Local Economic Development Organization Spearheads Pedestrian Level Lighting Program (San Francisco – February 21, 2013) On Saturday, February 16, 2013, the Excelsior Action Group (EAG) executed a grassroots safety program with the help of over a dozen local youth in San Francisco’s Excelsior neighborhood. Shine a Bright Light on Excelsior is a pedestrian level lighting campaign that enlists youth as safety liaisons to distribute free energy efficient lighting to small businesses to brighten their storefront windows at night. Generously funded by PG&E, the program addresses the neighborhood’s dire need for pedestrian level lighting to increase safety and foot traffic on Mission Street after dark. Shine a Bright Light on Excelsior was developed in response to a call from merchants and residents alike for better lighting and improved safety along the Excelsior’s commercial corridor. In EAG’s recent community needs assessment, merchants shared common anecdotes of increased break-ins and defacement of their storefronts during the night. Residents living, working, and shopping on the corridor cited that their sense of security on Mission Street dramatically decreases after dark. EAG’s Public Safety Planning Group took these findings as a call to action, working with PG&E to develop the Shine a Bright Light on Excelsior program. Fifteen neighborhood youth from Balboa High School and San Francisco State University volunteered with EAG staff to distribute energy efficient light bulbs to 193 small businesses along Mission Street. Their message was simple: leave a light on at night to improve pedestrian safety after dark. When asked why the program was important, SFSU student Rosson Pan remarked, “Increased lighting will encourage more people to feel safe and to shop on Mission Street after dark, which will increase safety even further. It’s a cycle that will help to improve the local economy!” Small business owners were warmly receptive to the program and pleased to see local youth volunteering in the community. “We recognize that a free light bulb is only a temporary solution,” explained Commercial Corridor Manager Nicole Agbayani, “But it also sparks a neighborhood-wide conversation about a much needed project to permanently install pedestrian level lighting here in the Excelsior. Merchants recognize the positive impact more lighting has on their businesses. Youth recognize that more lighting engenders a safer community, and that they can be the impetus for that transformation.” Bernardo Cortes, Customer Relationship Manager at PG&E, the program’s primary funder, said, “PG&E is proud to work with the Excelsior Action Group to promote safety along the Excelsior commercial corridor. We will continue to collaborate with EAG to provide local businesses with energy-efficient measures to help them save money and improve public safety.” EAG is grateful for all of the support it received in bringing this program to fruition, particularly from PG&E, Whole Foods, Balboa High School’s PULSE program, and SFSU Professor Brigitte Davila.
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To commemorate his 70th birthday, the 10th Annual Jerry Day celebrates Garcia’s life and music on August 5 at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park. SAN FRANCISCO- Musicians, fans, family, friends and community members will unite on Sunday, August 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. to celebrate the life and music of the legendary Jerry Garcia at the venue named in his honor—the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater—in San Francisco’s McLaren Park, located in Garcia’s childhood community, the Excelsior District. This popular event—attended by approximately 4,000 people—poses a unique opportunity for local businesses, particularly those that offer food and refreshments, to embrace the celebration of Jerry Garcia and the Excelsior District by offering special menu items, coupons and deals to draw in customers before and after the festivities. The 10th Annual Jerry Garcia Day, which will also commemorate his 70th birthday (August 1), features an eclectic lineup including Melvin Seals & JGB, who played with the Jerry Garcia Band for 15 years, Stu Allen & Mars Hotel, Peter Rowan, Sandy Rothman, Pat Nevins, Blue Bear School of Music and special guests. Jerry Day 2012 – August 5, 2012
11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jerry Garcia Amphitheater 45 Shelley Drive (John McLaren Park), San Francisco 94134 www.jerryday.org Are you a person who loves nature and lives in the Excelsior? Well this is the perfect activity for you! Join Christina and her pit bull Snap from Excelsior Urban Hikes as she takes you and a group of other fellow hikers to see some of San Francisco's most breathtaking views. The hikes usually last up to two hours and you can choose to hike towards McLaren Park, Mt. Davidson, or Bernal Hill. Christina was inspired to do this when she first started walking her roommate's dog for her two years ago. She recently had just closed down her business so she had some extra time and needed some exercise as well. She was looking on Craigslist one night in search for a part time job and found an ad looking for tour guides to show people their neighborhood from a "local's" perspective. " She has lived in the Excelsior District for five years and knows the area well. "I thought maybe people would want to join me and a friendly, lovable pit bull in seeing some of the best views in the city while hiking through a colorful and interesting neighborhood." The tour company loved the idea and put her on their website. Christina has been doing these hikes for almost one and a half years now and still enjoys them every time. If you're interested in joining her on a hike you can book a tour by going to her website www.excelsiorurbanhikes.com and clicking on the calendar to see the tour times. It will be an experience you'll never forget! On June15th, President Obama announced that the Department of Homeland Security will stop deporting young immigrants who meet certain conditions. In mid-august, eligible individuals will be able to submit an application to US customs and immigration services (USCIS). If your application is approved, you will be able to get something call "deferred action". You will be eligible for a work permit, a social security number, and some protection against deportation. The International Institute of the Bay Area nonprofit organization will be holding three free, information sessions with qualified legal representatives in attendance to provide accurate information about who qualifies, what to know, and how and whether to proceed with an application. The three information sessions will be held on July 12th in Redwood City, July 19th in Berkeley, and July 20th in San Francisco. Download the flyer to the left for more information. In Fall 2011, a group of San Francisco State University students wrote, produced, and directed "The House We Live In," a documentary highlighting the history, demographics, and needs of the community here in the Excelsior. Many thanks to Frank Du, Deodor Tronco, Michael Ramos, Bryan Vo, Peter Lee, and Chiam Tang for your hard work on this film and dedication to neighborhood revitalization and social justice. |
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