Solar Panel Work Stops

Workto install solar panels on the roof of the Sunset Reservoir was halted for a while in June over a dispute as to who should do the work.

Because the panels have to be properly grounded, labor union electricians said they should do the work rather than laborers. Union workers get more than $50 an hour, versus about half that much to hire "green" laborers.

The PUC was honoring a decision to use union electricians because of a ruling by the SF Office of Labor Standards Enforcement. The decision jeopardizes a commitment to use 30 percent of the labor for the project from economically-disadvantaged city residents.

While work resumed at the reservoir, other projects have been temporarily suspended.

Politicians Off and Running

Two Sunset District politicians kicked-off their re-election campaigns in June.

Supervisor Carmen Chu will seek re-election to a second four-year term in November to represent District 4.

"While I'm not aware of other candidates at this time, I am preparing for a strong re-election campaign in which ... I take nothing for granted," Chu said.

As well, city Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting rallied his troops with a "leader mobilization" at the Dianne Feinstein Elementary School on June 12.

Teacher's Face Goes Statewide

Valarie Ziegler, who was recently named a California Teacher of the Year, will be featured on more than 3,300 Wells Fargo ATMs across the state through Oct. 4.

According to the California Department of Education, Teachers of the Year are honored for their dedication to the profession and their contributions to quality education, including successfully employing strategies to increase academic success and narrow the achievement gap.

Ziegler has been teaching government, history and economics at Abraham Lincoln High School for the past five years. She believes relevancy in curriculum is missing, which can be an explanation for the existence of an achievement gap.

"Students are given very few choices about their learning. With the virtual elimination of practical arts classes, such as woodshop and auto repair, many students find little in their day that motivates them," Ziegler said.

Wells estimates that Ziegler's spot on the ATM machines will be seen by some 4.2 million viewers.

Stern Grove Concerts Continue

In continuing its tradition as the longest running free summer music series in the country, the 73rd annual Stern Grove Festival will feature 10 admission-free concerts through Aug. 22, at 2 p.m., at Sigmund Stern Grove, located at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard. Featured this season are:

á July 4: SF Opera, Opera Chorus and Orchestra - Independence Day at Stern Grove includes a celebration of American music with the SF Opera and the SF Opera Chorus and Orchestra, featuring Patricia Racette and John Relyea;

á July 11: San Francisco Symphony - Conducted by Donato Cabrera, the SF Symphony performs "Danz—n Cubano," "Four Dance Episodes" and "Symphony No. 6, Pastoral;"

á July 18: Caravan Palace and DePedro - A blend of WWII Parisian subculture, cabaret, jazz and swing, Caravan Palace makes its West Coast debut;

á July 25: Jovanotti and Bomba EstŽreo - Italian superstar Jovanotti (aka Lorenzo Cherubini) has been a fixture in European clubs for more than two decades and topped Italian pop charts with his last four albums;

á Aug. 1: Rickie Lee Jones and Meklit Hadero - Song stylist and writer Rickie Lee Jones has attained iconic status as one of the founders of popular folk rock;

á Aug. 8: San Francisco Ballet - The SF Ballet performs a selection of works from its current repertory. Renowned for its unique level of innovation and exuberance, the SF Ballet is one of the premier ballet companies in America;

á Aug. 15: Maceo Parker and Darondo - Raised on Southern soul music, Maceo Parker became one of the founding icons of funk;

á Aug. 22: They Might Be Giants and Rogue Wave - With a career spanning two decades, They Might Be Giants made geek rock cool with an eclectic sound, smart lyrics and offbeat musical style.