stands up Lucious, understandingly played by Lon- performances. ages will enjoy this one. Directed and co- for MM when she’s late or flubs her lines, nie Haley. Both actors give fine perfor- The final play, well worth waiting written (plus 7), who can’t come up with which is often. Colin dates setworker, mances but need more projection. for, is George Dykstra’s No Kidding, The a compelling storyline, by George Miller Lucy: Emma Watson , who is jealous of It Don’t Have to Hurt, a solo per- Meaning of Life! Mr. Dykstra directs his (Mad Max). IMAX. 3-D. his time with MM. Mrs. LO/Vivien Leigh: formance written and directed by Susan masterpiece with a superb performance by IMMORTALS Julia Ormond knows that Larry always falls for his leading ladies. Marilyn’s acting Little, is performed by Diane Rodrigues as Burl Lampert as The Guru and a fine per- Ancient Greece: 1228 BC. King coach Paula Strasberg: Zoe Wanamaker Iris, with excellent comic timing. formance by Keshuv Prasad as The Seeker. Hyperion: Mickey Rourke kills everyone , husband Arthur Miller: Dougray Scott The grand finale of the evening was This play contains very clever dialog and in his path to get the Epirius Bow which and producer Milton Greene: Dominic Can One Make Love Wrapped Up in the one liners which are both philosophical has the power to free the imprisoned Cooper all have ways of controlling/driv- French Flag? James Colgan directs this and entertaining, building to an excellent Titans. He captures the oracle Phaedra: ing MM batty. She develops a closeness to sexy French farce written by Benoit Vitse, ending. Freida Pinto and her three oracles. The the quiet 22-year-old AD Colin. Williams a Romanian living in Paris. This charming This season’s Fringe of Marin offered Old Man: John Hurt befriends peasant does a very credible job with direction by play involves an amorous couple, delight- plays that were well written and per- Theseus: Henry Cavill (next: Man of Steel) Simon Curtis. There’s Oscar talk. Songs fully played by C. Conrad Cady and Crys- formed, a play by a noted European who has been chosen by the god Zeus: from other MM films are tacked on at the tal Nezgoda, who wonder if they will be playwright, works by talented Bay Area Luke Evans to protect his people. Directed beginning and end. Profanity. Nudity. punished by French law for wrapping playwrights, and a brand new stage for the by Tarsem Singh with brutal battle scenes themselves in the “drapeau tricolore.” performers, as well as excellent audience with half-a-dozen beheadings and blood PUSS IN BOOTS A memorable outcome of the Fringe attendance and discussions. Jean Bercut everywhere, this bloodbath seems more In a spin-off from the Shrek series, of Marin is to discover fresh voices and For information about participating in or inspired by comic books and Lord of the Puss: voice of Antonio Banderas has his to bring in the community to participate attending the upcoming Spring Fringe of Rings than mythology. Profanity. Nudity. own film. In this prequel, Kitty: v.o. Salma either as artist or spectator. Flora Lynn Marin, visit www.fringeofmarin.com, or Violence. 3-D Hayek, Humpty Dumpty: Zach Gallifiana- Isaacson contact Annette Lust at JeanLust @aol. IN TIME kis, Jack: v.o. Billy Bob Thornton and Jill: v.o. Amy Sedaris interact along his suave From Theatre of the Absurd to the Meaning of Life in Ross Valley Players’ Heartfelt Mockingbird This sci-fi thriller, set in the near swashbuckling path. This is a fast-paced Fall 2011 Fringe of Marin, Program Two The powerful and yet sensitive stage future in NYC, has the premise that time action adventure for all. Although it’s free In Program Two, Waiting to Go (a version of the great American classic, can be “tattooed” on the arm of every of the Murphy-pun influence, the jokes take off on Waiting for Godot) is written To Kill a Mockingbird, opened Friday, human, with additions, purchases and could have been funnier. IMAX. 3-D. and directed by taxi driver Michael Fergu- November 11, 2011 at Ross Valley Players. subtractions made; when you clock out, son, who wrote it from conversations he’s This is an outstanding production, from you die. You live until age 25 and must TH E TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN: PART 1 heard in his cab. This play stars known Bay the marvelous casting, to the brilliant stag- buy/steal additional time after that. Will Bella: Kristen Stewart marries vam- Area actress Maureen Coyne and Al Bad- ing by James Dunn, the wonderful set, and Salas: Justin Timberlake isn’t very macho pire Edward: Robert Pattinson in the first ger, a festival favorite, as a middle-aged the time-perfect costumes. as the poor boy hero from the ghetto who 20 minutes. The next 20, almost without couple waiting for a cab to sort out a fam- Veteran Actress and Director Mary should be tough enough to outrun the dialog, is in their honeymoon cottage ily mess and confront siblings about their Ann Rodgers plays Jean Louise Finch (or timekeeper, Raymond Leon: Cillian Mur- in the Bay of Rio de Janiero with lots of mother’s need to sell her home because Scout) who is the narrator of the story, phy. Will connects with a socialite, Sylvia nudity and lovemaking. Bella has a 3-4 money is gone. Both the dialog and situa- and we witness all of the events through Weis: Amanda Seyfried and they run off month pregnancy and births a freakish tion are extremely clever. her eyes. She is onstage all the time, either together, Why a wealthy lady with lots of child (never seen) as Jacob Black: Taylor Next up was a monologue by peren- speaking to the audience, listening or time would care for this bum doesn’t com- Lautner and the wolves surround the Cul- nial festival award winner Steve North observing. She looks back on her life as pute. His mother Rachel: Olivia Wilde len family home, threatening attack. This titled, A (Tail) Tale of Two Dogs. Steve Scout during the summer of 1935 in May- runs out of time. Directed by Andrew is about as corny as it gets; for died-in- North is a master of the monologue, and comb, Alabama. Niccol; Profanity. Partial Nudity. Some the-wool Twilight fans only! Directed at this one is truly theatre of the absurd, Katrina Horsey’s young Scout was violence. almost a snail’s pace by Bill Condon. Pro- pointing out the foibles of the human con- both focused and chipper. Scout Finch fanity. Violence. dition proving that pets are more impor- lives with her brother Jem (sensitively J. EDGAR tant than people. portrayed by Gerrit deBlaauw), and their Hoover ran the FBI under eight In Suzanne Birrell’s delightful com- widowed father Atticus (portrayed by appropriate authority by Alex Ross) to even though he’s a married man with three edy, Saturday in the Park with Vic, we Steve Price in an amazing performance). defend a young black man, Tom Robin- children and a steady job. Atticus, on the meet two old friends: Sally, played by Mau- Atticus is a prominent lawyer and the son (in a moving performance by Wen- other hand, treats Tom with respect. In his reen Coyne with a great sense of comic Finch family is reasonably well off as com- dell H. Wilson), who has been accused impassioned final speech to the jury, Atti- timing, and Norma (Lynn Kirschner), her pared to the rest of society. One summer, of beating and raping a white woman cus stresses that an unbiased court system hilariously wacky shadow and partner in Jem and Scout befriend a boy named Dill (an hysterical Melissa Bailey). This is the is the very foundation of American soci- crime. While bird watching in the park, (played by Layne Ulrich in an excellent pre-integration South, a time when black ety, and that every person is entitled to a they hear Vic (Tyler Hewitt) speaking on performance). people had few rights. In Tom’s trial, for fair trial. Outstanding