You probably already know that T12 lamps are not only inefficient but also do not meet the new federal standard for fluorescent lighting. After July 14, 2012, T12 lamps will no longer be available as replacement lamps. Also, the San Francisco Commercial Lighting Ordinance requires that 4-foot or 8-foot linear fluorescent lamps and ballasts in commercial buildings meet a specific efficiency standard. This standard is typically met with T8 lamps and electronic ballasts. 

Incentives are available for a limited time to encourage businesses to make the switch to T8 lamps and electronic ballasts. SF Energy Watch offers FREE on-site assessments to identify energy savings and to estimate the qualifying incentive. Take advantage of the incentives to replace your outdated lamps and ballasts with more efficient T8 lamps and electronic ballasts.

SF Energy Watch incentives for T8 lamps expire on December 31, 2012

All projects must be completed and final paperwork submitted and approved before this date. Remember that upgrading your lighting and processing the incentives may take several months, so act now before the incentives are all gone.  

Contact SF Energy Watch at 415.355.3769 or via email at [email protected] to request a free energy assessment. For more information, visit http://sfenergywatch.org/commercial.html. SF Energy Watch is a partnership between the City of San Francisco and Pacific Gas and Electric Company funded by California ratepayers.

SF Energy Watch information available in Chinese and Español.

The Excelsior Action Group would like to welcome a great new restaurant to the Excelsior- Live Sushi! Live Sushi is a small franchise that began in 2005 in Potrero Hill and has recently expanded to the Excelsior.

Live Sushi offers a unique, fine dining experience in the Excelsior at very reasonable prices.  The staff is extremely friendly and the restaurant has a fun, modern ambience that is perfect for any occasion- family gatherings, date nights, work lunches and everything in between. 

Live Sushi's original dishes, as well as their classic Japanese favorites, use a wide variety of fresh fish. One dish that is exclusive to Live Sushi is the Aji Tataki, which features horse mackerel that is imported from Japan. You cannot get this dish anywhere else in the City!  Come on by, their specials menu changes regularly and they have an exceptional sake menu with very fair prices.

Live Sushi is excited to be in the Excelsior to offer residents the fine dining option they have been asking for!

Each year during Small Business Week, San Francisco highlights the critical role that small businesses play in our local economy and in our neighborhoods.  On Tuesday, May 15, 2012, the Board of Supervisors took time to commemorate the occasion by honoring one extraordinary small business in each district.  This year, District 11 Supervisor John Avalos honored Eddie Zhu of Henry’s Hunan Restaurant, exclaiming “I am proud to have this gem of a restaurant in our district!”

Established in 1974, Henry’s Hunan Restaurant was founded by Zhu’s grandfather to weave the distinctive flavors of Hunan Province cuisine into a family-oriented dining experience for San Franciscans.   Zhu himself was born in Hunan, China and immigrated to the United States in 1982 to join the family business.  His first job in the restaurant business was as a dishwasher in Chinatown.  In 2010, Eddie opened the Excelsior location of Henry’s Hunan at 4753 Mission Street at the site of the historic Granada Café.

Since Zhu and his family have taken over the former Granada Café, they have brought life back to this community institution.