Richmond Roundup

New Stop Signs on Fulton
Supervisor Jake McGoldrick was on hand March 31 as the SF Department of Public Works installed new stop signs at 47th Avenue and Fulton Street, the site of a pedestrian fatality on Sept. 17, 2003.

Two local residents, Michael Samson and Cheryl Arnold, spearheaded the effort to get stop signs.

"This intersection is extremely dangerous," Samson said.

According to Bond Yee, representing the SF Department of Parking and Traffic at a March 15 Land Use Committee hearing, there are several considerations for slowing traffic on Fulton, including lowering the speed limit from 35 mph to 30 mph and increasing traffic enforcement.

McGoldrick calendared the hearing at the supervisor's Land Use Committee and he held a Town Hall Meeting in March concerning safety issues, including Fulton Street. The March 16 meeting of the Community/Police Forum also featured a discussion of "traffic calming" on Fulton.

In an effort to further curb vehicle speeds on outer Fulton Street, a new stop sign was recently installed at La Playa and Fulton and a radar machine is being employed on Fulton to inform drivers of their speed.

Phones needed for seniors, victims
The Salvation Army is piloting a cell phone recycling program in which old and used cell phones are recycled, cleaned and distributed to frail seniors in need. With the donated cell phone, a senior can dial 911 and call for help in a time of need from almost anywhere.

To qualify, a senior citizen must be over the age of 65, have a monthly income of less than $2,020 and live in one of the following zip codes: 94129, 94118, 94121, 94122, 94116, 94127 and 94132. To donate a cell phone drop it, with accessories, at City Hall, Room 260, or take it to one of the following collection sites in the Richmond District: Richmond Resource Center, 3330 Geary Blvd., 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; or the Richmond YMCA, 360 18th Ave. For more information, call 566-0289 or 575-4848.

The SF Federal Credit Union is also collecting cell phones to donate to victims of domestic violence through April 30 at all of the financial institution's branches, including Geary Boulevard.

Workshops for parents, students
Parents of high school students who want to play an active role in their child's academic lives are encouraged to attend a free workshop.

The first and third sessions, "How to Help Your Child be a Successful Learner" and "How to Help Your Child With Writing Assignments," will be held at the Parkside Branch Library, 1200 Taraval St., on Tuesday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 27, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., respectively.

Session two, "How to Help Your Child be a Successful Reader," will be held at the Merced Branch Library, 155 Winston Dr., Wednesday, April 21, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For more information, call the Parkside Branch Library at 753-7125 or the Merced Branch Library at 355-2825.

Dawn service at cross
Easter Sunrise Service marks 70th anniversary of America's largest cross

The public is invited to join in the celebration of Easter Sunrise 2004 at the Mt. Davidson Cross on Sunday, April 11, at 6:30 a.m. Admission is free.

This year's citywide observance at the foot of America's largest cross will feature a reading of the Easter story, a prayer for peace, a SF Fire Department Honor Guard presentation and performances by the Shiloh Full Gospel Choir, Salvation Army Brass Band, Lynne Miller of the House of Bagpipes and Christian contemporary recording artist Buddy Rasberry. Among those taking part in the non-denominational program are San Francisco District 7 Supervisor Tony Hall, District 4 Supervisor Fiona Ma, Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White, Rev. Ted Frazier and program chair Rev. P.T. Mammen.

Situated at the summit of the City's tallest peak, the 103-foot-tall cross will be illuminated the evening of April 10.

Those planning to attend the event are advised to dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes. For more information, call (415) 566-8393.

Academy set to open May 1
The California Academy of Sciences is set to open its temporary location South of Market May 1.

The Academy, which will be located at 875 Howard St. for several years while its former home in Golden Gate Park is being rebuilt, will exhibit animals, including South African Black-Footed Penguins, boa constrictors, bearded lizards and marine toads.

Also relocated to Howard Street is the Academy's lungfish, Methuselah, which recently celebrated its 65th anniversary at the scientific institution.

Admission to the Academy, open everyday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is $7 for adults and $2 - $4.50 for youth.

'Hero' guest at scouts' celebration
On Sunday, Feb. 8, Venture Crew 71 of the Boy Scouts of America, San Francisco Bay Area Council, Golden Gate District, celebrated Scouts Sunday. It was exactly on Sunday, Feb. 8, 1910, that Boy Scouts of America began. Every year scouts throughout America observe this anniversary.