performances are his cell phone about a plot to shoot the Atticus is a lawyer who has been instance, the Sheriff, Heck Tate (played by given by Frederick Lein as the scurrilous mayor and all hell breaks loose. Suzanne assigned by Judge Taylor (played with Ray Martin) constantly calls Tom “boy” Cont. p. 14 Page 14 Westside Observer December-January 2011 Cyclists Meet Commute Advocates Head-on Over Oak/Fell Lanes Ginsberg & Ballard (Cont. from p. 3) departmental policies can supersede State law. t a “discussion” on separated bikeways on Oak Street and Fell Street between with RPD in renovating athletic fields. Over the summer, during a half- Scott Street and Baker Street, it was clear that the three-block territory is a Hirsch and Associates are philanthropic dozen SOTF hearings, Gong continued battleground among local residents who want to maintain precious parking advisors, a limited liability corporation to assert RPD couldn’t locate responsive A specializing in managing foundations. spaces, auto commuters, who want to retain consistent traffic flow and bicyclist, who records. want to improve the safety of their commute. The City Fields Foundation’s Form When subsequent testimony 990-PF tax returns for 2008, 2009, and revealed that agencies must keep records 2010 posted on www.Guidestar.com of all documents for no less than two show that Hirsch and Associates received years and only duplicate records may a total of $1,092,352 from City Fields in be erased before then, per Government three years as one of its five highest-paid Code §34090 task Force vice-chair Bruce contractors for professional services. City Wolfe eviscerated RPD’s deletion policy. Fields is a private foundation with differ- Ron Vinson, Deputy Director of ent IRS reporting rules than traditional SF’s Department of Technology (DT), non-profit organizations. Notably, dur- claimed they could only retrieve e-mails ing the same three-year period, it spent that had not been deleted. “The Depart- an additional $108,974 on “fundraising.” ment…[isn’t] responsible for individual The Foundation’s web site lists department e-mails and its contents. I as one of its “Team Members,” RPD can only give you what we have and that’s The San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Authority (SFMTA) held the discus- employee Dan Mauer, a landscape archi- what is in the system for recovery.” sion to solicit feedback on several proposed solutions. Their objective is to make the dan- tect and project manager in RPD’s Capi- In truth, the City has a robust back- gerous three-block area a safer zone. This is the critical link where bicyclists must cross tal Improvement Division who was paid up system of e-mails necessary for antici- into freeway-like traffic coming to and from the Panhandle as they proceed to or from “the $158,035 by the City in FY 2010. Com- pated lawsuits and disaster preparedness Wiggle,” a designated bicycle pathway that flows from Scott to Market Street. bine Ballard’s $112,431 annual salary resiliency. This false claim (inability to Prompted by the 550% increase in westbound bicycle traffic on Fell Street since the and Ginsburg’s $205,788 annual salary, retrieve deleted e-mails) left the door Fell tow-away lane closure trial in 2002 the agency’s primary goal is to make cycling more and you have a minimum of $476,254 in wide open for abuse of the Sunshine attractive and safer through a separated bikeway along the three blocks. The December 3rd RPD salaries working on a public-private process. meeting, held at the SF Day School at 300 Masonic is the final community input meeting,. project. Given the symbiotic relation- 141 days after the original records Comments will be considered and finalized by the Spring of 2012. ships between Hirsch, the Foundation, request was placed with RPD, and just Additional comments may still be directed to Luis Montoya, Luis.montoya@sfmta. and RPD staff, Ms. Hirsch clearly had a two working days before the SOTF was com or call (415) 701-4376. To obtain graphs and illustrations—in full—of the Oak/Fell vested financial interest in influencing expected to refer charges — Gong finally Community Presentation, go to: sfmta.com/cms/bproj/OakandFellBikeways.htm the Commonwealth Club’s forum about coughed up 14 pages of e-mails she Golden Gate Park. claimed were retrieved from DT back- Despite their interference prior to a up tapes. Ginsburg’s RPD could have public event, the forum held on May 11 provided me with the documents from Design was cordial and respectful. back-up tapes in June. How Did RPD Go So Seriously Wrong? “Mr. Wooding’s case is significant Concept On June 3 and June 9, I submitted on several levels. This is the first time a Immediate Disclosure Requests for pub- City department eventually produced lic documents to the RPD, seeking any documents from back up files. Rec and A and all documents between April 15 and Park’s lack of compliance also hid City May 30 regarding the Commonwealth employee and commissioner attempts Club’s May 11 forum. On June 9, secre- to sabotage public discussion of privati- tary Olive Gong claimed, “We [RPD] do zation of public land. These public offi- not have any documents in response to cials signed non-public e-mails using your requests.” Asked again, Gong pro- their public titles in an attempt to sway vided copies of e-mails sent from Gins- the Commonwealth Club to bias a forum burg, Buell, and Ballard stating each arranged by members of the public,” had “no documents responsive to this Hope Johnson, chairperson of SOTF, Design request.” said. Concept Unbeknownst to RPD staff, I had “…these officials sought to discredit already received, copies of most of the both the qualifications and motives of documents I had requested, trapping forum panelists. There is no greater jus- RPD in an obvious lie. So I filed a Com- tification for the Sunshine Ordinance B plaint with the SOTF, submitting proof than to protect citizens’ rights to free of documents RPD claimed didn’t exist. speech and public assembly,” Greg Miller, At an SOTF hearing on July 26, a member of San Francisco Ocean Edge, Gong admitted the requested documents testified. had once existed, but, claiming RPD’s Hopefully RPD staff will be pun- Record Retention policy permitted RPD ished for making a mockery of local gov- employees to independently determine ernment transparency. when any document’s “business utility” Feedback: [email protected] Design had ended, they were deleted, asserting Concept Dog Killer Artist (Cont. from p. 9) would travel to San Francisco to see any- thing sponsored by the San Francisco Art C Commission is seriously delusional. To add to their problems, the Arts Commission has fallen under the eyes of open government activists Peter Warf- ield and Ray W Hartz Jr. (pictured above flanking an unknown lady). These are the people who take the time to sit through public comment was legally required, an boring meetings and pore through self- activity that brought them nothing but Design serving, poorly written minutes in order disdain from the commissioners, even to inform the clubby bureaucrats that though their motives are ethical and, in Concept what they are doing is illegal and com- a minor way, heroic. pletely against the spirit and intent of open government laws. The minutes of Reprinted from www.sfciviccenter. Wednesday’s meeting were filled with blogspot.com, by SF Mike (Michael D notifications of expenditures but in some Strickland) cases without any amounts or explana- The Best of the Net is a monthly feature of tions for what the money was being spent the Observer in which we present an out- upon. This did not amuse Mr. Warfield standing journalistic effort of particular or Mr. Hartz, who politely expressed local interest. their displeasure at every moment that

