Contact: Tom Murphy (Jerry Day)             415-272-2012                             Susan Sutton (Jerry Day) 510-378-4963

SAN FRANCISCO- Once again, people from every corner of the country will gather on Sunday, August 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. to celebrate the life and music of legendary musician 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.

The 11th Annual Jerry Day features an exciting lineup including Melvin Seals & JGB, who played with the Jerry Garcia Band for 15 years, Stu Allen & Mars Hotel, Lonesome Locomotive and Garrin Benfield.

As a testament to its importance to the surrounding communities and City and County of San Francisco, the event has garnered the support of many civic leaders, including Mayor Ed Lee. “It is always an honor to support this annual community celebration dedicated to one of our City’s greatest artists of all time, Jerry Garcia,” said San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. “This event continues to capture the true spirit of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead while creating something truly special for the Excelsior neighborhood and the entire City. Happy Jerry Day!”

Board of Supervisors President David Chiu said, “I am proud to support the 11th annual Jerry Day because the event is not only special for the great neighborhoods around McLaren Park, but the entire City of San Francisco. It is an opportunity to remember the message of peace and love that Jerry Garcia personified and spread throughout the world with his music.”

Supervisor Malia Cohen, who represents District 10, expressed similar sentiments, saying, “It is a privilege to support Jerry Day!  This annual event brings together neighboring communities, making it a true San Francisco celebration.”

Musician and Bayview resident Melvin Seals said, “This is one of the most authentic Jerry festivals around. We are excited to be a part of it. Jerry grew up in the Bay Area and his vibe and spirit surround this festival!”

“I pretty much view my life as being before Jerry and after Jerry,” said Garrin Benfield. “I went to my first Dead show when I was 14, over the protestations of my parents. In fact, I dragged my Dad along with me and he liked it! Jerry’s whole ethos, and that of the band and its community—dedication to eclecticism, honest personal expression, improvisation, belief in the unknown—have informed every step I’ve taken in the last twenty years.”

Presented by the Jerry Day Committee and San Francisco Parks Alliance, a major goal of this event is to raise awareness for the Excelsior District. What began as a fundraiser and celebration for Crocker Amazon Park continues today, highlighting the City’s extraordinary public spaces. Positioned on the border of the Excelsior and Bayview districts, the park venue, concert, and residency of its artists help unite the broad spectrum of fans that enjoy this annual outdoor event.

Founder and Organizer Tom Murphy said, “As we start the second decade of Jerry Day, we are happy to help preserve San Francisco’s culture and values, as well as see an event evolve into a classic San Francisco tradition at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater.  It is an honor to have this event help our local communities and promote the legacy of Excelsior District and San Francisco native son, Jerry Garcia.”

Trixie Garcia, Jerry’s daughter, said, “The Jerry Garcia Family is proud to participate in Jerry Day, honoring Jerry’s contribution to San Francisco’s diverse roots and musical heritage. This year, San Franciscans spoke up loud and clear that Jerry’s legacy is indeed valuable to the culture and future of this unique city, and we thank you! Join us August 4 for the 11th annual Jerry Day celebration at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park!”

We want you to make a logo with the words "Excelsior Collaborative."  The Excelsior Collaborative is a group of over a dozen community organizations and individuals working to develop and achieve a shared vision for improving our neighborhood.  Our values are Community Engagement & Empowerment; Neighborhood Diversity; Economic Justice; and a Healthy Quality of Life for All!  The winner will receive a one-of-a-kind hoodie featuring their design!  

Submission Guidelines: 
Deadline is October 14th.  Logos must be able to fit a 1x1 inch size, and expand to a full page.  Logos must have the words "Excelsior Collaborative".  Please send logo submissions to Lily Wong, 459 Vienna Street, SF CA 94112. 

Good luck, contestants!

WHAT: PODER (People Organizing to Demand Environmental & Economic Rights) and CPA (Chinese Progressive Association) are organizing a Community Harvest Celebration to share the findings from a community-led planning process to create a cooperatively governed and community-led urban farm at Crocker Park. Neighborhood leaders will share their experiences going door-to-door, learning from the wealth of knowledge, traditions, and skills in the neighborhood, including the nearly 300 surveys they conducted with Excelsior residents. Key findings focus on culturally-based food traditions, programming to address community needs, and the vision for sharing gardens that are cooperatively governed and community-led.

According to community residents surveyed, only 4% of residents have access to a community garden, and as much as 25% have no access to garden opportunities whatsoever, whether it be a yard, windowsill, community garden, or school garden. 39% of community residents surveyed believe that a farm will improve their health; 28% believe they will learn new skills; and 33% believe it will bring diverse communities to work together. In fact, 62% of community members surveyed want to work together, make decisions together, share in the benefits and sign up as a member. Of all 293 Excelsior community members surveyed, 90% believe the farm is a great idea.

WHO: PODER youth members, CPA youth members, Community residents from the Excelsior, SF Public Utilities Commission representatives, Supervisor John Avalos.

WHEN: Friday, July 12, 2013; Welcome by Supervisor Avalos at 6:00 pm, event runs from 5:00 - 8:00 pm

WHERE: Muslim Community Center, 4760 Mission St. (at Russia Ave.), San Francisco

WHY: Many low income and working class families in the Excelsior live with disproportionate exposure to high quantities of toxic pollution, some of the highest rates of heart disease, asthma, obesity, and cancer, poor healthy food options, and high unemployment. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (PUC) passed a new environmental justice and secondary land use policy that provides an opportunity to create teaching and learning spaces on PUC-owned land, such as sharing gardens at Crocker Park in the Excelsior. District 11 Supervisor John Avalos also shares this vision.