The occasion was more special when Crew members invited Alex Hernandez as the special guest. He was the 19 years old person who rescued two people from their burning cars off Highway 94 in the East Bay. At the time of the rescue two weeks ago, Hernandez was interviewed on television. Crew members heard him say that his Good Deed was from his Boy Scouts' training. It was fitting that his good deed was the reason for the establishment of the Boy Scouts in America. Hernandez is a crew member of Venture Crew 146, which is comprised of many Richmond and Sunset district youth, of the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council.

Claudia Curtis, new District Executive of Golden Gate District, was also recognized for her presence and support of the Crew.

Scout Sunday celebrations began with a church service at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Venture Crew 71's Charter Organization, on 43rd Avenue and Judah Street. Reverend Zondra Newsome gave a beautiful sermon on being "Reverent" (one of the Scouts laws). Three Crew members assisted in the reading of the liturgy during service as other Crew members greeted members of the congregation when entering the church. Immediately after the service, a coffee hour was hosted by Crew 71 and enjoyed by everyone present. Most of the food was donated by local merchants. Special thanks is extended to the very generous donations by Andronico's on Irving Street and the Bashful Bull on Taraval Street. A "delicious and nicely decorated cake" for the 94th birthday of Boy Scouts of America was also enjoyed by all.

During the coffee hour, Crew Advisor Gladys Chaw, awarded special recognition certificates and patches to Crew members and to Alex Hernandez for his good deed.

For more information on Boy Scouts of America, venturing, cub scouting, and scouting, contact the SFBAC at (800) 231-7963 or www.sfbac.org.

Arbor Day at Presidio
There will be an Arbor Day celebration at the Presidio on Saturday, April 24. Tree climbing demonstrations, bird watching and picnicking will highlight the free family event as experts discuss wildlife habitats and how maintenance and reforestation of the Presidio forests are taking shape.

The celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a sunny grove near Presidio Boulevard and West Pacific Avenue. For more information, visit www.presidio.gov.

Preservation conference
The 29th Annual California Preservation Conference, "Building Bridges," will be held from Wednesday, April 28 to Saturday, May 1, at the Presidio. Special events include an opening reception at the Presidio Officers' Club's Moraga Ballroom, a gala dinner dance at the San Francisco Maritime Museum, workshops and educational sessions on local preservation and a variety of walking tours. For registration information, a schedule and specific program fees, call 495-0349.

Yee gets Assembly post, names woman of the year
Assemblyman Leland Yee was chosen by incoming Speaker Fabian Nunez as the new speaker pro tempore at the California Assembly.

Yee, who officially assumed the position Feb. 10, is the first Asian American to hold the office.

Yee's new duties include presiding over Assembly floor sessions, managing the daily legislative file, managing debate on the floor, responding to requests for information and ruling on all parliamentary motions.

Also, during a special ceremony of the state Assembly, Yee announced Marie Brizuela, president of the Jefferson Elementary School board, as the 12th Assembly District's Woman of the Year.

Brizuela, who has lived in the Bay Area all her life, brought the local fire department and the South San Francisco Unified School District together for the "Learn Not to Burn" program, which resulted in a six year-old student saving her family during a fire.

Most recently, she has enjoyed working as a "house captain" with Rebuilding Together, which brings community volunteers together to revitalize and improve low-income houses and neighborhoods.

Abduction suspect sought
The SF Police Department has released a sketch of a suspect who tried to abduct a 15-year-old female in the 500 block of Eighth Avenue on Friday, Feb. 6, at approximately 10:20 p.m. The man approached the female from behind and placed his hands across her eyes and mouth, but she was able to escape. The suspect, a white male who is about six-feet tall with a large stomach, was seen getting into a small late-model "boxy" vehicle on Eighth Avenue.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect is urged to call SFPD Inspector Elaine Economus at 553-4906.

PGA events at Harding
The Professional Golf Association will play the World Golf Championships at Harding Park in October 2005. The event features the top 50 golfers in professional golf.

The SF Board of Supervisors unanimously voted March 16 to bring the tournament, and four other tour events before 2019, to the City's recently-remodeled golf course near Lake Merced.

According to SF Supervisor Tony Hall, a major proponent of the PGA deal, some $35 million will be spent in the local economy as a result of the agreement and $500,000 will be donated toward the First Tee Program at Harding.

Richmond officer honored
Richmond District police officer Michael Regatta was honored for his long-time dedication to the community at a grand fete March 20, sponsored by the SF Council of Lions.

Regatta, who was chosen as the Park Presidio Lion's Officer of the Year, received a plaque and kudos from numerous community leaders, including Police Chief Heather Fong. Many of Regatta's family members also attended the event.