Theater(Cont. from p. 13) is mostly exposition and introduction Design of characters. The performance moves Concept Bob Ewell, father of the girl who accuses quickly leading up to the famous court Tom; Anne Ripley as Mrs. Dubose, the room scene in the second act. In Mr. crabby neighbor; Wood Lockhart as Dunn’s capable hands, the play, at all the prosecuting attorney Mr. Gilmer; times, lives up to its potential with good E Sumi Narendran, who plays the Finch’s pacing and tense delivery. housekeeper Calpurnia with care and apprehension; and Jeffrey Taylor as Boo Mockingbird at Ross Valley Players Radley, a mysterious neighbor. through Dec 11. Reservations, 456-9555 Director James Dunn has put or www.rossvalleyplayers.com Flora Lynn together an excellent show. The first act Isaacson December-January 2011 Westside Observer Page 15 SHARON THE HEALTH / By Sharon Caren Amylase deficiency may start as an deficiencies, pain, joint stiffness, skin Enzymes – The Key To Digestion early allergic condition where the child eruptions, psoriasis, eczema, and colon, develops allergies to starches, proteins, liver, pancreas, and intestinal problems. And Health and sugars. Parents then take the child to Many enzyme supplements are not n the early 1990’s I learned about the importance of the doctor or hospital where they may use only deficient but also inactive. Here is enzymes in every function of the body. I’ve supple- chemicals that could create other lifelong how some enzymes are destroyed or ren- mented with digestive enzymes ever since. After reading problems while not addressing the real dered inactive: I issue. Planting, growing, and cultivating this information, you may feel similarly. In the last few decades, science and food grown with chemical fertilizers, her- What is an Enzyme allows for higher technology have made it possible for us bicides, and pesticides will produce a crop Enzymes, the biological catalysts, production of met- to supplement our diet with all kinds of basically devoid of enzymes. speed up the chemical reactions in all abolic enzymes, nutritional supplements. With enzyme Heat begins to break down the living things. Without enzymes nothing crucial for daily metabolism, health, and supplementation, children and adults no enzymes at 118 degrees F. and they are would work. Food would sit for weeks detoxification. longer have to suffer because of diges- totally destroyed at 129 degrees F. in the stomach, and we would eventu- There are two major enzyme systems in tive problems and insufficient nutrient Pasteurization, sterilization, micro- ally die. Enzymes are absolutely vital to the human body absorption. waving, chemical processing for freezing, human health and are the foundation on Metabolic enzymes help run all the Beware of Processed Foods and any other modern processes kill the which life is perpetuated. The purpose of body systems. They speed up the chemi- We must avoid processed foods enzymes or render them inactive. enzymes is to break molecules apart or cal conversion within the cells for detoxi- whenever possible, as they are devoid The choice is yours put them together, which they do very fication and the production of energy and of the necessary enzymes for digestion When you understand the critical quickly and efficiently. There are many are produced in the organs of the body and usually contain enzyme inhibitors importance of enzymes and the life-giv- specific enzymes for each chemical reac- such as the liver, pancreas, and gallblad- to increase shelf life. Inhibitors block the ing role they perform in the body, you’ll tion needed to make each individual cell der. Enzymes enable us to move, think, enzymatic process, which stresses the discover explanations for health problems work properly. see, hear, and feel, which comprise the body into an out-of-balance condition. that you or those around you may have. Over 3,000 known enzymes in the complete control mechanism of the body. A lack of digestive enzymes in the Knowledge gives hope, especially when body perform every type of chemical (One researcher found over 98 enzymes food we eat forces the body to overpro- products are available that can increase conversion imaginable. They control the carrying out the metabolic functions in duce its own digestive enzymes, and limits the potential for vibrant health and lon- body’s vital metabolic processes and are the arteries alone.) its ability to produce metabolic enzymes gevity. There are all natural supplements crucial for health and normal metabo- available. It’s important to find a reputable When you understand the critical importance of enzymes and the life-giving lism. This limitation occurs because both company you can trust to give you organic role they perform in the body, you’ll discover explanations for health problems digestive enzymes and metabolic enzymes ingredients in supplements. are created from the same enzyme precur- Give a gift of life this Holiday Sea- that you or those around you may have. Knowledge gives hope, especially when sors (PST) that are produced in the liver. son. Those of you who are on the path to products are available that can increase the potential for vibrant health and lon- The production of these precursors a healthier lifestyle, please share this with is limited in the human body, so when others who are searching for answers but gevity. There are all natural supplements available. It’s important to find a repu- the digestive system must overproduce don’t know what questions to ask. My table company you can trust to give you organic ingredients in supplements” digestive enzymes due to an enzyme-less purpose is to help educate, strengthen and diet, it causes a harmful underproduction uplift people everywhere to feel good. of metabolic enzymes, which are a must Many blessings and Happy New Year present in every biological system. Enzyme Digestive enzymes break down the in every process of the human body. The 2012! conversion creates energy and builds new food we eat to release the nutrients for immune system, circulatory system, liver, Please email me sharon@sharonthehealth. cells. All living cells require nutrients and absorption. They are the most talked- kidneys, spleen, pancreas, and even our enzymes to divide, grow, and perform com or call 650.359.6579 if you need help about enzymes because food is the fuel ability to see, breathe, and think depend finding the right enzymes or any questions their normal activities. Enzymes turn the for life. These enzymes are secreted along upon these metabolic enzymes. food we eat into energy and facilitate the you may have. Also visit www.sharonthe- the digestive tract where the food is bro- Early signs of enzyme deficiency can health.com use of this energy. ken down. The essential nutrients, vita- manifest with complaints of heartburn, Without the beneficial work of mins, and minerals that sustain life are gas, bloating, fatigue, headaches, stom- “The views expressed are those of the enzymes, foods and proteins may go undi- then released and absorbed into the blood achaches, diarrhea, constipation, chronic writer. If you have any questions about gested and might ferment and putrefy stream to be carried throughout the body. fatigue, yeast infections, nutritional your health, you should always consult with your doctor. in the gastrointestinal tract. Undigested The waste continues through the foods tax the body, zap energy, and spur digestive tract and is discarded. How- the overgrowth of yeast, fungi, para- ever, if the waste does not move, causing sites, bacteria, and microorganisms that constipation, the waste begins to break contribute to viral conditions, gastritis, down into putrefaction that the body Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, and other will reabsorb as poison, creating all types Be a sweet deer. inflammatory conditions. of body dysfunction. Digestive enzymes Inadequate digestive enzyme activ- include ptyalin, pepsin, trypsin, lipase, ity is also linked to chronic inflammation protease, and amylase. However the cel- This elsewhere in the body such as fibromyal- lulose enzyme, needed for the digestion gia, herpes, inability to gain or lose weight, of fiber, is not manufactured by the body holiday bad breath, body odor, skin rashes, and and must come from the food we eat or migraines. supplementation. season, Digestive enzymes promote complete Enzymes are Important for New digestion and help those who have diffi- Mothers culty digesting and assimilating food. As Amylase, found in the saliva of adults, drop off we age, we need more enzymes for com- breaks down carbohydrates and simple plete digestion. Enzymes are essential in sugars found in vegetables and fruits. your used unlocking and metabolizing the vitamins, However, it is not produced in the bodies minerals, and amino acids in food. of infants when they are born. Their diges- When the diet is supplemented with tive systems are able to produce protease, cooking oil. digestive enzymes that are naturally pres- cellulase, maltase, lipase, lactase, and It helps keep our sewer system ent in whole, raw, or uncooked foods, sucrase, but not amylase. Because amy- there are two powerful benefits: lase levels are very high in the mother’s free of grease. Plus, we’ll convert The body is able to extract the maxi- milk, for nursing babies, their systems it to biodiesel! mum nutritional value from food. would be overloaded. Babies who have The body can reduce its internal not been breast-fed automatically have an For a list of convenient drop-off production of digestive enzymes, which amylase deficiency. sites in San Francisco, including Whole Foods, Rainbow Grocery, Costco and others, go to SFGreasecycle.org.

When you drop off your oil, tell us about it! Take a brief survey at SFWater.org/grease and get a FREE stainless steel water bottle (while supplies last). Page 16 Westside Observer December-January 2011 Remember When?

Market Street from Twin Peaks (Note Bay Bridge Construction) • Oct. 12, 1934 • By permission SF History Center, SF Public Library. Phyllis Sherman New York-type favorites will be Phyllis’ Findings / available locally. It’s about time. Squeeze an Extra Hour into Your Day Another happy interest- ing happening....”The Fashion atest reports say that if you only sleep six World of Jean Paul Gaultier” or seven hours per night you’ll live lon- displays around 140 ensem- Lger than if you sleep eight or more hours. bles from the French designer, The findings are only preliminary, so if you’re a including costumes from the late sleeper, don’t worry until we know for sure. movie “The Fifth Element” and What we do know is that there’s a way to squeeze an extra hour into Madonna’s famous cone bra. your busy day. Next stop: San Francisco’s de You wonder how you can midday and few cars approaching. Young Museum in March. do it all, right? Well, actually you I attempted a less steep hill and it * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * can’t. There’s always something still wasn’t working. I thought Some Things You Should Get To: else vying for your attention. And perhaps the gas was low so Alioto Claus when my mother took me J. Paul Getty At the Contemporary Jew- to see him in a department store, Eternity is two people and a roast when you put off something, until sent someone with a can of gas ish Museum”Houdini: Art & something else gets done, chances and it still didn’t do what I hope and he asked for my autograph... turkey... Magic” is an interesting exhi- Shirley Temple James Dent are you won’t get any projects it would do. (I believe that even bition with pictures and videos completed. with an empty tank, a car can go My parents had only one argu- Avoid fruits and nuts, you are of the magician in action. Also ment in forty-five years. It lasted what you eat... Well, there is one way to another 20 miles or so.) The next some fun magic gifts in the squeeze an extra hour into your thing that occurred is that my forty-three years... Garfield (Jim Davis) Museum store for the magician Cathy Ladman I asked the clothing store clerk if busy day. I did it and it works. car was stalled at the intersection kids in your life. Til January. In the morning, whenever you of Clipper and Portola with cars Tell your boss what you think of she had anything to make me look ANNAPURNA is not about him and the truth shall set you thinner and she said “How about awaken, don’t lie there and whizzing by. One of the nearby the mountain but an absorbing vaguely think about all the useless drivers called the police, who free... a week in Bangladesh?..” drama at the Magic Theater by Unknown Roseanne Barr or pointless things you did yester- eventually showed up, raised the Sharr White and directed ably day or should have done or will do hood to indicate that I was dis- Formula for success: Rise early, [email protected] by Loretta Greco. This two char- work hard, strike oil... when the time is right. Nor should abled and proceeded to call a tow acter play concerns a terminally you think about all the nefarious company. That took another 3/4 of ill cowboy and his Eastern sea- things that have happened in the an hour and the car was towed to board ex-wife who tracked him past week...what your kids or what Twin Peaks Gas Station where Ed to a remote part of the Rockies Some people’s names (such as “Will Power”) suggest a certain personality or career your wife or husband or signifi- is proceeding to figure out what for the final resolution of an cant other intimated...just GET the problem is (and apparently choice. Given below are some last names and professions (in no particular order). For incident that drove them apart each last name, your task is to think of a common first name, such that it suggests one of UP!!! If you’re a morning newspa- there are several.) Ed couldn’t 20 years ago. Thru Dec 441-8822 per reader you’ll finish it an hour figure out how Alioto could have the given professions. Each last name and profession must be used just once. The Marsh on Valencia Example: Sonny Day would suggest a meteorologist. earlier! If your spouse isn’t up yet, returned the car without check- Street is featuring a very funny make breakfast and surprise him ing it out more thoroughly. It was solo show with Marga Gomez or her...it will gain you important freezing cold and rainy and dark- Last Names: Ball, King, Major, Mee, Soares, Turner in “NOT GETTING ANY Professions: Paleontologist, Author, Musician, Plumber, Astrologer, Lawyer points. That’s my tip for the New ness was now approaching and YOUNGER.” It’s a hilarious mix

Year approaching. Try it. what I wanted to inform you is Sue Mee - Lawyer (sue me) (sue Lawyer - Mee Sue of childhood memories, lying turner) (page Author - Turner Paige

that the policeman, Calvin Chow, Lee King - Plumber (leaking) Plumber - King Lee

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * about her age, reflections about (dinosaurs) Paleontologist - Soares Dinah

could not have been more helpful Dee Major - Musician (D Major) (D Musician - Major Dee Some good things and some her childhood and some social ball) (crystal Astrologer - Ball Crystal

and guided me through several horrendous things happened satire.that will keep you laugh- Answer recently. First the good thing, hours of anxiety and apprehen- ing. Thru Dec 17 unless it’s or maybe we could also call it a sion. I have since called the San extended. 282-3055. calamitous thing. I had a car acci- Francisco Police Department to report Officer Chow’s good deeds * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * dent and Alioto’s Body Shop on The Best Things Anybody Ever Said: to the Captain. It was an unfortu- Folsom spent some time replacing Roses are reddish Rules: Each puzzle is a 9 by 9 grid of squares divided into a headlight and fender that was nate calamity but fortunately no injuries. Violets are bluish nine 3 by 3 square blocks, with some of the numbers filled severely damaged. When it was If it weren’t for Christmas in for you. returned it seemed drivable, but * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * We’d all be Jewish ... T he Object: Fill in the blank squares so that each of the when I attempted to drive up one A few things to look forward Benny Hill of SF’s many steep hills, the car to: Rumor has it that in short numbers 1 to 9 appears exactly once in each row,column Santa Claus has the right idea... and block. wouldn’t make it. I carefully (with order a Jewish delicatessen will visit people once a year... some trepidation) backed the car be opening on 24th Street. More Victor Borge Answer: The answer appears aside. down the hill...fortunately it was lox, whitefish, kreplach, and other I stopped believing in Santa December-January 2011 Westside Observer Page 17 SECOND THOUGHTS / By Jack Kaye Funding, Curriculum, Health And Safety A Simple and Fair Federal Income Tax By Carol Kocivar merica is in the midst of an economic crisis. We have a federal dequate funding for education is the most important debt in excess of $14 trillion dollars, we are running annual policy issue that parents and families want the state deficits of more than a trillion dollars, we have 14 million peo- Ato address, according to a recent survey conducted A by the California State PTA. ple out of work, and 50 million people, including one in five of our chil- dren, living in poverty. While job creation is essential, so is reducing the annual deficit by cutting unnecessary federal spending and raising revenue. On behalf of its more than 900,000 members statewide, California Studies have found that the richest taxed at 15% or, in this case, $750. The total State PTA is calling for a united effort to qualify and pass a ballot Americans are paying at an average rate of tax would be $5,750 or 6.7% of their gross only 17% for their annual federal income tax, income. measure in November 2012 to begin restoring funding for education and that half of American households pay no Let’s say there is a couple who earned programs that have been cut.” federal or state income tax at all. $200,000 in net salary and $310,000 in capi- There has been much discussion about tal gains. Their total would be $510,000. The survey showed that 98.6 per- In terms of children’s health, 94.2 changing the tax code to make it simpler and Using the standard deduction, they would cent of respondents think adequate percent rated physical activity and more fair. Conservatives want a flat tax with net $480,000. The first $50,000 would be at state funding is important or extremely physical education as the most impor- everyone paying the same rate. They want 10%. The second $50,000 would be taxed important. tant issue, followed by nutrition and to reduce the highest rate while expanding at 15%. The next $150,000 would be taxed The survey measured the impor- healthy school meals, and preventing the base, meaning that more people would at 20% and the remaining $230,000 (net tance PTA volunteers place on 33 differ- alcohol, tobacco and drug use. be paying taxes while the richest would pay income over $250,000) would be taxed ent legislative and policy issues related Parent and family engagement has less. The last time tax rates were lowered in 25%. So in this case, the couple would owe to PTA’s major focus areas: education, been a longstanding focus of the PTA. favor of the wealthiest Americans, under the $5,000+$7,500+$30,000+$57,500 = $100,000 health, safety and parent involvement. In this year’s survey, parents rated the Bush/Cheney administration, the result was in taxes. That equals a 20.8% tax on their Nine out of every 10 say adequate importance of several specific issues no new jobs, record deficits, a Wall Street gross income. funding is extremely important. That related to parent involvement, noting a crash and the tattered economy we are now As a third example has a couple making was by far the highest response for any particular need for greater involvement suffering. $5 million in capital gains, (including divi- single issue in our survey. at the middle school and high school I have a recommendation that would dends also currently taxed at only 15%). They On behalf of its more than 900,000 levels. simplify the federal and therefore the state would have a standard deduction of $30,000 members statewide, California State The impact of budget cuts and then owe $230,000 for the first $1 million income tax code for individuals and couples, PTA is calling for a united effort to qual- PTA members throughout the state and $1.2 million for the remaining $4 million not including the self-employed. My plan ify and pass a ballot measure in Novem- also highlighted the severe impact of for a total of $1.43 million or 28.6% in federal would be very simple, fair, and would raise ber 2012 to begin restoring funding for budget cuts on their schools. Of those income tax. at least $200 billion a year in new revenues. education programs that have been cut. surveyed, 96 percent said that in the This tax code would not give an Earned This figure could be adjusted, as could the Last year PTA also joined as a past few years state budget cuts have Income Credit or a Making Work Pay Credit recommended tax brackets and standard plaintiff in a historic lawsuit challeng- forced their local schools to cut or elim- to low earners, who currently not only don’t deductions. ing the constitutionality of the state’s inate programs and services to students. pay taxes but actually get paid taxes costing Under this plan taxes would have one school finance system, and PTA has Hardest hit have been programs $115 billion a year. The lowered rates for the purpose - collecting revenue with which to been active in opposing legislative pro- and services that provide students with wealthiest, under Bush/Cheney, reduced tax fund needed government services. The tax posals to make deeper cuts to education extra support or that help all students revenues by almost $100 billion a year. code would not try to encourage or discour- funding. receive a well-rounded educational That does not mean that those in need age behavior with deductions or credits. It Education, Health, Safety and Par- experience. of relief for college loans, income supple- would treat all income equally, be it from Summer school topped the list with ments, special medical needs or anything else ent Involvement work (minus FICA deduction), dividends, 33 percent saying it has been elimi- currently credited in the tax code would be The survey showed parents and pensions, insurance benefits, bonuses, inter- nated, and another 28 percent saying it ignored. With the money saved, hundreds of families place the highest education pri- est, lawsuits, lotteries, etc. has been cut significantly. billions a year, there would be money for these ority on ensuring that every student has As of 2008, people’s income from stock Arts education programs have also purposes. More and larger college grants and access to a complete curriculum that dividends has been taxed at 15% while suffered dramatically, with 22.6 percent some very low interest federal loans could be includes the arts, STEM (science, tech- income from savings interest can be as high reporting they have been eliminated awarded to deserving students; low income nology, engineering and math) as well as 35%. Actual capital gains are also now at and another 42.7 percent saying they workers could receive a reduced cost for as on smaller class sizes, strengthening the 15% level, down from 35%, while only a have been cut significantly. health care benefits, help with rent payments, teacher and administrator effectiveness, maximum of 85% of Social Security benefits Other programs and services access to food discounts and other benefits and reducing the dropout rate. are taxable and legal settlements are not taxed deeply affected by budget cuts include targeted at those in need of help. Reforms such as common core at all. Under this new system all these income buses and transportation; instructional But what about the loss of deductions standards and more choices for parents sources would be treated as equal. aides; physical activity and sports pro- for home mortgages and charitable contribu- such as charter schools – while generat- Under this plan there would be no item- grams; Gifted and Talented Education; tions? Will people still buy homes or give to ing interest – were not seen as nearly as ized deductions, only a standard one. For enrichment programs, such as field charities? Good question. critical. discussion purposes it could be $15,000 for trips and assemblies; libraries, librarians While home mortgages have other prob- Preventing bullying and cyber- an individual or $30,000 for a couple. There and media centers; school nurses and lems now, if people see buying a home as a bullying rated extremely highly in the would be no deductions for children, medical student health centers. care costs, charitable contributions, educa- lifetime investment in their own well being, survey, with 95.2 percent saying it is tion costs, mortgage payments, state income they will continue to buy homes. With some important or extremely important. Feedback: [email protected] tax, etc. Currently there is no itemized deduc- of the revenue raised by eliminating this tion for buying food for the family or for eat- deduction, more affordable mortgages can ing at restaurants with the kids, but people do be funded to qualifying families. The $30,000 it. There is no itemized deduction for buying standard deduction is more than most mid- the family clothes, but people do it. There was dle class families claim in itemized deduc- a deduction for interest paid on credit cards tions for home mortgage interest and charity. and car loans but that was dropped 30 years With charities, it is an open question. I ago. People still pay interest on them even have found in my own case, now that I have though they can’t write it off. The three mar- subjected my family taxes to the standard tini lunch was dropped as a business deduc- deduction, I still pay as much for charities tion, but people still have them every day. and feel better about it because I don’t have There would be only five tax brackets that to keep track of every receipt and tally them would range from (after the standard deduc- to see how much I can save for my kindness. tion) 10% for net incomes up to $50,000, 15% This way it is just out of the desire to help oth- up to $100,000, 20% up to $250,000, 25% up ers without any expectation of reward. to one million, and 30% for income over $1 I believe that this recommended tax code million These brackets could be adjusted to change would raise needed revenue by both raise or lower the tax burden. expanding the base, meaning more than just Here are some examples: half of all families will be paying some tax, Imagine that there is a couple that earned and by getting the rich to pay more but at a $50,000 in net salary (after deducting FICA lower marginal tax rate. withholding for payroll taxes), $20,000 in Then, if this plan is adopted and revenue Social Security benefit payments, $10,000 in is raised, it must be put to good use. Govern- interest, and $5,000 in capital gains. The total ment waste, including fraud, inefficiency, is $85,000. The couple would deduct $30,000 ineffectiveness, duplication of effort and in a standard deduction, leaving them a net international overreaching must be mini- income of $55,000. The first $50,000 could be mized and our deficit must be reduced. Our at a 10% tax rate or, in this case, $5,000. The tax dollars should go to good use. remaining $5,000 of net income would be Feedback: [email protected]

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www.westsideobserver.com Page 18 Westside Observer December-January 2011 Laguna Honda (Cont. from p. 6) Quentin Kopp (Cont. from p. 3) under this title.” Senator Humphrey’s fight against racial Initiatives that actually has independent IRS certification. government to evade the understandable provisions of discrimination and preference was an example of public Community Initiatives is a separate non-profit organiza- that part of our State Constitution, and consistent, con- service at its finest, an object lesson for those who note tion that handles the books for Renne’s Laguna Honda tinuous judicial decisions upholding the State Constitu- deficiencies in observing State Constitutional require- Foundation, and “rolls up” Renne’s Foundation finances tional provision, every legislative session discloses efforts ments and thoughtful civil rights principles articulated into Community Initiatives’ own IRS filings. by one or more legislators to try to circumvent Article by the creator of the Federal Civil Rights Act. If Commissioner Illig expects that Community Initia- 1, Section 31. The clarion call of “affirmative action” is Finally, you can’t disregard in this season of Christ- tives will suddenly cough up data on Renne’s non-profit heard throughout the state capitol and levels of local gov- mas and Hanukkah fervor some of the trappings of Laguna Honda Foundation, he’s sadly mistaken. ernment. As was pointed out by the National Director of post-election City Hall. Among the ordinances and pro- I requested financial information about Renne’s the Anti-Defamation League in 1995, affirmative action, posals under consideration to cure our City’s ills are such Foundation from Community Initiatives in early 2010. as originally conceived, was an effort to provide educa- beauties as an effort by the Metropolitan Transportation On March 8, 2010, Melanie Beene, CEO and President tion and training for persons in certain categories to Authority and supervisors to raise money by forcing a of Community Initiatives, sent me an e-mail stating that compete equally in a merit-based process. He declared; private property owner who furnishes free parking to Louise Renne had demanded that all requests for informa- “Equality of opportunity was a worthy goal in the 1960’s his or her customers on his or her private property to tion about her Foundation’s finances be directed to Renne. and 1970’s, and it remains a worthy goal today. We still pay the city an annual fee of $1000 per parking space. In August 2010, Beene indicated she would ask believe there is a place in our society for in-service train- Think about it: a business owner buys property in order Community Initiatives’ Board of Directors to consider ing, apprenticeship opportunities, placement assistance to conduct business and ensures space for customers to releasing summarized financial records of revenue and and recruitment of those victimized by past discrimi- park without charge. That means customers don’t need to expenditures of its “client,” the Laguna Honda Founda- nation.” I agree. Our society needs unremitting com- plug money constantly into parking meters. It’s obvious tion, if the Foundation refused to provide the requested mitment to traditional forms of affirmative action and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority resents such financial records. aggressive enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, but foresight and business sense. I’ll be waiting to observe But on March 28, 2011, Ms. Beene changed her tune, the best solution is assistance for the economically dis- Board of Supervisors action on that inane proposal while e-mailing me that “After consultation with legal counsel, advantaged, regardless of race, color, sex, ethnicity or it contemplates a Mirkarimi proposal to charge gro- we have received verification that neither Community Ini- national origin. In fact, in the United States Senate debate cery and other types of business customers money for tiatives, nor its fiscally sponsored project, Laguna Honda over the 1964 Federal Civil Rights Act, its progenitor, the paper bags in which to carry their purchases home. It’s Foundation, is required to provide a public requester with late Senator (and Vice President) Hubert H. Humphrey not enough that City Hall wants to compel our children any program data other than what appears on each orga- of Minnesota declared the act “ would prohibit prefer- and us not to eat specified foodstuffs, it’s not enough that nization’s [Form] 990 filed with the IRS.” ential treatment for any particular group…” In 1973, such savants advise us to eschew plastic bags and it’s not If Illig is able to obtain data Renne’s Foundation has in the House of Representatives, an amendment to the enough that we recycle paper bags. City Hall will gener- refused to provide to members of the public, more power so-called Alaska Pipeline Bill provided: “The Secretary ate money for its $6,800,000,000 annual budget by dock- to him. But he’s likely barking up the wrong tree, and will of the Interior shall take such affirmative action as he ing us for using a paper bag to carry our groceries and continue to do so until the IRS revokes Renne’s IRS non- deems necessary to ensure that no person shall, on the then to recycle such bag. It’s a wonderful world in often profit designation. grounds of race, creed, color, national origin or sex, be clownish City Hall, but let’s enjoy fun, games, parties and Renne has installed her minion, former Deputy excluded from receiving, or participating in any activity presents this month and trust in the New Year. City Attorney Marc Slavin, as LHH’s de facto Executive conducted under any permit, right-of-way, public land Quentin Kopp is a former Supervisor, State Senator and Administrator, and his office at LHH is still reported to be order or other Federal authorizations granted or issued Judge. Feedback: editor@westside observer.com in the space that Renne renovated for her Foundation at taxpayer expense. A reader of this column reported they Zephyr Holiday Food and Toy Drives Annually, approximately 200,000 toys are distributed. Toys should be new and without gift-wrapping. had called Community Initiatives and was told that Slavin Zephyr Real Estate is once again accepting contribu- was a Laguna Honda Foundation employee, ostensibly at The SF Food Bank expects to distribute food to over tions for the annual Food and Toy drives to benefit those 36,000 households during the holidays. Their goal is to the same time he was a City employee at LHH — which who need a little help this season. As with prior years, the would create obvious conflicts of interest — but I have raise 200,000 pounds of food – enough to provide food SF Firefighters’ Toy Program and the SF Food Bank are for more than 825,000 meals. The Food Bank supplies been unable to obtain independent confirmation. the recipients of the donations from. To find the nearest The various scandals involving Renne’s Foundation food to over 450 local non-profit organizations that serve Zephyr office to drop off, visit www.zephyrsf.com. thousands of families, seniors, children and individu- will likely never change, ruining the good reputation of — Last year, the SF Firefighters Toy Program gave away and charitable contributions to — LHH’s patient gift fund. als. Food items should be non-perishable. Most-needed 40,000 toys to over 25,000 children. This program has foods are tuna and canned meats, cereal, peanut butter, Monette-Shaw is an open-government accountability advo- been actively brightening the holidays for disadvantaged beans, rice, pasta, soups and stews, 100 percent fruit cate, a patient advocate, and a member of California’s First children since 1949. Their work is not only around the juices, and canned fruits and vegetables. While shopping Amendment Coalition. Feedback: monette-shaw@west- holidays, but throughout the year for displaced children during the next month, buy an extra can of food. sideobserver.com. who become victims of fires, floods and other disasters.

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Call 1-888-699-DOCS (3627) or visit sutterpacific.org to find a doctor near you. December-January 2011 Westside Observer Page 19 From the Border Hilary Gordon FALL WEED STRATEGIES By Hilary Gordon, 2011/Images by Blair Randall, 2011 ndoors, it’s time to get ready for daylight savings and Halloween candy. Outdoors, the changes come more slowly. Each day the sun is a little bit Ilower, the night is a few moments longer, and the plants in our Mediter- ranean, summer-dry climate, breathe a sigh of relief. San Francisco already has recorded more than an plants, cool season annuals emerging from inch of early rain, and the newly moist soil, the clear spar- last year’s seeds. After a few more good rains kling days, and the release from fog and wind mark a new our gardens will be full of seedlings from beginning. Our long growing season lasts from now (with Forget-me-nots, California poppies, Red a brief pause for cold weather around the Winter Solstice) Lychnis, Borage, Cineraria, Sweet Alyssum until late May or early June when the soils dry out for next and Honeywort. All these plants return reli- summer’s drought. ably year-after-year from seeds. With the beginning of a new season, gardeners also Just as reliable are the weedy seeds. Dan- change gears. Fall clean-up accelerates, as more plants fin- delions, Dock, Mustard, Cheese weed, Petty Borage officianalis is an annual that returns year-after-year from last year’s seeds ish their blooming cycles and can be cut down in prepara- Spurge and annual grass weeds, including first rains it emerges, ready to devour your garden and tion for a new season. Plants like Shasta daisies, which we the dreaded Erharta grass, will also be popping up every- mine. have been selectively deadheading to prolong the bloom- where. Good gardening calls for an organized strategy to Ideally, this weed can be removed by digging out the ing season, can now be cut all the way back to their basal combat the new weed season. bulblets. Heavily infested soil can even be screened to leaves. The tall blooming stems, while they still may have The first step in regaining control of your garden remove the bulbs. Both these approaches are labor inten- a bud or two on them, will never look good again until from weedy invaders is a positive identification of the sive and difficult to rely on because the chances of miss- next year. weed that’s driving you crazy. Once you know the identity ing some of the tiny bulbs are so great. The first year I As we move through the garden like the Grim Reaper, of the naughty little plant, you can do a little research and worked at the Garden for the Environment, we tried to dig it’s also a good find out what its the Oxalis, and the Oxalis was the clear winner that year. time to selec- reproductive strat- The digging was time-consuming and we simply couldn’t tively remove egies are. Different move fast enough to get ahead of the Oxalis. The next year those plants weeds respond to we tried another approach. which didn’t do different control Each Oxalis plant well enough to has the same anatomy. earn their spot in From a tiny brown bulb the garden. Some a white stem emerges plants may be underground. As this chronically trou- stem reaches the light, bled by insects it forms a single node or diseases, some from which leaves may never have emerge, followed by a adapted to the flowering stalk. Instead spot they occupy, of trying to dig deep some may just enough to reach the be the wrong bulbs, we just pulled color or size. By the top off each Oxalis removing the plant, being sure to get stragglers, the the node from which shape of the gar- the leaves emerge. den becomes clearer. Sometimes the newly opened space methods, and the smother- Then the little bulb has is welcome, allowing surrounding plants to expand freely. ing mulch that eradicates to start all over pro- one weed, might make the Sometimes the new space calls for a good soil amendment ducing another white and a new planting. When choosing new plants, consider next weed multiply and repeating a species that has done well in your garden and spread everywhere. Many of stem from deep under- delighted you. Gardens often look more abundant and our most common garden ground. If we are thor- natural when successful elements are repeated. weeds can be found in Pam ough about removing Borage The new growing season also means an abun- Peirce’s Golden Gate Gar- the tops (which we can dance of seedlings in the garden soil. In well-tended old dening, which includes an do much faster than gardens, many or most of these seedlings will be desirable encyclopedia of weeds along Oxalis digging the bulbs) we will eventually exhaust with pictures and eradica- the bulbs and they will die. This has actually been work- tion strategies. Once you’ve ing, and the last two years have seen us the clear winner in identified your weed, it’s the Oxalis battle. time for action. But winning a battle and winning a war are two dif- Oxalis One weed in ferent things. We have to keep at it each year, because as particular haunts my Hal- the days shorten and the Jack-o-Lanterns emerge, so do loween dreams. Oxalis pes- the first little green Oxalis leaves, and they are just waiting caprae is perhaps the most for an opening. If we ignore them, they will take their evil common weed in San Fran- revenge on us, and cover our garden beds in clover-leaved cisco’s gardens. It has three- triumph. leaf clover type leaves and a Next month, From the Border will give some tips yellow five petalled flower Production Specifi cations: on controlling the dreaded Erharta Grass, also rightfully in late winter. Because the known as Panic Grass. plantsPublication: disappear Westside completely Observer duringMedia Unit: the 1/8 dry Page months Horizontal of Hilary Gordon is Sustainable Landscape Education Man- summer,Live Area: 5.0”it can x 4.0” almost be ager at the Garden For the Environment. A life-long gar- forgottenBleed Area: as None it sleeps under- dener, she has worked as a professional landscape gardener groundPrinting: BWin the form of tiny from 1984. Have a question for Hilary? Meet her in the gar- brown bulbs. But with the den at 7th and Lawton, Wed. 10-2 and Sat. 10-4.

EST: 1990

Janet Moyer One of the Award winning design - Landscaping is a “100 Fastest Growing “Outstanding full - service Private Companies” Achievement” Award landscaping company in the Bay Area California specializing in SF Business Times, Landscape Contractors sustainable landscapes 2008 & 2009 Association, 2007 & 2008

415-821-3760 . 1031 Valencia Street, San Francisco . jmoyerlandscaping.com

Landscape Contractor License 853919 . Pest Control License 36389

JML_Print_Brand_WestsideObserver1 1 12/14/2009 4:42:10 PM

Contact...... Michael Padgett Client Name ...... Janet Moyer Landscaping

EST: 1990 Contact Phone ...... 415-821-3760 Job Title ...... Print - The Westside Observer Contact Email...... [email protected] Description ...... 1/8 Page Horiz. Page 20 Westside Observer December-January 2011 discrete palates. What was recently a model airplane store Carmel has often been referred to as an area “for the Real Travel By Sergio Nibbi is now a restaurant, featuring some of the best pizzas on newly-wed or nearly dead,” and its 4,000-plus citizens the peninsula as well as being a great spot for breakfast. La want to keep it that way. With the many festivities, shows Beauty and the Beast Bicyclette expanded to the corner and instead of recorded and wine tasting rooms the area has changed, but it seems o addresses, no street lights, sounds of airplane engines revving up, or of military jets always for the better. The elegant Concours d’ Elegance no sidewalks and no mail in dog fights, one can now hear the sound of sizzling piz- brings in some of the most beautiful cars ever crafted, and Ndelivery. Does that sound zas or the clinking of wine glasses in the intimate dining the Monterey Jazz Festival rocks on for days in mid-Sep- like a remote village in a third world room. tember. The Carmel Art Festival and country or an Occupy encampment? One of our the 4th of July parade always make One would never guess that it’s these favorites has been for great summer fun. The recently attributes that add to the charm of Carmel by the Sea. Cantinetta Luca, and remodeled Sunset Center hosts great The sunsets are stun- shows and performers on a regular ning, as are the views basis, and when all else fails, you can from the huge blimp always enjoy the music from Carmel’s overhead as it zooms jazz station, KRML. Of course, that in on the famous and brings back fond memories of the infamous. The origi- days when Clint Eastwood was mayor nal Bing Crosby clam- and people would pile into the quaint, bake, now the Pebble shingled City Hall just to see and lis- Beach National Pro- ten to Clint with his gravelly voice. Am, has drawn huge Aside from all its charm and crowds and has now with its expanded Sal- beauty, one can’t think about Carmel without hearing become a mecca for umeria Luca, the menu has those haunting words by Jessica Walter, when she called both serious ama- been expanded to include Dave Garver, the KRML disk jockey played by Clint East- teurs and comedians take-out items ideal for a wood and seductively whispers “play Misty for me” in the relaxing meal at home or movie of the same name. A great movie, a great village a late night picnic at the and a wonderful place to visit, but if you go during the beach. Fires on the beach summer months don’t forget your winter gear. We know are still allowed in a restricted area of Carmel beach, and from experience. We went there on our honeymoon 51 what better place to enjoy freshly roasted marshmallows years ago and froze our fannies off! squeezed between graham crackers and melting Her- Feedback: [email protected] shey bars to create unforgettable S’mores with the Pacific Ocean washing ashore just a few feet away. For a tourist, walking the streets of Carmel is always a treat with dozens of small stores and art galleries lin- ing the main thoroughfare, Ocean Avenue. The cross streets are conveniently numbered 4th, 5th, 6th, etc., but the tourists still rely on Carmel’s finest to help them find alike. Even with the Tiger Woods of a few years ago, the location of their parked car. Now what about finding who can forget Bill Murray’s antics? your best friend’s house for a weekend visit? Easy: “west For years, the locals have managed to keep Carmel side of Monte Verde, three houses north of Fourth.” It’s in the limelight while restricting the size of the homes worked for all these years and the locals wouldn’t have it with a stern Planning Department and strict water man- any other way. agement. All the more reasons for the ten million-dollar And are the tourists easy to spot? Yes, they’re the homes along Scenic Drive that remain mostly empty all ones wearing white shoes and short pants on a typical July year long, their owners scattered all around the state and afternoon when the sun hasn’t shined in days. As beautiful the world. as Carmel is, the weather during June, July and August is Recently, an influx of new restaurants has placed no better than San Francisco’s Sunset District. Beautiful in Carmel in direct competition with the Napa Valley and the morning, but once that fog rolls in by mid afternoon beyond--small restaurants, but big on pleasing the most it’s time for that sweater that got left behind at the hotel.

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